koistyfishy's reviews
362 reviews

3 Twilight Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

If you're looking for a WHAM BAM SPANK YOU MA'AM type of book, then this is definitely going to deliver it!

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Sabrina originally moved to Bliss to help her sister when she was diagnosed with Cancer after their mother passed away. Thankfully her sister is now in remission and before Sabrina leaves Bliss, she is offered to become the town "School Teacher" in the new school they are establishing - which is her total dream job. Sawyer is a general grumpy grinch who doesn't like people... years ago he helped his brother leave the Horde Motorcycle club and became friends with Wyatt. So when Wyatt leaves the club (which is difficult because he was born into the club with his brother the current head) and shows up a little burnt and bruised, Sawyer welcomes him into his home like a stray puppy. One night Sawyer begrudgingly goes to a Christmas party and sees Sabrina and instantly feels "feelings", so he does what any logical person would do... HE NOPES OUT. A few months later, Sabrina annoyed with her landlord ignoring her maintenance requests, decides to take matters into her own hands and show up on his doorstep, on the day of a freak snowstorm. So she ends up snowed in Sawyer and Wyatt. And what else is there to do with two sexy ex-MC boys in a cabin...

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
So imagine a why-choose story with a sexy school teacher and two sexy men, snowed in in a cabin... well this book is going to give you EXACTLY the story you just played in your mind.

Sabrina is our school teacher who has a secret kinky side and is also pretty feisty because she's willing to be brave and stand up to anybody when she wants something, feisty and generally unexpected. She's not the "sweet, innocent" expectation of what you'd think a school teacher is and I loved the fact that she was so willing to fight for the two men.

Wyatt is a little gooey cinnamon roll who is so happy on the surface but broken underneath. He carries a lot of trauma from his childhood and time in the MC, but he wears positivity with a smile. He really cares about not being an inconvenience to anyone and has a heart of gold that just makes you smile. I mentioned before he is basically a lost puppy and that's exactly the vibes you feel from him... It's also super endearing that he is lowkey highkey obsessed with Sabrina in that sweetly stalker way.

Sawyer is the total grumpy outcast and believes everybody hates him or doesn't like him when underhandedly the entire town respects him, adores him and doesn't hold his past against him. It was sweet to see him realize that he actually had friends and a "found" family and that he makes this realisation as he gets closer to Scarlet.

My one issue with this is this was the first book I have read in the series and while it technically can be read as a standalone, there are so many characters. I had no idea who was who and initially what was going on or how they all fit together. I needed a spider diagram or chart of the characters in the beginning, mapping their books and partners, especially since the entire town's relationships seem to be nothing but throuples. So not only do you have to deal with two characters, you need to deal with 3 in every relationship. tIt was just a lot to wrap my head around who all these characters were and how they fit into this crazy town where it felt like and episode of Cheers as everybody knows everybody's name, business and everybody looks out for each other.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨
▶ Multi Pov
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Snowed In
▶ Reverse Harem/Why Choose/Throuple
▶ GrumpyXSunshine
▶ Burn the World for You
▶ Touch Her/Him You Die
▶ Fast Burn
▶ Instalove
▶ Cinnamon Roll MMC

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Love's their Smile
▷ Dirty Talk
▷ "Out of our Systems"
▷ Spanking
▷ More
▷ Chin Lift

Basically, this has action, this has drama, this has romance and it has steam. It does err on the side of Instalove as they say I love you VERY FAST and fall together VERY FAST... but if you want that quick, easy read with the tropes mentioned above then this is going to give you exactly what you want!!!

Thank you to Lexi Blake and Valentine PR for my gifted copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

4.5 I Heart London Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️/5

OK, HEAR ME OUT! This book is legitimately the personification of what you want to see in a Holiday rom-com! It will give you happy, fluffy, cosy, spicy little feelings and vibes while hitting every single checkpoint in a beautiful wrapped-up red bow.

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Six years ago, Brynn spent a semester abroad in the UK, and right before class started she decided to go have a little bit of fun (I mean drinking is legal in the UK under 21). She meets a mysterious man, Pierce at a pub and the two instantly hit it off. Like cute the sparks, fireworks, hearts in the air...EVERYTHING. They spend a weekend rolling in the sheets and on Monday morning he breaks her heart when it turns out HE IS HER TA! Then the RIDICULOUS coincidences start rolling in (and I was not rolling my eyes at them because your girl was lapping this up like an ice-cold drink on a hot summer CHRISTMAS DAY - YES I live in the southern hemisphere. It's HOT when I see Santa) First, she meets him in her hotel elevator in New York City, then it turns out they are interviewing for the same job. Then she finds out he is on the same plane as her to UTAH for Christmas because HE IS SPENDING THE HOLIDAYS with her family. WHY? Because his cousin happens to be married to her brother's wife's best friend...AND they have to share a room because of a mixup with the available rooms...

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Holy Night SHIT... I LOVED THIS. Like a giddy little girl opening her presents on Christmas morning, this was the book that kept on giving. I giggled, squealed, smiled, and inhaled it as fast as I could. The good vibes and family elements of this story bring a type of magic that is only really found in the warmth of Christmas!

Brynn was amazing. I loved how much she valued her family, and what stood out to me was how much she respected her self-worth. She was hurt by what Pierce did to her, but she acknowledged that she was young, he was young, and neither of them handled the situation well. One of the biggest strengths of this book was that neither Brynn nor Pierce was ready for the kind of relationship that would have happened if they had got together all those years ago. They needed time to grow up, find themselves, mature, and learn who they were. This really strengthened the "one that got away" vibes and made their reconciliation that much stronger.

Pierce was an absolute sweetheart AND a walking green flag. He is a total flirt and cocky, but he is also sincere, thoughtful, and SUCH A GENTLEMAN in everything he does. He’s the type of man your mother DREAMS you bring home for the holidays, and gosh, my heart actually melted with the way he built a relationship with Brynn's family. He fit in so well that it almost felt like he was the missing puzzle piece from the start.

I also really liked that he owned up to his mistakes. He accepts that he messed up the first time around, knows he made a huge mistake, and is determined not to let her slip away this time. He was such a charmer in how he chipped away at her tough exterior—it was just cute, sweet, and perfect! Their journey to finding each other felt natural and progressed at the right pace.

I also appreciated that it was pretty low-stakes and fluffy. While it dealt with some emotional situations, like overcoming trauma and baggage, especially concerning Pierce and his family, it was handled nicely without being emotionally overwhelming. It had just the right dash of depth to elevate the story (like a sprinkle of cinnamon in coffee iykyk)

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨
▶ Slowburn
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ One Cabin
▶ Second Chance
▶ One Night Stand
▶ Christmas/Holiday Romance

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Rolled Sleeves/Forearms
▷ Forehead Kisses
▷ It's always been you

This is the first Piper Rayne book and given how much I enjoyed this and how quickly I devoured the story, I know this will not be my last. I had the best time with this and this was just the perfect cosy read for Christmas or just any time of the year that you pick it up.

Thank you to Piper Rayne and Valentine PR for my gifted copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

5 Dirty Little Pet Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️/5

You ever have a book, that when you finished reading it your brain felt like it had exploded and you were just trying to play catchup… I have been sitting on this review for a while because my mind is completely reeling with trying to put together thoughts and words. Its mushroom and blowing in the air like millions of spores.

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Sydney Denik is a graduate mycology student who’s life is falling to pieces. However she is given this once in a lifetime opportunity to work at the secretive prestigious Madrona Foundation as part of a summer research program studying Alzheimer’s.

However once she arrives in rural Vancouver things start to get weird. She starts seeing things and she starts wondering is she having visions, seeing ghosts. Or is she going mad with her mind playing tricks on her. While dealing with that she also has to struggle with the growing attraction she has towards one of the professors at the facility, who also happens to be her psychologist. All that she knows the longer she stays at the Madrona Foundation – the less things make sense.
If you want a book that is the epitome of “spooky creepy” vibes with a dash of dark academia and makes you yourself question your own sanity, then this is it for you! You find yourself just as confused and befuddled as Sydney…but YOU LOVE EVERY SECOND OF IT!

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
I ADORED Sydney, mostly because she's pretty brash at times and is pretty snarky and sarcastic. She speaks her mind very easily, often in places that I myself would never be caught dead speaking. I was giggling “listening” to her internal monologue and some of the things that she said. I personally related to a lot of her references and the pop culture she comments on. She just felt like someone I would like to be friends with. I also adored that she is so driven, tenacious, smart and intelligent. This entire book is told from her POV so there are aspects of unreliable narration which is handled so well that it keeps you engrossed but it is also done very tactfully as a display to the mental illness and neurodivergent characteristics Sydney has.

I was also super impressed by the depth of research Karina Halle put into this book. I am always apprehensive of books that feature a woman in STEM romances because they can often portray the field and representation of women very badly. However this is the type of book that does it justice! Karina Halle did such a good job. The research that went into the different mushrooms, their types, their pharmacology, and their toxicity, it felt like this was written by somebody who was an expert in the field but never felt overly technical. Its presence in the story added to the richness and the way the science was portrayed felt natural. It takes a very unique skill to blend and blur science and fantasy and make it feel like it could happen in our world.

I don't want to say too much about this BECAUSE I HONESTLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU GO IN BLIND!!!

BUT KNOW the reason this made such an impact is because I didn't see the twists and turns coming and the way that everything interconnected. I almost want to go back and reread it again to catch the things I missed.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Obsession
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Forbidden Romance
▶ Obsessive MMC
▶ TeacherXStudent
▶ PsychologistXPateint
▶ Age Gap
▶ Dark Academia
▶ Chronic Illness Rep
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Burn the World for You

𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨:
➢ BDSM
➢ Hand Necklaces
➢ Bondage
➢ Degradation and Praise

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Rolled Sleeves/Forearms
▷ Use Me
▷ Good Girl
▷ Beg Me

THIS BOOK left such a lasting impression on my mind. It was perfection how everything came together! It's the type of thing that should be made a movie as it has all the elements that movies need: drama, suspense, romance, mystery/thriller allure, and just spooky vibes. Absolutely fantastic and the best book I have read from Karina Halle!

Thank you to Netgalley, Metal Blonde Books and Karina Halle for the gifted copy!
All thoughts and opinions are my own! 

2 Stellar Blue Jay Stars⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️/5

This book had so much potential, it set up for having one of my favourite tropes of all and then it went and HAD MY LEAST FAVOURITE...

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Kelsey has just found out that her long-term boyfriend has maxed out her credit cards and cleared out their savings account. She has given him a week to return her money or she will go to the authorities. She moves out and temporarily moves in with a friend to deal with the complete disaster her life has become. One night on a girl's night while she is drinking away her sorrows, she runs into the sexy Dominic who immediately goes goo goo guys for her and he wants one thing from her... no strings attached sex.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
I should have DNF'ed this when someone asked me at 34% what the book was about and I had no clue how to explain it... I was still trying to figure out where the plot was going and didn't know how all the characters fit together.

Then I should have DNF'ed when I realized Kelsey was "not like the other girls" as she had every man she met lusting after her like a cartoon wolf with heart eyes... THERE WAS NOT 1 MAN (Her Ex), NOT 2 (Her Other Nice Ex From Highschool)... BUT THREE SEPARATE MEN (Dominic)... but she was pretty plain and boring. She is an accountant who doesn't have much going on for her personality except that she stress cleans. She's walked over pretty easily and doesn't want to inconvenience anyone with her drama. Now she is dealt a bad hand... her Ex is terrible - he is a manipulative emotionally abusive gaslighting ass but it was a little confusing how someone who doesn't typically stand out would have all these men so obsessed with her.

Then we have Dominic... who is the other reason I should have DNF'ed. He is a walking red flag and after about the 5th red flag, I was questioning what Kelsey saw in him and am I being gaslit about him being this amazing MMC. You should not have the MMC of a romcom have any red flags...this is the man who you imagine as your fictional boyfriend. But he was bossy, demanding, jealous and did not listen at all to what Kelsey wanted... Now this is a great type of MMC in a dark romance but not in something that is meant to be light and fluffy. He constantly tells her that he wants nothing from her but sex and I didn't see any real growth in his character.

THEN the book fell really flat when it went in the direction of my worst trope. Now my worst trope is not one, but actually two tropes combined and I hate IT! When the first sprinkling of the potential combo trope made itself known, I actually told my husband if it did happen I would throw the book across the room. Now I didn't wanna damage my Kindle but metaphorically I did!

The trope combo was Third Act Breakup with ACCIDENTAL PREGNANCY. It feels like a cop-out to the relationship and such a cop-out to the reconciliation of a relationship. You should not have to have a baby PULL PEOPLE together. I do not mind either of those tropes separately but TOGETHER... it's just not for me

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Strangers to Lovers
▶ Age Gap
▶ Panic Attacks
▶ Bachelor Competition

▶ Miscommunication
▶ Third Act Breakup
▶ Accidental Pregnancy

Overall I don't think this book was for me... It didn't play into my happy tropes and I kept wanting her to end up with her ex... Not the gaslighting one but the sweet farming one from high school who was just a gentleman and sweet!

Thank you Water's Edge Publishing and Netgalley for my gifted copy... I am sorry I didn't like this 

4 My Phantom Pet Stars⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️.5/5

The Blood We Crave is one of those books that makes you ask, WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST READ??? And where can I find seven just like it?

NOTE: DO NOT READ THIS AS A standalone even though it follows a different couple from the previous books. Those books show much of Thatcher and Lyra's character development and understanding of who they are. So GO READ THOSE... THEY ARE ALSO BLOODY GOOD... but this one is definitely the most BLOODY!.. Like literally.... if you don't like blood - you might not like this.

Also, this review is GOING TO HAVE SPOILERS of the previous books, so don't read on if you don't want those to be spoilt for you!

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
When Lyra was 8 years old, she watched a man enter her mother’s bedroom and brutally murder her mum while Lyra hid in the closet. When she thought it was safe, she came out of the closet; only to be found by a boy, the murderer’s son Thatcher's task was to kill her, but after she threw a shoe at him and made him bleed, he chose to save her and told her to hide. That decision inadvertently tied the two of them together for the rest of their lives, as Lyra’s testimony was the final nail in the coffin that sent his father away for murder. It was also that night that sparked Lyra’s teeny, tiny obsession with everything Thatcher Pierson.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Lyra is a phantom and a ghost, and she lives up to that nickname. She's the type of person that no one really takes notice of. She's the quiet girl in the corner who likes bugs a little bit too much, and no one pays her any mind, a shadow. Lyra is perceived to be an innocent goody-two-shoes, but that's not really who she is. Lyra has a secret, in The Truth We Burn, Lyra was forced to kill someone to save Thatcher's life, and that unlocked a blood lust. She now has a thirst for it and all she wants to do is set that beast free, and who better than the man obsessed with blood and the man who stars in all of her dark and depraved fantasies and dreams - Thatcher? Especially since he is the man she has been following and stalking all the while collecting tiny little seeds of his life to store in a cardboard box in her closet.

Thatcher is a psychopath, clinically. I am sure if you look up the definition of what a psychopath is, it would be a photo of Thatcher Pierson. He does not have feelings. He is very analytical, logical and driven by impulse and desire to be a better killer than his father was. He is also addicted to blood and seeing what makes them tick - like literally cutting them up to see their insides. He wants nothing more than to have that little bug-obsessed irritation disappear for good, but she is clever and manipulative and manages to persuade Thatcher to teach her to be a killer.

I think I should be worried about how well Monty Jay writes a psychopath because I believed every word that I was reading. I would not be surprised if Thatcher were the type of man who has an entire Netflix documentary based on him. Again, if you are squeamish with blood, I would not recommend this book. Actually don't read the series at all, because it is quite gruesome at times, gory and vivid with VERY GRAPHIC on-page depictions of pain and torture and what goes into unaliving people.

I loved how Lyra was a moth drawn to Thatcher's flame, and how she knew that he was dangerous to her and could literally kill her, but she was still obsessed. I mean yes the obsession is almost to the level that she needs therapy, but you can't help but find it cute and endearing! They are an ACTUAL Bonny and Clyde but you can't help but root for their love. Especially once Lyra has crawled her way into Thatcher's black heart and he never wants to let her go!

This had all the tropes in a Dark Romance that I love seeing, and I just love that this had the take on HER BEING THE STALKER! It's very seldom that the FMC is the one that has questionable characteristics. I'm not saying that Thatcher doesn't have about 17 times more questionable characteristics than Lyra, but it was still sweet. Again, if you don't like blood, don't read this. There is a lot of blood and at times smut (but technically less than in the other two), and then smut happening with blood.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Dual POV
▶ University Bully Romance
▶ Psychopath Serial Killer MMC x Stalker FMC
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Knife to the Throat
▶ Tending to Injuries
▶ Virgin MMC
▶ Enemies Hate to Lovers
▶ Burn the World for You

𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 and 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨:
▷ Mine
▷ Look at Me
▷ Nicknames
▷ Blood and Knife Play
▷ Dirty Talk

Overall, I think this is one of the best Dark Romance series I have ever read. I am having the best time with these characters. I cannot wait for part two of the story to see Lyra freak the fuck out based on that cliffhanger. All I know is it's gonna be bloody, and I'm bloody here for it. 

4 Theatre Geek Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

This is all types of fucked up, but holy shit HAS IT BECOME MY NEW OBSESSION. I am still reeling, trying to piece my mind together...

NOTE: This can maybe be read as a standalone since it follows a different couple from The Lies We Steal. BUT I think you might be doing yourself a disservice since the first book does explain a lot of the character's backstory and gives insight into the overarching plot which plays a big part of this book... SO JUST GO READ Briar and Alistair's story first AND THEN THIS BECAUSE DAMN!

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
In high school, Sage Donahue is Miss Popularity and knows everyone’s secrets. Everyone wants to be her, be around her, or be her friend. One night, she is having dinner with her boyfriend, her parents, and his parents, and they announce that Sage, as part of a business arrangement between them, has to marry her boyfriend or else they will make her sister do it in her place... (You know, Rose, who was murdered in Book 1 and was the love of Silas’s life). Distraught and desperate, Sage seeks solace in the arms of none other than Rook Van Doren. The two establish a mutually beneficial arrangement and become friends, which soon develops into something more. But the choices forced upon her soon catch up to her, and to protect her sister, she is forced to break Rook’s heart. Now, Sage is back after being committed to a mental institution following a suicide attempt upon learning the truth of her sister’s murder. Her father and his corrupt FBI agent friend give her a choice get close to the Hollow Boys and find dirt on them. The only problem is that, after Sage broke Rook’s heart, there’s no way he’ll ever let her close to him again.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Sage is a badass, sassy queen you don't want to mess with. She is a feisty cat with super sharp claws and she knows how to use them. There was very little she was afraid of in High School, but since the death of her sister, she is not scared of anything because she has nothing left to lose. She approaches challenges head-on oblivious to risks, which often does get her into trouble (especially with Alistair who wants to wrap Briar in marshmallow bubblewrap).

Rook is explosive. He is a pyromaniac who feels a lot. What I mean about that is when he is happy, he is exuberant. When he is angry, he sees red and will literally bash someone's face in and kill them unless someone pulls him off. When he is sad, he is almost inconsolable and when he feels guilty it physically eats him up inside. He is a complete slave to his emotion and addicted to pain which he uses to control his feelings of grief and guilt.

If you do not want a front-row seat into what the anger stage of grief looks like, I don't think this book will be for you because there is a LOT of anger and how it is dealt with in a very unhealthy manner. But you are reading a dark romance and unhealthy behaviour is half of what you are signing up to read! This book is difficult to read at times and utterly heartbreaking. There is so much emotion and sorrow that you feel and experience as you see what these characters go through especially how they are just victims of their circumstances.

The writing is very psychologically poetic at times, delving deep into the subconscious thoughts of these characters and how they're processing their emotion. It is heavy, it is not always pretty, but you can't look away. Sage and Rook found each other once and now that they're a little bit older (and a little bit more scarred and jagged around the edges) they fit together like a puzzle. It takes a while for them to find each other again, but when they do, it is absolutely magnetic and beautiful and you can't help but cheer for them!

I loved how passionate Rook was and how deep his bond goes for the Hollow Boys. It goes bone-deep and is unbreakable! They are willing to kill, bleed and die for each other and would sacrifice anything when just asked! This found family element also bled into Sage's friendships. She has always had fake shallow friendships so when she finally found friends who truly cared and understood her was sweet. Lyra and Briar accepted her with open arms into their loner society and it is just heartwarming that the bond of friendship plays such a big role in this book and series!

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Dual POV
▶ University Bully Romance
▶ Obsessive, Possessive and Jealous MMC
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Found Family
▶ Second Chance Romance
▶ Pyromaniac MMC
▶ Sister's Boyfriends Best Friend
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Burn the World for You

𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 and 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨:
▷ Hand Necklaces
▷ Nicknames
▷ Good Girl
▷ Mine
▷ Brands Her
▷ Spitting
▷ Confessional Sex
▷ Backwards Cap
▷ Spanking

If you love dark romance and you love emotionally driven stories that are explosive, dark, kinky and will make you FERAL... I would recommend this!!!

I cannot wait for Lyra and Thatcher's story. 

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!