Blood in the Woods

In the darkness of the woods, a man named Reid murders a woman, Raquel, with cold efficiency. He's a serial killer, addicted to the thrill of the hunt and the power of taking life. Yet, this kill leaves him unsatisfied—he craves a victim who will fight, who will make him feel alive. His mind is twisted, his desires dark, and he's already searching for his next obsession. The stage is set for a new game, one that will push both predator and prey to their limits.

Ink and Intrigue

Kyah, a talented tattoo artist in Brooklyn, finds comfort and purpose at High Voltage Ink, her surrogate family. She's surrounded by men who want her—Viper, the dangerous biker, and Crew, her best friend with benefits. Both men circle her, each offering protection and desire, but Kyah is fiercely independent, refusing to be claimed. Her life is a careful balance of ambition, friendship, and the thrill of forbidden attraction, all while she remains unaware of the eyes watching her from the shadows.

Shadows at the Window

Reid becomes fixated on Kyah, drawn to her strength and beauty. He stalks her, learning her routines, her vulnerabilities, and her desires. He slips into her apartment at night, leaving subtle traces of his presence. Kyah senses something is off, but the danger excites her as much as it terrifies her. The line between fear and fascination blurs, and both hunter and hunted are drawn into a dance of escalating risk.

The Stalker's Game

Kyah's life grows more complicated as her relationships with Crew and Viper intensify. She's torn between the comfort of Crew's arms and the dangerous allure of Viper's promises. Meanwhile, Reid's intrusions become bolder—he leaves gifts, steals intimate moments, and watches Kyah as she sleeps. The thrill of being watched awakens something dark within her, and she finds herself unable to resist the pull of the unknown.

Lines Crossed

The boundaries between friendship and love, safety and danger, are shattered. Kyah and Crew finally give in to their passion, but jealousy and possessiveness poison their connection. Viper's protectiveness turns controlling. Reid's obsession deepens, and he manipulates events from the shadows, ensuring that Kyah's world grows ever more unstable. The tension between all four characters simmers, ready to explode.

Addicted to Danger

Kyah's stalker escalates his game, leaving messages and orchestrating encounters that blur the line between threat and seduction. Kyah is both terrified and aroused by the danger, unable to lock her window or turn away from the thrill. Her relationships with Crew and Viper deteriorate as their true natures are revealed, and she finds herself increasingly isolated, drawn only to the darkness that haunts her nights.

Tension and Temptation

Crew's jealousy turns violent, culminating in a brutal confrontation that leaves Kyah physically and emotionally wounded. Viper's possessiveness grows more suffocating. Reid, always watching, decides to intervene—his twisted sense of protection leading him to murder Crew in a fit of orgasmic violence. The web of lies and secrets tightens, and Kyah is left reeling, unsure who to trust or where to turn.

Lovers and Liars

The aftermath of Crew's murder sends shockwaves through Kyah's world. Viper becomes her self-appointed guardian, but his motives are far from pure. Crew's brother, Mason, emerges from the shadows, demanding payment for old debts and threatening Kyah's freedom. Reid eliminates Mason with the same cold efficiency, all in the name of protecting his obsession. Kyah is caught between men who want to own her, and the one who wants to consume her.

The Mask Slips

As Kyah's stalker grows bolder, she begins to piece together the clues. The security cameras are hacked, the messages become more personal, and the line between fantasy and reality blurs. When Viper is murdered in the alley outside her apartment, Kyah realizes the danger is closer than she ever imagined. The revelation that her neighbor, Alex, is her stalker—and a killer—shatters her world, forcing her to confront her own darkest desires.

Obsession Unleashed

Kyah flees, seeking refuge with her best friend, but Alex is always one step ahead. He tracks her, taunts her, and finally chases her through Central Park in a terrifying, erotic hunt. When he catches her, the encounter is both violent and intimate, a culmination of months of tension. Alex drugs her and takes her to a hidden place, determined to keep her forever, even if it means chaining her to his bed.

Death and Discovery

In captivity, Kyah confronts Alex about his crimes, his obsession, and his love for her. He confesses to the murders of Crew, Mason, and Viper, all in the name of protecting her. Kyah is horrified, but also deeply drawn to the man who knows her darkest fantasies. She must decide whether to run or to embrace the twisted love that binds them. The power dynamic shifts, and Kyah discovers her own capacity for darkness.

Chains and Choices

The chains that bind Kyah are both literal and metaphorical. As she negotiates her freedom, she realizes that she is as addicted to Alex as he is to her. They set new boundaries, redefine their relationship, and agree to explore their shared kinks in a way that is both dangerous and consensual. The past cannot be erased, but together they forge a new path, one that embraces both their light and their darkness.

Running from Monsters

The outside world—cops, bikers, and old friends—threatens to tear Kyah and Alex apart. They must navigate suspicion, betrayal, and the ever-present risk of discovery. Their love is tested by guilt, fear, and the knowledge of what they have done. But in each other, they find a home, a place where their broken pieces fit together. The monsters they run from are both within and without, but together, they are stronger.

Truth in the Dark

Kyah and Alex lay bare their souls, confessing their crimes, their fears, and their love. They confront the reality of their relationship—a union built on obsession, violence, and mutual need. The truth is ugly, but it is also freeing. They accept each other, flaws and all, and vow to face whatever comes next together. The darkness is no longer something to fear, but something to embrace.

Boundaries Redefined

Their relationship becomes a dance of dominance and submission, fear and trust. They explore new boundaries, pushing each other to the edge and back. The world may never understand them, but they no longer care. Their love is a secret, a weapon, and a sanctuary. Together, they learn to survive—not in spite of their darkness, but because of it.

The Final Chase

Time passes, and Kyah and Alex build a life together. She achieves her dream of owning High Voltage Ink, and he channels his darkness into their relationship. The threat of discovery always looms, but they face it as a team. Their love is unconventional, dangerous, and all-consuming. The chase never truly ends, but now, they run together.

Love in the Shadows

In the end, Kyah and Alex find peace—not in the light, but in the shadows. Their love is a secret pact, a promise to protect and destroy in equal measure. They are monsters, but they are each other's monsters. In a world that will never understand them, they have found a place where they belong. The story ends not with redemption, but with acceptance—a love that is as pretty as it is monstrous.

Characters

Kyah Bailey

Kyah is a talented tattoo artist who has built a life of resilience and self-reliance after a troubled childhood. She is surrounded by men who want to possess her, but she refuses to be owned. Her psychological complexity is revealed as she becomes both terrified and aroused by her stalker, blurring the line between victim and willing participant. Kyah's journey is one of self-discovery, as she confronts her own darkness and learns to embrace the parts of herself that crave danger, pain, and power. Her relationships with Crew, Viper, and Alex force her to question her boundaries, her desires, and her capacity for love and forgiveness.

Alexander Reid (Reid)

Alex is a serial killer whose addiction to the thrill of the hunt is matched only by his obsession with Kyah. He is methodical, intelligent, and utterly without remorse—except when it comes to her. His psychological profile is that of a classic predator, but his fixation on Kyah transforms him, awakening a capacity for love that is as twisted as it is genuine. Alex's journey is one of self-awareness, as he grapples with the possibility of change, the limits of his control, and the consequences of his actions. His love for Kyah is both his salvation and his damnation.

Crew Ledger

Crew is Kyah's closest confidant and occasional lover, but his jealousy and possessiveness lead him down a dark path. He is both protector and threat, unable to reconcile his love for Kyah with his need to control her. Crew's descent into violence and betrayal is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked desire and the corrosive power of jealousy. His death at the hands of Alex is both a punishment and a release.

Viper

Viper is the vice president of the Grim Reapers motorcycle club, a man who believes Kyah should be his "old lady." He is both protector and predator, offering safety at the cost of freedom. Viper's love is suffocating, his loyalty absolute, and his violence unpredictable. He represents the allure and danger of power, and his death is a turning point that forces Kyah to confront the true nature of the men in her life.

Mason Ledger

Mason is Crew's brother and the head of a human trafficking ring. He is ruthless, calculating, and utterly without conscience. His pursuit of Kyah is driven by greed and a desire for control, making him a symbol of the dangers that lurk in the shadows. Mason's death at Alex's hands is both justice and a warning—there are always bigger monsters.

Big Jim

Big Jim is the owner of High Voltage Ink and Kyah's surrogate father. He provides stability, guidance, and unconditional support. His presence is a reminder of the possibility of goodness in a world filled with darkness. Big Jim's faith in Kyah is unwavering, and his willingness to entrust her with his legacy is a testament to her strength and resilience.

Nat

Nat is Kyah's best friend, always ready with a joke or a helping hand. She is fiercely protective, unafraid to call Kyah out on her bullshit, and willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Nat's presence grounds Kyah, offering a glimpse of normalcy and hope in a world gone mad.

Spider

Spider is a member of the Grim Reapers, tasked with protecting Kyah after Viper's death. He is watchful, suspicious, and ultimately pragmatic. Spider represents the thin line between law and chaos, and his willingness to help Kyah is a reminder that not all monsters are beyond redemption.

Fuse

Fuse is another member of the Grim Reapers, more interested in the spectacle than the substance. He provides levity in tense moments, but his presence is also a reminder of the ever-present threat of violence and the voyeuristic nature of the world Kyah inhabits.

Raquel Stacy

Raquel is the woman murdered by Reid in the opening chapter. Her death is the spark that ignites the story, a reminder of the stakes and the consequences of obsession. She is both a warning and a promise—no one is safe when monsters walk the streets.

Plot Devices

Duality of Predator and Prey

The narrative alternates between Kyah's and Alex's perspectives, allowing readers to experience both the terror of being stalked and the thrill of the hunt. This duality is reinforced by the shifting power dynamics, as Kyah moves from victim to willing participant, and Alex from predator to lover. The use of alternating viewpoints, unreliable narration, and psychological tension creates a sense of unease and suspense that drives the story forward.

Escalating Tension and Erotic Fear

The plot is driven by a series of escalating encounters—each more dangerous and intimate than the last. The use of fear as both a weapon and an aphrodisiac is central to the story's psychological impact. The narrative structure mirrors this escalation, with each chapter pushing the characters further beyond their boundaries, until the line between pleasure and pain, love and violence, is obliterated.

Masking and Revelation

The story is built on layers of deception—hidden identities, secret desires, and buried trauma. Foreshadowing is used to hint at the true nature of the stalker, while red herrings and misdirection keep the reader guessing. The eventual revelation that Alex is both neighbor and stalker is a masterstroke of narrative manipulation, forcing both Kyah and the reader to question everything they thought they knew.

Power, Consent, and Control

The plot is propelled by questions of power—who holds it, who gives it, and who takes it. The use of chains, locks, and physical restraint is both literal and symbolic, representing the characters' struggle for control over themselves and each other. The negotiation of consent, the exploration of kink, and the redefinition of boundaries are central to the story's emotional and erotic arc.

Violence as Transformation

Violence is both a destructive and transformative force in the narrative. The murders of Crew, Mason, and Viper are not just plot points, but catalysts for Kyah's and Alex's evolution. Each act of violence forces the characters to confront their own darkness, to question their desires, and to choose whether to embrace or reject the monsters within.

Analysis

Pretty Monster is a provocative exploration of obsession, power, and the blurred boundaries between fear and desire. Sheridan Anne crafts a narrative that challenges conventional notions of romance, agency, and morality, inviting readers to question their own assumptions about love and danger. The story's central relationship—between Kyah, a woman addicted to the thrill of being hunted, and Alex, a killer who finds redemption in obsession—serves as a metaphor for the ways in which trauma, desire, and agency intersect. The novel refuses easy answers, instead embracing the complexity of its characters and the darkness of their world. It is a story about survival, about the ways in which we are shaped by our wounds, and about the possibility of finding connection—even in the shadows. Ultimately, Pretty Monster is a love story for those who understand that sometimes, the only way to be whole is to embrace the monster within.

Last updated: September 21, 2025