Cain: A Stockholm Syndrome Dark Romance

by Glyka

CAIN
They say obsession is a sin.
But when you’ve been hollowed by torment and shaped by vengeance, with no light or mercy left inside, obsession is the only thing that feels real.
I never asked for redemption, and I never believed in salvation.
Until I met her.
Fragile, like a rose blooming through concrete, too delicate for the world I rule and exist.
Now I need her light like it’s the only thing keeping me human. Her touch quiets the violence, her presence silences the chaos.
I need her in ways I can never say, in ways that make the dead parts of me feel alive.
I found freedom in the woman who was never free.
They say obsession is a sin.
And I'm ready to burn for it.

KATEŘINA
He was the man who stepped out of a fairytale, wrapped in charm and danger.
But fairytales lie, and I learned the truth too late.
He wasn’t the hero of my story. He was the villain in disguise.
And now here I am, trapped in a gilded cage, swearing I’d never fall for the one who stole my freedom.
Yet I did.
Because in captivity, I found a strange kind of comfort. Like the glass placed around a rose to protect it from the world.
He is my poison, my weakness, the bane that keeps me alive.
And no matter how hard I try, I cannot turn away.

Book #1 of the Savages series. Each book is a standalone but interconnected with the rest.

Genres: Dark Romance

484 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2025

Reviews

[Faiza BEGUM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Glyka for letting me read and review this one !!

WOW. Just wow. This book completely consumed me from the very first chapter. Cain is everything a morally black MMC should be — obsessive, dangerous, protective, and somehow still irresistible. He’s dark, unhinged, and the kind of man you know you shouldn’t want… but can’t help falling for.

Katerina is that girl. Strong yet vulnerable, independent yet drawn to the danger. She’s far from perfect, but that’s what makes her feel so real. And yes — she’s absolutely got Stockholm syndrome, but let’s be honest… with Cain, who wouldn’t ? 😈

Katerina leaves her life in Czechia — along with her neglectful parents and controlling boyfriend — to chase her dream of becoming a model in America. She’s finally finding her independence, but freedom doesn’t come easy. There’s always someone watching. A man she keeps seeing wherever she goes — dark eyes, unreadable expression, dangerous charm. When Cain finally steps out of the shadows, she’s drawn to him instantly. But one night changes everything. He saves her… only for her to wake up in his home, locked away from the world.

Cain lives in the dark, driven by vengeance for what was taken from him. When he sees Katerina, she becomes his new obsession — his light, his weakness, his everything. And he’ll do anything to keep her safe… even if that means keeping her.

The plot surprised me in the best way — it’s not just spice (though trust me, the spice is 🔥). There’s revenge, obsession, heartbreak, and so much raw emotion. It’s dark, twisted, and still manages to show so much humanity in both characters.

If you love :

💀 morally grey men
🔥 obsessive love
🖤 dark romance with depth
then this book needs to be on your TBR.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cain rating: 5⭐️

First things first: It is the book I actually read by pushing some boundaries. I wanted to read it and I don't regret it! Also I wanted to read a Stockholm syndrome book. So thank you Glyka for the ARC! I lost my sleep because I wanted to finish this one night! I loved it!

The book (and not only) follows Katerina a young model who came from her home country in America to work in the industry. Little does she know that someone is watching her, very close, every move of her. Seems like she already has a fan who she doesn't know. Both characters have heavy emotional luggage. How will they react when 2 trouble souls meet each other? What kind of passionate dance will they find themselves in? How will they reshape each other, because whenever there is obsession or love, a very thin line, people change.

This is the first book of Glyka that I have read and I enjoyed it so much. Her pen is exactly what I need to imagine everything! There wasn't a moment that I couldn't picture the scene in my head. The plot twists came out of nowhere and the moments I screamed are countless. I connected with the characters, their depth, and their background stories. No question is left unanswered. I want more, I really want more!

The most important of them all though is the trigger Warnings, guys please read them! There are many!

Tropes:

Kidnapping
Stockholm syndrome
Stalking
Morally black MMC
Innocent FMC
Spice 5/5
Dubious Con
Guns and violence
Attempted 🍇
touch her and die
He saves her
Beauty and the Beast vibes

[Tanya Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book had me from page one and did not want to put it down. From Cain who is a grumpy possessive man who cannot stop his obsession with Katerina. He is a man whose father and brother did not love him and tried to kill him. He had to look out for himself and tryst nooone. Manipulating Katerina life from the start to protect her from his past. Katerina was never protected by her family as her father never thought highly of her and thought she was worthless.

Katerina now finds her self in Cain’s web which she is unable to escape and falls in love with this troubled man. Definitely check your triggers as this Is dark and many tiggers. But well written and has your attention from page one. Love this book and cannot wait to see what happens in the next books.

[Cherie Turney · Rating 5 out of 5]

‼️ ARC REVIEW ‼️
WOW! This book was a nail bitter!
Fair warning this IS DARK, it’s a Stockholm Syndrome book, it’s not cutesy. You’ve been warned!
I was hooked from word go! I’m a dark romance girlie and my god! This is right up there with Rina Kent for me! The story flowed exceptionally well! The characters had growth! It wasn’t your typical HEA but it was a perfect HEA for our characters!
Those last two chapters though! Holy god damn! I was going to riot because I was thinking that was how it ended, THANKFULLY there was a proper ending!
Amazing book!

[Kayleigh Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
CAIN by glyka
Stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Chilli 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

Thank got to Glyka for allowing to read and review this!
WOW!!! What a book. This captivated me from the very first chapter. Cain is a mortally
Black MMC who I need in my life. He’s obsessive, murderous and so delicious! The way each trigger warnings is portrayed is so good. Each interaction between Cain and Kateřina is stunning. Kateřina is everything a girl wants to be. Yes, she has Stockholm syndrome but come on, what girl wouldn’t get that with him! You do not expect the plot to be so good especially with how good the spice is. It makes it even better than me and Cain share a birthday😇 he’s definitely a male Scorpio. He’s unhinged and pshyco and she’s obsessed and In love. He will do anything to protect her and she a brat.

MAKE SURE TO CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS

Favourite quotes -

“For those who wanted freedom but found a home in the cage, love in the thorns, and sanity in the madness”

“Have I become paranoid? Perhaps. Obsessed? Undeniably. Do I care? Not at all”

“He chuckles lowly, revealing his gorgeous smile, but still doesn’t look at me. “Monsters don’t save princesses. They keep them for themselves.”

[Marcella Loza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all! The darkness, the obsession, every messed up thing Cain did to make Katerina his was also somehow romantic in some ways. I’ve never read a story where I was torn like the way Katerina was. The way he protected her, tried to keep her from harm was what made their love so toxic yet so right. If you love a dark romance it doesn’t get much darker than this. This is up there with HD Carlton type darkness. I’m obsessed… no pun intended 😉❤️ I knew I’d love it once I got the trope list!

[Courtney Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ monsters don’t save princesses. They keep them for themselves “

I couldn’t put this down ! It dragged me in right from page one , you feel for each character as you learn more and more about them . They had chemistry right off the top, but it wasn’t rushed or forced. It was perfect .

The only thing I wish we got was more of Adam and Judas ! I adored them . Katerina annoyed me at first, just complaining about different things , but I started to really like her for her strength . She’s a bada$$ girl !

I totally recommend this book !

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had me in a chokehold, the drama, the tension, the PLOT, the spice, the raw emotion. Everything about this was amazing. Is it dark? Yes, absolutely. Do the MMC’s still somehow hold onto a tiny bit of humanity? Also yes. Honestly amazing, can’t wait to read more 🖤

[Sapphira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cain
Author: Glyka
ARC Review: 5 ⭐
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️.75

Tropes:
🖤 Dark Romance
🔒 Stockholm Syndrome
👁️ Stalker Romance
🌹 Beauty & the Beast Retelling
⚠️ Dub/Con
🌹 Rose Play
🐺 Primal Play
💸 Billionaire Romance
😈 Morally Pitch-Black MMC
💍 Happily Ever After

-----

Review:
First of all, I want to thank the author for giving me the chance to read this ARC because holy hell, what exactly were you smoking while writing CAIN? I was obsessed, ruined, and absolutely hooked from the very first chapter.

Cain is a gripping, sinister, beautifully written dark romance, a Stockholm syndrome–infused Beauty and the Beast retelling that drags you straight into its madness and refuses to let you go.

What begins with an innocent glimpse of a woman walking through the streets of Prague becomes a consuming, bone-deep, maddening obsession that intensifies with every passing moment.

Cain Manson is a man built of contradictions – elegance, brutality, genius, and evil woven into one terrifyingly magnetic force. One moment he’s crafting music like a fallen angel, the next he’s plotting death with creativity that would make the devil sit down and take notes.

The minute he sees Katerina Ruzickova, he knows. He wants her, claims her, owns her in ways words can barely capture.

Katerina flees Czechia for Los Angeles hoping for freedom from her emotionally abusive, traditional parents who spent years trying to fold her into a mold she never fit. She’s exhausted, resentful, seeking peace and instead she runs straight into the arms of a devil disguised as a man.

Cain makes sure Katerina never escapes, and she, fierce even in her fear, fights back until she slowly, horrifyingly realizes that maybe this dark creature is exactly what her fractured soul has been craving all along.

The author weaves a haunting, intoxicating tale while peeling back the layers of these two damaged souls. The chemistry is feral with tension so addictive you can't get enough. The unravelling of their psyches is just beautiful in the most fucked-up way imaginable.

There’s no traditional character development rather, a slow unveiling of their trauma. And damn, it hurts. It makes you understand why Cain is so monstrously broken and why Katerina’s fragility feels razor-sharp. I wanted to bubble-wrap these two disasters despite how violent and morally fucked-up their world is 🫂💔

⚠️ Before diving in, please check the trigger warnings: parental abuse, violence against children, kidnapping, stalking, and parental loss. This book is unapologetically dark.

If you want a haunting, obsessive, beautifully fucked-up beast-and-beauty retelling, get this book!!!

[Ana D · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: Cain

[I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author. This review reflects my honest and unbiased opinions.]

[Content Warning: This story explores sensitive subjects such as violence, abuse and other complex themes. If these topics are triggering or uncomfortable for you, please take care of yourself and skip this one if needed.]

THE WHAT: When Kateřina left Czechia for the United States, she thought she was escaping her family and chasing her dream of becoming a model. However, her arrival was no coincidence, rather, it had been meticulously planned by Cain, a man consumed by obsession.

THE VIBE: Morally grey MMC, kidnapping, forced proximity, dual POVs, murder, torture, dark romance, rose kink, Stockholm Syndrome.

THE HOW: This novel provides a dual point of view from both the FMC’s and MMC’s perspectives. The author immerses the reader in the characters thoughts, fears, and traumatic flashbacks.

THE HIT: There were moments in this book that left me truly stunned. Tackling complex themes is never easy, but Glyka handled them masterfully. I especially loved the rose kink woven throughout the plot, connecting the characters in a unique way. The character development was well-paced making every interaction feel meaningful and authentic.

THE MISS: I don’t necessary believe that there was a true miss in this book. However, if I had to nitpick, it would be that Cain’s abilities were a bit unrealistic - one man versus several trained killers.

THE REC: Cain is one of my highly recommended books for 2025. I absolutely loved the characters, storyline and the psychological component woven throughout. I would highly recommend this to other readers that enjoy a dark romance.

THE OVERALL: I truly enjoyed this book and the complexities of the characters, plot and themes. My final rating is:

4.5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Spice Rating: 3
🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Kinjal Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lethal and Emotional

This book devoured me before I even realized what was happening. Glyka took the classic morally-black MMC blueprint and said, “Let’s make him even darker.” And she did. Cain is obsession in human for, lethal, calculated, emotionally feral, but the second Katerina enters his orbit, that obsession sharpens into something terrifying and addictive. He’s the kind of man you should run from, yet somehow you end up leaning closer.

Katerina, on the other hand, is the perfect balance of soft and strong. She flees a life where she was overlooked, dismissed, and controlled, only to chase her dream in America… where freedom comes with a shadow. Cain’s shadow. Every time she saw him in the background , watching, waiting, I felt it. That tightening in the chest, that “something is about to happen” energy Glyka writes so damn well.

And when it finally happens? When he steps out of the dark and takes her?
Yeah…

Their dynamic is twisted in the way only Stockholm syndrome romances can be. You’re screaming “girl, run,” while your heart is whispering “but look at the way he protects her.” It’s toxic, magnetic, intimate, violent, and yet somehow full of emotion that feels painfully real. Cain isn’t just possessive, he’s wounded, starved for connection, and so sure Katerina is the only good thing he can ever touch. And she can’t help being pulled into the fire with him.

The plot? layered. Revenge, trauma, obsession, fate. it all ties together in a way that feels seamless. The tension is constant, the reveals hit hard, and the spice? Dark. Intense. Unhinged. Exactly what this story needed.

Glyka’s writing is cinematic — every scene plays out like a movie and there wasn’t a single moment where I wasn’t fully immersed. No loose threads, no flat moments, no filler. Just darkness, desire, and two broken souls colliding.

[Vellichor Tales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cain
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
( It is my personal opinion you can choose to ignore but read it yourself to judge)

First, I wasn't angry, I was furious, like how he just captivated her out of nowhere and the whole scene and yeah of course how can I forget the blo0dy scene, literally, I was feeling a little sad for her, if I was her I would just pack the bags and run, who cares what will happen.
And I bet you will do the same when you see this man strolling around covered in bl0od, carrying a head in a plastic bag, as if he’s just popped to Tesco for milk?
I was offended on behalf of my sanity.

But let's skip that since it is about stockholm syndrome and that's what Glyka said.
No wonder that Cain is so brutal, though I like it, but it explains it.

Then, it made me laugh, which is concerning, honestly.
There’s something wrong with me or something very wrong with the books I'm reading recently, and I’m leaning towards both.

The blo0dy knife scene ahhhhh!! And 🌹 scene— although I'm feeling a weird for the 🌹. Now I know why it is called 🌹 play 😅.

And then…
It had the audacity to make me emotional.
Real feelings. No book ever made me.
Completely unnecessary behaviour from a book that started off like a crime scene.

I hate to admit this, but I love this book.

The author didn't craft a story, she just crafted psychological warfare dressed as dark romance, sprinkled with obsession, delusion, and the kind of devotion that should probably come with a warning label.

Cain isn’t morally grey.
He’s morally… blackout.
A walking red flag with menace in his eyes and poetry in his threats.

And yet here I am, giving it 5 stars like an enabler.

Well done, Glyka.
You’ve broken me, and quite annoyingly, I enjoyed it.

If you want an unhinged MMC with a stockholm FMC, go ahead and buy this book.
Trust me it'll definitely questionably satisfy your sanity.

[autimetavivlia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ένα mafia dark romance βιβλίο που θα σε κρατήσει on edge και θα σε αναστατώσει με τον καλύτερο δυνατό τρόπο!

Για να είμαι ειλικρινής στην αρχή του βιβλίου μέχρι και τη μέση του, δεν με είχε κερδίσει ιδιαίτερα, παρόλο που έρεε ωραία και η πλοκή κυλούσε όμορφα και εύκολα. Στη συνέχεια όμως και γύρω στη μέση του βιβλίου αυτό άλλαξε, με την ιστορία να παίρνει μια στροφή στην οποία περιέχεται πολύ περισσότερη δράση και βλέπουμε να εξελίσσεται η πλοκή, οι χαρακτήρες και ό,τι ξέραμε μέχρι εκείνη τη στιγμή.

Οι χαρακτήρες, η χημεία και το growth τους μου άρεσαν ιδιαίτερα, καθώς υπήρξαν τραυματισμένοι ψυχικά και σωματικά και ήταν πονεμένα παιδιά, ενώ από ένα σημείο και μετά τα twist διαδέχονταν το ένα το άλλο αφήνοντας με έκπληκτη και κυριολεκτικά με ανοιχτό το στόμα, μην περιμένοντας τα όσα συνέβαιναν. Φυσικά το smut ήταν φωτιά και όλα τα λεφτά!

Νόμιζα ότι ήξερα ποιο θα είναι το τέλος και το πώς θα καταλήξει το βιβλίο, όμως διαψεύτικα εντελώς με τον καλύτερο δυνατόν τρόπο, κάτι που εκτιμώ ιδιαίτερα στα βιβλία, να μην μπορώ δηλαδή να τα προβλέψω.

Σε πάρα πολλά σημεία το βιβλίο μου θύμισε τις παλιές καλές εποχές του Wattpad και το αναφέρω αυτό όσο πιο θετικά μπορώ, γιατί παρόλο που η ιστορία θύμιζε κάτι τέτοιο, ήταν ιδιαίτερα προχωρημένη και δουλεμένη, παρουσιάζοντας ένα βιβλίο που είχε πάνω από όλα πλοκή, καθώς πολλές φορές σε τέτοιου είδους βιβλία με αρκετό smut πέφτουμε στην παγίδα του να μην υπάρχει πλοκή, κάτι που εδώ δεν συνέβη.

Συνολικά το βιβλίο μου άρεσε πολύ και το συνιστώ οπωσδήποτε αν ψάχνεις κάποιο mafia romance με πολλά dark στοιχεία και σπλατεριά.

Θα ήθελα να ευχαριστήσω τη συγγραφέα Glyka που μου έδωσε την ευκαιρία και εμπιστεύθηκε τη γνώμη μου ώστε να είμαι μια από τους arc readers της!

[Ya Kaday Kamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW 💗

*I am literally in a funeral for saying goodbye to my favourite book of this year, I kept saying mama with a funny tone and holding it so tightly that I won’t let it go in tears*😭✨❤️

This is one of the BEST BOOK EVER and I took my good time to read it since it has been part of my healing process of my stupid trauma😭❤️✨

These characters has brought me alive, I know how it feels like to be broken, we may not experience the same thing but I can brutally relate to it and by seeing them building a puzzle together with hatred, team work until they become lovers at the end❤️‍🩹✨😭

This book deserves a Oscar prize like this masterpiece is the BEST LIKE HUH HUH HUUUUUUH😭😭😭😭❤️

At that point I had never read a man has just been so simple of doing his thing in his own way by becoming a killer machine for a woman he has been looking at for so long and I have never laughed so hard in my life while Katerina in another hand? She has been so strong, fearless and independent with her such a beautiful long hair and blue eyes🥲🌹✨❤️🥰💗🥹🩷🩷

The spice got me hooked and inspired, I was enjoying every single bit, that I couldn’t keep it away from my mind that I had to write a scene that reminds me of it in my own book out of inspirational like I just had to do it and these scenes had me fainted in my mind🫣

I was emotionally attached to this book so easily that I was being so scared, happy, angry, annoyed, laughed and let’s just and let’s just say that my emotions is everywhere and I have always imagined them as the most hottest couple in the world!🌹🫣✨

“The most sexiest Little Rose in the world”

I’ll give this book 70000 stars out of fucking 5🥹✨🩷❤️‍🩹

KEEP WORKING HARD!

[Shyann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cain Glyka
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5


Um excuse me ma’am!! This was so freaking good!! I was sucked in from the start!! This is my first Stockholm syndrome trope and it did not disappoint!! Cain has a way of being the monster but also being such a gentlemen at the same time. He is one of the best morally black mmc’s I’ve read thus far!! Kat is an innocent girl who also let sides of herself show that were fierce, independent, and so incredibly strong! If I were in her situation I’d 100% fall for Cain too😮‍💨
I felt so many emotions reading this book, it was like I could feel everything they felt!! And let me tell you the spicy scenes are HOTTT.
Glyka did such an amazing job writing Cain and Katerina’s story! I cannot wait for what else she has in store for us!! She has definitely become an author I will always read!!🥹🩷

Tropes✨
⛓️‍💥 Age gap
❤️‍🔥 Possessive MMC
⛓️‍💥 Forced proximity
❤️‍🔥 Stockholm Syndrome
⛓️‍💥 Knife play
❤️‍🔥 Touch her & 💀

Thank you so much to Glyka & Everafter PR for letting me arc read this wonderful book!!🩷

[Emme Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, where do I even begin!

First off, I’d like to say thank you to Glyka for giving me this opportunity to arc read Cain. I’m forever thankful!

Secondly, this book was a masterpiece!👏🏼👏🏼 omg Cain and his filthy mouth😮‍💨 unreal. This book really grips you from start to finish!! The spice, the characters, the plot!! All of it combined really was a masterpiece! I’d volunteer with my arms in-front of me for Cain to kidnap and lock me away any day… because sanity? Don’t know what that is🤭

Loved every character in this book. Can we all just take a minute for Grayson.. oh how sweet is he! The love and admiration he has for Cain is so beautiful written. In my head I’m pretending he really is cains dad because Cain deserves Grayson and Grayson deserves to have Cain as his son🥹
And Adam!!😍 oh I just know he is a hotty. I need more of Adam and his background and his life story! When he was introduced into the book I was kicking my feet knowing the plot was getting juicy!!

An absolute 5 star read from me!❤️

[Alma Castro · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Cain✨

Quote: “But every time I look at her innocent face, a holy silence covers the madness in me, and I feel the same feelings all over again. Peace. Serenity. A pause in the chaos.”
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Forced Proximity , Rose K!nk , Morally Gray MMC , Dual POV, Touch Her & 💀 , Possessive & Obsessive MMC, K!dnapping, Kn!fe Play, Age Gap.

I was in for a surprise when i started this book .Lately i had been in a fluffy romance reading journey and this book did a whole 360 on me😂! I absolutely enjoyed this book! it takes me back to when I first started reading dark romance. Cain and Kat are both have emotional trauma and i feel like even though the way way they found each other isn’t ideal , the love that came to be is what keeps them strong. The entire time i was on the edge of my seat thinking that i hope this book is a HEA 🫣! Is it a HEA ? I guess you will need to read it to find out👀… Overall I enjoyed this book and the spice 🤭 oohhh lord 🥵.

[mells · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, thank you, Glyka, for giving me the opportunity to be an arc reader for this masterpiece!
<3

I was hooked on the story of Cain and Kateřina from the very beginning. The way he flirts, how he charms not only his little rose 🥀 but also the readers, while at the same time being who he is, is impressive. Because Cain is definitely not a sunny boy with an overflowing heart and confetti cannons. I thoroughly enjoyed the development of the story & characters and always wondered how it would continue, but most importantly: I did not see the ending coming. Absolutely not.

And let me tell you: Harley Quinn and the Joker. That's all I'm saying. The ending was fantastic. Just when I thought it was over, a happy ending, something new happened and I sat there with my mouth open, having to realize what was going on. That's why this book definitely gets five stars and a big recommendation from me!

{big big love for the manson boys! and grayson 👀🥹}

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy. Deranged. Psychotic. Obssessed beyond logic. All words I'd use to describe Cain. He was a damaged man who incinerated anyone who stood in his way, with only a soft spot for her. Kateřina, on the other hand, a damaged woman in her own right who was hurt so badly by the people who were supposed to love her unconditionally. Once Kateřina became Cain's obsession, her fate was sealed. It was crazy to see how she wanted away from him but eventually broke down her walls and seen how similar they were! Yes it gave stockholm at its very essence, but it also made me wonder; if Cain had never kidnapped Kateřina, would they have found their way to each other anyway? I think they might have, seeing as their more similar than the surface shows. Thank you @author.glyka and @everafter.pr for the privilage to be part of your ARC team!

[Michelle Shamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cain was an absolute amazingly dark read. I loved how dark, brewing, and possessive Cain was. His terrible past slapped him into who he was. And Katarina, just trying to get away from a family that didn’t care about her. To pursue modeling in America. And Cain sees her and wants her. So of course he does exactly that. He holds her captive. But Katarina sees that there’s more to Cain. And she suddenly finds that she feels like she has more freedom in his captivity than she ever had in life before. She’s falling for her captive.
This book was dark and twisted. The plot was amazing. The characters were so perfectly written. The way they came together, their passion and want. This was spicy. It was delicious. And I loved everything about it.
Thank you for allowing me to arc read this book. It was one heck of a great story.

[Rebecca Stokes · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were elements of this book that I loved and some that didn’t land as well for me.

The story itself is gripping. Cain is a darkly compelling captor and I loved that his backstory was drip-fed, keeping me intrigued and invested.

Kateřina was likeable and showed real strength—a heroine to root for. The dub-con scenes were really well done, burning with tension.

I did, however, struggle a little with the prose. At times it felt stilted or overly formal, which occasionally pulled me from the story. The pacing also felt a little rushed for my personal preference, but not so much that it would stop me recommending the book.

It’s a very dark romance, so be sure to check the trigger warnings before going in. Your mental health matters 🖤

Some of my favourite quotes were:

“You’ll bloom , little rose, but only in my hands. No one else will ever touch you. Not while I’m here…and not after.”

“I’ll take you apart, piece by piece, until you’ve forgotten the world outside of me.”

“Obedience suits you.”

“Monsters don’t save princesses. They keep them for themselves.”

[Melissa Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. This is a morally black story!! He is very obsessive dangerous and very protective you have to love him!! Really loved this book and I need more!!

CAIN

“They say obsession is a sin.
But when you’ve been hollowed by torment and shaped by vengeance, with no light or mercy left inside, obsession is the only thing that feels real.
I never asked for redemption, and I never believed in salvation”

KATEŘINA

“He was the man who stepped out of a fairytale, wrapped in charm and danger.
But fairytales lie, and I learned the truth too late.
He wasn’t the hero of my story. He was the villain in disguise.”

[Chanel Barnard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely check your trigger warnings for this one!
Okayyyy, so Cain absolutely grabbed me by the throat in the first chapter and did. not. let. go. This man? Red flag. Walking hazard. Terrible decisions wrapped in a gorgeous package… and yet here I am, fully obsessed.

The energy is dark, messy, addictive — like “I know this is toxic but I’m not putting it down” levels. And the tension?? The feral vibes?? I was kicking my feet, then questioning my morals, then flipping pages like my life depended on it.

If you like morally questionable men, deliciously chaotic plots, and that specific brand of unhinged romance that we love to eat up… yeah, you need this one.

10/10 will be thinking about Cain at 2am.

Thank you to the author/publisher for giving me the chance to review this.

[Kimberley_Reads_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from page one. This is so, so dark.
Our FMC: Kateřina moves away from everything she knows to start a new in the US. Everything is going as well as could be for her. Until him.
Our MMC: Cain. There is nothing good about him, he possesses, he claims, he takes.
I am OBSESSED with Cain and this whole story! In real life, he’d be locked up for a very long time, in the book world he is a walking, talking green flag and I love everything about him, Kateřina and this whole story!

[Daisy Magnolia · Rating 5 out of 5]

You ever read a book so morally questionable you start worrying about your own taste? 🤣 Yeah... that's me, your girl with this one. Why am I falling for a man who would absolutely do the most unhinged things in the name of love? Let's just say his 'love language' is a little too… permanent. It's so wrong. WRONG. And yet here I am, still swooning like a fool 😅🖤

A 6☆ read. Some people fall in love. These two fall into each other's damage 💔🥀

[Books With Demi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. The atmosphere is dark and addictive, and the connection between the characters kept me fully hooked. Cain’s intensity, the danger circling them and the softer moments woven through the story made it hard to put down. It’s the kind of dark romance that keeps you turning pages without even noticing the time. A gripping and emotional read that stayed with me after I finished.

[Gina Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cain has no business being this chaotic or attractive but he's top tier and Kateřina is a beautiful representation of the soft and delicate nature of a rose with thorns that prick when you're not paying attention.

Cain is the kind of book that sneaks up on you, steals your emotional stability, and then acts offended when you call it out. Cain himself is… well, imagine a man who is 70% charm, 20% trauma, and 10% “this is a terrible idea but I’m doing it anyway.” Glyka somehow makes him both a red flag and the only man I’d trust to hold my drink while I make more red-flag decisions. Talent! And I just want to be Kateřina!!

The banter is sharp, the pacing is addictive, the world is gritty! Just the way we like it. This book gave me everything: drama, tension, questionable coping skills, and a reminder that I apparently love fictional men who’d be a walking HR violation in real life.

If you enjoy:

• morally messy characters,
• tension you can slice with a butter knife,
• humor that hits at the worst possible moments,
• and plots that make you say “wow, that was unhinged but I love it,”

then Cain is absolutely your next read.

[Nolia Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cain is the kind of dark romance that grabs you immediately and refuses to let go. I went through every possible emotion with this book. I liked the MMC… then I didn’t… then I liked him again… and by the end, I fully understood why readers become obsessed with him. He is unhinged, possessive, morally black, and absolutely terrifying at times… but somehow still manages to feel human in the quiet moments.

Katerina was a character I connected with quickly. She’s soft in the beginning, but there’s a resilience underneath that becomes more visible the deeper you get into the story. Her journey from escaping her old life in Czechia to finding herself caught in Cain’s world felt emotional, unsettling, and strangely compelling. Their relationship is twisted, messy, unhealthy, and yet written in a way that makes you understand why these two are drawn to each other.

The book leans fully into dark romance: kidnapping, obsession, forced proximity, Stockholm syndrome, and a morally black hero who crosses lines without hesitation. But beneath the darkness, there’s real emotional depth. As more of Cain’s past is revealed, the man behind the violence becomes clearer, and it’s easier to understand why the author chose to write him this way.

The pacing is addictive, the tension is sharp, and the psychological push-and-pull between Cain and Katerina is the strongest part of the story. There were moments that made me uncomfortable, moments that had me questioning everything, and moments where I found myself unexpectedly soft toward him. The emotional whiplash is intentional, and it works.

This is not a romance for everyone — it’s genuinely dark, twisted, and morally challenging but if you enjoy obsessive MMCs, villain-coded love interests, and stories that explore the shadows of devotion, this one will stay with you.

Thank you to @everafter.pr and the author for the eARC.
Cain is available now on Kindle Unlimited and Amazon.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5🌟
5🌶
⚠️Check your triggers⚠️

Thank you to Glyka and Everafter PR for the opportunity to read this intriguing story.

Kateřina came to America to chase her modeling career and escape her neglectful parents. Little did she know she had caught the eye of a man who made her his obsession. Once Cain has her, can he keep her safe from the dark secrets of his world?

I truly enjoyed this modern Mafia take on Beauty and the Beast. It sure isn't the Disney version. I was hooked on the mystery, and I loved how the mystery of Cain's past developed and was revealed. It was fun seeing the unique personalities and presentation of the side characters and staff (Mrs. Potts anyone?). I enjoyed the relationship between the two MCs. My only complaint is that I wish I could have gotten a deeper look into their character development. But overall I would certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a dark or mafia-esque romance.

Tropes:
🥀Dark Romance
🔪Age gap
🥀Forced proximity
🔪Kidnapping
🥀Beauty and the Beast vibes
🔪Morally Grey Hero
🥀Touch her and☠️
🔪Knife play

Favorite Quotes:
"He’s not trying to fix me. He sees the cracks and calls them beautiful because he carries his own.”

“he’s etched into my skin like a scar I never want to heal.”

“Love dies. Obsession survives. That’s my gift to you. With me, you will never be alone or unwanted.”

“But I’ve seen what happens to things left in the dark too long.” His fingers tap against the counter. “They forget how to reach for the light.”

I received an advanced copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The above opinions are my own.

[Ashleexcellent · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I want to say that I owe the author a massive thank you for an ARC copy of this book!

2.5 Stars Rounded to 3 Stars

I really wanted to like this book, but it just wasn’t the right fit for me. I just really didn’t vibe with the characters, I think because their interactions and descriptions are hard to buy at times… The FMC and MMC are toxic to a Joker/Harley Quinn level (and not in the cute couples-costume for Halloween way, in the absolute bat sh*t crazy way).

There is a phrasing pattern that repeats often of either three similar sentence structures back to back (ex: She thinks she can escape from me. From my obsession. From my madness.), OR three similar descriptor words back to back (ex: I’m helpless. Desperate. Frustrated.) that impacted the tone/readability of the piece overall.

I definitely had emotional whiplash — we go from 0 to 60 pretty quickly and often in this book. And sometimes things weren’t always explained clearly enough (ex: Cain enters the bathroom and then is suddenly in the shower, but it wasn’t explained that he was entering the shower) and sometimes things were a bit out of order (Cain proclaiming his love and then in the next chapter wondering if it was possible from him to feel love) or repetitive (I was a little over Katerina’s ruminating about her parents by the end of the book).

I think there were some really compelling components here that I wish we had learned more about (the jail break, for example). I think the characterization of Cain was rich and multifaceted, and I enjoyed seeing his rag-tag family come together to fight for good versus evil! Even though this wasn’t the fit for me, I see a lot of potential!!