When Rue Anderson, the killer’s tenth victim, is found in a shallow grave at a children’s park, it sends shockwaves through the local community and sparks a media frenzy.
But there is a difference between Rue and the nine victims that came before her.
Rue survived.
Left with a scar on her soul and her memory in tatters,
Rue finds herself drawn to Valen Ward, the dark and enigmatic man who reminds her there is more to life than just existing.
But Rue’s future is as uncertain as her past.
And though Valen holds her close, he might also be the reason Rue’s world was torn apart.
Every secret has the power to break her, but nothing proves to be more fatal than the truth.
'𝐒O𝐋E S𝐔R𝐕I𝐕O𝐑' Is a full length, contemporary romance book, by new to me author Candace M. Wright.
5 BOO STARS
Holy crap this was one twisted and fucked up story, this kept me on my toes throughout and I didn’t want it to end..
This was so cleverly done, the storyline just kept throwing surprises left, right and centre, throwing suspicion around like confetti as my mind kept on trying to connect the dots.
When no one saved them They saved themselves
A lot of wtf moments A lot of F 💣💣💣 dropped
I love stories like this! This kept me guessing throughout, who was the victim, who was the hero, mindfuckery at its best.
Rue Anderson nearly became the tenth victim of serial killer nabbed as the 'lullaby' killer, luckily for her she's the sole survivor, sadly though she has no memories of the kidnapping and everything else has been wiped clean too.
The detective on the case Nathan Hask was the one that found her, hopefully together they can piece what happened to her before the killer strikes again.
Everything feels as though someone else lived where she was told she lives, it doesn't feel like a place she would call home, no personal belongings, no pictures on the walls. She's scared and alone, who can she trust? Who should she fear?
Then she meets Valen, he professes to know her, reckons they are together, but were they? Because if you believe Detective Nathan, Valan is the prime suspect in the killings.
"Sole survivor" a book that'll literally blow your mind, every chapter ends on a cliffhanger that makes you question whatever you understood in the book so far!! A mixture of murder mystery,romance, thriller!! Definitely a recommend!! The ending chapters will make you stare at the wall!! It was damnn satisfying to see how the story unfolds in the end with jaw dropping truth! Epic head spinning twists!!
Mini synopsis— Rue(fmc) wakes up in a grave with no idea about who she is, but the only thing that she has with her is a musical box. She tries to go with the flow in her life despite being up and is the serial killer's sole survivor!! As goes by she doesn't has any idea who to trust as she herself doesn't know anything about herself! Among the way, Nat a detective who saved her, "befriends her". Valen(mmc) on the other hand, "coincidentally" meets Rue and tries to convince her that they have been dating throughout!! He is not only a stranger to her but also the main suspect in the serial killing ( lullaby killer)
˚✦࣪𖦆 Fav Quote— " I knew what I felt went beyond love, beyond Obsession,maybe even beyond madness. She held my sanity in her hands and kept a little more of it each day"࿐
Tropes— Dark romance Obsession mmc/fmc Romantic suspense Amnesia Stalkish vibe Dub-con Friends to lover vibe
the premise of the story was interesting, but the plot was not developed well in my opinion, the characters were quite cringy, and i just felt bored reading it after the 20% mark. the story was just not executed well. ii’m kind of tired to do a big and lengthy review but bottom line is this book was not good in my opinion.
There is a moment in a reader life, or better, there is a book that makes her realize with absolutely certainty that she gonna stalk the author and read whatever she/he wrote or will write in the future. Sole Survivor is that book for me. I've been OBSESSED with it since i read the blurb and it only got worse once i started reading it. I couldn't stop thinking about anything else; i ignored everything else in my life to read it... And it was MINDBLOWING!!! With a plot twist i didn't see coming 🤯🤯🤯 The thriller, the suspense, the Criminal Minds/Medium vibes, the steam, the characters.... everything was just so freaking perfect, i got emotional for real 'cause I haven't felt this excited, this invested about a book in a while and damn if i didn't miss it 😍😍
I won't tell you anything about the story because nothing is as it seems and you have to read it, you have to be there on the edge of your sit waiting for something to happen, waiting for some clarity to really appreciate it. I'm gonna be honest: it will drive you crazy but it will be so worth it. Trust me 😏😌
There one last thing i have to point out and it's that I WANT MY OWN VALEN !! The man is too damn good for my sanity but i want that kind of devotion, that kind of love, that kind of hunger... OMFG 🥵🥵
Candice Wright you got me hooked!!
P. S. I still think about it and gonna need the paperback to read it all over again 😌
⚠️ This author put the trigger warnings at the end of the book! This is both sneaky and dishonest on her part. 1 - If you borrow the sample, the trigger warnings will not be visible to you! 2 - (this is the big one) KU authors get paid PER PAGE READ!! Therefore, if you borrow the book in KU, and have to flip all the way to the LAST PAGE to see the TW, then return it because the triggers were too much for you, she is getting PAID for every page read when you didn’t read the book!!! ⚠️
This is not holding my attention at all. The whole thing is very amateurish. I’ve never heard of a police detective acting the way Nathan Hask does in this book. That includes in fiction and in reality (and I’ve known several detectives). Nathan is the one who finds Rue, the “sole survivor”, at the beginning. The very first thing he says to her is, “Hold on, honey. We’re coming.” Really? He was a creeper to the utmost extent! He would hold her hand, brush her hair behind her ear, kiss her forehead, and put his arm around her. He even took her out on a date!
I have a feeling if I continued I would have really liked Valen. He’s the MMC who is the primary suspect in the investigation. He also claims to be Rue’s boyfriend. But since Rue woke up with her memory completely wiped, we don’t really know if that’s true. I surmise that it is, but I didn’t even get 1/2 way through the book.
I’m really disappointed in this because the blurb made it sound so interesting and it fell flat.
Wow, I have loved everything I have read by this author so far, but I think this one just took the top spot. Absolutlely fantastic read. Keeps you guessing, keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering whodunnit....
A serial killer, a cop, a phychic, a millionaire, the FBI, a jewelry box, nine dead and one survived. Who am I, who can I trust? Quite the recipe for a thriller, and quite the story the author told.
Wow…that was disturbing! But so thrilling at the same time! My eyes couldn’t keep up with how fast I wanted to read this book. I had a hunch about who the killer was and turned out I was right…but boy was it fun to keep reading until I got confirmation at the end of the book. Besides a lot of mystery, intrigue and action this book is also full of scorching spice…phew!! Strangely it was also quite heavy and emotional with the themes that were addressed. This book takes you on a rollercoaster ride that you don’t want to get off. It felt like an episode of criminal minds with a lot of spice thrown in (and I’m totally here for that). Valen is the perfect devoted, obsessed hero. We love a good psycho ;-) I don’t think I’ve ever read a book quite like this, but enjoyed it immensely!
Safety: - No OW - OM: the lead detective wants the h. He kisses her and takes her on a ‘date’. h only wants him to be her friend though. He gets dealt with 😏 - No cheating - No true separation / no third act break up - Read the trigger warnings, this book deals with rape (on page in flashbacks) and other heavy subjects.
Please do read the author's TWs before starting this one as there are some really sensitive matters written which are central to the storyline but might not be suitable to some. Kindly, heed caution and proceed. Also, note that this one goes straight into the Morally Darkest Gray zone so also keep that in mind.
𝑴𝒀 𝑹𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑬𝑾: 📝
I'M COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY. I'M STILL IN SHOCK RIGHT NOW & CAN'T BELIEVE THE FREAKING GENIUS THAT WAS THIS BOOK.
Seriously, Ms. Wright.... Ahhhh.... I have just finished reading this one but I want to start a re-read just as quickly as I want to experience this thrilling ride all over again.
LET ME TELL YOU, YOU WILL BE LEFT BEYOND SHOCKED AFTER FINISHING THIS ONE. I remember reading "Compel" by Candice Wright and was just as blown away and was waiting for Ms. Wright to give us a suspenseful book like that again which will leave no room for any guesses and will have you devouring the craziness of unraveling the mystery.
"Sole Survivor" was so much more than a gripping thriller and Romantic Suspense. It's a tantalizing tale that will leave your head spinning with twists and turns so crazy that you will definitely need someone to vent out and share the excitement and the genius that this story is.
When I started this book, I was so scared and worried for Rue after what had happened. The fact that she was one of the only survivors had already raised many questions. When Valen Ward steps into the picture and just takes over, I seriously didn't know whom to trust.
On one hand all fingers were pointing at one person and then something would happen to falsify it all but then again certain incidents left me shocked as to why that person would do it if they were innocent. (Don't worry this is not a spoiler😉)
I felt horrible for Rue as she's lost everything and now she doesn't know whom to trust and whom to not.
But Valen Ward was obsessed with her. The way he would look at her, the way he was with her and cared for her, also the way he took her (that was just oh my🥵🔥), everything screamed of how crazy he was over Rue.
But the Lullaby killer is on the loose and Rue has to race against time if she wants to help the cops solve this riddle especially as she needs to save herself too, after being his latest victim.
Certain chapters are told in a way that just gives you more clues but also at the very same time leaves you more confused as to who they might be.
Slowly as Rue starts piecing together the hidden clues while also struggling to get her memories back and trying living her life, she helps the cops and her team to uncover this mystery once and all. She needs to hurry as she might already know who attacked her and just needs to find the truth.
THE FINAL FREAKING REVEAL... THOSE LAST CHAPTERS WERE CRAZY SMASHING AMAZING. I WAS LIKE 🤯😲😲😱😱....
Seriously, I had so many theories but I'm glad my favourite author successfully shocked me and stunned me in silence by plotting twists that I so didn't even think about and I'm overjoyed to be wrong as the SUSPENSE WAS JUST THAT FREAKING GOOD.
I, over the top, loved the bond and PASSION between Valen Ward and Rue Anderson. It was so raw and animalistic yet filled with so much of Obsessed love for each other. Valen Ward was everything a Hero should be, as for him Rue is his entire world and I was here for it as these two made me Swoon and Sigh and melt all at the same time.
I seriously can't get over the smashing turns and twists this one took. I'm so re-reading this one again. Freaking loved loved loved loved this one. 💋💋💋💋💋💋
This is one wild ride! Dark, twisted and clever! When Rue Anderson is saved after almost becoming the tenth victim of a serial killer she doesn’t remember anything. With the help of detective Nathan Hask maybe they can solve what happened to her. While trying to move on from the trauma she also runs into a man named Valen Ward that she knew from her past…or did she? Who is Rue Anderson and why was she targeted? Who can she really trust? This is better to go in blind and discover all the clues that are undercovered for yourself of what is happening. I could not put this thrilling erotic mystery down. The twists and turns are invigorating. It will keep you guessing until the very end leaving little bread crumbs throughout. Please make sure to check the TW’s for this one as there are some very dark themes including NonCon. A top read of 2024! Told in first person and multiple POV.
📸 Teaser Collage by Miss Petite Brunette Book Blog
Sole Survivor by Candice Wright Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Spice rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
Tropes: M/F, Serial Killer, Dark Romance, Friends to Lovers (ig?) TW: Death/torture/murder, stalking, past/childhood abuse, and trauma, rape, dub-con, somnophilia, bondage
God, I don't even know where to begin with this book.
The story starts with Rue (our FMC) waking up in a grave with cops surrounding her with no recollection of where or who she is. The only thing she has with her is a music box (which is a song from the serial killer).
The story goes on about how Rue now tries to navigate her life even though she's been marked and is the serial killer's only survivor. She doesn't know who to trust or how to go in with her life. Throughout the journey, Nate (the detective who found her in the grave) befriends her (cough, emphasis on befriend) and tries to help her go on about her life.
Come in Valen, who meets her out of the blue and tries to convince her they are and have been dating.
I swear, I've read and watched a lot of murder documentaries and stories, but HOLY SHIT, I did not see that plot twist coming. The book is not only original but also thick with the plot... I couldn't put my Kindle down.
While it's mainly a psychological thriller, let's not forget about the dark romance part of this book. istg, it's like all my favourite kinks have been wrapped up neatly with a cute bow on top and delivered to me.
The ending is soo satisfying coz ya girl loves her some revenge and I'm all for "an eye for an eye". I loved Valen coz I always end up falling for the dark, morally grey characters (umm, who doesn't?!). But he was so supportive and sweet and affectionate. I need a man like him for real.
Tbh, the reason I haven't given this book a 5-star is coz I felt like it was too short and the scenes were a bit rushed. Some of the stuff that happened throughout the book also didn't make any sense to me, even at the end.
Sole survivor is a twisted story about a woman, Rue, who wakes up in a shallow grave with no memories. Come to find out, she is the only survivor of a ruthless serial killer known as the lullaby killer. Our main character, Rue finds herself falling for Valen Ward, the main suspect of these crimes, but there’s so much more than meets the eye. If you want something dark, twisted, and suspenseful, I highly recommend!!🖤
Please do read the author's TWs before starting this one as there are some really sensitive matters written which are central to the storyline but might not be suitable to some. Kindly, heed caution and proceed. Also, note that this one goes straight into the Morally Darkest Gray zone so also keep that in mind.
𝑴𝒀 𝑹𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑬𝑾: 📝
I'M COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY. I'M STILL IN SHOCK RIGHT NOW & CAN'T BELIEVE THE FREAKING GENIUS THAT WAS THIS BOOK.
Seriously, Ms. Wright.... Ahhhh.... I have just finished reading this one but I want to start a re-read just as quickly as I want to experience this thrilling ride all over again.
LET ME TELL YOU, YOU WILL BE LEFT BEYOND SHOCKED AFTER FINISHING THIS ONE. I remember reading "Compel" by Candice Wright and was just as blown away and was waiting for Ms. Wright to give us a suspenseful book like that again which will leave no room for any guesses and will have you devouring the craziness of unraveling the mystery.
"Sole Survivor" was so much more than a gripping thriller and Romantic Suspense. It's a tantalizing tale that will leave your head spinning with twists and turns so crazy that you will definitely need someone to vent out and share the excitement and the genius that this story is.
When I started this book, I was so scared and worried for Rue after what had happened. The fact that she was one of the only survivors had already raised many questions. When Valen Ward steps into the picture and just takes over, I seriously didn't know whom to trust.
On one hand all fingers were pointing at one person and then something would happen to falsify it all but then again certain incidents left me shocked as to why that person would do it if they were innocent. (Don't worry this is not a spoiler😉)
I felt horrible for Rue as she's lost everything and now she doesn't know whom to trust and whom to not.
But Valen Ward was obsessed with her. The way he would look at her, the way he was with her and cared for her, also the way he took her (that was just oh my🥵🔥), everything screamed of how crazy he was over Rue.
But the Lullaby killer is on the loose and Rue has to race against time if she wants to help the cops solve this riddle especially as she needs to save herself too, after being his latest victim.
Certain chapters are told in a way that just gives you more clues but also at the very same time leaves you more confused as to who they might be.
Slowly as Rue starts piecing together the hidden clues while also struggling to get her memories back and trying living her life, she helps the cops and her team to uncover this mystery once and all. She needs to hurry as she might already know who attacked her and just needs to find the truth.
THE FINAL FREAKING REVEAL... THOSE LAST CHAPTERS WERE CRAZY SMASHING AMAZING. I WAS LIKE 🤯😲😲😱😱....
Seriously, I had so many theories but I'm glad my favourite author successfully shocked me and stunned me in silence by plotting twists that I so didn't even think about and I'm overjoyed to be wrong as the SUSPENSE WAS JUST THAT FREAKING GOOD.
I, over the top, loved the bond and PASSION between Valen Ward and Rue Anderson. It was so raw and animalistic yet filled with so much of Obsessed love for each other. Valen Ward was everything a Hero should be, as for him Rue is his entire world and I was here for it as these two made me Swoon and Sigh and melt all at the same time.
I seriously can't get over the smashing turns and twists this one took. I'm so re-reading this one again. Freaking loved loved loved loved this one. 💋💋💋💋💋💋
ARC Review of Sole Survivor by Candice M. Wright * * * * * Very dark. Crazy twisted. Wonderfully taboo. Seriously screwed-up. An insane twist! Epic REVENGE! I could go on! If you need a little something on the wild side that amps you up and gets you blood pumping, this is a heavy recommendation if you can handle the danger and intensity.
Rue woke up in a shallow grave with no memory and a music box in her hand, having her as the only known survivor of a serial killer. She's lost and scared and wanting answers. Hanging around the handsome detective seems to perk things up, but what really gets her heart pumping is the mysterious Valen - a man she is apparently dating but seems to just know her unspoken needs. Then she starts seeing visions of the killer. Someone is taunting her. Someone is keeping secrets. Someone is not who they say they are. Who can she trust until her memories come back?
THE TWIST! ARGH! I love a good twist and this delivered. You can suspect whomever you want, but I bet most of you will get it wrong until the very moment of the reveal is is soooo good! Valen is dark and filthy and possessive, and he will not let Rue go. You know he has some major darkness and secrets, but there is no way he could hurt Rue. Our golden detective is sweet and caring and totally after Valen, but there is more to his story. With Rue's story unravelling, the connections just have you really guessing who is behind it all! Thumbs up Candice!
What Happens When a Dark Romance Author does a Dark Romance Thriller?
Wright has a way of doing dark romance that doesn't feel dirty or demeaning. It just feels as is. She also writes strong women characters in dark situations. I'm sure others are going to get into the twists and turns, but I would say that the forgotten memories were intriguing but stalling at the same time.
😬As the story progressed, it's painfully obvious who the killer(s) are, but the lack of character development for Nathan hinders the entire overall story a bit. The potential for a love triangle quickly is squashed.
😬the repetitive nature of Valen started to feel more like he was always threatening you with a good time but not following through
😬Rue had whole chapters I was comfortable skipping. And never missed anything narratively.
None of that means the book is bad. As always, Candice's writing is top tier.
🥵The sex scenes are hot, and the story itself feels like Wright was trying to push out of her comfort zone as an author. A peek into crime thrillers instead of the Mafia/organized crime stories she typically creates.
👎🏾 If anything, the length of the story holds it back. The story could have been solid at 200, maybe 250 pages. The added buffer was unnecessary and slowed down the pace.
👻 But again, the book is thrilling even if we get the villain soliloquy multiple times in multiple ways 😄.
“I may be a sinner, but I know what heaven feels like”
Rue Anderson is a latest and only surviving victim of the Lullaby Killer. However, with no memories of her attack or her past, she is faced with many obstacles and not enough time to figure out friends from foe. The clock is ticking and she has a killer to catch but he catches her… again.
I loved Rue and Valen’s story. It was intriguing and griping. With a mix of flashbacks and secrets, this story was difficult to put down once I started.
Murder and mystery and passion and revenge… all great features of this amazing story that kept me guessing until the end. Candice Wright has a knack for surprising me even when I think/manage to figure things out. I definitely recommend this story to everyone.
Flaming-bloody-hell!! This book was so twistingly good and I can't praise it up enough. Having survived a serial killer but left without any memories at all Rue (FMC) has to try to piece her life back together and find a new life in the aftermath of events in it. Not knowing what is real and who to trust throughout this book Rue gets lead through plenty of brilliant plot twists and turns as well as men including Valen Ward who seems to be right at the centre of everything. I was kept completely gripped by this book right up until that clever plot twist which lead to a cracking conclusion that I didn't see coming and completely loved. A knockout read.
Unhinged. Delicious. Spicy. Gripping. Addicting. — Did I call the plot twist early? Yes. Did it detract at all from my immense enjoyment of the tension and chaos that ensued? Absolutely not.
If ‘Butcher and Blackbird’ and the ‘Mindfuck’ Series had a baby, it would be this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
SYNOPSIS - A psychic finds herself to be the sole survivor of a serial killer who drugs his victims to become amnesic prior to ending them. Not knowing who she is or who to trust brings Rue to the brink of insanity as she tries to figure out who the killer is. Between the enamored detective, Hask, and the prime suspect, Valen, who is supposedly her boyfriend, she must use her visions to try and remember before it's too late.
REVIEW -
WOULD I RECOMMEND - It's erotic mystery lite. You don't have to think hard (that's what she said) but it still worth a read if you like the genre.
»You seem...intense.« »You like my intensity. You like the way you can give yourself over to me. Because you know, no matter what, I'll catch you every time.«
★ ★ ★ ★
❥ 𝑹𝒖𝒆 She was well portrayed and I liked her. She suffers from memory loss and I liked the way she dealt with it.
❥ 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒏 Hot mystery man with a weak spot for Rue. He was hot and cold at the same time and I had fun reading his pov.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 This story was confusing in a good way. We follow the story of Rue who is a victim of the lullaby killer and lost her memory. She tries to regain her memory and catch the killer. There are a lot of mysteries and secrets. Rue gets company from the dark and broody Valen who tells her he is her boyfriend and the police officer Nathan who is desperate to catch the killer. The story has a lot of plot twists and as a reader I got multiple theories about the killer and his motive. I enjoyed the way everything was build up and nothing is as it seems. Rue and Valen have great tension and their story was one hell of a ride. I won‘t spoiler in this review because I think everybody should figure out on themselves who might be the murderer. Overall an enjoyable and thrilling book. It was well thought out and I had a lot of fun reading it.
𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤? Yes, if you‘re into dark romance with a murder mystery.
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 possessive and protective hero, forced proximity, rich x poor, darkromance, thriller, memory loss, victim of a murderer, secrets and lies, police investigation, traumatic past
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 ages: both in their twenties I think cheating: no sharing: no kinks: no
This is how you write a broken FMC, folks. Rue is determined, optimistic and an overall badass. Just when I thought I knew the ending to this story, I was proven wrong.
I love Valen. His backstory had me tearing up. The universe of this book is well rounded and I LOVE the length of it. Not too short, not too long that it drags out. It’s got a great timeline.
This was a seriously dark and twisted serial killer story, although I guessed the main twist at the beginning. But the ending was jaw-dropping, that I am still thinking about it. This was an enjoyable dark romance, but it does have a lot of triggers, but I was intrigued by the plot, and I liked the romance.
Me at the beginning and middle of this story hella judging the detective for the icky way he was acting: 👀😬🤔
Me at the end: Oh. That checks out.
Definitely had this pegged at 22%. The music notes tattoo was a little too obvious. Still, I love this kind of unhinged revenge, and had fun waiting for it all to reveal itself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
What a book. Wow. What an emotional rolercoster i went on. This book sucked me in from the first page i could not stop reading until the end. It was just amazing.
This was an interesting read but slow to start, a bit predictable in the middle and a strong finish. The plot moved along ok but it all felt surface level to me, I didn't think the character's had a lot of depth. I kept turning the pages to find out the mystery and the ending pack a punch so I would recommend this book to a friend. 3.5 stars
So so so good! I've pretty much loved everything by Candace and this one was so gripping. I figured it a little more than 1/2 way through the book, but I just had to know if I was right! Spice was good story was great. Definitely some twists and guessing along the way. Loved these MCs!!