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Sabre Security #1
Corpse Roads
In therapy, they tell you to use your senses.
List the things you know.
Sermons recited with malice. A blood-soaked ritual. The sting of tears and gasping sobs of the dying. Rotting flesh.
I grew up in a cage, tortured by the Lord Almighty's most twisted servant. Death and despair became my close companions as I watched years of slaughter at Pastor Michaels’ hand.
Eighteen girls. Dead.
Eighteen lives. Ended.
Eighteen futures. Stolen.
After years of captivity, I don't recognise the world I'm suddenly thrust into. The road in front of me is lined with corpses, demanding vengeance from beyond the grave.
I escaped… but they didn’t.
Now, I have to live for them.
Sabre Security offers me a lifeline in the dark. They want to find the killer before another girl dies, but their protection comes with a price.
My soul must be excavated, one sinful memory at a time.
The Hunter will become the Hunted.
Author Note: Corpse Roads (Sabre Security #1) is a contemporary reverse harem romance set in the same universe as Blackwood Institute, which is recommended to be read first but not compulsory.
List the things you know.
Sermons recited with malice. A blood-soaked ritual. The sting of tears and gasping sobs of the dying. Rotting flesh.
I grew up in a cage, tortured by the Lord Almighty's most twisted servant. Death and despair became my close companions as I watched years of slaughter at Pastor Michaels’ hand.
Eighteen girls. Dead.
Eighteen lives. Ended.
Eighteen futures. Stolen.
After years of captivity, I don't recognise the world I'm suddenly thrust into. The road in front of me is lined with corpses, demanding vengeance from beyond the grave.
I escaped… but they didn’t.
Now, I have to live for them.
Sabre Security offers me a lifeline in the dark. They want to find the killer before another girl dies, but their protection comes with a price.
My soul must be excavated, one sinful memory at a time.
The Hunter will become the Hunted.
Author Note: Corpse Roads (Sabre Security #1) is a contemporary reverse harem romance set in the same universe as Blackwood Institute, which is recommended to be read first but not compulsory.
460 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2022
1611 people are currently reading
8091 people want to read
About the author
J. Rose
24 books2,248 followersJ Rose is an independent dark romance author from the United Kingdom. She writes challenging, plot-driven stories packed full of angst, heartbreak and broken characters fighting for their happily ever afters.
She’s an introverted bookworm at heart with a caffeine addiction, penchant for cursing and an unhealthy attachment to fictional characters.
Feel free to reach out on social media, J Rose loves talking to her readers!
Enquiries: j_roseauthor@yahoo.com
Stalk J Rose here:
www.jroseauthor.com/socials
Newsletter sign up:
www.jroseauthor.com/socials
Buy J Rose's books:
www.jroseauthor.com/books
She’s an introverted bookworm at heart with a caffeine addiction, penchant for cursing and an unhealthy attachment to fictional characters.
Feel free to reach out on social media, J Rose loves talking to her readers!
Enquiries: j_roseauthor@yahoo.com
Stalk J Rose here:
www.jroseauthor.com/socials
Newsletter sign up:
www.jroseauthor.com/socials
Buy J Rose's books:
www.jroseauthor.com/books
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 702 reviews
December 21, 2022
3 'only for the plot' stars. Another day, another futile attempt to love a reverse harem book as much I did Lords of Pain. 🤡
LOP is an exception, after all. This subgenre is so unconvincing, mostly due to the fact that many authors simply don't possess adequate attributes to make this sort of relationship sound credible and, eh, swoonworthy.
But back to the book in question: I have to admit it proved to be much more entertaining than I initially expected. When I scrolled through this book's page on Goodreads and saw that it's filled to the brim with praising 4-5 star arc reviews, I felt disheartened. Believe me, nothing is more suss than not being able to find a single bad review of the book. This is downright creepy. Not a single nitpicking bitch crying about how bad the book is? No critical feedback?? No frustration??? Demands for recompensation???? No nothing????? Is this even the Goodreads I know and love? 😔
SUSS.
I knew I was possibly setting myself up for a disaster of epic proportions and even searched for the perfect meme that would fit the occasion in advance (just in case ya know):
But now I can't even use it because I didn't hate the book. 🥲
With one aspect of it I wasn't entirely disappointed:
the plot is pretty gripping. It was the only thing that prevented me from bailing out after 40% mark because when it came down to the romance aspect? I wasn't sold on it.
THE PLOT
For as long as Harlow (h) can remember, a dark, filthy cell in the basement is the only place she's ever known. The place where she eats, sleeps, matures and watches her dad maim, rape, torture and murder young women in a cell adjacent to hers. 💀
To punish those girls for their sins, Harlow's daddy, who is also areligious fanatic pastor, commits his own: rapes them brutally before he forces bloody rituals—having their skin carved with religious iconography and, sometimes, removed—upon them.
Harlow's mom, like a good little wifey she is, cleans after her hubby's post-ceremonial mess. That is, when she doesn't beat the shit out of her daughter, who is also forced to accompany her in the noble cause and scrub the place clean after yet another bloodbath. 🙂
Nothing too alarming, just a nice little routine in their cozy psycho-friendly household.
One lucky day, little Harlow escapes the haunted place where she's been kept against her will for decades — some abandoned chapel's basement in the middle of nowhere as it turns out — but not without the help of her dad's last victim's femur that she takes — rotten flesh on it and all — with her. 💀
But don't rush to pull your handkerchiefs out of your pockets just yet, guys. There's another place and time for tears. Turns out our girl Harlow has won the lottery of life, she just doesn't know it yet. 😌
Otherwise, how would you explain that this traumatized girl ends up landing not one, not even two, but FOURpotential BOYFRIENDS who also happen to be (well, three of them) private investigators at Sabre Security that have been working on the notorious serial killer (who happens to be her daddy dearest) case for years?
From that point onwards, her life takes a drastic turn as she embarks on a long path of mental and physical healing. As the only surviving victim and witness, she turns into a major connecting dot between the serial killer and the murder investigation, with her memories playing the key role in helping Sabre Security find and stop the murderous psychopath from killing even more women.
Soon comes a minor plot twist that
was entirely too predictable:
we learn that Harlow isn't pastor Michael's real daughter. She was kidnapped by him when she was only nine years old and brainwashed into believing that he and his wife were her parents.
Harlow not being blood related to those psychopaths was quite obvious due to the fact that a girl who, purportedly, has never even seen the light of day is able to adjust to her new life — digital devices, hospital facilities and normal home — with surprising ease. It's not like she had Internet access, TV or books in her cell to get all the information about the outside world, and there's only so much a person could learn from their fellow prisoners, so her behavior and reactions make it clear that there was a time when she didn't have to live locked in the basement.
(Her adapting so quickly was still weird as hell to me considering that she was taken hostage as a child and kept in captivity for 13 years, but whatever 🌞)
THE GOOD
✧ The writing style and the plot were pretty engaging. Eventually, I started losing interest (at 40% mark), yet something kept pulling me back in.
I want to see how the plot unravels in the second book because let's be honest here: at the end of this one we know just as much about pastor Michaels as we did at the beginning. 🌝
I don't mean to say that the book dragged (it's dynamic and eventful), but the author definitely withholds big events and revelations till the second book. I'm just not particularly fond of having a major mystery/conflict dragged out. If Agatha Christie's characters could solve a murder mystery in less that 300 pages, then why can't characters here do the same? 🤡 *cough*
✧ The main characters didn't annoy me (much), but all you need to know is that I have to take a moment and look up their names before I proceed. 💀
Hunter (the main in their reverse harem group): cold asshole with tough exterior but soft heart 🕵️
Enzo: overly protective mother hen (possessive yet willing to share with his besties. 🥰 what a generous man)
Theo: computer geek with social anxiety 🧍🏽♂️
Leighton (Hunter's bro): laid-back fuckboy with an easy smile but a dark past. 🌚🌝
And sure enough, all the heroes share common trauma that made them fucked up.
They aren't bad hero material per se, but they definitely come across as characters who can be easily put into labelled boxes. I love the feeling when characters sound like real people with nuanced personalities and not just popular romance hero archetypes. As a side note, I know I'm asking too much, don't worry.
✧ Loved the ending because it made me even more curious about the pastor Michaels' ulterior motives. Why is he so obsessed with Harlow specifically?? Why did he choose to play daddy for her and never raped/tried to kill her? Did he use his "wife" so he could play family with Harlow?
(seems to be a popular question with me: why is everyone so damn obsessed with that girl?🤡)
THE BAD
Romance. Romance. Romance. 💀
~not character-driven (like... how can one pull off writing a RH book without it being character-driven?? we're supposed to believe that 5 people love each other deeply, each of them having some sort of a bond with four other ppl in the group. this is not credible at all unless you FORCE us to believe 💀)
~ insta-lusty and insta-lovey (bitch, why when?? how is the h even special?)
~ bland (where's the tension zzz)
~ quirky dialogues and unoriginal inside jokes
✧ When I already started to take this book seriously, it slipped into an unbelievable, of the fairytale sort, joke of romance between a girl suffering from intense PTSD and four men, obsessed with her for no obvious reason at all. I ignored some warning signs of insta-nonsense at the beginning, but the things only got progressively worse.
As in, the romantic line was overall glossed over (only slightly hinted here and implied there) in favor of the plot(AND I LOVED THAT. IT SHOULD HAVE STAYED THAT WAY TILL THE END), and then all of a sudden four guys end up being so smitten with Harlow that they can't imagine their lives without her any more. 🤡
✧ Not to be an unfeeling asshole of the unspeakable kind, but...
what is so special about Harlow, besides dissociative amnesia and PTSD, to have that kind of effect on 3 crime investigators and one ex-convict? Surely they've seen worse in their practice, hehe. 💀
On a serious note: the heroes don't uncover even one-tenth of what lies beneath deep layers of Harlow's pain and trauma so them saying we're obsessed with her, we can't let her go, she shall be ours sounded like the author's desperate attempt to turn this story about healing and facing one's worst nightmares into a whirlwind obsessive romance. I was reading their cheesy love declarations with my resting bitch face in place, wondering about "where did that just come from, bitch?? how did we come from crime mystery to that corny piece of nonsense, omg".💀
Enzo: falls in love with Harlow the moment he enters her hospital room. I'm not even exaggerating, he is the weirdest weirdo of the group, and that's not a compliment.
Is he that impressed with the photos of the scars covering her body paired with her vulnerable state?? His POV reeked of male interest from their first encounter. Instead of sounding endearingly sweet, his instant protectiveness rubbed me the wrong way: crushing on a serial killer's victim at first sight? Howcute creepy. 💀 He doesn't even know anything about her yet at the time. His insta-feelings have some shallow aftertaste to them, making me wonder would he react the same way if it was any other girl in her place? Authors' obsession with writing tropes (boy obsessed) versa detailed character arcs cheapens the romance aspect of their books.
Hunter: an unfeeling, abrasive asshole that treats Harlow like a job until one random moment he just stops and turns into a simpering mess at Harlow's feet. 💀 Yeah, the timeline is fine — it happens in the second half of the book when he's already known her for a while — yet the transition on its own is so abrupt and misplaced: from a jerk who snaps at her and orders her around one day to boy obsessed another. The turning point, where? The change spurred on by what exactly? The relationship development, where? When Hunter professes that he's loved Harlow from the very moment he set his eyes on her and only acted coldly toward her to keep a safe distance, his character was kinda ruined for me. 🌝 Whoa, I thought you were deeper than that, Hunter.
Theo: the guy doesn't even have much page time at all, let alone any quality time with Harlow, but he, too, is portrayed as completely pussy whipped? Insta-love/insta-lust/insta-obsession must be contagious. The fact that the other guys mention him being super fixated on the investigation and Harlow's past only confirms that the romance between Harlow and the guys is written in a way that makes it look bad — trauma-based at best and shallow at worst.
Throughout the book, I just couldn't shake off the feeling that Hunter, Enzo and Theo only take an interest in Harlow because she's a victim of the murder case (that shaped her personality in a lot of ways, too) that the guys have already been obsessed with.
As in, the way their obsession with Harlow was written, it gave me the impression that their feelings for her weren't born out of their admiration for Harlow as a person but rather coming from misplaced protective instincts directed at their ward/girl who needed protection.
Yeah, there are scenes where they talk, watch movies, have breakfast and work on the investigation together, but none of them come close to giving me a glimpse of something special going on between them. Each time one of the guys would start paying attention to Harlow sexually, I felt annoyed and exasperated. Not to mention, weird. Reign in your dicks and let this girl heal properly first. She keeps tearing locks of her hair out on a daily basis to deal with her trauma and you lot want to stuff her with your dicks?? Bye —💀
✧ Same is true for Harlow: why does she wind up craving to kiss each of them? Giiirl, don't you think it's even a tiny bit weird all of them want you and you want all of them back? They act like monogamy isn't even the norm. 💀
Also, sometimes it appeared as if Harlow was using the guys' physical attraction as a coping mechanism to distract herself from the traumatic past. I can't believe how casual the reverse harem aspect is handled in this book, taking into account the sensitive topics it raises.
✧ It didn't help the matters (read: convince me all of them are super special and perfect for each other) that the guys already had a woman they loved deeply before... Not just a casual fling they'd share for fun from time to time, but their "soulmate" whose death left them devastated. Them falling for Harlow felt like some sort of trauma bonding experience for each party involved dressed up as "love/obsession".
Leighton: the only guy whose feelings don't come across as something 100 percent random. At least him and Harlow spend some quality time together. Plus, he was never part of the initial harem with the dead ex in the first placetoo busy serving his sentence in jail sjsjsj. That made their relationship with Harlow sound more or less authentic. Yet again, what's so special about Harlow for him to give up on his manwhoring ways? It didn't make sense to me how fast he transforms from playboy into smitten kitten. Their bond with Harlow isn't even that deep.
The whole romantic storyline only stands on one pillar: the author's wish to write about four lovesick guys panting after one girl rather than a logical progression of the plot.
In my opinion, this book lacks proper relationship development and any buildup: romance is too fast, underdeveloped, two steps at a time, rushed. Characters' feelings need to be developed through more showing and less telling. Otherwise, all the tension and intensity sip away.
✧ It'd have made more sense (considering how plot-driven the story is and what delicate themes it explores: mental health, physical abuse, self harm, lose of a loved one) if the author only depicted the growing pull and attraction between the main characters in this book, and postponed any cheesy, trope-driven declarations until the next installments. Focusing on character development and building bonds between the h and each H one step at a time would have definitely given a romantic storyline more depth, authenticity and development.
Reverse harem is such a difficult subgenre to handle. I understand why RH authors prefer duets and trilogies to standalones. But they still keep rushing things, which doesn't help their books sound at least a little bit credible. Realistic? I stopped needing that in the romance genre a while agoI mean did you even see real life men, lol? No one wants that in fiction, too. There's still a limit to how much belief readers might be willing to suspend.
(I guess I have to be grateful that at least the author didn't turn the book into porn fest. In fact there are no sex scenes yet, besides some heavy petting and groping. Small mercies)
✧ On a side note, I didn't like yet another kidnapping the heroine has to endure at the very end — a super forced and unwelcome means to create additional drama. Couldn't care less about it. 🙄
LOP is an exception, after all. This subgenre is so unconvincing, mostly due to the fact that many authors simply don't possess adequate attributes to make this sort of relationship sound credible and, eh, swoonworthy.
But back to the book in question: I have to admit it proved to be much more entertaining than I initially expected. When I scrolled through this book's page on Goodreads and saw that it's filled to the brim with praising 4-5 star arc reviews, I felt disheartened. Believe me, nothing is more suss than not being able to find a single bad review of the book. This is downright creepy. Not a single nitpicking bitch crying about how bad the book is? No critical feedback?? No frustration??? Demands for recompensation???? No nothing????? Is this even the Goodreads I know and love? 😔
SUSS.
I knew I was possibly setting myself up for a disaster of epic proportions and even searched for the perfect meme that would fit the occasion in advance (just in case ya know):
But now I can't even use it because I didn't hate the book. 🥲
With one aspect of it I wasn't entirely disappointed:
the plot is pretty gripping. It was the only thing that prevented me from bailing out after 40% mark because when it came down to the romance aspect? I wasn't sold on it.
THE PLOT
For as long as Harlow (h) can remember, a dark, filthy cell in the basement is the only place she's ever known. The place where she eats, sleeps, matures and watches her dad maim, rape, torture and murder young women in a cell adjacent to hers. 💀
Some of the girls before her screamed when Pastor Michaels knelt between their legs, unclipping his belt buckle. Others didn’t.
To punish those girls for their sins, Harlow's daddy, who is also a
Harlow's mom, like a good little wifey she is, cleans after her hubby's post-ceremonial mess. That is, when she doesn't beat the shit out of her daughter, who is also forced to accompany her in the noble cause and scrub the place clean after yet another bloodbath. 🙂
Nothing too alarming, just a nice little routine in their cozy psycho-friendly household.
One lucky day, little Harlow escapes the haunted place where she's been kept against her will for decades — some abandoned chapel's basement in the middle of nowhere as it turns out — but not without the help of her dad's last victim's femur that she takes — rotten flesh on it and all — with her. 💀
I look down at the bone in my arms. She’s still with me, her essence distilled into blood-stained calcium. Laura died believing that I’d get out one day. I can’t let her down.
But don't rush to pull your handkerchiefs out of your pockets just yet, guys. There's another place and time for tears. Turns out our girl Harlow has won the lottery of life, she just doesn't know it yet. 😌
Otherwise, how would you explain that this traumatized girl ends up landing not one, not even two, but FOUR
From that point onwards, her life takes a drastic turn as she embarks on a long path of mental and physical healing. As the only surviving victim and witness, she turns into a major connecting dot between the serial killer and the murder investigation, with her memories playing the key role in helping Sabre Security find and stop the murderous psychopath from killing even more women.
Soon comes a minor plot twist that
was entirely too predictable:
we learn that Harlow isn't pastor Michael's real daughter. She was kidnapped by him when she was only nine years old and brainwashed into believing that he and his wife were her parents.
Harlow not being blood related to those psychopaths was quite obvious due to the fact that a girl who, purportedly, has never even seen the light of day is able to adjust to her new life — digital devices, hospital facilities and normal home — with surprising ease. It's not like she had Internet access, TV or books in her cell to get all the information about the outside world, and there's only so much a person could learn from their fellow prisoners, so her behavior and reactions make it clear that there was a time when she didn't have to live locked in the basement.
(Her adapting so quickly was still weird as hell to me considering that she was taken hostage as a child and kept in captivity for 13 years, but whatever 🌞)
THE GOOD
✧ The writing style and the plot were pretty engaging. Eventually, I started losing interest (at 40% mark), yet something kept pulling me back in.
I want to see how the plot unravels in the second book because let's be honest here: at the end of this one we know just as much about pastor Michaels as we did at the beginning. 🌝
I don't mean to say that the book dragged (it's dynamic and eventful), but the author definitely withholds big events and revelations till the second book. I'm just not particularly fond of having a major mystery/conflict dragged out. If Agatha Christie's characters could solve a murder mystery in less that 300 pages, then why can't characters here do the same? 🤡 *cough*
✧ The main characters didn't annoy me (much), but all you need to know is that I have to take a moment and look up their names before I proceed. 💀
Hunter (the main in their reverse harem group): cold asshole with tough exterior but soft heart 🕵️
Enzo: overly protective mother hen (possessive yet willing to share with his besties. 🥰 what a generous man)
Theo: computer geek with social anxiety 🧍🏽♂️
Leighton (Hunter's bro): laid-back fuckboy with an easy smile but a dark past. 🌚🌝
And sure enough, all the heroes share common trauma that made them fucked up.
They aren't bad hero material per se, but they definitely come across as characters who can be easily put into labelled boxes. I love the feeling when characters sound like real people with nuanced personalities and not just popular romance hero archetypes. As a side note, I know I'm asking too much, don't worry.
✧ Loved the ending because it made me even more curious about the pastor Michaels' ulterior motives. Why is he so obsessed with Harlow specifically?? Why did he choose to play daddy for her and never raped/tried to kill her? Did he use his "wife" so he could play family with Harlow?
(seems to be a popular question with me: why is everyone so damn obsessed with that girl?🤡)
THE BAD
Romance. Romance. Romance. 💀
~not character-driven (like... how can one pull off writing a RH book without it being character-driven?? we're supposed to believe that 5 people love each other deeply, each of them having some sort of a bond with four other ppl in the group. this is not credible at all unless you FORCE us to believe 💀)
~ insta-lusty and insta-lovey (bitch, why when?? how is the h even special?)
~ bland (where's the tension zzz)
~ quirky dialogues and unoriginal inside jokes
✧ When I already started to take this book seriously, it slipped into an unbelievable, of the fairytale sort, joke of romance between a girl suffering from intense PTSD and four men, obsessed with her for no obvious reason at all. I ignored some warning signs of insta-nonsense at the beginning, but the things only got progressively worse.
As in, the romantic line was overall glossed over (only slightly hinted here and implied there) in favor of the plot
✧ Not to be an unfeeling asshole of the unspeakable kind, but...
what is so special about Harlow, besides dissociative amnesia and PTSD, to have that kind of effect on 3 crime investigators and one ex-convict? Surely they've seen worse in their practice, hehe. 💀
On a serious note: the heroes don't uncover even one-tenth of what lies beneath deep layers of Harlow's pain and trauma so them saying we're obsessed with her, we can't let her go, she shall be ours sounded like the author's desperate attempt to turn this story about healing and facing one's worst nightmares into a whirlwind obsessive romance. I was reading their cheesy love declarations with my resting bitch face in place, wondering about "where did that just come from, bitch?? how did we come from crime mystery to that corny piece of nonsense, omg".💀
Enzo: falls in love with Harlow the moment he enters her hospital room. I'm not even exaggerating, he is the weirdest weirdo of the group, and that's not a compliment.
Is he that impressed with the photos of the scars covering her body paired with her vulnerable state?? His POV reeked of male interest from their first encounter. Instead of sounding endearingly sweet, his instant protectiveness rubbed me the wrong way: crushing on a serial killer's victim at first sight? How
Hunter: an unfeeling, abrasive asshole that treats Harlow like a job until one random moment he just stops and turns into a simpering mess at Harlow's feet. 💀 Yeah, the timeline is fine — it happens in the second half of the book when he's already known her for a while — yet the transition on its own is so abrupt and misplaced: from a jerk who snaps at her and orders her around one day to boy obsessed another. The turning point, where? The change spurred on by what exactly? The relationship development, where? When Hunter professes that he's loved Harlow from the very moment he set his eyes on her and only acted coldly toward her to keep a safe distance, his character was kinda ruined for me. 🌝 Whoa, I thought you were deeper than that, Hunter.
Theo: the guy doesn't even have much page time at all, let alone any quality time with Harlow, but he, too, is portrayed as completely pussy whipped? Insta-love/insta-lust/insta-obsession must be contagious. The fact that the other guys mention him being super fixated on the investigation and Harlow's past only confirms that the romance between Harlow and the guys is written in a way that makes it look bad — trauma-based at best and shallow at worst.
Throughout the book, I just couldn't shake off the feeling that Hunter, Enzo and Theo only take an interest in Harlow because she's a victim of the murder case (that shaped her personality in a lot of ways, too) that the guys have already been obsessed with.
As in, the way their obsession with Harlow was written, it gave me the impression that their feelings for her weren't born out of their admiration for Harlow as a person but rather coming from misplaced protective instincts directed at their ward/girl who needed protection.
Yeah, there are scenes where they talk, watch movies, have breakfast and work on the investigation together, but none of them come close to giving me a glimpse of something special going on between them. Each time one of the guys would start paying attention to Harlow sexually, I felt annoyed and exasperated. Not to mention, weird. Reign in your dicks and let this girl heal properly first. She keeps tearing locks of her hair out on a daily basis to deal with her trauma and you lot want to stuff her with your dicks?? Bye —💀
✧ Same is true for Harlow: why does she wind up craving to kiss each of them? Giiirl, don't you think it's even a tiny bit weird all of them want you and you want all of them back? They act like monogamy isn't even the norm. 💀
Also, sometimes it appeared as if Harlow was using the guys' physical attraction as a coping mechanism to distract herself from the traumatic past. I can't believe how casual the reverse harem aspect is handled in this book, taking into account the sensitive topics it raises.
✧ It didn't help the matters (read: convince me all of them are super special and perfect for each other) that the guys already had a woman they loved deeply before... Not just a casual fling they'd share for fun from time to time, but their "soulmate" whose death left them devastated. Them falling for Harlow felt like some sort of trauma bonding experience for each party involved dressed up as "love/obsession".
Leighton: the only guy whose feelings don't come across as something 100 percent random. At least him and Harlow spend some quality time together. Plus, he was never part of the initial harem with the dead ex in the first place
The whole romantic storyline only stands on one pillar: the author's wish to write about four lovesick guys panting after one girl rather than a logical progression of the plot.
In my opinion, this book lacks proper relationship development and any buildup: romance is too fast, underdeveloped, two steps at a time, rushed. Characters' feelings need to be developed through more showing and less telling. Otherwise, all the tension and intensity sip away.
✧ It'd have made more sense (considering how plot-driven the story is and what delicate themes it explores: mental health, physical abuse, self harm, lose of a loved one) if the author only depicted the growing pull and attraction between the main characters in this book, and postponed any cheesy, trope-driven declarations until the next installments. Focusing on character development and building bonds between the h and each H one step at a time would have definitely given a romantic storyline more depth, authenticity and development.
Reverse harem is such a difficult subgenre to handle. I understand why RH authors prefer duets and trilogies to standalones. But they still keep rushing things, which doesn't help their books sound at least a little bit credible. Realistic? I stopped needing that in the romance genre a while ago
(I guess I have to be grateful that at least the author didn't turn the book into porn fest. In fact there are no sex scenes yet, besides some heavy petting and groping. Small mercies)
✧ On a side note, I didn't like yet another kidnapping the heroine has to endure at the very end — a super forced and unwelcome means to create additional drama. Couldn't care less about it. 🙄
August 30, 2023
📚 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐏𝐒𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐀𝐃𝐒 📚 Is the first full length romance book within the (Sabre Security) series by author J. Rose. Spoken in Multiple POV's. Ends in a cliffy.
After having my eye on this for a while, picking up and putting down numerous others that couldn’t keep my attention I decided to bump this one up and jump in, and I’m so glad I took that plunge.
Straight away I was pulled in
A little bit gritty
A little bit dark.
I loved how this book played out, like a puzzle, piece by piece we were given snippets of Harlow’s captivity, held captive for thirteen years by pastor Michaels, taken in broad daylight at the age of nine as she walked home from school, she's been abused, tortured, many others didn’t survive, butchered right beside her own cage.
Harlow does manage to escape, making her the only living survivor for this very reason she's placed under the care of these four men.
Hunter: Is the fearless groups leader, highly intelligent, goodlooking, glacial, completely deaf in his right ear
Enzo: He's second in command and Hunters best friend. the brawn to his brains, the emotional one out of the group.
Theo: Is the groups tech guy, he can hack into any system. He's awkward, prefers to be behind a computer and wrapped up in textbooks, rather than surrounding himself with people.
Leighton: You always have that one clown within a group, lighthearted and carefree, he loves his trash tv, along with his trash food, is a huge fan of friends, and even though he's done a stint in prison he's not all dark and moody like one would expect.
Harlow is way stronger than she gives herself credit for, I have a few question marks where she's concerned, Harlow was the name given to her by her captives, why not change it? Why was she saved above all the others, Why is she so important to Pastor Michael? Others were sexually abused and she wasn't? She ended one life, did she end others?
A little bit sick
A little bit twisted
A little bit of a slow burn
The men are all so different, each have little broken pieces within themselves.
Until her
Piece by piece, bit by bit she puts them back together again. Things are slowly building up/heating up between her and these guys, you can feel it simmering in the background.
These guys are the best at what they do, running a top notch private security investigators who are tracking down one of Britain's most notorious serial killers who has butchered eighteen young girls. The victims come from working class backgrounds.
So this does end on a cliffy, bonus the others are out in the wide world. Byyyyeeeeeee. I'm off to start the next book!! I need answers to all my questions!!
June 12, 2023
I really wanted to like this book, but there were some parts I couldn't look past.
I want to preface and say that I have no issue with Harlow whatsoever, she's not the problem I have with this book. My problem is the men (as it usually always is).
Semi spoilers ahead? Idk.
Harlow was kidnapped when she was 9 years old, and help captive for around 13 years. This would put her at about 22 years of age. Despite having lived for 9 years as a free person, Harlow does not remember much from those 9 years at all. There's a lot she doesn't know; for example what vampires are or what certain foods she likes or dislikes. My point is that when she escapes, she is severely traumatized and has to learn to acclimate to society. Now the 4 dildos who are "protecting" her, see her as subhuman. They are protecting her, but only from physical harm. They show little to no care for her mental health, often pushing her past her limits for the sake of catching the serial killer who tortured her. Hunter speaks cruelly towards her, insisting she is just "their job" which makes her thinks she hates him, because why would she think anything else? Enzo is nice towards her but gets wayyyy to attached to her too quickly, and is the first one to start looking at her sexually. This happens when she's only just gotten out of the hospital btw. Leighton literally sees Harlow SUCKING HER THUMB in her sleep, and is like yeah that's all woman right there. Like??? and even Theo is disgusting. When the men where pushing her to give them information, he literally thought to himself that he bets she isn't as innocent as she seems. One can only assume he is talking about sexually. Is he referring to how she has to watch her 'dad' rape 18 women?? Because what else could he be referring to?
They keep her holed up in their house. I understand she needs to be hidden while her captor is still at large, I get it. But instead of putting her in SCHOOL, because I don't think that girl could even remember what she learned prior to her abduction, they don't really help her at all. They should be focusing on her therapy sessions, because she is ripping her hair out as a form of self harm. They could put her in online school or something, because even though she remembers how to write it looks like if a 3 year old picked up a pencil. But instead, they mistreat her and lust after her. She is somewhat intimate with 3 of them at different points and it's really difficult for me to see it as anything consensual. When she was with Hunter, he was like "I want you to cum" or something like that and she's like "huh?" SHE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT MEANS????? It's hard for me to not see it as them taking advantage of her. She is so traumatized, uneducated, and practically a child.
To make everything 100000 times worse, the 4 predators SHARED A WOMAN BEFORE. They were in love with her, and she died. They are looking to fill the void, and they are using Harlow to do that. It came across very icky. I'm not a fan of the dead spouse trope, but with the context of this book it was even WORSE.
Anyways, this review is very messy but I had a lot of feelings and needed to vent them out lol. I do not plan on continuing the series. If you enjoyed it, good for you. Please don't feel bad if you enjoyed it just bc I didn't lol.
I want to preface and say that I have no issue with Harlow whatsoever, she's not the problem I have with this book. My problem is the men (as it usually always is).
Semi spoilers ahead? Idk.
Harlow was kidnapped when she was 9 years old, and help captive for around 13 years. This would put her at about 22 years of age. Despite having lived for 9 years as a free person, Harlow does not remember much from those 9 years at all. There's a lot she doesn't know; for example what vampires are or what certain foods she likes or dislikes. My point is that when she escapes, she is severely traumatized and has to learn to acclimate to society. Now the 4 dildos who are "protecting" her, see her as subhuman. They are protecting her, but only from physical harm. They show little to no care for her mental health, often pushing her past her limits for the sake of catching the serial killer who tortured her. Hunter speaks cruelly towards her, insisting she is just "their job" which makes her thinks she hates him, because why would she think anything else? Enzo is nice towards her but gets wayyyy to attached to her too quickly, and is the first one to start looking at her sexually. This happens when she's only just gotten out of the hospital btw. Leighton literally sees Harlow SUCKING HER THUMB in her sleep, and is like yeah that's all woman right there. Like??? and even Theo is disgusting. When the men where pushing her to give them information, he literally thought to himself that he bets she isn't as innocent as she seems. One can only assume he is talking about sexually. Is he referring to how she has to watch her 'dad' rape 18 women?? Because what else could he be referring to?
They keep her holed up in their house. I understand she needs to be hidden while her captor is still at large, I get it. But instead of putting her in SCHOOL, because I don't think that girl could even remember what she learned prior to her abduction, they don't really help her at all. They should be focusing on her therapy sessions, because she is ripping her hair out as a form of self harm. They could put her in online school or something, because even though she remembers how to write it looks like if a 3 year old picked up a pencil. But instead, they mistreat her and lust after her. She is somewhat intimate with 3 of them at different points and it's really difficult for me to see it as anything consensual. When she was with Hunter, he was like "I want you to cum" or something like that and she's like "huh?" SHE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT MEANS????? It's hard for me to not see it as them taking advantage of her. She is so traumatized, uneducated, and practically a child.
To make everything 100000 times worse, the 4 predators SHARED A WOMAN BEFORE. They were in love with her, and she died. They are looking to fill the void, and they are using Harlow to do that. It came across very icky. I'm not a fan of the dead spouse trope, but with the context of this book it was even WORSE.
Anyways, this review is very messy but I had a lot of feelings and needed to vent them out lol. I do not plan on continuing the series. If you enjoyed it, good for you. Please don't feel bad if you enjoyed it just bc I didn't lol.
May 11, 2025
Definitely a darker why choose, but I'm a sucker for a heroine on the run from a serial killer and the guys are working to track him down!
November 16, 2022
4.5 Stars
Yet again, the author delivered a fantastic book. To say I was hooked from the start is an understatement—so many emotions. At times it's heartbreaking; I couldn't stop crying. It’s also intense and equally delightful.
I’m in such awe of our heroine, Harlow. The horrors she witnessed and went through and survived. She is a lot stronger than what she gives herself. Do not underestimate her.
Then the men. Each one is equally important to Harlow. Hunter is a hard one to crack but loves deeply. Enzo is brutal but very much soft, and Harlow has his heart. Theo is borderline obsessed but tries to keep a safe distance. Leighton is comical and more light-hearted in the group. Each one with their demons and is fiercely protective of Harlow. It's hard to pick one favorite in this group.
Corpse Road starts dark; on my dark scale, it's black. It does not stop throughout the book. I was worried the darkness would fizzle, but it didn't. Seriously, I should have known better about the author. The plot is fantastic, with a sadistic religious setting of a serial killer.
Now to wait for the next book to see what happens; I can't wait.
September 16, 2025
4.5/5 🖤
November 27, 2022
I am not okay and i loved it.
Returning to university means that I don’t often have time to read a lot but i devoured this in a day. I think that just shows how addictive J Rose’s writing and storytelling is. I was completely bewitched by the disturbing and intense plot driven narrative, with plot twists and turns keeping my attention throughout.
These characters have my heart. I loved Harlow and even when she is broken and down, she crawls if she can’t run, and keeps going. Not to mention her four crutches who are always on hand to help her. My favourite of the group changed all the time, first Enzo, then Leighton, then Hunter, and then Theo. I loved them all.
The christmas scenes were the cutest and i’m such a sucker for hurt/comfort scenes, so i was spoiled with this. Building their little found family, they come together to protect and safeguard each other, whilst also going absolute alpha male on Harlow if even a hair was out of place on her head.
Also, I love love loved seeing Brooklyn and the gang again, my babies are thriving and i love to see the outcome of their growth.
- plot driven, dark, plot twists and turns
- escaped a serial killer/hunting a killer
- for fans of true crime
- traumatised but hella strong heroine
- four protective and possessive alpha men
- private security agency
- hurt/comfort
- grumpy/sunshine
- lots of suspense
- ANGST
I’ve loved everything I’ve read from this author, always a hit!
Returning to university means that I don’t often have time to read a lot but i devoured this in a day. I think that just shows how addictive J Rose’s writing and storytelling is. I was completely bewitched by the disturbing and intense plot driven narrative, with plot twists and turns keeping my attention throughout.
These characters have my heart. I loved Harlow and even when she is broken and down, she crawls if she can’t run, and keeps going. Not to mention her four crutches who are always on hand to help her. My favourite of the group changed all the time, first Enzo, then Leighton, then Hunter, and then Theo. I loved them all.
The christmas scenes were the cutest and i’m such a sucker for hurt/comfort scenes, so i was spoiled with this. Building their little found family, they come together to protect and safeguard each other, whilst also going absolute alpha male on Harlow if even a hair was out of place on her head.
Also, I love love loved seeing Brooklyn and the gang again, my babies are thriving and i love to see the outcome of their growth.
- plot driven, dark, plot twists and turns
- escaped a serial killer/hunting a killer
- for fans of true crime
- traumatised but hella strong heroine
- four protective and possessive alpha men
- private security agency
- hurt/comfort
- grumpy/sunshine
- lots of suspense
- ANGST
I’ve loved everything I’ve read from this author, always a hit!
July 7, 2025
2.5 rounded up
don’t ask me anything that happened because I forgot as soon as it was over
don’t ask me anything that happened because I forgot as soon as it was over
February 9, 2025
5/5⭐️ 2/5🌶️
——• Reverse Harem 🔪❤️🩹
I have no way of putting this into words apart from it's incredibly fucked up but so damn good. This whole story screams trigger warning as it's based on a girl who was kept as a prisoner by a serial killer and I swear to god, there is so much depth to this story that I can't stop reading. It’s been a while since I immediately jumped into the next book and I did so with book 2 and 3.
Book 1 (as above) was fucking phenomenal idgaf and was my second 5⭐ star for 2025 and making it even better was that it's book one to the trilogy which always gets me excited!!
Book 2 was a 4⭐️ because as much as I loved it, I feel like there was just to much back and forth with how the MMC went about things and that JR only did it for the sake of dragging the story out, which annoyed the fuck out me.
Book 3 was another 5⭐️ and despite feeling similar to the back and forth throughout this one, there was more to it which made everything make sense. Whilst the capture of Michael didn’t hit like I thought it would have, the way everything ended did.
I think their story overall was beautiful and as my very first time reading J Rose, it was one hell of a fucking read 🔥🔥
I will be honest by saying I didn't read much about this before jumping into it as I thought it was just a RH with a thriller vibe to it but IT IS SO MUCH MORE THEN THAT and I promise you its worth it!!
SIDE NOTE: Read the Blackwood Institute Series first as they are heavily involved throughout this story.
——• Reverse Harem 🔪❤️🩹
I have no way of putting this into words apart from it's incredibly fucked up but so damn good. This whole story screams trigger warning as it's based on a girl who was kept as a prisoner by a serial killer and I swear to god, there is so much depth to this story that I can't stop reading. It’s been a while since I immediately jumped into the next book and I did so with book 2 and 3.
Book 1 (as above) was fucking phenomenal idgaf and was my second 5⭐ star for 2025 and making it even better was that it's book one to the trilogy which always gets me excited!!
Book 2 was a 4⭐️ because as much as I loved it, I feel like there was just to much back and forth with how the MMC went about things and that JR only did it for the sake of dragging the story out, which annoyed the fuck out me.
Book 3 was another 5⭐️ and despite feeling similar to the back and forth throughout this one, there was more to it which made everything make sense. Whilst the capture of Michael didn’t hit like I thought it would have, the way everything ended did.
I think their story overall was beautiful and as my very first time reading J Rose, it was one hell of a fucking read 🔥🔥
I will be honest by saying I didn't read much about this before jumping into it as I thought it was just a RH with a thriller vibe to it but IT IS SO MUCH MORE THEN THAT and I promise you its worth it!!
SIDE NOTE: Read the Blackwood Institute Series first as they are heavily involved throughout this story.
December 6, 2022
DNF @ 52%. I'm stopping there for now. I have no feeling to return to finish the other half. The story was interesting. But one character can ruin it all and for me, that was Hunter. Harlow is a victim but treated as a disposable lead to the police and the press. Hunter was full on and not in a good way. I preferred his fun-loving brother. Enzo felt more like an imprint comfort romance. Another time, another mood I might give this one a go. The press and Hunter's control over Harlow pissed me off. Might give Blackwood institute a go first.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2023
DNF at 61%
This is one of those series that thinks ‘slow burn’ means the intimacy takes place past the second half of the first book. This is generally a bad approach to anything but standalones, but it’s made worse here by the fact that the only way said intimacy wouldn’t have felt rushed and downright awful would be a glacial burn, which the author is clearly not interested in.
See, this book lays Harlow’s abuse and its consequences incredibly thickly. She’s underweight, small enough Leighton describes her as a ‘kid’ at least once, and is black and blue from healing bruises. She’s been isolated so long she has never seen the sun, or even knows what an elevator is. For fuck’s sake, she is in her early 20s and hasn’t even had her first period. And all of this is fine, expected from the situation she escapes from at the start of the book -- but it makes the male heroes look like nothing short of fucking creeps because of it, since they lust after her from the very start.
I just can’t bring myself to care for men who can’t help but remark on her body, and how attracted they are to it, when she’s still so early in her recovery. If it was said out loud, in a way meant to lift her up, it’d be one thing. But these men’s POVs show they’re straight-up into the malnourished, beaten body of the torture victim they’re meant to care for. Enzo’s masturbation scene in the shower felt grosser than any taboo-laden, self-published erotica I’ve ever read, because it was fueled by his attraction to someone the narration has painted as nothing less than a beaten child.
I knew I wouldn’t be picking up the next book when Leighton dry humped her straight after a panic attack. But I had to drop it after Hunter informs her of something that upsets her to an unreasonable degree – which remarks, to me, just how emotionally immature she’s still is, and how many more issues she still has to deal with – only for Hunter to make the situation about himself, followed by what I suspect would be a fingering.
She was in the middle of a meltdown when he decides to trauma-dump on her about the people he’s killed and the dead lover he and his friends still are not over. Then they kiss and get naked, when she learns she doesn’t have to feel insecure about her scars because he – and all the other men in her life – have already seen her naked photos, the ones taken back when was dying of malnourishment and sepsis, for evidence.
Her being just fine with that, because it’s easier than dealing with upsetting news, struck me as so fucked up, I just couldn’t continue. That and Hunter’s willingness to go through with it. I don’t mind age gaps in romance, but when a man in his mid-30s admits he’s been thinking of shooting his best friends and family in the head when they see her hold her hand, he’s been that attracted to her for so long – all while the 22year-old woman he’s been put in charge of is clearly emotionally vulnerable and using sex as an avoidance technique – I hit my limit.
Beyond the bad characters and their stupidity, I found the writing very inconsistent. Like I said before, Harlow is presented as the ultimate innocent. Has never seen the sun, elevators, etc. However, she uses words such as ‘metastasizing’, describes Hunter’s eyes as ‘molten chocolate’ and their home décor as ‘masculine’. I know there’s supposed to be hints about how she didn’t actually spent her entire life in the basement, which is why she knows what some appliances are for, but even after the reason for it is explained, these descriptors still don’t fit. Not a whole lot of 9year-olds go around describing décor and eye color the way this girl does.
There’s also nothing really particular about the plot or its approach to the scenario. I can think of at least 8 different RH books alone with the same situation of a girl escaping life in a cage. This one was sold to me as “Criminal Minds meets RH” so I expected a bit more emphasis on the police procedural side of things, but that aspect was also underwhelming and at times annoying. The scene where Hunter yells at Theo when he comes in with the DNA results, the Harlow interrogation – the book excuses the drama in these scenes as Hunter being troubled due to his unaddressed issues. But these issues also insist he’s a consummate professional. But he never acts likes one.
He’s mad with Theo because they didn’t immediately know, upon setting eyes on Harlow, who her birth family was. He’s constantly threatening a torture survivor suffering severe PTSD with having to submit to an interrogation. The moment he learns her origins he’s mad because he thinks she is either lying to them, or so fucked up she forgot the first 9 years of her life (as if this should even be a question oh my god). All while secretly lusting after her.
Just… whatever. This was a bad book. Sadly, not the worst I’ve read, but bad enough I cannot bring myself to finish it. Life is too precious to waste on bad characters and shallow plots.
Good narrators though.
This is one of those series that thinks ‘slow burn’ means the intimacy takes place past the second half of the first book. This is generally a bad approach to anything but standalones, but it’s made worse here by the fact that the only way said intimacy wouldn’t have felt rushed and downright awful would be a glacial burn, which the author is clearly not interested in.
See, this book lays Harlow’s abuse and its consequences incredibly thickly. She’s underweight, small enough Leighton describes her as a ‘kid’ at least once, and is black and blue from healing bruises. She’s been isolated so long she has never seen the sun, or even knows what an elevator is. For fuck’s sake, she is in her early 20s and hasn’t even had her first period. And all of this is fine, expected from the situation she escapes from at the start of the book -- but it makes the male heroes look like nothing short of fucking creeps because of it, since they lust after her from the very start.
I just can’t bring myself to care for men who can’t help but remark on her body, and how attracted they are to it, when she’s still so early in her recovery. If it was said out loud, in a way meant to lift her up, it’d be one thing. But these men’s POVs show they’re straight-up into the malnourished, beaten body of the torture victim they’re meant to care for. Enzo’s masturbation scene in the shower felt grosser than any taboo-laden, self-published erotica I’ve ever read, because it was fueled by his attraction to someone the narration has painted as nothing less than a beaten child.
I knew I wouldn’t be picking up the next book when Leighton dry humped her straight after a panic attack. But I had to drop it after Hunter informs her of something that upsets her to an unreasonable degree – which remarks, to me, just how emotionally immature she’s still is, and how many more issues she still has to deal with – only for Hunter to make the situation about himself, followed by what I suspect would be a fingering.
She was in the middle of a meltdown when he decides to trauma-dump on her about the people he’s killed and the dead lover he and his friends still are not over. Then they kiss and get naked, when she learns she doesn’t have to feel insecure about her scars because he – and all the other men in her life – have already seen her naked photos, the ones taken back when was dying of malnourishment and sepsis, for evidence.
Her being just fine with that, because it’s easier than dealing with upsetting news, struck me as so fucked up, I just couldn’t continue. That and Hunter’s willingness to go through with it. I don’t mind age gaps in romance, but when a man in his mid-30s admits he’s been thinking of shooting his best friends and family in the head when they see her hold her hand, he’s been that attracted to her for so long – all while the 22year-old woman he’s been put in charge of is clearly emotionally vulnerable and using sex as an avoidance technique – I hit my limit.
Beyond the bad characters and their stupidity, I found the writing very inconsistent. Like I said before, Harlow is presented as the ultimate innocent. Has never seen the sun, elevators, etc. However, she uses words such as ‘metastasizing’, describes Hunter’s eyes as ‘molten chocolate’ and their home décor as ‘masculine’. I know there’s supposed to be hints about how she didn’t actually spent her entire life in the basement, which is why she knows what some appliances are for, but even after the reason for it is explained, these descriptors still don’t fit. Not a whole lot of 9year-olds go around describing décor and eye color the way this girl does.
There’s also nothing really particular about the plot or its approach to the scenario. I can think of at least 8 different RH books alone with the same situation of a girl escaping life in a cage. This one was sold to me as “Criminal Minds meets RH” so I expected a bit more emphasis on the police procedural side of things, but that aspect was also underwhelming and at times annoying. The scene where Hunter yells at Theo when he comes in with the DNA results, the Harlow interrogation – the book excuses the drama in these scenes as Hunter being troubled due to his unaddressed issues. But these issues also insist he’s a consummate professional. But he never acts likes one.
He’s mad with Theo because they didn’t immediately know, upon setting eyes on Harlow, who her birth family was. He’s constantly threatening a torture survivor suffering severe PTSD with having to submit to an interrogation. The moment he learns her origins he’s mad because he thinks she is either lying to them, or so fucked up she forgot the first 9 years of her life (as if this should even be a question oh my god). All while secretly lusting after her.
Just… whatever. This was a bad book. Sadly, not the worst I’ve read, but bad enough I cannot bring myself to finish it. Life is too precious to waste on bad characters and shallow plots.
Good narrators though.
November 30, 2022
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author J. Rose for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check trigger warnings before reading.
When I saw that this book was connected to Blackwood Institute, I had to apply for this ARC. I read two books out of the series and fairly enjoyed it so I was curious about this book.
Reverse harem set in a crime world? Sign me up. I loved how brave and determined Harlow was, it is not easy to be in her shoes and go through whatever she did yet emerge because she is a winner. As with Blackwood Institute, the harem in this book also had their own flaws and strengths. I knew this book would be a slow burn so that the harem’s dynamics are shown and I do agree with that. It takes time to built trust and rapport when you have so many traumas and pain in you. I liked that this book was quite dark and it was maintained throughout the book.
I do think this book also had a good balance of character and plot development which is hard to find in a book. Though some twists were predictable, I liked that there was even a twist in this book because given the serial killer plotline it isn’t easy to combine that with all the trauma the different characters have. I appreciate this aspect greatly!
This book was a great start and I am looking forward to the next book!
Blackwood Institute ratings
Twisted Heathens
Sacrificial Sinners
Please check trigger warnings before reading.
When I saw that this book was connected to Blackwood Institute, I had to apply for this ARC. I read two books out of the series and fairly enjoyed it so I was curious about this book.
Reverse harem set in a crime world? Sign me up. I loved how brave and determined Harlow was, it is not easy to be in her shoes and go through whatever she did yet emerge because she is a winner. As with Blackwood Institute, the harem in this book also had their own flaws and strengths. I knew this book would be a slow burn so that the harem’s dynamics are shown and I do agree with that. It takes time to built trust and rapport when you have so many traumas and pain in you. I liked that this book was quite dark and it was maintained throughout the book.
I do think this book also had a good balance of character and plot development which is hard to find in a book. Though some twists were predictable, I liked that there was even a twist in this book because given the serial killer plotline it isn’t easy to combine that with all the trauma the different characters have. I appreciate this aspect greatly!
This book was a great start and I am looking forward to the next book!
Blackwood Institute ratings
Twisted Heathens
Sacrificial Sinners
January 9, 2023
Rating: ☆☆☆☆ Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
Angst: 😈😡😢🧐
Cliffhanger? ✅️
Trigger Warnings: ☠️ ☠️ ☠️ ☠️ ☠️
Tropes: dark why choose, contemporary, grumpy sunshine, hurt/comfort, serial killer hunt
In therapy, you are guided to use your senses and list the facts you know. 1) Sermons recited with malice 2) bloody rituals 3) sobs of the dying 4) rotting flesh. Harlow grew up in a cage as she was tortured by the most sadistic and twisted servant of God, Pastor Michaels. Eighteen girls lives were stolen. After years of captivity, she escaped but doesn't recognize the world as it is now. The road she finds herself on is lined with corpses demanding vengeance from the grave. Since she was the only one to escape, she will live for them. A lifeline is offered by Sabre Security but she'll have to live through that hell all over again as each supressed memory to pulled from her, one at a time. The Hunter will become The Hunted.
This was not an easy journey to follow. It will drag you through the darkest of sick and twisted deeds as Harlow relives everything she witnessed. Four men become her lifeline. Enzo, Leighton, Hunter and Theo each help her heal in their own way as she wins back each piece of herself. Her beginning journey is emotionally dark and gritty but the plot is weaved with twists and turns, edge of your seat suspense, unbelievable acts, and angst. I am addicted to true crime shows so this book was right up my alley and I loved the suspense aspect and I have so many questions. I am dying for answers and am along for the ride from start to finish. I'm still relatively new to J. Rose's work but I've been very satisfied so far. Please don't read this if you are not a dark romance fan. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
Angst: 😈😡😢🧐
Cliffhanger? ✅️
Trigger Warnings: ☠️ ☠️ ☠️ ☠️ ☠️
Tropes: dark why choose, contemporary, grumpy sunshine, hurt/comfort, serial killer hunt
In therapy, you are guided to use your senses and list the facts you know. 1) Sermons recited with malice 2) bloody rituals 3) sobs of the dying 4) rotting flesh. Harlow grew up in a cage as she was tortured by the most sadistic and twisted servant of God, Pastor Michaels. Eighteen girls lives were stolen. After years of captivity, she escaped but doesn't recognize the world as it is now. The road she finds herself on is lined with corpses demanding vengeance from the grave. Since she was the only one to escape, she will live for them. A lifeline is offered by Sabre Security but she'll have to live through that hell all over again as each supressed memory to pulled from her, one at a time. The Hunter will become The Hunted.
This was not an easy journey to follow. It will drag you through the darkest of sick and twisted deeds as Harlow relives everything she witnessed. Four men become her lifeline. Enzo, Leighton, Hunter and Theo each help her heal in their own way as she wins back each piece of herself. Her beginning journey is emotionally dark and gritty but the plot is weaved with twists and turns, edge of your seat suspense, unbelievable acts, and angst. I am addicted to true crime shows so this book was right up my alley and I loved the suspense aspect and I have so many questions. I am dying for answers and am along for the ride from start to finish. I'm still relatively new to J. Rose's work but I've been very satisfied so far. Please don't read this if you are not a dark romance fan. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
July 25, 2023
Great plot.
Romance needs to convince me more because the plot was so wide stretched it overpowered the romance dynamic.
But BUT
Good nonetheless.
I want Harlow to shoot that pastor right between his eyes while she chants a prayer.
God bless gimme
*rereading because the third book just came out and i wanted to experience the whole thing sksks. I love*
Romance needs to convince me more because the plot was so wide stretched it overpowered the romance dynamic.
But BUT
Good nonetheless.
I want Harlow to shoot that pastor right between his eyes while she chants a prayer.
God bless gimme
*rereading because the third book just came out and i wanted to experience the whole thing sksks. I love*
September 19, 2023
This is not how you handle a traumatize young woman
October 29, 2025
After three bad books in a row, only a good threesome could have saved this month. Unfortunately, there isn’t a single threesome in this one. Or even any penetrative sex. Still, I enjoyed it, except for the part where Hunter had a ponytail. No man is hot with a ponytail.
February 1, 2023
review coming later
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J—you never disappoint. Corpse Roads is thrilling, emotionally heavy, nerve-wrecking and bittersweet. I loved this new reverse harem with a dark and criminal twist to it. The journey Harlow has been through and still is going through was written beautifully as well as devastatingly painful.
Her nightmares, her trauma, her horrible past did not make her any less strong. Harlow was no meek girl. Her resilience and the way J wrote her character was utter brilliance. J’s respectful deliverance of Harlow’s story was at times unpleasant though necessary for the plot. But most of all Harlow’s arch was heart-wrenching and I felt for her.
The most surprising aspect about this dark why choose romance is that is is a slow burn. And I think it was the best choice for this type of story. It made sense and it felt organic. Harlow coming to terms with who she was, is and who she will be in the group needed this slower exploration of sorts.
Anyways—a heartbreaking yet authentic crime story with themes such as New Age indoctrination, physical (sexual) and mental abuse. Respectfully written and even poetic at times. Great characterization and distinction of characters. Written from first person pov with multiple perspectives. Not entirely spicy yet, but for sure tension-filled and steamy. Would for sure recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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J—you never disappoint. Corpse Roads is thrilling, emotionally heavy, nerve-wrecking and bittersweet. I loved this new reverse harem with a dark and criminal twist to it. The journey Harlow has been through and still is going through was written beautifully as well as devastatingly painful.
Her nightmares, her trauma, her horrible past did not make her any less strong. Harlow was no meek girl. Her resilience and the way J wrote her character was utter brilliance. J’s respectful deliverance of Harlow’s story was at times unpleasant though necessary for the plot. But most of all Harlow’s arch was heart-wrenching and I felt for her.
The most surprising aspect about this dark why choose romance is that is is a slow burn. And I think it was the best choice for this type of story. It made sense and it felt organic. Harlow coming to terms with who she was, is and who she will be in the group needed this slower exploration of sorts.
Anyways—a heartbreaking yet authentic crime story with themes such as New Age indoctrination, physical (sexual) and mental abuse. Respectfully written and even poetic at times. Great characterization and distinction of characters. Written from first person pov with multiple perspectives. Not entirely spicy yet, but for sure tension-filled and steamy. Would for sure recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 26, 2022
TW/Tropes: physical and psychological abuse, torture, sexual assault and abuse, imprisonment, violence, serial murder, PTSD, religious trauma, Trichotillomania (self-harm by hair pulling), why choose
Corpse Roads is a dark why choose romance. This is a slow burn romance, so the relationships will develop over time, and the spice level will build up with each book. Hunter, Theo, Enzo and Leighton were born of wild hope -they are not heroes, but people capable of taking something intrinsically broken and piecing it back together. If you’ve read The Blackwood Institute, you would have meet them. Harlow, is the only surviving victim of a serial killer who has killed over 18 girls. She escaped captivity and came under the protection of Sabre Security. The plot is amazing - I can't wait for the next book to find out more and to find out who this religious serial killer is. I love the cameos of Brooklyn and her boys!
Corpse Roads is a dark why choose romance. This is a slow burn romance, so the relationships will develop over time, and the spice level will build up with each book. Hunter, Theo, Enzo and Leighton were born of wild hope -they are not heroes, but people capable of taking something intrinsically broken and piecing it back together. If you’ve read The Blackwood Institute, you would have meet them. Harlow, is the only surviving victim of a serial killer who has killed over 18 girls. She escaped captivity and came under the protection of Sabre Security. The plot is amazing - I can't wait for the next book to find out more and to find out who this religious serial killer is. I love the cameos of Brooklyn and her boys!
May 25, 2023
There's suspension of disbelief
And then there's this. All spoilers from chapters 1-5.
Harlow is an extremely sympathetic character--for the purposes of this story, too much so. She's released from the hospital after a handful of days...this girl would be in the hospital for ~months~. She's going to have daily if not twice daily psych sessions. She's going to have PT and OT. There are multiple reconstructive surgeries in her future. Maybe most disappointing was that Rose couldn't be bothered to look up treatment s for extreme malnutrition. I'll tell you, it isn't protein shakes and jelly.
Really, she shouldn't be a narrator. What she is and isn't supposed to recognize about society impedes the flow of the story. Harlow, as much as I want to know more about her, is not going to be entertaining multiple men physically, let alone psychologically, for years, if she's ever able to do so. Insta love isn't clearing this hurdle.
And then there's this. All spoilers from chapters 1-5.
Harlow is an extremely sympathetic character--for the purposes of this story, too much so. She's released from the hospital after a handful of days...this girl would be in the hospital for ~months~. She's going to have daily if not twice daily psych sessions. She's going to have PT and OT. There are multiple reconstructive surgeries in her future. Maybe most disappointing was that Rose couldn't be bothered to look up treatment s for extreme malnutrition. I'll tell you, it isn't protein shakes and jelly.
Really, she shouldn't be a narrator. What she is and isn't supposed to recognize about society impedes the flow of the story. Harlow, as much as I want to know more about her, is not going to be entertaining multiple men physically, let alone psychologically, for years, if she's ever able to do so. Insta love isn't clearing this hurdle.
February 3, 2024
TW. The story started good, but as it progressed, things would seem to happen off the book, and the author just expected you to know, like the relationship stuff. They hardly know each other, but then all of a sudden, they have all these feelings. It's just not believable.
September 23, 2024
3.5/4 ⭐️
Ahh This book had me sucked in from the beginning- I started at 8pm it’s 3am in the morning I couldn’t put it down! Second book already downloaded 😅
I haven’t read a rh in a few months and was craving for one and THiS is helping the craving
The character 💋💋I love every one of them I don’t think I have a favourite (yet) 🤣 I’m glad I’m also getting a update on my babies from Blackwood 💕
can’t wait for the relationship between them all to come together and to blossom we got a few kisses here and there but I need more!
Ahh This book had me sucked in from the beginning- I started at 8pm it’s 3am in the morning I couldn’t put it down! Second book already downloaded 😅
I haven’t read a rh in a few months and was craving for one and THiS is helping the craving
The character 💋💋I love every one of them I don’t think I have a favourite (yet) 🤣 I’m glad I’m also getting a update on my babies from Blackwood 💕
can’t wait for the relationship between them all to come together and to blossom we got a few kisses here and there but I need more!
December 16, 2022
After seeing the rating (which I admittedly put way to much credence in when picking my next read) and reading the blurb... I couldn't download this fast enough on KU.
I went into this with high expectations and thats probably why I was so disappointed by this book.
Don't get me wrong, it's a good enough read but it had a few things that I just can't stand in my romance books so I had a hard time staying interested.
👉🏼Heroes pining after another woman
👉🏼OTT dramas
I wanted to DNF this so bad, but I didn't. Though I did skim quite a bit towards the end.
I really liked the premise of this... the rescued/escaped from captivity is probably one of my favorite tropes.
The first half was great.
Then they mentioned Alyson...
At least half the guys in Harlow's harem are still pining after their lost love... their soulmate
Yeah. No thanks.
I felt offended on Harlow's behalf even though she was like "oh Alyson? Cool." (she didn't really say that... fyi)
Anyways.
I get it, they have pasts... Harlow's not gonna be the first woman they've ever been with, but when she's essentially just a replacement...
I'm good.
They were constantly comparing Harlow and still mourning Alyson.
Then around the 75ish percent mark something happens and I was done.
I kept reading because I figured I may as well just finish by this point, but I essentially skimmed those last chapters because I had fully checked out of the story.
Yeah, I'm not buying it either.
There's also the fact that Harlow literally just spent the last thirteen years in a dungeon watching other women being .
I found it hard to believe that she would so willingly jump into romantic relationships with at least 3 different guys within a few weeks/months of her escape.
Also, the development of the relationships were kind of lacking outside of Harlow and Leighton. We see them hanging out and getting to know each other. He takes the time to understand her.
With Enzo it was more of an instant thing... he saw her and immediately felt this protectiveness over Harlow.
With Hunter... it didn't make much sense to me. He says at one point in the book that from the moment he saw her he wanted her, but that doesn't make sense because the first time he saw her, she was beaten and bruised in the hospital. Then he uses her, uncaring of her trauma, and was honestly kind of a d*ck.
Then there's Theo who stayed hidden at HQ for nearly the entire book, still grieving of Alyson. All of a sudden he and Harlow are reading buddies and we're expected to believe there's some connection between the two and... I just wasn't feeling it.
I think I'm being nitpicky though... so ignore me.
Anyways.
Aside from that... it was well written.
I will say that if you didn't read the Blackwood Institute series before reading this, you might be a little lost because the characters from that series play a significant role in this book and it's just assumed that you know the characters.
I did not know them and tbh... I found them a little annoying.
I suspect that has a lot to do with the fact that I did not read their books.
But whatever. My bad.
I won't be continuing this series... but that has more to do with my own personal preferences than it does with the actual book. There's a very good chance that if you aren't me, you'll love this story. I just kind of can't stand when the main female character isn't the focal point in RH... and even though Alyson isn't technically a part of this story, she also kind of is.
I went into this with high expectations and thats probably why I was so disappointed by this book.
Don't get me wrong, it's a good enough read but it had a few things that I just can't stand in my romance books so I had a hard time staying interested.
👉🏼Heroes pining after another woman
👉🏼OTT dramas
I wanted to DNF this so bad, but I didn't. Though I did skim quite a bit towards the end.
I really liked the premise of this... the rescued/escaped from captivity is probably one of my favorite tropes.
The first half was great.
Then they mentioned Alyson...
At least half the guys in Harlow's harem are still pining after their lost love... their soulmate
Yeah. No thanks.
I felt offended on Harlow's behalf even though she was like "oh Alyson? Cool." (she didn't really say that... fyi)
Anyways.
I get it, they have pasts... Harlow's not gonna be the first woman they've ever been with, but when she's essentially just a replacement...
I'm good.
They were constantly comparing Harlow and still mourning Alyson.
Then around the 75ish percent mark something happens and I was done.
I kept reading because I figured I may as well just finish by this point, but I essentially skimmed those last chapters because I had fully checked out of the story.
Yeah, I'm not buying it either.
There's also the fact that Harlow literally just spent the last thirteen years in a dungeon watching other women being .
I found it hard to believe that she would so willingly jump into romantic relationships with at least 3 different guys within a few weeks/months of her escape.
Also, the development of the relationships were kind of lacking outside of Harlow and Leighton. We see them hanging out and getting to know each other. He takes the time to understand her.
With Enzo it was more of an instant thing... he saw her and immediately felt this protectiveness over Harlow.
With Hunter... it didn't make much sense to me. He says at one point in the book that from the moment he saw her he wanted her, but that doesn't make sense because the first time he saw her, she was beaten and bruised in the hospital. Then he uses her, uncaring of her trauma, and was honestly kind of a d*ck.
Then there's Theo who stayed hidden at HQ for nearly the entire book, still grieving of Alyson. All of a sudden he and Harlow are reading buddies and we're expected to believe there's some connection between the two and... I just wasn't feeling it.
I think I'm being nitpicky though... so ignore me.
Anyways.
Aside from that... it was well written.
I will say that if you didn't read the Blackwood Institute series before reading this, you might be a little lost because the characters from that series play a significant role in this book and it's just assumed that you know the characters.
I did not know them and tbh... I found them a little annoying.
I suspect that has a lot to do with the fact that I did not read their books.
But whatever. My bad.
I won't be continuing this series... but that has more to do with my own personal preferences than it does with the actual book. There's a very good chance that if you aren't me, you'll love this story. I just kind of can't stand when the main female character isn't the focal point in RH... and even though Alyson isn't technically a part of this story, she also kind of is.
December 3, 2022
Wow this author never disappoints with her stories! I am speechless! Her writing sucks you in this one is filled with trauma darkness and emotions it’s dark twisted and had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through I am hooked that ending left me wanting so much more and I can’t wait for the next book already! Phenomenal read!
November 28, 2022
4.5/5 Stars!
First off, I am a sucker for anything that contains a dark religious theme such as a religious cult, and I am also a sucker for true crime vibes. When I tell you this book's plot was exhilarating, I mean to say I think the author crafted it with me in mind! This book was intense right off that bat with a heroine who has the strength to escape something truly evil after years of captivity. We get the infamous why choose romance when she lands herself in protective custody of men who are enamored and protective of such a fierce fighter, but also men afraid to loose something so special.
I loved that this heroine who goes through something so traumatic shows a lot of strength, but also shows a lot of struggle and growth. It made her heartbreaking story feel more real, and I appreciated the mental health and awareness the author incorporated into the story. We get to see growth in the men as well, and I love when an author can create complex characters, with complex emotions, and then grow them as the story and plot grows. This book is a bit a slow burn, but I promise with the high action plot and massive amounts of secrets you will hardly notice slow build in heat between the love interests.
This book is full of amazing characters, tons of secrets, and a type of darkness that call to me. This book is great for those who like why choose romances, slow burns, dark religious themes, true crime vibes, and found family as a trope. I can not wait to continue the series, and I hope to get into more from the author soon!
First off, I am a sucker for anything that contains a dark religious theme such as a religious cult, and I am also a sucker for true crime vibes. When I tell you this book's plot was exhilarating, I mean to say I think the author crafted it with me in mind! This book was intense right off that bat with a heroine who has the strength to escape something truly evil after years of captivity. We get the infamous why choose romance when she lands herself in protective custody of men who are enamored and protective of such a fierce fighter, but also men afraid to loose something so special.
I loved that this heroine who goes through something so traumatic shows a lot of strength, but also shows a lot of struggle and growth. It made her heartbreaking story feel more real, and I appreciated the mental health and awareness the author incorporated into the story. We get to see growth in the men as well, and I love when an author can create complex characters, with complex emotions, and then grow them as the story and plot grows. This book is a bit a slow burn, but I promise with the high action plot and massive amounts of secrets you will hardly notice slow build in heat between the love interests.
This book is full of amazing characters, tons of secrets, and a type of darkness that call to me. This book is great for those who like why choose romances, slow burns, dark religious themes, true crime vibes, and found family as a trope. I can not wait to continue the series, and I hope to get into more from the author soon!
April 4, 2025
Another addictive read by J Rose - I absolutely adore the world she has created and the characters are real.
You don't have to read the Blackwood Institute trilogy first but it makes more sense to the world if you do. I loved seeing Brooklyn and her guys again in this book.
Harlow is a strong character who has escaped hell to find a new life. She gets taken into protective custody by Sabre Security - we met Hunter, Enzo and Theo in the Blackwood series. Add in Hunter's brother Leighton and we have a great mix of characters that I loved.
This series is dark, very dark, check the triggers before you start reading. The emotions run high right from the start and you can't help but cheer for Harlow.
You don't have to read the Blackwood Institute trilogy first but it makes more sense to the world if you do. I loved seeing Brooklyn and her guys again in this book.
Harlow is a strong character who has escaped hell to find a new life. She gets taken into protective custody by Sabre Security - we met Hunter, Enzo and Theo in the Blackwood series. Add in Hunter's brother Leighton and we have a great mix of characters that I loved.
This series is dark, very dark, check the triggers before you start reading. The emotions run high right from the start and you can't help but cheer for Harlow.
January 6, 2025
Really just couldn't put this one down once I started. It was a wild freaking ride from beginning to end but Hunter can go jump off a cliff 🙃
May 31, 2025
Damn!
November 15, 2022
Corpse Roads is yet another wickedly addictive masterpiece from the brilliant and twisted mind of J. Rose. I was deliriously consumed from the start to finish, obsessed in every way with these complicated characters and their twisted world- the angst, all the twists, and all that yummy drama!
This author is without a doubt one of my top authors to read. AND THIS BOOK is just one example of why. I can always count on her to give me a character (or characters!) that I'm going to fall in love with. She writes some seriously amazing heroines and the kind of heroes that you end up swooning over!
This is one of those books where I can only say so much without giving the goods away. But, let me tell you, this is an experience you do not want to miss! If you’re looking for a book that will have you completely immersed into its world unable to walk away, this is a must read for you.
This author is without a doubt one of my top authors to read. AND THIS BOOK is just one example of why. I can always count on her to give me a character (or characters!) that I'm going to fall in love with. She writes some seriously amazing heroines and the kind of heroes that you end up swooning over!
This is one of those books where I can only say so much without giving the goods away. But, let me tell you, this is an experience you do not want to miss! If you’re looking for a book that will have you completely immersed into its world unable to walk away, this is a must read for you.
November 26, 2022
ARC REVIEW
J Rose is one of my favorite authors and she did not disappoint with this book! I slid in her DMs on Instagram almost immediately and gave her regular updates. At 36%, I was emotional and cried. I absolutely loved it and I can’t wait for book 2! If you’ve read the Blackwood Institute series, this is set in the same world and we even get cameos from our favorite characters! While this book contains dark themes, a heavily traumatized main female characters and emotionally damaged men, I consider this book on the softer side of dark romance! There is a lot of caring involved for the FMC by the men and the healing journey for everyone is a main part of the story! That being said, please read the TWs listed at the beginning of the book.
J Rose is one of my favorite authors and she did not disappoint with this book! I slid in her DMs on Instagram almost immediately and gave her regular updates. At 36%, I was emotional and cried. I absolutely loved it and I can’t wait for book 2! If you’ve read the Blackwood Institute series, this is set in the same world and we even get cameos from our favorite characters! While this book contains dark themes, a heavily traumatized main female characters and emotionally damaged men, I consider this book on the softer side of dark romance! There is a lot of caring involved for the FMC by the men and the healing journey for everyone is a main part of the story! That being said, please read the TWs listed at the beginning of the book.
March 24, 2023
Dnf @60%.
I can’t do it.
There’s absolutely no way someone who’s just come out of 13 years captivity, who was too scared to even ask for water, would be doing and saying the things she’s doing. There’s also no way any adult men, let alone multiples, would be this sexually obsessed around a woman who’s malnourished, still has bruises and a cast from the last time she was beaten and is still deeply traumatised (at this point, it’s only been weeks since she escaped). I like the premise of this book/series but it would have worked so much better if this book didn’t have any romance. If that came in book 2, after time had passed and she’d healed a bit, I’d be all for it. This was too fast and just felt almost gross for me.
I can’t do it.
There’s absolutely no way someone who’s just come out of 13 years captivity, who was too scared to even ask for water, would be doing and saying the things she’s doing. There’s also no way any adult men, let alone multiples, would be this sexually obsessed around a woman who’s malnourished, still has bruises and a cast from the last time she was beaten and is still deeply traumatised (at this point, it’s only been weeks since she escaped). I like the premise of this book/series but it would have worked so much better if this book didn’t have any romance. If that came in book 2, after time had passed and she’d healed a bit, I’d be all for it. This was too fast and just felt almost gross for me.
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