The Warden

3 1/2 Stars

Cohen was instantly attracted to Nene and to his credit, tried to keep away from her. It didn’t help that he was working undercover as the Warden of the prison and she was a newbie inmate wrongly accused of manslaughter.
Not too much character development, but Cohen’s POV showed sincerity in his feelings toward Nene.
Story had a well deserved HEA for this couple but seemed a bit rushed and abrupt. I would have like a bit more detail on how the villains in the story were punished.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I found this book to be intense. The young girl is thrown in prison for a crime she did not commit The characters are well developed and engaging and the storyline flowed smoothly with it’s twist and turns plus the chemistry between the couple is intense.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Warden
By: M.C. Cerny

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 Review by Kristie K

A scintillating taboo treat, The Warden definitely holds the key…

M.C. Cerny delivers a quick and taboo novella centered within the twisted and dangerous prison underground. Nineteen year old Benedicta Cruz was convicted of a murder she didn’t commit, and sentenced to years in prison. Though life wasn’t always easy, Benedicta was forging her way in life…trying to make something of herself…until one stupid decision lands her in prison for manslaughter. A gentle soul, she keeps to herself, but she’s caught the eye of several people within the prison’s walls…one with sinful desire, the others with dangerous intent. Broken and determined to fly below the radar until her time is served, Benedicta avoids interaction and keeps her distance. Unfortunately, no one else gets the message and trouble follows her every move. When the warden pulls her into his office for a new inmate meeting, his interest in her goes from purely physical to so much more. Convinced that Benedicta has been wrongfully imprisoned, Warden Cohen Sheppard is determined to find out the truth behind her story. When he discovers that she may also be the key to information on the inside, they come to an agreement. She’ll get him information, and he will do everything he can to get her case reopened. The deeper they dig, the deeper they fall for one another, and the more dangerous her life behind bars becomes.

I am new to M.C. Cerny’s work, and was very intrigued by the unique storyline The Warden offered. The execution of this unique storyline was well done, but may have been better served in a full length novel rather than a novella. As much as I enjoyed the story, so much of it seemed rushed, unfinished, or unresolved. I think that the storyline itself deserved more than the short length allowed. That said, I also think that it was well done for the length it is. The main characters were likable, and easily relatable. I just wish I got to know them more. The writing was excellent. Ms. Cerny is a talented storyteller, and I will definitely be checking out her other bodies of work. All in all, for a quick and dirty novella, The Warden was worth the read. Full of danger, mystery, and heart…The Warden is a nice way to spend an afternoon.

Kristie K