Hello my Friends!
This theme comes from reader requests, and I had a lot of fun finding books that fit! The ask was angst-filled books that were part of a complete series. I decided to also include standalones.
As always, images and descriptions are from Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.
Want to see a specific theme post? Contact me and let me know!
Be well, and happy reading!
Paige
Dance is in my blood.
It’s what keeps me sane, out of trouble. It used to keep them out of trouble too.
A group of boys I grew up with.
Xeno, York, Zayn and Dax.
We were a crew once and we ruled the clubs.
Separate we were insanely good, together we were unbeatable. F*&ing on fire.
I was their girl and they were my Breakers.
Until they did something they promised they never would; break my heart.
We were seventeen when they left me.
You see, for kids like us, dance was all we had.
Growing up in a rundown housing estate in London with no prospects can make you view the world differently.
It can make you choose the wrong path.
I chose dance, and they chose crime.
Three years later I’ve won a scholarship to Stardom Academy. I try to forget my past.
But how can I do that when the four boys who hurt me are back?
And this time they’re following in my footsteps and joining the academy too.
**Freestyle is book one of this new gritty, contemporary reverse harem academy romance for 17+ readers and deals with adult themes and some subjects you may find upsetting. If you love dance, your men on the criminal side, alpha hot holes and the friends-to-enemies-to-lovers trope, this is for you. Contains foul language and sexual scenes and ends on a cliffhanger.**
They say family is a circle of strength.
But when mine is ripped away from me at the hands of a monster,
My strength is all that’s left.
I’ll give my last breath before they take anything else from me.
Even if I’m the one they wanted all along.
Find Silas Black.
Those were my father’s last words.
So I did.
Only, I found so much more than just a man who was prepared to help me get my revenge.
I found a tortured soul who in return gave me hope.
But I also found his broken sons.
One hates me.
One desires me.
And Silas wants to save me.
They say revenge is a dish best served cold, but If I keep getting caught up in the heat of the moment, I’ll be my own demise.
Four is a Dark Reverse Harem Romance that contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find uncomfortable, such as dub con, murder, torture, and abuse. The Black family men are rough, controlling, and a little bit crazy, but don’t worry...she puts them in their place. Enjoy!
From Book 1: After surviving foster care and a high school that breeds gang members and drug dealers I've finally found my path to freedom: emancipation and a full ride scholarship at the ultra-exclusive Hannaford Prep.
All I have to do is survive.
After attracting the wrong sort of attention from the richest boy in the country, pissing off the hottest guy in school and being humiliated in front of my favorite rock idol I am now the target of the most popular, and cruelest, group in the freshman class.
They want my blood.
They can have it.
I'm stronger than any spoilt rich kid.
But can I survive the game the Juniors have started with me as the goal? Now every boy at Hannaford wants to have me.
All except the three I want.
Ash, Harley, and Blaise don't care about the game, all they care about is destroying me.
Thoughts from Paige
The first three books from this series are on hoopla, it doesn't appear that the fourth is listed yet. The fourth is available on Audible.
One is quiet. Observant. His gaze burns my soul. His touch sears everything else.
The other is explosive and volatile.
So, I stayed out of his way.
Until I couldn’t.
The last seemed so normal.
But he had a sinful, filthy mind. Especially when he thought of me.
The Vegas mafia’s hottest men. Dangerous and demanding.
They dragged me right into their world and into their bedrooms.
I wasn’t looking for the them. They found me.
I was new to town. Just needed a job.
And now, my life’s in danger.
I could run.
But I don’t want to.
Not that I could, anyway.
They’d never let me.
#7 in the Men at Work Collection
This hot, over-the-top mafia romance includes sexy working men with a penchant for pursuing and protecting the women who give them a run for their money. If you love outrageously naughty stories as a way to indulge your not-so-secret bad girl side, this is for you.
Thoughts from Paige
Each book within this collection can be read as a standalone. I've read several of them and enjoyed them.
“Our love is so much more than a mere catastrophic occurrence.”
My name is Freya Wilson.
I am not your typical girl next door.
I’m far from it.
As my mother likes to point out since I graduated high school, I should be planning my life instead of wallowing around the house, in my pajamas all day. Girls my age are either preparing for college or taking advantage of the warm summer days that California provides in spades. She doesn’t understand why I prefer to be stuck in my room, watching the world pass by.
But there is a reason to my melancholy that she will never know.
I’m in mourning. I morn a love I can never have. A love that if anyone were to learn about its existence, I would be judged and ridiculed. Branded with names too ugly to mention. Years ago, I had made the ultimate sacrifice so no one would discover my secret.
However, now my secret is being put to the test. I will need to overcome one last obstacle.
When fate brings me to live under the same roof temptation lies, I fear I might not be strong enough to hide my feelings. The moment I set foot inside it, my life takes an unexpected turn and the vision I once had of eternal solitude, seems out of reach. The chains I have weaved around me are no match for the allurement the house next door provides.
There is no running away from love, and I was a fool to think otherwise.
This love story involves five alpha knights that will do anything to get their princess back. If you believe that love conquers all, and adore all things Reverse Harem than this book is for you.
*Bad Influence is a Contemporary Reverse Harem Romance series. Each book is a standalone novel, with all new characters and brand new love stories.
*Recommended 18+ due to mature language and situations.
Thoughts from Paige
Some reviewers have commented on the level of Angst in this book being more teen than adult. This is book one in a series of standalone, meaning you can read this and have a HEA. However if you like it there are other books available in the series.
From Book 1: I should have kept my mouth shut.
I should have let them win.
Now the kings of the school are out for my blood,
... and they’re not the only ones.
The fire took everything.
My parents. My best friend. My life.
Now I have a second chance.
I only have to endure one year at this prestigious academy for rich snobs.
One year of being the charity case no one wanted.
One year of taunts and insults and bullying. Then I’m free.
But I didn’t count on Trey, Ayaz, and Quinn.
Arrogant, privileged, dangerous.
Drop-dead gorgeous.
They want me gone.
They want me to suffer.
They’re determined to make my nightmares real.
Tough luck, bully boys – I won’t hide away.
I’m not afraid.
But maybe… I should be.
HP Lovecraft meets Cruel Intentions in book 1 of this dark paranormal reverse harem bully romance. Warning: Not for the faint of heart – this story of three broken bad boys and the girl who stood her ground contains dark themes, crazed cultists, books bound in human skin, high-school drama, swoon-worthy sex, and potential triggers.
Thoughts from Paige
This one seems to tick all the boxes. Between the reviews mentioning the heeps of angst (and loving it) and the likening to Cruel Intentions, I think we have a winner here.
From Book 1: WARNING: This book has one girl and five bad boy rockstars. She owns them all--heart, body and soul.
Don't read it unless you like to ugly cry...and also unless you like threesomes, foursomes...and moresomes.
“Can one of these five rockstars fill the hole in my heart? Or will I stay broken forever?”
Young, dumb, and broke.
That's what started everything. With five dollars in her pocket, and everything she owns stuffed in the back of her car, Lilith Goode's life is over. Done. Destroyed.
Ten words. One text. That's what it took to change the whole world.
A crumpled concert ticket. A chance encounter. That's what it takes to start all over again.
Five rockstars. One girl. Six dark hearts, six withered souls.
But can one broken person really put another back together again?
And is a cross-country tour the place to do it?
Groupie, Book #1 in the Rock-Hard Beautiful Trilogy
a New Adult Erotic Rocker Romance from International Bestselling Author C.M. Stunich
***GROUPIE is a 130,000 word novel about heartache, love, grief, and the beauty of sex. It contains rockstars, concerts, young love, deep hurt, broken pasts, group sex, one beautiful girl who falls in love with five guys and five guys who fall in love with one beautiful girl. This is a MMMFMM book with a STRONG focus on the woman (although the men aren't scared of each other's bodies) aka a reverse harem novel (one woman, five guys). It has a happy ending, NO cliff-hanger, and is the first book in a trilogy.
Thoughts from Paige
I LOVE this series. I've mentioned here before, but it is one of my go to audibles. It's also on Hoopla! I really love the character development and relationship growth. I definitely recommend!
From Book 1:
USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Megan Linski writes a young adult medieval fantasy romance of dragon shifters, epic battles, and breathtaking magic.
The first book in a slow burn reverse harem series!
I am Fliss, a slave to the king. When a local dragon demands payment, I am offered by the king as a sacrifice to the monster… though the dragon is more than what I expect.
The dragon is actually a gorgeous man, a curse cast upon him by a beautiful enchantress. Only one pure of soul can end the spell upon him. The dragon will set me free if I end his curse for good… but the closer the dragon and I become, the less I want him to let me go.
I will either tame the tortured beast inside… or my life will be consumed by smoke and flame.
***
Song of Smoke and Fire is an historical fantasy romance that takes place in ancient Poland. Dragons battle for dominance in this supernatural fairy tale re-imagining of the legend of the Wawel Dragon. This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling that will captivate and inspire!
This is the first book in a slow burn reverse harem fantasy romance saga, where the heroine finds the FIRST member of her harem before discovering the others.
Thoughts from Page
This is listed as YA, and I really cannot tell about the angst level. It appears to have some good angst, but this may be my weakest addition to the post.
From Book 1:
Four of them. One of me. Who will give in first?
It started when they stole me from my life. The daughter of a crime lord who ruled with an iron fist. The heir to a family of blood and ruin.
They left only a whisper of a name in the air. Il Diavolo. A man whose reputation preceded him. Ruthless. Merciless. Cunning.
The one they called the Devil. He was as beautiful as he was terrifying. Except I wasn't scared of him or his three friends. They might want to use me in their quest for revenge, but they picked the wrong girl. Or maybe I was the right one and none of us knew it quite yet.
Our connection is undeniable. Our fates are entwined. But loyalty and lies keep us all locked in a battle of wills and denial.
There’s only one thing I know for certain in this fight between the five of us. Secrets always catch up with you in the end. And my secrets were the worst ones of all.
A dark reverse harem series with cliffhangers and drama in abundance, British characters, high steam and a HEA in the final book.
Get ready to meet Ash and her boys - Quinn, Xavier, Eric and Rory.
Thoughts from Paige
I am iffy about including this. For one, it was included in a recent Deliciously Dark post; for another, I cannot tell if there is genuine angst or if it is all a part of being a dark read. I'm including it because #whychoose (LOL), but I wanted to give a heads up.
From Book 1: From USA Today bestselling author K Webster and Nikki Ash comes Torn Apart: an angsty, new adult, why choose romance.
I’ve spent the past three years in college terrorizing the dean, also known as my father.
I’m everything he hates.
Troublemaker.
Slacker.
Gay.
But I’m only getting started.
I’m about to make Dad really proud with my newest life choices…
I fall for my best friend, Mia, who’s a freaking chick.
I’m dying to make out with my enemy, dude bro Brayden.
And best of all, I want to bone my new roomie, Drew, who happens to also be the school’s new hockey coach.
Senior year’s great.
I’m still the world’s worst human.
I’ve made all the wrong decisions, and when Dad gets wind of my newest mess, he might actually disown me this time.
But I can’t stop.
I don’t want to stop.
In typical Ashton Carter fashion, I wreck my life in the worst possible way.
It isn’t until it’s all torn apart, I realize I have a problem.
Me.
Authors’ note: Torn Apart is a full-length mature, new adult, why choose romance between friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, with a bit of taboo thrown in. This story contains MF/MFMM/MM scenes. It’s the first book in the Torn and Bound duet and ends with a cliffhanger.
Thoughts from Paige
Although the description warns of a cliff-hanger, this series is a duology and both books are released. Binge away. The reviews are raving about the beautiful Angst. As a bonus, they are available on Audible! HOWEVER the MC is male...so I'm pretty sure that disqualifies it from reverse harem land. Sadness. I'm including it anyway because it really does have good reviews, but technically I shouldn't.
Wow this is amazing! Thank you for doing this!
I just finished WITSEC, I am right there with you in the waiting department. I don’t know how you’ve lasted so long! Gah so good!!