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
Dark and twisted is what Shantel does best and slaughter is a book full of darkness. It’s an addictive stand alone story that will have you engrossed from page one till the end. The story has that thriller feel and it’s full of cant-look-away moments. I really loved the complexity of the characters and what makes them tick. The story moves at a pace that you can follow and enjoy with ease. Another beautiful story by Shantel and highly recommended for any dark romance fan!
Dark Is An Understatement
*self-purchased on Amazon. No need of sugar daddies called promo teams*
“All those special times I spent with you, my love
They don’t mean shit compared to all your drugs
But I don’t really mind, I’ve got much more than that
Like my memories, I don’t need that.”
Pretty When You Cry – Lana Del Rey
What’s this book about? (I’m trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
Avery Decker and Presleigh Clarke shouldn’t have been it. Years later, they’re both in different phases. One thing that hasn’t changed is their hatred for each other. Lines were crossed and now, it’s payback time.
This is a heavy book. Read the trigger warnings. THIS ISN’T FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. Be cautious.
“I wait for you, babe
You don’t come through, babe
You never do, babe
That’s just what you do
Because I’m pretty when I cry.”
Pretty When You Cry – Lana Del Rey
This is my second Shantel Tessier read. I don’t know why, but I kept shying away from Slaughter. I had friends recommend it to me from early January on. I finally picked it up yesterday because I felt like I was neglecting Queen Tess Tess. And it turns out, I really did. WHAT THE FUCK did I just read, huh? I haven’t read this level of darkness in a long while. This was a terrifyingly addictive read. I was drawn to Avery and to Bunny from the get go. The things that they did and the things that happened to them… Petrifying. Heart-breaking. My first Shantel read was Code Of Silence and I remember it very well; Slaughter is NOTHING like that book. Shantel shows her versatile skills here. Dark doesn’t even begin to cover it. Messed up. STARIGHT UP INSANE.
I was thoroughly invested throughout the story. The twists kept coming. At some point, I didn’t even look at the time or the percentage that I was at. I just kept reading because the world that the author created was just immensely captivating.
I will NOT go into the whole using the pain of women as plot devices to further a man’s arc or however it is called. I’m not well-informed enough to rant about this publicly LOL (there’s nothing LOL about this book, I’m afraid). Slaughter’s lucky it caught me on a somewhat acceptable day of love and happiness.
Let’s just stick to Avery and Bunny who once used to be couple goals and in the present time of the book were found in a war of the roses of some sort. Their relationship was twisty and it had all the feels you could imagine, from deep love to unabashed loathing. They were steamy together and highly kinky (sex-addicts anonymous, what’s up?). Their chemistry was intense to say the least. I didn’t agree with boo Avery slut-shaming and kink-shaming poor Presleigh. It truly annoyed me whenever he went on a rant in his POV about those things. Presleigh AKA Bunny is a difficult girl to wrap my head around. I like her strength and her persistence. She could’ve made some better choices in her life, but honestly, after the final quarter of the book, I just need to keep these feelings to myself. Like, shame on me for not seeing this earlier. I didn’t feel sorry for her because she didn’t come across as the type to want your pity. She kept fighting and she didn’t back down from her beliefs. I’m going to leave it at that.
Avery’s side-kicks were admirable and definitely readable. Now, Shantel Tess- Tess Tessier, where’s the book of Chloe and Tristan? I felt utterly teased at the end of the story when I reached the link and there were no news about these two. There are still some things that need resolving. What’s going on there?
I recommend this read to anyone who likes their darkness dipped in hellish black, sharp and fast-paced writing, kinky lead characters and HEARTBREAK. Lots of heartbreak.
The tension and anxiousness of this book kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
Bunny was once a sweet, simple young girl in love with Avery. The future looked bright and beautiful!
Events happened, and things changed drastically. This is where the author decided to keep us guessing until almost the end. There was suspense, and a lot of stressful moments, and such dark scenes it made my toes curl. But I loved it!
This book broke me (in a good way). Dark, twisted, and completely unexpected. This puts the whole second chance romance and enemies to lovers genre up a notch and makes its own category. Avery’s hard edge (and mysterious job) and Presleigh’s don’t care attitude make their past, present, and possible future almost impossible. The hate each other now but loved each other before.
This one was crazy! Avery definitely went through challenges to find presleigh. His family was beyond screwed up. Avery was dark and Presleigh was his light. Can’t wait for chloe and Tristan’!
“I’m coming for you, Bunny. And you have no fking idea how much your life is about to change. For the worst.”
I’ve only read one other book by Shantel and it was a lighter read (but on the dark side). Well this one is about as dark and twisted as they come. It will likely make you uncomfortable many times throughout, but it is an uncomfortable thats worth it because the entire story is just as much a phenomenal read as it is a heartbreaking one.
“I want her to beg me. I want her to bleed for me. I want her to love me.”
Told in dual POV, this is book 1 in the Slaughter duet but does have a HEA ending. The journey to get there is dirty and gut wrenching, time jumping to the past to tell their story fully. It definitely needs a warning due to sensitive subjects like alcoholism, torture, M/s elements, past rape and abuse, abortion, as well as murder and violence.
“No amount of alcohol or drugs could erase my mind. Memories. They’re a sickness with no cure. And I’ve been slowly dying ever since I lost him.”
Avery grew up in a household with a father who made his fortune in the trafficking and slavery of women. He had to play his part but swore he would never follow in his fathers footsteps. He had the perfect girl, Bunny(Presleigh), and a future that looked bright. But one trip changed that….coming home to an empty room resulting in the destruction of his heart. Now, he is rich and powerful….he has everything he wants. When a call brings his past crashing to the surface, he must take the girl he hates as his slave in order to protect her. And intends to carry out his revenge while having fun with her….she no longer means anything to him—at least thats what he tells himself.
“He does it as if he owns it. And in a way, he still does. No matter how many men have been there, he always has.”
Bunny isn’t the same girl she was 11 years ago. Past traumas she refuses to share have caused her to turn to a constant stream of alcohol and meaningless sex. Thats until the boy that abandoned her without letting her explain takes her from her home with intentions of making her his slave. She hates him, she will never submit to him……no matter the spankings, the edging, being tied up, or the amazing sex. Avery isn’t the same sweet and tender boy from the past….this Avery is cold and ruthless. She knows she has to escape or she will die, there are more dangerous players in this game.
“I’m going to die. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. He sealed my fate when he took me, so begging him won’t make a difference. In order to tell him my future, I have to reveal my past, and I refuse to do it.”
But as the game gets more intense and enemies pile up, truths are revealed that shine a new light on the one event that destroyed their forever. They now have to decide if they need to fight to stay together or fight to be free of one another.
“I’m gonna slaughter them, Bunny. For you. I’m gonna put you on a fking throne and lay them at your feet for what they did to you.”
Can they overcome the past and find forever again?
There is a HEA, with a part 2 focusing on Avery’s brother Tristan and therapist Chloe.
“This woman has been through hell, and she’s gonna stand by my side as I bring hell to all of them. The devil will bow at the way I make them pay.”
Overall, this story was intense and addicting. Sure its dark and there are parts that are hard to read through, but the storyline is fascinating. There were some typos as well as some points the plot kinda dragged for a moment and for that I had to take a star off. But if you are a lover of all things dark, Shantel definitely hit the mark with this one!
“The most beautiful things are never just handed over to you wrapped up in a bow. It takes tears and sweat to get what you want. Even blood. And I’d bleed for this man. All he’d have to do is ask. ’Cause I know without a shadow of doubt that he would do the same for me.”
It’s a dark, suspenseful and intense read. I was hooked from the beginning to end with its twists and turns. The chemistry between the characters is sizzling hot. This story will take you through a roller coaster of emotions. I enjoyed the dark and intense journey.
This was another delightfully twisted story from Shantel. Like her other books there was so many moving pieces that you don’t know what the truth is until it slaps you in the face. Literally.
This is a dark and gritty read but stick with it, it’s 100% worth it.
Super hot! This was a dark romance and a must read
Avery and Presleighs’ story was unike anything I’ve ever read from Shantel.
So dark, gritty and raw! You’ll come to crave these characters more than your next meal.
Heed Averys’ warning about his story not being for the faint of heart. Slaughter is a dark, dangerous, heartfelt and hot read and I loved every second of it!
I also love this cover. So pretty in my Kindle!
I good rainy afternoon escape read. I enjoyed it because it took me to places I have never been and experiences I have never had.
Dark, intense, and wicked are a few words I’d use to describe Slaughter. There were so many twists, turns, and “Oh My GOOOOOD” moments that kept me turning the pages. Avery and Bunny have the ultimate love/hate relationship. I was so engrossed in the story and everything that happened that I didn’t realize how much time had passed until Bunny mentioned it had been a month…just…a…month!
Slaughter by Shantel Tessier was definitely a 5 star read for Me. This book is a dark read which can be full of triggers for some people.
Avery and Presleigh ( Bunny ) were very close at
One time in their life. Now here they are years later. Now they are anything but close. A lot has happened and there are a lot of questions now. Will they get answered?
This book will keep you hooked from the first page till the very end.
Shantel definitely knows how to write those dark reads that get the reader hooked.
Presleigh Clarke was in love with Avery Decker when she was 15 years old but 13 years later things have changed.
Avery Decker now hates the woman who left him and will now do what he needs to in order to keep her safe from a man named Damon who is after her. Yet, he wants to keep her safe to inflict the same amount of pain on her that she left on him by leaving.
Presleigh Clarke has tried to live her life quietly yet she has been filling the void in her life with drinking and random sex.
When Presleigh is taken by Avery she is shocked at how much Avery hates her and will do what it takes to escape him. But soon it is clear that Avery is not the only one who wants Presleigh and what will he do to keep her safe?
When secrets from the past come out will Avery have what it takes to save Presleigh once and for all?
This book was so awesome! It was dark and gritty and I never knew what was going to happen next!!
Avery was so mad and full of hate that he had never gotten over from the past. He was like a bomb about to go off and I was definitely afraid for Presleigh when he got to her. Yet a part of him still deeply cared for her although he was trying not to show it at all.
The double crossing characters in this book were huge and you never quite knew who was at play in this “game”. There were parts where my jaw hit the ground in shock and other times where I was like how could that person do that!!
I loved as the truth slowly came out and how everything changed. Avery began to change when he realized what had actually happened and his hate was directed elsewhere.
The end was awesome and I loved how Presleigh and Avery began to repair the damage that had been done and allow their hearts to take the lead!
Such an awesome read and I look forward to more from this author!
I usually am not a dark reader, but I love Shantel and I have read all of her books so this was obviously no exception.
I had no real idea of what I was getting myself into when I started this book, but for being a book out of my comfort zone I throughly enjoyed it. It goes to show that life is awful, and love is complicated. I do highly recommend this book, and I can’t wait for Tristan and Chloe’s book to find out what happens nex!!
I got sucked in deep into Avery and Presleigh’s story early on. Yet I started sputtering out around 30% as there was no end in sight to what was actually going on. I pushed through because I’ve enjoyed Shantel Tessier’s books in the past. I just couldn’t connect really well with Avery or Presleigh. It seemed to just repeat the violence against her over and over with no real reason as to why.
I really found myself wanting to like this book. I tried for days to keep coming back to it, but I just could not connect to the story at all. I can’t quite figure out why. The author’s writing is fantastic and so much about the characters are what I’m normally drawn to, but I just could not get pulled into their story.
I think this might be the first second chance romance I’ve read where the protagonist, instead of attempting to win his former love back with warmth and affection, appeared to be doing everything in his power to degrade and dehumanize her. Yet, somehow, when push came to shove, it all worked together to form an intriguing story.
Presleigh and Avery were both raised by totally deplorable and depraved fathers, partners in crimes which included the abduction, psychological destruction and sale of female slaves (kept as prisoners and trained as slaves in Avery’s father’s home dungeon). As teenagers in love, they swore to get away from the hellish conditions together. Yet, after returning from a week of checking out colleges with Presleigh’s brother, Preston, Avery is destroyed when he learns that Presleigh has unexpectedly left him.
Thirteen years later, Avery appears to have become a sadistic killer for hire and Presleigh, an alcoholic slut. Initially, I couldn’t find much to like about either of them. But after lots of flashbacks into each of their childhoods, and following their current circumstances, my perspective slowly reverted to a begrudging appreciation and respect for both of them (and of Avery’s younger brother, Tristan) and the strength it took to overcome their life experiences.
This book is dark and depraved and, for that reason, it’s hard to say that I enjoyed it. Yet, it gripped me and I couldn’t put it down. I needed to know what was going to happen next and how it was going to end. And I perversely felt very satisfied when the worst of the worst got exactly what they deserved.
If you don’t have triggers, that this book will most likely set off, it’s a book you don’t want to miss. It’s well written, the characters are fully developed and the story is insidiously mesmerizing.
OMG this book was amazing!!! I was literally sucked it! It was dark and twisted and I absolutely loved it!!! I cannot wait for Tristan and Chloe’s book to find out what happens next!!! I seriously recommend reading this book! Shantel did an amazing job with this book!
I totally devoured Slaughter. Talk about twist and turns. My head was spinning. I was on the edge of my seat the entire read. Once again the author had me guessing who did what until the very end and once it’s revealed it’s quite shocking. I loved every minute of it.
Even though I wanted to throat punch Avery several times, I also fell in love with him. How could you not. I was confused as much as Presleigh but once you understood why Avery did the things he did it started to make sense. These two go through some horrific things as kids and as adults. All the lies they we’re told is heartbreaking but what I love the most is they don’t give up and keep fighting back. Revenge is sweet!
This story had everything I love and crave in a dark read. Jump in and hold on tight. It’s one heck of a ride.
“We we’re both full of hatred that was fueled by anger. Now we’re just two people who love one another in a way that most will never understand. It’s messy. But the most beautiful things are never just handed over to you wrapped up in a bow. It takes tears and sweat to get what you want. Even blood. And I’d bleed for this man. All he’d have to do is ask. Cause I know without a shadow of doubt that he would do the same for me.”
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
Wow. That’s my first thought after reading this story. The author did amazing when it came to the dark elements of this story. I am a huge fan of dark reads and I will say this book isn’t for the faint of heart. It has murderer, rape, beatings, torture and so much more that make my body cringe at times but I loved it. It is a love story at the heart of it. Some maybe read this and think what Love, but it’s a second chance romance and being able to come to terms with who they are now as opposed to the past. I loved The dynamic that Avery and Presleigh has was a little scary, but they really did work well together. I can’t wait to see what is going to come in the next book. I have a feeling it’s going to be as good as this one. I’m giving it 4 stars because while I really enjoyed it, felt like something was missing. Maybe that will be bright out in the next book. 4 stars #2OCCJD