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The Hollow Duet #1
Hollow
The headless horseman of lore in Drowsy Hollow WILL capture Isabella Krane. Where will he take her and what will he do with her when he gets her there? Oh yes. This goes there. *Dark? Yes! *Dirty? Yes! *Depraved? *insert evil laugh* The witch who was supposed to cast the annual protection spell that keeps the legend in storybooks died. Her niece tried to make it... tried to get there in time to keep the evil contained, but she failed. So, she cast a different spell instead. For the first time, the horseman is pursuing a female. He captures her and instead of being bloodthirsty, he's feeling a different kind of hunger.
A dark and erotic horror story by DD Prince, previously part of The Horror of Our Love anthology.
Warning: This tale of horror contains violence and a monster who does monstrous things. Read at your own risk Originally part of The Horror of Our Love anthology - this twisted tale has been expanded into a duet. Part one ends with a happy-for-now, unless you dare to read the epilogue (you totally want to).
A dark and erotic horror story by DD Prince, previously part of The Horror of Our Love anthology.
Warning: This tale of horror contains violence and a monster who does monstrous things. Read at your own risk Originally part of The Horror of Our Love anthology - this twisted tale has been expanded into a duet. Part one ends with a happy-for-now, unless you dare to read the epilogue (you totally want to).
97 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2019
187 people are currently reading
788 people want to read
About the author
D.D. Prince
49 books3,042 followersDD Prince -- author of dark, paranormal, contemporary, and mindf*ck romances. Creator of book boyfriends: Tommy Ferrano, Tristan Walker, Dario Ferrano, Deacon Valentine, Daxx Blackstar, Rider Valentine, Spencer Valentine, Alessandro Romero, Aiden Carmichael, Tyson Savage, Killian Coulter, and more.
Loves: alpha male book boyfriends, smutty books with substance, fancy pens, going for sushi, cooking, and cheesy zombie flicks. I have many stories and characters to share and love connecting with book lovers and other authors on social media.
ddprince.com/ddprincelinks
bit.ly/ddprinceonamazon
facebook.com/ddprincebooks
facebook.com/groups/ddprincefangroup
Loves: alpha male book boyfriends, smutty books with substance, fancy pens, going for sushi, cooking, and cheesy zombie flicks. I have many stories and characters to share and love connecting with book lovers and other authors on social media.
ddprince.com/ddprincelinks
bit.ly/ddprinceonamazon
facebook.com/ddprincebooks
facebook.com/groups/ddprincefangroup
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
October 2, 2019
This is the first part of The Hollow duet it ends in an HFN and the story concludes in part two.
This story was originally featured in the horror of our Love anthology but has since been realised on its own.
So this is basically a romantic horror/dark romance novella and I absolutely loved this unusual Halloween themed morsel.
Isabella Krane is a substitute teacher and for these Halloween, festivities is working in Drowsy Hollow Recounting the local legend of the headless horseman as per tradition to a class of seven-year-olds before she finishes for the evening.
So leaving work later than usual her car breaks down along a stretch of deserted country road.
With only her flashlight on her phone and a rapidly diminishing phone battery, we get to live the nightmare of circumstances alongside Isabella herself.
So Hollow is recounted to us in a series of recollections by Isabella as she narrates to us the reader the consequences and outcome of that fateful Halloween evening.
So this had such creepy and ominous undertones and I felt every nail-biting instant alongside Isabella and the horseman as he makes his transformation from monster to man terrorising her in the process.
I loved the way he chased her down then took his prize and the fact that he was such a mindless monster actually made this more acceptable and less dark than you would imagine.
content-wise this was dub-con bordering more on non-con if I'm honest: again him not being fully there with his faculties really helps with this aspect of the story and the scenes here were very hot and heavy.
So he took what he wanted a left her with a whisper on the wind and a promise to be fulfilled.
loved where this story went, loved the outcome and looking forward to reading the much darker second part of this.
This was so well written and such an imaginative tale I for one adored it.
Highly recommend this one especially if you like a little horror with your heat.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
October 29, 2023
Ufffff… that Cliffy
Yes… I couldn’t help myself and had to keep reading 👀.
In the last year, I’ve been silently obsessing over men with masks… well, in this case, he doesn’t exactly have a mask… but you get the idea 🤣
Isabella (25) works at an elementary school. She reads the second-grade kids a book about the headless horseman, a dangerous man, who comes back every Halloween to try to find a new head for his body…
Or…
Maybe what he’s searching for is his one true love, the one he was supposed to find before he was killed…
Halloween comes and her car malfunctions… and so does her cell phone 😅 and, of course, she’s in the middle of the woods, and it’s dark, scary, and… dark…
And then she sees a man on a horse…
And he’s coming for her 👀
What I liked/loved:
—the intensity of this book 👀. I was on the edge of my seat trying to find out what was gonna happen 🫣 it definitely had scary movie vibes 😱
—so there was angst here too 😱
—the story/world building 😅. Ermagod. I need to keep reading!!!! 😅
—the 🔥. Oh LAWD 🥵 he may be a headless man (named Holden 200+/28), but the 🔥 was 😮💨. I don’t know how so much was packed in this short little book, but I was loving it
—the n0nc0n ish/dubcon 😈. Holden has a goal in mind, and he’s gonna take it 🤷🏻♀️🫣
—headless man has some skills 😉 and he wants to make sure to taste his way to his woman’s happiness 💦
—the supernatural elements 👀. Sigh. I wish they were real 😏
—seeing Erica from Wicked was nice ❤️ (now I wanna reread that one so I can find Holden and Isabella and know their backstory 🤣)
—the easiness in their relationship ❤️
—the Cliffy!!! Gaaaaahhh 😱
What I wanted more of:
—length 😅 (that’s what she said) in the BOOK! I would’ve loved to see more of their relationship before the cliffy 😏, but it’s okay cause I can see more of them in the next book
Overall, I enjoyed this so much! Perfect timing (Halloween is JUST around the corner)
⚠️safety squad⚠️ SPOILERS
-no cheating/sharing/owd
-noncon/dubcon
-violence/dark themes/deaths
-miscarriage
-separation/1 year
-virgin h/celibate H (over 200 years 😅)
-Cliffy ish/epilogue 1 year later
Yes… I couldn’t help myself and had to keep reading 👀.
In the last year, I’ve been silently obsessing over men with masks… well, in this case, he doesn’t exactly have a mask… but you get the idea 🤣
Isabella (25) works at an elementary school. She reads the second-grade kids a book about the headless horseman, a dangerous man, who comes back every Halloween to try to find a new head for his body…
Or…
Maybe what he’s searching for is his one true love, the one he was supposed to find before he was killed…
Halloween comes and her car malfunctions… and so does her cell phone 😅 and, of course, she’s in the middle of the woods, and it’s dark, scary, and… dark…
And then she sees a man on a horse…
And he’s coming for her 👀
What I liked/loved:
—the intensity of this book 👀. I was on the edge of my seat trying to find out what was gonna happen 🫣 it definitely had scary movie vibes 😱
—so there was angst here too 😱
—the story/world building 😅. Ermagod. I need to keep reading!!!! 😅
—the 🔥. Oh LAWD 🥵 he may be a headless man (named Holden 200+/28), but the 🔥 was 😮💨. I don’t know how so much was packed in this short little book, but I was loving it
—the n0nc0n ish/dubcon 😈. Holden has a goal in mind, and he’s gonna take it 🤷🏻♀️🫣
—headless man has some skills 😉 and he wants to make sure to taste his way to his woman’s happiness 💦
—the supernatural elements 👀. Sigh. I wish they were real 😏
—seeing Erica from Wicked was nice ❤️ (now I wanna reread that one so I can find Holden and Isabella and know their backstory 🤣)
—the easiness in their relationship ❤️
—the Cliffy!!! Gaaaaahhh 😱
What I wanted more of:
—length 😅 (that’s what she said) in the BOOK! I would’ve loved to see more of their relationship before the cliffy 😏, but it’s okay cause I can see more of them in the next book
Overall, I enjoyed this so much! Perfect timing (Halloween is JUST around the corner)
⚠️safety squad⚠️ SPOILERS
-no cheating/sharing/owd
-noncon/dubcon
-violence/dark themes/deaths
-miscarriage
-separation/1 year
-virgin h/celibate H (over 200 years 😅)
-Cliffy ish/epilogue 1 year later
August 28, 2021
Do you like twisted fairytale retellings? Here’s one where the monster gets the ‘happy ending’. Heh.
FREE August 27/28th.
Ends with a happy for now...unless you read the epilogue which hints at more. (Note: You'll totally wanna read that epilogue ;) )
Part 2 is currently available from Amazon and in KU.
If you read part one --- you're going to want to read Holden's book, too. Now available and free in KU
Some early Holden (Hollow Duet, Part 2 feedback from beta readers:
"Sweet Jesus.. You went there. I am gobsmacked."
"This book is phenomenal. It takes you on a journey that breaks your heart and then heals you. "
"the holy terror and hell that was unleashed on Drowsy Hollow as well as Isabella is beyond crazy"
"witches and spells and nightmares, oh my."
" I was on pins and needles for the entire second half - total page turner. A tough, super dark read with jaw-dropping horror elements."art 2) feedback:
***
(Part 1 was originally part of The Horror of our Love Anthology in 2018)
FREE August 27/28th.
Ends with a happy for now...unless you read the epilogue which hints at more. (Note: You'll totally wanna read that epilogue ;) )
Part 2 is currently available from Amazon and in KU.
If you read part one --- you're going to want to read Holden's book, too. Now available and free in KU
Some early Holden (Hollow Duet, Part 2 feedback from beta readers:
"Sweet Jesus.. You went there. I am gobsmacked."
"This book is phenomenal. It takes you on a journey that breaks your heart and then heals you. "
"the holy terror and hell that was unleashed on Drowsy Hollow as well as Isabella is beyond crazy"
"witches and spells and nightmares, oh my."
" I was on pins and needles for the entire second half - total page turner. A tough, super dark read with jaw-dropping horror elements."art 2) feedback:
***
(Part 1 was originally part of The Horror of our Love Anthology in 2018)
October 16, 2021
I first read Hollow over a year ago, as part of the Horror of Our Love anthology. Loved it then and still loving it now. I love how DD took an old folklore (Sleepy Hollow/Headless Horseman) and added her own twist. I always look for books like this the closer it gets to Halloween. I guess I'm a seasonal paranormal junkie 😅 Now I have to wait patiently for October 4th to arrive to read part two.. Bring on Holden! 😍🎃 The book is relativity short, roughly 78 pages or so. Definitely going on my favorites shelf. Highly recommend but for those with triggers, tread carefully. There is a non-con scene.
October 6, 2021
This novella was light on development, but still a fun read. You can definitely read it as a standalone. The headless horseman forces himself on the 25-year old virgin school teacher, but they are destined to be together, so it's all good. 👀😬🤡 Ends with a sweet HEA... or is it?
I liked it for what it was. 🤷🏼♀️ 3.5 stars.
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- no OW/OM drama
- dubcon/noncon
- h is a virgin - H is 200 years old but I don't think his experience is mentioned one way or another
I liked it for what it was. 🤷🏼♀️ 3.5 stars.
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- no OW/OM drama
- dubcon/noncon
- h is a virgin - H is 200 years old but I don't think his experience is mentioned one way or another
March 1, 2024
4 Headless Stars ⭐️
First book I’ve read from the author and I do give her huge kudos, loved her writing and she did a fantastic job on this fast paced fairy tale of the headless horseman. Ready to dive into part 2, because Isabella Krane apparently did not take heed of the witches warning and she’s getting ready to make things very interesting for Holden Hollow and the town of Drowsy Hollow. 😈
First book I’ve read from the author and I do give her huge kudos, loved her writing and she did a fantastic job on this fast paced fairy tale of the headless horseman. Ready to dive into part 2, because Isabella Krane apparently did not take heed of the witches warning and she’s getting ready to make things very interesting for Holden Hollow and the town of Drowsy Hollow. 😈
September 15, 2021
This is a wonderful little novella perfect for getting you in the mood for Spooky Season! It’s an atmospheric and imaginative retelling of the Headless horseman story. While this is the first in a duet, you can definitely read it without reading the second.
Want to read
October 16, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/16/2020)! 🎁
November 7, 2021
** I read this story in the anthology ‘The horror of our love’ **
So…. I bought the anthology ‘The horror of our love’ last year but I didn’t read it. Because the truth is that I’m not really into scary Halloween stories. Although I LOVE autumn and the Halloween decorations and the pumpkins. I don’t like the horror side of Halloween. Nope. Not one bit! I just have a too big imagination for reading or seeing horror books or movies. They scare me too much. So why did I buy this Halloween anthology then? That’s very simple. Because the writer DD Prince wrote a story for it and she’s one of my favourite writers so I had to buy it.
But after recently reading a Goodreads review of ‘Hollow’ that described this story as “a dark, gothic story”, I decided to give it a try (I could do dark and gothic) and read it. And I’m glad that I did because I enjoyed it very much. And the best part of reading it later is that I don’t have to wait very long to read the second part of this duet story. So that’s a good thing!
Isabella is a young woman, who has the luck (or misfortune) to get a teaching job in a school in a small town during Halloween. The small town has his own Halloween legend and on her way home, Isabella discovers that the Halloween legend is very much based on a true story. Can Isabella escape the monster or is there no escaping it?
‘Hollow’ is a novella length dark (Halloween) story that is part of a duet. One of the things that I love about this story is that although the main male character is a headless horseman (yes he really is!!), the story still felt really realistic to me. And I think that made it so ‘Halloween’ to me. You really felt Isabella’s fear and stress in the story. I was a bit afraid that I wouldn’t connect with the ‘monster’ but that wasn’t the case. The writer really made him human in a dark way.
So, how dark is this? For me personally, it was just perfect. Emotionally scary enough to give me goosebumps, but not so scary that I couldn’t sleep at night. If you have read one of this writer her other dark books and loved them, than you have to give this one a try too.
So…. I bought the anthology ‘The horror of our love’ last year but I didn’t read it. Because the truth is that I’m not really into scary Halloween stories. Although I LOVE autumn and the Halloween decorations and the pumpkins. I don’t like the horror side of Halloween. Nope. Not one bit! I just have a too big imagination for reading or seeing horror books or movies. They scare me too much. So why did I buy this Halloween anthology then? That’s very simple. Because the writer DD Prince wrote a story for it and she’s one of my favourite writers so I had to buy it.
But after recently reading a Goodreads review of ‘Hollow’ that described this story as “a dark, gothic story”, I decided to give it a try (I could do dark and gothic) and read it. And I’m glad that I did because I enjoyed it very much. And the best part of reading it later is that I don’t have to wait very long to read the second part of this duet story. So that’s a good thing!
Isabella is a young woman, who has the luck (or misfortune) to get a teaching job in a school in a small town during Halloween. The small town has his own Halloween legend and on her way home, Isabella discovers that the Halloween legend is very much based on a true story. Can Isabella escape the monster or is there no escaping it?
‘Hollow’ is a novella length dark (Halloween) story that is part of a duet. One of the things that I love about this story is that although the main male character is a headless horseman (yes he really is!!), the story still felt really realistic to me. And I think that made it so ‘Halloween’ to me. You really felt Isabella’s fear and stress in the story. I was a bit afraid that I wouldn’t connect with the ‘monster’ but that wasn’t the case. The writer really made him human in a dark way.
So, how dark is this? For me personally, it was just perfect. Emotionally scary enough to give me goosebumps, but not so scary that I couldn’t sleep at night. If you have read one of this writer her other dark books and loved them, than you have to give this one a try too.
September 23, 2019
This was formerly part of the Horror of our Love Anthology. It was my favorite book of the anthology for a plethora of reasons. I have followed this author since Nectar. With each book or sub-genre direction that she goes in, she always takes it to a new level. This is most definitely not the story of the Headless Horseman that was told in school. I loved that she took it dark and made it sexy.
I love it when this author takes it darker than normal because she does it so well. She pushes the envelope and still leaves me wanting more. This novella ended previously on what will happen next type ending. It could have just been left up to the audience to guess how the future would happen, I think in large because it was originally intended to just be a novella. However, it was so well received, I am super excited to see this continue and actually spell out the ending for me. Considering Halloween is my favorite holiday it makes me that much more excited for part two coming October 4th.
I love it when this author takes it darker than normal because she does it so well. She pushes the envelope and still leaves me wanting more. This novella ended previously on what will happen next type ending. It could have just been left up to the audience to guess how the future would happen, I think in large because it was originally intended to just be a novella. However, it was so well received, I am super excited to see this continue and actually spell out the ending for me. Considering Halloween is my favorite holiday it makes me that much more excited for part two coming October 4th.
October 9, 2019
1st it took 45 minutes to read the whole thing. Heres the plot: *spoilers*
Girl tells ghost story. Girl lives ghost story. Girl is raped by ghost. After rape girl spends months terrorised by the rape. On the one year anniversary ghost comes back as man. Man says he loves girl. Ask girl to marry him. Girl says yes.
Girl tells ghost story. Girl lives ghost story. Girl is raped by ghost. After rape girl spends months terrorised by the rape. On the one year anniversary ghost comes back as man. Man says he loves girl. Ask girl to marry him. Girl says yes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
August 27, 2021
→ Free for maybe a limited time. Grab your copy now! ←
→ Submit or subscribe to The DARK Newsletter! ←
Blurb:
The headless horseman of lore in Drowsy Hollow WILL capture Isabella Krane.
Where will he take her and what will he do with her when he gets her there?
Oh yes. This goes there.
*Dark? Yes!
*Dirty? Yes!
*Depraved? *insert evil laugh*
The witch who was supposed to cast the annual protection spell that keeps the legend in storybooks died. Her niece tried to make it... tried to get there in time to keep the evil contained, but she failed. So, she cast a different spell instead.
For the first time, the horseman is pursuing a female. He captures her and instead of being bloodthirsty, he's feeling a different kind of hunger.
Merged review:
→ Free for maybe a limited time. Grab your copy now! ←
→ Submit or subscribe to The DARK Newsletter! ←
Blurb:
The headless horseman of lore in Drowsy Hollow WILL capture Isabella Krane.
Where will he take her and what will he do with her when he gets her there?
Oh yes. This goes there.
*Dark? Yes!
*Dirty? Yes!
*Depraved? *insert evil laugh*
The witch who was supposed to cast the annual protection spell that keeps the legend in storybooks died. Her niece tried to make it... tried to get there in time to keep the evil contained, but she failed. So, she cast a different spell instead.
For the first time, the horseman is pursuing a female. He captures her and instead of being bloodthirsty, he's feeling a different kind of hunger.
September 28, 2020
Just had the pleasure of devouring this hauntingly beautiful retelling of the Headless horseman. DDs creativity knows no bounds wen shes delevering such epic story's. She can do it all no matter the species. I have read so many of hers, but this one took my imagination to new levels as I was hooked to page after page of brilliant developed characters first n secondary , an inticing story plot and a well taught out backdrop. She brought this tale alive in my head and I loved every minute of it!
Definitely recommend u read it. U won't get enough of Isabella and Holden... Phew.. Somebody fan me. Lol
Definitely recommend u read it. U won't get enough of Isabella and Holden... Phew.. Somebody fan me. Lol
November 2, 2023
RATING: 3✨
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Trope/Setting Highlights:
Hollow
#️⃣ ~100 page dark erotic paranormal novella
📖 Schoolteacher FMC x Headless Horseman MMC
📖 Fated mates
📖 HFN
🌶️Non-con + dub-non + body betrayal-ish
Holden
#️⃣ ~140 page dark erotic paranormal novella
📖 Schoolteacher FMC x Former (or is he?) Headless Horseman MMC
📖 Married main couple
📖 Dark subject matter, like extreme violence situations (between MCs)
🌶️Non-con + dub-non
Review:
I’LL WRITE THIS REVIEW FOR THE ENTIRE DUET AND POST FOR BOTH BOOKS 🖤
Hollow by D.D. Prince is Book 1 in the The Hollow Duet, which features the same characters and main couple and is a continuation of the same storyline.
I knew I wanted to make this duet my last Halloween tbr, and even though I finished on November 1, I’m really glad I used it to send off Halloween 2023 and didn’t push it back until next year. It has dark, spooky vibes that push the boundaries way more than a lighter Halloween romance would. This is definitely not your Practical Magic type Halloween romance fix. In this duet, the love between the MCs runs deep, but runs equally dark. Take both or take none. It pushed some of my limits, but I was able to get through.
I had never read D.D Prince prior to this duet, so I honestly didn’t know what I was going in to aside from the quick blurb and reading through some friends’ reviews, which all looked great, and made me even more excited to pick this up.
The tone of Hollow precariously balances a contemporary setting sprinkled with lore and backstory of a time past, and eerier era. One that saw the decapitation of one Holden Holloway, who went on to become the infamous Headless Horseman, constantly riding and battling the urge to kill, kill the man who accidentally beheaded him with a cannonball, kill anything that moved really, and mate. He rode to find his one true love, a prophecy foretold to him by a witch shortly before his death.
It's these witches who protect the Holloway from himself, and the town from the Headless Horseman. But when one year the protection spells could not be made in time, it sets unstoppable events into motion, leading our MMC Holden directly into the path of schoolteacher Isabella Krane, descendent of the man who killed Holloway, and yet, also his one true love.
Without spoiling the events that follow, the relationship that progresses between Holloway and Isabella that Halloween night is dark and foreboding. There is spice, enjoyable for the most part, but for safety warnings I will include non-con and dub-con elements. The Holloway that Isabella encountered that night was the Headless Horseman in the throes of his curse, his madness. I’m not sure I liked how the book framed that non-con as being out of his control, as well as how the non-con is handled down the line, but I was able to set it aside and still enjoy myself, but please just know going in and decide for yourself 🖤
Hollow itself ends on a somewhat HFN, but just based on the foreshadowing done through the novella, and the afterword by the author saying if you wanted a monster HEA to stop here, I knew things were about to take a turn for the worse when I headed into Book 2, Holden.
The beginning events of Holden pretty much directly undo the HFN and potential HEA for our main characters, and apparently this is a mess of their own making. Without spoiling anything too much, Holden reverts back to the Headless Horseman, who’s only urge is to basically kill and fuck, in any order. A true monster, and certainly not the Holden that Isabella married, who would never raise a violent hand to her. All bets are off the with Horseman, though.
By the time the novella ends, both Isabella and Holden will be put through the darkest and deadliest of trials to find their way back to each other. It was sad, honestly, to read some of it, especially the violence done against Isabella, which almost felt uneven. Does anyone else feel she suffered too much, like I’m not sure there’s a way to come back from that, but we did get our HEA in the end.
But just keep in mind, the overall theme of the duet is dark, and it stays dark, through to the end, even if there’s love and hope that also appear with it.
Take care of yourselves this Halloween and every Halloween after. Until the Halloween 2024 tbr! 🖤
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Trope/Setting Highlights:
Hollow
#️⃣ ~100 page dark erotic paranormal novella
📖 Schoolteacher FMC x Headless Horseman MMC
📖 Fated mates
📖 HFN
🌶️Non-con + dub-non + body betrayal-ish
Holden
#️⃣ ~140 page dark erotic paranormal novella
📖 Schoolteacher FMC x Former (or is he?) Headless Horseman MMC
📖 Married main couple
📖 Dark subject matter, like extreme violence situations (between MCs)
🌶️Non-con + dub-non
Review:
I’LL WRITE THIS REVIEW FOR THE ENTIRE DUET AND POST FOR BOTH BOOKS 🖤
Hollow by D.D. Prince is Book 1 in the The Hollow Duet, which features the same characters and main couple and is a continuation of the same storyline.
I knew I wanted to make this duet my last Halloween tbr, and even though I finished on November 1, I’m really glad I used it to send off Halloween 2023 and didn’t push it back until next year. It has dark, spooky vibes that push the boundaries way more than a lighter Halloween romance would. This is definitely not your Practical Magic type Halloween romance fix. In this duet, the love between the MCs runs deep, but runs equally dark. Take both or take none. It pushed some of my limits, but I was able to get through.
I had never read D.D Prince prior to this duet, so I honestly didn’t know what I was going in to aside from the quick blurb and reading through some friends’ reviews, which all looked great, and made me even more excited to pick this up.
The tone of Hollow precariously balances a contemporary setting sprinkled with lore and backstory of a time past, and eerier era. One that saw the decapitation of one Holden Holloway, who went on to become the infamous Headless Horseman, constantly riding and battling the urge to kill, kill the man who accidentally beheaded him with a cannonball, kill anything that moved really, and mate. He rode to find his one true love, a prophecy foretold to him by a witch shortly before his death.
It's these witches who protect the Holloway from himself, and the town from the Headless Horseman. But when one year the protection spells could not be made in time, it sets unstoppable events into motion, leading our MMC Holden directly into the path of schoolteacher Isabella Krane, descendent of the man who killed Holloway, and yet, also his one true love.
Without spoiling the events that follow, the relationship that progresses between Holloway and Isabella that Halloween night is dark and foreboding. There is spice, enjoyable for the most part, but for safety warnings I will include non-con and dub-con elements. The Holloway that Isabella encountered that night was the Headless Horseman in the throes of his curse, his madness. I’m not sure I liked how the book framed that non-con as being out of his control, as well as how the non-con is handled down the line, but I was able to set it aside and still enjoy myself, but please just know going in and decide for yourself 🖤
Hollow itself ends on a somewhat HFN, but just based on the foreshadowing done through the novella, and the afterword by the author saying if you wanted a monster HEA to stop here, I knew things were about to take a turn for the worse when I headed into Book 2, Holden.
The beginning events of Holden pretty much directly undo the HFN and potential HEA for our main characters, and apparently this is a mess of their own making. Without spoiling anything too much, Holden reverts back to the Headless Horseman, who’s only urge is to basically kill and fuck, in any order. A true monster, and certainly not the Holden that Isabella married, who would never raise a violent hand to her. All bets are off the with Horseman, though.
By the time the novella ends, both Isabella and Holden will be put through the darkest and deadliest of trials to find their way back to each other. It was sad, honestly, to read some of it, especially the violence done against Isabella, which almost felt uneven. Does anyone else feel she suffered too much, like I’m not sure there’s a way to come back from that, but we did get our HEA in the end.
But just keep in mind, the overall theme of the duet is dark, and it stays dark, through to the end, even if there’s love and hope that also appear with it.
Take care of yourselves this Halloween and every Halloween after. Until the Halloween 2024 tbr! 🖤
October 31, 2020
loved this retelling of the headless horseman fairytale. it was absolutely brilliant. makes for a very delicious, dark and depraved halloween read.
October 22, 2020
Halloween madness!
I’d never read anything like this before, I quite enjoyed the spooky tale woven by the author. With her description of events, every little detail, I felt like I was right there too, feeling Isabella’s fear.
Can’t wait to download Book 2, to see what’s in store for Holden and Isabella.
I’d never read anything like this before, I quite enjoyed the spooky tale woven by the author. With her description of events, every little detail, I felt like I was right there too, feeling Isabella’s fear.
Can’t wait to download Book 2, to see what’s in store for Holden and Isabella.
October 12, 2019
I’m on the fence with this one. I love dark romance. But this one was too much instant live after rape for me. But at the same time, Isabella knows not to speak of the past and understands there’s a reason for what happened. I feel like it could’ve been put together a little better. Also, it needs some editing. It kept going from past to present tense during her telling of what happened. I couldn’t get past his scar on neck and feel like things should be explained more. But I guess the next book will make it all more clear. I think I will read it. It may even make me want to give the first one five stars. If so, I’ll come back to this review.
September 16, 2019
Not So Happy!
This novella has a supernatural element which is fitting for a Halloween story. Isabella Crane doesn't believe in superstitious tales of old. The saying " things go bump in the night" has a truth to it. She soon finds out! Warning: there is a disturbing scene in this novella.
This novella has a supernatural element which is fitting for a Halloween story. Isabella Crane doesn't believe in superstitious tales of old. The saying " things go bump in the night" has a truth to it. She soon finds out! Warning: there is a disturbing scene in this novella.
September 21, 2019
Delishly dark and sensual. I love how this reads like a Gothic novel; the tone is so creepy and irresistibly sexy. A retelling of the classic headless horseman tale, but this horseman is sexy and smitten with Isabella Crane. Amazing character and world building here. Can a happy ending be in store for this monster? I can’t wait for book 2, but I’m on pins and needles for these two.
September 23, 2019
What a fabulous and twisted take on the headless horseman tale!
With background and the original lore of this story D.D. Prince takes us on a nightmarish journey through this hot and fast paced story and makes us want more!
With background and the original lore of this story D.D. Prince takes us on a nightmarish journey through this hot and fast paced story and makes us want more!
December 2, 2019
I was intrigued by this story because it was so different from any other book I've read. However, it was way too weird and the ending was not...good. But I will read the next book to see what happens.
September 6, 2019
With Hollow, DD Prince delivers one delicious hell-ride!
September 13, 2019
Always a good surprise
I love this writer. It’s my mix of weird, sexy, and suspense all wrapped up in creative beautiful writing that I love.
I love this writer. It’s my mix of weird, sexy, and suspense all wrapped up in creative beautiful writing that I love.
November 1, 2020
Hollow, introduces us to the Headless Horseman and his tale. Isabella happens to wander into the hunting grounds of our Headless Horsemen and this is where things go completely off the charts. Isabella is taken by our horseman and used to fulfill his needs, to Isabella's complete terror. In the morning and the days to follow Isabelle is changed forever. The following year brings our horseman, Holden, back to Isabella, but they must remember to follow the rules to keep their happiness. This tale was not sweet but it was a dark, dirty and delicious tale of halloween horror.
August 30, 2022
This was a fun twist on the headless horseman and those that it unknowingly affects. It’s a short fun read and ends on a happy for now. There is a part two that I can’t wait to get my hands on to see how this all turns out.
January 21, 2024
I was very unaware that this was going to be smutty. It was a pleasant surprise! It was also scary and suspenseful. I'd have loved to hear more about the characters and I do wish it was a bit longer.
October 11, 2021
Isabelle
What a great twist on a classic Halloween tale. From beginning to end I couldn't put this book down. I can't wait to read the next book.
What a great twist on a classic Halloween tale. From beginning to end I couldn't put this book down. I can't wait to read the next book.
October 11, 2021
5 Stars
Hollow (The Hollow Duet Book #1) by D.D. Prince.....
One of my lead up to Halloween 2021 reads.
Full review to come.....
Hollow (The Hollow Duet Book #1) by D.D. Prince.....
One of my lead up to Halloween 2021 reads.
Full review to come.....
July 24, 2020
Hollow is Dark, Erotic, and a little Twisted need I say more?.. 🖤🎃
Isabella Krane knows the story about the headless horseman in Drowsy Hollow but never thought she would see let alone be captured by him. The horseman is normally hungry for blood but with a new spell in place he's filled with more of lust and desire. Isabella's life is about to change and the headless horseman isn't going to be headless for too much longer....
Quick read but enjoyable and really hit the spot. I just had to get Holden right away after reading this. Also since I love Halloween and can't wait for it to get here this really got me even more in the mood. 🎃👻😆
Isabella Krane knows the story about the headless horseman in Drowsy Hollow but never thought she would see let alone be captured by him. The horseman is normally hungry for blood but with a new spell in place he's filled with more of lust and desire. Isabella's life is about to change and the headless horseman isn't going to be headless for too much longer....
Quick read but enjoyable and really hit the spot. I just had to get Holden right away after reading this. Also since I love Halloween and can't wait for it to get here this really got me even more in the mood. 🎃👻😆
October 6, 2019
Part one of the Hollow Duet was gifted to me!! I really didn't know what to expect going in, but DD Prince did it again!! I love her writing of alpha males taking what they want and not apologizing, and I surely wasn't disappointed here.
Isabella had no idea what she was in for when she substituted for a pregnant teacher and stayed at the dance the night of Halloween. Needless to say, things got wacky on her way home which led to fate finally having its way. Isabella's virginity was being saved for one man who finally took it when all the stars aligned. Although she was horrified at first at what happened, she knew she would see him again soon.
The ending was great, and I almost stopped before the epilogue. I was warned, but I continued on!!! In a way, I wish I had stuck with the HFN ending, but then I wouldn't want to read Holden next. Holden is an instant click for me on KU now!! I can't wait to read the second half of the story.
The attention to detail in the story made me feel transported to that time and place, and I felt the fear Isabella was experiencing. The time distortions and changes in scenery led to a panicked situation coupled with being in the woods alone at night had me on the edge of my seat. The elements of the red-glowing eyes, the hood that appeared to cover a head that couldn't be seen and the overwhelming fear of being chased and possibly killed at any moment would have creeped me out!!
Isabella had no idea what she was in for when she substituted for a pregnant teacher and stayed at the dance the night of Halloween. Needless to say, things got wacky on her way home which led to fate finally having its way. Isabella's virginity was being saved for one man who finally took it when all the stars aligned. Although she was horrified at first at what happened, she knew she would see him again soon.
The ending was great, and I almost stopped before the epilogue. I was warned, but I continued on!!! In a way, I wish I had stuck with the HFN ending, but then I wouldn't want to read Holden next. Holden is an instant click for me on KU now!! I can't wait to read the second half of the story.
The attention to detail in the story made me feel transported to that time and place, and I felt the fear Isabella was experiencing. The time distortions and changes in scenery led to a panicked situation coupled with being in the woods alone at night had me on the edge of my seat. The elements of the red-glowing eyes, the hood that appeared to cover a head that couldn't be seen and the overwhelming fear of being chased and possibly killed at any moment would have creeped me out!!
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