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The Cruel Dark #1
The Cruel Dark
Millicent Foxboro is haunted.
Not by ghosts but by the anguish of her past and the uncertainty of her future. After all, even in the progressive year of 1928, most people would balk at hiring a woman who’d spent two months in a mental ward for traumatic amnesia. So when an uncommon assistantship to a reclusive Professor of mythology falls into her lap with an ungodly salary attached, her desperation for stability overrides her cautious nature.
To Millie’s dismay, the widowed Professor Callum Hughes and his estate, Willowfield, are more than she bargained for. The once magnificent home, known for its sprawling gardens and dazzling parties, is falling to pieces after the death of the professor’s fragile wife. What’s more, the staff has been reduced to the only three people not frightened away by rumors of ghosts, leaving the halls empty and languishing in bitter memories.
The professor himself is a grim, intense man with unclear expectations, unpredictable moods, and hungry eyes that ignite Millie’s own dormant passions. The closer she finds herself drawn to Professor Hughes and his strange world of flowers and folklore, the more the house closes in, threatening to reveal her secrets. But the professor is keeping secrets of his own and the most dangerous of all is hers to discover.
Not by ghosts but by the anguish of her past and the uncertainty of her future. After all, even in the progressive year of 1928, most people would balk at hiring a woman who’d spent two months in a mental ward for traumatic amnesia. So when an uncommon assistantship to a reclusive Professor of mythology falls into her lap with an ungodly salary attached, her desperation for stability overrides her cautious nature.
To Millie’s dismay, the widowed Professor Callum Hughes and his estate, Willowfield, are more than she bargained for. The once magnificent home, known for its sprawling gardens and dazzling parties, is falling to pieces after the death of the professor’s fragile wife. What’s more, the staff has been reduced to the only three people not frightened away by rumors of ghosts, leaving the halls empty and languishing in bitter memories.
The professor himself is a grim, intense man with unclear expectations, unpredictable moods, and hungry eyes that ignite Millie’s own dormant passions. The closer she finds herself drawn to Professor Hughes and his strange world of flowers and folklore, the more the house closes in, threatening to reveal her secrets. But the professor is keeping secrets of his own and the most dangerous of all is hers to discover.
254 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2023
815 people are currently reading
27506 people want to read
About the author
Bea Northwick
3 books692 followersBea Northwick is a lover of magical, spooky, and romantic things. She owns too much perfume, can’t pick an aesthetic, and loves 80s movies. She lives with her husband, children, dogs, and a black cat in the sunny American South where she dreams daily of Irish cottages and rain swept Scottish castles.
Praise for THE CRUEL DARK
"Northwick presents a dark love story that sparkles with elements of gothic horror and more modern romance as Millie explores the dark secrets hidden in Willowfield’s shadows..." - Kirkus Reviews
"This gothic is sumptuous, jolting, and occasionally—like Willowfield’s gardens—blooming with hope." BookLife
Praise for BLACKWICKET
This dark, eerie fantasy makes it clear from the start that it’s impossible to hide from your destiny—or your mistakes..Northwick’s themes of family, secrets, and isolation dominate, mixed with moments of lush romance and fierce self-scrutiny that tease the promise of lighter moments on the horizon for this besieged heroine." Publishers Weekly BookLife
Praise for THE CRUEL DARK
"Northwick presents a dark love story that sparkles with elements of gothic horror and more modern romance as Millie explores the dark secrets hidden in Willowfield’s shadows..." - Kirkus Reviews
"This gothic is sumptuous, jolting, and occasionally—like Willowfield’s gardens—blooming with hope." BookLife
Praise for BLACKWICKET
This dark, eerie fantasy makes it clear from the start that it’s impossible to hide from your destiny—or your mistakes..Northwick’s themes of family, secrets, and isolation dominate, mixed with moments of lush romance and fierce self-scrutiny that tease the promise of lighter moments on the horizon for this besieged heroine." Publishers Weekly BookLife
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,400 reviews
June 24, 2024
Maybe I've just read too many gothic mystery books in my day? The story was enjoyable enough - hence the 3 stars. The writing and the vibes were fine.
I just feel like I've read this story already? Within the first couple of chapters I'd already guessed the conclusion - so that was a little bit of a let down.
I received the audio arc and while the female narrator was enjoyable, the male narrator was horrible. The ick for real.
❥・ Gothic
❥・ Mystery
❥・ Spicy
❥・ Dark Academia
❥・Dark secrets
❥・Distressed heroine
❥・Emotional scars
❥・Grieving lover
❥・Sinister circumstances
❥・Creepy House
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bea Northwick for the complementary audio copy in exchange for my thoughts. 🖤🏹․ ⁺ ⊹
I just feel like I've read this story already? Within the first couple of chapters I'd already guessed the conclusion - so that was a little bit of a let down.
I received the audio arc and while the female narrator was enjoyable, the male narrator was horrible. The ick for real.
❥・ Gothic
❥・ Mystery
❥・ Spicy
❥・ Dark Academia
❥・Dark secrets
❥・Distressed heroine
❥・Emotional scars
❥・Grieving lover
❥・Sinister circumstances
❥・Creepy House
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bea Northwick for the complementary audio copy in exchange for my thoughts. 🖤🏹․ ⁺ ⊹
July 19, 2024
3.75⭐️
1928, Boston: Twenty-six-year-old Millicent Foxboro quits her job at a bookshop in Boston to accept a position to assist widowed Professor Callum Hughes in his research, a position that would require her to move to his estate in Willowfield. Millicent lives with a big gap in her memories. She remembers her traumatic childhood and the tragic episode that destroyed her own family but is unable to recall the events of the years preceding her being admitted to the hospital. With this new assignment, she hopes to earn enough money to turn her life around. But after a somewhat cold reception and the strange behavior of the staff, Millicent begins to suspect that Willowfield and her new employer harbor deep secrets, the eerie occurrences and the journal of her employer’s late wife only adding to her fear and unease. Is the estate haunted or is she being targeted? Who would want to harm her and why?
Though the premise or the major plot points won’t strike you as anything you haven’t read before, as a whole I did find The Cruel Dark by Bea Northwick to be an engaging read. The intriguing premise, the atmospheric setting, well-developed characters and the Gothic elements paired with a few surprising revelations (among the more predictable ones) kept me interested in the plot as it progressed. the narrative, which flows well, is presented from Millicent's first-person POV. I loved the sections on Celtic mythology and appreciated how the same was incorporated into the narrative. The ending was exciting and overall satisfying, though I was left with a few questions. Overall, this was a well-written, absorbing novel. Fans of Gothic romance (with a healthy dose of spice) and mystery would definitely enjoy this one.
This is definitely a promising debut and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Madison Mitts and Theodore Zephyr, which made for an engaging immersion reading experience.
Many thanks to Northwick Books for the digital review copy Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The novel was published on Oct 31, 2023 and the audiobook was released on Apr 22, 2024
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
1928, Boston: Twenty-six-year-old Millicent Foxboro quits her job at a bookshop in Boston to accept a position to assist widowed Professor Callum Hughes in his research, a position that would require her to move to his estate in Willowfield. Millicent lives with a big gap in her memories. She remembers her traumatic childhood and the tragic episode that destroyed her own family but is unable to recall the events of the years preceding her being admitted to the hospital. With this new assignment, she hopes to earn enough money to turn her life around. But after a somewhat cold reception and the strange behavior of the staff, Millicent begins to suspect that Willowfield and her new employer harbor deep secrets, the eerie occurrences and the journal of her employer’s late wife only adding to her fear and unease. Is the estate haunted or is she being targeted? Who would want to harm her and why?
Though the premise or the major plot points won’t strike you as anything you haven’t read before, as a whole I did find The Cruel Dark by Bea Northwick to be an engaging read. The intriguing premise, the atmospheric setting, well-developed characters and the Gothic elements paired with a few surprising revelations (among the more predictable ones) kept me interested in the plot as it progressed. the narrative, which flows well, is presented from Millicent's first-person POV. I loved the sections on Celtic mythology and appreciated how the same was incorporated into the narrative. The ending was exciting and overall satisfying, though I was left with a few questions. Overall, this was a well-written, absorbing novel. Fans of Gothic romance (with a healthy dose of spice) and mystery would definitely enjoy this one.
This is definitely a promising debut and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Madison Mitts and Theodore Zephyr, which made for an engaging immersion reading experience.
Many thanks to Northwick Books for the digital review copy Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The novel was published on Oct 31, 2023 and the audiobook was released on Apr 22, 2024
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
May 9, 2024
Outstanding debut for Bea Northwick!!!!
The writing was phenomenal and characters were complex and mesmerizing and I was totally captivated by not only the storyline but the many twists and turns! Gothic romance has always been one of my favorite genres with its dark suspense and even darker characters. Bea's detail to not only characters but to the spooky atmospheric feel to the grounds and Willowfield Manor along with questionable servants had me guess the entire time! While I was right in who I thought was shady, the climax had me all kinds of sideways like WTF just happened!! Bravo! Bea!!! I didn't see that twist coming! I adored Millie and Callum!!!! Their chemistry and banter made for a delicious read and the build up to their passion amazing!!!! The sex reminded me of a book I once found in my aunts library on historical erotica!!!! Very daring for the times but some of the best sex I've ever read!!! She found it in a old book store and it was dated from the early 19th century! This had the same feel with the private tryst's not only in the library but even the greenhouse!!! Damn it was hot and so was I!😂
I loved the mix of ghost stories and mythology interwoven through out the book and I was really hoping that the sexy hot professor Hughes was a Gancanagh but its for you to find out the truth!
If you are looking for a new author who's fabulous with storytelling and a book that not only has amazing and interesting both main and secondary characters and twists and turns with pulse pounding suspense and some really awesome steamy scenes check this one out!!! Gothic romance has a new voice and I for one can't wait for more from this writer!! Until next time Luv's😉💋
Here are some of my favorite quotes😉
Sometimes, at night, I will let fantasy get the best of me. Especially in the winters, when everything here is bleak, and there are only my thoughts and the cruel dark.”
“Not literal ghosts, miss. Though, as I mentioned, I wouldn’t bet against there being a few of those roaming the halls. Strange things bloom where grief lives.”
“And Miss Foxboro?” I stopped in my tracks, forced again by our proximity to tilt my head back. This close, I could feel his warmth and smell the lingering scent of library cedar on his clothes. He shifted toward me, raising the candle, offering it. Though I wanted to decline, it was too foolish to do so. I took it in hand. “If I catch you wandering again,” he said, his voice taking on the low quality of a warning, “I may think you mean to tempt me.”
“You don’t know the dangers of this game you’re playing, Millie.” “Tell me what they are,” I whispered, my will to resist him decimated by the sound of my name in his mouth, a song I wanted to hear again. If we were playing a game, I wished him to be the victor if it meant he’d close the last small distance.
The writing was phenomenal and characters were complex and mesmerizing and I was totally captivated by not only the storyline but the many twists and turns! Gothic romance has always been one of my favorite genres with its dark suspense and even darker characters. Bea's detail to not only characters but to the spooky atmospheric feel to the grounds and Willowfield Manor along with questionable servants had me guess the entire time! While I was right in who I thought was shady, the climax had me all kinds of sideways like WTF just happened!! Bravo! Bea!!! I didn't see that twist coming! I adored Millie and Callum!!!! Their chemistry and banter made for a delicious read and the build up to their passion amazing!!!! The sex reminded me of a book I once found in my aunts library on historical erotica!!!! Very daring for the times but some of the best sex I've ever read!!! She found it in a old book store and it was dated from the early 19th century! This had the same feel with the private tryst's not only in the library but even the greenhouse!!! Damn it was hot and so was I!😂
I loved the mix of ghost stories and mythology interwoven through out the book and I was really hoping that the sexy hot professor Hughes was a Gancanagh but its for you to find out the truth!
If you are looking for a new author who's fabulous with storytelling and a book that not only has amazing and interesting both main and secondary characters and twists and turns with pulse pounding suspense and some really awesome steamy scenes check this one out!!! Gothic romance has a new voice and I for one can't wait for more from this writer!! Until next time Luv's😉💋
Here are some of my favorite quotes😉
Sometimes, at night, I will let fantasy get the best of me. Especially in the winters, when everything here is bleak, and there are only my thoughts and the cruel dark.”
“Not literal ghosts, miss. Though, as I mentioned, I wouldn’t bet against there being a few of those roaming the halls. Strange things bloom where grief lives.”
“And Miss Foxboro?” I stopped in my tracks, forced again by our proximity to tilt my head back. This close, I could feel his warmth and smell the lingering scent of library cedar on his clothes. He shifted toward me, raising the candle, offering it. Though I wanted to decline, it was too foolish to do so. I took it in hand. “If I catch you wandering again,” he said, his voice taking on the low quality of a warning, “I may think you mean to tempt me.”
“You don’t know the dangers of this game you’re playing, Millie.” “Tell me what they are,” I whispered, my will to resist him decimated by the sound of my name in his mouth, a song I wanted to hear again. If we were playing a game, I wished him to be the victor if it meant he’d close the last small distance.
September 22, 2024
Please ignore this review there’s literally nothing wrong with this book. I am the problem. I’m still firmly cemented in the Magnolia Parks universe. I think I might be in trouble. Prayers for future books I pick up during the biggest slump of my life.
October 25, 2023
My jaw is on the floor! An absolute must read!!
This is spooky/horror like Darcy Coates with the spice of Scarlet St Clair!
Our FMC Millie, is missing years of memories and ends up working for a book collector after recovering from a tragedy she doesn’t remember. When a Dr happens upon the book shop in search of a specific book- he hits it off with her. The professor he works with is in need of an assistant for his research, they offer her a position and salary she cannot refuse. When she gets to the Professor’s estate, something is off. It looks like a typical haunted manor complete with staff who all seem to be hiding something.
But ghosts aren’t real… Millie has to remind herself of that when things go bump in the night… when she starts seeing things that aren’t there…
During her research with her new employer she finds a journal belonging to the professor’s late wife, and begins to piece together that she was seeing the same things as Millie… and the staff are tight lipped. No one is giving her any information.
As Millie tries to figures out what happened to his wife, she finds herself attracted to this man who is researching monsters and myths. The longer she stays at the estate the more danger she’s in. Millie needs to figure out this mystery before she becomes the next target.
Things that go bump in the night, ghosts, a huge mystery surrounding the professors late wife… all wrapped up into a very interesting spicy horror book!
I will admit I was super confused for about 60% of this story but once the knot unravels…. It makes SO MUCH SENSE! I couldn’t put this down!
This is spooky/horror like Darcy Coates with the spice of Scarlet St Clair!
Our FMC Millie, is missing years of memories and ends up working for a book collector after recovering from a tragedy she doesn’t remember. When a Dr happens upon the book shop in search of a specific book- he hits it off with her. The professor he works with is in need of an assistant for his research, they offer her a position and salary she cannot refuse. When she gets to the Professor’s estate, something is off. It looks like a typical haunted manor complete with staff who all seem to be hiding something.
But ghosts aren’t real… Millie has to remind herself of that when things go bump in the night… when she starts seeing things that aren’t there…
During her research with her new employer she finds a journal belonging to the professor’s late wife, and begins to piece together that she was seeing the same things as Millie… and the staff are tight lipped. No one is giving her any information.
As Millie tries to figures out what happened to his wife, she finds herself attracted to this man who is researching monsters and myths. The longer she stays at the estate the more danger she’s in. Millie needs to figure out this mystery before she becomes the next target.
Things that go bump in the night, ghosts, a huge mystery surrounding the professors late wife… all wrapped up into a very interesting spicy horror book!
I will admit I was super confused for about 60% of this story but once the knot unravels…. It makes SO MUCH SENSE! I couldn’t put this down!
September 1, 2024
5 stars
What an absolute freaking BANGER to start off spooky season with!! The atmosphere, the spooky vibes, the romance… This book was everything I wanted and more!
- Historical Gothic Romance
- Celtic Lore
- Spooky Mansion
- Professor/Assistant
- Thriller Vibes
We follow Millicent in the 1920’s as she accepts a job as an assistant to a professor who also happens to be a widower and lives in a spooky gothic mansion in the middle of nowhere. Apparently when the Professor’s wife died, all of the staff, save for 3, quit, claiming the mansion was haunted. This could be a life changing opportunity for Millie, if she can manage to keep her wits about her… because the ghosts that haunt the mansion may just start haunting her.
MY GOD THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING. Everything about it was just *chefs kiss* perfection. I loved the characters, the lore, the vibes, and the plot twists. SPEAKING of plot twists, R U KIDDING??? These got me! I had a feeling but it wasn’t even close to exactly what happened! If you’re looking for a spooky, romantic read for fall, please pick this up! Short, but not lacking in any way shape or form. I loved it!
What an absolute freaking BANGER to start off spooky season with!! The atmosphere, the spooky vibes, the romance… This book was everything I wanted and more!
- Historical Gothic Romance
- Celtic Lore
- Spooky Mansion
- Professor/Assistant
- Thriller Vibes
We follow Millicent in the 1920’s as she accepts a job as an assistant to a professor who also happens to be a widower and lives in a spooky gothic mansion in the middle of nowhere. Apparently when the Professor’s wife died, all of the staff, save for 3, quit, claiming the mansion was haunted. This could be a life changing opportunity for Millie, if she can manage to keep her wits about her… because the ghosts that haunt the mansion may just start haunting her.
MY GOD THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING. Everything about it was just *chefs kiss* perfection. I loved the characters, the lore, the vibes, and the plot twists. SPEAKING of plot twists, R U KIDDING??? These got me! I had a feeling but it wasn’t even close to exactly what happened! If you’re looking for a spooky, romantic read for fall, please pick this up! Short, but not lacking in any way shape or form. I loved it!
November 23, 2023
The cruel dark lifted a hand and held my head until the end. It was so consuming, it was amazing. The twist really gets you, it is so well written. My gothic heart is lifting in joy to have had the chance to spend a day in this world.
September 29, 2023
This sounds so unfairly good I can’t wait to get my hands on it
ETA: eeeeeee I got an ARC!!!
ETA: eeeeeee I got an ARC!!!
August 22, 2024
My only complaints is that the main plot twist was predictable. You could see it coming from miles away. Im still giving this book 5 stars nonetheless. The eerie historical gothic romance vibes of this book were perfection and I really enjoyed it!
July 31, 2025
”I may be the luckiest woman alive,”
“And why’s that?”
“Because I got to fall in love with you twice.”
3 stars ⭐ Alright, let me just start by saying—this book was a complete rollercoaster. And, honestly? I didn’t hate it. Not even a little.
Let’s dive right into the things I absolutely adored about it:
1) The Atmosphere / Setting
Despite walking in with a fair amount of skepticism, it was the atmosphere that immediately gripped me by the collar and refused to let go. The setting was eerie, decadent, and laced with a thick fog of mystery that practically oozed from every page. It had this deliciously gothic undertone—dark, secretive, and just unsettling enough to keep you on your toes. Oh, I was hooked.
2) Purple Prose, Baby
Now, I know this is a divisive take, but I’m an unapologetic sucker for purple prose. Give me the excessive, the ornate, the borderline ridiculous—and I’ll devour it. This book delivered that kind of writing in spades. It was lush, poetic, and suited the 1920s backdrop perfectly. I walked away with at least ten new archaic words that haven’t been uttered in over a century (unless you’re a 90-year old British man), and I loved every second of it.
3) The Characters
• Millicent Foxboro: First of all, what a phenomenal name. She was sharp-willed, unpredictable, and a little unhinged. There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching a ‘mad woman’ unravel, and she pulled that off with flair.
• Callum Hughes: Broody. Grumpy. Mysterious. Not a whole lot of space to not enjoy a character like that. He wasn’t groundbreaking, but he was reliable in the way you want a haunted love interest to be.
• Ms. Dillard: I would die for this woman. She didn’t have a ton of page time, but her character left such a soft, lasting impression. There’s something so endearing about a cranky older woman with a secretly massive heart. Instant favorite.
Now, onto the things that didn’t quite work for me:
1) The Pacing
Two plot twists arrive toward the end—one of which I spotted a mile away, the other which genuinely caught me off guard. And while I appreciated the twisty-turny route, the pacing really let it down.
For the first 70% of the book, I had absolutely no idea where the story was heading. The buildup was frustratingly repetitive. Every few chapters, we got the same cycle:
Millicent hallucinates or sleepwalks → she sees the woman in the white dress → she follows her → she gets injured or almost injured → Callum finds her → she wakes up the next day and pretends nothing happened.
Repeat ad nauseam.
At first, sure—it was intriguing. But the lack of forward momentum made it feel like we were just circling the drain. Whenever something remotely mysterious happened, it was immediately overshadowed by another distraction and then dropped completely. It created this chaotic, stagnant energy that made the eventual twists feel underwhelming. I wanted to be blown away. But instead, it felt like the payoff came too late, after too much narrative wheel-spinning.
2) Millicent’s Backstory
This one is more of a missed opportunity than a true flaw. We’re told about her traumatic past, but it lacks the emotional weight because it’s never shown in a meaningful way. It read more like overhearing a stranger’s tragic anecdote—sad, but distant. It didn’t linger.
Which is such a shame, because her backstory had so much narrative potential. If only it had been more deeply embedded in the plot—through nightmares, dissociative episodes, or fragmented flashbacks—it could’ve given us a much stronger connection to her. The fact that she conveniently remembers everything toward the end, after months of mental block, just didn’t sit right with me. It felt rushed and unearned. a little too convenient.
3) Felicity Deserved Better
Okay, once again this isn’t technically a flaw with the writing, but more of a frustrated character note. I really wish we’d gotten more clarity around Felicity :,)
Her parents die, she’s manipulated and abused into being a glorified henchwoman, and then—after her absolute demon of a brother dies—she’s the one left to deal with the fallout? I understand that what she was doing wasn’t right, but it felt so incredibly unfair that she had to carry the burden for everything he caused, especially after the damage he inflicted on her.
Felicity has so much untapped potential. Her arc screams “tragic anti-hero,” and I would absolutely devour a book where she gets her own story—one full of pain, redemption, angst, and a long-overdue happy ending. She deserves it. She deserves more.
(i love tragic girls and tragic girls love me)
4) The True Horror: Kitten
Sigh… now, this. This was the real terror of the novel.
Callum, in a complete seriousness, calls Millicent Kitten. Not once. Not twice. Three separate times.
Why? Just… why?
He uses other pet names too—“my love,” “darling”—and I adored those. They were sweet, tender, fitting. But Kitten?? It was like being slapped across the face with a bucket of cold cringe. I need to know what was going through the author’s head during that choice. Did they not feel the secondhand embarrassment while typing that? I did. It physically hurt.
—
This book had its flaws, yes—but it also had charm, beauty, and bite. The atmosphere was magnetic, the prose decadent, and the characters oddly memorable. I just wish the narrative structure had been tighter, the backstory more emotionally resonant, and for the love of literature, that Kitten had stayed in the litter box.
This is just one of those unique reads where you’ll either love it or hate it. I don’t love it or hate it—but I found it enjoyable and entertaining for the most part! And honestly? I’m really looking forward to the novella from Callum’s POV. Should be a fun ride seeing the brooding chaos from inside his stormy little brain.
Would I read it again? Probably not.
Do I regret reading it? Absolutely not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2024
There are very few books that leave me speechless at the end, this is one of them.
Dang. Just. . . WOW!
The last chapter of this book is EVERYTHING. I thought I knew what was coming. I thought I could vaguely guess. I was wrong on SOOOOOOOOOO many levels. That alone is refreshing. I love to be surprised.
This book truly is a Dark Romance and has some wonderfully creepy imagery to go along with it. Since I am a very busy working mom of two, most of my reading is done at night after the kids go to bed. . . I can honestly say there was one night I was torn between being ok with how scared I was and my need to keep reading. Reading won out, but I woke my husband up on the sly just to not me along for a moment. BAHAHA!
I said it once, but It needs to be said two or three times more. This story is beautiful, the imagery is stunning, the characters are demential. I could honestly go on and on just listing the reasons this book is so jaw droopingly good.
5 freaking stars all the way around.
Thank you NetGalley and Northwick Books for the ARC.
Dang. Just. . . WOW!
The last chapter of this book is EVERYTHING. I thought I knew what was coming. I thought I could vaguely guess. I was wrong on SOOOOOOOOOO many levels. That alone is refreshing. I love to be surprised.
This book truly is a Dark Romance and has some wonderfully creepy imagery to go along with it. Since I am a very busy working mom of two, most of my reading is done at night after the kids go to bed. . . I can honestly say there was one night I was torn between being ok with how scared I was and my need to keep reading. Reading won out, but I woke my husband up on the sly just to not me along for a moment. BAHAHA!
I said it once, but It needs to be said two or three times more. This story is beautiful, the imagery is stunning, the characters are demential. I could honestly go on and on just listing the reasons this book is so jaw droopingly good.
5 freaking stars all the way around.
Thank you NetGalley and Northwick Books for the ARC.
June 29, 2024
3.5 Stars
I could see the ending and plot twist coming from a mile away, but the creepy gothic atmosphere was everything. The audio book narration was insanely well done too. Northwick picked great narrators and her choice to have it be read as a duet was a great choice.
I'm excited to see what this author writes next.
100% recommend this if you like Keri Lake.
I could see the ending and plot twist coming from a mile away, but the creepy gothic atmosphere was everything. The audio book narration was insanely well done too. Northwick picked great narrators and her choice to have it be read as a duet was a great choice.
I'm excited to see what this author writes next.
100% recommend this if you like Keri Lake.
September 12, 2023
This had American Horror Story written all over it - LOVED THIS BOOK.
Thank you Net Galley & Bea Northwick for the ARC!
It was a solid Halloween / fall read. It was giving scary and spicy and reminded me the feelings I would get watching American Horror Story. I was genuinely creeped out at some points.
The plot was great, just a little slow paced for my liking in the beginning. Overall though, it picked up quickly.
And how can you have a Halloween ghost story without Celtic lore incorporated? I was quite obsessed with this (but also because I just had a trip to Ireland& Scotland).
The characters were so intriguing and I was captured by Millie and her behaviors, and her relationship with Callum was INTENSE to say the least. WOOF.
The romance and spice throughout the book was perfection, and had me getting butterflies - which is my favorite feeling to have while reading !!
The twist at the end, though a bit predictable, I would be mad if that wasn't the outcome.
Overall, I loved this book, and would highly, HIGHLY recommend to put on a fall to be read list !!
Thank you Net Galley & Bea Northwick for the ARC!
It was a solid Halloween / fall read. It was giving scary and spicy and reminded me the feelings I would get watching American Horror Story. I was genuinely creeped out at some points.
The plot was great, just a little slow paced for my liking in the beginning. Overall though, it picked up quickly.
And how can you have a Halloween ghost story without Celtic lore incorporated? I was quite obsessed with this (but also because I just had a trip to Ireland& Scotland).
The characters were so intriguing and I was captured by Millie and her behaviors, and her relationship with Callum was INTENSE to say the least. WOOF.
The romance and spice throughout the book was perfection, and had me getting butterflies - which is my favorite feeling to have while reading !!
The twist at the end, though a bit predictable, I would be mad if that wasn't the outcome.
Overall, I loved this book, and would highly, HIGHLY recommend to put on a fall to be read list !!
November 7, 2023
The Cruel Dark was such a fascinating story, set in the 1920's amidst a large estate named Willowfield, a once magnificent home known for sprawling gardens and large parties, but has deteriorated since the lady of the house's death. Millie who once spent two months in a mental ward for traumatic amnesia is offered a job at Willowfield to assist Professor Callum Hughes at his estate. Not being able to resist the enormous salary that could help set Millie up in a new life she accepts. At first she is taken a back by his rude demeanor but slowly he entices her in with a need she can hardly refuse.
This beautifully written story both charming and haunted drew me in from the start. and I couldn't let go. I was especially fascinated with Callum and intrigued by his back story, and the slow relationship that builds between him and Millie. With untrustworthy characters and some spice thrown in for good measure, this book is a must read.
Thank you NetGalley and Northwick Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This beautifully written story both charming and haunted drew me in from the start. and I couldn't let go. I was especially fascinated with Callum and intrigued by his back story, and the slow relationship that builds between him and Millie. With untrustworthy characters and some spice thrown in for good measure, this book is a must read.
Thank you NetGalley and Northwick Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 15, 2024
I don’t understand how a book can only have 255 pages but have so many unnecessary words. How can a book be this short and still takes years to get to the point?
November 21, 2023
2⭐️zero chemistry between the two MCs, saw the twist coming, also where was the ‘enemies to lovers- playful banter’ as advertised??? They have two very mundane convos and then are basically in instalust.. the creepy atmosphere was well set tho, so yeah.
May 10, 2024
yeah.. this was not it. I high hopes for this one when I saw all the 5 star reviews and it’s so sad because I saw the plot twist legit coming from first few pages🥲
May 21, 2024
That was such a lovely gothic romance. The Rebecca vibes were strong in this one, and the writing was great!
Looking forward to more from this author
Looking forward to more from this author
July 7, 2025
REVIEW
Rating: 5/5
POV: 1st; single (FMC)
Tropes: Dark/Gothic Romance; Historical Romance - 1928 in New England; Boss/Employee;
Heat Level: 3.5/5
Kinks: N/A
Likes:
* I typically prefer dual POV but wow this was beautifully done for a single POV story.
* The gothic/horror parts of the story were so creepy but so good!
Dislikes:
* As I said above the single POV was done very well but regardless I still love dual POV and wish this was written in it. I do know the author wrote a novella giving the MMC's POV.
Conclusion:
This is a jaw dropping historical gothic romance. What an eerie, haunting, romantic story. The book immediately captures you with tidbits of the FMC's background and getting her to Willowfield (the house). Slowly the story introduces you to the 3 staff members of the home and the MMC. He comes off as dark and broody so it does make you wonder there how this will turn into a romance but by the end it all comes together, clicks perfectly, and opens your eyes to just how romantic this story is. Also this MMC is the most patient man ever, like ever!
I'm struggling to put in words a review but if you enjoy gothic stories (this gives a Rebecca and Jane Eyre feel) with a touch of horror (there are some really spooky parts) with a HEA then I 100% recommend this book!
5/5
Rating: 5/5
POV: 1st; single (FMC)
Tropes: Dark/Gothic Romance; Historical Romance - 1928 in New England; Boss/Employee;
Heat Level: 3.5/5
Kinks: N/A
Likes:
* I typically prefer dual POV but wow this was beautifully done for a single POV story.
* The gothic/horror parts of the story were so creepy but so good!
Dislikes:
* As I said above the single POV was done very well but regardless I still love dual POV and wish this was written in it. I do know the author wrote a novella giving the MMC's POV.
Conclusion:
This is a jaw dropping historical gothic romance. What an eerie, haunting, romantic story. The book immediately captures you with tidbits of the FMC's background and getting her to Willowfield (the house). Slowly the story introduces you to the 3 staff members of the home and the MMC. He comes off as dark and broody so it does make you wonder there how this will turn into a romance but by the end it all comes together, clicks perfectly, and opens your eyes to just how romantic this story is. Also this MMC is the most patient man ever, like ever!
I'm struggling to put in words a review but if you enjoy gothic stories (this gives a Rebecca and Jane Eyre feel) with a touch of horror (there are some really spooky parts) with a HEA then I 100% recommend this book!
5/5
November 1, 2025
It felt like a darker Beauty and the Beast with a spooky, romance. This was perfect for Halloween! 🎃
October 10, 2023
This is a new author that we all need to watch out for because they will rock the book world!
This was such a vibe. Gothic, creepy, intricate detail of the world that was set, ghosts, hauntings, and an aloof professor living in a decrepit house in the middle of nowhere. Set in the 1920’s, this was a perfect book to read for my Spooky/October TBR list.
“Strange things Bloom where grief lives.”
Miss Foxboro took a job in Professor Hughes homes to help him get in order all his data he’s accumulated over the years. The grim fairytales and research is something Millie has been drawn to for years.
Right away to get an eery feeling in this dark and creepy house and the help that still live there… the world building and detail of everything was so spot on, it kept me enthralled to read.
I was obsessed from chapter one. You’ll want to know what’s going on. Who’s doing what. And I have to say, my guesses were SO wrong.
Little spice.
Incredible book.
I felt like it ended rather abruptly though and the romance aspect was very minuscule. I’d like to see an epilogue possibly into the future. 🖤
4.5⭐️
This was such a vibe. Gothic, creepy, intricate detail of the world that was set, ghosts, hauntings, and an aloof professor living in a decrepit house in the middle of nowhere. Set in the 1920’s, this was a perfect book to read for my Spooky/October TBR list.
“Strange things Bloom where grief lives.”
Miss Foxboro took a job in Professor Hughes homes to help him get in order all his data he’s accumulated over the years. The grim fairytales and research is something Millie has been drawn to for years.
Right away to get an eery feeling in this dark and creepy house and the help that still live there… the world building and detail of everything was so spot on, it kept me enthralled to read.
I was obsessed from chapter one. You’ll want to know what’s going on. Who’s doing what. And I have to say, my guesses were SO wrong.
Little spice.
Incredible book.
I felt like it ended rather abruptly though and the romance aspect was very minuscule. I’d like to see an epilogue possibly into the future. 🖤
4.5⭐️
October 13, 2024
THIS BOOK. THIS FUCKING BOOK. This was such a fantastic read, and my first spooky book of the season. A 1920s gothic story, with a wonderful romance and a spooky mystery. The FMC accepts a job as an assistant to a professor at a crumbling estate in the middle of nowhere. She starts seeing things; and figuring out secrets that her employer and the other staff are desperately trying to hide. The atmosphere and writing for this book was just insanely well done. This author can write spooky so well. The romance was also so good! The MMC is mysterious and cold, but once they get together, he’s so attentive and sweet to the FMC. The spice was great, especially because of how deep the MC’s chemistry was. The mystery is what ties everything together and kept me on the edge of my seat. It’s slowburn, but each twist makes you want to see the end game.
If you like Jane Eyre and/or Crimson Peak, this feels like a mix of the two (as do the characters with the MC’s from those media). There’s mystery, intrigue, a romance with a good amount of smut—which is hard to find in gothic books, and a big reveal that ties everything together. I’m begging everyone who enjoys gothic to give this book a try because it’s so well written and so underrated! I can see this being in my top 5 of the year.
If you like Jane Eyre and/or Crimson Peak, this feels like a mix of the two (as do the characters with the MC’s from those media). There’s mystery, intrigue, a romance with a good amount of smut—which is hard to find in gothic books, and a big reveal that ties everything together. I’m begging everyone who enjoys gothic to give this book a try because it’s so well written and so underrated! I can see this being in my top 5 of the year.
March 1, 2024
"Strange things bloom where grief lives.”
Absolutely haunting. I simply adored Millie and her story. Bea Northwick did a fantastic job with her world building. I found myself being sucked in and immersed into the story. The eerie feelings and dread just seep from the pages of the book.....phenomenal!
Absolutely haunting. I simply adored Millie and her story. Bea Northwick did a fantastic job with her world building. I found myself being sucked in and immersed into the story. The eerie feelings and dread just seep from the pages of the book.....phenomenal!
July 18, 2025
My head wasn’t initially in the right space to get into this book so I paused for a couple of days ( I was only a few chapters in) before picking it back up and then racing through. This has a historical setting 1928 I believe. It’s all narrated from Millicent Foxboro’s POV, she’s a housekeeper slash assistant to the elderly Mr Helm who has a bookstore. Millie has had some past troubles and Mr Helm turned out to be her lifeline.
After a chance meeting with a customer Millie is invited to work for the reclusive Professor Callum Hughes as his research assistant, he’s a man with a dark past of loss and grief. Her current employer wants to retire and the offer is too good to turn down. It’s only for the next six months and will set Millie back on her feet.
Willowfield is large and imposing, it’s also rundown in places, partially renovated and isolated. It’s a whimsical place, The late Professor's mother took her inspiration from all things fairy and had some strange ideas. The estate once a thriving home has descended into melancholy and is saturated with an air of deep sadness. There are rumours of hauntings and ghosts and all that remains of the staff is a housekeeper, a maid and a groundsman.
This was a debut novel and I have to say I’m impressed as it didn’t feel that way. This had a beautiful narration style that felt extremely indicative and authentic to the period. The language was enthralling and set the mood so well. There was such a gothic overtone saturating everything and the spooky and strange occurrences only added to the whole ominous overtone we were drenched in.
It was brilliantly crafted and once I settled in I was easily gripped and invested as the story unfolded.
Being single POV you only get Millie but this only added to the sense of something being amiss and all of the atmospheric ambience, you also realise later why it’s narrated this way and it does work well.
The romance portion of this was good and felt believable, it's not a fast burn, but not slow either, so somewhere in between. These two have some definite chemistry together and Callum is a serious hottie. Also, don’t be expecting a chaste courting this does bring the heat despite the historical setting.
The finish was great I kind of got an inkling near the end but this didn’t detract from my enjoyment. Overall this was an extremely impressive debut It’s not quite a five-star for me but it wouldn’t take much for it to be. My only slight minuses was that I felt it took a while to gather its momentum with a slow start. I also thought it then resolved too quickly at the end and felt like it should have maybe been longer so some minor pacing tweaks. Honestly, though it was a great read and I’d happily read this author again and there one to watch for in the future. If you’re partial to gothic mysteries steeped in ambiance and drenched in atmosphere all served with a slice of red-hot romance this one has you covered.
After a chance meeting with a customer Millie is invited to work for the reclusive Professor Callum Hughes as his research assistant, he’s a man with a dark past of loss and grief. Her current employer wants to retire and the offer is too good to turn down. It’s only for the next six months and will set Millie back on her feet.
Willowfield is large and imposing, it’s also rundown in places, partially renovated and isolated. It’s a whimsical place, The late Professor's mother took her inspiration from all things fairy and had some strange ideas. The estate once a thriving home has descended into melancholy and is saturated with an air of deep sadness. There are rumours of hauntings and ghosts and all that remains of the staff is a housekeeper, a maid and a groundsman.
This was a debut novel and I have to say I’m impressed as it didn’t feel that way. This had a beautiful narration style that felt extremely indicative and authentic to the period. The language was enthralling and set the mood so well. There was such a gothic overtone saturating everything and the spooky and strange occurrences only added to the whole ominous overtone we were drenched in.
It was brilliantly crafted and once I settled in I was easily gripped and invested as the story unfolded.
Being single POV you only get Millie but this only added to the sense of something being amiss and all of the atmospheric ambience, you also realise later why it’s narrated this way and it does work well.
The romance portion of this was good and felt believable, it's not a fast burn, but not slow either, so somewhere in between. These two have some definite chemistry together and Callum is a serious hottie. Also, don’t be expecting a chaste courting this does bring the heat despite the historical setting.
The finish was great I kind of got an inkling near the end but this didn’t detract from my enjoyment. Overall this was an extremely impressive debut It’s not quite a five-star for me but it wouldn’t take much for it to be. My only slight minuses was that I felt it took a while to gather its momentum with a slow start. I also thought it then resolved too quickly at the end and felt like it should have maybe been longer so some minor pacing tweaks. Honestly, though it was a great read and I’d happily read this author again and there one to watch for in the future. If you’re partial to gothic mysteries steeped in ambiance and drenched in atmosphere all served with a slice of red-hot romance this one has you covered.
April 2, 2024
I'm sorry, but what was this book even about. It took waaay too long to get to the point and, up until then it was just chapters upon chapters of Millie wandering around and Callum being weird. No plot to be found.
Okay, false. There is a plot. The last two chapters are the entire plot, and they come along with a twist that didn't make sense to me (and the parts that did had been super obvious from the beginning) and the feeling that the author wrote it while on drugs.
Okay, false. There is a plot. The last two chapters are the entire plot, and they come along with a twist that didn't make sense to me (and the parts that did had been super obvious from the beginning) and the feeling that the author wrote it while on drugs.
October 17, 2024
5 ⭐️
Well my mind is officially blown. The plot twists just KEPT COMING and I inhaled every second of it!!
Well my mind is officially blown. The plot twists just KEPT COMING and I inhaled every second of it!!
August 6, 2025
this book left me in a trance. i’m in awe. this was eerie, gothic, mysterious, and extremely romantic.
“he closed the book and stood, his hand brushing against mine like a whisper. an accident, but it made the skin on my knuckles tingle, and i pressed them into my skirt as he passed.”
the TENSION, the longing, the yearningggg 😩 the way their story wraps up will make you want to reread immediately. i can’t wait to start the companion novella next because i have so many questions and i’m dyyying to know what was going through callum’s head.
the twists and reveals were executed perfectly in my opinion. i really thought i had this figured out and then the last few chapters had me spiraling 😳 if you get scared easy, i do not recommend reading at night. i was genuinely scared while reading parts of this, but it was so thrilling. go in as blind as possible, and enjoy 🖤
4.5✨
“he closed the book and stood, his hand brushing against mine like a whisper. an accident, but it made the skin on my knuckles tingle, and i pressed them into my skirt as he passed.”
the TENSION, the longing, the yearningggg 😩 the way their story wraps up will make you want to reread immediately. i can’t wait to start the companion novella next because i have so many questions and i’m dyyying to know what was going through callum’s head.
the twists and reveals were executed perfectly in my opinion. i really thought i had this figured out and then the last few chapters had me spiraling 😳 if you get scared easy, i do not recommend reading at night. i was genuinely scared while reading parts of this, but it was so thrilling. go in as blind as possible, and enjoy 🖤
4.5✨
January 17, 2024
Gothic Mystery
Millicent Foxboro had lived through her own hell and come out the other side. After suffering what could only be called a sad and difficult childhood, she was sent away to a girl’s school and came home to find her parents dead in a murder-suicide. Millie woke up years later in a mental hospital with no knowledge of what happened in between. As a woman alone in the world, Millicent was fortunate to find a job and a place to stay with an elderly gentleman who restored ancient text. She was hired to keep his house and business, but when he discovered that Millie could also read ancient text she was employed to assist in his work. That was until she was hired by a Professor who was willing to pay her outrageous wages to assist him at his home out in the middle of nowhere sorting his ancient texts on mythology.
Millicent doesn’t get what she would call a warm reception at the ornate home of the Professor. The old manse was beautifully decorated with fanciful carvings of creatures and nature from the world of the fae. It would have been magnificent had it not fallen to rot, and renovations been obviously neglected or stopped somewhere mid destruction and rebuild.
Millie was happy when she finally started to work with the Professor, although he treated her with a distinct lack of courtesy and often acted as if she didn’t exist. The rest of the staff was the same, and only the golden and handsome groundskeeper seemed at all friendly, and occasionally his sister who was the chamber maid.
As Millie wormed her way into the hearts and lives of the people of the Hughes estate, she found the journals of the Professor’s deceased wife among the work she was sorting. The Professor saw her reading it, took it from her and threw it in the fire. Although Millie was embarrassed because she had been reading about the the lady of the house speaking of “Callum taking me wherever the mood struck him” and describing it in graphic detail, she snapped back at the Professor. It wasn’t her fault the journal was among the things she was sorting, and how was she to know when it had the same handwriting as some of the other notes.
Millie and Callum had a more casual relationship after that and he allowed her to use his first name, and their work went more smoothly. At the same time Millie was having uncomfortable nights and often spent them chasing a woman in white through the house. The woman seemed to be in distress and Millie wasn’t afraid of her, in fact she wanted to help her, until one night she followed her to a room where she was shoved into a wardrobe and woke days later in her own bed.
Callum couldn’t seem to keep away from Millie and ordered beautiful clothes made just for her for a party he was holding for old friends. She had the young maid cut her hair and she felt more bold, even among Callum’s wealthy friends. Callum led her off alone and they made love in a dark room. Their relationship changed forever, and he eventually asked her to be his wife.
This is where the book goes off the rails into a gothic mystery that takes a turn that you expect, but don’t. It was a decent book, but dragged too much in the interim.
Millicent Foxboro had lived through her own hell and come out the other side. After suffering what could only be called a sad and difficult childhood, she was sent away to a girl’s school and came home to find her parents dead in a murder-suicide. Millie woke up years later in a mental hospital with no knowledge of what happened in between. As a woman alone in the world, Millicent was fortunate to find a job and a place to stay with an elderly gentleman who restored ancient text. She was hired to keep his house and business, but when he discovered that Millie could also read ancient text she was employed to assist in his work. That was until she was hired by a Professor who was willing to pay her outrageous wages to assist him at his home out in the middle of nowhere sorting his ancient texts on mythology.
Millicent doesn’t get what she would call a warm reception at the ornate home of the Professor. The old manse was beautifully decorated with fanciful carvings of creatures and nature from the world of the fae. It would have been magnificent had it not fallen to rot, and renovations been obviously neglected or stopped somewhere mid destruction and rebuild.
Millie was happy when she finally started to work with the Professor, although he treated her with a distinct lack of courtesy and often acted as if she didn’t exist. The rest of the staff was the same, and only the golden and handsome groundskeeper seemed at all friendly, and occasionally his sister who was the chamber maid.
As Millie wormed her way into the hearts and lives of the people of the Hughes estate, she found the journals of the Professor’s deceased wife among the work she was sorting. The Professor saw her reading it, took it from her and threw it in the fire. Although Millie was embarrassed because she had been reading about the the lady of the house speaking of “Callum taking me wherever the mood struck him” and describing it in graphic detail, she snapped back at the Professor. It wasn’t her fault the journal was among the things she was sorting, and how was she to know when it had the same handwriting as some of the other notes.
Millie and Callum had a more casual relationship after that and he allowed her to use his first name, and their work went more smoothly. At the same time Millie was having uncomfortable nights and often spent them chasing a woman in white through the house. The woman seemed to be in distress and Millie wasn’t afraid of her, in fact she wanted to help her, until one night she followed her to a room where she was shoved into a wardrobe and woke days later in her own bed.
Callum couldn’t seem to keep away from Millie and ordered beautiful clothes made just for her for a party he was holding for old friends. She had the young maid cut her hair and she felt more bold, even among Callum’s wealthy friends. Callum led her off alone and they made love in a dark room. Their relationship changed forever, and he eventually asked her to be his wife.
This is where the book goes off the rails into a gothic mystery that takes a turn that you expect, but don’t. It was a decent book, but dragged too much in the interim.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2025
I don’t know what the author was on when she wrote this book. Bc wtf?! It was like written on crack in a bad way. I liked the dead wife but then the dead wife ended up being the main character bc apparently she didn’t kill herself. But then she like comes back to live with her husband who she doesn’t know is her husband bc she’s crazy and has memory loss or something. So the husband crafts this entire story about how his wife killed herself but then it turns out that she never killed her self and the main character forgot like 4 years of her life where her husband locked her in the attic to keep her sane or something. But like she comes back to be his assistant and she’s transcribing the notes of his dead wife who is her and doesn’t recognize the handwriting or her old friends or the staff of the house. And everyone just goes along and says that dead wife is dead. And the dead wife was such a better character than the main character bc she was cutesy and I liked her the main character and the husband just wander the house and there is no plot for this book btw until the end bc I didn’t get anything of substance until page 400 of the 450 pages book. But she like finds her old diaries that she wrote as the wife and it’s like sordid details of what her and her husband used to do (fuck like rabbits) but then she gets turned on by thinking of the dead wife and the husband fucking. Which I thought was extremely weird. I’m all for romance (to say the least) in books but like why are we dishonoring the dead. But it was giving very much yellow wallpaper but without the plot. Which is difficult bc the author described how the characters took their coffee every morning but couldn’t be bothered to write a book with plot. And I don’t know why she made the main character a badass (but in a bad way) bc why the fuck is she mouthing off to her boss after reading his dead wife (who by the way every thinks killed herself by jumping into a ravine) diary and he’s mad at her. But the thing is that the dead wife was like a beautiful character. She was tortured and she gardened and did lovely little things (but she also did go crazy) and didn’t quite literally cut all her hair off with a pair of rusty kitchen scissors (quite actually).
But they literally just wander around the house and fuck until the plot decide to show up in the last 50 pages. Needless to say….disappointingly mid
But they literally just wander around the house and fuck until the plot decide to show up in the last 50 pages. Needless to say….disappointingly mid
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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