The Sacrifice

L.O.R.D.S.The SacrificeShantel Tessier

Aug 26

Written By Ally Talley

L.O.R.D.S. #3

By Shantel Tessier

~ Can be read as a standalone ~

TheStory

For Tyson Crawford, revenge is a waiting game. When his girlfriend dies, her family blames him but he blames the family. Having waited three years to enact his revenge, he finally gets his opportunity when he forces Lake, his late girlfriend’s sister, to marry him.

TheReview

We all know these are dark romance books, so let’s take that into consideration when reviewing here.

That being said, Tyson is rough in the beginning. Their wedding night is definitely not consensual whatsoever. My only grace for him comes from the fact that Sin’s book absolutely disgusted me and I find Tyson to be redeemable. Which in my opinion, he lived up to.

After the wedding night, the roughest part was that she was a virgin, so Tyson really manipulates her into being exactly what he wants simply because she doesn’t know anything else or any better. But alas, that’s the way with these alpha, morally black men in the series. Tyson has a punishment and reward system for Lake, which “trains” her.

Tyson clearly likes the power he has over her just as much as the other Lords with their Ladies, but he still feels something for her, even if he won’t let himself admit it. Lake doesn’t know what’s going on or what to expect half of the time because of her inexperience and Tyson completely takes advantage of that. Lake is just sort of meek and accepting of the way he treats her - which is downright dirty. But she likes it, similar to Blake from Sin.

All that being said, Tyson absolutely treats Lake like trash in the beginning. He takes advantage of her. She “complies” but it’s forced coercion. So, this one definitely falls on the dark dark side of dark romance.

Basically, Tyson does her dirty but at least he has a soul.

In the vein of Tyson feeling something besides manipulation and revenge, Lake gets him FLUSTERED! Like, he wants to be fully in control but Lake has a way of getting under his skin and making him actually want her in return.

I will say, I am so over the FMCs in these books with their “I like it but I know I shouldn’t” or “I’m so embarrassed that I get turned on by this.” GET OVER IT! If it’s your yum, then it’s your yum. Quit complaining if it’s your preference.

For Lake, it makes more sense that she would feel this way because she has no prior experience of what a physical relationship should be, let alone a marriage. But I don’t get why everyone keeps thinking they’re whores just because they like the dirty stuff their partners do to them.

After Sin, I was honestly worried to continue because the psychological manipulation, emotional abuse, and really dicey non-consent was a little too much for me. Sin’s book was also downright just plain smut. More power to anyone who likes that, but I needed more of a storyline.

However, I talked it over with DaddyChat and he convinced me I would probably feel better about Tyson and Lake than I did about Sin and Blake. I’m so glad because I did like this one better and it had a good storyline with a little bit of mystery.

Now, I get the vibe of the book - degradation, humiliation, non-con, etc. But I just don’t comprehend these men loving and getting all horned up over their women crying. I get the vibe but it’s still just weird to me.

Overall, it was a good book, but Ryat still holds the number one spot of these men for me. The ending wrapped up nicely (maybe a little too nicely) and all my questions were answered. The whole book was still absolutely filled with spice but the storyline was well-integrated.