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Escape
A dark romance steeped in danger and desire. Escape follows a woman trapped in a world of power and violence, and the man willing to burn it down to get her out. This is a story of survival, obsession, and choosing love without losing yourself.
- GenresAmazonDark Romance
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was so lucky to receive an ARC copy of this book.
I dont know how to convey how good this was.
Right from the first page, I was hooked, and a deep understanding of the damage for the MMC was created. The appearance of the FMC was equally thoughtful and well developed. I found myself able to relate to both characters in different ways.
The plot of this story is well thought out, set up, and paced perfectly. The world building was created seamlessly with the introduction of characters and story, all supporting characters received the same amount of attention to detail as the mains and the peppering of sarcastic one liners and dark humor offered a range of emotional reactions.
I also need to mention how beautifully traumatic, triggering assaults were eluded to without explicit detail. ( A list of triggers is provided, so you can see if this book is for you)
Overall an amazing book, I truly wish I could give it a galaxy of stars for rating.
DESPERATELY AWAITING BOOK 2
I dont know how to convey how good this was.
Right from the first page, I was hooked, and a deep understanding of the damage for the MMC was created. The appearance of the FMC was equally thoughtful and well developed. I found myself able to relate to both characters in different ways.
The plot of this story is well thought out, set up, and paced perfectly. The world building was created seamlessly with the introduction of characters and story, all supporting characters received the same amount of attention to detail as the mains and the peppering of sarcastic one liners and dark humor offered a range of emotional reactions.
I also need to mention how beautifully traumatic, triggering assaults were eluded to without explicit detail. ( A list of triggers is provided, so you can see if this book is for you)
Overall an amazing book, I truly wish I could give it a galaxy of stars for rating.
DESPERATELY AWAITING BOOK 2
September 25, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up. With this book we are introduced to Seraphine (Sera) and Kael. Be prepared for an opening of Kael trying to save someone he loves, so the trauma starts from page one. Then we're introduced to Sera who is surviving with her own trauma who works in a BDSM club. Kael is instantly drawn to Sera and is ruthless, dangerous, possessive, and absolutely unhinged when it comes to her, but he also understands her in ways that matter. This is definitely a dark romance, and please check the trigger warnings before reading. Some of the themes are heavy and won't be for everyone.
September 23, 2026
A HUGE thank you to BlueNose Audio and author K.C. Blackwell for the ALC of Escape, book one in the Darkness in Devotion series!
This audiobook was narrated in duet-style by Marie Hawkins, Anthony Palmini, and Sean Masters, and they did a FABULOUS job! I was completely locked into their emotions, tone, and the suspense they brought to the story. You could feel the tension through the narration, and it really pulled me into the chaos.
This is a dark romance that gives you SO much more than just romance. We get suspense, chaos, tension, dark themes, and a whole lot of WTF moments.
And we have KAEL.
Kael is giving TOP-TIER dark romance boyfriend energy. The kind of man who will stalk you, protect you, take care of you even when you absolutely do NOT want him to, and basically has that “touch her and die” energy turned all the way up.
At the beginning of the book, Kael suffers a loss that throws him into the life he is living when he meets the FMC. (That part, the working for that guy after what happened felt odd but I guess it worked) He’s working for a very bad man when Sera enters the picture.
Sera is dealing with her own past trauma while working at an adult BDSM/dance club, and Kael’s fascination with her is basically instant. And honestly? I loved that. There was no endless “will they, won’t they” before he became completely fixated on her.
There are many side characters, and I really enjoyed how important they became to the overall story. They weren’t just there to fill space, they actually played key roles in the chaos unfolding around Kael and Sera.
And when I say the chaos DOES NOT STOP… I mean it.
Things just keep escalating, and the tension continues building all the way to the end. And that epilogue?!?!
I literally finished it like…
WHAT THE FU** IS HAPPENING NOW?!
I will say, there were a few scenes that felt like unnecessary filler to me. I caught myself wanting to move past certain scenes because they slowed the story down for me. That was really my only complaint.
Other than that, I REALLY enjoyed this listen and the story!
Please check the trigger warnings before starting. This story contains several heavy and sensitive subjects that may be difficult for some readers/listeners.
This audiobook was narrated in duet-style by Marie Hawkins, Anthony Palmini, and Sean Masters, and they did a FABULOUS job! I was completely locked into their emotions, tone, and the suspense they brought to the story. You could feel the tension through the narration, and it really pulled me into the chaos.
This is a dark romance that gives you SO much more than just romance. We get suspense, chaos, tension, dark themes, and a whole lot of WTF moments.
And we have KAEL.
Kael is giving TOP-TIER dark romance boyfriend energy. The kind of man who will stalk you, protect you, take care of you even when you absolutely do NOT want him to, and basically has that “touch her and die” energy turned all the way up.
At the beginning of the book, Kael suffers a loss that throws him into the life he is living when he meets the FMC. (That part, the working for that guy after what happened felt odd but I guess it worked) He’s working for a very bad man when Sera enters the picture.
Sera is dealing with her own past trauma while working at an adult BDSM/dance club, and Kael’s fascination with her is basically instant. And honestly? I loved that. There was no endless “will they, won’t they” before he became completely fixated on her.
There are many side characters, and I really enjoyed how important they became to the overall story. They weren’t just there to fill space, they actually played key roles in the chaos unfolding around Kael and Sera.
And when I say the chaos DOES NOT STOP… I mean it.
Things just keep escalating, and the tension continues building all the way to the end. And that epilogue?!?!
I literally finished it like…
WHAT THE FU** IS HAPPENING NOW?!
I will say, there were a few scenes that felt like unnecessary filler to me. I caught myself wanting to move past certain scenes because they slowed the story down for me. That was really my only complaint.
Other than that, I REALLY enjoyed this listen and the story!
Please check the trigger warnings before starting. This story contains several heavy and sensitive subjects that may be difficult for some readers/listeners.
September 21, 2026
This one is an interesting mix of romance, danger, suspense, trauma, and some drama.
First, let's talk about the audio. This one is duet narration with Marie Hawkins, Anthony Palmini and Sean Masters and they knocked it out of the park! Everything they brought forth with all of the characters just really elevated the story.
We have an FMC, Seraphine (Sera) that has all kinds of trauma and an MMC, Kael, who is straight obsessed with her. Total touch her and die energy. Sera works in a BDSM club and her boss, and some others seem to be into some shady stuff, which is how Kael comes in.
This one definitely is on the darker side with some sensitive subjects so make sure you check your triggers. We have stalking, unaliving, lots of trauma, assault and kidnapping. There's also some good spice, and considering the setting is a BDSM club, please keep that in mind.
I loved the addition of Patrick, Sera's best friend and the found family vibes there. I liked how the relationship with Sera and Kael developed. They had chemistry from the start.
That ending though? What. The. Heck?! That was brutal and totally did NOT expect that! Overall, I did enjoy this story. My only complaint is while it isn't super long, it felt like it went on forever at times because the pacing was slower in spots.
Huge thank you to Blue Nose for the copy to listen to! Can't wait to see where this story goes next!
First, let's talk about the audio. This one is duet narration with Marie Hawkins, Anthony Palmini and Sean Masters and they knocked it out of the park! Everything they brought forth with all of the characters just really elevated the story.
We have an FMC, Seraphine (Sera) that has all kinds of trauma and an MMC, Kael, who is straight obsessed with her. Total touch her and die energy. Sera works in a BDSM club and her boss, and some others seem to be into some shady stuff, which is how Kael comes in.
This one definitely is on the darker side with some sensitive subjects so make sure you check your triggers. We have stalking, unaliving, lots of trauma, assault and kidnapping. There's also some good spice, and considering the setting is a BDSM club, please keep that in mind.
I loved the addition of Patrick, Sera's best friend and the found family vibes there. I liked how the relationship with Sera and Kael developed. They had chemistry from the start.
That ending though? What. The. Heck?! That was brutal and totally did NOT expect that! Overall, I did enjoy this story. My only complaint is while it isn't super long, it felt like it went on forever at times because the pacing was slower in spots.
Huge thank you to Blue Nose for the copy to listen to! Can't wait to see where this story goes next!
September 30, 2026
It seems they all escaped something….
This was a wild mix between suspense, thriller, dark and romance. It opened with a scene that hooked you. Kael the stealthy enforcer did everything Conor ever needed until Conor crossed a line that set the entire book in motion. Seraphine was a strong FMC. She faced so much trauma throughout her life and the hits kept coming. Being betrayed by someone who she trusted throwing her in the lions den was rough but she held her own probably because this wasn’t a new situation for her sadly. Kael was ready to burn down the city for his little fawn. The suspense had my flicking page after page because I needed to see what was next. This story’s pace was perfect it gave you just enough to force you to keep going and not put the book down. This story had found family-kinda, suspense, mine, touch her and….., dark romance and more. This one is triggering for some so please check your trigger warnings before diving into this one. It was a great read the ending has me wondering what could possibly be next. The cliff hanger……
The narration cast for this one was perfect. Marie Hawkins was a perfect Seraphine. She did a perfect job bringing this character to life. She brought all the raw emotions of Sera through this story it was great. Anthony Palmini was a fantastic Kael, Benjamin and Patrick. He navigated these 3 men in such an amazing way. It felt like there were different actors playing them. He brought the dark enforcer side of Kael while also the fun quirky side of Patrick perfectly. Benjamin well he was…..interesting. Sean masters…perfect Conor and other side characters but Conor he was great. He played the ruthless leader well. He brought the scary unpredictable side to this story perfectly. He smashed this performance. This trio did a fantastic job bringing this story to life. Their voices all held my attention so well and had me on the edge of my Seat throughout the entire story.
This was a wild mix between suspense, thriller, dark and romance. It opened with a scene that hooked you. Kael the stealthy enforcer did everything Conor ever needed until Conor crossed a line that set the entire book in motion. Seraphine was a strong FMC. She faced so much trauma throughout her life and the hits kept coming. Being betrayed by someone who she trusted throwing her in the lions den was rough but she held her own probably because this wasn’t a new situation for her sadly. Kael was ready to burn down the city for his little fawn. The suspense had my flicking page after page because I needed to see what was next. This story’s pace was perfect it gave you just enough to force you to keep going and not put the book down. This story had found family-kinda, suspense, mine, touch her and….., dark romance and more. This one is triggering for some so please check your trigger warnings before diving into this one. It was a great read the ending has me wondering what could possibly be next. The cliff hanger……
The narration cast for this one was perfect. Marie Hawkins was a perfect Seraphine. She did a perfect job bringing this character to life. She brought all the raw emotions of Sera through this story it was great. Anthony Palmini was a fantastic Kael, Benjamin and Patrick. He navigated these 3 men in such an amazing way. It felt like there were different actors playing them. He brought the dark enforcer side of Kael while also the fun quirky side of Patrick perfectly. Benjamin well he was…..interesting. Sean masters…perfect Conor and other side characters but Conor he was great. He played the ruthless leader well. He brought the scary unpredictable side to this story perfectly. He smashed this performance. This trio did a fantastic job bringing this story to life. Their voices all held my attention so well and had me on the edge of my Seat throughout the entire story.
October 2, 2026
I listened to this as an ALC and this audiobook cast? ABSOLUTELY understood the assignment.
Marie Hawkins, Anthony Palmini, and Sean Masters together made this such an immersive listen.
Marie Hawkins as Sera was fantastic. I really loved that Sera never felt like a helpless FMC waiting for someone to save her. Marie captured that combination of being wounded while still being a fighter so well.
Then there’s Anthony Palmini as Kael. The possessiveness. The protectiveness. The whole touch her and find out what happens energy. Anthony brought all of it.
But Sean Masters as Conor? That man was CREEPY and I mean that as the highest compliment. The control and menace in his performance made Conor feel genuinely unsettling, and there were moments where his voice alone was enough to make me sit up and pay attention.
The three of them worked so well together, especially with the different characters and POVs. The performances added another layer to a story already packed with danger, trauma, obsession, suspense, spice, and some seriously WTF moments.
And that ending?! Now I need to know what happens next.
Marie Hawkins, Anthony Palmini, and Sean Masters together made this such an immersive listen.
Marie Hawkins as Sera was fantastic. I really loved that Sera never felt like a helpless FMC waiting for someone to save her. Marie captured that combination of being wounded while still being a fighter so well.
Then there’s Anthony Palmini as Kael. The possessiveness. The protectiveness. The whole touch her and find out what happens energy. Anthony brought all of it.
But Sean Masters as Conor? That man was CREEPY and I mean that as the highest compliment. The control and menace in his performance made Conor feel genuinely unsettling, and there were moments where his voice alone was enough to make me sit up and pay attention.
The three of them worked so well together, especially with the different characters and POVs. The performances added another layer to a story already packed with danger, trauma, obsession, suspense, spice, and some seriously WTF moments.
And that ending?! Now I need to know what happens next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dark. Twisted. Soul-crushing.
Escape by KC Blackwell shattered me in the best way.
Kael is the kind of man who doesn’t threaten to burn the world—he’s already lighting the match. Sera’s journey is raw, relatable, and handled with care. My heart raced through the spice and ached through every twist.
Please check your triggers… but if you’re ready—this one hits different.
🔥🖤 100/10 recommend.
Escape by KC Blackwell shattered me in the best way.
Kael is the kind of man who doesn’t threaten to burn the world—he’s already lighting the match. Sera’s journey is raw, relatable, and handled with care. My heart raced through the spice and ached through every twist.
Please check your triggers… but if you’re ready—this one hits different.
🔥🖤 100/10 recommend.
September 28, 2026
🎧 ALC REVIEW — ESCAPE by K.C. Blackwell
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First of all, a huge thank you to K.C. Blackwell and BlueNose Audio for sending me this ALC and giving me the chance to experience ESCAPE in audio. This was my first book by this author and… okay. WHAT THE FUCK AM I READING?! 😂 Because I genuinely had no idea what I was getting myself into, and this book just kept getting darker, stranger, more intense and more chaotic as it went on.
And when I say dark, I mean dark in pretty much every possible sense. There’s trauma, obsession, stalking, danger, violence, suspense, some seriously twisted situations and plenty of moments where I was just sitting there wondering what the hell was going to happen next. And the audio made all of that darkness feel even more intense because Marie Hawkins, Anthony Palmini and Sean Masters absolutely understood the assignment.
Sean Masters… JESUS. That man’s voice already does things to me, but here?! The way he can make his voice sound so intensely creepy and unsettling while still making you want to keep listening is honestly unfair. Connor genuinely gave me chills, and I’m not even joking when I say I deliberately avoided listening to certain parts at night because there was something about Sean’s performance that actually made me feel slightly scared. 😂 That deep, sinister edge to his voice was PERFECT for the atmosphere of this story.
And Anthony Palmini? Brilliant, as always. Kael gained an entirely different dimension through his performance, and considering Anthony is already one of my favorite narrators, I probably shouldn’t be surprised. The obsession, the possessiveness, the intensity, that completely unhinged "touch-her-and-die" energy… it was all there. Kael is absolutely not the kind of man who understands the concept of doing things halfway when it comes to Sera, and Anthony made that obsession feel incredibly real.
Marie Hawkins was, I believe, a first for me, and I really enjoyed her performance too. She managed to bring so much of Sera’s emotional vulnerability into the narration, especially her trauma and that constant fear of abandonment, while still giving her strength. There were moments when you could actually hear everything Sera was trying not to feel, and that added another layer to her character for me.
I also really enjoyed the fact that this isn’t simply Dual POV. We get multiple POVs, which worked particularly well in a story like this because there are so many people involved in what is happening around Sera and Kael. Being inside the minds of different characters gave the story another level of intensity and allowed us to understand motivations, obsessions and events from perspectives we wouldn’t normally get. And with three narrators bringing all those characters to life in duet narration, the whole thing felt even more immersive.
And, obviously, having Escape, an adult BDSM/dance club, as the backdrop was always going to be a plus for me. 😏 The performances on stage, the atmosphere of the club, the sensuality mixed with that underlying feeling that something was very, very wrong… I loved that combination. The stage scenes were described so vividly that they were incredibly easy to picture, and the narration made them even better.
There is A LOT happening in this book (romance, obsession, trauma, suspense, danger, found family, spice and some truly WTF moments) and while I did feel that the pacing slowed down in a few places, overall I really enjoyed the experience, especially in audio.
And then we get to THAT ENDING.
Excuse me?! WHAT. THE. F**K. WAS. THAT?!
Apparently finishing Escape with peace of mind was never an option. 😂
Dark, disturbing, obsessive, sexy, chaotic and definitely not what I was expecting when I pressed play. My first K.C. Blackwell book certainly knew how to make an introduction.
🎧 4⭐️ for the audio
Please check the trigger warnings before starting ... this story deals with several dark and sensitive themes.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First of all, a huge thank you to K.C. Blackwell and BlueNose Audio for sending me this ALC and giving me the chance to experience ESCAPE in audio. This was my first book by this author and… okay. WHAT THE FUCK AM I READING?! 😂 Because I genuinely had no idea what I was getting myself into, and this book just kept getting darker, stranger, more intense and more chaotic as it went on.
And when I say dark, I mean dark in pretty much every possible sense. There’s trauma, obsession, stalking, danger, violence, suspense, some seriously twisted situations and plenty of moments where I was just sitting there wondering what the hell was going to happen next. And the audio made all of that darkness feel even more intense because Marie Hawkins, Anthony Palmini and Sean Masters absolutely understood the assignment.
Sean Masters… JESUS. That man’s voice already does things to me, but here?! The way he can make his voice sound so intensely creepy and unsettling while still making you want to keep listening is honestly unfair. Connor genuinely gave me chills, and I’m not even joking when I say I deliberately avoided listening to certain parts at night because there was something about Sean’s performance that actually made me feel slightly scared. 😂 That deep, sinister edge to his voice was PERFECT for the atmosphere of this story.
And Anthony Palmini? Brilliant, as always. Kael gained an entirely different dimension through his performance, and considering Anthony is already one of my favorite narrators, I probably shouldn’t be surprised. The obsession, the possessiveness, the intensity, that completely unhinged "touch-her-and-die" energy… it was all there. Kael is absolutely not the kind of man who understands the concept of doing things halfway when it comes to Sera, and Anthony made that obsession feel incredibly real.
Marie Hawkins was, I believe, a first for me, and I really enjoyed her performance too. She managed to bring so much of Sera’s emotional vulnerability into the narration, especially her trauma and that constant fear of abandonment, while still giving her strength. There were moments when you could actually hear everything Sera was trying not to feel, and that added another layer to her character for me.
I also really enjoyed the fact that this isn’t simply Dual POV. We get multiple POVs, which worked particularly well in a story like this because there are so many people involved in what is happening around Sera and Kael. Being inside the minds of different characters gave the story another level of intensity and allowed us to understand motivations, obsessions and events from perspectives we wouldn’t normally get. And with three narrators bringing all those characters to life in duet narration, the whole thing felt even more immersive.
And, obviously, having Escape, an adult BDSM/dance club, as the backdrop was always going to be a plus for me. 😏 The performances on stage, the atmosphere of the club, the sensuality mixed with that underlying feeling that something was very, very wrong… I loved that combination. The stage scenes were described so vividly that they were incredibly easy to picture, and the narration made them even better.
There is A LOT happening in this book (romance, obsession, trauma, suspense, danger, found family, spice and some truly WTF moments) and while I did feel that the pacing slowed down in a few places, overall I really enjoyed the experience, especially in audio.
And then we get to THAT ENDING.
Excuse me?! WHAT. THE. F**K. WAS. THAT?!
Apparently finishing Escape with peace of mind was never an option. 😂
Dark, disturbing, obsessive, sexy, chaotic and definitely not what I was expecting when I pressed play. My first K.C. Blackwell book certainly knew how to make an introduction.
🎧 4⭐️ for the audio
Please check the trigger warnings before starting ... this story deals with several dark and sensitive themes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Listen. When I tell you this book said “no warm-up, we dive headfirst into chaos,” I mean we START with a man trying to save someone he loves friend, girlfriend, obsession and watching her die. Trauma unlocked. And before you can even process it? Boom. The gang has him. Welcome to the spiral.
Then we get transported to Escape… which is less “cute nightclub vibes” and more dark, dangerous playground for the morally unhinged. Seraphine is on stage, fully consenting, fully in control, taking the pain like she owns it. And the marks? She doesn’t hide them. She wears them like armor. And baby, when we get a glimpse of her past, you realize that armor isn’t aesthetic it’s survival.
Enter Kael.
Sir.
Mister dark and dangerous.
The walking red flag I would absolutely follow into traffic.
He sees Seraphine and it’s DONE. He clocks her strength, her scars, the way she doesn’t flinch and suddenly this man is feral. The stalking? Immediate. Some random guy touches her? Oh no. Not today. Finger = gone. Possessive doesn’t even begin to cover it.
And when she receives flowers the next day… with a literal finger and a note calling her little fawn? I gasped. This man is unwell. Down horrendous. Obsessed in 4K.
Now let’s talk about the roaches running Escape. Michael? Walking ego in a designer suit. Thinks he’s untouchable. Spoiler: he’s not. Then there’s Connercold, calculated, will-burn-the-world-to-own-it energy. Both of them needed to be handled, and I support the chaos that followed. Fully.
But can we please discuss Patrick aka PATTIKINS Seraphine’s best friend and the literal definition of ride or die? He keeps her grounded. He keeps her human. If anything happens to that man in the next book, I will not be okay. I will square up emotionally.
The pacing? Fast. Addictive. Blink and you’re 200 pages deep wondering when you started breathing again. The world of Escape pulls you in and refuses to let go. Torment, danger, obsession, suspense it’s all wrapped up in this gritty, diamond-in-the-rough story that makes you question your morals just a little bit.
And the CLIFFHANGER???
My brain is still in distress. Blackwell really said, “Here’s emotional damage, see you next book.” The level of torture inflicted on ARC readers should honestly come with hazard pay.
K.C. Blackwell is officially on my “you better send me the next ARC or I will combust” list.
If you like your romance dark, your men unhinged, your tension razor-sharp, and your endings designed to psychologically attack you—Escape is your next obsession.
Now excuse me while I go pace the room and manifest Patrick’s survival.
September 27, 2026
Escape is a gripping dark romantic suspense novel that introduces readers to the intense dynamics between Seraphine (Sera) and Kael. Sera is a complex character, sculpted by her past traumas into a fierce, self-reliant woman who fiercely protects her boundaries. Her life, often fuelled by anxiety and caffeine, takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Kael, a man whose presence soothes her inner turmoil. Kael, the epitome of a dangerous yet alluring, is deeply devoted to Sera, driven by an almost supernatural intuition about her needs and wellbeing. His life as a mob fixer keeps him teetering on the edge of morality, yet his ability to help Sera navigate her panic attacks with genuine coping strategies adds depth to his character.
The narrative takes a thrilling turn with the introduction of Connor, a manipulative mob boss who sets his sights on Sera, igniting a fierce battle that threatens to consume their world. The book’s exploration of trauma and healing is woven seamlessly into the plot, offering readers a nuanced portrayal of the complexities of coping and resilience. While the novel delivers an enthralling story, it also tackles dark themes that may be intense for some readers, so approaching it with awareness of the trigger warnings is suggested. In the world of Escape, the stakes are high, and Kael’s determination to reclaim Sera promises a no-holds-barred confrontation that will leave no one unscathed.
This audiobook is a masterful production by Blue Nose Audio, featuring an exceptional cast that brings the story to life with unparalleled depth and emotion. Marie Hawkins, Anthony Palmini, and Sean Masters form a dynamic trio of voice actors who deliver a captivating performance from start to finish. Hawkins shines as FMC Sera, embodying her with a balance of strength and vulnerability, skilfully portraying a character who has endured unimaginable hardship yet finds the courage to trust again. Palmini embodies MMC Kael with a remarkable balance of lethality, charm, and intensity, making his character’s possessive obsession both thrilling and endearing Masters showcases his remarkable vocal range in the role of the Irish villain, mob boss Connor. His portrayal of Connor’s sinister depths and psychological manipulation is both chilling and compelling. Together, these talented actors create an unforgettable auditory experience that keeps listeners enthralled throughout.
The narrative takes a thrilling turn with the introduction of Connor, a manipulative mob boss who sets his sights on Sera, igniting a fierce battle that threatens to consume their world. The book’s exploration of trauma and healing is woven seamlessly into the plot, offering readers a nuanced portrayal of the complexities of coping and resilience. While the novel delivers an enthralling story, it also tackles dark themes that may be intense for some readers, so approaching it with awareness of the trigger warnings is suggested. In the world of Escape, the stakes are high, and Kael’s determination to reclaim Sera promises a no-holds-barred confrontation that will leave no one unscathed.
This audiobook is a masterful production by Blue Nose Audio, featuring an exceptional cast that brings the story to life with unparalleled depth and emotion. Marie Hawkins, Anthony Palmini, and Sean Masters form a dynamic trio of voice actors who deliver a captivating performance from start to finish. Hawkins shines as FMC Sera, embodying her with a balance of strength and vulnerability, skilfully portraying a character who has endured unimaginable hardship yet finds the courage to trust again. Palmini embodies MMC Kael with a remarkable balance of lethality, charm, and intensity, making his character’s possessive obsession both thrilling and endearing Masters showcases his remarkable vocal range in the role of the Irish villain, mob boss Connor. His portrayal of Connor’s sinister depths and psychological manipulation is both chilling and compelling. Together, these talented actors create an unforgettable auditory experience that keeps listeners enthralled throughout.
September 28, 2026
This audiobook crawled into my head, rearranged the furniture 😂🖤
This is NOT just romance. We get suspense, trauma, chaos, obsession, tension, secrets, questionable decisions, and enough WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?! moments to keep me completely hooked.
We got Antony Palmini as Kael
That man is DARK. Dangerous. Ruthless. Possessive. Completely fixated on Sera. From the moment she catches his attention, you can practically feel the obsession taking root and honestly? I was HERE FOR THE CHAOS.
Kael doesn't exactly walk into Sera's life. He crashes into it.
And Sera is absolutely not some helpless character waiting to be rescued. She has her own trauma, her own fire, her own attitude, and watching these two collide was one of my favorite parts. Their banter? Their tension? The constant push and pull? I ate that entire dynamic up.
The side characters also surprised me. They actually MATTER. They become tangled in the story instead of simply existing in the background, and every new piece just seemed to add another layer to the madness.
And the plot?
It just keeps getting darker.
Every time I thought things might finally calm down, the book basically looked me dead in the eyes and said, “Oh, you thought we were done?”
Absolutely not.
There were a few moments that felt like filler and slowed the pacing for me, but honestly, that was my main complaint. Everything else kept pulling me further into the mess.
And that EPILOGUE.
I finished listening and just stared into the void like:
WHAT. THE. HELL. WAS. THAT?!
Now the narration deserves its own moment because
Sean Masters.
THE VOICE. The delivery. The control. He brought darker presence to life so well, and his calm, assertive narration made every scene feel heavier. I was completely locked in.
And Marie Hawkins absolutely destroyed Sera's narration in the best way. She captured her sarcasm, strength, vulnerability, and fiery personality so naturally. I could feel every shift in her emotions.
Together, their performances made the tension between Kael and Sera hit even harder.
The story? Dark.
The characters? Messy.
The tension? Insane.
The chaos? Relentless.
The narration? PERFECTLY CAST.
The book was good!
This audiobook gave me exactly the kind of dark, chaotic ride I came for and then somehow left me wanting MORE.
Kael and Sera really said: peace was never an option. 🖤
ALC REVIEW : 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
BOOK :⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is NOT just romance. We get suspense, trauma, chaos, obsession, tension, secrets, questionable decisions, and enough WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?! moments to keep me completely hooked.
We got Antony Palmini as Kael
That man is DARK. Dangerous. Ruthless. Possessive. Completely fixated on Sera. From the moment she catches his attention, you can practically feel the obsession taking root and honestly? I was HERE FOR THE CHAOS.
Kael doesn't exactly walk into Sera's life. He crashes into it.
And Sera is absolutely not some helpless character waiting to be rescued. She has her own trauma, her own fire, her own attitude, and watching these two collide was one of my favorite parts. Their banter? Their tension? The constant push and pull? I ate that entire dynamic up.
The side characters also surprised me. They actually MATTER. They become tangled in the story instead of simply existing in the background, and every new piece just seemed to add another layer to the madness.
And the plot?
It just keeps getting darker.
Every time I thought things might finally calm down, the book basically looked me dead in the eyes and said, “Oh, you thought we were done?”
Absolutely not.
There were a few moments that felt like filler and slowed the pacing for me, but honestly, that was my main complaint. Everything else kept pulling me further into the mess.
And that EPILOGUE.
I finished listening and just stared into the void like:
WHAT. THE. HELL. WAS. THAT?!
Now the narration deserves its own moment because
Sean Masters.
THE VOICE. The delivery. The control. He brought darker presence to life so well, and his calm, assertive narration made every scene feel heavier. I was completely locked in.
And Marie Hawkins absolutely destroyed Sera's narration in the best way. She captured her sarcasm, strength, vulnerability, and fiery personality so naturally. I could feel every shift in her emotions.
Together, their performances made the tension between Kael and Sera hit even harder.
The story? Dark.
The characters? Messy.
The tension? Insane.
The chaos? Relentless.
The narration? PERFECTLY CAST.
The book was good!
This audiobook gave me exactly the kind of dark, chaotic ride I came for and then somehow left me wanting MORE.
Kael and Sera really said: peace was never an option. 🖤
ALC REVIEW : 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
BOOK :⭐⭐⭐⭐
September 28, 2026
I knew I was enjoying Escape, but somewhere around 40% I realized I needed a physical copy for my shelf. That’s usually a pretty good indication of where a book is headed for me. This is one of those books where it was a first time read with a new to me author and now I know she is an author to watch and read immediately.
Kael is a morally black Irish mob enforcer who has spent years being very good at doing exactly what his boss needs him to do. Then he meets Seraphine, a guarded bartender and entertainer at a BDSM club, and this man gets ATTACHED. He falls first, becomes incredibly protective, will do anything to keep her safe, and the way he becomes Sera’s constant when she desperately needs one had me completely sold on him.
There are some WILD twists involving debts, collateral, trauma, and ownership, and I loved listening to everything unfold without knowing exactly where the story was taking me. Kael had me swooning like a Victorian debutante in a heatwave.
Then there’s Sean as Conor. That man terrified and fascinated me in equal measure because there were moments where I caught myself thinking, “Wait... could we fix him?” No. Probably not. I had a moment where Sean Masters had me thinking about it.
Marie Hawkins is one of my all time favorite female narrators and Seraphine was an incredible FMC, and I loved her story. She’s guarded for very good reasons, and watching her relationship with Kael develop made the emotional side of this book just as good as the darker parts.
The multicast duet narration with Marie Hawkins, Anthony Palmini, and Sean Masters was fantastic. These were the perfect voices for these characters, and the performances made an already addictive story so much more than you could even imagine.
Now I just need Patrick and Rafe to get their stories because I am absolutely not finished with these characters.
Tropes: Mafia romance, dark romance, romantic suspense, touch her and misadventure, he falls first, trauma, hurt vs comfort, protective MMC, found family
Kael is a morally black Irish mob enforcer who has spent years being very good at doing exactly what his boss needs him to do. Then he meets Seraphine, a guarded bartender and entertainer at a BDSM club, and this man gets ATTACHED. He falls first, becomes incredibly protective, will do anything to keep her safe, and the way he becomes Sera’s constant when she desperately needs one had me completely sold on him.
There are some WILD twists involving debts, collateral, trauma, and ownership, and I loved listening to everything unfold without knowing exactly where the story was taking me. Kael had me swooning like a Victorian debutante in a heatwave.
Then there’s Sean as Conor. That man terrified and fascinated me in equal measure because there were moments where I caught myself thinking, “Wait... could we fix him?” No. Probably not. I had a moment where Sean Masters had me thinking about it.
Marie Hawkins is one of my all time favorite female narrators and Seraphine was an incredible FMC, and I loved her story. She’s guarded for very good reasons, and watching her relationship with Kael develop made the emotional side of this book just as good as the darker parts.
The multicast duet narration with Marie Hawkins, Anthony Palmini, and Sean Masters was fantastic. These were the perfect voices for these characters, and the performances made an already addictive story so much more than you could even imagine.
Now I just need Patrick and Rafe to get their stories because I am absolutely not finished with these characters.
Tropes: Mafia romance, dark romance, romantic suspense, touch her and misadventure, he falls first, trauma, hurt vs comfort, protective MMC, found family
Review of advance copy received from Author
Possessive/alpha-hole energy? 10/10. Kael and Ser are 🥵🔥🌶️ and it's absolutely delicious.
Ser survives on trauma responses and coffee (seriously this girl has been through hell). Anxiety and panic are written in her DNA, but Kael becomes the balm for her soul, calming all the chaos. Ser’s past has carved her into the “Bad Bitch," she is. Her specialty? Teaching handsy creepers that "NO, is a full sentence.
Kael is top-tier book boyfriend material. He’s deadly and obsessed, deleting anyone who stands between him and what’s “his.” His intuition where Ser is involved is almost otherworldly. He embodies the “Stalker," trope, lurking in the shadows, always present, but not seen (seriously, when does this dude sleep?). He’s a "mob fixer,” who is slightly out of touch with reality. A bouquet+one severed finger? Um…..interesting choice, but then again, Kael=Best Book Boyfriend.
Mob bossman, Connor (we abhor him) is our resident sociopath with a "God” complex. He taught Keal how to be the perfect predator. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t account for Ser. Wanting something that’s not his, he kidnaps Ser, his "plaything (🤮, yup hate him). This becomes the catalyst that lights the match and the town will burn until Kael has Ser back at his side. Connor might have just signed his death warrant.
Everybody better clear a path. Kael won’t take any survivors.
On a serious note:
I love writing these reviews with a fun, snarky tone, but wanted to add a note. This book discusses Dark themes and can be triggering to some. Please take the trigger warnings seriously.
Ser was very relatable to me, her trauma responses hitting close to home. Kael’s ability to talk Ser through her panic using coping techniques that are real and something I myself use. It illustrates a level of understanding on trauma, the work to healing, and how trauma changes us in ways we might never get back. These coping techniques become a daily tool in our arsenal. It was refreshing to see this incorporated into a Dark Romance.
Ser survives on trauma responses and coffee (seriously this girl has been through hell). Anxiety and panic are written in her DNA, but Kael becomes the balm for her soul, calming all the chaos. Ser’s past has carved her into the “Bad Bitch," she is. Her specialty? Teaching handsy creepers that "NO, is a full sentence.
Kael is top-tier book boyfriend material. He’s deadly and obsessed, deleting anyone who stands between him and what’s “his.” His intuition where Ser is involved is almost otherworldly. He embodies the “Stalker," trope, lurking in the shadows, always present, but not seen (seriously, when does this dude sleep?). He’s a "mob fixer,” who is slightly out of touch with reality. A bouquet+one severed finger? Um…..interesting choice, but then again, Kael=Best Book Boyfriend.
Mob bossman, Connor (we abhor him) is our resident sociopath with a "God” complex. He taught Keal how to be the perfect predator. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t account for Ser. Wanting something that’s not his, he kidnaps Ser, his "plaything (🤮, yup hate him). This becomes the catalyst that lights the match and the town will burn until Kael has Ser back at his side. Connor might have just signed his death warrant.
Everybody better clear a path. Kael won’t take any survivors.
On a serious note:
I love writing these reviews with a fun, snarky tone, but wanted to add a note. This book discusses Dark themes and can be triggering to some. Please take the trigger warnings seriously.
Ser was very relatable to me, her trauma responses hitting close to home. Kael’s ability to talk Ser through her panic using coping techniques that are real and something I myself use. It illustrates a level of understanding on trauma, the work to healing, and how trauma changes us in ways we might never get back. These coping techniques become a daily tool in our arsenal. It was refreshing to see this incorporated into a Dark Romance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What this book did amazingly is the strong psychological characterisation. Trauma and BDSM was not used as hooks, or just aesthetic but portrayed realistically which is truly rare in dark romance books. To me this did not take away from the enjoyment, I loved to see this.
The only thing that didn’t sit right for me, was the instant gravitation pull between the characters, especially how obsessed Khael was with Sera. I was waiting for explanation, maybe a past they shared that would be revealed later. To me their connection lacked a “why”. A driving force behind their actions. I liked how descriptive the book was, but I felt like the prose lingered where I wanted the story to move on and gain momentum.
This is just personal preference but the jumping in between five POVs felt too much for me, we went back in the story and saw the same scene from a different angle which is nice, but I like to wonder and imagine how a character might have felt, and maybe find out later on what they thought based on their future actions. The plot is very intriguing and I wish we did get a bit more information about the characters past, I hope we will see that in the future books.
With all that being said I will carry Ser and Khael in my heart and in my mind and really hope I can get to know them more and see into their minds truly. Seeing kinks, and anxiety, trauma, disassociation portrayed so realistically is what I am most grateful in this book. Writing about these things truthfully and not just glorifying them for the plot is the hard road, and I’m so happy K.C. chose to write it this way.
The only thing that didn’t sit right for me, was the instant gravitation pull between the characters, especially how obsessed Khael was with Sera. I was waiting for explanation, maybe a past they shared that would be revealed later. To me their connection lacked a “why”. A driving force behind their actions. I liked how descriptive the book was, but I felt like the prose lingered where I wanted the story to move on and gain momentum.
This is just personal preference but the jumping in between five POVs felt too much for me, we went back in the story and saw the same scene from a different angle which is nice, but I like to wonder and imagine how a character might have felt, and maybe find out later on what they thought based on their future actions. The plot is very intriguing and I wish we did get a bit more information about the characters past, I hope we will see that in the future books.
With all that being said I will carry Ser and Khael in my heart and in my mind and really hope I can get to know them more and see into their minds truly. Seeing kinks, and anxiety, trauma, disassociation portrayed so realistically is what I am most grateful in this book. Writing about these things truthfully and not just glorifying them for the plot is the hard road, and I’m so happy K.C. chose to write it this way.
July 28, 2026
Escape is a dark romantic thriller/suspense book where we are introduced to the main characters, Seraphine (Sera) and Kael. While working at a club, Sera meets Kael and their chemistry develops. However, this isn’t your typical romance novel. This book is full of high stakes, danger, and life threatening situations.
While reading this book, I enjoyed the chemistry between Kael and Sera. He is incredibly possessive and obsessed with her. He definitely falls under the category of “touch her & 💀” when it comes to Sera. It is indeed a slow burn, but in moments of chaos, it was faster paced. However, Kael is clearly obsessed with Sera and THAT, I can get behind!
It was a fantastic book and I certainly see the storyline, however, I wish it was more balanced. I noticed throughout the book that I caught myself skipping over paragraphs and sometimes even pages, without feeling as if I missed anything. Although world/scene building is important, I felt that there was almost too much of this. Opposite to this, during the high-stake scenes and the plot, I wish there would have been more lead up and more “drama”. It felt as though there were chapters of very similar scenes happening, but not as much lead up to the actual plot. I felt like the higher stakes scenes were “there and gone” too quickly, especially the last scene. I would have, personally, liked to see a bit more struggle as it felt too “easy” for me.
Overall, I did enjoy this book! For what it was, I was expecting it to be faster paced which I think may have impacted how I felt going into the book.
For readers who enjoy a slow-burn, dark romantic thriller/suspense read, I would definitely recommend!
While reading this book, I enjoyed the chemistry between Kael and Sera. He is incredibly possessive and obsessed with her. He definitely falls under the category of “touch her & 💀” when it comes to Sera. It is indeed a slow burn, but in moments of chaos, it was faster paced. However, Kael is clearly obsessed with Sera and THAT, I can get behind!
It was a fantastic book and I certainly see the storyline, however, I wish it was more balanced. I noticed throughout the book that I caught myself skipping over paragraphs and sometimes even pages, without feeling as if I missed anything. Although world/scene building is important, I felt that there was almost too much of this. Opposite to this, during the high-stake scenes and the plot, I wish there would have been more lead up and more “drama”. It felt as though there were chapters of very similar scenes happening, but not as much lead up to the actual plot. I felt like the higher stakes scenes were “there and gone” too quickly, especially the last scene. I would have, personally, liked to see a bit more struggle as it felt too “easy” for me.
Overall, I did enjoy this book! For what it was, I was expecting it to be faster paced which I think may have impacted how I felt going into the book.
For readers who enjoy a slow-burn, dark romantic thriller/suspense read, I would definitely recommend!
August 12, 2026
This was such a dark, chaotic ride, but underneath all the darkness, what really stood out to me was the story of taking back control and finding love in the middle of absolute chaos.
Sera's journey was one of my favorite parts. She's been through so much, but her story isn't about being rescued and suddenly becoming whole. It's about finding her own strength, taking control of her life, and learning that she can still choose love without losing herself in the process.
And then there's Kael, he is not a good man. Let's just establish that.
But somehow, he is good for Sera.
I loved that contradiction in him. He's ruthless, dangerous, possessive, and absolutely unhinged when it comes to her but he also understands her in ways that matter. Their relationship isn't about him fixing her. It's about two damaged people finding something in each other while everything around them is falling apart.
The chemistry? GIVING. 🔥
The tension, the possessiveness, the obsession, the spice...
But what really made this work for me was that there was more underneath all of that. The story explores survival, trauma, control, and what it means to find someone who makes you feel safe without taking away your power.
Kael may not be a good man, but for Sera? He's exactly the man she needs.
This is definitely a dark romance, and please check the trigger warnings before reading. Some of the themes are heavy and won't be for everyone.
But if you like your romance dark, obsessive, spicy, chaotic, and emotionally intense, this one definitely delivers.
★★★★½ — Dark, twisted, spicy, and somehow beautifully about finding love while taking your power back.
Sera's journey was one of my favorite parts. She's been through so much, but her story isn't about being rescued and suddenly becoming whole. It's about finding her own strength, taking control of her life, and learning that she can still choose love without losing herself in the process.
And then there's Kael, he is not a good man. Let's just establish that.
But somehow, he is good for Sera.
I loved that contradiction in him. He's ruthless, dangerous, possessive, and absolutely unhinged when it comes to her but he also understands her in ways that matter. Their relationship isn't about him fixing her. It's about two damaged people finding something in each other while everything around them is falling apart.
The chemistry? GIVING. 🔥
The tension, the possessiveness, the obsession, the spice...
But what really made this work for me was that there was more underneath all of that. The story explores survival, trauma, control, and what it means to find someone who makes you feel safe without taking away your power.
Kael may not be a good man, but for Sera? He's exactly the man she needs.
This is definitely a dark romance, and please check the trigger warnings before reading. Some of the themes are heavy and won't be for everyone.
But if you like your romance dark, obsessive, spicy, chaotic, and emotionally intense, this one definitely delivers.
★★★★½ — Dark, twisted, spicy, and somehow beautifully about finding love while taking your power back.
August 21, 2026
This was such an interesting mix of romance, danger, and high-stakes drama. We’re introduced to Sera and Kael after they meet at the club where Sera works, and their chemistry gradually begins to build. And when I say slow burn, I mean it. However, once the chaos kicks in, the pace definitely picks up.
I really enjoyed Sera and Kael together. Kael is possessive, obsessive, and completely gone for her, giving major “touch her and you’re dead” energy. His obsession with Sera definitely added another layer to their dynamic, and I was here for it.
I did find the pacing a little uneven at times. There were several moments where I found myself skimming through paragraphs, and occasionally even pages, because there was a lot of scene and world-building. At the same time, when the high-stakes moments finally arrived, I found myself wanting more—more buildup, tension, struggle, and drama. Some of those scenes felt like they were over almost as quickly as they began, particularly the final one.
I could generally see where the story was heading, and I enjoyed the overall storyline. I just wish the slower moments and action sequences had been balanced a little more smoothly, as I think that would have made the tension and payoff even stronger.
That said, I genuinely enjoyed the book. I think I went into it expecting something much faster-paced, which probably influenced how I felt about the pacing. Despite that, Sera and Kael’s dynamic kept me invested, and Kael’s intense obsession with her was definitely one of my favorite parts.
I really enjoyed Sera and Kael together. Kael is possessive, obsessive, and completely gone for her, giving major “touch her and you’re dead” energy. His obsession with Sera definitely added another layer to their dynamic, and I was here for it.
I did find the pacing a little uneven at times. There were several moments where I found myself skimming through paragraphs, and occasionally even pages, because there was a lot of scene and world-building. At the same time, when the high-stakes moments finally arrived, I found myself wanting more—more buildup, tension, struggle, and drama. Some of those scenes felt like they were over almost as quickly as they began, particularly the final one.
I could generally see where the story was heading, and I enjoyed the overall storyline. I just wish the slower moments and action sequences had been balanced a little more smoothly, as I think that would have made the tension and payoff even stronger.
That said, I genuinely enjoyed the book. I think I went into it expecting something much faster-paced, which probably influenced how I felt about the pacing. Despite that, Sera and Kael’s dynamic kept me invested, and Kael’s intense obsession with her was definitely one of my favorite parts.
August 2, 2026
Wow. The story. The characters. The way the events pull you into the shadows — the kind of darkness where you want to run… but can’t stop watching.
Kael is a man who has already lost once, and he refuses to lose Sera to the Irish Mafia head, Conor. I loved the tension between them all — the constant question of who will bend first.
Sera is fierce, strong, and unbreakable — yet willing to sacrifice herself for the few she loves in a world driven by money and revenge. This book has everything: broken lives with the will to fight, people clawing for the slightest edge in a world determined to take everything from them. It’s about fighting for freedom when none seems left — and my favorite part — rewriting the rules of a game you never chose to play.
KC writes lyrically. She paints each setting so vividly that you feel like you’re standing inside the scene. Every word gives you a clear vision of what’s happening around you. I don’t even have a favorite character — I loved them all and the role each one played in building this world. KC has found a way to make readers fall in love with the dark… and want to linger in the shadows.
It’s a mafia story that gives you everything you didn’t even know your heart was craving.
And the best part? This is only Book 1.
Buy it. Share it. Follow KC. Soon you’ll even be able to listen to it.
You won’t regret a single second of it. 💜💜💜
Kael is a man who has already lost once, and he refuses to lose Sera to the Irish Mafia head, Conor. I loved the tension between them all — the constant question of who will bend first.
Sera is fierce, strong, and unbreakable — yet willing to sacrifice herself for the few she loves in a world driven by money and revenge. This book has everything: broken lives with the will to fight, people clawing for the slightest edge in a world determined to take everything from them. It’s about fighting for freedom when none seems left — and my favorite part — rewriting the rules of a game you never chose to play.
KC writes lyrically. She paints each setting so vividly that you feel like you’re standing inside the scene. Every word gives you a clear vision of what’s happening around you. I don’t even have a favorite character — I loved them all and the role each one played in building this world. KC has found a way to make readers fall in love with the dark… and want to linger in the shadows.
It’s a mafia story that gives you everything you didn’t even know your heart was craving.
And the best part? This is only Book 1.
Buy it. Share it. Follow KC. Soon you’ll even be able to listen to it.
You won’t regret a single second of it. 💜💜💜
September 28, 2026
Escape is book one in the Darkness in Devotion series. It can be a triggering book, so please check the trigger warning before reading. However, it is my humble opinion that this one is well worth the read.
Sera works at a BDSM club called Escape, along with her bestie Patrick. Here she meets Kael, who after a traumatic incident ends up working for Connor, who heads up the Irish mafia. Lots of things happen that I don’t want to spoil for her, but man was it written well. This book does leave us on a cliffhanger, which just means I need book two ASAP.
Kael embodies why dark romance is so popular. His devotion and willingness to burn the world down for Sera is so strong. Sera is fierce and vulnerable and isn’t going to break. Connor, the villain, oh my gosh. Chills. And Patrick, God I loved him. He’s the very best friend a girl could have.
There was the right amount of darkness, spiciness, vulnerability and also comedic relief to make this story amazing.
The narration - good lord was this the best cast for this book. Marie was an excellent Sera. The depth she brought to her. So thoroughly impressed. Anthony did such an amazing job with Kael (and Patrick!) and man could I feel the devotion to Sera in his performance. Phew! And Sean as Connor. Literal chills from him portraying the villain. God, it was so good.
Definitely recommend this book for your listening pleasure. Just remember to check those triggers.
Sera works at a BDSM club called Escape, along with her bestie Patrick. Here she meets Kael, who after a traumatic incident ends up working for Connor, who heads up the Irish mafia. Lots of things happen that I don’t want to spoil for her, but man was it written well. This book does leave us on a cliffhanger, which just means I need book two ASAP.
Kael embodies why dark romance is so popular. His devotion and willingness to burn the world down for Sera is so strong. Sera is fierce and vulnerable and isn’t going to break. Connor, the villain, oh my gosh. Chills. And Patrick, God I loved him. He’s the very best friend a girl could have.
There was the right amount of darkness, spiciness, vulnerability and also comedic relief to make this story amazing.
The narration - good lord was this the best cast for this book. Marie was an excellent Sera. The depth she brought to her. So thoroughly impressed. Anthony did such an amazing job with Kael (and Patrick!) and man could I feel the devotion to Sera in his performance. Phew! And Sean as Connor. Literal chills from him portraying the villain. God, it was so good.
Definitely recommend this book for your listening pleasure. Just remember to check those triggers.
March 1, 2026
Gosh, I'm so in love with this story.
On the tin it looks like your typical dark romance, but once the story starts to unfold you realize it's anything but. The characters are beautifully, tragically broken and there are no quick fixes or instant healing. Sera and Kael work slowly to overcome their demons together while trying to navigate the constant threat of the truly evil people hellbent on keeping them apart.
All of the subject matter in this story is handled with the utmost care. From implied (/off page) abuse and overt violence to healthy and conscientious depictions of BDSM. Particularly the way anxiety and PTSD is approached I find both tragic and relatable.
The characters make no apologies for their flaws and scars. They are deeply imperfect and they wear it with pride. Sera and Kael are strong, and smart, and sexy as hell. Their biggest mistake was simply surrounding themselves with narcissists who wrongly think they are the smartest people in every room they grace with presence. But wanting to make an example of our couple only serves to bring them closer together and unravel the criminal enterprise threatening everything.
I am endlessly impressed by author K.C. Blackwell, especially as a debut outing. The creativity, heart, and talent shown with Escape has me extremely excited for the next installment of this series.
On the tin it looks like your typical dark romance, but once the story starts to unfold you realize it's anything but. The characters are beautifully, tragically broken and there are no quick fixes or instant healing. Sera and Kael work slowly to overcome their demons together while trying to navigate the constant threat of the truly evil people hellbent on keeping them apart.
All of the subject matter in this story is handled with the utmost care. From implied (/off page) abuse and overt violence to healthy and conscientious depictions of BDSM. Particularly the way anxiety and PTSD is approached I find both tragic and relatable.
The characters make no apologies for their flaws and scars. They are deeply imperfect and they wear it with pride. Sera and Kael are strong, and smart, and sexy as hell. Their biggest mistake was simply surrounding themselves with narcissists who wrongly think they are the smartest people in every room they grace with presence. But wanting to make an example of our couple only serves to bring them closer together and unravel the criminal enterprise threatening everything.
I am endlessly impressed by author K.C. Blackwell, especially as a debut outing. The creativity, heart, and talent shown with Escape has me extremely excited for the next installment of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2026
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I went into this book basically blind, not knowing what to expect. Boy, what a ride it was. I absolutely loved Seraphine. Yes, she has been through hell, but that helped shape her into the badass woman she has become. As for Kael, he's not a good man & he will be the 1st to admit that, so when he finds Sera and falls head over, something new for him. He will do whatever it takes to protect her, even if that means burning the whole world down, himself included.
Sera & Kales' relationship works due in part to their own past traumas. Throw in the sarcastic banter of Sera's best friend Patrick, and it pulls off a great found family aspect, which gives you an incredible story that will keep you guessing. There is definitely spice, as it's set around a BDSM club, so you may need to check your triggers as there are some dark topics covered in this book, but it is well written & will leave you wanting more... but WTF is up with that cliffhanger???? You will definitely want to have the next book ready to read soon. Luckily, it will be releasing soon, so you won't have a long wait. I would definitely recommend reading Escape by K.C. Blackwell
I went into this book basically blind, not knowing what to expect. Boy, what a ride it was. I absolutely loved Seraphine. Yes, she has been through hell, but that helped shape her into the badass woman she has become. As for Kael, he's not a good man & he will be the 1st to admit that, so when he finds Sera and falls head over, something new for him. He will do whatever it takes to protect her, even if that means burning the whole world down, himself included.
Sera & Kales' relationship works due in part to their own past traumas. Throw in the sarcastic banter of Sera's best friend Patrick, and it pulls off a great found family aspect, which gives you an incredible story that will keep you guessing. There is definitely spice, as it's set around a BDSM club, so you may need to check your triggers as there are some dark topics covered in this book, but it is well written & will leave you wanting more... but WTF is up with that cliffhanger???? You will definitely want to have the next book ready to read soon. Luckily, it will be releasing soon, so you won't have a long wait. I would definitely recommend reading Escape by K.C. Blackwell
September 23, 2026
I go into pretty much every book blind, knowing only the tropes and trigger warnings, and this one kept me wondering where the heck it was going. Between the danger, dark romance, spice, and WTF moments, it definitely kept my attention. Sera has been through hell, and then there’s Kael—obsessed, protective, morally questionable, and very much don’t touch my girl.
Marie Hawkins, Anthony Palmini, and Sean Masters were fantastic together in duet! I loved the different energy each narrator gave their characters, and they made the tension between Sera and Kael SO good.
I really enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on around Sera while watching Kael become more and more wrapped up in her. There’s danger, secrets, trauma, spice, and that constant feeling that something is about to go very wrong.
And then THAT ENDING happened. Excuse me?! I was absolutely not prepared for that. Now I need to know what happens next!
Definitely check your triggers before starting this one because it gets HEAVY—and with the BDSM club setting, expect plenty of kink and spice too.
Thank you Blue Nose Audio for the ALC!
Marie Hawkins, Anthony Palmini, and Sean Masters were fantastic together in duet! I loved the different energy each narrator gave their characters, and they made the tension between Sera and Kael SO good.
I really enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on around Sera while watching Kael become more and more wrapped up in her. There’s danger, secrets, trauma, spice, and that constant feeling that something is about to go very wrong.
And then THAT ENDING happened. Excuse me?! I was absolutely not prepared for that. Now I need to know what happens next!
Definitely check your triggers before starting this one because it gets HEAVY—and with the BDSM club setting, expect plenty of kink and spice too.
Thank you Blue Nose Audio for the ALC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5.0)
🌶🌶 (2.5)
I don't give out 5 stars lightly but OH. MY. LORDY. This book was absolutely amazing! I really FELT their (MMC and FMC) trauma in the best (and most heartbreaking) ways. At first, I really wasn't sure this was my style but by 15% in, I couldn't think of anything else. I wanted to eat, sleep, breathe this book. It took me through a road of the highest highs and lowest lows. The experience of the traumas was done so beautifully because even in the way she didn't fully go in to detail on some of it, I still felt it in my soul and I was so invested in righting all of the wrongs done to both main characters! I can't say enough good things about this book- I will be recommending it to all of my dark romance girlies!
The only critique was there were a couple of grey areas with some charcters that kind of popped in towards the end that could have used a little more explanation but honestly, it earned those 5 stars regardless.
My final thoughts are- do yourself a favor and escape into this book! I can't wait to read the second in this series 🖤
🌶🌶 (2.5)
I don't give out 5 stars lightly but OH. MY. LORDY. This book was absolutely amazing! I really FELT their (MMC and FMC) trauma in the best (and most heartbreaking) ways. At first, I really wasn't sure this was my style but by 15% in, I couldn't think of anything else. I wanted to eat, sleep, breathe this book. It took me through a road of the highest highs and lowest lows. The experience of the traumas was done so beautifully because even in the way she didn't fully go in to detail on some of it, I still felt it in my soul and I was so invested in righting all of the wrongs done to both main characters! I can't say enough good things about this book- I will be recommending it to all of my dark romance girlies!
The only critique was there were a couple of grey areas with some charcters that kind of popped in towards the end that could have used a little more explanation but honestly, it earned those 5 stars regardless.
My final thoughts are- do yourself a favor and escape into this book! I can't wait to read the second in this series 🖤
June 25, 2026
This book was AMAZING.
I was sucked into it immediately, they characters were all so interesting- I LOVE that the baddies got their own POV chapters, so rare and refreshing!
The FMC was so likeable- kc wrote her perfectly. Her strength was so raw and powerful, yet did nothing to overshadow the intense trauma and vulnerability that created it.
The MMC was immediately heartbreaking. The trauma that dragged him into his life was gut wrenching. Even though his job was to be emotionless and ruthless, the softness we as readers knew he had fleshed out his character from the get go- making his attachments to the FMC and Patrick not ooc at all.
Speaking of Patrick... I. Love. Him. What an incredible character! I went into the book knowing the origins of the characters creation and my heart cried. What an amazing person to know. I cannot wait to read more about him- and thankyou K.C for letting us all know such an amazing human being having adventures in your literary universe.
This book is a MUST read.
I was sucked into it immediately, they characters were all so interesting- I LOVE that the baddies got their own POV chapters, so rare and refreshing!
The FMC was so likeable- kc wrote her perfectly. Her strength was so raw and powerful, yet did nothing to overshadow the intense trauma and vulnerability that created it.
The MMC was immediately heartbreaking. The trauma that dragged him into his life was gut wrenching. Even though his job was to be emotionless and ruthless, the softness we as readers knew he had fleshed out his character from the get go- making his attachments to the FMC and Patrick not ooc at all.
Speaking of Patrick... I. Love. Him. What an incredible character! I went into the book knowing the origins of the characters creation and my heart cried. What an amazing person to know. I cannot wait to read more about him- and thankyou K.C for letting us all know such an amazing human being having adventures in your literary universe.
This book is a MUST read.
September 28, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️ | ALC 🎧
Escape by K.C. Blackwell
If you’re looking for dark romance, Irish mafia, morally gray men, and a book that knows exactly what kind of chaos it wants to bring… add this one to your TBR. 👀
This was such a fun listen! The story pulled me in with the Irish mafia world, the darker romance elements, and the whole best club setup. There’s danger, tension, questionable decisions, and just enough spice to keep things interesting without completely taking over the story.
And the narration?? 🔥🔥🔥
This was a full cast narration with Sean Masters, Anthony Palmini, and Marie Hawkins, and they absolutely brought these characters to life. The different voices worked really well for the story and made the audiobook especially easy to get lost in.
I gave this one 4.5 stars and 3 chilis. It kept me entertained, gave me the dark romance vibes I was looking for, and the narration was a huge bonus.
Definitely one I’d recommend if dark romance + Irish mafia is your thing! 🎧🖤
Escape by K.C. Blackwell
If you’re looking for dark romance, Irish mafia, morally gray men, and a book that knows exactly what kind of chaos it wants to bring… add this one to your TBR. 👀
This was such a fun listen! The story pulled me in with the Irish mafia world, the darker romance elements, and the whole best club setup. There’s danger, tension, questionable decisions, and just enough spice to keep things interesting without completely taking over the story.
And the narration?? 🔥🔥🔥
This was a full cast narration with Sean Masters, Anthony Palmini, and Marie Hawkins, and they absolutely brought these characters to life. The different voices worked really well for the story and made the audiobook especially easy to get lost in.
I gave this one 4.5 stars and 3 chilis. It kept me entertained, gave me the dark romance vibes I was looking for, and the narration was a huge bonus.
Definitely one I’d recommend if dark romance + Irish mafia is your thing! 🎧🖤
September 29, 2026
Book 1 in the Darkness In Devotion series: Kael and Sera (Seraphine)
This is a touch her and d!e, morally grey-to-black MMC, resilient and strong feisty FMC, childhood trauma, love after love, instant attraction, strangers to lovers, he falls first, found family, dark romance.
Sera was the definition is a strong FMC. She had a lifetime of trauma and abus3 that didn’t leave her crumpled or broken, it made her a fighter. I would recommend reading the trigger warning list because everything this FMC has to go through and everything the MMC does to get her back. Speaking of MMC, he is the definition of “touch her and d!e”. Cale had many layers to him, both sweet and caring to Sera but deadly and dangerous to basically everyone else. I like to see him as a golden retriever who is also a junkyard dog- watch out, he still bites.
This audiobook was performed perfectly! In complete multi cast duet narration with a range of voices and accents.
I am definitely enjoyed this audiobook and would recommend it! It was a wild ride and I can’t wait for the next book!
This is a touch her and d!e, morally grey-to-black MMC, resilient and strong feisty FMC, childhood trauma, love after love, instant attraction, strangers to lovers, he falls first, found family, dark romance.
Sera was the definition is a strong FMC. She had a lifetime of trauma and abus3 that didn’t leave her crumpled or broken, it made her a fighter. I would recommend reading the trigger warning list because everything this FMC has to go through and everything the MMC does to get her back. Speaking of MMC, he is the definition of “touch her and d!e”. Cale had many layers to him, both sweet and caring to Sera but deadly and dangerous to basically everyone else. I like to see him as a golden retriever who is also a junkyard dog- watch out, he still bites.
This audiobook was performed perfectly! In complete multi cast duet narration with a range of voices and accents.
I am definitely enjoyed this audiobook and would recommend it! It was a wild ride and I can’t wait for the next book!
September 22, 2026
𝗜𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗲,
↠ dark romance + suspense
↠ morally gray, obsessive MMC
↠ strong FMC with a whole lot of trauma
↠ BDSM / kinky romance
↠ danger, violence & twists
↠ found family + witty banter
𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙…
!!! ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʀɪɢɢᴇʀ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ !!!
This audiobook had me hooked. Escape is dark, twisty, emotional, & does not let you relax for five seconds. Sera is such a compelling FMC she’s been through hell but refuses to lose herself. And Kael? Morally gray doesn’t even begin to cover it. Obsessive, dangerous, & very much giving touch her and die.
I loved how the darker themes & trauma were woven into the characters while still giving us plenty of chemistry, BDSM, banter, suspense, & twists. The narrators also did a great job bringing the characters & their tension to life, which made this especially easy to binge!!
ALC provided in exchange for an honest review.
↠ dark romance + suspense
↠ morally gray, obsessive MMC
↠ strong FMC with a whole lot of trauma
↠ BDSM / kinky romance
↠ danger, violence & twists
↠ found family + witty banter
𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙…
!!! ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʀɪɢɢᴇʀ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ !!!
This audiobook had me hooked. Escape is dark, twisty, emotional, & does not let you relax for five seconds. Sera is such a compelling FMC she’s been through hell but refuses to lose herself. And Kael? Morally gray doesn’t even begin to cover it. Obsessive, dangerous, & very much giving touch her and die.
I loved how the darker themes & trauma were woven into the characters while still giving us plenty of chemistry, BDSM, banter, suspense, & twists. The narrators also did a great job bringing the characters & their tension to life, which made this especially easy to binge!!
ALC provided in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2026
Escape🎧📕
Darkness in Devotion
Written by: K.C. Blackwell
Performed in Duet by: Marie Hawkins, Anthony Palmini and Sean Masters
✨ALC REVIEW ✨
Thank you to BlueNose Audio for the ALC and I am leaving this review voluntarily
This is Anthony Palmini at his best! KC write a story that you can tell, the voice actors dove into! Man what a ride!
Marie Hawkins as Sera our FMC was not the damsel in distress. She was a broken but strong young girl who allowed the bad to make her better.
Sean Masters, as always, showed his amazing range of voices. Even with the Irish accent he was amazing.
Anthony Palmini stole the show in this one. Our MMC Cale, monotone, lethal, lovable and scary all at once.
KC Blackwell is new to me. And she wrote the hell out of this story. Not a lot of spice , but what was there was definitely 🔥. Enough angst to keep you coming back for more. And that’s what I need! More!
Can’t wait for book 2. Great listen/read 👩🏾🍳💋
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Narration: 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
Darkness in Devotion
Written by: K.C. Blackwell
Performed in Duet by: Marie Hawkins, Anthony Palmini and Sean Masters
✨ALC REVIEW ✨
Thank you to BlueNose Audio for the ALC and I am leaving this review voluntarily
This is Anthony Palmini at his best! KC write a story that you can tell, the voice actors dove into! Man what a ride!
Marie Hawkins as Sera our FMC was not the damsel in distress. She was a broken but strong young girl who allowed the bad to make her better.
Sean Masters, as always, showed his amazing range of voices. Even with the Irish accent he was amazing.
Anthony Palmini stole the show in this one. Our MMC Cale, monotone, lethal, lovable and scary all at once.
KC Blackwell is new to me. And she wrote the hell out of this story. Not a lot of spice , but what was there was definitely 🔥. Enough angst to keep you coming back for more. And that’s what I need! More!
Can’t wait for book 2. Great listen/read 👩🏾🍳💋
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Narration: 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
September 29, 2026
Thank you to K.C. Blackwell and Blue Nose Audio for the ALC!!
This dark romance has all the fun things! Our FMC, Sara is an amazing badass, but still that humanity where she doesn’t always see it herself. Kael, our MMC is a deliciously morally dark grey “hero”. This story had my attention from beginning to end! Sexy and violent from the start! (Plus I loved the Stray Kids references! 😉)
The audiobook was soooo well done! Marie Hawkins gives an amazing performance! She keeps you locked in and really gives a lot of life to Sara. This was my first time listening to a book she’s narrated and I’m definitely a fan!
Sean Masters as our villain with that accent?! YES, please! Anthony Palmini was awesome as the MMC! He really brought the tension and well timed moments of levity.
Pay attention to the trigger warnings, they are there for a reason. And ENJOY!! I can’t wait for the next book!!
This dark romance has all the fun things! Our FMC, Sara is an amazing badass, but still that humanity where she doesn’t always see it herself. Kael, our MMC is a deliciously morally dark grey “hero”. This story had my attention from beginning to end! Sexy and violent from the start! (Plus I loved the Stray Kids references! 😉)
The audiobook was soooo well done! Marie Hawkins gives an amazing performance! She keeps you locked in and really gives a lot of life to Sara. This was my first time listening to a book she’s narrated and I’m definitely a fan!
Sean Masters as our villain with that accent?! YES, please! Anthony Palmini was awesome as the MMC! He really brought the tension and well timed moments of levity.
Pay attention to the trigger warnings, they are there for a reason. And ENJOY!! I can’t wait for the next book!!
September 25, 2026
Audiobook - 5/5
Escape was an excellent listen!! I loved how we got to know all the characters so quickly and that there weren’t any “boring” parts of the story.
I think it was intentional (because this will be a series), but I wish we got to know a little more in depth about the MMC’s past and how he became the man he is present-time. There’s a nugget of information in the beginning and that’s really it! Other than that, I think this audiobook was excellent - it’s one of those stories that takes you through all of the emotions.
The narrators chosen for this book were excellent and they all made it easy to distinguish who was who when it came to the different voices they used for multiple characters.
- Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Escape was an excellent listen!! I loved how we got to know all the characters so quickly and that there weren’t any “boring” parts of the story.
I think it was intentional (because this will be a series), but I wish we got to know a little more in depth about the MMC’s past and how he became the man he is present-time. There’s a nugget of information in the beginning and that’s really it! Other than that, I think this audiobook was excellent - it’s one of those stories that takes you through all of the emotions.
The narrators chosen for this book were excellent and they all made it easy to distinguish who was who when it came to the different voices they used for multiple characters.
- Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
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