What do you think?
Rate this book
Condemned By Wrath
Not yet published
Expected 5 Mar 26MONSTERS WEAR MANY FACES.
Everyone thinks Willow Hawthorne is harmless.
Sweet.
Invisible.
The kind of girl who disappears in a crowd.
But every campus has its secrets.
And in Cinder Falls, no one is truly innocent.
She keeps to the shadows always quiet, always watching.
And sometimes, they’re the ones you least expect.
The town whispers about Emberlyn.
A secret society born from smoke and vengeance.
Boys vanish.
Girls change.
And wrath simmers beneath every perfect smile.
They say wrath is a sin…
but in Cinder Falls, it might just be survival.
Everyone thinks Willow Hawthorne is harmless.
Sweet.
Invisible.
The kind of girl who disappears in a crowd.
But every campus has its secrets.
And in Cinder Falls, no one is truly innocent.
She keeps to the shadows always quiet, always watching.
And sometimes, they’re the ones you least expect.
The town whispers about Emberlyn.
A secret society born from smoke and vengeance.
Boys vanish.
Girls change.
And wrath simmers beneath every perfect smile.
They say wrath is a sin…
but in Cinder Falls, it might just be survival.
410 pages, Paperback
Expected publication March 5, 2026
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 30, 2026
3.5⭐️ ARC review.
Hear me out. I really like the storyline of this and where she took it but I do feel like it just jumped around a lot. There were some plot holes and just jumping to one thing to another up until like 60%. At the 60% mark I feel like it was all of a sudden cohesive. This is a super easy fun quick dark romance read and I couldn’t put it down because the storyline kept me hooked. I like the secret society aspect of this, I’m a sucker for a good secret society. The FMC is also the more of the morally grey character rather than the typical MMC being the morally grey. River still was morally grey but Willow is out here murdering people for her secret society. Their back and forth banter was super fun to read and had me giggling so much. This is very much like a bully dark romance with some humiliation. They are just constantly bickering and bullying each other but at the same time can’t get enough of each other and their bite just keeps them going back to each other because they like that someone else is challenging them instead of just bowing down. I’m interested to see where she’s taking the rest of this series and I can’t wait to read more and jump back into this world with the next ones when they come out. I want to know more about the secret society and how it all works and more of the background of it all and I hope she delves more into it with the next few books.
Hear me out. I really like the storyline of this and where she took it but I do feel like it just jumped around a lot. There were some plot holes and just jumping to one thing to another up until like 60%. At the 60% mark I feel like it was all of a sudden cohesive. This is a super easy fun quick dark romance read and I couldn’t put it down because the storyline kept me hooked. I like the secret society aspect of this, I’m a sucker for a good secret society. The FMC is also the more of the morally grey character rather than the typical MMC being the morally grey. River still was morally grey but Willow is out here murdering people for her secret society. Their back and forth banter was super fun to read and had me giggling so much. This is very much like a bully dark romance with some humiliation. They are just constantly bickering and bullying each other but at the same time can’t get enough of each other and their bite just keeps them going back to each other because they like that someone else is challenging them instead of just bowing down. I’m interested to see where she’s taking the rest of this series and I can’t wait to read more and jump back into this world with the next ones when they come out. I want to know more about the secret society and how it all works and more of the background of it all and I hope she delves more into it with the next few books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was so good, words can't describe it. I loved the banter, the fast pace, banter but slow burn. This is definitely a fun read, the ending will make you cry a bit!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ 4 Stars
Lucie Hagley’s writing in Condemned by Wrath immediately pulls you into a dark, addictive world filled with tension, secrets, and morally grey characters. From the opening pages, the atmosphere is thick with intrigue and unease, and Hagley does a great job of establishing both tone and stakes early on.
What stood out most to me is her ability to create intense character dynamics. The push-and-pull between Willow and River is sharp, emotionally charged, and clearly designed to keep readers hooked for the long haul. Their dialogue feels natural and cutting, and the chemistry (and conflict) between them gives the story real momentum.
Hagley also excels at world-building within the dark romance genre. The Emberlyn society, the secrets of Cinder Falls, and the hints of deeper conspiracies add a strong layer of mystery that makes the book feel bigger than just a romance. You can tell this is setting up a series arc, and it successfully leaves you wanting more.
Her writing style is accessible and immersive, with vivid imagery and strong emotional beats. She clearly understands the expectations of dark romance readers, tension, danger, obsession, and power struggles are all present and delivered with confidence.
If I had one critique, it would be that the pacing occasionally leans more toward atmosphere and character tension than plot progression. However, for readers who love slow-burn intensity and character-driven drama, this will absolutely be a strength rather than a weakness.
Overall, Lucie Hagley shows real promise as a dark romance author. This book feels like the start of a series that could grow into something very compelling, and I’d definitely pick up the next installment.
Lucie Hagley’s writing in Condemned by Wrath immediately pulls you into a dark, addictive world filled with tension, secrets, and morally grey characters. From the opening pages, the atmosphere is thick with intrigue and unease, and Hagley does a great job of establishing both tone and stakes early on.
What stood out most to me is her ability to create intense character dynamics. The push-and-pull between Willow and River is sharp, emotionally charged, and clearly designed to keep readers hooked for the long haul. Their dialogue feels natural and cutting, and the chemistry (and conflict) between them gives the story real momentum.
Hagley also excels at world-building within the dark romance genre. The Emberlyn society, the secrets of Cinder Falls, and the hints of deeper conspiracies add a strong layer of mystery that makes the book feel bigger than just a romance. You can tell this is setting up a series arc, and it successfully leaves you wanting more.
Her writing style is accessible and immersive, with vivid imagery and strong emotional beats. She clearly understands the expectations of dark romance readers, tension, danger, obsession, and power struggles are all present and delivered with confidence.
If I had one critique, it would be that the pacing occasionally leans more toward atmosphere and character tension than plot progression. However, for readers who love slow-burn intensity and character-driven drama, this will absolutely be a strength rather than a weakness.
Overall, Lucie Hagley shows real promise as a dark romance author. This book feels like the start of a series that could grow into something very compelling, and I’d definitely pick up the next installment.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Condemned by Wrath" is an electrifying debut for me from Lucie Hagley! From the very first chapter, the high-stakes drama between Willow and River had me hooked.
Willow is the ultimate "good girl" facade with the heart of a trained killer, while River is a beautifully complex hero battling a traumatic past. Watching them clash—forced together by a college professor—creates an incredible "love-to-hate" tension. The angst between the bully and the assassin is almost more than you can handle, but seeing them choose love over destruction was so rewarding.
I absolutely loved the ending; it was the perfect payoff to see River finally accepted and Willow truly loved, cracks and all. If you enjoy secret societies, dark romance, and vengeful plots, you need to add this to your TBR!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Willow is the ultimate "good girl" facade with the heart of a trained killer, while River is a beautifully complex hero battling a traumatic past. Watching them clash—forced together by a college professor—creates an incredible "love-to-hate" tension. The angst between the bully and the assassin is almost more than you can handle, but seeing them choose love over destruction was so rewarding.
I absolutely loved the ending; it was the perfect payoff to see River finally accepted and Willow truly loved, cracks and all. If you enjoy secret societies, dark romance, and vengeful plots, you need to add this to your TBR!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy
Wow first of all is I can't stop smiling i loved this book sooooo much the twist the turns the bullying the friendship the back and forth wow i will have to say this is now my favorite book of Lucie she is one of my favorite to go to authors wow i just can't get over this book going to have to do a reread lol can't wait to get my hands on a copy of the book read it you won't regret it so worth more then 4 stars
i barely could put it down great job Lucie can't wait until the next book.
i barely could put it down great job Lucie can't wait until the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"They say wrath is a sin.
But in Cinder Falls, it might just be survival."
Condemned By Wrath is River and Willow's intriguing, intense, gritty journey. It's loaded with suspense, emotion and a heavy dose of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Willow is the "good" girl and River the traumatized bully and together they're explosive. There's much to learn about these two and the underlying factors that they're up against. Definitely a 5 star read!
But in Cinder Falls, it might just be survival."
Condemned By Wrath is River and Willow's intriguing, intense, gritty journey. It's loaded with suspense, emotion and a heavy dose of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Willow is the "good" girl and River the traumatized bully and together they're explosive. There's much to learn about these two and the underlying factors that they're up against. Definitely a 5 star read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC READ!
Enjoyed this read, quick paced. Secret society but with the FMC rather than the MMC which was a really nice change as this isn’t as common in dark romance! Bully romance trope goes hard, thoroughly enjoyable.
Enjoyed this read, quick paced. Secret society but with the FMC rather than the MMC which was a really nice change as this isn’t as common in dark romance! Bully romance trope goes hard, thoroughly enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews