Emily McIntire

Once Upon A Time,
there was a king who passed.
He left behind two sons,
one beloved and one outcast.
The older of the two was set to take the throne,
but before he could he had to find a queen to call his own.
The younger one was known to be unruly and unhinged.
The chosen queen was warned to keep far away from him.
Beautiful and cunning, in the light is where she stayed.
But late at night, it was the shadowed lands in which she played.
Mistakes were made and secrets forged;
forgetting duty and her sense.
And while the new king had her hand,
her heart belonged to the scarred prince.

Scarred is a DARK Royal Romance. It is not a retelling or fantasy. It contains subject matter which may be triggering for some. Reader discretion is advised.

Scarred 

She doesn’t belong to him…she belongs to the crown.

Prince Tristan Faasa was never destined for the throne. That was always his brother, Michael. The same brother responsible for both Tristan’s tormented childhood and the scar that mars his face. When their father dies, Michael is set to assume the throne, and Tristan is set to steal it. The leader of a secret rebellion, Tristan will stop at nothing to end his brother’s reign. But when Michael’s new betrothed, Lady Sara Beatreaux arrives, Tristan finds himself in the middle of a new kind of war. The kind that begs the question of what’s more important, the crown or the woman about to wear it.

Sara has one plan. Marry the King and eradicate the Faasa line, even at the risk of her own peril. But she never expects the Scarred Prince. He’s dangerous. Forbidden. And one of the men she’s been sent to kill. But the line between hatred and passion has never seemed so thin, and as secrets come to light, Sara grows unsure of whom she can trust—torn between vengeance and the villain she was never supposed to love. 

Never After Series, Book #2

Scarred

AHHH!! She’s stronger than me because I would’ve folded right these.

Ivory Flores

“The truth is, I am yours. Wholly. Inexplicably. Painfully. Unconditionally.” He moves my hand until the dagger presses against his throat. “And if you need to sacrifice my soul so you’re able to live with yours, then do it.” 

Holly 

Gratefulness wraps around my chest and tugs. "He's risked his life to give you yours," I cut in."But this isn't just about him. I will get him back with or without your help. This is about standing up and seizing the moment. About vengeance for every time they've killed someone for simply speaking truth. For every curse, every name, every bruised and broken bone as they screamed you weren't worthy."

"Do you believe in God? he mutters, staring down at the hash. 

I place my hands in my pockets, tilting my head. “I do." 

“You hardly attend mass." He peers at me from under his brows. 

"There's a difference in beliefs and blind worship, Michael. One builds a sense of self, and the other strips it away." 

The words he just said so casually should give me pause, but they don't. They excite me more. It's intoxicating to have a man willing to do anything just so he can keep touching you.

"Your Majesty." Xander's voice breaks through the fog. "May I cut in?" 

Michael nods, and it doesn't escape my notice that I never get a say. No one asks if I’d like to continue. They just pass me around ike an obiect, here for everyone's viewing pleasure.

The shiny tile reflects people's smiling faces as they drink and dance the night away, and I can't help but feel like I'm watching a show. Hundreds of people who live in an alternate reality, so different from what I know to be the truth. 

But isn't that the case with almost everything? We spin tales and weave stories, creating a narrative that dictates how we’re perceived. Or in some cases, how others live.

There have been many moments when life has smacked me upside the face and opened my eyes to the realities that drain your innocence away, but this is the first time thatI realize how experience can be so vastly different for two people. 

To me, my father's murder was life altering. But to her, it was just another day. 

I vow right here to never take death for granted, that even if people's lives end, I’ll pray for them and the families of those who loved them. Everyone deserves to be remembered, even ifit's to imagine their soul burning in the pits of hell.

“That’s right," I say. "Water is the most powerful element in the world. Calm when needed and ferocious when tried. Never assume you know something's power because of how it appears" 

"Don't you read the papers, Sara?" His brow quirks. "What is there to know of me other than what the people have already said?” 

His smile widens as he speaks, but there's a sadness that whips across his features so fast you can barely see it. A pang hits the center of my chest, but I brush it off, reminding myself that I don't care how he suffers. He deserves to suffer for the pain his family has caused.

And it only takes so many times of being thrown in the dirt and told you're a freak for you to believe it. That because you're a little different, you're somehow less than.

NEWS OF MICHAEL'S PROPOSAL HAS SPREAD, AND things are happening in the castle. Almost everyone in the king's inner circle already knew why I was here, but now their heads bow a little deeper, their spines notch a litle straighter. Respect that I have done nothing to earn is handed to me on a silver platter, simply because a man with the “right" blood in his veins asked for my hand.

"Brute force can win a war, I start, heat dancing against my fingertips. "But our strength is in patience. In planning. That is what topples empires. Together we rule, divided we fall."

I haven't given you any power," I seethe, my hand itching to reach out and smack the grin off his face. 

He tsks, shaking his head. “That's the thing about power, ma petite menteuse. It’s never given freely. You have to take it.”

Before coming to Saxum, l’d always been free to roam where I please-within reason-and then retreat to my room and bask in the solitude. But now, the only time l get to myself is in my bed at night. 

I never realized how suffocated it makes me to be surrounded please- by people. 

It's now been four days since I've seen or heard from my husband-to -be. And while my mind should be focused on the future and everything I came here to accomplish, I'm finding it... difficult. But not for the reasons it should be.

Ophelia, a young girl with rosy cheeks and bright red hair, and Marisol, a woman who is here to help train me for the king. Both of them sit in front of me, whispering words of adoration any time I so much as blink. 

Part of me is disgusted because I know their loyalty is false, but the other part is enjoying their attention. There's something nice about being treated so well, even if it comes from a place of wanting to climb a social ladder.

They won’t say anything of importance in front of me, especially before we’re wed, and if I’m honest, most likely even after. Women aren’t granted the same respect as a man, as if what's between my legs has anything to do with the way my brain works or my ability to process information.

Xander spins toward him, his hand whipping through the air. "Are you not concerned, sire? Reginald is dead. And a filthy jackal has made it into court and tossed his severed head at your feet. screaming about 'the rebel king." 

… My eyes flick back and forth between them. Did he just call that woman a jackal? My jaw tightens at the derogatory name. It's no secret that's what the have-nots are called in this country, but to hear it being spoken so plainly, as if they aren't worthy of names or respect just because of their circumstance, slaps against my insides and makes me seethe with anger. 

 Besides, sometimes the only way to enact genuine change is by becoming part of the machine and ripping out the broken pieces yourself. 

Spinning until I face her, I lean down, reaching out to wipe her face, the ridge of her cheek hard against my palm. She sucks in a breath as she looks up at me, her eyes shimmering, and l press my thumb into her skin before pulling away to glance at my hand. 

My stomach burns when I realize the pads of my fingers are still dry as a bone. 

“Mother,"I tsk."Stop the dramatics. Any more fake tears and you’ll wrinkle.”

If you want to burn down hell, you must learn to play the devil's game.

Why is this the most romantic thing I ever heard a man say🫠🥹

Linsey Mombert

"If something happens, know that I will find you in every lifetime, Sara Beatreaux. You are mine, and not even death can keep you from me."

"Because, ma petite menteuse, the thought of not kissing you makes me want to die."

Kendall Deranek

Her sorrow is now my sorrow. Her pain is now my pain.

Ugh. Not sure whether I love or hate him. Definitely leaning towards love…strongly…

"Show me your pain, little doe. Give it to me so you don't bear it alone," I rasp against her mouth as I suck down her cries.

♥︎

The middle was kinda slow but the end was SO RUSHED BUT SO GOOD. 

Also miss girl needed a backbone at certain points.

And I need a book on Simon thank you very much Emily ly 😍

Stranded 

The middle was kinda slow but the end was SO RUSHED BUT SO GOOD. 

Also miss girl needed a backbone at certain points.

And I need a book on Simon thank you very much Emily ly 😍



Loses 0.2 stars for the ending because there is no way those two gave up the crown for the bastard child. I’m sorry his storyline was cute, Simon was a great character, but there is literally no way. 

This book sucked me in right from the beginning!! I was pleasantly surprised because although I did enjoy Hooked, i felt it dragging in places, whereas this actually had me hooked the whole way through. It was the perfect vibes for me.

Tristan and Sara, what a duo is all I can say. Tristian really went burning the whole place down just to get her back. Such an angsty, feisty, fiery romance. 

🌞Laur🌞

Loses 0.2 stars for the ending because there is no way those two gave up the crown for the bastard child. I’m sorry his storyline was cute, Simon was a great character, but there is literally no way. 

This book sucked me in right from the beginning!! I was pleasantly surprised because although I did enjoy Hooked, i felt it dragging in places, whereas this actually had me hooked the whole way through. It was the perfect vibes for me.

Tristan and Sara, what a duo is all I can say. Tristian really went burning the whole place down just to get her back. Such an angsty, feisty, fiery romance. 

I feel like this book was no where near as good as the first as the main characters didn’t feel connected. I honestly felt slightly uncomfortable reading certain scenes… just didn’t feel right since they had no real tension until the end but the plot was still fun and the characters were cute

Robyn Harley

Amanda Medeiros

I won’t lie I didn’t know how this one was going to go. It started off really slow and seemed really repetitive at first and I was starting to worry. But I stuck it through and the second half of the book really made up for it. While I do think the ending was a bit rushed it was still good. I can’t speak much to the fairytale it stemming from because I may have not of watched it growing up but the book was unique nonetheless to me.  I am excited to continue on with the series and what it will bring next!

Priscilla Stanfield

Not much to say about this one. Decent plot. Good romance and smut. Tristan was pretty dilectable but would’ve liked a family tree I got a bit confused 

ariah 

Nouran Hazem

Tiffany

brilliant. as always from Emily

It took me 200 pages (and a video on tiktok) for me to link this and the Lion King. I feel a little dumb, but I like to think that is what makes Emily great. She’s taken a beloved film and twisted it, the bases of the story similar, but made it her own. Maybe without some (like me) noticing. I was trying to figure out film it was, and was rather annoyed when I came to the conclusion it wasn’t linked at all and just another (smutty) fairy tale story… oh how I was wrong.
A certain death left me crying. I felt happy when they did. I didn’t see the twists…. Magical.

Okay dark romance.  Second in the series, the rebel plot was a bit mismanaged, so preferred the first book.  Will continue the series.

Jenny Engel

Taylor Arevalo

Are there some similarities to Hooked? Sure. But not enough that make this feel redundant. If anything I like this one slightly more than Hooked because of the forbidden romance element.

Nouran

This may be an unpopular opinion, but this book is so much better than 

. Maybe I think that because I was obsessed with 

 as a kid and I loved Scar (I literally had glow in the dark pajamas with Scar on them). 

I did think the writing in this one was much better. I thought the pacing of the story was much better too. I liked the politics of it all and how the betrayals for the throne were planned and eventually played out. I did think the ending was a bit rushed and a little anticlimactic. Although I loved that the scene where Tristan killed Michael was reflective of Scar killing Mufasa. From the way Tristian’s hand gripped Michael’s to Michael hanging off of the cliff side and the things Tristian and Michael said.

I loved the conflict and dynamic between Tristan and Michael. I thought it was so well done. The reason why they hated each other added to the complexity of their relationship and the situation with Tristian wanting to overthrow his brother for the throne. 

Overall, I liked Sara. I like that she can fight back and hold her own, but she wasn’t that dynamic of a character. 

I do love Tristan and Sara together though. Although, some of the things they do and say are definitely dark. Tristian quite literally burned down the entire kingdom for her. He burned the world down. For her. And the way he tells her that her pain is his too. I fell in love. Although, Tristian was a bit confusing because one minute he’s telling  Sheina he’ll let the rebels gang rape her and the next he’s lifting Simon up and telling him he is strong and brave.

I loved Simon too. I loved his relationship with Tristian. It was so cute and I was glad we saw that side of Tristian since he is such a dark character. The way Simon wants to be just like Tristian, down to the tattoos…which he ends up getting. And when Simon as Tristan to be his father…oh my. So sweet and heartbreaking. And the end! Tristian handing the crown off to Simon was the best way to end this. I loved it so much.

This may be an unpopular opinion, but this book is so much better than Hooked. Maybe I think that because I was obsessed with The Lion King as a kid and I loved Scar (I literally had glow in the dark pajamas with Scar on them). 

I did think the writing in this one was much better. I thought the pacing of the story was much better too. I liked the politics of it all and how the betrayals for the throne were planned and eventually played out. I did think the ending was a bit rushed and a little anticlimactic. Although I loved that the scene where Tristan killed Michael was reflective of Scar killing Mufasa. From the way Tristian’s hand gripped Michael’s to Michael hanging off of the cliff side and the things Tristian and Michael said.

I loved the conflict and dynamic between Tristan and Michael. I thought it was so well done. The reason why they hated each other added to the complexity of their relationship and the situation with Tristian wanting to overthrow his brother for the throne. 

Overall, I liked Sara. I like that she can fight back and hold her own, but she wasn’t that dynamic of a character. 

I do love Tristan and Sara together though. Although, some of the things they do and say are definitely dark. Tristian quite literally burned down the entire kingdom for her. He burned the world down. For her. And the way he tells her that her pain is his too. I fell in love. Although, Tristian was a bit confusing because one minute he’s telling  Sheina he’ll let the rebels gang rape her and the next he’s lifting Simon up and telling him he is strong and brave.

I loved Simon too. I loved his relationship with Tristian. It was so cute and I was glad we saw that side of Tristian since he is such a dark character. The way Simon wants to be just like Tristian, down to the tattoos…which he ends up getting. And when Simon as Tristan to be his father…oh my. So sweet and heartbreaking. And the end! Tristian handing the crown off to Simon was the best way to end this. I loved it so much.

Faith Kitowski

TRISTIANNNNNN I LOVE YOU. ALSO CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE QUOTES PLEASE

Loved it! I heard multiple people saying Scarred was not as good as Hooked, but I likes Scarred just as much if not more!

Emma Kamer

this one. this one, so so good. the little side lion king bits plus royal plus tristan i love. the way he falls for her and treats her is everything 

grayson gruber

loved this wayyy more than the first book, it was just something about it. i loved sara more than wendy, and maybe it was just their personalities but this couple fit so much more than james and wendy. i love how this wasn't a straight "retelling" and the author brought many new names and characters unlike the first one. and i have to say, i might be biased, but the lion king has always been better than peter pan, no arguements.

Niyah<3

at first, i was like “i want this to be as straightforward as 

” but oh dear, it really is a slow burn. 

i couldn’t put it down. i just couldn’t stop reading. i wanted to keep reading so i can reach on pages of Tristan and Sara’s interactions with each other.

Tristan’s energy was so powerful and charming. i enjoyed reading his thoughts about his feelings and that romantic and naughty mouth of his! got me melting 🫠

it has the plot and it has the romance but without being achy. thankfully, my heart was safe reading this one.

i loved it and i’d recommend it unreservedly.

 : This has to be my favourite of the series so far, because i loved Tristan's mouth and attitude, whilst enjoying the rest of the book as well. i liked Sara's character and i liked the fact that i didn't cry. end of story.

Christina Farkona

OMG! did i say that i’m in love? 😍

at first, i was like “i want this to be as straightforward as Hooked” but oh dear, it really is a slow burn. 

i couldn’t put it down. i just couldn’t stop reading. i wanted to keep reading so i can reach on pages of Tristan and Sara’s interactions with each other.

Tristan’s energy was so powerful and charming. i enjoyed reading his thoughts about his feelings and that romantic and naughty mouth of his! got me melting 🫠

it has the plot and it has the romance but without being achy. thankfully, my heart was safe reading this one.

i loved it and i’d recommend it unreservedly.

UPDATE : This has to be my favourite of the series so far, because i loved Tristan's mouth and attitude, whilst enjoying the rest of the book as well. i liked Sara's character and i liked the fact that i didn't cry. end of story.

i think that this one and Wretched are the most romantic and spicy of all.

📚

Leisha Chadwick

i absolutely LOVED this!! i thought that i enjoyed hooked but wow, it was nothing compared to how good scarred is! i love the message that the entire storyline is based off also & i am head over heels for tristan 😮‍💨

I had high expectations for this book so maybe that’s why I was so disappointed. I know it’s a stand alone but it moved way too fast for me. The spicy scenes were not written very well in my opinion. There were many moments where I thought it would get better, but it never did. Just stayed mediocre. But it was a good concept.

Cheyenne Willis

Once Upon A Time, There was a king who passed. He left behind two sons, one beloved and one outcast. The older of the two was set to take the throne, but before he could, he had to find a queen to call his own. The younger one was known to be unruly and unhinged. The chosen queen was warned to keep far away from him. Beautiful and cunning, in the light is where she stayed. But late at night, it was the shadowed lands in which she played. Mistakes were made and secrets forged; forgetting duty and her sense. And while the new king had her hand, her heart belonged to the scarred prince. *Scarred is a dark royal romance. It is not a retelling, and it is not fantasy. It has mature situations and themes which may be considered triggers for some. Reader discretion is advised.*

Amelia 

Tristan Faasa could degrade the f**k out of me and I would still get on my knees ;)

Scarred

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