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Alabaster Penitentiary #1
Distorted
This is Alabaster Penitentiary…
Where they send you when the world thinks you’re dead. And trust me, you’ll wish you were.
We’re the stain on society. The freaks, the creeps, your favorite Netflix documentaries come to life.
They lock us up and throw away the key, because we deserve it.
But not me. I’m just a lowly bank robber. I don’t belong here, surrounded by psychopaths and killers with no remorse… At least, I don’t think I do.
Getting by unscathed is my top priority. Unfortunately for me and my fellow prisoners, those in charge are more dangerous than we are.
You see, the guards run the show, and I seem to have caught the attention of the most twisted one.
He has a name, but it might as well be Officer. We move around one another like a sun and a moon, revolving in an axis of confused lust and torment until the truth is distorted, and the thing I once feared becomes that which I crave; my vile addiction, somehow so exquisite.
Reality warps in the dungeon, and I’m left wondering which prison is worse… the one holding my body, or my mind.
*DO NOT READ OR POST SPOILERS! I am begging you to think of your fellow readers, in your reviews, your posts… everywhere. Revealing plot twists is a dick move. And I promise, it’ll be fun to go in blind.
**Distorted is the first book in the Alabaster Penitentiary series. It is a full M/M romance, with HEA. Each book in this series is technically a standalone, though they are interconnected, so it will be recommended to read in order, as references to this story will be made in future books.
Distorted is intended for mature audiences and open-minded readers ONLY! If you prefer the same old story, this book won’t be for you. This story is dark, probably darker for some than others, so please proceed with caution, and if you’re easily triggered, steer clear.
You’ve been warned.
Where they send you when the world thinks you’re dead. And trust me, you’ll wish you were.
We’re the stain on society. The freaks, the creeps, your favorite Netflix documentaries come to life.
They lock us up and throw away the key, because we deserve it.
But not me. I’m just a lowly bank robber. I don’t belong here, surrounded by psychopaths and killers with no remorse… At least, I don’t think I do.
Getting by unscathed is my top priority. Unfortunately for me and my fellow prisoners, those in charge are more dangerous than we are.
You see, the guards run the show, and I seem to have caught the attention of the most twisted one.
He has a name, but it might as well be Officer. We move around one another like a sun and a moon, revolving in an axis of confused lust and torment until the truth is distorted, and the thing I once feared becomes that which I crave; my vile addiction, somehow so exquisite.
Reality warps in the dungeon, and I’m left wondering which prison is worse… the one holding my body, or my mind.
*DO NOT READ OR POST SPOILERS! I am begging you to think of your fellow readers, in your reviews, your posts… everywhere. Revealing plot twists is a dick move. And I promise, it’ll be fun to go in blind.
**Distorted is the first book in the Alabaster Penitentiary series. It is a full M/M romance, with HEA. Each book in this series is technically a standalone, though they are interconnected, so it will be recommended to read in order, as references to this story will be made in future books.
Distorted is intended for mature audiences and open-minded readers ONLY! If you prefer the same old story, this book won’t be for you. This story is dark, probably darker for some than others, so please proceed with caution, and if you’re easily triggered, steer clear.
You’ve been warned.
460 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 18, 2021
1973 people are currently reading
16049 people want to read
About the author
Nyla K.
26 books5,967 followersAuthor of Flipping Hot Fiction. I write big books and I cannot lie, *insert smirky face*. Specializing in LGBTQ+ representation.
Nyla K is a quirky world-traveler with a sailor mouth and a filthy mind. She writes the dark, and the dirty, but most importantly, UNIQUE romantic fiction. Her smutty and taboo love stories are not for the faint of heart, so beware!
Nyla believes in the relevant, boundary-pushing, mind-bending side of erotic fiction, which is always what to expect from her. If you're looking for the same old story, you won't get that with Nyla K. But if you want complex characters, and stories that stick in your mind like a bad case of crabs... you've come to the right place ;).
Nyla K is a quirky world-traveler with a sailor mouth and a filthy mind. She writes the dark, and the dirty, but most importantly, UNIQUE romantic fiction. Her smutty and taboo love stories are not for the faint of heart, so beware!
Nyla believes in the relevant, boundary-pushing, mind-bending side of erotic fiction, which is always what to expect from her. If you're looking for the same old story, you won't get that with Nyla K. But if you want complex characters, and stories that stick in your mind like a bad case of crabs... you've come to the right place ;).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,455 reviews
May 15, 2021
⭐ 2.5 “this book almost had me in the first half, not gonna lie” stars⭐
Now that I’ve finished it, I can say this story turned into a very peculiar one for me. Peculiarly disappointing, that is. It started out so strong, with a delectable touch of taboo and dark romance that had me hooked (plus some VERY hot smut to boot), but then the 80 percent mark hit and…
My reaction to the book went from “I’m actually having fun” to this pretty damn fast.
*****************************
First off, A QUICK WORD BEFORE WE START:
Since the writer has been pleading with everyone not to spoil the story, I’ll separate this review in a non-spoilery general thoughts section (that will be pretty vague) and a more in-depth one at the bottom (including the specifics of my issues). Below a warning, of course. That way, anyone who is still considering this one can make their own informed decision on whether to venture into Spoilerland or not.
Personally, I wished I had known what I was walking into. But I digress.
*****************************
With that little intro out of the way…
Almost my entire takeaway from this.
To be completely honest, all of it felt absolutely meaningless in the end. Any kind of build up the story worked towards, appreciation for the characters earned, the dynamics they shared or a climax to their struggles. All of it turned into a big ol’ pile of “AND FOR WHAT?” by the time I was done flipping (or scrolling) through the pages.
And listen here, going in I already knew that things wouldn’t be as they seemed (this is marketed and referenced by a lot of people as a mindfuck type of story), but what I did not expect was for those “surprise twists” to be the most predictable, cliched, saw-that-from-a-mile-away conflict resolutions imaginable. Instead of being in awe, I was just left scratching my head and wondering how something I had considered an option from chapter two, yet discounted because it sounded way too dumb, ended up turning into the actual big twist.
Like sure, that was technically a mindfuck I guess. But a disappointing one that proceeded to veil all the rest of the story in bitterness and left me feeling wholly unfulfilled. If this is what the author considered a mindfuck, I’ll be keeping my mind celibate going forward, thank you very much.
Never mind the fact that I had previously promised to leave my suspension of disbelief at the door, knowing how OTT and logic-defying prison romances can generally get. Because this book did not just ask me to suspend my disbelief, but to downright assassinate it, deface it, and later discard it in an anonymous dumping ground.
So even after saying I would just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride, the truth was that I just couldn’t.
More footage of me past the 80 percent mark.
Yet, for anyone still curious about this one, I’d still say to give it a chance if that’s what you’re craving! Don’t let my rant dissuade you, and just make sure you equip yourself with tempered expectations, LOTS of suspension of disbelief, and perhaps even a stress ball or two.
Besides, if the story had ended before the 80 percent mark, this would’ve probably been a 3/3.5 kind of read for me! So not all of it was bad, per se.
Too bad the book kept going for a hundred plus more pages after that.
*****************************
Moving ahead…
WARNING: YOU HAVE REACHED SPOILERLAND
So step away unless you have either read the book already or just don’t mind me covering some of the major(ly disappointing) twists.
🚨
🚨
🚨
🚨
🚨
🚨
🚨
🚨
🚨
🚨
Ok, can I finally just say…
Because I’m still kind of in denial that it all ended like that.
I remember reaching an early chapter and seeing a few warning signs already. In the way Kemper never interacted with anyone else, how Dash’s fellow prisoners reacted whenever he alluded to him, and so on. It all had me entertaining the possibility that Kemper was a figment of his imagination, because “hahaha wouldn’t that be crazy”...
I was not ready for THAT to be the actual reveal though.
It honestly felt as incongruent as if the author had ended the story by saying “and then Dash roused from sleep and SIKE, it was all a dream!!”, only worse because it was utilizing his schizophrenia as the laziest of plot devices. Just to later imply that all Dash ever needed to treat his disorder was the right person to keep him grounded (both therapy and medication were mentioned, but completely glossed over).
In fact, we even get this kind of gem:
(One example of many, by the way)
Which is the other MC, Kemper, comparing his struggles with coming out to Dash’s untreated-until-that-point Schizophrenia.
Dunno about the accuracy of that analogy, chief.
As the cherry on top, did I also mention these two had only known each other (officially) for a few months? And we are supposed to trust that this romantic entanglement managed to repair YEARS of dealing with an unchecked mental illness and trauma. Since that’s clearly how it works (cue every therapist rolling their eyes into the stratosphere)
And last but not least, we have to talk about Kemper. Callum, Kellan, whatever you wanna call the man (or men, considering they're two separate entities).
The truth for me was that Imaginary Kemper (Callum) was just a lot more fun and engaging as a lead than Regular Guy Kemper (Kellan). Perhaps this is the twisted woman in me speaking, but all the sweetness with none of the spice had me losing interest faster than you can find a Starbucks in a city’s two-mile radius. Suddenly, the romance was just way too vanilla and made me feel simply catfished, especially after all the previous encounters detailed in the first half of the book. Which, hallucination or not, were just better (and hotter, I dare say).
And don’t even get me started on the whole mess with Regular Guy Kemper’s wife of FIVE YEARS, who apparently already knew he was gay… from the beginning of their marriage. Indeed, staying married to a gay man and just patiently waiting for him to come out and leave you, just after opportunately cheating on you with an escaped convict, seems like something any sensible woman would do.
Obviously.
I’ll still keep an eye out on where the rest of the series is headed in the future, since some of the other inmates and couples hinted seem interesting enough (would especially appreciate more on mysterious serial killer Darcey and Velle/Rook), but the ending for this burned me enough to need to check several reviews beforehand.
Because wasting another two days reading a 500 page book just for THAT to be the outcome?
*****************************
Alabaster Penitentiary series by Nyla K.
Distorted— 2.5 ⭐
Joyless— TBR.
Brainwashed— TBR.
Fragments— TBR.
Ivory— TBR.
Now that I’ve finished it, I can say this story turned into a very peculiar one for me. Peculiarly disappointing, that is. It started out so strong, with a delectable touch of taboo and dark romance that had me hooked (plus some VERY hot smut to boot), but then the 80 percent mark hit and…
My reaction to the book went from “I’m actually having fun” to this pretty damn fast.
*****************************
First off, A QUICK WORD BEFORE WE START:
Since the writer has been pleading with everyone not to spoil the story, I’ll separate this review in a non-spoilery general thoughts section (that will be pretty vague) and a more in-depth one at the bottom (including the specifics of my issues). Below a warning, of course. That way, anyone who is still considering this one can make their own informed decision on whether to venture into Spoilerland or not.
*****************************
With that little intro out of the way…
Almost my entire takeaway from this.
To be completely honest, all of it felt absolutely meaningless in the end. Any kind of build up the story worked towards, appreciation for the characters earned, the dynamics they shared or a climax to their struggles. All of it turned into a big ol’ pile of “AND FOR WHAT?” by the time I was done flipping (or scrolling) through the pages.
And listen here, going in I already knew that things wouldn’t be as they seemed (this is marketed and referenced by a lot of people as a mindfuck type of story), but what I did not expect was for those “surprise twists” to be the most predictable, cliched, saw-that-from-a-mile-away conflict resolutions imaginable. Instead of being in awe, I was just left scratching my head and wondering how something I had considered an option from chapter two, yet discounted because it sounded way too dumb, ended up turning into the actual big twist.
Like sure, that was technically a mindfuck I guess. But a disappointing one that proceeded to veil all the rest of the story in bitterness and left me feeling wholly unfulfilled. If this is what the author considered a mindfuck, I’ll be keeping my mind celibate going forward, thank you very much.
Never mind the fact that I had previously promised to leave my suspension of disbelief at the door, knowing how OTT and logic-defying prison romances can generally get. Because this book did not just ask me to suspend my disbelief, but to downright assassinate it, deface it, and later discard it in an anonymous dumping ground.
So even after saying I would just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride, the truth was that I just couldn’t.
More footage of me past the 80 percent mark.
Yet, for anyone still curious about this one, I’d still say to give it a chance if that’s what you’re craving! Don’t let my rant dissuade you, and just make sure you equip yourself with tempered expectations, LOTS of suspension of disbelief, and perhaps even a stress ball or two.
Besides, if the story had ended before the 80 percent mark, this would’ve probably been a 3/3.5 kind of read for me! So not all of it was bad, per se.
Too bad the book kept going for a hundred plus more pages after that.
*****************************
Moving ahead…
WARNING: YOU HAVE REACHED SPOILERLAND
So step away unless you have either read the book already or just don’t mind me covering some of the major(ly disappointing) twists.
🚨
🚨
🚨
🚨
🚨
🚨
🚨
🚨
🚨
🚨
Ok, can I finally just say…
Because I’m still kind of in denial that it all ended like that.
I remember reaching an early chapter and seeing a few warning signs already. In the way Kemper never interacted with anyone else, how Dash’s fellow prisoners reacted whenever he alluded to him, and so on. It all had me entertaining the possibility that Kemper was a figment of his imagination, because “hahaha wouldn’t that be crazy”...
I was not ready for THAT to be the actual reveal though.
It honestly felt as incongruent as if the author had ended the story by saying “and then Dash roused from sleep and SIKE, it was all a dream!!”, only worse because it was utilizing his schizophrenia as the laziest of plot devices. Just to later imply that all Dash ever needed to treat his disorder was the right person to keep him grounded (both therapy and medication were mentioned, but completely glossed over).
In fact, we even get this kind of gem:
(One example of many, by the way)
“It’s clear we’re meant to be together. I know it won’t be easy, loving this man forever despite his damage.
But I’ll fix him, the way he fixed me.”
Which is the other MC, Kemper, comparing his struggles with coming out to Dash’s untreated-until-that-point Schizophrenia.
Dunno about the accuracy of that analogy, chief.
As the cherry on top, did I also mention these two had only known each other (officially) for a few months? And we are supposed to trust that this romantic entanglement managed to repair YEARS of dealing with an unchecked mental illness and trauma. Since that’s clearly how it works (cue every therapist rolling their eyes into the stratosphere)
And last but not least, we have to talk about Kemper. Callum, Kellan, whatever you wanna call the man (or men, considering they're two separate entities).
The truth for me was that Imaginary Kemper (Callum) was just a lot more fun and engaging as a lead than Regular Guy Kemper (Kellan). Perhaps this is the twisted woman in me speaking, but all the sweetness with none of the spice had me losing interest faster than you can find a Starbucks in a city’s two-mile radius. Suddenly, the romance was just way too vanilla and made me feel simply catfished, especially after all the previous encounters detailed in the first half of the book. Which, hallucination or not, were just better (and hotter, I dare say).
And don’t even get me started on the whole mess with Regular Guy Kemper’s wife of FIVE YEARS, who apparently already knew he was gay… from the beginning of their marriage. Indeed, staying married to a gay man and just patiently waiting for him to come out and leave you, just after opportunately cheating on you with an escaped convict, seems like something any sensible woman would do.
Obviously.
I’ll still keep an eye out on where the rest of the series is headed in the future, since some of the other inmates and couples hinted seem interesting enough (would especially appreciate more on mysterious serial killer Darcey and Velle/Rook), but the ending for this burned me enough to need to check several reviews beforehand.
Because wasting another two days reading a 500 page book just for THAT to be the outcome?
*****************************
Alabaster Penitentiary series by Nyla K.
Distorted— 2.5 ⭐
Joyless— TBR.
Brainwashed— TBR.
Fragments— TBR.
Ivory— TBR.
March 14, 2021
5 STARS
Oh.
MY.
GOD.
What in the ever loving hell did I just read? Why am I only now discovering this author? And how the hell are more of you not reading her?
Because holy hell. HOLY HELL Y'ALL!!!!
First of all, if you like a dark, taboo MM read with an epic mind fuck thrown in, READ THIS BOOK!
Oh my god! Why are you not running to grab this immediately?
I'm about to go violent recommendation on all of your asses here, people! DO IT!
But I digress. First of all, I'm seriously kicking myself for not discovering this author sooner and super grateful to my lovely friend Francis for telling me she'd be right up my alley. And being a huge lover of all things dark and twisted, I couldn't agree more. This was one of the most epic mind fucks I've read in a long while, and I'm already desperate for my next hit in this series. But I digress.
This book. THIS BOOK. A convict falling for a prison guard with plenty of dub con thrown in. GAH. Be still my heart. I can actually feel my ovaries fluttering. But I digress again.
Dash is the furthest thing from normal as you can get. He has his issues and plenty of them and he's no stranger to criminal activities. But one risky robbery finally lands him in prison, and it's a hell unlike any other, reserved for the worst of humanity, and he's convinced it's a mistake. As days begin to bleed together, the one sanity that he realizes he has, is his personal tormentor who he knows only as Officer.
Now let me tell you guys, this book is dark. Like seriously DARK, okay. There's triggers for a good reason, so if you're sensitive to those things, you've been warned. It's definitely not for the faint of heart. It's twisted. It's perverse. It's DELICIOUS. What else it is, is completely unputdownable. It's 450+ pages of unpredictable story with a romance so delicious, you don't even see it coming. To say I'm hooked on this series is an understatement. This series is crack and Nyla K just became my favorite dealer.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
If you’re stuck in Hell for eternity, it’d be wise not to poke the Devil.”
Oh.
MY.
GOD.
What in the ever loving hell did I just read? Why am I only now discovering this author? And how the hell are more of you not reading her?
Because holy hell. HOLY HELL Y'ALL!!!!
First of all, if you like a dark, taboo MM read with an epic mind fuck thrown in, READ THIS BOOK!
Oh my god! Why are you not running to grab this immediately?
I'm about to go violent recommendation on all of your asses here, people! DO IT!
But I digress. First of all, I'm seriously kicking myself for not discovering this author sooner and super grateful to my lovely friend Francis for telling me she'd be right up my alley. And being a huge lover of all things dark and twisted, I couldn't agree more. This was one of the most epic mind fucks I've read in a long while, and I'm already desperate for my next hit in this series. But I digress.
This book. THIS BOOK. A convict falling for a prison guard with plenty of dub con thrown in. GAH. Be still my heart. I can actually feel my ovaries fluttering. But I digress again.
Dash is the furthest thing from normal as you can get. He has his issues and plenty of them and he's no stranger to criminal activities. But one risky robbery finally lands him in prison, and it's a hell unlike any other, reserved for the worst of humanity, and he's convinced it's a mistake. As days begin to bleed together, the one sanity that he realizes he has, is his personal tormentor who he knows only as Officer.
Now let me tell you guys, this book is dark. Like seriously DARK, okay. There's triggers for a good reason, so if you're sensitive to those things, you've been warned. It's definitely not for the faint of heart. It's twisted. It's perverse. It's DELICIOUS. What else it is, is completely unputdownable. It's 450+ pages of unpredictable story with a romance so delicious, you don't even see it coming. To say I'm hooked on this series is an understatement. This series is crack and Nyla K just became my favorite dealer.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
March 27, 2021
4.5 stars
Alright, finally time for my first full length (all the puns intended) MM novel.
Apparently, no doubt for this book, maybe this series only, I can just throw out all the stuff I hate. Bring on all the dubcon, noncon and falling for your captor. Why is it acceptable for this book? And why is it so fucking hot? No, seriously, why? 🤔🤷♀️
When Nyla K said this series was reminiscent of Tarantino and that this was Pulp Fiction, she wasn’t kidding. But thanks a lot for making me picture Ving Rhames as Kemper no matter how she describes him. I can’t scrub that shit out of my brain. And now I’m waiting to find out if he’ll be a catcher. (I highly doubt it!)
Oh look, another cock cage. Will this be an ongoing thing in all the MM books I read? Knowing me? Probably.
The massive variety of characters is delightful and I pretty much love them all except Velle but I’m sure there’s something beyond that alpha-hole facade. I’m so excited to find out who the next book is about. I want to know more about Darcey, I think his character is the most multi-faceted. I wanna know if anyone hooks up with my favorite guard Rook. Will Lex and Ren ever get it together?
And than we have Dash another character who has so many dimensions that he didn’t even know existed. The growth he experiences is breathtaking, especially his affection for Kemper. Last but not least Kemper, once you get past the unknown he becomes the greatest, sweetest, most beautiful and protective lover.
“This dude is certifiable, and yet I think he’s my friend. We’re all fucked in here, after all.”
Of course Kemper is from Kansas City because good people and all. 😁
So in the spirit of not creating spoilers I will just say this. Nyla K did fantastic job and the love between Dash and Kemper is nothing short of extraordinary.
Alright, finally time for my first full length (all the puns intended) MM novel.
Apparently, no doubt for this book, maybe this series only, I can just throw out all the stuff I hate. Bring on all the dubcon, noncon and falling for your captor. Why is it acceptable for this book? And why is it so fucking hot? No, seriously, why? 🤔🤷♀️
When Nyla K said this series was reminiscent of Tarantino and that this was Pulp Fiction, she wasn’t kidding. But thanks a lot for making me picture Ving Rhames as Kemper no matter how she describes him. I can’t scrub that shit out of my brain. And now I’m waiting to find out if he’ll be a catcher. (I highly doubt it!)
Oh look, another cock cage. Will this be an ongoing thing in all the MM books I read? Knowing me? Probably.
The massive variety of characters is delightful and I pretty much love them all except Velle but I’m sure there’s something beyond that alpha-hole facade. I’m so excited to find out who the next book is about. I want to know more about Darcey, I think his character is the most multi-faceted. I wanna know if anyone hooks up with my favorite guard Rook. Will Lex and Ren ever get it together?
And than we have Dash another character who has so many dimensions that he didn’t even know existed. The growth he experiences is breathtaking, especially his affection for Kemper. Last but not least Kemper, once you get past the unknown he becomes the greatest, sweetest, most beautiful and protective lover.
“This dude is certifiable, and yet I think he’s my friend. We’re all fucked in here, after all.”
Of course Kemper is from Kansas City because good people and all. 😁
So in the spirit of not creating spoilers I will just say this. Nyla K did fantastic job and the love between Dash and Kemper is nothing short of extraordinary.
August 9, 2022
I'm livid rn.
I loved the first 70 ish percent so fucking much and then the big twist happened and..... I regret ever picking this book up. Mostly because I'm in a huge reading slump and this did not help.
I'd write a longer review but honestly I don't want to think about this book anymore.
I loved the first 70 ish percent so fucking much and then the big twist happened and..... I regret ever picking this book up. Mostly because I'm in a huge reading slump and this did not help.
I'd write a longer review but honestly I don't want to think about this book anymore.
March 24, 2021
The author told us in the foreword not to write or read spoilers for this book, because it would ruin the fun. In the afterword she "is still yelling at us about it" (her words).
Here's the thing. If I wanted to take orders from random people or get yelled at about nothing I would have joined the army...
I was really mad about her calling it a dick move to spoil something. Hey Miss, if I want to read spoilers I will. If I want to write spoilers I will. If you don't like that, not my problem. Today I read an unrelated post about how I as a reader wouldnt tell something that I write in a review to the authors face. Believe me when I say, I would.
That was my foreword.
So. That being said here is the first spoiler because of some triggers. I have no idea if the author listed them and I am honestly to lazy to read the foreword again. Here are some potential triggers:
Because of the forword and the blurb I expected an awesome read. Something that will destroy me. Some twist I didn't expect at all. I had high expextations. What I got was: meh
The writing style was good, I only found one typo (his instead of he or something like that), so the editing was also good. The story...hm. I agree that you will read the book with other eyes if you know about the twist. and because I watched all these movies/series it wasn't surprising at all. It also wasn't very original. If you come on so strong in the blurb you better deliver and unfortunately she didn't.
A few years back when I was still reading m/f I read all of Stylo Fantomes work and let me tell you, if you want a story with a good twist you will find it there. There were a few WTF moments - and they were awesome.
I also had a few WTF moments in this book. Not good WTF moments. The reveiling of the big twist is at ca. 75%. From this moment on it was like: omg no, oh wtf, oh man, no please
It was just fucked up. No better words for it. In my opinion (which I am entiteld to - again her words not mine - so thank you for that) the author totally destroyed the book with the main twist (there were a few minor twists, not really shocking). It was so bad, I will not even spoil it (or maybe I will - lets see where my rant takes me).
Another thought: If I wanted to tell someone the story without spoilering anything major I would say: it's a prison and they have sex like all the time. Thats the main plot.
After the big twist I had a few questions. Not the questions the author mentions in her justification, uhh I meant her afterword.
Two questions were not answered:
To conclude this review/rant: I will not read the rest of the series. I get what the author was trying to do with the "don't read or write spoilers" thing, but it totally robbed me the wrong way and it came across more arrogant than anything. I listened anyway and didn't read spoilers beforhand. I have no problem with triggers. I only can't stand cheating and I would just DNFed the book if that was the case. I wasn't exactly disappointed but I will not pretend as if this was an outstanding read.
Too many things weren't explained. I you watch the beformentioned shows/movies you know there is everything explained at the end.
I think it was a good 3 Star read until the twist. That ruined it for me.
So rant is over. Remember this is only my opinion. If you were surprised, good for you. If you loved it, good for you. If this is the best book you read in 2021? Please let me recommend something better :)
Here's the thing. If I wanted to take orders from random people or get yelled at about nothing I would have joined the army...
I was really mad about her calling it a dick move to spoil something. Hey Miss, if I want to read spoilers I will. If I want to write spoilers I will. If you don't like that, not my problem. Today I read an unrelated post about how I as a reader wouldnt tell something that I write in a review to the authors face. Believe me when I say, I would.
That was my foreword.
So. That being said here is the first spoiler because of some triggers. I have no idea if the author listed them and I am honestly to lazy to read the foreword again. Here are some potential triggers:
Because of the forword and the blurb I expected an awesome read. Something that will destroy me. Some twist I didn't expect at all. I had high expextations. What I got was: meh
The writing style was good, I only found one typo (his instead of he or something like that), so the editing was also good. The story...hm. I agree that you will read the book with other eyes if you know about the twist. and because I watched all these movies/series it wasn't surprising at all. It also wasn't very original. If you come on so strong in the blurb you better deliver and unfortunately she didn't.
A few years back when I was still reading m/f I read all of Stylo Fantomes work and let me tell you, if you want a story with a good twist you will find it there. There were a few WTF moments - and they were awesome.
I also had a few WTF moments in this book. Not good WTF moments. The reveiling of the big twist is at ca. 75%. From this moment on it was like: omg no, oh wtf, oh man, no please
It was just fucked up. No better words for it. In my opinion (which I am entiteld to - again her words not mine - so thank you for that) the author totally destroyed the book with the main twist (there were a few minor twists, not really shocking). It was so bad, I will not even spoil it (or maybe I will - lets see where my rant takes me).
Another thought: If I wanted to tell someone the story without spoilering anything major I would say: it's a prison and they have sex like all the time. Thats the main plot.
After the big twist I had a few questions. Not the questions the author mentions in her justification, uhh I meant her afterword.
Two questions were not answered:
To conclude this review/rant: I will not read the rest of the series. I get what the author was trying to do with the "don't read or write spoilers" thing, but it totally robbed me the wrong way and it came across more arrogant than anything. I listened anyway and didn't read spoilers beforhand. I have no problem with triggers. I only can't stand cheating and I would just DNFed the book if that was the case. I wasn't exactly disappointed but I will not pretend as if this was an outstanding read.
Too many things weren't explained. I you watch the beformentioned shows/movies you know there is everything explained at the end.
I think it was a good 3 Star read until the twist. That ruined it for me.
So rant is over. Remember this is only my opinion. If you were surprised, good for you. If you loved it, good for you. If this is the best book you read in 2021? Please let me recommend something better :)
dnf
March 13, 2022DNF @43%
March 24, 2021
I read the whole thing because of the disclaimer and the author begging people not to spoil in reviews. I was expecting something to POW right in my face until the last word. It didn’t happen for me. I guess the thing that was supposed to POW was obvious to me. I let myself be taboo baited.
It’s not a spoiler to say this takes place in prison. But be forewarned there’s no world building surrounding it or it’s inhabitants to any level making it as interesting as it could have been. Opportunity missed.
This is really too long for the amount of story it has to tell. Novella length after some editing could have been a better choice.
Its 85% sex but does follow the rules for a romance. I don’t think I’d read the next. I may have if the reader would have been shown more of the world of the prison and less homophobia.
A few days later and I’m still thinking about how mad I am at this book. I think the author had one plan for the book and then maybe thought something like oh hey lemme change this up at the half way point. The problem is that they didn’t edit out the parts that don’t fit the new idea. There are entire chapters that cannot be there in order for this new way to be possible. It’s really frustrating to not be able to say why.
And the after thoughts from the author. It’s like an early reader or readers may have pointed out a few things that can’t work and tried explaining it away. I’ve never seen an author add several pages at the end to try justify parts of the story that don’t work and then blames any reader who is frustrated by the plot holes and inaccuracies for not being smart enough to get it.
It’s not a spoiler to say this takes place in prison. But be forewarned there’s no world building surrounding it or it’s inhabitants to any level making it as interesting as it could have been. Opportunity missed.
This is really too long for the amount of story it has to tell. Novella length after some editing could have been a better choice.
Its 85% sex but does follow the rules for a romance. I don’t think I’d read the next. I may have if the reader would have been shown more of the world of the prison and less homophobia.
A few days later and I’m still thinking about how mad I am at this book. I think the author had one plan for the book and then maybe thought something like oh hey lemme change this up at the half way point. The problem is that they didn’t edit out the parts that don’t fit the new idea. There are entire chapters that cannot be there in order for this new way to be possible. It’s really frustrating to not be able to say why.
And the after thoughts from the author. It’s like an early reader or readers may have pointed out a few things that can’t work and tried explaining it away. I’ve never seen an author add several pages at the end to try justify parts of the story that don’t work and then blames any reader who is frustrated by the plot holes and inaccuracies for not being smart enough to get it.
July 30, 2022
Wow.... this book was not what I expected at all!!!! I am not regularly surprised, but this story was so brilliantly written that even I had to take a moment and process the twist that occurred within this story.
One of my favorite tropes is forbidden romance and I loved that the prison setting allowed for one of the most forbidden relationships to ever occur between an inmate and a guard.
Meanwhile....throughout the story are deliberately placed moments that allow the reader to question the narrator and his version/perspective of events. I was enthralled with this amazing array of colorful characters and cannot wait to read more from this world.
This is a must-read dark romance that full of shocking moments that demand a reread.
One of my favorite tropes is forbidden romance and I loved that the prison setting allowed for one of the most forbidden relationships to ever occur between an inmate and a guard.
Meanwhile....throughout the story are deliberately placed moments that allow the reader to question the narrator and his version/perspective of events. I was enthralled with this amazing array of colorful characters and cannot wait to read more from this world.
This is a must-read dark romance that full of shocking moments that demand a reread.
April 12, 2021
Short version: read stupid books get stupid prizes.
Long version: I was thinking this was a 1.5 to 2 star read but good god the authors notes at the beginning and end were so annoying as to ensure I won’t read anything by her again.
It started with a really annoying preamble about how one should not give spoilers. And I would not have a problem with that except this is exactly the type of read I look for true spoilers to. Ones where I am 43% in and just want to stop reading and get the pain over with a quick check into a decent summary.
Then once the horrible thing was over she spends too much time in a self congratulatory wank that includes this gem
I don’t mind if you’re disappointed. You’re entitled to your feelings. I just hope you gave my words a solid shot first. And if you’re not disappointed, which let’s be honest, you shouldn’t be, that means you got it. And you win the prize
I did give it more than a fair chance. I even think it started fine. It just got boring quick. Literally nothing about this surprised me. And I’ve honestly watched k-dramas that approached the subject in a much better manner. Plus there were several logic gaps that had nothing to do with the part that is supposed to be a logic gap. For example Nikki and her husbands stated reason for going to Mexico make zero sense on her end. That was extremely shoddy writing.
Long version: I was thinking this was a 1.5 to 2 star read but good god the authors notes at the beginning and end were so annoying as to ensure I won’t read anything by her again.
It started with a really annoying preamble about how one should not give spoilers. And I would not have a problem with that except this is exactly the type of read I look for true spoilers to. Ones where I am 43% in and just want to stop reading and get the pain over with a quick check into a decent summary.
Then once the horrible thing was over she spends too much time in a self congratulatory wank that includes this gem
I don’t mind if you’re disappointed. You’re entitled to your feelings. I just hope you gave my words a solid shot first. And if you’re not disappointed, which let’s be honest, you shouldn’t be, that means you got it. And you win the prize
I did give it more than a fair chance. I even think it started fine. It just got boring quick. Literally nothing about this surprised me. And I’ve honestly watched k-dramas that approached the subject in a much better manner. Plus there were several logic gaps that had nothing to do with the part that is supposed to be a logic gap. For example Nikki and her husbands stated reason for going to Mexico make zero sense on her end. That was extremely shoddy writing.
did-not-finish
March 3, 2023DNF @35%
Okay, so I started this book almost A YEAR ago, and I have not picked it up since. I don't think it's really worthy of a DNF because it’s not super bad or anything, but I just don't feel like getting into this again after it has been so long.
Also, the reason I stopped reading this is something that I do feel ruins the whole book. Or, at least, it ruins the romance part. It's a little spoilery though, even if it's only my own interpretation, so I'm not sure if it's actually true, but anyway, be warned: POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD!!
Alright, so I'm pretty sure that the main character is probably schizophrenic and he is sort of hallucinating all of his interactions with his 'love interest'. Thus, all this build-up simply ISN'T REAL. It frustrates me, because what am I even reading then? It feels weird to feel connected to characters that don’t exist or get invested in interactions that I'm pretty sure aren't actually happening.
So... That's why I quit almost a year ago, and I never had the drive to get back to it.
Nonetheless, I do want to say that two of the side characters, Luthor and Ren, intrigue me A LOT! I would totally have continued reading this if the book focused on them instead of on Dash and the guard dude.
Thus, when Ren and Luthor’s book, Fragments, comes out I do want to read it. I'll probably just skip all the rest of the series, but that particular book seems like it might be worth it. We'll see.
Okay, so I started this book almost A YEAR ago, and I have not picked it up since. I don't think it's really worthy of a DNF because it’s not super bad or anything, but I just don't feel like getting into this again after it has been so long.
Also, the reason I stopped reading this is something that I do feel ruins the whole book. Or, at least, it ruins the romance part. It's a little spoilery though, even if it's only my own interpretation, so I'm not sure if it's actually true, but anyway, be warned: POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD!!
Alright, so I'm pretty sure that the main character is probably schizophrenic and he is sort of hallucinating all of his interactions with his 'love interest'. Thus, all this build-up simply ISN'T REAL. It frustrates me, because what am I even reading then? It feels weird to feel connected to characters that don’t exist or get invested in interactions that I'm pretty sure aren't actually happening.
So... That's why I quit almost a year ago, and I never had the drive to get back to it.
Nonetheless, I do want to say that two of the side characters, Luthor and Ren, intrigue me A LOT! I would totally have continued reading this if the book focused on them instead of on Dash and the guard dude.
Thus, when Ren and Luthor’s book, Fragments, comes out I do want to read it. I'll probably just skip all the rest of the series, but that particular book seems like it might be worth it. We'll see.
June 15, 2025
I read this series 2 years ago and never reviewed. This is not new to me. I am just now reviewing because I realized people NEED to know about this series!
THIS SERIES IS DARK AND IT IS MM. only go read it if you like this content. It’s not for everyone, it takes place in a PRISON ! Also it’s not finished, we still have 2 more books coming out
Throws you for a LOOP ! It’s nothing you expect, go in blindly. I really enjoy !
I LOVED little Dash and this was unexpected as fuck !
THIS SERIES IS DARK AND IT IS MM. only go read it if you like this content. It’s not for everyone, it takes place in a PRISON ! Also it’s not finished, we still have 2 more books coming out
Throws you for a LOOP ! It’s nothing you expect, go in blindly. I really enjoy !
I LOVED little Dash and this was unexpected as fuck !
April 1, 2021
2.7⭐
Context: Dash, a bank criminal, is captured and sent to Alabaster Penitentiary, a prison where they only have special prisoners. There he meets an Officer full of tattoos, who ends up taking his world around in an unexpected way.
I had trouble connecting with the first few chapters, but the story continued and I adjusted.
And yes there are some lines that get blurry and that kept my interest. I knew what I was getting into, and that's why, when I was in the middle, I was formulating an idea of what I was going to say in my review (because my brain always works like that) But, then the twists started to fall and I was suspicious of various things, but the author takes it a little longer than I had imagined (in that moment I was still enjoyed the story).
When that happens, and with what was happening in the book, I was suspicious of other things that could be, and I swear to god I thought about the last twist, but immediately discarded it because IT MADE NO SENSE.
And guess what? The author put that twist.
I was like: uh, what? No Please... NOOOOOO
It confused me like hell and I kind of didn't like it.
They are too many holes in the plot and a lot of things didn't make sense. Pff, I felt that everything went down after THAT twist. I just have so many questions.
I can tell it's not the darkest book I've ever read and I think the chapter 34 was so convenient.
And about the author's note: "And if you’re not disappointed, which let’s be honest, you shouldn’t be, then that means you got it. And you win the prize."
Umm, what is that supposed to mean? I gave it a try, and yeah I'm disappointed because I can't ignore the holes in the drama although I try to understand things, no because of the romance🤦♀️
Good things: I think Dash interesting, and they was a lot of personality diversity in the second characters.
Context: Dash, a bank criminal, is captured and sent to Alabaster Penitentiary, a prison where they only have special prisoners. There he meets an Officer full of tattoos, who ends up taking his world around in an unexpected way.
I had trouble connecting with the first few chapters, but the story continued and I adjusted.
And yes there are some lines that get blurry and that kept my interest. I knew what I was getting into, and that's why, when I was in the middle, I was formulating an idea of what I was going to say in my review (because my brain always works like that) But, then the twists started to fall and I was suspicious of various things, but the author takes it a little longer than I had imagined (in that moment I was still enjoyed the story).
When that happens, and with what was happening in the book, I was suspicious of other things that could be, and I swear to god I thought about the last twist, but immediately discarded it because IT MADE NO SENSE.
And guess what? The author put that twist.
I was like: uh, what? No Please... NOOOOOO
It confused me like hell and I kind of didn't like it.
They are too many holes in the plot and a lot of things didn't make sense. Pff, I felt that everything went down after THAT twist. I just have so many questions.
I can tell it's not the darkest book I've ever read and I think the chapter 34 was so convenient.
And about the author's note: "And if you’re not disappointed, which let’s be honest, you shouldn’t be, then that means you got it. And you win the prize."
Umm, what is that supposed to mean? I gave it a try, and yeah I'm disappointed because I can't ignore the holes in the drama although I try to understand things, no because of the romance🤦♀️
Good things: I think Dash interesting, and they was a lot of personality diversity in the second characters.
May 4, 2021
Delusional!
Degraded!
Delicious!
It’s worth the reading.
Degraded!
Delicious!
It’s worth the reading.
April 25, 2024
does everything that happened in the book make sense??? fuck no, but i feel like i just got a two for one special and i am outrageously entertained….do i believe their romance for a second ??? absolutely not srry🤷♀️ also, some things were just wayyyyy too fucking easy or convenient esp in the 2nd half of the book….but the story and the characters were just interesting af and the right amount of batshit for me to have a good time anyway !!
i’m really looking forward to book 3 and 4, but the fact that i have to read book 2 first is killing meeeee🫠
i’m really looking forward to book 3 and 4, but the fact that i have to read book 2 first is killing meeeee🫠
August 22, 2021
What the f*ck did I just read and why the f*ck couldn't I stop.
I have questions but I don't want to ruin anything.
My heart hurt for Dash throughout this entire book.
This was, like, so good and weird and not the kind of thing I usually read but I could not put it down. I feel like I'm going to be thinking about this book for a while.
I have questions but I don't want to ruin anything.
My heart hurt for Dash throughout this entire book.
This was, like, so good and weird and not the kind of thing I usually read but I could not put it down. I feel like I'm going to be thinking about this book for a while.
March 18, 2021
Distorted Alabaster Penitentiary Book one is a full length stand alone, M/M romance
I have been anticipating this book for months. I thought I was ready, and Let me tell you I was not; I freaking love this book. Nyla K. Stepped it up more than usual and wrote her best book, Ever. She still writes outside the box and with complex characters, but this is something on a whole new level. I have a feeling this series is going to be off the wall crazy and epic.
Read the trigger warning and go in blind. It’s a much better experience if you go in blind and keep an open mind.
Officer Kemper is my all-time favorite character from the author. Alpha male who is possessive but deep down is caring. Oh my Dash, you can't help but to just love his nature and his growth to realize not everything is black & white. There is a whole bunch of grey in life. Plus how he isn’t afraid to explore his sexuality. My mind is blown away, and I am still sorting out my feelings. They will carry a special place in my heart. I can’t wait for the rest of the books in the series.
The sex scenes are panty-melting amazing. I am telling you it’s one of the authors' direst books, but no worries, it’s spectacular. I mean still there in prison. It’s hot, is all I am going to say.
Distorted is labeled as dark romance. Darkness is subjective to the reader. At the same time, some may find this black. I find it gray on my dark scale. I highly recommend this book. It’s now on my top five favorite books.
I have been anticipating this book for months. I thought I was ready, and Let me tell you I was not; I freaking love this book. Nyla K. Stepped it up more than usual and wrote her best book, Ever. She still writes outside the box and with complex characters, but this is something on a whole new level. I have a feeling this series is going to be off the wall crazy and epic.
Read the trigger warning and go in blind. It’s a much better experience if you go in blind and keep an open mind.
Officer Kemper is my all-time favorite character from the author. Alpha male who is possessive but deep down is caring. Oh my Dash, you can't help but to just love his nature and his growth to realize not everything is black & white. There is a whole bunch of grey in life. Plus how he isn’t afraid to explore his sexuality. My mind is blown away, and I am still sorting out my feelings. They will carry a special place in my heart. I can’t wait for the rest of the books in the series.
The sex scenes are panty-melting amazing. I am telling you it’s one of the authors' direst books, but no worries, it’s spectacular. I mean still there in prison. It’s hot, is all I am going to say.
Distorted is labeled as dark romance. Darkness is subjective to the reader. At the same time, some may find this black. I find it gray on my dark scale. I highly recommend this book. It’s now on my top five favorite books.
January 28, 2024
Mixed thoughts. I can see how people have loved this but I think the tone and wording of the authors notes at the beginning and the end sums up why I didn’t gel with it. I’m tempted to write a detailed review about it but don’t want to upset anyone’s enjoyment of this.
April 11, 2021
1.5 stars for the promising start, for the writing, for the cover and for trying to write something different.
First of all, the subjects in this book are topics that I LOVE, that I am obsessed with.. so as much as I did not expect much because the author's notes turned me off, I was still very intrigued. Now let me go to my points (I tried my best to keep this review spoiler-free)
1. An excerpt from the author's note after the last chapter of the book: "And if you’re not disappointed, which let’s be honest, you shouldn’t be, then that means you got it. And you win the prize." Uhm, okay?
2. I feel like the author got lots of ideas and has thrown them all here without realizing that they don't make sense together at all and that it's already too much. I think they pushed too hard on the "distorted" thingie that the plot itself became distorted.
3. So yeah the twist. I wasn't disappointed because I didn't understand. I totally get it. I wasn't even surprised. It just didn't make any sense. I almost DNFed the book but decided to skim through the end to see what other bullsh*t was coming my way.
4. The book is too damn long but the story can fit into like 200 pages at most. There was too much unnecessary details and too much not-good on-page sex.
5. When the author felt like they needed to explain their book right after the last chapter, it just means that they're aware how the story didn't make much sense. Hey, you don't try to justify your book especially if you want your readers to explore different ideas just like what the author mentioned here.
And dundunduuuun.. the thing that I hated the most? THERE WAS NO CHARACTER BUILD UP. No no, don't tell me it was for a reason because it wasn't. There wasnt even a sensible plot so what did I expect anyway.
Usually when we read a story that isn't doing it for us, we still cared for the characters. But here? Hmmmmm. Maybe Dash (a bit) but Kemper was not given of any importance here. And no, don't tell me that it was meant to be that way. Just. No.
And no, I'm NOT gonna read the next book despite me needing answers.
First of all, the subjects in this book are topics that I LOVE, that I am obsessed with.. so as much as I did not expect much because the author's notes turned me off, I was still very intrigued. Now let me go to my points (I tried my best to keep this review spoiler-free)
1. An excerpt from the author's note after the last chapter of the book: "And if you’re not disappointed, which let’s be honest, you shouldn’t be, then that means you got it. And you win the prize." Uhm, okay?
2. I feel like the author got lots of ideas and has thrown them all here without realizing that they don't make sense together at all and that it's already too much. I think they pushed too hard on the "distorted" thingie that the plot itself became distorted.
3. So yeah the twist. I wasn't disappointed because I didn't understand. I totally get it. I wasn't even surprised. It just didn't make any sense. I almost DNFed the book but decided to skim through the end to see what other bullsh*t was coming my way.
4. The book is too damn long but the story can fit into like 200 pages at most. There was too much unnecessary details and too much not-good on-page sex.
5. When the author felt like they needed to explain their book right after the last chapter, it just means that they're aware how the story didn't make much sense. Hey, you don't try to justify your book especially if you want your readers to explore different ideas just like what the author mentioned here.
And dundunduuuun.. the thing that I hated the most? THERE WAS NO CHARACTER BUILD UP. No no, don't tell me it was for a reason because it wasn't. There wasnt even a sensible plot so what did I expect anyway.
Usually when we read a story that isn't doing it for us, we still cared for the characters. But here? Hmmmmm. Maybe Dash (a bit) but Kemper was not given of any importance here. And no, don't tell me that it was meant to be that way. Just. No.
And no, I'm NOT gonna read the next book despite me needing answers.
March 15, 2021
4.5
WHAT. THE. FUCK. WAS. THAT !!!
This woman is a genius, an evil one i might add, because i never expected any of that!!
I'm still pretty shocked and i definitely need a reread now that i know everything....
Details that looked out of place now made sense, and i'm amazed by the complexity of the story and of the characters.
But let's start from the beginning.
So, you know i was eager to put my hands on this baby since the moment i knew about it ( the many edits, i made before even reading it, can testify that) but it's nothing like i thought it would have been.
It's obviously HOT because Nyla K knows how to write steamy scene that gonna melt you: she describe everything in sucha vivid way, you can almost feel each touch....
It's less dark than i imagined but there are some heavy topics that she maneges masterfully.
Nyla created an amazing world with such unique characters - each of them caught my attention.
I'm not gonna tell you anything about the story because you need to go completely blind on this, but i can tell you this story is one you never read before.
Dash and Kemper are something else: their relationship is unbelieveble and it kills me not tell you every single thing about them 😭
I loved them so damn much, especially Kemper and his possessiveness.
The way he take care of Dash made me swoon 😍
And Dash, my baby Dascha, broke my heart 💔
Seriously trust me and give a chance to Distorted!!
WHAT. THE. FUCK. WAS. THAT !!!
This woman is a genius, an evil one i might add, because i never expected any of that!!
I'm still pretty shocked and i definitely need a reread now that i know everything....
Details that looked out of place now made sense, and i'm amazed by the complexity of the story and of the characters.
But let's start from the beginning.
So, you know i was eager to put my hands on this baby since the moment i knew about it ( the many edits, i made before even reading it, can testify that) but it's nothing like i thought it would have been.
It's obviously HOT because Nyla K knows how to write steamy scene that gonna melt you: she describe everything in sucha vivid way, you can almost feel each touch....
It's less dark than i imagined but there are some heavy topics that she maneges masterfully.
Nyla created an amazing world with such unique characters - each of them caught my attention.
I'm not gonna tell you anything about the story because you need to go completely blind on this, but i can tell you this story is one you never read before.
Dash and Kemper are something else: their relationship is unbelieveble and it kills me not tell you every single thing about them 😭
I loved them so damn much, especially Kemper and his possessiveness.
The way he take care of Dash made me swoon 😍
And Dash, my baby Dascha, broke my heart 💔
Seriously trust me and give a chance to Distorted!!
January 20, 2024
"You can escape from just about anything. Anything but yourself."
Alabaster Penitentiary doesn't exist.
No one knows about it unless you need to know about it.
And that is only a select few.
Only the worst of the worst get sent there. There is no getting out. This is where you rot.
"This is where they send criminals they want to ensure never get out."
Dascha Reznikov finds himself right in the middle of Alabaster Penitentiary.
Prisoner #101.
The walls are crumbling. The guards don't have a leash. And the Warden is a mystery.
So when Officer Kemper starts taking an interest in Dash…
Things don’t always turn out the way you want them to.
And you never know who you truly are until you find out.
"Lines get blurred. When you're banished to a hellhole like this for the rest of your days, you kind of just focus on doing what ever you can to feel like you're still alive."
Legit I am so happy that I started this reread!! Nyla K. you absolute genius of darkness!! Now this review I hope won’t be too long because it is legit a book you have to read to experience!! Rereading it was so much fun because you get a new picture about everything and I could not stop giggling about those easter eggs I swear!! If you have not read this series yet, please check the TWs and if you have and are still interested then have fun because I cannot recommend it enough!!😈😈😈
"But I like it. I fucking hate that I like it, but I do."
First we have Dash. Dash will forever and ever have my heart. He is the person that started all of this and he is just ughhhh I'm obsessed. BTW his theme song will forever and always be "ice cream man" by YUNGBLUD it's just a fact thank you very much. I loved getting the insight into his head and what was going through it the whole experience. Because trust me it was an experience. Love love love.
"At the beginning of every interaction we have, I hate him. And then he does things that cross my wires. It's confusing as fuck."
And we have Kemper. Our big bad security guard. Who also has an equal part of my heart (not playing favorites with them). With Kemper it is a pitch black understanding in my opinion and we love that. It's a slay from me. I mean giving mini muffins is already a top tier action so bravo 👏👏
"I want Dascha Reznikov to be my broken toy, in all ways."
Now, Nyla K. makes the most exquisite playlists and I am not even exaggerating. These are the songs that I added that I feel fit the vibe 💜💜💜
(Link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Cx... )
🎵 "Prisoner" - Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa
🎵 "Rerun" - Honey Revenge
🎵 "BREATHING UNDERWATER" - Hot Milk
🎵 "Brooklyn Baby" - Lana Del Rey
🎵 "The Exit" - Conan Gray
🎵 "I Sent My Therapist To Therapy" - Alec Benjamin
🎵 "Nail In The Coffin" - TX2
🎵 "Last Resort (Reloaded)" - Papa Roach, Jeris Johnson
🎵 "GASOLINE" - Maneskin
🎵 "Drama Club" - Melanie Martinez
🎵 "Geppetto" - Jacquie
🎵 "You Belong With Me (Minor Key)" - Lydia the Bard, Ben Tomalin
🎵 "Somebody's Watching Me"- Rockwell
🎵 "Paranoid" - I Prevail
🎵 "Run Boy Run" - Woodkid
🎵 "Just Like A Pill" - P!nk
🎵 "BLURRY" - Neoni
🎵 "Calm Down Juliet (What A Drama Queen)" - SYCAMOUR
🎵 "Tattoo" - Loreen
🎵 "King For A Day" - Pierce The Veil, Kellin Quinn
🎵 "BABYDOLL (Speed)" - Ari Abdul
🎵 "Taste (Speed)" - Ari Abdul
🎵 "Breathe" - Mako
🎵 "Every Breath You Take" - Chase Holfelder
🎵 "Everything Black" - Unlike Pluto, Mike Taylor
🎵 "Candy" - Doja Cat
🎵 "Pretty Little Psycho" - TheExcorcist
🎵 "Lonely" - Noah Cyrus
🎵 "Hate Me" - Ellie Goulding, Juice WRLD
🎵 "Daddy Issues" - The Neighbourhood
🎵 "TRRST" - IC3PEAK, ZillaKami
🎵 "Victim" - Halflives
🎵 "Coma" - Taylor Acorn, Cassadee Pope
🎵 "Ocean Eyes" - American Avenue
🎵 "Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)" - P!nk
🎵 "greedy sped up" - Tate McRae
🎵 "needy" - Ariana Grande
🎵 "Hold Me While You Wait" - Lewis Capaldi
🎵 "Gilded Lily - Sped Up" - Cults
🎵 "Nightmares" - Ellise
🎵 "I Want You To Want Me" - Chase Holfelder
🎵 "Wanted" - Todrick Hall
🎵 "Boy In The Bubble" - Alec Benjamin
🎵 "Lyin' To Myself" - Todrick Hall
🎵 "Type" - Todrick Hall
🎵 "Color" - Todrick Hall, Jay Armstrong Johnson
🎵 "Fix You - Live" - Sam Smith
🎵 "Can You Feel My Heart" - MOTHICA
🎵 "Control" - Halsey
🎵 "Numb" - Linkin Park
🎵 "Electricity" - Ashley Jana
🎵 "THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND" - Bad Omens
🎵 "Devil Side" - Foxes
🎵 "Beauty" - Layto
🎵 "Movement" - Hozier
🎵 "Shivers" - Ed Sheeran
🎵 "Seven Nation Army" - Stevie Howie
🎵 "King Of My Heart" - Taylor Swift
🎵 "Not OK" - Robert Grace
🎵 "Locked Out Of Heaven" - Brothers Of Alien Rock
🎵 "Escapism - Sped Up" - RAYE, 070 Shake
🎵 "Killer" - Eminem, Jack Harlow, Cordae
🎵 "I'm Tired" - Labrinth, Zendaya
🎵 "All For Us" - Labrinth, Zendaya
🎵 "Misfits" - Magnolia Park, Taylor Acorn
🎵 "Bad Decisions" - BOBI ANDONOV
🎵 "Flawless" - The Neighbourhood
🎵 "I Want To" - Rosenfeld
🎵 "Hoodie" - Hey Violet
🎵 "THAT’S WHAT I WANT" - Lil Nas X
🎵 "Chokehold" - Sleep Token
🎵 "Smells Like Sex" - Sizzy Rocket
🎵 "You Found Me" - Our Last Night
🎵 "Because Of You" - Kelly Clarkson
🎵 "goosebumps" - Travis Scott
🎵 "Bad Things" - I Prevail
🎵 "Call Out My Name - Live" - The Weeknd
🎵 "Pretty In The Dark (Sped Up)" - Ashley Sienna, Ellise
🎵 "If I Can't Have You" - Shawn Mendes
🎵 "Walls Could Talk" - Halsey
🎵 "Animal" - Chase Holfelder
🎵 "Skin" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎵 "madhouse" - Nessa Barrett
🎵 "Criminal" - Britney Spears
🎵 "Cologne" - SM6
🎵 "Maps" - Maroon 5
🎵 "My Mom" - Eminem
🎵 "Sociopath" - StayLoose, Bryce Fox
🎵 "I'm A Mess" - Bebe Rexha
🎵 "Need To Know" - Doja Cat
🎵 "DANCING ALL ALONG" - Clinton Kane
🎵 "Anyone" - Demi Lovato
🎵 "Happier" - Marshmello, Bastille
🎵 "Somewhere Only We Know" - Keane
🎵 "I'm yours sped up" - Isabel LaRosa
🎵 "Lights Down Low" - MAX, gnash
🎵 "Until I Found You" - Stephen Sanchez
🎵 "Don't Threaten Me With a Good Time" - Panic! At The Disco
🎵 "Tourniquet" - Evanescence
🎵 "Lipstick" - Charlie Puth
🎵 "HONEY (ARE U COMING?)" - Maneskin
And BTW if I have said it once I have said it multiple times, Nyla K can write dirty talk like it's legit nobody's business…
"I think I could make you come much harder though."
"You like that, baby?"
"Don’t get up in your head, Dascha. Just let me do bad things to you."
Trust me there are SO MUCH more but I feel like I'll add it to the reason to read this book 😘😘
🧼 Tropes 🧼
🍦Dark Romance
🍦Prison Romance
🍦Prisoner x Guard Relationship
🍦Forbidden Romance
Book edit 🖤 - https://www.instagram.com/p/C1xHDuJrA...
Alabaster Penitentiary doesn't exist.
No one knows about it unless you need to know about it.
And that is only a select few.
Only the worst of the worst get sent there. There is no getting out. This is where you rot.
"This is where they send criminals they want to ensure never get out."
Dascha Reznikov finds himself right in the middle of Alabaster Penitentiary.
Prisoner #101.
The walls are crumbling. The guards don't have a leash. And the Warden is a mystery.
So when Officer Kemper starts taking an interest in Dash…
Things don’t always turn out the way you want them to.
And you never know who you truly are until you find out.
"Lines get blurred. When you're banished to a hellhole like this for the rest of your days, you kind of just focus on doing what ever you can to feel like you're still alive."
Legit I am so happy that I started this reread!! Nyla K. you absolute genius of darkness!! Now this review I hope won’t be too long because it is legit a book you have to read to experience!! Rereading it was so much fun because you get a new picture about everything and I could not stop giggling about those easter eggs I swear!! If you have not read this series yet, please check the TWs and if you have and are still interested then have fun because I cannot recommend it enough!!😈😈😈
"But I like it. I fucking hate that I like it, but I do."
First we have Dash. Dash will forever and ever have my heart. He is the person that started all of this and he is just ughhhh I'm obsessed. BTW his theme song will forever and always be "ice cream man" by YUNGBLUD it's just a fact thank you very much. I loved getting the insight into his head and what was going through it the whole experience. Because trust me it was an experience. Love love love.
"At the beginning of every interaction we have, I hate him. And then he does things that cross my wires. It's confusing as fuck."
And we have Kemper. Our big bad security guard. Who also has an equal part of my heart (not playing favorites with them). With Kemper it is a pitch black understanding in my opinion and we love that. It's a slay from me. I mean giving mini muffins is already a top tier action so bravo 👏👏
"I want Dascha Reznikov to be my broken toy, in all ways."
Now, Nyla K. makes the most exquisite playlists and I am not even exaggerating. These are the songs that I added that I feel fit the vibe 💜💜💜
(Link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Cx... )
🎵 "Prisoner" - Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa
🎵 "Rerun" - Honey Revenge
🎵 "BREATHING UNDERWATER" - Hot Milk
🎵 "Brooklyn Baby" - Lana Del Rey
🎵 "The Exit" - Conan Gray
🎵 "I Sent My Therapist To Therapy" - Alec Benjamin
🎵 "Nail In The Coffin" - TX2
🎵 "Last Resort (Reloaded)" - Papa Roach, Jeris Johnson
🎵 "GASOLINE" - Maneskin
🎵 "Drama Club" - Melanie Martinez
🎵 "Geppetto" - Jacquie
🎵 "You Belong With Me (Minor Key)" - Lydia the Bard, Ben Tomalin
🎵 "Somebody's Watching Me"- Rockwell
🎵 "Paranoid" - I Prevail
🎵 "Run Boy Run" - Woodkid
🎵 "Just Like A Pill" - P!nk
🎵 "BLURRY" - Neoni
🎵 "Calm Down Juliet (What A Drama Queen)" - SYCAMOUR
🎵 "Tattoo" - Loreen
🎵 "King For A Day" - Pierce The Veil, Kellin Quinn
🎵 "BABYDOLL (Speed)" - Ari Abdul
🎵 "Taste (Speed)" - Ari Abdul
🎵 "Breathe" - Mako
🎵 "Every Breath You Take" - Chase Holfelder
🎵 "Everything Black" - Unlike Pluto, Mike Taylor
🎵 "Candy" - Doja Cat
🎵 "Pretty Little Psycho" - TheExcorcist
🎵 "Lonely" - Noah Cyrus
🎵 "Hate Me" - Ellie Goulding, Juice WRLD
🎵 "Daddy Issues" - The Neighbourhood
🎵 "TRRST" - IC3PEAK, ZillaKami
🎵 "Victim" - Halflives
🎵 "Coma" - Taylor Acorn, Cassadee Pope
🎵 "Ocean Eyes" - American Avenue
🎵 "Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)" - P!nk
🎵 "greedy sped up" - Tate McRae
🎵 "needy" - Ariana Grande
🎵 "Hold Me While You Wait" - Lewis Capaldi
🎵 "Gilded Lily - Sped Up" - Cults
🎵 "Nightmares" - Ellise
🎵 "I Want You To Want Me" - Chase Holfelder
🎵 "Wanted" - Todrick Hall
🎵 "Boy In The Bubble" - Alec Benjamin
🎵 "Lyin' To Myself" - Todrick Hall
🎵 "Type" - Todrick Hall
🎵 "Color" - Todrick Hall, Jay Armstrong Johnson
🎵 "Fix You - Live" - Sam Smith
🎵 "Can You Feel My Heart" - MOTHICA
🎵 "Control" - Halsey
🎵 "Numb" - Linkin Park
🎵 "Electricity" - Ashley Jana
🎵 "THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND" - Bad Omens
🎵 "Devil Side" - Foxes
🎵 "Beauty" - Layto
🎵 "Movement" - Hozier
🎵 "Shivers" - Ed Sheeran
🎵 "Seven Nation Army" - Stevie Howie
🎵 "King Of My Heart" - Taylor Swift
🎵 "Not OK" - Robert Grace
🎵 "Locked Out Of Heaven" - Brothers Of Alien Rock
🎵 "Escapism - Sped Up" - RAYE, 070 Shake
🎵 "Killer" - Eminem, Jack Harlow, Cordae
🎵 "I'm Tired" - Labrinth, Zendaya
🎵 "All For Us" - Labrinth, Zendaya
🎵 "Misfits" - Magnolia Park, Taylor Acorn
🎵 "Bad Decisions" - BOBI ANDONOV
🎵 "Flawless" - The Neighbourhood
🎵 "I Want To" - Rosenfeld
🎵 "Hoodie" - Hey Violet
🎵 "THAT’S WHAT I WANT" - Lil Nas X
🎵 "Chokehold" - Sleep Token
🎵 "Smells Like Sex" - Sizzy Rocket
🎵 "You Found Me" - Our Last Night
🎵 "Because Of You" - Kelly Clarkson
🎵 "goosebumps" - Travis Scott
🎵 "Bad Things" - I Prevail
🎵 "Call Out My Name - Live" - The Weeknd
🎵 "Pretty In The Dark (Sped Up)" - Ashley Sienna, Ellise
🎵 "If I Can't Have You" - Shawn Mendes
🎵 "Walls Could Talk" - Halsey
🎵 "Animal" - Chase Holfelder
🎵 "Skin" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎵 "madhouse" - Nessa Barrett
🎵 "Criminal" - Britney Spears
🎵 "Cologne" - SM6
🎵 "Maps" - Maroon 5
🎵 "My Mom" - Eminem
🎵 "Sociopath" - StayLoose, Bryce Fox
🎵 "I'm A Mess" - Bebe Rexha
🎵 "Need To Know" - Doja Cat
🎵 "DANCING ALL ALONG" - Clinton Kane
🎵 "Anyone" - Demi Lovato
🎵 "Happier" - Marshmello, Bastille
🎵 "Somewhere Only We Know" - Keane
🎵 "I'm yours sped up" - Isabel LaRosa
🎵 "Lights Down Low" - MAX, gnash
🎵 "Until I Found You" - Stephen Sanchez
🎵 "Don't Threaten Me With a Good Time" - Panic! At The Disco
🎵 "Tourniquet" - Evanescence
🎵 "Lipstick" - Charlie Puth
🎵 "HONEY (ARE U COMING?)" - Maneskin
And BTW if I have said it once I have said it multiple times, Nyla K can write dirty talk like it's legit nobody's business…
"I think I could make you come much harder though."
"You like that, baby?"
"Don’t get up in your head, Dascha. Just let me do bad things to you."
Trust me there are SO MUCH more but I feel like I'll add it to the reason to read this book 😘😘
🧼 Tropes 🧼
🍦Dark Romance
🍦Prison Romance
🍦Prisoner x Guard Relationship
🍦Forbidden Romance
Book edit 🖤 - https://www.instagram.com/p/C1xHDuJrA...
March 18, 2021
Oh my, this book was everything, I can’t say too much with this one so I’m going to be extremely vague.
It’s is a M/M love story with a difference, it’s highly unique and is best read blind with no preconceptions.
It centres on Dash a bank robber who finds himself incarcerated in Alabaster Penitentiary after his last bank job went south.
It's a place that doesn’t exist and where your basically sent to rot, it’s where they send those they believe unredeemable and this is now Dash’s fate
Here he meets a certain Officer Kemper who challenges him to his very core making him re-access everything he thinks he knows about himself.
This story at times really isn’t pretty and portrays a real darkness and sense of despair that does then contrast so starkly with the friendships formed inside especially Luther.
There are no rules here and the guards basically run the show bestowing privileges for favours
and the whole place is an inhuman dive with only basic conditions.
This was very twisty and went places I just wasn’t expecting, It was very well written and Incredibly addictive a real page-turner that managed to completely blind-side me and that doesn’t happen very often let me tell you.
Just when you think you know where your at with this it then manages to turn everything topsy turvy and completely on its head and it’s all very ingeniously done I’m seriously impressed.
This left breadcrumbs for future stories set in this world and I am definitely on board for that.
If you're looking for a book that’s completely unique and different then this is the one for you.
It definitely stands out from the crowd just down to its complete individuality and I couldn’t put it down I was that transfixed with what was transpiring.
This is a read for all of you who like dark mind-fucks as that’s what this brings in spades I’m a tad shell-shocked from this one actually.
Totally recommend this one and it’s one I’m not likely to forget in a hurry either.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Distorted.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
May 29, 2022
"Maybe we’re two mangled, jagged pieces who could click together, despite all the fires burning around us."
Wow. Distorted was my first Nyla K. read and it sure as hell won't be my last!
Distorted is the first in the Alabaster Penitentiary series, and this is Dash and Kemper's story. Buckle in for a rough and twisted ride.
Alabaster Penitentiary is a place for 'special criminals' - they go in and they don't come out. The series essentially follows the dynamics of the prisoners, the guards and the support staff.
Forbidden relationships, high steam, twisted manipulative characters and dark romance are front and centre in this series, and I am HERE FOR IT.
I won’t give any specific TWs because the author has asked for no spoilers, but suffice it to say there are several, so proceed with caution if you have any concerns.
4 distorted, steamy stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow. Distorted was my first Nyla K. read and it sure as hell won't be my last!
Distorted is the first in the Alabaster Penitentiary series, and this is Dash and Kemper's story. Buckle in for a rough and twisted ride.
Alabaster Penitentiary is a place for 'special criminals' - they go in and they don't come out. The series essentially follows the dynamics of the prisoners, the guards and the support staff.
Forbidden relationships, high steam, twisted manipulative characters and dark romance are front and centre in this series, and I am HERE FOR IT.
I won’t give any specific TWs because the author has asked for no spoilers, but suffice it to say there are several, so proceed with caution if you have any concerns.
4 distorted, steamy stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 18, 2024
i ignored the author's note and posted a whole video describing what happens in this book: https://youtu.be/wg6VdEVnx8Y
(spoiler: it's not good)
(spoiler: it's not good)
March 26, 2021
First 75% was 4 stars for me, then the book was ruined, with the last 25% being a 1 star read. The twist was a total cop-out, lazy, and didn't even make sense. And yes, author, I "get it" and I'm still very disappointed. If you're going to write a dark book with fucked up characters and twisted love, commit to it. Don't chicken out with a "twist" that makes it all sunshine and rainbows and instalove sap fest romance that's not in the least believable. It introduced a major plot hole that wasn't explained in the author's note at the end where she tried to cover other plot holes but missed the biggest one. I saw all the twists coming a mile away, including the big one, except that I dismissed it because there were too many reasons it didn't make sense, yet that's still what she went with, then tells the reader they shouldn't be disappointed.
September 28, 2021
I understand why the author asks not to read any spoilers before starting and I didn’t. The first half was very entertaining and one heck of a roller coaster ride. I was very intrigued by the main character Dash but also the other inmates and guards. The author has laid a great foundation for the books to come.
The second half lost its momentum and was at times repetitive especially until I reached the last 15%. I figured out the twist early on but still I enjoyed the story. It’s definitely dark, hot and with a dash of suspense. I’m fairly certain I’m going to keep reading cause these flawed characters are mighty fascinating. Overall a good and entertaining story.
The second half lost its momentum and was at times repetitive especially until I reached the last 15%. I figured out the twist early on but still I enjoyed the story. It’s definitely dark, hot and with a dash of suspense. I’m fairly certain I’m going to keep reading cause these flawed characters are mighty fascinating. Overall a good and entertaining story.
June 8, 2022
tw: rape, cheating, torture
finally! a real four stars book i can stand by. this book was heaven and it was for me. so with that being said, i don't really care much about the criticisms against it. i mean they are valid and i can see their point but i'm turning a blind eye to it. for some funny reason, i thought this story was set in space and that was like one of the biggest deterrent of me not picking this up even though i already bought it for like ages ago. prison romances are soooo underrated. i don't get how this slice of romance is not booming everywhere. the filthy sex? the power play? the feeling of hopelessness? fucking delicious through and through. as for the twist, i can see people are being divided with it and i can say, based on my reading experience, it was executed properly. it was this slow burn twist that right off the bat it was there and you just need to be cautious and be attentive. if not, it will definitely get you. my biggest enemy here is no doubt the fucking length of this book. i'm in love with these characters and their story but i was ready to ask for them it wrap it up at like 70%. it feels like these two books jammed in one. and lastly, fuck the dub-con term. our main character was raped into submission.
"Tell me you want me to come deep in your pussy, baby."
"Say it, Dascha," he growls, and I purr when he hits that damn fucking spot, basically living on it.
"Come deep in my pussy, Officer."
finally! a real four stars book i can stand by. this book was heaven and it was for me. so with that being said, i don't really care much about the criticisms against it. i mean they are valid and i can see their point but i'm turning a blind eye to it. for some funny reason, i thought this story was set in space and that was like one of the biggest deterrent of me not picking this up even though i already bought it for like ages ago. prison romances are soooo underrated. i don't get how this slice of romance is not booming everywhere. the filthy sex? the power play? the feeling of hopelessness? fucking delicious through and through. as for the twist, i can see people are being divided with it and i can say, based on my reading experience, it was executed properly. it was this slow burn twist that right off the bat it was there and you just need to be cautious and be attentive. if not, it will definitely get you. my biggest enemy here is no doubt the fucking length of this book. i'm in love with these characters and their story but i was ready to ask for them it wrap it up at like 70%. it feels like these two books jammed in one. and lastly, fuck the dub-con term. our main character was raped into submission.
September 19, 2025
Mind blown. I freaking loved this.
I hated this book.
I loved this book.
I hated this book.
I loved this book.
I hated this book.
I loved this book.
I loved this book.
I've written an entire diatribe about my feelings for this book. I will not share them. Read this at your own peril. What happens in this book, stays in this book.
One rule, we don't talk about this book.
This must have been a monster for the author to write. Being in that place for the reader is daunting enough, I can't imagine what it was like writing about it.
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯☄️🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
*After reading the rest of the series, I love that they all explain most of what actually happened.
I'm glad I stayed on for the ride. Very inventive, creative writing.
I hated this book.
I loved this book.
I hated this book.
I loved this book.
I hated this book.
I loved this book.
I loved this book.
I've written an entire diatribe about my feelings for this book. I will not share them. Read this at your own peril. What happens in this book, stays in this book.
One rule, we don't talk about this book.
This must have been a monster for the author to write. Being in that place for the reader is daunting enough, I can't imagine what it was like writing about it.
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯☄️🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
*After reading the rest of the series, I love that they all explain most of what actually happened.
I'm glad I stayed on for the ride. Very inventive, creative writing.
August 24, 2025
dnf @ 260 The fact the I gave for the fans 6 stars
to DNFING because this is straight up grape?!? this is not CNC, it’s grape. this isn’t taboo, he gets sexually assaulted multiple times. BUHHHBYEEEE —
i’m gonna take the time to insert this: I should have read the TW, i normally don’t becuase normally I don’t see grape as as TW between the main characters. I will say, it wasn’t just the grape the put me off tho. the writing style is way different then the other book I read from her. (for the fans) I’ve read books where there is some sort of SA, (god of malice) and while I don’t condone it, the books have some sort of emotional depth to them. This book did not, They had no chemistry what so ever, The man was obsessed with dash from the second he saw him, he never gave him a choice of wanting to he with him. If he did something he didn’t like he got punished, did he end up liking it after the fact and midway sure but there was one specific moment the solidified my DNFing He literally said “please don’t” please stop” and then eventually said “please don’t hurt me” this man is the type of man the gets aroused from intense emotional moments wether he wants it or not. This felt a little like stockholm syndrome. This man keeps getting sent to solitary the first day 12 days of no food barely any water so of course he’s going to seek out some human connection? He also literally does not get the basic necessities, toothbrush, soap, boxers, the food is moldy so again of course he’s is going to seek out someone who is providing that.. so no it’s not love to me. Not even close. Anyways, my fault for not checking TW, i probably would have read it anyways because again it’s not really just the grape, but the book as a whole was not LOVE and I couldn’t see it as love. anyways wanted to put my thought about there.
Not me looking up the twist and now I'm sooo happy I DNFd cuz whatttt a stupid twist that doesn't even make sense ? You literally have dual POV. Now I'm laughing LOL
to DNFING because this is straight up grape?!? this is not CNC, it’s grape. this isn’t taboo, he gets sexually assaulted multiple times. BUHHHBYEEEE —
i’m gonna take the time to insert this: I should have read the TW, i normally don’t becuase normally I don’t see grape as as TW between the main characters. I will say, it wasn’t just the grape the put me off tho. the writing style is way different then the other book I read from her. (for the fans) I’ve read books where there is some sort of SA, (god of malice) and while I don’t condone it, the books have some sort of emotional depth to them. This book did not, They had no chemistry what so ever, The man was obsessed with dash from the second he saw him, he never gave him a choice of wanting to he with him. If he did something he didn’t like he got punished, did he end up liking it after the fact and midway sure but there was one specific moment the solidified my DNFing He literally said “please don’t” please stop” and then eventually said “please don’t hurt me” this man is the type of man the gets aroused from intense emotional moments wether he wants it or not. This felt a little like stockholm syndrome. This man keeps getting sent to solitary the first day 12 days of no food barely any water so of course he’s going to seek out some human connection? He also literally does not get the basic necessities, toothbrush, soap, boxers, the food is moldy so again of course he’s is going to seek out someone who is providing that.. so no it’s not love to me. Not even close. Anyways, my fault for not checking TW, i probably would have read it anyways because again it’s not really just the grape, but the book as a whole was not LOVE and I couldn’t see it as love. anyways wanted to put my thought about there.
Not me looking up the twist and now I'm sooo happy I DNFd cuz whatttt a stupid twist that doesn't even make sense ? You literally have dual POV. Now I'm laughing LOL
August 19, 2023
Errrmmmm..... I feel like the 'plot twist' actually ruined the book. It makes the book feel like two completely separate stories with different characters that have been stuck together with about as much structural integrity as a chocolate teapot, and it just didn't work for me.
The plot twist was ridiculously obvious from maybe chapter two? so I don't really understand why the author is so adamant about not posting or reading spoilers because it's hardly a groundbreaking or revolutionary concept, especially if you read a lot!
I preferred the book before the plot twist, even with the grey areas, and I didn't personally find it all that dark in content - but that's not to say other readers will feel the same. The book after the plot twist was too unbelievable for me. I'd rate the book before the plot twist a 4 easily, maybe even a 4.5, but the book after the plot twist is a 2 and I struggled to want to finish reading.
Currently undecided if I want to continue with the rest of the series (even though I love completing series!) because I don't want to waste my time again getting attached to characters and their story, just for it all to become
The plot twist was ridiculously obvious from maybe chapter two? so I don't really understand why the author is so adamant about not posting or reading spoilers because it's hardly a groundbreaking or revolutionary concept, especially if you read a lot!
I preferred the book before the plot twist, even with the grey areas, and I didn't personally find it all that dark in content - but that's not to say other readers will feel the same. The book after the plot twist was too unbelievable for me. I'd rate the book before the plot twist a 4 easily, maybe even a 4.5, but the book after the plot twist is a 2 and I struggled to want to finish reading.
Currently undecided if I want to continue with the rest of the series (even though I love completing series!) because I don't want to waste my time again getting attached to characters and their story, just for it all to become
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2021
Ha. Ha. Ha. If I read a spoiler in any of y'all's reviews, Y'ALL DONE. Ha. Ha. Ha. Bitches wish they could write a twist like that. Nyla has people thinking "oh no soooo much sex where is this going what is happening..." and then she drops the twist. BAM. Yas. GET. IT.
This isn't indie romance, bitches. This is on another level
This isn't indie romance, bitches. This is on another level
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