Review: You're Next - Tate James

Review: You're Next - Book #3 Devil's Backbone Series - Tate James - September 2025

I finally wrapped up this trilogy by Tate James, and honestly? I'm left with complicated feelings. You're Next picks up with Jocelyn kidnapping Ashley and gaslighting her into believing the entire last year with the boys was fabricated. We also get our first real glimpse of Abigail, which was intriguing. While the series wrapped up nicely overall, this final installment ended up being my least favourite of the three—it dragged more than I would have liked, and I found myself getting frustrated in parts.

True to Tate James form, the reverse harem expands as Ashley's stepbrother Nate joins the mix. This book leans heavily into the MFM dynamics with multiple threesome configurations between the characters. The spice level remains consistent with her previous work, delivering that signature heat readers expect from her books.

Here's the thing: I genuinely love Tate James's writing. Her edgy, dark romantic suspense always pulls me in with its intensity and unapologetic boldness. But as I've gotten older and devoured countless RH and spicy novels, I'm finding myself craving something different. Right now, I'm either wanting books that wreck me emotionally - the ugly cry, soul-destroying kind or I'm swinging to the opposite end of the spectrum with edge-of-your-seat thrillers. This book landed somewhere in the middle for me.

One missed opportunity that genuinely disappointed me: when the story delves into Royce's mother and her history, I desperately wanted flashback scenes showing her time under Jocelyn's control, back when she was convicted of murdering her classmates. That backstory could have added such depth and context to the present-day narrative.

This was honestly one of the harder reviews I've written. I want to keep it spoiler-free while being authentic about my experience. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Did it captivate me the way books one and two did? Not quite. I feel oddly indifferent about it, which is perhaps the most telling thing of all. It's a solid conclusion to the series, and fans of Tate James will likely appreciate how she ties everything together. But for me personally, it didn't quite hit the mark.

If you've loved the first two books, you'll want closure and you'll get it. Just temper your expectations slightly.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4qNiRyO