Tower of Pain and Sorrow

by S.R. Jones, Silla Webb

From USA Today Bestselling Authors SR Jones and Silla Webb comes a twisted Dark Mafia, Fractured Fairy Tale Romance filled with pain and sorrow.


I thought I wanted freedom, but I was wrong.

I just needed a different kind of prison.


James

I found her locked in a tower. The girl who wrote a plea for help in her own blood.

Her note called to something dark in me, and so I returned for her and took her as mine.

Now she seems to think I’m her angel.

She says we can be something beautiful.

I’ve warned her that beauty is deceitful, but she’s nothing if not a believer … in us.

In this.

Can I live up to what she needs from me, or will my cold heart ruin this the way it does everything good in my life?


Ellie

He rescued me from my room in the tower and set me free.

I’m lost in a new world, unable to navigate my new life.

The rules and regulations of my enforced conformity were like restraints, and with them gone, I’m unmoored.

I need a new safety and crave the certainty I had in my tower but without the pain and sorrow.

Can this brutal but beautiful man, my fallen angel, give me that? I believe so.

Slowly, one fragile step at a time, I explore my new world.

But I explore too far, and the past catches up with me in a dangerous way.

All I can hope and pray for is that I’ll find redemption a second time and truly be set free.

Genres: Forced Proximity, Romance, Contemporary, Dark, Amazon, Mafia Romance

460 pages, Paperback

Published October 26, 2023

About the author

Redeeming dark and dangerous heroes one book at a time.
Skye Jones is an award winning and USA Today Bestselling Author.
She writes dark mafia and contemporary romance as SR Jones, and angsty paranormal romance as Skye.

When not writing Skye can be found reading, dog herding, or watching gritty dramas on Netflix with her husband. She lives in the grey, windswept north of England, which fuels her taste for the dramatic and the gothic.

For a free read sign up for her reader club here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ca20ewxx71

Reviews

[Danah]

20% Dnf

[Jill Haworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

After her mother died, Rosalia’s father sold her to Maurice.
He informs her that she is now his daughter and he changes her name to Ellie. She has to call him Father-Husband. He forges official documents to that effect, but tells her that once
she’s 21, she will be married to him. He believes in visions that he and other men in some sort of cult have had and fiercely believe in. But they’ll also turn a blind eye if someone needs burying…literally.
‘Ellie’ is imprisoned in a tiny room at the top of a tower in a grotty hovel. Maurice disgusts her. Never mind the fact that her bought her and wants her to bear his children, he’s creepy as heck.
Ellie is self harming with pins as a coping mechanism but doesn’t truly understand what she’s doing. She needs something to make her feel. She likes her pins because she stole them from Maurice. The only thing he gave her was a rag doll.
When James and Nico knocked on Maurice’s door in book one, (House of Ash and Glass), Ellie uses her pin army to help her make her leg bleed, just enough to be able to write one word, HELP, on fabric she rips off her dress. She pushes it out of the gap in the window when the men are leaving, and James catches it.
James is intrigued. For someone to be so desperate to do something like that, he can’t ignore her plea and he returns to confront Maurice. Rescuing Ellie, he brings her back to his home and starts her on the long road of recovery. The chemistry between the is heavy but they’re both messed up. When they finally get together, things don’t run as smoothly as they plan. He’s working mostly from home while he finishes jobs for Nico. He’s getting background checks done into everyone involved in Ellie’s kidnapping and has Reese on the case deep diving the cult. Konstantin agrees to help by providing Ellie with a female close protection detail. Ellie has made a few friends in the village but is too naive and trusting.
James has the reputation of being a Tin Man, but will Ellie be the one to help him to heal and when things go wrong for Ellie, will James be in time to save her again…
This was a brilliant Rapunzelesque tale, brought into the present day. James is an ornery, difficult man, troubled by his past. Ellie is young and innocent for her age, but so desperate to be loved and return it. Their attraction is instant and their chemistry confusing. We meet many new faces and our old friends that are all rooting for James and Ellie to sort themselves out because they both deserve so much happiness if they’d just take that risk, even when they’re up against a cult. Excellent.

[Brittany St Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is very different from book one. Ellie being trapped takes away a lot of the life experiences she would have had normally. She's resilient, though. She learns about herself in the process of the story and how to handle situations. She has a giant heart but that can lead her to trouble as well.
James is fierce and extremely protective. He's been on a mission to save Ellie since the first book. He is very much the type when he latches on, he doesn't let go. He latched onto Ellie and did everything in his power plus some. She has a hold on him, a power over him, and she doesn't even know it.
They both have a lot they have to process and work through. They do it together, and separately. He cares so much about her but also doesn't know how to process it because of who he is. The world has put him into a mold he very much agrees with, but she's able to break it as if it were never there.
There's drama and all the fun things we love. Pillows, am I right? IYKYK. But there's also an amazing story of perseverance, love, and finding yourself.
This is such an amazing world and I am so excited for the next book.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie was kept in the tower, and she dreaded what was going to happen to her. When she saw the men, she knew it was her one chance to perhaps leave the tower, even though the though terrified her.
James knew there was something about the girl in the tower and he was going to save her, when he did, she was terrified, and he knew he couldn’t just let the authorities have her. Something unusual for him because he didn’t normally care but he finds he does care about Ellie. He knows this could turn out wrong he enjoys a darker side to life, but the more he is around Ellie the more he knows he can’t let her go.
James knows that Ellie being kept in the tower has taken it toll on her mentally, he ensure that she gets all the help she needs, although he can’t resist the temptation that she is he only hope when she does start to heal that she won’t want to walk away from him.

[DeeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tower of Sorrow and Pain
by SR Jones and Silla Webb

What an appropriate title for this dark and engaging romance. This was James and Ella's story which was filled with Ellie's past traumas and James' overpowering protective nature. In reading this story, I found out almost immediately that drama was the crux to their relationship and mistakes made together and apart would continue to draw them together no matter what. Both were strong and resilient characters as were the two previous characters, Nico and Cindy in book one of the series, so I strongly recommend for readers to read book 1. and 1. 5 in that order to get the full effect of these storylines.

5 resilient stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Maz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited for this book after the little snippet we got at the end of book 1.
I am thoroughly enjoying this steamy version of retelling of fairy tales.
James was just perfect. He believes he doesn't have a heart. So when he saves the mysterious girl in the tall tower, he is certain he can't love her. He does so much to stay away from her. He had certain kink and need for control and her submission. As Ellie has been trapped in the tower for 6 years or so. She doesn't know life in the real world. Thanks to her reading she knows things via that. She was being groomed to get married,by the cult.
Despite all she went through she was so strong and resilient. I loved how she didn't fear to ask questions or be more inquisitive. I loved her innocent and nativity and her self exploration of her sexial desires.
James may be a strong man but when it comes to Ellie, he crumbles easily. Their chemistry and spice between them was so steamy and hot. They were just perfect.
Unfortunately Ellie isn't safe. Her being so loving and kind she might just have let the devil in her life.. Read and find out what happens and can James save her in time. Loved seeing Nico and Cindy again. But my favourite blast from past was Damien. Him and Maya were my favourite from that other series.
This story has a lot of action, drama, gore, mentally broken, emotion, love and spice.
Please read trigger warnings before you start this book.
Excited for book 3 but not sure which fairy tale it will be.

Favourite Quotes:

Father-Husband might have held me, beat me, half-starved me at times, but he didn’t take away my soul.” I lean in close and whisper seriously, “No one can take away your soul, James.”

"She keeps saying I’m her angel, but she has it all wrong. She’s the angel, and now that I have her… I’m not letting her go."

"This situation has developed rather quickly. My feelings have developed so fast. She’s come into my life like a whirlwind, and as much as I’ve tried to deny it to myself, I’ve fallen."

"My f3cking beautiful, perfect, Ellie. I’d take the moon out of the sky and hang it in the corner of the room for you if you asked me to.”

[Heather Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

After her mother died, Rosalia’s father sold her to Maurice. Maurice tells her that she is now his daughter and he changes her name to Ellie. She has to call him Father-Husband. Once she turns 21 she is to be married to him, who is as old as her birth father.

One day a few men, James & Nico came to talk with Maurice. From her tower, Ellie sends out a cloth that she has written in blood 'help'. Both men are wondering who is in the tower. James can't help but wonder who is in the tower. James returns to Maurices to help Ellie escape. Ellie has already started to try to escape herself, and they run into each other in the kitchen.
Ellie has been so badly treated, she doesn't know when someone is trying to help her vs hurt her. In the car Ellie sits in James's lap the whole car ride shivering she is so afraid of the outside world.

James takes Ellie to his house that he is renting and sets her up in a room of her own with a shower and bathroom. Ellie doesn't know what to think of her new freedom and new clean house. She is beside herself with fear that James will now sell her yet again.

James finds a therapist who comes and talks with Ellie and tries to work with her through her problems of self harm, and her lack of self confidence. Ellie isn't sure who James is other than he wants to help her.

Once Ellie trusts James she opens up a bit more and she starts coming out of her shell more.

I did receive a free ARC copy of this book. I am freely leaving an honest review.

[Christina Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I just say OMG!! Panty melting, hot steamy scenes with Ellie and James.

I couldn't put this book down. And I couldn't wait to see how this all played out. The characters were well written and thoroughly built in the book that you felt like you were in the book (at least I did!). If you read House of Ash and Glass, then you know how Nico was. To be honest I don't know whose more alfa Nico or James.

James was obsessed with Ellie as soon as he received her piece of cloth with her blood on it. But the pain in his previous life still holds him back, and he is in so much denial it's crazy. As we go through the story you can tell he is losing his grip more and more and refuses to believe his in love with Ellie.

Ellie has been held captive so long that she really is so new to the world when she is freed, almost like a newborn and naïve. While she does have a little bit of twisted thought process, it is understandable based on what she went through. I can tell you as soon as Jo and Vicky enter the picture, I did not like them!!

If you haven't read House of Ash and Glass do not let that stop, you from reading this book!! This is definitely a page turner. I received this as an ARC and leave my honest review.

[Sassy Southern Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Tower of Pain and Sorrow is the first book I have read by SR Jones and Silla Webb. This book was a dark retelling of Rapunzel. I thought the authors created a deliciously dark romance that had action, drama, suspense, and some spicy spiciness. This book was gritty and emotional and had an original storyline. I was intrigued by the characters in this book most of all. They were complex and seemed to have an instant chemistry and a D/s role. This book is the second in the Shattered Ever After series and can be read as a stand-alone. It is a dark romance with dark themes and topics. I plan on reading the first book soon. This book made my heart break and mend itself a few times. I was on the edge of my seat with the action and suspense and fist-pumping for the characters. I couldn't put this book down because I needed to know what would happen next.

Ellie is such a beautiful soul. She thought she was broken and just surviving from day to day. I thought she was innocent, strong, and determined to be saved from her current situation. James was dark, broody, possessive, intense, and very insistent on getting what he wanted most in life. I loved his commitment and loyalty to his friends. He was the dark knight in battered armor for Ellie when he saved her. The chemistry they both had was instant and scorching hot. Ellie and James were each other's light to each other's darkness. - By Brooke

[Katie MacLeod · Rating 4 out of 5]

So we briefly saw the beginning of this story in book one (this can be read as a stand alone, the stories just overlap a bit) and it was immediately a gripping storyline. A Rapunzel retelling but in a very more realistic way. She would be traumatized. She would be sheltered. There would be a bigger system at play. Ellie fits all the boxes of someone trying to figure out life outside of captivity and latching on the first person they find. I also see a lot of growth in Ellie throughout this book and I think if we had seen this book through a bit more in the future, we would have seen her really come into herself. James on the other hand, was insufferable at times. He was the one who need therapy. There was a turning point in the book where I finally felt their was hope for this couple but I felt like Ellie was doing all the work to make this ice man thaw when she had been through the ringer. Don’t get me wrong, Ellie is immature and naive at times and James does need to be the guiding light for her but this cat and mouse dynamic they have was confusing for the both of them. They really had to work for their HEA and I really do hope we get to see more of them now that they did find it.

[Shabby -BookBistroBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mistake was not reading book 1 first, although it doesn't hamper with the beautiful story, they do overlap a bit.
But I was so taken in by the Rapunzel inspired story of Ellie who's trapped in the tower. Forcibly sold to a cult master, Maurice, she has nothing to do but curl up in a ball and cry. Self harm subject is touched upon with great tenderness and it made my heart hurt for Ellie. Her emergency cry for help, written in blood, on a piece of tattered cloth, is received by James. And he becomes her saviour.
He's already a broken spirit but together they surpass so many obstacles.
It was heartening and satisfying tale and there's nobody who deserved HEA more than these two.
4 stars
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[Brittany Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓸 𝓴𝓮𝓮𝓹 𝓶𝓮,” 𝓘 𝓼𝓪𝔂. “𝓛𝓪𝓼𝓽 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮.” 𝓗𝓲𝓼 𝓰𝓻𝓲𝓹 𝓸𝓷 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓲𝓹𝓼 𝓽𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓮𝓷𝓼, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓼𝓷𝓪𝓴𝓮𝓼 𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓸 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓪𝓲𝓻 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝔀𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓼 𝓲𝓽 𝓪𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭 𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓯𝓲𝓼𝓽. “𝓘 𝓶𝓮𝓪𝓷 𝓲𝓽, 𝓔𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓮. 𝓛𝓪𝓼𝓽. 𝓕𝓾𝓬𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰. 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮.” “𝓚𝓮𝓮𝓹 𝓶𝓮,” 𝓘 𝔀𝓱𝓲𝓼𝓹𝓮𝓻. “𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓭𝓲𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼. 𝓡𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓶𝓫𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽,” 𝓲𝓽’𝓼 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓪𝔂𝓼.

🖤Locked in a tower, set to marry a man who repulses her. Ellie needs to figure out a way to escape after years of being captive. But when her prayers are answered by a mysterious man she begged for help from. She got more than expected.
🖤She thought she wanted her freedom, but in the end she just needed a new kind of prison 🖤Tower of Pain and Sorrow is a forced proximity captive romance featuring a sweet sunshine heroine and a broody, grumpy hero with Who did this to you vibes.

˜”*°•.˜”*°• ““𝒩𝑜, 𝐸𝓁𝓁𝒾𝑒. 𝒯𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓃𝑜 𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓌𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓃. 𝐵𝑒𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓃𝑜 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓃𝓉𝓈; 𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝐼 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊, 𝓃𝑜 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝑒𝓁𝓈𝑒 𝑒𝓍𝒾𝓈𝓉𝓈.”•°*”˜.•°*”˜

I always fall for this series! I love how we focused more on their relationship in this book. I do recommend reading the novella Heart of Steel and Chaos prior to this one. But it’s not necessary. The character growth of Ellie was phenomenal, and even the growth of the MMC. I really can’t wait for the next installment.

18+ • fairytale reimagining

[Katie (Katie's Corner Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

KC Rating: 4.25🍁 | 1.25🌶️

Have i been waiting to pit my paws on this one? Yes! Was it everything i hoped and maybe even more? Yes and not really. But let me explain.

If you’re new to this series don’t worry, you don’t necessarily need to read first book to grasp what’s going on here, but i HIGHLY encourage you to do so, because it was AMAZING!

I was prepared for James and Ellies story to be dark, considering how they meet, and while i got everything i was expecting i was a bit disappointed when James’ BDSM lifestyle wasn’t fully explored or how he would introduce Ellie to it. James was that character that i wasn’t sure i liked or not. On one hand he was great, but then would do something and i would be screaming: why???? On the other hand Ellie was very likeable. Let’s not forget that she has trauma on top of trauma, but she was still going for what she wanted which was life with James or better said forever with him. Whether or not he was down for that is a completely different matter and you’ll need to read the book to know about it.

P.s. all the supporting characters (apart from the therapist) need to get a life and stop meddling in James and Ellie’s relationship! Like damn, stop giving useless pointers to Ellie on how to use James!

Overall this was a great read and i recommend it, check your trigger and content warnings though!

[LHS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book - it is the story of Ellie - young and beautiful rescued from the clutches of evil having been trapped in a tower - her prison for too many years at a young age with no one but her captor as company. She is rescued by James, a family enforcer who is fiercely protective and always in control - until he meets her.

James is tortured after losing another girl he rescued years ago and is determined to keep Ellie safe from those who may still be looking for her. Although Ellie is naive and needs to acclimatise to her new surroundings, get over the pain and betrayal she has suffered and learn to trust again be around new people she has a fight in her that she did not realise she had.

The chemistry between these two is off the charts but her insecurities keep creeping in.

This is a well written book with dark moments, with plenty of passion and quite emotional at times.

Well worth a read.

I received this book as an ARC and giving my honest and true review.

[Catlou · Rating 5 out of 5]

TOWER OF PAIN AND SORROW lives up to all my expectations for James and Ellie’s story. It’s filled with intensely deep emotions, oftentimes quite dark, that draw you under so deeply you’ll feel immersed in their lives, finding it hard to walk away. James felt compelled to rescue Ellie, but I believe she also rescued him, or at least his heart. Their exploration of their dark passions and growing feelings for each other is enough to keep you enthralled. But when danger comes knocking on their door, that’s when you will find yourself with your heartbreaking once more for Ellie while you’re kept on the edge of your seat with your heart in your throat, unable to stop reading until the very end. Theirs is an intense, dark, and compelling romance that will capture your heart and have you thoroughly involved from start to finish. It’s a definite must-read, and I can’t wait to read what’s coming next.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK!!! I have no words for how incredible this book is. None. I started it before going to bed thinking I would read long enough to log my time on my Kindle to keep my reading streak going, then go to bed. WRONG!! I started this book and the next thing I knew, it was 1:30 in the morning and I had DEVOURED all 488 pages.

How does this start? The FMC writes a message to the MMC pleading for his help, IN HER BLOOD!!! That is how desperate she is to escape. If that is not the definition of a strong FMC who won't let anything stop her, I don't know what is.

This book is truly incredible. The mental health exploration, the back and forth, the way it is an instalove and obsession romance, but they still have to work for it. How she is also ruthless and blood thirsty and possessive and jealous just like him. These two were a match made between heaven and hell, and I loved them so much!!

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh My! Ellie Can’t Catch a Break!!

In the first book in this amazing series, when Nico gets info to rescue his love, James see a young woman in a tower. She writes a note in her own blood “Help”. He vows to complete his current project and come back for her. How does someone who is held captive for years deal with freedom? Interpersonal relationships are difficult, being outside paralyzes her, how do you make choices when you could not for years. Gritty, raw and romantic as James helps her adapt to her new reality, while being cognizant that there may be others looking for her.

Will keep you glued to the page. Your heart will go out to Ellie, and you will be ever so thankful for James. A fabulous read!

***** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book *****

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tower of Pain and Sorrow is a mafia captive romance and a dark version of Rapunzel written by the excellent writing team of SR Jones and Silla Webb. The book continues the story of James who serves as the enforcer and lawyer for the Andretti family, and introduces Ellie, who is an innocent being held in a tower by an abusive captor and takes a chance to escape by dropping a note written in blood from her window to James. In the past James had vowed to always protect an innocent who is in a dangerous situation and finds himself obsessed with rescuing and protecting Ellie as she is a novice to the outside world. I highly recommend this well written book with its complex characters, forced proximity, suspense, drama, danger, and steamy passion.
I received a free copy of this book from the authors and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Celine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, but I think I loved the idea of this book more than the book itself.

I was enjoying it, then I felt like it was dragging on in things I don't particularly enjoy. I felt the FMC was a bit too childish, but I do understand why that is. I just didn't enjoy it that much.

I did really like the story and their relationship and their dynamic. I thought it fit in really well. I just think I enjoyed the first book more than this one.

Now, the ending really surprised me. Becasue of the childish nature of the FMC, I was not expecting her to fight back quite as much, but I guess, with the way she was acting and reacting toward our MMC leading up to this point, I should've seen it coming. She was coming into her own and really learning what she is willing to take and what she absolutely is not.

Overall, an enjoyable read.

[sloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Rapunzel retelling! Second book I read from the series and it’s just as good as the first. Very naive FMC but it made complete sense with the storyline. The MMC annoyed me at times tbh but he made up for it.

Summary:
Ellie was sold by her father to a man in a cult at the age of 14-15. Now she’s 21 and when 2 men come knocking on the door to the tower she’s locked in, she passes them a note saying help that she wrote with her blood. One of the men James takes the note and vows to come back for her. He eventually comes back and saves her from the tower and brings her to his home. It takes a very long time for Ellie to acclimate to her new environment because she’s been brainwashed and locked up for 6-7 years. Eventually they fall in love. No third act breakup but she does get kidnapped but James saves her and they live HEA!!!!

Excited to read Renata’s book!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie has been kept isolated and abused for seven years, that she has survived is remarkable, that she is so sweet and loving is amazing. She is naive and innocent, the exact opposite of James, but he and Lorraine are guiding her with the help of a therapist. James mellows along this journey and although he is still a ‘bad’ man he is protective, supportive and loving with Ellie. This story is really Ellie and James’ story from darkness to light, from despair to love and to be sure there are bumps along the road. Watching Ellie learn and grow is delightful and will make you chuckle at times. Her naïveté and straightforward way of talking charms everyone who meets her. This is a story that will warm your heart.

[Norma Mojica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tower of Pain and Sorrow is James' story. James is the family enforcer and lawyer for Nico Andretti (from House of Ash and Glass). Years ago James rescued a woman in Afghanistan but is tormented with regret for not having done more in saving her. So when he helps Nico rescue Cindy (Nico's wife) from a deranged artist, James vows to return to free the girl in the locked tower after she throws a note to him written in blood for help. Once rescued, can James, a dark tortured soul, be what Ellie needs to acclimate her to her new world after all the trauma and betrayal she has suffered? This well-written dark, twisted story is filled with drama, suspense, danger, kidnapping and sexy steam. Loved Ellie and James' journey to love and healing. Looking forward to more!

[Lisa Petty (Book Bangers Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern-Day Rapunzel with a little bloodshed. James found a girl in a tower who gave him a note to help. But he has his own things going on before he can think about saving her. However, now is the time to figure out what is going on in that house. Ellie is so beautiful and strong and has been through so much since she was younger. She knows she needs to fight to get out of the hell she's been put in. When her dark angel comes to save her, she will make the ultimate decision. Now that James has her he will do what he can to protect her. Secrets and lies are revealed and Ellie will have to learn to live in the world she has been kept from. When danger starts lurking can James keep her safe and keep her?

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie is being held against her will and is facing a future she doesn’t want. She has been sheltered from everyone and everything, but she is also heroic as she attempts to find a way to escape her plight and James hears her unorthodox plea.

When James realizes what Ellie has endured his only thought is to rescue her, keep her safe and ensure those responsible are held accountable. He wants to help her heal from the past and adjust to all the changes she is facing but he wasn’t prepared for the feelings she would inspire in him.

Suspense and romance combine as despite everything that Ellie has been through she shows and strong and resilient she really is as she and James help each other heal from the past and overcome all the challenges in the present.

[ReadonReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellie’s life hasn’t been an easy one with being locked in a tower of a deranged man for years and it breaks your heart seeing all she endured. When James first sees Ellie he is mesmerized by her and knows deep in his heart he is meant to save her, but he’s not a nice guy so could he really be her hero? When James takes her away from her tower to show her life outside of captivity Ellie is overwhelmed and naive when it comes to a lot of things but she is learning. James wants to keep her safe and to do that he pretty much trades one life in captivity for another and when Ellie calls him out on this they tend to butt heads. This story was intriguing, twisted, and oh so hot. I enjoyed the journey that these two went on and the growth of Ellie was amazing.

[Didi Phantomhive · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a tad bit hard of a read for me. I personally think the story itself is a little bit dragging and there are lots of unnecessary conflicts that was made as a plot-fill for the book. I don't really like the MMC and I'm actually confident that I don't like the FMC at all. I don't think it's due to the "damsel in distress" and virgin concept but her character just doesn't speak to me. James? He's a good character but some of his actions and personality actually ticks me off so it's hard to love him even as I finished the book. I was actually looking forward to his book since I developed an attraction in the first book but...I'm actually disappointed. Overall, it was a decent book but it's not something you would read as a passing or would read again.

[Sandy Lieberman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read!!! This is a phenomenal story!  Ellie was taken as a young girl; she's lived her life in a tower. She has had nothing but abuse. The freak who took her has kept her locked up for years. James for some reason turns up there and by chance looks up and sees her. He's her savior she hopes. He's tough, hard and will he save her? This book will keep you on edge every page. What will happen next? I knew there was danger lurking around the corner. The story was consuming so many emotions. Not going to tell you anything else just that you MUST read this book. It is one of the best books I have read. 

[Zelda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these fractured fairytales with their crime family characters. This is the second book in the Shattered Ever After series and is told from the points of view of Ellie & James. They had a brief, Rapunzel-like scene in the first book, and you knew James was going to go back for her. You can read this as a standalone but I enjoyed it so much more after reading the first book. This book had all the elements I expect from these authors—spice, great characters, action, danger, a J/P hero. Ellie was a bit special—she needed a bit of help to heal and fits in with the Andretti crowd well. Loving this series!

[Leslie Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this was so hard to read. dont get me wrong, it was a really great book, but it is so sad. This has kidnapping, cult, some self-harm, mental and physical abuse, and selling women. This girl Ellie was taken at age 15, and she was sold by her father to a 50 something year old man and was rescued at age 21. He thought she was the prophet going to bare the next child to bring their cult together. She was locked in a tower for years. The things this girl went through were unreal. James rescues her falls for her, and she has been sheltered so much she really doesn't know how to act or speak in public or convey her emotions.

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tower Of Pain And Sorrow is James and Ellie's story and I have been anxiously waiting for this one. James is an over the top protector by nature. He instinctively needs to protect Ellie in such a huge way. Ellie's one tough cookie. She's been through such horrors and as a result lacks a great deal of life experience for someone her age. James deals with his share of issues as well but with Ellie they both seem to grow and come into their own. Their journey is heartbreaking and intense. Grab your tissues and buckle up, you're in for a fantastic ride.