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Her Monsters, Her Crown #1
Follow Her Down: A Dark Stalker Revenge Reverse Harem Romance
The hunt is on.
Sera Vale stalks her tormentor.
Men stalk Sera.
And somewhere in the dark, a killer waits.
Will this be Sera Vale’s final unmaking?
That depends.
She’s not running. She’s collecting—tools, weapons, worshippers.
They bow to her.
Crave her.
Kill for her.
Follow her down, even to hell.
Her monsters aren’t just lovers.
They’re trophies.
They’re jewels in her bloody crown.
And Sera Vale?
She’s named herself queen.
So go ahead.
Underestimate her.
She dares you.
Follow Her Down 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.
Sera Vale stalks her tormentor.
Men stalk Sera.
And somewhere in the dark, a killer waits.
Will this be Sera Vale’s final unmaking?
That depends.
She’s not running. She’s collecting—tools, weapons, worshippers.
They bow to her.
Crave her.
Kill for her.
Follow her down, even to hell.
Her monsters aren’t just lovers.
They’re trophies.
They’re jewels in her bloody crown.
And Sera Vale?
She’s named herself queen.
So go ahead.
Underestimate her.
She dares you.
Follow Her Down 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.
165 pages, Paperback
Published October 30, 2025
About the author
Holly Ryan
77 books97 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.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 60 reviews
January 24, 2026
this was just a quick free read on my kindle so 🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️ whatever, it vaguely reminded me of the bad version of the mindf*ck series but like bad
March 8, 2026
2/5 ⭐️
It was an interesting book to say the least… I’m intrigued but also not at the same time…
It was an interesting book to say the least… I’m intrigued but also not at the same time…
March 11, 2026
This book is nuts. I loved every second of it but damn. She's got all manner of man wanting her
May 20, 2026
I can officially rank 2 stars as I can see where the author was going with this, but it needs more work.
The irony of those words! You do.
I had issues with the story but I fully checked out when
The other major issue I had was James speaking. I hate accented, written speech. There are other ways of indicating a character is Scottish without them speaking like they're from an 1800s Scottish town or whatever stereotype you want to include here to justify it.
Eddie is the dark haired one, James the blonde haired one, then the entity will probably manifest as a red head/brunette???
Anyway, I can see what the author was aiming for, just didn't appreciate the road there.
Save me? The words ignite a cold fury. I don’t need saving.I need an accomplice. I need someone willing to get stained. Or I need him to leave me the fuck alone.
The irony of those words! You do.
I had issues with the story but I fully checked out when
The other major issue I had was James speaking. I hate accented, written speech. There are other ways of indicating a character is Scottish without them speaking like they're from an 1800s Scottish town or whatever stereotype you want to include here to justify it.
Eddie is the dark haired one, James the blonde haired one, then the entity will probably manifest as a red head/brunette???
Anyway, I can see what the author was aiming for, just didn't appreciate the road there.
March 12, 2026
So that happened
I dont know ... SA, serial killer, Stalker, shadow daddy ghost, detective, ... none of those the same person... this was a lot like a lot a lot.. for so few pages totally gonna keep going. points deducted for the cliffhanger
I dont know ... SA, serial killer, Stalker, shadow daddy ghost, detective, ... none of those the same person... this was a lot like a lot a lot.. for so few pages totally gonna keep going. points deducted for the cliffhanger
February 8, 2026
Another weird one, but expected, quite a little hard to read!
March 31, 2026
Fifty shades meets Haunting Adeline and Phantasma. Spicy and mystery
November 26, 2025
This was a really fun start to this new series. I wish there was more backstory to her beginning. I kind of felt like I missed a book before reading this one. The story was getting really really good before the cliffhanger. I was so shocked at the cliffhanger that I about threw my phone across the room Lol I can’t wait to read the next book and see all the characters develop more. Shadow daddy is probably gonna be my favorite. But the other two are so top notch too ughhh.
Short read guys!
Short read guys!
October 17, 2025
Thank you Booksprout and Holly Ryan for the ARC!
Ya know, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. As a dark romance girlie, at some point, they start to blend together at times but this one? This one didn't blend.
With five POVs (our FMC, Sera. Our MMCs, James, Eddie, the Entity, and Red Hands) all following a revenge plot, it can be a little confusing with no clear timeline, but it held my attention and kept me wanting more.
This does end on a cliffhanger!
I'm read for book 2, please!
Bonus points for making James Scottish. I'm weak for a Scotsman, even though I need a cheat sheet to understand what they're saying a times 😅 (I see you Gunner)
Ya know, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. As a dark romance girlie, at some point, they start to blend together at times but this one? This one didn't blend.
With five POVs (our FMC, Sera. Our MMCs, James, Eddie, the Entity, and Red Hands) all following a revenge plot, it can be a little confusing with no clear timeline, but it held my attention and kept me wanting more.
This does end on a cliffhanger!
I'm read for book 2, please!
Bonus points for making James Scottish. I'm weak for a Scotsman, even though I need a cheat sheet to understand what they're saying a times 😅 (I see you Gunner)
May 25, 2026
3★
okay 3 stars is honestly generous 😭 and this review is literally like a week late because I’m SO behind on reviews right now. Somewhere in my room there’s probably a pile of notes from books I read and never reviewed because apparently I enjoy suffering.
Anyway… this series was weird. Like genuinely fever dream, wattpad-core, “what the hell am I reading” weird. This girl had EVERY type of man after her:
- a detective
- a stalker named James
- a literal shadow daddy entity
- Red Hands the serial killer
- and somehow all of them were obsessed with her at the exact same time???
And listen… someone said this series is the bad version of the Mindf*ck series and honestly? Yeah. I see the vision. This book wanted Lana Myers energy SO bad but never fully committed to it. Because where Lana felt calculated, terrifying, and emotionally layered… this FMC just annoyed me half the time.
And before anyone comes for me — there’s a difference between a strong woman and just being mean for no reason 😭 because I swear some authors think making a female character rude, emotionally immature, and impossible to communicate with automatically equals “powerful woman.” No babe. That’s not feminine rage, that’s just being insufferable.
The concept itself actually had potential though. The whole “woman becomes the monster instead of the victim” thing? LOVE that. The gothic erotic horror vibes? Also love. The obsession, stalking, serial killer chaos, shadow entity lurking in corners like some paranormal sleep paralysis boyfriend? Inject it into my veins.
But the execution felt messy.
Half the time I couldn’t tell if this book wanted to be:
- psychological thriller
- dark romance
- paranormal horror
- revenge story
- erotic fever dream
- or a Tumblr moodboard from 2014
The men honestly carried a lot of this for me because their obsession was entertaining in the most toxic way possible. James especially had that “tell me who to destroy and I’ll do it” energy that I unfortunately eat up every single time. The detective storyline also had potential because I LOVE morally conflicted men falling apart over dangerous women.
But emotionally? I stayed kind of disconnected from everyone.
This series definitely leans heavily into:
- stalking
- obsessive devotion
- morally gray men
- serial killers
- shadow daddy/paranormal vibes
- manipulation
- possessiveness
- feminine rage
- toxic codependency
- violence mixed with attraction
So if that’s your thing you’ll probably still have fun with it.
Overall this wasn’t horrible… but it also wasn’t great. I was mostly confused, mildly irritated, occasionally entertained, and somehow still read the entire series anyway which honestly says more about me than the books 🤣
okay 3 stars is honestly generous 😭 and this review is literally like a week late because I’m SO behind on reviews right now. Somewhere in my room there’s probably a pile of notes from books I read and never reviewed because apparently I enjoy suffering.
Anyway… this series was weird. Like genuinely fever dream, wattpad-core, “what the hell am I reading” weird. This girl had EVERY type of man after her:
- a detective
- a stalker named James
- a literal shadow daddy entity
- Red Hands the serial killer
- and somehow all of them were obsessed with her at the exact same time???
And listen… someone said this series is the bad version of the Mindf*ck series and honestly? Yeah. I see the vision. This book wanted Lana Myers energy SO bad but never fully committed to it. Because where Lana felt calculated, terrifying, and emotionally layered… this FMC just annoyed me half the time.
And before anyone comes for me — there’s a difference between a strong woman and just being mean for no reason 😭 because I swear some authors think making a female character rude, emotionally immature, and impossible to communicate with automatically equals “powerful woman.” No babe. That’s not feminine rage, that’s just being insufferable.
The concept itself actually had potential though. The whole “woman becomes the monster instead of the victim” thing? LOVE that. The gothic erotic horror vibes? Also love. The obsession, stalking, serial killer chaos, shadow entity lurking in corners like some paranormal sleep paralysis boyfriend? Inject it into my veins.
But the execution felt messy.
Half the time I couldn’t tell if this book wanted to be:
- psychological thriller
- dark romance
- paranormal horror
- revenge story
- erotic fever dream
- or a Tumblr moodboard from 2014
The men honestly carried a lot of this for me because their obsession was entertaining in the most toxic way possible. James especially had that “tell me who to destroy and I’ll do it” energy that I unfortunately eat up every single time. The detective storyline also had potential because I LOVE morally conflicted men falling apart over dangerous women.
But emotionally? I stayed kind of disconnected from everyone.
This series definitely leans heavily into:
- stalking
- obsessive devotion
- morally gray men
- serial killers
- shadow daddy/paranormal vibes
- manipulation
- possessiveness
- feminine rage
- toxic codependency
- violence mixed with attraction
So if that’s your thing you’ll probably still have fun with it.
Overall this wasn’t horrible… but it also wasn’t great. I was mostly confused, mildly irritated, occasionally entertained, and somehow still read the entire series anyway which honestly says more about me than the books 🤣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2025
She’s not running. She’s collecting. She’s building a crown.
Sera returns to Wichita with a new name, a fake smile, and one goal: confront the man who destroyed her and walked away clean. She moves into a crumbling house that isn’t empty. Something lives beneath the floor, watching and touching. She doesn't flinch from the dark. She invites it in.
But she’s not the only one watching. James, her stalker, circles with cameras and devotion wrapped in barbed wire. Eddie, the detective, digs up her secrets and keeps coming back. One wants to worship. One wants to protect. Neither is safe.
Then the city starts bleeding. Women turn up dead, posed like they were meant to be found. A killer known as Red Hands moves in silence, and his message is personal. Sera didn’t come to be hunted. She came to rewrite the rules.
Pain sharpens into purpose. Lust turns violent. She doesn’t fall in love, she pulls it apart until it belongs to her. The ones who get close don’t save her. They kneel.
Sera shifts from shattered to sovereign. James becomes her violent protector, obsessed and unhinged. Eddie breaks his own lines just to stay close. Shadow Daddy, the presence in her walls, worships her with jealous, supernatural hunger. Each one is hers, claimed and kept.
Their dynamic is messy, dark, and shaped by trauma. She tests, takes, and holds power close. Love isn’t the goal. Control is. What they create together is feral, forbidden, and unforgettable.
A dark, steamy, reverse harem romance with stalker fixation, serial killer tension, paranormal obsession, and shadow-laced heat. It blends vigilante justice, supernatural suspense, and violent devotion while exploring trauma, survival, identity, and transformation. It’s about choosing your monsters, wielding desire like a weapon, and refusing to be anyone’s victim. Her reckoning starts here.
The Elevator Pitch: A dark, seductive reverse harem where obsession burns, shadows touch, and vengeance tastes like desire. A woman reborn hunts the man who broke her and collects monsters who worship every jagged piece. It's violent, intimate, and addictive, with power shifting under every kiss and kill.
Sera returns to Wichita with a new name, a fake smile, and one goal: confront the man who destroyed her and walked away clean. She moves into a crumbling house that isn’t empty. Something lives beneath the floor, watching and touching. She doesn't flinch from the dark. She invites it in.
But she’s not the only one watching. James, her stalker, circles with cameras and devotion wrapped in barbed wire. Eddie, the detective, digs up her secrets and keeps coming back. One wants to worship. One wants to protect. Neither is safe.
Then the city starts bleeding. Women turn up dead, posed like they were meant to be found. A killer known as Red Hands moves in silence, and his message is personal. Sera didn’t come to be hunted. She came to rewrite the rules.
Pain sharpens into purpose. Lust turns violent. She doesn’t fall in love, she pulls it apart until it belongs to her. The ones who get close don’t save her. They kneel.
Sera shifts from shattered to sovereign. James becomes her violent protector, obsessed and unhinged. Eddie breaks his own lines just to stay close. Shadow Daddy, the presence in her walls, worships her with jealous, supernatural hunger. Each one is hers, claimed and kept.
Their dynamic is messy, dark, and shaped by trauma. She tests, takes, and holds power close. Love isn’t the goal. Control is. What they create together is feral, forbidden, and unforgettable.
A dark, steamy, reverse harem romance with stalker fixation, serial killer tension, paranormal obsession, and shadow-laced heat. It blends vigilante justice, supernatural suspense, and violent devotion while exploring trauma, survival, identity, and transformation. It’s about choosing your monsters, wielding desire like a weapon, and refusing to be anyone’s victim. Her reckoning starts here.
The Elevator Pitch: A dark, seductive reverse harem where obsession burns, shadows touch, and vengeance tastes like desire. A woman reborn hunts the man who broke her and collects monsters who worship every jagged piece. It's violent, intimate, and addictive, with power shifting under every kiss and kill.
January 19, 2026
I'd give this book 4 stars because while it did have my attention I feel like I need more information or chapters, but then again it was perfect for how short this book was. I like the characters, but there is definitely room for more character growth between "Sera" or Penny and Eddie, James, and the Entity. My favorite part of this book is the fact her goal is revenge. The Entity is voice of reason telling her to be careful while fully embracing the darkness, Eddie is also I'll help you, but we're going to do this carefully, so that she doesn't get caught in Vincent's trap again, and James is the one who isn't afraid to get dirty and mess around in the mess that gets made he will fight her battles alongside her and take out the trash. I like the mystery that comes with story I have my theories on who Red Hands is but I'm not going to voice those theories because I want to keep reading this series. I like books like this that are short and to the point kind of because this book could have easily been longer, but I like that it ended how it did. Now I just want more to read to finish this series and see if my theories were right or if I was pointed in the wrong direction and Red Hands isn't who I thought they were. I will definitely be getting the rest of the series and probably reread this one again before continuing on with the rest of the series.
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.
October 15, 2025
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 and It looks like the ‘Her Monsters, Her Crown’ series is going to be just as addictive.
‘Follow Her Down’ is original, filled with spine tingling suspense, murder, mayhem, super spicy times, a clarity of acceptance, and a cliffhanger that makes me super anxious for book 2!
*** Recommended ***
MMC:
✨James
✨Eddie
✨Entity
FMC:
✨Sera
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨cliffhanger
Series:
✨ Book 1 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
* murder, dismemberment, gore, graphic description of crime scenes,
💥mental health
* trauma response, ptsd, coercion, manipulation, r ape-off page, obsession, stalking, revenge
Burn Speed:
✨fast
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨MF.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
‘Follow Her Down’ is original, filled with spine tingling suspense, murder, mayhem, super spicy times, a clarity of acceptance, and a cliffhanger that makes me super anxious for book 2!
*** Recommended ***
MMC:
✨James
✨Eddie
✨Entity
FMC:
✨Sera
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨cliffhanger
Series:
✨ Book 1 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
* murder, dismemberment, gore, graphic description of crime scenes,
💥mental health
* trauma response, ptsd, coercion, manipulation, r ape-off page, obsession, stalking, revenge
Burn Speed:
✨fast
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨MF.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 3, 2026
First Off: Content Warnings are not all inclusive. Yes you mention objects but uhhh hey author? You kinda missed the whole gun play warning. It’s kinda a major one. You also could’ve warned for the surprise tentacles. Also by the logistics of this- this has to be hentai rules bc anatomy does not work to fit three feet inside you. No matter where you put it.
Ok soo- I was not aware that getting gifted a hand in a box was such a popular trope; but when in such a niche book trope, I suppose having similarities is not unusual.
Also unmentioned is different (more vanilla) kinks; because in comparison to the some of the more extreme kinks- some that seem more vanilla could very well be a trigger for someone. As for the content warning of off screen rape.. you’re giving a lot of details on page. OH MY - Ok… Author. I’m disappointed in you. This is ON PAGE assault. You really need to learn how to do content warnings better.
Also have you never heard of safe sex? This… this isn’t safe. None of it is safe.
This girl needs some therapy. And fast…
TLDR: not enough content warnings
Ok soo- I was not aware that getting gifted a hand in a box was such a popular trope; but when in such a niche book trope, I suppose having similarities is not unusual.
Also unmentioned is different (more vanilla) kinks; because in comparison to the some of the more extreme kinks- some that seem more vanilla could very well be a trigger for someone. As for the content warning of off screen rape.. you’re giving a lot of details on page. OH MY - Ok… Author. I’m disappointed in you. This is ON PAGE assault. You really need to learn how to do content warnings better.
Also have you never heard of safe sex? This… this isn’t safe. None of it is safe.
This girl needs some therapy. And fast…
TLDR: not enough content warnings
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2025
This is the first book I've read by this author. I picked it up via an ARC copy, and I am so glad I did. It had me hooked from the get-go!
Sera (Penny) is back in her hometown, but with the change in her appearance, in the hope that she stays under the radar. She is not there to meet up with old friends or family; she is back for revenge. Her target is in her crosshairs, and in time, she will hopefully take aim. But she is not alone; others have her on their radar, so is she safe? Has the predator just become the hunted?
From picking up my Kindle, I never put it down until the story was finished. A definite page-turner. But it leaves us on a cliffhanger, and I am desperate to know what happens next!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sera (Penny) is back in her hometown, but with the change in her appearance, in the hope that she stays under the radar. She is not there to meet up with old friends or family; she is back for revenge. Her target is in her crosshairs, and in time, she will hopefully take aim. But she is not alone; others have her on their radar, so is she safe? Has the predator just become the hunted?
From picking up my Kindle, I never put it down until the story was finished. A definite page-turner. But it leaves us on a cliffhanger, and I am desperate to know what happens next!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 29, 2026
Well… I’ve seen creepier and more disturbing movies so I won’t judge too much.
James… out of his damn mind. But I get it, hes on that “hear my out list” cuz come one babe. Hes a literal stalker.
Now… Eddie? I get it. Makes sense. He hasn’t done anything crazy like what James did the RICK (god laws, nasty business) but I can see it happening.
Now wtf is going on with this house???? Because GIRL WHAT!!!? I thought the wine bottle and the gun was nuts until … you know what… nvm.
The house is freaky as shit!!!
Now Penny… oh sweet Penny. You let that nasty man open your mouth…. YUCK!
My girl needs a bigger blade and more backbone.
Or to just sit back and let these men do it all.
Now to this Red Hands guy… is she gonna somehow get him to the team??? Idk and idk if I wanna know.
The house is freaky! wtf I can’t get over it.
James… out of his damn mind. But I get it, hes on that “hear my out list” cuz come one babe. Hes a literal stalker.
Now… Eddie? I get it. Makes sense. He hasn’t done anything crazy like what James did the RICK (god laws, nasty business) but I can see it happening.
Now wtf is going on with this house???? Because GIRL WHAT!!!? I thought the wine bottle and the gun was nuts until … you know what… nvm.
The house is freaky as shit!!!
Now Penny… oh sweet Penny. You let that nasty man open your mouth…. YUCK!
My girl needs a bigger blade and more backbone.
Or to just sit back and let these men do it all.
Now to this Red Hands guy… is she gonna somehow get him to the team??? Idk and idk if I wanna know.
The house is freaky! wtf I can’t get over it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2025
Holy freaking moly! I’m enthralled by Sera’s strength and determination! She’s been tempered by injustice and is actively seeking her revenge! Holly Ryan has a unique style: her words speak to my soul and the characters leave an indelible impression on my psyche. I love why choose, spicy suspense, haunting scenes, and a good old fashioned who-did-it!!! Sera attracts attention, not all of it good, but her shadowy lover is a force, her stalker is a protector, and the lawman can’t stop himself! It’s a gory, brutal, and scary world and I need more!!! More spice, more justice, and more powerful energy that sends evil into oblivion!!.
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.
November 12, 2025
I seriously want to lie down on the floor and kick my legs and throw my arms around like I'm a toddler throwing a temper tantrum. That's how upset I am about the cliffhanger. How can you do this to your readers? I was so invested in this book. Okay, I don't know who I love more: James or Shadow Daddy. Don't get me wrong, I like Eddie, but James and his accent and how far he'll go to protect her—that's hot. I don't know when the next book comes out, but I'm anxiously awaiting it. I forgot to mention a quote from the book that I absolutely loved from Sera. I quote " I'd rather shave my legs with a rusty cheese grater.".
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.
February 24, 2026
This is the first time I've read a book with these tropes and I can say that I was pleasantly surprised. I'm definitely digging the shadow man and his new found love of the woman in the house. Anytime there's a paranomal twist on a book, I think it makes it even better. I'll say that I'm not the biggest fan of the detailed scenes of gore and gruesome crime stuff, but that's just not my cup of tea. I'm here for our FMC having her reverse harem surrounded by men who can't keep their hands off of her. I'm interested to see where this story goes but overall, I'm so glad this was my first read in these tropes. It set the bar pretty high without anything feeling rushed. You get a good back story to our FMC and you want to cheer for her as the story goes on.
May 11, 2026
Unhinged! This was wildly chaotic at the start, but I just went with it. Sera is like a ticking time bomb and I really had no idea how things were going to escalate. Definitely fictional, because otherwise our FMC would be deeply unwell.
It took me a second to get the characters straight:
Sera (Penny) - feminine revenge rage vibes
Red Hands (killer) - mystery plot vibes
Vincent (bad guy) - sleazy cop vibes
Rick (Sera’s boss) - creepy old man vibes
James (stalker) - sexy Scottish accent vibes
Eddie (detective) - protective vibes
The Entity (paranormal) - shadow daddy vibes
THE SPICE WAS SPICE-ING.
Why is it so hot when characters are intimate right after a major violent moment? I sit there afterwards like… wow. What is wrong with me 😭
It took me a second to get the characters straight:
Sera (Penny) - feminine revenge rage vibes
Red Hands (killer) - mystery plot vibes
Vincent (bad guy) - sleazy cop vibes
Rick (Sera’s boss) - creepy old man vibes
James (stalker) - sexy Scottish accent vibes
Eddie (detective) - protective vibes
The Entity (paranormal) - shadow daddy vibes
THE SPICE WAS SPICE-ING.
Why is it so hot when characters are intimate right after a major violent moment? I sit there afterwards like… wow. What is wrong with me 😭
July 7, 2026
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This is the first book I've read by this author. Sooooo, I'm still trying to process what I just read. I can't really fathom it into words but I'll try. I'm sensing this a reverse herem with the FMC and 3 others. A shadow daddy, and I mean that in the literal sense. An actual shadow, an unhinged scottish stalker/protector and a handsome detective. It gives for interesting concept. There's also a serial killer on the loose who's also stalking the FMC and in the first couple of chapters the FMC has fun with a wine bottle, a gun and tentacles are thrown in too. There's murder, there's gore and it's all utterly unhinged but I think i need to read the others just to find out what happens next, because once again there were TENTACLES!!
This is the first book I've read by this author. Sooooo, I'm still trying to process what I just read. I can't really fathom it into words but I'll try. I'm sensing this a reverse herem with the FMC and 3 others. A shadow daddy, and I mean that in the literal sense. An actual shadow, an unhinged scottish stalker/protector and a handsome detective. It gives for interesting concept. There's also a serial killer on the loose who's also stalking the FMC and in the first couple of chapters the FMC has fun with a wine bottle, a gun and tentacles are thrown in too. There's murder, there's gore and it's all utterly unhinged but I think i need to read the others just to find out what happens next, because once again there were TENTACLES!!
October 14, 2025
Definitely heed the trigger warnings before reading this series.
This was a quite fast paced novella which doesn't take away from the story at all for me. Sera and the love interests introduced are really morally grey or straight into the red flag territory but it makes for a great read! Red hands has made the underlining story a lot more interesting and Sera's monster I'd love to learn more about. This is a very fast burn novella too for the spice. The flow of the story was good, left enough to keep me intrigued for the next one and can recommend this if you don't mind fast, steamy and dark romance novellas!
This was a quite fast paced novella which doesn't take away from the story at all for me. Sera and the love interests introduced are really morally grey or straight into the red flag territory but it makes for a great read! Red hands has made the underlining story a lot more interesting and Sera's monster I'd love to learn more about. This is a very fast burn novella too for the spice. The flow of the story was good, left enough to keep me intrigued for the next one and can recommend this if you don't mind fast, steamy and dark romance novellas!
October 21, 2025
If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I absolutely would! That being said, I have 3 warnings:
1) Check the TWs, for they are many.
2) If you don’t want to stay up all night reading, don’t start this book in the late afternoon. I know from personal experience.
3) Be prepared for the cliffhanger.
I COULD NOT put this down! I read it in one day/night and I need the next book asap…right this second. I don’t even have the words to describe how much I recommend this book. It was my first book by Holly Ryan and I am beyond impressed. Go read it. Seriously.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1) Check the TWs, for they are many.
2) If you don’t want to stay up all night reading, don’t start this book in the late afternoon. I know from personal experience.
3) Be prepared for the cliffhanger.
I COULD NOT put this down! I read it in one day/night and I need the next book asap…right this second. I don’t even have the words to describe how much I recommend this book. It was my first book by Holly Ryan and I am beyond impressed. Go read it. Seriously.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 3, 2025
⭐️x4
🌶x4
I swear these books are just never long enough. Creepy house. Dark twisted paranormal elements... I really enjoyed the book. But I did feel like something was missing, maybe I needed more back story, which maybe that's by design, to give it some mystery and the pieces will all come together and be explained later in the series. I've loved other series/books by Holly Ryan, so I'm definitely intrigued ro see where this story goes from here.
I received an advance review copy free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Follow Her Down by Holly Ryan
Her Monsters, Her Crown Book 1
Release 10/20/25
~143pgs
🌶x4
I swear these books are just never long enough. Creepy house. Dark twisted paranormal elements... I really enjoyed the book. But I did feel like something was missing, maybe I needed more back story, which maybe that's by design, to give it some mystery and the pieces will all come together and be explained later in the series. I've loved other series/books by Holly Ryan, so I'm definitely intrigued ro see where this story goes from here.
I received an advance review copy free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Follow Her Down by Holly Ryan
Her Monsters, Her Crown Book 1
Release 10/20/25
~143pgs
October 17, 2025
A little twisted and different. We meet "Sera" (a sexual assault survivor on her path to revenge) and a plethora of characters that you really need to pay attention to, to keep them all in sequence.
Check your TW!
A little confusing at times, especially with no definitive timelines in some parts. Overall it's well written and will continue on this novella journey to see where it ends. This is a new to me author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Check your TW!
A little confusing at times, especially with no definitive timelines in some parts. Overall it's well written and will continue on this novella journey to see where it ends. This is a new to me author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 25, 2025
Sera moves to Wichita, KS for revenge. There is also a paranormal aspect and stalking. The dialect threw me at first. There's a character who is Scottish and the words I wasn’t totally familiar with. I suggest paying close attention to the names on the chapter headings. I'm 50 pages in and a little confused with the male characters. We don't get all the answers because there will be more books. I'm very curious about shadow daddy.
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.
January 30, 2026
I got this free on Kindle, figured it was short, so would be perfect for Siri to read to me while painting. I wasn’t expecting much, but really enjoyed getting to know the characters. Most books I’ve read have 2 character points of view, but this had multiple, and I’m totally here for that! I would love some more backstory, especially about Shadow Daddy. I gave it 5 stars because it really surprised me, and I’m looking forward to starting the next one! I love her mission for revenge with the added twist of a haunted house too!
May 16, 2026
Confused majority of the time. And when it finally made sense, the book ended and you have to continue onto book two.
I don’t have energy for that. So sadly this will be the end.
It was very spicy and a quick read. So if you need something to just finish you reading goal then I would def recommend.
I loved the plot idea. The FMC going back for revenge. Who doesn’t? But the hard part was the “why choose” all these MMC characters were entering without really being introduced. And it was very hard to follow who was good and who was truly bad and the whole storyline.
I don’t have energy for that. So sadly this will be the end.
It was very spicy and a quick read. So if you need something to just finish you reading goal then I would def recommend.
I loved the plot idea. The FMC going back for revenge. Who doesn’t? But the hard part was the “why choose” all these MMC characters were entering without really being introduced. And it was very hard to follow who was good and who was truly bad and the whole storyline.
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