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Sold by a Madman
He used to be the one I trusted, my secret love, my world and my safe place. But then he disappeared without a word. He broke my trust, my heart and left me all alone.
Now six years later he walks into the bar where I work, and the past we share comes blowing back like a damn hurricane. The worst thing about it is, he is here to tell me the past has almost caught up with me. Secrets I didn’t want to know, but have to hear come to light. While our lives are in danger I need to learn to trust him again.
What will happen? Can I trust him again? Will we survive?
Only time will tell. But one thing is sure, this is going to be a rollercoaster I do not want to be on.
Now six years later he walks into the bar where I work, and the past we share comes blowing back like a damn hurricane. The worst thing about it is, he is here to tell me the past has almost caught up with me. Secrets I didn’t want to know, but have to hear come to light. While our lives are in danger I need to learn to trust him again.
What will happen? Can I trust him again? Will we survive?
Only time will tell. But one thing is sure, this is going to be a rollercoaster I do not want to be on.
135 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2025
4 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Chantal H.
4 books62 followersMy name is Chantal.
And I am a writer and also booklover from Holland.
My stories are not the usual love stories.
They are dark and contain some heavy topics.
And I am a writer and also booklover from Holland.
My stories are not the usual love stories.
They are dark and contain some heavy topics.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 28, 2025
This was a hard read, but absolutely worth it.
If you’ve read Chantal’s Escaping Hell, you already know her books aren’t fluffy escapes — they’re raw, brutal, and unflinchingly honest. That’s exactly what I love about her writing: it’s real.
Sold By A Madman carries that same unfiltered truth. It forces you to sit with the uncomfortable emotions trauma leaves behind, but in doing so, it also offers a strange kind of healing.
The love between Jake and Charlie is beautiful, heartbreaking, and at times terrifying. Their bond doesn’t feel polished or perfect — it feels real. It’s about the struggle of learning to trust, of daring to let someone break down the walls you’ve built after surviving the unimaginable.
And as for Johan? This man isn’t worth the pixels it takes to type his name. For every ounce of pain he caused, I can only hope his end is as brutal and merciless as his cruelty.
I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone — but with strong emphasis on the trigger warnings. Please read them before diving in. This isn’t a lighthearted, sweet romance. It’s dark, raw, and devastating… but it’s also unforgettable.
If you’ve read Chantal’s Escaping Hell, you already know her books aren’t fluffy escapes — they’re raw, brutal, and unflinchingly honest. That’s exactly what I love about her writing: it’s real.
Sold By A Madman carries that same unfiltered truth. It forces you to sit with the uncomfortable emotions trauma leaves behind, but in doing so, it also offers a strange kind of healing.
The love between Jake and Charlie is beautiful, heartbreaking, and at times terrifying. Their bond doesn’t feel polished or perfect — it feels real. It’s about the struggle of learning to trust, of daring to let someone break down the walls you’ve built after surviving the unimaginable.
And as for Johan? This man isn’t worth the pixels it takes to type his name. For every ounce of pain he caused, I can only hope his end is as brutal and merciless as his cruelty.
I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone — but with strong emphasis on the trigger warnings. Please read them before diving in. This isn’t a lighthearted, sweet romance. It’s dark, raw, and devastating… but it’s also unforgettable.
November 18, 2025
Super thrilling real dark romance. So check your trigger warnings before you start reading. From the first page you are getting pulled in and the story doesn't let go. It's the first book in a duet and ends on a cliffhanger.
The story is about Jake and Charlie. They grow up in a foster home with a man who torments and abuse them. The only thing that keeps them going is each other. One day they escape and Charlie waits for Jake in a hotel while he runs some errands, before they hit te road. Except he leaves her there and never comes back. Many years later the past returns...
📚 Trauma/PTSD
📚 Found family
📚 Second change
📚 MC MMC
📚 Revenge
📚 Betrayal
📚 Human trafficking
The story is about Jake and Charlie. They grow up in a foster home with a man who torments and abuse them. The only thing that keeps them going is each other. One day they escape and Charlie waits for Jake in a hotel while he runs some errands, before they hit te road. Except he leaves her there and never comes back. Many years later the past returns...
📚 Trauma/PTSD
📚 Found family
📚 Second change
📚 MC MMC
📚 Revenge
📚 Betrayal
📚 Human trafficking
August 15, 2025
Beta Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐,5
🌶️🌶️
⚠ Trigger warnings: This book tackles very sensitive subjects, please read them before diving in.
Charlie has lived her whole life in the shadow of a nightmare. Just when she believes happiness with her best friend and only love, Jake, is within reach, he vanishes
, only to keep protecting her from afar. But when the darkest part of her past comes too close, Jake steps back into her life.
This is the story of two people, not just broken, but shattered, learning they are worthy of love and happiness. But fate (and a madman) have other plans, and Charlie finds herself caught in his trap.
Short, intense, and emotionally gutting, I screamed, I raged, and now I need the next book yesterday.
⭐⭐⭐⭐,5
🌶️🌶️
⚠ Trigger warnings: This book tackles very sensitive subjects, please read them before diving in.
Charlie has lived her whole life in the shadow of a nightmare. Just when she believes happiness with her best friend and only love, Jake, is within reach, he vanishes
, only to keep protecting her from afar. But when the darkest part of her past comes too close, Jake steps back into her life.
This is the story of two people, not just broken, but shattered, learning they are worthy of love and happiness. But fate (and a madman) have other plans, and Charlie finds herself caught in his trap.
Short, intense, and emotionally gutting, I screamed, I raged, and now I need the next book yesterday.
August 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🔥🔥🔥/5 Spice
💔 “A love forged in trauma, bound by blood, and healed through pain.” 💔
Sold by a Madman isn’t just a dark romance—it’s a gut-wrenching, soul-shattering journey through trauma, survival, and the kind of love that doesn’t just heal wounds—it shares them.
We meet Charlie and Jake, siblings chained to the horrors of their past, victims of an abusive father who treated them as commodities rather than children. Their bond is unbreakable… until survival forces them apart. Alone, Charlie is shattered and believes Jake has abandoned her. But just when she needs him most—he returns. Not as the broken boy he once was, but as a man willing to burn down the world to save her again.
And this time… he’s not letting go.
Their story is brutal. It doesn’t shy away from pain or the lasting scars abuse leaves behind. But within all the darkness, there is something breathtaking—hope. Their love is messy, co-dependent, and deeply intimate. This isn’t a romance that ignores trauma; it weaves through it, reminding us that healing doesn’t always look soft. Sometimes it’s jagged, raw, and wild.
Jake is protective, dangerous, and deeply loyal. Charlie is resilient, even in her most broken moments. Watching them navigate their trauma—and fall in love not in spite of their scars, but because of them—was haunting and beautiful.
The spice? It’s not constant, but when it hits… it’s laced with emotion, vulnerability, and the kind of intensity that only comes from a love built on survival.
Final Thoughts:
This book isn’t for the faint of heart—but if you’ve ever known pain, or clawed your way out of it, Jake and Charlie’s story will break you… and then piece you back together.
Because love after trauma doesn’t look perfect—it looks like this.
🖤 “We loved each other through our scars.” 🖤
💔 “A love forged in trauma, bound by blood, and healed through pain.” 💔
Sold by a Madman isn’t just a dark romance—it’s a gut-wrenching, soul-shattering journey through trauma, survival, and the kind of love that doesn’t just heal wounds—it shares them.
We meet Charlie and Jake, siblings chained to the horrors of their past, victims of an abusive father who treated them as commodities rather than children. Their bond is unbreakable… until survival forces them apart. Alone, Charlie is shattered and believes Jake has abandoned her. But just when she needs him most—he returns. Not as the broken boy he once was, but as a man willing to burn down the world to save her again.
And this time… he’s not letting go.
Their story is brutal. It doesn’t shy away from pain or the lasting scars abuse leaves behind. But within all the darkness, there is something breathtaking—hope. Their love is messy, co-dependent, and deeply intimate. This isn’t a romance that ignores trauma; it weaves through it, reminding us that healing doesn’t always look soft. Sometimes it’s jagged, raw, and wild.
Jake is protective, dangerous, and deeply loyal. Charlie is resilient, even in her most broken moments. Watching them navigate their trauma—and fall in love not in spite of their scars, but because of them—was haunting and beautiful.
The spice? It’s not constant, but when it hits… it’s laced with emotion, vulnerability, and the kind of intensity that only comes from a love built on survival.
Final Thoughts:
This book isn’t for the faint of heart—but if you’ve ever known pain, or clawed your way out of it, Jake and Charlie’s story will break you… and then piece you back together.
Because love after trauma doesn’t look perfect—it looks like this.
🖤 “We loved each other through our scars.” 🖤
August 8, 2025
Sold By A Madman by Chantal. H is the first book of a duet and leaves on a cliffhanger. This is a second chance dark romance following Charlie Holst and Jake Grim. 🚩🚩I cannot stress this enough…there are extremely dark themes so please check out the content warning before you dive in 🚩🚩
Main Characters ✨
🥀Charlie, our badass FMC, at 23 she is finally in a place where her life is calm and she is happy. It’s been 6 years since she ran away with her foster brother from their foster home where they were being horribly abused by the foster father. The plan when they left was she goes straight to the motel, he went to the store to buy a few items then they meet up at the motel so they can leave together to Chicago. She waited long as long as she could so when he never showed she left to Chicago abandoned and alone. Now she standing at the bar where she is working and looking at the same man who abandoned her when she needed him most. Pushing aside the hurt and anger, she needs why he decided to walk back into her life.
🏍️Jake, our MMC, 6 years since they left that house. 6 years he has stayed in the shadows making sure she is safe, always from a distance. With the help of the MC Club he is in, he is faced with having to tell her the truth as to why he never met her at the motel and also that her life is in danger once again. He vows to protect her no matter what, the only challenge is …will she let him or will she push him away.
My thoughts 💭
This book broke my heart and not in a good way. The trauma and abuse these two people have to endure is devastating 💔 However, the character development is a beautiful thing to witness. The love they have for each other, even years later, proves that they are stronger than they realize. This is a very dark book and if you have any triggers at all you NEED to read the trigger warning and make sure you can get through the darkness of this book. It does leave you on a cliffhanger but it’s not horrible, it kinda leaves you feeling like ok this is a good place to pause. If you enjoy reading second chance, pitch black romance and have little to no triggers then this is a great book to read. I am eager for the conclusion to their journey…if anyone ever needed a HEA, i think it’s Charlie and Jake 🖤
✨ I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Main Characters ✨
🥀Charlie, our badass FMC, at 23 she is finally in a place where her life is calm and she is happy. It’s been 6 years since she ran away with her foster brother from their foster home where they were being horribly abused by the foster father. The plan when they left was she goes straight to the motel, he went to the store to buy a few items then they meet up at the motel so they can leave together to Chicago. She waited long as long as she could so when he never showed she left to Chicago abandoned and alone. Now she standing at the bar where she is working and looking at the same man who abandoned her when she needed him most. Pushing aside the hurt and anger, she needs why he decided to walk back into her life.
🏍️Jake, our MMC, 6 years since they left that house. 6 years he has stayed in the shadows making sure she is safe, always from a distance. With the help of the MC Club he is in, he is faced with having to tell her the truth as to why he never met her at the motel and also that her life is in danger once again. He vows to protect her no matter what, the only challenge is …will she let him or will she push him away.
My thoughts 💭
This book broke my heart and not in a good way. The trauma and abuse these two people have to endure is devastating 💔 However, the character development is a beautiful thing to witness. The love they have for each other, even years later, proves that they are stronger than they realize. This is a very dark book and if you have any triggers at all you NEED to read the trigger warning and make sure you can get through the darkness of this book. It does leave you on a cliffhanger but it’s not horrible, it kinda leaves you feeling like ok this is a good place to pause. If you enjoy reading second chance, pitch black romance and have little to no triggers then this is a great book to read. I am eager for the conclusion to their journey…if anyone ever needed a HEA, i think it’s Charlie and Jake 🖤
✨ I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 11, 2025
Sold by a Madman is book 1 in The Madmen Duet. It’s a mixture of trauma, torture, healing, love and unbreakable bonds. It is not for the faint of heart, so be sure to read the trigger warnings before you start!
Charlie and Jake are foster-siblings, both taken in by a madman who assaulted them during their teen years until they were able to escape. Jake was Charlie’s protector and the one who stole her heart the moment she started to really notice boys. He was in love with her too, but she didn’t realize it. They shared an unbreakable bond, until the day their world came crashing down and they were forced apart.
Charlie is heartbroken, believing that Jake abandoned her. She picks up the pieces of her broken heart and forces herself to move on. Several years later, he walks back into her life hoping for a chance to redeem himself, but part of the reason he has returned to her is not good news. She is unaware of the danger lurking in the darkness, and he will burn the world down to save her.
Charlie is strong and brave and I admire her resilience. I could not have made it through what this poor girl had to endure. She is fierce and will do anything to protect the ones she loves. Jake is protective and his love for her is undeniable. He is determined to fight for her and protect her with everything he has – “I will protect you until my last fucking breath.”
There was not a ton of spice in this book, but the love scenes are beautiful and full of emotion that made my heart flutter! You can just feel the love between these characters throughout the whole story, which makes the hard parts a little more bearable. The pain and trauma is hard to bear, but through it all their love for each other remains strong, raw and emotional. It really makes you believe that love can heal everything, and sometimes love is all there is.
“I love you with everything that I am, every fiber in my body, every breath that I take.”
“He kisses me like I am the last woman alive and he needs me for air.”
“That’s it, Angel Eyes. Sceam my name! Let the world know you are fucking mine!”
Charlie and Jake are foster-siblings, both taken in by a madman who assaulted them during their teen years until they were able to escape. Jake was Charlie’s protector and the one who stole her heart the moment she started to really notice boys. He was in love with her too, but she didn’t realize it. They shared an unbreakable bond, until the day their world came crashing down and they were forced apart.
Charlie is heartbroken, believing that Jake abandoned her. She picks up the pieces of her broken heart and forces herself to move on. Several years later, he walks back into her life hoping for a chance to redeem himself, but part of the reason he has returned to her is not good news. She is unaware of the danger lurking in the darkness, and he will burn the world down to save her.
Charlie is strong and brave and I admire her resilience. I could not have made it through what this poor girl had to endure. She is fierce and will do anything to protect the ones she loves. Jake is protective and his love for her is undeniable. He is determined to fight for her and protect her with everything he has – “I will protect you until my last fucking breath.”
There was not a ton of spice in this book, but the love scenes are beautiful and full of emotion that made my heart flutter! You can just feel the love between these characters throughout the whole story, which makes the hard parts a little more bearable. The pain and trauma is hard to bear, but through it all their love for each other remains strong, raw and emotional. It really makes you believe that love can heal everything, and sometimes love is all there is.
“I love you with everything that I am, every fiber in my body, every breath that I take.”
“He kisses me like I am the last woman alive and he needs me for air.”
“That’s it, Angel Eyes. Sceam my name! Let the world know you are fucking mine!”
August 15, 2025
✨ ARC Review ✨
Ok, so I’m going to split this review into two parts. I’m giving the book overall 3⭐️ as the amount of POTENTIAL it has is CRAZY!
Dislikes:
•I felt the world building was more of he said /she said and to me it felt a bit robotic, rigid and I felt disconnected from the characters. This then took away any emotional connection which for a story like this is needed.
•I didn’t like the way the story was written when the characters were talking.. the text turned italic though it felt as if we were outside of the conversation and not in it. It would jump from person to person so keeping up was hard.
Due to this there was a lot of name dropping as if to replace the “said Jake” parts, which felt unnecessary.
•I thought there was so many opportunities to really dig deeper into the darker themes, there were mainly described as if it already happened or brushed over. The times that did occur in present tense, I didn’t feel emotionally invested enough to feel the gravity of what was happening.
•I didn’t feel there was enough character development throughout the book.
Likes:
•The storyline itself is so promising and I really liked the actual plot.
•I liked the main and side characters which brought a found family vibe.
•I like the bond between Charlie & Jake and their shared past trauma.
Overall I stand by my rating as I was really rooting for the story to be successful.
Most of my dislikes could be put down to personal preferences.
Happy Reading!
😊🏍️
Ok, so I’m going to split this review into two parts. I’m giving the book overall 3⭐️ as the amount of POTENTIAL it has is CRAZY!
Dislikes:
•I felt the world building was more of he said /she said and to me it felt a bit robotic, rigid and I felt disconnected from the characters. This then took away any emotional connection which for a story like this is needed.
•I didn’t like the way the story was written when the characters were talking.. the text turned italic though it felt as if we were outside of the conversation and not in it. It would jump from person to person so keeping up was hard.
Due to this there was a lot of name dropping as if to replace the “said Jake” parts, which felt unnecessary.
•I thought there was so many opportunities to really dig deeper into the darker themes, there were mainly described as if it already happened or brushed over. The times that did occur in present tense, I didn’t feel emotionally invested enough to feel the gravity of what was happening.
•I didn’t feel there was enough character development throughout the book.
Likes:
•The storyline itself is so promising and I really liked the actual plot.
•I liked the main and side characters which brought a found family vibe.
•I like the bond between Charlie & Jake and their shared past trauma.
Overall I stand by my rating as I was really rooting for the story to be successful.
Most of my dislikes could be put down to personal preferences.
Happy Reading!
😊🏍️
August 9, 2025
This book is a brutal dance of survival. A vault of dark secrets. Obsession claws under their skin. And revenge isn't just a game. It's a war. It's the only promise they keep, and it tastes like sweet, dark poison 🖤🍷
She thought she would finally find her peace until he came back after all those years, dragging buried nightmares and ugly memories right to her door 💔
They thought running away would save them, but he was a monster, a relentless man who never gave up, who never quits, who never stops hunting.
Trust shattered. Peace a distant dream. And can two broken hearts still find love in the ruins? 💔
But survival is just the beginning. Ready to get twisted? 😈
A 4☆ read and spicy enough to make your cheeks flushed ☺️
⚠️ This book dealt with heavy topics. Please read the trigger warnings. Your mental health matters 🌼
She thought she would finally find her peace until he came back after all those years, dragging buried nightmares and ugly memories right to her door 💔
They thought running away would save them, but he was a monster, a relentless man who never gave up, who never quits, who never stops hunting.
Trust shattered. Peace a distant dream. And can two broken hearts still find love in the ruins? 💔
But survival is just the beginning. Ready to get twisted? 😈
A 4☆ read and spicy enough to make your cheeks flushed ☺️
⚠️ This book dealt with heavy topics. Please read the trigger warnings. Your mental health matters 🌼
August 9, 2025
I give this book a strong 4 ⭐️ !
Charlie thinks she was left behind by Jake , never to be seen again . Only she is wrong , Jake has always watched over her just from a far . Running away from there nasty past and father that will stop at nothing to get her back for his own ugliness . Then one day , she sees him . There in person , looking after her . It’s time to show himself , cause Johan is closing in on her .
Will he catch them ? Will he be able take what he thinks is his ? Will the MC be able to help ? Well answers to these questions are in the book !
Only thing bad about this book is, it’s a cliff hanger and I have to wait til the second part !
Great job with using the international connections of the MC worlds !
Charlie thinks she was left behind by Jake , never to be seen again . Only she is wrong , Jake has always watched over her just from a far . Running away from there nasty past and father that will stop at nothing to get her back for his own ugliness . Then one day , she sees him . There in person , looking after her . It’s time to show himself , cause Johan is closing in on her .
Will he catch them ? Will he be able take what he thinks is his ? Will the MC be able to help ? Well answers to these questions are in the book !
Only thing bad about this book is, it’s a cliff hanger and I have to wait til the second part !
Great job with using the international connections of the MC worlds !
August 18, 2025
I’m giving this a 4 because the way it’s written and I felt like there were things missing.
Did I like the idea of the story? Yes
Would I read book 2? Yes, I have questions and need answers!
The way it was written didn’t have me totally invested.
There were errors
I felt like there was no world or character building
As mentioned it’s a good story idea. I just wasn’t emotionally attached because simple things I needed I did not have available.
Also if you’re a normal person that reads trigger warning then be sure to read them
Did I like the idea of the story? Yes
Would I read book 2? Yes, I have questions and need answers!
The way it was written didn’t have me totally invested.
There were errors
I felt like there was no world or character building
As mentioned it’s a good story idea. I just wasn’t emotionally attached because simple things I needed I did not have available.
Also if you’re a normal person that reads trigger warning then be sure to read them
August 29, 2025
I don’t have any words for the fuckery I just read.
This was poorly written, poorly edited and poorly spelled. It was as if the author was 15 and came from Wattpad. 😭
I tried so HARD to like it but I simply couldn’t.
If you liked it, I’m glad you did! Unfortunately, I couldn’t.
This was poorly written, poorly edited and poorly spelled. It was as if the author was 15 and came from Wattpad. 😭
I tried so HARD to like it but I simply couldn’t.
If you liked it, I’m glad you did! Unfortunately, I couldn’t.
August 22, 2025
Another amazing read from Chantal! I loved Sold By A Madman. Charlie and Jake, you can't help but root for them and hope they can overcome their past and the darkness they have ahead of them.
August 10, 2025
⭐ 4/5 | 🌶 3/5
This was softer than I expected, considering the heavy triggers and MC backdrop. The romance really leans into that “meant-to-be” energy — Jake and Charlie have been through hell together, survived, and are finally finding their way back to each other.
Jake is very much the protective “I’ll burn the world for you” type, while Charlie’s resilience shines, even when the past claws its way in. The darkness is still there (Johan is a vile, looming presence), but the tone is balanced with hope, loyalty, and a strong found-family vibe.
Tropes: Second chance romance, trauma bonded, badass FMC x protective MMC, human trafficking backstory
Content Warnings: Sexual abuse (past), physical abuse & violence, human trafficking (past & threat), trauma & PTSD, kidnapping, torture (implied), mental abuse, detailed auction scene (non-explicit but confronting)
This was softer than I expected, considering the heavy triggers and MC backdrop. The romance really leans into that “meant-to-be” energy — Jake and Charlie have been through hell together, survived, and are finally finding their way back to each other.
Jake is very much the protective “I’ll burn the world for you” type, while Charlie’s resilience shines, even when the past claws its way in. The darkness is still there (Johan is a vile, looming presence), but the tone is balanced with hope, loyalty, and a strong found-family vibe.
Tropes: Second chance romance, trauma bonded, badass FMC x protective MMC, human trafficking backstory
Content Warnings: Sexual abuse (past), physical abuse & violence, human trafficking (past & threat), trauma & PTSD, kidnapping, torture (implied), mental abuse, detailed auction scene (non-explicit but confronting)
August 14, 2025
✨ARC Read✨
🖤Sold To A Madman🖤✨
Author: Chantal H.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster.
The characters endured so much trauma, yet somehow emerged with the ability to love just as fiercely—if not more—than before. Watching them fight to save each other was heartwarming.
I cant wait to find out what happens in the next book!
This book deals with heavy, potentially triggering themes. Please be sure to check the trigger warnings before reading.
🖤Sold To A Madman🖤✨
Author: Chantal H.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster.
The characters endured so much trauma, yet somehow emerged with the ability to love just as fiercely—if not more—than before. Watching them fight to save each other was heartwarming.
I cant wait to find out what happens in the next book!
This book deals with heavy, potentially triggering themes. Please be sure to check the trigger warnings before reading.
August 10, 2025
Charley and Jake have endured some serious trauma at the hands of a sadistic madman. This is an emotional journey and the bond they share is everything. Check your trigger warnings. This ends with a cliffhanger. Definitely can’t wait for book 2 I need to know what happens next.
July 30, 2025
Absolutely love this book!
The storyline, the characters, love it all!
Emotional rollercoaster!
Charlie is so strong and so brave!
Jake- love him!! He’s so loving, protective, he’d burn the world down for the one he loves!
Can’t wait for what’s next!
The storyline, the characters, love it all!
Emotional rollercoaster!
Charlie is so strong and so brave!
Jake- love him!! He’s so loving, protective, he’d burn the world down for the one he loves!
Can’t wait for what’s next!
September 10, 2025
Before diving into this book, it's essential to check the trigger warnings, even if you're a seasoned dark romance enthusiast. This novel is the first part of a duet, which means it ends on a cliffhanger.
I found the main idea and the foundation of the story intriguing. The characters endure soul-shattering trauma, and while I felt the weight of their experiences throughout the book, I struggled to connect with them as deeply as I hoped. Given the severity of the trials they faced at such a young age, I expected to be moved to tears by their hardships.
While the storyline is compelling, the book, as a final product, felt more like a strong first draft. In my opinion, it could have benefited from additional polishing or an honest second opinion to highlight some repetitive elements or raw lines that needed refining.
There is one particularly brutal scene that didn't quite make sense to me. Considering the characters and the situation, it seemed like events could have unfolded differently. Perhaps we'll get more clarity in the second book. This scene felt like unnecessary brutality, adding another layer of trauma while the characters were still grappling with their childhood wounds. I'm not sure even the trigger warnings fully prepared me for that moment.
Overall, while the book has a strong premise and potential, I hope the next installment provides the answers and depth needed to fully realize the story's promise.
I found the main idea and the foundation of the story intriguing. The characters endure soul-shattering trauma, and while I felt the weight of their experiences throughout the book, I struggled to connect with them as deeply as I hoped. Given the severity of the trials they faced at such a young age, I expected to be moved to tears by their hardships.
While the storyline is compelling, the book, as a final product, felt more like a strong first draft. In my opinion, it could have benefited from additional polishing or an honest second opinion to highlight some repetitive elements or raw lines that needed refining.
There is one particularly brutal scene that didn't quite make sense to me. Considering the characters and the situation, it seemed like events could have unfolded differently. Perhaps we'll get more clarity in the second book. This scene felt like unnecessary brutality, adding another layer of trauma while the characters were still grappling with their childhood wounds. I'm not sure even the trigger warnings fully prepared me for that moment.
Overall, while the book has a strong premise and potential, I hope the next installment provides the answers and depth needed to fully realize the story's promise.
August 10, 2025
Review — Sold by a Madman
Sold by a Madman isn’t just a dark romance — it’s a brutal dance of survival, a vault of dark secrets, and a story where obsession seeps under the skin. Revenge here isn’t just a game… it’s a war. It’s the only promise they keep, and it tastes like the sweetest, darkest poison.
Charlie and Jake share a past carved in pain. Bound by an intense and unbreakable connection, they were torn apart by circumstance. Charlie believed Jake was gone from her life forever… until, years later, he returns, stronger and determined to protect her.
But the real nightmare begins when another man comes back — the one who, in the past, manipulated Charlie and Jake, forcing them to endure unimaginable horrors. Now, he’s here to drag her back into his cruel, merciless world.
She thought she had finally found peace… until that forced reunion unleashed all the buried nightmares and ugly memories she thought she had left behind. Running might seem like the answer, but this man is relentless, unyielding, and a hunter who never stops.
This is a story that doesn’t soften the pain or the scars. It’s about intense, imperfect love marked by trauma, but also about hope. The romance between Charlie and Jake doesn’t happen in spite of their wounds, but because of them.
Intense, haunting, and beautifully raw — a dark romance that lingers long after the last page.
Sold by a Madman isn’t just a dark romance — it’s a brutal dance of survival, a vault of dark secrets, and a story where obsession seeps under the skin. Revenge here isn’t just a game… it’s a war. It’s the only promise they keep, and it tastes like the sweetest, darkest poison.
Charlie and Jake share a past carved in pain. Bound by an intense and unbreakable connection, they were torn apart by circumstance. Charlie believed Jake was gone from her life forever… until, years later, he returns, stronger and determined to protect her.
But the real nightmare begins when another man comes back — the one who, in the past, manipulated Charlie and Jake, forcing them to endure unimaginable horrors. Now, he’s here to drag her back into his cruel, merciless world.
She thought she had finally found peace… until that forced reunion unleashed all the buried nightmares and ugly memories she thought she had left behind. Running might seem like the answer, but this man is relentless, unyielding, and a hunter who never stops.
This is a story that doesn’t soften the pain or the scars. It’s about intense, imperfect love marked by trauma, but also about hope. The romance between Charlie and Jake doesn’t happen in spite of their wounds, but because of them.
Intense, haunting, and beautifully raw — a dark romance that lingers long after the last page.
August 24, 2025
Sold By A Madman by Chantal H.
This is a an intense start to the Madmen duet by Chantal H. The trauma hits quick leading to heartbreak and betrayal.
Charlie was left lost and abandoned, but found herself a pair of friends who helps her process in order to move on. Jake was forced to protect from afar to keep Charlie from holding on to the past. In such little time, that past is coming back to haunt them in tenfold. To keep Charlie safe, Jake needs to re-establish himself back into her life.
There’s so much layer to the story and these characters. As each one peels back, you can’t help but want to throw yourself into the pages to want to be their protector.
Will Charlie allow Jake back in? Will these memories come back to life only to re-traumatize her, or will they finally bring her closure? Will they be able to come together to fight their past to have that future they hoped for?
This is a an intense start to the Madmen duet by Chantal H. The trauma hits quick leading to heartbreak and betrayal.
Charlie was left lost and abandoned, but found herself a pair of friends who helps her process in order to move on. Jake was forced to protect from afar to keep Charlie from holding on to the past. In such little time, that past is coming back to haunt them in tenfold. To keep Charlie safe, Jake needs to re-establish himself back into her life.
There’s so much layer to the story and these characters. As each one peels back, you can’t help but want to throw yourself into the pages to want to be their protector.
Will Charlie allow Jake back in? Will these memories come back to life only to re-traumatize her, or will they finally bring her closure? Will they be able to come together to fight their past to have that future they hoped for?
November 30, 2025
Sold by a Madman is book 1 in The Madman Duet
This book had me hooked from very fist page until the end.
It had me in a chokehold and wouldn't let me go.
This book is a mixture of trauma, love and healing and an unbreakable connection between jake and Charlie
Please check your trigger warnings as it covers topics that are hard to read
This book hasn't got a lot of spice in big what it does have is scenes of connection and love and till of emotion that made my heart swoon
This book was dark and full of raw emotion and its left an unforgettable mark after reading it
The love for each other other is raw and powerful and emotional.
This book made me sob and scream at times and swoon at times
The pain and trauma is hard to read but it's very well written so it feels like your experiencing the pain along side the characters.
I loved this book and can't wait to read part two of the Duet.
Out Now on kindle unlimited and ebook and paperback.
This book had me hooked from very fist page until the end.
It had me in a chokehold and wouldn't let me go.
This book is a mixture of trauma, love and healing and an unbreakable connection between jake and Charlie
Please check your trigger warnings as it covers topics that are hard to read
This book hasn't got a lot of spice in big what it does have is scenes of connection and love and till of emotion that made my heart swoon
This book was dark and full of raw emotion and its left an unforgettable mark after reading it
The love for each other other is raw and powerful and emotional.
This book made me sob and scream at times and swoon at times
The pain and trauma is hard to read but it's very well written so it feels like your experiencing the pain along side the characters.
I loved this book and can't wait to read part two of the Duet.
Out Now on kindle unlimited and ebook and paperback.
August 22, 2025
This story covers some very sensitive, heavy and dark topics, please read all warnings before starting.
Charlie had escaped a horrific childhood that she endured and had been running from a nightmare always wondering if they were lurking in the shadows. But she is so strong and a total baddie when she needed to be. She thought she had lost her best friend and the man she loved, Jake. But what she didn’t know, he had been watching and protecting her from afar. And then one day, he was there standing in front of her.
All the emotions, feelings… these two deserved the HEA. This book is emotional, it’s raw, it’s painful.. it shows the things that goes on in the parts of the world you wish didn’t exist. After everything they went through. After everything they fought through, they finally had one another. But evil was still lurking in the background. This book ends on a cliffhanger.
Charlie had escaped a horrific childhood that she endured and had been running from a nightmare always wondering if they were lurking in the shadows. But she is so strong and a total baddie when she needed to be. She thought she had lost her best friend and the man she loved, Jake. But what she didn’t know, he had been watching and protecting her from afar. And then one day, he was there standing in front of her.
All the emotions, feelings… these two deserved the HEA. This book is emotional, it’s raw, it’s painful.. it shows the things that goes on in the parts of the world you wish didn’t exist. After everything they went through. After everything they fought through, they finally had one another. But evil was still lurking in the background. This book ends on a cliffhanger.
August 19, 2025
What a roller coast this book was, it was emotional, rage bating, happiness and sadness.
I am ready to throw some hands or some weapons at a specific someone if you know, then you know.
Charlie is resilient, head strong and just wants to be safe. Jake will do whatever it takes to make that happen.
That ending though!!!! You will not be prepared.
*please check tw before reading as this does have an extensive list*
Favourite quotes
“His arms were my safe place, the only place I didn't feel scared.”
“You are and always have been the only one for me. Please give me, give us, a real chance”
“Deep down I love this goofy but also caveman side of him. Taking charge. Never thought I would ever be okay with that. But with him, it's hot as hell.”
August 23, 2025
Trauma, Slow-Burn, and a Cliffhanger Punch!
Besties, let me spill the tea on "Sold By A Madman" by Chantal H. 👀 This one had me intrigued from the jump—Charlie and Jake’s story is built on trauma, survival, and a bond that’s raw yet beautifully handled. The plot? Solid. The backbone is there, and the themes hit deep. But… the dialogue? Unfortunately, fell flat for me. It felt stiff, almost robotic, and it killed that emotional connection I was begging for. Still, the trauma bonding between these two? Gorgeously written. The slow burn makes sense (they’ve been through h€ll), and while the spice was mild, the plot absolutely carried the weight. And THAT ending?! Why!?! But babes, please—read the trigger warnings first. ⚠️
My Ratings: ⭐ 3.5/5 & 🥵 2/5
Besties, let me spill the tea on "Sold By A Madman" by Chantal H. 👀 This one had me intrigued from the jump—Charlie and Jake’s story is built on trauma, survival, and a bond that’s raw yet beautifully handled. The plot? Solid. The backbone is there, and the themes hit deep. But… the dialogue? Unfortunately, fell flat for me. It felt stiff, almost robotic, and it killed that emotional connection I was begging for. Still, the trauma bonding between these two? Gorgeously written. The slow burn makes sense (they’ve been through h€ll), and while the spice was mild, the plot absolutely carried the weight. And THAT ending?! Why!?! But babes, please—read the trigger warnings first. ⚠️
My Ratings: ⭐ 3.5/5 & 🥵 2/5
September 4, 2025
It’s taken me a moment to collect my thoughts after this incredibly emotional heart smashing story. Charlie and Jake have been through a deeply tormented youth to say the least, enduring unthinkable trauma only having each other to survive. When circumstances out of their control break them apart they do what they must to get by. Their broken souls have always meant to be together. So as much as they may try to deny it, the unconditional connection they have is the only thing that can help them heal. Raw messy volatile emotions leads to beautiful passion. Secrets, trauma and struggle for survival, Sold by a Madman is full of heavy subject matter and trigger warnings must be reviewed. This turbulent story ends with a steep cliffhanger and I look forward to to see what conclusion we get.
November 27, 2025
Reading Sold by Madman was an intense experience. From the first pages, I was swept into Charlie and Jake’s world—a world marked by trauma, survival, and the fragile hope of reunion. Their journey is painful, and Johan’s return shatters them once more, leaving the reader with aching questions and a longing for the sequel.
This book is heavy, and I encourage everyone to check the triggers before diving in. But it’s also deeply human, reminding us that these horrors are not just fiction. For those who choose to read, it offers a raw, emotional bond with its characters that lingers long after the final page.
This book is heavy, and I encourage everyone to check the triggers before diving in. But it’s also deeply human, reminding us that these horrors are not just fiction. For those who choose to read, it offers a raw, emotional bond with its characters that lingers long after the final page.
August 22, 2025
I liked this! It's Charlie & Jake's story & they had one to tell. Unfortunately, they are both in an absolutely horrible foster home situation. They escape, but something happens & they get separated. This was a very short & quick read; they both have been rescued in different ways & have found family that helps them. But their past catches up to them & puts them both in danger. This is a hard novella to read, they both go through so much trauma, so please keep that in mind. Recommend this novella & author.
August 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book ruined me really hard. The intensity, the obsession, the darkness—once I started, I couldn’t stop. It’s twisted, raw, and addictive. If you love dangerous men and stories that make your heart race and your jaw drop, this one is for you. I’m still over it. And iam so gonna re read it!!! It’s so worth it icant wait for book 2 i want more of this!
❤️ second chance
❤️revenge
❤️ slow burn
❤️badass fmc
❤️ abuse ( trigger )
❤️bikers
This book ruined me really hard. The intensity, the obsession, the darkness—once I started, I couldn’t stop. It’s twisted, raw, and addictive. If you love dangerous men and stories that make your heart race and your jaw drop, this one is for you. I’m still over it. And iam so gonna re read it!!! It’s so worth it icant wait for book 2 i want more of this!
❤️ second chance
❤️revenge
❤️ slow burn
❤️badass fmc
❤️ abuse ( trigger )
❤️bikers
August 22, 2025
The intensity, the obsession, the darkness, once I dove in, there was no turning back. It's a wild ride, gritty and utterly captivating. If you're into dangerous men and heart-pounding stories that leave you breathless, this book is a must-read. I'm still buzzing from it and can't wait to dive back in for a re-read! It's absolutely worth it, and I'm eagerly anticipating the second book because I need more of this thrilling experience!
November 22, 2025
This is an amazing book BUT please check your trigger warnings first because it’s brutal in its honesty and realism but that’s what I love about this author.
This is not fairytale, there is a love story and a real love at that but it also comes with heavy doses of emotion, trauma, trust issues and secrets catching up with you.
This is not fairytale, there is a love story and a real love at that but it also comes with heavy doses of emotion, trauma, trust issues and secrets catching up with you.
August 28, 2025
Ok so I won’t lie this book really blew me away and if I could give more stars then I definitely would because it deserves it. Sold by a madman is a brutal dance of survival. A vault of dark secrets. Obsession claws its way under their skin. And revenge isn't just a game to win. It's war. It's the only promise they keep, and it tastes like sweet, dark poison in the sweetest of forms.
After everything she had been through, she thought for once she would finally find her peace until he came back after all those years, drudging up buried nightmares and ugly memories right to her door They thought running away would save them, but he is an obsessive monster, a cold relentless man who would never gave up, who never quits, who never stops hunting. Until he gets the hunted and he always wins this game.
⚠️ This book dealt with heavy topics. Please read the trigger warnings. Your mental health matters ⚠️
After everything she had been through, she thought for once she would finally find her peace until he came back after all those years, drudging up buried nightmares and ugly memories right to her door They thought running away would save them, but he is an obsessive monster, a cold relentless man who would never gave up, who never quits, who never stops hunting. Until he gets the hunted and he always wins this game.
⚠️ This book dealt with heavy topics. Please read the trigger warnings. Your mental health matters ⚠️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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