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Dark Prey
For six years I have watched this man who has the kindest soul, and it is addicting. The fact that I get to work side-by-side with him should feel like a blessing, but it’s torturous to not be able to tell him how I feel. I am scarily comfortable with him, despite everything that happened to me when I was eighteen. Men like him deserve better than a broken and shattered soul to weigh them down, yet here he is by my side. Some would say that I coped well with the atrocities that took place back then. I think part of me just knew it wasn’t over yet. It won’t end until one of us is dead. When my captor catches back up to me, will I be able to survive his disgusting fantasies twice?
546 pages, Paperback
Published February 17, 2024
63 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Emily Klepp
117 books560 followersVisit my Linktree here -> https://linktr.ee/emilykleppnovels
Emily Klepp is a Western North Carolina native residing in eastern Tennessee with her loving husband and two beautiful children. She has been writing since she was fourteen years old as a way to cope with her anxiety. She hopes to help others be able to speak their truth by writing about topics that are considered too taboo for societal norms.
Emily Klepp is a Western North Carolina native residing in eastern Tennessee with her loving husband and two beautiful children. She has been writing since she was fourteen years old as a way to cope with her anxiety. She hopes to help others be able to speak their truth by writing about topics that are considered too taboo for societal norms.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 14, 2023
DNF. The writing was so elementary and boring. It made no sense.
April 2, 2025
Edited 04-02-2025
I actually liked this book less this time around. The more I read it and thought about, the more it just didn't work. Honestly the whole conspiracy on how many people were in on Lizzies abuse didn't seem to make sense. Or at least their motivations. Maybe that was the point or whatever. I will keep my original rating as obviously I loved it at one point, but re reading it made me take a whole different outlook.
I sound like a broken record when I say this, but CHECK THE TWs. Can't complain about triggers when they are right there. Anyways, now on to the book.
Emily is always a hit with me when it comes to a SA survivor overcoming and getting revenge. This book is no different in that category. Lizzie is so strong to have survived such brutality and still be able to love and be kind. She has her issues, and some days for her are harder than others. She pushes through it, but she's not alone. I love how Emily added such a strong female best friend for Lizzie. It shows that not all women are snarky and mean. That some women really are amazing. There are a bunch of amazing women in this book. Again, Emily does such a good job in describing how badly the justice system fails survivors and victims every day. And how horrible the media and the public are to SA survivors. The name calling is horrifying in this book. The amount of inappropriate comments made and the laughter from some people is disgusting. Unfortunately, it's a part of life for SA survivors. There are so many things I loved about this book, but there are a couple things that made it harder to get through. I did feel this book was WAY too long. It could have easily been 75 pages shorter and it wouldn't have changed the story. In fact, I think it would have made it a bit stronger. It just took so long to get some resolution and get to through the story. I wanted to put it down because in some areas it got tedious. The overall story is so strong and a must read. I did greatly enjoy this book and will continue reading anything and everything this author writes.
I actually liked this book less this time around. The more I read it and thought about, the more it just didn't work. Honestly the whole conspiracy on how many people were in on Lizzies abuse didn't seem to make sense. Or at least their motivations. Maybe that was the point or whatever. I will keep my original rating as obviously I loved it at one point, but re reading it made me take a whole different outlook.
I sound like a broken record when I say this, but CHECK THE TWs. Can't complain about triggers when they are right there. Anyways, now on to the book.
Emily is always a hit with me when it comes to a SA survivor overcoming and getting revenge. This book is no different in that category. Lizzie is so strong to have survived such brutality and still be able to love and be kind. She has her issues, and some days for her are harder than others. She pushes through it, but she's not alone. I love how Emily added such a strong female best friend for Lizzie. It shows that not all women are snarky and mean. That some women really are amazing. There are a bunch of amazing women in this book. Again, Emily does such a good job in describing how badly the justice system fails survivors and victims every day. And how horrible the media and the public are to SA survivors. The name calling is horrifying in this book. The amount of inappropriate comments made and the laughter from some people is disgusting. Unfortunately, it's a part of life for SA survivors. There are so many things I loved about this book, but there are a couple things that made it harder to get through. I did feel this book was WAY too long. It could have easily been 75 pages shorter and it wouldn't have changed the story. In fact, I think it would have made it a bit stronger. It just took so long to get some resolution and get to through the story. I wanted to put it down because in some areas it got tedious. The overall story is so strong and a must read. I did greatly enjoy this book and will continue reading anything and everything this author writes.
August 12, 2025
I dont typically rate books this low, but I really held out hope that it would get better and was disappointed every time I turned the page...
Everything feels so superficial. I couldn't make any connections with any of the characters. They all felt too 'perfect'.
The FMC Elizabeth or Liz went 7 years (or a decade depending on where you are in the book because the numbers kept switching) not telling anyone about this huge secret in her life. Then she spends 50% of the book telling EVERYONE. It was so repetitive that she would tell the same story to different people over and over and over and over and over again.. I dont understand why the author wrote out every single detail multiple times when the reader already read it once. I would have preferred to read "I told them everything that happened" than 4 pages of the same conversation we already had with someone else... and this happened so many times...
The MMC Carson is absolutely perfect in the most annoying way. He just accepts everything and has the personality of piece of hotel art. He's there for something to look at, but doesnt really bring anything to the table. He makes Liz his partner in the beginning of the book just out of the blue then the next day they are a couple, then a week later they are saying I love you to eachother and planning to get married. I understand they worked together for 7 years, but their relationship was purely professional so moving into head over heels in love in 7 days is a bit much.
Now for the plot... there was so much build up for what?? She knew she had these stalkers (yes multiple) but didnt think "oh hey, I should stay in crowded areas or have someone with me at all times so they dont get me again" but no. Instead she lets herself get taken... in public... in the middle of the day. Then her fiancé shows up as the kidnapper is taking her out of the car and jumps out to do what??? oh get himself kidnapped... when he could have waited for them to go inside and have the element of surprise. Also.... WHY DID NO ONE CALL THE POLICE UNTIL AFTER???? Then, all this build up for the kidnapping and its over in a couple pages. She shoots him then moves on like nothing happened. Then another stalker pops up and she gets kidnapped again and this time it only lasts 2 pages before 💥boom💥 shes saved again.
Im skipping over a lot because the book was 591 pages... All in all.. the plot had so many holes in it, the years from her original kidnapping kept changing, she kept repeating herself word for word telling everyone everything, there was no depth to the characters, and everything was anticlimactic... honestly if it would have ended with Chapter 26 I would have loved it so much more.
Everything feels so superficial. I couldn't make any connections with any of the characters. They all felt too 'perfect'.
The FMC Elizabeth or Liz went 7 years (or a decade depending on where you are in the book because the numbers kept switching) not telling anyone about this huge secret in her life. Then she spends 50% of the book telling EVERYONE. It was so repetitive that she would tell the same story to different people over and over and over and over and over again.. I dont understand why the author wrote out every single detail multiple times when the reader already read it once. I would have preferred to read "I told them everything that happened" than 4 pages of the same conversation we already had with someone else... and this happened so many times...
The MMC Carson is absolutely perfect in the most annoying way. He just accepts everything and has the personality of piece of hotel art. He's there for something to look at, but doesnt really bring anything to the table. He makes Liz his partner in the beginning of the book just out of the blue then the next day they are a couple, then a week later they are saying I love you to eachother and planning to get married. I understand they worked together for 7 years, but their relationship was purely professional so moving into head over heels in love in 7 days is a bit much.
Now for the plot... there was so much build up for what?? She knew she had these stalkers (yes multiple) but didnt think "oh hey, I should stay in crowded areas or have someone with me at all times so they dont get me again" but no. Instead she lets herself get taken... in public... in the middle of the day. Then her fiancé shows up as the kidnapper is taking her out of the car and jumps out to do what??? oh get himself kidnapped... when he could have waited for them to go inside and have the element of surprise. Also.... WHY DID NO ONE CALL THE POLICE UNTIL AFTER???? Then, all this build up for the kidnapping and its over in a couple pages. She shoots him then moves on like nothing happened. Then another stalker pops up and she gets kidnapped again and this time it only lasts 2 pages before 💥boom💥 shes saved again.
Im skipping over a lot because the book was 591 pages... All in all.. the plot had so many holes in it, the years from her original kidnapping kept changing, she kept repeating herself word for word telling everyone everything, there was no depth to the characters, and everything was anticlimactic... honestly if it would have ended with Chapter 26 I would have loved it so much more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2024
Friends to lovers
As with all of Emily Klepp's books, please read the trigger warnings. The FMC has suffered from repeated SA by multiple perpetrators at a young age. Her mind has blocked part of the abuse. However, her memories are coming back, and people whom she trusted may be the reason she is beginning to remember.
The FMC may have been victimized, but she is a survivor and becomes an advocate for other victims.
Everybody deserves a best friend like the 2 main females and 2 main male characters have.
There is a good amount of spice in the book to heat things up between the pages.
As with all of Emily Klepp's books, please read the trigger warnings. The FMC has suffered from repeated SA by multiple perpetrators at a young age. Her mind has blocked part of the abuse. However, her memories are coming back, and people whom she trusted may be the reason she is beginning to remember.
The FMC may have been victimized, but she is a survivor and becomes an advocate for other victims.
Everybody deserves a best friend like the 2 main females and 2 main male characters have.
There is a good amount of spice in the book to heat things up between the pages.
February 2, 2024
Healthy
Going into this story I knew it was going to be triggering but it was more than that. The heroine went through a lot of trauma and hardship but she survived and was able to have a healthy outlook on sex and relationships. Not gonna lie this author thinks up some twisted $+++ but I was captivated
Going into this story I knew it was going to be triggering but it was more than that. The heroine went through a lot of trauma and hardship but she survived and was able to have a healthy outlook on sex and relationships. Not gonna lie this author thinks up some twisted $+++ but I was captivated
September 29, 2024
I believe Author Emily Klepp has found her winning formula for her dark and most times both emotionally and physically brutal storytelling romances, thus why warnings and trigger listing's are heavily acknowledged to readers. The journey that this title, "Dark Prey" will take, is like all her other books I have read where you will be challenged by how society acknowledges victims/ survivors of brutal and sexually based crimes but most importantly demonstrate their inner demons and resiliency to overcome their horrific experience. But most importantly find their version of a HEA that is most deserving.
The characters created are truly heart rendering and certainly the lead female, Elizabeth and Carson, her boss for years were simply divine, but even the secondary ones of Stephanie (best friend) and Marcus (friend of Carson's) were equally tangible and pivotal to the overall plot.
I will admit this was a read that is not quite easy and quick to consume heavily due to the high emotional states that the reader is taken on, even in the last 10% of the story I had to walk off to 'reset' my own mindset. I believe at that point I had worked out a culprit but was curious as to what new dark avenue I was going to be lead onto.
I often question my own values at reading this genre but realise there is so much hidden in this type of plot that demonstrates the true inner strength of the human pysche and physical body but also demonstrates the power of support that others can provide to produce a successful outcome.
An interesting plot with real life scenarios and issues, well created characters, twists and turns, betrayals, mind games and manipulations, power plays and the good verses bad concept.
My one real piece of advice is to thread carefully as the story will create a sense of provocation and challenge and perhaps a better outcome where society can view survivors of abuse without the mental stigma that seems to come with it.
The characters created are truly heart rendering and certainly the lead female, Elizabeth and Carson, her boss for years were simply divine, but even the secondary ones of Stephanie (best friend) and Marcus (friend of Carson's) were equally tangible and pivotal to the overall plot.
I will admit this was a read that is not quite easy and quick to consume heavily due to the high emotional states that the reader is taken on, even in the last 10% of the story I had to walk off to 'reset' my own mindset. I believe at that point I had worked out a culprit but was curious as to what new dark avenue I was going to be lead onto.
I often question my own values at reading this genre but realise there is so much hidden in this type of plot that demonstrates the true inner strength of the human pysche and physical body but also demonstrates the power of support that others can provide to produce a successful outcome.
An interesting plot with real life scenarios and issues, well created characters, twists and turns, betrayals, mind games and manipulations, power plays and the good verses bad concept.
My one real piece of advice is to thread carefully as the story will create a sense of provocation and challenge and perhaps a better outcome where society can view survivors of abuse without the mental stigma that seems to come with it.
August 8, 2025
This book has a ton of SA in it. Please read triggers because it's HEAVY and throughout the book.
Lizzy is a survivor. She watched her parents get murdered, was kidnapped, and held for 10 months where she was assulted daily. What she went through during that time was sad and heartbreaking.
Carson employed Lizzy for such a long time but never acted on his feelings for her since she was his assistant. He ends up making her his business partner when he realizes how much she does for him and how good she is with the company, and they eventually become more to each other.
When it comes out who was involved in her original assault, things take a turn and she is kidnapped and assaulted again, but this time they try and sabotage her career as well.
This book is intense and sad but once Lizzy gets her revenge, closure and her HEA, it makes it all worth it!
Lizzy is a survivor. She watched her parents get murdered, was kidnapped, and held for 10 months where she was assulted daily. What she went through during that time was sad and heartbreaking.
Carson employed Lizzy for such a long time but never acted on his feelings for her since she was his assistant. He ends up making her his business partner when he realizes how much she does for him and how good she is with the company, and they eventually become more to each other.
When it comes out who was involved in her original assault, things take a turn and she is kidnapped and assaulted again, but this time they try and sabotage her career as well.
This book is intense and sad but once Lizzy gets her revenge, closure and her HEA, it makes it all worth it!
February 18, 2024
4.5 ⭐
Whoa!
Picked this up during SYKD and was intrigued by the blurb. I didn't pay attention however to the fact that it was a mystery/thriller and so needless to say I was in for a wild ride! My contemporary/taboo romance heart was put through the wringer and I was left reeling at the end.
Definitely check the TW (I did not, but thankfully nothing triggered me too much) The plot was great and the mystery aspect really gripped me from the beginning.
First time reading anything from this author and she really impressed me. Despite everything the FMC endures, this story really paints a beautiful picture of the resilience of the human spirit and shows that life truly can be what you make of it inspite of your trauma.
Whoa!
Picked this up during SYKD and was intrigued by the blurb. I didn't pay attention however to the fact that it was a mystery/thriller and so needless to say I was in for a wild ride! My contemporary/taboo romance heart was put through the wringer and I was left reeling at the end.
Definitely check the TW (I did not, but thankfully nothing triggered me too much) The plot was great and the mystery aspect really gripped me from the beginning.
First time reading anything from this author and she really impressed me. Despite everything the FMC endures, this story really paints a beautiful picture of the resilience of the human spirit and shows that life truly can be what you make of it inspite of your trauma.
July 13, 2024
This book is very graphic with sexual assault. It's not just in a couple places it's throughout the whole book. If that is a trigger for you please don't read it. Lizzie was kidnapped, her parents killed and held captive for 10 months she goes through trying to continue on with her life. I'm not going to give spoilers so my warnings of this book can be seen. Your mental health matters. This was a very tragic book to read that did have a positive ending and at times it seems repetitive but that is the life of a survivor of any caliber in SA You are triggered and those memories are front seat. I cried so many times the support that she ended up having through her "present days" and the way her life went after was beautiful!
June 3, 2024
Liz has been through a very traumatic experience, but she is making a life for herself. Her bestie finally moved to the same city, she’s been recognized for her hard work at work, and they guy she’s been crushing on the last couple years has been feeling the same. Then her past catches up and things are not always as they seem.
This book has situations that some people won’t be able to read. Make sure you check the warnings before beginning to read it. I enjoyed this book, it had spicy scenes throughout, there was romance, a mystery and a twisted twist. What more do you need?!
This book has situations that some people won’t be able to read. Make sure you check the warnings before beginning to read it. I enjoyed this book, it had spicy scenes throughout, there was romance, a mystery and a twisted twist. What more do you need?!
June 28, 2024
As usual with any book Emily writes, please check the trigger warnings. There are some very heavy topics in this book!
I must say, this book really made me feel all kinds of emotions. I was teary-eyed, laughing, wanting to throw things all within like 15 minutes. And that plot twist towards the end, holy hell.... it was not something I saw coming at all, and at one point, I wanted to throw something at Emily for making me feel all those feelings.
As usual, great job, Emily, and I will continue to read any and everything you write!
I must say, this book really made me feel all kinds of emotions. I was teary-eyed, laughing, wanting to throw things all within like 15 minutes. And that plot twist towards the end, holy hell.... it was not something I saw coming at all, and at one point, I wanted to throw something at Emily for making me feel all those feelings.
As usual, great job, Emily, and I will continue to read any and everything you write!
May 1, 2024
Omg is all I can say! 🥵🥵🥵🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Prepare for the literal rollercoaster this book will take you on! Check the TW multiple times over! The spice, the plot, everything about this book was fucking great. Seriously has to be one of my favorites by Emily!
There’s one chapter in here that will make you scream and cry. But please make sure you finish the entire book.
I cannot wait to see what Emily comes up with next!
Prepare for the literal rollercoaster this book will take you on! Check the TW multiple times over! The spice, the plot, everything about this book was fucking great. Seriously has to be one of my favorites by Emily!
There’s one chapter in here that will make you scream and cry. But please make sure you finish the entire book.
I cannot wait to see what Emily comes up with next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2024
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! ‼️😮💨 right from page one i was hoooked to say the least 👏🏼🙂↕️ the emotional roller coaster i went through reading this book is crazy to me.. it takes a lot to make me cry and for a book to affect me.. and this is the second book ive read that’s left me wanting, no NEEDING more. am i okay? no probably not 🙂↔️😅 you will get to a point where you just wanna put the book down and not pick it back up… but im BEGGING you to finish this masterpiece ❤️🩹🤭
June 17, 2025
Nobody quite write overcoming and get you just desserts on those who have abused you. Like Emily she is always giving SA survivor a voices in the poetic justice that she dishes out on her pages.
Get ready for a heavy read that is an emotional roller coaster ride of trauma, revenge, overcoming, healing, finding strength in the face of unimaginable abuse and trauma
Please please read your trigger warnings on this one
Get ready for a heavy read that is an emotional roller coaster ride of trauma, revenge, overcoming, healing, finding strength in the face of unimaginable abuse and trauma
Please please read your trigger warnings on this one
June 12, 2024
so many emotions!
This book is beautifully written. Liz and Stephanie have an inseparable bond. Liz was kidnapped and held for ten months 17 days when she finally escaped. After her lawyer, the sheriffs office and the DA office let her down she’s off for bloodshed. But not before getting kidnapped again.
This book is beautifully written. Liz and Stephanie have an inseparable bond. Liz was kidnapped and held for ten months 17 days when she finally escaped. After her lawyer, the sheriffs office and the DA office let her down she’s off for bloodshed. But not before getting kidnapped again.
August 15, 2024
Please check the trigger warnings!
Emily has gifted us again a gem of a book. This tells the story of Elizabeth, a SA survivor, getting through life when her abuser finds her. The mystery/thriller aspect of this book was well written as well as the impact of SA on the victim and those around them.
Emily has gifted us again a gem of a book. This tells the story of Elizabeth, a SA survivor, getting through life when her abuser finds her. The mystery/thriller aspect of this book was well written as well as the impact of SA on the victim and those around them.
December 30, 2024
CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS!! Elizabeth was held captive used and abused for 10 months by a set of brothers until one day she convinced one of them to take her to the doctor. She was finally free or so she thought. For the next 7 years she is blinded by one of the brothers until she has to go through hell all over again.
December 31, 2024
What a great book this was! Elizabeth, the FMC, is such a strong woman. She has been through A LOT! Carson, the MMC, is an absolute dream come true. He was so strong and supportive for his love. I swooned many times. *happy sigh*
This book had mystery, suspense, twists and turns, and I just loved it so much.
Make sure you check your triggers and take care of you.
This book had mystery, suspense, twists and turns, and I just loved it so much.
Make sure you check your triggers and take care of you.
February 12, 2025
This book!!!! Idk where to even start! This had me on edge so bad! I was listening to audiobook while I was at work and had my jaw dropping!! The storyline of this was amazing! Poor thing gets kidnapped not once, not twice but 3 times!!! Holy hell! This has to be one of my favorites by Emily so far!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2025
Writing was amateur hour. Boring plus very unnatural dialogue and plot points happening. Plus this cover is straight disturbing. Tried and it kept me interested enough until the 12% mark, then I just couldn’t put up with it anymore. The writer may have potential, but I don’t think I have patience to wait around to find out.
June 9, 2024
This book will take you on a roller coaster ride for sure. Elizabeth is a true survivor after being kidnapped and held hostage at eighteen. After getting away she is able to make a life for herself that is until her convicted kidnapper is released and start trouble in her new life.
June 13, 2024
Wow
Absolutely amazing, the way she has wrote this book is proof that we can survive trauma of all kinds and once you pic it up you will most definitely want to keep on til the end !
Absolutely amazing, the way she has wrote this book is proof that we can survive trauma of all kinds and once you pic it up you will most definitely want to keep on til the end !
December 20, 2024
This is my favorite Emily Klepp book I've read to-date! I love how it's so much longer than most of her other stuff, so the story actually develops naturally. This was so hard to put down! Read the triggers, but I highly recommend this book!
February 19, 2025
I absolutely loved it , it took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions! I do believe that as of now this is my favorite of Emily’s books . I highly recommend it but please check your triggers before because it is a dark read ..
August 29, 2023
proof read
Loved the story line but with lots of grammatical and spelling errors though, which makes for confusing reading in places
Loved the story line but with lots of grammatical and spelling errors though, which makes for confusing reading in places
January 4, 2024
The Book was ok, the writing style was not mine and I think the book would have been better if it was shortened or cut in to two books with a more detailed writing. But the end was good :)
March 7, 2024
Loved the story!! Definitely give it a try :)
April 25, 2024
Emily done phenomenal. A lot of triggers but it won't be a book you regret! There is a lot of trauma in this book but the ending is so worth the read! READ THE TRIGGERS WARNINGS
August 6, 2024
3.5 stars
August 9, 2024
Carson and Elizabeth
She survived her ordeal and she finally was able to find a wonderful men but her true life demons didn’t want her to get her happy ending. She has an amazing group friends and an amazing man that loves her and does everything to protect her.
She survived her ordeal and she finally was able to find a wonderful men but her true life demons didn’t want her to get her happy ending. She has an amazing group friends and an amazing man that loves her and does everything to protect her.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews