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Welcome to Hawthorne Asylum.

Welcome to hell.

This place isn’t run by the doctors who make you talk or the orderlies who force you to swallow your pills.

It belongs to them, to the Infamous Four.

Tabloids, talk shows, documentaries—their faces have been plastered everywhere. Not because of their impressive rap sheets, but because of how they look.

And when I arrive, they take notice. Especially their king: Lincoln “Laces” Caster.

He’s dark and disturbed.

He’s controlling and possessive.

The exact kind of boy I should stay away from if I want to clear my name and get out of here.

* This is an upper-YA bully romance not intended for readers under seventeen. This book may contain triggers for some readers.

Kindle Edition

First published January 7, 2023

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About the author

Tempi Lark

6 books2,603 followers
Tempi Lark is a USA Today Bestselling author of New Adult and YA Romance. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, son, and enormous book collection. She enjoys binge-watching Netflix, dancing in her pajamas, and writing about crazy alphas that can't seem to get it together.
https://linktr.ee/tempilark

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5 stars
2,683 (34%)
4 stars
2,088 (26%)
3 stars
1,832 (23%)
2 stars
766 (9%)
1 star
427 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 950 reviews
March 29, 2021
Hannibal Sketcher and friends!



The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: ❤️💙💜💛💚
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📙📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌎🌏🌍🌎
Character development: 👤👤👤

The setting: Hawthorne Asylum

The Hero(s): Lincoln Castor “a.k.a. Laces” - he rules the Asylum. Laces likes to sketch pictures of dead women. Things like one of the nurses hanging from the Eiffel Tower with her intestines pouring out of her body, or a picture of the new girl with a sword in her chest. He is the scariest person in the Asylum.

The heroine: Gambrielle Evans - committed to the Asylum after accusing her step-father, who is a district attorney, of murdering her sister. She has been abused by her stepfather and suffers from panic attacks.

The Love Story: Laces is taken with Gambrielle from the start, though he doesn’t know why he is drawn to her. She isn’t weak and submissive like his usual type and he can’t use her to get something for himself like he and his friends do with Nurse Kline.

The story was very well done. I like the idea of people with mental illness finding each other. Plus the fact that not all of them technically have mental illness. Gambrielle was put away in the Asylum because her rich District Attorney stepfather killed her sister and nobody believed her stories about abuse and murder. Her mother testified for her husband and against her daughter saying they were together so Gambrielle couldn’t have witnessed what she said she did.

Gambrielle’s sole purpose is to get out of the asylum, if even for a weekend to find more evidence agains her step-father. To do that she has to earn a star every day for good behavior. Laces and his friends, Reyes Park, Varla English, and Thorne Walsh take Gambrielle in as part of their group.

The book got pretty hilarious at some points, especially when Laces was talking to his Doctor about his private parts. There was also a pretty great scene where Thorne played a video about why he was committed to the Asylum. You could tell at that point that some of these guys, despite appearing so normal, were in there for a reason.

I liked the story though it ended too soon and the cliffhanger ending made absolutely no sense, so I guess I will see how that turns out in book two. I would have given this five stars, but the character development wasn’t quite there. I know next to nothing about Laces and just when they started to go through what each one did to get committed, Gambrielle ended it, so we only got to find out about Thorne. hopefully book two will be longer with a bit more character development.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Profile Image for KelsBookstagram.
578 reviews20 followers
December 19, 2021
HOLY HECKING HELL.. The emotional rollercoaster is like no other and had my heart breaking. This is a jaw dropping & beautifully written start to the series with one HELLA dose of darkness that laces the book and builds throughout. IT WILL leave you speechless & jaw hanging wide open!

𝙏𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩. 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙖𝙢𝙖. 𝙇𝙞𝙚𝙨. 𝙋𝙖𝙞𝙣

My heart broke for Gambrielle, time and time again. The recalling of memories slices you in half. Hidden by pain there is a beuatiful soul with a heart of gold.

"𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙂𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙮𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙖𝙬𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙛."

Laces has reeled me in, his bad boy persona is a front. But who doesn't love a cocky alpha male who is beyond gorgous!!🥵 Laces connection to Gambrielle is real & raw and i felt every moment they shared. The chemistry is building & its pure TEASING!

THAT ENDING... has me shouting WTF.. Never saw that coming at all & i now NEED to know more! I think I've firmly picked my jaw off the floor!

I am ready for more boys or Hawthorne Asylum!❤🔥
Profile Image for Allie Felix.
674 reviews25 followers
July 20, 2021
Story: 2 ⭐️
Steam: 1.5 🔥 (frequent talk about sex but no actual smut)

Editing review to add: Though my rating for this book was on the lower end, I tried to give constructive feedback that was not rude or mean to the author. With that said, I was following the author on her social media but have decided to no longer follow her. She went live on her Facebook page and read low star reviews out loud to her readers and talked about how this was no way to get ARCs in the future. I can’t in good conscious support an author who bullies her readers into 5 star reviews, so I will not be reading any further books from this author.

✨ Original Review:

This book started out great! I was hooked immediately and was anxious to see where it went. Unfortunately, it didn’t really keep the momentum. Reading this felt a lot like a beta read or reading someone’s unrefined plans for a story.

The story had a lot of potential but I found myself confused almost the whole time. The story felt disjointed and nonsensical at parts. Things happened that felt so random or that didn’t really make sense for the scene. There were plot points that felt forced and unnecessary. It felt like this was supposed to be a full length novel but was stripped down to a novella, though I’m not sure why.

Overall, I think this story could have been amazing if it had been give the proper time and effort to fully develop before the final product was released.

Also, the beginning of the book states that this book is RH however, I did not see how. I did not get any indication this could be RH. Apparently, it was supposed to be because the male lead and his friends all hook up with the nurse. Which, again, is not a RH. They weren’t dating or in love with her just having hook ups.
Profile Image for Ren | thebookishren.
1,617 reviews126 followers
January 30, 2021



Laces by Tempi Lark was addictive AF. It was short, which I really enjoyed, and it was jam packed with tension and small reveals. Varla, Thorne, Reyes, and Laces were phenomenal characters and I can't wait to learn more. It's so strange reading about people society has labeled "crazy and unhinged" and while they MAY be both, I feel almost morally ambivalent toward them.

Gambrielle (interesting name!) seemed to be sweet, slightly unhinged thanks to her past, and desperate to get justice for her sister. I'm rooting for her. I like her backbone and her morally gray opinions. She seems smart and a perfect addition to the group.

I didn't quite see the RH elements in Book 1, but I'm looking forward to it. The tension between Laces and Gam was unreal. The way she made him FEEL was both amazing to witness and yea, I swooned a bit. He seems like a mess and she's already starting to tame him.

Lots of cute moments, shocking moments, and funny moments. I laughed out loud a few times. Definitely a slow burn, but y'all. I'm HOOKED on this damn story!

Yea, Laces (and the others) aren't pure souls. A vindictive, crazed, older nurse kind of gets in the way but I loved how Laces handled that situation. Gah! I just need more info stat, k?





⭐ 𝙀𝙙𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩. ⭐
Profile Image for naz.
380 reviews368 followers
January 31, 2021
i wanted to read this book because it was set in an asylum but it sucked so bad. thank fuck my memory is shit so i'll forget about this book tomorrow.
Profile Image for Crystal (Crystalreads2) .
912 reviews867 followers
February 2, 2021
Laces is book one in the Boys Of Hawthorne asylum series. It’s not standalone and ends with a cliffhanger.

Tempi Lark is a new to me author and damn she hooked me into this series. I think there Is something wrong with me since I want to be committed with the legendary three.

Gambrielle Evans is committed to Hawthorne Asylum by the state because she didn’t keep quiet. My heart goes out to her. But she is a strong girl, moderately unhinged, and is out for justice to what happened in her home life and what put her in the asylum.

In Hawthorne, she meets Laces, Reyes, Thorne, the legendary three, and Varla. All of them admitted because of their twisted past. We read some of their pasts, and it's very interesting. Laces is on a mission to not make her stay easy while being protective of her.

I swore so much reading this book. Laces is who sucked me in, to be honest. Alpha male, cocky, gorgeous, and smart. He is such a hot mess. The connection between Laces and Gambrielle is raw, I felt all their emotions. I do want to add; I saw nothing coming, not one twist or prediction. That cliffhanger sent me over the edge. I almost lost my iPad, I wanted to throw it across the room.
Profile Image for Maddie (Bookaholic_Dreamer).
840 reviews61 followers
January 27, 2021
Let me start off by saying WTF MOTHER CHUCKER!!!
I don’t even know what to say, since I am still reeling over that MOTHER CHUCKER cliffhanger!
HOLY HELL I definitely did not see that coming at all.
Like SERIOUSLY Tempi WTF!!!

It’s official, I have just read another FAVOURITE BOOK of 2021!

I first came across this story, when I read a preview in the Love at First Fright anthology. Which I absolutely loved and had me excited for the full story release!

Set within Hawthorne Asylum, Laces is a dual POV told from both Gambrielle and Laces perspective.

Gambrielle Evans is a nineteen year old girl who gets wrongfully committed to Hawthorne Asylum by her Stepfather Joe Evans. Scared, lost and alone, upon arriving at the Hawthorne she comes to find it isn’t your typical run of the mill asylum. It not only houses the Infamous Four, but it belongs to them too. Something she is definitely not ready for.

Lincoln ‘Laces’ Caster is 20 years old and happens to be the king of the Infamous Four. Tall, tan, handsome, sexy but also controlling, possessive, dark and mentally disturbed when it comes to his artwork.

I loved the pace that Tempi set not only in the story, but between Laces and Gambrielle in getting to know each other, slow, steady and relaxed. It not only bought the story more to life and had you craving more, but it helped make it more realistic. Especially because of the type of person Gambrielle is, with the way she had been raised. Which we got to see in those sneak peeks of flashbacks from Gambrielle's past. Having those were an added bonus, not only because it gave us an inside perspective of her early life, but it helped us understand her more by being able to pull back the layers of her character and delve deeper into Gambrielle a little more to find out what she had truly been through.
Honestly I enjoyed watching the budding relationship between Gambrielle and Laces play out. It made it more alluring and enticing to me. Plus it kind of showed that she could be strong and not so easily swayed. That she still has a backbone in her to say no to Laces when need it be.

I definitely loved getting to see little peeks into the other members of Infamous Four Reyes Park and Thorne Walsh. Safe to say, I definitely can’t wait for their stories. And I absolutely loved Varla English, with that sassy attitude of her. Plus I loved how she easily befriended Gambrielle and helped her by taking her under her wing.

All in all this book was it for me! Having me hooked from the very beginning. Filled with sweet and cute moments, a lot of laugh out loud moments especially with some of those metaphors. And the biggest one of all the SHOCKING and SURPRISING twist ending resulting in a CLIFFHANGER. That seriously had me like WTF?! HOLY MOTHER CHUCKER! NO!!!

Tempi Lark definitely came through with Laces!
From the very beginning to the very end, Tempi had me gripped with Laces and Gambrielle’s story!
THIS BOOK WAS ABSOLUTELY FREAKIN AMAZEBALLS!
Which is why I CANNOT stress this enough, but you NEED TO/MUST READ THIS BOOK!
HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend 1000%


*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Dawn.
530 reviews
March 24, 2021
Writing a book where the “hero” is sleeping with someone else for most of the book (or planning on it possibly for the whole book) while the heroine is an innocent virgin is just dumb. It doesn’t add anything and just turns many people off. Bullying your readers because they are smart enough not to like cheap plot devices (like seriously? it’s embarrassingly easy to write scenes with other women to fill half your pages, it’s almost like you don’t think you’re capable of filling a whole book with a real plot...) is just bad marketing. I have stoped following much better writers for less. Don’t blame other people for your lack of talent, just work harder... Do better? You should be open to hearing feedback from everyone, not just people willing to kiss your butt. Seriously, what kind of narcissistic person only wants to hear from people who agree with every single thing they say? That is so creepy! Feel free to read this on your Facebook page, I won’t even care. Although if I had to guess it’s probably hitting a bit too close to home for you to risk it ;)
Profile Image for Brittany (happy.ending.always).
1,064 reviews41 followers
January 29, 2021
Updated Review - January 2021
Oh. My. Gosh!!! This book!!! Holy yes!!! This book, was absolutely amazing!!! I felt like I was on an incredible rollercoaster the entire book in an awesome way and my heart was in my stomach!! Tempi Lark’s writing was fantastic. It flowed perfectly and was so engaging. She set the characters up perfectly, feeling like you get to know them so thoroughly. And Laces and Gambrielle, holy yes!!! They compliment each other so well. These two are just getting started and I sooo can’t wait to see what comes!!!

Anthology First 3 Chapters Review November 2020
What a great start to which I know is going to be a crazy rollercoaster ride of fun. This story leads up to the book coming out, January 2021. And what an awesome lead way it is. Soooo excited for this book to come!!!
Profile Image for Judith Torres.
8 reviews
November 22, 2020
This book is amazing i love it. For me this book has everything since the first chapter it leaves you wanting more and believe it take alot for me to like a book so please i need more
Profile Image for Cat Vann.
110 reviews25 followers
January 27, 2021
Well,

As I find myself falling through the open air, arms flailing about, a scream lodged in my throat, I reflect on what just threw me off this cliff.

Laces. Laces just through me off this cliff.

I’m intrigued. Highly intrigued. Between the setup this story has going for it and the twist it took, I’m quite impressed about tempi pulling this off like she did.

Now. If you don’t mind..... I’ll just get back to falling through the sky until the next book drops down to catch me.
Profile Image for Dawn Noble.
1 review
February 1, 2021
This book caught my attention on the first page! Amazing characters and very addictive. I can’t get enough of it. Love it!!
Profile Image for Kelly_Reads_Books.
2,040 reviews160 followers
January 28, 2021
WOW! Spectacular start to this long awaiting book 1 of Laces.
Hawthorne Asylum seems to be a place where families send the children they no longer want to deal with. This bizarre and scrumptious cast of characters is very well developed and complicated in their own right. There is so much more to come! I look forward to reading book 2.
But that ending!! Oh my goodness, that was extremely surprising!
Profile Image for ... Lost  Bookland... .
434 reviews49 followers
January 4, 2022
Judging by the beginning, then this definitely promises a fantastic series that will delight even the pickiest reader. An incredible mix of hope and darkness that will nail you to the pages, and the cliffhanger on the end will leave you speechless. The desire to have the next part of this story is simply unbearable.
The author masterfully introduces us to that world of perverted values. A world in which the one who should protect and cherish you is the one who hurts you the most. When pain and fear paralyze you and you fail to fight for what you want and desire. A world in which the power of truth is worth nothing and the punishment is too severe. That is the world of our heroine Gambrielle, a girl whose whole world is torn to pieces and she is doomed to pay only because she dared to tell the truth. The defeat is too heavy, but the war is not lost yet. Even in all that darkness, she finds a glimmer of hope... But what will happen when a guy appears when she least expects it. A guy with the body of a Greek god who awakens thoughts and feelings that confuse her ... Which truths or lies are hidden behind those harsh words .... What will happen if she decides to break the rules?
Definitely a story that is by no means my cup of tea, and yet managed to delight me with its uniqueness and mystery. I have to admit that this is my first book by this author, and her writing style is something that impresses me at first glance. At no point did I feel bored, but with each word, each perfectly fitted sentence, I sank more and more into that psychedelic world. A mixture of sweet moments, humor, and mystery are perfectly balanced to make you turn the pages, eagerly awaiting the end, but you do not expect the curveball at the end that leaves you with your mouth ajar. The author very skillfully gives an overview of a cruel society where rules and regulations are a changeable category that is proportionally dependable on the status and the bank balance. Where truth and misconceptions are only thought concepts whose meaning is determined by the needs of the stronger. A world where social status and comfortable life are more important than your own child. Definitely a story that in a seemingly simple way, touches too many painful truths that we somehow as a society do not want to see.
The past and the present are intertwined through the thoughts of Gambrielle and Laces, and we have insight into their thinking, their story. We meet both of them, but somehow the mystery that surrounds Laces remains until the very end, no matter how hard we try, we somehow fail to understand that misunderstood artist. And Gambrielle is a girl we want to condemn for her belated reaction, and at the same time we understand and admire her strength, her pain does not hurt and we fear for her future. And the chemistry between them is something that can not be denied. The spark that appears during their first meeting slowly ignites in a strong fire as we turn the pages. The supporting characters are absolutely fantastically integrated into the whole story and contribute to an even more effective experience.
I loved this short story and cannot find suitable words to recommend it highly enough. Gripping and raw, it will hold the readers' attention till the very end. And the very end will leave you gobsmacked and counting down the days till the next installment.
February 3, 2021
I got a sneak peek at the first 3 chapters and I’m hooked! This is going to be a crazy ride and I’m here for it! Everyone has to add this to their must read list if you want any something crazy, mind blowing and super dark with some hot romance mixed in! Can’t wait to read the rest!

Updated: I am shocked! I have been waiting for this book and it did not disappoint! It has everything you would want and more! Gambrielle and Laces are quite the pair. There is some hot chemistry and I can’t wait to see what happens next with the crew! A+++++
Profile Image for ♡Soledad♡.
184 reviews1 follower
January 27, 2021
OMG! What did I just read?!
Tempi Lark is a new to me author and holy f**king hell I am even more excited for the Boys of Hawthorne Asylum series!!
We meet Gambrielle, Laces, Reyes, Thorne, & Varla. My heart aches for Gambrielle right now, even more so after the cliffhanger that Ms. Lark has left us with.
I let loose so many curse words that I cursed in English and in Spanish. Which is a first for any author to ever get out of me.
I am in love with the Boys of Hawthorne Asylum!! I need the next book ASAP! Bravo Ms. Lark I'm anticipating book 2!!
Profile Image for Jenn the Readaholic.
1,927 reviews61 followers
January 27, 2021
Wait, what?? Oh, I need more now. Gambrielle was thrust into one of the worst situations possible, all because she told the truth. The only problem is that her truth stands against the very powerful man who absolutely will NOT lose. So here she is. Out of her element. Lost. Scared. Confused. And in steps Laces and his friends. But can she truly trust them? She wants to, but Laces makes no secret of the fact that he’s definitely a bad person to have as an enemy, and maybe even a worse person to have as a friend. Just when Gambrielle is willing to try to “live a little” in the small window she and Laces have together, she’s slapped by an unbelievable shock and probable betrayal. And now here I sit. Waiting to find out just how it all goes from here.

I admit, I was a little leery at first, since bully reads aren’t usually my thing. But this book grabbed me from the very start and had me stunned to see that I’d already hit the last page because I was so invested in what was happening. This author definitely succeeded in making me lose myself in her world and want to beg for the answers to my questions. Hopefully, Lincoln comes soon enough, because I must know it all, as soon as possible!
Profile Image for TMR.
552 reviews720 followers
March 21, 2021
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another Note: This is part of a series. Laces is the first book. Up next is Lincoln. Please read in order to understand the context in each book. Thank you.

Honestly some insane characters exist in this hospital for the "mentally ill." Some truly frightening shenanigans happen. Resident Hannibal Sketcher is introduced aka Laces. And his group of sidekicks. And then there is Gambrielle, accused of something she has not done by one of her family members.

Truly an insane bunch and I loved every moment spending time with them. But the chemistry between Gambrielle and Laces is slightly difficult to adjust due to them slightly "not being each other's type", but I am sure things will get explained in the next book for sure.

This book will entertain the craziest and wackiest of minds for sure.

Until the next read,

-TMR
Profile Image for Sarah.
262 reviews2 followers
March 8, 2022
This was by far my favorite read of 2021 so far.

Tempi did such an amazing job of building a world and characters that you'll love and want to know more about.

Beautifully written start to this series, with humor, drama, and mystery.

If youre anything like me, the end of this book will have you begging for more.
Profile Image for Kat.
731 reviews22 followers
October 20, 2021

I’ve been impatiently waiting for this book after reading the blurb and first three chapters.
It sounded like a great and promising bully romance set in an asylum and I couldn’t wait to read it!

Unfortunately, after reading an arc, I can’t help but feel disappointed. I thought the premise was great but the execution left a lot to be desired.

I participated in promoting this book and it was promoted as an upper-YA bully/dark romance.
But I think the author and I have a completely different definition of bullying.
There was not one scene in this book where I could tell Laces bullied Gambrielle!
Yes they bickered a couple of times and she apparently hated him, but for me, there was no bullying.
And then, not even halfway through and they were already friends!
Maybe there will be more bullying in the next book but this one fell completely flat with it.

I also feel like mentioning RH elements in the disclaimer was unnecessary, at least for this first book. It only brought confusion and expectations for something that was, in my opinion, just not there.
I don’t remember if Gambrielle and Reyes even exchanged one sentence. And there was no indication that Reyes and Thorne are also interested in Gambrielle or that she is interested in them. The focus was completely on Laces and Gambrielle.

And that cliffhanger, I still don’t understand what was that!
I don’t want to spoil anything, but with everything that we find out about Laces and Gambrielle as the story unfolds, the cliffhanger didn’t make much sense!

I was really hooked with the first three chapters, but unfortunately, it all just went downhill from there. I even felt like writing style and storytelling completely changed in chapters after that.

The story had some pretty cute and funny moments that were enjoyable and I actually really liked the characters. I’m especially curious about Thorne and also Varla.

But yeah, I’m sorry to say that while this was one of my most promising and most anticipating reads for January, it just fell flat in the end and I can’t help but feel completely disappointed.
I’m sure many will love it but for me, it completely missed its mark.
But that’s okay, we can’t all love the same books!
62 reviews3 followers
November 19, 2020
Loved the start of this story!! I can’t wait to see what happens once the full book is released. Then I will be back to review all of the book!!
Profile Image for Laura Jackson.
411 reviews16 followers
January 29, 2021
Duuuuude I devoured this book! I never knew being Inpatient could be so hooootttt!!! I’m going to need a Lincoln STAT!! He’s like all about his new obsession.. and she’s so innocent and pure .. with all sorts of impure thoughts of laces!! Let’s talk about the hot surfer.. and the paranoid thinker.. I need some of that too.. boy I’m going to cry if I don’t get my hands on book two soon.. I was dying to read this book and I ate the words off the pages like it was cake and I had been dieting for months.. it’s so deliciously devilish.. I was so giddy reading it.. hoarding it like I belonged in the psych ward ...if that’s the way it is in there sign me right up.. oh Tempi I think we need to talk .. I love this freaking book!!
Profile Image for Savannah.
210 reviews1 follower
January 22, 2022
This books is an absolute addiction!!! Watching Gam come to know who she is in this new group of people and where she fits in with Laces... then seeing her come to the realization and actually admit to herself how she feels. Bit the ending was what took the cake!! I was internally screaming and threw my kindle. I need more!!! That cliffhanger was a major wtf moment!!! Now for the book hangover from Laces!!
Profile Image for April.
9 reviews1 follower
November 19, 2020
OMG!!! I want more now please! Anticipation is gonna kill me!!
Profile Image for Michelle Mastandrea.
352 reviews9 followers
January 30, 2021
LACES (BOHA Book 1) is the explosive beginning to what I'm sure is going to become one of the most alluring and intriguing series of 2021! So dangerously addicting, this series opener will leave you wanting MORE, MORE, MORE!!

From the very first page, you'll be plunged into a deliciously dark and dangerous world where nothing is quite what it seems and survival is the name of the game...

Laces (Lincoln Caster) The king of the Infamous Four at Hawthorne Asylum. He's dangerous, dark, alluring, and scary. His fascination and obsession with Hawthorne's newest inmate may puzzle him but, she also brings out feelings in him that were long forgotten. This complex and intriguing character leaves you curious for more...

Gambrielle Evans....Sheltered, naive, but strong. She's already survived one hell only to find herself in another. Telling the truth about her sisters murder labled her mentally unstable and committed to Hawthorne Asylum. Her only goals are survival and bringing her sisters murderer to justice whatever the cost...Even her sanity...

This was a short read jam packed with introductions to characters and storylines that will play out as this series continues. I found myself deeply intrigued by Gambrelle and Laces relationship and am invested in seeing how it develops. Lark gives you a small taste of the other characters that make up the Hawthorne world and a WTHJH cliffhanger to make you desperately crave the next installment in this series.

This is a story that is refreshingly different and original. From beginning to end I was completely enthralled and wanting more. I am definitely looking forward to see what Tempi Lark has in store as this series continues.

I HIGHLY SUGGEST putting LACES on your TBR and doing it NOW! You'll thank me later 😘

*I was generously given an ARC copy of this book by the author/PR company for an honest review *
Profile Image for Alexandraa XX.
686 reviews586 followers
February 19, 2021
So they met the first time when the heroine goes to the hero’s room by accident because she have no idea where she is so she just goes to that room. The hero see her for the first time and have a little interest to her, he start to pay attention to her... IT WAS GOOD AT FIRST (i have a high hopes for it).

And then the hero really ruined everything...


ONE MINUTE HE WANTS THE HEROINE AND THE SECOND HE DOESN’T WANT THE HEROINE. ONE MINUTE HE DEFENDED THE HEROINE AND OTHER TIME HE REALLY BULLY HER. TOO MANY BACK AND FORTH BULLSHT WITH THIS STORY AND THE HERO!!!! TOO MANY PUSHING AWAY!!!!



THE HERO DOESN’T TRULY LOVES OR WANTS THE HEROINE EITHER. THATS WHY HE ACCEPTS TO PLAY GAMES WITH THE HEROINE WHEN THE OW ASKED HIM TO DO IT JUST BECAUSE THE HERO WANTS VODKA. HE SAID HE WILL DO IT IF THE OW BRINGS HIM THE ALCOHOL HE NEEDS....

EVEN IN THE END THE HERO WANTS SOMEBODY ELSE AND NOT THE HEROINE. HE SAID HE IS HORNYYY WITH SOMEONE ELSE AND NOT THE HEROINE. NO THIS IS NOT KIDDING.
He really truly said that to himself and to the heroine and to everybody.


I never even see a hero like this. The hero is soooo arrogant and it’s annoying to read him. HE IS SOOO FULL OF HIMSELF LIKE WTF LOL


SO THIS BOOK IS NOT SAFE LOVE STORY. ITS A DISASTER FOR YOUR MIND LOL.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Maria Vela.
114 reviews4 followers
January 27, 2021
Omg.. I loved it.. Laces had me laughing and crying throughout it all.. Couldn't put it down.. Now I need more Gam and Laces in my life..
Profile Image for M.
657 reviews280 followers
May 17, 2021
ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review -

Keep your head down and don't track attention.
That didn't quite work for Gambrielle - her first day in her new home, Hawthorne Asylum, brings her face to face with a monster. The one and only Laces. Running from the nurse and she ends up picking his room to try to hide in.
He is intrigued by this girl who barreling into 𝑯𝑰𝑺 room. He knows she could cause trouble for him.
Tasked with the job of "showing her around" has him groaning in hate and lust.
His gang of misfits have decided to take the stray in, to keep her close.

There is much more than meets the eye in this story. The dynamics between Gambrielle and Laces is cray cray. They shouldn't want each other, but sometimes you can't help who you want.
Laces could be her undoing. She just wants to do her time so she can get out and avenge her sister. She knows she shouldn't be locked away - only for telling the truth. Telling about what her step father did. She should not be punished for that and she will make him pay.

That ending --- What the hell!! Can't wait until book 2!! I need some answers!!
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