3.75/5 ⭐️

Yours to Take by Vera Kane is a gripping, emotionally-charged romance that blends classic tropes—grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, and emotional healing—with a darker, more intense atmosphere. The story follows two guarded souls forced into each other’s lives, where vulnerability becomes as dangerous as it is necessary.

The writing is clean and easy to sink into, making this an addictive read from start to finish. Kane builds strong chemistry between the leads and doesn’t shy away from exploring the characters’ deeper wounds. Some scenes, especially pivotal emotional moments, felt a little rushed—I would have loved to see them linger longer in those raw spaces—but overall, the emotional weight still lands powerfully.

If you’re looking for a romance that’s a little rougher around the edges, with heartache, tension, and hope woven together, Yours to Take is absolutely worth picking up.

Yours To Take by Vera Kane

ARC Review: ⭐️3.5 (Access granted by NetGalley)
Completely Honest Review / Spoilers

For NetGalley: The review has been posted to my GoodReads which is @oliwiawioletta, this review was pasted on 04/04/2025. It will also be posted to my TikTok/BookTok account which is @oliwiawiolettaagora within the next week as I still need to record, edit and upload so please bare with me, therefore, there is not a publication date for the video review yet but please expect it within the next week.

“For every girl who’s watched Scream and fantasized about Billy Loomis. This one is for you.”

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book, I feel very privileged to have been able to receive it pre publishing date!

Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this book it was very easy to read and a pretty quick read. I really liked the storyline it was giving vibes of Lights Out + Butcher & Blackbird which I am so here for as I loved both of these books. Both the FMC and MMC were really easy to like. I really did enjoy this book and it kept me entertained throughout.

However, I do have some issues with it and because I am a big advocate for growth, development and honest reviews I cannot miss past the issues I had while reading this book AND that is not to say anything bad about it because I genuinely did enjoy it however, it was missing some things and if it wasn’t the rating would have been significantly higher. Please bare in mind this is my own personal opinion and everyone is entitled to their own views on how they like their books to play out.

Storyline: Anora is on a first date at a coffee shop, Quin sees her and instantly becomes obsessed. He nicknames her ‘Little Moon’ after the first ever encounter at the coffee shop. Her date was rude to her so Quin offed him. Said date is cousins with Anoras boss and her boss was the one to set the date up. Quin is a serial killer who kills bad guys from the underworld because his sister was murdered by her boyfriend and his friends and he wanted revenge. Light stalking of FMC. Anora and Rory are roommates, Quin and Joey are roommates. Rory and Joey are dating and introduce the MCs to eachother at a party. MCs pretend to hit it off in front of their friends, eventually do hit it off and start dating. Aurora finds out Quin is a serial killer, she gets kidnapped by his enemies & rescued by Quin. They get married and have a baby.

- I feel like the book was quite rushed throughout and therefore, it didn’t really dive into some of the following issues.

- I think since this was a ‘stalker romance’ Quin should have stalked Anora a bit more than just the first sighting at the coffee shop which doesn’t really count because he was already at the coffee shop for a drink and didn’t go out of his way to go into the coffee shop to stalk Anora and then lurking in the shadows outside the boutique and then coincidentally being introduced at the party by his and hers best friends. That last encounter doesn’t really count either as they were introduced to one another and Quin didn’t actually ‘stalk’ her to the party because it was at his apartment nor did he know Anora was going to be on the roof when he had gone out there to get some air.

- Also how the heck did he end up in her kitchen making breakfast for her and her roommate and her boyfriend/his best friend after the so called 1st double date? Where was the explanation for that development? How did it happen? I don’t understand… Did Rory and Joey invite him back after the double date to stay over because they wanted to MC to hit it off? Did he break into her apartment after they went to sleep? HOW did it happen I need an explanation, the backstory for that event was absent. Mind you Anora left the restaurant before the rest of the group and was alone in the apartment that night. Woke up to Quin in the kitchen unexplained and Rory and Joey staying over which also was unusual and those two usually stay at the boys apartment. So how did this conspire? Did Quin get invited over by the couple? Did he break in, in the middle of the night and then sleep on the couch??

- Running off the previous point, Anora slept in Quins hoodie after the double date cause he had given it to her because she was cold when they were walking to the restaurant, and he somehow appeared in her kitchen making breakfast the following morning, why the hell did Anora not question him? Why did she let it slide like nothing happened other than cussing in her POV? And why did she go along with the impression that the two had slept together infront of Rory and Joey just because she slept in his hoodie and he appeared in the kitchen shirtless in the morning without a damn explanation???? Why did she not react to it? Anora let it slide and the event wasn’t revisited later? I’m confused.

- Why did Anora keep hanging out alone with Quin to feed into the assumption for their friends that they were hitting it off? Even though we didn’t get an explanation of why they were portraying themselves as hitting it off to their friends when at the time they barely even spoke to eachother. She was constantly saying she was scared of him so why would he spend time alone with him if she was scared? Why did they continue to hang out alone and not talk to eachother when the other two weren’t in their presence. They had time alone so why did Anora stay quiet and not pull Quin up on his stunt that led to that assumption on their friends? Why didn’t she cuss him out for allowing them to assume that they slept together after the double date when Anora left the restaurant before the others and went home alone and didn’t even know Rory and Joey had come back to their apartment when they usually stay at Joeys and Quins place?

- I feel like Anora forgave Quin far to easily there was basically no grovelling which would have benefited the storyline / story telling massively. Like Quin tells you he’s the Slasher that’s been killing disgusting men from the underworld all because his sister was killed and you’re telling me she didn’t react in a more dramatic way when being told he’s a serial killer? Or the fact that she forgave him in about 3 days and all she needed was space 0 grovelling occurred.

- The story line about his sister being killed by her boyfriend and his friends because the boyfriend thought it would be funny to scare her and his friends had another idea and all parties including said boyfriend raped her, passed her round the group then beat her to a pulp and left her to die? What happened there? There was no further information provided regarding that storyline, it was the sole reason Quin started to kill so I thought there would be more, like hello one of the people who killed his sister was her own boyfriend so how did that conspire?

- Also when Quin killed Anora’s blind date with her bosses cousin and she found out about that why didn’t he tell her that he too was a bad man and just went along with the only reason he was killed was because of the date and not telling Anora that he was a disgusting pig towards women aswell as him being simply rude to her on their first date? I just don’t understand why Quin didn’t tell her surely it would have painted him in a better light than letting her think he was killed simply because he was rude to her on their date?

- When Anora was kidnapped and was captive for serval says we didn’t really get a deep deception of what exactly was happening to her during the captivity just basic ground information. We also didn’t get Quins POV much while Anora was captive, she’s his love interest and we didn’t get much of him panicking and trying to find her for days on end to then finally find her on the day she is set to die if he doesn’t show up because his hacker gets the footage.

- The book had minimal tension between the characters, they spent a lot of time as a group and then alone without the other couple and the tension was just lacking for me.

- The book was also a little predictable.

Overall, I feel like there should have been more stalking, more event development as some events and how they occurred were just not explained and it would have only benefited the storyline, I think the book also would have been better if we got some more killing events, he was a serial killer but we didn’t really get that side of him much and the bits we did get weren’t very descriptive. Also, the spicy bits were good but they were lacking too, they would have benefited with more description of the play by play. Additionally, the ending felt rushed more so than the rest of the book. It just had a lot of gaps which were not filled in and events that weren’t explained. Missing them out only hurt the storyline a bit because if we got those missing gaps filled in it would have easily kicked this up to a 4 star read and up to 4.5 stars if we got more descriptive writing and more of the plot development.

Please do not take anything I say to heart, it is simply a honest review with constructive criticism. It is feedback for next time to be able to improve the books that follow. This is my opinion and everyone is entitled to their own. I do not mean any harm at all I just wanted to give a real, raw and honest review. This is also not to say I didn’t enjoy it because I defo did I mean I read it in a day hello? It’s just constructive feedback.

Again, thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy I am so so grateful for being able to have read this book before its publication date.

I wanted to like this book, it was giving me some of the vibes of Lights Out and Butcher and Blackbird both of which I loved, unfortunately Yours to Take fell flat for me. Overall the story felt rushed and forced, one of the big conflicts in the book didn't have an actual explanation for how it happened. The best part were the spicy scenes, but they weren't good enough and there weren't to make up for the rest of the book.
2.5/5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I really enjoyed reading this one and learning about Quentin and Anora (however not the biggest fan of this name choices but I digress). I love a dark, morally grey MMC that only has a soft spot for herrrrr. Tee hee hee hee 😊

I would have loved to see more about our MMC’s backstory and why he became they way this is. The character development to me was not there has much as it should have been.

With Anora, it was a simpler thing. It appeared as though her occupation was kinda just thrown in near the end there and it made her story too one dimensional for me.

In this short and intense, dark romance, we follow the turbulent connection between Quentin and Anora. Quentin seems like your average guy on the surface—but beneath that calm exterior lies a man driven by vengeance. After the brutal murder of his sister, he dedicates himself to cleansing the world of its darkest elements, leaving no room for emotional distractions...until Anora enters his life.

Anora, in contrast, is on a journey of self-discovery, adding a refreshing layer of relatability to the otherwise grim tone of the story. Her presence begins to crack Quentin’s hardened exterior, setting the stage for a relationship that is as intense as it is unexpected.

While the dynamic between Quentin and Anora is intriguing, the story could have benefited from more buildup before diving into their romance. The pacing felt rushed, likely a result of the story's short length. Still, if you're in the mood for a quick read that blends romance with a darker edge, this one is worth adding to your tbr.

Thank you to the Author, Azala Romance and NetGalley for giving me early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

You are the air in my lungs and the beat of my heart.”
Vera Kane’s Yours to Take is a dark romance that pulls you in with its intensity but keeps you hooked with moments of softness, vulnerability, and unexpected humor.

Quentin is driven by grief and vengeance after the loss of his sister, determined to rid Portland of its darkest corners. But everything shifts the moment he sees Anora in a coffee shop.

Anora is quick-witted, and deeply human. The nickname Quentin gives her—Little Moon—is such a lovely touch, perfectly capturing her quiet strength and the light she brings into Quentin’s shadows. I found myself smiling (and laughing out loud) when she said, “This man just made it to the top of my shit list.”

This story is a great introduction to the dark romance genre—emotional, intense, but not overwhelming. The chemistry is undeniable, the characters are compelling, and at its core, it’s about two people finding something unexpected in each other.

Thank you to NetGalley and Azala Romance for the ARC.

[please if you are new to this genre then do read up on what is included. particularly for this book. im sure many of you got a few of the gists from the blurb. but it has soooo many trigger warnings. and this isnt a " snowflake"( awful term) approach. its simply a fair warnings. we do not know what effects other nor they they have been through. many of cant even comprehend the lives of others. so for some either by their own lives or just their makeup, this book might trigger or be too much. and that is ok. so just be mindful of yourselves folks.

i loved the push pull of the characters. i loved their personal journey and i love the storytelling. this book was a thrill for me and i just loved it. if you are someone who likes this genre then go for it. because you will eat this book up. and the characters and plot were described to perfection. it was naughty and wonderful and that escapist messiness that makes a great book. because both the plot and relationship give your heart a few extra beats.

this book was delicious. in dark and sumptuous ways. i loved it. when these books first came about i was a little eeek at liking them. it felt wrong. and after speaking to others i realized they felt the same. and that was a good thing really. because what i learnt after a short book course was what we read doesnt have to always fit our morals nor who we are... and in books like this it doesnt mean we are dark or messy or want to do nasty things to humans or have nasty fetishes.
no, for lots of these books you have to leave your ego and squeamish behind, you have to just find joy in good books. and it doesnt revolve around who you are as a person.( although with some of the books i read i would indeed like to live in some of the seaside villages and meet my prince)ahhhh i digress.
this book hums with so much of what makes a great read. and its pure tension, pure angst, pure connection in all its messy dark but still to that, true form. it feels real exactly because it is messy. there are all romantic novel type meet and greets. there are messy things happening in life(granted hipefully not lots of vigilantes on the loose) and those people still have loves and losses and big big feelings, often more so.
this book had soooooo much feeling that imprints on your eyes from start to finish. the relationship was one i was on edge for all the way through. i just wanted these two to be ok. but can the damaged heart be truly ok for anyone else. can you accept love if you are clearly broken. or can love maybe start the healing? or at least support it.

A big thanks to NetGalley, author Vera Kane and Azala romance for the ARC and opportunity to review this book.

I’m sad to say that it just felt like a much tamer version of the Haunting Adeline series. It lacked detail in so many places that could have potentially pushed it to a 4/5 star read.

Too much on the sweet romance and not enough on the dark romance but that’s just my opinion

3⭐️⭐️⭐️

Publishes May 6th

Yours to Take by Vera Kane is a dark romance that somehow manages to be intense, emotional, and a little bit unhinged in the best way possible.😻

I was blessed by being able to eARC this book—Thanks Kane💖💖.

It gave me serious Wattpad energy—which might sound like a dig, but honestly? It was kind of a vibe.
That chaotic, slightly over-the-top storytelling had me laughing, cringing, and fully hooked.

This book lives and breathes through its characters. Quentin and Anora? Obsessed. 🙏

Their dynamic is electric from the start, full of tension, danger, and desire. Kane did an amazing job capturing that delicious push-and-pull where you’re not sure if they’re going to kiss or kill each other—and somehow you’re rooting for both. The darker elements added weight without making it feel overly heavy or bleak. There’s trauma, power plays, and emotional baggage, but also moments of sharp wit and genuine connection that keep things from getting too grim.

One of the things I loved most was how the story kept building—not just in plot, but in emotional intensity. It starts off intriguing, then slowly turns the heat up until you’re fully immersed in their twisted little world. And the humor? Surprisingly on point. Even in the darker moments, the banter or absurdity of certain situations made me smirk. It’s like Kane knew exactly when to let the characters breathe, even if just for a second.

If you’re into dark romance with messy, magnetic characters, addictive tension, and just the right touch of chaos, Yours to Take delivers. It’s not perfect—but that’s kind of the point. It’s raw, dramatic, and a little wild, and I loved every second of it.

Please post trigger warnings yor more content in the description about this book. I would have not requested if I had read this first: Yours to Take is a dark romance serial killer romance the includes triggers such as murder, gore (ex: the rearranging of intestines post mortem), graphic language, graphic sexually explicit content, toxic relationships between main characters and their families, loss of a sibling, suicidal thoughts and ideations, drug and alcohol abuse, physical and emotional abuse, gun and knife use/ violence, kidnapping, blood, torture, and rape.
This book also includes kinks such as breath
play, sexual praise, mask play, and bondage.
Please proceed with caution and always put
your mental health first.
Thank you for the opportunity but this book is not for me!

why was this such a cute dark romance??

i loved the pet name “little moon”. i’ve never heard it before and i liked how he had a reasoning for it and kept bringing it up.

i’m always a sucker for a vigilante dark romance (mindfuck series by s.t. abby) so i really enjoyed this.

it was super fast paced and easy to read.

i also LOVED joey and rory. i liked the found family between them and the two main characters.

“i saw my entire future in those eyes.” 🥲

Honestly I love the concept of the book, so of course I have lots of expectations since the dedication sets with the tittle and the cover.
But after reading in first 50% I feel like the plot its nowhere and the ending was nice and I thot its too early for you know what if you read the ending, I don't know why I just couldn't pint point the exact reason why :p
And why he kept grabbing her face? you ruin her makeup (she ask to be ruin right?). I want more and more killing, I want to see his other side more during his night job. He's a masterpiece, a broken vigilante. and we get our selfish fmc, I'm sorry but I'm just not a fan or her, I know she has her reason but she's too realistic, she need to be a bit delusion and fictional.
Its a fast paced for me so everything happen to fast, the time jump is too fast too but still enjoyable.
This is just my personal opinion, I got more but I don't want to spoil anything even the slightest.
Overall I enjoy it.

This book made me giggle and cry. It’s gave me similar feels to lights out and butcher and blackbird. The way Quinton was obsessed from the beginning hit hard! That man would do anything to keep her safe. I loved the way the relationship progressed from her being scared to slowly falling with the forced proximity with both their best friends dating.

While I love the characters and the chemistry between them this book was very fast paced and i would have loved to of seen more between them before the HEA.

Okay, this was great. I read the description and was like please, let me ARC this book. I needed it yesterday. I was not disappointed.

Let’s add Quinten to the long list of morally grey daddies.

I loved that this book didn’t have a million and one gang members to keep track of! Those get so confusing sometimes trying to remember who’s who.
Quinten gives Zade Meddows vibes & I am here for it.
I was really hoping for more romance when I saw it advertised as a dark romance. But the spice was sufficient for the quick read!

“Yours to Take” is the perfect gateway drug to dark romance—spicy, but not scorching hot. The morally grey MMC? Yes please. Quentin is well developed and you can empathize with the scary person he has become. This book was quick, intense, ethically flexible. Loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review

Rating: 3⭐

"Yours To Take" by Vera Kane is a complex romance novel exploring themes of revenge, redemption, and love. The story follows Quentin, driven by vengeance, and Anora, seeking the perfect match. Their relationship raises questions about survival, secrets, and personal growth.

While the book shows promise, it has some inconsistencies. The writing is engaging in parts, but pacing issues and implausible plot twists detract from the narrative. Medical aspects also seem uncertain.

Despite these flaws, the book could serve as a decent introduction to the genre for new readers.

Thank you to #VeraKane #AzalaRomance and #NetGalley for letting me have a ARC copy in exchange for a honest review.

Book will be published 06/05/25

#YourstoTake #NetGalley

The book had good plot, but I felt there were holes in the story that could have had been filled instead of jump ahead.

I love how different this book is from other stalker romances I have read. She isn’t just magically accept what he is doing and his choices and he has to really earn her.

*arc review*

While this does have trigger warnings, etc i wouldnt go as far to say the book is super dark. I did enjoy the plot and idea of the book but I do wish we could have seen more of the serial killing and maybe involved the story line a little. I did notice however that this is book one so im curious who book two will be about and if we get to meet brendan on a different stand point? As always thanks for the Arc I enjoyed the read!