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Corrupt Cupid #2
Be Mine, Vicious Valentine
They called him Vicious… I called him mine.
Sebastian St. James was more mystery than human…
His timid, feeble disposition contradicted the violent rumors that surrounded him. He wasn’t a murderer… but they were afraid of him, anyway.
I was fascinated by him and the cautious way he hid his face. His hands trembled when somebody stared too long, and he was wary of speaking.
Secrets burned beneath his skin, and it was my job to expose them all. Bit by bit, I was tasked with tearing him apart until there was nothing left but the truth.
The funny thing about the truth? There’s always two versions, and it was Sebastian’s version that made me bleed.
I no longer wanted to wreck him. I wanted to protect him.
They called him Vicious… but it was me they should’ve been afraid of.
Sebastian St. James was more mystery than human…
His timid, feeble disposition contradicted the violent rumors that surrounded him. He wasn’t a murderer… but they were afraid of him, anyway.
I was fascinated by him and the cautious way he hid his face. His hands trembled when somebody stared too long, and he was wary of speaking.
Secrets burned beneath his skin, and it was my job to expose them all. Bit by bit, I was tasked with tearing him apart until there was nothing left but the truth.
The funny thing about the truth? There’s always two versions, and it was Sebastian’s version that made me bleed.
I no longer wanted to wreck him. I wanted to protect him.
They called him Vicious… but it was me they should’ve been afraid of.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 9, 2023
148 people are currently reading
639 people want to read
About the author
April Jade
6 books389 followersApril Jade lives in Central Michigan with her husband, daughter, and their troublemaking cat. She is a self-proclaimed bookaholic and splits her time between reading and writing MM romance novels full of possessive men and the sweet boys that make them melt.
When she’s not writing, she’s probably binge-watching Supernatural, listening to true crime podcasts, or impatiently awaiting the release of the next Marvel movie. She loves pizza, romance, and penning happily ever afters.
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February 26, 2023
“I… I just want to paint myself all over you. I want to mark you. Scar you. Tattoo my name across that bird on your arm so everybody knows that you’re my daddy. Mine.”
Be Mine, Vicious Valentine was an interesting read by April Jade who is a new to me author. When I saw the blurb I was excited for this story.
We have Sebastian, who found his best and only friend murdered and has suffered both mentally and physically for it. After being away for a semester, he returns and is forced to have a counselling session with the school’s newest psychologist, Roman, an ex-marine.
The attention he gave me was the kind of thing drugs were made of, intoxicating and easily addictive. I found myself wanting to bathe in it, to paint it across every inch of my skin so I’d still feel it even after I stepped out of this office.
I really enjoyed the co-dependency, possessiveness and the daddy/boy dynamic between Sebastian and Roman! I always love a good student x teacher relationship or, in this case, a school counsellor. This story was fast-paced and very much insta love between the characters.
“A week ago, I was barely aware of your existence, and now it feels like it’s the only one that matters. The voice in my head that’s telling me you’re mine is also telling me there’s something I need to protect you from. So you just tell me who your villain is, baby bird, because I promise for as scary as they are, I’m worse.”
“I’m sorry you went through that all alone.” “It led me to you, sweetheart, and that’s all I really give a shit about.” “Does it make me completely deranged to love when you say stuff like that?” “Baby, if you’re deranged, there’s absolutely no hope for me.”
While I'm totally okay with insta love I do think some aspects of their relationship would have benefited from taking things a bit slower. There is PTSD and trauma involved but everything seemed to go at a rapid pace, including the healing a bit. I think if the story was a bit longer, it would have helped with the pacing.
I would also say this story is not as dark as the other entries in this series I have read so far. While there are dark elements, I would say it is not dark dark (at least compared to what I read or the first and third books in the series). It was also low on the spicy moments, but the moments we get between Sebastian and Roman were well written. I loved how caring and protective Roman was.
Overall it was a good read from a new to me author! I will definitely be checking out their other books and keeping an eye on future works.
Please do check TWs
Be Mine, Vicious Valentine was an interesting read by April Jade who is a new to me author. When I saw the blurb I was excited for this story.
We have Sebastian, who found his best and only friend murdered and has suffered both mentally and physically for it. After being away for a semester, he returns and is forced to have a counselling session with the school’s newest psychologist, Roman, an ex-marine.
The attention he gave me was the kind of thing drugs were made of, intoxicating and easily addictive. I found myself wanting to bathe in it, to paint it across every inch of my skin so I’d still feel it even after I stepped out of this office.
I really enjoyed the co-dependency, possessiveness and the daddy/boy dynamic between Sebastian and Roman! I always love a good student x teacher relationship or, in this case, a school counsellor. This story was fast-paced and very much insta love between the characters.
“A week ago, I was barely aware of your existence, and now it feels like it’s the only one that matters. The voice in my head that’s telling me you’re mine is also telling me there’s something I need to protect you from. So you just tell me who your villain is, baby bird, because I promise for as scary as they are, I’m worse.”
“I’m sorry you went through that all alone.” “It led me to you, sweetheart, and that’s all I really give a shit about.” “Does it make me completely deranged to love when you say stuff like that?” “Baby, if you’re deranged, there’s absolutely no hope for me.”
While I'm totally okay with insta love I do think some aspects of their relationship would have benefited from taking things a bit slower. There is PTSD and trauma involved but everything seemed to go at a rapid pace, including the healing a bit. I think if the story was a bit longer, it would have helped with the pacing.
I would also say this story is not as dark as the other entries in this series I have read so far. While there are dark elements, I would say it is not dark dark (at least compared to what I read or the first and third books in the series). It was also low on the spicy moments, but the moments we get between Sebastian and Roman were well written. I loved how caring and protective Roman was.
Overall it was a good read from a new to me author! I will definitely be checking out their other books and keeping an eye on future works.
Please do check TWs
February 10, 2023
atrocious.
underdeveloped, doesn’t make any sense, weird pacing and not even similar to the other books by this author in terms of writing.
underdeveloped, doesn’t make any sense, weird pacing and not even similar to the other books by this author in terms of writing.
September 9, 2025
⭐️ 4/5 🌶 2.5/5 — A dark Daddy/boy romance where love feels like obsession, healing tastes like devotion, and forever is non-negotiable. 🖤✨️
My 5th April Jade book—and honestly, I know I can always count on her for those all-in, possessive, obsessive, laser-focused MCs. Her stories are always high angst and drenched in trauma—which I usually avoid because I’m a weak-ass crybaby 🙈—BUT if it’s AJ? I’ll always pull up my big-girl pants and soldier on. Why? Because the ride always comes with that sweet, sweet devotion and the most satisfying payoff. 🤌🏻❤️✨️
🦅🐣 The MCs 🦅🐣
Roman (Daddy Bird) — The new school counselor at Ridgemont High. Ex-military psychologist (8 years) and ex-marine (3 years active duty). He’s protective, gentle, patient, caring—and obsessed with Sebastian from the very start. The man doesn’t hesitate to unalive anyone who hurts his baby bird. 🦅☠️
Sebastian (Baby Bird) — A student at Ridgemont High who’s been dealt nothing but shitty cards. Lost his mom at one, and has been physically and psychologically abused by his father ever since. He’s an introvert with selective mutism, and my poor baby bird broke my damn heart. 🐣😭
💞🪽 The Chemistry: Baby Bird & Daddy Bird 💞🪽
💡 Context: Sebastian has selective mutism. He hasn’t spoken a single word in eight months—so when you see his “dialogue” here, it’s all happening internally.
Quote #1
Roman: “Those cuts need to be cleaned, baby bird.”
Sebastian: “Say it again.” (internally)
Roman: “Baby bird.”
Sebastian: (points a cautious finger at his chest, and shyly glances up at Roman… waiting.)
Roman: (smiles) “Yes, that’s you. My baby bird.”
Roman: “Are you comfortable with me calling you that?”
Sebastian: (nods quickly)
Roman: (chuckles) “Alright, baby bird. How about you give me that bloodied wing, and I make it look brand new?”
💭 😭 The way Sebastian begs in silence for Roman to repeat it?? The shy pointing, the quick nod-it's so pure, so vulnerable, I actually squealed out loud. Roman doesn't just give him a nickname, he gives him an identity, a safe place. My heart went full melted goo. 🥹🫠 Roman calling him baby bird for the first time is so soft, so intimate, I was just giggling and kicking my feet like an idiot. 😍💕
Quote #2
Sebastian: The label he’d given me seemed to ease the pain of the one everyone else used, and if I was a bird, he was one too. I sat up straight, capturing his attention. I pointed to myself and flapped my wings. I repeated my movements, but this time, I pointed at him.
Roman: “You're baby bird, and I’m… big bird?”
Sebastian: (slaps a palm over his mouth, chuckling internally, shaking his head.)
Roman: (laughs) “Okay, let me try again. You’re baby bird, so that makes me… Daddy bird?”
Sebastian: He guessed, and I smiled. Yes. (internally)
💭 😍 Sebastian chose Daddy Bird as his person, and he's basically playing charades to crown Roman as Daddy bird?? Roman laughing, Sebastian smiling? Ugh, my heart couldn't take it. 🥹💘 It’s playful, it’s wholesome, it’s heart-squeezing perfection. It's the exact moment their bond goes from sweet to soul-deep. ❤️🔥✨️
💔 Angst & Trauma: Grief Carved in Blood 💔
💡 Context: Before we can even blink, the book rips our hearts out in the prologue. Foster—Sebastian’s roommate, best friend, and the closest thing he’s ever had to family is murdered.
Prologue – The Murder
Quote #1 (Sebastian)
I linked my warm fingers with his cold ones, lifting his lifeless hand to my chest. I pressed his palm to my heart as though the unsteady force would be enough to make his beat again.
Sweat surged down my neck as quickly as tears stained my cheeks, and I felt my heart jump in my chest as I collapsed against his body and scooped his blood into my palms. My movements were frantic, and breath burst from my chest in uneven exhales as I desperately tried to shove his blood back into the wound that pierced his head.
-
💭 😭 This scene?? Absolutely gutting. The desperation, the denial, the frantic please don’t leave me energy. It’s visceral, it’s ugly, and it’s written so vividly you can smell the blood and feel the panic. No wonder Sebastian breaks after this—who wouldn’t? 😢🥀
🌶🔥 The Spice: Tender Heat with Daddy Bird Filth 🌶🔥
Okay, listen. This book is not packed with wall-to-wall smut—it’s more about the aching tenderness and soul-deep connection between Roman and Sebastian. They only have a few steamy scenes, but when it happens? Holy fuck, it happens. It’s dirty, it’s intimate, and it makes every little touch feel like the world’s ending and beginning at the same time. ❤️🔥
Quote #1
Sebastian: “I’m not… I don’t really know. I’ve never done this before but I sort of want you to… ravish me? Like in a gentle way. Maybe touch my cock but then give me cuddles.”
💭 😭 Baby bird asking so nervously but so earnestly for gentle ravishing?? Like, sir, how the fuck do you say no to that??? The innocence + the trust + the craving for intimacy?? I was shrieking and crying and giggling all at once. 🥹💕
Quote #2
Roman: “Are you going to make a mess for me, baby? Come all over Daddy’s desk? Will that help you feel better? Remind you that the only lips I want on my skin are yours?”
Sebastian: “Da… Daddy…”
Roman: “That’s right, baby. Clench down on my fingers. Make a mess all over my knuckles. I want to feel your come dripping down my fingers. I want to taste it on my tongue and smell it in the air whenever I sit down in my fucking chair.”
💭 Excuse me while I spontaneously combust. 🥵💥 Roman goes full filthy Daddy here-completely unhinged, possessive, and downright obscene—while Sebastian melts under it, whining out "Daddy" like it's his lifeline. Desk sex will never be the same again. It's possessive, it's raw, it's everything. ❤️🔥
🏁🎇 The Ending 🏁🎇
This book closes on a solid HEA—one year later, Roman and Sebastian are married, still obsessed with each other, and thriving. Sebastian has stepped into leadership at Ridgemont High, transforming the place and even honoring Foster’s memory with a new arts center. Roman? He’s still the school's counselor and protective Daddy Bird who literally turns abusers into fireworks for Valentine’s Day. ICONIC. 🤌🏻🙂↕️
But… 👀 a couple of things bugged me:
● The proposal and marriage happened completely off-page. Like hello?? Those are moments I want to experience, not just be told about. 🤨
● Sebastian becoming a headmaster at only 20 years old felt… unrealistic at best, super weird at worst. It kinda yanked me out of the believability bubble for a sec. 😐
Overall though, the epilogue delivered the devotion, the dark humor, and the payoff I needed after all the angst. Married, alive, obsessed = Daddy Bird & Baby Bird forever. 🥹🪽❤️♾️
📝 TLDR 📝
Give this one a go if you’re into:
✨️ MM romance with a dark vibe 🖤
✨️ Daddy/boy dynamics (obsessive, protective Daddy + vulnerable, healing boy) 💞
✨️ Healing from trauma and reclaiming identity 🌱
✨️ Sensual + steamy, but more focused on emotional intimacy than explicit scenes 🔥
✨️ A love that’s equal parts devotion, possession, and forever-obsession ❤️🔥
✨️ Heavy themes, but it delivers a rock-solid HEA ❤️
-
Quotes:
He was a delicate thing, glass-blown and fragile. I worried if I blinked too hard or breathed too heavily, he’d shatter at my feet.
The thought was a kick to the gut, so strong and unexpected it left me breathless.
Sebastian made a meek sound, one that only intensified my abrupt compulsion to wrap him in safety.
It was… unsettling.
-
I wasn’t a weak man, but those tears made me want to beg for some mercy. I’d fall to my fucking knees if it earned him just a small sliver of grace.
-
His eyes brightened, and he let his fingers fall between mine, linking our hands together. The difference in size was almost jarring. I wanted to haul him into my lap and wrap each of his limbs in a layer of protection.
He was safest with me.
-
The attention he gave me was the kind of thing drugs were made of, intoxicating and easily addictive. I found myself wanting to bathe in it, to paint it across every inch of my skin so I’d still feel it even after I stepped out of this office.
-
“I don’t know where you think I’m going, sweetheart, but I promise the only place I want to be is right next to you.”
-
“You’ll have to tell me if I’m too intense. The last thing I want is for my baby bird to fly away.”
-
“This job is about guiding someone through their fears and watching them come out the other side stronger for it. I’ve had hundreds of patients, Sebastian, and I’ve watched each one cross a proverbial bridge back into the world but you? I don’t want you to cross that bridge. Not without me.”
-
“There’s this voice inside my head, this deity of the universe that's decided I make no sense without you.”
-
Protecting him was the only battle that mattered, and I intended to fight it for the rest of my life.
-
The whine he made went straight to my cock, and I swallowed the sound with my lips.
Fuck.
He tasted like purpose—like life.
-
How many times had he put himself back together?
How many times had he bandaged his own wounds and wiped his own tears?
“I’m so fucking sorry it took me so long to find you, baby bird.”
-
Arms locked around his neck, I shoved my nose in the base of his throat, inhaling him. If love had a smell, this was it. It was like sunshine tickling my nostrils, warmth touching my chest. My lungs stretched to make more room for it, and buried beneath all that security was a hint of something delicious that made me want to lick him all over.
How did I ask for that?
Excuse me, Daddy, I know we have a lot to talk about but I was sort of hoping you could press me against that counter over there and do inappropriate things to my body?
-
“Your voice is the sweetest goddamn song I’ve ever heard. Say something else.”
“I think… I’m a little in love with you.”
“Hell. Baby, there is nothing little about the love I feel for you. My heart is damn near detonation.”
“What will I do if it blows?”
“Pick up the pieces, gorgeous. They’re yours, anyway.”
-
There was a difference between loneliness and being all alone. Loneliness was something to be felt, something that left your chest hollow and made your heart bleed.
-
“People tried to warn me about you, baby bird. They said you were dangerous.” He licked across my lips. “But did anyone warn you about me?”
Oh, hell.
He could be the devil, and I wouldn’t care. Nope. I’d spread my wings and follow him straight into the flames.
-
“I’m not built for an uncomplicated life. I like puzzles and questions. Riddles and intricate brains. There’s an instability in me that craves wild, convoluted things. You make me restless, Sebastian. I am so drawn to you, I think I can actually feel myself going insane.”
-
I slipped my fingers across my wet stomach, dragging them through the puddle he left me. Bringing my thumb to my mouth, I painted his come across my lips and used my tongue to lick it clean. Hand on his jaw, I forced his lips on mine and gave him a taste.
His body jerked as though his knees went weak, and then he laughed. “You’re going to kill me.”
I hoped not.
-
“I learned something in science class the other day. Every seven years, all the cells in our body are replaced with brand new ones. It’s kind of nice, isn’t it? To know one day I’ll have a body he never bruised?”
-
I wanted to fuck him breathless, and then turn around and cook for him. I wanted to leave bite marks across his neck but make sure he was emotionally stable.
-
Humans were like the moon in that they had to go through phases of nothingness, emptiness, before they could feel whole again.
-
“Everything in this house is yours now, sweetheart. Forever.”
“Including you?”
“Always me.”
-
He made an adorable noise before bringing my hand to his lips. One by one he sucked each of my fingers into his mouth, ridding them of coffee stains and making my cock swell.
“Coffee tastes better off your skin, Daddy bird.”
“Tempt me, baby, and I’ll start bathing in it.”
-
“How are you feeling this morning?”
“Are you going to ask me that every morning, counselor?”
“That’s more probable than not. It might be the psychologist in me, or maybe it’s just because I’m psychotically in love with you.”
“Psychotically? Daddy, I think you need to make an appointment with yourself.”
“I’m past curing, sweetheart. Now, tell me, how are you doing?”
-
“Everything got better when I met you, and there may not be a voice in my head, but there’s a feeling in my chest that’s screaming at me to never let go.”
“As if we would ever let him go anywhere.”
I was this close to just tearing my heart from my chest and handing it to him. He could put the damn thing on a stake and carry it around if it made him feel even one percent more secure.
“With you and I, baby, there’s no such thing as letting go. I promise.”
-
“Baby, if you’re deranged, there’s absolutely no hope for me.”
-
Love was a funny thing—this idea of giving someone the power to destroy you but trusting them not to.
-
“I… I just want to paint myself all over you. I want to mark you. Scar you. Tattoo my name across that bird on your arm so everybody knows that you’re my daddy. Mine.”
“You can light me on fire, sweetheart, burn your initials into the skin covering my heart. Whatever the fuck you want.”
-
“I’m going to give you what you want, baby. You don’t have to beg but I sure fucking like when you do.”
“Daddy…”
“You sound so pretty when you say my name.”
-
“You want to get fucked, sweetheart? Alright.” I continued to spread his come over the length of my cock. “Then Daddy’s going to use his baby’s come to fuck this sweet little hole.”
-
“Make me another mess, baby.”
He howled, and I felt his dick swell right before a warm rush of come flooded my palm. I brought it to my face, inhaling his musk while I chased my release. Toes curling, my neck pulsed, and I came with a low groan.
“Daddy, I can feel you.”
My grin was lazy as I slowed my thrusts, milking it for just a moment before pulling free. Come slipped from his wet hole, dribbling down his inner thigh. I captured the liquid with the pad of my finger and shoved it back inside of him.
“You keep that in there, sweetheart.”
-
“I wanted to protect your heart. Your wings. If something went wrong, I wanted to be certain you could still fly.”
“I’m never letting go.”
Don’t.
We’ll fly together.
-
⚠️ Detailed spoiler below ⛔️
RC and MCs:
🦅🐣 MM, strict roles
🦅🐣 Roman Hayes (his age isn't specified) and Sebastian St. James aka Vicious 19yo
🦅🐣 Roman: School counselor at Ridgemont High, ex-military psychologist for 8 years, ex-marine 3 years in active duty
🦅🐣 Sebastian: Student
🦅🐣 Roman: Top, dom, Daddy, dark eyes, mostly gray hair, dark beard, faint scar on the curve of his jaw, phoenix tattoos, muscular
🦅🐣 Sebastian: Bottom, sub, boy, big muted gray eyes, curly black hair, pale complexion, twink
Genre and tropes:
🦅🐣 MM dark contemporary romance
🦅🐣 Counselor/student dynamic
🦅🐣 Age gap
🦅🐣 Murder mystery
🦅🐣 School setting (boarding school)
🦅🐣 Insta-love/insta-obsession
🦅🐣 Hurt/comfort
🦅🐣 Trauma recovery
🦅🐣 Abuse survivor MC (Sebastian)
🦅🐣 Selective mutism (mental health condition)
🦅🐣 Size difference
🦅🐣 Daddy kink
🦅🐣 Daddy/boy dynamic
🦅🐣 Protective, gentle, caring Daddy
🦅🐣 Virgin MC (Sebastian)
🦅🐣 First times
🦅🐣 J/P obsessive MCs
🦅🐣 Mine mine mine
🦅🐣 Touch him and die (literally)
🦅🐣 Daddy's lap is the best seat
🦅🐣 Pet names: Baby bird, sweetheart, baby
Safety info:
🦅🐣 Angst: High
🦅🐣 OPD: No
🦅🐣 Cheating/sharing: No
🦅🐣 Third act breakup: No
🦅🐣 Ending: HEA
🦅🐣 Epilogue: Yes
🦅🐣 POV: Dual, 1st person
🦅🐣 Series structure: Standalone (Corrupt Cupid series book #2, part of a multi-author collaboration.)
NOTE: In this story, Cupid acts as a manifestation, whispering in the ear of our hero (Roman), urging him to do whatever it takes to protect the boy destined to be his one true love.
Spice and kinks:
Daddy kink, Daddy/boy dynamic, praise (good boy), blowjob, jerking off, cum play, marking (hickey, bite marks), rimming, tongue fucking, dirty talk, cum as lube, bareback, pushes cum back in (hole)
CW/TW:
Explicit sexual content, selective mutism, needless violence, injuries, blood, mentions of childhood trauma, graphic descriptions of a teen murder, dead body, on-page parental abuse (physical and psychological abuse), trauma (abuse survivor), panic attack
My 5th April Jade book—and honestly, I know I can always count on her for those all-in, possessive, obsessive, laser-focused MCs. Her stories are always high angst and drenched in trauma—which I usually avoid because I’m a weak-ass crybaby 🙈—BUT if it’s AJ? I’ll always pull up my big-girl pants and soldier on. Why? Because the ride always comes with that sweet, sweet devotion and the most satisfying payoff. 🤌🏻❤️✨️
🦅🐣 The MCs 🦅🐣
Roman (Daddy Bird) — The new school counselor at Ridgemont High. Ex-military psychologist (8 years) and ex-marine (3 years active duty). He’s protective, gentle, patient, caring—and obsessed with Sebastian from the very start. The man doesn’t hesitate to unalive anyone who hurts his baby bird. 🦅☠️
Sebastian (Baby Bird) — A student at Ridgemont High who’s been dealt nothing but shitty cards. Lost his mom at one, and has been physically and psychologically abused by his father ever since. He’s an introvert with selective mutism, and my poor baby bird broke my damn heart. 🐣😭
💞🪽 The Chemistry: Baby Bird & Daddy Bird 💞🪽
💡 Context: Sebastian has selective mutism. He hasn’t spoken a single word in eight months—so when you see his “dialogue” here, it’s all happening internally.
Quote #1
Roman: “Those cuts need to be cleaned, baby bird.”
Sebastian: “Say it again.” (internally)
Roman: “Baby bird.”
Sebastian: (points a cautious finger at his chest, and shyly glances up at Roman… waiting.)
Roman: (smiles) “Yes, that’s you. My baby bird.”
Roman: “Are you comfortable with me calling you that?”
Sebastian: (nods quickly)
Roman: (chuckles) “Alright, baby bird. How about you give me that bloodied wing, and I make it look brand new?”
💭 😭 The way Sebastian begs in silence for Roman to repeat it?? The shy pointing, the quick nod-it's so pure, so vulnerable, I actually squealed out loud. Roman doesn't just give him a nickname, he gives him an identity, a safe place. My heart went full melted goo. 🥹🫠 Roman calling him baby bird for the first time is so soft, so intimate, I was just giggling and kicking my feet like an idiot. 😍💕
Quote #2
Sebastian: The label he’d given me seemed to ease the pain of the one everyone else used, and if I was a bird, he was one too. I sat up straight, capturing his attention. I pointed to myself and flapped my wings. I repeated my movements, but this time, I pointed at him.
Roman: “You're baby bird, and I’m… big bird?”
Sebastian: (slaps a palm over his mouth, chuckling internally, shaking his head.)
Roman: (laughs) “Okay, let me try again. You’re baby bird, so that makes me… Daddy bird?”
Sebastian: He guessed, and I smiled. Yes. (internally)
💭 😍 Sebastian chose Daddy Bird as his person, and he's basically playing charades to crown Roman as Daddy bird?? Roman laughing, Sebastian smiling? Ugh, my heart couldn't take it. 🥹💘 It’s playful, it’s wholesome, it’s heart-squeezing perfection. It's the exact moment their bond goes from sweet to soul-deep. ❤️🔥✨️
💔 Angst & Trauma: Grief Carved in Blood 💔
💡 Context: Before we can even blink, the book rips our hearts out in the prologue. Foster—Sebastian’s roommate, best friend, and the closest thing he’s ever had to family is murdered.
Prologue – The Murder
Quote #1 (Sebastian)
I linked my warm fingers with his cold ones, lifting his lifeless hand to my chest. I pressed his palm to my heart as though the unsteady force would be enough to make his beat again.
Sweat surged down my neck as quickly as tears stained my cheeks, and I felt my heart jump in my chest as I collapsed against his body and scooped his blood into my palms. My movements were frantic, and breath burst from my chest in uneven exhales as I desperately tried to shove his blood back into the wound that pierced his head.
-
💭 😭 This scene?? Absolutely gutting. The desperation, the denial, the frantic please don’t leave me energy. It’s visceral, it’s ugly, and it’s written so vividly you can smell the blood and feel the panic. No wonder Sebastian breaks after this—who wouldn’t? 😢🥀
🌶🔥 The Spice: Tender Heat with Daddy Bird Filth 🌶🔥
Okay, listen. This book is not packed with wall-to-wall smut—it’s more about the aching tenderness and soul-deep connection between Roman and Sebastian. They only have a few steamy scenes, but when it happens? Holy fuck, it happens. It’s dirty, it’s intimate, and it makes every little touch feel like the world’s ending and beginning at the same time. ❤️🔥
Quote #1
Sebastian: “I’m not… I don’t really know. I’ve never done this before but I sort of want you to… ravish me? Like in a gentle way. Maybe touch my cock but then give me cuddles.”
💭 😭 Baby bird asking so nervously but so earnestly for gentle ravishing?? Like, sir, how the fuck do you say no to that??? The innocence + the trust + the craving for intimacy?? I was shrieking and crying and giggling all at once. 🥹💕
Quote #2
Roman: “Are you going to make a mess for me, baby? Come all over Daddy’s desk? Will that help you feel better? Remind you that the only lips I want on my skin are yours?”
Sebastian: “Da… Daddy…”
Roman: “That’s right, baby. Clench down on my fingers. Make a mess all over my knuckles. I want to feel your come dripping down my fingers. I want to taste it on my tongue and smell it in the air whenever I sit down in my fucking chair.”
💭 Excuse me while I spontaneously combust. 🥵💥 Roman goes full filthy Daddy here-completely unhinged, possessive, and downright obscene—while Sebastian melts under it, whining out "Daddy" like it's his lifeline. Desk sex will never be the same again. It's possessive, it's raw, it's everything. ❤️🔥
🏁🎇 The Ending 🏁🎇
This book closes on a solid HEA—one year later, Roman and Sebastian are married, still obsessed with each other, and thriving. Sebastian has stepped into leadership at Ridgemont High, transforming the place and even honoring Foster’s memory with a new arts center. Roman? He’s still the school's counselor and protective Daddy Bird who literally turns abusers into fireworks for Valentine’s Day. ICONIC. 🤌🏻🙂↕️
But… 👀 a couple of things bugged me:
● The proposal and marriage happened completely off-page. Like hello?? Those are moments I want to experience, not just be told about. 🤨
● Sebastian becoming a headmaster at only 20 years old felt… unrealistic at best, super weird at worst. It kinda yanked me out of the believability bubble for a sec. 😐
Overall though, the epilogue delivered the devotion, the dark humor, and the payoff I needed after all the angst. Married, alive, obsessed = Daddy Bird & Baby Bird forever. 🥹🪽❤️♾️
📝 TLDR 📝
Give this one a go if you’re into:
✨️ MM romance with a dark vibe 🖤
✨️ Daddy/boy dynamics (obsessive, protective Daddy + vulnerable, healing boy) 💞
✨️ Healing from trauma and reclaiming identity 🌱
✨️ Sensual + steamy, but more focused on emotional intimacy than explicit scenes 🔥
✨️ A love that’s equal parts devotion, possession, and forever-obsession ❤️🔥
✨️ Heavy themes, but it delivers a rock-solid HEA ❤️
-
Quotes:
He was a delicate thing, glass-blown and fragile. I worried if I blinked too hard or breathed too heavily, he’d shatter at my feet.
The thought was a kick to the gut, so strong and unexpected it left me breathless.
Sebastian made a meek sound, one that only intensified my abrupt compulsion to wrap him in safety.
It was… unsettling.
-
I wasn’t a weak man, but those tears made me want to beg for some mercy. I’d fall to my fucking knees if it earned him just a small sliver of grace.
-
His eyes brightened, and he let his fingers fall between mine, linking our hands together. The difference in size was almost jarring. I wanted to haul him into my lap and wrap each of his limbs in a layer of protection.
He was safest with me.
-
The attention he gave me was the kind of thing drugs were made of, intoxicating and easily addictive. I found myself wanting to bathe in it, to paint it across every inch of my skin so I’d still feel it even after I stepped out of this office.
-
“I don’t know where you think I’m going, sweetheart, but I promise the only place I want to be is right next to you.”
-
“You’ll have to tell me if I’m too intense. The last thing I want is for my baby bird to fly away.”
-
“This job is about guiding someone through their fears and watching them come out the other side stronger for it. I’ve had hundreds of patients, Sebastian, and I’ve watched each one cross a proverbial bridge back into the world but you? I don’t want you to cross that bridge. Not without me.”
-
“There’s this voice inside my head, this deity of the universe that's decided I make no sense without you.”
-
Protecting him was the only battle that mattered, and I intended to fight it for the rest of my life.
-
The whine he made went straight to my cock, and I swallowed the sound with my lips.
Fuck.
He tasted like purpose—like life.
-
How many times had he put himself back together?
How many times had he bandaged his own wounds and wiped his own tears?
“I’m so fucking sorry it took me so long to find you, baby bird.”
-
Arms locked around his neck, I shoved my nose in the base of his throat, inhaling him. If love had a smell, this was it. It was like sunshine tickling my nostrils, warmth touching my chest. My lungs stretched to make more room for it, and buried beneath all that security was a hint of something delicious that made me want to lick him all over.
How did I ask for that?
Excuse me, Daddy, I know we have a lot to talk about but I was sort of hoping you could press me against that counter over there and do inappropriate things to my body?
-
“Your voice is the sweetest goddamn song I’ve ever heard. Say something else.”
“I think… I’m a little in love with you.”
“Hell. Baby, there is nothing little about the love I feel for you. My heart is damn near detonation.”
“What will I do if it blows?”
“Pick up the pieces, gorgeous. They’re yours, anyway.”
-
There was a difference between loneliness and being all alone. Loneliness was something to be felt, something that left your chest hollow and made your heart bleed.
-
“People tried to warn me about you, baby bird. They said you were dangerous.” He licked across my lips. “But did anyone warn you about me?”
Oh, hell.
He could be the devil, and I wouldn’t care. Nope. I’d spread my wings and follow him straight into the flames.
-
“I’m not built for an uncomplicated life. I like puzzles and questions. Riddles and intricate brains. There’s an instability in me that craves wild, convoluted things. You make me restless, Sebastian. I am so drawn to you, I think I can actually feel myself going insane.”
-
I slipped my fingers across my wet stomach, dragging them through the puddle he left me. Bringing my thumb to my mouth, I painted his come across my lips and used my tongue to lick it clean. Hand on his jaw, I forced his lips on mine and gave him a taste.
His body jerked as though his knees went weak, and then he laughed. “You’re going to kill me.”
I hoped not.
-
“I learned something in science class the other day. Every seven years, all the cells in our body are replaced with brand new ones. It’s kind of nice, isn’t it? To know one day I’ll have a body he never bruised?”
-
I wanted to fuck him breathless, and then turn around and cook for him. I wanted to leave bite marks across his neck but make sure he was emotionally stable.
-
Humans were like the moon in that they had to go through phases of nothingness, emptiness, before they could feel whole again.
-
“Everything in this house is yours now, sweetheart. Forever.”
“Including you?”
“Always me.”
-
He made an adorable noise before bringing my hand to his lips. One by one he sucked each of my fingers into his mouth, ridding them of coffee stains and making my cock swell.
“Coffee tastes better off your skin, Daddy bird.”
“Tempt me, baby, and I’ll start bathing in it.”
-
“How are you feeling this morning?”
“Are you going to ask me that every morning, counselor?”
“That’s more probable than not. It might be the psychologist in me, or maybe it’s just because I’m psychotically in love with you.”
“Psychotically? Daddy, I think you need to make an appointment with yourself.”
“I’m past curing, sweetheart. Now, tell me, how are you doing?”
-
“Everything got better when I met you, and there may not be a voice in my head, but there’s a feeling in my chest that’s screaming at me to never let go.”
“As if we would ever let him go anywhere.”
I was this close to just tearing my heart from my chest and handing it to him. He could put the damn thing on a stake and carry it around if it made him feel even one percent more secure.
“With you and I, baby, there’s no such thing as letting go. I promise.”
-
“Baby, if you’re deranged, there’s absolutely no hope for me.”
-
Love was a funny thing—this idea of giving someone the power to destroy you but trusting them not to.
-
“I… I just want to paint myself all over you. I want to mark you. Scar you. Tattoo my name across that bird on your arm so everybody knows that you’re my daddy. Mine.”
“You can light me on fire, sweetheart, burn your initials into the skin covering my heart. Whatever the fuck you want.”
-
“I’m going to give you what you want, baby. You don’t have to beg but I sure fucking like when you do.”
“Daddy…”
“You sound so pretty when you say my name.”
-
“You want to get fucked, sweetheart? Alright.” I continued to spread his come over the length of my cock. “Then Daddy’s going to use his baby’s come to fuck this sweet little hole.”
-
“Make me another mess, baby.”
He howled, and I felt his dick swell right before a warm rush of come flooded my palm. I brought it to my face, inhaling his musk while I chased my release. Toes curling, my neck pulsed, and I came with a low groan.
“Daddy, I can feel you.”
My grin was lazy as I slowed my thrusts, milking it for just a moment before pulling free. Come slipped from his wet hole, dribbling down his inner thigh. I captured the liquid with the pad of my finger and shoved it back inside of him.
“You keep that in there, sweetheart.”
-
“I wanted to protect your heart. Your wings. If something went wrong, I wanted to be certain you could still fly.”
“I’m never letting go.”
Don’t.
We’ll fly together.
-
⚠️ Detailed spoiler below ⛔️
RC and MCs:
🦅🐣 MM, strict roles
🦅🐣 Roman Hayes (his age isn't specified) and Sebastian St. James aka Vicious 19yo
🦅🐣 Roman: School counselor at Ridgemont High, ex-military psychologist for 8 years, ex-marine 3 years in active duty
🦅🐣 Sebastian: Student
🦅🐣 Roman: Top, dom, Daddy, dark eyes, mostly gray hair, dark beard, faint scar on the curve of his jaw, phoenix tattoos, muscular
🦅🐣 Sebastian: Bottom, sub, boy, big muted gray eyes, curly black hair, pale complexion, twink
Genre and tropes:
🦅🐣 MM dark contemporary romance
🦅🐣 Counselor/student dynamic
🦅🐣 Age gap
🦅🐣 Murder mystery
🦅🐣 School setting (boarding school)
🦅🐣 Insta-love/insta-obsession
🦅🐣 Hurt/comfort
🦅🐣 Trauma recovery
🦅🐣 Abuse survivor MC (Sebastian)
🦅🐣 Selective mutism (mental health condition)
🦅🐣 Size difference
🦅🐣 Daddy kink
🦅🐣 Daddy/boy dynamic
🦅🐣 Protective, gentle, caring Daddy
🦅🐣 Virgin MC (Sebastian)
🦅🐣 First times
🦅🐣 J/P obsessive MCs
🦅🐣 Mine mine mine
🦅🐣 Touch him and die (literally)
🦅🐣 Daddy's lap is the best seat
🦅🐣 Pet names: Baby bird, sweetheart, baby
Safety info:
🦅🐣 Angst: High
🦅🐣 OPD: No
🦅🐣 Cheating/sharing: No
🦅🐣 Third act breakup: No
🦅🐣 Ending: HEA
🦅🐣 Epilogue: Yes
🦅🐣 POV: Dual, 1st person
🦅🐣 Series structure: Standalone (Corrupt Cupid series book #2, part of a multi-author collaboration.)
NOTE: In this story, Cupid acts as a manifestation, whispering in the ear of our hero (Roman), urging him to do whatever it takes to protect the boy destined to be his one true love.
Spice and kinks:
Daddy kink, Daddy/boy dynamic, praise (good boy), blowjob, jerking off, cum play, marking (hickey, bite marks), rimming, tongue fucking, dirty talk, cum as lube, bareback, pushes cum back in (hole)
CW/TW:
Explicit sexual content, selective mutism, needless violence, injuries, blood, mentions of childhood trauma, graphic descriptions of a teen murder, dead body, on-page parental abuse (physical and psychological abuse), trauma (abuse survivor), panic attack
February 27, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️
BR with my girl Cass!
I’m not sure what I was expecting when I came into this. It certainly started dark, Sebastian’s character is filled with anger, fear and sadness. Makes sense considering he lost his roommate/only friend and everyone is saying he killed him.
I’m not always the biggest fan of insta-love but the author did it just right for me. Roman’s obsession was pretty much instantaneous. I might love it because I’ll always be a sucker for student/teacher (in this case counselor/student) forbidden romance.
The whole baby/daddy bird cuteness could’ve gone either way and I enjoyed it. I loved the physical affection and all the neediness. How Roman babied Sebastian just did it for me.
Most of all I enjoyed the style of writing, it flowed really well for me and I flew through this one in no time.
Plus, last but not least the intrigue with Sebastian’s god awful father and his roommate was super interesting. The suspense was well timed and kept me on my toes.
As for the ending, while I enjoyed the karmic retribution I didn’t feel like it was enough revenge. But it didn’t take away much from my enjoyment.
🌶️🌶️
BR with my girl Cass!
I’m not sure what I was expecting when I came into this. It certainly started dark, Sebastian’s character is filled with anger, fear and sadness. Makes sense considering he lost his roommate/only friend and everyone is saying he killed him.
I’m not always the biggest fan of insta-love but the author did it just right for me. Roman’s obsession was pretty much instantaneous. I might love it because I’ll always be a sucker for student/teacher (in this case counselor/student) forbidden romance.
The whole baby/daddy bird cuteness could’ve gone either way and I enjoyed it. I loved the physical affection and all the neediness. How Roman babied Sebastian just did it for me.
Most of all I enjoyed the style of writing, it flowed really well for me and I flew through this one in no time.
Plus, last but not least the intrigue with Sebastian’s god awful father and his roommate was super interesting. The suspense was well timed and kept me on my toes.
As for the ending, while I enjoyed the karmic retribution I didn’t feel like it was enough revenge. But it didn’t take away much from my enjoyment.
February 18, 2023
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.***
Be Mine, Vicious Valentine is a great dark, hurt/comfort romance that I was so enamored with. I never knew where this story was going and found Sebastian and Roman's connection so intense and moving as Roman helped Sebastian through such a dark time in his life.
Sebastian is a complicated guy, and his recent trauma has created a selective mutism where the only person he is able to connect with is Roman. Roman is the most patient and sincere person to help Sebastian through this difficult time. Together they are a great pair and seeing their devotion to one another was amazing to see.
Overall I really enjoyed this unorthodox love story and how dark their love for one another could get. Such a fun story and cannot wait to check out the rest of this series.
Be Mine, Vicious Valentine is a great dark, hurt/comfort romance that I was so enamored with. I never knew where this story was going and found Sebastian and Roman's connection so intense and moving as Roman helped Sebastian through such a dark time in his life.
Sebastian is a complicated guy, and his recent trauma has created a selective mutism where the only person he is able to connect with is Roman. Roman is the most patient and sincere person to help Sebastian through this difficult time. Together they are a great pair and seeing their devotion to one another was amazing to see.
Overall I really enjoyed this unorthodox love story and how dark their love for one another could get. Such a fun story and cannot wait to check out the rest of this series.
February 9, 2023
I'm not really a fan of insta-love, so color me surprised when I discovered that I'm even less fan of super insta-love.
In this book you are presented to vicious aka Sebastian. We don't really know that happened to him, only that he's in distress and is involved in a mystery because his roommate killed himself (but a lot of people think it wasn't suicide it was murder and Sebastian was the killer).
His father is shitty, in the first few pages of the book you learn that so it's not even a spoiler, and Sebastian isn't dealing well with the trauma and all the attention. He starts to see the new guide counselor at school to help with the trauma and after the first consultation the guide counselor is already enchanted with him and feels super protective about him.
By the fourth consultation (the other 2 happened outside the book) this guide counselor already feels like he owns Sebastian, he feels that he would do anything for Sebastian even if it's necessary to use a weapon... Now you ask : why are you telling us this is super insta-love?
Well, Sebastian didn't say a word the whole time, he hadn't said a word since the incident with is roommate... So you see, Roman aka the counselor feels all of that for him without really having more than an one side conversation with some gestures made by Sebastian in the middle.
This is definitely not my cup of tea, I liked the first book in the series, but this one was a super no-no.
In this book you are presented to vicious aka Sebastian. We don't really know that happened to him, only that he's in distress and is involved in a mystery because his roommate killed himself (but a lot of people think it wasn't suicide it was murder and Sebastian was the killer).
His father is shitty, in the first few pages of the book you learn that so it's not even a spoiler, and Sebastian isn't dealing well with the trauma and all the attention. He starts to see the new guide counselor at school to help with the trauma and after the first consultation the guide counselor is already enchanted with him and feels super protective about him.
By the fourth consultation (the other 2 happened outside the book) this guide counselor already feels like he owns Sebastian, he feels that he would do anything for Sebastian even if it's necessary to use a weapon... Now you ask : why are you telling us this is super insta-love?
Well, Sebastian didn't say a word the whole time, he hadn't said a word since the incident with is roommate... So you see, Roman aka the counselor feels all of that for him without really having more than an one side conversation with some gestures made by Sebastian in the middle.
This is definitely not my cup of tea, I liked the first book in the series, but this one was a super no-no.
February 25, 2023
I love Roman and Sebastian. They are such incredible characters. Even though the book is way too short for the nature of the story, it's extremely convincing how intense and emotional their connection is from the very beginning.
He was a delicate thing, glass-blown and fragile. I worried if I blinked too hard or breathed too heavily, he’d shatter at my feet. 😢
But god, my heart hurt so much for the things Sebastian had to suffer. And Roman is so awesome affectionate how he helps him to be free.
He smiled, slipping his thumb across the curve of my lips. “Affection is foreign to you, isn’t it, sweetheart? Nobody has ever given you what you deserve?” 😍
Sebastian’s wings weren’t broken, they were chained behind his back. He had more scars than friends—was scared more often than he was at peace. 😭
It is pure beauty how violence and sweet love are so intertwined.
What bothered me is the weird poetic writing. Hmm, I'm not against poetry, it just kept confusing me because I had to think if those lines were the reality of the book or just the imagination of the narrator. Perhaps these "distractions" could have been used to focus more on Sebastian's healing? That would make the plot better balanced.
He was a delicate thing, glass-blown and fragile. I worried if I blinked too hard or breathed too heavily, he’d shatter at my feet. 😢
But god, my heart hurt so much for the things Sebastian had to suffer. And Roman is so awesome affectionate how he helps him to be free.
He smiled, slipping his thumb across the curve of my lips. “Affection is foreign to you, isn’t it, sweetheart? Nobody has ever given you what you deserve?” 😍
Sebastian’s wings weren’t broken, they were chained behind his back. He had more scars than friends—was scared more often than he was at peace. 😭
It is pure beauty how violence and sweet love are so intertwined.
What bothered me is the weird poetic writing. Hmm, I'm not against poetry, it just kept confusing me because I had to think if those lines were the reality of the book or just the imagination of the narrator. Perhaps these "distractions" could have been used to focus more on Sebastian's healing? That would make the plot better balanced.
September 12, 2025
I want to hug this book, keep it hidden and safe like Roman is taking care of Sebastian.
I went into this book blind, no spoilers, the first half was deliciously dark and I almost felt like I should save this and read it in October in time for Halloween. Then it mellowed out a lot as the mystery and romance started to unravel. It lost most of its darkness and became more of a thrilling daddy romance. I expected more from Roman and Sebastian almost had a character change...but still
I enjoyed it.
Hurt/comfort
Daddy
Insta love/obsession
I went into this book blind, no spoilers, the first half was deliciously dark and I almost felt like I should save this and read it in October in time for Halloween. Then it mellowed out a lot as the mystery and romance started to unravel. It lost most of its darkness and became more of a thrilling daddy romance. I expected more from Roman and Sebastian almost had a character change...but still
I enjoyed it.
Hurt/comfort
Daddy
Insta love/obsession
February 12, 2023
April udała, że napisała książkę, ja udałam , że ja przeczytałam. Wszyscy są szczęśliwi. Nuda, bez sensu. Nie polecam
February 4, 2026
Roman + Sebastian 🖤
Daddy | Broken boy | Selective mutism | Hurt/comfort
...
"Fix his wings… and then destroy who broke them."
“Sebastian, baby, I want to curb stomp your father with a steel- toed boot.”
“Are you flirting with me, Daddy? Because it sure sounds like it.”
...
⚠️ potential spoilers below in detailed tropes, content and warning lists
Tropes/content:
Daddy + boy
Boarding school
High school senior (he's 19, missed his senior year due to his roomates death and came back to finish)
School psychologist
Headmasters son
Hurt comfort
Insta love
Forbidden relationship
"Baby bird"
"Sweetheart"
Broken boy
Good boy
Selective mutism from trauma
Lap sitting
Panic attack
Sex bent over daddys desk
Cum as lube
Epilogue 1 year later - they're married. It's valentines day again and Roman gives Sebastian fireworks that have pieces of his father so he can blow him up
Strict roles
Warnings:
Death of a friend and roomate
Blood
Grief
Death from war (not detailed)
Bullying (not between MCs)
Abusive parent
Sebastian gets beaten and choked by his father on page multiple times
Attempted murder of Sebastian by his father
Big spoilers
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Sebastian discovers that his father killed his mother as well as Foster (the friend/roomate)
Sebastians father gets thrown off the same balcony that he threw Foster off of
Daddy | Broken boy | Selective mutism | Hurt/comfort
...
"Fix his wings… and then destroy who broke them."
“Sebastian, baby, I want to curb stomp your father with a steel- toed boot.”
“Are you flirting with me, Daddy? Because it sure sounds like it.”
...
⚠️ potential spoilers below in detailed tropes, content and warning lists
Tropes/content:
Daddy + boy
Boarding school
High school senior (he's 19, missed his senior year due to his roomates death and came back to finish)
School psychologist
Headmasters son
Hurt comfort
Insta love
Forbidden relationship
"Baby bird"
"Sweetheart"
Broken boy
Good boy
Selective mutism from trauma
Lap sitting
Panic attack
Sex bent over daddys desk
Cum as lube
Epilogue 1 year later - they're married. It's valentines day again and Roman gives Sebastian fireworks that have pieces of his father so he can blow him up
Strict roles
Warnings:
Death of a friend and roomate
Blood
Grief
Death from war (not detailed)
Bullying (not between MCs)
Abusive parent
Sebastian gets beaten and choked by his father on page multiple times
Attempted murder of Sebastian by his father
Big spoilers
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Sebastian discovers that his father killed his mother as well as Foster (the friend/roomate)
Sebastians father gets thrown off the same balcony that he threw Foster off of
Read
February 13, 2023This was filled to the brim with metaphors, similes, and personifications. I had to read passages two and three times to figure out what they meant. Maybe I'm just dumb.
I won't rate this because I should have dnf it, but since it was so short, I decided to keep on, though it felt a lot longer than it was.
I won't rate this because I should have dnf it, but since it was so short, I decided to keep on, though it felt a lot longer than it was.
April 27, 2023
I really enjoyed the other two books this author has written.
But for some reason April Jade decided to make this book extra flowery. It felt out of place and just didn't quite fit the story.
I also had a bit of a problem with Roman being the school counselor and Sebastian being a student/his patient. If felt strange that Roman immediately wanted Sebastian and crossed the line without any inner struggles. I would at least expect him to think it was wrong.
But besides all that this wasn't a complete disaster. It had good bones and the hurt/comfort kept me interested.
So 3 stars it is.
But for some reason April Jade decided to make this book extra flowery. It felt out of place and just didn't quite fit the story.
I also had a bit of a problem with Roman being the school counselor and Sebastian being a student/his patient. If felt strange that Roman immediately wanted Sebastian and crossed the line without any inner struggles. I would at least expect him to think it was wrong.
But besides all that this wasn't a complete disaster. It had good bones and the hurt/comfort kept me interested.
So 3 stars it is.
Read
February 21, 2023DNF @ 74%. I just can't finish it. Ugh.
February 26, 2023
I am obsessed with this series! Obsessed!!!!!
So it was a no-brainer to choose this one for my next BR with my girl Debbie! The extent of my obsession is proved by the fact I didn't know (or care) that it was technically set in a high school (though honestly it just didn't feel like that because there was almost nothing of the rest of the students - phew!)
Sebastian is a student seeing out his final weeks of high school. He's at a boarding school for children whose families basically don't want them, though he is there as he is the headmaster's son. The story begins with the violent death of a boy clearly close to Sebastian. We know he didn't do it but we don't know why or how he died. When Sebastian returns to class it is with the proviso he does morning sessions with the new school counsellor, Roman.A slight flaw in the whole counselling plan is that Sebastian suffers from selective mutism, something Roman was unaware of.
Sebastian is known as Vicious for reasons that aren't entirely clear. What Roman (psychologist and ex-marine) sees is a boy who is broken and those protective instincts kick right on in!
There is:
🔸 instant (reciprocated) obsession
🔸 age gap
🔸student (he's 19) counsellor
🔸adorable endearments
🔸Daddy/boy dynamic
The writing was beautiful. It was reminiscent of a gothic horror romance story most of the way through, though there were some very minor editing issues (I'm pretty sure Roman isn't several feet taller than Sebastian!😂 ). Selective mutism is actually something I have some knowledge of and it was described in appropriate detail and with accuracy.
There are some cute references (like to Scooby Doo - an under-rated source of life lessons imo) and Roman's endearment for Sebastian was actually pretty cute though I suspect not everyone will love it. There's not much actual steam in here - a couple of sex scenes and they are 🔥 but gah! So much longing and feeling (and biting and marking).... And Roman's inner voice was the best!
This was a fast, fun and really surprisingly good read. April Jade is a new to me author and I'll be reading more!
So it was a no-brainer to choose this one for my next BR with my girl Debbie! The extent of my obsession is proved by the fact I didn't know (or care) that it was technically set in a high school (though honestly it just didn't feel like that because there was almost nothing of the rest of the students - phew!)
Sebastian is a student seeing out his final weeks of high school. He's at a boarding school for children whose families basically don't want them, though he is there as he is the headmaster's son. The story begins with the violent death of a boy clearly close to Sebastian. We know he didn't do it but we don't know why or how he died. When Sebastian returns to class it is with the proviso he does morning sessions with the new school counsellor, Roman.A slight flaw in the whole counselling plan is that Sebastian suffers from selective mutism, something Roman was unaware of.
Sebastian is known as Vicious for reasons that aren't entirely clear. What Roman (psychologist and ex-marine) sees is a boy who is broken and those protective instincts kick right on in!
There is:
🔸 instant (reciprocated) obsession
🔸 age gap
🔸student (he's 19) counsellor
🔸adorable endearments
🔸Daddy/boy dynamic
The writing was beautiful. It was reminiscent of a gothic horror romance story most of the way through, though there were some very minor editing issues (I'm pretty sure Roman isn't several feet taller than Sebastian!😂 ). Selective mutism is actually something I have some knowledge of and it was described in appropriate detail and with accuracy.
There are some cute references (like to Scooby Doo - an under-rated source of life lessons imo) and Roman's endearment for Sebastian was actually pretty cute though I suspect not everyone will love it. There's not much actual steam in here - a couple of sex scenes and they are 🔥 but gah! So much longing and feeling (and biting and marking).... And Roman's inner voice was the best!
This was a fast, fun and really surprisingly good read. April Jade is a new to me author and I'll be reading more!
February 13, 2023
3.5 rounded up
This was melodramatic, implausible, and ridiculously over the top, but I was hooked the whole time. The emotions were intense, the hurt/comfort delicious, and I loved the bird metaphor running throughout. Yes, the love was very much instant, the villain was cartoonishly evil, and everything was wrapped up too conveniently, but I just threw myself fully into the absurdity, and genuinely enjoyed it.
This was melodramatic, implausible, and ridiculously over the top, but I was hooked the whole time. The emotions were intense, the hurt/comfort delicious, and I loved the bird metaphor running throughout. Yes, the love was very much instant, the villain was cartoonishly evil, and everything was wrapped up too conveniently, but I just threw myself fully into the absurdity, and genuinely enjoyed it.
April 3, 2023
I absolutely didn't expect this. What the hell did I just read?
This was terrible.
And by terrible, I mean it was too lyrical for a story that was supposed to be dark or twisted - which it wasn't - and it took me a while to get into it, because for the first half of the book I honestly had no idea what the author was trying to achieve here.
The story is about a 19 year od guy Sebastian, who's attending a boarding school for the outkast kids , where the principal is his father. His father is a bad man and he's very abusive towards Sebastian. He's probably killed Sebastian's mom and his best friend, but we don't know that for sure, because there was no resolve to those implications.
In comes Roman, a former marine and a psychologist, who starts working as a counselor at this boarding school . He immediately sees there's something's wrong with Sebastian and wants to get to the bottom of it .
Sebastian is attending his sessions at Roman's office and that's how they get close.
But the thing is, I have no idea when they managed to get close, because Sebastian attended only a few sessions and immediately Roman was touching him and loving him, out of nowhere, so even for an insta-love type of story, it was completely not-believable.
🟢 I had a big problem with Roman as a counselor having Sebastian as his patient, a young guy who's clearly very abused and damaged , and then completely crossing that line and touching him in that state . That really rubbed me the wrong way, because it was clear Sebastian had absolutely noone, he had selective mutism and no help for his mental health issues , so I can't fathom how an almost 20 years older man and an authority figure can just dive in and start creating a relationship with a patient in that state of mind , I can't deal with that, it's abuse to me, just kinder than his dad's .
Their love story wasn't twisted but good, like in the first book in this series, but just wrong and hard to understand because of the writing.
🔵 Their dialogues were absolute cringe and the reference of baby bird - daddy bird, counselor daddy.
From the very start just the word daddy coming from a guy who has a very abusive father who's left him at the dorm when he was 7, I mean, no, just no, it felt like Roman just took advantage of the situation.
He was suppose to come across as a saviour, but he really wasn't.
🟡 Oh, the writing.
"My palms were wet with rainwater as I wraped my fingers around the iron handle. The hinges creaked as I forced the door open, and the air cold as I stepped inside the foyer. A slam echoed through the vastness of the space when the door fell shut behind me, blanketing me in an illusion of nightfall."
In other words, his palms were sweating and he opened the door, stepped in the hallway and closed the door behind him. The whole book is written like this.
So much pomp for a simple tale of an age gap love story with a little bit of murder involved. If simpler sentences were used, the story would be so much more inviting and the MCs would get their rightful spotlight.
This was a tough book to read, the writing wasn't to my liking, the MCs were cringey and the whole plot was ridiculous.
And by the end of the book the author inserts the only interesting character in the whole story, Damian Madoni for the whole 5 seconds, it was pointless and only made me feel even worse about the whole book.
September 20, 2024
A psychologist and a traumatized mute senior? Okay 🤤
It was hot but most importantly…it was sweet. It’s April so of course it’s a Daddy book but it wasn’t unrealistic in this case. Sebastian just needs anyone to be in his corner and when his dad hired Roman and forces him to see him after the death of his roommate, he finds more than a shoulder to lean on.
I loooooooved how the headmaster issue was…resolved 😏
What I didn’t love was the lack of actual character descriptions among the over detailed descriptions of literally everything else. Roman is apparently “several” feel taller than Seb and Roman’s brother is a foot taller than that. In my brain, that makes Seb 4’10”, Roman 7’ and his brother at 8’ 😂 idk.
That bugged me the whole time.
It was hot but most importantly…it was sweet. It’s April so of course it’s a Daddy book but it wasn’t unrealistic in this case. Sebastian just needs anyone to be in his corner and when his dad hired Roman and forces him to see him after the death of his roommate, he finds more than a shoulder to lean on.
I loooooooved how the headmaster issue was…resolved 😏
What I didn’t love was the lack of actual character descriptions among the over detailed descriptions of literally everything else. Roman is apparently “several” feel taller than Seb and Roman’s brother is a foot taller than that. In my brain, that makes Seb 4’10”, Roman 7’ and his brother at 8’ 😂 idk.
That bugged me the whole time.
February 9, 2023
Was a little disappointed with this book. Couldn’t really connect with the MCs and the storyline wasnt really.... logical? Understandable? I dont know but this wasnt it
February 14, 2023
What a spoiled boy... I almost got jealous. Gah! This is sappy as hell. Fortunately, it works for me. Lucky me.
February 13, 2023
"He could be the devil, and I wouldn't care. Nope, I'd spread my wings and follow him straight into the flames."
Star Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV: Dual, First Person
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 2/5 🔥🔥
"Tell me who your villain is, baby bird, because I promise for as scary as they are, I'm worse."
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Overall Opinion
I really enjoyed this read, it wasn't as dark as other books in the series, but still dealt with dark subjects. It was very character driven and follows Sebastian, a traumatized mute and Roman his school counselor. It wasn't overly steamy and the few scenes there were, were passionate and emotional. Being a novella, it was a short read and very instalove, but I liked how it was done; it didn't feel really rushed. Sebastian and Roman were great characters and well-developed, my only wish was seeing more into the healing process for Sebastian. Overall this was another great addition to the series, and cannot wait to read the authors other works!
Read if you like:
❣️ M/M Romance
❣️ Hurt/Comfort
❣️ Age Gap
❣️ Counselor/Patient
❣️ Daddy Kink
❣️ High School Setting
Trigger and Content Warnings: Selective mutism, violence, childhood trauma, murder of a teen, parental abuse
Star Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV: Dual, First Person
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 2/5 🔥🔥
"Tell me who your villain is, baby bird, because I promise for as scary as they are, I'm worse."
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Overall Opinion
I really enjoyed this read, it wasn't as dark as other books in the series, but still dealt with dark subjects. It was very character driven and follows Sebastian, a traumatized mute and Roman his school counselor. It wasn't overly steamy and the few scenes there were, were passionate and emotional. Being a novella, it was a short read and very instalove, but I liked how it was done; it didn't feel really rushed. Sebastian and Roman were great characters and well-developed, my only wish was seeing more into the healing process for Sebastian. Overall this was another great addition to the series, and cannot wait to read the authors other works!
Read if you like:
❣️ M/M Romance
❣️ Hurt/Comfort
❣️ Age Gap
❣️ Counselor/Patient
❣️ Daddy Kink
❣️ High School Setting
Trigger and Content Warnings: Selective mutism, violence, childhood trauma, murder of a teen, parental abuse
September 23, 2024
"For most of my life, I’d thought freedom meant I needed to disappear. Turns out, all I really needed was to be found."
Loved this.
I just feel like Sebastians dad got off too easy dying.. I wish Roman kicked his ass then let his friends arrest him.
He was obsessed with his public image. Just think of how embarrassed he would have been if everyone had found out his dirty secrets!!
Loved this.
I just feel like Sebastians dad got off too easy dying.. I wish Roman kicked his ass then let his friends arrest him.
He was obsessed with his public image. Just think of how embarrassed he would have been if everyone had found out his dirty secrets!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2024
This book was...weird. Weird characters. Weird writing style. Weird plot. Not bad...but I made a few faces while reading.
March 15, 2023
OMG!! The fuc@*#&$& Fireworks 🎆🎇 !! 🤯 Amazing 🤩
Read
February 17, 2023DNFed at Chapter 4.
February 17, 2023
So this book is different, I liked it, it’s good to read variety and different styles of writing.
This book dealt with dark themes but I didn’t find it as dark as the others in the series.
This was about a tortured, traumatised young man who lost his friend and become a selective mute, stuck in his own mind Until Daddy bird come and freed his wings and helped him to fly.
There wasn’t much spice in this story but what there was, was good.
It was an emotional read for me but that’s because my child is a selective mute, but it was good to read about something that’s not written about much.
This is my first book/novella by this author and I’d read more of her work.
Triggers warnings are there for a reason if your sensitive read them if your not then go in blind!!!!
But I’ll list a few below so you get a feel for the book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Book content -
💛Counselor/Patient
💛Daddy kink
💛Hurt/Comfort
💛Boarding school
💛Age gap
💛Darkish
💛Parental abuse
This book dealt with dark themes but I didn’t find it as dark as the others in the series.
This was about a tortured, traumatised young man who lost his friend and become a selective mute, stuck in his own mind Until Daddy bird come and freed his wings and helped him to fly.
There wasn’t much spice in this story but what there was, was good.
It was an emotional read for me but that’s because my child is a selective mute, but it was good to read about something that’s not written about much.
This is my first book/novella by this author and I’d read more of her work.
Triggers warnings are there for a reason if your sensitive read them if your not then go in blind!!!!
But I’ll list a few below so you get a feel for the book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Book content -
💛Counselor/Patient
💛Daddy kink
💛Hurt/Comfort
💛Boarding school
💛Age gap
💛Darkish
💛Parental abuse
February 10, 2023
Delightful
Yet another great installment in this series! Baby Bird and Daddy Bird just did it for me. Roman, aka Daddy Bird, was all in from the minute he laid eyes in Sebastian, aka Baby Bird.
Poor Sebastian just needed someone, anyone, to see him. To see what he was going through and do something about it. Roman was that man. He was a fierce protector who would stop at nothing to make sure Sebastian was safe. He was this sexy avenging angel. So much in this book just worked wonderfully.
This series has been wonderful. The darkness has been on point and the MCs have been steller. I am loving it.
Yet another great installment in this series! Baby Bird and Daddy Bird just did it for me. Roman, aka Daddy Bird, was all in from the minute he laid eyes in Sebastian, aka Baby Bird.
Poor Sebastian just needed someone, anyone, to see him. To see what he was going through and do something about it. Roman was that man. He was a fierce protector who would stop at nothing to make sure Sebastian was safe. He was this sexy avenging angel. So much in this book just worked wonderfully.
This series has been wonderful. The darkness has been on point and the MCs have been steller. I am loving it.
February 13, 2023
3⭐️
The storyline I rated 3 ⭐️, I just didn’t feel how this couple fell in love it just happened and all of a sudden the first actual conversation was about how much they love each other 🤨
But I did do an overall 4 ⭐️ rating because there were a line in this book that I thought is one of the best lines ever written,,,,
“Photos were simply return tickets back to a moment that would otherwise be lost”
The storyline I rated 3 ⭐️, I just didn’t feel how this couple fell in love it just happened and all of a sudden the first actual conversation was about how much they love each other 🤨
But I did do an overall 4 ⭐️ rating because there were a line in this book that I thought is one of the best lines ever written,,,,
“Photos were simply return tickets back to a moment that would otherwise be lost”
February 26, 2025
Feb 2025
Kindle edition
Read for a group challenge week 7. I liked this one up until it became daddy, daddy bird and baby bird. Roman was protective, the father was scum. Sebastian came across as almost infantile and with the whole counsellor thing felt a bit weird. I did like how the father ended up and the way things were smoothed over with the FBI.
Kindle edition
Read for a group challenge week 7. I liked this one up until it became daddy, daddy bird and baby bird. Roman was protective, the father was scum. Sebastian came across as almost infantile and with the whole counsellor thing felt a bit weird. I did like how the father ended up and the way things were smoothed over with the FBI.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2023
This was a real page turner! Short but good. Dark boarding school book. Read the TW! The spice is good, but since it’s a short book it’s not many scenes.
Read
March 26, 2024DNF @ 2-3%... it's the style of writing!! I hate this overly poetic overly complicated and descriptive style writing! The poetic style is my worst nightmare so I couldn't deal..
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