King of My Heart

Rose's Duet #1

by Lola King

Rose

I’ve had enough trouble to last me a lifetime. And yet, it doesn’t stop fate from trying to screw me over and over again.

I had barely tasted the freedom of having put my abusive foster dad away when I got kidnapped by his rivals.
I was able to think about a lot of things during the two years I disappeared. What is important in life? What matters to me? What did I take for granted?

I’m sure our town of Stoneview has never been more peaceful than without me and all the troubles I brought along.

Tough. I’m back now. Everyone thinks I’m going to be meek, controlled, tamed. Don’t they know me? Fighting is all I have ever done. Fury is all I know.

I’ve got two things on my mind. Take back the girl I’ve always loved. Get revenge on my childhood best friend for his betrayal.

I wasn’t prepared for the fact that Rachel is now engaged to a man who doesn’t deserve her. Or that Sam was already plotting a revenge of his own.

She wants to make me her dirty secret and he wants to use me to find the men who took me.

But they should know how stubborn I am. They should know what I want, I get. Their addiction to me only means I own them. Their twisted games only mean I can’t trust them.

But mainly? They should never trust me.


This is a dark, polyamorous, LGBTQIA+ romance and is for 18+ readers only. It contains MM, MF, FF, and MMFF scenes as well as scenes some readers may find triggering. Please, heed the author’s warning in the book.

This book is approximately 105,000 words and is the first part of a duet. King of My heart it is in the Stoneview world but can be read separately from the Stoneview Stories Trilogy, although it may contain spoilers from the other books. It is advised, though not necessary, to read the novella prequel, Queen of Broken Hearts prior to this book.

Genres: Dark Romance, Why Choose, Dark, Romance, M M Romance, BDSM, Smut

430 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2022

About the author

Lola King is a dark, steamy romance author who loves giving happy ever after’s to antiheroes. She writes about flawed and deeply broken characters and the women who bring them down to their knees. Her books are sometimes cute, sometimes angsty, but always sexy!
Lola lives in London and if she isn’t writing, she is most likely keeping her mind busy putting together a play or making music.

Let’s keep in touch on IG @lolaking_author or on FB readers’ group Lola’s Kings !

Reviews

[melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐
”I would say my friend’s only flaw is that he started dating my sister while I was in prison. Of course, because he’s a greedy man, he ended up dating two other people too, and now they all love each other, like that makes any sense at all.”

My man, Nathan White, summed it up perfectly in his book, but since I’m stubborn, I had to see it for myself, only to end up reading about the most hypocritical, toxic, cynical, lying, selfish, manipulative AND cheaters characters I’ve come across in a long time aka Rose White and Samuel Thomas.

RACHEL AND MALIK YOU DESERVE BETTER

[Erika Braga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Idk how to start …. I had so many feelings in this book and I can definitely say annoyance was the strongest.
I always kick myself when I pick a why choose romance, it’s truly not my thing but I am on a mission to read all Lola’s books and I was intrigued by the dynamic around Rose. I normally don’t like why choose (few exceptions goes to LOSERS duet and MALICE and SURRENDER duet) but i normally don’t like why choose because I have a really hard time liking all of the characters equally for each other, I form pairs in my mind or even a throuple but I have a hard time getting them all the same love. Here for example I would WITHOUT ANY THOUGHTS pair Rose with Sam and the other 2 would be completely collateral damage…..
So here are my thoughts on the book.
I was a little deflated in the first 40% of the book. Not because it’s bad, but because I was SO annoyed by Rose’s promiscuous and cheating behavior, and I was SOOOOOOOOOO fucking annoyed by Sam and Lik, I was annoyed by Sam because despite loving Rose immensely he was the one causing her more pain and the girl’s being through enough. He was so incredibly mean to her that was getting on my nerves, and I was annoyed by Lik for going with everything Sam was doing. The only person that despite being the biggest doormat in history didn’t annoyed me was Rachel. But regardless, the book is full with untold stories and we don’t really know the full picture of what’s behind everything and I COULD NOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME put the book down, I went to sleep at 4am and woke up at 7am to finish the damn book. It invaded my mind and I couldn’t control.
Needless to say that after the 40% this book turned into absolute fire and OMG I was floored. The why choose dynamic got me again angry at the end because FIRST OF ALL Rose did NOT deserve to be punished by Sam ! FUCK HIM ! He is hot as hell and wow he can make anyone follow his orders, but he did not have the right to punish Rose, by the way I am still waiting for a Rose and Sam moment. Rachel did have the right because after all Rose is a serial cheater and we learn why she is the way she is and you feel for her, her traumas are deep and she is a broken soul, she’s been dead since she was 9 years old, she just never stopped breathing…. 😫 but still, Rachel deserved more respect.
And how the punishment for Rose and Lik for having had a little too much fun behind Sam and Rachel’s back was to actually making them both have the “same” fun but in front of them and forced by them? “So since you cheated on me, let me punish you by making you cheat on me but in my presence now” MAKE IT MAKE SENSE ! 😂😂😂
The ending was as unexpected as ever, I was truly not thinking that was going to be it ! RUNNING to the second book. I’m sure now I will like Sam and also Lik because Lola King can make you like the craziest motherfuckers and by the end you will be swooning for them
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
“She doesn’t hold herself like a queen. No, queens were always in the shadows. Rose holds herself like a king. Like she owns the power, knows it and isn’t afraid to wield it.”
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Valentina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose, just graduated and about to start her life with her one true love, is kidnapped by rival crime family to her now incarcerated abusive foster father. After almost two years, she's now back to her family, Rachel, her steady love, and Sam, her former childhood love interest whom she betrayed.
(Or who betrayed her?) This angst-filled, emotional, and complex story. It also has a lot of spice.

Rose was such a complex character; in fact, many of the character were so multi-dimensional that they came across alive across the pages, their personalities so vivid. Sam is terrifyingly hot, bad, but has unaddressed feelings for Rose. Both he and Rose are a toxic mix, whether for their individual partners or their interconnected relationship. I loved Sam's Dom behavior, his silence that meant more than words, as well as his love for his boyfriend, Lik. Getting into his head felt both disconcerting and stirring. Rose and Rachel's relationship was verse, each giving and dominating according to the other's need. Rachel had a quiet strength, so strong in her unending love for a broken Rose. Interesting, all the main characters demonstrated contrasting personalities, Dom / sub. The interplay between Rose and Sam, though, was the most compelling. I was always on edge as to what would happen next.

Some great diversity, once again, in this world, I loved the front and center portrayal people of color, their familial settings, as well as the positive depiction of polyamory. Best parts of book besides character development were the crime story, the quest for Volkov, and the evolving love stories.

Being emotionally heavy and slow burn, at times I found myself wanting to advance the pace. This story was more plot driven with great character development than romance, even if the underlying attraction was present, particularly with their current partners. Hopefully the pace of the plot is more progressive in book 2.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Ida Korhonen · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐ 4 🌶️
OMFG!! that ending??? Absolute what in the best way!! The way Lola weaves in twist after twist, and how everything keeps connecting nonstop? Insane. Every single character is toxic, and I love them all ❤️

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

This chewed…
Lik is my baby prince I love him so much he's everything to me🫶🏾🤏🏾
Sam is so corny...so kingie...he need to step off Lik
Rose...yall know that's my birth mum like she raised me...
Rachel is the people's princess and my fave canon lesbian 🫶🏾

I will say idk about this business of calling Rose a lesbian from Lik when she isn't cuz she also fucks guys and in love with Sam...she literally says she hates labels...

[★ Reshika · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️/5⭐️

All I have to say is I love Rose White she is such a complex character who is so badass and so mommy
Also I hold her accountable for her actions the cheating parts infuriated the fuck out of me
This book gave a clear explanation of Rose’s past and that she’s been abused since she was 9
I hate Mateo he deserves to die actually
My girl Rose just went through so much pain again and again give my girl a break please 😭
Lola knows how to wreck our hearts and fix it again and I don’t what’s in these books but I just devour it so fast

Sam boy he made me so angry for hurting Rachel he had no right but damn he can control anyone and make them follow him
I loved Lik and Sam’s relationship
My gay style icon Lik! I love him so much
Also It was okay for Rachel to get revenge on Rose in the end as Rose hurt her a lot
I need more Rose and Sam alone they have insane chemistry and so freaking hot together

“Then I’ll keep loving you!” she rages. “And when it gets worse, I’ll love you more. You’re so blinded by your trauma that you can’t see what’s right in front of you. I’ll love you through everything, Rose. I’ll love you until the light in your eyes shines bright again and then some more”

Yeah actually Rachel needed to toughen up and stand her ground because Rose kept on hurting
Also their love is so strong and I want more of that

“You love so hard,” I whisper as I inhale her perfume. “Why do you love so hard?”
“Because you’re so easy to love,” she murmurs back.”

And yes it’s so feeling easy to love Rose just like in the book I’m too enthralled by Rose white

"She doesn't hold herself like a queen. No, queens were always in the shadows. Rose holds herself like a king. Like she owns the power, knows it and isn't afraid to wield it."

Anyone can be dom during the smut scenes but Rose controls everyone and brings them to their knees
She is mother and she is everything and an icon
Also the ending took me totally off guard!!

[K.M. Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from page 1 and I’m not surprised. Lola is an amazing author and all her books pull you right in and consume you.

Rose white has been through it all throughout her life. It’s hard to read parts of what she goes through but it makes me so damn happy that she’s such a badass strong female character. She doesn’t take shit from anyone and leaves everyone around her desiring her, both men and women.
Rose is supposed to run away with her girlfriend and live happily ever after with her but she ends up being kidnapped and held for 16 months by the Volkov brothers. When she returns she finds out Rachel got engaged to Conor, the man Rachel’s parents are pushing her to marry.
Sam is Rachel’s childhood protector. He was always there for her when things happened with Matteo, her foster father, but now he’s out for revenge on her. He concocts a plan to use her to find the Volkov brothers so he can kill them.
Lik is sams boyfriend who has never been attracted to women but Rose has him taking second glances.

Don’t talk to me about that cliffhanger because I was prepared and have the next book ready to read!
I think it’s obvious but check the trigger warnings before reading. This is a dark romance after all.

🌶🌶🌶🌶/5

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t wait to be back in Stoneview, I missed all these characters so much!

King of my Heart is dark poly/rh romance and first book in Rose’s duet.
While this can be read as a standalone I definitely recommend you read Jake and Jamie’s trilogy first to get even more background about this world and its amazing characters.

I usually don’t read poly too often because I can’t help but always have a favorite. And yes I had a favorite here at first as well, but I also couldn’t help but fall in love with others as the story went on. The author’s writing just make it impossible not to fall for all her characters. They are messy and toxic, but they are also raw and real and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’m just so invested in this whole world!

The story had me hooked from the prologue and I was constantly at the edge of my seat, dying to find out what will happen next. The writting and storytelling flowed so well I practically devoured this book. And of course my mind is spinning from all kinds of theories after that dreaded cliffhanger. Can’t wait for the next book!

[Sarah Koch · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly this book made me mad, furious, I was so angry I wanted to scream. Rose has been through so much, she deserves independence and empowerment. So I’m not sure why the need for her to be so submissive, and not even by one but three doms. I don’t feel as though Rachel needed to be a dom, I understand her need from some control due to what happened with her fiancé however it wasn’t nearly as bad or traumatic as what Rose has gone through her entire life. Out of all of Lola’s books I’ve read this is probably my least favorite. This book is heavy on the BDSM themes some without safe words or a way out. Read at your own risk :) personally just wasn’t for me :)

[khadeja · Rating 2 out of 5]

pre-polyamory roserachel you will always be famous to me 🤞

“𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳.” 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘐 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦.
“𝘕𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘺,” 𝘐 𝘨𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥. 𝘐𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩.
“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭. 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵?” 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴.
“𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘷𝘦-𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘵-𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”

[_kenzie_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5🌶️
•why choose (FFMM)
•degradation
•praise
•childhood friends turned enemies
⚠️please check triggers⚠️

i’m not really sure how im feeling right now. i still don’t know if i like the dynamic between everyone just because the feelings are so mixed right now. they are all hot & explosive together but they definitely have so much shit to work out. and i’m so ready to see it in the next book.

ive always loved Rose. but damn, she’s stubborn and manipulative. and her cheating behavior truly just pissed me off. she’s still scared to commit. she has these 3 people who are ready for her and want her but can’t seem to put her pride down to just except her feelings. i truly am not sure how a why choose relationship is going to be good for her, she’s raging in jealousy 24/7. she has been through hell and she’s still trying to work through her childhood trauma because she has so much of it. she’s strong & doesn’t take shit from anyone and she leaves everyone around her desiring her, both men and women.

Sam: i have a love hate relationship with Sam right now. because despite loving Rose immensely, he caused her so much pain in this book…like acting on her worst fear made me sick. cause WHAT?! and i hate how he thinks sometimes, same with Rose. where i don’t mind that they love eachother and think about eachother, i just didn’t like the feeling that their feelings for eachother were above the feelings they had for Lik and Rachel, if that makes sense. like at the beginning of the book Rose literally said she was ready to ruin everything she had with Rachel just because Sam-who she’s been in love with since they were kids-kissed her. idk that part just didn’t sit right with me. BUT what i did love about Sam is his Dominant side, that shit was hot. he has everyone wrapped around his finger when he starts giving commands. and his speech he gave Rose over the phone was hot and i’m all here for it.

Lik: i actually really loved Lik. he’s just the right balance of everything. he’s “….outgoing, bubbly, and funny gay guy who loves fashion and being dominated by strong men. Kill is a killing machine. A tornado that destroys everything in its way.” Kill is his alter ego. Lik is fun, yet knows when to pull back. he’s kind but can be firm. Him having feelings for Rose when he’s never loved a woman in his life is hot. i loved their bond. it’s iconic that Rose took his women virginity😏

Rachel: i loved her so much. & despite how much Rose has hurt her, she still some how loves the hell out of her. she brings out this side of Rose that no one really sees. and it truly makes my heart happy. i’m ready to see her shine in the next book, im ready to see her develop and truly show everyone what she’s made of because we only got a taste. She’s always done what Rose said but now it’s Rachel’s turn to really show her who’s boss. and i actually really love her and Sam’s bond, he’s like her mentor right now and really helping her feel good in her own skin and do what makes her feel good.

i ready to see this relationship develop into something more 🥲

fav quotes🔥❤️

“She makes me feel like life is worth living.”

“She is as beautiful as a sunset. You see it every day, you know it’s coming, and you can expect it all you want, yet it still touches your heart. It forces you to appreciate its beauty. It surprises you differently every time. It brings emotions out of you, but you’re not even sure why.”

“I’ll love you through everything, Rose. I’ll love you until the light in your eyes shines bright again and then some more.”

“She doesn’t hold herself like a queen. No, queens were always in the shadows. Rose holds herself like a king. Like she owns the power, knows it and isn’t afraid to wield it.”

“I’ll have you know pussies are probably the strongest thing in the world. Don’t undermine what gave birth to the entire population….. They’re much stronger than balls, and saying someone is a pussy to say they’re weak is a stupid expression.”

“You’ll be our queen.”

[Kyla Honey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose you sweet sweet baby. The things you’ve had to go through to get where you are now 😭💔 absolutely love the bad ass bitch she is, and her tough ass personality . I also love Rachel & lik.. Sam not so much, the entire book he really just pissed me off because why are you kicking her while she’s already down?? But okay… you made me feel something for you at the end so let’s see if book 2 will make me love you, you dominate fuck. 😏🖤

[Jenifer Briggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize there was a short prequel story to be read before this, and I think I would have liked the book better if I had gone back and read that. But overall this wasn't bad at all! Definitely toxic as hell, and i felt like some relationships were just there, but without any emotional connection. Especially with Rachel. But I loved Rose's relationship with Sam, and felt that it was the most healthy and authentic relationship out of everyone else, and I'm excited to know how they move forward.

This book definitely hooked me from the beginning, but somewhere around the middle it started to lose steam. Some conversations really weren't needed, and I think if the was condensed a bit more, it would be better in the long run. That being said, I'm still looking forward to the next book!

**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book

[cátia · Rating 4 out of 5]

love rose i love rachel i love sam i love lik i love them all and conor can d*e please! this book was wild and these characters are so fucked up but oh my they're so so addictive ugh!! i don't have much to say but the whole story behind rose's disappearance and how she truly feels about that guy viktor was such a mystery i wasn't really liking It then the ending?? hm rose sweetie don't please you have rachel she doesn't deserve half truths cmon you're better than this but yeah all these characters are so toxic but they love fearlessly and so deep im just so addictive and in love ugh this world lola created is so good i can't seem to be obsessed and stop reading them so here i am! onto the second and last book of rose's story and im truly loving it!! not for everyone for sure and check trigger warnings so yeah!
and these relationships they have is toxic is dangerous but it's also so deep and sometimes so beautiful and messed up but so addictive yeah just SO GOOD

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose is such an interesting character. She is complicated, stubborn, toxic, and so much more. She has been so much through her life first with her ex foster father Bianco and then with the Wolves. Each character sees her similarly and yet different depending on their own feelings for her. People can love her, hate her, or it could be a mixture of both. Her story is just as complicated as her character, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Jasmine Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so this series is MMFF and I will say that I am not a sharing kinda girl. I like monogamous relationships but I will say I like the appeal. This was a soft DNF, but I picked it back up when I was in a better head space and whipped it out. I couldn't put it down. I loved lola king's whole universe and getting to see the characters in her other series. I love Sam and I love Rose. I am happy we get to see more or Rachel because I wasn't a fan of hers. and Lik obsessed with him.

[Eliza_lovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book. THIS BOOK. The tension. The anger. The revenge. The lies. The secrets. The TENSION. The power shifts & control. Four players. Four hearts. One obsession.

If there was ever a a book that perfectly plotted a game of wills, it’s this one.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lola can do no wrong in my eyes! Jake & Jamie’s story is superior and their cameos had me 🤩! I really enjoyed seeing Rose’s perspective of everything she’s gone through … I wanted a bit more maybe? But I also really had a good time with this! Can’t wait for part 2.

[Brooke Reads Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s toxic as shit but also kinda hot so 4 stars from me.
Who doesn’t love a MMFF book 😏
Interested to see the outcome with Viktor and if anymore with Aaron..
Love that Rose calls herself a king not Queen, pop off sis.

[Tracy Hanes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose is my newest obsession. I loved her in Stoneview, but in her duet she is shining.
I am going to wait to review these until I am done with the second book but, so far so AMAZING.

[Jessica Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s good but I didn’t love it the way I loved Jake/ Jamie’s story! I liked the insight we got into Chris/ Elsa’s story though!

[Bruna · Rating 2 out of 5]

im too straight for this

sam and lik? hello yeah gimme more. the club scenes??? EXCUSE ME??? they are just. so. hot. it was not the dynamic i thought with sam, but hey not complaining.
rachel? still an annoying doormat. i feel bad for her, but really, i forgot she was there when it wasnt her pov and i wanted to skip her povs

[Brandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[Kait Drakeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot put this series does. 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Walindor · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3.5/5

[Ariane Poitras · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[brii · Rating 3 out of 5]

rose was the best part of this book

[Mayuri · Rating 1 out of 5]

WHERE WAS THE PLOT?????