4 Little Thief Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5

Whoa... This was an unexpected little read that I thoroughly fucking enjoyed.

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Briar Lowell is starting university at the prestigious Hollow Heights University which only the elite rich or locals get into. So considering Brair has a record for petty theft this is pretty much unheard of. However; her uncle is a biology professor, so she somehow got accepted. She instantly connects with her bug-obsessed roommate Lyra and due to being at the wrong place at the wrong time, the two witness the Hollow Boys (the bad boys of the University) murder someone outside a mausoleum. The girls cannot tell anyone as the boys are super connected and protected but that doesn't stop the boys from targeting them and making their life a living hell. Briar has heightened attention from Alistair Caldwell because she stole something from him... and he wants it back. But the thing the girls don't realise is the boys are not killing for fun, they are looking for answers because one of the boy's girlfriends was murdered and they are determined to make someone pay.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
This gave me very similar vibes to the Devil's Night series by Penelope Douglas, so if that is your vibe then I think this book (and series) will be right up your alley. However, I think this one might be a little darker in terms of the triggers and contents. The four boys are the definition of a "Band of Brothers". They will do anything for each other! They will live for each other, die for each other and kill for each other! They are bound by their bond to avenge Rose's murder and they will not leave the town until this mystery is solved. Their bond is thicker than blood, it is OIL and the quintessential definition of a "Found Family". It is the type of friendship you dream about, though maybe with a little less anarchy.

I loved that Briar was a badass. She was feisty, and sassy and gave back as good as she got! She didn't let the shit Alister threw at her break her, and while she was afraid - she didn't let her fear define or rule her actions.

I want to reiterate, THIS IS VERY DARK AT TIMES... If you are uncomfortable with certain triggers and blurred lines of consent you will not like this. Alister is a dick, he is not a good guy and he is most definitely an alphahole. He is horrible, problematic, and a tattooed badass with about a hundred red flags. He is initially not nice to Briar (until the OBSESSION SETS IN, THEN HE GOES ALL GOO GOO EYESM). But underneath it all, he wants to be seen and appreciated for who he is not who he was born to be.

The mystery element in this was great! There are so many secrets, lies and conspiracies all connected in this "sleepy little town", that will keep you captivated from page one. Briar and Alister have electric chemistry, with their fighting, the push and pull and the tension! I ADORED Alister staking his claim on Briar BY ACTUALLY TATTOOING HIS INITIALS ON HER HAND... This brand kink unlocked something inside me that made me giddy and if anyone has recs for this let me know

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Dual POV
▶ University Bully Romance
▶ Alphamale
▶ Obsessive, Possessive and Jealous MMC
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Dubious Consent
▶ Who Did This To You
▶ Stalking
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Kidnapping
▶ Slow Burn

𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 and 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨:
▷ Breath Play
▷ Nicknames
▷ Reflection Sex
▷ Mine
▷ Brands Her

Overall this book did something to my insides and scrambled my brain and the only way to appease that monster is to jump directly into the rest of the books! If you like a dark romance YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!