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The Phoenix Project Duet #1
From the Ashes
My whole life has been defined by my illness
And after twenty-four years of trying to fight it,
I’m about to lose.
That’s when The Phoenix group approached me with a devil's bargain.
They will pay my family one million dollars, leaving them a lifetime of choices instead of a legacy of debt.
And all they want in return is me.
But the thing about a devil's bargain is that there is inevitably a price to pay.
I go from being a human to being a commodity. A test subject to be poked and prodded, broken and put back together again until my body finally fails me.
The only way out is to die.
So what will happen when the girl who has always been sick, inexplicably begins to heal?
With the odds stacked against me, I’ll have to place my life and my heart in the hands of a group of criminals,
Because the girl who was once ready to die will burn the world to ashes for a chance to live.
Triggers warning: This story contains themes that some readers might find uncomfortable.
Authors note: From the Ashes is an unconventional story about love and loss and the hard part in between. It is a Reverse Harem romance with multiple love interests and not a triangle in sight.
Due to mature content readers should be 18 and over.
And after twenty-four years of trying to fight it,
I’m about to lose.
That’s when The Phoenix group approached me with a devil's bargain.
They will pay my family one million dollars, leaving them a lifetime of choices instead of a legacy of debt.
And all they want in return is me.
But the thing about a devil's bargain is that there is inevitably a price to pay.
I go from being a human to being a commodity. A test subject to be poked and prodded, broken and put back together again until my body finally fails me.
The only way out is to die.
So what will happen when the girl who has always been sick, inexplicably begins to heal?
With the odds stacked against me, I’ll have to place my life and my heart in the hands of a group of criminals,
Because the girl who was once ready to die will burn the world to ashes for a chance to live.
Triggers warning: This story contains themes that some readers might find uncomfortable.
Authors note: From the Ashes is an unconventional story about love and loss and the hard part in between. It is a Reverse Harem romance with multiple love interests and not a triangle in sight.
Due to mature content readers should be 18 and over.
302 pages, Paperback
Published March 10, 2020
1,292 people are currently reading
2,710 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 266 reviews
December 20, 2020
I don't like reverse harem books, however, this was quite horrible and I can safely say it's the book and not me. How many guys is too many? 4/5/6/7? I mean, really, there're like 6 guys all wanting to put their thinngy in her special jayjay. *insert eye rolls*
July 27, 2020
I have been on an unlucky spree of reading 2 star books for the past week now.
The blurb of this book was very intriguing, the first half made me think this was going to be at least a 3 star read but alas it was not meant to be.
Cameron is taken to a facility to die, she has terminal cancer and has donated her body to a corporation to be used as some sort of experiment, in return her family gets a million dollars, this way they would be able to offset all the cost of her treatment. When she gets there she is housed with other boys because they incorrectly assumed she was male because of her name.
As her group is about to start the experiment someone from another group tells her not to take the meds before having a seizure. Cameron listen and does't take the meds, she starts to feel better and even has powers. She is shocked and afraid until she realizes it's all a big conspiracy, they are trying to make super soldiers and they are using people with nothing to lose as the guinea pig.
Again, incredible plot. I was invested. It started to spiral after Cam found out she was Phoenix. When she saw the documents of how she burned down a lab with 2 researchers in it when she was 4, Cam was distraught and thought of jumping off the roof because she was a murderer. Maybe i'm being harsh but that was stupid. Why is she upset for something that she didn't cause, the person that did it to her caused those deaths.
Then the RH was trash. I didn't like that Fox called the shots. For me, RH is when the lady wants the men in her harem and calls the shots, in this case Fox tells the guys when they should kiss/f*ck and do everything else. She had no say. She even had to keep apologizing for hurting his feelings when she said she loved everyone the same, Fox wanted to be special and got mad.
I didn't also like how Jack got , it was very convenient and unnecessary. This would have been awesome as a MM romance to be honest because the guys especially Fox seemed attracted to her when she was a boy. Jack who is in love with Fox as well could have been in the harem too.
Also the twist about the million dollar offer I could see a mile away. No one is that generous. Such naivete. I can bet somehow the buys didn't "complete" their mission though in the next book.
I am not interested in reading the next book, the excerpt didn't do it any favors either.
The blurb of this book was very intriguing, the first half made me think this was going to be at least a 3 star read but alas it was not meant to be.
Cameron is taken to a facility to die, she has terminal cancer and has donated her body to a corporation to be used as some sort of experiment, in return her family gets a million dollars, this way they would be able to offset all the cost of her treatment. When she gets there she is housed with other boys because they incorrectly assumed she was male because of her name.
As her group is about to start the experiment someone from another group tells her not to take the meds before having a seizure. Cameron listen and does't take the meds, she starts to feel better and even has powers. She is shocked and afraid until she realizes it's all a big conspiracy, they are trying to make super soldiers and they are using people with nothing to lose as the guinea pig.
Again, incredible plot. I was invested. It started to spiral after Cam found out she was Phoenix. When she saw the documents of how she burned down a lab with 2 researchers in it when she was 4, Cam was distraught and thought of jumping off the roof because she was a murderer. Maybe i'm being harsh but that was stupid. Why is she upset for something that she didn't cause, the person that did it to her caused those deaths.
Then the RH was trash. I didn't like that Fox called the shots. For me, RH is when the lady wants the men in her harem and calls the shots, in this case Fox tells the guys when they should kiss/f*ck and do everything else. She had no say. She even had to keep apologizing for hurting his feelings when she said she loved everyone the same, Fox wanted to be special and got mad.
I didn't also like how Jack got , it was very convenient and unnecessary. This would have been awesome as a MM romance to be honest because the guys especially Fox seemed attracted to her when she was a boy. Jack who is in love with Fox as well could have been in the harem too.
Also the twist about the million dollar offer I could see a mile away. No one is that generous. Such naivete. I can bet somehow the buys didn't "complete" their mission though in the next book.
I am not interested in reading the next book, the excerpt didn't do it any favors either.
May 19, 2020
2.5 For sucky delivery
I really loved this premise but I hate it when the author tries to make me take things at face value, things that I should actually be questioning. And then try to make it look like the big mystery that is revealed at the end explains plot holes, when it actually doesn't. It makes it so difficult to enjoy a book when your mind keeps poking holes in the plot. I hate it when a good premise is ruined by lack of details. Is it because the author was just lazy to elaborate? Or were they worried that too much detail might expose that their plot is not well researched? Or did they genuinely believe that the level of detail provided is sufficient to cover all the basis? I really hate this. I am not an author but I imagine that when one is writing a story for a third party and one knows that they are not going to be there to answer questions and explain things, then one needs to make sure that all the basis are covered in the book. This book leaves so much of the details up in the air that it actual makes the events sound farfetched. Not surprisingly though, the sex scenes are quite detailed, and there’s quite a few of them, though nothing to write home about. I really need to choose my books better. Or maybe I just need to try to stop looking for logic and plausibility in the books that I read, which is to say, lower my standards.
First off, all the main characters sound like teenagers but the girl is said to be 24 so I am assuming the guys are around the same age. I had to go back and forth, even to the blurb to confirm that I wasn’t reading about 16 year olds. It might have been in my head but somehow their dialogues and the way they talk sounded to be on the younger side, or just lacking in experience or maturity. But then again, it might have been me.
Secondly, there's this facility that is supposed to be doing medical trials but it’s really a front for some nefarious research and experiments. I don’t have a problem with that. It’s just the way its run and the securities around the facility sounds rather meh, for a billion dollar project. It doesn’t sound like there is any monitoring of the residents, except for all the cameras that somehow end up missing all the things happening or what the residents are getting up to. There seems to be no accountability of the residents, cases in point,
Thirdly, Cam and her guys seem to be going around, collecting information, hacking systems, stealing equipment and no one asks any questions. That is if there is anyone to ask any question because for most of the book, the only people mentioned are them and the doctor who was administering Cam's meds. There is also a mention of a bus driver and the two security personnel but they don’t do anything else, they are only mentioned. How are they so isolated in a billion dollar research facility? How is it so easy for them to move around and carry out their escape plan preparations without anyone asking any questions?
Another thing, how unobservant are the people who run this facility? For more than two months this girl has been faking sedation and not once is anyone suspicious. For a research facility, they are quite lacking in observation skills or Cam is a world class actress with superhuman pain tolerance (no evidence of either in the book).
These are just some of the examples, there are more unexplained incidents and implausible things that really irritated me because I felt the author is either testing the readers� intelligence or taking the readers for granted.
But like I said, I really liked the premise even though the delivery left so much to be desired. So now, back to my options. Do I need to choose my books better or do I lower my standards? It looks like I am lowering my standards because I am going to read the second book. I need to know how this story ends. I just hope it is delivered better than this one.
I really loved this premise but I hate it when the author tries to make me take things at face value, things that I should actually be questioning. And then try to make it look like the big mystery that is revealed at the end explains plot holes, when it actually doesn't. It makes it so difficult to enjoy a book when your mind keeps poking holes in the plot. I hate it when a good premise is ruined by lack of details. Is it because the author was just lazy to elaborate? Or were they worried that too much detail might expose that their plot is not well researched? Or did they genuinely believe that the level of detail provided is sufficient to cover all the basis? I really hate this. I am not an author but I imagine that when one is writing a story for a third party and one knows that they are not going to be there to answer questions and explain things, then one needs to make sure that all the basis are covered in the book. This book leaves so much of the details up in the air that it actual makes the events sound farfetched. Not surprisingly though, the sex scenes are quite detailed, and there’s quite a few of them, though nothing to write home about. I really need to choose my books better. Or maybe I just need to try to stop looking for logic and plausibility in the books that I read, which is to say, lower my standards.
First off, all the main characters sound like teenagers but the girl is said to be 24 so I am assuming the guys are around the same age. I had to go back and forth, even to the blurb to confirm that I wasn’t reading about 16 year olds. It might have been in my head but somehow their dialogues and the way they talk sounded to be on the younger side, or just lacking in experience or maturity. But then again, it might have been me.
Secondly, there's this facility that is supposed to be doing medical trials but it’s really a front for some nefarious research and experiments. I don’t have a problem with that. It’s just the way its run and the securities around the facility sounds rather meh, for a billion dollar project. It doesn’t sound like there is any monitoring of the residents, except for all the cameras that somehow end up missing all the things happening or what the residents are getting up to. There seems to be no accountability of the residents, cases in point,
Thirdly, Cam and her guys seem to be going around, collecting information, hacking systems, stealing equipment and no one asks any questions. That is if there is anyone to ask any question because for most of the book, the only people mentioned are them and the doctor who was administering Cam's meds. There is also a mention of a bus driver and the two security personnel but they don’t do anything else, they are only mentioned. How are they so isolated in a billion dollar research facility? How is it so easy for them to move around and carry out their escape plan preparations without anyone asking any questions?
Another thing, how unobservant are the people who run this facility? For more than two months this girl has been faking sedation and not once is anyone suspicious. For a research facility, they are quite lacking in observation skills or Cam is a world class actress with superhuman pain tolerance (no evidence of either in the book).
These are just some of the examples, there are more unexplained incidents and implausible things that really irritated me because I felt the author is either testing the readers� intelligence or taking the readers for granted.
But like I said, I really liked the premise even though the delivery left so much to be desired. So now, back to my options. Do I need to choose my books better or do I lower my standards? It looks like I am lowering my standards because I am going to read the second book. I need to know how this story ends. I just hope it is delivered better than this one.
April 13, 2020
“To have hope in a place like this is a very dangerous thing. None of us are walking out of here alive, but that doesn’t mean I don’t plan on squeezing every drop of life out of this existence until my heart stops beating and the darkness finally comes for me.�
This took me a little by surprise. Surprised by the direction it took, surprised by its originality and by the ending too!
Despite having "book one" in this title here I actually spent most the book thinking it was a standalone contemporary. I mean how far can a book go when all the characters have a terminal illness and are handing over their life to medical research, in exchange for financial security for the ones they leave behind?
Seems like the ending is already written.
Wrong.
Leave all assumptions and preconceived notions outside with your quarantine mail.
It's hard to find a RH with something original these days. In a market flooded with paranormal and academy this was a breath of fresh air. Who could fail to sympathise with a girl who has terminal cancer and a double mastectomy? Although I can't relate I found myself very emotional about her situation. It broke my heart. There is no self pity from her though, no moping about it. She has already come to terms with her own mortality but it's a sad thing to be in a place where everyone is waiting for the end.
“The day we were born, we were all given an expiration date. Some of us just have a shorter shelf life than others.�
The cherry on the top of her awful situation, she ends up being mistaken for a boy and given an apartment with men for the duration of the testing...even better...they are all convicts.
Hot convicts. Naturally. So she keeps her gender to herself.
The "secret girl" trope is one of my favourites as you know so this was all gold for me!
The relationships with the guys is a little out of the ordinary for a harem. Many might have a problem with the way it revolved around one controlling person, the rest have to fall in behind. It wasn't an even relationship with them all, its not "normal" but it is different and that's why I didn't have a issue.
So its not what we've come to expect... is that so wrong? I was just happy to read some different for once! Even if it made me a little weirded out at times.
It was sweet, hot, emotional and kept me on my toes! I really did not see where it was heading. The answers to all the questions you will have will come, that's important to remember.
I really don't know where the next one is going to go either.
But luckily I have only 2 days to wait!
I'm finding it hard to get this one out of my head.
This took me a little by surprise. Surprised by the direction it took, surprised by its originality and by the ending too!
Despite having "book one" in this title here I actually spent most the book thinking it was a standalone contemporary. I mean how far can a book go when all the characters have a terminal illness and are handing over their life to medical research, in exchange for financial security for the ones they leave behind?
Seems like the ending is already written.
Wrong.
Leave all assumptions and preconceived notions outside with your quarantine mail.
It's hard to find a RH with something original these days. In a market flooded with paranormal and academy this was a breath of fresh air. Who could fail to sympathise with a girl who has terminal cancer and a double mastectomy? Although I can't relate I found myself very emotional about her situation. It broke my heart. There is no self pity from her though, no moping about it. She has already come to terms with her own mortality but it's a sad thing to be in a place where everyone is waiting for the end.
“The day we were born, we were all given an expiration date. Some of us just have a shorter shelf life than others.�
The cherry on the top of her awful situation, she ends up being mistaken for a boy and given an apartment with men for the duration of the testing...even better...they are all convicts.
Hot convicts. Naturally. So she keeps her gender to herself.
The "secret girl" trope is one of my favourites as you know so this was all gold for me!
The relationships with the guys is a little out of the ordinary for a harem. Many might have a problem with the way it revolved around one controlling person, the rest have to fall in behind. It wasn't an even relationship with them all, its not "normal" but it is different and that's why I didn't have a issue.
So its not what we've come to expect... is that so wrong? I was just happy to read some different for once! Even if it made me a little weirded out at times.
It was sweet, hot, emotional and kept me on my toes! I really did not see where it was heading. The answers to all the questions you will have will come, that's important to remember.
I really don't know where the next one is going to go either.
But luckily I have only 2 days to wait!
I'm finding it hard to get this one out of my head.
April 2, 2020
Okay, I'm lost for words. This book was exactly what what I wanted, needed and expected. No, it went beyond my expectations.
To be honest, I was kind of floating in this daze with my mind trying to comprehend this amazing book and my eyes trying to read as fast as I could while reading this book. Like.... you know the giddy, light-headed feeling you get while reading a really good book or a book you love? It was like the author went into my brain, looked at my deepest wishes and put them all on paper. While reading this, I didn't even pause to analyse the story and know if it was a credible one or not, and I don't want to. It's perfect as it is. Maybe I've been in a book slump for too long and wanted to love this book, or maybe the book is genuinely good. I don't know. But I loved it. That's all. This book made my laugh and it made me cry. It transported me to an entirely different world. One moment, I'm happy and amused at their antics. The next moment, I'm crying a river and can't get over my heartbreak. I'm rambling now, aren't I? Yes, I am. Since my mind is not able to write a proper review, I'll just give you some excerpts from the book and some of my favourite dialogues.
" I thought you were into g-guys," I splutter out.
" The only thing I'm into is you, Nemo. You might have no hair, no boobs, or cock for that matter, but you have a heart. You have strength, humour and determination is spades. My soul is so dark, it's pitch black, but you're all sunshine and rainbows and, fuck me, I'm drawn to it like moth to a flame. What do you say? Want to play in the shadows with me until the reaper comes a-calling?"
He holds his hand over my heart to emphasize his words. "'And though she be but little, she is fierce.'"
Be still my beating heart, as I place it in the palm of the Shakespeare quoting gangbanger I'm falling for.
"I was the clichéd bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks who turned out exactly like everyone predicted. My whole life was a tainted mess, but now there's you. You are the only good thing in this place. I'm obsessed with you, Nemo, there is no way you haven't noticed that. It has nothing to do with me being an asshole and everything to do with you being the angel I never even knew I needed until you turned up here with your scared little eyes and scarred heart. You can be mad, you can be angry, you can yell and scream and hit me but you can't leave me, Nemo. I won't let you go. You changed everything. You made men of the boys that came here."
"You can laugh now but know this, Nemo. I won't let something as simple as death keep us apart, even if I have to become the reaper and steal your soul myself."
"I don't need you to save me, Nate. I need you to love me."
" I know you've spent a lifetime being written off as nothing more than a bad boy who was too rough around the edges. But the boy they said would never amount to anything grew up to be the man who is perfect for me. I'll take all your rough and broken edges, Valentine Fox. I'll take you just the way you are. I need you to know that no matter what happens, thanks to you and the guys, I've been happier here than I have ever been in my entire life.
If these were my final moments on Earth, I would use my last breath to tell you just how much I love you."
"I wish I could promise you a lifetime of happiness, but I'm not that guy. I'll hurt you, break you and make you cry. I'm not the hero of your story, Nemo. I've done bad, unforgivable things, but I'll never let you go and I'll kill anyone who tries to keep you from me."
"You'll be the dark to my light. We'll find our happy in the gray."
In case all this wasn't enough to convince you to read this book, the fact that our FMC, Cameron, has breast cancer should be enough to convince you. And after you read this book, don't forget to check out the author's acknowledgements. They're hilarious.
Happy reading!!
To be honest, I was kind of floating in this daze with my mind trying to comprehend this amazing book and my eyes trying to read as fast as I could while reading this book. Like.... you know the giddy, light-headed feeling you get while reading a really good book or a book you love? It was like the author went into my brain, looked at my deepest wishes and put them all on paper. While reading this, I didn't even pause to analyse the story and know if it was a credible one or not, and I don't want to. It's perfect as it is. Maybe I've been in a book slump for too long and wanted to love this book, or maybe the book is genuinely good. I don't know. But I loved it. That's all. This book made my laugh and it made me cry. It transported me to an entirely different world. One moment, I'm happy and amused at their antics. The next moment, I'm crying a river and can't get over my heartbreak. I'm rambling now, aren't I? Yes, I am. Since my mind is not able to write a proper review, I'll just give you some excerpts from the book and some of my favourite dialogues.
" I thought you were into g-guys," I splutter out.
" The only thing I'm into is you, Nemo. You might have no hair, no boobs, or cock for that matter, but you have a heart. You have strength, humour and determination is spades. My soul is so dark, it's pitch black, but you're all sunshine and rainbows and, fuck me, I'm drawn to it like moth to a flame. What do you say? Want to play in the shadows with me until the reaper comes a-calling?"
He holds his hand over my heart to emphasize his words. "'And though she be but little, she is fierce.'"
Be still my beating heart, as I place it in the palm of the Shakespeare quoting gangbanger I'm falling for.
"I was the clichéd bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks who turned out exactly like everyone predicted. My whole life was a tainted mess, but now there's you. You are the only good thing in this place. I'm obsessed with you, Nemo, there is no way you haven't noticed that. It has nothing to do with me being an asshole and everything to do with you being the angel I never even knew I needed until you turned up here with your scared little eyes and scarred heart. You can be mad, you can be angry, you can yell and scream and hit me but you can't leave me, Nemo. I won't let you go. You changed everything. You made men of the boys that came here."
"You can laugh now but know this, Nemo. I won't let something as simple as death keep us apart, even if I have to become the reaper and steal your soul myself."
"I don't need you to save me, Nate. I need you to love me."
" I know you've spent a lifetime being written off as nothing more than a bad boy who was too rough around the edges. But the boy they said would never amount to anything grew up to be the man who is perfect for me. I'll take all your rough and broken edges, Valentine Fox. I'll take you just the way you are. I need you to know that no matter what happens, thanks to you and the guys, I've been happier here than I have ever been in my entire life.
If these were my final moments on Earth, I would use my last breath to tell you just how much I love you."
"I wish I could promise you a lifetime of happiness, but I'm not that guy. I'll hurt you, break you and make you cry. I'm not the hero of your story, Nemo. I've done bad, unforgivable things, but I'll never let you go and I'll kill anyone who tries to keep you from me."
"You'll be the dark to my light. We'll find our happy in the gray."
In case all this wasn't enough to convince you to read this book, the fact that our FMC, Cameron, has breast cancer should be enough to convince you. And after you read this book, don't forget to check out the author's acknowledgements. They're hilarious.
Happy reading!!
May 6, 2020
Fast burn reverse harem!
There's a lot I like about this duet. The premise, the plot, and the action are phenomenal. I adore the FMC.
There are a couple things that stop it from being a 5 star read for me.
- 1. Fox is the first guy in the FMC's harem. His lack of character growth (aka his complete control of the FMCs sex life and deciding who can actually be with her mainly) is a deal breaker. Yeah, I get she's into it or whatever, but it doesn't sit right with me. It felt off... as in I didn't buy into their relationship at all.
- 2. A few of the guys were too interchangeable due to underdeveloped characteristics and mannerisms or didn't get enough time to even remember them... so why bother adding them?
That being said, it was good. Recommend for fans of RH genre.
There's a lot I like about this duet. The premise, the plot, and the action are phenomenal. I adore the FMC.
There are a couple things that stop it from being a 5 star read for me.
- 1. Fox is the first guy in the FMC's harem. His lack of character growth (aka his complete control of the FMCs sex life and deciding who can actually be with her mainly) is a deal breaker. Yeah, I get she's into it or whatever, but it doesn't sit right with me. It felt off... as in I didn't buy into their relationship at all.
- 2. A few of the guys were too interchangeable due to underdeveloped characteristics and mannerisms or didn't get enough time to even remember them... so why bother adding them?
That being said, it was good. Recommend for fans of RH genre.
May 16, 2020
Mini-Review:
Note to Self: Maybe try a different story down the line by the author but not in this series.
3.5 Plot & Character Concepts
-3 Poor Plot Progression, Lack of Attention to Details
3 Ok Sex Scenes
- Maybe this story would have been more appealing as a comic book. A mutant story with lots of sex.
- The writing is okay but the story jumped the shark enough that the negatives started to flood out any of the positives I felt about the story.
- This is a case of where the writing seems decent and I want the details to back it up. That didn't happen.
Note to Self: Maybe try a different story down the line by the author but not in this series.
3.5 Plot & Character Concepts
-3 Poor Plot Progression, Lack of Attention to Details
3 Ok Sex Scenes
- Maybe this story would have been more appealing as a comic book. A mutant story with lots of sex.
- The writing is okay but the story jumped the shark enough that the negatives started to flood out any of the positives I felt about the story.
- This is a case of where the writing seems decent and I want the details to back it up. That didn't happen.
February 7, 2022
I didn't hate this book but I also didn't love it. It was okay and the story was interesting but the romance was very lacking. I got sucked in after seeing that this was a story where the heroine was pretending/thought to be a guy and that sounded really fun. But that storyline wasn't really focused on much which is fine but it's what had me excited to start. The whole facility, testing, secrets storyline was just meh for me as well. Overall, I can see why a lot of people have rating this book high and recommend it but it just wasn't for me.
April 11, 2020
“There’s beauty to be found in broken things. They have stories to tell, histories to unravel and truths to reveal. They can be rebuilt, forged into something stronger. Maybe they’ll never be the same as they were before but sometimes what emerges is something far more formidable.�
RTC
April 2, 2020
This was a slightly ridiculous, but a very compelling read all the same.
Cam has a terminal beast cancer diagnosis and essentially sells her body to a medical company to research a drug, in order for her family to get a large cash payment.
When she arrives at the facility, they mistake her for a boy, due to her name and the fact that she is bald from treatment and has had a double mastectomy, and she's housed with a group of guys who happen to be ex cons, so she feels it is prudent to keep lying about her gender.
I liked Cam a lot. Her outlook is incredibly bleak, but there's a real strength in her and I was behind her the whole way.
The relationships developed a bit fast for my liking, but she's dying, so it made it more believable for me. One of the guys is also a bit of a domineering control freak, and some of the dynamics with the rest of the guys were a little off for me personally, because I prefer things to be more equal in a RH, but it only was a little niggle, rather than something that annoyed me too much.
There are lots of twists and turns as well and poor Cam is left pretty devastated, but it was a surprisingly compelling read.
Cam has a terminal beast cancer diagnosis and essentially sells her body to a medical company to research a drug, in order for her family to get a large cash payment.
When she arrives at the facility, they mistake her for a boy, due to her name and the fact that she is bald from treatment and has had a double mastectomy, and she's housed with a group of guys who happen to be ex cons, so she feels it is prudent to keep lying about her gender.
I liked Cam a lot. Her outlook is incredibly bleak, but there's a real strength in her and I was behind her the whole way.
The relationships developed a bit fast for my liking, but she's dying, so it made it more believable for me. One of the guys is also a bit of a domineering control freak, and some of the dynamics with the rest of the guys were a little off for me personally, because I prefer things to be more equal in a RH, but it only was a little niggle, rather than something that annoyed me too much.
There are lots of twists and turns as well and poor Cam is left pretty devastated, but it was a surprisingly compelling read.
February 7, 2025
This author always delivers for me and is now an auto-buy. A fast paced reverse harem with a unique storyline that managed to easily pull me in and grip me in the unfolding narrative. This felt distinct and unique, it’s all narrated from our heroines POV Cameron, who because of the shitty hand dealt her has decided to end it on her own terms, leaving behind a legacy for her little brother.
Cam enters a government program alongside 6472 other terminally ill individuals all agreeing to act as lab rats for testing and compensation for their family’s. The Phoenix project is a one way ticket and after Cams death her family will receive a million in compensation.
When she gets placed in an apartment that’s all men shes told that the placement is permanent. Fearing for her safety especially when she learns that she is sharing her space with former criminals Cam decides to masquerade as a boy. The chemo and treatment for her cancer has left her stick thin and with a lack of hair, she’s also undergone a mastectomy. Her appearance and small stature makes the deception easier so she’s able to fly under the radar.
Before long Cam realises that things are not as they seem with the Phoenix group what they’ve all been all told is far from the truth. She’s also falling for the men she’s cohabiting with especially Fox who has taken a shine to her. She even has her own cutesy nickname of Nemo courtesy of Fox.
This sucked me in and was such an easy read I adored Cam. Her whole dynamic with Fox was my favourite part of this and the Nemo nickname was certainly unique. Her bond is also strengthening bond with the other guys and I’m intrigued to see this harem develop. This one is a bit insta in nature but it did seem to fit the narrative and situation so it didn’t bother me. Usually insta isn’t my favourite but it worked here maybe because of all the other elements involved.
Valentine Fox is the most memorable one of Cams love interests and his need to control everything is ingrained deep. He’s the leader of this self made family and a protective OTT steamroller. There’s also Nate, Levi and AJ. Nate is the oldest and is a stealthy ninja, still waters definitely run deep with this guy. Levi and AJ are nice but still not that memorable but I’m hoping that changes going forward.
I thought I knew where we were going with all of this but this had some serious twisty turns and some real heart wrenching shocks and that ending bloody hell it was explosive stuff. God knows how we are going to come back from all that my jaw was literally hanging to the floor, my heart breaking for Cams deep pain. There were some serious secrets and bloody huge reveals that elevated this and I’m definitely going to be diving into book two right away.
I highly recommend this it was such a unique experience and if you love a fast paced reverse harem with heat and heart this one has you covered for sure. It was as usual well written and a complete trip.
Cam enters a government program alongside 6472 other terminally ill individuals all agreeing to act as lab rats for testing and compensation for their family’s. The Phoenix project is a one way ticket and after Cams death her family will receive a million in compensation.
When she gets placed in an apartment that’s all men shes told that the placement is permanent. Fearing for her safety especially when she learns that she is sharing her space with former criminals Cam decides to masquerade as a boy. The chemo and treatment for her cancer has left her stick thin and with a lack of hair, she’s also undergone a mastectomy. Her appearance and small stature makes the deception easier so she’s able to fly under the radar.
Before long Cam realises that things are not as they seem with the Phoenix group what they’ve all been all told is far from the truth. She’s also falling for the men she’s cohabiting with especially Fox who has taken a shine to her. She even has her own cutesy nickname of Nemo courtesy of Fox.
This sucked me in and was such an easy read I adored Cam. Her whole dynamic with Fox was my favourite part of this and the Nemo nickname was certainly unique. Her bond is also strengthening bond with the other guys and I’m intrigued to see this harem develop. This one is a bit insta in nature but it did seem to fit the narrative and situation so it didn’t bother me. Usually insta isn’t my favourite but it worked here maybe because of all the other elements involved.
Valentine Fox is the most memorable one of Cams love interests and his need to control everything is ingrained deep. He’s the leader of this self made family and a protective OTT steamroller. There’s also Nate, Levi and AJ. Nate is the oldest and is a stealthy ninja, still waters definitely run deep with this guy. Levi and AJ are nice but still not that memorable but I’m hoping that changes going forward.
I thought I knew where we were going with all of this but this had some serious twisty turns and some real heart wrenching shocks and that ending bloody hell it was explosive stuff. God knows how we are going to come back from all that my jaw was literally hanging to the floor, my heart breaking for Cams deep pain. There were some serious secrets and bloody huge reveals that elevated this and I’m definitely going to be diving into book two right away.
I highly recommend this it was such a unique experience and if you love a fast paced reverse harem with heat and heart this one has you covered for sure. It was as usual well written and a complete trip.
July 11, 2020
4.5 Stars
Well dayum this book took me by surprise. For a book that’s fairly sedate action wise until the end I found the majority to still be very intense. I was invested to the end and now I’m at a loss for words-the ending really took me by surprise. I really enjoyed all the characters and especially how quick the guys personalities changed once they realized the heroine was actually a woman. Fox is an enigma of a character, you’re not sure how you’re supposed to like him until suddenly you realize you already do lol. It’s also more of the relationship dynamic between them all that I find interesting. Fox is truly the alpha of their pack and he always has to be the one in control, the one that controls everything especially the heroine. Fox doesn’t mind sharing (and boy were there some hot AF scenes) but he always makes it known he’s number one.
I want to say it’s hard to believe so many people would sign over their last few months or days alive to be experimented on all for a monetary payment to their families... but it’s really not that hard to believe. It’s crazy to imagine having zero idea what the government actually has planned for you but wanting to go out on your terms doing what you think is a good cause. I was so freaked out when they first went to the medical center the first day, the zombified people were a bad sign and with the title I guess I literally thought they’d turn into zombies. The book is already wild enough so it definitely didn’t need that aspect thrown in. Then again Cam is almost immortal so she’s still borderline supernatural after what her father turned her into. It’s all a mess and I’m loving it. I have zero clue what to expect from the next book but I’m dying to know. She has all the information on the training center but she’s obviously not going to work with the guys without some life shattering apologies. Really looking forward to how they’ll reconcile and take down this crazy government group trying to make and control human weapons. One things for sure, Fox will Never let her go.
Well dayum this book took me by surprise. For a book that’s fairly sedate action wise until the end I found the majority to still be very intense. I was invested to the end and now I’m at a loss for words-the ending really took me by surprise. I really enjoyed all the characters and especially how quick the guys personalities changed once they realized the heroine was actually a woman. Fox is an enigma of a character, you’re not sure how you’re supposed to like him until suddenly you realize you already do lol. It’s also more of the relationship dynamic between them all that I find interesting. Fox is truly the alpha of their pack and he always has to be the one in control, the one that controls everything especially the heroine. Fox doesn’t mind sharing (and boy were there some hot AF scenes) but he always makes it known he’s number one.
I want to say it’s hard to believe so many people would sign over their last few months or days alive to be experimented on all for a monetary payment to their families... but it’s really not that hard to believe. It’s crazy to imagine having zero idea what the government actually has planned for you but wanting to go out on your terms doing what you think is a good cause. I was so freaked out when they first went to the medical center the first day, the zombified people were a bad sign and with the title I guess I literally thought they’d turn into zombies. The book is already wild enough so it definitely didn’t need that aspect thrown in. Then again Cam is almost immortal so she’s still borderline supernatural after what her father turned her into. It’s all a mess and I’m loving it. I have zero clue what to expect from the next book but I’m dying to know. She has all the information on the training center but she’s obviously not going to work with the guys without some life shattering apologies. Really looking forward to how they’ll reconcile and take down this crazy government group trying to make and control human weapons. One things for sure, Fox will Never let her go.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2024
I devoured this book, in one sitting. It drew me in straight away, the whole situation that our FMC, Cam finds herself in is strained to say the least. First, she signs up to a government run facility where death is the way out for terminally ill people, secondly, she’s sharing an apartment with criminals, not too mention they are all male 😬 Having gone through breast cancer treatment, Cam had a double mastectomy and lost her hair, so is told to pass herself off as a male. I mean guys, what could possibly go wrong 🤭 We are led through Cam and the guys, visiting the treatment rooms, not all of the initial load of patients make it ⚰️I don’t want to go into great detail as that will result in spoilers and you know me 😉 Suffice to say it’s not all roses and rainbows, the ending is a shock and ensures you want to read the next book.
Loved this book, for me it was a different type of storyline. It is a why choose/reverse harem.
Loved this book, for me it was a different type of storyline. It is a why choose/reverse harem.
Read
April 13, 2020Freaking hell. A book ful of dark twists, sinful sex, a strong female lead, messed up love and
July 30, 2020
Chilling
Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew.
This book is all wrong.
The author packed far too many storylines into this book to fully unpack, but the one that stands out the very most is that the men who are having sex with the female protagonist, Cameron/Phoenix/Ro, are all purposefully manipulating her. As she internally berates herself for ‘keeping secrets�, they all know exactly what’s going on and feel no compunction whatsoever to come clean. They know that everyone like Cam is being tortured and the few who survive are kept hostage and they say nothing - instead, they coerce her into a sexual relationship based entirely on lies, deceit, and murder.
In the hours before they meet Cam for the first time, the men who claim to “love� Cam, murdered her entire family, including her 6yo baby brother. When Cam finds out that they killed everyone she loves, Fox negs her for “giving up�. Apparently the first time things got hard, which is a rather simplistic way to describe the months of lies, in addition to killing off her entire family, Cam bailed. How could she? Uhm. Maybe because they all clearly demonstrated that they were both untrustworthy and evil?
In the follow-up book, the author has her male characters all utilising emotionally abusive techniques to blame Cam for being mad. They knew they were killing someone’s family and they knew that Cam and everyone else was being tortured. It’s not like Cam is mad they put wet towels on the bed or left their shoes out - they killed her entire family. I suppose the author intended for it to be “sexy� when Fox kidnaps Cam/Ro to force her to return to the Phoenix Corps. and that she will never be free of him or that he’ll hold her hostage and love her enough for them both, but it comes off more like Annie Wilkes cutting off Paul Sheldon’s feet. I quit the 2nd book at the 32% mark because Cam was ready to jump back into the sack with Fox and Friends the moment they kidnap her, without apology, without a single moment of atonement, without redemption.
Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew.
This book is all wrong.
The author packed far too many storylines into this book to fully unpack, but the one that stands out the very most is that the men who are having sex with the female protagonist, Cameron/Phoenix/Ro, are all purposefully manipulating her. As she internally berates herself for ‘keeping secrets�, they all know exactly what’s going on and feel no compunction whatsoever to come clean. They know that everyone like Cam is being tortured and the few who survive are kept hostage and they say nothing - instead, they coerce her into a sexual relationship based entirely on lies, deceit, and murder.
In the hours before they meet Cam for the first time, the men who claim to “love� Cam, murdered her entire family, including her 6yo baby brother. When Cam finds out that they killed everyone she loves, Fox negs her for “giving up�. Apparently the first time things got hard, which is a rather simplistic way to describe the months of lies, in addition to killing off her entire family, Cam bailed. How could she? Uhm. Maybe because they all clearly demonstrated that they were both untrustworthy and evil?
In the follow-up book, the author has her male characters all utilising emotionally abusive techniques to blame Cam for being mad. They knew they were killing someone’s family and they knew that Cam and everyone else was being tortured. It’s not like Cam is mad they put wet towels on the bed or left their shoes out - they killed her entire family. I suppose the author intended for it to be “sexy� when Fox kidnaps Cam/Ro to force her to return to the Phoenix Corps. and that she will never be free of him or that he’ll hold her hostage and love her enough for them both, but it comes off more like Annie Wilkes cutting off Paul Sheldon’s feet. I quit the 2nd book at the 32% mark because Cam was ready to jump back into the sack with Fox and Friends the moment they kidnap her, without apology, without a single moment of atonement, without redemption.
June 28, 2020
honestly 2.5 stars, I liked the idea, how it was executed was kinda meh this review here sums it up so well I just had to link it, its like they wrote everything I was feeling about this book down so perfectly lol.
also BIG spoiler but have to rant
also BIG spoiler but have to rant
May 15, 2020
That was a quick and nice read.
As almost always I would have wished for quite a few things to be different and / or better worked through, but all in all it was entertaining enough.
My biggest problem was personal and totally subjective, this being the unhealthy control freak that Fox was and how totally Cam submitted to him, it made me seriously uncomfortable, that just isn’t my cup of tea. Especially in a poly relationship.
World and plot building could have been seriously better and - same old same old - the same with the characters, elides Fox everyone was pretty interchangeable to me.
I wasn’t a big fan of the heroine either, as well as the horrible and very unsexy nickname, since she was rather naive and gullible at times and super dependent on the guys. And a hypocrite as well IMO.
Some dialogue parts were rather cringey and didn’t fit too well in the overall story.
Since it is only a two book series, I will definitely read the second one, but I am not sure it could grab my interest for longer. I am also rather sure, the story won’t be able to wrap up in such a short time, but I am always open for a surprise.
As almost always I would have wished for quite a few things to be different and / or better worked through, but all in all it was entertaining enough.
My biggest problem was personal and totally subjective, this being the unhealthy control freak that Fox was and how totally Cam submitted to him, it made me seriously uncomfortable, that just isn’t my cup of tea. Especially in a poly relationship.
World and plot building could have been seriously better and - same old same old - the same with the characters, elides Fox everyone was pretty interchangeable to me.
I wasn’t a big fan of the heroine either, as well as the horrible and very unsexy nickname, since she was rather naive and gullible at times and super dependent on the guys. And a hypocrite as well IMO.
Some dialogue parts were rather cringey and didn’t fit too well in the overall story.
Since it is only a two book series, I will definitely read the second one, but I am not sure it could grab my interest for longer. I am also rather sure, the story won’t be able to wrap up in such a short time, but I am always open for a surprise.
May 26, 2020
70% ...that's how much I read... The author ruined this book!!!!
Seriously????? Great storyline. Great characters. Great ideas. Well written...
I read The first few chapters and was hooked... Thinking I'm definitely going to get the next books.... And then you ruined it!
I love some good sex in a book.. But it should be relevant and compliment the story... Not take over the whole bloody book!
I'm so frustrated... This could have been amazing. Normally if an author gets carried away with the fuckery, if just skip a few pages. If I'd done that I would have skipped the majority of the book... I tried to persevere... It got BORING.
I gave up. Honestly Candice, go and get some... Then maybe you could write about something else.
Seriously????? Great storyline. Great characters. Great ideas. Well written...
I read The first few chapters and was hooked... Thinking I'm definitely going to get the next books.... And then you ruined it!
I love some good sex in a book.. But it should be relevant and compliment the story... Not take over the whole bloody book!
I'm so frustrated... This could have been amazing. Normally if an author gets carried away with the fuckery, if just skip a few pages. If I'd done that I would have skipped the majority of the book... I tried to persevere... It got BORING.
I gave up. Honestly Candice, go and get some... Then maybe you could write about something else.
July 14, 2022
a whole lot of words to say very little
From the beginning until over half way in I sort of loved this book and then it just turns. Then it smooths itself out just to take a turn that personally I don’t think it should be able to come back from but since there is a book two clearly the author is planning on making it happen. The thing that I dislike about this book is that instead of getting bits and piece of the puzzle that can be put together you get some dialogue, some spicy and then a few information dumbs. To me that doesn’t feel like someone telling you a story. It feels like someone telling you what the story would be if they could figure out how to give it to you in a creative, entertaining way, but they couldn’t so you just got romance and information dumbs. I like the concept though.
From the beginning until over half way in I sort of loved this book and then it just turns. Then it smooths itself out just to take a turn that personally I don’t think it should be able to come back from but since there is a book two clearly the author is planning on making it happen. The thing that I dislike about this book is that instead of getting bits and piece of the puzzle that can be put together you get some dialogue, some spicy and then a few information dumbs. To me that doesn’t feel like someone telling you a story. It feels like someone telling you what the story would be if they could figure out how to give it to you in a creative, entertaining way, but they couldn’t so you just got romance and information dumbs. I like the concept though.
January 25, 2022
Well� this had the potential to be a 5 star read but it felt so rushed it’s impossible to feel connected to the characters. It’s very dialogue based, but not delivered in a good way. The main character tho? Chef’s kiss, funny, sarcastic, strong, damn what a woman!
February 6, 2022
I didn’t expect this book to be so amazing
August 7, 2020
It's okay read
The book started out so well but then Cam who has been in the forester care system seems so immature. I'm not buying that she is 24 years old and experience so much challenges in her life. However with cancer and death door around the corner she cares about living still.
Really!
Also if she is so sick how does she still have the mind set of a 16 year old eyeing a guy that was a total dick to her. Cliche of the year, she ends up with said guy.
This book had such potential to be a very good book. However the characters are not believable. I have watched enough documentary to see how man act in prison. I hard felt like these man capture the brotherhood or power dynamic the author was going for.
I could go on but I will leave at that.
The book started out so well but then Cam who has been in the forester care system seems so immature. I'm not buying that she is 24 years old and experience so much challenges in her life. However with cancer and death door around the corner she cares about living still.
Really!
Also if she is so sick how does she still have the mind set of a 16 year old eyeing a guy that was a total dick to her. Cliche of the year, she ends up with said guy.
This book had such potential to be a very good book. However the characters are not believable. I have watched enough documentary to see how man act in prison. I hard felt like these man capture the brotherhood or power dynamic the author was going for.
I could go on but I will leave at that.
January 27, 2021
Review of the duet, not just this book.
Really enjoyed this series! Loved the ideas created, the characters were amazing too. There are a lot of twists and turns throughout, that definitely keep you hooked and wanting to read more. The FMC is really likeable...and Fox is just addictive 🖤
The only thing I struggled with is missing out on character and relationship development. The time skips too much that you loose out on watching the development, and that results in not feeling as connected to the characters. For example when first arriving to the clinic/town it then skips a couple months where the FMC was getting to know the guys. Or when she leaves them for a year, there is a dramatic change in her character as she deals with grief and heartbreak. But the author skips the entire year so it does sort of seem like she’s two different people from before and after the fire as you don’t experience her change and grow as a character.
If the author includes more of these hugely important parts, then I think it would be a really addictive read!
Will definitely be reading more from the author, abs hopefully Syn’s story too.
Really enjoyed this series! Loved the ideas created, the characters were amazing too. There are a lot of twists and turns throughout, that definitely keep you hooked and wanting to read more. The FMC is really likeable...and Fox is just addictive 🖤
The only thing I struggled with is missing out on character and relationship development. The time skips too much that you loose out on watching the development, and that results in not feeling as connected to the characters. For example when first arriving to the clinic/town it then skips a couple months where the FMC was getting to know the guys. Or when she leaves them for a year, there is a dramatic change in her character as she deals with grief and heartbreak. But the author skips the entire year so it does sort of seem like she’s two different people from before and after the fire as you don’t experience her change and grow as a character.
If the author includes more of these hugely important parts, then I think it would be a really addictive read!
Will definitely be reading more from the author, abs hopefully Syn’s story too.
February 23, 2020
Once again Candice has written an amazing and gut wrenching book! I’m am still sitting here reeling from this amazing story of loss, love, mystery, and vengeance. In this story we meet Cameron our FMC who is terminally ill and enters a program she knows next to nothing about. There she meets a group of guys who become her family. Little does she know everything is about to change. She learns so much about herself throughout the whole book and instead of loosing it only becomes stronger. This book has twists and turns throughout the whole thing! It is amazing and gut wrenching at the same time! I highly recommend this book and I cannot wait to read what comes next!
February 22, 2020
This book is quite literally my favorite book Candice Wright has EVER written. I was completely hooked from the first chapter. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire last three quarters of the book. I cried, I swooned stupid hard, and I felt so deeply for and with Cam. The twists and turns have left me reeling and begging for the next book. This is the book, the concept, that I've been waiting for. I can't wait to see how Candice Wright executes it with perfection.
February 25, 2020
Holy fireballs was this good!! This was an smazing read. I could not put this down!!!
Cam is such a brave, amazing fierce woman. Her life has been hard but she wears her scars with pride. And so she damn well should, there are not many characters like her.
This was amazingly written and keeps you wanting more the whole way through. I loved this and i cannot wait for more!!
Cam is such a brave, amazing fierce woman. Her life has been hard but she wears her scars with pride. And so she damn well should, there are not many characters like her.
This was amazingly written and keeps you wanting more the whole way through. I loved this and i cannot wait for more!!
April 27, 2020
There is a gritty appeal to this dark RH romance, one that weaves through the narrative with both deception and hope. I thoroughly enjoyed Cam's character development, along with the guys that surround her - you can see the strength that bleeds through her veins and the determination she has to help leave a better life for her brother, even if it costs her own.
The twists and turns, not to mention the romantic development, crafts a great tale, offering a chilling look at a Government gone mad, and the ones caught in its net.
Prepare for heartache and heart break.
The twists and turns, not to mention the romantic development, crafts a great tale, offering a chilling look at a Government gone mad, and the ones caught in its net.
Prepare for heartache and heart break.
June 6, 2020
OOH this was good! I've never read a RH novel quite like this one and I really enjoyed it. Nemo and Friends were all awesome. The end is cliffy but totally worth it! I recommend.
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