Tate James is the mastermind behind some of my favorite why choose romances of all time, so when I heard she had a new series coming I knew I would be picking it up right away. Dear Reader is the first book in the Devil’s Backbone series, a why choose, secret society, enemies-to-lovers romance with four devious love interests and a feisty heroine who fights them every step of the way.
Ashley’s mother and stepfather set her up with a generous scholarship to pursue a graduate degree at Nevaeh University, and she’s so excited for the opportunity for a better future. The only problem is that her new stepbrother Nate and his three best friends are on the same campus, and they’ve set out to make Ashley’s life a living hell. What’s worse is that Ashley has no idea why.
When Ashley finds a diary underneath the floorboards of her room, left there by its previous occupant, detailing the sins of a secret society on campus called the Devil’s Backbone, she quickly discovers that her stepbrother and his friends are part of it.
She’s quickly drawn into Nate, Heath, Royce, and Carter’s dangerous games. Even with their cruelty, and their dubious secret society, Ashley can’t quite seem to resist their mercurial charms, even if it might be the death of her.
The characters in Dear Reader are classic Tate James characters. The boys are arrogant, sexy-as-hell, and complete assholes in the beginning. Ashley is smart, takes no shit, and matches their energy perfectly.
I love the way this author writes male friendship. Let’s be real, it’s a little over-the-top and unrealistic, but despite being devious and cunning, these guys are fiercely loyal and devoted to each other, and it’s such fun to read, especially as they navigate their jealousies regarding Ashley.
There is not so much banter between these characters, more that these guys, despite being graduate students, are straight up bullying Ashley and she’s standing up for herself. It’s a feeling that is quintessentially Tate James, and it’s enticing to read, even when it’s oh-so-toxic.
Dear Reader has so much delicious sexual tension that is only amplified by the hate and mind games. The spice is scorching hot, a little toxic, and plentiful. This is only the first book in the series, though, so while the dynamics are established with all four love interests, not all of them get sexy time…yet.
This book features intense drama that feels like an X-rated CW show, in the best way possible. There’s a lot of tension and angst, with an underlying mystery to tie it all together.
I couldn’t put this book down. It’s a fast-paced page-turner that I read in a single day because it so thoroughly captured my attention.
I will give you fair warning, Dear Reader ends on a cliffhanger that will make readers want to scream, but the good news is, the next book comes out in July, so the wait won’t be too torturous. The Devil’s Backbone is a three book series that will be complete in September 2025.
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