The author includes a blunt content warning at the beginning of this book and also in the blurb and it was appreciated because it told me what I was in for and I was ready!

“This book is for mature audiences 18 +

Triggers: noncon, dubcon, menage, group s*x, abuse, cheating 

Themes: enemies to lovers, dark romance, step-brother, second chance, secret society”

Don’t take that stuff lightly. It’s all in there and some of it is - whew, some of it is quite A LOT to take.

I don’t have to love or even like my characters to enjoy a book if the writing engages me. With that said, I didn’t love or like these two main characters but I could not put the thing down. They’re quite despicable much of the time and that includes both of them! This is more of a hate f*ck sort of book and sometimes that’s kind of what I want to read - as long as I know that’s what I’m getting and I did. Eventually the hate eases a bit and there is some tenderness and reluctant and unavoidable “feelings” but there’s an underlying feeling of self-hatred and self-destruction running throughout most of the story.

The story begins when the two main characters are young adults still living in the same home for a holiday (the summer? I can’t remember now because, ugh, my brain) but anyhow who cares because, yep, they’re step-siblings. Flynn spent a large part of his childhood with his drug addicted mom and he came to great harm because of it and he is filled with “darkness” and “dark urges” and is incredibly damaged. He’s also a high ranking member (the highest? I’m unsure here, shit brain, sorry) of a secret society that has sex orgies but also tries to take down monstrous people by getting dirt on them and their scummy activities and strong arming them in whatever way necessary. Isabella is his innocent step-sister who hates him for breathing and also for constantly causing her embarrassment and frustration. They both treat each other very badly but they’re tied to each other and also, well, very turned on by each other after a game of truth or dare and a forbidden kiss .

The book alternates between Flynn and Isabella’s POV so you get a good dose of both of their pissed off POV’s. There’s a lot of anger in this book and so much hurt. Prepare yourself because I do not exaggerate!

As I said, I had a hard time putting this one down. I was in the mood for a dark story with difficult characters and this one came through for me. Is it perfect? No, it’s not. I’m still not sure how I feel about the ten year jump or the secret society murdery/gangster style stuff especially in the earlier sections but only because it wasn’t as fleshed out as I wish it had been and I had SO many questions (because I’m nosy) but I *think* this story is book one of an ongoing series so I’ll read the next few and see what’s what.  I also thought Flynn’s backstory was absolutely horrifying and I wish it had been revealed sooner because it would’ve made listening to him continually mention his “darkness” a bit easier to understand. I definitely DO NOT recommend it for everyone or for anyone looking for a romance because this isn’t one but I do recommend it for anyone in the mood for a very dark erotic novel because the sexual tension in this one was off the charts. 

The more I “review” the more I dislike numeric ratings but I’m giving this a high three bumped because it captured me and that’s why I read but please heed the warnings before jumping in!