This is one of my anticipated books of the year and it doesn’t disappoint. It has unadulterated smut and a lot of world building. The MFC and her two vampire lovers were great. Nessa volunteered to be the bride to this two vampires but something happened and they are bound together. Has a cliffhanger at the end.

Nessa suffers from endometriosis, is barren, and in this world women are treated more as breeding stock than as people. When her sister is chosen as part of the “seasonal harvest” for the vampire overlords, Nessa takes her place. It’s a tragic and compelling setup that had real potential.

But the execution just didn’t work for me. At 760 pages, the story felt drawn out and repetitive. The FMC spends much of her time either doubting why anyone would ever choose her, or preoccupied with her next encounter with the Vampire Kings. The writing leans heavily on the word arousal, to the point where I found myself wincing whenever it popped up again.

The Kings themselves? Luc smells of dark spice, Jules of smoked honey — but beyond the scent, I couldn’t connect with them. Their behavior remained brutal and abusive, without the kind of growth or redemption arc that might have given them depth.

I personally would have wished for more story and character development, and less focus on explicit content, particularly the sexual violence and splatter-like scenes. The world-building was confusing at times, and I often found myself wishing the author had invested more in clarity and nuance rather than sheer length.

That said, I can see why it might work for readers looking for something dark, over-the-top, and unrelentingly intense. For me, though not a stranger to dark romance, it was simply too much.

Rating: 2 stars. Not a DNF, but not my kind of read.
⚠️ Trigger warning: sexual assault, graphic violence, and repeated explicit content.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-archive in exchange for an honest opinion.

I don’t think this book is for everyone, but I definitely enjoyed it!

I definitely think this book/soon to be series could be used as a pallet cleanser.

It’s easy to read and follow and over all enjoyable. I do have some issues but they don’t put weigh the fun vibes.

If you’re not a fan on 2 MMC this isn’t for you.

The author did put in 3 pages of disclaimers which actually helped me prep for what this book was going to have hidden under its covers.

But so fun, so spicy. Love.

I absolutely loved this book devoured it in one sitting!! Amazing!! It was packed with everything I wanted, the title and cover were absolutely stunning

I am at a loss of words, I have no idea how Jules, Luc and Nessa's relationship can continue after that ending.
I am impatiently waiting for the next one.

I am at a loss of words, I have no idea how Jules, Luc and Nessa's relationship can continue after that ending.
I am impatiently waiting for the next one.

If you're looking for a truly dark fantasy villain romance, this delivers. Nessa's situation, being chosen as a Mortal Bride for two wicked vampire kings, is immediately captivating. The author doesn't shy away from the morally black characters or the dark elements, which I appreciated. The bond that forms between them is fascinating, and I'm completely hooked on the slow burn and the only soft for her-trope. While this is just the beginning and some storylines are unresolved (as expected for book one!), it lays an incredible foundation. I can already tell this series is going to get even more intense and I'm here for it. Highly recommend for fans of dark, gritty romance!

3.75-4 ⭐️
3 🌶️

This book is a beast—nearly 850 pages of morally black vampires, twisted magic, and a heroine who refuses to give in quietly. The Azarasian Empire is brutal and bloody, where humans are little more than thralls. Nessa steps forward to volunteer herself to protect her pregnant sister, expecting servitude… but instead she lands in the hands of Luc and Jules, the infamous Kings of Dusk and Dawn. One is called The Conqueror, the other The Butcher—neither safe, both impossible to resist.

Characters & Storyline
Nessa is fierce in her own way, but still learning to fight for herself. I admired her resilience, yet her constant back-and-forth—wanting the kings one minute, regretting it the next—felt a little repetitive. Luc is cold and brooding, Jules is manic and mischievous, and together they’re intoxicating. Their dynamic with Nessa is messy, magnetic, and devastating, with a soulbond twist that completely blindsided me.

Spice & Dark Elements
If you like your romance unhinged, bloody, and dripping in tension, this one absolutely delivers. There are plenty of dark tropes and morally gray-to-black choices, with heavy dubious-consent themes. Definitely check the trigger warnings before diving in—it doesn’t pull any punches.

Highlights
🩸 Worldbuilding that sneaks up on you (no heavy info-dumps, just gradual immersion).
🖤 MMCs you’ll both despise and desperately want more of.
🔥 Constant high-stakes pacing.
📚 A detailed glossary that’s actually useful.

Low Parts
— The length—at nearly 850 pages, some parts dragged, especially Nessa’s inner conflict.
— I craved more emotional balance to go with the heat; the kings lust after her but rarely see her as an equal.
— The soulbond idea was brilliant, but it hasn’t been fully realized yet (hopefully book two goes there).

Final Thoughts
Dark, indulgent, and undeniably addictive—this book gave me everything from shock to frustration to obsession. While not flawless, it’s one of those stories that sticks with you. I’m rating it 3.75–4⭐ because while I loved the world and characters, I wanted more from the bond itself. Still, I’ll be grabbing book two the second it’s out.

Bride of Brutal Hearts just didn’t land for me, and I ended up DNFing. It felt like a mashup of familiar tropes: think The Hunger Games for the volunteering premise, mixed with the endless parade of human girl taken by supernatural creature setups we've seen a hundred times before. For a book of this length, I was hoping for more plot-driven momentum and less focus on spice.

The FMC came across as whiny and hyperfixated on whether the MMCs were into her. That dynamic quickly became repetitive, and her character lacked depth beyond that obsession. It made the emotional beats feel flat and the pacing drag.

That said, I can see how this might appeal to readers who enjoy chaotic romantasy with heavy interpersonal drama. If Zodiac Academy and What Lies Beyond the Veil had a baby, but forgot to give it a compelling plot and the FMC a backbone, this would be it.

Thank you for the earc.

The world building and magical rune system were very well laid out, plot twists and the desire to see Nessa get her happy ending make book two a need. However, there are enough red flags to question if the fire nation may be attacking. I do enjoy my trash panda reads and a good dark romance but the mmes were just way too cold to the fmc way too often. This book is all spice and satisfies that but you def have to be willing to overlook that both the mmes are the literal worst. This is one of those books that's an entertaining read but if your bestie told you literally 1/10th of this you'd be kidnapping her, getting her trauma counseling and looking for the nearest cliff to toss her
"husbands" off. I am really hoping they redeem themselves somehow in the next book. If you're looking for lots of good spice this has it. Thanks to the author, Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Bride of Brutal Hearts is a dark fantasy romance that plunges readers into a brutal, gothic world ruled by vampire kings and bound by twisted soul magic. As the first installment in the Bloodborne Court series, it introduces us to Nessa, a captive bride caught between two ruthless rulers. The concept is rich with potential, offering a tense, morally grey atmosphere that fans of villain romance may find irresistible. Kate Stevens crafts a vivid world filled with blood magic, betrayal, and slow-burning passion, with clear care given to the darker aesthetics and emotional stakes.

That said, this novel isn’t for the faint of heart. While it promises a high-heat romance, it leans heavily into psychological torment and emotional cruelty—sometimes at the expense of the romantic payoff. Readers expecting traditional character growth or emotional redemption may find themselves frustrated. Nessa, the protagonist, often feels more like a passenger than a player in her own story, which can make it hard to connect with her journey on a deeper level.

The vampire kings, Luc and Jules, are designed to be dangerous and alluring, but their actions frequently cross the line from possessive to outright abusive. This might appeal to readers who enjoy extremely dark, non-traditional dynamics, but others may find the lack of remorse or character development unsettling. The romantic tension is ever-present, but the emotional payoff is delayed—or arguably, absent—which dulls some of the impact the story is clearly aiming for.

There’s a lot to admire in Stevens’s bold approach to storytelling. The world-building is layered and immersive, and the pacing keeps you turning the pages even when the content becomes emotionally difficult. It’s clear this is a story meant to push boundaries and test the limits of what readers will accept in a romance. In that regard, it succeeds. However, its intensity can also be its greatest weakness, as it sometimes leaves readers exhausted rather than invested.

Overall, Bride of Brutal Hearts is a book with serious potential. It’s dark, dramatic, and written for readers who like their romance messy and their characters morally complex. While it didn’t fully work for me, I can see it hitting the mark for fans of villain romance and gothic fantasy. I’m curious to see where the series goes next, especially if the author allows for more emotional growth and redemption in future books.

Slow-burn romance (romance unfolds gradually over time) ⏳
Fast-burn spice (intense, immediate physical chemistry) 🔥
Morally black characters (complex, ethically ambiguous villains) 🖤
Touch her and die (protective bond—physical contact triggers fatal consequences) 🤝☠️
Forced proximity (characters are compelled to remain close under unusual circumstances) ⛓️
Villain gets the girl (romantic focus on a dark or malevolent lead winning the heroine’s heart) 👑❤️‍🩹
Shared senses (magical/emotional bond linking powers or feelings between characters) 🔮👀

I need book two.
Bride of Brutal Hearts by Kate Stevens is an excellent dark fantasy villain romance.
The amazing world building, the epic fantasy, the journey, all of it made this book absolutely unputdownable!

Wow—what a ride. Bride of Brutal Hearts was the perfect read to kick off spooky season: vampires, kingdoms, betrayal, and a romance that’s anything but ordinary. From the very start, I loved how the story leaned into the question: why choose between two when you can have both? It’s a refreshing take in a genre that can sometimes feel predictable, and it kept me turning the pages late into the night.

Nessa was such a compelling heroine. She sacrifices herself to the vampire kings to save her sister, but instead of being drained, she’s drawn deeper into their brutal, intoxicating world. Her journey—especially as someone navigating chronic illness—added depth and humanity to all the dark fantasy elements. I adored watching her growth, even when her path with the kings turned messy, possessive, and full of tension. (Seriously, should we hate them, or hate that we love them?)

Luc and Jules are magnetic in their own ways—dangerous, enthralling, and very much the kind of morally gray characters who keep you hooked. The dynamic between them and Nessa is roller-coaster intense, with plenty of revelations that shift the story in unexpected directions. I will admit, I was frustrated at times when the kings turned their backs on Nessa so quickly, but it only made me root for her more.

The atmosphere is incredible—like True Blood heat dropped into a medieval, Game of Thrones-style setting. Spicy, violent, and unflinching, it’s not for the faint of heart, but for readers who love dark fantasy romance with edge, this one delivers.

I closed the last page hungry for the next installment.

Thank you NetGalley, 3AM Press, and Victory Editing for the ARC. I had such a wild time with this one!

A magical world where vampires exist. Nessa sacrificed herself to two wicked kings to save her sister. Instead of her lifeforce being drained, she becomes entangled with them.

Love how Nessa grows throughout the book. Luc and James are terrific too. Very compelling book with memorable characters. It's a dark romance though so be warned.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

This book was wildly unexpected! I got sucked in by the character art I have seen and it took me on a ride. It was so spicy! If you are looking for morally black MMCs then this is the book for you! I loved the dynamics of Juls and Luc and how they are the same in so many ways but have the perfect "opposites attract" vibes as well. Juls had me charmed from the get go and Luc had me intrigued with his quiet stoicism. Nessa is a great representation of chronic illness and endometriosis and I loved to see it! I'm looking forward to seeing her character continue to develop. The plot was great and intriguing with plenty of twists and turns to keep me sucked in!

If you are a fan of a very smutty dark romance, this is definitely a book to read. The steamy scenes were lengthy and frequent and well written. The MCs had a lot of promise, but at least for me the story was a bit too dark, with frequent violence that overshadowed the MC’s interactions, which were largely centered around sex. I did enjoy the writing, but thought the book could be condensed quite a bit in length.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for a chance to review this ARC!

A thrilling romantsy which I feel is a cross between The Hunger Games and Twilight but it is a page turner of it's own right too. It's bloody brilliant writing is well structured and I was enthralled by everything. I can't wait to watch Nesta develop further and see what happens in the next book. The twists were mind blowing.

This was a 760 page car crash and I just couldn’t tear my eyes away. But when I did, I realized how dumb it was. The writing was quite repetitive. The world building was confusing. The main character was a door mat. The two love interests were awful to her the whole book. And it was unnecessarily gory it made me feel a bit sick at times. This was all just a bit of a mess to be honest. However, what it did have was that addictive quality that some books have to keep you reading even though you’re questioning every second of it.

This novel was not for me. I found the writing messy and chaotic. Also, a lot of things were thrown in and it felt that the author was trying too hard.