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!!

Content Warnings

shinyfox's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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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

nitbi's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

Content Warnings

kelsiejankowski's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

4.0

Content Warnings

zellapaige's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced

4.25

The sex in this is deliciously depraved, our MC’s are a lovely pair of kinky switches. The book hits a huge swath of the most common BDSM related kinks from bondage to permanent marking to primal.
This book took me a long time to read. I had to take many breaks while reading because the subject matter felt so sole consuming and serious.

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