This was an incredible dark romantic thriller. I was thoroughly engrossed in the story and rapidly turning the pages. There are a few steamy scenes. There’s a touch of the paranormal also. The premise of a serial killer’s son and one of his dad’s victims who survived was something straight out of Criminal Minds. It was incredibly unique and I enjoyed this winding read.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for this e-book. If you love true crime and romance you will love this book. It was a quick read but the mystery kept me hooked. What a twist! It is a bit of an insta-love story but it makes sense for the characters.
I really loved Mac. He sort of reminded me of Gideon from Criminal Minds. I would have enjoyed reading more about his past with Cain.
Now I have to read Book 2! Too many questions are still going around in my head. I hope the plot is just a good as this one.

A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you’re in the mood for a dark romantic thriller, with some hints of supernatural elements thrown in, this is a good book to read.

I was surprised how wholesome the romance in this book was between Cain and Mercy - yes there’s some elements of the dark romance, but as a whole there wasn’t really much concerning about their relationship. (I will admit that at times I was almost hoping for the romance to become more/actually toxic, but they both seemed determined to somehow be pure and sweet despite being surrounded by so much death and bloodshed. I have to hand it to them, I wasn’t honestly expecting that.) Cain does have some stalkerish tendencies towards Mercy, but up until the events of this book he seemed able to stay away from her anyway. And with their almost supernatural connection between them, I’ll give him a pass for it since it’s almost like he didn’t have the ability to not be obsessed with her. (And in Cain’s defense, he was almost forced into kidnapping Mercy, it’s not like he went to her planning on doing so.)

Learning about Cain’s strange powers through connecting with blood was interesting - and I also thought it was kind of amusing that everyone just seemed to accept it. The idea of the FBI being okay with someone smearing blood all over his face as a profiling technique, and then suddenly having knowledge about the crime scene that no one else was able to discern - it’s interesting, but also I kind of found it almost hilarious. I liked it - don’t get me wrong - but just thinking about it in a real world scenario instead of in this book occasionally made me laugh. In the same way, at the end with them offering Mercy a job from her using her own powers was also a little funny. Other than their almost supernatural abilities, this book is very grounded in reality.

I did think it was interesting how the serial killer father was the one that set into motion Mercy and Cain’s connection with each other - and that he did it on purpose. Throughout the novel I wondered if he too had some kind of supernatural ability, and that’s how his actions gave both Cain and Mercy their powers.

This book is very fast-paced with a insta-love romance, along with all the thriller elements happening extremely quickly. If you were looking for a more slow-burn dark romance this might not be the book for you.

With this being a dark romance thriller, I know I’m going to miss adding all the trigger warnings. I would include anything to do with: death, murder, knives, guns, blood, child abuse, medical torture/abuse, doctor/patient abuse, mental illness, sexual abuse/assault/rape (nothing explicit but heavily implied at some points), fighting, violence. I’m definitely missing a lot, but if it fits in the themes of the ones I’ve mentioned I’d maybe assume it’ll probably be there to be safe.

OKAY ABBIE ROADS, OKAAAYY *insert snap emoji hereee*

Who doesn’t love a little bit of trauma bonded romance?!
The way this book starts instantly grabbed me, sunk it’s teeth into me, and it didn’t let go.
I loved the mixture of FBI detective, serial killer’s son, mystical abilities, fated lovers, spiritual eeriness, trauma bonding…..I mean I could go on and on but I only have so many synonyms.

The layers to this story and the way they all came back together in the end was masterful. You could tell there was skillful planning that went into this book.
If I had a penny for the amount of times I was sitting in my living room or walking on the treadmill in the middle of the gym and I verbally gasped, I’d have many pennies.

The ONLY critique I have (and it’s not even really a critique) is that I wish there were a couple more scenes with the Dr and Mercy in the beginning when her story was first unfolding.

I impatiently look forward to reading the next book that I know is coming because I NEED ANSWERS!!

They aren't lying when they say dark thriller. As Abbie Roads says, it's intense! I second that, Right out of the gate my heart started pounding, my jaw dropped and my stomach wanted to wage war. Put on your big girl panties, or boys, before reading. After the first two chapters I had to put the book down and walk away, My thoughts and emotions were all over the place. When I shored up my defense I started reading again I was so glad I did! There are twists, there are moments of light. My heart hurt for Caine right along with Mercy. Mac oh Mac, your human it will be ok. Dolan I wanted to smack you and I hurt for you. It's almost as if the author said lets see how you wade through the muck before I shed some light and joy. Is there a HEA, yes but there is still a thread that is left unanswered to carry you on to book 2 and you can bet your bippy I will keep an eye out and beg for that arc too. #DefyingEvul #BloodisThickerThan #AbbieRoads #IndependentlyPublished #NetGalley

I started this and wanted to not be ok with this dark romance. Cain seemed (and I still believe was) stalker-y with Mercy. I SHOULDN'T root for that kind of a relationship, but wow Abbie Roads made it work. The thriller aspect of this was so good, it had me on the edge of my seat. The "abilities" Cain and Mercy have are really inventive and added a fantastical element to this story that I really enjoyed. The details about the murders that we get through Cain's ability are gruesome and dark and brutal. You really feel like you're in the mind of a murderer. I also really enjoyed the little quotes talking about serial killers or news articles related to the story at the beginning of each chapter. It was a super creative way to introduce each chapter. I was slightly disappointed with the big reveal for who was behind the murders though! I was hoping for something more surprising, but it just seemed like the obvious answer. Thank you so much to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I was so intrigued by the synopsis that I couldn’t wait to dive into this book, but i feel like the doctor was made to try to hard, even as a crazy doctor his actions are a little ove the top dude I couldn’t take him seriously
Otherwise I enjoyed the book and had fun reading it
Thanks Netgalley for the arc🫶🏻🫶🏻

5 stars!!!

I really, really enjoyed this book! The characters were incredibly compelling and complex, and the plot was insanely good. The twists and intricate connections between the characters had me hooked from the start, and I couldn't put it down. I was on the edge of my seat, guessing who did it until the very end, all while rooting for good to prevail. This book was unlike anything I've ever read before, and it had me emotionally invested. It was dark, but not in a confusing way—more so, dark because it was heartbreakingly sad, yet it all made perfect sense.

This story follows a serial killer’s son and that killer’s failed last victim. They both connect to each other through their past trauma in ways no one else can understand and embark on a journey to catch a killer with possible connections to their past. Abbie Roads has a way of writing that draws you in and keeps you hooked until the end!
If you enjoy fast paced thrillers with lots of suspense and twists and turns, you’ll enjoy this book!
Personally, I wasn’t the biggest fan. I was originally intrigued by the premise because it was unlike anything I’ve ever read before but I found the book to be almost too fast paced. I wanted to slow down and understand the characters more. On top of that, Cain and Mercy’s relationship felt very insta-love which is not my preferred type of romance. I do think the supernatural abilities aspect and trying to catch a killer were very intriguing and that’s what kept me reading until the end. I think it all comes down to personal preference and this just wasn’t my cup of tea!

I haven't read a thriller novel in a little while and after reading this I think I need to get back to reading them more.
The plot twists in this keep you captivated and wanting to get to the bottom of what is going on. I definitely did not want to put the book down until I got answers.
This story focuses on Cain and Mercy. Cain is the son of a notorious serial killer, Adam Killion. Mercy is the only surviving victim from Killions most famous murder. When Mercy and Cain meet again, chaos ensues but love also blooms.
The only complaint I have about this book is that it's written in the third person and not the first person which I prefer. This is totally just personal preference though!

In Defying Evil by Abbie Roads, the premise draws you in hooking you with a dark, thrilling romantic storyline filled with paranormal elements and unpredictable twists. The story follows the lives of two damaged individuals, Cain and Mercy, who are both struggling to come to terms with their past traumas. Cain, who lives in the shadow of his serial killer father, has a gift that allows him to track serial killers like his father. Mercy has been living a nightmare. The sole survivor of an obsessive serial killer who killed her family but left her barely alive.

Roads' writing is captivating and her characters are complex and well-developed. Her story is dark and gripping drawing you into the storyline, and twisting and turning you until you reach the final page.

Roads' mastery of imagery is impressive, bringing the settings and characters vividly to life. She delves into their emotional and psychological states, exploring the depths of their fears, desires, and motivations. The result is a gripping and immersive reading experience that will stay with you long after you finish the book.

One of the strengths of Roads' writing is her ability to create complex characters that feel all too human. Her protagonists are flawed and vulnerable, struggling with inner demons and doubts as they navigate a hostile world. The complexity of their personalities makes them compelling and relatable, drawing the reader deeper into their struggles and dreams.

Another strong point of Roads' writing is her ability to create a sense of atmosphere that is both eerie and evocative. Her settings are often dark and foreboding, with a strong sense of unease pervading the air. This creates a sense of anticipation and suspense that keeps the reader on edge, wondering what will happen next.

Overall, Roads' writing is a masterclass in storytelling. Her ability to create complex characters and vivid settings, and to weave them together in a gripping narrative, is a testament to her skill as a writer. If you're looking for a dark, captivating read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, then look no further than Roads' work.

Wow. When I finished reading the first thought in my head was what did I read. Such an exciting thriller. A son of a serial killer falls for a victim of his father’s. So many twists and turns. Such an emu expected ending. Will definitely be reading book 2. This is a must read for all of you thriller lovers.

This book was so good! The mystery and thriller aspects made the book fast paced and unputdownable. The supernatural aspect was interesting and surprising. Cain being the son of a serial killer and his desire to work so hard not to be his father is so present in the story. It’s hard to learn how to trust yourself especially with his background, it really poses the question of nature vs nurture. In Cains case he is the son of a serial killer and was abused by him and he still overcame the possibility of becoming his father. I think that the fact that he and mercy found each other in the worst circumstances and were able to overcome their struggles is inspiring. Truthfully I think this book could have been longer, I think a deeper background on Dr. Payne, Liz and Mercy would have added better background.

I unfortunately DNF'd this one.

I went into it with so much anticipation based on the synopsis, that I think my own excitement ruined it for me.

I loved loved the plot of the story, I think it's creative and very well thought out. A serial killer's son who solves crime and is a master blood analyst who entirely puts himself in the shoes of the killer.

The writing itself fell short for me along with getting lost in the story. I DNF'd around 40%, at that point I had some built up confusion as to what was going on.

Thank you for this ARC read.

I wish there was more focus on the romance, however the fast paced action balances that out so there is something for everyone. I think this was more of a "it's not my thing" kind of book, however I did enjoy it. The thriller aspect was brilliant!

I wish there was more romance but other than that, I flew through this book! It was dark and thrilling and fast paced. The more I read, the more I need to know what was happening.

WOW! WOW! WOW!
This is so dark and scary, thrilling and messed up BUT an absolutely amazing read.
If you're into fast paced thrillers & sicko serial killers this is a must read, the romance is there but it's more a suspenseful thriller over all.

It's 20 years after his father was found guilty of murder, the sickening things he did to his own son would have been enough to have him found guilty had they known.

Mercy's entire family was killed yet she was spared and for 20 years she's been praised as the only one who got away and survived. Now she's been in a psych ward for 2 years and has no idea why.

This book is crazy good, I was completely stunned by everything that was happening and to be found as you continue reading on. It's a must read for mystery, thriller lovers!

Much thanks to Netgalley and the publisher cause I loved it and need more.!!

3,5 stars.

A gritty thriller where we follow a serial killers son and his fathers final girl.
Very dark and an absolute page turner. I read it in one sitting!

I loved the almost supernatural aspects to the book with the two main characters abilities, and while dark it also had its sweet moments between the two that balanced it up really nice.
Good characters that made you feel their trauma in a very real way.