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In the Underground, I make the rules. The Underground is mine . I call the shots. It is who and what I am. I am the Judge , jury, and executioner. Except to her. I’ve always been a man who gets what he wants, but she was too young and too sweet to touch. Now, staying away from her is no longer possible. She has pushed me to the end of my limits. My resolve has broken, and I will give up everything, do anything, to hear her say I’m hers .

339 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 29, 2023

97 people are currently reading
212 people want to read

About the author

Terri Anne Browning

129 books3,974 followers
www.facebook.com/writerchic27

Terri Anne Browning is a USA TODAY bestselling author.
Being dyslexic, she never thought a career in writing would be possible, yet she has been on bestselling lists multiple times since 2013. Reese: A Safe Haven Novella was her first Indie published book. The Rocker Who Holds Me changed the tables and kicked off The Rocker... series featuring the sinfully delicious members of Demon's Wings. The Rocker... Series is now complete with 12 books and the occasional novella. Other books by Terri Anne include the Angel's Halo MC Series, as well as The Lucy & Harris Novella Series, The Vitucci Mafiosos Series, and The Tainted Knights Rocker Series.

Terri Anne lives in Virginia with her husband, their three demons---err, children--and a hyper Frenchie named Grunt.

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5 stars
313 (54%)
4 stars
160 (27%)
3 stars
75 (12%)
2 stars
21 (3%)
1 star
8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for ✩ layla ✩.
266 reviews40 followers
August 29, 2023
I only made it to the halfway mark before giving up. Their relationship seemed pretty uneven and one-sided. She was more of a convenience than anything.

The heroine was a spineless moron, and the hero was a typical passive beta hero.

Not my thing.
Profile Image for Grisette.
671 reviews84 followers
December 10, 2024

3.5 stars

Just finished this one, and I feel underwhelmed. The betrayal drama was on point and hit deliciously hard in many places but the grovel part was duh. Not only the H remained a controlling, unrepentant Alpha-hole who still by the end of the book had not apologised properly (even his sorry had to be prompted by the h 🙄🙄) or understood the gravity of what he did (I wanted to slap him everytime he was whining that the h did not try to understand 😬), and had shown no hint at ever changing his meddling, controlling ways in the future, but his whole grovelling consisted of giving her time to calm down, to forgive him 🙄🙄. Worse, the h herself was all too happy to not only let him back into her life, notwithstanding that his betrayal counted in my books as those 'things that can never be undone', but also forget all about her career dreams all because... he told her he loved her and sexed her like a maniac... 🤨😶🙄😖 Like seriously yes... Me and the sisterhood are ashamed of you girl!

Still, I gobbled down the story because it read like easy, OTT cheap thrills - quite entertaining. So nevertheless rating this 3 stars.


P.S. I am being petty, but so many people have made the h's life hard like the scholarship guy, the roommate etc and no comeuppance at all for them?? When Judge is such an OTT J/P Alpha prick??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Shyralf.
1,558 reviews72 followers
October 2, 2023
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars! Forbidden. This was so good, some drawn out drama, but overall, excellent read.
Profile Image for Lola.
189 reviews8 followers
September 2, 2023
I have no idea what happened. The first couple of chapters or so got me hooked and I settled in for a cracking read and then it became so utterly idiotic that my eyes hurt in their sockets from over rolling.

Judge - cage fighter, high court ACTUAL Judge and billionaire (yep I should have put it down and had a bath immediately, or at least done something useful ) - has had a psychotic obsession with Elli since she was 16. Daughter of his housekeeper and friend of the family, Elli similarly 'fell in love' with Judge early on...

There is an age gap here but that's the least of my worries to be honest. My primary concern is why I trawl Amazon late and night and actually pay for this drivel.

I have never read this author before so I'm claiming naivety. She throws the kitchen sink at it. Possessive, Dom, collaring, breeding, birth control manipulation etc etc etc.

There are triggers here but to be honest the books turns so farcical that I found myself actually laughing inappropriately so there's that at least.

1 star for the beginning because it's the weekend and hey, who doesn't like the weekend?

There is a passive/aggressive dig at 50 Shades.

My Dear Ms Browning. The day that lightning strikes and your writing can ever hold a candle to EL James then dig away.

Until then. Dream on baby. Maybe in the next life
Profile Image for Erin.
122 reviews2 followers
August 30, 2023
My rating is a Flight of Five (5⭐️) and here are just some of the reasons why.

My Top Ten Quick Thoughts Are:
🍋Housekeeper's Daughter
🍋Sister's Childhood Friend
🍋Small Town
🍋Underground MMA
🍋Age Gap
🍋Billionaire
🍋Grumpy/Sunshine
🍋College
🍋Friends to Enemies to Lovers
🍋Spicy

Judge Zachary Bennet has always felt like the world was on his shoulders. There were only a few people who could get under his skin and right into his heart, even if he would rather pretend they couldn't. I always thought that Judge was going to be my least favorite of Terri Anne Browning's characters, but somehow he had me going through almost all the feels, including wanting to throw the book at him when he just can't get out of his own head and see what has always been around him. His relationship with the ray of sunshine, Ellianna, is everything and more I was hoping for. I can honestly say Judge is up there as one of my favorite characters now. Plus Rita and Mabel have won my heart! They are such great supportive characters whose stories unfold throughout Judge and Ellianna's tumultuous relationship which amplifies their feelings even more.
Profile Image for TJ.
1,767 reviews1 follower
March 29, 2025
Brill.

Been waiting a while on Judge’s story with Ellianna. This story runs alongside Lyla’s story with Howler.

I couldn’t stop the tears for Ellianna and how Judge was with her. Was glad we had little Josie in this book, she’s just so cute.
Profile Image for Claudia |✨Cushin Violeta's Bookish Realm✨.
1,634 reviews56 followers
November 12, 2024
𝔻𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕔𝕚𝕠𝕦𝕤 ℂ𝕙𝕖𝕞𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕪 & 𝔸𝕟𝕘𝕤𝕥 𝕠𝕟 𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖 😻

🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅾 🅻🅾🅾🅺 🅵🅾🆁🆆🅰🆁🅳 🆃🅾:

💥 Age Gap
💥 Enemies-to-Lovers
💥 Grumpy-Sunshine
💥 He's the Judge & a Fighter (Part of the Secret Underground Fighting Club)
💥 She's a College Student
💥 ANGSTYYYYY
💥 Emotional Push and Pull so good
💥 Crackling Hot Chemistry
💥 Obsessed with her/ Touch her & 🏴‍☠️

💕🅵🅰🆅🅾🆄🆁🅸🆃🅴 🆀🆄🅾🆃🅴🆂 💕

𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕? 𝑨 𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒍 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆.

𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝑰 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒍? 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕. 𝑰 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏. 𝑾𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒂 𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒚 𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆?

🅼🆈 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆:

My goodness, this book absolutely drove me crazy and yet I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed and loved it oh so much.

I mean.... Zachary "Judge" Bennet...Ahhh... That man.... Yes, please... Hotness overloaded and his madness for Ellie had me salivating over him.

I kid you not, when I started the book I hated Judge for the way he was with Ellie and the hatred he showed towards her for no reason and especially his hot and cold mood swings.... That man drove me Crazy..

But as we move ahead in the book and THE DEDICATION, THE OBSESSION AND THE LOVE that he has for Ellie and the way he does everything, to make his Ellie, his only....ahhh.... I WAS FREAKING MELTING FOR THAT MAN.

Ellie is the daughter of Mabel, the head housekeeper at Judge's house and even though Mabel manages his home, she's more like family to him.
Her daughter Ellie is another story where Judge is concerned.

Ellie being back for her break, decides to help her mom in house work for some extra cash but is shocked to see how much Judge still detests her.

All she's ever wanted was for Judge to look at her the way she's always wanted him to but what she instead has gotten from him is dislike and not wanting her presence.

When I tell you the push and pull and the chemistry and the angsty parts are so freaking good, I mean they are FREAKING AMAZING and I certainly might have been irked at their arguments and stupidity but man, I couldn't keep this book down for even a minute.

The Chemistry is 𝖲𝖤𝖷𝖸𝖸𝖸𝖸𝖸𝖸 and so sizzling 🥵🔥... Ahh... I couldn't get enough of them, that's for sure.

“𝑪𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉,” 𝑰 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒂𝒓. “𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔, 𝒎𝒚 𝑬𝒍𝒍𝒊. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒕.”

Please be warned you might feel the urge to throw your kindles at times but please try not to do that. 🫣😜

Zachary, might have been a major 𝖠𝗌𝗌𝗁𝗈𝗅𝖾 at the beginning but once he grovels and decides to reveal his feelings.... HE GOES ALL IN....
There's no holding back and Judge is a man who uses his power but only for his Ellie. He is so obsessed with her and I was here for his madness and insatiable hunger for Ellie and especially his stalking, just to make sure his Ellie was taken care of.

Ahhh... Judge, I wish I could have him all for myself. That man is one delicious yumminess and a man in power that I'm shamelessly melting and drooling over.

That man is so possessive that he didn't even tolerate anyone calling Ellie as Ellie instead he would correct them to say her full name, Elliana.
Ahh... I'm smitten with that man.😍😍

𝑵𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚.

I'm heading straight into book 1 of this series that is Howler and Lyla's story. I adored little Josie (Howler's daughter) and meeting Howler and Lyla in this book and I need more of this series. Absolutely loved loved this one.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
30 reviews12 followers
August 30, 2023
So this book FINALLY reminded me of what I used to love about Terri Anne Browning books, and fully obsess over them for.....until they all started becoming pretty much novellas that just mixed around the same story lines without coming close to actual book length. It honestly would have been a five star if it wasn't for the fact of what she had Judge do at the almost end and Eli just let it fly when he made decisions and messes with her life yet again, and this time in an even more dangerous way. That actually would have taken it down more stars except I found myself being too happy to finally get a book that resembled what made me love the author all those years ago so I pushed it back up hoping it will make her see how great it is to have those types of actual books back.
Profile Image for maysen matthews.
75 reviews
September 4, 2023
Limitless Emotions Will Be Felt

There is no limit to the amount of emotions you feel reading this book! We waited 4 years for Judge and he did not disappoint!!

Though he makes us scream internally, and aloud, because of his actions, I think we can all agree Judge was well worth the wait.

Elli isn’t afraid to show her submissive side, but she also has fire in her veins and isn’t afraid to show Judge who the boss really is in the relationship.

Profile Image for Shelley C.
2,982 reviews64 followers
September 6, 2023
Judge and Elli😍

Oh my gosh, it’s wonderful to finally find out more about Judge and Elli❣️I’ve been waiting for this story and just so excited I finally got to finish it.

So many ups and downs for this couple due to the various challenges they had getting together in the first place but also some great secondary characters that I’m hoping we will find out more about in the future🤩

Loved it and definitely recommend it…now to hope we get more Sons of the Underground🤞
1,441 reviews2 followers
September 7, 2023
JUDGE ????

Does Elli know any other way to handle a situation besides running ? And Judge can not be as powerful in all aspects of his life acting like he does. It's just unbelievable. Plus the unrequited love angle is not my genre, so I was disappointed in Judge's story. I wanted them both to be stronger, more mature.
Profile Image for Tracy Clark-lolley.
32 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2023
Great Read

I always enjoy everything that Terri Anne writes .I've been waiting on this one since she first introduced the Sons into her series. Everything she writes keeps me so engaged. I'm glad that Judge and Elliana got their happily ever after. Can't wait to see who's next!
177 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2023
Good book

Terri Anne Browning always delivers a good book. But this one was boring to me. There really was no substance and too much sex. I like a little action with my romance and this one had too little.
24 reviews
January 8, 2024
GROWING LOVE

I love Judge! The way he handled his love for Elli was wrong. But, he was only trying to make it safe for himself. At the end he did realize being apart wasn’t worth the pain & insanity that they were going through.
Profile Image for Claudi Sparrow.
49 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2023
Worth the wait

I have been waiting for Judge’s story .... It was definitely worth the wait!!!
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read that I devoured way too quickly
353 reviews2 followers
August 30, 2023
So good!!

Such an enjoyable story! Took a little go ramp up but once it did it flew by. It sucks that now I have to wait cor the next one!!
Profile Image for Toi.
4,278 reviews
September 1, 2023
Amazing Read

Amazing read, this is a book that will grab you from page one and keep you entertained for the entire day - I couldn't but it down.
1,257 reviews3 followers
September 7, 2023
4 Star Age Gap Romance

4 stars for Zachary who can be the Judge and Jury of any story… but he’s judge and Jury over Elliana’s heart. A good and quick read with good angst.
3 reviews
September 8, 2023
limitless

Loved this book! Have read all the Rockers books and loved them all can’t wait to read the next one
222 reviews
September 14, 2023
Judgemental

Romantic love the dom. sub, not over the top just the right amount of spice. In the next great contributing to the series . Waited along time for book 2.
4 reviews
September 14, 2023
love him or hate him… Judge is brilliant!

Another fantastic book from Terri Anne Browning.
Dark and powerful with characters you can’t help but love.
Couldn’t put it down.
Profile Image for Karen.
5,385 reviews74 followers
September 19, 2023
I got to where she's law clerking the first day and he demands her panties. DNF not for me being a prude but for h being a pushover.
Not my cup of tea.
Profile Image for Stacey Mcphilomy.
541 reviews
September 20, 2023
yummy

Judge is so much to read as a character. He loves all the important people in his life. Sometimes a little too much.
Profile Image for Kim  Brewing.
3,636 reviews37 followers
March 4, 2025
Compared to the last one I found this a little (and I hate to say it) boring. It wasn't a bad story but it didn't have that little extra umph I was looking for.
883 reviews5 followers
June 26, 2024
a good story

Communication is lacking between these two but the chemistry certainly isn't. There is a hint of Dom/sub but it's doesn't seem to get fully explored.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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