Review: Corspe Roads by J Rose
3 Stars | Sabre Security Book One | Dark Psychological Reverse Harem | Amazon + Goodreads
So why am I only giving this three stars? Because I didn’t like the progression of the romance, I felt this should have been an even slower burn than it already is. Harlow is damaged, I’m talking – seriously messed up damage. Held for over a decade by two vile creatures that go by Pastor Michaels and Mrs. Michaels, in a small cage in the basement of a church building. This novel pulls zero punches with its brutal descriptions and those going into the series should most definitely head the trigger warnings.
When we meet Harlow, she’s deep in the midst of Pastor Michaels sickness. Locked away in a cage for so many years she doesn’t know what the outside world is beyond the basement and the cage next to her. Eighteen girls have come and gone, come and been tortured and died and some have rotted right next to Harlow. When with a final burst of self preservation, she horrifically escapes the basement, the church and is found some days later. . .it sets off a chain of events and introduces her to Sabre Security and four very different men who are broken in their own way.
The writing of this novel is stellar, there were parts of this story so viciously written that I was in awe at J. Rose’s obvious talent. Rose has the ability to have you down in that basement with Harlow and the girls and Pastor Michaels. I thought the progression of Harlow’s healing was believable and terrible in all of its bittersweetness. She survives but at what cost?
As for the men, I liked them individually and together, but I thought the romance aspect of the story should have been pushed even slower. Harlow I thought should have been healed up a bit more than she was when sexual situations arise with the men. And for that reason alone, it knocked the story down a notch for me.
Overall, I do recommend the book and will be carrying on with the story itself and already have book two downloaded on my iPad. Do heed the warnings, this book is dark, it deals with dark subject matter in not only the circumstances of Harlow’s life and captivity but also her route of healing – it’s all dark. The book also ends on a slightly strange cliffy but it’s not too bad.
“. . .never saw the sky. Raining or not, it’s beautiful. The wind makes me feel less alone.”
“Why?” Enzo asks with interest.
“It’s like the world is screaming along with me.”
Synospis:
In therapy, they tell you to use your senses.
List the things you know.
Sermons recited with malice. A blood-soaked ritual. The sting of tears and gasping sobs of the dying. Rotting flesh.
I grew up in a cage, tortured by the Lord Almighty’s most twisted servant. Death and despair became my close companions as I watched years of slaughter at Pastor Michaels’ hand.
Eighteen girls. Dead.
Eighteen lives. Ended.
Eighteen futures. Stolen.
After years of captivity, I don’t recognise the world I’m suddenly thrust into. The road in front of me is lined with corpses, demanding vengeance from beyond the grave.
I escaped… but they didn’t.
Now, I have to live for them.
Sabre Security offers me a lifeline in the dark. They want to find the killer before another girl dies, but their protection comes with a price.
My soul must be excavated, one sinful memory at a time.
The Hunter will become the Hunted.
Author Note: Corpse Roads (Sabre Security #1) is a contemporary reverse harem romance set in the same universe as Blackwood Institute, which is recommended to be read first but not compulsory.
