There’s such a special thing about special editions! The pages, covers, bindings, and extras are huge bonuses to purchasing. I have some books I love to display on my bookshelf. Leave Me Behind is one that does all of the above. Plus, it’s an intriguing story! It kept my attention, and I look forward to more. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

✍️ 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑬𝑾 ✍️
“LEAVE ME BEHIND” K.M. MORONOVA ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5

Uhm HELLO?!?! I’m obsessed, that’s official.

Nell is the sole survivor of her elite military squad, wiped out two years earlier during a disastrous mission. Now she’s forced to join the Malum—who, unfortunately, hold her responsible for that tragedy. Determined to enjoy one last night of freedom, she gives in to a fling with a dark, irresistible stranger… only to discover he’s Bones, her new commander and sworn enemy.
On the field, Bones is hell itself—merciless, unyielding, impenetrable—but when a mission goes wrong and he’s left stranded, Nell makes a life-changing choice: staying behind with him. Surrounded by enemies, secrets, and lies, she finds herself fighting side by side with the devil himself. And in a world where trust is a luxury, the only certainty is that they can rely on no one but each other.

Before diving into the review, a quick note: I know the tropes might make you think of an extreme dark romance, the kind that’s hard to stomach—but trust me, it’s not like that. If you’re used to reading truly dark books, this one doesn’t really qualify as dark. I’d call it more of a soft dark, at least that’s the impression I got—and I’ve read plenty of dark, seriously messed-up stories. The author herself describes it as very heavy on her socials, but believe me—it’s not.

That said… OMG I’M OBSESSED. Bones and Bunny. Bunny and Bones. What have you done to me?
I loved basically everything—the writing, the scenes, the dynamic between the two, the squad interactions, the military strategies, the action scenes—I could honestly keep going, but I’ll stop here for decency’s sake.

The story between Bones and Bunny is unlike most I’ve come across. A true hate-to-love, even though their beginning is… unusual. Her hatred toward him? I felt it in my gut. And his hatred for her? Just as visceral—at least from her POV. Because the moment you switch to Bones’s POV, you’ll turn to absolute mush. Let’s just say it doesn’t take long to understand why he seems to hate her so much.

I do agree with those who say the author still feels a little raw when it comes to plotting, but not in her writing. Some parts could have been handled better, others in a different way—but in the end, the result is honestly thrilling! As for the writing style, I found it smooth, clean, and straightforward, never bogged down by unnecessary descriptions.

I am VERY curious to read the next books—I can’t wait to see how they’re connected and what happens next!

As soon as this popped up as APPROVED I opened it to read immediately.

I am obsessed with all things KM Moronova and this was a poetic masterpiece with so many tumbling pieces. It was raw and emotional. I LOVED everything from the writing to the clever storytelling to the way the story moved. I especially loved the characters.

I'm addicted to the dark military romance that only KM Moronova can write to perfection. I like the morally black fmc and mmc. And their romance was on fire. The spice definitely spiced.

Just automatically give KM Moronova all the stars from me. She can't write a bad book. So in short - LOVED this.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 -
2ndTR ⭐️⭐️⭐️.7 (Deluxe Edition ARC)
1stTR ⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 -🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

𝐌𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
This book is elegantly brutal, with plot shaped by cold-blooded contracts and building hatred, with a tremendously detailed design that made me shiver! Every page of this novel has been saturated with deliciously antagonistic tension, razor-sharp banter ricocheted like knives between them, each remark soaked in hatred, every word a sin, this was beautifully bitter, with a savage thirsting boiling beneath vicious stares and hate-soaked kisses.

I experienced many emotions during the course of this book, starting with a heavy dislike of Bones (Bradshaw) our MMC. I suspect that you, too, will not immediately take to him, however trust me, that will change over time. He might be an alphahole, but whew, his mouth and the things he does. I felt it in my chest as she cringed at his touch, then again when she desired it.

Nell is such a badass fmc. She is an Assassin, suchhhhhh a baddie. I also have a crush on her… she’s literally a professional fighter. Bye. She’s gives him a run for his money which was sooo refreshing in dark romance!

The writing style was delicious but never delicate, with scenes that melded misery and passion into something unputdownable. Not to spoil anything but this book had twists! It had emotions ranging from grief to hatred and at times had me wondering what could happen next, I felt so in the dark about what was to come! Overall this was such a great book.

Also please note this is soooooo dark. Please check your triggers, like don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you are not a fan of 'Legacy of God' for reasons regarding a specific scene…. Please DON'T ’t read this.

This was a little outside my usual but I really loved it! There was so much character growth explored through their trauma and coming out the other side of it together. I never knew what was coming next and it kept me on the edge of my seat reading. I read it in a single sitting because I had to know what came next!! It had such an interesting cast of characters. Definitely check trigger warnings and do not expect sweet love, it is gritty and messy and verrryyyy sexy. Now going to read everything I can get my hands on by this author…

I loved this book!
The characters, the writing, the storyline... had me entirely captivated.
The first few scenes were twisted and shocking, I couldn't put the book down.
This is dark romance and may be off putting for some, but for those who love a twisted romance with complex characters, this is for you!

This book might not be for everyone. There are things that happen in this book that are not for the faints of hearts. Bones is definitely in a league of his own. I loved the banter between Bones and Nell (Bunny). I sorta knew what was going to happen but I didn’t care and wanted to read it anyway. Reading this book had me on an emotional rollercoaster. My heart hurt for all the characters. Truly an amazing read with phenomenal characters. The ending was absolutely perfect. Another amazing read that had me completely glued to my kindle.

I tore through this book in just over a day. It was my first military romance and I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did!
Bunny and Bones wiggled their way in my heart in a rather bloody fashion.
Another book where I had a boatload of highlights...

Here are some that do not contain spoilers or context

“Great. Our psychopath meets his match and now our lives are in their twisted hands.”

“I was recruited because there’s darkness in me and this is the only place I belong until I’m eventually killed too.”

“You are where my sanity starts”
“You are where mine ends"

Bones & Bunny... Oh my goodness. I haven't read a book like this ever! Its as if my love of Call of Duty & my love of romance books had a baby. When worlds collide and all that - this book had me hooked from the start, the plot, the tension, the enemies the hate - the passion these two embody and the confusion it causes them. How everything unfolded I couldn't have even guessed the twists and turns this would take.

10/10 loved this book, the spice was top tier KM uses all the good words during her scenes and DANG she knows how to write some good dirty talk~ it had my toes curling and my heels clicking.

I absolutely loved this book! Please look up trigger warnings before reading!
This book is perfect if you want true enemies to lovers, dark romance, getting past old lovers, loss of friends, found family and lots of spice.
The ending of this book had me on the edge of my seat thinking one thing happened and something else happened which I’m thankful for . I’d love to see more from the side characters in the future.

2.5/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️

Nell is a dark forces soldier and has killed more people than she can count. She’s also the sole survivor of an attack on her Riot. After she’s placed with Malum who goes where no other squad can go…the only issue is they HATE her. On the plane ride there she meets two twin soldiers and has a one night stand with one of them. He turns out to be Bones, her commander who hates her most of all. She’s his second and they have to figure out how to trust each other…or die.

This just didn’t make sense!!!! Nell is supposed to be this absolute bad a$$ and she spends the entire either injured or crying. And Bones was definitely a bully but he was also always crying??? And don’t get me wrong, I love a man who can cry but what??? He was also instantly in love with her but also hated her??also the random hookup with his twin wasn’t cool, and her obsession with her ex was bizarre.

Honestly I was a little conflicted at times because dark romance normally isn't my jam, but the chemistry between these characters really made up for all the times where my eyebrows met my hairline. They were really complex with deep rooted traumas to work through, but in the end the love was so palpable that I inhaled this in one sitting. It was beautiful in a dark and twisty way. Definitely check trigger warnings, but considering I'm not a dark romance girl I think anyone who wants to dip their toes in would find this a good place to start!

4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

When I was approved to review the Deluxe Edition of this book, I squealed. I am absolutely in love with this author's writing and I couldn't wait to read more. It's a pity fantasy is not my thing and I will have to wait a little for the next contemporary dark romance.

This is dark, twisted and devilish and I was totally hooked since the beginning. Couldn't put it down, read it in two sittings.

Nell and Bradshaw are perfect for each other in their madness. Both of them have plenty of baggage and their relationship well into the book is twisted at best, but I loved the character growth. Knowing more about the Dark Forces and how they operate was very interesting to me, and I cannot wait for the next novel in this universe.

Proceed carefully and read the trigger warnings before diving in. 😊

100% recommended.
Happy reading! 🫶🏼

✨Review✨

Leave Me Behind by K.M. Moronova📖

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

📖This book was so good! If you’re a dark romance reader, you need to add this to your list. Like now, right now, go do it. You don’t need to read anything else I’m going to say. Read this book.


K.M. Monorova is one of one of my all time favorite authors! I've preordered every book I can and working my way through her already published work. Every single boo she writes is a SOLID 10/10 5 stars all day every day!

The Fabric our of Lives absolutely destroyed me, 10/10.

Keep em coming!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for providing the ARC.

This book straight up confused me. I feel like I got a bunch of different stories mashed together and really no clarity as to why anything happened.

The characters were wildly inconsistent, so much that some moments felt like vast departures from their personalities. I also couldn't connect with any of them. They were often emotionless and detached, and that came across in the writing but not in a good way. I had no reason to want to root for anyone and honestly would not have cared if all of them died.

Not the book for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Leave Me Behind by K. M. Moronova

Wow. 🤯 This book instantly became one of my all-time favorites and completely lived rent-free in my brain for days after finishing. Moronova has officially become an auto-buy author for me! 🖤

This new edition is gorgeous ✨ and the author’s own character art inside makes it even more special. I first read the indie print and loved it, but rereading this reprint reminded me why I adore Bunny & Bones’ story so much. Their twisted love story, the wild unhinged plot twists, and the nonstop action in the Dark Forces universe kept me hooked from start to finish. 🔥

⚠️ Heads up: this is a dark romance, so check your trigger warnings—it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But if you’re open to it, you’ll find a spicy, military-dark romance like nothing else.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and K. M. Moronova for this advanced eARC. 🙌

Ok first let me start by saying, WOW, amazing job KM Moronova, I will be reading more of your stuff in the future. This book did not disappoint. The characters were well written, plot was unreal. I loved the ending and how the entire story kept you enthralled & engaged. The cover artwork is impeccable as well. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I read this in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down that’s just how good it is.

Review: Leave Me Behind⛓️
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆,5

This book was a pleasant surprise i really wasn’t expecting to love it so much, but i’m glad i did!🤭

It was my first military dark romance and it didn’t disappoint! It had everything i ask for in a dark romance, the enemies to lovers, the spice and the gruesome details🥹 And let me tell you the enemies to lovers was AMAZING!! I loved the dual POV it was really needed and it gave so much more depth to Bones and Bunny’s relationship🥹🤍 I do love a man that would die and kill for his lover and that is miserable without her, as she is the light in his darkness (even when they are both dark🤭) so if you’re also a fan you are definitely going to love this book!🫶🏼

As to why i didn’t give this book 5⭐️ i just have to say that there was a plot twist that was really obvious so that’s why, but other than that i think it was a great book🤍

Nell "Gallows" (also called Bunny by her new squad) is the only survivor of the special forces squad Riøt. She is sent to replace Abraham, the only casualty in the Malum special forces squad. However, the night before she meets the Malum squad, she has a one night stand with her future partner, Bones. Bones, his twin brother, and the rest of the Malum squad blame Nell for Abraham's death. They haze her to try to get her to drop out. Nell refuses to quit because she wants to find out who is responsible for the death of her squad members.

This book started strong, but then it got super weird and gross. It did not feel like romance. This is 100% a dark romance book with a military setting. Read this book if you like a main character that is borderline abusive who gaslights the female main character. I would only recommend this to readers who liked Caught Up by Navessa Allen.

Content: graphic depictions of death, violence, gore, sex, assault

Spice rating: 5 out of 5 🔥

4.5 🌟
I was extremely invested the first 50% even though I really didnt know where the plot was heading. I was just happy to be along for the ride! The last 15% or so was back to the really addicting storyline I am starting to expect from K.M. Moronova books.

Overall, I really loved this but I am still in a little bit of a slump after reading Once upon a demon's heart. The darkness and emotion from reading this authors writing is so good!

I have essentially 0 similarities to any of the characters but still found myself relating to bunny/Nell, Bones/Bradshaw and Eren. I wanted to hate them all at different points (especially Eren for some reason) but just couldnt. I really hope Eren gets a story somehow because he seemed to redeem himself but id love to hear more of his backstory and the evil underneath such a charming and welcoming individual. I even found some understanding in Jenkins and his character is so evil I dont understand how its possible to feel empathy but here I am.