Have you ever wanted to destroy someone so desperately that all your waking thoughts and actions are consumed by rage and the need for vengeance? What if there wasn’t just one but four someones? They never saw her coming; they don’t remember what they did to her, but she remembers everything. Theo, Carter, Finn, and Mateo. They were villains in so many storylines, the four sexy kings of Casbury Prep, spoiled with unlimited power. Their wealthy families gave them control over not just a school but the entire town. Their power and families were a legacy to be envied or destroyed. They thought they could control Mia, that she would fall in line like all the others. That they were invincible, and maybe they were until a queen decided to revenge the past wrongs and destroy their kingdom down to the last brick standing. The walls of their empire are crashing down around the unexpected, a gorgeous irresistible enemy within their realm, one they want to break, control, and destroy. Can they keep their hands off of her long enough to save themselves and their kingdom? Heads are going to roll. No one takes on the kings and survives, especially not some rich girl from out east. Sometimes a pretty face is not just a pretty face; sometimes, beauty is a tactic of war. Watch out, kings of Casbury, your queen will have you kneel or have your head; either way, she's coming for you, and she doesn't plan on leaving survivors.
Reign of the Queen is book one of the Casbury Prep series. It’s a dark bully, enemies-to-lovers romance with four over the top, guys that don’t like to lose, chasing and trying to break one girl bent on revenge. This is a many-lovers book; there will be no selection, just lots of begging, hot spice, scheming, and ruined panties. Maybe even yours! If you take issue with dark contemporary romance, hot and heavy spice, this book is not for you. Please read the author’s foreword or visit the author's website for TW. Don’t say I didn’t warn you! *Authors A.L Maruga cannot be held responsible for your own desire for revenge, night terrors, spicy sexy fantasies involving four hot-as-sin men, destroyed panties, and overall lusting of hot, possessive demanding alpha a-holes. Please read accordingly.* Purchase Reign of the Queen today if you're brave enough.
People saying this is the darkest book they have ever read is just sad. There is maybe one dark scene that I came across when skimming. This read like a wattpad story. The guys seem so pathetic chasing her and her being all weak for them because they are good looking. Like if she really hated their guts for the trauma they put her through when she was younger, their good looks wouldn’t affect her.
A page turning, nail biting wonder. I read this in a day, one damn day. I'm am both amazed and shocked at the perfection of this book. I won't lie, bully romance is a difficult genre for me, but the author toed the line beautifully. And that ending.........give me book 2 right now, I refuse to wait 😢 I have new one click author for sure, she could write a recipe and I'd buy it
This had a lot of spice. This is a very very very dark read. And can be extremely triggering for some readers. It was kind of Difficult for me to read at moments.
I will say lots of spice. Very well written. I enjoyed it.
Freaking mind blowing Enemies to lovers why choose novel! Listen I was in a book slump before starting this one and as soon as I started I couldn’t put my kindle down, Mia is a bad a$$ heroine!! She returns to her hometown to take down her childhood bullies Theo, Carter, Finn & Mateo the Casbury prep kings ,when then she starts getting feeling for them she starts questioning herself and her initial intentions for taking them down. These kings are everything and then some!!! It does end on a cliffhanger and I’m anxiously waiting for book 2 !! Please check triggers warning beforehand as this book is dark…
Reign of the Queen by A.L. Maruga is a dark enemies-to-lovers why choose romance. This is the first book in the Casbury Prep series.
This is A.L. Maruga's debut novel and she knocked it out of the park. I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn't wait to see how it was going to play out. I really enjoyed getting Mia, Theo, Carter, Finn, and Mateo's points of view throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.
The book ended on an amazing cliffhanger that left me begging for more. I can't wait for the next book Fall of a King to be released in early 2023 so I can get more of Mia and her men!
I would highly recommend this book if you like dark romances, bully romances, enemies-to-lovers romances, or why choose romances. This was definitely one of my top reads for 2022!
Steam: 5/5. Strong Language: 5/5. Cliff. Triggers: breath play, blood play, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, rape, captivity, bullying, body dysmorphia, violence, drug use, light BDSM, human trafficking, sexual manipulation, dub-con, mentions of anxiety & depression.
Mia Stratford has a dark and painful past, but then so do her kings. The difference is, they’re the reason for her suffering. After 8 long years, she has returned to destroy them and take their crowns. Can she bring them down and break them, or will her heart get in the way?
Theo, Carter, Finn, and Mateo are the ruling kings of Casbury. Like their fathers before them, they rule with control, fear, money, and deception. When a stranger appears in their castle to take their crowns, they will stop at nothing to make her theirs and force her to submit. Will they retain their crowns or will their new queen steal their hearts and their kingdom?
I received Reign of the Queen as an ARC and could not put it down. I was absolutely in love with Mia from the beginning and over time fell for her kings. Each of them have their own pain and struggles from their upbringing and they are all broken, but they are strong and fight selflessly for the ones they love. The steam in the scenes between these 5 were scorching hot and the side characters were all so fun to have around.
Reign of the Queen ended on a cliff that has me reeling, but their story isn’t over yet, this is just the beginning.
Too much ow. The men can’t stop talking about all the women they’ve fucked. And theres a very explicitly detailed scene where two of the men are sharing the popular mean girl, while the other two men are getting their dicks sucked by her friends. There are also scenes of them grabbing ass.
What is the point of this seriously It ruins books for me
This book was a whirlwind of so much tension, chemistry, angst, spice, and all around drama. I was so close to throwing my phone and putting the book down, man, what a debt novel. So morally grey, you had me on the edge of my seat. And what a book it was, I can’t wait for the next one!
Wow. For a debut book this was pretty fucking great. The angst, drama and heartache you feel while reading this is insane. As the other reviews say, definitely check trigger warnings if you have any.
I’m not sure how I feel about Amelia/Mia right now. She’s incredibly wishywashy when it comes to the guys and definitely doesn’t think things through when she’s cornered by one of them, specifically Theo. I figured she would have latched harder to Finn considering they were friends first, so it makes me wonder what else happened all those years ago for Theo to be the biggest target. Or is just because he was the “leader” of the group? Speaking of Theo. Jesus Christmas, my heart hurts for him and I hate that it does. Honestly, the same goes for the rest of the guys. Fuck their parents, except Finns… for now.
Mia is letting this “power” go to her head. Power in which she wouldn’t have if it weren’t for her grandmother. She’s making rash decisions, and for a long as the book was, I didn’t see any real power moves towards the guys. The deal she cut with her grandmother hurts her more than the others, which I don’t trust grandma Stella. I don’t care how much love she has for Mia, there’s something off about her. I also think she purposely pits Mia against her mother, the question is why?
Some parts of this were repetitive and some of the inner dialogue dragged a bit with over explanation, but other than that this was a fantastic first book and I genuinely can’t wait for book two.
First off I need to say there're a lot of triggers and triggering scenes that happen and if you aren’t comfortable reading these then please be mindful. Topics which are touched on are mental health, abuse via emotional, physical and sexual, I must also remind you that it is a dark romance with multiple love interests, so if this is your type of book then go ahead I’d recommend you give it a read!
This book centres around Mia and her need for revenge over the four ‘popular' boys that traumatised her childhood years. We the reader get placed where Mia is coming back to the town where her abuse happened and has come to regain the power these boys once took for her, they now call themselves the kings and Mia is after their crowns and to become the Queen to rule over them.
At first the story I’m my opinion stated out a little slow, however it was needed to build the characters and cement the basis for the story and plot to follow. Soon we finally got to see Mia become a bad B and really hooked myself into the story, throughout it really gave me gossip girl and mean girl vibes which I loved!
As the story progressed we saw enemies become lovers and some really spicy scenes between Mia and the boys, Carter, Mateo and Theo. Then there's my favourite Finn which I am a little salty in the fact all the boys got a spicy scene with Mia and Finn didnt but hopefully I’ll get my need fulfilled in the second book.
The different twists and turns that panned out kept the story fresh and me on the edge of my seat, with a major cliff hanger at the end. With the second book coming out beginning of 2023 I highly anticipate its release, I must find out what happens!
The spice within is indeed spicy with some small group activities, A.L Maruga created some great scenes with amazing building of sexual tension. She was able to create variable scenarios which never become samey or placed in for the sake of it. Then also with four boys to write about she managed to really showcase how the boys had different needs along with their kinks.
My only criticism is my personal opinion of wanting more spice with Finn and some more group scenes, however I feel this may appear in the second book as the bonds and relationships between the group grows and solidifies.
First off I want to thank @authoralmaruga & @katieandbreypa for my free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Oufff, this was definitely a wild ride, and you know what I enjoyed every second of it.. how weirdly that may sound (due to all the trigger warnings). This is a dark book and it is not for everyone, please read the warning beforehand.
This book is so well written, the way Maruga puts her thoughts on these pages and makes you feel and fall so hard for these characters is incredible. Even if it is a thick book, I didn't feel bored or wanted it to end, to be honest I cannot wait for the second installment. All the scenes were so intricately described which truly made you have all the feels. Let's not forget the spicy scenes, oh God damn as she would say the "mommy porn" was hot as hell.
I couldn't help but just love Mia, she is so relatable, vulnerable, damaged with a heart of gold. She is such a badass female. Those 5 kings though are hard to love, but you truly grow to love all of them while learning all their struggles in life. Plus, they are sooooo fiery hot and know how to please a woman.
Truly a wonderful debut novel, debut series I cannot wait to see where Maruga goes with The Casbury Prep Kings and Queen.
If you want a very dark romance, very graphic, enemies to lover, reverse harem and hot steamy sex pick this one up.
I love it when a debut writer blows my mind, and AL Maruga totally did that with this book. I love a good bully romance, and I love a good whychoose romance, I mean, don't we all? She nailed it.
This book delivered on every possible level, and left me chomping at the bit for more. Firstly, Mia (great name, btw), she's a fighter. She rose up from the ashes, and came back for her revenge, and she's a force to be reckoned with, and Raegan? Lovely Rae - this girl is epic too, and her one liners had me laughing out loud.
The guys, oh the guys... I can see why it's so important this book is a whychoose because I just couldn't begin to decide who I like (and hate) most. They've got all of those traits of book bullies that make you want them to suffer, and then you start to learn the why and the back story to each, and then you start to see them grow. Honestly, in terms of character development, this one book takes each of them on a rollercoaster, and it's a hell of a ride.
All in all, I could drivel on for pages about this book and how much I loved it, but I'd much rather you go and spend that time reading the book, because it's totally worth it. Can't wait for the follow up!!
I would like to start by saying, thank you for the ARC and my review is going to be 100% honest.
For starters, I would like to say that this book is definitely one of my top reads for this month (and one of my top reads this year)!
Secondly I would like to say, AUTHOR, THAT CLIFFHANGER!? COME ON NOW!? I'm going to be desperately waiting for the next book!
Review:
This book really is action packed with yummy spicy.
I love the FMC Mia (Amelia)! She seemed strong boned and I liked that about her. She's a badass and I loved every second of her.
When it comes to the MMC's Carter, Theo, Mateo & Finn I loved them as well. They are flirtatious, cocky and funny. There was times where I wanted to be mad at them (due to the flashbacks of Amelia's past) but just couldn't. I fell in love with them and I understand why Mia was the way she was. I probably would be the same way.
Favorite Scenes/Quotes:
“Theo…ummm…are, are you alright?” - Mia "No!" - Theo “No, Mia, I am not alright, and you know what? That’s been the case since you got here.” - Theo
“I don’t care what you’re doing. I am on your side, and I guess along for the ride… just don’t break my heart, gorgeous.” - Jessie
“Mia, yes, my sexy as f*ck little queen with the hot and cold attitude and sexy, toned body and curves for days.” - Finn
“You made a mess of me.” - Mia “Only fair, since you’ve made a mess of me from the moment you stepped foot in Casbury.” - Theo
Rating: 4.5 / 5 Spice: 4.5 / 5 KU or Wide: Kindle Unlimited Cliffhanger: Yes! And it will have you throwing devices and tearing your hair out. This is a completed series
Here's my opinion
Let me start by saying that I have never read this author's work but I will be binging everything she has once I finish with the Casbury Prep series.
I won't be giving away too much but I will say this.
AL Maruga has a way with words, weaving the story in a way that keeps you hooked and rooting for the people you never thought you would. As you live in her world the characters start to adapt and change your mind.
There is a MASSIVE list of trigger warnings so be sure to check that before you start reading.
This is Dark academia, bully romance. Reverse Harem with guys that will have you wanting to throttle them and kiss them at the same time. I feel Mia's frustration all the way.
Outside of the main characters, the supporting act has you drawn in enough to hope they each get their own book somewhere in the future as well.
This book was a scorcher. I received an arc copy as part of a reading group. When I tell you I couldn't put it down and neither could the rest of my group, that is not a stretch, we all binged it within 48 hours of receiving it. Mia is the wronged party in the story...or is she? She comes back to get revenge on the four twats that made her life hell. These guys don't go down quietly though, and this queen does not cower or bend. The plot twists in this book had my heart pounding, I never knew what was going to happen. So many secrets! This book is DARK, you need to read the trigger warning, the author has a complete list on her website and forewarning at the beginning of the book. The spice, holy cow! It's dirty, it's spicy, it's NAUGHTY! 10/5 The book ends on a cliff hanger, but the author has indicated the second one will be out in the beginning of the year. I would have binged that one too if it was ready. This is the author's debut, her debut! I can't even believe that! She's 100% going to be a one click author for me. Run to get this book!
Wow! A debut novel that knocks it off the charts!!
Where to begin without giving too much away…. Well, Mia is starting her school year at Casbury Prep where of course she faces off with a group of guys that have that brooding thing down packed. But despite their alpha ways, Mia is not someone to easily be reckoned with. She’s feisty and her determination makes her ruthless. In my opinion, she’s definitely worthy of being a queen!
And as for the chemistry, well with Mia’s goal in mind, the tension between her and the guys builds rapidly. And it’s everything you expect from a good enemies to lovers/bully romance. There is a heated tension that’s both brutal and spicy making this a page turner. However please check TW before diving in. It can contain moments that could be rather intense for some.
With that being said, this has been one of my faves this year and I absolutely cannot wait for book 2!!!
I loved this book!! It was an intense, spicy, enemies to lovers,page turner! What I loved most about this book was how bada$$, confident and independent the FMC was! Like girl handled everything with such fire! And the kings! Oh my gosh 😍 I cannot say much more than WOW. Couldn’t pick a favourite but hey! That’s why “why choose” romances are the one👌🏽! I loved them all. This book was definitely a page turner! With so many twists and turns! I was kept on my toes the ENTIRE time I was reading it! I cannot rave about this book enough! If you are looking for an incredible, spicy, bada$$ enemies to lovers dark romance then this book is for you! I cannot recommend it enough! Overall amazing book and I am (not so patiently) patiently waiting for the next book!!!
***Please check trigger warnings as this is a dark romance!***
This book right here is a five-star read. I've never been so engrossed in a book from the start to finish in a very long time. At first it seems as the home the story starts off a little slow revenge plotting you get a little bit of the backstory but in the end of the story continues everything changes. Once ruthless boys are now a thing of the past yes they're still the ruthless bullies but they changed Mia and her whole revenge plan. Theo Carter Finn and Mateo, who are the kings until Mia came in and queen has risen. Theo and Carter have ruthless predator like fathers who are abusive to them. It's going to take an army and Mia and her whole family to save these boys just when you think everything is going to be good everything changes. And let me tell you you don't want the story to stop.
THERE ARE NO WORDS. Did you want to read that in Arabic? لا يوجد كلمات.
Oh my god, this girl, Mia, this author, these men. I can't. I cannot!
I need to start by telling you this is a dark DARK bully, enemies to lovers why choose romance with trigger warnings to fill pages! So check those out before thinking of getting this book.
But if you're ready for an angsty, dramatic, tense, sexy and twisty read, be prepared to meet the baddest baddie yet, Mia and her spoiled BAD kings, Theo (ps. Love him bc my book has a character with his name, lmao), Carter, Finn and Mateo.
This was an absolute page turner, it was so well written, I couldn't put it down, I finished it in one day! It had a terribly well done cliffhanger that made me itch for book two, but it blew my mind and I want everyone to eat it up.
Triggers: breath play, blood play, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, rape, captivity, bullying, body dysmorphia, violence, drug use, BDSM, human trafficking, sexual manipulation, anxiety & depression.
I’m still processing this book. I have so many emotions. I went from being mad, happy to crying while reading. I loved Mia from the start. This badass warrior Queen will stop at nothing to get revenge. Her strength and resilience is awe-inspiring. Theo, Finn, Carter and Mateo had me so up and down. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to slap them or worry for them. I loved the idea that while being rich and powerful doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have trauma. Everyone is hiding secrets behind closed doors.
Huge cliffhanger I was not prepared for. I can’t wait for book 2.
I received this as an Arc from the author with The Bookish Girls Review Team. Huge thanks to the author for writing this and allowing me to arc read. For a debut this was spectacular. Definitely 5/5! I could really see this book as a movie.
I have so many emotions running through my mind after finishing Reign of the Queen. I can't believe this is A.L. Marugas first book...holy hell! It was incredible. Think of Penelope Douglas but darker...I adored it!
Definitely read the trigger warnings but if you can make it past them, this is perfection.
Mia is a bad ass bitch...you honestly don't know what to think of her at first and her ideas about revenge...but man she doesn't waste time.
You instantly have your guard up with the guys -Theo, Carter, Finn and Mateo are arrogant assholes (to put it politely). But slowly their true colours start to show and you end up accepting them.
The sheer chaos that ensues thanks to the lovely Stratford Princess is next level and will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time!
Wow! This book from the very beginning captures your attention. Mia is out for revenge on the 4 kings who bullied and ruined her in their youth. Of course, they all want what they can’t have and what they want is the revamped Mia they don’t recognize! There are some valuable lessons in this book, and a wholllle lot of spice. Also some very touchy, descriptive l subjects that may not be for the faint of heart. But oh man is it so good! I love watching Mia be a strong FMC and fight back, taking nobodys bull. She’s determined to be a queen and my goodness does she ever prove she is one. The more you learn about the guys, the more my heart softened for them. That cliffhanger ending though… ahhhh! I need more, I need answers! This book is phenomenal and I am so stoked for more from this author!!!
I am so happy I picked this from my TBR list for my birthday read! This dark bully romance and reverse harem had everything that I look for in novels of its kind. It had a well laid out storyline, edge, darkness, amazing characters, and a beautifully paced story.
Everything made sense as I read along and that was also possibly one of the more chilling/darker aspects. It feels like this is a story that somewhere out there could genuinely happen right underneath the noses of those in a small-ish town and those with money would of course be at the top of the food chain.
I cannot wait until the next releases in February, it feels so far away but I'm hoping time will fly by so I can once again be immersed in the world of the Casbury Prep series.
I finished this book about 3 days ago and I am so ready to read it again. This is going to live rent free in my head for a long time. I do recommend that you check TW if you have some as this is a dark romance. This is the debut book for this author and as much as I loved it I know she will become one of my 1 click authors. I freaking loved Mia, she is exactly what I want in a FMC. I'm at a loss for words to describe how much I loved everything about this book. This does end in a cliffhanger, I can't wait for book 2. I know I won't get any sleep when it comes out.
Ommfg!!!!!!!!! This was intense, one of the best enemies to l0vers stories I've ever read. Mia completely takes the higher ground when she discovers how bad things are for Theo and Carter and chooses to save them over taking her own revenge. This is so hot, plus the writing is excellent, the characters leap off the page. I love how there are no heroes and I'd say villains, but there are two villains, total and utter, psych0tic villains! The ending though, my heart just about stopped and Mia is going into a whole world of trouble and pain!
Literally love this book I’m glad I got the chance to read it and when I wow I mean wow I can not wait to see if there is a book two!!! And the ending wowwww lol I don’t wanna spoil the book for others but I definitely recommend reading this amazing book by this amazing author can’t wait to see future books from you and I’m definitely telling the readers in my family to read Reign of the Queen❤️🥰
Way too drawn out like seriously as soon as she got revenge on Maria she should have told them oh and by the way boys Im Amelia how do you like that but no she didnt tell them the whole 1st book and book dragged on and on then 2 more books were not needed this storyline was made for a standalone where half way though they find out shes Amelia and grovel but no book went on and on and got boring barely finished the boring series.
Also way way way too much kissing with nothing happening other than kissing but she spends a whole page describing each kiss and how wet it made her like come on really.
this is the authors first book and it's so dam good how she wrote it with certain issues was beautifully done Mia wants revenge on Melinda Carter Mateo Theo Finn, but some of them are pussy cats compared to their fathers, Mia is a Stratford you don't mess with them her grandmother is the queen and Mia is her princess. with her best friend Raegan, she will take the kings down one buy once. once you start you won't want to stop. Iso need book two what a cliffhanger. this is an author who is going to do so good with this sort of Gene ,