After the ending of Killer Kiss, I immediately started Caged Bird by Elle Thorpe. I didn’t believe for a second what we’d found out in Killer Kiss, and knew I needed to find out how this played out. Forewarning: If you haven’t read any other book in the series yet, there will be spoilers for those books in this recommendation.
Caged Bird by Elle Thorpe
Caged Bird by Elle Thorpe is the fourth book in the Saint View Strip series. It is a dark romance published on February 28th, 2025 and is 340 pages long. It is an average burn, with first person dual POV, and characters in their late 20s to early 30’s. You can find Caged Bird on the author’s website here, Amazon, and Kindle Unlimited.
Premise
It’s been five years since Eddie took Fawn, five years since the video he sent of her “dead” body on the basement floor, five years since everyone she ever knew thought she died. And in those five years she’s been Eddie’s prisoner, birthing his child, chained in a house, doing anything and everything he asks just so she and her son can survive.
For Zane it’s been five years since he watched his brother, Eddie, kill Fawn by pushing her down the stairs. He escaped with their mother, and haven’t heard a thing since. Until he gets a phone call that will change everything. On threat of his mother’s life – with two men standing outside of their home with knives in hand, Eddie has called Zane in to assist him.
Triggers
Triggers found in Caged Bird by Elle Thorpe include:
- Kidnapping
- Rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, abuse
- Child abuse and neglect
- Human trafficking
- Drugs, alcohol
- Sexually explicit scenes
- Murder, blood, gore, death
My Thoughts
In Killer Kiss, we’re made to believe that Fawn, the woman who went missing all the way back in Evil Enemy, died tragically at the hands of her obsessed ex-boyfriend. However, that the very end of that book, we find out she’s not dead, and five years have passed, and she has a son.
I am so afraid to give spoilers to things that happen in this book. Because it always seems like all hope is lost, until something else happens and suddenly you are hoping this isn’t just another scene to get your hopes up.
From the very first moment Zane laid his eyes on Fawn, all those years ago, he’s had a crush on her. She never should have been with his brother Eddie, a narcissistic and violent man.
I ate her like she was the last meal I was ever going to taste. Like I was starving and she was a feast. Like I’d been waiting to do this for a decade. Because I had, ever since she’d first walked into my home on the arm of my brother. – Caged Bird by Elle Thorpe
As goes the story too many of us are familiar with, the love bombing, the way Eddie doted on Fawn and pampered her, it made her blind to what he really was. And before she knew it she was cut off from her family, her friends, and completely dependent on the man, until she finally ran. Unfortunately his obsession with controlling her lead him to find her again.
This time, there is no escaping him, because besides the chains he keeps around her ankles, keeping her in the house, she now had a child with the man during one of the many times he raped her. Otis is the only reason she’s alive, and following the demands of her captor.
“We’ll have to drive all night, but it’s been too long since we had a brother-sister stabfest.” – Caged Bird by Elle Thorpe
For Zane, Eddie was his biggest nightmare, and escaping him with their mother felt like he’d finally had a second chance on life. Unfortunately, like with Fawn, there was no escaping Eddie. And now back under his cruel thumb, Zane has to not only save his mother, but Fawn and his nephew too.
Our first spice scene actually hits before the halfway mark, however, it fit so well. Zane has always had a crush on Fawn, maybe even so far as loved her. Finding her alive, and imprisoned by his brother, all of those feelings rise up, having never really gone away in the first place.
With Zane we get the protective and sweet consent king, always careful to make sure Fawn is ok. But there is an undertone of danger as their physical passion ignites while Eddie is lurking around every corner of the house they are trapped in.
“Forgive me. Be with me. Choose me. Because I want you so fucking badly, and it’s killing me to stay out of your life.” – Caged Bird by Elle Thorpe
I would say that the majority of the actual character growth happens toward the end of the book, and I absolutely loved the way Elle Thorpe handled it. These two have been through quite a bit of survival and healing is extremely important, especially for Fawn who suffered through five years.
I don’t know how many times I’m going to gush about Vincent/Scythe throughout this universe, but once again he plays an intricate role in the book. Furthermore, the whole Saint View Strip family makes an appearance, tying everything up nicely in a tidy little bow.
The vibes of Caged Bird by Elle Thorpe are extremely dark, thriller, and suspenseful. I highly recommend making sure you are in a good mental state before picking up this book.
Who Would Like Caged Bird by Elle Thorpe?
Tropes in Caged Bird by Elle Thorpe include:
- Found Family
- Captive/Captive
- Survival
- Trauma/Healing
Make sure you check out all of my Saint View Strip recommendations below:
If you liked Firethorne by Nikki J Summers, Shallow River by HD Carlton, or Burned Dreams by Neva Altaj, you will likely love Caged Bird by Elle Thorpe.