What do you think?
Rate this book
Shadow Duet #2
Forbidden Knots: Asylum
ASH
From ashes to ashes we go. From flame to fire, we burn, and from shadow to darkness, we become. The only one who can save me is you.
SHADOW
I never knew I would come out of the shadows to find her. I never knew she would be my hope. She saved me without even knowing, and she got lost because I was too afraid of my love for her. What started as forbidden became a twisted knot. My body became an asylum for her love, and she was the trapped one. I will find you, my love, and you will rise again from ash to become my storm.
From ashes to ashes we go. From flame to fire, we burn, and from shadow to darkness, we become. The only one who can save me is you.
SHADOW
I never knew I would come out of the shadows to find her. I never knew she would be my hope. She saved me without even knowing, and she got lost because I was too afraid of my love for her. What started as forbidden became a twisted knot. My body became an asylum for her love, and she was the trapped one. I will find you, my love, and you will rise again from ash to become my storm.
- GenresDark Romance
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2024
9 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
A. Em
20 books408 followers“Where others write ever after, I write never after.” -A.
Social Media;
Instagram: iam_a_em
Pinterest: a_em_author
TikTok: a_em_author
Social Media;
Instagram: iam_a_em
Pinterest: a_em_author
TikTok: a_em_author
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
October 10, 2024
I hate to love it.
I love to hate it.
My soul is crushed.
My brain is smush.
I want to scream, cry and kill.
And I *most definitely* will be terrified of doctors and nurses forevermore 🤣
I'm not sure how to review this book without spoilering anything but at the same time I feel like whatever I say will make no sense to you once you start reading 🤣
It's deep, way darker than expected (lol), twisted af and I found the perfect sticker for it 🖤
I feel like so much stuff has been left unsaid even though just as much is told 😖
And the ending, or better yet, the last four to six chapters? Good. Fucking. Luck.
Welcome to the trauma club, wanna join? We're fun, unhinged and probably need to be locked up in an asylum 💀
I love to hate it.
My soul is crushed.
My brain is smush.
I want to scream, cry and kill.
And I *most definitely* will be terrified of doctors and nurses forevermore 🤣
I'm not sure how to review this book without spoilering anything but at the same time I feel like whatever I say will make no sense to you once you start reading 🤣
It's deep, way darker than expected (lol), twisted af and I found the perfect sticker for it 🖤
I feel like so much stuff has been left unsaid even though just as much is told 😖
And the ending, or better yet, the last four to six chapters? Good. Fucking. Luck.
Welcome to the trauma club, wanna join? We're fun, unhinged and probably need to be locked up in an asylum 💀
October 11, 2024
Too much going on but no substance. Same as the first book.
There are too many things left unexplained. Why did Lotta start murdering people? Why was Rosa psychotic? Who are the asylum patients?
Everything felt again too rushed. One chapter ends with Thalia getting a lobotomy and the start of the next chapter she’s been found which then jumps to her living in New York with no memory of who Shadow is. A chapter later they’re back together and planning a future then she dies in a car crash. But then, the ending hints she isn’t dead but is?!
All of Thalias chapters were pretty much one and the same and Shadows just lacked structure.
The characters and the story seriously had potential and could have been good, but nothing flowed and it fell flat.
The 5* reviews are a bit sus to me
There are too many things left unexplained. Why did Lotta start murdering people? Why was Rosa psychotic? Who are the asylum patients?
Everything felt again too rushed. One chapter ends with Thalia getting a lobotomy and the start of the next chapter she’s been found which then jumps to her living in New York with no memory of who Shadow is. A chapter later they’re back together and planning a future then she dies in a car crash. But then, the ending hints she isn’t dead but is?!
All of Thalias chapters were pretty much one and the same and Shadows just lacked structure.
The characters and the story seriously had potential and could have been good, but nothing flowed and it fell flat.
The 5* reviews are a bit sus to me
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2024
ok so I am ugly crying right now and feeling so many emotions
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2024
Man what a ride.. Aboutsley loved and devoured this book
Pure devastation and perfection. This one is so full of detail. You feel like your truly living the book. It feels like a memory ..
This tore me apart , put me back together and tore me apart again.. be prepared
......❤️❤️
Pure devastation and perfection. This one is so full of detail. You feel like your truly living the book. It feels like a memory ..
This tore me apart , put me back together and tore me apart again.. be prepared
......❤️❤️
October 9, 2024
Forbidden Knots Asylum. The Shadow Duet
By A.eM
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Always read trigger warnings. This is a dark psychological thriller. Meant for a mature audience.
Tropes:
🖤who hurt you?
🖤age gap
🖤obsession
🖤dark secrets and hidden past
🖤gothic atmosphere
🖤paranormal
🖤second chances
🖤scars
🖤redemption
🖤knife play
🖤blood play
🖤breath play
🖤dungeons
🖤danger/thrill
🖤haunted past
🖤amnesia
Forbidden Knots Asylum is the second instalment of the Shadow Duet series. And it’s dark… Pitch black psychological thriller/horror!
A glorious, powerful and mentally challenging story that will no doubt have you questioning your own sanity!
This whole storyline is beautifully constructed and delivered with a brilliant and delicate hand! Supremely imagined world building will have you consumed into this deeply disturbing elaborately complex world of horrifying and traumatic experiences.
A.eM has opened up a truly dark universe that you will love to hate. Diverse and complex characters that will have you jumping out of your own skin.
A beautiful and unhinged experience that is not for the faint of heart!!
You will be on the edge of your seat from the very first page and will remain so until the bitter end, Nail biting and white knuckling it through each and every page.
This is a mindbending journey through the psyche of psychological trauma.
Our main Characters navigate the emotional nightmare of this incredible plot line and tremendously dark and terrifying world.
Shadow: A beautiful, dark soul. His character has developed tremendously coming from book 1. He is a fantastic character with an incredible array of depth that had me loving him from the very first moment and even more so now in book 2.
Ash: poor Ash, is all I will say. She is really put through the wringer in this series and in book 2 she has to decipher her own reality… will she survive the trials of life at Santa Maria Asylum.
An absolute masterpiece and superbly written. I cannot recommend this series enough!
Pure brilliance!
Quotes:
"Only three," she whispered, her tone smooth and detached, yet laced with cruelty. "Enough to break you, to make you remember."
From ashes to ashes we go, from the brilliance of daylight into the endless night. Everything fades, swallowed by the dark, until there’s nothing left but the echo of what was — a whisper of a memory, drifting through the empty corridors of time.
What's life, but a dream within a dream?
But now... Now I fucking love her.
By A.eM
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Always read trigger warnings. This is a dark psychological thriller. Meant for a mature audience.
Tropes:
🖤who hurt you?
🖤age gap
🖤obsession
🖤dark secrets and hidden past
🖤gothic atmosphere
🖤paranormal
🖤second chances
🖤scars
🖤redemption
🖤knife play
🖤blood play
🖤breath play
🖤dungeons
🖤danger/thrill
🖤haunted past
🖤amnesia
Forbidden Knots Asylum is the second instalment of the Shadow Duet series. And it’s dark… Pitch black psychological thriller/horror!
A glorious, powerful and mentally challenging story that will no doubt have you questioning your own sanity!
This whole storyline is beautifully constructed and delivered with a brilliant and delicate hand! Supremely imagined world building will have you consumed into this deeply disturbing elaborately complex world of horrifying and traumatic experiences.
A.eM has opened up a truly dark universe that you will love to hate. Diverse and complex characters that will have you jumping out of your own skin.
A beautiful and unhinged experience that is not for the faint of heart!!
You will be on the edge of your seat from the very first page and will remain so until the bitter end, Nail biting and white knuckling it through each and every page.
This is a mindbending journey through the psyche of psychological trauma.
Our main Characters navigate the emotional nightmare of this incredible plot line and tremendously dark and terrifying world.
Shadow: A beautiful, dark soul. His character has developed tremendously coming from book 1. He is a fantastic character with an incredible array of depth that had me loving him from the very first moment and even more so now in book 2.
Ash: poor Ash, is all I will say. She is really put through the wringer in this series and in book 2 she has to decipher her own reality… will she survive the trials of life at Santa Maria Asylum.
An absolute masterpiece and superbly written. I cannot recommend this series enough!
Pure brilliance!
Quotes:
"Only three," she whispered, her tone smooth and detached, yet laced with cruelty. "Enough to break you, to make you remember."
From ashes to ashes we go, from the brilliance of daylight into the endless night. Everything fades, swallowed by the dark, until there’s nothing left but the echo of what was — a whisper of a memory, drifting through the empty corridors of time.
What's life, but a dream within a dream?
But now... Now I fucking love her.
October 10, 2024
“The only person I could never forget had forgotten me.”
Guys, this book DESTROYED me. Now, book 1 of this duet was also very rough on me but A eM really upped the ante on this one! Her writing is so beautiful and devastating. When she calls this a ‘psychological thriller romance’, she is not joking. There is so much depth to this storyline that continues from book 1 and she manages to bring all the unanswered questions and theories to a beautiful conclusion while also leaving you with this cliff-hanger of a tie-in to her upcoming series. There were parts of this book - severed arm scene - that had me cringing but unable to stop reading and there were parts that had me in absolute tears, feeling for both Thalia and Tristan. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, A eM has a gift for writing and I will wait on pins and needles for anything she writes. Please make sure and check out the author’s warnings before you start as this is a very dark read.
Guys, this book DESTROYED me. Now, book 1 of this duet was also very rough on me but A eM really upped the ante on this one! Her writing is so beautiful and devastating. When she calls this a ‘psychological thriller romance’, she is not joking. There is so much depth to this storyline that continues from book 1 and she manages to bring all the unanswered questions and theories to a beautiful conclusion while also leaving you with this cliff-hanger of a tie-in to her upcoming series. There were parts of this book - severed arm scene - that had me cringing but unable to stop reading and there were parts that had me in absolute tears, feeling for both Thalia and Tristan. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, A eM has a gift for writing and I will wait on pins and needles for anything she writes. Please make sure and check out the author’s warnings before you start as this is a very dark read.
October 9, 2024
Forbidden Knots: Asylum (Book2) by @iam_a_em !
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Omg this book!
This had me gripped from the get go!
Just 😱😱🤯🤯!!!
The twists and turns in the book is just wow!
The way A goes back and forth is incredible! And how it links to the first book, so you’ll need to read Forbidden Knots first! Otherwise it won’t make much sense!
The ending is just! 🤯🤯 what the heck! I have sooo many questions than answers right now! A, WHY JUST WHY! 🤣🖤
Shadow is still a sweetheart! I love him! Safe to say he still has my heart!
Want a teaser?
“Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock.”
There are trigger warnings with this books so please read them before you read!
If you can tolorate the TW and love twists and turns then add this to your TBR and preorder your copy now! On amazon! You will not regret it! 🖤🖤
P.s. it ends with you thinking WTF 🫠🫠🫠
##forbiddenknotsasylum #comingsoon‼️ #aem #aemauthor #upcomingrelease 🔥 ‼️ #booklover #books #booksbooksbooks #arc #arcreaders
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Omg this book!
This had me gripped from the get go!
Just 😱😱🤯🤯!!!
The twists and turns in the book is just wow!
The way A goes back and forth is incredible! And how it links to the first book, so you’ll need to read Forbidden Knots first! Otherwise it won’t make much sense!
The ending is just! 🤯🤯 what the heck! I have sooo many questions than answers right now! A, WHY JUST WHY! 🤣🖤
Shadow is still a sweetheart! I love him! Safe to say he still has my heart!
Want a teaser?
“Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock.”
There are trigger warnings with this books so please read them before you read!
If you can tolorate the TW and love twists and turns then add this to your TBR and preorder your copy now! On amazon! You will not regret it! 🖤🖤
P.s. it ends with you thinking WTF 🫠🫠🫠
##forbiddenknotsasylum #comingsoon‼️ #aem #aemauthor #upcomingrelease 🔥 ‼️ #booklover #books #booksbooksbooks #arc #arcreaders
October 13, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
•ARC review•
Read Forbidden Knots prior to this one as it starts where it left off
I don’t know what I just read. This was utterly yet positively confusing, even more so than Forbidden Knots. FKA was creepier, taking place in an asylum. It was so deranged. I don’t know what to make out of it as my mind is still reeling and trying to process all of the what the f*ck moments it witnessed. I’m seriously enthralled in this little series of novellas, they’re just eerily uncomfortable and mindf*cking. I can’t wait to read House of Clowns, we’re in for such a ride!
Always check the trigger warnings before diving in!
Thanks to A Em for that arc 🖤
🖤Asylum
🖤Psychological thriller romance (although the romance is light in this one)
🖤Tortur3d fmc
🖤Clueless and helpless mmc
🖤Mindf*ck3ry
•ARC review•
Read Forbidden Knots prior to this one as it starts where it left off
I don’t know what I just read. This was utterly yet positively confusing, even more so than Forbidden Knots. FKA was creepier, taking place in an asylum. It was so deranged. I don’t know what to make out of it as my mind is still reeling and trying to process all of the what the f*ck moments it witnessed. I’m seriously enthralled in this little series of novellas, they’re just eerily uncomfortable and mindf*cking. I can’t wait to read House of Clowns, we’re in for such a ride!
Always check the trigger warnings before diving in!
Thanks to A Em for that arc 🖤
🖤Asylum
🖤Psychological thriller romance (although the romance is light in this one)
🖤Tortur3d fmc
🖤Clueless and helpless mmc
🖤Mindf*ck3ry
October 7, 2024
I spent most of the book bouncing from gasping "what the...", seeing puzzle pieces fall into place, and then going right back to questioning if I really knew the truth at all. This book is the epitome of dark psychological thriller and I enjoyed every second. This book picks up where the first book ends and answers all of the questions that were raised - with that said, these books must be read in order and are not standalone.
A. Em has a way with words that immerses the reader and makes them feel like they too are living through the nightmare that Thalia's is experiencing. And what happens to Thalia and Tristan in this book is even darker and twister than the first book. And that ending. Won't give away any spoilers, but I think I stared that those last pages for a good couple minutes. Just trying to wrap my brain around what just happened.
If you are a reader that enjoys pitch black psychological thrillers, then these books are for you!
Giving this book 4.5/5 stars.
A. Em has a way with words that immerses the reader and makes them feel like they too are living through the nightmare that Thalia's is experiencing. And what happens to Thalia and Tristan in this book is even darker and twister than the first book. And that ending. Won't give away any spoilers, but I think I stared that those last pages for a good couple minutes. Just trying to wrap my brain around what just happened.
If you are a reader that enjoys pitch black psychological thrillers, then these books are for you!
Giving this book 4.5/5 stars.
October 9, 2024
Forbidden knots asylum is book 2 so you have to read book 1 before book 2 but my dark romance people yours will love these books defiantly add them to your tbr.
Then first thing I loved about thins book was that everything was described perfectly. I finished this book quite quickly I enjoyed it from start to finish there wasn’t one part that I did not like. You do question your sanity more than a couple of times I’ll tell you that! Here’s some of the exciting things it involves!
TROPES
Stalker
Possessive
Age Gap
Forbidden
Good Girl/Bad Boy
Touch Her and
Obsession
Dark Secret
Love Hate
Antihero
Then first thing I loved about thins book was that everything was described perfectly. I finished this book quite quickly I enjoyed it from start to finish there wasn’t one part that I did not like. You do question your sanity more than a couple of times I’ll tell you that! Here’s some of the exciting things it involves!
TROPES
Stalker
Possessive
Age Gap
Forbidden
Good Girl/Bad Boy
Touch Her and
Obsession
Dark Secret
Love Hate
Antihero
October 10, 2024
This was an absolute whirlwind of a psychological thriller romance!!!! After that ending I’m sat like wtf just happened?? 😱😂
This followed on from FK 1 perfectly I loved it… it starts off twisted straight from the off too 💀 perfect spooky read!
Honestly such a mindf*** 🤯 in the best way possible. This answered so many questions from book one but left me with even bigger ones I can’t wait to read House of Clowns on the 28th!!
This followed on from FK 1 perfectly I loved it… it starts off twisted straight from the off too 💀 perfect spooky read!
Honestly such a mindf*** 🤯 in the best way possible. This answered so many questions from book one but left me with even bigger ones I can’t wait to read House of Clowns on the 28th!!
October 7, 2024
It is essential to read Forbidden Knots in order to fully comprehend this remarkable story… let me say that first
Second, my reading excursion brought me away from the comforts of my house and into the torture dungeons of Santa Maria Asylum.
I was unprepared.
The author described a gripping encounter that had my teeth and fist clinched. I can only characterize what you will experience as gut-wrenching, horrific, and chilling. Which is all I anticipate when I read stories about asylums.
The literary style will have you collaborating with other readers, as the last chapters of Thalia and Tristan's narrative will be jaw-dropping. Mark my words.
Get your hands on both these book!
Second, my reading excursion brought me away from the comforts of my house and into the torture dungeons of Santa Maria Asylum.
I was unprepared.
The author described a gripping encounter that had my teeth and fist clinched. I can only characterize what you will experience as gut-wrenching, horrific, and chilling. Which is all I anticipate when I read stories about asylums.
The literary style will have you collaborating with other readers, as the last chapters of Thalia and Tristan's narrative will be jaw-dropping. Mark my words.
Get your hands on both these book!
October 8, 2024
I seriously don’t even know how to describe this book. I am mind blown and my brain is scrambled eggs. A really knows how to throw you for a twist! And just when you think you’ve got it figured out… you don’t. Her writing is so original and so creative. The characters pull you in and you just want to know more and more! This is a perfect read for spooky season and there will be more! If you’re looking for a book that has all the spice and all the twists and just in time for Halloween- this is it!
October 15, 2024
Wooooooow!!! What a crazy mindf@ck of a read. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, nope here comes another twist and turn. The entire book I felt like I was IN the nightmare of the story. You just can’t help but root for Thalia and Tristan.
Read book one and then read this book IMMEDIATELY!!! I can’t wait to read more of her work because it’s amazing and done so well.
Read book one and then read this book IMMEDIATELY!!! I can’t wait to read more of her work because it’s amazing and done so well.
October 7, 2024
Finished this book in a few hours and all I can say is wtf?! I did not see that ending coming and literally every page had me questioning my own sanity, but in a good way I suppose. After reading book one, I had so many questions & book two provided answers that I was not expecting. Aside from my guesses about the grandma, all of my other guesses were wrong 😑 This was a nice quick read & I can’t wait for a House of Clowns to release in hopes that I’ll get more answers lol
October 3, 2024
What can i say?
This book, it had me feeling like i was the main female character. The book is so full off details. Every bit off torture, every feeling, every experience is so perfectly described it makes you feel it. You feel like you are part off the book.
A lot happens but never to much. Everything that happens has a purpose. The psychological aspect is heavily present in a good way. Its a book that chills you to the bone. Just the way i like it. And lett me tell you the ending you will never see that one coming.
Another big win for A.eM because this book is amazing. This psychological thriller will take you on a mindblowing ride you wont forget.
This book, it had me feeling like i was the main female character. The book is so full off details. Every bit off torture, every feeling, every experience is so perfectly described it makes you feel it. You feel like you are part off the book.
A lot happens but never to much. Everything that happens has a purpose. The psychological aspect is heavily present in a good way. Its a book that chills you to the bone. Just the way i like it. And lett me tell you the ending you will never see that one coming.
Another big win for A.eM because this book is amazing. This psychological thriller will take you on a mindblowing ride you wont forget.
October 10, 2024
I thought I was ready for book 2. I wasn't. I didn't finish the book, it finished me lol
Caution if you have a sensitive stomach like me because there are some parts that made me queasy. Despite this, I'm planning to read it again lol One thing I love about this author's writing is that it always paints the most vivid mental pictures. This whole book played out like a movie in my mind and was just the perfect October read.
This book answered so many questions from book 1. I'm relieved some of the mystery is solved but it still isn't over!
Caution if you have a sensitive stomach like me because there are some parts that made me queasy. Despite this, I'm planning to read it again lol One thing I love about this author's writing is that it always paints the most vivid mental pictures. This whole book played out like a movie in my mind and was just the perfect October read.
This book answered so many questions from book 1. I'm relieved some of the mystery is solved but it still isn't over!
October 7, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Woah! This one is more of a ride than the first book!
The emotions! The details are perfection! Mind blowing!
Thalias trauma is heartbreaking 💔 but wow she is a strong FMC! She is such a fighter!
Secrets all come to light!
Thalia & Tristan 🖤 Their love is so strong and they really fight for one another!
Can’t wait to read more of A.eM’s books!
Thank you for the opportunity! 🖤
Woah! This one is more of a ride than the first book!
The emotions! The details are perfection! Mind blowing!
Thalias trauma is heartbreaking 💔 but wow she is a strong FMC! She is such a fighter!
Secrets all come to light!
Thalia & Tristan 🖤 Their love is so strong and they really fight for one another!
Can’t wait to read more of A.eM’s books!
Thank you for the opportunity! 🖤
October 7, 2024
Are you up for a challenge
What did I just read
This book is a roller-coaster of a ride. The thrills in this book were Devine. The plot twist at the end was so heart shattering that I had to take a day to figure out how to weave my own review. This will take you on a ride and leave you with more questions than answers. Do you dare to open these pages?
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶🌶
What did I just read
This book is a roller-coaster of a ride. The thrills in this book were Devine. The plot twist at the end was so heart shattering that I had to take a day to figure out how to weave my own review. This will take you on a ride and leave you with more questions than answers. Do you dare to open these pages?
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶🌶
October 4, 2024
This one is even more of a rollercoaster of a ride. So buckle up and be prepared for all the emotions and thrill of the ride. OMG A.eM did it again. I devoured this book so fast. All the trauma that Thalia goes through in the Asylum, shows that she is a strong woman. She is a fighter. Tristan is torn up trying to find Thalia, but all the secrets in town makes it hard. The secrets of Thalia’s family become clearer. Tristan and Thalia’s love for one another is still strong. They fight for one another.
October 11, 2024
I love this duet. The psychological aspects of this book are insane. I'm kinda speechless after reading this one. I don't know what to say. This is amazing, love the characters and feel for everything they go through. This is really one messed up family. I highly recommend. It will be hard to get this story out of my brain. I received this as an ARC from the author.
October 8, 2024
OMG! This book was something else! To say I can't wait to see what happens next is an understatement!!!
October 5, 2024
Listen……. I don’t know what to say about this book except you NEED to read it!!! The way the story answers EVERY question you might have from book 1 but continues to make you question everything all over again even after getting the answers! This psychological thriller will make you question your sanity and ask yourself if YOU are the one who is in the asylum!!! Go ahead and grab your markers, string, and whiteboard to create your diagram of everything. If you think it’s not important I promise you it is!!!
**book 1 has to be read first***
**book 1 has to be read first***
October 10, 2024
Wow!
Wow! This one was a crazy one! All the stuff she went through, well, they both went through! And the ending! Man, the tears I shed!!! This is how you write a book. You bring them in and break them down. I can't wait to read more books!!
Wow! This one was a crazy one! All the stuff she went through, well, they both went through! And the ending! Man, the tears I shed!!! This is how you write a book. You bring them in and break them down. I can't wait to read more books!!
October 14, 2024
Man what a wild ride this read took me on! Thelia was a girl going through a traumatic time in the asylum trying to not forget her past but also having flashbacks from when she was a kid. Tristan/ Shadow is dealing with the loss of not only his sister but his storm as well. He is trying to put the pieces together to figure out why people keep going missing. Man the mystery and tragic events that take place where one for the books. I absolutely loved every minute of this book I devoured it in a day! I can't wait for more reads by you A.Em.
November 19, 2024
THIS IS BOOK 2 IN-THE CURSED DESIRE OF THE NEVER AFTER SERIES AND OH MY GODDDD, I LOVED IT SO SO SO MUCH! | LOVED BOOK ONE BUT THIS BOOK WAS SUCH AN INTENSE READ AND I FINISHED IT WITH MORE QUESTIONS THAN I HAD AFTER THE FIRST BOOK! I NEED EVERYONE TO READ THIS BOOK JUST SO I CAN SHOUT ABOUT HOW AMAZING IT IS AND I NEED TO START SOME FBI SHIT TO FIGURE OUT EVERYTHING! IM HONESTLY OBSESSED WITH THESE BOOKS, INFACT ANY BOOK THIS AUTHOR WRITES! THIS BOOK WAS NOT WHAT I WAS EXPECTING IN SUCH A GOOD WAY! GO READ IT NOW AND COME BACK TO ME AND TELL ME HOW YOU FEEL!!!
October 13, 2024
Asylum….
I just don’t understand how this author does it! ** As I continue down Thalia’s story, secrets are UNRAVELING by the chapters! This is book 2 to Forbidden Knots so don’t forget to read that book first! This duet will live in my brain forever and ever, for the rest of my life and beyond! It almost feels like Thailia’s present becomes her past and her past becomes her present! 🤯 Thalia who is the ash POV gets taken to an asylum and lives through her worst nightmares! I can’t say anything else because there are so many pieces to this book that it will feel like you are putting together a virtual word puzzle and I don’t want to give away the “big picture” ! A thriller that will have you reading fast but be careful because you could miss something REAL quick!
One of my favorite qualities that this author has is her poetic writing and descriptions of people and places ! Wow! Does she paint a picture or what! Here is a few of my favorite lines… and be careful… this book will put you in a slump real quick! Enjoy 😊 ❤️
“My body, now alien, twisted and shook as though possessed. My mind was no longer mine, held captive by the relentless current of electricity flowing through me. They were erasing my memories, my life, branding me as someone who belonged here, in Santa Maria Asylum.”
“It's true what they say — when someone close to you dies, it feels like a part of you dies with them. Like they take a piece of you when they go, a piece you can never get back until the day you meet them again. And nothing, no one, can ever prepare you for that.”
I just don’t understand how this author does it! ** As I continue down Thalia’s story, secrets are UNRAVELING by the chapters! This is book 2 to Forbidden Knots so don’t forget to read that book first! This duet will live in my brain forever and ever, for the rest of my life and beyond! It almost feels like Thailia’s present becomes her past and her past becomes her present! 🤯 Thalia who is the ash POV gets taken to an asylum and lives through her worst nightmares! I can’t say anything else because there are so many pieces to this book that it will feel like you are putting together a virtual word puzzle and I don’t want to give away the “big picture” ! A thriller that will have you reading fast but be careful because you could miss something REAL quick!
One of my favorite qualities that this author has is her poetic writing and descriptions of people and places ! Wow! Does she paint a picture or what! Here is a few of my favorite lines… and be careful… this book will put you in a slump real quick! Enjoy 😊 ❤️
“My body, now alien, twisted and shook as though possessed. My mind was no longer mine, held captive by the relentless current of electricity flowing through me. They were erasing my memories, my life, branding me as someone who belonged here, in Santa Maria Asylum.”
“It's true what they say — when someone close to you dies, it feels like a part of you dies with them. Like they take a piece of you when they go, a piece you can never get back until the day you meet them again. And nothing, no one, can ever prepare you for that.”
February 4, 2026
This book did not gently introduce itself. It grabbed me by the throat, whispered “trust nothing”, and then disappeared into the shadows—taking my sanity with it.
I genuinely don’t know what was real, what was a dream, what was trauma, and what was love… and somehow that’s exactly the point. Every page felt like walking through smoke—confusing, intoxicating, and impossible to escape.
Ash is pain wrapped in ashes and hope she doesn’t even realize she’s carrying. Shadow? Shadow is the kind of darkness that doesn’t want to destroy you… it wants to keep you. Protect you. Possess you. And the way their connection twists and tangles into something forbidden and obsessive? Yeah. That rewired something in my brain.
The asylum isn’t just a place—it’s a feeling. A body. A prison built out of love and fear and obsession. And the symbolism? Insane. The “from ashes to ashes” theme had me staring at the wall like am I okay? because wow.
This book plays mind games. It gaslights you. It seduces you. It makes you question everything—and then dares you to keep reading. And obviously, I did.
If you love dark romance that’s psychological, haunting, and slightly unhinged—where love feels dangerous and reality is optional—this one will absolutely mess you up in the best way.
Mind = blown. Sanity = questionable. Heart = owned. 🖤🔥
Would I read it again? Unfortunately for my mental health… yes.
I genuinely don’t know what was real, what was a dream, what was trauma, and what was love… and somehow that’s exactly the point. Every page felt like walking through smoke—confusing, intoxicating, and impossible to escape.
Ash is pain wrapped in ashes and hope she doesn’t even realize she’s carrying. Shadow? Shadow is the kind of darkness that doesn’t want to destroy you… it wants to keep you. Protect you. Possess you. And the way their connection twists and tangles into something forbidden and obsessive? Yeah. That rewired something in my brain.
The asylum isn’t just a place—it’s a feeling. A body. A prison built out of love and fear and obsession. And the symbolism? Insane. The “from ashes to ashes” theme had me staring at the wall like am I okay? because wow.
This book plays mind games. It gaslights you. It seduces you. It makes you question everything—and then dares you to keep reading. And obviously, I did.
If you love dark romance that’s psychological, haunting, and slightly unhinged—where love feels dangerous and reality is optional—this one will absolutely mess you up in the best way.
Mind = blown. Sanity = questionable. Heart = owned. 🖤🔥
Would I read it again? Unfortunately for my mental health… yes.
October 8, 2024
“We’re all just illusions of who we might have been.”
Forbidden Knots Asylum is book two in the Shadow Duet. You must read book one, Forbidden Knots, first.
This was one hell of an emotional rollercoaster. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!
A. eM has a way of making you feel the emotion that the characters are experiencing. I felt the sadness, fear, desperation, and love within the characters.
I loved Tristan and Thalia in both books, but I fell in love with Christian in FKA. His love for Sophie won me over and his pain broke my heart.
I’ll be honest, I had a few theories from the first book. And every time I said, “I know what's going on.” I got proved wrong. The zigs and zags that this book provided were adrenaline-inducing.
Once I got to the last chapter, I started to feel content. Then the epilogue came and I’m back at square one. I have never felt so many emotions at once!
Even though this is a duet I feel like we haven't seen the last of Tristain and Thalia.
I loved this duet and I can’t wait to read other books that A eM writes.
Favorite Quotes:
“Without her, there was no me.”
“Change– it happens without you noticing.”
“Come back to me. You’ll be safe. I promise.”
*ARC copy provided in exchange for my honest review and opinion*
Forbidden Knots Asylum is book two in the Shadow Duet. You must read book one, Forbidden Knots, first.
This was one hell of an emotional rollercoaster. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!
A. eM has a way of making you feel the emotion that the characters are experiencing. I felt the sadness, fear, desperation, and love within the characters.
I loved Tristan and Thalia in both books, but I fell in love with Christian in FKA. His love for Sophie won me over and his pain broke my heart.
I’ll be honest, I had a few theories from the first book. And every time I said, “I know what's going on.” I got proved wrong. The zigs and zags that this book provided were adrenaline-inducing.
Once I got to the last chapter, I started to feel content. Then the epilogue came and I’m back at square one. I have never felt so many emotions at once!
Even though this is a duet I feel like we haven't seen the last of Tristain and Thalia.
I loved this duet and I can’t wait to read other books that A eM writes.
Favorite Quotes:
“Without her, there was no me.”
“Change– it happens without you noticing.”
“Come back to me. You’ll be safe. I promise.”
*ARC copy provided in exchange for my honest review and opinion*
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews