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Red Door #1
Serenity
Once upon a time a young girl dreamed of a handsome prince who would rescue her from her grandmother’s prison and make all her dreams come true.
But then Linnea grew up, left her past and that godforsaken town behind. She rescued herself because real life is no fairy tale—or is it?
One day, just like an alpha hero from one of the tattered paperbacks she’d kept hidden beneath her bed, he appeared at her door. Kyan. Long dark hair, muscles and tattoos, eyes as blue as the summer sky…
Her prince.
With him, she felt things she never even imagined. He took her places she never dared to go. Behind the red door, where nothing was forbidden and her pleasure was everything.
Perhaps her life was a fairy tale after all. She was surrounded by a royal family of fierce Irish Vikings, a court jester, and even merry minstrels—the hot rock stars of Venery.
And she was his princess.
But every story has its villains. An evil queen. A mad king. A she-devil with eyes like a cat.
Linnea had forgotten that before the happily-ever-after, storybook tales are often sick and twisted.
She should have paid closer attention.
Serenity is the first interconnected stand-alone romance in the Red Door series and ends with a HEA--no cliffhanger. It is suitable for readers 18+.
But then Linnea grew up, left her past and that godforsaken town behind. She rescued herself because real life is no fairy tale—or is it?
One day, just like an alpha hero from one of the tattered paperbacks she’d kept hidden beneath her bed, he appeared at her door. Kyan. Long dark hair, muscles and tattoos, eyes as blue as the summer sky…
Her prince.
With him, she felt things she never even imagined. He took her places she never dared to go. Behind the red door, where nothing was forbidden and her pleasure was everything.
Perhaps her life was a fairy tale after all. She was surrounded by a royal family of fierce Irish Vikings, a court jester, and even merry minstrels—the hot rock stars of Venery.
And she was his princess.
But every story has its villains. An evil queen. A mad king. A she-devil with eyes like a cat.
Linnea had forgotten that before the happily-ever-after, storybook tales are often sick and twisted.
She should have paid closer attention.
Serenity is the first interconnected stand-alone romance in the Red Door series and ends with a HEA--no cliffhanger. It is suitable for readers 18+.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 19, 2020
532 people are currently reading
1682 people want to read
About the author
Dyan Layne
12 books547 followersDyan Layne is a nurse boss by day and the writer of edgy sensual tales by night—and on weekends. She's never without her Kindle, and can usually be found tapping away at her keyboard with a hot latte and a cold Dasani Lime--and sometimes champagne. She can't sing a note, but often answers in song because isn't there a song for just about everything? Born and raised a Chicago girl, she currently lives in Tampa, Florida, and is the mother of four handsome sons and a beautiful daughter, who are all grown up now, but can still make her crazy--and she loves it that way! Because normal is just so boring.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
August 27, 2021
A beautiful story!
Linnea is a young woman with a terrible past. She has moved on and is working and going to school to try and make things better for herself.
Her family is an eclectic group of people where she works as a barmaid. These people are so important to her, especially her friend Chloe.
Kyan and Dillon are the owners of the bar but they have always seen something in Linnea and after 3 years love sparks when Linnea is being stalked by someone. They rally around her and try to keep her safe.
Serenity is a book of passion and discovery, awakening and desire. It was wonderfully written and I loved it so much. This is the first book I have read by Dyan Layne and I can't wait to read more.
Linnea is a young woman with a terrible past. She has moved on and is working and going to school to try and make things better for herself.
Her family is an eclectic group of people where she works as a barmaid. These people are so important to her, especially her friend Chloe.
Kyan and Dillon are the owners of the bar but they have always seen something in Linnea and after 3 years love sparks when Linnea is being stalked by someone. They rally around her and try to keep her safe.
Serenity is a book of passion and discovery, awakening and desire. It was wonderfully written and I loved it so much. This is the first book I have read by Dyan Layne and I can't wait to read more.
January 22, 2021
Trigger warning!
First this has many triggers and this book isn’t for the faint at heart.
SPOILER ALERT: on content ahead so please do not continue reading this if you don’t want to know
Pros: kept me intrigued for the book.
When the story picked up I automatically couldn’t put it down and had all my emotions all over
Here is why this isn’t a five star for me:
Cons: it was a slow start... it didn’t pick up until 60% in
I also felt there are some holes in the story and left me a bit confused
I couldn’t really connect with the two main characters...except for Kodiak (but I always love the broken characters)
Trigger warning: this doesn’t bother me because of the content on how it was written I can see how it happened so *SPOILER*there is some incest, sexual assault, drugged
All in all: it was a great start to a series and am looking forward to the next books.
First this has many triggers and this book isn’t for the faint at heart.
SPOILER ALERT: on content ahead so please do not continue reading this if you don’t want to know
Pros: kept me intrigued for the book.
When the story picked up I automatically couldn’t put it down and had all my emotions all over
Here is why this isn’t a five star for me:
Cons: it was a slow start... it didn’t pick up until 60% in
I also felt there are some holes in the story and left me a bit confused
I couldn’t really connect with the two main characters...except for Kodiak (but I always love the broken characters)
Trigger warning: this doesn’t bother me because of the content on how it was written I can see how it happened so *SPOILER*there is some incest, sexual assault, drugged
All in all: it was a great start to a series and am looking forward to the next books.
Read
January 1, 2022No rating because the issue was me, not the actual book. I didn’t realise it was written in 3rd person, and I just cannot read books written this way as I feel like I can’t connect with the characters properly. Such a shame because I’ve heard great things about this whole series.
April 6, 2021
This is my first Dyan Layne book and it has been incredible, I fell in love with his writing, with telling the stories of his characters and with this incredible world that he has created for the Red Doore series.
The heroine of this story is Linnea, an innocent and kind-hearted girl who has escaped from her hometown to start a new life. Linnea is a lovable and very interesting character, she has a very tragic personal story that makes her believe that it is impossible for her to receive love from other people, but one of my favorite things about this book is that throughout its pages I was able to realize the great love that the characters have for her, I love that each of the Byrne boys shows her unconditional support, concern and that they are always there when she needs help.
Kyan is one of the most beautiful men I have read so far, he is super kind, attentive and flirtatious with Linnea, he has been attracted to her since he met her and little by little he fell in love with the quiet and kind girl, moreover, at the moment in which Kyan & Linnea decide to start a relationship, she begins to know the world behind “the red door”, a world of diversity, desire and completely unknown to her, but thanks to the one who faced her demons from the past.
I believe that the events in the history and relationship of Kyan & Linnea occur in an organic and perfect way, he is aware that Linnea needs a little time to adjust to how they feel about each other, and she that she has to earn to live her life, and along the way they go through adorable moments, personal confessions, discover huge secrets and experience different forms of love. And that is where, for me, the greatest success of this universe by Dyan Layne: portrays the sexual diversity and sexuality of his characters in the best possible way, he doesn’t do it with morbidity or stigmatizing the tastes and preferences of none of them, and I love that.
Another super important aspect for me are the secondary characters, Chloe, Jesse, Dillon, Brendan, Kodiak and the guys from Venery managed to sneak into my heart, they all have different personalities and stories that can be see to a lesser or greater extent, but they share bonds that are beautiful and make them form a great family.
Definitely Serenity was a story that gave me much more than I expected, with a captivating story and characters, told in an incredible way and that leaves me wanting to continue knowing more about them.
🇪🇸
Este es mi primer libro de Dyan Layne y ha sido increíble, me enamoré de su forma de escribir, de contar las historia de sus personajes y de este mundo tan increíble que ha creado para la serie Red Doore.
La heroína de esta historia es Linnea, una chica inocente y de buen corazón que ha escapado de su pueblo natal para empezar una nueva vida. Linnea es un personaje adorable y muy interesante, tiene una historia personal bastante trágica que la hecho creer que es imposible para ella recibir amor de otras personas, pero una de mis cosas favoritas de este libro es que a lo largo de sus páginas pude darme cuenta del gran amor que sienten los personajes por ella, me encanta que cada uno de los chicos Byrne le demuestre su apoyo incondicional, preocupación y que siempre estén cuando ella necesita ayuda.
Kyan es uno de los hombres más hermosos que he leído hasta ahora, es súper amable, atento y coqueto con Linnea, se ha sentido atraído por ella desde que la conoció y poco a poco se enamoro de la chica callada y amable, además, en el momento en el que Kyan & Linnea deciden comenzar una relación ella comienza a conocer el mundo qué hay detrás de “la puerta roja”, un mundo de diversidad y deseo completamente ajeno a ella, pero gracias al que se enfrentara a sus demonios del pasado.
Creo que los acontecimientos en la historia y relación de Kyan & Linnea se dan de manera orgánica y perfecta, él es consiente de que Linnea necesita un poco de tiempo para adaptarse a lo que sienten el uno por el otro, y ella de que tiene que aprender a vivir la vida, y en el camino pasan por momentos adorables, de confesiones personales, descubren secretos enormes y experimentan diferentes formas de amor. Y es ahí en donde, para mi, está el mayor acierto de este universo que Dyan Layne: retrata la diversidad sexual y sexualidad de sus personajes de la mejor manera posible, no lo hace con morbo ni estigmatizando los gustos y preferencias de ninguno de ellos, y eso me encanta.
Otro aspecto súper importante para mi son los personajes secundarios, Chloe, Jesse, Dillon, Brendan, Kodiak y los chicos de Venery lograron colarse en mi corazón, todos tienen personalidades e historias diferentes que se pueden ver en menor o mayor medida, pero comparten vínculos que son hermosos y los hacen formar una gran familia.
Definitivamente Serenity fue una historia que me dió mucho más de lo que esperaba, con una historia y personajes cautivadoras, contada de manera increíble y que me deja con ganas de seguir conociendo más de sus personajes.
The heroine of this story is Linnea, an innocent and kind-hearted girl who has escaped from her hometown to start a new life. Linnea is a lovable and very interesting character, she has a very tragic personal story that makes her believe that it is impossible for her to receive love from other people, but one of my favorite things about this book is that throughout its pages I was able to realize the great love that the characters have for her, I love that each of the Byrne boys shows her unconditional support, concern and that they are always there when she needs help.
Kyan is one of the most beautiful men I have read so far, he is super kind, attentive and flirtatious with Linnea, he has been attracted to her since he met her and little by little he fell in love with the quiet and kind girl, moreover, at the moment in which Kyan & Linnea decide to start a relationship, she begins to know the world behind “the red door”, a world of diversity, desire and completely unknown to her, but thanks to the one who faced her demons from the past.
I believe that the events in the history and relationship of Kyan & Linnea occur in an organic and perfect way, he is aware that Linnea needs a little time to adjust to how they feel about each other, and she that she has to earn to live her life, and along the way they go through adorable moments, personal confessions, discover huge secrets and experience different forms of love. And that is where, for me, the greatest success of this universe by Dyan Layne: portrays the sexual diversity and sexuality of his characters in the best possible way, he doesn’t do it with morbidity or stigmatizing the tastes and preferences of none of them, and I love that.
Another super important aspect for me are the secondary characters, Chloe, Jesse, Dillon, Brendan, Kodiak and the guys from Venery managed to sneak into my heart, they all have different personalities and stories that can be see to a lesser or greater extent, but they share bonds that are beautiful and make them form a great family.
Definitely Serenity was a story that gave me much more than I expected, with a captivating story and characters, told in an incredible way and that leaves me wanting to continue knowing more about them.
🇪🇸
Este es mi primer libro de Dyan Layne y ha sido increíble, me enamoré de su forma de escribir, de contar las historia de sus personajes y de este mundo tan increíble que ha creado para la serie Red Doore.
La heroína de esta historia es Linnea, una chica inocente y de buen corazón que ha escapado de su pueblo natal para empezar una nueva vida. Linnea es un personaje adorable y muy interesante, tiene una historia personal bastante trágica que la hecho creer que es imposible para ella recibir amor de otras personas, pero una de mis cosas favoritas de este libro es que a lo largo de sus páginas pude darme cuenta del gran amor que sienten los personajes por ella, me encanta que cada uno de los chicos Byrne le demuestre su apoyo incondicional, preocupación y que siempre estén cuando ella necesita ayuda.
Kyan es uno de los hombres más hermosos que he leído hasta ahora, es súper amable, atento y coqueto con Linnea, se ha sentido atraído por ella desde que la conoció y poco a poco se enamoro de la chica callada y amable, además, en el momento en el que Kyan & Linnea deciden comenzar una relación ella comienza a conocer el mundo qué hay detrás de “la puerta roja”, un mundo de diversidad y deseo completamente ajeno a ella, pero gracias al que se enfrentara a sus demonios del pasado.
Creo que los acontecimientos en la historia y relación de Kyan & Linnea se dan de manera orgánica y perfecta, él es consiente de que Linnea necesita un poco de tiempo para adaptarse a lo que sienten el uno por el otro, y ella de que tiene que aprender a vivir la vida, y en el camino pasan por momentos adorables, de confesiones personales, descubren secretos enormes y experimentan diferentes formas de amor. Y es ahí en donde, para mi, está el mayor acierto de este universo que Dyan Layne: retrata la diversidad sexual y sexualidad de sus personajes de la mejor manera posible, no lo hace con morbo ni estigmatizando los gustos y preferencias de ninguno de ellos, y eso me encanta.
Otro aspecto súper importante para mi son los personajes secundarios, Chloe, Jesse, Dillon, Brendan, Kodiak y los chicos de Venery lograron colarse en mi corazón, todos tienen personalidades e historias diferentes que se pueden ver en menor o mayor medida, pero comparten vínculos que son hermosos y los hacen formar una gran familia.
Definitivamente Serenity fue una historia que me dió mucho más de lo que esperaba, con una historia y personajes cautivadoras, contada de manera increíble y que me deja con ganas de seguir conociendo más de sus personajes.
September 22, 2021
Holy Freaking Manoli
What to write, what to write… this was unputdownable… is that a word? It should be. This one is not for the faint of heart but it is for all those who believe that love conquers all.
What to write, what to write… this was unputdownable… is that a word? It should be. This one is not for the faint of heart but it is for all those who believe that love conquers all.
May 26, 2022
Wow
I am stunned by how much I loved this story. The spice was so brilliant. The story had me 100% invested and the characters made me fall in love with all of them. I am totally binging this whole series.
I am stunned by how much I loved this story. The spice was so brilliant. The story had me 100% invested and the characters made me fall in love with all of them. I am totally binging this whole series.
April 14, 2021
Serenity
@dyan.layne.author
(Edit part 1)
Linnea 🖤Kyan Patrick Byrne
I've read upto 28% of the book and God I love it,The very First chapter of this book has me captured, It is so rare to find the side characters equally interesting as the MC, but the author has successfully made me fall in love with Chloe, Jesse, Dillon, Kodiak, Brendan
So far
💋I’m going to fuck you. You may not know it yet, but I do. It’s only a matter of time. I’ve been watching you. I swear that you’ve been watching me too, but maybe it’s all in my head. No matter. Because I’ve seen you, I’ve talked to you and I’ve come to a conclusion: You are fucking beautiful. And I will make you lust me.
💋“You might be the master of the grill, but Christian Grey you’re not,”
Blurb
Once upon a time a young girl dreamed of a handsome prince who would rescue her from her grandmother’s prison and make all her dreams come true.
But then Linnea grew up, left her past and that godforsaken town behind. She rescued herself because real life is no fairy tale—or is it?
One day, just like an alpha hero from one of the tattered paperbacks she’d kept hidden beneath her bed, he appeared at her door. Kyan. Long dark hair, muscles and tattoos, eyes as blue as the summer sky…
Her prince.
With him, she felt things she never even imagined. He took her places she never dared to go. Behind the Red Door, where nothing was forbidden and her pleasure was everything.
Perhaps her life was a fairy tale after all. She was surrounded by a royal family of fierce Irish Vikings, a court jester, and even merry minstrels—the hot rock stars of Venery.
And she was his princess.
But every story has its villains. An evil queen. A mad king. A she-devil with eyes like a cat.
Linnea had forgotten that before the happily-ever-after, storybook tales are often sick and twisted.
She should have paid closer attention
#bookstagram #bibliophile #igreads #currentlyreading #bookreview #instaread #lovetoread #booksarelife #readingisfundamental #whatimreading #bookreviewer #bookaddicts #bookpost #tbrpile #justread #bookishphotography #whattoreadnext #readallday #bookworms #booksofinstagram #bookwormproblems #bookaholic #bookpic #newreads
March 20, 2021
Serenity is only the beginning...
How do I find the words to describe what I just read, Kyan and Linnea, there story no matter how raw and sensual, dark yet oh so perfect, the blurb did this story absolute justice.
Someone call the fire brigade because this story was hot, someone get me a doctor because my nervous system is shot, someone hose me down because my panties are so soaked.
Kyan and Linnea, Linnea and Kyan
Slowly Kyan finds his way into Linnea’s life.
Linnea with a fractured past, Kyan a hot boss to die for and a stalker that keeps you on your toes
There intimacy takes you by surprise, it is so unexpected and hot
Kyan show’s her what he truly sees, taking Linnea on a sensual and erotic journey of self discovery. Her entire being is shown unthinkable pleasures
Linnea beautifully damaged, perfectly broken, perfectly made for him, because she was his, of that there was no doubt, his strong, brave, beautiful girl.
The truths and the lies inevitably seek the light of day. Linnea allows herself to release the guilt that consumed her past. Kyan is the lightness that she needs. Her prince has come to her rescue.
From workplace romance, sex clubs, religious fanatics and relationships, this story is of new beginnings, finding ones self and confronting the past. Every character was delectable, desirable and down right soul piercing. This circle of family and friends is so close and tight nit nothing could break them apart.
Those ménage and multiple partner s€x scenes in and out of the bedroom were f@#$ing erotic, dark, twisted, forbidden, emotional , wrong, intense, captivating, deliciously wicked, dirty, hot, steamy, passionate, wet and ferociously wild.
Such a roller coaster of emotions, a page turner, fast paced you literally will not be able to put it down. This author clearly knows how to write, exploring dark and intense themes that will have you saying what the f@#$. Readers will be ensnared from the get go and it will have you coming back for more. That happily ever after was breathtakingly beautiful, and if you thought this author was done, she is not, so hold on as we anticipate what book two will bring us!
How do I find the words to describe what I just read, Kyan and Linnea, there story no matter how raw and sensual, dark yet oh so perfect, the blurb did this story absolute justice.
Someone call the fire brigade because this story was hot, someone get me a doctor because my nervous system is shot, someone hose me down because my panties are so soaked.
Kyan and Linnea, Linnea and Kyan
Slowly Kyan finds his way into Linnea’s life.
Linnea with a fractured past, Kyan a hot boss to die for and a stalker that keeps you on your toes
There intimacy takes you by surprise, it is so unexpected and hot
Kyan show’s her what he truly sees, taking Linnea on a sensual and erotic journey of self discovery. Her entire being is shown unthinkable pleasures
Linnea beautifully damaged, perfectly broken, perfectly made for him, because she was his, of that there was no doubt, his strong, brave, beautiful girl.
The truths and the lies inevitably seek the light of day. Linnea allows herself to release the guilt that consumed her past. Kyan is the lightness that she needs. Her prince has come to her rescue.
From workplace romance, sex clubs, religious fanatics and relationships, this story is of new beginnings, finding ones self and confronting the past. Every character was delectable, desirable and down right soul piercing. This circle of family and friends is so close and tight nit nothing could break them apart.
Those ménage and multiple partner s€x scenes in and out of the bedroom were f@#$ing erotic, dark, twisted, forbidden, emotional , wrong, intense, captivating, deliciously wicked, dirty, hot, steamy, passionate, wet and ferociously wild.
Such a roller coaster of emotions, a page turner, fast paced you literally will not be able to put it down. This author clearly knows how to write, exploring dark and intense themes that will have you saying what the f@#$. Readers will be ensnared from the get go and it will have you coming back for more. That happily ever after was breathtakingly beautiful, and if you thought this author was done, she is not, so hold on as we anticipate what book two will bring us!
April 2, 2021
I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to read this. I've had it on my kindle for a while. The story was a bit slow to get started but being the first book in the series it was necessary to get to know the cast of characters. I enjoyed the friendships between the characters and the ones that grew into more. I love the acceptance, openness, and love between all of them.
There was a bit of mystery, a lot of steamy sexual times, and a lot of chemistry in this book! I would have LOVED more time with the hero and heroine at the Red Door but what we got was nothing short of explosive. I do hope we spend more time there in future books!
I did enjoy the twist. Hippe Jesus had me all kinds of excited. I truly did not see it coming. I hope we see more of him in the future cause I'm all about the damaged men.
I did feel there was one part of the story left a bit open-ended. I LOVED the connection between Kyan, Linnea, and Dillion but I felt Dillon's character was just left in the air. I'm not sure how that's going to work in future books but I'm intrigued. I feel like more time could have been spent explaining that relationship a bit more. Or maybe I was just hoping for more lol
I love that the author explored sexual scenarios that you don't always see in romance.
Third-person is sometimes difficult for me to read but once the story got started, it wasn't a problem at all.
All in all, great start to the series. I look forward to reading more about this group of friends.
There was a bit of mystery, a lot of steamy sexual times, and a lot of chemistry in this book! I would have LOVED more time with the hero and heroine at the Red Door but what we got was nothing short of explosive. I do hope we spend more time there in future books!
I did enjoy the twist. Hippe Jesus had me all kinds of excited. I truly did not see it coming. I hope we see more of him in the future cause I'm all about the damaged men.
I did feel there was one part of the story left a bit open-ended. I LOVED the connection between Kyan, Linnea, and Dillion but I felt Dillon's character was just left in the air. I'm not sure how that's going to work in future books but I'm intrigued. I feel like more time could have been spent explaining that relationship a bit more. Or maybe I was just hoping for more lol
I love that the author explored sexual scenarios that you don't always see in romance.
Third-person is sometimes difficult for me to read but once the story got started, it wasn't a problem at all.
All in all, great start to the series. I look forward to reading more about this group of friends.
May 17, 2022
Rollercoaster of Awesomeness!!!
Breathtakingly beautiful! I absolutely loved getting to know every single character in this story. Though primarily Linnea and Kyan’s book, you learn soooo much about the Red Door family.
This story takes you on a journey. A breathtakingly beautiful, emotional journey! I was swooning, crying, laughing, and crying some more. Dyan Layne is an incredible genius. Her writing brings such emotions out of you. My love for Kyan, Dillion and Jess is strong. I really love all these characters. They are all uniquely great in their own way, but Kyan, Dillion and Jess had my heart on fire!
Linnea goes through so much in this story. You pray throughout the book she gets her happily ever after, because girlfriend deserves it! Her heart is put through the ringer. She is tested and pulled in every direction. But it made the story that much more interesting and beautiful.
I am soooo excited to read more incredible stories from The Red Door series! Bring on the adventures, bring on the steaminess, bring on the fun! This is a beautiful love story that you must read! Dyan’s mind is an adventure that I’m so excited to explore and be along for the ride.
Breathtakingly beautiful! I absolutely loved getting to know every single character in this story. Though primarily Linnea and Kyan’s book, you learn soooo much about the Red Door family.
This story takes you on a journey. A breathtakingly beautiful, emotional journey! I was swooning, crying, laughing, and crying some more. Dyan Layne is an incredible genius. Her writing brings such emotions out of you. My love for Kyan, Dillion and Jess is strong. I really love all these characters. They are all uniquely great in their own way, but Kyan, Dillion and Jess had my heart on fire!
Linnea goes through so much in this story. You pray throughout the book she gets her happily ever after, because girlfriend deserves it! Her heart is put through the ringer. She is tested and pulled in every direction. But it made the story that much more interesting and beautiful.
I am soooo excited to read more incredible stories from The Red Door series! Bring on the adventures, bring on the steaminess, bring on the fun! This is a beautiful love story that you must read! Dyan’s mind is an adventure that I’m so excited to explore and be along for the ride.
October 6, 2020
Warning: This book will NOT be for everyone. There are a number of "taboos" that are weaved into the story. I didn't have an issue because for a first book, it was chock full of things to like, namely the main characters. Kyan the H, his brother Dillon, Linnea the h and her bff Chloe. While this book is about Kyan and Linnea, everyone has a supporting role in every sense of the word. There are other characters that appear and getting to know them was essential as well. The writing wasn't perfect, some timeline jumps from one paragraph to another but all in all an interesting story emerged. Linnea was the weakest character because she was supposed to be but without the whining and TSTL attitudes often associated with a character that went through what she had. Kyan is a prince, patient, forgiving and totally in love and never lets Linnea forget it. Taboos aside, for a first book, it was well done and looking forward to Chloe's book up next.
March 30, 2022
AMENDED REVIEW:
Three and a half stars
You will find my original review below. After I wrote it, I went through and read several other reviews, and decided maybe I was wrong to give up on this one, so I dove back in only to find I'd given up just before the twists and turns began. It did turn out better than I'd expected, but still not quite what I'd hoped for.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
DNF: 57%
Not sure what I was really expecting from this story, but it wasn't this.
This is the story of a young woman with a repressed past, discovering her sexuality with her new boyfriend at his sex club.
There may be more to this but at this point I really don't care whether or not she chooses to fuck all the guys surrounding her.
Three and a half stars
You will find my original review below. After I wrote it, I went through and read several other reviews, and decided maybe I was wrong to give up on this one, so I dove back in only to find I'd given up just before the twists and turns began. It did turn out better than I'd expected, but still not quite what I'd hoped for.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
DNF: 57%
Not sure what I was really expecting from this story, but it wasn't this.
This is the story of a young woman with a repressed past, discovering her sexuality with her new boyfriend at his sex club.
There may be more to this but at this point I really don't care whether or not she chooses to fuck all the guys surrounding her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2020
WOAH
Ok a very very interesting story. Talk about plot twists and some really messed up stuff! Well this has it all. You have to have a total open mind mind set to read. The traditional concept of love and relationships gets stretched. I know mine was and I know that that openness is not my cup of tea(well fantasy wise it is), I don’t judge. Life is short and if it makes you and the one you are with happy then go for it!
Great read first book for this author and she hit it out of the park! I am definitely reading the next, even though I don’t really like MM stuff but I think the story is going to be good.
Ok a very very interesting story. Talk about plot twists and some really messed up stuff! Well this has it all. You have to have a total open mind mind set to read. The traditional concept of love and relationships gets stretched. I know mine was and I know that that openness is not my cup of tea(well fantasy wise it is), I don’t judge. Life is short and if it makes you and the one you are with happy then go for it!
Great read first book for this author and she hit it out of the park! I am definitely reading the next, even though I don’t really like MM stuff but I think the story is going to be good.
November 7, 2022
DNF at 10%
The book needs a better copy editor and proof reader.
You can't crouch behind a bar and still hold someone's hand, while gazing into their eyes.
Someone's irises can't show emotion, eyes can, but just the circle of color? No.
The author clearly thinks they are very clever, but it comes across forced and unnatural.
The descriptive language seemed more motivated by word-count than by engaging the reader.
Commas were oddly placed or missing.
Characters seemed more like caricatures.
Overall, not my preference.
The book needs a better copy editor and proof reader.
You can't crouch behind a bar and still hold someone's hand, while gazing into their eyes.
Someone's irises can't show emotion, eyes can, but just the circle of color? No.
The author clearly thinks they are very clever, but it comes across forced and unnatural.
The descriptive language seemed more motivated by word-count than by engaging the reader.
Commas were oddly placed or missing.
Characters seemed more like caricatures.
Overall, not my preference.
July 4, 2022
When the author contacts you on instagram asking if you want to signup for an ARC of the latest book in this series and you haven’t read any of the books…..
Seriously though WTF did I just read - Highly recommend
I had no idea what to expect going into this….this story literally blew me away, I couldn’t put it down, haven’t said that this will not be for everyone do to the darker themes in the book.
Seriously though WTF did I just read - Highly recommend
I had no idea what to expect going into this….this story literally blew me away, I couldn’t put it down, haven’t said that this will not be for everyone do to the darker themes in the book.
June 8, 2022
REVIEW COMING SOON!
March 20, 2023
Slow starting
I wish I could give this 5 stars because it ended awesome but the first probably half of the book was just so slow and hard to keep flipping pages.
That being said I’m glad I stuck it out, and glad that Jeannette recommended it. It got kinds of crazy, went super dark and twisty and then it ended. Really hoping the next book is in KU too so I can see how I like it
I wish I could give this 5 stars because it ended awesome but the first probably half of the book was just so slow and hard to keep flipping pages.
That being said I’m glad I stuck it out, and glad that Jeannette recommended it. It got kinds of crazy, went super dark and twisty and then it ended. Really hoping the next book is in KU too so I can see how I like it
March 23, 2024
I can’t even begin to explain what I just read all I can say is what the hell
September 14, 2022
Wow, I couldn’t put Linnea and Kyan’s story down. I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough. I loved the rollercoaster I was on. The twist and turns. This author even took me out of my comfort zone. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a story that’s written in the 3rd person. I actually loved it written that way. This book has me hooked. Definitely be reading the rest of this series and anything written by this author.
September 15, 2022
🔥🔥🔥
Great intro to the Red door books. It was an easy read. All the characters where written so well you definitely fell in love with them and I definitely need to see how their lives will play out.
Great intro to the Red door books. It was an easy read. All the characters where written so well you definitely fell in love with them and I definitely need to see how their lives will play out.
dnf
January 12, 2023DNF at 20%
August 24, 2022
I loved this book. I loved the characters and the back stories. Definitely can't wait to read the next 3.
August 19, 2022
Holy Smokes guys!! Saying this book was hot was an understatement. A little bit dark, a little bit taboo and a whole lot of hotness.
This was absolutely incredible and I cant believe it was Dyan’s debut novel.
I loved that it wasnt really from any one point of view, I havent read a book like that in a while so it was refreshing.
One of the things I really loved was the ‘found family’ aspect it had going. It was really beautiful and gave the story a different layer of love.
I am so glad there are more books in this series because I am in love with every single character!
This was absolutely incredible and I cant believe it was Dyan’s debut novel.
I loved that it wasnt really from any one point of view, I havent read a book like that in a while so it was refreshing.
One of the things I really loved was the ‘found family’ aspect it had going. It was really beautiful and gave the story a different layer of love.
I am so glad there are more books in this series because I am in love with every single character!
September 24, 2022
Rating: ☆☆☆☆ Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Angst: 💣💣💣💣 Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Cliffhanger? ❌️
Do I recommend? ✅️
Trigger Warnings: ☠️ ☠️
Tropes: Romantic Suspense, Dark, friends-to-lovers, erotic
Linnea Martin grew up believing in fairytales but her childhood certainly wasn't filled with light, laughter and love. She lived with her wicked witch of a grandmother and never knew what being loved felt like. When her grandmother died, Lin got out of that hell of a town as fast as she could. Now her life is the best it's ever been. Working at Charley's brought that wholesome feeling of "found family", protectors and best friends. Then she starts receiving notes from an admirer/stalker as well as new attention from one of her bosses. Kyan Burne had patiently waited for three years for Linnea to be ready. Soon he became her fairytale prince she always hoped would rescue her as a child. He opened her eyes to so many new experiences or firsts. Among the firsts is a visit to the exclusive sex club located behind the red door. The hedonism that surrounded her soon worked through her very being. Unfortunately, for every new experience came an echo of her grandmother’s hateful words as well as more bold and scarier moves by her stalker. Will Linnea and Kyan get their HEA or will the sick and twisted aspects of her past gain control?
I honestly can't believe this was Dyan Layne's debut novel! This is just the first book and I am already head over heels in love with the characters in this Red Door world. I'm pretty sure when I've read them all, I won't know how to let them go. I LOVE the aspect of "found family" in the books I read and this author made sure to endear me to every single one not just Lin and Ky. The only reason I didn't give five stars was the choppiness of the first half. It didn't flow as smoothly as I would have liked. By the 50% mark, everything evened out and got hotter, a little darker and more exciting. My angst addiction was fed very well. Epic and unbelievable twists and turns, 100% sex positive (unlike any I've read before), swoon-worthy hero, completely loveable heroine, crazy religious people and the need for new undergarments or a cold shower. What's not to love? There are some serious triggers located within so please educate yourself before reading. I highly recommend this read and I honestly have no doubt it will only get better from here. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
Angst: 💣💣💣💣 Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Cliffhanger? ❌️
Do I recommend? ✅️
Trigger Warnings: ☠️ ☠️
Tropes: Romantic Suspense, Dark, friends-to-lovers, erotic
Linnea Martin grew up believing in fairytales but her childhood certainly wasn't filled with light, laughter and love. She lived with her wicked witch of a grandmother and never knew what being loved felt like. When her grandmother died, Lin got out of that hell of a town as fast as she could. Now her life is the best it's ever been. Working at Charley's brought that wholesome feeling of "found family", protectors and best friends. Then she starts receiving notes from an admirer/stalker as well as new attention from one of her bosses. Kyan Burne had patiently waited for three years for Linnea to be ready. Soon he became her fairytale prince she always hoped would rescue her as a child. He opened her eyes to so many new experiences or firsts. Among the firsts is a visit to the exclusive sex club located behind the red door. The hedonism that surrounded her soon worked through her very being. Unfortunately, for every new experience came an echo of her grandmother’s hateful words as well as more bold and scarier moves by her stalker. Will Linnea and Kyan get their HEA or will the sick and twisted aspects of her past gain control?
I honestly can't believe this was Dyan Layne's debut novel! This is just the first book and I am already head over heels in love with the characters in this Red Door world. I'm pretty sure when I've read them all, I won't know how to let them go. I LOVE the aspect of "found family" in the books I read and this author made sure to endear me to every single one not just Lin and Ky. The only reason I didn't give five stars was the choppiness of the first half. It didn't flow as smoothly as I would have liked. By the 50% mark, everything evened out and got hotter, a little darker and more exciting. My angst addiction was fed very well. Epic and unbelievable twists and turns, 100% sex positive (unlike any I've read before), swoon-worthy hero, completely loveable heroine, crazy religious people and the need for new undergarments or a cold shower. What's not to love? There are some serious triggers located within so please educate yourself before reading. I highly recommend this read and I honestly have no doubt it will only get better from here. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
June 9, 2021
Serenity (Red Door #1) - Dyan Layne
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
::: SPOILER-FREE REVIEW :::
STANDALONE
ROMANCE
STEAM 🔥
Rating: 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is my second Dyan Layne read. It is also her debut. She is amazing. I've enjoyed her other book so I was really looking forward to this one. It definitely came through and was better than I thought it would be. 💖
Let me start by saying this book is soooo HAWT... 🔥🔥🔥!
I FUCKING DEVOURED THIS BOOK! :D
Linnea is in a good place in her life. She is working while finishing her degree. She has a cozy home... she is content.
Kyan was attracted to her beauty and innocence. He finds his way into Linnea’s life slowly. Kyan takes her on a journey of physical and emotional excitement. But with the good comes the bad, and even the ugly sometimes.
The thing I love most is well-developed, complex and flawed characters (because - come on... perfect is BORING!!! 😂) and Kyan and Linnea are just that.
Loved the chemistry between the two. They were amazing together. At some point it got pretty HAWT...!
Because let me tell you when sex scenes... 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 whew! On fire!
What I liked most was how Linnea grew throughout the book and eventually became the person she always should have been. And just like Linnea , Kyan also changed a lot and became the man that every woman would want next to her
This book is well written and really hard to put down. I was gripped from the moment I started reading until the very last word.
Oh and one more thing...That plot twist... is something I wasn't expecting at all... I was like WHAT 😦😦
This is the first book in the Red Door series and these books can be read as standalones. I can assure you I'm going to read the second book ASAP because this woman knows how to write sex scenes so damn well. 😁😁
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
::: SPOILER-FREE REVIEW :::
STANDALONE
ROMANCE
STEAM 🔥
Rating: 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is my second Dyan Layne read. It is also her debut. She is amazing. I've enjoyed her other book so I was really looking forward to this one. It definitely came through and was better than I thought it would be. 💖
Let me start by saying this book is soooo HAWT... 🔥🔥🔥!
I FUCKING DEVOURED THIS BOOK! :D
Linnea is in a good place in her life. She is working while finishing her degree. She has a cozy home... she is content.
Kyan was attracted to her beauty and innocence. He finds his way into Linnea’s life slowly. Kyan takes her on a journey of physical and emotional excitement. But with the good comes the bad, and even the ugly sometimes.
The thing I love most is well-developed, complex and flawed characters (because - come on... perfect is BORING!!! 😂) and Kyan and Linnea are just that.
Loved the chemistry between the two. They were amazing together. At some point it got pretty HAWT...!
Because let me tell you when sex scenes... 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 whew! On fire!
What I liked most was how Linnea grew throughout the book and eventually became the person she always should have been. And just like Linnea , Kyan also changed a lot and became the man that every woman would want next to her
This book is well written and really hard to put down. I was gripped from the moment I started reading until the very last word.
Oh and one more thing...That plot twist... is something I wasn't expecting at all... I was like WHAT 😦😦
This is the first book in the Red Door series and these books can be read as standalones. I can assure you I'm going to read the second book ASAP because this woman knows how to write sex scenes so damn well. 😁😁
August 3, 2022
“She thought if she was patient king enough, her happily-ever-after would come. She thought that one day, when she was all grown up, that a brave knight, a handsome prince, would rescue her.”
As a young girl Linnea always held on to the belief that, one day, a handsome prince would rescue her. Then, she grew up, rescued herself her grandmother’s prison, and left that godforsaken town behind. Years later, her very own alpha hero came along. Kyan was the prince she always dreamed of, and helped her feel things she could never imagine.
Just when she thought she could finally, truly, leave behind the terrors of her past, they manage to come creeping back. It turns out that just like in the story books, her own story will be sick and twisted before she gets her happily ever after.
The first in Dyan Layne’s Red Door series, Serenity is a twisted tale of love in all its forms. A full ensemble of delightful cast perfectly sets up for future novels, with enough focus on our hero and heroine to not get lost in the crowd of characters. Linnea and Kyan are a beautiful couple, slowly opening up and trusting each other fully. The story is paced well, and the dramatic climax in the second half will have you have up all night reading. The other climaxes 😉 in the book will probably do the same.
Serenity is an 18+ novel. It contains mature content and matters that may be triggering for some readers.
April 14, 2022
So, apparently Serenity was Dyan Layne's debut novel, but you'd never know that by reading it. This is a well-developed, complex story with some WTF moments that I never saw coming.
Now, the first book that I ever read by this author was The Other Brother which is book 4 in this series, so I knew going into this one some of what would take place and how this would end. I also knew what the future would hold, so there was that. Still, knowing all of that did nothing to take away from Linnea and Kyan's story, and I enjoyed seeing where it all began.
Linnea escaped her grandmother's prison and left her past behind. She saved herself, because princes only save the princesses in fairy tales, right? That's what she believes until Kyan steps into the picture. He shows her a world that she never imagined and takes her behind the Red Door where nothing is forbidden and fantasies come to life. The past has a way of catching up with you though, and Linnea will need Kyan to be the prince who saves her.
It took me a little while to really get into this story. There are a lot of characters to get acquainted with, and there is a lot of build-up to the most intense parts of the plot. Once I became engrossed in it though, this story totally consumed me. I stayed up way too late to finish it, because I just couldn't put it down. The plot twists in this book are jaw-dropping, and the heat on these pages is scorching. There are some definite triggers here so beware, and there is definitely some taboo/forbidden elements that won't be for every reader.
If you have an open mind and are looking for a deliciously hot and suspenseful read, well here you have it. Serenity is a great introduction to the Red Door world, and I look forward to more.
Now, the first book that I ever read by this author was The Other Brother which is book 4 in this series, so I knew going into this one some of what would take place and how this would end. I also knew what the future would hold, so there was that. Still, knowing all of that did nothing to take away from Linnea and Kyan's story, and I enjoyed seeing where it all began.
Linnea escaped her grandmother's prison and left her past behind. She saved herself, because princes only save the princesses in fairy tales, right? That's what she believes until Kyan steps into the picture. He shows her a world that she never imagined and takes her behind the Red Door where nothing is forbidden and fantasies come to life. The past has a way of catching up with you though, and Linnea will need Kyan to be the prince who saves her.
It took me a little while to really get into this story. There are a lot of characters to get acquainted with, and there is a lot of build-up to the most intense parts of the plot. Once I became engrossed in it though, this story totally consumed me. I stayed up way too late to finish it, because I just couldn't put it down. The plot twists in this book are jaw-dropping, and the heat on these pages is scorching. There are some definite triggers here so beware, and there is definitely some taboo/forbidden elements that won't be for every reader.
If you have an open mind and are looking for a deliciously hot and suspenseful read, well here you have it. Serenity is a great introduction to the Red Door world, and I look forward to more.
November 6, 2021
Holy hotness! I dove into this book not knowing what to expect. All I knew was that it was part of an interconnected series but could be read as a standalone. I had signed up to read book four before its release, so I wanted to catch up the characters in the series. I was not expecting this book to be such a steamy, sensual read with a plethora of hot male characters. Now I can’t wait to read the rest of the books.
The male main character is Kyan - he owns a restaurant and club with his brother and cousins. He is sexy, dirty-talking, and definitely knows his way around a woman’s body.
Linnea is the female main character, and she escaped her small bible-belt town after her grandmother died. She started a new life with a job she loves (working at Kyan’s restaurant) and new friends, but she cannot escape the voice of her grandmother constantly shaming her.
She feels the full force of Kyan and his family’s closeness and protectiveness when she begins to receive random messages and flowers at her home. Kyan and Linnea are draw to each other, their chemistry is off the charts, but Linnea struggles with embracing her sexual side and combating the shaming voices in her head.
I enjoyed the development of Kyan and Linnea’s relationship, as much as I enjoyed getting to know the secondary characters. As I mentioned in the beginning this is a spicy read but it also had a side of intrigue with a plot twist I did not see coming at the end. If you enjoy heat in your books, then this may be the book for you. Advanced copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The male main character is Kyan - he owns a restaurant and club with his brother and cousins. He is sexy, dirty-talking, and definitely knows his way around a woman’s body.
Linnea is the female main character, and she escaped her small bible-belt town after her grandmother died. She started a new life with a job she loves (working at Kyan’s restaurant) and new friends, but she cannot escape the voice of her grandmother constantly shaming her.
She feels the full force of Kyan and his family’s closeness and protectiveness when she begins to receive random messages and flowers at her home. Kyan and Linnea are draw to each other, their chemistry is off the charts, but Linnea struggles with embracing her sexual side and combating the shaming voices in her head.
I enjoyed the development of Kyan and Linnea’s relationship, as much as I enjoyed getting to know the secondary characters. As I mentioned in the beginning this is a spicy read but it also had a side of intrigue with a plot twist I did not see coming at the end. If you enjoy heat in your books, then this may be the book for you. Advanced copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2022
Serenity red door book1
Great story !ine and an easy read.
Characters are relatable and the sex is awesome!
Can't wait to start book 2!
Great story !ine and an easy read.
Characters are relatable and the sex is awesome!
Can't wait to start book 2!
May 18, 2021
Where to start, I was recommended this book and I was not disappointed the story touch me from the start, linnea had a very difficult up bringing by her religious grandmother verbally cruel which in grained into her, when she finally left her old town after her grandmother death linnea managed to get a job where she met dillon, kyan and their cousin jess and brendon and her best friend chloe they were like the family she never had,but when linnea started to receive items to her her house she wondering who could be sending her these things and even started to question her colleagues at work but as time went on revelation started to come out an admirer confronts her and things what she thought were in the past come back to haunt her would linnea ever get pass her past and be able to move on and be able to love and be loved. This was a very emotional and mentally read with scenes of soft, mild BDSM and sexual threesomes this is a book that unless you don't read it you don't know what you missing it's very recommended book to read that will grip you from the start.
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