Red Thorns: A Dark New Adult Romance

When I found Rina Kent - I was a little late to the game.She had released quite a few books already and I had heard such great things about her. One chapter in on the first book, and I was immediately kicking myself. I have read EVERY SINGLE ONE of her books since. Her style, her characters, her stories. I couldn't stop myself. Each one was so different, and I couldn't wait to read more.This book. YOU GUYS.THIS BOOK.Naomi is such a resilient, strong heroine. She's nothing what you expect. Smart, quirky, sassy and carries her own against everyone that goes against her. And what I LOVE?! She's JAPANESE. I'm Japanese myself, so it was a breath of fresh air to read a character that I could identify with so much. Rina included some Asian racism in this book. Not within the main plot, but it IS there and all I could think of was YES. FINALLY. It's something so prevalent and current in today's life and honestly.. As hateful and awful as racism is - it was a breath of fresh air to actually see play a part in her story.SEBASTIAN. OH. MY. GAWWWWDDD. This man. I'm so obsessed with him! He's Naomi's match in EVERY single way. And he's everything I personally look for in my book boyfriends. (He's my book husband, now. Sorry.) Intelligent, obsessive, POSSESSIVE. LAWD HAVE MER-CY. From the moment he gets his chance, he's all in.These characters are captivating. They're both damaged, magnetic souls. Their story is utterly addicting. It's not pretty. And there is a trigger warning that you MUST read, and believe me. If your heart can't handle the dark and intense? This book isn't for you... But if you are? Hang on. It's a crazy ride and I. AM. HERE. FOR. IT.ALL OF IT.I'm desperate for the next book. I NEED to know what happens next. My heart is still racing!

I’d like to start off by saying this duet was a surprise and I’m so happy Rina decided to write Naomi and Sebastian’s story because I could not get enough of them in the Truths and Lies Duet. Everything we thought we knew about their story and the bet…. Let’s just say, we knew nothing.Red Thorns is a very dark college romance story.“The kiss shouldn’t have happened yesterday. It was supposed to be a peck, a pretense, but then my mouth found hers and a completely different need emerged out of nowhere.”Sebastian Weaver was so mysterious yet so easy going and all around a genuinely lovable character. His kinks were so different and unexpected and I just loved how Rina wrote this CNC storyline. He was narrated by Teddy Hamilton and holy mother of sin it was so amazing.“He’s not a mindless beast who’s out for the kill. No, he’s a manipulative one out to toy with his prey. Me.”The level of angst during their chases had me on the edge of my seat and I could simply not stop reading/listening. This was so different from anything I’d ever read, but I always trust that RK will deliver the absolute best stories and she never disappoints.“Today, I noticed the people when I never have before. I noticed the way they walked and talked, the way they laughed and scowled. I even stopped to admire the beauty of Blackwood’s forest and its tall trees. And it’s due to feeling alive after years of just…existing.”Naomi was such a cute and feisty little thing! She always stood up for herself and I loved that about her. She also very much reminded me of my beloved Teal Van Doren whom I miss so much and I just loved her even more because of it. Her search for the truth behind where she came from and where her father is unravels so many things and it was such a wild and at times, painful, adventure. Rose Dioro did a phenomenal job narrating her as well, the emotions and fear could be heard and felt through all of Naomi’s struggles and I was so enraptured.“Just don’t get any ideas about what this is. I can only be your friend, Naomi. If you go and fall in love with me, I’ll have no choice but to disappear. And that’s just sad. And unnecessary.”Akira… woah. This mystery man had me wrapped around his fingers. The fact that he was narrated by Jacob Morgan played a big role into making me trust and love him from the start (is that dumb of me? oops, not sorry.) Akira was such a good pen pal friend and I loved that element of mystery that followed the storyline to the end.All in all, Sebastian and Naomi were on fire, burning for each other. The ending left me shook and ready to immediately devour the next book.

I am reading Rina Kent's books in her recommended order. So far besides the Royal Elite series who I loved them all Sebastian and Naomi have been my favorites. I think I know who Akira is, even though that hasn't been answered yet...soon I hope.

This was an intense read, but also so captivating. I found myself flying through chapters to see what happens next. I have lots of unanswered questions. I feel like I need to read the 2nd book to really get a feel of the story.

This book is extremely dark and you should read the trigger warnings before going into it. That being said I enjoyed it. It was not just about the kinks of the main characters it was about so much more. The cliffhanger is crazy.

“To your deepest, darkest fantasies.”(I’d say r*** fantasies are pretty dark to anyone that disagrees.)Two consenting adults engaging in their twisted fantasies & giving into their primal needs.Sebastian & Naomi are uniquely different yet the same, their chemistry is explosive and nothing else matters.Bet turned into a disaster is an understatement but up until that moment we are gifted with numerous scenes between a beast & his toy.In between all the spice there’s mystery & suspense clouding both the star quarterback & his tsundere.I can’t wait to finish this duet & have the answers to the many questions my brain has🖤

I read this book twice and listened to the Audio book.At first you think it's just a cliche book about football player and cheerleader, but then the more you read the more you're surprised how rich this story is and how deep the characters are.This book is rated by me as "Book you can't stop reading" Because I didn't think about anything else besides reading this book.he surprised me, best hot ever, seriously u are shocked by this couple they catch fire together and i'm here for home second of that.-Naomi won me over in the first chapter for being a bitch and I love it, I love being sarcastic, I love everything about Naomi except the way she treats her mother.- Seb he is mine I love him so much, my god and in the second book even more.Best sex scenes, best chemistry, I love how much they aren't afraid to be who they are and going after what makes them happy.the ending is OMG

This is something else. The fact about Rina?! Her mind is insane! And I'm here for it. This is the story of 2 young souls who find their other half in their own crazy and wounded souls.

Rina never fails to amaze me with her storylines and great characters!! This one was more into the taboo side, still it kept my attention until the last chapter. Sebastian and Naomi are such a hot couple and have amazing chemistry!!If you don't mind dubious consent/kinky s*x, go ahead and read it!!

Not the best. I didn’t feel a real connection between the MCs. There was something missing. But still good. I’ll read the second one.