SERIES REVIEW

FMC Avery is sent to Lilydale, which is said to be a healing rehabilitation center, but is really an asylum full of institutional corruption and secrets. While battling with her mental health and past trauma, Avery has a difficult time adjusting to the strict measures of the institution as well as fitting in with those around her. She ends up finding friends in unlikely places, including a secret society of inmates that plan to take down the elitist higher-ups from the inside. As a member of the group becomes infatuated with her, the leader of the society decides to bring her in on their plans, while trying desperately to avoid catching feelings for her as well. Everyone in Lilydale has their inner demons, and these men are no exception. As the truth of the asylum's conditions and brutality begin to show, Avery and her men must come together to exploit the true villains and decide whether revenge or love is more important.  

This series exceeded my expectations in many ways. Starting off with one of the main topics going into this series every reader should be aware of. Steph Macca discusses mental health very heavily throughout all four books. Mental health alone is a very sensitive topic and can come with a lot of negatives while writing in depth about a specific psychological issue. However, I believe the author did a truly wonderful job with expressing her knowledge and research within these characters. As someone who struggles with mental health, I not only felt heard and understood by reading these books, but it also made me feel for the characters on a human level, and any author capable of making fiction into something that feels real, has a reader for life. I strongly suggest reading the trigger warnings before heading into this series if you are someone that struggles with mental health and psychological abuse. Information can be found on Steph Macca's website or within her books.

Moving on to the plot and the overall storyline, there is usually something that irritates or confuses me, but I can honestly say that nothing comes to mind. Yes, this was a very heavy and dark read, but my mind was mainly focused on the characters and the atmosphere, which were both insanely captivating. I read through this series so fast, I already want to read it again. The characters are dark, twisted, and disturbed in all the most delicious ways. The fact that you are able to pick apart each relationship between the FMC and the MMCs is something that is very important in a why-choose series. There was a gradual build up to the individual relationships into the group dynamic and that is what I LOVE. On top of that, the growth of these characters was so well done, and clearly thought out. Now the spice? On an absolutely different level… But I'll let you find that out for yourself…

If you haven’t already figured it out, this series is available on Audible and has been recently going viral for one of the voice clips “Little Killer.” The audiobooks have got to be one of my favourite listens of the last year. The production and sound quality was immersive and clear, while the narrators were perfectly cast and well attuned with their characters. It is performed by a full cast and I must say that these voice actors are truly skilled in what they do and know how to bring a character to life. 

I would say my only issue with this series is that I do wish it was longer. The series itself is composed of four shorter books and the pace was very fast. I feel Steph Macca could have written a few more chapters within each book and dragged out some of the more intense situations to add to the overall suspense. With her writing capabilities she would have been able to write more and still keep it just as captivating.

Steph Macca is another author I am adding to my list of all time favourites, I cannot wait to read more from this amazing writer! If you enjoy a dark thriller romance, with mysteries, damaged and deranged men, and an FMC that doesn’t have to choose, please read it and leave a review to support the author! If you cannot handle dark themes, wrongful convictions, psychological torment and abuse, please skip this read.

As always, check your trigger warnings before reading, and enjoy the Demons!

⭐ Story: 4.5/5
🌶️ Spice: 4/5
🖤 Darkness: 4.5/5
🎧/📖 Format: Paperback, Audible, KU
❤️ Favourite character: Grey
✨ Top tropes:
• Why Choose
• Asylum/Imprisoned
• KINK 

Audiobook

Narrators:

Marie Hawkins as Avery

Joe Arden as Damon

Corvin King as Grey

Anthony Palmini as Theo

Total Length: 30h & 14mins

 Narration: 5/5
Production: 4.5/5
Favourite voice: Corvin King as Grey