Wicked Sanctuary: A Dark Irish Mafia Age Gap Romance

by Jane Henry, Kai Kennicott (Narrator), Wen Ross (Narrator)

A deliciously sexy age gap, stalker dark romance from USA Today bestselling author Jane Henry

I've been watching her for six years.

Bianca White is sunshine and innocence.

I'm the monster they whisper about in the dark.

And she hates me, for good reason.

I told myself I'd stay away. That I'd keep my distance and just make sure she was safe. But on the night of her college graduation, I have no choice.

So I take her.

I cage my little bird in the woods where no one can touch her. Where no one can take her from me.

Yet she doesn't take it easy. She fights me and begs to go back to the man who will kill her.

She'll learn, though, that some cages are gilded for a reason, and that anyone who wants to harm her will have to come through me first.

Bianca didn't know it, but she was always mine. Now everyone else will too.

TROPES

Age gap Stalker 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 Wicked Sanctuary is a STANDALONE dark Irish mafia romance featuring an obsessed enforcer, his captive sunshine, and the brutal lengths he'll go to keep her. Morally gray doesn't even begin to cover it.

Please be warned this story is for a mature audience and contains kidnapping, stalking, forced proximity, and a possessive antihero who's been celibate for six years waiting for HER.

Genres: Dark Romance

Audible Audio

Published May 1, 2026

About the author

Fueled 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.

Reviews

[Book Lover IRL · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW: Wicked Sanctuary by Jane Henry is a standalone dark romance featuring a stalker and an age-gap relationship where the morally gray, obsessive MMC falls first (and hard) for a sweet, good girl afraid to embrace her inner darkness. It is a semi-fast paced story that starts with _ and dives into intense action-packed intrigue and mystery. I enjoyed the overarching plot that kept me coming back for more. I didn't want to put the book down because I was invested in what would happen next.

I loved the emotional angst Bianca White struggled with as she tried so hard not to fall for her captor. The longer she was with Ashland McCarthy the more she realized what an @ss her fiancé, Marcus Crowning, was. I loved the way Ashland took care of Bianca (despite his heavy handedness and unhinged notions of how to keep her safe.) I couldn't get enough of the electric pull of des!re drawing them together. Their forced proximity and the overwhelming stress of being chased by an unhinged jerk heightened their emotions and accelerated their attraction. Although the story was quite inst@love, it seemed to work for these two characters and strangely felt believable.

My favorite part of the story was Bianca's emotional growth. She had self-esteem and body image issues that her cruel fiance and volatile mother exploited. Her insecurities were so relatable. It immensely warmed my cold gray heart when Ashland showed Bianca how amazingly gorgeous and s3xy her voluptu0us curves were. The f!lthy words he used to describe what he wanted to do to her were straight VIBES. I loved every second of it.

Bianca started out afraid of everyone and everything. She continually changed herself to fit the mold of the perfect daughter and girlfriend, attempting to become more palatable and lovable. Bianca was a unique mix of innocence and naiveté, yet she was also resilient and strong. All along, Ashland saw her for who she truly was and worshipped her mind, body, and soul. As Ash continuously loved, complimented, and supported Bianca, demonstrating how a "real" man shows his devotion, Bianca slowly began to see her own worth. This transition was deliberate and amazing to watch. I loved when Bianca grew a backbone and began standing up to the toxic people in her life.

Overall I give Wicked Sanctuary by Jane Henry a solid four stars. I enjoyed the intriguing and quick read. The story's plot and pacing were engaging and the sp!cy scenes were delicious. If you enjoy mafia, romantic suspense stories with a sweet, stalker-y, obsessive MMC who has irresistible chemistry with his captive FMC and a fast pace that keeps you interested, this story is for you!

A huge thank you to Jane Henry and Valentine PR for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

Tropes: Age Gap, Stalker, Mafia, He Falls First, Plus Sized Heroine, Bad Boy / Good Girl, Kidnapping, Forced Proximity, Morally Gray Obsessive MMC

QUOTES:
"The worst part about being a plus size girl is the ever present need to make oneself small. To disappear. Oh! The irony!"
=====

"Ashland, you're quiet. Are you angry at me for leaving again?"

I sigh. Ugh! Angry? "I can't blame you for trying to escape. It was f*cked up from day one and I knew it. I just... I'm trying very hard to not carry you inside and lock every door and window," I admit roughly. "Trying to remember you chose this and are not my prisoner anymore."

"Then what am I?" she whispers.

I look at her. "Mine." I say. "If you'll have me."
=====

"Then maybe you're not a monster." She moves closer and I'm frozen. "You're a weapon. There's a difference."

"Is there?"

"Yes," She traces the scar on my cheekbone and I close my eyes at the gentleness of it. "Weapons can be used for good or evil. It's all about who is wielding them." She smiles. "That's not monstrous. That's beautiful."
=====

"Look at you, my beautiful girl. You're so responsive, aren't you?" I don't trust myself to speak right now, so I just nod. His smile is pure, unadulterated sin. 

He leans down and presses his mouth to my stomach, right above my navel, an open mouth k!ss that's warm and w3t. "Ashland, you can't..."

He takes my wrists and pins them on either side of me. "Can't what? he growls. ... "What are you afraid of?" 

"You know," I say gesturing to my curves. "I don't-"

"I will worship your body night and day until you see that you are worthy of a shrine. Do you understand me?" I nod. "Are you going to behave yourself or do I need to warm you up with a sp@nking before I continue?"

I shiver. My p*ssy aches and I say, "Yeah, I, I... I want that. But... but not now." I whisper. Just for the h3ll of it he bends down, throws me over and gives me a good slap to my arse.

"Good girl," he growls. "Now let me worship you."
=====

"My god! You're going to kill me, woman."

"No," I whisper against his chest as we step into the cool night. "I'm going to be your life. Your reason.

"Right." His voice breaks. "You already are, love. Always have been." We stand in the darkness, holding each other. Two broken people who somehow became whole together.
=====

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Scale: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Cliffhanger: No
HEA: Yes
POV: 1st person, alternating
Series / Standalone: Standalone
Narrators: Wen Ross & Kai Kennicott
Narration Style: Duet
. . . . . . . . .
INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: @Book_Lover_IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL
FABLE: Book Lover IRL
. . . . . . . . .
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing h0t
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak f0replay count?

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐-> ♾️🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶🌶.275


☠️ Obsessive MMC
✨️ Irish Mafia
☠️ He Falls First & Hard
✨️ Morally Grey MMC
☠️ Forced Proximity
✨️ Age Gap
☠️ Grumpy X Sunshine
✨️ Plus Sized Heroine

⚠️ CHECK YOUR CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS! Protect your mental peace ☮️⚠️

✨️ 📚 ARC 📖 & 🎧 ALC 🎧 REVIEW ✨️

🎙Narrators: Kai Kennicott & Wen Ross 🎙

Kai and Wen truly gave us the business side of this audiobook and I am OBSESSED! I loved the way they told the story with the danger, attitude in their voices and the emotions they gave us! I cannot wait to read another book by them!

✨️📖 On To The Book Review 📖✨️

Bianca  & Ashland known in the family as "The Priest" have a connection like no other. Ashland saved Bianca when she was 16 and he hasn't been able to shake her ever since. She may be his 13 year junior but that doesn't matter, because she is his brat and he refuses to let her get away!

Ashland protects Bianca at all costs and there is nothing he wouldn't do to make sure that she stays safe and remains his! It is 6 years from the time he saves her that he watches over her and makes sure that nothing gets in the way of keeping her safe!

I have been FERAL for this series and this book only cements my feelings! I loved hearing Priest spit out his love for Bianca while being frustrated to no end with Bianca!

I am SAT and waiting for the next book! I am super excited ot see who is up next and what they bring to the table!

Thank you 🫶🏻 to ✨️ Jane Henry, Valentine PR & Audio ✨️ for the complimentary 📚 ARC 📚& 🎧 ALC 🎧. ✨️ All opinions are my own, honest, and voluntary✨️.

[Kittana Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal read…a different kind of beast and beauty…

Their story began with blood and terror. It’s a different sort of beauty and the beast story. It’s definitely not a fairy tale.

He’s a beast yes but the sort that will soften and melt just for her. He remembers all of her likes and even kidnaps her cat as well!

She’s the beauty everyone took advantage of until he came along. And stalked and protected her from afar until he stole her away for her own good.

This is a deliciously brutal and yes wicked story. Ashland is the obsessive stalker I love to read about. The story is well written and easy to read and immerse myself into, especially with the audiobook.

The narration is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and sooooo good. Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott are a fabulous duo with spectacular Irish accents.

I listened to an ALC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Jane Henry
Wen Ross
Kai Kennicott

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this impressive series, and this is Bianca and Ashland’s story.
Bianca is resilient and a college graduate, while Ashland is an enforcer who is ruthless, possessive, lethal, obsessed, underground fighter, who is forged by survival and violence. Ashland has been stalking Bianca for 6-years from the shadows, and kidnaps her after graduation, to keep her safe from a killer.
This is a well written action packed, emotional roller coaster, with found family, friendships, danger, suspense, intrigue, angst, tension, stalking, kidnapping, obsession, an age gap, restraint, bad boy / good girl, captor / captive, secrets, humour, witty banter, forced proximity, grumpy / sunshine, opposites attract, morally grey, combustible chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, twisted, and unpredictable, dark Irish mafia romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[KY Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wicked Sanctuary is part of the McCarthy Family Legacy by Jane Henry

Ashland Priest known to the family as “The Priest” feels an intense connection to Bianca after saving her from an attack when she was 16. Afterwards, he never fails to keep watch over her. Throughout her schooling, he keeps her safe even from those closest to her. Until he finally has no choice but to intervene when her situation becomes dire.

After years of reading Jane Henry's books I am absolutely loving this second generation McCarthy Series. These books are darkish mafia romance with suspense, lots of twists and intense chemistry.
Ashland had been obsessed with Bianca for years, but you could feel the love there as well. I also enjoyed that the familiar characters from the original series I loved so much appear throughout.

ARC was provided by Valentine PR and this is my honest review.

[Valkyrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

These men and their wives are too sweet for me. But then again, when it comes down to it, they don't fuck with anything or anyone and that's very nice to me. This whole family is pretty crazy but overall I really like them, all of them.

Ashland was silent, but sometimes actions speak louder than words. He treated Bianca very nicely. Such a cavalier in the modern sense with bloody hands and a deadly look.

Bianca blossomed beautifully over the course of the book and became more confident. Ashland strengthened her a lot. Actually, this applies to both of them in this case.

The chemistry between them worked very well, the plot was good. A readable book with beautiful illustrations. I will definitely read the next part.

[Kammie Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well damn, I’m a total goner for Ashland McCartney. This man is solid perfection wrapped in hard muscle with an Irish accent that had me wanting to say yes sir with no hesitation. He’s an obsessive protector that will stop at nothing to protect his family and woman. But then there’s Miss Bianca who goes from quiet and respectful to down right bratty, full of attitude, and something fierce. This woman definitely grows into a badass! This may be a slow burn, but it was so worth the wait because the spice is satisfying, electric, and exquisite. So far this is my favorite book in this series! Highly recommend! Narration by Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott was simply fantastic! The Irish accents portrayed by these two were dang near perfection. The chemistry between Wen and Kai is palpable and charismatic. Thank you Valentine PR and Jane Henry for this amazing ALC opportunity!

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like your book boyfriends so possessive that they give stalker vibes, then Ashton “The Monster” McCarthy is your man.

He saves Bianca White in an ally after a fight when she was just a teenager and 13 years his junior.
He feels drawn to protect her at all costs, even if it means watching from afar for 6 years! Through high school and her college experience until the need to keep her safe cause him to kidnap her.

I consider myself beyond lucky to have received an ALC of Wicked Sanctuary (book #2 in the McCarthy Family Legacy) by author Jane Henry. 10/10⭐️

TROPES
Irish Mafia
Morally Gray MMC
Forced Proximity
Grumpy/Sunshine
Age Gap
He falls first
Plus Sized Heroine

[Amanda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a twisty, darkish book. And I devoured it. I was immediately invested in the narrative from the first few pages. It drew me in and did not let go till the very end. This is a well rounded story with just the right amount of spice as well as sweet. I loved the narrators, Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross. Their accents really made this book come to life. They delivered a stellar performance. Their tone and pacing was nice and even throughout the story. Overall, the quality of this audio was amazing. And the story was perfection. Thanks so much to Valentine PR and the author for a copy of this. All opinions are my own and freely expressed.

[Hanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A monster who saw that she was his to protect.

Massive thank you to Valentine PR Audio Team for letting me listen to the audiobook of this story!
Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott did a brilliant job narrating this story, it felt very immersive.

The story itself was very thrilling from the start. In the beginning it thought that the escape scene was too soon but looking back was at the right point for the story. I would have loved to see the cat move with the main characters. It had the potential of a nice light sub story. But the fight scene at the end had me at the edge of my seat. What a rollercoaster.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah… this one completely got me.

The whole vibe was just so addictive. Dark, tense, a little chaotic, and the kind of book where I kept saying “one more chapter” knowing full well I was not stopping anytime soon.

I also loved that it actually took its time. Nothing felt rushed, which made everything hit so much harder when it finally happened.

And honestly this was just FUN to read. Not in a light fluffy way, obviously, but in that “I’m way too invested and loving every second of this” kind of way.

I finished this still wanting more of the atmosphere and energy because I was not ready to leave it yet.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

She never fails me!

Intense.
Fast-paced.
Exceptional character builds.

If your heart doesn't expand getting to know Ashland, well, then…

Bianca. Body shamed.
Will she believe that Ash thinks she's perfect.

They say if you let the bird fly away and it comes back, right? We'll see!

Emotional.
Romantic.
Yes, I know. In that obsessive sort of way! BUT, well...

I loved it! Absolutely loved it!

These McCarthys! Keep them coming Ms. Henry!

[Aideen Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely, fantastic, will written, wonderful characters, has every thing lies, deceit ,danger , obsession, another great book, Bianca and Ashland story is definitely one to read