Nyla K

This is the first book i have read by this author and I am now obsessed, planning on going back to enjoy more. This story is dark, twisted, insanely mind blowing. It’s retelling of a Grime Brother’s story that I have not read so it was interesting as well as surprising and I also plan to go find it. I don’t want to give too much away because this is a journey that needs to be explored by each reader so that they twists surprise you as much as they did me. It does have some serious triggers but if you love a good dark suspenseful romance that makes you hold your breathe throughout waiting for the next surprise then definitely pick this one up.… (mehr)

In Alabaster Penitentiary Correctional Officer John Chavelle runs everything under the thumb of the Warden. Velle pretty much controls everything and everyone, what he says goes, end of story, but when things go wrong, he is the one to answer for it. In the first book, Velle wasn’t a character that I thought I would enjoy or even come to like, but the more we get to know him and see the inside of him the more I loved him. Joy is Velle’s secondhand, she is a fierce kick @$$ woman, and his ex. They ended things because it was better to keep things casual in a place like this and it became more of a convenience for them to keep hooking up because of years of trust. Rook joins the officers and starts to work in this hell, from his first day on the attraction between him and Velle is hot and intense. When they let their guard down things become so much more and they realize these feelings between them are more than lust, but not something that can go beyond. While chaos ensues around them and secrets are still in place, Velle becomes more possessive over his Rook, yet at the same time keeping him at arm’s length. For the majority of the book, I felt that Joy was the friend in the background, the one for a shoulder to cry on, and the moments they share are very hot, but it always seemed platonic or just for fun. I loved Joy and thought she was an amazing character, but it wasn’t until later in the book that she finally came into this throuple full force, and it was a tad off putting. Don’t misunderstand I liked her a lot, but most of this book was building up this intensity and chemistry between the guys, then around 60% it was like she goes from casual voyeur that likes to give out directions to fully infatuated and committed. It made me question if and how she loved them or if she was intruding on them to be included. I just didn’t feel the connection 100% like I did between Velle and Rook. The guys when talking about each other in their heads their words were almost poetic, beautiful, falling in love, then when referencing Joy, it was always like she’s my best friend, fun, caring, etc. not emotionally involved. Overall, I loved this book, loved the characters, and the chaos, but I just think maybe Joy should have had her own story because the intimacy between the guys was more real and their connection felt stronger than anything they had with her. The mysteries are still racking up while others are solved, but there are so many different twists and turns it keeps things extremely interesting. I can’t wait for more steam and dark twists.… (mehr)

Entering this book, I knew things would be overall intense and twisted, but what surprised me was all the different emotions I went through while reading. Emotions like nail biting suspense, steamy moments, heart pounding intensity, and so much more. This book isn’t for the faint of heart, yet as someone who has read quite a few dark reads, this isn’t as dark as I’ve consumed. Remember when entering a dark world heed those trigger warnings, they are there for a reason and if it’s not your cup of tea then bypass, but you’ll be missing out on a roller-coaster ride that is epic. This book follows Dash, who is a thief, after a job goes wrong, he is sent to Alabaster Pen. This is an off-grid prison that follows its own rules with very little to no chances of escape. The guards are at times worse than the inmates, they follow their own rules, and can make anyone’s survival here miserable. Dash’s story is full of twists, surprises, and so much more. He of course has his own issues, but to survive he will have to try to keep his head down which isn’t easy in this place. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop because I was so wrapped up in it waiting for something to jump out and grab me on second, to holding my breath the next, and my heart broke a few times because Dash’s struggles were so real. I really enjoyed this story and will dive right into the next, just remember when entering Alabaster Pen. leave your morals at the door, follow the journey, and always expect the unexpected.… (mehr)