Heart of a Killer

The Butterfly Effect Duet #2

by Ayden Perry

Criss-cross, leather straps
3 marks the spot
Circle that, don’t look back
Or you might get caught

The mourning cloak devils
Will show you no mercy
They’re the asylum rebels
Considered to be unworthy

3 knives in your back
your blood runs cold, cold, cold
3 rats down your back
They scurry as they come, come, come

Close your eyes, and you’ll hear
The echoes of their screams
You better run before they come
Or you’ll see them in your dreams.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Horror

263 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2022

Reviews

[Aliki (semi hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This was definitely a weird and exciting ride!!! The plot and the way it developed was quite new to me but it was very enjoyable!! The writing and development was definetely better than book 1 and i am so happy about that!! I believe for this book too that it should have been longer (and i almost never say that about books) bc it could have been even more detailed and heighten the complicated emotions through this!! I loved every little sick aspect of it, the dark vibes and atmosphere was there and my heart had what it craved!!!

Also, i loved the author's note! Spoilers incoming:
One of the characters, a very very morally grey one (leaning towards black might i say) has DID. Seeing at the end that the author has also DID and since everyone in pop cultures makes people with this as villains and monsters (criminally offencive side eye to the media) she decided to write this and it felt empowering warmed my heart. <3

I am really excited to read more work by this author and i am so glad i found her <3 Also, this experience was even better bc i had lila's company reading this <3 <3

---------------------------------------------

When therapy isn’t enough, we turn to dark romance to mend the rest of our broken soul.
Let the healing begin.

Buddy reading with my beautiful Lilaaa <3

[Ayden Perry · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m back again. I know you’re always looking in the one star section and I’m here to help you out. This book is dark and heavy. I included a new character who also has a lot of trauma but also helps to lighten the load a little bit. Brie, she is an amazing badass and I hope you love her as much as I do. She was the comic, morbid relief I think this story needed. While I worked through my traumas in this book, I hope you found strength and feel less alone. Dark romance is a place of healing and I hope you find that.

Content - (this list is all thanks to one of my ARC readers Aly_reads_stuff who did an amazing job even though they didn’t have to. I thank you ❤️)
MF, FF, FFM scenes
Taboo, variety of mental health issues depicted, CNC & Dub-con
graphic violence; blood, gore, murder, torture
Child abuse; CSA & molestation
Rape/rape culture
Involuntary admission to an institution
Unsafe/forced abortion
Graphic experimental, psychiatric treatments including forced feeding & ECT
Homophobia & use of homophobic slurs
Horror themes
Amnesia

List of Potential Trigger warnings:
Blood, rats, knives, negative DID rep, glorification of drug use, self isolation, escapist behaviors, panic/ anxiety attack, mysogyny, laced drugs, hallucination, coersion, structural dissociation, details on the feelings of using, sleep deprivation, melting skin, gore, graphic wounds, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, attempted suuicide, pregnancy, emotional/physical abuse mention, incest, stolckholm syndrome, hospitalization, psychiatric inpatient treatment, mentions of the church, forced hysterectomy, memory loss, sleep disorders, medically induced coma, amnesia walls, classist insults, gender essentialism, body shaming, eating disorder mention, death, delusion, bodily mutililation, body horror, pica, medicaiton as management, addiciton, toxic masculinity, incest, cheating mention, graphic self harm, mentions of stolen children, prison mentions, cancer mention, body fluids, ruby play, water torture “hydrotherapy”, flashbacks, child abuse, dubcon, csa mention, graphic depictions of mutilation, murder, binging mention, graphic pica, parentification, alcohol use disorder, homophobia, lesbophobia, drugged without consent, needles, injections, electroshock therapy, being restrained, medical malpractice, halucinations, ableism, sanism, kidnapping, interogation, graphic depictions of violence, violence against women, suicide, hanging, back alley abortion, torture, pedophilia, adoption, baby theft, genital mutilation, corpses, decay, infidelity, medical neglect, house fire, bugs, assault, CNC, grief of a loved one, schizophrenia, gaslighting, stolckholm syndrome

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been waiting for this book since I finished book 1. We got more characters in this book you'll love.

We kinda pick up where we left off with Skylar self checking in to the facility for depression and suicide. She meets some of the other patients and meets Brie who gives her the run down of everyone. And Leland who looks just like someone from her past She's confused why he's there and what he remembers. The friendship between the three is so good and also the sexual tension between all 3 is good to.
They do have some ups and downs since Brie did reject Sky for her reasons and didnt want nothing to happen to sky due to her demons. Plus some scene with my babies Sky and well Leland 😈. And we get a very hot shower scene 🥵.

The drama also from the way the doctor treats them to when secerts and past finally come out. I'm sad to see this end. But I love my babies (Alex and Skylar foreverr).

Angst,slight secondary character, no cheating, Sexy times, drama, no virgins

Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶.5

Prologue
Slowish burn
FF, MF, FFM
CnC
Violence
Murder/Torture/death
Tiny push away from all
Incest
Dub-con
Force abortion
Mental health issues
Suicide
Eating disorder
sleep disorders
schizophrenia
pica
Drugs
structural dissociation
PTSD
narcissism
Gaslighting
mention of CSA
Child abuse
grief of a loved one
blood play
anal play
no condom
Hea
Epilogue

[Temecka · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

RTC

[Kassybetweenpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the Love of all that is unholy and twisted! this book was a whirlwind of chaos and fuckary, I devoured every piece of it.

Skylar is checked into a hospital after attempting to take her life
(also the life of her fetus) and we meet a new character Brie who adds a whole new dynamic to Skyler and Alex. I was here for all the dark twisted things that hid in the corners of this book.

[Allie Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so honored to be apart of the alpha reading team for Heart of a Killer.

Things I like in this book:
-This book has flashbacks that easily transition from past to current.
- The emotional style and stabby thriller style of this book.
-Bisexual FMCs
-great spice
-character development.
-twisty 🤯 mind blowing surprises
-dark/horror style romance

[Jay Madeleine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was all over the place!

[Lori Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW… What an ending, or is it?!?

This books was one hell of a roller coaster! Putting pieces from the first book together and then tearing them apart just to bring them back together in even a more spectacular way!!!

This ending leads me to believe there could be more in the future with Brie, Skylar and Alex! I really didn’t know exactly how much I would love Alex until this book. His caring and protective nature really didn’t me in… not only caring and protective but very dark and deadly at the same time!!! I love the depths of his darkness and the complexity of his character!

If you are seeing this make sure you read Wings of a Butterfly first… but before diving in please make sure to read Ayden’s trigger warnings. I don’t want to hear complaining about a certain pairing in these books when she clearly lists it!

Fabulous book… spectacular duet… and I cannot wait to read more by her!

[Naomi Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger warnings **** extremely violent and gorey graphic descriptions , talk of rape . And a extremely taboo read .

This was a great quick read. Although half brother tropes would not be something I would typically pick up . It was still entertaining ! 3 people find love within each other which normally wouldn't be conventional or even right by most standards. This book describes mental illness so well .

As someone who suffers with depression it was such a refreshing and heartbreaking detail that I'm glad they included. I also suspected the multiple personalities and schizophrenia. The violence kept you on edge and constantly wondering when his memory will come back and the shit will hit the fan ! Lol

Although not a typical read i was happy with it and how it turned out .


Buttttt wth is going on with her friend Nikki?! I want to know about the trench coat and such . Is she a escort ? That's what I was suspecting since book 1 . But i really want to know!

[Paige Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

And just like the first book, I binged the hell out of this one too! This one starts off a tad slow but when it picks up it never lets up for a second.

In Heart of a Killer we pick back up where Wings of a Butterfly ended. Sky ends up in a a Psychiatric Ward after the events she faced at the end of book one. She meets Brie and is immediately hooked and knows they’ll be great friends and possibly more? However, she also notices a very familiar face and this thrills and frightens her at the same time. But why are they acting like they don’t know her??

Holy crap guys… this book put me through the freakin’ ringer. So much emotion. Sex. Desire. Hunger and NEED. 🥵🌶️

As this story went on it gradually got more unhinged and sexy as hell. There’s so many twists along the way that it was hard to keep up one after another. I felt like I was on a constant loophole of a rollercoaster ride with this sequel and I’m really hoping for a third!!! 🤞

I LOVE this series immensely!

[Ya-ting · Rating 3 out of 5]

lol wtf happened....!

This was definitely a whirlwind of activity as we find our two main characters from book 1, both committed to the same psychiatric facility: Leland/Alex has temporary amnesia and struggles to recall his memories. Skylar is there because of an attempted su!c!de.

I struggled to keep my interest in this part of the duet, which was disappointing, as I loved the first book (and the covers are beautiful!). I think the addition of the third person, who was totally new in book 2, threw me off course. So the duo becomes a trio. If anything, I would've thought that Skylar's roommate would be the one to get involved with Alex and Skylar, as that seems like a more logical progression to me, since we've already read her POV in book 1.

As such, Brie is a fresh character with quite the personality on her. She challenges both Skylar and Alex individually, and I think ends up being a good match for them both. She is struggling with her own demons when they all meet, but I did end up loving her.

Definitely a lot of dealing with mental health issues, and then it turns into a Bonnie 1/Bonnie 2 and Clyde-type of scenario. Expect M/F, FF, and FFM/MFF/FMF action!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost I absolutely enjoyed this book. It’s heavy read, so it took me a little longer then the first one (wings of a butterfly.) the representation in this book astounds me. Sexual orientation to mental health. Daddy Alex whew he’s still CRAZY hot. The amounts that these characters go through, the trauma, the overcoming, and the love they find themselves. What a eye opening experience it was for me to read this. Outstanding. I highly recommend,however again read Wings of a butter fly first. The scenes Ayden writes, the detail that is put into them wow I’m blown away.

[Kenzlie Andresen · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC REVIEW*

Alex….my broken man🖤 I absolutely loved this, I’ve read other books where the characters are in an asylum but this was completely different than what you would expect. Skylar and Brie are some bad b*tch’s and they all deserve the happy ending. I just love this story all around!

Ayden, you did a wonderful job with these two books. You should be very proud of yourself; I also want to thank you for telling a part of your story by writing these, I know it must have been really hard but we all really appreciate it and are very proud.❤️

Also, what was with Nicole and that trench coat??🤔 little suspicious….

[Bookish Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride! An asylum setting with some mystery and seriously steamy moments. I'm here for all of it!

[Cassidi Harvel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️: eh, it was okay

This duet had some fucked up parts and was definitely a crazy ride 🫠

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proceed with caution! This book is filled with trauma, dark content, and s*x. It was absolutely amazing.

[Mercedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️… Ayden really stepped book two up a notch and I was so here for it!
Bri came into the picture in this book and I loved her character and everything she brought to the table. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I’m going to keep this short and sweet. Make sure you read Wings of a Butterfly first and check the trigger warnings! (You can find them in Ayden’s own 1 star reviews on GR)

Well done!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t like this book as much as the first. Yes it was dark & taboo & I absolutely love Sky & Alex. HOWEVER….

Not a fan of Brie. At all. I didn’t feel any sympathy whatsoever for her & adding her into the relationship just took away from the relationship between Alex & Sky. I’m a huge fan of why choose, but this just felt forced and inauthentic. I didn’t feel any genuine feelings for her from either Sky or Alex. The book would have been better just focusing on the main relationship, their escape from the asylum, & their eventual life on the lam after.

Also, I have questions.
Did Nikki never come back to check on her? What was with the weird way she was acting & the “older man”? Perhaps that’s in another book.

Alex’s surprise for Sky. Was dear old dad in the basement the whole time? Clearly not because he’s be dead. When did Alex go get him? If he lived in Tennessee, clearly Alex’s absence would have been missed for that long.

Who the hell is Anna & why do we only hear about her at the end? She’s apparently Alex’s cousin? Who he frequently visits in California? She’s some kind of assassin or needs an assassin? Wtf?

Overall it was a dark & taboo duet that I throughly enjoyed. This is my first from this author & I’ll seek out other works by them. Hopefully with less plot holes & more fleshed out characters.

[Kat Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a twist! I loved this book! Well written, kept me on the edge of my seat. Looking forward to more... please tell me there is going to be a spin off.

[Bookers Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ 4🌶 5🔥4⛓ 5⛈ ⚠️! Very dark, very twisted and very deliciously taboo. I’m left speechless after reading this duet; it is my darkest read to date and I loved it. If you enjoyed the first book in this duet, Wings of a Butterfly, then you will surely love this second book. It was honestly even darker than the first, which was not an easy accomplishment. I was blown away with the unique and imaginative path this story goes on. The story and characters are clearly personal to the author, and I loved that she put a piece of herself into it.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all of you dark romance and taboo readers! In fact, I challenge you to read this book/duet and then let me know if you have ever read a book that is more dark, or more taboo and this well written!

****SPOILER ALERT*** DO NOT READ PAST THIS POINT IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK****

Discussion:

THE GOOD ✅
✅I loved the writing. It was smooth and concise. I appreciated that the author did not waste my time with pointless information or conversation. There are no fillers or fluff, but instead, the story is fast paced, straight forward and to the point.
✅I found that the many twists were unpredictable and kept the story exciting.
✅These books have serious shock factor, which I find very entertaining! There were several times throughout the duet that I was blown away with the subject matter or events, and I do not get shocked and blown away easily.
✅This book was every bit as dark as advertised, if not more so. It lived up to the hype and then some.
✅I personally love taboo romance and this sis almost as taboo as it gets, but it was done in a believable way- I mean they’re already mentally unwell serial killers, what does taking it one step further matter. It was believable to me that characters with so little moral code would not care about carrying out a taboo relationship, as it’s the least of their sins.
✅I liked that the bad guys were given a happy-for-now ending, as they wouldn’t deserve it in real life, so it’s fun to entertain it in fiction.
✅I found the mental illness of these characters and their interaction with each other to be fascinating, and I also like that the author sheds some light on these stigmatized mental health disorders and how they go hand and hand with trauma.
✅The spice scenes were well written and gave plenty of fanny flutters.

THE BAD❌
❌I wish the first book was a little longer and included a few more brutal kinky spice scenes that Ayden is so good at writing. During the time they spent together before she escapes, I would have really enjoyed reading some more creative kink. (This is not a complaint, just a personal preference).
❌At the end of the duet, I would have liked to see a more thorough conversation take place regarding Alex’s other identity, Josh. During the conversation that occurred after they leave the asylum and get back to his house, I question why Skylar would not bring up concern about the violent unpredictable nature of Josh and the threat he potentially poses to her and Brie. Alex had a moment before leaving the asylum where his identities melded together alluding to the fact that he was able to get his personalities under control- I would have liked to see Alex talk about his DID, the fact that his identity, Josh, is the serial killer, and the moment his identities melded together giving him more control, talking about these things would have reassured the girls that they are safe from Josh. Without some kind of reassurance, I found it difficult to believe that Skylar could feel safe with Alex after seeing what “Josh” is capable of.

Overall, I loved this dark duet and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark taboo romance and pushing their boundaries.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶.75


I absolutely loved everything about this book! This book is so Dark! There are so many twists, turns, and emotional moments in this book! I especially loved Skylar and Alex relationship! I also loved that Brie was added to their relationship. Brie was a badass!!
I hated Dr. Benjamin and that is all I will say about him.

My 3 favorite quotes are:
“Why are you so good to me, Skylar? After everything I’ve ever done to you. Why are you still so good to me?”
“Aw, what’s the matter, doc? You don’t like my arts and crafts today?”
“This is the family I’ve always wanted.”


Trigger Warnings:

Blood, rats, knives, negative DID rep, glorification of drug use, self isolation, escapist behaviors, panic/ anxiety attack, mysogyny, laced drugs, hallucination, coersion, structural dissociation, details on the feelings of using, sleep deprivation, melting skin, gore, graphic wounds, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, attempted suuicide, pregnancy, emotional/physical abuse mention, incest, stolckholm syndrome, hospitalization, psychiatric inpatient treatment, mentions of the church, forced hysterectomy, memory loss, sleep disorders, medically induced coma, amnesia walls, classist insults, gender essentialism, body shaming, eating disorder mention, death, delusion, bodily mutililation, body horror, pica, medicaiton as management, addiciton, toxic masculinity, incest, cheating mention, graphic self harm, mentions of stolen children, prison mentions, cancer mention, body fluids, ruby play, water torture “hydrotherapy”, flashbacks, child abuse, dubcon, csa mention, graphic depictions of mutilation, murder, binging mention, graphic pica, parentification, alcohol use disorder, homophobia, lesbophobia, drugged without consent, needles, injections, electroshock therapy, being restrained, medical malpractice, halucinations, ableism, sanism, kidnapping, interogation, graphic depictions of violence, violence against women, suicide, hanging, back alley abortion, torture, pedophilia, adoption, baby theft, genital mutilation, corpses, decay, infidelity, medical neglect, house fire, bugs, assault, CNC, grief of a loved one, schizophrenia, gaslighting, stolckholm syndrome

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book II in 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝐵𝓊𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇𝒻𝓁𝓎 𝐸𝒻𝒻𝑒𝒸𝓉 duet
•
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶/5

🦋Tab00
🦋Asylum Romance
🦋Mystery/Thriller
🦋Horror Elements
🦋Mental Illness Rep
🦋Polyamory
🦋FF—MF—FFM
🦋HEA

Read responsibly && mind your tr¡ggərs.
•
Do you ever have that "wtf do I even say abt this book" feeling but in a good way? And have you ever felt that way for a sequel? Personally, only one other sequel had me this gobsmacked. H0ly sh¡tə!

⚠️If you haven't read the first book—Wings of a Butterfly—*S*T*0*P* here! *suspicious eyes* I mean it... sp0¡lərs are likely.⚠️

Book one ended on a b¡tch of a cliffhanger. Normally, I don't mind 'em. It was then I realized how utterly enthralled I was with this story. Listen, Ayden has a lethal knack for those twists & turns... like... I thought who we met at the end of book one was Josh. When you read book two feel free to laugh in my face bc it never freaking occurred to me.

I have a brain for connecting dots, Ayden had my ass stumped for a hot minute. That is no easy feat.

Brie... h0ly fvck! I wasn't sure I'd love her as much as I did. We are a simp for her. Not only is she hot as hell, she is a bubble of happy I found myself looking forward to.

Leland... shut the fvck up! Daddy? Sorry. Daddy? Sorry. Daddy? If you THOUGHT you loved Alex in book one, you don't know what love is. Holy fvck my life. I don't know what else to say w/out a major spoiler. We'll go with, he answers questions NO ONE had and completes a picture in a really profound way.

Sky 🥺 my bby! I love Sky so freaking much. And she goes through it this book, all necessary to bringing out the absolute badass she is. The HEA in this duet is so deserved. Ayden, knowing some more personal aspects abt me, reached out to inform me abt potential triggers b4 I beta read this story. Please find and read the triggers b4 jumping into this story, especially book two.

I loved how this ended. I loved that it ended in a way where we may be able to see these 3 again. This duet errs on the side of horror which wasn't something I indulged in much but the way Ayden did it has me enamored.

Paperbacks are live, əb00ks drop 10/11/22. 😘🖤

[Hannuuhhhh.Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

"𝑩𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒖𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈."

First and foremost, I loved this book. It’s dark, suspenseful, and taboo. I wasn’t sure how the second book would play out, there were so many avenues the story could have gone. I really felt for the three main characters. And the bond that they built together was beautiful. They all accepted each other for who they are. Each character unique with their own quirks, but that is why they loved each other so much. I enjoyed how their story played out.

"𝑰𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒎𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓."

The book takes place in a mental facility, after the incident at the end of book 1. Sky is left with a whirlwind of emotions, and trauma. While she’s there she meets Brie and Leland. Confused by Leland, she observes and tries to figure him out. All while having an instant connection to Brie. The three of them build a bond with each other and share their traumas. The character growth of Sky and Alex was beautiful, and the moment between them in front of the cabin was everything! If you ever thought you couldn’t feel for someone who was considered bad, read that part of the book! It will have you messed up emotionally, in the best way!

I didn’t expect the twists and the way their story ended! I had a gut feeling about the doctor. I hope in the future there may be a little update on the three of them. Also, I am still a bit curious about Nicole, Sky’s BFF, and what her story is. She intrigues me!

Thank you, Ayden for the ARC. Your note at the end was empowering. I deal with my own mental health issues and you have shown me such strength through your struggles and writing this amazing book. It’s truly inspiring, thank you. 🖤🖤🖤

[Shelly Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say 3.5 stars. The first book drew me in so fast I couldn't wait to get to this one. I read through the first half the day I finished book 1. This one kept me reading and turning the page just as much as the first one and I am here for it. It may be an unpopular opinion, but I didn't care for Brie and her involvement. I don't know why, honestly. At times I felt she didn't "fit" into the dynamic. Obviously she does, and it wasn't poor writing on the author's part. The story is actually very well written and very plot driven. With a multitude of characters, the character development was phenomenal. Dealing with multiple people who have mental health disorders can not be a easy task, and this author did great at distinguishing and giving each their own voice. But something about Brie just did not sit with me and I really wanted her to do some shady ish and Alex or Skyler unalive her. The main character's storyline is wrapped in a pretty little bow, but I want to know what Nicole's deal was. I didn't get the closure there and I have questions. And I would really like to see more around Anna. That would obviously be a separate story, but the mentions of her drew me in and I would like to see more of what her deal is. Overall, I enjoyed this book and it's worth the read. I'd recommend it for sure!

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I was ready to die, end it all, and start over in another life. Maybe this time, I would return as the little butterfly he always called me."

An amazing follow-up to Wings of a Butterfly! It captured the same dark energy but in a whole new way bringing in even more complexity to Alex and Skylar's story without making it feel like a repeat of book one. I was practically on the edge of my seat near the end, and the sicko in me loved the horror aspects that made me physically cringe. Ayden does an amazing job blending both romance and horror, creating something unique and oddly heartfelt. It goes to show that perception is not always everything, especially at first glance - the villains may actually be your unexpected heroes.

I highly recommend reading Wings of a Butterfly first, as this is not a standalone novel. And as with book one, I would be sure to check the trigger warnings in the beginning of the book - these are not books for the faint of heart or for newbies.

Thank you to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review! Your afterword hit my heartstrings. Your stories are empowering and make people feel safe knowing they are not alone!

[Bea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review (hoak)

Reading this book you can truly see Aydens growth as a writer as it truly transcends into her words in this book. while reading I found myself stopping frequently to highlight things and truly reflect of how much they resonated with me and for that I will always be thankful to Ayden for creating this masterpiece This book deals with heavy topics but it's dealt with such care it's like ayden is right there with you through all the tough and heartbreaking parts of this story.

I really loved every direction this book went in, every time I was pulled into a new direction I loved it even more then the next I felt like I was completely deep diving into every character brain and uncovering more and more about them.And with new characters introduced and a new setting in place there's so much to learn but everything fits in perfectly together and your constantly on the edge of your seat wanting to know more regardless of how much of a mindfuck it seems to be.

Ayden I'm so incredibly proud of you for pushing away the doubts and writing what you wanted because as someone that had been here from the very start I have to tell you it worked so well and l'm so happy you went with your gut feeling because heart of a killer was born and it was fucking amazing I can't wait for more of your work in the future I just know it will make a mark
Truly one of my favorite conclusions to a story

-100 and 10% add this to your tbr check triggers and stay safe happy reading

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ayden Perry, you did it again!

This book had me in a vice grip! I loved where this one picks up after book 1! Alex is still my absolute favorite! He’s such a beautiful mess and the different sides to him that come to play make things very interesting! But loosing his memories hurt a little because of alll the sh!t they went though last book!
Skylar’s metamorphosis from timid and shy to actually taking what she wants and putting her love for Brie and Alex out there, was perfection! I love the strength she gained!
And finally Brie, my soul sister. Neglected rich girl with mental issues trying to numb and feel all at the same time. She’s chaotic and I love her for that. She’s a bit passive aggressive, but in total if felt like she was written for me.

I believe that anyone that struggles with bisexuality and mental illness will find a place in their heart for this book! (As long as you check the trigger warnings first!)

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is DARK! Not recommended for readers under 18. Please check TW/CW before reading this book, as it may not be the book for you. If you want a dark romance to read around spooky season, this is the duet to read.

To follow Wings of a Butterfly, Skylar goes to a mental health facility to help her get better after what happened with Alexander (read Wings of a Butterfly to find out more. You will want to check the TW/CW as it is also very dark). She meets Leland, who doesn't remember what happened in his past. She knows his true identity, but she doesn't understand how he is alive. She becomes friends with Brie but she starts rejecting her, for reasons of her own. Things do turn around though. Read the story to find out more.

Ayden, this book is so good! It took me a couple of times to read it, but when I did, OMG!! I have no words to say about it, besides I LOVED THIS BOOK! It's dark, it's got spice, Bisexual rep (FFM). I recommend this duet to those who love dark romance

[Rachel Estep · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, this is a dark book. Any reader going in should be aware that the content is heavy and there are elements that are very taboo. I have no triggers, and even I had moments where I cringed. That said, this was a book that kept me fascinated. The first book in the series really paved the way for this one, and this one had me wide eyed, page flipping, from start to end. The dynamics of the characters, the depictions of mental health, all were amazing. I LOVE unreliable narrator tropes and I absolutely found Alex to be that in his segments of the book. I think in some aspects, Skylar and Brie could have been as well, but the reader just isn't sure. The FFM dynamic they build is so genuine despite their trauma. Overall I thought this book was so well written, spicy, dark, and exciting.

[Kyara Gevers · Rating 4 out of 5]

When i tell you this book is dark and taboo, i mean it is DARK and TABOO. So do check your trigger warnings before reading. That being said, i absolutely loved it. I really liked the first book and the cliffhanger had me so excited to start reading this one and oh lord... it was GOOD.

So we not only have adam who i absolutely adore in all his darkness but we also have brie who is just so amazing. The progress these three go through and how they come up on top is just everything.

All three of them end up at the same facility where they become friends and help eachother get through their fears and demons. I don't want to spoil too much and just say read it. The story was really good. The scenes with all three of them had me weak in the knees. And i def can't wait to read more from this author.