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Phobia
Phobia is an 18,000 word novella set after the events in Nocticadia. The setting and tone of this short story is a complete departure from Nocticadia, and echoes my gritty contemporary books. Nocticadia was meant to remain a standalone, so please know before diving in that this will not be a full story. It’s merely a glimpse of these two characters and nothing more.
70 pages, ebook
94 people are currently reading
6035 people want to read
About the author
Keri Lake
43 books15.5k followersAuthor of gothic romance who specializes in demon wrangling, vengeance dealing and wicked twists.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 855 reviews
October 29, 2024
1 star ⭐️
⤷ spoiler-free review!! ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
”He came for me. Watched over me. Killed for me.”
wtaf. this novella was SO UNNECESSARY, and i was grimacing throughout because of how dark and gruesome it was. idk about y’all, but i found the mmc (iykyk) SO CREEPY 😭now i know i won’t enjoy psychopathic/serial-killer dark romance books. honestly, do yourselves a favour and don’t read this after nocticadia because it’s a waste of time 😭😭😭
⤷ spoiler-free review!! ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
”He came for me. Watched over me. Killed for me.”
wtaf. this novella was SO UNNECESSARY, and i was grimacing throughout because of how dark and gruesome it was. idk about y’all, but i found the mmc (iykyk) SO CREEPY 😭
December 9, 2023
wtf i need more caed
December 5, 2023
Miss Keri lake u crazy crazy girl IHY for ending it like that 🤚
The way I’m actually devastated there isn’t gna be more to their story 😩 it was traumatising but romantic and ykw? I ate it uppp 😌💅
The way I’m actually devastated there isn’t gna be more to their story 😩 it was traumatising but romantic and ykw? I ate it uppp 😌💅
February 2, 2024
KL deserves jail time for the open ending 😭.
I just didn't understand the point of including Caed and Bree in the epilogue of the last book and giving them such large roles in their respective sibling's characters and lives if not to let have them their own story? 🤷♀️ I can'tttttt 😭
I just didn't understand the point of including Caed and Bree in the epilogue of the last book and giving them such large roles in their respective sibling's characters and lives if not to let have them their own story? 🤷♀️ I can'tttttt 😭
November 17, 2024
0.25⭐️
Gods I hated this. I wanted to see more of the two other characters from Nocticadia but not like this. What the hell was this? It was so unnecessary, uncomfortable and vile for no reason. Since the author says she won't continue writing in this world (which I hope it's not true because I was obsessed with Nocticadia and with the university setting) this novella was such a downgrade it was outright ridiculous. Obviously, it has nothing to do with the school, that, I knew, but getting this? Not getting a full length novel even tho she ended Nocticadia that way, AND this novella, constantly alluding to another book even when you don't have any planned? Cruel. This novella was actually terrible. The way they talked, the setting, the blandness of the characters and how annoying the fmc's "good friend" was, what actually fucking went down?? I honestly wanted to puke.
This was NOT how I wanted their story to unfold! Absolutely not. I'll pretend I didn't read this and I'll just imagine another scenario for these two bc what the hell was this? If you couldn't tell I'm in actual disbelief😭
Gods I hated this. I wanted to see more of the two other characters from Nocticadia but not like this. What the hell was this? It was so unnecessary, uncomfortable and vile for no reason. Since the author says she won't continue writing in this world (which I hope it's not true because I was obsessed with Nocticadia and with the university setting) this novella was such a downgrade it was outright ridiculous. Obviously, it has nothing to do with the school, that, I knew, but getting this? Not getting a full length novel even tho she ended Nocticadia that way, AND this novella, constantly alluding to another book even when you don't have any planned? Cruel. This novella was actually terrible. The way they talked, the setting, the blandness of the characters and how annoying the fmc's "good friend" was, what actually fucking went down?? I honestly wanted to puke.
This was NOT how I wanted their story to unfold! Absolutely not. I'll pretend I didn't read this and I'll just imagine another scenario for these two bc what the hell was this? If you couldn't tell I'm in actual disbelief😭
August 10, 2024
Please, I would like to trade this book with Spencer’s bonus content🫡 I wanted Caed’s book but that was before the epilogue of Nocticadia. See, age gap is a hot thing, but a 33y old teacher with a high-schooler?? Gross. Their connection was more like trauma-bonding than romance.
August 28, 2024
naaaah why throw away the chance for an amazing sequel !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 27, 2025
WHYYY am just annoyed u need a full book about them a novel isn't enough .
This could have been really good but ut was rushed (yes I know it's a nkvella) but still I needed more the same yearning and tension with book 1 , I wanted for them to meet I dracadia and sm more 💔😭
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am kicking my legs thank God that there is a novella about them (please be good)
This could have been really good but ut was rushed (yes I know it's a nkvella) but still I needed more the same yearning and tension with book 1 , I wanted for them to meet I dracadia and sm more 💔😭
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am kicking my legs thank God that there is a novella about them (please be good)
October 30, 2025
2.5⭐️
Reasons I didn't like this as much as Nocticadia is bc, you can js TELL when an author is js writing for the cash grab/not willingly (almost as the audience FORCED her to). If you were an author, pls make sure to make a complete story for your important side characters, too. Not js leave us hanging.
First off, to take these two points from my Nocticadia review,
i. caed and bee was js so unnecessary. she's not well, and you pair her with someone more f-ed up?? umm..? the only thing she needed was to HEAL. and the only thing caed needed was therapy. end of story. put two fires tgt, and they burn themselves stronger.
ii. if you oppose the idea of caed and bee being apart, then great. that's possible. Make this a BOOK. not NOVELLA. Go deeper into their story, like you did with Lilia and Devryk. Same plot? No problem. Just switch it up in the middle, I'm sure Caed has a much more interesting backstory than Devryk. Is it that hard???🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
iii. there was NO healing or further interactions for either CAED OR BEE in this story. at all. they just sort of met, then part ways. for what? like huh??
To be honest, I found it hard to find positives so there are js none (so far) in this book. I intially wanted to read this novella to fill the caed-and-bee-hole in my heart or smtg after nocticadia, but after reading this I felt like it was better I didn't read it at all.
Check out my Nocticadia review, here.
➡️ the only positive is the okay writing style tbh, so there's 2.5⭐️ for that
Reasons I didn't like this as much as Nocticadia is bc, you can js TELL when an author is js writing for the cash grab/not willingly (almost as the audience FORCED her to). If you were an author, pls make sure to make a complete story for your important side characters, too. Not js leave us hanging.
First off, to take these two points from my Nocticadia review,
i. caed and bee was js so unnecessary. she's not well, and you pair her with someone more f-ed up?? umm..? the only thing she needed was to HEAL. and the only thing caed needed was therapy. end of story. put two fires tgt, and they burn themselves stronger.
ii. if you oppose the idea of caed and bee being apart, then great. that's possible. Make this a BOOK. not NOVELLA. Go deeper into their story, like you did with Lilia and Devryk. Same plot? No problem. Just switch it up in the middle, I'm sure Caed has a much more interesting backstory than Devryk. Is it that hard???🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
iii. there was NO healing or further interactions for either CAED OR BEE in this story. at all. they just sort of met, then part ways. for what? like huh??
To be honest, I found it hard to find positives so there are js none (so far) in this book. I intially wanted to read this novella to fill the caed-and-bee-hole in my heart or smtg after nocticadia, but after reading this I felt like it was better I didn't read it at all.
Check out my Nocticadia review, here.
➡️ the only positive is the okay writing style tbh, so there's 2.5⭐️ for that
August 4, 2024
i feel like i just got scammed that was not nearly enough. i need more
September 29, 2025
I hate to say this, but what was the point? I mean, it was fun and all, but... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
April 21, 2025
this should’ve been at least 300 pages long
October 12, 2024
➼ 2★
”He came for me. Watched over me. Killed for me.”
this is the novella set after the events of nocticadia.
what can i say… i read it in 30 minutes and i think it’s useless😃 just read nocticadia, it’s WAY better!
November 21, 2025
Seven hells. Caed is definitely an antihero who walks the line of good and bad. Reading this novella feels like I’ve taken a bite of my favourite ice cream before it’s taken away from me.
And why is he not getting a book? He deserves one 😭
And why is he not getting a book? He deserves one 😭
May 11, 2025
3.5
I wish this was a full-length novel, I would love more of this story.
I wish this was a full-length novel, I would love more of this story.
December 9, 2024
I started this novella thinking it was bonus scenes of dev and lilia but i never really thought this would be about caed and bee. Now I'm so disappointed we won't get a book for them
September 1, 2024
Two stars cause I liked her writing and the storyline was kinda good but it was way too short, a possibly good story wasted and rushed on 70 pages.
The relationship between Caed and Bee (I don’t even wanna call it that) didn’t do it for me at all.
The relationship between Caed and Bee (I don’t even wanna call it that) didn’t do it for me at all.
October 16, 2024
Get novella, only made me wish for more of it.
Bee and Mr. Caed.
I'll dream of one in the future should Keri decide to write more about them.
Bee and Mr. Caed.
I'll dream of one in the future should Keri decide to write more about them.
June 26, 2024
Oh my god, am I disappointed with the ending? Yes. Am I disappointed that Keri ended Nocticadia in hopes of having an entirely different book for Caed and Bee and have no intentions of writing a book? Yes.
This novella has been amazing until Keri didn't give a closed ending to this book. She could have done that and Caed's and Bee's story would have ended. She warned us in the beginning that we shouldn't expect more since she wrote Nocticadia as a standalone book. But, but, but... why did you ended Nocticadia in hopes of having a 2nd book?
Guys, I loved this novella, but I'm not going to write more about it. You should read it but here are tropes and trigger warnings of this book.
Tropes & T/Ws:
>> Professor x student
>> Serial killer
>> Age-gap
>> Murd3r / Viol3nce
>> Kidn@pping / Past tr@uma
>> Bike guy / Stalk3r
>> Mention of self-h@rm
>> Open-ended ending
>> Spiked drink
If you are into a handsome english lit. professor, guys, what are you waiting for, read this book now but don't get your hopes high because you won't be getting what you want.
This novella has been amazing until Keri didn't give a closed ending to this book. She could have done that and Caed's and Bee's story would have ended. She warned us in the beginning that we shouldn't expect more since she wrote Nocticadia as a standalone book. But, but, but... why did you ended Nocticadia in hopes of having a 2nd book?
Guys, I loved this novella, but I'm not going to write more about it. You should read it but here are tropes and trigger warnings of this book.
Tropes & T/Ws:
>> Professor x student
>> Serial killer
>> Age-gap
>> Murd3r / Viol3nce
>> Kidn@pping / Past tr@uma
>> Bike guy / Stalk3r
>> Mention of self-h@rm
>> Open-ended ending
>> Spiked drink
If you are into a handsome english lit. professor, guys, what are you waiting for, read this book now but don't get your hopes high because you won't be getting what you want.
October 9, 2024
I expected so much more
November 15, 2024
This author needs help.
September 1, 2025
My only complaint is that it wasn’t long enough! This could have easily been a full novel. It felt very rushed. 😩 if only there was more from Caed & Bee!
November 18, 2025
A decent novella. I don’t have a lot entirely positive or negative to say. I liked having the glimpse of Bee’s life and her love interest being Doctor Death’s twin brother is awesome. Keri Lake has said that she has no plans for a sequel and Nocticadia will remain a standalone, but I think this novella would have so much potential as a sequel. The ending of Nocticadia sort of felt like a cliffhanger! This was okay for what it was, but I think it could’ve been a full length novel.
August 29, 2024
This felt… unnecessary.
There wasn't enough of it to make an impact, and what was there just served to frustrate me rather than make me happy.
Caed’s character just felt like a ripoff of
Devryk. Teacher student relationship and all. Why make them so similar? Especially when it's just a tiny little Novella off a very large novel, it doesn't make sense to me.
I could have used some insight into Caed. But instead all we got was this psycho dude that was into Lilias sister, who, by the way, just threw everything her sister worked for for ages out the window as soon as she met a guy.
I don't know. It was a nice idea having him come save her from a serial killer. But that's all this Novella was. A nice idea.
There wasn't enough of it to make an impact, and what was there just served to frustrate me rather than make me happy.
Caed’s character just felt like a ripoff of
Devryk. Teacher student relationship and all. Why make them so similar? Especially when it's just a tiny little Novella off a very large novel, it doesn't make sense to me.
I could have used some insight into Caed. But instead all we got was this psycho dude that was into Lilias sister, who, by the way, just threw everything her sister worked for for ages out the window as soon as she met a guy.
I don't know. It was a nice idea having him come save her from a serial killer. But that's all this Novella was. A nice idea.
November 3, 2024
3.25✨
November 27, 2025
A delicious return to Nocticadia, absolutely. But Caed? He’s no Dr Death, not even close. 😬
March 24, 2025
WHYYYYYYY???? Why would you do that? Other than to torture souls and break hearts?
I feel so utterly robbed of what could have been an PERFECTLY AMAZING DARK TWISTED FUCKED UP STORY 😭😭😭
I want to give it zero stars because I am SO SO SO MAAAAAD and at the same time I want to give it 5 stars because goddamnit if there had been more it could have been epic!!!!!!
I feel so utterly robbed of what could have been an PERFECTLY AMAZING DARK TWISTED FUCKED UP STORY 😭😭😭
I want to give it zero stars because I am SO SO SO MAAAAAD and at the same time I want to give it 5 stars because goddamnit if there had been more it could have been epic!!!!!!
December 24, 2023
I’ll be frank - I have a complete bias when it comes to Keri Lake’s writing. I devour her words and am always left wanting more. I’ll probably never rate any work of hers lower than 5 stars, even as I sit here grateful to have been given a gift of revisiting the Nocticadia world again, but also salivating for more.
January 3, 2025
This was just… bad. Inconsistent details about Bee. Based on the timeline, miss girl should be 17 and not 18. Her still being in high school just makes this a big no no for me. I found Bee & Marissa to be unrealistic and acting older than they were. And it feels icky to me. I wish I didn’t read this one lol it takes away from how amazing Nocticadia is.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 855 reviews