Losers by Harley Laroux
SERIES: Losers (Part 1)
PUBLISHED: September 30, 2022
PAGES: 498
GENRE: Romance, Contemporary, Erotica
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The Blurb
I was supposed to have it all.
I’d been Prom Queen, Cheer Captain – high school’s most savage Queen Bee. I could have everything I wanted.
Except them. The freaks, the weirdos, the school’s ultimate losers: Manson, Jason, Lucas, and Vincent. Our hatred for each other couldn’t keep us apart, not even when my own mistake got Manson expelled and made me the ultimate villain to the rest of them.
One night was supposed to be enough.
I couldn’t resist forever. For one night I gave myself over to the men I wasn’t supposed to want and satisfied the darkest parts of my soul. But some things are meant to stay in the dark. One night, and it was over.
Nothing more than a game.
Now, with college behind me, our worlds collide yet again. Four men, all willing to share me as their plaything until my debt to them is paid. Another game to satiate my dark cravings, the twisted rules of which bring us all even closer than before. But games aren’t meant to last.
When the debt is paid and the game is done, what if I don’t want to walk away?
Although not required, it is recommended to read the novella, The Dare, prior to reading Losers.
This book is First Person, Multi POV.
This is an 18+ polyamorous bisexual romance between one woman and four men, including MF, MM, and group scenes. Reader discretion is strongly advised, this is a dark read. This book contains graphic sexual scenes, intense scenes of BDSM, graphic violence, and strong language. A full content note can be found in the front matter of the book.
The Review
They were all supposed to be beneath me, lower than gum on my shoe. Instead, I felt obsessed, like I couldn’t stop. Couldn’t stop looking at them, taunting them, seeking them out. I couldn’t stop wanting them.
Earlier this year I began falling down the Harley Laroux rabbit hole, quickly consuming several of her books, including The Dare, which left me in desperate need for more. Upon hearing we’d be getting more of Jess, Daddy Manson, Lucas, Jason and Vincent, Losers was definitely my most anticipated read of 2022…and now it has become my top read of the year. Any and all expectations I had were thoroughly blown out of the water, and now I’m champing at the bit for Part 2.
Laroux pens a beautiful tale of fighting against social norms and not letting the preconceptions of others guide how you live your life. Forge your own path and proudly travel it to find and embrace your true self. While horrid pains of the past may surface, forgiveness, trust and acceptance are the keys to building a brighter future.
For those of you that have read The Dare (if you haven’t, I highly recommend you do), we finally get those backstories we’ve been craving. With tiny peeks into the past, readers get insights into why our lovely Losers are the way they are, breathing even more life into characters that already emanated from the pages of the novella that sparked it all. The five are so very different from one another, but each are an integral piece of the puzzle. Their dynamics are perfectly crafted – not just between the boys and Jess, but between each other as well – and the concept that steals the spotlight is profound growth. If you’re a fan of the found family trope, it doesn’t get much better than this family of misfits right here.
The story itself takes place a few years after the events of its predecessor, where Jess reluctantly moves back to her hometown of Wickeston. One church charity car wash later, and she finds herself back in the grasp of the men that were responsible for her awakening that fated Halloween night. Still fighting her misplaced urges to fit in with the popular crew, she’s left abandoned and taking the fall for an ugly act of spite. What begins as a simple debt to be repaid transforms into a journey of discovery with two massive threats lying in wait to strike. Laroux builds up some major tension here, utilizing each conflict as a mechanism for character evolution. It’s outstanding, and I can’t wait to see how everything ties up in the next installment.
“When you call to your God, you’d better look at him.”
Now, let’s talk spice. Oh, the spice. Laroux launches a whole new exploration of kinks, each done so in a safe way with every ounce of consent and support freely given. Every interaction between Jess and the boys, regardless of how depraved it may be, is so insanely healthy, it’s exciting and endearing in equal measure. You would think their history would only lead to carnal urges being sated, but what makes their interactions so special is the emotional impact it has on each of them. Carefully constructed walls crumble revealing the rawness beneath in the most organic way. I loved every moment they were in each other’s company. I also have a new appreciation for cat ears.
The writing is so fluid and engaging, the pacing exquisite. Laroux’s ability to juggle five POVs, giving each of the main characters a strong, unique voice, is incredible. You can sense her passion for the subject matter just from how she subtly educates her readers along the way without framing it like a lecture. It’s thoroughly apparent how Losers is her labor of love, and I very much appreciate her taking us along for this journey.
I can gush about this book all day, but it’s definitely one you need to experience yourself to appreciate all it has to offer. It’s captivating, poignant and sooo very hot. We’re left with a promise of delicious debauchery and I. NEED. IT. Loved this book to pieces.
Note: A massive thank you to Harley Laroux for providing an early complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Author
Harley is a writer of Dark Romance, Erotic Horror, and Erotica. She enjoys crafting steamy stories on the dark and kinky side, the creepier the better.
Harley lives in Washington with her husband and three cats. She loves horror films, dry red wines, and almost always has a candle lit. Most days she can be found at her desk drinking tea with at least one cat on her lap.
