The Ritual: A Dark College Romance

Product Information

Trigger(s)/Content Warning(s): Drug/Alcohol Use. Violence. Murder. Death. Non/Dub Con. Branding. Forced Sex Fantasy. Breath Play. Masks. Bondage. Kidnapping.

When you think this world couldn’t get any twistier, these (anti)heroes couldn’t get any swoonier, Shantel proves. you. wrong. The things I did like were the beginning chapters. The way Tyson presented in about the first 7-8 chapters was dark deliciousness. I liked the cameos and how their characters aligned with the story, and how their demeanors stayed consistent to the other books. She starts to think that maybe she never wanted to see him again and that he could have never loved her. But in a cruel twist of fate, she has been handed over to him in what she believes is a heartless deal.This series gets better and better with each book. And it is entered into "reasons why Shantel Tessier is just top tier" Would I recommend this book? Yes. Remember, this is a work of fiction. I’m only recommending this to readers that can handle Dark College Romances that can handle the dark elements in this book. This book has many triggers; I’ve listed them in my review, and the author has them in the book. If you are like me and love these books where you have a sadist OTT J/P MMC with FMC is a masochist, this book is for you. For starters, why did Whitney hate Lake so much? And Luke, what was his deal? And why were so many people more loyal to Luke than Tyson? What was he offering them? And the father... it was all a bit messy (or a lot). Unsere Protagonistin Laikyn ist auch sehr blass gewesen. Sie weint nur rum und zeigt nicht einmal ihre Stärke. Diese gibt es anscheinend auch nicht.

I loved Tyson in the other books and was expecting more from him but this was so underwhelming. They never had time to bond or form attachment, everyone treated Lake worse than shit (which im noticing is common for all of shantel's fmcs). All her and Ty ever did was to have nasty sex and girlie's suddenly in luv??? Gurl he didn't even do the bare minimum. There were so many twists and turn getting thrown at you constantly that you basically held your breath the whole time you were reading. Just nonstop action and mystery. I had high hopes for Lake, I thought she was a strong character in the beginning, and there were times that she showed or thought of it and cheered her on. I really supported her. She really had gone through a lot, and it’s pretty understandable since she’s traumatized. In the end, I feel sorry for her. I do read about dubcon and… I love degradation, but as a cliche for me to say this, I guess for me I didn’t feel an authentic connection between both characters. (Maybe that’s just me). The way their relationship began was questionable, and I didn’t support it. In my head, I guess I kept second-guessing their relationship, but then again, it may be just me. However, they kind of both worked it out in the end.

But I am here for Carnage and the Spade brothers. Obsessed with this world and with all the epilogues with their kids it’s got me excited for the next gen!

Shantel Tessier brings the spice and suspense in this sinister story of pain, pleasure, sadism, and savagery! Tyson and Lake's love is intense, depraved, and slightly unhinged. Strap in tight, and prepare yourself for a dirty, unconventional romance with a trigger list in the double digits.Daddy Ryat who???? How about DADDY TYSON!!!!!! I have been waiting for so long to learn about Tysons history and let me tell you, Shantel Tessier DELIVERED!!!!!!! Tyson is a everything you want in a man and more. He is truly the definition of a Lord!!!!! After his chosen Whitney died, he had a plan to marry her sister Laikyn (Lake) to get revenge on her family for what they had put him through. Lake had always been obssesed with Tyson, seeing the things he would do to her sister, that would make her hot and bothered, but after she thought he had killed her sister, she despised him. He planned to make her beg for him, crave him, be his dirty whore that he would rub in her families face. I can’t get to much into details because YOU HAVE TO READ IT. Twists, turns, anger, sadness and man lots and lots of dirty sex lol. If you haven’t read The Ritual or The Sinner yet, I highly recommend you do, as the characters from those books make appearances in the story to Tyson. Not only that, she finds herself in charge of the Roses the flower shop that has been in the family for years. This is a lot of responsibility and she often finds herself stressed out and very busy. I enjoyed the characters, even when I thought the heroine was acting dumb. While Lake acted like she knew it all, she knew very little. Her ignorance is what drove this story though. Tyson had so many secrets and even I was guessing, right to the end, what his motives were and why things were happening the way they were. Honestly, I wanted to rate this book higher because it was hotter and more deceptively devastating than I thought it would be. However, in the end, I felt that things were left dangling a bit. I was so hyped to finally read Tyson's story! He was just as brutal, secretive, and maddening as I thought he would be, and I loved him for it! One day, I realized he was not who I thought he was. It didn’t change anything, though, because I was already too far gone. If anything, I fell for him harder.