The Ritual: A Dark College Romance by Shantel Tessier

Romantasy Bookstore Bestseller and an all-new dark standalone from USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Shantel Tessier—The Ritual drops you straight into a world where vows are currency… and power is paid for in blood.

Barrington University is home to the Lords, a secret society of the most untouchable men in the world. They trade violence for influence, and in senior year they’re rewarded with a “chosen one.” Sounds like a fairy tale—until you realize it’s a contract you don’t get to break.

She grew up with money, rules, and a life planned down to the last breath. Then Ryat Alexander Archer offered her something she’d never had: freedom. She chose to be his… or at least, she thought she did. Because at Barrington, choice is just another weapon, and the Lords are experts at making you believe you’re in control—right up until the moment you’re not.

What starts as a dark game turns into a fight for survival, and she learns the truth fast: in the Lords’ world, the only way out might be death.

Things to know: MF • jealous/possessive, OTT hero • dark themes • please read the author’s trigger warnings/author note • ~150K-word standalone.