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Cruel World #1
Cruel Beginnings
I’m not a girl who expects to be saved.
I gave up on fairytales a long time ago.
So when my knight in shining Armani stalks into town and delivers me from my tragic fate, I’m grateful.
Darius Prince shouldn’t be in the seedy strip club where I’m paying off my mother’s debts, one piece of my soul at a time. And he definitely shouldn’t be the one who claims me in exchange for a suitcase full of trust fund cash and a deal inked in blood.
His dark eyes shine with a hatred so deadly, I wonder why he wants me at all. Especially when I find out he thinks I’m somehow connected to his twin sister’s disappearance.
Darius doesn’t rescue me. Instead, he drags me into his web of tragic secrets and forbidden desire. He binds me so tight, I can’t find my way out of his grasp. Not that it would make a difference. Escaping my fate isn’t an option.
They say every ending is a new beginning.
I just didn’t expect my beginning to be so cruel.
Proceed with caution: this isn’t just an enemies-to-lovers dark romance. TW will be announced soon. 18+ for mature, graphic, and violent content.
I gave up on fairytales a long time ago.
So when my knight in shining Armani stalks into town and delivers me from my tragic fate, I’m grateful.
Darius Prince shouldn’t be in the seedy strip club where I’m paying off my mother’s debts, one piece of my soul at a time. And he definitely shouldn’t be the one who claims me in exchange for a suitcase full of trust fund cash and a deal inked in blood.
His dark eyes shine with a hatred so deadly, I wonder why he wants me at all. Especially when I find out he thinks I’m somehow connected to his twin sister’s disappearance.
Darius doesn’t rescue me. Instead, he drags me into his web of tragic secrets and forbidden desire. He binds me so tight, I can’t find my way out of his grasp. Not that it would make a difference. Escaping my fate isn’t an option.
They say every ending is a new beginning.
I just didn’t expect my beginning to be so cruel.
Proceed with caution: this isn’t just an enemies-to-lovers dark romance. TW will be announced soon. 18+ for mature, graphic, and violent content.
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2023
241 people are currently reading
2363 people want to read
About the author
Lili St. Germain
44 books4,341 followersLili is a USA Today bestselling hybrid author who has sold over a million books since January 2014. She writes stories about vengeful girls and villainous men, with readers crowning her "The Queen of Darkness" and "The best when it comes to dark, brooding and bloody romance."
Lili quit corporate life to focus on writing and so far is loving every minute of it. Her other loves in life include her gorgeous husband and beautiful daughter, good coffee, Tarantino movies and spending hours on Pinterest.
She loves to read almost as much as she loves to write.
Lili quit corporate life to focus on writing and so far is loving every minute of it. Her other loves in life include her gorgeous husband and beautiful daughter, good coffee, Tarantino movies and spending hours on Pinterest.
She loves to read almost as much as she loves to write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
Want to read
June 10, 2019I'm gonna be honest here, I want to be excited about this, but I just can't.
I love Lili St Germain books, I really do, she is one of my favorite authors. But she is a mess. She is always announcing new books, new projects, when she has series unfinished or changing the series names, or changing her mind about books already published.
So, as much as I love the idea of this new story, a dark romance with teenagers, which is exactly what I need in my life right now. I really don't want to get my hopes up just to be let down.
And this is my tea for the day.
I love Lili St Germain books, I really do, she is one of my favorite authors. But she is a mess. She is always announcing new books, new projects, when she has series unfinished or changing the series names, or changing her mind about books already published.
So, as much as I love the idea of this new story, a dark romance with teenagers, which is exactly what I need in my life right now. I really don't want to get my hopes up just to be let down.
And this is my tea for the day.
Want to read
June 5, 2019
Want to read
June 7, 2019
March 27, 2023
“If I’m a wildfire running rampant, he’s the trees as I burn him down.”
Holy hell!!! What a high … what a read! I basically died and went to dark romance heaven. Cruel Beginnings is pure depravity and debauchery in prose, an addictive masterpiece that enthralls at every turn. This cruel but beautiful beast had my heart beating out of my chest, bating my breath as my soul was slashed again and again. Cruel Beginnings is beautifully broken, brilliantly told, burning hot and brutally psychotic … and I reveled in this dark delight.
A scorching secret society meets captive romance starring a dark knight hero and a heroine who defines warrior, Cruel Beginnings blurs the lines of predator and prey. Birdie is from the wrong side of the tracks who’s forced to grow up too fast. She’s thrown together or captured--perhaps by fate—by her opposite, Darius, a cut-throat hero who grew up elite. His touch her and die vibes was my kryptonite. Darius and Birdie are full of fire with a connection so fierce that it just radiates throughout the story.
Prepare to fall hard for the unique and unputdownable Cruel Beginnings, a heart-racing roller coaster full of chills, thrills, twists, turns, and all the feels. My heart raced the whole time reading … the anticipation … the high intensity … the heartbreak … the heat … I felt it all!!! I felt this tale cut like a knife, gripping and gutting me, casting a spell on my soul that spun, soared, and shattered as I was tortured in the best way. Pure pulse-pounding pleasure! I’m aching for more.
“I’m never letting you free, little bird.”
There aren’t enough stars for this dark beauty what blasts through you like a thousand cannons, burning and breaking, where all you can think and feel is this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ beautifully broken, brutal, burning stars
➡️ https://amzn.to/3ngt0b8
Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
Holy hell!!! What a high … what a read! I basically died and went to dark romance heaven. Cruel Beginnings is pure depravity and debauchery in prose, an addictive masterpiece that enthralls at every turn. This cruel but beautiful beast had my heart beating out of my chest, bating my breath as my soul was slashed again and again. Cruel Beginnings is beautifully broken, brilliantly told, burning hot and brutally psychotic … and I reveled in this dark delight.
A scorching secret society meets captive romance starring a dark knight hero and a heroine who defines warrior, Cruel Beginnings blurs the lines of predator and prey. Birdie is from the wrong side of the tracks who’s forced to grow up too fast. She’s thrown together or captured--perhaps by fate—by her opposite, Darius, a cut-throat hero who grew up elite. His touch her and die vibes was my kryptonite. Darius and Birdie are full of fire with a connection so fierce that it just radiates throughout the story.
Prepare to fall hard for the unique and unputdownable Cruel Beginnings, a heart-racing roller coaster full of chills, thrills, twists, turns, and all the feels. My heart raced the whole time reading … the anticipation … the high intensity … the heartbreak … the heat … I felt it all!!! I felt this tale cut like a knife, gripping and gutting me, casting a spell on my soul that spun, soared, and shattered as I was tortured in the best way. Pure pulse-pounding pleasure! I’m aching for more.
“I’m never letting you free, little bird.”
There aren’t enough stars for this dark beauty what blasts through you like a thousand cannons, burning and breaking, where all you can think and feel is this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ beautifully broken, brutal, burning stars
➡️ https://amzn.to/3ngt0b8
Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
March 26, 2023
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
Cruel Beginnings is an intense and gripping novel that delves deep into the dark and dangerous world of the main character, Birdie lives in. After finding herself in a terrible predicament, Birdie makes a deal with the devil, and from that moment on, her life spirals out of control. The authors have not held back in creating a very dark and brutal story, which reminded me why Dark Romance is my favorite genre.
The relationship between Darius and Birdie is complex. While I enjoyed the dynamic between Darius and Birdie, I felt that their relationship developed a bit too rapidly. However, given the challenging circumstances that Birdie found herself in, I can comprehend why this might have occurred. The sex scenes are dark and brutal, perfectly fitting the tone of the book. The authors have created a vivid and immersive world that is full of danger. I am particularly intrigued by a few other characters, and I am eagerly anticipating their role in the upcoming books. The writing is sharp and evocative, painting a clear picture of the gritty and violent world in which these characters live.
Overall, Cruel Beginnings is a fantastic start to the Cruel World series that will appeal to fans of dark and gritty romance. The writing is strong, and the plot will keep you engaged from beginning to end. If you're looking for a thrilling and intense read, this is definitely a book worth checking out.
Cruel Beginnings is an intense and gripping novel that delves deep into the dark and dangerous world of the main character, Birdie lives in. After finding herself in a terrible predicament, Birdie makes a deal with the devil, and from that moment on, her life spirals out of control. The authors have not held back in creating a very dark and brutal story, which reminded me why Dark Romance is my favorite genre.
The relationship between Darius and Birdie is complex. While I enjoyed the dynamic between Darius and Birdie, I felt that their relationship developed a bit too rapidly. However, given the challenging circumstances that Birdie found herself in, I can comprehend why this might have occurred. The sex scenes are dark and brutal, perfectly fitting the tone of the book. The authors have created a vivid and immersive world that is full of danger. I am particularly intrigued by a few other characters, and I am eagerly anticipating their role in the upcoming books. The writing is sharp and evocative, painting a clear picture of the gritty and violent world in which these characters live.
Overall, Cruel Beginnings is a fantastic start to the Cruel World series that will appeal to fans of dark and gritty romance. The writing is strong, and the plot will keep you engaged from beginning to end. If you're looking for a thrilling and intense read, this is definitely a book worth checking out.
May 15, 2025
this is one of the worst books i’ve ever read but i have no one but myself to blame
March 28, 2023
I mean pardon my French but WTFuuuuck!!
First chapter in and I was shrinking back in cringe at the cruelty of it all!! (I decided I'm already in love with this book)
It's not for the faint of heart, that's for sure!!
A girl with more misfortune couldn't have been created, but for Lili & Lyra's gruesome imagination.
An innocent butterfly caught in a web full of venomous spiders, with no way out. She gets stung and bitten and poisoned multiple times by the time the book is over and I couldn't help but cry bloody tears for her.
"I’ve always let life drag me along in the undercurrent, being tossed around by riptides, crawling through the shallows when the weather was merciful… only for a tsunami to smash into me, unbidden."
There's a mythical palace called Valmont island where a council of older men, The Empyrean Table, make rules to benefit the male species. Women's bodies or will does NOT belong to them, have to just bend and take it. Aaaaaaand disobedience has consequences!!
Sound eerily familiar much?
Lyra and Lili are a lethal combination. their story is so powerful, it left me gasping for air or drowned in angry hot tears in multiple places. It hits you hard. In the solar plexus. In the soul. I cried for Birdie Moore with every ounce of my being
"Everyone knows their place in this world—you either live in filth, struggling to survive, you’re part of the elite who live on Valmont island, or you’re sandwiched somewhere in the middle"
The premise is A society Heady in its elitist, entitled drug, is the scene of this latest cruel island. The residents too powerful and too resourceful, even beyond their borders.
Javier Marin is another satanic ruler of his domain with his greasy fingers in every pie. He rules the underbelly of the world with iron fist and tracking bracelets, I swear my guts cringed everytime he made an appearance with his equally abhorrent brother, Pedro.
Since this is the first instalment, so many things are still hanging in balance, lots of loose threads and many trails unexplored. I'm awaiting book 2 with bated breath.....but hiding my face in the pillow to muffle my screams.
That should tell you something!!
4 stars for Birds with Clipped Wings
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First chapter in and I was shrinking back in cringe at the cruelty of it all!! (I decided I'm already in love with this book)
It's not for the faint of heart, that's for sure!!
A girl with more misfortune couldn't have been created, but for Lili & Lyra's gruesome imagination.
An innocent butterfly caught in a web full of venomous spiders, with no way out. She gets stung and bitten and poisoned multiple times by the time the book is over and I couldn't help but cry bloody tears for her.
"I’ve always let life drag me along in the undercurrent, being tossed around by riptides, crawling through the shallows when the weather was merciful… only for a tsunami to smash into me, unbidden."
There's a mythical palace called Valmont island where a council of older men, The Empyrean Table, make rules to benefit the male species. Women's bodies or will does NOT belong to them, have to just bend and take it. Aaaaaaand disobedience has consequences!!
Sound eerily familiar much?
Lyra and Lili are a lethal combination. their story is so powerful, it left me gasping for air or drowned in angry hot tears in multiple places. It hits you hard. In the solar plexus. In the soul. I cried for Birdie Moore with every ounce of my being
"Everyone knows their place in this world—you either live in filth, struggling to survive, you’re part of the elite who live on Valmont island, or you’re sandwiched somewhere in the middle"
The premise is A society Heady in its elitist, entitled drug, is the scene of this latest cruel island. The residents too powerful and too resourceful, even beyond their borders.
Javier Marin is another satanic ruler of his domain with his greasy fingers in every pie. He rules the underbelly of the world with iron fist and tracking bracelets, I swear my guts cringed everytime he made an appearance with his equally abhorrent brother, Pedro.
Since this is the first instalment, so many things are still hanging in balance, lots of loose threads and many trails unexplored. I'm awaiting book 2 with bated breath.....but hiding my face in the pillow to muffle my screams.
That should tell you something!!
4 stars for Birds with Clipped Wings
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻
May 16, 2023
***4,5 "Her vicious Prince!!!" stars***
"I'm never letting you free, little bird."
OMG!!! Three days later and I still can not put my thoughts in the right order to write this review!!!
This story was so masterfully broken and depraved!!! So freakin' cruel, but at the same time, so unforgettable!!!
This story was delivering punches in every turn and I still can not recover from the mental beating that I took!!! This duo destroyed me!! I knew what Lili could do, but in compination with Lyra, the result was explosive and very addictive!!!
I just need the next book, while I am very scared to see where this story will lead us!!!
"I always thought I'd escape this life one day.
I never thought I'd enter into it willingly, a pawn in my own stupid game."
My poor Birdie!!! Her fate was so cruel... Her beginning in adulthood was so abrupt and so mean...
It all started when her mother died and Birdie had to paid for her debts!!!
From that moment, she is being captive of the ugly circumstances that are surrounding her and she is sold to Darius Prince... A man whom believes that she knows something about his sister's disappearance...
OMG!!! The things that this girl had to endure and the ending in here had broken me so much!!!
"One day I will get my revenge on Darius Prince."
Darius's world was miles apart from Birdie's... His world was so strange and it was ruled by a type of society that wasn't accepting outsiders...
Darius was on a mission... He needed to find his twin sister that had vanished just like and the road led him away from the island and in the tail of a little bird with so much fight in her!!!
He was determined to break her in order to find what he was looking for...
But this girl had the ability to change everything for him...
"I'm not your Prince Charming, Birdie. I'm not saving you."
I loved this couple so much and even though very dark and twisted, their story was riveting!!!
But there weren't only these two in here... At the same time, there were happening too many things that was driving you crazy!!!
OMG!!! The things that had happened in here could make you cry and scream of the unfairness of everything!!!
Poor Birdie!!! That girl had it so rough!!!! And yes, in Darius, she had found an knight in shining armor, but he couldn't protect her from everything, even though he wanted too!!!
"That island - once it has you, it will never let you go."
This was definitely an unforgettable read, even though it was scarring very badly!!!
If you are into very dark romances, this is definitely a book for you!!!
Birdie and Darius were everything together, even though they had a rough and cruel beginning!!! Unfortunately, the road ahead of them is full of ugly obstacles and after what had happened in the end of this book, I am really wondering how this girl could come back from it and if Darius can managed to put some balm into her broken soul eventually!!!
"I think you've got it all wrong. I own you now, Darius Prince."
"I'm never letting you free, little bird."
OMG!!! Three days later and I still can not put my thoughts in the right order to write this review!!!
This story was so masterfully broken and depraved!!! So freakin' cruel, but at the same time, so unforgettable!!!
This story was delivering punches in every turn and I still can not recover from the mental beating that I took!!! This duo destroyed me!! I knew what Lili could do, but in compination with Lyra, the result was explosive and very addictive!!!
I just need the next book, while I am very scared to see where this story will lead us!!!
"I always thought I'd escape this life one day.
I never thought I'd enter into it willingly, a pawn in my own stupid game."
My poor Birdie!!! Her fate was so cruel... Her beginning in adulthood was so abrupt and so mean...
It all started when her mother died and Birdie had to paid for her debts!!!
From that moment, she is being captive of the ugly circumstances that are surrounding her and she is sold to Darius Prince... A man whom believes that she knows something about his sister's disappearance...
OMG!!! The things that this girl had to endure and the ending in here had broken me so much!!!
"One day I will get my revenge on Darius Prince."
Darius's world was miles apart from Birdie's... His world was so strange and it was ruled by a type of society that wasn't accepting outsiders...
Darius was on a mission... He needed to find his twin sister that had vanished just like and the road led him away from the island and in the tail of a little bird with so much fight in her!!!
He was determined to break her in order to find what he was looking for...
But this girl had the ability to change everything for him...
"I'm not your Prince Charming, Birdie. I'm not saving you."
I loved this couple so much and even though very dark and twisted, their story was riveting!!!
But there weren't only these two in here... At the same time, there were happening too many things that was driving you crazy!!!
OMG!!! The things that had happened in here could make you cry and scream of the unfairness of everything!!!
Poor Birdie!!! That girl had it so rough!!!! And yes, in Darius, she had found an knight in shining armor, but he couldn't protect her from everything, even though he wanted too!!!
"That island - once it has you, it will never let you go."
This was definitely an unforgettable read, even though it was scarring very badly!!!
If you are into very dark romances, this is definitely a book for you!!!
Birdie and Darius were everything together, even though they had a rough and cruel beginning!!! Unfortunately, the road ahead of them is full of ugly obstacles and after what had happened in the end of this book, I am really wondering how this girl could come back from it and if Darius can managed to put some balm into her broken soul eventually!!!
"I think you've got it all wrong. I own you now, Darius Prince."
Read
May 10, 2020Its been 3 months after the said “published date” so okay very disappointing maybe she’ll publish it 2050 dont wait up guys
March 29, 2023
Just how dark you want your romance to go? If your answer is the darkest..then Cruel Beginnings by Lili St.Germain and Lyra Parish is perfect for you. This book really doesn't have any limits. It was full of dangerous twists, treacherous turns and heart stopping suspense. Secret Society, power plays, mind games, Underworld violence and jaw dropping debauchery rule here. Darius and Birdie's story is messy and toxic and will push you harder than you have even been comfortable for. And it ends with a massive cliffhanger.
This story is full of triggers so if you have any..read responsibly. It's really hard to give you a synopsis as it's so complicated. Birdie Moore sells her soul and body to the all powerful and devious Javiar Marin to get the money for her junkie mother's funeral. Her virginity is bought in an Auction by Darius Prince from Valmont Islands, where a close secret society lives that is corrupt and rich and evil. Darius thinks she has information about his missing sister and he won't stop till he gets what he wants. He wants to break Birdie but somehow the evil in Valmont Island gets worse than him...
This story is built up meticulously and slowly. I instantly felt a connection with Birdie. She has been trying to deal with a sh1tty life in Santo Christo where poverty, addiction and desperate are rampant. She has been fighting hard to hold on to her morality and her innocence. But it's heartbreaking to see how all the options were taken away from her. She is a fighter. She is full of fierce determination and resilient. No matter how Darius tries to tame her and break her, she never stops fighting. And that's what made Darius fascinated and obsessed with her. She is gorgeous and sexy but her heart and spirit made Darius go crazy. He is an antihero through and through. Ruthless. Merciless. Alpha. Dominating. Controlling. Cruel. Powerful. But underneath the demon, lives a man who has a crooked moral compass. There are things he won't do. And slowly he starts to care for Birdie beyond his intentions. It was scorching hot and all kinds of depraved. I read tons of dark romance and even I haven't read some of the kinky things from this book before. I have been questioning my sanity as I should not love this level of perverse sinful passion but I do love it. The last few chapters were brutal. My heart is breaking over and over again for our little Birdie. Though Darius came to save her like an avenging dark angel, I am scared about the aftermath of that nightmare on Birdie. I cannot wait to go back to this twisted world soon!
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
This story is full of triggers so if you have any..read responsibly. It's really hard to give you a synopsis as it's so complicated. Birdie Moore sells her soul and body to the all powerful and devious Javiar Marin to get the money for her junkie mother's funeral. Her virginity is bought in an Auction by Darius Prince from Valmont Islands, where a close secret society lives that is corrupt and rich and evil. Darius thinks she has information about his missing sister and he won't stop till he gets what he wants. He wants to break Birdie but somehow the evil in Valmont Island gets worse than him...
This story is built up meticulously and slowly. I instantly felt a connection with Birdie. She has been trying to deal with a sh1tty life in Santo Christo where poverty, addiction and desperate are rampant. She has been fighting hard to hold on to her morality and her innocence. But it's heartbreaking to see how all the options were taken away from her. She is a fighter. She is full of fierce determination and resilient. No matter how Darius tries to tame her and break her, she never stops fighting. And that's what made Darius fascinated and obsessed with her. She is gorgeous and sexy but her heart and spirit made Darius go crazy. He is an antihero through and through. Ruthless. Merciless. Alpha. Dominating. Controlling. Cruel. Powerful. But underneath the demon, lives a man who has a crooked moral compass. There are things he won't do. And slowly he starts to care for Birdie beyond his intentions. It was scorching hot and all kinds of depraved. I read tons of dark romance and even I haven't read some of the kinky things from this book before. I have been questioning my sanity as I should not love this level of perverse sinful passion but I do love it. The last few chapters were brutal. My heart is breaking over and over again for our little Birdie. Though Darius came to save her like an avenging dark angel, I am scared about the aftermath of that nightmare on Birdie. I cannot wait to go back to this twisted world soon!
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
March 28, 2023
This one was dark with a lot of triggers!
Birdie a poor girl struggling to feed and clothe herself has to find the cash for her drug addicted mothers funeral. Going to the head of the local cartel is her best option however she finds herself in the situation she doesn’t want to be in. Javier Marin manipulates her and forces her to auction her virginity.
Darius Prince is looking for the answers to his sister’s disappearance and believes Birdie has the answers. He buys her at auction to try and find the truth. Darius takes Birdie to the mysterious Valmont Island where some secret society seem to run the place. Birdie has been warned all her life to be wary of the Island and for good reason.
I loved Birdie, she is maybe a little bit naive and rash in her thought processes but she is a fighter and a strong character. Darius is a love to hate/hate to love kind of guy. The first part of the book shows he has a mean streak and also stubborn. In his interactions with Birdie, this is no different. He does some horrific things to her with his rationale of trying to get answers. He does have a compassionate and caring side which does start to come through and made him likeable.
The only negative point of this book for me was how quickly the switch was flipped from hate to love. I thought I had missed a few pages/chapters. It was all very sudden and I’m not 100% sure what the catalyst was. Im definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I really enjoyed this and would like to thank the authors and Literally Yours PR for the advanced copy I received.
Birdie a poor girl struggling to feed and clothe herself has to find the cash for her drug addicted mothers funeral. Going to the head of the local cartel is her best option however she finds herself in the situation she doesn’t want to be in. Javier Marin manipulates her and forces her to auction her virginity.
Darius Prince is looking for the answers to his sister’s disappearance and believes Birdie has the answers. He buys her at auction to try and find the truth. Darius takes Birdie to the mysterious Valmont Island where some secret society seem to run the place. Birdie has been warned all her life to be wary of the Island and for good reason.
I loved Birdie, she is maybe a little bit naive and rash in her thought processes but she is a fighter and a strong character. Darius is a love to hate/hate to love kind of guy. The first part of the book shows he has a mean streak and also stubborn. In his interactions with Birdie, this is no different. He does some horrific things to her with his rationale of trying to get answers. He does have a compassionate and caring side which does start to come through and made him likeable.
The only negative point of this book for me was how quickly the switch was flipped from hate to love. I thought I had missed a few pages/chapters. It was all very sudden and I’m not 100% sure what the catalyst was. Im definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I really enjoyed this and would like to thank the authors and Literally Yours PR for the advanced copy I received.
March 31, 2023
ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS
Star Rating : 4 / 5 Stars
POV : Dual
Cliffhanger : Yes
Hero : Darius
Heroine : Birdie
Pace of the story : Moderate
Angst Rating : 5/10
Heat Rating : 6/10
Triggers Involved : Bully Romance , Blackmail , betrayal , Manipulation
Overall Opinion :
Omg. Like omg. The hate. 🤣 i swear I have never read a better enemies to lovers romance. I have read Lili before since I am a huge fan of her books but Lyra was new for me and I didn't know that these two together would give us such an amazing book!
Darius and Birdie have a tale that will have you hooked right from the start. The beginning is the best and the ending left me with my jaw on the floor! I want the next installment now! This one is a series with many triggers that the authors will release soon so please keep those in mind and not just go in blind to this one , because if there is one thing I know about Lili is that she never censors the dark scenes and makes her books so much more intense.
Definitely recommending this one to all the dark romance loving people out there!
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April 4, 2023While yes this was marketed as "Dark Romace" i just felt so uncomfortable reading the amount of times the Main female character gets assaulted 🤮 was it really necessary to get into detail the amount of times LET ME TELL YOU A BIG NO!!!!.. it was alot i didn't care for the storline it really didnt make no sense, had to force myself to finish this. .. i wont be reading anythin else in this series. 😶 ARC Read
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🖤Would you like to take part in our cover reveal & be a part of our ARC team?
bit.ly/2ZclM6w
🖤COVER REVEAL: JUNE 15th
🖤RELEASE DAY: SUMMER 2019
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March 29, 2023
Whoa! What a start to this insane new world! This is very dark, filled with a myriad of triggers and definitely not for the faint of heart, but omg, I couldn't stop reading. And that cliffy?! HOW RUDE.
So this is set on the mysterious island of Valmont, where a bunch of elite & rich men have Supreme power over everyone and everything-- especially women and their bodies. Sound familiar? *eye roll* our h, Birdie, finds herself at the hands of a cruel man, being indebted in a way that can't ever be repaid. Her entire life she's been through one horrific event after another, and it seems like this devil just might be the one to break her for good, especially since she can't resist this brand of torture.
Darius is definitely an antihero, but there's so many layers to his character. We see glimpses of softness and light in him, all directed at Birdy, but since he's trapped in a cruel and unforgiving world while also trying to find out what has happened to his sister, he has to become a monster himself. But will his love for Birdie be the destruction of him? Or will it be his saving grace?
There is SO MUCH that happens here that just had my head spinning. This world is as addictive as it is cruel, and I absolutely adore Birdie. I love how she still has so much fight and spunk in her, even while her world tries to beat her down. Plus the sexual tension between her and Darius?! HOT DAMN. I can't wait for book two!!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **
So this is set on the mysterious island of Valmont, where a bunch of elite & rich men have Supreme power over everyone and everything-- especially women and their bodies. Sound familiar? *eye roll* our h, Birdie, finds herself at the hands of a cruel man, being indebted in a way that can't ever be repaid. Her entire life she's been through one horrific event after another, and it seems like this devil just might be the one to break her for good, especially since she can't resist this brand of torture.
Darius is definitely an antihero, but there's so many layers to his character. We see glimpses of softness and light in him, all directed at Birdy, but since he's trapped in a cruel and unforgiving world while also trying to find out what has happened to his sister, he has to become a monster himself. But will his love for Birdie be the destruction of him? Or will it be his saving grace?
There is SO MUCH that happens here that just had my head spinning. This world is as addictive as it is cruel, and I absolutely adore Birdie. I love how she still has so much fight and spunk in her, even while her world tries to beat her down. Plus the sexual tension between her and Darius?! HOT DAMN. I can't wait for book two!!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **
April 3, 2023
Started off good
But it went downhill quick. I love Lili's dark books but this one is as if she didn't write it. On top of that the book starts out good then becomes real slow.
But it went downhill quick. I love Lili's dark books but this one is as if she didn't write it. On top of that the book starts out good then becomes real slow.
Read
March 25, 2023It's almost time for this book to release. Zon changed our release date by two days due to an "unknown error." LOL, it's so highly anticipated...they decided y'all couldn't handle it, yet! :)
It will be enrolled in Kindle Unlimited. You can purchase it here - https://amzn.to/40tabzL
This isn’t just an enemies-to-lovers dark romance. Reader discretion is advised. Cruel Beginnings features mature themes and content that may not be suitable for all audiences. For all content warnings, check the author's websites.
Cruel Beginnings is book 1 of Darius and Birdie's story. It is a trilogy, and books must be read in order.
It will be enrolled in Kindle Unlimited. You can purchase it here - https://amzn.to/40tabzL
This isn’t just an enemies-to-lovers dark romance. Reader discretion is advised. Cruel Beginnings features mature themes and content that may not be suitable for all audiences. For all content warnings, check the author's websites.
Cruel Beginnings is book 1 of Darius and Birdie's story. It is a trilogy, and books must be read in order.
April 12, 2023
Cruel Beginnings was fantastic, but not perfect. I've been a huge fan of Lili St. Germain for years, and I absolutely don't know who Lyra Parish is, but what I do know is that co-writing a book should enhance both authors' skills, which I didn't feel here. Repetitions, plotholes and discrepancies unfortunately dulled a tad my experience, something I am definitely not used to when I read a LSG book.
I still loved the fast-paced story, its gruesome parts, and twisted storyline. My heart kept pounding, paragraph after paragraph, chapter after chapter. What a heady thrill.
"You’re a fucking disaster. A wildfire running rampant with a smart-ass mouth and a tight little, wet cunt that drips for me and me only.”
Everything you need to know is in the blurb, I won't risk spoiling the story.
This first installment is dirty, gritty and sometimes ugly, everything I love and needed right now. I can't wait for the next book.
I still loved the fast-paced story, its gruesome parts, and twisted storyline. My heart kept pounding, paragraph after paragraph, chapter after chapter. What a heady thrill.
"You’re a fucking disaster. A wildfire running rampant with a smart-ass mouth and a tight little, wet cunt that drips for me and me only.”
Everything you need to know is in the blurb, I won't risk spoiling the story.
This first installment is dirty, gritty and sometimes ugly, everything I love and needed right now. I can't wait for the next book.
April 12, 2023
"I take comfort in the predictable. I find calm inside the chaos."
Heads up on those trigger warnings: Read. Them.
Dark is my go-to genre. If it's not yours, maybe read some fluffy stories instead. This may not be your cup of tea.
“Love and hate. They’re not that different. Interchangeable. Four letter words.”
I'm just waiting for my brain to settle and WTF Grrrr! moments to subside.
Does Lili St. Germain and/or Lyra Parish have a FB support group or something? Because I really need to join ASAP!
Sidenote: I don't know which of the authors is a Harry Styles fan, but we need to attend a concert together!
"A hand-painted canvas of Harry Styles on the wall."
"I love this feeling. I love this moment. I love Rafe. I … don’t love Javier, but I don’t hate him, not on this watermelon sugar high. Fuck, I love Harry Styles! I start humming the tune to the song, slumping down on my seat. Rafe gives me an odd little pat on the shoulder before he leaves, the door slamming shut behind him."
March 29, 2023
Cruel Beginnings is the first book in the Cruel World series and these two authors start this series off well.
It is very intense and riddled with lots of suspense and secrecy. There are a lot of moving parts and the authors keep readers on their toes the entire time.
Cruel Beginnings has a lot of complex characters and I will honestly say that I am still undecided on most of them. I love how we as readers are given little nuggets of infromation about each character and their role in story and it’s just enough to make you wonder about their true agenda.
I absolutely love the suspense, mystery and secrecy of the entire plot. These two authors did a wonderful job of giving readers just enough bread crumbs to keep us guessing and excited as to what comes next.
I purposely kept this review vague as I do not want to give too much away because that just ruins the overall vibe of this book and the start of this series.
I enjoyed the writing style, the flow and the multiple levels to this story. I'm anxious to see what they bring us in the next installment.
It is very intense and riddled with lots of suspense and secrecy. There are a lot of moving parts and the authors keep readers on their toes the entire time.
Cruel Beginnings has a lot of complex characters and I will honestly say that I am still undecided on most of them. I love how we as readers are given little nuggets of infromation about each character and their role in story and it’s just enough to make you wonder about their true agenda.
I absolutely love the suspense, mystery and secrecy of the entire plot. These two authors did a wonderful job of giving readers just enough bread crumbs to keep us guessing and excited as to what comes next.
I purposely kept this review vague as I do not want to give too much away because that just ruins the overall vibe of this book and the start of this series.
I enjoyed the writing style, the flow and the multiple levels to this story. I'm anxious to see what they bring us in the next installment.
March 25, 2023
This was fully of mystery intrigue and it was just the beginning so if some parts seem slow, its because of the buildup. Darius and Birdie for each POV in the beginning didn't have initial interaction. That part it just took me some time to get into as I had a hard time getting into/understanding whats going on. Valmont Island is full of rich elite people who have their own rules. Darius is looking for his missing sister (I think step?) and Birdie gets abducted and brought on the Island and Darius wants to know from Birdie where his sister is. Things get super graphic especially towards the end. Ends on a cliffy.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
March 23, 2023
Valmont Island…where there are different rules than the world around them! Darius Prince is part of an elite circle that rules Valmont Island. They have many twisted rules and secrets that you don’t cross. When Darius’s twin sister goes missing he will stop at nothing to find out where she is and punish those involved. Birdie Moore lives on the mainland and had a tough upbringing. When she needs help she ends up deeper in a dark web she might not get out of. What could bring these two strangers together? I won’t say any more as I don’t want to give anything away other than lives intertwine in this twisted & very dark mystery. This has some very graphic scenes and triggers including non-con so be warned. Dark and Disturbing….in the most delicious way! Be prepared as this ends in a cliffhanger readying you for book two in this trilogy. Told in dual POV
April 1, 2023
I think I’m so over all these recycled plot that makes women dumber than a doorknob.. it’s not romantic and it’s not even unique anymore. It’s redundant and fetishizing on how stupid a girl ( not even a woman) is is getting old . I mean what kind of idiot thinks it’s ok to go to the mob to get $5k to bury her mom and not even think that she might not even be alive to end up burying her and the “I have no choice but to do that “ is just unrealistic and dumb. If she’s gonna risk her life, go out with a bang and do something grand worth more than that $5k . But of course, women aren’t that dynamic , so the story goes ..,
March 25, 2023
The first book in the Cruel World trilogy and one thing is clear these two authors did not come to play. The book is set in a mysterious dangerous world where nothing is equal. Darius is from Valmont Island where the elite rule through fear and intimidation. The island is a place of twisted rules, secrets, and corruption with rulers you do not want to cross.
When his twin sister goes missing Darius becomes determined to find her no matter the cost to him or anyone who gets in his way. Birdie's life on the mainland is not easy every day is a fight to survive. When it all falls apart she approaches the one man she should have stayed away from for help. Their two worlds collide with devastation consequences and reveal more secrets but the danger has only amplified.
The fast pace fits the storyline it had me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next. There are some very dark graphic moments in the book so I would recommend heading any trigger warnings. If you like books that are dark and delicious that will push your boundaries with morally corrupt characters you will love this. Be warned the last few chapters are brutal leading up to a huge cliffhanger.
When his twin sister goes missing Darius becomes determined to find her no matter the cost to him or anyone who gets in his way. Birdie's life on the mainland is not easy every day is a fight to survive. When it all falls apart she approaches the one man she should have stayed away from for help. Their two worlds collide with devastation consequences and reveal more secrets but the danger has only amplified.
The fast pace fits the storyline it had me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next. There are some very dark graphic moments in the book so I would recommend heading any trigger warnings. If you like books that are dark and delicious that will push your boundaries with morally corrupt characters you will love this. Be warned the last few chapters are brutal leading up to a huge cliffhanger.
March 27, 2023
Where do I even begin with this review? There were things I loved about it like the mystery. I loved how that was woven into the story and there were a few characters I liked. There's no doubt that these authors know how to craft a story but there were things that just didn't sit right with me. Cruel Beginnings bordered on pitch black by my standards. A lot of messed up things took place in this book that felt gratuitous at times. That said I am interested in seeing how this all shakes out. I'm hoping a lot of people get theirs for the things they've done. This book is not at all for the faint of heart.
Copy provided by author
Copy provided by author
March 26, 2023
Thoughts: The first book in The Cruel World series, im a huge fan of Lili and was eager for this series. She didn't disappoint. This book was dark, gritty, angsty, and steamy. Bridie and Darius's lives collide in extraordinary circumstances, the story of a dark history and present. As the authors say in the blurb, this isn't JUST a dark romance; it's so much more, and please check the trigger warnings. This book was incredible, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
April 4, 2023
*4.5 Stars!*
This book had me from the beginning! There are twists and turns that kept me on my toes, wanting more, and flipping the pages as fast as I could. I love when books make me lose sense of reality and get completely lost in the story! (Even if some of it is far fetched, that's what reading fiction is all about!)
Birdie is such a strong female lead and I loved it. Every time something was thrown at her, she adapted, even if it was her fault by making a deal with the devil (Javier). Darius is determined to find out what happened to his twin sister. His only lead turns up dead and just so happens to be Birdie's mother. While I hated him in the beginning, he was nothing like what I expected.
Ugh! I am a glutton for punishment because this cliffhanger has me screaming! I need the next installment in the trilogy ASAP.
Please read the content warnings before diving into this story! It is dark!
Grateful to have received a complimentary ARC copy to honestly review.
This book had me from the beginning! There are twists and turns that kept me on my toes, wanting more, and flipping the pages as fast as I could. I love when books make me lose sense of reality and get completely lost in the story! (Even if some of it is far fetched, that's what reading fiction is all about!)
Birdie is such a strong female lead and I loved it. Every time something was thrown at her, she adapted, even if it was her fault by making a deal with the devil (Javier). Darius is determined to find out what happened to his twin sister. His only lead turns up dead and just so happens to be Birdie's mother. While I hated him in the beginning, he was nothing like what I expected.
Ugh! I am a glutton for punishment because this cliffhanger has me screaming! I need the next installment in the trilogy ASAP.
Please read the content warnings before diving into this story! It is dark!
Grateful to have received a complimentary ARC copy to honestly review.
March 29, 2023
3.5-4 stars!
I have never read a book from either author, but I was happy to dive in and give this one a try. I am absolutely intrigued as to how the rest of the series will go and will be happily reading them as they come out.
I do not always read dark academia/bully, but if I am in the mood, this is a perfect example of what I would want to read. The perfect mix of suspense, dark moments, and plenty of steam.
I have never read a book from either author, but I was happy to dive in and give this one a try. I am absolutely intrigued as to how the rest of the series will go and will be happily reading them as they come out.
I do not always read dark academia/bully, but if I am in the mood, this is a perfect example of what I would want to read. The perfect mix of suspense, dark moments, and plenty of steam.
March 25, 2023
Wow wow wow.
This is a dark one so PLEASE check all the trigger warnings before starting!✨
Darker romance isn’t usually my thing but I can say I really enjoy this. This was very well written.
But dang that cliffhanger hurts.🙈
This is a dark one so PLEASE check all the trigger warnings before starting!✨
Darker romance isn’t usually my thing but I can say I really enjoy this. This was very well written.
But dang that cliffhanger hurts.🙈
Read
March 31, 2023I started this one but couldn’t get into the premise. DNF for now!
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