Blackwood Institute #1-3
Blackwood Institute: The Complete Trilogy
J. Rose
Full blurb to be revealed!
This box set will include:
All three Blackwood Institute books —Twisted Heathens, Sacrificial Sinners, and Desecrated Saints — along with several brand new bonus scenes, and an exclusive, unseen extended epilogue set after book three.
This box set will include:
All three Blackwood Institute books —Twisted Heathens, Sacrificial Sinners, and Desecrated Saints — along with several brand new bonus scenes, and an exclusive, unseen extended epilogue set after book three.
- Genres Dark Reverse Harem Romance Suspense Contemporary Mystery Mental Illness
812 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2023
About the author
J. Rose
24 books1,512 followersJ Rose is an independent dark romance author from the United Kingdom. She writes challenging, plot-driven stories packed full of angst, heartbreak and broken characters fighting for their happily ever afters.
She’s an introverted bookworm at heart with a caffeine addiction, penchant for cursing and an unhealthy attachment to fictional characters.
Feel free to reach out on social media, J Rose loves talking to her readers!
Enquiries: j_roseauthor@yahoo.com
Stalk J Rose here:
www.jroseauthor.com/socials
Newsletter sign up:
www.jroseauthor.com/socials
Buy J Rose's books:
www.jroseauthor.com/books
She’s an introverted bookworm at heart with a caffeine addiction, penchant for cursing and an unhealthy attachment to fictional characters.
Feel free to reach out on social media, J Rose loves talking to her readers!
Enquiries: j_roseauthor@yahoo.com
Stalk J Rose here:
www.jroseauthor.com/socials
Newsletter sign up:
www.jroseauthor.com/socials
Buy J Rose's books:
www.jroseauthor.com/books
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
Shian
May 7, 2023
I am a whore for Eli.
Courtney
Read
July 27, 2023I’m 55% in at Chapter 29.
Leaving Rating Blank, cause I feel like that’s what I’ve gotten so far out of this so far.
I haven’t DNF’d in a long time but for me I had to push myself through this boxset and in the end I do realize I most likely ended up stopping just before it gets good. But this is a very slow but rushing and to me it’s a shallow read.
And by shallow I mean, there’s just no depth at all so far, it’s all ‘surface’ - I want to sink into this series and be enraptured by the depth of detail in this world but so far it’s like I’m still in the shallow end of pool. And in the ends the lack of depth is causing me a headache.
It’s super confusing cause everything seems to be jumping around, and as a whole I can’t for the life of me click with the characters.
I feel even at the 55% percent I still don’t know anyone.
The story drags too much and has so much content stuffed and you feel like you’re drowning in filler, and to be honest so far everything just confusing to me right now. I was expecting this to be a dark read but (for me) there’s a lot of words but the darkness is just not dark enough.
Leaving Rating Blank, cause I feel like that’s what I’ve gotten so far out of this so far.
I haven’t DNF’d in a long time but for me I had to push myself through this boxset and in the end I do realize I most likely ended up stopping just before it gets good. But this is a very slow but rushing and to me it’s a shallow read.
And by shallow I mean, there’s just no depth at all so far, it’s all ‘surface’ - I want to sink into this series and be enraptured by the depth of detail in this world but so far it’s like I’m still in the shallow end of pool. And in the ends the lack of depth is causing me a headache.
It’s super confusing cause everything seems to be jumping around, and as a whole I can’t for the life of me click with the characters.
I feel even at the 55% percent I still don’t know anyone.
The story drags too much and has so much content stuffed and you feel like you’re drowning in filler, and to be honest so far everything just confusing to me right now. I was expecting this to be a dark read but (for me) there’s a lot of words but the darkness is just not dark enough.
Aly Lauck
May 30, 2024
Wanted to love this. Started out interesting and then lost some steam for me. I continually read reverse harem books thinking that one will be more my style and I just haven’t come upon one yet. I did love that the author incorporated playlists! That was fun!
Marie-Hélène
September 30, 2023
I feel like this is one of the best series i’ve ever read. I was sucked in from the beginning and was all in until the end. The characters are so well written, the storyline sucked me in, and i loved the unreliable narrative that constantly made me doubt what was real and what wasn’t. The relationships between the characters were beautifully done, i was on the edge of my seat for at least 60% of the time, and i had the best time. The playlists are also amazing, completely fit the vibes, and I’ll probably be raving about this series for the weeks to come. Time to go read J. Rose’s entire backlist ✨
yulia✰
May 21, 2023
this trilogy has taken a big place in my heart forever. i love this trilogy so much. everyone character are interested and different. brooklyn, my girl😭 she deserves better, i very glad that she found a family for herself. i really be sad when i read her chapter.
Kell
September 11, 2023
Nah. I don't mind the idea of a smutty romance being set in an asylum, but Brooklyn was just an insufferable main character. You don't want to write a multi-POV book where your readers groan when they get back to the protagonist's POV and pray for it to end. It's just not good, I'm sorry.
Daisy Braden
January 3, 2024
DNF at 29%.
I didn’t like any of the characters-especially Hudson. I know the series is dark, and the characters aren’t supposed to be good people, but he was just downright abusive, and Brooklyn wasn’t much better. I didn’t like any of them enough to want to stick around to see how they were redeemed.
I didn’t like any of the characters-especially Hudson. I know the series is dark, and the characters aren’t supposed to be good people, but he was just downright abusive, and Brooklyn wasn’t much better. I didn’t like any of them enough to want to stick around to see how they were redeemed.
Holly
April 11, 2024
HEAVY. TRIGGERING. CAPTIVATING.
⚠️TAKE THE TRIGGER WARNINGS SERIOUSLY.
⚠️TAKE BREAKS.
I started this knowing it would likely be a DNF for myself as a complex mental illness suffer. Honestly, it’s a 5 star read for me.
J.Rose has done an absolutely fantastic job, the real, raw emotion, the coping mechanisms, the spice, everything true.
If you read Blackwood, and feel triggered and need to talk, please message me 🖤
⚠️TAKE THE TRIGGER WARNINGS SERIOUSLY.
⚠️TAKE BREAKS.
I started this knowing it would likely be a DNF for myself as a complex mental illness suffer. Honestly, it’s a 5 star read for me.
J.Rose has done an absolutely fantastic job, the real, raw emotion, the coping mechanisms, the spice, everything true.
If you read Blackwood, and feel triggered and need to talk, please message me 🖤
Dixie
May 27, 2024
I absolutely loved this series. Seeing the growth of the characters and the plot was great. The plot twists always caught me off guard. I originally read this book thinking it was going to focus on the growth and healing of the main characters while it did do this it also managed to keep me on my toes. The only complaint I could have is the ending while yes it made sense and yes it was still a HEA I just wish it would’ve happened differently. I didn’t like the idea of half of the FMCs lovers were free out in the world while she was still in with 1 of the lovers. Like I said it made sense it just hurt to see the FMC being separated from a majority of her RH.
Trudy
September 28, 2024
yeah so this is the best book i’ve ever read
Shyanne Marchand
August 20, 2024
i’m not usually one to post a review on a book whether i loved or hated it.
this trilogy had me in a fucking chokehold from beginning to end. i related to brooklyn so many times throughout. there were times when i both loved and hated the mmc’s. but eli… fucking eli… i loved him from the moment he was introduced. imo, he had the most character development out of all the guys. his letter fucking broke me. i did not shed a single tear until i read his letter to brooklyn. i would love to read spin offs of all the characters’ lives prior to blackwood (maybe there is idk i haven’t looked into it)
i just finished this trilogy 10 minutes ago and i already wish i could read it again for the first time
this trilogy had me in a fucking chokehold from beginning to end. i related to brooklyn so many times throughout. there were times when i both loved and hated the mmc’s. but eli… fucking eli… i loved him from the moment he was introduced. imo, he had the most character development out of all the guys. his letter fucking broke me. i did not shed a single tear until i read his letter to brooklyn. i would love to read spin offs of all the characters’ lives prior to blackwood (maybe there is idk i haven’t looked into it)
i just finished this trilogy 10 minutes ago and i already wish i could read it again for the first time
Christina Bell
December 28, 2023
I really wanted to like this story but it feels like you never get much more than surface storyline and it flipping between 5 characters made it hard to follow. I got over 200 pages in and just couldn’t make myself read any more
Kayla
October 23, 2023
The characters were so good. The plot was meh. A solid 3.5/5. The spice🔥11/10. An overall amazing book with complex characters. Very modern gothic. Fair warning, it is very….. um…… morbid and a little sick, and I loved that about it. I will rant again, I LOOVVVEEED the characters, so good. Also one of the best RH’s I have ever read. The dynamic was as cohesive as possible, and made it a wonder for the reader to explore.
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️ Take breaks, it brings up sensitive issues and can put you in spiral, READ WITH CARE. Know your loved and rely on support systems, and know your not alone.
Otherwise this series was very topsy-turvy for me. I think it hit the spot right in the beginning for my mood reading, but I was so done with it by the end.
By no means do I think this book was bad. This was a really good book, just not for me right now. This is why I hate being a mood reader. Moods change.
Without my mood reading I think I REALLY would have loved it, but I just feel indifferent. Maybe I’ve desensitized myself to dark romance🤷🏻♀️. Idk. What I do know is that this was a beautiful, but DARK, story.
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️ Take breaks, it brings up sensitive issues and can put you in spiral, READ WITH CARE. Know your loved and rely on support systems, and know your not alone.
Otherwise this series was very topsy-turvy for me. I think it hit the spot right in the beginning for my mood reading, but I was so done with it by the end.
By no means do I think this book was bad. This was a really good book, just not for me right now. This is why I hate being a mood reader. Moods change.
Without my mood reading I think I REALLY would have loved it, but I just feel indifferent. Maybe I’ve desensitized myself to dark romance🤷🏻♀️. Idk. What I do know is that this was a beautiful, but DARK, story.
lauren lozano
November 11, 2023
This might be the most insane read I have ever dedicated myself too. Truthfully, I never thought I would be into “dark romances” but here we are. I have officially fallen down the rabbit hole and arrived here.
Brooklynn West (first off, great name) is out into a psychiatric ward where things are not quite as they seem. While she is there she is cared for and falls in love with not one but five guys. All have their own dark pasts but have banded together to form a family.
Once you read the first book you truly have no choice but to read all three. I cannot believe I read all 1,200+ pages of such a a dark, thrilling, scandalous, and passion filled novel.
PSA MAKE SURE YOU READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING THIS BOOK. It is D.A.R.K.
Brooklynn West (first off, great name) is out into a psychiatric ward where things are not quite as they seem. While she is there she is cared for and falls in love with not one but five guys. All have their own dark pasts but have banded together to form a family.
Once you read the first book you truly have no choice but to read all three. I cannot believe I read all 1,200+ pages of such a a dark, thrilling, scandalous, and passion filled novel.
PSA MAKE SURE YOU READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING THIS BOOK. It is D.A.R.K.
Ellie
April 15, 2024
This is my favorite series of all time Brooklyn and her guys go through so much to get their HEA. The twists and turns are never ending. I couldn’t put this series down until book 3 was done. I love everything about this story. The mental health rep, the relationships I loved every second of it. This series had me in a chokehold home hold and I still think about it.
Jemma Newby
July 2, 2024
I loved this series when I first read it. When I realised there was a boxset with extra content I had to do a reread. Once again I devoured it and went on such a journey. This is a dark why choose romance so please read the TW. Amazing five star read that I would definitely recommend if you love dark themes in your books.
Kaja 'Nelson' Ekern
August 22, 2023
amazing!!!!
This whole series tore me apart and put me back together! This band of psychos are everything that you can imagine!!! They went through it all and came out the other side!!! Absolutely brilliant!!!!
This whole series tore me apart and put me back together! This band of psychos are everything that you can imagine!!! They went through it all and came out the other side!!! Absolutely brilliant!!!!
Kat's books
July 10, 2024
Really struggled to finish this one. It had high potential if it weren't for the constant sex scenes which at times felt forced and written in for no reason at all. They distracted from the story itself and made me lose track of the story.
Whitney P
September 3, 2024
I enjoyed this book, BUT please check the trigger warnings!!! This book is definitely not for a light heart. If you enjoy a book with trigger warnings then you might not have an issue. I myself read a lot of dark stuff. Remember I've warned yall bout the trigger warnings. I won't put any spoilers in my review though.
Anaceli
June 26, 2023
This book is everything if not more.
Favorite book this year. I am not sure if there will be a book that will top this.
Each character fills a special place in my heart. This book literally broke my heart and mended it back together through love and sacrifice. J. Rose literally flowed her word with love and clarity. I am obsessed.
I am at a loss for words with this trilogy. Man, I would do anything to read these books again for the first time.
Favorite book this year. I am not sure if there will be a book that will top this.
Each character fills a special place in my heart. This book literally broke my heart and mended it back together through love and sacrifice. J. Rose literally flowed her word with love and clarity. I am obsessed.
I am at a loss for words with this trilogy. Man, I would do anything to read these books again for the first time.
Pam Sears
February 20, 2024
I just could not get into this story. I really tried but it just didn't happen for me. Had to shelve it and will maybe try again later this year
February 14, 2024
DNF'd this one. I tried so hard to like it and stay with it. The characters are fine but there isn't much character growth. They just turn into little puppies for the MFC. On the spicy side but even that you can't feel the connection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Kristen
May 25, 2024
Dear God where do I even begin with this one...
!!!!!!!!!!CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS!!!!!!!!!! before picking this one up. It was a bit different than the usual dark romance since they're all legitimately insane and the story takes place in a mental health facility. Mental health is frequently discussed and the book features attempted suicide, suicide ideation/self harm, eating disorders, graphic violence, etc.
That stated, I quite liked this one.
Firstly it's a pretty hefty boi topping out at 800 pages (I mean....it IS a complete trilogy). The story follows our FMC, Brooklyn, and her harem of attractive, damaged, crazy, and outright villainous men. There is a good bit of smut and it's (in-)appropriately weird and, at times, unsanitary. It's a DARK romance after all.
Brooklyn and her harem meet and subsequently reside at a mental health facility called Blackwood Institute run by warden Miss Elizabeth White and lead psychiatrist Can't-remember-his-first-name Lazlo (or maybe that was his first name?). But not everything is as it appears to be at Blackwood and something more sinister lurks below the surface.
What I liked:
*Eli - 'nuff said. It could've been just him and the books would've been good imo.
*New, interesting concept. It's not often the majority of a series takes place in a mental health institution, nor for ALL the characters to have mental health issues to this degree AND also have to navigate a complicated love life WHILE ALSO figuring out Blackwood's secrets. SO MUCH HAPPENING!
*Teegan - Another 'nuff said
*The story starts gets right into it. The author doesn't waste anytime throwing you into the thick of it.
*A good mystery to solve, and later, a good thriller. It's a multiple genres in one story kind of book and I liked it
What I didn't like:
*HUDSON - I COULD NOT STAND THIS MAN and YES he is one of the MMCs. You know a character is unlovable when you start to root for the villains anytime he's involved. There was a single moment I actually agreed with his actions and I was SO MAD it was happening. Seriously J, he's the only reason you get 4 stars because I just can't with him.
Overall, definitely worth the read. Is it unbelievable? ofc it is. It's a crazy dark romance. So don't go into this expecting anything normal because you will be sorely disappointed.
*As an aside: I noticed some reviewers stopped because "how could Rio have so much control?" I'm just going to point out that had you continued reading YOU'D HAVE FOUND OUT. There were many secrets to be revealed and you've barely scratched the surface. Yes some of them were predictable but there's others that had my mouth falling open in shock.*
!!!!!!!!!!CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS!!!!!!!!!! before picking this one up. It was a bit different than the usual dark romance since they're all legitimately insane and the story takes place in a mental health facility. Mental health is frequently discussed and the book features attempted suicide, suicide ideation/self harm, eating disorders, graphic violence, etc.
That stated, I quite liked this one.
Firstly it's a pretty hefty boi topping out at 800 pages (I mean....it IS a complete trilogy). The story follows our FMC, Brooklyn, and her harem of attractive, damaged, crazy, and outright villainous men. There is a good bit of smut and it's (in-)appropriately weird and, at times, unsanitary. It's a DARK romance after all.
Brooklyn and her harem meet and subsequently reside at a mental health facility called Blackwood Institute run by warden Miss Elizabeth White and lead psychiatrist Can't-remember-his-first-name Lazlo (or maybe that was his first name?). But not everything is as it appears to be at Blackwood and something more sinister lurks below the surface.
What I liked:
*Eli - 'nuff said. It could've been just him and the books would've been good imo.
*New, interesting concept. It's not often the majority of a series takes place in a mental health institution, nor for ALL the characters to have mental health issues to this degree AND also have to navigate a complicated love life WHILE ALSO figuring out Blackwood's secrets. SO MUCH HAPPENING!
*Teegan - Another 'nuff said
*The story starts gets right into it. The author doesn't waste anytime throwing you into the thick of it.
*A good mystery to solve, and later, a good thriller. It's a multiple genres in one story kind of book and I liked it
What I didn't like:
*HUDSON - I COULD NOT STAND THIS MAN and YES he is one of the MMCs. You know a character is unlovable when you start to root for the villains anytime he's involved. There was a single moment I actually agreed with his actions and I was SO MAD it was happening. Seriously J, he's the only reason you get 4 stars because I just can't with him.
Overall, definitely worth the read. Is it unbelievable? ofc it is. It's a crazy dark romance. So don't go into this expecting anything normal because you will be sorely disappointed.
*As an aside: I noticed some reviewers stopped because "how could Rio have so much control?" I'm just going to point out that had you continued reading YOU'D HAVE FOUND OUT. There were many secrets to be revealed and you've barely scratched the surface. Yes some of them were predictable but there's others that had my mouth falling open in shock.*
Dreadyjen
May 7, 2024
Why? This isn't romance. This is abusive crazy hate fucks. Hudson needs to be stabbed again with better aim and a sharper knife. Bleh. I read it.. There was no redemption, no chemistry it was just bleh and eww.
Alex
February 28, 2024
"We’re all immersed in the same seductive dance of devils and death."
This series...this world...immaculate. The further you read, the tighter you're held by it. It pulls you under like vines in the best way. The pacing was perfect, the characters were perfect, the plot was perfect, the setting was perfect - I will praise this series for the rest of my life. There's always another layer to be revealed at Blackwood, always another stone to be overturned. It gripped me from the very start and now, months after finishing, it still hasn't let go. These characters go through hell. Physical and psychological torture, leading to the occasional unreliable (perfect) narrator. Just when you think it's restricted to childhood, Brooklyn and [redacted] are thrust right back into a nightmare. Their journeys are beautiful.
Hudson's power is addictive, and his devotion to breaking through Brooklyn's barriers going back years is unmatched. Eli has one of the most heartbreaking minds and a life full of religious trauma; he shatters my heart. He and Brooklyn are each other's comfort when no one else understands. I can't say much about [redacted] without spoilers, but like Eli, he's a twin flame for Brooklyn (triplet flame?). Some people may find Kade to be straightlaced, but his need for control is intoxicating. He's put together, but in the way that you know there could be a hidden drop of blood on his suit. And finally Phoenix, who battles with his own problems while still being the one to make everyone smile.
Now time for the sob story. I was in an extremely bad mental place when I first read these, and it felt like coming home. This series and @jroseauthor genuinely filled me with such courage through the characters and their trauma, I sorted myself out and got back to living. So thank you, endlessly.
This series...this world...immaculate. The further you read, the tighter you're held by it. It pulls you under like vines in the best way. The pacing was perfect, the characters were perfect, the plot was perfect, the setting was perfect - I will praise this series for the rest of my life. There's always another layer to be revealed at Blackwood, always another stone to be overturned. It gripped me from the very start and now, months after finishing, it still hasn't let go. These characters go through hell. Physical and psychological torture, leading to the occasional unreliable (perfect) narrator. Just when you think it's restricted to childhood, Brooklyn and [redacted] are thrust right back into a nightmare. Their journeys are beautiful.
Hudson's power is addictive, and his devotion to breaking through Brooklyn's barriers going back years is unmatched. Eli has one of the most heartbreaking minds and a life full of religious trauma; he shatters my heart. He and Brooklyn are each other's comfort when no one else understands. I can't say much about [redacted] without spoilers, but like Eli, he's a twin flame for Brooklyn (triplet flame?). Some people may find Kade to be straightlaced, but his need for control is intoxicating. He's put together, but in the way that you know there could be a hidden drop of blood on his suit. And finally Phoenix, who battles with his own problems while still being the one to make everyone smile.
Now time for the sob story. I was in an extremely bad mental place when I first read these, and it felt like coming home. This series and @jroseauthor genuinely filled me with such courage through the characters and their trauma, I sorted myself out and got back to living. So thank you, endlessly.
Emmi (bookish_redpanda)
August 17, 2023
Holy cow. I mean... holy cow. What a read that was. I'm giving it a solid 4.5, though rounding up to 5.
First of all - PLEASE heed all trigger warnings. J. Rose was not kidding by saying this was a dark one. There were times when I was considering setting it aside, it almost became too much. But in saying that, it made a phenomenal read.
What a mindf*** of a read, too. I think I twigged to what might have been going on about 3/4's into the first book of the trilogy, but what J. Rose delivered was beyond. Like... such an incredible world she made, and it really messes with your head. I loved the links back into the history of psychology, too (being a ex-psych minor in Uni).
I love that the characters all had their own distinct personalities, and that it took time to learn them as a whole. In the end, the found family really complimented each other, and showed that that's what they became - a family. They were also highly relatable at times. Yes, I cannot claim to ever have dealt with anything near what these characters have dealt with, but I can almost see a part of myself in all of them.
Also, I realise how hard it is to write a review for this series without giving anything away.
I cannot wait to read the Sabre Security series after finishing this one off. The glimpses into the trio that head it up were enough to have me hooked.
First of all - PLEASE heed all trigger warnings. J. Rose was not kidding by saying this was a dark one. There were times when I was considering setting it aside, it almost became too much. But in saying that, it made a phenomenal read.
What a mindf*** of a read, too. I think I twigged to what might have been going on about 3/4's into the first book of the trilogy, but what J. Rose delivered was beyond. Like... such an incredible world she made, and it really messes with your head. I loved the links back into the history of psychology, too (being a ex-psych minor in Uni).
I love that the characters all had their own distinct personalities, and that it took time to learn them as a whole. In the end, the found family really complimented each other, and showed that that's what they became - a family. They were also highly relatable at times. Yes, I cannot claim to ever have dealt with anything near what these characters have dealt with, but I can almost see a part of myself in all of them.
Also, I realise how hard it is to write a review for this series without giving anything away.
I cannot wait to read the Sabre Security series after finishing this one off. The glimpses into the trio that head it up were enough to have me hooked.
Alex's Books and Brews
October 9, 2024
Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Plot 📜📜📜📜📜
Spice 🌶🌶🌶.5
This book has CONSUMED my life, my brain, everything for the past week! Oh my god!
Each character is written to perfection, you really do connect with them emotionally, reading about the torment they go through - but the core value of family holds them together (that and Brookes V*gina 😜)
Seven was my fave character by far, I wondered what his story was going to be and was so glad with the outcome (the scene with Sev, Brooke and Hudson in book three - 🥵).
Needless to say, the spice content, whilst there and written sublimely it doesn't overshadow the extremely powerful and harrowing plot (I dare say I'd love this book even if there was no spice *gasp*)
I'll have Sabre Securities stories in my tbr, but need a mental break from Blackwood - I feel like one of the inmates/residents 🙈
Plot 📜📜📜📜📜
Spice 🌶🌶🌶.5
This book has CONSUMED my life, my brain, everything for the past week! Oh my god!
Each character is written to perfection, you really do connect with them emotionally, reading about the torment they go through - but the core value of family holds them together (that and Brookes V*gina 😜)
Seven was my fave character by far, I wondered what his story was going to be and was so glad with the outcome (the scene with Sev, Brooke and Hudson in book three - 🥵).
Needless to say, the spice content, whilst there and written sublimely it doesn't overshadow the extremely powerful and harrowing plot (I dare say I'd love this book even if there was no spice *gasp*)
I'll have Sabre Securities stories in my tbr, but need a mental break from Blackwood - I feel like one of the inmates/residents 🙈
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Amanda Anderson
August 19, 2023
Blackwood Institute by J. Rose Full Review Pending - BABD Bingo (book 5)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Darkness: 🖤🖤🖤
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Themes/tropes: mental institution, self harm, suicide attempt, mental illness, bullying, reverse harem, m/f, m/m, lgbtq, cutting, breath play/choking, murder, abuse of power, drug use, SA
Ending: Resolved
POV: multiple MCs
🐳 name & author of book: Blackwood Institute by J. Rose
🌃PAGES, rating: 1262, 5/5 ⭐️
🌛started: 8.10.23
🌟finished: 8.18.23
Notes:
When a book starts off with a Stephen King quote, it instills a sense of both suspense, and literary mastery of the genre, that is matched by few- so that’s a bold move. But I think it’s an apt quote to start this complete trilogy off; ““Monsters are real. Ghosts are real too. They live inside us and sometimes, they win. - Stephen King”. This is a compilation of all three Blackwood books for KU, so I’ll score each separately and average them for my overall score:
Book 1: prologue - we meet our FMC, Brooklyn, in a mental institute. She meets with Dr Zimmerman (“Z”) and we see the first sign of darkness within her - possibly a schizoaffective disorder (visual + auditory hallucinations telling her to kill him). He mentions an offer from the board and tells her “…you have potential. Don’t allow the past to control your future”. I felt this. She’s only 21 and court ordered- but if she accepts this “opportunity” to serve 3yrs at Blackwood Institute, she will be free. An offer like that is usually too good to be true. But all Brooklyn seems capable of focusing on is flashbacks of the bloody crime she committed to end up institutionalized, and her tentative suicide options when she leaves for Blackwood (where she thinks she’ll have the opportunity). The paperwork has a Latin phrase on it- Ex Malo Bordum which means “from bad comes good”. Hello foreshadowing, but is it as straightforward as we think? Or is it more of an “end justifies the means” form of treatment that awaits her? (We learn as she leaves that the first place is called Clearview Psychiatric Unit).
We learn on the transfer that “Brooke” was trading illicit drugs for blowing the guards. Upon arrival, Brooke gets a chilling foreboding; “Is this a university, a prison or a fucking museum?”
Enter Mike Tramwell- paperwork clerk, and Kade- her new front desk receptionist+ tour guide+ fellow patient. Plus guards who checks her, roughly, for weapons and contraband miss her stashed razor, which she uses to self harm “with control”. She thinks she deserves much worse for her crimes and says, “I’m the fucking monster in this story”, to abruptly conclude the first chapter.
Ch2 - Kade (23) regrets being “Mr Nice Guy” - enters his room to Phoenix (19yr old roommate) playing the 7th hour of video games and Eli (a quiet guy with a brilliant mind balled up in a hoodie on Kades bed, doing Phoenix’s homework). Phoenix “Nix” notices Kades interaction with the new girl has left him rattled, and Eli reacts badly when Clearview is mentioned. Kade silently chastises himself, realizing that Eli is also a transfer from there (office access apparently means illegal patient file access- eyeroll). We learn that Kades position in the office does give him clout, Nix has gotten booze and cigs from “Rio” and Hudson is the guy who kicked out a naked “Britt” that Brooke saw in the hallway. The chapter concludes with Kade trying to exorcise Brooke from his mind with a solo sesh. “She is nothing. 18mo left. No distractions”. Next, we meet Eli as he remembers Brooke from Clearview- he hopes badly that she doesn’t remember him. Clearly he’s had a crush on her for a long time. Rio and Brooke have an altercation, which ends in her punching him. Brooke and Nix have a moment. Kade finds Hudson (“Hud”) and we learn that they are related.
Book1: Ends on a cliffhanger, as do most books in a series.
Book 2: Trying to keep FMC stable was tedious
Book 3: Ties it all together- will miss these characters, especially Eli
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Darkness: 🖤🖤🖤
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Themes/tropes: mental institution, self harm, suicide attempt, mental illness, bullying, reverse harem, m/f, m/m, lgbtq, cutting, breath play/choking, murder, abuse of power, drug use, SA
Ending: Resolved
POV: multiple MCs
🐳 name & author of book: Blackwood Institute by J. Rose
🌃PAGES, rating: 1262, 5/5 ⭐️
🌛started: 8.10.23
🌟finished: 8.18.23
Notes:
When a book starts off with a Stephen King quote, it instills a sense of both suspense, and literary mastery of the genre, that is matched by few- so that’s a bold move. But I think it’s an apt quote to start this complete trilogy off; ““Monsters are real. Ghosts are real too. They live inside us and sometimes, they win. - Stephen King”. This is a compilation of all three Blackwood books for KU, so I’ll score each separately and average them for my overall score:
Book 1: prologue - we meet our FMC, Brooklyn, in a mental institute. She meets with Dr Zimmerman (“Z”) and we see the first sign of darkness within her - possibly a schizoaffective disorder (visual + auditory hallucinations telling her to kill him). He mentions an offer from the board and tells her “…you have potential. Don’t allow the past to control your future”. I felt this. She’s only 21 and court ordered- but if she accepts this “opportunity” to serve 3yrs at Blackwood Institute, she will be free. An offer like that is usually too good to be true. But all Brooklyn seems capable of focusing on is flashbacks of the bloody crime she committed to end up institutionalized, and her tentative suicide options when she leaves for Blackwood (where she thinks she’ll have the opportunity). The paperwork has a Latin phrase on it- Ex Malo Bordum which means “from bad comes good”. Hello foreshadowing, but is it as straightforward as we think? Or is it more of an “end justifies the means” form of treatment that awaits her? (We learn as she leaves that the first place is called Clearview Psychiatric Unit).
We learn on the transfer that “Brooke” was trading illicit drugs for blowing the guards. Upon arrival, Brooke gets a chilling foreboding; “Is this a university, a prison or a fucking museum?”
Enter Mike Tramwell- paperwork clerk, and Kade- her new front desk receptionist+ tour guide+ fellow patient. Plus guards who checks her, roughly, for weapons and contraband miss her stashed razor, which she uses to self harm “with control”. She thinks she deserves much worse for her crimes and says, “I’m the fucking monster in this story”, to abruptly conclude the first chapter.
Ch2 - Kade (23) regrets being “Mr Nice Guy” - enters his room to Phoenix (19yr old roommate) playing the 7th hour of video games and Eli (a quiet guy with a brilliant mind balled up in a hoodie on Kades bed, doing Phoenix’s homework). Phoenix “Nix” notices Kades interaction with the new girl has left him rattled, and Eli reacts badly when Clearview is mentioned. Kade silently chastises himself, realizing that Eli is also a transfer from there (office access apparently means illegal patient file access- eyeroll). We learn that Kades position in the office does give him clout, Nix has gotten booze and cigs from “Rio” and Hudson is the guy who kicked out a naked “Britt” that Brooke saw in the hallway. The chapter concludes with Kade trying to exorcise Brooke from his mind with a solo sesh. “She is nothing. 18mo left. No distractions”. Next, we meet Eli as he remembers Brooke from Clearview- he hopes badly that she doesn’t remember him. Clearly he’s had a crush on her for a long time. Rio and Brooke have an altercation, which ends in her punching him. Brooke and Nix have a moment. Kade finds Hudson (“Hud”) and we learn that they are related.
Book1: Ends on a cliffhanger, as do most books in a series.
Book 2: Trying to keep FMC stable was tedious
Book 3: Ties it all together- will miss these characters, especially Eli
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Rachel Cheung
September 3, 2024
on my dark romance kick 😤
i absolutely devoured this book!!! and didn’t realize i chugged through 800 pages in like 4 days lol it was truly so dark and twisted and honestly so angsty 😭 i felt for each one of them so bad 🥹 they each burrowed a space in my heart with their broken souls, especially my baby eli 😭 he was the most broken out of all of the boys and seeing his growth to speak again was truly healing. he was the first one she was with when she ended up at blackwood, which is perfect to me. they fit so so so well together. and his bond with phoenix was also so beautifully done. i love the both of them so so much. i actually didn’t mind brooklyns character as most fmc in dark romances tend to be questionable!! she was so tortured and constantly being broken by society and the psychopaths that were supposed to help free her. a deep backstory that traces back to a schizophrenic mother, slaughtered brother and naive father. logans ghost or vision in this story made me tear up. her brain and his spirit looking after her. then her meeting seven/jude was truly the cherry on top of the why choose / found family trope. she brought him back and they grounded each other in the darkest time of their lives. i do wish we could see a snippet of their time killing and assassinating together! i would love to see how their love blossomed when they only had each other down in the deepest parts of blackwood institute. but reading seven/judes character and his addition to the family fit so perfectly! i wasn’t expecting it but it was a warm welcome. and him with hudson??? 🥵🥵 lordddddd YES!!!! i had my doubts about hudson but their past together and coming back together allowed him to work its way into my heart. then there’s kade, a controlling big brother type (actual adoptive brother to hudson) who she met first at blackwood because he was there working and staying there to help hudson. he kept them all together, especially when times got rough 🥹
i truly enjoyed the characters all sososoos much and wish we could see more! i would love to see brooklyn continue to grow and be more confident in herself. find her place in the world amongst the quiet of her mind. and all the boys finding their purpose as well. i’m glad the story didn’t end where it did and the epilogue of their letter to her as her and jude stayed at clearview to serve time and get treatment were included. especially them on the last leg of their 3 month trip after sev and brooke’s release (with the scene hot damn). it was much needed after all that pain and suffering. they’re not healed and still very much broken but they each hold a piece of each other and when together, they’re whole.
will revisit down the line. i love them 🥹🥹🥹 i want to give them all the biggest hug 🫶🏼
*probably one of my favorite dark romances ive read (albeit i haven’t read a lot) 🫶🏼
i absolutely devoured this book!!! and didn’t realize i chugged through 800 pages in like 4 days lol it was truly so dark and twisted and honestly so angsty 😭 i felt for each one of them so bad 🥹 they each burrowed a space in my heart with their broken souls, especially my baby eli 😭 he was the most broken out of all of the boys and seeing his growth to speak again was truly healing. he was the first one she was with when she ended up at blackwood, which is perfect to me. they fit so so so well together. and his bond with phoenix was also so beautifully done. i love the both of them so so much. i actually didn’t mind brooklyns character as most fmc in dark romances tend to be questionable!! she was so tortured and constantly being broken by society and the psychopaths that were supposed to help free her. a deep backstory that traces back to a schizophrenic mother, slaughtered brother and naive father. logans ghost or vision in this story made me tear up. her brain and his spirit looking after her. then her meeting seven/jude was truly the cherry on top of the why choose / found family trope. she brought him back and they grounded each other in the darkest time of their lives. i do wish we could see a snippet of their time killing and assassinating together! i would love to see how their love blossomed when they only had each other down in the deepest parts of blackwood institute. but reading seven/judes character and his addition to the family fit so perfectly! i wasn’t expecting it but it was a warm welcome. and him with hudson??? 🥵🥵 lordddddd YES!!!! i had my doubts about hudson but their past together and coming back together allowed him to work its way into my heart. then there’s kade, a controlling big brother type (actual adoptive brother to hudson) who she met first at blackwood because he was there working and staying there to help hudson. he kept them all together, especially when times got rough 🥹
i truly enjoyed the characters all sososoos much and wish we could see more! i would love to see brooklyn continue to grow and be more confident in herself. find her place in the world amongst the quiet of her mind. and all the boys finding their purpose as well. i’m glad the story didn’t end where it did and the epilogue of their letter to her as her and jude stayed at clearview to serve time and get treatment were included. especially them on the last leg of their 3 month trip after sev and brooke’s release (with the scene hot damn). it was much needed after all that pain and suffering. they’re not healed and still very much broken but they each hold a piece of each other and when together, they’re whole.
will revisit down the line. i love them 🥹🥹🥹 i want to give them all the biggest hug 🫶🏼
*probably one of my favorite dark romances ive read (albeit i haven’t read a lot) 🫶🏼
Nadia Turrell
June 26, 2024
4.75⭐️
*PLEASE CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS*
*this story holds a lot of descriptive triggering scenes regarding mental health and very dark plot lines*
Wow this was a longgggg read. 800 pages and we’re finished.
Fuck this was good.
All kinds of fucked up, a very long journey with each of their mental health. This was a found family reverse harem dark romance.
Their dynamic was so unusual but so loveable.
I loved each character in their own ways.
Brooklyn - The FMC that went through hell and back, was put through the absolute ringer, and formed close different relationships with each character.
Eli - Probably my favourite characters in the series. He stole my heart. Eli who didn’t have a voice and was so broken from his past, managing to find his voice and love.
Seven/Jude - Probably my second favourite character. Another broken soul, who was thought to not return from being a human machine. His attitude top tier. The support he returned to Brooklyn after all he went through 🥺
Hudson - His and Sev’s relationship in the end surprised me, but I loved it so much. Their love/hate relationship and banter, beautiful. I am slightly disappointed that I feel that the past with Brooklyn was not explained further into how they got into the situation that caused them to seperate. But he really had the whole ‘who did this to you?’ unhinged vibe down pact. And the love he had for Brooklyn, felt the strongest in my opinion.
Phoenix - I feel his relationship with Brooklyn wasn’t as deep as the others, but he was so attached to her that he couldn’t exist without her. His relationship with Eli was so fucking special though. And in his own way he was special too, what he made from his remaining life got me right in my heart.
Kade - He was the ‘dad’ of the group, the voice of reason. He sacrificed his life for his found family, and was constantly the glue trying to hold everyone together. He was the calm in all the storm.
Biggest omg i love this moment - HUDSON AND SEVEN BROOOOO
The smut was smutting.
The plot was plotting.
*PLEASE CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS*
*this story holds a lot of descriptive triggering scenes regarding mental health and very dark plot lines*
Wow this was a longgggg read. 800 pages and we’re finished.
Fuck this was good.
All kinds of fucked up, a very long journey with each of their mental health. This was a found family reverse harem dark romance.
Their dynamic was so unusual but so loveable.
I loved each character in their own ways.
Brooklyn - The FMC that went through hell and back, was put through the absolute ringer, and formed close different relationships with each character.
Eli - Probably my favourite characters in the series. He stole my heart. Eli who didn’t have a voice and was so broken from his past, managing to find his voice and love.
Seven/Jude - Probably my second favourite character. Another broken soul, who was thought to not return from being a human machine. His attitude top tier. The support he returned to Brooklyn after all he went through 🥺
Hudson - His and Sev’s relationship in the end surprised me, but I loved it so much. Their love/hate relationship and banter, beautiful. I am slightly disappointed that I feel that the past with Brooklyn was not explained further into how they got into the situation that caused them to seperate. But he really had the whole ‘who did this to you?’ unhinged vibe down pact. And the love he had for Brooklyn, felt the strongest in my opinion.
Phoenix - I feel his relationship with Brooklyn wasn’t as deep as the others, but he was so attached to her that he couldn’t exist without her. His relationship with Eli was so fucking special though. And in his own way he was special too, what he made from his remaining life got me right in my heart.
Kade - He was the ‘dad’ of the group, the voice of reason. He sacrificed his life for his found family, and was constantly the glue trying to hold everyone together. He was the calm in all the storm.
Biggest omg i love this moment - HUDSON AND SEVEN BROOOOO
The smut was smutting.
The plot was plotting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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