Loren

Van Doren, Book 1

By: Crea Reitan

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo, Joshua Macrae

I will kill to keep him.

Oakley

It's a new start—brand new school in a completely different state. For the first time, I now have the freedom to be unapologetically me. But as my luck would have it, I have shit taste in men. The first man to pay me a compliment has so many red flags, that I think I'm in a storm. Life can't get any worse… until he turns into a stalker.

Then my stalker ends up brutally murdered, I walk blindly into a serial killer's nest, and I catch the attention of a sociopath.

Loren

The moment I see Oakley walk into the cafe, I know he's mine. I may be here to finish a job, but it's impossible to concentrate on anything but him. My fascination quickly turns into an obsession, which might be fortunate for him because I think he's trying to get himself killed.

Which is fine; I'll protect him. It doesn't matter how many lives I have to end to make Oakley mine.

This is an LGBT+ story for mature listeners. A complete list of content warnings can be found on the author's website.

©2024 Amber Reitan writing as Crea Reitan (P)2025 Podium Audio

want more!!!

absolutely loved this story! right amount of steamy to get you over the edge! look forward to more from this author. keep doing it!!!

longer

I get so invested with the characters that I don't want the book to end I wish it was longer I was extremely happy with the story with a narration I put my husband's and the kids to bed and I was really happy

Had a lot of unexplored potential.

I was slightly disappointed overall. it's mostly a good story, but if you're looking for something dramatic, I wouldn't say this book quite fits.
The situations and plot lend itself to something really dark, dramatic and romantic but it all kinda felt short of my expectations. All the drama gets cut way too short and not a lot gets to happen. The plot itself is dramatic but it is never given the chance to breathe... and everything is just conveniently accepted.
After Oakley gets saved, the book mostly just becomes about sex with very little plot development.
I really enjoyed the characters though. I just wish we got to see more of the dark aspects of this novel without everything immediately becoming ok afterward

Lots of steam, little angst

MM Romance – Sociopath & Vigilante + Student - Insta Attraction - Touch Them And Die - Found Family - Plenty Spice

I bought this because I liked the cover and the blurb and because it was recommended as having similar vibes to Onley James' Necessary Evils series. While it is not as similar as Paulina Ian Kane's Angels of Wrath and the pace definitely is on the slower side, it still checks enough of my boxes: wealthy family of vigilantes, strong family bonds, possessive MCs, great narration and I loved almost everything about it!

I loved Oakley's backstory about how he and his friends got to be as close as they were. I loved their loyalty and the united front they presented and how they looked out for each other. I am a sucker for found family and strong family ties and Loren had that in spades!

And I loved Loren! It was adorable and sweet how he kept reaching out to his friend for advice when he didn't understand social clues or couldn't interpret feelings or other people's, well, mainly Oakley's, behavior. And I loved how tidbits of information on the sociopathic spectrum were integrated in the story. Mind you, I couldn't vouch for their correctness as I am not an expert but how Loren described himself, how he acted and how his family described him sounded authentic enough to me.

Loren and Oakley were a match made in heaven (or where ever perfect matches are being made). 😍 While Loren's possessiveness and his obsession with Oakley could be received as rather intimidating and unhinged it was exactly what Oakley had been craving – someone who put him first, who liked him for being him and made him their priority. And he was obviously what Loren needed – someone who accepted how strongly Loren felt about all things Oakley related, even encouraged it, had his back and gave him space when needed but never went far away. Loren, who had lived a straight life until Oakley, had some catching up to do in the sex department. There was quite a lot of spice, some activities kinkier than others. 🤪

While I thought this was great I am a bit disappointed about the lack of angst, I had thought it would be darker. And that's saying something, I'm not into real dark stuff so my expectations were rather low anyway. 😉 The dark things that are happening make out like 30 minutes of almost ten hours and as there is no angst whatsoever it's not even that dark. Apparently the next book is going to be even slower and with less spice so I might go for something else for the time being.

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CAWPILE-inspired rating system (original CAWPILE system by Book Roast on YouTube).

Characters 10/10
Relationships 9/10
Plot & Structure 8/10
Atmosphere & Setting (Worldbuilding) 6/10
Writing Style & Language 8/10
Intrigue & Interest 7/10
Logic & Conclusion 7/10
Enjoyment & Experience 8/10

Average Score 7.88/10
The StoryGraph Rating ☆ 4/5

Narration 4.5/5
Cover 5/5
Amount of Steam 5/5
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Dark and Hot!

Loren is everything I was hoping for when he was introduced in a previous book. It is a hot read for anyone who loves a Dark and depraved man. This MM book is dirty and full of love between the sweet shy guy and the ASPD (physiotherapy).