Bride of the Haunted Manor

by Sephyrra

What if love itself is the greatest threat?

Welcome to Blackwood Manor—where even the shadows whisper secrets you may not survive to uncover.

I thought I was taking just another caretaker job in a sprawling English estate. How wrong I was. The Blackwood manor harbors secrets, wrapped in whispers and tragic romance. My unique gift lets me speak to spirits, and I find myself in a love that transcends life and death. But there's more than just love and loss in these walls—a sinister force is out to claim us all.

As I plunge deeper into a world of spectral love and mortal danger, it's clear my heart might be the key—or the curse—that decides our fate.

Step into my world, if you dare, but be leaving might not be an option.

Trigger Not suitable for readers under 18.

Genres: Gothic Romance, Gothic, Romance

157 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2023

About the author

Sephyrra juggles the lively bustle of family life with her passion for writing. She's a fan of all types of romance - from spicy love stories to intense dark romances. When she's not busy with her family or stirring pots in the kitchen, she's crafting stories about plus-size characters over 35. Her writing is a blend of humor, heart, and a wide spectrum of emotions, reflecting her love for diverse romance genres. In her world, every free moment is a chance to explore the many flavors of romantic storytelling.

Reviews

[shyra ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i would die to be a bride of an old haunted manor.

i so need a full length novel of this since evelynn is a witch and i need to know more about her ancestry because i love witches with all my heart.

[Karla Rendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect spooky season short novella to read! We got two main characters that not only they had past trauma relationships they are both in need of an escape. Evelynn meets her soul mate in a haunted and old manor she has resided in to maintain the historical structure. When a lot of things start to happen she needs to escape but is not able to leave. Great read. Highly recommend.

[Chloe Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. I don't know what I expected....but it wasn't that? I needed a quick read as I am in the middle of a series and needed something to break it up quick so for that, it fit the bill. I almost read it in a couple hours, but I started a smidge too late in the evening and had to pause til my lunch break at work LOL.
What I liked: overall concept, and honestly it had some very beautiful quotes and lines. I think its a sweet (enough) story, and the epilogue itself is beautiful.
What I didn't: for some reason I was not expecting it to be a historical fiction book, which is totally fine, but when I was going into it thinking it'd would be more modern, that threw me (but mind you, this is more on me than the author). I was not a fan of the pacing. Mind you I was looking for a quick read, but this reads as if its the Cliffsnotes version of a great story. This could very easily be a 700 page novel, diving into her witch ancestry, how she knows Latin, expanding on themes, like this could EASILY be a whole heavily detailed book. I was also kinda off-put by the random foot fetish scene (came and went quickly but I still took a second to go "wait what" LOL), and how Elizabeth and Ben had tried to manipulate Evelynn with a three-way to try to get her to kill herself. I also didn't love how it seemed like she forgot how she had a outstanding blood pact with demons until the absolute last possible second.....I mean this may be just me but even if it happened when I was a toddler, I would literally never forget I have all the demons in existence on my side and I would REGULARLY bother them for favors because they are in my debt LOL. I also would have liked for her to have had a moment with the actual demon she saved back then and had him recognize her, personal opinion but that would have been cute.

At the end of the day, I did enjoy it overall and it did its purpose for me, but there were still moments where I quirked up a brow haha

[Lynn Helton · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having endured so much pain in her thirty-eight years, Evelynn - a witch who can communicate with spirits of the dead - needs a fresh start. So, the position of caretaker to Blackwood Manor calls to her. But she soon learns the manor has a dark history, and the secrets and lies of the past haunt it.

This is a marvelously gothic horror/romance story. The setting gave me shivers and the twists and turns kept me reading to discover the truth of the manor's dark history. Evelynn's mixed sense of unease and anticipation when she first arrives at the manor and learns about her position there was especially well expressed in the writing. The characters were interesting and compelling, keeping me wondering about the truths behind their stories.

A welcome touch was the trigger warning that the author includes in the blurb and at the beginning of the book. Do pay attention to it. A few scenes can be uncomfortable to read.

Unfortunately, the book contains some typos, random verb tense changes, and a couple of continuity issues ("he carried me to the bed" and then just a few paragraphs later "he took me to the bedroom and lowered me on the bed"). They pulled me out of the story from time to time and interfered with my immersion in the tale.

Overall, this is an engrossing read, a wonderful dark, spooky story for when you're in the mood for a mix of horror and romance.

3.5 stars rounded to 4

[TheSugaredBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Completely devoured it! It has all the Gothic vibes and a mystery to solve! Plus the whole "touch her and d!e" vibe that so many romance readers love! The ending was so satisfying and I cried. It was like watching a movie! You can't help but love Evelynn and then Frenchie too. Can't wait to see what the author does with this world!

[Heather Mood Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

I'll read the second one, but this one was not written well at all. I enjoyed the plot, but the overall dialogue and characterization of the love interests were cringy. The haunted scenes were the best parts for me. That's one thing that the author does well - set a scary scene and throw in some steam. That I like a lot.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good

I loved this novella!! Twists and turns. Blood, death, and love withstanding time and realms. Horror with romance. I love everything about this book!!

Check triggers! A few disturbing things happen that are important to the plot.

[Lacey Torre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had SUCH potential to be a 5 star read, but the writing seemed to get a little lazy at the end. I was absolutely obsessed up until like 70% through and that’s why I’m still giving it 4 stars. Absolutely still worth the read! The end is a bit of a mish mosh though.

[Elisha Hollis · Rating 4 out of 5]

i don’t usually go for the gothic horror vibe but this was pleasantly surprising!

i really enjoyed the characters and though the plot was a little predictable, this was still a fun, spooky, slightly spicy read, perfect for a cold winter night.

[Genesis · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a fast paced, drama enthralled novella, then this is perfect for you. It was too fast paced for me, I didn't feel like I made a connection with the characters. But the overall story was interesting.

[Anna Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not even really sure how to describe. I love novellas, but this was a tad much. Even though the story line was pretty good.

[Taylor Seiverd · Rating 1 out of 5]

i almost DNF’d this. but i powered through just because i wanted to know the ending. the writing for this was… not good. i did not have fun with this.

the writing felt extremely juvenile. now mind you, i am not a writer by any means but it felt very fan fiction-y. even though, fan fiction can be written beautifully. this was not that kind.

i had to skim through most of this. the plot would have been really good if it was written much better.

[E.K. Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced Gothic Horror / Dark Romance

Bride of the Haunted Manor follows the life of Evelynn from childhood, where she learns she can see spirits when experiencing pain, through an unhappy marriage, to becoming the caretaker at a haunted manor where many have met their demise. Will Evelynn be able to stay clear of the danger at the manor? Will she be reunited with her daughter?

This is a fast-paced, easy read, although at times it did feel a little rushed / robotic. Unusually for a first-person narrative, I didn’t really connect with Evelynn emotionally; it was almost like I was experiencing everything at a distance. And although at times she was strong, at others she seemed hopelessly naïve for thirty-eight, given her troubled past. I liked the complexity of Frenchie, although a few of the scenes with him were an uncomfortable read; trigger warnings are included at the start of the novel. In the few steamy scenes, it was refreshing to see Evelynn’s ‘curviness’ embraced. The ending, although a little predictable, wraps everything up nicely.

Overall, dark romance fans, and fans of gothic horror, are likely to enjoy this entertaining read.

[Terry Birdgenaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bride of the Haunted Manor is a phantastic gothic romance, where passion crosses boundaries, uniting the living and the dead. At the novella’s beginning, we learn that the main character, Evelynn, lives within a family of witches. Evelynn does not at first know her supernatural talent but learns, as she ages, that experiencing physical pain gives her the ability to see ghosts. Communicating her experiences to others often creates problems for Evelynn, even so far as to turn her new husband against her, resulting in an abusive, loveless marriage. A subsequent divorce ensues, with her husband committing her to an asylum and taking her pre-teen daughter from her. After a lengthy asylum stay, Evelynn seeks employment to gain the resources needed to find her estranged daughter. All she can find is a position as the caretaker of a haunted mansion, where she learns that many other employees and visitors have lost their lives. With the ability to see and interact with ghosts, Evelynn learns the horrific, murderous stories of the mansion’s past inhabitants and must break an evil spell that ensnares many departed souls. Author Sephyrra writes a compelling, page-turning tale that crisscrosses dimensions with horrifying and exhilarating interactions between the living and the dead. At times, the fantastical interactions between the main characters demand stark suspensions from reality, but those who enjoy dark romances will be electrified by the descriptive prose. Written in the first person, the narrative draws in the reader, inspiring them to cheer for Evelynn as her strong nature and courage are slowly revealed. Although filled with unexpected turns, the final plot twist is perhaps overly foreshadowed, making it unsurprising to all but the most naïve. Nonetheless, the novella is filled was riveting action, captivating dialogue, and titillating romantic scenes that will thrill most readers.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice gothic novella, because it is perfect for a spooky mood, I love to be in a spooky mood all year and also is a gothic romance so perfect for Valentine's Day.

The story tells about Evelynn who knows she's a witch and could see ghosts all her entire life, but needs to hide her power because people don't understand her. After events that deal with a devil, she goes on a rollercoaster with ups and downs that make feel the best and the most horrible things in life. After marrying a man who didn't love her, he took her daughter away from her and locked in the asylum, making her get into the most horrible and deep hole. She ends up being caretaker of a haunted manor with a horrible history behind, meeting a ghost and with the mission to resolve what really happened in that manor and also she finds love can transcend this physical world.

Evelynn is awesome and incredible, a witch of course I related to her. I like her strong and vulnerable moments, the way superpass all the things in her life while she arrives to the point that could be happy, life again hits her, but she gets up again and fights. Frenchie is a really awesome, romantic and interesting man, with of course his own tragic history who learns that all his mistakes chase him even in the afterlife. Also even though he's blonde I like him, has a beard and good manners, how he treats Evelynn, and how eachother love each other with their own scars.

I'm really looking for gothic romance, and that's a good start, also a good fast-read to get in relaxing, but even is a novella is a really page-turn on how deep and interesting the story is make you feel a lot of emotions and the end, the vows and the epilogue are the cherry on top to make the perfect cake.

[Paloma Rios · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so angry reading this. The only reason I finished it was because I'm trying to hit a reading goal. But just know that I was so upset the whole time.

The plot? Giving this two stars because it's a fun plot with potential. I ddi not like this writing style. I'm like 90% sure this is fanfiction that accidentally got included in Stuff Your Kindle Day. I thought it was the 1800s but the language was giving 2010. And then (spoiler) one of the characters has diary entries from 1886 and then goes "I died over a century ago :/" HUH?

To be fair, I was so upset reading this that the date confusion may entirely be on my part. If that's the case, sorry to Sephyrra.

Evelynn and Frenchie. Y'all have problems that should probably be figured out. Like. Let's do some self reflection on how we ended up here. Just like I will be when thinking of how I ended up reading this.

Anyways. Happy first read of 2024. Starting off strong.

[Darrell Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bride of the Hunted Manor.
First I have to say, I love novellas. With Bride of the Hunted Manor, I found it too novella-ish. One of the keys to making a fast moving novella is to start a scene just past the beginning, so you are tossed into the action or emotions. With this novella I felt like I was tossed into the end of an argument. Not so much as to stop my enjoyment, but like an expensive sports car that is out of tune, a jerky ride but still really fun to drive.
Novellas aren't the place for a deep examination of the character's soul, but I could have done with a little more examination of her feelings, like when she lost her virginity to her husband and a ghost was sitting in room watching. Situations like this just might invoke an emotion or two. Yes, she was concerned with what he might think of her. Still I would have liked to have a better idea of what she was thinking.
If you like novellas this is a quick fun read that is just a little too novella.

[Loralee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline of this tale was solid, and the protagonist, Evelyn, was likable. The main part of the plot was also very engaging; whenever she feels pain, she is able to see ghosts around her. There is also a deliciously scary haunted house, and a handsome but tormented ghost man. I found myself able to feel sympathy for Evelyn, but the story felt rushed. There were so many parts that needed more development that I feel this particular story would have done better as a full length novel. Additionally, I found a number of typos that threw the story off for me slightly.
There were adult situations that would not be appropriate for children, but if that doesn’t bother you and you enjoy gothic horror, you would likely find this novella a quick and enjoyable read.

[Kim_reads_it_all · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5)



I absolutely loved this novella. My only pet peeve was that the entire time I was reading this there was a constant fluctuation(in the writing) between the time period the author was initially trying to go for and modern day. Specifically, the conversations between the characters. It was such an incredibly relatable story in regards to having to deal with cruel people, and facing injustices. I found that the love between Evelynn and Frederick was executed well. The love that blossomed between those two was something I was constantly swooning over. I can wait for Book 2 to come out this year. The epilogue also was the perfect ending. It answered a few questions, though I would've liked for Evelynn to have used more of her powers.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love gothic romance and I love ghost stories so I really enjoyed having book that wedded these elements together in the plot. The romance was dark and spicy, which I enjoyed. My biggest beef was that a lot of characters felt flat and the dialogue felt like a stylized cliche. But its charm was that read like a bit of a throwback to paperback gothics, so these features may have been intentional. With a love of dark romance and horror fiction I loved the macabre twist on the happy ever after. It was exactly what I was in the mood for and the kind of book I love finding on Kindle Unlimited.

I am also posting my review on my blog: http://glamorousbookgal.blogspot.com/...

[David Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Well-Written Ghost Story.

The Bride Of The Haunted Manor: A Gothic Romance Novella is a very fast-paced, engaging, and entertaining ghost story. While readers of this genre and watchers of similarly themed movies will find aspects of the tale predictable (I figured out how the story would end about halfway through,) the characters, especially Evelyn and Frenchie were well-developed. The pacing was excellent and the narration/dialog kept me turning the pages from start to finish. This is a delightful tale for the Halloween season or anytime you are at home during a chilly night or thunderstorm wanting to read something suspenseful and scary.

[Laura Koerber · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed parts of this book and loved some of the imagery, in my opinion this should be a full-length novel. Novellas have to keep to a tight plot; otherwise, the episodes in the story get rushed in order to fit them all in. I thought that individual scenes needed to be expanded for more impact on the reader. Not more episodes; more depth to each.
Even though the book felt rushed to me, there are many interesting scenes. I like the recurrence of ghosts as an audience for the major events in the main characters life. I kept thinking about how those scenes would look in the movie version of the book!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a Gothic romance novella, so it was a fairly short read. For me, it didn't have quite the atmosphere I would expect when reading this type of story, but it was still a pretty good short story with Gothic influences. I didn't find myself escaping into the story as I hoped, but I still felt a connection with the protagonist and cared about what happened to her. I would probably read something else by this author too.

Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really great short gothic romance novella. It has two main characters who need an escape from their past relationships. Evelynn goes to the haunted manor where she meets her other half. The Haunted Manor is an ancient building, when things start to happen she wants to escape but is unable to.

you can not really say much about this short book because if I continue I will give out the whole story. However, it was really good and perfect for Halloween or just a short gothic book to read. This is one I recommend and would read again.

[Tatyana Vogt]

So I was actually kinda excited for this, the intro was nice but then we shifted into boring setup that went on WAAAAYYY too long for a novella and the writing was not good, it felt like a bad 1st draft. Then like halfway through or something we finally make it to the manor and the romance has NO chemistry and the more I read the more I hated it.

Also the print had some technical issues with the writing, a full paragraph was duplicated among other things. (which honestly I would have looked past if I was enjoying anything else).

[Nicole Lobato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart touching Gothic love story

It seems like it's hard to find true gothic love stories these days but this book has a true gothic and haunting feel to it. I love how descriptive the story is and really makes you feel like you are there. There are a few twists in this story that really leave you on the edge of your seat and there is no way to predict what happens next. I especially loved the love story between Frenchie and Evelynn. It shows that love is strong enough to existed in both worlds the living and the dead.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading Bride of The Haunted Manor by Sephyrra! I was hooked after just reading the first couple pages. Evelyn is the FMC; I really liked her character and she felt very relatable. The story was very engrossing and the plot makes it a perfect read for the spooky season. I did not want to put this down, a quick, fun read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Glowstars · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of potential, especially with the gothic setting and feel to it. Unfortunately, as a novella it felt rushed, with nowhere near enough detail given to any part. The storyline was solid but there was so much that should’ve been built upon, and as a result it skated around emotion and didn’t create a connection between the reader and the characters. While it made a good read for an afternoon, I don’t think I’ll be rushing to read more from this author just yet.

[sbw26_ Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed but a little disappointed

I expected more from this. It has the potential to be so much more if the author dug in and expanded on the FMC witchy-ness. I expected the haunted manor to link back to the beginning of the story with a major plot twist as her aunt was a dark witch. There’s a granule of it there, but I wasn’t wowed by it. The writing style was somewhat choppy and this just wasn’t for me.

[Heather D · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so disappointed in this book. The writing style itself left a lot to be desired but despite that, the first 1/3 or so of the book was pretty decent, with the opening being the best. I see where the author was going with this story but the writing was lackluster and the book started getting really stupid halfway through. It was a struggle to finish which is sad because I was really looking forward to the overall plot.