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Toxic Tongue
Some people find love in candlelit dinners and gentle touches. Isabella Rossi finds it in the taste of revenge and the watchful eyes of her history professor.
When a traumatic night at a college party shatters her fragile world, Harrison Irving is there—her stoic, tailored-suit saviour. He offers comfort, obsession, and a possessive love that feels like a sanctuary from her abusive past. Isabella is drawn into his orbit, a willing captive to his dark intensity.
But Harrison has a secret hunger. His devotion isn't just protective; it's consumptive. He eliminates anyone who threatens or touches what he claims as his own, filling his freezer with the consequences.
As their twisted bond deepens, Isabella discovers her own capacity for darkness. Shared trauma becomes a perverse language, and the line between victim and accomplice blurs.
When outside threats and the ghosts of their pasts conspire to tear them apart, Isabella must make a choice: flee from the only love that has ever seen her monstrous truth, or embrace it fully and become his partner in a buffet of carnage.
For fans of Hannibal and You, this is a visceral, sensuous descent into a love that is as horrifying as it is profound. This is not only a romance. This is a possession.
Touch her, and he'll eat you.
When a traumatic night at a college party shatters her fragile world, Harrison Irving is there—her stoic, tailored-suit saviour. He offers comfort, obsession, and a possessive love that feels like a sanctuary from her abusive past. Isabella is drawn into his orbit, a willing captive to his dark intensity.
But Harrison has a secret hunger. His devotion isn't just protective; it's consumptive. He eliminates anyone who threatens or touches what he claims as his own, filling his freezer with the consequences.
As their twisted bond deepens, Isabella discovers her own capacity for darkness. Shared trauma becomes a perverse language, and the line between victim and accomplice blurs.
When outside threats and the ghosts of their pasts conspire to tear them apart, Isabella must make a choice: flee from the only love that has ever seen her monstrous truth, or embrace it fully and become his partner in a buffet of carnage.
For fans of Hannibal and You, this is a visceral, sensuous descent into a love that is as horrifying as it is profound. This is not only a romance. This is a possession.
Touch her, and he'll eat you.
- GenresHorrorDark Romance
Paperback
Published March 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
March 28, 2026
This book was completely, unapologetically unhinged in the best way possible. The trauma woven through Isabella’s POV felt raw and suffocatingly real, every flashback hitting like a punch to the chest, every instinct to run at the slightest crack in stability painfully accurate. And Harrison? Absolute chaos wrapped in something dark and irresistible deranged, magnetic, misunderstood, and convinced of his own righteousness all at once. He’s the kind of man who doesn’t know how to speak his pain, only act on it, driven by instinct and shaped by a past that ultimately becomes his downfall. It was intense, it was messy, it was addictive and now I’m completely obsessed. I need more and I need it now!
March 8, 2026
Dare I say ‘tongue in cheek’ I enjoyed this 🤣🤣
Isabella aka Clover, hasn’t had the best upbringing, doesn’t deal with compliments well, she has abandonment issues and feels no-one can love her but she is stronger than she knows. Her professor, Harrison however, sees her, sees the darkness within that could match his own. He becomes enamoured with her to the point of stalking and… He is not without issues himself, but he will protect her with all he has, it’s just the way in which he carries this out 🤣👅
𝒮𝑜𝓂𝑒𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝑜 𝒹𝑜𝑒𝓈𝓃'𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝐼'𝓂 𝒶𝓉 𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓈𝓉
𝒸𝑜𝓂𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹𝓃'𝓉 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝒶𝒸𝒸𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝓂𝑒.
I just love Marla’s books, they delve into places you don’t expect to read 🫣 There’s usually a WTF moment or a few, that leave you thinking ermm…Lady, where’s you head at! And I’ll be honest with you I am all in for it. This one was no different, we have their story, their back story, lots of spicy times 🌶️🦴, as well as the fuel for the food 😉 I giggled at the part Marla added at the end, I mean is that not an option? For shame…IYKYK 🥩🍲
Isabella aka Clover, hasn’t had the best upbringing, doesn’t deal with compliments well, she has abandonment issues and feels no-one can love her but she is stronger than she knows. Her professor, Harrison however, sees her, sees the darkness within that could match his own. He becomes enamoured with her to the point of stalking and… He is not without issues himself, but he will protect her with all he has, it’s just the way in which he carries this out 🤣👅
𝒮𝑜𝓂𝑒𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝑜 𝒹𝑜𝑒𝓈𝓃'𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝐼'𝓂 𝒶𝓉 𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓈𝓉
𝒸𝑜𝓂𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹𝓃'𝓉 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝒶𝒸𝒸𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝓂𝑒.
I just love Marla’s books, they delve into places you don’t expect to read 🫣 There’s usually a WTF moment or a few, that leave you thinking ermm…Lady, where’s you head at! And I’ll be honest with you I am all in for it. This one was no different, we have their story, their back story, lots of spicy times 🌶️🦴, as well as the fuel for the food 😉 I giggled at the part Marla added at the end, I mean is that not an option? For shame…IYKYK 🥩🍲
April 2, 2026
This book was one hell of a ride! Please check the trigger warnings, it’s not for the faint hearted.
I absolutely loved Hannibal the TV series and I definitely thought hell yeah, so when I saw this book advertised I was immediately drawn to it.
Harrison is a handsome, charismatic professor at university but underneath his facade he is a loved up, obsessed stalker, giving Joe from You a run for his money.
Since the first day Isabella arrived on campus, Harrison has been obsessed with her and has been disposing of anyone who has hurt her. Touch her, and he’ll eat him might be my new favourite trope.
This is definitely a dark, unhinged, toxic relationship. There were many times where I was like what the F am I reading 😂. I loved the horror aspects of it, the fine dining, the mask, the revenge, exciting and disturbing. It was great!
There were a couple of parts that made me a bit queasy though (toothpaste and sugar, that’s all I’m saying 😂) and one part that I was definitely not into (Harrison’s surprise). That surprise will stay with me for a long time, I’m not going to lie but it definitely had shock value.
Overall, I rate this 4⭐️ I enjoyed the craziness of it all and I’m still thinking about it a week later. Proceed with caution 😂
I absolutely loved Hannibal the TV series and I definitely thought hell yeah, so when I saw this book advertised I was immediately drawn to it.
Harrison is a handsome, charismatic professor at university but underneath his facade he is a loved up, obsessed stalker, giving Joe from You a run for his money.
Since the first day Isabella arrived on campus, Harrison has been obsessed with her and has been disposing of anyone who has hurt her. Touch her, and he’ll eat him might be my new favourite trope.
This is definitely a dark, unhinged, toxic relationship. There were many times where I was like what the F am I reading 😂. I loved the horror aspects of it, the fine dining, the mask, the revenge, exciting and disturbing. It was great!
There were a couple of parts that made me a bit queasy though (toothpaste and sugar, that’s all I’m saying 😂) and one part that I was definitely not into (Harrison’s surprise). That surprise will stay with me for a long time, I’m not going to lie but it definitely had shock value.
Overall, I rate this 4⭐️ I enjoyed the craziness of it all and I’m still thinking about it a week later. Proceed with caution 😂
March 9, 2026
as a dark romance reader I’ve read a lot of “touch her and die” books but never once have I read an “touch her and he’ll eat you” book. Because that’s exactly what this is, he’s cannibal and unalives AND EATS everyone who even looks at her wrong. I love a professor x student romance, and it’s taboo but the taboo-ness of that trope was very overshadowed by the stalking and eating people. This book was very fun, it’s very spicy but there’s also lots of very detailed violent scenarios and scenes of the mmc killing, cutting, cooking, and eating humans so please check your triggers and make sure you’re comfortable with everything in this book. There is doozy plot twist near the end that got me in the feels, but it also felt unnecessary. It’s a very short book so there’s not much space for character development, but Isabella pretty much becomes more and more psycho over the course of the book. I loved this book, it was dark, deranged, and fun. I give it a 5/5 (but be warned it’s definitely not for everyone)
March 5, 2026
Damn, dude.
This book was SERIOUSLY unhinged.
The trauma you wrote from Isabella's POV was spot freaking on, including the flashback, and the overwhelming urge to run at the slightest hardship. It was so well written.
Harrison, deranged and sexy and amazing and misunderstood and righteous all in one. He really needed to learn how to talk out his feelings a bit better, but honestly, he only did what his basic instincts told him to, and the trauma of his past was really his undoing.
Incredible. Obsessed. I need more
This book was SERIOUSLY unhinged.
The trauma you wrote from Isabella's POV was spot freaking on, including the flashback, and the overwhelming urge to run at the slightest hardship. It was so well written.
Harrison, deranged and sexy and amazing and misunderstood and righteous all in one. He really needed to learn how to talk out his feelings a bit better, but honestly, he only did what his basic instincts told him to, and the trauma of his past was really his undoing.
Incredible. Obsessed. I need more
March 31, 2026
I probably should see a therapist because I enjoyed this book too much. As always, check your triggers before reading because I have none. I loved this book. I loved the student and professor trope and how obsessed he was with her. Oh you like my girl? I’ll eat you for dinner. Problem solved. She is his Clover and they are a perfectly twisted match. This dark romance was definitely right up my alley.
Read
March 23, 2026If Hannibal Lecter did romance, this would be it.
Literally 'touch her and get eaten', this is an erotic horror that will leave you wanting to be vegetarian.
This is dark, unhinged, and traumatic, and Harrison and Isabella are tortured soul mates.
Literally 'touch her and get eaten', this is an erotic horror that will leave you wanting to be vegetarian.
This is dark, unhinged, and traumatic, and Harrison and Isabella are tortured soul mates.
March 7, 2026
Who doesn't love a book with a shopping list of trigger warnings. This was very good, be cautious if you have a week stomach and definitely check ALL of the trigger warnings.
Review of advance copy received from Author
CONTENT WARNINGS; Check your triggers!
Thank you to the author, Marla York, for an advanced copy of this book. I'm leaving a voluntary review.
Tropes;
𑣲🩸𝑫𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝑶𝑽𝒔
𑣲🫀𝑻𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
𑣲🩸𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝑳𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑽𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒔
𑣲🫀𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒙 𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕
𑣲🩸𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝑽𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒔
𑣲🫀𝑻𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒐 𝑨𝒕𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
𑣲🩸𝑼𝒏𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅 & 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝑴𝑪
𑣲🫀𝑫𝒂𝒎𝒔𝒆𝒍-𝑰𝒏-𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑭𝑴𝑪
𑣲🩸𝑯𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝑯𝒆𝒓 & 𝑫𝒊𝒆
𑣲🫀𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆
𑣲🩸𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒖𝒎𝒂/𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒔
𑣲🫀𝑨𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑰𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒆𝒔
𑣲🩸𝑭𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚
𑣲🫀𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 & 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
𑣲🩸𝑯𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒆𝒓
𑣲🫀𝑭𝒂𝒔𝒕-𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏
𑣲🩸𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑩𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔
𑣲🫀𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒕 & 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆
𑣲🩸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑲-𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓
𑣲🫀𝑵𝒐 𝑪𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒇-𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓
𑣲🩸𝑯𝑬𝑨
ꕀ"𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫. 𝐈'𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮."ꕀ
Isabella and her friend Mary attend a pregame party. On her search to find her friend, she finds her friend with some guy, as usual. But something starts to feel wrong. Her vision goes blurry, and she stumbles, and flashbacks of past trauma run through her mind, but she can't escape from the clutches of the guys who have bad intentions. That's when the teacher intervenes just in time. She wakes up at his place under his protection and safety. Wanting to pay his back for everything, she asks him out to dinner. It's just a meal, isn't it? Nothing will become of this... right?
Isabella is our damsel-in-distress FMC, who has been through some traumatic things that still affect her daily, understandably so. Her reactions are believable, actually, and I don't blame her for wanting to run away. Her back story is heartbreaking, which provides much needed insight. She can be timid and worrisome, and other moments outwardly nonchalant. However, we can see how her troubled she is. I just wish she didn't put herself down so much. And I do understand her perspective when she feels her trust keeps getting broken, and she wants to run away. That is a natural trauma response, too. Oh, and I especially love the way she handles things with her mother near the end. That is satisfying. Dark, but incredibly pleasing. By the end, she does learn to love herself, and we love that!
Next, we have our MMC, a professor who has an unhinged obsession with his student Isabella. And he likes to watch her secretly on his phone as he eats her boss who makes a pass at her. Yes, you heard that right. Our MMC has a particular taste for human meat. But what she doesn't know at first won't hurt her. His character is protective, dark, and twisted. He'll do anything to keep her from harm's way. Also, he's prepped the cutest torture room to teach them a lesson. How cute? At times, he gives me almost fatherly vibes towards her, without being weird, which makes sense though because he's so protective of her. He provides advice/guidance. And stalker vibes. Yeah, that, too. I do like him, though. He's rather complex. Fascinating. I appreciate the background info of his childhood. It grants a lot of insight about him. And he is messed up in many ways, but he does his best to please her.
The plot is written, really, although I wish I was longer because I enjoyed it too much. Also, the plot twist about Mikayla and Mary is a shocker - didn't expect that! I feel so sorry for Mik/Mikayla. The course is so good and doesn't overpower the storyline, which I like, which portrays their chemistry, equal obsession, and psychotic love for each other very well. There's story building, intriguing main characters, and a fast-paced plot. Plenty of violence, blood, and gore. Twisted romance and devotion and emotional rollercoasters, and more! Expected release is on the 27th of this month! ﾒ૦ﾒ૦💋
Out of Fives;
𑣲🫀𝑪𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓:✨✨✨✨✨
𑣲🩸𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆:🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
𑣲🫀𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔:🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
𑣲🩸𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆:🥀🥀🥀🥀
𑣲🫀𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒐𝒔:🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯
𑣲🩸𝑽𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆:🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪
𑣲🫀𝑭𝒂𝒔𝒕-𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏:❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
𑣲🩸𝑩𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅/𝑮𝒐𝒓𝒆:🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸
𑣲🫀𝑩𝒖𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔:🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
𑣲🩸𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒕:💔💔💔💔💔
𑣲🫀𝑯𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓:☠️☠️☠️☠️
𑣲🩸𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚:⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
𑣲🫀𝑰𝒔𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝑭𝑴𝑪:🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
𑣲🩸𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝑴𝑴𝑪:🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶
𑣲🫀𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆:📜📜📜📜📜
𑣲🩸𝑷𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈:⏳⌛⏳⌛⏳
𑣲🫀𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕:🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
𑣲🩸𝑾���𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈:🌏🌎🌍🌏🌎
𑣲🫀𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅: 𝒆𝑨𝑹𝑪/𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆.
𑣲🩸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆.
𑣲🫀𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓: 20.
𑣲🩸𝑷𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔: 162.
𑣲🫀𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚, 𝑯𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓.
𑣲🩸𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 27 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 2026.
𑣲🫀𝑾𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝑰 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅: 𝒀𝒆𝒔.
𑣲🩸𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to the author, Marla York, for an advanced copy of this book. I'm leaving a voluntary review.
Tropes;
𑣲🩸𝑫𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝑶𝑽𝒔
𑣲🫀𝑻𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
𑣲🩸𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝑳𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑽𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒔
𑣲🫀𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒙 𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕
𑣲🩸𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝑽𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒔
𑣲🫀𝑻𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒐 𝑨𝒕𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
𑣲🩸𝑼𝒏𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅 & 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝑴𝑪
𑣲🫀𝑫𝒂𝒎𝒔𝒆𝒍-𝑰𝒏-𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑭𝑴𝑪
𑣲🩸𝑯𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝑯𝒆𝒓 & 𝑫𝒊𝒆
𑣲🫀𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆
𑣲🩸𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒖𝒎𝒂/𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒔
𑣲🫀𝑨𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑰𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒆𝒔
𑣲🩸𝑭𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚
𑣲🫀𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 & 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
𑣲🩸𝑯𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒆𝒓
𑣲🫀𝑭𝒂𝒔𝒕-𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏
𑣲🩸𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑩𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔
𑣲🫀𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒕 & 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆
𑣲🩸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑲-𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓
𑣲🫀𝑵𝒐 𝑪𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒇-𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓
𑣲🩸𝑯𝑬𝑨
ꕀ"𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫. 𝐈'𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮."ꕀ
Isabella and her friend Mary attend a pregame party. On her search to find her friend, she finds her friend with some guy, as usual. But something starts to feel wrong. Her vision goes blurry, and she stumbles, and flashbacks of past trauma run through her mind, but she can't escape from the clutches of the guys who have bad intentions. That's when the teacher intervenes just in time. She wakes up at his place under his protection and safety. Wanting to pay his back for everything, she asks him out to dinner. It's just a meal, isn't it? Nothing will become of this... right?
Isabella is our damsel-in-distress FMC, who has been through some traumatic things that still affect her daily, understandably so. Her reactions are believable, actually, and I don't blame her for wanting to run away. Her back story is heartbreaking, which provides much needed insight. She can be timid and worrisome, and other moments outwardly nonchalant. However, we can see how her troubled she is. I just wish she didn't put herself down so much. And I do understand her perspective when she feels her trust keeps getting broken, and she wants to run away. That is a natural trauma response, too. Oh, and I especially love the way she handles things with her mother near the end. That is satisfying. Dark, but incredibly pleasing. By the end, she does learn to love herself, and we love that!
Next, we have our MMC, a professor who has an unhinged obsession with his student Isabella. And he likes to watch her secretly on his phone as he eats her boss who makes a pass at her. Yes, you heard that right. Our MMC has a particular taste for human meat. But what she doesn't know at first won't hurt her. His character is protective, dark, and twisted. He'll do anything to keep her from harm's way. Also, he's prepped the cutest torture room to teach them a lesson. How cute? At times, he gives me almost fatherly vibes towards her, without being weird, which makes sense though because he's so protective of her. He provides advice/guidance. And stalker vibes. Yeah, that, too. I do like him, though. He's rather complex. Fascinating. I appreciate the background info of his childhood. It grants a lot of insight about him. And he is messed up in many ways, but he does his best to please her.
The plot is written, really, although I wish I was longer because I enjoyed it too much. Also, the plot twist about Mikayla and Mary is a shocker - didn't expect that! I feel so sorry for Mik/Mikayla. The course is so good and doesn't overpower the storyline, which I like, which portrays their chemistry, equal obsession, and psychotic love for each other very well. There's story building, intriguing main characters, and a fast-paced plot. Plenty of violence, blood, and gore. Twisted romance and devotion and emotional rollercoasters, and more! Expected release is on the 27th of this month! ﾒ૦ﾒ૦💋
Out of Fives;
𑣲🫀𝑪𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓:✨✨✨✨✨
𑣲🩸𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆:🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
𑣲🫀𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔:🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
𑣲🩸𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆:🥀🥀🥀🥀
𑣲🫀𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒐𝒔:🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯
𑣲🩸𝑽𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆:🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪
𑣲🫀𝑭𝒂𝒔𝒕-𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏:❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
𑣲🩸𝑩𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅/𝑮𝒐𝒓𝒆:🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸
𑣲🫀𝑩𝒖𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔:🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
𑣲🩸𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒕:💔💔💔💔💔
𑣲🫀𝑯𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓:☠️☠️☠️☠️
𑣲🩸𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚:⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
𑣲🫀𝑰𝒔𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝑭𝑴𝑪:🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
𑣲🩸𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝑴𝑴𝑪:🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶
𑣲🫀𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆:📜📜📜📜📜
𑣲🩸𝑷𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈:⏳⌛⏳⌛⏳
𑣲🫀𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕:🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
𑣲🩸𝑾���𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈:🌏🌎🌍🌏🌎
𑣲🫀𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅: 𝒆𝑨𝑹𝑪/𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆.
𑣲🩸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆.
𑣲🫀𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓: 20.
𑣲🩸𝑷𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔: 162.
𑣲🫀𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚, 𝑯𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓.
𑣲🩸𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 27 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 2026.
𑣲🫀𝑾𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝑰 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅: 𝒀𝒆𝒔.
𑣲🩸𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy received from Author
Toxic Tongue
By: Marla York
Publisher: Tanya Lynn
Published: March 27, 2026
ASIN: B0GJTHGWLJ
Page Count: Not listed
Triggers: attempted SA, trauma, murder, cannibalism, obsessive relationships, violence
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀💀💀
What Did I Just Walk Into? 🤨
You know those books where you start reading and slowly realize you have absolutely no idea how far off the rails things are about to go?
Yeah. This is one of those.
This story starts with trauma, slides into obsession, then kicks the door open into full blown morally questionable murder romance. Isabella is dealing with some serious emotional damage after a horrific college party incident when along comes Harrison. Tailored suits. Calm demeanor. Protective energy.
Also apparently a man who solves problems by… stocking a freezer.
Look, when a book description casually implies someone might eat your enemies, you assume exaggeration. Nope. This book means it.
Here’s What Slapped 🔥
First off, Isabella’s trauma response felt very real. The flashbacks, the hyper awareness, the instinct to run even when nothing is happening. That part was written incredibly well and gave the story emotional weight.
Then there’s Harrison.
This man is the walking definition of unhinged but charismatic. Deranged. Possessive. Dangerous. Weirdly compelling. You understand why Isabella falls into his orbit even while your brain is screaming that maybe dating the man with the suspicious freezer habits is not a long term life plan.
The dynamic between them becomes this twisted language of shared damage. It is dark, messy, uncomfortable, and oddly hypnotic.
And that ending twist?
Yeah. That landed.
What Could’ve Been Better 🧠
I really wanted a little more groundwork early on.
Why Harrison became obsessed with Isabella felt a bit rushed. A deeper look into that fixation would have made the relationship hit even harder.
I also would have loved to see their early dating phase. The first conversations. The first moments where Isabella realizes something is slightly… off.
Because once the story dives into the darker elements, it dives fast. Sometimes almost too fast.
And yes, parts of the story get extremely dark. If you are sensitive to violent themes, you will feel it.
Perfect for Readers Who Love 📚
• Dark romance with morally questionable characters
• Obsession stories like Hannibal or You
• Trauma bonded antihero relationships
• “I can fix him” energy that absolutely cannot fix him
• Villain couples who lean all the way into chaos
Sum It Up 🖤
Toxic Tongue is messy, intense, and completely unhinged in the best dark romance way. It is the kind of story where you keep reading with one eyebrow raised, wondering how much darker things can possibly get. Somehow it keeps going anyway.
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review 📚💜
By: Marla York
Publisher: Tanya Lynn
Published: March 27, 2026
ASIN: B0GJTHGWLJ
Page Count: Not listed
Triggers: attempted SA, trauma, murder, cannibalism, obsessive relationships, violence
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀💀💀
What Did I Just Walk Into? 🤨
You know those books where you start reading and slowly realize you have absolutely no idea how far off the rails things are about to go?
Yeah. This is one of those.
This story starts with trauma, slides into obsession, then kicks the door open into full blown morally questionable murder romance. Isabella is dealing with some serious emotional damage after a horrific college party incident when along comes Harrison. Tailored suits. Calm demeanor. Protective energy.
Also apparently a man who solves problems by… stocking a freezer.
Look, when a book description casually implies someone might eat your enemies, you assume exaggeration. Nope. This book means it.
Here’s What Slapped 🔥
First off, Isabella’s trauma response felt very real. The flashbacks, the hyper awareness, the instinct to run even when nothing is happening. That part was written incredibly well and gave the story emotional weight.
Then there’s Harrison.
This man is the walking definition of unhinged but charismatic. Deranged. Possessive. Dangerous. Weirdly compelling. You understand why Isabella falls into his orbit even while your brain is screaming that maybe dating the man with the suspicious freezer habits is not a long term life plan.
The dynamic between them becomes this twisted language of shared damage. It is dark, messy, uncomfortable, and oddly hypnotic.
And that ending twist?
Yeah. That landed.
What Could’ve Been Better 🧠
I really wanted a little more groundwork early on.
Why Harrison became obsessed with Isabella felt a bit rushed. A deeper look into that fixation would have made the relationship hit even harder.
I also would have loved to see their early dating phase. The first conversations. The first moments where Isabella realizes something is slightly… off.
Because once the story dives into the darker elements, it dives fast. Sometimes almost too fast.
And yes, parts of the story get extremely dark. If you are sensitive to violent themes, you will feel it.
Perfect for Readers Who Love 📚
• Dark romance with morally questionable characters
• Obsession stories like Hannibal or You
• Trauma bonded antihero relationships
• “I can fix him” energy that absolutely cannot fix him
• Villain couples who lean all the way into chaos
Sum It Up 🖤
Toxic Tongue is messy, intense, and completely unhinged in the best dark romance way. It is the kind of story where you keep reading with one eyebrow raised, wondering how much darker things can possibly get. Somehow it keeps going anyway.
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review 📚💜
Review of advance copy received from Author
I will advise first and foremost please read your trigger warnings. Your mental health matters so just be prepared.
Let me just start by saying that Marla York did not disappoint as usual. Isabella AKA clover did not have a good childhood, she doesn't take compliments and things will, and even though she doesn't think so she's one hell of a strong woman. She does have a very dark side that is absolutely mind blowing.
Then there is her professor Harrison he sees her, and he really sees all of her the true her. Her dark side and his dark side play well together you could say. He is also obsessed with her to the point of stalking her like he is the true definition of touch her and die vibes. He does have his own issues but he will protect Isabella to he's very last breath and that's kind of what I like about him.
Overall, this is a very dark very deep twisted romance that I absolutely love. That is why I read Marla York's books because all of her books step into that realm of absolute darkness that I love. The more twisted the more dark she writes is the absolute best.
Now there was two quotes in the book that I absolutely loved more than anything and I will put them here.
"She doesn't know it, but I've stitched a microchip into her as well. I explained the cut by rough s@x, and now I can always find her. I'll never let her go, even if she begs, because she's mine!" - Harrison
"A lower the blade to her shoulder and pare off a slice of skin. Blood runs over her flesh, and I bring the raw piece to my mouth. Just as I thought my clover taste like no other human I've eaten before. She is going to keep me addicted to her scent, taste, and every other sense she claimed of mine." - Harrison
Let me just start by saying that Marla York did not disappoint as usual. Isabella AKA clover did not have a good childhood, she doesn't take compliments and things will, and even though she doesn't think so she's one hell of a strong woman. She does have a very dark side that is absolutely mind blowing.
Then there is her professor Harrison he sees her, and he really sees all of her the true her. Her dark side and his dark side play well together you could say. He is also obsessed with her to the point of stalking her like he is the true definition of touch her and die vibes. He does have his own issues but he will protect Isabella to he's very last breath and that's kind of what I like about him.
Overall, this is a very dark very deep twisted romance that I absolutely love. That is why I read Marla York's books because all of her books step into that realm of absolute darkness that I love. The more twisted the more dark she writes is the absolute best.
Now there was two quotes in the book that I absolutely loved more than anything and I will put them here.
"She doesn't know it, but I've stitched a microchip into her as well. I explained the cut by rough s@x, and now I can always find her. I'll never let her go, even if she begs, because she's mine!" - Harrison
"A lower the blade to her shoulder and pare off a slice of skin. Blood runs over her flesh, and I bring the raw piece to my mouth. Just as I thought my clover taste like no other human I've eaten before. She is going to keep me addicted to her scent, taste, and every other sense she claimed of mine." - Harrison
Review of advance copy received from Author
Holy unhinged roller coaster 😳 first off Miss Marla… ma’am! WOW! This is probably the first book I actually read all of the trigger warnings and said hell yessss I wanna read more! - as my husband said 𝗜’𝗺 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻
🤪 and that I did with this book!!
I cringed. I held my breath. I 🆃🅷🆁🅴🆆 🅼🆈 🅺🅸🅽🅳🅻🅴! I even walked away and TOOK A BREATH!! You want unhinged? You want INTENSE SCENES? You want something more than “touch her and die?” This is the one YOU NEED TO READ!
“𝕋𝕆𝕌ℂℍ ℍ𝔼ℝ 𝔸ℕ𝔻 𝕀 𝔼𝔸𝕋 𝕐𝕆𝕌” I was NOT expecting THATT!
〰️ I wasn’t a fan of how fast pace the beginning was, almost felt like there was a bit of Isabella “Clover” & Harrison’s interest in each-other missing 〰️
Parts that I loved/said WTF to (even though I said WTF to a lot of what happened🤪😂):
🖤 “You weren’t planning to cause her nightmares for the rest of her existence? Your three-second nut just to mentally and emotionally destroy someone throughout their life? Humiliation—blackmail, by the sounds of it.”
🖤 “Alcohol is a substance, not permission.”
🖤 shrivelled man stick
😬 “Trust is a fragile thing. It takes time to build it, and one crack will shatter everything you hold dear.” 〰️I said WTF for what he did RIGHT AFTER SAYING THIS!!
𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗮 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲! This was a ride I didn’t knew I needed 🖤🤪
🤪 and that I did with this book!!
I cringed. I held my breath. I 🆃🅷🆁🅴🆆 🅼🆈 🅺🅸🅽🅳🅻🅴! I even walked away and TOOK A BREATH!! You want unhinged? You want INTENSE SCENES? You want something more than “touch her and die?” This is the one YOU NEED TO READ!
“𝕋𝕆𝕌ℂℍ ℍ𝔼ℝ 𝔸ℕ𝔻 𝕀 𝔼𝔸𝕋 𝕐𝕆𝕌” I was NOT expecting THATT!
〰️ I wasn’t a fan of how fast pace the beginning was, almost felt like there was a bit of Isabella “Clover” & Harrison’s interest in each-other missing 〰️
Parts that I loved/said WTF to (even though I said WTF to a lot of what happened🤪😂):
🖤 “You weren’t planning to cause her nightmares for the rest of her existence? Your three-second nut just to mentally and emotionally destroy someone throughout their life? Humiliation—blackmail, by the sounds of it.”
🖤 “Alcohol is a substance, not permission.”
🖤 shrivelled man stick
😬 “Trust is a fragile thing. It takes time to build it, and one crack will shatter everything you hold dear.” 〰️I said WTF for what he did RIGHT AFTER SAYING THIS!!
𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗮 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲! This was a ride I didn’t knew I needed 🖤🤪
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍖 check your trigger warnings! Seriously check them! Your mental health matters.
Hannibal Lecter table for one!
Author Marla York deliveres another unhinged, intense and delectable story that I ate up every last bite of, pun intended! Should I be worried and questioning why I loved this story so much….. yeah maybe let’s not try and unpack that.
This book revolves around a teacher/student relationship that is classic touch her and die or in this case touch her and I’ll eat you!
Isabella ( Clover) is a student at university who didn’t have an easy life. Her mother blames her for something that wasn’t her fault and it has eaten away at Isabella for many years.
Harrison is one of Isabella’s professors, and to say that he is obsessed with her is putting it mildly. Harrison also has another obsession…. His insatiable appetite for human meat, yup you read that correctly he loves prime cuts from humans but he does experiment with different spices and seasoning, so he’s not a total lunatic 🤷🏻♀️🤪
The two’s relationship begins to evolve and develop and eventually Isabella learns of Harrison’s dark secret and she eventually learns to accept it.
I absolutely loved this story and can’t wait to see what Marla York comes out with next.
I received this ARC from the author and I am freely leaving my review.
🍖 check your trigger warnings! Seriously check them! Your mental health matters.
Hannibal Lecter table for one!
Author Marla York deliveres another unhinged, intense and delectable story that I ate up every last bite of, pun intended! Should I be worried and questioning why I loved this story so much….. yeah maybe let’s not try and unpack that.
This book revolves around a teacher/student relationship that is classic touch her and die or in this case touch her and I’ll eat you!
Isabella ( Clover) is a student at university who didn’t have an easy life. Her mother blames her for something that wasn’t her fault and it has eaten away at Isabella for many years.
Harrison is one of Isabella’s professors, and to say that he is obsessed with her is putting it mildly. Harrison also has another obsession…. His insatiable appetite for human meat, yup you read that correctly he loves prime cuts from humans but he does experiment with different spices and seasoning, so he’s not a total lunatic 🤷🏻♀️🤪
The two’s relationship begins to evolve and develop and eventually Isabella learns of Harrison’s dark secret and she eventually learns to accept it.
I absolutely loved this story and can’t wait to see what Marla York comes out with next.
I received this ARC from the author and I am freely leaving my review.
March 28, 2026
This book is absolutely feral, and in the best, most unsettling way. Another amazing read from Marla York!!
Toxic Tongue isn’t just dark romance, it’s a full descent into obsession, and the kind of love that blurs every moral line. From the very first page, I felt like I was stepping into something I probably shouldn’t enjoy as much as I was… and yet I could NOT stop reading!!
Isabella and Harrison are not your typical couple...they’re chaos wrapped in devotion. What started as a Knight in shining armor saving the day quickly spirals into something more consuming, and watching the dynamic between these two evolve was both disturbing and at the same time weirdly captivating. Their shared trauma doesn’t just connect them, it transforms them, and that is where the story really sinks its teeth in...
Every time I thought it couldn’t get darker… ohhh boy it did. And watching Isabella literally devour the darkness instead of run from it added such a twisted edge I wasn’t expecting!!
Also-fair warning-this book may ruin certain foods for you. I will never look at a steak the same way again.
Perfect for fans of toxic, obsessive dark romance that isn’t afraid to go all the way. Legit Touch Her And I'll Eat You!! Check your trigger warnings.
Toxic Tongue isn’t just dark romance, it’s a full descent into obsession, and the kind of love that blurs every moral line. From the very first page, I felt like I was stepping into something I probably shouldn’t enjoy as much as I was… and yet I could NOT stop reading!!
Isabella and Harrison are not your typical couple...they’re chaos wrapped in devotion. What started as a Knight in shining armor saving the day quickly spirals into something more consuming, and watching the dynamic between these two evolve was both disturbing and at the same time weirdly captivating. Their shared trauma doesn’t just connect them, it transforms them, and that is where the story really sinks its teeth in...
Every time I thought it couldn’t get darker… ohhh boy it did. And watching Isabella literally devour the darkness instead of run from it added such a twisted edge I wasn’t expecting!!
Also-fair warning-this book may ruin certain foods for you. I will never look at a steak the same way again.
Perfect for fans of toxic, obsessive dark romance that isn’t afraid to go all the way. Legit Touch Her And I'll Eat You!! Check your trigger warnings.
March 31, 2026
If you like your romance dark then this is for you, because it is D-A-R-K as well as a bit unhinged. Harrison is a college professor with a predilection for fine cuts of meat, very much in the vein of Hannibal Lecter and his whole “ ate him with some fava beans and a nice Chianti” m.o. . Heed the content warnings if you’re easily triggered or grossed out, they’re not a joke.
Harrison is obsessed with student, Isabella. He considers her to be his, always and forever. The two have the kinship of being raised in an abusive household and experiencing trauma as their addict parents neglected them. Isabella is attracted to Harrison, he makes her feel beautiful, seen, and safe. She doesn’t know about his little after hours hobby, but she sure loves the tender, delicious meals he prepares for her…
This has explicit, on the page spice, a protective MMC, two damaged souls finding each other, and - oh yeah- m¥rd€r and c@nnib@!i$m along with a HEA. It’s also got some dark humor.
If you like to dip your toe in the waters of the unhinged, are a fan of pushing boundaries , and don’t mind homocid@l tendencies and such, then you’ll enjoy this one.
Harrison is obsessed with student, Isabella. He considers her to be his, always and forever. The two have the kinship of being raised in an abusive household and experiencing trauma as their addict parents neglected them. Isabella is attracted to Harrison, he makes her feel beautiful, seen, and safe. She doesn’t know about his little after hours hobby, but she sure loves the tender, delicious meals he prepares for her…
This has explicit, on the page spice, a protective MMC, two damaged souls finding each other, and - oh yeah- m¥rd€r and c@nnib@!i$m along with a HEA. It’s also got some dark humor.
If you like to dip your toe in the waters of the unhinged, are a fan of pushing boundaries , and don’t mind homocid@l tendencies and such, then you’ll enjoy this one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Marla for allowing me to read this interesting story.
I received this book as an ARC.
Please read TRIGGER WARNINGS before diving into this book, I highly recommend it.
Things for Isabella is not the greatest and one night at a party she didn't even want to attend, things went down. Harrison is her professor but also has a secret obsession over her and comes to save her. As life goes on their relationship starts to develop but there is a very dark secret that Harrison is hiding from her in the beginning. I was not sure how to feel about her not knowing right away since he liked to cook for her but it was described in a way that didn't totally gross me out haha. Once Isabella finds out this secret things inside her start to come out and she changes herself throughout the story. Harrison does anything to keep her safe and take care of any threats.
Just want to say I definitely did not like Isabella's so called friend so I am happy how she was dealt with 👍.
Can't wait to see what Marla writes next!
I received this book as an ARC.
Please read TRIGGER WARNINGS before diving into this book, I highly recommend it.
Things for Isabella is not the greatest and one night at a party she didn't even want to attend, things went down. Harrison is her professor but also has a secret obsession over her and comes to save her. As life goes on their relationship starts to develop but there is a very dark secret that Harrison is hiding from her in the beginning. I was not sure how to feel about her not knowing right away since he liked to cook for her but it was described in a way that didn't totally gross me out haha. Once Isabella finds out this secret things inside her start to come out and she changes herself throughout the story. Harrison does anything to keep her safe and take care of any threats.
Just want to say I definitely did not like Isabella's so called friend so I am happy how she was dealt with 👍.
Can't wait to see what Marla writes next!
March 27, 2026
4.5 Stars
Toxic Tongue, written by Marla York, is a dark psychological thriller about a toxic obsession! I have read a couple of things from Marla, and I am utterly obsessed! This one is unhinged, and I love it.
This story follows Isabella and Harrison. Isabella is a History major who has had a traumatic upbringing that has left her wanting for a connection that she has been unable to fulfill. Harrison, her professor, has a bit of an obsession, a cannibalistic obsession, oh, and his dear sweet “clover.” Harrison will go to any length to protect his clover, aka Isabella.
Just when you believe it will be a predator-prey scenario, it turns into a terrifying partnership - a love story. What lengths would they go to be together?! A story about questionable morals and a full appetite.
I love the fact that this isn’t a touch her and die story, but a touch her and I’ll eat you story! LOL. I won’t lie, I’m craving a steak now.
Thanks to Marla York for gifting me an eARC of Toxic Tongue. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Toxic Tongue, written by Marla York, is a dark psychological thriller about a toxic obsession! I have read a couple of things from Marla, and I am utterly obsessed! This one is unhinged, and I love it.
This story follows Isabella and Harrison. Isabella is a History major who has had a traumatic upbringing that has left her wanting for a connection that she has been unable to fulfill. Harrison, her professor, has a bit of an obsession, a cannibalistic obsession, oh, and his dear sweet “clover.” Harrison will go to any length to protect his clover, aka Isabella.
Just when you believe it will be a predator-prey scenario, it turns into a terrifying partnership - a love story. What lengths would they go to be together?! A story about questionable morals and a full appetite.
I love the fact that this isn’t a touch her and die story, but a touch her and I’ll eat you story! LOL. I won’t lie, I’m craving a steak now.
Thanks to Marla York for gifting me an eARC of Toxic Tongue. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 7, 2026
Toxic tongue isn't your normal dark romance story. This is dark and depraved and requires that you check the trigger warnings before you start reading. The story is short and you can definitely finish it in one sitting.
Harrison is unhinged for sure, but maybe a bit misunderstood?. And Isabella, I was surprised by her willingness to just accept it and join in. I thought we were heading in the direction of cat and mouse, hunter/prey. I didn't expect the joint effort and teamwork.
I don't know what this says about me that I enjoyed this so much, but the plot was very intriguing. I also didn't know that different parts of the body cooked differently and was used as different cuts just like animals? I guess it makes sense, but I never really thought of it before. Not that I would be trying it anytime in this lifetime, but it was a bit of unsuspecting information that I didn't know.
If you have an "appetite" for something dark, unhinged, and depraved. A hunger for something unusual... this is definitely something you should check out.
Harrison is unhinged for sure, but maybe a bit misunderstood?. And Isabella, I was surprised by her willingness to just accept it and join in. I thought we were heading in the direction of cat and mouse, hunter/prey. I didn't expect the joint effort and teamwork.
I don't know what this says about me that I enjoyed this so much, but the plot was very intriguing. I also didn't know that different parts of the body cooked differently and was used as different cuts just like animals? I guess it makes sense, but I never really thought of it before. Not that I would be trying it anytime in this lifetime, but it was a bit of unsuspecting information that I didn't know.
If you have an "appetite" for something dark, unhinged, and depraved. A hunger for something unusual... this is definitely something you should check out.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Before you even think about starting this book, read the trigger warnings. Seriously. This one is not for sensitive readers.
Now that we’ve got that out the way… what on earth did I just read? And more importantly, why did I love it so much?
If you’ve read anything by Marla York before, you’ll know she has a way of pulling you into stories that are a little wild, a little chaotic, and completely addictive. This book is no different.
It’s short and straight to the point—no unnecessary fluff. Just a fast-paced ride filled with spice, a bit of kink, and characters making some very questionable decisions. The kind that make you pause, stare at the page, and then keep reading anyway because you simply have to know what happens next.
It’s bold, a little outrageous, and definitely not everyone’s cup of tea… but if you like your reads spicy, more than slightly unhinged, and impossible to put down, this one delivers.
Highly recommend.
Now that we’ve got that out the way… what on earth did I just read? And more importantly, why did I love it so much?
If you’ve read anything by Marla York before, you’ll know she has a way of pulling you into stories that are a little wild, a little chaotic, and completely addictive. This book is no different.
It’s short and straight to the point—no unnecessary fluff. Just a fast-paced ride filled with spice, a bit of kink, and characters making some very questionable decisions. The kind that make you pause, stare at the page, and then keep reading anyway because you simply have to know what happens next.
It’s bold, a little outrageous, and definitely not everyone’s cup of tea… but if you like your reads spicy, more than slightly unhinged, and impossible to put down, this one delivers.
Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have no idea what I just read, and yet I could not put it down. Toxic Tongue is chaotic, messy, and intoxicating all at once, a wild dive into a relationship so twisted it makes your brain do backflips. The tension and chemistry are off the charts, and every page left me questioning what was real, what was manipulation, and why I was oddly rooting for it anyway.
It’s fast, intense, and unapologetically dark. I could have used a little more depth on the characters’ backstories to fully understand their choices, but honestly, part of the thrill is being thrown headfirst into their toxic chaos. This book is a total emotional rollercoaster, a WTF experience that somehow sucks you in and doesn’t let go.
It’s fast, intense, and unapologetically dark. I could have used a little more depth on the characters’ backstories to fully understand their choices, but honestly, part of the thrill is being thrown headfirst into their toxic chaos. This book is a total emotional rollercoaster, a WTF experience that somehow sucks you in and doesn’t let go.
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨️ARC REVIEW ✨️
This read is a real delicacies, you need to have an acquired taste 😉 (pun intended)
Harrison is unhinged and forget what you know about touch her and die tropes, he will literally kill and EAT you! But its fine he knows how to season and cook...
If you had a crush on Hannibal Lecter, you'll most likely be in your element!
It's dark, its spicy, its twisted, sprinkled with a pinch of Gore....It makes you question when your booking your next therapy session! I wouldn't expect anything less from a Marla York read!
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ THE TRIGGERS/WARNINGS as some of the scenes are graphic and detailed - your mental health matters!
This read is a real delicacies, you need to have an acquired taste 😉 (pun intended)
Harrison is unhinged and forget what you know about touch her and die tropes, he will literally kill and EAT you! But its fine he knows how to season and cook...
If you had a crush on Hannibal Lecter, you'll most likely be in your element!
It's dark, its spicy, its twisted, sprinkled with a pinch of Gore....It makes you question when your booking your next therapy session! I wouldn't expect anything less from a Marla York read!
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ THE TRIGGERS/WARNINGS as some of the scenes are graphic and detailed - your mental health matters!
March 28, 2026
I totally fell in love with these two unhinged characters.
Isabella Rossi and Harrison Irving are two broken dark souls that their broken pieces fit together perfectly. Their combined darkness swirls together creating a beautiful masterpiece.
This story is a dark, twisted, steamy and romantic romance in a "Touch Her and he will eat you" way. Yup!
I love Marla's mind. It's so much fun reading her deranged stories.
And this one has a very happy ending. I had happy tears silently running down my cheeks for Harrison and Isabella.
As always please check TW before reading.
I highly recommend this wonderful story. It was so beautiful that they found each other. And they are helping each other heal.
If you enjoyed Hannibal and You. You're going to love this book.
Isabella Rossi and Harrison Irving are two broken dark souls that their broken pieces fit together perfectly. Their combined darkness swirls together creating a beautiful masterpiece.
This story is a dark, twisted, steamy and romantic romance in a "Touch Her and he will eat you" way. Yup!
I love Marla's mind. It's so much fun reading her deranged stories.
And this one has a very happy ending. I had happy tears silently running down my cheeks for Harrison and Isabella.
As always please check TW before reading.
I highly recommend this wonderful story. It was so beautiful that they found each other. And they are helping each other heal.
If you enjoyed Hannibal and You. You're going to love this book.
March 28, 2026
Took touch her and die to the next level
This is an erotic horror with a shopping list of triggers so check them.
I wouldn't recommend reading this one while eating especially if you are eating red meat.
This story brings past trauma into the present and mixes it with small world by vibes. Seeing people that were somehow connected and brought back together was unexpected but I enjoyed it.
These two are perfectly dark and twisted in the exact right ways. They both have trauma from their childhood. I loved that when she asked for him to help her he didn't even bat an eye. Just who and when.
This book was dark and definitely unhinged.
This is an erotic horror with a shopping list of triggers so check them.
I wouldn't recommend reading this one while eating especially if you are eating red meat.
This story brings past trauma into the present and mixes it with small world by vibes. Seeing people that were somehow connected and brought back together was unexpected but I enjoyed it.
These two are perfectly dark and twisted in the exact right ways. They both have trauma from their childhood. I loved that when she asked for him to help her he didn't even bat an eye. Just who and when.
This book was dark and definitely unhinged.
March 28, 2026
Check those TWs! For fans of Hannibal, you’ll love this one! We love a good touch here & bye trope but this takes it one giant step forward and becomes touch her & you’re gonna be dinner. Clover has abandonment issues and feels like no one sees her, but someone out there does. Her professor. Harrison is obsessed with Clover and will stop at nothing when he sees her potential dark side. That plot twist! As a vegetarian, I approve of this book! 😅
“Your darkness twists so well with mine, Clover. I’ll never get enough of you.”
Professor x Student
Erotic horror
Touch her & you’re dinner
Gore
Violence
“Your darkness twists so well with mine, Clover. I’ll never get enough of you.”
Professor x Student
Erotic horror
Touch her & you’re dinner
Gore
Violence
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am still pondering this book a day after reading it. Seriously dark and steamy - yes! Seriously dark and disturbing - also yes! These characters are battling demons caused from childhood in the only way they can and taking out people in seriously gruesome ways. But - the gore fits the storyline perfectly and these two complicated backgrounds and feelings of darkness complement each other so well that it's the perfect dark romance. Heed the triggers! If you were looking for a hot Hanibal like read - this is the one!
March 23, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. WOW just WOW!! PLEASE READ YOUR TRIGGERS!! I love me some dark romance and this is completely unhinged and a plot twist and with lots of spice!! Absolutely finished this in one sitting it is a short novella but you cannot put it down!!
“For fans of Hannibal and You, this is a visceral, sensuous descent into a love that is as horrifying as it is profound. This is not only a romance. This is a possession.
Touch her, and he'll eat you”
“For fans of Hannibal and You, this is a visceral, sensuous descent into a love that is as horrifying as it is profound. This is not only a romance. This is a possession.
Touch her, and he'll eat you”
March 27, 2026
"I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.” In Toxic Tongue, the intense connection between Isabella Rossi and Harrison Irving creates a heavy, creepy mood that stays with you. This book shows how their past traumas and darkening morals turn a simple rescue story into a scary partnership. It’s a fascinating look at what happens when two damaged people connect through something dark and twisted. Read the trigger warnings. I loved this dark romance. A must read for me. And if you liked Hannibal Lecter, this one’s for you. 💛
March 28, 2026
I've read a lot of dark romance within the world of "Touch her and die" however, this read gives a whole new meaning to the phrase. Not only do they touch her and die but also are eaten. like wha??!!?? This read was enjoyable, many scenes of spice with some pretty intense violence. The MMC has quite the descriptive portions of the unaliving and preparing of the victims for his consumption.
Definitely a solid read that screams of the darker side, a splash of deranged excitement and the taboo things we love in a DR.
Definitely a solid read that screams of the darker side, a splash of deranged excitement and the taboo things we love in a DR.
March 6, 2026
I liked the story, but I felt that I would have liked more details about them at the beginning, such as why Harrison was so obsessed with her. Also, after he saved her from the frat guys and they started dating, it might have helped build their relationship better if we saw their first dates. The dark side of the story was a bit too much at times, but all in all, it worked and I loved the twist at the end.
Thanks to the author for this ARC!
Thanks to the author for this ARC!
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