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Unmasked Duet #1
Beautiful Prey
Emery Blakmor is a monster.
One night. One savage act. And he ripped my life away.
Years later, I’m still running from him in my nightmares.
Except, Emery’s not lurking in the shadows anymore. He’s locked away, staring at the same four walls.
Silent. Lethal. Unpredictable.
And the only person he wants to talk to... is me.
I swore I’d never forget what he did. I vowed to make him pay.
Now, I finally have my chance.
I’ll face him, make him think I care.
A therapist with sympathy for the devil?
No. A woman who wants him to know heartbreak.
But the moment we meet, my world shifts.
The cold fire in his eyes ignites something I refuse to name, and before I know it, he’s pulling me in, trapping me.
I came to break him. Yet with each secret that slips from his lips, I feel myself unraveling, his hold tightening on far more than just my fear.
Now I wonder—am I his salvation, or his new obsession?
And if he ever breaks free... would I survive what comes next?
Beautiful Prey is book 1 in the Unmasked Duet. A dark enemies to lovers romance where the lines between obsession, love, and revenge are blurred.
One night. One savage act. And he ripped my life away.
Years later, I’m still running from him in my nightmares.
Except, Emery’s not lurking in the shadows anymore. He’s locked away, staring at the same four walls.
Silent. Lethal. Unpredictable.
And the only person he wants to talk to... is me.
I swore I’d never forget what he did. I vowed to make him pay.
Now, I finally have my chance.
I’ll face him, make him think I care.
A therapist with sympathy for the devil?
No. A woman who wants him to know heartbreak.
But the moment we meet, my world shifts.
The cold fire in his eyes ignites something I refuse to name, and before I know it, he’s pulling me in, trapping me.
I came to break him. Yet with each secret that slips from his lips, I feel myself unraveling, his hold tightening on far more than just my fear.
Now I wonder—am I his salvation, or his new obsession?
And if he ever breaks free... would I survive what comes next?
Beautiful Prey is book 1 in the Unmasked Duet. A dark enemies to lovers romance where the lines between obsession, love, and revenge are blurred.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2024
About the author
Lora Darc
22 books164 followersAuthor of Beautiful Prey: Unmasked Duet.
Find out more here! https://linktr.ee/loradarc
Lora likes the strange and taboo, finding love and desire in dark places.
When she isn’t writing Dark Contemporary and Paranormal Romance, she’s usually mood reading, collecting oddities, role-playing as a vampire with her friends (Tremer and Giovanni – iykyk), or watching her favorite movies (horror and scifi/fantasy). She lives in the states with her family and half a dozen pets, including her blue-tongue skink, and an alligator snapping turtle named Morla.
Find out more here! https://linktr.ee/loradarc
Lora likes the strange and taboo, finding love and desire in dark places.
When she isn’t writing Dark Contemporary and Paranormal Romance, she’s usually mood reading, collecting oddities, role-playing as a vampire with her friends (Tremer and Giovanni – iykyk), or watching her favorite movies (horror and scifi/fantasy). She lives in the states with her family and half a dozen pets, including her blue-tongue skink, and an alligator snapping turtle named Morla.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 476 reviews
April 25, 2025
Okie dokie ladies and gentlemen buckle up this is going to be a bumpy ride, And don’t forget to hold on to your Kindle cuz there are some big twists with this one!
I hadn’t read any books by Lora Darc, until now
Nearly six years ago., just before Halloween and on Emery Blakmor's sixteenth birthday, a masked figure known as the 'Devil of Harper Point' shattered her family by taking their lives. However, he never found her hiding spot, allowing her to survive that terrifying night, which later turned into an urban legend talked about for years.
Driven by a desire for revenge against the person who shattered her life, Eva dedicated four years to studying criminal psychology, hoping to learn all she could about the man who murdered her family. However, the information was scarce. Emery's background was so hidden that it was as if he barely existed. The only clues to his reality were the painful memories of his abusive childhood, his time in foster care, and the tragic death of his sister.
I have to admit, I was totally captivated by their story just a few pages in and loved seeing how it unfolded. Eve and Emery both carry deep psychological scars from their childhood experiences, and as the reasons behind those scars start to emerge, they begin to connect with each other in ways they never thought possible.
I really appreciated how realistic and well-crafted the plot was. There were surprises around every corner that enhanced the story. If you know me at all, you know I can't help but grumble about the cliffhanger. Even though the second book is already available, I suggest grabbing both books together. Believe me, you'll want to dive into the next part right away! That's precisely what I'm planning to do.
November 2, 2024
🌸 𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂 🌸 can also be found on my blog: ╰┈➤K𝐈T𝐓Y K𝐀T𝐒 𝐂R𝐀Z𝐘 𝐀B𝐎U𝐓 𝐁O𝐎K𝐒
'𝐁E𝐀U𝐓I𝐅U𝐋 𝐏R𝐄Y' Is the first full length dark romance book within the (Unmasked) duet by new to me author Lora Darc. Spoken in dual perspectives. Eve & Emery
Hunting for my next read I came across this, seems new to me authors are my current norm..Once I jumped in this was inhaled in time at all, I was pulled into this twisty sad tale straight away and I couldn't for the life of me put it down, I loved the twists and turns this threw my way, and I didn't want it to end, until I fell over that cliffy and my mind is reeling...
🔪 Serial Killer
🔪 Masked Man
🔪 Revenge
🔪 Student therapist x Inmate
🔪 Enemies to Lovers
I need the next book asap....
On the eve of Halloween and Eve's sixteenth birthday five years ago a masked man whom they aptly named the 'Devil of Harper Point' ripped her family apart by killing them and not discovering her hiding place she survived that harrowing night made this a urban legend that was spoken about years later.
Plagued by nightmares and a need to seek revenge..She needed to learn everything she could about the man sitting castrated within a special facility for psychopaths. Studying criminal psychology was her in to get closer to Emery..
One on one conversations between these two starting occuring on a weekly basis where it was just these two in a closed room as he's shackled to a chair, slowly she gets him to open up as she unravels what occured that night when her family was slaughtered in cold blood left me reeling from the shock of the story unfolding before my very eyes as I read word by word the terrors Emery was subjected to answered the question why Eve's family was targeted.
September 7, 2025
A masked assailant. A brutal family murder. One witness who saw it all…tell me this isn’t the perfect recipe for a dark, twisty romance !! Chapter one felt ripped straight from a Criminal Minds episode, and I was instantly obsessed. My inner Scooby-Doo kid is dying to unravel this mystery.
This story opens with a family massacre and one survivor, our heroine. Stay with me here. It’s very much a romance, but wrapped in a tense, crime-thriller vibe.What first appears to be a clear-cut case quickly unravels into something more dangerous than the heroine ever imagined. The mystery was addictive. Each new revelation pulled me deeper and kept me on the edge of my seat.
The romance was a waiting game. She wasn’t instantly obsessed with the hero or seduced by his darkness. Forget those tropes where a woman spends years training as a doctor or therapist, only to lock eyes with a prisoner and abandon every shred of professionalism because she “was just too sexually frustrated.” That’s not her. She wants the truth. She’s furious, but too self-aware to think rage alone will get her answers. She does find him compelling, but after everything she’s endured, that pull was understandable.
‘I'd say it was nice to meet you, Emery, but well, I'd be lying. And I think you and I should be honest with each other."
"I agree," he said. "So in that case, it was nice to meet you, Eve."
If you hadn’t guessed it from the plot hints, the hero was not always in the right state of mind. Honestly, the fact that he wasn’t more f*cked up is surprising after hearing about all his trauma. He experienced hallucinations and carried deep discomfort with physical touch…but the heroine seemed to break down a lot of his barriers
He was far from a cookie-cutter hero. He was layered, complex, obsessive, and unapologetically damaged, and that’s exactly what makes him so appealing. His flaws don’t diminish him; they make him feel real. Add in the effortless banter and sharp, intimate conversations between him and the heroine, and you’ve got a dynamic that’s impossible to look away from.
"How are you?" I asked as I took a seat.
Emery hummed. "Better now."
"That's good," I said. "And your head?"
He shrugged, "Fucked from what I can tell."
My only slight negative…the author really needs to decide how to spell Eve. Sometimes it’s “Eve,” sometimes “Evee.” Still, I loved this book, and after that ending, I’m desperate for the sequel.
Thanks for the rec, Paulette
This story opens with a family massacre and one survivor, our heroine. Stay with me here. It’s very much a romance, but wrapped in a tense, crime-thriller vibe.What first appears to be a clear-cut case quickly unravels into something more dangerous than the heroine ever imagined. The mystery was addictive. Each new revelation pulled me deeper and kept me on the edge of my seat.
The romance was a waiting game. She wasn’t instantly obsessed with the hero or seduced by his darkness. Forget those tropes where a woman spends years training as a doctor or therapist, only to lock eyes with a prisoner and abandon every shred of professionalism because she “was just too sexually frustrated.” That’s not her. She wants the truth. She’s furious, but too self-aware to think rage alone will get her answers. She does find him compelling, but after everything she’s endured, that pull was understandable.
‘I'd say it was nice to meet you, Emery, but well, I'd be lying. And I think you and I should be honest with each other."
"I agree," he said. "So in that case, it was nice to meet you, Eve."
If you hadn’t guessed it from the plot hints, the hero was not always in the right state of mind. Honestly, the fact that he wasn’t more f*cked up is surprising after hearing about all his trauma. He experienced hallucinations and carried deep discomfort with physical touch…but the heroine seemed to break down a lot of his barriers
He was far from a cookie-cutter hero. He was layered, complex, obsessive, and unapologetically damaged, and that’s exactly what makes him so appealing. His flaws don’t diminish him; they make him feel real. Add in the effortless banter and sharp, intimate conversations between him and the heroine, and you’ve got a dynamic that’s impossible to look away from.
"How are you?" I asked as I took a seat.
Emery hummed. "Better now."
"That's good," I said. "And your head?"
He shrugged, "Fucked from what I can tell."
My only slight negative…the author really needs to decide how to spell Eve. Sometimes it’s “Eve,” sometimes “Evee.” Still, I loved this book, and after that ending, I’m desperate for the sequel.
Thanks for the rec, Paulette
October 25, 2024
At no point did I know where this book was leading me and I loved that. I was immediately drawn into this storyline when Eve's family is murdered and she hides from the killer only to vow future revenge. What we get is a bit different than revenge but in the best way ;).
I honestly expected this book to be smuttier than it was and was surprised that it is a bit of a slow burn. I am happy that this focused on the characters more than the smut because it builds a relationship between the reader and the characters and we end up liking them more and rooting for them.
I am a bit bummed that this ends on a cliffhanger but I will be reading the second book because I'm going to need to know what happens and I am excited to find out.
Thank you to the author, Lora Darc for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 10/25/24
I honestly expected this book to be smuttier than it was and was surprised that it is a bit of a slow burn. I am happy that this focused on the characters more than the smut because it builds a relationship between the reader and the characters and we end up liking them more and rooting for them.
I am a bit bummed that this ends on a cliffhanger but I will be reading the second book because I'm going to need to know what happens and I am excited to find out.
Thank you to the author, Lora Darc for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 10/25/24
Read
May 12, 2025I love it
💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
February 18, 2026
What is this story? It’s unbelievable and scary and amazing!
It’s worth reading.
It’s worth reading.
October 30, 2024
I started out absolutely obsessed with this book. The very first chapter had me freaking hooked and didn't let me go for a WHILE. It really started to drag when it hit the middle point, though, and by the end I was honestly skimming a little bit.
I really liked the character development. They both had a lot of growth throughout the story but Eve really stood out to me. She was just so dynamic and really drew you in.
Beautiful Prey is definitely a slow burn but once it gets there it's 😏😏😏. The cliffy? Criminal.
I'll definitely be checking out book two because I really need to know what happens.
Thank you to BookSirens and Lora Darc for the gifted arc
I really liked the character development. They both had a lot of growth throughout the story but Eve really stood out to me. She was just so dynamic and really drew you in.
Beautiful Prey is definitely a slow burn but once it gets there it's 😏😏😏. The cliffy? Criminal.
I'll definitely be checking out book two because I really need to know what happens.
Thank you to BookSirens and Lora Darc for the gifted arc
February 8, 2026
This part of the duology was just wow. The FMC wants to take revenge on the man who killed her father, brother, and uncle, but she unexpectedly falls for him—because the MMC actually had strong reasons for what he did. I really enjoyed the events in the special facility for psychopaths, I couldn’t put the book down. When Emery dropped to his knees in front of Eve, I literally squealed in my head.
February 10, 2025
Are all of the four and five star ratings ARC recipients and family/friends? This book quite literally sucked ass.
If you’re going to pen a FMC that’s a wannabe forensic psychologist, you should absolutely know you have to obtain a CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY PhD or PsyD, not a fucking forensic psych degree - you can’t do shit with a Master’s in psychology either, much less practice. To make matters worse, the FMC at one point says she’s studying psychodynamic theory…yeah, I think not. Again, if you’re going to talk Freud, you should have the fucking insight to know this shit is taught in clinical programs BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CLINICAL DEGREE TO PRACTICE IT. God, even the description refers to her as a therapist - stop it right now. One of the most laughable parts is that the MMC was supposed to have murdered her family, and she just casually pitches the idea to her Professor that she wants to pen her grad thesis on him…and you’re going to insult our intelligence by implying a Professor would sign off on that? Never in a million fucking years. Nevermind about implicit bias, countertransference, or you know, ethics…
The MMC was a “psychopath” but somehow said the most cringe shit like “kittens are cute little fuckers”…um, what? Did you spend like, I don’t know, five minutes watching or listening to interviews with individuals who have been diagnosed with psychopathic traits, or did you watch a slasher film on Shudder and somehow make that relevant to your research? I mean, ffs, the FMC goes in to interview the dude and he’s wearing a red skeleton mask??! Lmfaoooooo, what? Have you ever spent time in an adult incarceration or inpatient setting? Absolutely fucking not, hahaha.
I was going to simply give this a one star and move along, but I could not reconcile how painfully inaccurate some of the descriptions were in this book. And even if they had been well researched, every single character in this book was woefully boring - the concept was tacky and, at times, nonsensical. The lack of content knowledge is lazy and borderline offensive. You want to glorify and honor the field of forensic psych? Take a day to familiarize yourself with it before you butcher the notion of it in print, fiction or not.
If you’re going to pen a FMC that’s a wannabe forensic psychologist, you should absolutely know you have to obtain a CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY PhD or PsyD, not a fucking forensic psych degree - you can’t do shit with a Master’s in psychology either, much less practice. To make matters worse, the FMC at one point says she’s studying psychodynamic theory…yeah, I think not. Again, if you’re going to talk Freud, you should have the fucking insight to know this shit is taught in clinical programs BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CLINICAL DEGREE TO PRACTICE IT. God, even the description refers to her as a therapist - stop it right now. One of the most laughable parts is that the MMC was supposed to have murdered her family, and she just casually pitches the idea to her Professor that she wants to pen her grad thesis on him…and you’re going to insult our intelligence by implying a Professor would sign off on that? Never in a million fucking years. Nevermind about implicit bias, countertransference, or you know, ethics…
The MMC was a “psychopath” but somehow said the most cringe shit like “kittens are cute little fuckers”…um, what? Did you spend like, I don’t know, five minutes watching or listening to interviews with individuals who have been diagnosed with psychopathic traits, or did you watch a slasher film on Shudder and somehow make that relevant to your research? I mean, ffs, the FMC goes in to interview the dude and he’s wearing a red skeleton mask??! Lmfaoooooo, what? Have you ever spent time in an adult incarceration or inpatient setting? Absolutely fucking not, hahaha.
I was going to simply give this a one star and move along, but I could not reconcile how painfully inaccurate some of the descriptions were in this book. And even if they had been well researched, every single character in this book was woefully boring - the concept was tacky and, at times, nonsensical. The lack of content knowledge is lazy and borderline offensive. You want to glorify and honor the field of forensic psych? Take a day to familiarize yourself with it before you butcher the notion of it in print, fiction or not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2025
This book is sooooo underrated. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book because I need justice to be served for Emery. This book had my nerves all worked up! I loved it!!
October 13, 2024
the twists and turns had my head SPINNING !!
first of all, thank you lora for the opportunity to arc read this 🖤 i absolutely love that this was more character driven. eve and emery’s obsession with each other is just chefs kiss 💋 from hate to love, revenge to love … ugh i love it !
if you’re a fan of therapist x inmate, cliffhanger, slow burn, crazy mmc but only a softy for her, curious fmc, revenge, creepy / secret labs, and dark history then this book is PERFECT for you !
this book starts right off the bat when eve’s family was killed and since then she wanted to get her revenge on the one who ruined her life. she needed answers and closure. when she meets emery, the meetings quickly became something more. then tension between them had me sweating 🙂↕️ it wasn’t as smutty as i thought it would be but i absolutely ate up how it was more about the characters and their pasts.
emery is one FINE MFER 🥵 the man is literal killer but he’s such a softy for eve ! i cried hearing about his past. and eve is a smart and curious woman. theyre relationship was definitely on a slow burn but when it hits … oh babes IT HIT ! they were also put through the damn ringer 😭 let these two catch a breath omg 😭 every time i thought they were going to run off and get their hea, something smacks them in face !
i’m so excited to see what book two has to bring because that ending was CRIMINAL 😔
🌶️🌶️🌶️
first of all, thank you lora for the opportunity to arc read this 🖤 i absolutely love that this was more character driven. eve and emery’s obsession with each other is just chefs kiss 💋 from hate to love, revenge to love … ugh i love it !
if you’re a fan of therapist x inmate, cliffhanger, slow burn, crazy mmc but only a softy for her, curious fmc, revenge, creepy / secret labs, and dark history then this book is PERFECT for you !
this book starts right off the bat when eve’s family was killed and since then she wanted to get her revenge on the one who ruined her life. she needed answers and closure. when she meets emery, the meetings quickly became something more. then tension between them had me sweating 🙂↕️ it wasn’t as smutty as i thought it would be but i absolutely ate up how it was more about the characters and their pasts.
emery is one FINE MFER 🥵 the man is literal killer but he’s such a softy for eve ! i cried hearing about his past. and eve is a smart and curious woman. theyre relationship was definitely on a slow burn but when it hits … oh babes IT HIT ! they were also put through the damn ringer 😭 let these two catch a breath omg 😭 every time i thought they were going to run off and get their hea, something smacks them in face !
i’m so excited to see what book two has to bring because that ending was CRIMINAL 😔
🌶️🌶️🌶️
October 18, 2024
♥️Serial Ki113r
♥️Enemies to Lovers
♥️Therapist x Inmate
♥️Masked Man
♥️R3veng3
This was a dark romance thriller book…
From the very first page I was gripped, This book was absolutely incredible like omg amazing..
It had me weeping like a baby. There was so many twists my head 🤯 but omg did I eat this book up hell yes I did, it had me holding my breath in shock, gripping the edge of my seat it was thrilling spooky.
The spice was 👌 this story I can’t stop thinking about it I need book 2 tht cliffhanger left me screaming..
♥️Enemies to Lovers
♥️Therapist x Inmate
♥️Masked Man
♥️R3veng3
This was a dark romance thriller book…
From the very first page I was gripped, This book was absolutely incredible like omg amazing..
It had me weeping like a baby. There was so many twists my head 🤯 but omg did I eat this book up hell yes I did, it had me holding my breath in shock, gripping the edge of my seat it was thrilling spooky.
The spice was 👌 this story I can’t stop thinking about it I need book 2 tht cliffhanger left me screaming..
February 3, 2026
Beautiful Prey is the first book in the Unmasked Duet and my first book by this author. It was picked as a Book of the Month read for January 2025, and oh my, what a pick. This is a dark romance thriller…slow on steam until the end, but not slow on holding me in it's grip, with twists and turns and everything I love in dark revenge romances. I started reading and couldn't stop. From the very first page I was captivated, fascinated and spellbound. Yes, it was that good, this book was absolutely incredible. Good start to 2026.
5 stars
5 stars
February 27, 2025
This is book is the first half in the Unmasked Duet, and I can hardly wait for my tablet to charge so I can IMMEDIATELY jump in to book 2!!
On the eve of Halloween, Eve is at home celebrating her 16th birthday when a masked killer (later dubbed The Devil of Harper Point) crashes her party, brutally murdering Eve’s dad, brother, and cousin. Eve managed to survive by hiding under her father’s liquor cabinet, where she witnessed the whole attack.
In the aftermath, the killer, Emery, is sentenced to life in a psychiatric hospital. Eve changes her last name and manages to stay out of the news. She ends up living with her father’s best friend, her “uncle” Wes, until she starts college.
Cut to 6 years later, Eve is on her way to a masters degree in psychology. Wanting to know why Emery targeted her family, Eve, gets cleared to interview Emery for her college thesis. Unbeknownst to anyone involved (warden, case worker, Emery), Eve hides the fact that it was her family that was killed by Emery. Her plan is to get as much information as she can from him, gaining his trust so she can later rip the carpet from underneath him by letting him know who she is and how he ruined her life, and then walking away, leaving Emery bereft of her “friendship”.
But things are as cut and dry as Emery just randomly murdering her family.
I want to write so much more but I don’t want to give the whole book away, if you go into it with as little information as possible you’ll be be on the edge of your seat waiting for the next crumb of information, and danger that lurks around the corner.
This had such a dark feel to it. It’s dark subject matter, but also in the environment; being autumn, it rains a lot, Eve’s sessions with Emery are held mostly after sun down in a very old building, etc.
This kept my attention, kept me hungry for more, and pulled all the emotions out of me. Like I previously stated, I’m so excited to read the next book, and I’ll gladly give more of the authors work a read!
5 Stars!!
On the eve of Halloween, Eve is at home celebrating her 16th birthday when a masked killer (later dubbed The Devil of Harper Point) crashes her party, brutally murdering Eve’s dad, brother, and cousin. Eve managed to survive by hiding under her father’s liquor cabinet, where she witnessed the whole attack.
In the aftermath, the killer, Emery, is sentenced to life in a psychiatric hospital. Eve changes her last name and manages to stay out of the news. She ends up living with her father’s best friend, her “uncle” Wes, until she starts college.
Cut to 6 years later, Eve is on her way to a masters degree in psychology. Wanting to know why Emery targeted her family, Eve, gets cleared to interview Emery for her college thesis. Unbeknownst to anyone involved (warden, case worker, Emery), Eve hides the fact that it was her family that was killed by Emery. Her plan is to get as much information as she can from him, gaining his trust so she can later rip the carpet from underneath him by letting him know who she is and how he ruined her life, and then walking away, leaving Emery bereft of her “friendship”.
But things are as cut and dry as Emery just randomly murdering her family.
I want to write so much more but I don’t want to give the whole book away, if you go into it with as little information as possible you’ll be be on the edge of your seat waiting for the next crumb of information, and danger that lurks around the corner.
This had such a dark feel to it. It’s dark subject matter, but also in the environment; being autumn, it rains a lot, Eve’s sessions with Emery are held mostly after sun down in a very old building, etc.
This kept my attention, kept me hungry for more, and pulled all the emotions out of me. Like I previously stated, I’m so excited to read the next book, and I’ll gladly give more of the authors work a read!
5 Stars!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2024
6 Stars Easily.
OH MY GOSH. OH MY GOSH. I’m obsessed. I’m in love. Oh my gosh this is definitely in my top books of the year. I was hooked in on the very first page and I progressively became more obsessed as the book went on.
Emery is my new obsession. He’s one of those guys who’s clearly crazy and definitely not a good guy while also being a big softy. His obsession with Eve is everything. And her obsession with him is just *chef’s kiss*.
The way the story is broken down is magnificent. And the titles for each part - absolutely perfect.
There wasn’t a single character who annoyed me other than the ones whose purpose was to be annoying. The plot also felt very realistic and well thought out. There were twists left and right that really added to the story.
This book very quickly became my favorite dark romance ever. I can’t wait until January for the next book because that ending!!!!
Thank you so much to Lora Darc for an ARC of this incredible book. All opinions are my own and in no way were influenced by the way I received this book.
OH MY GOSH. OH MY GOSH. I’m obsessed. I’m in love. Oh my gosh this is definitely in my top books of the year. I was hooked in on the very first page and I progressively became more obsessed as the book went on.
Emery is my new obsession. He’s one of those guys who’s clearly crazy and definitely not a good guy while also being a big softy. His obsession with Eve is everything. And her obsession with him is just *chef’s kiss*.
The way the story is broken down is magnificent. And the titles for each part - absolutely perfect.
There wasn’t a single character who annoyed me other than the ones whose purpose was to be annoying. The plot also felt very realistic and well thought out. There were twists left and right that really added to the story.
This book very quickly became my favorite dark romance ever. I can’t wait until January for the next book because that ending!!!!
Thank you so much to Lora Darc for an ARC of this incredible book. All opinions are my own and in no way were influenced by the way I received this book.
January 15, 2025
This is actually pretty sweet. I don’t consider this dark in how the hero and heroine interacts with each other, only in their back stories. Their bonding over horror and sci-fi films is what I imagine makes up a lot of banter in light and modern romances. Not my thing but ok enough.
Drawn by the student counsellor and hospitalized psychopath trope. People are correct. There are no physical interactions but for his hand brushing her calf, or glances. There is coitus but at 70 or 80%. I really enjoyed how sweet the attraction is. The yearning is there, the hero certainly wants to be better for the heroine. Was it the best or most unique? No, but I liked it for what it was. Give me heroes who yearn!!
I didn’t love it, I didn’t hate it. I like this trope and setting so I will likely pre-order the second book in this duet. If you are looking for books with this trope and setting or if you are looking for romantic thrillers, you may be satisfied.
Drawn by the student counsellor and hospitalized psychopath trope. People are correct. There are no physical interactions but for his hand brushing her calf, or glances. There is coitus but at 70 or 80%. I really enjoyed how sweet the attraction is. The yearning is there, the hero certainly wants to be better for the heroine. Was it the best or most unique? No, but I liked it for what it was. Give me heroes who yearn!!
I didn’t love it, I didn’t hate it. I like this trope and setting so I will likely pre-order the second book in this duet. If you are looking for books with this trope and setting or if you are looking for romantic thrillers, you may be satisfied.
November 19, 2024
Totally fucked up. Boy murders her family and she falls for him. This book gave me a new diagnosis I just know.
I honestly enjoyed the first part of the storyline the best. Their dynamic while he's in the facility is really interesting and I enjoyed reading their relationship start to take place. The hunt for her was also exciting, he's legit coo coo for cocopuffs - Eve being the cocopuffs - and bullets don't affect him nor does cold or door hinges apparently. This is the epitome of "if he wants to he would" I mean the eyeballs as gifts were a bit much but he's a little goofy like that.
The last part is where it kind of fell apart to me. Eve sweetie? What the fuck? He killed your family and you're like yes take me against the door. Excuse me? I get it though yeah her dad experimented on him and now he's a wack job. He killed her family because they tortured him for years and that's why he's a sadboy. Sure yeah but can we go back to the eyeballs?? She's like super into knives as well and I guess that may be kinky to some idk if it's in the same sphere of sexual awakening when it's literally with a murderer who gutted your father in front of you.
Their physical relationship was lacking to me. The way they danced around each other in part one was completely removed in part three. He's no longer a man with a mask. He's completely laid bare and therefore no need to fear him. Which I guess is good if you plan to run away with him but not good for keeping up an interesting story. It was just eh to me. I just have questions.
He was moved from foster care when he was what 8yrs old?
He was in cages under experiments for 8yrs.
He was released from experiments then 2 yrs later he killed the Martel family.
When the fuck did boy learn oral, how to cook, how to drive, he said he was a mechanic? I have questions on the technical details here.
The cliffhanger was incredibly disrespectful how can you do me like that I didn't know this was a series I'm so pissed and now I have to wait to find out what happens next because homeboy is coming and I do not want to wait.
Idk how to rate this book because it gripped me I gotta say almost to grippy sock vacation not gonna lie and I doubt I'd find a hot therapist to fall in love with me like Emery.
I honestly enjoyed the first part of the storyline the best. Their dynamic while he's in the facility is really interesting and I enjoyed reading their relationship start to take place. The hunt for her was also exciting, he's legit coo coo for cocopuffs - Eve being the cocopuffs - and bullets don't affect him nor does cold or door hinges apparently. This is the epitome of "if he wants to he would" I mean the eyeballs as gifts were a bit much but he's a little goofy like that.
The last part is where it kind of fell apart to me. Eve sweetie? What the fuck? He killed your family and you're like yes take me against the door. Excuse me? I get it though yeah her dad experimented on him and now he's a wack job. He killed her family because they tortured him for years and that's why he's a sadboy. Sure yeah but can we go back to the eyeballs?? She's like super into knives as well and I guess that may be kinky to some idk if it's in the same sphere of sexual awakening when it's literally with a murderer who gutted your father in front of you.
Their physical relationship was lacking to me. The way they danced around each other in part one was completely removed in part three. He's no longer a man with a mask. He's completely laid bare and therefore no need to fear him. Which I guess is good if you plan to run away with him but not good for keeping up an interesting story. It was just eh to me. I just have questions.
He was moved from foster care when he was what 8yrs old?
He was in cages under experiments for 8yrs.
He was released from experiments then 2 yrs later he killed the Martel family.
When the fuck did boy learn oral, how to cook, how to drive, he said he was a mechanic? I have questions on the technical details here.
The cliffhanger was incredibly disrespectful how can you do me like that I didn't know this was a series I'm so pissed and now I have to wait to find out what happens next because homeboy is coming and I do not want to wait.
Idk how to rate this book because it gripped me I gotta say almost to grippy sock vacation not gonna lie and I doubt I'd find a hot therapist to fall in love with me like Emery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2024
Wow, what a rollercoaster! Eve had a nightmarish 16th birthday when a lunatic murdered her entire family as her candles burned. Somehow, she escaped the carnage in hiding and the killer was put behind bars. Fast forward 6 years and Eve is determined to write her thesis for her psychology degree on none other than Emery, her family’s murderer. To do this, she must get approval for visits to St. Agnes, the psych center where this masked killer resides. Some strings are pulled, unrevealed to all in authority that she is the lone survivor from that horrible massacre. Her plan? To get under Emery’s skin and gain his trust, only to punish him as revenge in the end. What wasn’t in the plan? Him getting under HER skin…
I was absolutely HOOKED on their story from a few pages in and relished in watching it play out. Both Eve and Emery suffered severe psychological damage from their childhood traumas, and as the causes of those traumas begin coming to light, they begin to understand each other in unfathomable ways. What happens when the person who completely ruined your life becomes an integral part of it you can’t see yourself living without?
This is a must read for thriller and dark romance fans alike! I cannot wait to read the sequel! Thanks go out to Lora Dorc and publisher for this arc read in exchange for an honest review!
I was absolutely HOOKED on their story from a few pages in and relished in watching it play out. Both Eve and Emery suffered severe psychological damage from their childhood traumas, and as the causes of those traumas begin coming to light, they begin to understand each other in unfathomable ways. What happens when the person who completely ruined your life becomes an integral part of it you can’t see yourself living without?
This is a must read for thriller and dark romance fans alike! I cannot wait to read the sequel! Thanks go out to Lora Dorc and publisher for this arc read in exchange for an honest review!
October 20, 2024
- enemies to lovers
- therapist + inmate
- masked men
- revenge plot
Beautiful Prey was my first read by Lora, and I genuinely had no idea what to expect! The dynamic between Eve and Emery is intense and electric. I expected this to be a lot smutty than it was, but the slow burn tension between these two was everythingggg. I absolutely ate up every single dark and twisted moment of their forbidden love story, and cannot wait for book two!
- therapist + inmate
- masked men
- revenge plot
Beautiful Prey was my first read by Lora, and I genuinely had no idea what to expect! The dynamic between Eve and Emery is intense and electric. I expected this to be a lot smutty than it was, but the slow burn tension between these two was everythingggg. I absolutely ate up every single dark and twisted moment of their forbidden love story, and cannot wait for book two!
October 31, 2024
I DEVOURED this book in a day. If I could I would give it more than five stars. I had the privilege to read this book as an ARC and am so glad that I did. The story line was full of twists and turns and the ending was, chefs kiss, amazing and unexpected. The characters were lovable and I cannot wait for the second book to come out next year to continue the journey with them.
May 3, 2025
“emery blakmor is a monster” ok and he shouldve just stayed that way
January 28, 2025
When you realize this book is a duology, and the second one doesn’t come out until January 2025… 🥲
That ending—phew! I wanted to scream. I love when a book catches you off guard and turns out way better than you expected.
Emery and Eve were meant for each other. Their connection is everything the tension the longing from Emery was literally mouthwatering🫦
The ending made me so mad we were so close to a HEA, now I just need my babies to be happy 😭😭
I’m counting down the days until the next book drops!
That ending—phew! I wanted to scream. I love when a book catches you off guard and turns out way better than you expected.
Emery and Eve were meant for each other. Their connection is everything the tension the longing from Emery was literally mouthwatering🫦
The ending made me so mad we were so close to a HEA, now I just need my babies to be happy 😭😭
I’m counting down the days until the next book drops!
October 17, 2024
I had a difficult time rating. I really enjoyed the unknown for this book and where it was taking me. I think the first 3/4 or so I was hooked but without giving anything away, the last 100 pages I was like WHAT THE HECK! Some of it was uncomfortable, good and bad. I do want to read the second book in the duet to see what occurs for Eve. You’ll be in for a wild ride!
April 9, 2025
Went from "i'm a psycopath and can barely talk" to "hey let's celebrate your birthday you love of my life" real quick
November 22, 2025
I absolutely devoured this book. It starts off strong, grabs you by the throat, and refuses to loosen its grip until the final page. The way the story moves between past and present on both sides of each character creates such a rich, complete world. It’s written so well that I genuinely found myself talking back to the characters. This book pulls you into its universe and makes you feel everything exactly as they do, moment by moment.
✨ T r o p e s + T r i g g e r s ✨
Inmate + Student
Past Trauma | Child Trauma
Mental Illness | Hearing Voices
Spicy
Enemies to Lovers
Obsession
Kidnapping
✨ T r o p e s + T r i g g e r s ✨
Inmate + Student
Past Trauma | Child Trauma
Mental Illness | Hearing Voices
Spicy
Enemies to Lovers
Obsession
Kidnapping
July 10, 2026
loved the psychological aspects of this book!
Im definitely curious to see how their relationship develops on the next book because on this one i wanted more build up. Felt like he became interested in her out of nowhere but the plot was plotting and i really enjoyed the way their stories were connected through his trauma and her family.
Im definitely curious to see how their relationship develops on the next book because on this one i wanted more build up. Felt like he became interested in her out of nowhere but the plot was plotting and i really enjoyed the way their stories were connected through his trauma and her family.
April 3, 2025
Love a psychopath but not a fan of the misunderstanding trope, so only 3 Stars
March 26, 2025
My heart! 💔 it was an amazing read. I honestly wasn’t expecting that much when I first picked it up but the way everything progressed and the characters development it really captivated me and made me really feel and embrace who the characters are. And the fact that Eve is accepting of Emory exactly how he is and not trying to change him (even if she does not agree with some of the things he has done) is really refreshing to see
October 15, 2024
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️ out of 5
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶 out of 5
Tropes:
🖤Dark Romance
🥀Masked MMC
💀Touch Her and D1e
🩸Serial K1ller x Therapist
❤️🔥Enemies to Lovers
🥺Tragic Past
😱Suspense/Thriller
✨️Review:
Brilliance, shear, unequivocal brilliance! I have officially rounded out my top 3 dark romance favorites ever with this soon to be duet! I truly hope this book erupts in the literary world because it just put me in a chokehold for close to 6 hours of reading and my descent into this dark romance was a tempest of emotions.
Firstly, the prologue just guts you (sorry not sorry about the pun) and if you love that, you're in for a treat. The secret agenda of Eve cat-fishing her family’s murderer under the guise of a therapist, is genius.
Eve shows a myriad of conflicted emotions as she learns more about her complex subject and begins to see the darkness plaguing him that perhaps isn't his fault. The interview sessions are riveting and are psychologically dynamic; highly engaging us in learning little snippets into Emery's mental state. These are on par with Lecter and Clarice Starling scenes for me! But more importantly, we see a bond being galvanized between them.
A formidable man shrouded in a mask, Emery is far more complicated than anyone can imagine. Not gonna spoil anything, but he is riddled with pain and demons the likes of which will break the most hardened of hearts.
Incredible psychological suspense in the first half then we enter action and thriller territory for the latter half the likes of which left me breathless and spellbound. We get high stakes, small tender moments that shatter you, evocative imagery and dense character studies, provocative morals, shocking twists and no shying away from violence...I will die on a hill for Emery💗 and this couple is endgame but we have part 2 in the duet still to come!
This is another rare gem where I read it and it plays as a fully cinematic experience in my head (manifesting for a film one day)
Vibes are in line with Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, Mindhunter.
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶 out of 5
Tropes:
🖤Dark Romance
🥀Masked MMC
💀Touch Her and D1e
🩸Serial K1ller x Therapist
❤️🔥Enemies to Lovers
🥺Tragic Past
😱Suspense/Thriller
✨️Review:
Brilliance, shear, unequivocal brilliance! I have officially rounded out my top 3 dark romance favorites ever with this soon to be duet! I truly hope this book erupts in the literary world because it just put me in a chokehold for close to 6 hours of reading and my descent into this dark romance was a tempest of emotions.
Firstly, the prologue just guts you (sorry not sorry about the pun) and if you love that, you're in for a treat. The secret agenda of Eve cat-fishing her family’s murderer under the guise of a therapist, is genius.
Eve shows a myriad of conflicted emotions as she learns more about her complex subject and begins to see the darkness plaguing him that perhaps isn't his fault. The interview sessions are riveting and are psychologically dynamic; highly engaging us in learning little snippets into Emery's mental state. These are on par with Lecter and Clarice Starling scenes for me! But more importantly, we see a bond being galvanized between them.
A formidable man shrouded in a mask, Emery is far more complicated than anyone can imagine. Not gonna spoil anything, but he is riddled with pain and demons the likes of which will break the most hardened of hearts.
Incredible psychological suspense in the first half then we enter action and thriller territory for the latter half the likes of which left me breathless and spellbound. We get high stakes, small tender moments that shatter you, evocative imagery and dense character studies, provocative morals, shocking twists and no shying away from violence...I will die on a hill for Emery💗 and this couple is endgame but we have part 2 in the duet still to come!
This is another rare gem where I read it and it plays as a fully cinematic experience in my head (manifesting for a film one day)
Vibes are in line with Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, Mindhunter.
November 21, 2024
Huge thank you to Lora and BookSirens for the opportunity to read and review!
𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕯𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖑 𝖔𝖋 𝕳𝖆𝖗𝖕𝖊𝖗 𝕻𝖔𝖎𝖓𝖙𝖊 𝖍𝖆𝖉 𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖊 𝖍𝖔𝖒𝖊, 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖍𝖊 𝖜𝖆𝖘 𝖑𝖔𝖔𝖐𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖋𝖎𝖓𝖎𝖘𝖍 𝖒𝖊 𝖔𝖋𝖋.
Eve and Emery are connected by a traumatizing act caused by Emery when Eve was young, and Eve makes a plan to come face-to-face with the man that altered her life forever. But what she discovers in this plan is that there is more to the story than what she thought, and those secrets are no longer hiding in the dark. And with this discovery, Eve is faced with the realization that revenge may no longer be an option.
“𝖄𝖔𝖚'𝖗𝖊 𝖎𝖓 𝖒𝖞 𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖉. 𝖄𝖔𝖚'𝖗𝖊 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖆 𝖑𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖑𝖊 𝖇𝖊𝖊 𝖇𝖚𝖟𝖟𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖆𝖗𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖉 𝖎𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊, 𝖈𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖆 𝖍𝖎𝖛𝖊, 𝖙𝖗𝖆𝖕𝖕𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖒𝖊 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖆 𝖔𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝖘𝖜𝖊𝖊𝖙 𝖍𝖔𝖓𝖊𝖞. 𝕭𝖚𝖙 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖍𝖊𝖑𝖑.”
I'm obsessed with Emery, hands down. He was such an interesting character. And his obsession with Eve had me kicking my feet, to be honest. Though this was dark, I loved the fact that it only made you want to get closer to our MCs. Eve was perfect. Emery (though very troubled) was perfect. I loved diving into their pasts. I also loved that every single time another detail was revealed, you didn't know whether it was a good thing or bad thing that you felt more drawn to Emery. There are so many little twists and reveals that you don't know where the story was going to take you and how you're going to get to whatever destination that may be.
“𝕴’𝖒 𝖎𝖓 𝖉𝖊𝖊𝖕 𝖜𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖞𝖔𝖚’𝖗𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖒𝖔𝖔𝖓.”
BUT THE CLIFFHANGER IS CRIMINAL. STRAIGHT TO JAIL, LORA. STRAIGHT TO JAIL. That's all I will say about that. I absolutely cannot wait to keep tabs for the next release because I will need the answers for that
5⭐️ 2🌶️
𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕯𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖑 𝖔𝖋 𝕳𝖆𝖗𝖕𝖊𝖗 𝕻𝖔𝖎𝖓𝖙𝖊 𝖍𝖆𝖉 𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖊 𝖍𝖔𝖒𝖊, 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖍𝖊 𝖜𝖆𝖘 𝖑𝖔𝖔𝖐𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖋𝖎𝖓𝖎𝖘𝖍 𝖒𝖊 𝖔𝖋𝖋.
Eve and Emery are connected by a traumatizing act caused by Emery when Eve was young, and Eve makes a plan to come face-to-face with the man that altered her life forever. But what she discovers in this plan is that there is more to the story than what she thought, and those secrets are no longer hiding in the dark. And with this discovery, Eve is faced with the realization that revenge may no longer be an option.
“𝖄𝖔𝖚'𝖗𝖊 𝖎𝖓 𝖒𝖞 𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖉. 𝖄𝖔𝖚'𝖗𝖊 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖆 𝖑𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖑𝖊 𝖇𝖊𝖊 𝖇𝖚𝖟𝖟𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖆𝖗𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖉 𝖎𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊, 𝖈𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖆 𝖍𝖎𝖛𝖊, 𝖙𝖗𝖆𝖕𝖕𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖒𝖊 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖆 𝖔𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝖘𝖜𝖊𝖊𝖙 𝖍𝖔𝖓𝖊𝖞. 𝕭𝖚𝖙 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖍𝖊𝖑𝖑.”
I'm obsessed with Emery, hands down. He was such an interesting character. And his obsession with Eve had me kicking my feet, to be honest. Though this was dark, I loved the fact that it only made you want to get closer to our MCs. Eve was perfect. Emery (though very troubled) was perfect. I loved diving into their pasts. I also loved that every single time another detail was revealed, you didn't know whether it was a good thing or bad thing that you felt more drawn to Emery. There are so many little twists and reveals that you don't know where the story was going to take you and how you're going to get to whatever destination that may be.
“𝕴’𝖒 𝖎𝖓 𝖉𝖊𝖊𝖕 𝖜𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖞𝖔𝖚’𝖗𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖒𝖔𝖔𝖓.”
BUT THE CLIFFHANGER IS CRIMINAL. STRAIGHT TO JAIL, LORA. STRAIGHT TO JAIL. That's all I will say about that. I absolutely cannot wait to keep tabs for the next release because I will need the answers for that
5⭐️ 2🌶️
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