3 stars

This was my first read by AJ. This definitely falls under a dark fantasy trope that has a serial killer stalker Insta-obsession thats just too far fetched. Take it for what it is. The whole scene of the group of serial killers talking to Sloane with Virgil (H), not gonna lie, kinda made me laugh. I just wished there was more plot and buildup. Like everyone just seemed like Okay, everything is Okay, carry on. I will give more A.J.'s books a shot.

Narrator Lia Holland did a great job.

I received this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Suspenseful And Gripping 🔥🎧🩷

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.8/5
Format: 🎧🎧
Length: 6hrs 11mins
Genre: Stalker Romance
Dynamic: MF
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5

This was pleasantly enjoyable and fun! It wasn’t a long book, but I was entertained throughout nevertheless. I do love a good stalker romance, dark love stories are my jam.

I do wish it was slightly darker, the mmc wasn’t very ‘unhinged’, his actions were definitely morally grey though. However, the stalker aspect was done extremely well, the suspense and that ‘looking over your shoulder’ intensity was extremely gripping and mind twisting.

The setting takes place around a camp, and I haven’t read many books with that backdrop! I loved the whole campfire, monster lurking in the woods feel, like something is constantly watching and toying with you.

The main protagonists were likeable, and definitely had flaws to create depth. However, I didn’t feel an emotional connection to them. Maybe that’s because it is a shorter standalone, so I didn’t have as much time to form bonds with the characters and dive deep into their vulnerability and pasts than I would with a series or longer standalones.

Overall, I think this would be perfect for getting out of a reading slump. It’s very fast paced and short enough to not loose interest or drag. 🩷

Furthermore, I can’t wait to listen to more audiobooks of AJ Merlin’s! I see they are longer standalones and reverse harem!! I’m sure they will be just as gripping as Depraved, or even more ..🔥

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Terrific Story & Narration🎧 Wickedly Twisted!

AJ Merlin pens another dark and twisted steamy romantic suspense, one that will bring you to the edge of your seat one minute and have you fanning yourself the next. The story grabbed my attention right from the start and held it hostage, straight to the end. Sloane Walker lives in a cabin on the campground where she works, it is just her and her dogs surrounded my secluded woods. She suffers from PTSD from a traumatic event when she was twelve years old, but she always felt safe in her cabin, though repeated phone calls from her former stepfather are getting to her and putting her on edge. He claims he has changed and wants her forgiveness, but she does not want to hear it and is not buying it. Then her safety is breached by a masked man who visits her at night and strangely enough, she does not fear him and neither do her dogs. Virgil was a self-proclaimed killer and planned on doing just that, but there was something about Sloane that made him want her all for himself and he could not stay away. Sloane looks forward to his visits, the chemistry between them is through the roof and they are great together and for each other. I loved the originality of this fast moving and cleverly plotted story that has plenty of drama, angst, twists and turns, thrilling suspense, heartfelt emotions and steamy romance. AJ Merlin, thank you for another amazing story and wild and crazy ride.

🎧📚🎧 And for the fantastic narration, Lia Holland is a talented narrator and versatile voice artist. She did an awesome job bringing the characters to life, performing the voices for both the male and female characters, giving each their own distinct sound, making it easy to follow along and know who is who. Her portrayal of these characters was spot on, she had a complete understanding of who they were, grasped every side of their personality and was believable in every role she played. She set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and projected them into her performance and had you feeling every single one. Lia Holland is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another great listen.

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1 person found this helpful

Gripping and well read

I read this book first and was absolutely absorbed by it. The connection between Sloane and Virgil is well done and continues to be interesting. Sloane is so normal while being hilarious, vulnerable and yet strong. Virgil is a great dark character with so much protection for Sloane without being controlling.

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AJ you have my full attention now 🥵

𝔸𝕁 𝕄𝕖𝕣𝕝𝕚𝕟 - 𝔻𝕖𝕡𝕣𝕒𝕧𝕖𝕕 (ℙ𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕦𝕣𝕖 𝔸𝕟𝕕 ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕪)

You know those books that make you question your móràlity? So this book is totally one of those books 😂
The kind of books that makes your brain melting because they are hot, the kind that make you say "To héll with the norm, I'm going to the Dàrk Side!" 😈

After reading another book by the author, I was left wanting more
What I love about her writing is that she is not afraid to dive into the dàrk depths, create completely cràzy characters and devour all the cards.
And yet still bring to light special and very realistic characters - like Sloan for example.
Sloane works and lives at a campsite, she has PTSD and has 2 sweet dogs attached to her like bodyguards, one of which is also a service dog ❤️
One day Virgil entered the store, a very attractive man, with a magnetic accent and tattoos that will make you imagine where they end up 🥵

So far everything sounds normal, here comes the dàrk twíst, because at night a stàlkér with a mask and leather gloves bréàks into her room and makes all her dírty fàntasíes come true for her ❤️‍🔥

“ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ ʏᴏᴜ’ʀᴇ ᴀʟʟᴏᴡᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴀʏ ᴀʀᴇ ʏᴇꜱ, ʜᴀʀᴅᴇʀ, ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ.”

I got quite a few chills, and I also went up in flames 🔥🔥🔥
Admittedly, I didn't read a description so I thought this book would be RH too, Unfortunately he was not 🥲❤️‍🩹, but! I enjoyed it very much and I wish there were a few more episodes in it because I enjoyed it so much I listened to it twice!

Highly recommended❤️‍🔥
4 🌟

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2 people found this helpful

it was okay

I had a lot of trouble getting into this book the characters didn't really stand out to me and the story didn't pull me in with all the intense things happening I found myself a little bored, the narrator did a good job

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Dark, delicious and twisted!

The title should give it away, but I went in blindly and absolutely loved this book! Dark and twisted, AJ Merlin gives us Virgil and Sloane. Sloane has had tragedy in her life, and now working at the campground surrounded by her dogs lets her feel somewhat safe. She know Vulcan, her German Shepherd will do what he has to, doing just that. But when Virgil comes to stay, things change. Vulcan loves him, and Sloane and Virgil hit it off. Little does she know his darkness. Now being stalked at night, at night by a masked man has her both terrified and loving it. And the results may not be exactly as expected! This tale has some interesting twists and turns, keeping me both on edge and trying to guess what will happen. Sloane is troubled, and dealing with her past as it comes back to haunt her is scary to say the least. Virgil is a tough one to get a handle on. Good? Evil? A little of both? Is he dangerous? Does he love her? I was wondering all of this until the very end! This is a great listen, full of spice and suspense. Loved it!

Lia Holland always gives an amazing performance and this one is no exception. She comes in as both Sloane and Virgil and gives us personalities that fit them perfectly. I love how she easily transforms Virgil into the different sides he has. And as Sloane she builds her confidence and gives her the change with inflections of her voice. Adding in the many secondary characters she creates, each one distinct and on point. This storytelling is fabulous.

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1 person found this helpful

Depraved

I've recently started listening to a lot more of AJ Merlin's books. So far (this is my 3rd) this book has been my favorite. I'm glad I grabbed a paperback copy of it at Allure in Chicago for my bookshelf.
I loved the story. The suspense. While there are some 'questionable' things in it (come on it's AJ Merlin, what do you expect?) I enjoyed it. The flow and the story.
My favorite part was the german shepherds but that ending wasn't bad at all either.
I thoroughly enjoyed this listen and would like more from this series.

#vipflock #pinkflamingoreviewer #audiobookobession #audiobookobsessionreviewer

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1 person found this helpful

Hot as hell

This book has somewhat of a concerning storyline, however, for a hard-core dark romance reader this was absolutely perfect. I loved the dynamic of these characters. They balance each other perfectly. A fantastic performance from Lia.
#PinkFlamingoProductions
#FlockReview
#Audiobook,ObsessionReviewer

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Dark & Delicious

Virgil is the perfect psycho but I wanted no needed more of him. It’s depraved and spicy and the plot is good .

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