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Devil Owned: A Dark Captive Romance
Not yet published
Expected 29 Jan 26I stole from the Devil. Now I belong to him.
I thought I was invisible. Quiet, shy, a nobody with sticky fingers and a terrible secret. Until I stole the one thing I shouldn’t have. Now I’m locked away, captive to an obsessive man.
Damien Wells is the billionaire CEO of the Devil corporation, and he rules the state. He rules me too, and somehow, I’m beginning to crave his cruel possession.
I guess after all these years of being invisible, I’ve grown lonely. Terribly lonely. It’s a sickness, and Damien Wells is the only man who can cure me. If he doesn’t kill me first.
A high-steam dark forced-proximity romance featuring a morally grey alpha hero and a haunted heroine.
high-steam dark romance, captor/captive, forced proximity, BDSM, power imbalance, possessive obsession, morally grey MMC, age gap, crime, psychological tension, suspense
I thought I was invisible. Quiet, shy, a nobody with sticky fingers and a terrible secret. Until I stole the one thing I shouldn’t have. Now I’m locked away, captive to an obsessive man.
Damien Wells is the billionaire CEO of the Devil corporation, and he rules the state. He rules me too, and somehow, I’m beginning to crave his cruel possession.
I guess after all these years of being invisible, I’ve grown lonely. Terribly lonely. It’s a sickness, and Damien Wells is the only man who can cure me. If he doesn’t kill me first.
A high-steam dark forced-proximity romance featuring a morally grey alpha hero and a haunted heroine.
high-steam dark romance, captor/captive, forced proximity, BDSM, power imbalance, possessive obsession, morally grey MMC, age gap, crime, psychological tension, suspense
- GenresDark Romance
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 29, 2026
1 person want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 6, 2026
Title: Devil Owned by A.V. Blackmoor
ARC Provided By: Netgalley, Victory Editing
Expected Release Date: 01|29|2026
Genre: Dark Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: Seraphina + Damian
Main Tropes: Captor/Captive, Stockholm Syndrome
This books main theme is the captor/captive trope. While I don’t read many books with this type of trope, this was well written. It dives in fast and doesn’t stop once it hits the mid plot points. I did get slightly bored because of the way Seraphina was just locked into a room with nothing to do and it lasted for a while in the book.
You get multiple opportunities to dig deep into her past and how she was raised, and doing so builds her character so well. She has been through a very rough life and her part in this book as an adult only got worse.
For Damian, his character was done well. We don’t see his back story but we do get his current dominant/captor side. He goes back and forth to wanting Seraphina and not. We do get a glimpse into his crime side and the things he’s involved in.
Overall, this was a great read that highlights captor/captive & stockholm syndrome very well. I’ll definitely be reading the next book.
✨ T r o p e s + T r i g g e r s ✨
Abusive Boyfriend
Force Feeding
Captor | Captive
Possessive | Dominant MMC
Forced Proximity
Age Gap
Power Imbalance
Crime
Kidnapping
Stockholm Syndrome
ARC Provided By: Netgalley, Victory Editing
Expected Release Date: 01|29|2026
Genre: Dark Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: Seraphina + Damian
Main Tropes: Captor/Captive, Stockholm Syndrome
This books main theme is the captor/captive trope. While I don’t read many books with this type of trope, this was well written. It dives in fast and doesn’t stop once it hits the mid plot points. I did get slightly bored because of the way Seraphina was just locked into a room with nothing to do and it lasted for a while in the book.
You get multiple opportunities to dig deep into her past and how she was raised, and doing so builds her character so well. She has been through a very rough life and her part in this book as an adult only got worse.
For Damian, his character was done well. We don’t see his back story but we do get his current dominant/captor side. He goes back and forth to wanting Seraphina and not. We do get a glimpse into his crime side and the things he’s involved in.
Overall, this was a great read that highlights captor/captive & stockholm syndrome very well. I’ll definitely be reading the next book.
✨ T r o p e s + T r i g g e r s ✨
Abusive Boyfriend
Force Feeding
Captor | Captive
Possessive | Dominant MMC
Forced Proximity
Age Gap
Power Imbalance
Crime
Kidnapping
Stockholm Syndrome
January 5, 2026
What a ride this story is. From start to finish I never knew what to expect. She is definitely dark and unhinged so check those triggers.
You know the story is good when you can simultaneously love and hate a character. Damian is that man- like man is he all the red flags that we love but also, like don't do our girl dirty. He is obsessive and possessive (we love to see it) but maybe goes about it less than ideally. But it's ok, he will redeem himself.
And the end- that cliffhanger (I always go into books blind so I had no idea there would be a cliffhanger) and the way I was SHOOK. I can't wait for the next book
You know the story is good when you can simultaneously love and hate a character. Damian is that man- like man is he all the red flags that we love but also, like don't do our girl dirty. He is obsessive and possessive (we love to see it) but maybe goes about it less than ideally. But it's ok, he will redeem himself.
And the end- that cliffhanger (I always go into books blind so I had no idea there would be a cliffhanger) and the way I was SHOOK. I can't wait for the next book
January 5, 2026
*sent as an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review*
4 Stars
3 Spice
Genre: Dark Romance
Tropes: Kidnapping, Captivity, Agegap, Morally Pitch Black MMC, Touch Her and Die
Main Characters: Seraphina Conner and Damian Wells
Seraphina grew up in a life that would give anyone nightmares. Now at 19 she lives in a basement apartment with her drug addict boyfriend, reduced to petty theft to pay for his habit. One night, she goes to a department store she frequents to steal perfume to pay a dealer. Normally, no one sees her enough to stop her. But on this night, she steals a certain bottle that gets the attention of the wrong people. Devil is a multimillion dollar corporation and owner of the store she stole from. Their leader, Damian has had his eye on her for some time but when she steals that bottle, with tech hidden inside it, he feels he has no choice but to capture her and hold her as his prisoner.
Holy buckets, what a wild ride! This is definitely dark and definitely unhinged. Most definitely a captivity story with an air of suspense when Devil gets pitted against a opposing company, Angel, and there’s a good chunk of the story where it’s hard to know who to trust and who to believe.
There are many triggering topics in this book, so please head to them if you need to. Damien is not your average hero, and sometimes you adore him and others you want to slap him silly for being so mindless to what’s really going on. And oh did I feel for Seraphina! She was already broken prior to her captivity, and watching the realistic thought processes she goes through on this rollercoaster while she’s trapped at Devil is both understandable and completely heartbreaking.
ENDS ON A CLIFFHANGER. I knew that going in and it still blind sided me. There are a few things that aren’t totally cleared up (though enough that you don’t feel blind sided) and some of the back and forth of Damien’s actions towards Seraphina can get a little confusing a points. Overall, however, this was a really in-depth story and if you like dark and unhinged, it’s worth the read.
4 Stars
3 Spice
Genre: Dark Romance
Tropes: Kidnapping, Captivity, Agegap, Morally Pitch Black MMC, Touch Her and Die
Main Characters: Seraphina Conner and Damian Wells
Seraphina grew up in a life that would give anyone nightmares. Now at 19 she lives in a basement apartment with her drug addict boyfriend, reduced to petty theft to pay for his habit. One night, she goes to a department store she frequents to steal perfume to pay a dealer. Normally, no one sees her enough to stop her. But on this night, she steals a certain bottle that gets the attention of the wrong people. Devil is a multimillion dollar corporation and owner of the store she stole from. Their leader, Damian has had his eye on her for some time but when she steals that bottle, with tech hidden inside it, he feels he has no choice but to capture her and hold her as his prisoner.
Holy buckets, what a wild ride! This is definitely dark and definitely unhinged. Most definitely a captivity story with an air of suspense when Devil gets pitted against a opposing company, Angel, and there’s a good chunk of the story where it’s hard to know who to trust and who to believe.
There are many triggering topics in this book, so please head to them if you need to. Damien is not your average hero, and sometimes you adore him and others you want to slap him silly for being so mindless to what’s really going on. And oh did I feel for Seraphina! She was already broken prior to her captivity, and watching the realistic thought processes she goes through on this rollercoaster while she’s trapped at Devil is both understandable and completely heartbreaking.
ENDS ON A CLIFFHANGER. I knew that going in and it still blind sided me. There are a few things that aren’t totally cleared up (though enough that you don’t feel blind sided) and some of the back and forth of Damien’s actions towards Seraphina can get a little confusing a points. Overall, however, this was a really in-depth story and if you like dark and unhinged, it’s worth the read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is an arc review.
"Now, as I stare up at Damien Wells, I realize he doesn’t scare me because he’s capable of destroying me. He scares me because something deep down tells me I’d let him."
Devil Owned is about Seraphina getting caught up in the Devil corporation's criminal side. Damien (the Ceo) finally has her in his grasp and doesn't plan to let her go.
This book flips back and forth between the fmc and mmc pov, and then randomly towards the end it includes time jumping.
***Spoilers***
Damien is a man who gets what he wants and overtime does learn that he does have a softer side under all his evil, but he has a major flaw of communication. He keeps assuming Seraphina, his captive, knows what he is thinking and feeling in the moment. Which leads to so many problems. The man also keeps harping about his power he's losing. It's a constant battle for him with one of his partners.
Seraphina, this poor girl, horrible life growing up and it just continues to be shit. She's in the wrong place at the wrong time and becomes captive to Damien. Immediately, Stockholm syndrome and I will say she didn't lose her fight as much as I thought she would. But still, so much miscommunication and this girl (she's 19 so I'm gonna call her a girl) is put through the ringer the whole book. All the way to the end, leading into the 2nd book. She can't catch a break.
I will say the spice was nice, the balcony was a new one for me. I honestly couldn't wait to see what Damien had in store. I think there was a few missed warnings; there should be a warning for almost rape and labeled this a miscommunication trope.
"Now, as I stare up at Damien Wells, I realize he doesn’t scare me because he’s capable of destroying me. He scares me because something deep down tells me I’d let him."
Devil Owned is about Seraphina getting caught up in the Devil corporation's criminal side. Damien (the Ceo) finally has her in his grasp and doesn't plan to let her go.
This book flips back and forth between the fmc and mmc pov, and then randomly towards the end it includes time jumping.
***Spoilers***
Damien is a man who gets what he wants and overtime does learn that he does have a softer side under all his evil, but he has a major flaw of communication. He keeps assuming Seraphina, his captive, knows what he is thinking and feeling in the moment. Which leads to so many problems. The man also keeps harping about his power he's losing. It's a constant battle for him with one of his partners.
Seraphina, this poor girl, horrible life growing up and it just continues to be shit. She's in the wrong place at the wrong time and becomes captive to Damien. Immediately, Stockholm syndrome and I will say she didn't lose her fight as much as I thought she would. But still, so much miscommunication and this girl (she's 19 so I'm gonna call her a girl) is put through the ringer the whole book. All the way to the end, leading into the 2nd book. She can't catch a break.
I will say the spice was nice, the balcony was a new one for me. I honestly couldn't wait to see what Damien had in store. I think there was a few missed warnings; there should be a warning for almost rape and labeled this a miscommunication trope.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to A.V Blackmoor & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Overall Rating: 4 / 5⭐️
Spice Scale: 3 / 5🌶️
Oooooh wow. I devoured this deliciously dark book within just under 4 hours.
Devil Owned takes us for such a wild ride. This is a captor/captive romance, so naturally it is very dark. Please check trigger warnings before reading!
Seraphina and Damien took me for a spin from the very beginning. I had so many questions regarding their relationship, his obsession, and her past! I felt that it was relatively well-paced, though a bit slow to start. Once everything began to pick up, I couldn't stop reading.
We are introduced to Seraphina, our FMC, who has lived suuuch a rough life so far. It was heartbreaking to know she had only experienced hardship up until the events of Devil Owned.
Damien Wells is our steamy MMC, torn between his feelings for Seraphina and doing what is best for The Devils. I couldn't tell if I loved him or despised him half of the time!
Overall a well-written, spicy, and dark captor/captive romance with a DIABOLICAL cliffhanger! I'm curious to see how their story will play out at the end of this duet!
Overall Rating: 4 / 5⭐️
Spice Scale: 3 / 5🌶️
Oooooh wow. I devoured this deliciously dark book within just under 4 hours.
Devil Owned takes us for such a wild ride. This is a captor/captive romance, so naturally it is very dark. Please check trigger warnings before reading!
Seraphina and Damien took me for a spin from the very beginning. I had so many questions regarding their relationship, his obsession, and her past! I felt that it was relatively well-paced, though a bit slow to start. Once everything began to pick up, I couldn't stop reading.
We are introduced to Seraphina, our FMC, who has lived suuuch a rough life so far. It was heartbreaking to know she had only experienced hardship up until the events of Devil Owned.
Damien Wells is our steamy MMC, torn between his feelings for Seraphina and doing what is best for The Devils. I couldn't tell if I loved him or despised him half of the time!
Overall a well-written, spicy, and dark captor/captive romance with a DIABOLICAL cliffhanger! I'm curious to see how their story will play out at the end of this duet!
January 1, 2026
I admit I started this slightly sceptical but was won over by about a third of the way in. On face value it’s a young vulnerable girl being held against her will but falling fast for her captor. Hmm I couldn’t really decide between stupid or Stockholm syndrome but gave that one the benefit of the doubt.
The number of trigger moments is quite impressive but sensitively handled and worked well into the storyline fairly seamlessly. There is domestic abuse, murder, rape, gangland wars to name but a few topics but the darkness feels authentic rather than gratuitous. Same goes for the racier scenes, the right number and definitely part of the storyline rather than just because. I quite warmed to Seraphina and her increasingly tragic backstory and personal strength of character and feistiness.
I was suitably engaged enough to be eager to read the next chapter and see what happens next with the characters, especially given the cliffhanger ending. Read as an ARC and grateful for the opportunity, happy to recommend.
The number of trigger moments is quite impressive but sensitively handled and worked well into the storyline fairly seamlessly. There is domestic abuse, murder, rape, gangland wars to name but a few topics but the darkness feels authentic rather than gratuitous. Same goes for the racier scenes, the right number and definitely part of the storyline rather than just because. I quite warmed to Seraphina and her increasingly tragic backstory and personal strength of character and feistiness.
I was suitably engaged enough to be eager to read the next chapter and see what happens next with the characters, especially given the cliffhanger ending. Read as an ARC and grateful for the opportunity, happy to recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up on NetGalley and Goodreads)
I was honestly obsessed with the blurb for this and was so excited to get approved for an ARC copy.
I do love the plot, but I think there was a lot of missing info, like the fact that this is riding on a miscommunication trope. If I had known that beforehand, I wouldn’t have picked it up. Accurate marketing is definitely something this book missed. More than half of this book rests on miscommunication.
Removing that from the mix, Seraphina…very quickly starts falling for Damien. It felt rushed, but it was still a slow burn. Although that balcony scene? That alone won stars just for creativity/originality. It’s worth the read for that scene alone.
Despite my rather low rating, I am interested in the next book if anything just to find out what happens to Seraphina.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC!
I was honestly obsessed with the blurb for this and was so excited to get approved for an ARC copy.
I do love the plot, but I think there was a lot of missing info, like the fact that this is riding on a miscommunication trope. If I had known that beforehand, I wouldn’t have picked it up. Accurate marketing is definitely something this book missed. More than half of this book rests on miscommunication.
Removing that from the mix, Seraphina…very quickly starts falling for Damien. It felt rushed, but it was still a slow burn. Although that balcony scene? That alone won stars just for creativity/originality. It’s worth the read for that scene alone.
Despite my rather low rating, I am interested in the next book if anything just to find out what happens to Seraphina.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Was really surprised by this book.
This book doesn’t ask you to root for good or evil—it dares you to fall in love somewhere in between. The characters are unapologetically flawed, making choices that are messy, selfish, and often cruel, yet painfully human. The romance is dark in the truest sense: intense, obsessive, and threaded with tension that never quite lets you breathe.
This is not a sweet story, nor does it try to be. It’s unsettling, addictive, and emotionally charged—perfect for readers who crave romance that challenges their comfort zone and lingers long after the final page. Time to time I found myself loving and hating the characters for their actions.
There were moments I found myself on edge of uncomfortable but was this thrilling kind.
The cliffhanger really leaves you hanging and waiting for the next book to be released.
This book doesn’t ask you to root for good or evil—it dares you to fall in love somewhere in between. The characters are unapologetically flawed, making choices that are messy, selfish, and often cruel, yet painfully human. The romance is dark in the truest sense: intense, obsessive, and threaded with tension that never quite lets you breathe.
This is not a sweet story, nor does it try to be. It’s unsettling, addictive, and emotionally charged—perfect for readers who crave romance that challenges their comfort zone and lingers long after the final page. Time to time I found myself loving and hating the characters for their actions.
There were moments I found myself on edge of uncomfortable but was this thrilling kind.
The cliffhanger really leaves you hanging and waiting for the next book to be released.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this take on a captive romance. This plot was different and more layered than a Stockholm scenario and I enjoyed the slower burn (which is NOT typical for me). Really like the larger plot. The cliffy at the end was, of course, nail-biting.
Big fan of the backstory of the FMC, and the author did a great job of incorporating the character's history into her interactions with the MMC.
Speaking of the MMC, MY GOD. Love love love love. Hello Mr. tall, dark and OBSESSED. I live for a possessive MMC driven to extremes and Mr Damien Wells is IT.
Definitely going to keep an eye out for book 2.
Big fan of the backstory of the FMC, and the author did a great job of incorporating the character's history into her interactions with the MMC.
Speaking of the MMC, MY GOD. Love love love love. Hello Mr. tall, dark and OBSESSED. I live for a possessive MMC driven to extremes and Mr Damien Wells is IT.
Definitely going to keep an eye out for book 2.
January 5, 2026
I received this book as an ARC, and I’m genuinely so glad I picked it up. It turned out to be one of the most enjoyable romances I’ve read in a long time. The story is packed with twists and turns—some completely unexpected, others deliciously anticipated—and that balance kept me hooked from start to finish.
The author does an incredible job bringing the characters to life. Their emotions are so vividly written that you can feel every moment right alongside them, whether it’s heartbreak, tension, or joy. It made the entire reading experience feel immersive and emotionally rich.
Overall, this was such a fun, engaging read, and I’m really happy I had the chance to experience it early.
The author does an incredible job bringing the characters to life. Their emotions are so vividly written that you can feel every moment right alongside them, whether it’s heartbreak, tension, or joy. It made the entire reading experience feel immersive and emotionally rich.
Overall, this was such a fun, engaging read, and I’m really happy I had the chance to experience it early.
January 3, 2026
Arc review!!!!
Wow!! I have read some dark romance this book though is extreme. I don’t think I have read anything like this. I did enjoy the book fully! The story is great the characters you find who you love and who you hate. Damien and Seraphina are a crazy fucked up dynamic. The highs and lows of this book keep you reading the Stockholm Syndrome is incredible and well written. Girl touched starved and just melts for her captor! Does not end on a HEA and ends on a cliffhanger can not wait to read book 2
Wow!! I have read some dark romance this book though is extreme. I don’t think I have read anything like this. I did enjoy the book fully! The story is great the characters you find who you love and who you hate. Damien and Seraphina are a crazy fucked up dynamic. The highs and lows of this book keep you reading the Stockholm Syndrome is incredible and well written. Girl touched starved and just melts for her captor! Does not end on a HEA and ends on a cliffhanger can not wait to read book 2
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The main character endures a lot of trauma and grows up without really understanding what true love is. One of the things I didn't really enjoy was how young she was, but I also read about 19 year olds with 400 year old fae men so it is what it is.
I can't wait to read the next one. There's a lot of abuse mentioned in this book so if you're looking for a fairy tale novel this isn't for you. It’s a dark, twisted story that had me on the edge of my seat, anxiously awaiting the next book. If you enjoy dark romance with an intensely obsessive male lead, this is definitely the book for you.
I can't wait to read the next one. There's a lot of abuse mentioned in this book so if you're looking for a fairy tale novel this isn't for you. It’s a dark, twisted story that had me on the edge of my seat, anxiously awaiting the next book. If you enjoy dark romance with an intensely obsessive male lead, this is definitely the book for you.
January 3, 2026
✨ARC Review✨
I love a good captive romance, and this one was up there.
Was refreshing not having the Stockholm aspect, and having a FMC that is actually a little unhinged did make this even better. 😏
Slow burn romance, touch her and die, criminal ties, some spicy scenes, a cliffhanger ending, this book has it all. 🥵
But that ending?! Okay, now I need book two ASAP please! 🫣
I love a good captive romance, and this one was up there.
Was refreshing not having the Stockholm aspect, and having a FMC that is actually a little unhinged did make this even better. 😏
Slow burn romance, touch her and die, criminal ties, some spicy scenes, a cliffhanger ending, this book has it all. 🥵
But that ending?! Okay, now I need book two ASAP please! 🫣
Review of advance copy
This book got me excited ro read. The plot is steady amd engaging but it felt like something was missing. This is a slow burn but does have a spicy scene iykyk.. I won't spoil it!
Overall this was an ok read and I am intrigued to find out what happens next
Overall this was an ok read and I am intrigued to find out what happens next
January 6, 2026
This one wasn’t quite for me. The story was well put together and overall a decent read; however, it was a little too dark for my taste, so I struggled to fully get into it. Definitely a good choice for readers who enjoy dark captive stories.
December 29, 2025
Hooked from page one. Poor broken Seraphina. Of course hooked and will definitely be reading the next one to find out what happens.
Review of advance copy received from Author
my goodness so good 💯😊✨✨💯 and the end ???? !! loved it
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews