Lords of Mercy

Royals of Forsyth University #3

by Angel Lawson, Samantha Rue

I came back to Forsyth and agreed to be their Lady for two reasons: protection and revenge.

I put up with the abuse, the degradation, the humiliation, and bided my time. I wanted vengeance and I took it. The Lords give as good as they get and the consequences were fierce, but there’s one truth when it comes to Killian, Dimitri and Tristian.

They keep what’s theirs.

They wanted to break me, but instead, they molded me into their perfect weakness. They fought for me. Bled for me. Championed for me. I was put through the gauntlet and came out stronger. I earned the title of Lady.

Then they became my weakness.

I agreed to sleep under their roof, but on my terms. No more rules, no more punishments, no cameras or dress codes or sneaking into my bedroom. In return, I'll give them a chance to earn the title of Lord.

Building trust takes time, but with all the threats nipping at our heels, that’s a luxury we don't have. We have to rely on one another despite our complicated pasts—to find a murderer, a stalker, and a traitor.

This new life of pain, wrath, and mercy is a confusing maze of twists and turns. Fortunately for us, there will always be one fixed constant, guiding us home:

The Royal we.

WARNING: This book is a DARK/BULLY romance. It contains graphic content that some readers may be particularly sensitive to. If you have triggers or are even remotely unsure, please heed the note at the beginning of this book.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Why Choose, Enemies To Lovers, College, Contemporary

538 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2021

Reviews

[⚔Irunía⚔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book series is a tableau of depravity simmered to sublime perfection.

A fascinating sight of brutal force's seamless flow to a feather-soft touch.

An absurd tale of grime's purifying force and logic's unconditional surrender in the face of human passions...

of Pain leading to catharsis;
of Mercy's deceptive softness;
of wRath's covert vulnerability;
of Story's wielding power.

This particular work reminded me of why the opposite of beauty enthralls human nature.

But before I sink further to the dangerous waters of flowery language, emotional exclamations and ostentatious rapture, let me state a simple fact: The Royals of Forsyth University is a masterpiece of reverse harem romance . A masterpiece unmatched.

Moreover, I (a strong advocate of monogamous relationship) am willing to duel with (s)words to argue my case.



✨4 WORDS✨

SORDID

Not only did I have no idea what propelled the authors to include voyeurism, somnophilia, Story n Killian's fully embracing and welcoming their stepsibling bond...

My voice feels like it’s dropped three octaves as I run the head of my cock over her tongue. “You like my cum, little sister?”

I also couldn’t see why they had insisted on writing in the most annoyingly voluptuous, erotic and natural manner possible. 🥵

I rarely come across a book in which kinks are being added not merely for the shock value or to pay tribute to the mainstream trends in romance but rather fit perfectly the characters' personalities, forming a part of their individuality.


SPECIAL


Payne Killian
Mercer Tristian
Rathbone Dimitri
Austin Story
will forever hold a special place in my heart.

The vicious insufferable trio of sick and demented guys grew a special bond with their girl — ✨emotional, physical, spiritual✨— the kind of bond that made my eyes throb from the pressure of forcing back the tears of jealousy. I've never seen a smoother transition from a toxic, depraved, sick relationship to the dynamics that honed love, protectiveness and understanding.

The guys and Story functioned like a well-oiled machine, each of them playing an integral part in each other's lives. Unique co-dependence that relied heavily on their mutual trust, affection and devotion. Apart from forming the perfect whole, they shared distinctive inner dynamics, secrets, routines. Story and Rath. Story and Killian. Story and Tristian. 🙏🏻


SENSUAL


Any other intimate scene I've ever had the opportunity to see or read or witness 🌚 pales in comparison to the crème de la crème erotica presented in this book.

It’s quiet and over-warm, the three of us standing in some fucked-up, erotic triangle, thigh-deep in the bubbling hot tub, as we breathe too loud, eager for our own turn.

I wish I could say the scene in which Story had Killian, Tristian and Dimitri lined up on the edge of the tab in front of her and then played candy cock with them under their watchful, transfixed gazes isn't forever ingrained in my memory...

Rath watches her with parted lips, his wet hair hanging in his eyes as he flexes his hips. Story takes the tip between her lips, and looks up, holding his gaze as she sinks down.

but I can't.

If Tristian Mercer weren't so irrevocably caught up in Story, he could easily make a career out of sex refereeing: 💦

I can tell from the crazed, almost violent sharpness in his eyes that he wants nothing more than to pummel right into her.
But the second he curls close, looming over us like a horny, sex-crazed giant, I swat his hand away from his cock. “Start slow,” I explain at his outraged expression, shamelessly grabbing his dick and guiding it to her entrance. “She’s probably still sensitive. Jesus, dude, look at her. You’d be fucking her like a rag doll.”

The impact sent tremors through my body. What can I say? The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. 💦

Tris slides over, cupping a palm against the back of her head. “Come on, sweetheart. Show your big brother how deep you can take it.” He pushes her down, but I can feel that he doesn’t need to, that she’s driving it into the back of her throat under her own will, fingertips pressing divots into my thighs.

Mr. Mercer, I have a business proposal for you —

Tristian is the one to ease me off, thumbing a tear track from her cheek when I free her. “That’s my girl.” His encouragement propels her to suck and lick my head, sending shivers down my spine. Tristian strokes his cock slowly, not in any rush as he looks up at Rath, “Come over here and touch her tits. Keep her warm.”

The way all of them concentrated their undivided attention on Story? With no M/M or OW drama in sight (that would have tainted the story), this book gives off the only vibe that matters — the vibe of three guys' worshipping their girl like a queen. 💦


SWEET

Sometimes I watch you, and I can’t blink. Can’t swallow. Can’t breathe. I’m too busy wondering what it’d be like.”
Her eyes fly up to mine, wide and stunned. “What it’d be like?”
“If you loved me back.”

The third book made the depravity — objectification, mistreating, abuse and punishment galore of the first two installments — acquire a rich aftertaste of sweet, spicy candies. 💦🥵

“I love you,” I repeat softly. It’s not a question, but whispered devotion. It gives me what I need to finish the letter, swooping the final stinging curve, because maybe she doesn’t need it, but I do. “Do you have any idea how much?”

I have stumbled upon a few reviewers who were upset over the lack of darkness in the last book... in the light of the above, I have only one question for them: haven't you had enough of Story's suffering? Let the girl breathe, you savage brutes. 👹

I’ve been claimed before, with knives and trackers and bruises and marks. But never gently, proudly, formally.

One might hate, despise, or complain about the sweet turn this book has taken, but no one can hold it responsible for the bad execution or the lack of premise of behaviour change that ensued in guys.

Dimitri has this way of looking at me that makes it feel as though the whole world is falling away, darkening at the corners until my awareness is teetering on the point of his pupils

Killian, Dimitri and Tristian's obsession with Story didn't waver. It merely expanded and evolved in a natural way that didn't detract any authenticity from their demented personalities but rather emphasized the fact that Story had an iron grip on their minds, bodies and souls. Each guy honed his obsession like a weapon, learning to control it, and I was there for it. 🥵

FEEBLE DOWNSIDES

— no smut book has the right to be that lengthy (at some point I found myself skimming despite the general love I harbor for this story and its characters);

— it addled and wrecked my mind that the fleeing, passing thought with regard to the stalker's identity — the thought I didn't give any serious pondering (tbh) — proved to be true. Each subsequent book of the series seems to have been raising the stakes when it came to providing the sheer absurdism. 🤡
The stalker's plotline has been a cross-cutting theme throughout the series, thus the allotted time dedicated to their identity's revelation was unjustifiably short. The rapid wrap-up detracted from the surprise factor;

— everything besides romance, character and relationship development (such as world-building, secondary characters) have been glossed over. The "royals" of the university never once attended classes on those pages or took part in any remotely normal uni activities. 🤡💦 I wish I were them.

OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD

— physical intimacy: 100/5 💦
— character development: personal growth w/o a personality transplant 5/5 🛐
— characters: vivacious, distinctive, authentic, with easily distinguishable voices and flaws, vivid reactions and feelings, seemingly ready to leap off the page at any given moment 5/5
— humour 3.5/5
— TRISTIAN MERCER 10000000000/5

(the baby is Killian's, I just feel it in my gut🤡🤡)

Lords of Pain#1 — 4.5 stars

Lords of Wrath#2—3.5 stars

Lords of Mercy#3—original 4 stars + 1 extra star to atone for my harsh rating of the previous book

[Mareeva · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 reluctant stars

I regret telling everyone this might be a 5 star read BECAUSE I JINXED MYSELF, like the stupid bitch I am.

▶ Wow, the authors really stepped up their game with this last book. Each hero had such a distinctive personality. Obsessive and psychotically lovable in completely different ways.

▶ The character development took me by surprise. I'm a lil embarrassed to look some of ya'll in the eyes after writing those long ass rants bashing the heroes (esp Killian). Because now I'm-


▶ Extra appreciation for Tristian. Whom I previously called -and I quote- "The least relevant one"🤡 If I could spit in my own face, trust me I would.

"I’m not like the others. They would have let you go before. But me?” There’s a spark of dread in his eyes that I’m alarmed to see. “I would have followed you. I would have been your next Ted, only I would have been worse. Do you know why?” He answers his own question as he slides my skirt over my hips, bunching it around my waist. “Because I know you want me back. I would have tracked you every fucking hour. It’s insanity. I don’t like it.”

▶ I'm quietly side-eyeing the authors for writing one of the horniest books I've ever read💀. This has INSANELY hot smut.
I always uninstall the books after finishing them because a hoe has no storage, BUT THIS ONE, this one I'm keeping. So on my extra lonely days (which are every day) I shall come back and reread those masterful sex scenes.

So a separate rating for the smut: 15/5 stars

▶ Let's not dwell on how much I loved the way Killian and Story kept calling each other "little sister" and "big brother" 🙈

“I want you to come inside me, big brother.”

▶ Story is getting crazier and crazier with each book. Go unhinged sis, we love to see it.

“I have been wondering, though. Does he still fuck like a robot? More interested in how he looks than how it feels?” She drops close, whispering in my ear, “He looks anywhere but at you when he comes, doesn’t he?”
My hand snaps up and clenches around her throat, my sharp nails pressing into her flesh.
“Ah!” she gasps, hands flying up. “Let go—”
“Not until you understand something, bitch.” Sneering, I slam her back into the wall

Let's be honest😌 we've all been waiting for Story to beat the crap out of some of these rats.

▶ So many unexpectedly comedic moments between the four?

“What’s up?”
Rath says, “Nothing,” but I jab a thumb at him, cutting in.
“He’s going to jack off into your sister’s panties.”
Killian gives Rath a long, unreadable look. If I’m expecting support for any kind of intervention, then I’m highly disappointed, because Killer just nods, saying, “Send me a picture,” and then walks away.

▶ The reveal of who Ted is had me on my ass laughing. Just as I was about to think that all the ridiculousness of the series toned down, the plot twist happens and I'm 🤡.

The way I actually texted Tanaz saying "Hmmmm I feel like Ted is a woman.....what if it's the mom? *contemplative silence* NAAAAAAH"

It genuinely felt like such a stupid thing to say that I never even considered it again LKSKSKSKS. I love this thing called irony.

▶ As for my reason to lower the rating from 5 to 3.5 stars...the honour for that descision goes to the ONE HUNDRED FUCKING PAGE EPILOGUE. What in the hell was that?? Those were the most useless, boring and underwhelming chapters ever.

Story gets pregnant and we are taken through the entire journey: how they buy a house, how they go to ultrasounds, how the boys become her sappy baby daddies like wtf???

When I see 100 more pages of a book that seemingly came to an end, I expect some more crazy shit to happen. I don't care about their happy living😐😐😐 does this look like a face of a person who enjoys other people's happiness?

AND WE NEVER EVEN FIND OUT WHO THE FATHER IS. I know they had a very healthy, self-righteous thing going where they are all the fathers, but once again...do I LOOK like a bitch who cares? I wonna know who the biological dad is.

It's safe to say this book could've easily gone with 200 fewer pages.

Lords of Pain (1) - 2 stars
Lords of Wraths (2) - 4 stars
Lords of Mercy (3) - 3.5 stars
Dukes of Ruin (4) - 4 stars
Dukes of Madness (5) - 4.5 stars
TBR the rest when released

[Namera [The Literary Invertebrate] · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually don't even know where to start my review for this book, so I'm going to do something a little different this time.

Before that, though, I want to note (with astonishment) that I've now given every book in a series 5 stars for the first time since I started reviewing, over three years ago. Generally I hoard my 5-star ratings the way people hoarded toilet paper at the start of the pandemic. So when I say that I've enjoyed this series more than I ever thought possible, and that I can't believe I gave this rating to every installment, you know I 100% mean it.

That isn't to say this book is perfect. It isn't. To get the few negatives out of the way first:

❌ The stalker element has always been the weakest part of each plot. It generally gets suspended in the first half of each book in favour of relationship development, then suddenly reappears at the 50% mark (or later) to spice up the action. It's poorly integrated overall, and the revelation of the stalker's identity - while done better than in the Madison Kate series - has left me feeling like there are a lot of plot holes to this revelation.

❌ To enjoy this series you do need a lot of suspension of disbelief. Like, a lot. I can handle a reasonable amount, but here I began to tip over the edge, because it felt like I was being left with a lot more questions than answers regarding the whole 'Royalty' system. Like, why is it so tied to the university, when we don't even see the students attending classes anymore? How come LDZ is a frat (and admittedly what I know about frats could fit on a postage stamp) but we almost never see the boys interacting with their frat brothers, or initiating new pledges, or whatever?

❌ Tragically, the 'Game' subplot which looked so promising in book one has completely fizzled out. The Game has never actually been explained at all despite purporting to be the motivation behind many characters' actions. What do you win? How do you play, where do you get points? Who's keeping track of the score? Killian, Tristian and Dimitri became the Lords because they won a Game - but that seems to have been an internal game within LDZ rather than between the frats. How were the next Lords picked after them? Where are the old Lords? Etc. These are all things I've wanted to know since the first book.

This is less of a full-fledged point, but I'd have liked to know a bit more about Dimitri's history. We get quite a bit on Killian and Tristian, yet Dimitri's background is currently still a collection of random facts which haven't coalesced. Like, where's the brother he mentioned? His mum?

That's broadly it, though. Now we can get to the good stuff. But instead of reviewing just this book in its specifics, I'm going to generalise everything I love about the series and turn them into principles.

✔️ Character, character, character. If I had to pick ONE thing which has made this series a keeper for me, it's the amount of care lavished on character development. Story, Killian, Tristian and Dimitri are all individual personalities with idiosyncratic reactions to the given situation. I normally hate reading multiple POV, even more where it's male POV, but I like it here because they all sound (and are) distinct from each other. But it's more than just distinguishing voices. The four of them are subjected to actual character development. The people we meet in book one have evolved by book three - not in an unrealistic way, not in a way that leaves me thinking they've had personality transplants. But organically.

✔️ Linked to the above point: nothing is rushed on the relationship front, either. Each member of the harem is allowed to have their own connection with Story which develops in its own time. Sure, sometimes those connections overlap (in orgiastic ways), but the different pacing adds authenticity to the relationship.

✔️ There's a real emotional connection between the boys. I've often read RH books which leave me wondering why the hell the heroes would ever agree to share the heroine. It didn't feel right to me. Not so here: we're shown (note, NOT TOLD) how much the boys care for each other independently of Story, in a way which makes it more natural they could agree to share her. On a personal level too I'm really glad there's no M/M, since I prefer the focus to be on the heroine. I sometimes struggle with M/M in harems because of the fire test: essentially, if a hero has a choice between saving the heroine from a fire or saving another hero, I want to be confident he'd pick the heroine. If I don't have that confidence, I generally won't feel the romance.

✔️ The proportions of everything are just right. I felt this in book two in particular. It was a real Goldilocks book, and the series overall is the same.

Firstly: the romance ACTUALLY does get dark. I've lost count of the number of authors' notes I've read telling me I'm getting a 'dark' book, simply because it features a touch of violence or a mean hero. Yet this series was never so dark I despaired of the romance, or wanted the heroine to find better men.

Next: Story is vengeful, truly vengeful in a way we rarely see, but not so vengeful that I was screaming at her in worry she'd destroy the relationship. It's pulled back just at the right moment - and that's an insanely difficult balance to strike.

Third: the characters can be occasionally self-destructive or mildly stupid, but never so much it infuriates the reader. No lines are crossed. Everything remains relatable.

✔️ And now here's a little list of personal preferences which have made me love this series. No OW drama, ever. No M/M, as I've said. Ultra-jealous and possessive heroes, with kinks including exhibitionism and somnophilia. Dubious consent. Sexual-harassment style bullying. A manipulative heroine with a core of steel yet knows when to bend. Manipulative heroes who are brought to their knees. An extended epilogue which is PERFECTION. Actual perfection, after three books of nonstop drama this epilogue was exactly what the doctor ordered. Honestly, it's like this series was written just for me.

I don't think I have anything left to say, apart from the fact that I read this book as slowly as possible. I bloody luxuriated in it. Also, props to the authors for avoiding so many stupid romance clichés, including (but not limited to) the use of 'best friend as sequel bait' I've seen so much. Though we do meet the next trilogy's heroine in this book, she wasn't treated merely as sequel bait. We get fed a crumb of information JUST large enough that I'm already dying for the next book. I'm also a little terrified, because my expectations are going to be sky-high and it'll be tough to meet them. But if any authors can pull it off, it's the duo who have already produced this fabulous series.

Okay, I'm gushing, I'm really going to shut up now...

[Matilda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the cute, bro moments between the heroes, especially when they would eat each other’s cum out of the heroine. The worst parts were when they would stop 😔💔



book 1 review
book 2 review

[bookaddict lass (kate) · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word -=- HOT🥵💦😺🔥
I don't even know what to say THE HOTTEST SEX SCENES ever, the guys were so caring, possessive and obsessed with her I cannot help feeling jealous😅
With reverse harem trope it's difficult for me to believe/feel love between a h and multiple men and you don't come back from the things the guys did in previous books but weirdly it worked and I got what I expect from romance🤷‍♀️

[Grace Btrs · Rating 1 out of 5]

I honestly don’t even have it in me to write a proper review for a book this bad.
We’re talking 1% plot, 99% completely unnecessary sex, with barely any character development happening whatsoever.

Started skimming at 48%
DNFed at 68%

I genuinely don’t know what I was doing here… but it’s time to lock the door on this one, and never, ever open it again.

--
Pre-read:
So, I'm a glutton for humiliation and bullying this week, but I have to finish this 🥹

[Valkyrie ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Over the years, we’ve weaved together the pain of love, the wrath of loss, and the mercy of forgiveness. This is what it means to love something more than yourself, and this is what we’ve created with it. Our own little Kingdom.”

Holy cheese balls, this is how you end a series! May I get an Hallelujah, please? 🙌🏻

This series is so raw and real and ugly, you can’t help but fall prey to its intensity and rare vulnerability. It’s depraved, the epitome of toxic love but it works because it doesn’t try to be anything but what it is. I could feel the feminism leaving my body as I read and I’m not even mad about it.

That being said, when I tell you I’m obsessed it doesn’t even begin to cover what I’m feeling for these characters right now. I’d fucking kill for these assholes, that’s how bad these book got me. And how clever were those titles all tied up with the Lords' names and the last paragraph of the series? That's the kind of quality content I find excellent in a book.

The sex scenes were filthy and raw and full of gut-clenching emotions. I had to stop reading and just stare at a wall for a while in more than one occasion. The uh, “breeding” kink was another nice surprise. I’m not gonna lie, that was unexpectedly hot.



Usually male characters in romance novels are more of a idolized fantasy created by women than anything resembling any real men. In this case though, the Lords acted, sounded and thought very close to real men. And it was fascinating in a very twisted way, considering how toxic these characters are. But that's ✨men✨ for y'all.

“But the best part of her, by far, is that she’s awake for what happens next.”



Fuck. Fuck. Is it ridiculous that I cried when Killian said this? But his character development and how his relationship with Story bloomed and changed into something so soft and intimate after all the aggression and hostility was the best kind of addiction.

I’ve been obsessed with this psycho since the first book, and it amazes me to see how far Killer had gone by the end of the story. I think that’s why these book are so addictive, the characters and relationships evolve so flawlessly, it’s impossible to stop reading.

The idea of both Killian and Story getting off the taboo of being stepbrother and stepsister is a kink I didn’t know I was into and I can’t explain it but my god, it was done so well…

“Sometimes you’re so real, it fucking hurts to look at you.”



I felt so stupidly emotional over this asshole. Dimitri was amazing in this book. The fact that he sought profesional help with his reading issues made my heart feel so warm it was ridiculous. And when he read to [redacted to avoid spoilers] I have to admit I ugly cried.

“She makes me want to make her feel good. She makes me want to give her everything. I don’t want to burn her down.
I want to burn with her, high and bright.”

*sighs in horny* Tristrian is so dreamy. Don’t get me wrong, he has control issues and he has the filthiest mouth and he’s into vougerism and exhibitionism, but the way he knew how to take care of Story was swoon inducing. And the reason why he takes such extreme good care of himself broke my heart a little bit.

Ms. Crane was such a gift, I loved every one of the insults she processed to the Lords.

Even though “nothing gay” happened, the level of intimacy and comfort between the guys was so hot. They touched each other and shared more fluids than any straight guy should be comfortable with. And I’m apparently super into that…



Loved how the three of them got an S on their chest and when Story got a Daisy tattooed on the scar of her wrist… I’m such a sap, I got so emotional.

Overall this was such a wiiiiiiiild ride. It got ugly at times but the good parts were so good… This series just made me feel so many things and that’s exactly what I’m looking for when I pick up a book.

[Meredith is a hot mess · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.45 stars. Full review to come.


Random notes

-I've accepted what happened with Rath
-Love what the authors did with Killian
-Amazing characterization
-The humour was great
-Some of the best written smut I've ever read
-The stalker subplot with Ted has never been my favorite, but I actually liked it here and was 100% interested in it while reading
-I like how long each book in this series is. I appreciate how this book was the longest. However, this is pretty long and I skimmed a tiny bit towards the end (like when they're all settled and together).
-Yet the HEA was somehow perfect? I somehow bought into it? I cried my eyes out and I never do that shit when reading HEAs.
-I'm concerned the nickname for the h in the next book, "little bird," will be overused.


****

Can't wait for October <3

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This trilogy owned me! And the Dukes? I cannot freaking wait!

[Aplis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm just kinda sad that this series is done. Don't get me wrong..I can't wait for the Lavinia's story with the Dukes but it feels like I lost something. 4 months ago, I picked up Lords of Pain thinking I would hate it because of my issues with dub-con but not only did it change my whole view point on the same, it feels like the end of something. Ugh. This sucks..I'm actually getting teary now.

The guys couldn't get better than this after the ending of book 2. They follow all of Story's rules and let's her set the pace of their relationships. There was lesser drama here compared to the other books, but so much more relationship building scenes. It almost felt like this book was making up for what the last two books lacked in fully consensual relationship scenes. It still has a tinge of darkness but with how everyone grew to learn, change and accept each other..the darkness disappeared. However, I'm NOT complaining! I loved every page of how the guys treated Story. And yes, Killian got me going gaga for him throughout this book. And let's not forget that this book is extra CHUNKY..which is also why I took my time savoring it.

The stalker reveal was surprising and I'm glad to see that it was someone we knew because let's not talk about the disappointing stalker reveal that happened in the Madison Kate series after Tate James built the suspense throughout 4 books🤦🏾‍♀️. But also at the same time the stalker and their story felt non explosive here. It's almost like this huge crazy entity that's been looming throughout this series ends up being just mehhh-ish. The extended epilogue was a little too sweet. I know that sounds weird, but I was all prepared to not get an epilogue..and then the authors managed to write a HUGE ASS epilogue. But at the same time..it was okay. Maybe a little too happy and trivial for this series??! Yes, this series made me appreciate the darkness. Sue me.

And on another note, I can't wait for the next series. Pretty Nick seems like an interesting choice for a male lead especially with what he was "supposed" to do towards the end of Lords of Wrath. And Sy? Really??! Why him?!!! I was hoping to see Killian punch that guy whenever he showed up in this book! And the tattoo artist, Remy..his dialogues sounded different! Okay.. damnnn I'm excited!

[Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ ilikebooksbest.com ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best of the three books, but the trilogy was too long in general!



The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 🤎🖤💜💚❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: ☺️🥲😚🥰

The heroine: Story Austin - she is the “Lady” to the Lords of Forsyth University. Traditionally being the Lady means the girl will basically do anything the Lords want her to. She has basically signed away her free will for the time that she is the Lady. Though now, Story has enacted her own demands. She has agreed to stay the Lady, and live with the three Lords, but under her own terms. Which means no more punishments, no more cameras in her room, no more stepbrother coming into her room each night and watching her sleep. Sex has to be on her terms when she is ready and willing.

The Heroes: Killian “Killer” Payne, Tristian Mercer, and Dimitri “Rath” Rathbone - They are the Lords of Forsyth University, they are powerful and manipulative.
Killian - He is the stepbrother of Story and is the QB of the football team at Forsyth. He likes to spend his nights in Story’s room, taking advantage of her in her sleep.
Tristan - He is a tan, blond, blue-eyed hunk of a man who shows a charming façade to the world, while inside he is able to plan and scheme with the best. He likes to know what Story is doing at all times, watching her through video feeds, making sure she is always safe and taking care of her.
Rath - He is a music major, who was humiliated by Story in a revenge plot, he is also dark and broody, ruled by his emotions. He is also dangerous and calculating. He can be sweet and gentle one minute and devious the next. He loves to manipulate, and he gave up something to rescue Story from a bad situation.

The Story: Story and the guys have gotten to the bottom of some of their problems, especially those with her stepfather who turned out to basically be a human trafficker, but they still don’t know who Ted, her stalker really is. I liked all these characters quite a bit in the two previous books, though I was hoping the guys would stop bullying Story and that all of them would start working as a team a lot earlier in this trilogy. This book was the one where they all came together so I was excited to get to this point in the story. Though it didn’t start right away in this book either, they were already moving that way.

I do like the way that Story had these three guys chomping at the bit with her new rules and terms. They were roaming the house like caged beasts, while they were waiting for her to be ready to let them back in. Just the thought of these three tough guys who at one point just wanted to use her, now were basically going crazy waiting for her to give them a bit of attention is so awesome. I loved the way she took back her power!

“You use your body every day to get ahead, be it out on the field, or over in South Side, muscling your way around, showing off your tattoos, trying to look so big and tough. But you—all three of you—look down your noses the second a woman tries to do it.” Shaking her head, she gives a low, humorless laugh. “God, you’re all unbearable hypocrites.”

I hated the fact that the Lords and their Lady were still under the thumb of the Kings, especially Killian’s father Daniel who was about the biggest piece of trash and someone I would never want to meet in a dark alley. Though I have to admit, it did make things interesting for a good part of the book.

There were a few differences in this book than in the last few. For one, the guys called Story “little sister” quite a lot, since she was Killian’s stepsister. They didn’t do that nearly as much in the first two books, and I am not sure I liked that as a nickname. Also, this book was much funnier than the other two. I swear I was highlighting so many funny passages, I had to stop myself. I liked that the guys were so protective of Story, but also that she was a badass on her own as well.

Though I did like this book the best of the three, I think the total trilogy was just a bit too much for me and I was ready to be done with the story of these individuals. The first book was 350+ pages, the second was over 400 and this one was well over 500 pages. That is just too much for me. I found myself taking my time with this one and doing other things in between like watching television, which is unusual for me when reading a book. It totally wasn’t because this one didn’t have great storylines, just my overall boredom with the characters. I don’t think I want to start in on the next set of characters for a while. Though I do want to eventually see what happens between Pretty Nick and Lavinia Lucia.

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[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

*audiobook

I still don't like Story as a heroine, but there are some funny and sweet moments in this third book that warranted 1 more star on my rating.

I also think Story's mother deserved better...

She was just a woman with BIG dreams, and I support her. I wish she had gotten away with her crimes. God knows all these other assholes have gotten away with much worse...

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is incredible. The growth of the characters. The smutty, descriptive sex scenes. The attention to detail.

[Neelakshi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

ooooooof here we are.

Teamwork makes the dream work

oh the team work done in this book was *chefs kiss*



Things i liked in this one:

* Honestly after this book i feel like *I* can now tell the difference between their cocks lmao.

* The way every guy had their own thing to put on the table.

* The smut. (i will be coming back for that and that)

* The fight between Story and the countess bitch.

* The ........ brotherly love between..... ummm everyone?

* Story getting involved more in their own shit and this bitch actually using that brain when she had to face her mother at the end.

* Killian grew on me here. Took the bitch two fucking books to marinate and actually come thru. And beech we love to see it.

* Rath stays superior tho.

* Tristian was PRESENT. The scene where he instructed Killian....



* The understanding between the guys.

* Ms Crane. That was one bitch.

* The crazy ass streak Story went on. We LOVE to see it. Good for you. She gradually went crazier with every book. Good to see.

* Them eating out each other's cum out of her pussy....


family bonding


Things that DID NOT sit right with me:

* Bruh as much as i am very fine with brother sister thing........ the little sister and big brother thing went off the rails here lmao.

* I'm more like an OBGYN telling him it's okay to rail his little sister even with a bun in her oven "Fuck her, daddy" I tell him "Give mama exactly what she needs"




* The one hundred page epilogue. It was cute but bitch was unnnnnecessary.

(Lowkey wanted to know who was the father but okay)

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely my least favorite of all three. I just got really bored with the same thing happening over and over. The whole Ted thing 🤦‍♀️ I swear I was waiting for another person to pop out and admit to stalking her.

Also don’t get me wrong I like spice in my books but personally I got bored really fast the the amount of spice in this book. Especially because it was the same three scenes over and over.

I’ll probably continue reading this series but not after a break.

[mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The four of us have absolutely ruined each other for anyone else

⚠️TW: drug use, pyromania, murder, somnophilia, assault

Too much cum in this book that I honestly can't think about anything else👌🏽

Forget about an idiot sandwich, how would you feel if you're a sandwich between three very generous men who make sure to take care of you very well?

You’d like that, wouldn’t you, sweetheart? Taking all of us at the same time? I bet you could handle it. All three of us making love to our sweet, nasty little slut

...Can’t wait to come down your throat as you take their loads. Then you’ll really be ours, won’t you? We’re going to pump you so full of our cum...

🍆🍆🍆​💦​

Is it very obvious how much I enjoyed this book? It was top tier smut. I got everything I wanted and more.

The relationship was developed between the harem, there was an understanding between one another that everyone is an equal so there is no more jealousy, only more sharing and taking turns. Character wise everyone grew, especially the main trio. I liked seeing how vulnerable they got with Story especially since everyone had their walls up for a period of time.

I gave it 4 stars because I didn't like how long the book was, I loved to see the mess they made with each other but it was too draggy that I was skimming through parts of the book. It was also predictable as to who Ted aka Story's stalker was because the book only had so many characters to choose from.

I will not be continuing this series because I felt that this book was a good conclusion to Story and the harem's chapter. I am satisfied with this ending and I'm not curious about the Dukes, I didn't care about the other frats and their monkeys so I'm just going to move on.

I have this feeling I'm going to dream really well tonight 👌🏽😏

The Royals of Forsyth University Series ratings
Lords of Pain
Lords of Wrath

[mira · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

“It’s not the ride or the drugs that make me feel it.
It’s the girl.”

my fav book is still book 1 but this was good too. i think i just got fed up with the plot because i didn't know what was happening and i couldn't care less, i just wanted the smut.

SMUT WAS GOOD. I MEAN WOAH we love our kinky guys. do i wish killer wasn't restricted.... yes... i miss him being rough af...

tristian surprised me big time. this book featured him so well and i'm glad because he felt so unseen in book 2. rath is the opposite he was more background here than in book 2. only my baby killer was featured in all books (bc he's the main bitch ehhehe)

anyway very sloppy review but listen i'm forever gonna think about chapter 20 <3

[Jessica ❥Chatterbooks Book Blog❥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect finale! Rtc

[dahlia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not going to lie - this series and inclusive of this book is just pure fun. 🤪 4.5 stars

Our girl suffers in books 1 & 2 and now it's time for her day in the sun with her boyz. 🌼

The Ted reveal was surprising and nicely done. Didn't expect it.💅

Story and the boys grow a lot in this. Killian owns up to his feelings, Tristian's maturity and understanding are in another league. Dimitry was taking a break after he did the heavy lifting last book, haha, but he grew too.💖

Ooh the sexy scenes were off the CHARTS 👨‍🚒

The epilogue (2 years down) was sweet and a nice way to bring it to closure but leave things open as I assume some plot threads will still contain the Lords. 💫💫

Why not 5 stars 🌟
Wanted more of a faceoff with Daniel and Ted, but idk...it was what it was. Same with all-powerful Mercers - expected a huge beatdown. I think the Countess throwdown was nicely executed.

I wanted the boys to be true Kings and change up the game, but I didn't really see that, idk if that's coming up in future books.


Other fun details: 🌝

there were some random plot threads, like Yolanda (who/what?!)which didn't get resolved, but i guess this will come up in the upcoming books.

Other randoms like Pretty nick, lavinia, Lionel Lucia - they'll be addressed in the next set of books .

[vee]

tristian being killian & story’s sex referee coach was lowkey cute coz of how clueless kill was



🧚‍♀️ these boys’ colorful personality showed more here, & the diff relationships they had w/ the girl? im all for it

🧚‍♀️ ive always liked rath but kill’s kinda growing on me with his & story’s childish bro sis feud

🧚‍♀️ tristan & the heroine tho.. didnt hate em didnt love em. still liked em better here than the other 2 books

🧚‍♀️ overall coulda been 200 pgs shorter (cut those endless smut a notch) but still the best outta the series

[Soph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just too fucking longggg

[nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read 27/02/24: I tried to stay away from this series as much as I could. Spoiler alert...I couldn't.

Re-read 08/12/23: Story' pregnancy = Me GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE

Re-read 14/11/23: These dudes are fucking infuriating. God knows I wouldn't have put up with their shit as much as Story did. I'd rather take my chances with my stalker lol. But I still love them. So what does that say about me? (prolly that i'm fucked in the head lmao😭💀)

Re-read 16/09/23: 5⭐️
They make me mad. They make me sad. They make me happy. They make me horny. Pretty accurate description of the Lords hehe. Also the reason why LoM deserves 5 fucking stars in my eyes? Only and only for the last few chapters (though the entire book was chef's kiss). There's just something so heart melting and soft about seeing some of the most fucked up men change and become absolute teddy bears with their S/O and child. Pregnancy + a HEA will never not hit for me🥰

Re-read 04/08/23: 5⭐️
I will never understand how I've grown to love these men despite all the horrible things they did to Story. I guess that speaks volumes about how good Samgel are at writing a redemption arc. Like, I'm literally a whore for Killian, Tristian and Dimitri. I will most def be re-reading the Dukes trilogy again, no matter how painful it's gonna be - I'm a sucker for it ig. It's gonna hurt like a mf bitch to read about Remy in DoM but I guess I'll just skip that particular chapter ifykyk. Also, I was reminded of how much I despised Sy while I was reading this - kinda ironic that he ends up being my favorite Duke, no?

Re-read 04/06/23: 5⭐️
I didn't re-read LoP and LoW because honestly, I'm not strong enough to go through that pain ALL OVER AGAIN. But LoM? Goddamn, this was a sweet ride and I enjoyed reading it for the second time around. The bond and love between these 4 is so strong in the last and final installment in the Lords trilogy, that it somehow even makes up for all the hurt, pain and the ugly beginning. Also, the last couple of chapters? Story's pregnancy and her giving birth? Yep, those were the things that actually solidified my opinion and made this into a 5 star read. For some reason that baffles me a lot, I will never understand my addiction/obsession with the Royals of FU world. Like, it's SO wrong. And so toxic. And pretty much abuse ig. But I still like it. When I probably would have DNFed this shit had it been written by any other authors. Maybe I enjoyed this series because it's written Samgel. That's the only probable explanation/justification in my head as to why I would even put up with all of this shit when irl, I wouldn't tolerate an ounce of the disrespect and humiliation in these books and would probably end up murdering all the guys lmao. So worth it for the end tho. This series was the beginning of me testing my limits in the dark romance genre and I'm so glad I gave it a chance!

[brenda byes-justin · Rating 1 out of 5]

To long

Almost gave up. This book was so long with so many useless chapters. I’m happy is over. This first book was so good.

[MadameD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have been better.

Story 3/5
Narration 4/5
Lords of Mercy by Samantha Rue and Angel Lawson ends the Lords series.
There are too many inconsistencies in this series. The characters development is lacking, the plot is almost nonexistent, but certain steamy scenes were good.
Good Bully to Lover Reversed Harem Romance, are rare. This series isn’t a good one, in my humble opinion.

[Sakshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Lidia's Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond 5 Stars

Song: I Hold You, by CLANN

This was SPELLBINDING. I did not expect to be swept away by it the way I was. Why? Because I had some issues with book 1. But books 2 & 3 KNOCKED ME ON MY ASS. The writing was fucking incredible. Killian, Tristian, Dimitri, and Story kept me captivated. It's amazing how I went from hating these three men to being utterly mesmerized by them. In book 1, I wondered: "Which one of the three do I hate the most?"

By book 3, I was asking myself:
"Which one am I taking home?!"

This was a difficult choice to make.

Good thing I didn't really have to choose, because Story got to keep all three. Lucky bitch. Bit by bit, and in their own time, these men revealed their souls to me, and won me over. Their character development felt organic. Each one of them so complex in their own very distinct way. I could try to describe them but I'm afraid I wouldn't do them justice. And Story was my kind of heroine. She had this sense of vulnerability I found both relatable and appealing. But she was also a kick-ass Lady. It was no wonder she brought three Lords to their knees.

Like I mentioned in my review of book 1, I had to suspend my disbelief in order to continue reading these books. In some ways it felt more like a fantasy, but I didn't care. I was completely immersed in the story. Despite all the dark themes, I loved it. It was dark, dirty, sexy, and depraved. I was riveted. This was more than just a story I enjoyed, it was an experience.

The sex scenes...My God, how do I even begin to describe these sex scenes. They were INCENDIARY. This hit all my kinks and made me discover some new ones along the way. Almost had me running to the nearest confessional--Jesus, forgive me for I have sinned.

The books weren't completely flawless but all in all, they were the perfect escape. The story now one of my favorite romances. I loved the HEA. Three hot men and a baby and I was all blissed out.

*****MUST BE READ IN ORDER*****
Books #1-3: Story Austin, Killian Payne, Tristian Mercer, Dimitri Rathbone.

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️



This is the finale book for the lords!!! Idk if they’ll be in future books with other frats.. who knows.. there is a lot to unpack in this book idk if I needed it to be 500+pages.. but that’s me lol.

This picks up we’re book 2 left off only few weeks went by and story is back with her guys.. she took everything Tristian, Dimitri and Killian gave and she learned and gave back, now she’s out for revenge with her guys. Trying to learn who Ted is trying to find out more info and being a lady is still what she’s learning.. we see more of a softer side of the 3 lords.. not super soft just like 6% softer lol they still jerks but to others lol. They are still trying to make up for the stuff they put Story through and keep her safe.
I love that all 3 guys grew from book 1.. Killian grew alot from the asshole he was which was a shock since the shit he pulled.. they all took responsibility for what they did.. I also like that they marked themselves for story.

We find out more secrets, death, and more drama when Ted was unmasked.. I’ll be honest I figured it out with the clues.. we also get a peek of the next frat.. and idk if I’ll read yet.. that sneak was ALOT OF DUB!!!

Low angst, no ow/om drama, no cheating, drama, sexy times, no virgins

Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶🌶


MF MFM MFMM
Sharing
Knife play
No condom
Sharing
Anal play/sex
Mentions of human trafficking
Drugs
Violence
Hea
Epilogue

[purlpur · Rating 4 out of 5]

відгук до усієї трилогії лордів 👑
гарний представник темних буллі романів. цікаві та різні персонажі. люблю, коли спочатку гг готові один одного повбивати, жорстоко мститися, але потім це переростає у пристрасть та любов 🌚

сюжет більше про відносини головної четвірки, трохи перепалок з іншими братствами. і тільки на задньому плані, десь там сюжет про сталкера. він зʼявляється під кінець кожної книги, шоб шось учудити та нагадати, шо він існує 😏
з фінального антагоніста хотілось сміятись. я рада, що мене здивували, на цього персонажа я точно не думала, але його мотивація та плани по завоюванню світу кумедні 😅

ух, а гаряче як на 4/5🌶️
найспекотніша третя книга. сцени в джакузі та після бійки просто мьод 🫠 проте і перші дві книги добіса смачненькі 🤤

окрема увага міс крейн, це просто перлина серед другорядних персонажів. жіночка 🔥

а взагалі мінус в трилогії є. вона завелика, деякі глави одна вода. можна багацько викинути і нічого не зміниться. було б ідеально, якби це була дилогія👌

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you'd told me in the middle of book 2 that I would come to find the 3 H's in this book sweet and total simps for Story I would have laughed at you. I gotta say, well done to these authors for not only creating 3 really hot psychopaths but for making their character progression feel real and not like a complete 180.

I did pick who Ted was early on but I still enjoyed the story a lot.

My one complaint with these books is that they are pretty damn long and could have had a lot of stuff cut to shorten them a bit BUT in saying that I read them didn't I and couldn't stop so maybe don't listen to me.

I also did send up a small prayer for Story's vagina because dear lord she's gotta be tired and just...leaking fluids everywhere.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

THINGS I NEEEED IN THIS BOOK/ PREDICTIONS
- Story gets a tattoo. Either a coverup of KTR or a griffin..?
- A Smexy scene with all four of them.... we all know Tristian likes that ass, and Rath loves to watch, take a guess where Killian is :P
- A Daniel and Ted match up, since they both want revenge on our Lords?
- Rath getting his music career back..? or maybe he only plays for Story now.... ?

THE REVIEW!!!!!!
Well, half of my predictions were correct!