From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Laurelin Paige comes a new story in her Slay series… him.
He sees right through her carefully constructed facade.
And he’s going to slash it all to pieces.
Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.
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I just can’t get enough of this series! Camilla’s story needed to be told! Don’t miss it!
I love the happily ever after that Laurelin Paige wrote for Camilla. She so deserved to find happiness after the h*ll of her marriage and the years of self-doubt beaten into her soul. And, a hot guy like Hendrix was a bonus!
Sexy and self-assured, Hendrix was the perfect man to challenge Camilla. To bring her out of her comfort zone. To show her all the ways he could worship the woman he knew he’d waited forever for…
Their story is the icing on the cake that is the Slay series. I love spin-off stories and delving into the lives of secondary characters. Ms. Paige knows exactly how to give that to her readers, and I always know she’ll deliver a 5 star experience, no matter the length of the book.
3.9 Stars
Camilla.
We already met her – and heard most of her story – in her brother’s books.
She’s a single mom. With a lot of baggage from her childhood and marriage.
And even though we heard a lot of what happened to her in the previous books, I still felt that this novella was way too short.
Yes, it was supposed to be just a quick look into her life – how she finally got her happily ever after. But she would’ve deserved to get a whole book. Maybe even a series. With lots of back-in-time chapters and a lot more about Hendrix. He didn’t happen enough in this short book for my tastes.
I also did not like those many photography details at all. Way too much of that for such a short story.
This would’ve been a great love story. But it was just too short for me. And also … when a book has the acknowledgements in the front – and I have to read everything in the front – and the author thanks her god in a whole little paragraph…. that’s it for me. Sorry. I can’t deal with that sh*t. I think I need to stop reading Laurelin’s books – this god-thanking is just destroying any reading pleasure I might have gotten while reading. If you have to thank god – and you really don’t in a romance – please do it in the back. That way I can at least try to enjoy the story first – and be mad at you later.
SLASH was a cute, sad and sexy little view into the life and the start of the happy end of Camilla Fasbender. Read the #SLAY series to find out more about her!
If you’ve read the Slay Series then Slash will definitely be a treat for you because this is Camilla Fasbender’s story, but you can definitely read it as a stand-alone too.
Camilla is rich and beautiful but underneath all the beauty is a woman who struggles with the pain of her past, until one man sees what she doesn’t show.
A beautiful story of one overcoming life’s scars and letting that one person see the pain beneath the surface. Camilla and Hendrix are truly beautiful together, the attraction you feel between the two just comes to life in these pages. Such a delicious and heartfelt romance that gives you all the feels.
I’m a bit blown away right now. I feel like Camilla was in this box and Laurelin Page just came and broke down every wall of that box and said, now you may see her. And I did. I felt like my eyes were opened to who she really was in a big way.
In the Slay series, Camilla was not a side character I gave much thought too. I know she had a background that supported her brother in his series, but that’s where it stopped for me. This book made me actually see what an incredible character she is.
It just felt so unexpected, all that pain she was hiding behind, the way she hid from life. I felt pulled in by her emotions so much that I could put my self in her shoes. I’m not one for reading about a sad tale like this but I got sucked in so quickly that it made her happily-ever-after so much more important to me.
That’s where Hendrix comes in. He was crucial to Camilla turning that corner. His character isn’t as delved into as much because this is all about Camilla. What you do learn is enough to know just how much he needed her as well. You really felt his craving to make her his and to be the one to bring her that happiness.
This book really speaks to what an exceptional writer Laurelin Page is. I’m amazed with how much depth was portrayed in a novella. The words used in this had impact and meant something. This was a wonderful addition to the Slay series.
I’m so happy for Camilla to have a story. This is such a beautiful story and told with so much heart. We know of some of Camilla’s past through Edward’s story, but being told from Camilla, and shown the scars of her past and feeling how much pain she continues to carry, was greatly emotional. Hendrix is wonderful, patient, and fills her with light. They are beautiful together. Slash is powerful, raw, and filled with emotion.
“I need you to know that I’m here.” “Afraid because of how much I want you. Willing to wait for any scrap of you that you’re able to give. If this is all I get, if this is all I ever get, it will still have been worth it.”
What a devastating life Camilla Fastbender has lead. From childhood to adulthood. She still struggles daily with being happy and adheres to a bad habit of having meaningless sex. Until one night she meets another photographer at a seminar and they just click. She indulges in her bad habit with him, but over 7 months later, she still hasn’t forgotten their chemistry inside and out of the bedroom. Then bam! He’s signed up for her photography class and she can’t help all these hopeful feelings she’s having. She can’t trust that anything good will ever be available to her so she fights at every turn. But he’s patient. And even though it’s a short story, it’s powerful in its meaning and discovery. A perfect addition to the Slay series!
Finally, Camilla gets her HEA. If you are familiar with the Slay series, you know Camilla’s background. (She is a side character.. sister of the Hero.) She’s had a rough life, starting when her parents died when she was a child forcing her into a foster home, all the way up until she’s in her thirties and ‘struggling’ as a single parent (though her struggles are more of the mental variety verses a money thing.) She is somewhat an introvert who lacks the self-confidence to allow herself to shine bright. Enter the handsome photographer she previous met one time several months prior, and now he’s pushing himself back into her world. While the attraction is there, she is afraid to move forward after everything that has happened in her past. He is a patient man though and willing to let her go at her own speed. He is a good man who is willing to do what it takes to get the person he wants. If you have read the Slay series, you will enjoy this book as much as those, but if you have not, this is a nice peek at what you can look forward to in that series. It’s a short (about 100 pages or so,) read that will give you a little taste. Though, this book, while it does have some of the steam this author is known for, it is a little tamed down in comparison. It does have a heavier subject matter, and if you are new to the series, you don’t find out all the secrets until near the end. There is mention of domestic abuse, that may be a trigger for some sensitive readers. It’s written from her POV only. It’s a well written story. It does have a slow build up, despite the two already ‘knowing’ each other (if only for the one night.) There is a darkness to it and a bit of sadness, as she goes through her inner dialog. Due to the subject matter, and the sexual content, this is suitable for mature readers.
This bittersweet, often poignant, ultimately hopeful novella will stir your heart and your loins in equal measure.
You met Camilla in Laurelin Paige’s Slay quartet. She’s Edward Fasbender’s younger sister, and while clues were dropped, she remains an enigma at the end of the fourth book, Slay: Rising. (Read those books if you haven’t, by the way. They are GLORIOUS.)
Now you get to know her better, and she is worth the wait. Her story is quite internal as Camilla walks you through her scars and agonies. She faces a decision regarding a love from her past who wants to be her present, but it is not a choice she can make easily. She must confront her reluctance, its hows and whys, and her path makes for a sometimes wistful, sometimes reluctant, always clear-eyed examination.
This is a Laurelin Paige book, so you will be treated to some delicious sexy times. But those aren’t the point here. Slash is just that: it’s the excising of a painful past to clear the infection, making way for healing and happiness.
The only problem with this book is that I want more Camilla. She feels like a friend I’d gotten accustomed to meeting for drinks but now has to move away. I miss her.
Camilla Fasbender has not had an easy life and has the scars inside and out to show for it. The scars are something she hides, not letting anyone close enough to see. She lives her life on the other side of the camera, the one behind the lens so others can’t see the broken person she is. That is, until Hendrix Reid, a man she spent a night with seven months ago who re-enters her life unexpectedly.
Hendrix never forgot Camilla. He enrolls in her photography class, hoping for more. After all of the years of abuse in her past, can he be the person who gives her the freedom to love not only him but herself and trust again, or are her scars too painful to ever let anyone in.
This story tells the tale of Edward Fasbender’s sister. While it doesn’t totally explain the complexities of things that have happened throughout her childhood and the first part of her adult life, it tells enough of the story to give the reader the reasons for how she became the person she is and is still fighting to accept that she is deserving of love.
More background on Camilla can be found in the Slay series by Laurelin Paige, which story is amazing in and of itself.
I was hoping we’d get more of Camilla Fasbender’s story when I was reading the Slay series, so I was very happy to discover Laurelin Paige was writing Slash.
You know a novella has hit it out of the park when you feel like you got a full story and still want more, and Slash does just that. It still delivers on the smart, sexy romance I’ve come to expect from this author, but it also gives so much more. So. Much. More.
Paige packs a punch with this novella and in how she characterizes Camilla; the writing, sheer storytelling ability, and the care and respect with which she approaches the subject matter makes it worthy of all the stars. Laurelin Paige focuses the lens on Camilla’s story and how she deals with her trauma, and while I personally could not relate to what she went through, good God, did I feel for her. I felt privy to her experience in a way I haven’t felt in a long time with a book, and I connected with her story and felt every painful, anxiety-ridden, and heartbreakingly hopeful moment through her eyes.
The perfect foil for Slash’s incredibly strong yet fragile heroine is the hero, Hendrix Reid. He’s unbelievably patient, understanding, and respectful of Camilla’s needs and background, and I felt like my heart was clutched tightly in a fist whenever he’d show all this through his actions. His gentle persistence and desire to know and love her were swoonworthy, and I felt they balanced one another perfectly.
This is a beautiful story, and Paige’s talent shines in a whole new way with this one; I feel very privileged for having the chance to read it.
This is a 1001 Dark Nights novella, so while you don’t have to read the Slay series to enjoy Slash, I highly recommend doing so because getting to know the other characters in this universe will only add more context and richness to the overall story.
We have seen glimpses of Camilla Fasbender from the Slay series. She was a single Mom who had overcame some major points in her life.
SLASH was the story of a strong young woman.. a survivor!
I think that Hendrix is a perfect match for Camilla. His persistent was soooo great and I love a guy who doesnt quit easily 😉
Sexy enthralling story … a love story that I want to explore for more..
This was a yummy teaser for sure 🙂
I’m so glad Camilla found happiness and peace. Hendrix is kindness he accepts her as she is and helps silence the voices in her head. She is worthy of a HEA and he’s perfect for her. He’s sees in her the beauty she cannot see herself but he helps her see and accept.
I have always been curious of Camilla’s story and this doesn’t disappoint, even though it’s just a short one. Camilla is just one strong woman after what she’s been through. Life hasn’t been fair to her and she’s definitely not looking for another go at relationships. But who couldn’t resist Hendrix though? He showed her worth and that he’s there for her. It was such a slow burn, but it’s so good. Their chemistry couldn’t be denied anymore. I’m so glad that she got her own HEA finally
This story is short, but it packs a punch. Slash wasted no time endearing me to its characters and pulling me into the plot. I enjoyed this taste of Laurelin Paige’s writing style, and I want to read more.
The characters in Slash are interesting and have depth. I could relate to Camilla. She is trying to seem like she has it all together, but on the inside, she is treading water. I would have liked more from Hendrix, but being a novella length a duel POV just wasn’t feasible. His patience was never ending and his straightforward nature refreshing to read. Hendrix endeavours to prove to Camilla that those who have been burnt in the past, deserve the sweetest love the most the next time around.
The storyline is fast-paced. There is a lot of emotion and tension-packed into this novella. I like the photography tidbits that start each chapter, they relate to what is happening in the story and tie the whole thing together.
Slash is a short story that had the feel of a full novel. It had me hooked from the start. It was well worth the read.
We heard some of Camilla’s story eyes in the Slay Series though it is from Edward’s POV so it’s nice to get her POV. She came off as a total B in the Slay Series but you get this whole other side of her in Slash. Camilla and Hendrix have a hot night together 7 months ago and Camilla still thinks of him and how she snuck out before he woke. He shows up in her photography class and throws her for a loop. I love how Hendrix broke down every single one of her walls. There is a lot of depth in this quick read.
Falling in love isn’t an easy thing when you don’t love yourself. Pain from her past has prevented her from moving forward. When the only man that has ever stirred something in her comes back to her, in a class that she teaches as a student. Fear for the one thing she has ever wanted comes in full throttle, blurring lines she has constructed to protect and shield her.
Hendrix has come looking for the one he let get away. The one person that he can not forget.
This book is different, it is passionate and their romance is steamy. What makes it different is romance she first has to have with herself. A love of who she sees in the mirror. A love of the person she tries to hide fro the world, scars and all. Hendrix sees all of her and shows her how to love not only him but herself as well.
A unique romance that shows more!
I loved Camilla’s story. We get glimpses of her in other books but to hear her voice is nice. I loved how the story and the writing style revolves around photography. It put a nice spin on it and helps it stick out as unique.
A short yet highly entertaining journey filled with intriguing and engaging charters, witty dialog, heart racing twists and exciting turns. Great reading
Slash was such a powerfully emotional read. Camilla’s story turned out to be nothing like I expected it to be. But as beautiful as I hoped it would be. I was always intrigued by her character in Slay. I wont lie at times I had mixed feelings while reading this story. The beginning was okay and a bit slow for me but the ending was absolutely perfection. It does contain deep subject matter but I felt the author handled everything about this complex story artfully. It was messy, complicated, and intense. And HELLO epic slow burn! Camilla and Hendrix had some of the most amazing chemistry. I was rooting for them from the start. You could feel their connection through your kindle pages. I was sad to see these characters story end. I felt like things was just heating up and it was over. But that’s just me being greedy for more words I suppose. Overall I must say bravo to author Laurelin Paige for delivering us a perfectly imperfect novella. With characters and a storyline that haunt your mind long after the pages of the story ends.
*4&1/2 STARS*
Well earned for this emotionally charged read. If you are needing a quick but not short on the feels read then I highly recommend Slash.