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The Ruthless Dark #1
Monsters Awakened
I’ve woken the Dark, and they’re here to claim me.
Monsters killed my family, but nobody believed me. I’m told the trauma repressed my memories and that I imagined the creatures who tore apart my family. Six-year-old Trinity couldn’t cope with the reality she witnessed and created her own.
They’re wrong. I’m no longer a child, but I still see monsters.
Six years ago, three crept into the edges of my dreams, their violet eyes shining through the shadows. But these creatures with horns and claws didn’t want to hurt me. One whispered his wicked thoughts, another watched me but never spoke, and their leader tempered their wild desires. I wanted to surrender to their dark embrace, but my monsters left me untouched and alone with my fantasies.
I’m now at Briargrove House for treatment, where Dr. Radcliffe specializes in teasing out the truth hidden inside damaged people’s heads. He promises to unlock my memories and bring those who murdered my family to justice.
But how damaged and dangerous are the others who live with me at Briargrove?
Dr. Radcliffe hopes to banish the imaginary monsters, but my three return. They call themselves the Dark, are wilder than my dreams, and fulfil every pleasure they denied me. They belong to me, and I am theirs.
My dark lovers insist that the true monsters live inside Briargrove House, so I must return to their realm. If I don’t, other creatures will take me to a different place, where the dreams promise to become nightmares.
Monsters Awakened is the first book in the Ruthless Dark series. If you like scorching hot paranormal romance with dominant and possessive monster heroes, a heroine who’s strong enough to bring them to their knees, and a world where she doesn’t need to choose, scroll up and pre-order today.
Note: although the heroes are monstrous, all encounters in the series are fully consensual.
Monsters killed my family, but nobody believed me. I’m told the trauma repressed my memories and that I imagined the creatures who tore apart my family. Six-year-old Trinity couldn’t cope with the reality she witnessed and created her own.
They’re wrong. I’m no longer a child, but I still see monsters.
Six years ago, three crept into the edges of my dreams, their violet eyes shining through the shadows. But these creatures with horns and claws didn’t want to hurt me. One whispered his wicked thoughts, another watched me but never spoke, and their leader tempered their wild desires. I wanted to surrender to their dark embrace, but my monsters left me untouched and alone with my fantasies.
I’m now at Briargrove House for treatment, where Dr. Radcliffe specializes in teasing out the truth hidden inside damaged people’s heads. He promises to unlock my memories and bring those who murdered my family to justice.
But how damaged and dangerous are the others who live with me at Briargrove?
Dr. Radcliffe hopes to banish the imaginary monsters, but my three return. They call themselves the Dark, are wilder than my dreams, and fulfil every pleasure they denied me. They belong to me, and I am theirs.
My dark lovers insist that the true monsters live inside Briargrove House, so I must return to their realm. If I don’t, other creatures will take me to a different place, where the dreams promise to become nightmares.
Monsters Awakened is the first book in the Ruthless Dark series. If you like scorching hot paranormal romance with dominant and possessive monster heroes, a heroine who’s strong enough to bring them to their knees, and a world where she doesn’t need to choose, scroll up and pre-order today.
Note: although the heroes are monstrous, all encounters in the series are fully consensual.
Unknown Binding
First published February 21, 2022
314 people are currently reading
623 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Swallow
125 books746 followersLJ Swallow is a paranormal romance and urban fantasy author who is the alter-ego of bestselling contemporary romance author Lisa Swallow.
Giving in to her dark side, LJ spends time creating worlds filled with supernatural creatures who don’t fit the norm, and heroines who are more likely to kick ass than sit on theirs.
Giving in to her dark side, LJ spends time creating worlds filled with supernatural creatures who don’t fit the norm, and heroines who are more likely to kick ass than sit on theirs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 17, 2022
What a waist of a potential book.
Sad to see I wasted my time on this pointless book. So Trinity is the key to All madness of monsters. You don't really understand what's going on until 80% of the book is read. Round and round you go with the same warning and the same problem why the monsters can't reveal themselves. Once they do Trinity plays the I'm not ready card and keeps putting herself in danger. On top of that she refuses to be with her monsters after she's been pinning for them the entire book. Then she gets more of her memories back and then she starts to understand what really is happening. Which isn't until the end of the book. So like I said this had potential but I was over it.
Sad to see I wasted my time on this pointless book. So Trinity is the key to All madness of monsters. You don't really understand what's going on until 80% of the book is read. Round and round you go with the same warning and the same problem why the monsters can't reveal themselves. Once they do Trinity plays the I'm not ready card and keeps putting herself in danger. On top of that she refuses to be with her monsters after she's been pinning for them the entire book. Then she gets more of her memories back and then she starts to understand what really is happening. Which isn't until the end of the book. So like I said this had potential but I was over it.
March 20, 2024
I really liked this one but it kind of dragged a little bit and I got kind of lost at one point and had to go back and reread some page before it made sense. But after that bomb was dropped on my lap in the last chapter I know need to read the next book.
February 7, 2023
dnf dnf
So I signed up for monsters and reverse harem what I got was a sad twilight teenage nonsense with sex. Except by the time you get to the sex you don’t even care. Yep I said it. I didn’t even care. Why? Because nothing made me want to continue. I got to 45% of this book and said no thank you. The characters the story line I mean it all takes a sharp turn and not for the better.
So I signed up for monsters and reverse harem what I got was a sad twilight teenage nonsense with sex. Except by the time you get to the sex you don’t even care. Yep I said it. I didn’t even care. Why? Because nothing made me want to continue. I got to 45% of this book and said no thank you. The characters the story line I mean it all takes a sharp turn and not for the better.
May 6, 2022
I swear to sweet baby jesus why people just didn't explain things the first time around.... A good 75% of this book was spent with Trinity and her monsters going round and round in a circle of "I won't tell you the true/you're not ready for the truth" and "omg what's going on???" Then when someone does finally explain things to her, they won't do the thing they need to do to be safe!! All the while, there's terrible crazy stuff going on in the house... This one is a real mindf***. I mean, I liked Trinity and her monsters, but just COMMUNICATE already.
April 6, 2022
I don't know if it's because I'm falling into a book slump or I'm just not too into the book, but I really struggled to get through this one. I almost expected better from the beautiful cover.
February 16, 2022
Great start to a new series! Trinity has always been able to see monsters. She finally learned to keep her sightings to herself, especially after her parents and little sister were murdered right in front of her. For some years she had dreams about three "monsters" that were erotic instead of frightening, but those stopped when she finally got a steady boyfriend. In fact, all of her monster sightings seemed to stop. Then, one suddenly showed up in the book store where she worked. She agrees to meet him for a date but freaks out when he follows her and grabs her as she leaves him at the bar. The next thing she knows she is in jail for attacking him and her only way to escape the mental ward is to agree to go a place called Briargrove and let some doctor try to unlock her memories from when her family was killed. Once there, she finds herself surrounded by men who are all good-looking, and apparently as crazy as she is. But why do three of them seem to be familiar? They don't look like monsters, but the guy who attacked her is there too and she can no longer see his monster side. What is going on?
Don't want to ruin the story for you. This is only the beginning of the series so we don't find out everything, but we do find out a lot. We get to meet Trinity's three Dark fae: Tarin, Caden, and Asher, and find out why they want her. We also get a partial reason behind what happened to her family and why it isn't over yet. Lots to unwrap here so be prepared. Can't wait for more. I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
Don't want to ruin the story for you. This is only the beginning of the series so we don't find out everything, but we do find out a lot. We get to meet Trinity's three Dark fae: Tarin, Caden, and Asher, and find out why they want her. We also get a partial reason behind what happened to her family and why it isn't over yet. Lots to unwrap here so be prepared. Can't wait for more. I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
February 19, 2022
A dark mysterious story that is meant to play with the mind and does an excellent job doing just that.
Trinity has had a strange life and it just seems to be getting stranger. She has always seen monsters and the craziest thing is she is attracted to the three that have visited when she was younger but they went away.
Now a few years down the line, Trinity manages to get herself in a bit of trouble and her monsters, Asher, Tarin and Caden are back to watch over her and protect her. But there is so much going on with the characters. Trinity is placed in a strange world of creatures that may want to hurt her, something deviant is going on at this house and girls are going missing AND she learns exactly what her monsters are and what they want from her. OMG....the author has me feeling as unstable and unsure of myself as Trinity does at times. The thing is my mind is thinking and feeling her thoughts and feelings where the monsters are concerned. Does that mean we're both unhinged? Goddess, I hope not!
So to sum this up, the story is gripping and hard to put down. The author weaved a world of creatures and suspense and a total psychological mind F***. I absolutely LOVE it! I have no idea what is going to come around the next corner and that makes it impossible not to want more. The only complaint is having to wait for the next book. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
Trinity has had a strange life and it just seems to be getting stranger. She has always seen monsters and the craziest thing is she is attracted to the three that have visited when she was younger but they went away.
Now a few years down the line, Trinity manages to get herself in a bit of trouble and her monsters, Asher, Tarin and Caden are back to watch over her and protect her. But there is so much going on with the characters. Trinity is placed in a strange world of creatures that may want to hurt her, something deviant is going on at this house and girls are going missing AND she learns exactly what her monsters are and what they want from her. OMG....the author has me feeling as unstable and unsure of myself as Trinity does at times. The thing is my mind is thinking and feeling her thoughts and feelings where the monsters are concerned. Does that mean we're both unhinged? Goddess, I hope not!
So to sum this up, the story is gripping and hard to put down. The author weaved a world of creatures and suspense and a total psychological mind F***. I absolutely LOVE it! I have no idea what is going to come around the next corner and that makes it impossible not to want more. The only complaint is having to wait for the next book. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
March 1, 2022
Good
**WARNING! Cliffhanger!**
Trinity was the lone survivor when her family was murdered by the monsters she sees. No-one else believes her when she tells them, and at the age of twenty-four, she knows to keep silent.
However, when she starts seeing the monsters again, she finds herself in a facility purporting to help people with mental issues. There she learns the truth, that the monsters are real… and they’re coming for her! The thing is, Trinity doesn’t always mind the monsters, sometimes they’re precisely what she wants.
This is a slow burn, reverse harem, paranormal romance, in which the monsters play both heroes and villains.
Trinity is a woman with a traumatic past, and who sees things no one else does. As the story progresses, we learn a lot more about why she sees them, and what it is she is seeing.
I’d classify this one as one of the darker paranormal fantasy series out there, a lot of what goes on in Trinity’s world is dark, and the events surrounding her life then and now are also very dark.
Not that these are bad things, they give the story depth and mystery, as well as adding a little angst into the mix.
It’s an entertaining story though, with a very intriguing cast of characters, and despite the fact the romance is on the slow burn side, we do see quite a bit of spice in the book.
This one I’d recommend for fans of paranormal reverse harem.
**WARNING! Cliffhanger!**
Trinity was the lone survivor when her family was murdered by the monsters she sees. No-one else believes her when she tells them, and at the age of twenty-four, she knows to keep silent.
However, when she starts seeing the monsters again, she finds herself in a facility purporting to help people with mental issues. There she learns the truth, that the monsters are real… and they’re coming for her! The thing is, Trinity doesn’t always mind the monsters, sometimes they’re precisely what she wants.
This is a slow burn, reverse harem, paranormal romance, in which the monsters play both heroes and villains.
Trinity is a woman with a traumatic past, and who sees things no one else does. As the story progresses, we learn a lot more about why she sees them, and what it is she is seeing.
I’d classify this one as one of the darker paranormal fantasy series out there, a lot of what goes on in Trinity’s world is dark, and the events surrounding her life then and now are also very dark.
Not that these are bad things, they give the story depth and mystery, as well as adding a little angst into the mix.
It’s an entertaining story though, with a very intriguing cast of characters, and despite the fact the romance is on the slow burn side, we do see quite a bit of spice in the book.
This one I’d recommend for fans of paranormal reverse harem.
February 22, 2022
Trinity has been seeing monsters most of her life, particularly traumatised by the night the monsters killed her family. The murder is a cold case, no-one believes Trinity, she's not even sure she believes herself anymore. But not all monsters are lurking in the dark to hurt her. There are three, powerful beings who Trinity is drawn to and they are in the shadows waiting. After being attacked, Trinity is introduced to a mysterious Dr Radcliffe and taken to Briargrove for 'treatment' but like everything in Trinity's life all is not what it seems. There are strange goings on, girls missing and three very hot men that she is inexplicably drawn to. Are they her monsters from the past, are they here to protect or hurt her and why does she really really want to know them more intimately.
Excellent start to this new series. An original concept, written well. The heat level increased in the second half of the book and I can't wait for more in the next one.
Excellent start to this new series. An original concept, written well. The heat level increased in the second half of the book and I can't wait for more in the next one.
April 21, 2022
I am very reluctantly saying I enjoyed this book.
Couple reasons. #1, it starts very slowly. Almost as though we’re dragging the narrative out for page count. #2, there are sections where the narrative is just clumsy. Part of that could tie into my previous point. An excuse to draw out the story into a second book? Insert cliffhanger here? 🙄
However, a tiny little part of my mind insisted I push forward, because there was one thing that was done successfully. And that was the pacing at which the unveiling of the plot occurs. There is so much withheld, that you want to push forward just to find out what the fuck is going on.
All that being said, I’m going to be downloading the next book the day it comes out. Reluctantly. Yep.
Couple reasons. #1, it starts very slowly. Almost as though we’re dragging the narrative out for page count. #2, there are sections where the narrative is just clumsy. Part of that could tie into my previous point. An excuse to draw out the story into a second book? Insert cliffhanger here? 🙄
However, a tiny little part of my mind insisted I push forward, because there was one thing that was done successfully. And that was the pacing at which the unveiling of the plot occurs. There is so much withheld, that you want to push forward just to find out what the fuck is going on.
All that being said, I’m going to be downloading the next book the day it comes out. Reluctantly. Yep.
February 28, 2022
😈😈😈😈😈 5/5
This book is dark and gritty. It has the perfect balance of steam and action. The world in this book is extremely unique. Monsters here are characters who are morally gray. And, this leads to some of the best antiheroes.
Trinity is a really fun and awesome heroine. She is real and has suffered hard trauma. However, she is strong and does take the steps to heal. I liked how in this book therapy isn’t portrayed as something evil but as a tool.
The romance is one of my favorite parts. I loved the mix of smut and tenderness. Yes, this book is somewhat dark but it’s also really emotional. The book ended on a cliff hanger but I highly recommend everyone checks this book out.
This book is dark and gritty. It has the perfect balance of steam and action. The world in this book is extremely unique. Monsters here are characters who are morally gray. And, this leads to some of the best antiheroes.
Trinity is a really fun and awesome heroine. She is real and has suffered hard trauma. However, she is strong and does take the steps to heal. I liked how in this book therapy isn’t portrayed as something evil but as a tool.
The romance is one of my favorite parts. I loved the mix of smut and tenderness. Yes, this book is somewhat dark but it’s also really emotional. The book ended on a cliff hanger but I highly recommend everyone checks this book out.
February 14, 2022
A new series by LJ Swallow worth checking out, especially if you enjoy monsters in your romance and reverse harem stories.
Trinity, goes through a difficult past and has to learn to cope with her trauma in a world that doesn't believe her. There is some dark bits, some arousing bits, and some mysterious things going on. Trinity does her best to make sense of the things around her as well as the people.
If you enjoy steam in your books this one doesn't make you wait long for it. You are left with a cliffhanger though so beware, but just know it is worth it!
Trinity, goes through a difficult past and has to learn to cope with her trauma in a world that doesn't believe her. There is some dark bits, some arousing bits, and some mysterious things going on. Trinity does her best to make sense of the things around her as well as the people.
If you enjoy steam in your books this one doesn't make you wait long for it. You are left with a cliffhanger though so beware, but just know it is worth it!
March 29, 2022
I have read several novels by LLJ Swallow, and she did not let me down this time. I found her to be a gifted and talented author. She has a way of crafting her story, masterfully interwoven with progressive world building, action, and delving deeply into her characters persona without overdoing one thing or another. I can’t wait to get my hands on another novel by this author. I believe this is going to be a series and I am delighted! I highly recommend this author! I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the book from Book Funnel.
February 14, 2022
I absolutely loved this book!!! This is probably one of my favorites of author, LJ Swallow!!! It’s very Interesting and took me on quite a journey that I didn’t see coming. I couldn’t put this book down! I love Trinity and the three who protect her and help her. The ending of this book is sooo good!! I can’t wait to find out what happens next with Asher, Trinity, Tarin, and Caden! This is one of my favorite series/worlds by LJ, and I highly recommend this book!!!
February 21, 2022
Love me some monsters!
LJ knows how to weave a story. You're right there with the fmc as she starts picking the knots apart and feel the frustration when she doesn't get answers from the people who say they care. That last chapter was a doozy. Can't really call it a cliffhanger cause you knew by the first few chapters that the story wouldn't be contained in 1 or 2 books. Can't wait to find out how it all shakes out. I'm rooting for a fourth monster to be added to the harem. 😉
LJ knows how to weave a story. You're right there with the fmc as she starts picking the knots apart and feel the frustration when she doesn't get answers from the people who say they care. That last chapter was a doozy. Can't really call it a cliffhanger cause you knew by the first few chapters that the story wouldn't be contained in 1 or 2 books. Can't wait to find out how it all shakes out. I'm rooting for a fourth monster to be added to the harem. 😉
February 22, 2022
Good start. Excited to see where this book is going since I find the whole thing intriguing. Hate that it ends in a fucking cliffhanger (seriously, why? Just put everything in 1 book). There was tantalizing teasing in this book only, just a heads up to all my smut peeps out there. Just enough to keep you interested… wish I had more to say, but it ended when it was getting pretty good, so I’m kind of at a stand still waiting for the next book.
May 26, 2022
I wanted to like this book but the plot draagggggeedd and nothing happened for most of the book.
And there is no romance in this monster “romance”. Just crass language and emotionless hookups.
That whole time could have been spent relationship and trust building. Ya know—having them fall in love, a key ingredient in a ROMANCE….but this isn’t romance, it’s smut. Emotionless, shallow, boring smut.
What a waste.
And there is no romance in this monster “romance”. Just crass language and emotionless hookups.
That whole time could have been spent relationship and trust building. Ya know—having them fall in love, a key ingredient in a ROMANCE….but this isn’t romance, it’s smut. Emotionless, shallow, boring smut.
What a waste.
August 10, 2022
Definitely lengthy
This book seemed to kind of... draw on longer than maybe it needed to? It got to a few points where I considered just stopping and reading something else, but I pushed through.
I like the concept, I like the ending, and I'll start the second book to see how it goes. At this point I can't imagine reading this again, but I'm still intrigued enough to see what happens next, at least.
This book seemed to kind of... draw on longer than maybe it needed to? It got to a few points where I considered just stopping and reading something else, but I pushed through.
I like the concept, I like the ending, and I'll start the second book to see how it goes. At this point I can't imagine reading this again, but I'm still intrigued enough to see what happens next, at least.
April 20, 2023
This was an interesting story. It combined multiple fantasy characteristics which leaves you questioning what is really or if the main character is simply crazy for a large portion of the book. While there are steamy scenes, the main character does not have intercourse within the first book. Be prepared for heavy story content. It was confusing at first with the time jumps in chapters but once you have an idea of what's going on, it's easier to follow.
April 24, 2022
solid 3 stard
Had a hard time getting into this book. The last quarter of the book finally got me interested. I will read the next one but I hope it’s better than 3/4 of the first book. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood because there is absolutely nothing wrong with the story, it’s quite interesting and I am enjoying. This is a weird review lol.
Had a hard time getting into this book. The last quarter of the book finally got me interested. I will read the next one but I hope it’s better than 3/4 of the first book. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood because there is absolutely nothing wrong with the story, it’s quite interesting and I am enjoying. This is a weird review lol.
January 23, 2024
Trinity sees monsters everywhere in her small town. People think she’s crazy but she knows the truth. They killed her family. After an incident she’s required to undergo ‘treatment’. But things at the facility are not as they seem. And the monsters that watched over her may have motives as well.
Pretty good read. She’s strong but waffles back and forth about the guys. Definitely get why.
Pretty good read. She’s strong but waffles back and forth about the guys. Definitely get why.
March 27, 2024
Not sure what I want to say here. My book says it's authored by Kyla Quinn, it was a free Kindle day pickup. Had I known it was LJ Swallow, I probably would not have picked it up as I have already been burned by her four horsemen series. That slow burn, don't tell the heroine anything is NOT for me. I know it's a trope, I know some people love it, but I don't.
February 21, 2022
Is it all in her mind after all?
What a great intro to this new series! This is only the second book I've read in this genre of monster romance, and yowza😉!! Thinking your entire life you're seeing things one way, when nobody else does messes with your brain. So what is real and what's not? There's definitely a mystery, suspense element to the story which is really exciting. Add in oodles of alpha males, lots of heat, a baddie or two, intriguing characters and complex world development, and you have a great read! It ends on a huge cliffhanger which definitely leaves you excited for book two, so prepare yourself now. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what happens next in this unique world of characters 💗.
What a great intro to this new series! This is only the second book I've read in this genre of monster romance, and yowza😉!! Thinking your entire life you're seeing things one way, when nobody else does messes with your brain. So what is real and what's not? There's definitely a mystery, suspense element to the story which is really exciting. Add in oodles of alpha males, lots of heat, a baddie or two, intriguing characters and complex world development, and you have a great read! It ends on a huge cliffhanger which definitely leaves you excited for book two, so prepare yourself now. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what happens next in this unique world of characters 💗.
February 23, 2022
I honestly could not put this book down! This is a new book world from LJ Swallow and it's one that I am 100% here for! A read full of twists, confusion & ALL the steamy goodness! WOWZA! I need book two like yesterday lol SO GOOD!
March 6, 2022
I want monsters whoa whoa whoa
LJ Swallow and Kyla Quinn had fun writing this book. It has extremely interesting characters along with a twisted plot. It’s dark, sexy and mysterious. The ending is a hook that leaves us writhing with want…what does she remember??
LJ Swallow and Kyla Quinn had fun writing this book. It has extremely interesting characters along with a twisted plot. It’s dark, sexy and mysterious. The ending is a hook that leaves us writhing with want…what does she remember??
March 17, 2022
Not a bad book. Not a great book either. It was a bit hard to get into because things were either described weird or just that it was weird to picture what was going on. Everything got a bit confusing in the beginning. Once I adjusted, it was easy to fall into the book. However, the characters are a bit mediocre and parts are such such a stretch that it seems like this book was written with smut in mind at first and plot second. The book does end in a bit of a cliffhanger but its not an omg cliffhanger alert for me. Maybe its because the book didn't click that well with me.
March 17, 2022
What?! How could it end like this!
Seriously, I have a permanent twist of amxienty in the pit of my stomach because of the amount of suspense in this book! The twists and turns are never ending and SO GOOD!
Let me rate this more than 5 🌟s!!
Seriously, I have a permanent twist of amxienty in the pit of my stomach because of the amount of suspense in this book! The twists and turns are never ending and SO GOOD!
Let me rate this more than 5 🌟s!!
November 23, 2022
Great read.
Great start to a new series, such great, interesting male characters, morally grey yet devoted to Trinity. And Trinity, such trauma she's been through yet she come through it and ir sure of what she knows.
Great start to a new series, such great, interesting male characters, morally grey yet devoted to Trinity. And Trinity, such trauma she's been through yet she come through it and ir sure of what she knows.
February 24, 2024
Wow just wow
It was alright but not a fan of the mind games and gas lighting that's for sure. I also didn't like the abrupt end I'm going to read the others but this one was a 2.5 for me just from personal preference.
It was alright but not a fan of the mind games and gas lighting that's for sure. I also didn't like the abrupt end I'm going to read the others but this one was a 2.5 for me just from personal preference.
April 1, 2024
what a roller coaster
This book had its up and downs. I wasn’t expecting the ending that was given. I assumed something was to happen but wasn’t sure what it would fully be. I’m excited to jump into Trinity’s dreams again in the next book.
This book had its up and downs. I wasn’t expecting the ending that was given. I assumed something was to happen but wasn’t sure what it would fully be. I’m excited to jump into Trinity’s dreams again in the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews