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Cliffhaven
A gothic mansion crumbling to ruin. A tortured, brooding artist. And a brave art restorer determined to fix all that’s broken in a house of secrets.
Elizabeth has been running from ghosts all her life. She’s haunted by visions of her mother’s death, by phantoms of her childhood as an orphan. But when she takes a job restoring art in a Gothic mansion in the northern wilderness, Elizabeth wonders if the ghosts have finally caught up to her. Something is wrong in the grand, decaying mansion. Fires don’t start on their own, and empty corridors can’t whisper her name.
And how can she run from the handsome, reclusive owner of the estate—Adam Arrington—when they live in the same house? He’s brooding. Mysterious. Seductive. But why has he locked himself away in Cliffhaven’s lonely halls? What dark secrets does he keep?
Tempted by a love too powerful to deny, Elizabeth is drawn into a magnificent yet terrifying world. Something hides in the shadows, creeping through candlelit corridors, haunting her every move. When the sinister secrets Cliffhaven keeps threaten to destroy everything Elizabeth loves, she’ll have to stop running . . . before it’s too late.
Both a deeply romantic love story and a hauntingly thrilling suspense, Cliffhaven is a modern-day gothic romance for a new generation.
Elizabeth has been running from ghosts all her life. She’s haunted by visions of her mother’s death, by phantoms of her childhood as an orphan. But when she takes a job restoring art in a Gothic mansion in the northern wilderness, Elizabeth wonders if the ghosts have finally caught up to her. Something is wrong in the grand, decaying mansion. Fires don’t start on their own, and empty corridors can’t whisper her name.
And how can she run from the handsome, reclusive owner of the estate—Adam Arrington—when they live in the same house? He’s brooding. Mysterious. Seductive. But why has he locked himself away in Cliffhaven’s lonely halls? What dark secrets does he keep?
Tempted by a love too powerful to deny, Elizabeth is drawn into a magnificent yet terrifying world. Something hides in the shadows, creeping through candlelit corridors, haunting her every move. When the sinister secrets Cliffhaven keeps threaten to destroy everything Elizabeth loves, she’ll have to stop running . . . before it’s too late.
Both a deeply romantic love story and a hauntingly thrilling suspense, Cliffhaven is a modern-day gothic romance for a new generation.
352 pages, Paperback
Published September 23, 2023
1 person is currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 2, 2023
I'm glad I was able to finish this book just in time for release day, October 3rd!
Elizabeth is an art restorer hired to assess whether a crumbling Gothic mansion, Cliffhaven, should be restored. There, she falls for the scarred son of the house, Adam, while trying to convince the family that Cliffhaven should be restored. However, a mysterious person keeps threatening her to leave.
It took me some time to get into the story. I started reading this while I was eating lunch, put it down to read something else, and then came back to it to make sure I read it before the release day.
This is A.M. Grimm's debut novel, and she's a promising new talent. The book had a great plot and was very well-written. I loved the climax.
It was a little too coincidental to me that both Adam and Elizabeth had fire backstories. What annoyed me most of all was that Elizabeth was constantly self-sabotaging. As a child, she finally had ended up in a good foster home, and she ruined that by driving the family's car into their house! Like who does that?! It was repeated so many times that she felt she was unlovable, that there was a missing piece of her, that it was easier to run, etc. It was too much for me.
Smiling, she looked into Adam’s emerald eyes. “It is my home, after all.”
I really liked the ending ^, Elizabeth finding a home and a family in Cliffhaven.
For readers like me who like sex scenes, the first kiss wasn't until 53%. There are a few sex scenes, but most are very metaphorical. Only two are somewhat detailed. Don't pick up this book if you want to get your rocks off, basically. It was definitely a slowburn. Adam, the hero, also has scars from a fire that killed his parents. (There are a lot of fires in the book, lol.) His appearance gave Phantom of the Opera vibes.
It was interesting/funny to see my name in a book. Audrey is the name of the dead mother.
Thanks to the author for the ARC! In no way has this affected my review.
Elizabeth is an art restorer hired to assess whether a crumbling Gothic mansion, Cliffhaven, should be restored. There, she falls for the scarred son of the house, Adam, while trying to convince the family that Cliffhaven should be restored. However, a mysterious person keeps threatening her to leave.
It took me some time to get into the story. I started reading this while I was eating lunch, put it down to read something else, and then came back to it to make sure I read it before the release day.
This is A.M. Grimm's debut novel, and she's a promising new talent. The book had a great plot and was very well-written. I loved the climax.
It was a little too coincidental to me that both Adam and Elizabeth had fire backstories. What annoyed me most of all was that Elizabeth was constantly self-sabotaging. As a child, she finally had ended up in a good foster home, and she ruined that by driving the family's car into their house! Like who does that?! It was repeated so many times that she felt she was unlovable, that there was a missing piece of her, that it was easier to run, etc. It was too much for me.
Smiling, she looked into Adam’s emerald eyes. “It is my home, after all.”
I really liked the ending ^, Elizabeth finding a home and a family in Cliffhaven.
For readers like me who like sex scenes, the first kiss wasn't until 53%. There are a few sex scenes, but most are very metaphorical. Only two are somewhat detailed. Don't pick up this book if you want to get your rocks off, basically. It was definitely a slowburn. Adam, the hero, also has scars from a fire that killed his parents. (There are a lot of fires in the book, lol.) His appearance gave Phantom of the Opera vibes.
It was interesting/funny to see my name in a book. Audrey is the name of the dead mother.
Thanks to the author for the ARC! In no way has this affected my review.
December 9, 2023
Cliffhaven🦋🖤
Arc review!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
“I know you don’t belong here,” he whispered. “I know I don’t belong with you. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting you, and I’m consumed by it.”
“God, this pull toward you is relentless.” His voice was a whisper in her ear, almost too low to be heard. “Where will it end, Lizzie?”
“It’s perfect,” he whispered. “Elizabeth, illuminated from within. Surrounded by darkness but still smiling at me, like all is forgiven.”
••••••••••••••••••
From the moment Elizabeth Watson showed up at Cliffhaven, she knew something was off. Meeks, the caretaker, tells her from day one, “you don’t belong here.” After finally convincing the old man she was there to work on the art in the estate, he lets her in with a warning to stay away from the man that lives in the house. Getting lost in a huge 4 story gothic style mansion while trying to get to her room, she ends up in the one place she was warned not to go.
Quiet, brooding and scarred Adam is beside himself when he sees Elizabeth for the first time. He can see the light shining from within her and wants nothing more than to throw his insecurities and burdens to the side and get to know this mysterious, luscious woman.
••••••••••••
When I say I devoured this book, I mean I straight up DEVOURED this book! Just like Adam did my heart 🖤 I could not put Cliffhaven down; as I was reading at red lights. The plot was so so so so so good 🤌🏻 and I did not expect the ending at all! This was one of the few books I thought I knew what was going to happen by the halfway point…. Booooy was I wrong.
I’m completely beside myself that this is A.M. Grimm’s debut book. Most new authors are a little stiff if not cringy (in my unprofessional opinion) with their first few writings and Grimm really freaking nailed it. Smooth as butter. If this is her debut, just imagine what we’ll have from her in the upcoming years!
DON’T WALK, run to this book! 📖🔷
Arc review!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
“I know you don’t belong here,” he whispered. “I know I don’t belong with you. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting you, and I’m consumed by it.”
“God, this pull toward you is relentless.” His voice was a whisper in her ear, almost too low to be heard. “Where will it end, Lizzie?”
“It’s perfect,” he whispered. “Elizabeth, illuminated from within. Surrounded by darkness but still smiling at me, like all is forgiven.”
••••••••••••••••••
From the moment Elizabeth Watson showed up at Cliffhaven, she knew something was off. Meeks, the caretaker, tells her from day one, “you don’t belong here.” After finally convincing the old man she was there to work on the art in the estate, he lets her in with a warning to stay away from the man that lives in the house. Getting lost in a huge 4 story gothic style mansion while trying to get to her room, she ends up in the one place she was warned not to go.
Quiet, brooding and scarred Adam is beside himself when he sees Elizabeth for the first time. He can see the light shining from within her and wants nothing more than to throw his insecurities and burdens to the side and get to know this mysterious, luscious woman.
••••••••••••
When I say I devoured this book, I mean I straight up DEVOURED this book! Just like Adam did my heart 🖤 I could not put Cliffhaven down; as I was reading at red lights. The plot was so so so so so good 🤌🏻 and I did not expect the ending at all! This was one of the few books I thought I knew what was going to happen by the halfway point…. Booooy was I wrong.
I’m completely beside myself that this is A.M. Grimm’s debut book. Most new authors are a little stiff if not cringy (in my unprofessional opinion) with their first few writings and Grimm really freaking nailed it. Smooth as butter. If this is her debut, just imagine what we’ll have from her in the upcoming years!
DON’T WALK, run to this book! 📖🔷
October 2, 2023
Cliffhaven. All readers gather around. Gather around. What can I say about this book? Only that it is freaking fantastic y’all.
Woohoo! At first I was contemplating over reading the book. After reading the synopsis I felt kinda “eh” about it. But something about the cover just drew me to the book. I am so happy that I took a chance and read the book.
This story is awesome! I would like to share my leading male character- I mean the books leading male character at this moment. Fellow readers. Adam is my favorite for so many reasons. These reason had me feeling that he stole the whole show in the book.
Let’s begin with why I drooled all over Adams character. First off I loved his mysterious dark Aurora. His quick one word comments added perfectly to the haunting feelings in the halls of Cliffhaven. Adams character reads as though his stature is Goliath personified. He’s depicted as half ghost half man who roams the many dwellings of Cliffhaven.
I felt that Adams character was a major add to the intriguing dark and suspense nature to the background story. His parts in the story just blew me a away. I like that those parts were very believable through how Adams actions and dialogue took place in the book. I also thought that it would be more poignant for Adam to inflict the demise on the dark forces who haunts the halls of his family home. Hands down for me, Adams character was exceptionally written.
I can’t think of one thing that should be changed about him. The same could be said about Tony and Vanessa. You are going to love Vanessa. We will talk about her later. Meanwhile Elizabeth, Adams love interest. Is a good add to the stories suspense and or strange happenings. Elizabeth brings the light to the love story and also adds the transformation of the tone and feelings in the book. I thought that Elizabeth brought so much to Adam and what Cliffhaven needed. The slow burn romance between the two main characters was beautiful. There were some moments… I don’t know.
I kind of grew tired of Elizabeth with her feelings of staying or going. And how Adam feels about what they’re exploring with one another. How many times can the man want and be drawn to you before you get it, that the he only sees and desires you? Maybe less of those in the story. I would like to have read Adam and Elizabeth as a combined force for the remainder of the book, verses Elizabeth consistent emotional verification of Adams desires for her.
The remaining characters are crazy amazing. Adams sister Caroline was terrific. She had me jumping over both sides of the line when it came to questioning is she capable of doing that sick thing? What’s her motivation? Where was she at this or that time. All the characters had me guessing at these questionable things.
A major who done it right? Any way, you are going to love Tony. His character will remind you of a surfer dude who has that laid back persona about him. That attitude you know?! By the way.
The mouse scene was terrific. I totally did not expect that. There are two of these scenes. Can you guess which one I thought was terrific? Dare I comment on her?
Should I? Earlier I did say that I would share a little about her with you. I know! Let’s do this first. Let’s talk about her brother Christopher.
Christopher the you don’t need that kind of a friend Adam; should send some enforcers over to collect and do some facial surgery. Christopher and his sister Vanessa remind you of those little kids on the playground that everyone wanted to be around and play with. Mean while The Pink Ladies and T-Birds plotted some towel slapping for the “it siblings” in the gym locker room. Before and after gym. Back to Vanessa.
That slithering, psychotic of a woman. I thought that she was great. I would loved to have read more of her with her Cruella Deville shenanigans. The romance part did not have that steam that I looked for after reading the synopsis. But hey not all books need that to reel in a reader.
This story focused around healing, growing, family, love and happiness. These are the motivating factors that exploded in the storyline that made the book worth reading for me. The gripping plot had me wanting to know, who is it, where is all this coming from? Shh. Theirs someone behind the wall.
Don’t go out there, and WTF are you doing in my room? As I was reading I could hear the clanking of chains in the dark hall. Dark shadows flying down the hall. That’s how real the book was to me. I for one definitely had an exciting and fun time reading.
I found it to be a most entertaining mystery and suspenseful book. It’s a page turner that had me up most of the night reading and just maybe it will be one for you too. I give this book two snaps and a, “Adam you maybe a fine as wine, sexual Adonis, but the dark and gothic haunted house thing doesn’t bring out that vibe of sexual healing. If you get my meaning. My paint brushes.
My busted up old car and myself are out of here. Until next time my fellow readers read on! I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
Woohoo! At first I was contemplating over reading the book. After reading the synopsis I felt kinda “eh” about it. But something about the cover just drew me to the book. I am so happy that I took a chance and read the book.
This story is awesome! I would like to share my leading male character- I mean the books leading male character at this moment. Fellow readers. Adam is my favorite for so many reasons. These reason had me feeling that he stole the whole show in the book.
Let’s begin with why I drooled all over Adams character. First off I loved his mysterious dark Aurora. His quick one word comments added perfectly to the haunting feelings in the halls of Cliffhaven. Adams character reads as though his stature is Goliath personified. He’s depicted as half ghost half man who roams the many dwellings of Cliffhaven.
I felt that Adams character was a major add to the intriguing dark and suspense nature to the background story. His parts in the story just blew me a away. I like that those parts were very believable through how Adams actions and dialogue took place in the book. I also thought that it would be more poignant for Adam to inflict the demise on the dark forces who haunts the halls of his family home. Hands down for me, Adams character was exceptionally written.
I can’t think of one thing that should be changed about him. The same could be said about Tony and Vanessa. You are going to love Vanessa. We will talk about her later. Meanwhile Elizabeth, Adams love interest. Is a good add to the stories suspense and or strange happenings. Elizabeth brings the light to the love story and also adds the transformation of the tone and feelings in the book. I thought that Elizabeth brought so much to Adam and what Cliffhaven needed. The slow burn romance between the two main characters was beautiful. There were some moments… I don’t know.
I kind of grew tired of Elizabeth with her feelings of staying or going. And how Adam feels about what they’re exploring with one another. How many times can the man want and be drawn to you before you get it, that the he only sees and desires you? Maybe less of those in the story. I would like to have read Adam and Elizabeth as a combined force for the remainder of the book, verses Elizabeth consistent emotional verification of Adams desires for her.
The remaining characters are crazy amazing. Adams sister Caroline was terrific. She had me jumping over both sides of the line when it came to questioning is she capable of doing that sick thing? What’s her motivation? Where was she at this or that time. All the characters had me guessing at these questionable things.
A major who done it right? Any way, you are going to love Tony. His character will remind you of a surfer dude who has that laid back persona about him. That attitude you know?! By the way.
The mouse scene was terrific. I totally did not expect that. There are two of these scenes. Can you guess which one I thought was terrific? Dare I comment on her?
Should I? Earlier I did say that I would share a little about her with you. I know! Let’s do this first. Let’s talk about her brother Christopher.
Christopher the you don’t need that kind of a friend Adam; should send some enforcers over to collect and do some facial surgery. Christopher and his sister Vanessa remind you of those little kids on the playground that everyone wanted to be around and play with. Mean while The Pink Ladies and T-Birds plotted some towel slapping for the “it siblings” in the gym locker room. Before and after gym. Back to Vanessa.
That slithering, psychotic of a woman. I thought that she was great. I would loved to have read more of her with her Cruella Deville shenanigans. The romance part did not have that steam that I looked for after reading the synopsis. But hey not all books need that to reel in a reader.
This story focused around healing, growing, family, love and happiness. These are the motivating factors that exploded in the storyline that made the book worth reading for me. The gripping plot had me wanting to know, who is it, where is all this coming from? Shh. Theirs someone behind the wall.
Don’t go out there, and WTF are you doing in my room? As I was reading I could hear the clanking of chains in the dark hall. Dark shadows flying down the hall. That’s how real the book was to me. I for one definitely had an exciting and fun time reading.
I found it to be a most entertaining mystery and suspenseful book. It’s a page turner that had me up most of the night reading and just maybe it will be one for you too. I give this book two snaps and a, “Adam you maybe a fine as wine, sexual Adonis, but the dark and gothic haunted house thing doesn’t bring out that vibe of sexual healing. If you get my meaning. My paint brushes.
My busted up old car and myself are out of here. Until next time my fellow readers read on! I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
September 27, 2023
Beauty and the Beast meets Wuthering Heights meets Behind the Attic Wall. There is intrigue and mystery to spare at Cliffhaven. Around every corner is a secret, leading to a question, leading to an enigma. What is Adam hiding? Is he the true danger that lurks at Cliffhaven, or is there some deeper darkness concealing itself in the shadows? Elizabeth sees the potential in restoring the priceless art pieces, but what if the cost is her life? Is someone trying to warn Elizabeth, or scare her away from her chance at happiness? Every time we think we might have the puzzle figured out, the story twists again, and we are back at the beginning. Throughout it all, Adam and Elizabeth fight their attraction to each other, neither one believing they are deserving of love or happiness. Will they let their walls down and let each other in, or will the walls collapse around them? You'll have to read to find out!
September 27, 2023
I love this book! I loved every minute that I stayed up to let this book suck me in. It was haunting, it was beautiful, it was spooky! I wish I could go back and read it for the first time already. I am going to add A.M. Grimm to my favorite authors after this one book, because it was that captivating. And I will definitely be buying a paperback copy to add to my collection of favorites.
September 27, 2023
I loved this book! It had all the stuff I love; it was spooky, great romance, intrigue, adventure! This was such a great book, this house has secrets, the occupants have secrets, & danger is lurking!! Highly recommend this book & author!
December 20, 2023
This author threw in every gothic trope imaginable but in the best possible way. I can't believe she was able to both surprise and delight me with an ending that was utterly amazing! I hope she's writing her next book right now, because I can't wait to read it.
September 20, 2023
This book was excellent! A wonderful balance between suspense and romance. The house felt like another character in the story. Love, love, loved it! I can’t wait to read more from this author. ❤️
did-not-finish
March 21, 2024I tried to be patient, but I couldn't. They just needed to talk, make things clear, I mean, to me that's the logical thing to do but I think other adults can't.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews