Alice Reyes

Hey dark romance lovers! I'm Alice Reyes, and I write the kind of stories that would make my Catholic school teachers clutch their rosaries in horror. (Sorry, Sister Margaret, but someone has to explore the shadows!)

Let me tell you a secret - I never meant to write dark romance. I was that quiet girl in the back of creative writing classes, penning what I thought were "proper" stories about meet-cutes and coffee shop romance. But the characters in my head had other plans. They whispered darker tales, stories of dangerous men and the women who refuse to break, even when their worlds shatter around them. Finally, I stopped fighting those whispers and let the darkness flow.

Now I write raw, gritty mafia romance that explores the razor's edge between salvation and damnation. My stories aren't pretty. They're not safe. But they're real - as real as fiction about dangerous crime lords and the women who bring them to their knees can be!

If you've read Cruel Games or Cruel Chains, you know I don't shy away from the heavy stuff. Trauma, redemption, obsession, power dynamics... it's all there, wrapped in a blood-soaked bow. Killian and Lily's story poured out of me during countless late-night writing sessions fueled by way too much coffee and my playlist of angsty alternative rock. (My neighbors probably think I'm crazy, blasting The Pretty Reckless at 3 AM while typing furiously.)

When I'm not torturing my characters (lovingly, I swear!), you'll find me wandering around old bookstores in Chicago, probably wearing all black and definitely carrying an iced coffee. I live with two judgmental cats who are absolutely no help with plotting but excellent at walking across my keyboard at crucial moments. They've accidentally named at least three characters.

Here's what you can expect from my books: - Morally gray (okay, mostly black) heroes who will burn the world down for their women - Heroines who give as good as they get - Steam that'll fog up your kindle - Violence (both emotional and physical - check those TWs!) - Complex power dynamics - And always, ALWAYS, an earned HEA (I may put them through hell, but I promise to get them out)

Fair warning: my books aren't for everyone. If you're looking for sweet, gentle romance, you might want to keep walking. But if you like your love stories with a heavy dose of darkness, welcome to my world. Pull up a chair, grab your favorite drink (you might need something stronger than coffee), and let's explore the shadows together.

I love connecting with readers on Instagram (@alicereyeswrites) where I share book updates, behind-the-scenes peeks at my writing process, and probably too many pictures of my cats. You'll also find me in my reader group, The Dark Corner, where we discuss everything from book recommendations to which fictional villains we'd risk it all for. (No judgment here - we all have our problematic faves!)

The Cruel series is just the beginning. I've got so many twisted tales waiting to be told, so many dangerous men lurking in my imagination, ready to meet their matches. If you're brave enough to join me on this journey, buckle up. It's going to be one hell of a ride.

And remember - in my books, the darkest nights lead to the brightest dawns. Eventually. After a lot of deliciously angsty chapters, of course!

Stay dangerous, Alice

P.S. Yes, Sister Margaret, I still remember my Hail Marys. I just choose to write about sinners instead. 😈