The Ritual

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.

BUY THE BOOK

Published May 1, 2023

552 pages

Average rating: 7.67

768 RATINGS

|

Join a book club that is reading The Ritual!

Third Thursday Book Club @ STBS

We meet every third Thursday at 7pm.

Community Reviews

Marley
Nov 16, 2025
8/10 stars
So many emotions. Literally the sweetest ending for a book that is filled with so much kinky stuff. This book converted me, I’m a dark romance girly now
ljzsreadsandreviews
Jun 06, 2025
7/10 stars
It isn’t that I didn’t like this book, I actually ended up getting very hooked but similar to other extra spicy books I’ve read, I was hoping for more plot. The book is primarily spicy scenes and the ones that aren’t, are just violent and reference sex. If you’re into dark romances this is perfect but if that’s not your thing, stay away. About halfway through I started seeing a twisty mystery coming into play and that’s when it really hooked me, I actually very much enjoyed our main characters, Ryat and Blakely, and was really rooting for them to grow into deeper characters. Ultimately, this is an acquired take. This is the first book in a standalone series so I might find my way back into the world of the Lords at some point again.
Jazzymade
Dec 20, 2025
4/10 stars
The plot parts were great, kept your interest but the overall book to me was a bit BLEH. I may continue the series just out of pure curiosity.
ariannareads01
Dec 14, 2025
5/10 stars
I couldn't really finish it...? I don't now. I didn't like the themes that much. It was too intense
Morrigan
Dec 13, 2025
10/10 stars
This was my introduction to dark romance and I loved every bit of it and every book from this series

See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.