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Kids of The District #1-2
Our Thing: The Ballerina & The Butcher Boy
Cassidy Slater wants two things in life.
The first is to be the youngest leading ballerina in her academy. She will need unwavering dedication. No time for men. Unfortunately, her heart didn't get the memo, because her second secret want. . . is Max Butcher.
Max Butcher's scowl is notorious.
He has a dark intimidating presence, hinting at a life lived hard and fierce. He is a man of few words, but his actions cut straight to the point.
To him, Cassidy is a silly little girl.
But one he can't keep his hands off.
His world is going to intoxicate her. The dangerous men that he calls family will want to use her, tutu and all.
But she is his now.
It's an eye for an eye where he comes from, and he's willing to blind the whole damn lot of them.
For her, he'll start a damn war.
-
-
-
Our Thing - The Ballerina & The Butcher can be read without book one and has a happily ever after. . . for these two at least. This book features a powerful and moody hero and an endearing and determined heroine. Both main characters are possessive and fight for each other. It is a love story first. Word steam second. Violence, gore, and drama, third. Enjoy.
The first is to be the youngest leading ballerina in her academy. She will need unwavering dedication. No time for men. Unfortunately, her heart didn't get the memo, because her second secret want. . . is Max Butcher.
Max Butcher's scowl is notorious.
He has a dark intimidating presence, hinting at a life lived hard and fierce. He is a man of few words, but his actions cut straight to the point.
To him, Cassidy is a silly little girl.
But one he can't keep his hands off.
His world is going to intoxicate her. The dangerous men that he calls family will want to use her, tutu and all.
But she is his now.
It's an eye for an eye where he comes from, and he's willing to blind the whole damn lot of them.
For her, he'll start a damn war.
-
-
-
Our Thing - The Ballerina & The Butcher can be read without book one and has a happily ever after. . . for these two at least. This book features a powerful and moody hero and an endearing and determined heroine. Both main characters are possessive and fight for each other. It is a love story first. Word steam second. Violence, gore, and drama, third. Enjoy.
736 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2021
2028 people are currently reading
12089 people want to read
About the author
Nicci Harris
22 books2,520 followersI write about women who make unattainable men fall hard and forever.
♥ Stalk me please:
https://linktr.ee/author.nicciharris
♥
"She (Nicci) shines in crafting novels that toe the line between dark and dangerous, and sweet and sexy, which culminates into a deliciously sinful story of passion, truth, and acceptance." - Jessica @jessicareadsit
♥ Stalk me please:
https://linktr.ee/author.nicciharris
♥
"She (Nicci) shines in crafting novels that toe the line between dark and dangerous, and sweet and sexy, which culminates into a deliciously sinful story of passion, truth, and acceptance." - Jessica @jessicareadsit
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 389 reviews
avoid
May 22, 2022Self note avoid
The h walks in on the H with a naked woman in the morning. He swears nothing happened. 🙄
- the H told the h he won’t be monogamous with her. He can date ow, but she can’t 🙄.
She knows he’s seeing other women. But still this doormat makes out with him.
Even few hours after he was with an ow (she saw half naked pictures of him and the ow with her own eyes).
Virgin h. Doormat.
Manwhore H.
Also, most of the reviewers gave it 5 stars. What fakery is this?
The h walks in on the H with a naked woman in the morning. He swears nothing happened. 🙄
- the H told the h he won’t be monogamous with her. He can date ow, but she can’t 🙄.
She knows he’s seeing other women. But still this doormat makes out with him.
Even few hours after he was with an ow (she saw half naked pictures of him and the ow with her own eyes).
Virgin h. Doormat.
Manwhore H.
Also, most of the reviewers gave it 5 stars. What fakery is this?
October 13, 2021
Well. I like me some Max Butcher. 🤷🏼♀️
I DNF’d this book the first time I tried it, and then I decided to give it another go. The first 25-30% drags a bit, so I could see why I stopped reading the 1st time, but this time I kept going. And it picks up around the 30% mark. So my advice is to push through if you’re feeling the lag. I thought it was worth it. 🤷🏼♀️
What I loved:
- the h is a sweet innocent 18 year old ballerina - I thought she was great. She’s loyal and practical and has big dreams
- the H is a 24 yr old bad boy mafia dude, he’s an elusive manwhore when he meets the h, commitment-phobic, but very protective and jealous/possessive of the h and surprisingly romantic - he’s got a vulgar mouth 😅
- I liked their group of friends, there’s a long cast of fun secondary characters
- I thought the mafia business was just enough - not so much that in took over, but enough to make it believable
- the smexxy times were plentiful and smokin’
- once they are together, they don’t break up - he doesn’t leave her to protect her or anything like that
- he calls her “little one” 🥰 and “good girl” 🥵
- he claims her in Aaaallll the ways 😏
- he’s super sweet and protective possessive about the h when she is pregnant 🥰💕
- the HEA ending was emotional and romantic
- medium angst
What didn’t I like?
- friends, sometimes less is more. 🤷🏼♀️ This was 2 books, for a total of 650 pages, and it could have (should have) been edited down to half that. It was waaaaay drawn out and overly complicated and wordy. The first 30% really dragged, and the last 20%, while emotional, was excruciating. It was like she couldn’t figure out how to land the plane, so it kept going and going and going…
⚠️SPOILER BELOW⚠️
- toward the end of the book, just when you think they are heading to their HEA, the H is arrested and he has to serve 3 years. The h is pregnant. He insists that she not communicate with him or visit him while he’s away. So he misses most of her pregnancy, the birth of their baby, and the child’s first years. 👀😐 I trooped through 600 pages to get kicked in the teeth with that nonsense. 😳 I was PISSED, to be perfectly honest. I kept expecting him to figure a way out, but NOPE. No effing communication at all for THREE Critical F*cking years. 😐🤬
Bottom Line? Overall, I really liked it. 🤷🏼♀️ Max was my flavor of j/p hot, Cassidy was my flavor of sweet. The story was solid. I plan to read the next book. But the unnecessary prison story line and the need for an editor to remove the excess put this at 3.5 stars for me. 😅
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating after they are officially together
- no sharing
- OW drama - the H isn’t quite ready to commit to the h at first and he’s up front about that. The h sees him with a couple different women. It’s unclear if he has relations with them. But once he commits, and he does pretty early, he’s all in. She does find him with a naked woman after a bachelor party, before they’ve committed, but after they’re pretty emotionally and physically invested, and he swears he didn’t have sex with her. He claims that the night proved to him that he could be monogamous and he commits to the h from that point on… the h is on the fence about whether or not she believes him, but decides what matters is what he does from that point on. 😬🤷🏼♀️
- no OM drama
- the h was a virgin and is only with the H
- attempted sexual assault on the h by OP
- blood and gore and violence
- no condoms most of the time - H claims he never goes bare and gets tested all the time. 👀
- no dubcon
I DNF’d this book the first time I tried it, and then I decided to give it another go. The first 25-30% drags a bit, so I could see why I stopped reading the 1st time, but this time I kept going. And it picks up around the 30% mark. So my advice is to push through if you’re feeling the lag. I thought it was worth it. 🤷🏼♀️
What I loved:
- the h is a sweet innocent 18 year old ballerina - I thought she was great. She’s loyal and practical and has big dreams
- the H is a 24 yr old bad boy mafia dude, he’s an elusive manwhore when he meets the h, commitment-phobic, but very protective and jealous/possessive of the h and surprisingly romantic - he’s got a vulgar mouth 😅
- I liked their group of friends, there’s a long cast of fun secondary characters
- I thought the mafia business was just enough - not so much that in took over, but enough to make it believable
- the smexxy times were plentiful and smokin’
- once they are together, they don’t break up - he doesn’t leave her to protect her or anything like that
- he calls her “little one” 🥰 and “good girl” 🥵
- he claims her in Aaaallll the ways 😏
- he’s super sweet and protective possessive about the h when she is pregnant 🥰💕
- the HEA ending was emotional and romantic
- medium angst
What didn’t I like?
- friends, sometimes less is more. 🤷🏼♀️ This was 2 books, for a total of 650 pages, and it could have (should have) been edited down to half that. It was waaaaay drawn out and overly complicated and wordy. The first 30% really dragged, and the last 20%, while emotional, was excruciating. It was like she couldn’t figure out how to land the plane, so it kept going and going and going…
⚠️SPOILER BELOW⚠️
- toward the end of the book, just when you think they are heading to their HEA, the H is arrested and he has to serve 3 years. The h is pregnant. He insists that she not communicate with him or visit him while he’s away. So he misses most of her pregnancy, the birth of their baby, and the child’s first years. 👀😐 I trooped through 600 pages to get kicked in the teeth with that nonsense. 😳 I was PISSED, to be perfectly honest. I kept expecting him to figure a way out, but NOPE. No effing communication at all for THREE Critical F*cking years. 😐🤬
Bottom Line? Overall, I really liked it. 🤷🏼♀️ Max was my flavor of j/p hot, Cassidy was my flavor of sweet. The story was solid. I plan to read the next book. But the unnecessary prison story line and the need for an editor to remove the excess put this at 3.5 stars for me. 😅
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating after they are officially together
- no sharing
- OW drama - the H isn’t quite ready to commit to the h at first and he’s up front about that. The h sees him with a couple different women. It’s unclear if he has relations with them. But once he commits, and he does pretty early, he’s all in. She does find him with a naked woman after a bachelor party, before they’ve committed, but after they’re pretty emotionally and physically invested, and he swears he didn’t have sex with her. He claims that the night proved to him that he could be monogamous and he commits to the h from that point on… the h is on the fence about whether or not she believes him, but decides what matters is what he does from that point on. 😬🤷🏼♀️
- no OM drama
- the h was a virgin and is only with the H
- attempted sexual assault on the h by OP
- blood and gore and violence
- no condoms most of the time - H claims he never goes bare and gets tested all the time. 👀
- no dubcon
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2021
Nicci's notes! Found in the back of this book. . .
Dear Max and Cassidy,
So I was going to write a note to your readers, but instead, I drank a bottle of red wine and this is the result. . .
You are my favourite book couple. Two individuals with strength and promise and yet, unknowingly living a kind of half existence.
Cassidy with your beauty and talent and hopefulness. Your brother's trauma cloaked a shadow over your life, but you never held any resentment. You are pure and kind.
And Max, with your intelligence and no-bullshit and inner gentleness. You were forced into a life that bred toxic masculinity and crushed weakness, but you managed to hold on to your integrity.
You shine a light on each other, illuminating hidden pieces and becoming whole.
Dear Max and Cassidy,
So I was going to write a note to your readers, but instead, I drank a bottle of red wine and this is the result. . .
You are my favourite book couple. Two individuals with strength and promise and yet, unknowingly living a kind of half existence.
Cassidy with your beauty and talent and hopefulness. Your brother's trauma cloaked a shadow over your life, but you never held any resentment. You are pure and kind.
And Max, with your intelligence and no-bullshit and inner gentleness. You were forced into a life that bred toxic masculinity and crushed weakness, but you managed to hold on to your integrity.
You shine a light on each other, illuminating hidden pieces and becoming whole.
January 12, 2023
… what in the world did I just read. I didn’t even finish because it was that bad. I’m 100% convinced that most of these reviews are from pre teen girls, because honestly this is…. Something. The writing was so bad. The characters were horrendous. Especially the FMC!! Like wtf was that! I don’t know, I’m extremely confused by these reviews.
The FMC has been obsessed with the MMC from the beginning of the book and we get a small mention of how she first saw him. So a FMC obsessed with the MMC, okay, not bad. I’ve read books like that. But this particular one. Horrible. The FMC had literally no self respect. AT ALL. While I get that she’s “obsessed” like girl… Stand up for yourself.
The MMC, when first introduced, was actually not bad. I thought he was flirty, funny, so I liked him. Until that scene came where he punches a guy that the FMC is on a date with. The FMC and the guy are kissing in a back alley, the MMC comes and punches him and then proceeds to yell at the FMC and literally acts as if he’s going to fuxk her because she’s “in heat” 🤢🤮
In heat?? Gross. That’s another thing with this book. Most of the dialogue was cringy like extremely cringy. The way the sex scenes were written, the “sex talk”. It was bad.
If you’re into this kind of story “plot” then this up your alley. But this is just not something I would recommend.
The FMC has been obsessed with the MMC from the beginning of the book and we get a small mention of how she first saw him. So a FMC obsessed with the MMC, okay, not bad. I’ve read books like that. But this particular one. Horrible. The FMC had literally no self respect. AT ALL. While I get that she’s “obsessed” like girl… Stand up for yourself.
The MMC, when first introduced, was actually not bad. I thought he was flirty, funny, so I liked him. Until that scene came where he punches a guy that the FMC is on a date with. The FMC and the guy are kissing in a back alley, the MMC comes and punches him and then proceeds to yell at the FMC and literally acts as if he’s going to fuxk her because she’s “in heat” 🤢🤮
In heat?? Gross. That’s another thing with this book. Most of the dialogue was cringy like extremely cringy. The way the sex scenes were written, the “sex talk”. It was bad.
If you’re into this kind of story “plot” then this up your alley. But this is just not something I would recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2022
I'm speechless
This book made me feel EVERYTHING, such an emotional journey, Max tries everything to keep Cassidy away from the bad side to him but she's not having it.
Such a great storyline, such great characters.
I love this author and these books.
I'm going into a book hangover now.
This book made me feel EVERYTHING, such an emotional journey, Max tries everything to keep Cassidy away from the bad side to him but she's not having it.
Such a great storyline, such great characters.
I love this author and these books.
I'm going into a book hangover now.
May 10, 2022
3.7 stars. I read this a while ago, so this review won't be very detailed, but this is a good read if you like the tropes of mafia, virgin girl / experienced guy, jealous /possessive hero, classy girl/ rough guy, and surprise pregnancy towards the end.
The best part of it is that it's set in Australia, which is way too rare, especially considering how many Aussie authors dominate indie dark romance. There are SO many books where characters will say Aussie slang, but it's supposed to be set in America, so it's just distracting and takes you out of the story. I don't get why authors do that! Just set it in Australia! We Americans will still read it! So, this author DID do that, and props to her. It makes the setting feel unique, and interesting.
My main problems with it are I remember the author used the word "penis" instead of "dick" or "cock," the way most books use. I found that distracting, and also unsexy. That word choice just sounds more gross and clinical. So it took me out of the smutty scenes. It also has...dare I say...too much smut. After a while, the smutty scenes kind of take over. The author could have cut several of them and made it shorter. Also, something happens at the end that makes the relationship unnecessarily bitter and sad . There's still an HEA, but that plot point drags it down and makes it more melancholy than it needed to be. But, it's a solid mafia duet, and as somebody who has never even been to Australia, I love that it's set in Australia.
The best part of it is that it's set in Australia, which is way too rare, especially considering how many Aussie authors dominate indie dark romance. There are SO many books where characters will say Aussie slang, but it's supposed to be set in America, so it's just distracting and takes you out of the story. I don't get why authors do that! Just set it in Australia! We Americans will still read it! So, this author DID do that, and props to her. It makes the setting feel unique, and interesting.
My main problems with it are I remember the author used the word "penis" instead of "dick" or "cock," the way most books use. I found that distracting, and also unsexy. That word choice just sounds more gross and clinical. So it took me out of the smutty scenes. It also has...dare I say...too much smut. After a while, the smutty scenes kind of take over. The author could have cut several of them and made it shorter. Also, something happens at the end that makes the relationship unnecessarily bitter and sad . There's still an HEA, but that plot point drags it down and makes it more melancholy than it needed to be. But, it's a solid mafia duet, and as somebody who has never even been to Australia, I love that it's set in Australia.
September 5, 2022
2 ✨
The storyline had potential, however, both the female and male mc’s personalities were SO BAD it made the book extremely cringe worthy.
How many times can one person say “oh my gawwwwd” in one book, give me a break. Sometimes authors try way too hard to make a character seem innocent and instead of innocent they just end up extremely annoying and this was one of those cases.
This was supposed to be a mafia romance, ig it was like a dollar tree version of the mafia idk. Never really gave any real mafia vibes just randomly “oh look I’m covered in blood” or “I have private security all over you” or “we’re Italian so … mafia”
Also, the female mc had the same name as me so that made her terribly annoying personality even more infuriating.
2/5 - I don’t recommend adding to your tbr unless you’re desperate
The storyline had potential, however, both the female and male mc’s personalities were SO BAD it made the book extremely cringe worthy.
How many times can one person say “oh my gawwwwd” in one book, give me a break. Sometimes authors try way too hard to make a character seem innocent and instead of innocent they just end up extremely annoying and this was one of those cases.
This was supposed to be a mafia romance, ig it was like a dollar tree version of the mafia idk. Never really gave any real mafia vibes just randomly “oh look I’m covered in blood” or “I have private security all over you” or “we’re Italian so … mafia”
Also, the female mc had the same name as me so that made her terribly annoying personality even more infuriating.
2/5 - I don’t recommend adding to your tbr unless you’re desperate
May 3, 2022
Dnf’d, I couldn’t get past 20% it was so bad
December 28, 2021
Holy cr@p!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: opposites attract
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Wow! This duet really blew me out of the water! The storyline was great - the twists and turns just kept coming - all the way till the end. Epic love story that was just so well written with characters you absolutely fell in love with. I really struggled with Nicci's first book, but I could tell the basis was there for awesome storytelling and she 👋 did 👋 not 👋 disappoint 👋! The chemistry between the two MCs was off the chain and the smexy nearly lit my kindle on fire. Seriously one of my favorite reads this year!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: opposites attract
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Wow! This duet really blew me out of the water! The storyline was great - the twists and turns just kept coming - all the way till the end. Epic love story that was just so well written with characters you absolutely fell in love with. I really struggled with Nicci's first book, but I could tell the basis was there for awesome storytelling and she 👋 did 👋 not 👋 disappoint 👋! The chemistry between the two MCs was off the chain and the smexy nearly lit my kindle on fire. Seriously one of my favorite reads this year!
October 6, 2022
3.5/5 🌟
✔️Virgin heroine
✔️Mafia romance
✔️Manwhore
✔️HEA
It was an okay book, I liked it 🙌✨
In my opinion it was pretty long, it definitely could have been shorter 👀
All in all okay, but didn't like the ending... It was too rushed 🙈😬
✔️Virgin heroine
✔️Mafia romance
✔️Manwhore
✔️HEA
It was an okay book, I liked it 🙌✨
In my opinion it was pretty long, it definitely could have been shorter 👀
All in all okay, but didn't like the ending... It was too rushed 🙈😬
May 5, 2021
The Kids of the District series is "A Flawless contemporary romance."
Reading the Kids of the District series feels like gorging on a deliciously scrumptious cake, despite knowing it's gonna be bad and hurt you irrevocably in the end, you just cannot help yourself from devouring it. Like an addict, you keep coming back to satiate the need to escape into the district.
I honestly do not know what "evil genius mastermind" class Nicci Harris took but I need to book a spot because this series is deceptively clever. The build-up of Cassidy and Max's relationship is a refined agony, honed throughout the previous book and unleashed with a ferocity only Nicci could create.
Nicci Harris has created something powerfully dark and mesmerizing within the district that is equal parts exciting and disturbing. She shines in crafting novels that toe the line between dark and dangerous, and sweet and sexy, which culminates into a deliciously sinful story of passion, truth, and acceptance.
The characters are charismatic with bold personalities that tug at your heartstrings. I quite enjoyed the contrast between Cassidy, the district's sweetheart, and the total alpha male vibe from the district's most notorious bad boy Max Butcher. "The Duet" is good girl meets bad boy, District style and I loved every minute of it.
Max is the quintessential bad boy mafia- alpha hole and while I loved how raw and carnal his character was, my favorite moments were the quiet spaces in between, where he allowed himself to be vulnerable (or at least attempted to) for Cassidy.
Exhibit A- "I want to fck that sorrow out of her Her sorrow makes me want to set the earth on fire."
Exhibit B- "I may not be able to give her a fairy-tale. But she gives me a break from this nightmare."
I enjoyed the complexity of Cassidy's character and the tremendous growth she's made throughout the series. The district's darling has seen the seedy underbelly of Max's reality and the dark encounters threaten to consume her entirely. As she picks up the broken puzzle pieces of her life and begins arranging them, Cassidy truly begins to mature and I couldn't help but tear up to see my little girl all grown up.
I relish the elevated romance within The Duet as the lines between love, desire, and obsession begin to blur creating an eruption of forbidden passion and ecstasy. Max and Cassidy's relationship is the type of love story that you love to hate, innately they know its bad for them, but like a slut for punishment, they pursue it anyway because in the immortal words of Cassidy, "avoiding conflict to prevent a battle, can often start a war on your heart."
The story-building and writing is sharp with just the right amount of humor to balance out the dastardly setting that is the district. As with her previous book, Nicci Harris focuses strongly on the theme of family. Her depiction of the mafia and the commitments and struggles of those "in" the lifestyle are raw and honest.
Oh Nicci Nicci Nicci, just when I thought my poor heart couldn't take another beating you reached through the pages, ripped it out, and ran it through the grinder shredding me completely.
I mean, holy f**king plot twist! The last couple of chapters honestly floored me with an overwhelming surge of emotions. Cosa Nostra is the epitome of exquisite torture and I am unashamed to admit that I ugly cried. While I finally got my answers from book one, I couldn't help the crushing sense of finality that comes with the end.
In true Nicci fashion, she doesn't give you the ending you've been dreaming about and wishing on a star for, oh no, that would be too humane, instead, she serves it up true District style with an intricately woven finale that is equal parts raw, messy complicated and oddly fulfilling.
The Kids of the District is not your average story, but then as a reader, do you really want that?
I would recommend this series for those who enjoy dark, contemporary romance with a twist. Thanks to the author for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review
Reading the Kids of the District series feels like gorging on a deliciously scrumptious cake, despite knowing it's gonna be bad and hurt you irrevocably in the end, you just cannot help yourself from devouring it. Like an addict, you keep coming back to satiate the need to escape into the district.
I honestly do not know what "evil genius mastermind" class Nicci Harris took but I need to book a spot because this series is deceptively clever. The build-up of Cassidy and Max's relationship is a refined agony, honed throughout the previous book and unleashed with a ferocity only Nicci could create.
Nicci Harris has created something powerfully dark and mesmerizing within the district that is equal parts exciting and disturbing. She shines in crafting novels that toe the line between dark and dangerous, and sweet and sexy, which culminates into a deliciously sinful story of passion, truth, and acceptance.
The characters are charismatic with bold personalities that tug at your heartstrings. I quite enjoyed the contrast between Cassidy, the district's sweetheart, and the total alpha male vibe from the district's most notorious bad boy Max Butcher. "The Duet" is good girl meets bad boy, District style and I loved every minute of it.
Max is the quintessential bad boy mafia- alpha hole and while I loved how raw and carnal his character was, my favorite moments were the quiet spaces in between, where he allowed himself to be vulnerable (or at least attempted to) for Cassidy.
Exhibit A- "I want to fck that sorrow out of her Her sorrow makes me want to set the earth on fire."
Exhibit B- "I may not be able to give her a fairy-tale. But she gives me a break from this nightmare."
I enjoyed the complexity of Cassidy's character and the tremendous growth she's made throughout the series. The district's darling has seen the seedy underbelly of Max's reality and the dark encounters threaten to consume her entirely. As she picks up the broken puzzle pieces of her life and begins arranging them, Cassidy truly begins to mature and I couldn't help but tear up to see my little girl all grown up.
I relish the elevated romance within The Duet as the lines between love, desire, and obsession begin to blur creating an eruption of forbidden passion and ecstasy. Max and Cassidy's relationship is the type of love story that you love to hate, innately they know its bad for them, but like a slut for punishment, they pursue it anyway because in the immortal words of Cassidy, "avoiding conflict to prevent a battle, can often start a war on your heart."
The story-building and writing is sharp with just the right amount of humor to balance out the dastardly setting that is the district. As with her previous book, Nicci Harris focuses strongly on the theme of family. Her depiction of the mafia and the commitments and struggles of those "in" the lifestyle are raw and honest.
Oh Nicci Nicci Nicci, just when I thought my poor heart couldn't take another beating you reached through the pages, ripped it out, and ran it through the grinder shredding me completely.
I mean, holy f**king plot twist! The last couple of chapters honestly floored me with an overwhelming surge of emotions. Cosa Nostra is the epitome of exquisite torture and I am unashamed to admit that I ugly cried. While I finally got my answers from book one, I couldn't help the crushing sense of finality that comes with the end.
In true Nicci fashion, she doesn't give you the ending you've been dreaming about and wishing on a star for, oh no, that would be too humane, instead, she serves it up true District style with an intricately woven finale that is equal parts raw, messy complicated and oddly fulfilling.
The Kids of the District is not your average story, but then as a reader, do you really want that?
I would recommend this series for those who enjoy dark, contemporary romance with a twist. Thanks to the author for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review
May 6, 2021
Our thing: Oh. My. Max. 🥵🔥♥️ I loved Blesk & Konnor in the first book of this series & was excited to continue on with the story. This story follows Cassidy Slater (Konner’s younger sister) & Max Butcher. This is a story of opposites attracting. Cassidy is a young, naive ballerina & Max is a hardened bad boy living his life “in” the family business. Max tries to stay away from Cassidy, but neither one can fight the pull. The chemistry between these two is HOT 🔥 I struggled putting this book down. The more I got to know these main characters, the more I fell in love with them. Cassidy’s quirky humor and Max’s no bullshit attitude made for some interesting banter. In this book we learn more about The District & get a better glimpse at the realities of how different these two characters world’s truly are. The lines of good vs bad are blurred in this story. Sometimes good people do bad things for the right reasons. This book is very much centered on family & Ive enjoyed getting to know the supporting characters better. If you are triggered by rape, anger issues, violence or abuse then do not read this book
Cosa Nostra: I don’t even know where to start or how to put into words how much I loved this book -this series. “Ineffable. That's what this is. This thing of ours. It’s fucking ineffable.“ It is BY FAR my favorite read(s) of 2021. Cassidy & Max complete each other. He is hard, she is soft. She is light, he is dark. Their love is magnetic & fierce & everything I want in a romance story. Together they endure difficult circumstances & grow closer in the process. I have so much I want to say, but don’t want to give anything away. I ugly cried through a good portion of this book (I am an emotional hot mess express, so take that warning how you will). broke my heart, but mended it together better than it was before. I love the Butcher Brothers & the supporting characters of this series. Max will FOREVER have my heart, but I cannot wait for Bronson’s story! If you are triggered by: Violence. Gore. Trauma. Graphic sex! Too many emotions! Then do not read this book!
Cosa Nostra: I don’t even know where to start or how to put into words how much I loved this book -this series. “Ineffable. That's what this is. This thing of ours. It’s fucking ineffable.“ It is BY FAR my favorite read(s) of 2021. Cassidy & Max complete each other. He is hard, she is soft. She is light, he is dark. Their love is magnetic & fierce & everything I want in a romance story. Together they endure difficult circumstances & grow closer in the process. I have so much I want to say, but don’t want to give anything away. I ugly cried through a good portion of this book (I am an emotional hot mess express, so take that warning how you will). broke my heart, but mended it together better than it was before. I love the Butcher Brothers & the supporting characters of this series. Max will FOREVER have my heart, but I cannot wait for Bronson’s story! If you are triggered by: Violence. Gore. Trauma. Graphic sex! Too many emotions! Then do not read this book!
September 27, 2021
The Ballerina and The Butcher.
Oh Wow I loved these books following the story of Cassidy a 18yr old ballerina who falls in love with Max Butcher.
The story is just amazing I couldn’t put them down. I was so invested in the relationship between the 2 of them and how it progressed. Max the brooding gentle giant but only to Cassidy and the flirty silly Cassidy who is such a sweetheart.
I laughed a lot with these characters especially interactions with Cassidy and Toni (I love him) I got emotional, it’s the first book I’ve cried at for a while 😢 the violence is amazing and the spice is 🥵 I love how there is a story line with the spice added in.
Book 1 is solely from Cassidys POV and then Book 2 from duel POV of both Cassidy and Max which I love to see.
The twist at the end, I did wonder if I assumed right and I was so happy I did 😍
A fabulous read.
Oh Wow I loved these books following the story of Cassidy a 18yr old ballerina who falls in love with Max Butcher.
The story is just amazing I couldn’t put them down. I was so invested in the relationship between the 2 of them and how it progressed. Max the brooding gentle giant but only to Cassidy and the flirty silly Cassidy who is such a sweetheart.
I laughed a lot with these characters especially interactions with Cassidy and Toni (I love him) I got emotional, it’s the first book I’ve cried at for a while 😢 the violence is amazing and the spice is 🥵 I love how there is a story line with the spice added in.
Book 1 is solely from Cassidys POV and then Book 2 from duel POV of both Cassidy and Max which I love to see.
The twist at the end, I did wonder if I assumed right and I was so happy I did 😍
A fabulous read.
October 16, 2022
Holy crap! I finished this book in 2 freaking days! When i first started reading it i knew i was going to like it because as soon as i knew more about Cassidy i could relate to her in so many ways.
Once i started reading this book i could not put it down. I don't know how many chapters i read the first night i first started reading it.
Ohmygoodness the Butcher boys i think i might love all of them! Tattoos are a huge weakness for me so that's one reason i loved Max so much.
Let me tell you the steamy scenes in this book oh my god i think i was drooling reading a few of them! It was just the right amount of steam and i loved the plot of the story as well.
Another enemies to lovers as well as no one else can have you story
Once i started reading this book i could not put it down. I don't know how many chapters i read the first night i first started reading it.
Ohmygoodness the Butcher boys i think i might love all of them! Tattoos are a huge weakness for me so that's one reason i loved Max so much.
Let me tell you the steamy scenes in this book oh my god i think i was drooling reading a few of them! It was just the right amount of steam and i loved the plot of the story as well.
Another enemies to lovers as well as no one else can have you story
April 28, 2021
I think I'm going to need a break after this book. A break, a drink, and a cold shower. I don't even know where to start.
If I just say MAX BUTCHER is that a good enough review? I feel like it is.
But I digress. I get very emotional invested in my books, and Max and Cassidy's story wrapped me up like no other. I needed to know the ended, I was desperate to see if they would get their HEA like they so deserve.
I'M NOT SPOILING THAT FOR YOU. Ugh. Nicci. This book was all kinds of wonderful, beautiful, heartbreaking, tear jerking, breath stopping amazingness. Thank you for your words.
If I just say MAX BUTCHER is that a good enough review? I feel like it is.
But I digress. I get very emotional invested in my books, and Max and Cassidy's story wrapped me up like no other. I needed to know the ended, I was desperate to see if they would get their HEA like they so deserve.
I'M NOT SPOILING THAT FOR YOU. Ugh. Nicci. This book was all kinds of wonderful, beautiful, heartbreaking, tear jerking, breath stopping amazingness. Thank you for your words.
June 15, 2021
Oh my gosh this book is truly amazing!!! It has a little bit of everything & had me on such an emotional roller coaster!!! I couldn’t get enough of this book it was so good!!! I look forward to reading many more of Nicci’s Books!! She is such an amazing writer & oh so talented!! I fell in love with all of the amazing characters in this book! Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read this amazing book!! It’s truly one of my favorites!!! Love love love it!!! Definitely a must read!!💜💜💜💜💜
October 5, 2021
New author for me and I enjoyed this duet. I love opposites attract, and this definitely fit. Some good humor too, especially with some of the side/supporting characters.
Looking forward to reading Her Way next.
Looking forward to reading Her Way next.
Read
December 28, 2022DNF
No rating. No review.
I can't do heroines like this. Sadly I just couldn't click with the writing style or the MCs in this one
No rating. No review.
I can't do heroines like this. Sadly I just couldn't click with the writing style or the MCs in this one
September 28, 2021
Nicci has quickly become a one-click author for me. Her writing is extremely good, I love everything I read from her so far. Following Facing Us is a duet about Cassidy Slater and Max Butcher. Our Thing is told from Cassidy’s POV and Costa Nostra is written in dual POVs. The two books are part of the Kids of The District series.
The story starts off with Cassidy finishing a dance tour and heading home to her 18th birthday party with her gay best friend Toni. There she meets the tall, sexy, intimidating Max. Growing up as a Butcher boy, he is no stranger to violence but he struggles to find his place in the Empire of Corruption.
I adore Max and Cassidy and 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠! Cassidy is sweet, considerate and talented. She wears her heart on her sleeves, Max on the flip side is hard to read. He is also known to be a playboy and claims he doesn’t do monogamy, yet he is different around his 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞. He has a soft spot for her and can’t stay away from her though he knows he should. That term of endearment makes me swoon every time he says it 😍
Max is protective AF, he is the “look at my girl and I’ll kill you” type. The lengths he’d go to protect Cassidy and to make her happy is 🙌🏻 Cassidy knows the world Max lives in, but she wants him and she stands by him no matter what. Her love is unconditional and she will fight for her loved ones. They are one of my favourite couples ever. The chemistry, sexual energy and connection between them is incredible ✨ And let me tell you, there are lots of sex. I mean wild, profound, mind-blowing sex throughout 🥵🔥 I’m really glad that they got their happily ever after cause they deserve it ❤️
The story starts off with Cassidy finishing a dance tour and heading home to her 18th birthday party with her gay best friend Toni. There she meets the tall, sexy, intimidating Max. Growing up as a Butcher boy, he is no stranger to violence but he struggles to find his place in the Empire of Corruption.
I adore Max and Cassidy and 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠! Cassidy is sweet, considerate and talented. She wears her heart on her sleeves, Max on the flip side is hard to read. He is also known to be a playboy and claims he doesn’t do monogamy, yet he is different around his 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞. He has a soft spot for her and can’t stay away from her though he knows he should. That term of endearment makes me swoon every time he says it 😍
Max is protective AF, he is the “look at my girl and I’ll kill you” type. The lengths he’d go to protect Cassidy and to make her happy is 🙌🏻 Cassidy knows the world Max lives in, but she wants him and she stands by him no matter what. Her love is unconditional and she will fight for her loved ones. They are one of my favourite couples ever. The chemistry, sexual energy and connection between them is incredible ✨ And let me tell you, there are lots of sex. I mean wild, profound, mind-blowing sex throughout 🥵🔥 I’m really glad that they got their happily ever after cause they deserve it ❤️
Want to read
May 5, 2021
→ Free for maybe a limited time. Grab your copy now! ←
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Blurb:
Cassidy Slater wants two things in life.
The first is to be the youngest leading ballerina in her academy. She will need unwavering dedication. No time for men. Unfortunately, her heart didn't get the memo, because her second secret want. . . is Max Butcher.
Max Butcher's scowl is notorious.
He has a dark intimidating presence, hinting at a life lived hard and fierce. He is a man of few words, but his actions cut straight to the point.
To him, Cassidy is a silly little girl.
But one he can't keep his hands off.
His world is going to intoxicate her. The dangerous men that he calls family will want to use her, tutu and all.
But she is his now.
It's an eye for an eye where he comes from, and he's willing to blind the whole damn lot of them.
For her, he'll start a damn war.
Merged review:
→ Free for maybe a limited time. Grab your copy now! ←
→ Submit or subscribe to The DARK Newsletter! ←
Blurb:
Cassidy Slater wants two things in life.
The first is to be the youngest leading ballerina in her academy. She will need unwavering dedication. No time for men. Unfortunately, her heart didn't get the memo, because her second secret want. . . is Max Butcher.
Max Butcher's scowl is notorious.
He has a dark intimidating presence, hinting at a life lived hard and fierce. He is a man of few words, but his actions cut straight to the point.
To him, Cassidy is a silly little girl.
But one he can't keep his hands off.
His world is going to intoxicate her. The dangerous men that he calls family will want to use her, tutu and all.
But she is his now.
It's an eye for an eye where he comes from, and he's willing to blind the whole damn lot of them.
For her, he'll start a damn war.
May 16, 2021
I loved Max & Cassidy. Hands down.
Their characters were written perfectly in my opinion. The world created within this Duet has me wanting MORE. I felt quite a few feelings by the end. I especially teared up at the authors note TO her characters, Max & Cassidy.
I’m going to go back and read Konnors book. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything by not having read it first. I’ll also be IMpatiently awaiting the Bronson book.
If you enjoy authors who can bring several different emotions to you, I highly suggest you read this one!
Their characters were written perfectly in my opinion. The world created within this Duet has me wanting MORE. I felt quite a few feelings by the end. I especially teared up at the authors note TO her characters, Max & Cassidy.
I’m going to go back and read Konnors book. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything by not having read it first. I’ll also be IMpatiently awaiting the Bronson book.
If you enjoy authors who can bring several different emotions to you, I highly suggest you read this one!
June 9, 2021
Wow! Awesome duet!
Read
January 11, 2022W.T.Heck!
June 15, 2022
I've never had so much trouble reading a book, it was painful to try to finish it. Yes, I'm mean but seriously the execution was terrible...
June 15, 2022
Ooh this one was so good! Just the way I like my mafia romances, steamy and suspenseful.
August 20, 2021
This is the first book of Nicci Harris’ that I have read. What have I been missing! This book was absolutely phenomenal, I could not put it down.
Cassidy is a focused ballerina with a crush on Max Butcher, she has watched him from a far but never spoken to him, until her birthday party where she gets drunk and ends up telling him how hot he is.
Max is notorious for just having lots of causal sex with women, he isn’t one to commit. Cassidy is aware of this and she seems more like the relationship type. She hasn’t yet lost her virginity.
Max plays rugby and goes to university and the gym when he can. The work he does for his family means that he tends to be needed a lot at short notice.
Cassidy goes on a double date as a favour to her best friend Toni, she ends up hitting it off with the guy and they start making out. Only someone is watching them and isn’t happy about what is happening!!
Cassidy’s brother Konnor comes back into town with his new girlfriend blesk, but Konnor wants answers, he wants to know who his father is? And who kidnapped him all those years ago? Cassidy wants nothing more than to protect her big brother from any hurt or harm
Jimmy is high up in the district and no one seems to cross him and a lot of people are scared of him, so when he asks Cassidy to dance ballet for his daughters wedding she says yes. She is whisked off abroad to Bali and she gets to go with her sister Flick, but also Max Butcher is there along with his brothers. As the groom is Clay Butcher. Max’s oldest brother.
Does Cassidy finally get her ballet dreams of dancing around the world? Will she get to be with Max or is he just too far out of her world?
Will Konnor ever find out who his father is? Will he get the answers he wants?
Will Max ever commit to another person? Or is he destined to hurt people and sleep around?
It is so hard to give a review without giving too much away. All I want to do is shout about this book. I cannot wait to learn more about the other Butcher boys. The next instalment, which is out August 2021 is about Bronson Butcher, he is the funny, crazy brother. But also so loving and sweet.
Cassidy is a focused ballerina with a crush on Max Butcher, she has watched him from a far but never spoken to him, until her birthday party where she gets drunk and ends up telling him how hot he is.
Max is notorious for just having lots of causal sex with women, he isn’t one to commit. Cassidy is aware of this and she seems more like the relationship type. She hasn’t yet lost her virginity.
Max plays rugby and goes to university and the gym when he can. The work he does for his family means that he tends to be needed a lot at short notice.
Cassidy goes on a double date as a favour to her best friend Toni, she ends up hitting it off with the guy and they start making out. Only someone is watching them and isn’t happy about what is happening!!
Cassidy’s brother Konnor comes back into town with his new girlfriend blesk, but Konnor wants answers, he wants to know who his father is? And who kidnapped him all those years ago? Cassidy wants nothing more than to protect her big brother from any hurt or harm
Jimmy is high up in the district and no one seems to cross him and a lot of people are scared of him, so when he asks Cassidy to dance ballet for his daughters wedding she says yes. She is whisked off abroad to Bali and she gets to go with her sister Flick, but also Max Butcher is there along with his brothers. As the groom is Clay Butcher. Max’s oldest brother.
Does Cassidy finally get her ballet dreams of dancing around the world? Will she get to be with Max or is he just too far out of her world?
Will Konnor ever find out who his father is? Will he get the answers he wants?
Will Max ever commit to another person? Or is he destined to hurt people and sleep around?
It is so hard to give a review without giving too much away. All I want to do is shout about this book. I cannot wait to learn more about the other Butcher boys. The next instalment, which is out August 2021 is about Bronson Butcher, he is the funny, crazy brother. But also so loving and sweet.
October 16, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. I’m still in a book coma from reading it. I love the characters I do wish that Cassidy was a little older I don’t like it when FMC is borderline barely legal. I can’t wait to read the other books in this world.
July 2, 2021
First off this is two books in one- which is fabulous. I love that the author made my life easier for me.
Book 1 Facing Us- Completed in 4 hours.
Book 2 Our Thing - 4.5 hours.
Book 3 Costa Nostra- DEVOURED in 3.5 hours.
I'm telling you the times because you need to prepare yourself with chocolate, clean panties, new batteries, and a sick day.
I'M OBSESSED with the kids of the district. This series does a number on your body, soul, and your heart strings. But man your sex drive is gonna be OFF THE CHARTS.
Max and Cassidy are complete opposites that find common ground in the broken world of The District. Between you and me these two are going to rule the world one day. Their chemistry is something that you feel when you read these novels. It is not easily explained the rarity of how these two love no matter what comes their way.
I think every single woman could read this book and find something in it that starts a fire inside them. The author does an exceptional job of creating a movie to play inside your mind. The countdown for The other Butcher Brother is on. I cannot wait for book 4.
Book 1 Facing Us- Completed in 4 hours.
Book 2 Our Thing - 4.5 hours.
Book 3 Costa Nostra- DEVOURED in 3.5 hours.
I'm telling you the times because you need to prepare yourself with chocolate, clean panties, new batteries, and a sick day.
I'M OBSESSED with the kids of the district. This series does a number on your body, soul, and your heart strings. But man your sex drive is gonna be OFF THE CHARTS.
Max and Cassidy are complete opposites that find common ground in the broken world of The District. Between you and me these two are going to rule the world one day. Their chemistry is something that you feel when you read these novels. It is not easily explained the rarity of how these two love no matter what comes their way.
I think every single woman could read this book and find something in it that starts a fire inside them. The author does an exceptional job of creating a movie to play inside your mind. The countdown for The other Butcher Brother is on. I cannot wait for book 4.
June 4, 2021
Cassidy is an astounding ballerina who is making a name for herself, all while she crushes on Max Butcher from afar. But now she finds she has his attention and she is loving it. But his world is dark and for someone like her it's unsafe. The deeper they fall together, the deeper she dives into his world.
I adored Cassidy and Max's chemistry in this book. They are from two different worlds, but compliment each other so well. Their love makes sense and Max isn't as big and scary as he shows himself to be. And their scenes were a mix of sweet and incredibly steamy.
I could not stand the way Cassidy spoke. She sounded like a young teenager, which made the steamy parts of this book a little weird.
All in all, this was a fantastic story about love and the dangers of getting mixed up in the wrong crowd. I wish the book had a little different ending, since there was so much missed, but otherwise it was an absolutely incredible story.
Omg Nicci Harris I love it 🥰 i want more and you could have warren me with the tissue box 🥰
I adored Cassidy and Max's chemistry in this book. They are from two different worlds, but compliment each other so well. Their love makes sense and Max isn't as big and scary as he shows himself to be. And their scenes were a mix of sweet and incredibly steamy.
I could not stand the way Cassidy spoke. She sounded like a young teenager, which made the steamy parts of this book a little weird.
All in all, this was a fantastic story about love and the dangers of getting mixed up in the wrong crowd. I wish the book had a little different ending, since there was so much missed, but otherwise it was an absolutely incredible story.
Omg Nicci Harris I love it 🥰 i want more and you could have warren me with the tissue box 🥰
October 27, 2022
How I made it to the end of this duet, I have no idea.
Max was a solid alpha-hole character and I typically enjoy toxic relationships (in fiction only) but the writing and the female MC Cassidy were so incredibly juvenile. Cassidy says ‘frick’ and ‘oh my gawd’ consistently throughout. Her internal monologue was painfully cringey to read most of the time, she would constantly think about Max - I don’t care how hot he is, get a grip.
One of my least favourite tropes came up in this book too and I wasn’t a fan of the rest of the duet because it focused so heavily around that.
I really wish I had DNF’d.
Max was a solid alpha-hole character and I typically enjoy toxic relationships (in fiction only) but the writing and the female MC Cassidy were so incredibly juvenile. Cassidy says ‘frick’ and ‘oh my gawd’ consistently throughout. Her internal monologue was painfully cringey to read most of the time, she would constantly think about Max - I don’t care how hot he is, get a grip.
One of my least favourite tropes came up in this book too and I wasn’t a fan of the rest of the duet because it focused so heavily around that.
I really wish I had DNF’d.
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