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A review by koistyfishy
Wayward Souls by H.C. Riley
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
4.5 Gushing Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
So Wayward Souls is proof that Fractured Parts being so good wasn't a fluke... because in my opinion this one is EVEN BETTER and I loved it way more than Fractured Parts...and I LOVE FRACTURED PARTS.
Note: This serves as the second instalment in the Havok Hills series. While one could potentially read it as a standalone, I highly recommend delving into Fractured Parts first. It lays a solid foundation, offering a glimpse into the backstory and history of the main characters in Wayward Souls.
The story unfolds through a dual POV, centred on Spencer (Aria) and Travis. It explores their second chance at love, utilizing dual timelines with flashbacks and dual parts to reveal their childhood romance and the subsequent separation dictated by uncontrollable circumstances.
Spencer was the adorable best friend in Fractured Parts with a dark secret and I loved her in book 1 but now I flipping adore her. She has gone through some seriously dark, twisted and vile shit in her life and is constantly trying to run away from those demons. She felt abandoned by Travis not knowing his reasons for leaving her alone. Her story was difficult to read and seriously emotionally challenging that all I wanted to do was climb into the book, hug her and be there for her as she had no one in her life to protect her from real-life demons who used and abused her in the most sickeningly way imaginable. The fact that she was still able to smile was endearing to how strong of a character she was.
Travis was a badass - through and through but ultimately with Spencer a literal lap dog that would do anything and everything for her. He was obsessive about her and has spent years trying to find her, and now that he has he will not let anything happen to keep them apart. The only difference is, that now he is powerful enough to hurt anyone who tries to hurt her. He is ruthless and frankly terrifying if you are on his bad side, especially given how skilled he is with a knife...
While the story contains elements of 'cheating,' it's justified given the despicable nature of her gaslighting, abusive, piece-of-shit fiancé. He does not deserve her and I completely condone that she does not stay faithful to that asshole.
A lot goes down in this book and I loved the pace in which the puzzle unfirled. I was speculating aspects of what had caused Spencer to run from her life from the very start and the unpredictable twists and turns kept me engaged and on my toes!
The scenes between Travis and Spencer are charged with excitement and brilliance, underscoring their explosive connection and I just love the two of them together (even if some of it is on the lines of "No-No-Yes-Yes" - if you get my meaning) and that they managed to find each other again!
Overall this is a brilliant dark, twisted second-chance romance that I urge you to read the trigger warnings of before you pick this up, as there are some difficult-to-read situations. This whole book is just an excellent testament to how fantastic the writing is by H.C. Riley as she excels in creating complex characters who resonate deeply, handling their experiences and trauma with beautiful finesse.
Quite frankly if you LOVE Dark Romances and haven't picked up this series you are missing out on something fantastic! I am salivating for the next books in the series and I neeeeeeeeeeeeeed to see those two boys Blaise and Arsenal on their knees don't get me started on the GUSHING I have for Riot, Zeke and Cole (hehe)...
Trope Summary:
▶ Dual POV
▶ Dual Timeline
▶ Lack of Consent but not really CNC as they both do in fact CONSENT
▶ Mafia Vibes (Organised Crime)
▶ Touch her you die
▶ Trauma Bonding
▶ Second Chance Romance
So many thanks to H.C. Riley for the gifted ARC!
All thoughts and feelings in this review are my own
Spicy Level 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
So Wayward Souls is proof that Fractured Parts being so good wasn't a fluke... because in my opinion this one is EVEN BETTER and I loved it way more than Fractured Parts...and I LOVE FRACTURED PARTS.
Note: This serves as the second instalment in the Havok Hills series. While one could potentially read it as a standalone, I highly recommend delving into Fractured Parts first. It lays a solid foundation, offering a glimpse into the backstory and history of the main characters in Wayward Souls.
The story unfolds through a dual POV, centred on Spencer (Aria) and Travis. It explores their second chance at love, utilizing dual timelines with flashbacks and dual parts to reveal their childhood romance and the subsequent separation dictated by uncontrollable circumstances.
Spencer was the adorable best friend in Fractured Parts with a dark secret and I loved her in book 1 but now I flipping adore her. She has gone through some seriously dark, twisted and vile shit in her life and is constantly trying to run away from those demons. She felt abandoned by Travis not knowing his reasons for leaving her alone. Her story was difficult to read and seriously emotionally challenging that all I wanted to do was climb into the book, hug her and be there for her as she had no one in her life to protect her from real-life demons who used and abused her in the most sickeningly way imaginable. The fact that she was still able to smile was endearing to how strong of a character she was.
Travis was a badass - through and through but ultimately with Spencer a literal lap dog that would do anything and everything for her. He was obsessive about her and has spent years trying to find her, and now that he has he will not let anything happen to keep them apart. The only difference is, that now he is powerful enough to hurt anyone who tries to hurt her. He is ruthless and frankly terrifying if you are on his bad side, especially given how skilled he is with a knife...
While the story contains elements of 'cheating,' it's justified given the despicable nature of her gaslighting, abusive, piece-of-shit fiancé. He does not deserve her and I completely condone that she does not stay faithful to that asshole.
A lot goes down in this book and I loved the pace in which the puzzle unfirled. I was speculating aspects of what had caused Spencer to run from her life from the very start and the unpredictable twists and turns kept me engaged and on my toes!
The scenes between Travis and Spencer are charged with excitement and brilliance, underscoring their explosive connection and I just love the two of them together (even if some of it is on the lines of "No-No-Yes-Yes" - if you get my meaning) and that they managed to find each other again!
Overall this is a brilliant dark, twisted second-chance romance that I urge you to read the trigger warnings of before you pick this up, as there are some difficult-to-read situations. This whole book is just an excellent testament to how fantastic the writing is by H.C. Riley as she excels in creating complex characters who resonate deeply, handling their experiences and trauma with beautiful finesse.
Quite frankly if you LOVE Dark Romances and haven't picked up this series you are missing out on something fantastic! I am salivating for the next books in the series and I neeeeeeeeeeeeeed to see those two boys Blaise and Arsenal on their knees don't get me started on the GUSHING I have for Riot, Zeke and Cole (hehe)...
Trope Summary:
▶ Dual POV
▶ Dual Timeline
▶ Lack of Consent but not really CNC as they both do in fact CONSENT
▶ Mafia Vibes (Organised Crime)
▶ Touch her you die
▶ Trauma Bonding
▶ Second Chance Romance
So many thanks to H.C. Riley for the gifted ARC!
All thoughts and feelings in this review are my own
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent