What do you think?
Rate this book
La noche del fantasma
Entre el amanecer y el atardecer, la extraña mansión de Ethan Winslowe permanecía tan inmóvil como una cripta. Más allá de su laberinto de tétricos corredores, su dueño dormía lejos del alcance del sol.
Al caer la noche, cuando el miedo y los fantasmas empezaban a perseguirla, Megan Carey era conducida a su guarida subterránea para cenar con un fantasma al que nunca veía, una figura oculta en las sombras.
Según los rumores, él era un genio, un loco y un monstruo. Y Megan era su prisionera, atrapada allí por una amenaza más poderosa que las cadenas... Y también por la necesidad de conocer el calor de la pasión de Ethan, que bramaba como fuego en la noche.
Al caer la noche, cuando el miedo y los fantasmas empezaban a perseguirla, Megan Carey era conducida a su guarida subterránea para cenar con un fantasma al que nunca veía, una figura oculta en las sombras.
Según los rumores, él era un genio, un loco y un monstruo. Y Megan era su prisionera, atrapada allí por una amenaza más poderosa que las cadenas... Y también por la necesidad de conocer el calor de la pasión de Ethan, que bramaba como fuego en la noche.
223 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
51 people are currently reading
375 people want to read
About the author
Anne Stuart
203 books2,063 followersAnne Stuart is a grandmaster of the genre, winner of Romance Writers of America's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, survivor of more than thirty-five years in the romance business, and still just keeps getting better.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
December 25, 2019
3.75 stars
July 1, 2014
Reread completed on Kindle Text to Speech between June 11th and June 29th, 2014.
I am working my way through the Anne Stuart's Out-of-Print Gems collection on my Kindle, and it's wonderful to spend time with my favorite author of all time. I already read The Soldier And The Baby and chose this one next. I remembered not loving it the first time I read it. I don't know why, it just didn't stick with me.
I think that listening to a book the second time adds to the experience. I would admit that the robotic voice of Kindle Text to Speech in itself isn't a dramatic aid, but hearing the words of an author spoken out loud employs the auditory senses. Anne Stuart's writing feels good to the ears. She is a spare writer, but she is a master at creating imagery with a minimum of words. And atmosphere. This book seethes with Gothic atmosphere, and it's a perfect fusion of "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Phantom of the Opera." Except Megan is neither the unearthly beauty and pure-hearted goodness of Belle nor the sheltered innocent, and easily victimized Christine Daae. Regardless, this story still works. Megan is a mature woman in her twenties who is wearied from taking care of her immature father who had done something very bad with this construction company, involving the architectural designs of reclusive Ethan Winslow. He manipulates his daughter into going to plead with Winslow to save his skin. Megan knows her dad is manipulating her, but it's a set habit to take care of her dad. Ethan Winslow's world is a dark place with a shadow lover, and a small-minded, vicious town fed into a frenzy by a religious fanatic preacher. Megan knows Ethan is no good for her, in the end, but she is drawn to him in a way that she cannot deny. His lonely heart cries out to hers.
Readers who enjoy that vibe of Beauty and the Beast and Phantom of the Opera with a tortured, disfigured, lion with a thorn in his paw recluse will find themselves drawn to the story for that reason. However, Stuart adds her own stamp to the novel with the Gothic elements and the suspense and tension of Megan being initially imprisoned in Ethan's house and surrounded by strange phenomena and even stranger people.
Despite the short nature of this story, Stuart deals with serious themes of prejudice, the danger of intolerance and mob mentality and violence, and the misuse of religion (not faith or belief in God, which is a very different thing). Ethan is a very angry, vengeful man. He has reason to feel that way, but loving Megan opens a possibility for him to have a real life outside of the prison of the strange house he designed and the prison of his mind and past.
I hate prejudice and bigotry and my heart went out to Ethan for being despised for something that he had no control over. The small-minded meanness with its ugly results of the townspeople was infuriating and sad that they could see no other way to be, and that they felt justified in their hatred of Ethan for no reason (although he did taunt them some).
This story was very romantic. It touches on the fantasy of the shadow lover who is both dangerous and alluring, and the appeal of being in a world of their own making. Their sensual encounters are well-written and passionate, drawing me into the story as I listened, and I could vividly see the story unfolding in my mind.
The characters are sketches in some ways. You can assume more about their personalities than Stuart reveals. I don't mind though. I am easily able to fill in the blanks based on their descriptions, actions and mannerisms. I liked Megan more this time. I can appreciate her personality more now at my age. I respect her independence and her intrinsic sense of right and wrong, and that she's not an innocent girl. She knows what she wants and is mature enough to know what she's sacrificing to have it. And even though I stubbornly wanted Ethan to go after her, I think she showed a lot of bravery to go after the man she wanted, especially with the fact that he would never be the Prince Charming one expects in the fairy tales. He's her Dark Prince, and that's better, in my book.
While this won't ever be a favorite of mine by Ms. Stuart (too many contenders for that), rereading has upped my rating for this novel. I can appreciate it in a way that I didn't before. I think that it has a lot to say about society and the petty mean-spiritedness that people are capable of, and its costly effects to all involved. The atmosphere is fantastic, dark and sinister and Gothic. But also enticing and seductive. The dark can be both depending on the person, their frame of reference. I know for me it is definitely both. I love the night, the velvet of the dark sky, the cooler breeze, and the quiet and settled feel of the nighttime. I feel a sense of peace communing with nature in the dark. But sometimes, the dark inspires fears of the unknown. The things that go bump in the night. Both are evident in this novel. Ethan will always be a creature of the night, but Megan is fine with that. they can create their own world in the night, where their love is inviolate.
Worth a read, in my book.
I am working my way through the Anne Stuart's Out-of-Print Gems collection on my Kindle, and it's wonderful to spend time with my favorite author of all time. I already read The Soldier And The Baby and chose this one next. I remembered not loving it the first time I read it. I don't know why, it just didn't stick with me.
I think that listening to a book the second time adds to the experience. I would admit that the robotic voice of Kindle Text to Speech in itself isn't a dramatic aid, but hearing the words of an author spoken out loud employs the auditory senses. Anne Stuart's writing feels good to the ears. She is a spare writer, but she is a master at creating imagery with a minimum of words. And atmosphere. This book seethes with Gothic atmosphere, and it's a perfect fusion of "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Phantom of the Opera." Except Megan is neither the unearthly beauty and pure-hearted goodness of Belle nor the sheltered innocent, and easily victimized Christine Daae. Regardless, this story still works. Megan is a mature woman in her twenties who is wearied from taking care of her immature father who had done something very bad with this construction company, involving the architectural designs of reclusive Ethan Winslow. He manipulates his daughter into going to plead with Winslow to save his skin. Megan knows her dad is manipulating her, but it's a set habit to take care of her dad. Ethan Winslow's world is a dark place with a shadow lover, and a small-minded, vicious town fed into a frenzy by a religious fanatic preacher. Megan knows Ethan is no good for her, in the end, but she is drawn to him in a way that she cannot deny. His lonely heart cries out to hers.
Readers who enjoy that vibe of Beauty and the Beast and Phantom of the Opera with a tortured, disfigured, lion with a thorn in his paw recluse will find themselves drawn to the story for that reason. However, Stuart adds her own stamp to the novel with the Gothic elements and the suspense and tension of Megan being initially imprisoned in Ethan's house and surrounded by strange phenomena and even stranger people.
Despite the short nature of this story, Stuart deals with serious themes of prejudice, the danger of intolerance and mob mentality and violence, and the misuse of religion (not faith or belief in God, which is a very different thing). Ethan is a very angry, vengeful man. He has reason to feel that way, but loving Megan opens a possibility for him to have a real life outside of the prison of the strange house he designed and the prison of his mind and past.
I hate prejudice and bigotry and my heart went out to Ethan for being despised for something that he had no control over. The small-minded meanness with its ugly results of the townspeople was infuriating and sad that they could see no other way to be, and that they felt justified in their hatred of Ethan for no reason (although he did taunt them some).
This story was very romantic. It touches on the fantasy of the shadow lover who is both dangerous and alluring, and the appeal of being in a world of their own making. Their sensual encounters are well-written and passionate, drawing me into the story as I listened, and I could vividly see the story unfolding in my mind.
The characters are sketches in some ways. You can assume more about their personalities than Stuart reveals. I don't mind though. I am easily able to fill in the blanks based on their descriptions, actions and mannerisms. I liked Megan more this time. I can appreciate her personality more now at my age. I respect her independence and her intrinsic sense of right and wrong, and that she's not an innocent girl. She knows what she wants and is mature enough to know what she's sacrificing to have it. And even though I stubbornly wanted Ethan to go after her, I think she showed a lot of bravery to go after the man she wanted, especially with the fact that he would never be the Prince Charming one expects in the fairy tales. He's her Dark Prince, and that's better, in my book.
While this won't ever be a favorite of mine by Ms. Stuart (too many contenders for that), rereading has upped my rating for this novel. I can appreciate it in a way that I didn't before. I think that it has a lot to say about society and the petty mean-spiritedness that people are capable of, and its costly effects to all involved. The atmosphere is fantastic, dark and sinister and Gothic. But also enticing and seductive. The dark can be both depending on the person, their frame of reference. I know for me it is definitely both. I love the night, the velvet of the dark sky, the cooler breeze, and the quiet and settled feel of the nighttime. I feel a sense of peace communing with nature in the dark. But sometimes, the dark inspires fears of the unknown. The things that go bump in the night. Both are evident in this novel. Ethan will always be a creature of the night, but Megan is fine with that. they can create their own world in the night, where their love is inviolate.
Worth a read, in my book.
November 30, 2020
"Night of the Phantom" is the story of Megan and Ethan.
A spook filled gothic romance, in which our heroine is coerced by her lawless sperm donor to go to a remote castle and meet the scarred elusive hero.. who is a paraplegic? vampire? ghost? He has a sidekick named Egor.. (just kidding its Sal), a maid who was his mistress, a disappearing gardener and many of the evil townsfolk out for his life. In this chilling Beauty and the beast meets Frankenstein meets Phantom of the Opera romance, a scarred man falls in love with a blonde curvy beauty, fights against spirits and Satan, and finds his HEA.
My heart broke for the hero, stayed with the souls and fell for the heroine. Enjoyed it. If only it didn't end so abruptly, I'd rate it even higher.
Safe
3/5
A spook filled gothic romance, in which our heroine is coerced by her lawless sperm donor to go to a remote castle and meet the scarred elusive hero.. who is a paraplegic? vampire? ghost? He has a sidekick named Egor.. (just kidding its Sal), a maid who was his mistress, a disappearing gardener and many of the evil townsfolk out for his life. In this chilling Beauty and the beast meets Frankenstein meets Phantom of the Opera romance, a scarred man falls in love with a blonde curvy beauty, fights against spirits and Satan, and finds his HEA.
My heart broke for the hero, stayed with the souls and fell for the heroine. Enjoyed it. If only it didn't end so abruptly, I'd rate it even higher.
Safe
3/5
July 19, 2017
Imagine horror legend H.P. Lovecraft trying to write a romance novel.
Imagine if he took a Seventies classic like LOVE PLAY by Rosemary Rogers, about an innocent but very voluptuous blonde held captive by a dark Italian duke, and turned it into -- a luscious blonde held captive by a hideously deformed man-lizard.
Strong stuff -- but definitely an original talent!
Anne Stuart is an author I both admire and find very disturbing. One the one hand, it is incredibly refreshing to find a romance writer who takes chances -- who writes TRULY dark and sinister heroes, who has genuine OPINIONS on life and culture and politics.
On the other hand . . . sometimes the gruesome ugliness and the horror becomes so real it's no longer a romance novel that you're reading. And that's either thrilling or infuriating, depending on who you are. Or even what mood you happen to be in at the time.
A great romance by Mary Balogh or Lisa Kleypas is like "She Loves You" by the Beatles.
Reading an Anne Stuart romance is like listening to "The End" by the Doors.
You know it's genius -- but sometimes it's more than you can handle.
Imagine if he took a Seventies classic like LOVE PLAY by Rosemary Rogers, about an innocent but very voluptuous blonde held captive by a dark Italian duke, and turned it into -- a luscious blonde held captive by a hideously deformed man-lizard.
Strong stuff -- but definitely an original talent!
Anne Stuart is an author I both admire and find very disturbing. One the one hand, it is incredibly refreshing to find a romance writer who takes chances -- who writes TRULY dark and sinister heroes, who has genuine OPINIONS on life and culture and politics.
On the other hand . . . sometimes the gruesome ugliness and the horror becomes so real it's no longer a romance novel that you're reading. And that's either thrilling or infuriating, depending on who you are. Or even what mood you happen to be in at the time.
A great romance by Mary Balogh or Lisa Kleypas is like "She Loves You" by the Beatles.
Reading an Anne Stuart romance is like listening to "The End" by the Doors.
You know it's genius -- but sometimes it's more than you can handle.
February 10, 2022
I found this to be a passionate, erotic, and romantic blend of Beauty and the Beast and Phantom of the Opera. The longing and sexual tension between the protagonists sizzled, which is typical of the author’s writing.
Both Ethan and Megan drew my empathy—even the citizens of Oak Grove were vividly drawn.
I also enjoyed the gothic undertone: the mystery surrounding Ethan and the reveal were excellent.
Quibbles:
Both Ethan and Megan drew my empathy—even the citizens of Oak Grove were vividly drawn.
I also enjoyed the gothic undertone: the mystery surrounding Ethan and the reveal were excellent.
Quibbles:
October 28, 2024
I have Anne Stuart burnout. Her heroes in her earlier works aren't that bad compared to her latter works, but her writing tends to be repetitive. This book is a mash between 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Phantom of the Opera'. It should have kept me at the edge of the seat, but the repetitive writing was a bit of a snooze fest. So, this was just an okay read.
September 14, 2021
4.5 - Night of the Phantom was my first Anne Stuart book and I really enjoyed it. I split this read between book and audiobook (on Scribd) as I didn't want to put it down when rl got in the way. Lol I have only read a handful of gothic books, between the "Beauty and the Beast" retelling and the wonderful audio performance I was entranced.
"Night of the Phantom" audiobook on Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/audiobook/4885...
"Night of the Phantom" audiobook on Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/audiobook/4885...
January 31, 2016
Be it a historical, paranormal or contemporary romance, Anne Stuart is a master at crafting tales so superbly that you enjoy every single minute of the ride. Night of the Phantom was a story that according to Anne Stuart, was inspired by Phantom of the Opera. I guess it shows in certain elements of the paranormal and mystical variety included in the story. Didn’t detract at all from the storyline, but rather added to its charm, making Night of the Phantom the winner it is.
Ethan Winslowe is a recluse who lives in a forgotten part of the country that people seldom talk about. However, as reclusive as he is, Ethan is a genius in the field of architecture, and it is his splendorous designs that Megan Carey’s father used to rise to the position of fame and glory that he enjoys. Things go awry however, when Megan’s father begs her to take his place to meet Ethan who has threatened to bring the whole Carey corporation down. Megan, having never been able to say no in the face of her father agrees, albeit reluctantly. A decision that she regrets from the moment she steps foot in the godforsaken town.
Megan’s entrance into Ethan’s carefully structured plans is hardly a welcome one – at first. However, when Ethan realizes the perks of having Megan at his mercy, Ethan changes his plans accordingly, all the while knowing that Megan might prove to be detrimental to the heart that he keeps closed off from the rest of the world. Ethan enjoys the darkness, revels in the darkness that is his life. Megan, whose heart had craved romance and adventure when she had made plans to go traveling prior to having had to come see Ethan, finds her soul reaching out to that of Ethan.
Night of the Phantom turned out to be such a good book, one that I just had to finish in one single sitting. Anne Stuart’s books have a way of making me lose out on precious sleep, not something I would ever regret, given how well written her books are. Ethan makes for a darkly alluring hero. Hidden in the shadows with the darkness of the night wrapped around him, Ethan beckons your soul in ways you would never think possible.
There’s a surreal and ethereal edge to the story as it unfolds. Timeless in the way Ethan and Megan circle each other; Megan frightful of her wanton desire for a man who doesn’t trust her enough to show his face and Ethan, frightened by just how much he needs, wants and lusts after Megan, all of which hides the deeper emotions that he fights to keep at bay. The town’s reluctance to harbor an individual as Ethan in their midst, regardless of what his presence means to an already dwindling community was one that proved to be another facet of the novel that fascinated me.
The ending when it came, was perfectly fitting to the story and the characters. Megan being the one to finally go after Ethan didn’t detract from the fact that someone as reclusive as Ethan had made the decision to go after her as well. That in my opinion, was the most wonderful ending they could have been given.
Recommended!
Rating = 4.5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit, www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
Ethan Winslowe is a recluse who lives in a forgotten part of the country that people seldom talk about. However, as reclusive as he is, Ethan is a genius in the field of architecture, and it is his splendorous designs that Megan Carey’s father used to rise to the position of fame and glory that he enjoys. Things go awry however, when Megan’s father begs her to take his place to meet Ethan who has threatened to bring the whole Carey corporation down. Megan, having never been able to say no in the face of her father agrees, albeit reluctantly. A decision that she regrets from the moment she steps foot in the godforsaken town.
Megan’s entrance into Ethan’s carefully structured plans is hardly a welcome one – at first. However, when Ethan realizes the perks of having Megan at his mercy, Ethan changes his plans accordingly, all the while knowing that Megan might prove to be detrimental to the heart that he keeps closed off from the rest of the world. Ethan enjoys the darkness, revels in the darkness that is his life. Megan, whose heart had craved romance and adventure when she had made plans to go traveling prior to having had to come see Ethan, finds her soul reaching out to that of Ethan.
Night of the Phantom turned out to be such a good book, one that I just had to finish in one single sitting. Anne Stuart’s books have a way of making me lose out on precious sleep, not something I would ever regret, given how well written her books are. Ethan makes for a darkly alluring hero. Hidden in the shadows with the darkness of the night wrapped around him, Ethan beckons your soul in ways you would never think possible.
There’s a surreal and ethereal edge to the story as it unfolds. Timeless in the way Ethan and Megan circle each other; Megan frightful of her wanton desire for a man who doesn’t trust her enough to show his face and Ethan, frightened by just how much he needs, wants and lusts after Megan, all of which hides the deeper emotions that he fights to keep at bay. The town’s reluctance to harbor an individual as Ethan in their midst, regardless of what his presence means to an already dwindling community was one that proved to be another facet of the novel that fascinated me.
The ending when it came, was perfectly fitting to the story and the characters. Megan being the one to finally go after Ethan didn’t detract from the fact that someone as reclusive as Ethan had made the decision to go after her as well. That in my opinion, was the most wonderful ending they could have been given.
Recommended!
Rating = 4.5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit, www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
July 28, 2025
4.5 stars rounding up ⭐️ this little novel was a delightful gem I wasn’t necessarily expecting when I bought it literally just for the Fabio cover 😂🤷♀️
A fun mix of homage to Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, Hades and Persephone, and general time capsule for mildly cringey 90s vibes I adored when placed in a southern gothic romance and dash of paranormal. This is the kind of juicy enemies to lovers I am heeeere for!
Our MMC Ethan is the titular phantom, disfigured yet beautiful, he is rather a brute in ways but of course we know it is all hiding a smooshy romantic center he wishes he didn’t have. He is very much the brand of morally grey hero I would liken to the Mr Rochesters of the world. Literally I want more of this kind of man when it comes to the modern “shadow daddy” trope in romance fiction. I also found it flipping hilarious he used Stephen King novels as mild psychological torture on Meg early on in the book. All laughs aside though this being southern gothic Ethan is also both the literal monster as well as the man who can change his ways, I likey.
Megan our MFC is a fun mix of stubborn and kind, naive and also sometimes petty. I love her tbh and she is able to step up to Ethan and match him in his moods and call him out on his bs. I also loved that she was also reading weird alien romances from the 90s i cackled at that. She is 27 and knows her mind but also is susceptible to her father’s manipulations at the beginning of the book vs at the end where she gets her disgraced father settled and then goes off to live her own life I’m proud of her.
Some of the plot can be a bit repetitive in places: Meg leaves, Ethan is upset, Meg comes back. But this is such a short book and those times are never drawn out imo so I didn’t mind so much in the narrative shortcut to highlight their struggle to foster intimacy in their relationship.
The smut scenes aren’t purple prose really but they are def more on the sensual side of erotic vs spice smut that is in modern books and I personally had fun reading something a bit different from what I have been reading.
I did also really love and respect Anne Stuart for committing to actions having consequences. Ethan has some really big consequences that are linked to his anger and hatred that really come to fruition at the end of the book in a way I found quite profoundly resolved and Meg has that mirrored in how she has to go back to Chicago to tie up things before they get their HEA I just wish we had gotten just a smidgen more of that HEA it felt much to short.
Some content advisories but please note with how I read this novel I did not personally categorize a bodice ripper: depictions of religious zealotry, generational traumas and prejudices, parental abuse of a child (mentioned from the past), disfigurement (birthmark), imprisonment, captor x captive, sexual content (open door but not super graphic descriptions), some dubious consent (kisses), manipulation via a staged attempted suicide, witch hunts/mob mentality/paranoia, other on pages deaths (not super descriptive), physical violence
A fun mix of homage to Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, Hades and Persephone, and general time capsule for mildly cringey 90s vibes I adored when placed in a southern gothic romance and dash of paranormal. This is the kind of juicy enemies to lovers I am heeeere for!
Our MMC Ethan is the titular phantom, disfigured yet beautiful, he is rather a brute in ways but of course we know it is all hiding a smooshy romantic center he wishes he didn’t have. He is very much the brand of morally grey hero I would liken to the Mr Rochesters of the world. Literally I want more of this kind of man when it comes to the modern “shadow daddy” trope in romance fiction. I also found it flipping hilarious he used Stephen King novels as mild psychological torture on Meg early on in the book. All laughs aside though this being southern gothic Ethan is also both the literal monster as well as the man who can change his ways, I likey.
Megan our MFC is a fun mix of stubborn and kind, naive and also sometimes petty. I love her tbh and she is able to step up to Ethan and match him in his moods and call him out on his bs. I also loved that she was also reading weird alien romances from the 90s i cackled at that. She is 27 and knows her mind but also is susceptible to her father’s manipulations at the beginning of the book vs at the end where she gets her disgraced father settled and then goes off to live her own life I’m proud of her.
Some of the plot can be a bit repetitive in places: Meg leaves, Ethan is upset, Meg comes back. But this is such a short book and those times are never drawn out imo so I didn’t mind so much in the narrative shortcut to highlight their struggle to foster intimacy in their relationship.
The smut scenes aren’t purple prose really but they are def more on the sensual side of erotic vs spice smut that is in modern books and I personally had fun reading something a bit different from what I have been reading.
I did also really love and respect Anne Stuart for committing to actions having consequences. Ethan has some really big consequences that are linked to his anger and hatred that really come to fruition at the end of the book in a way I found quite profoundly resolved and Meg has that mirrored in how she has to go back to Chicago to tie up things before they get their HEA I just wish we had gotten just a smidgen more of that HEA it felt much to short.
Some content advisories but please note with how I read this novel I did not personally categorize a bodice ripper: depictions of religious zealotry, generational traumas and prejudices, parental abuse of a child (mentioned from the past), disfigurement (birthmark), imprisonment, captor x captive, sexual content (open door but not super graphic descriptions), some dubious consent (kisses), manipulation via a staged attempted suicide, witch hunts/mob mentality/paranoia, other on pages deaths (not super descriptive), physical violence
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2025
This was a goofy attempt at a gothic. I think Anne Stuart just isn’t the author for me. I really disliked her book SHADOWS AT SUNSET too.
July 25, 2017
I'm a long-time Anne Stuart fan, and was curious about her take on 'Beauty and the Beast.' The book was originally published some years back, and has been re-edited and re-released.
Megan Carey wants desperately to persuade wealthy and reclusive Ethan Winslowe that her father isn't a greedy swindler, so she agrees to visit Ethan at his home in the remote countryside. When she arrives, she finds out just how far Ethan will go to get his revenge on the man who used him to cover up his crimes. Megan wants to escape, but something about Ethan is holding her back -- she discovers that beneath his fearsome disfigurement is a noble and caring heart, and she falls hard for him. Ethan is smitten by Megan's innocence and bravery -- but knows that there can be no future for her with him. When they narrowly escape harm at the hands of a religious cult, Ethan pushes her away -- and Megan leaves, devastated. Soon, however, Megan realizes that her life is empty without Ethan, and decides to confront him.....
There are plot holes aplenty (some of which exist because there were no cell phones or internet in 1991), and sometimes Megan veers dangerously close to being TSTL. Ethan's not much better, so it was difficult to figure out how she fell in love with someone she'd barely even seen. You do wonder how big Ethan's house is -- it sounds like it's got more square footage than the Pentagon. And what's with the crazy moving to a different room every night....?
So...as long you know that the book's been out since 1991, and as long as you're willing to just treat it as the fairy tale it is...it's actually quite a nice little love story.
Megan Carey wants desperately to persuade wealthy and reclusive Ethan Winslowe that her father isn't a greedy swindler, so she agrees to visit Ethan at his home in the remote countryside. When she arrives, she finds out just how far Ethan will go to get his revenge on the man who used him to cover up his crimes. Megan wants to escape, but something about Ethan is holding her back -- she discovers that beneath his fearsome disfigurement is a noble and caring heart, and she falls hard for him. Ethan is smitten by Megan's innocence and bravery -- but knows that there can be no future for her with him. When they narrowly escape harm at the hands of a religious cult, Ethan pushes her away -- and Megan leaves, devastated. Soon, however, Megan realizes that her life is empty without Ethan, and decides to confront him.....
There are plot holes aplenty (some of which exist because there were no cell phones or internet in 1991), and sometimes Megan veers dangerously close to being TSTL. Ethan's not much better, so it was difficult to figure out how she fell in love with someone she'd barely even seen. You do wonder how big Ethan's house is -- it sounds like it's got more square footage than the Pentagon. And what's with the crazy moving to a different room every night....?
So...as long you know that the book's been out since 1991, and as long as you're willing to just treat it as the fairy tale it is...it's actually quite a nice little love story.
July 18, 2017
Contemporary romance with paranormal elements. 3.5 stars. If Ruth wasn't in this book it would've been five stars. I just loveeee Anne Stuarts Hero's.
Safety -
*When she gets sick he brings in someone to take care of her. The lady Ruth used to be his mistress 5 years ago. She was also with him for five years. They had an arrangement. And when Ruth meet her now husband she stopped seeing Ethan. We had to hear from Ruth that he was a good lover.
*Since Ruth got married five years ago they has been no one for him.
*Ruth also stays around after she is better and helps care for her.
*There is no OW drama. Ruth is protective of him because he took care of her and her kids when she needed him. But she loves her husband and has no designs on Ethan.
*Megan has had a couple of lovers in the past. One actually shows up and forces a kiss on her but Salvatore Ethan's friend/man of all trades stops him.
*Ethan pretty much keeps her against her will with blackmail for the first half of the book or so.
Safety -
*When she gets sick he brings in someone to take care of her. The lady Ruth used to be his mistress 5 years ago. She was also with him for five years. They had an arrangement. And when Ruth meet her now husband she stopped seeing Ethan. We had to hear from Ruth that he was a good lover.
*Since Ruth got married five years ago they has been no one for him.
*Ruth also stays around after she is better and helps care for her.
*There is no OW drama. Ruth is protective of him because he took care of her and her kids when she needed him. But she loves her husband and has no designs on Ethan.
*Megan has had a couple of lovers in the past. One actually shows up and forces a kiss on her but Salvatore Ethan's friend/man of all trades stops him.
*Ethan pretty much keeps her against her will with blackmail for the first half of the book or so.
April 22, 2013
Featured in 'Anne Stuart's Out of Print Gems'.
February 12, 2011
This is the first Anne Stuart book that I didn't love, I really didn't like it that much at all. It was a mix between Beauty and The Beast and Phantom of the Opera.
Megan (h) went, in her fathers place, to go and see Ethen (H) and see why he's trying to distroy her father. Ethen, lives in the dark and won't let anyone see him. The author has the reader wondering what could be the horrible disfigurment that would make him feel he's a monster. So much so, that his own mother screamed when he was born and refused to let him be seen by other people. After the meating with Megan, Ethen decides to keep her for his entertainment. Tells her that as long as she stays he will leave her father alone.
This story is loaded with strange background characters. There is a phyco preacher and all of his followers that believe that Ethen is the devil. There is Sal, the ever devoted butler,friend and bodygaurd, Ruth, his ex-mistress and sometimes nurse, a druken doctor that makes house calls and Joesph, father that happens to be a gohst. The one thing this town doesn't seem to have is a police force. There is trespassing, kidnappings, brutal beatings, arson and more but never is there any police to report anything to.lol
I was all excited about my out of print goodies that I bought on my Kindle, but now after reading the first one I'm afraid they will all be simular. =(
Megan (h) went, in her fathers place, to go and see Ethen (H) and see why he's trying to distroy her father. Ethen, lives in the dark and won't let anyone see him. The author has the reader wondering what could be the horrible disfigurment that would make him feel he's a monster. So much so, that his own mother screamed when he was born and refused to let him be seen by other people. After the meating with Megan, Ethen decides to keep her for his entertainment. Tells her that as long as she stays he will leave her father alone.
This story is loaded with strange background characters. There is a phyco preacher and all of his followers that believe that Ethen is the devil. There is Sal, the ever devoted butler,friend and bodygaurd, Ruth, his ex-mistress and sometimes nurse, a druken doctor that makes house calls and Joesph, father that happens to be a gohst. The one thing this town doesn't seem to have is a police force. There is trespassing, kidnappings, brutal beatings, arson and more but never is there any police to report anything to.lol
I was all excited about my out of print goodies that I bought on my Kindle, but now after reading the first one I'm afraid they will all be simular. =(
March 1, 2013
While the meat of this story was simply wonderful, that third act of a romance always gets me. So damned predictable. I find myself flipping pages because it's a foregone conclusion they're going to end up together, so why is she dragging it out, anyway?
I will say that I'm very glad that Anne doesn't go into those stupid misunderstandings like some authors. Generally, her hero is just such an ass that he sends the girl away or runs away himself.
This is the case here. So... ending gets 3 stars.
Rest of the book, big time FIVE STARS.
This is a Beauty and the Beast/Phantom of the Opera retelling. Ethan is misanthropic, scarred, controlling, deadly sexy, and an utter bastard. I loved it.
My favorite part was when she realized he'd been filming her, and she stripped for the camera, and when he saw that, he was a choking mess. It was awesome.
I loved how he basically kidnapped her. I loved how he only let her read Stephen King books. I loved how he moved her to different rooms in his big house (er, castle, really, come on) every night and that they were all different.
I loved how underneath it all, he was vulnerable and damaged, and when she fell in love with him despite everything, I did too.
I will say that I'm very glad that Anne doesn't go into those stupid misunderstandings like some authors. Generally, her hero is just such an ass that he sends the girl away or runs away himself.
This is the case here. So... ending gets 3 stars.
Rest of the book, big time FIVE STARS.
This is a Beauty and the Beast/Phantom of the Opera retelling. Ethan is misanthropic, scarred, controlling, deadly sexy, and an utter bastard. I loved it.
My favorite part was when she realized he'd been filming her, and she stripped for the camera, and when he saw that, he was a choking mess. It was awesome.
I loved how he basically kidnapped her. I loved how he only let her read Stephen King books. I loved how he moved her to different rooms in his big house (er, castle, really, come on) every night and that they were all different.
I loved how underneath it all, he was vulnerable and damaged, and when she fell in love with him despite everything, I did too.
October 25, 2023
Night of the Phantom by Anne Stuart is a 1991 publication.
When a terrible crime comes back to haunt her father, Megan is asked to speak to the man who has threatened to ruin him- to go to his home in her father's stead. She agrees, despite the reputation of the reclusive Ethan Winslowe. Upon her arrival at Ethan's unusual estate, she soon realizes he plans to hold her captive- refusing to allow her to leave in return for his backing off his threat against her father.
Meg never gets a look at the elusive Ethan, only communicating with his loyal assistant. But as time passes Meg finds herself living in a dual complexity. By day she longs for escape from her gilded cage, but by night she is seduced by a phantom- falling under his spell...
This story is obviously inspired by “The Phantom of the Opera”- a book I’ve have yet to read- but get the gist of, nonetheless.
The story has a tortured hero, is creepy and atmospheric, with ghosts and scary townsfolk who view anyone who is different as evil. The story also has strong fantasy and sensual elements- with a tame erotic feel to it.
This would be a good Halloween pick for romance readers. Keep in mind that the book was originally published back in 1991 and this is a digitized version released in 2016. The romantic elements were popular fantasies during that time and this book actually helped to spawn an entire line of books by Harlequin called ‘Harlequin Shadows’- perhaps a precursor to the super popular paranormal romance/ Urban Fantasy trend to come.
Overall, this is a good solid paranormal/fantasy romance for its time. Anne Stuart is a seasoned author writing across several genres. I’m so happy to see that she took the initiative to digitize her out of print books. Many fans would like to read old favorites or ones they might have missed out on- and can introduce these books to new audiences as well, which is a good thing. But it is also very important to preserve the work- and I hope other authors who have rights to their books will follow Stuart’s lead.
3.5 stars
*Steamy- more than I prefer- but in line with other books of this time and genre.
*Note: I don’t know if I have a copy of this book- but I do have a collection of the ‘Shadows’ novels in paperback. They are stored in a box somewhere. I mainly keep them because they are out of print and somewhat of a novelty. I'm glad I decided to collect these! I’ll have to see if I can find more of them in digital format- which is easier for me to read. I’m not sure the quality will match Anne’s work- It would still be fun to check them out, though.
When a terrible crime comes back to haunt her father, Megan is asked to speak to the man who has threatened to ruin him- to go to his home in her father's stead. She agrees, despite the reputation of the reclusive Ethan Winslowe. Upon her arrival at Ethan's unusual estate, she soon realizes he plans to hold her captive- refusing to allow her to leave in return for his backing off his threat against her father.
Meg never gets a look at the elusive Ethan, only communicating with his loyal assistant. But as time passes Meg finds herself living in a dual complexity. By day she longs for escape from her gilded cage, but by night she is seduced by a phantom- falling under his spell...
This story is obviously inspired by “The Phantom of the Opera”- a book I’ve have yet to read- but get the gist of, nonetheless.
The story has a tortured hero, is creepy and atmospheric, with ghosts and scary townsfolk who view anyone who is different as evil. The story also has strong fantasy and sensual elements- with a tame erotic feel to it.
This would be a good Halloween pick for romance readers. Keep in mind that the book was originally published back in 1991 and this is a digitized version released in 2016. The romantic elements were popular fantasies during that time and this book actually helped to spawn an entire line of books by Harlequin called ‘Harlequin Shadows’- perhaps a precursor to the super popular paranormal romance/ Urban Fantasy trend to come.
Overall, this is a good solid paranormal/fantasy romance for its time. Anne Stuart is a seasoned author writing across several genres. I’m so happy to see that she took the initiative to digitize her out of print books. Many fans would like to read old favorites or ones they might have missed out on- and can introduce these books to new audiences as well, which is a good thing. But it is also very important to preserve the work- and I hope other authors who have rights to their books will follow Stuart’s lead.
3.5 stars
*Steamy- more than I prefer- but in line with other books of this time and genre.
*Note: I don’t know if I have a copy of this book- but I do have a collection of the ‘Shadows’ novels in paperback. They are stored in a box somewhere. I mainly keep them because they are out of print and somewhat of a novelty. I'm glad I decided to collect these! I’ll have to see if I can find more of them in digital format- which is easier for me to read. I’m not sure the quality will match Anne’s work- It would still be fun to check them out, though.
February 13, 2021
3.5. Estuvo interesante y entretenido. Y extraño. Parece que Ethan ha vivido nada más para vengarse de los demás hasta que conoció a Megan y se dio cuenta de que por sus deseos de venganza puso en peligro su vida.
Megan, que al principio pensé que se negaría a creer que su padre era culpable o que sí aceptaría que su padre era malo pero que lo defendería sin importar qué. Me sorprendió que sí se diera cuenta del ser vil que tenía como padre y que se enfrentara a su antiguo amante, y que defendiera a Ethan y que no se diera por vencida por su amor por él. Me hubiera gustado saber qué le pasó y a su empresa.
A Ethan le tomó un poquito de tiempo aceptar sus sentimientos por ella y parece que vivirán juntos por siempre. Me agradó esa idea de Megan, de que él se encargaría de diseñar edificios y que ella los construiría. Y claro, creo que la historia tenía mucho potencial para más y conocer qué iban a hacer o qué pasaba después de que se encontraran otra vez en la isla.
Adorables.
Y por fin conocemos el verdadero rostro de Ethan, marcado por una enorme marca de nacimiento y despreciado por casi todo el mundo, menos por algunas personas como Megan y Salvatore. Es más, los puedes contar una mano. Vive recluido en la oscuridad para esconderse de los demás y de sí mismo, tanto que ya ha desarrollado una visión nocturma mucho mejor que las personas comunes.
En este libro se mezclan muchas cosas paranormales, como fantasmas y conexiones entre dos almas, un poquito de suspenso y algo de romance, pero un romance no tan físico y más espiritual que otra cosa.
Las narraciones son agradables, en tercera persona y desde el punto de vista de Megan y Ethan.
No considero que en este libro esté presente el síndrome de estocolmo.
Megan, que al principio pensé que se negaría a creer que su padre era culpable o que sí aceptaría que su padre era malo pero que lo defendería sin importar qué. Me sorprendió que sí se diera cuenta del ser vil que tenía como padre y que se enfrentara a su antiguo amante, y que defendiera a Ethan y que no se diera por vencida por su amor por él. Me hubiera gustado saber qué le pasó y a su empresa.
A Ethan le tomó un poquito de tiempo aceptar sus sentimientos por ella y parece que vivirán juntos por siempre. Me agradó esa idea de Megan, de que él se encargaría de diseñar edificios y que ella los construiría. Y claro, creo que la historia tenía mucho potencial para más y conocer qué iban a hacer o qué pasaba después de que se encontraran otra vez en la isla.
Adorables.
Y por fin conocemos el verdadero rostro de Ethan, marcado por una enorme marca de nacimiento y despreciado por casi todo el mundo, menos por algunas personas como Megan y Salvatore. Es más, los puedes contar una mano. Vive recluido en la oscuridad para esconderse de los demás y de sí mismo, tanto que ya ha desarrollado una visión nocturma mucho mejor que las personas comunes.
En este libro se mezclan muchas cosas paranormales, como fantasmas y conexiones entre dos almas, un poquito de suspenso y algo de romance, pero un romance no tan físico y más espiritual que otra cosa.
Las narraciones son agradables, en tercera persona y desde el punto de vista de Megan y Ethan.
No considero que en este libro esté presente el síndrome de estocolmo.
June 7, 2018
#RetoRita2 #RitaStuart
Definitivamente no sabía qué esperar cuando empecé el libro. Solo que era una mezcla entre La Bella y la Bestia y El Fantasma de la Ópera, y eso fue suficiente para mí. Ahora que lo terminé tampoco estoy muy segura de qué leí exactamente. Pero fuera lo que fuese me gustó bastante.
La totalmente atípica historia de amor gira en torno al síndrome estocolmo que una chica, podría decirse abusada emocionalmente por su padre, desarrolla por su captor, un retraído genio de la arquitectura, atormentado, deformado y golpeado por los comentarios y sentimientos que suscita entre la gente de su pueblo. Todo rodeado por un aura de misterio que envuelve a los personajes secundarios y al mismo Ethan, nuestro protagonista. Sin mencionar esa especie de "magia" gótica que está presente desde el primer capítulo hasta la escena final, y logra mantenerlo a uno totalmente atraído y, hasta incluso, hipnotizado y absorbido por la historia que se desarrolla.
Es un libro corto que se lee en un suspiro y completamente diferente a cualquier cosa con la que me hubiera topado antes. La autora claramente no tiene miedo de romper con los esquemas tradicionalistas del género y atreverse a ir más allá. A mostrarnos el amor más allá de los defectos físicos y la heridas emocionales de las personas. Más allá de los errores, de los perjuicios, de los miedos.
No tengo mucho más que decir, salvo que es totalmente recomendable para los que buscan un soplo de aire fresco en sus lecturas y pasarse un rato al lado oscuro, para descubrir que también tiene sus encantos.
Definitivamente no sabía qué esperar cuando empecé el libro. Solo que era una mezcla entre La Bella y la Bestia y El Fantasma de la Ópera, y eso fue suficiente para mí. Ahora que lo terminé tampoco estoy muy segura de qué leí exactamente. Pero fuera lo que fuese me gustó bastante.
La totalmente atípica historia de amor gira en torno al síndrome estocolmo que una chica, podría decirse abusada emocionalmente por su padre, desarrolla por su captor, un retraído genio de la arquitectura, atormentado, deformado y golpeado por los comentarios y sentimientos que suscita entre la gente de su pueblo. Todo rodeado por un aura de misterio que envuelve a los personajes secundarios y al mismo Ethan, nuestro protagonista. Sin mencionar esa especie de "magia" gótica que está presente desde el primer capítulo hasta la escena final, y logra mantenerlo a uno totalmente atraído y, hasta incluso, hipnotizado y absorbido por la historia que se desarrolla.
Es un libro corto que se lee en un suspiro y completamente diferente a cualquier cosa con la que me hubiera topado antes. La autora claramente no tiene miedo de romper con los esquemas tradicionalistas del género y atreverse a ir más allá. A mostrarnos el amor más allá de los defectos físicos y la heridas emocionales de las personas. Más allá de los errores, de los perjuicios, de los miedos.
No tengo mucho más que decir, salvo que es totalmente recomendable para los que buscan un soplo de aire fresco en sus lecturas y pasarse un rato al lado oscuro, para descubrir que también tiene sus encantos.
December 29, 2018
At first, this seemed like an entertainingly far-fetched update of the Phantom fantasy. But then the author ran into trouble. Absent the backdrop of the opera company to fill out the story, the author fell back on a never-ending parade of rooms in a never-ending house, a ghostly gardener and a town filled with inbred crazies (or possibly some stray extras from Deliverance) to stretch what was essentially a short story into a novel. When it wasn't eye-rollingly stupid, it was repetitive and boring.
Not sure what the state of Arkansas ever did to Ms. Stuart that she would choose it as the locale most likely to harbor religious fanatics bent on witch burning. Amusing to think that this book was published in 1991, just about the time the Clintons were making their bow on the national stage. Perhaps Ms. Stuart wasn't a fan. Regardless, my interest started wavering somewhere around the time the crazed pastor entered the picture and died for good A modern retelling of Phantom had the potential to be deliciously satisfying. Unfortunately Ms. Stuart did not even come close.
Not sure what the state of Arkansas ever did to Ms. Stuart that she would choose it as the locale most likely to harbor religious fanatics bent on witch burning. Amusing to think that this book was published in 1991, just about the time the Clintons were making their bow on the national stage. Perhaps Ms. Stuart wasn't a fan. Regardless, my interest started wavering somewhere around the time the crazed pastor entered the picture and died for good A modern retelling of Phantom had the potential to be deliciously satisfying. Unfortunately Ms. Stuart did not even come close.
April 9, 2022
I can't get this book out of my head.
So much so that I've found myself listening to the soundtrack of "Phantom of the Opera" on repeat while I think about how much the author could have developed the world, how hot and frustrating Ethan was, and how I don't actually care that the story was a little underdeveloped because I'm a sucker for a morally gray hero that lingers in the shadows, who also seduces the heroine with phantom touches (shoutout to Shadow's Kiss btw). How I wasn't turned away from the heroine's constant begging is honestly a testament to how much I enjoyed this book. I have little patience for certain tropes nowadays. I wasn't going to give this book 4 stars, but because I am still reeling from it a day later, having read a different book too, I feel it deserves it.
I really do wish the world had been developed a little more though...
So much so that I've found myself listening to the soundtrack of "Phantom of the Opera" on repeat while I think about how much the author could have developed the world, how hot and frustrating Ethan was, and how I don't actually care that the story was a little underdeveloped because I'm a sucker for a morally gray hero that lingers in the shadows, who also seduces the heroine with phantom touches (shoutout to Shadow's Kiss btw). How I wasn't turned away from the heroine's constant begging is honestly a testament to how much I enjoyed this book. I have little patience for certain tropes nowadays. I wasn't going to give this book 4 stars, but because I am still reeling from it a day later, having read a different book too, I feel it deserves it.
I really do wish the world had been developed a little more though...
March 28, 2019
I can't wrap my head around the fact this is supposed to be one of her greatest hits. I'm not a fan of hers, but most of the time I enjoy her books (even if I don't really like them). They are a nice, if silly way to spend a few hours. But boys when she flounders she's going Maryanne deep.
I can't think of a more stupid, useless story. I can't phantom it even knowing it has been written in 1991. Stupidity galore, cliché abound. It's as painful as chalk on board. Plot holes were third-world big. Heroine deserved a painful death. And the hero was a drama queen of teen proportion.
There was no reason for all the story. It was all driven by the author's heavy hand.
I skim read quite a few points, and was considering DNFing from the beginning.
I can't think of a more stupid, useless story. I can't phantom it even knowing it has been written in 1991. Stupidity galore, cliché abound. It's as painful as chalk on board. Plot holes were third-world big. Heroine deserved a painful death. And the hero was a drama queen of teen proportion.
There was no reason for all the story. It was all driven by the author's heavy hand.
I skim read quite a few points, and was considering DNFing from the beginning.
January 14, 2023
It's a romance story that has extremely interesting and original elements that make the story unique, an highlight the common and predictable plot. The main female is strong and decisive most of the time, which is an element that I really like. I wish the author could have developed the other characters a little more, so that they don't appear common, but the story has sweet parts that make up for it. Particularly, the moments when the main female character is with the father of the main male character. I think this is one of the best novels of this author, but the unique and original elements of the story are worth exploring.
May 21, 2024
OK so I’d never read a ‘bodice ripper’ before but I like watching and reading anything Phantom of the Opera so I was curious to try this, and it was pretty good! But Ethan's supposed to be ‘so ugly his mother couldn’t look at him’, cowards didn’t give him a deformity on the cover 😤 And it did indeed get quite raunchy 😳 It’s not hugely apparent that it’s POTO inspired, if you’d asked me it seemed more Beauty and the Beast, not that it matters ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I was a bit annoyed with how ‘overweight’ they keep describing 8st 9lb Megan, but that’s my only qualm - overall a good read if you’re into romances! 👍
June 6, 2024
3.75⭐️ rounded up
Reading a 90’s “dark” romance reminded me just how soft and gentle smut used to be… being 2024 and reading the dark romance I read now would have my bubbie (grandma) clutching her pearls! 😂
Sweet story of a reclusive billionaire architect falling in love with a woman he held captive (there’s reasons). And they fight the religious zealots of the town who are hell bent on destroying him cause he’s the devil!
Phantom of the opera-esque with his reclusiveness due to his “deformity”
🫑/5
The behave of the 90s smut makes me giggle and everything is love and sweetness, and SUPER TAME!
Reading a 90’s “dark” romance reminded me just how soft and gentle smut used to be… being 2024 and reading the dark romance I read now would have my bubbie (grandma) clutching her pearls! 😂
Sweet story of a reclusive billionaire architect falling in love with a woman he held captive (there’s reasons). And they fight the religious zealots of the town who are hell bent on destroying him cause he’s the devil!
Phantom of the opera-esque with his reclusiveness due to his “deformity”
🫑/5
The behave of the 90s smut makes me giggle and everything is love and sweetness, and SUPER TAME!
August 5, 2022
I have to give credit to Anne for creating enough intrigue that I made it to the end. It's one of those novels you could really just read the beginning and end and know most everything you need to, as the middle was a long drawn out melodrama in a singular setting with minimal characters.
Audio: Probably added to my disappointment because her tone was very mellow with too many pauses, however not an unpleasant voice.
Audio: Probably added to my disappointment because her tone was very mellow with too many pauses, however not an unpleasant voice.
July 1, 2019
Beauty and the Beast retold.
Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my favorite stories. What Anne Stuart has done is given it more depth and meaning. I read this book, for the first time as a teenager, and it is still a fabulous read as an adult. It just has so much more meaning to it now. This book will always hold a special place in my heart.
Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my favorite stories. What Anne Stuart has done is given it more depth and meaning. I read this book, for the first time as a teenager, and it is still a fabulous read as an adult. It just has so much more meaning to it now. This book will always hold a special place in my heart.
December 6, 2020
Three and a half stars for this one. The writing was excellent, like every other Anne Stuart book, but it was rather dark, even for me. The cult and repeated mention of satan put me off at times, even though the storyline was good. I liked the heroine very much, she was a brave little thing. I enjoyed it but it's not one of her best works for me.
December 8, 2018
Ethen was a young disfigured man out for revenge. Meg was a young beautiful girl caught in the middle of her fathers mistakes and Ethan's revenge. Is there hope for Ethan and Meg to fall in love with each other?
An excellent read type of book you don't want to put down
An excellent read type of book you don't want to put down
January 1, 2019
A little, or more than a little, over the top for my taste. I kept wanting to smack Ethan and tell him to get his head out of his ass and get a fucking therapist, jesus christ. And Megan deserved better than some jerk who couldn't communicate his way out of a paper bag.
December 18, 2022
Hauntingly beautiful story
One dark and dreary and cold night, I opened up this book, and there I fell in love. Reminiscent of all great haunted romances, withering Heights, Jane Eyre. It is an amazing reading experience, which I hope everyone gets a chance to experience.
One dark and dreary and cold night, I opened up this book, and there I fell in love. Reminiscent of all great haunted romances, withering Heights, Jane Eyre. It is an amazing reading experience, which I hope everyone gets a chance to experience.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews