He told me I was his muse. He lied. Anton Sachov, the artist, the man who only sees in monochrome. He wants something from me. Something precious; the meadow green of my eyes, the rich mahogany of my hair, the creamy white of my skin, the stark red of my blood, even the darkness of my soul. And he will do anything to get them.Including the unthinkable, locking me away.Join Rose and the men of … away.
Join Rose and the men of Browlace Manor in the second book of the Finding Their Muse trilogy and sink further into this dark, gothic tale of guilt, desire, despair, and redemption.
This is a reverse harem romance for 18+ readers.
Warning: This is a dark story that contains drug abuse, mental health issues and other topics that may be triggering. Read at your own discretion
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*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Bea has created one fantastically dark reverse harem novel with this one!! After working things out with Ivan and healing some of his demons Rose feels herself drawn towards Anton. Anton has a even darker past then one would think but when you put him together with Rose some incredible things start happening between the two of them. This may be tough for some to read as it does handle some really difficult issues but it so worth the journey by the end. Fantastic read written in a very respectful manner. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
Steps blew my mind, but Strokes broke my heart. Bea Paige continues to amaze me with this series. I am not usually drawn to the darker romance books, but this series continues to draw me into its web. The writing is strong, the characters are fantastic, and the story draws you in and will not let you go. Anton and Rose are so broken in so many ways. Anton with his inability to see color and his drug use, and Rose with her illness and the ghosts of her past. Though some of her ghosts are revealed, and they will leave you mad and broken hearted at the same time, Rose is able to use the revelation of her past to connect with Anton on a deeper level. I love, love how she responds to him. Though there is a brief scene with Ivan (holy hotness with that scene), and another brief one with Erik, the majority of the focus of the book is on Rose and Anton. I love this because I wasn’t really sure if I liked Anton when reading Steps, but now I have grown to love him in his own way. Rose and Anton are able to accept the darkness that exists in both of them and are able to grow and in part “heal” each other. For some, the events in the book might be triggers, as it deals with such topics as physical, mental and drug abuse, but having had experience in my professional life with all of these, I was able to use that insight to connect with the characters on a deeper level. For this, I loved this book. I know that Bea Paige is going to break my heart with Erik’s story in Strings, but I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
***This is a Dark RH and there could be triggers for some people***Devastatingly beautiful! Steps was amazing and to have the author be able to follow that with an even more intense yet spectacular book 2 truly shows how talented she is. Anton is an artist. All he wants is to see color. How painstakingly beautiful it is to see Rose help him begin to heal. The author never fails to leave you wanting more. I for one cannot wait to see where Rose’s story leads. Can she truly be the one to save them all?!?
Perfectly imperfect perfection. I’m more than book hungover, I am gutted and want more. Every word choice, every description, every action, every trial, and every tribulation were executed with the precision of a writing genius. These characters. Oh my, these characters. Anton is every heartbreak mixed with beauty. And Rose, she is strength laced with unwilling vulnerability. I’m still envisioning so much in my head. I am addicted to this story, to these characters, and to the magnificence of Bea Pagies’s words. I cannot recommend highly enough. I’ve read more than once and will read again.
No spoilers of any kind included.
Strokes was a emotional roller coaster ride but it was a amazing ride.
Like the first book in this series this book pulls you in and will not release you until you get to the very end of the story where you are left wanting and needing more.
I loved this book and I am impatiently waiting for more in this series.
So it’s going to be a big HECK YEAH I most definitely do recommend this book but if you haven’t read the book before this one then I highly suggest that you do so you’ll know what’s happening and who’s who.
Where do I begin for a solid recommendation of this book? It’s the story of a woman, struggling with her own pain and darkness, who leads the men in her life out of their own forms of shadow so that all of them can stand in the light.
It’s honestly sublime; it’s so well written, the characters are fascinating and the story is unique. This author has the ability to weave tapestries of light that start out as a pinprick in the darkness and then expand, grow and shine, illuminating the shadows hidden in the soul. And I’m not exaggerating here; not at all. You must read these books (Steps first, then Strokes and soon to be Strings Followed by Symphony) in order to understand what I’m talking about here. Please do; you won’t be at all disappointed. Highly recommended read.
Beautiful Intense Darkness are the main things I have to say about Anton and Rose’s story. All of the emotions all set in technicolor ending with the freeing beauty of black. Getting to learn each of the character’s stories throughout each book has been both eye opening, heart breaking, intensely emotional and freeing all at the same time. I fell in love with these characters and their inner demons in Steps and now in Strokes the fascination with each of their stories of darkness,pain,guilt and anger and then finally salvation in their own ways so far is just growing with each book. These books are beautifully written, gut wrenching in its reality and the detail throughout paints their stories so well it is like you are there with them for every intense minute. I can not wait for Strings. This series has to be my favorite from Bea Paige and I can only imagine how epic Strings is going to be.
Wow – Rose and Anton are a match made in darkness. I couldn’t put this book down. I’m not really sure that I like Anton at the end of this story, but I do understand him and what Rose and he give each other. We learn more about Rose and the darkness in her, also. I like how honest they are with each other and also how they challenge each other. I do know that I dislike Mrs. Henley even more. The story does end with a bit of a cliffhanger. I can’t wait to see Erik and Rose’s relationship develop more in the next book.
“…Black is disappointment, it’s the harsh reality of a life unfulfilled…It’s the darkness that burns inside your chest. It’s the death and destruction. It’s the loneliness and nightmares…”
Anton, Anton, Anton. *Sigh* Is it possible to have your heart bleeds over a fictional character? Because mine is. This book is so intense. There is no other way to describe it. Just like Rose with Anton, I find it hard to breathe over some scenes in the story. It is angsty, gritty, grips-you-by-the-throat, leaves-you-breathless kind of story and still you will come up wanting for more. More of Anton. I loved how the author stick to reality over Anton’s acceptance of his situation. I agree that his can’t be resolved instantly. Please, can I have Erik’s story now?
Ugh I’m not surprised that Strokes was as amazing as Step but goodness gracious! I feel like I got so much more information but at the same time I feel like a whole other level of mystery and questions was unraveled. I wasn’t sure the direction that Rose and Anton’s relationship was going to go but just like her relationship with Ivan it was twisted, “dark” and beautiful! I love the twists and turns and darkness of this series! Well done! Great book! I can’t wait to lean more about Erik’s story!!
Absolutely wonderful continuation of Rose’s story. In this one, we get to learn more about her past and what shaped her into the person she is today as well as seeing her relationship with Anton develop as they each deal with their demons.
I’ve had the chance to read this book early. You’re going to want to preorder this and go grab book one if you haven’t. This is an incredible dark romance that goes places that made me just go oh my god…
The characters are real, flawed, and raw. I loved every second of it.
Grey. White. Read. Cerulean Blue. Black. Rose. These are the colours we find ourselves immersed in throughout Strokes
There is something that pulls on this dark and twisted heart of mine with the passing of another amazing tale told by Bea Paige in the Finding Their Muse trilogy. Unlike Steps which saw the story revolve predominantly around Ivan, Strokes takes us on the journey of discovery and growth for both Anton and Rose. This story was by far darker than the first, but no less emotional and empowering. I love that Bea Paige sectioned off this book in colours, allowing for us to understand the meaning for each shade as pertaining to the past and present of our characters.
There were moments that truly had me gasping for breath at how dark this story could get. But it wouldn’t be long before I had tears in my eyes or a smile on my face. It takes a true genius to be able to manipulate emotions quite like what we have here. I cannot wait to see what is to come for Erik’s story in Strings and only hope that Ms Hadley gets what’s coming to her.
** I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for review consideration **
The second book in the Finding Their Muse series. Holy crap this book is good! Once I started I couldn’t stop. This book picks up where the last one left off. Rose has helped Ivan with his issues and is now going to uphold her promise with helping Anton and Erik. This book focuses on Anton’s problems and Rose let’s him into her mind further than she let Ivan. Rose continues to accept her darkness and wields it like a weapon to help her men! This book does contain sexual scenes. Overall great storytelling and consistency! And since I know people hate them, I will warn that there is a little bit of a cliff hanger at the end, BUT that should lead into the next book!
Colors will never look the same… The story of Anton and Amber is unbelievable. Rose is able to share her past and Ivan learns to trust. Erik has imprisoned himself away from himself. Red, White, and Black will never be the seen the same. Steam 9/10 * Sweet 8/10 * Alt 1st POV * RH * Cliffhanger
Just FYI this is darker themed and could be triggering for some readers. Now I absolutely loved Steps, but I enjoyed Strokes so much more. The flow and character development is so real. The struggles and triumphs are exceptionally written. This isn’t an over the top HEA, but in my honest opinion there is a wonderfully believable resolution to the strife’s experienced by both Anton and Rose. We learn so much more about who Rose is alongside her adventures with the men in her story. I absolutely cannot wait for Strings to further delve into their world.
Holy F-ing Shit! This was amazing. Rose is so freakin strong, she was torn down and built back up stronger than imaginable. She uses that strength and experience to teach Anton to cope with his darkness. And their darkness together was the hottest thing I’ve read in a very long time. Bea Paige did a phenomenal job with this follow up to what was an incredible start of a series (trilogy? I’m not possessive). The characters are unbelievably intense, raw, twisted by pain and emotion. You can’t help but to fall completely in love with them and their desire to heal one another. This story is dark, twisted, edgy, filled with emotion, completely heart wrenching and I’m utterly addicted!
An intriguing cast of characters, with a story to be told. Each one is shrouded in darkness. Rose has the uncanny ability to wade through the murkiness and embrace their shadows and bring them into the light.
Anton is a talented artist, trapped in a drab and colourless world of grey, black and white. Believing colour is the missing ingredient needed to create a perfect painting. He places all his hope on Rose being the missing muse who can bring his art to life. Anton needs admiration and respect for his talent from his father. Rose believes that she can inspire Anton, but confronting her demons first is going to test her. Will the truth about Amber be too much for Rose to handle?
I am not even sure what to say about Strokes except that I devoured this book in 1 sitting. Strokes may feature a man who only sees in shades of black and white but the pages of this book are brushed with vivid colors.
My heart bled as I witnessed their struggles.
My heart wept as secrets were revealed.
My heart sang with joy as they found comfort in each other.
Strokes is dark and twisty and full of passion. This series is a must read!
Strokes is raw, it’s dark, it’s gripping. Whilst it’s Anton’s story, it’s also Rose and Rosie’s. Anton is desperate to see colours, Rose wants him to understand them. He is broken, she is broken and with Ivan away for a bit, they get their chance to connect. Definitely not a story to be missed