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Sins
There’s something wrong with me. Something dark, something twisted. Daddy always said I could make even the holiest of men sin…and you know what? He was right. After being stolen for five years, my life is not my own. It’s unrecognizable. A new house, a new family…even stepbrothers. I’m the face America has prayed for, but I don’t want to be. I was safe when I was away, and now that I’m back in Midpark, the monsters will come out and play. Cruel. Vicious. Evil. Everyone sins, but some sins are worse than others. Some sins just can’t be forgiven, and it’s only when they enter my life that I realize this. Handsome and dangerous, Zane and Thorn make me question everything I thought I knew. Maybe I could have a life. Maybe I can ignore the darkness inside and forget the terrors of my past. Maybe they could teach me what love really means, how to fight back against the bullies in my life. Or maybe not. Maybe this new beginning is simply my ending. Sins is a dark standalone novel, centering around a girl in high school who’s never had a good life. There is some bullying, along with mentions of abuse and graphic violence. This is also a MFM romance, so be warned.
280 pages, Paperback
Published October 20, 2019
1021 people are currently reading
2001 people want to read
About the author
Candace Wondrak
116 books1,847 followersHey guys! I'm a writer, an office worker, a wife, a mother to two dogs and two cats, and half of a strange pair of young adults who flip the houses they're living in with the goal of having no mortgage (so that I can eventually focus on my writing career!). Needless to say, I'm busy.
Still, I somehow find time to write, to read, and to enjoy life. Wish there were more hours in the day, really!
If you're active on Goodreads and have similar interests, friend me. I don't bite. Or if you'd rather follow my reviews, you can do that, too.
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Still, I somehow find time to write, to read, and to enjoy life. Wish there were more hours in the day, really!
If you're active on Goodreads and have similar interests, friend me. I don't bite. Or if you'd rather follow my reviews, you can do that, too.
Happy reading!
Link to newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dppf_v
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
April 27, 2020
Well, this is awkward.
I love The Harbinger's series by this author so I knew it was time for me to try her other books. I'm not sure how to describe this book. It was something I did not expect. Now even if I give this book two stars for reasons I'm going to explain below, I'm still interested in reading more from this author.
The main reason why I kept lowering my rating was the torture. The FMC went through some really horrible stuff when she grew up and the main characters are meant to be evil and psychotic. That's usually something I enjoy reading about. HOWEVER, the graphic torture scenes where body parts (hands, dick, eyes & tongue) kept being chopped off, cut, scooped out etc made me sick. It was simply disgusting and I really could have done without it. Especially since the characters are turned on when watching one particular video of them torturing and killing someone.
It could have been a four stars read if it hadn't be so gross. The cutting bodies aside, the sex scenes weren't that sexy either and I thought they could have been hotter. I'm disappointed because this book was compelling and I couldn't look away.
I love The Harbinger's series by this author so I knew it was time for me to try her other books. I'm not sure how to describe this book. It was something I did not expect. Now even if I give this book two stars for reasons I'm going to explain below, I'm still interested in reading more from this author.
The main reason why I kept lowering my rating was the torture. The FMC went through some really horrible stuff when she grew up and the main characters are meant to be evil and psychotic. That's usually something I enjoy reading about. HOWEVER, the graphic torture scenes where body parts (hands, dick, eyes & tongue) kept being chopped off, cut, scooped out etc made me sick. It was simply disgusting and I really could have done without it. Especially since the characters are turned on when watching one particular video of them torturing and killing someone.
It could have been a four stars read if it hadn't be so gross. The cutting bodies aside, the sex scenes weren't that sexy either and I thought they could have been hotter. I'm disappointed because this book was compelling and I couldn't look away.
March 9, 2020
Not sure this is a HS Bully Romance, but whatever it is... I LOVE it
I am wondering if this is the start to a series or not. I guess it could be a stand alone, but there are a few things that still need answering.
So, the story is about a girl who is missing for 5 years. At age 17, she is released or escapes and makes her way to a restaurant. The cops immediately release her to her mom who is remarried. The story is about what happens next. Her new family includes two stepbrother twins and she goes back to HS. There is a lot of triggers for sensitive people - rape, murder, torture, gore, revenge, sex... Despite all that I didn't think this was that dark. Maybe my brain is broken but this seems mild compared to some of the Dark Romance books I have read.
SPOILERS BELOW
Does Jacob know where they are? How is Ollie supposed to keep them from being discovered? How is Ollie going to explain what happened to Astrid? Won't them all just leaving make things more suspicious for Celeste? And why in the world would supposedly smart people keep evidence?
Great concept for a story, but Celeste is too trusting of them. Yeah, I love the guys too, but I couldn't make myself trust them and ALL THAT didn't even happen to me. I get they saved her, but she seems naive. She doesn't question things enough and accepts too easily I think.
I am hoping this is a series, and if so...Yes! I will totally be reading the next installment.
I am wondering if this is the start to a series or not. I guess it could be a stand alone, but there are a few things that still need answering.
So, the story is about a girl who is missing for 5 years. At age 17, she is released or escapes and makes her way to a restaurant. The cops immediately release her to her mom who is remarried. The story is about what happens next. Her new family includes two stepbrother twins and she goes back to HS. There is a lot of triggers for sensitive people - rape, murder, torture, gore, revenge, sex... Despite all that I didn't think this was that dark. Maybe my brain is broken but this seems mild compared to some of the Dark Romance books I have read.
SPOILERS BELOW
Does Jacob know where they are? How is Ollie supposed to keep them from being discovered? How is Ollie going to explain what happened to Astrid? Won't them all just leaving make things more suspicious for Celeste? And why in the world would supposedly smart people keep evidence?
Great concept for a story, but Celeste is too trusting of them. Yeah, I love the guys too, but I couldn't make myself trust them and ALL THAT didn't even happen to me. I get they saved her, but she seems naive. She doesn't question things enough and accepts too easily I think.
I am hoping this is a series, and if so...Yes! I will totally be reading the next installment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2019
I'm a mess right now, I don't know if to feel disgusted by the whole thing or be happy for the main characters. And this is the first time I had to skip some pages because of the graphic violence.
Overall, this book messes up with your emotions.
Overall, this book messes up with your emotions.
November 18, 2019
No.No. Noooo. Conflicted.
I cannot. I mean, I expected dark since the title says so. But this is not merely dark. This is Black ! And twisted ! Possible demented ! And psychopathic !
The plot might have started well. You know what's coming pretty much early in the book. And you wait for it. Going through the twists and turns. Patiently accepting the twisted evil incidents. And the end comes. I am shocked and conflicted. I mean, I sympathize with the character, but the boys are plain evil and psychotic. How is their father even sane and calm in their final phone-call ?
And that end was ridiculously twisted !
I am conflicted because I am not sure if my poor rating is for the story itself or because it didn't sit well with me.
I cannot. I mean, I expected dark since the title says so. But this is not merely dark. This is Black ! And twisted ! Possible demented ! And psychopathic !
The plot might have started well. You know what's coming pretty much early in the book. And you wait for it. Going through the twists and turns. Patiently accepting the twisted evil incidents. And the end comes. I am shocked and conflicted. I mean, I sympathize with the character, but the boys are plain evil and psychotic. How is their father even sane and calm in their final phone-call ?
And that end was ridiculously twisted !
I am conflicted because I am not sure if my poor rating is for the story itself or because it didn't sit well with me.
Read
November 5, 2019I'm not really sure how to rate this book to be honest so I'm not going to rate it at all. I wanted to like it but I get really annoyed when books go in circles and that EXACTLY what it felt like here. Everything was alluded to but never fully disclosed. Answers were given but not in a complete way. Even at the end when all has been - supposedly - disclosed your left going "what?" And lets not even start on the unresolved plot holes......
Ultimately, the emotion that the author was trying to convey just missed the mark for me - especially since this was suppose to be a "dark" book. If you read K. Dukey, Addison Cain, or any of those authors you will find this book comical.
In regard to the bully aspect....the Hero's are not the bullies, and quite frankly the bully aspect of it never made any sense either.
Ultimately, the emotion that the author was trying to convey just missed the mark for me - especially since this was suppose to be a "dark" book. If you read K. Dukey, Addison Cain, or any of those authors you will find this book comical.
In regard to the bully aspect....the Hero's are not the bullies, and quite frankly the bully aspect of it never made any sense either.
January 13, 2020
I think this is one of the first books I've read by Candace Wondrak. I've previously tried some of her other books, but for one reason or another they haven't wow'ed me enough to keep me entertained. If I have to be completely honest, that's probably 80% about me and only 20% about the book. What can I say, I'm a really fussy reader!
When Sins came out most of my reader buds were extremely excited, and I even gave a copy away for some Secret Santa stuff in December. That's when I really paid attention to the book. I'm a blurb whore through-and-through, so I didn't even really notice the stunning cover at first. After reading the blurb, I knew I had to read this book. So, before I went on Christmas Holiday I got it via K.U. and was ready to dive in. Butttt let me just say this: celebrating the festive season with my beloved family and friends did not put me in the mood to read this messed up story. Sooooo once again it got pushed aside, until 2 days ago when I was browsing through my Kindle library and say the stunning cover.
Even reading the blurb and a few reviews (especially those below 4 stars) couldn't prepare me for how truly fucked up Celeste's story is. At times I wasn't even sure whether it was a contemp with human monsters, or if it would have a PNR or Fantasy spin later on. In case anyone else feels like that, let me just say this book is 100% contemp!!
Candace takes the ever popular bully romance trope and makes it her personal bitch, through her unique and fresh take on things. Celeste (the FMC) does not fall in love with her bullies. In fact, her bullies have no redeeming qualities whatsoever. And how fucking amazing is that, to finally read a book where the bullies doesn't end up on top. At the same time, the twin brothers who are acting as her self appointed guardians are far worse than any bully I've ever read about or heard about. There's nothing they won't do for Celeste and at the end, there's nothing she won't do to reclaim what was brutally taken from her as a young child.
Candace's writing is deliciously dark, twisted and even masterfully disgusting and if you don't have any triggers, I'll strongly recommend this book!
When Sins came out most of my reader buds were extremely excited, and I even gave a copy away for some Secret Santa stuff in December. That's when I really paid attention to the book. I'm a blurb whore through-and-through, so I didn't even really notice the stunning cover at first. After reading the blurb, I knew I had to read this book. So, before I went on Christmas Holiday I got it via K.U. and was ready to dive in. Butttt let me just say this: celebrating the festive season with my beloved family and friends did not put me in the mood to read this messed up story. Sooooo once again it got pushed aside, until 2 days ago when I was browsing through my Kindle library and say the stunning cover.
Even reading the blurb and a few reviews (especially those below 4 stars) couldn't prepare me for how truly fucked up Celeste's story is. At times I wasn't even sure whether it was a contemp with human monsters, or if it would have a PNR or Fantasy spin later on. In case anyone else feels like that, let me just say this book is 100% contemp!!
Candace takes the ever popular bully romance trope and makes it her personal bitch, through her unique and fresh take on things. Celeste (the FMC) does not fall in love with her bullies. In fact, her bullies have no redeeming qualities whatsoever. And how fucking amazing is that, to finally read a book where the bullies doesn't end up on top. At the same time, the twin brothers who are acting as her self appointed guardians are far worse than any bully I've ever read about or heard about. There's nothing they won't do for Celeste and at the end, there's nothing she won't do to reclaim what was brutally taken from her as a young child.
Candace's writing is deliciously dark, twisted and even masterfully disgusting and if you don't have any triggers, I'll strongly recommend this book!
November 14, 2019
⭐⭐⭐⭐
What the hell was that? 😱
One of my friends reccomended this book and the cover drew me in.
When I first started reading it I knew it's going to be dark, but boy , I didn't know how deep the dark goes.
Celeste is a poor little girl who was abused most of her life by her father and his friends. Her mother who was supposed to protect her daughter did absolutely nothing to help.
At the beginning, we don't know the extent of the abuse, but as we go along the author reveals bits and pieces of what she went through.
At the beginning, Celeste, is walking out of her confinement after five years of being taken from her life and "family", we don't know why and who, but the book reveals all the info as we go and it was shocking as hell.
When Celeste is getting back with her mother she discovers that her mother remarried and she has 2 stepbrothers.
Those brothers were the epitome of dark and twisted.
Thorn and Zane 🐰🐰 are identical twins, but they are so different, it's jarring. When Celeste comes home she begins to get closer with her so called brothers, and the mystery starts to unravel.
I won't hash out all that happen through out the story, but all I'll say is
It's so dark and twisted sometimes I closed my eyes to gather my bearing, and I'm not easily shocked.
The book is not quite the reverse harmen that we are used to , and it is from a triple POV of them all. I liked Thorn's the most.
At the end of things we learn that Celeste being kidnapped, was the best thing that ever happened to her, saved her, and even though she was tucked away for five years the reader doesn't feel as if she had any misinterpretation of social interactions or lack of knowledge of the world. which was weird, because 5 years is a long time, and there is so much you can learn from TV.
The book has some bulling aspects, but the abuse theme takes the forefront.
The book has a twisted HEA and I loved it!
It seems that even the darkest parts couldn't deter me from enjoying the book.
During the reading, I kept thinking about Tillie Cole's Sick Fux , which had alot of similarities with Sins.
All in all, this book is the darkest as they get, and if you have a faint heart, just stay clear. But if you are dark and twisted, like me, you are welcome to hop on the Zane and Thorn train🚄
What the hell was that? 😱
One of my friends reccomended this book and the cover drew me in.
When I first started reading it I knew it's going to be dark, but boy , I didn't know how deep the dark goes.
Celeste is a poor little girl who was abused most of her life by her father and his friends. Her mother who was supposed to protect her daughter did absolutely nothing to help.
At the beginning, we don't know the extent of the abuse, but as we go along the author reveals bits and pieces of what she went through.
At the beginning, Celeste, is walking out of her confinement after five years of being taken from her life and "family", we don't know why and who, but the book reveals all the info as we go and it was shocking as hell.
When Celeste is getting back with her mother she discovers that her mother remarried and she has 2 stepbrothers.
Those brothers were the epitome of dark and twisted.
Thorn and Zane 🐰🐰 are identical twins, but they are so different, it's jarring. When Celeste comes home she begins to get closer with her so called brothers, and the mystery starts to unravel.
I won't hash out all that happen through out the story, but all I'll say is
It's so dark and twisted sometimes I closed my eyes to gather my bearing, and I'm not easily shocked.
The book is not quite the reverse harmen that we are used to , and it is from a triple POV of them all. I liked Thorn's the most.
At the end of things we learn that Celeste being kidnapped, was the best thing that ever happened to her, saved her, and even though she was tucked away for five years the reader doesn't feel as if she had any misinterpretation of social interactions or lack of knowledge of the world. which was weird, because 5 years is a long time, and there is so much you can learn from TV.
The book has some bulling aspects, but the abuse theme takes the forefront.
The book has a twisted HEA and I loved it!
It seems that even the darkest parts couldn't deter me from enjoying the book.
During the reading, I kept thinking about Tillie Cole's Sick Fux , which had alot of similarities with Sins.
All in all, this book is the darkest as they get, and if you have a faint heart, just stay clear. But if you are dark and twisted, like me, you are welcome to hop on the Zane and Thorn train🚄
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2020
Holy Moses Batman!
Sins was dreadfully sinful. So many mysterious twists and turns were in each chapter. Of course things started to make sense towards the end.. but I still ended up shocked at things that came out of the dark. Each character has their secrets in this book. It's what makes everything so freaking interesting and a page turner. Yes, some things in this book made me mad and queasy but it was GOOD.
Zane, Thorn, and Celeste all have an inner demon. However, they aren't the only ones but they do embrace it. Celeste has been through some shit - a lot of it was because of her own damn parents. The whole thing made me sick to my stomach and that's not even the worst of it. Not going to lie.. this made me think it was a CSI or Criminal Minds show because it was that good and effed up.
In the end, I was definitely in shock. Sort of glad that they all were happy-ish together.. but hot damn. Didn't expect any of that to go down.
Sins was dreadfully sinful. So many mysterious twists and turns were in each chapter. Of course things started to make sense towards the end.. but I still ended up shocked at things that came out of the dark. Each character has their secrets in this book. It's what makes everything so freaking interesting and a page turner. Yes, some things in this book made me mad and queasy but it was GOOD.
Zane, Thorn, and Celeste all have an inner demon. However, they aren't the only ones but they do embrace it. Celeste has been through some shit - a lot of it was because of her own damn parents. The whole thing made me sick to my stomach and that's not even the worst of it. Not going to lie.. this made me think it was a CSI or Criminal Minds show because it was that good and effed up.
In the end, I was definitely in shock. Sort of glad that they all were happy-ish together.. but hot damn. Didn't expect any of that to go down.
November 9, 2019
I was their angel, and they were my demons. - Celeste Chambers
Id picked this up yesterday and just finished reading Sins💯 after 6 hours straight,I am so invested and captivated such a page turner 👍 and holly fuck what a twisted book💕 I couldn't love Zane and Thorn more. and Celeste girl you blew my mind in the last 90% of the book! long live the darkness ✨❤️✨
This a solid 10 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for me!
"Three people who were missing a piece of themselves. Three people who’d found each other in the darkness of the world, amongst the filth and the sinners. Three people who would do anything for each other, who completed each other effortlessly and seamlessly. We were three people, but we were one."
Review byMareadbooks
Id picked this up yesterday and just finished reading Sins💯 after 6 hours straight,I am so invested and captivated such a page turner 👍 and holly fuck what a twisted book💕 I couldn't love Zane and Thorn more. and Celeste girl you blew my mind in the last 90% of the book! long live the darkness ✨❤️✨
This a solid 10 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for me!
"Three people who were missing a piece of themselves. Three people who’d found each other in the darkness of the world, amongst the filth and the sinners. Three people who would do anything for each other, who completed each other effortlessly and seamlessly. We were three people, but we were one."
Review byMareadbooks
November 6, 2019
Wow!! Just Wow!!
I have no words! When this says it is a dark read with many triggers, it does! And I absolutely loved it!! So freaking much! I do not want to give any spoilers away, because experiencing things as the story unfolds adds to the awesomeness. So yeah, if you do not have any triggers, and enjoy a truely dark read. This story is definitely for you.
PS. I freaking love the twins so damn much!
I have no words! When this says it is a dark read with many triggers, it does! And I absolutely loved it!! So freaking much! I do not want to give any spoilers away, because experiencing things as the story unfolds adds to the awesomeness. So yeah, if you do not have any triggers, and enjoy a truely dark read. This story is definitely for you.
PS. I freaking love the twins so damn much!
November 3, 2019
Holy shit, this book blew me away. I was not expecting this story. Phenomal is what this book is. The twist and turns this book has keeps you on edge and wanting more. I still can’t get over this book, it is a definite must read!!! Loved it!!
September 25, 2023
3.5 stars
I'm waffling back and forth between 3.5 and 4 stars. There were things that I really liked, but were also things that made me think, really? at times. Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I wouldn't necessarily call it a bully romance because the bullying is not even by the MMCs, but she does get picked on at school. That the MMCs don't even attend.
I'm waffling back and forth between 3.5 and 4 stars. There were things that I really liked, but were also things that made me think, really? at times. Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I wouldn't necessarily call it a bully romance because the bullying is not even by the MMCs, but she does get picked on at school. That the MMCs don't even attend.
November 22, 2019
Dark and Different
I mostly liked this book. I definitely enjoyed the twins devotion to Celeste. I loved that this book was different and that this author went outside of my comfort zone which is typical. What made me not love this book is hard to describe. There were acts of revenge but, though I love it when MCs find retribution usually, I didn't find any of these but one satisfying. I am not sure why. I just kept waiting for this big, gratifying climax but it wasn't what I anticipated. Regardless, it was still a unique take on the bully genre that was very interesting and worth reading for those who like dark reads and don't mind triggers.
I mostly liked this book. I definitely enjoyed the twins devotion to Celeste. I loved that this book was different and that this author went outside of my comfort zone which is typical. What made me not love this book is hard to describe. There were acts of revenge but, though I love it when MCs find retribution usually, I didn't find any of these but one satisfying. I am not sure why. I just kept waiting for this big, gratifying climax but it wasn't what I anticipated. Regardless, it was still a unique take on the bully genre that was very interesting and worth reading for those who like dark reads and don't mind triggers.
September 24, 2020
3.5 stars
This was some kind of twisted, it's also different from the bully romances I'm used to. The H's aren't the ones who bully the h. Thorn and Zane are completely devoted to Celeste, they do everything and anything to protect and keep her safe (wrong and fcked up things because they're both psychos lol). Celeste is somewhat adorable but just as fcked in the head as her guys are. IDK man, I enjoyed this book. Wondrak's stories are pretty addictive.
p.s. THE. GLASS. JARS. That's all.
This was some kind of twisted, it's also different from the bully romances I'm used to. The H's aren't the ones who bully the h. Thorn and Zane are completely devoted to Celeste, they do everything and anything to protect and keep her safe (wrong and fcked up things because they're both psychos lol). Celeste is somewhat adorable but just as fcked in the head as her guys are. IDK man, I enjoyed this book. Wondrak's stories are pretty addictive.
p.s. THE. GLASS. JARS. That's all.
July 15, 2021
Wow! This book was dark, gritty, violent, creepy weird and definitely not for the faint heart. Some of the scenes were very disturbing to read, maybe that’s why its a dark, stand-alone bully romance.
You know where you hear bully romance it’s usually the main characters that bully one another. Well NO!, this book wasn’t that. Took me a while to start this book and once I did, I devoured every page. I suspected as much, I did put myself in the mind of the psychos and peeling back each layer of what drove them. It was easy to figure out who they were, but the motive was unexpected and I grasped the understanding of their behavior.
If you want to read, understand this, it’s very dark and with disturbing scenes for a bully romance. I warn you!!! But to give it a chance and swallow every page like I did.
You know where you hear bully romance it’s usually the main characters that bully one another. Well NO!, this book wasn’t that. Took me a while to start this book and once I did, I devoured every page. I suspected as much, I did put myself in the mind of the psychos and peeling back each layer of what drove them. It was easy to figure out who they were, but the motive was unexpected and I grasped the understanding of their behavior.
If you want to read, understand this, it’s very dark and with disturbing scenes for a bully romance. I warn you!!! But to give it a chance and swallow every page like I did.
September 15, 2022
Favorite
With every book I read by this author she manages to pull me in deeper. This book is officially my favorite of hers and one of my all-time favorite books as of now. It is dark and twisted, but I loved it.
Céleste returns after being kidnapped for 5 years, but despite what everyone believes, she's not traumatized. Her kidnapper saved her from her own personal hell and she's determined to protect him from the police investigation.
Meanwhile she moves in with her mother, stepdad an 2 stepbrothers who are determined to protect Celeste. This book was brilliant. Best read of 2019!
With every book I read by this author she manages to pull me in deeper. This book is officially my favorite of hers and one of my all-time favorite books as of now. It is dark and twisted, but I loved it.
Céleste returns after being kidnapped for 5 years, but despite what everyone believes, she's not traumatized. Her kidnapper saved her from her own personal hell and she's determined to protect him from the police investigation.
Meanwhile she moves in with her mother, stepdad an 2 stepbrothers who are determined to protect Celeste. This book was brilliant. Best read of 2019!
November 10, 2019
5 Big Stars
This is my first book from this author but it won't be my last. When i started reading this i was expecting your typical high school bully romance that is so popular these days.... boy was I wrong.
This book had me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next and if my suspicions were going to be confirmed.
I'm not going say more other ghe m you have to read this book
This is my first book from this author but it won't be my last. When i started reading this i was expecting your typical high school bully romance that is so popular these days.... boy was I wrong.
This book had me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next and if my suspicions were going to be confirmed.
I'm not going say more other ghe m you have to read this book
December 2, 2019
Definitely dark and twisted
FYI, heed any trigger warnings. There are several things that could be upsetting if you're sensitive to that type of thing.
I love this kind of dark read. So many "dark romances" are really just BDSM. To me, this is a true dark romance, with twisted, broken characters. This book is great, if you enjoy that type of thing.
FYI, heed any trigger warnings. There are several things that could be upsetting if you're sensitive to that type of thing.
I love this kind of dark read. So many "dark romances" are really just BDSM. To me, this is a true dark romance, with twisted, broken characters. This book is great, if you enjoy that type of thing.
November 24, 2019
Deliciously dark
Even though this is dark, I loved it. I thought it was well written, and I find myself wanting more. If you love murder and revenge, this is the book for you.
Even though this is dark, I loved it. I thought it was well written, and I find myself wanting more. If you love murder and revenge, this is the book for you.
August 9, 2020
4.3 stars
Wowza what did I just read? Well that was a thrilling, demented and insane ride but I really like it!! It’s not quite a bully romance. It’s more of a menage dark and gory romance. It’s not for everyone though so if you have triggers you may need to proceed with caution or not at all.
This is my first Candace Wondrak book and it won’t be my last because I’m off to read the Midpark High series now, I’m sure I will be in for a great time!!
Wowza what did I just read? Well that was a thrilling, demented and insane ride but I really like it!! It’s not quite a bully romance. It’s more of a menage dark and gory romance. It’s not for everyone though so if you have triggers you may need to proceed with caution or not at all.
This is my first Candace Wondrak book and it won’t be my last because I’m off to read the Midpark High series now, I’m sure I will be in for a great time!!
March 22, 2020
Super Dark. I enjoy books where the MC is the bad guy, I do. But this book takes it one step further than most. I enjoyed the psychological aspects of the book, but just a warning, there is a good chance that this could trigger more than you're ready for.
June 13, 2020
Twisted
If your looking for a twisted dark read, then this is it. Nothing you have read before will prepare you for what this book has in store for you. It isn't for the faint of heart.
If your looking for a twisted dark read, then this is it. Nothing you have read before will prepare you for what this book has in store for you. It isn't for the faint of heart.
February 25, 2020
Before I start I would like to make it clear that this is definitely not a Dark Bully Romance, which the author stated it was. I would definitely recommend for readers who are only 16+.
This book is twisted and it’ll f**k you up in so many different ways. You’ll start to question yourself and your morals.
It was full of so many plot twists, I think my mind didn’t manage to take it all in. You think that something will happen then BOOM, something even more twisted gets put in its place.
Honestly, it’s so f****d up, but I absolutely loved it!!
Stars ~ 4/5
This book is twisted and it’ll f**k you up in so many different ways. You’ll start to question yourself and your morals.
It was full of so many plot twists, I think my mind didn’t manage to take it all in. You think that something will happen then BOOM, something even more twisted gets put in its place.
Honestly, it’s so f****d up, but I absolutely loved it!!
Stars ~ 4/5
February 13, 2020
Definitely dark
This is something I never thought I'd read. It definitely needs some editing, because there were a few times that the wrong name was used. But all in all, I enjoyed it. Probably more than I should have.
This is something I never thought I'd read. It definitely needs some editing, because there were a few times that the wrong name was used. But all in all, I enjoyed it. Probably more than I should have.
January 21, 2020
Very dark, disturbing, and twisted. I've never read a book like this one, and it went into great detail on all of the twisted things that went on in this book. Not sure how I feel now that I've read it. I have mixed emotions. I don't know if I'd call this a high school bully romance. This is just plain dark romance.
This book is about our main girl character Celeste. Celeste was kidnapped and held captive for 5 years. Her captor would wear a rabbit mask and never talked to her but would feed her and watch tv with her. One day her bedroom door was open so she decided to leave. She walked to a restaurant where she told the waitress she was hungry. The waitress gave her some water and a hamburger and called the cops to come check out this blood stained, dirty girl. The police take her back to the station where they try to get her to remember the past 5 years and what happened. The police ask her name and she tells them. They call her mom to come pick her up. Her mom comes and you can tell by the writing that Celeste has some anger towards her mother about her daddy and things that have happened to her growing up. Her mother has secrets of her own and tries to get celeste to stay home and be homeschooled but celeste wants her life to go back to normal as best as it can. At her home Celeste meets Zane and a few days later meets Thorn. Both are her step brothers. It comes to mind with some things that the boys do that they could be her captor. She at the time, has no proof so he keeps the thought to herself. Something happens at a party that her friend Axel invites her to and she ends up coming to terms and hitting him over the head with a lamp bottom .. a few days later she learns that Alice, old best friend who bullied Celeste and beat her up when attending high school and then Axel who were both hurt and fighting for their lives in the hospital. The work done on Axel makes her think it was her step brothers. She told them what Alice did and said and what happened at the party. She went snooping in zanes room and happens to come across a white box in his closet. Inside the box is a black sweatshirt, black pants and a rabbit mask. Her insists were right and Zane was one of her captors. She confronts them later on in the book and the boys and her end up getting sexual with eachother. The boys say before they leave they have another surprise for her and it ends up being her mom tied and chained to a chair. She also told in detail how she killed her dad by chopping off his penis and balls for raping her for many years and now shes killing her mom buy cutting off her tongue and scooping out her eyes.. she killed her mom for never stopping her dad from hurting her
.. it goes into great detail on both murders of the parents. After the killing they run and go up in the mountains to a excluded house where the boys can be with their angel alone forever.
This book is about our main girl character Celeste. Celeste was kidnapped and held captive for 5 years. Her captor would wear a rabbit mask and never talked to her but would feed her and watch tv with her. One day her bedroom door was open so she decided to leave. She walked to a restaurant where she told the waitress she was hungry. The waitress gave her some water and a hamburger and called the cops to come check out this blood stained, dirty girl. The police take her back to the station where they try to get her to remember the past 5 years and what happened. The police ask her name and she tells them. They call her mom to come pick her up. Her mom comes and you can tell by the writing that Celeste has some anger towards her mother about her daddy and things that have happened to her growing up. Her mother has secrets of her own and tries to get celeste to stay home and be homeschooled but celeste wants her life to go back to normal as best as it can. At her home Celeste meets Zane and a few days later meets Thorn. Both are her step brothers. It comes to mind with some things that the boys do that they could be her captor. She at the time, has no proof so he keeps the thought to herself. Something happens at a party that her friend Axel invites her to and she ends up coming to terms and hitting him over the head with a lamp bottom .. a few days later she learns that Alice, old best friend who bullied Celeste and beat her up when attending high school and then Axel who were both hurt and fighting for their lives in the hospital. The work done on Axel makes her think it was her step brothers. She told them what Alice did and said and what happened at the party. She went snooping in zanes room and happens to come across a white box in his closet. Inside the box is a black sweatshirt, black pants and a rabbit mask. Her insists were right and Zane was one of her captors. She confronts them later on in the book and the boys and her end up getting sexual with eachother. The boys say before they leave they have another surprise for her and it ends up being her mom tied and chained to a chair. She also told in detail how she killed her dad by chopping off his penis and balls for raping her for many years and now shes killing her mom buy cutting off her tongue and scooping out her eyes.. she killed her mom for never stopping her dad from hurting her
.. it goes into great detail on both murders of the parents. After the killing they run and go up in the mountains to a excluded house where the boys can be with their angel alone forever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2025
Look, I've read a lot of terrible books courtesy of the curse/blessing that is Kindle Unlimited. If a story is immersive enough, I can get over stilted and verbose sentence structure. Sins could have been one of those books--the storyline is compelling if you have a very willing suspension of disbelief (which I do, otherwise I would have given up on romance years ago).
Unfortunately, the writing was a straight up insult to my intelligence. Here's a short list of my major grievances:
1. Using a first person storyteller to lie to the reader as an attempt to cover up completely ham-fisted foreshadowing (at least until it stops being a convenient plot device) is not the same thing as an unreliable narrator.
Their step-sister is completely off-limits, the love interests will tell you over and over again. Of course, they've been orchestrating their insertion (and I do mean insertion) into her life for years. It takes until 43% for the author to cut the crap and reveal what anyone with half a brain already saw coming. Reveals it to the reader, anyway--the protagonist still has no idea, so there's exactly zero emotional impact. It's one big masturbatory see what I did there?, which is hilarious considering the utter lack of nuance or subtlety.
2. I don't mind a little tell with my show. What I do mind is being told the same things over and over again, because apparently the author's target demographic is people who lack both reading comprehension and deductive reasoning.
The main character is broken, she's got a monster living inside of her, blah blah blah. Horrible things have happened to her, it's why she thinks or acts the way she does. But it's no wonder she thinks or acts the way she does, because horrible things have happened to her. Having the narrator re-affirm facts via internal monologue, only to present them two sentences later as if they JUST occurred to her is incongruous and feels like a cheap way to over-inflate the word count.
3. The writing is just so sloppy.
I know it's over when my brain starts copywriting a book I'm trying to enjoy. What makes it so egregious is that it would have taken very little effort to re-work the awkward sentences littering every single page. "His perpetual face was caught in a frown, and a handsome one at that" didn't have me screaming in frustration because the author obviously meant perpetual frown, but because it could have been a concise and straightforward "His handsome face was caught in a perpetual frown" or "Even with a perpetual frown, his face was still handsome".
Even the smallest, stupidest details manage to be spectacularly bad. "It smelled good, whatever it was. Just from the smell I knew it was some kind of Chinese." So a character smells something good, although he is unsure what it is. Only, he can tell the good smell he is unsure of is Chinese food from the way it smells. Just... no.
Unfortunately, the writing was a straight up insult to my intelligence. Here's a short list of my major grievances:
1. Using a first person storyteller to lie to the reader as an attempt to cover up completely ham-fisted foreshadowing (at least until it stops being a convenient plot device) is not the same thing as an unreliable narrator.
Their step-sister is completely off-limits, the love interests will tell you over and over again. Of course, they've been orchestrating their insertion (and I do mean insertion) into her life for years. It takes until 43% for the author to cut the crap and reveal what anyone with half a brain already saw coming. Reveals it to the reader, anyway--the protagonist still has no idea, so there's exactly zero emotional impact. It's one big masturbatory see what I did there?, which is hilarious considering the utter lack of nuance or subtlety.
2. I don't mind a little tell with my show. What I do mind is being told the same things over and over again, because apparently the author's target demographic is people who lack both reading comprehension and deductive reasoning.
The main character is broken, she's got a monster living inside of her, blah blah blah. Horrible things have happened to her, it's why she thinks or acts the way she does. But it's no wonder she thinks or acts the way she does, because horrible things have happened to her. Having the narrator re-affirm facts via internal monologue, only to present them two sentences later as if they JUST occurred to her is incongruous and feels like a cheap way to over-inflate the word count.
3. The writing is just so sloppy.
I know it's over when my brain starts copywriting a book I'm trying to enjoy. What makes it so egregious is that it would have taken very little effort to re-work the awkward sentences littering every single page. "His perpetual face was caught in a frown, and a handsome one at that" didn't have me screaming in frustration because the author obviously meant perpetual frown, but because it could have been a concise and straightforward "His handsome face was caught in a perpetual frown" or "Even with a perpetual frown, his face was still handsome".
Even the smallest, stupidest details manage to be spectacularly bad. "It smelled good, whatever it was. Just from the smell I knew it was some kind of Chinese." So a character smells something good, although he is unsure what it is. Only, he can tell the good smell he is unsure of is Chinese food from the way it smells. Just... no.
December 4, 2019
First off - MASSIVE trigger warnings in this.... Kidnapping, child abuse, rape, stalking, murder, bullying... I'm sure there's more... Basically this is seriously dark....
This had me conflicted. I'm not sure if I enjoyed it, rather finished it to finish it to find out how it ends?
Also, not sure if it can be categorised as a HS bully seeing as Celeste, our main heroine,only actually attended it for a couple of months....
Starts off intriguing and carries on that way for a fair while... But it drops off somewhere around the point its confirmed who was behind the mask (trying not to give it totally away!!).
We're lead to encourage the belief that the kidnapper is a good thing that happened Celeste due to the terrible childhood she was experiencing. Not sure if that would be the right way to have saved her from it in the real world, but I guess in this context it is!
Her mother collects her from the police station, with barely restrained worry at her return, rather than love, and drives her to her new home with her new step father and his family.
Yup. She sees mommy has moved on but she feels no remorse for not missing her 'daddy'.
The new relationships she has are interesting to view. Ollie the step dad seems like a genuine guy who has seriously got caught in the wrong web.
Watching Celeste learn her new life, new family, new limits, howto live with the monster she sees inside of her, and how she believes she's alone with that.... It's written well.
Can't help but notice at least a couple of biblical kinda refs....
"an eye for an eye" - quite literally by the end
"Do unto others.." - a reccuring theme
Do I recommend it?
Not sure. Like I said, it wasn't really an enjoyable read... Triggers abundance... Dark Romance (and not sure if its romance rather than infatuation or obsession tbh).
I guess it's one of those you have to try for yourself again!
This had me conflicted. I'm not sure if I enjoyed it, rather finished it to finish it to find out how it ends?
Also, not sure if it can be categorised as a HS bully seeing as Celeste, our main heroine,only actually attended it for a couple of months....
Starts off intriguing and carries on that way for a fair while... But it drops off somewhere around the point its confirmed who was behind the mask (trying not to give it totally away!!).
We're lead to encourage the belief that the kidnapper is a good thing that happened Celeste due to the terrible childhood she was experiencing. Not sure if that would be the right way to have saved her from it in the real world, but I guess in this context it is!
Her mother collects her from the police station, with barely restrained worry at her return, rather than love, and drives her to her new home with her new step father and his family.
Yup. She sees mommy has moved on but she feels no remorse for not missing her 'daddy'.
The new relationships she has are interesting to view. Ollie the step dad seems like a genuine guy who has seriously got caught in the wrong web.
Watching Celeste learn her new life, new family, new limits, howto live with the monster she sees inside of her, and how she believes she's alone with that.... It's written well.
Can't help but notice at least a couple of biblical kinda refs....
"an eye for an eye" - quite literally by the end
"Do unto others.." - a reccuring theme
Do I recommend it?
Not sure. Like I said, it wasn't really an enjoyable read... Triggers abundance... Dark Romance (and not sure if its romance rather than infatuation or obsession tbh).
I guess it's one of those you have to try for yourself again!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2020
I loved it
November 1, 2019
Stalker and Stockholm Syndrome with the best kind of twist!!
First, let me stress that this book is full of triggers. There is murder, kidnapping, stalking, rape, bullying, and the worst of all: child molestation. If that is not something you can tolerate to read, do the author and yourself a favor and skip reading this book rather than read it just to give it a 1 star review because of the triggers. But I will say that these dark elements made the story more meaningful and made Celeste the type of character she is in this book. The plot wouldn’t have been the same without these emotional and dark subject matter.
The author did a fantastic job weaving this dark and complex story with Celeste and her new twin stepbrothers. The emotional turmoil with Celeste in regards to her kidnapping and captivity was well portrayed and made her seem more believable as a character. Even though I didn’t know a majority of the details of Celeste’s childhood prior to the kidnapping, I found myself believing in her kidnapper in the same manner as Celeste.
I cannot stress enough how much I loved this book. I am not going to go into incredible detail because you just need to experience this psychological thriller for yourself. Starting this book will take you on an unforgettable ride that is full of twists. Plus, it’s a standalone so you get your happily ever after after 400+ pages, no cliffhanger!!!
First, let me stress that this book is full of triggers. There is murder, kidnapping, stalking, rape, bullying, and the worst of all: child molestation. If that is not something you can tolerate to read, do the author and yourself a favor and skip reading this book rather than read it just to give it a 1 star review because of the triggers. But I will say that these dark elements made the story more meaningful and made Celeste the type of character she is in this book. The plot wouldn’t have been the same without these emotional and dark subject matter.
The author did a fantastic job weaving this dark and complex story with Celeste and her new twin stepbrothers. The emotional turmoil with Celeste in regards to her kidnapping and captivity was well portrayed and made her seem more believable as a character. Even though I didn’t know a majority of the details of Celeste’s childhood prior to the kidnapping, I found myself believing in her kidnapper in the same manner as Celeste.
I cannot stress enough how much I loved this book. I am not going to go into incredible detail because you just need to experience this psychological thriller for yourself. Starting this book will take you on an unforgettable ride that is full of twists. Plus, it’s a standalone so you get your happily ever after after 400+ pages, no cliffhanger!!!
February 13, 2020
Serial killers
I expected going in this was going to be a dark read. I mean yeah, it was that and more. Normally, they don't bother me, this one did a little. Okay, so this is fiction for a reason and I feel sometimes readers don't take that into account and want to give bad reviews because it was too dark for them. You were warned about the triggers, do you really have room to complain?
That being said, it's not plausible that a girl is going to do what she did in this book, to the real world. Again fiction. Yes, there has been Stockholm Syndrome and even some that have at request of their captors to survive, killed. What bothered me about this was:
A) At no point really should this have been listed as a high school bully book. I feel the only reason that C was even there was so the author could list the book as a HSB. Neither of the boys went there and it wasn't significant to the story.
B) No emotions. None. Yeah, that brings me to the next one.
C) All three of them are pretty much serial killers. No matter how you break it down. Even if you were traumatized in your childhood, I feel you would still have some kind of regret or feel sick that you are slicing into someone. Absolutely, zero Fs were given. Sociopaths.
That pretty much summoned up the read. I think if maybe C had more emotions on the things that happened to her and didn't come off as a doll, then I would have given another star.
I expected going in this was going to be a dark read. I mean yeah, it was that and more. Normally, they don't bother me, this one did a little. Okay, so this is fiction for a reason and I feel sometimes readers don't take that into account and want to give bad reviews because it was too dark for them. You were warned about the triggers, do you really have room to complain?
That being said, it's not plausible that a girl is going to do what she did in this book, to the real world. Again fiction. Yes, there has been Stockholm Syndrome and even some that have at request of their captors to survive, killed. What bothered me about this was:
A) At no point really should this have been listed as a high school bully book. I feel the only reason that C was even there was so the author could list the book as a HSB. Neither of the boys went there and it wasn't significant to the story.
B) No emotions. None. Yeah, that brings me to the next one.
C) All three of them are pretty much serial killers. No matter how you break it down. Even if you were traumatized in your childhood, I feel you would still have some kind of regret or feel sick that you are slicing into someone. Absolutely, zero Fs were given. Sociopaths.
That pretty much summoned up the read. I think if maybe C had more emotions on the things that happened to her and didn't come off as a doll, then I would have given another star.
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