The Sacrifice: A Dark Revenge Romance

Quotes:💬 I’ve never been religious, and I’m not going to fall to my knees and start worshiping a man now. My chest tightens on the words, making it hard to get them out. I just signed my death warrant. But I will not lie down and give him the satisfaction of accepting it. He may run the Lords’ hell, but I will make sure I burn it down with me. “Welcome to hell, little darling. You’ll only be able to crawl as far as my chains will allow you.” “Tyson.” My name is spoken softly on her trembling lips. “Yes, little darling?” My eyes lift to meet hers. “Go to hell,” she whispers, referring to my last statement. I smile at her. “It’s going to be so much fun bringing you to your knees, Mrs. Crawford.” She swallows. He’s going to 🤬 me. I knew this day would come. That it would be my wedding day. That a man would take my virginity. I just never thought it’d be my sister’s ex. “You may hate me for what I’m about to do to you, but I promise your body will enjoy it.” His words make my pulse race. But I manage to swallow the lump in my throat, and whisper, “I already hate you.” Men like Tyson Crawford need a sacrifice, and he’s made me realize that I’d willingly be that for him. I close my eyes, knowing I’m about to serve my Lord. For all I know, I’m about to be his sacrifice, and that’s why he married me. You don’t get to rule the world without shedding some blood along the way. The sad part is, I’d gladly do it. Thoughts: 💡 This book is dark and twisted and kinky AF. I personally think Tyson is hotter than Ryat. While this isn’t exactly a romance it is far closer to it than The Sinner. The world building and character development in this story is phenomenal and the plot is absolutely crazy. The kink and smut are imaginative and hot as hell. Lake decisions don’t always make sense at first and can be frustrating. She doesn’t behave in the way a normal person would, but as the story goes on you realize why she is that way. Tyson Riley Crawford. 🫠 He’s hot, twisted, brilliant and secretive and half the time I want to smack him. He’s the character you love in a book but would detest in real life. Everything in this book is wrong and it’s basically toxic masculinity unchecked. Shantel isn’t coy in this book when it comes to calling out the issues with her own story. Side note, Lake starts the story as the sweet little virginal damensel in distress, but you should give her a chance to grow on you as she finds herself. Fun Bits: ⚜️ New Kinks Unlocked 😉 ⚜️ Twisted Coups ⚜️ Revenge Plots ⚜️ Cameos Important Note: I can not stress this enough, CONTENT 👏 WARNINGS. 👏 It’s a standalone, but you’re going to be left wanting to know more about The Spade Brothers. (Carnage releases in October) Stats: 📊 Spice Scale: 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/ 5 🔥😈 Character Dev: 5 💙💙💙💙💙/5 Genre: Coming of Age, Organized Crime📕 Tropes: Revenge, Enemies to Lovers, Dark📘 POV: Dual 👩‍❤️‍👨 CW: Sooooo many, listed in book (violence, gore, & non con just to name a few)⚠️⚠️⚠️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars) This dark romance had me hooked from the start. It’s definitely important to go in knowing the trigger warnings, because the author doesn’t shy away from heavy themes—but if you’re comfortable with those, the story is gripping. I personally enjoyed this one much more than Book 2—it had stronger pacing, more emotional depth, and the characters felt more fleshed out. That said, it still didn’t quite capture the magic of Book 1, which remains my favorite in the series. The chemistry between the leads was intense and believable, and the darker elements added layers of tension that kept me turning the pages. It’s not a light or easy read, but if you enjoy romance that pushes boundaries, this installment is worth picking up.

Just screaming my head off and kicking my feet I’m so completely gone for The Sacrifice. It’s everything I was hoping for and everything that I needed it to be. In short, it’s a work of perfection 😘. Phew. Where do I even begin y’all? Let’s see. One: I love me an obsessed Hero. But you know what I love just as much? An obsessed Heroine!!! I was like YES!!! You claim your man!!! Sink your fangs in girl! Get it!!! Two: all the dirty hawt things Tyson did to his wifey. Yep!!! So good. Three: so much revenge. Blood soaking through the pages there was nothing left on the bones kind of revenge. I’m still shaking. Four: I love that all the main characters from this series (Ritual, Sinner and Sabotage) are still very much central and present in this story. Like, oh hey, the whole gangs here! Strap up! I never know what to expect with a Shantel Tessier novel. Just that it’s gonna be dark. It’s going to take me to very uncomfortable places and make me question if I even know what boundaries are anymore. It’s going to make me root for the sinners who work on the fringes of this society because they’re the only ones who know what loyalty is. But please do you and the author a favor and check out her TWs. Her stories are not intended for everyone. But if you can stomach pain,torture, and everything else that comes with a Shantel Tessier book you’ll be greatly rewarded with an epic story. She balances everything out. Gah!!! It’s intense. It was so dang twisty. And even tho the author gives you plenty of breadcrumbs for you to “try” to come up with your own theories, you’re still going to doubt yourself and just hang on to the edge of your seat. Until the very end. I kid you not! Tyson and Lake start out as a means for an end for Tyson’s long awaited revenge on Lake’s family. They did something to him. They took something from him. It changed him. And he has waited three long years for the moment he can say “I do” and ruin them. Poor Lake. She’s so sheltered. So very very innocent and really has no one on her side. No one! She truly believes that Tyson is the devil himself. The villain that shattered her and her family’s life. But what no one knows is that she’s obsessed with her new husband. Always has been. And is now fighting with herself for feeling all the feelings for this wicked man and trying to remain loyal to her family. What’s a girl to do? Hmmm? Do whatever your husband tells you to do because he’s what dreams are made of!!!! Duh!! She’s a smart one, so she’s pretty quick on the uptake. I liked her. She and Tyson were fire!! Oh me, oh my, Tyson Crawford is the King!!! I’ve loved him from the first time he graced us with his presence in The Ritual and he is truly the antihero to end all. He’s ummm,yeah, he’s perfect!!! The amount of women who have gone insane over him should be way higher in my opinion lol!!! He’s delicious. Absolutely mouthwatering. I loved that we get so many chapters of his POV. He’s funny. He’s loyal. He’s deadly. He doesn’t give a F. He will go to the ends of the earth for his little darling wifey and I was done. I love a hero that can only see one woman once he has her. That all consuming OTT need to own. To possess. To protect. I was actually swooning!!!! And it’s totally needed here imo because of the slight ick factor of who he used to be with so his utter devotion for Lake just cinched it for me that these two were endgame. I can’t even try to give away what takes place because it’s a doozy. Just know that this is probably Shantel Tessier’s tightest plot ever. Meaning not a single plot hole. Her writing is top notch here. She delivered and then delivered some more. Do yourself a favor and take your time reading this one so you don’t miss a single detail. Everything is there for a reason. This story is so immersive. I had to take a few breaks in the past 72 hours just to wrap my head around all the crazy going on. It’s good crazy. Like this is addicting and I have real life stuff to do!!!! Also, I’m so ready for Carnage. Like bring me to the brink and just destroy me!!!! And I really love how each three of these connective novels all have similar secondary epilogues dealing with their kids. Like we all know what your kids were up to last night ;) lmao!!!

The Sacrifice doesn’t just push boundaries.. it obliterates them. In a deadly game of love, loyalty, and survival, Tyson Riley Crawford is the embodiment of vengeance and ruthlessness, and the heroine is his pawn. If you're into dark, depraved romance with arranged marriages, vengeance, and a whole lot of forced proximity, this one will destroy you in the best way possible. The story is a dangerous dance of revenge, betrayal, and sacrifice, packed with toxic power plays and raw, filthy passion. Tyson, a possessive hero who uses control as both a weapon and a drug, meets his match in his Lady. She's strong enough to challenge him, but not without a price. Their explosive dynamic is brutal, unrelenting, and deliciously twisted. The spice is off the charts—explicit, unapologetically dark, and filled with moments that will leave you blushing and questioning your morals. The BDSM and praise kink are woven in seamlessly, amplifying the tension and chemistry between them. The heroine is both a victim and a fighter, navigating a world where every choice leads to pain or destruction. The Sacrifice is the kind of book that leaves a mark. It’s raw, unhinged, and completely unforgettable. Tessier writes some of the best, and I’ll gladly immerse myself in it every time.

I had the pleasure of devouring the L.O.R.D book series, which completely captivated me from start to finish. When you stumble upon a book that draws you in and temporarily escapes reality, it's a truly exhilarating experience. I was pleasantly surprised by how enthralling revenge romance could be. There's so much to discuss about these books, and I'm still torn about which one is my favorite. The Sacrifice is a dark, intense, and masterfully crafted tale that showcases Shantel Tessier's signature gritty and twisted energy. The story delivers a healthy dose of shock value, making it perfect for fans of dark romance with complex, morally ambiguous characters. I'd give this book a million stars if I could. From the moment I started reading, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. The Sacrifice seamlessly weaves together the stories of The Ritual and The Sinner, with interconnected characters that add depth to the series. While The Sinner can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend diving into the entire L.O.R.D series. Unlike the others, this is a revenge dark romance that's arguably the darkest in the series, and I loved every minute of it. With its unexpected twists and turns, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to find out what happens next. I guarantee you won't regret reading it.

I’ve ended up deep in spicy dark BookTok territory, and this was one of the recommendations that landed on my download rampage. I can confirm—it is super spicy. If you love dark, depraved romance with all the heat turned up, this will deliver… but a heads-up: the violence was heavier than I expected. That said, there are plenty of warnings, and I went in prepared. The premise is addictive: a young woman, bound by her parents’ rules, is handed over to a ruthless Lord she never expected, Tyson Riley Crawford. From the start, she’s treated as a pawn in his revenge game, and their dynamic is intense, complicated, and extremely dark. The story dives into power, control, and twisted attraction in ways that are thrilling—but at times unsettling. I enjoyed the tension, the high stakes, and the undeniable chemistry between the characters. The world-building around elite society and secret deals added a compelling layer of intrigue. That said, while I usually relish a depraved, dark romance, some of the violent scenes pushed it a bit too far for my personal comfort. Even so, I’m still very interested in reading more of this series. The characters, tension, and dark drama have me hooked, and I want to see where the story goes next. Overall, this is a must-read for fans of intense, dark, and spicy romance who don’t mind a brutal, high-stakes dynamic. I’m giving it 4 stars because it delivered the heat and suspense, though the violence made it a slightly harder read than I expected.

I love a dark romance novel. Especially when it’s by Shantel Tessier. The Ritual & The Sinner were by my definition the epitome of dark romance, boarding on the line of questioning mortality. Tyson was an active character more-so in The Ritual than The Sinner, but nevertheless, his character was always intriguing to me in those two books. However, now that he’s got his own book with his little darling Laikyn, I feel like something was missing in this third book. I’d say you’re left guessing and pretty confused for about 90% of the book. Laikyn is a strong willed female, but fell short of standing her ground when it came to the men in her life. I’ve almost wanted to DNF this book like 3 times but because of the raving reviews, I powered on and read it straight through to get the full picture. This might just be my taste but I do not like having to wait until the last 30 pages of the book, let alone a book over 600 pages to find out what the heck is going on and how everything connects together. Shantel definitely plays mind games with this book, I thought I’d go crazy if I didn’t figure out the entire story and why Tyson was so set on lying through his teeth throughout the entire novel. I get it…in the grand scheme of things…Tyson lied to protect Lake, but even the several flashbacks we get in this dual POV story, don’t provide a full, comprehensive picture. One thing I will say though, I love how Ryat and Sin made an appearance with their wives…I’d just hoped that Lake and Tyson’s story in the end/epilogue was a tad different than The Ritual and The Sinner…it would’ve alluded more to the belief that Tyson doesn’t bow down to anyone and he makes his own rules without caring about the consequences. I think that’s what really set the tone about his Alpha Male character for me, he talked the talk and walked the walk. Sin & Ryat did as well…but Tyson was more unhinged and truly did whatever the heck he wanted. I also don’t like how I have so many unanswered questions that I feel like should have been answered within those 600 pages. The Ritual & The Sinner storylines were nice and complete, wrapped in a shiny bow. The Sacrifice…incomplete, but still has potential. This book tested my beliefs and values as a woman and I really wanted to chuck my iPad across the room multiple times for different unreasonable reasons throughout the story. The spice in this novel does not disappoint, however be warned- it is more depriving than the last two. This book is like dipping your foot into BDSM but still not knowing a lot about it. That being said, it’s not for the faint hearted and some spicy scenes that were supposed to make me hot and bothered, made me feel uncomfortable and honestly grossed out. But that is my preference and I know I can still handle some deprivation of some sorts. All in all, 3/5 for overall, spiciness- we’re gonna go with a mix of ghost pepper and habanero spice…still super super steamy and hot..but not the hottest. Anyways, onto reading The Sabotage…hopefully that can redeem some disappointment I have from this book.

5/5⭐ 5/5🌶 The sacrifice is book number three in The L.O.R.D.S series. I have to say I have been looking forward to this book from the beginning when Tyson was first introduced in the ritual. His character caught my attention and never left it. All his Cameo appearances in both books the ritual and The Sinner I just couldn't get enough of Tyson. Now his book is here and it's my favorite of the whole series. Tyson gave up everything that he was born for. When the L.O.R.D.S failed him and his chosen he made a deal and he never looked back. His life has been somewhat of a mystery to all of us until now. Him owning and running blackout and conducting the underground business that he does and having the connections that he does makes Tyson a very dangerous man to cross. So when the time comes for him to seek his revenge on the people who wronged him the most Tyson isn't pulling any punches and he's absolutely ruthless with his revenge plan, however even though something starts as Revenge doesn't mean it doesn't end with happiness. Being the daughter of a L.O.R.D Laikin knew what to expect. She knew her life was already planed and there was nothing she could do about it. Even in this day and age with this secret society that they are a part of she knew that her life was not hers to control. She knew she had to marry someone who her father chose and it wasn't going to be someone she would choose for herself. As a daughter she was just a form of transaction between two powerful families nothing more. After tragically losing her sister 3 years prior Laikin has been a bit broken herself. But nothing can break a woman more than finding out moments before her wedding is to begin that she is not to marry the person that she was promised to 3 years ago. Now she has to marry a man that she despises more than anyone on the planet. The man who killed her sister... Tyson made a deal when he lost everything and now it's time to collect. It's time for his revenge, and it's time to right the wrongs that he can. Laikin and Tyson are Polar Opposites. As we go through this book we find our emotions fly all over the place. The absolute betrayal that Laikin goes through by the people who are supposed to love her the most is heart-wrenching and the demanding, cruel to a point, and Sinister side of Tyson brings out very conflicting feelings as well. You can't help but feel fo Laikin and what she's going through. I was blown away by how much more I enjoyed this book even through the walls that both Tyson and Laikin built up there was just too much to love about both characters. The sacrifice has all of the worst kinds of betrayal that someone could go through. The trigger warnings are on point with this story so be warned and tread carefully. However if you can get through your personal triggers and read this story you will be absolutely Blown Away by the plot twists, the action, and the way both characters overcome their own personal demons. I have to say the sacrifice is my absolute favorite book of this series so far and Tyson and Laikin are a power couple and a force to be reckoned with. The narrators are absolutely phenomenal! 5 Glorious stars!