Dear Reader

Devil's Backbone, Book 1

By: Tate James

Narrated by: Lilly Drake, James Joseph, Corvin King, Gregory Salinas, Michael Gallagher

Dear Listener,

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 secret and stolen moments with men I had no business falling for. It was enough to give a girl a nightmares.

©2025 Tate James (P)2025 Tate James

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25 | 🔥2 spice

As a Madison Kate fan through and through, I was pumped to dive into Dear Reader—and let me tell you, this secret society, dark academia rollercoaster did not disappoint.

We’re dropped into a world of elite college kids, creepy secret traditions, and potential mind control (yeah, it gets weird fast). Our FMC Ashley ends up at Nevaeh University after her mom marries rich—and suddenly she’s got a broody stepbrother Nate, plus his drool-worthy friends Royce, Heath, and Carter. Helloooo, trouble 😏

What starts as a typical rich-kid-university drama quickly turns into a thriller when Ashley finds the diary of Abigail, a former society member who—oh yeah—was murdered. Ashley starts digging into the Devil’s Backbone society, and let’s just say… they don’t love being investigated.

While not a full-blown reverse harem (yet?), we’re very much in “why choose?” territory with Carter and Heath vying for Ashley’s attention. And even though I know Tate James can bring the heat, this one was a little light on the spice for me. (Did someone forget to turn the burner on?)

Still, the pacing is fast, the plot is juicy, and that tragic cliffhanger at the end? RUDE. I’m crossing my fingers the next book gives me more answers… and more heat. 🔥

Bring on book two—I’m not done with these twisted secrets yet.

New favorite Tate story

I love having Tate back in my life 🤩🤩
This is definitely one of her best yet! I love the first book in a Tate series as we get to know the guys and the plot gets set up. I really admire Ashley as a FMC, she’s strong and determined to take zero crap from her new stepbrother and his friends. I enjoyed the set up of a secret journal and Ashley trying to uncover just how sinister the Devil’s Backbone society really is. 🤔🤔 the suspense is a perfect pace as you’re questioning just as much as Ashley is as new dangers pop up. As usual, it’s hard to decide on a favorite Tate MMC but I’m leaning towards Carter. There’s something about him 😅 BUT CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT CLIFFHANGER???? Tate how could you make us wait for the next book like this????
Note: Full cast narration was absolutely phenomenal. All the male narrators knocked the guys out of the park and Lilly Drake was perfection for Ashley’s character

What the Duck Tate

Tate James never ceases to amaze me with the endings of her books! She leaves my jaw on the floor and rips my heart out every time. I loved Dear Reader so much, Ashley and the DB boys have my heart and now I’m going to wait to find out if I truly need to cry or not.

Awesome!!

Totally took me by surprise!! The cliffhanger and now waiting for book 2!! Might need to hold off until closer to book 3!

Wow…just wow

This book was absolutely amazing! And I am absolutely addicted to the story! I’m recommending it to everyone!