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Under Your Scars #1
Under Your Scars
"If you're so concerned about my humanity, Elena, then reach into my soul and find it, because I'm not sure I have any left."
According to the FBI, I was considered a serial murderer after three kills. What do they call me after fifty-two? They call me the Silencer. One final bullet would have been all it took to stop me from taking another soul, and I would have been doing Meridian City a service by pulling that trigger. An angel crying for help stopped me, and that night, I took three lives for her. Then three turned into eight. Then eight turned into twenty. Twenty turned into twenty-one. Twenty one turned into twenty-three. Elena Young is the hero in my story, but I’m the villain in hers. And this is the kind of story where the villain gets the girl, even if it kills her.
According to the FBI, I was considered a serial murderer after three kills. What do they call me after fifty-two? They call me the Silencer. One final bullet would have been all it took to stop me from taking another soul, and I would have been doing Meridian City a service by pulling that trigger. An angel crying for help stopped me, and that night, I took three lives for her. Then three turned into eight. Then eight turned into twenty. Twenty turned into twenty-one. Twenty one turned into twenty-three. Elena Young is the hero in my story, but I’m the villain in hers. And this is the kind of story where the villain gets the girl, even if it kills her.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2023
14219 people are currently reading
81140 people want to read
About the author
Ariel N. Anderson
6 books2,032 followersAriel Anderson is a native Texan enjoying a simple life with her husband, Helaman, her cats Lemon Pepper and Burnt Toast, and her dog, Pippin. Ariel graduated from the University of North Texas with a Criminal Justice degree. When she is not putting her characters through soul-crushing trauma, Ariel enjoys playing video games and drinking an unhealthy amount of Mountain Dew.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 11,382 reviews
November 8, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
while i rated this book 5 stars, i would not recommend it to anyone. this book was so incredibly dark and heartbreaking that it actual left me feeling sick and empty.
normally i'm not triggered by anything. this book though? it had so much happening that i constantly needed to walk away to catch my breath. the author wasn't kidding when she said the mmc is morally BLACK and this isn't a dark romance, but a dark tragedy.
the shit the fmc went through in this book made my heart shatter over and over again. i don't think i'll ever be able to look at the world the same again.
if you want to read this, please, for the love of all that is good in the world, read the trigger warnings first and don't go into this thinking it'll be a normal dark romance. it is not. not even close.
also, to my sister who recommended this book to me, fuck you.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
while i rated this book 5 stars, i would not recommend it to anyone. this book was so incredibly dark and heartbreaking that it actual left me feeling sick and empty.
normally i'm not triggered by anything. this book though? it had so much happening that i constantly needed to walk away to catch my breath. the author wasn't kidding when she said the mmc is morally BLACK and this isn't a dark romance, but a dark tragedy.
the shit the fmc went through in this book made my heart shatter over and over again. i don't think i'll ever be able to look at the world the same again.
if you want to read this, please, for the love of all that is good in the world, read the trigger warnings first and don't go into this thinking it'll be a normal dark romance. it is not. not even close.
also, to my sister who recommended this book to me, fuck you.
August 5, 2025
i don’t want to talk about it actually
March 7, 2025
OMG!!!! Why is everyone not reading this book!? I’m screaming!!! 😭 mf obsessed okay!
Omg. Okay. I'm ... Wow. I'm not okay.
I'm not going to talk about the plot at all in this review. I just want to talk about how it made me feel and all the vibes it gave me.
I'm a HUGE comic book fan. Have been my whole life. That being said, I've always been more of a DC Comic fan, and especially the whole Batman/Joker story.
The entire setting of this story, especially the first half really reminded me of Gotham. The dark, gritty city that's just crawling with bad people who are doing sinister all the sinister things. Mob bosses, drug dealers, strippers, guns, bars. It's also set in New York, so there's that.
Christian Reeves is quite literally one of the best MMC's I've read in a dark romance in a really long time. What a complex and the layers that this man has. Holy fucking shit.
When I tell you he gave me all of the Bruce Wayne/Batman/Dark Knight/Joker vibes- I kid you not. I really don't' want to elaborate too much on that because of spoilers but if you know, you definitely know.
Ariel N. Anderson understood the assignment. I've bitched and complained for so long about Dark Romances not holding their weight and doing shit for me for years - this author has made me eat my words.
The audio production is so freaking fantastic that I can't stress it enough. Joe Arden put in WORK. He brought Christian to life. Lee Daniels also did so ahhhmazing. So, if you have the opportunity - I highly so soooo very highly recommend going with the audio format on this one.
Anderson and Moronova need to do a collab. I'd freaking die! These two authors are holding down dark romance for me. No holds barred.
I don't even have the words. I'll edit this again later. I don't have the words omg - JUST GO READ IT.
'𝑀𝓎 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓈𝓃'𝓉 𝓅𝑒𝓇𝒻𝑒𝒸𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓉 𝒾𝓈𝓃'𝓉 𝒷𝑒𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒾𝒻𝓊𝓁, 𝒾𝓉'𝓈 𝒷𝓇𝑜𝓀𝑒𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓈𝒸𝒶𝓇𝓇𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓊𝑔𝓁𝓎, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝒻 𝒾𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈.'
🖤Serial Killer
🥀Emotional Damage
🖤Aggressive MMC
🥀Stalker Romance
🖤Touch Her and Die
🥀SA x Murder
🖤Billionaire
'𝐼 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇. 𝐸𝓋𝑒𝓃 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝓌𝑒'𝓇𝑒 𝓃𝑜𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝒷𝑜𝓃𝑒𝓈 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑔𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹. 𝐼 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒻𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓇𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝐼 𝒶𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒.'
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Omg. Okay. I'm ... Wow. I'm not okay.
I'm not going to talk about the plot at all in this review. I just want to talk about how it made me feel and all the vibes it gave me.
I'm a HUGE comic book fan. Have been my whole life. That being said, I've always been more of a DC Comic fan, and especially the whole Batman/Joker story.
The entire setting of this story, especially the first half really reminded me of Gotham. The dark, gritty city that's just crawling with bad people who are doing sinister all the sinister things. Mob bosses, drug dealers, strippers, guns, bars. It's also set in New York, so there's that.
Christian Reeves is quite literally one of the best MMC's I've read in a dark romance in a really long time. What a complex and the layers that this man has. Holy fucking shit.
When I tell you he gave me all of the Bruce Wayne/Batman/Dark Knight/Joker vibes- I kid you not. I really don't' want to elaborate too much on that because of spoilers but if you know, you definitely know.
Ariel N. Anderson understood the assignment. I've bitched and complained for so long about Dark Romances not holding their weight and doing shit for me for years - this author has made me eat my words.
The audio production is so freaking fantastic that I can't stress it enough. Joe Arden put in WORK. He brought Christian to life. Lee Daniels also did so ahhhmazing. So, if you have the opportunity - I highly so soooo very highly recommend going with the audio format on this one.
Anderson and Moronova need to do a collab. I'd freaking die! These two authors are holding down dark romance for me. No holds barred.
I don't even have the words. I'll edit this again later. I don't have the words omg - JUST GO READ IT.
'𝑀𝓎 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓈𝓃'𝓉 𝓅𝑒𝓇𝒻𝑒𝒸𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓉 𝒾𝓈𝓃'𝓉 𝒷𝑒𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒾𝒻𝓊𝓁, 𝒾𝓉'𝓈 𝒷𝓇𝑜𝓀𝑒𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓈𝒸𝒶𝓇𝓇𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓊𝑔𝓁𝓎, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝒻 𝒾𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈.'
🖤Serial Killer
🥀Emotional Damage
🖤Aggressive MMC
🥀Stalker Romance
🖤Touch Her and Die
🥀SA x Murder
🖤Billionaire
'𝐼 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇. 𝐸𝓋𝑒𝓃 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝓌𝑒'𝓇𝑒 𝓃𝑜𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝒷𝑜𝓃𝑒𝓈 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑔𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹. 𝐼 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒻𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓇𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝐼 𝒶𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒.'
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
August 13, 2025
I had really high expectations after seeing all those higher ratings on this book — one of the reasons why highly rated books terrify me. This book is indeed very unique, so I can see why everyone loved it. But this didn't work out for me the way i thought it would. Not even close.
This book was so slow, I don't even know how to describe it. Just imagine a 700 page slow burn romance. Exactly. That's how slow this book was. And the worst part is, I'm not even a slow burn reader. I was frustrated out of my mind because considering the limited content in there, this book shouldn't even be beyond 400 pages let alone its real length— 660 pages. The plot holes in this book frustrated me even more. (Update: This book is originally 660 pages long, I just saw the author has changed the number to 480. I don't know why she did that, but the original length is 660 pages, so don't let the number fool you)
The fmc was so empty-headed, i really couldn't tolerate her. She's dating the billionaire mmc yet she literally chose to continue to work at a club knowing full well the owner of the club is a human trafficker and wants to traffic her. She should've left the minute she knew. So many miseries would've been avoided, had she taken an out sooner instead of leaving later, when things already went south.
If the owner of the place I'm working at is a human trafficker, I'm running miles away from that place and never coming back. The mmc tried really hard to knock some sense into her by asking her to leave so many fucking times yet she goes like "but what about my job" GIRL YOU NEED TO STAY ALIVE IN ORDER TO WORK THERE.
Don't get me wrong, i empathised with her throughout the book, after everything that happened when she chose to continue working in the club. Seeing her so heartbroken, broke me too, I won't lie. But I just can't will myself to take a liking towards her bc of all the doltish decisions she made. And she's supposed to be a law student for god's sake. Also, I saw the plot twist in the end, coming from miles away, and that only added to my disappointment.
Lastly, 2.75 stars are ONLY for the heartbreaking ending, i won't deny, it truly shattered my heart. I want to say I feel bad for the characters, but I don't, bc every person in this book was really toxic and shitty except, my baby girl Caroline. No child should ever witness a tragedy like that. Because of these grownass adults who didn't go to therapy when they should've, an innocent child is going to suffer for life. Especially elliot, who's clearly suffering from ptsd and the IRONY is that, his wife's a therapist herself and she didn't notice he has ptsd and needs therapy/medical help from 3 decades??? Cancel her license already.
(⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️ SPOILERS AHEAD ⚠️⚠️⚠️)
Christian should've continued to live for his daughter, Caroline. By killing himself infront of his daughter, because elena died too, not only did he fail as a father but as a human too. You don't get to adopt a little child by giving them a place they can call home, only to destroy it later. Leaving her an orphan again after showing her an illusion of what a family is, is even more cruel. And even if he wanted to die, he didn't need to do that infront of his daughter. What kind of a father shoots himself infront of his four year old daughter? The fact he didn't deem Caroline worthy enough to live for, honestly, broke my heart. She truly deserved a better father.
This book was so slow, I don't even know how to describe it. Just imagine a 700 page slow burn romance. Exactly. That's how slow this book was. And the worst part is, I'm not even a slow burn reader. I was frustrated out of my mind because considering the limited content in there, this book shouldn't even be beyond 400 pages let alone its real length— 660 pages. The plot holes in this book frustrated me even more. (Update: This book is originally 660 pages long, I just saw the author has changed the number to 480. I don't know why she did that, but the original length is 660 pages, so don't let the number fool you)
The fmc was so empty-headed, i really couldn't tolerate her. She's dating the billionaire mmc yet she literally chose to continue to work at a club knowing full well the owner of the club is a human trafficker and wants to traffic her. She should've left the minute she knew. So many miseries would've been avoided, had she taken an out sooner instead of leaving later, when things already went south.
If the owner of the place I'm working at is a human trafficker, I'm running miles away from that place and never coming back. The mmc tried really hard to knock some sense into her by asking her to leave so many fucking times yet she goes like "but what about my job" GIRL YOU NEED TO STAY ALIVE IN ORDER TO WORK THERE.
Don't get me wrong, i empathised with her throughout the book, after everything that happened when she chose to continue working in the club. Seeing her so heartbroken, broke me too, I won't lie. But I just can't will myself to take a liking towards her bc of all the doltish decisions she made. And she's supposed to be a law student for god's sake. Also, I saw the plot twist in the end, coming from miles away, and that only added to my disappointment.
Lastly, 2.75 stars are ONLY for the heartbreaking ending, i won't deny, it truly shattered my heart. I want to say I feel bad for the characters, but I don't, bc every person in this book was really toxic and shitty except, my baby girl Caroline. No child should ever witness a tragedy like that. Because of these grownass adults who didn't go to therapy when they should've, an innocent child is going to suffer for life. Especially elliot, who's clearly suffering from ptsd and the IRONY is that, his wife's a therapist herself and she didn't notice he has ptsd and needs therapy/medical help from 3 decades??? Cancel her license already.
(⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️ SPOILERS AHEAD ⚠️⚠️⚠️)
Christian should've continued to live for his daughter, Caroline. By killing himself infront of his daughter, because elena died too, not only did he fail as a father but as a human too. You don't get to adopt a little child by giving them a place they can call home, only to destroy it later. Leaving her an orphan again after showing her an illusion of what a family is, is even more cruel. And even if he wanted to die, he didn't need to do that infront of his daughter. What kind of a father shoots himself infront of his four year old daughter? The fact he didn't deem Caroline worthy enough to live for, honestly, broke my heart. She truly deserved a better father.
September 6, 2023
Obviously I'm the author, so my star rating is totally biased, but I figured I'd use this opportunity to explain myself. THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS!
First of all, let me personally thank everyone who reads this book. If you've read the author's note, then you know how important this book is to me. I literally would not be alive without it.
This is an intense, fast-paced, stand alone romantic tragedy that's meant to demonstrate just how easily love can corrupt. Love is beautiful, but as Christian Reeves says, "it's the most volatile poison" on earth.
Elena begins her story as a quiet girl with normal dreams. Her life quickly gets tangled up in that of the Silencer's, who is brutally obsessed with her because he believes she is his guardian angel. After she meets the Silencer, she's swept into a life of champagne and diamonds when the CEO of her company, Christian Reeves, develops an innocent crush on her.
Their stories become intertwined in a sick, twisted way that gives the reader whiplash.
Christian and the Silencer are both undoubtably in love with Elena, but Elena finds herself feeling suffocated by them, and quickly begins to lose herself as she gets deeply tangled in their delusions, to the point where she overlooks their flaws for the sake of the comfort and safety they give her.
While "Under Your Scars" is a romance, it is certainly not meant to represent a healthy relationship. Elena is constantly gaslit, emotionally abused, and her fear is ruthlessly manipulated until she gets a severe case of Stockholm Syndrome. Everything she goes through in the novel becomes a test of her loyalty, and she ultimately gets molded into a version of herself that's hardly recognizable by the end.
Elena falls victim to the two men that love her most, and her story ends in a tragedy that will have the reader shocked and horrified.
MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW!
While it's not explicitly stated in the book, Christian Reeves clearly suffers from an unspecified severe mental illness. While I, as the author, am very aware that those who live with mental illnesses are not inherently violent, it was important for Christian as a character to succumb to his in a violent manner. His spiraling is a direct result of his past trauma, and the failures on the part of the people around him to get him the help he needed to cope with that trauma. It is my sincere hope that anyone reading this book recognizes that Christian's mental illness is tragic, not "bad".
On the topic of Elena's recovery from her rape, as a survivor myself, I can fully recognize that her journey was not typical of that of a rape survivor, but it was so important for her story to acknowledge that she was so far-gone in her own delusions about her relationship with Christian that she needed to prove that she was "okay". I consulted individuals who worked in the psychology field, who told me that in their experience, survivors often go one of two ways, they either cannot tolerate touch at all, which is undoubtably the most common, or they act out sexually (most commonly seen in children/teens). It was a hard decision, but I chose to go more with the "acting out" route, because I ultimately felt it better represented how deeply Christian had burrowed into Elena's psyche, and how much of herself had been lost by the second act of the novel.
As for Caroline, Christian and Elena were not always meant to adopt her. I thought it would have been cruel considering the ending of the novel, but I also thought it was another perfect opportunity to show how good Christian is at manipulating not only people, but laws and organizations as well. Realistically, their adoption would have never gone down so quickly, but in Christian Reeves' world, all it takes to get what he wants is a snap of his fingers. If you're devastated by Caroline's ending, please blame my husband, as he's the one who convinced me to do that to her. (:
First of all, let me personally thank everyone who reads this book. If you've read the author's note, then you know how important this book is to me. I literally would not be alive without it.
This is an intense, fast-paced, stand alone romantic tragedy that's meant to demonstrate just how easily love can corrupt. Love is beautiful, but as Christian Reeves says, "it's the most volatile poison" on earth.
Elena begins her story as a quiet girl with normal dreams. Her life quickly gets tangled up in that of the Silencer's, who is brutally obsessed with her because he believes she is his guardian angel. After she meets the Silencer, she's swept into a life of champagne and diamonds when the CEO of her company, Christian Reeves, develops an innocent crush on her.
Their stories become intertwined in a sick, twisted way that gives the reader whiplash.
Christian and the Silencer are both undoubtably in love with Elena, but Elena finds herself feeling suffocated by them, and quickly begins to lose herself as she gets deeply tangled in their delusions, to the point where she overlooks their flaws for the sake of the comfort and safety they give her.
While "Under Your Scars" is a romance, it is certainly not meant to represent a healthy relationship. Elena is constantly gaslit, emotionally abused, and her fear is ruthlessly manipulated until she gets a severe case of Stockholm Syndrome. Everything she goes through in the novel becomes a test of her loyalty, and she ultimately gets molded into a version of herself that's hardly recognizable by the end.
Elena falls victim to the two men that love her most, and her story ends in a tragedy that will have the reader shocked and horrified.
MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW!
While it's not explicitly stated in the book, Christian Reeves clearly suffers from an unspecified severe mental illness. While I, as the author, am very aware that those who live with mental illnesses are not inherently violent, it was important for Christian as a character to succumb to his in a violent manner. His spiraling is a direct result of his past trauma, and the failures on the part of the people around him to get him the help he needed to cope with that trauma. It is my sincere hope that anyone reading this book recognizes that Christian's mental illness is tragic, not "bad".
On the topic of Elena's recovery from her rape, as a survivor myself, I can fully recognize that her journey was not typical of that of a rape survivor, but it was so important for her story to acknowledge that she was so far-gone in her own delusions about her relationship with Christian that she needed to prove that she was "okay". I consulted individuals who worked in the psychology field, who told me that in their experience, survivors often go one of two ways, they either cannot tolerate touch at all, which is undoubtably the most common, or they act out sexually (most commonly seen in children/teens). It was a hard decision, but I chose to go more with the "acting out" route, because I ultimately felt it better represented how deeply Christian had burrowed into Elena's psyche, and how much of herself had been lost by the second act of the novel.
As for Caroline, Christian and Elena were not always meant to adopt her. I thought it would have been cruel considering the ending of the novel, but I also thought it was another perfect opportunity to show how good Christian is at manipulating not only people, but laws and organizations as well. Realistically, their adoption would have never gone down so quickly, but in Christian Reeves' world, all it takes to get what he wants is a snap of his fingers. If you're devastated by Caroline's ending, please blame my husband, as he's the one who convinced me to do that to her. (:
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2024
I’m never eating pancakes again
April 12, 2024
Well that was f u c k e d
August 14, 2024
what the actual ever loving flying fuck.
September 10, 2025
(Spoiler alert!! Because yep, that line wrecked me 😭)
NO BECAUSE—WHAT JUST HAPPENED 😭 I told myself it was a romantic tragedy going in, I knew, and yet… I got to the end and my heart just shattered into a million pieces 🫠😭 I wasn’t ready. I WAS NOT READY.
That plot twist?? I was wide-eyed, jaw on the floor, straight up in denial 😭 like NOOOO, there’s no way… PLEASE NOOO 😭💔
The final chapter?? Absolutely ended me. No exaggeration. I don’t even have the strength to talk about it without spoiling things—but if you're planning to read this, just know it’s DARK ROMANCE and a TRAGEDY, and it will ruin you (in the best way?? Maybe?? I’m still not sure 😭🫠)
I was honestly going to give this book 4 stars—mainly because the smut was A LOT. Like… I don’t mind spice, but this was a bit too much at times, and ngl, it made me cringe a little 😅 BUT (a BIG but)—the last 10% of this book??? Absolutely elevated it to 5 stars. I can't NOT give it 5. That ending ripped me apart 🫠
Will I ever recover? No. Nope. Never 😭
I really want to read the novella (Delilah: An Under Your Scars) but I don’t think my heart can handle more pain right now 😭 So I’m gonna read something soft and cute first… then go back for the hurt 🫠🫠🫠
Christian Reeves, Elena Young, Bethany Young, Edwin, Caroline, Justin and Travis—I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH 😭🥹
AND I HAAAAAAATE Neil, Frank, and Eliot 🥰 AGHHHH-
———————————————
Pre-Read
Let’s get started!!!! 👀🖤🖤
NO BECAUSE—WHAT JUST HAPPENED 😭 I told myself it was a romantic tragedy going in, I knew, and yet… I got to the end and my heart just shattered into a million pieces 🫠😭 I wasn’t ready. I WAS NOT READY.
That plot twist?? I was wide-eyed, jaw on the floor, straight up in denial 😭 like NOOOO, there’s no way… PLEASE NOOO 😭💔
The final chapter?? Absolutely ended me. No exaggeration. I don’t even have the strength to talk about it without spoiling things—but if you're planning to read this, just know it’s DARK ROMANCE and a TRAGEDY, and it will ruin you (in the best way?? Maybe?? I’m still not sure 😭🫠)
I was honestly going to give this book 4 stars—mainly because the smut was A LOT. Like… I don’t mind spice, but this was a bit too much at times, and ngl, it made me cringe a little 😅 BUT (a BIG but)—the last 10% of this book??? Absolutely elevated it to 5 stars. I can't NOT give it 5. That ending ripped me apart 🫠
Will I ever recover? No. Nope. Never 😭
I really want to read the novella (Delilah: An Under Your Scars) but I don’t think my heart can handle more pain right now 😭 So I’m gonna read something soft and cute first… then go back for the hurt 🫠🫠🫠
Christian Reeves, Elena Young, Bethany Young, Edwin, Caroline, Justin and Travis—I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH 😭🥹
AND I HAAAAAAATE Neil, Frank, and Eliot 🥰 AGHHHH-
———————————————
Pre-Read
Let’s get started!!!! 👀🖤🖤
August 5, 2025
➳ i will never recover from them ☆
this absolutely KILLED me. i don't know how i can ever read another dark romance like this. when i say i like dark romance, THIS is what i mean. the audio book for this was excellent work. joe arden DID HIS DAMN JOB. one of the best audio experiences i have ever listened to. the crying, the different voices, the anger, and the fear??? ATE DOWN. this is the perfect mix of dark romance mixed with the vibes of gotham city, with an amazing revenge/healing arc. this book will not leave my head in the near future. i am beyond impressed & upset—i don't know how i can read dark romance after this. i miss them.
➺ i have NEVER read about a main male character the way i have with christian reeves. he was such a complex hero/anti-hero but i was ONLY seeing green. the layers and layers this man possessed was such a pleasant surprise. most dark romance men exhibit one quality trait—abusive, insolent, useless, corny, and problematic. there was so much more to his story than what we see on the surface and i have never been so upset reading someone's character arc.
➺ elena was a character that grew on me as time came. this book was on the longer side and there were so many ups and downs she went through. i did end up loving her so much by the end. she also had such a unique arc and everything she went through took me out. she also had so much beneath the surface and i love the way she healed with christian.
i will NEVER read this again.
this absolutely KILLED me. i don't know how i can ever read another dark romance like this. when i say i like dark romance, THIS is what i mean. the audio book for this was excellent work. joe arden DID HIS DAMN JOB. one of the best audio experiences i have ever listened to. the crying, the different voices, the anger, and the fear??? ATE DOWN. this is the perfect mix of dark romance mixed with the vibes of gotham city, with an amazing revenge/healing arc. this book will not leave my head in the near future. i am beyond impressed & upset—i don't know how i can read dark romance after this. i miss them.
⌞christian⌝
➺ i have NEVER read about a main male character the way i have with christian reeves. he was such a complex hero/anti-hero but i was ONLY seeing green. the layers and layers this man possessed was such a pleasant surprise. most dark romance men exhibit one quality trait—abusive, insolent, useless, corny, and problematic. there was so much more to his story than what we see on the surface and i have never been so upset reading someone's character arc.
if you’re gone, then what else do i have to live for? hope. that’s what i have to live for. hope that one day i might get to hear you say, “i love you too.”
⌞elena⌝
➺ elena was a character that grew on me as time came. this book was on the longer side and there were so many ups and downs she went through. i did end up loving her so much by the end. she also had such a unique arc and everything she went through took me out. she also had so much beneath the surface and i love the way she healed with christian.
“if you never find it in your heart to trust me again—if you never believe another word i say—believe that i love you. my love isn’t perfect, and it isn’t beautiful. it’s broken and scarred and ugly, but all of it is yours. i will always be yours”.
i will NEVER read this again.
April 19, 2024
DNF
At first, it didn't bother me how unrealistic this was, but I CANNOT with Elena acting like she's trapped working at this club when she's dating the richest dude in the world. Not only does the owner want to human traffic her, but he ripped off all her clothes and forced her to work an entire shift butt-ass naked and be violated the entire time. I couldn't get past another "but my job at the club 😭" Girl WHAT?!
At first, it didn't bother me how unrealistic this was, but I CANNOT with Elena acting like she's trapped working at this club when she's dating the richest dude in the world. Not only does the owner want to human traffic her, but he ripped off all her clothes and forced her to work an entire shift butt-ass naked and be violated the entire time. I couldn't get past another "but my job at the club 😭" Girl WHAT?!
April 4, 2025
“My love isn’t perfect, and it isn’t beautiful. It’s broken and scarred and ugly, but all of it is yours. I will always be yours. "
“My heart has been yours ever since. I don’t just mean my love. I mean the actual, functional, beating heart in my chest is yours.”
“I don’t just want to be a god anymore; I want to worship my goddess.”
"For Elena, I wouldn't just start a war, I'd win it."
Audio: infinite stars!!!!!!!! Joe Arden's rent was due because this performance was OSCAR WORTHY OMG!! Do your ears a favor and GET THE AUDIOBOOK!!!!!
Plot: 5 STARS NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.
I have been trying to write a review for this book for about a week, but other than the fact that I spontaneously sob when I think about it, I just don't know if I could do it justice.🤧 This is my attempt😅:
Plot
The plot of this book is Batman x Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with a sprinkling of Hunting Adeline. That is the best way I can think of to give you the vibes of this book but it is just so much more.
Characters
CHRISTIAN REEVES. This man has effectively become my standard for a dark romance mmc. He was dark yes BUT FOR A REASON!!! Guys he was sheer perfection. His love declarations??? Some of the absolute best and most romantic I have ever read🤧🤍
“I can promise that I’ll always try to be the best version of myself for you.”
“You can ask me for anything else, Elena, anything else, and I'll give it to you without hesitation. Don't ask me to live without you. I won't survive.”
“Elena, you listen to me. Don’t you ever refer to yourself as ‘some woman’ again. You are the only woman I have eyes for. You are the only woman I’ve ever considered sharing my life with. I knew from the second I met you that I wanted to make you mine forever. You are everything to me.”
“I made you a goddess, Elena, and I worship you. You are my religion and my whole life is dedicated to loving you. That’s what the most loyal disciples do, right? Dedicate their lives to their divine savior.”
“You’re not just some obsession I picked up out of boredom. You’re my life essence. The air in my lungs. The beating heart in my chest.”
THIS MAN 😭😭😭😭 I HAVE NO WORDS FOR HIM AGSDHBHVDKVHKDH
Elena was straight up annoying in part 1. She kept reminding us every second of how rich Christian was. However, she grew on me and I really felt for her, especially after the incident😭
Elena and Christian:
I LOVE THEM😭 They have carved a permanent place in my heart and soul. They truly are soulmates who belong together. At first, you're gonna be questioning why this man is so obsessed with her while barely knowing her, but please please TRUST THE PROCESS IT ALL MAKES SENSE I SWEAR!
The spice
IMMACULATE NO NOTES.
The ending
I actually don't wanna talk about it. Be prepared to cry and lament the moment you decided to read this book. 10/10 experience though but I will NEVER reread this book because my mental health matters🖐😭 The author's note was like an actual dagger to the heart 😭
This is now my second favorite dark romance and other books will have to work so so hard to live up to this standard. If you do decide to pick up this book, of course check triggers and know it is a tragedy; there is no happy ending🤧
“My heart has been yours ever since. I don’t just mean my love. I mean the actual, functional, beating heart in my chest is yours.”
“I don’t just want to be a god anymore; I want to worship my goddess.”
"For Elena, I wouldn't just start a war, I'd win it."
Audio: infinite stars!!!!!!!! Joe Arden's rent was due because this performance was OSCAR WORTHY OMG!! Do your ears a favor and GET THE AUDIOBOOK!!!!!
Plot: 5 STARS NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.
I have been trying to write a review for this book for about a week, but other than the fact that I spontaneously sob when I think about it, I just don't know if I could do it justice.🤧 This is my attempt😅:
Plot
The plot of this book is Batman x Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with a sprinkling of Hunting Adeline. That is the best way I can think of to give you the vibes of this book but it is just so much more.
Characters
CHRISTIAN REEVES. This man has effectively become my standard for a dark romance mmc. He was dark yes BUT FOR A REASON!!! Guys he was sheer perfection. His love declarations??? Some of the absolute best and most romantic I have ever read🤧🤍
“I can promise that I’ll always try to be the best version of myself for you.”
“You can ask me for anything else, Elena, anything else, and I'll give it to you without hesitation. Don't ask me to live without you. I won't survive.”
“Elena, you listen to me. Don’t you ever refer to yourself as ‘some woman’ again. You are the only woman I have eyes for. You are the only woman I’ve ever considered sharing my life with. I knew from the second I met you that I wanted to make you mine forever. You are everything to me.”
“I made you a goddess, Elena, and I worship you. You are my religion and my whole life is dedicated to loving you. That’s what the most loyal disciples do, right? Dedicate their lives to their divine savior.”
“You’re not just some obsession I picked up out of boredom. You’re my life essence. The air in my lungs. The beating heart in my chest.”
THIS MAN 😭😭😭😭 I HAVE NO WORDS FOR HIM AGSDHBHVDKVHKDH
Elena was straight up annoying in part 1. She kept reminding us every second of how rich Christian was. However, she grew on me and I really felt for her, especially after the incident😭
Elena and Christian:
I LOVE THEM😭 They have carved a permanent place in my heart and soul. They truly are soulmates who belong together. At first, you're gonna be questioning why this man is so obsessed with her while barely knowing her, but please please TRUST THE PROCESS IT ALL MAKES SENSE I SWEAR!
The spice
IMMACULATE NO NOTES.
The ending
I actually don't wanna talk about it. Be prepared to cry and lament the moment you decided to read this book. 10/10 experience though but I will NEVER reread this book because my mental health matters🖐😭 The author's note was like an actual dagger to the heart 😭
This is now my second favorite dark romance and other books will have to work so so hard to live up to this standard. If you do decide to pick up this book, of course check triggers and know it is a tragedy; there is no happy ending🤧
February 20, 2025
I don’t know if the ending was necessary or even worth the whole story. It simply ruined it for me. So thanks I guess
January 3, 2024
I’m torn on whether to give this book 1 star or 5 stars. If I had a physical copy, I would throw it out the window and then stomp all over it for pissing me off.
March 19, 2025
NOBODY EVEN TALK TO ME RIGHT NOW AND ALSO PLEASE EXCUSE ME WHILE I SOB!!! ignore the errors if there are any bc I'm super emotional rn, cut me some slack. Please and thank you!! 🙏
IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THIS BOOK YET, GO READ IT, OR WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS ANYMORE, JKKKKKKK, BUT ACTUALLY CONSIDER IT <3.
So I started reading this the day I was fuming as I so specifically made sure to note in my pre-read review. 🤦♀️
I'm actually super embarrassed that I even said that, but whatever. The bottom line was that I had it with certain people irl and I needed a book to cool me down. However, a few chapters in, I figured out that was not the best state of mind to be in when reading this book, so I had to take a break. And it was a long break, like about 2 months bc I had to mentally prepare myself to pick this up again bc I was scared for the heartbreak.
I finally finished it and MY GOD!!!! In my other reviews, I often say that I was heartbroken for a character, I felt bad for them, or even I cried for them. NONE OF THE ABOVE EVEN COUNTS WHEN IT COMES TO THESE TWO. No other book has ever broken me like this book did. I don't even know if I can explain it in words bc I'm at a severe lack of them right now.
𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐬
╰┈➤ The amount of love this man had for Elena. There was absolutely nothing surface-level about his character. He's a really complicated individual and the layers keep uncovering with each page and each chapter. The way he feels so deep and is able to express those feelings ABOUT HER/TO HER was simply perfection. No words.
𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠
ׂ╰┈➤ It is clear that she was a strong girl that just went through so much over the course of the book. I am so glad she had someone like Christian who loved her and to that extent.
𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞
ׂ╰┈➤ My heart actually breaks for this child. I will also never be able to look at pancakes the same ever again. The most innocent little girl gets the best thing in the world for her and then loses it. Like in the span of a few minutes, she loses everything. Let that sink in. EVERYTHING. LITERALLY EVERYTHING!
I should be working on my homework, yet here I am, sobbing over this book and writing this review.
I will just end this by saying, this is a rough book, feelings-wise because there are a lot of complex feelings and hard topics that get discussed. If you feel like this is not your preferred genre, trope or these topics are too hard to read, then don't feel pressured at all. I am 100% glad I read it, but that doesn't mean you have to read it as well! Please prioritize yourself and your mental health. And don't forget to read the trigger warnings!!
---------
pre-read: literally fuming rn...so fed up with some people so i decided to turn to read frustrated. 😔
Anyways, people told me this is a must read book.
IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THIS BOOK YET, GO READ IT, OR WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS ANYMORE, JKKKKKKK, BUT ACTUALLY CONSIDER IT <3.
So I started reading this the day I was fuming as I so specifically made sure to note in my pre-read review. 🤦♀️
I'm actually super embarrassed that I even said that, but whatever. The bottom line was that I had it with certain people irl and I needed a book to cool me down. However, a few chapters in, I figured out that was not the best state of mind to be in when reading this book, so I had to take a break. And it was a long break, like about 2 months bc I had to mentally prepare myself to pick this up again bc I was scared for the heartbreak.
I finally finished it and MY GOD!!!! In my other reviews, I often say that I was heartbroken for a character, I felt bad for them, or even I cried for them. NONE OF THE ABOVE EVEN COUNTS WHEN IT COMES TO THESE TWO. No other book has ever broken me like this book did. I don't even know if I can explain it in words bc I'm at a severe lack of them right now.
𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐬
“My love isn’t perfect, and it isn’t beautiful. It’s broken and scarred and ugly, but all of it is yours. I will always be yours.”
╰┈➤ The amount of love this man had for Elena. There was absolutely nothing surface-level about his character. He's a really complicated individual and the layers keep uncovering with each page and each chapter. The way he feels so deep and is able to express those feelings ABOUT HER/TO HER was simply perfection. No words.
𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠
“I’ve fallen in love with the most unlovable, virulent, tragic parts of him.
And I’ve decided I love the taste of poison.”
ׂ╰┈➤ It is clear that she was a strong girl that just went through so much over the course of the book. I am so glad she had someone like Christian who loved her and to that extent.
𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞
“Mommy said there would be pancakes.”
ׂ╰┈➤ My heart actually breaks for this child. I will also never be able to look at pancakes the same ever again. The most innocent little girl gets the best thing in the world for her and then loses it. Like in the span of a few minutes, she loses everything. Let that sink in. EVERYTHING. LITERALLY EVERYTHING!
I should be working on my homework, yet here I am, sobbing over this book and writing this review.
I will just end this by saying, this is a rough book, feelings-wise because there are a lot of complex feelings and hard topics that get discussed. If you feel like this is not your preferred genre, trope or these topics are too hard to read, then don't feel pressured at all. I am 100% glad I read it, but that doesn't mean you have to read it as well! Please prioritize yourself and your mental health. And don't forget to read the trigger warnings!!
---------
pre-read: literally fuming rn...so fed up with some people so i decided to turn to read frustrated. 😔
Anyways, people told me this is a must read book.
December 1, 2023
I’m So Fucking Angry
You’re telling me I just wasted hours of my life…for that? I’m pissed. Pissed beyond words, I’m infuriated. This book was so dumb. It was toxic, there was NO character development, everyone lived and died a shitty person with dumb secrets. And on top of that, an innocent child that had already been through hell once had to be put through it again?! No. Just no. This isn’t a dark romance, this is a dark fucking tragedy. A long ass bullshit of a book. I can’t believe I finished this and for what? For nothing. I’m heartbroken for Caroline. Such bullshit. All of it. Don’t read this book unless you want to be devastated, hurt, and upset for weeks to come.
You’re telling me I just wasted hours of my life…for that? I’m pissed. Pissed beyond words, I’m infuriated. This book was so dumb. It was toxic, there was NO character development, everyone lived and died a shitty person with dumb secrets. And on top of that, an innocent child that had already been through hell once had to be put through it again?! No. Just no. This isn’t a dark romance, this is a dark fucking tragedy. A long ass bullshit of a book. I can’t believe I finished this and for what? For nothing. I’m heartbroken for Caroline. Such bullshit. All of it. Don’t read this book unless you want to be devastated, hurt, and upset for weeks to come.
March 28, 2024
ARIEL N. ANDERSON, YOU WILL BE GETTING MY THERAPY BILLS!!!! I cannot believe the emotional roller-coaster I was on from start to finish. This book has a way of sinking its claws into you and never letting go.
Even though I've been reading this on and off in between other books, I was still thinking about the characters and story obsessively. It's so friggin' good. Amazing. Perfection. Chefs kiss.
Now before you get into this, know that it's a TRAGIC romance, emphasis on the tragedy, though honestly I loved that aspect of it as well. But still, don't say I didn't warn you!!!
The plot is basically a crime ridden city like Gotham, that has its own vigilante (serial killer) like Batman, who happens to take a liking to a woman he saves. It's so much more than that though, I can't even find the words to describe it.
The romance is toxic, but so very well written, I'm legitimately obsessed with it. If I say some other romance authors should take lessons from this author on how to write believable romances will y'all boo me? I know I'm right though, argue with a wall.
The characters were some of the best I've ever read about, as in the way they were written, not as in they're good people, because so few are in this book. I got attached to them at lightning speed and now they'll be a part of me for eternity.
It's a very fast paced read, so if you're unsure about reading this because of the page count - stop, it's worth it, a million times over. Worth all the pain, the tears, the laughs, the endless highlights, and the occupied brain space.
If you want a romance you can feel down to your bones, read this book. If you want to cry your eyes out, read this book. If you want an author who will simultaneously become your fav while you curse the day you picked up their book, read Under Your Scars.
Even though I've been reading this on and off in between other books, I was still thinking about the characters and story obsessively. It's so friggin' good. Amazing. Perfection. Chefs kiss.
Now before you get into this, know that it's a TRAGIC romance, emphasis on the tragedy, though honestly I loved that aspect of it as well. But still, don't say I didn't warn you!!!
The plot is basically a crime ridden city like Gotham, that has its own vigilante (serial killer) like Batman, who happens to take a liking to a woman he saves. It's so much more than that though, I can't even find the words to describe it.
The romance is toxic, but so very well written, I'm legitimately obsessed with it. If I say some other romance authors should take lessons from this author on how to write believable romances will y'all boo me? I know I'm right though, argue with a wall.
The characters were some of the best I've ever read about, as in the way they were written, not as in they're good people, because so few are in this book. I got attached to them at lightning speed and now they'll be a part of me for eternity.
It's a very fast paced read, so if you're unsure about reading this because of the page count - stop, it's worth it, a million times over. Worth all the pain, the tears, the laughs, the endless highlights, and the occupied brain space.
If you want a romance you can feel down to your bones, read this book. If you want to cry your eyes out, read this book. If you want an author who will simultaneously become your fav while you curse the day you picked up their book, read Under Your Scars.
May 25, 2025
I am still an emotional wreck after reading this and it’s only been a day since I read it. 😭🤧 I will do my best to give quality feedback on this book. I will also be posting some of my favorite quotes from it! I read the Kindle digital version and listened to the Audible version of this book at the same time.
♥ My Thoughts & Rating ♥
This is a very heavy, deep, emotional story. It is dark, eerie, mysterious and tense. The way this author captured my attention right away and throughout the entire book is incredible. This book crushed my heart and soul, in the best way possible. It is my TOP Favorite book that I have read this year so far!!!! WOW, just wow!! I am still at a loss for words for this book. Be sure to know all of the trigger warnings before reading this. It is such a powerful book and the fact that it got me this deep into my feelings says a lot! I am still 😭😭💔💔!! 10/5 STARS!
This book also comes with extra, extra spice!! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵
♥ Themes in this Book ♥
“Under Your Scars” is a dark romance novel that is written by the author Ariel N. Anderson. It explores themes of love and violence, abuse and manipulation, Stockholm syndrome, redemption and hope, blurs the lines of good and evil, and lost connections.
♥ Who I think Would Enjoy this Book & Content Warnings ♥
This book personally gave me the movie “Batman” vibes, but in a very, very dark way. I think anyone that loves reading dark romance novels that explore psychological horror and body horror elements, along with being able to handle the trigger warnings of this book would love this! I highly recommend this book!!
Content warnings include death, murder, violence, sexual assault, self harm, kidnapping, non-HEA, rape, blood, fear, explicit sexual content and grief.
♥ Some of my Favorite Characters ♥
MMC Christian Reeves - He is morally gray, multilayered, complex, wild, dark, deep, passionate, a billionaire, charming, abusive, unhinged, funny, problematic, smart, entertaining, etc. The BEST male main character that I have read in a dark romance novel!! He owns a company in Meridian City, New Jersey.
FMC Elena Young - An aspiring lawyer from Texas, who now lives in Meridian City, New Jersey and works for a big Company. She comes off as annoying at first, but the more the book peels back her layers, the more I really enjoyed her character. She is the good girl, the romantic, the broken, loving, caring, kind, strong, supportive, a family girl, a lover and a fighter.
♥ Quotes ♥
I’m inclined to believe that he was sculpted by the gods for the sole purpose of putting every other man on the planet to shame. -Elena Young
We pass game rooms, libraries, studies, home theaters. Yes, all plural. There’s even a ballroom. I repeat, he has a ballroom in his house. -Elena Young
“You are my everything. Mind. Body. Soul. I fucking love you, Elena, and you will love me back. I don’t care if I have to destroy you in the process.” -Christian Reeves
I love you so much that I would burn this world for you and all the people in it just to keep you all to myself. -Christian Reeves
♥ The Audible Version of this book ♥
I highly recommend listening to the audio version of this book - it is TOP NOTCH! The Narrators did an absolutely amazing job! Narrators: Lee Daniels & Joe Arden - 10/5 STARS!!
Now, onto the 2nd book in this series. 🤞
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
Right after reading this book on 5/24/25:
I need some time to recover from this book. OMGGGG 😭😭 5/5 stars. Review to come.
And the Author’s note at the end. ✋🥺😭
♥ My Thoughts & Rating ♥
This is a very heavy, deep, emotional story. It is dark, eerie, mysterious and tense. The way this author captured my attention right away and throughout the entire book is incredible. This book crushed my heart and soul, in the best way possible. It is my TOP Favorite book that I have read this year so far!!!! WOW, just wow!! I am still at a loss for words for this book. Be sure to know all of the trigger warnings before reading this. It is such a powerful book and the fact that it got me this deep into my feelings says a lot! I am still 😭😭💔💔!! 10/5 STARS!
This book also comes with extra, extra spice!! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵
♥ Themes in this Book ♥
“Under Your Scars” is a dark romance novel that is written by the author Ariel N. Anderson. It explores themes of love and violence, abuse and manipulation, Stockholm syndrome, redemption and hope, blurs the lines of good and evil, and lost connections.
♥ Who I think Would Enjoy this Book & Content Warnings ♥
This book personally gave me the movie “Batman” vibes, but in a very, very dark way. I think anyone that loves reading dark romance novels that explore psychological horror and body horror elements, along with being able to handle the trigger warnings of this book would love this! I highly recommend this book!!
Content warnings include death, murder, violence, sexual assault, self harm, kidnapping, non-HEA, rape, blood, fear, explicit sexual content and grief.
♥ Some of my Favorite Characters ♥
MMC Christian Reeves - He is morally gray, multilayered, complex, wild, dark, deep, passionate, a billionaire, charming, abusive, unhinged, funny, problematic, smart, entertaining, etc. The BEST male main character that I have read in a dark romance novel!! He owns a company in Meridian City, New Jersey.
FMC Elena Young - An aspiring lawyer from Texas, who now lives in Meridian City, New Jersey and works for a big Company. She comes off as annoying at first, but the more the book peels back her layers, the more I really enjoyed her character. She is the good girl, the romantic, the broken, loving, caring, kind, strong, supportive, a family girl, a lover and a fighter.
♥ Quotes ♥
I’m inclined to believe that he was sculpted by the gods for the sole purpose of putting every other man on the planet to shame. -Elena Young
We pass game rooms, libraries, studies, home theaters. Yes, all plural. There’s even a ballroom. I repeat, he has a ballroom in his house. -Elena Young
“You are my everything. Mind. Body. Soul. I fucking love you, Elena, and you will love me back. I don’t care if I have to destroy you in the process.” -Christian Reeves
I love you so much that I would burn this world for you and all the people in it just to keep you all to myself. -Christian Reeves
♥ The Audible Version of this book ♥
I highly recommend listening to the audio version of this book - it is TOP NOTCH! The Narrators did an absolutely amazing job! Narrators: Lee Daniels & Joe Arden - 10/5 STARS!!
Now, onto the 2nd book in this series. 🤞
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
Right after reading this book on 5/24/25:
I need some time to recover from this book. OMGGGG 😭😭 5/5 stars. Review to come.
And the Author’s note at the end. ✋🥺😭
September 3, 2024
Tragic ending, no happy ever after? Count me in... now that I'm finally done, you know what? Forget about it the disappointment is still there.
🚨 I still need to figure out what Elena had that was so special? All she did was bitch and moan while acting like she was 15. Every time she heard the Silencer knocking at her window, she went all 🤭hEhEhE tHeRe'S a SeRiAl KiLleR iN mY rOoM 🤭 fucking barf.
🚨 Christian is once again another cookie cutter MMC with my life has so much trauma that I want to die but at the same time he is the rich CEO who is bored of been on top of the world and takes a hobby 🙄. It's like Edward Cullen, Bruce Wayne (Batman) and Christian Grey failed to create something better.
🚨 Was it necessary to have another villain in the story? Absolutely, he knew how to make my suffering stop because I hated everyone ☺️.
🚨 As for Caroline, she played her role to perfection. The distraction everyone would take the bait and act like wtf when the shit show happened. I bet you didn't see that coming 🙄 most of us could see it miles away.
To really say the real reasons of what the book missed to be something better, it would be the spoil the whole thing. Is the book worth the almost 700 pages? No. Would the book give false expectations to everyone new to dark romance? 👏🏽abso👏🏽fucking👏🏽lutely👏🏽 and for that I'm mad.
There are so much better dark or pitch-black stories that offer so much more than this. Because been honest, there's no romance or plot that makes you fall in love with the characters. To understand their struggles, their happy moments, their worst moments but most importantly to feel like they really tried everything to make things work even until the end.
So, if you ask me how to explain this book: it's about taking care of a bratty woman (acting like a girl) that needs some sense slap into her while the author was marking every trope and phrase from her favorite books from her "I wish a book had all this" wish list.
🚨 I still need to figure out what Elena had that was so special? All she did was bitch and moan while acting like she was 15. Every time she heard the Silencer knocking at her window, she went all 🤭hEhEhE tHeRe'S a SeRiAl KiLleR iN mY rOoM 🤭 fucking barf.
🚨 Christian is once again another cookie cutter MMC with my life has so much trauma that I want to die but at the same time he is the rich CEO who is bored of been on top of the world and takes a hobby 🙄. It's like Edward Cullen, Bruce Wayne (Batman) and Christian Grey failed to create something better.
🚨 Was it necessary to have another villain in the story? Absolutely, he knew how to make my suffering stop because I hated everyone ☺️.
🚨 As for Caroline, she played her role to perfection. The distraction everyone would take the bait and act like wtf when the shit show happened. I bet you didn't see that coming 🙄 most of us could see it miles away.
To really say the real reasons of what the book missed to be something better, it would be the spoil the whole thing. Is the book worth the almost 700 pages? No. Would the book give false expectations to everyone new to dark romance? 👏🏽abso👏🏽fucking👏🏽lutely👏🏽 and for that I'm mad.
There are so much better dark or pitch-black stories that offer so much more than this. Because been honest, there's no romance or plot that makes you fall in love with the characters. To understand their struggles, their happy moments, their worst moments but most importantly to feel like they really tried everything to make things work even until the end.
So, if you ask me how to explain this book: it's about taking care of a bratty woman (acting like a girl) that needs some sense slap into her while the author was marking every trope and phrase from her favorite books from her "I wish a book had all this" wish list.
October 2, 2024
Wow 😱😱😱😱😱
⚠️ Warning ⚠️
This book is so dark! Tragically dark! Check the trigger warnings!
I was so DEEP into this book! The words cant even come forth from my brain to explain my feelings of this book! I just know that it will be stuck with me for a long time, maybe forever!
This book is so engaging! Down to the characters and the story line! I couldn’t put it down!
The ending 😱 wtaf! My mouth wide open. Literally, could not grasp the shock I had when reading it.
I am stunned. Did not see it coming! Just WOW 💔
My heart needs mending! I sure hope book 2 mends it! 😩
⚠️ Warning ⚠️
This book is so dark! Tragically dark! Check the trigger warnings!
I was so DEEP into this book! The words cant even come forth from my brain to explain my feelings of this book! I just know that it will be stuck with me for a long time, maybe forever!
This book is so engaging! Down to the characters and the story line! I couldn’t put it down!
The ending 😱 wtaf! My mouth wide open. Literally, could not grasp the shock I had when reading it.
I am stunned. Did not see it coming! Just WOW 💔
My heart needs mending! I sure hope book 2 mends it! 😩
July 21, 2025
⋆˚࿔ review 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
5⭐️
This book was my downfall.
Absolutely nothing could’ve prepared me for that ending. I was bracing for one person to die not everyone. This was beyond twisted 😭.
Yes, they were toxic, but I truly believed they’d make it. He lived for her, she was his life, and she didn’t even realize.
Say what you want, but I think this was one of the best love stories I’ve ever read. Messy? Yes. Unhealthy? Sure. But it was love, and I believed it with my whole heart.
They went through so much just to end up like that. Why? Why put me through this??
I was enjoying the soft moments, like a fool thinking we were in the clear. Then boom: trauma.
“Mommy said there would be pancakes”
Just pull the trigger already. AND HE DID 😭.
That ending ripped everything away from me. The author’s note? Unforgivable. I was already sobbing you didn’t have to go that hard.
Elliot… I hate him with a passion. Death was too kind.
Gavin’s death shattered me. He was planning a vacation with his wife and baby. I blame Elliot the bastard 😑
⋆. 𐙚 ˚ pre read ⋆. 𐙚 ˚
My bestie’s been raving about this nonstop for two weeks, figured it’s time I see what the hype’s about (annoyingly, her taste is elite).
5⭐️
This book was my downfall.
Absolutely nothing could’ve prepared me for that ending. I was bracing for one person to die not everyone. This was beyond twisted 😭.
Yes, they were toxic, but I truly believed they’d make it. He lived for her, she was his life, and she didn’t even realize.
Say what you want, but I think this was one of the best love stories I’ve ever read. Messy? Yes. Unhealthy? Sure. But it was love, and I believed it with my whole heart.
They went through so much just to end up like that. Why? Why put me through this??
I was enjoying the soft moments, like a fool thinking we were in the clear. Then boom: trauma.
“Mommy said there would be pancakes”
Just pull the trigger already. AND HE DID 😭.
That ending ripped everything away from me. The author’s note? Unforgivable. I was already sobbing you didn’t have to go that hard.
Elliot… I hate him with a passion. Death was too kind.
Gavin’s death shattered me. He was planning a vacation with his wife and baby. I blame Elliot the bastard 😑
⋆. 𐙚 ˚ pre read ⋆. 𐙚 ˚
My bestie’s been raving about this nonstop for two weeks, figured it’s time I see what the hype’s about (annoyingly, her taste is elite).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2025
⁀ ⊹ ₊ “If you’re so concerned about my humanity, Elena, then reach into my soul and find it, because I’m not sure I have any left.”
i'm at complete loss for how to review this because I’m feeling totally blank. this isn’t your typical fairytale, it’s super dark and tragic. i wouldn’t suggest it to anyone looking for something light or happy. this book is intense, raw, and honestly pretty disturbing, tackling some really heavy stuff.
𖣠 christian reeves
this character is such a wild mix of intriguing and unsettling vibes. christian really blurs the lines between depravity and humaity. he’s not just a straight-up monster, he’s a messed-up, layered person whose terrible actions come from some deep psychological issues. the fact that he’s a psychopath and a killer but also super protective of elena. he’s not a hero or even a classic anti-hero. he’s just a broken soul who clings to elena as his only reason to keep going, and that need probably drives his manipulative and risky behavior.
⁀ ⊹ ₊ “I’d offer you my heart and my soul, but you’ve had both of those from the moment we met. What more of myself do I have left to give that you don’t already possess?”
𖣠 elena young
at first, i was totally annoyed with her. like, her choices in the beginning had me ready to discontinue the audiobook. as the plot unfolded, you could really see how much she was struggling. instead of just being a pain, she became this real, relatable person facing some heavy stuff. by the end, i was all in my feels for her. learning about her struggles flipped my whole view, and i felt super bad for everything she went through.
⁀ ⊹ ₊ "I love you . I will love you forever. Even when we’re nothing but bones in the ground, I will find you in the afterlife and cherish you like I always have."
𖣠 my thoughts
this story doesn’t hold back on the tough stuff, and wow, it really hits hard. i was ready for some angst and maybe a bittersweet wrap-up, but the depth of the tragedy and the characters' struggles hit way deeper than I thought. major thanks to author for making me care so much about these messy people. their pain just hits different.
the unfairness of it all is a huge part of why it stings so much. these characters are stuck, not just by outside forces but also by their own inner demons and bad choices. when they get a taste of redemption through little moments of connection, it just makes the heartbreak worse when that hope gets snatched away. the feeling of missed chances and happiness that was almost within reach leaves a heavy weight.
but what really sets this dark romance apart from just being super dark is the flicker of hope, even if it’s tiny. even in their lowest lows, these characters find ways to connect─twisted love, shared struggles, a desperate need to be understood─creating this fragile light. when that light goes out and those connections crumble, it really hits home. it shows how much we all crave connection, no matter what, and how devastating it is when it’s lost. this isn’t just a sad story, it’s about the heartbreak of lost connections, wasted chances, and the stubborn power of hope, even when everything feels bleak. it’s a story that sticks with you long after you turn the last page.
also thank you to my baby manas for recommending me this audiobook, now we will suffer together. 🌚
⁀ ⊹ ₊ “You are my everything. Mind. Body. Soul. I fucking love you, Elena, and you will love me back. I don’t care if I have to destroy you in the process.”
August 28, 2025
Rating: all the stars above the sky.
I finished this book last night, and no one prepared me for the fact that it wasn’t just another dark romance with the usual predictable plot and ending. So here I am, sobbing through every word I write. The line “good things don’t last” keeps echoing in my head like a curse, and every time Billie Eilish’s Ocean Eyes comes on, I completely fall apart all over again.
“My love isn’t perfect, and it isn’t beautiful. It’s broken and scarred and ugly, but all of it is yours. I will always be yours.”
Under Your Scars by Ariel N. Anderson is an emotionally shattering dark romance that explores the fine line between love and obsession, healing and destruction. The story follows Elena, a young lawyer, who becomes trapped between two dangerous forces: a vigilante serial killer known as The Silencer, who sees her as his salvation, and Christian Reeves, her powerful, obsessive CEO. What begins as intrigue quickly spirals into a harrowing tale of control, violence, and trauma that forces readers to confront the ugliest sides of love and dependency.
“I’ve fallen in love with the most unlovable, virulent, tragic parts of him. And I’ve decided I love the taste of poison.”
Elena Young:
Elena shattered me in ways I can’t even put into words. She wasn’t just a character to me—she felt real, like someone I desperately wanted to protect. She was brilliant, ambitious, and she carried so much quiet strength, yet every person who claimed to “love” her twisted that love into something cruel and suffocating.
I wanted to reach through the pages and pull her out, give her the softness and safety she deserved, because the world around her refused to. Watching her sink deeper into pain broke me piece by piece .
Her story wasn’t fair, and her ending still feels like a wound I can’t stop bleeding from. It hurts because I know she deserved light, she deserved healing, she deserved so much more than scars—and instead, all she got was tragedy. I don’t think I’ll ever forgive this book for taking her away from me like that.
“Elena, you listen to me. Don’t you ever refer to yourself as ‘some woman’ again. You are the only woman I have eyes for. You are the only woman I’ve ever considered sharing my life with. I knew from the second I met you that I wanted to make you mine forever. You are everything to me.”
Christian Reeves:
Christian broke me in the most unexpected way. At first, he felt like safety, like the one man who might give Elena the kind of love she deserved. And even though his love turned obsessive, I can’t bring myself to hate him. There was something so fragile in the way he clung to her, as if she was the only thing keeping him alive. His devotion—no matter how suffocating—was raw, desperate, and painfully human. He wasn’t just a monster; he was a man drowning in his own need, and I can’t stop aching for him.
“My love isn’t perfect, and it isn’t beautiful. It’s broken and scarred and ugly, but all of it is yours. I will always be yours. "
And The Silencer… God, he terrified me, but he also fascinated me. The way he saw Elena, not as a victim but as his salvation, was twisted but almost heartbreakingly pure. He wasn’t just a villain lurking in the shadows; he was broken, too—someone who believed that through her, he could find redemption. His love was violent, yes, but there was this eerie tenderness beneath it, something that made me feel torn between fear and compassion.
“But if you ask me to let you go? Angel, you know I can’t do that.
If you’re gone, then what else do I have to live for? Hope.
That’s what I have to live for. Hope that one day I might get to hear you say, “I love you too.” So I’ll wait. I’ll wait as long as it takes.
Forever yours, Christian”
Both men loved her in ways that weren’t right, but they loved her fiercely, completely, and devastatingly. And that’s what lingers—the fact that Elena was at the center of two loves so consuming, it destroyed them all.
“I’m starting to wonder if you have a thing for blonds.”
“Is that a problem?”
“Only because I’m not one.”
Together:
Elena was the light at the center of all this darkness, and it kills me that every ounce of love she received was poisoned by obsession. She was brilliant and strong, but she never got the kind of safe, gentle love she deserved. Instead, she was trapped between Christian and The Silencer—two men who loved her so fiercely it destroyed her.
“You are my everything. Mind. Body. Soul. I fucking love you, Elena, and you
will love me back. I don’t care if I have to destroy you in the process.”
Christian’s devotion felt almost innocent at first, the kind of love you want to believe in, but it twisted into desperation, into something that clung to her so tightly it smothered her. And yet, I can’t bring myself to hate him. He was broken, too, just a man drowning in his need for her, and that makes me ache for him as much as I ache for her. Then there was The Silencer, terrifying and brutal, yet he saw Elena as his salvation. His love was violent and wrong, but underneath all that darkness there was a fractured tenderness, a belief that she could somehow heal him.
“I would do anything for you. If you ask me to move the sun out of your eyes, I will push it with my bare hands. If you ask me for the moon, I will wrap it in a purple ribbon and hand it to you. If you ask me for all the stars in the sky, I will create an entire galaxy, just for you.”
Both men mirrored each other in their brokenness—they were not good for her, but they loved her in a way that was absolute, raw, and unforgettable. And in the end, it was too much for her fragile heart to survive. I don’t think I’ll ever stop grieving her, or the way their love burned everything to ashes.
“Mommy said there would be pancakes.”
Caroline:
oh my little girl…. she was the only light in that whole storm of darkness. In a story so heavy with obsession, violence, and tragedy, she was like a flicker of innocence that reminded us there was still something worth protecting. The way Elena loved her—fiercely, selflessly—was so different from the way she was loved by Christian or The Silencer. With Caroline, it wasn’t about control or possession, it was about giving this child a home, safety, and love that Elena herself never really got to experience. That bond between them was so pure, and it made every painful choice Elena faced hit harder, because she wasn’t just surviving for herself anymore—she was fighting for Caroline too.
“Okay baby… Just turn around and count to one hundred, and I’ll get you some pancakes, okay?”
Me when I was reading the last pages..Iykyk….
I swear the ending of Under Your Scars wrecked me in a way I wasn’t ready for. I kept turning the pages praying—begging—for Elena to finally woke up from a dream that kept her hunted but it was really what happened and I can not describe how I did feel that moment..
“You asked me to chase away the monsters under your bed. But the monster was never under your bed, was it? It was in your heart.”
When it ended, it felt like the air had been punched out of my chest. I didn’t just cry, I sat there numb, staring at the book, asking myself why I even put myself through this kind of heartbreak. And yet… that’s what makes it unforgettable. It doesn’t give you the neat, happy ending you want—it leaves you bleeding right alongside Elena. It’s not fair, it’s not comforting, but it’s real, and that’s why I can’t stop thinking about it. This book broke me, and I know I’ll be carrying it around inside me for a long, long time…. FOREVER…
I will stope here cause I can't the pain anymore...
────୨ৎ────
Pre-view:
“If loving you destroys us both, then burn me. I’ll die smiling in your fire.”
🚨 YEAH IT’S TIME FOR THIS BOOK, cause I see it in my every app I have so here we are.
so he is a SERIAL KILLER, don’t tell me again; I am already SAT.🪑
I finished this book last night, and no one prepared me for the fact that it wasn’t just another dark romance with the usual predictable plot and ending. So here I am, sobbing through every word I write. The line “good things don’t last” keeps echoing in my head like a curse, and every time Billie Eilish’s Ocean Eyes comes on, I completely fall apart all over again.
“My love isn’t perfect, and it isn’t beautiful. It’s broken and scarred and ugly, but all of it is yours. I will always be yours.”
Under Your Scars by Ariel N. Anderson is an emotionally shattering dark romance that explores the fine line between love and obsession, healing and destruction. The story follows Elena, a young lawyer, who becomes trapped between two dangerous forces: a vigilante serial killer known as The Silencer, who sees her as his salvation, and Christian Reeves, her powerful, obsessive CEO. What begins as intrigue quickly spirals into a harrowing tale of control, violence, and trauma that forces readers to confront the ugliest sides of love and dependency.
“I’ve fallen in love with the most unlovable, virulent, tragic parts of him. And I’ve decided I love the taste of poison.”
Elena Young:
Elena shattered me in ways I can’t even put into words. She wasn’t just a character to me—she felt real, like someone I desperately wanted to protect. She was brilliant, ambitious, and she carried so much quiet strength, yet every person who claimed to “love” her twisted that love into something cruel and suffocating.
I wanted to reach through the pages and pull her out, give her the softness and safety she deserved, because the world around her refused to. Watching her sink deeper into pain broke me piece by piece .
Her story wasn’t fair, and her ending still feels like a wound I can’t stop bleeding from. It hurts because I know she deserved light, she deserved healing, she deserved so much more than scars—and instead, all she got was tragedy. I don’t think I’ll ever forgive this book for taking her away from me like that.
“Elena, you listen to me. Don’t you ever refer to yourself as ‘some woman’ again. You are the only woman I have eyes for. You are the only woman I’ve ever considered sharing my life with. I knew from the second I met you that I wanted to make you mine forever. You are everything to me.”
Christian Reeves:
Christian broke me in the most unexpected way. At first, he felt like safety, like the one man who might give Elena the kind of love she deserved. And even though his love turned obsessive, I can’t bring myself to hate him. There was something so fragile in the way he clung to her, as if she was the only thing keeping him alive. His devotion—no matter how suffocating—was raw, desperate, and painfully human. He wasn’t just a monster; he was a man drowning in his own need, and I can’t stop aching for him.
“My love isn’t perfect, and it isn’t beautiful. It’s broken and scarred and ugly, but all of it is yours. I will always be yours. "
And The Silencer… God, he terrified me, but he also fascinated me. The way he saw Elena, not as a victim but as his salvation, was twisted but almost heartbreakingly pure. He wasn’t just a villain lurking in the shadows; he was broken, too—someone who believed that through her, he could find redemption. His love was violent, yes, but there was this eerie tenderness beneath it, something that made me feel torn between fear and compassion.
“But if you ask me to let you go? Angel, you know I can’t do that.
If you’re gone, then what else do I have to live for? Hope.
That’s what I have to live for. Hope that one day I might get to hear you say, “I love you too.” So I’ll wait. I’ll wait as long as it takes.
Forever yours, Christian”
Both men loved her in ways that weren’t right, but they loved her fiercely, completely, and devastatingly. And that’s what lingers—the fact that Elena was at the center of two loves so consuming, it destroyed them all.
“I’m starting to wonder if you have a thing for blonds.”
“Is that a problem?”
“Only because I’m not one.”
Together:
Elena was the light at the center of all this darkness, and it kills me that every ounce of love she received was poisoned by obsession. She was brilliant and strong, but she never got the kind of safe, gentle love she deserved. Instead, she was trapped between Christian and The Silencer—two men who loved her so fiercely it destroyed her.
“You are my everything. Mind. Body. Soul. I fucking love you, Elena, and you
will love me back. I don’t care if I have to destroy you in the process.”
Christian’s devotion felt almost innocent at first, the kind of love you want to believe in, but it twisted into desperation, into something that clung to her so tightly it smothered her. And yet, I can’t bring myself to hate him. He was broken, too, just a man drowning in his need for her, and that makes me ache for him as much as I ache for her. Then there was The Silencer, terrifying and brutal, yet he saw Elena as his salvation. His love was violent and wrong, but underneath all that darkness there was a fractured tenderness, a belief that she could somehow heal him.
“I would do anything for you. If you ask me to move the sun out of your eyes, I will push it with my bare hands. If you ask me for the moon, I will wrap it in a purple ribbon and hand it to you. If you ask me for all the stars in the sky, I will create an entire galaxy, just for you.”
Both men mirrored each other in their brokenness—they were not good for her, but they loved her in a way that was absolute, raw, and unforgettable. And in the end, it was too much for her fragile heart to survive. I don’t think I’ll ever stop grieving her, or the way their love burned everything to ashes.
“Mommy said there would be pancakes.”
Caroline:
oh my little girl…. she was the only light in that whole storm of darkness. In a story so heavy with obsession, violence, and tragedy, she was like a flicker of innocence that reminded us there was still something worth protecting. The way Elena loved her—fiercely, selflessly—was so different from the way she was loved by Christian or The Silencer. With Caroline, it wasn’t about control or possession, it was about giving this child a home, safety, and love that Elena herself never really got to experience. That bond between them was so pure, and it made every painful choice Elena faced hit harder, because she wasn’t just surviving for herself anymore—she was fighting for Caroline too.
“Okay baby… Just turn around and count to one hundred, and I’ll get you some pancakes, okay?”
Me when I was reading the last pages..Iykyk….
I swear the ending of Under Your Scars wrecked me in a way I wasn’t ready for. I kept turning the pages praying—begging—for Elena to finally woke up from a dream that kept her hunted but it was really what happened and I can not describe how I did feel that moment..
“You asked me to chase away the monsters under your bed. But the monster was never under your bed, was it? It was in your heart.”
When it ended, it felt like the air had been punched out of my chest. I didn’t just cry, I sat there numb, staring at the book, asking myself why I even put myself through this kind of heartbreak. And yet… that’s what makes it unforgettable. It doesn’t give you the neat, happy ending you want—it leaves you bleeding right alongside Elena. It’s not fair, it’s not comforting, but it’s real, and that’s why I can’t stop thinking about it. This book broke me, and I know I’ll be carrying it around inside me for a long, long time…. FOREVER…
I will stope here cause I can't the pain anymore...
────୨ৎ────
Pre-view:
“If loving you destroys us both, then burn me. I’ll die smiling in your fire.”
🚨 YEAH IT’S TIME FOR THIS BOOK, cause I see it in my every app I have so here we are.
so he is a SERIAL KILLER, don’t tell me again; I am already SAT.🪑
April 6, 2025
I am a shell of a person
Please don’t make me talk about it, I’ll cry
//
Reread audiobook 4/6/25
Once again, I’m a shell of a person & can’t stop crying 🥞
Please don’t make me talk about it, I’ll cry
//
Reread audiobook 4/6/25
Once again, I’m a shell of a person & can’t stop crying 🥞
September 25, 2024
I'm seriously NOT OKAY. Going into this, I already knew this DOES NOT END WITH A HEA. In my head I thought
"Ehh.. Why not. I'm sick of books with HEAs anyways."
NO! Big mistake! I want need a HEA for them. After everything they went through, this SHOULD NOT have ended like that! I was NOT emotionally or mentally prepared for THAT kind of ending. The pancake scene was absolutely heartbreaking. I swear, a part of me broke reading this 💔 It was soul-shattering. I want to cry over how tragic Elena's life is and how past trauma shaped Christian into such a complex man, but I have no tears left.. I'm too bitter and devastated by the ending. There aren't enough words to explain how emotionally exhausting this was. I finished this yesterday and took me 24 hours to brain this!
I’m just relieved this story ended. I let out a HUGE sigh of relief when it was over. This was truly a tragic dark romance. TRAGICALLY DARK. Just.. brutal. "That’s the thing about control.. it's just an illusion" I thought Christian had it all figured out, that he had everything under control, but clearly, I was wrong. I want to burn this book to the ground and forget I ever read it. It was so good (for me, at least) that I’m going to be feeling numb for a while, and just ponder how short life can be. This book drained me on so many levels. In the world of dark romance, Christian and Elena's relationship was toxic yet sweet. He literally burned the city for her, but the tragedies and mental health struggles became too overwhelming, and suddenly everything spiraled and escalated too quickly.
The story is divided into three parts, and the writing is incredibly well done. The plot is well thought out (even though I kinda figured out who was who, but that’s beside the point) and it was the kind of fast-paced book you can't put down. As for the characters, there are four POVs: The Father, The Executioner, The Silencer, and The Angel. Let’s just say, they’re all so fucked up in the head that no amount of therapy could help them. I wish I had stopped reading at 79%, during that one Christmas scene where everyone was happy and jolly, where the smut was smuttin' pretty hard and where the sentence ended with "Best Christmas ever." Knowing how this ends.. there will NEVER be another Christmas, ever. Ugh. Why do I do this to myself?
I’m just relieved this story ended. I let out a HUGE sigh of relief when it was over. This was truly a tragic dark romance. TRAGICALLY DARK. Just.. brutal. "That’s the thing about control.. it's just an illusion" I thought Christian had it all figured out, that he had everything under control, but clearly, I was wrong. I want to burn this book to the ground and forget I ever read it. It was so good (for me, at least) that I’m going to be feeling numb for a while, and just ponder how short life can be. This book drained me on so many levels. In the world of dark romance, Christian and Elena's relationship was toxic yet sweet. He literally burned the city for her, but the tragedies and mental health struggles became too overwhelming, and suddenly everything spiraled and escalated too quickly.
The story is divided into three parts, and the writing is incredibly well done. The plot is well thought out (even though I kinda figured out who was who, but that’s beside the point) and it was the kind of fast-paced book you can't put down. As for the characters, there are four POVs: The Father, The Executioner, The Silencer, and The Angel. Let’s just say, they’re all so fucked up in the head that no amount of therapy could help them. I wish I had stopped reading at 79%, during that one Christmas scene where everyone was happy and jolly, where the smut was smuttin' pretty hard and where the sentence ended with "Best Christmas ever." Knowing how this ends.. there will NEVER be another Christmas, ever. Ugh. Why do I do this to myself?
May 18, 2025
I am unwell
October 8, 2024
I can’t even think of the words for this book.
Like I am baffled that this has so many good reviews?
Spoilers below
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Firstly this is instant lust at its finest. So much happens in this book and the pacing is kind of all over the place.
I don’t understand how Christian knew he was in love with her after a matter of months also the fact that she was gang raped couldn’t stand to be near him and then the next minute they were adopting a child???? Hello you are mentally unstable both of you for that matter 🫣
The whole plot with his parents dying and then Elliot’s wife dying was confusing as fuck. Then suddenly the Dad is the fake silencer and he’s trying to kill Christian to protect Elena. This book was just all over the place, the fact that the ending was Elliot killing Elena, Christian killing Elliot then killing himself
Excuse me, sir you have a four-year-old child who you adopted where are your priorities?
I’m honestly just so baffled that people have given us five stars because it was too long. The plot was too chaotic. There wasn’t enough character development.
Like I am baffled that this has so many good reviews?
Spoilers below
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Firstly this is instant lust at its finest. So much happens in this book and the pacing is kind of all over the place.
I don’t understand how Christian knew he was in love with her after a matter of months also the fact that she was gang raped couldn’t stand to be near him and then the next minute they were adopting a child???? Hello you are mentally unstable both of you for that matter 🫣
The whole plot with his parents dying and then Elliot’s wife dying was confusing as fuck. Then suddenly the Dad is the fake silencer and he’s trying to kill Christian to protect Elena. This book was just all over the place, the fact that the ending was Elliot killing Elena, Christian killing Elliot then killing himself
Excuse me, sir you have a four-year-old child who you adopted where are your priorities?
I’m honestly just so baffled that people have given us five stars because it was too long. The plot was too chaotic. There wasn’t enough character development.
April 29, 2025
– 4.25 stars
even though Miss Anderson gave me a fair warning and told me from the start that this book is a romantic tragedy that ending still shock me to my core .. most of the twists in this book wasn't a surprise to me and pretty predictable, but that ending was foul. this book is not for the weak and i feel so empty inside, but what a ride it has been. 😭
i'll finish this review with saying that i will always have a soft spot for heroes with the name Christian who are serial unaliver and totally & utterly obsessed with their woman.
Christian Reeves 🤝 Christian Allister
even though Miss Anderson gave me a fair warning and told me from the start that this book is a romantic tragedy that ending still shock me to my core .. most of the twists in this book wasn't a surprise to me and pretty predictable, but that ending was foul. this book is not for the weak and i feel so empty inside, but what a ride it has been. 😭
i'll finish this review with saying that i will always have a soft spot for heroes with the name Christian who are serial unaliver and totally & utterly obsessed with their woman.
Christian Reeves 🤝 Christian Allister
October 18, 2024
I can't do it. I just can't finish the book. I'm a little over 60% done but I can't keep going. It feels like a chore.. it feels like washing dishes when you cooked for 4 hours, it feels like babysitting an annoying, bratty, 5 year old that keeps spitting on you and kicking your knees. I.cant.finish.it.
May 3, 2025
Just read the book already if you're debating it. Please Damn. I'm speechless. This is the only book that fucked me up.
43% in and I knew what was coming but still gasped out loud.
Pre-read: Ready for the emotional trauma
43% in and I knew what was coming but still gasped out loud.
Pre-read: Ready for the emotional trauma
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