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I am the dark notes of a song,
The shadows at your back,
The tears that fall from your eyes,
The cool touch of the blade at your throat,
The hot, burning bullet that pierces your skull.
I am the writer of this story,
I am the guide. The Director.
I have led the pieces to their place on the board.
In this arena, the game of life, I am the Master.
And yet, I am nothing.
I have always believed I was nothing.
One with no past. No memory.
Nothing. Just nothing.
And yet, I have all the power. I have all the control.
I am the one who chooses who lives and who dies.
I know how it will all end, because everything has fallen into place,
Just as I planned.
I realize now what I have been all along. This whole time...
...
I am death.
__
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻!
𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬, 𝘢𝘨𝘦-𝘨𝘢𝘱, 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴.
**𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝘋𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴, 18+.
The shadows at your back,
The tears that fall from your eyes,
The cool touch of the blade at your throat,
The hot, burning bullet that pierces your skull.
I am the writer of this story,
I am the guide. The Director.
I have led the pieces to their place on the board.
In this arena, the game of life, I am the Master.
And yet, I am nothing.
I have always believed I was nothing.
One with no past. No memory.
Nothing. Just nothing.
And yet, I have all the power. I have all the control.
I am the one who chooses who lives and who dies.
I know how it will all end, because everything has fallen into place,
Just as I planned.
I realize now what I have been all along. This whole time...
...
I am death.
__
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻!
𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬, 𝘢𝘨𝘦-𝘨𝘢𝘱, 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴.
**𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝘋𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴, 18+.
Kindle Edition
Published March 7, 2022
About the author
Dylan Page
10 books758 followersWhen Dylan was younger, she always had an aspiration to tell stories. But before she even knew how to write, she would draw them out. Her mother always encouraged her, and bought her piles of blank notebooks for her to draw out the stories she imagined in her head. Her dad encouraged her to use her words instead. Over the years, he pushed her into writing clubs and bought her notebooks so she could fill them with endless short stories.
Thanks to her parents and years of working alongside alpha a**holes at an Oil and Gas company, she’s now ready to tackle those alpha bastards her mind keeps conjuring up.
When Dylan isn’t busy writing, or spending time with her two boys, she likes to play guitar, piano, and paint. Mind you she’s not good at it, but she likes it nonetheless!
Thanks to her parents and years of working alongside alpha a**holes at an Oil and Gas company, she’s now ready to tackle those alpha bastards her mind keeps conjuring up.
When Dylan isn’t busy writing, or spending time with her two boys, she likes to play guitar, piano, and paint. Mind you she’s not good at it, but she likes it nonetheless!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
May 4, 2022
2+1 farewell stars. This book lost me the moment the hero's bearded, rapist ass lost every chess game he played with the heroine.
As a sapiosexual, I could hardly recover from the image of a dude losing a chess game over and over again to a teenage girl and then proceeding to rape her. Again and again. Where's the thrill in that? 🙄
And before you accuse me of my outrageous sexism, misogyny and ageism, I have to ask you whether you truly want a man incapable of identifying the patterns, analyzing his mistakes and changing his tactics accordingly by your side? 😌 It's so uninspiring when an older man, besides, well... being old (38 year-olds, respectfully don't come at me), and a rapist, and a murderer, is also not very bright. I can forgive the hero for anything short of lack of a brilliant mind. And charisma. Hating the hero is one thing, feeling embarrassed on his behalf?
U-n-a-c-c-e-p-t-a-b-l-e
{CAN'T STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CHESS GAME, I'M GONNA TRACE EVERY SINGLE SHORTCOMING THIS BOOK HAS BACK TO THAT SCENE, run while you still can}
It was most certainly embarrassing, though, how many pages the author dedicated to describing how exactly the heroine handed the hero's dumb ass to him over that chessboard. If I were Jeremy, I'd shoot myself. But then the book would be over a bit too soon. Oh, the tragedy. Shakespeare doesn't hold a candle.
Anyway, coming from a girl that loves playing chess, I have no interest in reading about this:
And bla bla bla. Bruh.
What exactly were pages and pages of reciting the chess game moves supposed to accomplish here? Did they move the plot? No. Did they shed new light on these characters? Well, as much as moving the knight/queen/bishop on a chessboard could tell you about Nylah (h) and Jeremy (H). 😂
Nylah is a grandmaster? Good for her. There are other more exciting ways to make it clear that the heroine is not as dumb as a sack of potatoes that don't involve boring, monotonous descriptions of the chess game that neither move the plot nor add anything to the characters.
Okay, if you insist on Nylah being a grandmaster, just write: hi, my name is Nylah, and I'm a grandmaster. The day when I managed to put my outstanding talent to good use was also the day when my rapist lost numerous chess plays. Now when we have it established that he's not the brightest bulb, and, in all honesty, neither am I (you see, I am not afraid of angering the unstable guy who rapes me regularly and cries like a bitch in heat when I say no🥰... mommy or daddy issues, they say), let's get back to the plot, becausefish spoils fast it's liable to spoil. and get it over with already. One paragraph is more than enough.
I'd understand if the author gracefully sneaked in a couple of mildly sordid/sensual details, heated looks, or, at least, an accidental brush of their fingers but...
One question circled my mind like a vulture would circle a fresh corpse... what was this guy even thinking, playing chess with the girl he raped repeatedly not a couple of days ago?? Wasn't he supposed to be busy with some other, more urgent matters? Like, for instance, manipulating and gaslighting the shit outta this girl? Making her believe that being kidnapped and raped by him was the best thing to ever happen to her in this life? Coerce her into thinking that she wouldn't find another gentle and considerate rapist like him?
During the chess game, I was anticipating some kind of mind games and conversations while these two were genuinely only interested in civilly playing the game?? The fuck??? 🗿🤣🤣🤣🤣
{NO MORE HONORABLE CHESS GAME MENTIONS FROM NOW ON. PROMISE. 🤩}
Describing mundane things should serve a purpose in a book. Readers certainly don't need to know about every single interaction or uninspiring routine that takes place between the characters as long as instead of sparkling chemistry and a minor relationship/plot development it brings nothing to the table, but sheer boredom of watching two random people (we barely even know (character development where??) and thus sincerely don't care about) sleep, fuck, eat breakfast... simply because that's what people do?
And that comes from a person who reads overly descriptive classic books every month.
MAIN CHARACTERS
Both Nylah and Jeremy lacked the charisma that characters in captive romance need to make the story gripping. They had zero flavor and seasoning. Their characteristics? Interests?? Dreams??? Preferences???? 🥱 I don't recall anythingbesides Jeremy being a loser and Nylah a grandmaster. Ok, ok, I know I promised but.
I'm always the first one to come running and sniffing when I trace a whiff ofscandal rapist hero, big age gap and kidnapping in the book.
Yet, all those ingredients should come up with... spice? Special seasoning?? In other words, gentle care of the grey subject matter. Maddeningly sick appeal sprinkled with wit that makes a reader eagerly accept the dynamic between a morally gray guy and his masochistic, Stockholm syndrome patient, and watch in rapt fascination how their toxic relationship unfolds.
I never felt even a flicker of sympathy towards the heroine. My heart started losing its vibrant rhythm when I got to the first rape scene, my pulse slowing down of its own volition, preparing my body for a deep lethargy that I had to interrupt by taking a break from that god-awful book. 🥱
Instead of anger, fear, frustration sadness, sick excitement (anything would do), I felt painfully indifferent and detached. You know you're fucked when you read a rape scene and it doesn't get to you. 🥱
The guy certainly didn't live up to my fictional rapist standards.
This book was predictable in the way that even though I didn't know what exactly would happen (besides him keeping her locked and raped in the foreseeable future of course💘), I certainly knew that nothing that was about to unravel before my bored eyes would either surprise, scandalize or shock me.
But more importantly, This couple was too mediocre to sell me on all the "depravity".
I think the only thing I truly enjoyed about this book was the moment when Jeremy got pissed at Nylah for throwing away the lilies that he had left for her duringthe first stage of courtship his stalking phase. 😂 The girl was batshit scared that some creepy middle-aged biker man with dim intentions (sucks that giving her flowers wasn't the guy's endgame, doesn't it?) was stalking her barely legal self and leaving flowers on her car, while he seriously had no idea why she would reject his little token of affection. 🤣🤣🤣
Go kidnap and punish the capricious little bitch. 🔪
It's a shame though this endearing delusion and brain cells didn't come in pairs. Jeremy wasn't the brightest bulb. I guess stupid people deserve their HEA too. 🥲
THE SUBPLOT
There are numerous books with an average storyline that I immensely enjoyed (hello miss Lori). That's not about what you write, it's about how you write it.
Some authors manage to make the most memorable and adrenaline-inducing scene out of the mundane process of preparing a meal while others can't seem to keep a reader's attention riveted to the page with many plot twists, blood galore and physical violence.
The subplot, meaning the whole motorcycle club drama that Jeremy was involved in, was way more boring than the romance — if that's even possible. I bet my ass most of the readers skimmed the motorcycle club moments like crazy. And if you didn't, well, my congratulations! You have a lot of free time on your hands.
I think this author should stick to action that has everything to do with romance and is relevant to both main characters. I always applaud an elaborate plot, but it either comes with
1) the ability to suck a reader in with a non-romance storyline or
2) the conscious effort to wield the whole 'action' aspect of the story around both main characters so that plot-driving events suggest the active involvement of both main characters
As I've already said, the romance in this book lacked emotion and vivacity and couldn't make up for a boring plot. It was very dry and stale, with no visible chemistry or scenes that would explain why by the end of it those two couldn't live without each other. One day the guy rapes her and the next she's already kinda okay with it? Honestly, downplaying the trauma behind rape (we all know it can take years, and sometimes even years isn't enough, to overcome the traumatic experience, and while I'm not an advocate of an extremely realistic portrayal of that type of thing - here it's basically written like a rape fantasy - I think it's logical to postpone the moment when the heroine starts craving the advances of her rapist hero) defies the point of including the non-con element in your books. Since the purpose comes down to providing angst, creating a conflict/obstacle and exploring an abusive relationship.
Sometimes you read a book and you seem to forget that you're reading a book and those people are just characters. You are so absorbed in their thoughts and lives you hardly take notice of your surroundings, dissolving in the fictional world.
And then there's Mercy that can't even do a bare minimum and force me to fall for yet another fictional man who deserves jail. 🙄
All three books that I read after the Torment duet (that I cherish and love deeply) by this author are a major disappointment and don't even come close, quality-plot-character-emotion-wise, to this author's debut novel. Unless I see a very flattering review from any of my trusted Goodreads cronies, I'm taking a break from Dylan's books. For an indefinite period of time.
SPOILERS FOR TORMENT DUET AND UGLY CRYING AHEAD
Now let's get back to the things that really matter: what the fuck was Shay's (dead hero from The Torment duet) POV at the very end? I'm not sure writing down ghost's thoughts was a good idea.
For one, it sounds kinda weird. Please let the guy rot in peace, we could do without his soul watching and smirking down at people he never even cared about in the first place?
For two, when the guy was alive, he was a complete fucking psycho who cared about nothing but grooming the fuck out of his little stepsister. And now he suddenly cares about his real sister and her harem of lovers?? I guess death had a healing effect, the guy suddenly developed a conscience and stopped being an unfeeling psychopath who only wanted to control the life of his pure abused step-sissy and fuck her brains out, huh. 👉🏻👈🏻 Otherwise, why would my Shay waste his precious dead soul's time looking at irrelevant Casey, a harem of her personal fuck toys and KEENAN??? That sweet guy reminiscing about the past is not the Shay I remember.🗿🚬
I refuse to believe those cheesy thoughts, so uncharacteristic of him, came from his deliciously deranged mind.
If the author wanted to show character development, she should have tried it on Nylah and Jeremy because these two were bland as fuck.
Shay is dead. If you want to write his character development, it's already a bit too late. But, eh, do your worst, huh? Just don't expect readers to be sold on this bullshit.
The stupidity of the bonus chapter gave me whiplash. 🚬
As a sapiosexual, I could hardly recover from the image of a dude losing a chess game over and over again to a teenage girl and then proceeding to rape her. Again and again. Where's the thrill in that? 🙄
And before you accuse me of my outrageous sexism, misogyny and ageism, I have to ask you whether you truly want a man incapable of identifying the patterns, analyzing his mistakes and changing his tactics accordingly by your side? 😌 It's so uninspiring when an older man, besides, well... being old (38 year-olds, respectfully don't come at me), and a rapist, and a murderer, is also not very bright. I can forgive the hero for anything short of lack of a brilliant mind. And charisma. Hating the hero is one thing, feeling embarrassed on his behalf?
U-n-a-c-c-e-p-t-a-b-l-e
{CAN'T STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CHESS GAME, I'M GONNA TRACE EVERY SINGLE SHORTCOMING THIS BOOK HAS BACK TO THAT SCENE, run while you still can}
It was almost embarrassing how many times I beat him. I could see the confusion and building rage behind his dark eyes each time I handed his ass to him...
It was most certainly embarrassing, though, how many pages the author dedicated to describing how exactly the heroine handed the hero's dumb ass to him over that chessboard. If I were Jeremy, I'd shoot myself. But then the book would be over a bit too soon. Oh, the tragedy. Shakespeare doesn't hold a candle.
Anyway, coming from a girl that loves playing chess, I have no interest in reading about this:
I moved my knight to the space behind the second I’d pushed forward, another strong figure on the board, but moving him into harm’s way, and waited for him to take the bait. Jeremy saw it, and his bishop swooped in and stole it in a flash. Without hesitating, I let my Queen move forward and took him out, lining his bishop up on the side of the board.
And bla bla bla. Bruh.
What exactly were pages and pages of reciting the chess game moves supposed to accomplish here? Did they move the plot? No. Did they shed new light on these characters? Well, as much as moving the knight/queen/bishop on a chessboard could tell you about Nylah (h) and Jeremy (H). 😂
Nylah is a grandmaster? Good for her. There are other more exciting ways to make it clear that the heroine is not as dumb as a sack of potatoes that don't involve boring, monotonous descriptions of the chess game that neither move the plot nor add anything to the characters.
Okay, if you insist on Nylah being a grandmaster, just write: hi, my name is Nylah, and I'm a grandmaster. The day when I managed to put my outstanding talent to good use was also the day when my rapist lost numerous chess plays. Now when we have it established that he's not the brightest bulb, and, in all honesty, neither am I (you see, I am not afraid of angering the unstable guy who rapes me regularly and cries like a bitch in heat when I say no🥰... mommy or daddy issues, they say), let's get back to the plot, because
I'd understand if the author gracefully sneaked in a couple of mildly sordid/sensual details, heated looks, or, at least, an accidental brush of their fingers but...
One question circled my mind like a vulture would circle a fresh corpse... what was this guy even thinking, playing chess with the girl he raped repeatedly not a couple of days ago?? Wasn't he supposed to be busy with some other, more urgent matters? Like, for instance, manipulating and gaslighting the shit outta this girl? Making her believe that being kidnapped and raped by him was the best thing to ever happen to her in this life? Coerce her into thinking that she wouldn't find another gentle and considerate rapist like him?
During the chess game, I was anticipating some kind of mind games and conversations while these two were genuinely only interested in civilly playing the game?? The fuck??? 🗿🤣🤣🤣🤣
{NO MORE HONORABLE CHESS GAME MENTIONS FROM NOW ON. PROMISE. 🤩}
Describing mundane things should serve a purpose in a book. Readers certainly don't need to know about every single interaction or uninspiring routine that takes place between the characters as long as instead of sparkling chemistry and a minor relationship/plot development it brings nothing to the table, but sheer boredom of watching two random people (we barely even know (character development where??) and thus sincerely don't care about) sleep, fuck, eat breakfast... simply because that's what people do?
And that comes from a person who reads overly descriptive classic books every month.
MAIN CHARACTERS
Both Nylah and Jeremy lacked the charisma that characters in captive romance need to make the story gripping. They had zero flavor and seasoning. Their characteristics? Interests?? Dreams??? Preferences???? 🥱 I don't recall anything
I'm always the first one to come running and sniffing when I trace a whiff of
Yet, all those ingredients should come up with... spice? Special seasoning?? In other words, gentle care of the grey subject matter. Maddeningly sick appeal sprinkled with wit that makes a reader eagerly accept the dynamic between a morally gray guy and his masochistic, Stockholm syndrome patient, and watch in rapt fascination how their toxic relationship unfolds.
I never felt even a flicker of sympathy towards the heroine. My heart started losing its vibrant rhythm when I got to the first rape scene, my pulse slowing down of its own volition, preparing my body for a deep lethargy that I had to interrupt by taking a break from that god-awful book. 🥱
Instead of anger, fear, frustration sadness, sick excitement (anything would do), I felt painfully indifferent and detached. You know you're fucked when you read a rape scene and it doesn't get to you. 🥱
The guy certainly didn't live up to my fictional rapist standards.
This book was predictable in the way that even though I didn't know what exactly would happen (besides him keeping her locked and raped in the foreseeable future of course💘), I certainly knew that nothing that was about to unravel before my bored eyes would either surprise, scandalize or shock me.
But more importantly, This couple was too mediocre to sell me on all the "depravity".
I think the only thing I truly enjoyed about this book was the moment when Jeremy got pissed at Nylah for throwing away the lilies that he had left for her during
Go kidnap and punish the capricious little bitch. 🔪
It's a shame though this endearing delusion and brain cells didn't come in pairs. Jeremy wasn't the brightest bulb. I guess stupid people deserve their HEA too. 🥲
THE SUBPLOT
There are numerous books with an average storyline that I immensely enjoyed (hello miss Lori). That's not about what you write, it's about how you write it.
Some authors manage to make the most memorable and adrenaline-inducing scene out of the mundane process of preparing a meal while others can't seem to keep a reader's attention riveted to the page with many plot twists, blood galore and physical violence.
The subplot, meaning the whole motorcycle club drama that Jeremy was involved in, was way more boring than the romance — if that's even possible. I bet my ass most of the readers skimmed the motorcycle club moments like crazy. And if you didn't, well, my congratulations! You have a lot of free time on your hands.
I think this author should stick to action that has everything to do with romance and is relevant to both main characters. I always applaud an elaborate plot, but it either comes with
1) the ability to suck a reader in with a non-romance storyline or
2) the conscious effort to wield the whole 'action' aspect of the story around both main characters so that plot-driving events suggest the active involvement of both main characters
As I've already said, the romance in this book lacked emotion and vivacity and couldn't make up for a boring plot. It was very dry and stale, with no visible chemistry or scenes that would explain why by the end of it those two couldn't live without each other. One day the guy rapes her and the next she's already kinda okay with it? Honestly, downplaying the trauma behind rape (we all know it can take years, and sometimes even years isn't enough, to overcome the traumatic experience, and while I'm not an advocate of an extremely realistic portrayal of that type of thing - here it's basically written like a rape fantasy - I think it's logical to postpone the moment when the heroine starts craving the advances of her rapist hero) defies the point of including the non-con element in your books. Since the purpose comes down to providing angst, creating a conflict/obstacle and exploring an abusive relationship.
Sometimes you read a book and you seem to forget that you're reading a book and those people are just characters. You are so absorbed in their thoughts and lives you hardly take notice of your surroundings, dissolving in the fictional world.
And then there's Mercy that can't even do a bare minimum and force me to fall for yet another fictional man who deserves jail. 🙄
All three books that I read after the Torment duet (that I cherish and love deeply) by this author are a major disappointment and don't even come close, quality-plot-character-emotion-wise, to this author's debut novel. Unless I see a very flattering review from any of my trusted Goodreads cronies, I'm taking a break from Dylan's books. For an indefinite period of time.
SPOILERS FOR TORMENT DUET AND UGLY CRYING AHEAD
Now let's get back to the things that really matter: what the fuck was Shay's (dead hero from The Torment duet) POV at the very end? I'm not sure writing down ghost's thoughts was a good idea.
For one, it sounds kinda weird. Please let the guy rot in peace, we could do without his soul watching and smirking down at people he never even cared about in the first place?
For two, when the guy was alive, he was a complete fucking psycho who cared about nothing but grooming the fuck out of his little stepsister. And now he suddenly cares about his real sister and her harem of lovers?? I guess death had a healing effect, the guy suddenly developed a conscience and stopped being an unfeeling psychopath who only wanted to control the life of his pure abused step-sissy and fuck her brains out, huh. 👉🏻👈🏻 Otherwise, why would my Shay waste his precious dead soul's time looking at irrelevant Casey, a harem of her personal fuck toys and KEENAN??? That sweet guy reminiscing about the past is not the Shay I remember.🗿🚬
I refuse to believe those cheesy thoughts, so uncharacteristic of him, came from his deliciously deranged mind.
If the author wanted to show character development, she should have tried it on Nylah and Jeremy because these two were bland as fuck.
Shay is dead. If you want to write his character development, it's already a bit too late. But, eh, do your worst, huh? Just don't expect readers to be sold on this bullshit.
The stupidity of the bonus chapter gave me whiplash. 🚬
March 9, 2022
2.5 stars
I'm sad.
My reasons for being sad:
1️⃣ The story started out well. A solid captive romance with noncon scenes and the type of psycho-obsessive hero I love. The MC side plot did not intrigue me AT ALL just like in the previous book. At the last half I completely lost interest in the couple as well.
2️⃣ This either had some funky editing or weird episodes of bad writing. I'm betting on the former.
3️⃣ Hated the epilogue in Shay's POV. I just want him to be immortalised as he was and left alone.
I didn't consider the editing issues when settling on my final rating. The 2.5 is solely because the story lost me somewhere along the way.
I'm sad.
My reasons for being sad:
1️⃣ The story started out well. A solid captive romance with noncon scenes and the type of psycho-obsessive hero I love. The MC side plot did not intrigue me AT ALL just like in the previous book. At the last half I completely lost interest in the couple as well.
2️⃣ This either had some funky editing or weird episodes of bad writing. I'm betting on the former.
3️⃣ Hated the epilogue in Shay's POV. I just want him to be immortalised as he was and left alone.
I didn't consider the editing issues when settling on my final rating. The 2.5 is solely because the story lost me somewhere along the way.
March 9, 2022
i'm sorry, it pains me to do this but these characters were so boring 🤧 i couldn't tell you defining character traits besides the hero being a neanderthal who likes old music and the heroine loving the word 'dickhead'. i had to look up her name to even write this review and by the time i'm typing it my brain has forgotten it again
best moment:
after he'd kidnapped her, drugged her, raped her, he goes:
I peered down at her face, her eyes unseeing as they focused off on something over my shoulder. When I moved my face before hers, she didn’t react. I reached up and, with my thumbs, carefully pushed the corners of her mouth up, wanting to see her smile.
PLS THE AUDACITY 🤣🤣🤣 the way he genuinely didn't know why she was so traumatized jskuwbdki i was dead
overall tho, the best part of this was the non con. their entire relationship made no sense to me, whether it was supposed to be stockholm or real love the transition was not convincing
best moment:
after he'd kidnapped her, drugged her, raped her, he goes:
I peered down at her face, her eyes unseeing as they focused off on something over my shoulder. When I moved my face before hers, she didn’t react. I reached up and, with my thumbs, carefully pushed the corners of her mouth up, wanting to see her smile.
PLS THE AUDACITY 🤣🤣🤣 the way he genuinely didn't know why she was so traumatized jskuwbdki i was dead
overall tho, the best part of this was the non con. their entire relationship made no sense to me, whether it was supposed to be stockholm or real love the transition was not convincing
October 2, 2022
I only read Mercy 🥀 purely for the rape scenes. That’s all. ✨🥰
March 7, 2022
I DON'T WANT THIS SERIES TO BE OVER!! This is probably my favorite motorcycle club series ever. I love how rich the characters and setting is, and how sweet and nice the heroines are. Usually with MC Club romance, the heroines tend to be annoying to me (either too much of a pushover that accepts cheating manwhores or are cheating dumpster fires themselves).
The story continues now focusing on the psychotic torturer murderer for hire, Jeremy, and the innocent, sweet daughter of a policeman (and bestie of the previous book's heroine) Nylah. This story can be read as a standalone, although there is more emotional impact if you had read the previous ones (especially Torment). Jeremy fell in love at first sight with Nylah while scoping out performing a hit on her dad, and since then has been watching her. Nylah knows that the brooding hulk of a biker has been watching her, and it scares her when he leaves lilies for her on her car. Eventually, Jeremy gets pissed off Nylah keeps rejecting his flowers and decides to just kidnap her and keep her. He rapes her repeatedly, and so begins their messed up love story.
Let me say this upfront: I still feel that the first two books of this series, Torment, felt more rich and filled with flavor. Torment was an absolute masterpiece, the only thing being the ending was a downer. With this book, it had its moments, but I never was nearly as emotionally invested as with Torment. Also, the taboo of a psychotic badboy stepbrother grooming his sweet ballerina sister felt more scandalous and hot to me. That sounds weird considering this is a romance between a chainsaw-wielding serial killer maniac-for-hire that's 38 years old kidnapping a just turned 18 year old girl and raping her until she agrees to be his. But somehow Torment still felt more taboo.
First, our "hero," Jeremy. Jeremy is one messed up puppy. He does some pretty terrible things during the book, and gets away with it all. He kills for funsies, murders an innocent girl to replace Nylah's "dead body," carved his matching "brand" into Nylah, and of course kidnapped Nylah and unrepentingly raped her the entire book. It's quite chilling when he told Nylah to never tell him "no," although later on this subject was kind of dropped. Despite all of this, Shay in Torment felt like a more menacingly evil and inhuman man than Jeremy did. With Jeremy, he had many moments where he felt compassion for others, and his only moral compass was not just Nylah. With Shay, literally the only redeeming part about him was his love for Mina. The only thing he gave a shit about was Mina. With Jeremy, he would many times have more human empathy and do the right thing, even when Nylah didn't tell him to (example: not destroying the grave). I'll be honest - I'm a messed up reader. I preferred Shay's irredeemable evil. I felt like the Jeremy in the first half was great, the second half he mellowed too much. I see why he was written that way, in order to have a HEA, but I would've preferred he kept more of his menacing evilness. Just a personal preference. Also, complete aside: I was NOT expecting Jeremy to be a blonde. I always imagined him as being dark haired. Was jarring to read that description. I was thinking like a Jason Momoa looking guy.
Our heroine, Nylah. Nylah is sweet, kind, and naive. Yay for mixed heritage representation. I like these kinds of sweet heroines, although I must admit her character kind of fizzled out in the second half. I liked that balance of her being a nice girl, but also a fighter that was pissed off and wanted to find a way to escape Jeremy. But in the second half, she just gave up and didn't really fight him anymore, and didn't really think about her family and worry about them? It was kind of jarring. She also didn't really have as much trauma about the whole rape thing and branding thing as I would've expected. I felt like by the end, her character was a bit blander than it could have been. I didn't get much of a sense of who she was or what she truly liked. Compare with Mina, who literally was groomed her entire life by James and Shay to belong to Shay... yet she had more fight in her and resisted Shay a lot more! Nylah was even a policeman's daughter, but gave in to Stockholm syndrome with Jeremy really fast. At least she did try to escape, and was very good at reading Jeremy's moods and calming the beast in him. I still like her and think she's a sweetie. Just wish she had more spiciness to her.
The majority of this book is actually from the perspective of Jeremy. While I liked getting his inner thoughts, I think the book could have benefited from letting us see more of Nylah's thoughts and given her more personality and relatability. Jeremy could've been a more mysterious figure, as well. I would have also appreciated a bit more about how Nylah's family was coping, too - it was really weird how they got put on the backburner, then reunited, but hardly interacted with Nylah after. I would've imagined that they would've gotten overprotective of her and rightfully put her in therapy after her ordeal! Instead I guess she's just going to marry her 20 year older rapist captor.
As for the epilogue: I can't be the only one thinking real Shay would've been so mad he comes back just to kill Keenan, right? Lol no way my boy would be that chill.
Safety:
* HEA
* Heroine is a virgin, never done anything with anyone or been in a relationship.
* Hero is NOT a virgin, explicitly mentioned to be very experienced, had lots of sex with hookers and willing women as one night stands.
* A LOT OF RAPE AND NON-CON (heroine by the hero)
* No condoms, heroine on implant birth control.
* No OM or OW. Heroine never had anyone, hero stopped even looking at other women after the heroine.
*No epilogue in relation to the main couple.
The story continues now focusing on the psychotic torturer murderer for hire, Jeremy, and the innocent, sweet daughter of a policeman (and bestie of the previous book's heroine) Nylah. This story can be read as a standalone, although there is more emotional impact if you had read the previous ones (especially Torment). Jeremy fell in love at first sight with Nylah while scoping out performing a hit on her dad, and since then has been watching her. Nylah knows that the brooding hulk of a biker has been watching her, and it scares her when he leaves lilies for her on her car. Eventually, Jeremy gets pissed off Nylah keeps rejecting his flowers and decides to just kidnap her and keep her. He rapes her repeatedly, and so begins their messed up love story.
Let me say this upfront: I still feel that the first two books of this series, Torment, felt more rich and filled with flavor. Torment was an absolute masterpiece, the only thing being the ending was a downer. With this book, it had its moments, but I never was nearly as emotionally invested as with Torment. Also, the taboo of a psychotic badboy stepbrother grooming his sweet ballerina sister felt more scandalous and hot to me. That sounds weird considering this is a romance between a chainsaw-wielding serial killer maniac-for-hire that's 38 years old kidnapping a just turned 18 year old girl and raping her until she agrees to be his. But somehow Torment still felt more taboo.
First, our "hero," Jeremy. Jeremy is one messed up puppy. He does some pretty terrible things during the book, and gets away with it all. He kills for funsies, murders an innocent girl to replace Nylah's "dead body," carved his matching "brand" into Nylah, and of course kidnapped Nylah and unrepentingly raped her the entire book. It's quite chilling when he told Nylah to never tell him "no," although later on this subject was kind of dropped. Despite all of this, Shay in Torment felt like a more menacingly evil and inhuman man than Jeremy did. With Jeremy, he had many moments where he felt compassion for others, and his only moral compass was not just Nylah. With Shay, literally the only redeeming part about him was his love for Mina. The only thing he gave a shit about was Mina. With Jeremy, he would many times have more human empathy and do the right thing, even when Nylah didn't tell him to (example: not destroying the grave). I'll be honest - I'm a messed up reader. I preferred Shay's irredeemable evil. I felt like the Jeremy in the first half was great, the second half he mellowed too much. I see why he was written that way, in order to have a HEA, but I would've preferred he kept more of his menacing evilness. Just a personal preference. Also, complete aside: I was NOT expecting Jeremy to be a blonde. I always imagined him as being dark haired. Was jarring to read that description. I was thinking like a Jason Momoa looking guy.
Our heroine, Nylah. Nylah is sweet, kind, and naive. Yay for mixed heritage representation. I like these kinds of sweet heroines, although I must admit her character kind of fizzled out in the second half. I liked that balance of her being a nice girl, but also a fighter that was pissed off and wanted to find a way to escape Jeremy. But in the second half, she just gave up and didn't really fight him anymore, and didn't really think about her family and worry about them? It was kind of jarring. She also didn't really have as much trauma about the whole rape thing and branding thing as I would've expected. I felt like by the end, her character was a bit blander than it could have been. I didn't get much of a sense of who she was or what she truly liked. Compare with Mina, who literally was groomed her entire life by James and Shay to belong to Shay... yet she had more fight in her and resisted Shay a lot more! Nylah was even a policeman's daughter, but gave in to Stockholm syndrome with Jeremy really fast. At least she did try to escape, and was very good at reading Jeremy's moods and calming the beast in him. I still like her and think she's a sweetie. Just wish she had more spiciness to her.
The majority of this book is actually from the perspective of Jeremy. While I liked getting his inner thoughts, I think the book could have benefited from letting us see more of Nylah's thoughts and given her more personality and relatability. Jeremy could've been a more mysterious figure, as well. I would have also appreciated a bit more about how Nylah's family was coping, too - it was really weird how they got put on the backburner, then reunited, but hardly interacted with Nylah after. I would've imagined that they would've gotten overprotective of her and rightfully put her in therapy after her ordeal! Instead I guess she's just going to marry her 20 year older rapist captor.
As for the epilogue: I can't be the only one thinking real Shay would've been so mad he comes back just to kill Keenan, right? Lol no way my boy would be that chill.
Safety:
* HEA
* Heroine is a virgin, never done anything with anyone or been in a relationship.
* Hero is NOT a virgin, explicitly mentioned to be very experienced, had lots of sex with hookers and willing women as one night stands.
* A LOT OF RAPE AND NON-CON (heroine by the hero)
* No condoms, heroine on implant birth control.
* No OM or OW. Heroine never had anyone, hero stopped even looking at other women after the heroine.
*No epilogue in relation to the main couple.
March 4, 2022
Holy wow. It’s over and I’m really emotional about it. Been crying for the last 15 minutes. I would have been okay, but that bonus epilogue fucked me up bad. The most beautiful bittersweet ending—you couldn’t have done a better job, Dylan.
Jermey and Nylah. Man, what a pair. I loved them so much. I wanted more of them. Secretly hoping for a bonus scene some time down the road…
This was the perfect way to wrap up this series. I’ll probably be drowning in my tears for the next few days, but it was worth ever tear shed.
If you’re new to this series, you must read Torment part 1 & 2 and Ashes before reading Mercy.
Jermey and Nylah. Man, what a pair. I loved them so much. I wanted more of them. Secretly hoping for a bonus scene some time down the road…
This was the perfect way to wrap up this series. I’ll probably be drowning in my tears for the next few days, but it was worth ever tear shed.
If you’re new to this series, you must read Torment part 1 & 2 and Ashes before reading Mercy.
March 9, 2022
3-Stars
honestly one of the reasons I’m giving this book. A higher rating is for nostalgic reasons alll my fav characters show up in here not a lot but it was enough to keep me entertained.
Tbh I don’t know why but ashes and mercy didn’t hit like torment did when it came the characters.. like I could care less about both heroines in those books they come off a little to dry and it seems like the authors copying Mina’s traits instead of giving them originality.
Mina has problems with her mother and her father died.
Casey mother died has problems with her father.
Mina’s mother was emotionally absent.
Nyla’s father had a heart attack her mother becomes kinda emotional absent.
Mina had problems at school with bullying.
Both Casey and Nyla have theirs problems too.
This one Imo was ultimately better then ashes I felt like with Ashes we never got to really know any of the characters.
Kinda the same vibe with mercy but I actually warmed up to Jeremy near the end he was kinda ridiculous funny in his own way.
The real treat here was all the guys meeting at the end and coming up
With a plan and Weirdly seeing them all get along..
One last thing honestly needs be said here…
After reading the bonus epilogue with another dead shay POV .. I really feel like the author needs to stop bringing back he died .. so let him die and let’s read about are others favs.. tbh that scene should have been in Mina’s POV we haven’t herd from that girl in minute it would have been nice to know where her thoughts where..
Shay was ultimately an amazing character well loved.. but ngl I feel like reading this book some people and rightly so would get kinda pissed off.. I was honestly reading like .. like did shay really have to die then?
I mean Jeremy can get. A HEA .. so was it just shays mental state I felt like his reason for saving Mina made a lot less sense here.
Shay needed to die for everyone to get along??
Or was he too far gone?
I feel like it needs to be said that he didn’t do it so
Much for Mina
As he did for himself.
Whatever it is she really needs to stop bringing him back I mean he’s killed off .. so bye now .. let’s read about other characters that have nothing to do with shay or about shay.. otherwise people are just gonna get confused why where still getting his POV and not any of the people who are alive.
James/Mina/Keenan hell even Gavin?
honestly one of the reasons I’m giving this book. A higher rating is for nostalgic reasons alll my fav characters show up in here not a lot but it was enough to keep me entertained.
Tbh I don’t know why but ashes and mercy didn’t hit like torment did when it came the characters.. like I could care less about both heroines in those books they come off a little to dry and it seems like the authors copying Mina’s traits instead of giving them originality.
Mina has problems with her mother and her father died.
Casey mother died has problems with her father.
Mina’s mother was emotionally absent.
Nyla’s father had a heart attack her mother becomes kinda emotional absent.
Mina had problems at school with bullying.
Both Casey and Nyla have theirs problems too.
This one Imo was ultimately better then ashes I felt like with Ashes we never got to really know any of the characters.
Kinda the same vibe with mercy but I actually warmed up to Jeremy near the end he was kinda ridiculous funny in his own way.
The real treat here was all the guys meeting at the end and coming up
With a plan and Weirdly seeing them all get along..
One last thing honestly needs be said here…
After reading the bonus epilogue with another dead shay POV .. I really feel like the author needs to stop bringing back he died .. so let him die and let’s read about are others favs.. tbh that scene should have been in Mina’s POV we haven’t herd from that girl in minute it would have been nice to know where her thoughts where..
Shay was ultimately an amazing character well loved.. but ngl I feel like reading this book some people and rightly so would get kinda pissed off.. I was honestly reading like .. like did shay really have to die then?
I mean Jeremy can get. A HEA .. so was it just shays mental state I felt like his reason for saving Mina made a lot less sense here.
Shay needed to die for everyone to get along??
Or was he too far gone?
I feel like it needs to be said that he didn’t do it so
Much for Mina
As he did for himself.
Whatever it is she really needs to stop bringing him back I mean he’s killed off .. so bye now .. let’s read about other characters that have nothing to do with shay or about shay.. otherwise people are just gonna get confused why where still getting his POV and not any of the people who are alive.
James/Mina/Keenan hell even Gavin?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Shelved as 'avoid'
May 4, 2022Self note
This author kills off her heroes in her romance novels🙄.
Never will I trust her books again.
RIP Shay.
This author kills off her heroes in her romance novels🙄.
Never will I trust her books again.
RIP Shay.
March 20, 2022
PLZ , just let Shay rest in peace😭😭😭😭😭
I didn't like his last POV. Shay talking like he's an angel or something 🤡 sorry but it didn't work for me.
*********
“I am! I’m fucking insane! I’m the one of the guys your daddy chases around are scared of. I’m their worst fucking nightmare! I’m a loose cannon, the shadow that people whisper about… "
💀I liked jeremy, he was kind of cute and funny in a weird way. But I didn't like the story, there were a lot of things that didn't make sense about his relationship with Nylah.
So, I decided to be happy and ignore all the problems with this book and just give it three stars cuz this is the last book in the series and I still feel nostalgic for how much I loved the first two 😭
I didn't like his last POV. Shay talking like he's an angel or something 🤡 sorry but it didn't work for me.
*********
“I am! I’m fucking insane! I’m the one of the guys your daddy chases around are scared of. I’m their worst fucking nightmare! I’m a loose cannon, the shadow that people whisper about… "
💀I liked jeremy, he was kind of cute and funny in a weird way. But I didn't like the story, there were a lot of things that didn't make sense about his relationship with Nylah.
So, I decided to be happy and ignore all the problems with this book and just give it three stars cuz this is the last book in the series and I still feel nostalgic for how much I loved the first two 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2022
I initially thought of giving it a 4 but then after reading the epilogue where Shay's (from the first book) soul was watching over everyone, it melted my lil' ol' heart & I decided this book deserves all 5 stars.
Yup! Loved it!
Yup! Loved it!
March 6, 2022
Gah! I actually don't know how to feel about this series finally coming to an end!
This last book was the last nail on the coffin. Nothing more needs to be said, but you can't help but still crave more.
Jeremy was something else. He was the boogeyman that needed some light and found it in an unexpected place. To think that we could have hated him to begin with. Sometimes, history tends to repeat itself....
But alas, the story is done and I am forever grateful to have had the chance and opportunity to read this amazing series. This is one series that sticks with you throughout time. Every character has something you love and hate, and that makes them absolutely perfect! Though the pain of the characters lost in the past are still freshly painted in my soul, I have no regrets for the heartache experienced through reading it.
Everything comes full circle in this last book, so if you are one that has started the series, definitely pick this up because it will heal your soul! And that epilogue....is the most bittersweet moment that I will forever cherish!
...And the standing ovation goes to Dylan Page!! You have broken me and put me back together. Your characters will forever live in my mind and will forever keep a part of my soul. Thank you for the pain and tears because it helped me appreciate your work that much more! Amazing work!
This last book was the last nail on the coffin. Nothing more needs to be said, but you can't help but still crave more.
Jeremy was something else. He was the boogeyman that needed some light and found it in an unexpected place. To think that we could have hated him to begin with. Sometimes, history tends to repeat itself....
But alas, the story is done and I am forever grateful to have had the chance and opportunity to read this amazing series. This is one series that sticks with you throughout time. Every character has something you love and hate, and that makes them absolutely perfect! Though the pain of the characters lost in the past are still freshly painted in my soul, I have no regrets for the heartache experienced through reading it.
Everything comes full circle in this last book, so if you are one that has started the series, definitely pick this up because it will heal your soul! And that epilogue....is the most bittersweet moment that I will forever cherish!
...And the standing ovation goes to Dylan Page!! You have broken me and put me back together. Your characters will forever live in my mind and will forever keep a part of my soul. Thank you for the pain and tears because it helped me appreciate your work that much more! Amazing work!
March 14, 2022
The “Torment” duet is one of my favorite messed-up dark stories, so it's unfortunate that the rest of the books in this series have been meh. This one is better than “Ashes,” thankfully, but it’s still not as good as “Torment,” and there’s too much extraneous stuff in the plot that's both messy and uninteresting.
Although this is Jeremy and Nylah's first book as main characters, I don’t think this would make much sense if you read it as a stand-alone. Characters from previous books who make appearances are:
First, the good parts:
Nylah and Jeremy’s relationship is somewhat similar to Shay and Mina in “Torment.” They didn’t grow up together with her knowing and trusting him – and because of that, it doesn’t hit nearly as hard as “Torment” did, nor does it feel quite as believable when Nylah starts warming up to him. But other than that, it’s similar to Shay and Mina's dynamic in “Torment Part 2.”
Dylan Page remans good at writing dark relationships that cross consent lines and toy with both the heroine and the reader’s emotions – because her heroes aren’t only hateful towards the heroines, there’s always some kind of tenderness beneath the horrible things they do. A lot of dark books do the arc of “he’s awful to her” to “suddenly, he’s good to her" for the male lead. I'm bored of that, and luckily Page avoids it. Similar to Shay, Jeremy has that mix of doing unforgivable things to Nylah on one hand, and on the other, he shows care for her in his own twisted way. That creates a relationship that feels more psychologically complex than many other dark books.
Jeremy isn’t as deliciously unhinged as Shay (I’m thinking about Shay leaving doll’s heads for Lindsay as a threat, for example. The man had pizazz!) But, Jeremy is still kind of fun for a dark and twisted male lead, he’s not only stoic. And, it works well that this is dual POV; we get to see his thought process.
Overall, just in terms of Jeremy and Nylah’s relationship, “Mercy” is NOT amazing and it’s not as good as “Torment." But it’s a decent dark read.
Now, the bad parts:
Just like in “Ashes,” some of TL Hodel’s characters from her books are in this. I read Dylan Page's books to read her characters and world! Not to read the characters of a different author who I’ve deliberately avoided because her books are unreadable!
Plenty of authors give their writer friends nods – Tate James has her characters listen to the band from J Bree’s books. So, there's nothing wrong with that. But a small shout-out is VERY different from what Dylan Page does here: she has Hodel's characters play a significant role in the story. It's such a weird and ill-advised choice, since Page’s books are mostly decent and Hodel’s are...not. It's also bizarre to expect readers to go out and read a different series by a different author in order to follow what's going on.
So, because I don’t like Hodel’s books and haven’t read them (aside from DNFing) — I’m left bored and confused by a lot of scenes in this with Hodel’s characters. It makes for a jarring tone combination to have Jeremy and Nylah’s relationship be an intense and quiet story...and then have this chaotic subplot with a bunch of characters I don’t know or care about, trading quips that aren't charming, since I don't know these people.
Ultimately, throughout this series, as each book after “Torment” hasn’t landed, I’ve found myself wondering if Dylan Page just wrote a memorable character in Shay, and can’t really do much beyond that. So, IS she a one-hit wonder? “Mercy” answers that question with “sort of.” Page hasn’t been able to write a book as good as “Torment,” or a character as dynamic and memorable as Shay. But, “Mercy” also isn’t all bad. It's a mixed result.
Although this is Jeremy and Nylah's first book as main characters, I don’t think this would make much sense if you read it as a stand-alone. Characters from previous books who make appearances are:
First, the good parts:
Nylah and Jeremy’s relationship is somewhat similar to Shay and Mina in “Torment.” They didn’t grow up together with her knowing and trusting him – and because of that, it doesn’t hit nearly as hard as “Torment” did, nor does it feel quite as believable when Nylah starts warming up to him. But other than that, it’s similar to Shay and Mina's dynamic in “Torment Part 2.”
Dylan Page remans good at writing dark relationships that cross consent lines and toy with both the heroine and the reader’s emotions – because her heroes aren’t only hateful towards the heroines, there’s always some kind of tenderness beneath the horrible things they do. A lot of dark books do the arc of “he’s awful to her” to “suddenly, he’s good to her" for the male lead. I'm bored of that, and luckily Page avoids it. Similar to Shay, Jeremy has that mix of doing unforgivable things to Nylah on one hand, and on the other, he shows care for her in his own twisted way. That creates a relationship that feels more psychologically complex than many other dark books.
Jeremy isn’t as deliciously unhinged as Shay (I’m thinking about Shay leaving doll’s heads for Lindsay as a threat, for example. The man had pizazz!) But, Jeremy is still kind of fun for a dark and twisted male lead, he’s not only stoic. And, it works well that this is dual POV; we get to see his thought process.
Overall, just in terms of Jeremy and Nylah’s relationship, “Mercy” is NOT amazing and it’s not as good as “Torment." But it’s a decent dark read.
Now, the bad parts:
Just like in “Ashes,” some of TL Hodel’s characters from her books are in this. I read Dylan Page's books to read her characters and world! Not to read the characters of a different author who I’ve deliberately avoided because her books are unreadable!
Plenty of authors give their writer friends nods – Tate James has her characters listen to the band from J Bree’s books. So, there's nothing wrong with that. But a small shout-out is VERY different from what Dylan Page does here: she has Hodel's characters play a significant role in the story. It's such a weird and ill-advised choice, since Page’s books are mostly decent and Hodel’s are...not. It's also bizarre to expect readers to go out and read a different series by a different author in order to follow what's going on.
So, because I don’t like Hodel’s books and haven’t read them (aside from DNFing) — I’m left bored and confused by a lot of scenes in this with Hodel’s characters. It makes for a jarring tone combination to have Jeremy and Nylah’s relationship be an intense and quiet story...and then have this chaotic subplot with a bunch of characters I don’t know or care about, trading quips that aren't charming, since I don't know these people.
Ultimately, throughout this series, as each book after “Torment” hasn’t landed, I’ve found myself wondering if Dylan Page just wrote a memorable character in Shay, and can’t really do much beyond that. So, IS she a one-hit wonder? “Mercy” answers that question with “sort of.” Page hasn’t been able to write a book as good as “Torment,” or a character as dynamic and memorable as Shay. But, “Mercy” also isn’t all bad. It's a mixed result.
March 7, 2022
Wow...just wow...
This is going to be a tough review to write because it's so hard to capture in words all the feelings this book gave me. It was truly an amazing read and I hope my review can do it justice.
Mercy is the last book in the Bleeding Hearts Series, and what a perfect way to end it. Based on the glimpses we saw ofJeremy in the previous books, it's no surprise that I have been waiting for this book with a mix of excitement and fear...and Mercy did not disappoint.
Jeremy is a true anti-Hero but he's also so much more than that. He has these layers that make you understand and empathize with him, even as you find yourself hating some of the things he does. He's unapologetically who is he, yet there are parts of him he keeps buried that will break your heart. There is so much more to this man than meets the eye and that's never more evident than when it comes to the heroine Nylah.
Nylah is such an amazing heroine. She's feisty, smart and independent but the last year has brought her world tumbling around her. Despite all this, her strength and resilience shines through and it's no surprise that Jeremy is so drawn to her. He's been watching and he's been waiting (cue swoon because I love a possessive st@lker romance)...but the time for waiting has come to an end and what follows is definitely a dark and twisted yet beautiful (and hot) story that will suck you in.
I absolutely loved this book and it will definitely be frequent reread for me. Seeing the end to this series is both beautiful and bittersweet but I wouldn't have it any other way. It came together perfectly!
Truly an amazing end to an amazing series. 👏 👏 👏
*Definitely heed the trigger warnings 😈
This is going to be a tough review to write because it's so hard to capture in words all the feelings this book gave me. It was truly an amazing read and I hope my review can do it justice.
Mercy is the last book in the Bleeding Hearts Series, and what a perfect way to end it. Based on the glimpses we saw ofJeremy in the previous books, it's no surprise that I have been waiting for this book with a mix of excitement and fear...and Mercy did not disappoint.
Jeremy is a true anti-Hero but he's also so much more than that. He has these layers that make you understand and empathize with him, even as you find yourself hating some of the things he does. He's unapologetically who is he, yet there are parts of him he keeps buried that will break your heart. There is so much more to this man than meets the eye and that's never more evident than when it comes to the heroine Nylah.
Nylah is such an amazing heroine. She's feisty, smart and independent but the last year has brought her world tumbling around her. Despite all this, her strength and resilience shines through and it's no surprise that Jeremy is so drawn to her. He's been watching and he's been waiting (cue swoon because I love a possessive st@lker romance)...but the time for waiting has come to an end and what follows is definitely a dark and twisted yet beautiful (and hot) story that will suck you in.
I absolutely loved this book and it will definitely be frequent reread for me. Seeing the end to this series is both beautiful and bittersweet but I wouldn't have it any other way. It came together perfectly!
Truly an amazing end to an amazing series. 👏 👏 👏
*Definitely heed the trigger warnings 😈
March 11, 2022
Need to wait until I stop crying to write this review.... Holy fuck. You did it again Dylan Page. You did it again.
Alright I got my self together, watched some trash tv, and now I'm here to review this masterpiece.
I was always intrigued by Jeremy. I hated him a little bit at the end of torment two because he played a role in Shay's fear for Mina that ultimately led to.... Well, if you read it you know.
I did not expect to fall in love with Jeremy's dark, trauma filled brooding soul. His cognitions are so distorted. I understand why he is good at what he does but he has no sense at all how real world relationships work. The whole "I want you so I take you" mentality is so twisted but like usual.... I'm here for it. I like my book boyfriend's traumatized, dominant and a little crazy. Jeremy is the whole package and more (he's 7ft tall 😱).
He is easy to hate in the begining but as the relationship between the two MCs blossomed, so did my love for him. Nylah goes through some shit in this book but omg does it come full circle.
There were little issues I had with the writing here and there but that epilogue *chef's kiss* and the BONUS EPILOGUE 😭😭 It was everything I could have hoped for AND MORE. It was such a beautiful conclusion to the series. My heart and soul were destroyed after torment but the closure this book gave added a few more stitches to the wound. I have never ugly cried over a book before but this series really did me in.
This series holds a permanent place in my mind and my heart.
Alright I got my self together, watched some trash tv, and now I'm here to review this masterpiece.
I was always intrigued by Jeremy. I hated him a little bit at the end of torment two because he played a role in Shay's fear for Mina that ultimately led to.... Well, if you read it you know.
I did not expect to fall in love with Jeremy's dark, trauma filled brooding soul. His cognitions are so distorted. I understand why he is good at what he does but he has no sense at all how real world relationships work. The whole "I want you so I take you" mentality is so twisted but like usual.... I'm here for it. I like my book boyfriend's traumatized, dominant and a little crazy. Jeremy is the whole package and more (he's 7ft tall 😱).
He is easy to hate in the begining but as the relationship between the two MCs blossomed, so did my love for him. Nylah goes through some shit in this book but omg does it come full circle.
There were little issues I had with the writing here and there but that epilogue *chef's kiss* and the BONUS EPILOGUE 😭😭 It was everything I could have hoped for AND MORE. It was such a beautiful conclusion to the series. My heart and soul were destroyed after torment but the closure this book gave added a few more stitches to the wound. I have never ugly cried over a book before but this series really did me in.
This series holds a permanent place in my mind and my heart.
March 5, 2022
What a journey Dylan has taken us on with this series.
In the finale we finally get to see inside of the infamous Jeremy's mind. As with our beloved Shay, I found myself internally battling with my head and my heart deciding whether he is a hero or an anti-hero. This author is the queen of writing these beautifully broken characters and Jeremy does not dissapoint.
Nylah was an amazing heroine. Emotionally strong and intelligent but still believable as an 18 year old. Their relationship will have your emotions and morals all over the place.
Please take note of the trigger warnings before you read, they are definitely warranted and there are some scenes that will be difficult for some readers.
I thought I had sucessfully managed to read a book in this series without tears.
Fat fucking chance!!!
I walked blissfully unaware, head first into the most beautiful but bittersweet epliogue known to mankind. Seriously, brace yourself! It will break you!
I finished reading an hour ago and I'm still snotting and sniffling all over the place. I am clearly a masochist because as soon as my eyes depuff I'm going to start all over again with Torment.
In the finale we finally get to see inside of the infamous Jeremy's mind. As with our beloved Shay, I found myself internally battling with my head and my heart deciding whether he is a hero or an anti-hero. This author is the queen of writing these beautifully broken characters and Jeremy does not dissapoint.
Nylah was an amazing heroine. Emotionally strong and intelligent but still believable as an 18 year old. Their relationship will have your emotions and morals all over the place.
Please take note of the trigger warnings before you read, they are definitely warranted and there are some scenes that will be difficult for some readers.
I thought I had sucessfully managed to read a book in this series without tears.
Fat fucking chance!!!
I walked blissfully unaware, head first into the most beautiful but bittersweet epliogue known to mankind. Seriously, brace yourself! It will break you!
I finished reading an hour ago and I'm still snotting and sniffling all over the place. I am clearly a masochist because as soon as my eyes depuff I'm going to start all over again with Torment.
March 9, 2022
Screaming, crying, and throwing up after that bonus epilogue.
Miss Page has out fucking done herself with this series. These books are so dark they truly rattle me to my core. I never know what to expect, I’m practically shaking with anxiety. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Bleeding Hearts Series has taken me on a journey I’ll probably never forget because these are the only books to have ever made me sob uncontrollably. My parents are laughing at my pain right now, but that’s okay.
All I know is that this is one of the best series I have ever read and I already need more books from Dylan Page.
Miss Page has out fucking done herself with this series. These books are so dark they truly rattle me to my core. I never know what to expect, I’m practically shaking with anxiety. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Bleeding Hearts Series has taken me on a journey I’ll probably never forget because these are the only books to have ever made me sob uncontrollably. My parents are laughing at my pain right now, but that’s okay.
All I know is that this is one of the best series I have ever read and I already need more books from Dylan Page.
March 8, 2022
I LIKED JEREMY???
The final book in the Bleeding Hearts series does not disappoint! With anti-hero Jeremy being front and center, we finally get more insight into why he is the way he is, and start to like him!
Nylah is strong, fiesty and a free spirit. It's not surprising why Jeremy was so fascinated with her. Even though he stalked her (which I didn't mind because who doesn't love a possessive psycho stalker?) I still loved the way their relationship came about.
I am so sad to see the series end, but what an ending!
The final book in the Bleeding Hearts series does not disappoint! With anti-hero Jeremy being front and center, we finally get more insight into why he is the way he is, and start to like him!
Nylah is strong, fiesty and a free spirit. It's not surprising why Jeremy was so fascinated with her. Even though he stalked her (which I didn't mind because who doesn't love a possessive psycho stalker?) I still loved the way their relationship came about.
I am so sad to see the series end, but what an ending!
March 8, 2022
Phenomenal ending to a phenomenal series
What an amazing ending to an outstanding series. We get to meet the infamous Jeremy and he is everything I want in a possessive psycho. I fell hard and immediately with him. I really liked Nylah prior and even more so. She is just what Jeremy needs. This book makes so much come full circle and the bonus epilogue had me in tears in the very best way. Another incredible book from Dylan Page.
What an amazing ending to an outstanding series. We get to meet the infamous Jeremy and he is everything I want in a possessive psycho. I fell hard and immediately with him. I really liked Nylah prior and even more so. She is just what Jeremy needs. This book makes so much come full circle and the bonus epilogue had me in tears in the very best way. Another incredible book from Dylan Page.
March 8, 2022
One more hit by Dylan Page! Another brilliant story taking place in ruthless Ashland. This time the focus is on the daughter of honorable Detective Phillip Bryant, Nylah, and the nomad hitman, Jeremy. And believe me, they go through one of the toughest but also the most glorious journeys to survive and find their true peace in each other. It is an angsty, forbidden and a steamy love story full of surprises and drama. Ms. Page succeeded in making me falling head over heels in love with a semi-psychotic hitman which was no surprise for me. With Mercy, we also get the closure to events in all four books in the series which was no easy feat.
On another note, Dylan Page, you killed me with the Bonus Epilogue of Final Goodbye to Bleeding Hearts readers. I ugly cried my eyes out and couldn’t breathe for a while putting myself in Shay’s shoes. You are the queen of gut wrenching emotional catharsis and you stroke again. That final goodbye felt so real and so authentic that I felt as if I was saying goodbye to a part of my family. Honestly, I cried my little heart out. There is nothing better than feeling like a part of the book you read and you always, always make that happen. I am forever your number one fan. So, what is next?
On another note, Dylan Page, you killed me with the Bonus Epilogue of Final Goodbye to Bleeding Hearts readers. I ugly cried my eyes out and couldn’t breathe for a while putting myself in Shay’s shoes. You are the queen of gut wrenching emotional catharsis and you stroke again. That final goodbye felt so real and so authentic that I felt as if I was saying goodbye to a part of my family. Honestly, I cried my little heart out. There is nothing better than feeling like a part of the book you read and you always, always make that happen. I am forever your number one fan. So, what is next?
March 4, 2022
Mercy was amazing!!!
This series holds such a a special place in my heart. It’s really a tribute to people that have been shaped by terrible circumstances out of their control so when they find the one thing that brings them peace it doesn’t necessarily make them a better person.
I don’t want to give too much away but I will say Jeremy is another Shay so I really loved the full circle arc Jeremy goes through. He’s full psycho and unapologetic about it and that never really changes. Nylah is strong and hilarious definitely his match and meeting her eventually brings out the Jeremy he could’ve been.
If you’re wanting to read this book it’s because your a fan of the series so you’ll get it. But don’t read until you read all the books to properly understand what you’re getting yourself into. It’s not a read for snowflakes no offence.
The ending was chefs kiss and I can’t stop balling! I’ve read many books and most of them I’ve forgotten lol. This series is one of the rare few that I’ll never forget.
This series holds such a a special place in my heart. It’s really a tribute to people that have been shaped by terrible circumstances out of their control so when they find the one thing that brings them peace it doesn’t necessarily make them a better person.
I don’t want to give too much away but I will say Jeremy is another Shay so I really loved the full circle arc Jeremy goes through. He’s full psycho and unapologetic about it and that never really changes. Nylah is strong and hilarious definitely his match and meeting her eventually brings out the Jeremy he could’ve been.
If you’re wanting to read this book it’s because your a fan of the series so you’ll get it. But don’t read until you read all the books to properly understand what you’re getting yourself into. It’s not a read for snowflakes no offence.
The ending was chefs kiss and I can’t stop balling! I’ve read many books and most of them I’ve forgotten lol. This series is one of the rare few that I’ll never forget.
March 9, 2022
LOVED IT! (contains spoilers)
I’m so sad the bleeding hearts series is over. I’m legit in tears right now after reading that epilogue in Shays POV 😭😭😭. Jeremy was twisted and I loved him. Nylah was sweet and strong. Would have liked to see more of them together in the epilogue. Was great seeing the rest of the gang from the past books. I just wish Shay could have had a HEA with Mia along with Kee. Jeremy did some very awful things in his life…. heinous things….. and he still got the girl in the end. Bleeding Hearts is one of my all time favorite series. I hope Dylan Page continues to write dark characters like the guys in these series. Shay will forever be my favorite antihero ❤️❤️❤️❤️. Im not ready to say goodbye to all these characters 😭.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m so sad the bleeding hearts series is over. I’m legit in tears right now after reading that epilogue in Shays POV 😭😭😭. Jeremy was twisted and I loved him. Nylah was sweet and strong. Would have liked to see more of them together in the epilogue. Was great seeing the rest of the gang from the past books. I just wish Shay could have had a HEA with Mia along with Kee. Jeremy did some very awful things in his life…. heinous things….. and he still got the girl in the end. Bleeding Hearts is one of my all time favorite series. I hope Dylan Page continues to write dark characters like the guys in these series. Shay will forever be my favorite antihero ❤️❤️❤️❤️. Im not ready to say goodbye to all these characters 😭.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 8, 2022
WOW!! Ok so yes, there’s definitely a few triggers in here but damn, what an epic ending to this series. Jeremy is not normal by any means which we could tell immediately by his thoughts of taking Nylah just because he wanted her, were justified. Nylah, bless her ‘bleeding heart’, has more forgiveness in her little pinky than most people do throughout their entire lives. She sees a bigger picture and has a way with Jeremy making him see outside his little box. I loved how they both grew by leaps and bounds throughout the story. And the epilogue?! Oh my lord, grab a tissue you’ll need it. It was the perfect ending to round everything out.
March 8, 2022
I didnt read Ashes I DNF it, but this book 4 Mercy oh my god Jeremy, I mean this kind of my villain yeehaaa. And the bonus epilogue!!! THE BONUS EPILOGUE!!! Oh Dylan Page Thank you! Give me more of your villains
March 8, 2022
Great final book
This book and the series as a whole were amazing. I loved Jeremy’s character. There was so much history behind what made him the evil person everyone thought he was and it humanized him so much. His story—what brought him into his adult life was heartbreaking. The obsession and dark elements of his personality which led him to Nylah were written so well. His inner monologue at time made me laugh. I love that he saw Nylah for who she was and who she pretended to be. As unconventional as their relationship started I feel like he was the only person that saw everything about it. (Could be the stalking but who knows :)) Without giving away too many spoilers I loved the characters from Torment and Ashes that came into this book. It was like I was finally getting resolution to some of the things that happened with Shay. And honestly the more I think about it the more I think Jeremy and Shay would have gotten along. Ugh…if only. Also TL Hodel’s character drop ins! Preston. Enough said! The progression of Nylon’s character and acceptance of who she really was—that was great. And Jeremy learning to be not unselfish. My favorite part was honestly the ending (not the epilogue) although I loved that too! Sometimes I feel like authors try to wrap everything up into a pretty little bow with a HEA and it’s marriage and kids. This ending was perfect for these two and I’m so please that it did both characters justice. (I would say more but I don’t want to spoil anything). All 4 books though—one of my top dark series by far!
This book and the series as a whole were amazing. I loved Jeremy’s character. There was so much history behind what made him the evil person everyone thought he was and it humanized him so much. His story—what brought him into his adult life was heartbreaking. The obsession and dark elements of his personality which led him to Nylah were written so well. His inner monologue at time made me laugh. I love that he saw Nylah for who she was and who she pretended to be. As unconventional as their relationship started I feel like he was the only person that saw everything about it. (Could be the stalking but who knows :)) Without giving away too many spoilers I loved the characters from Torment and Ashes that came into this book. It was like I was finally getting resolution to some of the things that happened with Shay. And honestly the more I think about it the more I think Jeremy and Shay would have gotten along. Ugh…if only. Also TL Hodel’s character drop ins! Preston. Enough said! The progression of Nylon’s character and acceptance of who she really was—that was great. And Jeremy learning to be not unselfish. My favorite part was honestly the ending (not the epilogue) although I loved that too! Sometimes I feel like authors try to wrap everything up into a pretty little bow with a HEA and it’s marriage and kids. This ending was perfect for these two and I’m so please that it did both characters justice. (I would say more but I don’t want to spoil anything). All 4 books though—one of my top dark series by far!
March 7, 2022
This was an absolutely phenomenal ending to the Bleeding Hearts series. Ms. Page took my expectations and blew them away. I went in not knowing if I could ever like Jeremy and I ended up loving him hard. There's so much more to this book then just Nylah and Jeremy's story. The fight against Elias has begun and we get to see some familiar faces. Jeremy is so complicated and my heart absolutely bled for him. I love how Nylah starts to become the woman she needs to be when she's with him. He sees her when no one else ever truly has. Both of them grow and change together and despite how they start out, their relationship is real. The ending had me crying and the bonus epilogue was everything I didn't know I needed. Kudos Ms. Page! This book knocked it out of the park and this series will stay with me always.
March 8, 2022
such a special story…
Wow. If I could give this ten stars, I would. This was such a special story, and a perfect, unexpected ending to the Bleeding Hearts series. Surprisingly, this is a new favorite book for me. TORMENT is one of my favorite books, so imagine my surprise when I loved MERCY as much— possibly even more. It’s incredibly good. Jeremy is an amazing Antihero, and the relationship between he and the heroine is endearing. The intimacy is on fire. Author Dylan Page is so incredibly talented, and I look forward to the next book she puts out. Definitely a one-click auto buy for me. Highly recommend!
Wow. If I could give this ten stars, I would. This was such a special story, and a perfect, unexpected ending to the Bleeding Hearts series. Surprisingly, this is a new favorite book for me. TORMENT is one of my favorite books, so imagine my surprise when I loved MERCY as much— possibly even more. It’s incredibly good. Jeremy is an amazing Antihero, and the relationship between he and the heroine is endearing. The intimacy is on fire. Author Dylan Page is so incredibly talented, and I look forward to the next book she puts out. Definitely a one-click auto buy for me. Highly recommend!
March 5, 2022
I literally have no words to describe this book!!!
Mercy is book #4 in the Bleeding Hearts series. Make sure to read Torment part 1 and 2 and Ashes before this one, and make sure to read the Trigger Warnings!!!
If you love Shay, you are gonna LOVE Jeremy!!!
Jeremy has been watching Nylah and wants her more than anything. When he finally gets her to himself, he couldnt be happier, but Nylah, not so much at first.
This is a beautiful, emotional perfect ending to this series. Be prepared to be wrecked by the bonus epilogue, I am still crying an hour later every time i think about it.
Dylan Page, THANK YOU so much for this AMAZING series!!!!
Mercy is book #4 in the Bleeding Hearts series. Make sure to read Torment part 1 and 2 and Ashes before this one, and make sure to read the Trigger Warnings!!!
If you love Shay, you are gonna LOVE Jeremy!!!
Jeremy has been watching Nylah and wants her more than anything. When he finally gets her to himself, he couldnt be happier, but Nylah, not so much at first.
This is a beautiful, emotional perfect ending to this series. Be prepared to be wrecked by the bonus epilogue, I am still crying an hour later every time i think about it.
Dylan Page, THANK YOU so much for this AMAZING series!!!!
March 8, 2022
Perfection, there is no other word I can think of to describe this amazing final book of the Bleeding Hearts Series. This book had all the chills, heartache, warm gooey love, happiness, rage, betrayal, redemption, and closure that we all desperately needed. I have never hated a villain as much as I hated Elias, he deserved sooooo much worse than what he got. I was shocked by a few things and also deeply relieved concerning some of the other surprises. I was very skeptical on how Jeremy could ever be redeemed after being the lurking shadow terrifying everyone with just his name. I should never have doubted Dylan's vision and ability to turn even the biggest monster into someone that will stay with me forever. That final goodbye was just everything my heart needed but make sure you have a box of tissues.
February 22, 2023
I just finished reading the epilogue and it was everything I needed and more. Just WOW.
Ok back to the original story. This is a dark romance and it was disturbing like the other books. Jeremy is a morally gray MMC. Although he has some amazingly tender and redeeming moments, it was dark AF. I think you just have to remember these men do bad things, it’s fiction and enjoy the darkness.
I really enjoyed the series and can’t wait for echos!
Ok back to the original story. This is a dark romance and it was disturbing like the other books. Jeremy is a morally gray MMC. Although he has some amazingly tender and redeeming moments, it was dark AF. I think you just have to remember these men do bad things, it’s fiction and enjoy the darkness.
I really enjoyed the series and can’t wait for echos!
March 7, 2022
This is the last book in the Bleeding Hearts Series. I am absolutely speechless! This series is beyond phenomenal and if you have not started reading yet, do so now! I highly recommend these books and the story was excellently written. Definitely a must read!
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