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House of Sin #3
Dark Need
In the middle of the night he took me.
Dangerous and wild, I only know him as Soren.
My captor, my tormentor.
He forces me to walk miles on end and refuses to tell me why.
All he does is stare … And it sets my body on fire.
He’s a muscular giant with raw, unbridled needs.
If I run, he’ll catch me.
If I fight, he’ll pin me down.
And worst of all … I’m beginning to like it.
But what I fear the most is that he lives for it.
Everyone knows a beast can’t be chained.
One way or another … his darkest needs will always come out to play.
Dark Need is a Dark Romance novel by New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Clarissa Wild. This story follows Soren & April from Dark Wish & Dark Lies. However, it can also be read as a standalone.
Dangerous and wild, I only know him as Soren.
My captor, my tormentor.
He forces me to walk miles on end and refuses to tell me why.
All he does is stare … And it sets my body on fire.
He’s a muscular giant with raw, unbridled needs.
If I run, he’ll catch me.
If I fight, he’ll pin me down.
And worst of all … I’m beginning to like it.
But what I fear the most is that he lives for it.
Everyone knows a beast can’t be chained.
One way or another … his darkest needs will always come out to play.
Dark Need is a Dark Romance novel by New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Clarissa Wild. This story follows Soren & April from Dark Wish & Dark Lies. However, it can also be read as a standalone.
Unknown Binding
First published June 30, 2021
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About the author
Clarissa Wild
101 books8,570 followers**NOTE FOR LIBRARIANS: please check with me before making any changes - I generally make all necessary changes and updates myself. :)**
--- I generally do NOT check my messages on Goodreads, so if you want to contact me, please do so on my website: https://www.clarissawild.com/contact --
Clarissa Wild is a New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author with ASD, who was born and raised in the Netherlands. She loves to write Dark Romance and Contemporary Romance novels featuring dangerous men and feisty women. Her other loves include her hilarious husband, her cutie pie son, her two crazy but cute dogs, and her adorable kitties. In her free time, she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, playing video games, and cooking up some delicious meals.
Check out my books: https://geni.us/clarissabooks
Join my reader group on Facebook:
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--- I generally do NOT check my messages on Goodreads, so if you want to contact me, please do so on my website: https://www.clarissawild.com/contact --
Clarissa Wild is a New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author with ASD, who was born and raised in the Netherlands. She loves to write Dark Romance and Contemporary Romance novels featuring dangerous men and feisty women. Her other loves include her hilarious husband, her cutie pie son, her two crazy but cute dogs, and her adorable kitties. In her free time, she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, playing video games, and cooking up some delicious meals.
Check out my books: https://geni.us/clarissabooks
Join my reader group on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FanCl...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
January 30, 2022
ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS
Star Rating : 4.5/5 stars
POV : Dual
Cliffhanger : None
Hero : Soren
Heroine : April
Pace of the story : Moderate
Angst Rating : 5/10
Heat Rating : 6/10
Triggers Involved : Dub Con , Kidnapping , Torture Scenes
Plot Summary :
April has led a normal life. That is until she was kidnapped and forced into a crazy coven of people who further sent her off to another prison because she refused to heed to their demands. This is where she met her tormentor , Soren. He is the one man who never speaks and always stares at her like he wants to consume her. The one who has now kidnapped her and is taking her to god knows where. Being with him alone and not a protector makes her fear for her life. Soren is a man deprived of his needs and there will definitely come a time when he will want to exploit those needs and the only person near him for that will be April. She doesn’t know if that thought scares her or excites her more.
Soren has never felt like he belonged anywhere. He found a purpose in his life with Eli but now being alone with April is making him realize all that he has been missing. She is leading him into temptation and that is one thing he cannot do. There is only a matter of time before he loses control and after that he might just end up losing everything he had ever wanted. His home , his people and worst of all.. April.
Overall Opinion :
Ever since I knew that Clarissa was writing a book for Soren, I went crazy for it! Soren was one of the best characters in her Dark need Duet and I loved him so much. He was this quiet brooding hunk of a man who was sort of scary and possessive.
However I saw him in a totally different light in his own book! And that was the best part because it just made me love him even more! This book was a standalone dark romance that was amazingly written with the perfect characters and the ending!
Apriland Soren were made for each other. My heart just hurt so much Soren, he literally made me cry when I heard about how he had lived and how much pain he was constantly in. How he never thought of himself as anyone worthy of anything. He was simply searching for a purpose in life and his loneliness made him one of the best male characters ever for me. Clarissa Wild has given me an amazing story for one my favorite broken characters of all time and I can’t thank her enough for this!
I would definitely recommend this book to all the dark romance loving people out there! It's crazy , it's hot and romantic , so basically it’s the perfect package! Don't hesitate to one click this book asap!
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June 29, 2021
4.5 stars
Soren’s story! Heck, yes! I’ve been waiting on pins and needles for his book ever since I learned Clarissa Wild would be writing it. Quiet and brooding, he was such an interesting side character in the House of Sin world. And he was all that I expected, yet so much more. Scary, conflicting and possessive. Just my brand of (anti-)hero. And his secret … yeah, my heart hurt as much for him as it was scared of him.
What starts off as a journey of two enemies, slowly but surely becomes so much more as the tension between them thickens, despite their respective lack of trust. And how should April be ever able to trust him? He’s been raised and taught to torture women, after all. A man that has never known things like compassion or affection or let alone love, whom April is about to show a brand-new world as their involuntary bond borne by circumstance strengthens. A new world not only in terms of feeling emotion, but of independence and honor, too, since all he’s ever been previously was a mindless servant, one trained to never think critically or question anything, one made to dole out punishments, not care for and be responsible for the safety of someone else.
Their journey through the wilderness becomes one of finding oneself, of transformation, of learning to life, to laugh, to love. It’s a story about honor and forgiveness. It’s dark and challenging, yet therein lies its beauty. Stories like this one are the reason why I’ll always return for more by this author, because I live for her brand of wicked darkness and emotional torture.
This might be part of a series, but can definitely be read as standalone, even though I highly recommend to read the other two books as well.
Soren’s story! Heck, yes! I’ve been waiting on pins and needles for his book ever since I learned Clarissa Wild would be writing it. Quiet and brooding, he was such an interesting side character in the House of Sin world. And he was all that I expected, yet so much more. Scary, conflicting and possessive. Just my brand of (anti-)hero. And his secret … yeah, my heart hurt as much for him as it was scared of him.
What starts off as a journey of two enemies, slowly but surely becomes so much more as the tension between them thickens, despite their respective lack of trust. And how should April be ever able to trust him? He’s been raised and taught to torture women, after all. A man that has never known things like compassion or affection or let alone love, whom April is about to show a brand-new world as their involuntary bond borne by circumstance strengthens. A new world not only in terms of feeling emotion, but of independence and honor, too, since all he’s ever been previously was a mindless servant, one trained to never think critically or question anything, one made to dole out punishments, not care for and be responsible for the safety of someone else.
Their journey through the wilderness becomes one of finding oneself, of transformation, of learning to life, to laugh, to love. It’s a story about honor and forgiveness. It’s dark and challenging, yet therein lies its beauty. Stories like this one are the reason why I’ll always return for more by this author, because I live for her brand of wicked darkness and emotional torture.
This might be part of a series, but can definitely be read as standalone, even though I highly recommend to read the other two books as well.
Read
July 1, 2021NOW IN KINDLE UNLIMITED: http://bit.ly/darkneedamazon
Standalone Dark Romance set in the HOUSE OF SIN universe!
EXCERPT:
In the dark of night, I’m dragged out of my bed.
It takes me ages to come to my senses, my mind still enraptured by the dream I cannot escape. I’m still half-asleep, my feet still touching the grass surrounding the huts at the Holy Land, every step feeling like I’m wandering farther and farther away from home.
Home … that tiny house in a rural town, a place I once knew before I was taken.
Before I became a prisoner to a cult.
My eyes spring open, and I’m here, in the flesh, back in the present, but this new room in this new house I’m in is still a waking nightmare. And a man’s hand is clutched firmly around my wrist as he hauls me straight out of my bed.
“What are you doing?” I mutter, still sleep drunk, my body shivering from the warm blanket suddenly being torn away from me.
It’s only when I’ve blinked a couple of times that I realize who is tugging me along.
Soren.
One of the three men who keeps me captive here in this godforsaken house.
The quiet, beefy one with the blond beard who rarely speaks has come to take me away … again.
Where will I go this time? Another cult?
Have I disappointed yet another group of men?
Snide remarks come to mind, and in a moment of bravery, I tear my hand away from his grip and say, “No.”
He stops in his tracks, but it is only when he raises his shoulders, straightens his posture, and arches his back that I realize just how huge and muscular he really is. And how tiny I am in comparison.
Slowly, he spins on his heels, every inch of his thick, veiny muscles straining against the flimsy shirt he’s wearing. When his piercing blue eyes bore into mine, I’m momentarily at a loss of words … and breath.
One step of his giant feet is all it takes to make me back down, to make me want to cower, but my mind tells me not to be swayed by his attempt to intimidate me.
What is he going to do?
Hurt me?
He’s not allowed.
After all, he isn’t the one in charge.
One of the other two men who runs this place is Eli.
And when Eli tells him not to damage the goods, he’ll definitely take that to heart.
These men aren’t like the men from the Holy Land. They’re not here to satisfy their own needs. They’re here to punish me for mine.
But I refuse to let my own suffering make me feel guilty for what happened to me.
Not even as Soren stares at me with his jaw clenched and his muscles taut and threatening do I waver in my ability to speak up for what’s right.
“Let me go,” I say, trying to maintain my composure even as I’m facing a beast of a man.
The only response I get is a brief bear-like grunt. His nostrils flare, and he holds out his hand. “Come.”
My eyes narrow, and so do his.
His voice lowers. “Now.”
It’s not a question.
And I don’t know if I want to find out what happens if I don’t listen.
Standalone Dark Romance set in the HOUSE OF SIN universe!
EXCERPT:
In the dark of night, I’m dragged out of my bed.
It takes me ages to come to my senses, my mind still enraptured by the dream I cannot escape. I’m still half-asleep, my feet still touching the grass surrounding the huts at the Holy Land, every step feeling like I’m wandering farther and farther away from home.
Home … that tiny house in a rural town, a place I once knew before I was taken.
Before I became a prisoner to a cult.
My eyes spring open, and I’m here, in the flesh, back in the present, but this new room in this new house I’m in is still a waking nightmare. And a man’s hand is clutched firmly around my wrist as he hauls me straight out of my bed.
“What are you doing?” I mutter, still sleep drunk, my body shivering from the warm blanket suddenly being torn away from me.
It’s only when I’ve blinked a couple of times that I realize who is tugging me along.
Soren.
One of the three men who keeps me captive here in this godforsaken house.
The quiet, beefy one with the blond beard who rarely speaks has come to take me away … again.
Where will I go this time? Another cult?
Have I disappointed yet another group of men?
Snide remarks come to mind, and in a moment of bravery, I tear my hand away from his grip and say, “No.”
He stops in his tracks, but it is only when he raises his shoulders, straightens his posture, and arches his back that I realize just how huge and muscular he really is. And how tiny I am in comparison.
Slowly, he spins on his heels, every inch of his thick, veiny muscles straining against the flimsy shirt he’s wearing. When his piercing blue eyes bore into mine, I’m momentarily at a loss of words … and breath.
One step of his giant feet is all it takes to make me back down, to make me want to cower, but my mind tells me not to be swayed by his attempt to intimidate me.
What is he going to do?
Hurt me?
He’s not allowed.
After all, he isn’t the one in charge.
One of the other two men who runs this place is Eli.
And when Eli tells him not to damage the goods, he’ll definitely take that to heart.
These men aren’t like the men from the Holy Land. They’re not here to satisfy their own needs. They’re here to punish me for mine.
But I refuse to let my own suffering make me feel guilty for what happened to me.
Not even as Soren stares at me with his jaw clenched and his muscles taut and threatening do I waver in my ability to speak up for what’s right.
“Let me go,” I say, trying to maintain my composure even as I’m facing a beast of a man.
The only response I get is a brief bear-like grunt. His nostrils flare, and he holds out his hand. “Come.”
My eyes narrow, and so do his.
His voice lowers. “Now.”
It’s not a question.
And I don’t know if I want to find out what happens if I don’t listen.
September 18, 2021
WOW i loved every single line of this book!
i devoured it ..ahhh my heart, i love Soren so freaking much!!!
loved their story, loved everything about it, i melted.
Best read i had in a while *-*
i devoured it ..ahhh my heart, i love Soren so freaking much!!!
loved their story, loved everything about it, i melted.
Best read i had in a while *-*
July 5, 2021
Dark Need by Clarissa Wild is everything I didn't know I needed to read until I started reading it.
If you haven't yet then you must read this series and this book, it has angst, smoldering passion and the dark elements of cult with so much hot scenes that will make this an unforgettable read.
I loved Soren and April. Their unbridled chemistry and string of attraction was evident from the first page . The denial only made their interactions so hot. It was raw and so much yearning. Ok, I loved soren and April's love.
And, the hot 🔥 scenes were so so intense. Oh. My. God .
A must read for the love that conquers all,literally later part of the book had so much angst and sacrifices these both did so the other was happy. Love love love it.
If you haven't yet then you must read this series and this book, it has angst, smoldering passion and the dark elements of cult with so much hot scenes that will make this an unforgettable read.
I loved Soren and April. Their unbridled chemistry and string of attraction was evident from the first page . The denial only made their interactions so hot. It was raw and so much yearning. Ok, I loved soren and April's love.
And, the hot 🔥 scenes were so so intense. Oh. My. God .
A must read for the love that conquers all,literally later part of the book had so much angst and sacrifices these both did so the other was happy. Love love love it.
June 16, 2021
(3.8 Stars)
If you have read the first two in the series you definitely remember Soren. This is his story and can be read as a stand-alone within the House Of Sin Series. April is his captive…taken from one nightmare to another for unknown reasons. Will he follow the rules set forth by 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 or is there another reason he keeps April close? Can he really turn from a killer to a bodyguard? If you love a dark & twisted captive romance with a soft side then Dark Need is the book for you! Be aware there may be triggers for some. This is a slower paced story going from past to present tense to fill in the blanks of how they got where they are. A little different from what I thought this romance would be but keep reading as it does pick up. Dive deep into the world of cults and the trama they leave behind. Told in Dual POV
If you have read the first two in the series you definitely remember Soren. This is his story and can be read as a stand-alone within the House Of Sin Series. April is his captive…taken from one nightmare to another for unknown reasons. Will he follow the rules set forth by 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 or is there another reason he keeps April close? Can he really turn from a killer to a bodyguard? If you love a dark & twisted captive romance with a soft side then Dark Need is the book for you! Be aware there may be triggers for some. This is a slower paced story going from past to present tense to fill in the blanks of how they got where they are. A little different from what I thought this romance would be but keep reading as it does pick up. Dive deep into the world of cults and the trama they leave behind. Told in Dual POV
July 20, 2021
Dark Need is the latest by Clarissa Wild and what a wild (haha) ride it is. Most of it takes place in the wild wilderness between Soren and April who we both met in the last two books. You don't HAVE to read the last two books (Dark Wish and Dark Lies) but I highly recommend you do to really understand this one.
Soren is a hero but villain all wrapped up in a very misunderstood man. Every time I go to love him, I want to slap him. Just when I want to hug him, I want to push him away. Poor April has whip lash through out this story but by the end you can totally understand why she falls in love with him. And you can so see the nature vs nurture does to a person.
April knows that she put herself in a horrible situation which got her to the House of Sin. But while walking through the forest with Soren she is in hopes that he is her savior. While their journey continues she has a fight within herself to find out if he is her buggy man or prince.
I was totally enchanted by this dark read. I had to finish it in one sitting as I had to know if Soren was going to be April's savior or not. There were so many twists and turns, and April had her own surprises in this book that made me gasp out loud. Another winner for Clarissa!
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Soren is a hero but villain all wrapped up in a very misunderstood man. Every time I go to love him, I want to slap him. Just when I want to hug him, I want to push him away. Poor April has whip lash through out this story but by the end you can totally understand why she falls in love with him. And you can so see the nature vs nurture does to a person.
April knows that she put herself in a horrible situation which got her to the House of Sin. But while walking through the forest with Soren she is in hopes that he is her savior. While their journey continues she has a fight within herself to find out if he is her buggy man or prince.
I was totally enchanted by this dark read. I had to finish it in one sitting as I had to know if Soren was going to be April's savior or not. There were so many twists and turns, and April had her own surprises in this book that made me gasp out loud. Another winner for Clarissa!
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June 28, 2021
Steam 5
Storyline 5
Feels 3
Overall Rating 4
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Joanna
Have you ever finished a story and felt like you needed to shower because you felt dirty? That the story was so GRITTY and DIRTY that you just don’t feel “clean”? That is how I felt during the time that I read this story. Now don’t get me wrong…sometimes it was in a GOOD kind of “dirty”. But then there were other times that you were just like OMG...what did he just do?
Soren is from a different world. Well, not really, but he was raised in a “cult” environment and that was all he has ever known his entire life. He was raised to protect his “people” and his job is to do what his “people” need him to do. Once his job is complete, he can live his chosen life that has been planned for him. And that is all he has ever known. Everything was going as planned until he met April.
April was someone who chose to go into the cult. She didn’t know it was going to be what it was, but after she found her fiancé in bed with another woman. They were supposed to be saving themselves for marriage so she decided there had to be more out there. When she went looking for it, she ended up captured. She was rebellious and didn’t want to conform to the “rules” of the cult. They were going to send her away and Soren’s job was to travel with her to another “cult”. That was when the fun begins…
“I wanted him when I knew I shouldn’t when I knew it was wrong. And I did it anyway because I didn’t want him to suffer…because I made him suffer.”
April was starting to have feelings for her captor and she knew it was wrong. Soren had always liked April. He would watch her from a distance in the “cult”, but never acted on it.
“I’m not a lover, I’m a fighter. Someone who hurts. Who tortures. No one loves me. I was born to kill.”
This gets intense and you wonder what is wrong and what is right. But in the end…it is OH SO RIGHT! There was probably more “angst” in this story than I normally enjoy, but it was really, really good.
Storyline 5
Feels 3
Overall Rating 4
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Joanna
Have you ever finished a story and felt like you needed to shower because you felt dirty? That the story was so GRITTY and DIRTY that you just don’t feel “clean”? That is how I felt during the time that I read this story. Now don’t get me wrong…sometimes it was in a GOOD kind of “dirty”. But then there were other times that you were just like OMG...what did he just do?
Soren is from a different world. Well, not really, but he was raised in a “cult” environment and that was all he has ever known his entire life. He was raised to protect his “people” and his job is to do what his “people” need him to do. Once his job is complete, he can live his chosen life that has been planned for him. And that is all he has ever known. Everything was going as planned until he met April.
April was someone who chose to go into the cult. She didn’t know it was going to be what it was, but after she found her fiancé in bed with another woman. They were supposed to be saving themselves for marriage so she decided there had to be more out there. When she went looking for it, she ended up captured. She was rebellious and didn’t want to conform to the “rules” of the cult. They were going to send her away and Soren’s job was to travel with her to another “cult”. That was when the fun begins…
“I wanted him when I knew I shouldn’t when I knew it was wrong. And I did it anyway because I didn’t want him to suffer…because I made him suffer.”
April was starting to have feelings for her captor and she knew it was wrong. Soren had always liked April. He would watch her from a distance in the “cult”, but never acted on it.
“I’m not a lover, I’m a fighter. Someone who hurts. Who tortures. No one loves me. I was born to kill.”
This gets intense and you wonder what is wrong and what is right. But in the end…it is OH SO RIGHT! There was probably more “angst” in this story than I normally enjoy, but it was really, really good.
July 1, 2021
Dark Need by Clarissa Wild is this intense and darkly wild ride read that takes the reader on quite the rollercoaster ride.
This is Soren and April's story. Soren starts off as April's captor, her enemy, her tormentor. He took April away from all she knew in life as she was out at a club trying to recover from what she had just seen and just blow steam off in best way at the club when this terrifying ordeal occurred and now she's with him...Soren. Soren we know from the previous books (Dark Wish &Dark Lies) as the "big, silent man that punishes the sinners". Well he is still that here in this book. Their chemistry is electric and raw. Their love is not for the faint hearted, that's for sure. It was a bumpy road and they had to open up to one another before the love , the romance- the connection grew between them even as the chemistry was hot and poppin. April is sassy and innocent, determined to make Soren see the House rules are wrong and he doesn't have to follow them. Can Soren finally break free from the House triggers ? Will these two get there HEA ? There's drama, suspense, intrigue, action, excitement, raw emotions, angst, secrets, twists, chemistry, heat, feels, romance and yes- love. It's definitely a dark dark romance and I was so glad that Soren his book!! Enjoyed the ending!
My Rating: 4.5 stars *********
This is Soren and April's story. Soren starts off as April's captor, her enemy, her tormentor. He took April away from all she knew in life as she was out at a club trying to recover from what she had just seen and just blow steam off in best way at the club when this terrifying ordeal occurred and now she's with him...Soren. Soren we know from the previous books (Dark Wish &Dark Lies) as the "big, silent man that punishes the sinners". Well he is still that here in this book. Their chemistry is electric and raw. Their love is not for the faint hearted, that's for sure. It was a bumpy road and they had to open up to one another before the love , the romance- the connection grew between them even as the chemistry was hot and poppin. April is sassy and innocent, determined to make Soren see the House rules are wrong and he doesn't have to follow them. Can Soren finally break free from the House triggers ? Will these two get there HEA ? There's drama, suspense, intrigue, action, excitement, raw emotions, angst, secrets, twists, chemistry, heat, feels, romance and yes- love. It's definitely a dark dark romance and I was so glad that Soren his book!! Enjoyed the ending!
My Rating: 4.5 stars *********
June 21, 2021
ARC Review by The Dragon Den
* * * * *
Intense. Aggressive. Carnal. All things to describe Soren and his need for April.
A journey together through wilderness and againts twisted persons in a disturbed cult, their lust and love for each other grows. There are consequences. There is trouble. There is some seriously twisted brainwashing going on.
Soren is obsessed. April is oblivious. Both are strong...and make some reeaaally hot steamy scenes.
* * * * *
Intense. Aggressive. Carnal. All things to describe Soren and his need for April.
A journey together through wilderness and againts twisted persons in a disturbed cult, their lust and love for each other grows. There are consequences. There is trouble. There is some seriously twisted brainwashing going on.
Soren is obsessed. April is oblivious. Both are strong...and make some reeaaally hot steamy scenes.
momma-raised-a-quitter
September 20, 2021DNF @ 18%
You know when Shrek and Fiona go to the Kingdom of Far Far Away and the whole time donkey is asking are we there yet?
The heroine is literally donkey except she's asking where are we going like fifty billion times.
You know when Shrek and Fiona go to the Kingdom of Far Far Away and the whole time donkey is asking are we there yet?
The heroine is literally donkey except she's asking where are we going like fifty billion times.
June 28, 2021
Soren & April Finally Get Their Story, & It Is An Emotional Treat! It Has You On The Edge Of Your Seat Throughout, Trying To Unwrap What Exactly Is Taking Place. It Is An Intense Read, A Thriller Set In A Mysterious World Steeped In Some Extreme Religious Notions. The Truth Is Unclear As Good & Evil Are Painted In Shades Of Grey.
This is book three of the House of Sin series, which is a spinoff of His duet. Both center around cults.
The House is a place where sinners are sent, sometimes even by their own choice, for punishment. It is an alternative to jail or death, one that offers redemption. The people that run the House serve a higher power. The goal is for their captives to admit to their sins and earn redemption. The House has stood as an alternate form of punishment for the wealthy and connected for decades. The torch is passed down through the generations. The punishers must sin in order to punish, so they in effect take on the sins of their captives. They, too, must suffer punishments as a consequence. It is an emotionally and physically draining job, but those that run it are born into the life. They believe in the cause and know no other way. There is a book that lays out all the rules, which are followed meticulously for the protection of all. For some, the punishment is more psychological. Others require punishment in the bedroom, and yet others require the kind of punishment that is only satisfied by old fashioned torture.
The House can be seen from different viewpoints. Most guests choose to be there and appreciate that they have it as an option. But it is not an easy life for punishers, who are chained to the House for life and bound by its strict rules. Amelia thinks Eli and his staff are monsters, but those closest don’t see it that way. They see it as a place that offers sinners atonement and a second chance.
This book can be read perfectly as a standalone, but it would be better appreciated having first read the related books. The series thus far includes:
1. Dark Wish (Eli and Amelia’s story, part 1)
2. Dark Lies (Eli and Amelia’s story, part 2)
3. Dark Need (Soren and April’s story)
While this series can be read independently, fans of His duet (Under His Rule and Beyond His Control) will be thrilled with this new story. It is recommended, though not necessary, to read His duet prior to this series. That duet is Noah and Natalie’s story and centers around the Family, a cult that lives in a place referred to as the Holy Land. In His duet, Natalie befriends April while in the Family’s Holy Land. April had a very minor role. As the duet comes to a close, April remains missing without a trace. She shows up in this new series in a minor role in books one and two. April finally gets her own story with Soren (who is introduced in Dark Wish) in this book.
For those that have read His duet, there are many parallels between that and Eli and Amelia’s story in the first two books of the House of Sin series. The couple had met or known one another in their youth, making a lasting impression on the boy. As the boy grows into a man, he seeks out the girl and eventually finds her, bringing her back to his home. In His duet the home is in a cult; in House of Sin the home serves a dark religious purpose, serving a number of cults. In both stories the woman escapes, and both men must come to terms with the life they were brought up to live. Each is in a position of leadership and faces political obstacles. They spend a great deal of time studying their books. Nevertheless, these are entirely separate stories set in the same world. A fan of His duet should absolutely enjoy House of Sin.
FROM DARK WISH, BOOK ONE:
Amelia, twenty-three, loves books. She is intelligent and hard-working, yet has a big heart and innocent outlook on life. She dreams of bigger things while complacently accepting her status quo. She works part-time at the library – her dream job – but it doesn’t pay the bills. With the pressure of student loan payments, she must resort to a second job unless or until a full-time position at the library comes along. She might be shy, but she is determined to make her own way in life even if that means working as a cocktail waitress at a strip club. She can mostly handle herself on the job, though the customers at Joe’s Hotties sometimes do get a little handsy. She lives with her boyfriend Chris, whom she doesn’t get to see much of with all her evening shifts. He keeps busy with his own job too, and finding time for one another is a challenge. When a strange man starts appearing in her life, the coincidences are suspicious and yet Amelia cannot shrug the magnetic pull she feels for the stranger. She dreams of being romanced in spite of her concerns.
Eli, about thirty, is following in his father’s footsteps. He grew up in a private and luxurious lifestyle where he had been homeschooled his entire life. His mother passed when he was a teen, leaving him conflicted. She had never really wanted him, but his father was always away for days at a time. The influential people that frequently visited their home made his father an eminently powerful man. The family business had been handed down for generations, and as a child Eli eagerly looked forward to stepping into his father’s shoes and learning about their mysterious business. It is divine work, so there is no shame in what they do. The House of Sin is a special place where sinners earn their freedom. The price of freedom is sometimes daunting, and some might consider the House a prison. Pain and punishment are part of the experience. In a carefully controlled environment, punishers work for the greater good by bending morals and ethics. They serve a special function in society. There are many rules to follow, which keep the punisher in line as he doles out humility, hoping to earn a confession. Lust is used as a tool – frequently – but the punisher can never be ruled by it without falling into sin himself. Walking the line is a difficult task, but it was what Eli was born for.
When a girl on the sidewalk makes Eli do a double take, the course of his future is altered. He is entranced by her beauty and innocence. Determined to have her for himself, he decides to make it happen. But business just isn’t done this way, and it requires bending some rules. Fortunately for him, everyone is a sinner. He will watch, judge, and punish Amelia. He isn’t supposed to intervene, but his sense of self-control around her is put to the test. When he asks what her darkest desire is, her answer takes him by surprise. His obsession with her will certainly break him – maybe even before he breaks her. Their story ends in a cliffhanger and continues in book two, Dark Lies.
FROM DARK LIES, BOOK TWO:
As book one closes, Eli has finally helped Amelia recover her memory of the night of her birthday. Unlike most at the House of Sin, she had been taken against her will for a crime that she didn’t remember – and the nature of her crime remained unknown to her. She had believed that her kidnapping was just a mind game meant to keep her complacent and tucked away as Eli’s personal toy. Everything changes in a heartbeat when her memories return, though, as Amelia begins to understand that she had truly belonged in the House of Sin. She is a sinner, and her crime was heinous. Eli had put the House at risk by bringing her in the way that he did, but he knew no other way. He had to have the angel. Since everyone is a sinner, it only took him patiently waiting and watching for him to snatch her up at the appropriate time. He hadn’t understood her or known her experiences well enough to judge her reactions, though, and things had gone further than he planned. But with Amelia’s memories recovered, she has earned her freedom. She goes to Eli willingly.
This story opens with Amelia catching on to the fact that Eli had probably played a role in that fateful evening. With all trust shattered, she escapes the island with the hope of returning home to find answers. Her journey is not easy, and Eli is mad with worry about her safety after discovering she left. He is determined to bring her back. Insisting she is the one, his choice, he hastily decides to make his vow that Amelia will become his wife and continue the family line. It is the greatest vow that the man in charge of the House takes, and he must keep it. Tobias, his assistant and advisor, continues to discourage Eli about Amelia and the vow, insisting it will bring everything down. Despite that fact that Tobias, too, has developed feelings for one of their former guests, Anna, he steadfastly stands by the rules. Tensions between Eli and Tobias rise, but Eli insists he will go after Amelia himself and bring her home.
Amelia denies her feelings for Eli as he struggles to come to terms with the situation. He is a punisher, and the punisher’s job is mentally taxing. The punisher sins when punishing, so he in essence bares the sins of the sinners he punishes, and his back has the scars to prove it. The physical and mental toll requires immense focus and control. Hence the need for the book of rules for the House. Eli studies the rules hoping to find a way to forward, but without Amelia’s love he may just run out of options. The couple eventually earns a happy ending.
IN THIS BOOK:
April, probably in her early to mid-twenties, finds herself a prisoner in the House of Sin, an establishment run for the purpose of punishing those who sin. The problem is that she doesn’t belong there. She hasn’t done anything wrong. She had made a promise with her boyfriend Eric to remain pure until marriage, but a nasty breakup left her looking for answers from above. Emotionally vulnerable, she went to one of the meetings held by the Family, a group rumored to be a cult, but kept an open mind. The ad promised healing through God’s love – exactly what she needed. When she tentatively agreed to pledge herself to the group, everything suddenly changed. She was immediately whisked away from her home, her job, and her freedom. That was months ago.
She had met and befriended a fellow prisoner taken from the outside world when she was held in the Holy Land by the Family. She felt betrayed by her friend Natalie, however, who agreed to sit at one of the leader’s side. Noah held a position of power, and the actions of the group could not be excused. The men held all the power, and the women were merely there to be picked and married off. Unlike Natalie, April never bent to their will. She was determined to remain pure. And since refusing marriage was not deemed acceptable, she was eventually sent away for punishment. Because she had been taken and kept against her own will and was being forced into a marriage she did not agree to, April knew she had done nothing wrong. It had been the Family that was at fault. Nevertheless, April found herself a prisoner at yet another cult-like place: the House.
The House is run by Eli, who inherited the lucrative job from his father. His advisor Tobias assists with punishments and helps Eli run the House according to the written rules. Tobias also inherited his role from his father. Soren is the quiet one of the three, and his responsibilities lie in the dungeon. He was sent years ago by the Vikholm people, who have supplied the House with a punisher for generations.
There is one man at the House that terrifies April. Soren’s uncivilized table manners are one thing, but the way he looks at her is another altogether. He looks like he wants to eat her alive. He has a broody demeanor in general and is prone to moodiness. He barely speaks other than to grunt, and his giant-like size only adds to the intimidation she feels in his presence. His eyes almost never leave hers. Although in the weeks that pass April hasn’t really received any punishment, and the House itself feels almost like a luxury hotel, sitting through a meal while seated across from Soren is pure torture. So when he comes to her in the middle of the night and tells her she must follow him, refusing to say where he is taking her, escaping the confines of the House doesn’t exactly feel like freedom.
Soren has had the privilege of working for Eli at the House for years. It is an honorable job to be a punisher, and Soren’s job is to punish those beyond relief. He loves the satisfaction of seeing his subjects suffer, and he never considers caving to their pleas for mercy. Not even for the occasional woman he tortures. Soren was trained to be a warrior from his youth, on his small island home in Scandinavia. The primitive and remote island is governed by elders, and he was amongst those chosen for the honor of becoming a warrior. He knows to follow orders without question. It is not his job to judge. He doesn’t care what his subjects have or have not done. He simply tortures those sent to him without mercy. Eli is a good owner, and he makes Soren feel valued, something he isn’t used to but feels good. He was not raised to have emotions, so they are foreign to him.
The first time Soren laid eyes on April, he knew she would be his undoing. He has been caged his entire adult life, and she makes him feel desire. But a good warrior only follows orders, eventually to return home honorably for his reward. Soren will not bring dishonor to himself or his people. Physical pain from punishment is nothing to him, but honor is everything. So when Eli comes to him with a problem, Soren isn’t happy. Eli is struggling with the sin he carries, and in a sudden act of atonement, he sets the captives free, returning them to their homes. But one captive poses a threat to the house. April is not a sinner; she had been sent to them by the Family, but had been taken against her will. Returning her home thus poses a security risk to the House. Eli assigns Soren to personally escort her to a secret location, putting Soren face to face with temptation.
Soren and April set off on a journey as enemies. The tension is thick and trust is lacking. Their journey binds them, though. No matter how it ends, it will end badly for one of them. But the bond they grudgingly forge has them feeling bound by honor or duty or guilt – or perhaps love. They eventually each feel responsible for the other’s well-being. And they each will have a choice as to how far they are willing to go for the other. Their choices will lead them to understand what drives them together and what motivates them to put everything on the line for one another. The couple eventually wins a hard fought HEA.
Wow! This story does an amazing job of humanizing Soren, a man raised to torture for a living. April’s story does a wonderful job of bringing other books into the mix. Noah and Natalie make an appearance, as do Eli and Amelia. But it is Soren’s story that slowly grabs you unawares. It is emotional and heartbreaking, and seeing him find happiness with April is the ultimate achievement. He never knew desire, compassion, affection, or love until he met her. She introduces him to a brand new world, one filled with the kind of pain that any emotional being experiences. He has many firsts with her, and her purity and steadfastness are a perfect match for him. Though raised in violence, he too lives by honor and dedication. But he was not raised to think critically or to feel emotion, so he must go through a huge transformation before any kind of happy ending is remotely possible. It is an emotional journey with many obstacles along the way.
Soren and April finally get their story, and it is an emotional treat. It is about honor and forgiveness. It is about learning what it is to love. Their journey through the wilderness tests them both, but it ultimately brings them together. Ironically, April senses Soren’s pain. The compassion she shows him confuses him. He tries to follow the honorable path, but finds himself conflicted at times. He is finally forced to interact with a prisoner whose safety is his duty, and without Eli or Tobias to give orders, Soren must make decisions on his own for once. Soren had been a mindless servant until April came along, and for her he was willing to break the rules – sometimes. In that position, he learns that doing the right thing occasionally comes with a price.
There are a few issues that merit mention. First, some of the timelines, particularly towards the end, don’t feel quite right. For example, April drives a few days to traverse the distance that she and Soren walked in a few days. There are other travel times that don’t feel accurate. There are also some dangers that are somewhat political in nature near the end of the book that resolve a little on the convenient side. As for April’s home, like Natalie’s, it felt odd that it sat waiting for her for several months; one might have anticipated a foreclosure or eviction. Nevertheless, these issues don’t ruin the overall story.
Soren and April’s story has you on the edge of your seat throughout, trying to unwrap what exactly is taking place. It is an intense read. Soren is all-powerful, full of rage and lust. He also has a tender side that appears here. The story is a thriller set in a mysterious world steeped in some extreme religious notions. The truth is unclear as good and evil are painted in shades of grey. The story is nicely written. It is complex and plot-driven. The storyline pulls you into the story. The characters are fascinating and unique. Soren’s transformation is incredible. His selflessness might trigger a few tears. It is written in first person. The POV alternates between Soren and April. I rate this book 4.5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is book three of the House of Sin series, which is a spinoff of His duet. Both center around cults.
The House is a place where sinners are sent, sometimes even by their own choice, for punishment. It is an alternative to jail or death, one that offers redemption. The people that run the House serve a higher power. The goal is for their captives to admit to their sins and earn redemption. The House has stood as an alternate form of punishment for the wealthy and connected for decades. The torch is passed down through the generations. The punishers must sin in order to punish, so they in effect take on the sins of their captives. They, too, must suffer punishments as a consequence. It is an emotionally and physically draining job, but those that run it are born into the life. They believe in the cause and know no other way. There is a book that lays out all the rules, which are followed meticulously for the protection of all. For some, the punishment is more psychological. Others require punishment in the bedroom, and yet others require the kind of punishment that is only satisfied by old fashioned torture.
The House can be seen from different viewpoints. Most guests choose to be there and appreciate that they have it as an option. But it is not an easy life for punishers, who are chained to the House for life and bound by its strict rules. Amelia thinks Eli and his staff are monsters, but those closest don’t see it that way. They see it as a place that offers sinners atonement and a second chance.
This book can be read perfectly as a standalone, but it would be better appreciated having first read the related books. The series thus far includes:
1. Dark Wish (Eli and Amelia’s story, part 1)
2. Dark Lies (Eli and Amelia’s story, part 2)
3. Dark Need (Soren and April’s story)
While this series can be read independently, fans of His duet (Under His Rule and Beyond His Control) will be thrilled with this new story. It is recommended, though not necessary, to read His duet prior to this series. That duet is Noah and Natalie’s story and centers around the Family, a cult that lives in a place referred to as the Holy Land. In His duet, Natalie befriends April while in the Family’s Holy Land. April had a very minor role. As the duet comes to a close, April remains missing without a trace. She shows up in this new series in a minor role in books one and two. April finally gets her own story with Soren (who is introduced in Dark Wish) in this book.
For those that have read His duet, there are many parallels between that and Eli and Amelia’s story in the first two books of the House of Sin series. The couple had met or known one another in their youth, making a lasting impression on the boy. As the boy grows into a man, he seeks out the girl and eventually finds her, bringing her back to his home. In His duet the home is in a cult; in House of Sin the home serves a dark religious purpose, serving a number of cults. In both stories the woman escapes, and both men must come to terms with the life they were brought up to live. Each is in a position of leadership and faces political obstacles. They spend a great deal of time studying their books. Nevertheless, these are entirely separate stories set in the same world. A fan of His duet should absolutely enjoy House of Sin.
FROM DARK WISH, BOOK ONE:
Amelia, twenty-three, loves books. She is intelligent and hard-working, yet has a big heart and innocent outlook on life. She dreams of bigger things while complacently accepting her status quo. She works part-time at the library – her dream job – but it doesn’t pay the bills. With the pressure of student loan payments, she must resort to a second job unless or until a full-time position at the library comes along. She might be shy, but she is determined to make her own way in life even if that means working as a cocktail waitress at a strip club. She can mostly handle herself on the job, though the customers at Joe’s Hotties sometimes do get a little handsy. She lives with her boyfriend Chris, whom she doesn’t get to see much of with all her evening shifts. He keeps busy with his own job too, and finding time for one another is a challenge. When a strange man starts appearing in her life, the coincidences are suspicious and yet Amelia cannot shrug the magnetic pull she feels for the stranger. She dreams of being romanced in spite of her concerns.
Eli, about thirty, is following in his father’s footsteps. He grew up in a private and luxurious lifestyle where he had been homeschooled his entire life. His mother passed when he was a teen, leaving him conflicted. She had never really wanted him, but his father was always away for days at a time. The influential people that frequently visited their home made his father an eminently powerful man. The family business had been handed down for generations, and as a child Eli eagerly looked forward to stepping into his father’s shoes and learning about their mysterious business. It is divine work, so there is no shame in what they do. The House of Sin is a special place where sinners earn their freedom. The price of freedom is sometimes daunting, and some might consider the House a prison. Pain and punishment are part of the experience. In a carefully controlled environment, punishers work for the greater good by bending morals and ethics. They serve a special function in society. There are many rules to follow, which keep the punisher in line as he doles out humility, hoping to earn a confession. Lust is used as a tool – frequently – but the punisher can never be ruled by it without falling into sin himself. Walking the line is a difficult task, but it was what Eli was born for.
When a girl on the sidewalk makes Eli do a double take, the course of his future is altered. He is entranced by her beauty and innocence. Determined to have her for himself, he decides to make it happen. But business just isn’t done this way, and it requires bending some rules. Fortunately for him, everyone is a sinner. He will watch, judge, and punish Amelia. He isn’t supposed to intervene, but his sense of self-control around her is put to the test. When he asks what her darkest desire is, her answer takes him by surprise. His obsession with her will certainly break him – maybe even before he breaks her. Their story ends in a cliffhanger and continues in book two, Dark Lies.
FROM DARK LIES, BOOK TWO:
As book one closes, Eli has finally helped Amelia recover her memory of the night of her birthday. Unlike most at the House of Sin, she had been taken against her will for a crime that she didn’t remember – and the nature of her crime remained unknown to her. She had believed that her kidnapping was just a mind game meant to keep her complacent and tucked away as Eli’s personal toy. Everything changes in a heartbeat when her memories return, though, as Amelia begins to understand that she had truly belonged in the House of Sin. She is a sinner, and her crime was heinous. Eli had put the House at risk by bringing her in the way that he did, but he knew no other way. He had to have the angel. Since everyone is a sinner, it only took him patiently waiting and watching for him to snatch her up at the appropriate time. He hadn’t understood her or known her experiences well enough to judge her reactions, though, and things had gone further than he planned. But with Amelia’s memories recovered, she has earned her freedom. She goes to Eli willingly.
This story opens with Amelia catching on to the fact that Eli had probably played a role in that fateful evening. With all trust shattered, she escapes the island with the hope of returning home to find answers. Her journey is not easy, and Eli is mad with worry about her safety after discovering she left. He is determined to bring her back. Insisting she is the one, his choice, he hastily decides to make his vow that Amelia will become his wife and continue the family line. It is the greatest vow that the man in charge of the House takes, and he must keep it. Tobias, his assistant and advisor, continues to discourage Eli about Amelia and the vow, insisting it will bring everything down. Despite that fact that Tobias, too, has developed feelings for one of their former guests, Anna, he steadfastly stands by the rules. Tensions between Eli and Tobias rise, but Eli insists he will go after Amelia himself and bring her home.
Amelia denies her feelings for Eli as he struggles to come to terms with the situation. He is a punisher, and the punisher’s job is mentally taxing. The punisher sins when punishing, so he in essence bares the sins of the sinners he punishes, and his back has the scars to prove it. The physical and mental toll requires immense focus and control. Hence the need for the book of rules for the House. Eli studies the rules hoping to find a way to forward, but without Amelia’s love he may just run out of options. The couple eventually earns a happy ending.
IN THIS BOOK:
April, probably in her early to mid-twenties, finds herself a prisoner in the House of Sin, an establishment run for the purpose of punishing those who sin. The problem is that she doesn’t belong there. She hasn’t done anything wrong. She had made a promise with her boyfriend Eric to remain pure until marriage, but a nasty breakup left her looking for answers from above. Emotionally vulnerable, she went to one of the meetings held by the Family, a group rumored to be a cult, but kept an open mind. The ad promised healing through God’s love – exactly what she needed. When she tentatively agreed to pledge herself to the group, everything suddenly changed. She was immediately whisked away from her home, her job, and her freedom. That was months ago.
She had met and befriended a fellow prisoner taken from the outside world when she was held in the Holy Land by the Family. She felt betrayed by her friend Natalie, however, who agreed to sit at one of the leader’s side. Noah held a position of power, and the actions of the group could not be excused. The men held all the power, and the women were merely there to be picked and married off. Unlike Natalie, April never bent to their will. She was determined to remain pure. And since refusing marriage was not deemed acceptable, she was eventually sent away for punishment. Because she had been taken and kept against her own will and was being forced into a marriage she did not agree to, April knew she had done nothing wrong. It had been the Family that was at fault. Nevertheless, April found herself a prisoner at yet another cult-like place: the House.
The House is run by Eli, who inherited the lucrative job from his father. His advisor Tobias assists with punishments and helps Eli run the House according to the written rules. Tobias also inherited his role from his father. Soren is the quiet one of the three, and his responsibilities lie in the dungeon. He was sent years ago by the Vikholm people, who have supplied the House with a punisher for generations.
There is one man at the House that terrifies April. Soren’s uncivilized table manners are one thing, but the way he looks at her is another altogether. He looks like he wants to eat her alive. He has a broody demeanor in general and is prone to moodiness. He barely speaks other than to grunt, and his giant-like size only adds to the intimidation she feels in his presence. His eyes almost never leave hers. Although in the weeks that pass April hasn’t really received any punishment, and the House itself feels almost like a luxury hotel, sitting through a meal while seated across from Soren is pure torture. So when he comes to her in the middle of the night and tells her she must follow him, refusing to say where he is taking her, escaping the confines of the House doesn’t exactly feel like freedom.
Soren has had the privilege of working for Eli at the House for years. It is an honorable job to be a punisher, and Soren’s job is to punish those beyond relief. He loves the satisfaction of seeing his subjects suffer, and he never considers caving to their pleas for mercy. Not even for the occasional woman he tortures. Soren was trained to be a warrior from his youth, on his small island home in Scandinavia. The primitive and remote island is governed by elders, and he was amongst those chosen for the honor of becoming a warrior. He knows to follow orders without question. It is not his job to judge. He doesn’t care what his subjects have or have not done. He simply tortures those sent to him without mercy. Eli is a good owner, and he makes Soren feel valued, something he isn’t used to but feels good. He was not raised to have emotions, so they are foreign to him.
The first time Soren laid eyes on April, he knew she would be his undoing. He has been caged his entire adult life, and she makes him feel desire. But a good warrior only follows orders, eventually to return home honorably for his reward. Soren will not bring dishonor to himself or his people. Physical pain from punishment is nothing to him, but honor is everything. So when Eli comes to him with a problem, Soren isn’t happy. Eli is struggling with the sin he carries, and in a sudden act of atonement, he sets the captives free, returning them to their homes. But one captive poses a threat to the house. April is not a sinner; she had been sent to them by the Family, but had been taken against her will. Returning her home thus poses a security risk to the House. Eli assigns Soren to personally escort her to a secret location, putting Soren face to face with temptation.
Soren and April set off on a journey as enemies. The tension is thick and trust is lacking. Their journey binds them, though. No matter how it ends, it will end badly for one of them. But the bond they grudgingly forge has them feeling bound by honor or duty or guilt – or perhaps love. They eventually each feel responsible for the other’s well-being. And they each will have a choice as to how far they are willing to go for the other. Their choices will lead them to understand what drives them together and what motivates them to put everything on the line for one another. The couple eventually wins a hard fought HEA.
Wow! This story does an amazing job of humanizing Soren, a man raised to torture for a living. April’s story does a wonderful job of bringing other books into the mix. Noah and Natalie make an appearance, as do Eli and Amelia. But it is Soren’s story that slowly grabs you unawares. It is emotional and heartbreaking, and seeing him find happiness with April is the ultimate achievement. He never knew desire, compassion, affection, or love until he met her. She introduces him to a brand new world, one filled with the kind of pain that any emotional being experiences. He has many firsts with her, and her purity and steadfastness are a perfect match for him. Though raised in violence, he too lives by honor and dedication. But he was not raised to think critically or to feel emotion, so he must go through a huge transformation before any kind of happy ending is remotely possible. It is an emotional journey with many obstacles along the way.
Soren and April finally get their story, and it is an emotional treat. It is about honor and forgiveness. It is about learning what it is to love. Their journey through the wilderness tests them both, but it ultimately brings them together. Ironically, April senses Soren’s pain. The compassion she shows him confuses him. He tries to follow the honorable path, but finds himself conflicted at times. He is finally forced to interact with a prisoner whose safety is his duty, and without Eli or Tobias to give orders, Soren must make decisions on his own for once. Soren had been a mindless servant until April came along, and for her he was willing to break the rules – sometimes. In that position, he learns that doing the right thing occasionally comes with a price.
There are a few issues that merit mention. First, some of the timelines, particularly towards the end, don’t feel quite right. For example, April drives a few days to traverse the distance that she and Soren walked in a few days. There are other travel times that don’t feel accurate. There are also some dangers that are somewhat political in nature near the end of the book that resolve a little on the convenient side. As for April’s home, like Natalie’s, it felt odd that it sat waiting for her for several months; one might have anticipated a foreclosure or eviction. Nevertheless, these issues don’t ruin the overall story.
Soren and April’s story has you on the edge of your seat throughout, trying to unwrap what exactly is taking place. It is an intense read. Soren is all-powerful, full of rage and lust. He also has a tender side that appears here. The story is a thriller set in a mysterious world steeped in some extreme religious notions. The truth is unclear as good and evil are painted in shades of grey. The story is nicely written. It is complex and plot-driven. The storyline pulls you into the story. The characters are fascinating and unique. Soren’s transformation is incredible. His selflessness might trigger a few tears. It is written in first person. The POV alternates between Soren and April. I rate this book 4.5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 30, 2021
Dark Need
Clarissa Wild
June 30th 2021
In the middle of the night he took me.
Dangerous and wild, I only know him as Soren.
My captor, my tormentor.
He forces me to walk miles on end and refuses to tell me why.
All he does is stare … And it sets my body on fire.
He’s a muscular giant with raw, unbridled needs.
If I run, he’ll catch me.
If I fight, he’ll pin me down.
And worst of all … I’m beginning to like it.
But what I fear the most is that he lives for it.
Everyone knows a beast can’t be chained.
One way or another … his darkest needs will always come out to play.
Dark Need is a Dark Romance novel by New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Clarissa Wild. This story follows Soren & April from Dark Wish & Dark Lies. However, it can also be read as a standalone.
Dark Need by Clarissa Wild was a dark and very hot read. I loved that Clarissa Wild can take me on a journey where I'm lost in a forest and enp up on an island. This adventure was really good and I enjoyed it.
So we meet Soren again. In the previous books I didn't really know what to do with him. He was an interesting side character, but an own story.... I was a little sceptical at first, but it turned out really great. He reminded me of Björn from the Vikings series. And I love Björn!!
Then there is our heroine April. I don't know what it was, but her character didn't catched me. I don't know if it was her naivity but I found her character bored me a little. I just can't pinpoint excatly what it was. Don't get me wrong, the love story between these two is really unique and strong. I reallly loved the bounding between them.
Clarissa Wild has a talent for ... wait for it... wild stories! #sorry not sorry.... It is always like a rollercoaster of emotions and I'm looking forwrd to read more stories from her.
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July 14, 2021
‘Twas ok
Average read. Good writing, as in, good character development at the beginning and a good draw in. But halfway through, plot stalled, development stalled, which lost my interest so I skipped to the end.
Average read. Good writing, as in, good character development at the beginning and a good draw in. But halfway through, plot stalled, development stalled, which lost my interest so I skipped to the end.
July 14, 2021
DNF
Moved too slow. I was sick of the story pretty early on, but I stuck with it until about halfway through. I just didn’t care about these characters or what was going to happen to them.
Moved too slow. I was sick of the story pretty early on, but I stuck with it until about halfway through. I just didn’t care about these characters or what was going to happen to them.
June 28, 2021
There are triggers to this book, so please read the advisement before choosing this book….
Although you can read this book without reading the first two (Dark Wish and Dark Lies) without missing any of the story, it’s better if you read them first. There are characters and story that will help this book to flow better.
April goes from one disaster to another.
First she discovers her boyfriend cheating on her! Then she signs up to a Cult (only she doesn’t know that) and then she’s a “Sinner” in the house that is owned by Eli, Tobias and Soren!
She just can’t get a break. And then she discovers she’s going back to the Cult! Oh hell no!! She needs to escape, but how?
Soren lives to serve The House, it’s what he’s trained for, it’s what he lives for.
But recently his focus has moved…..
He’s focused on a woman he’s not suppose to have!
He’s only suppose to punish the sinners! Wants and needs are a sin, and he’s above all that! Well, he was until April came into his life!
This book runs alongside and slightly after books one and day two in the series.
I absolutely loved this book, in fact I liked it better than the first two.
Superbly written, the words just flow from the pages and into your heart.
I really wasn’t impressed with Soren in the previous books, but as he’s the main character in this book we get to learn about him.
And what a character, he’s typically a strong silent type. A mountain of a man that needs few words. He’s the man what wields the whip when the sinners need punishing.
But reading his background, you just want to wrap him up and take him home.
April was just great. A sharp wit and an even sharper tongue. She kept pushing, she kept telling everyone she wasn’t suppose to be here.
(The house is where sinners come that won’t repent, the sinners that repeatedly sin, and their masters or family just can’t cope with them any longer)
Most of the story is about their journey from the house to the cult.
There is escape attempt aplenty. There is a few passionate moments and then there is the betrayal….
But there is also the journey to discovery. Both the MC’s discover themselves and the person they are with.
Captor and captive become confused with their emotions and feelings. What they feel about each other shouldn’t be happening. And both fight really hard not to succumb.
It really takes you on a journey. Through forests, across rivers and a fight with a wild animal! You see Soren in a different light, and your willing April to win her freedom.
But not all stories get a HEA! Not all heroes (or in this case antihero) get the girl….
Can April convince Soren to let her go? Or will he ignore what his heart is telling him and deliver her back to hell?!
So I’m now keeping my fingers crossed that the final “Master of Sin” gets his book. Tobias was a nasty piece of work in all three books, so I’m hoping he gets a good slap before his HEA.
Recommend? Oh most definitely. In fact I’d tell you to grab all three and take a walk on the dark side!
🦋
Although you can read this book without reading the first two (Dark Wish and Dark Lies) without missing any of the story, it’s better if you read them first. There are characters and story that will help this book to flow better.
April goes from one disaster to another.
First she discovers her boyfriend cheating on her! Then she signs up to a Cult (only she doesn’t know that) and then she’s a “Sinner” in the house that is owned by Eli, Tobias and Soren!
She just can’t get a break. And then she discovers she’s going back to the Cult! Oh hell no!! She needs to escape, but how?
Soren lives to serve The House, it’s what he’s trained for, it’s what he lives for.
But recently his focus has moved…..
He’s focused on a woman he’s not suppose to have!
He’s only suppose to punish the sinners! Wants and needs are a sin, and he’s above all that! Well, he was until April came into his life!
This book runs alongside and slightly after books one and day two in the series.
I absolutely loved this book, in fact I liked it better than the first two.
Superbly written, the words just flow from the pages and into your heart.
I really wasn’t impressed with Soren in the previous books, but as he’s the main character in this book we get to learn about him.
And what a character, he’s typically a strong silent type. A mountain of a man that needs few words. He’s the man what wields the whip when the sinners need punishing.
But reading his background, you just want to wrap him up and take him home.
April was just great. A sharp wit and an even sharper tongue. She kept pushing, she kept telling everyone she wasn’t suppose to be here.
(The house is where sinners come that won’t repent, the sinners that repeatedly sin, and their masters or family just can’t cope with them any longer)
Most of the story is about their journey from the house to the cult.
There is escape attempt aplenty. There is a few passionate moments and then there is the betrayal….
But there is also the journey to discovery. Both the MC’s discover themselves and the person they are with.
Captor and captive become confused with their emotions and feelings. What they feel about each other shouldn’t be happening. And both fight really hard not to succumb.
It really takes you on a journey. Through forests, across rivers and a fight with a wild animal! You see Soren in a different light, and your willing April to win her freedom.
But not all stories get a HEA! Not all heroes (or in this case antihero) get the girl….
Can April convince Soren to let her go? Or will he ignore what his heart is telling him and deliver her back to hell?!
So I’m now keeping my fingers crossed that the final “Master of Sin” gets his book. Tobias was a nasty piece of work in all three books, so I’m hoping he gets a good slap before his HEA.
Recommend? Oh most definitely. In fact I’d tell you to grab all three and take a walk on the dark side!
🦋
July 2, 2021
Steam 5
Storyline 5
Feels 3
Overall Rating 4
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Joanna
Have you ever finished a story and felt like you needed to shower because you felt dirty? That the story was so GRITTY and DIRTY that you just don’t feel “clean”? That is how I felt during the time that I read this story. Now don’t get me wrong…. Sometimes it was in a GOOD kind of “dirty”, but then there were other times that you were just like OMG… What did he just do?
Soren is from a different world. Well, not really, but he was raised in a “cult” environment, and that was all he has ever known his entire life. He was raised to protect his “people” and his job is to do what his “people” need him to do. Once his job is complete, he can live his chosen life that has been planned for him, and that is all he has ever known, and everything was going as planned until he met April.
April was someone who chose to go into the cult. She didn’t know it was going to be what it was, but after she found her fiancé in bed with another woman, and they were supposed to be saving themselves for marriage, she decided there had to be more out there, and she went looking for it. She ended up captured, but she was rebellious and didn’t want to conform to the “rules” of the cult, so they were going to send her away, and that was Soren’s job, to travel with her to send her away to another “cult”.
That was when the fun begins… “I wanted him when I knew I shouldn’t when I knew it was wrong. And I did it anyway because I didn’t want him to suffer…because I made him suffer.” April was starting to have feeling for her capture, and she knew it was wrong.
Soren had always liked April. He would watch her from a distance in the “cult”, but never acted on them. “I’m not a lover, I’m a fighter. Someone who hurts. Who tortures. No on loves me. I was born to kill.”
This gets intense, and you wonder, what is right and what is wrong… But in the end… it is OH SO RIGHT!
There was probably more “angst” in this story than I normally enjoy, but it was really, really good.
Storyline 5
Feels 3
Overall Rating 4
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Joanna
Have you ever finished a story and felt like you needed to shower because you felt dirty? That the story was so GRITTY and DIRTY that you just don’t feel “clean”? That is how I felt during the time that I read this story. Now don’t get me wrong…. Sometimes it was in a GOOD kind of “dirty”, but then there were other times that you were just like OMG… What did he just do?
Soren is from a different world. Well, not really, but he was raised in a “cult” environment, and that was all he has ever known his entire life. He was raised to protect his “people” and his job is to do what his “people” need him to do. Once his job is complete, he can live his chosen life that has been planned for him, and that is all he has ever known, and everything was going as planned until he met April.
April was someone who chose to go into the cult. She didn’t know it was going to be what it was, but after she found her fiancé in bed with another woman, and they were supposed to be saving themselves for marriage, she decided there had to be more out there, and she went looking for it. She ended up captured, but she was rebellious and didn’t want to conform to the “rules” of the cult, so they were going to send her away, and that was Soren’s job, to travel with her to send her away to another “cult”.
That was when the fun begins… “I wanted him when I knew I shouldn’t when I knew it was wrong. And I did it anyway because I didn’t want him to suffer…because I made him suffer.” April was starting to have feeling for her capture, and she knew it was wrong.
Soren had always liked April. He would watch her from a distance in the “cult”, but never acted on them. “I’m not a lover, I’m a fighter. Someone who hurts. Who tortures. No on loves me. I was born to kill.”
This gets intense, and you wonder, what is right and what is wrong… But in the end… it is OH SO RIGHT!
There was probably more “angst” in this story than I normally enjoy, but it was really, really good.
June 29, 2021
Wow! What can I say! This dark romantic suspense is raw, gritty, emotional, intense, but deliciously addicting. When I finished this book, I needed a moment to process and savor just how incredible it was. DARK NEED was powerful, edgy, tragic, and heart-stopping in every way possible. This is Soren and April’s story. Soren and April are full of surprises—I was flabbergasted with the unexpected revelations that happened, but it was jaw-dropping good! This story will keep you on the edge of your seat to find out what happened next. Soren is the unorthodox, but sexy beast of a man who will ruin you in all the best ways. I loved how obsessed and possessive Soren was of April. April is the captive, but things get very complicated when April helps Soren because his job is to protect and follow the rules. April is a force to be reckoned with, but she is the kind of girl Soren would go to war for and discard all the rules. The darkness inherited in the characters will make you afraid to turn the pages, but the sexiness of it all will assure that you do. As the secrets unfold, the masks that they hold in place slip off notwithstanding being tortured and broken, they seemed perfect for each other…until they weren’t. What happens next? Well, read this amazing story and find out—you won’t regret it! There are several twists and turns within the story that will tempt the characters in ways they could not have never envisioned. Clarissa Wild has constructed a deliciously dark romance that will lure you into the wee hours and beyond that you will not be able to put this book down. This is a MUST READ! I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
June 29, 2021
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review.
In the middle of the night he took me. Dangerous and wild, I only know him as Soren. My captor, my tormentor. He forces me to walk miles on end and refuses to tell me why. All he does is stare... And it sets my body on fire. He's a muscular giant with raw, unbridled needs. If I run, he'll catch me. If I fight, he'll pin me down. And worst of all... I'm beginning to like it. But what I fear the most is that he lives for it. Everyone knows a beast can't be chained. One way or another... his darkest needs will always come out to play.
If you have read Dark Wish and Dark Lies then you know who Soren is. But if you haven't read them then that is ok. You can read this book as a standalone but you will probably want to go back and read them after you finish this book. That series is equally as good as Dark Need is. This is the story of April too and she finds herself living one nightmare only to be thrown right into another one when Soren takes her. But he has reasons and rules that are set forth by the house. But the question is will he follow their rules or is there some other reason that he is keeping April close? You have to read to find this out. I'm not telling you. But you should know that he might be a killer but he might be able to switch to a bodyguard for April. This book is dark and twisted and I was so engrossed in it that I totally lost track of all time while reading it. If you love dark reads then you need this on in your life and you need to read Clarissa Wild she totally writes some of the most epic dark books you will ever read.
In the middle of the night he took me. Dangerous and wild, I only know him as Soren. My captor, my tormentor. He forces me to walk miles on end and refuses to tell me why. All he does is stare... And it sets my body on fire. He's a muscular giant with raw, unbridled needs. If I run, he'll catch me. If I fight, he'll pin me down. And worst of all... I'm beginning to like it. But what I fear the most is that he lives for it. Everyone knows a beast can't be chained. One way or another... his darkest needs will always come out to play.
If you have read Dark Wish and Dark Lies then you know who Soren is. But if you haven't read them then that is ok. You can read this book as a standalone but you will probably want to go back and read them after you finish this book. That series is equally as good as Dark Need is. This is the story of April too and she finds herself living one nightmare only to be thrown right into another one when Soren takes her. But he has reasons and rules that are set forth by the house. But the question is will he follow their rules or is there some other reason that he is keeping April close? You have to read to find this out. I'm not telling you. But you should know that he might be a killer but he might be able to switch to a bodyguard for April. This book is dark and twisted and I was so engrossed in it that I totally lost track of all time while reading it. If you love dark reads then you need this on in your life and you need to read Clarissa Wild she totally writes some of the most epic dark books you will ever read.
July 1, 2021
This was definitely a very dark romance, but at the same time it had glimmers of light peeking through. I thoroughly enjoyed every miniscule moment in the entire story. It grabbed me from the very beginning and took me on an intimate adventure. The characters were spellbinding and I fell immediately in love with them. It starts out with a girl, April, who catches her boyfriend having sex with another woman, after they had made promises to each other to stay pure until marriage. Betrayal at its finest. She ends up going to a secretive meeting where the members talk about their community built on love and God. She is desperate to belong and to feel loved again, without the betrayal. She signs up to belong, only to discover that she's now a member of a cult (The Holy Land) who put men in charge and the women are forced into marriage. She refuses all of this and one night, she is taken from her house and delivered to another cult(The House of Sin) whose purpose is to punish sinners (people who don't follow the cult's rules).Here she meets Soren, a large brute of a man who takes pleasure in punishing the sinners through torture. Fast forward and she is placed in Soren's care to take her to an undisclosed place at the bequest of the the House of Sin's cult leader. The journey is eye opening on so many levels for both of them. It is wonderfully written and a real page turner. It is a raw glimpse into dark recesses of the mind. I loved every second of it. If you like dark, sexy romances this is definitely one for you to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 25, 2021
Soren is known to us from previous stories. He is always the big, silent man that punishes the sinners. We know that he is rough and spends his time tormenting the worse of the worse in the basement. Now we get to read about the man and all our questions are answered. Soren is immediately taken by April. You learn that he has been staring at her from the start without being able to act on his urges. His honor and work are bound so tightly in his mind that April can never be his….or at least he thinks so. He suffers great pains as his desire and need for this woman grows. Finally April can stand his agony and frees him. What she learns is that the freedom was not only physical, but also emotional and mental.
Through a journey in the woods you see them drawing closer. Understanding of each other’s situations comes to head when Soren sacrifices himself and his duty for April. But wait, April sacrifices herself right back. These two formed a deep love and connection for each other. A bond and love that is so strong that they need the other one like they need their next breath. I have to admit that I have loved each of Wild’s stories, but there was something extra special in this tale. As soon as I finished, I started the book again. It was simply that fantastic! You get the dark and dirty with the right amount of romance. It is the perfect combination and you won’t be sorry.
Honest Review in exchange for ARC
Through a journey in the woods you see them drawing closer. Understanding of each other’s situations comes to head when Soren sacrifices himself and his duty for April. But wait, April sacrifices herself right back. These two formed a deep love and connection for each other. A bond and love that is so strong that they need the other one like they need their next breath. I have to admit that I have loved each of Wild’s stories, but there was something extra special in this tale. As soon as I finished, I started the book again. It was simply that fantastic! You get the dark and dirty with the right amount of romance. It is the perfect combination and you won’t be sorry.
Honest Review in exchange for ARC
June 28, 2021
Dark Need is Soren & April's story and let me just say WOW! This book was really hard to put down once you start reading because you want to know what is going to happen next. There is a push and pull between the two of them that leaves them confused about their feelings. But once they got to the sex, OMG, the chemistry between them was explosive!!!!
Soren came from an island where certain ideals are taught. They're trained from an early age to honor family, feel no pain, no emotions, and complete your duty to the house. April was trying to find the meaning of love after a failed relationship so she went to a gathering regarding God and pledged to find out that she pledged to The Family (cult). She was sent to the House of Sin after she wouldn't conform and she met Soren.
Because of certain circumstances, Soren is tasked with returning April to The Family. On this journey their feelings are tested among other things. One fateful night changed everything for the both of them and set them on a path of no return. Choices are made on both sides in different situations leaving you wanting more. My heart went out to Soren with what he endured with his tribe. But just when you thought all was lost, love found a way. If you want to read a book with action, steamy sex, some humor, and suspense, then I highly recommend this book!! I look forward to Clarissa's next book.
Soren came from an island where certain ideals are taught. They're trained from an early age to honor family, feel no pain, no emotions, and complete your duty to the house. April was trying to find the meaning of love after a failed relationship so she went to a gathering regarding God and pledged to find out that she pledged to The Family (cult). She was sent to the House of Sin after she wouldn't conform and she met Soren.
Because of certain circumstances, Soren is tasked with returning April to The Family. On this journey their feelings are tested among other things. One fateful night changed everything for the both of them and set them on a path of no return. Choices are made on both sides in different situations leaving you wanting more. My heart went out to Soren with what he endured with his tribe. But just when you thought all was lost, love found a way. If you want to read a book with action, steamy sex, some humor, and suspense, then I highly recommend this book!! I look forward to Clarissa's next book.
June 28, 2021
This story follows Soren & April from Dark Wish & Dark Lies. However, it can also be read as a standalone.
April has wanted to be a baker, she loves creating bakery items such as cakes and cupcakes. She has led a quiet normal life with her boyfriend - who she caught cheating on her on their 2 yr dating anniversary. April finds herself being kidnapped and put into a cult after going to a nightclub to blow off some steam. After not complying with the cult members, they take her to The House to get punished and reformed. April doesn't feel she is as horrible as the cult members think she is, she just doesn't want to have sex with a stranger and be married to a stranger!
At The House, Soren is one of her jailers. she doesn't quite understand why they have a handful of other girls in the house, are they as 'bad' as she is? What did these other girls do? She doesn't understand what everyone is doing at The House.
Soren, he doesn't seem to fit in anywhere except for The House with Eli. He was trained and raised to be a punisher. He doesn't know anything else, other than to hurt. Soren knows he wants April. He has never looked at anyone wantingly like he looks at April.
He is in constant pain, and I feel for him. April free's him, and then he can't stand her for doing so.
April & Soren had a lot of back and forth, do I like him/her, don't I? Should I / Shouldn't I.
I did receive a free ARC Copy of this book. I am freely leaving an honest review.
April has wanted to be a baker, she loves creating bakery items such as cakes and cupcakes. She has led a quiet normal life with her boyfriend - who she caught cheating on her on their 2 yr dating anniversary. April finds herself being kidnapped and put into a cult after going to a nightclub to blow off some steam. After not complying with the cult members, they take her to The House to get punished and reformed. April doesn't feel she is as horrible as the cult members think she is, she just doesn't want to have sex with a stranger and be married to a stranger!
At The House, Soren is one of her jailers. she doesn't quite understand why they have a handful of other girls in the house, are they as 'bad' as she is? What did these other girls do? She doesn't understand what everyone is doing at The House.
Soren, he doesn't seem to fit in anywhere except for The House with Eli. He was trained and raised to be a punisher. He doesn't know anything else, other than to hurt. Soren knows he wants April. He has never looked at anyone wantingly like he looks at April.
He is in constant pain, and I feel for him. April free's him, and then he can't stand her for doing so.
April & Soren had a lot of back and forth, do I like him/her, don't I? Should I / Shouldn't I.
I did receive a free ARC Copy of this book. I am freely leaving an honest review.
July 1, 2021
Dark Needs is a spin off from the House of Sins Series. This book can be read as a standalone. I originally signed up to read this book but when I read that it was best to read the House of Sins Duet. I decided to go ahead and read those books first, which I got from Kindle Unlimited. And I am glad that I did read them first. Although I do believe Dark Needs could be easily read as a standalone.
The “House of Sin, is a place where the unwanted and the criminals are sent when they have no more place in society.” There are 3 men that run the House of Sin. Eli, Tobias and Soren. This is Soren’s story.
Soren has been charged with taking April back to the “Holy Land” which is a cult. BTW April was also in the House of Sins Duet.
I found Soren’s back story to be heartbreaking and explains why he is as he is. Soren’s role is the punisher at the House of Sins. I wondered how someone that dishes out punishment like he does could be so innocent. It made Soren endearing to me. He has strong convictions in how he believes and when he is given a task he is the person to see it through. But he fails at one task and that is resisting April.
I loved reading Dark Needs and fell in love with Soren. This is a dark read so that means there are triggers that come with dark romances. So proceed with caution if you are someone that might have issues with dark romances. 4.5 Stars for me!
The “House of Sin, is a place where the unwanted and the criminals are sent when they have no more place in society.” There are 3 men that run the House of Sin. Eli, Tobias and Soren. This is Soren’s story.
Soren has been charged with taking April back to the “Holy Land” which is a cult. BTW April was also in the House of Sins Duet.
I found Soren’s back story to be heartbreaking and explains why he is as he is. Soren’s role is the punisher at the House of Sins. I wondered how someone that dishes out punishment like he does could be so innocent. It made Soren endearing to me. He has strong convictions in how he believes and when he is given a task he is the person to see it through. But he fails at one task and that is resisting April.
I loved reading Dark Needs and fell in love with Soren. This is a dark read so that means there are triggers that come with dark romances. So proceed with caution if you are someone that might have issues with dark romances. 4.5 Stars for me!
June 29, 2021
If you read the first two books in the house of sin series, you will remember Soren. This is his story and boy is it a dark one!!!! This can be read as a standalone within the house of sin series but I do recommend reading the others so you get a head start on who Soren is.
Soren works within the house of sin, alongside Eli and the others. In Dark Need April is his captive and he's instructed by Eli to take April away from the house and keep her safe and look after her. Can he really switch from killer to bodyguard? Will he push April to the point of no return? Or will April bring out his softer side? Poor April you really do feel for her she's taken from one nightmare to another, pulled from pillar to post, but Soren sees something in April the urges and the primal needs he feels for her jump out at you. You really feel for Soren after knowing about his past and what he went through with all the pain and the pain he's constantly in now also.
This book does flick between past and the present constantly but it never takes away from the flow of the story, it's definitely a dark romance book and if you love them like that then this book is for you. There are triggers and there are warnings about those, but honestly I couldn't put this book down. Clarissa Wild really knows how to drive you crazy!!!!
Soren works within the house of sin, alongside Eli and the others. In Dark Need April is his captive and he's instructed by Eli to take April away from the house and keep her safe and look after her. Can he really switch from killer to bodyguard? Will he push April to the point of no return? Or will April bring out his softer side? Poor April you really do feel for her she's taken from one nightmare to another, pulled from pillar to post, but Soren sees something in April the urges and the primal needs he feels for her jump out at you. You really feel for Soren after knowing about his past and what he went through with all the pain and the pain he's constantly in now also.
This book does flick between past and the present constantly but it never takes away from the flow of the story, it's definitely a dark romance book and if you love them like that then this book is for you. There are triggers and there are warnings about those, but honestly I couldn't put this book down. Clarissa Wild really knows how to drive you crazy!!!!
July 2, 2021
Wow!! I loved Soren and April's story. So many emotions along the way as they discover new things together.
Soren, he's a muscular giant and he's a punisher of sins at the House of Sin. He doesn't talk much but he's watching everything and he's watching April.
April managed to get herself involved with a cult and when they couldn't control her they sent her to the house. Things are changing at the house and the girls are being released. Soren is tasked with taking April back to where she was before she came to the house but he doesn't know that she'd never want to go there again. They are stuck on this journey together, if she runs, he will catch her. She can't escape. So many emotions and feelings. Sometimes she can see his pain but doesn't know what is causing it. She wants to help him but doesn't understand her emotions.
My emotions were all over the place while reading this. I love a good dark romance and this is a great one. Clarissa Wild really knows how to write these stories. They just suck you up in the story and take you along for the ride. So much happens along the way for these two wonderful characters. If you haven't read "Dark Wish" or "Dark Lies", please read them so you have the backstory. I did receive an ARC and this is my honest review. 5***** Emotional Dark Romance
Soren, he's a muscular giant and he's a punisher of sins at the House of Sin. He doesn't talk much but he's watching everything and he's watching April.
April managed to get herself involved with a cult and when they couldn't control her they sent her to the house. Things are changing at the house and the girls are being released. Soren is tasked with taking April back to where she was before she came to the house but he doesn't know that she'd never want to go there again. They are stuck on this journey together, if she runs, he will catch her. She can't escape. So many emotions and feelings. Sometimes she can see his pain but doesn't know what is causing it. She wants to help him but doesn't understand her emotions.
My emotions were all over the place while reading this. I love a good dark romance and this is a great one. Clarissa Wild really knows how to write these stories. They just suck you up in the story and take you along for the ride. So much happens along the way for these two wonderful characters. If you haven't read "Dark Wish" or "Dark Lies", please read them so you have the backstory. I did receive an ARC and this is my honest review. 5***** Emotional Dark Romance
June 30, 2021
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "DARK NEED"
WOW!!!! This is such a unique dark twisted story Clarissa Wild so creative with your writing you pull your readers in from start to finish so addicting a page turner you can't put down.
Soren comes from an island where he's trained to Honor family, learn to feel no pain, no emotions, you duty to house at all times.
April was devastated after finding her ex cheated on course to find love she ends up at a gathering about God she pledge to a Family cult Sent to House of Sin
she didn't want to abide the rules this is when she meets Soren.
Soren has to return April to the Family their journey was tested in many ways including their feelings for one another they ended up having hot steamy sex changing everything for them.
Soren only seemed to fit in at the The House of Eli where he was raised to be a punisher all he's ever known is hurt will he learn how to love can April free him from what was his life before her.
I definitely recommend to get this amazing mind-blowing dark twisted story you can't get enough of so addicting a story that stays with you long after finished reading I can't wait to see what Clarissa Wild writes next love her books.
WOW!!!! This is such a unique dark twisted story Clarissa Wild so creative with your writing you pull your readers in from start to finish so addicting a page turner you can't put down.
Soren comes from an island where he's trained to Honor family, learn to feel no pain, no emotions, you duty to house at all times.
April was devastated after finding her ex cheated on course to find love she ends up at a gathering about God she pledge to a Family cult Sent to House of Sin
she didn't want to abide the rules this is when she meets Soren.
Soren has to return April to the Family their journey was tested in many ways including their feelings for one another they ended up having hot steamy sex changing everything for them.
Soren only seemed to fit in at the The House of Eli where he was raised to be a punisher all he's ever known is hurt will he learn how to love can April free him from what was his life before her.
I definitely recommend to get this amazing mind-blowing dark twisted story you can't get enough of so addicting a story that stays with you long after finished reading I can't wait to see what Clarissa Wild writes next love her books.
July 2, 2021
*** Free book for an honest review ***
The book definitely stands alone. However, it takes 30% from the beginning before it finally gets to what I would have expected based on the nature of the book. The first third of the book sets up the characters. It lets you see her as she is and explain what brought her to where the store truly starts between the characters. The first thirty percent also gives insight into what is purpose is at the House of Sin and how he came to be there.
The book then takes a turn, and all bets are off. The relationship between the two is like a wildfire. For the backdrop were sinners are punished for sex there is sure is a lot of sinning going on both in action and thought. Let’s just say no good deed goes unpunished (but a oh so sexy hot way). I found my self wondering for all of the personal feelings coming to light how is this going to end for the couple if Soren delivers April to the destination of the cult that sent April to the House of Sin in the first place.
I was both surprised and happy with the end of their journey but the trials they go thru and twist will keep you turning the page
*** Free book for an honest review ***
The book definitely stands alone. However, it takes 30% from the beginning before it finally gets to what I would have expected based on the nature of the book. The first third of the book sets up the characters. It lets you see her as she is and explain what brought her to where the store truly starts between the characters. The first thirty percent also gives insight into what is purpose is at the House of Sin and how he came to be there.
The book then takes a turn, and all bets are off. The relationship between the two is like a wildfire. For the backdrop were sinners are punished for sex there is sure is a lot of sinning going on both in action and thought. Let’s just say no good deed goes unpunished (but a oh so sexy hot way). I found my self wondering for all of the personal feelings coming to light how is this going to end for the couple if Soren delivers April to the destination of the cult that sent April to the House of Sin in the first place.
I was both surprised and happy with the end of their journey but the trials they go thru and twist will keep you turning the page
*** Free book for an honest review ***
July 4, 2021
By all rights, I should've loved this book. But something fell short for me and I just can't pinpoint it. I did enjoy it and it managed to keep my attention (something that is completely fleeting right now).
I loved the idea of messed up cults and being captive (its fiction don't judge me, okay) so I thought this would be super awesome. And in parts, it was hot and kinda cute. I mean Sorens this big strong torture machine, but he is also so incredibly naive when it comes to anything besides torture. But that's the way he was raised so I didn't expect much but still, I was so shocked he didn't know what some things were. Also, his metal was really surprising to me.
April, she might be the perfect dub con voice. We see the things happening and we hear what's going on in her head and I mean we also have logic.
There's a lot of things here that didn't add up for me. Just the little details that fell through the crack about this world. About April before the cult, and after to be honest. Those things really stuck with me and when I'm reading for pleasure the holes bother me.
Oh, I also understand this is part of a series but I didn't know that going in and I didn't feel like I was missing much it was easy to read as a standalone.
I loved the idea of messed up cults and being captive (its fiction don't judge me, okay) so I thought this would be super awesome. And in parts, it was hot and kinda cute. I mean Sorens this big strong torture machine, but he is also so incredibly naive when it comes to anything besides torture. But that's the way he was raised so I didn't expect much but still, I was so shocked he didn't know what some things were. Also, his metal was really surprising to me.
April, she might be the perfect dub con voice. We see the things happening and we hear what's going on in her head and I mean we also have logic.
There's a lot of things here that didn't add up for me. Just the little details that fell through the crack about this world. About April before the cult, and after to be honest. Those things really stuck with me and when I'm reading for pleasure the holes bother me.
Oh, I also understand this is part of a series but I didn't know that going in and I didn't feel like I was missing much it was easy to read as a standalone.
July 23, 2021
This book is separate yet connected to the House of Sin Series. This book focuses on Soren and April. He is given the task to take her back to the cult she came from. He is under the impression that she was sent to them by the cult and she was but what he doesn’t know is that she was taken by the cult against her will. Soren has always been attracted to April. There are things about him she doesn’t know or understand. Soren has been raised to serve the house who hires him. There are things he has to endure to serve at his best. While meaning to help him April may unleash a beast she isn’t ready for. April is attracted to Soren as well. She doesn’t want to be but she is. How can she have feelings for a man who is taking her back there. Who does what he does? Things take a turn though. Soren isn’t willing to loose April after he has had her. Could she really want to be with someone like him when she doesn’t have to? What will happen to him if he doesn’t take her back like he is supposed to? I really enjoyed getting to read more about the characters from the house of sin. So many things happen. This book is dark like the House of Sin series. Clarissa has done it again. I can’t wait for the next book she writes. She is a must read author for me.
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