Steffanie Holmes

Dark, mysterious, creepy, and hot guys, too. The author masterfully molds everything together to form a gothic tale, which weaves tighter the more the story goes on.

Faye has been dealing with her place (or lack of) at the music school, staying wary of the director, and trying to solve a haunting...all of that while trying to stay safe. Just as she thought she'd finally found three loyal guys on her side, everything takes another twist. Not only are the director and some of the students still show more out to get her, but her trust is betrayed. The ones she can count on are having troubles enough of their own, although they still have her back. As for the mystery, it's growing darker and more complex as her search for the truth continues. Add a few evil plots and tons of manipulation, and Faye is way in over her head.

This cannot be read as a stand-alone, since she book ends with a cliff-hanger and the next one picks up from there.

This is a bully reverse harem, and it lets the darkness run free. There are so many characters to mistrust and hate, and intrigue so horrible it makes your nails curl. And yet, the author weaves everything into a beautiful school and scene of music. While book one set the stage, this one dives right in, head first. It doesn't shy away from much and give the main character a battle she might not survive. The secrets are thick and it's impossible to guess what and who is behind the haunting...and the possible murders. Even those characters who deserve to be rooted for, have dark edges of their own and ghosts, which haunt their every move.

This isn't a book for more sensitive readers and definitely carries few moments of sunshine. Every moment is tension packed and hints at ulterior motives or possible danger. It's as much at the psychological level as the physical. Obviously, this demands more character depth, and the author delivers on this end, too. And while there are hot, hot scenes, that's not the driving force behind these pages. This is a mystery with tons of evil intent hidden in the shadows. It grabs, sends chills, makes the reader gasp, and hopes the there might be a light at the end of the tunnel at some point.

I received an ARC copy and enjoyed it. show less

Bullying, mean girls, dark secrets, outcast and a constant cloud of danger flow together to form a unique and grabbing read.

She's seventeen, lost her parents, and struggling to stay out of the grip of foster homes for just the last few months until her eighteenth birthday roles around. When a person appears at her doorstep and offers her a full-ride scholarship to an elite school, she's sure it's a scam or mistake until she finds herself in a car, twisting up the steep mountain road to the show more secluded institution. There, it immediately becomes clear that she's not really welcome among the rich students and even receives a room in what might have once been a dungeon for all of its warmth. The relentless and harsh bullying of the students and teachers along with strange happenings within the school, soon have her wondering if coming there was a big mistake.

When I picked this up, I wasn't sure what a 'bully' read might mean (except that it obviously had to do with bullying). I didn't realize there was a separate term for this type of read. The bullying is harsh but didn't cross the level of strong bullying in other teen novels. Rather, it was more relentless in these pages. The heroine, however, has a wonderful attitude and holds her own in an inspiring way. Still, readers who have trouble with this area might be bothered.

The story itself is very original in many ways. While the idea of a poor girl suddenly attending a wealthy school and in a strange setting might seem familiar, this plot takes some very interesting twists. The secrets and hints are masterfully woven into the scenes, and what first seems as a harsh, bullying read, slowly develops into so much more. The author sets creepy tones right away and allows these to grow as the tale mutates little by little. The end holds a huge surprise, making it a hard wait for book two to appear.

This is a reverse harem romance but a slow burn one. There are some quick elicit scenes, but not in the way a reader might expect. This is a very slow burn read, which considering the circumstances, has to be the case. There are light sparks but they are kept mostly at that level, allowing the other aspects of the tale to stay in the main focus. It will be interesting to see where the author goes with everything, since it's not a tale which can qualify as predictable. It's a great read for fans of dark struggles, strong determination and even darker secrets.

I received an ARC and enjoyed reading it quite a bit. So, I'm leaving my honest thoughts. show less

This book and the entire series is 5 stars. Great writing, plot, character development, relevant themes, interesting mysteries, big personalities in a small town, and…um…BOOK BOYFRIENDS LITERALLY COME TO LIFE. Oh, and, it’s FUNNY. And the audiobooks are great! Seriously - this is just what the doctor ordered if you are looking for a quality cozy spicy series. You will fall in love with all of the main characters, town personalities, and *special* guest characters! I don’t normally go show more for why-choose romances but I’m binging this series and will move on to all her other audiobooks. It’s not often that I stumble across spicy books that are actually well-written…Steffanie Holmes has now acquired a new life-long fan! show less

There is no pardon in this fast-paced tale, which packs more than the usual punch.

'Mac' or 'Claws' was the daughter of a rich and feared man, but when she finds herself buried alive in a coffin and her parents both dead, she's out for more than blood. After remaining hidden for four years, while her cousin, her sole supporter, works on their plan for revenge, she finally hits life again and signs up for her senior year of high school at a prep school for the super rich and prestigious. She show more could fit in, but she wants nothing to do with anyone. Grab the diploma and leave is her moto. But her lost memory of the past has made her forget who knows her and who doesn't as well as whatever relationships might have existed. And this is her downfall. But Mac isn't anyone's anything anymore, and she'll let everyone who comes against her feel how sharp her claws really are.

First off, this read is definitely for the upper end of the young adult age group. Not only does it hit more than a few harsh themes and violent moments, but there are explicit scenes in the last chapters. That said, this book definitely grabs and doesn't let go even after the last page. Mac is a force to be reckoned with, and she's a character that even hits readers with her tsunami. That she's got some huge issues is clear, but then, anyone buried alive and being hunted by people who aren't afraid to use any level of violence or cruelty can't stay sane and survive. She's harsh and not really someone to like, but still, there's enough humanity left in her to make her easy to root for...even if she's a nightmare.

This is a bully romance, but it's unlike any bully romance I've read so far. While she is ridiculed and mistreated at school, it's by no means a one-way street. She's not the poor girl to be pitied, but dishes out enough of her own. So, it's more of a bullied in all directions by everyone...which makes me wonder if it really can be classified as bullying. Every character in this book is messed up and all have more baggage than any normal human could bare. But for this plot, that's needed.

There are secrets upon secrets upon secrets. Nobody is innocent, and nobody is a saint. This novel sets the ground with the promise of some huge twists to come, and it will be interesting to see where the author takes this. Because...wow. The reverse harem side does build up a much needed backing for Mac because she needs more than a little loyalty and strength on her side. These relationships didn't come across as believable or natural as I would have hoped, but then, there is a lot of other things going on. I was a little disappointed at the sudden insert of the steamy scenes at the end, since they felt forced and a little 'pack-them-in-before-the-book-ends'. The emotional depth and reasoning (especially for one) wasn't there yet (imo).

Still, this is a book which keeps the reader at the edge of their seat and will thrill fans of rich mafia plots, dark revenge, and reverse harem all in the realm of high school. Which is quite the mix.

I received a complimentary copy and am giving my honest opinion. show less