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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DID ZAYN JUST RUIN ME FOR ALL MEN!?!?! IS HE MY NEW KNOX?! KELSEY! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!! Corrupt My Mind was EVERYTHING I love about Kelsey Clayton- complicated characters, scorching heat, soulful chemistry, angst, and a captivating story. But Keley has also upped her game in this spin off series as we see these adored characters shift into adulthood. The stakes are higher, the emotions more complicated, and the obstacles more dark and dangerous. I binged this in one sitting- I just could not put it down. Corrupt My Mind is complicated, passionate, unpredictable, and angsty, all with a sweet and innocent love story at its core. I simply loved it.
Our story starts out as a classic best-friend’s brother taboo- Zayn, best friend of our beloved Knox from the Saint, is now in college at North Haven University, rooming with one of our other Knox crew members Easton. Easton’s little sister Amelia (who is actually not much younger than them) is now also there- a fact Zayn discovers serendipitously when he finds himself attracted to a mysterious bombshell at one of their infamous parties. Turns out- it’s sweet Amelia, and Easton’s sister is no longer the little sister tag along that Zayn remembers from growing up. Even worse- Amelia has grown up into a confident, sassy, and unflinchingly honest woman- she has a body and mind that captivate Zayn. But she’s off limits- not only is she Easton’s sister but he’s also doing whatever he can to not disrupt Easton’s tenuous recovery after a dark period (that folks will recognize as the fallout of events from The Rebel). But Amelia has always had a crush on Zayn, and in an unexpected act of bold vulnerability, these two connect in a way that is forbidden. And that complicates everything- because Easton is actually the least of their worries. Zayn’s secrets are dark and sinister and dangerous-and he’d do anything to protect those he loves….and Amelia, well Amelia might very well be on that list.
ZAYN! MY HEART. I’ve loved him since Haven Grace prep because there was something so inherently sweet about him- something soft and vulnerable. This is a man with a hard edge exterior- skull tattoos and that tough guy persona- but he’s by far the most emotionally, most vulnerable, and most soulful hero Kelsey has given us yet. He’s DIFFERENT. For starters- he’s redeemable from the start. He’s not a jerk, not a hero that wrongs the heroine because he can’t get over his own stuff. IN fact, he’s refreshingly uncomplicated, because his downfall isn’t his own personality shortcoming or his own baggage-it is his friendship and love of others. He’s altruistic and noble- his darkness, his issues all come because he wants to help others, guard them with his love. And that is what makes Zayn so special- he’s drowning, drowning because he’s trying to save others, and in doing so, he sacrifices parts of himself. And that makes him feel like a villain- even though his reasons are pure, are noble. I could not love this many anymore than I do. He is too good for the world- with a tender and pure heart that touched my soul. He is by far the most inherently GOOD hero we’ve read from Kelsey.
And I loved Amelia- she definitely has a naivete and young spirit to her that juxtaposes to the very adult situations Zayn is living in, but she’s self-confident and self-assured despite her limited life experience. I found her spitfire honestly and outgoingness refreshing- she knows what she wants, and she’s not scared to pursue it. And she wants Zayn- she sees the magic that we do. I loved getting to watch her blossom as a young adult- loved watching her break out of her “perfect” girl mold she felt trapped in. She’s assertive and an open communicator- and that was so nice to see in a heroine. And she’s also just overflowing with love and compassion- she has so much heart to give, and when the one person you want to pour all your love into won’t love you back? Ugh- I felt her hurting heart and her long as if it were my own. She’s desperate to love and be loved- and that driver makes her so relatable and empathetic as a character.
The romance here is actually pretty straight forward- the obstacles and tension comes less from their feelings, which are pretty clear, and more the barriers that forever prevent them from acting on their feelings or their hang ups- rather its the other people and the troubling context and secrets that swirl around them. And the chemistry is somehow both sweet and sexy. This is a SLOW burn- and Kelsey really nailed the longing aspect of this story. These two have known each other for so long, you immediately feel a stability to their connection, because they have a history that makes their interconnection unbreakable, even if it started as platonic. But that delicate and aching longing you feel- that pull of two souls who need and want each other but just can’t clear the path to do so? Ugh, I could not stop reading because I needed these two creatures to find a way.
And they do find a way- but it is NOT easy. These two have to learn that mistakes don’t make you less worthy- mistakes are part of being human, part of being an adult. What makes you worthy is how you grow, how you adjust and respond- even if you’re a little bit lost in the chaos of your mistakes. But loving someone- opening your heart, makes it easier to find a way forward. Zayn thinks he’s going to corrupt Amelia- with his “badness”, but really it’s her that “corrupts” and alters his mind. They both free each other from the mindsets they have about themselves- they see each other.
Fans should know Knox WOWS in this book. He’s the true MVP of this romance. I loved getting to see how he’s evolved as a character, and the way he catalyzes this story is charming and powerful. The relationship between him and Zayn gave me all the fangirl feels, but even more, it helps me understand Zayn and love him even more- and it also helped Zayn understand himself. See himself and his actions differently- and it makes all the difference.
Kelsey also brilliantly sets us up for a whole new world. While we have characters we’ve met before in this series, we’re seeing a darker and more adult vibe. Teens are now living on their own, caring for each other and operating as families with a new level of maturity. We see that here with Zayn especially. And, we see the glimmers of darkness Kelsey is going to bring to this series. The stakes are higher, as Zayn’s secrets reveal, and we have characters dealing with heavier, more disturbing, and more complex baggage- not just Easton, but Jace and Carter clearly have some STUFF we’re gonna dig into. Kelsey smarty resets the tone and also helps us start to see these characters with new eyes- eyes that will continue to be opened in new books. I can already tell this series is going to be gut wrenching and emotional and darker and EPIC. I can not wait for more!
Our story starts out as a classic best-friend’s brother taboo- Zayn, best friend of our beloved Knox from the Saint, is now in college at North Haven University, rooming with one of our other Knox crew members Easton. Easton’s little sister Amelia (who is actually not much younger than them) is now also there- a fact Zayn discovers serendipitously when he finds himself attracted to a mysterious bombshell at one of their infamous parties. Turns out- it’s sweet Amelia, and Easton’s sister is no longer the little sister tag along that Zayn remembers from growing up. Even worse- Amelia has grown up into a confident, sassy, and unflinchingly honest woman- she has a body and mind that captivate Zayn. But she’s off limits- not only is she Easton’s sister but he’s also doing whatever he can to not disrupt Easton’s tenuous recovery after a dark period (that folks will recognize as the fallout of events from The Rebel). But Amelia has always had a crush on Zayn, and in an unexpected act of bold vulnerability, these two connect in a way that is forbidden. And that complicates everything- because Easton is actually the least of their worries. Zayn’s secrets are dark and sinister and dangerous-and he’d do anything to protect those he loves….and Amelia, well Amelia might very well be on that list.
ZAYN! MY HEART. I’ve loved him since Haven Grace prep because there was something so inherently sweet about him- something soft and vulnerable. This is a man with a hard edge exterior- skull tattoos and that tough guy persona- but he’s by far the most emotionally, most vulnerable, and most soulful hero Kelsey has given us yet. He’s DIFFERENT. For starters- he’s redeemable from the start. He’s not a jerk, not a hero that wrongs the heroine because he can’t get over his own stuff. IN fact, he’s refreshingly uncomplicated, because his downfall isn’t his own personality shortcoming or his own baggage-it is his friendship and love of others. He’s altruistic and noble- his darkness, his issues all come because he wants to help others, guard them with his love. And that is what makes Zayn so special- he’s drowning, drowning because he’s trying to save others, and in doing so, he sacrifices parts of himself. And that makes him feel like a villain- even though his reasons are pure, are noble. I could not love this many anymore than I do. He is too good for the world- with a tender and pure heart that touched my soul. He is by far the most inherently GOOD hero we’ve read from Kelsey.
And I loved Amelia- she definitely has a naivete and young spirit to her that juxtaposes to the very adult situations Zayn is living in, but she’s self-confident and self-assured despite her limited life experience. I found her spitfire honestly and outgoingness refreshing- she knows what she wants, and she’s not scared to pursue it. And she wants Zayn- she sees the magic that we do. I loved getting to watch her blossom as a young adult- loved watching her break out of her “perfect” girl mold she felt trapped in. She’s assertive and an open communicator- and that was so nice to see in a heroine. And she’s also just overflowing with love and compassion- she has so much heart to give, and when the one person you want to pour all your love into won’t love you back? Ugh- I felt her hurting heart and her long as if it were my own. She’s desperate to love and be loved- and that driver makes her so relatable and empathetic as a character.
The romance here is actually pretty straight forward- the obstacles and tension comes less from their feelings, which are pretty clear, and more the barriers that forever prevent them from acting on their feelings or their hang ups- rather its the other people and the troubling context and secrets that swirl around them. And the chemistry is somehow both sweet and sexy. This is a SLOW burn- and Kelsey really nailed the longing aspect of this story. These two have known each other for so long, you immediately feel a stability to their connection, because they have a history that makes their interconnection unbreakable, even if it started as platonic. But that delicate and aching longing you feel- that pull of two souls who need and want each other but just can’t clear the path to do so? Ugh, I could not stop reading because I needed these two creatures to find a way.
And they do find a way- but it is NOT easy. These two have to learn that mistakes don’t make you less worthy- mistakes are part of being human, part of being an adult. What makes you worthy is how you grow, how you adjust and respond- even if you’re a little bit lost in the chaos of your mistakes. But loving someone- opening your heart, makes it easier to find a way forward. Zayn thinks he’s going to corrupt Amelia- with his “badness”, but really it’s her that “corrupts” and alters his mind. They both free each other from the mindsets they have about themselves- they see each other.
Fans should know Knox WOWS in this book. He’s the true MVP of this romance. I loved getting to see how he’s evolved as a character, and the way he catalyzes this story is charming and powerful. The relationship between him and Zayn gave me all the fangirl feels, but even more, it helps me understand Zayn and love him even more- and it also helped Zayn understand himself. See himself and his actions differently- and it makes all the difference.
Kelsey also brilliantly sets us up for a whole new world. While we have characters we’ve met before in this series, we’re seeing a darker and more adult vibe. Teens are now living on their own, caring for each other and operating as families with a new level of maturity. We see that here with Zayn especially. And, we see the glimmers of darkness Kelsey is going to bring to this series. The stakes are higher, as Zayn’s secrets reveal, and we have characters dealing with heavier, more disturbing, and more complex baggage- not just Easton, but Jace and Carter clearly have some STUFF we’re gonna dig into. Kelsey smarty resets the tone and also helps us start to see these characters with new eyes- eyes that will continue to be opened in new books. I can already tell this series is going to be gut wrenching and emotional and darker and EPIC. I can not wait for more!
Corrupt My Mind is a sexy, dual POV, dark, best friend’s little sister new adult romance. I’m totally new to Kelsey Clayton, so it’s my understanding that Zayn has been introduced in other books as a secondary character, however Corrupt My Mind is the first book (a crossover) in the North Haven University series. The story definitely can be read as a standalone and left me extremely intrigued with other characters and their books have since been added to my TBR.
The characters, Zayn and Amelia, were painted as complete opposites—the good girl and the bad boy—but there’s an intangible thread that’s always linked the pair and Amelia has had a secret crush on Zayn also long as she can remember. She’s been away at a bordering school for years and one look at the beautiful girl before him changes everything for Zayn. I found the characters intriguing as well. Zayn was a little bit of an enigma but the deeper I delved into the story, I found that his layers exceeded what I was anticipating. There are minor trigger points in this book for some readers, however they are very minor. Additionally, this isn’t a book that I’d really categorize as a traditionally dark romance however it does contain some content that lends itself to that category. The story contains OW/OM drama that’s a prime plot point and IMO came across slightly juvenile.
While Kelsey Clayton has been on my radar for several months, Corrupt My Mind was the first I’d read from the author. As an introduction to her writing, I was torn between a 4 and 5-star review. I enjoyed the book quite a bit. The cover is hot, the storyline is exactly what I signed up for—bad boy falling for his best friend’s innocent little sister—and it was easy to dive into the story. But I also found it a little bit underwhelming. There were areas that really captured my attention and the pace and flow keep me entertained. During these moments, I couldn’t put it down wanting to see where the author was headed with the story. But there are other areas that needed additional developing to the storyline or the characters and the pace and flow faltered... and therein lies my dilemma. Readers look for different criteria than a blogger or editor but someone like myself—who does all three (for a living)—find ourselves wavering with some book reviews. Corrupt My Mind was one of these books for me. Is the story deserving of four stars? Absolutely! But this book is also going to be a five-star read for many! Either way, I still recommend the book and look forward to reading more by Kelsey Clayton.
The characters, Zayn and Amelia, were painted as complete opposites—the good girl and the bad boy—but there’s an intangible thread that’s always linked the pair and Amelia has had a secret crush on Zayn also long as she can remember. She’s been away at a bordering school for years and one look at the beautiful girl before him changes everything for Zayn. I found the characters intriguing as well. Zayn was a little bit of an enigma but the deeper I delved into the story, I found that his layers exceeded what I was anticipating. There are minor trigger points in this book for some readers, however they are very minor. Additionally, this isn’t a book that I’d really categorize as a traditionally dark romance however it does contain some content that lends itself to that category. The story contains OW/OM drama that’s a prime plot point and IMO came across slightly juvenile.
While Kelsey Clayton has been on my radar for several months, Corrupt My Mind was the first I’d read from the author. As an introduction to her writing, I was torn between a 4 and 5-star review. I enjoyed the book quite a bit. The cover is hot, the storyline is exactly what I signed up for—bad boy falling for his best friend’s innocent little sister—and it was easy to dive into the story. But I also found it a little bit underwhelming. There were areas that really captured my attention and the pace and flow keep me entertained. During these moments, I couldn’t put it down wanting to see where the author was headed with the story. But there are other areas that needed additional developing to the storyline or the characters and the pace and flow faltered... and therein lies my dilemma. Readers look for different criteria than a blogger or editor but someone like myself—who does all three (for a living)—find ourselves wavering with some book reviews. Corrupt My Mind was one of these books for me. Is the story deserving of four stars? Absolutely! But this book is also going to be a five-star read for many! Either way, I still recommend the book and look forward to reading more by Kelsey Clayton.
First a confession: I totally read this out of order. I read books 2-4 before diving into this one. Overall I can see how the writing and story grew over the course of the books. Zayn become one of my favs before reading this and he definitely is now. Oddly enough, I found Amelia to be one of the most obnoxious heroines for most of this book though I do appreciate her in later books.
Overall I am glad that I read this one. It is a great series.
3.5
Overall I am glad that I read this one. It is a great series.
3.5
I am loving these characters, zayn and Amelia are amazing (nothing on Knox and Delaney) but the Chemistry between the two of them made a fabulous read. I can’t get enough of the series and to move onto another the next one in the North Haven University series, I need more of these characters
I wish I could rate it 1.5 stars. Not the worst thing I have finished but don’t enjoy it at all. Finished it just so I knew how it ended.
not awful, but not that good. the female main character and the male main character had a weird connection but didn’t really seem to like each other that much. i don’t think i would read the second book of the series.
Slow burn? Check. Suspense? Check. Best friends little sister? Check. This book ticked off so many of my favorite boxes. Zayn is a rebel with a heart of gold. His devotion and protective behavior towards the people he loves is heartwarming and so endearing. He's trying so hard to take care of everyone, but it just makes me want to take care of him. This was an interesting, exciting and steamy book that kept me in the edge of my seat.