I really wanted to like this book and I thought that I would. I am not giving up as I have learned that my taste in books is changing and I need certain books for different seasons in my life. So when I think this book will fit a certain season I will pick it up again.

Thank you Netgalley and Abbie Roads for a free ARC copy of this book! “Defying Evil" by Abbie Roads dives into a dark and twisty love story of Cain - the son of a serial killer, and Mercy - his father's only surviving victim.
I really really wanted to love this ! Their intense, complicated relationship is at the heart of the book, filled with obsession and fear, but it was just a bit too insta love for me.
While Cain's backstory and the set up for his character arc- I wished for a little more depth with Mercy.
However, overall, it's a solid read! Especially for those who are fans of the dark and twisty :)

I really loved this one! Felt a bit like a Criminal Minds episode with the profiling.
Super unique concept and I felt invested in the characters! I appreciate the author's work at character development and healing from trauma.
Highly recommend and can't wait to read book 2!
ARC from NetGalley for review.

"Defying Evil" plunges readers into a gripping and unsettling world where darkness meets desire. This dark romantic thriller crafts a compelling narrative around a survivor and the son of her captor, creating a unique blend of suspense, horror, and intricate emotional dynamics.

The novel excels in its portrayal of a chilling atmosphere, fueled by its fast-paced plot and disturbing elements. If you have a taste for thrillers that push boundaries and explore the darker recesses of the human psyche, "Defying Evil" will keep you on the edge of your seat. The suspense is relentless, weaving together elements of fear, tension, and unexpected twists.

Romance takes a backseat to the overarching thriller aspect, but the relationship between the survivor and her captor’s son adds a complex layer to the narrative. Their interactions are fraught with intensity and ambiguity, highlighting the novel's strength in character development. The characters are intricately drawn, each one contributing to the story's addictive quality and the psychological depth that makes "Defying Evil" stand out.

In summary, "Defying Evil" is an intense and mesmerizing read for fans of dark thrillers and intricate character studies. It’s a story that balances suspense and romance, delivering an experience that is as disturbing as it is captivating.

This book is the perfect example of great plot, poor execution. I started reading with really high hopes, but as I was getting deeper into it, I felt disappointed. I expected a deeper look into trauma, but I ended up getting a kind of a dark romance.

I hate comparisons, but I couldn’t stop comparing it to the k-drama Come and Hug Me, where the main characters are the son of a killer and the survivor daughter of a family the assassin killed. I loved the show but the book felt like it was missing the important pieces.

Although I liked that it touched topics as guilt of hurting the people around you, fear of becoming like your dad (in this case, a killer), trauma..., I got so confused with the story that they weren’t enough for me to enjoy the book.

The plot is completely unrealistic and it took me out of the story page after page. I know it’s possible for someone to be really unlucky in life, but what the author did with Mercy was something else. It wasn’t necessary for her to deal with so many traumatic experiences for her to evolve. Besides, there were so many things going on, I really didn’t feel like the book deepened in any of them.

The rythm was erratic and so many sexual scenes were out of the blue. I didn’t feel any chemistry between Cain and Mercy, besides the fact that they shared horrible experiences with Cain’s father. Another thing I didn’t like was the amount of obscene language. Instead of making it feel natural and colloquial, it was kind of forced. The author used too much reiterations; once, fine, twice, it’s still okay, but it got to the point I stopped counting. Repeating things as an echo to make it look important and relevant didn’t work for me. Sometimes, the descriptions were disgusting. What kind of description is “bout of diarrea of the mouth”, “his lips puckered tighter than an anus” or “his complexión looking like a series of burst hemorrhoids”?

I guess this time my expectations made me enjoy this book less. I expected the author to reveal an insightful view on trauma and I got a romance, with a bit of action and sex.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this arc. Such a thrilling story, I would recommend this one.

I would give this more stars but I got so hung up on the "Triple K" which is quite LITERALLY the KKK that I couldn't focus on the rest of the damn book.

Also, people do not fall in love in less than 24 hours, please stop with this trope.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this arc. Such a thrilling story, I would recommend this one.

This is the first book I have read by Abbi Roads. Defying Evil is a fun blend of true crime, mystery, thriller, and romance. I was pulled in right from the beginning and the author had me guessing what was going to happen throughout the entire book.

Thank you to Netgalley the Publisher, of Independently published, and the author Abbie Roads for providing and allowing me to review this book. Which, I'm giving my honest and sincere review.

"Defying Evil" by Abbie Roads plunged me into a dark and twisted world where the line between good and evil blurs, and survival hangs by a thread. From the very first page, I was captivated by the chilling tale of Cain Killion, a man whose life has been shaped by the horrors of his father's crimes.
The story delves into Cain's past, revealing the torment he endured at the hands of his serial killer father. But Cain's nightmares are far from over when a current case dredges up memories he'd rather forget. With no one else to turn to, he knows he must confront his past head-on, even if it means facing his father's only surviving victim.
The tension mounts as Cain embarks on a perilous mission to uncover the truth, resorting to drastic measures to get the answers he needs. The dynamic between Cain and his captive is fraught with fear and uncertainty, as they navigate a dangerous game of trust and betrayal.
As the bodies pile up and the danger escalates, Cain realizes that he and his captive are inextricably linked by their shared past. They must rely on each other to survive, even as they grapple with their own demons and the ever-present threat of a killer on the loose.

"Defying Evil" is a heart-pounding thriller that kept me guessing until the very end. Abbie Roads expertly crafts a tale of suspense and intrigue, drawing readers into a world where darkness lurks around every corner. With its complex characters and spine-tingling twists, this book is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.

Cain and Mercy are so damaged, both by his father and it's just so so sad.
It's a rollercoaster of a story that had my heart in my mouth for most of it, my emotions were all over the place by the time I got to the end of the book.
I love the way Ms Roads writes because you get lost in the characters and the story.
It's dark with plenty of intrigue, lies and suspense.

Defying Evil by Abbie Roads was an intriguing read. I don't usually like insta love but this book did it well. I enjoyed the emotion and sequencing as well. The pacing was a little slower but did not take from my reading experience. Good read.

Defying Evil is a republication of Saving Mercy by Abbie Roads that came out in August 2023. A Romantic Suspense, Defying Evil is part thriller (decent) and part romance (not so decent). Cain is the son of a serial killer and Mercy is his father's only surviving victim. After another family is found dead with a mark that was also left behind when Mercy's family was killed, Cain needs to speak with Mercy. He goes to find her at the inpatient psychiatric hospital where she is being held by the abusive Dr. Payne (seriously) and ends up kidnapping her and saving her. What unfolds is a whole lot of cringy instalove as they try to solve who the copycat killer is.

If I never hear the phrase "girlie parts" with regards to sex again it will be too soon. There were also pieces that felt homophobic and sexist.

✔️ MF romantic suspense
✔️ Psychic abilities
✔️ Instalove

⭐⭐ - 2 Stars

📅 - Out now on kindle unlimited

Thanks to Abbie Roads for this ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

this book really didn't do it for me, unfortunately it was really slow and the language gross in many aspects of the book

This is an arc review – thank you to NetGalley and the publisher as always, extremely grateful for these opportunities!

Defying Evil is a stunning tale of broken fated souls finding solace together in bloodshed and heartache, all wrapped in a shroud of mystery keeping you on your toes until the very end. This is my first read from Abbie Roads, and I’m thoroughly impressed with this impeccable story she’s penned. A dark romantic thriller— heavy on the thriller aspect— this is the exact book I needed at the exact right time.

Fans of Prodigal Son are in for a treat with this one, where Cain, son of a serial killer turned FBI consultant, finds himself entangled with Mercy, that same serial killer’s sole survivor. What begins as a kidnapping with the best intentions turns into a horrific account of history repeating itself down to the finest detail. Has a copycat entered the scene? Or is something more nefarious happening in the shadows?

This isn’t an enemies to lovers tale, but more of the joining of kindred spirits, where a deeper understanding of the horrors each has endured is evident. Cain and Mercy, while an unconventional pairing in the eyes of the world, are perfect counterparts to each other. Both suffering their own versions of survivor’s guilt, both yearning for connection, obsession meets defiance. These two shouldn’t work, but they just do.

This book got me! I was all in my feels and it takes a lot for me to really empathize with book characters, The thriller part was realistic and gripping, the rest was icing on the cake. The only thing I wished is that there was a little more spice, this book was definitely mostly thriller with a tiny bit of spice.

Ok wow. This book was gut clenching, dark and thrilling. Sick and twisted, but the way it was written, so good. Son of a serial killer, she’s his father’s only survivor they find a way to each other and a sad but beautiful way they need each other.

Check your triggers
Spice level: 🌶️

The son of a serial killer falling for his only surviving victim? SIGN ME UP! this was such an addicting and thrilling read. I had to overlook the insta-love or else it would've ruined the read but regardless it was so fun to read. It had romance and thrills.

This book was a little bit outside of what I usually read but it was actually a really good introduction to this type of genre. The writing was a bit odd at times but the book kept me reading, although I did have to stop at some points.

Dark and kept me on my toes in this serial killer thriller. There were quite a few twists and turns that I didn't see coming. There is also crazy ability that each character has that comes to play in the story as well. This will keep you reading to find out the craziness that is the ending.

I didn't really care for the instalove aspect of the book but did like that they both were there for each other and understood where each other came from. 3.5 stars overall.