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charlezz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
amberloverful's review against another edition
2.0
- he raped her twice in the last one and once already. It’s not even ambiguous enough that I can maybe let it slide. It’s just rape
- he won’t Save her but he’ll warn her???
- he doesn’t wanna warn her anymore because of what would happen if he got near her again??? DUDE she’s in DANGER
- wow. The dead baby mama isn’t actually dead. Just the pressure we needed
- he’s asking if he hurt her after a blow job she initiated and not the 3x he’s raped her so far???
- he’s garbage
- what… that’s it…???? He never even told her he loved her back????
- he won’t Save her but he’ll warn her???
- he doesn’t wanna warn her anymore because of what would happen if he got near her again??? DUDE she’s in DANGER
- wow. The dead baby mama isn’t actually dead. Just the pressure we needed
- he’s asking if he hurt her after a blow job she initiated and not the 3x he’s raped her so far???
- he’s garbage
- what… that’s it…???? He never even told her he loved her back????
aimeecaitlin's review against another edition
4.0
Im Honestly hooked on this series. And the carry through of character storylines is seamless.
I want more lucas and delilah. Their age gap /grumpy sunshine vibes is everything. I wish it had more of lucas’ past in it but still a good read.
I want more lucas and delilah. Their age gap /grumpy sunshine vibes is everything. I wish it had more of lucas’ past in it but still a good read.
vennerable's review against another edition
2.0
This series was 5 stars and then Delilah came. Most unlikable nonheroine ever
mc_readerobsessed's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to love this more but it was hard. The books prior were so so good! Lucas and Delilah deserve a great story but their trauma and past were demons they struggled to fight. It took a long time for these two to finally get a happy ending. I think if I could have seen their character growth happen sooner then it would have been better for me. It didn’t happen until the last few chapters and by then I was so annoyed with these two doing the same thing over and over again. I wanted to scream at them so many times. The first 30% of the book was so good but then it went down hill for me. At the end, their growth seemed rushed in the few chapters left. It did end on a happy ending which made me give it a 3 star. Honestly I was worried that these two were never going to get it together so the ending was a relief.
I am glad I got a lot of Q and Aspen in this story. I can’t wait to read Ren and Scarlett next.
I am glad I got a lot of Q and Aspen in this story. I can’t wait to read Ren and Scarlett next.
chelsmo93's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
nikita_reads0's review against another edition
5.0
Perfect ending to lucas and delilah story, it was lovely to see them all together at the end. Delilah allows lucas to embrace his dark side, which he clearly needs. They make the perfect couple. I'm looking forward to Ren's story
bookfreak08's review against another edition
5.0
I have read every single book that came out under the Corium University, and Reign of Freedom is the fifth book in the series, and I can honestly say that every story surpasses the previous one with the author duo Hallman and Beck. For god’s sake, how do they come up with such troubled, deeply disturbed, most likely psychotic YET undeniably alluring and mesmerizing men??? I constantly find myself willing to submit to them and unashamedly craving for these guys, namely Quinton and Lucas. The last two books have been about the incredible connection between Lucas and Delilah, and their almost violent but equally mouthwatering intimacy. But it is not all about their physical connection though. They complete and actually heal each other. We witness their self chastising and past traumas whether self inflicted or otherwise. Obviously, their environment is poisonous to say the least, and we uncover more betrayals and secrets to lure us further in the Corium world. This was another 5⭐️ read for me, and I personally can’t wait for the next adventure…
diannet7614's review against another edition
5.0
This book concludes the story of Lucas and Delilah and picks up right where the story left off in Ruins of Temptation. Delilah has found herself in a very dangerous situation which while Lucas very much wants to be the one to ride in and rescue Delilah ultimately it’s up to Delilah to save herself.
For all of the initial set up of Delilah being in such a vulnerable position being at Nathanial Brookshire’s very sick clutches ultimately this story does focus the emotional relationship between Lucas and Delilah. Wow what a ride that was, it’s clear that both are very broken souls drawn to the darkness within each other which can be quite toxic and feeding off that sometimes to the detriment of good sense and good decision making especially in Lucas’ case.
Lucas is so wrapped up in the past and his destructive coping mechanisms, his internal struggles were heartbreaking to read. Though that being said he definitely needed a kick up the arse and a whack to the head to maybe get some sense knocked into him. Though it’s fair to say I did feel for Lucas although he’s a very dangerous man used to looking after himself now he’s got others who rely on him and dare I say it even love him. Lucas has lived a life where he’s wary of love and commitment he had a very traumatic early life and why invest in that if there’s no guarantee of tomorrow. But now there Aspen and Delilah and a whole load of others that actually have meaning for him now. That’s probably more scary than facing all of the dangerous situations he’s been in put together! For a very powerful man with such low self esteem and the demons he has to wrestle with on a daily basis I admired how ultimately by accepting the love and support of his family and not forgetting Dr Lauren that Lucas is able to dig in and move forward and not not let the darkness totally consume him. Even if he gets the fright of his life with a blast from the past when the dead don’t stay dead and dealing with the consequences could have derailed everything that has any meaning for him.
Delilah definitely grew on me, by all around her she was painted as the instigator of death and destruction when really she was just a pawn in some very sick mens games. Kept in poverty and then sold by her father to a very depraved man it’s only natural that she would latch onto Nash the only one to show her even an ounce of ‘love’. Everyone who was supposed to protect her let Delilah down even her ‘Aunt’. But Delilah definitely stood up for not only herself but Lucas as well. She knows their relationship is all kinds of wrong at times but relationships are messy and she absolutely will not give up without a fight. I love that despite what she’s been through that she actually still cares and absolutely fights for what she believes in even if that does put her at odds with some very dangerous people and places herself in very precarious situations. It’s clear that a lot of people are extremely unhappy that Delilah and Lucas are together. It would make life so much easier for everyone if this wasn’t the case but this has been one hard fought relationship that neither is willing to give up on.
This was one fast paced and engrossing story, more relationship focused but with action as well. The character development was great even the secondary characters with such a depth to the story that you get lost in the twists and turns. The story is quite dark at times but I don’t think this is gratuitous rather it enhances the storytelling as it fits with what the characters are going through.
Mmmm that twist at the end no nope no I just did not see that coming and I don’t want see that as a betrayal but…..Ren’s story cannot come soon enough.
I know it’s time to say goodbye to Corium University but please can we see some stories of the other characters sometime soon! I’d highly recommend this book, I loved every minute of it.
I received a free copy of this book via Bleeding Heart Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
For all of the initial set up of Delilah being in such a vulnerable position being at Nathanial Brookshire’s very sick clutches ultimately this story does focus the emotional relationship between Lucas and Delilah. Wow what a ride that was, it’s clear that both are very broken souls drawn to the darkness within each other which can be quite toxic and feeding off that sometimes to the detriment of good sense and good decision making especially in Lucas’ case.
Lucas is so wrapped up in the past and his destructive coping mechanisms, his internal struggles were heartbreaking to read. Though that being said he definitely needed a kick up the arse and a whack to the head to maybe get some sense knocked into him. Though it’s fair to say I did feel for Lucas although he’s a very dangerous man used to looking after himself now he’s got others who rely on him and dare I say it even love him. Lucas has lived a life where he’s wary of love and commitment he had a very traumatic early life and why invest in that if there’s no guarantee of tomorrow. But now there Aspen and Delilah and a whole load of others that actually have meaning for him now. That’s probably more scary than facing all of the dangerous situations he’s been in put together! For a very powerful man with such low self esteem and the demons he has to wrestle with on a daily basis I admired how ultimately by accepting the love and support of his family and not forgetting Dr Lauren that Lucas is able to dig in and move forward and not not let the darkness totally consume him. Even if he gets the fright of his life with a blast from the past when the dead don’t stay dead and dealing with the consequences could have derailed everything that has any meaning for him.
Delilah definitely grew on me, by all around her she was painted as the instigator of death and destruction when really she was just a pawn in some very sick mens games. Kept in poverty and then sold by her father to a very depraved man it’s only natural that she would latch onto Nash the only one to show her even an ounce of ‘love’. Everyone who was supposed to protect her let Delilah down even her ‘Aunt’. But Delilah definitely stood up for not only herself but Lucas as well. She knows their relationship is all kinds of wrong at times but relationships are messy and she absolutely will not give up without a fight. I love that despite what she’s been through that she actually still cares and absolutely fights for what she believes in even if that does put her at odds with some very dangerous people and places herself in very precarious situations. It’s clear that a lot of people are extremely unhappy that Delilah and Lucas are together. It would make life so much easier for everyone if this wasn’t the case but this has been one hard fought relationship that neither is willing to give up on.
This was one fast paced and engrossing story, more relationship focused but with action as well. The character development was great even the secondary characters with such a depth to the story that you get lost in the twists and turns. The story is quite dark at times but I don’t think this is gratuitous rather it enhances the storytelling as it fits with what the characters are going through.
Mmmm that twist at the end no nope no I just did not see that coming and I don’t want see that as a betrayal but…..Ren’s story cannot come soon enough.
I know it’s time to say goodbye to Corium University but please can we see some stories of the other characters sometime soon! I’d highly recommend this book, I loved every minute of it.
I received a free copy of this book via Bleeding Heart Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.