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Forbidden Sanctuary

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Expected 15 Mar 26
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Forbidden Sanctuary
The Fallen Grace Chronicles - Book One

When two fallen angels are cast from Heaven for defying divine law, they awaken in a mortal world already rotting from famine and faith. One becomes silent; the other, hungry.

A century and a half later, Seraphine Vex lives in exile, hiding her celestial scars behind mortal skin and the illusion of normalcy. But when a brutal tether binds her to Kael, a Disciple of Wrath sent to hunt her kind, the past she buried claws its way back-along with the truth of what she really is.

As Heaven tightens its noose and Hell demands her blood, Sera must decide whether salvation is worth the cost of her soul-or if love itself was the most forbidden act of all.

A dark fantasy of obsession, faith, and ruin, Forbidden Sanctuary asks what remains of grace when even the divine has forgotten mercy.

459 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 15, 2026

2 people are currently reading
18 people want to read

About the author

Layla Kara

2 books6 followers
I write dark fantasy about fallen angels, broken gods, and the quiet violence of love, faith, and survival. I’ve been drawn to gothic worlds since I was a child.

I was born in Azerbaijan and later immigrated to the United States. I live here now with my two sons, husband, mother, and three dogs.

When I’m not writing, I work in construction, read an unreasonable amount of dark fantasy and horror, and obsess over myth, folklore, and the places where monsters and saints blur into one.

My debut novel, Forbidden Sanctuary, is the first book in The Fallen Grace Chronicles, coming out March 15, 2026.

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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Katie.
573 reviews32 followers
December 27, 2025
Ah this book and its overall vibes was chef’s kiss! I loved the dark, mystic nature of the atmosphere and the writing was beautifully immersive. The FMC was strong and morally gray. The overall plot line kept me intrigued the entire time and made me not want to put the book down. Loved it!
Profile Image for Maomi.
4 reviews
November 29, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you like slow pacing and a slow burn, then this book will be much more suited to you than to me. For me, it felt as though nothing significant was occurring for long stretches of time, then something big would happen on occasion. And there wasn't much for me to hang onto between these sorts of big events.

Especially because I haven't been able to connect with the characters. I much prefer character driven books, and while I was able to understand Sera and her motivations and her desires, it was difficult for me to discern her personality. From the start of the book, I struggled to connect with her, and that had a major impact on my desire to stay engaged. I had similar experiences with Kael and other characters throughout the book.

The writing itself, while very descriptive and evocative, would sometimes get in the way of the narrative, making the story difficult for me to follow. I found myself rereading certain chapters and passages just to retain and remember what happened the last time I was reading it.

So while my own experiences with this story are less than stellar, I'm sure others will be able to enjoy it much more than I.
1,063 reviews21 followers
November 26, 2025
When two fallen angels are cast from Heaven for defying divine law, they awaken in a mortal world already rotting from famine and faith. One becomes silent; the other, hungry.

A century and a half later, Seraphine Vex lives in exile, hiding her celestial scars behind mortal skin and the illusion of normalcy. But when a brutal tether binds her to Kael, a Disciple of Wrath sent to hunt her kind, the past she buried claws its way back-along with the truth of what she really is.

As Heaven tightens its noose and Hell demands her blood, Sera must decide whether salvation is worth the cost of her soul-or if love itself was the most forbidden act of all.

A dark romantasy of obsession, faith, and ruin, Forbidden Sanctuary asks what remains of grace when even the divine has forgotten mercy.

YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that are not suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times. Reader discretion is advised. Intended for readers 18+.

Tropes: Angels, Demons, Fallen, Exile, Celestial Scars, Mortal Skin, Disciple of Wrath, Heaven, Hell, Salvation, Obsession, Faith, Ruin, Grace, Protective MMC, Strong FMC,

Forbidden Sanctuary is the 1st book in The Fallen Grace Chronicles by Layla Kara.

I found this book to be a compelling dark romantasy that provides the reader this deeply emotional exploration of guilt, obsession, and just how difficult the road to redemption really is. Layla has built up this incredibly sophisticated world that offers us a fresh, elaborate perspective on heaven, hell, angels, and demons fantasy. She gives us a fantastic foundation for a setting that feels dangerous, realistic and yet sacred all at the same time.

I found this book to be enthralling and gripping and refused to let you go. Beneath the mystery and magic there is a deeper story focused on Sera’s journey that is so close to the journey that we all make in our every day lives, one of fear, hope, and how fragile and beautiful the connections Sera makes along the way the same way we do every day of our own lives.

Lyla successfully manages to intertwine both mystery and magic into this narrative that she manages to make feel immensely human. Forbidden Sanctuary feels almost like it’s a character study of these individuals who are all fighting to find their own sanctuary and a place that accepts them in a world that seems to reject them at every turn.

As you are reading you feel as though you are drawn into every small detail of the main characters lives and their journey – you feel like you are living Seraphine’s every fear, hope, and the very fragile beauty of her connections. This book reminds us all that healing from our trauma is never clean or easy and that sometimes we have to make the most out of a bad situation or a bad choice is the only thing that we can do in the end.

There were moments that I loved and hated Sera but it was in only the best of ways. From the moment she was cast out of Heaven she maintained her strength, her courage, her resilience.

Kael was marvelous. He did the job that he was given. But, after meeting Sera he also tried to protect her and when their bond formed, he was even more protective of her. He also had this kind, caring, and compassionate side to him that he tried his best to hide.

Then there was Cassia, Sera’s sister. We don’t get to see a lot of her till around the middle of the story. Once she arrives you can see that despite the fact she hasn’t been around, she really does care about her sister. She also has this mysterious power about her that you want to learn about. She’s quiet but she also has a temper to her, she is also caring, and has a strength about her the belies her intelligence.

There’s also this secondary character in the last 1/3 of the book that you really don’t get to read that much about or really get to know but really piques your curiosity and you immediately fall in love with them. I can’t wait to learn more about them and really learn who they are and what their purpose is.

I found the composition to be consistently poetic and evocative; it led the story a sombre grace. Overall, the story flows remarkably well, it maintains a captivating pace despite an early phase of necessary exposition.

The highlight of the novel is the character themselves: the MMC is intercontinentally phenomenal, and the FMC is complex, strong, and intelligent, and this creates a calculated deliberate love/hate dynamic that serves the story exceedingly well.

Forbidden Sanctuary is a stunningly beautiful read that’s unforgettable that will challenge any reader to confront the hidden corners of their own past. This book has an undeniable emotional weight, combined with its engaging plot, satisfying spice, and all of this combined makes it a powerful read.

I have to recommend this book and I can’t wait to read the next book in The Fallen Grace Chronicles.
Profile Image for Ennamora.
188 reviews19 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
December 25, 2025
Thank you to Layla Kara herself for providing me with the ARC! Originally I asked for it through BookSirens, but then the author herself decided to send me the file.

I swear, I called Layla a bunch of names. I even threatened to come and slap her personally. But she kind of redeemed herself.
I'm in close contact with the author and I wanted to throttle her at some points. And I think she wanted to throttle me as well...

I'm not sure how to rate this. The first half of the book was a bit slow. And I know, world building and such, but I like action packed scenes. And although this book doesn't have like loads of action, it does leave you wondering wtf is going on.
The way Layla weaves in these little secrets you have to uncover. She told me "Didn't you see it then and then," and I had to remind her of my kidney sized brain. She scolded me for saying pea brain, so she upgraded it to a kidney sized brain.
No, I didn't see it. I'm stupid asf and you're a master at hiding this shit.
If you have a larger brain than the kidney sized brain I have, you're probably like: I saw this coming a mile away. Okay, Wilma. Some of us don't have that perception. Leave us alone.
I think people with the same sized brain will be like: Wtf did just happen. And a lot of gasps will be leaving your body.
My jaw was even on the floor some of the times.

One thing I did not like was the over complicating of some things. Like over describing things like; 'a black, sleek and solid car.' Like bitch, I don't need to know how sleek this car is. It's just a car...
But after discussing this with the author, this was her intention. And she explained why a little, so after that it didn't annoy me as much. It did still annoy me though.
So if you're into this type of writing, this book will definitely be for you.

I've also seen people say she didn't explain much in some situations, which I do get. But seeing I like 'less is more' & 'show, don't tell' this didn't bother me whatsoever.

The love story between Kael and era is pretty tame, although passionate. Seeing how the their 'first' encounter went, I did expect a bit more naughty naughty, if you catch my drift. But this actually didn't derive from the story.
The way their love is slow but passionate is already enough to keep you hooked. Don't expect a lot of hanky-panky though, this is not that kind of book. And it doesn't need to be.

Layla describes this book as the good and the bad working beautifully together. Because life can't consist of only light (Heaven) and darkness (Hell).
And this book is a pretty good imagination of that.
I'm trying to stay as spoiler free as possible here, okay. So bear with me.
I'm already horrible at explaining myself, let alone having to do it without traumatizing people.

I also annoyed the crap out of this author, which gave me joy. *evil laugh*

Overall, would I recommend this book? Yes. It's beautifully written. It leaves you guessing. And you will absolutely hate a certain character at some point.
And the way this book ends will leave you wanting more.
I'm not religious, but religion is not a part of this book. Or I missed the memo and it is, I don't know. Kidney brain, remember?

You know what, just go fucking read it. Because I said so. Kay? Kay.
Profile Image for Ashley - ReadingGamer.
78 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy
January 6, 2026
"I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you."

✨ ARC Review — Forbidden Sanctuary: The Fallen Grace Chronicles (Book One) by Layla Kara ✨

⭐ Rating: 3 / 5

📖 Spoiler-Free Summary:

Cast out of Heaven and hunted by both divine and infernal forces, Seraphine Vex has spent centuries hiding what she truly is. When she’s violently tethered to Kael - a Disciple of Wrath sworn to destroy beings like her - survival becomes a dangerous game of secrets, faith, and forbidden connection. As Heaven closes in and Hell demands blood, Sera must decide whether redemption is worth losing herself… or if love was always the greatest sin.

💭 My Thoughts:

I really, really wanted to adore this book - and honestly, the ideas, characters, and world absolutely had the potential to be a standout dark romantasy. Fallen angels, faith, ruin, obsession? Yes please.

However, I struggled to fully connect with the execution. Whether this comes down to writing style or ARC-stage editing, the pacing frequently threw me off. There were moments where I genuinely wasn’t sure what was happening, especially during transitions, and a few repeated passages pulled me out of the story completely.

The prose is very heavily descriptive, which feels like a deliberate stylistic choice - but for me, it sometimes overshadowed the actual plot and character moments. Certain sections felt rushed emotionally, only to then slow right back down into ultra-detailed scenery.

That said, the characters themselves were a strong point. I enjoyed Sera and Kael’s dynamic and was genuinely invested in their relationship early on. Unfortunately, after several twists, some of the shock value faded, and I found myself wishing we had more time with them rather than more concepts being introduced.

There are so many good ideas here - perhaps too many for one book. This story honestly feels like it could have benefitted from being stretched into a duology, allowing the world, lore, and romance more room to breathe.

✨ Overall:

Forbidden Sanctuary is an intriguing read with a compelling premise, strong characters, and a richly imagined world - but it needs refinement. I think with tighter pacing and editing, this could truly shine. It’s definitely worth checking out if you enjoy dark, faith-heavy romantasy - just go in knowing it may feel a little uneven.

🖤
Profile Image for scottiethegpreads.
40 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 6, 2026
The the first installment in the fallen Grace Chronicles by Layla Kara is forbidden sanctuary. The note from the author says that this is a love story: it's about obsessive consuming love that becomes an anchor in a storm of cosmic war. Our FMC is Seraphine, or Sera. She is a hybrid angel demon, her parents are the Michael and Lilith. Our MMC is Kael, who is the fallen angel. The book follows Sara and Kale's journey of finding each other and surviving the chaos that is going on between heaven and hell.

I just want to say I actually had a hard time reading the first couple chapters of this book. It took me a while to get into it. I don't know if I just didn't relate to these characters until the end of the book, but it definitely Took me a while to get invested. I felt like the last half of the book is when things really picked up and got interesting. The first half of the book I was really intrigued but I also felt misled by some of the things that were said. There were also some situations in the first half of the book, where I was screaming “why are you not listening to your shadows and your intuition”! “something is not right here”! (use the force woman)

There is a massive glossary at the beginning of this book. You always know it's gonna be a little bit complicated when you need a dictionary to read A book. So much planning and effort went into this book it's insane. There is so much world building and so much backstory. Kind of reminds me of the Crescent city series by Sarah J Mas where there are a lot of side characters. And a lot of world building going on.

That being that I almost feel like the world building and the backstory Took up too much space when I wanted more dialogue and more interaction between the FMC and the MMC. I find it hard for there to be this cosmic love story when the FMC and MMC have only spent two days together.

Something I really enjoyed was that there were a lot of side characters and they had a lot of time on page. It'll be really enjoyable to read future books and see what these characters have to offer.

There was some interesting surprises near the end of the book that had me yelling at the pages.

3 chili pepper spice rating.

Editing on this book was great.

Overall for me this was like a 3.75/4 star Book.


Profile Image for Dark Bedroom Books.
149 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy
December 13, 2025
Quote:
“They held each other tighter as if their embrace could stop the relentless march of time.”
Arc review. No spoilers.
Well, debut hunters, here’s another gem for your list (Mar 15).

This story is a beautiful mix of emotional depth, a complex love story and history.
The fallen angel theme is very close to my heart, and that was exactly why I chose this book in the first place.
At its core, this story is strong, beautiful, and deeply captivating. Once I stepped inside, it carried me away with a steady, almost hypnotic rhythm, making it an easy and immersive read.
The characters breathe life into this world. Each one carries their own past, their own scars, and together they make the story feel full and alive.

And Kael… if a man like him exists, then being by his side is the rightest place to be. Lucky Sera...! Watching their history unfold and discovering the depth of their connection was breathtaking. The space between them hums with tension - charged, intimate, and undeniably intense and their bond feels rare and meaningful.
And the spice? Delicious!

There were a few moments that pulled me slightly out of the spell. The first 30% of the book felt stylistically different from the rest - whether due to editing or intention, the shift in sentence flow and word choice stood out to me. Repeated words also tend to break immersion for me. The extended glossary, while detailed, left me a bit confused as well.

Still, none of that dimmed my curiosity. I’m hungry for what comes next, eager to see what waits beyond this beginning, because there is so much more here left to discover.

Thank you @booksirens for this ARC - I’m leaving this review with a pounding heart!

Dark Fantasy Romance • Supernatural • Fae, Humans, Angels & Demons • Heaven & Hell • Protective MMC • Strong FMC • 3rd person, multi POV • 18+ / TW

⭐️4/5 | 🌶2/5
Profile Image for Jodie.
25 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
December 16, 2025
Forbidden Sanctuary opens with two fallen angels cast into the mortal world, surrounded by otherworldly creatures. The story follows Sera, a strong but broken heroine, and her sister Cassia (she appears much later in story)as Sera struggles to survive and to find herself. Her life changes when Kael, a fiercely protective and obsessive figure, appears and sets them on a difficult road toward redemption.

The novel plays with familiar ideas of good and evil, featuring figures such as Lilith, Lucifer, and Michael, but it takes unexpected paths rather than following the usual angel-and-devil tropes. The worldbuilding is a highlight — the depictions of Heaven, Hell, and the creatures that inhabit those realms are vivid and immersive.

There are many secrets among the characters and several dark, intense scenes. The book contains explicit romantic elements and a high level of spice in places, so readers who prefer milder romance should be aware.

The start of book was a little confusing for me trying to understand if Sera still had powers and what she actual was now in terms of evil or good. But once i got through more chapters the story opened up. The final two chapters were interesting as they include a few cliff hanger moments that involve more than just the main couple, which kept me wanting more.

I enjoyed the book thoroughly. It moved me emotionally and left me in tears at times, even though I knew what would come. For that emotional impact and the strong worldbuilding, I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

One of my favourite lines is: "You feel like everything I ever lost and everything I still want."

I highly recommend Forbidden Sanctuary to readers who enjoy dark fantasy with passionate romance and complex characters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for M Heath.
56 reviews
December 11, 2025
SUMMARY

Two fallen angels crash into a mortal world already collapsing under famine and fading faith—one stripped of voice, the other consumed by hunger. A century and a half later, Seraphine Vex hides her celestial past behind a human façade. But when she’s violently bound to Kael, a Disciple of Wrath sworn to destroy her kind, her long-buried history resurfaces—and so does the truth of what she truly is. With Heaven closing in and Hell demanding her blood, Sera must choose between survival, salvation, and a love that may be the most forbidden sin of all.

MY REVIEW

I thought this book had a strong intent and a compelling foundation, especially in its early chapters. The dark romance tension between Sera and Kael pulled me in immediately, and the cryptic hints scattered throughout the beginning created an engaging sense of mystery that kept me guessing.

Where the story fell short for me was in the character and plot development. Several moments felt rushed, with the plot jumping forward before major events or relationships had enough groundwork to fully resonate. While I enjoyed the direction the author chose, I found myself wanting a slower, deeper burn between Sera and Kael to match the emotional weight of their bond.

I also would’ve loved more background and development for Remiel, Jareth, and Cassia—characters who clearly had rich potential but didn’t get the spotlight they deserved. The Elara storyline in particular felt like a missed opportunity; she enters the narrative as a major villain but disappears before fulfilling that role in a meaningful way.

Overall, the book has a strong concept and memorable themes, and with more fleshed-out development, it could have been truly powerful.
Profile Image for Mandy Britt.
359 reviews10 followers
November 15, 2025
Forbidden Sanctuary (The Fallen Grace Chronicles - Book One) by Layla Kara
​Forbidden Sanctuary is an immediate and compelling dark romantasy that provides a deeply emotional exploration of guilt, obsession, and the difficult road to redemption. Layla Kara’s sophisticated world-building offers a fresh, nuanced perspective on heaven and hell fantasy, establishing a setting that feels both dangerous and sacred.
​The novel successfully weaves mystery and magic into a narrative that feels profoundly human. It is an intense character study of individuals fighting to find sanctuary and acceptance in a world that seeks to reject them. The reader is drawn into every aspect of the main character’s journey—her fear, hope, and the fragile beauty of her connections. The book reminds the audience that healing is not clean or easy and that making the best of bad choices is sometimes all that remains.
​The prose is consistently poetic and evocative, lending the story a melancholy grace. The overall storyline flows exceptionally well, maintaining a captivating pace despite an initial phase of necessary exposition. The characters are a highlight: the male lead is universally fantastic, and the complex female protagonist creates a deliberate love/hate dynamic that serves the narrative well.
​This is an unforgettable read that challenges the reader to confront their own hidden corners of the past. The book's undeniable emotional weight, combined with its engaging plot and satisfying spice elements, makes it a powerful and highly recommended start to The Fallen Grace Chronicles.
Profile Image for Sally.
733 reviews3 followers
January 16, 2026
This was a very lyrical read with every sentence carefully poetical and descriptive. This can be beneficial to a story in smaller doses as the impact becomes lost the more it is used, and it was used in the story to the greatest extent.

* His name had never sounded more like a sin waiting to happen. / Afternoon clawed at Sera like a ravenous thing. / Kael stepped into his apartment like a man dragging ghosts behind him.* as an example.

The writing is pretty, but it feels like it’s lacking substance as the majority of the plot occurs in the second half of the book and it is a slow build to get there. The relationship is instantaneous to a fault, bonded exclusively and unable to live without the other after less than a day of interactions, and I would’ve liked to see more of them together before they’re separated due to the aforementioned plot.

It’s a unique world with angels and demons and the subsets between alongside Fae and the existence of Limbo, but it felt hard to grasp the impact of the events occurring between the lyrical softness of the writing and the lack of an overview or past consequences.
While I could take or leave the main pair, I really enjoyed the peeks of the side characters involved, Jareth and Reziel especially. I also loved how the author portrays hell and the sufferers contained within, not tortured as a result of their chosen sin but with them instead. It’s an interesting and impactful take.

Thank you to BookSirens and the author for the ARC.
Profile Image for Dayna Smith.
504 reviews24 followers
November 12, 2025
Forbidden Sanctuary pulled me in from the very first page and didn’t let go. Layla Kara has written something that feels deeply human beneath all its mystery and magic — a story about love, guilt, and the quiet courage it takes to face the past. I found myself feeling every heartbeat of the main character’s journey — her fear, her hope, and the fragile beauty of the connections she makes along the way.

There’s a melancholy grace to Kara’s writing that I absolutely loved. Every sentence feels carefully chosen, poetic without being heavy, and the world she’s built feels both dangerous and sacred. Robin Leeann’s editing keeps the story flowing seamlessly, and Cherie Foxley’s illustrations add a haunting kind of softness — like glimpses into the soul of the story itself.

I won’t lie — there were moments that broke me a little. Some chapters hurt to read, but in the best possible way. It’s a story that reminds you healing isn’t clean or easy, and sometimes sanctuary isn’t found in a place, but in a person — or even within yourself.

This book left me sitting in silence after I finished it, thinking about my own hidden corners and how we all carry pieces of the past that need forgiving. It’s not a perfect story, but it’s an unforgettable one.
Profile Image for Megan Hamilton.
236 reviews39 followers
December 20, 2025
For fans of Keri Lake and “The Book of Azrael”. However, I thought there were pacing issues in the first half that would really elevate it, if fixed.

Oddly enough, the first 1/4 feels too slow and too fast at the same time, which I’ve never said before. The plot is slow: not much actually happens to introduce or progress the story, and the author does a lot of “telling” (which comes out as a bit of a confusing info dump). Yet the characters happen too fast: the two main characters meet and start having intense interactions immediately. And by 33% we already have bonds and death. I thought I had missed something. Even the family and friend relationships have been introduced and changed by the 50% mark.

But at the halfway mark is where we settle in and the pacing and story feel much better. Eventually I couldn’t put it down because I had to know happened next! So overall, I still think it’s worth the read and a great debut.

Some spice, triggers are mild, cliff hanger is bearable.

Thank you to BookSirens and the publisher/author for this ARC edition in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Nina Ri..
12 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy
December 26, 2025
This book offers a story that, overall, is not unpleasant, but whose execution leaves a mixed impression. The very frequent extended descriptions, whether of feelings, landscapes, or situations, end up weighing down the narrative and at times hinder immersion. The pacing is also uneven: some passages drag on and can become tedious, while others, on the contrary, feel rushed. The characters, although interesting in concept, are not developed enough to leave a lasting impression on the reader. That said, the book is not bad as a whole and shows real potential, with clear room for improvement. The author’s potential is evident, and it will be interesting to read their future works, as one can reasonably expect their writing to grow stronger with time. However, this style of storytelling and structure does not really align with my personal reading preferences, but that's my own fault not having understood it contained urban fantasy.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Cassi Olazabal.
29 reviews
Review of advance copy
January 7, 2026
ARC Reader

This book gives Lucifer (the show) and My Demon vibes. It has a unique cast of characters and the world behind it. Though at times the story can be a bit complex and requires the reader to pay lots of attention.

As I read the book, I found myself constantly asking and wondering about the characters and just what they were. It is something that does eventually get established, but I feel like the construction could have been a bit better. As this game of questioning what Sera or Kael were didn't end, the book continued. In fact, more questions were raised than given. I did enjoy the book despite that, though. It was a good idea, and the characters were truly wonderful. I do enjoy the unique take, especially with the pairings. Some aren't always thought of as THE couple.

Despite the multiple questions the book raised, it was a rather interesting read that was, for the most part, enjoyable.
Profile Image for Serenity_Reads.
13 reviews5 followers
December 27, 2025
I’m sorry that I completely forgot that I had this ARC. But as I finished it tonight… OH. MY. GOD.
This is a whole different level of supernatural for me, and I absolutely loved it!
There are minor typos but I got through it, there is a lot to take in on the prologue, because it’s just information to understand the MMC and FMC.

However, as I went through the motions of this book, I felt everything of what Sera felt and I have never felt that with any other book when it comes to supernatural romance.
It definitely gave me a heavy weight after finishing it, but the whole plot of heaven and hell and the twist of love? Yes please!!!!

**I received this copy as an ARC, and this review is voluntary**
Profile Image for Holly Smith.
46 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy
December 29, 2025
I had the delight of reading Forbidden Sanctuary as an ARC, sent through BookSirens.

Two angels are cast from Heaven and exiled to mortal land. One becomes silent, the other is intensely hungry. A battle of inner self, divine destinies and century long rivals.

I partially wish that this was written with a dual point of view because at times, the contextual change had me lost and desperately scrambling to place the pieces back together. However, the plot was utterly captivating. Sera’s character development, the main characters relationship development and world building was extraordinary.

I thoroughly enjoyed this regardless of my personal preferences and think Layla Kara has fantastic potential to create an enticing series.
Profile Image for Alexa Montoya.
3 reviews
November 13, 2025
I received and advance review copy for free, and i am leaving this review voluntarily and honestly. The storyline flowed so well, the characters were great. It felt like a new take on heaven and hell fantasy. There were typos and the amount of comparisons using "like" are my main gripes. It's a bit to get through the first few pages (because of exposition) but it was a fantastic read after the intro. The FMC was love/hate for me, but in a good way. MMC was fantastic. There's a side character in the last 3rd of the book that I didn't get to read much about but still already l Ioved. World building was great. Spice was there. Definitely recommend, can't wait for the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Beckreadz25.
51 reviews4 followers
November 28, 2025
I devoured this book. It was an entirely different concept of the hierarchies of heaven and hell, angels and demon, light and dark….

It pirtrays the celestial realm intertwined with the mortal realm and a completely unique retelling of the stories of the fallen angels/demons and their ongoing war with heaven and paints the story of those trapped in the crossfire.

My heart was pounding while I was reading about Sera and Kael on a collision path to an ending that floored me. This story is phenomenal, and I hope that there is more to come from this world. There is so much more to explore!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Lindsay.
35 reviews
November 19, 2025
This book was such a fresh take on a supernatural romantasy. It blends the concept of heaven, hell, and limbo with the supernatural like vampires, witches, and fae. The FMC is kind of an anti-hero, which was also refreshing and unique. If you're a fan of romantasy, the supernatural, or bonded pairs, I highly recommend this read. The one star off was primarily for some few unclear dialogue/modifiers and some typos/punctuation errors. Otherwise, fantastic read!

Disclaimer: I received a a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
58 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
December 20, 2025
Loved the characters in this book! The initial tension between the FMC and MMC was to die for, but I wish the slow burn would have been a little more slow. I also loved the side characters and hope we get more of them in future books! Overall, this was a thrilling romantasy with twists I could not see coming that is leaving me eager for more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Profile Image for Lisa Gainers.
151 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
December 28, 2025
This book was an epic tale of Good vs Evil. This book shows that morally grey people can come from both sides. The FMC has lived a tortured life unsure of who she really is. The MMC is complex living a life walking a fine line between right and wrong. The twists and turns in this book are plenty, the writing is beautiful and detailed, so easy to read. This is one of those books I will be thinking about for a while!

I received an ARC from BookSirens and the Author
Profile Image for Kelly Minnigh.
75 reviews
January 2, 2026
Grateful to have received an ARC. I’m volunteering to leave my honest review… being like a 3.5 stars. I liked the concept a lot. Enjoying the pieces of humanity I could relate to. And really appreciated the concept of the “fallen”. Some characters I loved but one in particular I was a little confused by. The personality of one I felt kept changing like I couldn’t get a full read on their personality. There’s a ton of really good stuff in here though. A couple tweaks & it could be a 5 star story.
Profile Image for Rogue Kayl.
40 reviews
November 11, 2025
Overall a good book with a well thought out plot.

Personally it wasn't the book for me. I felt there was a lot going on whilst building up to the supensefull moments, which confused me a little. I kept getting lost, not really understanding the flow of the story in parts

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Kalani.
1 review
November 12, 2025
This was not my usual kind of read, but I really enjoyed it. It’s about loss and heartbreak and redemption. It’s a beautiful character study of people fighting to live in a world that tells them they don’t belong in it. Where you need to make the best of life when all you have left are bad choices. I feel like I really got it and can’t wait for the next one.
2,194 reviews28 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 9, 2026
Fallen Angels

I loved this story, while it might not be for everyone, it definitely was a good story for me. I like morally grey and dark in some of my stories, and this one is Well Done! I Loved It!! No Spoilers!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for sarah.
24 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy
January 11, 2026
I enjoyed this story. The way things were revealed as you went in the story of how kael and sera were originally connected blew me away. Just the way everybody was connected. I am really hoping there will be a sequel to this. I received an advanced copy of this book for free and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ivy Margriette.
1 review1 follower
December 6, 2025
My interest in angelology and demonology AND the cover drew me to this book, and I wasn't disappointed. The writing style is beautiful. A solid and promising debut!
Profile Image for BombshellDanielle.
177 reviews5 followers
December 16, 2025

It's a dark and twisty battle between angels and demons and heaven and hell.

I liked the modernity along side the ritualistic.

There was some spice and it's definitely dark!!

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