Max Bennett is worse than the devil.At least you know Satan is going to eat you alive.With Max, he’ll make you beg for it first.Make you think he’s doing you a favor as he rips your heart right out of your chest.Addison London is payment for a job gone wrong.Her life was never her own.Born into crime and raised by monsters, she thinks she knows what she’s getting into with Max.But Max is a master … she’s getting into with Max.
But Max is a master at mind games. A crime boss without conscience, he enjoys playing with his prey.
And Addison never could pass up a deal with the devil.
Their ensuing relationship is unorthodox at best, downright dangerous at worst.
Max doesn’t bend.
Addison refuses to break.
But someone’s going to take it too far. And in a world like theirs, they were already doomed from the start.
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“She thinks I’m a monster. I wonder if she knows, though, that that’s exactly what I’ve always wanted to be.”
In Unorthodox, K.V. Rose brings us her darkest work yet. This isn’t a new concept, in fact there’s a whole genre for it. What none of them have going for them however is Max Bennett. I cannot stress enough, this is NOT a redemption story. This is hardly, and questionably at that, a love story. Depending on your freak level, it’s still as sexy as you can stand… This book takes “dark” to a whole new level. And holy bejeezus if that isn’t refreshing as h*ll!!
“A submissive playacting and a slave broken don’t take long to become the same thing.”
And so begins the first part of Max and Addison’s battle of wills. For wholly despicable reasons, Addison finds herself within the home of Max Bennett. Each engages on the journey to the core of “self” and how that identity came to be.
From princess to slave in training, she finds that there are things she holds closer than dignity or vanity. Or even control.
From unflappable businessman to enraptured beast, he discovers the terror of reawakening his emotional center. Both for himself and everyone in a 100 mile radius. At the risk of total loss of control.
Are the secrets we hold so close, the lies we tell ourselves and the obsessions we depend so completely upon, enough to hold us together when it all comes crashing down?
In this viciously intense and violently raw look at two souls locked in a battle of self preservation, you just might start to ask yourself the same. For THAT is the powerhouse of K.V. Rose. I’m curious to see how she tops this masterful psychological thriller (with a side of deranged 451° steam.)
This book leaves a very simple reminder for all: delicious can be deceptive.
“I can’t see my face anymore, the cracks and shattered edges distorting far too much to show a true reflection. Or maybe that is my reflection now.
Ruination.”
Sweet holy titfire…
This author has been my favorite discovery of 2020. There is a level of depravity juxtaposed with morality that continues to blow my mind with her stories. Even though the deviance of the characters is intense, it isn’t just black or white in regards to why they do the things that they do. This book was a perfect example of that.
I don’t even need to warn about the trigger events in this story. If someone is a fan of this author then they already know what she is capable of writing. If they are new to her, then heed the warnings she gives because I will be pretty angry if some pearl-clutcher reads this anyway and then leaves a bad review. This author pours her blood, sweat, and tears into creating a book that leaves her audience teetering on the precipice of shark-infested waters and it shows how insanely talented she is with her craft. She makes her audience feel uncomfortable all the while that she makes them keep turning the pages. That takes skill. Something, that she has in spades.
Max is the type of character that makes me read dark romance in the first place. He is dynamic and multi-faceted. Just because he could be likened to Satan or a sociopath doesn’t mean that is all he is. and truth be told, he does have feelings and moments of remorse or reflection which is something that a sociopath would not. The many dimensions to his character are insane. I find myself wanting to climb in his head so I can make sense of the how and why’s of what makes him tick. How does he process it and or compartmentalize it? Addison, sweet lord, the things that this girl has been through but yet still perseveres. There must be something to the way that she manages to filter her thoughts into boxes that doesn’t permit it from making her broken. This is all she has known, which is both sad and helpful, in her current predicament and the one she shared with Max.
I loved seeing a guest-appearance by another character that I really am drawn too as this person helps Max at a whopper of a cliffhanger. I wasn’t expecting the twist of who it was. I can only imagine what Addison is going through and can only hope that her box compartmentalizing skills are on the top of her game because I feel like she is definitely going to need them.
I need part two like I need air. Highly recommend to anyone that loves dark, twisty, deviant, and depraved.
Okay so I think K.V. Rose is my dark romance unicorn. I’ve been working my way through her backlist and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m obsessed with her dark, twisted stories.
Unorthodox was not what I expected but in a good way. K.V. WARNED consistently about Max so I didn’t have hopes for a redeemable hero and he is bad. Mean, murdery, cold. But also hurt, scared, damaged. I found myself hurting SO much for him. I also found myself falling for him. He’s hot and unapologetically himself and I dig it. That might make me crazy, but whatever. I accept it.
She thinks I’m a monster. I wonder if she knows, though, that that’s exactly what I’ve always wanted to be.
I also looooove Addison. At first I was unsure. When I started the book I really felt like I wasn’t going to like her, but that quickly changed. She’s a fighter. Her whole life sucks. She can’t change the life she was born into. She doesn’t love the life she has, but she took it. She handled it with epic strength and I admire her. Because I would break.
Max Bennett acts as if the world should be grateful he exists in it, and the world, in turn, bows at his feet. I’m fucking sick of bowing at the feet of men.
While reading I was nervous, angry, sad. Repeat. But I definitely didn’t expect to feel so much heart tugging sensations while reading. I connected so well to both characters. Felt their pain, their longing, their fear and anger.
I can’t wait for book two!
TW: All of them.. seriously. This book is DARK. Dark is subjective and I have zero triggers, but this is a book that will be triggering for some, so just know that before diving in!
***WARNING…If you’re looking for a story about a white knight sweeping his lady love off her feet this is not the one. This book may have triggers for some readers, it deals with very dark content. So if this is the first book you read of KV Rose’s take caution.***
Unorthodox is an age gap, very dark mafia story and it’s part of a duet. It does have a cliffhanger, but all of KV’s books are worth the wait, so don’t let it stop you from reading it. The story is a deliciously hardcore read that leaves you wondering about your own sanity. KV always has a way to make you love a bad boy, and they are always doing some questionable things, but this one is a whole new ballgame.
I’m not going to go too deep into the characters because you need to read it. Max and Addison are both manipulative and there is no price too high. Whatever they can do to survive the world they live in and get what they want.
I couldn’t put this book down. KV takes you down on a dark deep road and keeps you hostage for a few hours. She captures you with a turmoil of emotions. Her characters are well developed in depth and the supporting characters like always are just as significant as her leads. The plot was original, and this one out of all her books was the cherry on top of the twisted sadistic pie and I devoured it. If you ask me KV Rose is a new genre all on her own.
This book turned me to mush. I love this so much I didn’t mention that this has triggers galore. If you can’t stomach the thought of sex trafficking, child abuse, drugs, and some real iffy consent, this is going to be a hard pass for you.The writing makes the characters come to life right in front of you. K.V. makes you feel what her people are feeling. You are not only in their lives with them, you are in their Minds and Hearts with them. Their passion is yours, their pain makes you bleed, the tragedy and misery in their honesty makes you writhe in unforgiving angst beside them. The mental/emotional workover you will go through will have you anchored and literally putting the book down just so you can breathe for a minute. The strength and fragility of these two is so palpable and intoxicating it will have you wondering what else you can get your hands on from K. V. She is truly addicting. Love you K.V., cannot wait for Boy of Ruin <3
I received an ARC of this on behalf of the author and Books and Moods.
This was my first K.V. Rose book and if this is anything to go by, it for sure won’t be the last.
This was WILD. Dark as all get out and I’m desperate for more. I need it. This book is effed up in too many ways to even list but it’s done in such an absorbing way that you’re gripping you kindle with one hand and the edge of your seat with the other. If you know her writing, then you know. and if you didn’t, like I didn’t then you really should get to know.
Goodness gracious…what is this dark, twisted, amazing book I just read!!
This book is not for the faint of heart. When KV Rose says it’s super dark, she means it! But if you are a fan of dark romance, this book is freaking amazing!
Max and Addison blew me away. The characters were so raw, vulnerable, and broken. Having been dealt horrible hands in life, and by people they should have been able to trust and who should have loved them. They were beaten down and made to feel small and insignificant. But despite everything, they both held on to an inkling of humanity. Addison held on to hope for something better, wanting to believe there was good in others, even Max. And Max, though he is dark and sinister, believing he doesn’t have a heart, he found something could still beat in his chest with Addison.
This story was pure twisted perfection! KV Rose twisted a tale of the darkness that lingers behind closed doors. The darkness that hides in the underbelly of our world. But she also showed the raw vulnerability of characters like Addison and Max, and how despite everything there is still an inkling if light that remains.
This book was absolutely phenomenal! It will have you at the edge of your seat. It will make you second guess everything you think you know. And the ending will have you begging for more.
“It takes f*****g guts to find peaceful moments with someone who holds your life in their hands. It’s not for the faint of heart, looking for comfort in your own personal demons.”
First, let me start by saying age gaps are not what I usually read but this one did not focus on the age gap, it was only briefly written. So don’t skip it if that’s your not reason, I swear it’s worth it.
This book was fantastic! It gave me whiplash, I felt a lot of emotions reading it and I swung back and forth between Hating max and loving him. As well as hating and loving Addison. Hearing it they’re background stories and Sing them change and develop throughout the book was amazing. Addison is very brave for the situation that she is in but she can also be stupid. There were times I wanted to Hit her and the times I wanted to hug her. She never gave up she is a fighter.Max is the ultimate bad guy.And I should hate him but I loved him. He’s the ultimate bad guy but he’s so good at it and it doesn’t hurt he’s hott. He’s got the tortured past and the violent present. He has a lot.on the line that he’s not willing to lose too.
There is a lot of action and violence in this book. In my opinion, it made it that much better. it lets you see what their life is like with the lives they lead instead of them just talking about it. KV went deep with this one and really dove in. I loved the details and the attention she paid to everything even side characters. She let us get to know them and why they were there. She gave us insight to Max and why he became the devil he is.
This book definitely ripped my heart out at moments and I cried !pre than once which is hard for a book to make me do but KV manages to do that which why she’s my favorite. This is definitely a new favorite book for me and I’ll definite my read it again. If you like drug lords, bad men, violence, and steamy scenes that may or may not make you squirm then definitely pick this bad boy up.
*ARC provided for honest review*
Unorthodox is the first book in the Sick Love duet and that name is fitting, because there really is some sick love between Max and Addison. K.V. Rose warns you at the beginning of this book that it is full of triggers, and she’s not joking. This story deals with sex trafficking, child abuse, murder, rape…it has it all, some scenes are a little graphic and others not so much. But be warned if those are triggers for you.
As for me, I know that I should probably hate Max Bennett but I just can’t. He kidnaps Addison as payment for a debt and plans to sell her. He is abusive and manipulative, and admits that he is a monster. At the same time though, he is so broken. He may be a monster but he was made one by the horrific things that were done to him. He has the scars to prove it. What he doesn’t count on is Addison being a fighter. She stands up to him and fights back, and at the same time, she begins to care for Max as he begins to care for her.
Some parts of this book are difficult to read, but this story…it is full of twists and turns, suspense and heartbreak. I can’t wait to see what happens in book #2.
Dark MF romance
Unorthodox is the first book of a MF dark romance duet. If you have any triggers, it’s best to skip this one because it ticks a few boxes (dubious consent, kidnapping, gore, and corrupt morals, etc.) But hey! That’s why some of us like to read it.
It’s written using dual POV, so we get to stare into the abyss and feel the weight of that stare all throughout the book. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but don’t let that stop you because everything leading up to it makes this worth the wait. One tidbit is an overlap with one of the best dark romance series which I absolutely love by way of name dropping one of the male characters that you either hate to love, love to hate, or just flat out want more of no matter what level of depravity he brings.
Without giving away spoilers, let’s just saw this book centers around two people who either the best thing to happen to each other or the worst. What is most obvious is the lengths Max is going to have to go through to find Addison.
Unorthodox is well written and has the kind of pacing and drama that keep you turning the pages… all the while, your house could be on fire and you could tune it out (thankfully that was just my daughter trying to unsuccessfully make garlic bread).
I recommend this to lovers of the dark romance genre. I am providing an honest review after receiving an ARC of this book. Do yourself a favor and add it to your TBR.
I DEVOURED THIS! No sleep for this girl, hell no! I read this like my life depended on it!
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Intense, angsty, gripping, gritty, heart stopping and so dark you feel you are being sucked into a black hole!
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This is a dark romance and for me even that feels too tame as a description. If you have triggers it’s best to seriously consider reading this because there’s no area in which this book doesn’t touch. Well I’m sure there are but you are so immersed in darkness it doesn’t matter.
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K.V in my opinion is the best at what she does! You want a dark romance? K.V is your best bet. Hands down have not read anything in the genre that comes close to this level and I honestly jump at any and ALL of her work. The complexities and depth she portrays as seen in this book is compelling, captivating and enthralling. So much layers and a plot that develops and flows so smoothly throughout. So thick and heavy there’s not a minute you don’t want to miss. Such strong and well thought out characters. You either love to hate, hate to love, straight hate or love them so much. They definitely leave an impression regardless of your feelings for them and will stick with you for a long time after. Max, he feels like a dirty guilty pleasure almost or is it just me? Getting to the core of him is a ride I won’t forget. And I can’t wait for the second book!
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This world will stick with me for some time I can guarantee that! You see this kind of thing on tv but it doesn’t have you deep in it quiet like this book. The vivid imagery, the authentic emotions is wrings out of you it’s truly spellbounding. I feel I need to bathe in holy water after this book, but regardless I’d subject myself to it time and again!
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I absolutely love K.V Rose and the worlds she brings us. No matter how dark she goes I’m living for it. The sense of danger gets your heart pumping, adrenaline flowing, hands trembling, it’s definitely an experience every time and this was definitely one!
I am telling you now, no matter how prepared you think you are, you are not ready for Daddy Max
“Max Bennett is worse than the devil. At least you know Satan is going to eat you alive. With Max, he’ll make you beg for it first. Make you think he’s doing you a favor as he rips your heart right out of your chest.”
And he did, he ripped my heart out over and over during this book, I loved him, I hated him, he’s certainly an anti-hero that’s for sure
And Addison, you can’t help but adore her, she’s been through so much hurt and pain and yet she is still able to fight and see the goodness in other people. You go through every emotion alongside her
When you think you know what’s going on and what’s going to happen another curve ball is thrown in and you’re thrown totally off kilter, there were twists and turns right up to the very end, and omg don’t even get me started on that epilogue
Sooo many times during this book my chills had chills and my goosebumps had goosebumps, I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again KV is a literary genius she fucks with our minds in the BEST way
I’m not going to lie, some of this was uncomfortable to read, I went through every emotion and I full on ugly cried
If you don’t like dark reads heed the warning – this is NOT for you
I received an ARC and this is my honest review – if you like Dark and Dangerous add this to your TBR you will NOT be disappointed
I. Was. Not. Ready!
Daddy Max is everything you want in a dark, depraved, unhinged MC. He rivals Lucifer from Unsainted in my dark little heart.
Addy has been dealt a bum hand from this deck of cards and she’s trying to do the best she can.
KV has really gone above and beyond to really give her readers what they want which is more darkness, more depravity, more everything.
KV poured her blood (blood sacrifices from her readers), sweat, and tears into this book and it shines through in every page you consume.
Read it. Do no hesitate unless you have triggers, if you have triggers this is not the book for you.
One of the things I have learned quickly about author KV Rose is that she doesn’t just write dark romance. In Unorthodox she delved deep into the darkest corners of depravity and definitely tested limits and pushed boundaries. I devoured every wickedly delicious word of it. From the very beginning I was completely captivated by Max and instantly intrigued. It quickly progressed from intrigued to full blown OBSESSED with Daddy Max! There is so much more to that man then he let’s on and I ate up every time we got to see the man behind the mask. Addison is my hero, she is so brave and fierce. She is a fighter and a survivor and that’s one of my favorite things about her. Max and Addison’s relationship is volatile and tumultuous at best, but their chemistry scorched my kindle. These two took me on an emotional roller coaster my heart still hasn’t recovered from. This was one of the best dark romances I have read in a long time.
I LOVE Addison! I absolutely adore her poor tortured soul. Sometimes you get a new book and you KNOW you should hate the bad guys. You KNOW that what is going on is wrong, but sometimes you just can’t do that.
That’s exactly how I feel about this book! Unorthodox is dark, brutal, unforgiving…. yet, it’s absolutely everything I didn’t know I needed.
Max, oh Max… you asshole, I love you! I don’t want to but I do.
Book 1 and I can’t wait to see what happens. I got absolutely no sleep with this book! When I say I couldn’t put it down I mean it, literally!!!! I went to keep writing about how good this book is but I feel like no one will truly understand or appreciate it until you open up you mind to Max and Addy! Enjoy guys.
Holy hell, ever since I started seeing the teasers for this book, I instantly knew I had to have it in my hands. Give me all the dark you can possibly write in a book and I’ll read it because I know I will absolutely freaking love it.
I don’t even know how to even write my review because I am still reeling and trying to find my balance from what I just read.
Max and Addison, boy as screwed up as they both were, they were definitely like a pea in a pod. I loved how they degraded each other and they had that love/hate relationship. They both went through some f*cked up shit growing up and they certainly had that bond together.
This book was just so damn good, at times it was hard to breathe because I was so consumed with Max and Addy. It’s been a while since I read such a dark, dark romance book that had my attention from beginning to end in one sitting.
I don’t even know where to begin with Unorthodox but KV Rose never ceases to amaze me with her brilliant writing! This book was dark, gritty, bloody, and maybe to some, a little cringe worthy, but holy hell I loved it so much. I may have questioned my morals a bit, but that quickly went out the window as I got sucked more into the story! I couldn’t get enough of Max and Addison, the most imperfect perfect couple!
If dark and triggers is not for you, start with a lighter KV Rose book and move your way up to Unorthodox because it definitely needs to be read!
Unorthodox was one of my most unticipated books for quite some time and I definitely wasn’t disappointed. I have to say that this book both was and wasn’t what I expected. While I did get a brutal, triggering and twisted story full of violence and darkness, it was also so much more. Unorthodox bleeds with raw emotion. It made me tear up quite a few times, sometimes, in the most unexpected of places. Addison and Max are both complicated broken characters. They both come from monsters and yet they survive in very different ways. I was expecting Max to be an unapologetic villain with no redeeming qualities. I knew that K.V. Rose was going to make me fall in love with him regradless. But as his layers get pealed back and we see the boy beneath the man, lines between villain and victim get blurred quite easily. I adored Max, both his cruel and manipulative side as well as glimpses of him at his most vulnerable. Addison is a true fighter and surviver. This girl goes through so much trauma and yet manages to retain her humanity. She is the perfect counterpart for Max – strong enough to withstand him and vulnerable enough to let him in. There are so many twists and tuns that I didn’t see coming and a very surpising cameo. The book and on a cliffy and I can’t wait for book two!