This series does nothing for me. It just wasn’t a good fit in terms of chemistry. Nothing wrong with it but just not for me. I would say though that the publisher needs to do something about the cover art. It’s cheap and repetitive across the market currently. If you care for the series, invest in a model and quality designer.

I had difficult time connecting with the story. Scarred is a (sort of) retelling of The Lion King. I didn't like the character of Tristan (Scar). He was a bit to over the top for me.

DNFd this one. The writing style just wasn't for me and the story was too cheesey I think the right person might enjoy it, I honestly should've known I wouldnt

I think this series is not for me. I tried to get into the first book but I could not get past the writing style. I would still recommend this series to people who enjoy this style of romance, however it was not for me.

So far this is my favorite dark romance from Emily McIntire. It’s loosely based on Lion King and I have to admit I was skeptical but oh I looooved Tristan. I loved this story line and the plot and how it all played out. Just very, very good!!

This second installation in the Never After series is a play on the Lion King, with Scar as the hero as the title suggests. It's a dark romance that changes the idea of who Scar and Mufasa are and the motivations that they hold. The heroine, Sara, is a strong, interesting character to follow and her story is enthralling from start to finish.

“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.”

Synopsis: She doesn’t belong to him… she belongs to the crown. Prince Tristan Faasa was not destined to be king, that was his brother's destiny. Michael was the same brother that’s responsible for the scar on Tristan's face and his tormented childhood. When their father dies, Michael is to assume the throne, and Tristan plans to steal it. A secret rebellion has been brewing with Tristan as their leader, he will stop at nothing to take the crown and become the new king. But Lady Sara Beatreux, Michael’s new betrothed arrives, and Tristan finds himself in the middle of a new war. The kind that makes one question what’s more important. The crown or the woman ready to wear it.
Sara has her own plan. Marry the King and destroy the Faasa line, even at the risk of her own possible death. But she never expected the Scarred Prince. He’s dangerous, forbidden, and one of the men she has been sent to kill. But the line between passion and hatred is thin, and when secrets are revealed Sara does not know whom she can trust. Torn between vengeance and the villain she was never supposed to love….

Thoughts: OH MY GOD. Every second of this book was phenomenal! This series has me in a chokehold and I will gladly die for it. Tristan is absolutely OBSESSED with Sara and ughhh it was amazing! The hunger he has to make her his, to have her even though she is not his to claim, and to get on his knees for her! Holy it was hot. He is witty, sarcastic, smart, and has a filthy mouth. It was so amazing that he could say such romantic and sweet things but also say the hottest filthiest things. I would fall in love with him too! Also Sara is such a badass! She is sassy, strong, and Tristan's equal in every way. Their chemistry is undeniable and intense! I loved it! Don’t even get me started on the smut!!! It had me fanning myself and screaming, sooo hot and spicy. Tristan and Sara are perfect for each other like puzzle pieces, they are explosive together and definitely belong together. Overall, I love this book and wish I could read it again for the first time!

This book includes:
Enemies to lovers
Touch her and you die
Boy Obsessed
Royal Forbidden Romance
Slow burn
Morally Gray villain
Hates everyone but her
The Lion King Fractured Fairytale Reimagining

5/5 stars
3.5/5 spice

Thank you Emily McIntire, Bloom Books, and NetGalley for providing an arc for
an honest review.

The Lion King isn’t the first fairy tale people think about when discussing retellings, but after reading this book, I’m not really sure why not. McIntire does a great job of morphing one of our favorite tales into this dark and grim setting. The characters she builds to portray the story line are dark and dirty, in a sort of mafia sense, but their chemistry is so strong.
Overall, while this isn’t a book that fits everyone’s taste, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and navigating my way through the world McIntire built. I look forward to reading her other works.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes. It was honestly better than the first book! I did have some issues with the contents but it was a dark fantasy. The author really has you rooting for the villains and I am here for it!! The enemies to lovers was really well done! Very excited to continue with the series!

I am truly in love with the Never After series! This was very well done and a very fun ride all the way to read! I am always a fan of dark romance and this one took the cake. It took me a minute to catch on that this was a retelling fractured tale for the Lion King, but I was definitely hooked on Emily's style of writing from the start. Very addictive and the spice was spot on!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Scarred is a dark villain focused alternate reality based on the Lion King. Overall Ms McIntire did amazing adapting the story we all know and love and setting it up to a 1940s time period monarchy. The story alternates between the povs of Tristan, the scarred prince, looking to start a rebellion, and Sara, the king's betrothed, who has her own devious intentions and revenge on her mind. Let's make this clear, this is NOT a villain becoming good story or not even a full villain is misunderstood story. Tristan is overall a very dark and damaged character and has developed a reputation and leans into it heavily and even lives up to it for fun. He's attempting to murder his brother and take the throne even if it means being the king of chaos (very littlefinger esque via game of thrones). It was overall a very good and quick read and I had fun connecting the characters in the book with their counterpart from the animated film with their creative name changes (Mufasa is now named Michael for example). The books is also VERY spicy so I wouldn't recommend reading it via audiobook on your speakers with little ones. I look forward to checking out the other books in this series.

I don't know that this needed to be set in the early 1900s considering it was already set in a different world. I'll definitely recommend this to Katee Roberts readers.

A reimagined look at a beloved childhood fairytale with a dark twist, what more could you want? This story follows a morally grey MMC and FMC who both have their secrets and reasoning to attempt to ascend the throne, neither involving the other. There's angst, tension, spice and a lot of hatred. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, much more than I initially expected. I wasn't particularly blown away by it, but I recommend this one. It was dark, fun and had me blushing! Great banter, and I'll be checking out the rest of the series!

The Lion King retelling was something I never knew I wanted until I read Scarred. I absolutely loved Tristan. Enemies to lovers at the absolute best, slow burn, forbidden romance, I loved this book so much. I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it in one sitting.

This one book really took me by surprise!!! I heard that this was a loose retelling of the lion king and I gotta say, I really enjoyed this one! The characters were so complex and the plot line had me gripped throughout the whole book. Emily McIntire did a fantastic job in building this high stakes political system that was equal parts entertaining and easy to follow. If this sounds like your kind of read, I recommend picking this one up!

I mean if we're talking lion king retellings, a Kovu story would have been a preference but this was good too. I love the way Emily Mcintire writes her male main characters and this was no different. We got a slow burn, enemies to lovers with a dark and forbidden man. Top tier writing.

Thank you #netgalley for a read of #scarred in exchange for my honest review

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me this free ARC in exchange for an honest review! Emily can do no wrong in my eyes!! This book was as amazing as hooked was, but I absolutely loved seeing all the little bits and pieces of the Lion King woven into the story so seamlessly. This series is one of my favorites, with the perfect balance of spice and plot that I want to go and read Emily’s entire backlist now!

This was the first book I read in the Never After series and not gonna lie was nervous about this being inspired by The Lion King. Like how was Emily going to adapt animated lions to a period royal dark romance. I will NEVER doubt Emily McIntire again!! Absolutely enjoyed this book. For more detailed book review and break down listen to Emotions and Potions Podcast episode of this book.

Scarred Podcast episode pt. 1 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/21h3Q50Gqi211RgCPZxmue?si=329078a3c43647b7
Scarred Podcast episode pt. 2 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0CTHv3lIy3F4nxNZ82Yjfk?si=dd82fba1583a4645