Counts of Eight

The Four Families #1

by Brynn Ford

Two captive dancers.
One cruel master.
A single performance to determine whether they live or die.

★★★★★ "Dangerous, haunting, twisted, powerful; this is what true dark romance is meant to be." -The Flamingo Bookshelf Review-

Anya
I've served the four families since I was kidnapped three years ago.
I've accepted my fate, knowing that escape is impossible.
My villainous master abuses me, but I've learned to live this lonely life.
I've become complacent in my misery… then my master brings home another captive for me to train, and his presence changes everything.

Ezra
I was violently taken and brought to kneel at her feet.
She demands that I dance with her, but I refuse to recognize anyone as my master.
Yet when I see the horror of her existence with my own eyes, I know I have to save her.
I could never have expected her to break down my walls… I could never have expected to form an unbreakable bond… I could never have expected to fall in love.


This is a dark romance series involving many triggering elements which may be upsetting for some readers. A complete list of tropes and triggers can be found on the author's website.

This is book 1 of 3 in a complete trilogy.
It is not a standalone, and the books must be read in order.

READING ORDER
Anya & Ezra's Story
Book 1: Counts of Eight
Book 2: Dance with Death
Book 3: Pas de Trois

SPIN-OFF
Murphy & Stella's Story
Book 4: King of Masters

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Abuse, BDSM, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2020

About the author

🖤💀 Dark Romance for Daring Readers 💀🖤

Trigger Warnings: www.brynnford.com/triggers
Website: www.brynnford.com
Newsletter: brynnford.myflodesk.com/newsletter
Facebook Page: bit.ly/FBbrynnford
Facebook Group: bit.ly/brynnsdarlings
Instagram: bit.ly/instabrynnford
TikTok: tiktok.com/@brynnfordauthor
Amazon: bit.ly/AZbrynnford
BookBub: bit.ly/BBbrynnford

Brynn Ford is a USA Today Bestselling Author of dark romance for daring readers. She writes emotionally heavy love stories that will twist your soul and shatter your heart before pulling you back together with a hopeful happily-ever-after.

Brynn's books are dark, sometimes disturbing, and often overwhelming. But they're always brightened by an insistent, spicy romance that will live rent-free in your head long after you've turned the final page.

When Brynn isn't obsessively writing, you may find her binge-watching favorite shows while eating far too much junk food or fanatically reading, always seeking to lose herself in the emotional roller coaster of a damn good story. She's a firm believer that her characters continue to live outside the pages in the minds of her readers. Stories don't end just because there aren't any more pages to turn.

Reviews

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY REVIEW AND OTHERS: can also be found on my blog:
➽ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS

'COUNTS OF EIGHT' is the first full length book in the series 'The Four Families', by new to me author Brynn Ford.

Mention DARK and I'm on it!! My heart needs a little darkness in it to survive!! And even though this wasn't as dark a book as I've read it was dark enough to satisfy me. I read this in record time, inhaled it, devoured all the words and fell in love with our captives.

Meet our two captives, Anya and Ezra, stolen for their dancing talents, and both now owned by Nikolai. Thrown together in a world neither of them asked for, no escape in sight.

There are wolves in the forest. He feeds them, draws them closer to the manor. Even if that wasn't a concern, the forest stretches for god knows how far, and it's dense. Overwhelming and disorientating.



Anya has been with Nikolai Mikhailov for three years just after her twenty-first birthday, she was stolen, raped and beaten into submission. I've endured untold pain and punishment at his hands for years. No light in her darkness, cold and beaten down with all she has endured until Ezra breaks down her walls. And slowly love seeps in. They are walking a dangerous path as there is no guarantee of a tomorrow for either of them.

Ezra came into my life with warmth and light and truth, even when I didn't know I was living in lies.

This was so cleverly executed, refreshing, unique in so many ways, the fact that it was unputdownable makes this an easy 5 star read. It does end on a cliffy which definitely has me craving for the next book.

* Teaser used is off the authors facebook page *

[Lilith *EUPHORIA_READS_* · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE REVIEW FOR THE BOOK: COUNTS OF EIGHT.


GENRE:DARK ROMANCE.
AUTHOR:BRYNN FORD.
TYPE: BOOK #1 OF THE FOUR FAMILIES.
POV: FIRST PERSON: MULTIPLE PROSPECTIVE.(EZRA, NIKHOLAI, ANYA.)
MY RATING: 5 +++++ STARS...



Anya, a talented dance slave, and victim of the Mikhailov family have suffered a lot at the hands of Nikholai Mikhalov...raped, beaten, and served three years in slavery. Every time the Mikhailow Family organizes a meeting where the talent slaves entertain the members of the Four Families.
This year, after killing her previous dance partners, Nikholai kidnaps her a new partner, Ezra.

Now, it's her responsibility to tame him for both of their survival.
She has never felt a connection to any of the previous partners, the way she feels for him. And this time, she has to sacrifice herself for the man she claimed and loved.


Ezra and Anya, their story is like food for my soul. The way they go through all the injustice together.
It was not love at first sight...He hated her but that intense feeling transforms into a deep connection between them. But the monsters are waiting around the corner, and maybe this time, Anya won't survive at all.

Believe me, this book will sate every of your depraved craving yet will leave you wanting for more...
I am seriously in LOVE with this author...My first read from her and here I am in the aftermath..and hooked with her writing style.
She has created such villains that you can't even hate them because there is more to them than its surface...where Ezra is sweet, Nikholai is depraved, twisted with hatred and ruthlessness running in his veins.
Beware!!! there are some serious triggers present here...Sexual assault, abuse, abduction, dark themes which may be sensitive to some readers.

CLIFFHANGER AHEAD... their story continues in the next book Dance with Death

[DanielleAndHerSmutBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

BETA read

Oh my good Lord! Brynn Ford has told me that she was inspired to start writing by our mutual favorite author, Pepper Winters. And I can tell!
This first installment has me salivating for more!! I can't wait to get books 2 and 3!!

Brynn is a semi-new author, she released a duet last year (which if you haven't read it, you really should, btw), and she has decided to take a stab at the world of dark and dark romance. And I have to say... she's nailed it!

I just about don't even know where to begin.
Anya and Ezra are fabulous...such chemistry! One amazing dry-humping scene that is probably the hottest I've read in quite some time!!! Such fierceness between them... that's more than just survival sometimes.

Nikolai....oh Nikolai. You hate him... simply put. But I have to say there were even times, though fleeting, that I kinda felt for him. But...2 seconds later he pissed me off again!

I can't say much more, because I am terrified that I won't say something that will spoil the plot and what happens..just know that you MUST read this book!!! If you're a fan of dark romance, I truly don't think you'll be disappointed.

This book is book 1 of a continuation trilogy, so it will end on a cliffhanger. And I'm so excited to see where Brynn takes us...

[Rae (semi-hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been almost 2 months since I’ve read this and I’m not yet ready for Book 2 😅

This was eerily beautiful. Well, the love story developing between Anya and Ezra amid the worst and most traumatic time of their lives.

The book itself wasn’t as dark as I was expecting. It was still dark, certain scenes in particular, but Ezra being there for Anya really helped. He was a shining light not just for her, but for the readers.

I wanted more in the way of backstory or character development prior to what we see in the book, but since this is book 1 of a few I guess more will be told as I read.

The ending was kinda a cliffy that messed with me just enough to where I didn’t wanna put myself thru the emotional toll that I knew the second book would cause, at least at the beginning to start. This is the kind of book you need to prepare yourself for mentally, especially if you have triggers. I have a feeling this series is gonna completely tear down BOTH characters before they even have a chance of being built back up a little. And I stg they better not be separated 😭.

[Kelly_Reads_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did I just read? Counts of Eight came highly recommended and without reading the blurb, I dove in, and I'm so glad I did!
This is the first time I have read anything by Brynn Ford, and it definitely won't be the last.
Count of Eights was spectacular, dark and soul grasping! My heart was breaking for Anya. She was deceived and coerced into her situation but she endures by closing herself off and creating an icy demeanor to protect herself.
Now Ezra has arrived to become her partner in dance and captivity. But how can they become close when doom and dread hang over their heads daily.
But wowzer, that ending...I am still in shock and anxiously waiting to read book 2!

[Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

what in the actual…

[Shelby | Spicy.booknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contemporary MF
Dark & Twisted
Slaves/Captives
Hurt/Comfort
Superior Emotional
Mafia Families

Not gonna lie, this was a hard read. I don't think this is for the faint of heart - you have to be prepared for how dark and twisted this is... and I am afraid its only gonna get worse.

Now, before I scare anyone off, know that the romance part of the story is absolutely lovely. Its soft, and sweet and a slow burn out of complete necessity. Its really beautiful. I love Anya and Ezra together and I literally spent the whole book just wanting them to have something good! Its everything that happens to them, and the world they are forced in to that makes this so devastating.

This ends in a MASSIVE cliffhanger, so I absolutely have to move on to book two immediately. Pray for me.

[LianaReads blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written story with characters that draw you in with their darkness and strength and willingness to make everything better in a world of captivity.
It’s darker than I was expecting and the author warning needs to be taken as it comes because there’s a lot going on that many people won’t like but I enjoyed it quite a lot.
It shows so much of the unseen part of some people or lifestyle that we appreciate but don’t know much about behind the scenes in real life. It also reminds me of some of my favourite authors that write dark romance.
I want and need the next books because I need my HEA in this story.

[Jess *lovetolovebooks* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could have loved a monster.
But I could never love the Devil.

I don’t really like comparing authors because each author is so unique, but I’ll make an exception in this case. What I’m about to say is meant with the upmost respect and admiration. Who are my dark romance queens? Pepper Winters, Pam Godwin, Tillie Cole....and if the rest of this series is like Counts of Eight then Brynn Ford will be right up there with these ladies. To me, Brynn Ford pulled influences from all three insanely talented authors, added her own fabulous touches, and made something amazing.

If this is the end for me, I selfishly want to drag this man down with me, not to hurt him, but to comfort me. Some part of me already knows that if I asked Ezra to chase me into death, just so that I wouldn’t be alone, he would.

I love my dark romances to be DARK, and Counts of Eight delivered baby. Right from the start we meet Anya, talent/entertainment slave to Nikolai who is head of the Mikhailov family, which is one of the four crime families that specialize in human trafficking. These four families meet quarterly and whichever family is hosting has their talent slaves put on a performance before getting down to business. Anya is a trained ballerina and Nikolai has just brought in her next partner, Ezra who is a contemporary dancer. They have to put on the show of their lives because, well their lives literally depend on it. Nikolai is a weird and unpredictable character. I hated him with a passion but I’m also very intrigued by him. Like he has no redeeming qualities so why am I wanting more of him? Shoulder shrug. I got no answers for that one guys. Our poor girl Anya has been through things I wouldn’t wish on anyone and all at the hands of Nikolai, but when she meets sandy blonde haired, green eyed Ezra she feels a connection she’s never felt before. Things heat up, passion builds, and a forbidden love is born. The chemistry between Ezra and Anya is so thick I could practically taste it. The way they constantly try to protect each other is so sweet but also panic inducing.

I don’t need the lights on in this space at all. Not when I have Ezra. He is my eternal sunshine, my life force, my renewal. He refreshes my soul and makes me believe things I shouldn’t. He gives me hope I don’t deserve to have. He makes me want to fight again.

This story had my heart racing, my nerves on it’s last edge, and my emotions all over the place. I didn’t expect this level of dark but damn Brynn Ford went there, and while I was scared shitless the entire time because I never knew what would happen next, I thought Counts of Eight was BRILLIANT. And now I have to wait until September for book two. Don’t be surprised if you see this book on my top favorites of 2020.

Warning: this story contains dark themes, this includes (but not limited to) multiple non consensual scenes and physical abuse.

This is book one of a series so there is a cliffhanger.

Overall rating: 5 stars
Steaminess: 3 stars

[Lenor · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If giving up my freedom is the price I have to pay to be yours, then I will pay it. I don’t regret a thing if it means I’m yours...”

This might be the first book that has manage to give me more words than I can use to express how I feel after reading it. A tragic love story, that has no end; the suffer they’re both being held to can crush a soul and yet, they hang to each other like life vests, because the only thing they have besides hope is love…even if it’s forbidden.

Anya. Slave of the Mikhailov family, she now belongs to Nikolai Mikhailov; the man who broke her and has held her captive for years. The only thing she can hang on to is dancing, she’s made peace with being a dancing slave, but now Nikolai has brought a partner for her to dance with, in a performance that could either save her or kill her.

The moment Ezra realized how Mikhailov Manor worked, he hid his true self in order to keep Anya safe. One look into the blue-eyed girl and he lost, he feels everything for her, her pain, her torture, her heart; and that is the only thing either one of them can’t do; because both belong to Nikolai, the monster that keeps them alive just because.

This book is a spell, you start to read and even when you feel your heart starts to break little by little you can’t stop; the story is almost magical and the characters have such strength that you can only keep reading while being aware that your soul is being ripped apart. Dangerous, haunting, twisted, powerful; this is what true dark romance is meant to be.

Be aware that this book has some sensitive topics, if you’ve never read anything resembling dark romance, think twice before reading this haunting story.
Goodreads Rating: 5+ stars

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars:

I think this book is best enjoyed going into it knowing very little. It follows two dancers who are forced to perform or ultimately die. It's a dark romance that gave me butterflies and so much anxiety while reading. It does end on a cliffhanger but I loved it!

"I could have loved a monster. But I could never love the Devil."

"There are wolves outside but an equally dangerous one within, and I’m currently his prey."

"There’s feral, male energy all around me, one pulsing with ill-intent, the other with ferocious goodness. It’s overwhelming the way that it ropes its way around and tugs at me from both sides."

[Vanessa Booked Up · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars



Review to follow…

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am unwell.

[Cayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a forbidden dark romance book, this one is the one to go to. This book was definitely a dark and emotional book. Brynn did a great job and writing this one and really using a lot of detail and emotion. You feel for these characters. You just want to help them because they both are going through so much and can feel their pain. Definitely enjoyed both Anya and Ezra and their chemistry together. So sad yet so good.
This was actually my first book by this author and it wont be my last. <3

[Linda Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry I only made it to 20% not for me! I felt it was going along the lines of Deliver by Pam Godwin which I struggled to read.

[Baron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured this! Slow build in the beginning and then sooo much tension in the second half. Can't wait to read the next book!

[Kilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘭.”⁣
⁣
You guys!! This book was so damn good. I went into this one completely blind, not knowing a thing about it.. and I am so glad I did. This book took me by surprise. This is probably one of the darkest, heartbreakingly emotional book I’ve read. ⁣
⁣
Anya is the talent slave to Nikolai who is head of the Mikhailov family, one of the four crime families. These families all have a hand in human trafficking and they meet quarterly at one of the families manors. Whichever family manor they are at, the talent slaves of that family will put on a performance for the families before they meet to talk business. ⁣
⁣
Anya is a trained ballerina, and Nikolai brings in her new partner Ezra who is a contemporary dancer. Throughout the book they are training to perform for the quarterly meeting being held at Nikolai’s manor. I absolutely loved the connection between Ezra and Anya.. but almost every scene between them had my heart racing with anxiety. Lol. ⁣
⁣
“𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐’𝘮 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”⁣
⁣
Overall, this book was absolutely amazing y’all. This will 100% be making it on my list of top reads for 2021 and I am kicking myself for not reading it sooner. Brynn Ford has just become one of my favorite authors.🖤⁣
⁣

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride...

This book was dark and gritty.

Anya and Ezra found hell on earth... abuse, rape all because of a vicious man!

Together, they try to enjoy the only thing that is possible... dancing!

But between them more happens...

It's a roller coaster of pain, hope and heart broken despair and ends with a major cliffhanger!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!!
Wow I have so many feelings right now! This isn’t your typical dark romance,it’s something completely different from I’ve read before. The dynamic between Nikolai,Anya and Ezra was very difficult to read at times and honestly some of the scenes were heartbreaking too!! I don’t want to give much of the storyline away because I feel like it’s better to go in blindly and not knowing too much!! But if you are looking for something different that touches on very dark themes this book would be for you!! **Warning this book does end on a cliffhanger and the next book won’t be out till September** I’m going to go cry now waiting!! 🤣🤣

[Faiza Daudo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by ballerina.
There’s a pathetic way to die, though it makes for a killer headline.

I gave myself a whole day to sort through the mess that was my brain before writing this review.

I wasn't supposed to read this book anytime soon because I had to prepare myself mentally and emotionally. But I only had to watch an eerily beautiful dance between a ballerina and a contemporary dancer to the beat of one of my favorites songs to abandon everything I was doing and just dive in. (watch the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlUEs...)

I only knew this book dealt with Human Trafficking and that it was about two dancers.
And boy. Do I regret having waited 3 years to finally read it.
This was my first Brynn Ford experience and I am forever changed.
This book was packed with a lot of emotional and scary moments.
My anxiety spiked several times while reading this book. I also had a few momentarily breakdowns and I might have cried.

Ezra is a dancer. He was abducted and transported to the middle of nowhere in Russia. He was brought to be a partner to Anya. A talent slave that belongs to Nikolai. The Head Master of the russian branch of the Four Families.
Anya has been groomed by Nikolai to serve the four families. She is a Ballerina that was plucked from her world 3 years prior.

Anya and Ezra only have two choices: Dance or Die. But Anya has already made the choice for them. And she will do anything to survive her ordeal.

“I don’t want you to just survive. I want you to live, Anya. You deserve a real life. You deserve heaven and he’s giving you hell.”

Nikolai is a possessive Master.

“Anya is mine. (…) . You are her dance partner and nothing else. Make sure that remains so, mal’chik. It doesn’t faze me to hurt her in order to control you. I would sooner kill her before letting her fall for a boy like you. Now you’ve seen the proof.”

He is manipulative and calculating. There's something so alluring about his character. He is the embodiment of a Seductive Red Flag that should be avoided. There's nothing redeeming about his character. And that's what makes him so captivating. The fact that he was able to pull contradictory feelings from me.

“I hate him almost as much for being beautiful on the outside as I do for being so disgusting on the inside.”

From the very first page the tone is set. We get a glimpse into how dark the series will be and please don't be fooled by the fact that the Prologue ended on a "closed door" note. You wont get that courtesy again throughout the book.

And that's about everything I will disclose.

Please read this → https://www.brynnford.com/triggers and if you are okay with them, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND READ THIS BOOK.

[Tai Nelson-Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

*First time reading author

The first thing I am going to say is heed the warnings. Brynn doesn't back down with the story that she wants to tell. Counts of Eight is a dangerous, at times shows no mercy for the characters that are written, but can't put down kind of book. As a first time reader I only had the blurb to go by so I had no idea what I was getting into. To be honest I am happy about that. So I won't tell you much in my review. I want you to go into this blind like me. I will however tell you that this is a series to read, enjoy, embrace, and then sleep on.

Counts of Eight is a hard read, but I could not put down. I am a total fan of Brynn Ford for ever now.

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[Aldii - perfectioninbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.75/5 estrellas*

Si la vida no me hubiera interrumpido y lo leía más de corrido, creo que lo disfrutaba un poco más. Sin dudas es un dark romance pero me gustó como incluyó la danza en la historia y como también es una relación compleja para los personajes, porque es a la vez su momento de libertad y sobre lo que depende su vida.
El final fue un buen cliffhanger, tengo miedo por Anya tbh y no veo una forma de un happy ending en el final de la trilogía pero estoy intrigada, eventualmente (soon) seguro la sigo.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a wild ride, not as dark as I thought going in but definitely emotional and INTENSE.
this story follows Anya and Ezra, two dancers that are being held captive and are forced to dance together in order to stay alive. longer review to come after the last book in this trilogy!

definitely recommend this for readers who loved the Monsters in the Dark series and/or Still Beating.

[Mer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ this book started slow for me but I was hanging on the edge of my seat towards the end. I wish we got more all around. More back story of the families and why they had talent slaves, how the main characters were taken and just…more. I’ll definitely continue on with the series, Brynn’s writing is amazing and I can’t wait to see what happens!

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Counts of Eight is definitely a walk on the dark side of the romance genre. The main character, Anya was taken several years before by Nikolai to be "talent" for his family. Her talent is she's an amazing classically trained dancer. She is forced to train and dance on behalf of Nikolai's family when the "Four Families" have their gatherings. Since Nikolai "owns" Anya, she is at his mercy in all ways. Let's just say he's not a kind person. Don't go into this book thinking you'll eventually like him...here's the only spoiler I will give you...you won't like him in this book at all. He's cruel and heartless. Has he endured tragedy, yes. Does it excuse his behavior? Absolutely not.

Nikolai kidnaps Ezra to dance with Anya. Apparently all the dance partners he's brought to her in the past have failed to live up to his expectations and "vanish" after their annual performance. Instantly, Nikolai and Anya both know Ezra is different. First of all, he's incredibly talented. Secondly, he is extremely strong-willed and determined. Nikolai is fascinated by him and wants to see if he and Anya can create the performance he expects. Anya is fascinated too - but she knows it could be the end of both of them if she gives into it.

This was my first Brynn Ford book and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Since this little gem ended with a doozie of a cliffhanger, I'll be reading her work again soon!!

[Amanda Anderson (Beauty.and.the.bookies) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so incredible. I was entranced from the very beginning. I am a full fledged fan. I cannot wait for book 2. And then book 3!!!! I am in Heaven! I loved Anya and Ezra! They were both brought to the pitts of Hell together and had to endure a pain nobody should have to. Then made to suffer together. Anya was so strong. 3 years of torture and abuse. Sometimes I felt bad for Nikolai, "moy khozyain” and sometimes I hated him. I must be crazy. To feel for him.

"I could have loved a monster.
But I could never love the Devil."

I loved reading the slow burning chemistry and connection Anya and Ezra formed. And really, what did Nikolai expect? Torturing Anya for so long then handing her a sexy perfect ken doll on a silver platter? Um yes of course she will take a bite.
Loved this. And I loved finding out this series was formed from the authors love of Pepper Winters. Because I LOVE Pepper Winters myself! If Nikolai gives Anya to Vigo or something in the next book I SWEAR..

[Misha · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good.

I like the way Anya knows how to survive Nikolai's affections and punishments. I like how she adapts as she needs to. Ezra is very appealing. He feels everything and will speak up to protect Anya. The writing is good too, I think. I can tell the differences in their thought processes and feel their despair. It was interesting twist at the end, seeing the third point of view. Adds another layer. And what a cliffhanger! That being said-- there's a book 2 so that has to say something about what has got to happen.

I downloaded and read the sample for book 2. It's compelling. I'm torn as there are numerous books vying for my attention. Would like to find out what happens to them. It's tricky.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book It took me by surprise and I loved every single second of it.
Anya and Ezra are captives of Nikolais. Besides being his captives they are also dancers. Who would have ever thought that their lives would be held in the balance and determined by a huge performance. When Ezra comes in contact with Anua she has been broken completely by Nikolais and he just work to being down her walls. I dont want to give away anything about this book besides its amazing a a book that is different from any thing I've ever read. It's also my first Brynn Ford book but it will not be my last

[Varya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't dislike it but I also couldn't enjoy it. The writing was good and there was emotion behind the words but the 'passion' felt lost somewhere? Idk. Something felt awry cuz I couldn't connect to the characters or the story.

I started off really good and my interest was highly peaked since the tormentor was the woman but the plot devolved into a puppy love sobfest instead of remaining dark.....or maybe I am just a cynical bitch who explained the love away as trauma bonding.

Either way, this book wasn't for me. I will continue the next book though since I am too curious for my own good. And Vigo intrigued me ;)

[Clarice · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like "dark romance" but this series pushes the envelope. I would say these books are more horror than romance be warned. The heroine experiences so much psychical and emotional abuse throughout this series. The torture escalates and things do not get better for the heroine as the series progresses. I know some people may disagree with me, but this book left me with a bad feeling a week after reading it along with its sequels. I read the other two books just to see if the heroine escapes or if things even get a little better for her, they don't. Eventual HEA but after close to three books of strait abuse.