My name is Avery Decker, and my story isn’t for the faint of heart. It is about revenge and hatred, misery and violence. I wasn’t always this way even though it was in my blood. I grew up happy and in love with my best friend until she betrayed me and walked away. After that, I fell into the deep, dark world I was meant for. Presleigh Clarke’s actions turned me into the ruthless man I am today. … am today. Too bad for her, I believe people should pay for the things they have done. The more painful and messy, the better. I get off on making people bleed. It feeds my inner demon, and right now, he is starving. She crossed me once, so now she’ll know what it’s like to fear me. But not all stories end the way you think they will … mine certainly didn’t.
Slaughter is a dark romance
Contains disturbing scenes
*Violent sexual situations
more
What. Did. I. Just. Read? Holy. Cow.
This book is categorized as dark romance, and boy, is it dark! It deals with some effed up topics and situations. Fans of Pepper Winters Monsters in the Dark series would highly appreciate this book!
I didn’t know what I was getting into as the synopsis wasn’t very descriptive. Presleigh is a party girl who gets taken by her ex-boyfriend. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn how bad the breakup was for both of them. They exist in a world where women mean nothing though and are slaves. Literal slaves. While Avery was never like his family, or her family, this roughness does come out to play a bit after he takes her in the present time. Again, you have to enjoy dark books for this to work for you, and I do, so it did. Mainly because he didn’t care. A lot of dark books include the beating but then the aftercare. Avery is so mad and hateful of her, that he does hit her. He doesn’t care. He hits her more than just sexually. As I write this, I sound insane. And disclaimer: I don’t support any of what occured here. My point is that it was different and refreshing. He was no holds bar and in a book like this, the main character needs to be. They’re always written so they can be redeemed and for the first while, I hated Avery. Was intrigued and respected the author for bringing him past the cliche found in such dark books, but I did hate him for his actions.
Avery always had his reasons for everything done in this one though. And Pres is a fighter. I respect her so much as the main character. She is not at all weak, does not at all take any of it. Fights with every bit of strength in her, despite what happened to her in the past and through every challenge in this one caused by Avery and those caused by the others.
It’s a dark read, but it’s really the characters that make this book so good. Also, great use of secondary characters!
The thing I found most annoying about this book was the use of flashbacks. Flashbacks to the past, I get, or to the day before so we’re momentarily left in the dark about what happened. Flashbacks to twenty minutes ago…highly annoying. And they happened a lot. For example, characters fighting. End chapter. He’s in his study. Flashback to what occured while fighting. Why wasn’t that just shown to us?! A device to show that their minds are always on what is happening between them? I feel like that could easily be shown still without the flashbacks.
Overall…wow! Is all I have to say. I was addicted. It’s one that’s hard to put down after you start it.
I absolutely love Avery and Bunny. I could not get enough of them. First: this is a dark romance. There are scenes that might disturb you. But if you enjoy the darker side then this book is for you! It is not the darkest I have read, but this story has stuck with me and I could not get enough. I was fighting for Avery and Bunny through the whole story. Shantel sucked me in from the beginning and I didn’t want to let go. As hard as both Avery and Bunny fought it, they couldn’t deny they were made for each other. Their chemistry and passion lept off every page and with every word. You are able to see their history through the flashbacks and learn how these two people were to be forever bound to each other. This is one book I will always recommend!
Leave it to Shantel Tessier to bring all the darkness with Slaughter. I mean DAMNNNN!! This book is full of drama, chaos, lies and betrayals and I couldn’t get enough of it. Presleigh is no longer the same person he was when he believed in love with Bunny, but why is it at the sign of trouble for her years later he hops on a plane. Avery and Presleigh is a dark and twisted second chance story that’s a battle till the end!
These two characters are inexplicably bound together. Their pasts and presents collide in this dark and twisted tale. Their dynamic is unstoppable. They crave each other on such a deep intrinsic level, yet they fight against their body’s urges. It’s a battle of wills like I’ve never seen. I absolutely loved seeing both of their POV’s and how beautifully the story balanced memories and the present. With each page my love for them grew. I longed to solve the mysteries hidden between the lines. The plot is intricately crafted to reel you in and never let you go. The emotions are real and I was drowning in them, each word drenched with angst, heartbreak, and an all consuming passion. There was not a slow moment for me to catch my breath. They’ve carved their names on my heart and if you’re not afraid of pushing a few boundaries and enjoying the darkness then this is a book to get lost in!
5 DARK LOVE STARS!! Dark is PERFECTION to me. This book is dark, twisted and lots of OMG moments. Presleigh and Avery will take you on one heck of a ride with lots of twists & turns. Strap in so you don’t fall off it is worth the ride. Shantel Tessieris one of my favorite authors ever. READ THIS BOOK!!
When they said this book was a dark romance they weren’t kidding! Slaughter is a intoxicating twisted dark read ! The hate between these two it runs deep and it’s explosive! I LOVE everything I’ve read by this author and this book was no different! This is a definite must read especially to all my dark romance followers and to anyone who LOVES Shantel Tessier as much as I do , you won’t be disappointed! She definitely knows how to tell a story about two individuals that hate each other to the depths of hell and have them falling madly in love with each other by the end ! 5 deliciously dark stars for this one !
***I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book ***
Wow!
Why did I wait so long to read this? I wasn’t expecting the story to pull me in so much, but it was so easy to devour. I love Avery! Holy dark, scary and sexy it is a pretty dark read so if you aren’t into that, then it’s not for you. Otherwise, you need to read this because it’s so good, steamy, and full of suspense!
This book had me hooked from chapter 1! The characters and story are out of their world. I fell in love with Bunny almost immediately.
This book is definitely dark and twisted so if you have triggers it may not be for you.
I can’t believe I waited so long to read this book! What a dark and twisted bittersweet love story! Full of lies and betrayal by the people who should keep you safe and loved. The steam in this boom is off the charts! One of the best dark reads this year!
’ . . . ’ .
Presliegh lived through something horrific and drowned herself in sex, booze, and drugs to help her cope. Avery became everything he said he wouldn’t. 11 years after they ended, he’s back for her and has no problem laying down the law and doling out punishment. But what happens when everyone knows the truth about what really went down all these years ago?
Avery and Pres’ story is definitely a dark and fucked up romance. There are a lot of past issues, lies, secrets and mistakes that they don’t really deal with in the best way.
I really did enjoy the book, even though some of the things done bordered on my triggers. My only issue was that the middle kind of dragged. I felt like parts could’ve been removed and it still would’ve flowed smoothly.
*trigger warnings for sexual assault and dom consent
Okay, I want to start by saying this- this book is not for everyone. PLEASE, readers, take trigger warnings seriously. Authors aren’t dishing this out to make their work seem more salacious, they are trying to help readers make educated choices about their books. If you have triggers, particularly those related to sexual violence, slave sexual undertones, abuse, and graphic violence, this is NOT for you. Don’t blame the author if you don’t take the warning seriously- this is DARK.
If you’re still with me, then on to Slaughter. I loved Code of Silence and Dare series- both tales of secretive, dominant, alpha men and the woman trapped in their dark twisted worlds and trying to come to terms with their attraction to their brooding heroes and their particular tastes. Slaughter is of a similar appeal- although this one is definitely darker- a bit more dubious consent and some slave play, more violence in general, and we have some pretty graphic descriptions of sexual violence that are very disturbing. I like romances of all kinds, even the dark, not pretty ones- and this is definitely the latter.
Our anti-hero is Avery- the former love of our heroine, Presleigh (whom he adorably calls Bunny). As teenagers, they had a light, caring, co-dependent and innocent romance – which we’re treated to glimmers of through flashbacks. For reasons we aren’t immediately clear on, our couple dissolves – and are openly hostile about each other, even though they haven’t seen each other in over a decade. In present day, both are seem to be pretty damaged- one coping through violence and the other through drugs and meaningless sex. Bunny finds herself to be in some danger, part of a much larger game than she even recognizes, and when Avery finds out he decides to snatch her- in part to protect her, but in part to punish her- the precarious balance of the seemingly conflicted emotions being the driving force of much of our story.
At first, the book didn’t grab me- the first one half had some slow pacing, we weren’t given much information or able to figure much out (even though we know there is more to the story) and both characters seemed to be in that annoying push-pull cycle without it really moving much- the same “ I hate you but but I want you” mantra over and over again. That’s been done a lot, and here it is done well because of Shantel’s beautiful ability to help us get inside a character’s head by painting a vivid internal monologue full of emotional complexity, but it also gets frustrating to just stay in that place- and it was hindering me feeling connected to the characters. But, the book really picks up halfway through- catalytic moment after catalytic moment doesn’t just give us a glimmer insides the hearts of our characters but rips them wide open for us to examine. Backstories and subplots and mysteries start to untangle, which meant more interesting plot points, but it also meant that our characters were able to break the redundant cycle and start to connect and evolve. The second half of the book was painful, emotional, and heart wrenching but also deeply engaging and emotional. We finally wrap our heads around all the twists and turns, but most importantly, we get to see the EMOTIONAL connection of our characters come to life – the reconciliation of their past romance and with their present. And that exploration is way more fulfilling.
One thing that makes dark romances easier to swallow for me in dual POV- I need the male perspective to know there is heart, there is care, there are feelings undergirding the more dark elements of the relationship. We have that in spades here- in fact, we may even have more of Avery’s voice than Presleigh’s, which helps me see beyond the gritty, twisted darkness of the actions and into the heart of our hero- who underneath it all, is just a vulnerable, hurting, damaged man. Sometimes I have a hard time empathizing with the seemingly unforgivable treatment of a dark anti-hero, even if I’m attracted to them- here, I don’t. I truly empathize with Avery- he’s not only the perpetrator. And Bunny- poor sweet Bunny. She’s a fighter- surviving challenging situation after challenging situation, both victimized by the depravity around her while also flirting with it within her own heart.
Shantel’s a great writer- fluid prose, amazing chemistry, vivid imagery. Overall, I enjoyed this read, particularly the back half. Given that it took me a moment to really get invested and that we have some dangling loose ends that seem too easily resolved, 4 stars overall. I’m hoping for and would definitely read a sequel and/or Tristan’s story!
This is an intense, edge of your seat, gripping, dark, gritty, suspense-filled romance that will blow your mind. It is a tale of love, betrayal, revenge, hatred, and misery. There is a good amount of violence and some situations that may be triggers or disturbing to some. It is well-written, well-paced, and kept my attention from start to finish.
Avery is hard to like. He’s an alpha-hole. A jerk in the biggest sense but he is also a product of his environment which doesn’t make it better but it does make it more understandable. Eleven years later, Presleigh comes back and she is in trouble. Avery is the only one she can turn to. They were once childhood sweethearts but Presleigh left Avery behind. Now that Presleigh is back, Avery can’t forgive her that easily. He thinks that she should pay for what she’s done to him, who she’s made him become. Will the price to pay for Avery’s help be too high?
This is quite dark and twisted but I did enjoy it. Shantel is a master at writing dark romances, and this is no different. My only issue is that I wish that I would have seen Avery grovel a little more. I needed him to redeem himself a little more. Otherwise, a great read that had my heart pounding and me flipping the pages as fast as possible.
****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.****
Wow!!! I honestly don’t know what to say about this book! This was a dark romance, and second chance. It was a twisted, heavy storyline with a lot of triggers. I was hooked right from the beginning and couldn’t wait to see what happens. There was so much that was going on and unpredictable. The characters were great, Avery and Presleigh have this love-hate relationship. And talk about HOT their sex is off the charts HOT!!! Hope Tristan and Chloe get a love story!
4.5 stars
What have I read???
To say that I love the author’s books is an understatement but this book is another level of darkness and suspense and steamy romance in her true style. It’s not bad that I love a second chance romance the most and imagine my surprise when I started reading because I’m one of those people that rarely read the blurb and go blind into a favourite author story.
So if the darkness and steamy scenes are your jam, don’t hesitate to read this book.
” She’s been my anger. She’s been my love. She has been my happiness. And now she is going to be my damnation.”
I honestly can’t tell you why I’ve waited so long to read this book… and now I’m mad at myself because Slaughter was deliciously dark, full of all the twists and turns & just wonderful. Avery & Presleigh take us on this dark journey… with so many secrets; & some were just heartbreaking. ( I’d be lying if I didn’t say that some parts of this book were hard to read) BUT Slaughter although very dark had at the heart of it an unconventional and unbreakable connection between two broken people… one is angry while the other is numb and what happens when these two come back into one another’s lives well it’s simply explosive.
Slaughter is one of those books the reels you in and then makes you wonder if you really read what you thought you did. It is a DARK Mafia Romance with several twists and turns that keep you guessing as to what is really going on. Avery, the Male MC, is an anti-hero who evolves over the course of the book, sometimes makes it hard to decide how redeemable he may actually be. Bunny, his female counterpart, has so much going on, it is, at times, a struggle to root for her. Overall, Slaughter is an entertaining, gritty, intriguing, and sometimes difficult book to read, but it is also really good. 4 Stars!
If you have triggers, this book may not be for you. It’s dark and twisted. So this is your warning.
I hated Avery from the beginning. And after reading it…I still don’t like him. My heart breaks for Presleigh. She’s been through so much. I wanted to reach through the book and hug her and protect her.
I don’t have triggers but some of the book was hard to read but I still enjoyed the book. Shantel Tessier is a queen of dark. She knows how to suck you in and keep you there!
WTF!!!! YOU MUST READ THIS! I REPEAT YOU MUST READ THIS!! That’s right and I said it all in shouty capital letters. If you are looking for a dark, twisted, mind f^ck then trust me you do not need to look any further. Avery & Presleigh’s story is not one for the faint of heart. It is filled with violence, revenge, and some retribution. Remember when reading this love and hate are the two sides to the same coin. This is a dark romance where the unthinkable happens. The dark corners where evil lies come out to play in their story. When I say there are so many twist and turns I am not lying. When I say you will ride an emotional roller coaster to get to their ending I am not lying. I will say Shantel did an amazing job telling this dark story. She tested my boundaries with the things that Presleigh endures. I had to walk away a time or two just because I felt so deeply what she was feeling. Shantel does an incredible job of pulling you in and experiencing just what her characters do.
This book was a wild ride. From beginning to the middle to the end. The twists, the turns, it was all gripping, capturing me and forcing me to submit to its will.
Presleigh is surprisingly not a doormat. Frequently, in these types of books, that is what you get for a heroine, but in this case, it’s simply that she gets smacked down, every single time she tries to stand up for herself. But she does try.
Avery is a bad guy. But also, mostly, a product of his environment.
I enjoyed the darkness and the depravity of this one.
I could have done without the slut-shaming, simply bc the hero was no saint either, but it felt as though he was constantly using the heroines past against her.
Still would recommend. Tessier never disappoints.
“I want cooperation.
I want submission.
I want total dominance over her.”
This book is not for all readers. It’s extremely dark and twisted.
I enjoyed the story. I enjoyed the twisted plot. The brutal characters. The strong heroine.
I couldn’t quite connect with the characters and that kind of brought down the whole morale for me. But otherwise, if dark and twisted is your thing.. definitely check this one out.