His Revelry

by Bailey Nicole

After one blazing hot, inferno of a night where tensions ran high and secret feelings were revealed, he outcasted me from his life. Left me for dead.

The only thing keeping me sane was suddenly gone.
Loneliness breeds vile thoughts.
I let him in, and he destroyed me.
He didn’t care. No one ever does.
It’s my turn now.
After all, I’ve got nothing left to lose.

His Revelry is a standalone dark M/M romance novella with a winter carnival theme. Please read the content warning before beginning as there are situations that may be triggering for some readers. HEA guaranteed.

Genres: M M Romance, Dark, Novella, Dark Romance, Friends To Lovers, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary

136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 18, 2021

About the author

Bailey is an author who loves writing LGBTQ+ romance books.

They’d much rather write about fictional worlds and characters than themself, but they love interacting with their readers!

You can stalk Bailey here:

Instagram: @authorbaileynicole
https://www.instagram.com/authorbaile...

Facebook: Bailey Nicole
https://www.facebook.com/bailey.nicol...

Pinterest: @baileynicolereads
https://pin.it/uIJkzbv

Reviews

[moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 5 out of 5]

I CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT THEM, HELP-

***

"Why? What is the point of all this, Rome?"
"Because if you're not in it, I'd love nothing more than to watch the world burn."

Rome and Devin deserve a full length novel. 😤😭

i'm always hesitant with novellas bc i tend to get attached towards characters easily and, if i love them, i want a whole story and this was the exact case here.

i loved how Devin had a valid reason (at least it was valid, imo) for pushing Rome away. i understood why he did it, but i also understood Rome's anger so it was nice seeing both perspectives on their actions. i wished we had more scenes between them from the past, but i enjoyed the ones we had!

p.s. i never realized how cute the nickname, 'my little psycho', was until this book. 🥺

[ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

reread my psycho babies to cleanse my soul.

I was his everything and he was mine.

*****

all the depraved goodness i needed on this fine Christmas evening. perfect way to end the festive day... with some kinky knife and blood play between a guy and his good little psycho😝

p.s. it is a hate crime that this isn’t a full length novel, i–

[Marci · Rating 5 out of 5]

BAILEY NICOLE NEVER DISAPOINTS ME 🤩

[Nazanin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Told in dual POV, 1st person, it can be read as a standalone novella. This was my first read by this author and I wasn’t familiar with her writing. It’s a bit dark and angsty. There was no character development. Honestly, I didn’t care about any of the MCs. I couldn’t feel their hatred or their love. Overall, considering all the good reviews, it’s just me and not the book, hope you enjoy it more than me!

[Gloria (in a slump? idk) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freaking knew it! I knew the moment this landed on my kindle that I would be rendered useless. Regardless, I have zero regrets 😌. BAILEY NICOLE DID THE THING. Is this the only Christmas themed novella I'll read this year?! YES because unpopular opinion, I'm not a fan of Christmas themed romance books (too much sweetness in too little time) But Bailey? She just gets it! This is a Christmas novella that recognizes that the joy of the season is not universal, and it's okay if you're immune to it because life is shitty most times 👏🏾

“I’m gonna make you feel what I feel. Fucked over and stabbed in the back. Alone in a room full of people. You don’t get to have this power over me forever. It ends now.”

This story is centered around two boys who'd been very close friends, but we meet them as enemies, and it's a glimpse into a certain moment in time in their lives. For this reason, we are not privy to all the backstories but the author does a wonderful job of catching you up so you don't feel as though you're missing any crucial aspects. It is a novella after all.

“Why? What is the point of all this, Rome?” I pay his anguish no mind and look at the flame. It flickers and dances with the wind hypnotically. He did this. “Because if you’re not in it, I’d love nothing more than to watch the world burn.”

The chemistry between Rome ((who is probably a psychopath with a penchant for destruction, but a weak spot for his best friend)) and Devin ((who has had a shitty life and is hanging on by a thread and has always been in love with his bestfriend)) is so damn combustible. In the first chapter, we already feel this air of animosity but also something intense about their relationship. I won't say anything else because man, this book is best read when you have no idea what to expect. With that being said though, please for all that is good in the world, pay attention to the trigger warnings. This book is dark. It's not just 'claiming' to be dark. It's gritty af. Please keep that in mind.

Bailey Nicole is already an auto-buy author for me, and I'm so grateful to have been able to read an early copy of her THIRD story 🖤

[ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I didn’t read the summary before reading this because at this point Bailey Nicole is an auto-buy author for me, so I only knew what to expect from the authors notes and I was not disappointed.

This was a pretty intense little novella. There is so much feeling involved with the two MCs in that short time. You get their history through some flashbacks that add to the intensity of the present time.

There were new to me tropes that I wasn’t sure how I would feel about them but Bailey handles things with sensitivity.
Definitely check the TWs.

Dark MM romance
Stalking
Knife play
Blood play
Dub-con
Spit kink
Acts of pyromania
Drugs/drinking
Florida winter carnival setting
Best friends to enemies to lovers
High school age

Rome, I just want you to get some sleep baby. 😴

[Imme [trying to crawl out of hiatus] van Gorp · Rating 3 out of 5]

|| 2.5 stars ||

This had quite a lot of interesting and enjoyable elements, but I don't think the execution, development or depth was all there for it to be truly successful.

I liked the idea of Rome not giving a single fuck about anything or anyone besides Devin, thus having him completely spiral downwards when Devin left him.

"If you're not in it, I'd love nothing more than to watch the world burn."

"I love you, Devin. The love I feel for you is the only kind I've ever known."

It made for the kind of obsession I love, and I adored the fact that Rome was still only thinking about and stalking Devin even while he was so hurt and angry with him.

However, I can't say that I was truly feeling the love between them myself. I understand that they've been each other's rock for a long time, but it's not like we have seen much of that, as the novella starts with Rome and Devin already being on the outs with each other. The handful of quick flashbacks we get weren't enough to give me a true feel for their relationship.
I thought this really could have been done better, as I'm sure it would have really helped my investment into the relationship. Hell, even Devin wasn't so sure of their connection:

"I didn't know you loved me."

Now, when it comes to the actual drama in this; Devin deciding to ignore Rome for months after having sex for the first time.. I honestly don't get it. His reasoning for this was super vague to me, and the way things were fixed in the end was so easy and quick, that it's almost laughable this was somehow such an issue for Devin that he decided to abandon the only person he cares about. The only person he claims to want to stay alive for.
Considering all that, you'd think this would be a hard decision for someone to make and not one you take lightly. So, how is it that he didn't even think to come up with a solution that was clearly so easily attained? It's weird. And dumb. It makes the drama feel unbelievable, and therefore something I can't truly connect with.

"I want you to look me in the eyes and tell me why you left me."

I do have to say that I think the sex here was really.. something. It incorporates a lot of different kinks, such as blood-play, dubious/non-consent, degradation, physical pain, etc. It made for anything but bland sex scenes, and I really liked them.
The fact that there were really only two sex scenes, though, does mean that everything is a bit rushed, considering a lot of kinks are packed in here.

I withdraw my thumb and slap him hard. His face whips to the side with the force of it and a sweet moan slips from his lips.

Nothing could stop me at this point - not the ache in my jaw or the man begging me to stop even as I feel his dick throb on my tongue.

"Lick my boots clean, little psycho. It's the least you could do."

All in all, I think the premise and characters had a bunch of potential to be great, but due to a lack of time and rationality, it never reaches its full heights.
It still had me entertained most of the time, though, so if you're into these sort of darker stories, I would probably still recommend it for a quick read.


Bailey Nicole books:
‘Worthless Boys’ series - var. ratings
His Revelry - 2.5 stars
Consumed - 2.5 stars

[Crystal (Crystalreads2) · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Revelry is one heck of a Dark Christmas Novella. When the author first announced this book, I didn't even read the blurb before going in; All I knew was it's a dark MM with a winter carnival theme. As I said before, and I will say again. Bailey Nicole is a one-click author and has become one of my favorite LGBTQ+ authors.

Read the trigger warnings. There are no flowers or rainbows and that is okay, there are several triggers with a sprinkle of Degradation(one of my personal favorites) and now let’s add Christmas lights. I swear that is my new favorite theme for the holiday season, and will never look at the lights the same way again.

From Page one, the author captives your attention with Rome's POV and you feel all his pain from his ex-best friend, Devin, that he loves until the“ incident”. Now he is out for revenge. Rome is the Psycho who stole my heart.

Devin is basically walking through the emotional an of life but not living it, Devin and Rome both have a horrific backstory. Devin however, has suffered more than Rome, and he misses his best friend, but they can’t be together. Always so painful.

I could go on and on about how much I love this novella. Not only is it captivating, its spicy, painful, dark, suspenseful, and action-packed Rome is completely unhinged and drives the crazy train, while Angsty Devin tries to balance him out; The two are toxic but fit perfectly together. His Revelry is a dark tale that you find the beauty in this story. One word, Masterpiece.

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"So many emotions keep crashing into me like massive waves, one after the other. Regret. Rage. Guilt. Anguish. Love."

His Revelry by Bailey Nicole is a dark MM romance novella, and it packs a powerful punch in such a small package. Our MCs are Devin and Rome and they have HISTORY that Rome is not willing to forget. Or forgive.

Bailey manages to pack a lot of steam 🔥 and a whole load of tropes into this powerhouse novella (including knife play, stalker, dub-con, friends to enemies to lovers) and as always, there is a content warning from the author at the start, which includes some of the kinks too.

Look, I am really not one for novellas, I've read enough now to know that. I really enjoy the world and character building that only comes with a full blown novel. I don't like insta-love and I don't like not knowing the character back-stories.

All of that said, I really like reading Bailey Nicole's books and so of course I was going to inhale this one too! 🖤

She did a really great job of building the story up to a crescendo and was still able to pull it all together for a HEA.

Would I have preferred the boys' story as a chunky novel? Yes.

Will I be buying the paperback for my collection? Also yes!

Does this come highly recommended? YES!

4 dark and steamy stars ✨✨✨✨

[Kati *☆･ﾟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25**** bleeding stars


This is only a novella. Less than a hundred pages. Knowing that it’s even more astounding how much pain can reside in such a short story. It was fucked up. They were a fucked up mess. Both of them.

My heart was bleeding for Devin and Rome.

It was worth it. All of it. Because I worried that the day I couldn’t be there for him might’ve been his last.
***
Fuck, I’m so exhausted. So sick of dealing with life’s bullshit. What’s the point?
***
I could never do that to him, the mere thought of leaving him for the warm solace of death feels like a kick to the gut.
***
I never suspected that in the dark of his room he was bleeding out his pain and frustration—alone.
***
“You said that cutting is the only time you feel in control.” …
“Control me then. Unleash it all.”
***


I was his everything and he was mine.
***
…he’s every dark dream I’ve ever had.
***
I don’t know why I ever thought it could be any other way.

♥︎♥︎

[Ash🍉 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 ⭐️

That was delightfully fucked up

[Lars · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really could not take this book seriously 😭 The reason why they were mad at eachother was so fucking stupid. They say that they only love and trust eachother and nobody else, yet they go months without talking over something that they both wanted? And everything was wrapped up too quickly. If they just talked like the supposed 'bestfriends' that they are, it would of saved us from the hassle that this book was.

Btw why did Rome set fire to Rebecca's car and the carousel? It made no sense. He said it was to get Devins attention but come on. I thought that he would've done wayyyyy worse, so when I read that that was all he did I was like "okay big boy, simmer down now."

[Ben Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Because if you’re not in it, I’d love nothing more than to watch the world burn.”

Now this was some good angst. His Revelry is a dark romance novella, it's friends-to-lovers and enemies-to-lovers. We get flashbacks throughout explaining what happened to their friendship, while also living the aftermath of that in present day. Devin and Rome were so well fleshed out and go through a lot. It's dark, it's messy, they deserve the world.

[any · Rating 5 out of 5]

for my mental health I really need this book to be 200 pages longer. with these pages being rome going crazy like a psycho on dev. and then I want the happy ending.

anyway merry christmas in february.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now this is definitely the kind of dark Christmas read I can get on board with. I'm not a fan of Christmas myself, so the themes (and especially the dedication) made me feel seen.

This is an MM winter carnival novella. Its friends to enemies to lovers. An incident in the past caused high tensions and hatred between Rome and Dev. But Rome can't except what is happening between them so he goes above and beyond to show Dev his obsession and devotion to him.

This is a super quick read. I love its dark Christmas vibes, love that Rome is a little psycho for Dev, there's some kink in the spice (which is always a bonus). I love that the boys are outcasts. Reading popular characters gets boring after awhile. I love that Bailey always shines a light on more loner types. I do wish that the carnival aspect was used more, like it plays a very small role. Most scenes take place in what the MC's dubbed 'The Dungeon.' And I do think the end was a bit rushed. I know, I know its a novella. But just slightly better pacing at the end and it would have been *chefs kiss*

I highly recommend this, especially if you'd love nothing more then to give the middle finger to Christmas! Also, look at that cover!!!

[Lolina ⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neela babe, best. Rec. Ever. No bc you get me- this was a book that I didn't know I needed, and it's criminal that it wasn't longer.

“I love you, Devin. The love I feel for you is the only kind I’ve ever known. I don’t know how to handle it yet, but everything will be okay.”

I love my lil broken arsonist so much 😭. This one was short and filthy and chaotic and I loved it so much. DevinRome are the fucked-up couple that everyone needs to experience at least once. It was SO good.
-=-

Thank u Neela babe🙄🤭🦋💕

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid effort for the length? I was confused on their ages to be honest, they read a lot older than they are but then talk about high school? I read this when I was really fkn tired so maybe I missed something?
It was hot they were denying themselves of each other, a bit of what blurred the lines of non-con, Rome is crazy? I don’t know, I needed something quick with enough horniness and that’s what I got hahha 🥰

[Arena♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i am willing to give absolutely anything for this book to be longer i NEED it to be longer 😭😭

[Sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"He was someone I’d lay my life on the line for, and now, because of him, I’m as cold as ice. Depleted of even a lick of fire in my heart. I hope he feels bad; I hope guilt eats him alive."

His Revelry is a dark enemies to lovers MM novella. It has some winter carnival themes and takes place during Christmas but it's not necessarily a Christmas story if that's what you're looking for. If you want dark, gritty with knife play, an angry unhinged main character and some dubcon, this is your story!!!!

I had the pleasure of alpha reading this story for the author and as soon as she told me about the idea, I was all for it. This is a short book, but it's filled with so much depth. It's about Rome getting his revenge on the boy who hurt him, the boy he loves.

God, did I love Rome. He's unhinged, he's out of control, he's unfeeling and he's out for blood. I think the author did an excellent job at getting into his head and I absolutely loved being there. I normally am not a fan of flashback scenes in books, but I absolutely loved the little flashbacks and backstory we got for these characters. It was necessary to the story.

I think this is Bailey's best writing yet and I can't wait to see what is coming next!

[Ashlyn Drewek · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I saw Bailey Nicole mention she was writing a winter-carnival themed MM story, I was all in and by God did she deliver!

Do mind the trigger warnings if you're bothered by drugs/alcohol, knives, blood, slight degradation, and a somewhat dubious scene with Christmas lights.

The story focuses on Rome and Dev and picks up a few months after "the incident," which ruined their friendship. Rome is an absolute psychopath and I love him. Love. Love love! He's been hurt and abandoned time and again so when Dev does it, it's the last straw.

Dev, on the other hand, still cares about Rome despite what went down. Their separation had more to do with Dev's shitty home life than anything about his friendship with Rome -- but it's not like Dev will come out and say that...

Thus begins Rome's plan for revenge.

These two together are the perfect halves of a fucked-up whole. Watching Dev come around to his situation and his feelings for Rome was so sweet, and at the same time you got to watch Dev tear down Rome's walls and put the pieces back together.

I also greatly appreciated the anti-holiday theme 99% of the book had. Christmas is touted as "the most wonderful time of the year," especially in America. Except what major retailers and the well-meaning people at Hallmark forget is that not everyone gets a happy holiday. Not liking Christmas is just one of the many similarities between Rome and Dev and this book is a nice change from the super sappy, fluffy, joyous holiday books out there. It is a love story for the Scrooges of the MM world and I love Bailey all the more for writing it. I don't hate Christmas, but I don't love it either and I appreciate that she didn't have some random day on a calendar magically change Rome or Dev's lives -- they changed them, together, and that is the real heart of this holiday love story.

I can't thank Bailey enough for giving me the opportunity read this story in advance! All opinions are definitely my own, because I that's how I roll. :)

[⋆｡°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°｡⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐ This is just too good to pass up.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I am honestly very much surprised, because I've read this author's #Worthless Boys series and I wasn't that impressed. But this story just blew me away.

If I ever liked a trailer park story, it's this one, and exactly this one. I can't help but think that a certain book having almost the exact same premise took some inspiration from this one. Did it? Am I just seeing things? Trailer park, Devin, abusive dads, an explosive, disfunctional relationship, they end up living together... I mean, I'll be diplomatic here, but it immediately reminded me of another book, so I went and checked when this one was published. In 2021.

Fine, well, anyhow you put it, I liked that one, but I really, really like this one. It's darker and there's just so much potential here!

The only problem I see is that this is a short novella and we definitely, definitely need a full-length book.

🟣 Dark romance
🔵 Best friends-lovers
🟢 Both MMCs in high school
🟡 Trailer park
🌶️ Some spice; humiliation kink; t/b
❗ Self-harming

The story follows Devin and Rome, two high school kids living in a trailer park with deadbeat abusive dads. They go through everything together, with Rome being the darker soul in this duo, he's just different, doesn't really care about anyone or anything, except Devin.

"To my knowledge, I'm the only person he's even given shit about. He goes through school and life, and to him, I don't think anyone actually exists. Other than me."

They come to a crossroads, when Devin needs to release a lot of pain and Rome offers his help; they get intimate and even though they really love each other as friends, they end up falling apart.

"Because if you're not in it, I'd love nothing more than to watch the world burn."



Devin abandoning Rome after that emotional and physical intimacy completely shatters Rome. He's walking alone around the park, the school, trying to get close to Devin and figure out what went wrong, why he lost his best friend, whom he knew since childhood.

"I finally found it in me to love someone and a few hours later, I woke up and you were nowhere to be seen!"

"Tell me again that it doesn't matter, I fucking dare you. All of this fucking matters. You abandoned me."

🟠 When they eventually do find each other again and decide to give their relationship a chance, I think there wasn't enough grovelling on Devon's part. No, absolutely not.

Rome was in so much pain, having noone and nothing for 5 months, while Devin was hanging out with other people, apparently not thinking of even talking to Rome, who was a major factor in his life.

Rome was the one who held Devin up when things got really dark, he was always there, so yeah, I absolutely needed for Devin to walk on his knees for a chapter or two and then beg if he can be in Rome's presence again.
Did I mention Devin was a blondie? 😄

So, here's an idea! If the author decides to give these two their own book, Devin absolutely needs to go through some serious regret, pain and evolving to real, powerful, true love in order to get Rome back in his life.

🌶️ Oh, and that humiliation kink? Milk it! Milk it, baby! That was perfect! ...And yet, I don't think Devin really deserved it yet. He has to BEG and GROVEL.
I looked up the exact definition for this. "To grovel is to beg like a hungry dog." See??
Rome, honey, don't give it up so soon! Let him beg like a hungry dog!
...And then maybe you'll let yourself be taken out on a date. 😉😙


I loved this story and loved both MMCs. I can vividly imagine the park, the people, the school, the town and I'm going to read their full story if it ever gets published.

[Lilly [Hiatus due to School] · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was definitely the darkest by this author. Rome and Dev are violent and abusive to one another as they figure out their feelings for one another. They both come from horrific backgrounds (once again, I’m sensing a theme in their works regarding parental figures or lack of them) and have each other only; however, hurt and rage - and a dose of misunderstanding- consume them, causing it to manifest in violence before they’re able to get on the same page. For a short Novella, Bailey does a great job of pulling you into the action right from the get-go. There’s tension, action and a happy ending, all in a whirlwind that’s both dizzying and electric. Dev and Rome have only one another, and their relationship from an outsider's perspective would be very toxic (especially the dependency and especially Rome’s need to be the only thing in Dev’s world). To anyone interested, please do read the trigger warnings. Overall a great read! I have now read all of Bailey Nicole’s works and can’t wait for what is next!

[Claudie ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Um, so… this was kinda weird? Not nearly as dark as I’d expected, though. I liked it less than Bailey’s Worthless Boys series (but it had a very similar vibe), probably because I didn’t really care about these two new MCs, but also the writing seemed sloppier here? Hm, I don’t know.

[L Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell yes... to all of that. And just when I was about to give up on novellas, too. Turns out all I was missing was Bailey Nicole. ❤

[Drusilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfectly dark and filthy 🖤🖤🖤
Before reading books by Bailey Nicole, you should know that these guys think about everything but safety. So we have sex with blood, spit and lots of drug abuse.
I am surprised that Rome survives this odyssey and that he and Devin can find a happy ending.

Months of rage and anguish have manifested themselves physically at this point. Can’t sleep. Can’t eat. May as well be fucking dead.

The story is too fucking short, on the other hand, I don't know if I could have taken more of this crazy trip.
I love Rome for his sick brain and how he can only express his love with violence.

“I’m gonna make you feel what I feel. Fucked over and stabbed in the back. Alone in a room full of people. You don’t get to have this power over me forever. It ends now.”

I would have liked to know more still about the dynamic between the two after they finally confessed their love. Besides all the smuttiness, it was nice to see Rome completely surrender himself to Devin.

“I love you, Devin. The love I feel for you is the only kind I’ve ever known. I don’t know how to handle it yet, but everything will be okay.” 😪🤧😭

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5 stars

I loved it more than I thought I would.

[S.M. LANYON · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books was absolute fire❤ I loved the dynamic between Dev and Rome, they were perfect for each other in every way.

[Mug · Rating 3 out of 5]

didn’t work for me….i didn’t really feel the mmcs connection so them being “in love” evoked no emotion……like sure jan…...plus the whole thing felt immature, and they were just doing too much lmfao i found myself rolling my eyes a lot. funny bc this kinda reminds me of a darker garron park by nordika night, which i gave 5 stars (brain rot might have occurred) even though they are also immature idiots…..and i’ve recently been upset by that series, so that could factor in since this is reminiscent of that🤷‍♀️…..2.75 stars

[Caia · Rating 5 out of 5]

challenging dark emotional tense
Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5

!! Content can be triggering!!
Quote:
“You feel so fucking good, little psycho. See, I knew you weren’t bad. Look at how good you’re being.”

—
This was a delight!
I had this on my radar for a year now. So, I’m super excited, that it turned out so good!

I enjoyed a lot in the dynamics between Rome&Devin

I’m all in, when it comes to some psycho manic panic 🤭

Might elaborate later


I highly appreciated the thorough information by the author :

Author info:
This is a dark romance and there are themes that may be triggering for some readers. There’s graphic description of drug use, parental neglect and abuse, homophobic slurs, stalking, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, dubious consent, and violence between the main characters. The kinks in this book include knife play, blood play, degradation, boot worship, pain play, and a healthy dose of spit.

[Neelakshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Because if you’re not in it, I’d love nothing more than to watch the world burn"

Just two boys loving each other 🥺🥺🦋🦋✨✨🥰🥰
Who said romance is dead

One committing arson and lightning things on fire while the other makes him lick his boots 🥰♥️💋🥰🥰😍😍
Made for each other
They're so sick they belong with each other