In Dreams

Darkly Ever After #2

by Mila Crawford

I live in a world where women are a commodity. The only value we have is as bargaining chips for men who crave more power.

We are to be silent, unseen, to do as we are told.

But I don’t want to be anyone's property. I want to be the one in control of my destiny.

But my past doesn’t want to forget me and my present wants to consume me.

I am the object of desire for three dark and deranged men who show no mercy and know no limitations to their depravity.

Three men who will do anything in order to make me theirs.

To them I am a commodity. A shiny toy to be encased behind glass. Too fragile for the world around me but breakable at their whims. If need be I’ll remain their little sleeping beauty.


*In Dreams is a dark reimagining of Sleeping Beauty.*

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Why Choose, M M Romance, BDSM, M M F, Novella

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 3, 2023

Reviews

[astarion's bhaal babe (wingspan matters) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Do you ever think about anything other than sex?"
"Yes. Torture."

me on my way to hell, fanning myself with riding crops: oh wow the tw list for this book is bigger than azriel's rumored wingspan.

(pls check out said tw list at the bottom, under the spoiler tag)

This was 1% plot and 99% porn.
100% sin.
Brutal, toxic and dark aren't nearly enough to describe this book.
Think of a kink? In Dreams has it.
A TW? In Dreams invented it.
Morals? Not in this house.
Oh, and it's apparently loosely based on Sleeping Beauty, with a plus-sized goddess FMC and three very naughty boys with their very own POV.
Draw your conclusions.
My face was permanently stuck into my Florence Pugh Smut-Reading Pout, the whole time I was reading this

4 stars because I'm a shameless sinner.
And now I'm gonna go take a bath in holy water and pray for my soul's salvation, since I've already decided I'm going to inhale the next Darkly Ever After book when it comes out.
In case you're asking, it's a Goldilocks and the Three Bears kinky retelling.


Amen.


★𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦, 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 & 𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧: 𝟭 𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡💀/𝟱
TW: NON-CON, SOMNOPHILIA, GAGGING, SPITTING, NECROPHILIA, NO-PREP ANAL SEX, GRAPHIC TORTURE, BLOOD, MURDER, NON CON BREEDING, NON CON FILMING, DEROGATORY TERMS AND SITUATIONS, MENTION OF PAST PA, EMOTIONAL/PHYSICAL ABUSE, GASLIGHTING, SEX SLAVERY, DISFUNCITONAL FAMILIES.

SMUT CONTENT: WHY CHOOSE- MMMF RELATIONSHIP, PAINFUL LOSS OF VIRGINITY, VAGINAL SEX, ANAL SEX, SEX TOYS, GANG BANGING, CUM DUMPING, CNC, SNOWBALLING, VOYEURISM, BLOOD/KNIFE PLAY, BREATH PLAY, EXTREME BDSM, BREEDING, DP, TP, MULTIPLE DICK PIERCINGS (NGL I KINDA DIG THAT 👀), DEGRADATION KINK.


(Dariyus tho 🧎🏼‍♀️🧎🏼‍♀️🧎🏼‍♀️🧎🏼‍♀️)

🚩𝙿𝙾𝚂𝚂𝙸𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙿𝚁𝙾𝙱𝙻𝙴𝙼𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙲 𝙲𝙾𝙽𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚃 𝙰𝙻𝙴𝚁𝚃!*🚩
*𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜 𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜, 𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜, 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍/𝚘𝚛 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚖𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚌/𝚝𝚘𝚡𝚒𝚌/𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎.
𝙸, 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠, 𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠𝚕𝚎𝚍𝚐𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚗𝚎𝚐𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜, 𝚊𝚗𝚍, 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚖𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚣𝚘𝚗𝚎, 𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎:
-𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚢;
-𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚌𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚘𝚛𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎;
-𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚘𝚛 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚜 𝚌𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗 "𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚌" 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜/𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙𝚜/𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜, 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚍𝚎𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗;
-𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚐𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝙾𝙽𝙴 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚂𝙴 𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺𝚂, 𝚢'𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠?

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I've been waiting for this book since finishing the hunt I'm living for these fairytales!!

This one, I'll be honest. I had a hard time with the timeline. I didn't enjoy the back and forth between past and present. But that was me..

Briar hates that her father and the Mafia life has her freedom she just wants to live. She overhears about herself being sold she doesn't know when, but she wants to do things on her time. So she and Ezra, her old childhood friend (who's distancing himself from her), take matters into their own twisted way. She gave up her v-card in the forest in a very rough dirty way. It was hot and steamy between them, but he walked away, causing a little heartbreak. Now it's shifts between the present time of her already in the deal with the guys and boy it was HOTTTTT watching them screw around, and with that, "gloryhole" lorddd hawttt Then it went back to the past on how the deal was made between the group, and their first group activity was delicious.

I didn't have a fave. i enjoyed all 3 men together with Briar and the relationship between them. Mal and Dari had amazing chemistry and relationships, plus they were funny together. I did hope that Briar would've made them grovel alil more just for funnies.. with the stunt they pulled near the end.

I can't wait for the next book, which happens to be Goldielocks

Om drama, No cheating, Drama, sexy times, virgin gal sorta manwhores (in past.. present time was mentioned she screwed ppls)

Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶🌶

Slowinsta
MF MMMF MMF MM
Slight push away from one H&h
Seperation (few years)
Sharing
Air tight
Anal play/sex
Praise kink
Degradation
Somnophilia
Watersports (not between the mains)
Dubcon-non con
Snowballing
Breath play
DVP
Cum play
Exhibitionism
Voyagerism
Pet play
Pregnancy Coercion
No condom
Torture
Mentions of CSA
DP
Knife play
Blood play
Choking
CNC
Daddy kink
Violence
Hea
Epilogue

[amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

read May 5, 2023 - May 5, 2023: 2 stars

[sunny ≽^• ˕ • ྀི≼ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a short and fast pace book not very plot driven this was just what i was looking for! the spice is SPICYYY i love a mmmf 🤭🖤 i want to be his lil fawn

i suggest if you need something to read to get out of a little book slump

🌶️ pierced MC
🌶️ touch her you die
🌶️ gore/ violence
🌶️ free use
🌶️ humiliation
🌶️ multiple POVS
🌶️ blood/ knife play
🌶️ degradation
🌶️ dom/sub
🌶️ MMMF

[LolliMolly ⫷fiction addiction⫸ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
Spice was there but the plot was way lacking, even for a novella.

[High Lady of Delulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this book hinted at a good plot, then said fuck it. And you know what? Good for it! Neglect that storyline because honestly, it wasn’t needed imo.
It was enough to give an intriguing framework (and for personal reasons I especially loved the cultural details thrown in like sprinkles that make the cake extra special)

This promises to be a dark spicy book of under 200 pages and it was exactly that!
It was hot and depraved. That’s the focus Mila promised and she delivered!

And honestly, to someone who reads a lot it was so refreshing to not go through the same push and pull arc this time but focus on the core and the results.

If there’s one thing that I found missing personally it’s that I sadly didn’t feel the love the guys have for each other as much. I see the respect and appreciation and they talk about it, but other than the early scene with E and D it fell a tiny bit short for me. Which, too, is perfectly fine because not only is this super subjective but also the story wasn’t about their love for each other but their love for B! It’s just something I noticed I personally missed a bit.

Were I the FMC, I personally would’ve been mad as hell in the end but, surprise, I’m not B. And for B it works. It’s ok that she’s not more angry. I love how this worked out for them and it’s actually rare that a book makes me throughly enjoy this trope 😂🖤

[Elizabeth Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received In Dreams as an ARC and as per usual with all of Mila's books; it was sinfully fantastic!

In Dreams is book 2 in the Darkly Ever After Series by Mila Crawford but you don't need to read the first one to enjoy the filthy goodness of this story. I did enjoy the one-liner at the end about Noelle. IYKYK. The Darkly Ever After Series is a re-imagining of classic fairy tales that are dark, depraved and just down right filthy dirty. In Dreams is a sleeping beauty tale where our 3 heros; Ezra, Malachi & Dariyus are nefariously active with their curvy plus sized heroine Briar Rose who they have made a deal with to be "theirs" for two years in order to gain her freedom. Love the body positivity and how much her men worship her bigger body in this story.

Briar Rose lives in a world where women are traded as commodities. The only value they have are as bargainning chips for men who crave more power. When Briar is sold to sadistic old man by her father; her best friend, protector and the man who is secretly obsessed with her; Ezra steps in to help. Ezra quickly realizes though that he wants to share his obsession with Briar with his two best friends and lovers Malachi & Dariyus.

If Br33ding kink, degred@ation, pr@aise and S0mn0philia is your jam that you need to pick this up immediately as it is packed with all of the juicy goodness. Briar is an amazing heroine that uses her limited resources in order to live her life on her terms, making three very powerful men succumb to her wants and needs.

This is a why choose, enter at your own risk, primal, dubcon, daddy, CNC, violent and sexy novella that will have you reaching for the battery operated devices mid-read. Do yourself a favour and seriously read the trigger warnings ahead of time. This is meant to be over the top and deliciously dirty.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forgot how much I loved this series! Oh my gawd! I love these men! Briar is a strong, bad ass FMC. Love love love!

[Lesliesbooktok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mila Crawford has turned into one of my one click authors! Especially if I'm looking for nothing but 🔥🥵⚠️

🖤A Dark Reimagining of Sleeping Beauty
💙Why-Choose
🖤Possessive
💙Dark Romance
⚠️Check your Trigger Warnings ⚠️

[Merawlee · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's rare for me to not finish a book but I just couldn't get into this one. Barely past the 30% and I just put it down.

The smut is great and I have nothing against degradation and the such. I just couldn't get into it. I felt like I was thrown into a world I had 0 knowledge of. Yes, some smutt don't have much of a storyline but at least a basic worldbuilding so that it feels anchored into some sort of reality.

This does not mean that for many the novella was good, great even. The author went into very descriptive spice and that's always a plus but yeah, I just couldn't get into it.

[Natasha Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok now I actually enjoyed the first book. I liked the way the story played out. But this one, it just felt too discombobulated. The back and forth from 5 years, 2 years, present day etc.
the idea/concept or the story I liked and was intrigued by. But I kept getting whiplash! It was hard to follow what was happening, when it was happening. Plus although the 🌶️ scenes were very hot, some of them didn’t make sense. As in positions and angles just didn’t make sense. And it’s a shame.

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. I DNF'ed at 50%. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for a Mila Crawford book, or maybe this one is just even less plot driven than The Hunt. I will say, I got to 50% in under an hour, so it's a quick read for sure and you don't have a ton to lose by trying it if it's at all appealing to you. The timeline made me a little dizzy and I think only added to the lack of plot in the story.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOT HOT HOT!! Mila Crawford books never disappoint in the over the top sexiness and downright naughtiness that touches almost every page. This Why Choose novel is no different. This Darkly Ever After Series just keeps getting better and better!!

These men are so dirty in everyway. They have the dirty talk and actions down to sheer perfection. They are beyond sexy and their actions are so sinful I think the devil would even blush. These 3 men Ezra, Dariyus, Malachi consume their woman, Briar with everything they have and need. She is their's and they will do anything to keep her that way. They are a bit psychotic so be prepared. Some of their actions are definately borderline insane but it is so hot to see how much she means to them and how they each have their own unique style to demonstrate that to her.

Briar knew the only person who could save her from the terrible fate her father has bestowed upon her is Ezra but she knows he is a packaged deal so she will accept whatever they want because she needs them in more ways then one! Sit back and enjoy the ride and the show because their story is going to leave you breathless and fully satsified. Happy Reading!!!

[Erin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sleeping beauty retelling is not for the faint of heart, but so good! It was dark, dirty and made you love these men so much.
‘Briar’ needs a way out of her life, trying to avoid becoming a pawn in this sick deal her father drags her into. Her only way out is to made a deal with these men, who are probably the most morally grey men I’ve ever read about. They all form this polyamorous relationship, but there’s so much that plays into it.
Please, for the love of everything unholy, read the trigger warnings! Do not blame the author for things you stumble across that you didn’t want to read about.. This is not a beginner romance book by any means!

[Wolf (Alpha) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's definitely something i wouldn't normally read but it was still a great book. I love that its so different from most books and how we see a darker aspect of Dark Romance. I love that our female main character is so strong and I love that she loves everything her men do to her. I found it interesting that they took their trauma out during sex but I'm glad that they were all able to enjoy it. I loved that they rescued her from a terrible fate and that she agreed to go live with them and be theirs forever.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Plot, All Smut

Well, I can officially say this is the filthiest book I’ve read so far. There is HEAVY degradation in this, so if that isn’t your thing you will not like this. And also swords crossing ⚔️

I’d label this as a poly book instead of RH because the whole group is with each other and each of them have a unique relationship with each other.

Heed the TW for torture and gore, the author means it!

This is exactly what I was looking for and I’m gonna backtrack and read the first book now.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you just need some psychos in your life and Mila never fails to let me down!

Honestly her books always seem to hit at a moment when I need out of the sweet and sappy and into something a little darker and a little more…hmm best word to describe three psychotic killers…unhinged lol.

This is a dark reimagining of sleeping beauty with mafia to it. There is degradation, Dubcon, CNC, Primal, Praise, Knife Play, Blood Play, Impact Play, DP, DVP, Air Tight, Somnophila, Breath Play, Cream pie cleanup, snowballing, Breeding. So if these aren’t your kind of things, this book isn’t for you.

But the Thing about Mila’s books you can always count on, is that while all this may be going on, there isn’t one thing that her MMCs wouldn’t do for her FMCs. This book is filthy but if you wanna get a little dirty then it’s a must read.

[Katelin S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes! Mila’s books get dirtier with each one. I love in these MMMF that the MM is so present and it’s not all just group scenes or MF. Though the group scenes? So dang hot. These men are deranged and looney, but so perfect. Definitely so OTT and possessive, but their devotion to Briar is everything. This was so spicy and so good! Mila writes the perfect plus size/curvy FMC’s. Can never get enough from Mila books!!! Already looking forward to the next one.

[Jazmine Lawhorn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay three questions….

Why do these men keep having a weird blood fetish?

Why do these men always talk about “the beast” in them coming out during rough sex? ….am I watching SPLIT or something?

How is this a retelling?

Just read for the smut.😉

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
I spent most of this book wondering where the Retelling bit came in. The answer: 85%. I don't consider that a retelling. And the whole rest of the book was just a bunch of guys degrading a girl in 3 different timelines. I'm not really a fan of either of those things, but can get behind them if done well. Which I don't feel like this was. I was excited for this series, but my expectations are really low after this. I might try one at a later date, to see if it can be redeemed.

[Tee · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like seriously unhinged men and LOTS of depraved spice, this is the book for you. I didn’t think Mila could leave me flabbergasted after The Hunt, but clearly, I need to not underestimate the depravity this woman can write.

[Kellie Ferris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why choose...best friend...found family....filthy smut 🥵🔥🌶️

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little plot a lot of smut..

[bella.s_stuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75 ⭐️

[Well Read Nurse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I SWEAR I NEVER KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT...

Mila always makes me question my sanity

[Keshia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75/5

[Paige IRB · Rating 5 out of 5]

My New Mila Crawford Fan Fave

Just when I think I can’t love Mila Crawford’s twisted mind anymore she proved me wrong. Briar and her men were absolute perfection. They balanced eachother. This one had more plot than the previous novellas and it was beautiful. Add in the depraved erotica and it’s a instant fave. Truly read the TWs they do not lie. All the red flags. Because red is my fave color.

[Bia · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★

5/5🌶️

Tropes:
Dark Reimagining of Sleeping Beauty
Touch Her and Die (Literally)
Why Choose
Reverse Harem
MMMF (⚔️👍)
Kinks All The Way

Kinks:
Cum Play & Eating
Primal, Impact, Breath, Rope, & Pet Play
Degradation/Praise
Somno
DVP/DP
Dub-con/CNC
Air Tight
Exhibitionism/Voyeurism
Marking
Pregnancy Coercion

Warnings:
Play with red bodily fluid
Play with sharp objects used to cut meat, fruits and vegetables
Loss of a parent
CSA (off page)
CA (off page)
Violence and violent acts
Torture explicit on page

First off, this was my first Somno kink I have ever read and it’s definitely something to keep in mind.

I loved literally everything about this book, and that is concerning for me because I really shouldn’t have, but who gives a flip?

This books was such a good slice of dark romance I was missing. With all the fluffy romance i’ve been reading lately, I needed a dark romance to bring me more spice in my life.

The scenes leading up to the epilogue absolutely had me shell shocked. Like utterly speechless 😳. I had so many moments that I am like; “maybe I should put this book down” only to pick it back up because I needed to know more 😂

This book has literally no fluff, just smut, and violence to the max. Absolutely recommend if you are looking for some really dark stuff with a very messed up HEA, then read this book 👍

[Renata · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Mila Crawford and her dirty, twisted,
wicked mind 🤭😈

This will not be for everyone!

The spice level is off the charts. Mila never disappoints.
This is a MMFM romance, it’s a dark reimagining of sleeping beauty.

These men are down right filthy.
Ezra, Malachi & Dariyus
They’re cruel, demeaning, psychotic, dysfunctional, with fragile minds.

Seriously questioning my morals at this point

Their kinks are on a whole other level.
Briar is one tough cookie.

At the end of the day, even the psychos are looking for love❣️

[Krissreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️ 5/5🌶️

---- 🖤

Lord have mercy on your soul 😈🔥💦

Imagine the filthiest, most extreme darkest desires and craziest kinks that could happen between three men and one woman because what you picture, double it and that is what you will find in this book and I. AM. LIVING. FOR. IT… 🥵🥵🥵

I loved The Hunt, I loved this book and to find out their is a third book coming next month called “Primal Beasts”… 🥹🤯🫠🫠🫠😈😈😈😈