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  • A Ruin of Roses

  • Deliciously Dark Fairytales, Book 1
  • Written by: K.F. Breene
  • Narrated by: Tillie Hooper
  • Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (104 ratings)

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A Ruin of Roses

Written by: K.F. Breene
Narrated by: Tillie Hooper
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Publisher's Summary

I could save him, but he would ruin me.

The beast.

The creature that stalks the forbidden wood.

The dragon prince.

He has suffered a fate worse than death. We all have. A curse put upon us by the mad king.

We are a kingdom locked in time. Shifters unable to feel our animals. Stuck here by a deal between the late king and a demon who seeks our destruction.

The only one keeping this kingdom alive is Nyfain, the golden prince to a stolen throne. The last dragon shifter.

He's our hope.

He's my nightmare.

When he catches me trespassing in the forbidden wood, he doesn't punish me with death, as he's entitled.

He takes me, instead. Forces me back to the castle as his prisoner. Seeks to use me.

Apparently, I can save him. I can save the whole forgotten kingdom, locked away by the demon king's power.

But it would mean taming the monster beneath his skin. It would mean giving myself to him.

It would mean my ruin.

This is a dark and spicy Beauty and the Beast retelling featuring an anti-hero, a strong heroine, and a humorous supporting cast. This is an enemies-to-lovers and possible fated mates story suitable for 18+. It's the first of a trilogy, ending on a cliffhanger.

©2021 Hazy Dawn Press, Inc (P)2021 Hazy Dawn Press, Inc

What listeners say about A Ruin of Roses

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Basically Soft Porn

The concept is fun and I love the idea of the story. However I found the constant sex scenes and turn-on references super-annoying after a while and gave up on the book. I’m not a prude but I just wanted her to get on with the story.
If porn (and being dominated) is what you’re after, you’ll probably enjoy this book and there’s not too much storyline to interrupt the sex. If you want an engaging story that keeps it’s pace, then you might find it disappointing.

2 people found this helpful

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Could have been good

The idea for this story is a good one but the delivery?!? Having a few scenes of soft porn in a book is acceptable but when 80% of the scenes are soft to hard porn it takes away from what could have been a great story.

I would love to have the storyline rewritten without all the vulgarity.

1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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awesome

very refreshing retelling of beauty and the beast. very foul mouthed and smutty..... like very smutty so you have been warned. world building is amazing. characters are very addictive and likeable. I cannot wait to keep going with this series. I burned through this book sooo fast.

1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Books 3&4 are worth getting through 1&2

Books 1&2 are sometimes fun, sometimes hilarious, often cringey. Lots of spice and some interesting plot. I did laugh out loud a lot thanks to one spectacular character. The series really tastes a step up when you get to books 3&4. The characters develop more depth and the plot gets significantly more interesting. Recommended the series if you want something fun, quite spicy, and some good laughs along the way.

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Spicy, fun and hilarious

love more every time I "reread", it is my fave series by this author, download now.

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Don't listen if your kids are near

Every other word is swearing or some perverse sex talk. I could barely listen. I think the story line would be good without all the swearing and gross sex scenes. 🤷‍♀️

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I loved the entire book

I listened to the book so fast. Each character had their own personality and I loved it. She’s not a damsel in distress, they are equals.

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The voice acting was superb!

Tillie Hooper deserves an award! Her voice acting brought this book to another level!

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Great story, wonderful characters

The main character is as snarky, funny and delightful as you could want. The dialogue is sharp and the side characters well developed.

The romance is definitely hot, and you can feel the attraction between them.

The story itself is a unique twist on “beauty and the beast” theme with plenty of mystery to keep you guessing. Its not too straightforward.

The performances is delightful and an easy listen. I particularly enjoy the castle butler. This is a really great audiobook- I cannot wait to get into #2 in the series!

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  • Jeffrey Alvarado
  • 2021-10-21

Deliciously Dirty Beauty/Beast Twist

THIS BOOK IS NC17 – If you’re a Young Adult genre fan – move on. If you’re looking for something dirtier than the standard vanilla romance books, get this book. Don’t forget to pack your pearls – Breene’s new dark fantasy series will lead you through her kingdom of loyalty, darkness, and steam. Just watch out for that kinky dungeon party along the way.
I hated twists of established fairy tales/characters/movies. Until KF Breene wrote one. And I’m sure it’s now ruined me retellings from other authors. I also had not read erotica books but naturally Breene’s great at that too. Then again, I’d read a eulogy if she wrote one, but that’s beside the point. I always enjoyed her sex scenes from her other series’ but never realized how most of them were “vanilla” till now. This book is perfect for those looking to experience a little more kink without being TOO erotically adventurous. Yet. But be prepared, I hear the rest of the series will test those boundaries. I loved how the main character, Finley, had never really been adventurous either but given the opportunity, chooses where she might be interested in pushing her line. It’s a powerful “broadening your horizons” story without being overbearing. Don’t get me wrong though. There are plenty of crazy kinky scenes in the castle that she stumbles across. And I’m told we have even more to look forward to in the sequel.

When it comes to the retelling of B&tB, the very basic concepts are there, but are faint enough that it isn’t distracting. You fall into the unique & dark story to find small breadcrumb reminders; but get quickly distracted by the next twist. I really cannot quit raving at how well done AROR is. It’s NOTHING like the original. Which makes it that much more enjoyable. And drives you mad wanting to see/read what could happen next. Fkng masterful is the only way I can describe it. In the best, most erotic way possible.

What stood out to me the most though was how fast and deep (haha pun intended) the plot was developed. Even with all the sexual angst & situations that pepper the story from cover to cover. It really was amazingly done. Nothing felt incomplete plot-wise because of all the time spent on sex, but rather left you wanting more. Although I will say I felt like I needed a shower to wash all the deliciously dirty scenes away from my mind. Possibly after reading them one more time for the road…

The narration is wonderfully done! I love Tillie Hooper (and her non-romance pen name) so I was so excited to hear she is narrating this series!

Lastly, I was so lost in the developments toward the end of the book that I had no clue I was rapidly approaching the end. I MAY have cursed colorfully aloud when I reached what I realized was the final line in the book. Forget wanting the next book. I need the entire SERIES. NOW.

47 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for 👑 B. Stout
  • 👑 B. Stout
  • 2021-10-21

Amazing adult retelling with different twists

Those worried about triggers; Dark does not mean forced, there is none of that here. Just different kinks, some characters do refer shame sex, though it is all consensual.
A more mild KF Breene is Magical Midlife series, more spicy, but not as much is The Darkness series.
Happy Reading!

17 people found this helpful

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  • melinda a rister
  • 2021-11-22

Beauty and the Beast meets a porn film

Geez, how did this book ever get these positive reviews?? Decent narration but each chapter is centered around a sex scene. Every character is so hyped on hormones it’s laughable. Seriously. Terrible.

14 people found this helpful

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  • challmark
  • 2021-12-28

stalker rape fetish trash

complete and total filth. tried to read this because my wife recommended it. a stalker who keeps a girl prisoner and doped up on date rape magic is the most disgusting thing I have ever heard of. this is the kind of trash I expect to see on the news and the stalker would be sent to prison. you need psychological help if this is what you like. I'm seriously questioning my wife's sanity now. I've never been so offended by a book in my life. complete trash.

10 people found this helpful

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  • Kim Mullican
  • 2021-11-07

Nah, just not for me

I scoop up every book Breene writes but this...just wasn't for me. There's technically nothing wrong with the book. I just wanted it to be over. The hot scenes weren't hot, just uncomfortable. Again, this is a personal preference. The author's writing is still top-notch. This book just made me queasy and I like smut.

9 people found this helpful

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  • Christy Brakebill Helton
  • 2021-10-30

Amazing!!

YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THIS!! Whoever’s reading this, stop what you’re doing & listen/read this immediately! You will not regret it! I love this world & cannot wait until the next!

9 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • JamieKoep
  • 2021-10-28

Naughty Beauty and the Beast

This is such a twisted and naughty take on my favorite fairy tale!! Well written and steamy in the best ways. I thought the dirty talk was a bit much. But otherwise it’s perfect!! Cannot wait to see what happens next for this fantastic world!

8 people found this helpful

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  • Morgan Waggoner
  • 2021-10-29

I’ve never laughed so hard

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, K. F. Breene is the most talented and hilarious author. She is one of the few authors to ever make me laugh out loud to the point of tears and then actually make me cry shortly after.

Her ability to write such strong and complex characters in unsurpassed. I’ve also never relate more to a character than I do to Hadriel. I’m not sure what that says about me as a person… but… here we are.

And Tillie Hooper is the freaking bow on top of the this gift of a story. She brought these characters to life in such an amazing way. Her performance of drunken Hadriel in a purple monster costume had me ROLLING!

7 people found this helpful

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  • Krystal Jane
  • 2021-12-17

The negative reviews were right

The negative reviews say it all. There was potential for a really good book but eh don’t waste your credit because I did.

5 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Autumn
  • Autumn
  • 2022-05-06

Flaming hot garbage

Listen. I love me some smut. I love some filth. Like I love it.
This…. This is trash. Literally I feel like 14 year old boy wrote this or worse I feel like an adult male virgin wrote this. It was as if the author had never been inside of a woman’s mind. The way that she cursed was so embarrassingly cringey.
The dirty talk made me want to hide. Like I’ve never been more turned off. It was so cringey.
I’ll repeat: I love SMUT. This just wasn’t it.
Also the character development was weak. World building non existent. I have never not finished a book but I have an hour left and I’m just like, “is it worth it?” Because it’s so lame.
I would stick with it if the sex scenes were good but they’re just bad. Just cringe… take a shot every time I say cringe..
also everyone on Tik tok who told me to read this needs to explain to me what you see in this?

4 people found this helpful