Review: Grave by Shantel Tessier
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Content Warning
This book contains graphic violence, murder and torture, alcohol and drug addiction, forced drugging, overdose, suicide, assault, rape, unplanned pregnancy.
You know the ache of losing the one soft place in your life. Discover why Grave’s story pushes past the darkness.
Grab the tissues and maybe a stiff drink because this one wrecked me a little. 🖤🔥
My Review
🖤 Grave
(Grave & April’s Story)
If you’ve been following along in this series, you’ll remember meeting Grave briefly in Code of Silence and again in Titan. While Grave can technically be read as a standalone, I’d definitely recommend reading those first to really understand the layers of these characters and the world they’re living in.
And trust me… Grave’s story hits differently once you know where he came from.
💔 Grave – The Broken King
My poor heart absolutely ached for Grave.
As a teenager, he lost his mother—the only woman he had ever truly loved and the only real softness in his life. Losing her shattered something inside him. What followed was a cold, heartless father, a strained relationship with his brother, and a whole lot of pain he didn’t know how to process.
So what did he do?
He buried it.
Alcohol.
Drugs.
Sex.
Fighting.
Anything to numb the pain and quiet the chaos in his head.
“I feel alive when I’m closest to death.”
People around him say he has a death wish, and honestly… they aren’t entirely wrong. Grave is a man drowning in addiction and self-destruction, constantly pushing himself closer to the edge.
But underneath all of that darkness?
He has a kind soul. A broken one… but still kind.
🌸 April – The Light in the Darkness
Then we meet April.
Sweet, hardworking, and carrying far more responsibility than anyone her age should have to handle.
After her mother passed away while she was in college, April had to drop everything and move back home. She took over the family flower shop—Roses—while also trying to keep her reckless younger brother from completely ruining his life.
She’s exhausted. Stressed. Holding everything together by sheer determination.
And then one day…
A sexy, tattooed man walks into her flower shop and changes everything.
My mother always told me – you will get your heart broken, baby. It is inevitable. Part of life. It’s how you handle it that either makes you a woman or a child.
🔥 Addictions Come in Many Forms
The connection between Grave and April is instant.
The chemistry? Explosive.
The tension? Magnetic.
But here’s the thing—Grave is a man of addictions.
And suddenly… April becomes one of them.
He’s never held back when it came to drugs or alcohol, so why would he hold back when it comes to her?
“I’ve always had a death wish, but for once I have something to live for.”
Their relationship isn’t easy. It’s messy, emotional, and sometimes heartbreaking. Grave constantly battles his demons, while April has to decide whether loving him is worth the fight.
Because loving someone who’s drowning means you might get pulled under too.
👑 The Kings & Their Brotherhood
One thing I absolutely love about this series is the Kings.
These men aren’t just business partners—they’re family. They protect each other, fight for each other, and stand by one another when everything falls apart.
Watching their bond grow while their circle expands has been one of my favorite parts of the series. Each King has his own struggles, strengths, and emotional baggage.
💭 Final Thoughts
This story touched me deeply.
Grave is stubborn, broken, and self-destructive—but he’s also vulnerable in a way that makes you root for him with your whole heart. Watching him fight his addictions and confront the man he’s become was emotional, raw, and incredibly powerful.
April was exactly what he needed. Strong, compassionate, and brave enough to stand beside him even when things got dark.
Their love story isn’t perfect. It’s messy. Painful at times. But it’s also hopeful.
And sometimes that’s the most beautiful kind of love story there is.
This book completely captured my heart. Out of the series so far, Grave and April are EVERYTHING.
🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 Stars from this “Good Girl”
