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Hollow Boys #2
The Truths We Burn
Beneath the deepest parts of Ponderosa Springs lied secrets that we never meant to be uncovered.
Blood has soaked the hands of those we trusted most. Decrepit intentions finally come to light.
And now truths are ready to be incinerated in the open for everyone to witness.
I was ready to watch this town that made me the villain, Rot in front of my eyes, but it seems ghosts don’t stay buried here either.
Everyone’s favorite sweetheart has returned to Hollow Heights dragging nothing but unanswered questions and grim memories behind her.
A distraction I can’t afford with the police sniffing around.
A mistake that torched my last piece of humanity.
The dirty little secret that has returned searching for closure surrounding her sister’s mysterious death.
But I know the innocent, lost girl is an act. Underneath it’s just another part of her show.
They all are eating from the palm of her hand, puppets on her string.
But not me.
I see her for what she truly is, I always have.
A fake. A manipulator. A liar.
I won’t let her ruin all we have worked for. I refuse to let her derail our plan of vengeance.
I’ve played your game once before, Sage, now it’s time to play mine.
And you’re not making it out without getting burned.
Blood has soaked the hands of those we trusted most. Decrepit intentions finally come to light.
And now truths are ready to be incinerated in the open for everyone to witness.
I was ready to watch this town that made me the villain, Rot in front of my eyes, but it seems ghosts don’t stay buried here either.
Everyone’s favorite sweetheart has returned to Hollow Heights dragging nothing but unanswered questions and grim memories behind her.
A distraction I can’t afford with the police sniffing around.
A mistake that torched my last piece of humanity.
The dirty little secret that has returned searching for closure surrounding her sister’s mysterious death.
But I know the innocent, lost girl is an act. Underneath it’s just another part of her show.
They all are eating from the palm of her hand, puppets on her string.
But not me.
I see her for what she truly is, I always have.
A fake. A manipulator. A liar.
I won’t let her ruin all we have worked for. I refuse to let her derail our plan of vengeance.
I’ve played your game once before, Sage, now it’s time to play mine.
And you’re not making it out without getting burned.
473 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 16, 2022
About the author
Monty Jay
18 books2,551 followersMonty Jay is a dark romance author with titles published in multiple countries. Their books are for hopeless romantics with wicked hearts looking for their next morally grey hero. They call the Appalachian mountains home, along with their two furry friends, Poe and Maeve. When they aren’t writing you can find them reading anything Stephen King, in a tattoo chair or binging a new true crime documentary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,653 reviews
September 26, 2024
even if you threw a monkey with rabies at me, it still wouldn’t stop me from getting to Rook Van Doren😁
3.5 ⭐️
3.5 ⭐️
November 24, 2024
5 stars
I totally underestimated Rook and Sage, and this book completely shattered my heart! The emotional depth, the intense angst, and the pain it depicted were absolutely phenomenal. I might just cry my heart out – I devoured this book 🥺💓
I just realized, they're kinda giving WillEmory vibes but I haven't read their book! (First michaelRika, then WillEmory and obv the third's gonna give DAMON).
I didn't expect to fall in love with Sage so deeply! Her backstory was utterly heartbreaking, and the hardships she endured were beyond terrible. While I liked Rook, Sage has an absolute hold on my heart – she's a queen! 💓
The enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-AND-AGAIN-lovers in this book was so goddamn good! The amount of pain Rook went through when Sage broke his heart, and how they both remained in pain for a year without forgetting about each other. also THE MATCHING SOULMATE SCARS 😭
╰┈➤ Sage Donahue & Rook Van Doren:
Sage — she's the twin sister of Rosemary Donahue (who was killed in the events in Book 1) and made an appearance at the end of Book 1 after being released from a mental facility!
I LOVE HER SO MUCH! 🥺 She was so broken and alone and always hid behind masks! She hurt people through her words when she was hurt as long as she kept up her pretense! She's a Queen B and Cheerleader, and damn, she was actually full of power! I seriously thought all of this would fall flat, but SHE DIDN'T DISAPPOINT.
Rook — ughhh, his character was so good! Instead of all those goofy vibes I got from in book 1, there were real emotions and nothing funny about the situations he went through! The way he let anyone hurt him as long as he feels pain to atone for his sins (which he blames himself for, that aren't even his fault).
The way he pined for Sage and was so completely obsessed with her, and even though she crushed him badly and his trust, he was still torn between believing her because he just couldn't resist her. 😭
He was obsessed with fire and is seriously AN ARSONIST! He burned each and everything, including but not limited to THE LEFT SIDE OF SAGE'S SHITTY EX-FIANCE! (update: I'm dying because Rook's daughter is gonna fall in love with shitty fiancée's son 😭)
❝I shove the left side of his face straight onto my exhaust, plastering him to the side of steaming hot metal. My body buzzes with pleasure when I feel him try to pull away and hear him start to yell in despair.❞
╰┈➤ RATINGS:
The Lies We Steal - 3 stars
The Truths We Burn – 5 stars
The Blood We Crave pt 1 - 4 stars
The Blood We Crave pt 2 - 3.75 stars
The Oath We Give - 3 stars
❝You never truly realize how much you care about a person until they’re gone.❞
I totally underestimated Rook and Sage, and this book completely shattered my heart! The emotional depth, the intense angst, and the pain it depicted were absolutely phenomenal. I might just cry my heart out – I devoured this book 🥺💓
I just realized, they're kinda giving WillEmory vibes but I haven't read their book! (First michaelRika, then WillEmory and obv the third's gonna give DAMON).
❝Show me all your truths, Rook. And I’ll show you mine❞
I didn't expect to fall in love with Sage so deeply! Her backstory was utterly heartbreaking, and the hardships she endured were beyond terrible. While I liked Rook, Sage has an absolute hold on my heart – she's a queen! 💓
❝She’s a liar. A manipulative bitch. A traitor. The enemy.❞
The enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-AND-AGAIN-lovers in this book was so goddamn good! The amount of pain Rook went through when Sage broke his heart, and how they both remained in pain for a year without forgetting about each other. also THE MATCHING SOULMATE SCARS 😭
╰┈➤ Sage Donahue & Rook Van Doren:
❝I’d been here for eight months. Two hundred and forty-three days. Thirty-four weeks.❞
Sage — she's the twin sister of Rosemary Donahue (who was killed in the events in Book 1) and made an appearance at the end of Book 1 after being released from a mental facility!
❝I’d never been able to keep anything I cared about. I just want this one godforsaken thing.❞
I LOVE HER SO MUCH! 🥺 She was so broken and alone and always hid behind masks! She hurt people through her words when she was hurt as long as she kept up her pretense! She's a Queen B and Cheerleader, and damn, she was actually full of power! I seriously thought all of this would fall flat, but SHE DIDN'T DISAPPOINT.
❝I really love pain.❞
Rook — ughhh, his character was so good! Instead of all those goofy vibes I got from in book 1, there were real emotions and nothing funny about the situations he went through! The way he let anyone hurt him as long as he feels pain to atone for his sins (which he blames himself for, that aren't even his fault).
❝You’ve always had me, Rook. Always.❞
The way he pined for Sage and was so completely obsessed with her, and even though she crushed him badly and his trust, he was still torn between believing her because he just couldn't resist her. 😭
❝My pyromania is the drug and the cure.❞
He was obsessed with fire and is seriously AN ARSONIST! He burned each and everything, including but not limited to THE LEFT SIDE OF SAGE'S SHITTY EX-FIANCE! (update: I'm dying because Rook's daughter is gonna fall in love with shitty fiancée's son 😭)
❝I shove the left side of his face straight onto my exhaust, plastering him to the side of steaming hot metal. My body buzzes with pleasure when I feel him try to pull away and hear him start to yell in despair.❞
╰┈➤ RATINGS:
The Lies We Steal - 3 stars
The Truths We Burn – 5 stars
The Blood We Crave pt 1 - 4 stars
The Blood We Crave pt 2 - 3.75 stars
The Oath We Give - 3 stars
December 8, 2024
these boys speak like founding fathers.
May 30, 2024
ೃ⁀➷ 3.5 stars *ੈ✩‧₊˚
-
Alexa play until I bleed out by The Weeknd
-
This was sm better than the first for sure.
Rook my baby he’s so precious and deserves the world 😩 the way he felt too much and didn’t know how to handle any of it made me wanna cry for him sb
I liked sage the moment we saw her in the last book (even if it was for like point two seconds) and i was right to bc she was the heart of this book. What she went thru had me shaking w unshed tears omfds 😭❤️🩹
Silas was such a wild card in here wtf I wasn’t expecting to love him this much but I do and i cannot get over hm he loves Rosie it’s so heartbreaking 😭😭😭😭😭
The first part has me in a chokehold I loveeeed it, there was all the angst and tension with the soft tender moments but we got to the middle of the book and lost that which kinda ruined the momentum of their story (yes ik that was the whole point but it doesn’t mean I have to like it ugh)
And then there were all those analogies that were handed out like sweets (more like forcefully shoved into ur face) every other line. It was too much. I couldn’t escape or ignore it so it had me skimming full chapters. I understand why the author included them and the significance of them, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not my preferred writing style and kept taking me out of the story.
Also there were some vvv questionable moments in this book where I was like why is this actually happening lmao (the branding kink Iykyk)
Nevertheless, im willing to push thru for Silas and I’m def excited for thatcherlyra shjdhfjd that last chapter was so juicy 👹👹
𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲:
This is the second time I wrote this review bc gr decided to shut down halfway thru my first one 😭🔫
𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀: 🎧
Jennifer’s body - Chris grey, plvtinum, Dutch Melrose
Feel something - Chris brown
Ride - Chris grey
-
Alexa play until I bleed out by The Weeknd
-
This was sm better than the first for sure.
Rook my baby he’s so precious and deserves the world 😩 the way he felt too much and didn’t know how to handle any of it made me wanna cry for him sb
I liked sage the moment we saw her in the last book (even if it was for like point two seconds) and i was right to bc she was the heart of this book. What she went thru had me shaking w unshed tears omfds 😭❤️🩹
Silas was such a wild card in here wtf I wasn’t expecting to love him this much but I do and i cannot get over hm he loves Rosie it’s so heartbreaking 😭😭😭😭😭
The first part has me in a chokehold I loveeeed it, there was all the angst and tension with the soft tender moments but we got to the middle of the book and lost that which kinda ruined the momentum of their story (yes ik that was the whole point but it doesn’t mean I have to like it ugh)
And then there were all those analogies that were handed out like sweets (more like forcefully shoved into ur face) every other line. It was too much. I couldn’t escape or ignore it so it had me skimming full chapters. I understand why the author included them and the significance of them, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not my preferred writing style and kept taking me out of the story.
Also there were some vvv questionable moments in this book where I was like why is this actually happening lmao (the branding kink Iykyk)
Nevertheless, im willing to push thru for Silas and I’m def excited for thatcherlyra shjdhfjd that last chapter was so juicy 👹👹
𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲:
This is the second time I wrote this review bc gr decided to shut down halfway thru my first one 😭🔫
𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀: 🎧
Jennifer’s body - Chris grey, plvtinum, Dutch Melrose
Feel something - Chris brown
Ride - Chris grey
October 30, 2024
i would let rook van doren call me his whore (im kidding) (no im not)
October 19, 2024
4.5 stars
I loved it! This was the book I was probably the least excited for, I always tend to get attracted to and excited for the psychotic character’s book more, however this ended up being my favorite! The enemies-to lovers-to enemies-to lovers again plot line was so good! I mean it was so freakin frustrating and they made me wanna scream out loud, but they were so good.
Sage and Rook gave me emotions, angst, sweetness, tension, and freakin chemistry. I just loved how their story developed. Rook was all goofy and unserious in the previous book, but here he was so real. The way he felt too deep too much, I hurt for him. The way he was torn between believing her or not after she broke his trust was so agonizing. Sage on the other hand was, simply said, such a Queen!
I don’t know why, but the scene where he burned himself in order to have a matching scar with her because she believed that matching scars makes people soulmates, will forever be living in my head. The book was overflowed with analogues tho which was kinda too much. Other than that, this was so good and it got me hooked.
#1 The lies we steal ~ 3.25 stars
I loved it! This was the book I was probably the least excited for, I always tend to get attracted to and excited for the psychotic character’s book more, however this ended up being my favorite! The enemies-to lovers-to enemies-to lovers again plot line was so good! I mean it was so freakin frustrating and they made me wanna scream out loud, but they were so good.
There are only two people who can look the pits of hell in the eyes and not flinch.
Those in Hell and those who already made their way out.
Sage and Rook gave me emotions, angst, sweetness, tension, and freakin chemistry. I just loved how their story developed. Rook was all goofy and unserious in the previous book, but here he was so real. The way he felt too deep too much, I hurt for him. The way he was torn between believing her or not after she broke his trust was so agonizing. Sage on the other hand was, simply said, such a Queen!
“What happened to you?” I ask accidentally, meaning to say it in my head.
“Enough to know better.”
I don’t know why, but the scene where he burned himself in order to have a matching scar with her because she believed that matching scars makes people soulmates, will forever be living in my head. The book was overflowed with analogues tho which was kinda too much. Other than that, this was so good and it got me hooked.
#1 The lies we steal ~ 3.25 stars
November 1, 2024
4.5⭐️ This has no business being so good. Gobbled up every single page in a singular day and left not a crumb behind. This book was a drastic improvement from the first one and makes me so excited to continue the series. Rook and Sage literally own a piece of my heart that I will never get back. The angst, the longing, the tension GAHHHHHH I can’t get over it!! I am OBSESSED with them. Second chance romance PERFECTION!! The past and present timelines were done perfectly in this. Their story HURTS, they go through it and their pain brought me to tears more than once, but the payoff is so worth it. The spice… scrumptious, Rooks mouth… I can’t stop giggling, I love this possessive man. I love how the plot developed I couldn’t put this book down there was a visceral need for me to keep going until I finished. The found family and friendship is everything. Theres just something about a found family of 4 hot psychopaths that does it for every single time. Monty jays writing is so heartbreakingly beautiful I want to inject her words into my veins!!
July 16, 2024
9 inches AND pierced
February 14, 2022
📚'THE TRUTHS WE BURN'📚 is the second full length interconnected stand-alone book in Monty Jay's 'Hollow Boys' series.
MY REVIEW AND OTHERS: can also be found on my blog:
➽ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
Sage Donahue she the keeper of all secrets, so many secrets that could destroy the very foundation of this township. Daily she hides behind a mask of perfection never revealing her true self to the outside world, fake smile, fake happiness, they say she's heartless and a man eater, she's smothered under huge expectations of her parents and strives to fulfil them in order to protect her twin sister Rose, but at what cost?
Rook Van Doren, is what nightmares are made up of, an unpredictable pyromaniac with blood on his hands without an ounce of remorse. Who thrives in the darkness and lives on pain, most call him the Antichrist. Him and his band of brothers are feared by all.
These aren't the boys you bring home to mommy and daddy.
They are fun to look at,
but under no circumstances do you touch.
When their paths cross they both go up in flames, drawn to each other even when they shouldn't be, they are as different as chalk and cheese, but they do say opposites attract and in this case that is the truth. He sees all the masks she hides behind.
After inhaling and loving the previous book, this was one I was highly anticipating! And like the first book, this was demolished in no time at all. I loved jumping back in this fictional crazy world the author has created, more lies uncovered, bore blood on their hands, more insight into this township and the monsters that reside in it.
* Teaser used is off the authors facebook page *
May 6, 2024
4.5 🌟 ROOKSAGE >>>>
May 27, 2024
IS THIS A ROMANCE NOVEL OR POETRY???? Dude, I'm in love.
I am legit obsessed with this series. OB-FUCKING-SESSED. I can't get enough. It's perfection. I loved this so much and I love how Monty Jay wrote this as a second chance into two acts. SOOO FREAKING GOOD.
Rook was the one hollow boy I wasn't really drawn to but holy shit, I love him. Rook + Sage had such an emotional story. Both of them are so broken and my heart broke for both of their stories. But they are perfect for each other. Pretty poison + fire god ❤️🔥
A few of my internal reactions
12% He just called her pretty poison, omg.
30% the bathroom scene HOLY HELL 🥵
34% scars + soulmates STOPPP 😭😭😭
78% THIS ENTIRE CHAPTER OMG 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Highlights:
"This is mine. Her truths. Her quirks. They're mine. She is mine. Unable to love or not."
"I don't need it to go anywhere. I know how to handle the bitch in you."
"Can I keep you?" 🥹🥹🥹
"He is my fire god, and I live to burn for him."
- Dark Academia
- Second Chance
- Hate to love.. back to hate
- Mean Girl x Bad Boy
- Revenge Plot
- Touch Her & Die
- Broken Characters
I am legit obsessed with this series. OB-FUCKING-SESSED. I can't get enough. It's perfection. I loved this so much and I love how Monty Jay wrote this as a second chance into two acts. SOOO FREAKING GOOD.
Rook was the one hollow boy I wasn't really drawn to but holy shit, I love him. Rook + Sage had such an emotional story. Both of them are so broken and my heart broke for both of their stories. But they are perfect for each other. Pretty poison + fire god ❤️🔥
A few of my internal reactions
12% He just called her pretty poison, omg.
30% the bathroom scene HOLY HELL 🥵
34% scars + soulmates STOPPP 😭😭😭
78% THIS ENTIRE CHAPTER OMG 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Highlights:
"This is mine. Her truths. Her quirks. They're mine. She is mine. Unable to love or not."
"I don't need it to go anywhere. I know how to handle the bitch in you."
"Can I keep you?" 🥹🥹🥹
"He is my fire god, and I live to burn for him."
- Dark Academia
- Second Chance
- Hate to love.. back to hate
- Mean Girl x Bad Boy
- Revenge Plot
- Touch Her & Die
- Broken Characters
August 24, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
"Silas has a scar on his pinky finger in the exact same place her birthmark is. Soul marks. That's what she calls them."
So he takes a cigarette and burns a scar on his shoulder because she has a birthmark there 🥲
You guys weren’t lying when you said the second book is so much better than the first.
Can’t wait to read the next book I’ve been wanting to read Lyra and Thatchers story since the first book 😩
Reading this book I just know Silas story is going to be a sad one
"Silas has a scar on his pinky finger in the exact same place her birthmark is. Soul marks. That's what she calls them."
So he takes a cigarette and burns a scar on his shoulder because she has a birthmark there 🥲
You guys weren’t lying when you said the second book is so much better than the first.
Can’t wait to read the next book I’ve been wanting to read Lyra and Thatchers story since the first book 😩
Reading this book I just know Silas story is going to be a sad one
February 25, 2024
ೃ⁀➷
What can I say? I am truly a sucker for characters who are scarred souls. The angst that RookSage deliver is crazy likeeee they are for sure going to be my number one couple in this series. The way they ultimately felt safe amongst each other and can be each other peace🥹. But I knew Rook was a good man when he burned himself to have matching scars with Sage because he believe they are soulmates. Because THAT IS TRUE ROMANCE! Anyway, I am excitedddd to begin Thatcherlyra because Psychoxstalker is giving insanity but funnn.
The only real place I'd felt anything close to happy was when I was near her."
What can I say? I am truly a sucker for characters who are scarred souls. The angst that RookSage deliver is crazy likeeee they are for sure going to be my number one couple in this series. The way they ultimately felt safe amongst each other and can be each other peace🥹. But I knew Rook was a good man when he burned himself to have matching scars with Sage because he believe they are soulmates. Because THAT IS TRUE ROMANCE! Anyway, I am excitedddd to begin Thatcherlyra because Psychoxstalker is giving insanity but funnn.
December 15, 2024
i cried, i laughed, i was pissed but i loved this book sm that it
hurts
to be done with it.
i had high expectations when starting this book and thank the lord it came out the way i wanted it to — perfection.
rooksage are my babies i stg. the history between them was everything, their feelings for each other was THERE. i want to experience with someone what they experienced lmao
though idgaf about about rook bringing up the fact he’s the devil.. save that shit
he’s pierced btw.
i had high expectations when starting this book and thank the lord it came out the way i wanted it to — perfection.
rooksage are my babies i stg. the history between them was everything, their feelings for each other was THERE. i want to experience with someone what they experienced lmao
though idgaf about about rook bringing up the fact he’s the devil.. save that shit
January 19, 2024
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾. pre-review
yup i’m ready for this power couple 💪🏼 let’s have it!!
thank you once again, gr bestfriends, for bringing me another series to obsess over 🍃🕊️ god forbid having some inner peace
there’s this super duper special place in my icy and subzero heart for all of you 😚💋
yup i’m ready for this power couple 💪🏼 let’s have it!!
thank you once again, gr bestfriends, for bringing me another series to obsess over 🍃🕊️ god forbid having some inner peace
there’s this super duper special place in my icy and subzero heart for all of you 😚💋
August 15, 2024
HOLY SHITTING FUCK!
I loved this book so much. This is “love that hurts” “hate that hurts”
Broken characters. Revenge plot. Just EVERYTHING
I loved this book so much. This is “love that hurts” “hate that hurts”
Broken characters. Revenge plot. Just EVERYTHING
May 15, 2024
5⭐️ 3🌶️
this is really reigniting my love for reading, I have been LOVING things since throne of glass, but this has just come along and reminded me why I love reading, and why I love reading dark romance 🫶🏽
I’m just so impressed with how strong the plot is, the pacing of the plot and how it’s all coming together, the mystery, the intrigue, secrets, lies. The characters, the found family that’s slowly building between the group
Now onto Sage & Rook (Rook van doren is now of my top favourite mmc’s)
The attention to ALL the characters personalities is 10/10, Rook’s literally a pyromaniac, which is so psycho but then at the same time, there’s so many connotations as to why he’s like that, why he craves that, depth to his character to make us understand where this all comes from and then to top it off she makes him fucking sexy with it 😮💨😮💨 stop itttttt
Sage’s character is brilliant, the things she’s overcome, I really enjoyed her character arc in this after seeing how she was in part 1 which is set in the past 🙌🏼
I just love it all, I’m obsessed, the boys is this are sooo unhinged I can’t wait to read about Thatcher & Lyra who arguably have the most unique and interesting personalities in this whole series and probably of most dark romances I have read… (weird Tim burton-esque bug girl, meets, emotionless clinical, methodological Thatcher who’s father was a serial killer and he’s turning out to be just like him… bring it on)
IM OBSESSED OK BYE
this is really reigniting my love for reading, I have been LOVING things since throne of glass, but this has just come along and reminded me why I love reading, and why I love reading dark romance 🫶🏽
I’m just so impressed with how strong the plot is, the pacing of the plot and how it’s all coming together, the mystery, the intrigue, secrets, lies. The characters, the found family that’s slowly building between the group
Now onto Sage & Rook (Rook van doren is now of my top favourite mmc’s)
The attention to ALL the characters personalities is 10/10, Rook’s literally a pyromaniac, which is so psycho but then at the same time, there’s so many connotations as to why he’s like that, why he craves that, depth to his character to make us understand where this all comes from and then to top it off she makes him fucking sexy with it 😮💨😮💨 stop itttttt
Sage’s character is brilliant, the things she’s overcome, I really enjoyed her character arc in this after seeing how she was in part 1 which is set in the past 🙌🏼
I just love it all, I’m obsessed, the boys is this are sooo unhinged I can’t wait to read about Thatcher & Lyra who arguably have the most unique and interesting personalities in this whole series and probably of most dark romances I have read… (weird Tim burton-esque bug girl, meets, emotionless clinical, methodological Thatcher who’s father was a serial killer and he’s turning out to be just like him… bring it on)
IM OBSESSED OK BYE
June 2, 2024
rooksage my pyro gods 4L 😕❤️🔥🤞🏻♾️
February 13, 2022
4.5 stars
Welcome back to Ponderosa Springs - where secrets fester and lies corrupt you. Things are not what they seem. Evil lies beneath the ground of this sacred place. Don't worry though, those Hollow Boys we know and love will not allow for their secrets to lie dormant. They are coming and all should be living in fear.
Sage the town's sweetheart the one who boys want and girls want to be. She could possibly be one of the fakest of all though. She lives behind her mask of secrets. The masks of expectations, the mask of disappointment and the mask of needing more. She has lost herself and keeps going down the rabbit hole. She needs to break free... from everything! With the help of one guy she might be able to get back there, but it won't be easy. She might just get burned!
Rook is better known as the town fire starter. If there are flames, it could very well be his handy work. He is loyal to a fault and his boys are his brothers. He would do anything for them. That's why a person close to Sage is on "his list". He finds himself drawn to the girl despite despising all that she stands for.
These two are pure fire. They have immense chemistry - whether it be hate or lust it is powerful and so dang hot. I don't want to say too much, but just know that the plot in this is SOLID! MJ has a special way of captivating her readers. This is just another reason why she is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.
Welcome back to Ponderosa Springs - where secrets fester and lies corrupt you. Things are not what they seem. Evil lies beneath the ground of this sacred place. Don't worry though, those Hollow Boys we know and love will not allow for their secrets to lie dormant. They are coming and all should be living in fear.
Sage the town's sweetheart the one who boys want and girls want to be. She could possibly be one of the fakest of all though. She lives behind her mask of secrets. The masks of expectations, the mask of disappointment and the mask of needing more. She has lost herself and keeps going down the rabbit hole. She needs to break free... from everything! With the help of one guy she might be able to get back there, but it won't be easy. She might just get burned!
Rook is better known as the town fire starter. If there are flames, it could very well be his handy work. He is loyal to a fault and his boys are his brothers. He would do anything for them. That's why a person close to Sage is on "his list". He finds himself drawn to the girl despite despising all that she stands for.
These two are pure fire. They have immense chemistry - whether it be hate or lust it is powerful and so dang hot. I don't want to say too much, but just know that the plot in this is SOLID! MJ has a special way of captivating her readers. This is just another reason why she is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.
November 5, 2024
4 Theatre Geek Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
This is all types of fucked up, but holy shit HAS IT BECOME MY NEW OBSESSION. I am still reeling, trying to piece my mind together...
NOTE: This can maybe be read as a standalone since it follows a different couple from The Lies We Steal. BUT I think you might be doing yourself a disservice since the first book does explain a lot of the character's backstory and gives insight into the overarching plot which plays a big part of this book... SO JUST GO READ Briar and Alistair's story first AND THEN THIS BECAUSE DAMN!
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
In high school, Sage Donahue is Miss Popularity and knows everyone’s secrets. Everyone wants to be her, be around her, or be her friend. One night, she is having dinner with her boyfriend, her parents, and his parents, and they announce that Sage, as part of a business arrangement between them, has to marry her boyfriend or else they will make her sister do it in her place... (You know, Rose, who was murdered in Book 1 and was the love of Silas’s life). Distraught and desperate, Sage seeks solace in the arms of none other than Rook Van Doren. The two establish a mutually beneficial arrangement and become friends, which soon develops into something more. But the choices forced upon her soon catch up to her, and to protect her sister, she is forced to break Rook’s heart. Now, Sage is back after being committed to a mental institution following a suicide attempt upon learning the truth of her sister’s murder. Her father and his corrupt FBI agent friend give her a choice get close to the Hollow Boys and find dirt on them. The only problem is that, after Sage broke Rook’s heart, there’s no way he’ll ever let her close to him again.
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Sage is a badass, sassy queen you don't want to mess with. She is a feisty cat with super sharp claws and she knows how to use them. There was very little she was afraid of in High School, but since the death of her sister, she is not scared of anything because she has nothing left to lose. She approaches challenges head-on oblivious to risks, which often does get her into trouble (especially with Alistair who wants to wrap Briar in marshmallow bubblewrap).
Rook is explosive. He is a pyromaniac who feels a lot. What I mean about that is when he is happy, he is exuberant. When he is angry, he sees red and will literally bash someone's face in and kill them unless someone pulls him off. When he is sad, he is almost inconsolable and when he feels guilty it physically eats him up inside. He is a complete slave to his emotion and addicted to pain which he uses to control his feelings of grief and guilt.
If you do not want a front-row seat into what the anger stage of grief looks like, I don't think this book will be for you because there is a LOT of anger and how it is dealt with in a very unhealthy manner. But you are reading a dark romance and unhealthy behaviour is half of what you are signing up to read! This book is difficult to read at times and utterly heartbreaking. There is so much emotion and sorrow that you feel and experience as you see what these characters go through especially how they are just victims of their circumstances.
The writing is very psychologically poetic at times, delving deep into the subconscious thoughts of these characters and how they're processing their emotion. It is heavy, it is not always pretty, but you can't look away. Sage and Rook found each other once and now that they're a little bit older (and a little bit more scarred and jagged around the edges) they fit together like a puzzle. It takes a while for them to find each other again, but when they do, it is absolutely magnetic and beautiful and you can't help but cheer for them!
I loved how passionate Rook was and how deep his bond goes for the Hollow Boys. It goes bone-deep and is unbreakable! They are willing to kill, bleed and die for each other and would sacrifice anything when just asked! This found family element also bled into Sage's friendships. She has always had fake shallow friendships so when she finally found friends who truly cared and understood her was sweet. Lyra and Briar accepted her with open arms into their loner society and it is just heartwarming that the bond of friendship plays such a big role in this book and series!
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Dual POV
▶ University Bully Romance
▶ Obsessive, Possessive and Jealous MMC
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Found Family
▶ Second Chance Romance
▶ Pyromaniac MMC
▶ Sister's Boyfriends Best Friend
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Burn the World for You
𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 and 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨:
▷ Hand Necklaces
▷ Nicknames
▷ Good Girl
▷ Mine
▷ Brands Her
▷ Spitting
▷ Confessional Sex
▷ Backwards Cap
▷ Spanking
If you love dark romance and you love emotionally driven stories that are explosive, dark, kinky and will make you FERAL... I would recommend this!!!
I cannot wait for Lyra and Thatcher's story.
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
This is all types of fucked up, but holy shit HAS IT BECOME MY NEW OBSESSION. I am still reeling, trying to piece my mind together...
NOTE: This can maybe be read as a standalone since it follows a different couple from The Lies We Steal. BUT I think you might be doing yourself a disservice since the first book does explain a lot of the character's backstory and gives insight into the overarching plot which plays a big part of this book... SO JUST GO READ Briar and Alistair's story first AND THEN THIS BECAUSE DAMN!
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
In high school, Sage Donahue is Miss Popularity and knows everyone’s secrets. Everyone wants to be her, be around her, or be her friend. One night, she is having dinner with her boyfriend, her parents, and his parents, and they announce that Sage, as part of a business arrangement between them, has to marry her boyfriend or else they will make her sister do it in her place... (You know, Rose, who was murdered in Book 1 and was the love of Silas’s life). Distraught and desperate, Sage seeks solace in the arms of none other than Rook Van Doren. The two establish a mutually beneficial arrangement and become friends, which soon develops into something more. But the choices forced upon her soon catch up to her, and to protect her sister, she is forced to break Rook’s heart. Now, Sage is back after being committed to a mental institution following a suicide attempt upon learning the truth of her sister’s murder. Her father and his corrupt FBI agent friend give her a choice get close to the Hollow Boys and find dirt on them. The only problem is that, after Sage broke Rook’s heart, there’s no way he’ll ever let her close to him again.
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Sage is a badass, sassy queen you don't want to mess with. She is a feisty cat with super sharp claws and she knows how to use them. There was very little she was afraid of in High School, but since the death of her sister, she is not scared of anything because she has nothing left to lose. She approaches challenges head-on oblivious to risks, which often does get her into trouble (especially with Alistair who wants to wrap Briar in marshmallow bubblewrap).
Rook is explosive. He is a pyromaniac who feels a lot. What I mean about that is when he is happy, he is exuberant. When he is angry, he sees red and will literally bash someone's face in and kill them unless someone pulls him off. When he is sad, he is almost inconsolable and when he feels guilty it physically eats him up inside. He is a complete slave to his emotion and addicted to pain which he uses to control his feelings of grief and guilt.
If you do not want a front-row seat into what the anger stage of grief looks like, I don't think this book will be for you because there is a LOT of anger and how it is dealt with in a very unhealthy manner. But you are reading a dark romance and unhealthy behaviour is half of what you are signing up to read! This book is difficult to read at times and utterly heartbreaking. There is so much emotion and sorrow that you feel and experience as you see what these characters go through especially how they are just victims of their circumstances.
The writing is very psychologically poetic at times, delving deep into the subconscious thoughts of these characters and how they're processing their emotion. It is heavy, it is not always pretty, but you can't look away. Sage and Rook found each other once and now that they're a little bit older (and a little bit more scarred and jagged around the edges) they fit together like a puzzle. It takes a while for them to find each other again, but when they do, it is absolutely magnetic and beautiful and you can't help but cheer for them!
I loved how passionate Rook was and how deep his bond goes for the Hollow Boys. It goes bone-deep and is unbreakable! They are willing to kill, bleed and die for each other and would sacrifice anything when just asked! This found family element also bled into Sage's friendships. She has always had fake shallow friendships so when she finally found friends who truly cared and understood her was sweet. Lyra and Briar accepted her with open arms into their loner society and it is just heartwarming that the bond of friendship plays such a big role in this book and series!
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Dual POV
▶ University Bully Romance
▶ Obsessive, Possessive and Jealous MMC
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Found Family
▶ Second Chance Romance
▶ Pyromaniac MMC
▶ Sister's Boyfriends Best Friend
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Burn the World for You
𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 and 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨:
▷ Hand Necklaces
▷ Nicknames
▷ Good Girl
▷ Mine
▷ Brands Her
▷ Spitting
▷ Confessional Sex
▷ Backwards Cap
▷ Spanking
If you love dark romance and you love emotionally driven stories that are explosive, dark, kinky and will make you FERAL... I would recommend this!!!
I cannot wait for Lyra and Thatcher's story.
November 21, 2024
*audiobook
1.5 stars.
well, at least with this book, there's a little chemistry present with our couple.... unlike the 1st book in this series...
and here the author didn't take advantage of the good chemistry to expand further on their connection. This author's writing is so disjointed...
i am still not vibing with the writing, just like the first book.
Bad pacing... too fast in some parts... too slow in some others, just like the first book.
The world-building is fickle at best, just like the first book.
I couldn't connect with these 2 main characters, and there's a lot of telling instead of showing, just like the first book.
As for the series, I don't think i will be finishing the rest of the series, because the only way I will read Silas's book is if Rose comes back to life somehow lol, cause i HATE dead girlfriend/wife trope and i will not be able to connect with the fmc in his book because i just listened to 2 books where all he did was pine and grieve over his dead girlfriend.
And as for Thatcher's book, while i looove the stalker trope, i ONLY like it when the mmc is the stalker and obsessed one, so that's gonna be a no for me on that one too cause according to the reviews the fmc is the stalker. Not my thing.
1.5 stars.
well, at least with this book, there's a little chemistry present with our couple.... unlike the 1st book in this series...
and here the author didn't take advantage of the good chemistry to expand further on their connection. This author's writing is so disjointed...
i am still not vibing with the writing, just like the first book.
Bad pacing... too fast in some parts... too slow in some others, just like the first book.
The world-building is fickle at best, just like the first book.
I couldn't connect with these 2 main characters, and there's a lot of telling instead of showing, just like the first book.
As for the series, I don't think i will be finishing the rest of the series, because the only way I will read Silas's book is if Rose comes back to life somehow lol, cause i HATE dead girlfriend/wife trope and i will not be able to connect with the fmc in his book because i just listened to 2 books where all he did was pine and grieve over his dead girlfriend.
And as for Thatcher's book, while i looove the stalker trope, i ONLY like it when the mmc is the stalker and obsessed one, so that's gonna be a no for me on that one too cause according to the reviews the fmc is the stalker. Not my thing.
November 5, 2024
◟ the truths we burn ╱ 5 stars ◞
𓂅 my thoughts
sagerook hold such a big part of my heart after reading this book like ooh my gosh i love them so much it’s insane!! i have absolutely zero trope what they would be ( mabye second chance romance ? ) but whatever it is give me like 100 more books just like this because i swear i could read them forever. ooh gosh rosie rosie rosie, my sweet baby, her being dead just makes me want to violently sob because she is just so me coded and yet she dead? how comforting is it to know someone who is so you coded is dead, well i’ll just let you know it’s not comforting at all!!! also this book just made me want to read silas book so much like he was just the sweetest guy in this series and i just know his book will hurt but be so healing 🫂 the truths we burn deserves all of the hype it gets and i am sad i had put this off for had long as i did so please take this as your sign to read it if you haven’t already!!
𓂅 the characters
sage
girlboss. queen. diva. pretty poison. four words that describe sage so well!! i honestly have nothing to say except i love her so bad and honestly she deserves every bit of love she had gotten taken away from her
room
reading is povs made me want to just sob of how much the world he lived in hurt him. i will forever defend him and nothing will be changing that!! also i understand save so much like i would a hundred percent let this man ruin my life over and over again. anyway!!! again i really dont have much to say but just know he is one of my favorite mmcs now.
“ because you were the only one worthy of keeping. ”
𓂅 my thoughts
sagerook hold such a big part of my heart after reading this book like ooh my gosh i love them so much it’s insane!! i have absolutely zero trope what they would be ( mabye second chance romance ? ) but whatever it is give me like 100 more books just like this because i swear i could read them forever. ooh gosh rosie rosie rosie, my sweet baby, her being dead just makes me want to violently sob because she is just so me coded and yet she dead? how comforting is it to know someone who is so you coded is dead, well i’ll just let you know it’s not comforting at all!!! also this book just made me want to read silas book so much like he was just the sweetest guy in this series and i just know his book will hurt but be so healing 🫂 the truths we burn deserves all of the hype it gets and i am sad i had put this off for had long as i did so please take this as your sign to read it if you haven’t already!!
𓂅 the characters
sage
girlboss. queen. diva. pretty poison. four words that describe sage so well!! i honestly have nothing to say except i love her so bad and honestly she deserves every bit of love she had gotten taken away from her
room
reading is povs made me want to just sob of how much the world he lived in hurt him. i will forever defend him and nothing will be changing that!! also i understand save so much like i would a hundred percent let this man ruin my life over and over again. anyway!!! again i really dont have much to say but just know he is one of my favorite mmcs now.
“ because you were the only one worthy of keeping. ”
April 20, 2024
I knew beforehand that this book was gonna hurt from the previous glimpses of both mcs, but I wasn’t prepared for a killing blow straight up to my heart. I shattered while reading this.
Sage and Rook, ugh, I adore them so much. Since the first moment I’ve read about Rook in the first book I knew he was gonna become special to me. There’s something about the typical funny brunette with a side kink that’s always joking but deep down is broken that does it for me. His backstory broke my heart, the way he suffered so much and still is always prioritizing the others above himself, worrying and trying to keep them safe. He’s such a sweetheart, and how he refers to the Hallow Boys as his family and how special their bond is to him made me cry so hard. I cannot with this man…also his dirty masochistic side omg that was hard to ignore. Literally on my knees🧎🏽♀️.
Then Sage, I don’t care what anyone says I’m gonna defend her till my very last breath. I love her character development through the ‘past’ and present moments, and how the view of ‘icy princess’ actually unfolds to be a facade. She’s the most sweet and sensitive girl and I relate to her so much. It hurt me everything she went through and more so how everyone invalidated her pain just because she acted like an ‘unfeeling bitch’. I want to give her a big hug, she deserves the absolute best🫂.
The relationship between the both of them was sooooo tense (sexy af), but at the same time perfectly balanced with tenderness. Their story was a roller coaster of excitement, sadness, frustration, pain, and happiness. I love how they have a deep emotional connection and helped each other heal their past traumas. They are literally made for each other, bye I’m gonna cry I already miss them😭.
In terms of plot I was HOOKED affff. The mystery and also development of the line from the first book was so well executed and had me with anxiety the whole time from what could happen at any time. I also cannot wait to see how it continues in the next book. Speaking of…THATCHER AND LYRA I'M COMING FOR BOTH OF YOU
Sage and Rook, ugh, I adore them so much. Since the first moment I’ve read about Rook in the first book I knew he was gonna become special to me. There’s something about the typical funny brunette with a side kink that’s always joking but deep down is broken that does it for me. His backstory broke my heart, the way he suffered so much and still is always prioritizing the others above himself, worrying and trying to keep them safe. He’s such a sweetheart, and how he refers to the Hallow Boys as his family and how special their bond is to him made me cry so hard. I cannot with this man…also his dirty masochistic side omg that was hard to ignore. Literally on my knees🧎🏽♀️.
Then Sage, I don’t care what anyone says I’m gonna defend her till my very last breath. I love her character development through the ‘past’ and present moments, and how the view of ‘icy princess’ actually unfolds to be a facade. She’s the most sweet and sensitive girl and I relate to her so much. It hurt me everything she went through and more so how everyone invalidated her pain just because she acted like an ‘unfeeling bitch’. I want to give her a big hug, she deserves the absolute best🫂.
The relationship between the both of them was sooooo tense (sexy af), but at the same time perfectly balanced with tenderness. Their story was a roller coaster of excitement, sadness, frustration, pain, and happiness. I love how they have a deep emotional connection and helped each other heal their past traumas. They are literally made for each other, bye I’m gonna cry I already miss them😭.
In terms of plot I was HOOKED affff. The mystery and also development of the line from the first book was so well executed and had me with anxiety the whole time from what could happen at any time. I also cannot wait to see how it continues in the next book. Speaking of…THATCHER AND LYRA I'M COMING FOR BOTH OF YOU
August 2, 2024
Star rating: ★★★★☆
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book was so good, but low key hurt my feelings half the time. Rooke my poor baby is just in so much pain that all I wanted to do was HELP HIM😫 hurt my soul.
I am clamoring for Silas’s book tho… okay 2 more books left til I get to it🤪
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book was so good, but low key hurt my feelings half the time. Rooke my poor baby is just in so much pain that all I wanted to do was HELP HIM😫 hurt my soul.
I am clamoring for Silas’s book tho… okay 2 more books left til I get to it🤪
January 4, 2024
“I’m keeping you,”
[...] “You’ve always had me, Rook. Always.”
After Sage's sister was murdered she got into a psych ward (forced by her father) and stood there until she made a deal with him to get out: she had to spy and know what the Hollow boys were planning against him. However, Sage and Rook were lovers months earlier, until she broke his trust because she had to protect her sister from the fate that awaited her as Easton's wife. Now, Sage is back and in the same university and Rook wants to destroy her for what she did to him.
I love Sage (because I always love the broken mean girls so I already knew I would like her). She was such an interesting character and held my attention way more than Briar. And Rook was also great, he's so sexy and just. I adore him. He's my second favorite boy bc the first will always be Thatcher. But these two had so much chemistry and history together, I think they somehow are second-chance romance and mean girl x boy obsessed and these are my favorite tropes? It was a combination for me tbh.
Again, what I like about this and how it's different from other dark romance series: Monty Jay puts the effort to write a close and loyal girl group as much as she does for the boys. This is rare because these writers usually like to put the girls against each other and I love Briar, Lyra, and Sage's friendship.
I couldn't stand Alistair in this book, he was so annoying. I think he might be my least favorite of the boys. My heart breaks for Silas and I want him to have a happy ending because he deserves it so much. And Thatcher.. that man is so charming like, I know he's a psycho but that's husband material idc.
Now, in the last book, a girl was tattoed while unconscious and it made me hate the writer. In this one, I hate her even more because after choosing to tell Rook about her abuse and who her abuser was, he made Sage go tell her story to all his MALE friends so they could tell if she was lying or not, I know he had a reason to doubt her speaking the truth or not, but he didn't stop for one second to think if she would be comfortable to tell what happened to her, to think if she wanted to share it. As I said before I like dark romance and there are some things I can still enjoy reading in dark themes, but not this. This was so disrespectful to SA survivors. It was her story to tell, to whoever she wanted to, whenever she wanted to.
[...] “You’ve always had me, Rook. Always.”
After Sage's sister was murdered she got into a psych ward (forced by her father) and stood there until she made a deal with him to get out: she had to spy and know what the Hollow boys were planning against him. However, Sage and Rook were lovers months earlier, until she broke his trust because she had to protect her sister from the fate that awaited her as Easton's wife. Now, Sage is back and in the same university and Rook wants to destroy her for what she did to him.
I love Sage (because I always love the broken mean girls so I already knew I would like her). She was such an interesting character and held my attention way more than Briar. And Rook was also great, he's so sexy and just. I adore him. He's my second favorite boy bc the first will always be Thatcher. But these two had so much chemistry and history together, I think they somehow are second-chance romance and mean girl x boy obsessed and these are my favorite tropes? It was a combination for me tbh.
Again, what I like about this and how it's different from other dark romance series: Monty Jay puts the effort to write a close and loyal girl group as much as she does for the boys. This is rare because these writers usually like to put the girls against each other and I love Briar, Lyra, and Sage's friendship.
I couldn't stand Alistair in this book, he was so annoying. I think he might be my least favorite of the boys. My heart breaks for Silas and I want him to have a happy ending because he deserves it so much. And Thatcher.. that man is so charming like, I know he's a psycho but that's husband material idc.
Now, in the last book, a girl was tattoed while unconscious and it made me hate the writer. In this one, I hate her even more because after choosing to tell Rook about her abuse and who her abuser was, he made Sage go tell her story to all his MALE friends so they could tell if she was lying or not, I know he had a reason to doubt her speaking the truth or not, but he didn't stop for one second to think if she would be comfortable to tell what happened to her, to think if she wanted to share it. As I said before I like dark romance and there are some things I can still enjoy reading in dark themes, but not this. This was so disrespectful to SA survivors. It was her story to tell, to whoever she wanted to, whenever she wanted to.
May 30, 2024
i am SO glad i reread this. i first read it in november last year and i was in a slump so i didn’t enjoy it that much, but i knew it was a book i would normally love so i’m so happy i gave it another chance !! i loved how this was dark romance but with second chance (my fave trope ever), and how you could tell how much rook & sage cared for each other even when they weren’t together, and how they felt as thought they were themselves only around each other.
February 21, 2022
****Available Now***
4.5 STARS (I keep going back and forth)
I’m loving this world, the characters, the romantic couples, the friendship of the guys, and the revenge plot line. I enjoyed the first book, but I loved this one.
What I loved…
1. Rook Van Doren. That’s it. That’s the point. I kid. I loved this man. My heart broke for him, I was fascinated in how his trauma manifested in his self masochistic ways and his love of fire. Such a unique character. His love of Sage, sealed my fate. I’m his forever.
2. Sage…what can I say? I love a female forged in fire, who is tough for survival. Her dreams, her goals and her love of Rook softened her. Made her likable even though she was a thorny character.
3. These two were so good together. Their relationship allows readers to see their softer sides, how their damaged pieces fit together. Their love is strong, endless, enduring. Even through all the muck and dirt of their lives, the way they loved each other was romantic.
4. The steam and degradation kink was chef’s kiss. I really loved it and how it fit who they are as people.
5. The revenge plot line opened up to so much more. I’m excited to see where this is going to go.
6. All the literary allusions - the fall of Lucifer, The Crucible, Dante’s Inferno. God, so well done.
7. Silas. Thatcher. I can’t wait for their books.
What I didn’t love…
1. I felt like we had less of the guys, and I missed them together as a group. The moments were too few and far between.
2. I feel like this needed another go for proofreading. Things like chuck of hair vs. chunk of hair and various typos took me out of the story at times (and this was the final published manuscript, as I would ignore these things in an ARC).
3. The revenge plot line took a bit more of a back seat. It felt like more of this happened behind the scenes and pieces that should have been a bigger threat weren’t.
4. One scene - a bit unrealistic, a bit more prep work for that kind of action.
Overall, I really loved it. I’m obsessed with Rook and Sage and their love. I cannot wait for the next book.
This will have major TW/CW. Fee free to message me with any specific questions regard them.
4.5 STARS (I keep going back and forth)
I’m loving this world, the characters, the romantic couples, the friendship of the guys, and the revenge plot line. I enjoyed the first book, but I loved this one.
What I loved…
1. Rook Van Doren. That’s it. That’s the point. I kid. I loved this man. My heart broke for him, I was fascinated in how his trauma manifested in his self masochistic ways and his love of fire. Such a unique character. His love of Sage, sealed my fate. I’m his forever.
2. Sage…what can I say? I love a female forged in fire, who is tough for survival. Her dreams, her goals and her love of Rook softened her. Made her likable even though she was a thorny character.
3. These two were so good together. Their relationship allows readers to see their softer sides, how their damaged pieces fit together. Their love is strong, endless, enduring. Even through all the muck and dirt of their lives, the way they loved each other was romantic.
4. The steam and degradation kink was chef’s kiss. I really loved it and how it fit who they are as people.
5. The revenge plot line opened up to so much more. I’m excited to see where this is going to go.
6. All the literary allusions - the fall of Lucifer, The Crucible, Dante’s Inferno. God, so well done.
7. Silas. Thatcher. I can’t wait for their books.
What I didn’t love…
1. I felt like we had less of the guys, and I missed them together as a group. The moments were too few and far between.
2. I feel like this needed another go for proofreading. Things like chuck of hair vs. chunk of hair and various typos took me out of the story at times (and this was the final published manuscript, as I would ignore these things in an ARC).
3. The revenge plot line took a bit more of a back seat. It felt like more of this happened behind the scenes and pieces that should have been a bigger threat weren’t.
4. One scene - a bit unrealistic, a bit more prep work for that kind of action.
Overall, I really loved it. I’m obsessed with Rook and Sage and their love. I cannot wait for the next book.
This will have major TW/CW. Fee free to message me with any specific questions regard them.
January 30, 2024
★3/5! Silas deserves the god damn world, the amount of times I was crying because he was upset. I want to read Lyrathatcher so bad but at the same time I just want to jump to Silas book to see him happy, I NEED HIM HAPPY!!
SageRook I’m sorry but I didn’t enjoy them that much… loved Rooks character but Sage? 50/50. Personally BriarAllister book was better than this one, I enjoyed the plot more and the couple.
FOUND FAMILY DID NOT DISAPPOINT! LYRATHATCHER CRUMBS MY GODD I LOVE THEMM
SageRook I’m sorry but I didn’t enjoy them that much… loved Rooks character but Sage? 50/50. Personally BriarAllister book was better than this one, I enjoyed the plot more and the couple.
FOUND FAMILY DID NOT DISAPPOINT! LYRATHATCHER CRUMBS MY GODD I LOVE THEMM
July 6, 2023
done with this series 🥴. we get it blud, you’re a pyroluciferrulerofhell blah blah blah.
May 12, 2024
“You decided to keep me ? You were the only one worthy of keeping.” rook and sage were everything🤍
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