Breaking Beauty: A Gothic Dark Romance

by Sienna Blake

She might escape the asylum. She will not escape the men inside it.

I woke up in a remote Irish asylum with no memory of how I got here. Everyone is calling me Rua.
I am not Rua.
And the only man with answers is the one I'm certain kidnapped me.
Dr. Bron Deargán has a face designed to distract and a voice built to make me doubt my own mind. I forget, for whole terrifying moments, that I came here with a different name.
His dark gaze tells me exactly how he'd take me apart. I hate that I'd let him. Maybe losing my mind would be worth it.
Then there's the hauntingly beautiful boy that no one else sees.
When he appears, my pulse spikes like it recognizes him, and I ache to trace the tattoos disappearing beneath his collar.
He doesn't know me. He knows Rua. When his eyes find me, I can feel her longing living under my skin.
But I'm beginning to crave him as my own.
I'm caught between a doctor I can't trust and a boy who might not be real.
But the truth I'm hunting isn't just about how I got here.
Or why girls keep disappearing.
It's about what they need Rua for.
And why they took me.

Genres: Dark

432 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2026

About the author

HUNTING PRETTY is LIVE!
Read FREE in Kindle Unlimited:
▶ https://readerlinks.com/l/4416754

Sienna Blake is a dirty girl, an Amazon Top 20 wordspinner of smexy love stories & a USA Today Bestselling Author.

She lives in Dublin, Ireland, where she enjoys reading, keeping fit and adding to her personal harem of Irish hotties ;)

Reviews

[Maria Angie Mendoza]

Dark, twisted and sinfully delicious, this story held me captive from beginning to end.
Haunting, thrilling and terrifying but in the best possible way, I happily jumped down the rabbit hole and completely immersed myself in Liath’s story and her journey to figure out what’s real, what isn’t.
Oh…this author NEVER disappoints with her juicy, suspenseful stories brimming with plot twists and unexpected surprises that keep you guessing until the end. In this installment, the author cleverly added a special situation affecting Liath, which added another dimension to the story.
Well paced, the suspense, the discoveries and the mind games this story played on my psyche!
I cannot wait for what happens next!!

[Cassie Hernandez]

🔥 Breaking Beauty by Sienna Blake 🔥

This book had me in a CHOKEHOLD! 😳🔥 Everything I’ve read from Sienna Blake has been absolutely mind-blowing, and she hooks me from the very beginning every single time!

This one seriously messed with me psychologically! I felt like I was Liath, trying to figure out what was real and what wasn’t. 🤯 The suspense had me questioning everything from the start, and I was constantly trying to piece together what was actually happening.

Sienna had me second-guessing EVERYTHING, and I loved every minute of it! 👀🖤

Now I’m impatiently waiting for the next book because I NEED to continue Liath’s story! And honestly… I can’t wait to see what Sienna comes up with next because I know it’s going to mess with my head all over again! 😂🔥

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Amanda Richard]

Breaking Beauty by Sienna Blake

🖤💜🖤💜🖤

When I got the email about another booked from Sienna. I JUMPED ON IT! I love her writing and going back to this deliciously, dark, twisted series was so exciting.

Liath is a force. Her Scent-induced auditory synesthesia was so cool and added another layer to the book. She was set on figuring out what was happening, even when her mind was being made to play tricks on her. Mine felt like it while reading as well, Sienna has such an amazing way of writing where I am second guessing everything.
Watching Deargán unravel as well was the icing on top of an already confusing story. I loved it.
As it went out some things were brought to light and tied up loose ends but in true Sieanna fashion she added more confusion on top. She is the queen of cliffhangers, after all. I cannot wait for the next book to find out more and be confused by more as well.

Some of my favourite quotes…
I liked patterns that clashed and fabrics that felt lived in. This? This dress didn’t belong to me. It erased me.

Holy fck. This was a real asylum.

“Gal pals through psych evals,” Fiona added. “Friends off the deep ends,” Dervla said. “Kins of the looney bin,” Maeve finished, lifting her mug a fraction.

She was not merely responding to my conditioning. She was slowly altering me.

[Louise]

I’m not quite sure what I just read, I barely have any answers, my mind is scrambled but I had the absolute best time. I’m excited to unravel all the layers this story holds, and immediately wanna start book 2.

[Anne]

What a roller-coaster ride this book was. Just when you think you may know what might be going on, you don't. Sienna Blake takes you on a psychological ride that you may never be able to heal from. Impatiently waiting does September to continue this ride!

[Sienna Blake]

Liath's story is live! All three books. All yours. 🖤

I'm so proud of this trilogy. More than anything I've written before. And I'm so grateful for any of you who read, loved or reviewed it. 🖤

Breaking Beauty (Book 1) is $2.99 for release week (down from $4.99). If you have a reader friend who hasn't started Liath's story yet, now is the moment to bring them in (trust me, you’ll need an emotional support person).

Amazon Link
B&N Paperback Link

[Janet Taggart Baldwin]

LILITH/RUA REFUSES TO BE BROKEN!

Lilith wakes up in an asylum with a new name. Rua. No one believes her to be who she says she is. Dr Deargán is her psychologist and her sessions with him are very strange. Parts of them she can't remember. Lilith fights him tooth and nail and also the strange power and attraction she feels for him. He also is obsessed with her but has an ulterior motive for his sessions which I am growing more and more curious what his goal is.

Lilith hears music sensations from people and also mirror sensations which I found fascinating. So does Dr Deargán. Lilith and her few friends have to go thru a lot to navigate asylum life. I didn't read the prior series many reviews talk about which seems to be a prequel to this series, but I had no trouble understanding and enjoying this book. I am so excited for the next book to be released!

[Robin]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

I have been fortunate enough to read all of Sienna Blake’s Pretty trilogy as an ARC reader. You would think I would be used to the journey that she takes us on.

TWISTS. TURNS. LIES. BETRAYAL. HEARTBREAK. I was literally on the edge of my seat the WHOLE. TIME. It’s Rua. No, it’s Liath. Wait. What? I was changing my mind constantly!! And the CLIFF HANGER?!?!?!

I couldn’t make up my mind about Deargán. Was he the good guy? Was he the villain? Is he changing?

This book is incredibly dark. Please read the trigger warnings. I loved every minute of it! I can’t wait to read the next book!

[Lovedarkbooks]

I didn't think any book would make me feel the way the Lovely Broken Doll Trilogy did .. wow, did I miss Sienna's writing and her deep psychological plotlines!

This book was WILD .. I had to take a few days break mid read due to its psychological heaviness (that's not to say you will)

The plot is THICK, pay attention because everything you think you know will be in question with every chapter you read.

Learning Liath was alive immediately peaked my interest - we were introduced to Liath in The Lovely Broken Doll Trilogy: where she left Ava a scared voicemail before vanishing - leaving us believing she had been unalived .. trust me, reading this, at points I felt like she would've been better off 🫣

What Liath endures in this asylum is eerie and unsettling. Sienna's writing had me feeling as scared as Liath was.
And Doctor Deargàn is one cold, calculated, sinister man!
When that plot twist hits .. you will not see it coming - my jaw was on the floor with everything that unravelled at the end of this first installment and I cannot wait to continue this story.

Now, upon leaving the asylum Liath is now on her own, in an unfamiliar world, no idea of the monsters surrounding her to enact a revenge that isn't even hers!

😮‍💨 I need a stiff drink 🤣

[Nicole]

I knew going in that I was going to really enjoy this book because I love how twisted Sienna's beautiful brain works and writes. Let me tell you, she did not disappoint! I was hooked from the very start and got more addicted as it progressed. I couldn't put it down.

Liath and Deargán and all the supporting characters were so easy to fall into step with and feel like I was right next to them as everything was happening. I felt their pain and anxiety, their sadness and loss of control. Liath's strength seeps off the pages of this book. She is a fighter and I cheered her on the whole time. Deargán is an interesting character and I can't WAIT to see where Sienna takes him.

Urg, I can't explain just how much I loved this book. The twists and turns, the changes in the characters, hell, just the way she developed the characters all together! Just when I thought I had something figured out, nope, Sienna threw in a plot twist to keep me on my toes and guessing what else could possibly happen. I love these kinds of books! The darker and more mysterious, the better. This is absolutely a 5 ⭐️, must read and I will be recommending it to all my dark romance reader friends for sure! I can't wait for the next book in the trilogy!

[Heather Miller]

Liath Byrne (Rua) isn't sure what has happened. She was at a ball being chased by a man, and then when she woke up she was in a mental asylum. Everyone is calling her Rua, not her Liath. Is she Rua or Liath? Which one is she? Dr. Bron Deargán meets with her for her therapy. He says oh this is just like Rua does it. She says don't you mean me? Twists and turns as to what is going on and why Liath is in the asylum.

Dr. Bron Deargán seems to be struggling with his feelings for Liath (Rua). It's like he wants to erase her and begin anew as Rua. Almost feels like Handmaid Tale of when they wanted the woman to be 'quiet' seen and not heard. Is that what is going on at the asylum, they are 'resetting' the young woman who are trapped inside?

Breaking Beauty is a dark gothic love triangle with psychological thriller vibes that contains two morally gray anti-heros that you will hate before they make you submit to them.

I did receive a free advanced review copy from Author. I am freely leaving a honest book review.

[Crystal Bradford]

I have been waiting for Liath’s story since I first read Hunting Pretty! Sienna Blake just speaks to me and gets what my brain wants! I love where I feel this story is going there are twists and layers to this story that make me feel like we haven’t even scratched the surface! If you haven’t read the Lovely Broken Dolls Trilogy you can still enjoy this book on its own I would recommend reading them because they are fantastic, and the other books will most likely have some overlap at some point. I will say as far as spice I do feel like this book was less spicy than her previous books but the scenes are quality and feel like they are hinting at something else. Felt very Girl Interrupted meet Six Sense at times. I’m so invested I cannot wait to read the rest of Liath’s story. Trying to keep spoilers out of this but it is a great read you won’t want to put down!

[Megan Glatt]

Well this book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Another amazing psychological book from Sienna.

I was SO excited to fet Liath's story especially after reading the lovely broken doll series. Liath's story is intense, captivating and down right full of mystery.

Liath waking up in an asylum, being told she is NOT who she thinks she is a total mind f*ck. I felt like I was also going crazg along side her. Liath is strong and determined though, shes smart and cunning. These character traits show from start to finish. I loved the relationship between her and Dr.Deargan as it left me constantly in a state of "what is he actually up too?"

In typical Sienna fashion, this book does end on a pretty epic cliff hanger that again, left me speechless. I cant wait to see what happens in the next two books.

[Sarah]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another fabulous read! I cant wait till book 2 is released!
This is the 1st book in the Beautiful trilogy and leaves on a cliffhanger. This story is about Liath who we meet in the Lovely Broken Doll Trilogy. 
She is kidnapped and wakes up in a remote Irish asylum, with Dr Bron Deargán as her doctor.
This book is dark, beautiful and completely heart-wrenching, Liath doesn't know what is going on or why she was brought here. Everyone calls her Rua, she doesn't understand what happened or who to trust.
This book is full of twists and turns and kept me captivated throughout!
Please make sure you check the trigger warnings before diving in ⚠️ Happy Reading!!

[Jessica Stueber]

AMAZING! After the Lovely Broken Doll series, I was left wanting more! The disappearance of Ava’s friend Liath throws her into a rabbit hole of despair. We never do find out much about her or what happened but we’re going to find out now!

Perfect amount of spice and a very forbidden doctor-patient relationship. I am deliriously looking forward to book 2, as I need to know what’s going to happen!

Do yourself a favor and indulge in this series after you have read the Lovely Broken Doll series! You will not be sorry you did! Thank you to Sienna Blake for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Rhiannon_2024]

I absolutely demolished this book! I was in a reading slump and this one definitely got me out of it! I always think no way can Sienna do better than the last book BUT SHES DONE IT AGAIN!!!
I am obsessed with Liath -FMC and Deargán - MMC
Without giving anything away this book blew me and Deargán away! 😉
I was so confused in the beginning but my god it’s worth the read! The tension and storyline alone is enough to make you question everything!
Favourite part? Out of context of course -
“What a fascinating experiment.”
“You lose control when I make you want me,” “And you hate that.”

[Jackie]

Everyone needs a dark a twisty story once in awhile to really draw you in. This story will hook you and hold you hostage until the very end.

The story thrills readers as you take a journey down the rabbit hole that is liath’s chance to investigate what is real and what’s not.

Sienna Blake never disappoints and takes you on a roller coaster ride of twists and turns. And once you think you figure it out. She surprises you again, to keep you guessing until the very end.

I can’t wait for the next installment.

[Brittany]

The emotional roller coaster I went thru with this book. This book will highly recommend dark romance book for me. I absolutely excited to read the next two book in series. I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy twist and turns. You should be warned that there is a huge cliff hanger. I usually not big fan of cliff hangers but I gave this book a chance and I was not disappointed. Sienna Blake has been an author that I enjoyed read. This book had me in a chokehold from the beginning. PLEASE DO READ THE TRIGGER WARNING!!

[Victoria Wyatt]

Liath finds herself in an Irish asylum after being kidnapped from a gathering with her father and others. She is forced into sessions and called Rua. She is insisting that is not her name and the things that go in this place are mind blogging. Dr. Deargan and Liath form a connection that was not supposed to happen. But he still kept things from her, but the shocker is when she faces the test, that she is hopes she does not fail.

[Pamela]

Liath (Rua) wakes up in an Irish asylum with no memory of how she got there. Dr. Bron Deargan insists she is Rua. There's also a hauntingly beautiful boy in the asylum but Liath isn't sure if he's real or a figment of her imagination. This is a gripping, suspenseful tale with a wild ending.

I received a copy of this book.

[Meagan]

Liath is such a strong FMC and i LOVE her! The twists and turns really kept me reading through all the confusion. And Bron…. Good god. I love him and can’t even stay mad lol he’s so intense and his reasoning behind everything is a green flag IMO 🤷🏽‍♀️ The tension was delicious and at times maddening but I’m ready to dive into the second book and see who Lorcan is 🤗

[Yati Nunez]

Uuugghhh I love Sienna's writing. Just when I beleive I can make a prediction in the story, she always pulls the rug from under me! So excited to follow Liath's story! The book had me entertained from start to finish and now I am just desperate for book 2!

[Vicki B]

Oh my gosh were do I begin. The gaslighting was extreme and it had me questioning every little thing. Guys I beg please read it cause ive already done it

[Christina Burrus]

Definitely a suspenseful page turner. What's real and what's not? Twists and turns. I loved this book and I can't wait to read the next one!!!

[Elizabeth Nunley]

Suspenseful. Slow burn. Worth the read. You wont anticipate what happens next. Excited for the next book in the series as this one ends in a cliffhanger.

[itsnotAnna;)]

Sooo freaking good the plot twist was delicious I was just sooo impatient and wanted to read as fast as possible to understand what the hell is going on, onto the next 😏