Up In Smoke: A Brighton High School Reunion

by Cassie Lein

Ten years ago the assholes at my school voted me the ‘class clown’.

My outfits and behavior didn’t fit the status quo of our upscale town.

They demanded to be in the spotlight while I enjoyed melting into the darkness.

I wrapped myself in things they deemed sinful, turning it into a mask to hide the secret of my home life from others.

Escaping the hell I called home, I was able to make a name for myself.

Even if that name also keeps me hidden behind a mask. Although, it’s much different than the one from my childhood. I may not have the career, family, or life that my peers ‘grew’ up to have, but I’m happy with what I’ve made of myself. Even if it’s not as fancy or glamorous as this town demands.

With my BFF at my side, I show up at my high school reunion with new secrets to hide.

This time they involve the duo who made my life a living hell for four years.

I have one goal; ripping off the mask and striding into the limelight, revealing all the secrets.

I can't wait to see their faces when their idealistic life goes up in smoke.

Welcome to Brighton’s High School Reunion, where revenge is on the menu tonight, and I’m one hungry bitch.

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

260 pages, ebook

Published July 25, 2023

About the author

Cassie resides in Northern Illinois on a farm with her husband and six kids. When not writing she can be found reading or chauffeuring her kids or showing pigs. Cassie is a huge advocate for foster care and adoption. Enjoys a good horror movie, a dark romance, and alcohol. Lots and lots of alcohol. You did just read she has six kids right?

Reviews

[Laura (lady_h_reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
“You always taste sweet after you’ve made yourself come, Lo. Such a naughty girl fucking yourself for another man in front of me.”

Up in Smoke is a delicious revenge story – not just getting revenge against your high school bullies, but finally getting back at the adults who should have protected you and didn’t.

The FMC Lorna is a force. One of the strongest FMCs I have read in some time, she has overcome her past and experienced an epic glow-up. Her trauma has shaped her into a woman who controls and takes ownership of her sexuality. She is unapologetic about her life as a camgirl, embracing the adoration of her fans. Honestly, her body confidence is a state we all strive for.

I loved her thirst for revenge. The way she systematically broke down her two bullies, then took on the town that abandoned her, I felt just as bloodthirsty as her by the end. I was surprised by how the relationship between Lorna and her former bullies progressed, but that HEA was precisely what she deserved.

Kylo is the book boyfriend we can all love for how devoted he is to Lorna. The relationship develops into a why choose, but I would have been entirely content with it staying a MF. I absolutely adored him.

This is an incredibly fast-burn story with chapter one smut. As a camgirl, she engages in FF scenes outside of her relationship but under the full approval of her long-term boyfriend and costar. Other interactions are MF or MFMM. The spice is intense with toys, disguises, and several kink scenes.

Another great addition to the Brighton High School reunion shared world, it can be read as a standalone. However, I recommend reading Bre Rose’s contribution Reuniting with Desire first for the best reading experience. There are interconnected scenes, and the main characters’ story arcs are deeply intertwined.

Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance
Tropes/Features: Why choose, enemies to lovers, former bullies get what’s coming to them, Revenge (so much revenge), small town, sex workers, Cam Girl FMC with a secret identity, MMC who is all-in from the beginning, Two hockey player MMCs, FMC is SA trauma survivor
Narrator: Multiple 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: Why Choose MFMM (FF scenes included but not within harem), fast burn, spicy!
Book Type/Ending: Standalone in Brighton High School Reunion shared world with HEA (interconnected scenes with Bre Rose’s Reuniting with Desire)
TW/CW: Extensive listing in book. Includes mentions of familial neglect, SA, and abuse.

[Kade Gulluscio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okayyyyy. This has been my all-time favorite book in this series so far. Holy cow. Cassie Lein is a genius.

Lorna is amazing. Absolutely amazing. She is SUCH a bad-ass. Her backstory is heartbreaking, but her strength? I admire that.
Her partner Kylo is so supportive. Their relationship is so heartwarming. I want love like that. lol.

Lorna is a cam-girl who hides her identity with a mask and wig. She has her "regulars" who video chat weekly with her. Two of those regulars? The bullies, Abel and Rowan, who made her high school experience absolute hell. Crazy, right? They obviously don't know it's THE Lorna. When she gets her high school reunion invite in the mail, a revenge plan begins constructing itself in her mind.
Reading that play out in the book was so entertaining. haha.

And where their "relationship" [ rowan&abel & lorna's relationship ] goes was slightly predictable, but still so interesting to read. Think enemies to lover, why choose / reverse harem tropes here.

I wish there was a sequel!!!!!

[Alanys Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We finally see Lorna’s REVENGE!!❤️‍🔥
This is the seventh installment of the Brighton Highschool Reunion series😆😆
We are presented with Lorna a cam girl who has a dark past and was bullied throughout her years in highschool, Kylo her sexy boyfriend (turned fiancé) who supports her through anything and the dumb bullies Abel and Rowan.
This story is a why choose, enemies-to-lovers, traumatic experience that the FMC went through in her childhood.
I truly loved how the author presents Lorna and how she deals with everything she went through. Lorna herself realizes that maybe she needs therapy but brushes it off because sometimes for things to get done, one has to do them themselves 😆🔥
I loved Briar’s interaction with Lorna and how Kylo supports her doing what she likes. Love how possessive Kylo gets too 😏😏
Kinda wished that there a was more groveling but I understand why the story went the route it did.
I liked how Rowan and Abel (kinda still hate his ass😒) sat down a talked with her and explained their reasoning even though they shouldn’t have done so in the first place period.
Loved how Lorna planned each step of her revenge and didn’t second guess ANYTHING 😆😆⭐️
Troupes:
🥊Revenge for FMC🥊
Enemies-to-lovers
😏Camgirl😏
FF (not within the harem)😁
💘Why choose💘
Bullying
Kinky (love the breeding kink 😏😏❤️‍🔥)
Abusive childhood
SA (mentioned) 🥺

[Christina Rybka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten years ago Lorna on the last day of school left behind a horrible home life and being bullied at school by Abel and Rowan. She moved across the country met Kylo and started a successful career. Lo gets her ten year high school reunion invite and is going back with revenge in her mind. Will she get her revenge and more ? Great characters and storyline Highly recommended Amazing book. Love Lo and Kylo great supporting characters. This book is dark with twist and turns and Awesome spice. Check your trigger warnings. Everyone needs a Kylo

[Cams Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the majority of books in this series I’ve said they’re my favourite, well that ends now. I’ve decided I’m going to love them all equally like little book babies because honestly they’re all amazing.
Ah, sweet revenge is the theme of this book. Revenge against your high school bullies, revenge against the people who should have protected you and revenge against your tormentors. It all takes form in Lorna’s diabolical mind, with an invite to her 10 year reunion being the catalyst. Armed with her sassy, sexy personality she systematically devised a plan to make her bullies pay for her treatment at school. But what happens when she realises that 10 years is a long time and her bullies have matured?
I like the direction this took. It was unexpected and I loved it. Kylo is a king among men. The way he loves Lorna so wholeheartedly had me swooning. He also had other pretty good talents too🥰🥰

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read in the Brighton High School Reunion series. This book is a close continuation/same time line as the previous book, highlighting Lorna and her revenge.

I love that it mirrors the prior book. Chad, Nic, Kylo, Rowan, Abel and a few others make their stories known. Lorna gets her revenge at the reunion and we find out the hell that she suffered at the hands of her parents (child sexual abuse warning). Not only does she win out over Rowan and Abel, but her parents pay the ultimate price for their awfulness.

Kylo continues to love Lorna through it all with Nic and Chad at her back. She gets her vindication. Camgirling and messing with Rowan and Abel helps her heal as well and with a story twist they all have their HEA.

I received this book as an ARC and my opinion is my own. I enjoyed this book and this experience for the summer series is so fun!

[Sarah | Retro Girl Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Up in Smoke” was Lorna’s story, and it had a lot of interesting elements - but especially revenge. This book also has some pretty heavy triggers, so I would really suggest being kind to yourselves and reading the trigger warnings before proceeding. Lorna was determined to get revenge on Abel and Rowan, the two boys who made her life miserable in high school, and the Reunion gave her the perfect opportunity. I thought Lorna was a wonderful character, she’s been through a lot but she came out stronger than ever. I also liked how supportive Kylo, her partner, was of her. As for Abel and Rowan, I agree that they were certainly cruel in high school, but now that they’re all adults, they have matured and changed for the better. To sum it up, this was a 5 star read for me!

[Katelyn Rizzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassie very , very well done! This book was so good! I loved loved the revenge with the bullies .
Lorena is a bad ass ! I loved how strong and confident she was . RHODE Island :-) love that part. I was really into this book, it was a very easy read it was so good!
Loved she was a cam girl and owned that !
This is a must read

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll give you just one reason to read this book, Kylo. He's all you need to know. The absolute best book boyfriend I've read. So loving and supportive, amazing truly.
Lorna had a rough childhood and was b.ullied at school. After graduation she moved across the country and is living her best life. When she gets the invite for her 10 year high school reunion, she decides to make her b.ullies pay.
We learn so much about her past and what she went through. What will happen when she gets her revenge on everyone?

[Leilani Noack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book when it was first published and reading it now made me fall in love with it again. Yes something has been changed since the first time but second time around it’s really good. Love the new ending couldn’t have asked for a better book to get redone.

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well that revenge was anti-climactic

And as much as I love "why choose" this book would have been so much better without it. The relationship made no sense to me.

[Bookish Venturess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Why Choose

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the plot and how things ended for the main characters. Highly recommend as long as you check warnings.

[Lexi · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 72%

[C H · Rating 2 out of 5]

quick but missing

I’m all for quick stories but this may of been a bit to rushed. Certain things would be nice is there was an explanation instead of just is. How does one go from hating someone for years, holding a grudge to feeling lust for their bully in mere seconds. I’m glad the fm is a strong independent women, just wish it was more detailed how she heals instead of pushing away all the issues.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I think anything Cassie Lein writes couldn't get better, she always tops herself and gives us another 5 star out of the park read.
Before I review, I have to put it out there that this book comes with some serious dark content warnings- child abuse, SA just to name a few but please check the warnings before reading this and really think about reading if you have an issue with any of them- this may have been a really good story but I can certainly see how this could be really triggering to some.
Lorna has had a rough start in life and has spent her childhood dreaming of the day that she is finally able to flee home and disappear so her parents or her high school bullies can't find her. Across the country safe in New York, she has established a name for herself as a cam girl (without the world knowing who she is) and has garnered a following to live a very comfortable life- a following that includes said bullies. When an invitation for her high school reunion shows up in her mailbox, she views this as the perfect time to exact revenge she never knew she needed with the help of her boyfriend Kylo. The only problem is, will the revenge taste as sweet as she had originally anticipated after having spent numerous Sunday's seeing and getting to know Abel and Rowan, her childhood bullies through her site, or have feelings already developed that would make the taste of revenge less sweet?
Abel and Rowan spent their high school years tormenting Lorna- and who can blame them? Constantly dressing the way she did, she was an easy target for their tricks. Years later they both have fallen in love with her- except they don't know she is the girl they used to torment. When Lorna shows up and rains on their parade and divulges her deepest, darkest secrets to them, will they be able to convince her to see that they aren't the same and maybe right some of the wrongs that have happened to her at the hands of everyone else or have they lost the only girl they both think they could truly love?
This story certainly has it all in the spice department, which you get right from the beginning, but it also has a really deep and well developed backstory that keeps you hooked from beginning to end. The details of Lorna's past were really well developed and presented on page and while they certainly are events that will trigger some, they were done with such care and thought to show the world that Lorna is a survivor. That for someone in her situation she rose above and was able to conquer her demons despite the fact that it did take some time. Lorna is a really strong FMC- probably one of the strongest that I have ever read- and it was really nice to see her get the life she deserves.
All of of MMC's were also really well done and each gave something to Lorna that she has never had in her past. It was really nice to see how Kylo was willing to let two other men come into their lives despite all of the issues in the past and how they were all able eventually create one cohesive bond. Abel and Rowan also had a really nice story arc of redemption, especially when they try to right some of the wrongs that have been committed against Lorna and show her that someone did care enough to help, even if that help was later than hoped for.
This was a really fun and quick read that is a standalone in a larger series about Brighton High School and I am really excited to go back and read the other 11 books to see just what else the class was dealing with in their lives, especially the story about Lorna's friend.

[Booksbystarlightandshadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Updated following rework in Oct 25*

I love how this has been updated to fold in some characters from Cassie's other books. One took me a minute to clock but I am here for it! The HEA was also a sweet addition rather than the HFN in the previous version.

*Original Review - July 23*

Check your triggers as this has a lot going on!

I loved this story of Lorna’s revenge. Although she’s a bigger person than me as I would have made them grovel and suffer more! Great fast paced story - Kylo is an absolute sweetheart and I loved Lorna’s confidence and how she overcame her past. That backstory was shocking when it all came out and my jaw was on the floor. And the spice is just wow…straight out of the gate! Rowan and Abel did win me over eventually (it was the pet names that did it). I thought it was quite an interesting slant for Abel to be just so oblivious to it all…we’ve all met people like that who just don’t realise the impact they have in other people at the time.

My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read

[TheheartofBrigid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up In Smoke is a contemporary romance and is written by Cassie Lein.

💜 self made FMC
💜 past hurts
💜 second chance
💜 found family
💜 🌶🌶🌶🌶spicy spice

Lorna’s life growing up was awful and all she wanted to do is escape home and use the few hours at school as reprieve from all the stuff going on at home. But thanks to Abel and Rowan and their crew, that wasn’t possible. At least she has Dominic, aka Nic, to help her stay grounded. Without him there to support her, who knows what would have happened. Now ten years later, she’s living the good life with her own business and with Kylo by her side. And time for the ten year reunion, and maybe a bit of revenge and fun to go along with it.

I love this story of growth and grief from the past. Watching Lorna grow and have support with it was awesome to read. I love her bad 🍑 attitude. There are some twists and turns that I didn’t expect while reading this story and enjoyed them. I love the nod to another set of characters from one of her other books. It really added a fun and crazy touch to the story. This was a fun book and I’m so glad that I re-read it.

[DeeDeeWReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings... This one has a lot, so please read them, one of the big ones that I want to point out for sure, SA of a child. Your mental health is always the most important thing.

That said, oh my gosh. I read Bre Rose's side of some of the events at the reunion as Bre Rose and Cassie Lein wrote the stories of best friends so parts overlap. The events were awesome in Bre's book (Reuniting With Desire, READ IT!), but to see the whole picture in Up in Smoke was so much more. Getting revenge on your bullies is great, it's needed, but when you can purge it ALL, get your payback on all those that hurt you, what more could you ask for?

This one has some moments in flashbacks that can be triggering for just about anyone, so be aware. This subject needs to be talked about and Cassie respected it and did it justice. The dynamics between Kylo and Lorna were so much fun. I hope someday he gets his wish to put a baby in her (gotta love a breeding kink)! This book takes some turns, so be prepared, good, and so much more greatness.

If you love HS bully stories, enemies to lovers, MMMF, and revenge served up beautifully, READ THIS ONE!

[Angela Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving the Brighton High school reunion series, such a diverse set of stories, I’m really getting into all the characters. We met Lorna our FMC in the previous book as a friend of Dominic, been dying to read her story since then.
So many triggers for this book, Lo’s story made me cry, so many emotions packed into this one. Cassie has done a fantastic job here, I was rooting for Lo all the way.
Abel and Ronan were characters I wanted to hate but ended up liking, all kids are a**holes in school, we gain perspective as we mature, all those raging hormones do teenagers no favours.
This is such a spicy 🌶️ book it pleasantly surprised me, Lorna and her boyfriend Kylo are totally uninhibited and when you add Abel and Rowan they’re dynamite together.
Lo like Nic has turned her life around and made herself onto a successful business woman. She returned to the place that made her childhood hell for both closure and revenge, the way she achieves both is spectacular.
Another amazing book in this series

[Jeanette Durant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I'm new to Cassie Lein, and after reading this, I will definitely be checking out her other works. This revenge reverse harem romance featured Nic and Chad from Reuniting with Desires, took us back to the Brighton High School Reunion.

Lorna was bullied relentlessly by Abel and Rowan in high school, a place which was meant to be her respite from the tortures of her home life. When she gets the invite to return for their 10 year reunion, she sees it as her opportunity to get her revenge plan in place.

Lorna, present day, is a very successful Cam girl who has a devoted and gorgeous co-star/boyfriend Kylo and is very happy with her life. She keeps her identity a secret on MainFans, as she has two very dedicated followers who would definitely recognise her.

The revenge in this book was too good! The spice out of this world hot! I enjoyed this book so much. Lorna was totally kick ass and I adored her strength. I loved Kylo too. He was 100% dedicated to Lorna and completely selfless.

I can't wait for more in this series.

[Katelyn Welytok · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I was able to relate and empathize with the main female character Lorna. I also was not expecting how this book went. But I was pleasantly shocked with way it did go.

This story is multi partner. Lorna is the female main character and can I just say she is a bad ass. She has a horrible past, that she has overcome and has achieved success for herself.

Kylo is one of the male main characters. He is Lorna’s boyfriend and is fiercely protective and would do anything for her.

Abel and Rowan are high school best friends. They were also Lorna’s tormentors during high school. They’re now hockey stars with a secret.


Lorna is a cam girl and you see her in her work space and how evolved she is and how she is as a person. You see how her past still haunts her in certain aspects. You see her exact her revenge on those who hurt her. But you also see change and second chances.

This was a dark book but it was such a great page turned. I was able to read it very quickly but I also couldn’t put it down.

[DFS · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm still reeling from reading "Up In Smoke". I can't quite wrap my head around what happened in the book, but in a good way. "Up In Smoke" is entertaining to say the least. I love a bully romance, but this book puts a twist on it and it's a good twist. Cassie Lein wrote a real masterpiece in the terms of examing the long-term effects that SA has on people and how a survivor is treated afterwards, especially when the public finds out about the SA. Lorna is a survivor and when she is confronted with facing two of many people who terrorized her, she does what every survivor of bullying wants to do. She exacts revenge in the best ways possible. At moments, I thought she was going too far, but I had to put myself in the shoes of Lorna and understand this isn't too far for her. The reason this is not a five star review is because the MMCs of the book just felt lack luster compared to Lorna and her story. I didn't have a connection to Kylo, Rowan, and Abel. I found myself enjoying Lorna's chapters in the book more than any of theirs. They all felt like bystanders in Lorna's story.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

why choose

OMG probably one of my top books of this series by far!!! That’s saying a lot because I lived for Morgan’s story but now that I think about it that was also about revenge so maybe that says more about me LOL!

Love Lorna so much and the fact she has dealt with all the trauma she has and just came out of top and made a name for herself. Man this book was just everything. I loved that it also shows another perspective of the events from Nic’s book and especially what happened at the bar after the meet and greet. But also that we got so much more AFTER the reunion and none of the other books really did that. I mean they all gave us some story after but half of the book takes place after so I don’t feel like I’m missing anything and I’m happy with the way it ended.

Holy lord the spice though! Like be prepared because it is super spicy and I am totally here for it. But I mean what do you expect from a cam girl LOL.

[McKenzie Dew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Up in Smoke by Cassie Lein
✨ Book Review✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

-Revenge
-Revenge Porn
-Enemies to Lovers
-Camgirl
-FF (Not in the Harem)
-RH
-Bullying
-Trauma
-BDSM/ Kink
-Past Family SA
-Past SA of a Child (Not on Page)
-Abuse/ Neglect

This is the 7th book in The Brighton High School Reunion Series. We previously meet the FMC in Reuniting With Desire as Dominic’s best friend. In Up in Smoke we get to see Lorna’s story and get to see exactly what her revenge is and how it plays out!

Finally we get to see Lorna’s revenge! And I will admit it did not go the way I thought it would. But the way the story pans out was still amazing!

I absolutely loved seeing Lorna take her revenge on those that hurt her, and seeing her so confident in herself after her hellish life as a youth!

And those pet names! 🥵

Another great addition to the Brighton High Series! Highly recommended reading!

[Kyla Sixkiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Make sure you check the Warnings tab as the author does an amazing job of warning you of what’s mentioned in this book!**

I, however, loved the book. It touches on subjects that were challenging to read but made you connect and understand the main character so much more. This book is 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ as well. Like maybe 10x🌶️! The movement and healing through grief and revenge and how things truly played out from the last book was amazing. This book offered so much more insight to our main character and I’m just happy that she is finally happy and at peace. The events mentioned are not extremely detailed nor are they completely written on page. The are heavily insinuated though and you’ll know exactly what has happened to Lorna. It was a very good back and forth read, with a very well written story too.

[XxLaVampiresaAlexisxX · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up in Smoke is the seventh book in the Brighton High School reunion shared world series. I was tearing up a bit with this one.

We met Lorna in Bre Rose’s Reuniting with Desire story. Honestly, I instantly loved her. Her firey personality, her hellbent on revenge, but the previous book barely scratched the surface to what we were about to witness. Lorna went through some horrendous s***....that ABSOLUTELY NOBODY should EVER go through. She overcame her past...not only her bullies, but those who were supposed to protect her. She was strong and quite devious, if I may say so myself. I loved her so much. And Kylo was a huge cinnamon roll...like total sweetheart. Rowen and Abel, they totally redeemed themselves.

This was sooo heartbreaking but so good. Can't wait to start the next one!!

[Gemma Kitchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up in Smoke first time around was amazing and this newer version was even better.

Okay so who wants a little revenge, showing the bullies exactly what they have missed out, a loveable female character who is comfortable in her own skin and lots of steam. A boyfriend who meets her every needs, and stands by her through everything supporting her with her career choice, he is everything she needs and more. This book introduces us into Behind the Lens and how this all began. The Lorna is good and successful at what she dues behind the lens, an enchantress that has excelled since leaving high school.

This is a story of resilience and strength of a female character who has suffered through her adolescence but has come out a stronger person. A story of why choose and enemies to lover. Why shouldn’t Lorna get everything she deserves. Then add to the mix a lot of spice.

[Brita Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten years ago the assholes at Lorna's school voted her the 'class clown'.

Her outfits and behaviour didn't fit the status quo of their upscale town.

They demanded to be in the spotlight while she enjoyed melting into the darkness.

Lorna wrapped herself in things they deemed sinful, turning it into a mask to hide the secret of her home life from others.

Escaping the hell she called home, she was able to make a name for herself.

Even if that name also keeps her hidden behind a mask. Although, it's much different than the one from her childhood. She may not have the career, family or life that her peers 'grew' up to have, but she's happy with what she's made of herself. Even if it's not as fancy or glamorous as this town demands.

With her BFF at her side, she shows up at her high school reunion with new secrets to hide.

This time they involve the duo who made her life a living hell for four years.

Lorna has one goal; ripping off the mask and striding into the limelight, revealing all the secrets.

She can't wait to see their faces when their idealistic life goes up in smoke.

Welcome to Brighton's High School Reunion, where revenge is on the menu tonight, and Lorna's one hungry bitch.

YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that are not suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times. Reader discretion is advised. Intended for readers 18+.

Tropes: Why Choose, Enemies to Lovers, Former Bullies Get What’s Coming to Them, Revenge, Small Town, Sex Workers, Cam Girl FMC with a Secret Identity, MMC Who is All-in From the Beginning, Two hockey player MMCs, FMC is SA Trauma Survivor.

Book Type/Ending: Standalone in Brighton High School Reunion shared world with HEA (interconnected scenes with Bre Rose’s Reuniting with Desire)

“You always taste sweet after you’ve made yourself come, Lo. Such a naughty girl fucking yourself for another man in front of me.”

Up In Smoke by Cassie Lein.

I love Cassie and her writing. I never miss a chance to grab up one of her books and Up in Smoke was a great read. It's a deliciously sweet revenge story – and I loved that it wasn't just a revenge story against one's high school bullies, but it's also about getting back at the adults who failed to protect you.

I just loved Lorna, in ways her past reminded me of what I had gone through as a child. I found Lorna to be this force to be reckoned with and she wasn't one to be under estimated. Lorna was truly one of the strongest FMC's that I have gotten to read in quiet some time. She has grown so much since her high school days, overcoming her trauma, and really she experienced this epic transformation.

The trauma that Lorna has suffered throughout her entire life turned her into the woman who knew how to take control of her life and take control and complete ownership of her own sexuality. Lorna refuses to apologize for choosing a life as a camgirl, she loves to embrace the love and adoration of the fans she has built up over the years and she loves them just as much as they love her. I can honestly say that I wish I had half the confidence in my body as Lorna has in hers. That's the kind of body confidence we all should have.

And the thirst for revenge that simmers in her. I just loved the way that she stepped up and completely and irrevocably took on, took down, and completely, systematically, and undeniably broke her two bullies. But, she wasn't done with just her two bullies. No, after she was done with her two bullies, then she decided she was going to go after the entire town who just stood by and watched her be traumatized, tormented, and abused. All the town did was turn their back on her and abandon her when she need them and their help the most. By the end, I can say that I really wanted to see blood and vengeance just as much as Lorna.

One of the things that did honestly surprise me was the progression of the relationship between Lorna and her former bullies. I didn't really see a relationship between these three possible and yet, that's precisely what was needed in order for Lorna to get her own HEA and a HEA was the only thing she could ever deserve.

Kylo is the book boyfriend that I think I have spent that last year and a bit searching for. I just adored the devotion he has to Lorna and while this story did develop into a why choose, and I am not sorry that it did, I would have been just as happy if it had just stayed an MF relationship between Kylo and Lorna. I just loved Kylo so much.

I have to warn you that this isn't a slow burn kind of book. This is an incredibly paced fast burn with only one chapter of smut I am sorry to say. Now, I do love that as a camgirl Lorna does engage in some FF scenes outside of her relationship (sorry I am bi, sue me) but this is of course under the approval of her long-term boyfriend and often times costar. Other interactions that we get other than FF are, MF, and FMFF. I love the spicy scenes as they are INTENSE and you get the use of toys, disguises, and several other kinks and I was there for all of it.

The last thing that I will say about Up In Smoke that I loved was the Brighton High School Reunion and that it's part of a shared world. While Up In Smoke can be read as a standalone, I found that for the best reading experience, if you pair this book with Bre Rose's contribution Reuniting with Desire and reading that first you'll get the most out of this reading experience. I found that there were some interconnected scenes and of course the main characters story lines and arcs are very very deeply interwoven together.

[Michelle Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve been following along in this shared world, then you’ve met Lorna. She pops up frequently in Bre Rose’s contribution to this dynamic cast of people in a high school reunion that could not be more epic. In this book we delve deeper into Lorna’s story, we find out the truth about her past and how it has shaped her into this amazing young woman we meet today. Standing by her side is her long-term boyfriend Kylo. I absolutely adore this man and his love for Lorna is unparalleled. But there’s more to this story. This book features the unlikely pairing of 2 guys from her past that get a second chance to make things right. There definitely is a lot to handle but this book is everything you need.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a feeling when we first met Lorna that I was going to enjoy her story. And there was not a bit of disappointment. Her story was so spicy and emotional and it made her revenge so much sweeter. And the little relationship twist at the end added to the fun. Kylo was an amazing addition to her story as well, love and acceptance had no limit with him and he was perfect for our fmc and all the trauma she went through in her past. I'm loving all the additions to the Brighton Reunion story, having past people pop up has made me wanna go read their stories again. I'm loving this series so much! But it can be read as a standalone if you want a sexy and spicy tale of revenge and some sweet mushy goodness thrown in.