Devious Obsession by S Massery

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

Thank you Sara Massery, and Grey's Promo, for providing me with an advanced copy of Devious Obsession.

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The Ravenhood Series by Kate Stewart {a review}

If you're part of the romance reading community, chances are you've heard about The Ravenhood series by Kate Stewart. It has been receiving a lot of hype, and people are gushing about it. I've put it off for a while now. This series keeps coming up in discussions on Facebook, and I see videos about it on TikTok and YouTube. Clearly I cannot avoid talk about The Ravenhood. So I've decided it is time to pick up the series. Now to determine if I have a similar reaction to those who have read it.

Here's the thing, I can't recap this book. The Ravenhood trilogy is one that you need to go in without knowing anything.

What I can say is that as Flock opens, we have Cecelia telling us she is returning to Triple Falls. Then after the prologue, we go back to when she was 19, and Cecelia had just moved to Triple Falls to live with her father. They have an agreement where she needs to work for the company for a year before she'll get her trust fund. It is at the company where she meets Sean. From that point on, everything changes. Some for the better, some not so much. One thing I want to say is that Flock is all about setting the stage. It is giving us some information, but definitely not all of it. If anything you'll leave Flock with more questions than answers. And that curiosity will lead you to immediately picking up Exodus.

Flock by Kate Stewart
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

This book had a lot of hype, and that’s the reason I chose to read it. I don’t think it lived up to that hype though. At least not for me.

Now that I’ve finished reading Flock, I don’t know what to think. The story was decent. Albeit a bit confusing at times. I’ll admit that I am curious about what is going to happen next, and for that reason I will read Exodus.

View all my reviews

Exodus is going to rip your heart out. We start this book still in the past, witnessing everything that is going on. Half way through, we jump to modern day, and that friends is when things start to make a bit more sense. You'll start to understand, and if you're anything like me, you'll be drawn in. Before you know it the book will be over. Your heart will be in shreds, and you'll jump into The Finish Line.

Exodus by Kate Stewart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

Exodus was far superior to Flock.

There, I said it.

This book grabbed a hold of me and would not let go. I fully believe that it is this book that gives the series so much hype. It has the action, it has the suspense, it has the drama. It has you questioning the relationship between Cecelia and the person she loves.

Loved this book, and am curious about The Finish Line.

View all my reviews

The Finish Line is where healing takes place. The storyline alternates between current day, and the past. It gives us insight into how all of this has lead up to today, and how the organization was formed. It is in The Finish Line that we also see Cecelia stand her ground, and really push back. And ultimately, we wind up at the finish line. 

The Finish Line by Kate Stewart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These two have been through so much over the years. Then with everything that happened in this book? Dang. The hits just keep coming.

I really enjoyed how Cecelia managed to do what she did. I liked how confident she was, and how she put past issues behind her to reach out to those necessary.

Over all I enjoyed the trilogy.

View all my reviews

Now I'll be honest, while Flock was good, it wasn't my favorite. It is heavy on setting the stage, and putting these questions into your head. You're reading what is happening, and can be a bit confusing at times. Because of all the stage setting, it felt a bit slow to me. Ultimately I have it 3.5 stars. Exodus though, oh that book! I gave it 4.5 stars. The Finish Line was originally meant to be a novella, but the characters spoke, and suddenly it was a full length novel. I really enjoyed how this one played out. My rating for The Finish Line was 4 stars.

So did it live up to the hype? Kind of. It was a fabulous story that is for certain. The steamy moments were just that, steamy. Was it the best trilogy I ever read? No. No it was not. Yet I'm glad I read it.

If you're looking for a dark contemporary series to get invested in, then pick up The Ravenhood. One thing I do want to say is to check for trigger/content warnings if certain subjects are difficult for you to read about.

I know I was vague about things, but just trust me when I say it was necessary. The HEA does come, it just takes time. Speaking of time, this series is an investment. By no means is it a quick read. The books are long, they are intense, they will hit you in the emotions. You'll feel the passion, the hurt, the anger, the frustration, the heartache, the healing, the relief, etc.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts about the series. 
Laura

Can you keep a secret?

⁣

I grew up sick.⁣

⁣

Let me clarify.⁣

⁣

I grew up believing that real love stories include a martyr or demand great sacrifice to be worthy.⁣

⁣

Because of that, I believed it, because I made myself believe it, and I bred the most masochistic of romantic hearts, which resulted in my illness.⁣

⁣

When I lived this story, my own twisted fairy tale, it was unbeknownst to me at the time because I was young and naïve. I gave into temptation and fed the beating beast, which grew thirstier with every slash, every strike, every blow.⁣

⁣

Triple Falls wasn’t at all what it seemed, nor were the men that swept me under their wing. But in order to keep them, I had to be in on their secrets.⁣

⁣

Secrets that cost us everything to keep.⁣

⁣

That’s the novelty of fiction versus reality. You can’t re-live your own love story, because by the time you’ve realized you’re living it, it’s over. At least that was the case for me and the men I trusted my foolish heart to.⁣

⁣

Looking back, I’m convinced I willed my story into existence due to my illness.⁣

⁣

And all were punished.

Can you live a lie?

It’s a ghost town, this place that haunts me, the one that made me.

It’s clear to me that I’ll never outgrow Triple Falls or outlive the time I spent here.

I can still feel them all, my boys of summer.

Even when I’d sensed the danger, I gave in.

I didn’t heed a single warning. I let my sickness, my love, both rule and ruin me. I played my part, eyes wide open, tempting fate until it delivered.

There was never going to be an escape.

All of us are to blame for what happened. All of us serving our own sentences. We were careless and reckless, thinking our youth made us indestructible, exempt from our sins, and it cost us all.

I’m done pretending I didn’t leave the largest part of me between these hills and valleys, between the sea of trees that hold my secrets.

It’s the reason I’m back. To make peace with my fate.

And if I can’t grieve enough to cure myself in my time here, I’ll remain sick. That will be my curse.

But it’s time to confess, to myself more so than any other, that I’d hindered my chances because of the way I was built, and because of the men who built me.

At this point, I just want to make peace with who I am, no matter what ending I get.

Because I can no longer live a lie.

Secrets and Lies...

I’ve lived the entirety of my life wrapped up in subterfuge for one purpose—revenge.

Through the years, I lived more as an enigma than a man.

For so long, I denied I had a beating heart of my own.

Until her. Until she unearthed the starving vessel inside, forced me to acknowledge it, forced me to understand that I’m capable of bleeding the same as any other.

For that, we paid. We're still paying.

Yet, she demands it still, the useless heart of the ruthless thief and shameless villain she fell for. My fear is, I’m no longer that man.

With the lies I’ve told, the life I’ve led, my mistakes are beginning to catch up with me, day by day, one by one.

This is my last chance, and I have no intention of losing her again, but as the deception of my past starts to unravel and close in, shedding my humanity may be the only thing that can save us both.

Maybe it’s already too late.

Smoke {a review}

Smoke is the fourth book in the Virtues and Lies series by Alexandra Silva. It is also the first part of Freddie and Georgina's story. You'll have to stay tuned for Flame which is the conclusion of their story, and it releases later this month.

From the few, spoiler free, comments that I've read on Goodreads, it does sound like you should read Virtue and Lies IN ORDER. However, I didn't do that. I KNOW, I KNOW! I'm jumping into the series by reading Smoke first, but I am going to go back and read from the beginning.  I am.  I just promised to have this review out by today, and my schedule didn't allow me to read the first three books prior. So don't do what I did. I don't know if I will write individual reviews for Burn, Scorch, and Blaze here on my blog, or if they will just be on Goodreads. But I should have that figured out soon.

Let me just say, this is a DARK romance with mafia vibes. But it isn't a mafia romance book. Does that make sense?

ANYWAYS...In this book we have Freddie who has been searching high and low for Lucy. While he never specifically says it, she is the woman he loves, and he feels guilty that she is missing. Had he just been on time, maybe she wouldn't have been taken. Fast forward 8 years. Freddie is in a relationship with Georgina. She loves him, but he will never say it back. That's beside the point. One day, out of the blue, Lucy shows up at Freddie's house. She is looking rough, and he takes her to the hospital. Now it's time to try and get some answers as to where she's been, and who took her. Lucy is being tight lipped about it all. Then there is Georgina, the extremely talented ballerina who is hopelessly in love with Freddie. Georgina is also accustomed the world that Freddie is a part of. So she doesn't question things. When a bouquet of flowers is delivered to Georgina, Freddie and company go on high alert. This bouquet has a specific meaning, and someone is coming for her.

As I said above, I stepped into the series not having read the previous three. Honestly I think that's why I struggled a bit while reading. I didn't have the full picture. I didn't know the background of the characters or the group they are up against. So that definitely did not play into my favor. I also think I struggled because I just wasn't in the mood for a dark romance. Yet I did not let those things sway my rating. I still feel that Smoke deserves 4 stars. Now that rating may change once I go back and read Burn, Scorch, and Blaze. Time will tell.

As I read Smoke, my curiosity was definitely piqued. The fact that there is this element of mystery (where was Lucy, who is coming after Georgina) definitely had me wanting to read more. I'm also really curious about the relationship between Freddie and Georgina. Then the fact that the book ends in a cliffhanger? Well geez Louise, just hook me in why don't ya. I need to know what happens next! Thankfully Flame is coming in a couple weeks so I can find out. I'm seriously hoping that Georgina and Freddie get their HEA. Also, what is going to happen with Lucy? Will the villain be defeated or will they escape? I NEED TO KNOW! 

It is my goal to have Burn, Scorch, and Blaze read before Flame comes out. Wish me luck on that. I am hoping there might be a little leeway in my schedule to allow three additional books to be read.

If dark British romances are your thing, then definitely go check out the Virtues and Lies series by Alexandra Silva. Just be sure to start from the beginning. You know, that thing I didn't do. 

Thank you for reading my thoughts,

Laura