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4 Stars
3 Spice
**DARK. Check Trigger Warnings**
The last thing Alistair Caldwell wanted was to be stuck in Ponderosa Springs with a family who literally never wanted him. However, when his best friend's girlfriend is found dead under mysterious circumstances, Alistair promises to stick around until they find out what truly happened and bestow their own brand of vigilante justice. While harming and interrogating one of those involved, new student Briar Lowell, stumbles upon them and attempts to run from Alistair and his friends. When Alistair realizes he can't let Briar continue knowing what they've done, he decides to use her abilities for his own gains.

Definite "Devil's Night" (Penelope Douglas) vibes! This is definitely darker than DN, but has the same best friends, found family, bully romance tropes to pull the story along. Not only is Alistair morally extra gray, but all three of his best friends (the Hollow Boys) are equally as tortured and unhinged which brings a whole new layer to the story.

I will say the ending felt a bit quick - obviously in an enemies-to-lovers or bully romance, it's going to be a bit of a slow burn. But, and maybe I just missed it because I was a bit distracted when reading the end, but suddenly soul-darker-than-night Alistair becomes caring (as much as he's capable) towards Briar without a real understanding as to why. Again - clearly that was going to happen, it just would have been nice to see a kind of catalyst towards it.