Tragic Beauty: A Dark Romance (Beauty & The Darkness Book 1) Kindle Edition

READER ADVISORY this book is not for the faint of heart, it is part of an in progress series delving into the darkest corners of the human psyche. If you are looking for a romantic tale, or standalone novel, or even just a little dark kink before you get your HEA move along this book is not for you.This is Iris Ann Hunters first full length novel and she pulls it off spectacularly. Set in the fictional small ranching town of Los Ramos, CA, Iris has built a beautiful backdrop to her dark tale. Front and center in Los Ramos is Shayne MacAllister, owner of MacAllister Ranch and a goodly portion of the town. He comes into the novel as the classic a¥¥hole but as it progresses, as you stare into the abyss of his darkness. Because no doubt about it Shayne is an abyss, you begin to see what made him that way, you begin to want reach out try help pull toward the light even knowing his darkness will just consume you too.That’s what it does to Ava. She’s lived in Los Ramos all her life. She’s lived a hard life made harder with her father putting them in debt, and when she needs help to pay for her fathers medical bills there’s only one place she can turn, Shayne, a man whose been obsessed with her since childhood. A deal is struck. He pays for everything, and in exchange she gives home everything.Now you’re thinking you know how this story goes, you’ve read it a dozen times. But you don’t and you haven’t Iris throws a wrench in the usual plot line. Ava knows Shayne is a not a good a man, a beast, as she calls him. She doesn’t want him to be her first, so when her father finally dies and her debt comes due, she makes a life altering decision and goes to find a one night stand. Instead she ends up being rescued by Gavin, he is the dark brooding dangerous stranger, but they have an instant connection. They end up sharing a night of intimacy, dark passion, and secrets.But Ava has to return to Shayne and the deal, no matter the connection she feels to Gavin. But Gavin isn’t willing to let her go, he tracks her down just as Shayne shows up to claim what’s his. Shayne learning that Ava broke the terms of their deal, that he wasn’t her first goes into a rage and whatever might have been, the story we’ve read before, ended. Instead Shayne takes everything from Ava, brands her, locks her in a cell and begins her systematic torture. As the story continues we follow Ava as she slowly breaks, physically, mentally, and emotionally. As she goes from doing what Shayne wants because it keeps those loves safe to doing partly just to survive, and also in part to make him happy. We connect to Shayne just Ava does, in a terrible way that you just know is wrong but can’t stop.Then there’s Gavin, Gavin, who is broken and beautiful and terrible in his own ways. Who has also developed his own obsession with Ava, but made the worst mistake of his life by letting her go. There is darkness in Gavin that has yet to see the light of day, I think we’ll be seeing more of it in the next book but makes me wonder is Ava really safer with him?This book is very dark, and I say this having grown bored with most of what people call dark romance . One interesting point is that while this book does have sexually gratifying scenes, in many ways the greater depth of this novel is not in those scenes but in the psychological depth to which MsHunter takes us.

I will be the first to admit that Ava frustrates me. I’m always drawn to the darker reads and this was it. I felt for Ava and this book took me on a rollercoaster. Downloading the second so I can see if they ever get Shayne. I hope she has him rot in a cell.

I really enjoyed this book, but it is very dark. There were a few points where I wish the author conveyed past events through a flashback rather than dialogue, but give most of those instances come from a non-POV character, it is understandable.Some may find the FMC a little weak by not taking obvious opportunities to escape, I found her very believable given the power the villain had over her for most of her life. Personally I like the sweet self sacrificing heroine trope, which I felt was done well here.I am curious to see where the story goes from here. A couple minor edits to tie up some loose ends and this could have been a satisfying self contained story. I’m not sure how you pull two more books out of what remains, but I am interested enough in those open plot points to look forward to a sequel.

I absolutely adored this book. It's dark, dangerous, and terrifying, but also sexy as hell, hopeful, and miraculous. The writing is phenomenal. The descriptions are just perfect, never too much and never not enough, but satisfyingly vivid. The characters are absolutely the best part of this. I love the strong, feminine heroine who the reader becomes absolutely attached to and hopeful for. I love that she loves horses and has a gentle, selfless heart, and I love the dark and sexy men in her life. Iris really did a fantastic job writing this. I'm also a hopeless romantic with a dark side, a writer and an author, and a horsewoman. I could not put this book down and I read it in one sitting. It made me laugh, made me cry, made me cringe and giggle and gasp. It evoked every emotion than an excellent novel should. I absolutely cannot wait to read more of her writing and I think I just found my new favorite author. This book also deserves a second read!

Where do I start, beautifully written, all the characters were well described, and what poor Ava suffered at the hands of Shayne is just god damn heart breaking, gavin is her knight in shining armour even though he claims not to be, can’t wait to read the next one

Eines der krassesten Geschichte die ich gelesen habe👍Was im Namen der Liebe alles möglich gemacht wird, zeigt sich hier in der Story….Mal schauen wann die Autorin Band 2 rausbringt…..

Literally when i start reading this, I can’t stop That’s how good it is.This is my first book from this author and I can’t wait to read more of her books.Looking forward for the next book of this series.

I was in a bit of a slump so decided to go for a dark romance to get me out. While this wasn't the best I've read, it certainly kept me entertained and it was certainly dark and I would likely check out more by the author.

Ava is Shayne's obsession. He watched her for years when they were children and it kept him sane in that she never appeared to let things bother her. When her family got into financial difficulties he came to her rescue as long as she agreed to be his when her father died. She broke him when she broke her promise and so in his mind she had to pay, that's when the sadistic side of him let loose. He truly loved her in his head but she paid for her promise when she allowed another man, Gavin to be her first. Gavin is also in love with her and the two men battle it out but we don't know what will happen in the next book. Its a page turner and not always easy reading.