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Ruthless Creatures by J.T. Geissinger Review: A Steamy Mafia Romance with Danger and Spice
Read my review of Ruthless Creatures by J.T. Geissinger, the first book in the Queens and Monsters series. A sizzling…
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Children of the Gore by James Oliver – A Splatterpunk Bloodbath in the Wastelands
In the far future of the year 2032, life in the post-apocalyptic wasteland of the United States of America is…
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Dead End House – Bryan Smith Delivers a Soul-Crushing Horror Story
Trixie and Lexie are TikTok influencers who have built their following by touring famous crime scene locations. For their latest…
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Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight – Dark Romance, Mafia Mayhem, and Reverse Harem Heat
Den of Vipers by K.A. Kinght is the story of Roxy, who is sold by her POS father to the…
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Playground: Child of Divorce by Aron Beauregard – A Gruesome Prequel That Improves on the Original
Playground: Child of Divorce by Aron Beauregard is the follow-up prequel to the original Playground. Set in 1993, Geraldine Borden…
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The Kids Are Not Alright: Yeehaw Junction Is Southern-Fried Nightmare Fuel
Yeehaw Junction is a horrific white-trash slice of life crime story told through the eyes of a disturbed twelve-year-old boy…
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Sleepaway Camp Reimagined: A Novelization That Adds Depth, Darkness, and Purpose
Ricky finally gets to bring his cousin, Angela, to Camp Arawak, but Angela is shy, quiet, and has a secret…
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Ship Happens by Lauren Biel: A Killer Reverse Age-Gap Romance on the High Seas
Ship Happens by Lauren Biel is the third entry in the Slaycation series, and if you haven’t read the first…
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Exploring the Depths of Pain and Passion in Does It Hurt
This might be the first time I’ve read a book where we get water works in the second chapter. You…
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Pain, Power, and Perspective: Hunting Adeline Explores Trauma and Transformation
Not once have I ever picked up a stiletto and said, you know, I wonder if this will fit in…
Welcome to Rotten Reads
Rotten Reads is your one-stop haunt for horror and dark romance book reviews, recommendations, and unfiltered commentary. Whether you’re into blood-soaked splatterpunk, taboo tales, or villains you shouldn’t be rooting for (but do anyway), you’ve found your new favorite nightmare.
Who’s behind the horror?
My name is James Lewis, and I’m the voice behind Rotten Reads. I’m a lifelong horror fanatic with a soft spot for morally gray characters, messy love stories, and books that push boundaries. I created Rotten Reads to spotlight the bold, the brutal, and the beautifully twisted — the kinds of books that linger like a bruise and hit like a hammer.
What you’ll find here:
- Honest, spoiler-free (mostly) reviews of horror and dark romance novels
- Deep dives into indie, extreme, and underrated reads
- Companion content on YouTube and Instagram @jameslewisbooks
- Author interviews, curated rec lists, and themed reading challenges
- A growing community of readers who like their fiction a little messed up
Not your mom’s book blog.
Rotten Reads celebrates the books that others shy away from — the provocative, the polarizing, the beautifully grotesque. If you like your love stories with bloodstains and your horror with heart (and entrails), you’re in the right place.
Join the Rotten Reads community:
Follow me on Instagram and YouTube for video reviews, spicy takes, and exclusive reading content.
Ready to rot your TBR?
Your dark corner of the book world. Expect brutally honest reviews of extreme horror and dark romance books that push boundaries and haunt your thoughts.
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