Forbidden Sanctuary

by Layla Kara, Robin Leeann (Editor), Cherie Foxley (Illustrator)

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.

Genres: Fantasy, Dark Romance

465 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2026

About the author

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.

Reviews

[May Pelham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Considering IM HATING romantasy at the moment, I did quite enjoy myself!
This was fast paced enough that I didn’t loose interest but not so fast I was confused!

It’s a celestial romanasty (angels and demons) and the fmc is a “hybrid” of angel and demon and her mother Lilith is trying to get her back to hell to help destroy heaven!

Very nice story, EXCELLENTLY written! The writing is gorgeous (even if it is a little too verbose in the beginning with not enough dialogue) the plots? STUNNIN

Really did enjoy myself but I needed more from the fmc
In the beginning of the book she’s BADDA$$ but as soon as she saw the man she became useless 🥲

Will be recommending tho

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a tough review for me to write because there is genuinely a lot to appreciate here.

The world-building is complex and intriguing, with a mythology that immediately caught my attention. The premise is strong, and the underlying plot kept me curious about what would happen next. There is creativity behind this story, and readers who enjoy richly layered fantasy settings may find a lot to love. I genuinely loved the settings in this book!

The writing itself is very poetic and highly descriptive. At times, the prose felt almost lyrical, showing the author’s talent for crafting vivid imagery. However, for my personal reading style, the frequent use of metaphors and detailed descriptions occasionally pulled me out of the narrative rather than deeper into it. I found myself rereading passages to fully grasp what was happening, which disrupted the story’s momentum for me.

I also struggled to fully connect with the characters and the central romance. While the emotional foundation was present, I personally wanted more dialogue and interaction to help build tension and deepen those relationships.

That said, the imagination behind this book is undeniable. Readers who prefer atmospheric writing and immersive description will likely have a very different experience than I did.

Overall, while this one wasn’t the perfect fit for my reading preferences, I truly admire the ambition of the world and the story being told, and I’m interested to see how this series develops.

[Kenzie Deerin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lore in this book is fascinating and felt so fresh even though it’s technically biblical lore lol. I LOVE paranormal romances and can’t wait to see where this story is heading 👀🖤🥀

[Maomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Lisa Gainers · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Scarlett Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, Divine, and Deliciously Dangerous

Forbidden Sanctuary by Layla Kara is a gripping dark romantasy that pulls you into a world where angels fall, faith fractures, and love becomes the most dangerous sin of all.

Seraphine Vex is a compelling and layered heroine, balancing strength, trauma, and buried grace in a way that feels raw and real. And Kael? Absolute perfection. A ruthless hunter bound to the very woman he should destroy, their chemistry is intense, volatile, and impossible to look away from.

The worldbuilding is rich and immersive, blending Heaven, Hell, and the mortal realm into something gritty and morally complex. This isn’t a story of pure good versus evil. It’s about obsession, survival, and what remains when even the divine loses its mercy.

The tension, the emotion, the slow unraveling of truth—it all builds into something dark, seductive, and completely addictive.

If you love fallen angels, enemies-to-lovers energy, and stories that blur the line between salvation and damnation, this is a must-read.

Already counting down to the next book.

[Sally · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Ennamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I *really* wanted to like this book. Fallen angels, exile - it sounded great. And I'm sure for some readers, this book will check all the boxes for them. For me however, it wasn't a winner.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I am a big fan of descriptive writing, and at first it felt like this book may have hit the spot, but after a few chapters it was pretty obvious that that wasn't the case.

The author uses constant metaphors throughout, to the exclusion of any concrete details in cases, and it makes it extremely hard to concentrate on what's going on in the story, or to build a visual of what anything actually looks like. Things seem very vague and unclear, and it doesn't feel like purposeful literary tactic.

We are told what things are or what they're like, instead of being shown it via the dialogue, action and reactions of the characters. While "telling" can be beneficial at times, for the first half of the book at least, it just muddies the waters and makes it difficult to read. It also makes it extremely difficult to connect with the characters, and I have to say I really had no positive feelings or connections with the FMC or MMC at all. The relationship felt extremely forced and unbelievable (and I'm all for insta-love and fated mates etc, but this just wasn't it) and the lack of any significant interactions between the two left me unimpressed with their romance/love plot, whereas the lack of character development as a whole made it impossible to connect with them or care about their outcome.

I thought the world was unique and enjoyed the descriptions of the circles of Hell, and liked the fact the author included Angels, Demons and Fae in one story, as well as incorporating Limbo and Lilith etc. It definitely had a lot of potential to really draw people in, but with how the first half of the book seemed solely focused on "pretty" writing and metaphors instead of concrete details and backstory and building the plot, it fell short for me. It didn't help that the second half of the book read entirely differently, as if the author wrote each section at very different points in their writing career, and didn't try to blend them together better. The second half was much faster paced, with more action and less metaphor -- more showing and less telling, which was appreciated, but the two parts don't really fit together cohesively, making it difficult for me to give it a higher rating.

If you like books with angels, demons, lots of metaphors and dark urban fantasy, check it out.

[scottiethegpreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Mandy Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mandy Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kaitlyn Ahyoka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin?

This book had me hooked from the very beginning, and got better as I continued. I love the characters, their depth and backstory, their delicate intertwining, and the setting across the book.

The author, Layla Kara, is amazing with her details and use of similes, metaphors, imagery, personifications — seriously makes her such a lyrical writer and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

From the very beginning chapters, this book has dark and light elements weaved into it with a layer of beauty enveloping it all.

It is rare that I read a book with such detail that’s being executed so wonderfully. There’s a lot of authors who overdo it, and I can’t get over how amazing Layla did.

I was on the edge of my seat at many moments.
I was so invested in the outcome.

I’m so thankful that there is nothing left unfinished besides the cliffhanger at the end, as sometimes characters or problems are written but never resolved and the reader is left wondering, but this was all thought through well.

The pacing was wonderful — I’m so ready to read book two.

In the author’s acknowledgments said something I loved, “I wrote this book because I believe beauty and ruin belong in the same breath.” This is truly captured in reading her writing. Beautiful job, very well done.

Five star read. Obsessed.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC for free and I’m leaving this review on my own will and I’m so thankful I was able to.

* ALSO, small edit as I realized I missed a word typing it out.

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Megan Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can fated yet forbidden love conquer heaven, limbo, and hell?

This was such a unique take on the angels and demons trope. The FMC, Sera, is caught between worlds...literally. Born of both angel and demon, she’s been cast out of heaven and is constantly at war with her own internal hunger and desires.

Then we have Kael, a fallen angel who falls hard and fast. He is willing to risk everything to save Sera...not just from her enemies or the destruction of heaven, but from herself. Does he succeed? You’ll have to read it to find out.

have I already requested book two? yes!! The author did a fantastic job of sprinkling in details that leave you wanting more. I’m especially looking forward to seeing where things go with Remiel and Cassia.

A quick note: the writing is incredibly descriptive, leaning heavily into metaphors, imagery, and similes to build the world. Personally, while the first few chapters took a moment to find their rhythm, once the story took off, it absolutely flew. The level of detail really helped me appreciate the world-building and the details of these characters and relationship

[Nina Ri. · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Cassi Olazabal · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Serenity_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

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**

[Holly Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Alexa Montoya · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Beckreadz25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Samantha Millican · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book of The Fallen Grace Chronicles, Forbidden Sanctuary greets us with an expulsion from the sky in the year 1845, as Seraphine and her sister Cassia land wingless on earth. Nearly two centuries later, they lead very different lives. The emotions are described so well you feel them to your core! The moods are felt through the details, slow, but methodical and that is what held me suspended until the last words of the book. Sera is so resilient and strong throughout her journey. Angels, demons, hybrids, and a destined love. A great fantasy with spirituality and darker desires.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anagha V R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forbidden Sanctuary pulled me in with its moody, gothic atmosphere and never really let go. The world feels heavy with loss, faith twisted into something sharp, and every page carries this quiet sense of dread that something beautiful is about to break. I especially loved the emotional tension there’s a constant ache running beneath the story, and the bond between the characters feels intense, dangerous, and painfully inevitable. If you enjoy brooding atmospheres, morally gray characters, and stories that linger in your mind after you close the book, Forbidden Sanctuary is absolutely worth picking up.✨

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Angela Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of the book, so thank you to the author and ARC group for letting me get my hands on it. I enjoyed the book, but it didn't necessarily "wow" me. For me, there are some pacing issues. It took a long time to grab my attention, and I didn't easily connect with any of the characters. It's hard to strike the right balance of world-building and plot advancement in a first fantasy book, but it definitely didn't grab me in the beginning. It does pick up around halfway if you stick with it. At this point, I don't think I'll be picking up book 2.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world where she has lost everything, Sera isn’t just fighting to survive, she is fighting to remain herself. Bound to an insatiable hunger she must feed to stay alive, while every attempt to hold her life together only seems to pull it further apart.

What makes this story hit is that Sera is more than her addiction. She is resilient, raw and real, even as everything around her unravels. Paired with a darker and refreshing take on angel and demon lore that challenges the idea that angels are inherently good.

This book was both unique and emotionally powerful

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

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