Vicious Texts

Captive Writings #3

by M.L. Philpitt

Teagan,

Once, you were my best friend and first love, but then you ran away, hiding in plain sight for years as a sidekick to a villain. We’re no longer on the same side, so the stakes have increased. I know your weaknesses, and I’ll do whatever it takes until I break you.

You push me away, but I’m not going anywhere. You want a reprieve, but the reaper isn’t in the business of gifting such an act. I’ll win this fight, Cherry-Girl, whether you like it or not. After so many years, the despair I felt at losing you manifested into something greater—something darker and more malicious.

Until the circumstances change in ways I hadn’t expected, and I realize whose side you’ve truly been on. This time, I’m not letting you go again.

Viciously yours,
Brent

Vicious Texts is the third book in the Captive Writings series, which must be read in order. Vicious Texts is a dark second-chance romance with content some readers may find triggering. Trigger warnings include rape, non-consensual sexual encounters, explicit sexual content, slavery, reference to murder, swearing, trauma, and psychological manipulation.

Genres: Dark Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary, Dark, Friends To Lovers

319 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 17, 2022

About the author

USA Today Bestselling author M.L. Philpitt writes both dark romance and paranormal romance. When she’s not writing made-up realities, she’s reading them. She lives in Canada with her four pets and survives life with coffee and an obsession with fictional characters, especially the morally grey kind. By day, she masks as a therapist, and is still waiting for her Hogwarts letter so she can be sorted into her Ravenclaw house.

Reviews

[Taylor Sotiropoulos · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

I was not as into this book’s love story as I was in the others, but i was absolutely here for the plot. I didn’t find Brent and Teagan’s story as interesting as Book 1&2. But the continuation of this story and plot was done well and really had me on the edge of my seat.

[kindlequeenandcoffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5 ⭐️ 2.5/5🔥

BRENT THORNE, the forgotten golden sweetheart 😭🥺

ALRIGHT, I have been obsessed with this series and while this series is an automatic 5 stars for me this book hit WAY different. Author notes states from the beginning book three and four will be DARKER and it is. TW/CW please!! I post them in most of my reviews anyways

“Cherry Girl” has been through it, she disappeared 5 years ago and she’s living the life Ryker, Tristan, Brent and Hawke are trying to put a stop to. She’s the enemy , they don’t know her anymore and its heartbreaking to read there friendship and love go there. Can they ever get back there?

I felt for Teagan and what she’s went threw but GIRL, She needed to call in the fucking hat after living the life she has. It’s understandable though and that’s what made it more heartbreaking to get through. This is VERY DESCRIPTIVE and GOD. I cried and had to take a break sometimes but other times i had to re-read it be there were some confusing dialogue but it made sense in the end so beware of random time jumps!

Now Brent.. BRENT! He has come along from the boy that always got teased and used. His hate towards Teagan but the second he realizes his love for her never turned off. This book is spicy but slow burn due to the trauma and it was so heartfelt during there scenes.

TW/CW: DESCRIPTIVE rape and sa, conditioning , kidnapping, slavery, manipulation, psychological trauma

[Laura Reads Too Much · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Sheesh, part 3 of taking down Alex Miller and this is when it truly takes a dark turn!
Here is where we get a lot more details of what happens behind closed doors and there's no denying, it's brutal!

This is part of a series and it most definitely has to be read in order so if you've not read Ruthless Letters - go back!!

To be honest, I'm not to sure what I can say without spoiling it so I'm going to leave it as this.... This book had me glued to my screen from the first page. It is full of evil, of depravity, of soul-destroying experiences and of hopelessness. But it also has friendship and love and hope. The love and friendships may have been from several years ago but it's the hope that will have you praying for a happy ending.

I loved this book and I'm seriously excited for the last one!!!




*I voluntarily received an arc and this is my honest review. 4.5stars

[Alisha Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this continuation of the story was perfect. I love how individual the stories are within this group of friends. I enjoyed the difference in how Brent went about everything compared to the others. It was refreshing but still had the trademark angry boy trope. The continuation of the Alex storyline was so horrifyingly but done in a really good way. I have never hated a person more. He deserves way more then he is getting or going to get, but the ending. I'm so not ready for what is to come. I'm excited to learn more about hawk though in the next book. Overall really enjoying the series and recommend to anyone that loves a dark romance that has a little bit of everything

[Raegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

And she’s done it again. Teagan’s story has you in a vice-like grip from the very beginning. My heart broke as we watched the past get explained and relived. Teagan’s story is absolutely heartbreaking, one that I’m sure most women can relate to in at least one aspect. There were so many times that I rose an eyebrow at responses, knowing the bullshit that was being spewed. We’ve gotten hints…but the monstrous actions of Alex are finally revealed in so much detail, that you just have to hold your breath as you read. My heart broke again and again for Teagan, the girls, and even for Natalie. I got just about everything I needed reading this, so many answers but also gained new questions that I can’t wait to be answered in the next book.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Brent and Teagan’s story was incredibly dark, extremely tragic and insanely emotional. Their story is not for the faint of heart or anyone with triggers. It gutted me, had me crying uncontrollably throughout and crossing my fingers hoping that Teagan can finally heal and find love that she so desperately deserves.

As Teagan’s story and past is slowly revealed I was left shocked and reeling over what her life has been like and how she can’t seem to claw her way out of the darkness. She had me frustrated with her poor decisions but after what she reveals I understood why she kept making those decisions. Teagan’s story broke me apart and left me gutted. I just wanted to reach in and piece her back together again.

Brent is everything Teagan needs again in her life. But they really get off to an ugly start and bad things keep happening making it hard to see them having any kind of future together. They still have a connection after being a part for so long and their chemistry oozed off the pages but healing for both of them is not an easy road to travel. Will they be able to climb to the surface of their shared darkness?

This was a really well written and very descriptive story in this amazing series. It was filled with depravity, corruption, evilness, violence, rage and soul-crushing moments that will have you gripping your kindle tightly, biting your nails from the intensity of each tragic moment, and gasping for breath at the shocking events and revelations that happen right before your eyes.

I love this series and I can’t wait to read the final story.

[Sophie Ruthven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this was the book I could tell the author had in her.
I'm so glad I stuck with this series, as this book was everything.
Honestly I don't have a lot of words to describe this book, as so much we had been waiting on happened and so much more came to light.
So I'll leave you wondering if Brent and his Cherry-Girl finally make their way back to each other unscathed, or if the monster wins yet again.
Instead this book is being added to my top reads list and it's one I won't forget in a long time. So that should speak volumes.
Now that the author has found her groove in this genre, I'm eagerly awaiting what on earth she can come up with for the final book in this mind boggling series.

[Sandy Demuynck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vicious Texts is the third book of Captive Writings serie and this has been an amazing series so far.

This book is different from the first two but still amazing.

So be warned that book three and four will be darker.

Without spoiling anything. They are still trying to take down Alex Miller and this is where it gets darker.

We get more details from what happend behind closed doors and it is so bad and brutal.

I finished this in one go (like all the others).

It is dark, really evil, depraved and has some really hopelessness scenes.

But not everyting is dark, there is friendship, love and hope.

Hope that hopefully end in a happy ending.

Read the TW for Teagan's story ...

I am on the edge of my seat for the last book. I am in need of it.

[Latifa Morrisette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vicious Texts is book three in the Captive Writings series and is Brent and Teagan's story. This book is a lot more dark than the previous books so please check the TWs before reading. This book really shows the person that Alex is through Teagan's eyes and he got off very easy in this book. Brent and Teagan's story is not for the faint of heart and it also makes you question what you would do to survive. Vicious Texts is a book that you really have to trust the process with. I'm really excited to see what happens next.

[Smuttybooks_geekystuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!
This series just keeps getting better and better as well as darker and darker.

Teagan, who was friends with Elena in high school as well as being best friends with Brent, has reappeared after vanishing 5 years ago.

Now she is Alex's girlfriend and living the life that Brent, Ryker, Tristan and Hawke are trying to put an end to.

There is definitely more on an emphasis on the plot in this book, as more of the horrifying truth about Alex comes out, but we still get to see the love story between Brent and Teagan evolve.

There were moments that my heart broke for Teagan and other times that I questioned what was happening, but that is how it is meant to make you feel and it all comes together in the end.

This series seriously has me addicted, I can't wait for Hawke's book next.

This is a dark romance so check TW's before reading as there are some heavy topics covered here.

Also, these books do need to be read in order

[Valentina]

3.5 stars

Continuing arc from prior books in the Captive Writing series including original characters, in this one Teagan re-encounters former childhood best friend, Brent whom she defended as kids. Teagan is now constricted and conditioned to be with Alex, of illegal and immoral purpose, the skin trade. Brent and his friends are set to save Teagan but also take down Alex.

This story had a harrowing, attention-grabbing beginning expanding to not just the main couple, Brent and Teagan, but the entire crew led by Ryker from book one. And while the story appealed to me -- I welcomed the dark themes, I was not as taken with Brent and Teagan simply due the lack of chemistry and connectedness. I found Brent empathetic, but not enough take charge; and while Teagan inspired sympathy, she was too taken, too trapped in her own circumstance. I do understand the intent in this depiction and her history, but somehow this couple was not as alluring as the couples in the previous books.

Again, I loved the storyline -- Alex was absolutely horrible and he was rendered so well, despicably so -- and I enjoyed the character engagement, but I also felt the need for a little faster progression. I felt a bit mired into the day to day, particularly having the read the history within the other two stories. I also missed spice.

Overall, though, an intriguing read. I'd be curious what the next book brings.

[Megan Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beta Read-RTC

[Elisa ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book emotionally drained me, it was good, but it drained me so much!

[~lil maso~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hokey pokey was this story absorbing! I enjoyed the first two books but this third book was absolutely sensational. It had me on tenterhooks waiting to see what would happen next the whole way through!

Brent and Teagan were best friends in high school but Brent wanted more, it didn’t work out that way—what a shame for them both because what did happen was a living nightmare for Teagan.
I immediately liked Teagan from the previous book, Obsessive Messages, and enjoyed getting to know her even more in this book. The same for Brent, I will admit I wasn’t so sure of him through his past with Elena in book one, Ruthless Letters, but seeing him now, I changed my mind—a woman’s prerogative. 😆 I enjoyed the other characters from the previous books being up front and center, too.

This story evokes so many emotions, mainly fear, anger, and anxiety but also relief, happiness, and joy. I’m not afraid to admit that at the pinnacle moment in this story, well for me anyway, I had tears in my eyes. Tears that conveyed so much for the characters in the story. I truly felt so deeply for them simply because of the incredible way this story was written. There are great twists in the plot and for me personally, I love it when a story is unpredictable.

Bring in the fourth book, Burning Notes!

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*

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[Robyn Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hokey pokey was this story absorbing! I enjoyed the first two books but this third book was absolutely sensational. It had me on tender hooks waiting to see what would happen next the whole way through!

Brent and Teagan were best friends in high school but Brent wanted more, it didn’t work out that way—what a shame for them both because what did happen was a living nightmare for Teagan.
I immediately liked Teagan from the previous book, Obsessive Messages, and enjoyed getting to know her even more in this book. The same for Brent, I will admit I wasn’t so sure of him through his past with Elena in book one, Ruthless Letters, but seeing him now, I changed my mind—a woman’s prerogative. 😆 I enjoyed the other characters from the previous books being up front and centre, too.

This story evokes so many emotions, mainly fear, anger and anxiety but also relief, happiness and joy. I’m not afraid to admit that at the pinnacle moment in this story, well for me anyway, I had tears in my eyes. Tears that conveyed so much for the characters in the story. I truly felt so deeply for them simply because of the incredible way this story was written. There are great twists in the plot and for me personally, I love it when a story is unpredictable.

Bring in the fourth book, Burning Notes!

[•Cici• Theory of A Dreamer Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read Ruthless Letters and Obsessive Messages i've been looking so forward to more! So as soon as i found out about this book i knew i wanted to pick it up. I started reading and got back into the Captive Writings world! I enjoyed this third installment!

Brent and Teagan's journey was so quick to capture my attention! As these two are brought back into each other's lives, i couldn't wait to see how everything would play out!

I've been curious about Brent as well as Teagan. I really liked that these two had history and getting to see how they'd tackle everything in the present. I didn't know what all to expect and that got me into this installment even more. This story and it's characters had me going through many different emotions throughout!

With Vicious Texts, Ms.Philpitt has created such a good and dark read that will pull you in! This series continues to keep me on my toes! I am so looking forward to diving back into the Captive Writings Series with the fourth installment, Burning Notes!

There are triggers and this is a dark read / series. Be sure to check out the author's website / the book's synopsis on goodreads for more info.


*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from The Next Step PR / the author*

[Kris A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vicious Texts is an amazing continuation in the Captive Writings Series.

Everything felt like it lead up to this point; finally getting to know what Alex Miller was doing behind closed doors and Teagan's involvement. Although extremely dark topics were discussed with equally as dark descriptions, I felt like M.L. Philpitt did a really good job at approaching it with care and respect. I cried a number times from the scenes regarding the trauma that Teagan and other women faced though, feeling incredibly shocked and heartbroken for them.

Even though I didn't cling to Brent and Teagan's relationship as much as I did with the couples in the previous 2 books, I can't deny how their story played a much different and seemingly more important roll to the series. Their relationship was strong to begin with but i can't help but feel like overtime, after everything thats happened, it will only continue to grow stronger!

Definitely curious and excited to see how Hawkes and Willows story will wrap up the series!

Thank you so much to M.L. Philpitt for allowing me to read an arc of this book in return for my honest review!

[Basak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vicious Texts by M.L. Philpitt is by far the darkest and the most heart wrenching book in the series Captive Writings. With Teagan and Brent’s story, we learn how deep Alex’s viciousness and cruelty goes and face with what Teagan has been enduring over the past four years. It was really endearing how Brent was dealing delicately with a trauma-ridden Teagan and willing he was to chase her to the fiery depths of h@ll. It is hard to wait for the next book to come out to learn what Alex is concocting for this group of friends next but thankfully Burning Notes will be available in about a month and a half.

[Teresa Juckett (Love Dark Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this book left me a emotional wreck as well as wanting to jump into it and choke a person. Ugh this series is my undoing, I can't get enough of it, always craving just a lil more please🤲🏻. I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read it yet, but you need this book if you've read the first 2 book's, because this book will take you down the rabbit hole as Teagan fights to get her life back she just has to let love and Brent in to guide her. This book has triggers, so absolutely read them before going in. I'm so in love with each and every character as well as this whole series. I can't wait for the next in the series.

[Jennifer Felderman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was warned that I wouldn’t like Teagan, but there must be something wrong with me. I felt for her every step of the way in this story and understood her.

Teagan is holding a lifetime of secrets, ones that she couldn’t tell anyone without them being hurt. Those secrets kept her in captivity, in an endless loop, surrounded by predators. This is the third book in this series and they do need to be read in order. There are lots of trigger but it’s amazing.

[SmuttySiren (Lenore) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not invested in Brent and Teagan on quite the same level as I was with the other guys, but I was 100% consumed by the continuation of this plot!

I have been following this series ever since I stumbled upon a request in a FB group looking for ARC readers for a new upcoming series and I have been loving the ride, but we definitely hit the dark tunnel on the roller coaster with this book. Teagan’s story is incredibly traumatic, both on page and implied, but she is a survivor. The evolution of her character is handled so well. We experience her pain on a number of increasing levels and then follow her through the extensive healing process. Brent is also plagued by his own emotions and turmoil where it comes to Teagan. The challenge will be in accepting the past and determining if they can possibly move on from this together? Or if their paths have diverged too far for reconciliation.

I think we can all agree at this point that Alex is a disgustingly evil human being and while we have a bit of a victory, something tells me it will be short lived..

I cannot wait for Hawke’s book (because I absolutely need more Hawke in my life) and the conclusion of this story.

[Nath✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐
TW:violación, encuentros sexuales no consentidos, contenido sexual explícito, esclavitud, referencia al asesinato,trauma y manipulación psicológica.
Gracias The Next Step PR y M.L. Philpitt por el Earc.
Vicious Texts de M.L. Philpitt es, con diferencia, el libro más oscuro y desgarrador de la saga. Con la historia de Teagan y Brent, aprendemos cuán profunda es la perversidad y la crueldad de Alex y nos enfrentamos a lo que Teagan ha estado soportando durante los últimos cuatro años.
Fue realmente entrañable cómo Brent estaba tratando con delicadeza a una Teagan traumatizada y dispuesto a perseguirla hasta el infierno mismo.

Es difícil esperar a que salga el próximo libro para saber lo que Alex está tramando para este grupo de amigos, pero afortunadamente Burning Notes estará disponible en aproximadamente un mes y medio.

¨The past is the past and there’s only one way to live the future— in the present.¨
¨Some days, I swear her heart could explode with how much goodness she keeps in there.¨
¨No man will ever allow me to do something again. From here on out, everything happening in my life is because I choose it.¨
¨Move on when you’re ready to, not when you think you have to.¨

[Lila Danisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn it was so intense. I was on the edge so many times. I pulled my hair so hard I had headaches.
I was so nervous about this book because I hated Brent in book 1. Yet now, because of this book, I kinda love him. I have not forgiven him, yet he grows on me. Between Ryker and Tristan, I think Brent was the most related one. Like I could imagine someone in real life act and behave like him. He had been hurt, and his acts were completely reasonable. Though he still loved Teagan so much, my heart hurt.
Teagan, girl, I don't know what to say about you. The author already warned that we might hate her and I definitely her so much at the beginning. I cried for her so bad so many times. She deserved her Brent. They deserved each other.
The end of the book makes me so ichty to dive in the next and also the last book of the series. I have become obsessed with this series. I want to know how the author will end this book, yet I don't want it to end so soon.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series, and this is Brent and Teagan’s journey. This is a well written in-depth story, which is dark, raw, gritty, and intriguing, with emotions, 2nd chances, trauma, friendships, survival, and love, which leads to a riveting page turner, which is not for the faint-at-heart. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I recommend.
Be aware of the trigger warning die to the sensitive content!!
I received a free copy of this book via The Next Step PR Promotions and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Viola · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading the series I was so disappointed with 1st book I didn’t like it, but I was here absolutely for the plot. And after finishing book no 3 here is where we get a lot more details of what happens behind closed doors and there's no denying, it's brutal! Could not put it down! Please check TW before you decide to read this book. Hones 4.5 ⭐️ read for me 🥹

[Rebecca]

Edited manuscript

[Sydney C · Rating 3 out of 5]

The way after so long they are reunited was the sweetest and I loved how the author went about it!