Bound to the Incubus: A Paranormal Villain Romance

by Nyla Clarke

Hunted, claimed, consumed...and he'll make her enjoy it.

Mal
Ghost stories aren’t real, right? So renovating a haunted house shouldn’t be a problem. Occult symbols, creepy noises, flashes of something watching me from the forest—ignore it all, finish the project and move on.

Except now I’m trapped with a demon. The same demon at the center of the dark rumors I should have heeded.

Now an old spellbook is my only hope of escape from the incubus who insists I belong to him. It’s difficult to decipher, though, when that incubus won’t stop flirting with me. He’s mischievous, irrepressible, charming—and dangerous. I have to keep reminding myself that his only goal is extracting my soul—because his advances are devilishly hard to resist.

Vane
Fear and pleasure, I crave them alike. It’s my nature to feed off screams and sighs, to wring them out, to drink every drop. Forced to go without and I’m practically feral with hunger. I was starting to think I was doomed to this fate.

Then the perfect prey wandered in to the trap—of her own volition, no less.

She’s too delicious for her own good. After decades of deprivation I can hardly restrain myself. And others are all too eager to snap her up if she slips the snare.

But that’s not going to happen. My new pet is exactly what I’ve been missing. A delightful enigma, a beautiful puzzle, a knot of self-control I can’t wait to unravel. Mine alone to savor. And I’m determined to take my time.


This is a standalone steamy gothic romance with a happy ending.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance

319 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2024

Reviews

[Fey Flowers (enbytweenthepages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 ✨

It became clear pretty quickly where the journey was going, which isn't a bad thing in itself, but it did drag on quite a bit, even though the "solution" was relatively obvious. I would have liked more of the "after", not just a short epilogue.

I didn't really feel the connection between Amalia and Vane either, unfortunately not at all after the 3/4 break up, even though I liked both characters in and of themselves and I think their HEA is great - it's completely not classic heteronormative cheesy and we need HEAs like that.

I liked the confrontation with Christianity, even if I had hoped for a different outcome, but it was much more realistic this way.

Thanks for trusting me with an ARC of your debut 🖤

[Moonburst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mal is remodeling an old house when she accidentally activates a dormant seal in the basement, creating a bond between her and the incubus, Vane, that is trapped within. Mal is determined to release herself from the bond, but she an't interpret the ancient spellbook her ancestor left behind without Vane's help. Vane is adamant that there is no escape from their magical imprisonment, and is intent on seducing her to complacency. Can Mal find a way out without losing her soul?

Bound to the Incubus is a great paranormal romance that hints at a beauty and the beast storyline with a dash of the occult. The nature of the bond creates instant distrust between Vane and Mal, as each suspects the other of disingenuous intentions. While Vane is opportunistic and tends to live fairly in the moment, Mal is driven and goal oriented. It is extremely interesting to watch the trust ebb and flow between the two as Vane entices Mal to feel more and Mal entreats Vale to have hope for the future.

An overall interesting romance about finding freedom through love.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was different from anything else I've read to date and I really loved the story and its characters.

Mal's character can be perceived as a strong woman but it's her insecurities that make her real. Her ability to continue to fight yet when all is said and done she has to open her mind and heart to what she really wants.
Vane, is an incubus but his story is almost a tragedy.
These two characters are trapped in a making that neither asked for but they learn so much about each other and themselves. The author adds a bit of religion in (after all this is an incubus) and it ups the story a bit.
Over all there are many takes on how much a person will or will not enjoy the story. Since we all interpret things differently but I will say on a personal note that it appealed to me and I enjoyed every last minute of reading it.

[Utena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mal inherits a home from her aunt. What she does not expect is that it comes with its monster, an incubus named Vane, who has been deprived of food - fear, lust, etc. - for nearly 150 years. When Mal drops blood onto a seal it binds the two of them together. Now Mal and Vane will need to find a solution that will break the bond that tethers them together.

I had this on my radar since December and I was excited to get it. I love it when the villain is the one who always gets the girl. In this case, it is an incubus. Nevertheless, I wish I could say that this book passed all of my feelings but I could not find the connection that should have been there for both Mal and Vane. It just seemed so empty.

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[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story started out with lots of mystery, suspense and intrigue. With Mal trying to wrap her head around what she can see, feel and hear with otherworldly things making her think she may be going insane.

Vane’s push and pull to get Mal to give him what he needed to survive sustenance wise was a bit sadistic and erotic at the same time.

Unfortunately, after a while it felt like we were going in circles as the story very slowly progressed. There was a repetitive feeling that had me skipping pages after a while.

They did get their HEA but it felt a bit anti-climactic as to how it played out in the epilogue. I think the story could have benefited from some trimming to keep the tension levels a bit higher.

I received an ARC and I am leaving an honest review.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Emotional Rollercoaster

Vane is an incubus that feeds on emotions - fear, lust, anger, etc - and he’s been starving for 150 years while trapped in the house Mal inherits. Mal/Amalia has been a house-flipper since childhood, always struggling to survive, to inheriting a grand house is a boon - except it’s “haunted” by Vane. These two are tied together and to the house, making for a story of heightened emotions, tentative truces and developing romantic feelings. I was deeply moved by the breadth of emotions in this story, as well as the focus on them. For a story about an incubus, there’s a surprisingly low amount of sex, but that’s completely forgotten when you do a deep dive into the characters emotions - that’s the real intimacy. An eye opening and emotional read.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting a steamy gothic romance, but somehow, when I started reading, the book wasn't quite what I expected. By that, I mean that the writing just didn't have the tone I was expecting, and I didn't feel any sort of connection with the characters.

There was suspense, powerful imagery, and steaminess, but I didn't become invested in the story as i would have liked to, because I didn't feel anything towards the characters. I still finished it, as I try my best to finish every book.

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

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

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this story about Mal a flipper who inherited an old dilapidated gothic house she's renovating who invertedly activates a seal in the basement that bounds her to Vane an incubus. Vane who's been trapped for ages intends to trap Mal, while Mal wants to escape and keep her soul. Mal's hope is an ancient spell book her ancestor left behind, but only Vane can read and understand it. As they spend time together and find themselves drawn toward each other, will their distrust end? Can they find another solution? Enjoyable story, engaging characters in this paranormal romance story that I received a copy via Hidden Gems and volunteer to read and review.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Your pleasure is mine, if you let it be.”

“I’m going to make you beg for it.”

I loved this book. Great world building and wonderful characters. The storyline was interesting from the start and I was quickly hooked. A haunted house and a sexy incubus? Yes please. I loved both Mal and Vane and the dynamic between them. There's a delicious tension. To trust or not? And I enjoyed the building of their relationship. This is the first book I've read by this author and I would read more. 5 stars.

[Brianna Alderfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This story felt very different from what I have been reading lately, in a great way! I enjoyed watching the characters develop. My perspective on the male main character changed drastically as the story progressed and I became very fond of him. I liked how the female main character had a lot of realizations about her life and her goals and it made me think of my own life. This was another book that once I started reading, I couldn't stop.

I highly recommend picking this paranormal romance book up!

[Di · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sexy sinfully paranormal romance 🔥🔥🔥 didn’t really know what I was getting into with this one, I absolutely FLOVED it. It did not disappoint. An erotic haunted house plus villain romance. FANTASTIC. Can’t wait to dig into more books by this author!.

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

[Mik Wasiak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantasy romance that needs more more romance A good story I read the I know they she didn’t trust him I thought she slow changed her mind but never really felt like it was true romance story but instead interesting fantasy story of characters not fully trusting each other a fun read it more fantasy story with side of romantic tension

[Mese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes it took me forever. And I kick myself for taking so long. The back and forth-gold. Vane -yes sir.

But now I am left unsatisfied. Is there an epilogue to the epilogue. Like a down the road some a few years. Things were talked about and I my mind wants to know if they came to fruition.

Now I have to find a book with it to make up for the hole left.

[Addison Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hands down the best book I've ever read. Right from the beginning it sucked me in. I don't think I've read anything like it.

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

[Ladnamal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts off with a creepy vibe like your typical haunted house story, but slowly develops into more, especially with the way the plot unravels and the relationship between the main characters develops.

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

[Hanna Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this gothic and creepy romance with an incubus in the story. A unique element in the story, along with a grumpy/sunshine romance.

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

[Rebecca ✨🌙 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars is being generous, this was such a frustrating read. The FMC resists their bond until like 85%, and then still kind of does after that.. I wouldn’t call this romance and I don’t understand all the positive reviews 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Summer Steelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! I just couldn't stop reading and when I was done, was really hoping there was more. Clarke did not disappoint!.

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

[Sweet-Unicorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is "bound to the Incubus". It is an enjoyable, dark and well written paranormal romance novel. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You’re mine, Amalia. I’ll always protect you.”

A very creative spin on living in a haunted house. I’d say it was fairly slow burn but I don’t think it would’ve worked so well otherwise. The ending was everything I had hoped it would be! I wish we had gotten more of their story but I do understand why we didn’t