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Magpie Rhyme #2
Two for Joy
Locked up in a maximum-security prison, Romeo’s highlight each week is a visit from Chad. Despite his friends, colleagues, and therapist all telling Chad to stop, he can’t, and he becomes the only joy in Romeo’s boring, bleak life.
More than his need to kill, he needs Chad to live, but a Copycat killer has other ideas.
At first flattered, Romeo relishes the new killer's triumphs, but as he countdown his victims, Romeo realizes the danger Chad’s in, not only from the killer, but from his colleagues, and even more alarmingly, himself.
Romeo must do something drastic to reunite the Monster and the Magpie, but the Copycat is closing in on Chad fast, and he’s intent on doing the one thing Romeo couldn’t, concluding his countdown, and claiming number one…
Book One: One for Sorrow
Book Two: Two for Joy
More than his need to kill, he needs Chad to live, but a Copycat killer has other ideas.
At first flattered, Romeo relishes the new killer's triumphs, but as he countdown his victims, Romeo realizes the danger Chad’s in, not only from the killer, but from his colleagues, and even more alarmingly, himself.
Romeo must do something drastic to reunite the Monster and the Magpie, but the Copycat is closing in on Chad fast, and he’s intent on doing the one thing Romeo couldn’t, concluding his countdown, and claiming number one…
Book One: One for Sorrow
Book Two: Two for Joy
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 21, 2020
24 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
About the author
Louise Collins
45 books633 followersWriter of mm romance and erotica.
I write the stories I'd love to read, I hope you enjoy them too.
Lover of Romance but not without angst along the way.
Seduced by the dancing of a neanderthal and now a mother of two monsters.
Drinks tea with a passion, adores dogs, and their sea dwelling cousins.
Failed two chocolate eating challenges but will return for round three.
https://mailchi.mp/ad6955eed18f/louis...
♥
Facebook
I write the stories I'd love to read, I hope you enjoy them too.
Lover of Romance but not without angst along the way.
Seduced by the dancing of a neanderthal and now a mother of two monsters.
Drinks tea with a passion, adores dogs, and their sea dwelling cousins.
Failed two chocolate eating challenges but will return for round three.
https://mailchi.mp/ad6955eed18f/louis...
♥
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
April 26, 2020
Romeo and Chad
Standing ovation here!! This author belongs high in my top favorites, the author has a masterly way of writing dark, suspenseful, passionate stories, with the most intriguing complicated characters.
After this said! What a surprise, I didn’t expect a sequel, I just respected the end. I picked up back to the end of One for Sorrow and I remembered one of the last sentences ha! Crosswords!
Every week Chad visits Romeo in prison. His love, his man, his addiction. After been kidnapped by him they had a bond. Read book #1 and be amazed!
It’s quite complex, it requires full attention!
Romeo knows every physical expression of Chad. His complexion, eyes, brows, shoulders, hands, his whole appearance.
When he noticed Chad it too stressed and in a downward spiral, Romeo wants to get out.
There’s a case, with similarities, and inside information, a killer, all eyes are on one person and it’s driving Romeo nuts. He thinks Chad is in danger and afraid he’s someone else’s number one. What can he do being locked up in a high-security prison.
“Two wrongs definitely made a right.”
My goodness, it was so suspenseful, I was sitting on the edge of my chair.
The story starts with an easy pace, but be aware, it builds up from a breeze into a tornado.
When everything fell apart, it was chaos. So much anxiety I couldn’t read fast enough.
An amazingly, ingenuity and intelligent plot, a knot of story unraveled. A constantly sift through complicated minds, more than excellently done.
After finishing I wanted to applaud, more like I started this review, a standing ovation!
Standing ovation here!! This author belongs high in my top favorites, the author has a masterly way of writing dark, suspenseful, passionate stories, with the most intriguing complicated characters.
After this said! What a surprise, I didn’t expect a sequel, I just respected the end. I picked up back to the end of One for Sorrow and I remembered one of the last sentences ha! Crosswords!
Every week Chad visits Romeo in prison. His love, his man, his addiction. After been kidnapped by him they had a bond. Read book #1 and be amazed!
It’s quite complex, it requires full attention!
Romeo knows every physical expression of Chad. His complexion, eyes, brows, shoulders, hands, his whole appearance.
When he noticed Chad it too stressed and in a downward spiral, Romeo wants to get out.
There’s a case, with similarities, and inside information, a killer, all eyes are on one person and it’s driving Romeo nuts. He thinks Chad is in danger and afraid he’s someone else’s number one. What can he do being locked up in a high-security prison.
“Two wrongs definitely made a right.”
My goodness, it was so suspenseful, I was sitting on the edge of my chair.
The story starts with an easy pace, but be aware, it builds up from a breeze into a tornado.
When everything fell apart, it was chaos. So much anxiety I couldn’t read fast enough.
An amazingly, ingenuity and intelligent plot, a knot of story unraveled. A constantly sift through complicated minds, more than excellently done.
After finishing I wanted to applaud, more like I started this review, a standing ovation!
September 22, 2021
Romeo (aka serial killer)’s POV was fantastic. He’s so LIKABLE! Mainly bc of his unwavering devotion to his little magpie, Chad. The lengths he was willing to go to to protect Chad, save him…kill…
Now mind you, Romeo is a bad bad man. No 2 ways about it. He never turned “good.” He will always want to kill, and it’s indiscriminate. He’s killed 4 innocent ppl, 1 person who needed to die. And sometimes, he wants to kill Chad too.
But he also “loves” chad. It’s a never ending struggle that he has within himself. And Chad loves him too, knowing he’s a killer. And somehow accepting it despite being a determined “good guy” detective.
Next book is likely Chad’s POV again. Or at least I hope dual… disappointing after this breath of fresh air, but…
I’ll ready to go!
Now mind you, Romeo is a bad bad man. No 2 ways about it. He never turned “good.” He will always want to kill, and it’s indiscriminate. He’s killed 4 innocent ppl, 1 person who needed to die. And sometimes, he wants to kill Chad too.
But he also “loves” chad. It’s a never ending struggle that he has within himself. And Chad loves him too, knowing he’s a killer. And somehow accepting it despite being a determined “good guy” detective.
Next book is likely Chad’s POV again. Or at least I hope dual… disappointing after this breath of fresh air, but…
I’ll ready to go!
May 24, 2025
All I need to say is...
What would drive a serial killer to beyond belief madness and the most unlikely yet undeniable escape from prison ever?
Knowing someone captured his man.
Holy gods.
Relationship-building while in prison. Cop hero disappearing. Terrible torture at the hands of a captor (mostly off-page, you just see the aftermath). Absolute utter Vengeance for Chad.
Chad! Sorry his name constantly makes me laugh. Because. Chad.
These two are hugely satisfying and the level of feral serial killer Romeo becomes over Chad (Chad!) is fantastic.
Note TW but it's a spoiler:
HEA! I mean, more HFN because how can they ever possibly be together?
Oh stopit. You know they will.
Highly recommended series. But only if you like to go super bleak (and see a serial killer go super soft for his man!).
What would drive a serial killer to beyond belief madness and the most unlikely yet undeniable escape from prison ever?
Knowing someone captured his man.
Holy gods.
Relationship-building while in prison. Cop hero disappearing. Terrible torture at the hands of a captor (mostly off-page, you just see the aftermath). Absolute utter Vengeance for Chad.
Chad! Sorry his name constantly makes me laugh. Because. Chad.
These two are hugely satisfying and the level of feral serial killer Romeo becomes over Chad (Chad!) is fantastic.
Note TW but it's a spoiler:
HEA! I mean, more HFN because how can they ever possibly be together?
Oh stopit. You know they will.
Highly recommended series. But only if you like to go super bleak (and see a serial killer go super soft for his man!).
July 4, 2022
I liked this dynamic of all the books, I dunno if it's because we were in Romeo's pov or the complexity of the situation the copycat created and what was happening with Chad.
That we had no pov of...
But I really liked this one, it was short, dark (because Romeo thinks of killing like an assasin, so it gets creepy), and of course action packed.
I still love the games, the minfuckery and the toxic of this.
My cup of tea, for sure. 👁👄👁
That we had no pov of...
But I really liked this one, it was short, dark (because Romeo thinks of killing like an assasin, so it gets creepy), and of course action packed.
I still love the games, the minfuckery and the toxic of this.
My cup of tea, for sure. 👁👄👁
April 26, 2020
This was a mixed bag for me.
The beginning was really shaky; repetitive in parts. And a bit slow-going. The reporter/psychologist woman was really annoying, I hated her.
Then it got going and I started enjoying it. We see some of Romeo's past, which helps the reader understand him more. Then the story went into a direction that I didn't think was realistic, but honestly it could've been way more OTT and I'm just glad it wasn't.
By the end, I was really nervous, and excited. But again it was a little messy.
I'm not sure if this was the last book in the series. There were some hints that there will be more, and I'm not happy about that. I think I'm gonna stop here, this is a fairly happy ending.
The beginning was really shaky; repetitive in parts. And a bit slow-going. The reporter/psychologist woman was really annoying, I hated her.
Then it got going and I started enjoying it. We see some of Romeo's past, which helps the reader understand him more. Then the story went into a direction that I didn't think was realistic, but honestly it could've been way more OTT and I'm just glad it wasn't.
By the end, I was really nervous, and excited. But again it was a little messy.
I'm not sure if this was the last book in the series. There were some hints that there will be more, and I'm not happy about that. I think I'm gonna stop here, this is a fairly happy ending.
August 11, 2022
Omg! Romeo's POV is what I needed.
This story is so good. It makes you question about the morality and how the society tends to describe people in black or white.
This story is so good. It makes you question about the morality and how the society tends to describe people in black or white.
September 19, 2023
I enjoyed the twists and turns in Two for Joy. I'm addicted to Romeo and Chad's devotion to one another even though it is not a healthy one. I enjoyed the story told by Romeo's POV and I can't wait to see what happens next.
June 12, 2023
I really like this author but for some reason I struggle hard with this series.
June 19, 2023
2ème relecture juin 2023 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Purée, j'adore toujours autant ce 2ème tome !!
******
Relecture juillet 2021 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
**********
4,5/5
Chad et Romeo sont donc séparés suite aux événements de la fin du premier tome. Ils vont continuer à se voir, mais rien ne peut être comme avant. Romeo souffre, mais aussi Chad, qui, en plus de ça, doit accepter les remarques de son entourage.
Purée que j'ai adoré ce deuxième tome !! Les deux personnages sont éloignés l'un de l'autre et chacune de leurs interactions en est d'autant plus prenante, intense.
Si nous suivons bien évidemment les deux personnages, le tome-ci est plus centré sur Romeo, sur sa façon de penser. J'ai tout simplement adoré être dans sa tête ! C'est étrange cette sensation. Tout comme Chad, on refuse le tueur, mais on adhère à Romeo.
J'adore Romeo, malgré ses démons, malgré ses pulsions. C'est un homme extrêmement intelligent, perspicace. Il sait tout analyser, les moindres faits et gestes de chacun, mais par-dessus tout, ceux de Chad, qu'il connaît par cœur. Cet attachement qu'il lui porte est touchant, si triste aussi. Romeo ne sait même pas lui donner un nom à cet attachement, lui qui ne connaît pas l'amour.
Chad est ici complètement démuni et épuisé physiquement et moralement. Il a si besoin de Romeo...il le comprend pas, il sait juste qu'il a besoin de lui, de sa présence. Il y a une vraie alchimie entre ces deux personnages, une vraie complicité du début à la fin. Leur relation, si complexe soit-elle, est bien décrite et bien menée.
"There was four of them in their messed-up relationship. The monster, the detective, Chad, and Romeo, and the four of them switched and interacted."
Encore une fois, l'auteur m'a bluffée ici. Déjà, le fait de renouveler son histoire sans faire de trop, juste pour dire je fais une suite. La tension est encore une fois à son comble et je me faisais violence pour poser ma liseuse !
J'ai aimé l'intrigue, l'enquête de Romeo, c'était bien fait et intelligent. C'est un personnage vraiment bien développé et travaillé par l'auteur... Bien qu'il soit du mauvais côté, il fait tout pour que Chad soit et reste du bon, et ce, même s'il se trouve bouclé dans une prison de haute sécurité.
J'ai adoré ce second tome, et même si tout n'est pas parfait, je ne peux que lui mettre cette note !
Et une fois terminé, je n'avais envie que d'une chose, relire tout depuis le premier tome ^^
Et si cette fin me convient, j'ai envie d'une suite, je veux plus de Chad, plus de Romeo !
Purée, j'adore toujours autant ce 2ème tome !!
******
Relecture juillet 2021 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
**********
4,5/5
Chad et Romeo sont donc séparés suite aux événements de la fin du premier tome. Ils vont continuer à se voir, mais rien ne peut être comme avant. Romeo souffre, mais aussi Chad, qui, en plus de ça, doit accepter les remarques de son entourage.
Purée que j'ai adoré ce deuxième tome !! Les deux personnages sont éloignés l'un de l'autre et chacune de leurs interactions en est d'autant plus prenante, intense.
Si nous suivons bien évidemment les deux personnages, le tome-ci est plus centré sur Romeo, sur sa façon de penser. J'ai tout simplement adoré être dans sa tête ! C'est étrange cette sensation. Tout comme Chad, on refuse le tueur, mais on adhère à Romeo.
J'adore Romeo, malgré ses démons, malgré ses pulsions. C'est un homme extrêmement intelligent, perspicace. Il sait tout analyser, les moindres faits et gestes de chacun, mais par-dessus tout, ceux de Chad, qu'il connaît par cœur. Cet attachement qu'il lui porte est touchant, si triste aussi. Romeo ne sait même pas lui donner un nom à cet attachement, lui qui ne connaît pas l'amour.
Chad est ici complètement démuni et épuisé physiquement et moralement. Il a si besoin de Romeo...il le comprend pas, il sait juste qu'il a besoin de lui, de sa présence. Il y a une vraie alchimie entre ces deux personnages, une vraie complicité du début à la fin. Leur relation, si complexe soit-elle, est bien décrite et bien menée.
"There was four of them in their messed-up relationship. The monster, the detective, Chad, and Romeo, and the four of them switched and interacted."
Encore une fois, l'auteur m'a bluffée ici. Déjà, le fait de renouveler son histoire sans faire de trop, juste pour dire je fais une suite. La tension est encore une fois à son comble et je me faisais violence pour poser ma liseuse !
J'ai aimé l'intrigue, l'enquête de Romeo, c'était bien fait et intelligent. C'est un personnage vraiment bien développé et travaillé par l'auteur... Bien qu'il soit du mauvais côté, il fait tout pour que Chad soit et reste du bon, et ce, même s'il se trouve bouclé dans une prison de haute sécurité.
J'ai adoré ce second tome, et même si tout n'est pas parfait, je ne peux que lui mettre cette note !
Et une fois terminé, je n'avais envie que d'une chose, relire tout depuis le premier tome ^^
Et si cette fin me convient, j'ai envie d'une suite, je veux plus de Chad, plus de Romeo !
January 13, 2024
just like the first book, i had trouble getting into this in the beginning. i love that we got romeo’s pov and got to see how dedicated he is to chad, but honestly, the pov also kinda sucked bc mans is locked up…..so yea, it didn’t feel as exciting. and i can never guess shit when it comes to mysteries, but both books have been pretty easy for me to guess who’s done it. so overall, just not very exciting and i don’t feel motivated to continue the series.
also, how is it possible for a CO to STAB a hospital bound prisoner in front of the goddamn governor just bc “they think the prisoner is faking” (again, a corrections officer, not a doctor), not get written up or suspended or fired, but rather be allowed to immediately help transport that prisoner to the hospital and guard him????😭😭😭 drove me nuts!!
also, how is it possible for a CO to STAB a hospital bound prisoner in front of the goddamn governor just bc “they think the prisoner is faking” (again, a corrections officer, not a doctor), not get written up or suspended or fired, but rather be allowed to immediately help transport that prisoner to the hospital and guard him????😭😭😭 drove me nuts!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2025
I guess I like serial killer romances now …?
The pov shift to Romeo in this was amazing.
The plot plotted so hard.
It made me cry. Again.
And now I’m running for the next book in the series. Again.
4.75⭐️ 2🌶️
The pov shift to Romeo in this was amazing.
The plot plotted so hard.
It made me cry. Again.
And now I’m running for the next book in the series. Again.
4.75⭐️ 2🌶️
June 21, 2020
As he watched, he wondered whether the magpies were a good omen or whether they predicted doom.
Anything released by Louise Collins is an immediate read for me. Nine times out of ten I know that I’ll enjoy whatever story she writes because I know a good plot, great characters and dark, dark, dark things will happen.
This may sound dumb but, I honestly believed that I was reading a stand-alone? Despite me questioning if there had been a first book, because I felt like I had been missing a chunk of a story while I was reading it? Turns out I was, and that this is a sequel to “One for Sorrow,” and I had no idea but I kept reading and I loved the story anyways. Fantastic read, and I really want to read the first one now (maybe I’ll imagine it as a prequel since I know everything that happened in the second book anyways).
Anything released by Louise Collins is an immediate read for me. Nine times out of ten I know that I’ll enjoy whatever story she writes because I know a good plot, great characters and dark, dark, dark things will happen.
This may sound dumb but, I honestly believed that I was reading a stand-alone? Despite me questioning if there had been a first book, because I felt like I had been missing a chunk of a story while I was reading it? Turns out I was, and that this is a sequel to “One for Sorrow,” and I had no idea but I kept reading and I loved the story anyways. Fantastic read, and I really want to read the first one now (maybe I’ll imagine it as a prequel since I know everything that happened in the second book anyways).
January 6, 2024
Goddamn.
April 27, 2020
This was such a good follow up. I love love love Chad and Romeo.
I will admit that book one definitely stole my heart over this one, but I also definitely needed this book in my life to follow up with book one. I ended up skimming some of Romeos background and dream scenes, not because I was bored but because I was anxious to see how this was going to end...
A few things I liked: I liked that it was strictly in Romeos POV, I feel it we got a mix with Chad then the book might really have started to drag. I loved the prison element that Collins is becoming rather known for. I love the ending which I felt wrapped up this wild ride rather nicely.
Things I didn’t like: that bitch Holly Baskin... or whatever her last name was... journalist, phycologist my ass... anywho, that was my biggest gripe besides the ending... I will admit that although this gave hints of a book 3, I am really hoping Ms Collins ends this couple with this book... while I love this couple I don’t think a 3rd book with them would do them any justice.
Side note: if there is going to be a book 3 please, please, please let it be Zac!
I will admit that book one definitely stole my heart over this one, but I also definitely needed this book in my life to follow up with book one. I ended up skimming some of Romeos background and dream scenes, not because I was bored but because I was anxious to see how this was going to end...
A few things I liked: I liked that it was strictly in Romeos POV, I feel it we got a mix with Chad then the book might really have started to drag. I loved the prison element that Collins is becoming rather known for. I love the ending which I felt wrapped up this wild ride rather nicely.
Things I didn’t like: that bitch Holly Baskin... or whatever her last name was... journalist, phycologist my ass... anywho, that was my biggest gripe besides the ending... I will admit that although this gave hints of a book 3, I am really hoping Ms Collins ends this couple with this book... while I love this couple I don’t think a 3rd book with them would do them any justice.
Side note: if there is going to be a book 3 please, please, please let it be Zac!
June 20, 2022
Overall book rating: 4.5
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 4
Book two and still I find myself feeling much like Chad.
I KNOW Romeo is BAD news. I don't condone the things he needs
or the things he did.
I separate the "Man" from the "Monster". Problem is. You can't
really do that can you?
Call me twisted but enjoy the hell out of these books!
I wanted Romeo to get his hands on this killer so badly!
His mind is a fascinating place at times. His obsession with Chad
makes me want to cry for him when things don't go his way.
It's a tight rope between loving him and hating him really because
what if one day he goes to far? What if he gives in to this
dark nature of his? It's a fight between what the 'man' wants
and the 'monster' needs.
I feel so sorry for Chad. My heart aches for him because it's mind
against heart for him and heaven knows it's not an easy one.
I wanted to protect him against it all in this one.
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 4
Book two and still I find myself feeling much like Chad.
I KNOW Romeo is BAD news. I don't condone the things he needs
or the things he did.
I separate the "Man" from the "Monster". Problem is. You can't
really do that can you?
Call me twisted but enjoy the hell out of these books!
I wanted Romeo to get his hands on this killer so badly!
His mind is a fascinating place at times. His obsession with Chad
makes me want to cry for him when things don't go his way.
It's a tight rope between loving him and hating him really because
what if one day he goes to far? What if he gives in to this
dark nature of his? It's a fight between what the 'man' wants
and the 'monster' needs.
I feel so sorry for Chad. My heart aches for him because it's mind
against heart for him and heaven knows it's not an easy one.
I wanted to protect him against it all in this one.
September 16, 2025
Romeo and Chad ♥️
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
December 28, 2020
I hated this book with a passion.
I LOVED the first one. And this second volume managed to ruin the whole thing for me.
I didn't feel the need for this sequel at the end of "One for sorrow". I found it perfect as it was: Romeo was where he belonged. Chad was struggling, and it was ok.
Everything in here was just wrong:
- it was so bloody boring. The pov of someone with no empathy and little emotions is dull as hell.
- just too many weird things happen. I guess it's ok to count on your readers' suspension of disbelief but there's a limit you don't want to cross, and in my case, that limit was abundantly done over when Romeo manages .
- Chad needed a better therapist. I understand the whole point of book one, and that was the manipulation and the kidnapping and him being a detective first and foremost. Here's the shadow of the character he was before, and not just because he's traumatized. That would have been ok. It's just a fucking idiot. Suddenly he's forgotten that Romeo's BELONGS BEHIND BARS. FOREVER. AND EVER.
- The whole copycat thing was boring. It was meant to be clever, clearly, but it wasn't. Sorry.
- Why this book exists is a question I haven't stop asking myself. It made me furious.
I LOVED the first one. And this second volume managed to ruin the whole thing for me.
I didn't feel the need for this sequel at the end of "One for sorrow". I found it perfect as it was: Romeo was where he belonged. Chad was struggling, and it was ok.
Everything in here was just wrong:
- it was so bloody boring. The pov of someone with no empathy and little emotions is dull as hell.
- just too many weird things happen. I guess it's ok to count on your readers' suspension of disbelief but there's a limit you don't want to cross, and in my case, that limit was abundantly done over when Romeo manages .
- Chad needed a better therapist. I understand the whole point of book one, and that was the manipulation and the kidnapping and him being a detective first and foremost. Here's the shadow of the character he was before, and not just because he's traumatized. That would have been ok. It's just a fucking idiot. Suddenly he's forgotten that Romeo's BELONGS BEHIND BARS. FOREVER. AND EVER.
- The whole copycat thing was boring. It was meant to be clever, clearly, but it wasn't. Sorry.
- Why this book exists is a question I haven't stop asking myself. It made me furious.
February 7, 2022
Me ha mantenido súper enganchada. La relación de Romeo y Chad es tan complicada. Me encantó ver el dilema de Chad en el primero y me ha encantado ver cómo funciona la mente de Romeo en este.
La trama de este segundo me ha parecido súper interesante. El elemento del Imitador es muy bueno, pero además lo de que también vaya a por Chad me ha hecho fangirlear mucho por las reacciones de Romeo.
No es una relación ortodoxa, ni sana, ni factible en la realidad. Pero yo soy de las que piensa que hay que separar la realidad de la ficción y a mí estas cosas en la ficción me fascinan.
Definitivamente voy a leer el tercero, necesito saber cómo les va a Chad y Romeo y si consiguen controlar sus impulsos, o el detective y el asesino son más fuertes que ellos.
La trama de este segundo me ha parecido súper interesante. El elemento del Imitador es muy bueno, pero además lo de que también vaya a por Chad me ha hecho fangirlear mucho por las reacciones de Romeo.
No es una relación ortodoxa, ni sana, ni factible en la realidad. Pero yo soy de las que piensa que hay que separar la realidad de la ficción y a mí estas cosas en la ficción me fascinan.
Definitivamente voy a leer el tercero, necesito saber cómo les va a Chad y Romeo y si consiguen controlar sus impulsos, o el detective y el asesino son más fuertes que ellos.
July 9, 2025
I loved reading Romeo’s POV and how the storyline kept unraveling.
After a very strong start with book 1, I was worried the story might start to drag, but I was pleasantly surprised that instead we got more crime, more twists, more mind fuckery, and more action.
I was happy to see the HEA/HFN ending, giving the readers a chance to read this as a duology, cause not all of us, including me likes the idea of starting a long series.
I will dive into book 3 with confidence and see what happens.
After a very strong start with book 1, I was worried the story might start to drag, but I was pleasantly surprised that instead we got more crime, more twists, more mind fuckery, and more action.
I was happy to see the HEA/HFN ending, giving the readers a chance to read this as a duology, cause not all of us, including me likes the idea of starting a long series.
I will dive into book 3 with confidence and see what happens.
April 12, 2024
“We’re not on sides, we’re in the middle together. Just me and you.”
Wow. This author is amazing! The story just becomes more and more thrilling.
I want to read everything about Romeo and Chad.
Wow. This author is amazing! The story just becomes more and more thrilling.
I want to read everything about Romeo and Chad.
May 13, 2020
This sequel to One for Sorrow managed something I always thought was tricky, almost impossible : it hooked me for over a hundred pages, all set in the same place, from the PoV of a character locked in jail. It was still gripping and the suspense kept rising and rising. I loved reading about Chad through Romeo's eyes and I felt it made for a nice and balanced duology with the first book.
Most of all, I enjoyed the fact Romeo never regretted what he did, let alone lost his bloodlust or as he calls it "his monster". The guy is irredeemably bad and it's that consistency, that and the fact Chad either doesn't act out of character that did the trick for me. No redemption arc here. No excuses. Just the raw obsession of these two men for one another.
The mystery part aka the Copycat aka the plot took a backseat but it didn't bother as we dived into the characters psyche. But you're warned : don't expect for much in terms of plot/search for the killer. It's really just about our two "lovebirds".
Definitely gonna check out some more Louise Collin's books.
Most of all, I enjoyed the fact Romeo never regretted what he did, let alone lost his bloodlust or as he calls it "his monster". The guy is irredeemably bad and it's that consistency, that and the fact Chad either doesn't act out of character that did the trick for me. No redemption arc here. No excuses. Just the raw obsession of these two men for one another.
The mystery part aka the Copycat aka the plot took a backseat but it didn't bother as we dived into the characters psyche. But you're warned : don't expect for much in terms of plot/search for the killer. It's really just about our two "lovebirds".
Definitely gonna check out some more Louise Collin's books.
January 15, 2024
4.5⭐️ Really enjoyed this smart and suspenseful sequel. I’m so glad we got a book from Romeo’s perspective, since book one is all from Chad’s POV. We get a much better understanding of Romeo’s history and how his mind works. He’s so incredibly void of empathy and is obsessed with murder, and yet, still likable and relatable in a twisted way. His love and devotion for Chad feels all-consuming and swoon-worthy simply because of his total apathy for all others. I love how this series has us rooting for the villain.
Ends in a HFN.
Ends in a HFN.
February 17, 2022
Me gusto mucho el punto de vista de Romeo y ver lo enamorado que está de Chad me encantó.
April 27, 2020
Une suite parfaite même si elle est un peu frustrante vu que pour des raisons évidentes ils sont tres peu ensemble. Putain je veux le tome 3 😍
May 15, 2023
Well being inside Romeo’s head for this one was definitely a treat. I loved being able to see his POV and watch his obsession with Chad grow. I NEED MORE!!!!! Immediately on to book three
October 31, 2021
In this second book of the series, we get an unfiltered view of Romeo's perspective and we delve deeper into the very simple intentions in his mind.
Here, I unashamedly declare that I fell in love with Chad. In the first book, he was likeable and at the very end, admirably impressive for his actions. But it is in this book that we see his unwavering and unconditional support for the magpie master. He has my utmost respect in every way. You can see that he is very self-reliant in the way he deals with matters step-wise. You can see his wit and craftiness (or maybe the both of them) as he communicated with Romeo with their precious language. You can see his belief in their love in the way he persevered despite all the haters and well-meaning people. I read on in wide-eyed wonder as he diligently maintained his relationship. Lastly, you can see his very understandable back-and-forth between good and bad. I loved hat he was portrayed as a very real person, who is not without his flaws. He is very believable and thus relatable. He was so, so human and it made me believe in the possibility of such a unique and and what is supposed to be a twisted love story.
Ahhh, I think this whole review is just going to be singing Chad's praises. Plot wise, this is still very action packed, psychologically so. It becomes physically action packed towards the end but the build up to that part is unbearable. It keeps you on your toes and got me biting my tongue. Romeo's point of view was undoubtedly insightful and and went so far to show us the trappings of his mind. It is definitely a whole new world and another mini paradigm shift for me (got my first taste in the first book). It is chaos made simple, just like our basic psychological drives. It broke down complex, curious perspectives into easier, bite-sized pieces for us readers. This is what I found amazing. The author executed this flawlessly and it is so obvious that the put so much thought into the metaphors and analogies to help us get even the smallest informed glimpse into this 'evil'. That part is what made me
Here, I unashamedly declare that I fell in love with Chad. In the first book, he was likeable and at the very end, admirably impressive for his actions. But it is in this book that we see his unwavering and unconditional support for the magpie master. He has my utmost respect in every way. You can see that he is very self-reliant in the way he deals with matters step-wise. You can see his wit and craftiness (or maybe the both of them) as he communicated with Romeo with their precious language. You can see his belief in their love in the way he persevered despite all the haters and well-meaning people. I read on in wide-eyed wonder as he diligently maintained his relationship. Lastly, you can see his very understandable back-and-forth between good and bad. I loved hat he was portrayed as a very real person, who is not without his flaws. He is very believable and thus relatable. He was so, so human and it made me believe in the possibility of such a unique and and what is supposed to be a twisted love story.
Ahhh, I think this whole review is just going to be singing Chad's praises. Plot wise, this is still very action packed, psychologically so. It becomes physically action packed towards the end but the build up to that part is unbearable. It keeps you on your toes and got me biting my tongue. Romeo's point of view was undoubtedly insightful and and went so far to show us the trappings of his mind. It is definitely a whole new world and another mini paradigm shift for me (got my first taste in the first book). It is chaos made simple, just like our basic psychological drives. It broke down complex, curious perspectives into easier, bite-sized pieces for us readers. This is what I found amazing. The author executed this flawlessly and it is so obvious that the put so much thought into the metaphors and analogies to help us get even the smallest informed glimpse into this 'evil'. That part is what made me
December 6, 2022
No entiendo qué es lo que tienen estos libros que son tan adictivos, pero necesito más.
Estar en la mente de Romeo, y comprender sus motivaciones me pareció sorprendente, definitivamente es un persona muy bien construído, así como Chad, ver el conflicto que siente al tener sentimientos hacia un asesino serial, y que siente necesidad de visitarlo, simplemente wow.
"—Eres la persona más importante en mi vida. La única persona que vio al monstruo y que me quería de todos modos. Quien me entendió como yo lo entendiendo. Nadie se acerca, nadie se acercará nunca. Chad parecía que estaba a punto de hablar, pero Paul se aclaró la garganta, terminando su momento, y Chad cerró la boca.
En lugar de responder, sonrió, una gran sonrisa que levantó sus ojos llorosos y redondeó sus mejillas. La sonrisa que Romeo había necesitado ver desde que Chad había entrado por la puerta. Ahora esa es mi urraca, pensó, pero nunca dijo. Todos sabían que era un monstruo, pero nadie sabía que Chad era la urraca del monstruo. Eso fue entre ellos, su secreto."
Ver a Romeo intentar entender sus sentimientos fue maravilloso, un asesino frío, que nunca ha tenido sentimientos bonitos hacia nadie, empezar a sentir cosas que no podía describir:
"—¿Y cómo te sientes cuando Chad te visita?
Un montón de emociones que no podía etiquetar o comprender, pero que lo primero de la lista después de su última visita era la preocupación. A veces odiaba a Chad por desbloquear emociones en él cuando no sabía cómo manejarlas. No se suponía que estuvieran allí en absoluto. Era muy irresponsable por parte de Chad detonar un barril de sentimientos y luego dejarlo."
Amo mucho a Chad y entiendo su conflicto a querer a Romeo, pero también amo mucho a Romeo a pesar de ser un asesino a sangre fría, amo las historias oscuras, y esta trilogía ha sigo la mejor que leído hasta ahora. Tercer libro, allá voy.
Estar en la mente de Romeo, y comprender sus motivaciones me pareció sorprendente, definitivamente es un persona muy bien construído, así como Chad, ver el conflicto que siente al tener sentimientos hacia un asesino serial, y que siente necesidad de visitarlo, simplemente wow.
"—Eres la persona más importante en mi vida. La única persona que vio al monstruo y que me quería de todos modos. Quien me entendió como yo lo entendiendo. Nadie se acerca, nadie se acercará nunca. Chad parecía que estaba a punto de hablar, pero Paul se aclaró la garganta, terminando su momento, y Chad cerró la boca.
En lugar de responder, sonrió, una gran sonrisa que levantó sus ojos llorosos y redondeó sus mejillas. La sonrisa que Romeo había necesitado ver desde que Chad había entrado por la puerta. Ahora esa es mi urraca, pensó, pero nunca dijo. Todos sabían que era un monstruo, pero nadie sabía que Chad era la urraca del monstruo. Eso fue entre ellos, su secreto."
Ver a Romeo intentar entender sus sentimientos fue maravilloso, un asesino frío, que nunca ha tenido sentimientos bonitos hacia nadie, empezar a sentir cosas que no podía describir:
"—¿Y cómo te sientes cuando Chad te visita?
Un montón de emociones que no podía etiquetar o comprender, pero que lo primero de la lista después de su última visita era la preocupación. A veces odiaba a Chad por desbloquear emociones en él cuando no sabía cómo manejarlas. No se suponía que estuvieran allí en absoluto. Era muy irresponsable por parte de Chad detonar un barril de sentimientos y luego dejarlo."
Amo mucho a Chad y entiendo su conflicto a querer a Romeo, pero también amo mucho a Romeo a pesar de ser un asesino a sangre fría, amo las historias oscuras, y esta trilogía ha sigo la mejor que leído hasta ahora. Tercer libro, allá voy.
December 30, 2025
4.5 stars
Omg, omg, omg. This was even better than the first and I'm fully obsessed now.
I love books where the MCs are separated by an external conflict. Like, the MCs are completely devoted to and desperate for each other, but the outside world keeps them apart. I realize this wasn't exactly that since part of the issue was that if Romeo were released he would've kept killing and Chad would've felt compelled to stop him, but it still felt like an "us against the world" scenario anyway.
I loved the decision to have this one told from Romeo's POV instead of Chad's. I was a little worried that it might feel like we were missing things or that the plot wasn't moving forward since Romeo was confined to prison, but it never felt that way to me.
I wasn't sure after the ending of book 1 where the MCs would be with each other, but they were just as I'd hoped - still totally obsessed. They were able to build on their relationship even though all they had were weekly visits supervised by two guards in a room where they were separated by a plastic divider and couldn't touch or speak openly. And somehow you could still feel how desperate they were for each other, how much they loved and missed each other. Romeo anxiously waiting every time for Chad to open the door and smile at him? Them blushing, laughing softly and looking away every time they first saw each other? Fucking ADORABLE. Like, these are grown ass hard boiled men (one's a fucking serial killer!) but they're over there blushing because they made eye contact with the person they love. I just couldn't. And them using the crossword puzzles to secretly communicate? Crazy romantic!
The plot in this one was slightly more OTT than the previous and had a few more moments that toed the line of what I'm capable of in terms of suspending belief, but it managed to always stay on the right side. Or I'm just so down bad for these men that it didn't matter - either way.
There was a lot of time spent in dreams and memories and we got to learn a lot more about Romeo's history and how his brain works. His thoughts and feelings about Chad being reflected in the magpie were pretty overt but I don't care, I was into it. There was a little more talk about the monster inside Romeo and in the past when I've seen something like this (where an MC talks about a monster or a darkness inside him, etc etc) it felt super cringe but for some reason it didn't here. Like, it's just an easy analogy for Romeo to explain that there is something inside him, a dark desire to kill but he isn't saying it to be edgy or anything. Idk why it works here but makes me close my eyes and deep breathe when I see it elsewhere.
I liked getting Romeo's POV because it helped show how much he loved Chad. I think a sentiment that comes up a lot in dark romance is that people who are sociopaths can't love, but that's just not true. However you describe the concept of love, Romeo feels that for Chad 100% and I liked how you could really see it in this.
I was initially mad as hell that Romeo had been playing with Holly (the journalist who was visiting him in prison) but I quickly realized that (other than being necessary for the plot) it also emphasized the difference of what he did with Chad. He was being a little bit flirty and manipulative with her because he was bored and that's the kind of thing he does, but he never once had a single positive thought or sexual/romantic feeling toward her in any way and he found her entirely predictable. It basically highlighted that Chad was the only person he had ever played that game with and lost. Chad was the only person he was always honest with and always showed his true self to, everyone else got a mask.
This still had a couple grammatical/editing errors and it bothered me slightly more here. I also think the author made a continuity error with Romeo's name. In this book everyone calls him Romeo. But in the first book I'm pretty sure Chad found out that it wasn't his real name and he felt hurt by that (like he'd been lied to) but then Romeo told him it was the name his mother gave him and he hadn't used it in a long time. Maybe I misunderstood but it confused me. I was also a little frustrated because even though this one was in Romeo's POV, I still have no idea what Chad looks like! I felt like I've been gaslit - like, does this man have a corporeal form? I have no idea what color his hair is, how tall he is, what his build it like, skin color, eye color and I still don't have an age? Well I guess I don't have an age for Romeo either but at least he's been physically described because Chad was thirsty as fuck in the first book. Idk, I need a photo reference for Chad or something.
But whatever, no matter if Chad is a ghost or not, I still am so incredibly sat for the way they are obsessed with each other. Full on Romeo and Juliet death pact obsessed. They would not want to survive in this world without each other and I love them for that.
Pet names: Juliet, magpie
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*
*
*
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Safety (may contain spoilers)
SA/rape: None
Other person drama: None actually but there is a moment where Chad feels jealous/insecure because Romeo tells him that he's been "playing" (ie manipulating) a journalist that visits him but it's brief and Romeo reassures him that there is absolutely no one for him but Chad.
Omg, omg, omg. This was even better than the first and I'm fully obsessed now.
I love books where the MCs are separated by an external conflict. Like, the MCs are completely devoted to and desperate for each other, but the outside world keeps them apart. I realize this wasn't exactly that since part of the issue was that if Romeo were released he would've kept killing and Chad would've felt compelled to stop him, but it still felt like an "us against the world" scenario anyway.
I loved the decision to have this one told from Romeo's POV instead of Chad's. I was a little worried that it might feel like we were missing things or that the plot wasn't moving forward since Romeo was confined to prison, but it never felt that way to me.
I wasn't sure after the ending of book 1 where the MCs would be with each other, but they were just as I'd hoped - still totally obsessed. They were able to build on their relationship even though all they had were weekly visits supervised by two guards in a room where they were separated by a plastic divider and couldn't touch or speak openly. And somehow you could still feel how desperate they were for each other, how much they loved and missed each other. Romeo anxiously waiting every time for Chad to open the door and smile at him? Them blushing, laughing softly and looking away every time they first saw each other? Fucking ADORABLE. Like, these are grown ass hard boiled men (one's a fucking serial killer!) but they're over there blushing because they made eye contact with the person they love. I just couldn't. And them using the crossword puzzles to secretly communicate? Crazy romantic!
The plot in this one was slightly more OTT than the previous and had a few more moments that toed the line of what I'm capable of in terms of suspending belief, but it managed to always stay on the right side. Or I'm just so down bad for these men that it didn't matter - either way.
There was a lot of time spent in dreams and memories and we got to learn a lot more about Romeo's history and how his brain works. His thoughts and feelings about Chad being reflected in the magpie were pretty overt but I don't care, I was into it. There was a little more talk about the monster inside Romeo and in the past when I've seen something like this (where an MC talks about a monster or a darkness inside him, etc etc) it felt super cringe but for some reason it didn't here. Like, it's just an easy analogy for Romeo to explain that there is something inside him, a dark desire to kill but he isn't saying it to be edgy or anything. Idk why it works here but makes me close my eyes and deep breathe when I see it elsewhere.
I liked getting Romeo's POV because it helped show how much he loved Chad. I think a sentiment that comes up a lot in dark romance is that people who are sociopaths can't love, but that's just not true. However you describe the concept of love, Romeo feels that for Chad 100% and I liked how you could really see it in this.
I was initially mad as hell that Romeo had been playing with Holly (the journalist who was visiting him in prison) but I quickly realized that (other than being necessary for the plot) it also emphasized the difference of what he did with Chad. He was being a little bit flirty and manipulative with her because he was bored and that's the kind of thing he does, but he never once had a single positive thought or sexual/romantic feeling toward her in any way and he found her entirely predictable. It basically highlighted that Chad was the only person he had ever played that game with and lost. Chad was the only person he was always honest with and always showed his true self to, everyone else got a mask.
This still had a couple grammatical/editing errors and it bothered me slightly more here. I also think the author made a continuity error with Romeo's name. In this book everyone calls him Romeo. But in the first book I'm pretty sure Chad found out that it wasn't his real name and he felt hurt by that (like he'd been lied to) but then Romeo told him it was the name his mother gave him and he hadn't used it in a long time. Maybe I misunderstood but it confused me. I was also a little frustrated because even though this one was in Romeo's POV, I still have no idea what Chad looks like! I felt like I've been gaslit - like, does this man have a corporeal form? I have no idea what color his hair is, how tall he is, what his build it like, skin color, eye color and I still don't have an age? Well I guess I don't have an age for Romeo either but at least he's been physically described because Chad was thirsty as fuck in the first book. Idk, I need a photo reference for Chad or something.
But whatever, no matter if Chad is a ghost or not, I still am so incredibly sat for the way they are obsessed with each other. Full on Romeo and Juliet death pact obsessed. They would not want to survive in this world without each other and I love them for that.
Pet names: Juliet, magpie
“You are the most important person in my life. The only person who saw the monster and liked me anyway. Who understood me the way I understood them. No one comes close, no one will ever come close.”
Romeo shook his head. “I’m not playing a game.” “Really? Life’s just a game, that’s what you said the last time I was here.” “It is.” “Whose rules are we playing by? Is it always you that’s in control, that knows what’s going on? That knows how to win? Because I’m lost Romeo, and I’m on my own.
Chad had told him he needed Romeo. The detective had gone completely, leaving behind a broken man, Romeo’s broken man. The one he was determined to put back together despite the jagged edges and missing parts. They fit together.
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*
*
*
*
Safety (may contain spoilers)
SA/rape: None
Other person drama: None actually but there is a moment where Chad feels jealous/insecure because Romeo tells him that he's been "playing" (ie manipulating) a journalist that visits him but it's brief and Romeo reassures him that there is absolutely no one for him but Chad.
January 31, 2022
5 Estrellas oh por dios
Con los últimos acontecimientos del libro uno, nos situamos con un Romeo tras las rejas, y un Chad visitándolo una vez a la semana. Siguen siendo ellos: los crucigramas, los momentos, las risas, esa conexión. Pero luego, salta algo. Chad está intranquilo, Romeo no sabe por qué. Hay un Imitador que sale a la luz, tres víctimas en total. El mismo patrón, salvo por algunas diferencias.
Las visitas de Chad a la prisión, y en especial por Romeo, lo pone en sospechas. El departamento está en su contra. Lousie nos suelta muchas cosas de golpe. De verdad que no quiere contar mucho esta vez, es mejor leer este libro.
Dejo una frase de paso, eh:
"-¿Me amas?
-¿Crees que dejaría que un boxeador me pegara en la cara por alguien?"
Esto marca mucho. AAAAA, se los dejo. Este fue muy especial.
Con los últimos acontecimientos del libro uno, nos situamos con un Romeo tras las rejas, y un Chad visitándolo una vez a la semana. Siguen siendo ellos: los crucigramas, los momentos, las risas, esa conexión. Pero luego, salta algo. Chad está intranquilo, Romeo no sabe por qué. Hay un Imitador que sale a la luz, tres víctimas en total. El mismo patrón, salvo por algunas diferencias.
Las visitas de Chad a la prisión, y en especial por Romeo, lo pone en sospechas. El departamento está en su contra. Lousie nos suelta muchas cosas de golpe. De verdad que no quiere contar mucho esta vez, es mejor leer este libro.
Dejo una frase de paso, eh:
"-¿Me amas?
-¿Crees que dejaría que un boxeador me pegara en la cara por alguien?"
Esto marca mucho. AAAAA, se los dejo. Este fue muy especial.
February 1, 2021
Following Romeo's point of view compared to Chad's in the last book.
I like how Romeo is written, there is no yielding on his character, he haven't grown a conscious, he holds no guilt about his crime. He found a person that he can relate to and refuses to let go.
Chad is still broken, his attachment to Romeo can only be described as that, but the glimpses we get as they live for their weekly meeting makes it impossible for me to not route for the serial killer getting a happy ending.
It's good against evil and the grey area in between where Chad and Romeo is. It's a happy for now kind of story, and I doubt it could be anything else.
There's side characters I liked and one I just wanted to throttle, I can only hope it happened at one point.
I like how Romeo is written, there is no yielding on his character, he haven't grown a conscious, he holds no guilt about his crime. He found a person that he can relate to and refuses to let go.
Chad is still broken, his attachment to Romeo can only be described as that, but the glimpses we get as they live for their weekly meeting makes it impossible for me to not route for the serial killer getting a happy ending.
It's good against evil and the grey area in between where Chad and Romeo is. It's a happy for now kind of story, and I doubt it could be anything else.
There's side characters I liked and one I just wanted to throttle, I can only hope it happened at one point.
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