Distorted Book Review

Distorted by Nyla K. Written by Elana West (@madmangoreads)

Synopsis: (taken from goodreads).

This is Alabaster Penitentiary…
Where they send you when the world thinks you’re dead. And trust me, you’ll wish you were.
We’re the stain on society. The freaks, the creeps, your favourite Netflix documentaries come to life.
They lock us up and throw away the key, because we deserve it. But not me. I’m just a low key robber. I don’t belong here, surrounded by psychopaths and killers with no remorse… At least, I don’t think I do.
Getting by unscathed is my top priority. Unfortunately for me and my fellow prisoners, those in charge are more dangerous than we are.
You see, the guards run the show, and I seem to have caught the attention of the most twisted one.
He has a name, but it might as well be Officer. We move around one another like the sun and the moon, revolving in an axis of confused lust and torment until the truth is distorted, and the thing I once feared because that which I crave; my vile addiction, somehow so exquisite.
Reality warps in the dungeon, and I’m left wondering which prison is worse… the one holding my body, or my mind.


Genres (as described by goodreads): MM Romance, Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Enemies to Lovers, LGBT, BDSM, Mental Health, Contemporary, Forced Proximity.

My Review

This is book 1 of 6 with the final installment published in March 2026. Perfect to now binge read all six (although we are waiting **impatiently** for book 6 to be released in audio version). I did listen to this book and the narration was top tier. This is a dual narration (dual POV in the book) and was perfect, loved that we got to see both sides of the relationship. As a dark romance lover this was right up my street, I also feel that this isn’t your stereotypical dark romance, and I think that is what drew me to this book.
The main character Dash, is what he firmly believes is a bank robber, ends up in the pits of hell, being placed in Alabaster Pen. While he is confused as to why he is put there he does know that his last robbery went wrong where he's finally arrested and sent to Alabaster Pen, while the rest of the world believes Dash is dead.

Then there is Officer Kemper, a character who challenges Dash at every given point. Pushes limits, yet is dark, dominating and damn right sexy. I mean who wouldn’t want their own Officer Kemper?

I have always loved Nyla’s writing and the way she represents a lot throughout all of her novels. In this particular novel she creates these complex characters that somehow even with the unreliable narration, you cannot help but love. Dash is very complex but somehow even though he's going through hell, not only emotionally, physically or psychologically, he’s still deep down is misunderstood. Makes you realise that not everything in life is black and white. While on the other hand, Kemper is this hot, sexy alpha male, yet the softest for his Dascha.

The book explores so many themes throughout, many of them being dark. This is not a pretty story. I REPEAT this is not a pretty story. It’s full of darkness and despair, however, Nyla is able to explore very real emotions and provoke them within the reader. This whole book was a rollercoaster of emotions for me personally.

I know there have been a lot of mentions of how dark this story is, there is a very stark contrast in this, in the way Dash is able to make friends and find people to lean on when he needs it the most, when he is in denial, having mental breaks and questioning everything. My favourite friendship formed is between Dash and his cell mate, Luther but there is a group of them that welcome Dash with open arms.
Going back to the unreliable narration, this story makes you question everything, constantly having questions running through my mind 24/7. Keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
However, if you love dark mm romance, want a forbidden love kind of book then this will be right up your street.

Personally, I gave this book 5 stars. Nyla’s writing is a pure masterpiece, and will make you want to read on in the series.


They are all available on Kindle Unlimited. The following trigger warnings have come from Nyla’s website:
● Non consent/ dubious consent.
● Fictionalised depictions of prison life (starvation, poor conditions).
● Sexual interactions with other characters (non MC).
● Severe [untreated] mental illness.
● Mention of childhood sexual assault (some details on page).
● Negligent parents.
● Murder and violence (i.e dismemberment).
● Mention of torture (i.e electroshock therapy).
● Sexual sadism.
● Use of homophobic (and other) slurs/offensive terminology (early in the book, depicting “prison life”).
● Gun violence.
● Fictionalised depictions of bank robbery.
● Adultery.

Click here to view Distorted by Nyla K on Amazon [affiliate link]

If you have enjoyed reading Elana's review, you can read more on their instagram here - @madmangoreads