The Order: Hit and Run

Blackbriar Academy #1

by Emma Cole

When the unthinkable happens to Cora and her life is in shambles, she takes the only realistic option open to her— attending Blackbriar Academy.

Brokenhearted after a horrific event, Cora is left to pick up the pieces of her life as best she can. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she didn't expect to have to deal with the guys she used to call friends— those same ones that had turned their backs on her.

Unable to leave without risking her future, Cora has to figure out how to make the situation work. But things aren't what they seem to be on the surface, something dark lurks on the grounds of Blackbriar Academy, and it's fixated on the new girl.

Cora knows she has to tough it out or find a way to break her contract. What she doesn't know is just how far she'll have to venture into the darkness to find the light at the end.

18+ RH

Content warning - Readers discretion advised

Genres: Romance, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, M M Romance, Magic

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2020

About the author

Emma Cole is a multi-genre romance author covering everything from dark and light contemporary to paranormal and sci-fi. Almost all of her stories are, or will be, from the reverse harem subcategory, and none of them skimp on the heat.

Reviews

[Kelly Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark RH Bully romance......brilliant!!🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐

So I read a teaser from this book a few months back and I thought it was amazing. It's one of those stories that stay with you and I thought about it often, so I am really glad that i finally got to read more of the story. It has a little bit of everything, its dark, its RH (yes 5 super sexy guys!), has a super strong heroine, it also has an actual storyline with mystery and twists and turns. There are times I want to cry for everything Cora has been through but then laugh at how she handles those guys. Let me tell you that these guys are all alphas in their own right but I have a slight soft spot for Drake and Jag ( lots of mystery with them two!!) This book ticked everything for me. My only problem now is I have to wait for the next book!! Well done Emma, a truly fantastic story, please don't make us wait to long for the next one! 5 Huge stars, if you are a fan of RH, bully romance and stories with dark themes then is truly a book for you. Very highly recommend.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received ARC from Author for Honest Review.
I Give this Book a 4/5 Star Rating.

Cliffhanger(?): Yes! Need Book 2 Now!
Heat: 0/5, Nothing as of yet and that isn’t a bad thing.
Romance: 3(?)/5, when you read you’ll understand why it kinda hard to rate this one correctly XD
Drama: 4.5/5
Suspense: 5/5
Dark(?): I’m an Avid Dark to Extreme Dark reader so my rating will be different from other readers, this book may be darker for others. This to me is a 2.5-3ish/5 Star Rating.
Bully Scale: 2/5 (to me)

I did have to reread chapter 2 a few times cause the writing felt a bit compacted, not much breathing space in the sentencing of the conversations so it was hard to keep focus. Although I completely understand, considering what went on.
I would advise keeping Kleenex nearby, tears were shed while reading.
Dark aspect, I was told this was going to be VERY DARK and that is exactly what I love to read. I’m a stickler for detail even in the ‘gore-y-ish’ section, I do wish the ‘cutting of flesh’ was more in detail with how a bloody mess it would be and define how much pain one would be or is in.
It doesn’t need to be in sincerely graphic (even though that’s my jam) detail but I’d rather it be to that extent.
It did read come across like someone was just using a sharpie or a Rollerball pens and drawing on ones skin.
We all know even the tiniest accidental cuts can be extremely painful and can bleed copious amounts, so that’s why detailing correctly is important when you need to make a distinct impact.
Other than that, dang this book got my attention and then it cliffhanger-ed on me! 😭
I highly anticipate the next book! I must read it! So eager to see where this series is going!
No Actual Spoilers, but don’t expect anything answered in this book, and again that’s not a bad thing at all :)

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn

Wow that book was amazing I couldn't put it down I even had trouble sleeping coz I didn't wanna put it down I think blaze is my fave

[Luisa Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! I don’t know what to say here!
Cora, seven months pregnant, and Kael are of to get married and start a life together. Being pregnant at eighteen made her mother kick her out of the house and now she has fend for herself and balance her new life with her new husband and soon with her baby girl. Unfortunately after leaving the courthouse they end it up in a car accident caused by Damien, an ex obsessive boyfriend putting Cora and her baby in a life threatening situations and killing himself.
Her stepbrother and his friends help Kael to get to the hospital and face the news that his baby girls didn’t survived and his wife it’s not going to make it.
Drake offers a deal to heal her in exchange for his life, without so much thought he accept.


After losing the love of her life and her baby girl Cora it’s drowning in grief and financial problems. Damiens father offers her a deal, for her to compromise through a contract, to attend Blackbriar academy, lessening her problems for some time.
What she didn’t expect it’s that she was going to be roommates with her stepbrother and his three friends, who was also friends of Damien and now they kind of are babysitting her every step.
She soon realizes that they are not normal and start to look for answers. As she snoops their conversations and star following them when she can, she realizes that she ain’t her normal self anymore and something really bad it’s bound to happen.

[K. Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****
******
The beginning few chapters are gut wrenching, completely torn... I have to say, well done... the emotion you pulled from me was amazing, full spectrum of emotion, great story, plot twists, Love. THIS. Book. Patiently awaiting the next in the series.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

O my hit and run was not sure how the story as going to go but wow I was hooked right from the start and only a few pages in I was crying for Cora. On the day that was meant to be the best day off her life everything goes to hell she is very heavy pregnant and has just married Kael and they are on there way to her home when they are hit by another car coursing a horrific crash and coras further is changed for ever.

Unable to support herself she sign a contract to got to Blackbriar Academy and when she gets there she finds out she has to share her Dorm with the 5 guys from her passed who she can’t stand how will she copy being around them knowing that there were there when she had her car crash.

The story has you hooked right from the start and is full of emotions of hurt and lost for Cora and you just want to give her a hug and punch the guys for how they are behaving towards her. This is the first book in what looks like is going to be an amazing series and I can’t wait for the second book I hope we don’t have to wait to long for it as I need to know what happens next I would highly recommend this book I loved it and couldn’t put it down.

[BookishBlondeNerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was darker then I expected. There are quite a few triggers so beware if you have any and read warnings in the beginning. I enjoyed the book. I felt lost a lot, but that is intentional. We discovered what things mean as Cora does. Cora is a pretty likeable character and strong. She goes against her family and fights for what is good. I'm not sure about the guys yet as we are just introduced to them and they are not at their best. Things in the order seem twisted and dark. Gives a little bit of the New Sabrina the Teenage witch vibes. I'm hoping the guys are good and are fighting to change things. Their secrecy is frustrating. The whole men's club vibe also is annoying and needs to change. I hope things with Kael work out differently too. I like him. The ending is somewhat of a cliffy.... Nothing on the edge but just that we start to get some answers and Cora has a choice to make. Definitely interested in figuring out what is going on. Some multiple Povs which help give info. No steam, but one scene of "rape" hard to say as the girls in the order know what is going on, but pretty sure she was not willingly consenting (side character).

[K I M · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I started this book, I was immediately hooked. The main character is spunky and engaging, and the guys have the angsty mysterious behaviour down to a T. The beginning of the book and Kael’s sacrifice wrenched at my heartstrings.
However, there was one section of this book that I could not abide; the ritual at the end, where Cora’s former ‘friends’ take part in raping and murdering another girl from their school as part of a sick ceremony. Now, I’m all for male leads screwing up and then redeeming themselves, but I just don’t think you can come back from that, whatever their reasons were. Moreover, at this point it’s not Cora they need to apologise to; the poor girl (whose only folly was insulting Cora that day) will never be able to recover from the trauma of the gang rape as she’s now dead. I understand and sometimes read dark romance, but there’s a thin line between intense seduction and romanticising rape and murder. I’d hope to see how this can be justified in the next book, but in my opinion there is simply no justification for this and any form of regret from the boys will simply be too little, too late.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Spoiler Alert*
I read a Novella of this book a while ago and i loved it so much that couldnt wait to get my hands the longer book. I was thrilled with the start of this series it a great read. Cora (FMC) has her life planned out. Pregnant and marrying the man she loves-Kael but things dont work out the way she wanted. Tragedy strikes and Cora loses everything in one swoop. My god did that bring on the feels. It literally made me cry it was so sad. Except that things go from bad to worse with an unexpected proposition which brings her to Blackbriar Academy & 4 unlikely roommates-Jaeger, Drake, Blaise & Ash. Her stepbrother and her old friends who are more like enemies now. Dark, full of secrets and lies, a secret cult/society as well as murder. Blimey this book has it all and it grips you from the very beginning. It keeps you there until the very ending. Its so bloody good!!! Dying for book 2

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story starts off quickly pulling me in. We meet Cora who is this incredible sweet and caring lady. Her and Kael‘s relationship is beautiful. The story has so many tragic moments in the first part of the story that your heart just breaks. There are some very confusing moments in the beginning of the story that really has you wondering what happened before all this. But, as the story progresses the pieces of the puzzle slowly start to come together. You have mixed feelings about Cora’s roommates and how they act towards her. The story is jammed packed with mysteries that will keep you guessing. The story is extremely well written and developed. The ending of this book ends in a cliffhanger that absolutely has excited to see what happens next. This book released awhile ago so I really hope the second book comes out soon as I am needing to find out what happens. An excellent read that doesn’t disappoint.

[Missy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Order was a good intro into this new series by Emma. I really fell into the story quickly. There is some vagueness in some spots but really I feel that this is intentional. We cannot know everything all at once lol. I really liked Cora as a female lead. She is strong and has beliefs, even if it goes against everyone else. The guys we will have to see if we get more info and get to know them better in the next book.

I feel like this book is darker than I thought it would be, so becareful on that. There could be possible triggers for you so heed the warnings. But for me personally, the darker the better. Also enjoy the multiple POV's helps us understand some what better. The Order was also darker than what I thought it would be.

Overall this is a good first look into this series that promises to a very good series.

[Michelle’s · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have your tissues nearby. The first 20% of this book will leave you in tears, especially when Kael is saying goodbye to Cora. The twists and suspense surrounding these two characters throughout the book will keep you wondering what will happen next.

This book is dark and has triggers so if you can’t read about stillbirth, rape or murder please move along.

The other main characters are pretty much assholes for most of the book. Luckily Cora is a strong character and able to stand up to them.

The book leaves you with questions and waiting anxiously for book 2. Who is the man with the silver tattoo? The mystery surrounding the twins? Will Kael and Cora be together? Will she bond with the others? What does the Axiom Host do?

[Chelsea Okamoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Moly........what a freakin roller coaster of emotions this book brought. It went from light to dark and back again with twists and turns in between. Wow, just wow. Cora’s journey through this book had my emotions running a marathon. She is a strong, loud mouthed and capable young women that has experienced real tragedy and in order to survive she has to take crapa$$ deal that’s offered. She ends up with the people responsible for her tragedy but she takes everything in stride and stands up for herself. This book was an amazing story that takes you through life changing events to experience the real raw emotions through words. I cannot wait for the next book! 💕

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Cole is a new author for me and I must say.....I'm honestly surprised by how much I liked her style of writing.

This book was darker and darker and meaner than I thought it would be and I was hooked from the start. There are a few triggers with this book so please be aware of that, but you soon are caught up in Cora and what is happening with her and the men in her life.

I would class this as DARK Bully Romance...stick with it. Delayed Gratification is all the rage these days

I'm super interested in the shady s*** happening with all the older characters and the part Cora's men play. Cora is going to whip these men into shape....just you wait.

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC for review. Hit & Run is a pretty decent book. I like the FMC but I wish there were a bit more character development on the guys. I like the idea of the plot but I feel it was really slow burn. I’m still not entirely sure where the story is headed or what exactly is going on. I felt there was too much focus on little details and then places that needed more detail, lacked a bit. Overall, I enjoyed it and I plan to keep reading the series. I’m severely curious as to what’s going to happen because the plot is entirely unique as in, I’ve never read anything similar to it. Emma, you’re awesome!!

[Cheryl Sedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a book, even though it's only about 100 pages. Each page holds you in the think of the gripping twisty read. With such strong characters in Cora, Kael, Jaeger, Ash, Riggs, Drake and Blaise. We see Cora and Keal marry at the beginning of the book to end the day in disaster and heartbreak. For Drake to step upto Kael and offer help. From here things get crazy and without giving much away. The results are that Cora has to attend the academy where she ends up being roommates with the guys. To crazy outcomes and a crazy cliffhanger ending.
This book is one you must read it's got abit of everything.

[Bookworm Babe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well. This book brings you to tears over and over again.

CW: loss of child, loss of spouse, stillborn infant, motorized vehicle accident, loss of reproductive organs & vital organs, step-brother attraction, secret society, siphoning magic, detailed r@pe of a secondary character, death of a secondary character, manipulation, forced proximity, panic attacks, verbal/emotional abuse, homeless/lack of parental support, teenage pregnancy.

RH with mostly dark moments. This book will drag you down and beat your heart up again and again.

The writing was poor, and many grammatical mistakes led to multiple paragraphs being unreadable.

Cliffhanger with no second book as of yet.

[Kasumatata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding read

I had no idea what to expect going in this book, but I was sucked in from the first page and just could not stop reading until I finished it. There is mystery and suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat while reading, wanting to find out more. The plot is emotional and intriguing, the characters are mysterious and secretive, but the author gradually gives us bits of information so the mystery for me as a reader never gets too much, which progresses the story in a way that it flows naturally.

[Jenny (jennyluvslitbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Order is the first book in this series of dark romance, with a pretty dose of bully and enemies-to-lovers romance. This is my second series that I have read from the author and by its blurb alone, I was instantly intrigued. As expected, I'm now begging for more!

As common for a series, this first book laid the foundation for its predecessor but still leave for some mystery and loads of questions for its readers to wish for the next installment. And boy, do I have a lot of questions! With a cliffhanger of an ending, I wish book two will come out soon.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely flippin brilliant. I must admit when I started reading this book I struggled to get into it. But somewhere along the road it just clicked and I'm so glad it did.

This plot is full of twists and turns & Bumps in the road. It's a story that was unexpected and a good surprise.

I really enjoyed this and fully recommend you picking up this book. It's a great read.

I'm now waiting to find out what happens. I have a feeling the next book.is going to pick up its pace massively.

[Theresa Wesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woah! This book is really intriguing. The story is definitely a bit dark and different. Cora has no idea what she's getting herself into after her accident but has no other choice but to be where she is. She is a fighter, having suffered so much in her young life. I'm not sure how I feel about the guys yet. Hopefully they will grow on me. I'm interested to see where this story goes and look forward to more..

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I’m not a huge fan of paranormal books, but this one intrigued me enough. It starts out gut wrenching and mildly confusing. Your heart breaks for Cora and Kael. Once she gets to the university many odd things happen that she just can’t wrap her head around. In fact I’m still left with tons of questions. This first book really just sets the tone for the coming books. I’m intrigued enough to read the next book to see if a lot of my questions are answered from this book.

[Carol Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cliff Hangers - I love to hate them

Really enjoyable story. I want a little more back story on the characters, and their relationship with Cora pre-incident with Damien - also what exactly happened with Damien - but I enjoy the little plot twists also. Sometimes getting crumbs keeps you interested. I am not sure if I am rooting for all the guys yet, but I am excited to see where it goes. Waiting until September for book 2 doesn't make me happy.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, this book definitely has my interest piqued! WTF!? How did I not know this book ends on a cliffhanger and is less than 100 pages!?!?!??? Let that be a warning to those who are thinking of starting this book. Unless you’re a glutton for misery and can stand to wait for the next book to come out to find out what happens next, I would suggest waiting to read this one until book 2 is released. Ugh! It’s going to kill me not knowing when the next boom will be out.

[JoAnna · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars…I was hooked from the beginning and I was curious as to where things were going. There’s a constant undercurrent of mystery going on which kept things rolling and held my interest. Unfortunately to me, some things seems a bit jumbled, there was only a couple spots that truly fell into the dark category (imo anyway), and while I’m wondering how things will play out, I’m not sure I’ll read the next book.

[Natalie Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here I thought the HEA was at the beginning but NO. Emma had me crying in my coffee from the get go. Cora's ordeal and then to good to be true offer had me intrigued and unable to put the book down. I'm very invested in seeing how the relationships evolve and the mysterious surrounding Cora and her future. Can't wait for the next in this Series.

[Heather Morrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Lord the tears were strong with this one

Man those first 2 chapters though! whew seriously tissues are needed have them handy. This book was seriously good if you like emotional twists and turns. I definitely was wanting more info on the order to clear things up but I have a feeling that's what the next books going to do so I'm pretty excited for it.

[Nicole Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and it will most definitely not be my last!! I loved this book. The beginning is a little hard to get through very emotional and I feel horrible for Cora!!
Then she gets sent to a University and that is where things get super strange!!
I can’t wait for book 2 after that ending! I NEED MORE!

[Rachel Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book literally had me in tears from the first chapter. It was a whirlwind of a read and I loved the inner workings of this book, magic and suspense. Cora, the FMC, was a fantastic character and I loved the journey we go through with her. What a great start to the series that I can't wait to get more into!