Painter's Obsession, Volume I

Painter's Obsession #1

by Luna K. Wicked, Mia Moreno (Narrator), Corvin King (Narrator)

I wasn’t supposed to feel this way about him... the man dating my sister. But no matter how much I try to focus on other women, my mind keeps circling back to him. It started as unease, an itch I couldn’t scratch, a feeling that there was something off about him. Then it grew... an obsession I couldn’t control.

Secrets aren’t meant to come into the light, and monsters should stay under the bed. I thought I was smart enough to keep my distance, but with him, logic vanishes. There’s no sense—only madness.

The deeper I dig, the darker it gets. He’s not just a man with secrets...he’s something much worse. And I’ve made one fatal mistake...stepping into his world.

Now, it’s not just about uncovering the truth. It’s about surviving it.

Genres: M M Romance, Dark Romance, Horror, Dark, Audiobook, Serial Killer, Crime

Audible Audio

First published January 30, 2025

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. I live the fact it was categorised right and clear warnings that this is not a romance. It was dark, gritty and psychological. not as dark as I expected but still depraved and intense read. hope Volume II comes out soon to buy.

[Bryoni Jayde · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2⭐️
Emotion: 1
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Please read the trigger warnings with this one. I don’t usually advise this with my reviews but so much of the intimate scenes were non con and that needs to be highlighted.

I’ll be honest I knew this was going to be dark and Luna doesn’t hold back on all the gory details and her descriptions were haunting.

This is not your usual dark romance novel, I would say there isn’t any romance to it at all. It’s dark, gruesome and there is no HEA where the main characters ride away into the sunset.

I will say I went into this thinking it was MM (which is how the book was marketed). While there is MM it should be said that MF is also very prominent and I probably wouldn’t have read this if I’d known that. If I am being completely honest the MM aspect was minimal compared to the MF in the book. I really don’t think this should have been marketed as MM.

I’m in the minority with my review and that’s fine. We all have different tastes and this just wasn’t for me.

I received an arc of Painters Obsession in exchange for an honest review.

[Marissa.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a pitch black wild ride! If you want in the mind of a true psychopath this is the book!

This is an MM erotic horror, this is not a romance, and is the definition of Stockholm syndrome.

Byron has always knows he’s had feelings towards men, but it was frowned upon and he faced serious consequences as a child for not conforming to his father’s beliefs. His only light in the dark is his sister Gabriella. After Byron goes to prison for selling drugs, he takes comfort in his cell mate, but can he continue to deny who he is when he’s released. Or will he keep thinking about his lawyer, Ren.

After losing his father to suicide, Ren is left with his mother, his soul purpose was to please her. After becoming pregnant, he can’t handle it and ends their lives. Ren’s emotions are a void, his only release is creating art with his victims, the Laguna Bay painter. When women keep going missing from the local area Byron is on high alert, and something seems off with Gabriella’s new man, but does he sense a red flag or does he just desire him….Ren doesn’t want Gabriella, he just needs the rose to break the thorn.

This book had me on the edge of my seat, just when I thought it couldn’t get any crazier it absolutely did! Some of the things that happened in this book left my jaw on the floor! If you are looking for a pitch black book with an ending that leaves you gasping this is the book for you!

Thank you so much to Luna K Wicked for allowing me to read this pitch black masterpiece pre-release in exchange for my honest review

[Yvonne Dimech · Rating 1 out of 5]

The repetitiveness makes this book so hard to read. Very frustrating. If I have to hear one more time how Byron’s body betrays him…literally find a thesaurus. This book is also marketed as MM which is definitely is not.

[Hannah Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read it…READ IT👏🏻 if you can handle getting lost into the mind of a psychopath then REN is the man for you!😅

[Smutty Little Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a special kind of tragic and unhinged and I am loving it! The audiobook is so well done. You can feel the crazy from the narrator as well as the depravity. Excited to read the next.

[Nova Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant and bloody story by my depraved queen, Luna! The details and imagery in this story are horrifying, yet so beautiful. This MM story is not for the faint of heart, and that's just how I like it. Love? Romance? Leave that ish at the door because that is not what Ren and Byron's story contains. This is an extreme case of Stockholm syndrome along with a rude bisexual awakening. As always, you better check those trigger warnings and read them twice, your mental health matters most.

Ren is a psychopath through and through, there can be no redemption for him, and even he knows this to be true. His obsession with his art is one thing, but the mixed feelings he has for the Thorn is another distraction entirely.

Byron, oh my sweet, poor baby, Byron. I really empathized and related to him, and his internal struggles with his sexuality, so very much. He is such a unique and complex character. The abuse he endured by his father really left a lingering mark on his soul, and he finds it hard to move forward to find happiness. His love for his sister is evident and he really would do anything for her which was so heartwarming, truthfully. There is nothing like a bond shared between siblings.

The Thorn must be plucked from its Rose before they can succumb into darkness. If the Rose withers while the Thorn is still attached, then all light will be extinguished, leaving no further masterpieces to grace his canvas. One cannot exist without the other.

LUNA! That motherfucking ending had me screaming. What an epic finale! I'm so excited to see how you continue this story, it has been my favorite by far!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was AMAZING and I could NOT put it down! I haven't read a good horror (non-romance) book in awhile, probably since I used to read Stephen King all the time. I loved that the two POVs Wicked included were the victim and the villain...especially considering this villain was not "morally grey" whatsoever, he's just all BAD. I was on the edge of my seat from the first chapter. It's very mysterious and had me asking so many questions that I NEEDED answers to. There were many VERY dark and gory parts, so make sure you check the trigger warnings before you read. If you enjoy a good horror book (especially if you're a Stephen King or Lauren Biel fan), you NEED to read this!

[Leigh Gaskill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly felt like I was catfished by the TWs. I went from this to Claustrophilia at the recommendation of a friend because I felt let down.

I constantly wanted more from Ren. More of the triggers that specified this was an erotic horror, or a MM book for that matter. I felt catfished on that too. There was very little interaction between the two of them and ALOT of MF interactions for a book marketed as MM.

None of this is to say that it’s not dark, it does have dark elements. It’s just not…for me I guess. I’m clearly in the minority here.

Also, why is Ren constantly peeing on everyone.

*𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.*

[Tia Toro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying I loved the plot line of this book. It was basically a criminal minds episode and I love that. I never wanted to put the book down, needing to know what was going to happen next. This grandma literally stayed up past her bedtime to finish it.

It’s good for a vibe read! But definitely an easy spooky season read, just please check trigger warnings. tysm.

[jo ˖˚⊹♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

unhinged….
ren is insane, there is absolutely no redemption for him, he knows it, I know it, we all know it. right??? also, the ending?! this was sick and unsettling but I can’t wait to see where this story goes 🫣

[shanelle maree · Rating 5 out of 5]

‼️ Handle with care, there is NO HEA ‼️

🌟:5 🌶️:4 🎙️:5

LUNA! Our wicked queen of depravity, we bow down to your insidious mind!!

Listen to me very seriously, do NOT go into this blind if you have triggers. PLEASE for the love of all things, brief yourself beforehand. If you’re like me and you don’t need no trigger warnings, then play on player!! Welcome to the insanity that is Ren Sato. 🤭

I think I lost count of all the times my eyes bulged while listening to this audio. Which is saying a lot, cause it takes a lot to truly shock me or leave me speechless. Luna, you did the damnnn thing with this one!! This does leave off on a bit of a cliffy, so be forewarned. 😘

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO! If you ever want to check this out, you MUST do the audio. It’s a work of art in itself. A masterpiece, and Ren would be proud. I’ve actually never heard anything done by Mia Moreno before, but OMG! She featured as a side character (Byron’s sister, Gabriela) and the other femme characters, and when I tell you I was flabbergasted, I mean my mouth was open and catching flies. I need more Mia in my ears immediately! This audiobook is worth every minute of your time, for you dark and depraved sickos like me. 😉😂

I can’t WAIT for volume two’s audio!!! 🎨🩸🖌️

[princess ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

woah. all i can honestly say rn is woah. this was my first ever luna book and just... wow! this book played out like the most deliciously venomous criminal minds episode.. it was dark. it was erotic. but it was most definitely NOT a romance so do not go in expecting love and sunshine! i don't even think the word dark explains Ren enough.. he was sordid and twisted and so devoid of anything. just a dark mass. a black hole if you must. so why did i love him sm and root for his debauchery??? and Byron???? i'm so sorry to that man but i was rooting for his downfall cos it meant Ren's come up 🤭🤭🤭 UGH please take the warning very seriously, and if you're messed up in the head like myself?? enjoy every minute of this vile masterpiece😉

[Sela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit, this book is insane! Insanely fucked up and I devoured this shit. I had to do it with the audio book because it has two of my favorite narrators, Joe Arden & Corvin King! It also featured Mia Moreno and I just wanna say, everyone did amazing. This book is fucking terrifying and just goes to show.. you truly can’t trust anyone, even if they seem nice, helpful and educated. Honestly though, I do really think Ren Sato is very Patrick Bateman coded and I kinda loved that because I love PB. Byron was such an interesting MMC and that man is tough! Ugh the shit he went through, what the victims went through.. and Gabriela.. oh I feel bad for her. Like me realistically thinking.. if I were in her shoes and I fucked a serial killer, I’d cry and like never be happy again but hey, she is surpassing her shit. Good for her. Ren’s past is quite interesting, I was cringing at his young self POV. Definitely check your triggers, Luna always goes hard and I love that. Jumping into the next book now!

[Merissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Painter’s Obsession by Luna Wicker absolutely wrecked me—in the best way possible. I went in thinking I’d read something dark and intense, but I was not prepared for how unhinged this story truly gets. The obsession, the psychological tension, the constant feeling of “what did I just read and why do I need more?” had me glued to every page.
The writing pulls you in fast and doesn’t let go. Just when you think you understand what’s happening, the story twists and proves you wrong. And that ending? Completely left me speechless. I’ve read some wild dark romances, but this one truly takes the cake.
If you like dark, obsessive, morally gray characters that blur every line imaginable—this book is not for the weak. I freaking loved it.

[Kyle Modschiedler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had I known just how wild this was going to be I would have picked it up months ago! I am obsessed with this book. It had layers of darkness and I just couldn’t get enough! And don’t even get me started on how good the audiobook was! I literally binged this who think in 3 hours and ordered the second book halfway through. If you can handle DARK and twisted get to it!

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could have gone my whole life without reading the phrase “filling her up like the Twinkie she is.”

But you know what? That’s on me for having eyes.

[Kiandra 🦋 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ren is SO unstable but it just worked

[✨ACField✨ · Rating 1 out of 5]

First off, this isn’t MM. It’s MF. All the spice scenes I remember are MF. Not what I want when I’m promised MM.

Spoilers ahead since I can’t review without them.

This is not dark. I mean…it’s dark for the average person, but when I am promised dark and depraved, I have high expectations. This was barely horror, and had absolutely no Stockholm Syndrome like I was promised. Too many lady bits for an MM. Gab was annoying and I wish she had had a different fate because the ending sucked. It didn’t even suck toes, it just sucked. That’s not a Stockholm ending, it was a poor ending, set up like something could follow, but what? There was no Stockholm to explain why Byron would even want a Ren reappearance. Ren is his nightmare fuel, not his wet dream (which he should be if you’re claiming Stockholm).

Ren talked about seeing the dark in Byron, which was never brought up in Byron’s own chapters. The darkness is nothing more than just him being gay because apparently that’s the message we wanna send? He was abused as a kid, but it’s clear the author doesn’t really understand how twisted that type of abuse can make you, especially when deprived of being who you are. I expected more of B hiding these murderous urges, unable to act on them like Ren does, but nahhhhhh, he’s just gay. There’s so much there the author could’ve done with but instead it’s just a closeted man who doesn’t want out of the closet for the entire book.

Ren wasn’t that twisted, he was just your run of the mill CSA-serial killer with mommy issues, which doesn’t help explain his attraction to B at all, like the man exclusively kills women and suddenly he wants B for his shadows??? What shadows? The attraction/obsession was just never explained well at all. I had a hard time believing that Ren wanted B. The logic wasn’t there for me. B was clearly attracted to Ren, but like, he didn’t recognize Ren as the lawyer that visited him and gave him the ick?

Byron wasn’t even an ounce in Stockholm with Ren and that made me sad. Like, that’s a fave of mine so if you’re going to claim it’s in a book, please put it in the book.

The ending came abruptly and horribly. What was that? Byron, who is still hoping for escape at this point (not Stockholm) is rescued by Gab who just randomly decided to show up. Not much of a confrontation to find out why Ren took B instead of her, girl just grabs a gun, shoots at Ren and saves her brother like the strong female character she is, because she finds them running around outside (again as Byron is trying to ESCAPE). Please.

Where is the Stockholm? Byron shouldn’t have been trying to escape at this point, he should have been worried about Ren and trying to keep Gab away. This ending was vastly different in my head and inconsistent with what the author warned. I figured Ren would off Gab in front of B and B would be like “oh wow a weight has been lifted from my shoulders and now I can live my happy gay man life with this handsome man who is so obsessed with me that he kidnapped me and if that’s not love then I don’t know what is!”

That’s what I wanted.

I will not be reading part 2, as I don’t see the need for it. I hated all the characters and their thought processes. But what killed me the most was all the MF sex. So much MF that I am severely convinced the author didn’t want to actually write an MM story. Because they didn’t. B fucks the army-wife neighbor way too much.

[Ariadne Key · Rating 1 out of 5]

Besides the various spelling mistakes, this book was just not a fav. I was excited by the fact that this is one of the first darker books where the main couple is LGBT. And while I have nothing against darker topics, I just think the execution of it in this case was not as good as it was supposed to be. Ren was a deplorable character, which I assume was the point. But beyond being a terrible murderer, the dude was just so fucking cringy. Like “I am death”?? Bitch, stfu you’re so annoying. Every time he speaks it’s like okay we get it you’re edgy. I also think this book just tried to do too many things at once. We have Byron going to prison, he’s got the failed relationship with Sandra, their father dying, Gabriela, their mom dying. We got Ren and his mother, he’s a murderer who only targets women but for some reason becomes so obsessed with a man and that’s barely spoken about. There’s so much I don’t understand about these characters and there’s several instances where the storytelling just takes me out. Plot holes and contradictions left and right.

[SAV · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update, I received the audiobook for this and omg it felt even better to read this time around with how amazing the narrators did and how they actually had me sympathizing even though I wasn’t supposed to 🤣

Luna was not messing around with this book, she really said let’s make it DARK DARK. I freaking love this book and got to respect Ren no matter how much I hate him 😅 but please check your tws because this one is not a romance and I can’t say the mmc has any redeeming qualities but that’s why I respect him 🤣

[Jeliza Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first MM horror erotica I have ever read and HOLY SHIT! One minute I’m laughing over their banter and the next I’m clutching at my pearls! This book was gory and spicy in all the right ways! Luna I think this has been my top read by you! AND THE ENDING!!!! LIKE GIVE MY BOY BYRON A BREAK…. but don’t 😈

[Emilee Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧Audiobook Review🎧Painters Obsession Vol I & II by Luna K. Wicked

𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: 5 🌟
𝙒𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙄 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙙? YES!
𝙃𝙤𝙬'𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚? Not sure how to answer this 🫣

WHEW!!! I’m honestly not sure where to begin. Did I love it? Fuck yes!! Am I questioning myself for loving it? Also, fuck yes! Luna you absolutely nailed this book and the narrators you chose were absolutely perfect. Corvin King, Joe Arden and Mia Moreno performed this book…they didn’t just narrate…I felt as though I was there witnessing it right before my eyes.

I have to say up this is a close tie to The Boy I Loved as far as the most unhinged and deranged book I’ve ever read. The story of Ren and Byron is NOT a romance. I repeat NOT A ROMANCE! This is pitch black erotic MM horror. Both MMCs have major trauma that has forever scarred them and shaped who they are today. They are both vulnerable and tortured in their own ways which is why I think they were “drawn” to each other. I’m not sure if that’s the right way to describe it but I feel like they were. This ended the way it always should have. I gotta say I never saw the small twist at the bitter end. But the letter from Byron had me sobbing.

That’s all I can really say…you must experience it for yourself. I highly recommend the audio or maybe an immersive read for the full experience. ⚠️But please HEAR ME - CHECK THE TRIGGERS…This isn’t for the weak or a newbie to dark romance/erotic horror⚠️

[Renee Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Painter’s Obsession is MM erotic horror—do not come here looking for a dark romance or a happy ending. This is as dark as it gets, and I loved every second of it.

Byron is the protective older brother with a criminal past and unresolved trauma, while Ren—a psychopath, lawyer, and “artist”—will make you pause, whisper “what did I just read?”, and immediately go back for more.

Obsession and desire, twisted through artistry, make this read unhinged, intimate, and deeply uncomfortable in the best way.

Luna K. Wicked uses eroticism to intensify the horror, not soften it. Nothing here is safe or romantic—and that’s the point.

January went out bloody and unforgettable. February starts the same way with Painter’s Obsession Vol. II .

You will want to have Vol. ll ready to go, this one ends on a cliffhanger!

[Lo✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Luna said “this is not a romance,” she meant every word.

This book is gripping, chaotic, action-packed, and completely unhinged. Byron’s struggle with identity comes back to haunt him in the worst way, and Ren uses it as fuel for his dark, cruel, and terrifying impulses.

It’s brutal, unsettling, and impossible to look away. Twisted, intense, and disturbingly addictive—I ate every page up. Incredible ✨

[Lo✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Luna said “this is not a romance,” she meant every word.

This book is gripping, chaotic, action-packed, and completely unhinged. Byron’s struggle with identity comes back to haunt him in the worst way, and Ren uses it as fuel for his dark, cruel, and terrifying impulses.

It’s brutal, unsettling, and impossible to look away. Twisted, intense, and disturbingly addictive—I ate every page up. Incredible ✨

[Kenia Coronado · Rating 5 out of 5]

INSANE!

Everything about the story kept me hooked! The ren is such a messed up yet hilarious villain and my poor byron needs so much love and therapy! I loved everything down to the side characters involved! Jumping into book 2 right away! I need to figure out what happens after that crazy ending!

[Meghan Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Painter’s Obsession

Author: Luna K. Wicked

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Length: 291 pages

Genre: Horror Erotica

Tropes: MM Dark Dark DARK “romance”, Obsessed MMC, Dual POV, Sister’s Boyfriend… kinda, Touch him/her and 💀

Triggers: A full list if available with the book. Here are the main ones… Biphobia/homophobia, body horror/torture, child abuse (physical and SA), Confinement/Kidnapping, Death, Emotional/Physical/psychological abuse, SA, Blood, Excrement, medical content, 💀 of a parent, unaliving, outing, gaslighting, injury/injury detail (forced piercing), 🩸play, degradation

My thoughts:

Painter’s Obsession by Luna K. Wicked is a book that will stick with you long after you finish it! It is a wild ride, but please go into it understand that it is NOT a dark romance!! Painter’s Obsession is horror erotica with a whisper of maybe some romance.

Both Ren and Byron were dealt cruddy hands in life as children, but both dealt with their trauma in similar but different ways. Byron was physically abused by his machismo Latino father for being interested in boys and made to feel ashamed of himself. Ren’s father committed suicide, prompting his mentally ill mother to SA him from then on. Where Byron internalized his trauma, only hurting himself to try and make a better life for his sister, Ren used his trauma to hurt others. Cultivating a garden of “flowers” to hurt and destroy to feel anything. Ren becomes obsessed with Byron, and instead of this obsession growing into love to better both men, it leads to a truly traumatic series of events for Byron and his sister.

And that ending!! Luna really outdid herself with this ending!! My jaw was on the floor for a good 10 minutes after I finished it as I tried to collect my thoughts!

Please DO NOT GET ME WRONG!! I thoroughly enjoyed Painter’s Obsession, but I went in understanding that this was more horror than romance and came at it from that perspective. This is the main reason as to why I did not give Painter’s Obsession a spice rating because, although there is spice, almost all of it is because of sexual violence done against the characters will or is dubious at best. Although the spice was spicy, it did not give me that GDLT (Good Down Low Tickle) while I read it.

Overall, I think that if you go into Painter’s Obsession understanding that it is high on the Dark Horror Erotica and lower on the romance, you will have a goo time!! As always with books like this, CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS and go in with an open mind if they don’t scare you away!! Your mental health matters!!

[Ashley Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (pitch black spice)

This is the darkest thing I’ve ever read—like genuinely had me questioning my sanity, my morals, and whether I should be concerned about how much I enjoyed this. I devoured it.

Luna K. Wicked didn’t write a story. She crafted an experience. Erotic horror dripping with gore, obsession, depravity, and artistry so twisted it somehow loops back around to being breathtaking. I LOVED IT. Ate every blood-soaked page without hesitation.

This is NOT romance. Not even remotely.
But Byron and Ren? My pet. My art. My muse.
Their dynamic is violent, hateful, lust-fueled, and psychologically wrecked… and yet I couldn’t look away. Ren Sato might be the most unhinged MMC I’ve ever read, and Byron’s character 🥺 Absolutely shattered me. Two broken monsters orbiting each other in the dark and dragging me right down with them.

🎧And LISTEN TO ME because this is important:
I received the ALC from Blue Nose, and if you’re planning to read this with your eyes only… STOP 🛑
You need this in your ears.

Joe Arden, Corvin King, and Mia Moreno absolutely killed this audiobook. Like… full body chills. They didn’t narrate—they performed. One of the best audiobook experiences I’ve ever had. Bravo to all three of them. 👏🏻

🌶️ As for the spice? Baby, this isn’t spice.
This is brutality. Power. Pain. Kink woven into gore and terror. If you’re not into extreme darkness, run.
If you ARE??? Welcome to heaven/hell. Same address.

[Amaal Khiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s start with the positives:
The audiobook narrators Joe Arden , Corvin King and Mia Moreno absolutely carried this story on their backs. They didn’t just read it they performed it like it was a full-blown audio drama. Every emotion, every creepy pause, every tense moment Perfect.
Honestly, the audio was so good it tricked me into thinking the book was better than it was. That’s the only reason this got 4 stars from me, because the actual story itself is a solid 3 at best.

Now the story:
This wasn’t truly pitch black Maybe for a general reader it might seem intense and dark, but when something is marketed as “ pitch black,dark and depraved” I expect it to fully commit.

It also leaned more FM than MM,And calling it an “MM” book feels misleading it’s more that the mmc violates everyone, male and female alike.
I kept waiting for a deeper connection between the characters even a twisted one but it never happened. The book hinted at Stockholm teased the dynamic, but didn’t follow through.

Don’t get wrong the story wasn’t bad at all it’s actually good but it didn’t live up to my expectations .