theartsybookwitch's Reviews (393)

"Abbie Spears was branded into my soul."

Welcome back to Hallow Ranch. 

I have been WAITING for Beau and Abbie's story and to say I absolutely love them is an understatement. 

Taking us back into Hallow Ranch years later, Brittany, yet again, makes us fall in love with all the boys in her universe. After Abbie places a call to Red Snake Investigations, Beau brings her back to Hallow Ranch to protect her. Whether either of them want her to be there or not. 

Their story is truly heartbreaking and beautiful. Six years after the worst heartbreak for both of them, are forced back into each others lives. Abbie is so strong and resilient after everything she goes through and she still manages to come out the other side with a smile. And Beau? A headstrong cowboy willing to die for the woman who broke his heart. 

I loved that their relationship was rocky coming back. The push and pull of hatred, anger, sadness and angst. They mended each other's broken souls, and claimed their beauty in the pain of the other's years apart. 

And having all the others back? *chef's kiss*

Quotes I Love

"I, Abbie Spears, would never be able to lie to Beau Marks, even when a lie was the only thing that could save his life."

"I may not be hers anymore, but she would always be mine, whether she wanted me or not."

“Don’t look at me. I just work here.”

“This place was your safe space, and it was my own version of hell.”

tw // stalking, kidnapping, drugging, suicide attempt (talked about not shown in detail), child abuse, 

tropes // dark cowboy romance, slow burn, childhood friends to lovers, touch her and ***, second chance, angst, suspense

A HUGE thank you to Brittany Ann for the ARC. I can't wait to come back for Mags. 

#hallowranch #darkromance #darkcowboyromance #childhoodfriendstolovers #romancebooks #booksky #bookstagram #forced proximity #morallygreycowboy #cowboyromance #slowburnromance #2025releases #2025arcs #arcreview #streetteams

“Our lives are yours either way. Kill us or use us; just make it quick.”

The Killer of Port Wylde are back, and with Cruel Games, comes the story of the Neon Dogs.

Years after Ivy watches them murder her father, she plots and seeks revenge on the Neon Dogs. Stalking them and stealing their hits, she gets them alone. But when that pure hatred turns, will she able to seek justice or will she battle her feelings?

Ivy. A spitfire, a true epitome of feminine rage. The Neon Dogs. Coyote, Jackal and Dingo. I loved them since Cruel Lies, and was so excited that they got their own story.

walk them like a dog, sister

Cruel Games hit me so much harder than I thought it would. Such an emotional time, I fell in love with all of them. Their stories, their personalities, their lives. Their relationships with each other melded so well. 

I can't wait to dive more into the team at Port Wylde!

"Tell me, Winnie. When does the kidnapper ever let their victims leave just because she asks not-so-nicely?"

A.J. Merlin is BACK with another Pleasure and Prey and I am even more obsessed.

When 8 year old Winnie witnesses 12 year old Cassian murder his older sister, Winnie's babysitter, her life changes forever. And now a decade later, when a murder spree takes place in their hometown, Cassian and Winnie fates are intertwined.

Merlin has been an auto-buy author for me since Owned By The Lost Boys and she has yet to disappoint. Every single novel gets better and better.

I am absolutely captivated by Cassian and Winnie's relationship. The fact that they've known all along that they were meant to be?

The major twist was honestly one I didn't see coming until close to the reveal, and I knew there was a reason why I had a feeling.

A true must-read for any dark romance / horror romance reader. I cannot wait for Corrupt. 

Am I a horror romance girlie? Yes. Am I a horror movie girlie? That's yet to be seen. 

#ajmerlin #pleasureandprey #darkromance #romance #cassianandwinnie #darkromancebooks #2025releases #2025arcs #arcteams #2025reviews #arcreader #bookstagram #booksta