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Unhinged Cain: Buchanan Brothers, Book 1
Kirby wished for a new life, but the Devil sent her Cain.
I knew what my calling in life was at a young age. I was the embodiment of death. The scent of blood and watching the life fade from something’s eyes was more delicious than any dessert. With my twin Abel by my side, we reveled in the pain of others and the knowledge that we were above it all. Not even the FBI could hunt us down.
The one thing I hadn’t accounted for was Kirby and the unusual spark of emotion she created. Being a psychopath, I knew my range of emotions had always been limited. Things like love, regret, and empathy eluded me. Yet I couldn’t stop stalking the woman that had piqued my interest.
But all decisions had consequences, and hunting Kirby wouldn’t just test my own rules. It would pull on the one bond I had, and Kirby was the hammer that might cause mine to splinter.
To the outside world, I had a life that most would say was privileged, but to me, it felt like the walls were caving in and trying to crush me with their rules of conformity. Little did I know that my life was about to change forever. One drive was all it took. One decision to turn down a wrong road, led to one heated glance that would catch the interest of the most notorious serial killer the FBI had ever chased.
Once I was in his grasp, my world turned on its axis, leaving me breathless and desiring things I could never have imagined. My mind became a war ground between my conscious and my growing passion for a man my heart should never want.
Would I be able to love him regardless of what he was, or would I end up on the wrong end of his blade?
I knew what my calling in life was at a young age. I was the embodiment of death. The scent of blood and watching the life fade from something’s eyes was more delicious than any dessert. With my twin Abel by my side, we reveled in the pain of others and the knowledge that we were above it all. Not even the FBI could hunt us down.
The one thing I hadn’t accounted for was Kirby and the unusual spark of emotion she created. Being a psychopath, I knew my range of emotions had always been limited. Things like love, regret, and empathy eluded me. Yet I couldn’t stop stalking the woman that had piqued my interest.
But all decisions had consequences, and hunting Kirby wouldn’t just test my own rules. It would pull on the one bond I had, and Kirby was the hammer that might cause mine to splinter.
To the outside world, I had a life that most would say was privileged, but to me, it felt like the walls were caving in and trying to crush me with their rules of conformity. Little did I know that my life was about to change forever. One drive was all it took. One decision to turn down a wrong road, led to one heated glance that would catch the interest of the most notorious serial killer the FBI had ever chased.
Once I was in his grasp, my world turned on its axis, leaving me breathless and desiring things I could never have imagined. My mind became a war ground between my conscious and my growing passion for a man my heart should never want.
Would I be able to love him regardless of what he was, or would I end up on the wrong end of his blade?
Audible Audio
Published November 4, 2025
About the author
Brooklyn Cross
35 books2,100 followersWriting is not just a passion for me. It is a lifeline to my sanity.
I have always loved writing but suffer from severe dyslexia and short-term memory retention issues. I struggled in school while I worked every night on re-training my brain.
I was frequently treated like I would never succeed, and I found myself putting my love for writing on a shelf.
Even at the age of six, I found it easier to communicate with animals than people, which was a big reason why I was drawn to dressage horseback riding. I remained focused on my passion for riding until I had to step away from the competition world for personal reasons.
Today, my desire for writing and storytelling has been rekindled. I have published multiple books and will never let anyone or anything hold me back again.
I am a proud romance author who offers my readers morally grey heroes, a ton of spice, epic journeys, and redemption stories.
-Follow Your Dreams-
I have always loved writing but suffer from severe dyslexia and short-term memory retention issues. I struggled in school while I worked every night on re-training my brain.
I was frequently treated like I would never succeed, and I found myself putting my love for writing on a shelf.
Even at the age of six, I found it easier to communicate with animals than people, which was a big reason why I was drawn to dressage horseback riding. I remained focused on my passion for riding until I had to step away from the competition world for personal reasons.
Today, my desire for writing and storytelling has been rekindled. I have published multiple books and will never let anyone or anything hold me back again.
I am a proud romance author who offers my readers morally grey heroes, a ton of spice, epic journeys, and redemption stories.
-Follow Your Dreams-
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 10, 2025
I honestly don’t know how to even rate this book! Like the writing was well done, but it is not a romance. I don’t care what anybody says. It was extremely taboo and very dark. I would almost call this erotic horror.
November 12, 2025
ARC Review
Thank you to NetGalley and Brooklyn Cross Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for the opportunity to listen to an Advance Listening Copy (ALC) in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
Kirby Lawson is a student in the FBI program at her school, where her mother (Margaret) forces her to attend because she "won't get anywhere with art." Her boyfriend (Peter) is an absolute douchebag. Insert Cain (...and Abel lol) who is a diagnosed psychopath. He goes around killing people with his identical twin and he likes to collect body parts. Cain becomes obsessed with Kirby...will she be another victim?
This book was dark and, surprisingly, ends in a happily ever after. There are numerous content warnings, so make sure you check those out! I really enjoyed the audiobook, which is narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Angelina Rocca. Teddy voices both Cain, Abel, and Peter, and he does a fantastic job differentiating them all. Angelina voices Kirby, Margaret, and other female characters, and she does a wonderful job! If you're looking for a dark, unhinged time...PICK UP THIS AUDIOBOOK!
Note: I am SO READY to read (or better, listen to) Twisted Abel. He was hilarious in Unhinged Cain!
Thank you to NetGalley and Brooklyn Cross Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for the opportunity to listen to an Advance Listening Copy (ALC) in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
Kirby Lawson is a student in the FBI program at her school, where her mother (Margaret) forces her to attend because she "won't get anywhere with art." Her boyfriend (Peter) is an absolute douchebag. Insert Cain (...and Abel lol) who is a diagnosed psychopath. He goes around killing people with his identical twin and he likes to collect body parts. Cain becomes obsessed with Kirby...will she be another victim?
This book was dark and, surprisingly, ends in a happily ever after. There are numerous content warnings, so make sure you check those out! I really enjoyed the audiobook, which is narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Angelina Rocca. Teddy voices both Cain, Abel, and Peter, and he does a fantastic job differentiating them all. Angelina voices Kirby, Margaret, and other female characters, and she does a wonderful job! If you're looking for a dark, unhinged time...PICK UP THIS AUDIOBOOK!
Note: I am SO READY to read (or better, listen to) Twisted Abel. He was hilarious in Unhinged Cain!
November 11, 2025
UNHINGED CAIN
By: Brooklyn Cross
Buchanan Brothers: Book 1
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5/5 Star Review
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 5/5 Spiciness Level
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 5/5 Darkness Level
RELEASE INFO FOR ARC/ALC BOOKS:
Available now in all formats: ebook, audiobook, paperback and hardback.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended if you’re in the mood for a completely unhinged darkest dark contemporary romance. Just check trigger warnings if you’re unsure. Some of the things you read can never be unread.
GENRE, POV, TROPES, PAGE COUNT:
Genre is dark contemporary romance. POV alternates between the MMC, the FMC and the FMC’s mother.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW & TIME LENGTH:
This audiobook is recorded in duet-style narration with some cinematic features and is narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Angelina Rocca… two of my absolute favorite narrators. It is approximately 10 hours long.
Audiobooks are magnificent. They have a way of immersing the reader further into the story and taking it to a whole new level. These narrators do an impeccable job of narrating their parts in this book. They do it flawlessly. The transition of voice and pitch changes are seamless and each character is easily distinguishable. Wonderful job!!
FMC:
Kirby Lawson is 23 and is a student in the FBI program. Her mother is Margaret Lawson, an FBI “super agent” who got Kirby into the program and even though she is doing amazing in the program, it’s not what she wants to do with her life. She is dating a fellow agent named Peter who treats her awful and is quite a….. well he is a d-b@g, I must say. Kirby has a bachelor of science degree but really wants to be an artist. She misses her dad following the divorce her mother caused from cheating. He moved to another country. Kirby’s relationship with her mother is really bad and it just gets worse as the story goes forward.
MMC:
Cain Buchanan is 29 and is UNHINGED! Seriously! He is a serial killer in every sense of the word. He starts the book off in the prologue reciting a creepy version of “You Are My Sunshine.” Then it goes from early childhood, how his thoughts and personality are completely out of the norm. He is having homicidal thoughts even as early as age seven. He has an identical twin named Abel. Cain is the calm, collected and thoughtful one. Abel is the chaotic, impulsive and truly depraved one. Cain has to continually keep him in line.
They kidnap people together and mutilate then kill them. I’m not sure exactly how the author does it, but writing a book that includes the completely unhinged inner thoughts of a prolific, genius serial killer can’t be an easy feat! She does it in a way that is believable and uncensored.
He likes to collect parts, eyes are a big one. Kirby has uniquely violet eyes and once he stumbles upon her gaze…. It’s all over. He has to have them, has to have her.
FMC’s Mother:
This character does have her own POV parts in this book. I believe the author included her POV to show more depth into the investigation of the serial killer and more insight into her relationship with Kirby.
STORYLINE/PLOT:
This story is about the FBI investigation of the “Chameleon Killer.” It is ironic when the FBI student and daughter of the super FBI agent is taken by the serial killer the super agent is investigating. She isn’t taken until about halfway through, so the first half is about the investigation, it shows how Cain and Abel work together killing people, and Kirby’s completely dysfunctional life. It also shows what happens when Cain first sees Kirby.
The obsession is pretty much instantaneous. He is extremely patient with his plans. He works his way into her life in a way she never sees him coming. He is a master at masking himself into whomever he wants or needs to be at any given moment. He can completely change personas in the blink of an eye without missing a beat. This makes him extremely dangerous because truly nobody sees him coming until he has them strapped to his table and he drops his mask and shows them his true evil self.
Once he has her, the story is so unpredictable. Abel is jealous Cain is spending all his time on her. Abel wants her dead but Cain threatens death upon him if he lays a finger on her. It’s wild that there is a touch her and die trope in a book where all the MMC does is kill.
Believe it or not, this book does in with a happily ever after. There is some serious personal growth between the two of them. I never would have guessed how the last third or fourth part of the book would go! The amount of time I spent shaking my head and second guessing my book choices, but I truly enjoyed this book! It is exactly as described in the book title, UNHINGED CAIN!
NOTE:
Seriously, there is on page, graphic torture, r@pe and murder. And so many more trigger warnings. So just don’t read it if this isn’t something you think you want to experience in a book. Don’t come after the author because of the contents of this book when there are trigger warnings right there for you to see! Just don’t read it if it isn’t something you think you want to read!
THANKS:
Thank you Author Brooklyn Cross, Brooklyn Cross Books and NetGalley for this amazing audiobook! I am so thankful for each one I am approved for and hope to get to read more from this author in the future! My review is genuine. Thank you!
Happy Reading! ♥☻
By: Brooklyn Cross
Buchanan Brothers: Book 1
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5/5 Star Review
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 5/5 Spiciness Level
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 5/5 Darkness Level
RELEASE INFO FOR ARC/ALC BOOKS:
Available now in all formats: ebook, audiobook, paperback and hardback.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended if you’re in the mood for a completely unhinged darkest dark contemporary romance. Just check trigger warnings if you’re unsure. Some of the things you read can never be unread.
GENRE, POV, TROPES, PAGE COUNT:
Genre is dark contemporary romance. POV alternates between the MMC, the FMC and the FMC’s mother.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW & TIME LENGTH:
This audiobook is recorded in duet-style narration with some cinematic features and is narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Angelina Rocca… two of my absolute favorite narrators. It is approximately 10 hours long.
Audiobooks are magnificent. They have a way of immersing the reader further into the story and taking it to a whole new level. These narrators do an impeccable job of narrating their parts in this book. They do it flawlessly. The transition of voice and pitch changes are seamless and each character is easily distinguishable. Wonderful job!!
FMC:
Kirby Lawson is 23 and is a student in the FBI program. Her mother is Margaret Lawson, an FBI “super agent” who got Kirby into the program and even though she is doing amazing in the program, it’s not what she wants to do with her life. She is dating a fellow agent named Peter who treats her awful and is quite a….. well he is a d-b@g, I must say. Kirby has a bachelor of science degree but really wants to be an artist. She misses her dad following the divorce her mother caused from cheating. He moved to another country. Kirby’s relationship with her mother is really bad and it just gets worse as the story goes forward.
MMC:
Cain Buchanan is 29 and is UNHINGED! Seriously! He is a serial killer in every sense of the word. He starts the book off in the prologue reciting a creepy version of “You Are My Sunshine.” Then it goes from early childhood, how his thoughts and personality are completely out of the norm. He is having homicidal thoughts even as early as age seven. He has an identical twin named Abel. Cain is the calm, collected and thoughtful one. Abel is the chaotic, impulsive and truly depraved one. Cain has to continually keep him in line.
They kidnap people together and mutilate then kill them. I’m not sure exactly how the author does it, but writing a book that includes the completely unhinged inner thoughts of a prolific, genius serial killer can’t be an easy feat! She does it in a way that is believable and uncensored.
He likes to collect parts, eyes are a big one. Kirby has uniquely violet eyes and once he stumbles upon her gaze…. It’s all over. He has to have them, has to have her.
FMC’s Mother:
This character does have her own POV parts in this book. I believe the author included her POV to show more depth into the investigation of the serial killer and more insight into her relationship with Kirby.
STORYLINE/PLOT:
This story is about the FBI investigation of the “Chameleon Killer.” It is ironic when the FBI student and daughter of the super FBI agent is taken by the serial killer the super agent is investigating. She isn’t taken until about halfway through, so the first half is about the investigation, it shows how Cain and Abel work together killing people, and Kirby’s completely dysfunctional life. It also shows what happens when Cain first sees Kirby.
The obsession is pretty much instantaneous. He is extremely patient with his plans. He works his way into her life in a way she never sees him coming. He is a master at masking himself into whomever he wants or needs to be at any given moment. He can completely change personas in the blink of an eye without missing a beat. This makes him extremely dangerous because truly nobody sees him coming until he has them strapped to his table and he drops his mask and shows them his true evil self.
Once he has her, the story is so unpredictable. Abel is jealous Cain is spending all his time on her. Abel wants her dead but Cain threatens death upon him if he lays a finger on her. It’s wild that there is a touch her and die trope in a book where all the MMC does is kill.
Believe it or not, this book does in with a happily ever after. There is some serious personal growth between the two of them. I never would have guessed how the last third or fourth part of the book would go! The amount of time I spent shaking my head and second guessing my book choices, but I truly enjoyed this book! It is exactly as described in the book title, UNHINGED CAIN!
NOTE:
Seriously, there is on page, graphic torture, r@pe and murder. And so many more trigger warnings. So just don’t read it if this isn’t something you think you want to experience in a book. Don’t come after the author because of the contents of this book when there are trigger warnings right there for you to see! Just don’t read it if it isn’t something you think you want to read!
THANKS:
Thank you Author Brooklyn Cross, Brooklyn Cross Books and NetGalley for this amazing audiobook! I am so thankful for each one I am approved for and hope to get to read more from this author in the future! My review is genuine. Thank you!
Happy Reading! ♥☻
November 13, 2025
My three stars is not because the book is poorly written.- Quite the opposite! It is a solid plot, VERY DARK WRITING, hitting a bit too close to the vest in the murder/ grape scenes. And Well, the book is titled Unhinged Cain- and that maybe should have been my first clue! I would say “Romance” is a bit of a stretch! The first half of the book would lean more on the side of erotic horror, whereas the second half does tend to yield more towards the typical dark romance genre. 😊 I listened to this book via Audio, narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Angelina Rocca. The narrators did an amazing Job. I appear to be on trend with reading books about FBI agents the serial killer they are tasked with apprehending! If I thought Pose for Me was unhinged, this one has it beat. There were some pieces of the story that were a bit illogical for me and that really detracted from me enjoying the story. However, the book was very well written.
This is 1000% a book you need to check triggers. It has some really descriptive unhinged ON PAGE scenes. I would also discourage any new readers that are just starting their dark romance journeys from reading this book until they are more familiar with the genre. The preface of this book is two twin brothers (Cain and Able) - who are serial killers in the truest definition of the word – are acting as a single killer that is actively being hunted by the FBI. Our FMC is an FBI agent who attracts one of the serial killers (Cain) attention, which of course turns into an obsession. He has an obsession with collecting eye balls, and using the human body in – let’s say- artistic ways. Kirby, our FMC has violet eyes (Right? What?) and thus becomes Cain’s obsession at first sight. As the two brothers never had to factor one having a relationship, the jealousy and competition add to the unhinged plot of the book. Able is the graphic murder for the sake of grape and murder character, and I REALLY was quite put off by his scenes. I was not a fan of Cain in the first 50% of the book either, so even when his character evolved in the second half, I struggled to find any regard for him. The author was trying to show depth and growth, but Sorry! I didn’t buy it. Yes, he hung the moon for Kirby. I don’t care. He still induces vomit for me. And by the end of the book I was not a super fan of Kirby either.
What you will you will find in this book:
On page rape and murder that I would not classify as dub con
• Graphic descriptions of said grape and murder
Instant and intense Obsession
Kidnap/Captive- MINE!
Domination
Somnophilia
Happy Reading!
#audiobook #darkromance #unhinged #whattheheckdidIjustread #unaliver #serialkiller #horrorcorn #erotichorror
This is 1000% a book you need to check triggers. It has some really descriptive unhinged ON PAGE scenes. I would also discourage any new readers that are just starting their dark romance journeys from reading this book until they are more familiar with the genre. The preface of this book is two twin brothers (Cain and Able) - who are serial killers in the truest definition of the word – are acting as a single killer that is actively being hunted by the FBI. Our FMC is an FBI agent who attracts one of the serial killers (Cain) attention, which of course turns into an obsession. He has an obsession with collecting eye balls, and using the human body in – let’s say- artistic ways. Kirby, our FMC has violet eyes (Right? What?) and thus becomes Cain’s obsession at first sight. As the two brothers never had to factor one having a relationship, the jealousy and competition add to the unhinged plot of the book. Able is the graphic murder for the sake of grape and murder character, and I REALLY was quite put off by his scenes. I was not a fan of Cain in the first 50% of the book either, so even when his character evolved in the second half, I struggled to find any regard for him. The author was trying to show depth and growth, but Sorry! I didn’t buy it. Yes, he hung the moon for Kirby. I don’t care. He still induces vomit for me. And by the end of the book I was not a super fan of Kirby either.
What you will you will find in this book:
On page rape and murder that I would not classify as dub con
• Graphic descriptions of said grape and murder
Instant and intense Obsession
Kidnap/Captive- MINE!
Domination
Somnophilia
Happy Reading!
#audiobook #darkromance #unhinged #whattheheckdidIjustread #unaliver #serialkiller #horrorcorn #erotichorror
November 10, 2025
ALC Review for NetGalley and Brooklyn Cross Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks
Dark Romnace with unhinged serial killer(s) who loves eyes because he wants to know what they see until he sees a violet eye beauty named Kirby. Kirby is so unhappy because she truly doesn't know herself forced to go through the FBI program by her mother Margaret and a boyfriend who isn't that great. Cain brings the sunshine back to her for her to see the true light of others actions. Cain knew he needed to collect them. Abel his twin brother is just as unhinged as he is maybe worst in his messy kind of way. Well I don't think I will not be able to listen to you are my sunshine without thinking of Cain now.
This is my first Brooklyn Cross book and it was fun to listen to this audio. I did follow it along with the KU ebook made it more enjoyable.
Favorite Quotes :
“Remember, Kirby, you’re mine now, and you better not forget it.” I smiled as I backed out into the hallway. “Or the next lesson won’t be as much fun for you."
"The butterfly and the spider had merged to become one."
Unhinged Cain
by Brooklyn Cross
Narrated by Teddy Hamilton, Angelina Rocca ( FANTASTIC Narration done by them both!! I don't think they could make this bad even if they tired. )
Pub Date Nov 12 2025 | Brooklyn Cross Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks
Thank you NetGalley and Brooklyn Cross Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for the ALC of this book.
Description
Kirby wished for a new life, but the Devil sent her Cain.
I knew what my calling in life was at a young age. I was the embodiment of death. The scent of blood and watching the life fade from something’s eyes was more delicious than any dessert. With my twin Abel by my side, we reveled in the pain of others and the knowledge that we were above it all. Not even the FBI could hunt us down.
The one thing I hadn’t accounted for was Kirby and the unusual spark of emotion she created. Being a psychopath, I knew my range of emotions had always been limited. Things like love, regret, and empathy eluded me. Yet I couldn’t stop stalking the woman that had piqued my interest.
But all decisions had consequences, and hunting Kirby wouldn’t just test my own rules. It would pull on the one bond I had, and Kirby was the hammer that might cause mine to splinter.
Dark Romnace with unhinged serial killer(s) who loves eyes because he wants to know what they see until he sees a violet eye beauty named Kirby. Kirby is so unhappy because she truly doesn't know herself forced to go through the FBI program by her mother Margaret and a boyfriend who isn't that great. Cain brings the sunshine back to her for her to see the true light of others actions. Cain knew he needed to collect them. Abel his twin brother is just as unhinged as he is maybe worst in his messy kind of way. Well I don't think I will not be able to listen to you are my sunshine without thinking of Cain now.
This is my first Brooklyn Cross book and it was fun to listen to this audio. I did follow it along with the KU ebook made it more enjoyable.
Favorite Quotes :
“Remember, Kirby, you’re mine now, and you better not forget it.” I smiled as I backed out into the hallway. “Or the next lesson won’t be as much fun for you."
"The butterfly and the spider had merged to become one."
Unhinged Cain
by Brooklyn Cross
Narrated by Teddy Hamilton, Angelina Rocca ( FANTASTIC Narration done by them both!! I don't think they could make this bad even if they tired. )
Pub Date Nov 12 2025 | Brooklyn Cross Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks
Thank you NetGalley and Brooklyn Cross Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for the ALC of this book.
Description
Kirby wished for a new life, but the Devil sent her Cain.
I knew what my calling in life was at a young age. I was the embodiment of death. The scent of blood and watching the life fade from something’s eyes was more delicious than any dessert. With my twin Abel by my side, we reveled in the pain of others and the knowledge that we were above it all. Not even the FBI could hunt us down.
The one thing I hadn’t accounted for was Kirby and the unusual spark of emotion she created. Being a psychopath, I knew my range of emotions had always been limited. Things like love, regret, and empathy eluded me. Yet I couldn’t stop stalking the woman that had piqued my interest.
But all decisions had consequences, and hunting Kirby wouldn’t just test my own rules. It would pull on the one bond I had, and Kirby was the hammer that might cause mine to splinter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2025
I mean what a tough one to rate honestly ... but I shall try.
I was granted the ALC on NetGalley for Unhinged Cain, and let me tell you straight: this is VERY dark, very taboo, and sits firmly in the erotic-horror corner of dark romance. If you’re sensitive to graphic violence, non-consent/dub-cons, serial-killer POVs, captivity, or extreme psychological and physical brutality, PLEASE read the trigger warnings before you even consider pressing play and the warnings are accurate so don't think this is light listening - it is NOT!
Now onto the audiobook itself, because that’s where this story shines.
Teddy Hamilton and Angelina Rocca absolutely NAILED the narration. Their performances are smooth, unsettling, and magnetic in all the right (and wrong) ways. The multiple POVs work brilliantly in audio, and they carry the emotional tension, the horror, and the sheer unhinged obsession with such commitment that I couldn’t stop listening. Even when I probably should have.
The premise is as wild as it sounds:
Kirby, an FBI agent in training.
Cain and Abel, twins, tow-truck drivers… and serial killers.
Darkness, tension, and taboo layered on taboo.
Cain is the kind of character who gets under your skin because honestly he is dangerous, obsessive, and far too compelling for comfort. And yes, I now have an unhinged new core memory thanks to him serenading Kirby with “You Are My Sunshine.” I will NEVER hear that song the same way again. Ever. Thanks for that, Brooklyn Cross.
I landed on a solid 4 stars: almost entirely due to the powerhouse narration. The story is bold, graphic, and unapologetically twisted, but at times I found myself wanting just a bit more grounding in the emotional arc - the Stockholm syndrome was very evident. Still, as an audiobook experience? Exceptionally engaging, deeply atmospheric, and impossible to turn off.
However, if you enjoy the darkest corners of dark DAAAAAARK romance and you don’t shy away from hard, triggering and taboo content, this audiobook delivers exactly what it promises—straight into your psyche, whether you’re ready or not.
I was granted the ALC on NetGalley for Unhinged Cain, and let me tell you straight: this is VERY dark, very taboo, and sits firmly in the erotic-horror corner of dark romance. If you’re sensitive to graphic violence, non-consent/dub-cons, serial-killer POVs, captivity, or extreme psychological and physical brutality, PLEASE read the trigger warnings before you even consider pressing play and the warnings are accurate so don't think this is light listening - it is NOT!
Now onto the audiobook itself, because that’s where this story shines.
Teddy Hamilton and Angelina Rocca absolutely NAILED the narration. Their performances are smooth, unsettling, and magnetic in all the right (and wrong) ways. The multiple POVs work brilliantly in audio, and they carry the emotional tension, the horror, and the sheer unhinged obsession with such commitment that I couldn’t stop listening. Even when I probably should have.
The premise is as wild as it sounds:
Kirby, an FBI agent in training.
Cain and Abel, twins, tow-truck drivers… and serial killers.
Darkness, tension, and taboo layered on taboo.
Cain is the kind of character who gets under your skin because honestly he is dangerous, obsessive, and far too compelling for comfort. And yes, I now have an unhinged new core memory thanks to him serenading Kirby with “You Are My Sunshine.” I will NEVER hear that song the same way again. Ever. Thanks for that, Brooklyn Cross.
I landed on a solid 4 stars: almost entirely due to the powerhouse narration. The story is bold, graphic, and unapologetically twisted, but at times I found myself wanting just a bit more grounding in the emotional arc - the Stockholm syndrome was very evident. Still, as an audiobook experience? Exceptionally engaging, deeply atmospheric, and impossible to turn off.
However, if you enjoy the darkest corners of dark DAAAAAARK romance and you don’t shy away from hard, triggering and taboo content, this audiobook delivers exactly what it promises—straight into your psyche, whether you’re ready or not.
November 7, 2025
Warning: This is an extremely dark romance that contains explicit content and potentially triggering themes (Serial Killer, Captive Romance, Dubious/Non-Con, Graphic Violence). Tbh I wasn’t prepared for it, but it was a great read. If you ever watched Criminal Minds, this book is a lot like that, so please check the author's full list of TW before reading.
Both narrators did an amazing job bringing the characters to life, I totally recommend the audiobook.
Unhinged Cain is a brutal, mesmerizing, and deeply psychological dive into the mind of a true anti-hero. Brooklyn Cross delivers exactly what the title promises: Cain's psychopathy vs. the unexpected, disruptive emotion stirred by Kirby.
Cain is the embodiment of calculated darkness, highly inteligent, but his obsession with the heroine, Kirby, quickly turns his rigid control into a consuming madness. Cain's POV gives us a terrifying look at his complete lack of empathy, making his sudden obsession feel genuinely destabilizing and dangerous, rather than just romantic. The twin dynamic with Abel also adds an interesting, destructive layer to Cain's already complex personality.
The true tension lies in the battle between Kirby’s fading conscience and her developing, forbidden passion for the man who holds her captive, not to mention she’s an FBI agent in training. It’s a compelling exploration of trauma bonding and the darkness that can bloom from desperation.
Every psychological expectation and behavioural analysis point toward one conclusion, yet the ending is a surprise 😊.
Both narrators did an amazing job bringing the characters to life, I totally recommend the audiobook.
Unhinged Cain is a brutal, mesmerizing, and deeply psychological dive into the mind of a true anti-hero. Brooklyn Cross delivers exactly what the title promises: Cain's psychopathy vs. the unexpected, disruptive emotion stirred by Kirby.
Cain is the embodiment of calculated darkness, highly inteligent, but his obsession with the heroine, Kirby, quickly turns his rigid control into a consuming madness. Cain's POV gives us a terrifying look at his complete lack of empathy, making his sudden obsession feel genuinely destabilizing and dangerous, rather than just romantic. The twin dynamic with Abel also adds an interesting, destructive layer to Cain's already complex personality.
The true tension lies in the battle between Kirby’s fading conscience and her developing, forbidden passion for the man who holds her captive, not to mention she’s an FBI agent in training. It’s a compelling exploration of trauma bonding and the darkness that can bloom from desperation.
Every psychological expectation and behavioural analysis point toward one conclusion, yet the ending is a surprise 😊.
November 11, 2025
Teddy FUCKING Hamilton!!! You blessed my ears with your voice again 🔥 I actually laughed out loud at the way Teddy narrated “you’re my sunshine” like a completely unhinged person 😂 Cain and Abel were total loose cannons since they were young have you ever met twin serial unalivers before? 😳 Their executions were absolutely wild, especially Abel’s 😱 Please check the TW/CW because this book is that unhinged. Cain is a collector (go read what he collects 👀) and ended up catching Kirby like a fly in a spider’s web. Holy guacamole! It’s a Stockholm syndrome romance where Kirby, an FBI student, falls for the wanted criminal. Little did Cain know she’d be the sunshine the missing piece of his jigsaw puzzle.
There’s a lot of gore and violence in this one, so again check the TWs ⚠️ Angelina absolutely killed it with the female narration, and honestly, I’m not surprised when it comes to Brooklyn’s spice factor 🌶️ It was unhinged AF 😈 Lmao, Kirby’s mother deserved what she got and her ex too 💅🏻 The ending was so good.
This is my honest opinion for the ALC I received. Thanks, Brooklyn and NetGalley, for the opportunity.
There’s a lot of gore and violence in this one, so again check the TWs ⚠️ Angelina absolutely killed it with the female narration, and honestly, I’m not surprised when it comes to Brooklyn’s spice factor 🌶️ It was unhinged AF 😈 Lmao, Kirby’s mother deserved what she got and her ex too 💅🏻 The ending was so good.
This is my honest opinion for the ALC I received. Thanks, Brooklyn and NetGalley, for the opportunity.
November 13, 2025
The title Unhinged Cain fits perfectly. This book really is wild, and I enjoyed every moment. If you need them, be sure to look at the trigger warnings to take care of yourself.
Kirby wasn’t happy with her life. Her boyfriend was a jerk, her mom wanted her to follow a career she didn’t want, and her dad had a new family far away. She felt like nothing belonged to her. Cain is a psychopath. He and his brother, Abel, are totally unhinged and kill for fun. When Cain first sees Kirby’s unusual eyes, he decides he has to have her.
The wildness of this story grabbed me from the beginning. It gets going right away, and I couldn’t stop reading because it was so over the top. I loved how diabolical Cain was, and I kept wondering what would happen next. This book made me cringe and laugh out loud. Teddy Hamilton and Angelina Rocca did a great job bringing the characters to life. I can’t wait to read more in the series, and I highly recommend it if you enjoy a bit of craziness in your books.
Story: 4.5 Stars
Narrators: 5 Stars
Kirby wasn’t happy with her life. Her boyfriend was a jerk, her mom wanted her to follow a career she didn’t want, and her dad had a new family far away. She felt like nothing belonged to her. Cain is a psychopath. He and his brother, Abel, are totally unhinged and kill for fun. When Cain first sees Kirby’s unusual eyes, he decides he has to have her.
The wildness of this story grabbed me from the beginning. It gets going right away, and I couldn’t stop reading because it was so over the top. I loved how diabolical Cain was, and I kept wondering what would happen next. This book made me cringe and laugh out loud. Teddy Hamilton and Angelina Rocca did a great job bringing the characters to life. I can’t wait to read more in the series, and I highly recommend it if you enjoy a bit of craziness in your books.
Story: 4.5 Stars
Narrators: 5 Stars
November 13, 2025
I received this as an audiobook via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
It can be hard with the dark romance genre as so many of the same tropes are used and the stories can become predictable. I was pleasantly surprised with ‘Unhinged Cain’!
I got Silence of the Lambs x Menendez Brothers vibes from this book. I’ve seen the twin trope before, but it worked well with the storyline. The identical sibling factor didn’t completely take over everything which I was originally expecting to happen.
The FMC was likeable and the female narrator did a great job bringing life to Kirby. Teddy Hamilton as a male narrator can go either way with me, but I liked his voice work in this book. Sometimes he can be a bit too “edgy” but he sounded natural.
Something that I wasn’t prepared for was the little musical interludes at the start of each chapter. However, I liked the pace and style of the writing, and didn’t find anything cringe.
An enjoyable read and I’ll definitely try out some more of Brooklyn’s work. It was great production for an audiobook by an indie writer.
It can be hard with the dark romance genre as so many of the same tropes are used and the stories can become predictable. I was pleasantly surprised with ‘Unhinged Cain’!
I got Silence of the Lambs x Menendez Brothers vibes from this book. I’ve seen the twin trope before, but it worked well with the storyline. The identical sibling factor didn’t completely take over everything which I was originally expecting to happen.
The FMC was likeable and the female narrator did a great job bringing life to Kirby. Teddy Hamilton as a male narrator can go either way with me, but I liked his voice work in this book. Sometimes he can be a bit too “edgy” but he sounded natural.
Something that I wasn’t prepared for was the little musical interludes at the start of each chapter. However, I liked the pace and style of the writing, and didn’t find anything cringe.
An enjoyable read and I’ll definitely try out some more of Brooklyn’s work. It was great production for an audiobook by an indie writer.
November 5, 2025
Dark, dangerous, and deliciously addictive. The kind of story that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. Brooklyn Cross crafts a world full of tension, violence, and heartache, wrapped around a romance that feels equal parts toxic and tender. Cain is brutal, unpredictable, and magnetic in a way that makes you want to look away, but you never can.
The heroine’s strength really stands out. She’s fiery and resilient, constantly pushing back against the chaos Cain drags her into. Their chemistry is explosive, every scene between them hums with power, passion, and the threat of complete destruction. It’s messy, consuming, and absolutely impossible to stop reading.
Some moments feel almost too intense, but that’s part of the charm. It leans into the darkness without apology. Unhinged Cain is a wild descent into obsession, redemption, and the kind of love that leaves scars. If you like your romance raw, twisted, and emotionally charged, this one’s a must-read.
The heroine’s strength really stands out. She’s fiery and resilient, constantly pushing back against the chaos Cain drags her into. Their chemistry is explosive, every scene between them hums with power, passion, and the threat of complete destruction. It’s messy, consuming, and absolutely impossible to stop reading.
Some moments feel almost too intense, but that’s part of the charm. It leans into the darkness without apology. Unhinged Cain is a wild descent into obsession, redemption, and the kind of love that leaves scars. If you like your romance raw, twisted, and emotionally charged, this one’s a must-read.
November 8, 2025
Good god wow. This book had humor, great plot, and a whole lot of unhingedness. We did live up to the title.
That being said, check your triggers because, baby, this one got dark from the jump. There were so many times I was clutching my pears and others screaming “oh my god what?!” When I tell you the brothers are creative, they have some out there brains. I enjoyed that the romance here felt organic even when it was way unconventional. Like I can fully get behind them being together at the end. Also, can we talk about that ending?? Give me the next book now.
I loved listening to Teddy and Angelina narrate this one. It added so much texture to the story Teddy did a great job differentiating between Cain and Abel, I never got confused on who was talking when. Easily my new favorite narration team.
That being said, check your triggers because, baby, this one got dark from the jump. There were so many times I was clutching my pears and others screaming “oh my god what?!” When I tell you the brothers are creative, they have some out there brains. I enjoyed that the romance here felt organic even when it was way unconventional. Like I can fully get behind them being together at the end. Also, can we talk about that ending?? Give me the next book now.
I loved listening to Teddy and Angelina narrate this one. It added so much texture to the story Teddy did a great job differentiating between Cain and Abel, I never got confused on who was talking when. Easily my new favorite narration team.
November 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Brooklyn Cross Book for the advanced audiobook.
3.5 rounded up.
I typically DNF dark romances, but this was fun (!?!). Certainly not for beginners. There are multiple psychopathic serial killers, and clearly depicted, explicit scenes. This might even lean into thriller/horror more than dark romance. However, the writing is what sets this apart from other darker books that use such scenes for shock value, always feeling out of place.
The audiobook kept me hooked and, finished it in a day. The voice actors were perfect for these roles. I am judging myself for how much I enjoyed this, but it was thoroughly entertaining and a good way to shake up your reading variety.
3.5 rounded up.
I typically DNF dark romances, but this was fun (!?!). Certainly not for beginners. There are multiple psychopathic serial killers, and clearly depicted, explicit scenes. This might even lean into thriller/horror more than dark romance. However, the writing is what sets this apart from other darker books that use such scenes for shock value, always feeling out of place.
The audiobook kept me hooked and, finished it in a day. The voice actors were perfect for these roles. I am judging myself for how much I enjoyed this, but it was thoroughly entertaining and a good way to shake up your reading variety.
November 10, 2025
📖 Book Review: Unhinged Cain by Brooklyn Cross
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
Dark, twisted, and completely unputdownable. Cain and Abel are twin psychopaths—one obsessed, one sadistic—and caught between them is Kirby, an FBI trainee who becomes Cain’s deadly fixation.
This book is bold, graphic, and definitely not for the faint of heart, but it’s written with sharp tension and addictive pacing. The chemistry between Cain and Kirby is unsettling yet magnetic, and the story keeps you on edge until the end.
If you love dark romance with psychological thriller vibes, Unhinged Cain will grab you and not let go.
⚠️ Heavy trigger warnings: violence, obsession, and non-con themes.
Thank you @NetGalley and Brooklyn Cross for the ARC! 💀🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
Dark, twisted, and completely unputdownable. Cain and Abel are twin psychopaths—one obsessed, one sadistic—and caught between them is Kirby, an FBI trainee who becomes Cain’s deadly fixation.
This book is bold, graphic, and definitely not for the faint of heart, but it’s written with sharp tension and addictive pacing. The chemistry between Cain and Kirby is unsettling yet magnetic, and the story keeps you on edge until the end.
If you love dark romance with psychological thriller vibes, Unhinged Cain will grab you and not let go.
⚠️ Heavy trigger warnings: violence, obsession, and non-con themes.
Thank you @NetGalley and Brooklyn Cross for the ARC! 💀🖤
November 13, 2025
4.5⭐️ I really enjoyed this audiobook. I feel sometimes with audiobooks I can lose focus but this book has me locked in the whole time.
The story was very gripping and addicting! Once I started it couldn’t stop. I found myself sitting in the car waiting until the chapter had finished before turning the car off.
I really enjoyed the narrators and that it was a dual narration and POV. The different voices really added to the story!
I wish the book was longer and showed more of what happened with Kirby and Cain after the book ended. I am really excited for the next book in the series to be released on audio!
The story was very gripping and addicting! Once I started it couldn’t stop. I found myself sitting in the car waiting until the chapter had finished before turning the car off.
I really enjoyed the narrators and that it was a dual narration and POV. The different voices really added to the story!
I wish the book was longer and showed more of what happened with Kirby and Cain after the book ended. I am really excited for the next book in the series to be released on audio!
November 13, 2025
I was unable to complete this audiobook. The production’s frequent sound effects between chapters proved more distracting than immersive, and the content itself was deeply disturbing. This is decidedly not a work for the faint of heart. In fact, I found it more challenging to endure than Tender Is the Flesh, which speaks to the intensity and, at times, the excess of its horror.
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November 14, 2025DNF on chapter 5 i did this on audio but all the sound effects and background noise was not for me.
If you love dramatized audio this would be a good one for you.
If you love dramatized audio this would be a good one for you.
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