What do you think?
Rate this book
Her Monsters, Her Crown #2
Keep Her Close
The board is set.
The predators circle.
And Sera Vale is done playing around.
Her tormentor waits in silence.
Her men are slipping deeper—into obsession, into violence, into her.
And lurking in the dark, another beast strikes. One who doesn’t want to claim her.
One who wants to erase her.
But Sera Vale doesn’t break.
She breaks others.
Her claws are sharpening.
Her worshippers become more wicked.
Her crown grows heavier…and bloodier.
Some pieces will fall.
Some lovers will burn.
Some monsters won’t survive what’s coming.
Because Sera Vale isn’t prey.
She isn’t hunted.
She hunts back.
Her crown may slip.
But it will never fall—she’ll nail it to her own skull first.
Keep Her Close is dark feminist energy in the worst, best, most unhinged way.
It's vigilante justice mixed with gothic stalker reverse harem filth with poetic teeth.
The predators circle.
And Sera Vale is done playing around.
Her tormentor waits in silence.
Her men are slipping deeper—into obsession, into violence, into her.
And lurking in the dark, another beast strikes. One who doesn’t want to claim her.
One who wants to erase her.
But Sera Vale doesn’t break.
She breaks others.
Her claws are sharpening.
Her worshippers become more wicked.
Her crown grows heavier…and bloodier.
Some pieces will fall.
Some lovers will burn.
Some monsters won’t survive what’s coming.
Because Sera Vale isn’t prey.
She isn’t hunted.
She hunts back.
Her crown may slip.
But it will never fall—she’ll nail it to her own skull first.
Keep Her Close is dark feminist energy in the worst, best, most unhinged way.
It's vigilante justice mixed with gothic stalker reverse harem filth with poetic teeth.
- GenresDark
141 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2025
5 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Holly Ryan
98 books91 followersHolly Ryan is a writer of steamy love stories. Specializing in contemporary romance with a dark twist, she attended Western Illinois University and graduated from Chicago’s Roosevelt University with a degree in Psychology.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 9, 2025
Vengeance is her love language. Obsession is their gift.
After surviving the man who tried to erase her, Sera Vale rebuilds herself from ash and bone. She’s not the girl they silenced. She’s the woman who hunts. When another threat circles, she doesn’t hide. She builds a court of monsters who bleed, burn, and bow for her.
James stalked her for years. Now he breaks bones to protect her. Eddie tries to follow the rules, but she drags him into shadows where rules don’t matter. And inside her house, Shadow Daddy, something old and inhuman watches with hunger and loyalty. He doesn’t cage her. He becomes her weapon.
Together, they’re obsession, guilt, survival, and devotion. Together, they’re hers. But when a familiar threat resurfaces, smiling like it still owns her, Sera doesn’t flinch. She has knives. She has worship. She has monsters who’d burn the world to keep her.
Sera grows from survivor to sovereign, taking control one calculated choice at a time. James evolves from stalker to soldier, feral in his loyalty. Eddie breaks piece by piece, undone by how much he needs her. Shadow Daddy learns she doesn’t need protection. She needs power. What they build is messy, dangerous, and entirely theirs.
A dark and steamy, intense, why choose, morally gray, paranormal reverse harem romance filled with stalker obsession, supernatural possession, violent devotion, and power reclaimed. It explores trauma, identity, control, vengeance, intimacy, and survival. It’s about a woman who refuses to be a victim, who collects her monsters and turns desire into loyalty that destroys for her.
The Elevator Pitch: A dark, addictive reverse harem where vengeance and desire collide as one woman builds power from the wreckage of her past. Stalker, detective, and shadow become her court, bound to her by obsession, loyalty, and something far more dangerous. She isn’t looking for love, she’s collecting monsters who bleed for her. Twisted, steamy, and relentless, it grips hard and never lets go.
"Keep Her Close" is book 2 of 5 in the "Her Monsters, Her Crown" series. Start with "Follow Her Down" to meet the woman who came back to claim what was stolen and build a throne from everything meant to bury her.
After surviving the man who tried to erase her, Sera Vale rebuilds herself from ash and bone. She’s not the girl they silenced. She’s the woman who hunts. When another threat circles, she doesn’t hide. She builds a court of monsters who bleed, burn, and bow for her.
James stalked her for years. Now he breaks bones to protect her. Eddie tries to follow the rules, but she drags him into shadows where rules don’t matter. And inside her house, Shadow Daddy, something old and inhuman watches with hunger and loyalty. He doesn’t cage her. He becomes her weapon.
Together, they’re obsession, guilt, survival, and devotion. Together, they’re hers. But when a familiar threat resurfaces, smiling like it still owns her, Sera doesn’t flinch. She has knives. She has worship. She has monsters who’d burn the world to keep her.
Sera grows from survivor to sovereign, taking control one calculated choice at a time. James evolves from stalker to soldier, feral in his loyalty. Eddie breaks piece by piece, undone by how much he needs her. Shadow Daddy learns she doesn’t need protection. She needs power. What they build is messy, dangerous, and entirely theirs.
A dark and steamy, intense, why choose, morally gray, paranormal reverse harem romance filled with stalker obsession, supernatural possession, violent devotion, and power reclaimed. It explores trauma, identity, control, vengeance, intimacy, and survival. It’s about a woman who refuses to be a victim, who collects her monsters and turns desire into loyalty that destroys for her.
The Elevator Pitch: A dark, addictive reverse harem where vengeance and desire collide as one woman builds power from the wreckage of her past. Stalker, detective, and shadow become her court, bound to her by obsession, loyalty, and something far more dangerous. She isn’t looking for love, she’s collecting monsters who bleed for her. Twisted, steamy, and relentless, it grips hard and never lets go.
"Keep Her Close" is book 2 of 5 in the "Her Monsters, Her Crown" series. Start with "Follow Her Down" to meet the woman who came back to claim what was stolen and build a throne from everything meant to bury her.
December 21, 2025
Build Up
Sera is prepping for revenge but someone is lurking in the shadows waiting to claim her life. Her guys are the only one’s standing in the way. This second part of the series is more of a build up to the climax and it draws you in. It was intriguing to read and left my in anticipation for the next installment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sera is prepping for revenge but someone is lurking in the shadows waiting to claim her life. Her guys are the only one’s standing in the way. This second part of the series is more of a build up to the climax and it draws you in. It was intriguing to read and left my in anticipation for the next installment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 1, 2025
Picks right off from the first book. The pacing in this book was phenomenal I am so intrigued by all the characters and how they’re developing. This is a really good read! I don’t mind the cliffhanger, but I do feel this book was too short to be called a book.
November 30, 2025
I said it in my ‘Follow Her Down’ review, but it bears repeating: I’ve been a Holly Ryan obsessed fan since reading about Geulia in the ‘Whispering Ivy’ series debut, ‘Shiver, Little Toy’. I loved that series … ‘Her Monsters, Her Crown’ series IS more addictive.
So much going on in book 2: Sera does her best to help an abused woman, questions herself, then regroups. Entity makes hisself known to Eddie in a deliciously creepy way, he also gains knowledge of Sera and James’ intimate relationship and their less than legal extracurriculars, then there’s Red Hands diddling about in the worst ways, and, well, let’s just say Eddie suffers terribly. James, on the other hand, is still as cocksure, big, sexy, and deadly as ever. Entity (sis Shadow Daddy) is possessive w/a capital ‘P’, but, risks his afterlife life by … ah-ah-ahhh … almost got me there. Can’t give away the farm here!
*** Recommended ***
MMC:
✨James
✨Eddie
✨Entity
FMC:
✨Sera
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨cliffhanger
Series:
✨ Book 2 of Her Monsters, Her Crown
Tropes:
👉dark paranormal romance
👉shadow daddy romance
👉dark stalker romance
👉serial killer
👉vigilante justice
👉touch her and XX
Triggers:
💥18+
💥sex - graphic and … creative
💥profanity
💥violence - graphic, messy
💥death - graphic murdery stuff
Burn Speed:
✨fast
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨MF
So much going on in book 2: Sera does her best to help an abused woman, questions herself, then regroups. Entity makes hisself known to Eddie in a deliciously creepy way, he also gains knowledge of Sera and James’ intimate relationship and their less than legal extracurriculars, then there’s Red Hands diddling about in the worst ways, and, well, let’s just say Eddie suffers terribly. James, on the other hand, is still as cocksure, big, sexy, and deadly as ever. Entity (sis Shadow Daddy) is possessive w/a capital ‘P’, but, risks his afterlife life by … ah-ah-ahhh … almost got me there. Can’t give away the farm here!
*** Recommended ***
MMC:
✨James
✨Eddie
✨Entity
FMC:
✨Sera
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨cliffhanger
Series:
✨ Book 2 of Her Monsters, Her Crown
Tropes:
👉dark paranormal romance
👉shadow daddy romance
👉dark stalker romance
👉serial killer
👉vigilante justice
👉touch her and XX
Triggers:
💥18+
💥sex - graphic and … creative
💥profanity
💥violence - graphic, messy
💥death - graphic murdery stuff
Burn Speed:
✨fast
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨MF
December 7, 2025
"A ghost, a stalker, and a detective, all circling the same broken woman like she’s the last light in a dying world."
"Monsters who know they’re monsters can be predicted. Monsters who think they’re heroes are chaos incarnate."
This is book 2 about Sera. What hasn’t changed in book 2 is Sera, James, Eddie, and Shadow Daddy are fighting corruption and trying to find the serial killer, Red Hand. Book 1 just introduced the characters and Sera's reason for her mission. In this book, the men show how devoted they are to Sera. Just a guess here, but I think Red Hand isn't Vincent because that would be too easy.
Did Sera pick these men intentionally or were they all drawn together? Sera and her men are battling Red Hand to remain predators not prey. I think the positions switch several times this go round. Sera and her men don't know how much Red Hand is watching them. I think Red Hand plans to separate Sera and the men. Of course, I'm extremely curious about Shadow Daddy's story. So far I only know he can please Sera. I'm also waiting on an intimate scene involving all of them. Looking forward to some answers in the next installment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
"Monsters who know they’re monsters can be predicted. Monsters who think they’re heroes are chaos incarnate."
This is book 2 about Sera. What hasn’t changed in book 2 is Sera, James, Eddie, and Shadow Daddy are fighting corruption and trying to find the serial killer, Red Hand. Book 1 just introduced the characters and Sera's reason for her mission. In this book, the men show how devoted they are to Sera. Just a guess here, but I think Red Hand isn't Vincent because that would be too easy.
Did Sera pick these men intentionally or were they all drawn together? Sera and her men are battling Red Hand to remain predators not prey. I think the positions switch several times this go round. Sera and her men don't know how much Red Hand is watching them. I think Red Hand plans to separate Sera and the men. Of course, I'm extremely curious about Shadow Daddy's story. So far I only know he can please Sera. I'm also waiting on an intimate scene involving all of them. Looking forward to some answers in the next installment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2025
Oh, I love this series, it's had me from the get-go!
Sera has become the hunter; she is prey no longer. She has the men by her side who will protect her. James, her obsessive stalker, will do anything to keep her safe; he doesn't mind getting his hands bloody, he actually loves that part. Eddie, the cop, can get access to the records and keep her in the loop quietly. But we also have Entity, the person in the shadows, who is the shadows, who will protect her when she is at home. Sera stirs his protective nature; she brings him out of the dark.
Sera now knows she is Red Hands radar, the serial killer the police are hunting down in the County. Can the men keep her safe when someone is trying to break them apart, to leave her vulnerable? At the same time, has she overplayed her hand, has she put herself on someone else's radar, and if so, is she back to being the prey once again?
I can't wait for the next book in the series to find out who is/are the prey, who are the hunters, and will the men suffer trying to keep her safe?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sera has become the hunter; she is prey no longer. She has the men by her side who will protect her. James, her obsessive stalker, will do anything to keep her safe; he doesn't mind getting his hands bloody, he actually loves that part. Eddie, the cop, can get access to the records and keep her in the loop quietly. But we also have Entity, the person in the shadows, who is the shadows, who will protect her when she is at home. Sera stirs his protective nature; she brings him out of the dark.
Sera now knows she is Red Hands radar, the serial killer the police are hunting down in the County. Can the men keep her safe when someone is trying to break them apart, to leave her vulnerable? At the same time, has she overplayed her hand, has she put herself on someone else's radar, and if so, is she back to being the prey once again?
I can't wait for the next book in the series to find out who is/are the prey, who are the hunters, and will the men suffer trying to keep her safe?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 7, 2025
Story 4 ⭐
Spice 3.5 🌶️
Keep Her Close is the sequel to Follow Her Down and is the second book in the Her Monsters, Her Crown series. This is a dark paranormal romance that ends in a mild cliffhanger. This cliffhanger is no where near as bad as the cliffhanger in Follow Her Down.
Plans are made and quickly go awry, people are framed, and Red Hands draws ever closer. Also, the Entity really enjoys messing with Sera's lovers it seems.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Spice 3.5 🌶️
Keep Her Close is the sequel to Follow Her Down and is the second book in the Her Monsters, Her Crown series. This is a dark paranormal romance that ends in a mild cliffhanger. This cliffhanger is no where near as bad as the cliffhanger in Follow Her Down.
Plans are made and quickly go awry, people are framed, and Red Hands draws ever closer. Also, the Entity really enjoys messing with Sera's lovers it seems.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 12, 2025
"A ghost, a stalker, and a detective, all circling the same broken woman like she’s the last light in a dying world."
The first book in this series was the first shadow daddy book I've read until this one and I loved this one just as much. The spice was top notch as always and love the why choose trope! The suspense and cliffhanger is driving me crazy though so definitely looking forward to more!
100% recommend!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The first book in this series was the first shadow daddy book I've read until this one and I loved this one just as much. The spice was top notch as always and love the why choose trope! The suspense and cliffhanger is driving me crazy though so definitely looking forward to more!
100% recommend!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 8, 2025
Thank you Booksprout and Holly Ryan for the ARC!
It's even more unhinged than book 1...
Keep Her Close picks up right where Follow Her Down ends, but with more spice and even more unhinged behavior from our favorite Scotsman, James. A
We get more character development in this one, more plans and schemes... plus Red Hands is back to ruin their plans, and boy does he. Who even is Red Hands? Guess we'll find out!
This does end on a cliffhanger!
It's even more unhinged than book 1...
Keep Her Close picks up right where Follow Her Down ends, but with more spice and even more unhinged behavior from our favorite Scotsman, James. A
We get more character development in this one, more plans and schemes... plus Red Hands is back to ruin their plans, and boy does he. Who even is Red Hands? Guess we'll find out!
This does end on a cliffhanger!
December 9, 2025
This is Book 2 of the Her Monsters, Her Crown series and you really need to read the previous book before this one.
The characters continue to grow and develop and fascinate. Plot evolves and hooks the reader. World building continues to excel and impress. A great addition to the series. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this series.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The characters continue to grow and develop and fascinate. Plot evolves and hooks the reader. World building continues to excel and impress. A great addition to the series. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this series.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 29, 2025
This book starts where the last book left off. I still can't decide who I love more: Shadow Daddy or James. There's nothing wrong with Eddie, but I am a sucker for a Scottish accent, and I love the dark possessiveness of Shadow Daddy. Something has to be done about Red Hands and Vincent. I'm anxiously awaiting the third book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 11, 2025
The second book in Her Monsters, Her Crown series, Sera Vale continues to strengthen in this dark and twisted tale of vengeance while also trying to evade danger at every turn. Her men will burn the world to protect her. The cliffhanger has me anticipating the next installment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 21, 2025
⭐️x4.25
🌶x3
Picks up right where book 1 left off. I love the suspense, I love the smut, why choose, reverse harem... her books are never long enough, they end on cliffhangers and I'm here for it, I can't wait for book 3.
I received an advance review copy free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Keep Her Close by Holly Ryan
Her Monsters, Her Crown Book 2
Release 12/1/25
Pgs 141
🌶x3
Picks up right where book 1 left off. I love the suspense, I love the smut, why choose, reverse harem... her books are never long enough, they end on cliffhangers and I'm here for it, I can't wait for book 3.
I received an advance review copy free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Keep Her Close by Holly Ryan
Her Monsters, Her Crown Book 2
Release 12/1/25
Pgs 141
December 24, 2025
4 1/2 stars
A dark story with an intriguing cast of characters and a suspenseful storyline which was so well written, it felt real. The author has captured my imagination with this series. I found some things hard to read at times yet unable to put the book down as I had to know what would happen next.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A dark story with an intriguing cast of characters and a suspenseful storyline which was so well written, it felt real. The author has captured my imagination with this series. I found some things hard to read at times yet unable to put the book down as I had to know what would happen next.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 7, 2025
“Her Monsters, Her Crown” book 2
More character development: I loved getting to know the characters better and seeing them evolve.
More spice: Make sure you check those TW’s.
And now I need more books!.
I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
More character development: I loved getting to know the characters better and seeing them evolve.
More spice: Make sure you check those TW’s.
And now I need more books!.
I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 16, 2025
GIRL. this is a WILD RIDE but it's so freaking good. The characters are so good, the plot is dark and well written.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 14, 2025
Keep Her Close
Book 2 of Her Monsters, Her Crown
Holly Ryan
Well written and developed. I cannot wait to read more. I loved the suspense, protectiveness and chemistry. Great read.
Book 2 of Her Monsters, Her Crown
Holly Ryan
Well written and developed. I cannot wait to read more. I loved the suspense, protectiveness and chemistry. Great read.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews