Twisted Heathens: A Dark Reverse Harem Romance (Blackwood Institute Book 1)

POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!!!This book had me in a chokehold. I used to read a lot of dark books that were heavy with trigger warnings especially about mental health and such but recently I started reading lots of fantasy. Now don't get me wrong, fantasy is always going to be a favorite of mine but boyyyyy I forgot how much I love dark, twisted books like this.As someone who has my own situations with mental health and problems with suicidal ideation (don't worry I am in therapy), this book resonated with me deeply.The characters all have very unique personalities and issues but the way they all needed each other and complete something inside of each other is beautiful.Brooklyn is such a complex character with real horrors and trauma that molds who she has become by the time the book begins. She has such depth and even some growth throughout the book (when you read the book, you'll understand why I say SOME growth). The boys also are complex and interesting. All having their own parts they play. The way the care and defend Brooklyn filled my heart. To them she is everything. To the boys she is just as broken, filled with darkness, and dealing with horrific trauma as them. They make the perfect "family" in their own way.The way J. Rose handled and wrote about the mental health in this book was so real, raw, and relatable as someone who, like I said above, has gone through her own trauma. The intruding thoughts, the guilt, the feeling of helplessness and just feeling like you have to give up because the world and people in it would be better without you. It was honest and held no punches. Very dark and twisted.The main story is about this group and what they go through individually and separately. It's about how they affect each other. Their feelings about each other and themselves. And of course, the institution they are all stuck in, Blackwood Institute. I loved that there was more to it than just that though. In the background you slowly start to realize that something isn't right at Blackwood Institute. In fact, something is very very wrong. That background plot is what sets the stage for the second book. I haven't read it yet but am literally starting it right after I finish this review lol. It left off on a cliffhanger and thankfully this is a completed series, so I am able to dive right into the next book.I did not expect to love this book the way I did. I was waiting for a couple of very anticipated reads of mine to come out and stumbled upon this book. I figured I would read it as a palate cleanser before all the books I was waiting on came out. At the time I also had no idea it wasn't a standalone. But I ended up devouring this book in one day. I couldn't stop. I was in deep. If you love dark and twisty kinds of books, reverse hareems, thrillers/mystery's, books about mental health, and trigger warnings galore, this book is absolutely for you!!!! If you are new to the genre or have certain triggers that are a hard no for you, definitely read the trigger warnings before beginning!Other than that, enjoy!!!

Usually a character driven story isn't my favorite type of story to read, but I really did enjoy this book. I'm giving a strong 3.5, but simply because nothing really happened due to it being a character driven story. However the characters were well developed and despite them all having their own personal battles and demons to fight I found each one loveable. I would have given a solid 4 star too if there had been more character growth. But, being aware that it is a first on a series and leaves off on a cliff hanger, I do want to get into the next book as soon as possible and have high hopes for more plot and some good character growth.But would I recommend this book? Yes and no. This book is DARK. There are graphic scenes and heavy mental health themes. Along with violence, gore and what I personally would consider abuse this book is most certainly not for everyone. But if you love yourself a dark and twisted story that is character driven then I would certainly recommend this. If not steer clear. But please, if you have triggers, be sure to deeply look into all warnings.

4.5 starsA strong yet disturbed Brooklyn (Brooke) finds herself transferred to an innovative and elite mental care facility, Blackwood Institute, where unconventional therapy (supposedly) lead to patient rehabilitation as well as to fulfilling sentence time for re-entry into society. But, there is more to inmate institution than appears, not just for its patients.I loved the myriad of why-choose characters: Phoenix - bipolar and carefree, most of the time; Hudson - broody, muscular, hot head; Eli - silent, victim of a synesthesia disorder, and seeker of pain as emotional self-expression with a natural affinity to Brooke; and Kade - empathetic, generous big brother, devoted to keeping the family together. Dark, broken, and, for some, severely traumatizing pasts led to the persons they've become, the behaviors they demonstrate. Brooke, fiercely independent, with characteristics of all them, is one of the most damaged. And of course, there were true villains. The beauty of this story is the sorrowfulness of every character's journey to mental freedom within personal persecution.This was a raw, gritty, and psychologically dark story, a slow burn of gradual reveal of personal tragedies, plights with only pockets of levity. Definitely a mentally dark read, which echoed sentiments of despair and perversion. While the steam was slow to come, it arrived at just the right time. It was a gradual building of the why-choose members, which worked well for plot and character development. I liked the mm. I also liked presenting of sexual freedom even when destructive. It was thought-provoking to read how characters handled their dysfunction through vices. I read with apt attention and sometimes disquiet at mental and self-harm affliction along with drugs, alcohol abuse, and other vices. The book's warnings are valid.My only issue was the story lulled at times, stilted progression rather than any inherent development as a slow burn. The reveals of past histories and their connections felt needlessly withheld, as parts were not connected until the very end of the book.Overall, a moving, heartfelt and captivating story. Brooke's pain, the guys’ infatuation and fascination with her, and their trauma were tangible. Loved Eli, Kade, Hudson, Phoenix, and Brooklyn, all so obviously crazy but well-suited as a unit. The steam was gritty, perverse wrapped in insanity. And the ending was so touching. Brava! I can't wait to read book 2.

Oh my gosh with this book, I mean is everything I wanted in a dark RH, also discovered this author so I’am beyond excited to continue this series 🥰5/5 ⭐️

Let me just say that this is probably one of the hardest books I’ve ever read emotionally. It deals with a lot of important issues like mental health and the treatment of individuals with mental health conditions, loss, trauma, substance abuse, and the innermost workings of the human mind. In all honesty, the author captured the true struggle of mental health very well while still adding an air of mystery and intrigue. Brooklyn is a character that is misunderstood by the world she’s in and labelled as a criminal, and yet you can’t help but understand her and empathize with her. She feels like an outcast and like she doesn’t belong (which let’s be honest, I think we’ve all been there at least once), until a band of misfits at her new treatment facility take her under their wing and try to convince her that she belongs, and she belongs with them. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book that I wasn’t expecting that kept me on my toes, and I loved every second of it! This book also has multiple points of view that added a level of depth to the story that took my breath away and provided a more intimate understanding of all the characters and their struggles. Another thing I absolutely adored about this book is that there are songs at the beginning of each chapter… I highly recommend listening to them as they come up because they enhance the mood of certain scenes and add a whole other level of sensory experience to an already captivating story. The ending had my heart pounding in my chest and I cannot wait for the next instalment of the Blackwood Institute series. This book broke my heart and put it back together again and I would experience it all over without hesitation.

Wow this book was Wow,Dark and twisty this book packs a punch, with seriously damaged characters and the neferious Blackwood Institute.Not sure i'm looking forward to the next book is the right descriptive , but im 100% sure im gonna read it, I need to see where this goes.

Is dark, psychotic and dipraved. Its a strongly emotional book. The mental health issues that the society has and how hopless it makes us is beautifully writen. Can't wait for the second book.

This book was as intriguing as it was heartbreaking. These characters are so beautifully broken, and there’s something about the way they’ve been crafted that had me immediately invested.The overarching plot pulls you in within the first few chapters, and I couldn’t put this down no matter how much I needed to. Loved every single word and I’m straight into book two!