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The McCarthy Family Legacy #2
Wicked Sanctuary
Six years of watching.
One night of taking.
I've been watching her for six years.
Bianca White is sunshine and innocence.
I'm the monster they whisper about in the dark.
And she hates me, for good reason.
I told myself I'd stay away. That I'd keep my distance and just make sure she was safe. But on the night of her college graduation, I have no choice.
So I take her.
I cage my little bird in the woods where no one can touch her. Where no one can take her from me.
Yet she doesn’t take it easy. She fights me and begs to go back to the man who will kill her.
She'll learn, though, that some cages are gilded for a reason, and that anyone who wants to harm her will have to come through me first.
Bianca didn’t know it, but she was always mine. Now everyone else will too.
One night of taking.
I've been watching her for six years.
Bianca White is sunshine and innocence.
I'm the monster they whisper about in the dark.
And she hates me, for good reason.
I told myself I'd stay away. That I'd keep my distance and just make sure she was safe. But on the night of her college graduation, I have no choice.
So I take her.
I cage my little bird in the woods where no one can touch her. Where no one can take her from me.
Yet she doesn’t take it easy. She fights me and begs to go back to the man who will kill her.
She'll learn, though, that some cages are gilded for a reason, and that anyone who wants to harm her will have to come through me first.
Bianca didn’t know it, but she was always mine. Now everyone else will too.
508 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2026
About the author
Jane Henry
117 books2,819 followersFueled by dark chocolate and even darker coffee, USA Today bestselling author Jane Henry writes what she loves to read – character-driven, unputdownable romance featuring dominant alpha males and the powerful heroines who bring them to their knees. She’s believed in the power of love and romance since Belle won over the beast, and finally decided to write love stories of her own.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 309 reviews
May 5, 2026
I’m in literary asylum. Find me in the MMC-induced madness ward.
This was mafia + stalker romance + captor/captive dynamic all rolled into one.
Plot? Who is she? THE PLOT IS ASHLAND, AND ASHLAND IS THE PLOT. For once, it’s a good thing the MMC doesn’t live up to his name, because imagine if his “land” was actually giving ashes 🤭
✎﹏One night as Ashland is leaving the ring, he stumbles upon a kidnapping attempt and saves Bianca. But he doesn’t simply let her go, he gets her address and makes sure she gets home safely. One night of “checking in” becomes six years of watching her from the shadows. Six years of silent protection, relentless vigilance, and an all-consuming obsession. Right before she is about to move in with her fiancé, a man he is convinced will kill her, Ashland steps out of the dark and takes her to his cabin. He is determined to save her, even if it means becoming her captor.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ The beginning of this book was PURE PERFECTION.
Fiona, the scene where he feeds her???
Bianca's fiancé and mother have drilled into her head that she needs to lose weight, so she refuses to eat carbs, and Ashbaby is NOT having it. He sits her on his lap and tells her exactly who she is while he feeds her.
And when she says she’s too heavy to be carried… I just think girl, that man has been in the ring training for this exact moment. Let him carry your burdens too if he wants 😭😭
I’ve always been a bit skeptical about stalker romance because I love watching MCs get to know each other. Still, I can see the appeal of someone just knowing you without all the awkward early steps of getting to know one another. On the flip side, I don’t fully believe in Bianca’s love for Ashland because she knows so little about him and doesn’t seem particularly curious either. I needed more intimacy there. She just falls for him, and in this context it does start to feel a bit like Stockholm syndrome. Her lack of ferocity also dulls his later in the novel. For me, it only really works if they’re mutually feral.
I usually love dual POVs, but it wasn’t it for me this time 😭 I didn’t enjoy Bianca’s POV and wish she had been written differently. Ashland’s, though, was pure reverence.
For about 34% of the book, it’s just the MCs in their own cocoon, and I adored it. I should’ve been bored, asking what kind of low-budget production this was, but NO. It really worked. Maybe because I had Fiona there to go full GAGA with me?
So WHY did this only get 3 stars?
An annoying, frustrating FMC with barely any personality (WHY???), chaotic pacing, jerky development, redundant dialogue, and a plot that makes absolutely no sense to me. But ALLOW IT. None of this would’ve been a dealbreaker if the book wasn’t so damn long. Who decided romance novels all need to be 300+ pages?
This story ended at 30% for me.
Except that shower scene later. That one? T’was hot, but also very much DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME, RESULTS MAY VARY. I don't know about anyone else, but shower spicy scenes give me anxieeety. All I picture is someone slipping, hitting the tile and breaking something. Then we're in a different genre called medical emergency. That said, this book isn’t that spicy. It’s probably a 2.5/5.
I just don’t know why we needed all those extra pages when they didn’t add the depth their relationship was missing.
Now that that’s done. I call dibs, Fiona. So excuse me while I
Me waiting for Ashland's ride to come get me
WHERE DO YOU WANT ME SIR?
Fiona, I had the time of my life reading this with you 🙏🥰 This buddy read was explosive. My cola, which I forgot in the freezer will attest to that.
This was mafia + stalker romance + captor/captive dynamic all rolled into one.
Plot? Who is she? THE PLOT IS ASHLAND, AND ASHLAND IS THE PLOT. For once, it’s a good thing the MMC doesn’t live up to his name, because imagine if his “land” was actually giving ashes 🤭
✎﹏One night as Ashland is leaving the ring, he stumbles upon a kidnapping attempt and saves Bianca. But he doesn’t simply let her go, he gets her address and makes sure she gets home safely. One night of “checking in” becomes six years of watching her from the shadows. Six years of silent protection, relentless vigilance, and an all-consuming obsession. Right before she is about to move in with her fiancé, a man he is convinced will kill her, Ashland steps out of the dark and takes her to his cabin. He is determined to save her, even if it means becoming her captor.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ The beginning of this book was PURE PERFECTION.
Fiona, the scene where he feeds her???
Bianca's fiancé and mother have drilled into her head that she needs to lose weight, so she refuses to eat carbs, and Ashbaby is NOT having it. He sits her on his lap and tells her exactly who she is while he feeds her.
And when she says she’s too heavy to be carried… I just think girl, that man has been in the ring training for this exact moment. Let him carry your burdens too if he wants 😭😭
I’ve always been a bit skeptical about stalker romance because I love watching MCs get to know each other. Still, I can see the appeal of someone just knowing you without all the awkward early steps of getting to know one another. On the flip side, I don’t fully believe in Bianca’s love for Ashland because she knows so little about him and doesn’t seem particularly curious either. I needed more intimacy there. She just falls for him, and in this context it does start to feel a bit like Stockholm syndrome. Her lack of ferocity also dulls his later in the novel. For me, it only really works if they’re mutually feral.
I usually love dual POVs, but it wasn’t it for me this time 😭 I didn’t enjoy Bianca’s POV and wish she had been written differently. Ashland’s, though, was pure reverence.
For about 34% of the book, it’s just the MCs in their own cocoon, and I adored it. I should’ve been bored, asking what kind of low-budget production this was, but NO. It really worked. Maybe because I had Fiona there to go full GAGA with me?
So WHY did this only get 3 stars?
An annoying, frustrating FMC with barely any personality (WHY???), chaotic pacing, jerky development, redundant dialogue, and a plot that makes absolutely no sense to me. But ALLOW IT. None of this would’ve been a dealbreaker if the book wasn’t so damn long. Who decided romance novels all need to be 300+ pages?
This story ended at 30% for me.
Except that shower scene later. That one? T’was hot, but also very much DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME, RESULTS MAY VARY. I don't know about anyone else, but shower spicy scenes give me anxieeety. All I picture is someone slipping, hitting the tile and breaking something. Then we're in a different genre called medical emergency. That said, this book isn’t that spicy. It’s probably a 2.5/5.
I just don’t know why we needed all those extra pages when they didn’t add the depth their relationship was missing.
Now that that’s done. I call dibs, Fiona. So excuse me while I
Me waiting for Ashland's ride to come get me
WHERE DO YOU WANT ME SIR?
Fiona, I had the time of my life reading this with you 🙏🥰 This buddy read was explosive. My cola, which I forgot in the freezer will attest to that.
May 7, 2026
3 ⭐️
He watched her for six years.
Built a shrine.
Kidnapped her.
Worshipped her like she personally invented oxygen.
And somehow I became complicit in the delusion
What worked for me
(aka: where the worship agenda got me)
Ashland. Just… Ashland.
This man didn’t just steal the show - he became the show
From the very beginning, he walked in with obsession, commitment and zero intention of switching up…and he never did.
The consistency? Elite.
The devotion? Unhinged.
The worship? Relentless.
He spends the entire book essentially saying, "I will protect you", "I will worship you", and "I will ruin myself for you" and then proceeds to fully stand on that from beginning to end.
No backtracking. No personality shifts. No “I suddenly forgot who I am” nonsense. Just full, unwavering, slightly terrifying devotion for the entire book.
The worship and caretaking combo
This was the strongest element of the book for me. Everything - everything - always looped back to keeping her safe, taking care of her, reassuring her and worshipping her.
Even when he was being controlling, intense or doing the absolute most, it was always tied back to that same core motivation.
The feeding scene at the cabin is probably the best example of this. Bianca makes one insecure comment about carbs and this man immediately short-circuits, picks her up, puts her on his lap and proceeds to feed and reassure her like it’s a full emotional emergency.
Was it controlling? Absolutely. Was it intense? Extremely. But it also perfectly captured the way his obsession always translated into caretaking. Every reaction he had to her came from this overwhelming need to protect, reassure, provide for, and worship her.
This scene became an entire event in my buddy read experience with Minne because apparently the combination of obsession, reassurance and emotional support carbs was too powerful for us
The cabin cocoon era
For a solid chunk of the book, it’s just them - isolated, intense and fully in their own little world.
Plot? Minimal.
Tension? Intimate.
Vibes? Immaculate.
I should’ve been bored. I should’ve been asking questions about the plot.
Instead I was like: "no wait…let him cook".
His POV
Top tier.
Watching this man spiral, panic, worship and emotionally malfunction over her???
Yeah…that rewired my brain chemistry a little
Where it lost me
(aka: where the delusion stopped working)
Pacing issues (peaked too early).
This peaked around the 40% mark for me…and never quite got back there.
The early tension? Elite.
The middle stretch? Dragging.
Some moments took way too long to happen (that family meeting?? I aged) and by the time we got there, the impact had dulled.
The emotional imbalance (for a while…it was one-sided).
Ashland was out here delivering full monologues, declarations and emotional breakdowns while Bianca spent a large part of the book giving “…sorry", confusion and delayed reactions.
There were multiple points where I found myself thinking: "girl, he is literally worshipping the ground you walk on, PLEASE give me something back".
This man was out here having near panic attacks over her safety, confessing that she’d ruined him for anyone else, building emotional shrines in real time and Bianca’s responses often felt a step behind emotionally.
It took a long time for her to match his energy and I really felt that imbalance. When she finally started showing up emotionally, it worked...but I needed that shift much sooner.
Unconvincing plot logic (the mother storyline…)
I just didn’t find this convincing enough.
Certain motivations, especially around her mother, felt underdeveloped and not fully believable for the level of harm involved.
It read more like: shock twist first, logic later.
And I wasn’t fully sold.
Some moments felt unearned
There were a few key scenes, especially early intimacy moments, where I wanted more buildup and emotional grounding beforehand.
The tension was definitely there but the payoff didn’t always feel fully earned for me.
Final thoughts
This was a very specific reading experience.
Structurally? Messy.
Pacing? Uneven.
Logic? Questionable at times.
But Ashland? Ashland carried this book on his back, shoulders, and emotional support obsession.
Final verdict
3 ⭐️ - for the Ashland worship kink doing ALL the heavy lifting
Shoutout to Minne for making this buddy read feel less like literary criticism and more like Ashland propaganda ❤️ #FightMe
Tropes and Vibes:
• mafia romance (Irish edition)
• obsessive MMC (clinically committed)
• “touch her and die” energy
• forced proximity → intense cocoon vibes
• possessive + protective + worship combo
• morally grey (heavy on
• caretaker / aftercare king
• “mine” but make it consistent
• unhinged devotion with structure
• praise / affirmation heavy
He watched her for six years.
Built a shrine.
Kidnapped her.
Worshipped her like she personally invented oxygen.
And somehow I became complicit in the delusion
What worked for me
(aka: where the worship agenda got me)
Ashland. Just… Ashland.
This man didn’t just steal the show - he became the show
From the very beginning, he walked in with obsession, commitment and zero intention of switching up…and he never did.
The consistency? Elite.
The devotion? Unhinged.
The worship? Relentless.
He spends the entire book essentially saying, "I will protect you", "I will worship you", and "I will ruin myself for you" and then proceeds to fully stand on that from beginning to end.
No backtracking. No personality shifts. No “I suddenly forgot who I am” nonsense. Just full, unwavering, slightly terrifying devotion for the entire book.
The worship and caretaking combo
This was the strongest element of the book for me. Everything - everything - always looped back to keeping her safe, taking care of her, reassuring her and worshipping her.
Even when he was being controlling, intense or doing the absolute most, it was always tied back to that same core motivation.
The feeding scene at the cabin is probably the best example of this. Bianca makes one insecure comment about carbs and this man immediately short-circuits, picks her up, puts her on his lap and proceeds to feed and reassure her like it’s a full emotional emergency.
Was it controlling? Absolutely. Was it intense? Extremely. But it also perfectly captured the way his obsession always translated into caretaking. Every reaction he had to her came from this overwhelming need to protect, reassure, provide for, and worship her.
This scene became an entire event in my buddy read experience with Minne because apparently the combination of obsession, reassurance and emotional support carbs was too powerful for us
The cabin cocoon era
For a solid chunk of the book, it’s just them - isolated, intense and fully in their own little world.
Plot? Minimal.
Tension? Intimate.
Vibes? Immaculate.
I should’ve been bored. I should’ve been asking questions about the plot.
Instead I was like: "no wait…let him cook".
His POV
Top tier.
Watching this man spiral, panic, worship and emotionally malfunction over her???
Yeah…that rewired my brain chemistry a little
Where it lost me
(aka: where the delusion stopped working)
Pacing issues (peaked too early).
This peaked around the 40% mark for me…and never quite got back there.
The early tension? Elite.
The middle stretch? Dragging.
Some moments took way too long to happen (that family meeting?? I aged) and by the time we got there, the impact had dulled.
The emotional imbalance (for a while…it was one-sided).
Ashland was out here delivering full monologues, declarations and emotional breakdowns while Bianca spent a large part of the book giving “…sorry", confusion and delayed reactions.
There were multiple points where I found myself thinking: "girl, he is literally worshipping the ground you walk on, PLEASE give me something back".
This man was out here having near panic attacks over her safety, confessing that she’d ruined him for anyone else, building emotional shrines in real time and Bianca’s responses often felt a step behind emotionally.
It took a long time for her to match his energy and I really felt that imbalance. When she finally started showing up emotionally, it worked...but I needed that shift much sooner.
Unconvincing plot logic (the mother storyline…)
I just didn’t find this convincing enough.
Certain motivations, especially around her mother, felt underdeveloped and not fully believable for the level of harm involved.
It read more like: shock twist first, logic later.
And I wasn’t fully sold.
Some moments felt unearned
There were a few key scenes, especially early intimacy moments, where I wanted more buildup and emotional grounding beforehand.
The tension was definitely there but the payoff didn’t always feel fully earned for me.
Final thoughts
This was a very specific reading experience.
Structurally? Messy.
Pacing? Uneven.
Logic? Questionable at times.
But Ashland? Ashland carried this book on his back, shoulders, and emotional support obsession.
Final verdict
3 ⭐️ - for the Ashland worship kink doing ALL the heavy lifting
Shoutout to Minne for making this buddy read feel less like literary criticism and more like Ashland propaganda ❤️ #FightMe
Tropes and Vibes:
• mafia romance (Irish edition)
• obsessive MMC (clinically committed)
• “touch her and die” energy
• forced proximity → intense cocoon vibes
• possessive + protective + worship combo
• morally grey (heavy on
• caretaker / aftercare king
• “mine” but make it consistent
• unhinged devotion with structure
• praise / affirmation heavy
May 18, 2026
After saving Bianca White from predators behind his family’s gym, Ashland McCarthy, becomes increasingly protective.
Six years watching from the shadows, content to be the guardian angel she doesn’t know is there. Yet, when her safety is at risk, he has no choice but to reveal himself.
Ashland is a big, burly teddy bear. So gone for Bianca, he took the time to learn things about her that she barely acknowledged herself. He is the exact brand of morally gray MMC that’s easy to swoon over: intense, attentive, and just a little dangerous around the edges.
Conversely, Bianca was not my favorite... Mind you, I'm a big, no, huge, fan of instalove. However, her fall into love didn't feel genuine. I think that part of the story was a bit rushed. Her emotional shift felt more declared than developed. The romance would have been stronger with more “show, don’t tell” - letting us see her feelings unfold rather than being told they had.
All that said, it was still an enjoyable read. Jane Henry was another new author for me and I'll definitely give her another shot.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Format: 📱
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Dark-ish, Mystery/Suspense, New Adult
Ending: 💗 {HEA} 💕
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present}
Emotions: 😩🤫🫠🥵😍
Darkness: 🩶🩶
Burn: 🔥🔥1/2
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
✨ Tropes: Age Gap (13), Forced Proximity, Found Family, Heroine in Danger, Kidnapped/Captive, Mafia/Bratva/Organized Crime, Stalker, Stolen from OM
💫 Microtropes: Boy Obsessed, Caretaker/Protective MMC, Caveman/Bridal Carry, Curvy Woman, “Good Girl”, Lap Sitting, Scarred, Secrets & Lies, She’s a Runner, Tattooed MMC, “Yes, Sir”
🔆 Character: Underground Fighter
💋 Kinks: Discipline/Punishment, Domination, Forced O’s, Power Exchange, Spanking
🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a
🚩 Red Flags: Drugged (by MMC), MINE!, Touch-Her-and-💀, Tracking/Spying
⛔️ Safety Squad: Assault (Not by MMC), Rough Handling of FMC (Not by MMC), Unaliving, Violence, and other potentially triggering elements. Triggers may appear both on- and off-page and in the past and/or present. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📍 Setting: Dublin, Ireland 🇮🇪
📣 Type: Wicked Sanctuary is part of The McCarthy Family Legacy series of interconnected standalones. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.
⚠️ Warning: The angst in this slow-burn will edge you to the point of combustion!
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Six years watching from the shadows, content to be the guardian angel she doesn’t know is there. Yet, when her safety is at risk, he has no choice but to reveal himself.
Ashland is a big, burly teddy bear. So gone for Bianca, he took the time to learn things about her that she barely acknowledged herself. He is the exact brand of morally gray MMC that’s easy to swoon over: intense, attentive, and just a little dangerous around the edges.
Conversely, Bianca was not my favorite... Mind you, I'm a big, no, huge, fan of instalove. However, her fall into love didn't feel genuine. I think that part of the story was a bit rushed. Her emotional shift felt more declared than developed. The romance would have been stronger with more “show, don’t tell” - letting us see her feelings unfold rather than being told they had.
All that said, it was still an enjoyable read. Jane Henry was another new author for me and I'll definitely give her another shot.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Format: 📱
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Dark-ish, Mystery/Suspense, New Adult
Ending: 💗 {HEA} 💕
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present}
Emotions: 😩🤫🫠🥵😍
Darkness: 🩶🩶
Burn: 🔥🔥1/2
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
✨ Tropes: Age Gap (13), Forced Proximity, Found Family, Heroine in Danger, Kidnapped/Captive, Mafia/Bratva/Organized Crime, Stalker, Stolen from OM
💫 Microtropes: Boy Obsessed, Caretaker/Protective MMC, Caveman/Bridal Carry, Curvy Woman, “Good Girl”, Lap Sitting, Scarred, Secrets & Lies, She’s a Runner, Tattooed MMC, “Yes, Sir”
🔆 Character: Underground Fighter
💋 Kinks: Discipline/Punishment, Domination, Forced O’s, Power Exchange, Spanking
🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a
🚩 Red Flags: Drugged (by MMC), MINE!, Touch-Her-and-💀, Tracking/Spying
⛔️ Safety Squad: Assault (Not by MMC), Rough Handling of FMC (Not by MMC), Unaliving, Violence, and other potentially triggering elements. Triggers may appear both on- and off-page and in the past and/or present. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📍 Setting: Dublin, Ireland 🇮🇪
📣 Type: Wicked Sanctuary is part of The McCarthy Family Legacy series of interconnected standalones. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.
⚠️ Warning: The angst in this slow-burn will edge you to the point of combustion!
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
May 1, 2026
4.5⭐️
3🌶️
🔥Dark Irish Mafia
🔥Bad Boy / Good Girl
🔥Beauty & the Beast Vibes
🔥Captor / Captive
🔥Grumpy / Sunshine
🔥He Falls First
🔥Age Gap
🔥Dual First Person POV
Get ready for a man that will slay your monsters and make you feel safe, seen, and beautiful. Ashland McCarthy is walking home after a fight when he hears a scream and finds two men trying to abduct a young woman. His family isn’t in the business of saving people but the people of Ballyhock are under McCarthy protection. After he saves her, Ashland finds out her address the next day so he can make sure she got home safe. Checking in on her turns into 6 years of watching and protecting her from the shadows. Logically he knew it was wrong but he couldn’t help himself. Bianca has always tried to be the good girl and do as she’s told, she’s been manipulated by her mother to marry someone so they would live more comfortably. Her fiancé has demeaned and gaslight her into believing she could never do better than him. Bianca has just graduated and is getting ready to move in with her fiancé, but Ashland couldn’t let that happen. He knew her fiancé was a monster who was intent on hurting her. Ashland kidnaps her and takes her to his cabin deep in the woods. Bianca is fearful and shocked at how much Ashland knows about her. She struggles with her fear and the unexpected feelings she has for Ashland. He tries to explain that he took her for her protection, but Bianca doesn’t believe anything he says about Marcus or her mother. I was giggling over how Ashland was trying to reason his way through his hyper fixation/protection/stalking. He’s over the top possessive but in a quiet way that sneaks up on you. Bianca manages to escape and goes back to Marcus but when he threatens her she calls Ashland for help. When his family finds out, they’re shocked but they promise to help. Bianca sees a new side of Ashland and realizes the family she was told to hate is loving and welcoming. The way Ashland is vulnerable with her and shows her how he feels is endearing. The final fight was visceral and savage. There were a couple plot points that needed to be fleshed out to be a five star read for me. From beginning to end Ashland and Bianca’s story is action packed, hits all the emotions, and the perfect amount of spice.
Plot: 4
Engaging: 5
Character: 5
Thank you Jane Henry and Valentine PR for the gifted advanced copy.
📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦🔥
A Few Favorite Quotes:
“God, I'm obsessed with this woman. Completely f_ € k!ng gone on her. It may be the only time in my life I’ve lost control.”
“Seriously, f_ € k him for taking me and making me fall for him when it's nothing but complicated and messy and wrong.”
“Not Stockholm syndrome,” I growl against her lips between kisses. “You're attracted to a man who would k!ll for you. Who would d!e for you. Nothing wrong with that, lass.”
“I’m yours, lass. Yours. Christ, woman, look at you. All the things I want to do to you…”
“Now, let me worship you. Not another word or I'll give you a proper spanking. Do you understand me?”
“That's it, love. Take every inch of this c_€k. Show me how good you can be for me.”
“You trust me?” “Always,” she whispers. “Forever.”
“Then I'll take care of you. Always,” I echo.
3🌶️
🔥Dark Irish Mafia
🔥Bad Boy / Good Girl
🔥Beauty & the Beast Vibes
🔥Captor / Captive
🔥Grumpy / Sunshine
🔥He Falls First
🔥Age Gap
🔥Dual First Person POV
Get ready for a man that will slay your monsters and make you feel safe, seen, and beautiful. Ashland McCarthy is walking home after a fight when he hears a scream and finds two men trying to abduct a young woman. His family isn’t in the business of saving people but the people of Ballyhock are under McCarthy protection. After he saves her, Ashland finds out her address the next day so he can make sure she got home safe. Checking in on her turns into 6 years of watching and protecting her from the shadows. Logically he knew it was wrong but he couldn’t help himself. Bianca has always tried to be the good girl and do as she’s told, she’s been manipulated by her mother to marry someone so they would live more comfortably. Her fiancé has demeaned and gaslight her into believing she could never do better than him. Bianca has just graduated and is getting ready to move in with her fiancé, but Ashland couldn’t let that happen. He knew her fiancé was a monster who was intent on hurting her. Ashland kidnaps her and takes her to his cabin deep in the woods. Bianca is fearful and shocked at how much Ashland knows about her. She struggles with her fear and the unexpected feelings she has for Ashland. He tries to explain that he took her for her protection, but Bianca doesn’t believe anything he says about Marcus or her mother. I was giggling over how Ashland was trying to reason his way through his hyper fixation/protection/stalking. He’s over the top possessive but in a quiet way that sneaks up on you. Bianca manages to escape and goes back to Marcus but when he threatens her she calls Ashland for help. When his family finds out, they’re shocked but they promise to help. Bianca sees a new side of Ashland and realizes the family she was told to hate is loving and welcoming. The way Ashland is vulnerable with her and shows her how he feels is endearing. The final fight was visceral and savage. There were a couple plot points that needed to be fleshed out to be a five star read for me. From beginning to end Ashland and Bianca’s story is action packed, hits all the emotions, and the perfect amount of spice.
Plot: 4
Engaging: 5
Character: 5
Thank you Jane Henry and Valentine PR for the gifted advanced copy.
📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦🔥
A Few Favorite Quotes:
“God, I'm obsessed with this woman. Completely f_ € k!ng gone on her. It may be the only time in my life I’ve lost control.”
“Seriously, f_ € k him for taking me and making me fall for him when it's nothing but complicated and messy and wrong.”
“Not Stockholm syndrome,” I growl against her lips between kisses. “You're attracted to a man who would k!ll for you. Who would d!e for you. Nothing wrong with that, lass.”
“I’m yours, lass. Yours. Christ, woman, look at you. All the things I want to do to you…”
“Now, let me worship you. Not another word or I'll give you a proper spanking. Do you understand me?”
“That's it, love. Take every inch of this c_€k. Show me how good you can be for me.”
“You trust me?” “Always,” she whispers. “Forever.”
“Then I'll take care of you. Always,” I echo.
May 10, 2026
* I would like to thank Valentine PR for this arc*
“I love you more than I knew it was possible to love another person. You've unmade me, lass. Completely fuckin’ unmade me.”
What can I say I love a man who is known to be rough around the edges but becomes a big softie for the girl he loves. Ashland truly is my type of man and I love how he was always there to reassure Bianca that she is truly the light of his life. And I love seeing Bianca become more confident within herself and learn to tune out all the negativities she was internalizing from people around her. Together they were truly beautiful and heartwarming🥹. I definitely need to read the other books Jane has and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
“I love you more than I knew it was possible to love another person. You've unmade me, lass. Completely fuckin’ unmade me.”
What can I say I love a man who is known to be rough around the edges but becomes a big softie for the girl he loves. Ashland truly is my type of man and I love how he was always there to reassure Bianca that she is truly the light of his life. And I love seeing Bianca become more confident within herself and learn to tune out all the negativities she was internalizing from people around her. Together they were truly beautiful and heartwarming🥹. I definitely need to read the other books Jane has and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
April 30, 2026
Excuse me??? Que es este hombre?? Fiel a ella aunque ella todavía ni sabía de su existencia?!😭🖤🖤
Esto es lo que busco cuando digo que quiero un libro con un hombre obsesionado con ella.🧘🏻♀️
——————
Tropes:
•stalker romance
•captor x cautiva
•one bed
•proximidad forzada
•mafia romance
•age gap
•curvy girl
Bianca 💞:
Ella es una chica que se acaba de graduar y está a punto de mudarse a la casa de su prometido aunque no se siente del todo segura. También ha sentido que los últimos años alguien la ha estado observando 👀 pero siempre lo atribuye a su imaginación. Pero no está lejos de la realidad…
Ashland 🥊:
Un luchador de peleas clandestinas que vive solo para servir a su familia y apellido. Y por nada en el mundo debería de estar obsesionándose con la chica que rescató una vez en un callejón oscuro, pero esa es su realidad 🫣 años han pasado desde ese suceso y aún no deja de mirar desde la distancia a esta mujer 🖤
Historia 📝:
Luego de que Ashland rescatara a una joven Bianca de ser secuestrada el comienza a desarrollar una obsesión por ella y a lo largo de los años se convierte en su stalker que la protege desde la distancia. Eso es hasta que el peligro vuelve a la vida de Bianca y Ashland no le queda otra opción (según) que secuestrarla y llevarla a su cabaña en medio del bosque 🫣🖤
Pensamientos 💭:
Ashland es todo lo que pienso cuando dicen que el protagonista está obsesionado con ella😭🥹 ese hombre no tuvo ojos para otra mujer por años a pesar de que no podía tener a Bianca. La historia me encantó y la verdad aunque pensé que Bianca sería terca y fastidiosa no fue así, si tuvo que comprobar cosas por si misma pero creo que entró en razón rápido 😂. En fin, valió la pena el tiempo que espere para leer este libro, lo amé 🧘🏻♀️.
English:
Excuse me??? What do you mean this man stayed loyal to her even when she didn’t even know he existed yet?! 😭🖤🖤
This is exactly what I mean when I say I want a book with a man completely obsessed with her. 🧘🏻♀️
——————
Tropes:
• stalker romance
• captor x captive
• one bed
• forced proximity
• mafia romance
•age gap
•curvy girl
Bianca 💞:
She’s a young woman who has just graduated and is about to move into her fiancé’s house, though she doesn’t feel completely sure about it. For the past few years, she’s also felt like someone has been watching her 👀 but always brushed it off as her imagination. She wasn’t far from the truth…
Ashland 🥊:
An underground fighter who lives only to serve his family and legacy. He absolutely should not be obsessing over the girl he once rescued in a dark alley, but that’s his reality 🫣 Years have passed since that night, and he still hasn’t stopped watching this woman from afar 🖤
Story 📝:
After Ashland rescues a young Bianca from being kidnapped, he begins to develop an obsession with her and over the years becomes her stalker, protecting her from a distance. That is, until danger returns to Bianca’s life and Ashland has no other choice (according to him) but to kidnap her and take her to his cabin deep in the woods 🫣🖤
Thoughts 💭:
Ashland is everything I think of when people say the mmc is obsessed with her 😭🥹 This man had no eyes for any other woman for years, even knowing he couldn’t have Bianca. I loved this story, and honestly, even though I thought Bianca would be stubborn and annoying, she really wasn’t. She did need to figure some things out for herself, but I think she came to her senses pretty quickly 😂.
Anyway, this book was absolutely worth the wait. I loved it. 🧘🏻♀️
Esto es lo que busco cuando digo que quiero un libro con un hombre obsesionado con ella.🧘🏻♀️
——————
Tropes:
•stalker romance
•captor x cautiva
•one bed
•proximidad forzada
•mafia romance
•age gap
•curvy girl
Bianca 💞:
Ella es una chica que se acaba de graduar y está a punto de mudarse a la casa de su prometido aunque no se siente del todo segura. También ha sentido que los últimos años alguien la ha estado observando 👀 pero siempre lo atribuye a su imaginación. Pero no está lejos de la realidad…
Ashland 🥊:
Un luchador de peleas clandestinas que vive solo para servir a su familia y apellido. Y por nada en el mundo debería de estar obsesionándose con la chica que rescató una vez en un callejón oscuro, pero esa es su realidad 🫣 años han pasado desde ese suceso y aún no deja de mirar desde la distancia a esta mujer 🖤
Historia 📝:
Luego de que Ashland rescatara a una joven Bianca de ser secuestrada el comienza a desarrollar una obsesión por ella y a lo largo de los años se convierte en su stalker que la protege desde la distancia. Eso es hasta que el peligro vuelve a la vida de Bianca y Ashland no le queda otra opción (según) que secuestrarla y llevarla a su cabaña en medio del bosque 🫣🖤
Pensamientos 💭:
Ashland es todo lo que pienso cuando dicen que el protagonista está obsesionado con ella😭🥹 ese hombre no tuvo ojos para otra mujer por años a pesar de que no podía tener a Bianca. La historia me encantó y la verdad aunque pensé que Bianca sería terca y fastidiosa no fue así, si tuvo que comprobar cosas por si misma pero creo que entró en razón rápido 😂. En fin, valió la pena el tiempo que espere para leer este libro, lo amé 🧘🏻♀️.
English:
Excuse me??? What do you mean this man stayed loyal to her even when she didn’t even know he existed yet?! 😭🖤🖤
This is exactly what I mean when I say I want a book with a man completely obsessed with her. 🧘🏻♀️
——————
Tropes:
• stalker romance
• captor x captive
• one bed
• forced proximity
• mafia romance
•age gap
•curvy girl
Bianca 💞:
She’s a young woman who has just graduated and is about to move into her fiancé’s house, though she doesn’t feel completely sure about it. For the past few years, she’s also felt like someone has been watching her 👀 but always brushed it off as her imagination. She wasn’t far from the truth…
Ashland 🥊:
An underground fighter who lives only to serve his family and legacy. He absolutely should not be obsessing over the girl he once rescued in a dark alley, but that’s his reality 🫣 Years have passed since that night, and he still hasn’t stopped watching this woman from afar 🖤
Story 📝:
After Ashland rescues a young Bianca from being kidnapped, he begins to develop an obsession with her and over the years becomes her stalker, protecting her from a distance. That is, until danger returns to Bianca’s life and Ashland has no other choice (according to him) but to kidnap her and take her to his cabin deep in the woods 🫣🖤
Thoughts 💭:
Ashland is everything I think of when people say the mmc is obsessed with her 😭🥹 This man had no eyes for any other woman for years, even knowing he couldn’t have Bianca. I loved this story, and honestly, even though I thought Bianca would be stubborn and annoying, she really wasn’t. She did need to figure some things out for herself, but I think she came to her senses pretty quickly 😂.
Anyway, this book was absolutely worth the wait. I loved it. 🧘🏻♀️
May 8, 2026
4🌟, 3🌶️
I am still reeling from the intense, unhinged protector energy in this story.
Ashland is the ultimate morally grey hero who saves Bianca from a nightmare only to spend the next six years guarding her from the shadows. His obsession is definitely over the top, but there is something so deeply swoon-worthy about the way he notices every tiny detail she overlooks about herself. He is a total beast to the world but a protective teddy bear for her, making his decision to snatch her away to a mountain cabin feel like a delicious, high-stakes rescue from her toxic life.
The chemistry between them was absolute fire, even if Bianca’s emotional turnaround felt a bit rushed at times. I would have loved to see her feelings unfold with a little more "show, don't tell" during her time in captivity, but their connection was still undeniably deep. It was so satisfying to watch her find her strength while being worshipped by a man who would truly burn the world down for her. The contrast between her gaslighting family and the surprisingly welcoming McCarthy clan made the emotional payoff feel genuine and earned.
The action was non-stop and that final, savage showdown was pure perfection. This book hit every right note for me with the forced proximity and that "touch her and die" energy I just can't get enough of. Even with the pacing feeling a little heavy in the middle, the spice and fierce family loyalty kept me completely hooked. It was such a gritty and heart-pounding read.
If you’re looking for a book that’s equal parts sweet and dangerous, this is the one you’ve been waiting for.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Jane Henry & Valentine PR for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
I am still reeling from the intense, unhinged protector energy in this story.
Ashland is the ultimate morally grey hero who saves Bianca from a nightmare only to spend the next six years guarding her from the shadows. His obsession is definitely over the top, but there is something so deeply swoon-worthy about the way he notices every tiny detail she overlooks about herself. He is a total beast to the world but a protective teddy bear for her, making his decision to snatch her away to a mountain cabin feel like a delicious, high-stakes rescue from her toxic life.
The chemistry between them was absolute fire, even if Bianca’s emotional turnaround felt a bit rushed at times. I would have loved to see her feelings unfold with a little more "show, don't tell" during her time in captivity, but their connection was still undeniably deep. It was so satisfying to watch her find her strength while being worshipped by a man who would truly burn the world down for her. The contrast between her gaslighting family and the surprisingly welcoming McCarthy clan made the emotional payoff feel genuine and earned.
The action was non-stop and that final, savage showdown was pure perfection. This book hit every right note for me with the forced proximity and that "touch her and die" energy I just can't get enough of. Even with the pacing feeling a little heavy in the middle, the spice and fierce family loyalty kept me completely hooked. It was such a gritty and heart-pounding read.
If you’re looking for a book that’s equal parts sweet and dangerous, this is the one you’ve been waiting for.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Jane Henry & Valentine PR for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
June 5, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Wicked Sanctuary by Jane Henry
Okay listen… this was my second dive into this series and I ATE. THIS. UP. 👀
This story follows Ashland McCarthy and Bianca, and from the very first moment literally a rescue scene that turns into six years of silent obsession you already know this man is down bad. Ashland has been watching, protecting, and waiting for Bianca from the shadows, and when her life is suddenly in danger, he steps in and takes her somewhere “safe”… and that’s where things get complicated.
This is very much a dark, morally grey, protective MMC who would absolutely burn the world down for her and honestly? I was here for it. The stalker romance vibes were STRONG in this one, but it’s written in a way where you feel that intensity, that obsession, and that “touch her and die” energy without losing the emotional connection.
Bianca’s journey was one of my favorite parts. She’s been put down and controlled for so long, and watching her start to see herself differently through Ashland’s eyes? Yeah… that hit.
The chemistry?
The tension?
The “he’s unhinged but only for her”?
There were moments where the pacing felt a little heavy in the middle, but overall I was fully invested and could not look away.
Tropes:
* Dark Irish Mafia
* Stalker Romance / Obsessive MMC
* Captor / Captive
* Grumpy x Sunshine
* He Falls First
* Age Gap
* Beauty & the Beast vibes
* Morally Grey Hero
* Forced Proximity
* Plus-size heroine
If you love a man who says “I’ll take care of you. Always.” and actually means it in the most intense, slightly unhinged way… this one’s for you.
Okay listen… this was my second dive into this series and I ATE. THIS. UP. 👀
This story follows Ashland McCarthy and Bianca, and from the very first moment literally a rescue scene that turns into six years of silent obsession you already know this man is down bad. Ashland has been watching, protecting, and waiting for Bianca from the shadows, and when her life is suddenly in danger, he steps in and takes her somewhere “safe”… and that’s where things get complicated.
This is very much a dark, morally grey, protective MMC who would absolutely burn the world down for her and honestly? I was here for it. The stalker romance vibes were STRONG in this one, but it’s written in a way where you feel that intensity, that obsession, and that “touch her and die” energy without losing the emotional connection.
Bianca’s journey was one of my favorite parts. She’s been put down and controlled for so long, and watching her start to see herself differently through Ashland’s eyes? Yeah… that hit.
The chemistry?
The tension?
The “he’s unhinged but only for her”?
There were moments where the pacing felt a little heavy in the middle, but overall I was fully invested and could not look away.
Tropes:
* Dark Irish Mafia
* Stalker Romance / Obsessive MMC
* Captor / Captive
* Grumpy x Sunshine
* He Falls First
* Age Gap
* Beauty & the Beast vibes
* Morally Grey Hero
* Forced Proximity
* Plus-size heroine
If you love a man who says “I’ll take care of you. Always.” and actually means it in the most intense, slightly unhinged way… this one’s for you.
April 27, 2026
Wicked Sanctuary is book 2 in the McCarthy Family series and all I can say is Ashland McCarthy where have you been all my life🤭.
These books are interconnected standalones but if you’ve read Jane’s books previously some familiar faces from previous stories always makes an appearance and the McCarthy clan well they’re quite close so it’s a guarantee.
This book follows Ashland & Bianca and their story actually begins 6 years in the past. One night after Ashland was leaving the ring he witnesses a commotion outside, in which two men were trying to in this case ladynap Bianca. Ashland completely puts a stop to it and scares them off but this moment completely sealed his fate because when he looked into Bianca’s eyes this man was completely done for.
From that one look Ashland spent the last six years as Bianca’s shadow, always remaining in the background protecting her but when a threat in the form of her fiancé makes itself known this is when Ashland steps in and brings Bianca to his cabin.
It is here that he makes Bianca aware that her fiancé is not the man she believes him to be and while her gut instinct was telling her the exact same thing it took her quite a bit to come to terms with this knowledge. Look rightly so because Bianca had no idea who and where Ashland even came from and now she has a protector that knows absolutely everything about her🤣.
Bianca lost her father and her mother blamed the McCarthys for this, she also felt she needed to keep her mother happy because of all that she sacrificed to keep their family a float and personally I felt this did a number on poor Bianca but Ashland also opens Bianca’s eyes to this tale that has been spun.
Before she met Ashland, Bianca was only surviving so to speak, there was certain roles she had to play, but it is when she met Ashland is when she began living. When she was introduced to the full family they welcomed her with open arms and took her completely under their wing and that was just beautiful🥹
Ashland absolutely worshiped the ground she walked on and rightly so because that is what she deserved. I mean this man yearned for his woman for six years for nothing and I was absolutely swooning.
Overall I absolutely loved this book and series. The McCarthy clan have a special place in my heart. Thank you to VPR who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭
These books are interconnected standalones but if you’ve read Jane’s books previously some familiar faces from previous stories always makes an appearance and the McCarthy clan well they’re quite close so it’s a guarantee.
This book follows Ashland & Bianca and their story actually begins 6 years in the past. One night after Ashland was leaving the ring he witnesses a commotion outside, in which two men were trying to in this case ladynap Bianca. Ashland completely puts a stop to it and scares them off but this moment completely sealed his fate because when he looked into Bianca’s eyes this man was completely done for.
From that one look Ashland spent the last six years as Bianca’s shadow, always remaining in the background protecting her but when a threat in the form of her fiancé makes itself known this is when Ashland steps in and brings Bianca to his cabin.
It is here that he makes Bianca aware that her fiancé is not the man she believes him to be and while her gut instinct was telling her the exact same thing it took her quite a bit to come to terms with this knowledge. Look rightly so because Bianca had no idea who and where Ashland even came from and now she has a protector that knows absolutely everything about her🤣.
Bianca lost her father and her mother blamed the McCarthys for this, she also felt she needed to keep her mother happy because of all that she sacrificed to keep their family a float and personally I felt this did a number on poor Bianca but Ashland also opens Bianca’s eyes to this tale that has been spun.
Before she met Ashland, Bianca was only surviving so to speak, there was certain roles she had to play, but it is when she met Ashland is when she began living. When she was introduced to the full family they welcomed her with open arms and took her completely under their wing and that was just beautiful🥹
Ashland absolutely worshiped the ground she walked on and rightly so because that is what she deserved. I mean this man yearned for his woman for six years for nothing and I was absolutely swooning.
Overall I absolutely loved this book and series. The McCarthy clan have a special place in my heart. Thank you to VPR who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭
May 5, 2026
4 stars.
Jane Henry's "Wicked Sanctuary" is a forced proximity age-gap stalker romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. This series is pushing the boundaries of what I thought I liked as a reader, and I'm not mad about it! I liked Ashland and Bianca's dynamic. Despite this being a stalker romance, Ashland clearly had a profound affection and affinity towards Bianca that went deep; his need to protect her, to guard her, to never let her go, his obsession, his passion was, dare I say, swoon-worthy?! In real life, yikes! In fiction, though? Don't judge me!! I liked the way Ashland shows Bianca how deserving she really is until she believes it herself. Between her horrible, gaslighting mother and her lying, POS fiancé, she has been withered, beaten down, and trampled on for years. She doesn't think she's worth, or worthy, of anything, but Ashland, oh Ashland, he will go to the ends of the earth if someone so much as hurts a hair on her head. The way she slowly falls for him is captivating, even though she was initially a captive. I loved the push and pull between the two of them (well, mostly from her since he never had to push or pull for her!), and it kept me listening and engaged from start to finish. I didn't think this book was too long, and I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook. A couple of times, I found myself with my jaw hanging open because it was so deliciously devilish. Once again, Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross do an absolutely stellar job with their dual audiobook narration. They are TERRIFIC as these characters, and they work well together to bring them to life in a delectable, scandalous way. I cannot wait for the next book in this series, I am thoroughly appreciating it!
Thank you to Jane Henry and VPR Audio for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Jane Henry's "Wicked Sanctuary" is a forced proximity age-gap stalker romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. This series is pushing the boundaries of what I thought I liked as a reader, and I'm not mad about it! I liked Ashland and Bianca's dynamic. Despite this being a stalker romance, Ashland clearly had a profound affection and affinity towards Bianca that went deep; his need to protect her, to guard her, to never let her go, his obsession, his passion was, dare I say, swoon-worthy?! In real life, yikes! In fiction, though? Don't judge me!! I liked the way Ashland shows Bianca how deserving she really is until she believes it herself. Between her horrible, gaslighting mother and her lying, POS fiancé, she has been withered, beaten down, and trampled on for years. She doesn't think she's worth, or worthy, of anything, but Ashland, oh Ashland, he will go to the ends of the earth if someone so much as hurts a hair on her head. The way she slowly falls for him is captivating, even though she was initially a captive. I loved the push and pull between the two of them (well, mostly from her since he never had to push or pull for her!), and it kept me listening and engaged from start to finish. I didn't think this book was too long, and I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook. A couple of times, I found myself with my jaw hanging open because it was so deliciously devilish. Once again, Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross do an absolutely stellar job with their dual audiobook narration. They are TERRIFIC as these characters, and they work well together to bring them to life in a delectable, scandalous way. I cannot wait for the next book in this series, I am thoroughly appreciating it!
Thank you to Jane Henry and VPR Audio for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
June 17, 2026
He stalks her for 6 year, then takes her, and holds her captive for her own good! If that doesn't convince you that you need to read this Irish mafia dark romance, I don't know what would. I love the McCarthy world that Jane Henry has created. If you want mafia, this series is for you!
The audiobook is narrated by Kai Kennicott & Wen Ross. They bring the best narration for Irish mafia! Highly recommend the audibook.
The audiobook is narrated by Kai Kennicott & Wen Ross. They bring the best narration for Irish mafia! Highly recommend the audibook.
May 3, 2026
I devoured this book! Ashland was the swooniest obsessed stalker and I absolutely adored him! The story took some unexpected turns but I loved how true to themselves the characters remained!
April 30, 2026
this book was everything I could have ever wanted in a stalker romance, because we had man who would burn the world to save her, a mafia plot with intense conflict and just the best mafia family dynamic ever. This is the 2nd book in the McCarthy legacy series, following an Irish Mafia family with unhinged men and some eveb more unhinged women. I love me some Stockholm syndrome, and this is one of those cases where he kidnaps her “to protect her”, this time from her fiancée who’s secretly killed his previous wives (yeah that was dark). But don’t worry, becuase Ashland would move heaven and earth for Bianca. This man my favourite level of unhinged, he’s been watching her for six years, gone celibate waiting for her for six years, and fell in love with her over and over again. There is no denying that this man is obsessed and whipped beyond reason. And Bianca, although being slightly naive, is a badass who’s super smart and will stand up for those she loves. My favourite kind of theme in this book, was how both Bianca and Ashland love each other for the things they were most insecure about. Bianca was insecure about her weight, being plus sized, but our man Ashland basically spanked her and worshiped her until she finally let the extent of his love. And Ashland was so terrified of her leaving him, yet she chose him, again and again, despite seeing all the brutal things he did. If that’s not love, I don’t know what it is. The plot was amazing too, with them chasing down her crazy serial killer fiancée and basically starting a mafia war. The plot was full of intense twists and I could not put the book down. This book also had the best found family element, and I just love an unhinged but warm mafia family dynamic. I loved Bianca and Ashland’s story and can’t wait to see what’s next for the McCarthy family. I give this a 5/5
May 1, 2026
Jane Henry’s latest McCarthy Legacy book, Wicked Sanctuary takes you back into the world of the Irish mafia with Bianca and Ashland’s story. Every time Ashland calls Bianca ‘lass’ I fell deeper under his spell. This age gap stalker romance made for the perfect mafia read!
TROPES
🖤Age gap
🕵🏻Stälker
❤️He falls first
🩷Plus Sized Heroine
🦹🏻Bad Boy/ Good Girl
⛓️💥Captor/Captive
🔪Escaping a Killer
🌞Grumpy/Sunshine
🛏️Forced Proximity
🖤Obsessive Hero
🖤Morally Gray MMC
🇮🇪Mafia
Bianca’s character has to deal with trauma and the revelation that she had been lied to by her mom her entire life. Although hurt, she stays strong, and I love her resilience and how she holds her own with her grumpy captor. You can’t help but love Ashland—I mean who kidnaps someone and takes their cat too because he wants her to be happy? Ashland is obsessed, but he’s the kind you can get behind. Not only does he buy her favorite tea, he also brings her favorite books and makes sure she has everything she needs. The way Ashland cares for her and treats her had me more than willing to be his captive.
As always, you get to see the rest of the McCarthy family, and I love getting glimpses of the OG members. If you love a morally grey MC with an Irish brogue, forced proximity, age gap and a dangerous killer, this needs to be on your TBR!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
TROPES
🖤Age gap
🕵🏻Stälker
❤️He falls first
🩷Plus Sized Heroine
🦹🏻Bad Boy/ Good Girl
⛓️💥Captor/Captive
🔪Escaping a Killer
🌞Grumpy/Sunshine
🛏️Forced Proximity
🖤Obsessive Hero
🖤Morally Gray MMC
🇮🇪Mafia
Bianca’s character has to deal with trauma and the revelation that she had been lied to by her mom her entire life. Although hurt, she stays strong, and I love her resilience and how she holds her own with her grumpy captor. You can’t help but love Ashland—I mean who kidnaps someone and takes their cat too because he wants her to be happy? Ashland is obsessed, but he’s the kind you can get behind. Not only does he buy her favorite tea, he also brings her favorite books and makes sure she has everything she needs. The way Ashland cares for her and treats her had me more than willing to be his captive.
As always, you get to see the rest of the McCarthy family, and I love getting glimpses of the OG members. If you love a morally grey MC with an Irish brogue, forced proximity, age gap and a dangerous killer, this needs to be on your TBR!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
May 1, 2026
✨Gifted ALC✨
🎧 Audiobook
I listened to this as a stand-alone and couldn’t get enough of the devotion and protection and love our characters felt for one another.
THOUGHTS 💭
🌹 He sees himself as her protector; she sees him as her stalker/kidnapper. Potato, potatoe. 🤷♀️ His all-in, obsessive devotion was addicting to listen to. 🫠
🌹 Our FMC Bianca had body image issues, perpetrated by the people in her life who were supposed to love her; it made my heart hurt for her. 😭 I’m so glad she found someone who appreciated her curves.
🌹 Our MMC Ashland said the swooniest (and only slightly unhinged) things and we LOVE a dangerous MMC who would burn the world down for his person.
🌹 The family/found family in this mafia romance was perfection; you saw the ribbings and the meddling and the love that happened “behind the scenes” in the violent mafia lifestyle.
🎧 Those. Irish. Accents!! They were perfection.
🎧 I love duet narration where we can hear the voices of each of our MCs. Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life!
Thanks so much to Jane Henry and Valentine PR for the ALC of this book!
🎧 Audiobook
I listened to this as a stand-alone and couldn’t get enough of the devotion and protection and love our characters felt for one another.
THOUGHTS 💭
🌹 He sees himself as her protector; she sees him as her stalker/kidnapper. Potato, potatoe. 🤷♀️ His all-in, obsessive devotion was addicting to listen to. 🫠
🌹 Our FMC Bianca had body image issues, perpetrated by the people in her life who were supposed to love her; it made my heart hurt for her. 😭 I’m so glad she found someone who appreciated her curves.
🌹 Our MMC Ashland said the swooniest (and only slightly unhinged) things and we LOVE a dangerous MMC who would burn the world down for his person.
🌹 The family/found family in this mafia romance was perfection; you saw the ribbings and the meddling and the love that happened “behind the scenes” in the violent mafia lifestyle.
🎧 Those. Irish. Accents!! They were perfection.
🎧 I love duet narration where we can hear the voices of each of our MCs. Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life!
Thanks so much to Jane Henry and Valentine PR for the ALC of this book!
April 30, 2026
Thank you Jane Henry for the ARC of your book Wicked Sanctuary. This was a Dark Irish Mafia Romance with an enforcer MMC and a much younger and very innocent FMC.
Six years ago Ashland stumbled upon Bianca in a dangerous situation and saved her without thinking. Without knowing that his tough guy mentality was about to crumble for her. He’s OBSESSED. He stalks her, for her protection of course, and falls madly, deeply, obsessively in love from afar. Until the night he has to intervene to save her from herself and the choice she is about to make.
There is some kidnapping (both human and cat), some spanking 😉, a dash of Stockholm syndrome, some hard truths being revealed, a LOT of possessive and protective energy, some violence, oh, and the spice.
Six years ago Ashland stumbled upon Bianca in a dangerous situation and saved her without thinking. Without knowing that his tough guy mentality was about to crumble for her. He’s OBSESSED. He stalks her, for her protection of course, and falls madly, deeply, obsessively in love from afar. Until the night he has to intervene to save her from herself and the choice she is about to make.
There is some kidnapping (both human and cat), some spanking 😉, a dash of Stockholm syndrome, some hard truths being revealed, a LOT of possessive and protective energy, some violence, oh, and the spice.
April 28, 2026
I received an early copy of the audiobook version of this story. Thank you so much for this!
4.5 🌟
Another fantastic story by Jane. The narrators are absolute perfection for this story and make you feel every moment, every word, every emotion. Add on the beautiful story line with a solid age gap, a big tatted man pining and doing some light stalking, and a plot line that is full of tension and twists and every thing about this was amazing! I could not take my earbuds out!
I’m a sucker for anything Irish related but give me a dark, broody Irish mafia boss man who is soft for only her and yep you’ve got me hook, line, and sinker. I am so excited for the next book while at the same time wishing I could hear these first two books all over again for the first time!
4.5 🌟
Another fantastic story by Jane. The narrators are absolute perfection for this story and make you feel every moment, every word, every emotion. Add on the beautiful story line with a solid age gap, a big tatted man pining and doing some light stalking, and a plot line that is full of tension and twists and every thing about this was amazing! I could not take my earbuds out!
I’m a sucker for anything Irish related but give me a dark, broody Irish mafia boss man who is soft for only her and yep you’ve got me hook, line, and sinker. I am so excited for the next book while at the same time wishing I could hear these first two books all over again for the first time!
May 13, 2026
Thank you to VPR audio for the audiobook!
A standalone Irish mafia romance filled with high tension, forced proximity, and steamy, high stakes scenes. Protective stalker vibe x100%
A standalone Irish mafia romance filled with high tension, forced proximity, and steamy, high stakes scenes. Protective stalker vibe x100%
June 15, 2026
Let me tell y’all about this book… Wicked Sanctuary by Jane Henry had me in a chokehold from the very first page.
If you love a dark romance with a possessive, obsessed anti-hero who would burn the whole world down for his girl, then pull up a chair because Ashland McCarthy is about to ruin other book boyfriends for you. This man has been watching over Bianca White for six years. Six years! These two couldn’t be more opposites… where Bianca is sweet, and sheltered, Ashland is a weapon of mass destruction, a man to be feared, the villain of nightmares. And he knows it.
What makes this story so dang addictive is that Ashland never pretends to be the good guy. He knows Bianca has every reason to fear him. But every time danger comes knocking on her door, he steps in like her invisible guardian angel to protect her at all costs. But kidnapping her? This time, he might have crossed the line.
Now, don’t think Bianca is about to roll over and accept her fate. She fights him every step of the way, and honestly, I loved that about her. She gives Ashland a run for his money while he's over there convinced she's always been his. His to protect. His to love. His to keep. The hard part? Convincing Bianca and getting her to feel the same way.
The tension between these two is off the charts. Every argument, every protective moment, every possessive declaration had me kicking my feet and turning pages faster than I could keep up. And what I loved most was how fiercely protective Ashland is. Are his methods questionable? Sure… But in his mind, every decision comes from wanting Bianca safe. He'd rather have her angry and alive than free and in danger. That's what makes this story such a wild emotional ride… You know he's dangerous, but somehow you're still rooting for him.
Jane Henry absolutely nailed the dark, obsessive romance vibes in this one. If morally gray is your favorite color, and you go feral for forced proximity, touch her and ☠️ energy, and an MMC who says "mine" and means every single letter of it, then girl… this book is for you. I finished it with a book hangover and immediately wanted to start the next book.
Thank you Jane Henry and Valentine PR for an eARC copy of this book!
If you love a dark romance with a possessive, obsessed anti-hero who would burn the whole world down for his girl, then pull up a chair because Ashland McCarthy is about to ruin other book boyfriends for you. This man has been watching over Bianca White for six years. Six years! These two couldn’t be more opposites… where Bianca is sweet, and sheltered, Ashland is a weapon of mass destruction, a man to be feared, the villain of nightmares. And he knows it.
What makes this story so dang addictive is that Ashland never pretends to be the good guy. He knows Bianca has every reason to fear him. But every time danger comes knocking on her door, he steps in like her invisible guardian angel to protect her at all costs. But kidnapping her? This time, he might have crossed the line.
Now, don’t think Bianca is about to roll over and accept her fate. She fights him every step of the way, and honestly, I loved that about her. She gives Ashland a run for his money while he's over there convinced she's always been his. His to protect. His to love. His to keep. The hard part? Convincing Bianca and getting her to feel the same way.
The tension between these two is off the charts. Every argument, every protective moment, every possessive declaration had me kicking my feet and turning pages faster than I could keep up. And what I loved most was how fiercely protective Ashland is. Are his methods questionable? Sure… But in his mind, every decision comes from wanting Bianca safe. He'd rather have her angry and alive than free and in danger. That's what makes this story such a wild emotional ride… You know he's dangerous, but somehow you're still rooting for him.
Jane Henry absolutely nailed the dark, obsessive romance vibes in this one. If morally gray is your favorite color, and you go feral for forced proximity, touch her and ☠️ energy, and an MMC who says "mine" and means every single letter of it, then girl… this book is for you. I finished it with a book hangover and immediately wanted to start the next book.
Thank you Jane Henry and Valentine PR for an eARC copy of this book!
May 5, 2026
4.0 stars
Wicked Sanctuary is book 2 in The McCarthy Family series that follows Ashland McCarthy - mafia family enforcer and regular participant in the fighting circuit. After a fight several years ago, he noticed someone being attacked by 2 people in the alley on the way to his car. He jumps in to help and realizes after that the person he saves is a young girl. He helps her escape but he can’t forget about her. He finds out her name (Bianca) and starts checking on her to make sure she’s safe.
Checking in turns into protecting and eventually turns in to an obsession with Bianca that she has no idea about. When her world is about to change after her graduation, Ashland steps in to safe her once again. But she doesn’t believe him and fights him at every turn. Her world is turned upside down and he just prove himself to her, even when she runs away.
They both have to fight through their own minds to find a way back to one another. But can Bianca turn her back on every piece of information she’s been told her entire life??
Wicked Sanctuary is book 2 in The McCarthy Family series that follows Ashland McCarthy - mafia family enforcer and regular participant in the fighting circuit. After a fight several years ago, he noticed someone being attacked by 2 people in the alley on the way to his car. He jumps in to help and realizes after that the person he saves is a young girl. He helps her escape but he can’t forget about her. He finds out her name (Bianca) and starts checking on her to make sure she’s safe.
Checking in turns into protecting and eventually turns in to an obsession with Bianca that she has no idea about. When her world is about to change after her graduation, Ashland steps in to safe her once again. But she doesn’t believe him and fights him at every turn. Her world is turned upside down and he just prove himself to her, even when she runs away.
They both have to fight through their own minds to find a way back to one another. But can Bianca turn her back on every piece of information she’s been told her entire life??
May 23, 2026
Thank you to Valentine PR for the ARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.
A dark romance filled with obsession and chaos
Wicked Sanctuary by Jane Henry delivers a dark and emotionally intense story filled with toxic relationships, manipulation, obsession, and dangerous attraction. The atmosphere immediately pulls the reader into a heavy and unsettling world where trust barely exists and emotions constantly spiral out of control.
The strongest part of the story is definitely the tension between the characters. Their connection feels messy, obsessive, and emotionally volatile in a way that fits the darker tone of the book very well. The chemistry keeps the pages turning, especially during the more emotionally charged scenes.
At the same time, the story did feel repetitive at times. Several conflicts and emotional confrontations started to blend together, which slowed down the pacing in the middle part of the book. Some character motivations also felt underdeveloped, making it harder to fully connect emotionally with certain decisions and reactions.
While the atmosphere and darker relationship dynamics were interesting, the story occasionally focused so heavily on the toxic push and pull that it lost some emotional depth outside of the romance itself. Because of that, the emotional impact did not fully hit as strongly as expected.
Even so, ‘Wicked Sanctuary’ still offers an addictive dark romance atmosphere with enough tension and emotional chaos to keep fans of darker relationship dynamics engaged until the end.
Dark Romance | Possessive MMC | Obsession | Toxic Relationship | Forced Proximity | Morally Grey Characters | Psychological Tension | Power Dynamics | Emotional Chaos
A dark romance filled with obsession and chaos
Wicked Sanctuary by Jane Henry delivers a dark and emotionally intense story filled with toxic relationships, manipulation, obsession, and dangerous attraction. The atmosphere immediately pulls the reader into a heavy and unsettling world where trust barely exists and emotions constantly spiral out of control.
The strongest part of the story is definitely the tension between the characters. Their connection feels messy, obsessive, and emotionally volatile in a way that fits the darker tone of the book very well. The chemistry keeps the pages turning, especially during the more emotionally charged scenes.
At the same time, the story did feel repetitive at times. Several conflicts and emotional confrontations started to blend together, which slowed down the pacing in the middle part of the book. Some character motivations also felt underdeveloped, making it harder to fully connect emotionally with certain decisions and reactions.
While the atmosphere and darker relationship dynamics were interesting, the story occasionally focused so heavily on the toxic push and pull that it lost some emotional depth outside of the romance itself. Because of that, the emotional impact did not fully hit as strongly as expected.
Even so, ‘Wicked Sanctuary’ still offers an addictive dark romance atmosphere with enough tension and emotional chaos to keep fans of darker relationship dynamics engaged until the end.
Dark Romance | Possessive MMC | Obsession | Toxic Relationship | Forced Proximity | Morally Grey Characters | Psychological Tension | Power Dynamics | Emotional Chaos
May 12, 2026
Wicked Sanctuary- Jane Henry
Narrated by Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Narration 🎧🎧🎧🎧
I loved Ashland’s overprotective possessive energy. He went above and beyond to protect his girl, the girl who didn’t even know was under his protection for so long. This definitely had beauty and the beast vibes, which I loved. I thought this was a really great “light” mafia romance. It wasn’t that dark, even with the mmc being a stalker, he was a giant green flag.
Kai and Wen did great. There were times where they slipped out of the Irish accent and back into their natural American accents, but I think overall as a performance they did great!
Narrated by Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Narration 🎧🎧🎧🎧
I loved Ashland’s overprotective possessive energy. He went above and beyond to protect his girl, the girl who didn’t even know was under his protection for so long. This definitely had beauty and the beast vibes, which I loved. I thought this was a really great “light” mafia romance. It wasn’t that dark, even with the mmc being a stalker, he was a giant green flag.
Kai and Wen did great. There were times where they slipped out of the Irish accent and back into their natural American accents, but I think overall as a performance they did great!
May 2, 2026
This man is just a big protective teddy bear!! Yes he might be over protective and over bearing sometimes but he’s just a teddy when you get to know him. And her? Well she is most definitely one of the top MFC that had such an amazing character growth yet that I absolutely love her!!
The audio for this so good, it is in duel narration and performed by Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross just like the last couple books. But they do such an amazing job that you don’t notice. I will most definitely put this in one of the top mafia romance reads for the year!
The audio for this so good, it is in duel narration and performed by Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross just like the last couple books. But they do such an amazing job that you don’t notice. I will most definitely put this in one of the top mafia romance reads for the year!
May 8, 2026
another enjoyable mafia romance
I really enjoy the way the author writes her mafia books. The intensity, the linking the stories together and the spicy scenes. I can’t wait to see which McCarthy we get next.
I really enjoy the way the author writes her mafia books. The intensity, the linking the stories together and the spicy scenes. I can’t wait to see which McCarthy we get next.
May 13, 2026
Thank you to Valentine PR and Jane Henry for the ALC of Wicked Sanctuary.
Audiobook review; 4⭐
Narrators : 5⭐
With the opening scene and how the two MCs met, I was hooked. Ashland was so stinking cute looking out for Bianca over the years. I love a stalker mafia and this had most of the things I loved in it. The spice was also spicing ! I would have loved to have seen more from Bianca , a bit more fire or like depth to her. Ashland was perfect though... No notes from me 😏. This was such a fun mafia read.
Audiobook review; 4⭐
Narrators : 5⭐
With the opening scene and how the two MCs met, I was hooked. Ashland was so stinking cute looking out for Bianca over the years. I love a stalker mafia and this had most of the things I loved in it. The spice was also spicing ! I would have loved to have seen more from Bianca , a bit more fire or like depth to her. Ashland was perfect though... No notes from me 😏. This was such a fun mafia read.
May 6, 2026
Wow I also hated this should I reread fourth wing to feel something like
May 12, 2026
ARC :)
🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TROPES:
Dark Irish Mafia
Bad Boy-Good Girl
Beauty & the Beast Vibes
Captor-Captive
Grumpy-Sunshine
He Falls First
Age Gap
Dual POV
“Now, let me worship you. Not another word or I'll give you a proper spanking. Do you understand me?” 🥵🥵🥵
🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TROPES:
Dark Irish Mafia
Bad Boy-Good Girl
Beauty & the Beast Vibes
Captor-Captive
Grumpy-Sunshine
He Falls First
Age Gap
Dual POV
“Now, let me worship you. Not another word or I'll give you a proper spanking. Do you understand me?” 🥵🥵🥵
May 1, 2026
OBSESSED, UNHINGED AND COMPLETELY ADDICTIVE!!!!
I didn’t just read Wicked Sanctuary…I was swallowed by it. Heart pounding, breath held, completely locked in from the first page to the last.
Jane Henry delivers a dark stalker romance that is emotionally explosive, dangerously seductive and absolutely impossible to put down.
Ashland McCarthy is the kind of book boyfriend that ruins standards.
Ruthless. Possessive. Morally black. Unapologetically lethal.
But what makes him unforgettable isn’t just what he is…
It’s what he was made into.
A weapon for the McCarthy family.
An underground fighter forged in violence and survival.
A man everyone fears… who was never given the chance to be soft.
Except when it comes to Bianca.
Because for six years, Ashland has been hers in every way that mattered.
Six years of silent protection from the shadows.
Six years of watching, waiting, restraining.
Six years of a consuming fixation he never acted on.
Six years without another woman, because Bianca was already his world.
And when that truth finally collides with action?
It’s not impulsive.
It’s inevitable.
From the moment he takes her, the tension becomes suffocating…in the best possible way.
Forced proximity, emotional warfare, constant push and pull… every interaction between them feels like a spark held too close to gasoline.
And Bianca?
She is unforgettable in her own right.
A plus-size heroine who is intelligent, beautiful and deeply human in her vulnerability and strength. She isn’t written to be perfect…she’s written to feel real.
You understand her fear, her anger, her resilience… and you root for her survival in every sense of the word.
Especially under control that turns your stomach.
Because Marcus is chilling.
The way he dictates her body, her choices, her entire existence, it’s suffocating, disturbing and infuriating in all the right ways.
Every scene with him builds a deeper need for escape, for justice, for her freedom.
And then there’s Ashland.
The contrast is everything.
Where Marcus diminishes her, Ashland devours her attention…with intensity, need and something dangerously close to reverence.
The way he looks at her, touches her, claims her… it’s overwhelming in the best way.
Like she’s the only thing grounding the chaos inside him.
And the spice?
Filthy. Possessive. Electrifying.
The dirty talk is commanding and unrestrained, dripping with control and obsession, but underneath it all is something deeper…emotion that sneaks up on you and makes every intimate moment feel even more intense.
The chemistry doesn’t just build… it detonates.
This is not just heat.
It’s fixation.
It’s possession.
It’s surrender.
And Bianca’s journey only deepens the impact.
Because everything she thought she knew about the McCarthys begins to fracture.
Past trauma, buried truths and a devastating betrayal from someone meant to protect her shift everything she believes about her world.
And still, through all of it, there is warmth where she least expects it.
The McCarthy family, especially the women welcome her without hesitation.
No cruelty. No judgment.
Just an unexpected space where she begins to feel seen… and slowly, a genuine sense of belonging starts to grow in the cracks of everything she’s lost.
But danger never leaves the edges.
Secrets unravel. Loyalties twist. Family history bleeds into the present.
Every revelation raises the stakes higher until it feels like one wrong move could destroy everything.
And Ashland?
He would burn the world before letting it touch her.
This book delivers:
🖤A kidnapping-fueled, high-tension dark romance that never lets up
💚A strong, relatable plus-size heroine who fights to reclaim herself
🖤An obsessive, morally black protector who becomes utterly unhinged for her
💚Betrayals, secrets, and emotional twists that shift everything
🖤Dirty, addictive, emotionally charged spice with devastating chemistry
💚A found-family dynamic that sneaks in warmth amid the darkness
Jane Henry doesn’t just write dark mafia romance here…she masterfully builds a world that feels volatile, intimate and completely consuming.
THIS. IS. A. MUST. READ!
Ashland McCarthy isn’t just the monster everyone fears…
He’s the one who sees Bianca exactly as she is!
Her protector.
Her obsession.
Her Sanctuary.
I didn’t just read Wicked Sanctuary…I was swallowed by it. Heart pounding, breath held, completely locked in from the first page to the last.
Jane Henry delivers a dark stalker romance that is emotionally explosive, dangerously seductive and absolutely impossible to put down.
Ashland McCarthy is the kind of book boyfriend that ruins standards.
Ruthless. Possessive. Morally black. Unapologetically lethal.
But what makes him unforgettable isn’t just what he is…
It’s what he was made into.
A weapon for the McCarthy family.
An underground fighter forged in violence and survival.
A man everyone fears… who was never given the chance to be soft.
Except when it comes to Bianca.
Because for six years, Ashland has been hers in every way that mattered.
Six years of silent protection from the shadows.
Six years of watching, waiting, restraining.
Six years of a consuming fixation he never acted on.
Six years without another woman, because Bianca was already his world.
And when that truth finally collides with action?
It’s not impulsive.
It’s inevitable.
From the moment he takes her, the tension becomes suffocating…in the best possible way.
Forced proximity, emotional warfare, constant push and pull… every interaction between them feels like a spark held too close to gasoline.
And Bianca?
She is unforgettable in her own right.
A plus-size heroine who is intelligent, beautiful and deeply human in her vulnerability and strength. She isn’t written to be perfect…she’s written to feel real.
You understand her fear, her anger, her resilience… and you root for her survival in every sense of the word.
Especially under control that turns your stomach.
Because Marcus is chilling.
The way he dictates her body, her choices, her entire existence, it’s suffocating, disturbing and infuriating in all the right ways.
Every scene with him builds a deeper need for escape, for justice, for her freedom.
And then there’s Ashland.
The contrast is everything.
Where Marcus diminishes her, Ashland devours her attention…with intensity, need and something dangerously close to reverence.
The way he looks at her, touches her, claims her… it’s overwhelming in the best way.
Like she’s the only thing grounding the chaos inside him.
And the spice?
Filthy. Possessive. Electrifying.
The dirty talk is commanding and unrestrained, dripping with control and obsession, but underneath it all is something deeper…emotion that sneaks up on you and makes every intimate moment feel even more intense.
The chemistry doesn’t just build… it detonates.
This is not just heat.
It’s fixation.
It’s possession.
It’s surrender.
And Bianca’s journey only deepens the impact.
Because everything she thought she knew about the McCarthys begins to fracture.
Past trauma, buried truths and a devastating betrayal from someone meant to protect her shift everything she believes about her world.
And still, through all of it, there is warmth where she least expects it.
The McCarthy family, especially the women welcome her without hesitation.
No cruelty. No judgment.
Just an unexpected space where she begins to feel seen… and slowly, a genuine sense of belonging starts to grow in the cracks of everything she’s lost.
But danger never leaves the edges.
Secrets unravel. Loyalties twist. Family history bleeds into the present.
Every revelation raises the stakes higher until it feels like one wrong move could destroy everything.
And Ashland?
He would burn the world before letting it touch her.
This book delivers:
🖤A kidnapping-fueled, high-tension dark romance that never lets up
💚A strong, relatable plus-size heroine who fights to reclaim herself
🖤An obsessive, morally black protector who becomes utterly unhinged for her
💚Betrayals, secrets, and emotional twists that shift everything
🖤Dirty, addictive, emotionally charged spice with devastating chemistry
💚A found-family dynamic that sneaks in warmth amid the darkness
Jane Henry doesn’t just write dark mafia romance here…she masterfully builds a world that feels volatile, intimate and completely consuming.
THIS. IS. A. MUST. READ!
Ashland McCarthy isn’t just the monster everyone fears…
He’s the one who sees Bianca exactly as she is!
Her protector.
Her obsession.
Her Sanctuary.
May 12, 2026
❀˖˚ ARC REVIEW ˚˖❀
I finally sat down to write my review for Wicked Sanctuary, and honestly, I think the simplest way to describe my experience with this book is this: I was completely obsessed with it!
This is one of those dark romances that completely consumes your thoughts. The atmosphere is heavy from the very beginning — tense, intimate, unsettling, and deeply immersive. Jane Henry creates a world that feels cold and dangerous, yet strangely hypnotic, and every chapter carries this underlying sense of inevitability that makes it impossible to stop reading.
At the center of the story are Ashland and Bianca, two characters who could not be more different on the surface, yet fit together in a way that feels both destructive and inevitable.
Ashland is a dark romance hero. He is obsessive, possessive, deeply violent, and morally compromised in almost every sense. But what makes him such a compelling character is that beneath all of that brutality is a man who genuinely believes his entire purpose is to protect Bianca. His fixation on her is extreme and deeply unsettling at times, yet Jane Henry writes him with enough emotional depth that he never feels one-dimensional. There is something fascinating about the contrast between the man the world sees — ruthless, feared, dangerous — and the man Bianca slowly uncovers beneath that exterior.
What I appreciated most about Ashland was that the novel never attempts to soften what he is. His obsession is not romanticized into something gentle or harmless. Instead, the story leans fully into the psychological intensity of his devotion, and that honesty makes the emotional tension far more effective.
Bianca was equally compelling to me, though in a much quieter way. She is intelligent, sensitive, and emotionally worn down by years of criticism and control disguised as care. Some of the most affecting parts of the novel were not the darker mafia elements, but Bianca’s internal struggles — her relationship with her body, the way she minimizes herself for the comfort of others, and the loneliness she carries even while surrounded by people who claim to love her.
There is a sadness to her character that feels very authentic and relatable.
Watching Bianca slowly begin to question the life she thought she wanted — and the people she trusted — was one of the strongest aspects of the novel for me.
And the chemistry between Ashland and Bianca is absolutely electric.
Not playful or lighthearted, but intense in a way that feels almost claustrophobic at times. Every interaction between them carries tension, fear, fascination, anger, desire and emotional dependence, all layered together so effectively that even quieter scenes feel charged. Their relationship is messy and morally complicated, but there is also an undeniable emotional vulnerability beneath it that surprised me more than once.
What truly elevated the romance for me was the strange tenderness threaded throughout the darkness. Ashland’s devotion to Bianca is obsessive to an unhealthy degree, yet there are moments where his reverence for her feels almost painfully sincere. And Bianca, despite her fear, slowly begins to recognize the fractured humanity underneath the monster everyone else sees.
The pacing of the novel was excellent as well. The tension never disappears, and the sense of danger surrounding Marcus lingers over the story from the very beginning. Jane Henry does a wonderful job gradually revealing the truth while maintaining a constant atmosphere of unease.
Overall, Wicked Sanctuary was an incredibly immersive reading experience for me — dark, emotionally intense, unsettling, and strangely beautiful all at once. It is not a romance that attempts to be healthy or conventional, nor should it be approached expecting that. Instead, it fully embraces the obsession, possessiveness, and moral ambiguity at the heart of dark romance, while still grounding the story in genuine emotional depth.
Ashland and Bianca stayed in my head long after I finished the final chapter, and for me, that is always the sign of a truly memorable book.
Love you Jane Henry!
I finally sat down to write my review for Wicked Sanctuary, and honestly, I think the simplest way to describe my experience with this book is this: I was completely obsessed with it!
This is one of those dark romances that completely consumes your thoughts. The atmosphere is heavy from the very beginning — tense, intimate, unsettling, and deeply immersive. Jane Henry creates a world that feels cold and dangerous, yet strangely hypnotic, and every chapter carries this underlying sense of inevitability that makes it impossible to stop reading.
At the center of the story are Ashland and Bianca, two characters who could not be more different on the surface, yet fit together in a way that feels both destructive and inevitable.
Ashland is a dark romance hero. He is obsessive, possessive, deeply violent, and morally compromised in almost every sense. But what makes him such a compelling character is that beneath all of that brutality is a man who genuinely believes his entire purpose is to protect Bianca. His fixation on her is extreme and deeply unsettling at times, yet Jane Henry writes him with enough emotional depth that he never feels one-dimensional. There is something fascinating about the contrast between the man the world sees — ruthless, feared, dangerous — and the man Bianca slowly uncovers beneath that exterior.
What I appreciated most about Ashland was that the novel never attempts to soften what he is. His obsession is not romanticized into something gentle or harmless. Instead, the story leans fully into the psychological intensity of his devotion, and that honesty makes the emotional tension far more effective.
Bianca was equally compelling to me, though in a much quieter way. She is intelligent, sensitive, and emotionally worn down by years of criticism and control disguised as care. Some of the most affecting parts of the novel were not the darker mafia elements, but Bianca’s internal struggles — her relationship with her body, the way she minimizes herself for the comfort of others, and the loneliness she carries even while surrounded by people who claim to love her.
There is a sadness to her character that feels very authentic and relatable.
Watching Bianca slowly begin to question the life she thought she wanted — and the people she trusted — was one of the strongest aspects of the novel for me.
And the chemistry between Ashland and Bianca is absolutely electric.
Not playful or lighthearted, but intense in a way that feels almost claustrophobic at times. Every interaction between them carries tension, fear, fascination, anger, desire and emotional dependence, all layered together so effectively that even quieter scenes feel charged. Their relationship is messy and morally complicated, but there is also an undeniable emotional vulnerability beneath it that surprised me more than once.
What truly elevated the romance for me was the strange tenderness threaded throughout the darkness. Ashland’s devotion to Bianca is obsessive to an unhealthy degree, yet there are moments where his reverence for her feels almost painfully sincere. And Bianca, despite her fear, slowly begins to recognize the fractured humanity underneath the monster everyone else sees.
The pacing of the novel was excellent as well. The tension never disappears, and the sense of danger surrounding Marcus lingers over the story from the very beginning. Jane Henry does a wonderful job gradually revealing the truth while maintaining a constant atmosphere of unease.
Overall, Wicked Sanctuary was an incredibly immersive reading experience for me — dark, emotionally intense, unsettling, and strangely beautiful all at once. It is not a romance that attempts to be healthy or conventional, nor should it be approached expecting that. Instead, it fully embraces the obsession, possessiveness, and moral ambiguity at the heart of dark romance, while still grounding the story in genuine emotional depth.
Ashland and Bianca stayed in my head long after I finished the final chapter, and for me, that is always the sign of a truly memorable book.
Love you Jane Henry!
May 4, 2026
Wicked Sanctuary by Jane Henry is book two in the McCarthy Family Legacy series. A dark Irish Mafia, age gap, stalker romance between Ashland McCarthy and Bianca White. We are back in Ballyhock with the enforcer for the family and a young woman he unexpectedly rescues. It is a
messy and complicated love story because how they started was wrong but it develops into so much more. Is it romantic that he stalks her or is his obsession a crime. Can she fall in love with her captor? Whoever knew a stalker could be so swoon worthy.
"We’re all mad here.”
Ashland is a monster in the underground fighting scene after years of being made that way by his family. He is vicious, brutal and loves winning as it makes him feel alive. He is loyal to his family but is struggling over the death of his older brother. One night after a fight he hears a scream and sees two men kidnapping someone. He is shocked when he realises he’s just rescued a young woman. He keeps his actions a secret as doesn’t see himself as a hero, however, he can’t shake the memory of her. He gets her address and starts watching her. This slowly turns into stalking because he has a growing need to make sure she’s safe.
He believes it’s for her own good and sees himself as her protector, hiding out of sight but always there. It was sweet how he reacted when he accidentally bumps into her and she smiles at him.
His obsession with her gets worse and he still hasn’t told anyone about her. As the years pass he falls in love with her even though she doesn't knows he exists. She is all he thinks about but knows it’s wrong as she’s too young and innocent for him. I laughed at some of the things does
to safeguard her because he refuses to let her hurt again on his watch.
The story then jumps forward to the present day and it’s been six years of watching and wanting her. It’s her graduation but also the day she moves in with her fiancé Marcus Crowning. Her mother is very happy about her getting married but Bianca is becoming unsettled over her future.
While finishing her packing at home a man grabs her and although he promises not to hurt her, she is drugged and taken.
Ashland’s unconventional approach to protecting her means he has a lot of explaining to do. Although she’s scared, he hopes she’ll understand when he reveals the truth behind his actions. Will she believe what he has to tell her about her fiancé and all the other revelations to come. He worries what her reaction will be when she finds out he’s a McCarthy because her father died working for them. He struggles with his duty to his family while keeping her a secret from them in his cabin in the woods.
Things get interesting between them while locked in the cabin together. Bianca sees him as a monster but develops feelings for him which confuse her especially when he tells her what he’s been doing the last six years. It was funny as she becomes very sassy with him and causes him problems when she tries to escape. When he ends up rescuing her again, she wonders what a future with him look like due to his mafia connections. Ashland is adorable with how he constantly tells her she’s perfect and treats her like she’s precious. For a violent man he is so soft with Bianca and worships her.
There is some mafia suspense and drama with her mother as the consequences of his actions build up. Can he do what he has to do without causing a war for his family and will they support him when they find out. There is more going on than anyone realises so after everything will she choose him. Loved Declan’s teasing, how his family is with her and the friendship she builds with Bronwyn. An exciting but violent event brings the story to a climax and then we get a romantic ending. A fun and enjoyable story about a great couple. She was always his and no-one can take her from him. He is her monster and exactly what she needed. Looking forward to more about this generation of the family.
(There were many mistakes in the arc so hopefully these have been sorted out in the final edit)
messy and complicated love story because how they started was wrong but it develops into so much more. Is it romantic that he stalks her or is his obsession a crime. Can she fall in love with her captor? Whoever knew a stalker could be so swoon worthy.
"We’re all mad here.”
Ashland is a monster in the underground fighting scene after years of being made that way by his family. He is vicious, brutal and loves winning as it makes him feel alive. He is loyal to his family but is struggling over the death of his older brother. One night after a fight he hears a scream and sees two men kidnapping someone. He is shocked when he realises he’s just rescued a young woman. He keeps his actions a secret as doesn’t see himself as a hero, however, he can’t shake the memory of her. He gets her address and starts watching her. This slowly turns into stalking because he has a growing need to make sure she’s safe.
He believes it’s for her own good and sees himself as her protector, hiding out of sight but always there. It was sweet how he reacted when he accidentally bumps into her and she smiles at him.
His obsession with her gets worse and he still hasn’t told anyone about her. As the years pass he falls in love with her even though she doesn't knows he exists. She is all he thinks about but knows it’s wrong as she’s too young and innocent for him. I laughed at some of the things does
to safeguard her because he refuses to let her hurt again on his watch.
The story then jumps forward to the present day and it’s been six years of watching and wanting her. It’s her graduation but also the day she moves in with her fiancé Marcus Crowning. Her mother is very happy about her getting married but Bianca is becoming unsettled over her future.
While finishing her packing at home a man grabs her and although he promises not to hurt her, she is drugged and taken.
Ashland’s unconventional approach to protecting her means he has a lot of explaining to do. Although she’s scared, he hopes she’ll understand when he reveals the truth behind his actions. Will she believe what he has to tell her about her fiancé and all the other revelations to come. He worries what her reaction will be when she finds out he’s a McCarthy because her father died working for them. He struggles with his duty to his family while keeping her a secret from them in his cabin in the woods.
Things get interesting between them while locked in the cabin together. Bianca sees him as a monster but develops feelings for him which confuse her especially when he tells her what he’s been doing the last six years. It was funny as she becomes very sassy with him and causes him problems when she tries to escape. When he ends up rescuing her again, she wonders what a future with him look like due to his mafia connections. Ashland is adorable with how he constantly tells her she’s perfect and treats her like she’s precious. For a violent man he is so soft with Bianca and worships her.
There is some mafia suspense and drama with her mother as the consequences of his actions build up. Can he do what he has to do without causing a war for his family and will they support him when they find out. There is more going on than anyone realises so after everything will she choose him. Loved Declan’s teasing, how his family is with her and the friendship she builds with Bronwyn. An exciting but violent event brings the story to a climax and then we get a romantic ending. A fun and enjoyable story about a great couple. She was always his and no-one can take her from him. He is her monster and exactly what she needed. Looking forward to more about this generation of the family.
(There were many mistakes in the arc so hopefully these have been sorted out in the final edit)
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