What do you think?
Rate this book
Diamonds & Straitjackets
I broke into a private psychiatric institution to save my brother’s best friend. But my plans are thwarted when I’m captured by the very monsters I should fear.
My heart has always belonged to Maverick Sutherfield. I’ll risk everything to save him.
But, the asylum has hardened him—the sweet boy I knew is gone, replaced by a cold, brutal man who loathes me. The only people he despises more are his two tormentors.
Rowan Underhill—cruel, arrogant, and too handsome for his own good, let alone mine.
Braum Milligan—an enigma wrapped in a striking package, who both terrifies and excites me.
They want to see Maverick fall. And now, they have the perfect leverage—me.
As their prisoner, I should be terrified. Instead, I’m thriving in their darkness. Their hands, their mouths, the way they ruin me—I crave it as much as I still yearn for the boy I came to save. But in a place where pleasure and pain blur, where secrets fester and power corrupts, nothing is as it seems.
I only came here for one man. But leaving means keeping them all or losing everything. Including our lives.
** Diamonds and Straitjackets is a dark why choose standalone story with a HEA
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Older Brother’s best friend
Forced Proximity
Insane Asylum
Timid FMC
My heart has always belonged to Maverick Sutherfield. I’ll risk everything to save him.
But, the asylum has hardened him—the sweet boy I knew is gone, replaced by a cold, brutal man who loathes me. The only people he despises more are his two tormentors.
Rowan Underhill—cruel, arrogant, and too handsome for his own good, let alone mine.
Braum Milligan—an enigma wrapped in a striking package, who both terrifies and excites me.
They want to see Maverick fall. And now, they have the perfect leverage—me.
As their prisoner, I should be terrified. Instead, I’m thriving in their darkness. Their hands, their mouths, the way they ruin me—I crave it as much as I still yearn for the boy I came to save. But in a place where pleasure and pain blur, where secrets fester and power corrupts, nothing is as it seems.
I only came here for one man. But leaving means keeping them all or losing everything. Including our lives.
** Diamonds and Straitjackets is a dark why choose standalone story with a HEA
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Older Brother’s best friend
Forced Proximity
Insane Asylum
Timid FMC
609 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2025
176 people are currently reading
626 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
October 10, 2025
When a shady job for his best friend’s father goes wrong, Maverick Sutherfield is locked up in Serenity Falls Psychiatric Institution. Yet his loved ones are led to believe he died in a tragic car accident.
Upon learning the boy she always loved is still alive, Everly Woodrow sets about a cloak-and-dagger mission to free Mavie - and herself.
Where to begin… I really don’t know how to adequately describe the intricate tale that is D&S. It’s a dangerous secret society story wrapped in suspense with a dark and twisted gothic backdrop chock full of emotionally unstable and unpredictable, yet heartbreaking and arresting characters.
Between the brutal and fiercely possessive harem and the ever-present threat of the Children of the White Stag, every page is a new layer of fuckery to uncover.
Similarly, Braum and Rowan seemed to be in a continuous loop of one step forward, one step back with their behavior toward Everly, yet their intensity and adoration for her are endearing.
With a story as thick as this, I would have liked a bit more time spent on “the after.” Regardless, it’s a unique story that will be sitting with me for a while.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤🖤🖤
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😳🥺😬🥵😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻👨🏻🤝👨🏼 {Multiple | Present}
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Dark, Gothic, New Adult, Suspense
✨ Tropes: Billionaire, Enemies-to-Lovers, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Friends-to-Enemies-to-Lovers, Heroine in Danger, Insta-Obsession, Kidnapped/Captive, Secret Society, Why Choose
💫 Microtropes: Alphahole, Boy Obsessed, Branding, “Good Girl”, Hand Necklace, It's Always Been You, Jealous/Possessive, Manipulation, Mental Health Rep, MINE!, OTT Hero, Pet Name, Touch-Her-and-💀, Tragic Past, Virgin FMC, “We’ll Make It Fit”, Who Hurt You?
💋 Kinks: All 🕳️ Filled, 🍑, Body Betrayal, Bondage/Restraints, Caged, 🐓 Warming, Domination, Power Exchange, Praise, Somnophilia, Spanking
🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a
📍 Setting: Asylum
⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will have you DoorDashing batteries for BOB.
🚩 Safety Squad: There are potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Diamonds & Straitjackets is a standalone.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Upon learning the boy she always loved is still alive, Everly Woodrow sets about a cloak-and-dagger mission to free Mavie - and herself.
Where to begin… I really don’t know how to adequately describe the intricate tale that is D&S. It’s a dangerous secret society story wrapped in suspense with a dark and twisted gothic backdrop chock full of emotionally unstable and unpredictable, yet heartbreaking and arresting characters.
Between the brutal and fiercely possessive harem and the ever-present threat of the Children of the White Stag, every page is a new layer of fuckery to uncover.
Similarly, Braum and Rowan seemed to be in a continuous loop of one step forward, one step back with their behavior toward Everly, yet their intensity and adoration for her are endearing.
With a story as thick as this, I would have liked a bit more time spent on “the after.” Regardless, it’s a unique story that will be sitting with me for a while.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤🖤🖤
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😳🥺😬🥵😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻👨🏻🤝👨🏼 {Multiple | Present}
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Dark, Gothic, New Adult, Suspense
✨ Tropes: Billionaire, Enemies-to-Lovers, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Friends-to-Enemies-to-Lovers, Heroine in Danger, Insta-Obsession, Kidnapped/Captive, Secret Society, Why Choose
💫 Microtropes: Alphahole, Boy Obsessed, Branding, “Good Girl”, Hand Necklace, It's Always Been You, Jealous/Possessive, Manipulation, Mental Health Rep, MINE!, OTT Hero, Pet Name, Touch-Her-and-💀, Tragic Past, Virgin FMC, “We’ll Make It Fit”, Who Hurt You?
💋 Kinks: All 🕳️ Filled, 🍑, Body Betrayal, Bondage/Restraints, Caged, 🐓 Warming, Domination, Power Exchange, Praise, Somnophilia, Spanking
🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a
📍 Setting: Asylum
⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will have you DoorDashing batteries for BOB.
🚩 Safety Squad: There are potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Diamonds & Straitjackets is a standalone.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
October 15, 2025
Well, that was a wild ride! This book was dark, smutty, and completely insane. Which is fitting since the majority of the story takes place in an insane asylum.
After FMC Everly learns her friend and childhood crush, Maverick is alive but is trapped in an insane asylum she is determined to save him. She has to adjust her own plans and get outside of her comfort zone if she is going to sneak him out of Serenity Falls.
Her perfect plan quickly falls apart because Maverick is not the same man she remembers. After years of being trapped, he hates and distrusts her entire family, including her. Maverick has been through too much at Serenity Falls, and his mind is slightly broken. By the time he realizes she is not like her father, who had put him away years ago, it's too late.
Everly has also caught the eye of two other patients, Braum and Rowan. They instantly want her. Both come from powerful families, and so they have more power in Serenity Falls than other patients. They also both hate Maverick. Everly becomes a new way to torment him. She is still so determined to save Maverick that she makes a deal with Braum and Rowan to hide her within the asylum until she can get Mavreick out. They do not hesitate to take full advantage of her desperation, each becoming more obsessed with her and her kindness every day. Until things at Serenity Falls become even more chaotic and dangerous for all of them.
After FMC Everly learns her friend and childhood crush, Maverick is alive but is trapped in an insane asylum she is determined to save him. She has to adjust her own plans and get outside of her comfort zone if she is going to sneak him out of Serenity Falls.
Her perfect plan quickly falls apart because Maverick is not the same man she remembers. After years of being trapped, he hates and distrusts her entire family, including her. Maverick has been through too much at Serenity Falls, and his mind is slightly broken. By the time he realizes she is not like her father, who had put him away years ago, it's too late.
Everly has also caught the eye of two other patients, Braum and Rowan. They instantly want her. Both come from powerful families, and so they have more power in Serenity Falls than other patients. They also both hate Maverick. Everly becomes a new way to torment him. She is still so determined to save Maverick that she makes a deal with Braum and Rowan to hide her within the asylum until she can get Mavreick out. They do not hesitate to take full advantage of her desperation, each becoming more obsessed with her and her kindness every day. Until things at Serenity Falls become even more chaotic and dangerous for all of them.
October 13, 2025
If you want dark, gritty and depraved why choose romance this is the book for you. Everly is set on breaking Maverick out of serenity falls asylum when she learns he's still alive. But when she gets there she realizes she's in way over her head. She doesn't know the secrets of her family and just what it is that Maverick saw that got him locked up in there. She also meets Braum and Rowan, kings of serenity falls. They instantly stake a claim to her, both determined to make her their queen. This story is hot and spicy, but is heavy and dark as well. It will make you feel all the feels and root for these characters happy ending. I absolutely loved it!
October 24, 2025
I was really hoping this was going to be a 5 star read. I carried on and finished it but it took me a lot longer than it usually would.
This was an okay book in my opinion, the characters were “unique” 😂 there was a story line. unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me. But that won’t stop me reading anything else this author comes out with as I really enjoyed there previous work.
This was an okay book in my opinion, the characters were “unique” 😂 there was a story line. unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me. But that won’t stop me reading anything else this author comes out with as I really enjoyed there previous work.
October 19, 2025
Dnf at 70%. I wanted to love this because the storyline was so interesting but it was too much. There was so much going on and I had trouble keeping up with who was doing what. The story just bounced around way too much. I didn't like a single character either which sucks because I love unhinged characters. I couldn't stand the fmc because she was such a weak person. It would've been better if she snapped during the basement scene and became insane too. The non-con was too much for me as well.
October 15, 2025
Honestly just to chaotic, & the story line was silly. Didn’t enjoy
October 15, 2025
I unfortunately had to DNF this at 37%, which sucks because I was really excited to read it based on the blurb. But I just couldn’t get past the non-con. It’s not dub-con…it’s straight up non-con. As in the FMC says “No” and the MMC insists she doesn’t mean it and keeps going.
I got to the point where I didn’t even want an HEA with these characters, so that’s when I knew I was done.
I got to the point where I didn’t even want an HEA with these characters, so that’s when I knew I was done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2025
This was a wild ride and I was sort of holding my breath the entire time. Cause like baby when are we getting to the like the nice stuff the happy moments, shessh. Addams took me and these characters down through it. There were several times I had to check the category the book is listed in because I was worried I wasn’t going to actually get an HEA. My feelings are kind of all over the place about this book. It was incredibly fictitious but had an element of realism to the relationship dynamics that complemented the craziness but sort of slowed the pace down. Or maybe dragged out the suspense is more accurate. As crazy as things got I was pretty pleased with the level of contrition that the guys experienced even if they would sometimes take two steps back and one step forward. They always managed to acknowledge how badly they messed up and attempted to make amends, even if their crazy made their idea of amends all wrong. While there is a subplot it’s the relationship development that’s plot heavy. And made it impossible to put this book down, every time I thought I’d come to a place things would mellow out and I could take a breath something else would happen and I was locked back in. This was the kind of dark romance I enjoy it toes the line of my boundaries and then pulls back before going over into something I wouldn’t enjoy. I have to say though because of all the stops and starts we don’t get a lot of time in the HEA, but considering the dynamics of the group I think that’s intentional. I’ve seen lots of people asking for recommendations where the guys in the group don’t get along, well beloved this is the one. If you like a messy harem, dysfunctional red flag mmcs, and a love starved fmc who’s the definition of rose colored glasses you’ll enjoy every moment of this.
October 9, 2025
Diamonds and Straitjackets is the first book in the Serenity Falls series by M. T. Addams.
💜 secret society
💜 troubled past
💜 second chance
💜 rescue romance
💜 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 spicy spice
Everly’s life has never been easy. Yes, her family was very well off financially, but that didn’t equate to easy. Her father was super strict and unkind when he did acknowledge her, so it was easier to try to make herself as invisible as possible. This became even more important after her brother’s best friend passed away and her brother became more distant. She lost to friends that day. But, when a note left behind when her brother passed away shows that maybe she didn’t lose his best friend, her plans changed. Especially when her father was making her marry someone of his choosing, life’s needed to change. Will she figure out where his best friend is? Will she be able to get out of the marriage? Will she get a life she wants?
I really wasn’t sure what this book was going to be about, but I knew with M.T. Addams, it was going to be dark and a wolf ride. She did not disappoint. This book was dark and twisty. You never knew what was going to happen next. The world building and character building was done so well that it helped to pull you into the story and feel like you could picture the whole thing. I also liked how nothing was straight forward nor how it seemed to be, keeping you guessing the whole way. I can’t wait to see what other stories come out in this world.
💜 secret society
💜 troubled past
💜 second chance
💜 rescue romance
💜 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 spicy spice
Everly’s life has never been easy. Yes, her family was very well off financially, but that didn’t equate to easy. Her father was super strict and unkind when he did acknowledge her, so it was easier to try to make herself as invisible as possible. This became even more important after her brother’s best friend passed away and her brother became more distant. She lost to friends that day. But, when a note left behind when her brother passed away shows that maybe she didn’t lose his best friend, her plans changed. Especially when her father was making her marry someone of his choosing, life’s needed to change. Will she figure out where his best friend is? Will she be able to get out of the marriage? Will she get a life she wants?
I really wasn’t sure what this book was going to be about, but I knew with M.T. Addams, it was going to be dark and a wolf ride. She did not disappoint. This book was dark and twisty. You never knew what was going to happen next. The world building and character building was done so well that it helped to pull you into the story and feel like you could picture the whole thing. I also liked how nothing was straight forward nor how it seemed to be, keeping you guessing the whole way. I can’t wait to see what other stories come out in this world.
October 7, 2025
“Make sure he’s crazy for you. If he’s not, find one that is.” - This line from the author’s note perfectly sums up the wild, obsessive love story that unfolds in Diamonds and Straitjackets.
The story begins with Maverick Sutherfield, who witnesses a massacre at a shipyard involving his best friend Peter Woodrow and Peter’s father, the powerful and sinister James Woodrow. Maverick threatens to expose James — and then disappears.
Five years later, Peter’s sister Everly receives a suicide letter from Peter revealing that Maverick isn’t dead — he’s being held in a secret psychiatric facility called Serenity Falls, a gothic asylum tucked into the mountains of Washington. Everly, trapped in her father’s control and facing an arranged marriage, runs away from her wedding to find and rescue Maverick.
There she meets Braum, a seductive, unpredictable patient who believes “the Universe” speaks to him. His fixation on Everly adds another layer of danger — and lust to this add Braum's friend Rowan and soon they from a strange triangle.
When she finally finds Maverick, the boy she loved is gone. What’s left is a hardened, feral version of him — brutal, vengeful, and convinced she’s there as part of her father’s games. The rest of the story spirals into madness, alliances, betrayals, and escape attempts that blur the line between love and obsession.
The story begins with Maverick Sutherfield, who witnesses a massacre at a shipyard involving his best friend Peter Woodrow and Peter’s father, the powerful and sinister James Woodrow. Maverick threatens to expose James — and then disappears.
Five years later, Peter’s sister Everly receives a suicide letter from Peter revealing that Maverick isn’t dead — he’s being held in a secret psychiatric facility called Serenity Falls, a gothic asylum tucked into the mountains of Washington. Everly, trapped in her father’s control and facing an arranged marriage, runs away from her wedding to find and rescue Maverick.
There she meets Braum, a seductive, unpredictable patient who believes “the Universe” speaks to him. His fixation on Everly adds another layer of danger — and lust to this add Braum's friend Rowan and soon they from a strange triangle.
When she finally finds Maverick, the boy she loved is gone. What’s left is a hardened, feral version of him — brutal, vengeful, and convinced she’s there as part of her father’s games. The rest of the story spirals into madness, alliances, betrayals, and escape attempts that blur the line between love and obsession.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! Dark asylum and why choose are amongst my favourite tropes so it was definitely working for me.
When Everly decided to infiltrate an asylum to break out her older brother's best friend, she doesn't bank on him being a completely different person to the boy she remembered... or his 2 enemies taking an interest in her and not wanting her to leave there any time soon.
I felt that this was quite a layered plot and we were sometimes given information that made more sense when further information was added later in the book and then the pieces started to slide into place.
The mmc's were unique in their characters and traits and unapologetically dark. I loved the characterisations, especially of Rowan in how his perspective of things was challenged by his growing connection with Everly. Really liked Everly too, I felt that although she was quiet, she was strong and determined and endured so much.
There was the secret society subplot beneath the asylum plot which I really enjoyed too. It is very dark so definitely one to check the triggers on before you dive in 💜.
When Everly decided to infiltrate an asylum to break out her older brother's best friend, she doesn't bank on him being a completely different person to the boy she remembered... or his 2 enemies taking an interest in her and not wanting her to leave there any time soon.
I felt that this was quite a layered plot and we were sometimes given information that made more sense when further information was added later in the book and then the pieces started to slide into place.
The mmc's were unique in their characters and traits and unapologetically dark. I loved the characterisations, especially of Rowan in how his perspective of things was challenged by his growing connection with Everly. Really liked Everly too, I felt that although she was quiet, she was strong and determined and endured so much.
There was the secret society subplot beneath the asylum plot which I really enjoyed too. It is very dark so definitely one to check the triggers on before you dive in 💜.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2025
4.5 stars (One day goodreads will give us half stars)
This book had me sat because it starts off with a bang!!! It was tense, emotional, and honestly I was a little wrecked by the time I finished. This book is dark and chaotic, but there’s something so painfully human buried under all that madness that it sticks with you.
Every time I thought we were headed toward peace, something else would break open and pull me right back in. The characters are messy, deeply flawed, and yet impossible not to care about their pain, their obsession, their need to be seen and loved, it all hit hard.
This story made me uncomfortable in the best way. It pushed limits but never lost its heart. By the end, I was emotionally exhausted but weirdly satisfied, like I’d just survived something alongside them.
If you love dark romance that toes the edge of your boundaries but still finds a heartbeat underneath all the chaos, this one’s for you. A beautifully deranged story about survival, obsession, and the thin line between love and ruin.
*Thank you to M.T. Addams for the ARC all thoughts and opinions are my own*
This book had me sat because it starts off with a bang!!! It was tense, emotional, and honestly I was a little wrecked by the time I finished. This book is dark and chaotic, but there’s something so painfully human buried under all that madness that it sticks with you.
Every time I thought we were headed toward peace, something else would break open and pull me right back in. The characters are messy, deeply flawed, and yet impossible not to care about their pain, their obsession, their need to be seen and loved, it all hit hard.
This story made me uncomfortable in the best way. It pushed limits but never lost its heart. By the end, I was emotionally exhausted but weirdly satisfied, like I’d just survived something alongside them.
If you love dark romance that toes the edge of your boundaries but still finds a heartbeat underneath all the chaos, this one’s for you. A beautifully deranged story about survival, obsession, and the thin line between love and ruin.
*Thank you to M.T. Addams for the ARC all thoughts and opinions are my own*
October 15, 2025
If I had to describe this book in one word? Unhinged. And I mean that in the best possible way.
This story starts with a bang and never lets you breathe. When Everly learns her childhood love, Maverick, is alive (after everyone believed he died years ago) she does what any slightly deranged, deeply devoted heroine would do: she breaks into Serenity Falls Psychiatric Institution to save him. What she finds inside is a nightmare of secrets, power, and obsession.
Maverick is no longer the boy she remembers. He’s broken, hardened, and burning with hatred for the family that destroyed his life, including her. Add in Rowan and Braum, two powerful, dangerous men who run the asylum like kings, and suddenly Everly’s mission turns into a twisted game of survival and desire 😏
This book is dark, filthy, and emotional in ways I didn’t see coming. It plays with morality, sanity, and love until all three blur into something all consuming.
If you like your romance dark, your men morally grey (or black, really) this one’s for you 👀
M.T. Addams didn’t just write a book; she built an asylum, locked us all inside, and made us thank her for it 🤌🏻🖤
This story starts with a bang and never lets you breathe. When Everly learns her childhood love, Maverick, is alive (after everyone believed he died years ago) she does what any slightly deranged, deeply devoted heroine would do: she breaks into Serenity Falls Psychiatric Institution to save him. What she finds inside is a nightmare of secrets, power, and obsession.
Maverick is no longer the boy she remembers. He’s broken, hardened, and burning with hatred for the family that destroyed his life, including her. Add in Rowan and Braum, two powerful, dangerous men who run the asylum like kings, and suddenly Everly’s mission turns into a twisted game of survival and desire 😏
This book is dark, filthy, and emotional in ways I didn’t see coming. It plays with morality, sanity, and love until all three blur into something all consuming.
If you like your romance dark, your men morally grey (or black, really) this one’s for you 👀
M.T. Addams didn’t just write a book; she built an asylum, locked us all inside, and made us thank her for it 🤌🏻🖤
October 11, 2025
Dark, Depraved, and Downright Addictive
OMG Besties... clear your weekend because "Diamonds & Straitjackets" is the kind of dark, twisted deliciousness that’ll have you clutching your Kindle like it’s your emotional support device. Everly breaks into a psychiatric asylum to save her brother’s best friend—Maverick—but ends up trapped with him and two of his tormentors, Rowan and Braum. And babes, it’s not just her freedom that’s on the line—it’s her sanity, heart, and maybe even her soul.
This isn’t your soft, flirty why-choose—it’s brutal, filthy, and unrelenting. The rope play, branding, and forced proximity? Absolutely unhing€d. Everly’s transformation from naïve savior to darkly empowered queen gave me life. The men are broken, poss€ssiv€, and dangerous in the best way. If you love chaos, corruption, and chemistry that burns hotter than h€llfir€... add this one to your TBR immediately.
My Ratings: ⭐ 4.5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 4/5
🥀 For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
OMG Besties... clear your weekend because "Diamonds & Straitjackets" is the kind of dark, twisted deliciousness that’ll have you clutching your Kindle like it’s your emotional support device. Everly breaks into a psychiatric asylum to save her brother’s best friend—Maverick—but ends up trapped with him and two of his tormentors, Rowan and Braum. And babes, it’s not just her freedom that’s on the line—it’s her sanity, heart, and maybe even her soul.
This isn’t your soft, flirty why-choose—it’s brutal, filthy, and unrelenting. The rope play, branding, and forced proximity? Absolutely unhing€d. Everly’s transformation from naïve savior to darkly empowered queen gave me life. The men are broken, poss€ssiv€, and dangerous in the best way. If you love chaos, corruption, and chemistry that burns hotter than h€llfir€... add this one to your TBR immediately.
My Ratings: ⭐ 4.5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 4/5
🥀 For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
October 6, 2025
Whew! What a ride!!
This story takes the reader on an intense journey of entrapment and escape, servitude and self discovery, confusion and enlightenment. It has all the feels! Main character Everly is the exact definition of a diamond. She’s beautiful and steadfast although often overlooked. While glancing over the surface, most don’t notice that she has the strength of the highest grade diamond. Which is going to be tested.
Her journey to escape the fate her life has dealt now includes rescuing Maverick, her childhood crush who she just learned is not dead but hidden away in a private mental institution with no hope of release. When her escape plan goes awry, Everly must improvise and find a way to survive to accomplish what she has set out to do. Welcome to the world of Serenity Falls where there are secrets in every corner and no one is safe.
This is a dark romance with many triggers. If you have sensitivities, please pay attention to those warnings.
This story takes the reader on an intense journey of entrapment and escape, servitude and self discovery, confusion and enlightenment. It has all the feels! Main character Everly is the exact definition of a diamond. She’s beautiful and steadfast although often overlooked. While glancing over the surface, most don’t notice that she has the strength of the highest grade diamond. Which is going to be tested.
Her journey to escape the fate her life has dealt now includes rescuing Maverick, her childhood crush who she just learned is not dead but hidden away in a private mental institution with no hope of release. When her escape plan goes awry, Everly must improvise and find a way to survive to accomplish what she has set out to do. Welcome to the world of Serenity Falls where there are secrets in every corner and no one is safe.
This is a dark romance with many triggers. If you have sensitivities, please pay attention to those warnings.
December 2, 2025
Wow. Just absolutely wow'd right now. This book was so dark, unhinged, wild, crazy, emotional, and all the other things that you could possibly say. The things that every single one of these characters has had to endure throughout their lives in awful. Evie and her huge freaking heart of gold was so gripping and I really was rooting for her from the very beginning. Even when she had to endure Braum and Rowan. Speaking of these two, woah. Like wowzers. They're insane lol. Guess it holds true as to why they're in an insane asylum, duh haha. And then Mavieeee ughhhh I just loved him so much, but when Everly meets his brute/broken form, I completely understood why he acted the way he did. But the end...ahhh my heart. I just was here for every single second of it. I wasn't sure if I really wanted it to turn out the way it did, but how it happened, yes please! But now I need more of the future and what their lives look like with freedom!
October 31, 2025
Diamonds & Straitjackets- MT Addams
• Why choose
• Enemies to lovers
• Psychiatric institution
• Brothers Best friend
• Virgin FMC
• Secret society
• MFMM
This a dark romance so check TW
OK.. holy cow hahaha this guys are so freaking unhinged, I really loved how each of them had their own demons and well issues (really fucked up issues) and still they were ready to protect “anastasia” 🤣, the inner monologues specially with Rowan and Braum with his universe just perfect..
I’ve found Each character very unique and with zero filters so 10/10 everyone loves red flags (in books) and the story really packed with turns and action and you don’t get a moment to rest haha cuz you don’t even know what’s going to happen next, and the spice let me tell you 🥵 ( AGAIN be sure to check the Triggers )
Can’t wait to read more books from the author 🤗
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
• Why choose
• Enemies to lovers
• Psychiatric institution
• Brothers Best friend
• Virgin FMC
• Secret society
• MFMM
This a dark romance so check TW
OK.. holy cow hahaha this guys are so freaking unhinged, I really loved how each of them had their own demons and well issues (really fucked up issues) and still they were ready to protect “anastasia” 🤣, the inner monologues specially with Rowan and Braum with his universe just perfect..
I’ve found Each character very unique and with zero filters so 10/10 everyone loves red flags (in books) and the story really packed with turns and action and you don’t get a moment to rest haha cuz you don’t even know what’s going to happen next, and the spice let me tell you 🥵 ( AGAIN be sure to check the Triggers )
Can’t wait to read more books from the author 🤗
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 10, 2025
At this point I will read anything MT Addams writes. If she writes it I will buy it. Diamonds and Straitjackets did not disappoint. At no point during this book did I know what was coming next. I didn’t even realise how much I was holding my breath until the book was over. Right from the start you are thrown in and you have a clear image of this world in your head. It’s a twisted, dark tale so make sure you check your trigger warnings! Every character is so completely different. I definitely felt more attached to Maverick for some reason but that doesn’t mean I didn’t love Braum, Rowen and Everly. I love how they all fitted together….. I don’t mean in that way 👀 But also that worked veryyy well.
October 10, 2025
This was such a great book. MT Addams has become an auto-read author for me. How is it that her characters are so morally grey or do so much questionable things and I'm obsessed with them? There might be something wrong with me I guess? 🤷🏻♀️ I'm still having a good time.
This story starts with Maverick and how he sees something he shouldn't. He's immediately sent to a psychiatric institution ran by a powerful, evil secret society. Enter Everly, his childhood friend that comes to break him out, but Maverick is not who he used to be and she's also caught the attention of two major players that are also patients that want her all to themselves.
This is a standalone, why choose dark romance with HEAVY triggers that ends in a HEA. I'm so grateful to have been able to read this arc 🖤💎
This story starts with Maverick and how he sees something he shouldn't. He's immediately sent to a psychiatric institution ran by a powerful, evil secret society. Enter Everly, his childhood friend that comes to break him out, but Maverick is not who he used to be and she's also caught the attention of two major players that are also patients that want her all to themselves.
This is a standalone, why choose dark romance with HEAVY triggers that ends in a HEA. I'm so grateful to have been able to read this arc 🖤💎
November 2, 2025
I loved this book, a job goes wrong, landing Maverick in an asylum while everyone he cares about believes he's dead. When our FMC Everly finds out he's alive, she's determined to save him but he's not the same boy she new all those years ago and he isn't just going to let her waltz back into his live and save him after it was her father to put him away.
There are some triggers to this one, so check them before diving in - this was a dark and gritty, gothic read. All the men where exactly what I wanted them to be in this setting and the spice was HOT!
I was definitely rooting for these characters and their hard won HEA, what a journey.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There are some triggers to this one, so check them before diving in - this was a dark and gritty, gothic read. All the men where exactly what I wanted them to be in this setting and the spice was HOT!
I was definitely rooting for these characters and their hard won HEA, what a journey.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 4, 2026
Enjoyable
Diamonds and Straightjackets – M.T. Addams
I really enjoyed Diamonds and Straightjackets and the potential of the story. The character development was a strong point everyone felt believable, especially in why they belonged in Serenity Falls.
Some parts felt rushed, and the story easily could have been expanded into two books to allow for more world-building and stronger pacing.
Rowan: what was in his collection? Is he still collecting?
Vick: is he part hulk or??
Braum: is the universe real 🤔
There’s no word on their time on the run or what happens between the final event and the ending, which makes that ending kind of abrupt
Final thoughts:
Despite some pacing issues this was an engaging read with good characters and an interesting storyline.
Diamonds and Straightjackets – M.T. Addams
I really enjoyed Diamonds and Straightjackets and the potential of the story. The character development was a strong point everyone felt believable, especially in why they belonged in Serenity Falls.
Some parts felt rushed, and the story easily could have been expanded into two books to allow for more world-building and stronger pacing.
Rowan: what was in his collection? Is he still collecting?
Vick: is he part hulk or??
Braum: is the universe real 🤔
There’s no word on their time on the run or what happens between the final event and the ending, which makes that ending kind of abrupt
Final thoughts:
Despite some pacing issues this was an engaging read with good characters and an interesting storyline.
September 28, 2025
This was a crazy ride and you know what I loved it! I’m not gonna lie it did get a little confusing at times but I’m gonna blame that on my brain trying to finish at 2am because I couldn’t put the book down. The dark romance was dark definitely check your triggers but it was so good. I also thought it was a missed opportunity for Braum & Rowan but that’s just my wishful thinking. This book was heavy on the suspense, I feel as if even at the end sometimes I was like what the heck is happening?! But overall great read and definitely recommend.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 5, 2025
This book was a wild ride I couldn’t put down! Everly is running from her abusive father, trying to save her childhood friend he locked away in an asylum but instead of saving anyone, she ends up trapped inside surrounded by Mavericks tormentors. Braum and Rowan have their eyes on Everly with a claim of obsession. It’s dark, twisted, and way more emotional than I expected. The trauma, the obsession, the slow fall into something that shouldn’t feel like love but somehow does… it’s addictive. Definitely not a light read, but if you like your romance with pain, redemption, and a happy ending that hurts a little this one delivers.
October 6, 2025
I was captivated the whole book. I may have stayed up a little too late to finish it, but I'm glad I did!!
It was filled with twists and turns. I honestly wasn't sure what was coming next.
There were secrets, betrayal, drama, suspense, and danger. It was also filled with lots of emotions and so much spice.
I loved Everly. She was resilient, never gave up, and had such a big heart.
Rowan, Braum, and Maverick, I fell for each of them. I will admit, at first the weren't the greatest. However, throughout the story I learned more about them. I couldn't help but love them and hurt for them too.
I loved it all!
It was filled with twists and turns. I honestly wasn't sure what was coming next.
There were secrets, betrayal, drama, suspense, and danger. It was also filled with lots of emotions and so much spice.
I loved Everly. She was resilient, never gave up, and had such a big heart.
Rowan, Braum, and Maverick, I fell for each of them. I will admit, at first the weren't the greatest. However, throughout the story I learned more about them. I couldn't help but love them and hurt for them too.
I loved it all!
November 2, 2025
It's dark, dangerous, intense, and full of twisted suspense. This book was a nail-biter if there ever was one. It's one of the most unique reverse harem romances I've read. The gothic world and characters are intriguing, complex, and well-developed. The spice was extra hot!
Tropes:
Reverse Harem
Kidnapping
Captive
Billionare
Obsessed
Alphas
Enemies to Lovers
Older Brother’s best friend
Forced Proximity
Psychiatric Institution
Secret Society
Multiple POV
Check TW
I couldn't get enough of these characters and their insane story.
If you like your book boyfriends completely unhinged this is where they are.
Tropes:
Reverse Harem
Kidnapping
Captive
Billionare
Obsessed
Alphas
Enemies to Lovers
Older Brother’s best friend
Forced Proximity
Psychiatric Institution
Secret Society
Multiple POV
Check TW
I couldn't get enough of these characters and their insane story.
If you like your book boyfriends completely unhinged this is where they are.
December 31, 2025
Intense Dark Romance!
Diamonds & Straightjackets is a dark standalone that grabbed my attention from the get-go! I love when morally black characters make me hate them and love them in equal measure. I enjoyed not knowing if there were going to be any redeeming qualities for some of these quirky and deranged characters. The heroine is strong, determined and the perfect amount of feisty and submissive. The “heroes” are all kinds of crazy both good and bad and they kept me on my toes wondering what kinds of trouble they would get up to next!
Diamonds & Straightjackets has a strong storyline, unique characters and a fantastic setting. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be checking out more of M T Addams books! If you like dark and dangerous I also recommend her Graveyard Games Duet!
Diamonds & Straightjackets is a dark standalone that grabbed my attention from the get-go! I love when morally black characters make me hate them and love them in equal measure. I enjoyed not knowing if there were going to be any redeeming qualities for some of these quirky and deranged characters. The heroine is strong, determined and the perfect amount of feisty and submissive. The “heroes” are all kinds of crazy both good and bad and they kept me on my toes wondering what kinds of trouble they would get up to next!
Diamonds & Straightjackets has a strong storyline, unique characters and a fantastic setting. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be checking out more of M T Addams books! If you like dark and dangerous I also recommend her Graveyard Games Duet!
January 12, 2026
She breaks into a private asylum to save the boy she loved.
Instead, she becomes the leverage.
Maverick is no longer the sweet boy she remembers—he’s cold, brutal, and forged by cruelty. Rowan and Braum, his tormentors, are dangerous, vicious, and disturbingly addictive. As their captive, fear should control her… but desire takes its place.
Dark, twisted, and deliciously unhinged, Diamonds and Straitjackets blurs the line between pain and pleasure, love and obsession. I came for one man—but escaping means choosing them all… or losing everything.
🖤 Dark why-choose standalone
🖤 Twisted dynamics
🖤 HEA (hard-earned and unhinged)
Instead, she becomes the leverage.
Maverick is no longer the sweet boy she remembers—he’s cold, brutal, and forged by cruelty. Rowan and Braum, his tormentors, are dangerous, vicious, and disturbingly addictive. As their captive, fear should control her… but desire takes its place.
Dark, twisted, and deliciously unhinged, Diamonds and Straitjackets blurs the line between pain and pleasure, love and obsession. I came for one man—but escaping means choosing them all… or losing everything.
🖤 Dark why-choose standalone
🖤 Twisted dynamics
🖤 HEA (hard-earned and unhinged)
September 30, 2025
Most people want to break put of an Asylum but Everly breaks in, to save her brothers nest friend and the boy she loves Maverick only hes not the same boy she knew hes a man with enemies in Rowan and Braum and they set their sights on Everly to get at Maverick but will Everly be their undoing? Well written the story is filled with suspense, steamy scenes, desires ,dark themes twists and the characters draw you in and hold your attention through out.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 6, 2025
Oh boy, I don’t even know where to start! This was so much more than I was expecting. I knew they were in an asylum so I assumed the MMCs would be unhinged, but the depth with which their characters are written really touched me. I feel like their mental illnesses are expressed is such a way that it makes the reader feel and empathize with their anxiety, fear, rage, etc. The story itself is well thought out and intricate. I love the way the characters’ fears and hopes are wrapped up into every twist and turn of the plot. I was on the edge of my seat toward the end and I loved it!
October 6, 2025
great read. mt addams strikes again. the way she can put stories together that keep your attention til the very end is amazing. to risk everything for the one you love is the ultimate loyalty. with everything she went through and then she goes and overcomes her own stuff just to rescue the one she loves. all three men have their own issues but they all have one goal to get the girl. with everything thrown at them will they make it out? read and you may find out you dont want to leave. keep up the great work cant wait for more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews