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Summer's Cage: A Dark Novel
Summer Stone's life is perfect - until she's kidnapped by a man who's been stalking her online profiles for months. Kept locked in his basement, she must use her wits to find her way back home.
The only problem? She's drawn in by the enigmatic man named Kage - who can't speak but seems to care for her far more than her flighty friends. The solitude she secretly craves, and the dark fantasies she never knew she had, are all right at her fingertips.
But can she willingly stay with the man who offers her a life she never knew she wanted, or will the monsters of his past end them both?
The only problem? She's drawn in by the enigmatic man named Kage - who can't speak but seems to care for her far more than her flighty friends. The solitude she secretly craves, and the dark fantasies she never knew she had, are all right at her fingertips.
But can she willingly stay with the man who offers her a life she never knew she wanted, or will the monsters of his past end them both?
190 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2025
14 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 1, 2025
3.5 stars
First of all it was the cover which prompted me to buy this, then that blurb with a non speaking hero sparked my interest. I’ve only read two other books where a hero was.incapable of speech, Madeline Sheehan and Mia Sheridan were the two which set me on a path of wanting more authors to write about heroes with damaged vocal cords.
This was fast paced, so funnily enough I wanted something which moved a tad bit slower, because it was fast I found it hard connecting with the two characters, then the ending also felt too rushed.
It went from them escaping by the hair of their teeth, to six months later in an epilogue which gave us nothing.
For a dark kidnapping romance to work for me, I need that initual build up, I need to feel the heroines deep rooted fear, it needs to drip off the pages into my soul, allowing me to feel connected to her..She caved too quick, and when she felt that urge to fight back it felt half hearted. Everything felt too insta for me.
Many have loved/enjoyed this book, so it might just be me not feeling this book.
First of all it was the cover which prompted me to buy this, then that blurb with a non speaking hero sparked my interest. I’ve only read two other books where a hero was.incapable of speech, Madeline Sheehan and Mia Sheridan were the two which set me on a path of wanting more authors to write about heroes with damaged vocal cords.
This was fast paced, so funnily enough I wanted something which moved a tad bit slower, because it was fast I found it hard connecting with the two characters, then the ending also felt too rushed.
It went from them escaping by the hair of their teeth, to six months later in an epilogue which gave us nothing.
For a dark kidnapping romance to work for me, I need that initual build up, I need to feel the heroines deep rooted fear, it needs to drip off the pages into my soul, allowing me to feel connected to her..She caved too quick, and when she felt that urge to fight back it felt half hearted. Everything felt too insta for me.
Many have loved/enjoyed this book, so it might just be me not feeling this book.
October 25, 2025
I need more! This wasn’t nearly long enough. I wasn’t ready to read “The End.” I wanted to live in this world for a little longer. From page one I was completely pulled into the story. It was dark, twisted, and so very addictive. I was nervous about what was coming next, turned on by Kage and on edge the entire time! My heart didn’t know whether it was excited or terrified, and it broke more than once as I held my breath through every new twist.
Kage was such a beautifully broken and conflicted man. Raised in a cult that stripped away compassion and respect, surrounded by men who didn’t value women, yet shaped by small moments of kindness.. by his mother, by short but lasting encounters with strangers - he learned to see the good in a world that taught him only cruelty. There were moments I wanted to scream at him, but mostly I just wanted to hold him and tell him he was good.
Ruby’s writing was gorgeous. I highlighted so many quotes that stopped me with the enotion they made me feel. This story is dark and depraved obsession on the surface, but beneath it was acceptance and redemption. Both characters were trapped in cages, ones built by society, trauma, and circumstance. Watching them break free, even in the most brutal of ways, was both devastating and beautiful.
This book hurt in every was. It made me feel everything. Fear, anger, lust, sorrow, hope. I loved every second of it. And again, I could have kept reading.
Kage was such a beautifully broken and conflicted man. Raised in a cult that stripped away compassion and respect, surrounded by men who didn’t value women, yet shaped by small moments of kindness.. by his mother, by short but lasting encounters with strangers - he learned to see the good in a world that taught him only cruelty. There were moments I wanted to scream at him, but mostly I just wanted to hold him and tell him he was good.
Ruby’s writing was gorgeous. I highlighted so many quotes that stopped me with the enotion they made me feel. This story is dark and depraved obsession on the surface, but beneath it was acceptance and redemption. Both characters were trapped in cages, ones built by society, trauma, and circumstance. Watching them break free, even in the most brutal of ways, was both devastating and beautiful.
This book hurt in every was. It made me feel everything. Fear, anger, lust, sorrow, hope. I loved every second of it. And again, I could have kept reading.
October 27, 2025
This was a dark and delicious novella that featured some of my favorite tropes. I absolutely ADORED Kage, which I knew I would because Ruby’s men are literally always the best. The whole last 20% had me on the edge of my seat and it couldn’t have wrapped up any better than it did.
Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a quick read! But don’t forget to check those TWs.
⛓️ He can’t speak
⛓️ Masked stalker / Influencer
⛓️ Captor / Captive
⛓️ Touch her & 💀
⛓️ Virgin MMC
⛓️ Somno
Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a quick read! But don’t forget to check those TWs.
⛓️ He can’t speak
⛓️ Masked stalker / Influencer
⛓️ Captor / Captive
⛓️ Touch her & 💀
⛓️ Virgin MMC
⛓️ Somno
October 28, 2025
ARC REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
TROPES:
🐱Kidnapping
🐱Dark Romance
🐱Virgin MMC
🐱Mute MMC
🐱 Masked Man
🐱Captive X Captor
🐱Somno
Before reading I strongly suggest you check the trigger warnings and make sure this is something you can handle. I want to preface this review by stating this done differently to what we typically know kidnapping books to be, so please be mindful. It is not overly dark. But it is real and raw.
This book hit a part of my soul where it actually almost crushed it a little, it was raw and realistic and the way that Summer noted that her body was betraying her, whilst her head and heart were fighting for survival was raw in a way I wasn’t ready for.
- He is worshipping his fantasy, and I am living in hell. -
Kage is somehow an innocent and depraved MMC, inexperienced and unable to talk. You somehow don’t miss the fact there isn’t a large part of dialogue and what we do have is mostly one sided. Without truly reading this it can be perceived as she’s stupidly falling for the man who kidnapped her (we’ve seen that before.) but it is so much more. We watch Summers mine start to shift, to let her body’s reaction overtake her mind and eventually her heart, it’s a very real unravelling of Stockholm syndrome and done in such a respectful way too.
- I surrender to the will of what is meant to be and fall deeper in love with the man who stole me - heart, body and soul. -
It’s dark, deprived and real, it’s truly such a good read and I almost wish it was longer than the novels length we got. But that tends to be s common theme with Ruby Medjo novellas. We always want more.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
TROPES:
🐱Kidnapping
🐱Dark Romance
🐱Virgin MMC
🐱Mute MMC
🐱 Masked Man
🐱Captive X Captor
🐱Somno
Before reading I strongly suggest you check the trigger warnings and make sure this is something you can handle. I want to preface this review by stating this done differently to what we typically know kidnapping books to be, so please be mindful. It is not overly dark. But it is real and raw.
This book hit a part of my soul where it actually almost crushed it a little, it was raw and realistic and the way that Summer noted that her body was betraying her, whilst her head and heart were fighting for survival was raw in a way I wasn’t ready for.
- He is worshipping his fantasy, and I am living in hell. -
Kage is somehow an innocent and depraved MMC, inexperienced and unable to talk. You somehow don’t miss the fact there isn’t a large part of dialogue and what we do have is mostly one sided. Without truly reading this it can be perceived as she’s stupidly falling for the man who kidnapped her (we’ve seen that before.) but it is so much more. We watch Summers mine start to shift, to let her body’s reaction overtake her mind and eventually her heart, it’s a very real unravelling of Stockholm syndrome and done in such a respectful way too.
- I surrender to the will of what is meant to be and fall deeper in love with the man who stole me - heart, body and soul. -
It’s dark, deprived and real, it’s truly such a good read and I almost wish it was longer than the novels length we got. But that tends to be s common theme with Ruby Medjo novellas. We always want more.
November 8, 2025
RUBY, U HAVE DONE IT AGAIN 😭 (giving it 4 solely based on novella)
If u are looking for a short novella book with a lot of spic, Stockholm syndrome, and enough plot,
this is it. I loved how each chapter wasn't too long, and the way Ruby writes her book; the way she describes the situation is well-written.
I do wish we could have seen the end of Kage's dad because after what he did and Kage wanting him dead, it makes sense. I wanted more of Kage's backstory, but considering it was a novella, it was well-written. If the author had written it, it would have been longer and wouldn't have been called a novella. Also, a little longer epilogue for us to know more, like how did Terror know Kage?
AND CAN I GET MORE OF TERROR GRAYSON (RUBY PLSSSS).
Anywho, if you are looking for a good time with a short read filled with spice, Stockholm syndrome, traumatized MMC (and FMC by the end of the book), mute MMC, good plot, and short chapters.....this is it.
Though it was fast paced at times when I wanted it to slow down and wanted to see more stuff outside the basement, like where does Kage g,o and sforthth.
If u are looking for a short novella book with a lot of spic, Stockholm syndrome, and enough plot,
this is it. I loved how each chapter wasn't too long, and the way Ruby writes her book; the way she describes the situation is well-written.
I do wish we could have seen the end of Kage's dad because after what he did and Kage wanting him dead, it makes sense. I wanted more of Kage's backstory, but considering it was a novella, it was well-written. If the author had written it, it would have been longer and wouldn't have been called a novella. Also, a little longer epilogue for us to know more, like how did Terror know Kage?
AND CAN I GET MORE OF TERROR GRAYSON (RUBY PLSSSS).
Anywho, if you are looking for a good time with a short read filled with spice, Stockholm syndrome, traumatized MMC (and FMC by the end of the book), mute MMC, good plot, and short chapters.....this is it.
Though it was fast paced at times when I wanted it to slow down and wanted to see more stuff outside the basement, like where does Kage g,o and sforthth.
October 29, 2025
Summer Stone is an influencer whose life is turned upside down when she’s kidnapped in the middle of the night by a masked man. He keeps her locked away in his basement—but strangely, he never harms her. Instead, he takes care of her. Even more unsettling is the connection she starts to feel toward her captor. He’s mysterious, mute, and somehow makes her body respond in ways she’s never experienced before. She knows she shouldn’t want him… but her heart—and body—aren’t listening. How can this possibly end? Because she can’t really stay forever with the man who took her, can she?
After reading the trigger warnings (⚠️which you should do as well), I knew this would lean into the darker side of dark romance—but I trust Ruby Medjo, so I dove in anyway. I’ve read a lot of dark romance, and I’ve learned that non-con (even between main characters, it seems) just isn’t my personal preference. That said, I think Medjo handled it as gracefully as possible given the subject matter. I’m not trying to yuck anyone’s yum—it just wasn’t for me.
That being said, I actually really liked Kage. All things considered, he was a sweet, broken soul who just wanted love and connection. He definitely went about it the wrong way (to put it mildly 😅), but that’s part of what makes a Ruby Medjo story what it is—dark, emotional, and strangely beautiful in its depravity.
✨Thank you Ruby Medjo for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⛓️🛁🐈⬛🔧🔥
3.75⭐️rounded up
HEA? yes
3rd act break-up? no
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
After reading the trigger warnings (⚠️which you should do as well), I knew this would lean into the darker side of dark romance—but I trust Ruby Medjo, so I dove in anyway. I’ve read a lot of dark romance, and I’ve learned that non-con (even between main characters, it seems) just isn’t my personal preference. That said, I think Medjo handled it as gracefully as possible given the subject matter. I’m not trying to yuck anyone’s yum—it just wasn’t for me.
That being said, I actually really liked Kage. All things considered, he was a sweet, broken soul who just wanted love and connection. He definitely went about it the wrong way (to put it mildly 😅), but that’s part of what makes a Ruby Medjo story what it is—dark, emotional, and strangely beautiful in its depravity.
✨Thank you Ruby Medjo for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⛓️🛁🐈⬛🔧🔥
3.75⭐️rounded up
HEA? yes
3rd act break-up? no
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
October 25, 2025
SUMMER NEVER EXPECTED HER LIFE AS A SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER TO END UP LIKE THIS — TRAPPED, CHAINED, AND AT THE MERCY OF A MAN WHO CLAIMS HE TOOK HER TO SAVE HER.
KAGE IS A STUDY IN CONTRADICTION — A MAN RAISED IN DARKNESS, TAUGHT TO HATE, YET STILL CAPABLE OF KINDNESS. SHAPED BY A CRUEL CULT BUT SOFTENED BY FLEETING MOMENTS OF HUMANITY, HE’S AS BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN AS HE IS HAUNTING.
THIS STORY OWNED ME. I WAS NOT READY FOR THE END. I NEEDED MORE TIME IN THIS WORLD — MORE KAGE, MORE CHAOS, MORE EVERYTHING. 😭🖤
Things to know
MMC can’t speak, captor x captive, touch her & die, enemies to lovers, stalking, Kidnapping, imprisonment, murder, torture, dubious consent, non-consensual acts between main characters, sexual assault, blindfolding, misogyny, spanking, gore, somnophilia, cult practices, choking, light period play, drug use, undiagnosed endometriosis, and psychological torment, violent depictions of death, There is also talk of cult rituals and practices that involve sacrifice, and brief mention of animal abuse.
KAGE IS A STUDY IN CONTRADICTION — A MAN RAISED IN DARKNESS, TAUGHT TO HATE, YET STILL CAPABLE OF KINDNESS. SHAPED BY A CRUEL CULT BUT SOFTENED BY FLEETING MOMENTS OF HUMANITY, HE’S AS BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN AS HE IS HAUNTING.
THIS STORY OWNED ME. I WAS NOT READY FOR THE END. I NEEDED MORE TIME IN THIS WORLD — MORE KAGE, MORE CHAOS, MORE EVERYTHING. 😭🖤
Things to know
MMC can’t speak, captor x captive, touch her & die, enemies to lovers, stalking, Kidnapping, imprisonment, murder, torture, dubious consent, non-consensual acts between main characters, sexual assault, blindfolding, misogyny, spanking, gore, somnophilia, cult practices, choking, light period play, drug use, undiagnosed endometriosis, and psychological torment, violent depictions of death, There is also talk of cult rituals and practices that involve sacrifice, and brief mention of animal abuse.
November 1, 2025
I wish it was longer!
You can never go wrong with any of Ruby’s books. Her writing is always captivating and filled with so many emotions.
I knew right away I was going to fall in love with Kage 🤤 idk what it is about a man who can’t speak but it always pulls at my heart strings. It also helps that he’s tall and built like a god lol.
The only reason this wasn’t a 5 star for me was because I’m not a fan of social media being used in books. It tends to take me out of the story and it’s just not my cup of tea. I also wished we got more insight into the fmc’s mind when she finally made the switch from hating him to falling for him.
Overall, this novella had some of my favorite tropes and I could’ve easily read a full length novel about these two because the backstory of Kage was intense and I loved once they finally got together.
Check TWs!
Tropes:
- captor/captive
- social media influencer/ stalker
- masked man
- MMC can’t speak
- v!grin MMC
- somno
You can never go wrong with any of Ruby’s books. Her writing is always captivating and filled with so many emotions.
I knew right away I was going to fall in love with Kage 🤤 idk what it is about a man who can’t speak but it always pulls at my heart strings. It also helps that he’s tall and built like a god lol.
The only reason this wasn’t a 5 star for me was because I’m not a fan of social media being used in books. It tends to take me out of the story and it’s just not my cup of tea. I also wished we got more insight into the fmc’s mind when she finally made the switch from hating him to falling for him.
Overall, this novella had some of my favorite tropes and I could’ve easily read a full length novel about these two because the backstory of Kage was intense and I loved once they finally got together.
Check TWs!
Tropes:
- captor/captive
- social media influencer/ stalker
- masked man
- MMC can’t speak
- v!grin MMC
- somno
October 25, 2025
Another Gem for Ruby Medjo
Any fan of Ruby Medjo knows her stories are gonna be dark, a little depraved, and yet deliciously addictive - Summer's Cage is no different. Summer, a social media influencer, finds herself abducted and trapped and chained in an unknown basement. Kage, our MMC, was raised in a horrifying cult and has no real normal life experiences with normal people, but to protect Summer from the horror that chases him, he kidnaps her to save her. The very visceral reactions Summer and Kage both have are so darkly and beautifully brought to life on the page with the author's words. I absolutely loved the ending (I'mnot spoiling it!), I devoured the book in just a few hours because I couldn't put it down! Kudos to Ruby for delivering us another couple we cant help but love
Any fan of Ruby Medjo knows her stories are gonna be dark, a little depraved, and yet deliciously addictive - Summer's Cage is no different. Summer, a social media influencer, finds herself abducted and trapped and chained in an unknown basement. Kage, our MMC, was raised in a horrifying cult and has no real normal life experiences with normal people, but to protect Summer from the horror that chases him, he kidnaps her to save her. The very visceral reactions Summer and Kage both have are so darkly and beautifully brought to life on the page with the author's words. I absolutely loved the ending (I'mnot spoiling it!), I devoured the book in just a few hours because I couldn't put it down! Kudos to Ruby for delivering us another couple we cant help but love
November 23, 2025
if you're looking for a fast paced, quick read, full of trigger warnings, dark romance...with a happy ending. this is for you.
from the page I was intrigued and hooked in. not wanting to put it down.
what happens when the kidnapper, is the one doing the protecting? ..
Summer and Kage....wow.
simply put....WOW.
difficult for me to put words out without spoiling anything.
but this story was dark, twisted, a bit of suspense filled, and hot...umm I need therapy. ...truly need therapy. 😅
.
I would have LOVED a full epilogue where we find out more what occurred after the wild events that occurred right before...
but I still enjoyed this story.
thank you Ruby for the arc! 🫶🏻
from the page I was intrigued and hooked in. not wanting to put it down.
what happens when the kidnapper, is the one doing the protecting? ..
Summer and Kage....wow.
simply put....WOW.
difficult for me to put words out without spoiling anything.
but this story was dark, twisted, a bit of suspense filled, and hot...umm I need therapy. ...truly need therapy. 😅
.
I would have LOVED a full epilogue where we find out more what occurred after the wild events that occurred right before...
but I still enjoyed this story.
thank you Ruby for the arc! 🫶🏻
October 22, 2025
I love a book that makes me battle my morality and that’s exactly what this one did. Should I have loved Kage as much as I did? Probably not. But it was so hard not see the undying good in him. Summer was a hollow shell before being kidnapped and even though it was the most unconventional way to fall in love it’s exactly what she needed to break free from the confines of herself. These are the things that I love about Ruby’s writing it’s dark but there is always beauty lying underneath the surface and this one was no exception. Loved it!
October 24, 2025
Summer's Cage is the everything a dark romance should be. This book has stalker and captive trope, which I havent read in a hot minute, but I loved it.
This book made me a little nervous and I didn't quite know where it was going and that proves what a great writer Ruby is. She immerses you in her stories and has you falling for her characters, even the morally gray ones like Kage. I don't want to give anything away but do yourself a favor and read Kage and Summer's story (after you check the trigger warning of course).
This book made me a little nervous and I didn't quite know where it was going and that proves what a great writer Ruby is. She immerses you in her stories and has you falling for her characters, even the morally gray ones like Kage. I don't want to give anything away but do yourself a favor and read Kage and Summer's story (after you check the trigger warning of course).
October 27, 2025
First and foremost Ruby, babe this book was phenomenal! Between Summer and Kage the emotions were raw and beautiful.
This book is pitch black people but if you can handle it definitely read this! I have adored Ruby Medjo’s books since a bestie told me about Folie À Deux and the pearls! Between the twins, Jameson and Tristan, Teddy, and Maks from her other books I now get to add Kage to my list of book daddies. Every single book has those raw emotions and this was no exception. Absolutely love this and can’t wait for the next one from her
This book is pitch black people but if you can handle it definitely read this! I have adored Ruby Medjo’s books since a bestie told me about Folie À Deux and the pearls! Between the twins, Jameson and Tristan, Teddy, and Maks from her other books I now get to add Kage to my list of book daddies. Every single book has those raw emotions and this was no exception. Absolutely love this and can’t wait for the next one from her
October 29, 2025
Summer’s Cage is a dark, addictive, and unsettling romance that grabs you from page one. Ruby Medjo weaves obsession, captivity, and twisted desire into a story that’s both disturbing and impossible to put down.
The dynamic between the captor and captive is intense — equal parts terrifying and magnetic. The writing is sharp, the tension constant, and the emotions raw.
It’s not for everyone, though. The book includes stalking, kidnapping, and non-consensual scenes, so read with caution.
If you love dark, morally grey romances that make you question everything, this one’s worth it.
The dynamic between the captor and captive is intense — equal parts terrifying and magnetic. The writing is sharp, the tension constant, and the emotions raw.
It’s not for everyone, though. The book includes stalking, kidnapping, and non-consensual scenes, so read with caution.
If you love dark, morally grey romances that make you question everything, this one’s worth it.
October 22, 2025
Let’s talk about this book. First of all the title?! Perfection, because her kidnapper is called Kage.
This book, this story is so raw and powerful, I had to take breaks just to give myself time to absorb Ruby’s words. It’s my first book by her, but definitely not the last.
I’m in awe. It has the perfect balance of plot and spice.
Kage stole my heart. He can’t be put in just one category. As Summer said: “a broken man with a mysterious past and a kind heart despite his wrongdoings.”
This book, this story is so raw and powerful, I had to take breaks just to give myself time to absorb Ruby’s words. It’s my first book by her, but definitely not the last.
I’m in awe. It has the perfect balance of plot and spice.
Kage stole my heart. He can’t be put in just one category. As Summer said: “a broken man with a mysterious past and a kind heart despite his wrongdoings.”
November 6, 2025
These two make quite a pair. Kage took Summer to hide her away from the danger he put her in, but he couldn't speak to explain that to her. Summer fought valiantly to not fall for him, but once she understood where he was coming from, she stopped fighting their pull. They trauma bonded and got the HEA they both needed. Kage is intense. You have been warned! ;)
December 24, 2025
Just couldn’t get into it as much as I tried.
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