Echoes by Steph Macca

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Welcome to the Lilydale Foundation Center… home of deadly secrets.

After being framed for murder, I never thought I’d be back inside these walls again. And if I thought I’d be able to make a quiet return, I was dead wrong. 

My secrets have been spilled but little did I know it would be the catalyst. Monsters are creeping out of the darkness, eager for blood. 

Now, the biggest question remains—who are the true unhinged? 

Echoes is a why choose asylum secret society dark romance. It contains adult themes, sensitive topics, and is solely intended for mature audiences over 18. It is recommended that readers check the trigger warnings before diving in. Echoes is book 2 in the Dance with my Demons series.

Where Sanity Ends and Loyalty Begins

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 🩷💙💚❤️
Steam/Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍
Character development: 🤓😟🤯😎
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Full Cast – Duet Narration

Characters and Plot Dynamics

Avery enters this story already shaped by trauma. Years of abuse at the hands of her alcoholic father leave her emotionally numb and desperate enough to attempt suicide by setting her home on fire. She does not know he had returned early, and when he dies in the blaze she is charged with manslaughter. Her diagnosis of borderline personality disorder and PTSD leads the court to send her to the Lilydale Foundation Center, a criminal psychiatric institution that feels more like a pressure cooker than a place of healing.

Inside Lilydale she meets Grey, Damon, and Theo, three men whose personalities collide with hers in volatile and fascinating ways. Grey is the bright spot in the darkness, a charming and intuitive man who sees Avery’s strength long before she recognizes it in herself. His connection to her is immediate and intense, and he falls for her with a sincerity that makes his vulnerability feel real.

Damon, Grey’s best friend, is the calculating leader of Cirque des Morts, the secret society that quietly controls Lilydale. His influence is absolute and his protectiveness of Grey borders on ruthless. He distrusts Avery from the start and his hostility toward her is sharp enough to make him one of the most difficult characters to like. His fear of repeating a past tragedy drives him to threaten Avery in ways that reveal both his power and his flaws.

Theo is the quiet storm of the group. He is withdrawn, observant, and unsettling in a way that makes his affection for Avery both sweet and terrifying. His silent loyalty shows itself through gestures that are equal parts romantic and violent, including the severed finger he leaves in her room as a warning to her bully. His bond with Avery grows quickly and complicates everything, especially once Grey discovers their intimacy.

Avery’s position within Lilydale and Cirque des Morts becomes increasingly unstable as secrets unravel and loyalties shift. Her relationships with Grey and Theo collide, Damon’s distrust intensifies, and by the end of Unhinged her situation becomes even more dangerous than before.

Highlights

• The story opens with immediate emotional impact as Avery is thrust into a hostile environment filled with danger, manipulation, and hidden agendas.
• Lilydale’s atmosphere is oppressive and unpredictable, creating a sense of constant threat that keeps the tension high.
• The hints of a larger conspiracy surrounding Avery’s placement at Lilydale add depth and raise the stakes.
• The character dynamics are messy, morally complex, and emotionally charged. The blend of affection, violence, and power struggles makes the relationships compelling and difficult to look away from.

Drawbacks

• Damon’s early behavior toward Avery is harsh enough that it becomes difficult to sympathize with him, even when his motivations are rooted in loyalty to Grey.
• Avery is likable, but the speed and intensity with which multiple powerful men fall for her feels underdeveloped. More moments showing why she inspires such devotion would strengthen the emotional payoff.
• The plot can become tangled as twists, secrets, and shifting alliances pile up. Some revelations complicate the story more than they clarify it.

Narration

The full cast duet narration elevates the entire experience. Marie Hawkins gives Avery a voice that captures her fragility and resilience. Joe Arden and Corvin King deliver rich, magnetic performances that suit their characters perfectly, while Anthony Palmini adds a softer but still compelling tone. The duet format creates a cinematic feel, allowing each character to speak with their own emotional weight. Pairing the audiobook with Kindle Unlimited’s immersive reading option adds even more depth to the experience.

Final Opinion

This installment deepens the emotional and psychological complexity of the series. Avery’s journey is raw and unsettling, and the men around her create a volatile mix of danger, desire, and fractured loyalty. The world of Lilydale grows darker and more intricate, and the narration brings every moment to life with striking intensity. Despite a few character and pacing frustrations, the story remains gripping and addictive, especially for listeners who enjoy dark romance with layered relationships and high emotional stakes.

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