Where to Start Reading A.K. Rose
If you are new to the dark romance and reverse harem books of A.K. Rose (the gritty pen name of Australian author Kim Faulks, who also writes paranormal romance as Atlas Rose), navigating her intense mafia-led universes can feel a bit daunting. Her books are packed with high-stakes danger, possessive antiheroes, and complex relationships.
We recommend starting with one of two entry points, depending on your preferred romance tropes:
- For gritty mafia dynamics and stepsibling romance: Start with Mine, the first book in the sprawling Blood Ties series. This book introduces the central mafia world and the intense stepsibling drama that defines the first trilogy in the series.
- For elite dark academy settings: Start with Ruthless Hunter, the opening novel of The Institute series. This series takes place in the same shared mafia universe but focuses on a high-stakes, slow-burn romance set at a secretive island academy.
1. Blood Ties Series
The Blood Ties series is A.K. Rose's signature work. It is a nine-book saga set in a dark, dangerous mafia underworld. While the entire series shares the same universe, it is divided into three distinct character-focused trilogies. For the best reading experience, you should read each trilogy in order, as the plotlines build directly on the events of previous books.
The Ryth & Banks Brothers Trilogy (Books 1–3)
This first arc focuses on Ryth Castlemaine and her forbidden relationship with her three new stepbrothers, the Banks brothers (Nick, Caleb, and Tobias). It features heavy stepsibling and bully romance themes.
- Mine (2022)
- Hers (2022)
- Ours (2022)
The Viv & St. James Family Trilogy (Books 4–6)
The second arc shifts focus to Vivienne (Viv) and her captors, the ruthless London St. James and his sons, Carven and Colt. The power dynamics and possessive themes ramp up significantly in this trilogy.
- Owned (2022)
- Traded (2023)
- Claimed (2023)
The Helene & Cruze Brothers Trilogy (Books 7–9)
The final three books follow the character Helene (often referred to as "Trouble") and the Cruze brothers (Riven, Thomas, Kane, and Hunter) as they navigate the fallout of the mafia wars.
- Forbidden (2023)
- Captured (2023)
- Consumed (2024)
2. The Institute Series
Set in the same shared universe as the Blood Ties series, The Institute takes readers to the Cosa Nostra Institute—an elite, isolated island academy where the heirs of the world's most powerful mafia families are trained. The series features high-stakes suspense, betrayal, and slow-burn romance.
The first four books tell the continuous story of Anna (Annalise Eden, a cryptocurrency money launderer) and Finley (the mafia heir sent to spy on her). The fifth book, Ruthless Commander, shifts focus to the Commander and Xael Davies during a crisis on the island.
- Ruthless Hunter (2022)
- Ruthless Protector (2022)
- Ruthless Ruler (2022)
- Ruthless Lover (2023)
- Ruthless Commander (2023)
3. Family Confessions Series (Co-authored with Angel Lawson)
Co-authored with fellow dark romance writer Angel Lawson, the Family Confessions series is a dark, gothic stepsibling "why-choose" (reverse harem) romance. Originally released as a Kindle Vella serial, it was compiled into three individual volumes and is also available as a complete omnibus edition. It follows a young woman returning to the mysterious Davenport Manor, where her stepbrothers hunt her as prey.
- Hunted by My Stepbrothers (2022)
- Captured by My Stepbrothers (2022)
- Saved by My Stepbrothers (2022)
What to Know Before You Start
A.K. Rose writes unapologetically dark romance. Her books feature themes that may be triggering to some readers, including stepsibling relationships, dub-con/non-con elements, violence, bullying, and highly possessive characters. It is highly recommended to check the author's official content warnings before diving in.
Because the main series share character crossovers and a unified mafia setting, reading the books in publication order within their respective series is crucial to understanding the underlying power struggles and alliances.