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A review by kfriend
Corrupt My Mind by Kelsey Clayton
5.0
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!