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DEMONS
Detained under the Mental Health Act.
Drugged, violated, betrayed.
Madness isn't something you escape, its something you survive.
They said I was unstable.
They said it was for my own good.
They lied to me.
I had everything, wealth, security, and love.
But my charming husband had me detained under the Mental Health Act by stealth.
My world became a waking nightmare of sedation, torture, and betrayal.
They took my freedom.
They took my fortune.
They took my voice.
But they made one fatal mistake.
They didn’t finish the job.
Will I claw my way out of the system meant to erase me?
Or will the madness they forced on me, become my power?
Drugged, violated, betrayed.
Madness isn't something you escape, its something you survive.
They said I was unstable.
They said it was for my own good.
They lied to me.
I had everything, wealth, security, and love.
But my charming husband had me detained under the Mental Health Act by stealth.
My world became a waking nightmare of sedation, torture, and betrayal.
They took my freedom.
They took my fortune.
They took my voice.
But they made one fatal mistake.
They didn’t finish the job.
Will I claw my way out of the system meant to erase me?
Or will the madness they forced on me, become my power?
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2025
About the author
Roxy Rich
24 books28 followersAuthor Bio Roxy Rich
Roxy Rich writes psychological thrillers that will mess with your head, in the best possible way. Loosely based on true events (because real life is often more twisted than fiction), her stories take a deep dive into social injustices, especially those faced by women. Expect grit, heart, and the kind of realism that makes you wonder just how close to the truth she’s really getting.
While most of her work explores the raw and often brutal realities of human behaviour, Roxy occasionally veers off into darkly sarcastic tales about serial killers. You know, for balance.
She lives in the wilds of Somerset where she home educates her kids, writes brutally honest fiction, and dreams of salt water and gills, because she’s pretty sure she was a mermaid in a past life. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her swimming, chasing sea breezes, or side-eyeing society's hypocrisy like it just spilled red wine on her white carpet.
If you like your thrillers bold, smart, and laced with a wicked edge of truth, Roxy Rich is your next favourite author.
Dive in, just don’t expect to come up for air anytime soon.
Roxy Rich writes psychological thrillers that will mess with your head, in the best possible way. Loosely based on true events (because real life is often more twisted than fiction), her stories take a deep dive into social injustices, especially those faced by women. Expect grit, heart, and the kind of realism that makes you wonder just how close to the truth she’s really getting.
While most of her work explores the raw and often brutal realities of human behaviour, Roxy occasionally veers off into darkly sarcastic tales about serial killers. You know, for balance.
She lives in the wilds of Somerset where she home educates her kids, writes brutally honest fiction, and dreams of salt water and gills, because she’s pretty sure she was a mermaid in a past life. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her swimming, chasing sea breezes, or side-eyeing society's hypocrisy like it just spilled red wine on her white carpet.
If you like your thrillers bold, smart, and laced with a wicked edge of truth, Roxy Rich is your next favourite author.
Dive in, just don’t expect to come up for air anytime soon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 26, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
New fear unlocked… 😨 Being locked away, labelled mentally unstable, and knowing that NO ONE believes you!
Demons by Roxy Rich is a seriously shocking and unsettling read, and there were moments where I was genuinely gobsmacked. I was completely rooting for Phillipa throughout and desperately needed to know how her story was going to unfold.
For me, this was a slow burn to begin with, which is why I landed on 3.5 stars. But around the halfway mark, the pace really picked up and I found myself completely hooked. From there, I couldn’t stop reading because I needed to know how it would all end!
Unsettling, disturbing and definitely one that will have you questioning what you think you know… 👀
New fear unlocked… 😨 Being locked away, labelled mentally unstable, and knowing that NO ONE believes you!
Demons by Roxy Rich is a seriously shocking and unsettling read, and there were moments where I was genuinely gobsmacked. I was completely rooting for Phillipa throughout and desperately needed to know how her story was going to unfold.
For me, this was a slow burn to begin with, which is why I landed on 3.5 stars. But around the halfway mark, the pace really picked up and I found myself completely hooked. From there, I couldn’t stop reading because I needed to know how it would all end!
Unsettling, disturbing and definitely one that will have you questioning what you think you know… 👀
October 13, 2026
Please read the triggers on this one & protect yourself.
Roxy Rich tackles important and scary topics that face women.
This book follows Phillipa (Pippa) who appears to have everything. Money, power, popularity. She meets James at an event and they are soon married.
The warning signs are slowly creeping in but she questions herself. This can't be happening.
Soon she is institutionalised, drugged and scared. The manipulation and gaslighting holding her down.
The fight to regain her control and fight the institutional abuse.
This is a difficult but important story told in a very respectful way.
Please check your tiggers.
Roxy Rich tackles important and scary topics that face women.
This book follows Phillipa (Pippa) who appears to have everything. Money, power, popularity. She meets James at an event and they are soon married.
The warning signs are slowly creeping in but she questions herself. This can't be happening.
Soon she is institutionalised, drugged and scared. The manipulation and gaslighting holding her down.
The fight to regain her control and fight the institutional abuse.
This is a difficult but important story told in a very respectful way.
Please check your tiggers.
November 2, 2025
Phillips meets James at a charity dinner and they soon become a couple, but something isn’t right as he slowly erodes her sanity and she soon ends up a mental institution and the start of her fight against the system and the man who is supposed to love her.
A powerful and very emotional read, highly recommended.
A powerful and very emotional read, highly recommended.
October 9, 2026
Demons frightened me because far too much of it feels believable.
Roxy Rich opens this like the beginning of a love story. Pippa meets James and immediately feels seen in a way she isn’t used to. The chemistry lands quickly, but it doesn’t feel rushed; Rich uses selective detail and intimate dialogue to make the rest of the room practically disappear around them.
What impressed me most was the way the red flags develop. Rich makes the reader experience them almost the same way Pippa does: not as one enormous warning, but as small, easily rationalised moments that gradually form a much more disturbing picture.
Pippa’s internal monologue is one of the strongest parts of the book. She is guarded, desperate to be genuinely loved, and constantly caught between trusting her instincts and questioning whether her own trust issues are making her suspicious. Because we remain so closely tied to her perspective, that uncertainty becomes incredibly uncomfortable to sit inside.
The documentary-style interludes also work really well, gradually adding context and increasing the sense that something is deeply wrong.
Content warning: repeated sexual assault, drugging/sedation, coercive control, gaslighting, physical abuse, institutional abuse, loss of bodily autonomy and psychiatric/medical manipulation.
This is a difficult read. Your mental health matters more than finishing any book, so please be honest with yourself about your triggers before going in.
There is deliberately no spice rating from me for this one. The sexual content is sexual violence, not spice, and treating it as such wouldn’t feel appropriate.
My main criticism is the repetition. Some of it makes sense within Pippa’s confusion and circumstances, but there were points where the same emotional beats and cycles of hope being immediately shut down became predictable rather than increasingly tense.
I also found the final act much faster than the slow, detailed build that came before it. The closing image itself is powerful and clean, but for me the narrative resolution doesn’t fully land. Several later threads feel as though they should carry more weight, and I wanted just a little more space for the aftermath.
Still, there is a lot here that works incredibly well: the atmosphere, Pippa’s interiority, the gradual reframing of care into control, and the way Rich makes you understand Pippa’s choices even while desperately wanting to reach through the pages and pull her away.
A genuinely unsettling psychological read.
3.5★
ARC provided via Wings & Words. All opinions are my own.
Roxy Rich opens this like the beginning of a love story. Pippa meets James and immediately feels seen in a way she isn’t used to. The chemistry lands quickly, but it doesn’t feel rushed; Rich uses selective detail and intimate dialogue to make the rest of the room practically disappear around them.
What impressed me most was the way the red flags develop. Rich makes the reader experience them almost the same way Pippa does: not as one enormous warning, but as small, easily rationalised moments that gradually form a much more disturbing picture.
Pippa’s internal monologue is one of the strongest parts of the book. She is guarded, desperate to be genuinely loved, and constantly caught between trusting her instincts and questioning whether her own trust issues are making her suspicious. Because we remain so closely tied to her perspective, that uncertainty becomes incredibly uncomfortable to sit inside.
The documentary-style interludes also work really well, gradually adding context and increasing the sense that something is deeply wrong.
Content warning: repeated sexual assault, drugging/sedation, coercive control, gaslighting, physical abuse, institutional abuse, loss of bodily autonomy and psychiatric/medical manipulation.
This is a difficult read. Your mental health matters more than finishing any book, so please be honest with yourself about your triggers before going in.
There is deliberately no spice rating from me for this one. The sexual content is sexual violence, not spice, and treating it as such wouldn’t feel appropriate.
My main criticism is the repetition. Some of it makes sense within Pippa’s confusion and circumstances, but there were points where the same emotional beats and cycles of hope being immediately shut down became predictable rather than increasingly tense.
I also found the final act much faster than the slow, detailed build that came before it. The closing image itself is powerful and clean, but for me the narrative resolution doesn’t fully land. Several later threads feel as though they should carry more weight, and I wanted just a little more space for the aftermath.
Still, there is a lot here that works incredibly well: the atmosphere, Pippa’s interiority, the gradual reframing of care into control, and the way Rich makes you understand Pippa’s choices even while desperately wanting to reach through the pages and pull her away.
A genuinely unsettling psychological read.
3.5★
ARC provided via Wings & Words. All opinions are my own.
October 13, 2026
This was a dark, disturbing read. A terrifying warning for what happens when you marry the wrong man. Check your triggers to stay safe before reading this as it’s not an easy read.
I enjoyed how it starts off as the perfect romance but there’s that niggling feeling that something isn’t quite right and then it all goes down hill so quickly.
It’s really clever how it’s done and definitely terrifying. The author always chooses topics that are a real issue in society and then adds her twist to them, which just makes them all the more harrowing that this could happen to you.
I really liked the interludes with important information about things like spousal abuse of power, gaslighting etc and transcripts from Phillips’s medical records too. I like how they added to the story to and gave us more information.
I really enjoyed the concept of this story. However, the writing style wasn’t my favourite as it was slightly choppy at times and does that popular thing at the minute where it uses 3 words to describe things in one sentence. That’s just my personal preference though and I encourage you to give it a read.
Overall, I rate it 3.75⭐️
I enjoyed how it starts off as the perfect romance but there’s that niggling feeling that something isn’t quite right and then it all goes down hill so quickly.
It’s really clever how it’s done and definitely terrifying. The author always chooses topics that are a real issue in society and then adds her twist to them, which just makes them all the more harrowing that this could happen to you.
I really liked the interludes with important information about things like spousal abuse of power, gaslighting etc and transcripts from Phillips’s medical records too. I like how they added to the story to and gave us more information.
I really enjoyed the concept of this story. However, the writing style wasn’t my favourite as it was slightly choppy at times and does that popular thing at the minute where it uses 3 words to describe things in one sentence. That’s just my personal preference though and I encourage you to give it a read.
Overall, I rate it 3.75⭐️
October 20, 2026
This took ages to read. It was very slow paced and quite repetitive at points. Then the end was an escape and murder!? Thought it would’ve delved more into what happened once she’d escaped and found the people helping her and to try uncover what James had been doing
February 16, 2026
Reviewed by Dee on behalf of the Plot Thickens Book Club.
Title: Demons
Author: Roxy Rich
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to say for starters before I get into the review, please read the trigger warnings and the blurb of this book before you get started. I say that because your mental health matters this is a very hard book to read, and it's a book that will leave you constantly thinking about it long after you've read it. This book for me was a psychological throat punch and I mean that with everything in me. If I have ever read a book with feminist rage that makes you want to burn things down that's this book. Phillipa story is absolutely heart-wrenching granted this is fiction but everything that happens happens so many times in the mental health world. The way she was abused tormented and put through so much was awful. The system let her down so bad, but not only them the person that was supposed to love her the most did as well. Roxy Rich an author that writes a lot of real stuff the stories may be fiction but the stuff that happens to the characters is very much real. The author said it best in the note from the author in the beginning of this book. " I don't write to comfort. I don't write to sugarcoat. I write to tell the truth as I know it, sharp edges and all. My stories are realistic as I can make them, because they're not spun from imagination alone. I have lived through the shadows. I have listened to the silence people don't speak of. I have seen and heard things that remind me every single day that the world is not as safe as we like to pretend." That right there exactly tells you exactly how the story of this woman is. Overall, this book hit hard the psychological aspect hit harder, the things Phillipa had to endure were awful. I won't forget this book for a long time.
Title: Demons
Author: Roxy Rich
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to say for starters before I get into the review, please read the trigger warnings and the blurb of this book before you get started. I say that because your mental health matters this is a very hard book to read, and it's a book that will leave you constantly thinking about it long after you've read it. This book for me was a psychological throat punch and I mean that with everything in me. If I have ever read a book with feminist rage that makes you want to burn things down that's this book. Phillipa story is absolutely heart-wrenching granted this is fiction but everything that happens happens so many times in the mental health world. The way she was abused tormented and put through so much was awful. The system let her down so bad, but not only them the person that was supposed to love her the most did as well. Roxy Rich an author that writes a lot of real stuff the stories may be fiction but the stuff that happens to the characters is very much real. The author said it best in the note from the author in the beginning of this book. " I don't write to comfort. I don't write to sugarcoat. I write to tell the truth as I know it, sharp edges and all. My stories are realistic as I can make them, because they're not spun from imagination alone. I have lived through the shadows. I have listened to the silence people don't speak of. I have seen and heard things that remind me every single day that the world is not as safe as we like to pretend." That right there exactly tells you exactly how the story of this woman is. Overall, this book hit hard the psychological aspect hit harder, the things Phillipa had to endure were awful. I won't forget this book for a long time.
October 27, 2025
DEMONS
By: Roxy Rich
Publisher: Independently Published
Published Date: October 28, 2025
ASIN: B0FWBV1Q83
Page Count: 393
Triggers: Gaslighting, institutional abuse, medical trauma, sexual assault, psychological manipulation
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀💀💀💀 (it’s not horror, but your soul might need a support group afterward)
What Did I Just Walk Into?
A psychological gut-punch disguised as fiction. Demons isn’t about monsters under the bed; it’s about the ones wearing lab coats and wedding rings. Ms. Roxy Rich drags you into a padded cell of patriarchy and control, where “for your own good” becomes the scariest phrase in the English language.
Here’s What Slapped:
The writing is raw and unflinching, like someone tore open the diary of a woman wronged and said, “Here, bleed on the page.” The way Ms. Rich captures gaslighting and institutional abuse feels too real because it probably is. The protagonist’s voice is fire and fury, a descent into madness that turns into survival. Every page screams, “You underestimated the wrong woman.”
What Could’ve Been Better:
Nothing major, unless you count needing a trauma blanket and ten business days to emotionally recover. A few pacing dips in the middle, but they almost mirror the fog of sedation she’s trapped in, so honestly, maybe that’s the point.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
• Psychological thrillers that hit like a sledgehammer
• Girl, Interrupted with more teeth
• Feminist revenge arcs that make you want to burn the
system down
• Stories where survival is the ultimate rebellion
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
PS: This one lingers. You’ll close the book, stare at the wall, and question every “for your own good” you’ve ever heard.
By: Roxy Rich
Publisher: Independently Published
Published Date: October 28, 2025
ASIN: B0FWBV1Q83
Page Count: 393
Triggers: Gaslighting, institutional abuse, medical trauma, sexual assault, psychological manipulation
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀💀💀💀 (it’s not horror, but your soul might need a support group afterward)
What Did I Just Walk Into?
A psychological gut-punch disguised as fiction. Demons isn’t about monsters under the bed; it’s about the ones wearing lab coats and wedding rings. Ms. Roxy Rich drags you into a padded cell of patriarchy and control, where “for your own good” becomes the scariest phrase in the English language.
Here’s What Slapped:
The writing is raw and unflinching, like someone tore open the diary of a woman wronged and said, “Here, bleed on the page.” The way Ms. Rich captures gaslighting and institutional abuse feels too real because it probably is. The protagonist’s voice is fire and fury, a descent into madness that turns into survival. Every page screams, “You underestimated the wrong woman.”
What Could’ve Been Better:
Nothing major, unless you count needing a trauma blanket and ten business days to emotionally recover. A few pacing dips in the middle, but they almost mirror the fog of sedation she’s trapped in, so honestly, maybe that’s the point.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
• Psychological thrillers that hit like a sledgehammer
• Girl, Interrupted with more teeth
• Feminist revenge arcs that make you want to burn the
system down
• Stories where survival is the ultimate rebellion
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
PS: This one lingers. You’ll close the book, stare at the wall, and question every “for your own good” you’ve ever heard.
October 7, 2026
Uncomfortable and thought provoking
This is a hard hitting book, but I knew that going in from the genre alone, however, the content warnings are not sufficient enough to arm the reader to make a decision on whether they will be triggered. So, from the outset the following topics are covered in the book, but not detailed in the edition that I read: on page 🍇(non-explicit), somnophilia and !ncest (unclear what age this occurred at). So, please ensure that you know what you are getting yourself into before you read this.
Roxy does not shy away from hard topics. This is her second that I have read, the first being Hotel which centres around systematic drugging of women. This one is POV and it is incredibly effective at bringing you into the mindset of our failed protagonist, Phillipa. James is written well, the hints dropped, the reactions, the brief insights you get into his life. I loved how there were medical extracts throughout. Roxy writes to bring greater awareness to hard hitting topics and whilst fictional, this really reinforces the 'based on true stories'.
The author was fantastic at blending hallucinatory reality with actuality and putting it on page. Personally I would have loved an epilogue, but a good read if you want something darker and are comfortable with the triggers.
I had the pleasure of receiving an exposure copy of this, but my reviews are honestly and voluntary. Thank you to the author and Wings and Words.
This is a hard hitting book, but I knew that going in from the genre alone, however, the content warnings are not sufficient enough to arm the reader to make a decision on whether they will be triggered. So, from the outset the following topics are covered in the book, but not detailed in the edition that I read: on page 🍇(non-explicit), somnophilia and !ncest (unclear what age this occurred at). So, please ensure that you know what you are getting yourself into before you read this.
Roxy does not shy away from hard topics. This is her second that I have read, the first being Hotel which centres around systematic drugging of women. This one is POV and it is incredibly effective at bringing you into the mindset of our failed protagonist, Phillipa. James is written well, the hints dropped, the reactions, the brief insights you get into his life. I loved how there were medical extracts throughout. Roxy writes to bring greater awareness to hard hitting topics and whilst fictional, this really reinforces the 'based on true stories'.
The author was fantastic at blending hallucinatory reality with actuality and putting it on page. Personally I would have loved an epilogue, but a good read if you want something darker and are comfortable with the triggers.
I had the pleasure of receiving an exposure copy of this, but my reviews are honestly and voluntary. Thank you to the author and Wings and Words.
October 12, 2026
Holy hell, this book 😳 Dark, disturbing and incredibly intense, Demons had me hooked from the start and ready to throw hands at some of these characters!
Roxy does a fantastic job of getting you inside Phillipa’s head, making you question everything alongside her. The manipulation, gaslighting and gradual loss of control are genuinely chilling and the way the red flags build throughout the story is so well done. It really makes you think about how easily coercive behaviour can be disguised as love and care.
I loved the writing, the atmosphere and the medical extracts woven throughout the story. It’s an uncomfortable read but one that feels all the more powerful because of how believable it is.
Please read the trigger warnings before picking this one up as it tackles some really heavy subjects.
If you love dark psychological thrillers that make you angry, keep you questioning everything and leave you thinking long after you’ve finished, this one is definitely worth a look!
A huge thank you to Roxy Rich and Wings and Words for the opportunity to read this book. My review is honest and voluntary.
Roxy does a fantastic job of getting you inside Phillipa’s head, making you question everything alongside her. The manipulation, gaslighting and gradual loss of control are genuinely chilling and the way the red flags build throughout the story is so well done. It really makes you think about how easily coercive behaviour can be disguised as love and care.
I loved the writing, the atmosphere and the medical extracts woven throughout the story. It’s an uncomfortable read but one that feels all the more powerful because of how believable it is.
Please read the trigger warnings before picking this one up as it tackles some really heavy subjects.
If you love dark psychological thrillers that make you angry, keep you questioning everything and leave you thinking long after you’ve finished, this one is definitely worth a look!
A huge thank you to Roxy Rich and Wings and Words for the opportunity to read this book. My review is honest and voluntary.
October 12, 2026
This was dark, disturbing and incredibly intense. This is the kind of psychological thriller that makes you feel trapped right alongside the main character.
Watching her life unravel after her husband has her detained under the Mental Health Act was absolutely chilling. The loss of her freedom, voice and control over her own life created such a claustrophobic atmosphere, especially as the lines between manipulation, betrayal and reality became increasingly blurred.
What really hooked me was the sense of injustice running throughout. I was angry for her, suspicious of everyone and desperate to see her fight back. The idea that the very system supposedly there to protect her could instead become part of her nightmare made this particularly unsettling.
There are some very difficult and uncomfortable themes here, and it definitely won’t be an easy read for everyone, but I found myself completely invested in her survival and determination to reclaim what had been taken from her.
Twisted, unsettling and full of rage, betrayal and resilience. This one got under my skin!
Watching her life unravel after her husband has her detained under the Mental Health Act was absolutely chilling. The loss of her freedom, voice and control over her own life created such a claustrophobic atmosphere, especially as the lines between manipulation, betrayal and reality became increasingly blurred.
What really hooked me was the sense of injustice running throughout. I was angry for her, suspicious of everyone and desperate to see her fight back. The idea that the very system supposedly there to protect her could instead become part of her nightmare made this particularly unsettling.
There are some very difficult and uncomfortable themes here, and it definitely won’t be an easy read for everyone, but I found myself completely invested in her survival and determination to reclaim what had been taken from her.
Twisted, unsettling and full of rage, betrayal and resilience. This one got under my skin!
September 29, 2026
Demons follow's Phillipa (Pippa) who seems to live a life most people could only dream of she has money, a nice house, friends and a good job but underneath it all she's lonely and just wants someone to love despite being fiercely independent.The story starts at a charity event which she drags herself to because she can't face eating alone again and here she meets James. He stands out to her because he appears to be different from everyone else in the room and they pretty quickly hit it off but all isn't as it seems and within months she finds her self married to him and suddenly suffering with her mental health. James arranges for someone to help but her condition worsens and before she knows it she's detained under the mental health act indefinitely. Phillipa saw the red flags and she knows she's not mad. The only question now is how or will she make it out alive! This story is a real eye opener on a subject I'd never even thought about. I physically felt all the raw emotions Phillipa went through and the pure desperation just to be heard really came through the pages. The twists and turns in this story broke my heart and the plot twist at the end was shocking! I felt physically sick. The way this story is written is phenomenal. This author has a way of bringing taboo scenarios to the surface to make them be seen and heard but in a respectful and heart shattering way. I would definitely read more books from Roxy rich and recommend others to do so too!
October 4, 2026
4.5 star read
This was a difficult read not because it was written badly, but because it was written so so well! The Author definitely took her time to research into the horrors of some stories about being detained in a mental institution , and how manipulative people that you are supposed to trust can cause such heart ache and evil suffering! I have never hated & despised so many power hungry, greedy & evil characters in one book! There are various triggers so make sure you read the Author's warnings before reading this book. It is very very powerful and although not based on a real life story as such, we know these things have happened in real life in those places! I would love a second book to carry on this story. Gripping, heart wrenching, strength & determination, deceit, manipulation.
This was a difficult read not because it was written badly, but because it was written so so well! The Author definitely took her time to research into the horrors of some stories about being detained in a mental institution , and how manipulative people that you are supposed to trust can cause such heart ache and evil suffering! I have never hated & despised so many power hungry, greedy & evil characters in one book! There are various triggers so make sure you read the Author's warnings before reading this book. It is very very powerful and although not based on a real life story as such, we know these things have happened in real life in those places! I would love a second book to carry on this story. Gripping, heart wrenching, strength & determination, deceit, manipulation.
October 6, 2026
As someone who has spent time in psych institutions, I know how toxic these places can be and THIS horror novel is not that far from the truth I lived whilst detained
I have also lived through toxic relationships that are as misleading as Phillipa and James' is and god do i feel for her
what seems like the perfect thing can be the exact opposite
places that are meant to help can make things worse
and the author highlighted this perfectly
I read it in a day and I have never related so much to a novel that is meant to be horrifying... idk what that says about real life but yeah
Thank you to the author for allowing me access to an ARC, I am very appreciative
I have also lived through toxic relationships that are as misleading as Phillipa and James' is and god do i feel for her
what seems like the perfect thing can be the exact opposite
places that are meant to help can make things worse
and the author highlighted this perfectly
I read it in a day and I have never related so much to a novel that is meant to be horrifying... idk what that says about real life but yeah
Thank you to the author for allowing me access to an ARC, I am very appreciative
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2026
Demons is an intensely gripping and well-written fear, betrayal, and the harrowing reality of mental health exploitation. The story follows a protagonist who seemingly has it all—wealth, security, and love—only to have her entire life torn apart when her husband stealthily has her detained under the Mental Health Act. What makes this book so powerful is how masterfully it captures the profound psychological terror of losing control over one's own freedom and voice. Rich vividly portrays the waking nightmare of forced sedation, isolation, and systemic betrayal, shedding a compelling light on mental health awareness and the vulnerability of being trapped within a rigid system.not only did it give me a different perspective on mental health it also gave awareness of another person exploiting a situation well written well done Roxy
October 10, 2026
Holy messed up! You truly need top read the trigger warnings before reading. There is nothing easy in this book past the first few chapters. Written in a first person pov giving readers a first hand account of what Phillpa experienced and a very vivid idea of what individuals in asylums who were disabled, mentally ill, or wives & daughters who were simply in the way of the plans of their fathers or husbands. What happened to Phillipa, and the other patients, were common occurances before laws were past and what still could happen with the 'right' people in place. Disturbing and intense.
December 28, 2025
if I had to describe this book in one word, it would be, intense! poor phillipa, this poor woman dealt with so much. a bunch of triggers (review them), and definitely not for the faint of heart. it will upset you, make you feel things you wouldn't think a book could.
I'm looking forward to reading more of her books!
I'm looking forward to reading more of her books!
October 11, 2026
This book left me speechless! The writing and the build up had me devouring this book!
The author did an amazing job with the details and really showing the readers Phillipa’s mind. Her portrayal of slowly slipping away, but the drive to hold on was amazing. And that ending… that ending was chefs kiss!
The author did an amazing job with the details and really showing the readers Phillipa’s mind. Her portrayal of slowly slipping away, but the drive to hold on was amazing. And that ending… that ending was chefs kiss!
October 4, 2026
Another blinder from Roxy Rich who has the skill of unsettling the reader very very quickly. The sense of dread I felt reading this book was impressive, this is horrifying. A great book portraying the utter despair of being caught in an institution intent on erasing your sanity.
Many thanks to the author and Wings & Words for the opportunity to read.
Many thanks to the author and Wings & Words for the opportunity to read.
October 11, 2026
If you like a mind twist physiological book then you'd like this. The idea that someone you love can betray you in such a way....
You wouldnt even know the betrayal til its staring you in the face
You wouldnt even know the betrayal til its staring you in the face
October 12, 2026
Absolutely heartbreaking. A look into what is reality for a number of people. Violated and left to go mad. Incredible read. Highly recommend! But please read the trigger warnings and go in prepared. The anger is 100% real with this one.
October 1, 2026
Roxy Rich knows exactly how to write a book that gets your feminine rage going because I was ready to throw hands whilst reading this.
So phenomenally written and educational of the signs of coercion, control and dv. Not only that but the way you actually get to hear what Phillipa is thinking the entire time, and how easy it is to brush off behaviour that shows warnings.
I can't wait to read more from Roxy Rich as both Demons and Hotel have had me on the edge of my seat!
So phenomenally written and educational of the signs of coercion, control and dv. Not only that but the way you actually get to hear what Phillipa is thinking the entire time, and how easy it is to brush off behaviour that shows warnings.
I can't wait to read more from Roxy Rich as both Demons and Hotel have had me on the edge of my seat!
September 22, 2026
This was a really intense and unsettling read. Pippa’s journey through manipulation, betrayal and the mental health system was heartbreaking at times, and I definitely found myself rooting for her and wanting to see her escape.
There were some really good twists, although I did find parts of the story predictable, and around the middle it started to feel quite repetitive. I kept thinking, okay, I get it, now let’s move the story forward. The short chapters and being inside Pippa’s head did keep me reading, though, and there were definitely moments where I couldn’t put it down because I needed to know what was going to happen.
I also would have liked a little more development after the ending. An epilogue showing where Pippa ended up and what happened next would have been nice.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and thought the subject matter was powerful, but the repetition, and the predictability in places kept it at 3 stars for me. Definitely one that comes with some heavy trigger warnings
There were some really good twists, although I did find parts of the story predictable, and around the middle it started to feel quite repetitive. I kept thinking, okay, I get it, now let’s move the story forward. The short chapters and being inside Pippa’s head did keep me reading, though, and there were definitely moments where I couldn’t put it down because I needed to know what was going to happen.
I also would have liked a little more development after the ending. An epilogue showing where Pippa ended up and what happened next would have been nice.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and thought the subject matter was powerful, but the repetition, and the predictability in places kept it at 3 stars for me. Definitely one that comes with some heavy trigger warnings
November 24, 2025
Detained under the Mental Health Act.
Drugged, violated, betrayed.
Madness isn't something you escape, its something you survive.
They said Phillipa was unstable.
They said it was for her own good.
They lied to her.
She had everything, wealth, security, and love.
But Phillipa’s charming husband had her detained under the Mental Health Act by stealth.
Her world became a waking nightmare of sedation, torture, and betrayal.
They took her freedom.
They took her fortune.
They took her voice.
But they made one fatal mistake.
They didn’t finish the job.
Will Phillipa claw her way out of the system meant to erase her?
Or will the madness they forced on her, become her power?
YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that are not suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times. Reader discretion is advised. Intended for readers 18+.
Tropes: Mental Health, Asylum,
Demons by Roxy Rich.
What in the world did I just read?
Demons is a psychological heart-wrenching tragic story that’s been wrapped up to be disguised as fiction. Demons isn’t this story about monsters that live under your bed; Demons is the story of the monsters who wrap themselves in pristine white lab coats and even wedding rings. With Demons Roxy manages to drag us into a padded cell called patriarchy wrapped up in control, where the phrase “for your own good” becomes the most dreadful words that a person could ever say to another.
Demons starts out at a slow burn pace as Roxy sets up Phillipa’s story. This was a mix of my worst nightmare and pure horror mixed in one. While I was reading it, I was so mad, I was crying with sadness, and at the same time I found myself cheering Phillipa on, wishing that I could help her.
It’s at a charity dinner that Phillipa meets James. Very quickly they become a couple but you can tell that something isn’t right. James right from the start begins to erode Phillipa’s sanity.
And he wears her sanity down so quickly that Phillipa finds herself locked up in a mental institution. And it’s in this moment that her fight against the system and James – the very man who was supposed to love and care for her the most – has just begun.
Roxy’s writing is raw and she doesn’t pull back and she remains transparent in her writing, reading Demons is like Roxy ripped open a woman’s diary who has been wronged and screamed “Here, why don’t you bleed on this page”. Roxy perfectly captured the gaslighting and the institutional abuse and made it feel far too real, and that’s probably because for so many it is just that real. Through Phillipa’s voice we can hear the fire and the fury, and the moment that she descends into a madness in order to survive. You will hear screams on each and every page.
Demons is one of those books that is going to stay with you and linger on your mind long after you have finished the last word. It will have you thinking about institutional abuse, descending into madness just to survive and questioning every “it’s for your own good” that you have ever heard in your life. This book is not only one that will stay with you, it is also one that will really have you questioning things, I found it very thought provoking.
There are so many twists and turns that I never saw coming in this book. It’s an emotional rollercoaster ride times 10. But, its raw, pure, and it’s true to the theme and this is a book that will have you questioning not only your own sanity but everything around you.
A must read if I have ever read one. I would give this 10 stars if I could.
Drugged, violated, betrayed.
Madness isn't something you escape, its something you survive.
They said Phillipa was unstable.
They said it was for her own good.
They lied to her.
She had everything, wealth, security, and love.
But Phillipa’s charming husband had her detained under the Mental Health Act by stealth.
Her world became a waking nightmare of sedation, torture, and betrayal.
They took her freedom.
They took her fortune.
They took her voice.
But they made one fatal mistake.
They didn’t finish the job.
Will Phillipa claw her way out of the system meant to erase her?
Or will the madness they forced on her, become her power?
YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that are not suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times. Reader discretion is advised. Intended for readers 18+.
Tropes: Mental Health, Asylum,
Demons by Roxy Rich.
What in the world did I just read?
Demons is a psychological heart-wrenching tragic story that’s been wrapped up to be disguised as fiction. Demons isn’t this story about monsters that live under your bed; Demons is the story of the monsters who wrap themselves in pristine white lab coats and even wedding rings. With Demons Roxy manages to drag us into a padded cell called patriarchy wrapped up in control, where the phrase “for your own good” becomes the most dreadful words that a person could ever say to another.
Demons starts out at a slow burn pace as Roxy sets up Phillipa’s story. This was a mix of my worst nightmare and pure horror mixed in one. While I was reading it, I was so mad, I was crying with sadness, and at the same time I found myself cheering Phillipa on, wishing that I could help her.
It’s at a charity dinner that Phillipa meets James. Very quickly they become a couple but you can tell that something isn’t right. James right from the start begins to erode Phillipa’s sanity.
And he wears her sanity down so quickly that Phillipa finds herself locked up in a mental institution. And it’s in this moment that her fight against the system and James – the very man who was supposed to love and care for her the most – has just begun.
Roxy’s writing is raw and she doesn’t pull back and she remains transparent in her writing, reading Demons is like Roxy ripped open a woman’s diary who has been wronged and screamed “Here, why don’t you bleed on this page”. Roxy perfectly captured the gaslighting and the institutional abuse and made it feel far too real, and that’s probably because for so many it is just that real. Through Phillipa’s voice we can hear the fire and the fury, and the moment that she descends into a madness in order to survive. You will hear screams on each and every page.
Demons is one of those books that is going to stay with you and linger on your mind long after you have finished the last word. It will have you thinking about institutional abuse, descending into madness just to survive and questioning every “it’s for your own good” that you have ever heard in your life. This book is not only one that will stay with you, it is also one that will really have you questioning things, I found it very thought provoking.
There are so many twists and turns that I never saw coming in this book. It’s an emotional rollercoaster ride times 10. But, its raw, pure, and it’s true to the theme and this is a book that will have you questioning not only your own sanity but everything around you.
A must read if I have ever read one. I would give this 10 stars if I could.
April 24, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
Title: Demons
Author: Roxy Rich
Genre: psychological thriller
Spice: 0
Pace: moderate and steady
Readability: easy
Character development: I enjoyed the slow building. The protagonist is very likable and you’re cheering her on the entire time. The antagonist isn’t delved much but it works.
Mentions/tropes:
Rape
Mental institution
Financial abuse
coercive control
medical abuse
systemic malpractice
Survival
Murder/violence
My thoughts:
It’s written like you’re inside the fmc’s head. I enjoyed this aspect as well as the short chapters. The mmc starts out mysterious and guarded. You can’t figure out if you’re going to like him or not. There’s a tension between them that builds and feels like a slow burn 🔥 You want so badly for love to win, but the betrayal is obvious. It’s slightly repetitive. I found myself thinking ‘just get to the point’.
I would’ve preferred an ending that gave insight to what happens after the final moments of the book.
Perhaps an epilogue on where she winds up and what happens after?
This felt very ‘housemaid’ but from a different perspective. Many parts were almost poetic they were so beautifully written. The words felt like art.
But…who edited this?
There were some grammatical errors: (just one example)
““And the Board?” “Ready them. Buy them off. Hell, get dirt on them if you have too,””
Some of the sentences were incomplete/fragmented, however it’s how you’d say it in your head so it was actually enjoyable. It was just hard to ignore with the other grammatical issues.
Overall I actually really enjoyed this. I was invested in finding out what happened. It wasn’t predictable. The only cons I have is the grammar and the repetitiveness. You don’t have to tell me the windows exploded twice in the same event.
It could use a couple tweaks and an epilogue, but truly it’s good and I think it’s an important story to be told.
Well done.
Title: Demons
Author: Roxy Rich
Genre: psychological thriller
Spice: 0
Pace: moderate and steady
Readability: easy
Character development: I enjoyed the slow building. The protagonist is very likable and you’re cheering her on the entire time. The antagonist isn’t delved much but it works.
Mentions/tropes:
Rape
Mental institution
Financial abuse
coercive control
medical abuse
systemic malpractice
Survival
Murder/violence
My thoughts:
It’s written like you’re inside the fmc’s head. I enjoyed this aspect as well as the short chapters. The mmc starts out mysterious and guarded. You can’t figure out if you’re going to like him or not. There’s a tension between them that builds and feels like a slow burn 🔥 You want so badly for love to win, but the betrayal is obvious. It’s slightly repetitive. I found myself thinking ‘just get to the point’.
I would’ve preferred an ending that gave insight to what happens after the final moments of the book.
Perhaps an epilogue on where she winds up and what happens after?
This felt very ‘housemaid’ but from a different perspective. Many parts were almost poetic they were so beautifully written. The words felt like art.
But…who edited this?
There were some grammatical errors: (just one example)
““And the Board?” “Ready them. Buy them off. Hell, get dirt on them if you have too,””
Some of the sentences were incomplete/fragmented, however it’s how you’d say it in your head so it was actually enjoyable. It was just hard to ignore with the other grammatical issues.
Overall I actually really enjoyed this. I was invested in finding out what happened. It wasn’t predictable. The only cons I have is the grammar and the repetitiveness. You don’t have to tell me the windows exploded twice in the same event.
It could use a couple tweaks and an epilogue, but truly it’s good and I think it’s an important story to be told.
Well done.
October 28, 2025
You may think this book, Demons by Roxy Rich ( Zara Williams ) is a horror novel with blood and gore. You would be half right, it's a horror story based on a true story about psychological damage done to a woman. It's a psychological thriller/horror..
It starts out as a slow burn, setting you up for the story of Phillipa. This would be my worst nightmare. While reading it I was so angry, sad, cheering Phillipa on, wanting to help her.
The writing is superbly written, you feel like you're right there. There are twists and turns and so many wow moments, it's hard to stop reading! The twist at the end is brilliant, did not see that one!
How much can Phillipa take before she breaks?
Book Description:
"Detained under the Mental Health Act.
Drugged, violated, betrayed.
Madness isn't something you escape, it's something you survive.
They said I was unstable.
They said it was for my own good.
They lied to me.
I had everything, wealth, security, and love.
But my charming husband had me detained under the Mental Health Act by stealth.
My world became a waking nightmare of sedation, torture, and betrayal.
They took my freedom.
They took my fortune.
They took my voice.
But they made one fatal mistake.
They didn’t finish the job.
Will I claw my way out of the system meant to erase me?
Or will the madness they forced on me, become my power?"
Does Phillipa survive? A must read!
It starts out as a slow burn, setting you up for the story of Phillipa. This would be my worst nightmare. While reading it I was so angry, sad, cheering Phillipa on, wanting to help her.
The writing is superbly written, you feel like you're right there. There are twists and turns and so many wow moments, it's hard to stop reading! The twist at the end is brilliant, did not see that one!
How much can Phillipa take before she breaks?
Book Description:
"Detained under the Mental Health Act.
Drugged, violated, betrayed.
Madness isn't something you escape, it's something you survive.
They said I was unstable.
They said it was for my own good.
They lied to me.
I had everything, wealth, security, and love.
But my charming husband had me detained under the Mental Health Act by stealth.
My world became a waking nightmare of sedation, torture, and betrayal.
They took my freedom.
They took my fortune.
They took my voice.
But they made one fatal mistake.
They didn’t finish the job.
Will I claw my way out of the system meant to erase me?
Or will the madness they forced on me, become my power?"
Does Phillipa survive? A must read!
December 23, 2025
Y’all! This book wastes zero time pulling you straight into a nightmare where wealth, love, and security disappear in the blink of an eye. Detained under the Mental Health Act by her charming husband (hard pass), our heroine is drugged, violated, and betrayed. The fear is intense, the hopelessness crushing—you don’t just read it, you feel it. Madness isn’t something you escape here; it’s something you survive… and maybe even turn into power.
Roxy Rich’s writing style is sharp, dark, and relentless. The pacing is fast, the chapters fly, and the tension never loosens its grip. Character development is especially strong as we watch a woman stripped of her freedom, fortune, and voice slowly realize she hasn’t lost everything. The system meant to erase her? Fatal mistake.
Disturbing, gripping, and wildly addictive, Demons delivers psychological suspense with teeth. It’s the kind of story that makes you pause, shake your head, and immediately keep reading. Dark, emotional, and intense—this one leaves a mark. 🔥📖
Roxy Rich’s writing style is sharp, dark, and relentless. The pacing is fast, the chapters fly, and the tension never loosens its grip. Character development is especially strong as we watch a woman stripped of her freedom, fortune, and voice slowly realize she hasn’t lost everything. The system meant to erase her? Fatal mistake.
Disturbing, gripping, and wildly addictive, Demons delivers psychological suspense with teeth. It’s the kind of story that makes you pause, shake your head, and immediately keep reading. Dark, emotional, and intense—this one leaves a mark. 🔥📖
June 29, 2026
Wow
Detained ,betrayed she was . Demons filled her brain and her soul of course and she was drained . But her steel they could not bend nor detain. The pain real,the depravity and the cruelty and how they made her feel. But the demons inside she makes a choice…. Them to hide from her head and be strong though they tried to do her wrong at every visit . She’d somehow stay present instead…
Roxy Rich has amazing storytelling skills and the compelling chills she thrills us with are awesome and expertly penned too. Roxy, this my friend is some deep,dark edge of your seat. Horror on repeat ,will it ever end ,the world she’s stuck deep in? There’s no sleeping. I don’t want to sleep till it’s done and I’ve read , hon, even though it might give me nightmares when I do go to bed.
The whole book has you on its hook. Excellence at its every essence ,spelled out with a ‘Here I am’ shout . A stand out story with a message. This author knows this genre so well without a doubt she does it justice and well.
Detained ,betrayed she was . Demons filled her brain and her soul of course and she was drained . But her steel they could not bend nor detain. The pain real,the depravity and the cruelty and how they made her feel. But the demons inside she makes a choice…. Them to hide from her head and be strong though they tried to do her wrong at every visit . She’d somehow stay present instead…
Roxy Rich has amazing storytelling skills and the compelling chills she thrills us with are awesome and expertly penned too. Roxy, this my friend is some deep,dark edge of your seat. Horror on repeat ,will it ever end ,the world she’s stuck deep in? There’s no sleeping. I don’t want to sleep till it’s done and I’ve read , hon, even though it might give me nightmares when I do go to bed.
The whole book has you on its hook. Excellence at its every essence ,spelled out with a ‘Here I am’ shout . A stand out story with a message. This author knows this genre so well without a doubt she does it justice and well.
January 1, 2026
I read for the vibes & the vibes were ✨Haunting ✨
📕: Thriller
📗: Psychological Manipulation
📘: Betrayal
📙: Mental Health
📖: Based on True Events
📓: Single POV
You know when you’re reading a book and everything is fine, but you are waiting for the shoe to drop, for the bad thing to happen? That was me till about 23% in the book and oh god, Phillipa get behind me pls, I’ll save you. This book was haunting in a frightening, but interesting way. Everything just got worse as time progressed, but I’m glad to see Phillipa got her retribution. Usually, I can’t get into books that have a lot of internal thoughts & less dialogue, but this book does it beautifully.
Sidenote: the excerpts in between? Brilliant. Really adds depth to the story. Also, the description of her nightmares? Yeah nightmare fuel for me because wtf 😭
📕: Thriller
📗: Psychological Manipulation
📘: Betrayal
📙: Mental Health
📖: Based on True Events
📓: Single POV
You know when you’re reading a book and everything is fine, but you are waiting for the shoe to drop, for the bad thing to happen? That was me till about 23% in the book and oh god, Phillipa get behind me pls, I’ll save you. This book was haunting in a frightening, but interesting way. Everything just got worse as time progressed, but I’m glad to see Phillipa got her retribution. Usually, I can’t get into books that have a lot of internal thoughts & less dialogue, but this book does it beautifully.
Sidenote: the excerpts in between? Brilliant. Really adds depth to the story. Also, the description of her nightmares? Yeah nightmare fuel for me because wtf 😭
January 4, 2026
This book had me on the edge of my seat after the book got going. The beginning of the book I felt just dragged on. However, once the characters got established then the story line got really interesting. This book has me thinking of how often this really happens in real life. Spouse/family member is admitted into a mental institution while the supposedly loved one drained their bank accounts sold off their homes and businesses and pocketed the proceeds. I loved how the husband James and Dr Hawthorn thought they could get away with what they were doing to Phillipa by keeping her locked up. Little did they know she had help on the inside and in the end Phillipa got her revenge by taking out ex-husband James and Dr. Hawthorn. She watched as her vacation home burned down to the ground and she just walked away.
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