**Hot Mess Lit Review: *The Ritual* by Shantel Tessier**
Genre: Dark Romance, Secret Societies, Possessive Alpha, Psychological Manipulation
Vibe Check: A secret society where blood, power, and control rule the game? Yeah, sign me up—then immediately regret my decisions.
Other Notes (see sidebar): 🔪💀🖤🔥👑🥃🎭🕶️💔🩸🎓🔗🧠👁
Blurb:
THE CHOSEN ONE
Barrington University is home of the Lords, a secret society that requires their blood in payment. They are above all—the most powerful men in the world. They devote their lives to violence in exchange for power. And during their senior year, they are offered a chosen one.
I VOW. YOU VOW. WE VOW.
People think growing up with money is freeing, but I promise you, it’s not. My entire life has been planned out for me. I never got the chance to do what I wanted until Ryat Alexander Archer came along and gave me an option for a better life. He offered me what no one else ever had—freedom.
I chose to be his. He made me believe that anyway, but it was just another lie. A way that the Lords manipulate you into doing what they want.
After being sucked into the dark, twisted world of the Lords, I embraced my new role and allowed Ryat to parade me around like the trophy I was to him. But like all things, what started out as a game soon became a fight for survival. And the only way out was death.
Things to know about The Ritual
It is MF
TW (Please see the author's note on the inside)
J/P (jealous/possessive) Hero
OTT (over the top) Hero
This is a 152K word romance that contains dark themes that may be triggering to some.
Barrington University is home of the Lords, a secret society that requires their blood in payment. They are above all—the most powerful men in the world. They devote their lives to violence in exchange for power. And during their senior year, they are offered a chosen one.
I VOW. YOU VOW. WE VOW.
People think growing up with money is freeing, but I promise you, it’s not. My entire life has been planned out for me. I never got the chance to do what I wanted until Ryat Alexander Archer came along and gave me an option for a better life. He offered me what no one else ever had—freedom.
I chose to be his. He made me believe that anyway, but it was just another lie. A way that the Lords manipulate you into doing what they want.
After being sucked into the dark, twisted world of the Lords, I embraced my new role and allowed Ryat to parade me around like the trophy I was to him. But like all things, what started out as a game soon became a fight for survival. And the only way out was death.
Things to know about The Ritual
It is MF
TW (Please see the author's note on the inside)
J/P (jealous/possessive) Hero
OTT (over the top) Hero
This is a 152K word romance that contains dark themes that may be triggering to some.
First Impressions
Before I even turned a page… This book promised dark, twisted mind games, which meant I was either going to devour it in one sitting or rage-quit halfway through. The premise—an elite secret society with dangerous rituals? Yeah, I was intrigued. Did I expect Ryat to be this possessive? No. Did I enjoy the chaos? Absolutely.Did It Deliver? Or Did It Disappoint?
Expectations vs. Reality – I came for mysterious secret society vibes and got obsession, control, and unrelenting dominance. The Lords are powerful, but Ryat is on another level—and if you’re not into intense, borderline obsessive romance, buckle up, because this one doesn’t hold back. Best Thing About It: The psychological intensity. This isn’t just romance—it’s mind games, power struggles, and ritualistic control dynamics that make the book feel like a dangerous addiction. 
Worst Offender: Sometimes the possessiveness felt suffocating. If you like alpha male dominance dialed up to 100, this is for you—but there were moments where I wanted Ryat to take a breath and chill. The Hot Mess Breakdown
Characters: Ryat? The definition of "you will be mine" energy. The protagonist? Caught between desire and survival, which makes for high-stakes tension. Their dynamic is magnetic but completely unhealthy—in the best way for dark romance lovers. 
Plot: Secret society? 
Twisted traditions? Possession disguised as romance? Double . The pacing keeps things intense, though some scenes may feel overwhelming if you’re not into full-blown control dynamics.
Writing Style: Direct, intense, emotionally manipulative in the best way. You can’t escape the tension, and honestly? That’s the point.
Emotional Impact: HIGH. You’re questioning morality, loyalty, and the fine line between protection and control the entire time. Final Verdict
Take It or Torch It? Take it, but prepare for absolute dominance. 
Worth Your Money? If dark, obsessive romance is your thing, hell yes. If you need soft romance, run. 
Who Should Read This? Fans of *mafia romance, secret societies, and books that make you question everything.Hot Mess Lit Rating: – Obsessive, twisted, full of mind games—if that’s your vibe, you’ll eat this up.
– Obsessive, twisted, full of mind games—if that’s your vibe, you’ll eat this up. 
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