I remembered her. I remembered everything. But was it a blessing or a curse?Half of me was still in love with the blue eyed girl wearing my crown around her neck. The other, felt betrayed that she could walk away when I needed her the most. Struck down by her absence, an internal war brewed within my kingdom. Along with my childhood memories a new emotion was unleashed, one I was unable to … I was unable to control.
Rage
Unbridled, unrelenting, rage.
more
Those palpable emotions that were present in Crowned With Guilt shine through in book 2, making it just as heartbreaking and overwhelmingly dark as the experiences of book 1, but in Cleansed With Fire, the hope that seemed to dissipate before Tessa and Andrew could hold on to it now has a second chance to help restore a bond that began long ago…that was meant to be, but happily ever afters are not easily acquired – they aren’t handed out; they must be earned and that has to be done by facing what seem to be insurmountable obstacles, half-truths, heartache, and so much more that S.K. Rose throws their way.
There’s never a path that ties everything together easily, and when it comes to Tessa and Andrew’s journey, they must go it alone, at times, in order to understand…in order to remember…in order to absorb all that has occurred before any forward progress can be achieved and it’s those struggles that provides a litany of insight about who Tessa and Andrew are and just how much they’re willing to sacrifice in order to acquire the future they desperately want.
I will admit, though, there were times that I felt like Andrew and Tessa would never find their way back to each other and I even questioned if Andrew deserved Tessa’s love and devotion due to some of his actions and reactions, but I still held out hope and trudged my way through the emotional torment that the hero and heroine faced and waited for the time in their story where they would be cleansed after they walked through fire and brimstone and let me tell you, SK Rose made Andrew and Tessa earn everything they desired.
This all-consuming love story takes readers and its characters on a dark journey – one that’s tragic and angst-riddled and one that requires one’s sins to be forgiven and one’s heart to be repaired at any cost. It’s not an easy book to read and there were more than a handful of times when I wanted to throw my iPad across the room due to the events in this book, but the fact that I had such out of control emotions throughout my time reading Cleansed With Fire proves just how powerful of a story SK Rose crafted and how well developed the storyline and characters are.
4.5 Poison Apples
Cleansed with fire is the second book following CWG. We finally got the ending of the fluffy that is left in the first book. Through this book, we get the sadness and the laughter the anger. Basically you were put in an emotional ride and one hell of a good one.
If your looking for a duet that will break you, make you feel emotion or even an ugly cry, read this duet!!!
OMG!!!!! What a conclusion to such a tragic, yet beautiful story! Book 2 picks up right where book 1 left off. Will Tessa and Drew find their way back to each other? This story will break you, gut you and give you hope. Your emotions will be all over the place and you will find yourself rooting so hard for Tessa and Drew. The gallery scene, was one of the best scenes I’ve read! I seriously never wanted this book to end. You definitely need to read the first book before this one.
5 STARS
Review by: Alysia
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
This is the perfect sequel to Crowned With Guilt!! If you haven’t read that, you MUST read it first.
Tessa and Andrew’s story is a whirlwind of emotional pain, and love. I don’t want to post any spoilers but the battles that Tessa must go through to find her happy ending are intense.
Andrew remembers everything that happened to him and they way he tells Tessa is so amazingly sweet that you fall in love with his character even more, if that’s even possible.
I can’t wait for SK Rose to come out with even more books. Even if Tessa and Andrew’s story is over. She should tell Chase’s story! That would be epic!!
I thought the first book was an emotional roller coaster but this one surpassed it hands down. This author floored us with her debut novel and comes back with a vengeance taking our characters where no one wants to go. This picks up with Chase and Reaper struggling but living and finding out they need to return. Still clinging to each other for support they head back into the lions den in so many ways. Fighting to be heard and to be forgiven they don’t have an easy battle. But of course that can’t be the only challenge for these two. Life, curses, love, loss, vengeance and so much more as things come to a head. We get plenty of nail biting excitement and of course plenty of fighting and love. The strength of their love and the support of family and friends is all tested this time. There will be plenty of fallout and for some. . . they will be cleansed with fire and restored better, stronger, more.
When I read Crowned With Guilt I was shocked that it was by a debut author and her follow up proves that she can get better!! I loved this book!! The incredible story told in that unforgettably S.K. Rose way. Meaning she’ll find a way to rip your heart out and make you crazy, screaming, ready to throw my kindle!! This makes the fact that it’s the second in the duet important because there is no cliffhanger!! YAY!! No more torture on what’s going to happen to Tessa and Andrew!! Andrew has a special place in my harem!!
WHAT THE HECK! All I can say about this story is “Buckle Up and Hang On”. Book 2 is the continuation in the “Remember the Reaper” Series is CRAY-CRAY. It picks up where book one left off. Your heart continues to break for Tessa and Andrew. The distance, miscommunication, and hurt will make you want to weep. Chase and Blossom add such amazing flavor to this story, keeping my interest HIGH. UGH “What happens next?” was a continual thought throughout this read. This story takes you in a roller coaster ride of emotions. Plan for several surprises that always occur when you are thinking “oh this story is slowing down and how sweet” then BAM! you experience a “WHAT?!” moment. Haha I hope this is making sense but it is definitely reflective of my bipolar experience during my read. SO GOOD with the right combination of swoon and angst. Happy Reading Everyone!
“He’s always been, and always will be, the sunshine to my gloom. But I’ve pushed him away, shut out his light, and all too late came to realize, I’m still afraid of the dark.”
5 stars all the way!! Beautifully written, heartbreaking and tragic, yet triumphant and hopeful, it checked all my boxes!! This amazing conclusion to this engrossing and addictive debut duet has leaped to one of my Top Reads of the year and I won’t come down from the experience of reading it anytime soon. Angst, dark, love, romance, hilarity, tragedy, it all was intricately woven for maximum impact that just blew me away!! I thank the Author profusely for providing a copy to review!
“My body hums with joy, and for the first time, I realize that in this fairy tale, I’m not the princess or the reaper, not a demon or the villain. I’m just a girl who found her way out of the darkness and into her happily ever after.”
~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog
Wow! What do I say about this book, only one word that comes to my mind and that is it’s a phenomenon book.
This book has been one hell of emotional roller coaster ride. Cleansed with Fire will break your heart before melting it. Andrew and Tess’s story is powerful and will stay with you forever.
I highly recommend reading this book.
Belinda, Book Haven Book Blog
I am facing a difficulty to form coherent and decent words to write an acceptable review which won’t be filled up with screams, internal cursing, external device hurting and hating the author for writing this story. I was mentally preparing to get devastated after finishing Crowned with Guilt. But it appears I failed miserably. Is it bad that I feel that means the author has given us a mindblowing and breathtaking ending to the duet? I am sure you will agree if you read this books.
The reaper is back. Tessa has to get back to the town of her dreams and nightmares for her best friend Chase. The distance hasn’t reduced her darkness even a bit. Rather it got contained to create psychological distortion in her. And it is not only her who has changed. So has Andrew. He is no longer the sweet caring guy. He is burnt with the “betrayal” and marked with hatred that turns into pure rage sometimes. Tessa and Andrew’s life is like meeting of a hurricane with a volcano. The plot gets dark, twisted and sickeningly terrifying. Some times I felt the dark tunnel would never end. The emotions and raw passion were simply unique. And the author has written about the inner turmoils so brilliantly. Last few chapters were a masterpiece. I dare you to enter inside this disturbed and devastating tale and come out unscathed. I felt like I am right there inside the character’s head and drowning in the feelings. Tessa is an inspiring , brave and unique character. The great thing about this book is it will never let you settle down and feel comfortable. You will feel your own boundaries are being tested. The story was raw, real , honest and heartbreaking. Andrew’s character got new dimensions and a lot of added complexities but he is essentially the protective prince charming. Chase is the epitome of friendship. So is Andrew’s sister. Everyone needs some light of love and kindness to overcome the darkness. And Tessa had a lot of them.
A glowing burning story of broken lives , shattered dreams and finally happy endings. Fairytales don’t come alive so easily. If you are searching for a love story to truly destroy you emotionally and mark your heart forever, you have one right here.
“The castle . . . It’s our castle.”
My heart feels like it has been ripped out of my chest by the devil herself (SK Rose)!!! Holy Scythe!!! Cleansed with Fire, the conclusion to Tessa and Andrew’s story is one of the deepest, darkest Love stories I have ever read (aside from book 1 Crowned with Guilt)! I cried, I jumped up and was pacing, I literally yelled out loud, I wanted to reach in and be involved in this virtual story because it was written that well! INCREDIBLE!!!
“After everything that’s happened, you’re scared of a little picture, Reaper?”
This series broke my norm and broke me. Not only because of the cliffhanger from CWG, but it also has rape, murder, vengeance, darkness, child abuse, and drugs. Not normally my thing, but I don’t regret reading this in the least! This book was so well written and even though some of the characters are so screwed up, they are so amazingly developed! I devoured this book. There was no putting it down.
“Did you think he was going to sit around and wait for you, Reaper?”
This book is an easy 5 star rating for me! Reading Crowned with Guilt first, is a MUST! But you will want to go straight into CWF after (at least you have that option now! Oookkkkay. Yeah…I may still be sharpening my scythe!) This new author, S.K. Rose, has come out heavy with her first series…but I am so damn glad she did!
**Like mentioned above, there is rape, murder, vengeance, darkness, child abuse, and drugs in this. Don’t read this if any of the above is a “trigger” for you!
OMG….S.K Rose is brilliant this is her second book and also the second book in the series, it was amazing, this one dowsnt leave you wanting to throw the book at her like the first lol. She’s now on my one click reads. Can’t wait to see what she has in store for us with her next adventure.
Cleansed with Fire picks up where Crowned with Guilt left off, thank god because that cliffhanger was unbearable! You find out what happens to Tessa, Andrew, Blossom and Chase, but most importantly you get answers. There are times throughout this book that I was truly tempted to throw it across the room. I mean really, how could Andrew say such a thing, or how does such a thing happen? But those are the reactions to good writing, and a great story, and that’s what this is. I honestly couldn’t put the book down.
Be prepared to laugh, cry, rant and possibly want to yell at a certain author. That being said, this book delivers the ending the first book deserves.
A six star read I’ll never forget.
You definitely need to read Crowned With Guilt first to get to know the characters and prepare yourselves for the sequel. The characters are still tormented by guilt and treading water to stay above the surface. Andrew is filled with a rage he can’t control. Tessa’s dark and twisted past haunts her. Will they keep running or face their demons head on?
An angst filled masterpiece of entwined fates, childhood love, and a darkness trying to claim them. The characters have a depth that tugs on your heart strings and the more you learn the more you fall in love with them. It’s written so beautifully that I was sucked in and got lost between the pages. The characters are fun, entertaining, and full of sass. With each twist I clung for dear life hoping for the best. It took me on a wild ride I never wanted to end. Their passion ignited flames beneath my skin, I craved more with every touch. The author transported me into their most tender moments and I couldn’t get enough. There is a darkness woven into the story that seems inescapable at times but it’s written with such detail and precise strokes it kept me on the edge of my seat with my heart in my throat. If you like love stories full of angst, twisted darkness, and never ending sass this is the book for you!
THE ABSOLUTE BEST BOOK OF 2018! THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ!!!
Rose completely smashes all expectations, any reader had, with Cleansed With Fire. The amount of emotions that are laced within these pages is utterly unbelievable! Rose has you flitting from happy and smiling, to sad and crying. And brings it all home with a deep seated rage that has you screaming WHAT THE FUCK at the top of your lungs, throwing your kindle, and sending WTF did you just do messages to her. She has perfected ripping out your heart, chewing it up, spitting it out and stomping it to dust. I’m seriously just in awe with the amount of everything she poured into this book. It was a ride that I will enjoy again and again.
Rose, starts right off at breaking your heart, when she continues the story where Crowned With Guilt left off. I was seriously gutted in that first chapter(she has a fucking knack for that shit). I could feel everything Tessa was feeling. It was like I was transported within these pages and was living this story with her. Her pain, her turmoil, her rage all products of a fucked up life, were so raw, so real, so relatable. Rose makes her journey and growth downright impeccable. She is strong, fiesty, and independent; all amazing qualities you need to have within a Heroine. And, it didnt stop at just Tessa, Andrew’s journey was just as important. He became the ultimate asshole to everyone. That sweet boy you met and fell in love with was no longer around. He was decimated by the choices Tessa made. Angry all the time, lashing out at those that love him. And when Tessa comes sailing back into his life his anger intensifies and subsides depending in the situation. Their love is Timeless, just like their Castle. The obstacles that Rose throws at them are, OH so fricking juicy and unbelievably fantastica. She leaves you sitting there with your mouth open and your head spinning.
It’s a stunning conclusion.
Cleansed with Fire is easily, hands down my #1 read of 2018 and possibly of all time. There really needs to be more than 5 stars! I would assign Cleansed with Fire 10 stars easily. I am astounded that this is only her second novel. S.K. writes as a seasoned pro with a multitude of published novels. The way in which she weaves her words is truly magical. I will be preordering and one clicking every one of her novels from here on out. She has a fan for life!!
Tessa and Andrew’s story left me reeling throughout. This will perhaps be the biggest book hangover I have ever encountered. When the author tells you this is an angsty read, she isn’t wrong. If there was a check list for every possible emotion, I would be marking every single box. The feels, oh gawd there are so many feels!!
This story picks up where Crowned with Guilt left off. Andrew and Tessa’s love story is not without obstacles, tragedy, heartache, and so much turmoil. There may have been a couple of chapters where I hated Andrew and thought he doesn’t deserve Tessa’s love. Heart of a princess, strength of a reaper is the perfect tag line for this book. I love Chase. He was there when Tessa needed a friend the most. Every girl needs a Chase in their life, especially a Blossom. Mr & Mrs Blackwell are the quintessential parents every child should be able to grow up with.
If you only ever read one series in your life you MUST read Remember the Reaper!!
Great ending to the set. It starts with anticipation, ends with a HEA, and has a ton of surprises in between! Not as heartbreaking as the first book, although there are a couple of twists that will grab your feels. Overall, a must read!