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Tear Me Down: The Enslaved Saga
They came in peace, fleeing their dying planet. They lived amongst us in harmony. And then, they turned. Superior to humans in every aspect, the alien race of Erathians dominated our home, wiping us nearly to extinction. Those that remained band together and hid, scattered throughout ruined cities. Being captured only meant one a life of slavery.Olivia Donne is taken by a platoon of Erathian rangers. She quickly learns she cannot outrun her situation, so she will have to use her mind alone to return to the freedom she so desperately clings to. Paxton Harper is intrigued by such a mouthy, feisty human, sparing her from an even worse fate as he takes ownership of her. Will Olivia escape his tyrannical rule, or will Pax tear her down until she willingly submits to his control?
Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 8, 2024
3.5 rounded to 4
This book definitely drew me in at the very beginning. I liked the blending of sci-fi and dystopian/ almost post apocalyptic vibes blended with dark romance.
Pax, the MMC, belongs to a master race of aliens that invaded Earth years ago. His people look very much like humans but are, in essence, prettier and stronger. The concept almost reminds one of similar instances of racism and prejudice in our dark history of humanity. It's also a good insight into how such a situation would be entirely possible between two different groups of people; one human, one other.
Olivia, at first, seemed like a very strong woman. She managed to survive as one of a fading few free humans...until she was caught. For the most part, her degeneration from strong willed to docile and almost ignorant is easily explained (and rightly so) by a blending of PTSD and Stockholm syndrome. She definitely received my deepest empathy because the things she goes through are very much traumatic. But I think that the only reason that I didn't give this a higher rating is because I wish she had been stronger...or at least more worldly in her knowledge and her instincts.
What made this dark romance was the captive x captor element. I also, personally, felt that there was Stockholm syndrome. Pax was very much a good person. His intentions were pure but the dynamic between master and slave was always present, even when things felt consensual.
Slow burn....this was also an element to note. There are a few nonconsensual situations that arise before and after their relationship blooms but all of those scenes are between Olivia and other men.
Some mild spanking and the Daddy trope with praise. Pax was very much daddy material. Not only with the spanking and praise but also with the way he made rules and rewards for good behavior.
The ending was a bit of a surprise. I kinda had expected rainbows and...hamsters at the end but I rather enjoyed how Ruby allowed the dystopian vibes to continually unfold and play out. There's definitely a HEA for the couple but they are forced to adapt. It allowed the story to continue with that ring of truth that is often found in times of political strife and with a society that accepts slavery and prejudice to grow.
Scifi
Alien x human
Dark romance- spanking, praise, captive x captor
Slow burn
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Forced Proximity
Forbidden romance
Master x slave
Age gap
Dystopian
Post apocalypse
Some noncon scenes (not MMC)
PTSD
Stockholm syndrome
HEA
This book definitely drew me in at the very beginning. I liked the blending of sci-fi and dystopian/ almost post apocalyptic vibes blended with dark romance.
Pax, the MMC, belongs to a master race of aliens that invaded Earth years ago. His people look very much like humans but are, in essence, prettier and stronger. The concept almost reminds one of similar instances of racism and prejudice in our dark history of humanity. It's also a good insight into how such a situation would be entirely possible between two different groups of people; one human, one other.
Olivia, at first, seemed like a very strong woman. She managed to survive as one of a fading few free humans...until she was caught. For the most part, her degeneration from strong willed to docile and almost ignorant is easily explained (and rightly so) by a blending of PTSD and Stockholm syndrome. She definitely received my deepest empathy because the things she goes through are very much traumatic. But I think that the only reason that I didn't give this a higher rating is because I wish she had been stronger...or at least more worldly in her knowledge and her instincts.
What made this dark romance was the captive x captor element. I also, personally, felt that there was Stockholm syndrome. Pax was very much a good person. His intentions were pure but the dynamic between master and slave was always present, even when things felt consensual.
Slow burn....this was also an element to note. There are a few nonconsensual situations that arise before and after their relationship blooms but all of those scenes are between Olivia and other men.
Some mild spanking and the Daddy trope with praise. Pax was very much daddy material. Not only with the spanking and praise but also with the way he made rules and rewards for good behavior.
The ending was a bit of a surprise. I kinda had expected rainbows and...hamsters at the end but I rather enjoyed how Ruby allowed the dystopian vibes to continually unfold and play out. There's definitely a HEA for the couple but they are forced to adapt. It allowed the story to continue with that ring of truth that is often found in times of political strife and with a society that accepts slavery and prejudice to grow.
Scifi
Alien x human
Dark romance- spanking, praise, captive x captor
Slow burn
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Forced Proximity
Forbidden romance
Master x slave
Age gap
Dystopian
Post apocalypse
Some noncon scenes (not MMC)
PTSD
Stockholm syndrome
HEA
November 19, 2021
Tear me down really surprised me as a sci-fi slave romance novel as it is staged a good bit in the future. It preserves the realistic beautiful qualities of the earth while addressing some difficult topics like slavery & discrimination that are timeless. What initially drew me to it was the beautifully woven words that hinted at an exciting adventure waiting to be unwrapped by the reader's eyes. This is not your typical romance novel. It is so much more.
The main characters: Pax-a dominant, strong, serious, by the book, and broody male appears cruel and mean at first and Olivia -a weak, innocent, jaded, feisty, and spirited female appears angry and hateful. Throughout the story, Ruby artfully develops the layers of their personality through different encounters-both good and bad as their unique relationship develops and blossoms. I literally felt connected to the characters as I got to experience their growth and development. This story took me through a range of emotions as I could view these characters as people I cared for. I also enjoyed the supporting characters very much as well as the detail put into their roles added to the overall story. I so loved being able to picture the characters as they grew into better versions of themselves and as more of their backstories were revealed. As they learned more about one another and as the storyline developed, Pax and Olivia evolved from mutual hate to a love that makes your heartache.
This is a nail-biting emotional roller coaster of a book that ticks all the boxes for a good plot while meeting the expectations of a good romance novel. The romance scenes are tasteful & will not disappoint. This is a must-read for anyone who loves a good action-filled story with enjoyable romance. Ruby’s writing is descriptive, humor-laced, and very on point with the difficult topics covered in her writing. Her characters exemplify the beautiful & misunderstood as well as the dark and ugly. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it will be a permanent addition to my library.
The main characters: Pax-a dominant, strong, serious, by the book, and broody male appears cruel and mean at first and Olivia -a weak, innocent, jaded, feisty, and spirited female appears angry and hateful. Throughout the story, Ruby artfully develops the layers of their personality through different encounters-both good and bad as their unique relationship develops and blossoms. I literally felt connected to the characters as I got to experience their growth and development. This story took me through a range of emotions as I could view these characters as people I cared for. I also enjoyed the supporting characters very much as well as the detail put into their roles added to the overall story. I so loved being able to picture the characters as they grew into better versions of themselves and as more of their backstories were revealed. As they learned more about one another and as the storyline developed, Pax and Olivia evolved from mutual hate to a love that makes your heartache.
This is a nail-biting emotional roller coaster of a book that ticks all the boxes for a good plot while meeting the expectations of a good romance novel. The romance scenes are tasteful & will not disappoint. This is a must-read for anyone who loves a good action-filled story with enjoyable romance. Ruby’s writing is descriptive, humor-laced, and very on point with the difficult topics covered in her writing. Her characters exemplify the beautiful & misunderstood as well as the dark and ugly. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it will be a permanent addition to my library.
April 1, 2023
wow… this was a tough one.
This was definitely the DARKEST scifi romance I have everrr read. Check trigger warnings. NOW! I am a dark romance reader.. I read dark book but this one just went off in a direction so dark and realistic that it took me by surprise and even I ( who has very little triggers) really struggled in some spots. Our MC Olivia is very nieve / child like , virgin/ uneducated in all things but survival when she encounters Pax high ranking soldier who ends up taking her as his own slave. Which is quite common since the invasion and the near extinction of humans. What Olivia goes through in her life is one tragedy after another but shes a fighter and I love that about her. The author did so amazing writing a COMPLETE story. It wasnt rushed. It was so intricately detailed. The world felt real..which is scary! I could easily see this turing into an entire series with other characters stories and a continuation of Pax and Livs. I want more on the election and the movement on slavery and what happens next! This book isnt for the faint of heart, but its one that you will think of driving home, in the shower, while cooking dinner… it just leaves u feeling moved. Gives you a different perspective of life.
This was definitely the DARKEST scifi romance I have everrr read. Check trigger warnings. NOW! I am a dark romance reader.. I read dark book but this one just went off in a direction so dark and realistic that it took me by surprise and even I ( who has very little triggers) really struggled in some spots. Our MC Olivia is very nieve / child like , virgin/ uneducated in all things but survival when she encounters Pax high ranking soldier who ends up taking her as his own slave. Which is quite common since the invasion and the near extinction of humans. What Olivia goes through in her life is one tragedy after another but shes a fighter and I love that about her. The author did so amazing writing a COMPLETE story. It wasnt rushed. It was so intricately detailed. The world felt real..which is scary! I could easily see this turing into an entire series with other characters stories and a continuation of Pax and Livs. I want more on the election and the movement on slavery and what happens next! This book isnt for the faint of heart, but its one that you will think of driving home, in the shower, while cooking dinner… it just leaves u feeling moved. Gives you a different perspective of life.
March 22, 2022
Tear Me Down has Lifted Me Up
Oh gosh…where to even begin.
Pax is among the few to raise his status from book boyfriend to book husband. The protectiveness, the dominating, the cute way he feels new emotions and is like wait what’s going on but doesn’t push them again, his caring side, his sweet honest words……all. the. things.
Liv is an insanely strong heroine who I would walk through fire for at this point. She has been through so much (so has Pax) and yet she still finds ways to be herself and be kind and not let the ne’er do wells of the world destroy her.
If you like enemies to lovers, steamy reads (literally…those shower and hot tub scenes though), world building (and destruction really), swoon worthy romance - IMMEDIATELY start reading this book.
I guarantee you, you will not be disappointed.
No one does a complicated and compelling love story like Ruby Medjo!
Oh gosh…where to even begin.
Pax is among the few to raise his status from book boyfriend to book husband. The protectiveness, the dominating, the cute way he feels new emotions and is like wait what’s going on but doesn’t push them again, his caring side, his sweet honest words……all. the. things.
Liv is an insanely strong heroine who I would walk through fire for at this point. She has been through so much (so has Pax) and yet she still finds ways to be herself and be kind and not let the ne’er do wells of the world destroy her.
If you like enemies to lovers, steamy reads (literally…those shower and hot tub scenes though), world building (and destruction really), swoon worthy romance - IMMEDIATELY start reading this book.
I guarantee you, you will not be disappointed.
No one does a complicated and compelling love story like Ruby Medjo!
November 9, 2024
3.5 stars- started off strong and hooked me at the beginning but I started noticing how child-like the FMC was being described and it almost felt icky to me.. I think she was even compared to a child a few times in the book not only because she’s just so tiny compared to the MMC but also in her behavior and knowledge (or lack there of) … it just didn’t feel cute to me, it felt a little weird. I also did not like how she’s painted to be such a tough,rebellious brat but literally only rolled her eyes a few times - every other page was her quivering and crying.. where’s the “fire”that she has in her? And I feel like Pax was a little TOO perfect of a man- obviously written by a woman. I’m not complaining though, it’s why I read these books, but still..
I liked the writing and the premise of this story - but idk man, this wasn’t my fave.
I liked the writing and the premise of this story - but idk man, this wasn’t my fave.
December 6, 2021
loved it!
I read “When Night Comes” and was dying to find a sequel to it but found this instead. I almost didn’t read it because alien romance stories typically aren’t my cup of tea but I loved her writing style and beautiful word usage so much that I decided to give it a try - I was not disappointed! Now that I’ve read all of this book too, I will eagerly await the sequel to the vampire novel that originally lured me into her writing.
I read “When Night Comes” and was dying to find a sequel to it but found this instead. I almost didn’t read it because alien romance stories typically aren’t my cup of tea but I loved her writing style and beautiful word usage so much that I decided to give it a try - I was not disappointed! Now that I’ve read all of this book too, I will eagerly await the sequel to the vampire novel that originally lured me into her writing.
April 12, 2022
4.5✨ I loved the story, it was sweet & a little bit spicy, I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series 💋
July 15, 2024
4.25/5⭐️
September 24, 2025
3.5/5⭐️
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews