Shadowed Obsession

Rosewood #2

by Penelope Black

A whirlwind romance of small-town secrets, why choose dilemmas, and heart-stopping suspense.

In Rosewood's scorching summer, I'm torn between the irresistible playboy with a haunting secret, my ever-present white knight, and the broody single dad.

I foolishly thought the hardest thing I had to do was entertain the five-year-old boy I spent my days nannying.

But I should've known better. I should've known danger lurks in the most unlikely places.

And as the shadows close in, I find myself faced with an impossible choice. One that I know that will change everything.

Genres: Why Choose, Romance, Second Chance, Dark Romance, Small Town Romance, Contemporary Romance, Suspense

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 14, 2023

About the author

Penelope Black lives in the Midwest with her husband and two tiny humans. When she's not writing, she enjoys over-the-top action movies, iced chai lattes, and soaking up the sun in her backyard with a good book.

Keep up with Penelope on all platforms:
Newsletter—>bit.ly/PensNL
Facebook—> facebook.com/author.penelope.black
Facebook group—> facebook.com/groups/penelopeblack
Instagram—> instagram.com/authorpenelopeblack/

Reviews

[Kursed Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in Rosewood we find things heating up between Eve and the St. James boys. And Daddy Silas finally succumbs (get it?! 🤪) to his feelings for Eve. Meanwhile, the Rosewood Reapers have come under fire from an unidentified threat.

In this second installment we see a lot of action, but are left with more questions than answers. Don’t even get me started on that freaking cliff. Pen isn’t called the Cliffy Queen for nothing!! Holy mother of…

I’m not usually patient enough for slow burns. There’s enough suspense and steam to keep you on the edge (get it?! 🙃) of your seat. All goofy puns aside, I’m absolutely loving this series and can’t wait for the secrets to unravel!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🩶
Heat: 🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😩
Ending: 🧗🏻‍♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 👫🏻 {Multiple}

🗂 Genre: Contemporary Romance

✨ Tropes: Alphahole, Family Saga, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Grumpy/Sunshine, Insta-Obsession, Jealous/Possessive, Keep It In the Family, Motorcycle Club, Second Chance, Single Parent, Small Town, Why Choose, Workplace

💋 Kinks: Finger Licking Good

⚠️ Warning: The angst in this slow-burn will edge you to the point of combustion!

🚩 Safety Squad: Vìolençė and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📣 Type: Shadowed Obsession is part of the Rosewood series and ends on a cliffhanger. This series must be read in order.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[Sonya ♕Chatterbooks book blog♕ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well once again we were left with another cliffy and a lot more questions! I'm kind of scared to read the final book because I have no clue what this author is going to do. Is she going to finally give us the answers and wrap everything up or are we going to be strung along and have this turn into a spinoff? I for one have no freakin clue and I'm troubled by this.

Evangeline is settling into her new babysitting job while also trying to avert her feelings for the moody MC dad Silas. This is a close knit family and seeing that she works for him, Evangeline knows that it's going to be easier said than done. If that's not a headache in itself, she's also tangled up with his brother and cousin making their dynamic even more messier. With danger lurking around, no one is safe and the guys will do everything to protect her. Even if it means going over each other.



I really enjoyed the first book and I was really looking forward to reading this one but I'm kind of disappointed. I was expecting a lot more of EVERYTHING. Danger, sexual tension, action, I needed it but all I got was frustration, jealousy contests and a little bit of action towards the end. I wanted Eve to put her foot down more when it came to the guys instead of them telling her to not worry about it.

With that being said, I'm still interested to see where this story is going to go and how these characters are going to navigate their personal lives. I would love to see a lot more action and everyone established in their roles along with the long awaited answers because cheese and rice!! I cannot go through this again.

If you're a masochist, then by all means go ahead and read the first two books. If you like your sanity, add these to your tbr and then binge read them.

[Athena Que Será, Será · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tags: age-gaaap, biker-mc-club, boss-employee, brothers-love-same-girl, hero-has-kid-or-kids, nanny, older-hero-younger-heroine, read, rh-biker-motorcycleclub, rh-contemporary, slowburn, small-town

[drew :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you to @valentine_pr_ & @authorpenelopeblack for an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review

4.5✨ shadowed obsession is book two in the rosewood series (these can’t be read as a stand alone, book 1 is moonlit temptation & you can find my review for that one further down on my page). Back to this book, this is a why choose spicy small town romance with grumpy x sunshine, single dad x nanny, he falls first, along with many more tropes🤭 there’s even a motorcycle club. book one ended on a cliffhanger so I was SOO excited to pick this one but PENELOPE the cliffhanger on this one?!!! I’m going to need book3 IMMEDIATELY! I’m so obsessed with this series and so attached to these characters it’s not even funny. There was so many scenes in this book that had me giggling and kicking my feet even if silas got on my nerves sometimes. Where can I find men who will be as obsessed with me as nova silas and bane are for evangeline?!! anyways I’m obsessed you don’t even understand, I can’t wait for the next book in this series and to see what more wild crazy stuff will happen and be revealed! if you’re looking for a romance suspense book with so many tropes, I highly recommend this one!!

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️
2.5/5🌶️

Penelope.. girl. I don’t know what you put in these books but… they’re crâck. I finished this book within a few hours & was left speechless by the end & my heart in my stomach.

Shadowed Obsession is book 2 in the Rosewood series. We were left with a pretty big cliffhanger in book one & still didn’t really get any answers ton that cliffy in book two BUT I’m loving the connections between the characters.

We see Nova struggle internally with the new information he was given at the end of book one. Bane does his best to be there for Evie & show her he can be the man she needs. He’s definitely her knight in shining armor in this book. Coming to her rescue multiple times. & Silas… oh Silas. He is struggling with his attraction to Evie for more reason than one. Mainly being she is his son’s nanny but she’s also already involved with both his cousin & his brother. He’s worried about the rift their relationship with her could cause their family. But all three of these men are straight up obsessed with Evangeline. Silas included even if he doesn’t want to admit it. I feel like more often than not, it’s pretty easy to pick a favorite MMC in a why choose romance but I’m telling you… I truly don’t think I could pick a favorite. I love them all so much. Their individual relationships with Evie are so unique from one another but also so strong & beautiful. I can’t wait to see how their stories continue!

Thank you Penelope & Valentine PR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tropes:
- Small Town
- Why Choose
- Single Dad x Nanny
- Motorcycle Club

[dreamingofbookss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 stars ⭐️

Tropes:
grumpy x sunshine ☀️
boy(s) obsessed ❤️
single dad ✨
why choose 💃
small town 🏘️
biker romance 🏍️

Penelope Black really knows how to write some good suspense in her books!!!

I liked reading more about them and the connections that they have with each other. ❤️

If you’ve read the first one in the ‘Rosewood’ series, you know about the cliffhanger that the book ends on and that’s why it was such an anticipated release for me!

The story takes place after the first book ‘Moonlit Temptation’ and I would advise you to read this series in order. 🏍️

I’m not gonna say a lot about the plot but in this story, you follow Evangeline and her love interests (Bane/Nova/Silas) after a tragic event that happend in her house.

Thank you to Valentine PR, Penelope Black and the publisher for providing me with this copy. All opinions are my own.

[˚•—S—•˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is slow burn high spice a thing? Because I feel like that fits here. Lots of spice, but they are not moving forward or figuring anything out, and everyone is still very jealous of each other (which i dislike in a rh). Mainly, the whole book was kinda meh, and nothing happened, which is disappointing because the first book was so good.

[Julia Noack · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do a single dad, a known playboy, and a white knight have in common? Their motorcycle club and affection for the same woman of course.

Penelope’s Rosewood series is perfect for anyone who thought Sons of Anarchy should’ve been a why choose. I’ll call this an intro to the why-choose trope as it’s fairly mild (so far!) but there’s so much tension and buildup.

Thank you @authorpenelopeblack @valentine_pr_ for the ARC opportunity. The Queen of cliffhangers has done it again.

[Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What a tangled web you've spun, butterfly."

"This is the moment where my choice will either be the best or worst decision of my life."

This book!!!!! I read this in one sitting, I could not wait to dive back into the town of Rosewood with Evangeline and the guys - Silas, Bane and Nova. It takes off right where we left off from book one. Although the author is definitely stringing us along with that cliffhanger from book one, as we don't really get any answers with it in book two.

We are left with so many questions. Savage Sounds and Hell Hounds are making plays that both scare everyone in town because of the implications it can bring. Now, the guys have something to fight for. Silas, more than anyone. With their relationship still in the beginning stages and all of the quirks are being worked out, a bomb of events is dropped.

When the ending comes up, and it seems like it comes up so fast - we are left in a fight we didn't even know we were involved in! Eve will stop at nothing to protect what she cares for. Even if ends up being her end. The cliffhanger is both brutal and tenacious. I cannot wait for book three!

"If the Savage Sounds and Hell Hounds want a fight, we're going to give them one."

*Overall 5/5
*Heat 5/5
*Lots of steam, but slow burn
*Multiple first person POV
*Ends on cliffhanger

[Vicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️
So my crankiness at the lost potential of this series that I mentioned in book one got worse with book two. There are good ideas, and some great scenes/characters and I can see the potential of a series that I would love if all of those were developed/written just a little better.

I still like the relaxed vibe of the story/writing, I love the toddler child and the grandma and the H that is holding out and being a little rude. Some of the very specific scene ideas were great. But the other romances and the overall story are not developed well, and put together choppily, like the author forgot what the characters were doing and the established timeline from chapter to chapter and tried to stitch it together in final editing and it didn't quite make sense or flow correctly, and caused minor inconsistencies.

The motorcycle club stuff as a whole is such a tiny part of the story and not explained very well at all, so in tone it reads like a plain contemporary romance, which is fine, but when the MC stuff comes up it is like, wait, who are these names that have never been mentioned and what is going on with them? The entire MC plot is the least developed part of the story and as a result it feels like it makes zero sense except the barest idea of "there are enemies and therefore danger".

The physical/sexual part of the romances are still slow burn for the most part, and written in a way that doesn't really make sense any longer. The h is giving the green light and the reasons the H's decide not to or that they are interrupted crossed into contrived/forced delay of progression rather than building anticipation/steaminess. There is also zero discussion about the "harem" between her and them or just them, with just mentions of the men speaking with their eyes for that and other conversations, which just seemed lazy to me once it was used multiple times.

There are lots of other specific complaints I could make, but this review/vent-fest is already longer than I wanted so I will just say the major "reveal" of a cliffhanger in book one is not addressed again in this second book at all, in a way that does not make a bit of sense. I kept thinking as I read that since it wasn't brought up at all the cliffhanger of book two was going to be the h or someone else finding out and being like, "Whoa, dude, you knew that and chose to keep quiet to keep doing what you were doing?" (which I think would be an interesting direction, honestly) but no, instead we got a completely different cliffhanger and it remained unaddressed, and that feels really bizarre to the point of being an error.

As usual, my reviews are all negative (it truly is easier to write about!) but there were just enough positives combined with my typical pot-committed urge to finish a series (and see what the author's plan is for that dropped cliffhanger) that I will read book three, but I can't recommend this series in general.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope, girl. You and I, we need to have a little chat. You can't keep doing me like this. Leaving me hanging, over and over. It isn't as fun as you might think. You're cruel.

That being said... A big thank you to Valentine PR and Penelope Black for providing me with an ARC of Penelope's upcoming new release, and my most anticipated release of December.

And now I have to wait again, because this ended once again on a cruel cliffhanger.

I missed these guys, damn. Evangeline and her guys, Hunter and even Dixie. They're all so awesome (although there's one I'd like to smack around...).

I feel like this book was definitely more centered around Bane, especially after the revelation they had in the hospital. Nova still plays a big part of course, but don't think we learned much more about him.

Silas is still as untouchable as always, and he's most definitely on my shit list after that stunt he pulled. That was an asshole move, even for him.

Little Hunter is such a sweetheart. I absolutely adore this kid.

I had this feeling in my stomach that shit would hit the fan. And obviously, knowing Penelope, it did. In a completely different way.

This was so freaking good and way too freaking short. I can't wait for the next one. I need to know what happens next.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadowed Obsession by Penelope Black

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁣
Summary:
⁣Eve may not have expected to be wrapped up in Rosewood’s local motorcycle club when she came back to town, but she can’t escape the St. James men now. Not only that, but there’s trouble brewing and she seems to be a target.
⁣
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁣
Thoughts:
Just know going into this that Pen is a cliffy queen and this one is good (in a panic-inducing way)! Other than that, I just loved that I got more of the cutest little five year old in this book. He was so adorable and it was nice to see how he brought out the best in each character. Nova is still amazing. I feel like I still need clear answers about him, but I love him. Bane. So mysterious and quiet. He’s fabulous and I want even more of him in book 3 because he *might* be my fave (I reserve the right to change my mind). And Silas?! God. I love how hot and cold he is and I just KNOW he’s going to blow me away in the next book. Absolutely adored this book from start to finish. The sauna scene? 😮‍💨 The tornado scene? I cracked up and then wanted to scream. The ending? Catch me in Pen’s DMs telling her she’s got lots of explaining to do. Loved it regardless and can’t wait to read the next book!

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was 5 phat stars for me!

I love PB and all her worlds and characters, so it's no surprise Shadowed Obsession was AMAZING.

I'm sitting here with my jaw hanging open because SURPRISE SUPRISE, the cliffhanger queen has attacked us yet again. This was absolutely gutwrenching and kept me turning the pages.

I absolutely LOVE Casanova, Bane, and Silas. Their characters are all different, yet still have big hearts. Hunter needs to be protected at ALL costs. Plus our strong minded FMC, Evangeline has grown SO much since book 1. UGH. SOOO GOOD. I love character development with a purpose. Also let just mention the finger licking good spice scenes we got.

We get more into the world building and understanding of what Rosewood is all about, in Shadowed Obsession. I am SO happy I finished this because I need, no WANT more. I'll impatiently be waiting for book 3 to appear!

Daddy St. James. Over & Out.

Thank you PB for sending me an eARC!

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a 3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4.

Interesting second book in the series.

I really like that Evangeline is take charge and a strong, female main character. Character development in general continues to be well done and I feel like we’re getting to know each guy better (which is hard with a why choose and so many characters!), however the plot of this book felt like filler to get us to the next one. There wasn’t a whole lot of action until the end.

We were left on a cliffhanger with the previous book (a rather shocking one!) that was not addressed at all in book two. I am hoping we finally get some answers to that in book three. Speaking of cliffhangers…yet another one here. This one was far more compelling than last book’s was and I can’t wait to see what happens next. The tension was amped up at the end making this lackluster book end strongly. The key to Evangeline being attacked in book one seems to lay with dear departed Nana Jo and the contents of her home. Evie found ledgers/diaries hidden and so we’ll see how they play out in book three.

Spice- For a why choose book there is definitely limited spice. This is probably because the men are related, so we won’t get any group scenes, just one on one.

I know I’ll read the next installment, because there are a lot of loose ends to be tied up still.

Thank you to Valentine PR and Penelope Black for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kersten, Vol 1 (Kert) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️

Evangeline (Eve, Evie, Sugar, Baby Girl, Sweetheart, etc) our FMC continues to figure out her standing with her boys - Nova, Bane (Lincoln) and Silas. We pick up where we left off in Moonlit Obsession (Book 1 of the Rosewood series), trying to figure out what Nana Jo has left behind for Eve to deal with. Eve continues to fall in love with these boys and Silas' son, Hunter. The boys find themselves in a sticky situation and Eve takes a risk to keep her chosen family safe.

I thought Moonlit Obsession gave me emotional damage, the cliffhanger on this one really did me in. Talk about a WILD ride at the end of this book. Can't wait for Midnight Salvation!

Tropes: Nanny, Single Dad, MC, Second Chance Romance, Grumpy Sunshine, He falls first, Small town

Fav quotes:
“she’s like the fucking sun, we’re all mere planets in her orbit.”
“Do you need a demonstration of how much I crave you?”
“She’s like a siren song…”

[fromthestudyof · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bane >>>

This book was so fast paced & fun 😭 I knew going into it that there was a major cliffhanger, but it was still painful nonetheless

It’s been ages since I’ve read a Why Choose & I’m so glad this series is the one to break that streak. I’m emotionally invested!!!

Bane is my favorite right now but the storm scene with Silas will live rent free in my head for a decade.

What you need to know:
Why Choose
Multiple POV
Rival Bike Gangs
Small town
Protective/Jealous MMCs

I have so much fun reading these books!!!

[Christi Goodwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very realistic "Why Choose"

The MMC's struggle to accept the FMC'S choice to be with with all three brings jealousy and fighting, which at times is frustrating but its also refreshing. It's not easy for guys to share and not compete for a girls attention. So, I appreciate the author's authenticity. However, the spice is lacking!!!

Book 2 keeps adding things to the plot bringing chaos.

I missed the town gossip narrative that was in book 1. And the use of "Yeah" at the end of lines, is still irritating me, ha, but not enough to stop reading.

[Krystal - nerdy_book_lover_1987 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The queen of cliffhangers is back again, leaving me hanging with one hell of an ending!!

We're back again with Eve and the St. James boys!! Honestly I think Daddy St. James is it for me at this point!! 🥵 I mean, I'll choose for her at this point!! He's so brooding and moody and I love it!!!

Give me all of the Hunter content!! He's an amazing little boy that definitely steals the show for me! Complete opposite of his dad and is the cutest thing ever!!

With that said, I'm going to go cry in my bed now while I wait patiently (rather impatiently) for the next book again!!!

*Definitely need to read book 1 before picking this one up and just in case I didn't stress it enough... they both end on cliffhangers.

[ap_reads14 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need book 3 asap

Ms Penelope your on the naughty list😈 another cliffy 😱

Noah Bane and Silas Y’all just added to my BBL 🥰🥰🥰

Sweetheart(Noah)
Sugar ((Bane )
My poisonous little butterfly (Silas ur still an a**hole) u better redeem yourself in book 3 😏 but I still love ya 😉

Must read series!!!!

[Caitsbooknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has me in a chokehold

[Georgia Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Nothing really happened? But vibes.

[Britney · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - I liked it enough to want to finish the series when the last book comes out next month

[Lex · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot thickens! I really liked this one - more than the first one. Probably because of the plot development. Just waiting for S to get his head out of his ass.

[K8lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very confused now the cliffhanger from book 1 was not mentioned at all

[JoMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

These dang cliffhangers have me in a chokehold!! 😩

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I am obsessed with this series. Definitely a great intro why choose as the spice isn't super high. Amazing plot. Will be reviewing collectively as a whole

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn’t want to live vicariously through Evangeline?! I’m obsessed with this series and the dynamic cast of characters that are pulling me into their steamy and complicated journey. This storyline is overflowing with family secrets and I can’t wait to see where everyone ends up.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cliffhanger Queen for sure!! Gaaahhhh! How am I supposed to patiently wait for book 3?! I was thrilled to get back to Rosewood and see what was going to happen between Evangeline, Nova, Bane , and Silas. For Penelope Black, this is a slow burn! And it’s got me on edge and going crazy!! Some questions are answered & there has been some headway with the guys. The tension is thick between them and let’s just say when things finally line up for them all…ooohhh it’s going to be explosive and melt the pages! Now if I could just figure out who is causing all the chaos in town especially for Evangeline my mind might calm down!

I loved this book, and the series so far. I have read everything Penelope Black has released to date and know she is a one-click author for me. If you’ve read and loved her other series then you HAVE to read this one. It’s my favorite so far!

[Nina's Reading List · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love it when ✨ WOMEN ✨