Crossed (Never After, #5)

Fractured fairytale based on the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Cade is a priest, but he has a monster within him. Amaya is a dancer with a troubled past and doomed future, until their worlds collide.
I love the way this is written. Our MMC, Cade Frederic is based on the villain, but he gets the girl and his happily ever after. He isn’t a good man by any means, but he also isn’t completely evil. His own brand of stalking is actually quite sweet because he wants to protect Amaya and her little brother (who is autistic and misunderstood)
Amaya is the result of a vile, unloving mother who just ups and leaves when the going gets tough. Leaving Amaya to take care of her brother but stuck in the clutches of a vile and corrupt businessman who could have become her stepfather. He is set out to own her and make her his wife (which is just fucking creepy in itself – dude you were just dating her mom).
McIntire has awoken my twisted side and is the perfect starter level dark romance. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series, as just the premise of the other books give me goosebumps.
This series comes with content warnings and so far, I have zero triggers and loved every page.
The spice is perfection and doesn’t interfere with the plot.