Lawless Kingdom: A Dark Bully Romance (Reign & Ruin Book 1) by Natalie Bennett
https://www.amazon.com/Lawless-Kingdom-Dark-Romance-Reign-ebook/dp/B0846T3BKV/
Blurb:
When something is forbidden, it becomes maddeningly tempting.
Judas Barron.
Wicked blue blood and heir to a severely twisted cutthroat society. Everyone knew who he was and what crew he ran with—a clandestine group of filthy rich kids surrounded by ominous secrets. Secrets that were rumored to be dark, dirty, and stained with blood. It was never my intention to get tangled up with them, but Judas and I had a secret too, one he was determined to make sure I took with me to my grave, which meant keeping me by his side.
Now forced to be part of a savage coterie, I start to see his world through a new pair of eyes. It isn’t long before temptation becomes something dangerous and wild, breeding the sickest kind of infatuation. And those secrets Judas keeps?
They’re about to tear my life apart.
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"It’d been natural for the wolf to seek me out since I had gone as Little Red. Letting the wolf taste and claim me was another story."
Rhiannon went to a party, while one thing led to another and she ended having the best night of her life with a masked stranger. Fast forward a few years, she lived a pretty simple life. Moved to a new place, making her way to through school, best friend and boyfriend, although, they were from different worlds, never left her behind. It wasn't until her senior year, when all the fun begins.
Jude Barren, an arrogant, possessive, alphahole. His family is one of the elite families that make up the underground crime world. At such a young age, he's already specializes in murder, torture, and disposal. Once he staked his claim on Rhiannon, that was it. Nobody is to touch her, but him.
"We were a New Age Romeo and Juliet, but for one of us our curtain call would come with a much more satisfying ending, and a sinister twist."
I really loved this. I didn't really know what to expect. I am such a sucker for academia, bully, mafia/crime stories (especially together) and it all fit perfectly! I have to admit (besides the prologue), the build up was a tad bit slow but definitely couldn't put it down. This was an incredible prequel and backstory. Natalie Bennett can literally do any trope. There were so many unanswered questions and twist, I NEED MORE!
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Savage Gods (Reign & Ruin Book 2) by Natalie Bennett
Blurb:
A queen is said to be the most powerful piece on the board, but no one ever mentions that she’s maneuvered by the king.
I gave myself to a monster to save the ones who betrayed me.
I let myself be crowned queen of a world I didn’t understand, making me not only a prisoner, but the perfect pawn.
Judas Barron is even more lethal than I could have ever imagined.
A savage god in a league of his own.
I thought he could grow to love me.
I thought wrong.
There’s a mutual hatred between us and it grows stronger by the day. As does the sickeningly toxic need we have for one another.
He’s taken me away from everything I’ve ever known.
He wants me to shatter so he can collect all the pieces.
He thinks he can tear my world apart without consequence.
But what if the queen were to kill the king and take his empire for herself?
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"I wanted to protect her from everything and everyone but myself. Her tears, anger, happiness, and pleasure belonged to me as she was mine and they were a part of her."
Savage Gods is book two in the Reign & Ruin series. This is a continuation and cannot be read as standalone.
Rhiannon and Judas' story continues with him breaking the news that her family has been lying to her. Meanwhile, Judas is doing everything possible to control, gaslight, and manipulate her. Although, he views her as a pawn in his revenge chess game, he has caught the feels and willing to do anything to keep her for himself.
What an amazing continuation. I swear, Judas seriously gave me serious emotional whiplash (just as much as Rhia). Kind of reminded me of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde . One moment, he's sweet, caring, joking around. The next moment he's in that alphahole, "it's just business", obsessive-possessive mode, where he's a complete a$$. However, I completely understand the attraction. OMG, why am I so entertained by these highly toxic relationships?!?!?!? There were many twist and turns. That ending had me like, " NOOOO, NOOOO, NOOOO this can't be happening!!" So hyped for Vicious Dynasty.
And, just throwing this out, Audrey and Gavin, definitely hoping for a spin-off ๐
