This book was wilddd
I was tempted not to read cause I really hadn’t liked the first book in this series cause the FMC had really annoyed me off in the first one but I thought this was wayyy better
The plot is probably even darker than the first one and definitely be aware of what you’re getting into but I am glad I read this one!!

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charlottx's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Overall I enjoyed the story from a different perspective and I’m excited to read the final book in the series.

Content Warnings

koistyfishy's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I feel almost dirty giving this book the 3 Star rating because I know that it's entirely me and my expectations that's the problem and not the book.

I thought before reading this that there were only two directions a book could take when the plotline is rewritten from the perspective of new characters. The first is perfect, it gives the reader a whole new outlook on the story while keeping it fresh and exciting. The second is the road "not" worth taking - the added "nuggets" of insight into the new perspective are not worth reading 400pg worth of a new book. I am surprised to say there is now a third direction - where you get a 50:50 mismatch of the two. On the one hand, you're left breathless and on the other, still trying to reach that release that never comes.

I think I had psyched myself up too much for expecting a perfect retelling as I really LIKED the first book. It was such a perfect and great balance between the sex and plot and the plot KEPT ME SOOO HOOKED! But for Revenge, I found myself not really caring about almost anything. The plot felt very repetitive, and not just because we were repeating the same timeline but because a lot of the kink, characterisation and "smart mouth" dialogue was just almost rinsing and repeating Leon and Rae. While I really did enjoy the banter and sex, I guess I wanted more "newness" or aspects uncovered in the plot, but these were never delivered. I already knew what was gonna happen, every twist and turn was already done and mapped out and there was nothing amazing added (besides an epic nightclub)

I have absolutely no connection with Juniper, she is so one-dimensional and driven by "one thing and one thing only" and that is her anger which is her major motivation for revenge. I understand that she has been through a lot and she has had so much thrown upon her and while there are glimpses of those scars and the damage that was done; besides her being afraid and then being angry, there’s nothing really in between her personality. She also never really works through her anger much, besides through bloody stabby stab-stab and "spank me harder" Daddy, often both at the same time. I am not here to judge a girl on her therapy being "painful pleasure" but I wanted more of an emotional working through her damage. Hence why I AM THE PROBLEM, as this would be amazing if you are happy to read about a girl who just wants that hard physical pounding that almost miraculously solves her trauma because she had a couple of intense demonic-induced orgasms

Zain is something. While I was ridiculously attracted to his cocky mouth and I really want to run my tongue over his snake eyes. The only thing he has going for him is that cocky mouth, and without it, he is a total Leon carbon copy. Same kinks, same possessive traits that make them tick, same sexy drive to put a piercing into their lady and I’ve seen that already in Her Soul to Take so seeing it all again didn’t really do it for me

These books can be read out of order, and I feel if I had read this one first, I'd have probably liked this one more and not enjoyed Her Soul to Take. They are just very much the same and because I have already got that enjoyment from before; I’ve been there and done that, so I didn’t need to do it again. I might have set unattainable expectations by wanting a deeper story because of the same timeline... But I know I AM THE PROBLEM.

So I would recommend this IF you’re going into this for the dark demonic-inspired story with a fair few dirty scenes. This does cover more of the demonic lore and less of the witchcraft side so if you have read neither - toss a coin because both Zane and Leon will take you on a fun ride the first time!

Content Warnings

weelasswithabook's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

CW drug use (psychedelics), PTSD, forced institutionalisation, gun violence, death of a loved one, grief, gaslighting, horror elements, gore, ritual sacrifice, murder, attempted múrdér, religious/cult fanaticism, torture

“You can be broken,” he said. “You’ll never be too broken for me. We can be monsters; you and I. We can be wretched, messy, strange things. If you’re afraid, then you can be afraid. When you lose your light, I’ll still come back for you in the dark. You’re not alone.” He kissed my forehead. “You’ll never be alone again.”

⭐ Dark romance
⭐ Paranormal romance
⭐ Horror erotic romance

🌈 Queer MCs

🌶️ CNC/Chasing
🌶️ Edgeplay
🌶️ Blood play
🌶️ Femdom
🌶️ Body modification (scarification and piercing)
🌶️ D/S switches
🌶️ Exhibitionism/voyeurism

This book was so good!!! Sequels are always a risk when the first book was a 5⭐ read, but this was a perfect follow up to Her Soul to Keep.

The story runs parallel to the events of HSTK, and gives us Zane and Juniper's perspectives while intersecting with elements of the story in HSTK so it was great to see some familiar faces in the mix. I was worried the parallel plot might become tiresome incase it was essentially the same story played out with different characters, but I was pleasantly surprised that we got a really unique story with the familiarity of the setting and plotline.

I loved Juniper's character in this book, shes such a determined and strong character who seems unafraid of anything from the outside, but fragile inside. Her character is coded as having PTSD from her previous experiences, and it was handled sensitively. Her panic attacks and flashbacks allowed us a glimpse into her previous experiences without having them play out before the story begins (although we did already have some insight from HSTK).

I know that the book specifically says in the intro that it's not to be used as a realistic depiction of BDSM, however, I felt that it properly explored how BDSM practices can aid in someone's healing, particularly in this situation where Juniper struggles with control and having her life taken away from her, she finds peace and comfort in giving her submission willingly. While it was definitely spicy, I think that those scenes really facilitated her development as a character and it was wonderful to see play out. The push and pull, and the fight for dominance between the two was 😘👌

As for the storyline, again, while it follows the same plotline, HSFR really offered a fresh perspective from Zane and Juniper as their own conflicts, relationship, and self contained plot was completely different to Leon and Rae. I really enjoyed the sarcasm and banter between the two of them and felt like they were genuinely what the other needed.

If dark romance, erotica, and horror are you're bag, I encourage to give this series a shot (please just check the TWs).

Content Warnings

heybethrenee's review against another edition

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dark tense slow-paced

3.5

Wow. I’ve read dark romance before but this was a WHOLE another level. I really did enjoy Zane and Junipers dynamic tho and Harley did a great job of including it in the trilogy but also making it a stand alone. Like I wasn’t bored with any of the repetition of information or plot points which was awesome

Content Warnings

sultrytartreviews's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I'd like to start this review off as saying, I'm pretty sure this low rating was all on me and not the book. I just had a really hard time wanting to pick this story up for some reason. It felt slow to me, but I can't explain why (other than the possibility that I already somewhat knew what would happen from book 1). I now know for a fact that this couples' kinks were not for me...the blood play and the gun play were too far for my tastes and left me feeling nothing during their steamy scenes. Which, honestly, I was shocked by. This hasn't happened to me in a taboo/high steam romance before. I found myself not really connecting with either MC, as well. A small thing, but I also wish the epilogue had been...more? We barely got anything from it and it wasn't very far from when the full storyline took place. So...not very helpful to see the couple coming together in bliss after the fact.

I still recognize that this book was well written and did lots of things right, I just couldn't click with it for some reason.

Content Warnings

reginaexmachina's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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