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Tainted by Ruin #1
Tarnished
He was supposed to protect me. Instead, he made me fear the dark. He was supposed to love me. In the end, his love was sickening, cruel and filled with malice.
Five years ago, the only bright lights in my world were extinguished. One decision. One text. One sentence and my fragile life shattered.
I never expected the depravity and lies that greets me when I return to Montecito, leaving me with one goal... To flee and never look back.
Everything changes when three gorgeous guys crash into my life. They’re determined to mark me as theirs, and make me question everything I hold true.
But when the ghosts of my past and future collide, who will be left standing? Me… or the monster who coveted me for all of the wrong reasons, turning me into what I am today…
Tarnished.
*Tarnished is the first book in the Tainted by Ruin Trilogy and cannot be read as a standalone. It is a Dark High School Reverse Harem Romance that contains scenes that may be triggering to some. Including : sexual assault (minor), physical abuse & self harm. Recommended for readers 18+.
Five years ago, the only bright lights in my world were extinguished. One decision. One text. One sentence and my fragile life shattered.
I never expected the depravity and lies that greets me when I return to Montecito, leaving me with one goal... To flee and never look back.
Everything changes when three gorgeous guys crash into my life. They’re determined to mark me as theirs, and make me question everything I hold true.
But when the ghosts of my past and future collide, who will be left standing? Me… or the monster who coveted me for all of the wrong reasons, turning me into what I am today…
Tarnished.
*Tarnished is the first book in the Tainted by Ruin Trilogy and cannot be read as a standalone. It is a Dark High School Reverse Harem Romance that contains scenes that may be triggering to some. Including : sexual assault (minor), physical abuse & self harm. Recommended for readers 18+.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2021
About the author
Indie Black
12 books375 followersIndie Black is taking a plunge into the book world. She's a California native who prefers tacos over sushi, the beach over the mountains, and books over anything else. She's a certified water snob, dog lover and will try just about anything that tastes like bubblegum.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews
August 22, 2021
Wow, crazy to think this was a debut! It was really, REALLY good!
This was a pretty emotional read, with some pretty intense moments. Please heed the triggers if you have any. Otherwise, get ready to have your heart torn to shreds over.. and over. Dark and gritty - it will pull you in and hook you! Maddox also has some secrets, but I'm falling for him HARD!
Indiana. Wow, that girl has been through SO much in her life. She lived with someone who should have wanted the best for her, but who instead preyed on her. After losing her parents in a tragic accident she is sent to foster care. Leaving behind the one great thing in her life. Her best friend Maddox. Thinking her life might be a bit better not being in a home with her constant tormentor, but instead she goes from one hell to another. Her heart is shattered, her soul is crushed and she just wants to be loved. She just wants to rewind and start over.
Yet again, she makes another move... this time back to her hometown.
Maddox crosses her path and she can't believe it. Her rock and protector. Now she has to protect him. He can't know the details of her past. Slowly their friendship is rekindled. He is no dummy though and knows she's keeping things from him. Important things.
There are so many players in this game.. Otis was awesome! Jen was a fantastic friend to her. Her foster siblings are horrible as are a couple other people from school.
That cliffhanger though!! Wow!! I need book two ASAP!!
This was a pretty emotional read, with some pretty intense moments. Please heed the triggers if you have any. Otherwise, get ready to have your heart torn to shreds over.. and over. Dark and gritty - it will pull you in and hook you! Maddox also has some secrets, but I'm falling for him HARD!
Indiana. Wow, that girl has been through SO much in her life. She lived with someone who should have wanted the best for her, but who instead preyed on her. After losing her parents in a tragic accident she is sent to foster care. Leaving behind the one great thing in her life. Her best friend Maddox. Thinking her life might be a bit better not being in a home with her constant tormentor, but instead she goes from one hell to another. Her heart is shattered, her soul is crushed and she just wants to be loved. She just wants to rewind and start over.
Yet again, she makes another move... this time back to her hometown.
Maddox crosses her path and she can't believe it. Her rock and protector. Now she has to protect him. He can't know the details of her past. Slowly their friendship is rekindled. He is no dummy though and knows she's keeping things from him. Important things.
There are so many players in this game.. Otis was awesome! Jen was a fantastic friend to her. Her foster siblings are horrible as are a couple other people from school.
That cliffhanger though!! Wow!! I need book two ASAP!!
July 15, 2021
Sigh! The concept of the book was okay but i did not that there were more inner POV than dialogue. I wanted to dnf many times cuz it got boring. The heroine was abused by her brother, her parents died and later on she was sent to foster home. Fast forward, she is in highschool and her bff Madox is the new guy in school whom she left years ago after she moved to another place. They fall in love blah blah. This was supposed to be RH but i didnt get any RH vibe, more like a love triangle or heroine cheating on hero vibes cuz the main focus was on Madox for the hero. Other than him i dont even know who else is supposed to be in her harem. Maybe jameson and weston? Idk cuz as i said, it didnt seem like a RH. She went through a lot of trauma and abuse which was told in like every chapter and i do sympathise with the heroine but can we move on with the story? This whole book was focused more on the abuse which was fine but again, it got boring and the romance was like wuuttt?? Madox was okay, i didnt like him that much, the heroine was annoying but okay, i liked Jameson and hope he is in her harem. Idk about Weston cuz all i know is that he is a nerd who tutors the heroine. Maybe i would have liked it if it had a bit more dialogue and rh romance than repetitive inner POV and non existent harem.
December 29, 2021
Definitely give these new authors a try.
I love a book with a tortured soul and Indianna is definitely a broken girl who has everything ripped away. But she continues to survive and she won't let her horrible story win. This is a reverse harem but in the first book we don't know who will become part of that relationship even though there are some amazing options. The first quarter was a little too dramatic for me but I'm so glad I kept reading as I really enjoyed getting to know these characters and I can't wait to see where the story go's from here.
You are definitely going to want to read this amazing story about a beautifully broken and tarnished girl who has a backbone of steel and who never stops fighting, written by two new but incredibly talented authors.
I love a book with a tortured soul and Indianna is definitely a broken girl who has everything ripped away. But she continues to survive and she won't let her horrible story win. This is a reverse harem but in the first book we don't know who will become part of that relationship even though there are some amazing options. The first quarter was a little too dramatic for me but I'm so glad I kept reading as I really enjoyed getting to know these characters and I can't wait to see where the story go's from here.
You are definitely going to want to read this amazing story about a beautifully broken and tarnished girl who has a backbone of steel and who never stops fighting, written by two new but incredibly talented authors.
June 30, 2021
Dark, Sexy, and Devourable!
I could not put this down! It haunted my dreams as I wished I could keep reading, I never wanted to stop.
Indiana struggles with the demons from her past while simultaneously struggles with everyday teenage life. Being a teen is hard, what with all the raging hormones and whatnot, but add in the constant judgement from others and the dark secrets she tries to bury, she's in a whirlwind of difficulty.
Things seem to pick up but like with everything, the other shoe always drops sometime. The ending of this book nearly killed me as I screamed and threw an internal bitch fit about not knowing what happens next! I want to know who Anonymous is! Ah!
For those who like their books, dark, depraved and yet hilarious and sweet, this is for. Just make sure you can handle the depravity and explicit descriptions of her abuse. It is heartbreaking. I will be very impatiently waiting for book 2!
I could not put this down! It haunted my dreams as I wished I could keep reading, I never wanted to stop.
Indiana struggles with the demons from her past while simultaneously struggles with everyday teenage life. Being a teen is hard, what with all the raging hormones and whatnot, but add in the constant judgement from others and the dark secrets she tries to bury, she's in a whirlwind of difficulty.
Things seem to pick up but like with everything, the other shoe always drops sometime. The ending of this book nearly killed me as I screamed and threw an internal bitch fit about not knowing what happens next! I want to know who Anonymous is! Ah!
For those who like their books, dark, depraved and yet hilarious and sweet, this is for. Just make sure you can handle the depravity and explicit descriptions of her abuse. It is heartbreaking. I will be very impatiently waiting for book 2!
July 15, 2021
Angsty and suspenseful
Having suffered years of abuse as a child at the hands of her brother and a foster father, Indiana, almost 18, is now settled with a wealthy family of seemingly caring foster parents. She is enrolled in a prestigious high school where she re-encounters her childhood best friend, Maddox, and establishes relationships, a few good, but mostly challenging, quasi bullying, with others. This story covers her new found friendship with Maddox, the building of unexpected love interests (harem), and her habits and feelings dealing with the aftermath of her abuse. There is also a mean foster brother and sister to contend with as well as a subplot (of the re-entry) of an anonymous character of ill-intentions. So lots of feeling in this story of intrigue and upcoming reward.
This was a gripping and harrowing story and in one measure sorrowful and the other hopeful for love's healing and Indiana's growth of character. A welcome friends to lovers theme, the tightness of the relationship with new-found in her childhood friend, Maddox offered a measure a comfort in all the gloom. I liked the glimpse into / hints of who other members of the harem might be. Particularly compelling was the potential joining of guys from different backgrounds, social status, scholastic, athletic, who were not established friends prior to their interest in the heroine. The story occasionally provided fun levity from Otis, the curly haired football player friend, whether from his word-coinages to his joking with Jen, Indiana's best friend.
And while I truly was captured by this tale, I found imbalance in the recounting of an abuse story over a blossoming romance; i.e. a great deal of writing detailing and reiterating memories of the abuse rather than developing the new love interests and other character relationships. Abuse was painted and reinforced with flashbacks and acts of self-harm. Story development cultivating the relationships would have created more connectedness with the characters, which I felt went missing. It would have also permitted the building of sexual tension and chemistry, which, when acted upon, would have made the romance and the sexuality feel organic, authentic, and a natural evolution. Instead, traumatic events often followed with sexual intimacy that felt misplaced and unrealistic.
I recognize that perhaps this book was attempting to lay the foundation, but the abuse seemed the focus and was recounted at the expense of love that would have progressed the romance. This dark, reverse harem warranted more chemistry, character development, which would have supported the few steamy events rather than more descriptive history of abuse as, after all, the story was forging romance. To be clear, I am not disturbed by dark themes; I'm simply advocating for more balance in the storyline, more relationships / connectedness over malevolence.
Fairly medium pace and the plot intrigue / allure remained strong. Character development focused on each's individuality / uniqueness. I enjoyed the side characters' contribution to the storyline, even though a lot of them -- at least for now -- had bad intentions where Indiana was concerned. They just added to the angst. Storyline was good at evoking feelings, particularly those of concern for the heroine and fear from the bad guys. Excellent foreshadowing that inspired trepidation as the story progressed, added to that, the anonymous character lended mystery and disquieting suspense.
Overall, the story was compelling. I can't but congratulate these authors. The cliffhanger left me wondering and with all kinds of questions and theories. I am looking forward to knowing what transpires in the next book.
Having suffered years of abuse as a child at the hands of her brother and a foster father, Indiana, almost 18, is now settled with a wealthy family of seemingly caring foster parents. She is enrolled in a prestigious high school where she re-encounters her childhood best friend, Maddox, and establishes relationships, a few good, but mostly challenging, quasi bullying, with others. This story covers her new found friendship with Maddox, the building of unexpected love interests (harem), and her habits and feelings dealing with the aftermath of her abuse. There is also a mean foster brother and sister to contend with as well as a subplot (of the re-entry) of an anonymous character of ill-intentions. So lots of feeling in this story of intrigue and upcoming reward.
This was a gripping and harrowing story and in one measure sorrowful and the other hopeful for love's healing and Indiana's growth of character. A welcome friends to lovers theme, the tightness of the relationship with new-found in her childhood friend, Maddox offered a measure a comfort in all the gloom. I liked the glimpse into / hints of who other members of the harem might be. Particularly compelling was the potential joining of guys from different backgrounds, social status, scholastic, athletic, who were not established friends prior to their interest in the heroine. The story occasionally provided fun levity from Otis, the curly haired football player friend, whether from his word-coinages to his joking with Jen, Indiana's best friend.
And while I truly was captured by this tale, I found imbalance in the recounting of an abuse story over a blossoming romance; i.e. a great deal of writing detailing and reiterating memories of the abuse rather than developing the new love interests and other character relationships. Abuse was painted and reinforced with flashbacks and acts of self-harm. Story development cultivating the relationships would have created more connectedness with the characters, which I felt went missing. It would have also permitted the building of sexual tension and chemistry, which, when acted upon, would have made the romance and the sexuality feel organic, authentic, and a natural evolution. Instead, traumatic events often followed with sexual intimacy that felt misplaced and unrealistic.
I recognize that perhaps this book was attempting to lay the foundation, but the abuse seemed the focus and was recounted at the expense of love that would have progressed the romance. This dark, reverse harem warranted more chemistry, character development, which would have supported the few steamy events rather than more descriptive history of abuse as, after all, the story was forging romance. To be clear, I am not disturbed by dark themes; I'm simply advocating for more balance in the storyline, more relationships / connectedness over malevolence.
Fairly medium pace and the plot intrigue / allure remained strong. Character development focused on each's individuality / uniqueness. I enjoyed the side characters' contribution to the storyline, even though a lot of them -- at least for now -- had bad intentions where Indiana was concerned. They just added to the angst. Storyline was good at evoking feelings, particularly those of concern for the heroine and fear from the bad guys. Excellent foreshadowing that inspired trepidation as the story progressed, added to that, the anonymous character lended mystery and disquieting suspense.
Overall, the story was compelling. I can't but congratulate these authors. The cliffhanger left me wondering and with all kinds of questions and theories. I am looking forward to knowing what transpires in the next book.
August 9, 2021
Sienna Cousins and Indie Black completely outdid themselves as they wrote this book. It has become one of my favourite books of this year, and I was extremely surprised when I realised this is a debut novel. The characters are amazing, the side characters are amazing especially Jenn and Otis there was never a dull moment when I read about them.
This book requires an open mind when going in. Indiana has been dealt a hard hand as she grew up and my heart cried for her as I read her backstory. Maddox and Indiana were best friends as they grew up but after what happened to Indiana they were separated and only saw each other after 5 years. His mood swings confused the hell out of me but I want to know what happened during the 5 years they were separated.
Weston is the nerdy, geeky hottie in Indiana's story, I loved the hell out of him. At times I didn't agree on how he was treated by Indiana and I can't wait to find out whether Indiana will treat him how deserves to be treated. Jagger is a bad boy with a soft spot for his family and I hope that he becomes one of her love interests. I am having mixed thoughts on whether I like or not Jameson because he is an asshole but I sometimes see potential.
In the beginning, I thought I had suspicions about who Anonymous is but in the end all my suspicions were soo wrong and I can't wait to find out who he is.
Remember to read the trigger warnings.
This book requires an open mind when going in. Indiana has been dealt a hard hand as she grew up and my heart cried for her as I read her backstory. Maddox and Indiana were best friends as they grew up but after what happened to Indiana they were separated and only saw each other after 5 years. His mood swings confused the hell out of me but I want to know what happened during the 5 years they were separated.
Weston is the nerdy, geeky hottie in Indiana's story, I loved the hell out of him. At times I didn't agree on how he was treated by Indiana and I can't wait to find out whether Indiana will treat him how deserves to be treated. Jagger is a bad boy with a soft spot for his family and I hope that he becomes one of her love interests. I am having mixed thoughts on whether I like or not Jameson because he is an asshole but I sometimes see potential.
In the beginning, I thought I had suspicions about who Anonymous is but in the end all my suspicions were soo wrong and I can't wait to find out who he is.
Remember to read the trigger warnings.
July 14, 2021
On the outside Indiana ‘India’ ‘Blue’ Skye Hendrix may seem like she has a happy life, two parents who love and adore her, an older “loving” brother Brett and her best friend Maddox Knight living across the street. But behind closed doors, unbeknownst to her parents, Brett's obsession with his little sister Indiana is anything but healthy or normal considering it leads to him abusing her constantly. However the day Indiana finds the courage to tell her parents is the day her life turns upside down. With her parents dead, her brother MIA, Indiana is forced into the foster care system. Resulting in her life falling further and deeper into the dark abyss, tarnishing what was left of her in the process.
With Tarnished being Indie and Sienna’s debut novel, they did a good job in creating a story that was filled to the brim with a little bit of everything in order to bring the story to life. The true likeness the duo brought to the table when capturing the raw, nitty gritty depth into delicate subject matters, of which involved abuse and taboo showcased a somewhat genuine depiction making the story feel more real and life like. Resulting in making it more believable, with the narrative having a authentic feel to it. Considering the natural, intense emotions and feelings that bleed throughout the book in nearly every page with what Indiana is going through and feels.
My heart definitely broke for her, learning about exactly what she went through and continued to endure all throughout. It was like she couldn’t catch a break no matter how hard she tried. And just when she thought she was making headway, something or someone would push her back. Resulting to Indiana falling back into the darkness that continued to surround her, trying to lure her back in. But at the same time, the fact that she still continued to move forward and not let it stop her from continuing to live her life. I definitely had to applaud her for that.
While I did enjoy the story overall, it has to be said that there were a few things I wasn’t too keen on.
For example the constant repetitiveness of Indiana talking about the abuse she suffered, mentioning how and when anything would trigger memories/flashbacks to it all.
While I understood the abuse was important to the narrative of the story, seeing as it made Indiana how she was when it came to her personality and behaviour. Having lead her to be where she was in life now. But even with that said, at the same time it took away from other important aspects within the storyline too. Seeing as the narrative wasn’t able to expand further on other topics/issues as much, at least not to a extensive depth. For example, the relationships that were forming to state who could possibly be in her harem. Something that was important to the narrative, since the Reverse Harem trope plays a big important part in making the story too. Which sort of links into my other issue that was character development. With Tarnished being told solely through Indiana’s perspective. It meant through her POV we learned about the other characters. But in this case, there didn’t seem to be much there, considering the way the focus would be jumping around back and forth between different characters. Leading to moments of character's behaviour and personality doing a 180 without any real explanation. For example, when Maddox was in the spotlight he was shown as sweet, caring and loving towards Indiana. But then he was pushed to the background a little while later, only to then be brought forward again, with a complete personality and behaviour change when it came to Indiana. And it wasn’t really addressed as to why. Something that occurred with some of the other male characters too.
In all honesty all the jumping around the male characters made it a little hard to follow and understand who to consider important and/or a key player. Seeing as we never received the chance to get the real picture behind some of their stories, at least not in a greater depth. Or even a proper set up that can be further addressed within the other books to come in the series.
The other thing I wasn’t so keen on and couldn’t understand was despite Indiana having a hard time with allowing anyone to touch her (including her female and male friends), since it caused her to flinch or react in someway so easily. She was somehow still able to be intimate and give into the moments of intimacy easily enough when it occurred. As if she hadn’t been mentioning her abuse all throughout. It just didn’t really make sense to me.
With that said, overall it was still a good story. Especially considering the fact that Tarnished was a debut novel for new co-authors Indie Black and Sienna Cousins. I applaud them for a job well done in writing a unique, dark and twisted story. It was not at all what I was expecting and I mean that in a good way.
Safe to say I can’t wait to see how Indiana’s story will play out in the next book Destroyed in the Tainted by Ruin Trilogy series. Especially considering that cliffhanger ending! Something I look forward to reading.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
With Tarnished being Indie and Sienna’s debut novel, they did a good job in creating a story that was filled to the brim with a little bit of everything in order to bring the story to life. The true likeness the duo brought to the table when capturing the raw, nitty gritty depth into delicate subject matters, of which involved abuse and taboo showcased a somewhat genuine depiction making the story feel more real and life like. Resulting in making it more believable, with the narrative having a authentic feel to it. Considering the natural, intense emotions and feelings that bleed throughout the book in nearly every page with what Indiana is going through and feels.
My heart definitely broke for her, learning about exactly what she went through and continued to endure all throughout. It was like she couldn’t catch a break no matter how hard she tried. And just when she thought she was making headway, something or someone would push her back. Resulting to Indiana falling back into the darkness that continued to surround her, trying to lure her back in. But at the same time, the fact that she still continued to move forward and not let it stop her from continuing to live her life. I definitely had to applaud her for that.
While I did enjoy the story overall, it has to be said that there were a few things I wasn’t too keen on.
For example the constant repetitiveness of Indiana talking about the abuse she suffered, mentioning how and when anything would trigger memories/flashbacks to it all.
While I understood the abuse was important to the narrative of the story, seeing as it made Indiana how she was when it came to her personality and behaviour. Having lead her to be where she was in life now. But even with that said, at the same time it took away from other important aspects within the storyline too. Seeing as the narrative wasn’t able to expand further on other topics/issues as much, at least not to a extensive depth. For example, the relationships that were forming to state who could possibly be in her harem. Something that was important to the narrative, since the Reverse Harem trope plays a big important part in making the story too. Which sort of links into my other issue that was character development. With Tarnished being told solely through Indiana’s perspective. It meant through her POV we learned about the other characters. But in this case, there didn’t seem to be much there, considering the way the focus would be jumping around back and forth between different characters. Leading to moments of character's behaviour and personality doing a 180 without any real explanation. For example, when Maddox was in the spotlight he was shown as sweet, caring and loving towards Indiana. But then he was pushed to the background a little while later, only to then be brought forward again, with a complete personality and behaviour change when it came to Indiana. And it wasn’t really addressed as to why. Something that occurred with some of the other male characters too.
In all honesty all the jumping around the male characters made it a little hard to follow and understand who to consider important and/or a key player. Seeing as we never received the chance to get the real picture behind some of their stories, at least not in a greater depth. Or even a proper set up that can be further addressed within the other books to come in the series.
The other thing I wasn’t so keen on and couldn’t understand was despite Indiana having a hard time with allowing anyone to touch her (including her female and male friends), since it caused her to flinch or react in someway so easily. She was somehow still able to be intimate and give into the moments of intimacy easily enough when it occurred. As if she hadn’t been mentioning her abuse all throughout. It just didn’t really make sense to me.
With that said, overall it was still a good story. Especially considering the fact that Tarnished was a debut novel for new co-authors Indie Black and Sienna Cousins. I applaud them for a job well done in writing a unique, dark and twisted story. It was not at all what I was expecting and I mean that in a good way.
Safe to say I can’t wait to see how Indiana’s story will play out in the next book Destroyed in the Tainted by Ruin Trilogy series. Especially considering that cliffhanger ending! Something I look forward to reading.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2021
*sigh* Where…do I start …
*pinches bridge of nose*
Ok, look. This is hard for me because I know authors often read these and I don’t want to be hurtful. But after reading that, I’m a little offended by the time I “spent” struggling to reach the end of this book that I will never get back.
I respect that this was a lifelong goal for the authors/best friends, and this was the very first book for one of them. Writing is not easy, storytelling is even harder (believe it or not) and it takes fortitude to sit down and push past all the reasons we create to actively avoid writing. For that, good for you!
But I’m having a really, really hard time believing any of this. I get it, it’s fiction, who says I have to believe anything? I guess I don’t, but if you are going through all of the toil of bringing characters to life so that your audience willingly invests time, attention, and emotion in them, like…. We want to make them the best we can, right? We want them to be dimensional and real, and authentic, don’t we? I can see the writers attempting to give just enough to some of the auxiliary characters that creates room for building in the next installment(s), but honestly the only emotion these characters elicit from me is absolute disgust.
Jen, for instance. What is her problem? She hates Otis (yeah, sure she does) and insists to Indiana that she will never, ever like him ever, but we see flashes of anger or whatever when Indiana uses Otis to make Maddox jealous? Why? I need more for that to make any kind of sense.
Otis is understandably angry with Indiana for that reason, but to the point where he immediately dismisses her from his friendship? I mean, I can see him feeling that angry but the likelihood of it being that severe is a little far-fetched.
And Maddox???? Explain to me how he can go from surprised, to SCORCHING hot because he’s been reunited with his soul mate, to treating her no better that shit scraped off the bottom of his shoe. He knows she’s been through some major shit and though he doesn’t know the full extent, he knows she’s been seriously and severely abused. How could he treat her so callously and then expect to be forgiven with some pretty words and hot kisses? AND THEN to do that to her in the cafeteria of all places, at the school where he KNOWS she has nothing but enemies lurking around every corner … it was cruel, careless, inconsiderate, and highly suspicious. If I were her, I’d not have given him a second chance. And yet she does, and he drags her to that stupid party and immediately ditches her. I don’t blame her, honestly, for getting some action from Weston. I probably would have, too. And then I wouldn’t have been such a little bitch as to have run away. I’d have immediately ended it with Maddox right then and there. But she didn’t.
Instead, Indiana, the worst character of all, fucks everything up really, really badly. And considering all of Presley’s threats to her about how he can get in her room even with the lock, I’m surprised she hasn’t searched that place top to bottom looking for hidden doors or whatever, and why she hasn’t used that black card to buy one of those things you jam under the door in hotel rooms to protect from intruders. This girl is supposed to have serious emotional damage, be untrusting, paranoid, haunted. Yet she acts like she’s NOT in danger with her predator foster brother and malignant, homicidal foster sister down the hall. Like, what?!
It’s impossible to like Indiana because she’s not strong — she’s a victim. A victim who pretends she’s strong but then just whimpers and cowers in her own prison of shame. I swear to God if I see the words “tarnished” or “tainted” one more time I’m going to rip out my own eyeballs. There are well over 400,000 words in the English language. Please, for the love of all that is holy, choose different ones.
Sorry. Reigning it in. Trying to pretend like I didn’t hate-read the second half of that book…
Actually, Jagger is the only character I like. And surprisingly the only character I feel has a little more dimension to him and we only spent a chapter or two with him. Who wrote those chapters?
I’m really trying not to pick everything apart, but can we also talk about the dialogue? It’s not natural. It comes across as contrived and forced. Consider the way people talk in real life, with pauses and beats of action and movement and uncertainty. All of the dialogue in this book had a feeling of rehearsed monologue. There wasn’t enough emotion, and there wasn’t enough subtext. Occasionally it came through, but not enough.
I’m going to ignore the writing itself because I’m holding out hope that it was cleaned up more in the second book. Which, yes, I’m going to read but only because I want to know more about Jagger. I could not care less about what happens to Indiana.
I have no feedback about the actual plot or content because it’s irrelevant — you should write about whatever you want, and include whatever you want. The story is yours to tell. But you can tell it better.
I’m giving this two stars in good faith that this will get better, giving the benefit of the doubt that with the debut novel in the rearview mirror that there will be more experience and confidence here in these writers to help clean up some of the carelessness.
Onward to part 2…
*pinches bridge of nose*
Ok, look. This is hard for me because I know authors often read these and I don’t want to be hurtful. But after reading that, I’m a little offended by the time I “spent” struggling to reach the end of this book that I will never get back.
I respect that this was a lifelong goal for the authors/best friends, and this was the very first book for one of them. Writing is not easy, storytelling is even harder (believe it or not) and it takes fortitude to sit down and push past all the reasons we create to actively avoid writing. For that, good for you!
But I’m having a really, really hard time believing any of this. I get it, it’s fiction, who says I have to believe anything? I guess I don’t, but if you are going through all of the toil of bringing characters to life so that your audience willingly invests time, attention, and emotion in them, like…. We want to make them the best we can, right? We want them to be dimensional and real, and authentic, don’t we? I can see the writers attempting to give just enough to some of the auxiliary characters that creates room for building in the next installment(s), but honestly the only emotion these characters elicit from me is absolute disgust.
Jen, for instance. What is her problem? She hates Otis (yeah, sure she does) and insists to Indiana that she will never, ever like him ever, but we see flashes of anger or whatever when Indiana uses Otis to make Maddox jealous? Why? I need more for that to make any kind of sense.
Otis is understandably angry with Indiana for that reason, but to the point where he immediately dismisses her from his friendship? I mean, I can see him feeling that angry but the likelihood of it being that severe is a little far-fetched.
And Maddox???? Explain to me how he can go from surprised, to SCORCHING hot because he’s been reunited with his soul mate, to treating her no better that shit scraped off the bottom of his shoe. He knows she’s been through some major shit and though he doesn’t know the full extent, he knows she’s been seriously and severely abused. How could he treat her so callously and then expect to be forgiven with some pretty words and hot kisses? AND THEN to do that to her in the cafeteria of all places, at the school where he KNOWS she has nothing but enemies lurking around every corner … it was cruel, careless, inconsiderate, and highly suspicious. If I were her, I’d not have given him a second chance. And yet she does, and he drags her to that stupid party and immediately ditches her. I don’t blame her, honestly, for getting some action from Weston. I probably would have, too. And then I wouldn’t have been such a little bitch as to have run away. I’d have immediately ended it with Maddox right then and there. But she didn’t.
Instead, Indiana, the worst character of all, fucks everything up really, really badly. And considering all of Presley’s threats to her about how he can get in her room even with the lock, I’m surprised she hasn’t searched that place top to bottom looking for hidden doors or whatever, and why she hasn’t used that black card to buy one of those things you jam under the door in hotel rooms to protect from intruders. This girl is supposed to have serious emotional damage, be untrusting, paranoid, haunted. Yet she acts like she’s NOT in danger with her predator foster brother and malignant, homicidal foster sister down the hall. Like, what?!
It’s impossible to like Indiana because she’s not strong — she’s a victim. A victim who pretends she’s strong but then just whimpers and cowers in her own prison of shame. I swear to God if I see the words “tarnished” or “tainted” one more time I’m going to rip out my own eyeballs. There are well over 400,000 words in the English language. Please, for the love of all that is holy, choose different ones.
Sorry. Reigning it in. Trying to pretend like I didn’t hate-read the second half of that book…
Actually, Jagger is the only character I like. And surprisingly the only character I feel has a little more dimension to him and we only spent a chapter or two with him. Who wrote those chapters?
I’m really trying not to pick everything apart, but can we also talk about the dialogue? It’s not natural. It comes across as contrived and forced. Consider the way people talk in real life, with pauses and beats of action and movement and uncertainty. All of the dialogue in this book had a feeling of rehearsed monologue. There wasn’t enough emotion, and there wasn’t enough subtext. Occasionally it came through, but not enough.
I’m going to ignore the writing itself because I’m holding out hope that it was cleaned up more in the second book. Which, yes, I’m going to read but only because I want to know more about Jagger. I could not care less about what happens to Indiana.
I have no feedback about the actual plot or content because it’s irrelevant — you should write about whatever you want, and include whatever you want. The story is yours to tell. But you can tell it better.
I’m giving this two stars in good faith that this will get better, giving the benefit of the doubt that with the debut novel in the rearview mirror that there will be more experience and confidence here in these writers to help clean up some of the carelessness.
Onward to part 2…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2021
Indiana Hendrix story starts in Tarnished, the first book in Tainted by Ruin Trilogy, and it takes you on the best kind of Emotional Rollercoaster.
The authors, Indie Black, and Sienna Cousins, did a remarkable job of spinning a haunting tale of an orphaned, young girl and her heartbreaking journey.
Indiana is my favorite type of FMC.
Her life is traumatic AF, but she survives like a badass.
The way she copes is intense and raw, but I think a lot of readers will relate.
“A girl who was taught to fear the touch of others, who cries over the pain of the invisible scars that won’t heal.”
As for love interests, Indiana has two, Maddox and Weston.
Five years ago, Maddox was her best friend, and recently they reunited.
Weston is her nerdy tutor.
Indiana’s attraction to him is undeniable, but she’s hesitant because of Maddox.
Jagger is the local pot dealer, and Jameson is dating Indiana’s sister and one of her biggest bullies.
I’m hoping both of them get added into the mix.
This trilogy’s a dark reverse harem, so anything's possible.
There are also a few chapters from an anonymous character.
This person is a creepy stalker that knows way too much about Indiana.
I have no clue who it could be, but I’m dying to find out who it is.
I would highly recommend Tarnished, but please read the author's trigger warning beforehand.
The authors, Indie Black, and Sienna Cousins, did a remarkable job of spinning a haunting tale of an orphaned, young girl and her heartbreaking journey.
Indiana is my favorite type of FMC.
Her life is traumatic AF, but she survives like a badass.
The way she copes is intense and raw, but I think a lot of readers will relate.
“A girl who was taught to fear the touch of others, who cries over the pain of the invisible scars that won’t heal.”
As for love interests, Indiana has two, Maddox and Weston.
Five years ago, Maddox was her best friend, and recently they reunited.
Weston is her nerdy tutor.
Indiana’s attraction to him is undeniable, but she’s hesitant because of Maddox.
Jagger is the local pot dealer, and Jameson is dating Indiana’s sister and one of her biggest bullies.
I’m hoping both of them get added into the mix.
This trilogy’s a dark reverse harem, so anything's possible.
There are also a few chapters from an anonymous character.
This person is a creepy stalker that knows way too much about Indiana.
I have no clue who it could be, but I’m dying to find out who it is.
I would highly recommend Tarnished, but please read the author's trigger warning beforehand.
July 13, 2021
ONE-SITTING READ
Poor Indiana. I don't think I've come across another character that has suffered so many devastating circumstances and endured so much terrible abuse in a long time. The saying, "If I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all," definitely applies to Indiana. She's dealt with sexual and physical abuse. Lost her parents and one of her foster parents to car accidents. She's bullied at school and only has a couple of people she can call friends. But, even these friends don't know about what she has survived. They haven't seen her scars and she doesn't want them to - she doesn't want their pity.
TARNISHED is a reverse harem, but I still don't know who she's going to end up with even after finishing the book. I have my preference so I'll just have to see how it turns out. All I know is, it's going to be a challenge for things to work out. So far, none of the guys even seem to like each other.
I'm intentionally not mentioning specific plot points because so many things develop during the story. A couple of things really made me stop and think. There are terrible things working in the background of Indiana's life that are going to blindside her. The ending is horrifying and I am on pins and needles waiting to see what happens in DESTROYED, Book 2 of the Tainted by Ruin Trilogy.
Poor Indiana. I don't think I've come across another character that has suffered so many devastating circumstances and endured so much terrible abuse in a long time. The saying, "If I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all," definitely applies to Indiana. She's dealt with sexual and physical abuse. Lost her parents and one of her foster parents to car accidents. She's bullied at school and only has a couple of people she can call friends. But, even these friends don't know about what she has survived. They haven't seen her scars and she doesn't want them to - she doesn't want their pity.
TARNISHED is a reverse harem, but I still don't know who she's going to end up with even after finishing the book. I have my preference so I'll just have to see how it turns out. All I know is, it's going to be a challenge for things to work out. So far, none of the guys even seem to like each other.
I'm intentionally not mentioning specific plot points because so many things develop during the story. A couple of things really made me stop and think. There are terrible things working in the background of Indiana's life that are going to blindside her. The ending is horrifying and I am on pins and needles waiting to see what happens in DESTROYED, Book 2 of the Tainted by Ruin Trilogy.
July 21, 2021
Mixed emotions about this read.
What I enjoyed - the first quarter of the story was intriguing and also tragic. The flashbacks of the heroines past is horrible and sad (triggers). It allowed a better perspective of her character. I loved the side character Otis and Jens funny banter. The last part of the book was intense and a page turner.
What I am unsure of- The introduction of new characters late in the book and side characters with plots I didn’t understand the point of. The middle of the story seemed to drag and also didn’t understand where it was going. I also would have liked more depth into who I think are her love interests and clarification of who they are to her.
I think this has a great premise and am hoping for more insight in the h love interests and that she will find her strength to fight back.
New Adult. Single POV. Dark.
Triggers- SA. Self harm. Abuse
What I enjoyed - the first quarter of the story was intriguing and also tragic. The flashbacks of the heroines past is horrible and sad (triggers). It allowed a better perspective of her character. I loved the side character Otis and Jens funny banter. The last part of the book was intense and a page turner.
What I am unsure of- The introduction of new characters late in the book and side characters with plots I didn’t understand the point of. The middle of the story seemed to drag and also didn’t understand where it was going. I also would have liked more depth into who I think are her love interests and clarification of who they are to her.
I think this has a great premise and am hoping for more insight in the h love interests and that she will find her strength to fight back.
New Adult. Single POV. Dark.
Triggers- SA. Self harm. Abuse
August 13, 2021
Tarnished by Indie Black and Sienna Cousins is a dark high school reverse harem romance. This is the first book in the Tainted By Ruin Trilogy.
The book comes with a caution "It is a Dark High School Reverse Harem Romance that contains scenes that may be triggering to some. Including : sexual assault (minor), physical abuse & self harm. Recommended for readers 18+."
This is Indie and Sienna's debut novel and they knocked it out of the park. I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. The book took me on an emotional rollercoaster that I never wanted to get off.
The book ends on an amazing cliffhanger! I can't wait for the next book in the series Destroyed to be released on December 10, 2021.
I would recommend this book if you love dark romances, bully romances, reverse harems, or romantic suspense.
The book comes with a caution "It is a Dark High School Reverse Harem Romance that contains scenes that may be triggering to some. Including : sexual assault (minor), physical abuse & self harm. Recommended for readers 18+."
This is Indie and Sienna's debut novel and they knocked it out of the park. I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. The book took me on an emotional rollercoaster that I never wanted to get off.
The book ends on an amazing cliffhanger! I can't wait for the next book in the series Destroyed to be released on December 10, 2021.
I would recommend this book if you love dark romances, bully romances, reverse harems, or romantic suspense.
July 9, 2021
This was a story that just had me from the first chapter and turned my insides, out. I’m seriously so shocked this is only a debut novel; it was phenomenal!
Holy freaking goodness, this book has left me with so many raw emotions… I can already tell I’m gonna be in a book and emotional hangover for the next few days.
The writing was addictive, brutal and I just couldn’t stop reading. So many demons… The story was harsh and so freaking painful to experience along with our FMC but I loved every minute; I finished it in two sittings.
The characters were amazingly complex, and the secrets and suspense still has my heart pounding after finishing it nearly 20 minutes ago.
My only dislike was the drama towards the end around the *video* as there was already so much going on in every aspect of the story, I didn’t think it needed to be added in.
I need freaking book two right now!!! I need answers!!!!
Holy freaking goodness, this book has left me with so many raw emotions… I can already tell I’m gonna be in a book and emotional hangover for the next few days.
The writing was addictive, brutal and I just couldn’t stop reading. So many demons… The story was harsh and so freaking painful to experience along with our FMC but I loved every minute; I finished it in two sittings.
The characters were amazingly complex, and the secrets and suspense still has my heart pounding after finishing it nearly 20 minutes ago.
My only dislike was the drama towards the end around the *video* as there was already so much going on in every aspect of the story, I didn’t think it needed to be added in.
I need freaking book two right now!!! I need answers!!!!
July 16, 2021
Wow - what an awesome debut. Indiana/India has suffered a lot of abuse, but had a core of strength. She keeps having crap happen to her, but she tries to keep moving forward. She’s in a new foster home, but back in her hometown, There are several guys interested in India - they are hot but kind of jerks at some point. Honestly, the guy I liked the most was Jagger - he’s the most upfront, the guys definitely have secrets and I’m not entirely sure if they connect to India or not. I also liked her friendships, although I kind of felt bad for Otis in the end, Im still not sure who I am want him to end up with - but he’s pretty fun, This story is dark, and oh so good!
I would definitely heed the trigger warning, as this story does go into the abuse fairly deeply - my heart hurt for India. The story does have a cliffhanger and I really need more - so hopefully book 2 is out soon!
I would definitely heed the trigger warning, as this story does go into the abuse fairly deeply - my heart hurt for India. The story does have a cliffhanger and I really need more - so hopefully book 2 is out soon!
July 9, 2021
What a strong, yet broken human! Surviving trauma isn't perfect and often leaves you damaged. This book was dark, and rough, and got me. Not gonna lie, you might cry. Wow though, wow, I'm so ready for the next book
June 6, 2022
Holly hell! Do Indie Black and Sienna Cousins know how to pack a punch or what?!?!? Tarnished, the first book in the Tainted By Ruin series, will grab hold of you right from the start and take you on a dark and vicious journey into unspeakable pain, heartache, betrayal and lust—and still leave you screaming for more!
Indiana, our resilient heroine, has truly lived a hard life—and one that apparently doesn’t stop kicking her when she’s down and taking a piece of her soul any chance it can get. When tragedy strikes at a young age, and the people that were supposed to care for her don’t, India finds herself lost and alone and struggling—living a life of pure hell and torture.
And even when things seem to get better for her, deceit and betrayal follow her wherever she goes, leaving her wrecked and at the hands of evil once again, and unsure of who to trust. With friends that hurt and enemies as potential allies, India’s life is a crazy roller coaster of emotions. When friendships are tested, will anyone be there for her to save her or is she forever doomed to live a life of darkness? Read on to find out for yourself, but be prepared to buy the second book now too because that ending?!?! Cliffhanger perfection!
Indiana, our resilient heroine, has truly lived a hard life—and one that apparently doesn’t stop kicking her when she’s down and taking a piece of her soul any chance it can get. When tragedy strikes at a young age, and the people that were supposed to care for her don’t, India finds herself lost and alone and struggling—living a life of pure hell and torture.
And even when things seem to get better for her, deceit and betrayal follow her wherever she goes, leaving her wrecked and at the hands of evil once again, and unsure of who to trust. With friends that hurt and enemies as potential allies, India’s life is a crazy roller coaster of emotions. When friendships are tested, will anyone be there for her to save her or is she forever doomed to live a life of darkness? Read on to find out for yourself, but be prepared to buy the second book now too because that ending?!?! Cliffhanger perfection!
July 14, 2021
I definitely didn’t expect this book, but it consumed me til the end! It ripped my heart out so many times while reading and there’s still more to come in this series. How will I survive it all??
Indiana had gone through so much pain and suffering. It’ll frustrate you to no end because how can people be so heartless and cruel? You’ll want to reach into the book and slap a bitch.
Tarnished had me on edge with the bit of suspense. I got chills during certain scenes and the chapters done in an anonymous POV. I loved the mystery of trying to figure out who it could be. I’m so desperate for answers!
The way this book incorporates RH is so different from what I’m used to, which makes it stand out to me. I had to keep guessing so many times who the main interests are because there’s so many of them to choose from! At least two are apparent but who knows what’ll happen in the next book. 😳 I can’t wait to dig deeper into these relationships as we move further along into their story.
The buildup that lead to that cliffhanger hit me with so many emotions that it wrecked me. The wait for the next book will be torture, but I’m so excited for it! You definitely don’t want to miss this series.
Indiana had gone through so much pain and suffering. It’ll frustrate you to no end because how can people be so heartless and cruel? You’ll want to reach into the book and slap a bitch.
Tarnished had me on edge with the bit of suspense. I got chills during certain scenes and the chapters done in an anonymous POV. I loved the mystery of trying to figure out who it could be. I’m so desperate for answers!
The way this book incorporates RH is so different from what I’m used to, which makes it stand out to me. I had to keep guessing so many times who the main interests are because there’s so many of them to choose from! At least two are apparent but who knows what’ll happen in the next book. 😳 I can’t wait to dig deeper into these relationships as we move further along into their story.
The buildup that lead to that cliffhanger hit me with so many emotions that it wrecked me. The wait for the next book will be torture, but I’m so excited for it! You definitely don’t want to miss this series.
July 15, 2021
You need to read this book I can't stress it enough.
I Am Not Alright after reading this😭😭😭 This is by 2 new arthurs for me and it won't be my last. Omg that ending...wth I knew I was getting to the end and I was just hoping we'd get a lil morsel of who the hell Anonymous is I thought I had it a lil figured out and nope it wasn't him ugh now I have to wait for Bk 2.
Indiana is a broken girl who has had a hard life growing up in foster care after her parents were killed. Now she's been placed in another foster home that's in her hometown where all her troubles began it's her final year in HS and all she wants to do is get through this year, but thing's don't always go as planned. This girl deserves all the happiness the world can give her after what she has been through growing up, so be warned there are triggers aplenty in here, but this book is so worth it.
This book had me from start to finish trying to read it faster than I could turn the pages. I wanted to keep on going I couldn't get enough of it. I'll be sitting over here waiting on Bk 2 as I need to know stat.
I Am Not Alright after reading this😭😭😭 This is by 2 new arthurs for me and it won't be my last. Omg that ending...wth I knew I was getting to the end and I was just hoping we'd get a lil morsel of who the hell Anonymous is I thought I had it a lil figured out and nope it wasn't him ugh now I have to wait for Bk 2.
Indiana is a broken girl who has had a hard life growing up in foster care after her parents were killed. Now she's been placed in another foster home that's in her hometown where all her troubles began it's her final year in HS and all she wants to do is get through this year, but thing's don't always go as planned. This girl deserves all the happiness the world can give her after what she has been through growing up, so be warned there are triggers aplenty in here, but this book is so worth it.
This book had me from start to finish trying to read it faster than I could turn the pages. I wanted to keep on going I couldn't get enough of it. I'll be sitting over here waiting on Bk 2 as I need to know stat.
July 21, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐SPOILERS AHEAD⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was such a good book.... But I spent most of it on the edge of tears.
Our FMC Indiana begins her tale at just 12yrs old and already breaks your heart with keeping a horrible, sordid secret from her loving parents. Under threats from her twisted brother Brett she keeps quiet.
But then at school she gets brave and decides to text her mum to tell her she has something important to tell her.... But she never replies. Getting home she sees why... Her parents were killed in a car crash by a hit and run.... But the gleam in brothers eye tells a different story....
He gets guardianship of Indiana but disappears so she stays at her best friends Maddox house but it's not permanent. This starts her 5yrs of Foster hell.
We rejoin Indiana in her 17th year living back in the same town with new Foster parents and going to a posh school. We learn of her past Foster family. The life she had to live. The way she deals now. She doesn't let her guard down easily and her fight, flight or freeze action tends to be fight on verbal fights and freezes whenever anyone touches her...
Iits a shock when Maddox strolls thru the school doors and straight for her. At last you think something good happens for Indiana, she deserves it. But nothing is so straight forward. She's constantly having to be on guard. Her Foster brother, Presleyis a leach. Her foster sister, Tinsley is a bitch and her boyfriend, Jameson is just as much of a leach as Presley.
She's already struggling with school, which means she has to have a tutor every day to help her catch up. Weston is another complication that later accidentally contributes to possibly one of the worst of Indianas days.....
Then there's jagger..... Not sure why or who he is yet! Seems to be a drug dealer but Hmmm....
The ending cliffhanger is brutal... I don't know who anonymous is but he has to be better than who we last saw Indiana with surely...!!??
This was well written and the topics were touched on delicately and with true to life actions, feelings, reasons etc. I think that alone is what kept the tears so close, because the way it was written was so right. Some was hard to read but didn't detract from the story.
Poor Indiana. If there was ever a character that needed a happy ending, it's this one! Keep fingers crossed!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐MAJOR TRIGGER WARNINGS⭐⭐⭐⭐
💚 Self harming from cutting
💚 Mental, emotional and physical abuse
💚 Retelling of younger sexual abuse by family member
💚 Actual happenings of unwanted sexual contact
I received a copy of the ebook in return for an honest review
This was such a good book.... But I spent most of it on the edge of tears.
Our FMC Indiana begins her tale at just 12yrs old and already breaks your heart with keeping a horrible, sordid secret from her loving parents. Under threats from her twisted brother Brett she keeps quiet.
But then at school she gets brave and decides to text her mum to tell her she has something important to tell her.... But she never replies. Getting home she sees why... Her parents were killed in a car crash by a hit and run.... But the gleam in brothers eye tells a different story....
He gets guardianship of Indiana but disappears so she stays at her best friends Maddox house but it's not permanent. This starts her 5yrs of Foster hell.
We rejoin Indiana in her 17th year living back in the same town with new Foster parents and going to a posh school. We learn of her past Foster family. The life she had to live. The way she deals now. She doesn't let her guard down easily and her fight, flight or freeze action tends to be fight on verbal fights and freezes whenever anyone touches her...
Iits a shock when Maddox strolls thru the school doors and straight for her. At last you think something good happens for Indiana, she deserves it. But nothing is so straight forward. She's constantly having to be on guard. Her Foster brother, Presleyis a leach. Her foster sister, Tinsley is a bitch and her boyfriend, Jameson is just as much of a leach as Presley.
She's already struggling with school, which means she has to have a tutor every day to help her catch up. Weston is another complication that later accidentally contributes to possibly one of the worst of Indianas days.....
Then there's jagger..... Not sure why or who he is yet! Seems to be a drug dealer but Hmmm....
The ending cliffhanger is brutal... I don't know who anonymous is but he has to be better than who we last saw Indiana with surely...!!??
This was well written and the topics were touched on delicately and with true to life actions, feelings, reasons etc. I think that alone is what kept the tears so close, because the way it was written was so right. Some was hard to read but didn't detract from the story.
Poor Indiana. If there was ever a character that needed a happy ending, it's this one! Keep fingers crossed!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐MAJOR TRIGGER WARNINGS⭐⭐⭐⭐
💚 Self harming from cutting
💚 Mental, emotional and physical abuse
💚 Retelling of younger sexual abuse by family member
💚 Actual happenings of unwanted sexual contact
I received a copy of the ebook in return for an honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2021
There is no way this is a debut novel, are you kidding me! It was freaking phenomenal. Left me speechless and all in my feelings. Tarnished is raw, gritty and real. The feelings, the pain, the emotions seriously bleed through the pages and bury themselves deep into your soul leaving you a mess. I was hooked on this story and these characters from page one and I could not get enough. I read this in one sitting because there was no chance in hell I was going to be able to put it down. Indiana is one of the most broken yet amazingly fierce FMC I have ever read and I am in complete awe of her. The way our authors were able to bring her to life and make you fell and go through everything that she is going through was brilliant. This girl cannot seem to catch a break and my heart hurt for her. Then we have our guys who are all sexy AF. Jameson…. Hmmmm I haven’t made up my mind on this guy yet sometimes he can be caring and dare I say a bit sweet and then you have most of the time when you want to throat punch him. Then we are left with that ending like WTF!!! I have so many questions and there is still so much I think that we don’t know. I feel like we have barely scratched the surface and some serious ish is about to go down. I need Book 2 NOW!!!! Define MUST READ!!
February 13, 2022
Review: Tarnished
By: Indie Black, Sienna Cousins
Stars: 5\5⭐
This book just blew me away, I Loved it!. I new it was a dark romance going in but when I actually read the book it was a even more dark romance then I first thought. So who ever wants to read this please be aware before reading.
Indie is such a beautiful character. She is someone who has been through so much as a kid. And then later on as a teenager, when it seems her life is looking up something happens to bring her down yet again.
One of many things I just love about this book is that even though Indie's been through so much in life. The experiences didn't harden her, didn't make her a " tough ass bitch" like most dark\bully romance fmc are. Don't get me wrong, she is strong and tough, just in her own way. She takes one day at a time. Which is something I really liked.
And the alpha men in this? So Hot!. I'm a big fan of RH books\series and it delivered. Authors Indie Black and Sienna Cousins are definitely on my top favorite authors now. I cannot wait for book two. I highly recommend this book to anyone who reads this review.
By: Indie Black, Sienna Cousins
Stars: 5\5⭐
This book just blew me away, I Loved it!. I new it was a dark romance going in but when I actually read the book it was a even more dark romance then I first thought. So who ever wants to read this please be aware before reading.
Indie is such a beautiful character. She is someone who has been through so much as a kid. And then later on as a teenager, when it seems her life is looking up something happens to bring her down yet again.
One of many things I just love about this book is that even though Indie's been through so much in life. The experiences didn't harden her, didn't make her a " tough ass bitch" like most dark\bully romance fmc are. Don't get me wrong, she is strong and tough, just in her own way. She takes one day at a time. Which is something I really liked.
And the alpha men in this? So Hot!. I'm a big fan of RH books\series and it delivered. Authors Indie Black and Sienna Cousins are definitely on my top favorite authors now. I cannot wait for book two. I highly recommend this book to anyone who reads this review.
July 10, 2021
Talk about twist and turns. I was holding my breath every other chapter. This book is dark, it has suspense, drama, mystery and spice. I haven’t had a book give me so much whip lash (in a good way) in a while. You really feel for the MFC, her tragedies at points had me in tears and that doesn’t happen with a lot of books. The ending had me WTF’ing. It’s definitely one of those books that takes you a few days to recover from and I’ll be not so patiently waiting for the next one😂 if you like dark reads I definitely recommend.
Read
December 28, 2022Enjoyable read
Good co-write debut for authors Ms. Black and Ms. Cousins.
Dark themes, moody, with angst, expected with high school RH. The ability of the FMC to over come shines through, despite how life treated her. Hope to see more growth with Indiana in book two. The authors do not down play abuse in any way, you’ll feel it through the character’s eyes.
Enjoyed the overall character development, I loved Maddox especially.
Looking forward to reading more from these two. Don’t forget to check the content warning. 3/5 dark themes. 3.5 stars
Good co-write debut for authors Ms. Black and Ms. Cousins.
Dark themes, moody, with angst, expected with high school RH. The ability of the FMC to over come shines through, despite how life treated her. Hope to see more growth with Indiana in book two. The authors do not down play abuse in any way, you’ll feel it through the character’s eyes.
Enjoyed the overall character development, I loved Maddox especially.
Looking forward to reading more from these two. Don’t forget to check the content warning. 3/5 dark themes. 3.5 stars
July 23, 2021
I love trashy books and all, but this novel is just pure cringe. None of these characters (I guess besides Jagger and his family) are likeable. The dialogue is absolutely stupid; who the hell thinks anyone actually talks the way they do in this novel? It's written like an alien trying to simulate how people speak. It horrifies me that a book like this, with such low quality writing and low quality plot + characters, gets 5 star reviews. Also, don't get me started on the terrible comma usage. Please read a grammar book or something before publishing another book or find a different editor.
August 31, 2021
4.5
This is the first book in this series Tainted by Ruin Trilogy and the first book I have read by these authors and it was a great read. This book is a dark, reverse harem romance book that will have you gripped with the suspense and on the edge of your seat.
Indiana is a survivor that has and still is going through so so much and my heart goes out to her so many times. She was being abused by her brother for a long time and when she wanted to tell her parents they wasn't there no more as they died. She ended up in the foster care system after her brother went missing and this was just as bad as when she was with her brother. She doesn't get any love or care and the poor girl went through some really dark times that would break anyone. Fast forward and now she is with a new family and this is when she sees her best friend Maddox that she hasn't seen for a very long time and he awakens something inside of her, his is her protector and her safe place. She is still having a hard time with School and the other students but with Maddox, Weston and Jen her friends she was coping the best she could. Until something or someone returns to her life and that is it everything is up in the air, the question is who is it?
This was a really great read and that cliff-hanger at the end WHAT?!
This book will have your emotions in a vice and you will be rooting for Blue the whole time. I liked how these author written this story and how they made it flow throughout and kept us captivated. I love how the characters were written and I felt like this story was defiantly a slow burn reverse harem romance that is building slowly to something awesome. This book has flashbacks from the time Indiana was growing up so we can understand exactly what she went through and its heart breaking for her. There is still so much that us the readers don't know and there are so many questions especially who anonymous is. This is a nail biting romance read that has elements of self harm and sexual abuse, so please be mindful off the triggers. I cant wait to read the next book in this trilogy and I will highly recommend everyone reads this dark and gritty romance book.
#bookreview #reviewshelpauthors #book1 #booktrilogy #RH
#readmorebooks #booklove #kindlereads #Tarnished #TaintedbyRuin #IndieBlack #SiennaCousins #ReverseHaremRomance #HighSchoolRomance #DarkRomance #ReverseHarem
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This is the first book in this series Tainted by Ruin Trilogy and the first book I have read by these authors and it was a great read. This book is a dark, reverse harem romance book that will have you gripped with the suspense and on the edge of your seat.
Indiana is a survivor that has and still is going through so so much and my heart goes out to her so many times. She was being abused by her brother for a long time and when she wanted to tell her parents they wasn't there no more as they died. She ended up in the foster care system after her brother went missing and this was just as bad as when she was with her brother. She doesn't get any love or care and the poor girl went through some really dark times that would break anyone. Fast forward and now she is with a new family and this is when she sees her best friend Maddox that she hasn't seen for a very long time and he awakens something inside of her, his is her protector and her safe place. She is still having a hard time with School and the other students but with Maddox, Weston and Jen her friends she was coping the best she could. Until something or someone returns to her life and that is it everything is up in the air, the question is who is it?
This was a really great read and that cliff-hanger at the end WHAT?!
This book will have your emotions in a vice and you will be rooting for Blue the whole time. I liked how these author written this story and how they made it flow throughout and kept us captivated. I love how the characters were written and I felt like this story was defiantly a slow burn reverse harem romance that is building slowly to something awesome. This book has flashbacks from the time Indiana was growing up so we can understand exactly what she went through and its heart breaking for her. There is still so much that us the readers don't know and there are so many questions especially who anonymous is. This is a nail biting romance read that has elements of self harm and sexual abuse, so please be mindful off the triggers. I cant wait to read the next book in this trilogy and I will highly recommend everyone reads this dark and gritty romance book.
#bookreview #reviewshelpauthors #book1 #booktrilogy #RH
#readmorebooks #booklove #kindlereads #Tarnished #TaintedbyRuin #IndieBlack #SiennaCousins #ReverseHaremRomance #HighSchoolRomance #DarkRomance #ReverseHarem
My BLOG
https://www.facebook.com/VickisMagica...
July 18, 2021
Man the things she went through, so scary and so sad. There is just so much depravity here, I was shook. And we don't even get a reason or I don't the whys of it because people are just evil. It is kinda hard to read through the things she goes through but as the story goes on it was interesting to see the other characters their interactions with her and a plot that is brewing because things are set in a certain way, there are some indications that make us assume which way the story can go in the second book and I like that. Because I already feel like I am uncovering certain secrets from reading certain scenes in this book. But then I cannot be too sure because unexpected things can be expected. The ending is very scary and chilling. Something I did not expect. When it comes to the boys in the harem well, well so far we have three possible candidates and It's interesting how those three are not exactly friends of each other so how this all will come together will be something to look forward to.
Maddox is her best friend and the sweetest guy she comes across who grew up to be so alpha but he is definitely going through his own shit so its always back and forth with him so that did not make me like him. I think as everything is through Indiana's pov it is hard to empathise with his shit actions lol. But there's a story there because he loves the girl still acts like a douche.
Weston is the real sweet guy, start to finish- the hot nerdy guy. I think i respected him by the end when he just wanted Indiana to choose him or give him something properly but when she could not he backed off. Though there is a hardness to him even though he appears as a sweet person and I like that because Indiana's demons are very real and she needs tough guys on her side.
Jagger is my fave haha obviously If you read the book then you know he was the one who just comes up randomly and manages to sweep all of us off our feet. He has the most potential to fight back when Indiana gets in danger so I like the odds of having him in the harem honestly.
We have Otis who is such a fun guy and not exactly pat of the harem he has more going on with Indiana's best friend Jen. I love these two characters and their friendship with Indiana brightens up all the dark spots of her life.
Looking forward to the second book!
Maddox is her best friend and the sweetest guy she comes across who grew up to be so alpha but he is definitely going through his own shit so its always back and forth with him so that did not make me like him. I think as everything is through Indiana's pov it is hard to empathise with his shit actions lol. But there's a story there because he loves the girl still acts like a douche.
Weston is the real sweet guy, start to finish- the hot nerdy guy. I think i respected him by the end when he just wanted Indiana to choose him or give him something properly but when she could not he backed off. Though there is a hardness to him even though he appears as a sweet person and I like that because Indiana's demons are very real and she needs tough guys on her side.
Jagger is my fave haha obviously If you read the book then you know he was the one who just comes up randomly and manages to sweep all of us off our feet. He has the most potential to fight back when Indiana gets in danger so I like the odds of having him in the harem honestly.
We have Otis who is such a fun guy and not exactly pat of the harem he has more going on with Indiana's best friend Jen. I love these two characters and their friendship with Indiana brightens up all the dark spots of her life.
Looking forward to the second book!
July 15, 2021
Dark, incredibly intense and heartbreaking!
WOW! I am still in a state of utter shock and awe after finishing this incredibly tragic and dark story – and this is only the first book in this new trilogy! Saying that this story is emotional does not cover how exceedingly emotional it actually is. The constant tragic revelations thrown out and the perverse antics of certain characters kept me crying and screaming till I was completely spent. This story pushes us down a dark and depraved rabbit hole and leaves us to dig our way out while fighting our out of control emotions along the way.
Indiana is a broken girl trying to survive in a world where everyone keeps pulling her back into the darkness. The depravity and perverted delights that were done to her as a child are horrendous unthinkable atrocities. Not many would be able to survive and continue to grow like she does. Her demons are continuously torturing her and no matter what she does they keep dragging her back down – but she is a survivor and I can definitely see her growing into something more as the story progresses.
Brilliantly written and filled with so much raw emotion that it made me grind my teeth and scream with utter hate, my heart was constantly ready to explode and my stomach was in knots. The secrets, betrayals and bullying was extremely intense and maddening while reading. Indiana’s story dug its claws into me and buried itself into my heart and that ending – UGH WHY!!!! I need more answers!
I loved every dark and delicious second of this amazing story! I can’t wait to see how this all plays out.
For those with triggers – THIS IS NOT THE BOOK FOR YOU! For everyone one else that loves their stories bordering on pitch black, this story is definitely for you and your devious black hearts.
WOW! I am still in a state of utter shock and awe after finishing this incredibly tragic and dark story – and this is only the first book in this new trilogy! Saying that this story is emotional does not cover how exceedingly emotional it actually is. The constant tragic revelations thrown out and the perverse antics of certain characters kept me crying and screaming till I was completely spent. This story pushes us down a dark and depraved rabbit hole and leaves us to dig our way out while fighting our out of control emotions along the way.
Indiana is a broken girl trying to survive in a world where everyone keeps pulling her back into the darkness. The depravity and perverted delights that were done to her as a child are horrendous unthinkable atrocities. Not many would be able to survive and continue to grow like she does. Her demons are continuously torturing her and no matter what she does they keep dragging her back down – but she is a survivor and I can definitely see her growing into something more as the story progresses.
Brilliantly written and filled with so much raw emotion that it made me grind my teeth and scream with utter hate, my heart was constantly ready to explode and my stomach was in knots. The secrets, betrayals and bullying was extremely intense and maddening while reading. Indiana’s story dug its claws into me and buried itself into my heart and that ending – UGH WHY!!!! I need more answers!
I loved every dark and delicious second of this amazing story! I can’t wait to see how this all plays out.
For those with triggers – THIS IS NOT THE BOOK FOR YOU! For everyone one else that loves their stories bordering on pitch black, this story is definitely for you and your devious black hearts.
July 11, 2021
What an explosive read by two new to me authors debut novel that’s filled with so much darkness and brokenness, leaving me utterly shocked. What Indiana has gone through her entire life is an undeniably tragedy that just seems to constantly continue. With no break in sight, she has no other choice but to become a fighter.
“I feel like I'm not good enough for anything” —Indiana
My emotions were all over the place, between her childhood encounters and first love, her overbearing foster parents, to reconnecting with the only man she has ever and will ever truly care about. These characters were everything!! The ability to connect with numerous people while maintaining the connection with Indiana, was written remarkably well.
“You're it for me, there’s nothing and no one that is more important to me than you.” -Maddox
Maddox was such an addicting side character from the beginning. I felt his pain with what was thrown at him, regardless of his actions. But, Indiana is such a broken soul, all she knows and understands is hurt. Maddox is such an understanding lover and more importantly, best friend.
**This is the kiss of two souls, bound together by love, separated by darkness, coming back together.
The mystery surrounding the anonymous character, along with the secrets, lies, and deceit from other characters, made me unable to set the book down. And that ending! There are no many questions twirling around in my head, so many different scenarios, my anxiety is over the top! December cannot come quick enough!!
Also, please pay attention to the trigger warnings. If you’re sensitive to dark topics, don’t read this because it is definitely not intended for the faint at heart.
“I feel like I'm not good enough for anything” —Indiana
My emotions were all over the place, between her childhood encounters and first love, her overbearing foster parents, to reconnecting with the only man she has ever and will ever truly care about. These characters were everything!! The ability to connect with numerous people while maintaining the connection with Indiana, was written remarkably well.
“You're it for me, there’s nothing and no one that is more important to me than you.” -Maddox
Maddox was such an addicting side character from the beginning. I felt his pain with what was thrown at him, regardless of his actions. But, Indiana is such a broken soul, all she knows and understands is hurt. Maddox is such an understanding lover and more importantly, best friend.
**This is the kiss of two souls, bound together by love, separated by darkness, coming back together.
The mystery surrounding the anonymous character, along with the secrets, lies, and deceit from other characters, made me unable to set the book down. And that ending! There are no many questions twirling around in my head, so many different scenarios, my anxiety is over the top! December cannot come quick enough!!
Also, please pay attention to the trigger warnings. If you’re sensitive to dark topics, don’t read this because it is definitely not intended for the faint at heart.
July 10, 2021
If you haven’t guessed by now but I love me some high school reverse harems. That’s my thing, give me this thing. And Tarnished did not disappoint me at all. Really good character development. Amazing wit and humor in a seemingly dark book. Seriously, Jen and Otis, their banter is top notch funny. And all the guys are sexy and have great personalities. Well except Jameson, he can jump into a bath of acid. Maybe. ok. Maybe not. I don’t know I’m torn with him. I don’t know if I hate him or like him.
Do not take the triggers lightly. Indiana has been through so much! I am literally trying to hold back tears because Indiana is so effing damaged. So broken. I just wanna wrap her in a blanket and raze the world. Even though, she is slightly vulnerable, she’s got a ramrod straight spine of steel. This girl…I have no words to describe how fricking impressed I am by her. The courage it must take to still put one foot in front of the other after all that she has endured is nothing short of breathtaking. I may have a slight girl crush. As soon as I clicked this, I knew I was in for a ride. Her past shapes her. Her demons are dark and stormy. I am left completely bereft. So many emotions running rampant. I am left with so many questions. First, WTF is going on? Second, WTF is going on? I need book 2 immediately.
Do not take the triggers lightly. Indiana has been through so much! I am literally trying to hold back tears because Indiana is so effing damaged. So broken. I just wanna wrap her in a blanket and raze the world. Even though, she is slightly vulnerable, she’s got a ramrod straight spine of steel. This girl…I have no words to describe how fricking impressed I am by her. The courage it must take to still put one foot in front of the other after all that she has endured is nothing short of breathtaking. I may have a slight girl crush. As soon as I clicked this, I knew I was in for a ride. Her past shapes her. Her demons are dark and stormy. I am left completely bereft. So many emotions running rampant. I am left with so many questions. First, WTF is going on? Second, WTF is going on? I need book 2 immediately.
July 12, 2021
Tarnished, book one in the Tainted by Ruin Trilogy follows the troubled Indiana Hendrix as she adjusts to living a somewhat normal life with her current foster family. For being so young, India has one hell of a rough life—she suffered abuse at the hands of her older brother for years, her parents die unexpectedly, her grandmother disowned her, she’s then sent into a foster home where she’s tortured and locked away for FIVE years, and then once she escapes that gets bullied by her current foster siblings.
Despite her somewhat improved situation and the therapy her foster family insists she attend, India is plagued by nightmares and suffers from severe PTSD—understandably, and finds release in self harm. Things seem to look up for India when her former childhood best friend transfers into her school, but unfortunately for India things don’t stay happy for long.
Tarnished has a lot going on story wise, but doesn’t get too convoluted. Outside of India’s flashbacks, her self harm and the effects her PTSD has on her life, she’s juggling harassment from her foster brother and another student at her school, her sister is an absolute c u next Tuesday, her love life is messy as fuck, and there’s a stalker she doesn’t even know she has. It’s A LOT 🤣
My only real issue with Tarnished is the lack of true RH… Like yes, India has several men/boys sniffing around, but it’s nothing cohesive or what is really labelled RH, it’s more of a love triangle (or pentagon really). Maybe that will be sorted in Destroyed?
Overall a pretty solid debut for Indie Black & Sienna Cousins!
Despite her somewhat improved situation and the therapy her foster family insists she attend, India is plagued by nightmares and suffers from severe PTSD—understandably, and finds release in self harm. Things seem to look up for India when her former childhood best friend transfers into her school, but unfortunately for India things don’t stay happy for long.
Tarnished has a lot going on story wise, but doesn’t get too convoluted. Outside of India’s flashbacks, her self harm and the effects her PTSD has on her life, she’s juggling harassment from her foster brother and another student at her school, her sister is an absolute c u next Tuesday, her love life is messy as fuck, and there’s a stalker she doesn’t even know she has. It’s A LOT 🤣
My only real issue with Tarnished is the lack of true RH… Like yes, India has several men/boys sniffing around, but it’s nothing cohesive or what is really labelled RH, it’s more of a love triangle (or pentagon really). Maybe that will be sorted in Destroyed?
Overall a pretty solid debut for Indie Black & Sienna Cousins!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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