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Caged by the Crown

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136 pages, Paperback

Published October 25, 2025

4 people want to read

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Anja Barrons

7 books43 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Satyra Jenkins.
134 reviews4 followers
January 28, 2026
Caged, Controlled… and Craving More!

ARC Review: "Caged by the Crown" plunges into a dark romance rooted in power imbalance, psychological tension, and desire that feels more like a threat than a promise. Crown City is a cold, controlled world where women like Delilah aren’t simply raised—they’re engineered. Eidolon lurks like a ghostly presence, shaping lives into obedient, polished offerings. Freedom is rare. Autonomy is dangerous. And desire? That’s rebellion.

Delilah embodies quiet devastation. Trained into perfect submission, hyper-aware and emotionally sealed, she survives by following every rule ingrained in her. Beneath her obedience, a fragile self stirs—beautiful, yet perilous. The cruel irony? Obedience feels like safety, even as it traps her.

Lock embodies control itself—wrapped in leather, discipline, and an unemotional exterior. Used to keeping things transactional, he doesn’t see himself as cruel—just pragmatic. As part of Eidolon’s system and a motorcycle club, he’s familiar with power dynamics. But Delilah’s trust and quiet vulnerability threaten cracks he never anticipated. The more he insists she’s merely a responsibility, the more his protectiveness turns dangerously personal.

Their relationship is a tangled web of captor and captive, forced proximity, and mounting psychological tension. She was trained to obey. He was trained to command. Yet, neither was prepared for what happens when control collides with connection. The imbalance of power persists—it simply becomes more complicated by guilt, desire, and a need neither of them was designed to experience.

The power-play elements are woven into an emotional battleground. Control is survival; release is earned. As Lock begins questioning his identity around, the story asks a brutal question: if someone is shaped to serve… what happens when they start to want?

Told from dual POV, the slow burn is exquisite torture 🔥. Every lingering glance, every meaningful touch, every crack in their conditioning feels like a small act of rebellion. The writing leans into rich, moody imagery, wrapping the story in a constant sense of surveillance and restraint—perfectly suited for a world named Eidolon, a specter, an ideal, something designed rather than born.

As Delilah begins breaking free from her molds and Lock questions the system, their bond becomes more than forbidden—it becomes dangerous. Not only to their hearts but to the world that insists they stay exactly as they are.

Oh, this one doesn’t just blur moral lines—it seduces you into stepping over them willingly. 🖤Dark, addictive, dripping with taboo tension, this spicy novella (🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️) ends on a teasing cliffhanger that promises even more chaos, heat, and emotional fallout ahead. 🤭

This book doesn’t flirt with darkness — it drags you into a velvet-lined cage, locks the door, and whispers that you’re safer inside. And the worst part? You believe it. 🖤 If love is a cage, this is one you’ll walk into willingly—and beg to stay in.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for kymagirl.
6,436 reviews89 followers
October 26, 2025
She was trained to obey. He was never meant to care.

Delilah’s spent her life in silence, conditioned by Eidolon to serve without question. Raised in a cage and molded into something perfect, she’s ready to be sold. But when she’s handed over to Lock, her reality begins to shift. He doesn’t want a product. He wants control, and he takes it without ever raising his voice.

Lock doesn’t buy women. He contains them. Cold, calculating, and emotionally closed off, he’s built a life around structure. But Delilah’s obedience runs deeper than expected, and soon, she’s following rules he didn’t mean to give. The lines between order and desire start to blur.

As Lock pushes her limits, Delilah doesn’t resist. She leans in. She doesn't just want to serve, she wants to be his. What begins as discipline becomes something deeper, messier, and impossible to ignore. And when Lock finally claims her, it's not just about power. It’s about choice.

But choice comes with consequences. Lock's past is violent, and the life he's built doesn’t leave much room for softness. When the walls close in, he makes a move that changes everything. Delilah doesn’t break. She speaks, for herself, for what she wants, and for who she belongs to.

Delilah grows from silence to self-awareness, learning that real submission is never about fear. Lock learns that control without connection is hollow. Together, they build something dangerous, intimate, and deeply personal. It’s not perfect. It’s powerful.

A dark, steamy, BDSM, captive-captor, motorcycle club romance rooted in dominance, obedience, and the raw need to be owned. It explores captivity, trauma, power exchange, emotional control, and identity stripped bare. It’s about how submission becomes a choice, how control reshapes who you are, and how love can be the most dangerous cage of all.

The Elevator Pitch: A dark and emotionally charged captive-captor romance that explores control, submission, and the blurred line between obedience and desire. With intense psychological dynamics and a dominant hero who never expected to care, this story dives deep into power exchange and emotional transformation. It's raw, addictive, and impossible to look away from.
Profile Image for Tina Dyble.
25 reviews
October 29, 2025
This book is worth more than 5 stars in my opinion. This is one of the best books I’ve read for a long time. It had everything I love in a book. It was well written had a great storyline and had violence and dark matter abound.

If you like dark subject matter such as control, depravity, captivity and much more you will absolutely love this book. I read it in a few hours and hope that there is more like this to follow as I will definitely be reading it if there is.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Beba Andric.
1,597 reviews119 followers
November 9, 2025
PLEASE READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS

While some might classify this book as erotica, and, yes, there is sexual content, graphic and explicit, this book really focuses on something entirely different. This was a mind bend of rawness. Of the worst kind. Slavery, depravity, control, obedience, is taken to new heights. This dark and deadly world is exposed, exactly as is, no frills, no whistles, just visceral. This story packs a giant punch in the effectiveness of the storytelling. Unabashed exploitation. Emotional debauchery. This author is an expert at bringing it all to the fore, she doesn't shy away from "difficult" topics, she presents it as it is, hard hitting, intense.

So clearly unapologetically does Ms Barrons present this story, I wanted to cry for Delilah, cry with Delilah. Trained from a child to be subservient, to take orders, to please, to obey, to have no voice or demands, is all Delilah knows. So conditioned is she, she even craves it. Destined to be sold to the highest bidder, she has no option but to accept her lot. But she's not sold as she expected. A twist of fate, and she's instead handed to bikers for safeguarding until the auction. And that's where things get complicated. For her. For her "keeper" Lock. Both have a need, she direction, he control. But, again, it's more complicated than that. She learns she has a voice, even with her need to be wanted, to be secure, her fear takes a back seat and her desires come alive. A metamorphosis neither she nor Lock expected, and the result is one of security, belonging.

Lock knows what he wants and needs, and it eluded him, until Delilah crashed into his life. Never cruel but cold, emotionless, stoic Lock, Lock soon feels that Delilah and he fit, and that gets messy. Messy for his "non emotions", messy for the club. Supposed to only "guard" her until "the transfer", he discovers Delilah is exactly what he needs. She is compliant, obedient, she aims to please, and as she emerges from her shell, his conviction, his claim, solidifies, so he fights for her.

Exploring the darker side of humanity, this author gives an intense account of dominance, belonging, psychological trauma and that the soul can never be caged, it just needs the right key to unlock it.
Profile Image for Michelle Frater.
1,782 reviews20 followers
January 31, 2026
I spent much of this novella wavering between genres, wondering whether this was a dark romance or outright horror and that uneasy ambiguity feels deliberate. There’s something inherently disturbing about a seven-year-old girl being raised with a predetermined fate, groomed to meet the desires of a rich and powerful man once she’s olde enough to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. It’s a grim setup, and only a last-minute twist of fate diverts Delilah from that future and places her under the “protection” of Lock. It’s chilling to imagine being conditioned so completely that serving becomes your sole reason for existing. However, obedience is all Delilah has ever know ever known and it’s so ingrained that she even desires it. Finding herself in an unfamiliar environment, it even becomes a coping mechanism. But, although she has escaped Eidolon, albeit temporarily, if you’re expecting comfort, kindness, or even basic empathy, think again. Lock is ice-cold—the kind of cold that raises goosebumps, and not in a good way. Control is the only currency he trades in; emotion doesn’t even make the list. Yet, the way Delilah follows his rules is something he has never found with anyone else and something he has always craved. The more he pushes her limits, the more she yields, until the rigid control he relies on begins to crack. What truly shifts the dynamic isn’t just her submission, but the fact that she chooses to give it. That choice becomes Delilah’s first real step toward agency. She begins to want things for herself, dangerous things, and what she wants most is to belong to him entirely. As their connection deepens, it threatens the very system that shaped Delilah into who she is. Ultimately, the story boils down to a stark, unsettling question: how much are they willing to sacrifice to claim each other and what happens when a bond forged in control starts to demand something more?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
120 reviews3 followers
November 10, 2025
My only complaint about the utterly captivating journey of Delilah and Lock is that it simply ended too soon! This narrative defies the conventional love story, immediately drawing readers into a world where connection is forged not through typical romance, but in the crucible of shared, unspoken depths. We're given haunting, albeit partial, glimpses into the awful things Delilah endured, painting a vivid picture of resilience born from unimaginable pain. Lock, more enigmatic, remains largely in shadow, yet one senses his own untold history is the magnetic, undeniable force drawing these two unlikely souls together amidst improbable circumstances. Remarkably, despite its brevity, the story felt entirely complete, offering a satisfying arc for its characters within its pages. Yet, that very completeness only amplifies the yearning for more; Delilah and Lock are characters who burrow deep into the reader's heart, leaving us not just content with their journey, but desperately craving a deeper dive into their continued healing, their evolving bond, and the myriad untold adventures that surely await them. A sequel, another volume, isn't just desired; it feels like an imperative for anyone who's fallen under their unique, unforgettable spell.
748 reviews7 followers
October 28, 2025
This book had an interesting premise — conspiracies, hidden motives, and a strong power imbalance between the main characters — but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to its potential for me.

The story felt flat and surface-level, with very little world-building or emotional depth. The characters stayed one-dimensional, and their feelings seemed to shift instantly without real build-up, which made it hard to connect with them or care about their relationship. The pacing also felt uneven, with scenes flowing more like a diary of events than a developed story arc.

It’s meant to be a biker romance, but apart from one mention of the male lead’s motorcycle, that element never really comes into play — it felt more like a checkbox trope than an integrated part of the story.

For readers who enjoy erotica focused mainly on power dynamics, this might still be appealing. But if you prefer richer world-building, character development, and emotional connection, this one might leave you wanting more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,289 reviews12 followers
December 6, 2025
A double-edged sword.

She's the property of Eidolon. She's been trained most of her life for the man that someday will be her Sir. The man who will own her. The man who can do whatever he pleases with her, including killing her, if he so desires.

He was just to house her until it was time to take her to the auction where she will be sold. He was never meant to claim her and certainly never meant to fall in love with her, or what he equates with love, total surrender, including death, if that is his desire.

She is Delilah, or Della as he calls her, or D-sixteen as she calls herself. The number she was given when Eidolon acquired her. Her only job is to be whatever her Sir wants of her, no matter how degrading.

Locke was once a cleanup man for Eidolon. He never thought he'd ever meet his perfect sub, but Delilah is perfect in every way for him. He must claim her, even knowing they are marked for death by stealing her. But some things are worth death... A dark, twisted form of love.

I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Profile Image for Sandra.
987 reviews10 followers
January 24, 2026
This story was hard for me to read because I felt so strongly for all that happened to Delilah. Her life hasn't been her own since she was a child; she has been in service, in training to serve only her master's desires. She has been programmed to only submit to his desires, his needs, his wants. To take direction from and only him. So when she is diverted from the auction to Lock, she finds herself floundering.

Lock is a Dominant; he hasn't found a woman who can take his level of control. Delilah is only with him temporarily, but her training needs to be kept up. But he does things different to Eidolon, who trained Delilah; this confuses her, and she struggles with how to deal with it. At the same time, she is drawn to him, and she finds she wants to please him, to be the submissive that makes him happy.

It is sad to know that her life is all about servitude. But has she been lucky enough to find that person who, even though he has her as a submissive, is willing to make her life happy and loved?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
14 reviews
December 7, 2025
Lock is part of a motorcycle group charged with protecting Delilah. Delilah has been "trained" in a school for submissives and is meant to be sent off, but for reasons we don't learn, needs a place to stay temporarily.

Lock finds himself growing increasingly entwined with her and her submissive nature. Delilah at first is struggling to understand Lock and to know what he wants and needs from her. The two of them are alone for together in Lock's apartment in a warehouse for some time. They find that each of them fills the broken pieces of the other, Lock is extremely dominant, and has been looking for the right partner and not finding it. While Delilah is initially there not of her own volition - she finds that Lock also fills a need in her.

Do read your trigger warnings, but this is beautifully written the sex is integral to the story. Anja's writing style is such that I'm looking to hear more of their story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
655 reviews16 followers
January 30, 2026
There's a beautiful cruelty haunting these pages, a caged woman, a trained submissive, a dominant's dream. But can she be moulded to fit Lock's more base desires? And dare he try to own her? To have her complete obedience? Her choice.

The power play is what makes this an interesting read. Lock is a hard character juxtaposed with Delilah's fragility. Even trained to be a man's toy Delilah carries an air of .... I want to say innocence but it's more naivity, which is what makes her an interesting read. This is what forms the bulk of the narrative. The plot - Lock takes Delilah in the pretense of keeping her safe until she can be sold on, then re-trains her into his play thing before having to publicly claim her infront of his gang leader - is merely the bones from which this unusual relationship is hung.

There were moments that were awkward to read and moments where the writing meandered but all in all a decent, interesting and spicy read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,120 reviews9 followers
January 31, 2026
10🌟and 10🌶️ !!!!! Amazing!!!
Anja Barron never fails to impress me, her books are exquisitely erotic, dangerously dark, intoxicating, and yet emotional! Lock and Delilah are the keys to each other’s greatest desires: filthy, seductive, edgy kink, and bondage that is starkly intense. He’s so methodical in his approach, she’s been molded to fit a man’s vision, and I could feel the tension, the need, and the overwhelming sense of belonging between them! There’s so much packed into this novella that I’m sad it’s over for now! TW for marking, impact play, and other BDSM elements. Those aspects enhanced the story by delving into each character’s personality and traits. I look forward to getting more about Lock’s MC and what their future holds!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
71 reviews
February 7, 2026
This story is deeply intense and emotionally gut-wrenching from start to finish. The power dynamics are what truly make this book stand out, creating a gripping and unsettling read that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

Della and Locke are incredibly complex characters—one shaped by a life spent in a literal cage, the other forged by rigid control and authority. Their connection is dark, raw, and layered, exploring dominance, submission, and the imbalance of power in a way that feels intentional and thought-provoking.

This is not a light read. It’s a brutal, emotionally charged story that examines how cages can be physical, psychological, and deeply subjective. If you enjoy dark romance that pushes boundaries and challenges perceptions, this one leaves a lasting impact.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sara Sines.
Author 8 books56 followers
October 28, 2025
Oh my!
The author has built two of the most complicated characters I've read in a long time!
The FMC, Della, is completely broken and doesn't even realize it. I wanted to wrap her in a hug and show her how to make her own choices in the world. The longer I read, the more I wanted to unalive the next person who hurt her.
And Locke - he's perfect for her. He understands what she needs and is willing to burn the world for her.
Don't get me wrong; this is not a sweet cute/meet. The story is raw and unhinged. Be sure to read the trigger warnings. But it's amazing!
If you love truly dark romance, you'll be taken away by this story!
1,686 reviews9 followers
January 30, 2026
Caged by the Crown by Anja Barrons. Just finished this story and WOW! It knocked my socks off. I knew it was going to be dark but IMO- this is on the next level. Delilah’s life and how she was raised broke my heart. But she knew what she was and was trained to be perfect. Lock knows what the deal is but as he spends more time with her, he finds himself wanting something real, something worth the fight. This was a well written story for someone who enjoys dark and disturbing drama, lots of potential triggers, and devilish characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
5,114 reviews28 followers
February 1, 2026
The Crown City MC is asked to hold some merchandise for Eidolon. This is not something they are normally involved in, human trafficking. Delilah has been trained to follow any rules her owner sets down for her. She leaves with Lock until her auction. She spirals when it seems he wants nothing from her.

Lock has always looked for the prefect complete submissive for him. Delilah seems to be exactly what he is looking for, if she can follow his rules. This is not for the faint of heart, Delilah had to go thru a lot of training to reach the point she is at.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
41 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2026
I love this book! It’s so different from what I was expecting and from anything else I’ve read before. I love the setting, plot, and characters, and the author’s writing is really lovely. But what really got me is how raw the story feels. There isn’t a lot of emotion written in words on a page, but you can feel it throughout the entire story. This was my first book by Anja Barron and I honestly cannot wait to read more from her! Highly recommend.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Rosemary.
1,631 reviews6 followers
February 2, 2026
So good but only if you like dark and depraved sexual scenes because there are many between Delilah and the male character, Lock that are so good. He is not interested in buying this girl who has been raised to be the perfect submissive but then he decides that she isn't like the rest of the woman who were raised to serve. The interactions between these two will keep you excited as you follow their story and how they navigate the imbalance of power between them until they come out on the other side as a couple.
Profile Image for The Book Dragon's Hoard by A.V..
1,119 reviews28 followers
December 4, 2025
Dark and so hot! I love how this author works through power plays, showing all the facets of the darker aspects of desire. While the story isn't for the faint of heart, somehow it really, really works. Another great read from a fantastic dark romance author where you can expect the unexpected and know that even though it's dark and gritty and features heartwrenching character backstories there's always that edgy twist that makes everything okay again, in the end.
1,027 reviews6 followers
January 3, 2026
A short dark story. Delilah has been conditioned to obey unconditionally when ordered. She is placed with Lock for safe keeping for three months. He will test her without orders and see how she responds. Then will test her with his wants. This is a dark story that will either draw you in or question Lock's actions. I enjoyed this story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Diana Page.
1,081 reviews5 followers
January 13, 2026
Delilah and Lock’s story is a very quick, highly sexual read. It is basically an MC read full of a group called Elodion, who takes young girls and trains them to be living sex dolls, who follow their Master or Sir’s every whim. If you don’t appreciate open door sex scenes, skip this book. 4✨’s for the beginning journey of Delilah and Lock, I hope we find out more and thus becomes a series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,003 reviews3 followers
January 30, 2026
Delilah, conditioned for silent obedience, meets her match in cold, calculating Lock - who craves control but finds his walls crumbling as she leans into his rules with unexpected depth. From captivity to chosen connection, their intense dynamic explores trauma, self-discovery, and the raw thrill of power exchange in a gripping motorcycle club world. Dark and addictive.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Johanna.
2,151 reviews43 followers
January 31, 2026
'Caged by the Crown—a dark, addictive tale of captivity, control, and the forbidden hunger that binds them both.'

The characters were very dark and obsessive and complex and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,432 reviews
February 11, 2026
Delilah and Lock's story may be disturbing to some due to the themes and possible triggers included. Dark, moody, unapologetic, powerful, trained and restrained, silent and contained, and ultimately under control. Who's control? That depends on your point of view, and you'll need to read to find out. Brace yourself, it's quite a dark world out there.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for GKP2460 .
4,374 reviews73 followers
December 30, 2025
Caged By The Crown is Lock and Delilah's dark, steamy story. It's gritty and raw and full of emotion. This story is gripping and emotional. It's explicit and depraved. From start to finish this book is fantastic is all of the above is your thing. I'd advise reading the trigger warnings before you start reading. This is a no holds barred journey so make sure you're prepared
Profile Image for Merry Jelks-Emmanuel.
13.6k reviews156 followers
January 30, 2026
Lock and Delilah had me glued to their drama and all caught up in this dark romance that is filled with emotional twists and turns at every page. It is truly spellbinding and had me connecting with the main characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
238 reviews2 followers
February 4, 2026
Delilah is property, she's only nineteen but she's never been anything but property in her mind. She gets transitioned into Lock's care, he decides she's going to become his property. This is a darker story of obedience and training. He rebuilds her into the perfect woman for him.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
722 reviews1 follower
November 4, 2025
Dark intense novel. Lock and Delilah showed what deeply ingrained training does to both the mind and body. A lot to this one - captivity, ownership, dominance, submission. Really interesting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Vicki .
143 reviews3 followers
November 12, 2025
A slow, dark and twisted burn that will keep you turning pages and I loved it! Delilah's self discovery (I wanted to damage characters in a book!). Lock's need for control. All the others need for power. It has trafficking, motorcycle club, dominant men! This is has the makings of a great series!
71 reviews
November 14, 2025
The handmaids tale meets erotic romance. A woman bread to serve. A dominant and submissive relationship. I really enjoyed it. It just seemed to end suddenly. Could be part of a series, I really hope it is.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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