What do you think?
Rate this book
These Innocent Demons
A Dark Enemies Romance
Innocent until proven... demon...
HOLMES
Forcing myself to not be a recluse was the hardest thing I had to do when I decided to go to Trinity College until I met the wrong crowd.
Until I met Vane Wolfgang.
The dean’s son, the big man on campus, the one not afraid of consequences or those doling them out. He feared nothing… but me.
I should have known better than to get tangled up in his privilege.
Recovering from that night I bled every ounce of trauma into the pages of my debut book. I didn’t hold back a single psychotic detail when I told the world he didn’t deserve to own it.
VANE
I was on the verge of being tossed out on my ass in every way regardless of my last name bearing some weight.
The consequences were catching up to me and I was pinned against the wall but not by the cops or my overbearing dad… but her.
Holmes Beckford.
I let her taunt me with the hope I was redeemable when I knew better than to let my dick fall in love with the space between her legs.
There was no recovery from that night. Not when every detail was in the hands of everyone in this city, not when her true feelings hit the bestseller list and everyone was clamoring for more.
Innocent until proven... demon...
HOLMES
Forcing myself to not be a recluse was the hardest thing I had to do when I decided to go to Trinity College until I met the wrong crowd.
Until I met Vane Wolfgang.
The dean’s son, the big man on campus, the one not afraid of consequences or those doling them out. He feared nothing… but me.
I should have known better than to get tangled up in his privilege.
Recovering from that night I bled every ounce of trauma into the pages of my debut book. I didn’t hold back a single psychotic detail when I told the world he didn’t deserve to own it.
VANE
I was on the verge of being tossed out on my ass in every way regardless of my last name bearing some weight.
The consequences were catching up to me and I was pinned against the wall but not by the cops or my overbearing dad… but her.
Holmes Beckford.
I let her taunt me with the hope I was redeemable when I knew better than to let my dick fall in love with the space between her legs.
There was no recovery from that night. Not when every detail was in the hands of everyone in this city, not when her true feelings hit the bestseller list and everyone was clamoring for more.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2022
86 people are currently reading
639 people want to read
About the author
Alex King
96 books39 followersLibrarian Note: There are multiple authors by this name in the Goodreads database. This profile may contain works from multiple authors.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
July 25, 2022
Wow! This was fcuked up on a level that I wasn’t expecting from a debut!
These Innocent Demons is the story of the unhinged Unholy Trinity, focusing primarily on Vane Wolfgang and Holmes Beckford.
When Holmes leaves her hometown to attend Trinity College, she finds Vane in a dark corner of campus, literally.
Groomed through childhood to cultivate his demons, Vane eventually began leaning into the darkness. When he meets Holmes, he immediately feels a kinship, sensing her darkness that lives just underneath the surface.
“Holmes had become my blind spot, gasoline to the fire inside me. She was my weakness, when I went my whole life without one. I felt nothing, still numb to pesky feelings, yet when I looked down at her, she was full of possibilities.”
This first book of the series really throws all but the kitchen sink at you. Alex did a great job of developing the characters’ back stories and balancing the heavy and dark with fiery scenes. You’ll see my note below, but it bears repeating: TID is trigger heavy and, although not pitch black, definitely on the darker end of the scale. Keep that in mind before diving into this one blind.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤🖤🖤
Heat: 🌶🌶🌶
Range of Emotions: 😩
Ending: 💗 {HEA/HFN}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗂 Genre: Gothic Romance
✨ Tropes: Band of Brothers/Found Family, College, StaIkery, Touch-Her-and-💀
🫦 Kinks: 🔪 Play, Marking/Biting, Spanking, Domination, Voyeurism, Sharing
⛔️ Warning: This book may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care. It’s definitely NSFW or with a kiddo by your side. In fact, I would highly recommend you read this one after dark to avoid side eye or awkward conversations.
⚠️ Safety Squad: There are multiple triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: These Innocent Demons is part of the Unholy Trinity series, but can be read as a standalone.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
These Innocent Demons is the story of the unhinged Unholy Trinity, focusing primarily on Vane Wolfgang and Holmes Beckford.
When Holmes leaves her hometown to attend Trinity College, she finds Vane in a dark corner of campus, literally.
Groomed through childhood to cultivate his demons, Vane eventually began leaning into the darkness. When he meets Holmes, he immediately feels a kinship, sensing her darkness that lives just underneath the surface.
“Holmes had become my blind spot, gasoline to the fire inside me. She was my weakness, when I went my whole life without one. I felt nothing, still numb to pesky feelings, yet when I looked down at her, she was full of possibilities.”
This first book of the series really throws all but the kitchen sink at you. Alex did a great job of developing the characters’ back stories and balancing the heavy and dark with fiery scenes. You’ll see my note below, but it bears repeating: TID is trigger heavy and, although not pitch black, definitely on the darker end of the scale. Keep that in mind before diving into this one blind.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤🖤🖤
Heat: 🌶🌶🌶
Range of Emotions: 😩
Ending: 💗 {HEA/HFN}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗂 Genre: Gothic Romance
✨ Tropes: Band of Brothers/Found Family, College, StaIkery, Touch-Her-and-💀
🫦 Kinks: 🔪 Play, Marking/Biting, Spanking, Domination, Voyeurism, Sharing
⛔️ Warning: This book may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care. It’s definitely NSFW or with a kiddo by your side. In fact, I would highly recommend you read this one after dark to avoid side eye or awkward conversations.
⚠️ Safety Squad: There are multiple triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: These Innocent Demons is part of the Unholy Trinity series, but can be read as a standalone.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
July 11, 2022
ARC review
This one was kinda rough for me. It had everything I love in a DARK romance - check TW for sure, but it fell short for me. It was a struggle to get through the first 2/3rds of the book... it seemed like every few chapters we were leapfrogging a year (or sometimes more) in the future to the point where it was extremely frustrating. The final 1/3rd of the book did definitely pick up and drew me in more, not to mention that group scene was 🔥, but the ending was anticlimactic and seemed completely thrown in last minute.... I don't know, there was a lot of potential here, but overall missed its mark for me.... (not that I'm anyone special lol)
This one was kinda rough for me. It had everything I love in a DARK romance - check TW for sure, but it fell short for me. It was a struggle to get through the first 2/3rds of the book... it seemed like every few chapters we were leapfrogging a year (or sometimes more) in the future to the point where it was extremely frustrating. The final 1/3rd of the book did definitely pick up and drew me in more, not to mention that group scene was 🔥, but the ending was anticlimactic and seemed completely thrown in last minute.... I don't know, there was a lot of potential here, but overall missed its mark for me.... (not that I'm anyone special lol)
July 15, 2022
I wanted to love this one. I really did. And I was extremely hopeful because I love dark, twisted, screwed up romance. But this wasn’t it…
It was extremely difficult to get attached to the story and the characters. There were so many time jumps to where I couldn’t get fully immersed in the story. An event would happen and then boom – a huge time jump occurs and then it’s off to the next event.
I wish there was more dialogue between Vane and ***. While I get they had an immediate attraction to one another, I couldn’t FEEL the attraction. I love twisted couples. I love couples that share darkness. If there were more moments shared between Vane and *** instead of them trying to keep at a distance, I could’ve loved them more.
There could be something more here. The plot and characters could’ve been more interesting with more detail, world-building and character development. But the writing was surface-level. So it fell flat for me. And the epilogue left me completely confused. Especially for ending Vane and *** story like that – it was too open-ended and left me with too many questions.
My rating: 2.5 ⭐️ but rounded up to 3 because of the potential. Thank you Alex for the ARC. You really have something here… and I’m sure you worked your butt off and put your heart and soul into this. I love the premises… I just think it needs more 🧡
It was extremely difficult to get attached to the story and the characters. There were so many time jumps to where I couldn’t get fully immersed in the story. An event would happen and then boom – a huge time jump occurs and then it’s off to the next event.
I wish there was more dialogue between Vane and ***. While I get they had an immediate attraction to one another, I couldn’t FEEL the attraction. I love twisted couples. I love couples that share darkness. If there were more moments shared between Vane and *** instead of them trying to keep at a distance, I could’ve loved them more.
There could be something more here. The plot and characters could’ve been more interesting with more detail, world-building and character development. But the writing was surface-level. So it fell flat for me. And the epilogue left me completely confused. Especially for ending Vane and *** story like that – it was too open-ended and left me with too many questions.
My rating: 2.5 ⭐️ but rounded up to 3 because of the potential. Thank you Alex for the ARC. You really have something here… and I’m sure you worked your butt off and put your heart and soul into this. I love the premises… I just think it needs more 🧡
Read
July 11, 2022I personally just can’t finish this book right now.
It’s got many triggers that I wasn’t prepared for (and weren’t listed at the beginning) and mentally I can not handle it at the moment. Will attempt to try again some other time.
It’s got many triggers that I wasn’t prepared for (and weren’t listed at the beginning) and mentally I can not handle it at the moment. Will attempt to try again some other time.
July 14, 2022
2.5 stars rounded up! Thank you for the author for an ARC in exchange for a review!
Oh boy there's a lot to unpack here. Plot was very
interesting (loved the premise of two damaged psychos coming together) but the writing wasn't up to par. I did like both MC's but it was so hard to connect because of the choppy/weird writing, very minimal character desperations and odd time jumps. The entire story takes place over 11 years but the MC's really only are together a handful of times, which yeah is whatever but it was hard to feel their attraction.
Not even the grammatical errors bothered me (since it's an ARC I'm lenient when it comes to that) but the writing felt so surface level. There was zero detail one place & then a ton of detail in others. I would continuously have to read back paragraphs to see if I missed something but no, I didn't miss anything it just wasn't written. The ending wasn't terrible but the epilogue was so confusing I genuinely do not know what to think. To me, These Innocent Demons was trying to hard to be a mix of Corrupt and Haunting Adeline 🤷🏼♀️
All in all I'm pretty sad because this had huge potential but fell so terribly flat for me. Will I read the next one? Not sure since it seems to be based on a different couple and I feel like this was left so open ended but we will see.
Oh boy there's a lot to unpack here. Plot was very
interesting (loved the premise of two damaged psychos coming together) but the writing wasn't up to par. I did like both MC's but it was so hard to connect because of the choppy/weird writing, very minimal character desperations and odd time jumps. The entire story takes place over 11 years but the MC's really only are together a handful of times, which yeah is whatever but it was hard to feel their attraction.
Not even the grammatical errors bothered me (since it's an ARC I'm lenient when it comes to that) but the writing felt so surface level. There was zero detail one place & then a ton of detail in others. I would continuously have to read back paragraphs to see if I missed something but no, I didn't miss anything it just wasn't written. The ending wasn't terrible but the epilogue was so confusing I genuinely do not know what to think. To me, These Innocent Demons was trying to hard to be a mix of Corrupt and Haunting Adeline 🤷🏼♀️
All in all I'm pretty sad because this had huge potential but fell so terribly flat for me. Will I read the next one? Not sure since it seems to be based on a different couple and I feel like this was left so open ended but we will see.
July 11, 2022
This book isn't for everyone please check TW/CW before you proceed, if this book isn't for you, then you can move along. ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Thanks so much, Alex for the ARC. All I am going to say is most of the characters are unhinged and if you like Sophie Lark's There are no Saints, however, they aren't as calculated and logical. They have the need to feed their inner demons. *wink wink*
it's pretty different because the characters had very dark pasts and they met in school. They are too drawn to each other's darkness and can't get enough of each other even if they are toxic.
Vane is the Dean's son, but he definitely isn't the prim and proper boy, well cause he's typically an unhinged alphahole. He develops an unhealthy obsession with Holmes the new girl who is hiding her dark past from her previous school and is trying to move on, but then she just can't stay away from Vane who dominates her and consumes her very being.
The story revolves around both of them and it does time skip a lot well I was looking for more character development, this book is more of madness, and well trying to take revenge over a betrayal over a situation that has gone out of hand. So much betrayal, emotional turmoil, and angst. There were a lot of obstacles and frustrations before these two agree on something well aside from well... They can't keep their hands off each other. I won't like it got hotter during the non-expected scene, where I thought it would be RH, but ok. That shocked me. So it is not RH. I lowkey wish it was thought. It has a great amount of spice and this is standalone. You will also get.
- Dubcon/Noncon
- Omg Unhinged MMC/FMC
- MFM
- FMC doesn't give AF attitude
- Knife and fear play
- Enemies to lovers
So if this appeals to you, then this comes out July 15th, 2022
Thanks so much, Alex for the ARC. All I am going to say is most of the characters are unhinged and if you like Sophie Lark's There are no Saints, however, they aren't as calculated and logical. They have the need to feed their inner demons. *wink wink*
it's pretty different because the characters had very dark pasts and they met in school. They are too drawn to each other's darkness and can't get enough of each other even if they are toxic.
Vane is the Dean's son, but he definitely isn't the prim and proper boy, well cause he's typically an unhinged alphahole. He develops an unhealthy obsession with Holmes the new girl who is hiding her dark past from her previous school and is trying to move on, but then she just can't stay away from Vane who dominates her and consumes her very being.
The story revolves around both of them and it does time skip a lot well I was looking for more character development, this book is more of madness, and well trying to take revenge over a betrayal over a situation that has gone out of hand. So much betrayal, emotional turmoil, and angst. There were a lot of obstacles and frustrations before these two agree on something well aside from well... They can't keep their hands off each other. I won't like it got hotter during the non-expected scene, where I thought it would be RH, but ok. That shocked me. So it is not RH. I lowkey wish it was thought. It has a great amount of spice and this is standalone. You will also get.
- Dubcon/Noncon
- Omg Unhinged MMC/FMC
- MFM
- FMC doesn't give AF attitude
- Knife and fear play
- Enemies to lovers
So if this appeals to you, then this comes out July 15th, 2022
July 11, 2022
If you are looking for a delightful delicious new dark romance than this debut by Alex King will give you what you need. As with all dark romance check TW - but I will tell you there are no morally grey heroes here, each character is a villain to the core and I was absolutely here for all of it! I absolutely ADORED these characters and their development.
𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐭. 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞.
Vane is a delightfully depraved psycho who unapologetically leaves emotional destruction in his path. Holmes is a demon in disguise…all too eager to join Vane in his destruction whether he wants her to or not. My only wish wanting to see more of their depravity…
𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.
The first 1/3 of the story felt very jilted, and while it can make it feel hard to keep up with the story it absolutely adds to the chaotic nature of the plot. Once we get caught up to present day the action takes off with heart racing, mind blowing twists & reveals. The ending felt a bit abrupt, and it definitely feels like more story is left to be told. I am looking forward to seeing more of the side characters and hoping this isn’t the final glimpse of Vane & Holmes.
4⭐️ | 4🌶 | 3.5🔥
IG: @athousandbookishlives
Thank you to Alex King for an ARC of this story.
𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐭. 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞.
Vane is a delightfully depraved psycho who unapologetically leaves emotional destruction in his path. Holmes is a demon in disguise…all too eager to join Vane in his destruction whether he wants her to or not. My only wish wanting to see more of their depravity…
𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.
The first 1/3 of the story felt very jilted, and while it can make it feel hard to keep up with the story it absolutely adds to the chaotic nature of the plot. Once we get caught up to present day the action takes off with heart racing, mind blowing twists & reveals. The ending felt a bit abrupt, and it definitely feels like more story is left to be told. I am looking forward to seeing more of the side characters and hoping this isn’t the final glimpse of Vane & Holmes.
4⭐️ | 4🌶 | 3.5🔥
IG: @athousandbookishlives
Thank you to Alex King for an ARC of this story.
July 12, 2022
These Innocent Demons is a darkly twisted romance.
Firstly as a debut novel I always find it best to manage expectations. I absolutely loved the premise of the story, I can't so no to a dark psycho but two I was absolutely here for it.
The story in the beginning was a struggle to follow and it felt a little chaotic, not just the characters but the story arc really had me confused there at the start. It does build and flow throughout the middle but the end had me wanting a little more than what we got.
Again the premise of this story really is fantastic and it hits all those dark and twisted buttons. I just feel like it missed the mark for me. But I still recommend giving this darkness a read.
While I wasn't triggered by the events in this book be sure to check trigger warnings and take into account this is a dark read and not all warnings were provided in the author note.
Firstly as a debut novel I always find it best to manage expectations. I absolutely loved the premise of the story, I can't so no to a dark psycho but two I was absolutely here for it.
The story in the beginning was a struggle to follow and it felt a little chaotic, not just the characters but the story arc really had me confused there at the start. It does build and flow throughout the middle but the end had me wanting a little more than what we got.
Again the premise of this story really is fantastic and it hits all those dark and twisted buttons. I just feel like it missed the mark for me. But I still recommend giving this darkness a read.
While I wasn't triggered by the events in this book be sure to check trigger warnings and take into account this is a dark read and not all warnings were provided in the author note.
March 9, 2023
Emotional rollercoaster with a bucket full of darkness and a cup of spice. It was perfect for my dark heart and gave me what I love in a dark romance. There are so many triggers, I was here for it. I love the character development and how well written the story is.
July 15, 2022
⚠️warning ⚠️
Dubcon, death of parent,
suicide ideation, sexual
assault, knife play, murder,
dark college romance,
enemies to lovers, second
chance
Unholy Trinity is Alex King's debut series and it
will have 3 books with 3 different couples. These
Innocent Demons is book one and shit this book
was depraved and a page turner! Not only was it
dark and spicy but it packed a punch of a twist.
Holmes is a bookworm with a troubled past and
she meets Vane who had a dark upbringing. One
night changed their life and 7 years later it still
haunts them. Vane and Holmes' obsession with
each other definitely puts them to the test and
realizing they are not whole without each other.
Dubcon, death of parent,
suicide ideation, sexual
assault, knife play, murder,
dark college romance,
enemies to lovers, second
chance
Unholy Trinity is Alex King's debut series and it
will have 3 books with 3 different couples. These
Innocent Demons is book one and shit this book
was depraved and a page turner! Not only was it
dark and spicy but it packed a punch of a twist.
Holmes is a bookworm with a troubled past and
she meets Vane who had a dark upbringing. One
night changed their life and 7 years later it still
haunts them. Vane and Holmes' obsession with
each other definitely puts them to the test and
realizing they are not whole without each other.
July 8, 2022
These Innocent Demons
Alex King
Rate 5/5
“We weren’t two people falling in love. We were two demons who met on the ride back to Hell and fucked our way into a burning eternity.“
I started this book and ended up reading it all within 24 hours. I was consumed by it and needed to know what was going to happen. Holmes needs to get away from her home town because of a video that was leaked. When she starts college she runs into Vane and he takes a liking to her instantly. Vane has a lot of demons but we come to see so does Holmes.
Holmes and Vane have a very toxic relationship. They are more alike then they even know and there are just so many secrets. It’s a constant push pull and eventually some things happen that tear them a part for a while. I do not want to give a lot away but Vane needs Holmes as much as Holmes needs him. No one else can satisfy them other then each other. I really enjoyed the book just wish the end had more info in it. With that being said it looks like it’s left open to find out more about them in the next book all while also learning about Vane’s friends and their girls. I am excited to continue on with this series because who doesn’t love a bunch of psychopaths that love pain and killing???? The sex scenes were hot the killing was great and the dynamics between all characters were great. I never knew what to expect and never really knew if it would end happily or not.
Alex King
Rate 5/5
“We weren’t two people falling in love. We were two demons who met on the ride back to Hell and fucked our way into a burning eternity.“
I started this book and ended up reading it all within 24 hours. I was consumed by it and needed to know what was going to happen. Holmes needs to get away from her home town because of a video that was leaked. When she starts college she runs into Vane and he takes a liking to her instantly. Vane has a lot of demons but we come to see so does Holmes.
Holmes and Vane have a very toxic relationship. They are more alike then they even know and there are just so many secrets. It’s a constant push pull and eventually some things happen that tear them a part for a while. I do not want to give a lot away but Vane needs Holmes as much as Holmes needs him. No one else can satisfy them other then each other. I really enjoyed the book just wish the end had more info in it. With that being said it looks like it’s left open to find out more about them in the next book all while also learning about Vane’s friends and their girls. I am excited to continue on with this series because who doesn’t love a bunch of psychopaths that love pain and killing???? The sex scenes were hot the killing was great and the dynamics between all characters were great. I never knew what to expect and never really knew if it would end happily or not.
July 25, 2022
These Innocent Demons by Alex King is a dark romance. This is the first book in the Unholy Trinity series.
This is Alex's debut novel and she knocked it out of the park. I was pulled in from the very beginning and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. The relationship between Holmes and Vane is toxic and messy but you can't help but root for them. I really enjoyed getting both of their points of view throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.
I can't wait for the next book in the series These Absolved Monsters to be released in December 2022 so I can get Mira and Burton's story.
I would recommend this book if you like dark romances, enemies-to-lovers romances, or stalker romances.
This is Alex's debut novel and she knocked it out of the park. I was pulled in from the very beginning and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. The relationship between Holmes and Vane is toxic and messy but you can't help but root for them. I really enjoyed getting both of their points of view throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.
I can't wait for the next book in the series These Absolved Monsters to be released in December 2022 so I can get Mira and Burton's story.
I would recommend this book if you like dark romances, enemies-to-lovers romances, or stalker romances.
July 10, 2022
Alex thank you for allowing me to read your debut❤️
If you like the whole pyscho men psycho girl, bloody scenes, spicy scenes kind of thing then this book is for you!
This book follows the story of Holmes and Vane..
When Holmes starts at college she hopes for a new start after all the drama back at home. Well she is in for a surprise when she meets pyscho Vane and damn he introduced himself in a very pyscho way. She won't forget him that's for sure even though she tries to. What is it that has her lured to him, is it his looks or something much deeper and darker. When things happen she ask herself if they share the same dark secrets? Do her own demons match his or are they even worse.
This book contains some serious trigger warning look them up!
If you like the whole pyscho men psycho girl, bloody scenes, spicy scenes kind of thing then this book is for you!
This book follows the story of Holmes and Vane..
When Holmes starts at college she hopes for a new start after all the drama back at home. Well she is in for a surprise when she meets pyscho Vane and damn he introduced himself in a very pyscho way. She won't forget him that's for sure even though she tries to. What is it that has her lured to him, is it his looks or something much deeper and darker. When things happen she ask herself if they share the same dark secrets? Do her own demons match his or are they even worse.
This book contains some serious trigger warning look them up!
July 13, 2022
This is a new to me author, so I was really looking forward to see how the writing is.
I have to say that overall it us a great story with 2 absolute freaky psychs which is my absolute jam. The bookworm and the outgoing villain - perfection. Both toxic af and attracted to each other.
The first ⅓ of book felt very chaotic and messy for my liking, also I often wished to see more layers if the characters.
The end felt a bit abrupt.
Overall, the twists and turns as well as the interactions and spice made up for the struggling beginning.
Thanks for trusting me with an arc.
I have to say that overall it us a great story with 2 absolute freaky psychs which is my absolute jam. The bookworm and the outgoing villain - perfection. Both toxic af and attracted to each other.
The first ⅓ of book felt very chaotic and messy for my liking, also I often wished to see more layers if the characters.
The end felt a bit abrupt.
Overall, the twists and turns as well as the interactions and spice made up for the struggling beginning.
Thanks for trusting me with an arc.
July 28, 2022
I NEED MORE!!! 😫😫🖤🖤🖤
For all you "Little Sickos" that love dark romance, this one is for you! 😍😍
"We weren't two people falling in love. We were two demons who met on the ride back to hell and f#cked our way into a burning eternity. Our demons fell in love before we even got to..."
This was like nothing I've ever read, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it in one sitting! I can't wait for the next two😍
❗Check all TWs obviously, this book is DARK DARK❗
For all you "Little Sickos" that love dark romance, this one is for you! 😍😍
"We weren't two people falling in love. We were two demons who met on the ride back to hell and f#cked our way into a burning eternity. Our demons fell in love before we even got to..."
This was like nothing I've ever read, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it in one sitting! I can't wait for the next two😍
❗Check all TWs obviously, this book is DARK DARK❗
September 25, 2022
why was this book 9 parts long😭😭😭 like what made the author think of this?? this was dark romance but like so messy i couldn’t comprehend what was going on. zero connection between the characters and tbh this deserves a two star rating
March 7, 2023
It was slow to start. It's very dark and definitely read the trigger warnings
July 7, 2022
Thank you Alex for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC
I enjoyed reading this story and for sure this book is not for everyone but if you like dark romance and hanve little to none triggers then this is the book for you.
It started a little confusing but as the story develops it gets more interesting.
The characters are dark indeed so make sure you read the TW before going into it.
I enjoyed reading this story and for sure this book is not for everyone but if you like dark romance and hanve little to none triggers then this is the book for you.
It started a little confusing but as the story develops it gets more interesting.
The characters are dark indeed so make sure you read the TW before going into it.
July 25, 2022
Two psychos who found each other 🖤🩸
This ARC was a wild ride. A DARK wild ride.
And deliciously dark it waaassss 😮💨
This would be such a perfect book for spooky time! There’s smexy times and there’s unaliving and secrets and old mansions and stone gargoyles.
I will say that the choppiness of the plot line did take away from it a little bit!
We go through several time jumps and I kind of wish that we got a little more of these characters in certain eras of their lives!
This story is about two jagged and broken pieces finding each other in a world that only a few understand them.
I LOVED the twists. Definitely a few that I didn’t see coming at all. And the whole time, I was excited about getting the other couples stories 😍
It’s dark and it’s bloody and I can’t wait for more!
This ARC was a wild ride. A DARK wild ride.
And deliciously dark it waaassss 😮💨
This would be such a perfect book for spooky time! There’s smexy times and there’s unaliving and secrets and old mansions and stone gargoyles.
I will say that the choppiness of the plot line did take away from it a little bit!
We go through several time jumps and I kind of wish that we got a little more of these characters in certain eras of their lives!
This story is about two jagged and broken pieces finding each other in a world that only a few understand them.
I LOVED the twists. Definitely a few that I didn’t see coming at all. And the whole time, I was excited about getting the other couples stories 😍
It’s dark and it’s bloody and I can’t wait for more!
July 19, 2022
3.5 stars.
"𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞."
A demon in disguise and an unapologetic deviant. Both psychos in their own right. Both delightfully depraved. This book is about a couple who are villains, with a love so dark and twisted.
If you’re looking for a new dark romance with villainous and obsessive main characters, kinks, spice, twists and turns, and enemies to lovers, this is for you.
“These Innocent Demons” is Alex King’s debut novel. I was quite surprised on how much I enjoyed her two villain MCs, who are absolute psychos, and the premise of it all.
Although, at the beginning it was a bit hard to keep up, slightly chaotic; maybe intentional for how these main characters are characterized and the whole plot of it all. I was hoping to get more interaction and development between the two MCs and the ending fell a bit short for me. I hope I do get to see more of this couple within the next two books. Overall, for a debut novel, I enjoyed this first installment in her “Unholy Trinity” series and looking forward to the rest.
⚠️ this book will not be for everyone and trigger warning should be checked before continuing.
*𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰.
"𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞."
A demon in disguise and an unapologetic deviant. Both psychos in their own right. Both delightfully depraved. This book is about a couple who are villains, with a love so dark and twisted.
If you’re looking for a new dark romance with villainous and obsessive main characters, kinks, spice, twists and turns, and enemies to lovers, this is for you.
“These Innocent Demons” is Alex King’s debut novel. I was quite surprised on how much I enjoyed her two villain MCs, who are absolute psychos, and the premise of it all.
Although, at the beginning it was a bit hard to keep up, slightly chaotic; maybe intentional for how these main characters are characterized and the whole plot of it all. I was hoping to get more interaction and development between the two MCs and the ending fell a bit short for me. I hope I do get to see more of this couple within the next two books. Overall, for a debut novel, I enjoyed this first installment in her “Unholy Trinity” series and looking forward to the rest.
⚠️ this book will not be for everyone and trigger warning should be checked before continuing.
*𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰.
March 5, 2024
"You always had it wrong Little Sicko. I don’t want to kill you….I just want to kill everything around you until you have nothing left but me."
For a debut novel this was written really well. There were a couple of areas that I had to reread as I think there were the wrong words used or missing as these parts didn’t quite make sense.
Apart from this, I loved the book. The words were bought together really well and really painted the picture in your head.
The time jumping at the start was a bit to get used to, but once you realised what was happening it was ok.
I am going to try not to give anything away in my review so I am probably going to be a bit vague in areas. To me, this book was about a group of friends not conforming to society, they're trying to find their way in a world that demands them to be normal. But what is normal really? Everyone's normal is different and coming to terms with that, is the hardest part to accept.
Vane is stumbling through life, being manipulated and controlled by his father and made to be something he isn't. Then he meets Holmes. Their first encounter has him realising that there may be someone out there just like him, someone that can love him for who and what he is without judgement. Vane accepts who he is and wont apologise for it.
Holmes is the opposite. She knows she is different but she is desperate to fit everyone else's version of normal that she will do anything to ensure she fits in. At the beginning, this is how Holmes comes across, and she is good at luring you in with her innocent act, but I think that is all it is, an act. She knows exactly what she is doing and loves to watch the fall out. She thrives in everyone else's suffering. I couldn’t connect with Holmes. Call me delusional, or unhinged, but I felt more for Vane than I did for Holmes. She relished the idea of Vane and thrived on the fear and excitement he gave her but she never really wanted to acknowledge her feelings. She still wanted to blend in while letting her darkness out. All Vane wanted for her to do was to acknowledge that they were alike, and she wouldn’t. She kept on running. These 2 were toxic but at the same time you can't help but wish for them to finally find a common ground together, somewhere both of their demons would be happy.
The beauty of the written word is that, like our normal, it is open for interpretation. How I perceive these characters will be different to anyone and likely the author as well. My interpretation of these characters are that Holmes is a master manipulator and knows exactly what strings to pull and when, but there are times when it doesn’t quite go her way.
Vane and his friends found a commonality in each other and they support each other and their need to feed their Demons. They are all broken in their own way and they have found the only way to deal with that.
You could read this like a true crime story, there will always be people out there that are desperate to fit in and those that don’t care but hide in plain sight.
This book is dark, yes, and I might be as unhinged as Vane because it wasn’t as dark as I hoped? Or expected maybe?
There are triggers for this book, so make sure that you take note and decide whether this book is for you.
If you decide that it is, if you like a little pain with your pleasure, or pleasure with your pain then you won't be disappointed. This will take on a journey that you will enjoy as much as it will frustrate you, and while it does say THE END on this story, I feel that it should read TO BE CONTINUED because these lives are intertwined in a way that makes you feel like this is only just beginning. I am looking forward to reading the next in the Trilogy and learning more about the what happens in the fallout of the truth.
Do yourself a favour and show your support on Alex's debut novel.
For a debut novel this was written really well. There were a couple of areas that I had to reread as I think there were the wrong words used or missing as these parts didn’t quite make sense.
Apart from this, I loved the book. The words were bought together really well and really painted the picture in your head.
The time jumping at the start was a bit to get used to, but once you realised what was happening it was ok.
I am going to try not to give anything away in my review so I am probably going to be a bit vague in areas. To me, this book was about a group of friends not conforming to society, they're trying to find their way in a world that demands them to be normal. But what is normal really? Everyone's normal is different and coming to terms with that, is the hardest part to accept.
Vane is stumbling through life, being manipulated and controlled by his father and made to be something he isn't. Then he meets Holmes. Their first encounter has him realising that there may be someone out there just like him, someone that can love him for who and what he is without judgement. Vane accepts who he is and wont apologise for it.
Holmes is the opposite. She knows she is different but she is desperate to fit everyone else's version of normal that she will do anything to ensure she fits in. At the beginning, this is how Holmes comes across, and she is good at luring you in with her innocent act, but I think that is all it is, an act. She knows exactly what she is doing and loves to watch the fall out. She thrives in everyone else's suffering. I couldn’t connect with Holmes. Call me delusional, or unhinged, but I felt more for Vane than I did for Holmes. She relished the idea of Vane and thrived on the fear and excitement he gave her but she never really wanted to acknowledge her feelings. She still wanted to blend in while letting her darkness out. All Vane wanted for her to do was to acknowledge that they were alike, and she wouldn’t. She kept on running. These 2 were toxic but at the same time you can't help but wish for them to finally find a common ground together, somewhere both of their demons would be happy.
The beauty of the written word is that, like our normal, it is open for interpretation. How I perceive these characters will be different to anyone and likely the author as well. My interpretation of these characters are that Holmes is a master manipulator and knows exactly what strings to pull and when, but there are times when it doesn’t quite go her way.
Vane and his friends found a commonality in each other and they support each other and their need to feed their Demons. They are all broken in their own way and they have found the only way to deal with that.
You could read this like a true crime story, there will always be people out there that are desperate to fit in and those that don’t care but hide in plain sight.
This book is dark, yes, and I might be as unhinged as Vane because it wasn’t as dark as I hoped? Or expected maybe?
There are triggers for this book, so make sure that you take note and decide whether this book is for you.
If you decide that it is, if you like a little pain with your pleasure, or pleasure with your pain then you won't be disappointed. This will take on a journey that you will enjoy as much as it will frustrate you, and while it does say THE END on this story, I feel that it should read TO BE CONTINUED because these lives are intertwined in a way that makes you feel like this is only just beginning. I am looking forward to reading the next in the Trilogy and learning more about the what happens in the fallout of the truth.
Do yourself a favour and show your support on Alex's debut novel.
July 19, 2022
"I realised he wasn't just trouble wearing a pretty face, but a demon hiding in plain sight."
Overall Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5
Spice Rating: 8/10
Characters: 7.5/10
Atmosphere: 6.5/10
Writing: 8/10
Plot: 6.5/10
Intrigue: 7.5/10
Logic: 7/10
Enjoyment: 8/10
Hero: Vane
Heroine: Holmes
Cliff-hanger: No
Triggers: Abuse, Knife-Play, Murder, CNC, Dubcon, Dark Themes
Pages: 307
Style: Contemporary, Enemies to Lovers, Dark, Twisted, Suspense, College, Killers, Dub Con, Non-Con, MFM.
I was super excited to read this one. Everyone knows I love a dark book, and this didn't disappoint on that front, definitely check those TW before diving in.
Firstly, can I just say Alex definitely knows how to write morally grey characters, with not 1 but 4 questionably dark figures. I love the concept that all the characters are villains in their own way, all with emotional and dark pasts that attract them to each other. I'm hoping we are going to uncover even more about each of them in the next books.
I loved the interaction between Vane and Holmes but wished we got a little bit more into their relationship development, as well as a few less time jumps. I know this is a personal preference but for me it does confuse the storyline a little bit. In saying that I love the idea Alex was going for with their demons finding and falling for each other before they did but would have liked to see just a little more into their growth.
If you love a dark, spicy, and angsty romance filled with damaged characters, action, betrayal, twists and turns, a chaotic plot, and twisted triggers then give this one a shot. Great debut from Alex!
"Holmes had become my blind spot, gasoline to the fire inside me. She was my weakness."
*all edits are mine - pictures are not
Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | Blog | Goodreads
July 12, 2022
There are no heroes in this story, just villains with a blood lust like no other. Vane and Holmes were made for one another. He’s a Demon and she’s a bookworm.
Holmes meets Vane in her first year at college before she starts when she sees him threatening a teacher with a knife and it seems to awaken her demon inside and clearly turns her on because they end up having an encounter that leads to them having a one night stand.
Vane can’t seem to shake Holmes after getting a taste of her but their encounters are very far and in between, they have some pretty hot sexy moments that include knives, blood and more but over the course of time their interaction is very limited over the 4 years of college but Vane is always in the shadow stalking. I would have loved more interaction just to develop a stronger connection to them as a couple, but loved both of them individually.
Vane and his friends are The Unholy Trinity - Demons who kill and have their reasons behind it. Their lust for the kill gets them caught up one night and one of the 3 ends up locked away and this enters a time jump. In this time jump we get a little of Vane and Holmes actually together which was nice but after that we get a MAJOR time jump.
The Time Jump has Holmes being taken advantage of by her professor from college, she writes a book about The Unholy Trinity and it becomes a best seller and now she’s on their list because she wrote a bunch of lies and is playing victim.
Vane and Holmes cross paths again, but he never really stopped watching her; he was always lurking it seems and their pull to one another is still there. Holmes isn’t giving into Vane so easily though right away.
Twist and Turns through the rest of the way and secrets start to come out from Holmes about her past that she didn’t know along with Vane that make them realize who they really are.
All in all I loved the premise of the story, I enjoyed the characters, the kills, blood play, I would have just loved more interaction between the couple as a build up to them being together just to be able to develop that connection more with them. Overall I definitely plan to read the series because I feel a lot was left open and I’m hoping that the next two books answer the questions that were left unanswered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2022
8/10⭐️
4/5🔥
MF/dark romance/enemies to lovers/murder/violence/dubcon/CNC/mentions of noncon/stalking/blackmailing/HFN
Debut author, Book One of The Unholy Trinity series, which will be an interconnected stand alone series.
Holmes has been the talk of the town after a sex tape of her having a threesome surfaced. Vane has a bad reputation after an incident in high school. Trinity College is suppose to be a new start for them both. Vane has always had dark tendencies, so has Holmes, she just hides her demons better. When she accidentally witnesses Vane threatening a teacher with a knife before classes even start freshman year, she immediately knows he’s not one to trifle with. Too bad all his demons speak to hers. After a very dubious, but life altering romp in the hallway 🥵🥵, Homes doesn’t know how she will ever survive Vane Wolfgang, or if she even wants to.
This book spans over a 10-11 year range, with one or two significant events happening each year of college that just cements the dark claim Holmes and Vane have toward each other. Then after one rather haunting event at the end of senior year… things start to change between them. They are separated for several years (7-8 year gap here). Holmes ends up publishing a book about Vane, telling the world how horrible he was, painting herself as the victim, even though she has demons just as dark as his. He promises he will get his revenge on her for the book she wrote.
There is only so much I can say about this book with out spoiling it all. The most I can say is that you DO NOT want to miss this book.. it was dark and twisted and stabby and violent and just all the things my little dark heart desires. The attraction between Holmes and Vane was so magnetic and permanent, never waning, even after all the time they spent apart. If your looking for a book where everyone’s ready to go down in ruins no matter the cost, this is where you need to be!
4/5🔥
MF/dark romance/enemies to lovers/murder/violence/dubcon/CNC/mentions of noncon/stalking/blackmailing/HFN
Debut author, Book One of The Unholy Trinity series, which will be an interconnected stand alone series.
Holmes has been the talk of the town after a sex tape of her having a threesome surfaced. Vane has a bad reputation after an incident in high school. Trinity College is suppose to be a new start for them both. Vane has always had dark tendencies, so has Holmes, she just hides her demons better. When she accidentally witnesses Vane threatening a teacher with a knife before classes even start freshman year, she immediately knows he’s not one to trifle with. Too bad all his demons speak to hers. After a very dubious, but life altering romp in the hallway 🥵🥵, Homes doesn’t know how she will ever survive Vane Wolfgang, or if she even wants to.
This book spans over a 10-11 year range, with one or two significant events happening each year of college that just cements the dark claim Holmes and Vane have toward each other. Then after one rather haunting event at the end of senior year… things start to change between them. They are separated for several years (7-8 year gap here). Holmes ends up publishing a book about Vane, telling the world how horrible he was, painting herself as the victim, even though she has demons just as dark as his. He promises he will get his revenge on her for the book she wrote.
There is only so much I can say about this book with out spoiling it all. The most I can say is that you DO NOT want to miss this book.. it was dark and twisted and stabby and violent and just all the things my little dark heart desires. The attraction between Holmes and Vane was so magnetic and permanent, never waning, even after all the time they spent apart. If your looking for a book where everyone’s ready to go down in ruins no matter the cost, this is where you need to be!
February 4, 2023
If you have triggers then pls pls pls make sure you follow the link to check the content warnings because this book is full of 'em. However, if you read a lot of dark romance and haven't found anything that has triggered you then the author recommends going in blind so when you reach those parts, it doesn't feel expected or spoiled.
I enjoyed this book and liked it but it didn't blow me away like I had hoped. I love dark and twisty and the premise of a little sicko and a demon finding each other and I did v much live for our obsessive and unhinged MMC. Vane and Holmes both have a darkness and each of theirs compliments the others.
I loved Vane and the other Unholy Trinity boys, I am excited to read about Burton and Mira in the next book and even more excited to read more about Thatcher. However, I found Holmes a little unlikeable. She's confusing and contradicting and, at times, very hypocritical and selfish. The miscommunication and avoidance of conversation between the MC's is also very frustrating. There is a lot of internal dialogue but anything actually said out loud between them felt like riddles sometimes.
I did struggle to follow along with the storyline and characters intentions and feelings with the big time jumps. It felt like some plot points didn't get fully explained or resolved leaving me with questions when the author has moved on in the story. I also wish we were *shown* more of what happens in the gaps and not just told about them because it feels like I'm missing something or am playing catch up and it made it difficult to be fully invested in their relationship.
Overall, I did like this book and was tangled up enough in their toxicity to keep me reading and there is a lot of potential within the pages I just wish maybe Holmes and Vane's story was a two part-er so that it could be better fleshed out and developed?
I enjoyed this book and liked it but it didn't blow me away like I had hoped. I love dark and twisty and the premise of a little sicko and a demon finding each other and I did v much live for our obsessive and unhinged MMC. Vane and Holmes both have a darkness and each of theirs compliments the others.
I loved Vane and the other Unholy Trinity boys, I am excited to read about Burton and Mira in the next book and even more excited to read more about Thatcher. However, I found Holmes a little unlikeable. She's confusing and contradicting and, at times, very hypocritical and selfish. The miscommunication and avoidance of conversation between the MC's is also very frustrating. There is a lot of internal dialogue but anything actually said out loud between them felt like riddles sometimes.
I did struggle to follow along with the storyline and characters intentions and feelings with the big time jumps. It felt like some plot points didn't get fully explained or resolved leaving me with questions when the author has moved on in the story. I also wish we were *shown* more of what happens in the gaps and not just told about them because it feels like I'm missing something or am playing catch up and it made it difficult to be fully invested in their relationship.
Overall, I did like this book and was tangled up enough in their toxicity to keep me reading and there is a lot of potential within the pages I just wish maybe Holmes and Vane's story was a two part-er so that it could be better fleshed out and developed?
March 21, 2023
"You always had it wrong Little Sicko. I don’t want to kill you….I just want to kill everything around you until you have nothing left but me."
For a debut novel this was written really well. There were a couple of areas that I had to reread as I think there were the wrong words used or missing as these parts didn’t quite make sense.
Apart from this, I loved the book. The words were bought together really well and really painted the picture in your head.
The time jumping at the start was a bit to get used to, but once you realised what was happening it was ok.
I am going to try not to give anything away in my review so I am probably going to be a bit vague in areas. To me, this book was about a group of friends not conforming to society, they're trying to find their way in a world that demands them to be normal. But what is normal really? Everyone's normal is different and coming to terms with that, is the hardest part to accept.
Vane is stumbling through life, being manipulated and controlled by his father and made to be something he isn't. Then he meets Holmes. Their first encounter has him realising that there may be someone out there just like him, someone that can love him for who and what he is without judgement. Vane accepts who he is and wont apologise for it.
Holmes is the opposite. She knows she is different but she is desperate to fit everyone else's version of normal that she will do anything to ensure she fits in. At the beginning, this is how Holmes comes across, and she is good at luring you in with her innocent act, but I think that is all it is, an act. She knows exactly what she is doing and loves to watch the fall out. She thrives in everyone else's suffering. I couldn’t connect with Holmes. Call me delusional, or unhinged, but I felt more for Vane than I did for Holmes. She relished the idea of Vane and thrived on the fear and excitement he gave her but she never really wanted to acknowledge her feelings. She still wanted to blend in while letting her darkness out. All Vane wanted for her to do was to acknowledge that they were alike, and she wouldn’t. She kept on running. These 2 were toxic but at the same time you can't help but wish for them to finally find a common ground together, somewhere both of their demons would be happy.
The beauty of the written word is that, like our normal, it is open for interpretation. How I perceive these characters will be different to anyone and likely the author as well. My interpretation of these characters are that Holmes is a master manipulator and knows exactly what strings to pull and when, but there are times when it doesn’t quite go her way.
Vane and his friends found a commonality in each other and they support each other and their need to feed their Demons. They are all broken in their own way and they have found the only way to deal with that.
You could read this like a true crime story, there will always be people out there that are desperate to fit in and those that don’t care but hide in plain sight.
This book is dark, yes, and I might be as unhinged as Vane because it wasn’t as dark as I hoped? Or expected maybe?
There are triggers for this book, so make sure that you take note and decide whether this book is for you.
If you decide that it is, if you like a little pain with your pleasure, or pleasure with your pain then you won't be disappointed. This will take on a journey that you will enjoy as much as it will frustrate you, and while it does say THE END on this story, I feel that it should read TO BE CONTINUED because these lives are intertwined in a way that makes you feel like this is only just beginning. I am looking forward to reading the next in the Trilogy and learning more about the what happens in the fallout of the truth.
Do yourself a favour and show your support on Alex's debut novel.
For a debut novel this was written really well. There were a couple of areas that I had to reread as I think there were the wrong words used or missing as these parts didn’t quite make sense.
Apart from this, I loved the book. The words were bought together really well and really painted the picture in your head.
The time jumping at the start was a bit to get used to, but once you realised what was happening it was ok.
I am going to try not to give anything away in my review so I am probably going to be a bit vague in areas. To me, this book was about a group of friends not conforming to society, they're trying to find their way in a world that demands them to be normal. But what is normal really? Everyone's normal is different and coming to terms with that, is the hardest part to accept.
Vane is stumbling through life, being manipulated and controlled by his father and made to be something he isn't. Then he meets Holmes. Their first encounter has him realising that there may be someone out there just like him, someone that can love him for who and what he is without judgement. Vane accepts who he is and wont apologise for it.
Holmes is the opposite. She knows she is different but she is desperate to fit everyone else's version of normal that she will do anything to ensure she fits in. At the beginning, this is how Holmes comes across, and she is good at luring you in with her innocent act, but I think that is all it is, an act. She knows exactly what she is doing and loves to watch the fall out. She thrives in everyone else's suffering. I couldn’t connect with Holmes. Call me delusional, or unhinged, but I felt more for Vane than I did for Holmes. She relished the idea of Vane and thrived on the fear and excitement he gave her but she never really wanted to acknowledge her feelings. She still wanted to blend in while letting her darkness out. All Vane wanted for her to do was to acknowledge that they were alike, and she wouldn’t. She kept on running. These 2 were toxic but at the same time you can't help but wish for them to finally find a common ground together, somewhere both of their demons would be happy.
The beauty of the written word is that, like our normal, it is open for interpretation. How I perceive these characters will be different to anyone and likely the author as well. My interpretation of these characters are that Holmes is a master manipulator and knows exactly what strings to pull and when, but there are times when it doesn’t quite go her way.
Vane and his friends found a commonality in each other and they support each other and their need to feed their Demons. They are all broken in their own way and they have found the only way to deal with that.
You could read this like a true crime story, there will always be people out there that are desperate to fit in and those that don’t care but hide in plain sight.
This book is dark, yes, and I might be as unhinged as Vane because it wasn’t as dark as I hoped? Or expected maybe?
There are triggers for this book, so make sure that you take note and decide whether this book is for you.
If you decide that it is, if you like a little pain with your pleasure, or pleasure with your pain then you won't be disappointed. This will take on a journey that you will enjoy as much as it will frustrate you, and while it does say THE END on this story, I feel that it should read TO BE CONTINUED because these lives are intertwined in a way that makes you feel like this is only just beginning. I am looking forward to reading the next in the Trilogy and learning more about the what happens in the fallout of the truth.
Do yourself a favour and show your support on Alex's debut novel.
Read
August 29, 2022Huge thanks to the author for sending it in exchange of a review but.... DNF at 60%, I can't.
Before I begin, I applaud the author for all the time and effort she put into this book. But this is just really not my thing. I'm not really enjoying the writing, it lacks the editor and proper editing. You can clearly see in some scenes how it all played out in authors head but she never put what played out on paper and I kept getting back to see if I missed anything... I DIDN'T! It was simply never written.
The main couple is so forced. But not in a way this is dark romance and everything is kind morally questionable. No. They just don't fit, no chemistry, no anything, they're just forced onto each other... even tho through that 60% I've read the author is trying to convince us so hard how they're fated and meant to be. Two sickos in love. But they just feel off. I don't feel the pull, I don't see any sparks. Nothing.
I don't like anyone. None of the characters. There's nothing for me to like. There's not even ohh look a bad boy daddy over there... not even that. Just plain dislike for everyone in this book.
I just can't connect to anything. And the saddest thing is, the premise and plot are actually interesting. Like I was so invested in the story, I didn't even care about what characters are on about. But after you read half of the book like that it gets boring. You're not excited for anything because you care about 5% of it.
I feel like this could've been the next big dark romance novel tiktok would rave about if it only had some proper editing. I got bones and I wanted meat. I was left starved and not in a good way.
Before I begin, I applaud the author for all the time and effort she put into this book. But this is just really not my thing. I'm not really enjoying the writing, it lacks the editor and proper editing. You can clearly see in some scenes how it all played out in authors head but she never put what played out on paper and I kept getting back to see if I missed anything... I DIDN'T! It was simply never written.
The main couple is so forced. But not in a way this is dark romance and everything is kind morally questionable. No. They just don't fit, no chemistry, no anything, they're just forced onto each other... even tho through that 60% I've read the author is trying to convince us so hard how they're fated and meant to be. Two sickos in love. But they just feel off. I don't feel the pull, I don't see any sparks. Nothing.
I don't like anyone. None of the characters. There's nothing for me to like. There's not even ohh look a bad boy daddy over there... not even that. Just plain dislike for everyone in this book.
I just can't connect to anything. And the saddest thing is, the premise and plot are actually interesting. Like I was so invested in the story, I didn't even care about what characters are on about. But after you read half of the book like that it gets boring. You're not excited for anything because you care about 5% of it.
I feel like this could've been the next big dark romance novel tiktok would rave about if it only had some proper editing. I got bones and I wanted meat. I was left starved and not in a good way.
September 17, 2022
Rating 4.5/5
Plot 5/5
Spice 4/5
Writing 4/5
Character Development 4/5
[I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book]
“These Innocent Demons” by Alex King follows a dark dark DARK romance story between Vane Wolfgang and Holmes Beckford. Vane is the Dean’s son, however, he is not your typical “Dean’s kid”. Vane is an unhinged alphahole. He develops an unhealthy obsession with Holmes, the new girl who has moved to Trinity College in hopes of hiding from her old school and moving on from her dark past. Holmes knows she shouldn’t get herself tangled in Vane’s privileged life however there’s something about Vane that’s drawing her towards him.
If you loved Sophie Lark’s “Sinners Duet Series”, you’ll enjoy this book! I loved the plot of this book. Vane is sooo unhinged and I was here for it. The only reason I’m giving it a 4.5/5 instead of a 5/5 was because there were many moments where the book felt like two separate novels. There would be scenes where Vane would be doing something or watching Holmes and I wished there were more scenes where they were together rather than one character watching the other. It’s extremely dark so if you’re one to read content warnings beforehand, make sure to do so before jumping in!
Plot 5/5
Spice 4/5
Writing 4/5
Character Development 4/5
[I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book]
“These Innocent Demons” by Alex King follows a dark dark DARK romance story between Vane Wolfgang and Holmes Beckford. Vane is the Dean’s son, however, he is not your typical “Dean’s kid”. Vane is an unhinged alphahole. He develops an unhealthy obsession with Holmes, the new girl who has moved to Trinity College in hopes of hiding from her old school and moving on from her dark past. Holmes knows she shouldn’t get herself tangled in Vane’s privileged life however there’s something about Vane that’s drawing her towards him.
If you loved Sophie Lark’s “Sinners Duet Series”, you’ll enjoy this book! I loved the plot of this book. Vane is sooo unhinged and I was here for it. The only reason I’m giving it a 4.5/5 instead of a 5/5 was because there were many moments where the book felt like two separate novels. There would be scenes where Vane would be doing something or watching Holmes and I wished there were more scenes where they were together rather than one character watching the other. It’s extremely dark so if you’re one to read content warnings beforehand, make sure to do so before jumping in!
July 19, 2022
“Your soul is mine , Holmes. One ticket to hell. That’s how you know I love you, Little Sicko.”- Vane
Do what now??? Holy shit y'all Alex King is not playing around. She said dark and that's exactly what she delivered... Dark, dirty, possible even a little deranged. I got major Shantel Tessier vibes with the insane twists and some of the smuttiest smut I've read yet. This is loaded with triggers, or in my case kinks you may not know you have.
Homes and Vane's love story is straight out of hell. Both of them are a little unhinged (ok, more than a little in his case) and their demons are instantly drawn to each other, hers hidden away from the world and his proudly on display. Vane is quite literally a psycho, his violence and obsessiveness both drawing Holmes to him and pushing her away.
It was a bit chaotic at times with the multiple time jumps (this spans 11 years!) but overall it added to the intensity of the magnetism between them. The ending had me straight up dropping my kindle... what in the actual f* just happened?! With Alex's promise that this series will just get darker I am so ready for more!
Do what now??? Holy shit y'all Alex King is not playing around. She said dark and that's exactly what she delivered... Dark, dirty, possible even a little deranged. I got major Shantel Tessier vibes with the insane twists and some of the smuttiest smut I've read yet. This is loaded with triggers, or in my case kinks you may not know you have.
Homes and Vane's love story is straight out of hell. Both of them are a little unhinged (ok, more than a little in his case) and their demons are instantly drawn to each other, hers hidden away from the world and his proudly on display. Vane is quite literally a psycho, his violence and obsessiveness both drawing Holmes to him and pushing her away.
It was a bit chaotic at times with the multiple time jumps (this spans 11 years!) but overall it added to the intensity of the magnetism between them. The ending had me straight up dropping my kindle... what in the actual f* just happened?! With Alex's promise that this series will just get darker I am so ready for more!
March 9, 2023
These Innocent Demons
Holmes goes to Trinity College and ends up catching the attention of the wrong crowd, most notably Vane, who is the dean's son. Her interactions with him lead her to write her debut novel which becomes a bestseller, and she doesn't plan on letting him take any of the spotlight from her.
So I was shocked by how much I loved Vane. The guy is a brute and has a darkness to him that you just get sucked into. He's not a nice person, and doesn't appear to have any redeeming qualities in the beginning, but that changes with Holmes. The way he ends up being with her and just his possessive nature just lures you in.
I wasn't a big fan of Holmes's character, because she felt a little more stuck up to me than I think her character was intended to be. The book was also really fast in the beginning, and you move quickly through the various scenes, so you're almost left in a daze as to what's going on. I'll admit i was a little confused with the book until about midway through when the author finally slowed down and began explaining and fleshing out the story.
Overall rating
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
2 🌶 🌶
Holmes goes to Trinity College and ends up catching the attention of the wrong crowd, most notably Vane, who is the dean's son. Her interactions with him lead her to write her debut novel which becomes a bestseller, and she doesn't plan on letting him take any of the spotlight from her.
So I was shocked by how much I loved Vane. The guy is a brute and has a darkness to him that you just get sucked into. He's not a nice person, and doesn't appear to have any redeeming qualities in the beginning, but that changes with Holmes. The way he ends up being with her and just his possessive nature just lures you in.
I wasn't a big fan of Holmes's character, because she felt a little more stuck up to me than I think her character was intended to be. The book was also really fast in the beginning, and you move quickly through the various scenes, so you're almost left in a daze as to what's going on. I'll admit i was a little confused with the book until about midway through when the author finally slowed down and began explaining and fleshing out the story.
Overall rating
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
2 🌶 🌶
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews