Home Beyond Hell

by Karen Yakey

Mistakes can kill you.
Captain Ethan Evans has been running from his for two years. Europe is a big place. He and his outlaw army of ex-soldiers are good at surviving, but commandeering a crumbling Dutch fort in the Netherlands might be just another mistake. Hidden by a mask and robe, his scorched, scarred body is a constant reminder of what he did…and of what he deserves. Maybe 2066 will be the year his enemies catch up and put his head on a pike. Because vengeance is a ruthless hunter.
Home is full of painful memories for Vanessa Brouwer. She yearns for a change and a chance to find a soul mate. But who knew some freaky Phantom of the Opera wannabe and his band of marauders would take over the fort she’s trying to escape? His attitude is icier than a North Holland winter, but something fierce burns beneath that mysterious exterior. And the more he melts, the more she wants to see what’s behind his dark disguise and even darker mood swings.

Now, despite the deadly threat drawing closer, the one thing they can’t seem to escape is each other.

Home Beyond Hell is Book 1 of an epic dystopian romance series that blends humor, action, and dark drama in a near-future fiction reminiscent of a Beauty and the Beast / Mad Max mashup.

432 pages, Hardcover

First published May 17, 2022

About the author

Karen Yakey writes novels for adult readers who enjoy a cocktail of romance, humor, and action with a dark-drama chaser. Though her literary leanings harken back to a master’s degree in literature, linguistics, and communications, she has spent twenty-three years in global corporations within the tech world and financial services, which helps feed an appetite for diverse experiences. A self-professed queen of beer-brewing and brisket-smoking, she has pulled up her Texas roots to plant them in Florida. Owing to a love of traveling throughout Europe, she has sought to imbue this story with an honest sense of how a simple human connection can bridge any border or culture.

The blog on her website at www.KarenYakey.com is where her introspective, often hyperbolic, humor goes to play, and pessimism has no place there. Please reach out anytime, sign up for her newsletter, and feel free to follow her on Twitter & Instagram (@KarenYakey) and Facebook (Facebook.com/KarenYakey).

Reviews

[Elizabeth Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even Dallin Bradford (the male narrator and also the narrator of my audiobooks) can't make me like an alphahole "hero," LOL. I didn't like the "heroine" either, who dressed like a $2 hooker and whose dialogue was 50% Freudian slips. They weren't funny, just eye-roll-worthy. The worldbuilding was also...lazy? This felt like dystopia-lite, and it's extremely unfortunate that Ukrainians are the bad guys.

However, I've never heard an author describe vocal qualities so well. I'm sure the narrators appreciated it! The female narrator, Alyssa Rogge, also did a fabulous job. I can honestly say this is the first duet narration I've actually enjoyed...performance-wise. The audio sounded seamless.

[Allen Levi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home Beyond Hell delivers a gripping dystopian romance set against the eerie backdrop of a crumbling Dutch fortress. The tension between Ethan and Vanessa drives the story, blending danger, mystery, and emotional depth as their guarded walls slowly come down. Ethan’s haunted past and Vanessa’s quiet strength make for compelling leads, while the supporting characters add warmth and personality. The pacing keeps the plot moving, and the hopeful yet uneasy ending sets up the next installment perfectly. A strong pick for readers who enjoy slow-burn tension, layered characters, and post-apocalyptic intrigue.

[Verena Beckel]

Intriguing plot line and story. But Fake relationships.

[Amanda C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story centers on Ethan and Vanessa. In the year 2066, Vanessa lives in an old fortress, the fortress is her home. Invaded by the hooded and masked man’s army, Vanessa’s home begins to change in more ways than one. Slowly she and Ethan get to know one another, and the layers between them grow thinner and thinner, both in the emotional and physical aspect. There is a surviving tension throughout the book where they fight against their feelings, especially Ethan who thinks he’s too far gone and too scarred to be appreciated and cared for in the way Vanessa does.

Home Beyond Hell is a delightful read. The beginning is thrilling and every chapter serves a purpose to move the plot forward. I loved that every character had their own personality that shone through. I enjoyed reading the side anecdotes about Thomas, and the bunny Tim. Morgan is a cool character too, he is like the second male lead. Vanessa is such a strong female character and I appreciate that though she’s beguiling and enchanting to the men, she’s not just described for her beauty but her bravery and tenacity in the face of danger and threats. Ethan is a mystery to be unraveled, and it’s clear he has many unresolved issues.

The book ends with a hopeful tone, but also foreshadows the very real threat of retaliation against what Ethan did in the past that may come soon. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. I would recommend this book for those who love a good dose of sexual tension and emotional tug too.

The only suggestion I have is perhaps Vanessa came to be attracted and love Ethan too quickly, the pace could have been slower, even though the scenes were well crafted. Kudos to the author for writing this book and I look forward to seeing what comes next!