Darkened Truths / Darkened Desires (Kings of Pointebreak 1 & 2) by Cara Wade -review
Darkened Truths
(Kings of Pointebreak 1)
by Cara Wade
Genre: new adult, contemporary, reverse harem, romance
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 5, 2025
Everything we’ve ever wanted. But this isn’t my dream. I didn’t have a choice. I never have a choice…
My plans involved Dartmouth, not Pointebreak—a school that thrives on secrets, and dark games. This is my jail for four years, but it’s not the classes that I fear will break me.
Julien Azarian, Zander Fedorov, and Wesley Bastian—my personal tormentors—aren’t just out to ruin me. They’re out to control me, to bend me to their will.
I’m expected to break, but I won’t. I can’t. I’ll prove I can endure everything thrown at me. Classes are easy compared to navigating the murky waters of lust and hate between the self-appointed kings of Pointebreak. They’re wrong if they think they can crush me. I might be their target, but I’m not the one who’ll end up losing control.
Julien, Zander, and Wesley…be careful I may just turn your world upside down.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: This is a bully, why choose/reverse harem romance. As such, there may be some scenes that are triggering to readers.
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REVIEW: This romance that dives headfirst into the treacherous world of Pointebreak Academy…. a place where secrets fester, power rules, and nothing is what it seems. 😮
From the very first pages, I was pulled into Riley’s reluctant journey. She had her life mapped out, Dartmouth was the dream, but her powerful father yanks her into this shadowy elite school instead.
What starts as a punishment quickly spirals into a battle for survival, identity, and unexpected desire. Riley is a strong, resilient FMC who refuses to be broken. I loved how she holds her ground against the overwhelming forces around her, even as her world turns upside down. She’s a little vulnerable yet defiant, with a backbone that made me root for her fiercely. ♥️
Enter the Kings of Pointebreak….Julien Azarian, Zander Fedorov, and Wesley Bastian. These three aren’t your typical brooding love interests, oh no, they’re intense, morally gray tormentors who thrive on control!
Their dynamic with Riley crackles with tension, hate, lust, and those delicious push/pull moments that define bully romance. The chemistry is electric, the spice is plentiful, and the “why choose” elements are handled with heat and the emotional moments are 🤌🏻.
Watching Riley navigate (and gradually flip) their power games was one of the highlights in this book, and I might have cheered 😝.
For me, what made this more than a standard dark academy fare is the atmosphere. Pointebreak isn’t just a backdrop, it pulses with hidden agendas, betrayals, and a sense of constant danger.
The plot balances steamy encounters with mystery and suspense, keeping the pages turning. Tragic pasts for the characters add depth without slowing the pace.
If you enjoy dark romance with bully vibes, reverse harem dynamics, touch her and die energy, and a school full of secrets, this one delivers.
It’s addictive, intense, and left me eager for the next book in the series (Darkened Desires).
Not for the faint of heart, expect darkness, obsession, and plenty of steam.
It’s a solid, page turning start to the Kings of Pointebreak world.
Highly recommend for fans of dark why choose romance.
🦋 Reviewed by Julie B
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Darkened Desires
(Kings of Pointebreak series Book 2)
by Cara Wade
Genre: new adult, contemporary, reverse harem, romance
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date: June 22, 2026
Someone thought they could make me disappear. Too bad for them, I got away. I’m demanding answers, and this time, the gloves are off.
Julien, Zander, and Wesley—the Kings of Pointebreak stand beside me now.
Dangerous. Untouchable. And all mine. One by one, the boys’ pasts are unraveling. The more they share, the closer we become.
I won’t stop until I uncover the truth. Whoever came for me will pay…in blood. I’m done hiding. Done being afraid. I’ll fight, claw, and destroy anyone who stands in my way.
The more I depend on the Kings, the more I feel we’re bound by something beyond our control. I may not know Julien’s endgame yet, but when I do, no hell on earth will be enough to save those who dared to cross us.
Secrets. Lies. Blood.
At Pointebreak, nothing stays hidden forever.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: This is a bully, why choose/reverse harem romance. As such, there may be some scenes that are triggering to readers.
•••••••••
REVIEW: Darkened Desires is a gripping continuation that ramps up the tension, steam, and darkness from the first book.
I dove into this one right after finishing Darkened Truths, and it did not disappoint.
The story picks up with Riley pushing harder for answers after her traumatic experiences.
She’s no longer just surviving, she’s demanding justice, and that shift in her character is incredibly satisfying to watch.
The blurb perfectly captures her growth, “I won’t stop until I uncover the truth. Whoever came for me will pay…in blood.” (Shivers 😜)
The Kings…. Julien, Zander, and Wesley, remain magnetic and dangerously protective. (For me, Zander is probably my favourite) Their pasts start unraveling in this instalment.
I loved seeing their bonds with Riley strengthen through shared secrets and vulnerability, even as the danger escalates. The “bully” elements from book 1 have largely transformed into fierce loyalty and possession, which fits the reverse harem vibe perfectly. The spice is intense 🥵 and well balanced into the plot rather than thrown in here, there and everywhere.
I loved the atmosphere at Pointebreak. The secrets, lies, and underlying threats create a constant sense of unease that keeps the pages turning.
The cliffhangerish tension and hints about Julien’s endgame left me eager for the next book. 🤫
If you enjoy dark romance with bully roots, strong FMC growth, morally gray (or outright black) men, and a why choose dynamic packed with blood, power plays, and scorching chemistry, this series is a solid pick.
It’s not for the faint of heart, you can expect violence, explicit content, and emotional intensity, but i devoured it.
Highly recommended if you’re already invested in Riley and her Kings. I’m ready for book 3 please 😝
Copies supplied for review
🦋 Reviews by Julie B
