"Looking back, it was fate all along. I was destined to cross paths with the devil—the devil who had the face of an angel, and the cunning of a god. Or perhaps I'm still a little delirious. For all I know, our fated meeting had killed me. Or maybe... It had brought me to life."
Ava is the kind of woman you would find dancing for the moon and laughing with the trees. The kind of soul whose compassion shine's bright and colour the world around her in brilliant hues.
Grayson detest humanity and has already lost his sense of wonder at the young age of ten. His cunning is unmatched, marvelled at, and feared. Crowned king of the underworld, he is the monster that other monsters cower from.
And his eyes are set on Ava.
Follow Ava, as she navigates the tumultuous underworld of thieves, revenge, and unholy bonds in Fallen to Thievery.
This book grabbed me by the throat from the first page and never let go. It starts fierce and consuming, edge-of-your-seat intense… then somehow melts into friendship, feisty cuteness, warming love, and finally absolute, soul-crushing devastation. The emotional arc in this story is unreal 😭
The forest setting is everything. The FMC’s bond with the woods and the plants is pure perfection, and the way the author builds that connection feels intimate and alive. It’s refreshing, different, and so vividly written that I could see every leaf, every shadow, every moment. The aesthetics the author shares match the story exactly, this world feels real, and I adore it!
I’m not usually a slow-burn girl, but the forced proximity + slow burn here? 🥵 Completely worth it. The tension builds naturally, the connection feels earned, and when things finally shift… primal. Absolutely feral in the best way. Ava is the kind of FMC I instantly love. Fierce, unhinged in the right ways, deeply emotional, and honestly? If I kidnapped someone, I’d hope I’d do it with her exact energy haha!
The subtle Hades and Persephone parallels had me smiling. The love that grows here is warm and consuming, and then the devastation hits like a truck.
And that ending. WHAT. HOW DARE YOU. I’m furious. I’m obsessed. I need the next book immediately. The ending alone makes this a six-star read, even though it emotionally destroyed me. This is how I want to be kidnapped. Period.
Fallen to Thievery is a hauntingly beautiful entry into the dark romance genre. M.J. Winters weaves a story that is as much about the thrill of the heist as it is about the internal struggle of the heart.
The atmosphere isn't just dark—it’s heavy. There is a constant sense of claustrophobia, even in open spaces, because the danger feels omnipresent. The setting functions like a character itself, a gritty criminal underworld that feels slick with rain and shadow, where every luxury comes at a steep, often bloody, price.
This isn't a romance built on soft words; it’s a relationship forged in fire and friction. The dynamic between Ava and her captor is a constant chess match. Every moment of vulnerability feels earned because it’s preceded by a battle of wills. Their chemistry is a slow-burn fuse that eventually explodes, blurring the lines between hatred and an obsessive kind of need. The 'devil' here isn't a hero in disguise—he is genuinely dangerous, cunning, and manipulative, which makes his eventual obsession with Ava feel all the more intense.
Winters pushes the boundaries of the 'captive' trope, diving into the psychological gray areas of Stockholm Syndrome. The book explores the terrifying reality of finding comfort in the person who holds the key to your cage. It forces the reader to question: Is this love, or is it a survival mechanism? It’s a dark, unsettling exploration of how trauma can twist affection into something unrecognizable and all-consuming.
🍵 Final Verdict What sets Fallen to Thievery apart is its unapologetic dive into the psychology of captivity. The relationship is a masterful study in power dynamics; it’s dark, it’s messy, and it leans heavily into the blurred lines of Stockholm Syndrome. Ava’s journey isn't just about escaping a thief—it’s about navigating the terrifying realization that she might be falling for the very person who stripped away her freedom. Winters’ writing is atmospheric and sharp, painting a vivid picture of a criminal underworld where nothing is as it seems. It’s a high-stakes, seductive game where the heart is the ultimate loot. I can’t wait for the conclusion of the duology!
My heart has been kidnapped right along with the FMC—and I am not asking to be released.
This book is a roller coaster of a plot with juicy, unhinged twists that had me screaming, swooning, flinching, and side-eyeing myself for rooting for the villain. 🚩 The MMC is walking red flags stacked so high they somehow cancel each other out—and yes… you will end up rooting for him. Gods help us. It’s like he planned for it—hehe, a man that plans 🫠
The author had me hooked immediately with the inclusion of witchcraft and a deliciously twisted dynamic that gives Haunting Adeline vibes—so please read the trigger warnings and take care of your mental health. “Little witch” instead of “little mouse”? I’m screaming.
There’s also a Hades and Persephone retelling vibe that is ICONIC, with a hunter/hunted dynamic that had me absolutely feral.
Some moments that absolutely ruined me (in the best way): • Death brushing her hair back with a gun?? Butterflies. Illegal butterflies. • “You think I want to f**k you? Darling, I would break you.” — I screamed… break me 😈 • “I don’t f**k someone without their consent. I’m a monster. Just not that kind.” EXCUSE ME??? 🤗 • He’s holding her hostage but feeding her?? Smut logic says that’s romantic and I stand by it.😏
This is a slow burn, and when I say slow, I mean agonizingly, sizzling, delicious. The banter and humor nearly had me choking on my water.
When the burn finally ignites, it IGNITES. Begging. Aftercare. A longing, soul-grabbing kiss.
The twists do not stop. Just when you think you know where the plot is going—NOPE. Multiple twists had me shook, my emotional support kitties working overtime, and my jaw on the floor.
THAT FINAL TWIST… I am foaming at the mouth for book two.
This book is twisted, playful, dark, romantic, and somehow… cute??? I loved every unhinged second of it. Is Stockholm syndrome contagious? 😷😂
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Obsessed. Ruined. Counting down for the sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I'm so happy to have had the pleasure of recieving an ARC for this one and I'm so sad that it's done. But this book surely is one that I will always carry along with me in my dark heart forever. Books like this, you never forget🖤
Oh Darling.. Your in for one hell of a crazy ride with hate, fear, sick AND beautiful worshipping love and not one, but TWO twist's that you'll never even see coming!
From the start to the end, I loved Grayson. A "Demon" a "Devil" call him what you want but.. Oh how he captured my heart! And Ava. She reminds me of myself, that's why I applied as an ARC in the first place, because as a fellow Witch who loves herbs, worships gods/goddesses and nature, this was the perfect pick for me!
Everything is so detailed that you get totally lost in it, and sometimes you have to read the same sentence twice to remind yourself that this is not reality.
This book is just everything! Do I wish it had more spice and more details of this? Yes, but that's just me being 😈 for more!🤣 And that's the ONLY thing that could be missing from this masterpiece, in my opinion.
I have so many thoughts about the ending but I won't tell you any spoilers. Just know that my mind is in total overdrive mode (BUT in a good way) and I cannot wait to see if I'm right when the sequel comes out!!! 😍
If you haven't read this one yet, what are you even doing!? Go get this book right now, you bad girl!😈
I did not know what to expect of this book. I was not prepared. I was caught off guard.
“A storm’s coming.” The very first sentence sets the tone of the story. You perhaps experience unease during the first pages but that quickly turns towards fear. The tension is kept during the whole book. Sometimes you might think you can relax a bit, but then there is a subtle change in the atmosphere and your pulse elevates again.
Three chapters in my heart was beating frantically, and I was thoroughly trapped in this story. A story that is out of my comfort zone. This is not, in my opinion, a dark romance but rather a thriller albeit with spice. There are dark personalities, attraction, obsession, and borderliene abuse. What is real? What is a game? Who is more cunning?
Enemies to lovers? Yes. Conflicting emotions? Oh, yes. "Fear and lust swirled together in my stomach, acting like they belonged together, two sides of a coin."
At 70 % I thought nothing more could happen, that everything was solved. But of course, I was wrong and the story took a new turn. Towards the end the rug was pulled out from under my feet, and then the book finished off with a cliffhanger.
Even though this is not my usual type of book I liked it. It is out of my comfort zone, but never once did I want to put it down and not finish. I give this book a solid three stars.
Ava is a small town naive girl who runs an alternative medicine shop. She ends up at the wrong place at the wrong time.. Grayson the extremely morally grey man kidnaps Ava and takes her to a secluded location, At first Ava hates Grayson (understandably) but after a frightful incident and Graysons change in behaviour.. Ava starts to see him in. a different light and attractions grow...
I really enjoyed the plot of this book and even with the Stockholm syndrome I loved how Ava and Graysons relationship developed. I feel like Grayson brought out the real Ava that she had buried deep down. There were moments I laughed and moments that really touched me. However there were at times where I didn't feel the story flowed in the way it was intended as it felt very sudden. that being said, I still ate the story up and it did keep my interest.
The spice of the book was also very well balanced which I enjoyed and appreciated. Glad to see the focus was more on the plot than the spice.
One thing I didn't see coming? THE ENDING! That was such a 180!! I was sat there reading it thinking no... this isn't happening.. the author is messing with us... and because of that ending? I know it’s got its hooks in me and I will be reading the next book to see how it pans out and Ava kick some ass.
Grayson is dark, broody, and dangerous — the kind of man who leads his family with a loyalty so fierce he’d die for them. A true bad guy. And then there’s Ava.
Ava has no idea just how deeply Grayson is about to destroy her. What begins as sharp enemies-to-lovers tension quickly turns into something intense, consuming, and impossible to ignore. Even when he warns her, she never truly believes he’ll follow through.
But he does!!! 😱
This story delivers the adrenaline of a high-stakes heist alongside a relentless, gut-wrenching battle of the heart. The twists do not stop — just when you think you know where the plot is heading, it proves you wrong. And the final twist?
Completely blindsiding. I was not prepared.
Dark, emotional, and addictive, Fallen to Thievery is packed with betrayal, obsession, and morally grey choices. If you love enemies-to-lovers, high tension, and twists that hurt in the best way, this one is absolutely worth the ride.
This book was good, but the last 1/3 made it great.
It truly takes you for a ride and will throw you for a loop.
The setting, the plot, and the MMC are all equally dark. And just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, you don’t.
The FMC, Ava, was kind, loyal, and sweet. But, not in a naive, annoying way. She is also fierce and exhibits strength within that she wasn’t even aware of.
The found family element, despite their flaws is impossible to not love.
This book was frustrating, but captivating and keeps you hooked in all the best ways!
I CANNOT wait for the sequel, because I know for a fact this one will be in the back of my mind until it comes out! Definitely recommend reading!
Firstly, MJ Winters what was that? Why would you crush my soul so casually? From the moment I picked up this book, it had me in a chokehold. Ava, our FMC, has such a kind and gentle soul, and the way she respects and connects with nature carved out a very special place in my heart. Then there’s Grayson, the morally grey MMC who gave me emotional whiplash. My feelings for him were all over the place, and I should’ve known better than to sprint straight toward that particular red flag. Fallen to Thievery is the kind of book that keeps you guessing, and every time I thought I had it figured out… nope. Wrong again. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book. I am filthy about that cliffhanger.
It was dark and twisted. But, oh my goodness, this was so darn good.
I was hooked from the start to the end.. And speaking of endings.. What!!!
The plots were twisting and turning, and you just won't see any of it coming.
I loved Eva. She is fierce, brave and so strong with a hidden dark side that she never knew was in her. Grey.. This man will have you hating him while falling in love with him. Expect mixed emotions with this one.
Thank you M.J for the opportunity to be an arc reader. I am really looking forward to the next one.
This was one of those, i cant put down, carry it with me to the kitchen when i make coffee books, read it in the bath books, recommend it to friends books. I could not stop reading. I will not give any spoilers, because this is a MUST read for me, but it kept me guessing and read easily. I fell in love with the characters and still feel conflicted about how i feel about the ending. Highly recommend!
The character development of Ava throughout the book was amazing. I really felt like I went on the journey with her. I was obsessed with the ever changing dynamic between her and Grayson over the course of the book.
This book ends in a cliffhanger that has me highly anticipating the sequel.
All of the twists and turns made it a captivating read and I highly recommend to anyone wanting a book that’s passionate, suspenseful and takes you on a journey.
This novel has you following Ava in a story of fear, love, betrayal and heartbreak. It will have you captivated and leave you wanting more. There are twists and turns and you never know what to expect next.
I am excited for book two to be released in March to see what happens in the next part of Ava's story.
This is the first book of The Thievery Duology series. The second book will be released March of 2026. You have Ava who is a witch and Grayson who is the king of the underworld. You will be on a ride in this book but it so worth it. This is a dark romance with mild spice. One of my favorite tropes is enemies to lovers so this was my kind of book.
Wow - this was truly an amazing book and had everything I’m looking for in a story. I was completely immersed in Ava’s thoughts and felt everything. The pacing was great, with a compelling storyline and strong characters. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, a plot twist hit. I’m really looking forward to book two to find out what happens next!
And I’ve definitely found a new book boyfriend who makes it into my top three.
This book was one I could not put down! The twists and turns made for such a wild ride. The last 1/3 of the book took me by surprise and left me in suspense in the best way!! That cliffhanger was amazing and I cannot wait for the next one in March!!
OMG! This book had me so twisted. I both hated and loved Grayson! Just when you think you know what's happening think again. And the cliffhanger at the end will have you begging for a few more pages. Can't wait for book 2.
This book was a wild ride of emotions. It started off fast and I was so hesitant at first as I didn’t know where it was going. But then I started to love the character development and the story. Then we had a couple of twists that I wasn’t seeing coming. I can’t wait for the next book!
ARC Really hit the spot for me. I loved the hostage/forced proximity trope, and the yearning was finally there. Such a satisfying slow burn—this story definitely didn’t disappoint