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Kingswood Prep #1
Your Loss
It's meant to be one night.
The arrangement isn't something I sought. Not something I wanted. It's a means to an end, nothing more.
And yes, I enjoyed myself in his stupidly wealthy household, however shameful that is to admit. But it doesn't change anything. A little unexpected pleasure doesn't alter the fact that Lachlan's father is the largest crime boss in the city. It doesn't stop my dad from being an addicted gambler unable to pay his debts. None of it rewrites our agreement or renegotiates the terms.
Once it's over, I expect us to go back to normal. Two teenagers who exist in different social circles, ignoring each other inside the high school walls. Him with his clique of elites, running the place more efficiently than the principal could ever dream of. Me, a girl who comes from nothing, facing a future that's equally bleak. I'm situated so far below him he shouldn't even know my name.
One night. Whatever he wants. Done and dusted.
A pity Lachlan didn't get the memo.
This is a standalone MF DARK/BULLY romance and contains graphic scenes, mature content, and elements that may be triggering. Please read at your discretion and check the warnings in the preface of the book.
The arrangement isn't something I sought. Not something I wanted. It's a means to an end, nothing more.
And yes, I enjoyed myself in his stupidly wealthy household, however shameful that is to admit. But it doesn't change anything. A little unexpected pleasure doesn't alter the fact that Lachlan's father is the largest crime boss in the city. It doesn't stop my dad from being an addicted gambler unable to pay his debts. None of it rewrites our agreement or renegotiates the terms.
Once it's over, I expect us to go back to normal. Two teenagers who exist in different social circles, ignoring each other inside the high school walls. Him with his clique of elites, running the place more efficiently than the principal could ever dream of. Me, a girl who comes from nothing, facing a future that's equally bleak. I'm situated so far below him he shouldn't even know my name.
One night. Whatever he wants. Done and dusted.
A pity Lachlan didn't get the memo.
This is a standalone MF DARK/BULLY romance and contains graphic scenes, mature content, and elements that may be triggering. Please read at your discretion and check the warnings in the preface of the book.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2023
1666 people are currently reading
2312 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
April 7, 2025
This was neither very original, nor beautifully written, but somehow entertaining enough 🤷🏼♀️😅
Read
August 11, 2024This book was a mindfuck. I read a review before reading it that stated, "This is not a bully romance. It is an "I'm obsessed and will stalk her" romance". After reading it though, I don't think that even covers the breadth of the book's plot. Lock doesn't so much as stalk her as he carefully crafts and manipulates situations so George has no choice but to interact and fall in love with him. I don't think I've read a book with characters like George and Lock before.
George is somewhat typical, a scholarship student with an addict father doing her best to get by and move on with her life. What's interesting about George is how she thinks about interactions with Lock. For example, Lochlan hatched a plan to coerce George into sleeping with him again so he tells her of a debt her father owes to an MC. He knows George is willing to do what has to be done to wipe the slate clean. However, when she rebuffs him, he forces her to lick his shoes clean in front of their classmates. On the way home from school that same day, George realizes that Lock has been so generous (despite humiliating her) that she should go thank him for taking care of all her father's debt.
BIG SPOILER AHEAD!!
In the last chapter or so, you realize that Lochlan gets his manipulative and gaslighting skills from his 'wonderful' father. Lochlan took to those skills so well, he was able to orchestrate the entire plot of the book. George ends up with him and puts all of the pieces of the puzzle together when Lock's cousin reminds her of how she lost her previous job. Lochlan stops their classmates from bullying George (they tried to make her lick their shoes, wonder where they got that idea), gets George's 'friend' to sit with his group and gets said 'friend' a spot on the team so he's now too busy to hangout with George, got George fired so she has to rely on him financially, manipulated her into thinking his father wouldn't allow them to be together (which causes her to rethink her decision to not be his side piece), sets her dad up to meet new debtors so he has leverage on him, then has a fake loan shark attack her and her Dad so he can save her from it, to only then pay the fake loan shark to go back and kill her dad when they're leaving and she's distracted.
Most of this George pieces together (except for the fake attack and dead Dad piece) at the end of the book. Instead of being appalled, disgusted, possibly horrified, she thinks about how Lock saved her from her father, gave her back the rings from her Mom that were special to her and gave her love and attention as well. As I stated earlier, her thinking is interesting, almost Stockholm-ish.
I read this entire book - not because it kept me hanging on every word - but because I was so surprised by the characters and how they were written. The plot is tried and true, but the characters were something new. I just don't know if it was new in a good way or bad way. You'll have to decide that yourself if you choose to read it. Either way, your loss 😉
(I've chosen not to rate this book because I honestly can't decide what i would rate it)
George is somewhat typical, a scholarship student with an addict father doing her best to get by and move on with her life. What's interesting about George is how she thinks about interactions with Lock. For example, Lochlan hatched a plan to coerce George into sleeping with him again so he tells her of a debt her father owes to an MC. He knows George is willing to do what has to be done to wipe the slate clean. However, when she rebuffs him, he forces her to lick his shoes clean in front of their classmates. On the way home from school that same day, George realizes that Lock has been so generous (despite humiliating her) that she should go thank him for taking care of all her father's debt.
BIG SPOILER AHEAD!!
In the last chapter or so, you realize that Lochlan gets his manipulative and gaslighting skills from his 'wonderful' father. Lochlan took to those skills so well, he was able to orchestrate the entire plot of the book. George ends up with him and puts all of the pieces of the puzzle together when Lock's cousin reminds her of how she lost her previous job. Lochlan stops their classmates from bullying George (they tried to make her lick their shoes, wonder where they got that idea), gets George's 'friend' to sit with his group and gets said 'friend' a spot on the team so he's now too busy to hangout with George, got George fired so she has to rely on him financially, manipulated her into thinking his father wouldn't allow them to be together (which causes her to rethink her decision to not be his side piece), sets her dad up to meet new debtors so he has leverage on him, then has a fake loan shark attack her and her Dad so he can save her from it, to only then pay the fake loan shark to go back and kill her dad when they're leaving and she's distracted.
Most of this George pieces together (except for the fake attack and dead Dad piece) at the end of the book. Instead of being appalled, disgusted, possibly horrified, she thinks about how Lock saved her from her father, gave her back the rings from her Mom that were special to her and gave her love and attention as well. As I stated earlier, her thinking is interesting, almost Stockholm-ish.
I read this entire book - not because it kept me hanging on every word - but because I was so surprised by the characters and how they were written. The plot is tried and true, but the characters were something new. I just don't know if it was new in a good way or bad way. You'll have to decide that yourself if you choose to read it. Either way, your loss 😉
(I've chosen not to rate this book because I honestly can't decide what i would rate it)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2024
Did it keep me up all night?
No.
Did I fall in love with the characters?
No.
Did I like it?
No?
Hmm this one I didn’t hate but can’t say I liked. I can say I will read the next two books. The blurbs sound interesting but could see myself DNF 🤷🏻♀️
In terms of darkness, it’s a little bit all over the place. The first chapter. Excellent. I loved the action and the suspense and how it kept moving. The sex was dark but not that interesting.
The scene with shoe licking and mouth spitting was probably the darkest, but I’m not sure it registered for me as a gasp-worthy moment. The hero is manipulative. The scene where he pretends to cry is one I didn’t particularly like, and I am glad the heroine pieces things together in the end. However, is clear the hero will do anything to be with heroine so not much angst or guesswork about his intentions.
The ending settled things. It’s safe but plays at being scandalous. The reason being the predictable things happen IE no life or death stakes or consequences for our main squeezes.
However, it did keep my casual interest. I think I enjoyed the plot.
No.
Did I fall in love with the characters?
No.
Did I like it?
No?
Hmm this one I didn’t hate but can’t say I liked. I can say I will read the next two books. The blurbs sound interesting but could see myself DNF 🤷🏻♀️
In terms of darkness, it’s a little bit all over the place. The first chapter. Excellent. I loved the action and the suspense and how it kept moving. The sex was dark but not that interesting.
The scene with shoe licking and mouth spitting was probably the darkest, but I’m not sure it registered for me as a gasp-worthy moment. The hero is manipulative. The scene where he pretends to cry is one I didn’t particularly like, and I am glad the heroine pieces things together in the end. However, is clear the hero will do anything to be with heroine so not much angst or guesswork about his intentions.
The ending settled things. It’s safe but plays at being scandalous. The reason being the predictable things happen IE no life or death stakes or consequences for our main squeezes.
However, it did keep my casual interest. I think I enjoyed the plot.
April 24, 2023
4.5⭐️
This book is so good!!
Lachlan is still such a young man and is put into a horrible position by his father who is a scary manipulative bastard. George lives with her neglectful gambling addict father, so desperate to have the one person in the world who should put her first love her, but he never does. This gives her no security and little self worth.
Lachlan starts their relationship with a trade, her fathers gambling debt for her being his date to his mob families gathering. As their romance progresses in George Lachlan finds light in his life, and in Lachlan George finds someone that might put her in a bad situation but ultimately takes care of her.
They got more of a happy for now ending than a happy ever after but I have no doubt these characters would stay together.
This book is so good!!
Lachlan is still such a young man and is put into a horrible position by his father who is a scary manipulative bastard. George lives with her neglectful gambling addict father, so desperate to have the one person in the world who should put her first love her, but he never does. This gives her no security and little self worth.
Lachlan starts their relationship with a trade, her fathers gambling debt for her being his date to his mob families gathering. As their romance progresses in George Lachlan finds light in his life, and in Lachlan George finds someone that might put her in a bad situation but ultimately takes care of her.
They got more of a happy for now ending than a happy ever after but I have no doubt these characters would stay together.
December 23, 2023
This was my first Layla Simon read, and it will NOT be my last for sure.
Extra ⚪️ for all of her books' covers. That's the first thing that made me look at her books!
The writing style reads easily, but sometimes it was difficult for me to understand some used expressions. Nothing I couldn't pass over, though, since I was so caught in these characters' world and story that nothing could have stopped me continuing the book. This is understandable since the book takes place in New Zealand, I think, most probably the author being from that area as well.
I loved how devoted and crazy in love he was with her once he opened his eyes and understood his obsession 🤩. The age of the characters was a small throw off for me, but I ignored that and went along with the plot. He was determined to have her by his side, whatever it took. And I mean WHATEVER!! *swoon* (yep, I'm broken 😅 I wouldn't find in reality normal what he did; books, yes please, and give me more 👀).
Mind your triggers. It's more of a grey read. Still, don't ignore them.
Now, I have to know if his cousin has a book because, curious and research 👀😂.
Extra ⚪️ for all of her books' covers. That's the first thing that made me look at her books!
The writing style reads easily, but sometimes it was difficult for me to understand some used expressions. Nothing I couldn't pass over, though, since I was so caught in these characters' world and story that nothing could have stopped me continuing the book. This is understandable since the book takes place in New Zealand, I think, most probably the author being from that area as well.
I loved how devoted and crazy in love he was with her once he opened his eyes and understood his obsession 🤩. The age of the characters was a small throw off for me, but I ignored that and went along with the plot. He was determined to have her by his side, whatever it took. And I mean WHATEVER!! *swoon* (yep, I'm broken 😅 I wouldn't find in reality normal what he did; books, yes please, and give me more 👀).
Mind your triggers. It's more of a grey read. Still, don't ignore them.
Now, I have to know if his cousin has a book because, curious and research 👀😂.
Read
March 14, 2023Tbh I didn’t like it. Everything about it felt superficial. No real connection between the main couple and some situations were ridiculous and unnecessary.
Want to read
October 8, 2023Free 8 October 2023
January 3, 2024
Pretty good
Story: ⭐⭐⭐1\2
Trope: bully
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥
Your Loss is a dark, bully read where the H bumps into the heroine while beating up her POS dad, who owes his family money. The storytelling and writing is decent, but this is definitely a case where the hero flipped from full on, super mean bully to a dark ish simp, lol. He is super manipulative the whole story with the h never figuring it out until the last 3 minutes of the story and then everything is clear and she's ok with it all, lol 🤷🏻♀️. This is my first book by Layla Simon and ill likely give her at least one more try.
Story: ⭐⭐⭐1\2
Trope: bully
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥
Your Loss is a dark, bully read where the H bumps into the heroine while beating up her POS dad, who owes his family money. The storytelling and writing is decent, but this is definitely a case where the hero flipped from full on, super mean bully to a dark ish simp, lol. He is super manipulative the whole story with the h never figuring it out until the last 3 minutes of the story and then everything is clear and she's ok with it all, lol 🤷🏻♀️. This is my first book by Layla Simon and ill likely give her at least one more try.
March 14, 2023
I stopped reading at 70%…I know I know🤦🏻♀️ I should have stopped sooner, but I don’t even no why I didn’t I just kept thinking it will be over soon. There is no real character building in this book…I didn’t care for anyone and I can’t tell you any characters name except Lachlan because that was a choice for one of my kids names 🤷🏻♀️. The story was weird…it was like over a week or two and the characters were all of a sudden insta-lovers. Then throw in some weird mafia family and businesses for no reason and arranged marriage again for no reason…idk this was weird as fuck just a bunch of shit thrown together…wasn’t it supposed to be college, but then I thought high school?!? Who the fuck knows it was a mess.
January 20, 2024
I really need to stop reading books where there’s like a little snippet on tiktok that reels you in.
Not a good book.
Not a good book.
January 15, 2024
twisted
Your Loss is a dark and twisted high school bully romance that I am totally here for! It’s kind ironic how irl the things Lachlan does would not land on in jail but also hours toxic trats would land him womanless. However on pages this isn’t the case. I loved Loch. I was glad to see at the end George finally figured out Loch is the one who set up everything so sure would be dependent on him.
Your Loss is a dark and twisted high school bully romance that I am totally here for! It’s kind ironic how irl the things Lachlan does would not land on in jail but also hours toxic trats would land him womanless. However on pages this isn’t the case. I loved Loch. I was glad to see at the end George finally figured out Loch is the one who set up everything so sure would be dependent on him.
August 1, 2023
4.5 stars
I think in my history of rating and reviewing books I’ve given a good few 4.5 star ratings but I’ve only bumped the ratings up to 5 stars instead of down to 4 stars twice. I’m a tad stingy with 5 star ratings because I need to be wowed to give them. This felt pretty close to 5 stars but it isn’t just quite there - however it felt wrong to bump down here. I rate based on my enjoyment of the book rather than how “good”it is.
My absolute favorite author in this universe is Sam Mariano and her craft is unparalleled. She somehow writes the exact stories I didn’t even know I wanted or needed. I’ve never read Layla Simon before but there are Sam Mariano vibes here. It’s not with the finesse and polish that Sam has but the framework is there, the idea is there and the vibe. The execution is not quite flawless but I feel the potential here. Some of the setups and situations here don’t feel authentic and my disbelief wasn’t fully suspended and that is largely why I rated it 4.5 stars. The vibe was so reminiscent of Sam’s work in certain places that I really loved the experience anyway. There will be spoilers, likely major ones, beyond this point.
So you’ve got Lachlan (H) and George- short for Georgina (h). H is a gangster’s son, h is the daughter of a pathetic gambling addicted POS. Lachlan is on an errand to collect moneys owed when he crosses paths with George. H is amidst a phone argument with his girlfriend (Kari) who’s canceling a dinner date with his family when H decides he’ll be taking George to the dinner as his date as a sort of FU to his bitchy girlfriend and to clear the debt h’s father owes.
George isn’t a huge fan of this plan but has little choice in the matter. A fairly Sam Mariano-esque noncon/dubcon night follows the dinner.
With H having a girlfriend this gave a lot of Even If It Hurts vibes. The girlfriend is awful and h is refreshingly authentic and innocent. The relationship with the unwanted girlfriend is headed toward an arranged marriage and while Kari doesn’t really want Lachlan any more than he wants her she is possessive of him and is sees him as better than her other options outside of marrying him. Kari is not impressed with the George situation, as you can imagine.
Lachlan’s obsession with George starts to grow steadily. He feels an affection for her for being so wildly different than Kari. George is resistant to the relationship which makes Lachlan unhappy. He tries to wrangle her into another dubcon situation and she’s not going along with his expectations. There’s a tense bullying scene that he makes her clean his shoes with her tongue that happens in view of about 15 people. It had some intense sexual overtones. In spite of the humiliating situation h begins to feel guilty for not just being grateful that H took care of these other debts for her father and instead of thanking him she rejected him and thusly followed the bullying punishment. It’s a bit baffling but similar to the thought process of some of Sam’s heroines.
The h goes to apologize and more shenanigans with H follow - which she immediately regrets. He does have a hateful girlfriend who is threatening to hurt her if she doesn’t stay away from H.
We get another flash of Sam Mariano with Lachlan here. He begins a campaign to manipulate h to bend to his will. It’s not nearly as skilled as one of Sam’s master manipulators but it’s pretty good and it, of course, works like a charm.
Once he’s got George where he wants her the story gets a bit dicey. It’s not bad by any means but the ultimate wrap here ends up being a bit too easy - in my opinion. We’re given some high stakes about H having to capitulate to his father and be with Kari and mix in a few other bumps but the wrap up for it was ultimately fairly easily resolved and maybe a bit too pat. We see both Kari and Lachlan’s father acting in ways that aren’t fully in line with what we’ve seen previously. The author does try to justify the behavior change for Lachlan’s father but it didn’t quite feel right and Kari’s character change felt further off to me.
I know this has been pretty spoiler-ish but I didn’t include the specifics of the manipulations and such (there are other spoiler reviews on good reads that definitely have more of those details if you want them too).
⚠️Safety⚠️ - this is safer than it sounds. We know from Lachlan’s thoughts that he feels no affection for Kari. He and Kari did have a sexual relationship that was mostly oral because Kari’s father expected her to be a virgin at their wedding. It’s clear Lachlan slept with whomever he pleased which Kari didn’t like but she couldn’t stop him. I think she also fooled around with others but had to preserve her virginity. She began to push for them to have sex anyway but Lachlan resisted.
From the point that Lachlan met George he didn’t have sexual contact with any other person, including Kari. (He confirms this to h) Kari is still the girlfriend though so they are together at school and he puts his arm around her and such. We are given a couple of instances of “token kisses” that I think are supposed to be like pecks on the lips or something. I didn’t love that.
The h has a platonic date to a formal dance with her friend Keanen under Lachlan’s watchful eye. When a drunk Keanen gets too handsy later Lachlan stabs him.
I think in my history of rating and reviewing books I’ve given a good few 4.5 star ratings but I’ve only bumped the ratings up to 5 stars instead of down to 4 stars twice. I’m a tad stingy with 5 star ratings because I need to be wowed to give them. This felt pretty close to 5 stars but it isn’t just quite there - however it felt wrong to bump down here. I rate based on my enjoyment of the book rather than how “good”it is.
My absolute favorite author in this universe is Sam Mariano and her craft is unparalleled. She somehow writes the exact stories I didn’t even know I wanted or needed. I’ve never read Layla Simon before but there are Sam Mariano vibes here. It’s not with the finesse and polish that Sam has but the framework is there, the idea is there and the vibe. The execution is not quite flawless but I feel the potential here. Some of the setups and situations here don’t feel authentic and my disbelief wasn’t fully suspended and that is largely why I rated it 4.5 stars. The vibe was so reminiscent of Sam’s work in certain places that I really loved the experience anyway. There will be spoilers, likely major ones, beyond this point.
So you’ve got Lachlan (H) and George- short for Georgina (h). H is a gangster’s son, h is the daughter of a pathetic gambling addicted POS. Lachlan is on an errand to collect moneys owed when he crosses paths with George. H is amidst a phone argument with his girlfriend (Kari) who’s canceling a dinner date with his family when H decides he’ll be taking George to the dinner as his date as a sort of FU to his bitchy girlfriend and to clear the debt h’s father owes.
George isn’t a huge fan of this plan but has little choice in the matter. A fairly Sam Mariano-esque noncon/dubcon night follows the dinner.
With H having a girlfriend this gave a lot of Even If It Hurts vibes. The girlfriend is awful and h is refreshingly authentic and innocent. The relationship with the unwanted girlfriend is headed toward an arranged marriage and while Kari doesn’t really want Lachlan any more than he wants her she is possessive of him and is sees him as better than her other options outside of marrying him. Kari is not impressed with the George situation, as you can imagine.
Lachlan’s obsession with George starts to grow steadily. He feels an affection for her for being so wildly different than Kari. George is resistant to the relationship which makes Lachlan unhappy. He tries to wrangle her into another dubcon situation and she’s not going along with his expectations. There’s a tense bullying scene that he makes her clean his shoes with her tongue that happens in view of about 15 people. It had some intense sexual overtones. In spite of the humiliating situation h begins to feel guilty for not just being grateful that H took care of these other debts for her father and instead of thanking him she rejected him and thusly followed the bullying punishment. It’s a bit baffling but similar to the thought process of some of Sam’s heroines.
The h goes to apologize and more shenanigans with H follow - which she immediately regrets. He does have a hateful girlfriend who is threatening to hurt her if she doesn’t stay away from H.
We get another flash of Sam Mariano with Lachlan here. He begins a campaign to manipulate h to bend to his will. It’s not nearly as skilled as one of Sam’s master manipulators but it’s pretty good and it, of course, works like a charm.
Once he’s got George where he wants her the story gets a bit dicey. It’s not bad by any means but the ultimate wrap here ends up being a bit too easy - in my opinion. We’re given some high stakes about H having to capitulate to his father and be with Kari and mix in a few other bumps but the wrap up for it was ultimately fairly easily resolved and maybe a bit too pat. We see both Kari and Lachlan’s father acting in ways that aren’t fully in line with what we’ve seen previously. The author does try to justify the behavior change for Lachlan’s father but it didn’t quite feel right and Kari’s character change felt further off to me.
I know this has been pretty spoiler-ish but I didn’t include the specifics of the manipulations and such (there are other spoiler reviews on good reads that definitely have more of those details if you want them too).
⚠️Safety⚠️ - this is safer than it sounds. We know from Lachlan’s thoughts that he feels no affection for Kari. He and Kari did have a sexual relationship that was mostly oral because Kari’s father expected her to be a virgin at their wedding. It’s clear Lachlan slept with whomever he pleased which Kari didn’t like but she couldn’t stop him. I think she also fooled around with others but had to preserve her virginity. She began to push for them to have sex anyway but Lachlan resisted.
From the point that Lachlan met George he didn’t have sexual contact with any other person, including Kari. (He confirms this to h) Kari is still the girlfriend though so they are together at school and he puts his arm around her and such. We are given a couple of instances of “token kisses” that I think are supposed to be like pecks on the lips or something. I didn’t love that.
The h has a platonic date to a formal dance with her friend Keanen under Lachlan’s watchful eye. When a drunk Keanen gets too handsy later Lachlan stabs him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2023
FUCKKKK HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY T-t-this b-b-bok sucks
Jk
It’s acct good the thing is the bitch 🙂
Like why tf does the book have to be so good but this pathetic ass bitch so weak like him and the guy are good combo but not bc she is so weakkkk like bitch don’t b-be l-l-l-like stuttering every FUCKING time u speak with this asshole he clearly don’t respect u
The tale is good honestly could read but not in the mood bc this bitch let’s him get away with everything stand the FUCK UP for yourself
Why3 stars? Bc the story good but heroine is a puppet or doll bc she obeys every FUCKING THINH HE SAYS UGHHHH🫢🫡😢🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺
P-pweas don’t fwuck mwe we in scool 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺daddu 😏😏
Trigger warning: cok sevisiyolar
Bicak play fln var
Cok kinky bi Kitap
But the guy on the blurb hot af 🥵🥵🥵
Jk
It’s acct good the thing is the bitch 🙂
Like why tf does the book have to be so good but this pathetic ass bitch so weak like him and the guy are good combo but not bc she is so weakkkk like bitch don’t b-be l-l-l-like stuttering every FUCKING time u speak with this asshole he clearly don’t respect u
The tale is good honestly could read but not in the mood bc this bitch let’s him get away with everything stand the FUCK UP for yourself
Why3 stars? Bc the story good but heroine is a puppet or doll bc she obeys every FUCKING THINH HE SAYS UGHHHH🫢🫡😢🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺
P-pweas don’t fwuck mwe we in scool 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺daddu 😏😏
Trigger warning: cok sevisiyolar
Bicak play fln var
Cok kinky bi Kitap
But the guy on the blurb hot af 🥵🥵🥵
July 10, 2023
ot of my high school/college drama but this was a good one
March 28, 2025
Well, That was something! -Spoilers-
That ending just left me shook. And I don’t know how to feel lol well more like I don’t know which feeling I should go with. Ahhhh.
From the top, I was instantly hooked into this story. The beginning had me holding my breath, anxiously waiting for what would unfold. It was thrilling and then dark and some pieces had me twisted up inside. It definitely toes…ehhh even crosses that line of consent. It can definitely be uncomfortable for some readers. But the scenes had me holding my breath and clutching my pearls! Let me just say it’s sooooo well written.
I loved the FMC, George, she was so easy to like and feel for. Her situation is heartbreaking. The parts with her dad killed me. Now let’s talk about our MMC, Lachlan, he had me all over the place. I felt for him because of the situation he was in with his dad. He frustrated me with his need to manipulate ever situation and yet still you freaking grrr, have a thing for him. He drove me crazy. When he showed up after the fitting with tears, I was like this is it, oh my heart…and then I read the next chapter and the lemon juice sent me into a rage! Like what, excuse me,sir? He is so much more than just a red flag. I kept waiting for his coming to Jesus moment and it never came. When this book says dark, it also mentions “Toxic” , because that is what our man is. I’m so mad at him y’all can have him. Because what do you mean her dad’s - xxxxx- what I had to read that sentence 3 times. And I was so happy and squealing when the whole part with Lock telling his dad he loved her, I thought it was finally coming together and they dropped me on my ssa again. And then we get to that ending bit and apparently I didn’t learn nothing this whole book because again I was left with my mouth open in shock. Whaaaaat. That ending was crazy, soooo many questions. It that how they end, does she just ignore those warning bells and play into his world. What! And Lachlan, are you telling me he sleeps just fine at night. Gahhhhhh. He won, his version of love is deeply terrifying, he’s really not a good dude. I really need to know what happens to them. I feel like it’s not complete and I’m still holding out a bit of hope for him. This book was fantastically written, dark and toxic. Left me feeling all different kinds of ways.
That ending just left me shook. And I don’t know how to feel lol well more like I don’t know which feeling I should go with. Ahhhh.
From the top, I was instantly hooked into this story. The beginning had me holding my breath, anxiously waiting for what would unfold. It was thrilling and then dark and some pieces had me twisted up inside. It definitely toes…ehhh even crosses that line of consent. It can definitely be uncomfortable for some readers. But the scenes had me holding my breath and clutching my pearls! Let me just say it’s sooooo well written.
I loved the FMC, George, she was so easy to like and feel for. Her situation is heartbreaking. The parts with her dad killed me. Now let’s talk about our MMC, Lachlan, he had me all over the place. I felt for him because of the situation he was in with his dad. He frustrated me with his need to manipulate ever situation and yet still you freaking grrr, have a thing for him. He drove me crazy. When he showed up after the fitting with tears, I was like this is it, oh my heart…and then I read the next chapter and the lemon juice sent me into a rage! Like what, excuse me,sir? He is so much more than just a red flag. I kept waiting for his coming to Jesus moment and it never came. When this book says dark, it also mentions “Toxic” , because that is what our man is. I’m so mad at him y’all can have him. Because what do you mean her dad’s - xxxxx- what I had to read that sentence 3 times. And I was so happy and squealing when the whole part with Lock telling his dad he loved her, I thought it was finally coming together and they dropped me on my ssa again. And then we get to that ending bit and apparently I didn’t learn nothing this whole book because again I was left with my mouth open in shock. Whaaaaat. That ending was crazy, soooo many questions. It that how they end, does she just ignore those warning bells and play into his world. What! And Lachlan, are you telling me he sleeps just fine at night. Gahhhhhh. He won, his version of love is deeply terrifying, he’s really not a good dude. I really need to know what happens to them. I feel like it’s not complete and I’m still holding out a bit of hope for him. This book was fantastically written, dark and toxic. Left me feeling all different kinds of ways.
February 6, 2024
Thank you Layla Simon!
Absolutely captivating introduction to a new to me author! This book was really exciting. Great blend of alpha male, heat…Holy MOLY the 🥵🔥😮💨. I mean day-um!! Then the stories, yes, there were multiple happening at once. How they all came together. It was masterfully weaved.
The only parts I didn’t like were SPOILERS AHEAD*******************************************************************************************************************************how the licking of the shoes was shrugged off in essence, nay! Makes her feel the need to APOLOGIZE?! WTF?! How we didn’t get closure on Dad, the boy from Auckland, Kari, her family. If we ever get payback on Lachlans dad, how his mom would deal…a few lose ends.
All in all, other than that? I loved this book. Won’t be my last by this author.
Absolutely captivating introduction to a new to me author! This book was really exciting. Great blend of alpha male, heat…Holy MOLY the 🥵🔥😮💨. I mean day-um!! Then the stories, yes, there were multiple happening at once. How they all came together. It was masterfully weaved.
The only parts I didn’t like were SPOILERS AHEAD*******************************************************************************************************************************how the licking of the shoes was shrugged off in essence, nay! Makes her feel the need to APOLOGIZE?! WTF?! How we didn’t get closure on Dad, the boy from Auckland, Kari, her family. If we ever get payback on Lachlans dad, how his mom would deal…a few lose ends.
All in all, other than that? I loved this book. Won’t be my last by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2023
3.5!
I truly don’t know how I feel about the book. It was engaging once you get into the story.
But there’s so many twist and the mental gymnastics that the h had to go through in the end, and that we kind of saw towards the end was crazy.
To think it still ends with an HEA is wild for me, but I think if you have the possibility of doubt that you can get past a lot!
I truly don’t know how I feel about the book. It was engaging once you get into the story.
But there’s so many twist and the mental gymnastics that the h had to go through in the end, and that we kind of saw towards the end was crazy.
To think it still ends with an HEA is wild for me, but I think if you have the possibility of doubt that you can get past a lot!
December 17, 2023
2 ⭐
I'm still not sure about my feelings for this book, but I certainly didn't like it.
Georgie was just too shallow and naive for the kind of life she was living and Lock was too manipulative, but in a weird way
I'm still not sure about my feelings for this book, but I certainly didn't like it.
Georgie was just too shallow and naive for the kind of life she was living and Lock was too manipulative, but in a weird way
September 4, 2025
Manipulative and abusive idiot and she’s even dumber
February 8, 2024
(Insert sigh here)
Just mind your triggers before reading this.
Otherwise, I don’t even know 😂
Just mind your triggers before reading this.
Otherwise, I don’t even know 😂
January 5, 2024
one thing: I should definitely stop reading books based on the sneak peek on tiktok.
August 31, 2023
Read on Kindle.
🌶️🌶️
I picked this up because I’ve been looking for something similar to Untouchable by Sam Mariano or really any of her books because I love it and see that does not take no for an answer and his unapologetic about it but does not pursue the FMC for nefarious reasons, such as revenge or trafficking. I just want him to pursue her because he wants her and is not willing to take no for an answer.
This didn’t quite deliver on that. Lachlan does not take no for an answer, but he’s not overtly forceful either. He reminds me kind of Dare in even if it hurts or Aiden in Rena Kent’s elite king series. Don’t get me wrong. I think those MCs are much better than Lachlan in my personal opinion, but all three use manipulation as a tool to get what they want versus outright force.
I think the reason this is not more than three stars for me is because Lock turned pretty sweet, pretty quickly, and he almost feels like a victim as well, and there is an abrupt HEA, that did not make sense. I always want my romances to end in an HEA because it’s expected of the genre, but it should still make sense .
This HEA came out of nowhere, and the strings of the plot were tidied up quickly and to perfectly. Another gripe that I had that actually almost had a DNF the book was the characters very rapid ascent into deeper feelings.
They are carving each other’s initials into their skin, and basically proclaiming forever to each other with very little relationship build up before that. If he had just done that to her in a fit of obsession, that would make more sense to me, but the mutual claiming and professing of feelings, when they haven’t even been able to engage in, more than a handful of conversations at least that we are privy to prior to this just does not make sense.
The only reason I did not DNF the book is because I remembered that this is a high school setting and teenage hormones make everything feel like it is life or death right now, that is the only justification I can think of for why these characters are in love, basically out of nowhere.
🌶️🌶️
I picked this up because I’ve been looking for something similar to Untouchable by Sam Mariano or really any of her books because I love it and see that does not take no for an answer and his unapologetic about it but does not pursue the FMC for nefarious reasons, such as revenge or trafficking. I just want him to pursue her because he wants her and is not willing to take no for an answer.
This didn’t quite deliver on that. Lachlan does not take no for an answer, but he’s not overtly forceful either. He reminds me kind of Dare in even if it hurts or Aiden in Rena Kent’s elite king series. Don’t get me wrong. I think those MCs are much better than Lachlan in my personal opinion, but all three use manipulation as a tool to get what they want versus outright force.
I think the reason this is not more than three stars for me is because Lock turned pretty sweet, pretty quickly, and he almost feels like a victim as well, and there is an abrupt HEA, that did not make sense. I always want my romances to end in an HEA because it’s expected of the genre, but it should still make sense .
This HEA came out of nowhere, and the strings of the plot were tidied up quickly and to perfectly. Another gripe that I had that actually almost had a DNF the book was the characters very rapid ascent into deeper feelings.
They are carving each other’s initials into their skin, and basically proclaiming forever to each other with very little relationship build up before that. If he had just done that to her in a fit of obsession, that would make more sense to me, but the mutual claiming and professing of feelings, when they haven’t even been able to engage in, more than a handful of conversations at least that we are privy to prior to this just does not make sense.
The only reason I did not DNF the book is because I remembered that this is a high school setting and teenage hormones make everything feel like it is life or death right now, that is the only justification I can think of for why these characters are in love, basically out of nowhere.
February 5, 2025
Amazing writing
I stumbled on this book completely by chance and I am so thrilled I did. Set in New Zealand, it has the vibe of a New York mafia romance - the story of a girl thrust into a world of privilege with darker undercurrents of organised crime. I loved the distinctly NZ tones scattered throughout the book - talking about a formal, not a prom; school following the calendar year; and my absolute favourite - fizzy water. I loved that, despite the lack of guns, there were still very real threats to the safety of the characters.
The characters and their development were realistic. Their motivations made sense. I like how Lock and George’s relationship developed and how it affected both of them.
Ms Simon’s writing is a delight to read. I loved the way she expressed different concepts in slightly off the wall ways. Her sense of humour was so much fun. I will absolutely be recommending this to others and be reading more of Ms Simon’s work.
I stumbled on this book completely by chance and I am so thrilled I did. Set in New Zealand, it has the vibe of a New York mafia romance - the story of a girl thrust into a world of privilege with darker undercurrents of organised crime. I loved the distinctly NZ tones scattered throughout the book - talking about a formal, not a prom; school following the calendar year; and my absolute favourite - fizzy water. I loved that, despite the lack of guns, there were still very real threats to the safety of the characters.
The characters and their development were realistic. Their motivations made sense. I like how Lock and George’s relationship developed and how it affected both of them.
Ms Simon’s writing is a delight to read. I loved the way she expressed different concepts in slightly off the wall ways. Her sense of humour was so much fun. I will absolutely be recommending this to others and be reading more of Ms Simon’s work.
March 22, 2023
Good book
I liked the character development and how lock and George worked.
There are scenes were🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
It was worth the read.
I'm questioning will Patrick have his own book.
I liked the guy
I liked the character development and how lock and George worked.
There are scenes were🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
It was worth the read.
I'm questioning will Patrick have his own book.
I liked the guy
Read
May 16, 2024Tiktok reeled me in but I shouldn’t have listened…or should’ve just stopped reading😂
January 29, 2025
I thought the book would be good, but it wasn't worth much in the end.
I found the MMC very weak, the FMC without personality and the end very raced, confused and fast.
I found the MMC very weak, the FMC without personality and the end very raced, confused and fast.
February 27, 2023
Thank you to booksirens and Layla Simon for an arc of this book for an honest free review.
This was definitely a book that I impulse requested and was very pleasantly surprised by.
I think it’s read less for the plot and more for the spice
Ok and some of this mans romantic gestures turn me on more than the spice, and I’m manifesting a rich man for myself <3
This was definitely a book that I impulse requested and was very pleasantly surprised by.
I think it’s read less for the plot and more for the spice
Ok and some of this mans romantic gestures turn me on more than the spice, and I’m manifesting a rich man for myself <3
February 20, 2023
Star rating: 4/5
Spice rating: 4/5
One night changes everything for George when she comes home to find her father’s addiction catches up to them, leading her to meet Lachlan, whose there to collect her father’s debt. In a quick change of plans, Lachlan makes a deal with her making her promise one night. One night where she is expected to do everything he asks, and in return, her father’s debts shall be waived. Neither of them could have expected their paths to cross again, but they do, and that leads to an onslaught of encounters in which Lachlan realizes he’s willing to do anything in his power to get her. Layla Simon writes a captivating story that instantly engages readers from the first page. This book is for you if you’re a big fan of bully romance, where the MMC is a die-hard “if you touch her, you die” character. Reader discretion is advised because the book does contain some mature content and topics that may be triggering.
I honestly do not know where to begin. Layla Simon had me completely enraptured in her book from the very beginning. I blew past this book faster than I thought I would, and I do not regret it. The characters, the plot, the development, the story… I mean, basically, everything was written and done fantastically. I was definitely never bored while reading this book. I loved getting to see how George and Lachlan’s story flourished, as well as their dynamic. It was one wild ride, to say the least. Ultimately, I decided to give Simon’s book a four-star review because the ending was slightly lacking for me. Do not get me wrong… the ending is great; in fact, my nose was glued to my device while reading it because of how into it I was, but it felt a bit rushed to me. Other than that, I had no problem whatsoever with this book. It was a fantastic read and something I will be happy to recommend once it is released to everyone. Also, the spice scenes were to die for and will certainly not disappoint you.
Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Spice rating: 4/5
One night changes everything for George when she comes home to find her father’s addiction catches up to them, leading her to meet Lachlan, whose there to collect her father’s debt. In a quick change of plans, Lachlan makes a deal with her making her promise one night. One night where she is expected to do everything he asks, and in return, her father’s debts shall be waived. Neither of them could have expected their paths to cross again, but they do, and that leads to an onslaught of encounters in which Lachlan realizes he’s willing to do anything in his power to get her. Layla Simon writes a captivating story that instantly engages readers from the first page. This book is for you if you’re a big fan of bully romance, where the MMC is a die-hard “if you touch her, you die” character. Reader discretion is advised because the book does contain some mature content and topics that may be triggering.
I honestly do not know where to begin. Layla Simon had me completely enraptured in her book from the very beginning. I blew past this book faster than I thought I would, and I do not regret it. The characters, the plot, the development, the story… I mean, basically, everything was written and done fantastically. I was definitely never bored while reading this book. I loved getting to see how George and Lachlan’s story flourished, as well as their dynamic. It was one wild ride, to say the least. Ultimately, I decided to give Simon’s book a four-star review because the ending was slightly lacking for me. Do not get me wrong… the ending is great; in fact, my nose was glued to my device while reading it because of how into it I was, but it felt a bit rushed to me. Other than that, I had no problem whatsoever with this book. It was a fantastic read and something I will be happy to recommend once it is released to everyone. Also, the spice scenes were to die for and will certainly not disappoint you.
Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 26, 2023
Pretty Good
I find that, for me, the first step to enjoying a book is to like the fmc. It was easy to like George. She was smart and nice and her circumstances are in no way her fault.
Her dad is a compulsive gambler who doesn't mind her taking the consequences for his unpaid loans. Yet she still adores him. I get it I guess. It just wasn't backed up by any redeeming information about him so it's hard to see how she isn't at least a little more angry with him than she is even though his actions get her hurt.
I couldn't get a read on Lachland until the middlish (it's a word now cause I wrote it) of the book. He goes from morally black to morally gray and I have to say I liked him better when he was the former. It felt like at some point he went gooey and soft. Their first "experience" was rough and kind of scary (no c0nd0m so choose where you want it.) To lovey dovey toward the middle and onward.
Kari was brutal at first and was a clear threat to George but then all of a sudden she invites her to go shopping? Then all of a sudden she threatens her again to stay away from Lock when they're married but then takes the rap for George in the end. That's a big thing to do to get out of a marriage.
It took me longer to read this book because it was really slow in some parts. There were times when I couldn't put it down and times when I avoided picking it up again.
Overall it was a good read even with the inconsistencies. They didn't make me want to stop reading it. I would recommend to dark romance fans but I would consider it mid-dark as dark romance goes.
I find that, for me, the first step to enjoying a book is to like the fmc. It was easy to like George. She was smart and nice and her circumstances are in no way her fault.
Her dad is a compulsive gambler who doesn't mind her taking the consequences for his unpaid loans. Yet she still adores him. I get it I guess. It just wasn't backed up by any redeeming information about him so it's hard to see how she isn't at least a little more angry with him than she is even though his actions get her hurt.
I couldn't get a read on Lachland until the middlish (it's a word now cause I wrote it) of the book. He goes from morally black to morally gray and I have to say I liked him better when he was the former. It felt like at some point he went gooey and soft. Their first "experience" was rough and kind of scary (no c0nd0m so choose where you want it.) To lovey dovey toward the middle and onward.
Kari was brutal at first and was a clear threat to George but then all of a sudden she invites her to go shopping? Then all of a sudden she threatens her again to stay away from Lock when they're married but then takes the rap for George in the end. That's a big thing to do to get out of a marriage.
It took me longer to read this book because it was really slow in some parts. There were times when I couldn't put it down and times when I avoided picking it up again.
Overall it was a good read even with the inconsistencies. They didn't make me want to stop reading it. I would recommend to dark romance fans but I would consider it mid-dark as dark romance goes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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