Leave Me Behind by K.M. Moronova is a dark, enemies-to-lovers, military romance novel.

Nell Gallows is the only survivor of the Riøt squad after an ambush attack two years ago. Now she’s being transferred to a new squad, Malum, a special ops squad who get sent where no one else can or will go. Except, Malum HATES Nell, blaming her for losing one of their squad mates since Riøt never showed up that day two years ago. Nell wanting to spend one last day of freedom before transferring to her new squad decides to have a one night stand with a handsome stranger, Bradshaw, she met on the plane over. Everything was going great until he discovers that she’s his new squad member.

The story takes place in the underwork known as the “Dark Forces”, a secret military branch for people who are monsters. They have no real freedom, technically they don’t even exist in the world. They serve one purpose – to kill. There’s hardly any loyalty and morality is blurred, if it’s even there to begin with. The tensions in the book are HIGH. Bradshaw ends up being Bones, a ruthless killer who is never allowed to show his face. Bradshaw and Nell need to hide that they know one another from the squad but Bones twin brother, Eren, knows all of this – he’s their Sergeant (who also helped them hook-up). Bones is determined to make Bunny (Nell’s new codename) quit the squad. He’s ruthless when tormenting her, trying to get her to quit but it only sparks more attraction between the two.

The perfect balance of lust and hate continues through the story and it is fucked up at times, but it’s a dark romance! What do you want from them?! Anyway, there are some good twists in this book and it’s intense the whole way through.

If you’re a fan of dark romance, enemies to lovers, and FORCED PROXIMITY – then read this book. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I read it.

First, a huge thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
From the very first chapter, Leave Me Behind hooked me with its raw emotion and depth. K.M. Moronova has a way of writing characters that feel incredibly real—flawed, vulnerable, and deeply human. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, but what really shines through for me so far is the emotional layering. It’s not just about romance; it’s about healing, learning to trust, and navigating the scars of the past.
The pacing has kept me engaged, with just the right balance of slow-burn intensity and moments that make you want to turn the page immediately. I’ve especially enjoyed how the author doesn’t shy away from difficult themes, but instead handles them with sensitivity and care.
The writing style is easy to fall into, with prose that’s both heartfelt and vivid. Every scene feels intentional, pulling you deeper into the characters’ world. Even though I haven’t finished the book yet, I can already tell it’s one of those stories that will linger long after I close the last page.
So far, I’d recommend Leave Me Behind to readers who enjoy emotionally charged romance with depth, healing arcs, and characters who feel like they could walk off the page. I’m excited to see how the rest of the story unfolds.

i read this book as part of a buddy read with my two friends who had copies of the self-published book. i was excited to read a more gritty dark romance in a military setting (yes, I have a childhood crush on ghost from call of duty). so, it's with a heavy heart that i confess that leave me behind was a touch boring and incredibly forgettable. (only slight minor spoilers ahead)

the main character, nell, is a member of the "dark forces," which are essentially several detective comic's suicide squads of former violet criminals turned expendable military grunts that are tasked with doing the state's dirty work on the dl in order to earn their freedom. nell, whose name i would have forgotten if it weren't at the beginning of her chapters because she is exclusively referred to as "bunny," is the last surviving member of her squad, riøt squad (the ø is important, though no other dark forces squad has fun lettering like that), and is apparently a cold blooded monster who seems to relish the kill, though we are never shown that. bradshaw, her new partner when she is assigned to malum squad, is an allegedly broken man who is heavily scarred and must wear a mask so that nobody, even their squamates, know that he's the twin brother of their sergeant, for some reason. anyway, they have to do some mission that is unclear but which everyone has a feeling has something to do with the previously failed mission that lead to the deaths of nell's whole squad and bradshaw's last partner.

there are a few problems i have with the writing of the structure, world, characters, and plot of this book. one huge one is that there doesn't seem to be any clear reason why anything in the story is happening. there's a feeling the next mission will reveal information about the failed mission, but no explanation why that feeling exists. the general has a soft spot for nell, though there's no explanation given for why, nor do we see very much of the general within the story. the loss of bradshaw's late partner was devastating, but we don't know why. bradshaw needs to hide his twin-ness, but we aren't really told why (he has been presumably masking up since before a target was put on his back even with his squadmates).

the world is very confusing to me, and i get the vibe that only the parts that matter for this story are (sorta) fleshed out. maybe that's remedied in the follow-up books. this is apparently a shadow part of the military. though the only character with a rank (other than the general) is the sergeant. it's unclear what kind of missions the dark forces undertake that the regular military forces or other policing forces can't. (i would think regime change would be one, but that's not mentioned). they live in the same barracks as regular degular soldiers, apparently. how is all of this kept quiet? the american military is notoriously huge. it's hard to believe nobody would at least ask questions, much less squeal about it. my two cents, i think it could've worked if the dark forces were paramilitary rather than a like shadow special ops crew.

this books really, *really* suffers from inconsistent writing and telling instead of showing. the characters' feelings and motives change on a dime, and it's hard to find any clear consistency in their emotions, attachments, and beliefs. a character can be angry one second and then horny the next, or soft and caring one second and cruel the next, without any warning. real human emotions don't work like that, and it makes them unpredictable and hard to like. it makes for pretty immature writing, frankly. it's how i might have written fanfiction in middle and high school, and something that should've been addressed through several rounds of editing, especially if it's been picked up by a traditional publisher. (i'd like to blame the publisher for that. this trend of publishers picking up self-published books that already have existing fanbases and paying little attention to the craft is lazy and disappointing.) also, these characters face otherwise fatal injuries and are able to just shake them off and continue with the mission. you can't mention that a character has broken or fracture a leg, then have that character not only sprint into a fight, but then continue to walk for the rest of the mission. you can't have a character get stabbed in both arms and then proceed to beat someone bloody seconds later.

i say this with no animosity: leave me behind feels like the poster child for telling instead of showing. we are told that abrahm is important to bradshaw. we are told over and over that bradshaw is broken. we are told that bradshaw can't have another partner because losing them would destroy him. we are told nell likes killing. we are told that jenkins took care of nell. we are told that abrahm haunts this narrative. we are told that nell no longer likes killing. we are told that bradshaw is obsessed with nell. we are told bradshaw is possessive of nell. we are told that the main characters and side characters forge bonds and begin to care about each other. in no way are we shown any of these things, nor do they seem built up in a satisfying way, if at all. we aren't shown the squad bonding with each other and finding common ground and shared beliefs or interests. we aren't shown bradshaw being obsessive or possessive, nor are we shown any situations where feelings could grow organically between bradshaw and nell through shared experiences. we aren't shown the ways abrahm is in everyone's heads throughout the story, nor how his death materially affects the characters or their actions and motivations. one could argue we are shown bradshaw being "broken" but it either swings wildly between him randomly going catatonic without explanation, breaking down into tears, and being completely emotionless as he commits cruelties, and it's unclear why he's like that, since he's apparently always been a cold-hearted person. it would be more believable if it were just one of those reactions, but alas. and anyway, how could we forget that he is broken when we are constantly, several times a chapter, reminded that he is by nell's internal monologue? anyway.

i’ve given leave me behind two stars, despite all of my gripes, because it did scratch a certain itch a little bit. i think that’s a vital part of writing any book. a book can be well written, but if it doesn’t scratch an itch in whatever way it may (romance, character-writing, satisfying plot-writing, creative world-building) i think it’ll end up falling flat.

i can tell that k.m. moronova has a lot of potential as a writer. if for no other reason than that she seems to really enjoy it and has already finished several books. i just hope that she doesn’t take this success and run with it, reinforcing bad writing habits as she continues to sell books to a loyal fanbase. i’ve seen rave reviews for a recent release from her, once upon a demon’s heart, and i’ll probably read it when i have the chance. i hope to see her improve her craft in the future, even if i found leave me behind to be flat and forgettable.

Okay, so imagine this: you’re the sole survivor of your squad, everyone thinks you’re cursed, and then your new “fresh start” gets hijacked because your one night stand? Yeah, he’s your new boss. And he hates your guts. 😬

That’s Nell Gallows’ life, and I was hooked from page one.

Nell is sharp, battle scarred, and carrying enough trauma to sink a battleship, but she refuses to break. I adored her grit.

And Bones? Oh, Bones is the walking definition of untouchable devil! Grumpy, cruel, magnetic, and obviously hiding more than he lets on.

Their chemistry? Explosive. Like, “I hate you but can’t stop looking at you” levels of tension.

The book is a perfect cocktail of:
- military ops + high-stakes missions
- enemies-to-lovers with so much bite
- “we’re about to die but wow you’re hot” energy
- secrets on secrets on secrets

By the time the mission went sideways and Nell chose to stay behind with Bones, I was screaming. (And maybe low key shipping them even harder because forced proximity + danger = ✨peak romance✨.)

This was dark, fast paced, and deliciously angsty...exactly the kind of romantic suspense that keeps me up way past my bedtime.

This book ended up being a lot more entertaining than I thought it’d be. I went in practically blind and at first i was like “oh idk if this is for me” but I stuck around and kept reading, ended up loving it. Did it make it slightly uncomfortable? Yes, but I think most dark romance will and should make you somewhat uncomfortable. But the characters were multi faceted and relatable. I think joyed the plot and the writing as well.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

5⭐️
Leave Me Behind is a dark romance that blends enemies to lovers tension, a bully romance energy, and suspense into one addictive read. From the very first chapter, I was hooked, it has a strong start. 😋Nell’s fiery personality and Bradshaw’s broody, dangerous allure had me flipping pages at lightning speed.

The love-hate dynamic between them is unmatched, with push and pull chemistry that sparks every time they share a scene=I am obsessed. Bradshaw is the definition of a walking red flag, yet he’s also impossible to resist. Nell’s strength and sass make her a heroine I was rooting for the whole way through🥺 Eren, the flirtatious side character added humor and intrigue, and ooh the steamy scenes (especially that twisty one 🫣)turned up the heat.

This book had incredible pacing, jaw-dropping plot twists and missions that kept me breathless throughout reading. Moronova’s writing beautifully captures raw emotions and tension, making every heartbreak and betrayal hit especially hard.🥺 The suspense had me second-guessing every character, and I loved that I couldn’t predict the ending until the very last pages.

For fans of dark romance, bully romance, and enemies to lovers tension with high stakes and danger, this book is a must read. One of my top dark romances of the year for sure😍

Thank you for the ARC provided via NetGalley by SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books.🥰

I just finished and I'm still reeling. Seriously, this book wrecked me in the best way possible. Before you dive in, please check the trigger and content warnings. This is a dark, angsty ride, and it doesn't shy away from heavy themes.

This is a dual POV about two Dark Ops individuals, each carrying their own baggage, who are thrown together in a situation that forces them to confront their deepest fears and desires. They find solace and understanding in each other, but their journey is far from easy. It's a raw, emotional roller coaster that will leave you breathless.

The characters were absolutely phenomenal. Both MCs, Nell & Bradshaw, are beautifully broken, carrying the weight of their past traumas, and watching them navigate their complicated connection was just… chefs kiss for me. They felt so real, so flawed, and so human. I genuinely felt everything they did – joy, hate, pain, fear, desire. Yes, I cried. More than once. 😭

“It’s the monster in me,” ... “That craves the one in you.”

The plot is a masterclass in tension. It's a fast-paced, addictive read that kept me flipping pages until the very end. I devoured it in one sitting. Think forced proximity, hate sex, dark secrets, and a slow-burn romance that explodes with intensity. And let's be real, the spice? 🔥🔥🔥 Wowza. Some of my favorite kinks were represented, and it was hot.

If you love dark romance with complex, compelling characters, and you're not afraid of a good cry, this is a must-read. KM Moronova knocked it out of the park!

Troupes: special ops/military romance, enemies to lovers, bullying, hate sex
Spice 5/5
Plot 4.5/5
Pace 5/5
Character Personality 5/5
Character Growth 5/5
Writing Style 5/5
World Building 5/5

Whilst reading this book I went through all kinds of emotions, over all it was a sense of pride for our FMC as she conquers the issues thrown at her, this is a dark military romance, emphasizing the dark, but the plot is continuous and never slows down. I truly love how the ending was a crazy plot twist, I can’t wait for this authors next book!

I LOVED 90% of this book .. then the ending completely let it down - just my personal opinion don’t come for me.

Don’t get me wrong I did LOVE the book, the plot, the spice .: love love love .. but that ending .. SO many questions 😂

Have I still bought the deluxe edition? Yes.
Would I still recommend it to other people? Yes.
Am I still going to read her other books? Also yes.

I loved the chemistry between Bones and Nell (bunny) as it was evident from the get go and Bones has definitely made his way onto my book boyfriend list because IYKYK.

A bloody, raw, painful and beautiful romance that made me cry! There are definitely moments where you will question your morals and sanity but it was just so good. It’s a book that you will either hate or love, there is no in between.

Fair warning, this book is very heavily a dark romance so please read the trigger warnings.

You’ve got Nell and Bradshaw, two messed-up, complex characters, who are recruited to join an elite Dark Forces squad (an underground secret military operation) as contract killers. Our FMC, Nell, is a lethally skilled and strong soldier who is wholly underestimated by her squadmates. She has such admirable resilience, pushing her way through a forced partnership in an environment filled with men. Bradshaw is the perfect morally grey (more like morally black) man and is the most feared soldier, always wearing a mask. Nell and Bradshaw HATE that they have been partnered up. He wants her to quit, tortures her and genuinely bullies her (hence the trigger warnings) but she sticks like glue, proving time and time again that she is the best at what she does and deserves a spot on the squad. As their hatred gives way to something deeper and intimate, Bradshaw softens towards her and becomes a man who can love and devote himself so so fiercely. Both of them have tragic, traumatic pasts that messed them up for years but they are just written so beautifully that you can’t help but fall in love with them. The tension and hatred between them was so intense, you could feel their heat radiating off the page!

The only critique I have was that Nell’s feelings towards Jenkins at the end of the novel bugged me. It was glaringly clear that she loved Bradshaw more than she ever loved Jenkins, but how she reacted to Jenkins taking her for himself in the last 10% felt off to me. BUT with that said the way Bradshaw fought to get her back was just swoon.

If the romance didn’t keep me turning the pages, the plot definitely would. It is steeped with tension, danger, suspense and a constant fear of death as Nell and Bradshaw fight to find out what happened to them years ago. It was so well-paced and the twist at the end had me full on sobbing from sadness and then happiness. A high-stakes, action-packed story with stunning, emotional character development and an ending the characters both deserve.

YES YES YES times x 1000. This was soooo good! I want more right away. This book is dark, raw, painful, sad with all the losses and violent. And I loved every second !!!!!!The plot is crazy good and couldn’t put the book down. She has a past love that she will never forget but she loves Bradshaw more and he also has a past love that he will never forget but not only he is dead but he also loves her wayyyyyy more. This was a literal emotional roller coaster and these two personified enemies to lovers from the beginning of the book. He’s the kind of man who says awful things in one breath and risks his life for you in the next. Cold shoulder? Iceberg. But underneath that steel is a man wrecked by loyalty, grief, and a craving for something he doesn’t think he deserves. Their relationship is fire and gasoline. It’s hate-fueled push and pull, laced with betrayal, distrust, and moments of explosive heat that had no business being that good. Every insult is laced with desire. I have already bought this in normal empty edges beautiful cover and the special edition edges for my bookshelf's for my pretty books! One I will not take ANY criticism on.

I had really high expectations for this book after seeing all the promoting the author did on booktok and I really enjoyed the first few chapters until things started getting so messed up I mean I get it it's a dark romance but what do you mean with the scene of his twin brotheeeer.... I'm out of here even though I really wanted to finish it but no that was it

okay heres the thing ... i randomly started this without having heard of it or seen it before .... and i was GRIPPED . i finished in one sitting. it was crazy and wild and unique and i loved it UNTIL the last 85% in which she lost the plot completely it made no sense and it felt like she literally nailed some cheap 2x4s to hold up beautiful expensive mahogany. very disappointing but i would still recommend this book for sure.

Dark Forces is not for the faint of heart. A pitch black romance with high stakes and great action set pieces that will have you on the edge of your seat. A fascinating exploration of what happens when the worst of us is mirrored in the worst of a lover and the puzzle pieces create a whole.

☆4.75☆

Thank you Netgalley, K M Moronova, and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of the most gripping dark romances I’ve read in a while. From the very beginning, I was pulled into Nell and Bradshaw’s story. Both of them—scarred soldiers shaped by trauma and darkness—were fascinating to follow. I loved the way their relationship unfolded, the constant push and pull between them, and the gradual way they allowed each other in despite everything stacked against them.

I couldn’t quite give it a full 5 stars because the ending left me a little unsatisfied. Don’t get me wrong—it was strong, but it didn’t feel fully connected. The sudden return of Eren and Paul, after being thought dead, felt underexplained and a bit unrealistic. If that part had been tied together more neatly, it would have been perfect.

The plot overall was fantastic, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark romance. Just make sure to go through the author’s trigger warnings before diving in.

I AM UNWELL - and that is putting it mildly

First impressions 💭
My thoughts were “shit, I’m in trouble here” it’s been a hot minute since a book has pulled me in immediately and been so addictive to read that I was scared for my sleep schedule and not being able to put the thing down.

What I Loved ❤️
What DIDNT I love?! I think the more impressive feat is how this book took tropes that I usually don’t like and turned me into a feral creature for them. Insta-attraction? Bully Romance? Blood Play? Give it ALL to me - as well as the toxicity, the unhinged morally grey characters and BRADSHAW (drool)

Favourite Quote 📝
“You are where my sanity starts
You are where mine ends”

Final verdict ⭐️
I am unwell, I am an emotional mess, I am a raw festering wound, i am all out of tears, I am also dramatic 😂
But far out Nell and Bradshaw unravelled me so thoroughly and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 😭

from the synopsis, i was expecting so much more - i did like the ending but the plot was somehow both lacking and convoluted.

the smut was very excessive, sometimes showing up in scenes that made no sense and even took away from the actual scene itself.

i did like a lot of the characters and would've loved more exploration into them and the actual plot but we didnt get much of it.

overall it was an okay read, it did get very slow in the middle which was quite gruelling to read but it picked up again towards the latter quarter of the novel. i probably wouldn't recommend it though, sadly.

I absolutely loved this book! Seriously enjoyed every second of it. Nell and bones are absolute fire. Nell is a total badass and bones is everything!
Could not recommend enough!!

Without a shadow of a doubt, 5 out of 5 stars, I could give it 100 out of 5 and it still may not be enough.

K.M Moronova, you have become an auto-buy author for me. This book will sit with me for months, if not years. It has quickly taken place in my top three of the over 100 books I have read so far this year. Moronova is a mastermind at creating such emotional depth to so many characters within the story, blurring the lines between good and evil, love and hate.

This book will have your heart pounding from the action and suspense, you will quiver from the mind melting hate sex, you will cry for the beauty and brokenness found within its pages, you will grit your teeth at every possible setback and unfavorable outcome, and you will be left wanting more and more.

It was such a page turner, I read it all in one sitting.

Open this book if you are looking for an emotionally disturbing, gory, impossible love story to change your life.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloom books for the opportunity to read and review this book, all opinions are my own.