4 stars...

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of Defying Evil in exchange for an honest review.

Defying Evil stars with Cain, the son of a notorious serial killer working for the FBI and his mentor Mac. Cain helps the FBI find serial killers in a very unique way... As the story unfolds we are introduced to Mercy, the only survivor of the family Cains father murders before going to jail. Abbie Roads switched point of views between Mercy and Cain and in this book, its wonderful to be inside both their heads.

What I loved: Murder, killing, blood and death is not a subject matter that can be written about easily. You have to give it the weight it deserves and I feel that the author wrote these moments beautifully. I found myself instantly caring for Cain and Mercy, I wanted to know them more and understand what they went through. Their connections was almost immediate and It just felt right.

What I didn't like: The way they talked about sex in such a corny way... I mean you have blood all over you and you're talking about someone's "peach like nipples" I found the sexy parts to be a little cringy due to how the author wrote their dialogue.

In the end this was a solid quick read. I would read more books by Abbie Roads in the future.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ //5
Defying Evil
by Abbie Roads

THOUGHTS:

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Take all my stars. Just have every last one. I ATE UP THIS BOOK! The darkness to this story, the thrilling suspense aspect snagged me and I was a goner. I loved this book so much! I loved following Cain through this book as a son of the serial killer and an FBI profiler and Mercy who was a survivor of the serial killer who took her entire family. Their connection to each other and their dynamic through the book and following their story was such a ride. There is not a silent moment through this book.

This book will take you through so many twists and turns and when you think you are figuring things out, you haven’t. An absolute page turner till the very end. I absolutely love this author and she has yet to not amaze me with her writing. I love her style 100%. As usual, please check your trigger warnings, this book has some that may be sensitive to some. I will be recommending this one as well as all of her books to my book friends! A must have on your TBR.

First of all this cover is gorgeous! Second of all, as a fan of Dexter, thrillers, and anything serial killer related I enjoyed the suspense in this book. I liked the depth of the main character, Cain. Although I wished there was a chapter or two that was focused on Dr. Pain. There is romance in the book, but not dark romance. Still check the trigger warnings before you read!

Romance 1/5
Suspense & Thriller 4/5

The Romance:
I don't think it's fair to consider this book a romance. Is there a romance between two characters that takes up a large portion of the book? Yes. Does it go anywhere? No. The two main characters know nothing about the other aside from their shared childhood trauma. Their feelings for one another are instant, but they hardly ever speak or get to know each other. Their main topics of conversation are current events. There is zero chemistry and their relationship feels really hollow. Cain's relationship with Mac (his father figure) has more development and thought behind it than his relationship with Mercy.

The Suspense:
This was the star of the book for me. It was much more developed and had more weight to it than the romance. I loved the slightly paranormal twist. However, it felt like the mystery took a back seat to the romance at a few points in the book. There are several pieces of information mentioned earlier in the story that don't ever get resolved, but they are some of the more minor details. It's not major, but it did bother me.

I enjoyed the book overall, but it did feel like it was missing some details by the end. It is a short book, so a few extra chapters to add some meat would have made it much better. This book was hard to rate. Part of it was great, part of it was just really bad. I'll add the other books in the series to my list, but I don't anticipate making them a priority read.

Thank you NetGalley and Abbie Roads for this ARC!

I didn't know what I was going to feel. for this book. I don't normally read books of this genre, but this was a great start into this world of a dark romance thriller. I got sucked in right away and couldn't put it down. I thought the relationship between Cain and Mercy was very interesting. The plot twist of who the murderer was great. During the whole book I was always updating my boyfriend on my theories, which he really enjoyed. I am also interested to read Dolan and Daughters story.

The only thing that I wish was added was a little bit more of Cain's teen/young adult years and more about his abilities. Mercy's teen/young adult years was lightly touched and hoped for a bit more.

Overall, great read and this has gotten me interested in this genre of books. Can't wait to explore more!

What a riveting read! O normally do read this kind of book , but so glad I did! Now I can't wait to read the next book in series! This book will keep you on the edge of your seat! Five stars are not enough!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC for an exchange of an honest review.

This was my first book by Abbi Roads. The premise of the book really drew me in. I thought the concept was new and refreshing. I do enjoy a good dark romance so this was right up my ally. Overall it was pretty good. I would check trigger warnings before reading.
I'll be checking out more of the authors works!

When I originally requested this title I didn't realize it had previously been released under another name but let me just say that this title and book cover are hands down more fitting then the previous incarnation. It was the cover that originally grabbed my attention, followed quickly by the blurb. The opening chapter didn't grab me immediately, and if I'm being honest, the author's use of "Ppgglll" as a description for the sound of a gunshot threw me off, but really, that's just me being picky. Because this book really took off. I finished it in less than 24 hours (including sleep and work time) and wanted to jump into the following book immediately. This story is definitely worth checking out!

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

I wish this book had been passed to a sensitivity reader before being considered for publication. Choosing to nickname your main character KKK is not okay.

While the premise was interesting I don’t foresee myself continuing with the series or author. Some books just aren’t for us, and that’s alright.

Buckle up for this dark, thrilling, suspenseful romance.

Cain and Mercy's story is a sad, happy, and deadly one! I loved all the twists that Abbie took me on in this story.

I wish there was more open door and details on the spice, because I was a fan of the insta-love through their trauma and wanted a little more played up on that.

If Bl00d, g0re, Mʋrder, knife play and did I mention Bl00d don't bother you, you need this book in your life!

Thank you to Abbie and Netgalley for this free ARC read. This review is my thoughts alone.

I'm really sad this book didn't work for me, because I was really intrigued by the premise of this book. As a true crime lover, the fact this story featured a woman falling in love with a serial killer's dangerous son was such a refreshing concept.

Unfortunately, there were many things in this book that made me not like this. First, there is so much instalove that it is unrealistic. Theres no way that in less than 24 hours tao adults are professing their undying love to each other, especially when this was set up to be enemies to lovers. The reader also has to suspend a lot of disbelief when it comes to law enforcement and legal proceedings. Many things happen in this book that would never fly in the real world.

I think this book could have been good if there was more character development, slow burn, and overall general research on the legal system in the United States.

Provided by Netgalley in exchange for a review.

Cain is the son of a notorious serial killer whose world collided with the one victim of his father’s who survived, Mercy. They both have unique abilities that have been with them for 20 years since Adam Killion was arrested. Cain uses his to help the FBI profile murderers, and Mercy can see people’s bad intentions. They alone can understand the unique he’ll the other has been through.

This book was DARK! It was gritty and gruesome and very unique. I thoroughly enjoyed this reading experience. Cain was brilliantly broken and remorseful for things that weren’t his fault. Mercy is surprisingly strong and powerful after her horrific childhood. Their relationship is a beacon of hope and strength for them both.

Many thanks to NetGalley as well as the author for this advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.75/5⭐

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC for an exchange of an honest review.

This is my first read by Abbie Roads and I enjoyed it. I wouldn't say I was quite satisfied by how the book was going just cause initially I was intrigued by the premise of the book but was taken aback by how fast paced it was, and my high expectations weren't fully met, I felt like some parts were missing. What I liked the most about defying evil was probably the supernatural abilities aspect and them trying to catch the actual killer and that's what I think really kept me hooked until the very end. The romance between Cain and Mercy felt sooo fast and rushed.. I blinked and they were head over heels for each other and honestly the only reason they really fell for each other was for their shared trauma and that's totally fine I guess but like sorry they don't know each other like THATTT tbh like I wanted to see more depth for their romance but their relationship is quite wholesome and healthy I'd say, I thought it would turn toxic at some point but it didn't and I love that! and I'm very glad they're both happy with each other. I do however think some of the plot twists were a bit predictable.. which is okay! I don't mind guessing and figuring out the plot, I just hoped there would be more unpredictable stuff happening like that epilogue which I still cant wrap my mind around and I need to find out what happens next, which is why I'll be tuning in for the next book and I genuinely cant wait!

also the book wasn't really that dark to me but please make sure to check trigger warnings before u read!

overall I'd say this book is definitely worth reading so make sure to give it a read it comes out October 17!!!

I really enjoyed this book, can't wait to read more by this authorcin the future. They have a great writing style that keeps you hooked till the end of the book.

This is another novel I received as an advanced copy from the publisher and NetGalley. I wanted to rate this book a lot higher, because I did enjoy it, but I could not overlook some of the thoughtless and insensitive choices the writer made.

If you are into dark, sicko serial killer type of stuff this is a novel for you. It reminded me A LOT of the show Dexter because of the many similarities. For instance, Cain was born in blood and trauma, works for the FBI, has an adopted father who raises him and teaches him to fight his evil tendencies... Yeah, my initial gut reaction was frustration because it lacked originality. There are, however, some differences. One big one being: Cain is the son of a serial killer.

PLOT:

Being the son of a notorious killer comes with a lot of unwanted attention. Everyone expects him to turn out exactly the same, but he fights his sadistic tendencies one case at a time. When a 20 year old symbol last seen when his father murdered nearly the entire Ledger family shows up at a new crime scene, Cain's mind drifts to the one survivor -- Mercy. She is locked away in a mental health institution, under the care of an obsessive and abusive doctor, drugged out of her mind. So Cain resorts to kidnapping her to save her life and to gain answers. But shit hits the fan fast.

PROS:

This book sucked me in for the first half. The exposition was great, quick, addictive. The element of magical realism is fantastic. It adds a new layer to what could have been a copy cat Dexter. The start of the novel was twisted, traumatic, and intriguing, and the writing quality strong. But the moment the love story is introduced, it consumes the entire rest of the book. Their love story is messy, spicy, and feels forbidden, which makes it even more spicy.

CONS:

I liked Cain as a character, but the others felt under developed. Mac is so important, but feels flat. Like Dolan, who is intentionally flat is more interesting than Mac. I want to see more character development in the rest of the series. The romantic relationship also happens instantly, a trope which feels unrealistic and shallow. I really dislike when the romantic element becomes the main course, when all the side dishes are so much better.

I was far more interested in the murder mystery. This book does have some twists up its sleeves, which did genuinely mislead me, which is saying a lot for how much I read.

I absolutely hated the toxic masculinity the author uses in the prose. Language like, puss, pussy, pansy makes me cringe. In a book about murder, sex, and blood these are the words that bothered me every time I saw them because they reinforce such a toxic part of societies thinking. Cain isn't weak for having emotional reactions to life -- he's a human. And to degrade the book with this false idea of manliness when he was strong enough to survive his childhood is plain stupid, lazy, and shows bad writing choices. If he doubts himself, fine, but this language is crude and off-putting. Be more creative, Roads. Seriously.

Also hated "Triple K." Three Ks will always signify the Ku Klux Klan historically. To have "Killer Killion's Kid" be how Cain is referred to by outsiders is gross. Why do this? Why pull in that sort of historical baggage if you could avoid it? I would edit this out immediately. I am amazed it got past a sensitivity read. Maybe there wasn't one, but there should be for racist undertones like that. Maybe it wasn't intentional, but it comes off negatively. I am a person of color, and I didn't feel like this was the best choice for a serial killer's signature name. Granted, I am not African American, so I can only imagine what the emotions this careless name evokes. It made me uncomfortable as an Asian American, so I'd reconsider this.

2.75 ⭐

The premise of this book really intrigued me. The son of a serial killer and his fathers only surviving victim.

Let me just say it, I wasn't invested in the characters, or the relationship particularly. The romance felt insta-lovey and they just were in love. It felt like the only reason for the romance was their shared trauma, which didn't give the romance depth.

Some twists and turns were just predictable, and I didn't have any surprise in the book. Now this book wasn't horrible, and for some they may enjoy it - as I have seen in other reviews but personally I just didn't.

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc of this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️(barely)

🔍Dark Romantic Thriller
🔍Special abilities
🔍Murder Mystery
🔍Graphic murder scenes
🔍Mention of SA

ARC Review:

MMC Cain is the son of a notorious serial killer. He works as a profiler for the FBI. On the outside he seems to be the complete opposite from his dad but on the inside he has dark tendencies. Unable to act on his dark thoughts, he works as a profiler for the FBI. He has a special ability. He can see the crime as it happened by touching the blood at the crime scene. He also is keeping a secret. He is completely obsessed with his fathers last victim that survived.
FMC Mercy is the only known survivor of the famous serial killer Killian. She had been locked to in this institution for the crazy for the past couple years falsely accused of being insane. She also has a special ability she can sense when some has bad intentions and glimpse what their intentions are.
A current copy cat case has Cain seeking out Mercy for answers. After seeing the state that Mercy is in, Cain decides to kidnap her.
Can the son of a killer and his last known surviving victim possibly fall in love?

1st spice scene starts at about 58 percent mark.
I felt there was too much back and forth with the two main characters. One minute Cain is obsessed with Mercy next he is telling her to get away from him. Also with Mercy one minute she can’t stand to be away from Cain next she wants him to stay far away from her for his safety.

I was very invested in the story the first half of the book then I felt as if the push and pull kind of pulled me out of the story.

The first half was fast paced but the second half was slower to get through. If you love murder mysteries you will love this one. I don’t really think it’s much on the dark romance side in my opinion.

This book is definitely more suspenseful thriller, and it's been awhile since I've read that genre, but this was a good choice get back into it. Cain is the son of a serial killer who works for the FBI, and Mercy is the only surviving victim of his father. Cain is a little obsessive , and what is a man to do when the woman he is obsessed with is in danger? Why kidnap her of course. There is love and danger, and a lot of twists and turns. You definitely won't be able to put Defying Evil down until all of the answers are found.

This was a great crossover of fantasy, romance, and thriller tropes. The “abilities” of the main characters were interesting and a fun twist on the mystery elements of the story. The romance in the book progresses quite fast, and the “miscommunication” , self-sabotage and insta-love tropes are something you’ll either love or hate. The way the two main characters relate to each other is hauntingly realistic and relatable, and the understanding and peace they find with each other is beautiful.

This is a fast paced thriller/murder mystery, with seriously messed up serial killers, tragically tortured and haunted characters, with a sprinkle of dark romance...if you're into all of that this book has it.
Mercy Ledger was the final girl of a well known serial killer who slaughtered her entire family before her eyes, she survived by a miracle. Her tortured fate didn't end there where it should have, she was transported to a mental institution where she found herself trapped in a similar position, being hunted by the good doctor himself. Meanwhile Cain, the son of said serial killer found himself keeping an eye on mercy from a distance feeling guilt for what his father had done, also feeling attached by an understanding of her past that nobody else could possibly have. He made it a personal vow that Mercy would never again be a victim.
Cain works with his adoptive father Mac in the police/detective field and is used for his very unique, and particular set of skills. The feel of blood on his body transports his mind into the killers of any crime scene. The last crime scene they were working on was somehow connected back to Mercy.
When Cain was shown how Mercy was being treated at the mental institution, he realized what he needed to do. He kidnapped Mercy Ledger, and from there the story takes you on a rollercoaster of a ride.
I enjoyed the thrill of this story, although I think it was a bit too twisted for me to wrap my head around. Hardcore thriller and murder mystery fans, this one is for you. I was more excited for the dark romance portion that was advertised and I was a little disappointed. I think that had a lot to do with how fast paced the scenes were set. Not all spice is good spice if you know what I mean...it wasn't all bad there were a few scenes of Mercy and Cains relationship that I truly enjoyed.
Thank you so much NetGally, the publishers, and author for this ARC in return are my honest opinions.