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Nocturnal Hearts #1
In Darkness Waits Desire
The next stand-alone installment in the gripping Nocturnal Hearts series by Elliott Rose… Determined, gentle, and running from unspoken terrors of her past. Belle yearns for the freedom to be her own person, released from her life of enslavement and servitude. One night will change everything, leaving her questioning what is real. When she is hunted and nearly killed, Belle is thrust into a world she never knew existed. Alternate realms, supernatural beings, and a discovery of her unique powers… as a witch. A witch with magic the likes of which hasn’t been seen for centuries. As she learns to navigate this new life and unravel the questions from her past, she becomes tempted by the mystery of the fierce Guardian watching from the shadows. Her protector. The one keeping himself at a distance from everyone. Especially her. Despite his cold exterior and stern glare that follows Belle into her dreams, she starts to feel something crack open the barriers she has long placed around her heart. But when the secrets they both hold are brought to light the truth could destroy them all. *** Aloof, reserved, and disciplined. Lachlan of Nocturne lives out his binding duty as Guardian of the Soterian Realm. Beneath his brooding mask lies a dark secret. His plan for vengeance has been his sole focus for two hundred years… until he meets her. A witch with the rarest of abilities, evil chasing her, and a fated destiny connecting them. Trouble is, he has sworn to carry out his plan no matter what. To keep his dark secrets hidden away to himself. Making amends for nightmares of the past. He’ll ensure the necessary arrangements are in place to protect her. But having a fated mate ? That’s a weakness. The kind he cannot afford to indulge. But day by day, his every fantasy that he daren’t dream could become reality–a fierce beauty wrapped in a silk dress–breaks down his walls. Now he’ll have to admit the truth he’s denied for too long. She’s his. Even if it will cost him everything. Author's Note: This is a standalone novel - interconnected with the other books and characters in the Nocturnal Hearts series. HEA guaranteed. Please check the author's website for all tropes, tags, and CWs.
388 pages, ebook
Published March 5, 2023
187 people are currently reading
4544 people want to read
About the author
Elliott Rose
20 books3,794 followersElliott Rose is a bestselling author of romance on the forbidden and deliciously dark side. She lives in a teeny tiny beachside community in the south of Aotearoa, New Zealand with her partner and three rescue dogs.
Find her with a witchy brew in hand, a notebook overflowing with book ideas, or wandering along the beach.
Join her reader group The Cauldron for exclusive giveaways, BTS details, first looks at character art/inspo, and intimate chats about new and ongoing projects.
Join her Newsletter for all the goodies and major news direct to your email inbox.
Find her with a witchy brew in hand, a notebook overflowing with book ideas, or wandering along the beach.
Join her reader group The Cauldron for exclusive giveaways, BTS details, first looks at character art/inspo, and intimate chats about new and ongoing projects.
Join her Newsletter for all the goodies and major news direct to your email inbox.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
May 20, 2023
"My handsome but ogre-like brother aside, you need to learn the art of walking with your fears. As we all do."
"Learn to walk with them? How does that work?"...
"As witches we mustn't try to ignore or avoid our fears, Belle. But instead we learn to observe them, walk beside them, and eventually choose our path forward from a place of love, rather than fear." Brigid settled herself down on a cushion in front of Belle on the floor. "This is a lesson on exploring the shadow that lies within. Not to try to make you feel unnecessary pain, but to recognize that you can be powerful and have experienced fears. Magic used from a place of fear can be extremely dangerous indeed."
(4.5 ⭐️)
In Darkness Waits Desire is the first full-length novel in Elliott Rose's Nocturnal Hearts series, but by no means our first introduction to this fantastical world she's created. Where we had the whirlwind romance of Lia and Fehrn to guide us through in the prequel novella, Sweet Inferno, Rose deepens the lore and enriches the world-building while also delivering on an absolutely deliciously agonizing will-they/won't-they romance rife with sexual tension, all while threading in this ever-persistent anxiety of this unknown, unseen threat. It's an absolutely solid book.
Lachlan (aka: Lachie) is our resident grump of the evening and the most powerful witch in the realm, which has bestowed upon him the responsibility of Guardian. He's broody, moody, and when he realizes that Annabelle (aka: Belle) is his mate, boy hilariously and stubbornly roots himself in denial, even as he can't help but repeatedly fuck the woman with his eyes. He tries so hard to resist, to stick to his plans of avenging his lost twin sister, but even if Belle wasn't his mate and his fierce instincts weren't constantly telling him to protect her, there's something about this witch newly come into her power that he just can't resist.
"He'll never admit it you know." Brigid wriggled back in the cushions. "Lachie's positively allergic to talking about his feelings. Breaks out in a ghastly case of emotional repression."
Fehrn spluttered with a gravelled laugh.
"And don't even get me started on Rowan," Brigid continued. "I swear he'd go into anaphylactic shock if he had to connect with anything on the emotional spectrum. Dallying with swords and breaking bones are his preferred love language."
I don't know what it is about grumpy, broody, emotionally constipated MMCs, but they're my preferred brand of crack.
On the other side of this relationship, we have Belle - a witch newly coming into a power she doesn't understand, and yet in spite of the absolute horrors and abuses she has endured throughout her life, she remains pure sunshine. Her growth over the course of this book from frightened mouse of a girl to a borderline dark goddess of phenomenal cosmic power is oh so satisfying.
The chemistry between Belle and Lachie is certainly rife with sexual tension, but there were a few instances, specifically in that first half of the book, that left me stumbling a bit. But once these two finally more actively start playing with each other (aka: the hot springs scene), doing that timeless dance of will-they/won't-they, I feel like that's when Rose really hit her stride.
The consummation of their romantic relationship was oh so good, and I am absolute TRASH for Belle getting to explore the empowerment that comes with being submissive in bed. And also, that praise kink. There's this moment when Belle internally acknowledges that every time Lachie calls her a good girl in bed, its basically like he's pressing an orgasm button. Girl, I hear you. lol
The side characters are an absolute joy and I am fully invested in their happiness. Lachie's siblings are just so much fun, with Rowan being even more dark and broody than Lachie is to the point of it being impressive, Niall is our resident charmer with more layers than he gives off, and Brigid... I have such a weak spot for manic pixie like female characters with unfathomable power and the burden that comes with it, and yet in spite of how heavy and dark that responsibility can be, they still manage to shine the brightest in the room... which, if you think about it, is a kind of darkness of its own, that isolated feeling. Brigid was giving me lots of Nïx from Immortals After Dark vibes, only she's much more... stable. But I'm a sucker for the crazy ones and I absolutely cannot WAIT for more of Brigid.
The only reason why I didn't give this 5 stars is because some of the writing could have used a bit of reworking, there were a handful of typos that got missed, and while the villains are terrifyingly evil, we don't see much of them until the end and their downfall felt a wee bit anticlimactic - but all of this is minor in the grand scheme of things. Once Rose finds her stride, the rest of the book just flies. It's glorious.
I am very much looking forward to The Queen's Temptation next! The way things were left with a certain pair have me perched on the edge of my seat. There's something going on between Niall and Ruby and I need answers!
Relationship felt like a paltry, pale shade of a word. What connected her and Lachie represented something so much more. Something soul deep and seeped in ancient magic. A contract across time and space.
You're mine.
The way Lachie rasped those words to her at night when they lay in bed. His arms holding her tight against his chest. As if he feared she would vanish beneath his fingers.
Those words connected to something primal within her magic. It didn't feel possessive or controlling. Being with him felt empowering. She felt cherished. Adored. Celebrated for being exactly herself. As if on her own she was powerful and being together only added to those gifts.
Every moment with Lachie erased those awful memories of what might have been. Of the night when her life as she had always known it ended... Every soft kiss and whisper against her hair from Lachie filled that darkness.
Perhaps even love. The kind that commands every fibre of a being. Love that traverses lifetimes. Love that endures even the greatest challenges.
December 27, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
June 1, 2023
4.5 stars
Really enjoyed this one! The world building was a bit better than in the previous book, I had a better grasp of some things as they were explained a bit more. I loved the friendships in this book, between the siblings, but also between Belle and the others (the gossiping about Lachlan threw me into a giggle fit). And can we talk about Bridget making me smirk with her seemingly innocent little remarks that bring all the foreshadowing? Loved her! I also enjoyed the romance part of the PNR a lot more. The slow burn was really well done, with the sexual tension that sizzled throughout. And the spice... Elliott Rose knows how to write amazing spice scenes, that's for sure! BUT THE PLOT TWISTS AT THE END?! FFS, I DID NOT EXPECT THOSE! Needless to say, I enjoyed the plot.
A few things that would've made it even better (aka 5 star worthy), imo:
* The world building still confuses me at times, I still have minor questions.
* Sometimes less is more, and timing is key. Especially with the all popular tropes of 'good girl' and 'who does this belong to' etc. If you use it too soon or too much, it loses its power (or can make it cringe-y).
* Lots of telling instead of showing, especially about emotional intimacy. And, as we've established in my review of book 1, I'm a hard reader to please relationship wise. I need the emotional intimacy to have been shown to me before we get to the ILY's. And as much as I was told there was a strong connection between them, I didn't feel much more than a sexual tension a lot of the time, because I was missing those intimate moments that would've shown me where their emotional connection came from. For example, the scene in the study where Lachlan explains stuff about their world etc. What a great opportunity to use that for world building purposes AND create an intimate moment or two.
Anyway, as much as it seems like I have a lot of "could've done better"s, they didn't stand in the way of me thoroughly enjoying this book. So yay!
Really enjoyed this one! The world building was a bit better than in the previous book, I had a better grasp of some things as they were explained a bit more. I loved the friendships in this book, between the siblings, but also between Belle and the others (the gossiping about Lachlan threw me into a giggle fit). And can we talk about Bridget making me smirk with her seemingly innocent little remarks that bring all the foreshadowing? Loved her! I also enjoyed the romance part of the PNR a lot more. The slow burn was really well done, with the sexual tension that sizzled throughout. And the spice... Elliott Rose knows how to write amazing spice scenes, that's for sure! BUT THE PLOT TWISTS AT THE END?! FFS, I DID NOT EXPECT THOSE! Needless to say, I enjoyed the plot.
A few things that would've made it even better (aka 5 star worthy), imo:
* The world building still confuses me at times, I still have minor questions.
* Sometimes less is more, and timing is key. Especially with the all popular tropes of 'good girl' and 'who does this belong to' etc. If you use it too soon or too much, it loses its power (or can make it cringe-y).
* Lots of telling instead of showing, especially about emotional intimacy. And, as we've established in my review of book 1, I'm a hard reader to please relationship wise. I need the emotional intimacy to have been shown to me before we get to the ILY's. And as much as I was told there was a strong connection between them, I didn't feel much more than a sexual tension a lot of the time, because I was missing those intimate moments that would've shown me where their emotional connection came from. For example, the scene in the study where Lachlan explains stuff about their world etc. What a great opportunity to use that for world building purposes AND create an intimate moment or two.
Anyway, as much as it seems like I have a lot of "could've done better"s, they didn't stand in the way of me thoroughly enjoying this book. So yay!
February 28, 2023
I received an ARC Copy of this book, this review is from my own thought 😍
Sooooo witches, werewolves, vampires, faes, it’s just what I need and this series will give it all to me 🔥 This chapter was a slow-burn romance, a journey toward healing, discovery, acceptance. It was beautiful because of all those characters, each of them is special and bring his little touch to the plot, everyone is important.
This story is focused on Belle and Lachlan (I love this first name 😍). Belle was running for her life, lost and scared after years of abuse she literally stumbled on one of the most powerful witches of the realm. Lachlan, guardian of the realm was hunting and never thought he would find his mate in a dark alley, his need to protect so strong - he saves her from the darkness harassing, playing with her. However, Lachlan doesn’t want to get involved with her at all, he has a plan and having a mate will not fall with it. The best course of action is to make sure that she’s too busy learning to control her magic, to protect herself to even have time to think about him. But Lachlan couldn’t have planned the intense attraction between, the connection of their souls, their magic…
In Darkness lurks desire, fear, danger - Belle and Lachlan will have to face what they fears the most to become who they need to be for each other.
An intense story, I enjoyed it very much, I cannot wait to see what’s coming next, for I hope Brigid, Niall, Roman and Nell. Also that epilogue 😱 I want to know more !!!
Sooooo witches, werewolves, vampires, faes, it’s just what I need and this series will give it all to me 🔥 This chapter was a slow-burn romance, a journey toward healing, discovery, acceptance. It was beautiful because of all those characters, each of them is special and bring his little touch to the plot, everyone is important.
This story is focused on Belle and Lachlan (I love this first name 😍). Belle was running for her life, lost and scared after years of abuse she literally stumbled on one of the most powerful witches of the realm. Lachlan, guardian of the realm was hunting and never thought he would find his mate in a dark alley, his need to protect so strong - he saves her from the darkness harassing, playing with her. However, Lachlan doesn’t want to get involved with her at all, he has a plan and having a mate will not fall with it. The best course of action is to make sure that she’s too busy learning to control her magic, to protect herself to even have time to think about him. But Lachlan couldn’t have planned the intense attraction between, the connection of their souls, their magic…
In Darkness lurks desire, fear, danger - Belle and Lachlan will have to face what they fears the most to become who they need to be for each other.
An intense story, I enjoyed it very much, I cannot wait to see what’s coming next, for I hope Brigid, Niall, Roman and Nell. Also that epilogue 😱 I want to know more !!!
May 27, 2023
Omg I am a sucker for fated mates and a grumpy sexy protective male who thinks he needs to stay away and deny himself love to protect those around him.
Add a family of powerful witches, with addictive personalities, a variety of realms with different supernatural beings and an evil group infiltrating to gain control and power.
I cannot wait to read every story that comes from this enchanting world
Add a family of powerful witches, with addictive personalities, a variety of realms with different supernatural beings and an evil group infiltrating to gain control and power.
I cannot wait to read every story that comes from this enchanting world
February 18, 2025
Author Services
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
TW - blood, nightmares (recounted and mentioned), graphic violence incl broken / dislocation, knife violence, servitude (past, mentioned incl child slavery), murder, alcohol consumption, abuse (past, mentioned), child abuse (past, recounted and mentioned), grooming and manipulation (recounted and mentioned), forced marriage (mentioned), death (mentioned), familial death (all past, sibling - implied, aunt - mentioned), captivity, attempted sexual assault (recounted)
CW - public play, edging
Tropes - possessive, jealousy, fuck it, who did this to you?, paranormal, fated mates
I feel sucked into this world and the stories that come with it. Belle (FMC) and Lachlan (MMC) meet in less than ideal circumstances but they quickly have to learn to trust one another as Belle runs from her demons and Lachlan has to accept that she is his despite the weight of his duties and what comes with it.
The book starts right in the action which left me a bit discombobulated but was part of the reason why I immediately locked in. I liked the MCs and the side characters we met and I'm interested to know what comes next in this world 👀
I was paid to provide a breakdown of the TW/CW of this book which can be found on the author's website
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List / The Naughtier List
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
TW - blood, nightmares (recounted and mentioned), graphic violence incl broken / dislocation, knife violence, servitude (past, mentioned incl child slavery), murder, alcohol consumption, abuse (past, mentioned), child abuse (past, recounted and mentioned), grooming and manipulation (recounted and mentioned), forced marriage (mentioned), death (mentioned), familial death (all past, sibling - implied, aunt - mentioned), captivity, attempted sexual assault (recounted)
CW - public play, edging
Tropes - possessive, jealousy, fuck it, who did this to you?, paranormal, fated mates
I feel sucked into this world and the stories that come with it. Belle (FMC) and Lachlan (MMC) meet in less than ideal circumstances but they quickly have to learn to trust one another as Belle runs from her demons and Lachlan has to accept that she is his despite the weight of his duties and what comes with it.
The book starts right in the action which left me a bit discombobulated but was part of the reason why I immediately locked in. I liked the MCs and the side characters we met and I'm interested to know what comes next in this world 👀
I was paid to provide a breakdown of the TW/CW of this book which can be found on the author's website
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List / The Naughtier List
August 10, 2023
I absolutely ate this book up and finished it in less than a day. Excited to read the next in the series, especially because as far as I’m aware it follows a different storyline but from the same main characters.
If you like excellent spicy scenes (3.5 🌶️ imo) along with a gripping story then this is the series for you!
If you like excellent spicy scenes (3.5 🌶️ imo) along with a gripping story then this is the series for you!
March 8, 2023
I recommend starting with Sweet Inferno, the prequel to the Nocturnal Hearts series, before diving into In Darkness Waits Desire. It's not necessary, as IDWD is a standalone, but the two books exist in a shared world.
This one caught my attention with the synopsis. It got a bit "character" busy really quick, so I found myself making notes about who was who. That's likely a me issue and not an author issue.
Annabelle is a baby witch (new witch) with new powers that she's clueless about. She's absolutely all sunshine about the situation though. When she meets Lachlan, the grumpy/broody Guardian witch, I found it quite laughable. She's his "fated mate", which irritates the hell right out of him, and he absolutely doesn't want to protect her but does anyway.
IDWD is a slow burn, with the MCs playing cat and mouse for about the first half of the book but once they give in, all bets are off.
In all, it's a good book with a good story. The framework is good but it could use a little polishing. I would have liked to see more stability in the tension between the MCs. I very much felt like the tension that is there in the first half of the book is like being on a broken stair. You may just fall off at any moment. Also, the villains needed to be threaded more throughout the book, not just in the last 1/3.
👉🏻💥Always check the TW/CW💥👈🏻
Anywho! Time to wrap this up with the goodies:
Read: 4🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 2🌶🌶
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This one caught my attention with the synopsis. It got a bit "character" busy really quick, so I found myself making notes about who was who. That's likely a me issue and not an author issue.
Annabelle is a baby witch (new witch) with new powers that she's clueless about. She's absolutely all sunshine about the situation though. When she meets Lachlan, the grumpy/broody Guardian witch, I found it quite laughable. She's his "fated mate", which irritates the hell right out of him, and he absolutely doesn't want to protect her but does anyway.
IDWD is a slow burn, with the MCs playing cat and mouse for about the first half of the book but once they give in, all bets are off.
In all, it's a good book with a good story. The framework is good but it could use a little polishing. I would have liked to see more stability in the tension between the MCs. I very much felt like the tension that is there in the first half of the book is like being on a broken stair. You may just fall off at any moment. Also, the villains needed to be threaded more throughout the book, not just in the last 1/3.
👉🏻💥Always check the TW/CW💥👈🏻
Anywho! Time to wrap this up with the goodies:
Read: 4🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 2🌶🌶
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 4, 2023
In a fantasy/paranormal tale set in lands of witches, fae and shifters In Darkness Waits Desire, the second book in the Nocturnal Hearts series sees Lachlan, the most powerful witch in the realm thus landing the title of Guardian, finds Belle in darkened alley brutally injured after being attacked by a team of snatchers. He immediately senses she’s his destined mate but has no intention of acting on it, duty has taken him on a different path that has no place for anyone else. Taking her back to his home it’s soon discovered that Belle is also a witch but one possessed of a rare power known as a ampher putting her at risk.
This book was a slow burner not only in terms of the romance side of the story, although there is plenty of sexual tension between the hero and heroine, but the overall storyline as well but I get the feeling In Darkness Waits Desire was more to do with setting the scene for what comes next. There is a great cast of characters some that will be familiar if you’ve read Sweet Inferno and the character development throughout this book was fantastic especially with Belle as she goes from being a brutalised girl to discovering she’s a strong witch only just coming into her powers and what’s not love about a heroine who can rescue the hero! With an intriguing epilogue I’m eager to read more from this fantastical series.
This book was a slow burner not only in terms of the romance side of the story, although there is plenty of sexual tension between the hero and heroine, but the overall storyline as well but I get the feeling In Darkness Waits Desire was more to do with setting the scene for what comes next. There is a great cast of characters some that will be familiar if you’ve read Sweet Inferno and the character development throughout this book was fantastic especially with Belle as she goes from being a brutalised girl to discovering she’s a strong witch only just coming into her powers and what’s not love about a heroine who can rescue the hero! With an intriguing epilogue I’m eager to read more from this fantastical series.
May 20, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
This grumpy x sunshine, fantasy romance had a bunch of elements that automatically get me interested in a novel.
-witches, Fae, vampires and shifters
- magic; elemental and other
- forced proximity
- fated mates
- grumpy sunshine
- slow burn
- “good girl”
The framework of this book and the story is well plotted! There were sections that could use a little refining but otherwise this was a truely enjoyable story. I wish that the villains of the story were maybe more prevalent through the story other than just in name as they don’t really come into it until the last quarter. However the plot twist/reveal was so well executed and I didn’t see that coming!
Overall the FMC and the MMC are really likeable characters with believable dialogue and realistic reactions. I particularly like the FMCS behaviour towards the end of the book, showing her growth and self reflection after a particular incident - her inner monologue was extremely relatable!
The spice in this book was spicy too - not too much of it, but well written when it was there.
The epilogue though…. If i wasn’t already keen to read the third book that epilogue would ABSOLUTELY have me there 👀
This grumpy x sunshine, fantasy romance had a bunch of elements that automatically get me interested in a novel.
-witches, Fae, vampires and shifters
- magic; elemental and other
- forced proximity
- fated mates
- grumpy sunshine
- slow burn
- “good girl”
The framework of this book and the story is well plotted! There were sections that could use a little refining but otherwise this was a truely enjoyable story. I wish that the villains of the story were maybe more prevalent through the story other than just in name as they don’t really come into it until the last quarter. However the plot twist/reveal was so well executed and I didn’t see that coming!
Overall the FMC and the MMC are really likeable characters with believable dialogue and realistic reactions. I particularly like the FMCS behaviour towards the end of the book, showing her growth and self reflection after a particular incident - her inner monologue was extremely relatable!
The spice in this book was spicy too - not too much of it, but well written when it was there.
The epilogue though…. If i wasn’t already keen to read the third book that epilogue would ABSOLUTELY have me there 👀
December 18, 2023
Let me start of with saying that I am a bit late with my review. I've read the book, wrote the review in my notes on my phone and then...well..it kind if disappeared into oblivious. BUT it's back! And I'm here to tell you all about it 😅🤣 Also, I recommend reading Sweet inferno before diving into In darkness waits desire. All the books in this series are stand alone, but you'll thank me later.
First things first. The world building was lovely in this book. I really liked the characters and the way they interact with each other. The gossiping was so funny.
Belle and Lachlan bring us a slow-burn romance about healing and acceptance. The grumpy MMC who thinks he shouldn't get involved in love, to protect the ones around him..I love it. The cat & mouse between the 2 MC's lasted for a while, but didn't bore me. It did keep me interested and wondering when are they going to admit it to each other?!?!?! Once they went for it, they went for it lol! The epilogue in this book makes you crave more of this world and lucky you: you can grab the next part of the series and devour it like I did.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️.🫑/5
As always: check the trigger warnings.
First things first. The world building was lovely in this book. I really liked the characters and the way they interact with each other. The gossiping was so funny.
Belle and Lachlan bring us a slow-burn romance about healing and acceptance. The grumpy MMC who thinks he shouldn't get involved in love, to protect the ones around him..I love it. The cat & mouse between the 2 MC's lasted for a while, but didn't bore me. It did keep me interested and wondering when are they going to admit it to each other?!?!?! Once they went for it, they went for it lol! The epilogue in this book makes you crave more of this world and lucky you: you can grab the next part of the series and devour it like I did.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️.🫑/5
As always: check the trigger warnings.
January 3, 2025
I’m rating this 2 stars because despite me not liking most of it, there were parts I enjoyed reading.
I think the author intended for this to be a smutty book so I’m not going to bash the sex scenes or the smoldering moments here because these books exist for a reason. People enjoy them.
With that said…
I feel like important parts were left out of the love story. Like them getting to know each other… The only thing she mentions is steamy moments, sex and them thinking of each other in multiple chapters… like to many.
Also she wants him to be a dark prince but he isn’t a prince he’s a guardian and also… he isn’t dark? He’s more like a golden retriever puppy who follows Belle around with rage and despair in his eyes while planning a suicide mission that’s kind of… pointless and isn’t even a big part of the story but she makes it seem like it is but it isn’t.
Anyways… there are a ton of mistakes. Moments in the book that don’t tie the book together or make sense after reading the book. A LOT of added or mentioned plots that I feel were just added for no reason but to fill space and make you wonder what it means, only for it not to mean anything.
I think the author intended for this to be a smutty book so I’m not going to bash the sex scenes or the smoldering moments here because these books exist for a reason. People enjoy them.
With that said…
I feel like important parts were left out of the love story. Like them getting to know each other… The only thing she mentions is steamy moments, sex and them thinking of each other in multiple chapters… like to many.
Also she wants him to be a dark prince but he isn’t a prince he’s a guardian and also… he isn’t dark? He’s more like a golden retriever puppy who follows Belle around with rage and despair in his eyes while planning a suicide mission that’s kind of… pointless and isn’t even a big part of the story but she makes it seem like it is but it isn’t.
Anyways… there are a ton of mistakes. Moments in the book that don’t tie the book together or make sense after reading the book. A LOT of added or mentioned plots that I feel were just added for no reason but to fill space and make you wonder what it means, only for it not to mean anything.
March 13, 2023
I think it's hilarious that I read not one book about witches but two in the same week, and even better, I found myself loving them both despite the fact that I normally never read any paranormal books about witches. In Darkness Waits Desire Belle finds herself in a world that she never knew was real after someone tried to kill her, and it turns out, she's a witch with rare powers so she has a lot to deal with instantly LOL! See, she has to figure out how to be herself in a new world, figure out who's trying to kill her, and search out things about her family she never knew, but then there's this Guardian of the Soterian Realm named Lachlan, who becomes part of her life. Of course Lachlan has his own secrets so there are twists coming in hot from every last direction which had my head spinning that's for sure. Elliot Rose took me on a thrill ride that I never wanted to get off with this super exciting journey of Belle & Lachlan. I'm so ready for more (hopefully very very soon) so I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
May 11, 2023
Magical Journey
Well this book enthralled me from the very start.
I would say this could be read as a standalone novel, even though I have read Sweet Inferno, and there is some back story from that novel.
This contained a roller coaster of emotions, the magic and magical worlds were enchanting. The story of Belle and Lachie was well written and captivating. The way that Belle grew into her powers, the tragedy and most of all the betrayal was perfect.
The last 10 or so chapters had me yelling at the author! (In a good way of course …. Nooooooo how could you …… Really this now? …… Whyyyyyy? …. Noooooo …. Not fair!!!! ….. A Dark Hex NOW!!! Noooooo ….. Oh the betrayal ….. and finally No way! What the actual F?)
Elliott this was so bewitching that I could not put it down - and now I need Book 3 please.
Excellent read recommend this 👍
Well this book enthralled me from the very start.
I would say this could be read as a standalone novel, even though I have read Sweet Inferno, and there is some back story from that novel.
This contained a roller coaster of emotions, the magic and magical worlds were enchanting. The story of Belle and Lachie was well written and captivating. The way that Belle grew into her powers, the tragedy and most of all the betrayal was perfect.
The last 10 or so chapters had me yelling at the author! (In a good way of course …. Nooooooo how could you …… Really this now? …… Whyyyyyy? …. Noooooo …. Not fair!!!! ….. A Dark Hex NOW!!! Noooooo ….. Oh the betrayal ….. and finally No way! What the actual F?)
Elliott this was so bewitching that I could not put it down - and now I need Book 3 please.
Excellent read recommend this 👍
March 6, 2023
In Darkness Waits Desire is the luscious gift of a slow burn that keeps on giving. The charm of Belle and Lachie's inner thoughts between encounters is ridiculously amusing and had me smirking at the turn of almost every page. Elliott Rose has not only built a world that you will be immediately invested it, but you will have no way of deciding which characters of the series is your favorite. A brooding man, softening to sigil play behind closed doors... and a woman so endearing, she'll sweep you off your feet with one small shashay. Gift yourself time to sit down and binge this book... you won't be able to put her down!
April 26, 2023
I really enjoyed the world that Rose has created for us. The various magical species, the realms and the magic is all very well done.
I liked Lachie and Belle. It was fun to watch Belle grow into her powers and Lachie totally lose his cool.
The heat and spice was off the charts. If there’s one thing Rose does well, it’s writing great smutty scenes. Lots of it after about the 50% mark.
I deducted a star because the pacing felt off for me. Lots and lots of months go by through the book with a lot of telling and not enough showing.
I am interested in all the hints about future characters and already can’t wait for Niall and Ruby!
I liked Lachie and Belle. It was fun to watch Belle grow into her powers and Lachie totally lose his cool.
The heat and spice was off the charts. If there’s one thing Rose does well, it’s writing great smutty scenes. Lots of it after about the 50% mark.
I deducted a star because the pacing felt off for me. Lots and lots of months go by through the book with a lot of telling and not enough showing.
I am interested in all the hints about future characters and already can’t wait for Niall and Ruby!
June 14, 2024
I mean I like me some fated mates action. But it's different when she writes them.
Because she writes them so good, with such depth and intensity I've never experienced before.
Going down Elliot's book list like this and reading the books she's written so far is healing.
The world building, the action, the way Lachlan and Belle adore the living shit out of each other ... everything about this series seems promising and I'm not stopping, I'm not pausing until I finish them all.
Gulping down every last comma in this series, BECAUSE HOLY FUCK THAT WOMAN CAN WRITE.
If you like intense shit, morally grey misunderstood MMC, this book is for you BESTIE!
Because she writes them so good, with such depth and intensity I've never experienced before.
Going down Elliot's book list like this and reading the books she's written so far is healing.
The world building, the action, the way Lachlan and Belle adore the living shit out of each other ... everything about this series seems promising and I'm not stopping, I'm not pausing until I finish them all.
Gulping down every last comma in this series, BECAUSE HOLY FUCK THAT WOMAN CAN WRITE.
If you like intense shit, morally grey misunderstood MMC, this book is for you BESTIE!
October 21, 2025
Romantasy recipe:
He — brooding, centuries old, dark, and fking without kissing.
She — naïve, young, and just discovering her mysterious superpower.
They’re mates. He knows it instantly; she “knew in her heart.”
Cue the montage: learning, protecting, growing, training, and, of course, more fking.
Oh, and somewhere in there — surprise! — there’s a world-ending threat, and he just happens to be the Greatest Protector, but also the type who would “burn the world for her.”
Something like that. And honestly? I don’t even mind. I adore magical worlds, witches, elves, fae, vampires, orcs, aliens — all of it.
But I also love good writing, and unfortunately… this one wasn’t it.
He — brooding, centuries old, dark, and fking without kissing.
She — naïve, young, and just discovering her mysterious superpower.
They’re mates. He knows it instantly; she “knew in her heart.”
Cue the montage: learning, protecting, growing, training, and, of course, more fking.
Oh, and somewhere in there — surprise! — there’s a world-ending threat, and he just happens to be the Greatest Protector, but also the type who would “burn the world for her.”
Something like that. And honestly? I don’t even mind. I adore magical worlds, witches, elves, fae, vampires, orcs, aliens — all of it.
But I also love good writing, and unfortunately… this one wasn’t it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2024
4.5 stars.
Elliott Rose can do no wrong; her books are just superb, and it feels like you are in the books.
I am all here for fated mates and a grumpy, sexy, protective male who feels that in order to keep others safe, he must refrain from loving them. Include an evil group trying to take over and acquire power, a variety of realms with various magical entities, and a family of powerful witches with addictive personalities. I am eager to read the rest of the interconnected series that come from this enchanting world.
Elliott Rose can do no wrong; her books are just superb, and it feels like you are in the books.
I am all here for fated mates and a grumpy, sexy, protective male who feels that in order to keep others safe, he must refrain from loving them. Include an evil group trying to take over and acquire power, a variety of realms with various magical entities, and a family of powerful witches with addictive personalities. I am eager to read the rest of the interconnected series that come from this enchanting world.
March 6, 2023
Belle is on the run from a pack of monsters from her worst nightmares. Lachie had been chosen to lead and protect his community, to safeguard supernaturals, but he's not getting involved in protecting Belle. Even if she's in more danger than he knows ... and she's his fated mate. In Darkness Waits Desire is a paranormal romance brimming with action, suspense, drama, twists and steam! I can't wait to read Niall and Ruby's story next!
August 31, 2023
I read the third book in the series first and then read this one .. it was harder for me to get into and it felt like the first half was really slow but whewwwwww buddy it picked up and I was HOOKED. Lot of stuff I didn’t see coming. I even shed a tear or two at how much he loved her. This author is good with the love and longing and stuff.
And the Epilogue??? Whew.
I was going to give it like 3 stars until I got to the end and man I really enjoyed how that all played out.
And the Epilogue??? Whew.
I was going to give it like 3 stars until I got to the end and man I really enjoyed how that all played out.
September 7, 2024
3.75/5 ⭐️
Very happy I continued with this series because this was a much more developed character and plot-wise than the first novella in this series. I enjoyed how Rose brought the novella's characters into the story and how they all interconnect smoothly. The only reason this book didn't get a high rating was that there were certain moments when the book felt a little stagnant and the characters were just going in circles for a little longer than necessary.
Very happy I continued with this series because this was a much more developed character and plot-wise than the first novella in this series. I enjoyed how Rose brought the novella's characters into the story and how they all interconnect smoothly. The only reason this book didn't get a high rating was that there were certain moments when the book felt a little stagnant and the characters were just going in circles for a little longer than necessary.
March 12, 2023
This page turning read follows Belle and Lachlan. This is a different read than I am used to but it was a nice change! Lachlan has tasked with protecting the Soterian Realm. When Belle comes close to dying she is introduced to a new world she could only dream of existing. This is a paranormal read with some action, suspense, and don't forget the steam!!- Jacqueline
May 13, 2023
Loved this book.
I really enjoyed this book after reading book one (novella). Definitely more of a slow burn then the first book but was totally worth it in the end.
I am very excited to get the 3rd book in this series. Seems we are about to embark on a journey with a shocking new character that we are given a sneak peak in the epilogue.
I really enjoyed this book after reading book one (novella). Definitely more of a slow burn then the first book but was totally worth it in the end.
I am very excited to get the 3rd book in this series. Seems we are about to embark on a journey with a shocking new character that we are given a sneak peak in the epilogue.
August 14, 2023
I loved this slow burn dark fantasy! This 🔥🔥🔥 book will have your attention from page one. I stayed up way to late reading this book! The world building and character growth was written very well. There was also a nice balance between plot and spice. I am definitely going straight to the next book in the series!
August 21, 2023
So👏 freaking👏 good👏! The magical connection between Lachie and Bella was epic then you add the slow burn the evil agenda of the enemy and an epic plot twist that blew me out of the water! I couldn't have been anymore happy with this book and how everything turned out!! Honestly amazing! I absolutely recommend you read it
November 12, 2023
Lachie you grumpy gardian! This book is a velvet lover book with a twisted end when you thing you know what is coming SURPRISE that’s not it!
This book is smooth and shy 🙈 but is a warmer to the heart! It’s a pleasure to ready a classic story with and immersive world and really attractive characters!
Spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is smooth and shy 🙈 but is a warmer to the heart! It’s a pleasure to ready a classic story with and immersive world and really attractive characters!
Spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 23, 2023
Love Lach's little fiercling!
Great story in this world of fae, witches, shifters and vampires. Twists and turns and the ultimate slow burn. Lach fighting his nature was quite hilarious at times. Steamy to perfection. Great continuation of the over-arcing storyline as well. Can't wait to read Ruby's book!
Great story in this world of fae, witches, shifters and vampires. Twists and turns and the ultimate slow burn. Lach fighting his nature was quite hilarious at times. Steamy to perfection. Great continuation of the over-arcing storyline as well. Can't wait to read Ruby's book!
July 6, 2023
This book was so good! It’s the second book in the Nocturnal Hearts series and it’s about two witches, Lachlan and Belle. Lachlan is your typical brooding, grumpy hero and I adored him! Belle was the perfect match for him. And can I just say that Elliott Rose knows how to write the spice in her books because MY GOD it’s so fucking good! 🥵
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