Devious Obsession by S Massery ~ What Laura's Reading

Sara Massery has a new book coming out on March 23 called Devious Obsession! Back in November we met Greyson and Violet in Brutal Obsession, and in that book we were also introduced to Steele. When you think of Steele, you may recall one very memorable scene. If you were rooting for him to get a story, then prepare yourself for Devious Obsession. Also, if you thought Greyson was intense and an anti-hero, he has NOTHING on Steele. Steele takes it up a notch, or 10.

Now again, if you read Brutal Obsession then you know what to expect. For the most part. Devious Obsession is a step, or two, above that. Some of it may make you uncomfortable. Some of it may have you questioning your decisions, and that is 100% okay. I just ask that if you don't like it for the things that occur between Steele and Aspen that you don't yuck on it as others may have no issues with the content. It's all about comfort zones and preferences. Curious as to what the content/trigger warnings are? Sara has them listed at the beginning of the book, but if you take a peek at this graphic, you'll know ahead of time.

Now let's discuss the tropes for Devious Obsession. This is a dark bully romance set in college. It is enemies to lovers, hate to love, forbidden (step-sibling), has a bit of suspense added in, and it's a hockey romance. Steele is very much an anti-hero, and goes to the extremes.

Curious as to what the book is about? Here's the description:

"If you want to stay, you have to play the game…"

Steele O’Brien is everything I hate in hockey players. He’s cocky, brooding, antagonistic.

I played his game, learned his secrets, and got screwed over for it. But I never could’ve imagined I’d meet him again the next day.

The golden boy with hidden demons is my new step-brother. Now, the jerk is sleeping down the hall from me until we go back to college.

And oh, how I loathe the devious thoughts lurking under his smiling façade. It seems that, for him, the game isn’t over.

He says I'm his to play with. His to torment.
And he's determined to not only get under my skin, but carve his name into it.

After reading Steele and Aspen's story, I had to sit and think about the rating. Did I enjoy the story? Yes. Did I like the characters? Yes. Did I like the setting? Yes. Was there anything that I struggled with? Yes there was, and I'll get into that. Did those things affect my enjoyment of the story? No. Did I want this book to end? NO! So what did I rate Devious Obsession?

4.5 Stars

Yes, I gave Devious Obsession 4.5 stars. I did not want to put this book down. I wanted to stay in this world with Steele and Aspen. I wanted to see what was going to happen next, and how it would affect their future together.

Even though I read Brutal Obsession I was not fully prepared for Steele. I wasn't. This man is determined, possessive, over the top, and intense. He isn't playing around with Aspen. He knows what he wants, how he wants it, and what the limits are for both of them. Aspen really is the perfect match for him. From the moment these two met, I knew their relationship would be all-consuming. These two just work together, and it is amazing to witness.

Now here are the things that kept me from giving this book 5 stars:

1. Steele's online activities against Aspen
2. One specific scene that I cannot mention due to spoilers.

The steam in this book...OH MY WORD! Find yourself a safe word, as you might need it. There are so many scenes in this book that would fog up the windows. If you're someone who isn't big on steam in books, then this one is not for you. It isn't vanilla at all. There was at least two scenes that had me outside my comfort zone, but I just reminded myself that this is fiction.

While their relationship was building the suspense storyline was kicking in. That suspense had me questioning EVERYONE. EVERYONE! I seriously have a list written down of who my potentials were.

See ↓↓↓

That's right, even people who I thought would be safe went on my list. There was just too many coincidences. So if I felt they were being shady, they went on my list. I mean honestly there are some names not even listed, but I was keeping an eye on them. "Trust no one" was my motto at this point.

Now about that suspense situation. WOW! Just WOW! Even as I think back on everything that happened, I can't believe it all happened. From how it all started, to the big scene in motion, to the outcome of it, I was just blown away. Honestly that will probably be the major thing I remember from this book. I want to say so much about it, but am limited because I don't want to spoil things. Just hold on to your hats when you get to that point.

Let's talk a bit about the forbidden aspect of this relationship. Yes these two are step-siblings. But they met before all that. They already had an encounter at a party where they got to know certain things about the other. It was where their connection began. Honestly I forgot they were step siblings except for when it was mentioned. In my mind they are two consenting adults who are only connected by the marriage of their parents. Is it something I would do? No, no, absolutely not. But it does happen. So just keep an open mind about this work of fiction.

The last thing I want to touch on with Devious Obsession is Steele's Mom. In my mind I figured one thing had happened to her, so when it was something else I was caught off guard. I did like how that scene played out, and how it was all revealed. It was a nice curveball I wasn't expecting.

S Massery has created these amazing characters, and stories, that I cannot turn away from. I'm hooked. You could even say I have an obsession. I do know that I am excited for the next book. Miles is going to get his story, and I am 99% certain I figured out who his love interest is going to be. It's going to be another wild ride. I feel like Miles isn't going to be as extreme as Steele or Grey. Now watch me be wrong.

Also that mention, toward the end, of a certain character had me screaming! I immediately shouted their name. I wasn't expecting that character to appear, but I loved the tie-in. Any chance that character has to appear, I will be here for it. The only way it could have been better was if other familiar faces were present.

Do you read bully romances? Dark romances? Forbidden? Do you think you'll read Devious Obsession? Let me know! Don't forget this book releases on March 23!

Happy Reading,
Laura