Crown of Disguise

When darkness falls, the lambs know they must hide. Night is for predators, for secrets and lies. But one little lamb doesn't want to hide no matter how difficult, impossible and frightening the challenge seems to be. Actually, this is not a modern retelling of a fairy tale and there are no lambs harmed in the book. This is a beautifully written and compelling dark academy story about one's inner emotional strength, courage and determination to overcome boundaries and limitations while searching for the grain of truth, even when all the odds are against you.
When tragedy strikes, leaving Dominic's family picking up the shards of their lives, a piece of paper sets Dominic on an unknown path. The stuttering, sensitive, awkwardly confused boy, bullied mercilessly at school, who has lost the warm blanket of protection provided by his loving brother, suddenly has to grow up and make life-changing choices. The sense of overwhelming grief and despair is palpable from the beginning of the story and then gradually intensifies with each page we read and get to know Dominique.
His dream of attending one of the most coveted schools for the rich and privileged in his hometown becomes an unexpected reality and a chance to finally find the answer to what happened on the night that changed his family's life.
What Domique don't know, is that everything he believes in, will not only change yet again but his life will literally turn on its axis. Meeting Gael again opens the gates to an all consuming inferno of undeniable chemistry and passion. And while Gael has perfected the art to play with people like instruments, for Dominique this is an uncharted map of s*xual awakening and intense exploration of new desires. The descriptions are exquisite with a touch of dark erotica to them, an intriguing game of domination and submission.
Life could be brutally cruel and ruthlessly cut to the bone forcing us to make painful sacrifices and unexpected decisions. And Dominique has to make a really hard one - stay in the past, grieve and cling to his moral compass or accept his chance at may be love, enter the life of the untouchable wealthy, quietly lock the door to the haunting past and leave the dead to rest in peace.