Behind the Shadows

The Shadows Series, Book 3

De: J. A. Owenby

Narrado por: John Hartley, Celia Stone

Some of us were born into darkness. Others were shackled.

They drugged me. Chained me. Tore apart my mind until the pieces didn't fit anymore. Then they gave me a name.

Cleaner. Killer. Son. Monster.

Told me the blood on my hands was hers. Then they smiled and made me kill again.

And they told me she never existed. But I've seen her. In dreams. In flashes of red hair and blood. And now she's real—flesh and bone and terrified eyes.

But they made one mistake. They didn't bury her deep enough.

Now she's back. And even if she doesn't remember me, my obsession remembers everything.

She runs; I follow. She screams; I savor it. She looks at me like a stranger, and I try not to laugh.

Because I know her body better than she does. I've watched her sleep. Touched her skin. Marked her without mercy. And now that I've found her again… There's no version of this where I let her go.

You don't have to love me, little ghost. Lock the door. Scream my name. Run. I've never needed permission to take what's mine.

Behind the Shadows is Kip and Holland's story—a standalone, pitch-black stalker romance and psychological romantic thriller of obsession, betrayal, and deadly lies. Perfect for listeners who crave dark romance with a morally gray anti-hero, captor/captive tension, and a hard-won HEA (no cheating, no third-act breakup). While not required, it's highly recommended to listen to the duet In the Shadows and Back in the Shadows first.

This dark romance contains multiple storylines and many exciting moving pieces that come together in one satisfying and unexpected HEA. If you enjoy a single storyline, this book might not be for you.

Contains mature content. A complete list of content warnings can be found on the author's website.

Narrated in duet style.

©2025 J. A. Owenby (P)2026 Podium Audio

Kip & Holland

Ok, I have some mixed feelings about this book. While this author writes very well weaving her stories and characters with ease, the ending frustrated me. She writes such fascinating characters and scenarios but the lack of resolve in this book is irritating. Perhaps she’s going to add a final book with Dope’s story as there were several hanging issues in this book with respect to who the pied piper really is, what he’s holding over Ella, how Dope is connected, so many unanswered questions. My other issue (minor) was/is, if Holland is a Psychiatrist, then she is also an MD, with a psych specialty. So when Draco ended up in her tub, her medical training (at least to a degree) should have kicked in. Granted, she may not have figured out what was sewn inside, it should have played out differently (to a degree), especially when telling Kip.
Lastly, I purchased the audio book and as with the others, the narration was fantastic. I still recommend this series and book, but wanted to point out these little issues.

Behind the Shadows

Behind the Shadows - JA Owenby
MMC- Kip
FMC - Holland (Samantha) 31

🖤dark psychological romance
🪽damaged morally grey MMC
🖤trauma healing
🪽survivor FMC
🖤emotional slow burn

ARC review:
I read Deaths duo & absolutely loved it. I loved Kip in Deaths book. He was truly an amazing friend!
Behind the Shadows is the third installment in the Shadows series. While this is a standalone, I highly recommend starting at the beginning. If you haven’t listened to and/or read Death's story, please jump back to book 1. Death is amazing and completely unhinged! I love it. Interconnected series / plot line.
This story is about Kip, who is Death's best friend. Kip is tortured by a violent past that has haunted him his entire life but he’s also determined to protect those around him in his own way. Kip is alpha, possessive and unhinged. Holland, the FMC, carries her own scars and when their worlds collide, their connection is raw and powerful. Kip finds out that Holland is someone from his past.
Truthfully, this was a SLOW burn and it was too slow at times. I felt it dragged in some places and didn’t quite get my attention.

Audiobook review:
John Hartley narrates Kip and Celia Stone narrates Holland. These narrators have been there since the beginning. I loved them for Death and Ella. John also seems to fit Kip pretty well. I do kind of wish this would have had a different female narrator though.