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Bad Heroes #1
You Can Follow Me
Kara never meant for it to be more than a fling.
Conor, Micah, and Luke have different plans. The three former Navy SEALS believe Kara belongs to them without question.
Sexy, brilliant, and lethal, they dominate her body. But Kara is determined they'll never have her heart.
The three men are at odds with each other with how to handle her. And Kara's clever manipulations to free herself from captivity escalate into an outcome none of them see coming.
You Can Follow Me is a Dark Navy SEAL Why Choose Romance that ends in a cliffhanger. Swords do cross. Please check website for content notes.
Conor, Micah, and Luke have different plans. The three former Navy SEALS believe Kara belongs to them without question.
Sexy, brilliant, and lethal, they dominate her body. But Kara is determined they'll never have her heart.
The three men are at odds with each other with how to handle her. And Kara's clever manipulations to free herself from captivity escalate into an outcome none of them see coming.
You Can Follow Me is a Dark Navy SEAL Why Choose Romance that ends in a cliffhanger. Swords do cross. Please check website for content notes.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2023
1521 people are currently reading
4567 people want to read
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March 13, 2023
⤅ Finding a GOOD new RH author is always such an unexpected pleasure, especially when they're writing dark romance.
This book ticked so many of my boxes, it's like it was written for me... barring some frustration with the heroine, which I'll get into later.
Kara is busy running from her demons when she struts into a Navy SEAL bar in Coronado, determined to find someone to cut loose with. And find someone she does. Conor - military, sweet, and dominant in bed - is exactly who she's looking for. But when the weekend is up, she carries on running, leaving him behind.
Fast forward two years. Kara has had other relationships in the meantime, first with Luke, another guy she left, and then Micah, a one-night-stand who left her. She doesn't expect to see any of them ever again, until she gets out of the bath one night to find herself being kidnapped by Micah and Conor. It turns out the men have more in common than being her ex-lovers; they're military buddies who left together under mysterious circumstances. They also happen to be lovers themselves. Conor, now hard-edged and ruthless, has masterminded her abduction, while Micah and Luke aren't far behind.
⤅ What I Liked
✔️ The writing is EXCELLENT. The prose quality is always the first thing I assess in a new book, because nothing makes me DNF faster than stilted prose or weird sentence construction. Here, the writing flowed smoothly and well, with plenty of description and a very 'moreish' feel to it. I actually struggle to believe that it's the author's debut novel.
✔️ The heroes' characterisation is superb. All three men are very distinct from each other, with well-developed personalities that interact via a believable dynamic.
✔️ While there is M/M, it's the type which I like best (if it must be in the book at all). It never overtakes the relationship with the heroine, and I definitely feel like the guys prioritise her.
⤅ What I Didn't Like
❌ Actually, just one major thing: Kara. This woman was INFURIATING. She made a terrible mistake - not one that paints her in a good light, but that's fine, we like imperfect heroines. The problem is, she spends the whole book banging on about her 'freedom' and how much she wants it back, but at the same acknowledges to herself that there is literally nothing waiting for her. She doesn't really have any friends, doesn't like her little apartment, doesn't like her boring office job. Her insane drive to escape would have been more relatable if she'd even had so much as a pet cat waiting for her to get back. She apparently has a job, but we never learn what it is, and nobody mentions her co-workers wondering where is after her abduction. She also has a best friend, but the best friend never calls the police about Kara's sudden disappearance? It didn't make sense.
❌ The very end of the book was super weird. The pacing suddenly goes from 0-100, Kara's behaviour no longer is comprehensible, and overall it just felt like manufactured angst and a contrived cliffhanger.
⤅ Overall
Brenner definitely strikes me as a new RH author to watch.
This book ticked so many of my boxes, it's like it was written for me... barring some frustration with the heroine, which I'll get into later.
Kara is busy running from her demons when she struts into a Navy SEAL bar in Coronado, determined to find someone to cut loose with. And find someone she does. Conor - military, sweet, and dominant in bed - is exactly who she's looking for. But when the weekend is up, she carries on running, leaving him behind.
Fast forward two years. Kara has had other relationships in the meantime, first with Luke, another guy she left, and then Micah, a one-night-stand who left her. She doesn't expect to see any of them ever again, until she gets out of the bath one night to find herself being kidnapped by Micah and Conor. It turns out the men have more in common than being her ex-lovers; they're military buddies who left together under mysterious circumstances. They also happen to be lovers themselves. Conor, now hard-edged and ruthless, has masterminded her abduction, while Micah and Luke aren't far behind.
⤅ What I Liked
✔️ The writing is EXCELLENT. The prose quality is always the first thing I assess in a new book, because nothing makes me DNF faster than stilted prose or weird sentence construction. Here, the writing flowed smoothly and well, with plenty of description and a very 'moreish' feel to it. I actually struggle to believe that it's the author's debut novel.
✔️ The heroes' characterisation is superb. All three men are very distinct from each other, with well-developed personalities that interact via a believable dynamic.
✔️ While there is M/M, it's the type which I like best (if it must be in the book at all). It never overtakes the relationship with the heroine, and I definitely feel like the guys prioritise her.
⤅ What I Didn't Like
❌ Actually, just one major thing: Kara. This woman was INFURIATING. She made a terrible mistake - not one that paints her in a good light, but that's fine, we like imperfect heroines. The problem is, she spends the whole book banging on about her 'freedom' and how much she wants it back, but at the same acknowledges to herself that there is literally nothing waiting for her. She doesn't really have any friends, doesn't like her little apartment, doesn't like her boring office job. Her insane drive to escape would have been more relatable if she'd even had so much as a pet cat waiting for her to get back. She apparently has a job, but we never learn what it is, and nobody mentions her co-workers wondering where is after her abduction. She also has a best friend, but the best friend never calls the police about Kara's sudden disappearance? It didn't make sense.
❌ The very end of the book was super weird. The pacing suddenly goes from 0-100, Kara's behaviour no longer is comprehensible, and overall it just felt like manufactured angst and a contrived cliffhanger.
⤅ Overall
Brenner definitely strikes me as a new RH author to watch.
June 23, 2023
I’m probably the first person who received the ARC and is giving this book a two star.
I didn’t know what I was getting myself into even though I had read all the warnings carefully. I thought it’d be one of those typical dark romance books, but it was much more intense than that. The story was everything I am against of, so if after this review Jo kicks me out of her reviewing team, I wouldn’t blame her LOL!
Don’t get me wrong, I loved Jo’s way of writing. Her style is so good and precise that I could imagine everything in my head, not only sexual parts. I can see Jo has a good and bright future ahead of her as a writer and author. And I wish her all the best. I’m not ass-kissing her because I received an ARC, I wouldn’t have given two stars if I were. I’m just being honest.
Anyways, there was a lot of smut. Though after thinking about it, I believe they all played a role in solidifying the plot and events leading to it. At the same time, it was tiring too. I know three guys being with a woman and each taking turn meant reading a lot of smut, but I got tired nonetheless.
What I didn’t like was Kara’s personality. She was really naive. She was controlled by her hormones and lust and used her brain less. What was with sleeping with them after claiming that she hated them so much and THAT after a day of being kidnapped? She had to have more restrain than that.
Kara didn’t have any self-respect. Like NADA. As I said before she was driven and controlled by her hormones. No wonder the guys used her as a sex-toy. How can she call the things they did to her care, love and tenderness? I know most of the times she was battling with herself and was torn between mind and heart, but let’s admit it, she liked to be treated this way, no matter how many times she denied it. But none of these justify what the guys did to Kara.
I must say I didn’t like the instant obsession of Conor with Kara either. It was too soon for him to be this obsessed! There was no chemistry between them. After being kidnapped, I still believe there was nõ chemistry between none of them, it was forced on her and us too. I still can’t understand why either of them chose her. Like what did they see in her that I can’t? Men might like sharing a woman, but loving and being obsessed with her is … idk, off putting?
Luke, Conor and Micah were messed up in the head because I can’t believe any sane person would behave the way they did. I can’t believe they kept justifying their actions toward Kara. They were equally manipulative, sadist, harsh, arrogant, and cruel towards her. Yet it was them who acted as victims and gaslighted Kara into believing that she was cruel towards them. Like seriously, what the F?
They acted as if their guilt of becoming monsters was nagging at them and ate them from the inside, but the jobs they took, and their behaviours said otherwise. Them and their bull of being united and family.
I don’t want sexual harassments to be normalised like this. I know it’s a dark romance and Kara was using her body to get her freedom, it was still sexual, mental and emotional harassment nonetheless, especially the night they decided to kidnap her.
These men are really insane. Forcing a woman into submission, even though she might like it deep down, it is always wrong. I’m not trying to justify Kara’s decisions but she had no choice, as she said, her freedom and choices were taken from her. They kept saying that they tried to protect her and they wanted the best for her and this was what she needed, but let’s face the truth, no matter how much naive and stupid Kara is, she is still a human (even though she’s fictional) and no stupid man’s (or rather men in this case) sextoy. I really wondered how Kara was turned on all the time, after being sexually used most of the time. By God, I was physically and mentally drained instead of her or rather on her behalf.
And the ending? You can’t blame me if I called her naive because she freaking was!! She knew they held private meetings in the office discussing her. She knew Luke had given in the second day of her kidnapping. She knew Conor still had his doubts and it would take more than being a meal on the picnic table for Micah to be convinced, yet she still stupidly trusted Luke when he said he’s gonna get her out of her gilded cage. I kept praying that she would say no, that she wouldn’t go with Luke even after realising that they had bought her clothes yet left her naked all the time, and Luke asking her so many times. The clues were all over the place, yet she acted like a naive child and ignored them all.
I was really looking forward to the ending. I was praying for the story to get better, to hung me upon something that would justify me wasting my time on this story (because everyone claimed so! Everyone said that the ending was WHOA and they can’t wait for the sequel), but I’m deeply disappointed. I needed a better cliffhanger than this because I already know where the story is going.
If you’re reading this, which I hope you are, please Jo, in the sequel give me something better. Less smut if possible and more story where Kara is finally using her brain and acting as a clever girl that Conor kept calling her (Conor’s usage of many common and irritating nicknames annoyed me a bit. What was wrong with him? At least Micah and Luke weren’t as annoying with their nicknames). I know you have the potential and the story has too, it’s unique and new. I might be the only or one of the few people who complained about this book and didn’t give it many stars, but I still hope that my opinions matter to you, and you won’t ignore me.
Thanks for the ARC btw.
I didn’t know what I was getting myself into even though I had read all the warnings carefully. I thought it’d be one of those typical dark romance books, but it was much more intense than that. The story was everything I am against of, so if after this review Jo kicks me out of her reviewing team, I wouldn’t blame her LOL!
Don’t get me wrong, I loved Jo’s way of writing. Her style is so good and precise that I could imagine everything in my head, not only sexual parts. I can see Jo has a good and bright future ahead of her as a writer and author. And I wish her all the best. I’m not ass-kissing her because I received an ARC, I wouldn’t have given two stars if I were. I’m just being honest.
Anyways, there was a lot of smut. Though after thinking about it, I believe they all played a role in solidifying the plot and events leading to it. At the same time, it was tiring too. I know three guys being with a woman and each taking turn meant reading a lot of smut, but I got tired nonetheless.
What I didn’t like was Kara’s personality. She was really naive. She was controlled by her hormones and lust and used her brain less. What was with sleeping with them after claiming that she hated them so much and THAT after a day of being kidnapped? She had to have more restrain than that.
Kara didn’t have any self-respect. Like NADA. As I said before she was driven and controlled by her hormones. No wonder the guys used her as a sex-toy. How can she call the things they did to her care, love and tenderness? I know most of the times she was battling with herself and was torn between mind and heart, but let’s admit it, she liked to be treated this way, no matter how many times she denied it. But none of these justify what the guys did to Kara.
I must say I didn’t like the instant obsession of Conor with Kara either. It was too soon for him to be this obsessed! There was no chemistry between them. After being kidnapped, I still believe there was nõ chemistry between none of them, it was forced on her and us too. I still can’t understand why either of them chose her. Like what did they see in her that I can’t? Men might like sharing a woman, but loving and being obsessed with her is … idk, off putting?
Luke, Conor and Micah were messed up in the head because I can’t believe any sane person would behave the way they did. I can’t believe they kept justifying their actions toward Kara. They were equally manipulative, sadist, harsh, arrogant, and cruel towards her. Yet it was them who acted as victims and gaslighted Kara into believing that she was cruel towards them. Like seriously, what the F?
They acted as if their guilt of becoming monsters was nagging at them and ate them from the inside, but the jobs they took, and their behaviours said otherwise. Them and their bull of being united and family.
I don’t want sexual harassments to be normalised like this. I know it’s a dark romance and Kara was using her body to get her freedom, it was still sexual, mental and emotional harassment nonetheless, especially the night they decided to kidnap her.
These men are really insane. Forcing a woman into submission, even though she might like it deep down, it is always wrong. I’m not trying to justify Kara’s decisions but she had no choice, as she said, her freedom and choices were taken from her. They kept saying that they tried to protect her and they wanted the best for her and this was what she needed, but let’s face the truth, no matter how much naive and stupid Kara is, she is still a human (even though she’s fictional) and no stupid man’s (or rather men in this case) sextoy. I really wondered how Kara was turned on all the time, after being sexually used most of the time. By God, I was physically and mentally drained instead of her or rather on her behalf.
And the ending? You can’t blame me if I called her naive because she freaking was!! She knew they held private meetings in the office discussing her. She knew Luke had given in the second day of her kidnapping. She knew Conor still had his doubts and it would take more than being a meal on the picnic table for Micah to be convinced, yet she still stupidly trusted Luke when he said he’s gonna get her out of her gilded cage. I kept praying that she would say no, that she wouldn’t go with Luke even after realising that they had bought her clothes yet left her naked all the time, and Luke asking her so many times. The clues were all over the place, yet she acted like a naive child and ignored them all.
I was really looking forward to the ending. I was praying for the story to get better, to hung me upon something that would justify me wasting my time on this story (because everyone claimed so! Everyone said that the ending was WHOA and they can’t wait for the sequel), but I’m deeply disappointed. I needed a better cliffhanger than this because I already know where the story is going.
If you’re reading this, which I hope you are, please Jo, in the sequel give me something better. Less smut if possible and more story where Kara is finally using her brain and acting as a clever girl that Conor kept calling her (Conor’s usage of many common and irritating nicknames annoyed me a bit. What was wrong with him? At least Micah and Luke weren’t as annoying with their nicknames). I know you have the potential and the story has too, it’s unique and new. I might be the only or one of the few people who complained about this book and didn’t give it many stars, but I still hope that my opinions matter to you, and you won’t ignore me.
Thanks for the ARC btw.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2023
Guys. GUYS. This book drop-kicked me into the next year with how much stress it gave me with that ENDING. My mind is still blown with that jaw-dropping cliffhanger.
This debut is EVERYTHING 😫 It was such a difficult book to put down with how good the tension is. I love a good dark why choose romance and Brenner DELIVERED. Reading the push and pull of feelings between Kara, Conor, Luke, and Micah is *chef's kiss.* The steam in You Can Follow Me is off the charts! Not to mention it had me swooning and twirling my hair when those scenes (👀) came on. Kara is such a girl boss for everything she did in this book. She deserves everything so much more.
I simply cannot wait to read the sequel!
This debut is EVERYTHING 😫 It was such a difficult book to put down with how good the tension is. I love a good dark why choose romance and Brenner DELIVERED. Reading the push and pull of feelings between Kara, Conor, Luke, and Micah is *chef's kiss.* The steam in You Can Follow Me is off the charts! Not to mention it had me swooning and twirling my hair when those scenes (👀) came on. Kara is such a girl boss for everything she did in this book. She deserves everything so much more.
I simply cannot wait to read the sequel!
March 5, 2023
wow
Wow!
I dont think there are adequate enough words to describe how hooked this book had me from the beginning just wow!
The plot, the spice and the utter betrayal is written so perfectly that im sat here in disbelief needing the next book so fiercely that im not sure if i can read something else for a short while!!
If there is anything i can tell you to do its pick this book up and devour it as much as i did!!!
Wow!
I dont think there are adequate enough words to describe how hooked this book had me from the beginning just wow!
The plot, the spice and the utter betrayal is written so perfectly that im sat here in disbelief needing the next book so fiercely that im not sure if i can read something else for a short while!!
If there is anything i can tell you to do its pick this book up and devour it as much as i did!!!
October 9, 2025
Erótica, dark, emocional
Kara viajaba por el país intentando encontrar un lugar al que pertenecer, pero con miedo a volver a amar. En sus viajes conoció a 3 hombres que le hicieron sentir mal de lo que ella quería, y por eso los dejo. Sin embargo, un tiempo después estos hombres la encuentran y la secuestran, solo para hacerle entender que ella pertenece con ellos. Pero será capaz de aceptar lo que dice su corazón y estar con ellos? O preferiría huir y volver a su monótona vida.
Desde el comienzo el autor dice que es una romance dark y que termina en cliffanger, así que no me sorprendió mucho como resultó todo hasta ahora. Sin embargo, me esperaba un poco más de conversaciones entre los hombres, o por lo menos un poco más de escenas eróticas entre ellos, pero casi todo el libro es "torturandola" para que se quede con ellos. Y al final, nunca la entendieron.
En fin, mucho drama, mucho sexo, un libro muy bueno para su categoría, seguro continuaré con la serie más adelante.
Kara viajaba por el país intentando encontrar un lugar al que pertenecer, pero con miedo a volver a amar. En sus viajes conoció a 3 hombres que le hicieron sentir mal de lo que ella quería, y por eso los dejo. Sin embargo, un tiempo después estos hombres la encuentran y la secuestran, solo para hacerle entender que ella pertenece con ellos. Pero será capaz de aceptar lo que dice su corazón y estar con ellos? O preferiría huir y volver a su monótona vida.
Desde el comienzo el autor dice que es una romance dark y que termina en cliffanger, así que no me sorprendió mucho como resultó todo hasta ahora. Sin embargo, me esperaba un poco más de conversaciones entre los hombres, o por lo menos un poco más de escenas eróticas entre ellos, pero casi todo el libro es "torturandola" para que se quede con ellos. Y al final, nunca la entendieron.
En fin, mucho drama, mucho sexo, un libro muy bueno para su categoría, seguro continuaré con la serie más adelante.
May 30, 2024
Lots of Face Fu*king & Boredom 💤 I knew we were going to have problems when I had to reread the first few chapters to see if I missed something cause it just wasn’t making sense, the time jumps are WILD, leaping 3 years ahead in barely 5 chapters was a little much. Also the way the book is written idk if someone is telling the story, if they’re speaking in 3rd person, I’m so confused. The FMC Kara gave in WAY too easily & was way too driven by lust given the situation they put her in, like damn at least last one full day before giving in. The smut was definitely smutting but dare I say there was so much that it became tiresome & repetitive. Also the way she’s somehow involved in a situation, that they’re also involved in that warrants their protection I feel was a big stretch and not explained properly at all 🤷🏻♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2023
I feel like this story could have been done better. I have no qualms with the smut and dubious content in this book, but what I take issue with is how... poorly it was written. At the end the author thanks her editor for all her help and THAT was the most surprising thing for me.
1) The way the author wrote about the guys' jobs, 'the mission', 'a threat to America' just seemed very shallow. Like she did barely any research into the armed forces, how they work, what they're chosen for or anything. Y'all realise that none of the guys were given a rank, right? It might seem a strange thing to harp on but none of these guys could be on the same rank, but the way she wrote it seemed like they were and that's just not how it works.
2) Clever girl, smart girl, deceitful girl and all its mutated forms just peppered throughout the book, made me think of that scene from jurassic Park. Just downright corny to me and if Kara is able to be swayed by someone sticking an adjective before the word girl when describing her then, okay. Happy for you I guess.
3) Really stupid descriptions. There was a part where Micah was taken aback at how quickly Kara learned their weaknesses. He said 'she couldn't read us like a book exactly, more like she was quickly learning a new language and was able to read parts of the books' or something to that affect and I.... so she's reading y'all... like a book then? And this kept happening throughout! There is no way Kara or any of the guys are as smart as they think they are if this is the way they think.
4) Why did we (the audience) learn of Connor's bisexuality when Kara walked in on him and Luke 'fighting'? Like the author just plunked that in there and kept it moving like nothing happened. Y'all, she (the author) spent the first 1/3 of this book just on Kara and Connor's weekend hookup and not once did this nugget of information come up but when she walks in to see Luke's dick in Vonnor's mouth she's just like 'oh this isn't a surprise to me because Connor told me of his bisexuality'. Bitch, when! When did he tell you this?????? And she did the same thing with Luke and Micah, writing a storyline to give us the audience the impression that Kara had these deep, meaningful and ernest soul baring discussions with these men but details like this are left out.
5) Why didn't Connor answer her text? And that answer is bullshit. If he had the presence of mind to ask his friends to watch over her he could have given her an answer then.
6) What's happening with the best friend? Not once do the guys mention anything about diverting calls or running interference about Kara's disappearance to her best friend.
Overall, I wasn't taken with this book. The writing was sloppy and the characters were shallow and it just felt like the author took a 'yes, and what if' approach to this story.
1) The way the author wrote about the guys' jobs, 'the mission', 'a threat to America' just seemed very shallow. Like she did barely any research into the armed forces, how they work, what they're chosen for or anything. Y'all realise that none of the guys were given a rank, right? It might seem a strange thing to harp on but none of these guys could be on the same rank, but the way she wrote it seemed like they were and that's just not how it works.
2) Clever girl, smart girl, deceitful girl and all its mutated forms just peppered throughout the book, made me think of that scene from jurassic Park. Just downright corny to me and if Kara is able to be swayed by someone sticking an adjective before the word girl when describing her then, okay. Happy for you I guess.
3) Really stupid descriptions. There was a part where Micah was taken aback at how quickly Kara learned their weaknesses. He said 'she couldn't read us like a book exactly, more like she was quickly learning a new language and was able to read parts of the books' or something to that affect and I.... so she's reading y'all... like a book then? And this kept happening throughout! There is no way Kara or any of the guys are as smart as they think they are if this is the way they think.
4) Why did we (the audience) learn of Connor's bisexuality when Kara walked in on him and Luke 'fighting'? Like the author just plunked that in there and kept it moving like nothing happened. Y'all, she (the author) spent the first 1/3 of this book just on Kara and Connor's weekend hookup and not once did this nugget of information come up but when she walks in to see Luke's dick in Vonnor's mouth she's just like 'oh this isn't a surprise to me because Connor told me of his bisexuality'. Bitch, when! When did he tell you this?????? And she did the same thing with Luke and Micah, writing a storyline to give us the audience the impression that Kara had these deep, meaningful and ernest soul baring discussions with these men but details like this are left out.
5) Why didn't Connor answer her text? And that answer is bullshit. If he had the presence of mind to ask his friends to watch over her he could have given her an answer then.
6) What's happening with the best friend? Not once do the guys mention anything about diverting calls or running interference about Kara's disappearance to her best friend.
Overall, I wasn't taken with this book. The writing was sloppy and the characters were shallow and it just felt like the author took a 'yes, and what if' approach to this story.
March 7, 2024
In all honesty I enjoyed the start of this...and then it felt like I skipped into a whole different book. Did the author write two different stories, and then take the start of one and the end of the other and put them together?
The first part is two characters meeting up, finding some chemistry and developing a connection. The MMC character wants more, but the FMC is spooked and leaves. Skip to two years later and the two characters are completely different, throw in 2 additional MMCs (that the FMC had flings with during the two years) and some kidnapping. Whilst I am all in for the darker themes, there is just no correlation between Connor (first MMC she meets) at the start and Connor 2 years later. It all just feels so disjointed, and as the reader doesn't get to go through those 2 missing years (that ALOT of stuff happened) there just isn't any empathy or connection to any of the characters.
The plot felt minimal in this, even though a powerful family is the cause of a lot that went wrong in each MC's life, most of the book is focused on the characters physically connecting. And as much as I love that, it did get repetitive and boring. The MMC's use sex as a threat or punishment, the FMC uses it to try and manipulate them. So round and round in a circle we go until she gives in.
I don't think the overall story was well thought out, other than the sex. Again as I wrote earlier, there is minimal plot to do with the powerful family that has occasionally been mentioned, the FMC is kidnapped and there isn't any concern from her work or best friend, the MMCs were SEALS in hiding but there is no evidence of that. It just all felt half hearted and not enough effort put in to develop the storylines and the world building. In fantasy/sci fi/paranormal genres the author naturally spends more time world building, but in contemporary reads it seems easy for authors to forget about it.
I honestly wanted to love this and I think it had potential to be really interesting, but overall it was just shallow with not much substance.
The first part is two characters meeting up, finding some chemistry and developing a connection. The MMC character wants more, but the FMC is spooked and leaves. Skip to two years later and the two characters are completely different, throw in 2 additional MMCs (that the FMC had flings with during the two years) and some kidnapping. Whilst I am all in for the darker themes, there is just no correlation between Connor (first MMC she meets) at the start and Connor 2 years later. It all just feels so disjointed, and as the reader doesn't get to go through those 2 missing years (that ALOT of stuff happened) there just isn't any empathy or connection to any of the characters.
The plot felt minimal in this, even though a powerful family is the cause of a lot that went wrong in each MC's life, most of the book is focused on the characters physically connecting. And as much as I love that, it did get repetitive and boring. The MMC's use sex as a threat or punishment, the FMC uses it to try and manipulate them. So round and round in a circle we go until she gives in.
I don't think the overall story was well thought out, other than the sex. Again as I wrote earlier, there is minimal plot to do with the powerful family that has occasionally been mentioned, the FMC is kidnapped and there isn't any concern from her work or best friend, the MMCs were SEALS in hiding but there is no evidence of that. It just all felt half hearted and not enough effort put in to develop the storylines and the world building. In fantasy/sci fi/paranormal genres the author naturally spends more time world building, but in contemporary reads it seems easy for authors to forget about it.
I honestly wanted to love this and I think it had potential to be really interesting, but overall it was just shallow with not much substance.
March 1, 2023
This is a new author to me, as it was her debut book. Her characters were well developed, and the storyline was intriguing, suspenseful, and gritty. Kara is running from her life in New York due to some unfortunate events. She meets Connor in a SEALs bar and spends an amazing two nights with him, but she then flees from him also. Fast forward two years later, and she has settled down now but the SEALs are coming for her and they are not going to be as nice as they were before. This book ends in a cliffhanger, and I can’t wait for the continuation.
July 6, 2025
When I was in my junior year of high school, my English teacher stressed that, in any book, if characters are having sex—it’s not about sex, and that if they’re *not* having sex—it’s absolutely about sex.
That thought crossed my mind many a time while reading this story. And it’s sticking with me especially after this (well-noted) cliffhanger.
That thought crossed my mind many a time while reading this story. And it’s sticking with me especially after this (well-noted) cliffhanger.
March 6, 2022
Coming Fall 2022!
August 20, 2025
3⭐️
So I bought this entire series after reading Brutal Games which I really enjoyed. It has sat on my kindle for a while so it was time to dive in. I was convinced I would love it because I had been looking forward to Micah’s story (he is Jack’s brother from Brutal Games).
I didn’t love it 😑. Too little time was spent on the set up. It was mostly when she was with Connor … her two night stand. We then find out later she had a one night stand with Micah and a whole month with Luke. We didn’t get to read these flings while they were happening. We were told about them later so as a reader I wasn’t invested in these characters. Knowing this story is going to happen over 3 books, I feel I would have invested more in their characters if the author had let us get to know them.
Then there is Kate. Their obsession. I finished book 1 and still couldn’t tell you why 🤷 . She didn’t get past unlikeable for me yet, knowing what she did as a grown ass woman in her late 20’s. I’m hoping she grows on me in the next book. Given how annoyingly so back and forth she was all the time I’m not keeping my fingers crossed.
There are a LOT of smutty scenes. Too many. Started to skim them because they were not sexy.
Anyhow, I’m gonna keep going with this series since I’ve spent the cash. If I wait on the next book I don’t think I would come back to this 😕
So I bought this entire series after reading Brutal Games which I really enjoyed. It has sat on my kindle for a while so it was time to dive in. I was convinced I would love it because I had been looking forward to Micah’s story (he is Jack’s brother from Brutal Games).
I didn’t love it 😑. Too little time was spent on the set up. It was mostly when she was with Connor … her two night stand. We then find out later she had a one night stand with Micah and a whole month with Luke. We didn’t get to read these flings while they were happening. We were told about them later so as a reader I wasn’t invested in these characters. Knowing this story is going to happen over 3 books, I feel I would have invested more in their characters if the author had let us get to know them.
Then there is Kate. Their obsession. I finished book 1 and still couldn’t tell you why 🤷 . She didn’t get past unlikeable for me yet, knowing what she did as a grown ass woman in her late 20’s. I’m hoping she grows on me in the next book. Given how annoyingly so back and forth she was all the time I’m not keeping my fingers crossed.
There are a LOT of smutty scenes. Too many. Started to skim them because they were not sexy.
Anyhow, I’m gonna keep going with this series since I’ve spent the cash. If I wait on the next book I don’t think I would come back to this 😕
February 16, 2023
Almost two years after having a few separate flings, and with no contact in between, Conor, Micah and Luke come back into Kara’s life in a shocking way. They want to own her, and she is determined not to let them.
What a wild ride! I read this one in one sitting because I could not wait to find out what would happen next, or get to one of the guys’ POVs to see what they were thinking. The smut was hot (check trigger warnings!), and the story was wild and engaging. The writing was a little cringey at times which is why I couldn’t give it 5 stars, but it had me so captivated I couldn’t give it less than 4 stars. I will definitely be picking up the next one because I cannot wait to see what happens after that killer cliffhanger!
You Can Follow Me includes:
🪢Multi POV
🪢Why Choose
🪢Con Non Con
🪢Kidnapping
🪢Praise
🪢Punishment
🪢Bondage
Thank you to Jo Brenner and R&R Book Tours for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
What a wild ride! I read this one in one sitting because I could not wait to find out what would happen next, or get to one of the guys’ POVs to see what they were thinking. The smut was hot (check trigger warnings!), and the story was wild and engaging. The writing was a little cringey at times which is why I couldn’t give it 5 stars, but it had me so captivated I couldn’t give it less than 4 stars. I will definitely be picking up the next one because I cannot wait to see what happens after that killer cliffhanger!
You Can Follow Me includes:
🪢Multi POV
🪢Why Choose
🪢Con Non Con
🪢Kidnapping
🪢Praise
🪢Punishment
🪢Bondage
Thank you to Jo Brenner and R&R Book Tours for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
March 5, 2023
Oh my word…. I’m actually speechless. I’m still processing this book. So good. A definite recommend for me. If you have any triggers definitely check the warnings before starting. This is a dark, why choose. And it will put you through the wringer. I don’t want to give anything way , I went into this pretty much blind and loved it!!! Ends on a cliffhanger and what a cliffhanger it is!!! I can’t wait for book 2. Happy Reading Book Besties💙
March 9, 2024
Not sure why I expected this to be slightly less unhinged than it was, but uh, yeah. Questionable choices and kind of unlikable characters - the spice was pretty good though!
February 28, 2023
Dark Military Romance
Kara ran away from her life in New York she packed her car and travelled trying to find somewhere she would fit in. Along the way she met Conor and although they clicked from the start she left him and took his heart with her what happened after she left made Conor the empty shell he is today . Along with Micha and Lucas who also knew Kara they devised a plan to kidnap her and make her realise she needed them but when things come to light Kara can’t give them what they want she just wants to go back to her life . Another first author for me and although I enjoyed reading this I wasn’t amused at that cliff hanger.
Kara ran away from her life in New York she packed her car and travelled trying to find somewhere she would fit in. Along the way she met Conor and although they clicked from the start she left him and took his heart with her what happened after she left made Conor the empty shell he is today . Along with Micha and Lucas who also knew Kara they devised a plan to kidnap her and make her realise she needed them but when things come to light Kara can’t give them what they want she just wants to go back to her life . Another first author for me and although I enjoyed reading this I wasn’t amused at that cliff hanger.
December 15, 2024
For her it was a fling. For them it became an obsession. After Kara’s personal and professional life blew up she decided to free herself. Cruising around the country she has a series of very fulfilling flings. But for the men it was so much more. And they’ve decided they can’t live without her.
This is a dark why choose romance with some heavy triggers so please check before diving in. Fans of The Cat and Mouse Duet and The Bonds That Tie will enjoy this.
So of course I loved it.
I went in not with low expectations but just expecting to enjoy a solid why choose. What I got was really interesting and well developed characters. A clear plot line with great twists and turns. And a massive fucking cliffhanger. When Jo Brenner warns us, she’s not kidding. (She’s already heard an earful from me 🤣)
Oh and I loved that both Kara and one of the men, Micah, are Jewish! And how our faith and beliefs are woven into their decisions and connection!
I am desperate for book two! And I definitely recommend grabbing this one if you like the darker why chooses!
This is a dark why choose romance with some heavy triggers so please check before diving in. Fans of The Cat and Mouse Duet and The Bonds That Tie will enjoy this.
So of course I loved it.
I went in not with low expectations but just expecting to enjoy a solid why choose. What I got was really interesting and well developed characters. A clear plot line with great twists and turns. And a massive fucking cliffhanger. When Jo Brenner warns us, she’s not kidding. (She’s already heard an earful from me 🤣)
Oh and I loved that both Kara and one of the men, Micah, are Jewish! And how our faith and beliefs are woven into their decisions and connection!
I am desperate for book two! And I definitely recommend grabbing this one if you like the darker why chooses!
March 20, 2023
I hate to leave bad reviews, but i just have to on this one. Thank god it was a kindle unlimited book and I didn't waste my money. I think i am supposed to feel something other than hate for the MFC but i just can't. Couldn't really stand her from the very first page. I was way more interested in the guys and even then I couldn't bring myself to care all that much about them. There was so much constant sex that i finally just started skimming (and don't get me wrong i enjoy the smexy parts as much as the next person but it just was to much). There wasn't enough of an expansion on the story and character building for me. Also it ends on a very blatant cliff hanger with the next one not to come out for almost a year from now. At this point i just don't care enough to even put the next one on a maybe list - just NO.
dnf
April 5, 2023saw this recommend on Twitter and this can only be described as dark romance if you’ve never read a single dark romance book in your life. or maybe military romances are just automatically dark romances idk
tried a sample on Kindle, but the writing style is way too light contemporary romance for me.
tried a sample on Kindle, but the writing style is way too light contemporary romance for me.
April 11, 2023
W. T. F.?!!?
Read
May 26, 2023okay listen - i think this book has a fundamental flaw.
before that, though: didn't buy the character development. conor does a huge 180 that i just think is ridiculous.
okay, the flaw:
before that, though: didn't buy the character development. conor does a huge 180 that i just think is ridiculous.
okay, the flaw:
June 30, 2023
You can follow me, mashes up a military thriller, and dark erotica in a very interesting and mindbending way.
I found the mashing of genres to be very interesting in this work. I definitely got thriller and suspense vibes, but it was extremely dark and smutty as well. The smut scenes were written very well, and I did not find them to be cringe at all. The thriller plotline definitely kept me intrigued, and I definitely stayed to figure out what happens.
Basically, we follow Kara who is sowing her wild oats and trying to discover who she is while exploring her newfound freedom. She has three random relationships with what seems to be three random Navy SEALs during her travels and thinks nothing much more of it. Turns out all three SEALS know each other and are involved in their own relationship and now are obsessed with her and want her as their own. They kidnap her and take her to remote location to try and talk her "force her" into being in a relationship with all three of them. This book ends on a massive cliffhanger, and I cannot wait for book two.
The only criticism I could have is that the characters felt a little under developed. I assume that this will be rectified in other books since this book was so short, and there wasn't a lot of time for character development. Plus the more we find out about their backstory the more that will give them development.
I found the mashing of genres to be very interesting in this work. I definitely got thriller and suspense vibes, but it was extremely dark and smutty as well. The smut scenes were written very well, and I did not find them to be cringe at all. The thriller plotline definitely kept me intrigued, and I definitely stayed to figure out what happens.
Basically, we follow Kara who is sowing her wild oats and trying to discover who she is while exploring her newfound freedom. She has three random relationships with what seems to be three random Navy SEALs during her travels and thinks nothing much more of it. Turns out all three SEALS know each other and are involved in their own relationship and now are obsessed with her and want her as their own. They kidnap her and take her to remote location to try and talk her "force her" into being in a relationship with all three of them. This book ends on a massive cliffhanger, and I cannot wait for book two.
The only criticism I could have is that the characters felt a little under developed. I assume that this will be rectified in other books since this book was so short, and there wasn't a lot of time for character development. Plus the more we find out about their backstory the more that will give them development.
February 28, 2023
When 3 men - 3 SEALs - from your past come back to haunt you, you're either in big trouble or the luckiest person in the whole world. Or, in this case, both.
This toes the line between dark and sweet, romance and thriller. And it does it well.
But my favourite part is that every single character is somehow both too smart for their own good and a little too dumb to live. Luke is the guy who will but your mum flowers for the family dinner but then tie you into a pretzel. Micah is the suppressed romantic, who just yearns for that domestic type of love. Conor is the broody one - the 'my heart is cold. i'm dead inside' type guy, who is maybe the softest of the group.
I only wish I could have read more interactions between the men. I kind of wanted to see what (besides shared trauma and enemies) made them a family.
And that cliffhanger... I am narrowing my eyes threateningly at Jo Brenner
This toes the line between dark and sweet, romance and thriller. And it does it well.
But my favourite part is that every single character is somehow both too smart for their own good and a little too dumb to live. Luke is the guy who will but your mum flowers for the family dinner but then tie you into a pretzel. Micah is the suppressed romantic, who just yearns for that domestic type of love. Conor is the broody one - the 'my heart is cold. i'm dead inside' type guy, who is maybe the softest of the group.
I only wish I could have read more interactions between the men. I kind of wanted to see what (besides shared trauma and enemies) made them a family.
And that cliffhanger... I am narrowing my eyes threateningly at Jo Brenner
July 6, 2023
Dark, depraved and at times downright filthy, but I guess that might be a reason I’m wanting more…
I didn’t expect the turn this book took, I never would have guessed that to be the beginning of their unit. Conor, Micah, and Luke were definitely a surprise; they played mind games, took what they wanted, and found ways to be in complete control over Kara.
They’ve all got their heartbreaking back story, and the thing that broke the soul of each of the men, but I wasn’t expecting how intertwined their lives were from the very start, especially the guys, the MMM in this why choose is focused. So believe when I say all members are participating… however they can 😉
A massive reason I loved the spice in this one, was the dirty talk, all of them had their moments that left me swooning, it was dark&dirty and a grey area in terms of dubious, because the fantasy is CNC, and the vibe is like how far is too far?
Be warned, if you start this series be ready to need to
dove into the next one, because that cliffhanger got me good.
5/5 🌶️
4/5 ⭐️
I didn’t expect the turn this book took, I never would have guessed that to be the beginning of their unit. Conor, Micah, and Luke were definitely a surprise; they played mind games, took what they wanted, and found ways to be in complete control over Kara.
They’ve all got their heartbreaking back story, and the thing that broke the soul of each of the men, but I wasn’t expecting how intertwined their lives were from the very start, especially the guys, the MMM in this why choose is focused. So believe when I say all members are participating… however they can 😉
A massive reason I loved the spice in this one, was the dirty talk, all of them had their moments that left me swooning, it was dark&dirty and a grey area in terms of dubious, because the fantasy is CNC, and the vibe is like how far is too far?
Be warned, if you start this series be ready to need to
dove into the next one, because that cliffhanger got me good.
5/5 🌶️
4/5 ⭐️
February 12, 2024
Disappointed
This book started so good for me. The FMC Kara is on a journey of living life with no regrets, that includes men. When she steps into the bar looking for a SEAL to spend the night with she lucks out with MMC Coner and has the best 2 nights with someone who she connects with better than she thought possible but she’s still running from her past and trying to heal and is too afraid to stay.
Skip to 2 years later and she’s kidnapped not only by Conor, but also, Micah and Luke, 2 men she also shared a strong sudden connection with. What she didn’t know is they are all part of the same team and were sent to watch her while Conor was on tour not fall in love with her.
Now they’re giving her no choice, they can’t live in the light so they’re bringing her into the dark whether she wants to or not.
This book started great, loved the insta connection with Kara and Conor and then it just went WTH.
Vaguely skipped over Luke and Micah when they decided to kidnap her, they just kind of appeared in the story, something about her ex possibly being involved with the tour that went poorly for them. Oh and locking her up where she and them both think they can use sex to escape.
That’s all this book is, her constantly not being allowed to wear clothes while she is made to do whatever they want but she kind of wants it.
Now I am all in for consent/no consent, I get it, I’m into it, but this whole book was confusing, they hate her, they want to sleep with her, because she had 2 nights with Conor and then he went on tour and his tour went bad, now they’ve been watching her for years. She has said multiple times if they just asked her to come with them she probably would have.
This whole book is based on something that didn’t need to happen. She has said she would have gone willingly which defeats the purpose of them taking her so the only reason she isn’t interested is because she didn’t feel like she had a choice and they never actually spoke to her.
The fact this is a book of 3 and all that’s happened is they’ve said mean things to each other and had a lot of questionable consent sex. That’s it. There’s nothing else that has happened. This book could have been so much more but I’m not interested in spending another 4 hours+ to see if anything happens in book 2 let alone book 3
2⭐️3🌶️
This book started so good for me. The FMC Kara is on a journey of living life with no regrets, that includes men. When she steps into the bar looking for a SEAL to spend the night with she lucks out with MMC Coner and has the best 2 nights with someone who she connects with better than she thought possible but she’s still running from her past and trying to heal and is too afraid to stay.
Skip to 2 years later and she’s kidnapped not only by Conor, but also, Micah and Luke, 2 men she also shared a strong sudden connection with. What she didn’t know is they are all part of the same team and were sent to watch her while Conor was on tour not fall in love with her.
Now they’re giving her no choice, they can’t live in the light so they’re bringing her into the dark whether she wants to or not.
This book started great, loved the insta connection with Kara and Conor and then it just went WTH.
Vaguely skipped over Luke and Micah when they decided to kidnap her, they just kind of appeared in the story, something about her ex possibly being involved with the tour that went poorly for them. Oh and locking her up where she and them both think they can use sex to escape.
That’s all this book is, her constantly not being allowed to wear clothes while she is made to do whatever they want but she kind of wants it.
Now I am all in for consent/no consent, I get it, I’m into it, but this whole book was confusing, they hate her, they want to sleep with her, because she had 2 nights with Conor and then he went on tour and his tour went bad, now they’ve been watching her for years. She has said multiple times if they just asked her to come with them she probably would have.
This whole book is based on something that didn’t need to happen. She has said she would have gone willingly which defeats the purpose of them taking her so the only reason she isn’t interested is because she didn’t feel like she had a choice and they never actually spoke to her.
The fact this is a book of 3 and all that’s happened is they’ve said mean things to each other and had a lot of questionable consent sex. That’s it. There’s nothing else that has happened. This book could have been so much more but I’m not interested in spending another 4 hours+ to see if anything happens in book 2 let alone book 3
2⭐️3🌶️
February 10, 2025
DNF @ 39% / in chapter 7
They are planning on using her lust against her to get to her body and I don't believe she is manipulative or smart enough to save herself. I bet it is gonna be her using her body to try gaining her freedom and it ain't gonna work.
I don't know why they are so angry her with and Luke made a great point: why NOT just go talk to her? Slowly win her over without kidnapping her? It would have totally worked.
I'm not saying this is bad. The writing is actually decent. I even just 30% in there is so much sex, which I am not in the mood for right now, but someone looking for fast-paced intimate moments might enjoy this more than me.
They are planning on using her lust against her to get to her body and I don't believe she is manipulative or smart enough to save herself. I bet it is gonna be her using her body to try gaining her freedom and it ain't gonna work.
I don't know why they are so angry her with and Luke made a great point: why NOT just go talk to her? Slowly win her over without kidnapping her? It would have totally worked.
I'm not saying this is bad. The writing is actually decent. I even just 30% in there is so much sex, which I am not in the mood for right now, but someone looking for fast-paced intimate moments might enjoy this more than me.
February 26, 2023
Don't let the plain cover fool you.
Let me preface this by saying that I read some dark, messed up romances. Like, Shantel Tessier and HD Carlton, dark, mmkay?
But this book?! Holy gods! I thought I knew what I'd signed up for. But by chapter 6 or 7, I realized just how dark and depraved these men, and even Kara, were. And I loved it.
Every. Filthy. Godless. Merciless. Moment of YCFM had me feeling all of the things!
I flipped between absolutely MELTING for these men, to wanting to throttle them like Kara wanted to.
And don't get me started on Kara. So many times I wanted to scream in her face "just stfu and let them do what they want to you!!!"
My only issue is the fact that it ends on a cliffhanger (yes yes I know the first authors note warned that it does just that). I don't wanna wait to see what happens next dang it!!!
Let me preface this by saying that I read some dark, messed up romances. Like, Shantel Tessier and HD Carlton, dark, mmkay?
But this book?! Holy gods! I thought I knew what I'd signed up for. But by chapter 6 or 7, I realized just how dark and depraved these men, and even Kara, were. And I loved it.
Every. Filthy. Godless. Merciless. Moment of YCFM had me feeling all of the things!
I flipped between absolutely MELTING for these men, to wanting to throttle them like Kara wanted to.
And don't get me started on Kara. So many times I wanted to scream in her face "just stfu and let them do what they want to you!!!"
My only issue is the fact that it ends on a cliffhanger (yes yes I know the first authors note warned that it does just that). I don't wanna wait to see what happens next dang it!!!
May 13, 2023
I think it speaks volumes that I was able to get past the 3rd person writing and non-dual POV to enjoy this book.
A good dark romance/reverse harem. There were TONS of holes in the story but overall was a good book.
Except I hate Kara. You’re telling me you think about your separate interactions with each of these men and pine over how your life with basically be mundane and boring with any other man….yet when you get them back you don’t want it??? Alll I’m saying is I’d be willing to look past the fact they kidnapped me. Like does she not realize she’ll spend the rest of her life thinking about them YET AGAIN??? When she could just stay with them and figure it out??? She’s so frustrating.
The cliffhanger at the end…WHOA. Can’t wait for the next book to come out!
A good dark romance/reverse harem. There were TONS of holes in the story but overall was a good book.
Except I hate Kara. You’re telling me you think about your separate interactions with each of these men and pine over how your life with basically be mundane and boring with any other man….yet when you get them back you don’t want it??? Alll I’m saying is I’d be willing to look past the fact they kidnapped me. Like does she not realize she’ll spend the rest of her life thinking about them YET AGAIN??? When she could just stay with them and figure it out??? She’s so frustrating.
The cliffhanger at the end…WHOA. Can’t wait for the next book to come out!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2023
I was hooked from the moment I read the blurb of You Can Follow Me, and that stayed the entire book. I never wanted to set this book down and couldn’t get enough of Conor, Kara, Luke, and Micah. They were all incredible, and I loved seeing into each of their thoughts. Brenner wrote an emotional roller coaster, and I was here for every page of it. That ending left me shook, and I seriously can’t wait for book 2. Thank you so much to the author for an advanced copy!
March 2, 2023
So overall I liked this story! it was different but in a good way. I'm usually big on dark romance but this wasn't that. Lots of spice. I really like Micah! so far he's probably my favorite. I have a feeling book 2 is gonna come with some action. The only thing I didn't like was the POV...I wish they each had their own perspective. I dont think I've read a book this way before honestly. but I can't wait for book 2!
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