I had read every single trilogy series in the Saint View Universe so far, with the exception of Saint View Prison by Elle Thorpe. To be honest I didn’t know if I was going to read this one due to the nature of premise, but I’m so glad I did because it was a fantastic series to read.
Saint View Prison by Elle Thorpe
Saint View Prison by Elle Thorpe is a dark why choose romance trilogy. The order of the books are as follows:
- Locked Up Liars
- Solitary Sinners
- Fatal Felons
These books do need to be read in order and the first two will leave you on a cliffhangers. All the books are available on Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, and the author’s website here.
The books are an average burn, meaning the spice doesn’t come in until a little under the halfway point in the first book. Though since it is a why choose it is also a slow burn as you don’t get spice scenes with all the main characters until the second book. There are plenty of triggers in this series so make sure to check those out before continuing. It is also written in first person multiple POV with all of the characters in their 20s and 30s.
Premise
Heath was forbidden, and Mae wasn’t supposed to start anything with him. Regardless of the crush she still had for the man he was was her sister’s ex. Until he escorted her home from the bar, they shared a few drinks, and they passed out. The next morning everything would change because she’d find Heath attempted CPR on her sister who’s blood was all over her bed and Heath.
After the police determined Heath was their main suspect, it didn’t sit right with Mae and she was bound and determined to help him, even if he didn’t want her help. She got Liam to take on the unwinnable case, and got a job at the jail teaching inmates to pass their GED. Much to the dismay of Rowe, a prison guard who knew she didn’t belong there.
She just wanted to prove Heath’s innocence, but she found herself between three men who only want to protect her from the corruption surrounding them and threatening to take them all out.
Triggers
Triggers found in Saint View Prison by Elle Thorpe include:
- Death, murder, blood, knives and guns
- Wrongfully charged
- Sexually explicit scenes with multiple partners
- Sexual Harrassment, Abuse, and Attempted Rape
- Prison politics, life, and prisoners
- Past death of spouse
- Fertility Issues
My Thoughts
I’m typically not someone who enjoys a prison romance, especially with a wrongfully charged prisoner but I made an exception for Elle Thorpe and gave this one a try. It was so worth it. Elle Thorpe has a way of giving you a story that draws you in so completely there is no escaping it. You want to keep reading to find out what happens next.
I think what I loved most about this series was that it left you guessing. We are finding out information about Mae’s sister and her killer at the same time as our main characters. Hell, you can even guess that Heath is innocent, but for a minute I even questioned if that was true.
So on top of the dark romantic suspense of this book, we get a little bit of murder-mystery that keeps you up well past your bed time. So maybe read this on a weekend.
Even with the main plot sucking you in, you get old crushes, enemies to lovers, and relationship dynamics that mix seamlessly into the plot. Liam is the fun one, Rowe is incredibly serious, and Heath is the protector type.
“Everywhere. I wanted you back at my place. I wanted you in the car. I wanted you at your sister’s funeral. I wanted you every fucking day I saw you in high school. So yeah. I want you here, Mae.” – Saint View Prison by Elle Thorpe
When it comes to the spice in this series, it feels like a slow burn without really being one, and a lot of that comes because of the relationship dynamics that take place. It is an MMFM polyamourous relationship meaning the female partner and two of the male partners are in a consensual relationship with each other. One of our characters is locked up so it’s not like they have a lot of opportunities for intimacy.
“Damn you and your Secret Squirrel lawyer powers.” – Saint View Prison by Elle Thorpe
Another one of our characters has a past that basically haunts him and he’s not quite ready to jump into something with someone who is very clearly in a relationship with a friend of his.
So while spicy time hits with two of our main characters, it takes a while before the other two are either able or willing to get involved in the dynamics. So not quite a slow burn but the why choose/poly aspects of it do take a bit.
Of all the books I’ve read by Elle Thorpe not a single one of them doesn’t have massive character growth, and Saint View Prison is the same way. Mae is navigating the world without a family, or not much of one. Liam has a past that estranged him from his own family that is a constant struggle for him. Rowe lost the only family he had. And Heath, well his family past is incredibly dark.
“What?” he scowled. “You’re a pineapple.” “What on earth? Is that a compliment or an insult?” I wanted to reach up and kiss him, but I didn’t. Because he was right. We couldn’t be doing anything here where anyone could walk in. “Spiky and rough on the outside. Sweet on the inside. That’s you to a T, Rowe.” – Saint View Prison by Elle Thorpe
All of these characters are struggling with a lot of emotional trauma while also trying to navigate what often feels like an impossible situation. To see how they grow and come together to face their problems is one of my favorite parts of this series.
“And don’t be insulting. It’s not a police chase if they can’t find me. It’s hide-and-seek.” – Saint View Prison by Elle Thorpe
As per usual with the Saint View Universe, there are side characters in this series, that become main characters in later books. In fact, one of my all time favorite Elle Thorpe characters appears in this series, and I loved getting more of his story.
If you like books that leave you screaming with a cliffhanger, make you sit up straight with a twist, and keeps you up late, this is a series you will likely love.
Who Would Like Saint View Prison by Elle Thorpe?
Tropes found in Saint View Prison by Elle Thorpe include:
- Found Family
- Why Choose
- Enemies to Lovers
- Twisting Plot
If you liked the Hades Series by Tate James, Black Creek Series by RA Smyth, or Graves by Katelyn Taylor you will likely love Saint View Prison by Elle Thorpe.
Have you read Saint View Prison by Elle Thorpe, or are you adding it to your TBR? Let me know in the comments below. I love interacting with other readers over books I loved.