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Bound by Shadows
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Bound by Shadows is a dark college romance featuring MF, MM, MFM, MMFMM scenes. Please check the content warning before reading.
Bound by Shadows is a dark college romance featuring MF, MM, MFM, MMFMM scenes. Please check the content warning before reading.
504 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2025
492 people are currently reading
2496 people want to read
About the author
K.T. Maddan
13 books228 followersKatie has always possessed a talent for crafting captivating stories. She loves crafting characters with profound depth and is passionate about narrating their stories. When she's not busy creating your next literary delight, she enjoys indulging in PC gaming sessions with her partner or showering affection on her beloved fur babies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
March 18, 2025
Average. Neither good nor bad.
This is a campus murder mystery with reverse harem.
It follows Kai,Levi,Dayton and Silas who are known as the four horsemen of Ashen Grove University. This university is for the rich children of prominent people around the world. Somewhat a dynasty university.
Sable our fmc joins this university after something happened at her previous university.
Kai is the silent tech genius with stalker behaviour and is bisexual
Levi is the broken piano player with unhinged behaviour and is the one being blamed for the murders. (In love with Kai)
Dayton is the cinnamon roll that plays lacrosse.
Silas is the broken leader with daddy issues 😭
The number of plot holes in this book is numerous. The cliffhanger wasn't shocking I saw it coming from a mile away🤦🏾♀️
Hope the second book is better than this and that it actually has a decent plot!!
This is a campus murder mystery with reverse harem.
It follows Kai,Levi,Dayton and Silas who are known as the four horsemen of Ashen Grove University. This university is for the rich children of prominent people around the world. Somewhat a dynasty university.
Sable our fmc joins this university after something happened at her previous university.
Kai is the silent tech genius with stalker behaviour and is bisexual
Levi is the broken piano player with unhinged behaviour and is the one being blamed for the murders. (In love with Kai)
Dayton is the cinnamon roll that plays lacrosse.
Silas is the broken leader with daddy issues 😭
The number of plot holes in this book is numerous. The cliffhanger wasn't shocking I saw it coming from a mile away🤦🏾♀️
Hope the second book is better than this and that it actually has a decent plot!!
February 22, 2025
the 4/5 stars reviews tricked me
February 8, 2025
Dark college romance with secret societies and murder mystery elements.
The FMC, Sable, is starting her junior year at a new college and runs into some familiar faces from her past. I enjoyed learning more about her and the MMCs’ shared history throughout the book. I liked how the MMCs were different from each other. They all were rich and powerful, but had their own unique interests and characteristics. The chemistry and dynamics between the characters were great and I liked how their relationships developed at a different pace.
The plot itself was interesting and kept me hooked. I couldn’t put the book down and can’t wait to read the next book and see what happens!
“I need to focus. This isn’t me. I’m not that girl who lets herself be defined by lust, or by a moment of weakness in the dark.”
“And it’s always been like that between us—this toxic dance of competition, neither of us willing to let the other win.”
“She’s a reflection of me—beautiful, but hollow. Full of potential, but stuck in place.”
“She’s not just the girl next door. She’s my other half. The shadow and rival that complete me.”
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.
The FMC, Sable, is starting her junior year at a new college and runs into some familiar faces from her past. I enjoyed learning more about her and the MMCs’ shared history throughout the book. I liked how the MMCs were different from each other. They all were rich and powerful, but had their own unique interests and characteristics. The chemistry and dynamics between the characters were great and I liked how their relationships developed at a different pace.
The plot itself was interesting and kept me hooked. I couldn’t put the book down and can’t wait to read the next book and see what happens!
“I need to focus. This isn’t me. I’m not that girl who lets herself be defined by lust, or by a moment of weakness in the dark.”
“And it’s always been like that between us—this toxic dance of competition, neither of us willing to let the other win.”
“She’s a reflection of me—beautiful, but hollow. Full of potential, but stuck in place.”
“She’s not just the girl next door. She’s my other half. The shadow and rival that complete me.”
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.
April 25, 2025
Closer to a 2
February 1, 2025
AHHH! Murderer on campus, broody Frat guys, underground fight clubs, MASKS, and allll the MINE vibes. I loved every second of this and can’t wait for more in the series. Swipe to meet our DSN mains! HIGHLY recommend 🖤
“To anyone who’s ever wanted to be both saved and ruined at the same time.”
“Pure, unfiltered pleasure. That’s what I want. Not love. Not romance. I want to lose control, to let go, to feel everything all at once.”
“I don’t need any dickstractions.”
“I’ll cut that hand off, blend it, and make him drink it through a fucking straw.”
“To anyone who’s ever wanted to be both saved and ruined at the same time.”
“Pure, unfiltered pleasure. That’s what I want. Not love. Not romance. I want to lose control, to let go, to feel everything all at once.”
“I don’t need any dickstractions.”
“I’ll cut that hand off, blend it, and make him drink it through a fucking straw.”
September 8, 2025
Updated 9/8/25 to include audiobook review!
Ash Kingsley & Oscar Reyes were immaculate in their performances of bringing Sable and the four horsemen to life.
It’s no secret that if KT Maddan writes it, I will read it, and getting to relive this book again in audio was like putting on your favorite pair of sweatpants and taking off your bra after a long day. the comfort and joy of being back at ashen grove was everything.
I am completely amazed at the level of talent Oscar demonstrated voicing such a diverse and complex group of characters, while ensuring that each and every one of them had a voice of their own. just, wow!!
——————————————————————————————
Original review 12/2024
I alpha, beta, and arc read this one because I’m addicted and couldn’t get enough!! Entering Ashen Grove University, I had no idea what to expect or that I would be falling in love with a bunch of elite college kids. Alas, here we are, and I am so deeply in love and invested in each and every one of them.
Thank you sweet baby Jesus in heaven above that this is a why choose romance, because if you asked me to pick a favorite there is no way possible that I’d be able to. They each captured my heart in their own way, and asking me to choose just one would be like asking me which organ I can function without longer, my heart or my lungs.
The four horsemen are just ::chefs kiss:: and Sable girl, you are one lucky bitch (even if they are a bit much at times) to have these men in your life! They are all so protective, possessive, and fiercely loyal to Sable, that she can quite literally bring the most alpha amongst them to his knees.
This story was captivating, funny, spicy, mysterious, and there was a lot of foreshadowing for things to come. This one does end on a cliffhanger, and it will leave you with a lot of thoughts and theories and longing for answers! Thankfully, we won’t have to wait long for those since book two is right around the corner!!
Ash Kingsley & Oscar Reyes were immaculate in their performances of bringing Sable and the four horsemen to life.
It’s no secret that if KT Maddan writes it, I will read it, and getting to relive this book again in audio was like putting on your favorite pair of sweatpants and taking off your bra after a long day. the comfort and joy of being back at ashen grove was everything.
I am completely amazed at the level of talent Oscar demonstrated voicing such a diverse and complex group of characters, while ensuring that each and every one of them had a voice of their own. just, wow!!
——————————————————————————————
Original review 12/2024
I alpha, beta, and arc read this one because I’m addicted and couldn’t get enough!! Entering Ashen Grove University, I had no idea what to expect or that I would be falling in love with a bunch of elite college kids. Alas, here we are, and I am so deeply in love and invested in each and every one of them.
Thank you sweet baby Jesus in heaven above that this is a why choose romance, because if you asked me to pick a favorite there is no way possible that I’d be able to. They each captured my heart in their own way, and asking me to choose just one would be like asking me which organ I can function without longer, my heart or my lungs.
The four horsemen are just ::chefs kiss:: and Sable girl, you are one lucky bitch (even if they are a bit much at times) to have these men in your life! They are all so protective, possessive, and fiercely loyal to Sable, that she can quite literally bring the most alpha amongst them to his knees.
This story was captivating, funny, spicy, mysterious, and there was a lot of foreshadowing for things to come. This one does end on a cliffhanger, and it will leave you with a lot of thoughts and theories and longing for answers! Thankfully, we won’t have to wait long for those since book two is right around the corner!!
May 14, 2025
Not gonna lie, this book wasn’t it for me.
The characters were trying way too hard to be dark and edgy – like, we get it, you’re haunted, but must every convo be paincore poetry?
And Sable… I mean, I get it girl, you’re cool or whatever, but why does her existence automatically make every other woman jealous, petty, or irrelevant?
Why can’t we have more than one badass woman without the Mean Girl energy?
2 stars for Levi and Kai. Their dynamic felt real, raw, and actually gave me something to care about.
The characters were trying way too hard to be dark and edgy – like, we get it, you’re haunted, but must every convo be paincore poetry?
And Sable… I mean, I get it girl, you’re cool or whatever, but why does her existence automatically make every other woman jealous, petty, or irrelevant?
Why can’t we have more than one badass woman without the Mean Girl energy?
2 stars for Levi and Kai. Their dynamic felt real, raw, and actually gave me something to care about.
April 21, 2025
Spicy scenes and plot
This was my first time reading a book from K. T. Maddan but I really enjoyed it.
Keep in mind this book ends with a cliffhanger. It's worth it though!
The author describes the place in a detailed way but not dragging it out. All the characters have their own set personality and they all balance each other out.
Through the book you will be exposed to many spicy scenes, from MF to Group activities (MM included).
Sable, poor girl, you won't really get answers to her past (at least in this book, I don't know about the next ones) and you can see the war she has with herself about wanting something she should consider obscene.
Silas, I hate him, I don't like him through the whole book and I continue to not like it even after what they all go through.
The rest of the guys... Dayton is my favourite because who doesn't like a massive golden retriever man? I do, and that's Dayton.
Overall I enjoyed the book and the mix between suspense and erotica makes me want to continue reading to know what happens.
This was my first time reading a book from K. T. Maddan but I really enjoyed it.
Keep in mind this book ends with a cliffhanger. It's worth it though!
The author describes the place in a detailed way but not dragging it out. All the characters have their own set personality and they all balance each other out.
Through the book you will be exposed to many spicy scenes, from MF to Group activities (MM included).
Sable, poor girl, you won't really get answers to her past (at least in this book, I don't know about the next ones) and you can see the war she has with herself about wanting something she should consider obscene.
Silas, I hate him, I don't like him through the whole book and I continue to not like it even after what they all go through.
The rest of the guys... Dayton is my favourite because who doesn't like a massive golden retriever man? I do, and that's Dayton.
Overall I enjoyed the book and the mix between suspense and erotica makes me want to continue reading to know what happens.
February 19, 2025
I want to say that I didn’t find Atleast 86.5% of this to be predictable asf but I’d be lying. That’s just the thing tho, with why choose books when you’ve read atleast like 5 or 8 of them, the whole damn thing just becomes predictable😭.
Now did I eat this up? Yes.
From the moment I started it, I was hooked. I literally only had to pause bc life has to go on but other than that, I was deeply captivated by the character and their relationship dynamics, by the university, by the fraternity and legacies, I was just sold okay.
I did come down from the high of loving this immediately I started reading tho because if I’m being totally honest, I was thinking the character arcs will grow on me.. but they didn’t.
Silas is for lack of a better word to describe him rn is an acquired taste. I could never ever whether in reality or fiction put up with someone like that.
He is well and truly an entitled pain in the ass. It was difficult not to hate him.
Dayton is the little sunshine of the group, affection comes easy to him, he lights up a room and makes the people around him feel loved and seen, I don’t hate him but I’m not his biggest fan tbh because If you can believe it, despite all this good qualities, the author still managed to write him very blandly.
Kai is a perfect mix of Silas and Dayton; broody and mysterious one moment to tender and affectionate the next. He is an excellent communicator and a great lover. I love him but he also doesn’t have as much scenes as Silas and Dayton so I also don’t really know him.
Levi ah Levi.. I think I love him the most; a lot of that has to do with the fact that he is a deeply tortured or broken mysterious man and he has lore. You can tell he has especially with that ending and his absolute devotion to pouring over his piano and sheet music but yet again, cue in the not so many mentions of him and I’m dealing with little to nothing so *clears throat* “we’ll see”
Now last but not the least, sable.
She is a walking contradiction. My girl will go “I just want to be controlled” one moment then in the same breath go “I’m not your house whore, you can’t control me” and I personally was just over it because girl? Pick a struggle. There’s also the case of her neurosis.. that was mentioned but also never given depth too? And I wonder why? What’s the lore? I’m intrigued.
Sigh this harem in all it glory is not a bunch I love together. With books like this, it’s okay for them to have distinctive personalities… half the time, that’s that appeal but these 5 are just too different they don’t blend well rn. Maybe there’s hope for book 2 but im not obsessed with them rn. They make me rub my temples hard in frustration and stress. They give me a headache.
Then there’s the thing with Kai and Levi.. they fuck, that’s clear but they also claim to love and that just seems like it’s just Kai giving Levi love but it’s not reciprocated. In Kai POV he talks about Levi like Levi is his world. Describes him like an Adonis (I kid you not this man is down bad) but in Levi’s POV, the mixed signals are enough to make me wince. One moment Kai is also his world, the only one that truly gets him and in the next, Kai won’t receive the affection from him he so obviously seeks. This man (Levi) even stiffens when Kai kisses him in front of their whole group even tho everybody is aware they’re something.. what’s up with that??
Overall the writing was captivating, the pacing was incredible actually I was never bored, the author also wrote the multi POV seamlessly without back tracking too much and making one POV more interesting than the rest.
The spice was okay I guess. The individual scenes were lowkey so short. If you blink, it’s done with but that’s an appeal for me bc most times why choose book are just about fucking and nothing else but this one had a focus and it stuck to that. The group spicy scenes were hot too with ironically my favorite time being in the car (Silas wasn’t part of that but he was present) *inserts evil cackle*
All in all I’m excited for book 2. Slayyy IG
Now did I eat this up? Yes.
From the moment I started it, I was hooked. I literally only had to pause bc life has to go on but other than that, I was deeply captivated by the character and their relationship dynamics, by the university, by the fraternity and legacies, I was just sold okay.
I did come down from the high of loving this immediately I started reading tho because if I’m being totally honest, I was thinking the character arcs will grow on me.. but they didn’t.
Silas is for lack of a better word to describe him rn is an acquired taste. I could never ever whether in reality or fiction put up with someone like that.
He is well and truly an entitled pain in the ass. It was difficult not to hate him.
Dayton is the little sunshine of the group, affection comes easy to him, he lights up a room and makes the people around him feel loved and seen, I don’t hate him but I’m not his biggest fan tbh because If you can believe it, despite all this good qualities, the author still managed to write him very blandly.
Kai is a perfect mix of Silas and Dayton; broody and mysterious one moment to tender and affectionate the next. He is an excellent communicator and a great lover. I love him but he also doesn’t have as much scenes as Silas and Dayton so I also don’t really know him.
Levi ah Levi.. I think I love him the most; a lot of that has to do with the fact that he is a deeply tortured or broken mysterious man and he has lore. You can tell he has especially with that ending and his absolute devotion to pouring over his piano and sheet music but yet again, cue in the not so many mentions of him and I’m dealing with little to nothing so *clears throat* “we’ll see”
Now last but not the least, sable.
She is a walking contradiction. My girl will go “I just want to be controlled” one moment then in the same breath go “I’m not your house whore, you can’t control me” and I personally was just over it because girl? Pick a struggle. There’s also the case of her neurosis.. that was mentioned but also never given depth too? And I wonder why? What’s the lore? I’m intrigued.
Sigh this harem in all it glory is not a bunch I love together. With books like this, it’s okay for them to have distinctive personalities… half the time, that’s that appeal but these 5 are just too different they don’t blend well rn. Maybe there’s hope for book 2 but im not obsessed with them rn. They make me rub my temples hard in frustration and stress. They give me a headache.
Then there’s the thing with Kai and Levi.. they fuck, that’s clear but they also claim to love and that just seems like it’s just Kai giving Levi love but it’s not reciprocated. In Kai POV he talks about Levi like Levi is his world. Describes him like an Adonis (I kid you not this man is down bad) but in Levi’s POV, the mixed signals are enough to make me wince. One moment Kai is also his world, the only one that truly gets him and in the next, Kai won’t receive the affection from him he so obviously seeks. This man (Levi) even stiffens when Kai kisses him in front of their whole group even tho everybody is aware they’re something.. what’s up with that??
Overall the writing was captivating, the pacing was incredible actually I was never bored, the author also wrote the multi POV seamlessly without back tracking too much and making one POV more interesting than the rest.
The spice was okay I guess. The individual scenes were lowkey so short. If you blink, it’s done with but that’s an appeal for me bc most times why choose book are just about fucking and nothing else but this one had a focus and it stuck to that. The group spicy scenes were hot too with ironically my favorite time being in the car (Silas wasn’t part of that but he was present) *inserts evil cackle*
All in all I’m excited for book 2. Slayyy IG
February 12, 2025
Review: I live for a secret society, mystery, and all the spice! This book had it and KT Maddan nailed it. Her writing is amazing and the way she tells the story is captivating. I enjoyed these characters and their development. Sable is starting over in the last place she wants to be and approached by the one person she can’t stand. She is unwillingly dragged into something she doesn’t understand but can’t help but fell safer around Silas, Dayton, Kia, and Levi. The push and pull of Silas and Sable is rough and sometimes immature. But once Silas lowered his guard and really listened to Sable he was easier to like. These four guys, AKA The Four Horsemen, were HOT HOT HOT! The interpersonal relationship with each other and Sable was captivating. But truly the mystery of it all is what had me intrigued the most. There is a lot going on behind the scenes and left open for interpretation which I loved because I know we will get the answers to all the questions! The book ends with a cliffhanger that had my jaw on the floor! I can’t wait for book 2!
Tropes:
•Elite College Setting
•Childhood Friends
•Alpha-Holes
•MMFMM (sword crossing)
•Touch Her and Die
•Forced Proximity
•Step Siblings
•Stalking for Protection
•Tormented Hero
•Murder Mystery
•Dark Secret Society
•Multiple POV
Rating: 4⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Quote: “That she’s our property to protect. Ours to control. Ours to manipulate. She is our secret treasure.”
Tropes:
•Elite College Setting
•Childhood Friends
•Alpha-Holes
•MMFMM (sword crossing)
•Touch Her and Die
•Forced Proximity
•Step Siblings
•Stalking for Protection
•Tormented Hero
•Murder Mystery
•Dark Secret Society
•Multiple POV
Rating: 4⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Quote: “That she’s our property to protect. Ours to control. Ours to manipulate. She is our secret treasure.”
April 9, 2025
3.5 🌟 I didn’t expect to eat this up, but I DEVOURED it!
The dynamic between some of these characters and pacing of this book was really similar to Sadie Kincaid’s Broken Bloodlines series. Book one kinda rushed the romance and had less plot, but I just know that book 2 is going to jump straight to the plot because of that cliffhanger.
There was a ton of character building in the beginning for everyone individually, but once everyone started intermingling with Sable…it was insta-obsession with all of them with lack of reasoning/context 🤷🏼♀️. GRANTED, there’s one slow-ish burn with the second-chance MMC, and a VERY slow (yet incredibly satisfying) burn with the broody MMC, but I felt the character development, relationally, needed more intimacy and context.
All of the boys? Love them. HELL YEAH. They are all FERAL for her, that much is evident. Sometimes I didn’t understand why, but here for it, because the spice and different dynamics between multiple sets and together were DELICIOUS dude. Also the dynamic between Kai and Levi?? I CRY. I love them so much. Also hoping the Silas and Dayton have a ⚔️ situation…hehe.
Sable? She’s growing on me, and had some really badass, possessive moments of her own, which I love. I will say, the OCD representation was super relatable. So much so on how it impacted her love for art, that I had to pause for a second. That’s SO real, and I felt seen. Props to KT for including that representation and the moments where Sable navigates her intrusive thoughts and her difficulty in truly enjoying what she loves. It’s tough.
Stoked that book 2 comes out next week. I love a secret society vibe, so LET’S GET INTO ITTTT and save our broody Levi.
The dynamic between some of these characters and pacing of this book was really similar to Sadie Kincaid’s Broken Bloodlines series. Book one kinda rushed the romance and had less plot, but I just know that book 2 is going to jump straight to the plot because of that cliffhanger.
There was a ton of character building in the beginning for everyone individually, but once everyone started intermingling with Sable…it was insta-obsession with all of them with lack of reasoning/context 🤷🏼♀️. GRANTED, there’s one slow-ish burn with the second-chance MMC, and a VERY slow (yet incredibly satisfying) burn with the broody MMC, but I felt the character development, relationally, needed more intimacy and context.
All of the boys? Love them. HELL YEAH. They are all FERAL for her, that much is evident. Sometimes I didn’t understand why, but here for it, because the spice and different dynamics between multiple sets and together were DELICIOUS dude. Also the dynamic between Kai and Levi?? I CRY. I love them so much. Also hoping the Silas and Dayton have a ⚔️ situation…hehe.
Sable? She’s growing on me, and had some really badass, possessive moments of her own, which I love. I will say, the OCD representation was super relatable. So much so on how it impacted her love for art, that I had to pause for a second. That’s SO real, and I felt seen. Props to KT for including that representation and the moments where Sable navigates her intrusive thoughts and her difficulty in truly enjoying what she loves. It’s tough.
Stoked that book 2 comes out next week. I love a secret society vibe, so LET’S GET INTO ITTTT and save our broody Levi.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2025
Bound by Shadows by KT Maddon is a dark college romance. It is full of secret and mysterious societies. I really enjoyed the plot and how well it was written. It hooked me from beginning to end.
Sable is in her junior year of college. As we go through the book we get a lot of back story on her and the MMCs. Each one is so different but all are rich and powerful. Their link and relationships fueled the story.
I very much enjoyed this story and can not wait to read more by this author.
Sable is in her junior year of college. As we go through the book we get a lot of back story on her and the MMCs. Each one is so different but all are rich and powerful. Their link and relationships fueled the story.
I very much enjoyed this story and can not wait to read more by this author.
February 12, 2025
Bound by Shadows by KT Madden
4 ⭐️
Genre: Dark Romance
Format: ARC - eBook
Tropes:
Dark Romance
Childhood Friends
Jealous / Possessive MMC
Secret Society
Complete review to come but THAT CLIFFHANGER 🫠
4 ⭐️
Genre: Dark Romance
Format: ARC - eBook
Tropes:
Dark Romance
Childhood Friends
Jealous / Possessive MMC
Secret Society
Complete review to come but THAT CLIFFHANGER 🫠
April 23, 2025
3,75 ⭐️ It was so much fun!!! And now I have a crush on Dayton and Kai 🖤 the smut was smuting 🫢 I also really like it that Sable and Silas had a 'history' and not that they were in love right away.
Only the last like 40 pages felt a little rushed and weird?
Will I be reading the second book in this series? YES I WILL 🫶🏻
Only the last like 40 pages felt a little rushed and weird?
Will I be reading the second book in this series? YES I WILL 🫶🏻
November 4, 2025
The plot itself was interesting.
I couldn't put the book down.
can't wait to read the next book and see what happens 👀
dark college romance, secret society… I’M IN LOVE
I couldn't put the book down.
can't wait to read the next book and see what happens 👀
dark college romance, secret society… I’M IN LOVE
April 15, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
January 26, 2025
"That's what I want. Not love. Not romance. I want to lose control, to let go, to feel everything all at once. That feeling- of being washed over by something so intense you have no choice but to ride the wave"
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of this book and If you're looking for a dark romance with hot s** scene and a little mysterious plot. Look no further! I started and read this book in 5 hours. I could not put it down.
Bound by shadows is a why choose dark romance about a girl (Sable) starting her junior year at a new collage. Although it not just any collage, it's her parents alma mater and there's a reason she didn't want to go there in the first place. Insert Silas, Dayton, Kai and Levi the men who run the school and soon the men who claim sable as their's.
This book was filled with everything I needed it to be and more! With the hot as f*** scenes and the secret society mystery plot. Yes please!
Tropes include:
- elite college setting
- why choose MMFMM (with ⚔️)
- Touch her and die
- murder mystery
- Jealous Possessive alpha males
- childhood friend
- Shared s**
Sooo good and I definitely recommend but please check your trigger warnings!!
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of this book and If you're looking for a dark romance with hot s** scene and a little mysterious plot. Look no further! I started and read this book in 5 hours. I could not put it down.
Bound by shadows is a why choose dark romance about a girl (Sable) starting her junior year at a new collage. Although it not just any collage, it's her parents alma mater and there's a reason she didn't want to go there in the first place. Insert Silas, Dayton, Kai and Levi the men who run the school and soon the men who claim sable as their's.
This book was filled with everything I needed it to be and more! With the hot as f*** scenes and the secret society mystery plot. Yes please!
Tropes include:
- elite college setting
- why choose MMFMM (with ⚔️)
- Touch her and die
- murder mystery
- Jealous Possessive alpha males
- childhood friend
- Shared s**
Sooo good and I definitely recommend but please check your trigger warnings!!
January 23, 2025
Nothing better than a dark academic why choose full of tension. Sable transfers schools after her sophomore year and runs into her former rival/love Silas and his three best friends. They are all drawn to her and Sable just wants to be left alone. We learn snippets of her past and why she had to drop out of school but it's mainly a mystery. When some horrible things start happening around campus, people start to blame Silas and the guys. Story ends on a cliffhanger with someone getting arrested for three unalivings.
March 5, 2025
DNF at 76%
I swear I read the exact same story before.
P.S. I'm gonna DNF every book with sororities from now on.
I swear I read the exact same story before.
P.S. I'm gonna DNF every book with sororities from now on.
February 7, 2025
✨BLURB✨
Flunking out of my dream school wasn’t part of the plan. Now, I’m stuck at a place that feels more like a prison than a second chance. There are too many secrets hidden in these halls, and the only thing I care about is surviving the year. But then the murders start—brutal, cold-blooded, and too close to ignore.
Suddenly, I’m caught in something far bigger than I ever imagined—a web of lies, power, and danger that’s tightening around me. And at the center of it all? Four dangerously irresistible men
Silas Morgan.
Dayton Hughes.
Kai Reynolds.
Levi Thompson.
All of them hell-bent on keeping me close.
In a world like this, love is lethal, and trust? That might just be what gets me killed.
TROPES:
🎓 Elite college setting
👯 Childhood friends
🖤 Alpha-hole male(s)
⚔️ MMFMM (with sword crossing)
💀 Touch her and die
🔗 Forced proximity
🤍 Jealous/Possessive Heroes
👯Step Siblings (between MMC)
👀 Stalking for protection
🖤Tormented Hero
🔪 Murder Mystery
🕸️ Dark secret society
✨REVIEW✨
This book was absolutely amazing! I couldn’t put it down from the time I picked it up and got so heavily invested in finding out what would happen next with the character developments. The cliffhanger silently killed my soul a lil I admit but it’s worth it cause I really REALLY wanna know what’s gonna happen next after than ending. The plot will pull you in immediately though it might take a sec to kinda feel your way in a little. I loved the spice to plot ratio and really got into the darker mystery aspect of the story. The back and forth rivalry gave an enemies to lovers vibe I adore in a story setting as well.
Flunking out of my dream school wasn’t part of the plan. Now, I’m stuck at a place that feels more like a prison than a second chance. There are too many secrets hidden in these halls, and the only thing I care about is surviving the year. But then the murders start—brutal, cold-blooded, and too close to ignore.
Suddenly, I’m caught in something far bigger than I ever imagined—a web of lies, power, and danger that’s tightening around me. And at the center of it all? Four dangerously irresistible men
Silas Morgan.
Dayton Hughes.
Kai Reynolds.
Levi Thompson.
All of them hell-bent on keeping me close.
In a world like this, love is lethal, and trust? That might just be what gets me killed.
TROPES:
🎓 Elite college setting
👯 Childhood friends
🖤 Alpha-hole male(s)
⚔️ MMFMM (with sword crossing)
💀 Touch her and die
🔗 Forced proximity
🤍 Jealous/Possessive Heroes
👯Step Siblings (between MMC)
👀 Stalking for protection
🖤Tormented Hero
🔪 Murder Mystery
🕸️ Dark secret society
✨REVIEW✨
This book was absolutely amazing! I couldn’t put it down from the time I picked it up and got so heavily invested in finding out what would happen next with the character developments. The cliffhanger silently killed my soul a lil I admit but it’s worth it cause I really REALLY wanna know what’s gonna happen next after than ending. The plot will pull you in immediately though it might take a sec to kinda feel your way in a little. I loved the spice to plot ratio and really got into the darker mystery aspect of the story. The back and forth rivalry gave an enemies to lovers vibe I adore in a story setting as well.
September 20, 2025
AUDIO REVIEW
🌟:4.5 🌶️:3 🎙️:5
-𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤-
🩵 dark romance
🩵 why choose, mmfmm with ⚔️
🩵 secret society
🩵 murder mystery plot
🩵 step siblings
🩵 j/p mmc’s
🩵 touch her and 💀
Narrated by Ash Kingsley & Oscar Reyes in dual.
I went into this mostly blind, the only thing I knew is that it’s a dark romance and a why choose, and I ended up being totally pulled in and frantically wanting more.
The romantic suspense/murder mystery plot was addicting, the spice was spicing, and the guys are all hot asf! 🥵 I loved every single relationship that Sable has with each of the guys, and the dynamic between the group as a whole. There’s some delicious MM, between two of the guys, which the added relationship gave this so much more depth.
BIG kudos to Oscar, for seamlessly switching between each of the guys!! Honestly, I could hear the differences and it really helped me stay connected to the guys and what was going on. I haven’t listened to Ash before, but I’m amending that immediately! Love love loved her playing Sable. This was so good on audio, and I can’t wait for the second one to come out on audio!! 💕
🌟:4.5 🌶️:3 🎙️:5
-𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤-
🩵 dark romance
🩵 why choose, mmfmm with ⚔️
🩵 secret society
🩵 murder mystery plot
🩵 step siblings
🩵 j/p mmc’s
🩵 touch her and 💀
Narrated by Ash Kingsley & Oscar Reyes in dual.
I went into this mostly blind, the only thing I knew is that it’s a dark romance and a why choose, and I ended up being totally pulled in and frantically wanting more.
The romantic suspense/murder mystery plot was addicting, the spice was spicing, and the guys are all hot asf! 🥵 I loved every single relationship that Sable has with each of the guys, and the dynamic between the group as a whole. There’s some delicious MM, between two of the guys, which the added relationship gave this so much more depth.
BIG kudos to Oscar, for seamlessly switching between each of the guys!! Honestly, I could hear the differences and it really helped me stay connected to the guys and what was going on. I haven’t listened to Ash before, but I’m amending that immediately! Love love loved her playing Sable. This was so good on audio, and I can’t wait for the second one to come out on audio!! 💕
February 14, 2025
This book was my first read by K. T. Maddan, but I know for sure that I'm gonna read many more of her books. This book was soo good! It had everything a good why choose, dark college and with many more delicious tropes needed.
The writingstyle had me hooked from start to finish, I couldn't stop reading! Being told from five different POV's, it gave me the total package and all the feelings. I loved it that all four of the boys really had their own personality, and that Maddan did an amazing job putting it on page. Sable was soo badass, she knew what she wanted and how she wanted it! The twists had me on the edge of my seat and that cliffhanger... I have no words! I need book 2 asap!
K. T. Maddan thank you so much for this ARC to read and review.
The writingstyle had me hooked from start to finish, I couldn't stop reading! Being told from five different POV's, it gave me the total package and all the feelings. I loved it that all four of the boys really had their own personality, and that Maddan did an amazing job putting it on page. Sable was soo badass, she knew what she wanted and how she wanted it! The twists had me on the edge of my seat and that cliffhanger... I have no words! I need book 2 asap!
K. T. Maddan thank you so much for this ARC to read and review.
February 24, 2025
⭐️: 5/5
Sable is returning to her Home town in Indiana to attend Ashen Grove University after failing out of her previous school. Her childhood friend, Silas is also attending the university and put himself directly in her path…well not only his path, but Kai, Dayton and Levi’s path as well.
🤍 MMFMM
🖤 Elite College
🤍 Alpha-holes
🖤 “We can all have her”
🤍 OCD Rep
🖤 Murder Mystery
You can never go wrong with a why choose and this one hooks you right from the beginning. Sable is prepared bot to take any of Silas’ games, she is quick to come back at him. The push and pull between them was hard because Silas could be very brutal. The relationships between the characters were well developed. I particularly love Dayton’s self assured attitude and he is up there on my favorites list. I simultaneously love and hate a cliffhanger and I cannot wait to find out what is to come.
Sable is returning to her Home town in Indiana to attend Ashen Grove University after failing out of her previous school. Her childhood friend, Silas is also attending the university and put himself directly in her path…well not only his path, but Kai, Dayton and Levi’s path as well.
🤍 MMFMM
🖤 Elite College
🤍 Alpha-holes
🖤 “We can all have her”
🤍 OCD Rep
🖤 Murder Mystery
You can never go wrong with a why choose and this one hooks you right from the beginning. Sable is prepared bot to take any of Silas’ games, she is quick to come back at him. The push and pull between them was hard because Silas could be very brutal. The relationships between the characters were well developed. I particularly love Dayton’s self assured attitude and he is up there on my favorites list. I simultaneously love and hate a cliffhanger and I cannot wait to find out what is to come.
July 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed Bound by Shadows! It included so many tropes I love, and it kept me entertained from beginning to end. K.T. Madden is clearly a talented storyteller with a beautiful way with words.
That said, as someone who reads a lot in this genre, parts of the story felt a bit familiar—like a blend of elements from other books rather than something that fully stood on its own. While that kept it from feeling completely unique, it didn’t stop me from enjoying the ride.
I’m looking forward to reading book two and hope to see even more character development and originality in the plot. Overall, a solid and enjoyable read! Fans of this genre will enjoy this edgy and immersive read while getting a good plot mixed with some fun spicy scenes.
I really enjoyed Bound by Shadows! It included so many tropes I love, and it kept me entertained from beginning to end. K.T. Madden is clearly a talented storyteller with a beautiful way with words.
That said, as someone who reads a lot in this genre, parts of the story felt a bit familiar—like a blend of elements from other books rather than something that fully stood on its own. While that kept it from feeling completely unique, it didn’t stop me from enjoying the ride.
I’m looking forward to reading book two and hope to see even more character development and originality in the plot. Overall, a solid and enjoyable read! Fans of this genre will enjoy this edgy and immersive read while getting a good plot mixed with some fun spicy scenes.
February 2, 2025
✨E-ARC✨: dark academia, why choose? look no further for a 5⭐️ read. I’m so lucky that i was able to get an arc for this because wow.. i think this is one of my favorite reads of the year! this book was everything that i needed to get me out of a slump. this follows our fmc Sable who’s in her junior year and goes to school at her parents alma mater, there’s also silas, dayton, kai & levi who grew up with Sable and is also attending the same college as her.
the spicy scenes were 🤌🏼😮💨.. and the mystery vibes? sooo good. I cannot wait for the second book.
Tropes:
- elite college
- why choose MMFMM (with sword crossing⚔️)
- touch her and die
- childhood friends
- jealous alpha males 🤭
the spicy scenes were 🤌🏼😮💨.. and the mystery vibes? sooo good. I cannot wait for the second book.
Tropes:
- elite college
- why choose MMFMM (with sword crossing⚔️)
- touch her and die
- childhood friends
- jealous alpha males 🤭
June 21, 2025
3⭐️ 5 🌶️
- college romance
- reverse harem MMFMM
- murder mystery
- secret society
- first in a duet so not a HEA yet
This book is able Sable, and her 4 guys.
I really like Kai, Dayton and Levi. They were fun and kind of added depth to the story with being fun or broody.
Silas and Sable were okay but when they had dialogue together it just went no where every time and they contradicted themselves constantly.
Thoroughly enjoy reading the spicy scenes and I enjoy a murder mystery, however ...
I found the characters to be really surface level, their conversations were never really that deep and even when they were having a decent conversation they'd end up in bed.
Things were repeated a lot, and it often wasn't consistent.
Buuuuut I had to know who the killer was so I read the second one.
- college romance
- reverse harem MMFMM
- murder mystery
- secret society
- first in a duet so not a HEA yet
This book is able Sable, and her 4 guys.
I really like Kai, Dayton and Levi. They were fun and kind of added depth to the story with being fun or broody.
Silas and Sable were okay but when they had dialogue together it just went no where every time and they contradicted themselves constantly.
Thoroughly enjoy reading the spicy scenes and I enjoy a murder mystery, however ...
I found the characters to be really surface level, their conversations were never really that deep and even when they were having a decent conversation they'd end up in bed.
Things were repeated a lot, and it often wasn't consistent.
Buuuuut I had to know who the killer was so I read the second one.
February 1, 2025
This was a very interesting book! You get sucked in almost immediately! I fell headfirst into the story, and I really did not want to leave because it was such an interesting premise!
This book gives major dark academia vibes! I am a why choose girly through and through and this book’s dynamics were just *chefs kiss*!
You will think you know what is going to happen but then the ending will leave you hanging! Going in I knew this was going to end in a cliffhanger but I was positively dreading it because now I need the next book in my hands immediately!!
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book gives major dark academia vibes! I am a why choose girly through and through and this book’s dynamics were just *chefs kiss*!
You will think you know what is going to happen but then the ending will leave you hanging! Going in I knew this was going to end in a cliffhanger but I was positively dreading it because now I need the next book in my hands immediately!!
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3🌶️🌶️🌶️
June 20, 2025
University of RH
4⭐️/4🔥
Bound by Shadows is a dark romance centered around Sable, our FMC, and 4 MMCs who are the "Horseman" of this university. I like the storyline. It's a mystery wrapped around the whole RH situation and just when we're coming down from a spicy moment, WHAM, we get hit with another 💀 on campus. But who's doing it and why am I not mad about one of them being Icky Vicky?! LOL. Rolling right into the next book so me and the Scooby gang can get to the bottom of this mystery! 😂
4⭐️/4🔥
Bound by Shadows is a dark romance centered around Sable, our FMC, and 4 MMCs who are the "Horseman" of this university. I like the storyline. It's a mystery wrapped around the whole RH situation and just when we're coming down from a spicy moment, WHAM, we get hit with another 💀 on campus. But who's doing it and why am I not mad about one of them being Icky Vicky?! LOL. Rolling right into the next book so me and the Scooby gang can get to the bottom of this mystery! 😂
February 8, 2025
4.5 stars
Wow! my mind was blown with this book! I loved the story line and can’t wait for the second book to find out what happens next! It was very shocking.
I loved our characters, I did get frustrated with them because they would push each other away and I wanted it yell at them that they were perfect together!!!
Honestly am so happy that the second book will be releasing this year as well!
Wow! my mind was blown with this book! I loved the story line and can’t wait for the second book to find out what happens next! It was very shocking.
I loved our characters, I did get frustrated with them because they would push each other away and I wanted it yell at them that they were perfect together!!!
Honestly am so happy that the second book will be releasing this year as well!
March 18, 2025
I’m a sucker for a good dark college romance, and this book hit the spot for me. As the first in a duet, the ending will leave you dying to get your hands on the next book. Each of the Four Horsemen has something special about them, and when Sable brings them all together, it’s absolute perfection. The balance between plot and spice is done so well that I couldn’t stop reading—I wanted to devour it but also didn’t want it to end, knowing I’d have to wait for book two. Definitely a must-read!
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