Love and Cages

by K.J. Ersti

Love and Cages is a contemporary friends to lovers romance with some dark themes. It is the second in the Fight for Love trilogy but can be read as a standalone.





Friends to lovers

Dual POV

Golden retriever MMC

Happy ever after

Spice

Banter



Vi

I finally achieved my dream of dancing at the NYC ballet, but something isn’t right. Between the strange happenings at the theater and warnings from my friends, I’m afraid that my chance to live out my dreams will be short-lived.



Finn

I am a fixer by nature, in my career as a cop, and in my friendships. So when Vi finds herself in the middle of a potential case, I can’t help but insert myself into her life. This case isn’t as straightforward as it seems, however, and I have to find a way to battle the demons in my past before I can battle the very real ones after her.

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2025

About the author

Hey I'm K.J., a Midwest native who has been obsessed with the written word ever since consuming the entirety of the Nancy Drew collection. My favorite genre is anything romance: mystery, fantasy, cozy and dark.
I live in Minnesota with my husband, two kids, and our pitbull rescue.
My debut novel Love and Bruises is coming out August 2024. It is a contemporary enemies-to-lovers romance with spice, mystery, and murder. I hope you love it as much as I do!

You can learn more by following me on Instagram @kj_ersti or TikTok @kjersti_writes.

Reviews

[Pranjal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book from the start. This would be a great book for those who are new to 'Dark romance' genre. This is Victoria and Finn's story with mild spice and full of banter. Loved their wholesome moments and banter.

[Jennie Gibbons]

Love and Cages is an emotional, gripping friends-to-lovers romance that perfectly balances heartfelt connection with suspenseful tension. As the second installment in the Fight for Love trilogy, it holds its own beautifully as a standalone, delivering all the feels with just the right touch of spice and intrigue.

Vi, a determined ballerina chasing her dreams in NYC, and Finn, a golden-retriever-hearted cop with a protective streak, share a magnetic bond that blossoms into something deeper. Their dual POVs give readers a raw, intimate look into their personal struggles and growing love. Between witty banter, steamy moments, and darker themes lurking beneath the surface, this book keeps you hooked from start to finish.

If you're a fan of tropes like friends to lovers, protective MMCs, and happily ever afters with a side of danger and depth, Love and Cages will steal your heart. A perfect blend of romance and suspense that leaves you wanting more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Valerie Stowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll preface this by saying I did not read the first book but I absolutely will now.

This was a very good and fast paced toe dip into "dark romance". I feel like this would be a great into into the dark romance genre. Honestly it would be good for anyone planning to read the "Cat and Mouse duet", as some of the subject matter is very similar. The relationship felt more like an insta love and there didn't seem to be a lot of build up, however I didn't read the first book in the series, so it's entirely possible that there was build up and I wasn't aware. There were points where it felt like things moved to fast however that gives it more of a "real" feel especially during the investigation.

[Amanda Bannister · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love getting to read both Vi’s and Finn’s POV (dual point of view). It started a bit slow, but the storyline development between our two lovers hooked me early in the book. There is suspense, danger, spice, and some dark content. Please read the trigger warnings because not everything in life is sweet and easy. Through the trauma, Vi finds her inner goddess and realizes she wants to take control of her future moving forward. I am eager to read how Vi and Finn’s story intertwines with Toni and Bryce’s story. I do love a good Epilogue teaser.
**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love and Cages is book 2 in a series. And I strongly reccomend reading book 1 first because they do tie together very well.

This is Finn and Vi's story. They meet through best friends and have insta-attraction. She's a ballerina and he's a NYPD. This book reads more as a romantic thriller than book 1 did.

While I would have enjoyed more spice… and more introductions to that piercing… I really enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down.

This story has similar vibes with Hunting Adeline, but less dark and descriptive. It's a diet dark read.

[Anime Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recieved the ARC.
I liked their banter. Not really a banter but flirting in their own style.
It's really sad what happened to her.
I appreciate his father stepping in and lending a hand to help him out.
I'm so sad for belle....
I'm excited to read Ava's story next.
Overall, I just loved the respect and love they had for one another.
When she was with her ex, he was broken, but he never crossed the line.
When she dumped her ex, he was ready to make her his. That's what I loved.

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read books 1 and 2 so quickly with the second book taking the top spot! Finn and Vi's story blended wholesome moments with spicy tension, all while having a gripping plot. Finn's adoration for Vi had me swooning throughout the entire book!
Overall, this book was a wild ride, with a pace that kept me engaged and entertained from start to finish. I am so excited to read more books by this author!

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and felt it was a great introduction to those who want to start reading dark romance. It was a fast paced read for me, which I didn’t mind at all. Overall I think the story as a whole flowed really well. The only thing I would’ve liked more of is a build up between the main characters.

[Allison Zaremba · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read. Getting the dual POV between Vi and Finn was very enjoyable. If you like a mystery crime this is for you. The love story was a quick hook, as well. Please read the trigger warnings before startinng the book. A Must Read!

**I received a free advanced copy of this book and am leaving my feedback voluntarily.**

[Noreen Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book from the start. There were a few twists that I didn't see coming.
Strong characters, especially Victoria, consider what she was put through. Fin was also extremely devoted to her and would pull out all stops for Victoria.

[Sara Cayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book

[Rylee.booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was just right. The spice was there but not to much. And it was a quick read. I really loved reading Finn and VI’s book. This is a good intro to dark romance if you’re looking to get into dark romance.

[Tiffany(Nightshadowitch) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read slow start. Didn’t know it was a book two and need to go back and read book one. Characters have good back and forth banter. I classify dark romance

[Sara Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love and Cages stars Vi and Finn in a dual POV romance. Vi has just joined the NYC dance academy and Finn works as a detective for the NYPD.

Wow… this book really captivated my attention from start to end and than some. The spice is spicy and throughout the story. Without leaving any spoilers, there are darker moments in the book so I would def make sure you read any trigger warnings just in case! It felt a bit rushed at the end and I wish the darker subplot would've lasted a bit longer. I usually am not one to read epilogues, and I definitely made sure to read this one. I only rated this a 4 star because I am fairly picky giving out 5 stars but this DEF caught my attention and maintained it! Make sure to check this book out! :)

[Susan Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series...I love how the two books are connected and carry forward from one to another. I can't wait to see what will come in this series.

This books shares Vi and Finn, I think they have a sweet romance brewing. Finn while diving into an old case discovers something he is not very comfortable with, which leads to help from VI and then some devastation..

This story talks about sex trafficing (mostly behind closed doors) and a buddy relationship.