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Pulse Zero
There are moments when everything stops.
A breath. A heartbeat.
Even when it feels like an ending, it isn’t. It’s not a beginning either. It’s something narrower, a precise point in time. It’s a transition, a reconfiguration. The space between one pulse and the next. The point where one part of your life collapses inward and converges with the one to come.
That’s what happens to me the day I’m taken. Turns out, being Cason Bellrose comes with consequences no one bothered to mention.
But then the man who stole me is ripped away. Reese Morgan. His name still tastes like something unfinished.
Years later, I’m still chasing truth, closure, tearing through shadows that don’t want to be found. Whatever will help me move on. And the deeper I go, the more I become tangled in things I don’t understand.
Life changes people. But so does death.
If there’s something waiting for me in the dark, I’ll find it. Even if it means stepping into that space between one pulse and the next.
And not coming back the same.
Pulse Zero is a dark MM romance with toxic, obsessive supervillains and a hard-fought HEA. It's a spin-off of the Echoes duet but can be read as a standalone. Specific content warnings can be found on the author’s website.
A breath. A heartbeat.
Even when it feels like an ending, it isn’t. It’s not a beginning either. It’s something narrower, a precise point in time. It’s a transition, a reconfiguration. The space between one pulse and the next. The point where one part of your life collapses inward and converges with the one to come.
That’s what happens to me the day I’m taken. Turns out, being Cason Bellrose comes with consequences no one bothered to mention.
But then the man who stole me is ripped away. Reese Morgan. His name still tastes like something unfinished.
Years later, I’m still chasing truth, closure, tearing through shadows that don’t want to be found. Whatever will help me move on. And the deeper I go, the more I become tangled in things I don’t understand.
Life changes people. But so does death.
If there’s something waiting for me in the dark, I’ll find it. Even if it means stepping into that space between one pulse and the next.
And not coming back the same.
Pulse Zero is a dark MM romance with toxic, obsessive supervillains and a hard-fought HEA. It's a spin-off of the Echoes duet but can be read as a standalone. Specific content warnings can be found on the author’s website.
461 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2026
About the author
River Hale
10 books492 followersRiver Hale is a pseudonym, created because her mother once told her that she'll read everything she ever writes. She's a writer with a tea addiction and a love for everything dark, twisted, haunted, and beautiful. She's written and published more appropriate books that her mother is allowed to read under her real name, but she'll always have a special place in her heart for dark romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
June 30, 2026
ـ
ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛ:
💀 Dark MM Romance
💚 Enemies to Lovers
🖤 K!dn@pping
💀 Hacker/Mercenary
💚 Bi-Awakening
🖤 Revenge
💀 Age Gap
💚 Pew Pew, Breath, & Fear Play
🖤 Dub-con/CNC
💀 Shadow Daddy (no Daddy k!nk)
💚 Toxic, Obsessive Supervillains
River Hale... what the actual hell did you put in this book?
I went in expecting a dark captor/captive romance and somehow ended up with obsessive supervillains, conspiracies, powers, emotional destruction, and one of my favourite couples River has ever written. Every time I thought I knew where this story was going, the rug was pulled right out from under me.
What completely sold me wasn't just the romance, but how mutual it was. Reese would burn the world down for Cason without a second thought... and Cason would do exactly the same for Reese. Their devotion isn't healthy, it isn't rational, and it definitely isn't normal... it's obsessive, toxic, completely unhinged, and I loved every single second of it.
Reese… Beneath all the shadows, violence, and terrifying reputation is a man who loves with a devotion so absolute it borders on madness. He's possessive, obsessive, protective to an unhealthy degree, and yet somehow impossibly soft whenever it comes to Cason. The contrast between the feared mercenary everyone else sees and the man who would quietly burn the world down just to keep one person alive made him utterly irresistible. Also... I don't think I'll ever recover from Shadow Daddy. Those shadows had absolutely no business being that hot. Case absolutely stole the show for me. His sarcasm, his humour, his inability to stop being a little menace even in the worst possible situations... I laughed just as much as I hurt for him. And Reese? Yeah... I finally understand the Shadow Daddy obsession.
The powers deserve their own round of applause. Reese's shadows were ridiculously cool, Cason's abilities were electric in every sense of the word, and together they created some of the most cinematic scenes I've read in ages.
And the spice... WHAT. THE. HELL. 🥵 Shadow Daddy is one thing... but those shadows? I needed air conditioning, an iceberg, and a fan pointed directly at my face because WOW. River somehow made sentient shadows outrageously hot and I'm still trying to process it.
I did have a couple of tiny things that kept this from feeling absolutely perfect to me. I wish Reese had fought a little harder to find Cason during those seven years, and I would've loved the ending to make me suffer just a little bit more before letting me breathe again. But honestly? Those are tiny ripples in what was otherwise an unforgettable reading experience.
Dark, addictive, hilarious, heartbreaking, ridiculously sexy, and impossible to put down. I already know this is one I'll be thinking about for a very long time.
Yes, this works as a standalone, but if you've read the Echoes Duet first, the experience is even better. Harrison and Lane aren't just quick cameos—they play an important role, and I was grinning every time they appeared. I missed those idiots. 💚
I received a copy of this book from River, and this is my honest review.
⚠️Author Content Warnings
Kidnapping, murder, assault, blood and gore, past death of a parent (not on-page), near-death experiences (on page), grief and trauma, PTSD, Stockholm syndrome, profanity, graphic sex, torture and violence between MCs, power imbalance, choking, gun play, breath play, fear play, pain play, edging, shadow play, sounding, dubious consent, consensual nonconsent
❣️Book Safety & Content
Other Person Drama: Nothing on page, its mentioned dates and other hookups but its not defined if its after they meet and that separation.
Third-Act Breakup: Yes, 7 years.
Role Dynamics: Versatile
POV: 1st person (dual)
Format: Standalone but connected with the Echoes Duet
Ending: HEA
Angst Level: Medium
Spice Level: Medium
Communication: Some miscommunication
Pining: Mutual
ـ٨ــــــــــــــــــ٨ــــــــــــــــــ٨ــــــــــــــــــ٨ــــــــــــــــــ٨ــــــــــــــــ
“Are you going to behave, little menace?”
Panting, I scowl up at him again. “Fuck no. When have I ever done that?”
“Good,” he says softly as his hands move back down. “Wouldn’t want you any other way.”
ـ٨ــــــــــــــــــ٨ــــــــــــــــــ٨ــــــــــــــــــ٨ــــــــــــــــــ٨ـــــــــــــــــ
ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛ:
💀 Dark MM Romance
💚 Enemies to Lovers
🖤 K!dn@pping
💀 Hacker/Mercenary
💚 Bi-Awakening
🖤 Revenge
💀 Age Gap
💚 Pew Pew, Breath, & Fear Play
🖤 Dub-con/CNC
💀 Shadow Daddy (no Daddy k!nk)
💚 Toxic, Obsessive Supervillains
River Hale... what the actual hell did you put in this book?
I went in expecting a dark captor/captive romance and somehow ended up with obsessive supervillains, conspiracies, powers, emotional destruction, and one of my favourite couples River has ever written. Every time I thought I knew where this story was going, the rug was pulled right out from under me.
What completely sold me wasn't just the romance, but how mutual it was. Reese would burn the world down for Cason without a second thought... and Cason would do exactly the same for Reese. Their devotion isn't healthy, it isn't rational, and it definitely isn't normal... it's obsessive, toxic, completely unhinged, and I loved every single second of it.
“Two dangerous things. Two ruined things.
“I’m yours like you’re mine. We can ruin each other forever.”
Reese… Beneath all the shadows, violence, and terrifying reputation is a man who loves with a devotion so absolute it borders on madness. He's possessive, obsessive, protective to an unhealthy degree, and yet somehow impossibly soft whenever it comes to Cason. The contrast between the feared mercenary everyone else sees and the man who would quietly burn the world down just to keep one person alive made him utterly irresistible. Also... I don't think I'll ever recover from Shadow Daddy. Those shadows had absolutely no business being that hot. Case absolutely stole the show for me. His sarcasm, his humour, his inability to stop being a little menace even in the worst possible situations... I laughed just as much as I hurt for him. And Reese? Yeah... I finally understand the Shadow Daddy obsession.
The powers deserve their own round of applause. Reese's shadows were ridiculously cool, Cason's abilities were electric in every sense of the word, and together they created some of the most cinematic scenes I've read in ages.
“Come for them, Cason. Come for my shadows.”
And the spice... WHAT. THE. HELL. 🥵 Shadow Daddy is one thing... but those shadows? I needed air conditioning, an iceberg, and a fan pointed directly at my face because WOW. River somehow made sentient shadows outrageously hot and I'm still trying to process it.
“Reese?”
Still breathing heavily, he peers back at me again. He must follow my line of sight because he says, “They’ll do whatever you want them to. Just tell them what that is.”
“I want them to fuck me while I eat your ass.”
They descend, aiming at the target I gave them. Cool shadow hands land on my ass cheeks and spread them. When something warm and wet sweeps over my hole, I have a similar reaction as Reese did.
“Fuck! Was that a fucking tongue?”
He smirks at me over his shoulder. “They were jealous.”
I did have a couple of tiny things that kept this from feeling absolutely perfect to me. I wish Reese had fought a little harder to find Cason during those seven years, and I would've loved the ending to make me suffer just a little bit more before letting me breathe again. But honestly? Those are tiny ripples in what was otherwise an unforgettable reading experience.
Dark, addictive, hilarious, heartbreaking, ridiculously sexy, and impossible to put down. I already know this is one I'll be thinking about for a very long time.
“And standing here in the wreckage of everything that tried to destroy us, I think I finally understand something.
Ascension does reveal who you really are.
Because I crossed Pulse Zero and came back wanting one thing more than I already did, just louder, deeper, stronger than I ever had before. One thing I would willingly burn the entire fucking world down for.
Not even death could keep us apart.”
Yes, this works as a standalone, but if you've read the Echoes Duet first, the experience is even better. Harrison and Lane aren't just quick cameos—they play an important role, and I was grinning every time they appeared. I missed those idiots. 💚
I received a copy of this book from River, and this is my honest review.
⚠️Author Content Warnings
Kidnapping, murder, assault, blood and gore, past death of a parent (not on-page), near-death experiences (on page), grief and trauma, PTSD, Stockholm syndrome, profanity, graphic sex, torture and violence between MCs, power imbalance, choking, gun play, breath play, fear play, pain play, edging, shadow play, sounding, dubious consent, consensual nonconsent
❣️Book Safety & Content
Other Person Drama: Nothing on page, its mentioned dates and other hookups but its not defined if its after they meet and that separation.
Third-Act Breakup: Yes, 7 years.
Role Dynamics: Versatile
POV: 1st person (dual)
Format: Standalone but connected with the Echoes Duet
Ending: HEA
Angst Level: Medium
Spice Level: Medium
Communication: Some miscommunication
Pining: Mutual
June 29, 2026
I didn't read the duet proceeding this and I didn't need to to understand this one, as the previous characters only occasionally showed up and we were told vaguely what was happening in the plot of their books through Cason's POV, so this can absolutely be read as a standalone. But i just might read the duet anyway, because this book was wonderful and I couldn't get enough of Cason and Reese, and this world River Hale created.
It was certainly interesting, playing with the idea that people who experience near death - well, actually die but very briefly, like when people flatline and are able to be brought back to life - can come back and they come back with supernatural powers, each unique to the person.
This starts when Cason is 22, and Reese 36. Cason is the heir to a big company, and scientific Institute corporation that his father and uncle built together. Cason lost his father just a few days after he turned 19, and three years later he's still grieving but he has most of his spirit, and still a good outlook on life.
But he's then kidnapped by Reese, who is a mercenary for hire, who was hired by someone who he doesn't even know who it is, to kidnap Cason for a ransom from his uncle, who is very rich.
It makes sense that it would be something like that, but actually so much more is going on than that.
These two spend almost a month together while Reese is waiting for the ransom to be paid - and he also, the more he comes to know Cason, really doesn't want to have to kill him - and these two start to fall for each other.
They truly do, because after 25 days, Cason is seemingly "rescued" and Reese is shot and seemingly killed then and there (the reason for the Major Character Dead warning - and a future brief MCD as well - right there, but no worries, we learn it didn't last for long.)
Those 25 days really changed everything, because for the next 7 years, Cason grieves for Reese and can't move on, no matter how hard he tries.
But then one day he's kidnapped...again.
But it turns out Reese is alive, and he's very angry at Cason and seemingly hates him. Why? Well something happened 3 years prior in Cason's bid for vengeance against whoever it is who might have hired Reese and put him in that basement to be shot and killed 4 years prior. Cason is quite smart, a hacker, and he does something that ruins plans Reese and people like him had to take down who is at the heart of all this.
Because Reese is an "Ascended" which we learn is people who died, however brief, and were brought back to life and came back with powers. But someone is pulling the strings, trying to keep the Ascended people under control with their powers, and Reese had his life stolen from him, and he just wants his freedom back. And Cason unknowingly set him and his resistance movement back with what he does.
So he captures Cason for payback - but of course soon realizes he can't take hurting Cason, and he's not who he's really angry at.
And Cason learns the truth of what happened 7 years prior when he seemingly lost the love of his life, and what he finds himself embroiled in is beyond imagination.
We don't really learn what or who or how people come back with powers, and why they also have to be pretty traumatized to even come back with powers in the first place. I'm hoping we get future books about all this (maybe Sebastian finding himself a love of his own?), because otherwise those questions were left unanswered and that's a bit frustrating (although I'm not angry enough about it at all to take any stars off for it). But it's just something to keep in mind....also how is reincarnation real in this world? Are these these that just...are? Like if we're reading a vampire book and vampires just are able to exist, I guess we have to think of this supernatural elements like that as well?
I guess that makes sense, but I don't know, it'd still be nice to know why people who die briefly and are brought back to life (if they have significant trauma) can gain supernatural powers.
But this concept was so interesting, and the Ascended's powers were so interesting. (Reese's shadows are also used *ahem* in a very sexy way with Cason.)
The chemistry between Reese and Cason was wonderful and I loved Cason's more bubbly and humorous personality playing of Reese's very dark and serious personality. I love when a more lighthearted character can completely melt the heart of the hardened criminal character who is serious all the time, that's such a fun dynamic.
I definitely recommend this book, it was wonderful and had such readability - sleep was the only thing stopping me from finishing this last night, but I just wanted to keep reading it to the end. It was so engaging from the get go.
I can't wait for more from this author, I'm really loving this author more and more the more I read from her. Whether from this series/universe or her reimagined fairytale MM stories.
Until the next one! ❤️
It was certainly interesting, playing with the idea that people who experience near death - well, actually die but very briefly, like when people flatline and are able to be brought back to life - can come back and they come back with supernatural powers, each unique to the person.
This starts when Cason is 22, and Reese 36. Cason is the heir to a big company, and scientific Institute corporation that his father and uncle built together. Cason lost his father just a few days after he turned 19, and three years later he's still grieving but he has most of his spirit, and still a good outlook on life.
But he's then kidnapped by Reese, who is a mercenary for hire, who was hired by someone who he doesn't even know who it is, to kidnap Cason for a ransom from his uncle, who is very rich.
It makes sense that it would be something like that, but actually so much more is going on than that.
These two spend almost a month together while Reese is waiting for the ransom to be paid - and he also, the more he comes to know Cason, really doesn't want to have to kill him - and these two start to fall for each other.
They truly do, because after 25 days, Cason is seemingly "rescued" and Reese is shot and seemingly killed then and there (the reason for the Major Character Dead warning - and a future brief MCD as well - right there, but no worries, we learn it didn't last for long.)
Those 25 days really changed everything, because for the next 7 years, Cason grieves for Reese and can't move on, no matter how hard he tries.
But then one day he's kidnapped...again.
But it turns out Reese is alive, and he's very angry at Cason and seemingly hates him. Why? Well something happened 3 years prior in Cason's bid for vengeance against whoever it is who might have hired Reese and put him in that basement to be shot and killed 4 years prior. Cason is quite smart, a hacker, and he does something that ruins plans Reese and people like him had to take down who is at the heart of all this.
Because Reese is an "Ascended" which we learn is people who died, however brief, and were brought back to life and came back with powers. But someone is pulling the strings, trying to keep the Ascended people under control with their powers, and Reese had his life stolen from him, and he just wants his freedom back. And Cason unknowingly set him and his resistance movement back with what he does.
So he captures Cason for payback - but of course soon realizes he can't take hurting Cason, and he's not who he's really angry at.
And Cason learns the truth of what happened 7 years prior when he seemingly lost the love of his life, and what he finds himself embroiled in is beyond imagination.
We don't really learn what or who or how people come back with powers, and why they also have to be pretty traumatized to even come back with powers in the first place. I'm hoping we get future books about all this (maybe Sebastian finding himself a love of his own?), because otherwise those questions were left unanswered and that's a bit frustrating (although I'm not angry enough about it at all to take any stars off for it). But it's just something to keep in mind....also how is reincarnation real in this world? Are these these that just...are? Like if we're reading a vampire book and vampires just are able to exist, I guess we have to think of this supernatural elements like that as well?
I guess that makes sense, but I don't know, it'd still be nice to know why people who die briefly and are brought back to life (if they have significant trauma) can gain supernatural powers.
But this concept was so interesting, and the Ascended's powers were so interesting. (Reese's shadows are also used *ahem* in a very sexy way with Cason.)
The chemistry between Reese and Cason was wonderful and I loved Cason's more bubbly and humorous personality playing of Reese's very dark and serious personality. I love when a more lighthearted character can completely melt the heart of the hardened criminal character who is serious all the time, that's such a fun dynamic.
I definitely recommend this book, it was wonderful and had such readability - sleep was the only thing stopping me from finishing this last night, but I just wanted to keep reading it to the end. It was so engaging from the get go.
I can't wait for more from this author, I'm really loving this author more and more the more I read from her. Whether from this series/universe or her reimagined fairytale MM stories.
Until the next one! ❤️
July 1, 2026
Pulse Zero is a dark MM romance story about Cason and Reese.
This book is a spinoff of the Echoes duet, but can be read as a standalone. I actually didn’t read the Echoes duet and didn’t feel lost, but I do plan on reading it soon. I definitely need Lane and Harrison’s story after meeting them in Pulse Zero.
I was so excited to read Pulse Zero, especially after reading the blurb and tropes. This was such a unique and interesting story, and I was completely invested from the start. And let me tell you I was not prepared for the suspense and all of the twists. This felt like a movie and I was here for it. I don’t want to say too much because I think this is one you need to experience first hand. I will say that I absolutely loved Cason and Reese. I just couldn’t get enough of them and they deserved their hard fought HEA!
What you can expect in this book:
Dark MM Romance
Hacker/Mercenary
Enemies To Lovers
Bi-Awakening
K!dnapping
Stockholm Syndrome
Revenge
Age Gap
Lots Of Edging
Pew Pew, Breath & Fear Play
Dub-Con/CNC
Touch Him & D!e
Toxic, Obsessive Supervillains
This book is a spinoff of the Echoes duet, but can be read as a standalone. I actually didn’t read the Echoes duet and didn’t feel lost, but I do plan on reading it soon. I definitely need Lane and Harrison’s story after meeting them in Pulse Zero.
I was so excited to read Pulse Zero, especially after reading the blurb and tropes. This was such a unique and interesting story, and I was completely invested from the start. And let me tell you I was not prepared for the suspense and all of the twists. This felt like a movie and I was here for it. I don’t want to say too much because I think this is one you need to experience first hand. I will say that I absolutely loved Cason and Reese. I just couldn’t get enough of them and they deserved their hard fought HEA!
What you can expect in this book:
Dark MM Romance
Hacker/Mercenary
Enemies To Lovers
Bi-Awakening
K!dnapping
Stockholm Syndrome
Revenge
Age Gap
Lots Of Edging
Pew Pew, Breath & Fear Play
Dub-Con/CNC
Touch Him & D!e
Toxic, Obsessive Supervillains
June 28, 2026
I wasn't prepared for this. 😭😭💙 It was everything I didn't know I needed 🥹🥹🥹
June 29, 2026
6⭐️
I beta read this amazing book!!!!
HOLYYYYY mother of pearls i cant even think this was suchhhh a good book, THIS WAS SOOOO SOOOOO INMARKABLY GOOOD I AM IN SHAMBLES, WRECKED BY A PHENOMEL BOOK.
CASON AND REESE MY BELOVED BOYS. i love these men so much. The way it stated off by the kidnapping and it went crazy after that. I knew i would fall in love with them, and i was so right, i was so drawn to both of these men the way that cason loves his family, the way he cares, the way he is so hurting and yearning for love and affection adn when he meets reese his world legit crumbles and its history after that.
Reese his whole character lord i love this mann he really became one of my favorites the way he was so hot, so caring, so down bad for cason but most of yall he yearned for the same love and affection that cason was yearning for.
I wasn’t EXPECTING THIS BOOK AT ALLLLL (in the best way possible). Those plot twists that were plotted throughout i was left staring at the wall almost screaming. BECAUSE WHAT DO MEAN I WAS GAGGED. I started crying cause i was like oh god what just happened, not een the wall staring saved me from that.
However this book really picked up at a certain point it was already one that i read so fast but at a point i legit devoured the pages like I was hungry and boy was I hungry to read about cason and reese cause these men are so hot so much tension, so much yearning, so much worshiping of each other like call me obsessed like reese was of cason cause I was locked in and they have become such a piece of me. This whole book is apart of me in a way .
I was captivated from the very start, I became simple in awe of how the story progressed, how it flowedd so well how it left me speahcles and how it left me crying my eyes out like a baby cause thse men are soooooooooo cute but my broken boys yearning for a better life and ughhh i
River hale has done it again with another masterpiece, one thing to note is that if river hale releases a new book you ebttter pick that book up becauws you never know what to expect even while reading your on edge and boy was i on the edge of my seat throughout, this is simply so good and im so glad i became a beta reader because this book is one to watch out for.
I beta read this amazing book!!!!
HOLYYYYY mother of pearls i cant even think this was suchhhh a good book, THIS WAS SOOOO SOOOOO INMARKABLY GOOOD I AM IN SHAMBLES, WRECKED BY A PHENOMEL BOOK.
CASON AND REESE MY BELOVED BOYS. i love these men so much. The way it stated off by the kidnapping and it went crazy after that. I knew i would fall in love with them, and i was so right, i was so drawn to both of these men the way that cason loves his family, the way he cares, the way he is so hurting and yearning for love and affection adn when he meets reese his world legit crumbles and its history after that.
Reese his whole character lord i love this mann he really became one of my favorites the way he was so hot, so caring, so down bad for cason but most of yall he yearned for the same love and affection that cason was yearning for.
I wasn’t EXPECTING THIS BOOK AT ALLLLL (in the best way possible). Those plot twists that were plotted throughout i was left staring at the wall almost screaming. BECAUSE WHAT DO MEAN I WAS GAGGED. I started crying cause i was like oh god what just happened, not een the wall staring saved me from that.
However this book really picked up at a certain point it was already one that i read so fast but at a point i legit devoured the pages like I was hungry and boy was I hungry to read about cason and reese cause these men are so hot so much tension, so much yearning, so much worshiping of each other like call me obsessed like reese was of cason cause I was locked in and they have become such a piece of me. This whole book is apart of me in a way .
I was captivated from the very start, I became simple in awe of how the story progressed, how it flowedd so well how it left me speahcles and how it left me crying my eyes out like a baby cause thse men are soooooooooo cute but my broken boys yearning for a better life and ughhh i
River hale has done it again with another masterpiece, one thing to note is that if river hale releases a new book you ebttter pick that book up becauws you never know what to expect even while reading your on edge and boy was i on the edge of my seat throughout, this is simply so good and im so glad i became a beta reader because this book is one to watch out for.
June 28, 2026
Okay…WOW! That was a hell of a ride! This is such a unique story, very super science Villian, futuristic, matrix type stuff. The relationship between Cason and Reese is ON FIRE. I love that this story is told between the past and the present, SHOWING us the build up between them and the terrible things they went through while apart instead of just telling us about them. This story is emotional and a little painful, with a hard-earned HEA. The pacing was perfect. It was the perfect amount of emotion and angst plus the perfect amount of time where we see them together as a couple. Reese is my new favorite shadow daddy EVER. 🥵🔥🔥🔥🔥 These two together were amazing! Love the cast of side characters and of course Felix the cat!
I don’t believe you’d need to read the Echoes duet to enjoy this book (this is a spin off from that world with appearances from those main characters) but you should because those books are equally unique and exciting! It adds a lot of depth, I think, to have experienced those books too.
I don’t believe you’d need to read the Echoes duet to enjoy this book (this is a spin off from that world with appearances from those main characters) but you should because those books are equally unique and exciting! It adds a lot of depth, I think, to have experienced those books too.
June 19, 2026
Oh man. This was a WILD ride!!! The suspense was literally killing me!!
Reese Morgan and Cason Bellrose are the fucking definition of Ride or Die (or Ride AND Die 🤣 I crack myself up). But for real, they were intense as hell. The days they spent together in the basement as captor and captive was the best 25 days OF MY LIFEEEEE. 0mg. This could have been 500 pages of gun play and shower sex and I would have been totally fine with it.
Just kidding.
Kind of.
The years long build up to their relationship was heartbreaking and I will never get over all the lost time. But the emotional punch you get hit with when they finally reunite wasEVERYTHING I could have ever hoped for.
Case was such a fun character. His personality had me laughing and crying at the same time. His snarky sarcasm had me dying! Cason and Reese were complete opposites in that aspect. Reese is serious ALL THE TIME and Cason is... Cason 🤣You'll see.
Cason was so easy to fall in love with. And Reese... I mean, I'd get stuck in that basement with him ANY DAY. Like, Stockholm Syndrome me Daddy!! He's probably the sexiest man alive-ish. Right? Where's people magazine when you need em?
They were SO SO SO perfect for each other.
Pule Zero was emotional and action packed. The supernatural element was a huge surprise. The world building was FIRE! The plot twists were insane! Just when you think you know where the story is going, BOOM, twisted!
Reese Morgan and Cason Bellrose are the fucking definition of Ride or Die (or Ride AND Die 🤣 I crack myself up). But for real, they were intense as hell. The days they spent together in the basement as captor and captive was the best 25 days OF MY LIFEEEEE. 0mg. This could have been 500 pages of gun play and shower sex and I would have been totally fine with it.
Just kidding.
Kind of.
The years long build up to their relationship was heartbreaking and I will never get over all the lost time. But the emotional punch you get hit with when they finally reunite wasEVERYTHING I could have ever hoped for.
Case was such a fun character. His personality had me laughing and crying at the same time. His snarky sarcasm had me dying! Cason and Reese were complete opposites in that aspect. Reese is serious ALL THE TIME and Cason is... Cason 🤣You'll see.
Cason was so easy to fall in love with. And Reese... I mean, I'd get stuck in that basement with him ANY DAY. Like, Stockholm Syndrome me Daddy!! He's probably the sexiest man alive-ish. Right? Where's people magazine when you need em?
They were SO SO SO perfect for each other.
Pule Zero was emotional and action packed. The supernatural element was a huge surprise. The world building was FIRE! The plot twists were insane! Just when you think you know where the story is going, BOOM, twisted!
July 3, 2026
“You think dying changed you? Just wait. I’m going to fucking ruin you.”
This was a WOW, this is an absolute favourite, this had the Entangled, the Neurovance, a number of other perfect books’ vibes and I loved it so much!
Do yourself a favour and go in blind.
Felix is officially my crush - you’ll totally agree believe me 🐈
and OMFG how hot is all that shadow daddy thing, got me sizzling 🥵
I may return with more coherent thoughts, but HELL WAS THIS GOOD.
When the PLOT and the SPICE work perfectly together 🤌
This was a WOW, this is an absolute favourite, this had the Entangled, the Neurovance, a number of other perfect books’ vibes and I loved it so much!
Do yourself a favour and go in blind.
Felix is officially my crush - you’ll totally agree believe me 🐈
and OMFG how hot is all that shadow daddy thing, got me sizzling 🥵
I may return with more coherent thoughts, but HELL WAS THIS GOOD.
When the PLOT and the SPICE work perfectly together 🤌
June 30, 2026
A-FREAKING-MAZING
“Till death do us part?” River Hale was like nahhh, what about after death?
Because this isn’t just a romance. It’s a story about obsession, grief, sacrifice, transcendence, and loving someone so fiercely that even death feels like a minor inconvenience.
I am officially convinced River Hale cannot write a bad book.
This was FIVE STARS from beginning to end. Adventure, plot twists, secrets, betrayals, revelations, comedy, HEAT, death and rebirth… every time I thought I had figured out where the story was going, River pulled the rug out from under me.
And Reese…
Oh my god, Reese.
Kidnapper romance has made it into my favorite trope list, and Reese has officially entered my hall of fame. The yearning, the devotion, the obsession… this man would burn the world down without blinking if it meant keeping Cason alive. It’s unhealthy. It’s toxic. It’s absolutely unhinged…and I ate up every single second of it.
But what makes this romance so special is that it isn’t one-sided. Cason isn’t just someone being dragged into this. He fights just as hard to find Reese, and to keep him. Not to mention the SASS ON THIS BRAT! That’s all I’ll say because spoilers, but the devotion between these two goes both ways, and that’s what completely sold me on their relationship.
The spice?
TEN. OUT OF TEN.
No notes.
So we usually love a shadow daddy, but what happens when his shadows are also daddies… who can fuck their own daddy? -INSERT SQUEAL-
I don’t even know how River Hale managed to make shadows THIS attractive, but congratulations, I’ll never look at a dark corner the same way again.
These things are basically sentient tentacles with hands, personalities, and enough creativity *cough* sounding *cough* to make me question everything I thought I knew about shadow magic.
The side characters were phenomenal too. Every single one added something to the story instead of simply existing to fill space. And Sebastian? Yeah… I’m going to need an entire book about that man. Cause I’m already obsessed.
This book had me laughing, stressing, gasping, and refusing to put my Kindle down.
If you love obsessive love interests, kidnapping romances, Stockholm syndrome, supernatural elements, insane chemistry, breathtaking plot twists, and characters who would literally transcend death to find each other…
READ IT. READ IT. READ IT!
“Till death do us part?” River Hale was like nahhh, what about after death?
Because this isn’t just a romance. It’s a story about obsession, grief, sacrifice, transcendence, and loving someone so fiercely that even death feels like a minor inconvenience.
I am officially convinced River Hale cannot write a bad book.
This was FIVE STARS from beginning to end. Adventure, plot twists, secrets, betrayals, revelations, comedy, HEAT, death and rebirth… every time I thought I had figured out where the story was going, River pulled the rug out from under me.
And Reese…
Oh my god, Reese.
Kidnapper romance has made it into my favorite trope list, and Reese has officially entered my hall of fame. The yearning, the devotion, the obsession… this man would burn the world down without blinking if it meant keeping Cason alive. It’s unhealthy. It’s toxic. It’s absolutely unhinged…and I ate up every single second of it.
But what makes this romance so special is that it isn’t one-sided. Cason isn’t just someone being dragged into this. He fights just as hard to find Reese, and to keep him. Not to mention the SASS ON THIS BRAT! That’s all I’ll say because spoilers, but the devotion between these two goes both ways, and that’s what completely sold me on their relationship.
The spice?
TEN. OUT OF TEN.
No notes.
So we usually love a shadow daddy, but what happens when his shadows are also daddies… who can fuck their own daddy? -INSERT SQUEAL-
I don’t even know how River Hale managed to make shadows THIS attractive, but congratulations, I’ll never look at a dark corner the same way again.
These things are basically sentient tentacles with hands, personalities, and enough creativity *cough* sounding *cough* to make me question everything I thought I knew about shadow magic.
The side characters were phenomenal too. Every single one added something to the story instead of simply existing to fill space. And Sebastian? Yeah… I’m going to need an entire book about that man. Cause I’m already obsessed.
This book had me laughing, stressing, gasping, and refusing to put my Kindle down.
If you love obsessive love interests, kidnapping romances, Stockholm syndrome, supernatural elements, insane chemistry, breathtaking plot twists, and characters who would literally transcend death to find each other…
READ IT. READ IT. READ IT!
June 26, 2026
ARC Review!
Came for the Captive/Captor trope, stayed for the Shadow Daddy and his bratty Menace. 😮💨
This book was not what I was expecting and all I can say is go in blind and I'll see you on the other end friend! Every surprise, twist and turn had me shook, screaming at my only other friend who had also read it, and rushing to the finish line because I could not put it down. Now I wish I would have savored it because what do you mean it's over 😩
If you are looking for something different and unique, something with mystery and suspense, something with freaky spice that will have you lookin at shadows in a whole new light 🫠, look no further, you have arrived at your destination 🙂↕️
Cason is the a tech whiz nephew of a billionaire whom finds himself kidnapped and held for ransom. Cason isn't above taking any advantage even if it means trying to seduce his "totally straight" captor. Cason is one of the funniest MC's in existence and Reece is not as immune to his charms as he would like.
Things do not go as planned for either of them. People are hurt. Questions go unanswered. And nothing is as it appears.
I won't say more because I don't want to give away any more of the plot, just trust me, this is your next favorite read. I've never been more confident, run don't walk besties 🏃♀️
Other Tropes you may be interested in:
😈 fighting as foreplay
😈 slutty shadows
😈 bi-awakening
😈 stockholming
😈 gunplay
😈 dubcon
Came for the Captive/Captor trope, stayed for the Shadow Daddy and his bratty Menace. 😮💨
This book was not what I was expecting and all I can say is go in blind and I'll see you on the other end friend! Every surprise, twist and turn had me shook, screaming at my only other friend who had also read it, and rushing to the finish line because I could not put it down. Now I wish I would have savored it because what do you mean it's over 😩
If you are looking for something different and unique, something with mystery and suspense, something with freaky spice that will have you lookin at shadows in a whole new light 🫠, look no further, you have arrived at your destination 🙂↕️
Cason is the a tech whiz nephew of a billionaire whom finds himself kidnapped and held for ransom. Cason isn't above taking any advantage even if it means trying to seduce his "totally straight" captor. Cason is one of the funniest MC's in existence and Reece is not as immune to his charms as he would like.
Things do not go as planned for either of them. People are hurt. Questions go unanswered. And nothing is as it appears.
I won't say more because I don't want to give away any more of the plot, just trust me, this is your next favorite read. I've never been more confident, run don't walk besties 🏃♀️
Other Tropes you may be interested in:
😈 fighting as foreplay
😈 slutty shadows
😈 bi-awakening
😈 stockholming
😈 gunplay
😈 dubcon
June 16, 2026
Cason + Reese
-mm romance
-enemies to lovers
-hacker x mercenary
-kidnapping
-stockholm syndrome (thats really just pining)
-shadow daddy
-toxic, obsessive supervillains
-dubcon/cnc
-age gap
-bi awakening
-gun, breath, + fear play
as always...river really fucked us in the big ol ass with his one & really it was just PERFECTTTT!! holy shit i did no expect that kind of twist coming even after everything we experienced with harrison & lane in echoes....but like still it was so unique & these crazy psychos were sooo down bad & absolutely everything!!
-mm romance
-enemies to lovers
-hacker x mercenary
-kidnapping
-stockholm syndrome (thats really just pining)
-shadow daddy
-toxic, obsessive supervillains
-dubcon/cnc
-age gap
-bi awakening
-gun, breath, + fear play
as always...river really fucked us in the big ol ass with his one & really it was just PERFECTTTT!! holy shit i did no expect that kind of twist coming even after everything we experienced with harrison & lane in echoes....but like still it was so unique & these crazy psychos were sooo down bad & absolutely everything!!
June 21, 2026
First of all thank you to River for this ARC!
This book completely blew me away!
I was transfixed from the start and then it held me like a vise grip and would not let go! I also think this was the most I highlighted in a book…👀
Cason and Reese. The chemistry between them was electric and consuming and while I don’t want to give too much away let’s just say that River’s writing is beautiful and I knew this from “Ricochet” but the way this one was written was truly so powerful. Like I can’t even put into words how good this book is. Like I’m rendered speechless now that I’m done and trying to process what I just finished. I envisioned a movie while I was reading. I laughed, I cried, I yearned. It truly tugs on every emotion and it’s a journey!
This book completely blew me away!
I was transfixed from the start and then it held me like a vise grip and would not let go! I also think this was the most I highlighted in a book…👀
Cason and Reese. The chemistry between them was electric and consuming and while I don’t want to give too much away let’s just say that River’s writing is beautiful and I knew this from “Ricochet” but the way this one was written was truly so powerful. Like I can’t even put into words how good this book is. Like I’m rendered speechless now that I’m done and trying to process what I just finished. I envisioned a movie while I was reading. I laughed, I cried, I yearned. It truly tugs on every emotion and it’s a journey!
June 30, 2026
Dark mm romance med supervillains!
Nej men jag älskar River Hale. Och en dark romance med supervillains är en bok jag inte visste att jag behövde!
Har inte läst Echoes duet innan men hade inte svårt för att hänga med ändå.
Det är underhållande, stundtals hjärtskärande och hett!
Nej men jag älskar River Hale. Och en dark romance med supervillains är en bok jag inte visste att jag behövde!
Har inte läst Echoes duet innan men hade inte svårt för att hänga med ändå.
Det är underhållande, stundtals hjärtskärande och hett!
July 3, 2026
I went into this book completely blind. Didn’t bother to read the description, just my friend yelling at me “READ THIS RIGHT NOW!” And I will say.. it was not what I expected at all after reading even the first few chapters but I was into it either way. These two had me splitting hairs! I needed that HEA like I needed my last breath. This story was unique, entertaining, and HOT! I loved the intensity of shadow daddy Reese and the humor of Cason. These two were perfect.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“To those who died a little and lived anyway”
I don’t think I’ve gotten captured within the first sentence before even the prologue, but here we are! I can’t say enough how much I love the deeper theme of this. That we’re all just pieces of time, energy, beats, standstills, strung together one after the other to create our lives. It could stop at any moment, it’s all so fragile. One heartbeat does not guarantee another will follow.
First off, the descriptions are amazing. It’s all there. It gives you the feel, that atmosphere, the texture of the world around you. The sight from the character. River Hale has always been able to plop you down in a world so you can see it for yourself. You know it’s gonna be a rollercoaster.
Second off, I love brats. I don’t think you could get a bigger brat than Cason. Who else have you seen become an even bigger brat when confronted with trials and tribulations and death?! He’s not stupid, he’s not naive, he knows exactly what is happening to him, but his brat button just doesn’t seem to turn off. I do get it’s his shield, his protection, but it made him damn well entertaining. Who doesn’t love their dark romances sprinkled with a little (okay, a lot) of Stockholm Syndrome? In fairness, we got Stockholm syndrome right next to Cason, just as bad!
“A precise point in time, a transition, a reconfiguration, the point where 1 version of me dies on the floor with him and another one stands. The space between one pulse and the next where part of your life collapses and converges with the one to come.” Knowing that nothing will be the same, you will not be the same. What you were is dead and gone, and now you’re something different, forced to move forward with what you now have. “The promise of vengeance was the last thing I had of him, and now I have nothing left.” Wishing a feeling could be extracted, wishing to be free. These chapters made me FEEL deeply, my god, as confused and heartbroken as Case. This is such great writing, especially these chapters. He’s such a great MC with dry, self deprecating humor. You definitely laugh at his mischief and inner thoughts. He also gets kidnapped more than Princess Peach! Choke me harder, Daddy had me rolling my ass off! Rock bottom indeed.
Even at around the 35% mark on, I was this mess of laughing, on the verge of tears, and outraged all together. Outraged for both Case and Reese, laughing since Case is who he is, but also registering the pain behind it all. It’s one of those books you really don’t notice the spice (though it was good) cuz you’re so engrossed in the plot. The possessiveness, the yearning, love stretching beyond life and breath and understanding. It’s a 5 star read if I ever read one!
“He who fights monsters might take care lest he become a monster
Ever since the day Reese Morgan stole me, I’ve only ever burned for him
I meant erase every part of you that thinks it can exist without me”
This ended up being one of my favorite reads this year.
I don’t think I’ve gotten captured within the first sentence before even the prologue, but here we are! I can’t say enough how much I love the deeper theme of this. That we’re all just pieces of time, energy, beats, standstills, strung together one after the other to create our lives. It could stop at any moment, it’s all so fragile. One heartbeat does not guarantee another will follow.
First off, the descriptions are amazing. It’s all there. It gives you the feel, that atmosphere, the texture of the world around you. The sight from the character. River Hale has always been able to plop you down in a world so you can see it for yourself. You know it’s gonna be a rollercoaster.
Second off, I love brats. I don’t think you could get a bigger brat than Cason. Who else have you seen become an even bigger brat when confronted with trials and tribulations and death?! He’s not stupid, he’s not naive, he knows exactly what is happening to him, but his brat button just doesn’t seem to turn off. I do get it’s his shield, his protection, but it made him damn well entertaining. Who doesn’t love their dark romances sprinkled with a little (okay, a lot) of Stockholm Syndrome? In fairness, we got Stockholm syndrome right next to Cason, just as bad!
“A precise point in time, a transition, a reconfiguration, the point where 1 version of me dies on the floor with him and another one stands. The space between one pulse and the next where part of your life collapses and converges with the one to come.” Knowing that nothing will be the same, you will not be the same. What you were is dead and gone, and now you’re something different, forced to move forward with what you now have. “The promise of vengeance was the last thing I had of him, and now I have nothing left.” Wishing a feeling could be extracted, wishing to be free. These chapters made me FEEL deeply, my god, as confused and heartbroken as Case. This is such great writing, especially these chapters. He’s such a great MC with dry, self deprecating humor. You definitely laugh at his mischief and inner thoughts. He also gets kidnapped more than Princess Peach! Choke me harder, Daddy had me rolling my ass off! Rock bottom indeed.
Even at around the 35% mark on, I was this mess of laughing, on the verge of tears, and outraged all together. Outraged for both Case and Reese, laughing since Case is who he is, but also registering the pain behind it all. It’s one of those books you really don’t notice the spice (though it was good) cuz you’re so engrossed in the plot. The possessiveness, the yearning, love stretching beyond life and breath and understanding. It’s a 5 star read if I ever read one!
“He who fights monsters might take care lest he become a monster
Ever since the day Reese Morgan stole me, I’ve only ever burned for him
I meant erase every part of you that thinks it can exist without me”
This ended up being one of my favorite reads this year.
July 5, 2026
My mind has been freaking blown! This was my first time reading a River Hale book and I’m speechless in the best way. My only regret is not knowing about her work sooner.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this story but it was definitely an amazing read. I was hooked from the very first page and I just couldn’t put it down.
When Cason gets kidnapped by Reese, he never expected how much that would change him. Getting kidnapped was nothing compared to what happened afterwards. His world was turned upside down and his reason for living revolved around getting revenge for Reese being taken away from him.
Cason spent years trying to find the people who ripped his heart out when they took the man he was falling for. Was it weird that he fell for his kidnapper? Probably. Did he cared? Not one bit. Reese came to mean more to him than anyone else in the world.
Reese had one job: kidnap Cason Bellrose and get paid. Instead, he fell for him and then lost him. He was supposed to keep him safe but he failed him.
When Reese is made into a dangerous weapon by the people who hired him, he goes rogue and decides to destroy them. With just one click of a mouse, Reese loses the people he’s come to cared for as family and the many he’s been protecting. And when he discovers that Cason is the one who responsible for destroying everything he spent the last few years building, his focus turns to him.
Once again Cason is kidnapped but this time, the man he fell for years ago is heartless and ruthless, and only has one thing in his mind: make Cason paid for what he did.
Seeing Reese alive isn’t what surprises Cason. It’s the changes he’s gone through and how hard he’s become. There are no traces of the man who took care of him years ago, now there’s a man with vengeance on his mind and Cason is the target.
It’s not until Cason takes drastic measures to be on the same playing field as Reese that everything starts to make sense. They both realize they were manipulated into becoming the puppets of the one person Cason least expected.
Seeing how much Cason had gone through after they were separated, loosens the tension Reese had been feeling since the moment they found each other. The weight of how much Cason had grieved and hurt for him confirmed to Reese that what they felt for each other went beyond kidnapper and prisoner.
He finally understood that everything Cason did was to avenge him. Cason had no idea he would be destroying his plans though. All he wanted was some kind of closure for losing him.
This time around, Reese was more than ready to burn the world down for Cason. Losing him was not an option and if he had to die in the process, so be it.
“𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍.”
I can’t love this book enough! It truly was remarkable. I can’t wait to read River’s other books. My interest has been peaked 😁
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this story but it was definitely an amazing read. I was hooked from the very first page and I just couldn’t put it down.
When Cason gets kidnapped by Reese, he never expected how much that would change him. Getting kidnapped was nothing compared to what happened afterwards. His world was turned upside down and his reason for living revolved around getting revenge for Reese being taken away from him.
Cason spent years trying to find the people who ripped his heart out when they took the man he was falling for. Was it weird that he fell for his kidnapper? Probably. Did he cared? Not one bit. Reese came to mean more to him than anyone else in the world.
Reese had one job: kidnap Cason Bellrose and get paid. Instead, he fell for him and then lost him. He was supposed to keep him safe but he failed him.
When Reese is made into a dangerous weapon by the people who hired him, he goes rogue and decides to destroy them. With just one click of a mouse, Reese loses the people he’s come to cared for as family and the many he’s been protecting. And when he discovers that Cason is the one who responsible for destroying everything he spent the last few years building, his focus turns to him.
Once again Cason is kidnapped but this time, the man he fell for years ago is heartless and ruthless, and only has one thing in his mind: make Cason paid for what he did.
Seeing Reese alive isn’t what surprises Cason. It’s the changes he’s gone through and how hard he’s become. There are no traces of the man who took care of him years ago, now there’s a man with vengeance on his mind and Cason is the target.
It’s not until Cason takes drastic measures to be on the same playing field as Reese that everything starts to make sense. They both realize they were manipulated into becoming the puppets of the one person Cason least expected.
Seeing how much Cason had gone through after they were separated, loosens the tension Reese had been feeling since the moment they found each other. The weight of how much Cason had grieved and hurt for him confirmed to Reese that what they felt for each other went beyond kidnapper and prisoner.
He finally understood that everything Cason did was to avenge him. Cason had no idea he would be destroying his plans though. All he wanted was some kind of closure for losing him.
This time around, Reese was more than ready to burn the world down for Cason. Losing him was not an option and if he had to die in the process, so be it.
“𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍.”
I can’t love this book enough! It truly was remarkable. I can’t wait to read River’s other books. My interest has been peaked 😁
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
Cason is 22 years old, working part-time at the company his father and uncle built, drifting through life without any real direction or purpose.
Reese is fourteen years older, a mercenary hired to kidnap Cason. What begins as a terrifying captivity turns into something neither of them expected. Over the course of 25 days, walls come down, trust develops, and feelings begin to grow between them. Then everything falls apart. Cason is rescued, Reese is shot, and everyone believes him to be dead.
Four years later, Cason is still haunted by Reese's supposed death. Consumed by grief and anger, he creates a program capable of launching a devastating cyberattack against the people he believes were responsible for Reese's murder. Even after succeeding, he finds no peace. He remains stuck, unable to move forward with his life.
Three years after that, the impossible happens—Cason is kidnapped again. Even more shocking is discovering that his captor is Reese, very much alive.
But Reese is no longer the man Cason remembers.
After dying and being brought back to life, Reese has Ascended, gaining extraordinary abilities that allow him to control living shadows. He uses these powers to interrogate and torment Cason, believing him responsible for exposing and endangering others like him. The targets of Cason's cyberattack were fellow Ascended hiding from the man responsible for creating them all: Cason's uncle, a ruthless man determined to build an army of superhumans at any cost.
As secrets unravel, Reese and Cason realize that the feelings they developed seven years earlier never truly disappeared. When Cason himself dies and Ascends, the connection between them reignites with even greater intensity. Together, alongside other Ascended, they begin plotting revenge against the man responsible for so much pain and suffering.
This book had everything I love—high stakes, action, suspense, supernatural abilities, and a romance so intense it practically jumps off the page. Reese and Cason's relationship is messy, complicated, passionate, and impossible not to root for.
Pulse Zero kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Every time I thought I knew where the story was heading, River Hale threw in another twist that left me desperate to keep reading. The world-building was fascinating, the action scenes were gripping, and the emotional moments hit hard.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys MM romance mixed with science fiction, paranormal elements, and plenty of action. My only complaint is that I'll never get to experience reading it for the first time again.
Again, I received an advanced copy of this book with permission from the other to post a review.
Cason is 22 years old, working part-time at the company his father and uncle built, drifting through life without any real direction or purpose.
Reese is fourteen years older, a mercenary hired to kidnap Cason. What begins as a terrifying captivity turns into something neither of them expected. Over the course of 25 days, walls come down, trust develops, and feelings begin to grow between them. Then everything falls apart. Cason is rescued, Reese is shot, and everyone believes him to be dead.
Four years later, Cason is still haunted by Reese's supposed death. Consumed by grief and anger, he creates a program capable of launching a devastating cyberattack against the people he believes were responsible for Reese's murder. Even after succeeding, he finds no peace. He remains stuck, unable to move forward with his life.
Three years after that, the impossible happens—Cason is kidnapped again. Even more shocking is discovering that his captor is Reese, very much alive.
But Reese is no longer the man Cason remembers.
After dying and being brought back to life, Reese has Ascended, gaining extraordinary abilities that allow him to control living shadows. He uses these powers to interrogate and torment Cason, believing him responsible for exposing and endangering others like him. The targets of Cason's cyberattack were fellow Ascended hiding from the man responsible for creating them all: Cason's uncle, a ruthless man determined to build an army of superhumans at any cost.
As secrets unravel, Reese and Cason realize that the feelings they developed seven years earlier never truly disappeared. When Cason himself dies and Ascends, the connection between them reignites with even greater intensity. Together, alongside other Ascended, they begin plotting revenge against the man responsible for so much pain and suffering.
This book had everything I love—high stakes, action, suspense, supernatural abilities, and a romance so intense it practically jumps off the page. Reese and Cason's relationship is messy, complicated, passionate, and impossible not to root for.
Pulse Zero kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Every time I thought I knew where the story was heading, River Hale threw in another twist that left me desperate to keep reading. The world-building was fascinating, the action scenes were gripping, and the emotional moments hit hard.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys MM romance mixed with science fiction, paranormal elements, and plenty of action. My only complaint is that I'll never get to experience reading it for the first time again.
Again, I received an advanced copy of this book with permission from the other to post a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2026
4.25⭐️
If you take V.E. Schwab’s Vicious & Alexandra St. Pierre’s Neurovance, and sprinkle in some captor/ captive dynamic, you’re going to get this book.
This story focuses on Case, who is the nephew of a big tech hotshot. When he’s kidnapped and held for ransom, he can’t help but be intrigued by his captor. But something about the whole situation isn’t right, and Case and his captor, Rhys, soon form a bond that can transcend anything.
I’m going to say my thoughts on this book before I give a recap of the content because I do feel like revealing a lot about what this book is about does reveal some slight spoilers. So I’ll let you know when to stop reading this review if you want to go in blind. (Which I honestly recommend)
First of all, this book is actually a spinoff of a duet from what I understand, but I actually read it as a standalone and do think that it holds its own as a standalone. I definitely am curious about the original books and do want to read them now as well.
This book is almost 500 pages, but it didn’t feel that long because it was interesting, there was a good balance of plot, tension, spice, and romance. There were a lot of interesting factors that weren’t necessarily things I’d never read about before, but the content made the story interesting and honestly, I’m surprised that this book isn’t more popular because of it. My favourite part was definitely more on the romance side rather than the overall plot, mostly because although the content is really interesting, the narrative is quite predictable.
There were some parts of the writing that didn’t 100% click with me but it was mostly just style wise. So I do think that a lot of people are going to really enjoy this book. If you’re someone that enjoys some action, some suspense, some almost scientific paranormal type elements, and lots and lots of edging, then this book is for you. 😂
OK, don’t read anymore if you don’t want any spoilers, but if you want some tropes and content overview, here it is rapid fire:
-captor/ captive dynamic
-age gap
-scientifically created super powers
-shadow daddy (who uses his shadows as a sound 👀)
-so much edging
-action and suspense
If you take V.E. Schwab’s Vicious & Alexandra St. Pierre’s Neurovance, and sprinkle in some captor/ captive dynamic, you’re going to get this book.
This story focuses on Case, who is the nephew of a big tech hotshot. When he’s kidnapped and held for ransom, he can’t help but be intrigued by his captor. But something about the whole situation isn’t right, and Case and his captor, Rhys, soon form a bond that can transcend anything.
I’m going to say my thoughts on this book before I give a recap of the content because I do feel like revealing a lot about what this book is about does reveal some slight spoilers. So I’ll let you know when to stop reading this review if you want to go in blind. (Which I honestly recommend)
First of all, this book is actually a spinoff of a duet from what I understand, but I actually read it as a standalone and do think that it holds its own as a standalone. I definitely am curious about the original books and do want to read them now as well.
This book is almost 500 pages, but it didn’t feel that long because it was interesting, there was a good balance of plot, tension, spice, and romance. There were a lot of interesting factors that weren’t necessarily things I’d never read about before, but the content made the story interesting and honestly, I’m surprised that this book isn’t more popular because of it. My favourite part was definitely more on the romance side rather than the overall plot, mostly because although the content is really interesting, the narrative is quite predictable.
There were some parts of the writing that didn’t 100% click with me but it was mostly just style wise. So I do think that a lot of people are going to really enjoy this book. If you’re someone that enjoys some action, some suspense, some almost scientific paranormal type elements, and lots and lots of edging, then this book is for you. 😂
OK, don’t read anymore if you don’t want any spoilers, but if you want some tropes and content overview, here it is rapid fire:
-captor/ captive dynamic
-age gap
-scientifically created super powers
-shadow daddy (who uses his shadows as a sound 👀)
-so much edging
-action and suspense
June 28, 2026
Survival. Now, it’s something more. This is desperation, a fierce desire for both of us to run away from all our problems.
They started out as captor & captive…
They ended with heartache & lost souls.
And now…Well…Seven years later, the laws of science change everything for them both…
I’ll always be weak for him, but I’m done being weak to him.
This was an eye opener down a rabbit warren that I didn’t see coming!
Straight away you are pulled into the story, Cason Bellrose family & set up with the Bellrose Institute of bioscience. Cason is taken and held captive awaiting to see what his fate will be. What he didn’t expect either, was the drop-dead good looking man who’s holding his freedom in the palm of his hand.
In all of his years as an assassin, Reese has never come across anyone like Cason. Over the short time, the lines between them start to drift into new territory that Reese has never felt before and Cason has awoken a side to him he never knew.
The story soon changes however, going through the years with Cason with him trying to adapt to his new life and unsuccessfully failing. Readers will fall back in time with two characters from Echoes Duet with the story lining up in time and then this story jumps again in the years.
“Hello, little menace.”
This story suddenly changes, taking on a different network, following the current and becoming something hidden in the shadows. I really enjoyed the focus of the story getting to the main part of everything. You needed the first parts to really understand the characters, background and then made for a bigger impact.
I loved both of these characters, Cason & Reese and both were a surprise. They complemented each other really well & a lot happens that you cross your fingers for these two. Oh..and if you’ve ever wondered about gunplay or shadows…then you are in for a treat!
They started out as captor & captive…
They ended with heartache & lost souls.
And now…Well…Seven years later, the laws of science change everything for them both…
I’ll always be weak for him, but I’m done being weak to him.
This was an eye opener down a rabbit warren that I didn’t see coming!
Straight away you are pulled into the story, Cason Bellrose family & set up with the Bellrose Institute of bioscience. Cason is taken and held captive awaiting to see what his fate will be. What he didn’t expect either, was the drop-dead good looking man who’s holding his freedom in the palm of his hand.
In all of his years as an assassin, Reese has never come across anyone like Cason. Over the short time, the lines between them start to drift into new territory that Reese has never felt before and Cason has awoken a side to him he never knew.
The story soon changes however, going through the years with Cason with him trying to adapt to his new life and unsuccessfully failing. Readers will fall back in time with two characters from Echoes Duet with the story lining up in time and then this story jumps again in the years.
“Hello, little menace.”
This story suddenly changes, taking on a different network, following the current and becoming something hidden in the shadows. I really enjoyed the focus of the story getting to the main part of everything. You needed the first parts to really understand the characters, background and then made for a bigger impact.
I loved both of these characters, Cason & Reese and both were a surprise. They complemented each other really well & a lot happens that you cross your fingers for these two. Oh..and if you’ve ever wondered about gunplay or shadows…then you are in for a treat!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a Dark Romance so make sure you check the TWs before heading in! This is also a spin off from River's Echoes Duet...You DO NOT need to read those before this! This story is a stand alone so your good 🖤 This story does have a HEA but man is it hard fought and I will say this is definitely one of the years TOP reads for me!
🌶🌶🌶.5
Guys this story was twisty turney so I'm going to give a very obtuse spoiler free review here..
Cason comes from a very influential family so when he was abducted he actually wasn't as surprised as one might normally be. What was surprising though was that he spent FAR more time then he thought he would trapped in the dungeon basement. Due to this um...extended stay....he also got to know his Captor more then either of them bargained for. Reese is used to quick but thorough jobs so this seemingly normally snatch and pay was a no brainer. Cason is anything BUT normal though and he works his way under Reese's skin like no one has before. All of the warning bells start going off for Reese though when there is no response from his employer OR Cason's Family. Now they both have to make a choice ride this out and hope for the best....or....take a gamble on this connection they are building (no matter how strange it is under the conditions) and scram off together.
What they don't know...is someone already has a whole different set of plans for both of them...
Ok I'm leaving it at that...because seriously just when I think I have one thing figure out we dodged left and it was something completely different
This was amazing/fantastic/incredible! I was glued to the pages, like pulling an all nighter to read because I couldn't put it down. You know how you can just feel when a book is going to be awesome?! That was me with this book I just knew after seeing the Blurb/Tropes it was going to be a good one and it did not disappoint!
🌶🌶🌶.5
Guys this story was twisty turney so I'm going to give a very obtuse spoiler free review here..
Cason comes from a very influential family so when he was abducted he actually wasn't as surprised as one might normally be. What was surprising though was that he spent FAR more time then he thought he would trapped in the dungeon basement. Due to this um...extended stay....he also got to know his Captor more then either of them bargained for. Reese is used to quick but thorough jobs so this seemingly normally snatch and pay was a no brainer. Cason is anything BUT normal though and he works his way under Reese's skin like no one has before. All of the warning bells start going off for Reese though when there is no response from his employer OR Cason's Family. Now they both have to make a choice ride this out and hope for the best....or....take a gamble on this connection they are building (no matter how strange it is under the conditions) and scram off together.
What they don't know...is someone already has a whole different set of plans for both of them...
Ok I'm leaving it at that...because seriously just when I think I have one thing figure out we dodged left and it was something completely different
This was amazing/fantastic/incredible! I was glued to the pages, like pulling an all nighter to read because I couldn't put it down. You know how you can just feel when a book is going to be awesome?! That was me with this book I just knew after seeing the Blurb/Tropes it was going to be a good one and it did not disappoint!
July 1, 2026
Pulse Zero by River Hale was absolutely incredible. From the very first page, I was hooked and couldn't put it down.
This is a spin-off of the Echoes Duet and can absolutely be read as a standalone. I went in without reading the duet and never felt lost, but after finishing this book, I immediately wanted to go back and read more from this world.
The concept is fascinating: people who briefly die and return to life can come back with unique supernatural abilities. Layer that with corporate conspiracies, kidnappings, mercenaries, revenge, secret organisations, and a resistance movement, and you get a story that constantly keeps you guessing.
Cason and Reese were everything. Cason's sass, humour, and refusal to stay quiet made him impossible not to love, while Reese was the perfect brooding, protective shadow daddy. Their chemistry was off the charts, and I loved the contrast between Cason's lighter personality and Reese's darker, more serious nature. Together they were magnetic.
One of my favourite things about this book was the dual timeline. Rather than simply being told about their history, we get to experience the development of their relationship alongside the present-day fallout. It made every emotional moment hit so much harder and gave their eventual HEA the weight it deserved.
The world-building was unique, the pacing was excellent, and the blend of romance, action, suspense, and supernatural elements kept me completely invested. I also loved the side characters and Felix the cat deserves an honourable mention.
Emotional, intense, romantic, and impossible to put down, Pulse Zero was exactly the kind of book I love. Now I absolutely need to read the Echoes Duet and whatever River Hale writes next.
This is a spin-off of the Echoes Duet and can absolutely be read as a standalone. I went in without reading the duet and never felt lost, but after finishing this book, I immediately wanted to go back and read more from this world.
The concept is fascinating: people who briefly die and return to life can come back with unique supernatural abilities. Layer that with corporate conspiracies, kidnappings, mercenaries, revenge, secret organisations, and a resistance movement, and you get a story that constantly keeps you guessing.
Cason and Reese were everything. Cason's sass, humour, and refusal to stay quiet made him impossible not to love, while Reese was the perfect brooding, protective shadow daddy. Their chemistry was off the charts, and I loved the contrast between Cason's lighter personality and Reese's darker, more serious nature. Together they were magnetic.
One of my favourite things about this book was the dual timeline. Rather than simply being told about their history, we get to experience the development of their relationship alongside the present-day fallout. It made every emotional moment hit so much harder and gave their eventual HEA the weight it deserved.
The world-building was unique, the pacing was excellent, and the blend of romance, action, suspense, and supernatural elements kept me completely invested. I also loved the side characters and Felix the cat deserves an honourable mention.
Emotional, intense, romantic, and impossible to put down, Pulse Zero was exactly the kind of book I love. Now I absolutely need to read the Echoes Duet and whatever River Hale writes next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"I don’t know if he’s dead. I don’t know if he’s alive. I don’t know anything except that something in me has broken and rearranged itself around the shape of him."
I love everything River Hale writes and Pulse Zero is no exception. Whilst this one can definitely be read as a standalone, my advice would be to get stuck into the Echoes duet first, starting with Memory Lane and then Echoes of the Past, just to give you the background story arc and to fall in love with Harrison and Lane (who play a strong cameo role in this one).
Then power on with Pulse Zero - and yes, I'm talking about binge-reading all three this weekend - and get your fill of our gorgeous broken pair, Cason and Reese. No spoilers, because you need to dive in and lose yourself to their stories.
What To Expect:
🩷 MM captor romance
💚 age gap
🖤 bi-awakening
🩷 fighting as foreplay
💚 dubcon
🖤 dark themes
🩷 first times
💚 all the steam
🖤 all the angst
🩷 mine
💚 PNR
🖤 second chance
🩷 HEA
Loved it! 4.5 stars rounded up 🌟
I love everything River Hale writes and Pulse Zero is no exception. Whilst this one can definitely be read as a standalone, my advice would be to get stuck into the Echoes duet first, starting with Memory Lane and then Echoes of the Past, just to give you the background story arc and to fall in love with Harrison and Lane (who play a strong cameo role in this one).
Then power on with Pulse Zero - and yes, I'm talking about binge-reading all three this weekend - and get your fill of our gorgeous broken pair, Cason and Reese. No spoilers, because you need to dive in and lose yourself to their stories.
What To Expect:
🩷 MM captor romance
💚 age gap
🖤 bi-awakening
🩷 fighting as foreplay
💚 dubcon
🖤 dark themes
🩷 first times
💚 all the steam
🖤 all the angst
🩷 mine
💚 PNR
🖤 second chance
🩷 HEA
Loved it! 4.5 stars rounded up 🌟
Review of advance copy received from Author
Arc Review for Pulse Zero by River Hale. This is a spin off of the Echoes Duet and can be read as a standalone.
This book grabbed my attention because it has some of my favorite tropes and they were written so well. Cason Belrose is a hacker and works at Belrose institute, founded by his uncle and late father which focuses on private research and bioscience. Then he is kidnapped by Reese Morgan and Cason being his green haired brat self doesn’t make it easy on him. Reese is always in control that is until he meets his little menace who gets under his skin like no one ever has before. But then Reese is taken from Cason and years later there complex story continues.
There are so many things I loved about Pulse Zero. The way this was written and split into four parts kept me so intrigued. Cason is one of my favorite brats I’ve had the pleasure of reading about and he was so funny. I highlighted so much in this book. Reese fights his attraction to Cason but when he finally gives in it’s so hott🥵. Captor/captive is always one of my favorite tropes to read about but Cason and Reese turn into so much more. The supervillain aspect was something I absolutely loved. Reese can manipulate shadows. And the other supervillain powers through the story are unique and intriguing. Chapter 38 will live rent free in my head for the foreseeable future….. 🫠. I loved Reese and Cason together their chemistry was so intense and passionate. Both epilogues concluded the story perfectly. I really enjoyed reading this and can’t stress enough how well these tropes were written.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to ARC read Pulse Zero 🫶
This book grabbed my attention because it has some of my favorite tropes and they were written so well. Cason Belrose is a hacker and works at Belrose institute, founded by his uncle and late father which focuses on private research and bioscience. Then he is kidnapped by Reese Morgan and Cason being his green haired brat self doesn’t make it easy on him. Reese is always in control that is until he meets his little menace who gets under his skin like no one ever has before. But then Reese is taken from Cason and years later there complex story continues.
There are so many things I loved about Pulse Zero. The way this was written and split into four parts kept me so intrigued. Cason is one of my favorite brats I’ve had the pleasure of reading about and he was so funny. I highlighted so much in this book. Reese fights his attraction to Cason but when he finally gives in it’s so hott🥵. Captor/captive is always one of my favorite tropes to read about but Cason and Reese turn into so much more. The supervillain aspect was something I absolutely loved. Reese can manipulate shadows. And the other supervillain powers through the story are unique and intriguing. Chapter 38 will live rent free in my head for the foreseeable future….. 🫠. I loved Reese and Cason together their chemistry was so intense and passionate. Both epilogues concluded the story perfectly. I really enjoyed reading this and can’t stress enough how well these tropes were written.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to ARC read Pulse Zero 🫶
June 28, 2026
4.75/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ | 5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Disclosure: I received a complimentary eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Pulse Zero by River Hale is not for the faint of heart. It is a dark, sprawling MM romance that explores the absolute limits of human endurance, psychological abuse, and the terrifying line between protection and monsterhood.
The story follows Cason Bellrose, whose life is irrevocably shattered the day he is taken. His connection to his captor, Reese Morgan, is complex, haunting, and deeply entrenched in the kind of dark obsession that defines the genre. Years later, Cason is still chasing closure, unraveling shadows, and stepping into the dark spaces where life and death converge.
I was absolutely floored by this book. It is a long, grueling journey, and yet I found myself pulling an all-nighter just to reach the finish line. Hale manages to pose a harrowing question: How much cruelty can be justified under the guise of protection before the protector becomes the monster they fear? The trauma Cason endures—seven years of psychological abuse—is handled with a weight that is difficult to process but impossible to look away from. Despite the Stockholm-syndrome dynamics, the HEA is earned with such intensity that it feels like a genuine triumph.
If you have a penchant for the dark and twisted, Pulse Zero is essential reading. It is masterfully written, with scientific elements so well-crafted they almost feel real.
Read the trigger warnings—this is a difficult, beautiful, and devastating story that I would read over and over again.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Pulse Zero by River Hale is not for the faint of heart. It is a dark, sprawling MM romance that explores the absolute limits of human endurance, psychological abuse, and the terrifying line between protection and monsterhood.
The story follows Cason Bellrose, whose life is irrevocably shattered the day he is taken. His connection to his captor, Reese Morgan, is complex, haunting, and deeply entrenched in the kind of dark obsession that defines the genre. Years later, Cason is still chasing closure, unraveling shadows, and stepping into the dark spaces where life and death converge.
I was absolutely floored by this book. It is a long, grueling journey, and yet I found myself pulling an all-nighter just to reach the finish line. Hale manages to pose a harrowing question: How much cruelty can be justified under the guise of protection before the protector becomes the monster they fear? The trauma Cason endures—seven years of psychological abuse—is handled with a weight that is difficult to process but impossible to look away from. Despite the Stockholm-syndrome dynamics, the HEA is earned with such intensity that it feels like a genuine triumph.
If you have a penchant for the dark and twisted, Pulse Zero is essential reading. It is masterfully written, with scientific elements so well-crafted they almost feel real.
Read the trigger warnings—this is a difficult, beautiful, and devastating story that I would read over and over again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Once again I’ve been made speechless by River they write books that just absolutely reel you in until your just fully consumed by the words. I was absolutely looking forward to this since it was announced and it didn’t disappoint in the slightest the story it’s self was amazing and just fully captured my full attention I just couldn’t put it down. I’m so glad I red the echoes duet before reading this not that you have to read before but I just liked it better that I understood some things more! Im so wrapped up and obsessed with this world that is pulse zero and the echoes duet I need so much more I hope we get to see more from this world! And I ate up all the little cameos we got of our sweet babies Harrison and Lane!! I’m obsessed with Cason he is as sassy as they come while also sometimes bratty and he just has such a big heart I swear there wasn’t a part he absolutely didn’t have me dying laughing through this whole book just the things he would say and his personality alone you can’t not love him when reading this! Reese was everything Cason needed someone who loved him just as strong and willing to protect him at all costs and quite literally was as soft as butter for him! It was fun and intense and left you sitting at the edge of your seat sometimes and I loved Cason and Reese they were everything their chemistry off the charts and the spice 🥵 absolutely so here for it. Not even death could keep them apart ❤️ I cannot wait to see what else River has in store for us !!
June 27, 2026
I was hooked from the first chapter! River Hale takes us on a wild ride in Pulse Zero. Suspend all belief and just enjoy it. Pulse Zero is a dark MM Romance. There is suspense, vigilante justice and a shadow daddy that will have you needing to rehydrate between the chapters. Buckle up B!tches!
Cason works for his uncle at the Institute in their IT department. He lost his father a few years ago and his mother is planning to move to North Carolina. Following a visit with his uncle, he is abducted and held for ransom. He meets Reese and they develop a rapport as abductee/abductor.
Cason is full on brat with snark and banter. He has this innate way of coping with traumatic circumstances through dark humor. He’s had a tough life and struggles socializing with others. Reese is a paid mercenary taking jobs through the dark net, no questions asked. He studies the behavior of his targets before abducting them then carries out his orders as instructed by his clients.
Pulse Zero was packed full of jaw dropping, suspenseful moments. We get more of Harrison and Lane (Echoes Duet). We also get to dive headfirst into the world of the Ascended and their various abilities. I was enthralled and loved every minute. Pulse Zero was edgy and unlike anything I’ve read.
Tropes: MM, dark, enemies to lovers, kidnapping, hacker/mercenary, bi-awakening, stockholm syndrome, “Lima syndrome.” revenge, age gap (14 years), edging, gun play, breath play, fear play, bud con, cnc, touch him & die, shadow daddy, toxic, obsessive, super villains
Cason works for his uncle at the Institute in their IT department. He lost his father a few years ago and his mother is planning to move to North Carolina. Following a visit with his uncle, he is abducted and held for ransom. He meets Reese and they develop a rapport as abductee/abductor.
Cason is full on brat with snark and banter. He has this innate way of coping with traumatic circumstances through dark humor. He’s had a tough life and struggles socializing with others. Reese is a paid mercenary taking jobs through the dark net, no questions asked. He studies the behavior of his targets before abducting them then carries out his orders as instructed by his clients.
Pulse Zero was packed full of jaw dropping, suspenseful moments. We get more of Harrison and Lane (Echoes Duet). We also get to dive headfirst into the world of the Ascended and their various abilities. I was enthralled and loved every minute. Pulse Zero was edgy and unlike anything I’ve read.
Tropes: MM, dark, enemies to lovers, kidnapping, hacker/mercenary, bi-awakening, stockholm syndrome, “Lima syndrome.” revenge, age gap (14 years), edging, gun play, breath play, fear play, bud con, cnc, touch him & die, shadow daddy, toxic, obsessive, super villains
Review of advance copy received from Author
I don't think it's shocking by now that I love River Hale... But in case it is... I LOVE their writing so much 😍.
This book was EVERYTHING I wanted and more. It was surprisingly sweet, even in its darkness and I was so here for it. Reese is such a protective shadow daddy, and even when his actions towards Cason can be confusing, its because of how deeply he cares.
Cason was such a snarky, playful, bratty character and able to get under Reese's skin in ways no one else can 😈 and I loved every second of it. He's also surprisingly vulnerable when he lets his walls down but he really only does with a select few.. Reese being the main one and when they come together it's so beautiful 🥹.
I love these boys.. seriously... They are the epitome of soul mates, and I loved every second of their journey even as it broke my heart at times but Hale always pieces it back together, perhaps even better than it was before 🫶.
There's some dark elements in this book that'll keep you on the edge of your seat, I mean super humans falling in love definitely has some potention for fun 😈 and let me tell you.. potential was MET amazingly on this one.
I literally couldn't put this book down, I devoured it as fast as I could and I seriously hope River decides to do more books on this universe because I will be here for every second of it 🤩.
This book was EVERYTHING I wanted and more. It was surprisingly sweet, even in its darkness and I was so here for it. Reese is such a protective shadow daddy, and even when his actions towards Cason can be confusing, its because of how deeply he cares.
Cason was such a snarky, playful, bratty character and able to get under Reese's skin in ways no one else can 😈 and I loved every second of it. He's also surprisingly vulnerable when he lets his walls down but he really only does with a select few.. Reese being the main one and when they come together it's so beautiful 🥹.
I love these boys.. seriously... They are the epitome of soul mates, and I loved every second of their journey even as it broke my heart at times but Hale always pieces it back together, perhaps even better than it was before 🫶.
There's some dark elements in this book that'll keep you on the edge of your seat, I mean super humans falling in love definitely has some potention for fun 😈 and let me tell you.. potential was MET amazingly on this one.
I literally couldn't put this book down, I devoured it as fast as I could and I seriously hope River decides to do more books on this universe because I will be here for every second of it 🤩.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When I saw that River Hale was writing a dark, toxic romance filled with chaos, kidnapping, and murder… I knew I had to read it.🤭
Give me all the dark and chaotic romances please thank you.
This book was an absolute rollercoaster. It pulled me in from the very first page and didn’t let go.🖤
These two were undeniably toxic… and somehow still completely stole my heart.🥹
Kidnapping? Check.
M*rder? Check.
Plot twists? Double check.
Cason was chaos in human form.
Bratty, unhinged, and, like Reese calls him : ‘little menace.” Reese was not exaggerating.🤣
I loved Cason so much. The things he says, the way he loves so fiercely, and his obsession with his cat Felix had me laughing
Reese is dangerous. a mercenary, but there’s so much more to him than that.
Also… excuse me… HELLO Shadow daddy 👀🥵
I’m not spoiling anything because this is one of those books you just have to experience and see where it takes you.
I think I found my new favorite River Hale book.🤩
The twists, the chaos, the moments that had me literally gasping out loud… and the spice? Uhm… wow 🥵
If you love dark, twisted romances with chaos, toxicity, and plot twists that keep you guessing, this one is definitely for you.
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.🖤
Give me all the dark and chaotic romances please thank you.
This book was an absolute rollercoaster. It pulled me in from the very first page and didn’t let go.🖤
These two were undeniably toxic… and somehow still completely stole my heart.🥹
Kidnapping? Check.
M*rder? Check.
Plot twists? Double check.
Cason was chaos in human form.
Bratty, unhinged, and, like Reese calls him : ‘little menace.” Reese was not exaggerating.🤣
I loved Cason so much. The things he says, the way he loves so fiercely, and his obsession with his cat Felix had me laughing
Reese is dangerous. a mercenary, but there’s so much more to him than that.
Also… excuse me… HELLO Shadow daddy 👀🥵
I’m not spoiling anything because this is one of those books you just have to experience and see where it takes you.
I think I found my new favorite River Hale book.🤩
The twists, the chaos, the moments that had me literally gasping out loud… and the spice? Uhm… wow 🥵
If you love dark, twisted romances with chaos, toxicity, and plot twists that keep you guessing, this one is definitely for you.
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.🖤
June 21, 2026
In the words of Schmidt (from new girl) .. NO NOTES. 10/10. Absolute home run.
Honestly I don’t even know where to begin with this book. I just absolutely freaking loved it! River just has a way with words and the way they write draws you in instantly. I just adore their writing style. And the humour is my humour to a T 🤭
I actually messaged River while reading this because I was just flabbergasted that she could write such detailed computer programming stuff (deffo not the correct lingo) and not actually be in the field 🤯 This book genuinely just blew me away with how much happened but also didn’t feel too much for a single book either!
Cason and Reese were such fun MMCs, Reese being our older brooding shadow daddy and Case being our playful little menace who uses humour as a comping mechanism (samies). They complimented eachother perfectly and the depth of their love honestly didn’t feel rushed or out of place due to the premise of the storyline. And we CANNOT forget about our sassy AF feline friend Felix who was quite literally my spirit animal.
The whole storyline was incredible, the characters were all amazing. The spice was literally so freaking HOT and the love was undeniable.
Thank you River for giving me the opportunity to read this book, you’re awesome 🤍🫶🏼
Honestly I don’t even know where to begin with this book. I just absolutely freaking loved it! River just has a way with words and the way they write draws you in instantly. I just adore their writing style. And the humour is my humour to a T 🤭
I actually messaged River while reading this because I was just flabbergasted that she could write such detailed computer programming stuff (deffo not the correct lingo) and not actually be in the field 🤯 This book genuinely just blew me away with how much happened but also didn’t feel too much for a single book either!
Cason and Reese were such fun MMCs, Reese being our older brooding shadow daddy and Case being our playful little menace who uses humour as a comping mechanism (samies). They complimented eachother perfectly and the depth of their love honestly didn’t feel rushed or out of place due to the premise of the storyline. And we CANNOT forget about our sassy AF feline friend Felix who was quite literally my spirit animal.
The whole storyline was incredible, the characters were all amazing. The spice was literally so freaking HOT and the love was undeniable.
Thank you River for giving me the opportunity to read this book, you’re awesome 🤍🫶🏼
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