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The McCarthy Family Legacy #2
Wicked Sanctuary
508 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2026
414 people are currently reading
614 people want to read
About the author
Jane Henry
131 books2,794 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 217 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 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 6, 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, Stolen from OM, Stalker
💫 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, Stolen from OM, Stalker
💫 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.
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. 🧘🏻♀️
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.
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. ✨
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
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 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.
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 8, 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 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 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 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 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)
May 2, 2026
3 STARS
Talk about a man obsessed.
If you love your fictional men unhinged, burn the world down for her, wholly obsessed types, you're going to love Ashland.
Ash is brutal in the underground fighting ring and his reputation definitely precedes him.
But when he rescues a young woman outside of the fighting club one night, something irrevocably changes. He becomes obsessed with the girl and her safety. He stalks her for six years, watches her every move, her every like and dislike. He's so obsessed, that no other woman will do even though he knows he can never have her. So he watches her from afar (or near far haha) until her safety is threatened to the point that only kidnapping her will do.
Now I love a man obsessed. And it's a whole level of obsessed where he sees her once, rescues her, she runs away from him in fear, and he is celibate for 6 years while he stalks and pines for her. Though for a reader who enjoys their mafia romance with a bit of grit and edge, this one felt a bit fluffy for me. I'm not a fan of the insta love trope, so this definitely worked against me in this story. However, if that's your thing, you will LOVE.
The story is entertaining but somehow felt too long and yet not fully developed. I struggled to buy into the romance, though I fully enjoyed their chemistry. I suppose that things just moved so quick, it was difficult to buy in Ash's immediate feelings and Bianca's quick turn around. She goes form wanting to escape him to loving him and I just really wanted to feel that burn.
If you want to dip your toes into the mafia romance genre and enjoy cinnamon roll MMCs who are still very lethal, this will hit the spot for you. For me, it was just a touch too fluffy for my tastes. I wanted the burn, the grit, the edge, and I never really got that.
While it didn't blow me away, it still definitely hooked me on the series, so I'll definitely be reading the next book and going back to read the first in this series.
Give it a shot if you're looking for an unhinged MMC who is wholly obsessed with his woman.
ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
I am hopelessly in love with a woman I’ve never touched, who doesn’t even know I exist.
Talk about a man obsessed.
If you love your fictional men unhinged, burn the world down for her, wholly obsessed types, you're going to love Ashland.
Ash is brutal in the underground fighting ring and his reputation definitely precedes him.
But when he rescues a young woman outside of the fighting club one night, something irrevocably changes. He becomes obsessed with the girl and her safety. He stalks her for six years, watches her every move, her every like and dislike. He's so obsessed, that no other woman will do even though he knows he can never have her. So he watches her from afar (or near far haha) until her safety is threatened to the point that only kidnapping her will do.
Now I love a man obsessed. And it's a whole level of obsessed where he sees her once, rescues her, she runs away from him in fear, and he is celibate for 6 years while he stalks and pines for her. Though for a reader who enjoys their mafia romance with a bit of grit and edge, this one felt a bit fluffy for me. I'm not a fan of the insta love trope, so this definitely worked against me in this story. However, if that's your thing, you will LOVE.
The story is entertaining but somehow felt too long and yet not fully developed. I struggled to buy into the romance, though I fully enjoyed their chemistry. I suppose that things just moved so quick, it was difficult to buy in Ash's immediate feelings and Bianca's quick turn around. She goes form wanting to escape him to loving him and I just really wanted to feel that burn.
If you want to dip your toes into the mafia romance genre and enjoy cinnamon roll MMCs who are still very lethal, this will hit the spot for you. For me, it was just a touch too fluffy for my tastes. I wanted the burn, the grit, the edge, and I never really got that.
While it didn't blow me away, it still definitely hooked me on the series, so I'll definitely be reading the next book and going back to read the first in this series.
Give it a shot if you're looking for an unhinged MMC who is wholly obsessed with his woman.
ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
Review of advance copy
While I loved Cavin and Erin’s story, I think Ashland and Bianca’s will forever be my favorite. I loved Ashland in the first book, so I was ecstatic to see that we were getting a book about him. This will 100% be a re-read for me.
I was cackling at how Ashland was trying to reason his way through his hyper fixation on her, and then gradual acceptance of his obsession. I did love the fact that he logically knew it would be perceived wrong, but emotionally couldn’t disconnect. Sometimes I feel like when we have obsessive and possessive MMC’s they think more through raw emotion than anything, and it was nice to see that the logical and levelheadedness of Ashland’s character wasn’t overridden by his desires. He’s a very self-controlled character and that came through in his pursuit and protection of Bianca. I also enjoyed how he just accepted the fact that his actions were creepy but stood by them, knowing he wouldn’t have done anything different. There’s something satisfying about a character who is unapologetic in who they are.
I connected with Bianca much more than I thought I was going to. To be honest, some of the scenes with her mom was giving me flashbacks to my own instances of trying to make myself smaller or comments regarding my weight. It was wonderful to see Bianca grow from trying to minimize herself to standing firm in who she is without any apologies. Sometimes you just have to find someone who is willing to stand next to you and remind you who you are until you believe it yourself. Ashland did that for her…albeit a little dominatingly but still, everyone needs a different touch.
I loved how intelligent she was. Her first thought was to calm the situation down and gather information before making a decision. She knew that panicking would get her nowhere. Every decision she made was calculated, even if it was driven by an emotion like desire or fear. She knew what she wanted and went for it unapologetically, even if it did end with a punishment from Ashland.
Again, I cannot say enough about Jane’s writing with how she handles the BDSM aspects of the book. She does a great representation of the give and take in a dominating, submissive relationship that intermixes outside of scenes. Especially when you have someone as intelligent and stubborn as Bianca.
I also love the juxtaposition of seeing Bianca with Marcus, then the immediate turn around of her with Ashland. You get to see what looks like possessiveness and protectiveness but is actually controlling, before immediately being exposed to someone who is possessive and protective, but is consistently checking consent and what Bianca desires.
I love that we get to see the family, and how the characters are handling the aftermath of the first book but we also get a large portion where it’s just Ashland and Bianca. I love the way that Jane structured the narrative so we get to really settle in with Ashland and Bianca; get to know their dynamic, lay the foundation for the conflict, and see the first layer peeled back on the lies that have been told.
There’s a great balance of humor, violence, sweetness, spiciness, and heart wrenching.
Overall I would recommend for those that love open door mafia romances with self-aware MMC’s who make good on the touch her and die threat, FMC’s who are intelligent and willing to take risks, and sprinkle of humor to cut through the darkness.
I was cackling at how Ashland was trying to reason his way through his hyper fixation on her, and then gradual acceptance of his obsession. I did love the fact that he logically knew it would be perceived wrong, but emotionally couldn’t disconnect. Sometimes I feel like when we have obsessive and possessive MMC’s they think more through raw emotion than anything, and it was nice to see that the logical and levelheadedness of Ashland’s character wasn’t overridden by his desires. He’s a very self-controlled character and that came through in his pursuit and protection of Bianca. I also enjoyed how he just accepted the fact that his actions were creepy but stood by them, knowing he wouldn’t have done anything different. There’s something satisfying about a character who is unapologetic in who they are.
I connected with Bianca much more than I thought I was going to. To be honest, some of the scenes with her mom was giving me flashbacks to my own instances of trying to make myself smaller or comments regarding my weight. It was wonderful to see Bianca grow from trying to minimize herself to standing firm in who she is without any apologies. Sometimes you just have to find someone who is willing to stand next to you and remind you who you are until you believe it yourself. Ashland did that for her…albeit a little dominatingly but still, everyone needs a different touch.
I loved how intelligent she was. Her first thought was to calm the situation down and gather information before making a decision. She knew that panicking would get her nowhere. Every decision she made was calculated, even if it was driven by an emotion like desire or fear. She knew what she wanted and went for it unapologetically, even if it did end with a punishment from Ashland.
Again, I cannot say enough about Jane’s writing with how she handles the BDSM aspects of the book. She does a great representation of the give and take in a dominating, submissive relationship that intermixes outside of scenes. Especially when you have someone as intelligent and stubborn as Bianca.
I also love the juxtaposition of seeing Bianca with Marcus, then the immediate turn around of her with Ashland. You get to see what looks like possessiveness and protectiveness but is actually controlling, before immediately being exposed to someone who is possessive and protective, but is consistently checking consent and what Bianca desires.
I love that we get to see the family, and how the characters are handling the aftermath of the first book but we also get a large portion where it’s just Ashland and Bianca. I love the way that Jane structured the narrative so we get to really settle in with Ashland and Bianca; get to know their dynamic, lay the foundation for the conflict, and see the first layer peeled back on the lies that have been told.
There’s a great balance of humor, violence, sweetness, spiciness, and heart wrenching.
Overall I would recommend for those that love open door mafia romances with self-aware MMC’s who make good on the touch her and die threat, FMC’s who are intelligent and willing to take risks, and sprinkle of humor to cut through the darkness.
Review of advance copy
Wicked Sanctuary: A Dark
Irish Mafia Age Gap Romance
(The McCarthy Family Legacy)
by Jane Henry
Having won his fight Ashland McCarthy is walking away from his cousin and feeling good about the win. It isn’t until he hears a scream …..someone was trying to kidnap the person, one holding the figure, one putting a black hood over their head. This was happening on McCarthy turf, Ash could take these two men….he had them on the ground and went to the figure who was hugging the wall, whoever it is was terrified. He asked her if she was ok, he gave her money for a taxi home. He had the image of her in his head, in his dreams and he knew he would never forget her. Bianca White would always be the one he saved!
This is our introduction to Ashland McCarthy and Bianca White.
From the beginning to the end there is non stop action. Ash being the McCarthy’s best fighter he is always going to be needed when the family needs their defender! Fighting is what he does, tracking people is what he does, protecting people is what he does but when it comes to Bianca White the girl from that night six years ago…it’s gone from just checking on her to obsessing over her, fantasizing about her! His need to protecter her drives him to kidnapping her. A cabin in the woods, a beautiful innocent woman and a monster. Or is he really the monster he believes himself to be.
There are things neither Ash or Bianca would share. She is worried about her mam and her fiancé. He was worried she would find out who he really was. The back and forth, the banter and the trust, if there was trust between them it puts them at odds. He knows who her fiancé is but does she know the darkness that has engulfs that man? Does she believe what Ash is telling her or will she have to discover what she needs to know on her own?
The author gives readers a solid story line. A trick she plays on Ash, a realization that maybe he wasn’t wrong and a woman who has been lied to for so long knows that there is only one person who can help her a second time, but will he come when she needs him.
As this author is want to do, there are twists and turns and an awaking by Bianca in regards to the entire McCarthy family. Bianca’s character growth is like a beautiful flower growing into a strong woman who now realizes everything that had been done to her by Ash was his way of showing her how much he loves her. The energy that arcs between them both, the care he takes with her and the spice and heat that flows between them is hotter than the sun!
A man who believes he is a monster and a Beauty who knows that he is not, become a force when they come together. Wicked Sanctuary gets five stars from me. There were so many parts that had me sitting on the edge of my seat! I can’t wait to see which McCarthy we will meet next.
May 8, 2026
Very boring, considering the premise.
Also, I’m all for plus sized FMCs, but not when their weight insecurity is their entire personality.
She even admits as much.
If you’re abducted and are hesitant about eating the offered food – not in fear of being poisoned, but of potentially gaining weight from it – I reserve the right to take you by the shoulders and violently shake you.
Get a grip.
I couldn’t even tell you when this mess is happening either.
We know it’s after the events of the first book, but it can’t be six years later. Everything seems too fresh?
And he paints Cavin to be some clown when we all know that’s not the case.
The McCarthys are a family of spankers, I’ll tell you that much.
It wasn’t done in any notably exciting type of way last time and reheating your own nachos in the very next book isn’t exactly advisable.
It doesn’t get interesting until around 40%, but it was like the author didn’t know what to do with a vehicle capable of acceleration and began to swerve a bit.
We’re jumping in between moments indiscriminately in order to quickly get back on track.
It’s a mess.
Lots of plot pot holes.
Then, she has the FMC, with no personality, say: “So you’re… thirteen years older than I am. Why is that so hot? Mmm. It’s very… daddy.”
I consider this a personal affront.
It’s genuinely out of nowhere.
Almost snapped my own neck recoiling at that.
There’s so much inner turmoil. So much.
Pages and pages:
“I’m a bad person and I don’t deserve her and I’m gonna mess this up.”
Yeah. Exactly what all men should be thinking at all times. We get it.
It’s physically impossible not to skim it.
Unless you have the patience of a saint.
It’s all the same rumination and cyclical conversations.
They even utilize the halfway mark to rehash what happened so far.
The very short conversation should’ve set off alarm bells for the author, but no.
It’s just all too easy.
I kept reading in hopes that it would at least culminate to something.
It did not.
Any motives, threats, or opportunities crumbled underfoot as if made of sand.
Metaphors, phrases, and ideas were repeated by separate people who would never share the same train of thought.
I skimmed the spice.
Couldn’t even enjoy it.
I genuinely began to resent them.
It’s pretty much the same formula and events as the last book although it’s an entirely different premise.
Lots of filler and day to day Hallmark card crap.
You’re in the mafia!
We don’t care about baking!
It’s literally the same thing as last time.
This is why we don’t reheat nachos, folks.
They get soggy and inedible.
I viscerally disliked this.
Even the ending was cringe.
I know the author is better than this.
She hooked me with the beginning of the first book, but lost me forever with this one.
Also, I’m all for plus sized FMCs, but not when their weight insecurity is their entire personality.
She even admits as much.
If you’re abducted and are hesitant about eating the offered food – not in fear of being poisoned, but of potentially gaining weight from it – I reserve the right to take you by the shoulders and violently shake you.
Get a grip.
I couldn’t even tell you when this mess is happening either.
We know it’s after the events of the first book, but it can’t be six years later. Everything seems too fresh?
And he paints Cavin to be some clown when we all know that’s not the case.
The McCarthys are a family of spankers, I’ll tell you that much.
It wasn’t done in any notably exciting type of way last time and reheating your own nachos in the very next book isn’t exactly advisable.
It doesn’t get interesting until around 40%, but it was like the author didn’t know what to do with a vehicle capable of acceleration and began to swerve a bit.
We’re jumping in between moments indiscriminately in order to quickly get back on track.
It’s a mess.
Lots of plot pot holes.
Then, she has the FMC, with no personality, say: “So you’re… thirteen years older than I am. Why is that so hot? Mmm. It’s very… daddy.”
I consider this a personal affront.
It’s genuinely out of nowhere.
Almost snapped my own neck recoiling at that.
There’s so much inner turmoil. So much.
Pages and pages:
“I’m a bad person and I don’t deserve her and I’m gonna mess this up.”
Yeah. Exactly what all men should be thinking at all times. We get it.
It’s physically impossible not to skim it.
Unless you have the patience of a saint.
It’s all the same rumination and cyclical conversations.
They even utilize the halfway mark to rehash what happened so far.
The very short conversation should’ve set off alarm bells for the author, but no.
It’s just all too easy.
I kept reading in hopes that it would at least culminate to something.
It did not.
Any motives, threats, or opportunities crumbled underfoot as if made of sand.
Metaphors, phrases, and ideas were repeated by separate people who would never share the same train of thought.
I skimmed the spice.
Couldn’t even enjoy it.
I genuinely began to resent them.
It’s pretty much the same formula and events as the last book although it’s an entirely different premise.
Lots of filler and day to day Hallmark card crap.
You’re in the mafia!
We don’t care about baking!
It’s literally the same thing as last time.
This is why we don’t reheat nachos, folks.
They get soggy and inedible.
I viscerally disliked this.
Even the ending was cringe.
I know the author is better than this.
She hooked me with the beginning of the first book, but lost me forever with this one.
Review of advance copy
In a story filled with dark alleys and secret fights, love finds a way to shine through in book 2 of the McCarthy Family Legacy Series.
Ashland McCarthy is a bare-knuckled fighter who’s as much a weapon for his family as he is a protector. He’s got that brooding, intense vibe going on, which makes him impossible to resist. Yum! His obsession with Bianca, a naive college student whom he saved from harm one fateful night, is beyond insane. For six long years (yep, you heard it!), he’s been her silent guardian, keeping a watchful eye from afar while battling his own demons. I couldn't help but chuckle at the lengths he goes to protect her, including threatening her dates and even her professors for giving her unacceptable grades according to his standards. He's your typical possessive hero, but not completely over the top.
And then, Bianca is in danger again, and this time, Ashland takes matters into his own hands by kidnapping her. He’s upfront about his inability to be gentle, but underneath that tough exterior, there’s a burning love that makes him both dangerous and oddly sweet.
Bianca is one of those characters who starts as a typical damsel in distress but quickly proves to be so much more. Faced with the slimy businessman she’s being forced to marry, she finds herself caught between the life she thought she wanted and the intense connection she has with Ashland. I was so impressed with her growth. She doesn’t just take everything Ashland says at face value. Instead, she stands up for herself and learns to navigate the danger that surrounds her. The fact that she pulls one over on him not once but twice shows her spunkiness and savviness. Go, Bianca!
This is not your typical possessive Irish mafia man and his innocent young captive. Each interaction is loaded with passion, and you can see their struggles and vulnerabilities shine through. I truly found myself immersed in their world, cheering for every little victory and cringing at every hurtful moment.
The supporting characters include Ashland’s lovely family, who welcome Bianca with open arms, even knowing the potential fallout it could bring. On the flip side, Bianca’s own mother is a total lost cause, and Bianca's fiancé, Marcus? Well, let’s just say he gets what’s coming to him.
I’ll be honest, I jumped into this series without reading the first book, but I didn’t feel lost in the crowd of characters. The storytelling is solid, and everything flows beautifully, making it easy to dive right in. So, if you’re looking for a steamy, suspenseful romantic read, give this book a try.
Thank you to Ms. Henry for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
For more of my reviews, visit The Eclectic Review.
Ashland McCarthy is a bare-knuckled fighter who’s as much a weapon for his family as he is a protector. He’s got that brooding, intense vibe going on, which makes him impossible to resist. Yum! His obsession with Bianca, a naive college student whom he saved from harm one fateful night, is beyond insane. For six long years (yep, you heard it!), he’s been her silent guardian, keeping a watchful eye from afar while battling his own demons. I couldn't help but chuckle at the lengths he goes to protect her, including threatening her dates and even her professors for giving her unacceptable grades according to his standards. He's your typical possessive hero, but not completely over the top.
And then, Bianca is in danger again, and this time, Ashland takes matters into his own hands by kidnapping her. He’s upfront about his inability to be gentle, but underneath that tough exterior, there’s a burning love that makes him both dangerous and oddly sweet.
Bianca is one of those characters who starts as a typical damsel in distress but quickly proves to be so much more. Faced with the slimy businessman she’s being forced to marry, she finds herself caught between the life she thought she wanted and the intense connection she has with Ashland. I was so impressed with her growth. She doesn’t just take everything Ashland says at face value. Instead, she stands up for herself and learns to navigate the danger that surrounds her. The fact that she pulls one over on him not once but twice shows her spunkiness and savviness. Go, Bianca!
This is not your typical possessive Irish mafia man and his innocent young captive. Each interaction is loaded with passion, and you can see their struggles and vulnerabilities shine through. I truly found myself immersed in their world, cheering for every little victory and cringing at every hurtful moment.
The supporting characters include Ashland’s lovely family, who welcome Bianca with open arms, even knowing the potential fallout it could bring. On the flip side, Bianca’s own mother is a total lost cause, and Bianca's fiancé, Marcus? Well, let’s just say he gets what’s coming to him.
I’ll be honest, I jumped into this series without reading the first book, but I didn’t feel lost in the crowd of characters. The storytelling is solid, and everything flows beautifully, making it easy to dive right in. So, if you’re looking for a steamy, suspenseful romantic read, give this book a try.
Thank you to Ms. Henry for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
For more of my reviews, visit The Eclectic Review.
May 1, 2026
Wicked Sanctuary is the second book in the McCarthy Family Legacy series. Ashland McCarthy is an enforcer for the McCarthy family. He’s loyal and he does what needs to be done. When the family needs him, he’s there. He doesn’t keep secrets from them. He’s also a prized fighter. One night after a fight he meets Bianca in an unusual way. He can tell she’s young so he sends her on her way. However, he needs to make sure she’s okay the next day. Slowly he starts watching her every day. He tells himself he’s just making sure she’s safe. That becomes six years later. He promises to himself he’s gonna keep his distance. Just keep watching her. However, when he feels her life is in danger he kidnaps her. He takes her away to a cabin where he can protect her. This is something he cannot tell his family. His only hope is that Bianca lets him take care of her because she will not make it easy.
Bianca is a sweet girl who sadly was in the wrong place at the wrong time. There she met the man who saved her never knowing his name. He told her to leave. She never saw him again. She doesn’t know that he’s been watching her for six years that he knows everything about her. She’s quite lonely with an overbearing mother. She is always criticizing everything she does, everything she wears, and how she acts. When Ashland kidnaps her she’s extremely afraid but also doesn’t understand what she’s feeling. She’s very attracted to him, and even though she’s trapped in his cabin, she feels a bit of freedom. He lets her do things within reason. He makes sure she eats, that she’s warm, and feeling okay. He makes her feel better than her mother ever made her feel. Her whole life her mom has kept truths she doesn’t know. One main secret is who Ashland is and what might happen when she finds out. Will she run away or want to get to know him?
Jane Henry had me feeling really bad for Bianca. Her mother is so cruel to her. It seems like she doesn’t even really care about her because she mostly uses her. I felt bad that she was insecure about herself, but I loved that as scared as she was, she stood up to Ashland. I also felt bad for him because you can tell he’s in love with her and he’s consumed by guilt. This is something he’s keeping from his family. Their chemistry was intense. I loved their scenes together. There were so many heartwarming moments between them. It seemed like they were both discovering what it was like to feel about someone and be vulnerable with them for the first time. I definitely cried with this one. It was an emotional roller coaster, filled with danger, drama, humor, action, secrets, suspense, and devastating twist. I am really enjoying this series. I can’t wait for the next McCarthy member.
Bianca is a sweet girl who sadly was in the wrong place at the wrong time. There she met the man who saved her never knowing his name. He told her to leave. She never saw him again. She doesn’t know that he’s been watching her for six years that he knows everything about her. She’s quite lonely with an overbearing mother. She is always criticizing everything she does, everything she wears, and how she acts. When Ashland kidnaps her she’s extremely afraid but also doesn’t understand what she’s feeling. She’s very attracted to him, and even though she’s trapped in his cabin, she feels a bit of freedom. He lets her do things within reason. He makes sure she eats, that she’s warm, and feeling okay. He makes her feel better than her mother ever made her feel. Her whole life her mom has kept truths she doesn’t know. One main secret is who Ashland is and what might happen when she finds out. Will she run away or want to get to know him?
Jane Henry had me feeling really bad for Bianca. Her mother is so cruel to her. It seems like she doesn’t even really care about her because she mostly uses her. I felt bad that she was insecure about herself, but I loved that as scared as she was, she stood up to Ashland. I also felt bad for him because you can tell he’s in love with her and he’s consumed by guilt. This is something he’s keeping from his family. Their chemistry was intense. I loved their scenes together. There were so many heartwarming moments between them. It seemed like they were both discovering what it was like to feel about someone and be vulnerable with them for the first time. I definitely cried with this one. It was an emotional roller coaster, filled with danger, drama, humor, action, secrets, suspense, and devastating twist. I am really enjoying this series. I can’t wait for the next McCarthy member.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you love a Mafia Romance with an obsessed and I mean OBSESSED MMC then this is the book for you. I don’t even know where to begin with Ashland McCarthy because I’m seriously in love with him. He takes obsessed to a level I didn’t know I was going to fall head over heels for in the book boyfriend category. Not only did this man save Bianca six years ago.. he stayed celibate for her.. she didn’t touch or think about another woman. His soul purpose outside of family obligations was to watch her and protect her because he fell in love with her from afar. He knows without a doubt that she was meant to be his even when she had no idea who he even was. Everything he did was in her best interest even if at the time she didn’t see it that way. Watching his love for her his obsession was everything I didn’t know I needed in a dark mafia romance. Ashland deserved to be loved and to have his happy ending after everything that happened with this brother. He got his happily ever after and it was everything.
Bianca White has had someone watching her for the last six years and she had not a clue. She didn’t know that her mother and fiancé were certifiably insane. They were verbal abusing her and manipulating her from there own gain. While they played these games with her they gave her a false imagine of herself and over time she started to believe the things they were saying were truth. She was scared when Ashland took her and I mean come on who wouldn’t be.. but eventually over time after finally seeing what Ashland told her was truth she slowly started to come around and realize that her captor was in love with her exactly who she was without wanting to change anything about her. I loved watching her slowly gain her confidence back in who she was realizing that she is perfect just the way she is. After having some tough conversations she learned things she was told to be truth was the opposite.. and when she finally learned the real truth she stood her ground with the two people who thought they had control over her. I really loved watching Bianca find herself a family within the McCcarthy’s. After some initial shock they welcomed her into the fold and I loved that for her.
The spice… was spicing and I won’t get to into detail but if you love a little bit of dominance with your spice then this is right up your alley.
This is book two in The McCarthy Family Legacy. This book is an interconnected standalone but I highly recommend reading book one first!!
Thank you so much to Jane Henry and VPR for this ARC! It was truly an honor!!
Bianca White has had someone watching her for the last six years and she had not a clue. She didn’t know that her mother and fiancé were certifiably insane. They were verbal abusing her and manipulating her from there own gain. While they played these games with her they gave her a false imagine of herself and over time she started to believe the things they were saying were truth. She was scared when Ashland took her and I mean come on who wouldn’t be.. but eventually over time after finally seeing what Ashland told her was truth she slowly started to come around and realize that her captor was in love with her exactly who she was without wanting to change anything about her. I loved watching her slowly gain her confidence back in who she was realizing that she is perfect just the way she is. After having some tough conversations she learned things she was told to be truth was the opposite.. and when she finally learned the real truth she stood her ground with the two people who thought they had control over her. I really loved watching Bianca find herself a family within the McCcarthy’s. After some initial shock they welcomed her into the fold and I loved that for her.
The spice… was spicing and I won’t get to into detail but if you love a little bit of dominance with your spice then this is right up your alley.
This is book two in The McCarthy Family Legacy. This book is an interconnected standalone but I highly recommend reading book one first!!
Thank you so much to Jane Henry and VPR for this ARC! It was truly an honor!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Ashland McCarthy is known by his family as “The Priest” rescued Bianca White and is keeping her safe
This is as captivating addition to the series and I guarantee that readers will be as blown away by this book as I have been, he had rescued Bianca when she had been only sixteen years of age and he had found her being assaulted by two men outside the fighting ring and had rescued her returning her to her home.
Over the following years through the end of her schooling and the Master History Degree she was taking he had kept a watch on her safety, often he had to step in to prevent her coming to harm and this had left him feeling frustrated and irritated at the way she was being treated by her mother.
Things then came to a head when after qualifying for her Bachelors in History she had then been informed she was being shipped off to live in Marcus Crowning home, Ashland had known that he could wait no longer he had to remove her from danger and be placed somewhere safe.
As Ashland gains the confidence of Bianca a woman that he has loved from afar fo years he knows that she is the only love in his life, he is all that is keeping her safe and if her so called fiancé gets his hands on her she will most likely also turn up dead like the previous two women.
The next thing that Ashland had to do was to introduce her to his family and try and dispel the fact that they had been solely responsible for the death of her father all those years ago, it had been a major factor that changed her mothers life and her own although she had always tried to be good working extra shifts and earning a scholarship to help with the cost of the course nothing ever seemed to please her mother.
Ashland absolutely loves the way that his beautiful Bianca looks and he will not allow her to denigrate her size or shape as her mother and supposed fiancé have been doing, he is not only happy with how she looks he wants to ensure that she never changes she is absolutely perfect.
I guarantee that other readers will be completely blown away by this captivating story, the characters and the plot will keep readers completely captivated by this story and you will be left looking forward to future book by this amazing author.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the wonderful writing.
This is as captivating addition to the series and I guarantee that readers will be as blown away by this book as I have been, he had rescued Bianca when she had been only sixteen years of age and he had found her being assaulted by two men outside the fighting ring and had rescued her returning her to her home.
Over the following years through the end of her schooling and the Master History Degree she was taking he had kept a watch on her safety, often he had to step in to prevent her coming to harm and this had left him feeling frustrated and irritated at the way she was being treated by her mother.
Things then came to a head when after qualifying for her Bachelors in History she had then been informed she was being shipped off to live in Marcus Crowning home, Ashland had known that he could wait no longer he had to remove her from danger and be placed somewhere safe.
As Ashland gains the confidence of Bianca a woman that he has loved from afar fo years he knows that she is the only love in his life, he is all that is keeping her safe and if her so called fiancé gets his hands on her she will most likely also turn up dead like the previous two women.
The next thing that Ashland had to do was to introduce her to his family and try and dispel the fact that they had been solely responsible for the death of her father all those years ago, it had been a major factor that changed her mothers life and her own although she had always tried to be good working extra shifts and earning a scholarship to help with the cost of the course nothing ever seemed to please her mother.
Ashland absolutely loves the way that his beautiful Bianca looks and he will not allow her to denigrate her size or shape as her mother and supposed fiancé have been doing, he is not only happy with how she looks he wants to ensure that she never changes she is absolutely perfect.
I guarantee that other readers will be completely blown away by this captivating story, the characters and the plot will keep readers completely captivated by this story and you will be left looking forward to future book by this amazing author.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the wonderful writing.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks to Valentine PR and Jane Henry for the ARC. All opinions are my own in the following ARC Review.
Genres: Mafia Romance, Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense
Tropes: Age Gap, Stalker MMC, He Falls First, Curvy FMC, Obsessive Hero, Forced Proximity, Opposites Attract, Hurt/Comfort, Touch Her and Die, BDSM
MC: Bianca (FMC), Ashland (MMC)
Setting: Ballyhock, Ireland
Triggers: narcissistic mother, belittling, gaslighting
Epilogue: Yes
Synopsis: Ashland once saved Bianca from a dangerous situation as a teenager and secretly watched over her for years, falling in love from afar. Now grown and engaged, Bianca is about to start her future when Ashland intervenes, kidnapping her to protect her after uncovering her fiancé’s dark past. He takes her to a remote cabin, reveals who he is, and insists it’s for her safety. Bianca wrestles with fear and unexpected feelings for Ashland, but ultimately tries to escape. Ashland lets her go, trusting she’ll discover the truth. When she finally sees her fiancé for who he is, she calls Ashland, and they reunite, choosing each other. As tensions rise, Bianca uncovers a deeper betrayal through her mother essentially selling her off to her devious fiancé. With the McCarthy family’s support, they face her former fiancé, who is ultimately defeated by Ashland, preventing further conflict. In the end, Ashland publicly claims Bianca as his, and proposes, securing their future together.
Thoughts: Another awesome hit by Jane Henry! This book was fun and entertaining from the very first chapter. It opens with a strong character introduction that perfectly captures Ashland as a whole. We see his rough, tough edge, his protective nature, and his obsessive side. I have to agree with Bianca, his obsession somehow becomes endearing. I don’t know if I’m also suffering from Stockholm syndrome, but Ashland was an irresistible book boyfriend that I fell for too. I’m glad Bianca was able to see him for who he truly is, because he’s the kind of man who would do absolutely anything for her, no judgement. I also always enjoy the McCarthy family scenes, as they remain such a compelling and enviable family, even with the next generation. I’m really looking forward to what’s hopefully Declan and Bridget’s story next.
Genres: Mafia Romance, Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense
Tropes: Age Gap, Stalker MMC, He Falls First, Curvy FMC, Obsessive Hero, Forced Proximity, Opposites Attract, Hurt/Comfort, Touch Her and Die, BDSM
MC: Bianca (FMC), Ashland (MMC)
Setting: Ballyhock, Ireland
Triggers: narcissistic mother, belittling, gaslighting
Epilogue: Yes
Synopsis: Ashland once saved Bianca from a dangerous situation as a teenager and secretly watched over her for years, falling in love from afar. Now grown and engaged, Bianca is about to start her future when Ashland intervenes, kidnapping her to protect her after uncovering her fiancé’s dark past. He takes her to a remote cabin, reveals who he is, and insists it’s for her safety. Bianca wrestles with fear and unexpected feelings for Ashland, but ultimately tries to escape. Ashland lets her go, trusting she’ll discover the truth. When she finally sees her fiancé for who he is, she calls Ashland, and they reunite, choosing each other. As tensions rise, Bianca uncovers a deeper betrayal through her mother essentially selling her off to her devious fiancé. With the McCarthy family’s support, they face her former fiancé, who is ultimately defeated by Ashland, preventing further conflict. In the end, Ashland publicly claims Bianca as his, and proposes, securing their future together.
Thoughts: Another awesome hit by Jane Henry! This book was fun and entertaining from the very first chapter. It opens with a strong character introduction that perfectly captures Ashland as a whole. We see his rough, tough edge, his protective nature, and his obsessive side. I have to agree with Bianca, his obsession somehow becomes endearing. I don’t know if I’m also suffering from Stockholm syndrome, but Ashland was an irresistible book boyfriend that I fell for too. I’m glad Bianca was able to see him for who he truly is, because he’s the kind of man who would do absolutely anything for her, no judgement. I also always enjoy the McCarthy family scenes, as they remain such a compelling and enviable family, even with the next generation. I’m really looking forward to what’s hopefully Declan and Bridget’s story next.
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