My last dark romance read was back in December, so I was so ready to dive into Wrath of an Exile
by Monty Jay. There are only a few authors who can pull off dark romance well, without crossing the line, and Monty absolutely nailed it. This was my first book by her, but it definitely won’t be my last. I really enjoyed it, and it honestly put me back in the mood for more dark romance.
Now fingers crossed my reading slump disappears soon 😭
In Ponderosa Springs, this version of Romeo and Juliet isn’t a tragedy. It’s war.
Jude Sinclair is West Trinity Falls’ favorite exiled loner.
Cocky. Insufferably hot. Family foe.
Raised across the tracks in a rival town, he reeks of trouble. Which is the one thing I’ve always had a problem avoiding and now that he’s just down the hall, it’s harder to resist the pull.
My father made one rule when Jude moved in, never trust a Sinclair.
The last thing I need is for my new foster brother to make me question my loyalty with his filthy smirks and poet tongue. But with every forbidden kiss and secret hookup, I quickly find myself faced with two options.
Betray my family? Or betray my heart?
Review of Wrath of an exile by Monty Jay
I really enjoyed reading Wrath of an Exile! I didn’t realize this was actually the second-generation series of The Hollow Boys, so I went in without reading the first one. At first, I debated whether to stop and go back to the original series, but I was already hooked. Thankfully, I didn’t find it hard to follow the world or characters, but I do think I would’ve appreciated it even more if I had read the first-gen books first. That said, I’m definitely planning to go back and read them now! Some parts of Wrath of an Exile felt a little flat to me, but overall, the story was engaging and enjoyable. It kept me turning the pages.
Plot Analysis of Wrath of an exile by Monty Jay
They were never meant to meet. Let alone fall for each other.
Jude Sinclair is the walking embodiment of everything Seraphina was raised to hate — bold, reckless, magnetic… and the enemy.
When he becomes her foster brother, the warning is clear: stay away from him. But that’s easier said than done when he’s right down the hall, whispering poetry and wearing defiance like a crown.
Their families are at war. Their pasts are filled with scars. They’ve both made peace with the idea of destruction, until they collide.
And suddenly, it’s not just about right or wrong.
It’s about survival.
It’s about desire.
It’s about choosing between the life you were born into… and the one your heart is begging for.
Characters of Wrath of an exile by Monty Jay
Seraphina Van Doren: She’s the ultimate badass, sharp, fearless, and done taking crap from anyone. I loved that she’s into science, cars, and bikes, such a cool, unique mix. Her backstory shattered me. It was raw and painful, and all I wanted was to hug her and remind her how strong she truly is.
Jude Sinclair : A hopeless romantic who grew up without love, my heart truly aches for him. He deserves so much more than he got. Sure, we all know the Sinclair name, but honestly, I’m all in for Jude. I loved everything about him. All he ever wanted was to be loved and to be chosen, and I’m so glad he finally got just that.
Geeks & Loner : Where do I even begin? Their dynamic had everything I love, rivals, forbidden tension, forced proximity, and yes, that messy foster sibling angle. It was intense in all the best ways. I adored how their personalities clashed and complimented, him, the broody poet; her, the brilliant science nerd. And the way their relationship unfolded? Perfectly paced and addictive from start to finish.
Pacing & writing style
The writing in Wrath of an Exile by Monty Jay? So good. I was hooked from the start, her style is just the right mix of description, inner thoughts, and dialogue. I genuinely didn’t want to put the book down. It was immersive in the best way.
That said, I did struggle a bit with how young the main characters were. I know it’s set in college, but for a dark romance, it felt a little too young for me personally. I usually prefer reading about slightly older characters in these kinds of intense, emotional stories. Trauma can hit at any age, of course, but in this case, it just would’ve landed harder for me if the characters were in their twenties.
Also… the ending. I really wish Seraphina had told her parents about her trauma. I know it’s complicated, but it would’ve made things feel more real and emotionally complete. Still, that’s just my opinion, everyone reads differently. And one last thing, there were a few parts in the book that included poems, and they just didn’t work for me. But that’s totally on me! I’ve never really been a fan of lyrics or poetry in fiction. Overall though, this book pulled me in and reminded me why I love dark romance when it’s done right.
I didn’t really have an issue with the pacing in Wrath of an Exile by Monty Jay, she actually nailed it. The flow of the story was smooth and kept me engaged the whole way through. My only real hiccup was with the first spice scene. It felt a little too soon, especially for an enemies-to-lovers dynamic. If it had been more of a slow burn, I think the payoff would’ve hit even harder. Still, the overall progression of the plot and romance was solid.
Tropes and Trigger warnings of Wrath of an exile by Monty Jay
Tropes of Wrath of an exile by Monty Jay
Tropes :
True enemies to lovers
Forbidden romance
Forced proximity
Found family
College romance
Dual POV
Trigger warnings of Wrath of an exile by Monty Jay
Rape
Substance abuse
Child abuse
Death of a parent
Overdose
Some quotes I enjoyed
“How long do you think it’ll take before you give in and let me fuck those pretty little lies out of your mouth, sweetheart?”
“Make boys cry.”
“I named you Seraphina because your father’s name smoke.”
“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”
“I’m the only one allowed to hate you.”
“Panic isn’t wave. It’s suffocating black hole, sucking in all the light, devouring everything until there’s nothing left but darkness.”
“Pain can turn us into people we were never meant to be.”
“Our universe, Loner.”
“Our universe, Geeks.”
“I’m always fucking seeing you, Phi. In every room, no matter how much I want to ignore you, you burn too fucking bright. You’re the goddamn sun, and I hate that I can’t stop looking at you.”
“The air Jude Sinclair gives me feels like my first real breath after our years of drowning in a war I thought would never end.”
“I think our love is like that. It’s not poetic; it’s cosmic. We are messy, raw, like a collision that should’ve destroyed us both. But maybe that’s the point. Maybe love isn’t meant to be this—two people desperately trying to find each other cross the chaos, across the darkness, across everything that should’ve kept us apart.”
“Because home isn’t a place; it’s right here, in her arms, where even fate can’t keep me away.”
Final Thought
Wrath of an Exile was exactly the kind of dark romance I needed to shake me out of my reading slump. Monty Jay impressed me with how she balanced raw emotional intensity, dark themes, and vulnerable characters without going over the edge. While the book had a few elements that didn’t land perfectly for me, like the characters feeling a bit too young for the depth of darkness in the story, and the inclusion of poetry (which just isn’t my thing personally), the overall experience was powerful and emotionally gripping. Her writing style is immersive and lyrical without being too much, and I truly felt connected to both Jude and Seraphina by the end.
What stuck with me most wasn’t just the chemistry or the forbidden romance (although that was so good), but the pain, healing, and inner battles both characters had to fight through. Jude’s need to be chosen, Seraphina’s trauma and strength, it all hit me hard. I do wish the ending had leaned more into emotional closure (especially around Seraphina opening up to her parents), but I respect that not every story ties everything up neatly. That’s real, too.
If you love dark romance that isn’t afraid to dig deep into the messiness of trauma, loyalty, and forbidden love, this book is worth picking up. Just make sure to read the trigger warnings beforehand, it’s not light. But if you’re like me and you enjoy stories that make you feel everything, this one’s going to stay with you long after you finish the last page.
About the author
Monty Jay is a dark romance author with titles published in multiple countries. Their books are for hopeless romantics with wicked hearts looking for their next morally grey hero. They call the Appalachian mountains home, along with their two furry friends, Poe and Maeve. When they aren’t writing you can find them reading anything Stephen King, in a tattoo chair or binging a new true crime documentary.
Practical Information for Readers
Wrath of an exile by Monty Jay Book Formats
Wrath of an exile is available in various formats to suit every reader’s preference:
Paperback: Ideal for readers who enjoy the tactile experience of holding a physical book.
eBook: Convenient for on-the-go reading, available on all major e-reader platforms.
Audiobook: Narrated with emotional depth, available on platforms like Audible.
PDF Wrath of an exile : While some may search for a PDF version, it’s recommended to opt for legal eBook options to support the author.
Where to find Wrath of an exile by Monty Jay PDF
Amazon Kindle: Offers a user-friendly interface with customizable reading settings.
Barnes & Noble Nook: Another popular platform with a wide selection of e-books.
Apple Books: Provides seamless integration with Apple devices and a smooth reading experience.
Wrath of an exile by Monty Jay Age Rating
I recommend Wrath of an exile by Monty Jay for readers 22+. While the characters are 18, the themes explored in this dark romance are intense and definitely not suitable for younger readers.
Dark romance is meant for mature audiences, and I honestly get frustrated seeing teens pick up books like this without understanding the emotional weight they carry. It’s called dark for a reason, please check trigger warnings before reading.
