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The Asylum #1
Prettiest Psycho
One, two, Kookaburra’s laughing at you,
Three, four, deep in the asylum’s core,
Five, six, twisted souls in a wicked mix,
Seven, eight, lay the bodies out straight,
Nine, ten, time to drench the walls in red again.
They say I'm crazy, that I belong in this sanctuary of the damned.
But their ignorance is bliss; my soul's whispers scream louder than all the tormented monsters confined within these walls. And I'll make sure I get what I came here for.
Hatchet, Snow, Bones, Ghost, Honeymonster and Nightshade…silly names for silly boys who are now my favourite new toys.
They think they're the apex predators here?
Hilarious, really, but I do love to laugh…especially when it's accompanied by a dying gasp.
Yet, even amid the delicious chaos of killers, something isn't right.
Soft linens and sharp edges; It’s as if they're coaxing the darkness within me to unfurl its wings.
Who gives razor blades to the criminally insane and expects decorum?
The walls are whispering, and the strings pulled behind the curtain are darker than any crime committed within these corridors.
Here, it's kill or be killed, and the real show is about to begin.
And trust me, it won't end until the screams do.
Welcome to the Asylum, where the line between predator and prey blurs, and dark obsessions turn into dangerous alliances.
Are you ready to lose your sanity?
***
Prettiest Psycho is a dark ‘Why Choose’ novel, featuring absolute psychopaths with zero moral compass. Yes, they’re smoking hot guys that our heroine doesn’t have to choose between, but they are completely crazy. Then again, so is she. It ends on a cliffhanger but the duet will have a HEA – as much as seven convicted serial killers are capable of being happy and in ‘love’.
Three, four, deep in the asylum’s core,
Five, six, twisted souls in a wicked mix,
Seven, eight, lay the bodies out straight,
Nine, ten, time to drench the walls in red again.
They say I'm crazy, that I belong in this sanctuary of the damned.
But their ignorance is bliss; my soul's whispers scream louder than all the tormented monsters confined within these walls. And I'll make sure I get what I came here for.
Hatchet, Snow, Bones, Ghost, Honeymonster and Nightshade…silly names for silly boys who are now my favourite new toys.
They think they're the apex predators here?
Hilarious, really, but I do love to laugh…especially when it's accompanied by a dying gasp.
Yet, even amid the delicious chaos of killers, something isn't right.
Soft linens and sharp edges; It’s as if they're coaxing the darkness within me to unfurl its wings.
Who gives razor blades to the criminally insane and expects decorum?
The walls are whispering, and the strings pulled behind the curtain are darker than any crime committed within these corridors.
Here, it's kill or be killed, and the real show is about to begin.
And trust me, it won't end until the screams do.
Welcome to the Asylum, where the line between predator and prey blurs, and dark obsessions turn into dangerous alliances.
Are you ready to lose your sanity?
***
Prettiest Psycho is a dark ‘Why Choose’ novel, featuring absolute psychopaths with zero moral compass. Yes, they’re smoking hot guys that our heroine doesn’t have to choose between, but they are completely crazy. Then again, so is she. It ends on a cliffhanger but the duet will have a HEA – as much as seven convicted serial killers are capable of being happy and in ‘love’.
582 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2023
517 people are currently reading
2072 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
December 17, 2023
I wanted to love this. I had trouble connecting with any of the characters. Too much was going on with too little explanation. Hints of back stories but none really fleshed out. Then to throw in a just seemed weird when we barely know what’s going on. Huge, unnecessary, cliff hanger. I’ll probably read the next one just to see where it goes.
October 10, 2023
it was so good until it wasn't.
November 28, 2023
DNF
Again …. It’s started well until it was bad
Again …. It’s started well until it was bad
September 29, 2023
OMG. I can't. I can't with this book. So the first series I read by this author was the Vengeance series and that took me on quite a ride. I still can't get over it. I constantly think of Baxter Branson. But Baxter Branson holds no candle to the OTT unghinged psychos that riddle this book. A book literally filled with psychos. They're all serial unalivers. They're all a little broken and messed up inside.
This book kept me invested, kept me hooked, kept me wanting more. I cannot stop thinking about all the guys. They're all distinguishable. The FMC Kayla had me snort laughing at her inner thoughts.
Be prepared for some dark turmoil and some kinkiness that will make you clutch your imaginary pearls but if you are no stranger to a dark RH romance, then you got nothing to worry about. They're all killers with a penchant for darkness, a penchant for blood and murder and mayhem. And they're all sequestered together in this asylum. But something sinister and mysterious lurks behind the walls of this secluded asylum.
Love love love this book and I need book 2!
This book kept me invested, kept me hooked, kept me wanting more. I cannot stop thinking about all the guys. They're all distinguishable. The FMC Kayla had me snort laughing at her inner thoughts.
Be prepared for some dark turmoil and some kinkiness that will make you clutch your imaginary pearls but if you are no stranger to a dark RH romance, then you got nothing to worry about. They're all killers with a penchant for darkness, a penchant for blood and murder and mayhem. And they're all sequestered together in this asylum. But something sinister and mysterious lurks behind the walls of this secluded asylum.
Love love love this book and I need book 2!
October 15, 2023
prettiest psycho …
Wow after that ending I’m mind boggled. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. As for this one there was tons and I mean tons of spice between Kayla and the other wards in the asylum. Some of the guys were a bit more psycho then the rest. The revelation at the end had me cursing. I really enjoyed this book .
Wow after that ending I’m mind boggled. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. As for this one there was tons and I mean tons of spice between Kayla and the other wards in the asylum. Some of the guys were a bit more psycho then the rest. The revelation at the end had me cursing. I really enjoyed this book .
October 8, 2024
Maybe I should become a psychopath! It sure sounded fun sometimes.
While this is obviously a joke, the more serious statement is that I liked this book. There were some plot points that I have some questions about (in the 'I think this does not make 100% sense if you don't include this or that' kind of way), but besides that, I really enjoyed myself. I'm definitely looking forward to reading book 2!
While this is obviously a joke, the more serious statement is that I liked this book. There were some plot points that I have some questions about (in the 'I think this does not make 100% sense if you don't include this or that' kind of way), but besides that, I really enjoyed myself. I'm definitely looking forward to reading book 2!
September 28, 2023
*Reverse Harem
*Contemporary
*Multi-PoV
*serial unalivers
*asylum setting
*secret missions
*all the kinks
*established harem (7)
*fast burn
*1/2
Holy purrring shizzballs!
Well it’s an interesting story and certainly smut-filled - I struggled to put it down 😄
Our FMC Kayla has been sentenced as a serial unalivers, although we don’t know who and why, we definitely get the sense she’s a tad unhinged with little remorse 🫣 she’s discovers asylum isn’t you’re average one or anything like a prison… the inmates are sent on on missions with severe repercussions for failure (please check TWs) but they’ve no idea where these orders are coming for or what the big why is 😬😬
Thankfully her fellow patients are just as psychotic but each are slightly different in how they manifest their crazy and respectively they each have their own kinks 🥵🌶️ (seriously prepare yourself 💦🔥) although these men want no connections they cannot deny what Kayla does and brings out for them 😍
You begin to get the sense that there’s a lot more going on from ‘the big bad’ and the orders being passed down as well as Kaylas role….especially after that info bomb at the end!! Can’t wait for the next one! 😃
*Contemporary
*Multi-PoV
*serial unalivers
*asylum setting
*secret missions
*all the kinks
*established harem (7)
*fast burn
*1/2
Holy purrring shizzballs!
Well it’s an interesting story and certainly smut-filled - I struggled to put it down 😄
Our FMC Kayla has been sentenced as a serial unalivers, although we don’t know who and why, we definitely get the sense she’s a tad unhinged with little remorse 🫣 she’s discovers asylum isn’t you’re average one or anything like a prison… the inmates are sent on on missions with severe repercussions for failure (please check TWs) but they’ve no idea where these orders are coming for or what the big why is 😬😬
Thankfully her fellow patients are just as psychotic but each are slightly different in how they manifest their crazy and respectively they each have their own kinks 🥵🌶️ (seriously prepare yourself 💦🔥) although these men want no connections they cannot deny what Kayla does and brings out for them 😍
You begin to get the sense that there’s a lot more going on from ‘the big bad’ and the orders being passed down as well as Kaylas role….especially after that info bomb at the end!! Can’t wait for the next one! 😃
November 24, 2024
Kindle.
Not much plot going on with relationship, character or world development. The storyline in general had little direction, ending was random. It got pretty repetitive by the end as well. Writing errors, spelling errors, weak transitions, no world building.
Smutty and that’s the main thing it had going for it with the possessive and obsessive psycho men trope.
Overall not a great read more just an alright read. Very much a could leave it read, not continuing on with series.
Not much plot going on with relationship, character or world development. The storyline in general had little direction, ending was random. It got pretty repetitive by the end as well. Writing errors, spelling errors, weak transitions, no world building.
Smutty and that’s the main thing it had going for it with the possessive and obsessive psycho men trope.
Overall not a great read more just an alright read. Very much a could leave it read, not continuing on with series.
February 1, 2024
Dnf at 50% it was too samey, girl was just getting boned and knocked out in some form or another and just that on repeat. Didn't really connect with a single character either
October 25, 2023
Just too all over the place…
I usually enjoy books of this “trope,” but Prettiest Psycho was just a little “too much.” There were too many psycho men in Kayla’s harem. Usually this many men wouldn’t be a problem IF, and only IF they were all developed well. But the storyline, well, it just was soooooo disjointed, and the psycho guys in her harem were just kind of “thrown into the book,” randomly, then pulled out, only to be thrust in again…it felt odd, and not at all connected.
The plot was entirely too Convoluted, and the cliffhanger at the end felt somewhat anti-climactic, since the entire book was made up of a series of seriously CRAZY events!
Most of the psycho inmates were fascinated by Kayla, EXCEPT for Snow. Snow was a totally unlikeable character. I’ve read plenty of RH books where not all the men are on board with the FMC right away- and that’s usually ok, you don’t want EVERY GUY to be instantly in love with the FMC, usually, but I felt as if Crystal North created a really awful psychopath in Snow. A guy completely incapable of feelings, who was more than willing to kill Kayla the first chance he got!! The fact that he took bullets for her was strange, even stranger was the fact that he wanted her and desired her even though he wished he’d just let the bullets strike and kill her. I didn’t find him “sympathetic” at all. And he didn’t fit the “team” dynamic of the rest of the killers in the group.
The cliffy at the end was pretty heinous. And if the doctors did, what I THINK THEY DID (Kayla was pregnant - then drugged, kidnapped and operated on - you get the general idea) at the end of the book…well, I’m not inclined to read the next book in this series.
I usually enjoy books of this “trope,” but Prettiest Psycho was just a little “too much.” There were too many psycho men in Kayla’s harem. Usually this many men wouldn’t be a problem IF, and only IF they were all developed well. But the storyline, well, it just was soooooo disjointed, and the psycho guys in her harem were just kind of “thrown into the book,” randomly, then pulled out, only to be thrust in again…it felt odd, and not at all connected.
The plot was entirely too Convoluted, and the cliffhanger at the end felt somewhat anti-climactic, since the entire book was made up of a series of seriously CRAZY events!
Most of the psycho inmates were fascinated by Kayla, EXCEPT for Snow. Snow was a totally unlikeable character. I’ve read plenty of RH books where not all the men are on board with the FMC right away- and that’s usually ok, you don’t want EVERY GUY to be instantly in love with the FMC, usually, but I felt as if Crystal North created a really awful psychopath in Snow. A guy completely incapable of feelings, who was more than willing to kill Kayla the first chance he got!! The fact that he took bullets for her was strange, even stranger was the fact that he wanted her and desired her even though he wished he’d just let the bullets strike and kill her. I didn’t find him “sympathetic” at all. And he didn’t fit the “team” dynamic of the rest of the killers in the group.
The cliffy at the end was pretty heinous. And if the doctors did, what I THINK THEY DID (Kayla was pregnant - then drugged, kidnapped and operated on - you get the general idea) at the end of the book…well, I’m not inclined to read the next book in this series.
Read
January 6, 2026I wasn't even surprised at the ending, because by that point I was expecting some kind of shock. An interesting take on an assassin's society using a bunch of psychos, but slightly messy and favoured spice over getting on with the plot.
Book 2 out in Feb, may look it up.
Book 2 out in Feb, may look it up.
January 8, 2026
what a cliffy 🤯..
an absolute 100/100 ⭐️READ
this was a first read for me of this author and she hit a bar with a psycho asylum with why choose 🥵. Daddy Hatchet is a fucking beast between him an Ghost im not sure who i like more. this took me in a such a ride can't wait for book 2
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
an absolute 100/100 ⭐️READ
this was a first read for me of this author and she hit a bar with a psycho asylum with why choose 🥵. Daddy Hatchet is a fucking beast between him an Ghost im not sure who i like more. this took me in a such a ride can't wait for book 2
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
March 8, 2024
Wow. Wow. Wow. Did not see that coming. The wait for the next book will be agonizing.
September 29, 2023
Having seen the shopping list of trigger warning before reading this book had me very excited.
This book blew away all my expectations, it was phenomenally dark and twisted - loved every minute!
Love the breadcrumbs of information, how parts of the cases were withheld.
The characters had depth and the plot twists had me on the edge of my chair.
You cant help but grow attached to Kayla and these magnificent specimens of morally grey men.
I was not expected that ending - can’t wait for book 2
This book blew away all my expectations, it was phenomenally dark and twisted - loved every minute!
Love the breadcrumbs of information, how parts of the cases were withheld.
The characters had depth and the plot twists had me on the edge of my chair.
You cant help but grow attached to Kayla and these magnificent specimens of morally grey men.
I was not expected that ending - can’t wait for book 2
May 15, 2024
WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK WAS THAT
February 25, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this but I've gotta say I had to go back to the beginning repeatedly because I could not keep people separate or remember what their "specialities" were. I just kinda let them all be the same person in my head, but I always remembered who knew the poisons for some reason. Anywho I don't want to rush the writing process but I think it's wild that you drop the last chapter on us and then go "thanks for reading!" Um no I need answers WHAT DO YOU MEAN
September 28, 2023
Be prepared for all sorts of dark kinkiness because this book is chock full of it.
Smart, Quirky and funny but nutty as a fruitcake - Kayla (FMC) is committed to an asylum that is full of likeminded killers the same as her. 6 so called dangerous men - Night, Honey, Bones, Hatchet, Ghost and Snow. Who take steamy hotness and plenty of kinks to a whole another level. Being locked up together gave them loads of time to explore that.
As with every book of Ms North's I've ever read you have to be prepared for the unexpected with great twists and turns mixed in with that. Great plot twists and turns as well. This book has lots of that. Add into that a great cliff-hanger ending. I'll be on tenterhooks waiting to see how it will play out in book 2.
Smart, Quirky and funny but nutty as a fruitcake - Kayla (FMC) is committed to an asylum that is full of likeminded killers the same as her. 6 so called dangerous men - Night, Honey, Bones, Hatchet, Ghost and Snow. Who take steamy hotness and plenty of kinks to a whole another level. Being locked up together gave them loads of time to explore that.
As with every book of Ms North's I've ever read you have to be prepared for the unexpected with great twists and turns mixed in with that. Great plot twists and turns as well. This book has lots of that. Add into that a great cliff-hanger ending. I'll be on tenterhooks waiting to see how it will play out in book 2.
January 2, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I genuinely don’t even know where to start with Prettiest Psycho, because this book had absolutely NO right being this fucking good. I went in expecting a dark romance that would be fun, a little twisted, maybe mildly addictive — and instead I came out fully unhinged, emotionally compromised, and staring into space wondering how this managed to crawl so deep under my skin. I am still in shock over how hard this hit me. 🖤😵💫
From the very beginning, the story pulls you in with this sharp, almost electric energy. There’s tension in every interaction, a constant feeling that something is about to snap, and I loved how quickly I became invested without even realizing it. The pacing is fantastic — nothing drags, nothing feels rushed — and each chapter just made it harder to put the book down. This is the kind of read where you say “just one more chapter” and suddenly it’s 3 a.m.
Kayla is such a compelling FMC. She’s not written to be likable in a conventional way, and that’s exactly what makes her so addictive to follow. She’s layered, reactive, sometimes messy, sometimes terrifyingly calm, and always fascinating. I couldn’t help but grow attached to her because she feels real — not sanitized, not softened. Watching her navigate the danger, the attraction, and her own internal chaos was one of my favorite parts of the book. She belongs in this story in a way that feels inevitable.
And then there are the men. These magnificent, morally grey, absolutely feral specimens of men. Every single one of them felt distinct, with their own presence and role, and somehow none of them blurred together. The dynamics between them were just as interesting as the romance itself, which is something I don’t always see done well. Night, though… yeah. Night has my heart in a full death grip. 🫠 That man owns me. Everything about him — the control, the intensity, the way he moves through the story — completely wrecked me. Honey also deserves endless love because he is SOOOOO perfect. Soft, dangerous, loyal, unhinged in his own way — I adored him. Honestly? I love all of those men, and I never felt like choosing a favorite took away from the others.
The chemistry throughout the book is insane. It’s not just physical tension (though that is absolutely there 👀🔥), but emotional, psychological, and power-based chemistry that keeps building and shifting. I loved how nothing felt static — relationships evolve, trust is tested, and the stakes keep rising. The darker elements never felt there just for shock value; they actually served the characters and the story.
And that ending. I am still not okay. I truly thought I had a handle on where things were going, and then Crystal North completely blindsided me. I was NOT expecting that ending, not even a little bit. It was bold, brutal, and perfectly set up to ruin my peace until I get to book 2. I closed the book in disbelief, immediately desperate for answers and already emotionally attached beyond saving. 😭📖
Overall, this was dark romance perfection for me. Twisted, addictive, character-driven, and emotionally consuming in the best way. If you love morally grey men, chaotic energy, psychological tension, and books that leave you unwell in the aftermath, this is an absolute must-read.
I genuinely don’t even know where to start with Prettiest Psycho, because this book had absolutely NO right being this fucking good. I went in expecting a dark romance that would be fun, a little twisted, maybe mildly addictive — and instead I came out fully unhinged, emotionally compromised, and staring into space wondering how this managed to crawl so deep under my skin. I am still in shock over how hard this hit me. 🖤😵💫
From the very beginning, the story pulls you in with this sharp, almost electric energy. There’s tension in every interaction, a constant feeling that something is about to snap, and I loved how quickly I became invested without even realizing it. The pacing is fantastic — nothing drags, nothing feels rushed — and each chapter just made it harder to put the book down. This is the kind of read where you say “just one more chapter” and suddenly it’s 3 a.m.
Kayla is such a compelling FMC. She’s not written to be likable in a conventional way, and that’s exactly what makes her so addictive to follow. She’s layered, reactive, sometimes messy, sometimes terrifyingly calm, and always fascinating. I couldn’t help but grow attached to her because she feels real — not sanitized, not softened. Watching her navigate the danger, the attraction, and her own internal chaos was one of my favorite parts of the book. She belongs in this story in a way that feels inevitable.
And then there are the men. These magnificent, morally grey, absolutely feral specimens of men. Every single one of them felt distinct, with their own presence and role, and somehow none of them blurred together. The dynamics between them were just as interesting as the romance itself, which is something I don’t always see done well. Night, though… yeah. Night has my heart in a full death grip. 🫠 That man owns me. Everything about him — the control, the intensity, the way he moves through the story — completely wrecked me. Honey also deserves endless love because he is SOOOOO perfect. Soft, dangerous, loyal, unhinged in his own way — I adored him. Honestly? I love all of those men, and I never felt like choosing a favorite took away from the others.
The chemistry throughout the book is insane. It’s not just physical tension (though that is absolutely there 👀🔥), but emotional, psychological, and power-based chemistry that keeps building and shifting. I loved how nothing felt static — relationships evolve, trust is tested, and the stakes keep rising. The darker elements never felt there just for shock value; they actually served the characters and the story.
And that ending. I am still not okay. I truly thought I had a handle on where things were going, and then Crystal North completely blindsided me. I was NOT expecting that ending, not even a little bit. It was bold, brutal, and perfectly set up to ruin my peace until I get to book 2. I closed the book in disbelief, immediately desperate for answers and already emotionally attached beyond saving. 😭📖
Overall, this was dark romance perfection for me. Twisted, addictive, character-driven, and emotionally consuming in the best way. If you love morally grey men, chaotic energy, psychological tension, and books that leave you unwell in the aftermath, this is an absolute must-read.
January 27, 2024
You can find this review and all my others over at Read Book. Repeat
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author, and am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Kayla's been caught. Her killing spree over. But that won't stop the bloodshed. She finds herself transported not to a jail, but an Asylum. One with 6 other prisoners. All bloodthirsty murderers. And all sinfully sexy. They think she can't run with the big boys, well, she's got new for them, and it's alllllll blood red and pointy. The asylum is more than it appears, their incarceration more than just atoning for their many, many sins. The men can fight all they want, but they'll soon find that resisting Kayla is more than they can bear. Welcome to the Asylum. Are you ready to lose your mind?
I'm not gonna lie, when I saw the cover for this release, I just about wet my pants. IT. IS. SO. FREAKING. PRETTY! After reading the blurb, I was hooked and I just had to throw my hat in the ring, I was over the moon when I realised I'd been accepted to receive an advanced copy of this book. Then I saw the TW. I'm gonna say this early on, READ THE LIST! READ THE LIST OF TW! This book is dark. The list is over a page long, I'm not even exaggerating here. When I read the list, after I'd been accepted, I'll admit, I got a teensy bit nervous, but at the same time I was super excited. This is probably the darkest book I'd read to date. And I loved every. single. minute. I wasn't sure how I'd go with a couple of the situations that arose for our FMC and her numerous love interests - oh yeah! This is a why choose, so if you're not into it, maybe find something else - but I found myself loving all of it. Even the things that I was a little dubious about, I honestly loved it all.
When the story first starts, we meet Kayla aka Kookaburra as she's arriving to The Asylum. In the initial couple of chapters, I could already tell that this book was going to be spicy, with a capital S or 7. I was worried that the substance of the plot itself would be overtaken by the spiciness as that what it felt like in that first chapter or two, but let me tell you, this book has some of the HOTTEST spice I've experienced EVER, and it has a super intriguing and page turning story line to go with it. The spice is frequent, and it is delicious, but it never once felt like that was the sole focus of the book for me. The story line really punches through the smut and shines all on its own. It kept me hooked and guessing the entire time because I had no idea what was going on, until suddenly I realised what was going on, that just made me even more hellbent on ignoring all adult responsibilities so I could devour this story. It grabbed me by the throat in the most nail-biting way and it did not let up for a second. I found that as the story progresses, the spice really does become a driving factor behind the development of the character relationships and no longer just about having a good time and getting that fix. It became a way for us to see how much deeper the connections were between all of the characters and I love that. Don't get me wrong, I love me some smut, I'm ALL about that spice. I've become known as the resident smut dealer at work as I'm putting together a list for some ladies who want to explore books that they didn't know existed. For me though, it's not JUST about the spice, I need some substance to go along with it, and honestly, this book delivered that in spades.
The characters, man. I knew they were wicked sexy, I've seen the pics, but I didn't expect to love them as much as I did by that last page. Especially not Snow, yet somehow, this screwed up individual really managed to win me over, and I'm not gonna complain about it! Bones I have a tentative love for, he's probably the only one that I'm still on the fence about, and I did not expect to adore Daddy Hatchett the way that I ended up adoring him. There's something so endearing about him, and he really surprised me. I also want to mention, this is The Asylum, so of course there's psychological illnesses and disorders at play here, and North did such an amazing job at ALL of them. These characters aren't just deliciously wicked to look at and read about, they have legitimate substance. They all have their demons, and I was so surprised at the depth they had. All of them have a story behind why they are the way that they are, and North wrote them brilliantly. Obviously, there is still so much yet to learn about all of them, but I am here for that ride because I am so invested. As this story is multi POV, we get to read from all of the character's perspectives and I found this so interesting. Getting to read from Night's perspective as he gets up to his nighttime activities, and seeing the way that his brain works during this actually made me sympathise with him. And Ghost *sigh* my wicked, wicked Ghost. His character surprised me the most. I knew I was going to love him, that he was going to be my favourite, but I never expected his character to be what it is. His psychological ailment surprised me SO much and it was done SO well!! And the scene in the art room...I did not realise that I needed one of him so badly until I read that. I did not expect him to turn out the way that he did, and as the story progressed and we learnt a bit more about his story, it all came together and made so much sense!
The narrative was so well written and flowed beautifully. North is an author whose worlds I will gladly get lost in as reading her work is just so enjoyable and easy. Not once did the narrative or dialogues feel stilted or weird, everything just flowed together so well, and it felt like I was IN the Asylum with them all. I could smell the disinfectant that permeates the doctor's office, and I felt like I was drowning in the scent of chlorine from the pool, while simultaneously being drowned by the darkness that surrounded the characters. I had genuine anxiety and fear in one scene that involved the pool room, and to me, that shows the true ability of an author. To be able to illicit genuine feelings in me, the reader, that shows an adept skill at their craft and North has it in spades.
I don't want to go into too much detail, and I'm trying to be as vague as possible so I'm going to end my review here. Again, if you are considering picking up this book, you MUST check the TW, and I am deadly serious, there is a lot and it's a very heavy read with extremely dark subject matter. Your mental health and wellbeing are more important than reading a book and you must make sure that this book is the right fit for you. It's also unfair to the author if you pick up a book, knowing the kinds of things that it contains, and then downrate it because of that, so make sure you check that it is the right book for you. For those of you who look at the TW like a shopping list, I'm fairly certain that you will want to read this one. It is deliciously dark and full of such well-rounded and real characters that sleep with their demons rather than slay them and are comforted by the screams of their victims. I cannot WAIT for book 2 because that ending had me shook. Happy reading you pretty psychos.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author, and am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Kayla's been caught. Her killing spree over. But that won't stop the bloodshed. She finds herself transported not to a jail, but an Asylum. One with 6 other prisoners. All bloodthirsty murderers. And all sinfully sexy. They think she can't run with the big boys, well, she's got new for them, and it's alllllll blood red and pointy. The asylum is more than it appears, their incarceration more than just atoning for their many, many sins. The men can fight all they want, but they'll soon find that resisting Kayla is more than they can bear. Welcome to the Asylum. Are you ready to lose your mind?
I'm not gonna lie, when I saw the cover for this release, I just about wet my pants. IT. IS. SO. FREAKING. PRETTY! After reading the blurb, I was hooked and I just had to throw my hat in the ring, I was over the moon when I realised I'd been accepted to receive an advanced copy of this book. Then I saw the TW. I'm gonna say this early on, READ THE LIST! READ THE LIST OF TW! This book is dark. The list is over a page long, I'm not even exaggerating here. When I read the list, after I'd been accepted, I'll admit, I got a teensy bit nervous, but at the same time I was super excited. This is probably the darkest book I'd read to date. And I loved every. single. minute. I wasn't sure how I'd go with a couple of the situations that arose for our FMC and her numerous love interests - oh yeah! This is a why choose, so if you're not into it, maybe find something else - but I found myself loving all of it. Even the things that I was a little dubious about, I honestly loved it all.
When the story first starts, we meet Kayla aka Kookaburra as she's arriving to The Asylum. In the initial couple of chapters, I could already tell that this book was going to be spicy, with a capital S or 7. I was worried that the substance of the plot itself would be overtaken by the spiciness as that what it felt like in that first chapter or two, but let me tell you, this book has some of the HOTTEST spice I've experienced EVER, and it has a super intriguing and page turning story line to go with it. The spice is frequent, and it is delicious, but it never once felt like that was the sole focus of the book for me. The story line really punches through the smut and shines all on its own. It kept me hooked and guessing the entire time because I had no idea what was going on, until suddenly I realised what was going on, that just made me even more hellbent on ignoring all adult responsibilities so I could devour this story. It grabbed me by the throat in the most nail-biting way and it did not let up for a second. I found that as the story progresses, the spice really does become a driving factor behind the development of the character relationships and no longer just about having a good time and getting that fix. It became a way for us to see how much deeper the connections were between all of the characters and I love that. Don't get me wrong, I love me some smut, I'm ALL about that spice. I've become known as the resident smut dealer at work as I'm putting together a list for some ladies who want to explore books that they didn't know existed. For me though, it's not JUST about the spice, I need some substance to go along with it, and honestly, this book delivered that in spades.
The characters, man. I knew they were wicked sexy, I've seen the pics, but I didn't expect to love them as much as I did by that last page. Especially not Snow, yet somehow, this screwed up individual really managed to win me over, and I'm not gonna complain about it! Bones I have a tentative love for, he's probably the only one that I'm still on the fence about, and I did not expect to adore Daddy Hatchett the way that I ended up adoring him. There's something so endearing about him, and he really surprised me. I also want to mention, this is The Asylum, so of course there's psychological illnesses and disorders at play here, and North did such an amazing job at ALL of them. These characters aren't just deliciously wicked to look at and read about, they have legitimate substance. They all have their demons, and I was so surprised at the depth they had. All of them have a story behind why they are the way that they are, and North wrote them brilliantly. Obviously, there is still so much yet to learn about all of them, but I am here for that ride because I am so invested. As this story is multi POV, we get to read from all of the character's perspectives and I found this so interesting. Getting to read from Night's perspective as he gets up to his nighttime activities, and seeing the way that his brain works during this actually made me sympathise with him. And Ghost *sigh* my wicked, wicked Ghost. His character surprised me the most. I knew I was going to love him, that he was going to be my favourite, but I never expected his character to be what it is. His psychological ailment surprised me SO much and it was done SO well!! And the scene in the art room...I did not realise that I needed one of him so badly until I read that. I did not expect him to turn out the way that he did, and as the story progressed and we learnt a bit more about his story, it all came together and made so much sense!
The narrative was so well written and flowed beautifully. North is an author whose worlds I will gladly get lost in as reading her work is just so enjoyable and easy. Not once did the narrative or dialogues feel stilted or weird, everything just flowed together so well, and it felt like I was IN the Asylum with them all. I could smell the disinfectant that permeates the doctor's office, and I felt like I was drowning in the scent of chlorine from the pool, while simultaneously being drowned by the darkness that surrounded the characters. I had genuine anxiety and fear in one scene that involved the pool room, and to me, that shows the true ability of an author. To be able to illicit genuine feelings in me, the reader, that shows an adept skill at their craft and North has it in spades.
I don't want to go into too much detail, and I'm trying to be as vague as possible so I'm going to end my review here. Again, if you are considering picking up this book, you MUST check the TW, and I am deadly serious, there is a lot and it's a very heavy read with extremely dark subject matter. Your mental health and wellbeing are more important than reading a book and you must make sure that this book is the right fit for you. It's also unfair to the author if you pick up a book, knowing the kinds of things that it contains, and then downrate it because of that, so make sure you check that it is the right book for you. For those of you who look at the TW like a shopping list, I'm fairly certain that you will want to read this one. It is deliciously dark and full of such well-rounded and real characters that sleep with their demons rather than slay them and are comforted by the screams of their victims. I cannot WAIT for book 2 because that ending had me shook. Happy reading you pretty psychos.
February 9, 2024
This is what I get for getting yet another recommendation from Tiktok 🤦🏻♀️ this is my first book by this author & there were definitely parts of this that I enjoyed but for the most part it was pretty painful to get through. I feel like this could have really been a great book too, when I started it I was like oh okay it’s like a RH Suicide Squad. So much potential but there were just too many things that didn’t make sense and lots of unlikeable characters. I feel like when people write dark romance some try a bit too hard to get that shock value and wind up making it a bit cringey and I feel like that was a huge issue here.
Snow was such an unlikeable character and the fact that he did what he did regardless of who told him to do it and then go jump in front of some bullets for Kayla made absolutely zero sense and then for her to “forgive” him so quick it just didn’t make sense.
Kayla was absolutely unbearable, & the surprise pregnancy infuriated me like cmon I know there was a lot of unprotected s*x happening but really? I feel like I don’t even know these characters. Which leads to another issue, her harem had so many guys which normally wouldn’t be a problem, but there was zero character development. They were all instantly attracted to her minus Snow and then bam! No backstories, no growth, nothing. So it’s hard to connect to them, feel anything and even the s*x feels fell short because they’re practically strangers.
I will say that the only thing that makes me even remotely want to go forward was the ending, because cmon HER PARENTS! Meanwhile if that is the case maybe I don’t because her “mother” let a lot of shit happen to that girl & Where was all that during the actual book, there was more emotion in the last few pages then the whole book. The second one isn’t out yet so I’m unsure if I’ll even bother SIGH on to the next one.
Snow was such an unlikeable character and the fact that he did what he did regardless of who told him to do it and then go jump in front of some bullets for Kayla made absolutely zero sense and then for her to “forgive” him so quick it just didn’t make sense.
Kayla was absolutely unbearable, & the surprise pregnancy infuriated me like cmon I know there was a lot of unprotected s*x happening but really? I feel like I don’t even know these characters. Which leads to another issue, her harem had so many guys which normally wouldn’t be a problem, but there was zero character development. They were all instantly attracted to her minus Snow and then bam! No backstories, no growth, nothing. So it’s hard to connect to them, feel anything and even the s*x feels fell short because they’re practically strangers.
I will say that the only thing that makes me even remotely want to go forward was the ending, because cmon HER PARENTS! Meanwhile if that is the case maybe I don’t because her “mother” let a lot of shit happen to that girl & Where was all that during the actual book, there was more emotion in the last few pages then the whole book. The second one isn’t out yet so I’m unsure if I’ll even bother SIGH on to the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2024
I don't think there's spoilers here but just in case, read but like cautiously 😂
I started reading and was kinda cringed out at first because it was kinda... Too much. Kayla felt like a pick me girl and the boys were instantly obsessed.
BUT THEN!!!! I WAS HOOKED (even though it was still fucking ridiculous how quick and hard they fell but alas, I am a sucker for that shit)
-Kayla's actually fucking funny and a badass. I love that for her.
-The storyline actually picks up and I am excited to see where the author takes it!
-Although there are some errors in the book, it's easy to overlook when you have hot men to read about. She definitely made each Psycho unique to their kinks and murder. They all have their special ways.
-Nightshade, Daddy Hatchet, Ghost(Silas AND Donnelly-youll see) Honeymonster, Snow and Bones are all fucking incredibly hot as fuck. Like absolutely dirty hot psychopaths and I'm here for it.
-The trigger warnings did NOT disappoint. Like there a lot. Like a shopping list lot! Love it.
-The ending was kind of predictable, like for Kayla anyway. But the twist that was fucking thrown at me??? Did not see that fucking coming. Especially with how bad Kayla is treated by this asylum.
And finally
-HOT PSYCHO TATTOOED MEN WITH BIG DICKS AND CRAZY FILTHY MINDS??? WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR?!
I started reading and was kinda cringed out at first because it was kinda... Too much. Kayla felt like a pick me girl and the boys were instantly obsessed.
BUT THEN!!!! I WAS HOOKED (even though it was still fucking ridiculous how quick and hard they fell but alas, I am a sucker for that shit)
-Kayla's actually fucking funny and a badass. I love that for her.
-The storyline actually picks up and I am excited to see where the author takes it!
-Although there are some errors in the book, it's easy to overlook when you have hot men to read about. She definitely made each Psycho unique to their kinks and murder. They all have their special ways.
-Nightshade, Daddy Hatchet, Ghost(Silas AND Donnelly-youll see) Honeymonster, Snow and Bones are all fucking incredibly hot as fuck. Like absolutely dirty hot psychopaths and I'm here for it.
-The trigger warnings did NOT disappoint. Like there a lot. Like a shopping list lot! Love it.
-The ending was kind of predictable, like for Kayla anyway. But the twist that was fucking thrown at me??? Did not see that fucking coming. Especially with how bad Kayla is treated by this asylum.
And finally
-HOT PSYCHO TATTOOED MEN WITH BIG DICKS AND CRAZY FILTHY MINDS??? WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR?!
September 4, 2024
I really rather enjoyed that!! I honestly laughed more than anything, but there were some darker, very messed up, parts that was a bit hard to get through. I like that Snow is trying to make up for that shit though—the grovel has been satisfying with him. I was absolutely not expecting that GD BOMB 💣 of a cliffhanger. I'm so glad I started this when I only have a few weeks to wait for part 2. This was so close to a 5✨ but needed to more time in editing. Their accents got lost a bunch. I think they're all mostly supposed to have a European English accent, but on multiple occasions more than one character would go from saying 'arse' to 'ass' within the same chapter. Honey seemed like he was supposed to have a southern USA accent (calling her Sugar Puff and darlin') but it was confused several times by him using 'arse' then not too long after he'd say 'ass'. It was a super consistent mess up and should've been fixed in editing. Accents need to be consistent for me or I lose their voices in my head and have to adjust, which makes me stumble a bit. Also 'cum' was only used part of the time in the correct way and that's a pet peeve of mine. Otherwise, this was absolutely delectable and flipping hilarious. Can't wait to see what happens next. 4.5✨ rounded down for those inconsistencies. The spice was top tier 🖤😈🥵
October 10, 2023
Crystal wasn't playing!!!
Prettiest Psycho is book #1 in The Asylum series. This is a dark why choose romance with a whole lotta psychopaths 🤣🤣
CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNING BEFORE YOU START THIS ONE!!!!!
This book is DELICIOUS!!!!
I went into this book after seeing the TW list, and I knew it was gonna be my kinda wild ride, and I wasn't wrong at all!!!
Kayla is a serial unaliver that has been taken to an Asylum instead of prison. When she gets there she is with 6 of the sexiest psychos I have ever had the please of reading about. Daddy Hatcher, Nightshade, Honeymonster, Ghost, Bones and Snow are all serial unalivers that have their own things they are dealing with and they all become captivated with Kayla, and the freaking spice, GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!! So freaking HOT!!! There is more to this asylum than meets the eye, and after that ending, i am so ready for book 2!!!
Crystal created an absolutely amazing story that captures your attention from the very start and don't even get me started on that beautiful cover. Go read this book right now, you won't regret it!!!
Prettiest Psycho is book #1 in The Asylum series. This is a dark why choose romance with a whole lotta psychopaths 🤣🤣
CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNING BEFORE YOU START THIS ONE!!!!!
This book is DELICIOUS!!!!
I went into this book after seeing the TW list, and I knew it was gonna be my kinda wild ride, and I wasn't wrong at all!!!
Kayla is a serial unaliver that has been taken to an Asylum instead of prison. When she gets there she is with 6 of the sexiest psychos I have ever had the please of reading about. Daddy Hatcher, Nightshade, Honeymonster, Ghost, Bones and Snow are all serial unalivers that have their own things they are dealing with and they all become captivated with Kayla, and the freaking spice, GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!! So freaking HOT!!! There is more to this asylum than meets the eye, and after that ending, i am so ready for book 2!!!
Crystal created an absolutely amazing story that captures your attention from the very start and don't even get me started on that beautiful cover. Go read this book right now, you won't regret it!!!
October 12, 2023
"Welcome to the Asylum, where the line between predator and prey blurs, and dark obsessions turn into dangerous alliances.
Prettiest Psycho is the first book in The Asylum series. This does end on a cliffhanger and boy is it an EPIC!!!
Kayla, also known as the Kookaburra Killer, was finally caught and sentenced to life in prison. What she didn't expect was being locked up in an Asylum for the rest of her life. Instead, she's left in a place of nightmares and where monsters are real
HOLY BEJESUS!!! This was absolutely INTENSE!!! From the very beginning, I was drawn in! By the time I was done, the sun was coming up...and #NoRagrets!!! It's been a long minute since I've read anything by Crystal North and I completely forgot how brilliant and amazing of a writer she is. There are TONS of triggers, so please be advised.
GUYS, seriously, if serial unalivers, dark, contemporary, RH/Why Choose, all the triggers and kinks are your jam, then this is definitely a must read!!!
Prettiest Psycho is the first book in The Asylum series. This does end on a cliffhanger and boy is it an EPIC!!!
Kayla, also known as the Kookaburra Killer, was finally caught and sentenced to life in prison. What she didn't expect was being locked up in an Asylum for the rest of her life. Instead, she's left in a place of nightmares and where monsters are real
HOLY BEJESUS!!! This was absolutely INTENSE!!! From the very beginning, I was drawn in! By the time I was done, the sun was coming up...and #NoRagrets!!! It's been a long minute since I've read anything by Crystal North and I completely forgot how brilliant and amazing of a writer she is. There are TONS of triggers, so please be advised.
GUYS, seriously, if serial unalivers, dark, contemporary, RH/Why Choose, all the triggers and kinks are your jam, then this is definitely a must read!!!
October 13, 2023
Waking up inside of the asylum that Kayla has been sentenced to life within is nothing like what she was imagining. There are 7 inmates/patients within and they are treated to luxury especially for some unaliving psychos. Yet, the asylum has hand picked each and everyone one of the 7 for their unique methods during their crimes.
Kayla her 6 psycho men are a trip! Each has their own kink and drawls to them -- So hold on to your hats for that!!! This also means this series is FULL of smut... So thank you for that Crystal.
While we are focused on Kayla and her men there are a lot of moving parts within that keep you drawn into the story not just the kinky fun they get into.
Plus Crystal wants us right at the edge with her cliffhanger so will be patiently (NOT REALLY) waiting for book 2.
I'm all for those stories that keep you no your toes for all the juicy drama. Plus a dark, why choose romance I was hooked... But also that cover chefs kiss this is what drew me to the book to start with then all of the triggers were just calling my name too.
Kayla her 6 psycho men are a trip! Each has their own kink and drawls to them -- So hold on to your hats for that!!! This also means this series is FULL of smut... So thank you for that Crystal.
While we are focused on Kayla and her men there are a lot of moving parts within that keep you drawn into the story not just the kinky fun they get into.
Plus Crystal wants us right at the edge with her cliffhanger so will be patiently (NOT REALLY) waiting for book 2.
I'm all for those stories that keep you no your toes for all the juicy drama. Plus a dark, why choose romance I was hooked... But also that cover chefs kiss this is what drew me to the book to start with then all of the triggers were just calling my name too.
September 29, 2023
Wow!!
We are taken on one crazy ride with this book!!!
From start to finish, you won't want to stop reading!!
Of course there is a lot of crazy happening, but there is something darker going on. So many secrets and lies.
There was suspense, steam, dark humor, unaliving and so much more! The spice was all throughout and so hot too. 🥵
We know our MC are all psychopaths... they have such deep and dark stories that help to shape who they are now.
Kayla is a fantastic FMC. I love that she doesn't hide who she is or shy away from being insane.
Now, to start with the guys. I truly loved each of them as well. It was great to get a page of each of them, with their descriptions.
For the most part, they all try to fight their feelings, but the connections they share are undeniable. I loved seeing them all slowly come together.
I think this was a fantastic start to Kayla and her guys story!!
I can't wait for book 2!!!
We are taken on one crazy ride with this book!!!
From start to finish, you won't want to stop reading!!
Of course there is a lot of crazy happening, but there is something darker going on. So many secrets and lies.
There was suspense, steam, dark humor, unaliving and so much more! The spice was all throughout and so hot too. 🥵
We know our MC are all psychopaths... they have such deep and dark stories that help to shape who they are now.
Kayla is a fantastic FMC. I love that she doesn't hide who she is or shy away from being insane.
Now, to start with the guys. I truly loved each of them as well. It was great to get a page of each of them, with their descriptions.
For the most part, they all try to fight their feelings, but the connections they share are undeniable. I loved seeing them all slowly come together.
I think this was a fantastic start to Kayla and her guys story!!
I can't wait for book 2!!!
February 19, 2024
Star rating rounded down from 3.5 because I can’t give a proper rating without finishing the story in Part 2.
What on earth did I just read?
Am I hooked? Yes.
Do I want to be hooked? I just don’t know.
We have Kayla, Hachette, Snow, Ghost, Honey, Night & Bones in this Why Choose that I struggle to even classify as romance. Because while there’s certainly a level of romance, this book is just wild from beginning to end.
Because there’s so many man, half the book is smut. It would probably have been one book instead of two if there was 2/3 chaps but I understand why it was split given the sheer amount of scenes dedicated to almost every kink known to mankind.
There is a plot there… but it’s just so hidden by the a mind-boggling amount of filth. So yeah, I’m hooked, by both aspects honestly.
The twist has me twisted, so even though it’s currently a 3.5, my review might change come September…
3.5⭐️ 5🌶️
What on earth did I just read?
Am I hooked? Yes.
Do I want to be hooked? I just don’t know.
We have Kayla, Hachette, Snow, Ghost, Honey, Night & Bones in this Why Choose that I struggle to even classify as romance. Because while there’s certainly a level of romance, this book is just wild from beginning to end.
Because there’s so many man, half the book is smut. It would probably have been one book instead of two if there was 2/3 chaps but I understand why it was split given the sheer amount of scenes dedicated to almost every kink known to mankind.
There is a plot there… but it’s just so hidden by the a mind-boggling amount of filth. So yeah, I’m hooked, by both aspects honestly.
The twist has me twisted, so even though it’s currently a 3.5, my review might change come September…
3.5⭐️ 5🌶️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2024
How dare you leave me on such a huge cliffhanger. Wow, this book. Literally had me clenching my thighs together most of the time, asking so many questions, and left my freaking jaw on the floor. The plot was amazing. This book had me hooked from the blurb to the dedication to the whole book. The plot was so good you got 6 guys and 1 girl, and they're all psychopaths put in a insane asylum that holds more questions than answers. They can literally do anything they want, except leave. They have certain tasks they need to complete, and if they don't, they get punished and wow the punishments. Check the trigger warnings, and all I have to say. The spice, oh my God, the spice, I feel like this is the most spiciest book I've read. I just kept getting dick slapped almost every chapter, and I was here for every minute of it. If you love everything I just said and are good with all the triggers, then seriously go read this book!
September 30, 2023
If you love to chose your next read by the tw and kink shopping list, you'll definitely get a full cart (or two) of it with this book. It's dark and twisted with loads of t and k - so please be mindful of that, before you dive in.
The story plays out in an asylum for psycho serial K1llers. And psycho they really are, the whole lot of them 😅 And our FMC is the first woman to ever enter the premises, so... The heat is on. And not just on, it is ON. Man oh man, some of these scenes...
The book is not all dark though, there are some pretty great one liners sprinkled throughout as well.
In the "prison" there are some more things at large and the plot keeps you pretty much as much in the dark as our FMC.
I'm looking forward to reading more from the world of the not so sane, especially since the ending is a cliffhanger as well as a huge plot twist.
The story plays out in an asylum for psycho serial K1llers. And psycho they really are, the whole lot of them 😅 And our FMC is the first woman to ever enter the premises, so... The heat is on. And not just on, it is ON. Man oh man, some of these scenes...
The book is not all dark though, there are some pretty great one liners sprinkled throughout as well.
In the "prison" there are some more things at large and the plot keeps you pretty much as much in the dark as our FMC.
I'm looking forward to reading more from the world of the not so sane, especially since the ending is a cliffhanger as well as a huge plot twist.
October 8, 2023
Holy F**k! This book is deliciously twisted and dark! I couldn’t get enough! This book is everything you want in a serial killer romance! It has that suicide squad vibes that I love so much!
I absolutely love Kayla’s character! Her internal comments make me laugh so hard! And I just love how unhinged she is! She definitely gives these guys a run for their money! Night, Honey, Ghost, Bones, Hatchet and Snow! These psychos are everything we love in morally gray and unhinged dark book bfs! I can’t wait to get to know all these characters even more in the next book!
Now that cliffhanger! WTF! Way to drop multiple bombs on us there in the end and am on edge!
If you want a very dark, why choose romance with criminally insane psychopaths with zero moral compass, then read this! Book 1 ends on a cliffhanger and I’m dying for book 2 already!
Please read the triggers before reading!
I absolutely love Kayla’s character! Her internal comments make me laugh so hard! And I just love how unhinged she is! She definitely gives these guys a run for their money! Night, Honey, Ghost, Bones, Hatchet and Snow! These psychos are everything we love in morally gray and unhinged dark book bfs! I can’t wait to get to know all these characters even more in the next book!
Now that cliffhanger! WTF! Way to drop multiple bombs on us there in the end and am on edge!
If you want a very dark, why choose romance with criminally insane psychopaths with zero moral compass, then read this! Book 1 ends on a cliffhanger and I’m dying for book 2 already!
Please read the triggers before reading!
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