Carving Graves

The KORT Series, Book 2

De: Brandy Hynes

Narrado por: Aiden Snow, Angelina Rocca

Never let them see. Always keep them guessing. Play their game.

Drowning and rising. Burning and dying.

Corruption and chaos. A heart in a box.

Snick. Flick. Flame.

LIAM

She’s my secret. My answer. My Ace.

I’m a cabal leader for KORT—not a man who gets involved. Never for more than a night.

Certainly not with Celeste Carver—a Daddy’s girl whose biggest problem is which politician to marry.

All I want is a taste.

But the pretentious princess burrows under my skin. And I’m tired of being polite.

Once she’s claimed, there’s no going back.

Not without ending up six feet under.

CELESTE

The Carver name comes with expectations. A legacy.

But no matter how hard I try or how much I hate him, my attention swings to Liam Graves.

Forbidden fruit.

He’s all golden god meets dark angel. Unhinged trouble.

Good thing I have a skilled poker face and a steel determination.

But in a blink, it all spins out of control.

Freedom is captivity.

Dead is alive.

Choice is a butchered pipe dream.

Unless I’m the one holding all the cards.

While the novel can stand alone, significant character development and important details about the character’s lives will be missed without first listening to BURNING IVY.

What to expect:

Jealous/Possessive Hero

Mafia/Secret Society

Found Family

Forbidden/ Secret Relationship

Close Proximity

He falls first and falls Hard

Action/Suspense

Touch her and Die

Praise

©2024 Night Bloom Press LLC (P)2024 Night Bloom Press LLC

This Series Just Keeps Getting Better

Carving Graves is book 2 in The KORT Series and once again, another page turner! The secrets and twists had me biting my nails the entire time. The relationship between Liam and Celeste was both spicy and swoon worthy. The spice was top notch and once again I fell in love with this little found family. I enjoyed the glimpses into Wells and Ivy’s life and the banter between everyone.
The attention to detail in this book and the way the narrators brought it to life was so amazing it was like I was seeing a movie in my head as I read. The narration was phenomenal. This is hands down my favorite performance from Aiden Snow to date. He was the perfect Liam; that deep and growly voice was perfect for not only delivering the dirty talk and possessiveness but he also portrayed Liam’s vulnerable side so well. Angelina Rocco brought Celeste’s fierce and fiery personality to life perfectly. The two both brought so much emotion to their performances as they brought this fantastic story to life.

Currently on ch 25

I love the plot so far…and I’ve always been open-minded in regard to narrators bc I haven’t read any of these books..

However, I did listen to Burning Ivy first and I think that’s why I’m disappointed in Celeste in this book-in the 1st book her personality was more outgoing, especially in conversations with Ivy directly; and she was more snippy when the crew showed up in Paris.

So far, Celeste is disappointing me-I know we’re supposed to get more insight to her thoughts (and actually I relate to these thoughts) but even when she has conversations with Ivy or any of the guys now, she comes off as very self conscious and has a lot of self doubt so far when she’s interacting with any of the guys…I guess in this book I expected more of her based on her former personality

Snick...Flick...Flame! Loved this!!!

Carving Graves is book #2 in the K.O.R,T. series and it is just as thrilling as book #1. **If you haven't read book #1, you are definitely getting spoilers with this story. Liam puts on a mask to hide years of abuse and pain, never showing his real self, never getting close to anyone. Until Celeste Carver. She's got a job to do for her family...marry a politician. She and Liam butt heads until that heated passion finds them in Smexytown. Another age-gap, uber protective, dark romance filled with suspense, intrigue and betrayal. This is a standalone with no cliffhanger. Just a sweet little tease for Ty's story!

The narration is *chef's kiss* perfect! Aiden Snow and Angelina Rocca bring ALL the Liam and Celeste vibes to their performance. This duo is 5/5 spice-filled stars!!

Mind altering

SNICK. FLICK. FLAME.

After reading Burning Ivy, I was obcessed. How did it take me so long to come across this author and her amazing series. This brings me to a whole nother level of mafia romance, I didn't know I was obcessed with.

Celeste Carver is Ivy's best friend and has a legacy of her own that she is expected to live up to. One she does not want. Liam Graves is a cabal leader for KORT who doesn’t get involved. Except where Celeste is involve. These two have chemistry that will alter everything.

With Celeste having worked her whole life to please her family, will Liam be the choice that she trades it all for? His tortured past has made him the man he is. The lifestyle that is forced upon Celeste is not one that Liam can stand by and let her suffer through. The way these two needed each other is mind altering.

Brandy has a way with words and captivating you from the very first page. The on page chemistry can be felt in your soul. The characters and their stories are pure perfection and leave you wanting so much more.

I listened to the audio version of this narrated by Angelina Rocca & Aiden Snow. These two brought these characters to life and I loved every minute of it.

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Book Tropes:
♠️ Morally Grey MMC
♠️ OTT J/P Hero
♠️ Hate to Love/Enemies to Lovers
♠️ Mafia/Secret Society
♠️ Dark Romantic Suspense
♠️ Forbidden/Secret Relationship
♠️ Forced Proximity
♠️ Found Family
♠️ He Falls First and HARD
♠️ Touch Her and 💀
♠️ Praise K!nk

I swear this series just keeps getting better...

Book two in the KORT series picks up just a little bit after where we left off in book one. Celeste has come to stay with Ivy and the guys for a bit. She's stuck between finding her own path and the pressure to follow the path her family is pushing her down. Unfortunately that path is pushing her to find a nice, boring politician to settle down with. Meanwhile she's finding it harder and harder to ignore her growing feelings for Liam.

Liam is so sure he knows exactly who Celeste is and what she wants out of life. The other guys in their tightknit, found family are finding ways to learn more about Celeste as a person and connecting with her in their own unique ways. This definitely goes a long way to get Liam to open his eyes and actually see her past the mask she puts on for everyone.

Along the way they try to unravel the mystery of who is after Celeste and her family and what's so important that it puts her in constant danger. Liam is determined to get Celeste to break free and stand up for herself while she's determined not to let her family down. Their journey is so intense, emotional, spicy, and just fantastic.

This book was so good! The nontraditional family they're all building is so amazing. I'm sitting over here making a wish list of potential books in this world. I want all their stories including the Noires and anyone else we collect along the way. Such a great world to dive into. Just two books in and it's definitely a series on my list to re-read later on down the road when I can binge them all when it's complete. I can't wait for Ty's story next.

AUDIOBOOK UPDATE: This was done in a duet style narration with a couple of great narrators bringing this story to life. The audiobook was a re-read for me and just made me fall in love with this story and this world as a whole all over again. So good!

Action packed

Carving Graves is the second book in the KORT series, and it can be read as a standalone, but reading the first book helps with the reading experience.

It’s been a while since I’ve read Burning Ivy, the first book, and I forgot the whole secret society aspect. But I loved it and how they were all so protective of each other; it was like their found family.

Now, Liam and Celeste. Wheew, they hated each other, but they also could not stay away from each other. The tension, the banter, the chemistry between them? So good.

This is action-packed, and it’s full of suspense. There were plot twists I didn’t see coming, and I love when that happens. I enjoyed this, and I can’t wait for the next book.

Audio:
Narrators: Angelina Rocca and Aiden Snow
Narration style: Duet

Both narrators did an amazing job bringing the story and characters to life. They both had the perfect voice for their respective character, and they definitely made this an enjoyable listening experience.

Liam and Celeste

I devoured this book!! I was obsessed with Burning Ivy and couldn’t see how this book could top it but it did! Move over Wells and make room for Liam.

I am obsessed with this book. It was so well written and descriptive, I love Brandy’s writing style. In Burning Ivy I was curious about Liam so I was so excited we got to know more about him in this book.
Liam and Celeste are perfect for each other. I loved their story. They had the best banter and chemistry. Celeste was such a great FMC. She was strong and loyal but she went through so much in this book. I really felt for her and how she was broken but trying to always be strong for everyone else. I was so happy with her character growth.
Liam was the ideal morally grey MMC. He was possessive, obsessed, but then also had a soft side and was vulnerable with Celeste and I honestly ate it up.
I also really enjoy the found family aspect of the book. The group as a whole has the best banter. Celeste and Ivy would do anything for each other.
This book had me on my toes!! I was literally screaming at the end and my mouth dropped! There were so many twists and secrets revealed that I did not see coming and I could not get enough.

I listened to the audio of this book and the narrators did a fantastic job! Aiden Snow was perfect for Liam!!! I also enjoyed Angelica Rocca for Celeste. Both of the narrators really became the characters, and it made me not want to stop listening.

Rating ⭐️: 5/5
Spice 🌶️: 3/5
Audio 🎧: 5/5

🖤 Mafia/ secret society
🖤 He falls first & hard
🖤 Touch her & 💀
🖤 Found family
🖤 Morally grey MMC & strong FMC
🖤 Possessive/ Jealous MMC
🖤 Forbidden/ secret relationship
🖤 Close proximity

Fantastic narration!

RATING: ✩✩✩✩✩
SPICE: 𓃹𓃹𓃹.5

Celeste! I loved her from the moment I met her in Burning Ivy. In this book she grapples not only with what her future will look like, the impressed upon notion to “play their game”, but she also struggles with where she fits in Ivy’s new world.

“If you’re going nowhere, I’m coming with you.”

The highlight of their friendship was one of the many things I loved about this book.

Oof!! & some of these scenes 🫠 I knew Liam was gonna be something else.

This man! This woman! Liam & Celeste are such a smart, fiery duo. Their dislike for one another & banter during their initial interactions sparks the match for their battle of wills. It’s hot! & seeing their relationship evolve was even hotter. But with the spice also comes another compelling storyline for Brandy Hynes.

I clearly liked it so much I read it twice! I was fortunate enough to get an ALC. Narrators Angelina Rocca & Aiden Snow had my jaw on the floor with their performances. Perfection! I’m a sucker for duet, & this had me fully captivated. Make sure to read Burning Ivy prior to picking this baby up.

Book 2 has me falling deeper in love!

*ALC review* How do you make me love a book that I've already read and loved? You cast Angelina Rocca and Aiden Snow as the FMC/MMC and let them work their magic!! I already loved Liam and Celeste's story, but the passion and emotions that Angelina and Aiden brought to these characters made me fall even harder! It enhanced so many parts that I was already familiar with, but each scene that unfolded felt fresh and new as if I hadn't already known what was going to happen. Banter that was already so good in the book, were that much better brought to life by these narrators! Thank you so much to Wordsmith Publicity for allowing me a chance to listen to this story and experience the world of Kort all over again!

Outstanding!

Book two in the KORT series continues Celeste's journey as she navigates her integration into the unconventional family with Ivy and her companions. As she faces the pressure of choosing between her family's traditional expectations, and discovering her true aspirations, her relationship with Liam deepens. Initially confident he understands her, Liam, alongside their group, begins to explore the layers of Celeste's identity, revealing new facets even he overlooked.

Amid personal growth, an unseen threat looms over Celeste and her loved ones, adding tension to her internal struggles. Liam’s determination to empower her as they confront these challenges enhances the emotional intensity of the story. The narrative is rich in humor, tenderness, and camaraderie, creating a heartwarming portrayal of their unconventional family. I'm left eager to explore untold stories of the enigmatic Noires and new characters, as the vibrant world of this series continues to captivate my imagination.

Brandy Hynes excels at weaving insights into Wells and Ivy's lives, capturing their unique essences with remarkable skill. The playful banter between characters flows seamlessly, evoking a sense of authenticity and vitality that breathes life into their interactions. The level of detail throughout this book and the narrators’ exceptional performances create a stunning reading experience akin to a cinematic journey unfolding in my mind.

In his portrayal of Liam, Aiden Snow delivers his most compelling performance yet; his deep, growly voice beautifully conveys the character's intricate blend of possessiveness and vulnerability. Meanwhile, Angelina Rocco breathes life into Celeste’s fiery spirit with impressive depth and palpable passion. Together, their dynamic performances infuse the narrative with raw, evocative emotion, transforming this already captivating story into an unforgettable experience that resonates long after the final page.