Kept ♦ Evelyn Flood | 3.5 Star — Review

Evelyn Flood's Kept, the first novel in the Forbidden Fairytales series, is a dark and interesting reimagining of the classic Rapunzel . The novel, however, is not about a princess in a tower waiting to be rescued by a noble prince; rather, it is a realistic portrayal of a young woman—Zella—who has spent her entire life in captivity, shielded by her enigmatic guardian Ethan. When a trio of morally ambiguous men break into her world, Zella makes the risky decision to sacrifice her loyalty for a taste of freedom.

Kept ♦ Evelyn Flood — A Review

Opinion

One of the most surprising aspects of Kept was Evelyn Flood’s infusion of depth into her characters. Zella’s path from naïveté to self-discovery adds emotional depth to a genre that often lacks meaningful character development. The story does an excellent job of portraying her transformation from protected and innocent to a woman seeking agency and understanding in a world she hardly knows. Her evolution as she tackles her fears, desires, and conflicted loyalties demonstrates true growth and draws readers in closer to her personal conflicts.

Flood provides the male characters—Maverick, Ryder, and Enzo—individual personalities and motivations that are, at times, as intriguing as Zella’s own maturation. Each man adds a new layer of complexity to the plot, heightening the intrigue and danger. Maverick, the „puppet master,“ is cold and calculating, Ryder is a brilliant burglar with a wicked sense of humor, and Enzo, the most intense of them all, appears determined to imprint himself on Zella’s psyche, if not her very soul. Together, they produce a dynamic blend of protectiveness, possessiveness, and manipulation that kept me guessing and adds an unexpected twist to Zella’s journey.

However, while I appreciated the characters‘ edgy interplay, I found other things disturbing, particularly the consent. Kept comes with a typical Dark Romance warning, and there are heated situations in which Zella’s consent is questionable, if not ignored entirely. Given Zella’s lack of experience from her years of isolation, it was unnerving how the males utilized her purity and lack of knowledge to push limits. At times, the power dynamics felt more about control than romance, which may have made some readers uncomfortable.

Furthermore, while Flood provides plenty of insight into Zella’s thoughts and responses, I would have liked to see more sequences in which she actively controls her own romantic choices. The idea of Zella making a reckless decision for freedom was intriguing, but I was hoping for more instances when her individuality shined through, even as she managed her delicate connection with the trio.

Conclusion

Overall, Kept is a captivating retelling of Rapunzel , with a darker, grittier tone that will appeal to readers of morally ambiguous characters and dark romance themes. Flood’s compelling writing style and deep characterizations make it difficult to put down the book, despite the themes that may polarize some readers. Kept is recommended for anyone who appreciates grit and is willing to read gritty, often edgy romances. Just keep in mind that the power dynamics may raise problems about consent, so it may not be to everyone’s liking.

This review was first published at The Art of Reading.

A review by roxxie Kept by Evelyn Flood

Kept ♦ Evelyn Flood | 3.5 Star — Review

Kept ♦ Evelyn Flood — A Review

A review by roxxie
Kept by Evelyn Flood