Dirty Kingdom (a dark high school bully romance)

Covington High, book 1

First, he saved me.

Second, he loved me.

Third, he abandoned me.

Fourth, he hated me.

And now, they own me.

Step into the sizzling hot world of Covington High, where Everly Hayes makes a deal with the Dirty Kings and gambles on her very soul. They despise her now, but will they love her in the end?

Secrets will be revealed, lies will be exposed, and hearts will be broken. Who will be left standing once the smoke has cleared and the truth is revealed?

This series is a smoking hot dark romance with dark themes not suitable for those under the age of eighteen (including SA, unaliving, and other things associated with criminal and sexual activities). But no worries, it's a sizzling story with excitement and spice! Hold onto your panties, because they'll be melting when you take your place in the Dirty Kingdom.

If I could rate it less, I would.

This was absolutely wretched. There was absolutely NOTHING redeeming about this book. It's like someone decided to write a dark romance, but had zero idea about the appeal of such. It's just abuse after abuse after abuse with zero redeeming factors. I kept waiting for it to improve and then, it was over. There is one, single satisfying moment when she kills one of her rapists. But then she leaves the other one WHO WAS RIGHT THERE alive. It ruined the whole scene.

The MMCs were blackmailers and rapists. At no point in time was this CHILD treated with any modicum of respect or agency. All of her so-called self-awareness and personal growth was ENTIRELY in her head. No one grew. No one learned anything. There was no romance. No happy ending. I'm disappointed that I just read a child getting brutalized for pages and pages and she gets NOTHING in return. No power. No agency. No love. NOTHING. Just some half-assed boys who barely like her and use her for their own sexual gratification, while she spins tales in her head.

As much as I love a dark tale, those usually end with actual growth and badassery. This just ended. I'm disgusted.