Bitter When He Begs

Sinners of Blackthorne U, Book 2

By: Avery Collins

Narrated by: Gregory Salinas, Devon Ryder

Luca

I've built my life on control. On the field, in my reputation, and in keeping my demons buried where no one can see.

Sage Blackwell was never supposed to be a part of that. The nerdy prodigy overheard something that could ruin my entire career, so I did the only logical thing. I don't threaten him. I don't scare him off.

I claim him.

I tell myself it's about survival, about keeping my secret safe. But the longer I keep him close, the more I realise I might be addicted again.

Only this time, my drug of choice is him.

Sage

I wasn't supposed to hear it.

I definitely wasn't supposed to get caught.

One wrong step. One overheard conversation. That's all it takes to make me the unwilling keeper of Luca Devereaux's darkest secret.

Now, Blackthorne U's arrogant, untouchable quarterback has decided I belong to him.

He's relentless, possessive and cruel in the way only someone with too much power and too few consequences can be.

Being owned by Luca might just destroy me… especially when I realise I don't want him to let go.

Bitter When He Begs is the second book in the interconnected Sinners of Blackthorne U series, but it is a complete standalone.

Contains mature content. A complete list of content warnings can be found on the author's website.

©2025 J. Tarr/Avery Collins (P)2026 Podium Audio

MM love

I love a book when the mean bully has a change of heart and shows his sincere, vulnerable, softer side to the one he loves. that is exactly what this book is combined with addiction, self discovery, mental abuse and belonging. the MMC's are both amazing. I love this book so much. the narrators are perfect.

Omg!! Loved this....

Avery Collins.... Oh, yes another wonderful story. The jock and the nerd. Of course, enemies to lovers. This series is turning out to be a must listen to over and over. These college boys finding love and bringing us along for the wild ride. Narration is outstanding!! Only duet could make it any better.
Sinners of Blackthorne U, get them all!!
Book one with Roman and Damon you'll love it!!
Book two with Luca and Sage, Just beautiful!!
I can hardly wait to see what book three brings.

This book was it!!! Just amazing in every way!!!

The first book in this series was based around suicide, while this book revolves around opioid addiction. I will say that this book could totally be 4 mini books into one. I felt like it was broken down into 4 parts at least so that's how I'll review it.
You have insane genius and mouthy nerd Sage and Quarterback playboy Luca. The story is around the push and pull of their non relationship and intense connection to one another.
-The first part is all about how mean and awful Luca was to Sage. Good amount of bullying and jealous revenge from both MC's to one another. They just drove each other over the edge and it succeeded with Luca.
-The second part revolves around the recovery of Luca. I wont go any further into that so I don't ruin the book for others.
-The third part is about the evolving of Luca and Sage's situation-ship/relationship.
-The fourth part is obviously how the story ends, which will show how Sage has grown throughout the book from the quiet little nerd to a biting Chihuahua and how Luca has changed from an addict to a loyal protector.
I absolutely loved this book! There are very few MM books that I love so much (Heartbreak Hockey, Ricochet, Chokehold) that have a mixture of all the good MM tropes, and what I mean by that is that the best MM books to me have to have slight bullying, obsession, stalking, touch him and die, protective MC, great spice, fun banter, make me shed tears, laugh, and great side characters/BFF's.
I can't wait for the next book in this series with Nate & Liam!!!

I extremely like the concept - I like nerdy and the king vibe

I was blessed no one in my family had any kind of addiction. That’s doesn’t mean I’m stupid because all I know from being alive in the real world, if you have addiction you stay away from everything including alcohol. I do believe he was only a month in detox there having a party with alcohol. That’s was just tempting him to go back to pills or go to another addiction.


This was fine not as good as book one.

“I’d rather be scared with you than safe with anyone else.”

I absolutely adore Sage and Luca's story. Even when they hated each other their chemistry was off the charts, and hearing it narrated by Devon and Gregory was a whole new experience. This narration was absolute perfection. The way they portrayed every feeling and emotion, from the light-hearted moments to the devastating ones, it was absolutely everything.

At the beginning of the story, Luca was a complete aṣs and he only saw Sage as something to use, break, and discard. That being said, I loved his redemption arc. Luca Devereaux can do no wrong, and I will die on that hill.

Honestly, though, I absolutely loved Luca's journey. Avery did an amazing job at portraying addiction struggles, how hard it is to recover, the importance of having a support system, and how easy it can be to relapse. I loved how the guys from the Sin Bin all came together and were there for Luca when he needed them the most, and even when he tried to push them away, they showed him what a true family is.

Now, Luca wasn't the only one who did some growing in this story. The difference between the Sage from the first chapter and the Sage from the epilogue was amazing. I loved every time Sage's brat side came out to play, and don't even get me started on the Sage nukes.

Quote: “You are exactly the kind of guy I swore I’d never fall for. You walk around like the world should bend over backward for you, and then somehow, somehow, you actually manage to make it happen.”