When the most beautiful angel is wheeled into my hospital, I become obsessed with the need to have her. It's all I can think about as she nearly dies on our operating table, having just wrapped her car around a tree. She might never walk again due to her injuries. She might not even survive.
But when she falls into a coma, I know the fates are looking out for me. They made it so she cannot run. They want me to fuck her senseless. They want me to risk it all.
And for her, I damn well might.
Because her eyes spoke to me - in that brief moment they met mine before they rolled back in her head.
"Do with me what you will."
-----
Trigger and Content warnings
Remember, this is FICTION, and the content inside isn’t acceptable in real life. Nor are the thoughts a true representation of mine or what I think counts as rape.
Coercion is still rape. Abuse of power is still rape. Fucking someone in a coma so they don’t know they’re being raped is still… you guessed it, rape.
So the main triggers you’ll find in here are pretty obvious given the blurb (noncon somnophilia, abuse of power, doctor/patient taboo), but if you want to see the full list, you can do so on my website once it's live.
𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙯𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙚 to be quite frank there are much much darker books out there, and i myself have encountered, read and maybe even liked a few of these books. but the major difference between them is the marketing. this would not have garnered as much attention as it did if it was marketed as a horror or pyschological thriller. but since the genres of this book on goodreads ARE listed as dark romance, and since miranda grant even said in her posts that it was a dark romance, and since FANARTS MADE by miranda exist of the rapist in this book, of course there is going to be discourse. and i will be judging it by the standard that it is a dark romance.
𝙙𝙤𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙮 the classic example of a rapist in a dark romance book who had a fucked up childhood and takes it out on the women around him. but hes also…… somewhat more complex than that. the difference is that he TRULY does not know what he is doing is wrong…… even at his grown age pushing fifty. only at the seventy-five percent mark did he truly realize that what he has done to summer was considered rape, because HE himself in his childhood had endured the same type of abuse from the people around him.
at some points it was interesting to see how abuse can shape a person as they grow up (ex: asher becoming extremely hypersexual while astley refuses to have sex with anyone) and this idea that victims of abuse can often become the perpetrators. it is unfortunately a common thing, but once again i really just wish that this man wasn’t the “love interest” in a novel because its an interesting topic. but mostly……. hes just an insufferable little bitch and i tried to feel an ounce of sympathy for him but i couldnt bring myself to
even putting aside his tendencies to rape not just his patients but also to drug his dates (“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘐 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴!” “𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘩. 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴, ” 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴. “𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘹 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘹 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘹. 𝘚𝘰 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘦.) i found this book itself so….. cringey and terribly written so here are a few of my problems that don’t necessarily pertain to my hatred of doctor man’s sexual assaults
•the sex was just so bad. not even talking about him raping her, not even talking about how it felt wrong but at certain points it was so cringey to read about. stuffing a BRA in your mouth? you’re fifty, she’s described as plus sized so how would that even begin to FIT in there? what the hell. and his CONSTANT jerking off. please give me a break. do you need a viagra to stay that hard? because it was every chapter.
•another thing that bothered me was the fact that he assaults the woman that summer’s boyfriend cheats with. he kicks her, beats her up, lets his cousin rape her, and kills her. something about this, along with the fact that he was ready to kill the DOGS that belonged to summers ex boyfriend made me the most disgusted ever
•repetitive writing. the word “twitch” in referral to his cock is used 13 times, and he “pinches” her nipples on five seperate occasions. please i was getting so tired there was no need for all of these unmemorable “sex” scenes.
•rushed. instalust BEYOND anything you could imagine, but also it was so unserious at times? like it was revealed that summer had been in a coma for less than TWO weeks, and by that point im pretty sure dr astley had jacked off twenty times, raped her quite a few times, was called her “my girl”, killing her ex boyfriend, calling her his future wife and imagining their future. IN LESS THAN FOURTEEN DAYS. i was praying he would seek help and go to therapy (which he never did btw). get a LIFE oh my GOD.
•at certain points it felt like a fourth wall break that was shoehorned in at the last moment because miranda was getting so much backlash. paragraphs about how what books you read doesn’t define you as a person or equal what you want in real life.
which i mean would be an good topic to explore because i’ve always been curious as to how reading books such as this one is healing but it never gets brought up again. speaking of, im so tired of fmcs who read in books. i get like the author is trying to make it more relatable to readers, but can we pick another hobby for ONCE please
•the largest saviour complex i have ever witnessed belongs to this pathetic excuse of a man. he would go on tirades about saving summer from her abusive boyfriend, talk about how horrible he is, as if…….. hes not just as bad, or even worse? at least have the decency to acknowledge that you are no better and she should be saved from YOU 🫵
𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚𝙙 •summers depression was the most fascinating part of this book. it was only touched on the last few pages….. but honestly if it was just a book about her battling her depression and her demons i would’ve loved to read it!
yes, indeed! but this was soon cut short in favour of a happy ending where he and summer, his coma victim live happily ever after (boo 👎)
overrall, truly a boring, mediocre, and tedious book. never once was i interested in the mmc and exploring his backstory, and there was never much of a plot that tied it all together (though i can tell the author put in an attempt) and a lot of the time there was a lot of random info dumps. it tried to do too much and ended up jist being underwhelming and hard to get through. and throughout the entire thing i couldnt help thinking of this:
now wtf was this shitshow. never should’ve been published, never should’ve been a THOUGHT actually.
edit: so… i regret everything. i DID actually read to chapter 3 and even while trying to ignore the absolutely horrid and disgusting content of this book, im also realizing the writing is actual trash. the smut sucks, the dialogue is so freaking cringy, his inner monologue is all we get, and the start of the book is literally just him touching and wanting to bang her unconscious body.
‘Or perhaps she’s a Ms. Tulip or a Ms. Horseshoe’ -when wondering about what her 🐱 looks like! he uses the real terms for all the parts as well, which i get that he’s a doctor but that’s just so creepy omg.
I hate to see so many “reviews” from people who haven’t even read the actual book. Judging the book on the blurb when that is 5% of the story is shameful.. can’t even judge it by the cover because it is beautiful!
If you want to read a review by someone who actually read it, continue below.
Miranda, thank you for letting me beta read for you!
Let me start by saying I have zero triggers. I know others will, so read the trigger warnings and take them seriously.
This book was seriously messed up, but powerful and impactful at the same time. My head is still spinning and I finished it an hour ago. The author was able to show how traumatized people can be and still find the light in their day. I think the way it was written, made the story come full circle and the ending was just right.
Without spoiling it, there are traumatized main characters throughout this novel. They embrace the effects of their trauma and are seriously unhinged. Delusions run high and things get ugly. It was a true roller coaster. Even so, the ending of this book is what really ties it all together.
If you give it a true chance, I think you may be pleasantly surprised. If you still hate it, then that is your right. Move along and have a beautiful day ✌🏽
“Helping someone isn’t about forcing them to do what is comfortable for you. It’s about listening to them. To what they need” -Asher
Okay wow, this was a messed up but also very insightful read.
Lots of triggers, so check them out before reading as this is a dark book with dark content that won't be suitable for everybody.
I went into this thinking the MMC was delusional as fuck, but the more you read on the more you realise why he is the way he is. Does it excuse his actions? No. But you get a good idea as to how he turned out the way he did.
There's lots of trauma in this book. The way Miranda has researched it and how it affects people really shows. Just because we expect people to act 'one way' after something traumatic happens, doesn't mean that's the best way for the person to cope. And this dives into a lot of challenging topics, and actions, of people with severe trauma and how they cope going forwards. A real eye opener for sure.
Was it a dark romance? To me, yes. There is romance there for sure. Did it happy ending? Well kinda. 🤷🏻♀️
✨Original post✨
Since some of y'all have forgotten, here's Goodreads Review Guidelines. See I haven't rated this book? Because I haven't read it as it isn't out yet. 😇
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All these “reviews” from people who haven’t even read the book absolutely make me sick. The blurb is not even the whole of the story, and judging it off that is just unfair. So here’s an opinion from someone who actually read the book.
Please read the trigger warnings and take them seriously. This book was dark, twisted, and honestly pretty messed up but wow, it was also powerful and impactful. I just finished it and my head is still spinning. The way the author shows how trauma shapes people, while still letting them find glimpses of light, was really well done. The story comes full circle, and the ending! The main character is seriously traumatized, unhinged, and drowning in delusions. Things get ugly fast. It was a total roller coaster, and I couldn’t look away. The ending is what really pulls everything together. Give this book a fair chance you might be surprised at how good it is. And hey, if it’s not for you, that’s totally fine. Just move along and have a great day.
for you to sit here and say “this is FICTIONN” and then informing us about rape, talking about “fucking someone in a coma is rape” then listing triggers as if the whole book isn’t a trigger. why is it okay to write “fiction” like this? yeah, it’s not fiction, so for you to write it down and put it as a romance, is weird as fuvk and disgusting. if it’s not acceptable in real life, why is it acceptable to write and practically fantasize about? dark romance is NOT dv and rape. not to mention your author’s description is extremely concerning. please get therapy.
Was it dark? Oh yeah. Do i condone anything he did? Hell no. Did I go into it knowing exactly how dark? Of course, because I've read every single one of her books and knew exactly how dark she was going to be and she did not disappoint. She explicitly says what this book is, a psychopath who non-con a woman in a coma. She didnt hide the truth, and it is discussed in the book. You can tell the amount of research she did for this book and honestly it was a good book. Just know what you're reading when going into it.
Have I read the book - Nope Will I read the book - Doubt it Did I buy the book - Yep!
Why did I buy the book? Why am I leaving the review?
The answer to the last two question is simple. I bought the book to support the author because people are trying to get her book banned. Banning a book is never the answer. So it's not your cup of tea, Alright, no one forced you to read it. The author clearly gave you the understanding of what the book is going to be about, and instead of people say.. ohh... not for me... they want to ban it.
NEGATIVE five stars. Oh boy... Where do i start? Rape isn't romance. The entire book is built on rape, encouraging it, and doing it. Damn this. I've never seen anything more disgusting in my life like this. An anesthesiologist, rapist, and murderer, and he lives with a good ending? Damn this dirty mind, and for not putting the hero and his cousin behind bars. Stupid ending.
If you’re not going to read this then don’t review it. the author isn’t normalizing rape and she literally talks about it in her opening remarks. I don’t know why people feel the need to bash something if they’re not even going to read it. If I was being harassed I wouldn’t want to respond to your malicious DM’s either.
as an erotic horror lover this was a unique dark “romance” and if you like your MMCs deranged and waving all the red flags then give it a go! Miranda has always been honest about how dark her books are so if that’s not your thing - move it along.
I don't usually write public reviews, and I like my fair share of dark romance, but this book is not a dark romance, it's romanticised rape. This is not CNC, because C stands for consent, and comatose person cannot give you that. I don't understand how a book like this is even allowed to be published. This is not dnf, it's dns
I am spent. This book was emotionally draining and anger inducing for me.
It is an incredible read. It shows the very real and ugly side of emotional, mental and physical trauma. What can and often does happen when one has not received the proper care and understanding after experiencing such abuse that causes these triggers.
I would recommend this book. If you're brave enough.
I have a lot of thoughts about this one. I received a free ARC this morning - thanks, Miranda! - and devoured it within hours.
First, I can’t find any fault with the technical side of the writing, and that’s rare for me. This is a well-written book.
Second, this is not a book meant for the masses. If you’re a dark romance fan who can forgive irredeemable characters and finds yourself loving the bad guys like I am, it might be.
You’re going to get the MMC, Rath’s, POV for the entire book. It works here. While I struggled the first third or so to connect with him, getting to hear his inner monologue and self-justification was poignant, and I found that connection with him.
The FMC, Summer, is a breath of fresh air even though she spends most of the book unconscious. Not a virgin, not just curvy, but with actual fat rolls… And it’s never treated as a negative. So many books that are trying to be body positive still frame it in an apologetic way. This does not. She’s beautiful and that’s that.
I’m an HEA girl and I’d warn people that this doesn’t end with them riding off into the sunset together. And honestly, that worked for me here, too. It wouldn’t have been appropriate, and I think the mental health and trauma representation here was far more important.
Things I’d tell a friend before urging them to read: -This is heavy noncon. There’s no way around that. It’s a main facet of the plot and there’s significant backstory including it. If you have triggers, mind the trigger warnings. -There are taboos like incest mentioned. The scenes aren’t graphic, but it comes up more than once. -There is graphic gore and violence. I didn’t find it to be too much, but I’d be aware.
Overall, I’m giving 4 stars. The writing and the insight into Rath’s mind were excellent. The only thing that would’ve pushed this to a 5 star read for me would have been more insight into why Rath became so obsessed with Summer to begin with, because him talking about his love for her melted me.
I will be recommending this to all the freaks like me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Hate this book with a burning passion hate every single character only gave it a one star cuz 1) goodreads is dumb asf and doesnt let me rate 0 stars 2) I liked the acknowledgements but the author couldve proven her point in other ways than writing this dumbass book
Now I have to say all the way up until the last 4 chapters and the Epilogue, this book was a 5 star read for me.. But then it took a turn that I was not feeling at all.. I thought and was hoping that it was gonna go another way.. Instead it felt like I was reading a completely different story.
For 85% of this story we are wondering is Rath gonna get the help he needs? Is he gonna die? Is someone gonna kill him? Is Summer, once she knows the truth gonna forgive and feed his soul or condemn him to the hell he already believes he's in?? I wanted these answers. I did not expect a typical HEA. I was expecting loss here on some level. And there were at least 5 different scenarios, that had they happened, would have ended with this being a 5 star read for me.. These scenarios, no matter which was chosen, would have had the ending & close of this story feel more organic to me as well.
But no. That didn't happen..
I just did not like that the last 15% of the book was then focused so much on Summer's issues in the vein that they were. It felt like I was reading the tail end of a different book altogether. It had the story feeling disjointed and like I said, a completely different book. Therefore, I felt a little cheated with where this took me and why. For me it was like I was listening to Otis Redding the whole time, feeling his voice, his words and the emotion behind it, and then BAM!! Right in the middle of the song, you start hearing Guns N Roses- Welcome to the Jungle.. #SoWrong
I DID NOT like the way this one ended at all.. So because of all of this it wound up being a 4 star read for me..
Now, Ms. Grant knocked it completely out of the park in her character study, various statistical facts about trauma, how the laws work, and certain knowledgeable tidbits pertaining to Rath's profession. You can't explain the layers of Rath or his cousin Asher, without going into their journey and therefore spoiling it for those who have not read it yet.. So I will not go there.
The journey is the driver and focal point of this twisted story. It is the one thing that will keep you engaged. Utterly enthralled and beside yourself. My eyes, my breath, my very brain was straining between the two emotions of FEAR and SHOCK as I read this book. This book is deeply disturbing. Glaringly depraved in all of its dark splendor. But its beating and bleeding heart at the center is what makes this one a heartbreaking read. I found myself loving Rath and Asher the more I learned why they are this way.
I was horrified reading this book, but couldn't look away.. I was grossed out, shocked and AFRAID. It's dark and all things that follow that. I have to say that though there is a lot of sex in this, you don't find it sexy.. At least I didn't. Yup.. my Lotus was dry as the desert.. BUT, the shocker for me was that I didn't care! It was the story that was holding me captive and I was fine with that. So I would not classify this as a dark romance.
Rath & Asher had me scared of them, and crying for them. They also had me 😂MAO!!!
Do I condone their coping practices? No. Do I understand how a person can turn into the monsters that they are, given their life circumstances? Absolutely. There's one solid truth in this book Everyone heals differently.. Now, could they use some Baby Jesus cleansing counseling? Damn Straight! But their demons, demons that were thrust upon them through no fault or consent of their own, are much more complicated than that, I'm afraid.
Look, if you are curious then read this. If it is not your jam then stay far away. But if you take a chance here, you just may be enlightened to the fact that trauma is not black and white, so why would you expect the one who's traumatized, for their coping mechanisms to be??
I could not be moved from my Kindle reading this. If I had to put it down, then I was mad I had to and could not wait to get back to it..
Would I recommend?=YES (Tread lightly though, lest you lose your mind) Spice?=It's Complicated- How Freaky are you??? Plot/Plight?=4 MCs?=It's Complicated & Uncertain Ending/Epilogue?=2
This book was haunting, gripping, and absolutely unforgettable.
Keeping Her Under is a fascinating deep dive into a mind fractured by trauma, and it doesn’t shy away from exploring the darkness that results. Miranda Grant writes with an unflinching honesty that makes the story as unsettling as it is compelling. While there are dark romance elements woven throughout, what stood out to me most was how carefully the narrative avoids romanticizing rape except for in Rath's head. The story frames the actions as reprehensible despite him convincing himself that it isn't. It lays bare the twisted consequences of pain and manipulation, making the book both raw and thought-provoking.
I was captivated by the psychological depth, the way each layer of the story peeled back to reveal something darker, and the fact that, even in the most disturbing moments, I couldn’t look away. The prose is sharp, the pacing tight, and the emotional intensity relentless. It’s not a light read, but it’s one that lingers, demanding reflection long after the last page. For readers who appreciate dark, complex stories that challenge boundaries, Keeping Her Under is an absolute standout.
I rarely give books 5 stars Excellently written and the book starts you thinking about how you define sexual assault. Phenomenal job portraying trauma, depression and mental illness.
What the actual f*ck did I just read? Why am I happy, sad, angry, joyous, pissed, and hate and love these freaking characters? I need a serious palate cleanser book after this. And a glass of vodka. 🙄🙄🙄 Just kidding 🤓
So, trigger warnings abound in this and I’m not surprised that Rath is damaged. Hurt people have a tendency to hurt others, even when they think they are loving them. He had a brutally vicious childhood that made me cry and feel so bad for him, and it made me “see” him. I couldn’t excuse his behaviors, but I saw how damaged people hide their issues so very well and appear normal (if that’s a thing) at a glance. Overall, I loved his character and actually wanted him to find peace.
Summer..I knew she had some things going on and I was expecting her story to go this way. She’s very similar to Rath. Her depression is real and manifested itself differently. It wasn’t about Lance, that monster only exploited her inner demons. So, honestly, I’m glad he got what he got. I didn’t cry, didn’t feel sad. I actually reread that scene and smiled. He was so cruel. But..moving on. 😡😡😡
The cousin and his stuff..scary. SCARY! That just makes you wonder what really goes on behind the scenes. 🤯🤯🤯
The ending..
I was not at all surprised.
Growing up in the church, I was taught that you cannot fight demons with natural weapons. 🥹
“For though 🔥we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh🔥: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)” 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 KJV
Summer had a stronghold that Rath was able to control or manage, but only until it adapted. It took control of her, him, and the house they built. When she even asks for him to take her life, that is just the demon of depression talking. 🥹🥹🥹It wasn’t Summer. It made me think of this story..
“And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who 🔥had his dwelling among the tombs🔥; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. 🔥🔥And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones🔥🔥.” Mark 5:2-5 KJV
This man with the legion of demons was living among the dead..cutting himself. That stuck with me as it reminded me that both Rath and Summer suffer from the same affliction. Both attempt suicide by cutting and both are saved by people who are damaged and understand what it feels like to be depressed.
My takeaway is..despite how mad it made me at times..I loved this book. I am sad it’s over but I love these characters. Didn’t really like the very end but I understand it.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I have a big love and hate vibe with this story. There are things here that were done quite well, and others that did not resonate with me at all. It is a very hard read to get through, because of all of the really messed up and horrifying things that you witness here. There is a truth here that is not comfortable for anyone to witness. Others may even try their best to shun it and call it sensationalized lies. I would disagree with their assessments, however.
I would still recommend this book. Do heed to the Trigger Warnings with this one.
read this out of morbid curiosity — it was awful. quite frankly, this was the most poorly written book i’ve ever read. bad story, bad writing, bad everything. don’t waste your time
So hear me out... is it really taboo- yes, but it was a great read! The author did her research and you could tell it in her writing. Yes this is about a anesthesiologist putting a patient into a coma because he's become obsessed with her, but it's also about someone battling their own demons. Then having to help the person they love battle severe depression.
wow! my mind is blown, I think I've only ever read other book that has given me this mind blowing sadness at one point in the book, to just make me sit the re for a long time and think. The amount of research Miranda must have done for this book. it actually saddens be to thing of all of the readers who have 1 stared this book. a lot who have not read it, others who have not made it past 30 pages, because there is way more amazing and interesting plot to this book then what happens at the start where you find out some characters are way more crazy than others. what Rath actually ends up doing for Summer is amazing ( if you take away the the crazy things that he does) again Asher all though being crazy, What he helps his cousin do to make the world a better place for Summer is amazing. yes a lot of the things that happen in this book is crazy but just as many things are also very interesting things to learn, like what I've learned about about depression. I will also say that Summers ex got what he deserved
I really enjoyed this book, we had darkness, humour, shock , crazy emotions while reading. I am looking forward to reading more of Miranda's books