+ Hate, degradation, brutal obedience with ownership
+ Murder mystery with twisted cult ties
+ Secret society and ritual arranged marriages
On Wednesdays we bet. If we fold…we’re sold.
I know how to win.
At poker. At pain.
At pretending nothing ever touches me.
But Aiden Cardell doesn’t play games—he owns them. So when I challenge him to Seven Minutes in Heaven, I think I’ve got the upper hand. Until he locks the door.
What happens inside that closet isn’t about lust or love… It’s about power. His rules. My rebellion.
Our shared past bleeds into every slap, every bite, every twisted memory we’ve buried.
He says to strip.
But I’ve stacked the deck.
In a house filled with rigged rules, ritual humiliation, and secret debts… Winning might mean losing everything.
+++++
If you like enemies trapped in closets, degradation laced with grief, and twisted lovers playing with fire—you’ve just been dealt in.
Corruptio mentis. Devotio carnis. Author of cinematic dark romance. Hitchcock tension. Tarantino action. Blazing spice.
Kitty King is a best-selling romance author and retired physician entertaining readers with her dark and twisted stories. She is the author of over thirteen books and counting.
Kitty enjoys reading all kinds of books, listening to ASMR, and building houses with her mind (or in Sims).
Prior to writing, she was a psychiatrist that trained medical students, residents, and worked in various institutions, as well as performed psychotherapy. Her expertise in trauma and personality disorders seeps through her works in a way that provides a unique perspective on dark romance.
Sign up for her newsletter for FREE chapters, books, upcoming releases, and more! Find her at kittykingauthor.com
update: getting blocked by an author on my personal instagram because of a dnf review i didn’t even rate is too bonkers even for me lmao. farewell, kitty 🗑️
dnf 36%
as if this slump wasn’t rawdogging my ass already because wdym it’s a second chance “they were each other’s firsts” romance but he has a HAREM for almost half the book lmao?? aiden cardell you should have stayed on my instagram 💔🕊️
4.75⭐️ I didn’t think that anyone could be Valen for me but Aiden “ride my shoe” Cordell said bet! This book was definitely the most emotional out of the series, while also being the most unhinged. This couple is the definition of match my freak.
7 minutes in hell on Wicked Wednesday and one lost bet turns into 30 days of Ashlyn convincing Aiden that he was still hers. Aiden isn’t willing to forgive Ashlyn for sins of the past so easily though. If you’re looking for something that’s dark, but also has a fantastic murder mystery aspect, and a sprinkle of secret society then this one is for you!
Thank you so much for Kitty King for allowing me to read this pre-release in exchange for my honest review
Aiden owns a piece of my heart even after everything he endured, how could he not? His fury, his hatred, it all makes sense but so does Ashlyn. And that’s what makes it hurt. They are mirrors of each other both ruthless, both unapologetically fierce, both willing to burn the world down for what they want. Ashlyn is as beautiful as she is dangerous, never biting her tongue, never backing down, and Aiden matches her chaos step for step. Two unhinged souls colliding, clinging to each other through pain, destruction, and impossible odds. They are tested in every brutal way, forced to fight not just the world, but themselves, just to be together. And yet, somehow, they survive it all earning that hard-won, breathtaking ending. Their love is violent, raw, and aching… but it’s also powerful, unbreakable. They don’t just fight each other they fight for each other. And that’s what makes their story so devastatingly beautiful. Kitty, I’m completely obsessed with this series. I’m already counting down the seconds until Thriller Thursday.
This book was a lot. I would definitely read all the trigger warnings. This was at times spicy, but sometimes uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable. YMMV (Possible spoilers ahead)
This is BDSM and not the sweet, vanilla type. I’m talking this has hard hits and slaps, hard whippings, belt whippings, flogs, bondage with multiple devices, sir/master, dog beds, collars and leashes, humiliation, degradation, front and backdoor smex, toys, etc…..
Ashlyn and Aiden dislike each other a lot. It’s clear they have a past. Ashlyn is not a very likable person in the other books, but this book does an okay job redeeming her.
Aiden is the leader of the secret society. I have to admit, I was lost on all the secret society stuff. Basically, all the men are connected to a woman who they have to marry. When the book starts, Ashlyn is “engaged” to Talon (who is basically a clueless arse-wipe)
Aiden is an unapologetic manho. 🤷♀️ He boinks multiples a night, usually in front of everyone, and he just treats women like poo. He gets multiple blowies at the start of the book. Multiple women sometimes at the same time. It’s mentioned that Aiden had a whole group of women on a pool table. Orgy? He literally has a harem of women. ☠️☠️
When the book starts, Ashlyn has some type of plan to become his property for a bit. She wants him to fall in love with her again. He wins at the poker game, and makes Ashlyn be his “toy” for a month. Now….this upcoming month is rough. That’s when he will do everything to humiliate her for betraying him. 😱😱😱 This is where you really need to make sure you read the triggers. It’s a lot. Tbh, I started to skim because I was clutching my pearls HARD. (I can’t give details on what exactly happens during their smex moments during this month because I skimmed it all so fast. I was scared. 😂 These two were into some hardcore kink. Idk if there was sharing or anything like that?????)
Aiden always brings up a dead baby to Ashlyn. The way he shames her about a dead baby is gross asf. I wanted to punch him and I didn’t even know the backstory yet. It’s clear Ashlyn has some trauma about a baby.
📍So the big plot twist and why these two ex lovers hate each other now. Big possible spoiler📍 These two met at some weird camp-like place when they were younger. Ashlyn was abused and locked in a closet while there. Aiden used to sneak her food. Anyway, they fell in love. He planned to get her away from her parents. Ashlyn was 15, Aiden was 18 eek! when Ashlyn became pregnant. She didn’t want Aiden to get in trouble, so after she found out she was pregnant, she slept with Talon and then claimed he was the father of her baby (he wasn’t) It’s then announced Ashlyn is engaged to Talon. Aiden is freaking devastated. DEVASTATED! This man broke down (it was very sad) because something died inside of Aiden that day. Later….Ashlyn delivered her son..which was stillborn. She buried him. Ugh all the emotions in this flashback. She wanted to tell Aiden the truth, but by this time, he absolutely despised her.
Welp! When Aiden finally finds out the truth, he is gutted especially knowing he treated her so awful over the years. He is now determined that Ashlyn is MINE MINE MINE 🙃
(I want to mention that before he finds out the whole truth, I’d say about 50% in, Aiden no longer even cares if Ashlyn betrayed him. He knows he loves her and has decided to forgive her. Once he decides that, he is all in with Ashlyn)
Anyway, one small thing that Aiden has not told Ashlyn yet- Aiden already has a fiancee, Hadley. It’s just an arrangement with that secret society nonsense and Aiden has plans to get out of it. Hadley is insane and she really wants Aiden.
So random people are being killed, the friend group becomes a scooby doo investigation group trying to figure out whodunnit. Ashlyn gets kidnapped. 🤪 Aiden makes it in time to save her.
Then. OMG. THEN- Aiden and Ashlyn have dirty, dirty smex right on top of the villain’s face 🫣😱 YES ON TOP OF THEIR FACE. Ashlyn uses the villain’s nose for her pleasure while Aiden is using her…umm..hole. They both release their fluids all over the villain’s face. 😱 It takes a lot to shock me, but I was shook. I’m positive I turned about 3 shades of red.
We do get an HEA- Ashlyn and Aiden are engaged.
I want to mention the very end because I’m not sure exactly what happened. Ashlyn and Aiden are having some kinky smex and she’s blindfolded. Ashlyn hears multiple footsteps while she’s being pleasured. It really sounds like Aiden “shares” Ashlyn with one of his friends. There are moments happening where you can’t help but think at least two people are involved with this. Even from Ashlyn’s POV, she thinks another person is involved. Eventually he takes off her blindfold and Aiden is the ONLY person there. It’s really vague on if there was another person involved. I’d like to think there was not 🤷♀️. I feel like he’s too OTT/P, but who knows? This whole series has sprinkles of “sharing” in it.
Anyway, the only negative I really have about this book is the secret society stuff mixed with way too many characters. Then you have the main villain of the whole series, then multiple co-villains of each separate book. It gets a little confusing, at least to me. TBH, I’m a little afraid to continue the series. This author is NOT AFRAID to “go there” so you really can’t predict what’s going to happen.
Knowing who Aiden & Ashlyn’s parents are I didn’t know what to expect….these two definitely tore me apart & put me back together….grab some tissues…you may need them….& Ashlyn is definitely a daddy’s girl
Through the book you think you know what’s going on but towards the half way point I realized I was way off…I’m so glad I was…both Aiden & Ashlyn tugged at my heart…sins from the past set their story in motion…Aiden set out to punish her & Ashlyn was willing to take whatever he dealt out….they were both fighting for control but I’m not sure that either one really had it without the other…would I say they had a toxic relationship??? Most definitely but you start to understand them & why they are the way they are…I don’t know that there’s ever a good kind of toxic but if there is it was these two I’ve already seen who the next two kids are & I’m pretty excited about the change up
Kitty King strikes again!!! Aiden is his father's son, and it shows! Kitty gave us a copy of his dad, but even better, more toxic, more messy, more obsessive. This man is everything and more. Ashtyn, I’m simply in love with this woman.
This story is a rollercoaster where highs are highs and lows are lows. Kitty is a mastermind, serving us tension, chaos, a secret society with whiplash, emotional damage, but you will say “damage me, mommy! Please, and thank you!”
Audiobook: performed in duet narration by the queen herself, Savanah Thomas and the incredible Aaron Sherlock. They had something to say about this story, and through their performance, you can feel how much they enjoy their work, bringing these characters to life, and creating a masterpiece!
Thank you, Kitty and Blue Nose for this ALC; my opinions are my own!
Okay let me tell you, this was my FIRST Kitty King book and I can already promise you it will NOT be my last! 😤 Wicked Wednesday is book 3 in the Cult Campus series but reads perfectly as a standalone… which is great because now I HAVE to go back and devour the rest. I mean, the second I finished I was already adding the others to my TBR.
You get a college setting, secret societies, a small murder mystery, real trauma healing, AND a toxic relationship that runs HOT. And listen, I like my fictional relationships toxic, NOT my real ones 🤣. This story comes out swinging with that toxicity and I absolutely inhaled it. These two are constantly trying to outsmart each other, both in their actual game AND in the game of who’s going to cave first to whatever’s brewing between them. The tension? The banter? PHENOMENAL. I was giggling like a little girl, I’m not even gonna lie.
The Greek life angle is SO much fun because the games they play against each other get spicy and heated REAL fast. And woven right into all of that is the little murder mystery side plot that I genuinely enjoyed. But what really got me was the trauma healing throughout, it gives you this whole other layer of depth and suddenly you UNDERSTAND why these two are the way they are. It was touching in a way I wasn’t expecting.
And the narration?? 🎧 Savannah killed it per usual, she’s a forever fave. But this was my FIRST time listening to Aaron and WOW. That sexy, sultry voice with all that possessive, obsessive energy? Toes were curling. Do yourself a favor and do the audio for this one.
If you want a fun, wild, spicy & healing ride, you absolutely NEED to pick this up!
Okay, this series just keeps getting better, spicier and darker with every book and I’m honestly loving it more each time. At this point, I’m fully invested in where this world is going and ready for what comes next 🙌🏼
I’ve loved all of Kitty’s FMCs so far, but I think Ash might be my favorite. She’s fierce, unapologetic and completely fearless. The kind of fmc who kicks ass, takes names and doesn’t give a single f*ck. I loved watching her handle everything thrown at her. And Aiden? well, he’s a Cardell. If you know, you know. 😈
Their story had everything, chaos, heartbreak, intensity and so many moments that kept me glued to the pages. I’ll keep this review short because I really don’t want to spoil anything, but I will say this, the cameos, the little easter eggs and the direction this series is heading in? It’s absolutely setting itself up to become my next obsession.
P.S. - That Thriller Thursday preview at the end?! AHHH!!! My patience is about to be seriously tested. I need the next book soon 🙈
Omg where do I start? He is totally a dominant man, needs control of everything around him, including the woman. But the one he can’t totally and completely control is the one he wants. But he is his equal, the one that pushes his every move step by step. She is by far his mirrored soul. They match and they belong together. He was not my favorite character of the men, but he is definitely second place so far.
The audio for this is completed in duet style with two amazing narrators and I couldn’t have picked them better for this book. Savanna Thomas and Arron Shedlock are absolute perfection. They had an amazing story to work with so it just made it 10 times better! Bluenose was seamless with the blending of audio recordings and speed. Kitty definitely knows how to write her books!!
If you thought the top level of unhinged was Ryan and Valen...Kitty King presents Aiden...and Ashlyn.
As a member of Kittys Patreon I have had the wonderful weekly chapters of Wicked Wednesday and wow I was living for each Wednesday when the next chapter or two were posted. So when I tell you I actually squealed in the middle of Milan whilst on holiday when the full arc was posted- I am not kidding! (The looks I got btw 😂) I then absolutely devoured the book in a day...a day!! I could not put it down. I loved that Ashlyn and Aiden had a previous history that soured, so much so that they are now enemies but with a top tier attraction and venomous need to prove to one another what they are missing out on. He wins her in a bet but the buttons that Ashlyn pushes to get to Aiden, well my heart was in my mouth at points to see what Aiden would do to punish her! (and then wanting be her 🫠)- plenty of hand necklaces for me gorge on! The secondary timeline from when they are younger really brings their relationship history to life and boy is Aiden a dark champion for her. I am thoroughly enjoying the secret cult/society pulling through all of the 3 books in the series so far and loving the build up to what happens next in TT. Wicked Wednesday is a delectably dark, morally grey, academia novel with plenty of scandalously erotic scenes. A massive thank you to Kitty King for the opportunity to arc read and review WW.
The story was so very dark and twisted, but it was everything I was hoping for and so much more.
Aiden and Ashlyn are almost like two peas in a pod. At the start, they may seem different but after awhile you realize that they are both fighting demons in their lives and they both crave violence and darkness. They are fierce and when together a force to be reckoned with. And I absolutely loved them together.
All of the hurdles that are thrown at Aiden and Ashlyn puts them both to the test and they need to decide whether they can survive the pain and destruction or allow it to destroy them. These two fight, impossible odds, and push through. When together, they love fiercely, brutally, and with all their hearts.
This story is filled with so many secrets, betrayals, suspense, violence, and degradation, and I loved every second of it.
The story was utterly intense and very well written, keeping me on the edge of my seat the whole way through.
I had no idea what to expect, but boy all I got to say is buckle the fuck up.
Savannah Thomas and Aaron Shedlock did an amazing job bringing Ashlyn and Aiden's story to life. They each had a great range of character voices so it was easy to differentiate between side characters.
If you’re looking for a quick, action packed, second chance, dark romance.. this could be it for you!!
I love finding hidden gem books, with no expectations coming into it.
I loved it, and it would have been a 4/5 stars but i can never get through like secret keeping or miscommunication, it makes me want to rip my hair out x
Before diving into Wicked Wednesday, make sure you read the content warnings. This is an extremely dark romance that pushes boundaries and explores themes that won't work for every reader. If you're familiar with Kitty King's work, you'll already know she doesn't do things halfway.
This book dives headfirst into a world where power is currency, vulnerability becomes a weapon, and every relationship comes with strings attached. Between the revenge-driven storyline, secret society intrigue, ritualized power structures, and the lingering mystery woven throughout the series, there's always something happening beneath the surface.
What worked best for me was the atmosphere. Kitty King creates a dark, uncomfortable tension that hangs over every chapter. You never fully trust anyone, and that's exactly the point. The relationship between MMC and the FMC is messy, toxic, obsessive, and fueled by years of unresolved history. Their dynamic thrives on power struggles, resentment, grief, and desire, creating a constant push-and-pull that drives the story forward.
The mystery elements surrounding the society and its secrets continue to add intrigue to the series. While the romance remains the primary focus, the darker world-building helps create a setting that feels dangerous and unpredictable.
This is very much a BDSM-heavy romance, and not a lighter interpretation of the lifestyle. Readers looking for softer dynamics will likely struggle here. The book fully embraces darker themes, power exchange, humiliation, control, and ownership dynamics that are central to both the relationship and the overall story.
🎧 Narration
Performed in duet by Savannah Thomas and Aaron Shedlock, the audiobook was easily one of the strongest aspects of the experience.
Both narrators completely commit to the emotional intensity of the story. Savannah Thomas once again delivers a fantastic performance, capturing vulnerability, anger, grief, and determination with ease. Aaron Shedlock brings exactly the right amount of control, intensity, and menace to the darker moments.
Together, they elevate the material and make the emotional highs and lows hit much harder than they might have on the page alone.
What I Loved
✔️ Dark, immersive atmosphere ✔️ Complex lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers dynamic ✔️ Secret society intrigue and mystery elements ✔️ Strong emotional tension throughout ✔️ Excellent duet narration ✔️ Obsessive, toxic relationship dynamics for readers who enjoy darker romance
Tropes & Vibes
✔️ Dark College Romance ✔️ Lovers to Enemies to Lovers ✔️ Revenge Romance ✔️ Secret Society ✔️ Murder Mystery Elements ✔️ Second Chance Romance ✔️ Forced Proximity ✔️ Obsessive / Possessive MMC ✔️ Power Exchange Dynamics ✔️ Ritual Arranged Marriage Elements ✔️ Grief & Emotional Trauma ✔️ "It's Always Been You"
Final Thoughts
Wicked Wednesday is dark, intense, and absolutely not for the faint of heart. Kitty King blends obsession, revenge, mystery, and psychological tension into a story that constantly walks the line between attraction and destruction.
For me, the audiobook performances and the dark atmosphere were the standout elements. While some aspects of the story didn't fully land, there was never a moment where I wasn't curious to see what twisted turn would come next.
If you enjoy dark college romances packed with secret societies, toxic obsession, revenge, and characters who make terrible decisions for reasons that somehow make perfect sense to them, Wicked Wednesday will probably be exactly your kind of chaos.
💭 Before I started reading Wicked Wednesday, I was in the middle of one of the most stressful times in my life. And reading this book made me reflect on another stressful time in my life and helped me realize how incredibly lucky I am to have overcome what I have overcome. This is not a review of my own issues, but rather a reflection on what a gift storytelling is. While this book didn’t make me forget anything about what was happening in real life, it helped me remember the strength I had forgotten I had. These stresses will pass. And if you have the right partner (in crime 😉), you can only win. So, Kitty, thank you for helping me with this read. I’m sure, while writing, it isn’t always top-of-mind what you’re doing for readers like me, but perhaps your prior career training doesn’t let you forget what you can do for folks (and readers) like me.
Kitty’s stories are movies waiting to be read. The words are so well put together that you literally forget you’re reading. Something about it makes me see moving images right away. One perfect example is Aiden’s POVs, his routines, and his triggers, even something as simple as someone eating on his bed. (FYI, I’m with him on this—the only thing that gets eaten in my bed is …) And while reading some movies that came to mind were a blend of 70% Natural Born Killers, 10% Firestarter and 20% Girl, Interrupted.
👁️+🔥 Aiden & Ashlyn: The opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s indifference. This is the lesson these MCs give you. The love is an obsessive kind, and there’s even a smidgen of the cutesy as well. These characters have a hate-to-love, love-to-hate each other dynamic. But being apart wasn’t in the cards. And trust me, the cards were almost always against them. Apart, they wouldn’t have been able to make it—their physical and mental health depended on becoming a part of the other’s DNA. Once they faced their demons, they realized there was no one else. There couldn’t be.
☕️ As I needed comfort more than anything at the time of reading, I chose my comfort brand of choice, Café Crema. I’ve paired this with many different reads. In many cases, because it was consistent with the read, and in others, like with WW, because I needed to be held.
🎵 Life of the Party (Weeknd), Exes (Tate McRae), Like You Best (Ella Reed), Our Darkness (Anne Clark). The last one can be applied to the entire series so far. So I’m calling it my Cult Series theme song. My opening and closing credits
🔎 Massacre Monday (book 1) should be read first to fully enjoy and understand the overarching story. Southpaw Slots (#3 in The Compass Series) isn’t strictly necessary, but it will help you understand our FMC’s parents much better. And of course, Red Night Special Edition will provide you with an introduction to how tropetastic these stories are and to Aiden’s dad. I promise he will be one of your favorite MMCs of all time.
🗓️ What’s Next? There is a bit of a teaser for Thriller Thursday at the end of WW. So, I’ll be here, Kitty… waiting. However long it takes. 🥰
Aiden & Ashlyn have a past; she broke his heart, and now he's no longer the nice guy. He wants her to hurt her like he is. On one of the Wicked Wednesday nights (where the losers have to do whatever they're told) at the manor, she's decided to tease and own him, but when he sees her for the first time again, he has his own plans. What was a dare to seven minutes in heaven changed everything.
Ashlyn's always been an outcast from her family and never felt she needed friends. Fiercely independent and "do what I want" attitude placed her directly in Aiden's path. He's dominant, controlling and doesn't forget what she did. And this Wednesday, he's ready to play.
I really felt for what they both had to endure in their past, and having to be the only support for each other. They wanted to be together forever, but there were forces outside that could threaten their lives, and Ashlyn did the only thing she could think of, which changed their lives forever. It was heartbreaking.
The beginning of the book is pretty intense and heavily built on public humiliation and degradation (which she was okay with). But even as they try to hate each other, their bond only gets stronger. The heat between them is on fire, and you could feel their passion through the pages!
As the truth starts to surface, Aiden's perspective shifts, and he will do whatever he needs to protect Ashlyn from being harmed again.
This is an intense story filled with heartache, drama, mystery and suspense that will keep you reading late into the night!
Overall: 4 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spice/Heat Intensity: 5 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Main Characters: Aiden & Ashlyn Nickname: Baby Girl, Hellcat Darkness: 5 out of 5 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 Type of book: MF, Dual 1st Person POV Reading Order: Standalone with Interconnected Storyline & Characters throughout the series Title: Cult Campus Series- Wicked Wednesday: Book 3 Epilogue: Yes Ending Type: HEA
🖤OTT Possessive, obsessive, dominant, controlling, manipulative yet protective MMC 🩶Lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers 🖤Revenge 🩶Hate, degradation, brutal obedience with ownership 🖤Ritual humiliation 🩶Rigged rules 🖤No cheating 🩶Secret debts 🖤Grief 🩶Second Chance 🖤Forced Proximity 🩶Murder mystery with twisted cult ties 🖤Secret society 🩶Ritual arranged marriages 🖤Seven Minutes in Heaven 🩶Power Exchange 🖤D/s Type Vibes 🩶Sharing
⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be extremely offensive or triggering to some. Please check all the authors' TW/CW before reading! 18+
*I received an early copy of this book and am voluntarily writing this review.
My dear Kitty King, you know how much I love your work, but I'm slightly sad this time! 🥹
We're back in the dark and twisted world of power, grief, secrets, and second chances. With its secret society intrigue, emotional trauma, and intense relationship dynamics, this series continues to keep me invested. The atmosphere is heavy, mysterious, and filled with tension, which is something Kitty King does exceptionally well.
Aiden and Adalyn's story was heartbreaking at times. Their shared history, loss, and unresolved pain created plenty of emotional moments, and I enjoyed seeing their journey unfold. Aiden Cardell definitely grew on me, and while I understand why he is the way he is, I have to admit something...
No matter how much I liked Aiden, nobody is replacing Valen Elliot Von Dovish in my heart. That man still reigns supreme for me. Sorry, Aiden. The throne is occupied.
One thing that held me back from giving this a full five stars was the amount of angst caused by miscommunication. Personally, I'm not a fan of miscommunication tropes, and there were several moments where I found myself thinking that a good, honest conversation could have solved a lot of the problems. The emotional payoff was there, but I definitely felt the frustration along the way.
As for the audiobook, Savannah Thomas absolutely stole the show for me. She brought so much emotion and depth to the story, and I loved her performance. She captured the vulnerability and strength of the characters beautifully.
Aaron Shedlock is normally one of my favorite narrators, so this is difficult to say because I genuinely love his work. I understand that Aiden is meant to be detached, emotionally closed off, and almost incapable of expressing love or affection due to his psychopathic tendencies. However, this particular performance didn't fully work for me. At times, it felt more like the book was being read rather than performed, and compared to some of Aaron's other work, this wasn't one of my favorite narrations from him. It wasn't bad by any means, just not his strongest performance in my opinion.
Overall, this book and audiobook delivered the dark romance atmosphere, emotional intensity, and mystery I've come to expect from Kitty King. Even with my frustrations over the miscommunication, I still enjoyed the story and was happy to see these characters get their second chance.
I devoured Wicked Wednesday in a matter of hours. This book was devastatingly dark, beautiful and toxic.
Ashlyn and Aiden have known each other since they were teenagers and were both sent to a summer camp for difficult kids but this camp was bad and bad things happened but Aiden was always there to protect Ashlyn from getting hurt from anyone at this camp.
As each summer came around they always gravitated towards each other but at the last camp, once Aiden was 18 and Ashlyn was 15 they knew it was going to be their last summer together, but Aiden had plans for them and their future. But it didn't pan out the way they wanted it to.
Years later Ashlyn knew what University Aiden was at and she enrolled at the same University with the intentions of hurting him (feelings). They both have to be in an arranged marriage and it stinks because who wants an arranged marriage with someone you aren't in love with!!
Ashlyn and Aiden had a very toxic relationship in college and the games they played always ended up with one of them getting their feelings hurt. They were both out to get each other even though their love was not lost for each other. They still had an intense love/hate relationship going on.
But I loved how the story gave us glimpses of their past and of course the present. It felt great knowing their backstory so the writer did this book justice. I loved all the toxicity, all the degradation, all the back and forth -- the push and pull between these two and all the in-betweens with them. The things that happen in the book is more than just about them, the things that happen around them is also great. Many things occur in these events that the fraternities have going and they are BAD, BAD, BAD!
I love reading Kitty King's work. Her books always hook me and I can't seem to focus on anything other than the book I'm reading when it comes to her work.
This dark college romance dives headfirst into a world where power is currency, vulnerability is weaponized, and love is anything but gentle. Blending enemies-to-lovers tension with elements of revenge, secrecy, and psychological warfare, the story offers an intense, boundary-pushing reading experience that will strongly appeal to fans of darker, edgier romance.
At the center is a fierce, emotionally guarded protagonist who prides herself on control—whether at the poker table or in the face of pain. Her voice is sharp, defiant, and calculated, making her a compelling anchor in a narrative where trust is scarce. Opposite her stands Aiden Cardell, a commanding and enigmatic figure who doesn’t just play the game—he defines it. Their dynamic fuels the story, shifting from antagonistic to deeply entangled, with a shared past that seeps into every confrontation.
The “Seven Minutes in Heaven” premise is cleverly twisted into something far more sinister than a simple trope. What begins as a challenge quickly transforms into a charged, claustrophobic battle of dominance and resistance. From there, the narrative expands into a layered world of secret societies, ritualized control, and dangerous bargains, where the line between choice and coercion is constantly blurred.
The atmosphere is one of constant tension. The stakes feel high not only emotionally but physically, with the added intrigue of a murder mystery and cult-like undertones. The concept of betting people instead of chips is particularly striking, reinforcing the dehumanizing system the characters are trapped in and heightening the sense of risk in every interaction.
That said, this is not a light or universally accessible romance. The themes of degradation, obedience, and control are intense and unflinching, which may be off-putting for some readers. The emotional payoff leans more toward psychological complexity than traditional tenderness, making it better suited for those who enjoy morally gray characters and darker narratives.
Overall, this is a gripping and provocative read that blends romance with suspense and power-driven intrigue. It’s a story about control, survival, and the dangerous allure of someone who refuses to let you win—even when losing might be the only way out.
Ashlyn is playing with fire early. I’m trying to figure out what she’s playing at. And Aiden is a true Cardell(IFYKYK), girl I would be scared. Miss ma’am is not scared at all. Aiden is thrown off a bit by her and can’t stand her but lets it be known she’s is his. These two match each other’s crazy. They have a shared history and have known each other since they were younger. They have an interesting dynamic. I don’t know what to say about these two. She craves the crazy things he does to her and he loves doing it. They both are equally jealous. If you’ve read the first two book then you know there is a mystery figure/person that’s lurking around. I was waiting for them to show up and they did! Ashlyn and Aiden are so different from the other couples. Are they still obsessive, possessive and jealous? Yes, but their connection is so much deeper in my opinion. The first two books in the series had me giddy and kicking my feet but this one has me so emotional. Now it wouldn’t be Kitty King book without spice. These two electric. I was fanning myself while reading. Now like I said they knew each other when they were younger and something happened. We are getting breadcrumbs along the way on what happened. I thought Ryan was just like his dad Xavier but Aiden is his twin, physically and everything else. The drama has been happening for the entire book but it is escalating even more towards the end. All I know is that someone may be ending up six feet under because they have put their hands on something that is not theirs. There were some chapters that ripped my heart out but in the end it was put back and healed. This one was definitely more emotional than the last two. I was engaged the entire time, I could not put it down. Ashlyn and Aiden are end game. Wicked Wednesday has games, trauma, healing, love, hate and everything between. Definitely check your triggers but if you read it you will not regret it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is a dark, college romance. The content, both on and off page, covers topics that are mega heavy. You MUST proceed with caution; your mental health matters.
I have no words for how much I loved this book. I’ve been trying to write this review for nearly 2 weeks and everything I came up with, didn’t do it justice. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK. It’s as simple as that; I. Loved. This. Book.
This has taken the top spot for my favourite Kitty book. Knocked BA right off its pedestal. Max who?
I was fully invested in this story from the very beginning; the anger, the violent love, the toxicity, the masks Ashlynn and Aiden both wore, the banter - just everything.
Kitty has always been the master at emotional devastation but WOW, this book was something else. It was raw; so intense I had to put it down and pick it back up but I loved every second. Ashlynn was relatable in so many ways, her pain was my pain, and I truly felt it. I sobbed my heart out.
This was emotionally unhinged and tore my little heart wide open. It hurt but then healed me and took me on the ride of my life. A ride I’ll never forget.
This is not for the faint hearted - this is a beautifully devastating read about two unhinged souls battling the most impossible odds to be together. They fight the world, each other and themselves. It’s a destructive path of toxic love but it’s them. They are each other. Mirror images of beauty and strength. It’s their version of love, the eternal flame for one another.
I am OBSESSED with this series, and you should be too.
𝚯 Standalone dark college romance 𝚯 Enemies-to-lovers 𝚯 7 Minutes in Hell 𝚯 Secret society & cults 𝚯 Myrderr Mystery 𝚯 Revenge, toxic love
If you’re looking for a read that will grab you by the throat and not let go… this is the book for you.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving an ARC did not affect my opinion of this book.
I feel like I need to shout from the roof tops how fricken AMAZING Wicked Wednesday was! Like I couldn’t get enough of dark, depravity and jaw dropping moments. Not sure what that says about me, but basically any and all books Kitty King brings to audio I am just ready to hand her my money!! This entire series is wildly addicting and I just can’t seem to get enough.
I won’t go into too many details on the plot, but Aiden and Ashlyn’s story was everything! The flash backs, to them meeting up again and the devastating loss Ashlyn endured. This book had my jaw on the floor more than once and tears in my eyes. GAH! It was so fricken good. If you love spice, there is no shortage of that either. I was doing a little happy dance at the “RIDE MY SHOE” moment!
Kitty, I know the rest of the series is coming to audio, but I will gladly listen to ALL of your books on audio because you’re writing is incredible! Speaking of audio, let’s talk about the absolutely stellar performances from Savannah Thomas and Aaron Shedlock. Both of these narrators are incredibly talented and their talent was definitely on full display here! Savannah brought Ashlyn’s brattiness to life flawlessly! Ashlyn was a complex character though, so while on the outside she was bratty, mean, and a little crazy, on the inside we was in so much pain and Savannah captured those raw emotions with a gut wrenching performance. Bravo! It’s been a minute since I’ve listened to Aaron, especially in such a dark role and holy fricken smokes! I couldn’t get enough! He was the perfect narrator to portray Aiden and all of his alpha-male dominance. Like Ashlyn though, Aiden was also complex. His heart was broken and his mind tormented and Aaron did a phenomenal job bringing these complexities to life.
My first Kitty King book… and it will definitely NOT be my last.
I jumped into this series with book three and had no problem following the story, but now I absolutely need to go back and read the first two books. I need all the lore of the gods and the secret society, all the previous drama, and all the character backstories before book four arrives!
This book was deliciously dark. The kind of story where you’re constantly questioning everyone’s motives while simultaneously rooting for the morally grey characters.
Ashlyn and Aiden are messy, obsessive, toxic, and completely consumed by each other. The line between love and hate is basically nonexistent, and hearing them push each other’s buttons was endlessly entertaining.
And Ashlyn… baby girl… EATING CRACKERS IN HIS BED?! Straight to jail 😂
The relationship is darkly romantic in that way where they seem destined to either destroy each other or burn down the world together. Thankfully, they lean toward the latter.
Beyond the romance, I was genuinely invested in the mystery woven throughout the story. There was always something lurking beneath the surface, making it impossible to stop listening.
🎧 Narration: Savannah Thomas absolutely blew me away. Most of the books I’ve listened to with her feature sweeter FMCs, so hearing her embrace Ashlyn’s darker edge was fantastic. The woman has RANGE.
And Aaron Shedlock was Perfection. I loved how he captured the contrast between Aiden’s detached exterior and the absolute emotional chaos happening inside his head. The denial. The pining. The inability to admit that what he thought was hate had become something entirely different. It was so well done.
Overall, this was dark, obsessive, addictive, and completely unhinged in the best possible way.
Kitty King delivers another addictive dose of chaos, obsession, and emotional turmoil with Wicked Wednesday, the third book in the Cult Campus series. This dark romance had me completely hooked from start to finish. Aiden is very much his father’s son: controlling, dominant, and intensely obsessive, but somehow even messier and more compelling. What makes him truly fascinating is that the one woman he desperately wants refuses to be controlled. Ashtyn is his perfect match in every way, pushing back at every turn and standing as his equal. Their dynamic is magnetic, and I found myself completely captivated by the way they challenged and complemented each other.
This story is an emotional rollercoaster packed with tension, secrets, and the kind of chaos Kitty King seems to create effortlessly. The secret society elements add another layer of intrigue, while the emotional highs and lows hit with full force. If there is one thing Kitty excels at, it is keeping the pressure turned up and making every revelation feel impactful. The toxicity, obsession, and intensity won’t be for every reader, but for me, they were exactly what made this story impossible to put down.
The audiobook experience elevated everything even further. Performed in duet by Savannah Thomas and Aaron Shedlock, the narration brought incredible energy and emotion to every scene. Their performances felt fully invested, capturing both the tension and vulnerability of these characters with remarkable skill. Savannah and Aaron were perfectly cast for Ashtyn and Aiden, and their chemistry added another dimension to an already unforgettable story. Combined with Kitty King’s gripping storytelling, this audiobook was an absolute standout for me.
Listen... I ate this book up. Secret societies, trauma, obsession, people making terrible decisions? Sign me up immediately. I've been starving for Aiden Cardell's backstory, but unfortunately for him, I had built him up so high in my head that the reality didn't quite hit the obsession levels I expected. Valen still has me in an absolute chokehold. Better luck next time, Aiden. Now let's talk about my biggest enemy in this book: ✨MISCOMMUNICATION✨
I am once again begging romance characters to sit down and have a single honest conversation. The toxic love olympics these two were playing made me want to rip my hair out. Just COMMUNICATE! Please! That being said, they did redeem themselves in the end and the emotional payoff was worth it.
As for the audiobook... Savannah Thomas? Absolutely phenomenal. Give her the flowers, the crown, the kingdom. She delivered every emotional scene perfectly and carried so much of Ashlyn's vulnerability and depth in her performance.
Now Aaron Shedlock... I completely understand that Aiden is supposed to be emotionally detached, closed off, and about as expressive as a brick wall with abandonment issues. I get it. But there were moments where I genuinely felt like Aaron was just reading the words instead of performing them. It just felt a little flat at some points.
Overall, I still enjoyed the story. It delivered the darkness, the angst, the trauma, the mystery, and the emotional intensity l've come to expect from Kitty King.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Would I like to personally lock these characters in a room and force them to communicate for twenty minutes? Also absolutely. @oda__oden
This was my first Kitty King book but I have heard so many great things about the other books in this series. Of course I will now have to go back and read them even though they are just interconnected standalones so it isn't necessary.
The action and spicy hits right from the start in this one with the enemies getting up close and personal. One of the plot lines between Ashlyn and Aiden I caught onto fairly early on but the other was a twist I was not expecting and it was so good. This is vey heavy on the enemies to lovers, wel more friends, to enemies, to bully to lovers really lol Aiden is definitely unhinged and down right mean to Ashyn at times, but she does give as good as she gets knowing exactly what buttons to press. Love the back and forth between them both and seeing how far the other was willing to go to top the other!!
The underlying storyline for Ashlyn and Aiden will pull at your heartstrings and it hits hard. You end up feeling so sorry for both of them and even though they have a messy relationship you find yourself wanting them to have a happy ending. Of course nothing ever runs smoothly and they have some pretty intense twists and turns, and let me tell you not all can be seen coming. It really did keep me on the edged of my seat. While not a huge fan of the bully trope at times, I found the secret society, mafia tropes were enough to balance it out and keep me listening.
This was the first time listening to Savannah Thomas and Aaron Shedlock and they nailed the characters and supporting cast. They definitely were the best choices to bring theses characters to life.
Kitty loves to give us unhinged men in every book. But she did 👏 not 👏 stop 👏 with 👏 the 👏 men👏 in Wicked Wednesday. No, she gave us Ashlyn. And I think she has to be one of my favorite top 5 FMC in Kittys books.
Ashlyn has always felt like the odd duck out. Even from her own family. So it leads to a less than stellar reputation and summers at Crest Summer Camp. Where young men and women go to become leaders in their community. AKA a summer camp for troubled kids. It’s there she meets Aiden Cardell. And she finds herself in the worst trouble she’s ever been in. She falls in love.
Aiden Cardell is smart, obedient and emotionless. After giving his young teenage heart to Ashlyn he vowed it would never happen again. Especially after her deepest betrayal. Now that he has her in his sights he’s not letting go till she’s punished and begging for mercy.
We’re so use to seeing disciplined and obedient though ultimately defiant children of this second generation. But Ashlyn was defiant from the very beginning. The level of unhinged she was from childhood was just 🤌🏼💋 I absolutely loved her. But what hurts my heart for her is the treatment of her family. Throughout Kitty’s book you expect a certain level of family love and acceptance (given *gestures vaguely* the level of unhinged everyone is). But Ashlyn grew up feeling less than. Less than her sisters, less than her mother, less love. And considering who her parents are, that really threw me for a loop. What I love about this story isn’t that everything is wrapped up in a neat little bow. It’s real. Sometimes damage is done and it can’t be reversed. But the willingness to try makes all the difference.
🍓 summer camp love 🖤 red wings 🍓 enemies to lovers 🖤 bratty FMC 🍓 morally black FMC/MMC 🖤 degradation