Tristitia

Shades of Sin #3.5

by Colette Rhodes

Tristitia is a monster x monster novella set in the Shades of Sin universe.

It is best read as 3.5 in the series, after Gula.

Suitable for readers age 18+

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Monsters, Paranormal, Monster Romance, Paranormal Romance, Novella

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 22, 2023

About the author

Colette Rhodes is a paranormal romance author from New Zealand. She loves to write about love in all its forms, and adores imperfect heroes and heroines who find perfection in each other. You’ll often find her trying to justify her degree by including ancient history and mythological influences in her work.

If she’s not writing, then you’re almost certain to find her reading—ideally with a cup of tea in hand and a scented candle burning to match the mood.

Keep up with Colette here:

Website: coletterhodes.com
Instagram: @coletterhodes_author

Reviews

[DIVINITY🌙 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

”For one night only. Don’t get any ideas.” Too late. Far too fucking late.”

I didn’t think it was possible to become more obsessed and in love with this series but here I am obsessed and more in love 🤭If you’ve read the other books we all wanted to know what the deal was with the chef and Levanna..the tension between them was coming off the pages so I’m so glad we finally got their story.

🔶monsterXmonster
🔶shadeXshade
🔶one night only
🔶he falls first
🔶dual pov
🔶knotting (if ya know ya know)
🔶SPICY 🔥🥵
🔶DIRTY TALK 👄
🔶cute nicknames
🔶MMC is a chef, FMC is a guard member

The SPICE, wheewwww the spice was spicing. The dirty talk omggggg so good.

”Tell me how you’re going to walk away from this,” I gritted out. “Tell me that it’ll ever be the same with anyone else. Lie to me.”

I wish this was longer 😭 but I often feel this with novellas. I felt their relationship felt sex based and I wanted more intimate sweet moments. Overall, a great addition to the series and I can’t wait for more books in the future.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ Calix and Levana are adorable 💕


"For one night only. Don't get any ideas."
"And if you beg for more?
"That's not going to be an issue."
"We'll see about that. I very much plan on making you addicted to me."


WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ monster romance
✨ they're both shades/monsters
✨ grumpy x serious
✨ she's the queen's person guard
✨ he's the palace chef
✨ one-night stand
✨ 3/5 spice
✨ denial of feelings
✨ he falls first
✨ banter
✨ cute nickname
✨ knotting
✨ dual pov
✨ low stakes
✨ family drama



My Thoughts:

This was a great novella! I really enjoyed getting Calix and Levana's backstories, seeing how their romance blossomed, and finding out more about the realm of the Shades.

I liked how this was different from the other books in the Shades of Sin series, since both the MCs are monsters and grumpy/emotionally reserved. Even though she is physically more powerful and skilled with weapons, he can easily make her submit. And while they're both prickly, they soften towards each other. Calix and Levana make an adorable couple and I hope they make cameos in future books.

Levana also had such an interesting, yet strained, relationship with her aristocratic family, while Calix has a wonderfully loving one with his working class parents. Having two MCs from different classes helped expand our understanding of this world and the varying cultures within it.


-

Shades of Sin Series + Ratings:

1. Luxuria: 5 ⭐️
2. Superbia: 3 ⭐️
3. Gula: 3 ⭐️
3.5. Tristitia: 4 ⭐️
4. Avaritia: 4 ⭐️
5. Invidia: 3.5 ⭐️
6. Ira: 3 ⭐️
7. Acedia: 4 ⭐️

-


Favorite Quotes:

I lived for flavor, and I'd never tasted anything quite as perfect as her.
_______

"It would be foolish to get attached."
"It's a little late for that, Blue."
_______

Pretty? I could never describe Levana as pretty. It seemed like such an insubstantial descriptor. Flowers were pretty. Delicate and soft and unobjectionable. Levana wasn't pretty. She was magnificent.
_______

If I could make her simple like that every day of her life, then I'd die happy that I'd done some good with my time in this realm.
_______

[buket · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’m just letting you know that I’m going to marry you and you’re going to live in my apartment, and I suppose you can leave sometimes—if you really have to—for your illustrious career, but that you’ll be dealing with a very needy, clingy husband when you return. I thought you should know what you’re getting yourself into—I’m generous like that.”

who could know that the grumpy chef is actually so needy for his Levana🤭😋

[RLbooks (in and out) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this world and I enjoyed Calix (H) and Levana (h) with his grumpy charm and her sweet, but uncertain, nature. It was also refreshing having the first Shade/Shade pairing and hearing about another part of the realm. The author has said this started as a bonus but turned into a novella and I still wished there was more. There are several time jumps in this novella starting with the prologue then moving forward seven years and then shorter spans of time with some that coincide with events from the prior books (like Ophelia coming to the realm and shaking things up).

Calix is the head chef at the palace and Levana is the second daughter of a noble family who’s working in the Guard. These two have instant attraction but Levana is operating under a dark cloud knowing her father could demand she return home at any time. Their relationship is initially a ONS that isn’t enough for either, but each subsequent time is tinged with the knowledge Levana won’t let it be more. Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama and neither are virgins (no history given).

Levana’s family is complicated and unhappy. Her friendship with Ophelia is shown slightly in this book, but it’s such a fantastic relationship that I love. Calix has a nice relationship with his parents but his life centers around his kitchen. His staff were hilarious and cute.

While there are sweet moments between our mains, along with a few excellent steamy ones, I did wish for more happy connection scenes and some extra emotionally intimate ones. It makes sense that there weren't as many since this is a novella that wasn't even supposed to be a novella to start, but I'm greedy. Calix was accepting what he could from the situation and Levana disappointed me with how she was blinded to her options. I preferred how gone he was for her over how she held herself back somewhat. It takes a hard wake up call for Levana to realize she can pursue what she wants, which of course includes Calix. Thankfully she does make the step to go to him. The ending is HFN/HEA of them married. I'll continue to read anything in this series!

[Rayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dropped everything to read this. It was perfectly short and really adorable. I’m happy that we get to see Levana get her happy ending. There’s nothing better than a devoted man who knows who he wants and won’t settle for anyone else. This was a great novella to hold me over until the next book of this addicting series is released.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

“I’m just letting you know that I’m going to marry you and you’re going to live in my apartment, and I suppose you can leave sometimes—if you really have to—for your illustrious career, but that you’ll be dealing with a very needy, clingy husband when you return. I thought you should know what you’re getting yourself into—I’m generous like that.”

[Allia Reads (semi hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

They were so adorable🥰

[Natalie ~ The Biblioholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

How sweet was Calix?

From previous books, I knew him as the surly, somewhat unapproachable chef at the palace. I knew something was brewing between him and Levana, but I had no idea how it was going to happen and if we were going to see it happen or if they'd just appear as a couple in a future story.

So thank you, Colette Rhodes, for giving us this tale.

Levana was the queen's guard, but she knew her time at the palace was temporary. Her father had expectations and she had lived her life trying to meet them.

What happens when she falls in love and the life she wants isn't the life her father has planned?

Loved this book!

[Iman’s Library · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

I was so excited for Calix and Levana.

Calix is a grouch and feisty, and I really loved his character in book 1

Levana seemed sweet and loved her friendship with the Queen.

However, the romance didn’t do it for me. They were together twice in total, and he was heartbroken because he was so in love… also, I hated that the book kept time jumping between each chapter. It was always a few weeks later after every interaction they had, which made it extremely difficult to get attached to their story. It wasn’t believable and I didn’t feel much when they got together by the end. I get that it’s a novella so it’s hard to see the full connection develop, but this was messy and I just couldn’t connect.

[girlwithhearteyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

Nawww, I really liked this! Levana and Calix have been in the periphery in the first 3 books, and I loved seeing their story fleshed out in this novella. Grumpy/passionate royal chef MMC + dutiful guard who rarely takes something for herself FMC. Obviously he feeds her, the opportunity was not lost. 😍

[❤️Emma Book Lover ❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella about grumpy head chef of the palace Calix and Levana the queens personal guard.
I thought they had good tension in previous books and this was a couple that I wanted to have a HEA.
All was good until I got to the end and realised that the author was teasing us for 130 pages about Levana taking Calix knot,a sexy scene I was really looking forward to, to discover the end without any mention of it.
Pff.. Disappointing😑

[nat. ❦ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bueno bueno, ¿quién diría que Calix lo tenía en él, eh? 🫶

[Angela Plumeria · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 A cute story about Levana, Queen Ophelia’s bodyguard and Calix, the grumpy cook. Something was definitely off about Levana’s parents. My only complaint is that I wish we would have uncovered the mystery about her parents and their weird behaviors. Calix was awesome and so fun. Levana’s sister Sirena was very contradictory, not sure I really liked her style. Definitely wanted to root for the couple though. Nice little mid series novella.

[Kelspar · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5 rounding up to 3

Most of this novella was squeezed between events that happened in the previous books. So not much really happens and there were several week long time skips. Honestly it was a little jarring and sometimes it felt like a summary.

I was pretty bummed. I liked both Levana and Calix from the previous stories but I didn't think they really got the depth they deserved in their own book. Everything was very surface and had to fit in already established plot points. Overall, kinda lame and pointless 🤷‍♀️

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this shade world so much that when I realised there was a novella about Calix and Levena I had to read it asap.

These two have been sprinkled throughout the series given their roles in court and there's always been a delicious tension between them so seeing the reasons why and how things played out was great and now I'm just impatiently waiting for the next one!

5/5 stars

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yessss Levana and Calix were so cute. 🩶

[Christina Menchaca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I lovex how this book ties in a background story we all knew was there! It also tides me. Over until the next shades of sin is released! Totally binged this as soon as I heard about it!
Calix the chef had quite the personality in the first book and we could see the tension between him and levana throughout the series. Even though it was a short read it had everything I needed to gi e it 5 stars. A history between the two, strong independent adults, a back story on why levana does what she does, some great spicy scenes, and a happily ever after!

[Linda M · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella just hit the sweet spot between feels and spice. I loved the monster x monster pairing and getting a glimpse into the lives of characters from previous books, as well as a look at possible future main characters.

I love Colette’s writing and how she can make her characters feel vulnerable and powerful at the same time.

This world just keeps getting richer and I can’t wait for book 4!

[Andrea ☾ [is inconsistently consistant] · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I was so excited for Levana x Calix's story! I'm a little disappointed because it felt a bit too drawn out for how short this novella is, and I was really looking forward towards the knotting scene, but alas!

Hopefully we'll see more of them in future books.

[Lauren]

I didn’t expect this to be as cute as it was omfg - I LOVE Calix

[Jade Pietrangelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute novella about a couple I’ve wanted to see more of since book 1!

[Zoē Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

They actually talked to each other, and the relationship wasn't based entirely on sex. I liked them

[V. (book hangover or book slump?) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A super cute novella about Levana and Calix ❣️

Calix's grin grew a little more feral as he pulled me toward the Shades dancing around the fire, and I was struck with a feeling of absolute certainty that I didn't often experience.
I was going to fuck this male tonight.

I've been ✨ obsessed ✨ with these two since Luxuria but personally I needed more...

"Levana!" Torin called, skidding to a stop and grinning at me. "There you are. We missed you. The boss is visiting his father in Kelna."
"Torin!" Katriel hissed. "I was going to interrogate her a little first. Find out why she's back."
"She's back for the boss," Torin replied, frowning. "Right, Levana?"
"That seems like a conversation I should have with him first." Though I couldn't help but smile as I said it.

It's not that I wanted less 🌶️🌶️🌶️ but I definitely wanted more fluff—probably an entire book—following the Queen's personal guard and the palace head chef 🥰

But other than wanting more pages to read, this was frkn adorable!

.
.
.

5 stars ⭐️ Luxuria
3 stars ⭐️ Superbia
5 stars ⭐️ Gula

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was short and cute. I am loving this series so much!

[عاليه 🎀 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Summary: I’ll be honest. I read this book today bc I’m a glutton for punishment. I’m single as all heck and I’ve read a couple really good novels lately and I made the abject mistake of watching Howl’s Moving Castle today so I’m feeling incredibly sick with longing for love. This book filled that hole.

Naturally I’ve read the first three…(?) *goes to check* No the first four books of this series already so I knew the characters and the gist of how this love story would go.

Calix - Calix is the perfect kind of grumpy. He’s a good cook, a househusband and a very empathetic sweetheart. I love the way he let Levana go so she could figure out her own mind even though it broke his heart.

Levana - I have a terrible father too so I really felt for her. I was enraged the whole time. Every time her father spoke I was furious. She’s shy and reserved because of how she was raised and I’m happy that she made the right choice in the end.

Issues - I’m knocking off two stars bc I feel like the emotional intimacy was lacking even though the stage was perfectly set to explore it deeper. Yes they had sex and it was okay but I wanted more intimacy for them. I wish they had explored why Levana had been so willing to let Calix get close to her 🐱 with his teeth, as well as her throat and neck, and why she had been so keen on him knotting her when female Shade anatomy isn’t really made to accept the knots of male Shades very easily.

Those three things hinted at a lot more under the surface emotionally for the couple and I feel like it wasn’t explored at all. Missed opportunity if you ask me.

Also I wish Calix had been a tiny bit more romantic. Yes I know he’s the grumpy type but still.


Fav Snippets:

“Am I being too subtle, Levana? Do you really think I’m capable of even looking at anyone else when I’m so fucking fixated on you?”

Even my shadows curled in on me in embarrassment.

Father reeled back, apparently unsure how to deal with this version of his youngest daughter. The one who spoke back and wore her attitude like armor. 

“I’m just letting you know that I’m going to marry you and you’re going to live in my apartment, and I suppose you can leave sometimes—if you really have to—for your illustrious career, but that you’ll be dealing with a very needy, clingy husband when you return. I thought you should know what you’re getting yourself into—I’m generous like that.”

“You want to marry me?” “I’m going to marry you,” I corrected. 

I bid you a civil adieu.

[JML · Rating 5 out of 5]

So very very delicious🔥🌟💖

This series is one of the very best! The world building if phenomenal and the characters are fantastic! In this little novella Calix the Royal chef with a temper finds the love of his Shade life in Levana the personal guard of the new human queen Ophelia. Calix knows what he wants and he wants Levanna as his wife. But he knows deep down that she has family baggage she has to deal with if they ever truly want to be together. Levana loves being at court and being the queens personal guard. She's made true friends and allies of powerful people. She's also allowed herself to fall head over heels in love with Calix. Her domineering father has placed expectations upon her that she's dutifully tried to fulfill her whole life, and she's miserable. Will she realize in time what's truly important to her or will she let not only her friends and job go but will she abandon the love for Calix growing inside her ? You have too read and find out! Their chemistry is perfect and their banter is funny! You'll Laugh out loud and wish you could have a shade of your own by the end. My only complaint is that it ended too soon! I look forward to more stories in the future!💖🌟🔥🌟💖🔥💖🌟🔥💖🌟🔥🌟💖🔥💖🌟🔥🌟💖🔥🌟💖🔥🌟💖🔥🌟💖🔥🌟💖🔥🌟🔥💖🔥💖🔥🌟💖🔥💖🔥🌟💖🔥

[Ambers Book Nest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colette Rhodes is my go-to author when it comes to monster smut, and her Shades of Sin series is one of my favourites. I can't get enough of the steamy and thrilling encounters between humans and the shades. The tension and forbidden desires make each page impossible to put down. When I got the email that she had written a novella for the series, I downloaded it without hesitation. I was eager to dive back into the captivating world she had created, and I especially adored that this was a shade x shade relationship this time around. Both Levena (the queen's guard) and Calix (the court head chef) have previously been side characters in the series, and I was excited to see them take centre stage in this novella. Levena and Calix have my whole heart; they had such incredible chemistry, and their interactions were filled with tension and passion. I really enjoyed their story and the closer look into the shades court dynamics. This was such an amazing novella, and it had all the right points to give it 5 stars.

“I’m just letting you know that I’m going to marry you and you’re going to live in my apartment, and I suppose you can leave sometimes—if you really have to—for your illustrious career, but that you’ll be dealing with a very needy, clingy husband when you return. I thought you should know what you’re getting yourself into—I’m generous like that.”

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was secretly hoping for a MFF full length novel with Calix and Levana, but I'm glad I got their story nonetheless.

I loved the sarcastic tension between these two in the other books, but to get to see Calix go full on sweet caring longing was so great. I love that he fell first (and harder), even if they were both interested from the start. Honestly Calix could do no wrong here. He was always supportive and defended her. He took care of her and built her up. Mostly, though, he respected her wishes even when they didn't align with his. This whole novella was so sweet.

I'm glad Levana decided to go home to really be sure that she was making a mistake. I think if she had stayed at court, she may have always carried around some guilt about not going back. I also loved that it was her making amends and seeking him out instead of the other way around. I love when an FMC can admit a mistake and try to fix it and woo their partner in the process.

Loved it. No notes.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levana finally got her story! Ugh, I love it.

I had been wanting a story for Calix, but I couldn't figure out who he would be with when it came to the Hunters, however him paired with Levana was perfect!

This one does take place over a long period of time from the first few books, so if you haven't read those, it might be best to do so before hopping into this one. It won't spoil anything, but it will make a lot more sense when it comes to the timeline.

I love that Calix is such an understanding Shade when it comes to his woman. He doesn't want to lose her, but he also respects her choices in life. And when she finally got her head out of her ass, I cheered.

Also, kudos to Levana's sister for being sneaky and having her sister's best interest. Great little addition to the series!