Blurb:

The problem with secrets is they create powerful monsters.
And even more dangerous enemies.

He’s the keeper of all his family’s secrets, the watcher of all.
He knows what I’ve done, what I’ve risked… the deadly choice I made.

The tangled vines of his mighty family tree are strangling me.
There is no escape.
I am locked away, captive to his twisted obsession and demands.
If I run, my hell will never end.
If I stay, he will devour me.

My only choice is to dare the monster to come out into the light,
before his darkness destroys us both.

Yes… he is the monster in hiding.
And he is the end of my beginning.

My 4* Review:

Monsters Are Hidden is book two in Alta Hensley’s Gods Among Men Series. A very dark romance about Phoenix Godwin and Ani Parker and the excruciating journey they take through the darkness to find the light. We met both these characters in Villains Are Made #1. Phoenix is Apollo’s mysterious and reclusive brother. Ani is Daphne’s sister, who they rescued from her abusive husband and brought to the Godwin family home. It continues the tale of the Godwin family who don’t trust anyone and live a life full of secrets, deceptions and deceit. They are a toxic family and all their love stories are overshadowed by hurt and pain. 

“I like your light. It helps with my dark.”

Apollo and Daphne have gone to Seattle and left Ani to heal and recover from her ordeal at Olympus Manor. She needs to mentally and physically recuperate but stubbornly refuses to take handouts even though Daphne wants to help her. She barely escaped her nightmare so knows she has a messed up life and is in a dark space, but that has been her life since a child. 

Phoenix has always been different from his siblings. He seems a sad guy struggling with his demons all alone, trapped in his own world. He is the keeper of the Godwin family secrets and oversees the security footage for both Medusa Enterprises and the family. He blames himself over the  Apollo incident and sees Daphne as a liar and betrayer, and he detests liars. He lives his life like a ghost haunting the Manor, working up in the attic to keep his family safe. 

Ani feels she is being watched and when she hears creaks and bumps, she goes to investigate and finds that the monsters aren’t only in her head. She has heard the frightening rumours about the family but is terrified when she finds Phoenix living in the attic. He is a tall and imposing man who is intense and overwhelming. Why is he there and offering to keep her safe? 

They build up a relationship and she sees a side of Phoenix he keeps hidden from everyone else. Ani needs to start living her life but he doesn’t want her to leave. He has been watching her and become obsessively possessive and protective. There is a real spark between them and an undeniable connection but is it just the pain of their past pulling them together. He’s never cared about anyone but she makes him feel things he’s never experienced before. She loves how he makes her feel protected and safe. 

Ani has secrets and doesn’t realise that her loyalty to Apollo and Daphne will have an adverse affect on Phoenix and lead to a series of events that will change her life forever. As their friendship becomes a nightmare, will his darkness destroy them both when he can’t contain the monster inside him. What will the consequences be and can she survive? I loved the twist with Ani’s unexpected discovery which gives more insight into this family. I also liked that we learnt a bit more about Athena ready for her book. This ends on a great cliffhanger about a secret that could have consequences for all the Godwin siblings. 

The first half of the book was really interesting as the couple got to know each other and their fragile relationship developed. The ending was heartbreaking and sad as they worked through their feelings for each other and he tried to believe she could love the monster. However, I found the middle part hard to read due to her past and struggled to justify his actions. I understood how he was constantly fighting his demons but I didn’t like him as the kinky, sadistic psychopath even if Ani did enjoy it and could see him for who he was and accept all he did. Secrets are dangerous and lies destructive for this phoenix and his dove!