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Alabaster Penitentiary #2
Joyless
Alabaster Penitentiary, Volume 2
Correctional officers get a bad rep. But in our case, it’s fully justified.
We’re not
Correctional officers get a bad rep. But in our case, it’s fully justified.
We’re not
432 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2021
763 people are currently reading
5734 people want to read
About the author
Nyla K.
26 books6,308 followersAuthor of Flipping Hot Fiction. I write big books and I cannot lie, *insert smirky face*. Specializing in LGBTQ+ representation.
Nyla K is a quirky world-traveler with a sailor mouth and a filthy mind. She writes the dark, and the dirty, but most importantly, UNIQUE romantic fiction. Her smutty and taboo love stories are not for the faint of heart, so beware!
Nyla believes in the relevant, boundary-pushing, mind-bending side of erotic fiction, which is always what to expect from her. If you're looking for the same old story, you won't get that with Nyla K. But if you want complex characters, and stories that stick in your mind like a bad case of crabs... you've come to the right place ;).
Nyla K is a quirky world-traveler with a sailor mouth and a filthy mind. She writes the dark, and the dirty, but most importantly, UNIQUE romantic fiction. Her smutty and taboo love stories are not for the faint of heart, so beware!
Nyla believes in the relevant, boundary-pushing, mind-bending side of erotic fiction, which is always what to expect from her. If you're looking for the same old story, you won't get that with Nyla K. But if you want complex characters, and stories that stick in your mind like a bad case of crabs... you've come to the right place ;).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 937 reviews
September 23, 2021
5 STARS
Holy.
Fucking.
Shit.
This book. I don't even have the words right now. Gimme a minute here.
Being a self professed erotic romance addict for many years, I went on record a few years ago to state that I have steel plated ovaries. Like a book can be hot, but it's not going to get me that hot because I'm desensitized to it. Ok. It's what I thought. So what did I do? I read this fucking book in public. I was cocky and I miscalculated. Bite me.
So there I was. Squirming uncomfortably in the waiting room while getting my oil changed. Paranoid as fuck that everyone in the room and also outside of it knew exactly what I was reading. With my loins burning and my ovaries hurting, rethinking my stupid steel plated ovaries statement to hell and back. But I digress. Let's talk about the fuckery that is this book for a hot second, kay?
Do not, and I repeat, DO NOT read this as a standalone. Yes it has different characters from Distorted, but just trust me. You want to appreciate what is Nyla K's deeply twisted, depraved, evil genius mind by reading this series in order. The time lines overlap and you will miss some huge plot nuances and do yourself a big disservice by not reading Distorted first.
So what's this book? It's a super sizzling, super fucked up, super dirty and deliciously kinky MMF menage. And this bitch? I WAS SO HERE FOR IT.
The second Velle made an appearance in Distorted, I knew I had to have his story. The big, bad, tatted and pierced prison guard that takes no shit just had to have a good story arc, right? Wrong. It wasn't just good, it was fucking amazing. MY GOD. But I digress again.
So what can I tell you without spoiling anything? This book brought it, ok. It bought it big time. The revelations. The secrets. The backstories of Velle and Joy and how they came to be guards at Alabaster Penitentiary really lays the foundation. We get more glimpses at the mysteriously evil Warden, and when I say I never thought I'd hear myself say that I'm desperate for that man's book, well let's just say I'm still shocked as shit. But here I digressed again. FOCUS. GOD. OKAY.
One of my favorite things about this story was the dynamic between Rook, Joy, and Velle. How neither one of them are what they seem on the surface. I loved Joy's sexual freedom and how she just owns her sexuality. This is a woman that's not shy about her sex drive, her body, or her desires, and we need more heroines like this in romance. But Velle. Oh my baby Velle. He was the most dynamic, multi-layered of the three. Velle with his dark secrets and darker desires. He completely stole my heart.
Now this is not a story for the faint of heart. And what I appreciate about Nyla's story telling is that she's not afraid to go there. She's not afraid to really dive right into the pits of true depravity if it's what her characters demand, and it just WORKS. This is a book that if anyone else wrote it, I'd say had way too much sex. But when I tell you that EVERY SINGLE sex scene added something to the story, well that's talent, folks. Because there was a lot of sex. A LOT. It was hot. It was incendiary. Seriously. It was fucking sizzling as hell. My loins are still burning.
There's also nuances that get revealed from Distorted, and hints dropped about future characters. And just OMG. I FUCKING LOVED THIS BOOK.
It's dark. It's fucked up. It's seriously fucked up. And I loved every depraved page of it. And the set up for the next one? HOLY SHIT!!!
So if you like your book dark as hell, sizzling enough to set ovaries on fire, and fucked up enough to make you uncomfy while reading it? READ THIS FUCKING BOOK.
That is all. I'm now off to calm my tits. And I thank you,
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
You’re like a rollercoaster, baby. Scary as fuck, but just the best shot of adrenaline.”
Holy.
Fucking.
Shit.
This book. I don't even have the words right now. Gimme a minute here.
Being a self professed erotic romance addict for many years, I went on record a few years ago to state that I have steel plated ovaries. Like a book can be hot, but it's not going to get me that hot because I'm desensitized to it. Ok. It's what I thought. So what did I do? I read this fucking book in public. I was cocky and I miscalculated. Bite me.
So there I was. Squirming uncomfortably in the waiting room while getting my oil changed. Paranoid as fuck that everyone in the room and also outside of it knew exactly what I was reading. With my loins burning and my ovaries hurting, rethinking my stupid steel plated ovaries statement to hell and back. But I digress. Let's talk about the fuckery that is this book for a hot second, kay?
Do not, and I repeat, DO NOT read this as a standalone. Yes it has different characters from Distorted, but just trust me. You want to appreciate what is Nyla K's deeply twisted, depraved, evil genius mind by reading this series in order. The time lines overlap and you will miss some huge plot nuances and do yourself a big disservice by not reading Distorted first.
So what's this book? It's a super sizzling, super fucked up, super dirty and deliciously kinky MMF menage. And this bitch? I WAS SO HERE FOR IT.
The second Velle made an appearance in Distorted, I knew I had to have his story. The big, bad, tatted and pierced prison guard that takes no shit just had to have a good story arc, right? Wrong. It wasn't just good, it was fucking amazing. MY GOD. But I digress again.
So what can I tell you without spoiling anything? This book brought it, ok. It bought it big time. The revelations. The secrets. The backstories of Velle and Joy and how they came to be guards at Alabaster Penitentiary really lays the foundation. We get more glimpses at the mysteriously evil Warden, and when I say I never thought I'd hear myself say that I'm desperate for that man's book, well let's just say I'm still shocked as shit. But here I digressed again. FOCUS. GOD. OKAY.
One of my favorite things about this story was the dynamic between Rook, Joy, and Velle. How neither one of them are what they seem on the surface. I loved Joy's sexual freedom and how she just owns her sexuality. This is a woman that's not shy about her sex drive, her body, or her desires, and we need more heroines like this in romance. But Velle. Oh my baby Velle. He was the most dynamic, multi-layered of the three. Velle with his dark secrets and darker desires. He completely stole my heart.
Now this is not a story for the faint of heart. And what I appreciate about Nyla's story telling is that she's not afraid to go there. She's not afraid to really dive right into the pits of true depravity if it's what her characters demand, and it just WORKS. This is a book that if anyone else wrote it, I'd say had way too much sex. But when I tell you that EVERY SINGLE sex scene added something to the story, well that's talent, folks. Because there was a lot of sex. A LOT. It was hot. It was incendiary. Seriously. It was fucking sizzling as hell. My loins are still burning.
There's also nuances that get revealed from Distorted, and hints dropped about future characters. And just OMG. I FUCKING LOVED THIS BOOK.
It's dark. It's fucked up. It's seriously fucked up. And I loved every depraved page of it. And the set up for the next one? HOLY SHIT!!!
So if you like your book dark as hell, sizzling enough to set ovaries on fire, and fucked up enough to make you uncomfy while reading it? READ THIS FUCKING BOOK.
That is all. I'm now off to calm my tits. And I thank you,
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
April 27, 2024
alabaster isle needs to be renamed to freaky fucking horndog isle bc everybody is INSATIABLE💀💀💀
i only read this to get to book 3 and 4 so i’m not really shocked this long ass bitch was a slog to get through….not even needy bottom velle could save this for me😭
the throuple’s sexual chemistry goes crazy but i’m not really getting the whole committed vibe….like i honestly think participating in orgies should be their calling fr💀 and if anyone’s gonna be in love, it’s gonna be rook and velle only, sorry my sweet baby joy, u were giving convenient afterthought i really hate to say it bc i love you and ur a bad bitch but thems the breaks…..
btw three epilogues HAS GOT to be a CRIME!!!!😭 plsss i literally teared up i thought it would never end😭😭
also the ivory intrigued the shit outta me, i need to know his secrets fr👀
i only read this to get to book 3 and 4 so i’m not really shocked this long ass bitch was a slog to get through….not even needy bottom velle could save this for me😭
the throuple’s sexual chemistry goes crazy but i’m not really getting the whole committed vibe….like i honestly think participating in orgies should be their calling fr💀 and if anyone’s gonna be in love, it’s gonna be rook and velle only, sorry my sweet baby joy, u were giving convenient afterthought i really hate to say it bc i love you and ur a bad bitch but thems the breaks…..
btw three epilogues HAS GOT to be a CRIME!!!!😭 plsss i literally teared up i thought it would never end😭😭
also the ivory intrigued the shit outta me, i need to know his secrets fr👀
September 30, 2021
Five Hot Diggity Damn Stars
Joyless is a masterpiece; not only did the author write her spiciest book (have extra panties on hand), but she is also very meticulous on all the details in the timeline. Joyless is around the same timeline as Distorted( for the most part) and should be read first.
Joyless is full of:
*Spice MM, MF, and MMF
*Mystery
*Suspense
*Dark Undertones
*Angst
*Love
And that is just the tip of the iceberg
We first meet Velle, Joy, and Rook in Distorted. If you were like me, you love to hate Velle but had a feeling he is the way he is for a reason. Well, slap me and call me silly because he is everything—the total package. Joy is a hoot and my kind of girl. Joy and Velle have been best friends and exes. Now enters Rook, and the chemistry is undeniable, but nothing is that easy.
There are not that many books that are MMF, and most have left me utterly dissatisfied. Joyless not only satisfied me but also left me wanting more. Their love is beautiful and extraordinary. Plus, they are all such dirty birds, my favorite.
It was nice to see another side of the Alabaster Penitentiary. We read more about the ins and outs, the warden, and the officer's pov of the prisoners. There is still so much mystery about the place we don’t know. And oh, the Dr. Yea, I need more of him.
I love how Nyla K always writes outside the box, and not everything is black and white. I crave that in my books, and she delivers it every single time. Joyless is the best polyamorous book I have read. The Alabaster Penitentiary series is now one of my favorites.
Joyless is a masterpiece; not only did the author write her spiciest book (have extra panties on hand), but she is also very meticulous on all the details in the timeline. Joyless is around the same timeline as Distorted( for the most part) and should be read first.
Joyless is full of:
*Spice MM, MF, and MMF
*Mystery
*Suspense
*Dark Undertones
*Angst
*Love
And that is just the tip of the iceberg
We first meet Velle, Joy, and Rook in Distorted. If you were like me, you love to hate Velle but had a feeling he is the way he is for a reason. Well, slap me and call me silly because he is everything—the total package. Joy is a hoot and my kind of girl. Joy and Velle have been best friends and exes. Now enters Rook, and the chemistry is undeniable, but nothing is that easy.
There are not that many books that are MMF, and most have left me utterly dissatisfied. Joyless not only satisfied me but also left me wanting more. Their love is beautiful and extraordinary. Plus, they are all such dirty birds, my favorite.
It was nice to see another side of the Alabaster Penitentiary. We read more about the ins and outs, the warden, and the officer's pov of the prisoners. There is still so much mystery about the place we don’t know. And oh, the Dr. Yea, I need more of him.
I love how Nyla K always writes outside the box, and not everything is black and white. I crave that in my books, and she delivers it every single time. Joyless is the best polyamorous book I have read. The Alabaster Penitentiary series is now one of my favorites.
July 29, 2024
"Thing is, even Hell needs someone wicked to guard the damned. And when you're surrounded by fire and brimstone, you gotta ask yourself… what's the good without a little evil?"
Alabaster Penitentiary is unknown to the world.
Except for the prisoners and the guards who work there.
But the guards don't work there by choice.
Every one has a secret.
Officer Chevelle basically runs the place… but what does he have to do to keep everything in check?
Officer Jameson is the only female guard but you would be wise not to underestimate her.
And the newest addition?
Officer "Rook" Samuels - squeaky clean and former cop.
No one is a guard in Alabaster Penitentiary from the goodness of their hearts.
The prisoners and guards might be one and the same.
But that doesn't mean that the guards can't mess with each other heads too…
And maybe even their hearts.
"You'll come to me, Velle… I know you will. And when you do, I'll give you everything."
Okay so the first time I read "Joyless" it was not my favorite of the series. Now I did love it don't get me wrong but there were others that just stood out more for me. After rereading I can say definitively that this book will live rent free in my head and I have no objections to that.
"Nothing outside this island matters… This is Alabaster Isle and here, you do what the fuck I say. Got it?"
First let's start with Officer Velle. Officer Jonathan Chevelle. After "Distorted" you come out with this sort of hatred for him because he is an asshole I am not taking away from that but after "Joyless" he became legit one of my favorite characters. He is HILARIOUS. I am not even joking. All of his one-liners to himself literally made me cackle. And the fact that a prisoner murdered another prisoner is an "inconvenience" to him is a literal mood. Like do you know how much paperwork that is??? Also, his backstory… I will literally be a Velle defender for life and I am taking applicants to join just saying…
"Between the two of them, they're an unstoppable web of sex appeal on this island. One I'm not sure I can keep from getting tangled in."
Then we have Joy Jameson. She is a legit badass and if you think different then you are wrong. Sorry those are just the facts. I mean she knows Taekwando and is the only female officer at alabaster… She can kick me in the face multiple times and I will get her an ice cream sundae with cherries and whipped cream (IYKYK). I mean she literally sacrificed herself to save her family. She is legit the coolest… (sounding like a second grader but don't care that's how cool she is…)
"What we like behind closed doors makes us who we are on the other side."
Last but certainly not least we have Rook. I am just going to say this - Like if you would put a picture of Rook and a golden retriever next to each other I would take them both home you know?
Legit being the "innocent" one in this situation is so fun to read and watch because his interactions with Joy and Velle are EVERYTHING!! I mean if walls could talk am I right?
"It's a game, and it's also not. This is something he needs… And I'm kind of dying to know why."
"Since the moment I met John Chevelle, he's flipped me upside down."
Nyla K. makes amazing playlists just a fact - but these are the songs I added because as we all know I need validation
(Link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7mV... )
🎵 "Pls Cheat On Me" - Precious Pepala
🎵 "Cologne" - SM6
🎵 "Playground" - Bea Miller
🎵 "Love Is The Devil" - Natalie Jane
🎵 "Walls Could Talk" - Halsey
🎵 "The Walls" - Chase Atlantic
🎵 "Raging On a Sunday" - Bohnes
🎵 "God Is a DJ" - P!nk
🎵 "Drinking With Cupid" - VOILA
🎵 "High Enough" - K. Flay
🎵 "Habits (Stay High) - Rock" - Our Last Night
🎵 "Coincidence - Sped Up" - Rosse
🎵 "Shivers" - Ed Sheeran
🎵 "Ocean Eyes" - American Avenue
🎵 "dying on the inside" - Nessa Barrett
🎵 "Silence" - Marshmello, Khalid
🎵 "Control" - Zoe Wees
🎵 "I Want It All" - Cameron Grey
🎵 "Breakin' Dishes" - Rihanna
🎵 "that's how you make a villain" - emlyn
🎵 "Do It For Me" - Rosenfeld
🎵 "Kill Bill" - SZA
🎵 "Judas" - Lady Gaga
🎵 "You're Not A God" - Jade LeMac
🎵 "play pretend" - margo
🎵 "THAT’S WHAT I WANT" - Lil Nas X
🎵 "Twisted" - MISSIO
🎵 "VALENTINE" - Maneskin
🎵 "Nowhere To Go" - Bad Omens
🎵 "Lose" - KSI, Lil Wayne
🎵 "Gladiator" - Jann
🎵 "Hypnotic" - Zella Day
🎵 "Mansion" - NF, Fleurie
🎵 "Soft" - Motionless In White
🎵 "Unsubstantial" - Anya Nami
🎵 "where's my head at_" - Basement Jaxx, 100 gecs
🎵 "faceplant" - LOLO
🎵 "I feel everything" - Amelia Moore
🎵 "Long Live The King" - I Prevail
🎵 "Beggin" - Maneskin
🎵 "Taste" - Ari Abdul
🎵 "Haunted Heart" - Christina Aguilera
🎵 "I Want You To Want Me" - Chase Holfelder
🎵 "Still Into You" - Paramore
🎵 "Too Good At Goodbyes" - Sam Smith
🎵 "Beg" - Aryia
🎵 "The Maze" - J. Maya
🎵 "Cravin'" - Stileto, Kendyle Paige
🎵 "Bleed Me Dry" - Memphis May Fire
🎵 "No Mercy" - Austin Giorgio
🎵 "Candy" - Doja Cat
🎵 "Smells Like Sex" - Sizzy Rocket
🎵 "Someone Else" - Loveless
🎵 "greedy" - Tate McRae
🎵 "Boy In The Bubble" - Alex Benjamin
🎵 "Rush" - Troye Sivan
🎵 "WILD" - Troye Sivan
🎵 "BODY BAG" - Neoni
🎵 "Inside My Head" - Until I Wake
🎵 "Lay All Your Love On Me" - The Butterfly Effect
🎵 "Sleepless" - Dutch Melrose
🎵 "Consequences" - Camila Cabello
🎵 "Chokehold Cherry Python" - Ashnikko
🎵 "I'm yours" - Isabel LaRosa
🎵 "bad guy" - Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber
🎵 "Blow" - Eve Under Fire, Ice Nine Kills
🎵 "The Good, the Bad, and the Dirty" - Panic! At The Disco
🎵 "Hayloft II" - Mother Mother
🎵 "Set Fire To The Rain" - SYCAMOUR
🎵 "Epiphany" - UNWELL
🎵 "Hot Gum" - SOFIA ISELLA
🎵 "All For Us" - Zendaya
🎵 "Ice Cream" - BLACKPINK, Selena Gomez
🎵 "Cherry" - FLETCHER, Hayley Kiyoko
🎵 "sloppy" - KiNG MALA, UPSAHL
🎵 "Crazy in Love" - Eden Project
🎵 "Carnivore" - STARSET
🎵 "Teenage Dream - Acoustic" - Bailey Rushlow
🎵 "Bury me Alive" - Throw The Fight
🎵 "Medusa" - Kaia Jette
🎵 "Treasure" - Bruno Mars
🎵 "Not Afraid Anymore" - Halsey
🎵 "You've Created A Monster" - Bohnes
🎵 "Let's Go" - JAXSON GAMBLE
🎵 "My My My!" - Troye Sivan
🎵 "Degenerates" - A Day To Remember
And these are just some 🌶️spicy🌶️ lines to top it off…
"You just watch. Watch us get off and then you can come."
"You beg so good, Officer."
"Take control of me, Harley. Inside this room only, you're in charge. Do whatever you want with me… please. I'm yours."
"Fuck… you know I love when you beg me, baby."
🍒 Tropes 🍒
💦 MMF Relationship
💦 Prison Guard Romance
💦 Second Chance Romance all around
💦 Dark Romance
💦 Playboy x Golden Retriever x Black Cat
Book edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/C2QRetjgVNp/
Alabaster Penitentiary is unknown to the world.
Except for the prisoners and the guards who work there.
But the guards don't work there by choice.
Every one has a secret.
Officer Chevelle basically runs the place… but what does he have to do to keep everything in check?
Officer Jameson is the only female guard but you would be wise not to underestimate her.
And the newest addition?
Officer "Rook" Samuels - squeaky clean and former cop.
No one is a guard in Alabaster Penitentiary from the goodness of their hearts.
The prisoners and guards might be one and the same.
But that doesn't mean that the guards can't mess with each other heads too…
And maybe even their hearts.
"You'll come to me, Velle… I know you will. And when you do, I'll give you everything."
Okay so the first time I read "Joyless" it was not my favorite of the series. Now I did love it don't get me wrong but there were others that just stood out more for me. After rereading I can say definitively that this book will live rent free in my head and I have no objections to that.
"Nothing outside this island matters… This is Alabaster Isle and here, you do what the fuck I say. Got it?"
First let's start with Officer Velle. Officer Jonathan Chevelle. After "Distorted" you come out with this sort of hatred for him because he is an asshole I am not taking away from that but after "Joyless" he became legit one of my favorite characters. He is HILARIOUS. I am not even joking. All of his one-liners to himself literally made me cackle. And the fact that a prisoner murdered another prisoner is an "inconvenience" to him is a literal mood. Like do you know how much paperwork that is??? Also, his backstory… I will literally be a Velle defender for life and I am taking applicants to join just saying…
"Between the two of them, they're an unstoppable web of sex appeal on this island. One I'm not sure I can keep from getting tangled in."
Then we have Joy Jameson. She is a legit badass and if you think different then you are wrong. Sorry those are just the facts. I mean she knows Taekwando and is the only female officer at alabaster… She can kick me in the face multiple times and I will get her an ice cream sundae with cherries and whipped cream (IYKYK). I mean she literally sacrificed herself to save her family. She is legit the coolest… (sounding like a second grader but don't care that's how cool she is…)
"What we like behind closed doors makes us who we are on the other side."
Last but certainly not least we have Rook. I am just going to say this - Like if you would put a picture of Rook and a golden retriever next to each other I would take them both home you know?
Legit being the "innocent" one in this situation is so fun to read and watch because his interactions with Joy and Velle are EVERYTHING!! I mean if walls could talk am I right?
"It's a game, and it's also not. This is something he needs… And I'm kind of dying to know why."
"Since the moment I met John Chevelle, he's flipped me upside down."
Nyla K. makes amazing playlists just a fact - but these are the songs I added because as we all know I need validation
(Link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7mV... )
🎵 "Pls Cheat On Me" - Precious Pepala
🎵 "Cologne" - SM6
🎵 "Playground" - Bea Miller
🎵 "Love Is The Devil" - Natalie Jane
🎵 "Walls Could Talk" - Halsey
🎵 "The Walls" - Chase Atlantic
🎵 "Raging On a Sunday" - Bohnes
🎵 "God Is a DJ" - P!nk
🎵 "Drinking With Cupid" - VOILA
🎵 "High Enough" - K. Flay
🎵 "Habits (Stay High) - Rock" - Our Last Night
🎵 "Coincidence - Sped Up" - Rosse
🎵 "Shivers" - Ed Sheeran
🎵 "Ocean Eyes" - American Avenue
🎵 "dying on the inside" - Nessa Barrett
🎵 "Silence" - Marshmello, Khalid
🎵 "Control" - Zoe Wees
🎵 "I Want It All" - Cameron Grey
🎵 "Breakin' Dishes" - Rihanna
🎵 "that's how you make a villain" - emlyn
🎵 "Do It For Me" - Rosenfeld
🎵 "Kill Bill" - SZA
🎵 "Judas" - Lady Gaga
🎵 "You're Not A God" - Jade LeMac
🎵 "play pretend" - margo
🎵 "THAT’S WHAT I WANT" - Lil Nas X
🎵 "Twisted" - MISSIO
🎵 "VALENTINE" - Maneskin
🎵 "Nowhere To Go" - Bad Omens
🎵 "Lose" - KSI, Lil Wayne
🎵 "Gladiator" - Jann
🎵 "Hypnotic" - Zella Day
🎵 "Mansion" - NF, Fleurie
🎵 "Soft" - Motionless In White
🎵 "Unsubstantial" - Anya Nami
🎵 "where's my head at_" - Basement Jaxx, 100 gecs
🎵 "faceplant" - LOLO
🎵 "I feel everything" - Amelia Moore
🎵 "Long Live The King" - I Prevail
🎵 "Beggin" - Maneskin
🎵 "Taste" - Ari Abdul
🎵 "Haunted Heart" - Christina Aguilera
🎵 "I Want You To Want Me" - Chase Holfelder
🎵 "Still Into You" - Paramore
🎵 "Too Good At Goodbyes" - Sam Smith
🎵 "Beg" - Aryia
🎵 "The Maze" - J. Maya
🎵 "Cravin'" - Stileto, Kendyle Paige
🎵 "Bleed Me Dry" - Memphis May Fire
🎵 "No Mercy" - Austin Giorgio
🎵 "Candy" - Doja Cat
🎵 "Smells Like Sex" - Sizzy Rocket
🎵 "Someone Else" - Loveless
🎵 "greedy" - Tate McRae
🎵 "Boy In The Bubble" - Alex Benjamin
🎵 "Rush" - Troye Sivan
🎵 "WILD" - Troye Sivan
🎵 "BODY BAG" - Neoni
🎵 "Inside My Head" - Until I Wake
🎵 "Lay All Your Love On Me" - The Butterfly Effect
🎵 "Sleepless" - Dutch Melrose
🎵 "Consequences" - Camila Cabello
🎵 "Chokehold Cherry Python" - Ashnikko
🎵 "I'm yours" - Isabel LaRosa
🎵 "bad guy" - Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber
🎵 "Blow" - Eve Under Fire, Ice Nine Kills
🎵 "The Good, the Bad, and the Dirty" - Panic! At The Disco
🎵 "Hayloft II" - Mother Mother
🎵 "Set Fire To The Rain" - SYCAMOUR
🎵 "Epiphany" - UNWELL
🎵 "Hot Gum" - SOFIA ISELLA
🎵 "All For Us" - Zendaya
🎵 "Ice Cream" - BLACKPINK, Selena Gomez
🎵 "Cherry" - FLETCHER, Hayley Kiyoko
🎵 "sloppy" - KiNG MALA, UPSAHL
🎵 "Crazy in Love" - Eden Project
🎵 "Carnivore" - STARSET
🎵 "Teenage Dream - Acoustic" - Bailey Rushlow
🎵 "Bury me Alive" - Throw The Fight
🎵 "Medusa" - Kaia Jette
🎵 "Treasure" - Bruno Mars
🎵 "Not Afraid Anymore" - Halsey
🎵 "You've Created A Monster" - Bohnes
🎵 "Let's Go" - JAXSON GAMBLE
🎵 "My My My!" - Troye Sivan
🎵 "Degenerates" - A Day To Remember
And these are just some 🌶️spicy🌶️ lines to top it off…
"You just watch. Watch us get off and then you can come."
"You beg so good, Officer."
"Take control of me, Harley. Inside this room only, you're in charge. Do whatever you want with me… please. I'm yours."
"Fuck… you know I love when you beg me, baby."
🍒 Tropes 🍒
💦 MMF Relationship
💦 Prison Guard Romance
💦 Second Chance Romance all around
💦 Dark Romance
💦 Playboy x Golden Retriever x Black Cat
Book edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/C2QRetjgVNp/
October 7, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Well folks, this is a spicy fucking ride but what surprised me was how sentimental and heart wrenching it is. I hated Velle but now …
Joy’s no fucks given attitude is a breath of fresh air.
It seems the warden takes a page out of President Johnson’s biography in the manner of bullying/coercion tactics. If you’re not familiar it was coined as “The Johnson Treatment” he basically pushed people past their limits until they agreed with him. The thing that sticks out to me was him making legislature people follow him to the bathroom to continue a discussion. Anything to get what he wants.
Ok, I haven’t hidden the fact that I don’t like Velle. But then when he all but begged Rook the first time he met him, my dislike lessoned. Then he said this after the warden told him what to do with Ivan, “I don’t want to do it again…” I whisper, loathing the child-like vulnerability in my tone.” And now I have a soft spot for him.
Holy shit, the pegging! 🥵🌶
Joy is a badass bitch! Seriously, her character is refreshing af.
Am I the only one that considers Rook the girl in this situation? I don’t know what that says about me but it’s definitely the vibe I’m getting. (Which makes the dynamic between him and Velle even more interesting.) Joy, certainly isn’t the girl.
I have to admit this writer’s three-ways always leave me a bit weary because it always feels like the girl always come out on the bottom and not in a good way. So, color me surprised how well that element has worked in this one.
Oh man! The chemistry between these men is out of this world!
This is super sacrilegious for me to say but I can’t come up with a better comparison. Velle is like Jesus (except his cross is the warden) to everyone at Alabaster Penitentiary. Like in every way and most of these assholes haven’t a clue.
So many feelings swarming around my brain! This pretty much has something for everyone in every sense of the imagination. Best of all I adore the dynamic between the three of them, it’s unconventional in so many ways but it just works.
Well folks, this is a spicy fucking ride but what surprised me was how sentimental and heart wrenching it is. I hated Velle but now …
Joy’s no fucks given attitude is a breath of fresh air.
It seems the warden takes a page out of President Johnson’s biography in the manner of bullying/coercion tactics. If you’re not familiar it was coined as “The Johnson Treatment” he basically pushed people past their limits until they agreed with him. The thing that sticks out to me was him making legislature people follow him to the bathroom to continue a discussion. Anything to get what he wants.
Ok, I haven’t hidden the fact that I don’t like Velle. But then when he all but begged Rook the first time he met him, my dislike lessoned. Then he said this after the warden told him what to do with Ivan, “I don’t want to do it again…” I whisper, loathing the child-like vulnerability in my tone.” And now I have a soft spot for him.
Holy shit, the pegging! 🥵🌶
Joy is a badass bitch! Seriously, her character is refreshing af.
Am I the only one that considers Rook the girl in this situation? I don’t know what that says about me but it’s definitely the vibe I’m getting. (Which makes the dynamic between him and Velle even more interesting.) Joy, certainly isn’t the girl.
I have to admit this writer’s three-ways always leave me a bit weary because it always feels like the girl always come out on the bottom and not in a good way. So, color me surprised how well that element has worked in this one.
Oh man! The chemistry between these men is out of this world!
This is super sacrilegious for me to say but I can’t come up with a better comparison. Velle is like Jesus (except his cross is the warden) to everyone at Alabaster Penitentiary. Like in every way and most of these assholes haven’t a clue.
So many feelings swarming around my brain! This pretty much has something for everyone in every sense of the imagination. Best of all I adore the dynamic between the three of them, it’s unconventional in so many ways but it just works.
September 27, 2021
*** I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.***
Oh My Goodness!!!! This was quite a ride. This trio consisting of a Bonnie and Clyde duo finally meeting their Cowboy.
Nyla K. created a wonderfully addicting story focusing on complex characters who depend on and desire one another, unlike anything they have ever experienced before. I was stunned while reading Joyless and cannot recommend it highly enough. Joyless is a compelling story that is an addictively steamy and unexpected love story that is not afraid to force its characters to confront their fears and demons.
Our trio of characters includes Velle, Joy, and Rook. They each bring a vital and unique component to their trio and it is my favorite MMF I have ever read. I loved being back in Alabaster Penitentiary and seeing things from the perspective of guards and seeing the complicated system in place at this off-grid prison.
All of the characters and everything you thought you knew based on the first installment is utterly flipped upside down and I loved getting a change in perspective with the addition of our guard trio.
Joyless builds upon the foundation cemented from Distorted and creates a perfect forbidden romance. I look forward to seeing these characters again in Brainwashed and learning more about our favorite serial killer and his doctor.
Oh My Goodness!!!! This was quite a ride. This trio consisting of a Bonnie and Clyde duo finally meeting their Cowboy.
Nyla K. created a wonderfully addicting story focusing on complex characters who depend on and desire one another, unlike anything they have ever experienced before. I was stunned while reading Joyless and cannot recommend it highly enough. Joyless is a compelling story that is an addictively steamy and unexpected love story that is not afraid to force its characters to confront their fears and demons.
Our trio of characters includes Velle, Joy, and Rook. They each bring a vital and unique component to their trio and it is my favorite MMF I have ever read. I loved being back in Alabaster Penitentiary and seeing things from the perspective of guards and seeing the complicated system in place at this off-grid prison.
All of the characters and everything you thought you knew based on the first installment is utterly flipped upside down and I loved getting a change in perspective with the addition of our guard trio.
Joyless builds upon the foundation cemented from Distorted and creates a perfect forbidden romance. I look forward to seeing these characters again in Brainwashed and learning more about our favorite serial killer and his doctor.
February 8, 2023
2.5 Stars
This one dragged. It was way too long and had a bit too much going on.
But holy shit, it was so HOT.🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Giving up was not an option since I needed answers, so I skimmed a lot.😬
I can finally read the one I think would be the most interesting in this series.
Book 3 here I come!
This one dragged. It was way too long and had a bit too much going on.
But holy shit, it was so HOT.🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Giving up was not an option since I needed answers, so I skimmed a lot.😬
I can finally read the one I think would be the most interesting in this series.
Book 3 here I come!
September 24, 2021
*ARC received from author in exchange for my honest review. *
Welcome back to Alabaster Isle where the inmates are hot, but the guards are hotter!!!
Jonathan Chevelle owned this story from the very start!! I loved Joy & Rook, but Velle really just stole my heart (and lady bits) the more the story unfolds. I knew from Distorted that his story had to be good, but I was not prepared for all that was Officer Chevelle.
We previously met all three of our guards in the first book of Alabaster Penitentiary, but we really didn't "meet" them until this book. Joy was a force from the very start while Rook was completely out of his comfort zone from the moment he stepped on the premises, but Velle was the one who tied their stories together. While Joy & Velle have been working together over a decade and they have their own sort of relationship that works for them Rook comes in he changes the game leaving both lost amongst the storm that is Alabaster Penitentiary.
There was not one thing about Joyless that I did not entirely love!! Nyla kept up with the story beautifully with no plot holes which is a huge feat to do but with a story such as this it seems almost impossible. There is so much going on from the previous book that is weaved into this story that we finally get answers to but with that said there are still so many questions left unanswered about what is to come with The Ivory, The Carver, Dr. Love and MORE!!
Now to skirt back to Jonathan Chevelle because as I said he owned this book. His story is just as dark and shady as Joy's or Dash’s, but it is much more intense. Even with everything from his past there is still so much darkness that he is going through to protect the other guards as well as himself from the horrors he is currently facing. We get to see exactly why Velle is the way he is, and it makes you understand why he was the way he was in Distorted.
Joyless might have had a HFN but make no mistake this story is far from over. We have just begun the journey that is Alabaster Penitentiary and as Nyla said this story is sort of a "palate cleanser" for what is still to come. Be prepared to have your heart, naughty bits and brain broken as you watch the story that is Velle, Rook & Joy unfold.
Welcome back to Alabaster Isle where the inmates are hot, but the guards are hotter!!!
Jonathan Chevelle owned this story from the very start!! I loved Joy & Rook, but Velle really just stole my heart (and lady bits) the more the story unfolds. I knew from Distorted that his story had to be good, but I was not prepared for all that was Officer Chevelle.
We previously met all three of our guards in the first book of Alabaster Penitentiary, but we really didn't "meet" them until this book. Joy was a force from the very start while Rook was completely out of his comfort zone from the moment he stepped on the premises, but Velle was the one who tied their stories together. While Joy & Velle have been working together over a decade and they have their own sort of relationship that works for them Rook comes in he changes the game leaving both lost amongst the storm that is Alabaster Penitentiary.
There was not one thing about Joyless that I did not entirely love!! Nyla kept up with the story beautifully with no plot holes which is a huge feat to do but with a story such as this it seems almost impossible. There is so much going on from the previous book that is weaved into this story that we finally get answers to but with that said there are still so many questions left unanswered about what is to come with The Ivory, The Carver, Dr. Love and MORE!!
Now to skirt back to Jonathan Chevelle because as I said he owned this book. His story is just as dark and shady as Joy's or Dash’s, but it is much more intense. Even with everything from his past there is still so much darkness that he is going through to protect the other guards as well as himself from the horrors he is currently facing. We get to see exactly why Velle is the way he is, and it makes you understand why he was the way he was in Distorted.
Joyless might have had a HFN but make no mistake this story is far from over. We have just begun the journey that is Alabaster Penitentiary and as Nyla said this story is sort of a "palate cleanser" for what is still to come. Be prepared to have your heart, naughty bits and brain broken as you watch the story that is Velle, Rook & Joy unfold.
October 8, 2021
ESPEREI ANSIOSA PELO SEGUNDO LIVRO...
O SEGUNDO LIVRO : MMF
EU: VC TÁ BRINCANDO COMIGO? ISSO É SÉRIO? PUTA QUE PARIU. DECEPÇÃO É APELIDO👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎
O SEGUNDO LIVRO : MMF
EU: VC TÁ BRINCANDO COMIGO? ISSO É SÉRIO? PUTA QUE PARIU. DECEPÇÃO É APELIDO👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎
November 6, 2021
3⭐️
this was slightly better than the first book because there was less of the mystery element. i loved the spice. i mean it was GOOD. but the execution of the plot was so fucking annoying. i really do think its the way its written because theoretically, the plot is interesting, but the author's writing doesn't blend with it.
this wasn't mmf either. literally was mm and them occasionally being with joy. i feel bad because she literally third-wheeled. the book started with rook and velle and it ended with rook and velle. literally, there was no reason to waste a character like joy on this couple since they were strong as they were.
the only reason i even continued this series is because i need darcey's book. thats what i want.
“ There are no happy endings, not here.
Not on this rock.”
this was slightly better than the first book because there was less of the mystery element. i loved the spice. i mean it was GOOD. but the execution of the plot was so fucking annoying. i really do think its the way its written because theoretically, the plot is interesting, but the author's writing doesn't blend with it.
this wasn't mmf either. literally was mm and them occasionally being with joy. i feel bad because she literally third-wheeled. the book started with rook and velle and it ended with rook and velle. literally, there was no reason to waste a character like joy on this couple since they were strong as they were.
the only reason i even continued this series is because i need darcey's book. thats what i want.
August 15, 2024
Updated Review: Read 15.04.24
2/5⭐️ 3.5/5🌶️
Okay so this still sucked balls but I went back and skimmed the 45% I got through last time and read the rest. Whilst the second part wasn’t bad, it was just boring as fuck and honestly unnecessary?
I just wanted to read it to see what Dash went through from everyone else’s perspective (search his name in the book and skim those if you don’t wanna read the whole thing) but mostly to get through this just so I could read Felix’s (The Carver) story!!
The whole thing is basically about Velle growing a set of balls and no longer being the wardens little bitch 🙄 But whilst they are still under his watch, they technically “run the show”, biding their time to get what they need to take him down…
There you go, 460 pages summed up in a paragraph 🙃
——————— 💀
Earlier review: Read 23.04.24 - 14.05.24
DNF @ 45%
MMF… can’t say I’m loving this book as I was dragging my ass with reading it because I neeeeeeed to know what Dash went through from another perspective so that I can read book 3 and 4…
But I cant right now because fuck my life this book sucks balls😩
2/5⭐️ 3.5/5🌶️
Okay so this still sucked balls but I went back and skimmed the 45% I got through last time and read the rest. Whilst the second part wasn’t bad, it was just boring as fuck and honestly unnecessary?
I just wanted to read it to see what Dash went through from everyone else’s perspective (search his name in the book and skim those if you don’t wanna read the whole thing) but mostly to get through this just so I could read Felix’s (The Carver) story!!
The whole thing is basically about Velle growing a set of balls and no longer being the wardens little bitch 🙄 But whilst they are still under his watch, they technically “run the show”, biding their time to get what they need to take him down…
There you go, 460 pages summed up in a paragraph 🙃
——————— 💀
Earlier review: Read 23.04.24 - 14.05.24
DNF @ 45%
MMF… can’t say I’m loving this book as I was dragging my ass with reading it because I neeeeeeed to know what Dash went through from another perspective so that I can read book 3 and 4…
But I cant right now because fuck my life this book sucks balls😩
September 27, 2021
After finished Distorted i was so curious about Velle, Joy and Rook and I wrongly thought I could guess what would have happened between them.
I certainly expected their story to be steamy, because lets be honest:
Nyla write the best hot scenes!!
Like you gonna burn in your own skin kind of scenes 😏😏
What I didn’t expect was for it to make me feel so emotional.
It wasn't suppose to make me fall for Velle, or make me actually sheer tears for him either.
It wasn't suppose to surprise me with an unconventional dynamic between the three of them.
But here I am .... thanks Nyla 😝
Obviously i loved everything about Joyless:
- Velle, the scary beast who has a sweetness in him that made my heart clench. My baby 😍😍
- Rook, the guy too good and naïve to work in A.P, who is so much more of what appear and kinda hot and scary when it comes to protect the ones he loves.
- Joy, the tough girl who could kick your a$$ without so much effort but who is afraid of emotions and who just became my heroine because.... 🔥🔥🍀🍪
(you need to read it to understand what i'm talking about 😌)
- The chemestry between the three of them.
- The way Nyla took her time to built each relationship.
- The suspense and the angst.
- The light funny moments, and the heavy ones.
- The multiple pov that gave me an open window to each one of them.
Once again she gave me everything I could ever want about a story.
It was interesting seeing AP from guard' perception this time.
It made some things clearer and it answered many questions left open from Distorted, while creating new ones 😤
The common thread that binds each book to the next in the series so damn intriguing you can’t help but wanting more about every character of Alabaster.
I can't wait to discover what Nyla has in store for us!! 🤩🤩
Ps. I'm looking forward to the Warden book and I really hope he gonna suffer a lot 😌
*you must read Distorted before Joyless*
I certainly expected their story to be steamy, because lets be honest:
Nyla write the best hot scenes!!
Like you gonna burn in your own skin kind of scenes 😏😏
What I didn’t expect was for it to make me feel so emotional.
It wasn't suppose to make me fall for Velle, or make me actually sheer tears for him either.
It wasn't suppose to surprise me with an unconventional dynamic between the three of them.
But here I am .... thanks Nyla 😝
Obviously i loved everything about Joyless:
- Velle, the scary beast who has a sweetness in him that made my heart clench. My baby 😍😍
- Rook, the guy too good and naïve to work in A.P, who is so much more of what appear and kinda hot and scary when it comes to protect the ones he loves.
- Joy, the tough girl who could kick your a$$ without so much effort but who is afraid of emotions and who just became my heroine because.... 🔥🔥🍀🍪
(you need to read it to understand what i'm talking about 😌)
- The chemestry between the three of them.
- The way Nyla took her time to built each relationship.
- The suspense and the angst.
- The light funny moments, and the heavy ones.
- The multiple pov that gave me an open window to each one of them.
Once again she gave me everything I could ever want about a story.
It was interesting seeing AP from guard' perception this time.
It made some things clearer and it answered many questions left open from Distorted, while creating new ones 😤
The common thread that binds each book to the next in the series so damn intriguing you can’t help but wanting more about every character of Alabaster.
I can't wait to discover what Nyla has in store for us!! 🤩🤩
Ps. I'm looking forward to the Warden book and I really hope he gonna suffer a lot 😌
*you must read Distorted before Joyless*
August 21, 2025
4⭐️
Well fuck me… I have no words. ( ohhh but i doooo) My poor heart wasn’t prepared for this—JFC, these three killed me. That opening prologue made impossible not to rush into this, LOVED IT!
Joyless was a ride. It flips the series on its head by telling the same timeline as Distorted, but from the guards’ POV. We get so much more context on what was happening behind the scenes, including Kemper, Dash, and especially Ivory. And while I devoured all 500 pages in two days, I have to admit this book was longer than it needed to be—by the end I was exhausted, and the resolution felt a bit too easy. Ivory in particular got off way lighter than I expected, but maybe that’s something the next books will tackle.
Now, about our trio. Velle, Joy, and Rook are magnetic, volatile, and absolutely filthy. Their dynamic is addictive, but I’ll be honest—if the endgame had been just Rook and Velle, this would’ve been an easy 5 stars for me. While I loved Joy and completely understand how pivotal she was to the plot and their interactions, the “trio love” didn’t fully land. It often felt more like a duo (Velle and Rook) with Joy included, rather than a balanced throuple. Her chemistry with them mostly burned brightest in the bedroom, which made her feel almost like a piece Nyla K wanted there rather than someone seamlessly integrated into the emotional endgame. That said, she’s hot as hell, she participates a lot (not just watching!), and her presence changes the trajectory of both men in a way that matters.
The sex… holy hell. Nyla K writes the most incredible smut I’ve ever read. There are no words for the chemistry, tension, and sheer filth she gets across—it’s mind-blowing. These MCs are physically a wet dream, and their scenes are long, detailed, and endlessly inventive (toys, games, filthy imagination… yeah, those sheets would need daily changes). Reading this in public? Not recommended, unless you’ve got a killer poker face—unlike me. 🤦♀️ AND IT’S NOT JUST SEX BETWEEN THEM—IT’S THE WHOLE GODDAMN PRISON. INMATES, GUARDS, ORGIES… JFC THIS IS THE FILTHIEST THING I’VE EVER READ!!!
But maybe—just maybe—there was too much sex. I sometimes wished for quieter moments: movies, conversations, cuddling. A little balance to break up the relentless intensity. Still, every scene was scorching, and Nyla K proves again she’s unmatched in writing chemistry that leaps off the page.
Beyond the heat, the plot kept me engaged and guessing. The roles these characters play are so intriguing, so refreshing to read, and the whole setup at Alabaster continues to fascinate me. Still, I wish we’d had more depth about the 12-year relationship between Velle and Ivory, because that dependency and submission clearly shaped so much of who Velle is, but it never got the context it deserved. Also, Rook’s backstory for ending up there was a little too far-fetched for me to fully buy into.
In the end, Joyless is dark, violent, filthy, and unforgettable, but just like in Distorted, we have a super dark book, and in the end it’s a bit lame and a bit ordinary?
This made me curious for what’s next—especially Ren and Lex, though first I need to see Dr. Love and The Carver. Nyla K has me hooked, flaws and all.
Well fuck me… I have no words. ( ohhh but i doooo) My poor heart wasn’t prepared for this—JFC, these three killed me. That opening prologue made impossible not to rush into this, LOVED IT!
Joyless was a ride. It flips the series on its head by telling the same timeline as Distorted, but from the guards’ POV. We get so much more context on what was happening behind the scenes, including Kemper, Dash, and especially Ivory. And while I devoured all 500 pages in two days, I have to admit this book was longer than it needed to be—by the end I was exhausted, and the resolution felt a bit too easy. Ivory in particular got off way lighter than I expected, but maybe that’s something the next books will tackle.
Now, about our trio. Velle, Joy, and Rook are magnetic, volatile, and absolutely filthy. Their dynamic is addictive, but I’ll be honest—if the endgame had been just Rook and Velle, this would’ve been an easy 5 stars for me. While I loved Joy and completely understand how pivotal she was to the plot and their interactions, the “trio love” didn’t fully land. It often felt more like a duo (Velle and Rook) with Joy included, rather than a balanced throuple. Her chemistry with them mostly burned brightest in the bedroom, which made her feel almost like a piece Nyla K wanted there rather than someone seamlessly integrated into the emotional endgame. That said, she’s hot as hell, she participates a lot (not just watching!), and her presence changes the trajectory of both men in a way that matters.
The sex… holy hell. Nyla K writes the most incredible smut I’ve ever read. There are no words for the chemistry, tension, and sheer filth she gets across—it’s mind-blowing. These MCs are physically a wet dream, and their scenes are long, detailed, and endlessly inventive (toys, games, filthy imagination… yeah, those sheets would need daily changes). Reading this in public? Not recommended, unless you’ve got a killer poker face—unlike me. 🤦♀️ AND IT’S NOT JUST SEX BETWEEN THEM—IT’S THE WHOLE GODDAMN PRISON. INMATES, GUARDS, ORGIES… JFC THIS IS THE FILTHIEST THING I’VE EVER READ!!!
But maybe—just maybe—there was too much sex. I sometimes wished for quieter moments: movies, conversations, cuddling. A little balance to break up the relentless intensity. Still, every scene was scorching, and Nyla K proves again she’s unmatched in writing chemistry that leaps off the page.
Beyond the heat, the plot kept me engaged and guessing. The roles these characters play are so intriguing, so refreshing to read, and the whole setup at Alabaster continues to fascinate me. Still, I wish we’d had more depth about the 12-year relationship between Velle and Ivory, because that dependency and submission clearly shaped so much of who Velle is, but it never got the context it deserved. Also, Rook’s backstory for ending up there was a little too far-fetched for me to fully buy into.
In the end, Joyless is dark, violent, filthy, and unforgettable, but just like in Distorted, we have a super dark book, and in the end it’s a bit lame and a bit ordinary?
This made me curious for what’s next—especially Ren and Lex, though first I need to see Dr. Love and The Carver. Nyla K has me hooked, flaws and all.
![Profile Image for Megan [At The Cottage].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1634561405i%2F25103878._UY200_CR50%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
August 10, 2022
MMF Dark Romance
Prison Guard Debauchery
Not a stand-alone
4 Stars ⭐️
I hated book one but I am so invested in this series now that I read this book and especially after reading the author’s note at the end. Once again I am going to have to be vague because this one should only be read after reading book one. I will go over why I enjoyed this book vaguely and then mention the author’s note and why I’m so excited.
First, this book is fucking hot 🥵 Holy shit. When Rook & Velle were together, I was either swooning or needing a cold shower. These two were just chef’s kiss 😘 and had this been MM, I probably would have 5 starred it for their chemistry alone. The pining, the want, the scorching hot sex. Fuck, it was good. When Joy joined them it was still hot but she felt like a 3rd wheel at times but because she likes to watch, it somehow worked for them and for me.
That being said, Joy is there because she is pivotal to this book and the entire storyline. She ties into the first book in a way no one else can and I’m not sure Velle & Rook would have even gotten to where they did without her. She is a badass and while at times I wanted it just to be Rook and Velle, I completely understand why this book needed to be MMF. It just wouldn’t have worked any other way.
This book overlaps book one and was part of the reason I wanted to read it despite hating the first one because I hoped it would fill in a lot of blanks and it definitely did. It also made me like book one more because it gave it more depth. I didn’t like these guards in book one though but I absolutely LOVED them in this one especially Velle. Holy shit was he the opposite of everything I thought he was. Why isn’t there a fan emoji? I need one…badly. 😂🥵
I also read this because book 3 is about Darcey, The Carver, a depraved sociopathic serial killer. This isn’t like Onley James’ slightly humorous sociopath world but someone who is dark and deadly when it comes to everyone. This is going to read like my beloved true crime shows and Psychiatrist/Patient? Sign me up. We learn a lot about Darcey in this book and the Dr assigned to him. I have so many theories that I can’t write in here because spoilers. If anyone has read this and book one, please message me so we can discuss!!!
Lastly, the author’s note. When I finished, it had a HFN but it was clear this was far from over in every sense of the word. Alabaster Penitentiary is just getting started. There was specific wording in this book that gave me pause, almost like hints at what was to come but very subtle. It made my mind start to reel with all the possibilities of what has actually been happening in the last two books and what was to come. The author made it very clear in a note that every book in this series is going to overlap the others give or take a few months and that they’ve meticulously plotted it so that everything is there for a reason. All the covers, dedications, words were chosen for specific reasons and that makes me so interested. So interested in what I will discover going forwards because it’s like a puzzle I am going to want to solve to make sure I processed everything the right way and didn’t miss clues. My brain loves mind teasers, puzzles, word games etc and this series fulfills that cryptic need of mine to figure things out, to find out the truth. I am super excited to keep reading this series and I’m so glad I didn’t stop after book one.
Prison Guard Debauchery
Not a stand-alone
4 Stars ⭐️
I hated book one but I am so invested in this series now that I read this book and especially after reading the author’s note at the end. Once again I am going to have to be vague because this one should only be read after reading book one. I will go over why I enjoyed this book vaguely and then mention the author’s note and why I’m so excited.
First, this book is fucking hot 🥵 Holy shit. When Rook & Velle were together, I was either swooning or needing a cold shower. These two were just chef’s kiss 😘 and had this been MM, I probably would have 5 starred it for their chemistry alone. The pining, the want, the scorching hot sex. Fuck, it was good. When Joy joined them it was still hot but she felt like a 3rd wheel at times but because she likes to watch, it somehow worked for them and for me.
That being said, Joy is there because she is pivotal to this book and the entire storyline. She ties into the first book in a way no one else can and I’m not sure Velle & Rook would have even gotten to where they did without her. She is a badass and while at times I wanted it just to be Rook and Velle, I completely understand why this book needed to be MMF. It just wouldn’t have worked any other way.
This book overlaps book one and was part of the reason I wanted to read it despite hating the first one because I hoped it would fill in a lot of blanks and it definitely did. It also made me like book one more because it gave it more depth. I didn’t like these guards in book one though but I absolutely LOVED them in this one especially Velle. Holy shit was he the opposite of everything I thought he was. Why isn’t there a fan emoji? I need one…badly. 😂🥵
I also read this because book 3 is about Darcey, The Carver, a depraved sociopathic serial killer. This isn’t like Onley James’ slightly humorous sociopath world but someone who is dark and deadly when it comes to everyone. This is going to read like my beloved true crime shows and Psychiatrist/Patient? Sign me up. We learn a lot about Darcey in this book and the Dr assigned to him. I have so many theories that I can’t write in here because spoilers. If anyone has read this and book one, please message me so we can discuss!!!
Lastly, the author’s note. When I finished, it had a HFN but it was clear this was far from over in every sense of the word. Alabaster Penitentiary is just getting started. There was specific wording in this book that gave me pause, almost like hints at what was to come but very subtle. It made my mind start to reel with all the possibilities of what has actually been happening in the last two books and what was to come. The author made it very clear in a note that every book in this series is going to overlap the others give or take a few months and that they’ve meticulously plotted it so that everything is there for a reason. All the covers, dedications, words were chosen for specific reasons and that makes me so interested. So interested in what I will discover going forwards because it’s like a puzzle I am going to want to solve to make sure I processed everything the right way and didn’t miss clues. My brain loves mind teasers, puzzles, word games etc and this series fulfills that cryptic need of mine to figure things out, to find out the truth. I am super excited to keep reading this series and I’m so glad I didn’t stop after book one.
April 30, 2024
If joyless has 0 haters , I'm OFFICIALLY DEAD
July 4, 2024
3.5 stars
My reasons for reading this can be summarised as:
1. Book 1 had so many of my favourite tropes and the added bonus of a delicious teaser between Rook and Velle
2. The promise of learning more about Alabaster Pen
3. Book 4 in the series (Fragments) caught my eye but this is one of those series best read in order
WHAT I LIKED
- We see more of Alabaster Pen. We don’t necessarily learn more about it (there are still so many unanswered questions by the end of the book) but we get a broader perspective and the promise of more.
- The spice. I struggled at first (what with this being MMF and all) but once I got into it I was ALL IN - and in need of multiple water breaks🥵
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
- Lots of telling, not enough showing. This is an issue I had with the last book (and one I've had with previous Nyla K books – cough, For the Fans, cough) and I still stand by my opinion that a few more rounds of editing could have saved >50 pages of useless info/monologuing.
Overall this was a solid entry into the series though I liked the first one more. However, I think I need a breather before moving to the next one because these books are very long and rather dark.
My reasons for reading this can be summarised as:
1. Book 1 had so many of my favourite tropes and the added bonus of a delicious teaser between Rook and Velle
2. The promise of learning more about Alabaster Pen
3. Book 4 in the series (Fragments) caught my eye but this is one of those series best read in order
WHAT I LIKED
- We see more of Alabaster Pen. We don’t necessarily learn more about it (there are still so many unanswered questions by the end of the book) but we get a broader perspective and the promise of more.
- The spice. I struggled at first (what with this being MMF and all) but once I got into it I was ALL IN - and in need of multiple water breaks🥵
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
- Lots of telling, not enough showing. This is an issue I had with the last book (and one I've had with previous Nyla K books – cough, For the Fans, cough) and I still stand by my opinion that a few more rounds of editing could have saved >50 pages of useless info/monologuing.
Overall this was a solid entry into the series though I liked the first one more. However, I think I need a breather before moving to the next one because these books are very long and rather dark.
October 6, 2021
3.5 stars for me
Ever since I read Distorted I was totally obsessed with this world and wanted to know more details about this place, the history and about the characters. From the first time we hear about the Warden aka The Ivory I was intrigued and I am so happy it was justified, because wow does he surprise me. I hate him, but I MUST know more about him.
There was so much I loved about this book:
- Velle was a surprise and I loved his character a lot more than I expected
- we get to learn more about the Alabaster, the island, how everyone got there since we see it from the guards' POV
- some twists in here were interesting and the ways in which characters are connected
- the contrast between how tough the guys come off and their exterior, to their emotional side
- steam steam steam, off the charts
What I struggled with was Nyla's choice to make this MMF book. Velle and Rook meet in the prologue and you are immediately invested in their story. They were sizzling as the book went on and I loved the tension. The entire time I was reading it just felt like I had no idea why Joy was made to be part of this throuple. She has Velle as an ex who she is still close with and occasionally hooks up with, but have no plans to have a future together. Then her relationship with Rook honestly was friendship, I did not see them equal to what Velle and Rook have. And I think this took a lot away from the book. Even she herself mentions that she does not want to get in the way of Velle and Rook's relationship. I ended up not connecting with her primarily for this- so unfortunately chapters with her POV and flashbacks didn't feel like they added to the story. Additionally, I really thought having Joy's book would give answers for gaps that were left in Distorted on how Dash really escaped, but we did not get that here.
I am still definitely very invested in this world and excited for the next installment. Can't wait to uncover more secrets.
Ever since I read Distorted I was totally obsessed with this world and wanted to know more details about this place, the history and about the characters. From the first time we hear about the Warden aka The Ivory I was intrigued and I am so happy it was justified, because wow does he surprise me. I hate him, but I MUST know more about him.
There was so much I loved about this book:
- Velle was a surprise and I loved his character a lot more than I expected
- we get to learn more about the Alabaster, the island, how everyone got there since we see it from the guards' POV
- some twists in here were interesting and the ways in which characters are connected
- the contrast between how tough the guys come off and their exterior, to their emotional side
- steam steam steam, off the charts
What I struggled with was Nyla's choice to make this MMF book. Velle and Rook meet in the prologue and you are immediately invested in their story. They were sizzling as the book went on and I loved the tension. The entire time I was reading it just felt like I had no idea why Joy was made to be part of this throuple. She has Velle as an ex who she is still close with and occasionally hooks up with, but have no plans to have a future together. Then her relationship with Rook honestly was friendship, I did not see them equal to what Velle and Rook have. And I think this took a lot away from the book. Even she herself mentions that she does not want to get in the way of Velle and Rook's relationship. I ended up not connecting with her primarily for this- so unfortunately chapters with her POV and flashbacks didn't feel like they added to the story. Additionally, I really thought having Joy's book would give answers for gaps that were left in Distorted on how Dash really escaped, but we did not get that here.
I am still definitely very invested in this world and excited for the next installment. Can't wait to uncover more secrets.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2025
AGAIN I READ IT 2 years ago but never reviewed! THIS SERIES IS DARK AND IT IS MM. only go read it if you like this content. It’s not for everyone, it takes place in a PRISON !
I FUCKING LOVE JOY JAMESON!!!!!!!!!!
I FUCKING LOVE ROOK !!!!!!!
I HAVE A NEW FOUND LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING FOR OFFICER CHEVELLE !!!!!
I love Joy the most, I have to say I liked her from the very beginning in Dash’s book but now I just love her. She is funny as hell, sexy, dominant and the GLUE between Velle and Rook. She is the BEST !
Rook is just everything and he is good good. Let’s not forget everyone in Alabaster Pen is there for a reason, including the guards.
Velle got me spinning with the whiplash of emotions ! I HATED him in the first book and now I love him.
I won’t go deep, go in blindly in this series.
I FUCKING LOVE JOY JAMESON!!!!!!!!!!
I FUCKING LOVE ROOK !!!!!!!
I HAVE A NEW FOUND LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING FOR OFFICER CHEVELLE !!!!!
I love Joy the most, I have to say I liked her from the very beginning in Dash’s book but now I just love her. She is funny as hell, sexy, dominant and the GLUE between Velle and Rook. She is the BEST !
Rook is just everything and he is good good. Let’s not forget everyone in Alabaster Pen is there for a reason, including the guards.
Velle got me spinning with the whiplash of emotions ! I HATED him in the first book and now I love him.
I won’t go deep, go in blindly in this series.
November 9, 2021
5 STARS!
Absolutely fantastic! I mean.. what can I say besides, I luuuuved it and go read this series RIGHT NOW?!!
I really didn’t think anything could top book 1 in this series, Distorted. The Alabaster Penitentiary world is filled with flawed characters, secrets, betrayal, and dark desires.
Joyless, in a nutshell, is the story of three prison guards who find love and solace in one another. It is a HELLA spicy MMF that kept me glued to the pages and turned the hell on THE. WHOLE. TIME!! This is a #NSFW, do-not-read-in-public, guilty pleasure read WITH a strong plot! A freaking unicorn, I tell you!
Nyla tells a good meaty story and I so loved that, because it is a rare find these days. This is a long book, but not overly so. We get all the backstory for these three characters, what brought them each to Alabaster Pen, their backstories relationship wise, and it just really helps in bringing the story together.
Joy is our lucky ass bitch heroine ;).. and she is a strong-willed, sex positive female and thank Christ for that. There needs to be A LOT more heroines like her. Loves sex and is proud of it. Live that dream, girl! Relationships have never worked for her so, when the book begins, she is just looking to keep things casual and to survive at Alabaster.
Velle...oh, sweet baby Velle...bless his poor little battered heart. Truth be told, I did not love him in the first book so much. He was such a jerk and not in a hot way IMO. But wow, do we get a whole bunch of info that I never saw coming here. Ever! And you know what? He ended up being my favorite character of the whole book.
Velle is the head guard at Alabaster and has been for a long time. Where in the first book, he seemed to be on this power trip about that, in this story we see that this is not the case at all. I loved how the author peeled back the layers here little by little when it came to Velle and all that he is dealing with.
And then last, but definitely not least, Rook is thesweet former NYPD cop, cowboy from the Midwest turned Alabaster Pen guard and...why is that exactly?
I am trying to write this without giving anything away so if I am coming off all over the place and/or vague, I'm sorry! This is a story that you really need to go in blind for and experience so I refuse to spoil it for anyone.
Just know that this book was such an experience. I loved the dynamics of these three characters and getting to watch them come together. Every person plays such a role here, even The Ivory, who I loathe, by the way! I have been craving a good, dark prison romance like this series for years and this one just obliterated all of my very high expectations.
I received an e-ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Absolutely fantastic! I mean.. what can I say besides, I luuuuved it and go read this series RIGHT NOW?!!
"Stop fighting me," he hums. "If you bring me to your room again, I'll stay. I promise..."
I really didn’t think anything could top book 1 in this series, Distorted. The Alabaster Penitentiary world is filled with flawed characters, secrets, betrayal, and dark desires.
Joyless, in a nutshell, is the story of three prison guards who find love and solace in one another. It is a HELLA spicy MMF that kept me glued to the pages and turned the hell on THE. WHOLE. TIME!! This is a #NSFW, do-not-read-in-public, guilty pleasure read WITH a strong plot! A freaking unicorn, I tell you!
Nyla tells a good meaty story and I so loved that, because it is a rare find these days. This is a long book, but not overly so. We get all the backstory for these three characters, what brought them each to Alabaster Pen, their backstories relationship wise, and it just really helps in bringing the story together.
Joy is our lucky ass bitch heroine ;).. and she is a strong-willed, sex positive female and thank Christ for that. There needs to be A LOT more heroines like her. Loves sex and is proud of it. Live that dream, girl! Relationships have never worked for her so, when the book begins, she is just looking to keep things casual and to survive at Alabaster.
Velle...oh, sweet baby Velle...bless his poor little battered heart. Truth be told, I did not love him in the first book so much. He was such a jerk and not in a hot way IMO. But wow, do we get a whole bunch of info that I never saw coming here. Ever! And you know what? He ended up being my favorite character of the whole book.
"I've been trying to stay away, because I know this can only end one way… The way everything always ends. In tears, bloodshed, or death. There are no happy endings, not here. Not on this rock."
Velle is the head guard at Alabaster and has been for a long time. Where in the first book, he seemed to be on this power trip about that, in this story we see that this is not the case at all. I loved how the author peeled back the layers here little by little when it came to Velle and all that he is dealing with.
"Fear. Anger. Arousal. Shame. Need. Rage. Lust.
Hatred.
Love.
All the things I’m made of fade into black. And I’m nothing but empty."
And then last, but definitely not least, Rook is the
I am trying to write this without giving anything away so if I am coming off all over the place and/or vague, I'm sorry! This is a story that you really need to go in blind for and experience so I refuse to spoil it for anyone.
Just know that this book was such an experience. I loved the dynamics of these three characters and getting to watch them come together. Every person plays such a role here, even The Ivory, who I loathe, by the way! I have been craving a good, dark prison romance like this series for years and this one just obliterated all of my very high expectations.
“John.” I hold the nape of his neck. “I promise you, when you fall to your knees for me, I’ll always pick you back up. And I have no problem kneeling for you in return. Because I love you. I’ll never take from you without giving in right back. We can let go… together.”
I received an e-ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
October 19, 2021
As much as I loved Distorted and knew this wasn't going to be the same mindf ck, I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. It will probably knock your socks off if you're into MFM but for me, the addition of said female did absolutely nothing other than fill in a few blanks and give some background info.
The first half of the book I found more engaging, especially when it starts revealing parts that make the plot a bit mysterious and interesting. But there's a few in between sex scenes and a bit of angst and a lot of "it's all my fault, I need to suffer". We get a bit more of the 'bad guy' but not so to cause any serious damage; there's a hint of how an abusive relationship can fuck someone up and that would have been a lot more fun to explore further but it doesn't go that far.
After the first bit and towards the end, when there's a few mentions of the word 'throuple', I couldn't help but roll my eyes because it was given a bit, like, "how cool are we?"; almost the same way people say "I'm vegan" and they might expect a reaction as if they've said something utterly fascinating you have to be impressed by. Also, the writing I found bit juvenile at times. I know that's the author's styles but sometimes I felt I was reading her texts with her friends.
She keeps saying that it all will make sense and every bit in this book happens for a reason so not sure how many books it'll take for it all to actually make sense. The bisexuality of the MCs definitely didn't help me get/love/ them as much as I did Dash and Kemper. I was really excited for book 2, having read it, I'm slightly less excited for the next one. Hope it proves me wrong.
The first half of the book I found more engaging, especially when it starts revealing parts that make the plot a bit mysterious and interesting. But there's a few in between sex scenes and a bit of angst and a lot of "it's all my fault, I need to suffer". We get a bit more of the 'bad guy' but not so to cause any serious damage; there's a hint of how an abusive relationship can fuck someone up and that would have been a lot more fun to explore further but it doesn't go that far.
After the first bit and towards the end, when there's a few mentions of the word 'throuple', I couldn't help but roll my eyes because it was given a bit, like, "how cool are we?"; almost the same way people say "I'm vegan" and they might expect a reaction as if they've said something utterly fascinating you have to be impressed by. Also, the writing I found bit juvenile at times. I know that's the author's styles but sometimes I felt I was reading her texts with her friends.
She keeps saying that it all will make sense and every bit in this book happens for a reason so not sure how many books it'll take for it all to actually make sense. The bisexuality of the MCs definitely didn't help me get/love/ them as much as I did Dash and Kemper. I was really excited for book 2, having read it, I'm slightly less excited for the next one. Hope it proves me wrong.
October 1, 2021
Este libro es una pasada!
Antes de empezar, NO se puede leer Joyless si no has leído Distorted! Todo pasa en el mismo marco de tiempo y hay escenas de Distorted, pero desde el punto de vista de los guardias!
Vamos por partes:
Volver a Alabaster Penitentiary ha sido una locura, pero de las que a mi me encantan!
En este caso, tenemos un MMF EXTREMADAMENTE HOT entre 3 de los guardias: Joy, Velle y Harley (Rook).
Su química y conexión es una auténtica pasada! Son un match perfecto!
En este libro entendemos por qué trabajan en AP, conocemos a algunos presos que nos intrigan mucho (Darcey😏), sabemos un poco más de The Ivory (el jefe de la prisión), entendemos algunos comportamientos de Dash, etc. Hay muchísima información nueva! Yo os recomiendo tomarlo con calma!
Siguen habiendo cabos sueltos! Pero por eso es importante leer toda la saga!
Sin duda alguna:
5/5⭐️
5/5🌶 (mariposas aseguradas!)
Antes de empezar, NO se puede leer Joyless si no has leído Distorted! Todo pasa en el mismo marco de tiempo y hay escenas de Distorted, pero desde el punto de vista de los guardias!
Vamos por partes:
Volver a Alabaster Penitentiary ha sido una locura, pero de las que a mi me encantan!
En este caso, tenemos un MMF EXTREMADAMENTE HOT entre 3 de los guardias: Joy, Velle y Harley (Rook).
Su química y conexión es una auténtica pasada! Son un match perfecto!
En este libro entendemos por qué trabajan en AP, conocemos a algunos presos que nos intrigan mucho (Darcey😏), sabemos un poco más de The Ivory (el jefe de la prisión), entendemos algunos comportamientos de Dash, etc. Hay muchísima información nueva! Yo os recomiendo tomarlo con calma!
Siguen habiendo cabos sueltos! Pero por eso es importante leer toda la saga!
Sin duda alguna:
5/5⭐️
5/5🌶 (mariposas aseguradas!)
June 5, 2024
Definitely, not my favorite. This book was pivotal in understanding events from book one and I'm sure will be just as important to be able to move on to book 3. So despite wanting to DNF numerous times, I pushed through.
I love Velle and Rook together but I will die on a hill saying Joy should have stayed in the friend zone!
I love Velle and Rook together but I will die on a hill saying Joy should have stayed in the friend zone!
September 29, 2021
Holy mother of the sweet lord...
What can you say about this book without giving too much away. Its an MMF between Velle, Rook and Joy. They're correction officers at Alabaster Pen and the craziness that happens at this prison will blow your mind. You absolutely need to read this series in order, we get a different perspective with some things that went down in Distorted, which was really awesome to see. But this is 100% Lucky, Cherry and Cowboy's story.
I really love that Nyla flips gender roles and sexual roles on its head. And she did that so incredibly with Velle. I was so elated to see him being the power bottom and submissive. It was really refreshing. But he could only be that behind closed doors. He had a reputation and a leader role to fill. So his moments with Joy and Rook were that much more important cause he showed them his true self. In small doses.
We also got to see more of the secondary characters we met in the first book. Like Darcy, Luther, Ren and The Ivory. My hatred for him (the Ivory) is so strong. I have no idea how Nyla is gonna turn it around for his book. He is a manipulative, abusive, sociopath. And not the kind we oh so often fall for. Like I want to unalive him with all that I am!
I absolutely loved this book. Almost everything was there for me. It's dark and gritty, character development was on point, the setting was so eerie and cool, the redemption, the spice... ohhhh the spice. Just wow times a million. Nyla is known for having incredible spice but she really upped her game with this one!
But with that said there were two things that were in the negative for me, but nothing that changes how I felt about the book as a whole, just something that bugged me a bit. While this is MMF, I feel there were more scenes between Rook and Velle. And the written connection was stronger between them. I love Joy's character so much and I wanted her to be present more throughout the book. Don't get me wrong she's there and I love her so much. But I would have loved to see more of their connection as a threesome. Like the spice scenes with all three were a chef's kiss... And I know Joy and Velle had their own issues and commitment issues, but even just a bit more connection with her and the boys would have done it for me. Also prep for certain sex scenes was lacking for me. I think it is so important and it is a part of the foreplay, so lacking in that prep area takes me out of the scene a bit.
Alright, I'm trying to be as vague as possible while also trying to get you to read this book. haha. Please read it! It's so incredible. I can not wait to see what happens next. OH! Which reminds me, the end of the book gives us a sneak peak of what we can expect in the next two books! God, this series is gonna be phenomenal and we're only two books in... So buckle up. It's gonna be a bumpy ride.
What can you say about this book without giving too much away. Its an MMF between Velle, Rook and Joy. They're correction officers at Alabaster Pen and the craziness that happens at this prison will blow your mind. You absolutely need to read this series in order, we get a different perspective with some things that went down in Distorted, which was really awesome to see. But this is 100% Lucky, Cherry and Cowboy's story.
I really love that Nyla flips gender roles and sexual roles on its head. And she did that so incredibly with Velle. I was so elated to see him being the power bottom and submissive. It was really refreshing. But he could only be that behind closed doors. He had a reputation and a leader role to fill. So his moments with Joy and Rook were that much more important cause he showed them his true self. In small doses.
We also got to see more of the secondary characters we met in the first book. Like Darcy, Luther, Ren and The Ivory. My hatred for him (the Ivory) is so strong. I have no idea how Nyla is gonna turn it around for his book. He is a manipulative, abusive, sociopath. And not the kind we oh so often fall for. Like I want to unalive him with all that I am!
I absolutely loved this book. Almost everything was there for me. It's dark and gritty, character development was on point, the setting was so eerie and cool, the redemption, the spice... ohhhh the spice. Just wow times a million. Nyla is known for having incredible spice but she really upped her game with this one!
But with that said there were two things that were in the negative for me, but nothing that changes how I felt about the book as a whole, just something that bugged me a bit. While this is MMF, I feel there were more scenes between Rook and Velle. And the written connection was stronger between them. I love Joy's character so much and I wanted her to be present more throughout the book. Don't get me wrong she's there and I love her so much. But I would have loved to see more of their connection as a threesome. Like the spice scenes with all three were a chef's kiss... And I know Joy and Velle had their own issues and commitment issues, but even just a bit more connection with her and the boys would have done it for me. Also prep for certain sex scenes was lacking for me. I think it is so important and it is a part of the foreplay, so lacking in that prep area takes me out of the scene a bit.
Alright, I'm trying to be as vague as possible while also trying to get you to read this book. haha. Please read it! It's so incredible. I can not wait to see what happens next. OH! Which reminds me, the end of the book gives us a sneak peak of what we can expect in the next two books! God, this series is gonna be phenomenal and we're only two books in... So buckle up. It's gonna be a bumpy ride.
April 7, 2024
2 stars
Joyless is a gritty MMF romance with three of the guards in Alabaster Penitentiary, who were prominent side characters in Distorted (Alabaster Penitentiary Book 1). This book provided some context for the plot holes in book 1, alongside foreshadowing for the story in the sequel. As you might expect, this was fucked up, but a lot less fucked up than book 1—almost akin to a palate cleanser (as much as you can call it that).
My favourite character here was the female lead, Joy. Her effortless confidence, head-on approach to getting shit done when she's determined, and the way characters could lean on her during contentious times made her a delight to read about.
But despite this being a story about a poly couple, Joy felt more like an extremely enthusiastic side piece rather than an integral part of a throuple.
The narrative even acknowledges that the bond between the other two male leads, Velle and Rook are different and somewhat implies it being more special than either of their bond with Joy. This felt like such a shame since if I'm going to read about a polyamorous couple, it'd be nice to seem them all love each other as equally as possible. Even by the end, once they become an established couple, it felt like Joy was attached to the relationship by a slightly distant thread, rather than being an equal part of it.
More importantly, despite them being decently developed characters with believable backstories, I did not find myself invested in Velle and Rook at all, but I don't have any criticisms for them either. Not sure why I couldn't get attached to them; perhaps it's because their specific personality traits don't align with my personal preferences in characters. Oh well, at least I really liked Joy.
The length of this book was also unnecessarily long in my opinion due to a few meandering scenes, which felt more aggravating since I wasn't as invested in the main characters as I had hoped to be.
Though this story didn't work for me, I'm still happy I read it. A lot of new information and context about the world in this series was revealed, many potential areas of exploration for the sequels were alluded to, so I'm very excited to continue this series because book 3 seems like the fan favourite (update: I loved the third book).
Side note: I listened to the audiobook for this, and a scene with Dash was included that was narrated from Joy's POV where the narrator gives him a Russian accent; he's Russian but grew up in the US and had an American accent in book 1, so that caught me off guard lol.
Alabaster Penitentiary Series:
1. Distorted 2 stars
2. Joyless 2 stars
3. Brainwashed 5 stars
4. Fragments (TBR)
5. Ivory (Not released yet)
Joyless is a gritty MMF romance with three of the guards in Alabaster Penitentiary, who were prominent side characters in Distorted (Alabaster Penitentiary Book 1). This book provided some context for the plot holes in book 1, alongside foreshadowing for the story in the sequel. As you might expect, this was fucked up, but a lot less fucked up than book 1—almost akin to a palate cleanser (as much as you can call it that).
My favourite character here was the female lead, Joy. Her effortless confidence, head-on approach to getting shit done when she's determined, and the way characters could lean on her during contentious times made her a delight to read about.
But despite this being a story about a poly couple, Joy felt more like an extremely enthusiastic side piece rather than an integral part of a throuple.
The narrative even acknowledges that the bond between the other two male leads, Velle and Rook are different and somewhat implies it being more special than either of their bond with Joy. This felt like such a shame since if I'm going to read about a polyamorous couple, it'd be nice to seem them all love each other as equally as possible. Even by the end, once they become an established couple, it felt like Joy was attached to the relationship by a slightly distant thread, rather than being an equal part of it.
More importantly, despite them being decently developed characters with believable backstories, I did not find myself invested in Velle and Rook at all, but I don't have any criticisms for them either. Not sure why I couldn't get attached to them; perhaps it's because their specific personality traits don't align with my personal preferences in characters. Oh well, at least I really liked Joy.
The length of this book was also unnecessarily long in my opinion due to a few meandering scenes, which felt more aggravating since I wasn't as invested in the main characters as I had hoped to be.
Though this story didn't work for me, I'm still happy I read it. A lot of new information and context about the world in this series was revealed, many potential areas of exploration for the sequels were alluded to, so I'm very excited to continue this series because book 3 seems like the fan favourite (update: I loved the third book).
Side note: I listened to the audiobook for this, and a scene with Dash was included that was narrated from Joy's POV where the narrator gives him a Russian accent; he's Russian but grew up in the US and had an American accent in book 1, so that caught me off guard lol.
Alabaster Penitentiary Series:
1. Distorted 2 stars
2. Joyless 2 stars
3. Brainwashed 5 stars
4. Fragments (TBR)
5. Ivory (Not released yet)
October 5, 2021
3.Idk Stars lol! This was good gave answers to some of things that happened in book one that I was curious about. This was supposed to be MMF but the heroine Joy seemed to be the 3rd wheel. I wish she would’ve gotten her own book 😐
May 6, 2023
the world is such a better place with them as mine.
— 5/5🌟
i’ve never read a polyamorous couple romance so it was different but i loved it 💓
idk how she does it but she makes all the couples seem like soulmates 🫶🏼🫶🏼 rook, velle, and joy belong together fr they have their differences and similarities but they all just fit like puzzle pieces i love them so much ☹️❣️
THE MYSTERY THO ugh so many questions this series is so good i love how some things get revealed and other things i’m like whATS HAPPENING ?
i love in interconnected-standalones when you see the couple from other books and you’re like omG tHEYRE RIGHT THERE 🤭🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
songs that remind me of them:
save your tears - the weeknd, ariana grande
phases - PRETTYMUCH
love lies - khalid, normani
goodnight n go - ariana grande
— 5/5🌟
i’ve never read a polyamorous couple romance so it was different but i loved it 💓
idk how she does it but she makes all the couples seem like soulmates 🫶🏼🫶🏼 rook, velle, and joy belong together fr they have their differences and similarities but they all just fit like puzzle pieces i love them so much ☹️❣️
THE MYSTERY THO ugh so many questions this series is so good i love how some things get revealed and other things i’m like whATS HAPPENING ?
i love in interconnected-standalones when you see the couple from other books and you’re like omG tHEYRE RIGHT THERE 🤭🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
songs that remind me of them:
save your tears - the weeknd, ariana grande
phases - PRETTYMUCH
love lies - khalid, normani
goodnight n go - ariana grande
January 11, 2024
this book was EVERYTHING
Cannot wait for Felix’s story as i just want a little look into his messed up brain😭🧍♀️
also i really wanna write an in depth review on this but sadly i cannot say anything unless i wanna spoil people for certain events :,) so if ur down for this wild adventure i highly recommend reading it! (check ur trigger warnings!!)
Cannot wait for Felix’s story as i just want a little look into his messed up brain😭🧍♀️
also i really wanna write an in depth review on this but sadly i cannot say anything unless i wanna spoil people for certain events :,) so if ur down for this wild adventure i highly recommend reading it! (check ur trigger warnings!!)
September 20, 2021
“There are no happy endings, not here. Not on this rock.”
Joyless is book 2 in the Alabaster Penitentiary series by Nyla K. This book should not be read as a standalone however it follows a new couple (or thruple) in the series.
Joy, Rook & Velle.. Correctional officers to a secret prison on an island that houses some of the countries most dangerous criminals. Where souls go to die. But the guards have just as many skeletons in their closets as the prisoners they house.
“Since the moment I met John Chevelle, he’s flipped me upside down. It’s like he took away my gravity and now I’m just floating around him in orbit, reaching… trying to catch him and hang on for dear life.”
Joy and Velle are best friends and ex’s while Rook is a new officer to join their team that neither Joy or Velle can seem to resist. You don’t need to know anything else about the plot except its crazy, and steamy and dark and romantic. If you’ve already read Distorted, you know you’re in for a wild ride.
I’m already a big fan of Nyla K as an author and one thing I love about her books is that she never keeps herself inside this box of conventional romance. This book was no exception. It was a fun and interesting take on an MMF romance while also having this dark and eerie setting of Alabaster Isle. I loved being able to experience this world from the guards perspective, seeing inside the ivory mansion and learning more about The Ivory… who I despise.
She did a great job of teasing the next book in this series and I am VERY EXCITED for it to come out.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Joyless is book 2 in the Alabaster Penitentiary series by Nyla K. This book should not be read as a standalone however it follows a new couple (or thruple) in the series.
Joy, Rook & Velle.. Correctional officers to a secret prison on an island that houses some of the countries most dangerous criminals. Where souls go to die. But the guards have just as many skeletons in their closets as the prisoners they house.
“Since the moment I met John Chevelle, he’s flipped me upside down. It’s like he took away my gravity and now I’m just floating around him in orbit, reaching… trying to catch him and hang on for dear life.”
Joy and Velle are best friends and ex’s while Rook is a new officer to join their team that neither Joy or Velle can seem to resist. You don’t need to know anything else about the plot except its crazy, and steamy and dark and romantic. If you’ve already read Distorted, you know you’re in for a wild ride.
I’m already a big fan of Nyla K as an author and one thing I love about her books is that she never keeps herself inside this box of conventional romance. This book was no exception. It was a fun and interesting take on an MMF romance while also having this dark and eerie setting of Alabaster Isle. I loved being able to experience this world from the guards perspective, seeing inside the ivory mansion and learning more about The Ivory… who I despise.
She did a great job of teasing the next book in this series and I am VERY EXCITED for it to come out.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
May 29, 2022
"Yet the way his eyes are on mine, never wavering in an intense stare, it’s as if he’s trying to read me like a complicated book. He’s looking at me like I’m Great Expectations."
Joyless by Nyla K. is the second book in her fabulous Alabaster Penitentiary series. This is Velle, Rook and Joy's story - and yep, it's a MMF relationship🌶️.
TROPES:
🌶️Dark romance
🌶️High steam
🌶️Angst
🌶️Forbidden relationships
🌶️Mine
We first meet our MCs in Distorted and whilst this can be read as a standalone, I strongly recommend you read the series in order, to get a feeling for the backstory of the prison and the general timeline of events.
The dynamic between the three is spot on - I am not generally a lover of MMF relationships, but this one works. Nyla K. is the queen of the twisted relationship! And maaan, is this one twisted prison!!
I did a complete 180 on my opinion of these characters based on their appearances in Distorted - I love the character development between books and I can't wait to see what comes next in Brainwashed.
4 spicy stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Joyless by Nyla K. is the second book in her fabulous Alabaster Penitentiary series. This is Velle, Rook and Joy's story - and yep, it's a MMF relationship🌶️.
TROPES:
🌶️Dark romance
🌶️High steam
🌶️Angst
🌶️Forbidden relationships
🌶️Mine
We first meet our MCs in Distorted and whilst this can be read as a standalone, I strongly recommend you read the series in order, to get a feeling for the backstory of the prison and the general timeline of events.
The dynamic between the three is spot on - I am not generally a lover of MMF relationships, but this one works. Nyla K. is the queen of the twisted relationship! And maaan, is this one twisted prison!!
I did a complete 180 on my opinion of these characters based on their appearances in Distorted - I love the character development between books and I can't wait to see what comes next in Brainwashed.
4 spicy stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
September 20, 2024
the smut was hot, the rest of the book was boring. i’m excited for the next one tho 🤭
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