I’m giving this a 3 star because I can’t give 2.5 stars. The writing felt very fanfic. The FMC suffered a lot of trauma but just seemed fine with it. The MMC was boring and bland. There wasn’t much depth to him. The spicy scenes were great but seemed out of place since the writing was very YA/fanfic. I’m not a fan of 3rd person POV but that it just my personal preference and I didnt mark that against the book.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read the arc and review!!

I really enjoyed reading this book! It was smutty, interesting, and I was hooked from the first chapter. Darcy Fayton has an amazing way of writing that just draws you in and doesn’t let you go!
The smut was some of the best I’ve read!! It was so intense and fun.
The book has some very serious topics so definitely check TW. The list is at the start of the book.
All in all it was such a good read!!

Not really what I was expecting, but then again what did I really think was going to happen? I ate this one day haha!

Third person POV is not my jam, as stated before, but I thought the writing was very good, so it was hard to focus on the pov. Well written characters, and I was grateful for the descriptions in the book. Very fantasy heavy in the plot, so having the backstory and description really helped.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the eARC!!

I finished this book in 2 days, I just couldn't put it down. The actual story pulls you into just as much as the spicer content and there is a balanced amount of both. This book, like many books of this type, has trigger warnings in the beginning but it goes one step further. There is a chapter with a reminder warning and a summary at the end of all the major plot points in case you do not wish to read the chapter. That is a feature I wish more books had as it allows readers to enjoy the book and not have to either read a whole chapter they are uncomfortable with or skip a chapter and miss important information. I cannot wait for the sequel!

Rating: ⭐⭐/5

This book was... an experience. I was excited to meet Susie, hoping to witness her growth throughout the story. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. As a fan of dark romance, I found the concept intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The world-building was lacking, leaving me craving more background and depth. The relationship between Arken and Susie felt bland and predictable, leaning more towards uninspired paranormal scenes than meaningful connection. If that’s your style, you might enjoy it, but it didn’t resonate with me.

I can't give a book 0 stars, so 1 it is.

I have never finished a book and thought that it would be better as porn without plot before, but there's a first time for everything.
I'll begin with the characters, Susie is a werewolf Mary Sue in the extreme. She can't shift, leaving her with an ever present wolf ears and tail that even those who don't like her acknowledge as interesting. She's perfectly stacked, with a full set of breasts and a generous ass despite the first pages detailing how she doesn't feel comfortable enough to eat and endures hunger pangs on most days. Arken is just Edward Cullen with exotic thoughts. By that I mean that he's bland, brooding and full of self hatred.

The thing about this book that makes me wish that it had been just paranormal porn was the author's refusal to establish concrete information about past events and how it shapes the world the story is in.
The cruel dictator King magically created a Vampire army because vampires don't work well with others.
Said King slaughtered and outlawed all of the witches that created the Vampire Army despite the ability for vampires to be killed, even if it takes more damage to do so.
The King deposed and killed the sovereign families of two different races, vampire, and werewolf, entirely unopposed. The book states that there is a massive difference in the population of vampires compared to werewolves, humans (where are they in this. Their existence is mentioned, and they supposedly live alongside Werewolves and vampires, but aren't otherwise mentioned), and dwarves, yet there's no evidence of any resistance.
The changes seem to have all occurred in Susie's lifetime, and she's 19. So in under two decades, several Royal lines were decimated, an entire race of beings were made second class citizens, a prison was updated to become a school with a curriculum, and an entire regime and world shift that seems to encompass multiple kingdoms and cultures occurred again, completely unchecked.
There's… something in Arken’s past during the Vampire coup that is mentioned but never fully flushed out that features heavily in his inability to ‘love’ during the Vampire uprising and his past in it. The implication is that he sexually assaulted his wife after being pushed to a state of bloodlust frenzy (a state in which he isn't in his right mind), came to and saw the damage and she took her life afterwards. Though not confirmed, whatever the event is leads Arken to consider suicide himself, only to be talked of the ledge. This is what leads him to take his position at the school. He's complacent and a functional alcoholic who doesn't care about what's going on around him, doing whatever the King wants.

How? Everyone just laid down and took it?

The ‘relationship’ between Susie and Arken was just poorly done. The imbalance of power is evident in the title, trigger warnings, and is present up front, but it's just bad. It's all lust and being enamored of Susie’s Mary Sue traits like her perfect body that she shouldn't have if she's starving all the time, her half-shifted features.

Too much of the story focused on Arken and his friend, the crown Prince, Nathaniel's, skullduggery to possibly change the regime after the Prince takes the throne in two years, because apparently after staging a world changing coup, the King then mandates his son to take the throne after a certain amount of time? What?

Then there's the issue of Susie's classmate, Molly. I won't spoil Molly's secret, but Susie had the ability to help her and never thinks of it, ask while providing the same solution to others similarly afflicted.

It's all terrible. I think the author kept world building vague to drum up interest in the future books in the series, but if that's the case, it didn't work on me.

I don't mind dark romance, but this book did not have enough substance and character for me to think of it above a "meh" range. I am guessing there will/would be some growth and hopefully Susie, the MFC, can do something to better her and her pack's situation at her school because the way the wolves are treated by the patriarchal vampires is very bad (putting it mildly). The timeline of her being abused by Arken, the MMC, then liking him, then loving him, was bit rushed...especially for what happened initially. Like, I don't know care how hot some vamp is, and that he half arse apologizes and got you flowers... the first time he saw you, he did inappropriate things (putting it mildly) because he felt like he could and was entitled to... but he was "better" than the way anyone else had treated her, so she's okay with it. The side characters were more interesting to me. I want Molly to find some help - hopefully from others of her kind. A vast majority of the books I read are smutty (paranormal/romantasy smutty of those - hence me thinking this would be a vampire/wolf shifter likely dom/sub book), but I found myself not enjoying Arken & Susie's moments together. I do give credit to the author for being clear about triggers/warnings. Thanks for the opportunity - NetGalley and the publisher.

I went into this book with a positive mindset, but I quickly found out that this is 90% smut and 10% plot. I'm very plot driven so this was a hard read for me. I feel like the idea was not executed as well as it could have been, there were a lot of similarities to The Coven, however TC actually had more plot, excitement and I didn't have to push myself to read on.

I feel like the triggers should be included in the book description to avoid reader disappointment or future DNFs. A lot of readers like to know what they are getting into before reading a dark erotica fantasy.

“Whether Arken was a 'nice' vampire or not was irrelevant. But even if he did have a kind heart, it wouldn't be enough to save her from his dark desires now. He would take her for his own pleasure as if she were nothing more than a whore. Just like the others had.”

“The sooner Headmaster Arken forgot she existed, the better.”

Did I enjoy this book more than the one about Nathaniel and Kira? Maybe. Was this one darker than that one? Definitely. This time around the romance, in and of itself was not as dark and twisted as the one involving Nathaniel. But the darkest themes were involved, including SA scenes. So definitely check TW before diving into it. But I did find myself more invested in Susie and Arken’s story more. Susie was such a melancholic and sad and devastating character that I couldn’t my help but feel deep pain for her. Andrea the way Arken treats her … it definitely had a level of respect and compassion that was not present in Nathaniel. The situation is completely different but I appreciated that their tension was not as thick (even though it was there) but their romance was sweeter somehow. And the scenes involving her … some of those were awful and terrible and hard to get through but I did appreciate the author for putting the triggers at the right moment so as to give the reader the opportunity to skip the harshest ones. I’m very much looking forward to the next book in this duet. Also because I want to understand more about the dynamic in the world and the common plot happening all throughout the different romances.

“The headmaster had claimed her. And he was here for satisfaction.”

📚 ARC Review: Bedded by the Headmaster by Darcy Fayton 📚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Trigger Warning Alert! It's really important to read the trigger warnings in this book, as one chapter has a clear warning and even gives you the option to skip it. There's a helpful recap at the end of that chapter so you don’t miss out on the main plot if you decide to skip.

Now onto the story—it’s a vampire and werewolf forbidden romance with plenty of spicy action that keeps you hooked from start to finish! I absolutely loved Arken, his character is so intense and intriguing. The chemistry between Arken and Susie was undeniable, and the tension is off the charts! And just when you think you’re safe, it ends on a cliffhanger that’ll leave you wanting more.

This was a great start to the series, and I can't wait to dive into the second book!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Darcy Fayton for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this read. The book is set in a vampire/werewolf academy where vampires are superior. The book has some very dark parts but the romance and friendships included are very endearing. I will definitely be picking up the next book and the other linked duology

It is at times very dark and intense so please check the trigger warnings if you think you might be impacted.

Bedded by the Headmaster is a seriously addictive and spicy romance! From the start, the chemistry between the characters is electric, and it keeps you turning the pages. The headmaster is the perfect blend of mysterious and brooding, while the heroine is strong yet relatable, making their connection even more exciting. Fayton does a great job balancing steamy moments with sweet ones, so you get the best of both worlds. The story moves fast, keeping you hooked, and the forbidden romance element adds just the right amount of tension. If you’re into passionate, fast-paced reads with a dash of forbidden love, this one’s a total must-read!

Unfortunately I have to give this book 3 stars. When I initially read the blurb of the book I thought I will enjoy this. I expected adult themes in which the author had disclosed & also put in the trigger warnings! But I didn’t expect for it to be like this.
I think the magic system was quite cool but the FMC seriously annoyed me.. I wasn’t engaged with her. The SA was disclosed but I also didn’t expect it to be quite graphic. I am used to reading dark romances and love reading them but this was confusing because it felt as though it was dark but written in a YA perspective which I didn’t understand. I think this book had the potential to be great but it just wasn’t for me.

Wow, how do speak about this book without giving spoilers?

I wish the names were better, this is a magical world and we have Susie? Susie is a strong female lead who puts herself in horrible situations trying to save the people around her from bad activities. The sex scenes are super spicy but the SA scene is so graphic. It is fully warned before you get there but I wonder how else it could be done.

Overall I have this a good rating on goodreads and storygraph but I’m just not ready to publish a review.
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read and review.

For the book-lov of smut! Darcy Fayton you are defently the in the top of the spicy empire! This is full of TW aka lot's of trigga warnings and it's DARK romance!

Post review on IG (one_fairy_tale_at_the_time) on 29. Oct 2024

3 very spicey stars! And not the first or last book I have read by Fayton ;)

This was an interesting read to be honest. It has a mixture of vampires and werewolves in it. This story is about an academy for super natural creatures. A taboo relationship is started between the head master of the school an a student. There is a big age difference between them . In this story werewolves are used for their blood for the vampires . The werewolves are taught to be meek and always obey the vampires.

I was trying to find some redeeming qualities in this book, but it was so poorly written I was barely able to finish it. First, the FMC feels like a protagonist right out of a Y/N fanfiction. A wolf shifter, but she can't shift, and only maintains her ears, claws, and beautiful tail? The amount of physical description felt very reminiscent of fanfiction as well. The magic system/world building was flimsy and relied heavily on the reader just accepting everything told to us at face value. There were many phrases that completely took me out of whatever world I was "immersed" in. For example, the older adult male love interest ponders the FMCs "TBR" pile. Overall, the writing style felt exceedingly YA (bordering on middle grade) but the content was obviously extremely adult.

Read the TW, also very greatful for Darcy Fayton to add a warning in the chapter where she was going to address a particular event in the story. She also offers a detailed summary of the events if you want to skip the chapter. I don't I've ever seen something like this before.

Having said that, this was one gripping novel, full of spice and the world building is very intriguing. when I started reading I had no idea what I was going to start but I enjoyed every moment of it. The relationship between Arken and Susie is challenging but very rewarding.

The plot and everything else around it is quite intense! Can't wait for book 2 now!

Thank you Darcy and NetGalley for the Arc

Bedded by the Headmaster is book one in the Susie & Arken's Duet by Darcy Fayton.
This intriguing romance is filled with vampires, wolf shifters and magic.
The world-building was amazing and so well done.
I was really drawn in by the premise of this book, and I feel like it really delivered on everything I was wanting and more!
It had a unique plot and magic system, and a well built world.
A satisfying blend of fantasy and romance. Escape into a world brimming with magic while getting swept away by the romance.

This was a captivating story retelling the forbidden romance of a vampire headmaster and a wolf student. The trigger warning before the chapter about the SA, and the summary at the end for those who are not comfortable reading about it was a nice touch. I also liked that we aren’t pretending SA is something a person can easily move on from and continue living their life like it didn’t happen. The author acknowledges the traumatic effects of the act on the person and doesn’t pretend that Susie is fully healed and whole again after having one conversation about what happened.

I enjoyed the character portrayals. Arken is protective. He isn’t jealous that someone else is touching Susie, he simply doesn’t like that the act is making her uncomfortable, so he wants to end it for her sake. Susie is strong. She stands up for others who can’t protect themselves even though she knows she will get hurt in the process, but she does it anyway so that the other person wouldn’t have to face it alone, despite having no one protecting her. However, I liked seeing her starting to put herself first as the story progresses. I also enjoyed how the story doesn’t t reveal the answers to readers’ questions right away, but makes the reader search for it in the book and exposes it later.

Arken is supposed to be directing this school for 10 years, but I asked myself multiple times while reading if he knew what was happening in his own school. He seems very surprised to learn about the dynamic between his students, what his teachers are doing in the classrooms, and the curriculum which he apparently designed himself. 10 years is a long time and it is a bit odd that he does not know about these things already. I didn’t like that all of the text was written in the same font, it made it very difficult to differentiate characters’ thoughts from the storytelling. And I found the pause between the incident and when they finally talked about it very long. The stretch slowed down the flow of the story and made me lose interest.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The overall flow of the story was really good. It made me want to delve deeper into this universe and read about the other characters. I would rate it a 4 out of 5.