Under Your Scars is the story of Elena Young and Christian Reeves. Two people who were seemingly destined to fall in love. Elena is just a small town girl, living in a lonely world, and moved to Meridian City to go to law school and start her career at Reeves Industries.

Christian is the trillionaire CEO who takes an immediate liking to Elena and has vowed to make her his. But lurking in the darkness is the vigilante serial killer, The Silencer, who has also vowed to make Elana his. And for the first 25 - 30 chapters, it really is kind of like a more violent, spicier version of the 1989 Batman movie. But then it just gets really unhinged.

I saw this getting recommended by several TikTokers’ list of dark romance recs, and when they showed it, they were all smiles and giggly like it was spicy and fun. So, I was like, I wanna read that. As luck would have it, the audiobook popped up on NetGalley, and I put in my request for review.

You know what I found out? It was not fun. It wasn’t fun at all. This was the most tragic, traumatic, and depressing love story I’ve ever read. I feel like Ariel Anderson said, “You know what, Imma stomp a mud hole in your soul and walk it dry.” Because that’s what she did. I should have seen it coming because all along she planted these little hints that perfectly set up every plot twist that you did see happening until the right moment. Anderson’s writing was just phenomenal. Once you start reading, it was hard to put down, in my case, hard to press pause because the story was so compelling.

As for the plot, it’s hard to talk about without giving anything away. It’s not just a love story between Elena and Christian. There’s a couple of sub-plots involving Elena’s family, The Silencer, and an evil night club owner. Somehow, Anderson was able to seamlessly blend all these story lines together without losing the plot or confusing the reader. It helps that the story is heavily driven by well-written characters.

The way Anderson wrote the characters was nothing short of exceptional. They had so much depth and emotion. Elena was strong when she needed to be strong and soft when she needed to be soft. Christian had so many layers that were perfectly blended to show not only his calm demeanor but his unhinged side and how he shifted from one to the other. What really impressed me was the dialogue. It was the most un-cringy dialog I’ve read in a dark romance. Even the secondary characters added so much to drive the plot forward in a way that didn’t feel forced.

The audio production was phenomenal. The chemistry between Lee Daniels and Joe Arden was fantastic. I do think, at points, Joe Arden’s acting was a little much and overshadowed Lee Daniels. I would still recommend it for anyone who enjoys audiobooks.

Under Your Scars will take you through every emotion you can possibly feel, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark romance, horror, crime thrillers, and even splatterpunk. It’s one of the best and most devastating books I’ve read.

Okay… where to start… I’m destroyed!!! This book has broken me!
The voice actors are absolutely perfect and capture the characters perfectly. Absolutely check your triggers and this is not a HEA
The tears are real!!! I feel the audio hits so much more than the book!! I’ll need a minute….

This is one of the darker books I have read, usually not my go-to genre. It has dark Batman vibes. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Lee Daniels and Joe Arden. Both did a phenomenal job narrating all of the characters.

***HIGHLY RECOMMEND*** reading the trigger warnings before reading this book as there are some very graphic scenes and situations throughout. This story also does not have a HEA so that’s something to be aware of as well.

I finally finished it and let me say it loud for the readers in the back:
THIS. BOOK. DOES. NOT. HAVE. A. HEA.
But weirdly enough? I think it was the perfect ending for this story.

This book was emotionally brutal. It felt like the author collected every trauma and dark trope known to dark romance and dumped them all on Elena. At times, it was overwhelming. And to be honest, the FMC annoyed me so much I almost gave up more than once.

The one saving grace? Joe Arden’s narration. Absolutely phenomenal. He carried this book on his back and made Christian come to life in all his twisted, obsessive glory.

If you’re a fan of Haunting Adeline, obsessed with broken characters, and can stomach the heaviest of trigger warnings, this might be your thing.

🎧 Joe Arden: 5/5
📖 Book: 2⭐️
🖤 No HEA, just pain and obsession
⚠️ Read every single trigger warning before diving in.

This was tge definition of dark, dont get me wrong it was amazing but i dont think I'll ever emotionally recover from this i don't think you can call this a dark romance because it was a full blown tragedy to everyone who recommended this to me im sending you the therapy bills ill be piling up to recover from this

5 stars.

Holy. MOLY. I am going to need a good, long while before I recover from "Under Your Scars" by Ariel N. Anderson. Heartbreaking, unhinged, spicy, messy, mad, depressing, dark dark daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaark as heck. I feel traumatized from reading this one. Dark romances are not my typical genre, but I think this one made me a fan??? Does that mean I need some form of therapy!? LOL. I loved every second of this book. It is a long one, but I found that I could not put it down, no matter how hard I tried. OOf, this book hurt my heart and my soul. This story is not for the faint of heart and DOES NOT have an HEA. Keep that in mind going into it. There are lots of twists and turns, most of which I saw coming, but that doesn't mean that I disliked the journey. I loved this book. Joe Arden and Lee Daniels absolutely NAILED the dual audiobook narration here. They make the characters of Christian and Elena their own and breathe (deranged) life into these people with expert tone, fabulous voices, and spectacular pacing. I cannot imagine anyone else narrating this one... they are spectacular here. I say give this one a shot, but obviously checked the trigger warnings before entering.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ariel N. Anderson, Dreamscape Select, and Blue Nose Publishing for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

I needed therapy after this one, was it worth it though? yes. yes it was. The narrators just made this even better and even more heart breaking

Lee Daniels; Joe Arden

wow this book was heartbreaking christian is batman he is rich and he goes after bad people who parents were klled. when he meets Elena his Angel he becomes possessive and protecrive of her. when his demons come to light Elena gets hvrt and they been trying to get pass it but they cant theirs is guilt bit the worst is Elena Father did to his family their is no happy ending and death follow them living a child alone check Tw

ALC Review 🫶

Wow, just wow. Traumatized (in the best way) by this book is the definitely the feeling.

If Batman & The Joker had a child, Christian Reeves is that child (and I ain't mad about it, The Joker is my favourite!) 🖤

What I absolutely adored was the relationship that developed between Christian and Elena, and please note, this book does NOT have a HEA! But it was just as beautiful, chaotic and so well written.

I will say, I think the narrators, Joe Arden and Lee Daniels made this book 100% their own in how it was delivered. I will give the audio 5 stars, because their performances were just outstanding 🫶

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the gifted copy 🖤

Under Your Scars - Ariel N Anderson

I knew going in that this was not a HEA but other than that, I didn't know what to expect. I finished the audiobook an hour ago and Im still sitting here speechless, trying to decide how I feel. My heart and my stomach physically hurt and I'm not sure if it's from the book or a health issue. **(its been a few hours and I'm still alive so it was definelty the book) **

The book had me captivated from the very start. It gives big time Batman vibes but with a dark romance twist. The web of connections that was weaved through the characters was complex and fascinating. Just when I thought I knew where the story was headed, it took a turn that I did not see coming. When the book was over, I sat with my head in my hands and tears in my eyes for long enough that my kids were concerned. I don't know what else to say. This may live with me for a while.

The book was narrated in duet style by Joe Arden and Lee Daniel's and both did an exceptional job.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this ALC.

Psychotic Batman vibes. 🚨 Woop woop 🚨The inmate is running the asylum. Joe Arden straight injected wheaties because he delivered the performance of a freaking lifetime.

Not sure what kind of crack this book was laced with, but I quite literally could not put it down. Okay that’s a lie, I do know. Pure, delicious, smut. Followed up with trauma. Sex and trauma done well, instant 5 star read. And that ending? I’m gonna need at least 3 business days to recover. 💔😭

Huge thanks to Net Galley and Dreamscape Select for the ALC. Yall, do yourself a favor and LISTEN to this book 🤌🏼

When I first read this book I was blown away with how much I liked it. I saw that the audio version was available as an advance listening copy and I requested it immediately.

If I liked this book before, Joe Arden makes this book a 6 star read (listen). The way he voices The Silencer and his inner demons is perfection and you really get a feel for their emotional state.
This book is just as tragic the second time reading and will forever be one of my favorite dark romance? books ever.

Lee Daniels also does a great job narrating the FMC Elena.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select | Blue Nose Publishing for access to the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Review from October 30, 2024:
Wow, I don't even know what to say. 660 pages of trauma, mental anguish, confusion, sadness, betrayal and so much more but also tears. So, yeah if you are looking to ruin your life, then read this with tissues handy. This one is going to stick with me for a very long time. I knew this book didn't have a HEA but I was NOT expecting it to end like that. Needless to say I absolutely loved this book!

DO NOT READ THIS BOOK IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS!

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Under Your Scars by Ariel N. Anderson
Performed in Duet by Lee Daniels and Joe Arden
Duration: 19h02m
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Note: Originally released as an exclusive in 2023, Under Your Scars is now being rereleased for a wider audience.
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This book follows law school graduate Elena Young, Billionaire CEO Christian Reeves, and Serial Killer The Silencer. I feel it’s difficult to give much of a summary without spoiling anything, but The Silencer becomes obsessed with Elena after saving her from an attack, and this is how we start.
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This story follows law school graduate Elena Young, billionaire CEO Christian Reeves, and a serial killer known as The Silencer. It’s difficult to summarise without revealing spoilers, but The Silencer becomes obsessed with Elena after saving her from an attack, and from there the story spirals into darker territory.

Despite reading the trigger warnings beforehand, some scenes still took me by surprise. This was a deeply intense and, at times, uncomfortable listen. Every difficult moment served the story, reinforcing its emotional weight.

Elena and Christian are developed and complex characters, and the dual POV format allows us to truly get inside their minds. I always appreciate this narrative style, and it’s used to great effect here.

The tension in this book had me on edge from beginning to end. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story would shift in a way that felt both unexpected and completely earned. Ariel N. Anderson’s writing is haunting and full of heartbreak, complexity, and nuance. It will stay with me long after I finish listening.

Complex, morally grey relationships are also explored, which added another compelling layer to the experience.
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I was lucky enough to receive the audiobook for review via NetGalley, and I’m so glad I did. The duet narration by Lee Daniels and Joe Arden was phenomenal, adding emotional depth and realism to each character. Their performances elevated an already powerful story.
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˖˚⊹ Highlights/Take Note
~ Dual POV
~ Dark Romance
~ Excellent Narration
~ High emotion
~ Check trigger warnings
~ (SPOILER) Not HEA