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Caged in Desire

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Born among the gods and bound for eternity as a matchmaker to the mortals, my life has been dedicated to pairing hearts and souls. But these powers come at a high cost. By bonding couples together, I’ve been robbed of having that same connection with another.

Valentine’s Day has come around, as it always does, filling people with a deep desire to find true love. And just when I think this will be another successful year, I find myself on the doorstep of a man whose heart and life have been cast in darkness.

Eryx Nightvale isn’t just any man—he’s the god of discord, everything I’m not, and he’s determined to break everything I represent.

Now I’m caged, my heart and body trapped behind bars. Will I be able to charm my captor into opening the lock keeping me prisoner? Or will we both be lost to the shattered remains of our own making?

*This book is intended for mature audiences 18+ years. Please check the trigger and content warnings on the author's website.*

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2026

17 people are currently reading
56 people want to read

About the author

Sadie Winchester

11 books156 followers
A dark romance author, Sadie Winchester is looking forward to sharing the stories living in her head rent-free with the rest of the world. She writes across a variety of sub-genres, including mafia romance and paranormal romance.

During her high school years, she fell in love with writing short stories which continued on/off into adulthood. Finally, she decided to pursue her dream in 2023, and the rest is history.

Sadie lives in the Pine Barrens with her husband and son. When she's not reading and writing, she enjoys spending time outdoors, sipping local brews, and binge-watching her favorite shows.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
Profile Image for Jessica VanDamme.
14 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2026
I received an ARC copy of this book. The cover is so pretty and the blurb was right up my alley! I enjoyed the book overall. Charlee is so sweet and cute and Eryx is so dark and yummy! I thought this was a really cute, short novella in preparation for Valentine’s Day. Literally my only complaint is I loved it so much, I wanted to see the story flesh out a bit more. Some parts felt a little rushed to keep the story short, but it didnt take away any important information to the story. Love the open ending and excited to see more! Would definitely recommend if you’re looking for a quick, cute valentines read!
Profile Image for Ashley.
458 reviews17 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 24, 2026
This is a book that's perfect for around valentine's day. You follow Charlee and Eryx. One of chaos and one of desire. When the two come together sparks fly in the spice department. She doesnt know if she deserves love while he is broken.This book deserves to be in the hand of every hopeless romantic.
Profile Image for Farrahlea.
119 reviews5 followers
February 2, 2026
Oh my gosh, let's dive into this! So, the cover is EVERYTHING. The colors are so vibrant and eye catching, it totally drew me in! And Sadie's descriptions...... Chef's kiss. I felt like I was right there in that store, vibing with the tension between those two. It was so much fun to read, I was totally captivated!
Profile Image for Mandy Britt.
396 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 26, 2026
Where Discord Meets Desire: A Masterclass in Enemies to Lovers

​From the striking cover to the final, breathtaking page, Caged in Desire is a captivating, myth-tinged romance that masterfully balances atmospheric world-building with intense emotional stakes. Sadie Winchester has delivered an evocative story that feels like a timeless fable sharpened by modern desire, exploring the compelling push and pull between light and darkness.

The narrative follows Charlee, a resilient protagonist whose role as an eternal matchmaker is as beautiful as it is tragic. Being barred from the very love she facilitates for others adds a layer of quiet melancholy to her character, making her eventual confrontation with Eryx Nightvale, the God of Discord, feel both earned and incredibly powerful.

Side note: I received an ARC of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily. Many thanks to Sadie Winchester for the opportunity to read and review this powerful work.

​Eryx serves as a formidable, dangerous counterpart to Charlee’s sweetness, embodying the chaos and defiance she has sworn to oppose. Their dynamic is a complex study of contrasts, forcing both characters to confront the wounds and beliefs they have hidden behind for eons.

The prose is achingly soft yet remains grounded in a gritty, realistic intensity that makes the reader feel entirely vulnerable.

While the novella’s fast pace means certain plot points move quickly, it does not detract from the overall impact of the story or the high-stakes tension of their relationship. The story culminates in a brilliant twist and a haunting open ending that showcases Winchester’s mastery of the genre, reminding us that even the most guarded hearts can be softened by an unexpected love.

Content Warning: This dark romance features themes of physical captivity and imprisonment, dub-con elements, explicit sexual content, and emotional trauma. Reader discretion is advised.
Profile Image for Jessika S..
122 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 30, 2026
Caged in Desire was one of those novellas that made me want to yell, cry, and immediately beg for more.
From the striking cover to the final page, this myth-tinged romance delivers a captivating blend of atmosphere, emotional tension, and dark desire. The blurb was right up my alley, and the story itself felt like a modern myth; soft and achingly romantic, yet edged with danger.

Charlee is an absolute standout. As an eternal Cupid matchmaker barred from love herself, her sweetness, vulnerability, and quiet resilience made her instantly lovable. Watching her interact with her “clients” and seeing the world through her POV highlighted just how genuine and warm she is. In contrast, Eryx Nightvale, the God of Discord with a side hustle as a divorce attorney, is dark, dangerous, and undeniably tempting. Their grumpy/sunshine dynamic worked beautifully, playing on the thin line between hatred and desire.
The novella pacing worked well overall, especially as a Valentine’s-adjacent read, but I did find myself wishing certain moments had been given more room to breathe. A few chapters ended abruptly, and there were moments where I wanted a bit more clarity around how Charlee escaped certain situations. That said, nothing felt missing in a way that broke the story, it just left me hungry for more.

The open ending was haunting and effective, and the twist landed perfectly. If you love Greek-myth-inspired romance but are tired of the usual Hades/Persephone retellings, this was such a refreshing change. Female Cupid matchmaker meets the God of Discord is a choice.

Overall, this is a strong dark mythological romance with familiar tropes done well, a lovable FMC, and a fresh myth angle. I’ll absolutely be picking up more from this world.

ARC received by the author and review is being left voluntarily. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review. I can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Becca.
454 reviews80 followers
January 24, 2026
ARC review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Caged in Desire is a moody, myth-tinged romance that leans into contrasts—light and darkness, duty and longing, love freely given and love cruelly denied. It carries an almost timeless, old-world feel, like a fable sharpened by desire and consequence.

The FMC role as an eternal matchmaker is both beautiful and tragic. Helping others find their soulmates while being barred from that same bond herself adds a quiet ache to every interaction. Her sacrifice feels deeply ingrained in who she is, making her confrontation with love all the more powerful when it finally appears in the most unlikely form.

Eryx Nightvale is a deliciously dangerous counterpart. As the god of discord, he embodies everything she’s sworn to oppose—chaos, destruction, and defiance of order. His decision to cage her isn’t just physical imprisonment; it’s symbolic, forcing them both to confront the beliefs and wounds they’ve been hiding behind. Their dynamic crackles with tension, as charm and resilience collide with bitterness and control.

What makes this story compelling is its question at the heart: can love survive when it’s born from captivity and opposition? The push and pull between captor and captive, enemy and equal, keeps the romance simmering and the stakes high.

If you enjoy mythological romance, enemies-to-lovers tension, and stories where fate is challenged rather than accepted, Caged in Desire offers a darkly romantic read filled with longing, conflict, and the possibility of freedom earned rather than given. 🖤🔒
Profile Image for Blair Welter.
207 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 27, 2026
4.25⭐🌶️🌶️
If you love Greek mythology retellings but are tired of seeing Hades and Persephone everywhere, this was a really refreshing change.
Here we have a female Cupid match-maker. And our MMC is the god of Discord, with a side hustle as a divorce attorney.

We get strong grumpy/sunshine energy, and Charlee absolutely shines. Seeing her with her “clients” and being fully in her POV really highlights how sweet, bubbly, and genuine she is. it was super easy to connect with her right away. Unfortunately, that same depth didn’t quite translate to Eryx. Even though we get his POV, I never fully felt connected to him, and the character development felt a bit uneven between the two.

Sadie Winchester continues to prove she’s great at writing dark romance and BDSM without tipping too far into overly triggery territory. We’ve got captor/captive vibes, dub-con, forced proximity, and a MMC claiming revenge… though let’s be real, there’s always a thin line between hate and love in these stories.

The pacing worked well overall for a shorter story, but there were a couple chapters that ended very abruptly. A few moments left me wondering how exactly Charlee managed to get herself out of certain situations, which pulled me out of the story just a bit.

All in all, this is a solid dark mythological romance with a likable FMC, familiar tropes done well, and a fresh myth angle.
Profile Image for Nikki Ibarra.
13 reviews1 follower
February 6, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Caged in Desire, a dark romance novella, swiftly immerses readers in an intense, claustrophobic dynamic where desire and control intertwine. From the outset, the atmosphere exudes tightness, danger, and emotional intensity—qualities essential for a forced-proximity story.

The tension between the characters is palpable and unwavering, meticulously constructed through proximity, power imbalance, and a simmering obsession that neither erupts abruptly nor dissipates entirely. This is not a soft romance or a comforting read; it delves into darker themes and explores desire in its most raw and unsettling form.

What truly sets this novella apart is its immersive emotional pull, even considering its relatively short length. Every interaction carries significant weight, and the chemistry between the characters feels deliberate rather than rushed. If you relish dark romance that centers around control, captivity, and psychological tension—particularly in a concise, binge-able format—this novella is a must-read.

Ideal for readers seeking an intense, provocative, and unapologetic dark Valentine’s read.
Profile Image for Christian  Domenicci .
79 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 18, 2026
I want to start by thanking the author for giving me the opportunity to read this story. That being said... What in the name of love did I just read?
​This story left me completely speechless. I had never read anything so intense; it awakened emotions I thought were long forgotten. It’s a reminder that sometimes we think we’ve moved past the past, but it’s just there, hidden, waiting for the right moment to be remembered.
​The book is spicy, raw, and incredibly realistic. The character of Eryx is definitely an "asshole," but the way the scenes were described felt so real that my mind was just blown away. And the ending? I definitely did not see it coming. Sadie Winchester knows exactly how to deliver an excellent twist when you least expect it.
​Reading this made me feel vulnerable. Given the complexity of the characters, I found myself thinking about things I keep buried deep in my heart. Congratulations to the author for such an excellent and powerful piece of work.
My rating: A solid 5 stars.
Profile Image for Bibliotheque chez moi.
112 reviews5 followers
January 23, 2026
**Thank you to the author for kindly providing me with an ARC ecopy of this book. Caged in Desire officially releases on 2/2/2026**

What happens when the goddess of desire and the god of chaos collide? A steamy enclosure of disaster and desire.

I love a good spicy novella and let me tell you this one great! While there is spice, this novella also features comedic anecdotes and an interesting cast of characters that made it a really enjoyable read. If you’re a lover of mythology, I think you’ll appreciate the nods to the characters, which I think was done really well!

Also, that epilogue? Yes, more please!

This book features:
✨ Dual POV
✨ Captor x captive dynamics
✨ Instalust to love

You may like this book if you enjoy:
✨ Short reads under 300 pages
✨ Opposites attract
✨ Greek mythology
✨ Spice
✨ Valentine’s themed novellas

This book is a dark spicy novella, that features explicit dub con and implied SA. Make sure you consult trigger warnings before deciding to read.

****

4.25 ⭐️💫
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Dark Content ⚫️⚫️⚫️
Profile Image for Hannah Bobb.
132 reviews14 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 26, 2026
Wow! I loved this contemporary mythology romance. If you enjoyed works like Katee Roberts’ Neon Gods then I think you’ll really enjoy reading this story between the Goddess of Desire and the God of Chaos. You’ll catch brief mentions of other Gods and Goddesses and what they ruled over & bits of stories we’ve heard for a millennium.

I think what made this author stand out to me though and the other books I’ve read recently is that she uses a lot of extremely descriptive language. It really helps draw images in your mind as you’re reading that I don’t always get.

Example:
“I had expected darkness. Instead, I was met with a dynamic shade of brown that stole the air from my lungs. The earthy pools reminded me of a battleground moments after war's carnage had ceased, the soil soaked with blood of fallen warriors who had departed for the afterlife. Volatile. Cold. Soul capturing.
He didn't say anything. He didn't need to.
The scent of the gods wafted off of him in suffocatin( waves. Notes of thunder, sharp citrus, and cool flames of immortality filled my lungs.”
Profile Image for Tanya.
649 reviews37 followers
Review of advance copy
January 27, 2026
Caged in Desire, written by Sadie Winchester, is a paranormal romance novella just in time for Valentine’s Day. When I saw the cover, I knew I had to read it.

When I found out that our usual baby cherub of love and desire is actually a beautiful woman, I was all in! I love Sadie’s choice of matchmaker. Charlee, this world’s Cupid has a bit of a melancholic undertone. The very being that looks for the double-tap of hearts can’t have love herself. That is, until the God of Discord, Eryx Nightval,e enters the picture. His dangerous aura is the opposite of our sweet matchmaker. Their dynamic is both chaotic and alluring.

This high-stakes match sizzles. Their push-and-pull chemistry is addictive. Even though the book was short and the story was fast-paced, I was able to bask in its ambience. I ate it up. This was the perfect choice for Valentine’s Day - a dark, spicy paranormal romance. I need more!

Thanks to Sadie Winchester for gifting me an eARC of Caged in Desire. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for kall.isreading.
136 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 30, 2026
"𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨, 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞. 𝐓𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐞, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐦𝐲 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞."

rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
spice : 🌶🌶🌶.5

What an amazing Valentine’s novella! It was a quick, dark and spicy read with a beautiful cover that immediately had my attention. I really liked the modern version of Cupid, and all the surprise twists throughout the story.

Charlee is sweet, kind and clearly enjoys her duty as Cupid; meanwhile Eryx is the grumpiest shadow daddy around, a total pessimist about love. But when their paths cross, immediately sparks are flying between them—good and bad, and i was so giddy over it! And his nickname for her, Heartspite was so creative, i loved it immediately.
The tension, banter and fast paced romance was exactly what I wanted from this novella. Everything was dark and delicious, and really loved the way it wrapped up aswell. But I do really hope there's more to Charlee and Eryx story, as the ending had me like 👀

Thank you Sadie Winchester for the opportunity for this ARC, it was such a wonderful read and I look forward to more of your books!!
Profile Image for sinfullittleshelves.
261 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 1, 2026
𝐂𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞

“ᥕһᥲ𝗍’s ᥕr᥆ᥒg, һᥱᥲr𝗍s⍴і𝗍ᥱ? ძ᥆ᥒ’𝗍 ᥣіkᥱ і𝗍 ᥕһᥱᥒ s᥆mᥱ᥆ᥒᥱ ᥱᥣsᥱ ⍴ᥣᥲᥡs gᥲmᥱs ᥆𝖿 ძᥱsіrᥱ ᥲᥒძ ᥣᥙs𝗍?”

ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛ:
💘ᴇɴᴇᴍɪᴇs ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀs
🗝️ғᴏʀᴄᴇᴅ ᴘʀᴏxɪᴍɪᴛʏ
💘ᴄᴀᴘᴛᴏʀ x ᴄᴀᴘᴛɪᴠᴇ
🗝️ᴄʀ@ᴡʟ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ
💘ᴅᴜʙᴄ𝟶ɴ
🗝️“ғɪɴɢᴇʀᴘᴀɪɴᴛɪɴɢ”
💘ғᴀɪʟᴇᴅ ʀᴇᴠᴇɴɢᴇ
🗝️ɢʀᴇᴇᴋ ᴍʏᴛʜᴏʟᴏɢʏ ᴛᴡɪsᴛ
💘ɢʀᴜᴍᴘʏ x sᴜɴsʜɪɴᴇ
🗝️“ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ғɪx ʜɪᴍ”
💘ɪᴍᴘ@ᴄᴛ ᴘʟᴀʏ
🗝️ᴠᴀʟᴇɴᴛɪɴᴇ’s ᴅᴀʏ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟʟᴀ

“𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚎𝚍. 𝙸 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚐𝚞𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚜𝚘 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛.”

“𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞, 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚎𝚎.”

★ ★ ★ ★
🌶️🌶️

I don’t know what I expected from this but it wasn’t that. I devoured this book so fast it’s like I didn’t even blink. sadie did a phenomenal job bringing this to life. I couldn’t put it down and it had everything. and I mean everything. hate to love. angst. sexual tension. I loved the greek mythology so much. I can’t wait to see what comes next. thank you for the arc.


“𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘺𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦-𝘵𝘢𝘱?”
Profile Image for sycokittykat - Stefanie.
1,160 reviews35 followers
February 3, 2026
Where Love and Chaos cross paths

First off the cover on this is absolutely gorgeous and beautifully represents the love and chaos you find within. This is a fantastic Valentine's Day novella.

Charlee is sweet and brings love to others but doomed to never have it for herself. Eryx is the dark and broody chaos bringer. He was hurt in the past and vows to save others from the heartbreak brought by love.

This book brings a magnificent push and pull between love and chaos. These two together are filled with so much passion and rage. This is enemies to lovers in a beautiful masterpiece that will leave you stunned. There was something so utterly unexpected about the ending I was captivated and can't wait to see what might come next.

Sadie takes what you think you know and forces you to go through the things these characters thought they were past but were still very much there like a splinter left to fester. The complexity of the characters and their journey in such a small package is astounding.
Profile Image for Amanda Buntin.
112 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 17, 2026
Caged in Desire
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️

I’m not going to lie when I say I NEED more! Like so much more of them. Like I need there beginning stories of them and then a future. I was not ready for this to be a short story. Like Sadie you need to make it longer. Because these two were just amazing. I need there beginning stories and I definitely need to know if where you left off at is exactly what I am thinking! I never thought I’d beg an author for more but pretty please give me more! We follow the God of Chaos and the God of Desire into a whirlwind of push and pull. A broken man and a girl who doesn’t know if she deserves the right to love meet in a twist of FATE. I need to know more about the players in this story. Even though some are short appearance I need to know how they play into the story of Theos. But I think most of all I want to know why our girl doesn’t seem to think she deserves love. All around I just need more!
31 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 1, 2026
This book was a perfect Valentine's day novella, The cover is so beautiful! And I loved it from a start to finish.

I loved the mythology take on this story between the gods Desire and Discord which I found so refreshing and different.

The story follows Charlee (Desire) a modern day Cupid and Eryx (Discord) who is a divorce attorney. Charlee is working hard to bring people together but never getting to have true love herself. While Eryx jaded from his profession blames her for causing heartbreak with her matches and believes he needs to teach her a lesson when she crosses his path..

It was giving enemies to lovers, grumpy / sunshine vibes and when they came together they were just fire, loved the push and pull and spice between them.

I would have loved it to be longer, I enjoyed it so much I would have loved some sections to have more but I do love the open ending of the story and would definitely read if it was continued....
Profile Image for Smutty Little Books.
364 reviews243 followers
February 2, 2026
Caged in Desire is a fun little Cupid/Demigod romance with a fast pace and plenty of spice. You’ve got the God of Discord and the God of Desire going head-to-head, plus side characters that actually support and enhance the storyline instead of distracting from it. It’s a quick novella, very spice forward, and easy to fly through in one sitting.

This is a great pick if you’re in the mood for lots of spice and want something festive and fun for a Valentine’s read. I’ll be honest... god retellings aren’t usually my thing, and that’s 1000% a me issue. Because of that, I didn’t love it as much as I wanted to, but that doesn’t mean it won’t absolutely hit for the right reader.

While it was just okay for me personally, Sadie is a fantastic writer whose stories always feel unique, and this one is still worth picking up, especially if you enjoy spicy novellas and mythology-inspired romances.
Profile Image for Spicy BookNook Reviews.
349 reviews58 followers
February 2, 2026
Let's just start with the fact that I am 100% shocked that this woman was able to pull off a novella...I gave her a lot of smack telling her it wouldn't happen haha. If you've read her other books, then you know she's a wordy B. 🤷‍♀️🤣 so kudos to you wild child!

Now! What a fun twist on this mythological Valentine’s Day story! I wasn't sure how it would all pan out, but I loved loved loved it.

Charlee is just this sweet little cupid trying to show all the love in the world for couples and gaining that Double Tap. But when she stumbles upon Eryx....everything is about to change.

Eryx, well he's...a grump! Like seriously, I'm not sure there's anything that will move that man outta his ways....

👀👀 buuuuutttttt Charlee is bound and determined to fix him....can she do it?! I'm not gonna tell ya, sorry, not sorry.

Excuse me wild child.... you know exactly why this statement is here... 🙄 "iTs Up To InTeRpReTaTiOn..."
Profile Image for Nicole Zarut.
136 reviews9 followers
February 4, 2026
“If one listened carefully enough, silence could whisper its most guarded secrets.”

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Listen…. Just listen lol this book is AMAZING! Like mind blowing. I would like to first congratulate the amazing Sadie Winchester for pulling off a novella cuz let’s just be honest she is a very wordy lady 🤭 but damn she DID IT! And man did she DELIVERED.

She did it again guys, the more she write the better her books get. This short novella follows Eryx and Charlee, the two last person that can fall in love but mm yes it happens and is so hot. The chemistry between this two is just mind blowing. Don’t mind me I still think Eryx is a total jacka$$ but he comes down on me but just a little lol and sweet Charlee, our little cupid trying to bring love together. The perfect novella for valentine’s day!

It was perfect, to the point and so well written. Couldn’t be happier with this novella it was cheff kiss 💞
Profile Image for Cassandra Barton.
96 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 2, 2026
This intoxicating romance fuses mythology, forbidden desire, and high-stakes tension into a story that’s impossible to put down. The protagonist, born among the gods and fated to match mortals, has spent her life connecting hearts—but at the cost of her own. When Valentine’s Day brings her face-to-face with Eryx Nightvale, the god of discord and her polar opposite, the stakes become terrifyingly personal.

From the moment she’s trapped by him, the story crackles with heat, danger, and emotional intensity. Readers are pulled into a world where desire, power, and vulnerability collide, questioning whether love can survive when it’s bound by chains—both literal and metaphorical.

Fans of dark, steamy, and mythologically infused romance will be captivated by the tension, chemistry, and twists that define this unforgettable tale.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,069 reviews
February 2, 2026
Caged In Desire is a quick, dark, spicy novella.

What you get....
♡Grumpy Sunshine
♡Forced Proximity
♡Greek Mythology Twist
♡C@ptor
♡C@ptive
♡Cr@wl to Me
♡DubC0n
♡“Fingerpainting”
♡Failed Rev3nge
♡“I can fix him”
♡Imp@ct Play
♡Sizzling Chemistry
♡Valentine’s Day Novella

Charlee, the Goddess of Desire, and Eryx, the God of Chaos, have instant, electric chemistry that makes this short novella impossible to put down!!

I loved the twist of Cupid being a beautiful, lonely goddess who can match everyone’s hearts but can’t have love herself. Eryx is her perfect opposite. He’s dangerous, intense, and determined to challenge everything she believes.

Their push and pull tension, sharp banter, and forbidden attraction kept me hooked the whole time!

I devoured their story and I definitely want more of Charlee and Eryx!!
83 reviews2 followers
February 4, 2026
Absolutely loved this take on Cupid and the idea that God's and goddesses just roam around with humans on the daily.

Charlee is cupid and has a never ending quest the match couples and loves when their heart sync in the "double tap". Eryx is the god of chaos and discord and boy does he do his job well but if course is bitter and hard hearted. When he encounters cupid by chance he cages her but soon he is the one who is caged.

These two are just too hot to handle and this book has a spice level that is 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶. Be prepared to hate Eryx, believe charlee is naive and think these dont won't match, but boy is that wrong and in the end you will love them both and how they balance eachother out.

The last paragraph of the epilog 👩‍🍳💋......left us wanting more!! Awesome book. 10 out 10 totally recommend.
Profile Image for Karissa.
13 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 20, 2026
🖤 "𝕷𝖊𝖙'𝖘 𝖘𝖊𝖊 𝖜𝖍𝖎𝖈𝖍 𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊 𝖔𝖋 𝖒𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖇𝖊𝖌 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖋𝖎𝖗𝖘𝖙, 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖒𝖆𝖓 𝖔𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖌𝖔𝖉." 🖤

💘🔥 "𝕾𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖑𝖆𝖗𝖌𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖓 𝖑𝖔𝖛𝖊 𝖎𝖙𝖘𝖊𝖑𝖋, 𝖘𝖙𝖗𝖔𝖓𝖌𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖓 𝖉𝖊𝖘𝖎𝖗𝖊." 💘🔥

ᗩᖇᑕ ᖇEᐯIEᗯ જ⁀➴♡

Charlee and Eryx had me from the start. INSTANT Favorites with Heart Eyes! 😍🔥 This Novella was sweet and sultry and honestly perfect to curl up with just in time for Valentines Day. I adored the Greek mythology woven throughout the story. And the playlist!? Amazing and still on repeat. The way Sadie writes and the way she describes everything made it feel fated, timeless and achingly soft and beautiful. This story reminded me that even the most guarded of hearts can soften with love. (And the right amount of Spice 💋🔥🖤) A beautiful dark romance that feels made for Valentines Day and one I know I will be returning to!
Profile Image for Adele Robbetze.
127 reviews6 followers
February 3, 2026
Caged in desire is a standalone mythological enemies to lovers novella

FMC: Charlee - cupid
MMC: Eryx - god of discord

It was a quick fast-paced yet engaging read, that i devoured in one sitting!

The novella's plot moves very quickly and is so distinctive.

The characters were easy to connect with.

Charlee is full of love a light and Eryx is dark and destructive.

What I liked most in the book is reading about the gods as normal people with normal problems

My favorite side character is the butler Jamie Peterson, my least favorite is Pia his ex

The books ending hints at a second book

Favorite quote
" you have no business here. You are nothing but a peddler of pain wrapped in pretty packages"

I would recommend this book if you love a quick and quirky read.
Profile Image for BackwardsBookshelf.
219 reviews2 followers
February 4, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 5

Sadie Winchester brings dark desires into a bite‑sized package with Caged in Desire, a Cupid/Demigod novella you can inhale in one sitting, perfect for anyone craving something festive and spicy around Valentine’s Day. Told from dual POV, Eryx and Charlee’s captor‑captive tension, lust‑to‑love arc, and myth‑kissed dynamic are instantly addictive.
Some moments felt rushed to keep the story novella length. A bit more room to breathe would’ve strengthened the emotional connection and character growth. Still, the vibe, the tension, and the mythology all hit exactly as promised.
If you’re in the mood for a dark, spicy, fast‑paced read this one is worth grabbing. Check your trigger warnings before diving in. Thank you to the author for the ARC.
Profile Image for Penelope Paige.
Author 16 books26 followers
February 4, 2026
TL;DR - Buckle up, hold on tight, and good luck... in all the very best ways.

I've often said there's nothing new under the sun, but when it comes to Sadie Winchester, she's the perfect example of just the opposite. Her characters always have an edge you don't expect, her descriptions and analogies make me laugh out loud, and her uncanny ability to weave a story full of heat and intrigue from thin air (even a short one like this) is masterful.

Caged In Desire is a fun holiday novella, sure, but it's also a perfect example of Sadie's incredible ability to hook you from the first few moments and keep you flopping around on the rocks by the water's edge... that is, until she eventually throws you over the cliff.
Profile Image for A.Alex.
68 reviews
February 5, 2026

💋ARC Review💋
Caged in Desire
💋
4 Bright Stars for this Valentine Novella
💋
We are introduced to the characters with glimpses of their own personal issues and it shows how well these two are perfect for each other by the end. There’s banter, great side characters, and of course a tantalizing cliffhanger that leads to future possibilities.
💋
The writing from Sadie always seems to feed a part my heart. It’s a dopamine kick to my brain. Idk what it is but I love how she writes so much.
💋
This novella I feel could easily have been extended to a 600 page epic story of love and loss and finding yourself to love others again. These themes are just classic that always have a feel good ending. This was a sweet (albeit slightly disturbing) love story! 💋
Profile Image for Cheryl.
6,637 reviews238 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 27, 2026
Charlee is cupid. She does not mind her job. Yet she meets her match when she meets Eryx. He does not believe in love. What happens when cupid finds herself a prisoner of Eryx.

I know Eryx calling Charlee "Heartspite" was supposed to be mean but the more her called Charlee the nickname, it grew on me and I kind of liked it. Eryx being full on morally gray towards Charlee is hot.

"Her mouth felt like home"

Eryx may have "corrupted" this cupid but at the same time, Charlee hit her mark and Eryx could not dismiss that he may have fallen for Charlee. This is one steamy, quick read. It is just what cupid ordered this Valentine's Day.
Profile Image for Deanna (OnceUponADee).
158 reviews9 followers
February 2, 2026
Sadie has done it again! Charlee and Eryx’s banter like you could feel the tension radiating from them through the pages. Charlee is the goddess of desire and Eryx is the god of discord. Charlee stumbles upon the doorstep of none other than Eryx himself. Eryx traps Charlee in a cage determined to make her see her failures of her matches and to pay for the damage she has caused to the hearts of those who are collateral damage to the matching. Charlee is determined to show Eryx that he isn’t as tough as he thinks he is. This book will draw you in, break your heart, and have you crawling back for more. Fingers crossed that this is not the end for the desired chaos that is Charlee and Eryx.
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