
Ratings link to their original sources; spice is sourced from romance.io, Hotlist readers, or clearly marked estimates.
Save this to your reading shelf and teach Hotlist what your kind of hot looks like.
Before reading
After reading
Trying to decide?
Save this book to a Hotlist to weigh ratings, spice, tropes, and reader reactions next to your other contenders.
Your Hotlist lens
Build your lens once, then Hotlist can judge whether books like this are your kind of hot.
Build your Hotlist lens💬 Mentioned in 10+ Reddit threads
Two young people who've only ever known each other and the darkness of exploitation suddenly find themselves thrust into the glittering chaos of New York City—free, but utterly lost. Karys and Zakai's bond was forged in unimaginable circumstances, a passionate connection that kept them alive when nothing else could, but this bright new world threatens to pull them apart in ways their old life never could. As they navigate the disorienting reality of school, strangers claiming to care for them, and the terrifying freedom to choose their own path, Karys must learn who to trust while fighting to hold onto the one person who's always been her anchor. This is a story about survival, redemption, and discovering that sometimes the greatest act of courage isn't escaping your past—it's learning how to build a future together.
Reading soundtrack
Sensual, dark, and defiant—raw indie and R&B vocals over moody electronic beats. Intimate yet haunting; passion wrapped in shadow. Artists like FKA twigs, The Weeknd, Sade, and Cigarettes After Sex. Yearning intensity meets dangerous devotion.
Alternate vibes
Grew up in captivity together and fell in love : r/RomanceBooks
Once We Were Starlight - Mia Sheridan
Once we were Starlight by Mia Sheridan : r/RomanceBooks - Reddit
Please help me get out of a book slump! I need an Angsty CR ...
They are each other's only safe space when they were kids (met as ...
Get this book