Brutal Hearts

by Jordan Grant

— Archie —

I was born into an easy life, and I like it that way.

Easy money.
Easy sex.
Easy … every-damn-thing.

But that luxury came with a price, and it’s almost time to pay it.

It’s senior year, my last one of freedom before I inherit the family empire and watch my dad gleefully sail into retirement on the tails of his fifth—sixth?—divorce from my mother.

I’m the golden boy of Arlean University, the first-line running back with so many touchdowns they call me Bring-It-Home Blakely. Men want to be me. Women want to be beneath me.

I do what I want. When I want. To whomever I want.
I am revered. Adored. Utterly untouchable.
Or so I thought.

A red-headed transfer student with a know-it-all complex and Satan’s temper threatens to ruin my birthright.
She saw something she shouldn’t have and stuck her nose where it didn’t belong.
Then, she smiled at me when my father introduced her as his fiancé.

Game on, future Mrs. Blakely.


— Layne —

I have fought for everything I’ve ever had.

Food, shelter, safety, life.

Twenty-one years ago, I was born in the wrong place at the wrong time to the wrong woman.
I learned to survive on my own and to do whatever it takes—beg, borrow, and steal—to stay alive.
Every night for as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of vengeance, and no one, especially the god of my new college, will stand in my way.

I don’t believe in gods anyway.
I don’t believe in forgiveness either.
I believe in blood for blood and pain for pain, and I will make it rain down from my hands in a thunderstorm.

I’ll destroy anyone who stands between me and what’s mine, and I won’t shed a tear while I do.
There is no quid pro quo in my world. It’s take it or leave it, all or nothing.
Get out of my way, golden boy, or I'll tarnish your gilded armor black before this is over.


Note from the author: Brutal Heartsis a dark enemies-to-lovers, college romance. It features mature themes including an explosive heat level, bullying, and, like my other novels, struggles with mental illness.

It is a standalone novel but part of the larger Wicked Empire universe, which follows characters introduced in my Voclain Academy series after they leave high school and enter adulthood. Reading the Voclain Academy series or Vicious Love, the first standalone dark college romance of the Wicked Empire universe, is not required to enjoy this book.

For a list of all content warnings, please check the author's note at the beginning of the book prior to reading (through the look-inside feature) or visit Jordan's website.

Genres: Dark, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary, Steamy, Romance

Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2023

About the author

Jordan Grant is a lost soul, who changed majors three times in college before deciding on English. Because she has about as much patience as her beautiful, wonderful (did she mention ah-mazing!) younglings, she graduated a year early and then went to law school because...

Well, she mentioned she’s a lost soul, right?

A special place in her heart is devoted to edgy alpha males and bad boys with naughty mouths. She loves to get lost in the blur between love and hate and is especially fond of prince charmings with dents in their crowns and strife in their souls.

She is an avid fan of all things sweet including red wine and cupcakes (red velvet, please!). When she’s not daydreaming about the characters in her head, she enjoys (attempting to) garden, petting furry animals, and wrangling her family into day-trip adventures.

Reviews

[ashlee ❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

-fckboy
-fiancés son
-revenge plot
-she can’t feel
-boy falls first HARD

“I’m not black-hearted, Golden Boy. I’m brutal. I will destroy your life and everything you care about and not give a fuck.”
“I don’t believe you. Even brutal hearts bleed.”
“Not mine. To bleed, I would have to have one.”

Ohhhhh godddd they were BRUTALLLLL in here y’all!!!
this so such an empowering story for our FMC, Layne! We have a very dark backstory & she heals with her trauma in her own unconventional way & is trying to get her life back. But who comes in the way? The school fckboy, who also happens to be her fiancés son. Guys. Don’t sleep ok this. It’s a good one!!

[Devons book corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal Hearts is the second book in the Wicked Empire series, and it's just as intense as the first book was. This book is Archie the "Golden Boy" and Layne's story. Archie is used to having everything handed to him in life. The one thing he works hard at is football. He wants to go pro and make a name for himself. Layne is a poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Layne is after revenge, and Archie is captivated by this woman who he can't stop thinking about. This book was so incredibly amazing. The writing was exquisite, the plot incredible, and I absolutely devoured this book in a matter of hours. Its dark, raw, gritty, not to mention all the witty banter, sizzling chemistry, lies, revenge, secrets and twists and turns. This book is so wonderful, and you really need to check it out.

[Nagma (Take A Look At My Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal Hearts is the second book in the Wicked Empire series. This is my first book by Jordan Grant and I had no trouble reading it as a standalone. This book was phenomenal. I loved the characters and the book was very well-written. This book was intense, emotional, and powerful.

Layla is strong and fierce despite her traumatic past and I loved seeing her character development as the story progressed. Archie came across as a typical playboy, but he’s loyal, and has a heart of gold.

I loved this dark story full of revenge, secrets, lies, twists, and turns. I’m obsessed with Jordan’s writing and I need to read more of this author’s books asap!

What to expect:
🖤 Enemies to Lovers
🖤 Revenge Plot
🖤 He falls first
🖤 Dark
🖤 Opposites Attract
🖤 Father’s Fiancé

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Inked Orca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Layne lost everything she cared about because of Eli Blakey. Her mother often reminded her of that. Now Layne is the only one who remembers, and she won’t stop until Eli pays for what he did. Her plan was easy: get close to the guy and then ruin everything he worked for and watch as he loses everything he cares about. Then she could kill him like he killed her father. Golden Boy wasn’t supposed to stand in her way. He was just a casualty. But when his touch brings her dead heart to life, temptation becomes almost impossible to resist.

Archie couldn’t believe that his father wanted to marry a girl young enough to be his sister. But with his father being the “I always get what I want” type, it did not surprise him that his father wanted Red. She was brutally beautiful, and she was ruining his easy life. He wanted her gone from his life as much as she wanted him out of her way. He never expected to have her haunt his dreams and make him wish every girl he gets with was her.



The book is divided into four parts: Dawn, Midday, Dusk, and Nightfall. Written from both Archie and Layne’s povs, plus each part starts with Gil’s pov (Layne’s father). Brutal Hearts is exactly what its title suggests. Brutal. It’s a dark romance with collage and enemies-to-lovers. It’s a story about a girl who dedicated her life to vengeance and a boy who didn’t know how to deal with the spitfire who’s determined to sabotage his life.



There’s a lot of swearing. I mean, Archie called Layne a sailor when they first locked eyes. And the situation was... inappropriate. So if you’re one for books that don’t have any of that or triggers, this one isn’t recommended for you. But if that is your thing, beware. There are steamy scenes, rape, cutting, and violence.



I love how both main characters develop throughout the story. Layne was a heartless and vengeful person who had one goal in mind. Her inner struggles made her interesting. It showed the vulnerable part of her and why she’s so determined to seek revenge. While Archie was the playboy, the rich guy who got everything handed out to him. But then again, appearances could be deceiving because he also had his struggles and hardships to deal with.



Jordan Grant was able to capture the raw emotions of the characters and present them in a way that was both heartbreaking and uplifting. The narrative was so powerful and vivid that it made me feel as if I was experiencing the same emotions as the characters. Everything about this book was brutal. It delves into details and the way it’s written hooks you in. The way it ended both broke my heart and mended it.

[Philipa Loxley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5🤩🤩🤩🤩 (Maybe 4) ARC REVIEW
“Running on Revenge”
This is the first time I have had a hard time rating a book. I couldn’t decide so I am going with both. (I don’t do quarters)
Brutal Hearts is full of tropes: revenge romance, father’s fiancé, enemies to lovers, college romance, football romance…
Layne is looking to right the wrongs of of her tragic past. She is a senior at Arlean University and also fiancée to ruthless businessman, Eli Blakely. With what she thinks is a solid plan under her belt, she begins her revenge for the the ruin of her family. Enter hotshot football player, Archie, Eli’s son. Layne and Archie start off on the wrong foot and childish antics between the two ensue.
The storyline is dark and gritty and there are several trigger warnings to be aware of. But that’s not where my conflict is. While there is a pretty hot connection between the MCs, their relationship didn’t develop enough for me to really get into them. Most of their page time, they are at each other’s throats. Once they move into the lovers category, it feels almost abrupt. Then there’s the third POV. I found it unnecessary; it didn’t feel like it added anything to the story. That part of the story would’ve been better off told through dialogue. With its removal, I think the pacing would’ve felt more balanced.
On the flip side, the author did a great job with the suspense. I was fully engrossed in where the storyline would take me and how the past unraveled to get us to the present. Layne is such a complex character because of her past, and you can’t help but root for her. It took me a beat to warm up to Archie being that he is the quintessential player and silver spoon-fed Richie. As his feelings develop for Layne, though we get to see a different side to him. The villains (that’s right, plural) are the most developed characters. Aside from, Layne, they are the big stars of the story. And that is rare for me. But their impact is so explosive and captivating. Let me just say, some folks should not procreate!
Anyway, bottom line, if you are unsure of whether to read, I recommend you go for it. It’s definitely worth it.
Read if you’re down with:
*Revenge Romance
*Enemies to Lovers
*Badass Heroine
*Erotic Suspense
*Mind-Bending Villains

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the Wicked Empire series is just as intense, emotional, and powerful as Book 1. This book we are introduced to Archie the "Golden Boy" and Layne the poor girl from the wrong side of town who are both looking for ways to heal their broken pieces. Archie is used to having everything handed to him but he also works himself to exhaustion to make sure he can and will go Pro. He has to make a name for himself so he can never be like his father. He wants to be productive and self-made even if everyone thinks differently. He has never met someone like Layne "Red" before and he loves that she doesn't just bend at his will like everyone else. She challenges him and it makes him want her even more. However, Layne has one focus of getting under Archie's skin and seeking revenge for her father. She never expected to start having feelings and a connection with Archie. She was so focused on plotting his entire families demise that she never saw her feelings and desire for Archie to be so strong. Archie is disgusted with himself and his father when he learns the truth and his only goal is to protect and help Layne with anything she needs. However, Archie underestimated his father and his cruelty and he might not be able to keep that promise he made to Layne.

Be prepared for an exciting, dangerous, and very emotional ride with these two characters who are so strong, stubborn, and emotionally damaged that the only way to cure themselves is to trust each other but that has always been an issue for both them. Can these brutally damaged individuals find their peace and salvation within each others arms or will the world around them tear them apart forever? Happy Reading!!!

[Anja · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC READER ✨


oh God, what a book ..
this is my first read by Jordan Grant and i enjoyed it so much ..
one day, I needed literary one day to read it ..
the book was so good, so interesting, so dark 😍🥰
love love looved every second of it ..
it starts with first chapter, after reading it, you just want in and want to know more 🤩

the characters, let's talk about them 😍
Layne is a queen, i kid you not, she is mother-fucking-queen in my eyes .. she is such a nice person, who went through so much shit in her life and it only made her stronger.. in the past, in the present and in the future 😍 i am so wowed by her i just want to hug her IRL and never let go 🥰
Archibald is a bad, bad boy, until Layne. And we love that. I love bad boys who turns nice just for her 😍 *my heart be still 🤭* He's schools best player and womanizer, but she just has that little spark that makes him obsessed with her and making him want to change 😍

Together these two are one ticking bomb filled with passion. Let's put it this way, she hates his family, he wants her despite her connection with his family, and he always gets what he wants except Layne is not so naive and she just has bigger plans and Archie is only in the way of them, until you see them shoulder to shoulder, all problems are gone and there is only two of them, hate mixed with passion, and I'm telling you, there is nothing juicier that than 🥰

one book you will definitely want to read if you love enemies to lovers trope, if that didn't sold it to you, let's try adding secrets, dark past, dark present and a lot of TW that you have to read, they just made me want to read it even more 😍

[BookSpice_and_EverythingNice | Malika · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one hurts me so good like Jordan does.

Archie is used to getting to do whatever she wants, f*ck whoever he wants(for one night only) and knows his future can only involve taking over his dad's successful company. He's a star football player, he tends to live in his own world. Until a red-headed tornado destroys everything he thought he knew and everything he thought he wanted.

Layne's past is filled with nothing but pain and trauma. The only thing that has kept her going is revenge. And nothing, not even a sweet, man-whore God of a man is going to get in her way.

Wowza...Jordan can WRITE. This is the kind of book where I suggest you read the triggers warnings because this book deals with some dark themes. I'll never understand how Jordan can create such complex characters that BREAK MY HEART, but still, give me a beautiful HEA. This book took me from chuckling to crying in the span of like 2 chapters, and I loved it.

Archie is such a unique MMC to me. He's not overly alpha, he's not "mature for his age", he's spoiled but also has trauma of his own and he's just so SWEET deep down. I found myself just wanting to put this cinnamon roll in a Tupperware and protecting him at all costs.

Layne..ugh what this girl survived in the past and during this story....she's a FIGHTER. She was raw and real and trying to cope the best way she knew.

This book is not for the weak of heart, but this story with leave you breathless by the end.

[Rebecca Unsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal Hearts is book 2 in the Wicked Hearts series, it can be read as a standalone but I definitely recommend not only reading book 1 in this series Vicious Love but also the Beautifully Wicked series too. Brutal Hearts features Archie and Layne. Layne is a girl out for revenge after past trauma and that revenge is towards Archie's dad. Archie is a different girl every night and never returning to the same girl twice kinda guy until he meets Layne. Unfortunately for him she is engaged to someone else but everything isn't as straightforward as he thinks.

I loved this story and the characters it's very well written. Layne is a strong feisty character despite enduring a traumatic past. I enjoyed seeing her character develop as the story progressed. Archie comes across as a playboy but underneath it all he is loving and very loyal. I loved that he fell first. I really enjoyed seeing the other characters pop up and especially loved reading the messages between the boys in the text group, it made me laugh.
Another fantastic story, if you love a revenge plot story with chemistry, darkness, banter and he falls first then this book is for you. Can't wait for Chase's story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal hearts a wicked empire Novel . Settle in and hold on tight as Brutal Hearts is a journey unlike you’ve ever been on before . A emotional rollercoaster that is absolutely going to grab onto all your emotions so quickly and pull at your heartstrings in ways your certainly will not be expecting. In fact you’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat heart beating so fast and speechless . Dark college romances are one of my very favorite tropes to read and Brutal Hearts was easily one of the best I’ve read in quite some time . Dark , raw , gritty and emotionally charged , suspenseful, heartbreaking, heartfelt, filled with angst , tragedy, twists and turns, second chances , witty banter , off the charts chemistry, secrets , lies , revenge, romance, non stop action, family , friendships, wonderfully written characters that are so unique and so multi layered you simply cannot stop yourself from becoming more and more invested . Layne and Archie’s journey has all of the above and so much more then words can even express . I really cannot remember the last time I devoured a book as fast as I did this one , not to mention all the sleep I lost because once I started reading it was pretty much impossible to put it down

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archie is the star of the college football team, cocky, rich, sexy, desired by all the girls, and king of the one night stand.
Layne is a college transfer student, red-headed, beautiful, cold, driven by revenge, and in line to be Archie’s new step-mother.
Archie and Lane are in a battle of wills, Layne bent on her plan for revenge by marrying his father and destroying him, and Archie determined to keep her from marrying because he wants her himself. Every time they meet they clash, neither backing down, but fighting the desire between them, especially Layne, who feels cold and dead inside most of the time, except when near Archie.
Archie pushes for Layne to give in to him, Layne fights back trying to manipulate him and his father, secrets from Layne’s past are revealed, and revenge maybe done—or not.
This story kept me reading without stopping, through the constant challenges between Layne and Archie, the manipulations by Archie’s father, and the power plays between the three. A good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brutal Hearts is, like the title suggests, pretty brutal. If you are a fan of dark romance and reading traumatic events on page, this book will deliver on all those fronts. Please, please take author Jordan Grant’s trigger warnings seriously. And if any of the items listed on page will adversely affect you, skip this book and dip into another.

If you love a hero who knows what he wants and won’t stop until he gets it, you will devour this book. Archie is as determined as he is entitled, and I was fascinated by his fascination of Layne. I admired the strength of Layne’s character and her willingness to sacrifice everything for her revenge. These two are very well suited for the other.

Unfortunately, certain events that happened on page were a little bit much for me, but that is no fault of the author. There are many reasons to depict certain scenes on page, and Grant did a comprehensive job of laying out topics that might be potentially triggering. Her dedication page also gave me life.

If you love a dark NA tale, you should definitely check out this book.

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[GinaCW_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Even brutal hearts bleed"

Jordan Grant doesn't shy away from the tough stuff. I loved the way the mental health issues were handled in the first book of the series and now she delicately tackled Layne and her past/present trauma. (Be mindful of the trigger warnings, check if you're unsure.)

On the outside Archie is the perpetual ladies man, a different girl every night and never a repeat. His life seems perfect on the surface but there's so much more going on that he hides with girls and humor.

Layne has trauma. Loads of it. It's past trauma, present trauma and she's on a mission for revenge. She feels nothing, until.......

Layne and Archie cross path on campus - not by chance (sneaky Layne). Archie is immediately drawn to her - to be his next notch in his bedpost? To be more? He can't get the fiery redhead out of his thoughts and it only gets worse when he finds out who she is.

This is another amazing book by Jordan Grant.

What you get:
-he falls first
-"innocent" fmc
-revenge plot
-dad's fiancé
-HEA (yayyyy!)

Next up... we get Chase's story.

[Amber Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal hearts and an even more brutal love.

Archie is your typical player, both on and off the field, but he’s about to be drawn into the biggest game of his life. In a twist, he is our soft, where our heroine, Laney, is all hard edges and sharp tongued.

This book, like all of Jordan’s books, tackles mental health and this one centers on childhood traumas and how they shape and mold who we become. How we can carry these traumas with us and hold on to them as we grow.

Laney’s trauma has set her on the path of certain revenge, with no turning back. But can our “golden boy” Archie temper Layne’s fire before it’s all too late?

As someone who likes her “hero” to be more dark, dangerous, and broody…Archie won me over, no questions asked. He is loving, loyal, and easygoing. On the flip side, he will not stand idly by and let those he cares for be ruined.

A great book and an uplifting read. A true story of how we can heal and grow if we allow love into our lives and not try to bear our burdens alone.

[Whispered Secrets · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brutal Hearts is the second book in the series. And it’s just that BRUTAL but it’s so much more than just that. Everyone has their demons and things they have to work through…but some need more, they need retribution they need revenge they need to settle the score. Which is exactly what Laney needs to move on. Her mother drilled it in her head at a young age that she must seek revenge. She must make him pay…and since she has “no heart” she has no problem doing just that.
Archie is the golden boy the rich boy who never has to work for anything ever. He just gets what he wants. Even if he has to take it by force. And what he wants is the girl that can’t stand him, his father fiancée. Is it wrong? Maybe…does he care? Time will tell.
This book has everything revenge, lies, deception, steam and dare I say love…or is it? You decide.
There are trigger warnings and if this is a problem for you then I do not recommend this book for you. Because it is DARK AND Delicious…if that’s your thing don’t miss out!
I received a free advanced copy to read and review.

[Rina's Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me completely riveted from page one.

Layne and Archie were two of the most hard-headed characters that I have ever read, but boy did it make the banter fantastic. I really enjoyed that Layne didn't bow down to the "Golden Boy" but rather, she got him right where she needed him.

Their chemistry was off the charts, you could feel it from the get-go and once they finally succumbed to the sexual tension between them it only seemed to burn hotter.

I don't want to dive into the story too much and ruin it for anyone but do be mindful of the TW/CW of this book, there are some very serious issues that are discussed and experienced throughout this book.
I really enjoyed getting to see the snippets from Layne's dad throughout the book, it really added another layer to the story.

It was a gritty, intense, and tension-filled ride that I would happily read again.

4.5 stars.

[Barbara Abatzis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, Hot and sooo goood!

My rating: 5

Heat: 8/10
Emotion 8/10
Story: 9/10
Characters: 8/10
Interest: 9/10
POV: Dual
No Cheating
No Cliffhanger

"Brutal Hearts"... Where do I start?
It is dark, dirty, hot, twisted and wonderful. This was one of the best books i have read in the last months. I won't mention the story, the blurb says everything there is to say, you need to read the book.
Even though there were many triggers i don't actually like and other tropes i dislike in a romance, nothing bothered me, because it was too good.
The plot had me guessing all the time about what would happen next, the writing was good and hot. This was one of the few books i didn't skip one single page... one single line actually.
For those who are interested, there are many triggers.
I believe Jordan Grant will be one of my favorite authors (for this genre) from now on.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kendall Rubel · Rating 5 out of 5]

a heartbreaking tale of retribution. The FMC went through so much suffering in this book that it almost became impossible to read. She came up with the ideal strategy to exact her vengeance for the murder of her father. Archie is the college's king. He has everything he desires until he is turned down by the new redhead on campus; She is not only his father's new fiancée, but she has also rejected him. Layne and Archie were not just lovers—they were actually enemies. Archie tried his hardest, but he couldn't break through Layne's hard shell until the two of them were too involved in their romance. Things take a terrible turn for the worse when Archie discovers the truth about his father and discovers old secrets. Archie now doesn't care about social status, trust funds, or money because he found something more valuable in the girl he shouldn't have fallen for.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tyler Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow just wow! This revenge romance blew me away. First and foremost this book was just *chefs kiss* . Layne the fmc is my kind of character; sarcastic, witty with a strong dislike for the sun. She was such a blast to read and see her development as a character through out the book. Her tough childhood didn’t hold her back from her goals.

I loved the whole premise of the plot, the fmc looking for revenge so she decides to marry the mmc dad and it was a spectacular plan I must admit.

What makes this book even better is the he falls first trope, pair that with him being obsessed once he goes down and you have an mmc that has you devouring this book in one sitting.

If you’re looking for a book with a lot of chemistry between the two MCs, a revenge plot and playboy who gets reformed then you need to pick this up!

[Mrs A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I’m speechless, this book was so raw and emotional and thought provoking. It has some heavy triggers so do read with caution. It definitely called out to my dark little heart and gave me all the feels. It is raw and gritty and heartbreakingly good.

Layne, the female character has endured a lot and has still not yet come to terms with her past. it leaves her a little cold and vulnerable. Archie is the boy with a golden retriever personality who falls first and hard for Layne even though she is unattainable. Their chemistry was inevitable.

Loved this, I’ll need a reread to make sense of it all again which is a testament to how good this book was. Easiest five stars this year for a raw, gritty story which does end in a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely a rollercoaster! Layne is such a strong character. She has grown up in an abusive household and seeks revenge against the man who started the spiral and destroyed her family. However, she doesn’t anticipate Archie getting involved. Archie himself is a playboy but when he meets Layne, things start changing for him and he finds that he wants to look after her. He pushes her buttons and supports her and helps her weather the storm. The two of them together have a lot of physical and emotional chemistry, and strong connection, and witty banter. This read definitely pulls you through the wringer, being a it gritty and dark, so I would heed the tigger warnings. Overall though, this was an engaging read, one that grabs you and doesn’t let go!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archie has had everything handed to him on a silver platter, thanks to his father and his money. The only thing he works hard at is football and he's good enough to go pro, but his father has forbiden him to continue playing after college. He's a true "Golden Boy" in every sense of the world. He doesn't commit to one woman and he never takes a woman back to his dorm room.

Layne is focused on getting revenge for the death of her father. Archie's father, Eli, was business partner with Layne's father. Layne has long suspected that Eli was somehow involved, but has no proof. To get her revenge, she has wormed her way into Eli's life and they are engaged to be married. But when the whole world explodes, will Archie be there to help her pick up the pieces?

[ERICA LANGENFELD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the trigger warnings! There are descriptive situations of sexual trauma, self-harm, and assault.

If you can get past that, your heart will break for Layne aka Red. She had a horrible upbringing and wants revenge. Archie just wants to love and save her. Archie’s character development is huge, Layne’s is more healing and therefore more subtle. This is the first book I have read by this author, and I’m looking forward to reading more of their work. I really liked the different perspectives, particularly Gil’s inclusion. Honestly a lot of the dialogue was choppy for me, it was longer than it needed to be, and I did find myself skimming often.

I received this book as an ARC. My opinions are my own.

Solid 3 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[Morgan Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new to me author. I haven't read any of the other series and did not get lost in this one.

This is one of those books you need to pay attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. This one tackles darker subjects, so just be prepared for that.

I loved the dynamic between Archie and Layne. Archie is the typical one and done, college playboy. He has no interest in changing his ways until he meets Layne. Archie really has the character growth in his book. While I loved Layne, her character really didn't need to mature as much as Archie did.

I loved this couple together and I loved that this author tackled some hard content. If you have no triggers, this is a book you should enjoy.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this incredible series, and this is Archie and Layne’s journey. Archie is a playboy who has had an easy life and is now the golden boy and first-line running back for Arlean University. Layne is focused on revenge, and she has a plan. This is a well written story which is dark, raw, gritty, intense, and intriguing, with undeniable chemistry, emotions, tragedy, twists, action packed, vengeance, humor, witty banter, and love, which leads to an entertaining, enemies / lovers’, addictive, and steamy page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[ZUI-NOAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review

🌶 4/5

•Jordan Grant open the book with a tornado, more like in the sense of great and epic twists. The whole plot around the college and stuff was just great. It's full on a emotional epic ride. Not once I was bored. It pulled me into it with it's cinematic vibes.

About Mcs
Archie was great, possessive and later on very understanding man, he I believe was came into the world for layne and after Layne what suffered, she deserves to be with him. The whole plot around them was beautiful and woven right and the totally were there for each other. It was heart thriller enemies to lovers book.

Highly recommend it.

[Ash Juillet · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

This was extremely dramatic, almost to the point of being over the top, but it stopped just in time. I liked the imagery and descriptions the author used to show the characters' feelings throughout the book. This book also uses that one sub-plot point I hate to love: when the MMC is with the OW and calls out the MFC's name and realises how he feels. Archie was an idiot, but he did mature a bit by the climax, so there's that. And when we find out what the title refers to, that was a brilliant moment.

Overall, the emotional angst and external drama were more than the dark romance, but it was still great.

[P Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Combustible Passionate Vengeance!

Archie is everything any good girl wants but knows better. Layne is fire adrift. These two meet and from there their worlds tilt. There is no lack of emotion poured into every last word. You feel it all, described down to the smells in the air around them. Jordan doesn't leave you hanging on bated breath to see what comes next because it arrives like a freight train. All I can say is enjoy the ride of a lifetime in this dark and twisted journey... I know I did

[Mary S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Layne and Archie story so much. Man I didn’t know there was a character that could break my heart so hard but I think I found one, Layne this woman was my warrior for all that she was, for all that she is and for all of the pain she had to go through to get to the point were she will meet the love that she so much deserves. Archie this man was my hero even as goofy as he was he was just perfect for our Layne. Now I need more and I think that it will be Chase turn so let’s wait and see who will be next in Wicked Empire series.

[Josmely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Layne and Archie have my entire heart. This man falls first and HARD. I loved every time they were together 😭. Even when they couldn't stand each other and argued you can feel the chemistry and tension between them.

All Layne wants is revenge against Archie's dad. Bc of that and bc of her traumas from her childhood she shuts down. The only person that makes her feel something is Archie. She definitely needed someone to look out for her and make her happy.

The book does touch a couple of sensitive topics (pls read TW before reading).