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Dysfunctional
A dark, MM romance
Ezra Hamilton hasn’t felt the warm spurt of blood flow through his fingers or the indescribable feeling of pushing a knife deep into someone’s flesh in a long time. Too long.
He’s been watching a man stalk women, curious as to what he’s doing with them. Ezra’s never encountered someone with similar dark tendencies before, and what starts off as genuine curiosity turns into much more when Kaspian turns the tables on him.
As their chemistry builds, so does the mistrust. They both know they can’t trust a killer, but their inner demons call to each other anyway.
When Kaspian’s impulsivity threatens to ruin Ezra’s freedom, he knows he has to stop him. Kas appears to be fixated on Willow—a woman Ezra works with. In an effort to not have to worry about her disappearance bringing heat on him, he tracks Kaspian as Kaspian follows Willow into a cabin in the mountains.
There, in the middle of a blizzard, secrets will be revealed and revelations made, but the chances of everybody making it out alive are slim.
This is a dark romance that will have graphic scenes. Warnings are on the author's website. 18+
Ezra Hamilton hasn’t felt the warm spurt of blood flow through his fingers or the indescribable feeling of pushing a knife deep into someone’s flesh in a long time. Too long.
He’s been watching a man stalk women, curious as to what he’s doing with them. Ezra’s never encountered someone with similar dark tendencies before, and what starts off as genuine curiosity turns into much more when Kaspian turns the tables on him.
As their chemistry builds, so does the mistrust. They both know they can’t trust a killer, but their inner demons call to each other anyway.
When Kaspian’s impulsivity threatens to ruin Ezra’s freedom, he knows he has to stop him. Kas appears to be fixated on Willow—a woman Ezra works with. In an effort to not have to worry about her disappearance bringing heat on him, he tracks Kaspian as Kaspian follows Willow into a cabin in the mountains.
There, in the middle of a blizzard, secrets will be revealed and revelations made, but the chances of everybody making it out alive are slim.
This is a dark romance that will have graphic scenes. Warnings are on the author's website. 18+
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 25, 2022
About the author
Isabel Lucero
35 books1,446 followersIsabel Lucero is a bestselling author, finding joy in giving readers books for every mood.
Born in a small town in New Mexico, Isabel was lucky enough to escape and travel the world thanks to her husband's career in the Air Force. Her and her husband have three kids and two dogs together, and currently reside in Delaware. When Isabel isn't on mommy duty or writing her next book, she can be found reading, or in the nearest Target buying things she doesn't need.
Isabel loves connecting with her readers and fans of books in general. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
https://www.facebook.com/authorisabel...
https://twitter.com/AuthorIsabel
http://instagram.com/isabel__lucero
http://authorisabellucero.blogspot.com/
Born in a small town in New Mexico, Isabel was lucky enough to escape and travel the world thanks to her husband's career in the Air Force. Her and her husband have three kids and two dogs together, and currently reside in Delaware. When Isabel isn't on mommy duty or writing her next book, she can be found reading, or in the nearest Target buying things she doesn't need.
Isabel loves connecting with her readers and fans of books in general. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
https://www.facebook.com/authorisabel...
https://twitter.com/AuthorIsabel
http://instagram.com/isabel__lucero
http://authorisabellucero.blogspot.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews
October 28, 2022
“does killing someone turn you on?” i ask as we walk back toward the body.
Kaspian looks at me with a bewildered expression. “no. i’m not some sort of sicko.”
we both start laughing.
✦ this had unstable, psychotic characters. my favourite type!
✦ i enjoyed this for the most part while i was reading it, but i sadly wasn't that impressed overall. it was okay. enjoyable. hot, fun, dark-ish, smutty. possessiveness and obsessiveness galore. nothing that complicated or surprising. sadly had a pretty weak plot overall.
"his eyes stare into mine, sending me messages he’s unable to speak. in them, i see what i’ve always wanted — his need for me. his yearning. his obsession. but i also see the darkness and devilry, and i welcome it all."
✦ i am happy to find a new darkish MM romance release, even if it wasn't a new favourite. lately, most of the new MM romance releases that are marketed as dark haven't been dark at all. this book was at least slightly darker than any other "dark" recent releases i have read, so yay for that.
“i like the darkness in you. makes me feel normal.”
Kaspian looks at me with a bewildered expression. “no. i’m not some sort of sicko.”
we both start laughing.
✦ this had unstable, psychotic characters. my favourite type!
✦ i enjoyed this for the most part while i was reading it, but i sadly wasn't that impressed overall. it was okay. enjoyable. hot, fun, dark-ish, smutty. possessiveness and obsessiveness galore. nothing that complicated or surprising. sadly had a pretty weak plot overall.
"his eyes stare into mine, sending me messages he’s unable to speak. in them, i see what i’ve always wanted — his need for me. his yearning. his obsession. but i also see the darkness and devilry, and i welcome it all."
✦ i am happy to find a new darkish MM romance release, even if it wasn't a new favourite. lately, most of the new MM romance releases that are marketed as dark haven't been dark at all. this book was at least slightly darker than any other "dark" recent releases i have read, so yay for that.
“i like the darkness in you. makes me feel normal.”
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June 4, 2022
"I just want you to want me the way I want you."
"And how's that?"
"Overwhelmingly and all-consuming. I want you to feel my absence like you'd feel a knife in your chest. I don't need you to tell me how you love me. I'm not sure I'd believe it anyway. Love feels obligatory in a relationship. Like you have to say it even if you don't mean it. Love is just a trite four-letter word. People use it for every fucking thing. They love a movie, a song, a particular cup of coffee. I don't want to be lumped into a bunch of random shit. What I want is to be accepted and desired. I want to be craved. I want you to feel like you'd be miserable without me."
~ this quote perfectly sums up the type of relationship/dynamic these two have.
ezra and kaspian were... interesting and insane and i love them for it. 😩 it had tons of possessiveness, obsession and jealousy shit that i love to read about. it also had a few plot twists that gave me whiplash bc WHAT??
overall, it was very enjoyable—i would especially recommend this if you love dark romance (it had dark elements, but i admit i had expected it to be more darker than it had been... although i would still consider it a dark romance anyways), possessive mcs, toxicity, knife play and two killers falling in their own version of 'love'. 😌
"And how's that?"
"Overwhelmingly and all-consuming. I want you to feel my absence like you'd feel a knife in your chest. I don't need you to tell me how you love me. I'm not sure I'd believe it anyway. Love feels obligatory in a relationship. Like you have to say it even if you don't mean it. Love is just a trite four-letter word. People use it for every fucking thing. They love a movie, a song, a particular cup of coffee. I don't want to be lumped into a bunch of random shit. What I want is to be accepted and desired. I want to be craved. I want you to feel like you'd be miserable without me."
~ this quote perfectly sums up the type of relationship/dynamic these two have.
ezra and kaspian were... interesting and insane and i love them for it. 😩 it had tons of possessiveness, obsession and jealousy shit that i love to read about. it also had a few plot twists that gave me whiplash bc WHAT??
overall, it was very enjoyable—i would especially recommend this if you love dark romance (it had dark elements, but i admit i had expected it to be more darker than it had been... although i would still consider it a dark romance anyways), possessive mcs, toxicity, knife play and two killers falling in their own version of 'love'. 😌
May 26, 2022
4.5 Obsessive Stars
“Do I need to secure your other hand or are you going to be a good boy?”
“Do I need to secure your other hand or are you going to be a good boy?”
Pure Gold. Hello, psychopath meat sociopath. Let’s go down a twisted journey through the woods, kink club, and to our houses, we go. Yea, it’s the best kind of dark MM romance I have read.
I love the concept of this book—two killers, both dysfunctional. At first, I was a little worried about how the two killers' journey would unfold—especially Kaspian. I wasn’t a big fan of him at first. So happy I trusted the process. By the end, I was ecstatic with the process.
Dysfunctional is in the setting of a small-town Vermont. Where everyone knows everyone and gossip spreads like wildfire. Ezra lurks in the dark, stalking Kaspain to see what he is up to. But all is not what it seems, and Kaspain is too wise. Don’t underestimate either of them; after all, they’re killers.
There love is twisted. That is what they want and they are perfect for each other. I
Yes not forget to add obsession and possessiveness. Plus the lengths they will go. They would burn down the world for each other.
“But remember, as much as you love doing those things, I love being on the receiving end. I won’t allow you or anybody else to ruin this for us.”
Over I can honestly say I am screaming from the rooftops recommending to read this book. It’s addicting, and you will not want the story to end.
June 11, 2022
{👹🫀🩸WARNING~WARNING~WARNING; THIS BOOK CONTAINS VERY~VERY DARK CONTENT SUCH AS 🩸🫀👹: WEBSITE LINK TO TRIGGERS FOR BOOK ~ WEBSITE HOMEPAGE: https://isabellucero.com/about-isabel-2 ! THE SCENES ARE VERY GRAPHIC AND WILL BOTHER SOME IF THIS LEVEL OF DARKNESS IS NOT FOR YOU! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!}
Dysfunctional:
Rating: 4.5
👹🫀🩸Introduction🩸🫀👹:
👹🫀🩸Hello lovelies! I hope all is well🖤🫀🩸🫀🖤! Based on this book as a whole, you can already tell how much I 👹👹👹LOVED~LOVED~LOVED IT👹👹👹! 🧔🏻♂️🔪🥵Serial Killers who are psychopathic & sociopathic, numerous killings, FILTHY~FILTHY~FILTHY SMUT, EXTREME STALKING, DOMINATION, CONTROL, POSSESSIVENESS, & THE MCS THEMSELVES AS A WHOLE? WHAT ELSE CAN A GIRL ASK FOR🥵🔪🧔🏻♂️? An 😈🎇😈🎇😈AMAZING JOB BY ISABEL LUCERO FOR SURE😈🎇😈🎇😈! Again, this book is VERY~VERY DARK! I posted two links to Mrs. Lucero’s website if you wanted to read the triggers for the book there! They are VERY MUCH THERE & EXPLICIT ON PAGE! If these triggers do not bother you? 😈😈😈Welcome to Killer~Land first class😈😈😈!🩸🫀👹
👹🫀🩸Synopsis🩸🫀👹:
👹🫀🩸Having moved to Soledad Square to leave behind his ”less than savory” habits, Ezra Hamilton “Quintin Black”🧔🏻♂️ {👹🫀🔪“Escape into Nature landscaping” ~30 years old~Serial Killer~Heart Stopper~Psychopath🔪🫀👹} is trying his best to ”blend in” normal society, until one day he cannot anymore. That anymore is due to Kaspian “Jasper Castillo”🧔🏻{😈🧿🩸“Phone clerk”~23 years old~Serial Killer~Sociopath🩸🧿😈}. A young man who is 😍🧿👅infatuated, obsessive, possessive, and stalks Ezra every waking minute👅🧿😍!!! With the small town becoming more deadly with missing/murdered residents, Kaspian not letting up on having Ezra for himself, and repressed urges surging back to life, what is there to stop the de~evolution of Ezra Hamilton back to Quintin Black? The 👹🤴🏻🥵true Psychopathic~Serial Killer to own his little Sociopathic Stalker🥵🤴🏻👹?🩸🫀👹
👹🫀🩸Positives🩸🫀👹:
👹🫀🩸Well, since we all know my
👹🫀🩸Improvements🩸🫀👹:
👹🫀🩸Even with how much I 👹👹👹LOVED~LOVED~LOVED👹👹👹 these 🧔🏻♂️🩸🔪Two Bloody Killers🔪🩸🧔🏻♂️, I did have issues with: {overemphasis on MF tones; mainly within the first third to half of the book, and “shocking factor on a man liking other men” which again was seen more within the first portion of the book}. Before even reading this book, I knew there were some “MF tones” within it due to the synopsis & what other readers have said. Even so, as I said before, the first section of the book focused too much on MF themes that made me 🙄🙄🙄roll my eyes constantly & become annoyed with how prominent it got🙄🙄🙄. I honestly was wondering if this was the same book everyone else read since I was reading too much of MF aspects while reading. Especially when it wasn’t defined if either of the killers, particularly Ezra, were gay or bisexual at least until later on. Which relates to my second issue on the ”big shocker on one of the MC’s being gay”. Yes it was a small town which is pretty infamous for its inclusiveness. Yet, it was annoying & didn’t need to be reemphasized as much as it did within the first section. So in short, the first section of the book didn’t do much for me, whereas the second portion was KILLER~BLOODY~POSSESSIVE LOVE AT ITS BEST!!! 🩸🫀👹
👹🫀🩸Conclusion🩸🫀👹:
👹🫀🩸Overall? I 👹👹👹LOVED~LOVED~LOVED THESE CRAZY SOCIOPATHS/PSYCHOPATHS 100%!!! COULDN’T GET ENOUHG OF THEM AND WISHED THERE WAS MORE!!!👹👹👹 Based on the rating & endorsement alone, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND CHECKING THIS OUT IF YOU LOVE ALL THE THEMES MENTIONED! AS WELL AS THE TRIGGERS ON MRS. LUCERO’S WEBSITE! If there Is any bonus stories for these two, or dare I say a book two? BEST BELIEVE I WILL BE READING THAT FASTER THAN ROADRUNNER!!! AMAZING~AMAZING JOB MRS. LUCERO ON THIS BOOK! 😈🎇😈🎇😈MUCH APPLAUSE😈🎇😈🎇😈! As per usual, wishing you all the best with much love & luck on finding amazing 😈🔪👅serial killer reads👅🔪😈!!!🩸🫀👹
May 27, 2022
“I don’t believe in much,” he says. “But I believe you were made for me.”
I grin and my heart sings. “It’s me and you,” I tell him. “Until the end.”
Can I get a HALLELUJAH for just the existence of fucked up, villainous characters 😩✋🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼👏👏 nothing tops them. Absolutely NOTHING.
“Who do you belong to?”
“You. Fuck,” I breathe. “You, Quintin. I’m yours.”
He thrusts deep. “Damn right you are. In this life and the next.”
God, the creepy, fucked up, unhinged characters were To. Die. For! It's been a while there's been a new mm dark romance book and *sighs in peace* YUP. THIS. ALL OF THIS. WHAT A MOMENT.
We are what we are—dysfunctional.
My bestie put this book to my attention and it's been known she the Best like... EVER so thanks girly! 😩😩
I love how they didn't trust each other, they probably weren't safe enough to each other, and each other probably had enough shit to dig up an hole for the other but the fact that they couldn't stay from one another had me WEAK.
“Look, I won’t tell you I love you, but I’ll always tell you I want you.”
Kaspian smiles slowly. “Yeah?”
I loved how Kas was just unhinged as fuck, unapologetic as hell, needy and obsessed and fucking adorable. He was so possessive and so territorial and hella jealous with a sprinkle of “Don't touch my mate or DIE.” that I. Loved!!
There are times where I don’t think I know him at all, yet I feel like he’s the only person in the world who gets me.
He stares up at me, his mouth open, saliva glistening across his lips and chin, and specks of blood splattered on his face like freckles. “Fucking beautiful,” I say with a groan before stepping forward, “Show me your tongue.”
Am I a psychopath? No. Some might say I’m sociopathic, which is definitely the better of the two if you ask me, but I’m not a fan of labels. I’m just me.
And I know Ezra is brought up to be this 'I don't feel emotions bullshit' and his attitude of “DO I LOOK I LIKE FUCKING CARE” yet he had such a great character arc. Don't get me wrong, he was still the moody, grouchy, anti social bastard I've known since page one and loved, but just the way he grew to be hella protective of Kas and soooo possessive had my heart melting from how much he evolved since the beginning. That scene of someone trying to hurt Kas and Ezra nearly murdering had the bitch had me GIDDY (don't ask where my moral code is. Just don't ✋)
He shakes his head. “I want to fuck you so hard and so deep in the hope that you’ll understand how much I do want you. So you’ll know never to pull any stupid shit again. I need you to know without a doubt that you only need me. I want to mark and ruin you. I want to hurt you while making you feel so fucking good. I want to rip you apart just to be the one to put you together again, because I want you to know that I’m capable of both.”
These characters didn't need to say the four letter word to make us, the readers fucking KNOW and FEEL just what they share together.
We won’t change who we are. As the saying goes, a leopard can’t change its spots. But we don’t want each other to change. We were drawn to each other for these exact reasons. We accept and need the other person to be exactly who they are, because we get precisely what we need from one another. Maybe nobody else understands, but we do. Together, we feel normal.
The only part of this book I didn't like was the whole Willow bullshit. Didn't care, didn't like and NO TO A THREESOME OR SHARING.
initial reaction: Nothing tops reading bat shit crazy heroes ✋
👉👈 😘 🤭 🧘
June 6, 2022
***4.0 rating***
"He isn’t capable of articulating his feelings. He likes to act like he doesn’t have them, and maybe that’s true, but he has them when it comes to me. I hear the unspoken words on the tip of his tongue when he kisses me. I feel his emotions when he lets loose and fucks me like an animal. He talks to me through his body and I’m an eager listener."
Sociopath meets psychopath.
Sociopath becomes obsessed with the said psychopath.
The said psychopath becomes just as obsessive with the said sociopath.
The two of them together?💣🔥😍🔪🔪❤👬
Loved the craziness, toxicity, jealousy, possesiveness, chemistry, smut, and the intensity of them when they were together. They are twisted and fucked in the head but def belong together💕.
Not as dark as I hoped it would be but still an enjoyable read.
"He isn’t capable of articulating his feelings. He likes to act like he doesn’t have them, and maybe that’s true, but he has them when it comes to me. I hear the unspoken words on the tip of his tongue when he kisses me. I feel his emotions when he lets loose and fucks me like an animal. He talks to me through his body and I’m an eager listener."
Sociopath meets psychopath.
Sociopath becomes obsessed with the said psychopath.
The said psychopath becomes just as obsessive with the said sociopath.
The two of them together?💣🔥😍🔪🔪❤👬
Loved the craziness, toxicity, jealousy, possesiveness, chemistry, smut, and the intensity of them when they were together. They are twisted and fucked in the head but def belong together💕.
Not as dark as I hoped it would be but still an enjoyable read.
June 28, 2022
I was fascinated by the premise of two serial killers who fall for one another.
Dysfunctional did not disappoint with the crazy possessiveness and obsessiveness Ezra and Kasian show for one another
I was amazed at the willingness how both cross every line to show they both own one another, which was fascinating to see develop.
Overall I enjoyed this crazy dark romance, both Kas and Ezra are made for eachother, which made for an insane ride.
Dysfunctional did not disappoint with the crazy possessiveness and obsessiveness Ezra and Kasian show for one another
I was amazed at the willingness how both cross every line to show they both own one another, which was fascinating to see develop.
Overall I enjoyed this crazy dark romance, both Kas and Ezra are made for eachother, which made for an insane ride.
October 28, 2022
2 Stars
DNF @ 40%
Well, it was supposed to be a dark romance but after reading 40% I still couldn’t feel anything! The characters were unstable, one was possessive and the other was obsessive but they couldn’t bring the dark mood I expected to! I couldn’t even feel their chemistry, if there was any!
DNF @ 40%
Well, it was supposed to be a dark romance but after reading 40% I still couldn’t feel anything! The characters were unstable, one was possessive and the other was obsessive but they couldn’t bring the dark mood I expected to! I couldn’t even feel their chemistry, if there was any!
March 13, 2023
3.5 STARS
"There isn’t a word for what we are to each other. He’s everything to me. How do you encompass so much into a single word? I’d cease to live without him. I wouldn’t want to walk this earth if it wasn’t with him by my side."
“I always saw you,” I say. “Even in a room of a million, I’ll always be able to find you.”
Two crazy serial killers in love? Say less.
It's the kind of story you don't know exactly how it's going to end, but you continue to read because you can’t stop. Don’t worry it’s a HEA, but it’s hard to imagine how two crazy, obsessive men who stalk and kill for each other will somehow end up together.
"What I want is to be accepted and desired. I want to be craved. I want you to feel like you’d be miserable without me.”
“Pretty isn’t a word I’d use to describe you. You’re volatile and arousing. You’re captivating and dangerous.” He moans when I rock into him. “You’re absolutely devastating.”
"I didn’t want you to be hurt, but now you’ve hurt him, and he’s the only thing in this world that’s ever brought me any semblance of happiness.”
You definitely need to be ready for an unconventional love story. However, I think it's worth reading.
There's an age-gap trope which I think made the dynamic between them even hotter. I don’t know which of them I liked more. They were both different, but at the same time fit each other perfectly. Ezra was cold-blooded, grumpy, calculating, and calm, while Caspian was crazy, bratty, obsessive, and had a bit of a bad-boy vibe.
"I blow out the smoke and turn my head to my right to find Kaspian at my side, a small grin on his lips. He’s dressed in his normal clothes with a mask pushed up to the top of his head."
I certainly have a thing for men with masks, but this one additionally had tattoos, obsessive personality and crazy serial killer vibe. Perfect combination.
"As he blows out the smoke, he says, “I just want a taste of your lips, even if I have to risk dying to get it.”
Kaspian was crazy but I liked him A LOT. That might be my preference, but I love it when characters are really possessive of themselves, and they were supposed to be like that. There were, at the end, but not throughout the whole book. You will have to read to understand, but Kaspian went through "I don’t want him with any men, but he can fuck women and I might want to watch it" to "I will kill anyone who touch him". I wish he had the second vibe from the beginning. (SPOILER) Also, there was a conversation about a threesome with some chick, which luckily didn't happen. I would probably give it a one start if it happened, because possessive men don’t share. Period.
Another thing I can’t comprehend is how did they get away with all the murders? I have so many questions because they killed a lot of people, but their methods weren't super calculated. Maybe it's just me but I've watched too many crime shows and I just can't understand it lol.
Anyway, I will definitely be looking for more books by this author, because I enjoyed this one.
"There isn’t a word for what we are to each other. He’s everything to me. How do you encompass so much into a single word? I’d cease to live without him. I wouldn’t want to walk this earth if it wasn’t with him by my side."
“I always saw you,” I say. “Even in a room of a million, I’ll always be able to find you.”
Two crazy serial killers in love? Say less.
It's the kind of story you don't know exactly how it's going to end, but you continue to read because you can’t stop. Don’t worry it’s a HEA, but it’s hard to imagine how two crazy, obsessive men who stalk and kill for each other will somehow end up together.
"What I want is to be accepted and desired. I want to be craved. I want you to feel like you’d be miserable without me.”
“Pretty isn’t a word I’d use to describe you. You’re volatile and arousing. You’re captivating and dangerous.” He moans when I rock into him. “You’re absolutely devastating.”
"I didn’t want you to be hurt, but now you’ve hurt him, and he’s the only thing in this world that’s ever brought me any semblance of happiness.”
You definitely need to be ready for an unconventional love story. However, I think it's worth reading.
There's an age-gap trope which I think made the dynamic between them even hotter. I don’t know which of them I liked more. They were both different, but at the same time fit each other perfectly. Ezra was cold-blooded, grumpy, calculating, and calm, while Caspian was crazy, bratty, obsessive, and had a bit of a bad-boy vibe.
"I blow out the smoke and turn my head to my right to find Kaspian at my side, a small grin on his lips. He’s dressed in his normal clothes with a mask pushed up to the top of his head."
I certainly have a thing for men with masks, but this one additionally had tattoos, obsessive personality and crazy serial killer vibe. Perfect combination.
"As he blows out the smoke, he says, “I just want a taste of your lips, even if I have to risk dying to get it.”
Kaspian was crazy but I liked him A LOT. That might be my preference, but I love it when characters are really possessive of themselves, and they were supposed to be like that. There were, at the end, but not throughout the whole book. You will have to read to understand, but Kaspian went through "I don’t want him with any men, but he can fuck women and I might want to watch it" to "I will kill anyone who touch him". I wish he had the second vibe from the beginning. (SPOILER) Also, there was a conversation about a threesome with some chick, which luckily didn't happen. I would probably give it a one start if it happened, because possessive men don’t share. Period.
Another thing I can’t comprehend is how did they get away with all the murders? I have so many questions because they killed a lot of people, but their methods weren't super calculated. Maybe it's just me but I've watched too many crime shows and I just can't understand it lol.
Anyway, I will definitely be looking for more books by this author, because I enjoyed this one.
May 20, 2022
"Our relationship doesn't fit within the bounds of what's deemed an acceptable and normal relationship, so I don't think we should tarnish it with labels that don't fit. We are what we are - dysfunctional."
Wow. I totally loved this, and it's so twisty, it kept me guessing right to the end.
But it is DARK, so be warned, and make sure you check out the author's TWs.
Dysfunctional by Isabel Lucero is a standalone, dark MM thriller. I'm not going to call it a romance - although don't get me wrong, this gets TOTALLY hot and steamy - but there is nothing cute and fluffy about this read AT ALL.
I've read and really enjoyed Isabel Lucero's South River University books, but if you think that's what you're getting here, think again!
Dysfunctional is about Ezra and Kaspian - two predators, stalkers, monsters - whose paths cross, with shockingly graphic consequences.
"I'm here because I want to be."
What happens when a sociopath and a psychopath collide and discover they have chemistry, not to mention disturbed, obsessive, possessive, murderous urges?
Read on, friends, if you dare....
5 fabulously dark and steamy stars ❣❣❣❣❣
Wow. I totally loved this, and it's so twisty, it kept me guessing right to the end.
But it is DARK, so be warned, and make sure you check out the author's TWs.
Dysfunctional by Isabel Lucero is a standalone, dark MM thriller. I'm not going to call it a romance - although don't get me wrong, this gets TOTALLY hot and steamy - but there is nothing cute and fluffy about this read AT ALL.
I've read and really enjoyed Isabel Lucero's South River University books, but if you think that's what you're getting here, think again!
Dysfunctional is about Ezra and Kaspian - two predators, stalkers, monsters - whose paths cross, with shockingly graphic consequences.
"I'm here because I want to be."
What happens when a sociopath and a psychopath collide and discover they have chemistry, not to mention disturbed, obsessive, possessive, murderous urges?
Read on, friends, if you dare....
5 fabulously dark and steamy stars ❣❣❣❣❣
September 9, 2022
WTF this book really had me rooting for two insane killers. This is the exact kind of stabby murder shit I love. Need to find 100 more books just like this.
January 28, 2023
Two killers dancing around each other. One a stalker, plotting and watching, constantly lying. The other a serial killer, cold-blooded, repressed and hard to intimidate.
Well, that was quite difficult, not because of the violence, more because of the lack of trust and emotions. It was quite problematic to identify with the characters.
But then you get something like this:
“Overwhelmingly and all-consuming. I want you to feel my absence like you’d feel a knife in your chest. I don’t need you to tell me you love me. I’m not sure I’d believe it anyway. Love feels obligatory in a relationship. Like you have to say it even if you don’t mean it. Love is just a trite four-letter word. People use it for every fucking thing. They love a movie, a song, a particular cup of coffee. I don’t want to be lumped into a bunch of random shit. What I want is to be accepted and desired. I want to be craved. I want you to feel like you’d be miserable without me.” 😍😍😍
So yes, I loved the book. I tried to tune out the annoying plot involving other characters like Willow. When you get right down to the two killers and their dysfunctional ways, it's all quite wonderful. 🖤🖤🖤 Loving all the blood and violence mixed into with the sex.
“Do what you want to me,” I say. “Punish me. Teach me a lesson. Teach me many. I want you to lose control because it’s when I like you most.”
Well, that was quite difficult, not because of the violence, more because of the lack of trust and emotions. It was quite problematic to identify with the characters.
But then you get something like this:
“Overwhelmingly and all-consuming. I want you to feel my absence like you’d feel a knife in your chest. I don’t need you to tell me you love me. I’m not sure I’d believe it anyway. Love feels obligatory in a relationship. Like you have to say it even if you don’t mean it. Love is just a trite four-letter word. People use it for every fucking thing. They love a movie, a song, a particular cup of coffee. I don’t want to be lumped into a bunch of random shit. What I want is to be accepted and desired. I want to be craved. I want you to feel like you’d be miserable without me.” 😍😍😍
So yes, I loved the book. I tried to tune out the annoying plot involving other characters like Willow. When you get right down to the two killers and their dysfunctional ways, it's all quite wonderful. 🖤🖤🖤 Loving all the blood and violence mixed into with the sex.
“Do what you want to me,” I say. “Punish me. Teach me a lesson. Teach me many. I want you to lose control because it’s when I like you most.”
June 1, 2022
*detailed trigger warnings can be found here under the Dysfunctional heading: https://isabellucero.com/trigger-warn...
[3.75] a psychopathic killer doing his darndest to suppress his murderous proclivities and the sociopathic stalker-killer who's caught his interest walk into a bar…
the title spells it out loud and clear. dysfunctional is the most apt description of this twisted rendering of a dark, gritty romance, and i was absolutely here for it.
given how out of the norm it falls in the spectrum of romance fiction, i crave the incomparable dynamic of two killers who complete each other's deepest desires. if you're on the search for obsession reaching toxic heights, extreme bouts of jealousy, and of course stalker behavior all in the name of ~love~ (by their definition, that is), then you're in the right place 😌
the beginning had me falling into the story hook, line, and sinker with enough tidbits and steady revelations dropped to entice. before i knew it, i had devoured the first half thanks to the powerful fuel that is curiosity.
now i’ll admit my interest started to wane somewhat the more incredulous the plot became. while they're presented as obviously capable & prolific killers, at times they didn't exactly come across as meticulous/level-headed as you’d expect for their success rate. as a result, i did find certain situations to have been resolved a little too easily for my liking, but i'll attribute it to lady luck blessing them with masterful evasion techniques 🥷🏼
all that being said, i had an undeniably entertaining ride, and i can’t imagine these two reaching any other ending than the one they arrived at.
just make sure to read with ample suspension of disbelief (as the genre tends to require), and i think you’ll enjoy this pleasant trip into savage debauchery of knife and blood galore 😇
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
[3.75] a psychopathic killer doing his darndest to suppress his murderous proclivities and the sociopathic stalker-killer who's caught his interest walk into a bar…
the title spells it out loud and clear. dysfunctional is the most apt description of this twisted rendering of a dark, gritty romance, and i was absolutely here for it.
given how out of the norm it falls in the spectrum of romance fiction, i crave the incomparable dynamic of two killers who complete each other's deepest desires. if you're on the search for obsession reaching toxic heights, extreme bouts of jealousy, and of course stalker behavior all in the name of ~love~ (by their definition, that is), then you're in the right place 😌
the beginning had me falling into the story hook, line, and sinker with enough tidbits and steady revelations dropped to entice. before i knew it, i had devoured the first half thanks to the powerful fuel that is curiosity.
now i’ll admit my interest started to wane somewhat the more incredulous the plot became. while they're presented as obviously capable & prolific killers, at times they didn't exactly come across as meticulous/level-headed as you’d expect for their success rate. as a result, i did find certain situations to have been resolved a little too easily for my liking, but i'll attribute it to lady luck blessing them with masterful evasion techniques 🥷🏼
all that being said, i had an undeniably entertaining ride, and i can’t imagine these two reaching any other ending than the one they arrived at.
just make sure to read with ample suspension of disbelief (as the genre tends to require), and i think you’ll enjoy this pleasant trip into savage debauchery of knife and blood galore 😇
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 26, 2022
A possessive and dark relationship between two souls that are perfect for each other. That was dark but I liked it
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June 4, 2022DNF @ 53% - I need to rinse my eyes out with soap…or something.
May 26, 2022
Ezra has been watching a man, Kasian, stalk women. He has urges to be a killer, and it seems that his mysterious man does too. Turns out that they have a lot of comon and they bound over their urges, even if they aren’t sure that they can trust each other yet.
I love dark romances but a dark romance between two bad guys? Yes please sign me up. The premise of this dream sounds like an absolute dream come true. And i’m happy to report that I enjoyed reading this book, so so much.
I loved every seconds I spent reading this book. This book was jusy everything I wanted it to be and it was so much fun to read. I just had the best of time reading this book and I enjoyed it, so much.
I absolutely adore book characters who are closer to being psychopaths than anything else and it was the case of the main characters in this book, which is why I loved them both. I just adored how their characters were done and how they had close to not morals. They are both very toxic and violent and I absolutely loved, it made their characters so fascinating to read.
I loved how the dark part of this book was done. The romance was very obsessive and toxic, which I absolutely loved. And the ambiance of the book was very dark and gritty, which made for a really lovely reading experience. I loved how dark this book felt and how you could see the darkness through every scenes in the book. The ambiance in this book was just absolutely perfect to me.
I really loved the romance in this book. It was super dark and possesive but it also just fit the main characters so well. They had a relationship that seemed perfect for them and their characters. They were both very obsessed, possessive and ready to do everything to be with each other and I just loved that, so much.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest opinion
I love dark romances but a dark romance between two bad guys? Yes please sign me up. The premise of this dream sounds like an absolute dream come true. And i’m happy to report that I enjoyed reading this book, so so much.
I loved every seconds I spent reading this book. This book was jusy everything I wanted it to be and it was so much fun to read. I just had the best of time reading this book and I enjoyed it, so much.
I absolutely adore book characters who are closer to being psychopaths than anything else and it was the case of the main characters in this book, which is why I loved them both. I just adored how their characters were done and how they had close to not morals. They are both very toxic and violent and I absolutely loved, it made their characters so fascinating to read.
I loved how the dark part of this book was done. The romance was very obsessive and toxic, which I absolutely loved. And the ambiance of the book was very dark and gritty, which made for a really lovely reading experience. I loved how dark this book felt and how you could see the darkness through every scenes in the book. The ambiance in this book was just absolutely perfect to me.
I really loved the romance in this book. It was super dark and possesive but it also just fit the main characters so well. They had a relationship that seemed perfect for them and their characters. They were both very obsessed, possessive and ready to do everything to be with each other and I just loved that, so much.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest opinion
May 28, 2022
5 Depraved Heartstopper stars ⭐
What happens when a Sociopath falls for a Psychopath? Obsession, Stalking, Murders, Mayhem, Carnal, Lust, Want, and lots of blood, of course. This small town, age gap MM story had everything a dark romance lover (hehe, like me) needs! Leave your inhibitions and come to the dark side *Villain laugh*.
"We are what we are—dysfunctional."
Triggers: Blood & Knife kink, Murders, Obsession, Toxicity, Manipulation, Mention about child abuse, A murder disguised as suicide .
I made the mistake of starting this book during exams, but with a break, I completed it. And boy am I glad, this was full of twists! I've read Isabel's MM romances prior, but I hope she writes dark ones more!
Ezra "The psychopath" is 30, antisocial, kinda grumpy, a planner and hasn't killed in 2 years, trying to settle into a normal life in a small-town.
Kaspian "The sociopath" is 23, obsessive, charming, impulsive and his kills recent here: women.
And due to his "killer instinct" Ez has set his eyes on him.
Ez & Kas fascinate eachother, and though Ez seems to be the one stalking Kas, curious. That's not the case. Kas has been stalking Ez for longer, wanting his attention. Like, damn guys, he's good at what he does.
Ez & Kas had different childhoods, different reasons for why they are a killer today. Ez's we found earlier, but Kas' was a fun mystery, & a good plot point! But they're good in blending in, have normal jobs.
Even though Ez had told Kas to stay away from him, they can't help but be drawn together. And, Kas is persistent! It was cute to see normal relationship problems (with extra heap of jealously & possessiveness) in a relationship that's definitely NOT normal. They have a deep connection, An understanding, a driving force.
"He has the need to obsess and hunt. I keep him guessing and yearning." ~Ezra
And the hotness. Ah, the sexy times are HOT, HOT & HOT. Kas & Ez's chemistry is good, on bed & on kills 🤣. With Kas, Ez can be his own self. The visits to fetish club were cool 😏.
“We kill and then we come.” ~Kas
This story was fast paced, with no dull moments. Trust didn't come easy for Ez & Kas. I mean, of course, they're killers. So secretive at 1st, but their relationship progress was sweet, killer, Want.
“Love is just a trite four-letter word. People use it for every fucking thing.... I don’t want to be lumped into a bunch of random shit. What I want is to be accepted and desired. I want to be craved. I want you to feel like you’d be miserable without me.” ~Kas (Me: *damn, he's right. Still swoon*)
Can two villains, two killers have a happy ending? Of course. But not without a heart-racing climax! An investigation & A truth. Oh shit.
I liked the side characters here, "the friend group". And 2 twists with 'em.
If you've read the blurb, you'll know Willow, Ez's coworker & friend, is a big part of plot. It's Sus. With a main scene: The 3 in a cabin. Oh guys, it's a finale scene and holy yes, things get revealed! Ah, I'm glad the threesome I've been wanting, didn't happen 🙂.
Overall, I loved this book. Loved the care Ez showed Kas at end (a big development!), Kas & Ez are so cute! And hot, and deadly 😁. That epilogue was fun.
“I can’t exist in a world where you don’t.” ~Ezra (Me: *Swoon*)
** #arcHonestReview #AllViewsAreMyOwn **
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What happens when a Sociopath falls for a Psychopath? Obsession, Stalking, Murders, Mayhem, Carnal, Lust, Want, and lots of blood, of course. This small town, age gap MM story had everything a dark romance lover (hehe, like me) needs! Leave your inhibitions and come to the dark side *Villain laugh*.
"We are what we are—dysfunctional."
Triggers: Blood & Knife kink, Murders, Obsession, Toxicity, Manipulation, Mention about child abuse, A murder disguised as suicide .
I made the mistake of starting this book during exams, but with a break, I completed it. And boy am I glad, this was full of twists! I've read Isabel's MM romances prior, but I hope she writes dark ones more!
Ezra "The psychopath" is 30, antisocial, kinda grumpy, a planner and hasn't killed in 2 years, trying to settle into a normal life in a small-town.
Kaspian "The sociopath" is 23, obsessive, charming, impulsive and his kills recent here: women.
And due to his "killer instinct" Ez has set his eyes on him.
Ez & Kas fascinate eachother, and though Ez seems to be the one stalking Kas, curious. That's not the case. Kas has been stalking Ez for longer, wanting his attention. Like, damn guys, he's good at what he does.
Ez & Kas had different childhoods, different reasons for why they are a killer today. Ez's we found earlier, but Kas' was a fun mystery, & a good plot point! But they're good in blending in, have normal jobs.
Even though Ez had told Kas to stay away from him, they can't help but be drawn together. And, Kas is persistent! It was cute to see normal relationship problems (with extra heap of jealously & possessiveness) in a relationship that's definitely NOT normal. They have a deep connection, An understanding, a driving force.
"He has the need to obsess and hunt. I keep him guessing and yearning." ~Ezra
And the hotness. Ah, the sexy times are HOT, HOT & HOT. Kas & Ez's chemistry is good, on bed & on kills 🤣. With Kas, Ez can be his own self. The visits to fetish club were cool 😏.
“We kill and then we come.” ~Kas
This story was fast paced, with no dull moments. Trust didn't come easy for Ez & Kas. I mean, of course, they're killers. So secretive at 1st, but their relationship progress was sweet, killer, Want.
“Love is just a trite four-letter word. People use it for every fucking thing.... I don’t want to be lumped into a bunch of random shit. What I want is to be accepted and desired. I want to be craved. I want you to feel like you’d be miserable without me.” ~Kas (Me: *damn, he's right. Still swoon*)
Can two villains, two killers have a happy ending? Of course. But not without a heart-racing climax! An investigation & A truth. Oh shit.
I liked the side characters here, "the friend group". And 2 twists with 'em.
If you've read the blurb, you'll know Willow, Ez's coworker & friend, is a big part of plot. It's Sus. With a main scene: The 3 in a cabin. Oh guys, it's a finale scene and holy yes, things get revealed! Ah, I'm glad the threesome I've been wanting, didn't happen 🙂.
Overall, I loved this book. Loved the care Ez showed Kas at end (a big development!), Kas & Ez are so cute! And hot, and deadly 😁. That epilogue was fun.
“I can’t exist in a world where you don’t.” ~Ezra (Me: *Swoon*)
** #arcHonestReview #AllViewsAreMyOwn **
FB Page | Instagram | Bookbub | FB group
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June 7, 2022DNF..
I said my prayers , put my therapist on speed dial and started this book expecting dark ….stuff. Well, no, it’s actually a rom com and whatever dark things it has, after the banter, the humor, the ineptitude of the killers , the simplistic and uncomplicated execution of the plot, the childish dialogues and characters, they don’t manage to bring back the dark mood this book advertised. And after browsing a bit I’m inclined to say that the book gets quite sappy towards the end. I’m so disappointed..
I said my prayers , put my therapist on speed dial and started this book expecting dark ….stuff. Well, no, it’s actually a rom com and whatever dark things it has, after the banter, the humor, the ineptitude of the killers , the simplistic and uncomplicated execution of the plot, the childish dialogues and characters, they don’t manage to bring back the dark mood this book advertised. And after browsing a bit I’m inclined to say that the book gets quite sappy towards the end. I’m so disappointed..
May 19, 2022
4.75
Dysfunctional is the first book i read from Isabel Lucero but I can assure you she found herself a fan for life because i'm madly in love with Ezra and Kaspian 😍😍
When I found out about this story i just knew it was for me 'cause have you seen the cover???!! Have you read the blurb?! 🤩
And gosh it's freaking phenomenal!!
It's like a twisted fairy tale about a psychopath and a sociopath who became obsessed with each other and find their bloody happy ending 😍😈
It's pure madness but it works perfectly fine!!
The back and forth between the two men, the stalker tendencies, the jalousy, the twist and turns you didn’t expect, the passion, the violence... everything makes this story one you HAVE TO READ ( if you are into dark romance like me).
Plus it has one of the most beautifully twisted declaration of love that i've ever read 😍
To be honest these two psychos did a marvelous job in making me swoony with their words.... if all the sentences highlighted during the reading are an indication of it 😏😌
So what i'm trying to say is READ THIS BOOK AS SOON AS IT'S OUT.
Dysfunctional is the first book i read from Isabel Lucero but I can assure you she found herself a fan for life because i'm madly in love with Ezra and Kaspian 😍😍
When I found out about this story i just knew it was for me 'cause have you seen the cover???!! Have you read the blurb?! 🤩
And gosh it's freaking phenomenal!!
It's like a twisted fairy tale about a psychopath and a sociopath who became obsessed with each other and find their bloody happy ending 😍😈
It's pure madness but it works perfectly fine!!
The back and forth between the two men, the stalker tendencies, the jalousy, the twist and turns you didn’t expect, the passion, the violence... everything makes this story one you HAVE TO READ ( if you are into dark romance like me).
Plus it has one of the most beautifully twisted declaration of love that i've ever read 😍
To be honest these two psychos did a marvelous job in making me swoony with their words.... if all the sentences highlighted during the reading are an indication of it 😏😌
So what i'm trying to say is READ THIS BOOK AS SOON AS IT'S OUT.
May 26, 2022
I don't want to know about Willow's pussy or tits i'm so done with this kind of shit in MM books.
May 29, 2022
(Thank you The Smuthood and the author Isabel Lucero for the eARC in exchange for a honest review)
Trigger warnings can be found here.
Plot
Ezra Hamilton is not a typical killer but he hasn't felt the rush of warm rush of blood through his fingers in a long time. However, when he starts following a man who stalks women, he realises that he has never met somebody with dark tendencies like Kaspian which hits too close to home. The mistrust grows as their chemistry grows and Ezra knew he had to step in when Kaspian's impulsiveness could ruin him. What secrets will be exposed when Ezra finds out what really is Kaspian up to?
Thoughts
This is my first book from Isabel and it was a pleasant read! The beginning was a little confusing and dull but the book picked up from 1/4 into the book. It kept me wanting to read more to find out what happens next.
The dynamics between Kaspian and Ezra make up a huge chunk of this book that went beyond just plain romance, at least for me. When a sociopath and psychopath are put together in the same room, alone, a lot of things may go down including themselves. This book had so much of passion and obsession done the right way that made it a 4 star book - I love possessive characters and it was seen in this book which added onto the rating.
I had to deduct one star for the beginning and also because there was a lot of description on their expertise in killing but at some points it didn't hold that level portrayed. Some parts of the plot could have been developed better, some parts didn't need too much elaboration.
Overall it was a good dark read and please be sure to read the trigger warnings before proceeding with the book.
You're absolutely devastating
Trigger warnings can be found here.
Plot
Ezra Hamilton is not a typical killer but he hasn't felt the rush of warm rush of blood through his fingers in a long time. However, when he starts following a man who stalks women, he realises that he has never met somebody with dark tendencies like Kaspian which hits too close to home. The mistrust grows as their chemistry grows and Ezra knew he had to step in when Kaspian's impulsiveness could ruin him. What secrets will be exposed when Ezra finds out what really is Kaspian up to?
Thoughts
This is my first book from Isabel and it was a pleasant read! The beginning was a little confusing and dull but the book picked up from 1/4 into the book. It kept me wanting to read more to find out what happens next.
The dynamics between Kaspian and Ezra make up a huge chunk of this book that went beyond just plain romance, at least for me. When a sociopath and psychopath are put together in the same room, alone, a lot of things may go down including themselves. This book had so much of passion and obsession done the right way that made it a 4 star book - I love possessive characters and it was seen in this book which added onto the rating.
I wonder if he tastes like the darkness that lives in his eyes
I’m going to use you, and there’s nothing you can do about itThe obsession on each other wasn't the only plotline because it did focus on other aspects such as their killer tendencies and the characters around them whom had the correct amount of focus needed.
I had to deduct one star for the beginning and also because there was a lot of description on their expertise in killing but at some points it didn't hold that level portrayed. Some parts of the plot could have been developed better, some parts didn't need too much elaboration.
Overall it was a good dark read and please be sure to read the trigger warnings before proceeding with the book.
June 17, 2022
3.5 stars!
Ezra and Kaspian - the sociopath and the psychopath - were the perfect compliment to each other. Dirty and depraved, these two were obsessive, possessive and cold blooded murderers. This story definitely has triggers but it wasn't quite as dark as I was expecting. The steam in here was Kindle melting and the twists and turns were unique.
For a darker MM read, I really enjoyed this story and liked both Ezra and Kaspian individually and together. I loved the build up of their coupling and the way they found their own unique groove.
"He walks out of the room, my blood staining his hand, his cum coating my skin, and he thinks there isn’t an us.
Ezra and Kaspian - the sociopath and the psychopath - were the perfect compliment to each other. Dirty and depraved, these two were obsessive, possessive and cold blooded murderers. This story definitely has triggers but it wasn't quite as dark as I was expecting. The steam in here was Kindle melting and the twists and turns were unique.
For a darker MM read, I really enjoyed this story and liked both Ezra and Kaspian individually and together. I loved the build up of their coupling and the way they found their own unique groove.
“Overwhelmingly and all-consuming. I want you to feel my absence like you’d feel a knife in your chest. I don’t need you to tell me you love me. I’m not sure I’d believe it anyway. Love feels obligatory in a relationship. Like you have to say it even if you don’t mean it. Love is just a trite four-letter word. People use it for every fucking thing. They love a movie, a song, a particular cup of coffee. I don’t want to be lumped into a bunch of random shit. What I want is to be accepted and desired. I want to be craved. I want you to feel like you’d be miserable without me.”
June 11, 2022
What a crazy and wild ride this book was! I couldn't put it down. Quintin and Kaspian are deranged and depraved fuckers, but like Quintin said, they were made for each other. Loved them.
June 2, 2022
Couples who kill together stay together, right? It felt so good to put the awful book I just finished behind me and free fall into the absolute insanity of this one. I loved Ezra's cold and calculating demeanor in contrast with Kaspian's impulsivity and alarmingly short fuse. I felt deliciously uncomfortable every time they tried to incite jealousy and possessiveness in each other. I usually don't like it when the MC's have sexual encounters with other people once they've gotten together, but Ezra and Kaspian weren't typical MC's and their moral ambiguity made it hard to care what they did or with whom since it was almost always done with the sole purpose to provoke each other. And I liked not caring. It was a relief to let go of the way I tend to judge characters and their actions and just sit back and watch a sociopath and a psychopath do their thing.
My only complaint was Willow. Her story definitely added an extra layer of interest and might have even been necessary, but her presence still annoyed me. And also,
This was my first book by this author and now I'm interested in other stuff she has written. I'm also interested in other books similar to this one, so if anyone has any dark MM romance recs, send them my way!
My only complaint was Willow. Her story definitely added an extra layer of interest and might have even been necessary, but her presence still annoyed me. And also,
This was my first book by this author and now I'm interested in other stuff she has written. I'm also interested in other books similar to this one, so if anyone has any dark MM romance recs, send them my way!
June 1, 2022
4 STARS
Y'all...it had been quite a hot minute since I last read this author's work, regretfully. I remember her books being steamy. But this one was steamy and DARK as all get out!
Kaspian has his methods...and Ezra's got him pinned. This is the first line of the book, from Ezra's POV:
If you're a stalker junkie like me.. then you've read the stories of the stalker and his (or her!) cat and mouse game. But what happens when the stalker sets his sights on someone just like him?
This book was such a dark and fun ride. Ezra and Kas have a twisted adoration for one another that drives them differently. Anything between them would be volatile, but they can't fight their intrigue and connection.
This is the story about what happens when the paths of a sociopath and a psychopath cross. It's HAWT as hell but read the TWs and know what you're signing up for. Their escapades turn bloody and include knife play.
As toxic and obsessive as Ezra and Kas were at times, they were so perfect for one another and the author did a great job of making that come through in the story. Their connection was way more than just sex.
Fans of Sophie Lark's Sinners Duet should definitely check this one out. I will definitely not be waiting so long again before reading another book by this author!
"Don't you realize you're exactly what I want? Why would I do anything to remove you from my life?"
Y'all...it had been quite a hot minute since I last read this author's work, regretfully. I remember her books being steamy. But this one was steamy and DARK as all get out!
Kaspian has his methods...and Ezra's got him pinned. This is the first line of the book, from Ezra's POV:
"He doesn't think anybody's watching because he's used to being the stalker..."
If you're a stalker junkie like me.. then you've read the stories of the stalker and his (or her!) cat and mouse game. But what happens when the stalker sets his sights on someone just like him?
This book was such a dark and fun ride. Ezra and Kas have a twisted adoration for one another that drives them differently. Anything between them would be volatile, but they can't fight their intrigue and connection.
This is the story about what happens when the paths of a sociopath and a psychopath cross. It's HAWT as hell but read the TWs and know what you're signing up for. Their escapades turn bloody and include knife play.
As toxic and obsessive as Ezra and Kas were at times, they were so perfect for one another and the author did a great job of making that come through in the story. Their connection was way more than just sex.
Fans of Sophie Lark's Sinners Duet should definitely check this one out. I will definitely not be waiting so long again before reading another book by this author!
"Our relationship doesn’t fit within the bounds of what’s deemed an acceptable and normal relationship, so I don’t think we should tarnish it with labels that don’t fit. We are what we are—dysfunctional.
June 24, 2022
MM Romance
Serial Killer Meets Psychopath
2 Stars ⭐️
I really want to 1 Star this because I think I hated it and the urge to DNF was strong with this one but then there was a bit of a plot twist I wasn’t expecting around 62% and it made me keep reading it. I should have DNF’d. This is NOT what I consider dark romance. Sure, the characters were psychos and they killed people then fucked right after but I found each of them so lackluster. “Ezra’s” backstory was a yawn fest, omg, I wanted to die reading all his shitty inner monologues that made my eyes glaze over in boredom. He’s a fucking serial killer FFS 🤦🏻♀️ and I love true crime serial killer shows but I felt this wasn’t done properly. He even had a moniker like so much more could have done to flesh out his character. “Kaspian” was a bit more believable, kind of, and the reason I kept reading this. He was just so fucking bratty and obsessive that I couldn’t help but like him. These two are morally gray as fuck and they had some hot sex but I never quite felt like they belonged together. 🤷🏻♀️
Then, there’s Willow. She bugged me and took up too much of the story although without her, this book would have just been stalking and sex. 🤔 Maybe I would have liked that more? Her story arc was just weird and absolutely ridiculous tbh. She was just a plot device and not a very good one.
What I will say is this…The cutting and bloody sex scenes in this were what I was expecting to read in Onley James’ book Mad Man. There was the one but I expected it to be more like this and when I bitched in that review, this is the kind of shit I meant.
All that being said, I’ve also read “Breaking Free” by this author and hated it so I’m thinking this author may just not be for me and to take my review with a grain of salt. And shit if you want some *real* dark MM romance, pick up something by Z.S Storm because I’ve been reading their shit lately and fuck it’s a ride I want to keep taking despite the depravity. But this? No thanks.
Serial Killer Meets Psychopath
2 Stars ⭐️
I really want to 1 Star this because I think I hated it and the urge to DNF was strong with this one but then there was a bit of a plot twist I wasn’t expecting around 62% and it made me keep reading it. I should have DNF’d. This is NOT what I consider dark romance. Sure, the characters were psychos and they killed people then fucked right after but I found each of them so lackluster. “Ezra’s” backstory was a yawn fest, omg, I wanted to die reading all his shitty inner monologues that made my eyes glaze over in boredom. He’s a fucking serial killer FFS 🤦🏻♀️ and I love true crime serial killer shows but I felt this wasn’t done properly. He even had a moniker like so much more could have done to flesh out his character. “Kaspian” was a bit more believable, kind of, and the reason I kept reading this. He was just so fucking bratty and obsessive that I couldn’t help but like him. These two are morally gray as fuck and they had some hot sex but I never quite felt like they belonged together. 🤷🏻♀️
Then, there’s Willow. She bugged me and took up too much of the story although without her, this book would have just been stalking and sex. 🤔 Maybe I would have liked that more? Her story arc was just weird and absolutely ridiculous tbh. She was just a plot device and not a very good one.
What I will say is this…The cutting and bloody sex scenes in this were what I was expecting to read in Onley James’ book Mad Man. There was the one but I expected it to be more like this and when I bitched in that review, this is the kind of shit I meant.
All that being said, I’ve also read “Breaking Free” by this author and hated it so I’m thinking this author may just not be for me and to take my review with a grain of salt. And shit if you want some *real* dark MM romance, pick up something by Z.S Storm because I’ve been reading their shit lately and fuck it’s a ride I want to keep taking despite the depravity. But this? No thanks.
May 28, 2022
The sociopathy and psychopathy was not as well portrayed as a few other books I've read but it wasn't ridiculous either.
I expected some jealousy from Kaspian's end at Willow and Quin's closeness and was kinda bummed that they ended up fraternizing instead.
Willow was also supremely annoying at times especially the way she acted as if her dating Kaspian wasn't totally transparent or anything. I might also be a teeny tiny bit ticked off that neither of them felt possessive enough to just shut her the hell up (not counting those five measly seconds, not enough I tell you).
The lies and the meeting up at the cabin part would definitely have earned a boot to the backside (to the skull too if I'm being dark but that's not the point) if it were me but the story doesn't hinge on what I would have done and I didn't really mind that they thought differently.
Usually one MC having sex with a person that is not the other MC would NOT make me a fan but it was handled pretty well here.
I expected some jealousy from Kaspian's end at Willow and Quin's closeness and was kinda bummed that they ended up fraternizing instead.
Willow was also supremely annoying at times especially the way she acted as if her dating Kaspian wasn't totally transparent or anything. I might also be a teeny tiny bit ticked off that neither of them felt possessive enough to just shut her the hell up (not counting those five measly seconds, not enough I tell you).
The lies and the meeting up at the cabin part would definitely have earned a boot to the backside (to the skull too if I'm being dark but that's not the point) if it were me but the story doesn't hinge on what I would have done and I didn't really mind that they thought differently.
Usually one MC having sex with a person that is not the other MC would NOT make me a fan but it was handled pretty well here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2022
Imagine what can happen when a psychopath and a sociopath work on each other.
Are they stalkers, observers, killers, who is stalking who?
One thing is for sure they are drawn to each other.
Kaspian is intrigued by the guy who’s alone and only observing, he doesn’t fit in.
They are opposite but also have similarities, they both like to kill.
The thing is, I can’t tell much about the course without spoiling, so I won’t tell anything.
Maybe only about they have chemistry, are pulled to each other, sexually, mentally, how they can be themselves with the other, how they don’t trust, nobody! We can see how they plan certain things.
I constantly asked myself who had the upper hand, there are so many turns, so many lies.
You know they are pain and scar sluts, only those inflicted by the other, you can tell by their vengeful acts.
They are both twisted, messed up, screwed up, fucked up, dysfunctional, you name it, they are it. They can’t love, but they can be possessive, desire, claim and want. It was awesome!
It’s all so intriguing. The author did an amazing job, that’s for sure!
Don’t expect something sweet and romantic, look at the title again, it says enough. Still, they are romantic in their own depraved way.
When they go down on each other, it’s rough, violent, and full of passion.
I loved to watch them, how they watch each other, with looks and feelings only they understand.
The story is oppressive, dark, bloody, and tantalizing. The author made me love these depraved MCs and hope they get away with it all.
The plot is amazingly put together, strong, intriguing, and unpredictable. One minute you think you got it, the next something completely different happens.
Overall an amazingly intriguing story, absolutely stunningly written, captivating, dark, and twisted, with other words, for the lovers of dark reads… a must-read!
Read and reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews
Are they stalkers, observers, killers, who is stalking who?
One thing is for sure they are drawn to each other.
Kaspian is intrigued by the guy who’s alone and only observing, he doesn’t fit in.
They are opposite but also have similarities, they both like to kill.
The thing is, I can’t tell much about the course without spoiling, so I won’t tell anything.
Maybe only about they have chemistry, are pulled to each other, sexually, mentally, how they can be themselves with the other, how they don’t trust, nobody! We can see how they plan certain things.
I constantly asked myself who had the upper hand, there are so many turns, so many lies.
You know they are pain and scar sluts, only those inflicted by the other, you can tell by their vengeful acts.
They are both twisted, messed up, screwed up, fucked up, dysfunctional, you name it, they are it. They can’t love, but they can be possessive, desire, claim and want. It was awesome!
It’s all so intriguing. The author did an amazing job, that’s for sure!
Don’t expect something sweet and romantic, look at the title again, it says enough. Still, they are romantic in their own depraved way.
When they go down on each other, it’s rough, violent, and full of passion.
I loved to watch them, how they watch each other, with looks and feelings only they understand.
The story is oppressive, dark, bloody, and tantalizing. The author made me love these depraved MCs and hope they get away with it all.
The plot is amazingly put together, strong, intriguing, and unpredictable. One minute you think you got it, the next something completely different happens.
Overall an amazingly intriguing story, absolutely stunningly written, captivating, dark, and twisted, with other words, for the lovers of dark reads… a must-read!
Read and reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews
June 13, 2022
DNF at 30%
Dark romance? This was, at best, mildly dusty.
It felt like it was trying too hard for shock factor - mild bloodplay, a weird and useless visit to a kink club, edgy musings over murder....yawn. I mean one of them is a boring vigilante murderer. The other is an edgetastic Nice Guy.
There was a lot of infodumping via internal monologue. We get the entire murder history and justification of whatshisface via internal monologue that goes on for pages, rather than a more interesting conversation.
There was no tension, murdery or sexual. Things just kind of happened. Allegedly other MC is obsessed with MC1...I did not feel that either. He felt more like a mosquito.
Overall, this tried very hard and missed so very badly on a lot of things, but definitely the "dark" part. How does one make stalking and murder a snoozefest?
Read more reviews on my blog:
https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
Dark romance? This was, at best, mildly dusty.
It felt like it was trying too hard for shock factor - mild bloodplay, a weird and useless visit to a kink club, edgy musings over murder....yawn. I mean one of them is a boring vigilante murderer. The other is an edgetastic Nice Guy.
There was a lot of infodumping via internal monologue. We get the entire murder history and justification of whatshisface via internal monologue that goes on for pages, rather than a more interesting conversation.
There was no tension, murdery or sexual. Things just kind of happened. Allegedly other MC is obsessed with MC1...I did not feel that either. He felt more like a mosquito.
Overall, this tried very hard and missed so very badly on a lot of things, but definitely the "dark" part. How does one make stalking and murder a snoozefest?
Read more reviews on my blog:
https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
March 21, 2023
I didn't believe their chemistry and I hated how they both talked and kinda got with Willow alot. This is a mlm book. I don't need all that shit. If I wanted to read something with a girl and a guy, I'd read an MF book.
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