By Courtney
Well, folks, it’s official: I’ve finished my first reverse harem! Fatal Felons by Elle Thorpe is the final volume in the Saint View Prison series and our March Romance Novel of the Month. So, let’s dive in—the plot, the characters, and the resolution are packed with enough twists to keep you on the edge of your seat. In this volume, we wrapped up the drama at the prison, eliminated a lingering threat, uncovered the true killer (which wasn’t even the most significant twist), and so much more. This is a full-on recap with every spoiler imaginable – so reader beware.
The author fleshed out each character’s backstory in this final book, and the drama escalated with every reveal. The man who killed Rowe’s ex-wife was released early and seeking custody of his son. Liam’s estranged father returns to Saint View, only to drop the bombshell that he’s Liam’s half-brother and that the grandfather who raised him assaulted Liam’s mother and is his biological father. When Heath prevents Liam from killing this “grandfather,” he reveals his tragic backstory—he killed his father in self-defense when he was just a kid.
On top of all this, Mae is still grappling with the mystery of her sister’s killer being on the loose, and her best friend’s recent institutionalization at a religious conversion therapy facility. As the plot unfolds, we uncover the truth behind Mae’s sister, Jayela, and best friend, Tory. Turns out, they were having an affair, and when Tory’s husband found out, he murdered Jayela and framed an innocent man for it.
You might think that’s enough drama for one series! But nope, there’s still more. Rowe’s son is nearly kidnapped by the man who killed his ex-wife, only to be saved by another escaped convict (who, by the way, will be the protagonist in the next spin-off series). Making them all witness to yet another crime. When you think the chaos is over, after the new body is buried and the judge dismisses all charges tied to the original murder, the reader gets hit with one last plot twist.
After indulging in unprotected fun with all three of her love interests for the last three books, Mae starts feeling pain and is rushed by ambulance to the doctor. I’ll admit, I cringed, knowing exactly where this was headed. Throughout the trilogy, we’ve been led to believe by the author that Mae is infertile and has come to terms with it. So, when she goes to the doctor and discovers she not only has appendicitis but is also pregnant, I couldn’t help but ask myself—Was this necessary? The found family dynamic already includes an adopted child from Rowe, and this unexpected miracle pregnancy felt a bit out of place. Instead of enhancing the plot, it seemed to undermine the representation of Mae’s infertility, which had been a meaningful part of her character’s journey.
I stayed engaged throughout the story, not predicting any of the plot twists, and I loved the characters. I actively rooted for their happily ever after. I’m excited to see them make a cameo in Elle Thorpe’s next trilogy, Saint View Psychos, which we’ll be reading for book club. I can’t wait to discover how she will outdo herself after this packed series.
Now, I want to hear from you—who was your favorite character in this reverse harem? And which one would you pick as your delusional boyfriend? Did the murder mystery wrap up the way you expected? Were the plot twists a surprise? And what about the pregnancy in the end? Did it land for you? Head over to the discussion board and share your thoughts! Also, don’t forget to check out our podcast, available right here on the website, on YouTube, and on all podcast apps, where Phoebe and I dive deeper into this novel. Thanks so much for being here. Until next time, remember, sometimes the delusion is the solution!
Yours in Deep Delusion,
Courtney