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Asylum Bound #1
A House So Mad
Previously published as Asylum Bound by Analeigh Ford.
This isn’t your ordinary asylum, and these aren’t your ordinary patients. Ashford isn't the sort of place you’re sent to get better, it’s the sort of place you’re sent to be forgotten. Thalia already knows that from the moment she arrives. Long abandoned by the families who put them away to begin with, this place has had to develop its own sort of hierarchy to keep from falling apart. And it all starts with Price, Ives, and Kingsley—the self-proclaimed princes of Ashford Asylum as untouchable as they are cruel. Price, the boy whose mere presence makes the mind go mad. Ives, whose temper makes the whole asylum go into panic. And Kingsley. Kingsley, the greatest threat of all…mostly because he’s as unpredictable as he is vicious. Tempered only by the fact that he shares his body with a boy as kind as he is dangerous. The three of them think they can bully the rest of the inmates into submission, force them to bow to their reign…but there’s one little problem. Thalia doesn’t run from chaos. She embraces it. Unlike the rest of the inmates, she’s no victim. She’s dealt with bullies like them all her life. Anything they do to her, she’ll do ten times worse. Let them try to bruise her, she’ll break them. If she doesn’t get out of there first. There’s only one problem with that—no one leaves Ashford Asylum. Not until now. Not if Thalia has anything to do with it. Not when the voices are telling her otherwise. A House So Mad is a dark enemies-to-lovers paranormal romance where the main character has no intention of choosing between the love interests she starts falling for. It’s the first part of the Asylum Bound duology. This series contains steam and sensitive subjects that may not be suitable for all readers.
This isn’t your ordinary asylum, and these aren’t your ordinary patients. Ashford isn't the sort of place you’re sent to get better, it’s the sort of place you’re sent to be forgotten. Thalia already knows that from the moment she arrives. Long abandoned by the families who put them away to begin with, this place has had to develop its own sort of hierarchy to keep from falling apart. And it all starts with Price, Ives, and Kingsley—the self-proclaimed princes of Ashford Asylum as untouchable as they are cruel. Price, the boy whose mere presence makes the mind go mad. Ives, whose temper makes the whole asylum go into panic. And Kingsley. Kingsley, the greatest threat of all…mostly because he’s as unpredictable as he is vicious. Tempered only by the fact that he shares his body with a boy as kind as he is dangerous. The three of them think they can bully the rest of the inmates into submission, force them to bow to their reign…but there’s one little problem. Thalia doesn’t run from chaos. She embraces it. Unlike the rest of the inmates, she’s no victim. She’s dealt with bullies like them all her life. Anything they do to her, she’ll do ten times worse. Let them try to bruise her, she’ll break them. If she doesn’t get out of there first. There’s only one problem with that—no one leaves Ashford Asylum. Not until now. Not if Thalia has anything to do with it. Not when the voices are telling her otherwise. A House So Mad is a dark enemies-to-lovers paranormal romance where the main character has no intention of choosing between the love interests she starts falling for. It’s the first part of the Asylum Bound duology. This series contains steam and sensitive subjects that may not be suitable for all readers.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2021
106 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 20, 2021
This is a review of the full series.
I wanted to like this duology SO MUCH. And I did, to a degree. The author hyped it up as super steamy and pushing boundaries and she and I must have very different definitions of those words. The first book has absolutely no spicy scenes at all. Zero. And while we do get into that territory in book two, it's lacking. There are maybe one and a half real sex scenes. And in the one big scene, she cuts off literally a few short paragraphs after the sex actually starts! Why?!
Here's what I don't get. Her sex scenes are really, really good. Like... clearly she has a talent for the spice. So why the heck is she cutting herself short every time??? It's a reverse harem novel! That's what we're here for! It almost feels like she strayed into the dark/BDSM side of things and wasn't quite comfortable in that space. I would assume it's more public opinion anxiety than real discomfort with the subject material which is unfortunate because it's landed her in the no man's land of dark erotic novels.
This book is probably a little too much for the average reader who isn't into dark erotic themes, we smudge the lines of consent, the love interests are NOT nice people and the heroine doesn't like or trust them, and then, of course, you have all of the BDSM and asylum themes. But for a reader who is actively searching out darker erotic novels, this book is a featherweight. By not fully committing to either direction, I feel like this book is going to have a hard time landing for either audience.
As far as what I DID like? I felt that the story was pretty original, which, when you read as much PNR as I do becomes something of a commodity. The plot of the first book kept me up reading until 1 am which I rarely do nowadays. The plot of the second book gets a bit convoluted and faltering and could have used some developmental editing to smooth it out. The ending felt a bit rushed and like it should have been drawn into a third book. I don't think you can call it a criticism that the series should have been longer though so that can go mostly in the positives category.
I also had no clue where things were going which I loved. I'm the kind of person who always figures out the twist. Every time. I'm not trying to figure out the twist, my brain just does it. So when an author can create a story that leaves me largely in the dark about what's coming next, it's always a treat.
TLDR: I did enjoy the series but felt a bit duped when it wasn't as steamy as promised.
I wanted to like this duology SO MUCH. And I did, to a degree. The author hyped it up as super steamy and pushing boundaries and she and I must have very different definitions of those words. The first book has absolutely no spicy scenes at all. Zero. And while we do get into that territory in book two, it's lacking. There are maybe one and a half real sex scenes. And in the one big scene, she cuts off literally a few short paragraphs after the sex actually starts! Why?!
Here's what I don't get. Her sex scenes are really, really good. Like... clearly she has a talent for the spice. So why the heck is she cutting herself short every time??? It's a reverse harem novel! That's what we're here for! It almost feels like she strayed into the dark/BDSM side of things and wasn't quite comfortable in that space. I would assume it's more public opinion anxiety than real discomfort with the subject material which is unfortunate because it's landed her in the no man's land of dark erotic novels.
This book is probably a little too much for the average reader who isn't into dark erotic themes, we smudge the lines of consent, the love interests are NOT nice people and the heroine doesn't like or trust them, and then, of course, you have all of the BDSM and asylum themes. But for a reader who is actively searching out darker erotic novels, this book is a featherweight. By not fully committing to either direction, I feel like this book is going to have a hard time landing for either audience.
As far as what I DID like? I felt that the story was pretty original, which, when you read as much PNR as I do becomes something of a commodity. The plot of the first book kept me up reading until 1 am which I rarely do nowadays. The plot of the second book gets a bit convoluted and faltering and could have used some developmental editing to smooth it out. The ending felt a bit rushed and like it should have been drawn into a third book. I don't think you can call it a criticism that the series should have been longer though so that can go mostly in the positives category.
I also had no clue where things were going which I loved. I'm the kind of person who always figures out the twist. Every time. I'm not trying to figure out the twist, my brain just does it. So when an author can create a story that leaves me largely in the dark about what's coming next, it's always a treat.
TLDR: I did enjoy the series but felt a bit duped when it wasn't as steamy as promised.
May 19, 2021
Not sure
So 0 steam. Literally none do dont read this if you are looking for that....not sure how I feel about it.
So 0 steam. Literally none do dont read this if you are looking for that....not sure how I feel about it.
June 15, 2021
Gripping.
I actually really enjoyed reading this book. I'm excited to read the rest of the series. . . . .
I actually really enjoyed reading this book. I'm excited to read the rest of the series. . . . .
May 19, 2021
A House so Mad is the first book in the Asylum Bound duology, which is a dark paranormal romance following Thalia, who is forced by her older brother into the Ashford Asylum. After the deaths of her parents, Thalia experiences a slight breakdown, which her brother exploits with the goal of getting rid of her forever. However, as soon as you reach the Ashford Asylum, you realize that something strange is going on, and there's a slight underlying mystery throughout the novel. I gave this book 4.5 stars because there were some little grammatical and spelling issues that I disliked, but overall the story was fantastic.
I actually ended up reading this book in a single sitting, because the story was so captivating that I couldn't put it down. I love how we begin to learn more about the boys, specifically Ives when Thalia learns a bit about his motivations. I also really love Thalia- she feels like a real person, with both flaws and strengths. I love how strong she is, and how resilient, and how she isn't a pushover to the boys.
In all, this is an AMAZING book, and I 100% recommend if you love paranormal romance, brooding bad boys, and forced proximity/prison-like settings.
I actually ended up reading this book in a single sitting, because the story was so captivating that I couldn't put it down. I love how we begin to learn more about the boys, specifically Ives when Thalia learns a bit about his motivations. I also really love Thalia- she feels like a real person, with both flaws and strengths. I love how strong she is, and how resilient, and how she isn't a pushover to the boys.
In all, this is an AMAZING book, and I 100% recommend if you love paranormal romance, brooding bad boys, and forced proximity/prison-like settings.
May 26, 2021
I really enjoyed the author's take on the Asylum storyline, it was a fairly unique idea and pretty well executed. I felt like the story became long and drawn out at points and kinda lagged, but overall I really enjoyed the book and it was very well edited. Also warning if you are looking for steamy I would not really recommend this series. This series is a nice short and interesting read, with some darker themes, with several twists and turns.
August 27, 2021
So this book really started off with a bang and I wanted so much from this book. Yes, it was good, but it kind of fell flat because there was so much inneduos and not enough evidence to explain what was actually going down...
I was just thrown off by the lack of details. The story line almost felt like plot points and not a developed or executed storyline. There were so many sprinkles of this amazing and paranormal world and just no true explanation of it all! I just needed more. There were so many scenes that I really liked, but would be very disappointed because sometimes they would end nowhere or didn’t make sense all together. I just loved the concept of the book and was so disappointed on how it turned out.
I found all the characters Thaila’s deer in the headlights attitude made and broke the book for me. I just thought it took too long for her to get it together and her character fell flat. I liked that she had a backbone and I applauded her, but I wanted to take her, shake her and tell her that she needed to get her crap together. She could also get a little whiny and that always bothers me.
Overall, the end left me wanted more so I’m going to continue and I hope I get the answers I need.
I was just thrown off by the lack of details. The story line almost felt like plot points and not a developed or executed storyline. There were so many sprinkles of this amazing and paranormal world and just no true explanation of it all! I just needed more. There were so many scenes that I really liked, but would be very disappointed because sometimes they would end nowhere or didn’t make sense all together. I just loved the concept of the book and was so disappointed on how it turned out.
I found all the characters Thaila’s deer in the headlights attitude made and broke the book for me. I just thought it took too long for her to get it together and her character fell flat. I liked that she had a backbone and I applauded her, but I wanted to take her, shake her and tell her that she needed to get her crap together. She could also get a little whiny and that always bothers me.
Overall, the end left me wanted more so I’m going to continue and I hope I get the answers I need.
January 9, 2025
Interesting plot. Shitty writing. Shitty MLS. Somewhat shitty FML. There was no world building and we never really got to know the characters. We are suddenly rushed into the plot with no background. There was no depth to the characters. The male leads were pieces of shit. Nothing was happening in this book. No idea what was happening. The male leads act like they control everything when they don't it was so stupid
May 22, 2021
I received an ARC copy of this book directly from the author for an honest review.
Definitely one to try it’s very intriguing and keeps your interest throughout. It’s not what I expected exactly but that just made me want to keep going. The characters are dark and twisted but you’re never really sure who is exactly doing the ‘right’ thing. Definitely looking to read book 2!
Definitely one to try it’s very intriguing and keeps your interest throughout. It’s not what I expected exactly but that just made me want to keep going. The characters are dark and twisted but you’re never really sure who is exactly doing the ‘right’ thing. Definitely looking to read book 2!
August 6, 2021
There wasn't actually any romance in it?? And the characters and plot were vague to the point of boredom. Like I get maybe the author was trying to create some mystery, but if I don't get at least SOME information, it starts to feel like the characters are talking in circles around each other. I DNF'd at 80%.
July 15, 2021
3.5 stars
This was an intriguing read, I wasn't really sure what to expect but I enjoyed the characters and I liked the mystery around the asylum and what exactly everyone was.
Definitely read the next installment
This was an intriguing read, I wasn't really sure what to expect but I enjoyed the characters and I liked the mystery around the asylum and what exactly everyone was.
Definitely read the next installment
July 17, 2021
75%
There's barely a plotline going on. I don't know much of anything about any of the characters. Nobody is actually dark or creepy, they literally just mention vague threats and do nothing. This is boring and I'm not going to continue.
There's barely a plotline going on. I don't know much of anything about any of the characters. Nobody is actually dark or creepy, they literally just mention vague threats and do nothing. This is boring and I'm not going to continue.
May 18, 2021
*REVIEW COMING SOON*
July 15, 2021
loved this! exactly what it promises it would be, dark and fun :)
December 13, 2021
Good, but...
This was a good read but I feel like it should have been a little longer. It was a little rushed. So far I like the characters.
This was a good read but I feel like it should have been a little longer. It was a little rushed. So far I like the characters.
May 25, 2022
This isn’t a PNR reverse harem romance… it’s more A psychological thriller with enemies to friends. BORING!! I got 50% through the second book. Nope can’t do it.
November 11, 2023
I'm speechless...it's impressive how I got attached to the author's writing... I'll probably be reading the other books for the next few weeks.
September 1, 2024
What the fu*k did I just read and sh*t was it good!
September 19, 2025
No pasó nada y luego cuando se dio la revelación, termina el libro. Byeeee
August 28, 2024
Everyone else is just annoyed there was minimal smut.
This series is wild.
This series is wild.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews