Addict

Bastard Brothers of Carnage #1

by Blake Blessing

Sell your body or your mind?

When forced to make an impossible choice, would you sacrifice your pride or your morals?

I’m Amorette Monet Black, and I was abducted. Funny thing, I have a choice. One that most women don’t get. I could stay here and be forced to share my body...

Or, I could let four questionable men take me away. Only there’s a price. It doesn't matter how much time I don't have, the choice is slipping through my fingers.

Victim or accomplice?

I know the choice I need to make, but will I be able to live with myself?

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Why Choose, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Smut, Forced Proximity

371 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 20, 2022

About the author

Blake Blessing is just a working mom that loves art in all forms, and all genres of romance. Although she enjoys writing romance of the steamier variety.

Reviews

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

🅰🅳🅳🅸🅲🆃: Is the first full length romance book in the 'Bastard Brothers of Carnage' series by new to me author Blake Blesing. Spoken in various POV's. Ends in cliffy.

Of course I didn't buy it because of the cover 🤷‍♀️Says no one ever! 👅

This started off strong, which grabbed my attention straight away, making me love the dark captive elements to this storyline. A place I wanted to stay in a wee bit longer.

Amorette is an attorney who fights for the underdog, when she wakes up battered and bruised, naked on a cold metal floor surrounded by many other woman in the same state she's ridden with guilt because she knows she can't save them all. These men got more than what they bargained for when it came to her. She will fight tooth and nail to not only protect herself but her other cell mates.

As luck would have it, Lafe was visiting on a day when she stood out amongst the docile woman as she kicked and spat at her abductors. He was drawn to her because of the fire he could see in her soul.

Some will struggle during this point, others depending on triggers and dark levels will crave a wee bit more.

Luckily or not so lucky depending on how you look at it, he takes her from one situation to another where she's under lock and key with his brothers, Grey, Parker & Andre. She has two choices, either she can get taken back to her abductor or she can work for them.

Then it ebbed off, moving at a much slower pace, which if I’m being honest I was in two minds if I wanted to carry on or not. The cover is deceiving, yes it's Lafe he's becoming addicted to the product they sell, so I expected the story would focus more on his character, but that's not the case, even though he saved her, we don't really get much else from him, yes they have a connection, but it doesn't progress any further than that, as it does with one of his brothers.

Then as we raced towards that ending at that cliffy (yes there is a cliffy) it did pick up in pace again and had me sitting on the edge of my seat and I truly hope the next books are better.

                  

[Jade · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read 20% and I was so bored. The FMC was going through a horrible experience, and I felt nothing for her. I think what was meant to be a love interest called her bitch in his head multiple times and it was such a turnoff.

I'm easy to please, but this pleased in zero departments.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/4 stars

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be warned that some of the content in this book might upset some folks. It is dark in places and people trafficking is a factor in it too.

Amorette (FMC) gets caught up in this dark underworld when shes kidnapped and dropped in a place where women are used and abused by ruthless men. Amorette is a strong-willed woman who wont settle and give up the fight in this situation. Only for the epitome of anti-heroes brothers - Lafe, Grey, Parker & Andre to drag her into their world for her safety but theyre anything but safe. Saying that they are all smoking hot though even if they are a little bit damaged by their circumstances. Their twistedly great dynamic made for a cracking read and one hell of a cliffhanger ending too. I cant wait for the next book

[mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Blake Blessing for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)

Please check trigger warnings before reading.

Reverse harem with captive trope? Sign me up. As with any other RH book, each person in the harem had their own personality and their own troubles. One aspect I liked was that this book kept me curious, I had to keep reading on to know what happens next. It captured my attention quite well. The dark themes of this book added to the suspense and I thought it was written quite well. There were instances of frustration towards the MMCs in the book which made their character development a little lacking as compared to the FMC but I do think this would get better in the next book.

This book was a good start to the series!

[Kali Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐
3 🌶️ 5 🎧

I found Blake through Heather Long, deciding to give her a try when I saw Addict up for ARC and I'm so happy I did. Addict was, well, addicting. I devoured it this weekend, reading every chance I got and I absolutely loved it. It has a really fascinating storyline; I particularly love the idea of a very moralistic woman finding love with four morally grey men and that she devoted her life to rescuing victims of abuse only to become a victim herself.

I really loved Amorette. She is so incredibly strong and smart, she exudes confidence and isn't afraid to put her life on the line to help other's who are helpless. From the moment Lafe saw her he knew she was a spitfire and that he needed to save her; she was kicking her way to an untimely death to help save the other women she was locked up with. I can't decide if I love her relationship with Parker or Grey the most, both for different reasons, but I love both sides of her with those men. I can't wait for Andre to warm up a little too, I always have a soft spot for that why choose MMC that swears he wants nothing to do with the FMC and is the last to join in on the fun.

That cliffhanger was something else. I am absolutely waiting on bated breath to find out what happens next and to see what the endgame is with Vincente. I'm totally hooked and will be diving into Cardinal Sins asap to see where we first meet Parker. I love that these and 82nd Street Vandals are all in the same world.

The audio was fantastic. I absolutely adore Bridget Bordeaux, and while I usually see her paired with her husband, Jake, I loved her with Adam Gold too. Together these two made music to my ears and I couldn't get enough.

[Brandy Seip · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this over 2 days, but it really felt like a week. Read those trigger warnings. This is a dark and heavy read. I went in blind with an ARC copy and I am so grateful for the opportunity! This was something completely out of left field for me. I love the FMC amd her fighting spirit. No matter what bad happened, she continued to fight. I loved that Lafe stepped up to help her first, but I wish there had been help for him other than his brothers helping him ride out the highs from the drugs. I'm sure things will work out later in the series, but his drug use just seemed so ignored when it sounded pretty serious. I'm looking forward to book 2 amd to see who that last new character is!!

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amorette and the brothers (Lafe, Grey, Parker, Andre). I'm really liking this series. Book 1 we have Amorette being kidnapped and taken to S America and entering the sex trade. She's a fighter and has a savior complex. She'll save other girls by throwing herself in the mix instead. Every chance she gets (even after being raped and beaten) she fights her captors.

Then we meet Lafe. He sees Amorette and her fight and there was something about her. He ends up taking her from the "Gallery" and takes her to his brothers' compound. He saves her. She tries escaping the compound when Lafe gives her the options to either: work for the brothers, go back to the Gallery or commit suicide.

As the book proceeds we slowly meet the brothers:
Lafe is an addict with a ton of mental baggage. He runs the drug side of the business and samples.
Grey is a fighter. Literal fighter. He runs the underground fighting ring.
Parker is a thief. Works mainly with art. He is a wild card.
Andre is the leader trying to keep his brothers (half-brothers actually). He works with informants, FBI (getting rid of problem people by turning them in), an in general making connections and getting favors.

Amorette tries escaping the brothers a few times and finally gives in. She slowly starts getting feels for the brothers. She hooks up with Grey for most of this most. Parker has thrown around the whole "sharing" her so that all the brothers are invested in her personally to ensure she stays safe.

This book ends on a cliffhanger...Grey is set to fight a guy that is known to fight to the death. Even though Grey is the best fighter this guy would be #2. Vicente ups the ante and says weapons will be allowed during the fight. Grey is drugged during the fight and his brothers jump in to prevent their brother from being killed. They are distracted and Vicente kidnaps Amorette.

[KAGE · Rating 4 out of 5]

"There were no great love stories. More like horror endings."

Overall Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5

Spice Rating: 5/10
Characters: 7.5/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Writing: 8.5/10
Plot: 8/10
Intrigue: 8/10
Logic: 7/10
Enjoyment: 8/10

Hero: Lafe, Grey, Parker, Andre
Heroine: Amorette

Cliff-hanger: Yes
Triggers: Sexual Abuse, Kidnapping, Violence, Murder.

Pages: 371
Style: Contemporary, Enemies to Lovers, Dark, Twisted, Suspense, Reverse Harem, Mafia.

This read had me intrigued right from the get-go! This was my first book by Blake, and I was impressed.

This was a dark read that had one strong as-hell FMC who was dealt some pretty tough cards but did her best to try to navigate her new world, four very yummy and morally grey MCs who I can't wait to uncover more on, and a great storyline with plenty of drama yet to come.

Thank you Blake for a great read, this was a great taster for this new world, and I absolutely can't wait for the next book.

"This life was going to break her."

*all edits are mine - pictures are not

Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | Blog | Goodreads

[Blendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

You guys....YOU GUYS! This book....man. This book sucked me in and totally rocked my world. I wasn't expecting this, and I think that is because I wasn't expecting such a dark book from this author. I've read Blessing's other books, and I have really enjoyed them, but this book is very different from the works I've come to know from her....and I LOVE IT.

Don't get me wrong, this book isn't the most dark book out there, but it does deal with some heavy shit; so mind those TWs. Additionally, I found myself really liking the way that the characters are dealing/dealt with some of the shit thrown at them. The FMC is no Mary Sue, but she is strong in her convictions and beliefs....then enter the MMCs--morally gray bastards. The dynamic between all the characters thus far is really delicious, and I cannot wait for things to start heating up and getting filthy. The harem isn't realized by the end of the book, but we have an idea and well...I won't give spoilers, so just read it.

If you love RH books, then you should definitely check this one out. It has organized crime, characters that are out of high school, and devilishly bad boys trying to figure out what in the hell to do with the altruist, head strong, feisty little woman they have now found themselves with. Convict (book 2) should be out in a few months--I'm loving this rapid release thing--because I need it, like now!

[blondie and her books · Rating 5 out of 5]

In need of a dark RH romance that will pull you in from the prologue? Look no further. Addict it is.

This book was, like the title, addictive. Its focus is Amorette, a young lawyer, with a promising career in defending victims of abusive relationships. Her life takes a turn for the worse when she becomes a sex trafficking victim. Even trapped in a situation, that she knows she might not come out of, she keeps her fighting spirit. That instantly gets the attention of Lafe, that offers her a deal: stay where she is or work for him and his brothers.

The story is gripping, we get to see Amorette trying to navigate around her moral compass, to survive in the world where she gets unwillingly trapped but also around her feelings for the four morally gray men, which intrigue her more than she wants to admit.

And the men are so far enigmatic, but we do see that each has a fractured soul and a dark past that I can not wait to discover.

The book ends on a surprising note, which makes me very anxious about the second book of this series, Convict.


I received an ARC for my honest opinion.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐
2🌶

This is a dark, mafia, why-choose romance that starts off with kidnapping, sex trafficking, and non-con. Please read the trigger warnings before proceeding.

Amorette is an attorney, out to save victimized women from powerful men, when she is human trafficked, put in the agonizing position of becoming a victim herself, and plagued with guilt over her inability to save everyone.
She is then very luckily saved by a man, Lafe, who works within the evil empire that runs the Gallery, where Amorette has found herself. Once taken to the compound where Lafe and his 3 brothers, Grey, Parker, and Andre reside and run parts of their father's evil empire, Amorette finds herself stuck in an inconceivable life. One where she has to be an accomplice to villainy or end her life. There is no going home.

Amorette is such a strong character, and I would really love to see her come into her own in this crime world, I’m sure with her taking down the human trafficking. I am intrigued by the men, and I can see them becoming stronger as a family. The cliffy was good, and I'm hooked for book 2!

[Alicia Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me on a rollercoaster!! From the very beginning I did not know how everything would play out! This book has such delicious darkness and I am not even sure how I can love all of these characters yet! But I do! Each character is so amazingly flawed and morally Grey ( ;). If you like them damaged this is the series for you!!
Our main girl Amorette is fierce and strong but also has her weak points! I love how the story unfolded and how each character was presented! Lafe, Grey, Parker and Andre have their work cut out of them! I loved how there is room for each character to grow and deal with their issues in future books! That cliffhanger!! I need to know what happens RIGHT NOW!!
Warning this is a slow burn and not all relationships between the main characters are created equal! LOL in my opinion a lot of changes need to happen before I can be on board with all of the men!!
Go read this now for suspense, darkness, secrets, a little Stockholm sydrome and bloodshed of course!!
5/5 plot
3/5 spice (I anticipate there will be great scenes in our future!!!)

**I received an arc and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mandi Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moral lines

The trigger warnings are super important to pay attention to!
Amorette is a strong female lead, even after being kidnapped into human trafficking and being saved but not freed.
I enjoyed the start of this new series, even when I have some issue with each of the characters. They each have flaws, but there’s something about each that draws you in also, even if you may be a little resistant.
This is slow burn, and worth it so far!
With Amorette’s introduction into the life in the cartel, we see her transition from a brutal black/white, absolutely no gray, thinker to her beginning to understand there are different shades of gray in life, and this life has more than she would have ever expected. The cliffhanger was pretty ruthless, so I’m definitely going to have a little anxiety until Convict.

[Tyla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise of this book, I was excited to dive in.
Amorette is taken. She wakes up in a room full of cages of women, ready to be trained and sold. I really enjoyed Amorettes personality and strength, especially given her career. I loved that she fought, she’s definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Without giving too much of the story away there are 4 brothers. Andre, Parker, Grey and
Lafe. All a complete clash of personalities and they don’t like each other very much, but they stick together. Grey is my absolute favourite 😍

Some things I found confusing were the name of the book and with what happens at the beginning all point to the fact it’s Lafes story. But that wasn’t the case, I found it was more centred around Grey which I did enjoy. I also felt like not much happened in the way of the actual plot, some bits weren’t needed.

[madirosereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting new start to an RH series. I’ll be honest, I was truly not sure if I would like it in the first 10% with the context. (Please do your own research and check the TW. This book is HEAVY in them.) The scenes in the beginning were rough for me to read but ended up being handled and dealt with. The FMC is one tough woman and I love her strength.

I really liked parts of this and some of the men in it. There where times I felt very frustrated by the guys behavior but I thought the FMC was a badass. As the story progressed I felt it got better and better overall but I wanted more for the men. I believe each book is going to have a bit heavier focus on one of the brothers but overall I’m hoping for more character development there! I’m excited for book 2

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this dark reverse harem, and I have no triggers that I’ve found yet, but this pushed my limits. The Gallery is a very disturbing place, but is exactly what I picture when thinking of human trafficking. I love the dark, realistic & uncomfortable vision this creates in my mind because it keeps me leery of what’s coming next and on my toes.

Lafe, Andre, Parker, and Grey are brothers with a messed up past and even more messed up family. As Amorette gets to know these men she’s surrounded by, she realizes not everything is at it seems. That ending had me cursing it wasn’t over yet, but I’ll be waiting for the next book to see how things go after that shocking ending! Job well done to the author!

[Shedevilreads Bookstagram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addict by Blake Blessing is a dark romance. This is the first book in the Bastard Brothers of Carnage series.

Blake did a great job pulling me in from the chapter. I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. I really enjoyed getting Amorette, Lafe, Andre, Grey, and Parker's points of view throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.

The book ended on a great cliffhanger that left me begging for more. I can't wait for the next book in the series Convict to be released on March 21, 2023.

I would recommend this book if you like dark romances, mafia romances, or enemies to lover's romances.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I started reading this one I was hooked. It was fast paced and action packed. It was light on the spice, but the tension between Amorette and the brothers *chef's kiss*. With the title being Addict, I would have liked to see more of Lafe, but let's be real Grey would probably still be my favorite brother anyway. Be sure to check the trigger warnings, if that is something you need. The beginning especially can be very heavy.

Thank you so much to Blake and her team for providing me with an ARC to review.

[Ari Loves All The Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psycho's, Oh-gasms, Head Strong FMC? Yes this book has check marked ALOT!! I absolutely adore the FMC and her personality. I loved that the brothers are cut from the same clothes, but so different. && Do not get me started on that cliffhanger... Because WHAAAAT?!?! lol. This was a great 1st book to the series.

[📚 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beginning was super crazy and made my pulse race, but then the rest of the book took me weeks to finish it just felt like every chapter was the same thing and didn’t get interesting until the end. Level 🌶️🌶️ out of 5 spicy too.

[Dede loves books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crazy. Sex trafficking. Spicy.

[Alayna Kipp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a little longer than normal to hook me but I’m so glad I stuck with it! It left off on such a cliffhanger I have no choice but to keep reading! I highly recommend this series! It is dark so be sure to check trigger warnings before diving in!

The characters in this book are so diverse and interesting they just suck you right in. The brothers are each different in their own way and I love seeing all their personalities. Amorette is strong and badass, she’s one of the best FMC characters I’ve ever read! I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!!

[Katarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5
This definitely trampled dangerously close to my triggers but was glad I made it through! It was really good, loved all the characters, and the story progression.
The only thing I would've changed is the overlap in stories between POVs. I personally don't think it added much to the story but I see why it was done.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
This was good. The first 15ish percent made me a little nervous, but the male characters are not involved in sex trafficking. I really liked Amorite as a main character. I thought she was really strong, but did make a few dumb choices. As for the romance it’s going to be really slow burn with most of the guys. I like them so far. This is also more plot heavy than spice heavy.

[Alexandria Silcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm usually not a fan of the slow burn but the story is so good you barely miss the heat. I'm looking forward to the next book. Beware if you have triggers especially with abuse and non con.

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Dark Romance, RH , read the Trigger Warnings.

[Angel McGregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooo... I've had this on my to read list for ages and kept putting it off. Now that I've read it I wish I'd gotten around to it sooner. It's a great read, Amorette is a strong female lead character and the brothers are mysterious in all the best ways. I can't wait to find out all their secrets.

[Elle]

DNF’ed

[Ashley Pozen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this hard to get through. Not that it’s bad I just wasn’t what I was expecting. Also pretty dark at times

Received as ALC