Dear Reader (Standard Edition): 1 (Devil's Backbone)

The first in a dark and suspenseful "why choose" romance series from TikTok sensation Tate James, perfect for fans of dark academia and morally gray love interests.

One secret university society. Four dangerous men. Zero chance of coming out unscathed.

Dear Reader,

You want my advice? Never look a gift horse in the mouth. You don't want to see the rotten teeth.

In this case, the gift is a scholarship to attend the prestigious Neveah University. The rotten teeth? Well, they came in the form of my brand new stepbrother and his little cohort of entitled, arrogant best friends. Four dangerously handsome and stupidly wealthy men who made up their minds about me long before we met. Men who are used to getting everything they want no matter what the price.

I was a big girl, I could ignore them. Then came the secret society hazing. Kidnappings. Crazy parties. Insane stunts. Mindblowing prizes. Even so, I could handle myself...until the stolen moments with men I had no business falling for. It was enough to give a girl nightmares.

Because, dear reader, this was only the beginning of my ordeal with the Devil's Backbone Society. How do I know?

I read about it...

Delicious tropes:

• Dark academia vibes
• Secret society
• Why choose/reverse harem
• Enemies to lovers
• Taboo romance
• Morally gray love interests
• Parties, power games, and twists galore

Readers are devouring:

"James drew me in with her words and then her storytelling skills had me devouring every page. Dear Reader was filled with mystery, angst, sizzling scenes and then that ending!! Can't wait for book 2." – USA Today Bestselling Author Leigh Rivers

"That ENDING! I gasped. Literally gasped out loud!"― ★★★★★ Goodreads review

"If you're into twisty, why-choose romances with a punch of psychological suspense and a narrator you can't quite figure out―Dear Reader is your next obsession."― ★★★★★ Amazon review

Tate James is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense, with occasional forays into fantasy, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy. She was born and raised in Aotearoa (New Zealand) but now lives in Australia with her husband and their adorable crotchfruit.

She is a lover of books, booze, cats, and coffee, and is most definitely not a morning person. Tate is a bit too sarcastic, swears far too much for polite society, and definitely tells too many dirty jokes.