I guess I'm like one of those prom girls who are late to the party but for no real apparent reason. Yeah I'm late to the JA Huss party but what a way to start!!

Well I really can't say much of anything about the story because that would just ruin it. Just be forewarned that what you think is happening may not be, what seems real may just be an illusion and what seems twisted and crazy just may be exactly that.

Truthfully I'm just sitting here thinking "What the hell!!". Seriously you will not see it coming. You will be floored. Your mouth will be agape and your brain will be trying to catch up and at the end you'll just breath a deeply satisfying Wow!!

"We are the Dirty Ones and this is our story."

**Received ARC through NetGalley. Voluntarily reviewed**

More twists and turns than a roller coaster!

This intricately woven story about seven friends that has the perfect amount of suspense, mystery and erotica. Kiera, Connor, Hayes, Sofia, Camille, Emily and Bennett. All friends, all had each others’ back in college. What a sick twisted year that was for these friends, full of twists and turns. Just when you think you know what is coming BAM! there's a twist in this story. Just when you think you have it figured out BAM! There's another turn, some stories get pretty predictable and I must say that for me, this story was anything but predictable. Exceptional in many ways!

Although Hayes can come off as a control freak, I knew his intentions were always good. Kiera and Connor longed to be with each other, I don’t believe they ever knew how the other truly felt, until now. Camille and Bennet were always meant to be until the very end. Hayes and Sofia, I believe that everything that has happened in their life has brought them to where they are now, where they were always meant to be.

Once the truth comes out it’s even crazier than anyone could have imagined. When you finally understand the entire twisted sick plot I know you will be just as shocked as I was. Thank you for giving me this amazing story to read and review. Loved every page turning moment, the desire to just keep reading more and more building with every chapter, every sentence

Go get lost in this read tonight!

This one was not always easy to read. A book was written anonymously(sp) and two people were trying to find out who wrote it. The erotic writer said she didn't so that left the others involved in a year in their life 10 years ago. The story is told in flashbacks and by Connor and Keira and they are as confused as the rest of the group. The book keeps you reading in anticipation of who did it until the end. You just can't put it down. The end of the book just blew me away. If you want a hot mysterious read, this is for you.
I got this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

OMG! I started reading this book and at first thought I was reading some Agatha Christie mystery... it seemed to go along those lines, with the intense draw of the reader to figure out what was coming next.
But then, BAMM, it switched, and the story got so strong and interesting that it was like nothing I have read before.
And that ending, WOW! I certainly did not see that coming!
JA Huss, I have read many of your books, but this one, The Dirty Ones, was by far the best one you have ever written! If I could have given it 6 beautiful stars I would have.

I'm not even sure how to review this story. This is one of those stories that you have to read to understand what I mean. I have never read this author before, but man does she like to take your mind on a ride that you don't know where the heck you are going. Things I thought in the beginning of the book were no where close to where this book really went. I can say that I highly recommend you give this story a read.

This story does revolve around a group of students who all went to the same college. Most of them come from very wealthy families. You will learn of their story through flashbacks and present day (10 years into the future). The story is told from the point of view of Connor and Kiera. There are some wonderfully graphic erotic scenes but mostly it is just the story these people went through. The ending was a HUGE bombshell. Overall this was a fantastic story that really kept my mind going. I will definitely read this author again!

It's been a good few months since I've read a book and wow, what a book to get over that dry spell!!! I've just finished “The Dirty Ones” and yes, it's another "OMG" read!!!! This author really is like the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to the stories she writes and she delivers EVERY SINGLE TIME.

Keira, Conner and the gang's story was one hell of an intriguing, suspenseful, crazy ride and with each and every page turned, I felt like I could have been reading an "Agatha Christie" novel, the "Who done it" vibe ever present. No, this wasn't a murder mystery but all those feelings that those books elicit, that desire for answers was a constant and ensured this book held my attention from start to finish.

I loved the ever thickening plot and the twists and turns that are so synonymous with this authors writing. And yet again, we were given a unique story line that (in a saturated market place) most authors struggle to deliver. This was such an engrossing, sexy as hell, psychological thriller. And as for that very unexpected climax... I think there will be many a gasp from the readers when they get to certain parts of the book!!! Lies, deceit and truths .... or were they????? Prepare to have your mind blown. This really is up there with the best of Julie's twisty tales for sure!!!

A must read that is absolutely worth going in blind!!!

An easy 5 ❤️'s for "The Dirty Ones."

Wow, golly, gosh and - *pow*, mind totally blown

I very, very nearly didn't finish this. I reached a point where it really felt like it was going to be one of those 'there's a big secret and the whole book will just be filler until we get to that secret' stories.

Turns out that very much wasn't the case. I'm massively pleased that I pushed through that 30 - 40% bit that dragged a little for me, and read until the very twisted and heart wrenching ending. The suspense was amazing and really kept you on the edge of your seat. I can be quite impatient and struggle with books where I have to 'wait' for answers, so I'm sure this fed into the feeling of not being sure if the book was for me.

It's both about what the blurb says and yet not about it at all. AVOID SPOILERS AT ALL COSTS. I actually tried to find some when I got stuck in the mud, I'm so glad I failed in that quest! This whole story hinges on those twists and the ensuing mind jiggery pokery that ensues.

It didn't get 5 stars because whilst I liked the characters, I just didn't feel much of a connection to them nor was I convinced that they were in love. Normally that would demote a book to 2.5 stars tops, so again hats of to the quality of writing and the amazing plot for making me not really mind those two issues.

I loved this book, there are dark themes, mainly in the past, and a huge mind-fruck of an ending. That ending did leave me questioning two events that occurred at Hayes' mansion. They made sense as they happened but hindsight shifted their meaning. (view spoiler).

To sum up? Read this book, you won't regret it but you will enjoy it.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I began reading this story and it took me on a completely unexpected twisted journey that had me second guessing everything.

Seven people who were friends in college their senior are reunited 10 years after they parted ways when it is discovered a book has been published. A book about them and what they got up to together in that final year at college. This book could potentially have huge repercussions on their personal lives and they need to work out who exposed them.

Thus begins a fast paced mystery/suspense story laced with erotic moments as they try and piece together what they remember from so long ago and try to make sense of what they know now. Some of them have kept in touch and others have drifted apart but once they are all back together they seem to seamlessly fall back into their familiarity with each other.

This story kept me guessing until the very end and was filled with lots of steamy sex, mind fuckery and a mystery to solve. The Dirty Ones was an exciting, twisted read ☺

Umm... What? That pretty much sums up my thoughts all the way through this bizarre story. I understood what this odd mix of people remembered from their senior year of college - the things they did, the things they were forced to do, the way it brought them all together. What I didn't get was why. For the majority of the story, the focus is on which of them wrote The Dirty Ones and for most of that time, I kept wondering why they didn't just read it and go from there. Instead, we get a jumble of "memories" with some steam thrown in. Speaking of steam, I expected there to be a lot of it and the book does have its share, but timing is everything and a lot of the sexcapades were way off on that. To give just one example without spoilers: one minute this group is in a room together trying to figure out who has exposed them all and the next, three of them are locked in another room going at each other with a frenzy. I can appreciate a scorching scene as well as anyone, but a little context and connection to the characters is also an important aspect, both of which were lacking here. We do finally get answers to the many questions that arise, including who wrote the book. Let me note here that this is what kept me reading in hopes of clearing up the confusion and making some sense of it all. However, the answers are as convoluted as the rest and so completely over the top that I was left thoroughly disappointed with the whole thing. From the high ratings I've seen, I realize that I'm in the minority here, and maybe this one just missed the mark with me, but it is what it is. I love dark and twisted stories, but this one just didn't do it for me.

4 dirty fucked up stars

Well well well, this was pleasantly surprising.

In pure JA Huss fashion, this book was HOT as hell, and the story was just like the blurb promised- f-u-c-k-e-d up.

Told from the dual perspective of Kiera and Connor, The Dirty Ones is a tragic tale of power and betrayal and human psychology (or more like how easily you can control it).

Ten years ago seven friends get trapped in a deadly game, one that ends up with a dead man, a woman with a bullet in her body, and another in a loonytoon house, and 5 others left to pick up the pieces of their lives at the end of a horrible year.

When the book detailing all their misadventures gets published 10 years later, they have to worry if the people controlling their lives in the last year of their college are back. But as the mystery unravels itself, all they have to do is wonder if they know anything at all.

And that is literally all I can tell you about the story without entirely ruining it for you because that is the kind of book it is. And I HATE these kinds of books because it's so bloody difficult to review them, because I CANNOT rant about ANYTHING lest I giveaway some major spoilers.

I really thoroughly enjoyed this book though. The story drops enough subtle hints that if you catch them, it becomes nearly impossible to not drown in the mystery that just keeps growing thicker and thicker with each page.

Of all the books that I've read by Huss, this just might be my favorite. And for a reason.

ARC Provided by NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
 
This warning is what hooked me. This was all I needed to read to know I needed this book in my life.

"Our story isn’t for everyone. It’s not even for us. So if you’re looking for the fairy tale and the stupid prince on his dumb white horse, move along. You’ve got a hold of the wrong book"

The Dirty Ones is a complex, intense, mysterious thrilling rollercoaster. You'll be on the edge of your seat from start to finish......and that ending?! WOW!

One of the best books I've read in a long time.

Wow! That was one hell of a read. Plot twists, intrigue, emotional and seriously hot. Every time I thought I worked out what was happening I realised I hadn’t. Fantastic romantic suspense read. Definitely grab it if you’re looking for something completely different.

I love JA Huss's books, especially her dark romance, and was really looking forward to reading this story. Unfortunately, it was not what I was expecting. My main issue with the story is that its labeled as a romance, and it is in the sense that there is an HEA for the main characters, but it was the intimate scenes that I struggled with. The sharing/group sex that took place was hard to swallow, seeing that the characters who participated ended up in lasting relationships and were a part of each others lives afterwards. It just didn't sit well with me that they've all been intimate with each other that way. I would have been okay with it if it happened in college only, but when they reconnected again it was more of the same. Other than that, the writing was fantastic as it always is with Huss, and the twists and secrets woven into the storyline were enjoyable. Although this story didn't work for me, I am still a huge fan of Huss's work and look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

I don’t know how J.A. comes up with this stuff but I hope she never stops. Such smart and clever writing. I was hooked right from the very beginning. I was worried for a sec because there’s a lot of characters to keep track of but I had no problems following along. When I finished I had to talk it out with my husband because my mind was completely blown away by everything that happened. This would totally make a great movie, even all the extremely hot parts. Yeah, so hot. Seriously, I finished this a couple of days ago and I’m still thinking about it. It really is one helluva story.

This was a fantastic dark erotic romance. Well written with authentic complex characters that were beautifully twisted. This book grabbed me from the start. It's clever, mysterious, suspenseful and it kept me turning the pages from beginning to end. If you like hot and steamy dark romance this is a must read.
I voluntarily received an advanced readers copy of this book through Net Gallery.

WOW! I am still trying to get my wits after reading The Dirty Ones. This book will play with your mind and emotions. All the characters were amazing. Our main characters Connor and Kiera had me perplexed. Okay lets be real, the whole story line had me perplexed lol. Okay so The Dirty Ones is not just your normal erotica story. There is Mystery and Suspense behind it too.

I was suckered into this book and my heart strings were pulled. My initial thoughts were, WTF am I reading. But as I got more into the story, it was so much more than I could imagine. I was trying to put all the pieces together. I failed so bad because the ending was so unexpected. This is book is on my top 10 for 2018!

Good grief! I didn't think it was possible but JA Huss' books just keep getting better and better. The best thing about The Dirty Ones was the intrigue, the mystery, how from the very first chapter the characters drew me in and held my attention until the very end.

I thought I was going to be overwhelmed with that many characters involved in a standalone novel but with how JA Huss wrote the story I had no issues with it at all.

I loved how each of the characters in their own way complimented the others, how they became a part of a team, after all that they went through - they were willing to work together to figure out solution to such a complicated situation no matter what the consequences were.

The only thing I hated about it was it ended! Of all her standalones, I wish this was the one that was made into the series. I’d even be okay with prequels or something along the lines of “the lost years”. This just shows how obsessed I’ve become with these characters. It's been days since I’ve finished the story and I am still left contemplating the “what-if’s”.

Read this book and be prepared to be left amazed!

Oh wow. I think I say that with all of Julie's books. She is an amazing story teller with amazing storylines! This book draws readers in from the first chapter and wants us knowing more...and losing sleep in the process! This is about 7 "Friends" who met in college and survived an ordeal. This book is a wild ride with an amazing and surprising ending! Julie's books blow my mind and I love it!

**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the ARC in exchange for an honest review**

Fantastic read!! It was a story that from the start indrigued me!! First time for me in psychological romance and J.A. Huss definitely didn't disappoint me.The pace of the story was amazing and the suspense was perfectly written with many surprises!!

***4 Stars***

My brain hurts.

Not in a bad way...though saying it hurts in a good way may not be the correct thing to say either.

It’s more that it’s still in overdrive mode even as I’m clawing my way out of this chaotic, yet fascinating, psychological rabbit hole called The Dirty Ones and this review will be all kinds of vague and verbal vomity, so reader beware.

So, what can I say about this story without giving anything away?

I was drawn in from the first page and even with all the mind bending twists and turns, which I couldn’t help but attempt to figure out, and I was absolutely fascinated by the story. The characters were all perfectly imperfect and intrigued me, though I did waffle quite a bit on how much I liked each of them...I never disliked any of them, but they all had their moments, which actually served to keep me turning the pages to see what would happen next.

As for the romance aspect of the story. It’s there. It’s something that evolves even as the crazy evolves and I have to say that I liked how all of that worked out with the characters involved. Is it dark romance? Well, when it comes to my own definition of dark romance, not really, but I can see how some would feel that it is.

But the real meat of the story for me is the mystery surrounding all that had happened between this group of characters in the past and how it affects them in their present. It was a psychological mind fuck. Plain and simple and where most of the “dark” theme came into play, at least for me. As I stated earlier, I tried to put the pieces together as I read, though I failed more often than not, so when the final twist was revealed it had me pausing to take in the enormity of it as all the pieces FINALLY came together and letting out a half hysterical laugh at how well everything had been thought out and executed.
This was my first read by the author, and what a way to be introduced to her mind. It has me wanting to snatch up more of her books even as I’m a tinsy bit wary since I’m not sure my brain can handle any more twisty and turny story lines any time soon. But, if you like a good mind bender of a story touched with some steamy smexy moments, then this one is definitely for you!

~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~