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The Dark Side #1-2
Four Psychos & Three Trials
First two books together...
Four Psychos
I'm not so different from most people.
Like everyone else, I have life goals.
Goal #1: Become a real girl instead of this invisible ghost thing I currently am.
Goal #2: Convince the four men I've been haunting for the past five years to pick me to be their new toy after goal one is complete.
Goal #3: Figure out who/what I am and why I can't remember anything past the five years I've been haunting this quad.
Goal #4: Eat popcorn.
See? Perfectly normal. Sort of.
Gotta start small, after all.
It's not like anyone else is perfect either.
****
Three Trials
So, I've checked off some life goals and added a few new ones to my list.
Goal #5: Get out of hell's belly without letting my ungrateful charges die.
Goal #6: Get a new name that's more badass.
Goal #7: Stop wasting my breath on lectures and start annoying the quad hell squad every time they annoy me. Fight fire with fire. Ha! Another hell pun.
Goal 8: Find out who the hell killed me.
I'll add more. I don't want to overwhelm myself before I even finish checking off my old goals. But seriously, I really do need a more badass name, considering how much I have to keep saving my damsels in distress.
I probably shouldn't call them damsels, since they're a little murderous and all.
Maybe I should add seeing a hell-certified psychologist to my list of goals.
**Sexual situations/content**Reverse Harem**Dark humor galore**Language warning
Four Psychos
I'm not so different from most people.
Like everyone else, I have life goals.
Goal #1: Become a real girl instead of this invisible ghost thing I currently am.
Goal #2: Convince the four men I've been haunting for the past five years to pick me to be their new toy after goal one is complete.
Goal #3: Figure out who/what I am and why I can't remember anything past the five years I've been haunting this quad.
Goal #4: Eat popcorn.
See? Perfectly normal. Sort of.
Gotta start small, after all.
It's not like anyone else is perfect either.
****
Three Trials
So, I've checked off some life goals and added a few new ones to my list.
Goal #5: Get out of hell's belly without letting my ungrateful charges die.
Goal #6: Get a new name that's more badass.
Goal #7: Stop wasting my breath on lectures and start annoying the quad hell squad every time they annoy me. Fight fire with fire. Ha! Another hell pun.
Goal 8: Find out who the hell killed me.
I'll add more. I don't want to overwhelm myself before I even finish checking off my old goals. But seriously, I really do need a more badass name, considering how much I have to keep saving my damsels in distress.
I probably shouldn't call them damsels, since they're a little murderous and all.
Maybe I should add seeing a hell-certified psychologist to my list of goals.
**Sexual situations/content**Reverse Harem**Dark humor galore**Language warning
423 pages, Paperback
Published May 29, 2019
12 people are currently reading
773 people want to read
About the author
Kristy Cunning
14 books5,955 followersKristy Cunning always loves a good laugh, and lives and breathes the emotions of the characters she becomes attached to.
Though she came from a family of musicians, she has zero abilities with instruments; she sounds like a strangled cat when she sings; and her dancing is downright embarrassing. Just ask anyone who knows her. Her creativity rests solely in the written word. Her family is grateful that she gave up her quest to become a famous singer.
Kristy Cunning is one of the pen names C.M. Owens writes under.
Though she came from a family of musicians, she has zero abilities with instruments; she sounds like a strangled cat when she sings; and her dancing is downright embarrassing. Just ask anyone who knows her. Her creativity rests solely in the written word. Her family is grateful that she gave up her quest to become a famous singer.
Kristy Cunning is one of the pen names C.M. Owens writes under.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 11, 2024
"So if you were a boy band, you'd be One Erection"
The world has lost the Queen of the One-line Burn. RIP C.M Owens
I have read this way back in 2018 and decided to give it a reread through audio. BEST. DECISION. EVER because the narrator, Hollie Jackson, did so well, she brought each character to life, especially Keyla (let's just call her that for now) and her sense of humor and fetish kinks.
"Four Psychos" is a four-book series that takes you on a rollercoaster ride through the paranormal, which is about as stable as a ghost on a diet of ectoplasmic popcorn. And I want to state a very clear statement here
I am 100% against one-person POV when it comes to any romance genre. EXCEPT here.
This is a review for the first 2 books of the series
⚜Genre: Paranormal Romance
⚜Theme: RH Paranormal Romance
⚜Targeted audience: Adults
⚜Characters: Keyla your friendly horny ghost, Four yummy Surface Guardian Men
⚜Representation: non
⚜TW: Violence
⚜ tropes: slow-burn, amnesia,
⚜ POV: One-sided first person - Keyla
⚜ spice 🌶: book 1 🌶 🌶🌶: book 2
⚜ rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
⚜standalone: No
⚜Ending: setting the mood for the next 2 books
Keyla (or so called by the men) is an invisible specter with a penchant for haunting four hunky roommates and a to-do list that's less 'bucket' and more 'sex dreams.' Her goals range from becoming tangible (because being a ghost gets old, even if you don't age) to munching on popcorn (because "priorities").
The four men she's been haunting? They're about as thrilled to see her as a vampire at a garlic festival. But when they start seeing her, it's a toss-up between calling the Ghostbusters and inviting her to their next game night. However, I could not blame them because having been living for decades not knowing who they really are, being manipulated by the underworld, and betrayed relationship-wise so many times, it is no wonder they are apprehensive of a ghost girl suddenly appearing and saying she was watching them for five years
I am not a fan of One-sided POV in romances, but I found that it was necessary here because of all the plot twists that are slowly revealed. The men are as clueless as she is so their POV was irrelevant at this point, though I wished we had theirs at the end of book 2 after that climatic event
I loved Keyla (a name given by the men because she doesn't know who she is). She may appear "clingy" and "needy" and a "pick-me" girl in the beginning with how much desperate she is for the men, but as the story goes on, you come to the realization of why.
She is smart, resourceful, cunning, unapologetic, sexy and beautiful. She is not afraid to state what she wants and gives the boys the lashing they deserve when they disregard her.
Lamar, a character in the book, describes her as such (no spoilers)
"She'll go to the ends of the earth to save you four, and she'll always be serious when it counts because while she distracts you from the intensity of the situation, she is cataloguing each new piece of information, filing it away, recording it for later, then she puts it all together with the most reasonable way to approach a situation. Though to us, we often find it maddening or just crazy but we don't have the same ability to reason as she does"
The situation of the Four Dark Guardians is both hilarious and intriguing. 500 years ago, each of them came to be not knowing who they were or their aim. They met and an instant strong bond formed between them. They became Surface Guardians of the Underworld. Immortals, but not Dead. Something never heard of in the realm of Lucifer. They can have sex or sexual experience unless they are all together in the same room, so they decided to share women.
Cunning is the master of Slow Burn because even though Keyla was all on board for diving head-first in with the men, they weren't. They are very suspicious of her and the reason she came to be. Although they desired her physically, they did not open to her up until much later.
The book and the story draw so much from Biblical mythology of the Underworld with characters such as Lucifer, Lillith, Cain, the Four Horsemen and such. Cunning masterfully put together a spectacular love story for all eternity.
With a dash of dark humor and a sprinkle of reverse harem spice, this book is perfect for those who like their romance with a side of supernatural snark. So, if you're looking for a read that's as quirky as a poltergeist playing pranks in a pottery class, "Four Psychos" might just be your next favorite haunt. Just be warned, it's got more twists than a ghost trying to do the limbo.
The world has lost the Queen of the One-line Burn. RIP C.M Owens
I have read this way back in 2018 and decided to give it a reread through audio. BEST. DECISION. EVER because the narrator, Hollie Jackson, did so well, she brought each character to life, especially Keyla (let's just call her that for now) and her sense of humor and fetish kinks.
"Four Psychos" is a four-book series that takes you on a rollercoaster ride through the paranormal, which is about as stable as a ghost on a diet of ectoplasmic popcorn. And I want to state a very clear statement here
I am 100% against one-person POV when it comes to any romance genre. EXCEPT here.
This is a review for the first 2 books of the series
⚜Genre: Paranormal Romance
⚜Theme: RH Paranormal Romance
⚜Targeted audience: Adults
⚜Characters: Keyla your friendly horny ghost, Four yummy Surface Guardian Men
⚜Representation: non
⚜TW: Violence
⚜ tropes: slow-burn, amnesia,
⚜ POV: One-sided first person - Keyla
⚜ spice 🌶: book 1 🌶 🌶🌶: book 2
⚜ rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
⚜standalone: No
⚜Ending: setting the mood for the next 2 books
Keyla (or so called by the men) is an invisible specter with a penchant for haunting four hunky roommates and a to-do list that's less 'bucket' and more 'sex dreams.' Her goals range from becoming tangible (because being a ghost gets old, even if you don't age) to munching on popcorn (because "priorities").
The four men she's been haunting? They're about as thrilled to see her as a vampire at a garlic festival. But when they start seeing her, it's a toss-up between calling the Ghostbusters and inviting her to their next game night. However, I could not blame them because having been living for decades not knowing who they really are, being manipulated by the underworld, and betrayed relationship-wise so many times, it is no wonder they are apprehensive of a ghost girl suddenly appearing and saying she was watching them for five years
I am not a fan of One-sided POV in romances, but I found that it was necessary here because of all the plot twists that are slowly revealed. The men are as clueless as she is so their POV was irrelevant at this point, though I wished we had theirs at the end of book 2 after that climatic event
I loved Keyla (a name given by the men because she doesn't know who she is). She may appear "clingy" and "needy" and a "pick-me" girl in the beginning with how much desperate she is for the men, but as the story goes on, you come to the realization of why.
She is smart, resourceful, cunning, unapologetic, sexy and beautiful. She is not afraid to state what she wants and gives the boys the lashing they deserve when they disregard her.
Lamar, a character in the book, describes her as such (no spoilers)
"She'll go to the ends of the earth to save you four, and she'll always be serious when it counts because while she distracts you from the intensity of the situation, she is cataloguing each new piece of information, filing it away, recording it for later, then she puts it all together with the most reasonable way to approach a situation. Though to us, we often find it maddening or just crazy but we don't have the same ability to reason as she does"
The situation of the Four Dark Guardians is both hilarious and intriguing. 500 years ago, each of them came to be not knowing who they were or their aim. They met and an instant strong bond formed between them. They became Surface Guardians of the Underworld. Immortals, but not Dead. Something never heard of in the realm of Lucifer. They can have sex or sexual experience unless they are all together in the same room, so they decided to share women.
Cunning is the master of Slow Burn because even though Keyla was all on board for diving head-first in with the men, they weren't. They are very suspicious of her and the reason she came to be. Although they desired her physically, they did not open to her up until much later.
The book and the story draw so much from Biblical mythology of the Underworld with characters such as Lucifer, Lillith, Cain, the Four Horsemen and such. Cunning masterfully put together a spectacular love story for all eternity.
With a dash of dark humor and a sprinkle of reverse harem spice, this book is perfect for those who like their romance with a side of supernatural snark. So, if you're looking for a read that's as quirky as a poltergeist playing pranks in a pottery class, "Four Psychos" might just be your next favorite haunt. Just be warned, it's got more twists than a ghost trying to do the limbo.
July 28, 2022
The more CM Owens books I read, the more heartbroken I become. This woman really was such a huge talent. The first two books in her Dark Side series are absolutely what I've come to expect from her - dark, hilarious, twisted, brilliant, and full of a surprising amount of heart.
Four Psychos - the first book in the series - introduces us to our nameless ghost girl who is inexplicably drawn to four men that she's been haunting for half a decade. Reverse Harems tend to be hit-or-miss for me, but the chemistry between these characters is just so excellent, it almost feels like they were all made for each other.
Turns out, once we get closer to the end of Three Trials, we learn that these five are irrevocably connected. The "twist", if you will, was pretty obvious, especially once the devil gets involved, but I love how imaginative CM is with this world of hers. She really puts her own twist on things - in this case, a long standing mythos/legend - and she makes it feel fresh and original and I absolutely love it.
Our heroine is a riot - I adore her sense of humor, her confidence, the way she dances on the fringes of insanity at times... but I especially love how her vulnerable moments make her so real and relatable. Even with her diabolical origins, it's clear she loves her four psychos deeply and passionately and in a way that is selfishly selfless, as her BFF explains near the end of Three Trials.
I'd say more, but really, you guys need to just read the damn books. This quintet of characters is everything I could want in an RH. Is the lust/sexual chemistry there? Of course. And let me tell you, it is scorching. But there's also so much heart in here, too, and that shit makes me weak in the knees.
I am absolutely OBSESSED with the first two installments of this series and can't wait to devour the remaining two!
Seriously - even if RHs aren't your thing, just take a risk and read this series! It's that good.
Four Psychos - the first book in the series - introduces us to our nameless ghost girl who is inexplicably drawn to four men that she's been haunting for half a decade. Reverse Harems tend to be hit-or-miss for me, but the chemistry between these characters is just so excellent, it almost feels like they were all made for each other.
Turns out, once we get closer to the end of Three Trials, we learn that these five are irrevocably connected. The "twist", if you will, was pretty obvious, especially once the devil gets involved, but I love how imaginative CM is with this world of hers. She really puts her own twist on things - in this case, a long standing mythos/legend - and she makes it feel fresh and original and I absolutely love it.
Our heroine is a riot - I adore her sense of humor, her confidence, the way she dances on the fringes of insanity at times... but I especially love how her vulnerable moments make her so real and relatable. Even with her diabolical origins, it's clear she loves her four psychos deeply and passionately and in a way that is selfishly selfless, as her BFF explains near the end of Three Trials.
I'd say more, but really, you guys need to just read the damn books. This quintet of characters is everything I could want in an RH. Is the lust/sexual chemistry there? Of course. And let me tell you, it is scorching. But there's also so much heart in here, too, and that shit makes me weak in the knees.
I am absolutely OBSESSED with the first two installments of this series and can't wait to devour the remaining two!
Seriously - even if RHs aren't your thing, just take a risk and read this series! It's that good.
July 9, 2024
Dark and amazingly funny! While it is an RH, there are only a few spicy scenes in these books. The FMC is, however, outrageously funny 😁 which makes the books a 5 for me
September 1, 2024
4,5⭐️ ”So if you were a boy band, you’d be One Erection?” HAHAHA en sjukt rolig bok med en badass FMC. Spännande, men lite svår att hänga med ibland men gick om man gav det lite extra tid och tanke. Sen är det alltid svårare (men samtidigt roligt) att ha 5 huvudkaraktärer😉
August 15, 2020
This book had me laughing my ass off as the no named ghost attaches herself to four gorgeous magical men. Reverse harem is a a favorite trope of mine. Mix that in with a paranormal romance and I'm one clicking any book. Kristy is my unicorn for 2020 and I am so freaking happy that I have discovered her books. Four Psychos is the first novel that I've read under this pen name and I just knew that it would not disappoint. I listened to the audiobook during a 6 hour drive and it made the time fly as I was laughing, blushing and completely immersed into the story. This book is H.O.T.T. and prepare for a fun ride with lots of adventure and ghostly badassness!
I am so in love with this reverse harem and watching these 4 men use their powers to get through the trials set up by Lucifer himself. Our no named ghost has been given the name of Keyla, but her memory is still not showing signs of returning anytime soon. Watching Keyla evolve and teasing the boys into oblivion has been a fun journey on its own. She's slowly learning to take a physical form and return to a ghostly form in a moments notice. These books must be read in order, as they each pick up off from the former book's ending.
I am so in love with this reverse harem and watching these 4 men use their powers to get through the trials set up by Lucifer himself. Our no named ghost has been given the name of Keyla, but her memory is still not showing signs of returning anytime soon. Watching Keyla evolve and teasing the boys into oblivion has been a fun journey on its own. She's slowly learning to take a physical form and return to a ghostly form in a moments notice. These books must be read in order, as they each pick up off from the former book's ending.
April 1, 2024
Found this a lot of fun even if I'm weirdly good after reading the first two books and haven't picked up the third yet (or will any time soon, apparently). And it's not like it doesn't end on a sort of cliffhanger, but eh, who knows. Lots of humor, a main character that just won't quit and doesn't really care about much other than the guys, but in an understandable way because she's basically a floaty ghost who can't interact with anyone and only stays sorta with it in their presence.
The four men are okay. I don't hate them, I don't love them, I want to smack them a lot, but that's fairly normal. The setting isn't super fleshed out, but it's passable. Overall, I enjoyed the humor and that the main character had a lot of sass.
The four men are okay. I don't hate them, I don't love them, I want to smack them a lot, but that's fairly normal. The setting isn't super fleshed out, but it's passable. Overall, I enjoyed the humor and that the main character had a lot of sass.
November 15, 2024
a new guilty pleasure for sure. this book was ridiculous in the best way possible. I listened to the audiobook and basically had a stupid smile plastered on my face the whole time. it's entertaining. I loved the whole ghost thing. I did however hate the "virginity" shit. there's definitely also some questionable consent going on, but then again this is a dark romance. I was actually expecting a lot worse from this. there's no real plot and no world-building. but it made me smile and it made me laugh and that's all I wanted from this.
December 26, 2022
3.75 ⭐️
Me está gustando, pero solo por ella.
Los cuatro todavía no me caen bien por como la tratan, aunque entiendo que no confían en ella.
Tengo muchas preguntas: ¿Los cinco son el mismo tipo de criatura o son diferentes?¿Cuál es su propósito? ¿Por qué ella no tiene ningún recuerdo? ¿Por qué parece que los cinco son muy poderosos?¿Quién no quería que los cuatro entrarán al infierno y por qué?
Me está gustando, pero solo por ella.
Los cuatro todavía no me caen bien por como la tratan, aunque entiendo que no confían en ella.
Tengo muchas preguntas: ¿Los cinco son el mismo tipo de criatura o son diferentes?¿Cuál es su propósito? ¿Por qué ella no tiene ningún recuerdo? ¿Por qué parece que los cinco son muy poderosos?¿Quién no quería que los cuatro entrarán al infierno y por qué?
January 27, 2025
Love love LOVE this series!!!! I’m not usually a reverse harem fan, but this one is done so perfectly. Believe it or not, there’s actually not a plethora of sex scenes. And the scenes that are there are done just right. Super hot, adds to the storyline, and somehow the author makes the gang bang, sweet…yeti said it. You’ll love the boys, you’ll love the FMC, awesome story, lots of action, twists. It’s a must read.
December 30, 2024
I read the first 2 books in 2017 and I had a different review than I have now. Told from the FMC’s POV, there is a lot of intrigue and definitely a slow burn. The MMCs’ were basically bullies, which I wasn’t into, though the author explains that towards the end of the second book. I always dig stories that involve Hell and Lucifer,so this doesn’t disappoint.
February 1, 2022
I got it two days ago and I finished it today. I couldn't put it down and I bought the rest of the series on Amazon today. I love Keyla and the boys and reading the first two books together was great.
April 17, 2024
Pretty awesome read. There was lots of twists and turns. Some you just don't see coming! There is also no shortage of action! Fair warning the guys are arseholes and I agree with her, ungrateful. haha but there's reasons for that. I over all really liked it!
May 14, 2025
Books 1 & 2 were amazing!! I'm looking forward to reading Books 3 & 4. Had me laughing throughout the books. Keyla aka Paca, Comoara Tradatoare, The Apocalypse is a badass Queen!!
"If you were a boy band, you would be called One Erection?" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
"If you were a boy band, you would be called One Erection?" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
September 22, 2025
4.25
Ridiculous.
RIDICULOUSLY HILARIOUS! This book was so entertaining! Some parts really did seem ridiculous, and I can see how this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it all makes sense toward the end of book 2. Can’t wait to read what happens next!!
Ridiculous.
RIDICULOUSLY HILARIOUS! This book was so entertaining! Some parts really did seem ridiculous, and I can see how this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it all makes sense toward the end of book 2. Can’t wait to read what happens next!!
April 24, 2020
It just keeps getting better...
June 21, 2020
Must read.
July 4, 2020
My favorite book from this author and I get 1&2 together? Count me in. Slight binge read.
March 7, 2022
Ahhhmazing. That's it. That's all you need to know. The Dark Side series is incredible - a great mix between humor and sexy. You should definitely not let it sit on your TBR list any longer!
June 21, 2022
4 stars
Kept me entertained, if not a bit to chaotic to keep up.
Kept me entertained, if not a bit to chaotic to keep up.
February 2, 2023
!S!S
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2023
Amazing plot! and great teasing lol
April 2, 2024
Best paranormal series! The humour is the best!
July 11, 2024
I listened to this on audible and it was good. I like the concept of this book. One woman, four men.. I can get into this.
September 7, 2024
4 & 1/2⭐️
Read
October 14, 2024🟢 This is a reverse harem 🟢
February 12, 2025
I knew I was going to enjoy these books even before I read the synopsis.
December 28, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ sooo good! Loved the character building & the lil twist! Cant wait to read book 3&4🤪
April 22, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
June 18, 2025
fun and different
February 8, 2024
This series was amazing. I laughed so hard, and I couldn't stop reading. I was always wanting to know what would happen next! I just loved all four of these books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews