Scarred (Never After Series)

h, so I just finished Scarred by Emily McIntyre, and honestly, it’s for all of us who secretly had a thing for the villain growing up. Like, screw the hero—give me the guy with the moral ambiguity and the better wardrobe any day. This one’s a Lion King retelling, but in a way that feels fresh. The character names are clever little nods to the original, which made my nerdy heart happy, and Emily manages to weave in some real-world issues without it feeling preachy. The pining? Perfectly painful. The character growth? Solid. And the smut? Yeah, it’s good. Like, really good. That said, the beginning was a bit of a slog for me. It just felt slow, and the whole “virgin heroine” thing? I don’t know, it feels kind of overplayed at this point. Like, we get it, she’s pure—now can we move on? But honestly, even with those little annoyances, the story just works. The writing can get a bit all over the place sometimes, but it weirdly fits the vibe. It’s chaotic in a way that keeps you hooked. It’s not some deep, life-changing read, but it’s fun. It’s steamy. It’s exactly the kind of thing you pick up when you want a quick escape and a morally gray love interest who makes you question your life choices. Definitely worth it, even if I did roll my eyes a couple times along the way

3.5⭐ | 4🌶️ Tristan Faasa (Scar) is planning a coup. Sara is betrothed to his brother and plotting revenge. But neither can deny their attraction… the result is a dark, steamy, and heart-wrenching romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Tropes: 💞 Enemies to Lovers 🚫 Forbidden Romance 🗡️ Revenge Mission 👑 Royal Romance ⚔️ Morally Grey Hero 🖤 Dark Romance 🔒 Secret / Hidden Relationship 📜 Fractured Fairy Tale Retelling Review: I really enjoyed this one—what a fascinating twist on The Lion King, with Scar stepping into the “hero” role. Sara is an easy FMC to love: kind, brave, cunning, and shrewd, with a strong sense of justice that makes her both relatable and compelling. Tristan, like the other MMCs in this series, is morally grey—sometimes even black—and harder to love at first. But as the story unfolds, you understand his tragic backstory and the reasons behind his darker choices. You start to empathize with him, seeing that his actions are often for the greater good, which adds incredible depth to his character. The character development throughout the novel is strong, and I was engrossed from start to finish. Once Tristan finally realizes he loves Sara, their romance is heart-wrenching, sweet, and completely satisfying. And the spice? Absolutely steamy and engrossing. Overall, this is a fantastic fairy tale retelling from the villain’s POV, blending morally complex characters, high-stakes tension, and a slow-burn romance that delivers both emotional depth and steamy payoff. A must-read for fans of dark romance and twisted fairy tales.

Interesting and intriguing story with references and allusions to the inspired source material. The plot follows Hamlet/Lion King much more closely than Hooked did Peter Pan, but was different enough that I stayed interested. However, many of the intimate scenes were not to my taste. Dark romances should be sensual and tempting in my opinion. Aside from some moments early in the novel and a fascination with candles, this had crude and even repetitive descriptions. SPOILERS My favorite parts actually often involved Simon, which amused me. I also really liked the artistic/drawing aspect to Tristan and wish that had been explored more with Sara. My biggest gripe, as mentioned, were the intimate scenes. A lot of them were more crudely described than I like, focusing on an act instead of a sensation. Perhaps the author tried to make the scenes more animalistic. Whatever it was, it really didn't work for me and jarringly threw me out of the story enough that my first version of this review was only 3*. Some of the words used didn't describe sensations, but just reported graphic actions, which could sound unpleasant if not "felt" with the character. Other gripes I had were smaller, but still annoyed me. How did Sara not see the big hyena tattoo? While this is brought up later in the book, it just made her seem oblivious at best. This could have easily been handled differently without altering the plot. I'm not really sure what the point of Tristan's torturing hobby was. It had no consequences. Edward and the rebels stayed loyal, Sara never witnessed it, and Michael died before experiencing it. The torture focus just felt unnecessary to the story. Tristan still would have been "dark" by violently killing and maiming people without addition of the torture cabin scenes. Sara B. (I love the abbreviation) was interesting, but I feel like she should have been more successful in her endeavors. She was pretty much caught/discovered every time she did something, and we only really got to see her blade skills once (which was a great moment). Her Rogue skill failures weren't limited to propping up Tristan - sometimes they just happened across each other - so maybe that was supposed to hint at something being off about her mission (considering her family's true goal). It was still frustrating though, and I'd have liked to see her take out more opponents. I didn't like that Tristan kept using the "little doe" nickname. I wanted him to change it to "my lioness." The author got my hopes up at one point, but nope! Missed opportunity in my opinion. The setting was a bit odd. There are some Les Mis vibes, so connections to France makes sense; however, the book refers to France as another place and Lady Sara Beatreaux, daughter of a Duke, doesn't speak French even though the prince does and a lady in waiting has family there. What ethnicity is Beatreaux and is it really not francophone?

This is Emily McIntire's second book in her Never After series. This was a dark romance and a fractured fairytale, where the villain gets the happily ever after. In the early 1900s, when the king dies, his first born is preparing to take the throne, while his second born is preparing to steal it. Michael and Tristan are brothers who never got along and were always fighting, not to mention Michael is also the reason for the scar on Tristan's face. Tristan is leading the rebellion to steal his brother's throne and nothing will get in his way...except maybe Sara. The woman who is brought to the castle to marry his brother and become queen. But there is more to Sara than meets the eye, Tristan is instantly drawn to her and her sweet smile, doe eyes, quick tongue, feisty, independent, and strong-willed personality, as well as the sense that she's keeping a big secret of her own. Sara came to the castle with a plan of her own and she is willing to risk her life to see it through. I felt like it took a little bit for me to get into the story of this one, only because Hooked was soo good, there was definitely a book hangover after that story ended. But once this story got going and I was getting to know the characters I was captivated. There were so many Lion King references which made the story even more enjoyable. And also, the audio of this book is so good, the dual narrators did such a good job with voices and accents. I loved this book! 🧡📚

Scarred by Emily McIntire 4.5 stars 4 chilis “You could burn down the entire kingdom until it’s nothing but charred rubble, and I would crawl over the embers with glee, so long as I could worship at your feet.” If that quote doesn’t convince you to read this book, then I don’t know what else I can say. I was not ready, friends! This Never After Series is no joke. I liked Hooked, but I LOVED Scarred. Tristan is the sexy, brooding anti-hero that I didn’t know I needed in my life. In this second book in the Never After Series, Sara B seeks revenge against the people who killed her father. With her uncle’s encouragement, she enters into an arranged marriage to the king, Michael Faasa, the man she believes is responsible for her father’s death. Her plan is to eliminate the entire Faasa family from the inside out. What she doesn’t expect is to catch feelings for Tristan, Michael’s brother, known throughout the kingdom as the scarred prince. Tristan is dark and dangerous and is working on his own revenge plot against the king. Perhaps Michael’s beautiful new fiance can help him with that. 😏 This dark, suspenseful romance is full of court intrigue and drama with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. I could not put this down! McIntire’s writing style is creative and immersive and drew me right in. The story is twisted, suspenseful and steamy! It’s a slow burn, so it takes a while for these two to get together but when they do it is worth the wait. I LOVE a well written morally gray main character and Tristan is fire. He is no hero…he is a villain through and through but you find yourself rooting for him anyway. Sara B a strong, fearless female in a world dominated by men. She knows how to play the court’s games and keep her true intentions a secret. These two could not be more perfect together and watching them dance around the inevitable was half the fun. I love how McIntire took elements of The Lion King and sprinkled them throughout the story and I can’t wait to see what tale the third book is going to incorporate. This is my second book by this author and I can’t wait to check out her other works. Scarred is available now on kindle unlimited.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Dark, Daring, and Deliciously Devastating Emily McIntire’s Scarred (Collector’s Edition) is everything a fractured fairy tale should be—twisted, seductive, and emotionally raw. This special edition is a feast for the senses: sprayed edges, illustrated endpapers, and a red ribbon marker that feels like a blood-red thread tying you to every page. 👑 The Story: Prince Tristan Faasa is the tormented anti-hero you’ll fall for against your better judgment. His scarred face and darker motives make him the perfect foil to Lady Sara Beatreaux, whose mission to destroy the Faasa line is complicated by forbidden desire. Their chemistry is explosive, their secrets devastating, and the stakes—both political and personal—are sky-high. 🔥 The Vibe: Think enemies-to-lovers meets royal rebellion, with a dash of vengeance and a whole lot of steam. McIntire doesn’t shy away from morally gray characters, and that’s what makes this tale so intoxicating. It’s not a retelling—it’s a reimagining, and it’s unapologetically bold. 📚 The Edition Itself: This hardcover is a collector’s dream. The full-color art and exclusive case design elevate the reading experience, making it feel like you’re holding something truly special. It’s not just a book—it’s a statement piece for your shelf. 💬 Favorite Highlight: > “You could burn down the entire kingdom until it’s nothing but charred rubble, and I would crawl over the embers with glee, so long as I could worship at your feet.”

I really enjoyed the world the author created in this one. No, you do NOT need to read Hooked to read this. They are in no way connected. This is a reimagining based loosely on The Lion King. I would say certain elements at least, draw inspiration from that story. This story takes place in 1910, in Gloria Terra, ruled by the Faasa Family. Michael has taken the throne as King after his father’s death, and his brother Tristan is none too happy about it. Sara B. comes from Silva, an area that has fallen on hard times, which she blames the royal family for. Through a Trojan horse, she has been arranged to marry Michael and become queen. One thing to know about this book is that EVERYONE has an agenda. Everyone. This makes for good plot twists. My only issue with this book was the lack of chemistry between the characters. I really didn't care about the romance at all. Everything else, the world building, side characters, plot, was great. 4.5 Stars.

After picking up Hooked, and not being able to put it down, I knew I would need more. I am head over heels for Ms. McIntire's writing style. There is magic in the way even the smallest details are described that keep the reader enthralled. Nothing pulls me out of a book faster than rereading the same exact line in every chapter to describe different scenes or characters. So, the fact that she keeps it new and fresh with all the wonderful, and very colorful, descriptions is like finding treasure within a treasure. I also love that she promises villains, and that's exactly what we get. None of the sappy 'I can fix him with love' kinda storyline. Just an appreciation for what made us love the character and an understanding that not everything needs fixing. I also really liked how the characters have weaknesses. It's too easy, and tempting, to write characters that are nearly invincible, but it takes away from the storyline and loses the emotional impact. Both Tristan and Sara know they have limits, that are used against them, and they have had to learn how to use their other strengths, or their enemies failures, to their advantage. The plot twist also successfully got me, which isn't an easier thing to do. But the author also got me in Hooked. It's a bit of a slower burn starting out, allowing the reader to fully submerge in and enjoy the plot, get to know the characters and their motivations, and properly sets the mood before diving into that delicious spice🌶🌶🌶🌶 I'd put the spice at 4/6. I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy an actual story with your kink. While there are some sweetish words and 'good girls', this is not a sweet and cuddly, prince charming type fairytale. There are definitely little call outs that link it to the Lion King, but they're fairly gentle reminders. It just added another fun layer to the overall experience; seeing how many you can't recognize. I can honestly say that I don't think I'll ever be able to watch the Lion King or see Scar in the same light again. The only downside is that the ending felt a bit rushed. Specifically, chapters 55 & 56. They lacked all the emotional turmoil that fills the rest of the book. I felt like both scenes deserved...more. I did like how the epilogues played out, and I'd be very interested in another book about Simon's story. It's really just those last two chapters that felt flat.

Fue un regalo y me gusta

I enjoy it! The story by itself is great. Loved Tristan, Sarah , Simon and Michael. Very well written, the plots are amazingly very well built, I didn’t expect the ending☺️

Wow oh wow Emily has done it again! This is the second standalone book in the never after series, and is as entertaining, twisted, spicy and thrilling as the first. Whilst this series is not retellings of popular Disney stories, it is almost like a very adult dark reimagining of them – and I’m living for it. The first book was a reimagining of Hook in a modern mafia scenario, where as this one takes a completely different turn imagining Scar from the lion king in an early 1900 kingdom and a secret battle for a kingdom. We follow not only Tristan our spare heir, tortured soul, enigmatic alpha bad guy, but also Sara a young girl burdened by family loyalty and responsibility. It was a guarantee that I was going to love Tristan because he has all the makings of a classic dark romance, Anti-Hero, morally grey hottie. He’s a character of many facets looking for his place in the world following the death of his father and in the shadow of his idiot brother. The only love interest that was going to work for him was always going to be somebody that could be equal to his intense energy, and we get that and more with Sara. She’s cunning, smart, passionate and empathetic, she sees people of every class which isn’t necessarily a given in this era and is no damsel, knowing exactly how to take care of herself – she’s definitely her own hero. So as not to spoil I won’t go into the details of the plot but rest assured that it is a thrilling ride from the first page into the last. There is a cast of supporting characters that help to drive the story and are interesting to get to know on the fringes of the main relationship that does stem entirely from Tristan and Sarah. It was an instant five star read for me because this series is shaping up to be incredible, the way Emily does re-imaginings is the best I’ve personally read so far and I love seeing little snippets of the original stories bringing familiarity.

🤎👑 Scarred Review 👑🤎 📝 Author: Emily McIntire 🌶️ Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ ⭐️ Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ @Emily does it again with another gorgeous villainous love story! This time we dive into the world of royals, politics, history (1910 era) and insanely good spice 🌶️🥵 This time Tristan who resembles Scar from the lion king gets a story! And boy oh boy is he hot! 🥵🔥 Tristan and Sara are a match made in heaven 😍 I cannot express how much I loved watching their relationship, trust, friendship, loyalty and of course naughtiness grow 🥰 I loved Tristan’s protectiveness and the way he makes the small gestures matter! And I love how Sara quickly accepted situations and got through them relatively fast 💨 This book was so good I finished it in 6 hours! In one sitting🤩 and I mean the spice deserves more than five chillies in the rating 😍🌶️🤩. Am I going to get hot and bothered by all the books Miss Emily writes? Yup probably! Do I recommend this book? 100000000% yes! Did this book save me from my reading slump? Also yes!! 🤎

Such a great book! One of the better books I've read and also one of the first dark romances! The story was amazing and I liked the subtle references to the lion king. The characters were perfect and the story came together perfectly in the end. I totally recommend this book! The spice was amazing and I enjoyed the MC's development through the book. Remember to check TW before reading since this book is pretty brutal and dark.