Rating: 4.5/5
Book Blurb:
Laurel just wanted to survive college, keep her father fed, and fly under the radar.Delivering pizzas was supposed to be the safe kind of side hustle, until the night she witnesses a murder at Ashford House, the most elite and secretive fraternity on campus.Now sheās a prisoner of The Order, a blood-bound society that controls everything from politics to police. They rule with ritual, obedience, and violence, and theyāve decided Laurel doesnāt get to leave.At the center of it all is Carrson Ashford, heir to the powerful Ashford legacy.Cold. Commanding. Infuriatingly magnetic. Under the rules of The Order, he ābondsā her, marking Laurel as his.Body. Mind. Soul.But Laurel isnāt here to be claimed. Not without a fight.To save her father and her future, Laurel must navigate a twisted realm of initiation rites, brutal secrets, and a bond that may destroy them both.In this world, thereās one rule: obey or die.But love doesnāt follow rules. And neither does Laurel.ā Dark academia meets Southern Gothic in this emotionally intense, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, morally gray, twisted college romance filled with secrets, violence, and impossible love. Perfect for fans of Penelope Douglas, LJ Shen, Shantel Tessier, and Sierra Simone.
Review:
Secret Societies, unlikely romance, and blood come together in this dark academia/souther gothic story about a girl who finds herself bonded to the leader of a secret society and every minute spent with him puts her in more danger than she can imagine. Laurel has spent her life trying to blend in, keep her head down low, and just get by. She spends her days working towards going to med school and taking care of her alcoholic father. Yet on a pizza delivery run she witnesses a murder and is then taken prisoner by The order, a blood bound secret society that controls everything, fron politics to the police. At the center of this organization is Carrson, the leader who rules with a cold and commanding hand. Carrson bonds Laurel to him and offers her a deal: if she stays his bonded for a year and fake their relationship, he'll pay for the rest of her tuition, help her help her dad, and they can both try and get out of the bond once he takes over from his father. The only thing Laurel has to do: survive. Laurel has to learn to not only learn to survive living with Carrson but everyone who wants to kill him as well and to get to him through her. What she doesn't expect is to be falling for the very monster that took her yet the more time she spends with him she is beginning to realize that underneath the mask is someone who loves brutally and has been forced to never show weakness... except for her. This was a really fun start to the series and the ending cliffhanger feels illegal because I WANT THE NEXT BOOK!!! I loved the way the relationship between Carrson and Laruel grew, and how they were there for each other through it all. The story also had artwork throughout it, which is FABULOUS!!! I can't wait for the next book!
Release Date: January 13, 2026
Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)
*Thanks Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
