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Daniels Duet #1
Claiming Sarah
I am not a sane man.
We are fine.
My mind is chaos.
Our mind is perfect.
I am sick of being alone.
We are with you. You are never alone.
She is supposed to be the key to uniting with my brothers.
She is ours.
But she awakens strange desires within me.
She will be ours.
When it’s time to let her go, will I be able to?
We will never let her go.
How can I keep her when I can’t separate reality from fantasy?
Trust us. We will be your eyes.
All I can for certain is that my world will never be the same after kidnapping Dr. Sarah Bell.
We are fine.
My mind is chaos.
Our mind is perfect.
I am sick of being alone.
We are with you. You are never alone.
She is supposed to be the key to uniting with my brothers.
She is ours.
But she awakens strange desires within me.
She will be ours.
When it’s time to let her go, will I be able to?
We will never let her go.
How can I keep her when I can’t separate reality from fantasy?
Trust us. We will be your eyes.
All I can for certain is that my world will never be the same after kidnapping Dr. Sarah Bell.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2024
60 people are currently reading
348 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
November 13, 2024
3.5 rounded to 4.
This novella was quite enjoyable but definitely dark. I sort of felt disjointed from the story at times because I think I need to read some of the other titles that have the same characters. I just felt like I was missing the whole story, some of the fluff....some backstory? To be fair, that's totally a me problem.
I enjoyed the story, and it did a fantastic job of evoking all sorts of emotions. I alternated frequently between feeling shocked by and sympathetic for our MMC.
I definitely will be reading the second book in this duet and checking out the other related titles.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This novella was quite enjoyable but definitely dark. I sort of felt disjointed from the story at times because I think I need to read some of the other titles that have the same characters. I just felt like I was missing the whole story, some of the fluff....some backstory? To be fair, that's totally a me problem.
I enjoyed the story, and it did a fantastic job of evoking all sorts of emotions. I alternated frequently between feeling shocked by and sympathetic for our MMC.
I definitely will be reading the second book in this duet and checking out the other related titles.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2025
A few months ago, I read this book as an arc (old review still below, same star rating). Since the Daniels Duet was on Kobo Plus now I really wanted to reread it, because this writer became one of which I just freaking love the books. I just wanted to say I had even more fun now than the first time.
When I read the description of this book, I got very excited. It sounded like so much fun.
The start of this book was very dark and twisted, and I loved it. The way the story was written made it very easy to get sucked in and experience the darkness as if you were there.
The ending was great too, there were no big plot holes left or huge cliffhangers that would make you mad. I appreciate that.
(note -> after reading it the second time, I would take out the following part:) The in-between was less my thing. I personally found the transition from the darkness in the beginning to the less dark parts a bit too fast for my taste. But that can be a total 'me' thing. It didn't make the story bad, I still had a great time reading it, but I think it would be much stronger if that were stretched out a little bit further into the story.
I can say that I enjoyed myself. I'm very honored to have received this review copy for free, and I am leaving this review 100% voluntarily.
If you like to read about more books I liked, check out my Goodreads profile. I also sometimes post reviews on Instagram and talk about bookish stuff on Threads.
When I read the description of this book, I got very excited. It sounded like so much fun.
The start of this book was very dark and twisted, and I loved it. The way the story was written made it very easy to get sucked in and experience the darkness as if you were there.
The ending was great too, there were no big plot holes left or huge cliffhangers that would make you mad. I appreciate that.
(note -> after reading it the second time, I would take out the following part:) The in-between was less my thing. I personally found the transition from the darkness in the beginning to the less dark parts a bit too fast for my taste. But that can be a total 'me' thing. It didn't make the story bad, I still had a great time reading it, but I think it would be much stronger if that were stretched out a little bit further into the story.
I can say that I enjoyed myself. I'm very honored to have received this review copy for free, and I am leaving this review 100% voluntarily.
If you like to read about more books I liked, check out my Goodreads profile. I also sometimes post reviews on Instagram and talk about bookish stuff on Threads.
October 19, 2024
Author Mae K. Knight has become one of my favorite new authors this year. Easily binge-able—her books are all novellas so far, but each leaves a need for wanting another. Fortunately, right after “Escaping Xavier,” “Claiming Sarah” was released. I highly recommend reading the Lasher Brother’s Duet first to get the full experience of “Claiming Sarah.”
Mae K. Knight can develop a character and their emotions in a short amount of time. Dayton’s/Zaiden mental illness, how it’s addressed, how his story is told, and how Sarah interacts with him are done in a way that makes you feel his pain and anguish. You see what Sarah sees. You understand him.
As “Claiming Sarah” progresses, Knight provides readers with bits and pieces of Dayton’s relationship with his mother, the voices he hears, the people he sees, and his great need to be loved. The story is quite dark. There is an extra long list of TWs. But I didn’t anticipate the emotions that the story evoked or the tears that I shed, which generally don’t happen with a short, dark novella for me. But Mae K. Knight’s writing was able to do that. And I call that I win.
Mae K. Knight can develop a character and their emotions in a short amount of time. Dayton’s/Zaiden mental illness, how it’s addressed, how his story is told, and how Sarah interacts with him are done in a way that makes you feel his pain and anguish. You see what Sarah sees. You understand him.
As “Claiming Sarah” progresses, Knight provides readers with bits and pieces of Dayton’s relationship with his mother, the voices he hears, the people he sees, and his great need to be loved. The story is quite dark. There is an extra long list of TWs. But I didn’t anticipate the emotions that the story evoked or the tears that I shed, which generally don’t happen with a short, dark novella for me. But Mae K. Knight’s writing was able to do that. And I call that I win.
November 1, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶🌶.5
Sarah and Zaiden story was a wild but incredible ride. I was absolutely fascinated by reading about Z and his schizophrenia. But never once felt that anything was too much or stereotypical (in the bad way). Admittedly, I found this to be a bit heartbreaking just at what these characters have gone through and their experiences, but I love that we get to know them.
There is so much plot, story, characters introductions, growth, and development, but it never felt like it overwhelmed me.
Since it is a novella, it was a quick ready with a burn steady enough to squeeze those thighs, and that spice don't think I forgot to mention. It's there, is the exclamation point!! It's the banter, the push and pull, and that spice to top it all off!! Sweet rewards. I absolutely enjoyed reading this and will definitely read it again.
*This one does have dark themes and situations that could be trigger for some readers. Please check trigger warnings before continuing.*
🌶🌶🌶.5
Sarah and Zaiden story was a wild but incredible ride. I was absolutely fascinated by reading about Z and his schizophrenia. But never once felt that anything was too much or stereotypical (in the bad way). Admittedly, I found this to be a bit heartbreaking just at what these characters have gone through and their experiences, but I love that we get to know them.
There is so much plot, story, characters introductions, growth, and development, but it never felt like it overwhelmed me.
Since it is a novella, it was a quick ready with a burn steady enough to squeeze those thighs, and that spice don't think I forgot to mention. It's there, is the exclamation point!! It's the banter, the push and pull, and that spice to top it all off!! Sweet rewards. I absolutely enjoyed reading this and will definitely read it again.
*This one does have dark themes and situations that could be trigger for some readers. Please check trigger warnings before continuing.*
October 17, 2024
4.25⭐️/2.75🌶️
Phew, this book was good! 😮💨 I can’t even compare the Daniel brothers with any other – there’s just no competition. If you thought Zaine and Xavier were unhinged, wait till you meet Zaiden. 😳 He’s on a whole different level: unhinged, over-the-top, and yeah, sometimes even a bit creepy and crazy, lol.
I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Phew, this book was good! 😮💨 I can’t even compare the Daniel brothers with any other – there’s just no competition. If you thought Zaine and Xavier were unhinged, wait till you meet Zaiden. 😳 He’s on a whole different level: unhinged, over-the-top, and yeah, sometimes even a bit creepy and crazy, lol.
I can’t wait to see what happens next!
September 3, 2024
WOWZA! I was absolutely HONORED to be an ARC reader for this fantastic book!
This book has some serious depth! From an MMC with serious mommy issues (but like, same) to an FMC who believes she can change him (dont we all?), we get a story that is truly fascinating. Think Haunting Adeline with less spice, and more plot.
A great plot with the perfect amount of spice, (thank god) this book is a must read!
5/5 for me!!
This book has some serious depth! From an MMC with serious mommy issues (but like, same) to an FMC who believes she can change him (dont we all?), we get a story that is truly fascinating. Think Haunting Adeline with less spice, and more plot.
A great plot with the perfect amount of spice, (thank god) this book is a must read!
5/5 for me!!
December 23, 2024
• Dark Stalker Romance
• Mental Health Representation
• Plenty of Spicy Scenes
• Heavy Topics
• Kidnappings and Murder
Claiming Sarah was such a fun novella to read! But I feel like I was missing a lot of backstory. While it was said that you could read it on its own, it still felt off. I definitely recommend reading the Lasher brother series before starting with this one. The lost feeling I got from missing information is the biggest reason why I can't rate it higher than 3 stars. It's such a shame that this is marketed as a stand alone.
That being said, Mae has a lovely writing style and her story telling pace is very smooth. The book could have used a few more plot chapters, to explain what was happening just a little better.
Still a fun read, but I wouldn't market this as a stand alone. Please read the other books in the series before starting this one!
• Mental Health Representation
• Plenty of Spicy Scenes
• Heavy Topics
• Kidnappings and Murder
Claiming Sarah was such a fun novella to read! But I feel like I was missing a lot of backstory. While it was said that you could read it on its own, it still felt off. I definitely recommend reading the Lasher brother series before starting with this one. The lost feeling I got from missing information is the biggest reason why I can't rate it higher than 3 stars. It's such a shame that this is marketed as a stand alone.
That being said, Mae has a lovely writing style and her story telling pace is very smooth. The book could have used a few more plot chapters, to explain what was happening just a little better.
Still a fun read, but I wouldn't market this as a stand alone. Please read the other books in the series before starting this one!
October 28, 2024
Claiming Sarah continues the Lasher brothers duet as we see the brothers half-brother join them in their seemingly similar ways of finding women to be with. They love to taunt and tease their girls and while this book adds to the interconnected aspect of the world, I found myself getting a little tired of the repetitive nature of the story. Going into Claiming Sarah, i expected something new and exciting considering the previous two books had a fairly similar plot line. That being said, the relationship between the two main characters was predictable and somewhat difficult to read as i found myself knowing what was going to happen in the story.
This is overall a good read if you’re looking for something easy and something that you won’t read right after the lasher brother’s duet. Maybe if I’d taken a break and come back to Claiming Sarah i would have liked it more? While the writing style was something i could easily get behind, the plot just didn’t do it for me.
2.5/5⭐️
This is overall a good read if you’re looking for something easy and something that you won’t read right after the lasher brother’s duet. Maybe if I’d taken a break and come back to Claiming Sarah i would have liked it more? While the writing style was something i could easily get behind, the plot just didn’t do it for me.
2.5/5⭐️
September 13, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! Everything about what amazing, but the development of the MMC was *chefs kiss* immaculate!
This is a dark romance, reverse-age-gap novella. This was my first time reading a reverse-age-gap, and I absolutely loved it. The way that Mae painted the MMC, Zaiden, was the best I have seen by far. The author was able to capture the inner-workings of a person that has schizophrenia. The way that they developed Zaiden was very well done. Adding in the main FMC, Sarah, this book is a work of excellence.
When Zaiden finally found his brothers at the end of the story, the way it was tied into everything else that the book contained was just amazing. It was very well done, and there were attention to details when the story was being ended.
Overall, I loved this book, and I can't wait for the next one to be ready. 10/10, 5/5 stars, chefs kiss, whatever you wanna say, this is it.
This book does have spicy scenes, not as spicy as the others, but what is contained fits the book perfectly. There is some murder and torture in the book as well, please check TW's.
***Two of my favorite quotes from Zaiden***
"Oh, that's just the beginning, Sarah. I want inside and you're going to let me. Aren't you?" "Good girl."
"One of his hands wraps around my throat, choking me. "This pussy," he says, retreating, hips slamming forward. "Is. Mine," a thrust punctuating the words."
I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this amazing book!
I have never read a reverse-age-gap before but OMG this was to die for. Zaiden and Sarah are so good for each for each other its not even funny.
This is a dark romance, reverse-age-gap novella. This was my first time reading a reverse-age-gap, and I absolutely loved it. The way that Mae painted the MMC, Zaiden, was the best I have seen by far. The author was able to capture the inner-workings of a person that has schizophrenia. The way that they developed Zaiden was very well done. Adding in the main FMC, Sarah, this book is a work of excellence.
When Zaiden finally found his brothers at the end of the story, the way it was tied into everything else that the book contained was just amazing. It was very well done, and there were attention to details when the story was being ended.
Overall, I loved this book, and I can't wait for the next one to be ready. 10/10, 5/5 stars, chefs kiss, whatever you wanna say, this is it.
This book does have spicy scenes, not as spicy as the others, but what is contained fits the book perfectly. There is some murder and torture in the book as well, please check TW's.
***Two of my favorite quotes from Zaiden***
"Oh, that's just the beginning, Sarah. I want inside and you're going to let me. Aren't you?" "Good girl."
"One of his hands wraps around my throat, choking me. "This pussy," he says, retreating, hips slamming forward. "Is. Mine," a thrust punctuating the words."
I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this amazing book!
I have never read a reverse-age-gap before but OMG this was to die for. Zaiden and Sarah are so good for each for each other its not even funny.
September 10, 2024
Zaiden is searching for his brothers, whom he has never met, and thinks that Dr. Sarah Bell is the key to finding them. She doesn't know who he is at the start of the book and is eventually kidnapped by him.
Zaiden has a mental health illness and you get an inside look at the thoughts and 'voices' that are in his head. You can see all his inner conflicts and struggles he's living with which leads him to do some horrible things (to find his brothers so he's not alone anymore). Sarah is a mother and is missing her daughter who has run off with someone. When she first sees Zaiden she can tell there is something different about him but still feels pulled towards him.
I don't usually read reverse age-gap books but these two were actually really good together by the end! Sarah was understanding, seeing that he needed help and Zaiden was willing to do what he needed to be with her.
The Lasher Brothers Duet books are about Zaine & Xaiver, the two brothers that Zaiden is looking for and were a great read as well!
Overall: 4 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice/Heat Intensity: 3 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: Zaiden & Sarah
Darkness: 3 out of 5 🖤🖤🖤
Type of book: MF, Duel 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Standalone Novella
Title: Daniels Duet Series- Claiming Sarah: Book 1
Epilogue: Yes
Ending Type: HEA
*Mental Health
*Torture
*Bit of horror romance
*Somno
*Reverse Age-Gap
*No cheating or sharing
⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be extremely offensive or triggering to some - Please check the TW/CW before reading! 18+
*I received an early copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving this review.
Zaiden has a mental health illness and you get an inside look at the thoughts and 'voices' that are in his head. You can see all his inner conflicts and struggles he's living with which leads him to do some horrible things (to find his brothers so he's not alone anymore). Sarah is a mother and is missing her daughter who has run off with someone. When she first sees Zaiden she can tell there is something different about him but still feels pulled towards him.
I don't usually read reverse age-gap books but these two were actually really good together by the end! Sarah was understanding, seeing that he needed help and Zaiden was willing to do what he needed to be with her.
The Lasher Brothers Duet books are about Zaine & Xaiver, the two brothers that Zaiden is looking for and were a great read as well!
Overall: 4 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice/Heat Intensity: 3 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: Zaiden & Sarah
Darkness: 3 out of 5 🖤🖤🖤
Type of book: MF, Duel 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Standalone Novella
Title: Daniels Duet Series- Claiming Sarah: Book 1
Epilogue: Yes
Ending Type: HEA
*Mental Health
*Torture
*Bit of horror romance
*Somno
*Reverse Age-Gap
*No cheating or sharing
⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be extremely offensive or triggering to some - Please check the TW/CW before reading! 18+
*I received an early copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving this review.
September 20, 2024
When this book ended I was so hurt. I did not get enough of zaiden and Sarah. The mental health awareness is this book took me off the edge I swear it was so well written. I felt like I was him. Then I felt like I was her. Gosh I never rooted for a stalker serial unaliver so hard in my life. The effort he made, the emotions I went through with her when he was making his efforts and she didn’t know. The steamy chemistry they have I feel like this needs to expanded! The ending with his brother I just can’t! A well deserved 5 stars and 4 chilli peppers of spice because it was HOT!🥵 in love with this and hopefully it expands into more.
September 25, 2024
I received an advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review Voluntarily..
OBSESSED!!! This book was so well written.. I think it can be challenging to capture the life/personality of someone with mental disorders and claiming sarah was done perfectly. The character growth for the mmc is absolute perfection and the way she handles zaiden is unlike any other.. We all have the i think i can fix them mentality and Sarah having that same thought made her so relatable. I think it could have just a tad bit more spice but overall it was a very good book!
OBSESSED!!! This book was so well written.. I think it can be challenging to capture the life/personality of someone with mental disorders and claiming sarah was done perfectly. The character growth for the mmc is absolute perfection and the way she handles zaiden is unlike any other.. We all have the i think i can fix them mentality and Sarah having that same thought made her so relatable. I think it could have just a tad bit more spice but overall it was a very good book!
September 24, 2024
This was, WOW....
I'm not the biggest fan of mind twisters, but I'm obsessed with this book.
It's the perfect dark romance novella,
This MMC is such a teddy bear. I just want to hold him.
And the MFC is such a BadA$$.
On a serious note, this is dark romance so Read the TW but. The author truly wrote the theme so well (not saying because ✨spoilers✨).
You understand what's going on in the characters minds. you can see the hurt and healing
Reverse age gap done right, I can't wait binge more of this author
I'm not the biggest fan of mind twisters, but I'm obsessed with this book.
It's the perfect dark romance novella,
This MMC is such a teddy bear. I just want to hold him.
And the MFC is such a BadA$$.
On a serious note, this is dark romance so Read the TW but. The author truly wrote the theme so well (not saying because ✨spoilers✨).
You understand what's going on in the characters minds. you can see the hurt and healing
Reverse age gap done right, I can't wait binge more of this author
Read
September 6, 2024This book is fantastic!! Zaiden has some mental health issues and Sarah thinks she can change him. Sarah is so sweet towards him. Will they be able to end up together? Once I started reading this book I didn't want to put it down. The storyline hooked me from the start. I love dark themes and this book is so well written!! Loved it!!
October 2, 2024
Omg the Daniels Brothers duet is darker and more unhinged than the Lasher Brothers. Even though these are interconnected stories they can be read Daniels brother to Lasher brothers or as publication date of Lashers meet Daniel.
November 8, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed this one and getting to meet these characters. I loved the little crossovers between the other books. The characters had depth to them that balanced each other out and personalities that were opposite but worked well together. The level of understanding that Sarah has for Zaiden and the amount of time she takes to help him, really shines through and helps give us this level of connection to both characters. The author has put in great effort to show the real representation of mental health and how it, alongside trauma, can really affect any individual and their loved ones, if not given the time and treatment they deserve. I can’t wait to check out the next one.
I really enjoyed this one and getting to meet these characters. I loved the little crossovers between the other books. The characters had depth to them that balanced each other out and personalities that were opposite but worked well together. The level of understanding that Sarah has for Zaiden and the amount of time she takes to help him, really shines through and helps give us this level of connection to both characters. The author has put in great effort to show the real representation of mental health and how it, alongside trauma, can really affect any individual and their loved ones, if not given the time and treatment they deserve. I can’t wait to check out the next one.
February 15, 2025
Dr (43) gets kidnapped by a psychopathic schizophrenic (20) murderer and they fall in love…
October 25, 2024
Zaiden, plagued by schizophrenia and the loss of his mother, will do anything to find his brother, including kidnap doctors he believes will provide him with the information he needs. Sarah, a doctor Zaiden has been stalking, meets Zaiden unexpectedly one night as he comes to her rescue. His protector pulls her in to his orbit in a way she doesn’t anticipate. Will learning about Zaiden help Sarah see past his darkness, will she be able to heal him of the scars of his past, and will Zaiden find his brother?
This story had a lot of potential, but felt quite lacking for me. I appreciated how this story is framed around mental illness and the struggle of overcoming them. More people suffer than we realize and this book emphasizes how we must eliminate prejudices, whether they be inherent or not, and see those for who they are trying to be despite the struggles they face. This was the most redeeming element of the story to me. The second most redeeming portion is the spice - however I’m surprised at how good it was considering Zaiden’s backstory. That didn’t fully add up to me. I don’t fully buy why Sarah was so drawn to Zaiden but I completely understand why Zaiden is drawn to Sarah. I think Zaiden was well written and developed as a character. On the flip side, I didn’t feel that way about Sarah. While the story did get resolved at the end, I’m not entirely sure what’s going on and the epilogue is confusing to me. Overall, this was an easy read as it’s quite short and does handle the conversation around mental illness well.
Side note - I love books that start with a playlist at the beginning because it gives the reader a sense of what the story could play out to be. One of the saddest songs, “How Do I Say Goodbye” by Dean Lewis is on this list so I knew this would probably have a tough story line dealing with the passing of a parent.
Thank you to BookSiren and Mae K. Knight for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This story had a lot of potential, but felt quite lacking for me. I appreciated how this story is framed around mental illness and the struggle of overcoming them. More people suffer than we realize and this book emphasizes how we must eliminate prejudices, whether they be inherent or not, and see those for who they are trying to be despite the struggles they face. This was the most redeeming element of the story to me. The second most redeeming portion is the spice - however I’m surprised at how good it was considering Zaiden’s backstory. That didn’t fully add up to me. I don’t fully buy why Sarah was so drawn to Zaiden but I completely understand why Zaiden is drawn to Sarah. I think Zaiden was well written and developed as a character. On the flip side, I didn’t feel that way about Sarah. While the story did get resolved at the end, I’m not entirely sure what’s going on and the epilogue is confusing to me. Overall, this was an easy read as it’s quite short and does handle the conversation around mental illness well.
Side note - I love books that start with a playlist at the beginning because it gives the reader a sense of what the story could play out to be. One of the saddest songs, “How Do I Say Goodbye” by Dean Lewis is on this list so I knew this would probably have a tough story line dealing with the passing of a parent.
Thank you to BookSiren and Mae K. Knight for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
November 12, 2024
What a mesmerizing and chilling read! Equal parts creepy and captivating, I found myself completely enthralled by the author’s masterful portrayal of a tortured, schizophrenic mind—one haunted not only by voices but by the very ghosts of his psyche. Zaiden/Z/Dayton is a character that lingers long after the final page, and the reverse age gap trope subtly ties into his deep-seated mommy issues, which adds a unique dimension to his connection with Sarah. Their evolving relationship had me glued to the pages, eagerly watching every twist and turn. What starts as a clinical interest in “fixing” Zaiden soon morphs into something far more profound as Sarah unconditionally accepts who he truly is. I absolutely adored the connection to the Lasher Brothers duet, and the fact that Zaiden was searching for this brothers. One of the most delicious ironies of the story was Sarah’s frustration with her daughter for running off with a criminal, only for her to end up with someone far worse—though, to be fair, I couldn’t help but root for Zaiden, just as I had for Xavier before. The horror element is dialed up significantly in this book, and trust me, some of Zaiden’s actions are not for the faint of heart. But that just adds to the intensity of this story. The pacing is breakneck, keeping you on edge while still weaving in intricate details that make the story feel rich despite its brevity. And the epilogue was utterly perfect. The emotional weight of Zaiden finally meeting one of his half-brothers hit me hard, and Zaine’s reaction had me wiping away a tear or two. An unforgettable conclusion to a gripping, dark, and emotionally charged story!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 29, 2024
Mae K. Knight’s Claiming Sarah is a wild ride through the tangled web of love, obsession, and the complexities of the mind. The book opens with a hauntingly captivating premise: our protagonist, who struggles with his sanity, finds himself torn between reality and his vivid fantasies. This psychological tension creates an engaging atmosphere, reminiscent of the dark, twisty narratives found in authors like Tarryn Fisher and K. Webster. If you’re a fan of books that delve into the human psyche with a touch of madness, this one might just resonate with you.
From the very first page, the raw emotions leap off the screen. The duality of the protagonist’s voice—his isolation versus the constant whispers of "we"—sets up a compelling dynamic that grips you tightly. The moments when he grapples with his desire for Sarah are beautifully layered. One standout scene involves a vulnerable confrontation between him and his fractured identity, showcasing Knight's skill at weaving complex characters. You can practically feel the tension as he wrestles with his conflicting emotions, and it made me reflect on my own experiences with love and longing.
Knight’s writing style is both poignant and unsettling, effectively immersing the reader in the protagonist's chaotic world. It reminded me of the psychological intensity found in You by Caroline Kepnes, where the line between love and obsession blurs in a way that leaves you questioning everything. The complexity of Sarah’s character as the key to uniting the fractured psyche is intriguing, reminiscent of how Gillian Flynn masterfully develops her characters in Gone Girl. Sarah isn’t just a plot device; she’s a catalyst for transformation, challenging the protagonist to confront his demons.
The themes of possession and the struggle for identity resonate deeply throughout the novel. You can’t help but root for Sarah, who embodies strength and vulnerability in equal measure. Her interactions with the protagonist are electric, charged with a tension that will keep you flipping pages late into the night. And just when you think you’ve figured out the direction the story is heading, Knight throws in a twist that will have you questioning everything—like the best psychological thrillers do.
What I particularly loved was the exploration of mental health. Knight doesn’t shy away from depicting the protagonist’s struggles with his sanity, and it adds a layer of depth that many books in the genre often gloss over. You can sense the desperation and fear he feels, which evokes empathy in a way that makes the reading experience all the more impactful. It's a reminder of the fine line between sanity and madness, much like in The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.
However, it’s not just the tension and psychological exploration that make Claiming Sarah a page-turner; it’s also Knight’s ability to infuse her narrative with a distinct personality. The moments of dark humor and sharp wit provide a welcome balance to the heavier themes, allowing for a unique reading experience that feels both refreshing and intense.
In summary, Claiming Sarah is a beautifully crafted tale that blends psychological complexity with raw emotion. Mae K. Knight has delivered a gripping narrative that will leave you questioning love, sanity, and the shadows that lurk within us all. If you enjoy books that dive deep into the darker aspects of relationships, akin to The Girl on the Train or Fates and Furies, then this is a must-read. Buckle up; you’re in for an unforgettable journey.
From the very first page, the raw emotions leap off the screen. The duality of the protagonist’s voice—his isolation versus the constant whispers of "we"—sets up a compelling dynamic that grips you tightly. The moments when he grapples with his desire for Sarah are beautifully layered. One standout scene involves a vulnerable confrontation between him and his fractured identity, showcasing Knight's skill at weaving complex characters. You can practically feel the tension as he wrestles with his conflicting emotions, and it made me reflect on my own experiences with love and longing.
Knight’s writing style is both poignant and unsettling, effectively immersing the reader in the protagonist's chaotic world. It reminded me of the psychological intensity found in You by Caroline Kepnes, where the line between love and obsession blurs in a way that leaves you questioning everything. The complexity of Sarah’s character as the key to uniting the fractured psyche is intriguing, reminiscent of how Gillian Flynn masterfully develops her characters in Gone Girl. Sarah isn’t just a plot device; she’s a catalyst for transformation, challenging the protagonist to confront his demons.
The themes of possession and the struggle for identity resonate deeply throughout the novel. You can’t help but root for Sarah, who embodies strength and vulnerability in equal measure. Her interactions with the protagonist are electric, charged with a tension that will keep you flipping pages late into the night. And just when you think you’ve figured out the direction the story is heading, Knight throws in a twist that will have you questioning everything—like the best psychological thrillers do.
What I particularly loved was the exploration of mental health. Knight doesn’t shy away from depicting the protagonist’s struggles with his sanity, and it adds a layer of depth that many books in the genre often gloss over. You can sense the desperation and fear he feels, which evokes empathy in a way that makes the reading experience all the more impactful. It's a reminder of the fine line between sanity and madness, much like in The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.
However, it’s not just the tension and psychological exploration that make Claiming Sarah a page-turner; it’s also Knight’s ability to infuse her narrative with a distinct personality. The moments of dark humor and sharp wit provide a welcome balance to the heavier themes, allowing for a unique reading experience that feels both refreshing and intense.
In summary, Claiming Sarah is a beautifully crafted tale that blends psychological complexity with raw emotion. Mae K. Knight has delivered a gripping narrative that will leave you questioning love, sanity, and the shadows that lurk within us all. If you enjoy books that dive deep into the darker aspects of relationships, akin to The Girl on the Train or Fates and Furies, then this is a must-read. Buckle up; you’re in for an unforgettable journey.
December 16, 2024
Claiming Sarah 🗡️
Rating: 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Characters: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Plot: 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
After reading this book, I needed to take a little break. Because gods, did this book finish me! It was such a whirl wind of emotions, going from Sarah to Zaiden and back again. Both of them were so well described and I fell in love with it from the first page!
Quite honestly, this is a book that has a very specific taste. Fate just has it, that it my taste. I love a good dark romance, with lots of death, a morally grey -or even morally black- main character, and lots of chaos. Claiming Sarah definitely delivered such a story.
Only 160 long and it still managed to paint a vivid picture of the events that were happening. It managed to convey emotions and the turmoil going on inside Zaiden's head. As well as give Sarah an interesting personality, as an adoptive mom and nurse. Both characters were very interesting to read about, managing to keep my attention over the span of all 160 pages.
The writing style sometimes stutters a little, some scenes taking just a bit too long to be comfortable. Sometimes it jumps from one bit to another, which was a bit of a reading challenge. Luckily these moments were very few, and they quickly passed. But they were still there, and I know some people really dislike that. So I think it is still good to name this in my review.
With a Novella I never expect a lot of character development. They are generally shorter than 200 pages, some even shorter than a 100, so the room they have for plot and personalities is very limited. While this was indeed the case with Claiming Sarah as well, Mae K. Knight still found a way to bring the characters to fruition, giving them their own personalities and development.
If you've been reading more of my reviews, you know I love a fast-paced writing style. Claiming Sarah is one of those books that is right in between. While the writing is very casual, and the events happen really fast, some descriptions dragged on and slowed me down a little. Honestly, that is the only reason that I am giving it four stars instead of a solid five.
The darkness in this book was no joke and I really recommend taking a really good look at the trigger warning list. But I feel like I've been saying that about most of the books I read. I guess I have a taste for the darker side of things. This book was definitely a wild ride, making true on the promises of the trigger list. And I really enjoyed it!
Claiming Sarah was such a fun read and I have finished it in one single sitting. Now I am definitely the type of person to read through shorter books in one go, but I think that if you're an enjoyer of darker themes, this will be the case with most people.
Good Bits:
- Surprisingly a lot of development
- There is some plot with my smut
- It was just so deliciously dark!
- Good introduction to the series and the characters
Bad Bits:
- Writing style stutters a bit sometimes
- Some scenes drag on too long
All with all a really enjoyable book for my dark romance loving heart! It has some serious depth and I think that we're going to delve even further into this story with every book that I read.
Rating: 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Characters: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Plot: 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
After reading this book, I needed to take a little break. Because gods, did this book finish me! It was such a whirl wind of emotions, going from Sarah to Zaiden and back again. Both of them were so well described and I fell in love with it from the first page!
Quite honestly, this is a book that has a very specific taste. Fate just has it, that it my taste. I love a good dark romance, with lots of death, a morally grey -or even morally black- main character, and lots of chaos. Claiming Sarah definitely delivered such a story.
Only 160 long and it still managed to paint a vivid picture of the events that were happening. It managed to convey emotions and the turmoil going on inside Zaiden's head. As well as give Sarah an interesting personality, as an adoptive mom and nurse. Both characters were very interesting to read about, managing to keep my attention over the span of all 160 pages.
The writing style sometimes stutters a little, some scenes taking just a bit too long to be comfortable. Sometimes it jumps from one bit to another, which was a bit of a reading challenge. Luckily these moments were very few, and they quickly passed. But they were still there, and I know some people really dislike that. So I think it is still good to name this in my review.
With a Novella I never expect a lot of character development. They are generally shorter than 200 pages, some even shorter than a 100, so the room they have for plot and personalities is very limited. While this was indeed the case with Claiming Sarah as well, Mae K. Knight still found a way to bring the characters to fruition, giving them their own personalities and development.
If you've been reading more of my reviews, you know I love a fast-paced writing style. Claiming Sarah is one of those books that is right in between. While the writing is very casual, and the events happen really fast, some descriptions dragged on and slowed me down a little. Honestly, that is the only reason that I am giving it four stars instead of a solid five.
The darkness in this book was no joke and I really recommend taking a really good look at the trigger warning list. But I feel like I've been saying that about most of the books I read. I guess I have a taste for the darker side of things. This book was definitely a wild ride, making true on the promises of the trigger list. And I really enjoyed it!
Claiming Sarah was such a fun read and I have finished it in one single sitting. Now I am definitely the type of person to read through shorter books in one go, but I think that if you're an enjoyer of darker themes, this will be the case with most people.
Good Bits:
- Surprisingly a lot of development
- There is some plot with my smut
- It was just so deliciously dark!
- Good introduction to the series and the characters
Bad Bits:
- Writing style stutters a bit sometimes
- Some scenes drag on too long
All with all a really enjoyable book for my dark romance loving heart! It has some serious depth and I think that we're going to delve even further into this story with every book that I read.
September 16, 2024
Zaiden Dayton Daniels is certainly a interesting character! Sarah mostly calls him Dayton. There is about a 20 year reverse age gap. Sarah is a doctor. Let's be clear, this book is about Zaiden. Sarah on her own would not be that interesting.
Mae K. Knight really must have a specific character in mind when channeling Zaiden, and it shows! Zaiden is a mix between a deranged Hanibel Lector, female version of Sybil, and of course the Joker 🃏. Look, I'm all for protein, but no way could I have been forced to drink that concoction 🐍⚕️🔪🧋🤮 . I don't want to give too much away, but Zaiden and Dayton felt like two different people to me. Zaiden is in the thick of his mental illness suffering all kinds of psychosis and delusions. While Dayton wants to get better because he can visualize a future because of Sarah. If not for Sarah, the house would've claimed Zaiden.
Overall, the novella isn't that long. The plot isn't super in depth but enough to achieve the point. Zaiden and Sarah had plenty of spice. Zaiden is one of the more delusional characters I've read in a while. The acts that Zaiden does to others are just plain sick and grotesque 🤢. Somehow, Sarah finds a way to reach Dayton and accept him. Sarah truthfully only found out maybe 5% of what Zaiden really did. Dayton has never had that in his life. Acceptance from anyone, for anything, period. I do wish there was a little more back story on Zaiden's upbringing. I don't recall Dayton's reaction to Sarah's news either 🤔. While I did like this crazy story there are definitely holes that could be expanded upon in the future. "The raven and the phoenix. Together, intricately entwined, the future didn’t seem so bleak."
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Mae K. Knight really must have a specific character in mind when channeling Zaiden, and it shows! Zaiden is a mix between a deranged Hanibel Lector, female version of Sybil, and of course the Joker 🃏. Look, I'm all for protein, but no way could I have been forced to drink that concoction 🐍⚕️🔪🧋🤮 . I don't want to give too much away, but Zaiden and Dayton felt like two different people to me. Zaiden is in the thick of his mental illness suffering all kinds of psychosis and delusions. While Dayton wants to get better because he can visualize a future because of Sarah. If not for Sarah, the house would've claimed Zaiden.
Overall, the novella isn't that long. The plot isn't super in depth but enough to achieve the point. Zaiden and Sarah had plenty of spice. Zaiden is one of the more delusional characters I've read in a while. The acts that Zaiden does to others are just plain sick and grotesque 🤢. Somehow, Sarah finds a way to reach Dayton and accept him. Sarah truthfully only found out maybe 5% of what Zaiden really did. Dayton has never had that in his life. Acceptance from anyone, for anything, period. I do wish there was a little more back story on Zaiden's upbringing. I don't recall Dayton's reaction to Sarah's news either 🤔. While I did like this crazy story there are definitely holes that could be expanded upon in the future. "The raven and the phoenix. Together, intricately entwined, the future didn’t seem so bleak."
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 13, 2024
⭐️4.5/5
🌶️4/5
Wow, Mae did it again. She managed to put a whole novel worth of plot into a novella.
This is a reverse age gap romance, where the MMC has really poor social skills, and an extremely unhealthy relationship with relationships, on top of that he has severe mommy issues. The FMC has always wanted a baby, but has never been able to have one naturally. She has a huge heart and loves to help people. So what happens when despite all the warning signs, she can’t help but be drawn to Zaiden? Will Sarah get her happily ever after, or will their differences keep them apart?
I think this novel, h*ll this series are so emotionally addicting and it has to do with one of the main themes being “found family” and the understanding that each character is learning to accept where family doesn’t have to be blood for it to be a family. Also let’s take a moment to appreciate the ending?! It’s so nice that there’s an HEA for a character who has had a sh*tty go at life so far.
On that note, if you’re looking for a MMC with mommy issues, is kind of a soft sub (he lets her take the lead in the bedroom), has a few mental health problems, but would do anything to show her that he wants her. With a FMC who refuses to let he MMC be alone, and low key enjoys being dominate over him. With tropes like, found family, kidn@pping, he falls first, mental health depictions, and more than this is for you!
This novella still falls under dark romance, so check the trigger warnings before reading!
I received an ARC from the author, this review is my genuine opinion on the novella.
🌶️4/5
Wow, Mae did it again. She managed to put a whole novel worth of plot into a novella.
This is a reverse age gap romance, where the MMC has really poor social skills, and an extremely unhealthy relationship with relationships, on top of that he has severe mommy issues. The FMC has always wanted a baby, but has never been able to have one naturally. She has a huge heart and loves to help people. So what happens when despite all the warning signs, she can’t help but be drawn to Zaiden? Will Sarah get her happily ever after, or will their differences keep them apart?
I think this novel, h*ll this series are so emotionally addicting and it has to do with one of the main themes being “found family” and the understanding that each character is learning to accept where family doesn’t have to be blood for it to be a family. Also let’s take a moment to appreciate the ending?! It’s so nice that there’s an HEA for a character who has had a sh*tty go at life so far.
On that note, if you’re looking for a MMC with mommy issues, is kind of a soft sub (he lets her take the lead in the bedroom), has a few mental health problems, but would do anything to show her that he wants her. With a FMC who refuses to let he MMC be alone, and low key enjoys being dominate over him. With tropes like, found family, kidn@pping, he falls first, mental health depictions, and more than this is for you!
This novella still falls under dark romance, so check the trigger warnings before reading!
I received an ARC from the author, this review is my genuine opinion on the novella.
September 8, 2024
Wow, this book is a wild ride, and I couldn't put it down! I sooooo appreciate to be given the chance to read this book and given the ARC to review.
If you haven't read Surviving Zaine or Escaping Xavier, I would highly recommend those books before this one, but you still could read this book as a standalone if you really wanted to. It will just give you a fuller picture if you read those books beforehand.
This book has such dynamic characters and the MMC and FMC have such depth to them even in this short novella. There is a strong plot too, and maybe not as much spice as some of the other books, but honestly it worked for this book. I completely fell in love with the MMC, and that may something about me, but he really melted my heart at times.
This is a very dark romance, with quite a dash of horror, so be prepared for some questionable moments. If you are okay with the triggers, I would recommend this book in a heartbeat!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶🌶
Tropes:
☑️ Touch her and 💀
☑️ Reverse Age Gap
☑️ Dual POV’s
☑️Captor/Captive
☑️ Stalker
☑️ Masked MMC
☑️ Minor cliff, but HFN ending
*there are more but I would just read the TW for them*
***I received an ARC for free, and all my opinions are my own.***
If you haven't read Surviving Zaine or Escaping Xavier, I would highly recommend those books before this one, but you still could read this book as a standalone if you really wanted to. It will just give you a fuller picture if you read those books beforehand.
This book has such dynamic characters and the MMC and FMC have such depth to them even in this short novella. There is a strong plot too, and maybe not as much spice as some of the other books, but honestly it worked for this book. I completely fell in love with the MMC, and that may something about me, but he really melted my heart at times.
This is a very dark romance, with quite a dash of horror, so be prepared for some questionable moments. If you are okay with the triggers, I would recommend this book in a heartbeat!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶🌶
Tropes:
☑️ Touch her and 💀
☑️ Reverse Age Gap
☑️ Dual POV’s
☑️Captor/Captive
☑️ Stalker
☑️ Masked MMC
☑️ Minor cliff, but HFN ending
*there are more but I would just read the TW for them*
***I received an ARC for free, and all my opinions are my own.***
October 28, 2024
Mae K Night delivers yet another thrilling read with Claiming Sarah, a story that’s as intense as it is addictive. Mae has masterfully crafted a series where each book not only connects beautifully but also expands the intrigue and depth of her characters.
In this story, we dive deep into the fractured mind of Zaiden, whose struggle with his dual realities adds a layer of tension that’s both unsettling and captivating. The book explores themes of possession and inner conflict, all while building a tantalizing romance with Dr. Sarah Bell. The way Mae writes from his perspective pulls you into the turmoil of his mind, making you question where his reality ends and his desires begin. Do you think that you can handle a taste of the madness and passion within the pages? We have a character who’s unhinged but captivating, guided by voices that both comfort and challenge him.
Claiming Sarah had me flipping pages, anxious to see if he would be able to keep her or if his mind would betray him. Mae has truly become one of my favorite authors for this genre—she balances romance with darker, psychological elements in a way that feels both unsettling and deeply satisfying. This book is definitely a must-read for fans of darker romance who crave emotional complexity and interconnected stories!
In this story, we dive deep into the fractured mind of Zaiden, whose struggle with his dual realities adds a layer of tension that’s both unsettling and captivating. The book explores themes of possession and inner conflict, all while building a tantalizing romance with Dr. Sarah Bell. The way Mae writes from his perspective pulls you into the turmoil of his mind, making you question where his reality ends and his desires begin. Do you think that you can handle a taste of the madness and passion within the pages? We have a character who’s unhinged but captivating, guided by voices that both comfort and challenge him.
Claiming Sarah had me flipping pages, anxious to see if he would be able to keep her or if his mind would betray him. Mae has truly become one of my favorite authors for this genre—she balances romance with darker, psychological elements in a way that feels both unsettling and deeply satisfying. This book is definitely a must-read for fans of darker romance who crave emotional complexity and interconnected stories!
October 28, 2024
𝒞𝓁𝒶𝒾𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒮𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒽 𝒷𝓎 ℳ𝒶ℯ 𝒦．𝒦𝓃𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉
This book does have spicy scenes, not as spicy as the others, but what is contained fits the book perfectly. There is some murder and torture in the book as well, please check TW's.
This book has some serious depth! From an MMC with serious mommy issues to an FMC who believes she can change him we get a story that is truly fascinating.
Think Haunting Adeline with less spice, and more plot.
A great plot with the perfect amount of spice, this book is a must read!
I loved how Zaiden fell for her when he fist met her. I loved how she knew he had Schizophrenia and new he needed help so she asked him to get the help he would need so they could be together. I also loved how she accepted that she was his and he was hers.
If you thought Zaine and Xavier were unhinged, wait till you meet Zaiden. 😳 He’s on a whole different level: unhinged, over-the-top, and yeah, sometimes even a bit creepy and crazy.
This is a dark romance, reverse-age-gap novella. This was my first time reading a reverse-age-gap, The author was able to capture the inner-workings of a person that has schizophrenia. The way that they developed Zaiden was very well done. Adding in the main FMC, Sarah, this book is a work of excellence.
I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this amazing book!
This book does have spicy scenes, not as spicy as the others, but what is contained fits the book perfectly. There is some murder and torture in the book as well, please check TW's.
This book has some serious depth! From an MMC with serious mommy issues to an FMC who believes she can change him we get a story that is truly fascinating.
Think Haunting Adeline with less spice, and more plot.
A great plot with the perfect amount of spice, this book is a must read!
I loved how Zaiden fell for her when he fist met her. I loved how she knew he had Schizophrenia and new he needed help so she asked him to get the help he would need so they could be together. I also loved how she accepted that she was his and he was hers.
If you thought Zaine and Xavier were unhinged, wait till you meet Zaiden. 😳 He’s on a whole different level: unhinged, over-the-top, and yeah, sometimes even a bit creepy and crazy.
This is a dark romance, reverse-age-gap novella. This was my first time reading a reverse-age-gap, The author was able to capture the inner-workings of a person that has schizophrenia. The way that they developed Zaiden was very well done. Adding in the main FMC, Sarah, this book is a work of excellence.
I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this amazing book!
September 30, 2024
After having read another of Ms. Knight's books, I was very interested when offered this one.
This one was… difficult. There is an entire list of trigger warnings, and I was still not prepared. The first few chapters were particularly grotesque and I considered not finishing it at all! I implore you, if you do not think that you can handle reading about brutal torture, do NOT read this book! I actually started to believe that i had accidentally agreed to read a horror book, instead… I came to learn, however, that we were simply seeing the effects of severe schizophrenia. That knowledge didn't make things less gruesome, but at least I understood it. I even read the entire thing in one sitting, so that I wouldn't have to go to bed scared…
The relationship that develops between Dayton and Sarah, while seeming like Stockholm Syndrome, is actually quite beautiful, even if the way it happened was incredibly wrong. I was very happy to see that they got their happily ever after! Lord knows that Dayton deserved one…
If you can get past the horror, and all the triggers, I really do recommend you to read this book.
This one was… difficult. There is an entire list of trigger warnings, and I was still not prepared. The first few chapters were particularly grotesque and I considered not finishing it at all! I implore you, if you do not think that you can handle reading about brutal torture, do NOT read this book! I actually started to believe that i had accidentally agreed to read a horror book, instead… I came to learn, however, that we were simply seeing the effects of severe schizophrenia. That knowledge didn't make things less gruesome, but at least I understood it. I even read the entire thing in one sitting, so that I wouldn't have to go to bed scared…
The relationship that develops between Dayton and Sarah, while seeming like Stockholm Syndrome, is actually quite beautiful, even if the way it happened was incredibly wrong. I was very happy to see that they got their happily ever after! Lord knows that Dayton deserved one…
If you can get past the horror, and all the triggers, I really do recommend you to read this book.
October 16, 2024
This is by far my favorite book by Mae. I haven't read many reverse age gap stories, but this one was amazing. Add in the fact that it's a dark romance, and it's automatically a 5-star read. Zaiden has moved up to being my top man. The way Mae depicts his experience with schizophrenia throughout the book is both heartbreaking and fascinating to see. I love how the push and pull Sarah has towards Zaiden. You can clearly see her feelings for him, but you can also see her need for him to help himself. He was willing to become a better man for Sarah, and that's exactly what he did. One of my favorite things about this book is seeing Zaiden finally connect with his family. It was such a beautiful moment for everyone involved ♥️ Although this is a novella, you get so much plot and backstory about the characters. Not to mention, the spice in this is perfect. It's not just thrown in for no reason. Every time something intimate happens between these characters, it means something, and I love that. I just know the second book in this duet is gonna be great!
October 3, 2024
This book Is heavy in the Trigger warnings ⚠️ but just like her previous books sooo good. Why I listed them. Cause this book is DARK.
The characters have a great build. The story was well written. I don't want to say much to ruin the story.
If you have unhinged crazy MMC's then move forward and read.
100% will always read books from this Author.
If you prefer to go in blind then do so. Below will be the TW list.
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⚠️
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TW's
Reverse age gap Kidnapping Blood/gore/violence/mutilation Cheating (Not MCs) Child neglect/abandonment/abuse Discussion of fertility issues Pregnancy Drugging Anxiety (and medication for it) Night terrors/PTSD Dub-con/non -on Sexual assault (off-page, not FMC) Somnophilia Stalking Murder Corpse dismemberment Mental health disorders Hallucinations Delusions Self-harm House Fire Death by snake Death by bees Grief — Parental death Cannibalism Entomophagy
The characters have a great build. The story was well written. I don't want to say much to ruin the story.
If you have unhinged crazy MMC's then move forward and read.
100% will always read books from this Author.
If you prefer to go in blind then do so. Below will be the TW list.
⚠️
⚠️
⚠️
⚠️
⚠️
⚠️
⚠️
⚠️
⚠️
⚠️
⚠️
TW's
Reverse age gap Kidnapping Blood/gore/violence/mutilation Cheating (Not MCs) Child neglect/abandonment/abuse Discussion of fertility issues Pregnancy Drugging Anxiety (and medication for it) Night terrors/PTSD Dub-con/non -on Sexual assault (off-page, not FMC) Somnophilia Stalking Murder Corpse dismemberment Mental health disorders Hallucinations Delusions Self-harm House Fire Death by snake Death by bees Grief — Parental death Cannibalism Entomophagy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
October 27, 2024Mae K. Knight has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her novellas are the chef's kiss! After finishing *Escaping Xavier*, I eagerly jumped into *Claiming Sarah*, though I recommend reading the Lasher Brothers Duet first for full context.
In *Claiming Sarah*, Knight brilliantly develops complex characters in a short space. Dayton’s battle with mental illness is portrayed with raw emotion, allowing readers to experience his pain through Sarah’s perspective. This dark romance features a reverse age gap and sensitively explores Zaiden's schizophrenia, leading to a powerful climax when he reconnects with his brothers.
While the story includes spicy scenes, they feel natural within the narrative. Just be mindful of darker themes like murder and torture. Zaiden’s character stays with you long after the last page, and the transformation of his relationship with Sarah—from clinical interest to genuine acceptance—is captivating.
In *Claiming Sarah*, Knight brilliantly develops complex characters in a short space. Dayton’s battle with mental illness is portrayed with raw emotion, allowing readers to experience his pain through Sarah’s perspective. This dark romance features a reverse age gap and sensitively explores Zaiden's schizophrenia, leading to a powerful climax when he reconnects with his brothers.
While the story includes spicy scenes, they feel natural within the narrative. Just be mindful of darker themes like murder and torture. Zaiden’s character stays with you long after the last page, and the transformation of his relationship with Sarah—from clinical interest to genuine acceptance—is captivating.
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