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The Monster I Keep
HER
I don’t recognize my life anymore.
Not after what he did.
I can still hear it… the laughter. I can see his face every time I close my eyes.
It doesn’t stop.
It won’t stop.
And I know now…
This isn’t over.
HIM
It’s funny, isn’t it?
How something so perfect can just… fall into your lap.
An opportunity like this—you don’t walk away from it.
It’s too tempting.
Too satisfying.
I’m going to have so much fun.
I think I'll take my time.
I don’t recognize my life anymore.
Not after what he did.
I can still hear it… the laughter. I can see his face every time I close my eyes.
It doesn’t stop.
It won’t stop.
And I know now…
This isn’t over.
HIM
It’s funny, isn’t it?
How something so perfect can just… fall into your lap.
An opportunity like this—you don’t walk away from it.
It’s too tempting.
Too satisfying.
I’m going to have so much fun.
I think I'll take my time.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 24, 2026
Holy crap, what a ride!! This is the second book in The Monster We Made series and it picks up perfectly right where the first one left off. I was completely hooked from the very first chapter and hated having to put it down just to adult. Every chapter kept me on the edge of my seat, and the suspense never let up for a second.
Shade Owens did it again with another dark, gripping, and absolutely addictive read. The twists, tension, and nonstop intensity had me flying through the pages. I’m really hoping there’s going to be a book 3 because I definitely need more of this story and these characters. I need answers, and I am not ready for this ride to be over!
An incredible follow-up that more than lived up to the first book.
April 14, 2026
The Monster I Keep by Shade Owens is such a gripping, high-intensity follow-up to The Monster We Made. It wastes no time pulling you back into the chaos. From the very first pages, the story dives straight into tension and unpredictability in a way that feels relentless in the best possible way.
What really stands out in this installment is how deeply the themes of manipulation and gaslighting are explored. The psychological layers feel sharper, darker, and even more unsettling this time around. Every interaction feels loaded, and you are constantly questioning motives, second-guessing what is real, and trying to stay one step ahead, only to realize the story is already ahead of you.
The introduction of a new character adds such a strong dynamic to the narrative. Without giving anything away, this addition feels perfectly placed and brings a fresh energy that elevates the entire story. It is one of those moments where everything just clicks.
This is one of those books that is nearly impossible to put down. I flew through it in a single day because I needed to know what happened next. Each chapter pulls you in deeper and keeps the momentum going without slowing down.
I will not spoil any details, but if you are planning to read this, I highly recommend reading the first book and going straight into this one. The experience is so much better back-to-back.
And that ending. In true Shade Owens style, it leaves you wanting more. It is the kind of cliffhanger that sticks with you and makes you immediately start hoping for what comes next. A trilogy, maybe? I really hope so, because I am not ready to leave this story behind.
Thank you to Shade Owens for the ARC.
What really stands out in this installment is how deeply the themes of manipulation and gaslighting are explored. The psychological layers feel sharper, darker, and even more unsettling this time around. Every interaction feels loaded, and you are constantly questioning motives, second-guessing what is real, and trying to stay one step ahead, only to realize the story is already ahead of you.
The introduction of a new character adds such a strong dynamic to the narrative. Without giving anything away, this addition feels perfectly placed and brings a fresh energy that elevates the entire story. It is one of those moments where everything just clicks.
This is one of those books that is nearly impossible to put down. I flew through it in a single day because I needed to know what happened next. Each chapter pulls you in deeper and keeps the momentum going without slowing down.
I will not spoil any details, but if you are planning to read this, I highly recommend reading the first book and going straight into this one. The experience is so much better back-to-back.
And that ending. In true Shade Owens style, it leaves you wanting more. It is the kind of cliffhanger that sticks with you and makes you immediately start hoping for what comes next. A trilogy, maybe? I really hope so, because I am not ready to leave this story behind.
Thank you to Shade Owens for the ARC.
April 23, 2026
PSA: do NOT read this book if you haven’t read the first book in series (The Monster We Made). Seriously. This is NOT a standalone book.
This is one of those books that I read and wonder how come I had no clue I needed this book in my life. I loved the first book, but I didn’t really feel like it needed a sequel. It definitely wasn’t one of those books that make you feel like this needs some closure or something. Yet, turns out, I was so wrong – it needed a second book. The second book ,made the first book complete, the existence of the second book somehow has also made the first book better. And now I feel like, you know, actually book three might make sense here. Let’s see how @shadeowensauthor feels about it! I hope she decides to go for it.
This one was disturbing in different ways than the first one. If you are a person who needs trigger warnings, it’s definitely a good idea to check those out before you dive in.
This was rationally unhinged (is that a real word combo?), it was logically emotional and emotionally logical. Such a weird and unique combination for a twisty psych thriller.
It was easy to read, but it was also emotionally charged and intellectually engaging, and – just as it should be – you don’t really know how you feel about the characters, the events, the choices they make. You find the unlikable to be likable, and you find the crazies to be the sanest. It indeed takes a special skill to make The Animal likable and relatable, IYKYK.
Hey, and by the way – this is one of the books I want to scream from the rooftops about. Ok, about both books in the series. And about the author in general.
This is one of those books that I read and wonder how come I had no clue I needed this book in my life. I loved the first book, but I didn’t really feel like it needed a sequel. It definitely wasn’t one of those books that make you feel like this needs some closure or something. Yet, turns out, I was so wrong – it needed a second book. The second book ,made the first book complete, the existence of the second book somehow has also made the first book better. And now I feel like, you know, actually book three might make sense here. Let’s see how @shadeowensauthor feels about it! I hope she decides to go for it.
This one was disturbing in different ways than the first one. If you are a person who needs trigger warnings, it’s definitely a good idea to check those out before you dive in.
This was rationally unhinged (is that a real word combo?), it was logically emotional and emotionally logical. Such a weird and unique combination for a twisty psych thriller.
It was easy to read, but it was also emotionally charged and intellectually engaging, and – just as it should be – you don’t really know how you feel about the characters, the events, the choices they make. You find the unlikable to be likable, and you find the crazies to be the sanest. It indeed takes a special skill to make The Animal likable and relatable, IYKYK.
Hey, and by the way – this is one of the books I want to scream from the rooftops about. Ok, about both books in the series. And about the author in general.
May 2, 2026
is the kind of story that pulls you in quietly and then refuses to let go. From the first chapter, Shade Owens builds an atmosphere that feels heavy in the best way, layered with tension, emotion, and just enough mystery to keep you turning pages faster than you planned.
What stands out most is the emotional depth. The characters are not surface level or predictable. They feel real, complicated, and at times uncomfortable to sit with, which is exactly what makes the story hit harder. You are not just reading what happens, you are feeling every decision, every internal struggle, and every consequence that follows.
The pacing is strong, never dragging, but also never rushing past the moments that matter. Owens knows when to let a scene breathe and when to push forward, creating a rhythm that keeps you fully invested. There is a raw honesty in the storytelling that makes certain scenes linger long after you put the book down.
This is not just a story about a “monster” in the literal sense. It is about the things people carry, the parts of themselves they try to hide, and what happens when those parts can no longer stay buried. It challenges you to think about your own perceptions of right, wrong, and everything in between.
If you are looking for something that goes beyond basic storytelling and actually makes you feel something, this book delivers. It is gripping, emotional, and memorable in a way that stays with you well after the final page.
What stands out most is the emotional depth. The characters are not surface level or predictable. They feel real, complicated, and at times uncomfortable to sit with, which is exactly what makes the story hit harder. You are not just reading what happens, you are feeling every decision, every internal struggle, and every consequence that follows.
The pacing is strong, never dragging, but also never rushing past the moments that matter. Owens knows when to let a scene breathe and when to push forward, creating a rhythm that keeps you fully invested. There is a raw honesty in the storytelling that makes certain scenes linger long after you put the book down.
This is not just a story about a “monster” in the literal sense. It is about the things people carry, the parts of themselves they try to hide, and what happens when those parts can no longer stay buried. It challenges you to think about your own perceptions of right, wrong, and everything in between.
If you are looking for something that goes beyond basic storytelling and actually makes you feel something, this book delivers. It is gripping, emotional, and memorable in a way that stays with you well after the final page.
April 15, 2026
I received a copy of this book from the author.
This is the second book in The Monster We Made series and if you haven’t read the first one do not read this first as it completely ruins the story.
The Monster I Keep is a fast paced story that I read in one day - nothing else got done, - housework can wait and husband can cook.
It’s an emotional roller-coaster of a read that you want to know what happens next and are then disappointed when the end comes as you want to read more of this great story.
Now that I have finished it I can’t wait to see if there will be another in the series.
This is the second book in The Monster We Made series and if you haven’t read the first one do not read this first as it completely ruins the story.
The Monster I Keep is a fast paced story that I read in one day - nothing else got done, - housework can wait and husband can cook.
It’s an emotional roller-coaster of a read that you want to know what happens next and are then disappointed when the end comes as you want to read more of this great story.
Now that I have finished it I can’t wait to see if there will be another in the series.
April 18, 2026
Wow! What a thrill ride of suspense and intrigue. I thought the first story in the series was awesome, but this one was even better. The characters feel so real, and that is a scary place to be. The ending is a nice twist. Even when you think you have it figured out, you don't. Owen's always gets the last word and the last drop of blood out of everyone. I thought this was going to be a sequel, but not with this ending. There has to be another episode because Owen's is only cruel to her characters. Right? I recvd an ARC copy of this book and this is an honest opinion of it; I loved every word of it!
April 19, 2026
Wow! What a wild ride! Shade Owens is one of the few writers who's books I can't wait to read and keep reading until I'm done. She is a fantastic new author in the Psychological Thriller genre that keeps getting better.
The Monster I Keep is a follow up to The Monster We Made and is every bit as good. The story of the Animal continues with all the same excitement and thrills plus a mind game that keeps you wondering what's going to happen.
The ending was not what I expected and had me thinking whoa is this really happening. This series makes me wanting more of the Animal.
The Monster I Keep is a follow up to The Monster We Made and is every bit as good. The story of the Animal continues with all the same excitement and thrills plus a mind game that keeps you wondering what's going to happen.
The ending was not what I expected and had me thinking whoa is this really happening. This series makes me wanting more of the Animal.
April 15, 2026
Holy mama-forkin shirtballs…
I was legitimately mad when I had to set this down to adult—totally unfair.
Traveling with this father-son duo and witnessing the psychological warfare between them was intense. Talk about a wild ride.
There’s a specific connection I thought I’d made, and DM’d Shade about. I’m proud to say I was right, but I did NOT expect it to play out the way it did. That ending may give me nightmares, and honestly, I love that in my horror. I don’t want a HEA here.
I was legitimately mad when I had to set this down to adult—totally unfair.
Traveling with this father-son duo and witnessing the psychological warfare between them was intense. Talk about a wild ride.
There’s a specific connection I thought I’d made, and DM’d Shade about. I’m proud to say I was right, but I did NOT expect it to play out the way it did. That ending may give me nightmares, and honestly, I love that in my horror. I don’t want a HEA here.
April 16, 2026
Wow, another amazing read by Shade Owens!! I enjoyed this book as much as the first one in the series and I’m hoping by the way it ended there will be a third book!! This was my very first ARC read and boy it didn’t disappoint! If you haven’t read the first book”The Monster We Made” please go ahead and read it and the read this one they flow so well!! Definitely one of the top reads for the year!
Amy
Amy
April 23, 2026
I could not stop reading this book. It was the perfect sequel to the first one. I enjoy the different perspectives and how they tie in together. I wasn't sure who I was rooting for towards the end. Once again, Shade Owens has written another fantastic book. I haven't read a book of hers I wasn't enthralled in. Thank you to Shade Owens and BookFunnel for the ARC.
April 25, 2026
Better than book 1 i think
May 7, 2026
Excellent series. Really hoping for Book #3!!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews