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sobstory's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
itsgiules's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
one of the best dark romances I've ever read.
nutnutde's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
One of the more heartbreaking stories I've read. I feel for Zye. And I wasn't expecting the ending. I'm rooting for Zye though. I hope he can somehow find his peace.
dodibooks's review against another edition
5.0
I was very curious about Will and Bryony's relationship after he threw her into the pond during a Halloween party. This happened in Colton's story, the Joker.
Will is one of the 5 Soldiers, a vigilante. He is golden retriever unaliver, who only has eyes for Bryony. He has fallen first and hard. He tries to get her attention in different ways. But she ignores him.
Bryony finds Will very attractive, but doesn't like his character very much. During a party and after plenty of drinks, she wants to go for it. But then The Taskmask comes out to play.
I was completely immersed in the story and I loved every second of it. But then the games were abruptly over. They tried to move on. OMG what a panty dropping hot scene with masks, toys, ... was that!
Then the twist started to happen and I was ready for it! But I really really didn't like the ending. I feel like there is a part missing ... And I don't know if Nikki is going to pick it up in Tyler's story or not. That's why the story gets a 4.5 stars and not 5.
I would have love to see The Taskmaster and Will make amence and trying to make up for lost time. And I also believe that he deserves his HEA! So PLEASE Nikki, make it happen!
Will is one of the 5 Soldiers, a vigilante. He is golden retriever unaliver, who only has eyes for Bryony. He has fallen first and hard. He tries to get her attention in different ways. But she ignores him.
Bryony finds Will very attractive, but doesn't like his character very much. During a party and after plenty of drinks, she wants to go for it. But then The Taskmask comes out to play.
I was completely immersed in the story and I loved every second of it. But then the games were abruptly over. They tried to move on. OMG what a panty dropping hot scene with masks, toys, ... was that!
Then the twist started to happen and I was ready for it! But I really really didn't like the ending. I feel like there is a part missing ... And I don't know if Nikki is going to pick it up in Tyler's story or not. That's why the story gets a 4.5 stars and not 5.
I would have love to see The Taskmaster and Will make amence and trying to make up for lost time. And I also believe that he deserves his HEA! So PLEASE Nikki, make it happen!
shennelleinez's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
nickylovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I hate that I had to log that I read this as digital edition when I read paperback but paperback wasn't available. I have tried to upload ISBN.
The Player is book 4 in the Soldiers of Anarchy series and follows Will Stokes & Briony Masters who we were briefly introduced to in The Joker.
Briony is Shelley’s sister. Will dumped Briony in a pond at a party at The Sanctuary as a way to try and get her attention. He got her attention alright…just not in a good way.
Will & Briony are a little friendlier with each other at the start of this book. Will makes Briony aware he is attracted to her and wants their relationship to move forwards while Shelley is still fighting her attraction to him.
At another party at The Sanctuary Will and Briony are both abducted and kept in a hidden location by someone who calls himself The Taskmaster.
He has “guests” (we read about him taking these people from their workplace/homes in earlier chapters) that he gets Will & Briony to play “games” so they get rid of these people for him.
At this point I will say this is the darkest book in this series so far, so please read the trigger warning for this one.
We find out The Taskmaster is someone both Adam and Will knew (even though Adam can’t remember him) from the care home they were both in when they were younger, Zye, now Isaiah. We do get the backstory of how they all new each other and we do get to understand why Isaiah was doing what he did. Despite everything you do feel some sympathy for him after what he went through in the care home.
The Soldiers do catch Isaiah and think they have him where he wants them, but then he disappears.
At the end we get briefly introduced to a registrar called Abigail who has an encounter with Isaiah. Will we get a redemption book that involves these two as a couple?? I would love to see this.
I know the next book in the series, The Thief is Tyler’s story and from the ARC I have just received the FMC is Jess. Is this the same Jess who was very briefly mentioned in the epilogue of this book.
The Player is book 4 in the Soldiers of Anarchy series and follows Will Stokes & Briony Masters who we were briefly introduced to in The Joker.
Briony is Shelley’s sister. Will dumped Briony in a pond at a party at The Sanctuary as a way to try and get her attention. He got her attention alright…just not in a good way.
Will & Briony are a little friendlier with each other at the start of this book. Will makes Briony aware he is attracted to her and wants their relationship to move forwards while Shelley is still fighting her attraction to him.
At another party at The Sanctuary Will and Briony are both abducted and kept in a hidden location by someone who calls himself The Taskmaster.
He has “guests” (we read about him taking these people from their workplace/homes in earlier chapters) that he gets Will & Briony to play “games” so they get rid of these people for him.
At this point I will say this is the darkest book in this series so far, so please read the trigger warning for this one.
We find out The Taskmaster is someone both Adam and Will knew (even though Adam can’t remember him) from the care home they were both in when they were younger, Zye, now Isaiah. We do get the backstory of how they all new each other and we do get to understand why Isaiah was doing what he did. Despite everything you do feel some sympathy for him after what he went through in the care home.
The Soldiers do catch Isaiah and think they have him where he wants them, but then he disappears.
At the end we get briefly introduced to a registrar called Abigail who has an encounter with Isaiah. Will we get a redemption book that involves these two as a couple?? I would love to see this.
I know the next book in the series, The Thief is Tyler’s story and from the ARC I have just received the FMC is Jess. Is this the same Jess who was very briefly mentioned in the epilogue of this book.
75_sweetestbook's review against another edition
5.0
This is Bryony and Will story and it is sweet with some spice. This story is amazing read that pulled me in from the beginning. This story has lots of plot twists and will have you on the edge with their witty comments and banter between each other.
cheysbookloverreviews's review against another edition
4.0
When Will and Bryony have a run in with The Taskmaster, will they play the game? Will they work together or will their differences lead them to failure and game over? The Taskmaster set out to seek revenge on the men who had hurt him in the past. The question is, what does that have to do with Bryony and Will? Are they just pawns in his game or is it more than that?
Bryony is an independent, bad biyatch! Will is a bad boy who is part of a vigilante group that sometimes gets him into trouble. I expected the standard enemies-to-lovers situation here but was so happy to find that was not the case. This book is twisted, depraved, and dark. I wasn't sure what to expect as this is the first book I have read by the author. I was pleasantly surprised!
This story is very well-written and descriptive. It does deal with some heavy themes so I always suggest reading the TWs first! This thriller/mystery has the right amount of thick plot with a nice little dash of spice. It’s great!
Bryony is an independent, bad biyatch! Will is a bad boy who is part of a vigilante group that sometimes gets him into trouble. I expected the standard enemies-to-lovers situation here but was so happy to find that was not the case. This book is twisted, depraved, and dark. I wasn't sure what to expect as this is the first book I have read by the author. I was pleasantly surprised!
This story is very well-written and descriptive. It does deal with some heavy themes so I always suggest reading the TWs first! This thriller/mystery has the right amount of thick plot with a nice little dash of spice. It’s great!
codalee_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! This book blew my mind. It had suspense, spiceee, and a gut wrenching plot with a little bit of gore. Definitely had some Saw vibes and I was all here for it, especially during spooky season!
I absolutely fell in love with Bryony and Will. The banter between these two was top notch and you could tell the chemistry was off the charts. The push and pull was done so well, and the passion was so hot you could feel it through the words.
“The longer she made me chase her, the more excited I got. I was playing the long game, and it’d become my favourite game to play.”
Also, can we just talk about the scene where Will wore a mask for Bryony?! It was one of the hottest scenes I’ve read recently and definitely gave me some butterflies. Will was seriously so sweet and caring of those he loved. It was amazing to see how supportive he was when it came to Bryony’s decisions and actions. He would do anything for her, and he really proved that in multiple scenes in the book. But out of all the characters, I definitely need more on “The Taskmaster”. I cannot be the only one who is hoping he will get his own book and story!
Nikki did an amazing job with this book. I could not put it down and it had me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to read Tyler’s story… and hopefully one on The Taskmaster. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this ARC!
I absolutely fell in love with Bryony and Will. The banter between these two was top notch and you could tell the chemistry was off the charts. The push and pull was done so well, and the passion was so hot you could feel it through the words.
“The longer she made me chase her, the more excited I got. I was playing the long game, and it’d become my favourite game to play.”
Also, can we just talk about the scene where Will wore a mask for Bryony?! It was one of the hottest scenes I’ve read recently and definitely gave me some butterflies. Will was seriously so sweet and caring of those he loved. It was amazing to see how supportive he was when it came to Bryony’s decisions and actions. He would do anything for her, and he really proved that in multiple scenes in the book. But out of all the characters, I definitely need more on “The Taskmaster”. I cannot be the only one who is hoping he will get his own book and story!
Nikki did an amazing job with this book. I could not put it down and it had me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to read Tyler’s story… and hopefully one on The Taskmaster. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this ARC!