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Cambric Creek After Darkverse #3
Shadows & Light
Never-turned-werewolf Jude is trapped.
Sold like a broodmare by her family. Engaged, claimed, and discarded by the son of her new pack’s alpha. Kept apart and secluded, a reminder that she’s broken, a shameful secret to hide away.
Jude is left alone and in heat with no one . . . no one but the shadowy bodyguard in her fiancé's employ. Lux is sinister and silent, invisible in the shadows — for everyone but her. As Jude and her incorporeal jailer grow closer, she can’t imagine captivity without him.
When a lifeline appears, Jude has the opportunity to break free, but she can't do it alone. She must be willing to embrace the darkness . . . if only the darkness will embrace her in return.
Shadows & Light is a high heat novella set in the Cambric Creek universe, intended only for an adult audience. Full content advisories available on the author’s website.
Welcome to the Cambric Creek After Darkverse, where there's not as much sugar and a lot more spice. Our stories still take place in the community you already know and love, but these will not be the frothy, fun, cotton candy confections you're used to, and they will not all wrap up with a neat little HEA bow.
This isn't dark romance, but it's considerably dimmer than the light-hearted romps you might be used to from Cambric Creek. You can expect detailed content advisories and HFN endings, but please don't mistake this for our main series.
For those readers who don't care to walk the streets of Cambric Creek at night, fear not, my loves! I know this won't be everyone's cuppa, and that's okay — there are plenty more stories in the Sweet & Steamy series ahead!
xoxo - CM
Sold like a broodmare by her family. Engaged, claimed, and discarded by the son of her new pack’s alpha. Kept apart and secluded, a reminder that she’s broken, a shameful secret to hide away.
Jude is left alone and in heat with no one . . . no one but the shadowy bodyguard in her fiancé's employ. Lux is sinister and silent, invisible in the shadows — for everyone but her. As Jude and her incorporeal jailer grow closer, she can’t imagine captivity without him.
When a lifeline appears, Jude has the opportunity to break free, but she can't do it alone. She must be willing to embrace the darkness . . . if only the darkness will embrace her in return.
Shadows & Light is a high heat novella set in the Cambric Creek universe, intended only for an adult audience. Full content advisories available on the author’s website.
Welcome to the Cambric Creek After Darkverse, where there's not as much sugar and a lot more spice. Our stories still take place in the community you already know and love, but these will not be the frothy, fun, cotton candy confections you're used to, and they will not all wrap up with a neat little HEA bow.
This isn't dark romance, but it's considerably dimmer than the light-hearted romps you might be used to from Cambric Creek. You can expect detailed content advisories and HFN endings, but please don't mistake this for our main series.
For those readers who don't care to walk the streets of Cambric Creek at night, fear not, my loves! I know this won't be everyone's cuppa, and that's okay — there are plenty more stories in the Sweet & Steamy series ahead!
xoxo - CM
131 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2024
158 people are currently reading
789 people want to read
About the author
C.M. Nascosta
33 books4,605 followersC.M. Nascosta is an author and professional procrastinator from Cleveland, Ohio. As a child, she thought that living on Lake Erie meant one was eerie by nature, and her corresponding love of all things strange and unusual started young. She’s always preferred beasts to boys, the macabre to the milquetoast, the unknown darkness in the shadows to the Chad next door. She lives in a crumbling old Victorian with a scaredy-cat dachshund, where she writes nontraditional romances featuring beastly boys with equal parts heart and heat, and is waiting for the Hallmark Channel to get with the program and start a paranormal lovers series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
February 29, 2024
What to Expect:
• Monster romance with an HEA
• Werewolf FMC
• Shadow Daddy MMC (he can take any shape he wants. And by any shape, I mean ANY SHAPE 👀)
• Forced captivity (hated the captivity loved the captor 😍)
• Breeding heats (love these)
• Forced heats
• Dubcon
• Exhibitionism (you'll get it when you read it 😏)
• Somnophilia (big fan!)
• Knotting (I usually love knotting but had a love-hate relationship with this one 😬)
• Tentacle play
• He loves to "eat"
Quotes:
“Does that feel good, baby? You like the way I fill your pussy? The way I rub your clit?”
“Is this what you want, princess? Let me give you whatever you need.”
“Does this feel good, little wolf? Is this what you like? All those times asking me if I wanted to eat, but you never once offered me this pussy? I’m going to lick you like this every day, clean my plate. Then we’ll see if you still need to ask if I eat.”
• Monster romance with an HEA
• Werewolf FMC
• Shadow Daddy MMC (he can take any shape he wants. And by any shape, I mean ANY SHAPE 👀)
• Forced captivity (hated the captivity loved the captor 😍)
• Breeding heats (love these)
• Forced heats
• Dubcon
• Exhibitionism (you'll get it when you read it 😏)
• Somnophilia (big fan!)
• Knotting (I usually love knotting but had a love-hate relationship with this one 😬)
• Tentacle play
• He loves to "eat"
Quotes:
“Does that feel good, baby? You like the way I fill your pussy? The way I rub your clit?”
“Is this what you want, princess? Let me give you whatever you need.”
“Does this feel good, little wolf? Is this what you like? All those times asking me if I wanted to eat, but you never once offered me this pussy? I’m going to lick you like this every day, clean my plate. Then we’ll see if you still need to ask if I eat.”
July 27, 2025
2.5 stars
Quick little novella, but the writing/flow felt disjointed. There seemed to be a lot of random details included that didn’t add to the overall plot. I would have preferred that page time be spent more on character development. I also noticed quite a few grammatical and formatting errors, which also took me out of the story.
Lux was interesting and it made for some fun sexy times since they could literally take any form or shape, but it was also confusing because I was never really sure that Lux was actually enjoying themselves. They said they are, but they’re a shape shifting shadow so who knows? The ending was sweeter than expected though, so that was a bonus. Nascosta fans will be excited by the Jack and Trapp Hemming cameos, as well as nods to Cambric Creek and Two for Tea. This had potential, but it just didn’t completely work.
Content Warnings (from the author): Forced captivity, casual violence, breeding heats, forced heats, dubcon, somnophilia, violence - both implied and enacted (NO body horror or gore), knotting
Quick little novella, but the writing/flow felt disjointed. There seemed to be a lot of random details included that didn’t add to the overall plot. I would have preferred that page time be spent more on character development. I also noticed quite a few grammatical and formatting errors, which also took me out of the story.
Lux was interesting and it made for some fun sexy times since they could literally take any form or shape, but it was also confusing because I was never really sure that Lux was actually enjoying themselves. They said they are, but they’re a shape shifting shadow so who knows? The ending was sweeter than expected though, so that was a bonus. Nascosta fans will be excited by the Jack and Trapp Hemming cameos, as well as nods to Cambric Creek and Two for Tea. This had potential, but it just didn’t completely work.
Content Warnings (from the author): Forced captivity, casual violence, breeding heats, forced heats, dubcon, somnophilia, violence - both implied and enacted (NO body horror or gore), knotting
September 3, 2024
September 2024
Kindle edition
Short and sweet. Predictable, with the bad guys and the connecting link in the series. Jude was a strong character, despite getting railroaded and then a slave to her heats. Lux was interesting, the protective shadow with all forms. I liked they got the ending they wanted. As for Vin and his family, they felt very amateur mafia/thug. Curious about the tea shop.
Kindle edition
Short and sweet. Predictable, with the bad guys and the connecting link in the series. Jude was a strong character, despite getting railroaded and then a slave to her heats. Lux was interesting, the protective shadow with all forms. I liked they got the ending they wanted. As for Vin and his family, they felt very amateur mafia/thug. Curious about the tea shop.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2024
Beautifully done dark romance
It was odd coming to this book immediately after reading Hexannacht, as this was decidedly not cozy. Jude had a different kind of trauma up to her eyeballs: a crappy home life, lifetime of bullying, and being sold off in marriage in a modern age. She deserved so much more than she had and her story was deeply moving. Lux was the morally gray guard who became just what she needed, and she gave him understanding in turn. The tension between MCs was painful at times and I would have loved a longer story to explore their relationship more, but it was perfect for the length of the book.
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: abuse, bullying, forced marriage, dubcon, captivity, isolation, murder, physical assault, somnophilia
It was odd coming to this book immediately after reading Hexannacht, as this was decidedly not cozy. Jude had a different kind of trauma up to her eyeballs: a crappy home life, lifetime of bullying, and being sold off in marriage in a modern age. She deserved so much more than she had and her story was deeply moving. Lux was the morally gray guard who became just what she needed, and she gave him understanding in turn. The tension between MCs was painful at times and I would have loved a longer story to explore their relationship more, but it was perfect for the length of the book.
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: abuse, bullying, forced marriage, dubcon, captivity, isolation, murder, physical assault, somnophilia
January 29, 2025
There were a lot of grammatical errors in this one. What is the deal with no one editing their work before publishing it? I come across so many more errors now than I did 10 years ago. Don't get me wrong I still enjoy the stories but it is very distracting while I'm reading. This one was ok, I always enjoy the connection and cross over between different characters in Cambric Creek, so hopefully we will get a glimpse of Jude and Lux in the upcoming book featuring Trapp.
July 9, 2024
This was a pretty short story and as described, it wasn’t as upbeat as some of her other works. I don’t mind darker romance and I liked it enough but could not find myself relating to or rooting for the main female character. I wanted her to get out of the situation she was in simply because it was awful, but not much about her was all that sympathetic. Just my opinion. A more fleshed out or longer story might have been better.
November 22, 2024
There’s so much plot in this erotica!!
Shadow boys aren’t for me!
Shadow boys aren’t for me!
May 14, 2025
I feel like this would have been better as a full novel, to really flesh out the pack dynamics and abuse, as well as add more action. Most of this was situated in the same place and followed similar routines from chapter to chapter.
I did enjoy this shadow person main character better than the one in Two for Tea, but it’s probably just because I love the guard and person they’re guarding romance trope.
I did enjoy this shadow person main character better than the one in Two for Tea, but it’s probably just because I love the guard and person they’re guarding romance trope.
February 4, 2026
No this book shouldn’t have been written.don’t just don’t
January 11, 2026
Ouf I had high expectations after Run Rabbit Run - but this is very boring run of the mill romantasy. I’ve come to expect smart and competent MCs from Nacosta , while avoiding the Mary Sue tropes. Here we have a soft helpless and dumb as bricks MC, whose only character trait seems to be that she self identifies as a dancer and loves to strip and pole dance. It’s I guess supposed to be sexy but it ends up being weirdly juvenile and 1D. She tries to cook for the MMC , strip for him etc. There is very little tension, as we know almost nothing about the MMC, what he’s is into, why he cares. He saves her. HEA?
August 5, 2025
Though I enjoyed the beginning and end of it, I found the middle of the book painfully boring.
I feel like it would've been better as a full novel. We could've had more fleshed out characters and the plot wouldn't have been so rushed.
I feel like it would've been better as a full novel. We could've had more fleshed out characters and the plot wouldn't have been so rushed.
February 4, 2024
I decided to read this based on this artwork. (NSFW but it's IG so it's censored)
Heads up I don't think that specific setup happens in the novella because I kept waiting for it and I don't think it did. I say I don't THINK it did because some of the descriptions for stuff was a little confusing.
In any case, shadow creatures are 100% my type so I couldn't resist. Beware of the trigger warnings here though! This is part of the Darkverse so HEA isn't guaranteed but this one has one, or at least a HFN.
I was happy for Jude and Lux in the end. It was interesting to see some of the larger world outside of Cambric Creek. The stark contrast of these wolf packs really sets Cambric Creek as practically utopian/idyllic by comparison. I liked some of the worldbuilding in terms of having werewolves that can't turn.
I had a revelation while reading this: I love CM Nascosta's story concepts and plots but her romance usually leaves a little something to be desired for me. It tends to be heavy on the internal monologue and not as much interaction between the love interests.
This novella fits the bill. The "romance" part of this doesn't happen until half way through or later and it's pretty brief. There's essentially a couple very short conversations and a few lines stating they've been interacting and spending time together. That's it. That's the sum of the romance buildup. Then they hook up and suddenly they're ride or die for each other.
Was the spice at least good? Well, it was still up my alley because shadow creature but it's hard for me to say because I wasn't as invested in the characters. There also wasn't very much of it. But, y'know, shadow dick, shadow tentacles, shadow wings, etc. and I love that shit.
Now here's the thing: I could say it's because it's a novella so it didn't have time to develop the relationship but I think that's bullshit. One, because I've seen novellas do it and two, because there was some other stuff in here that probably could have been sacrificed in favor of the romance stuff, but that depends on the balance the author is going for. I'm starting to think that's intentional on Nascosta's part rather than incidental. Oh, well.
I'll try to curb my expectations accordingly in the future. I'm planning on reading Two for Tea: Welcome to Azathé which also features a shadow creature and is a bit longer so we'll see how that pans out!
Heads up I don't think that specific setup happens in the novella because I kept waiting for it and I don't think it did. I say I don't THINK it did because some of the descriptions for stuff was a little confusing.
In any case, shadow creatures are 100% my type so I couldn't resist. Beware of the trigger warnings here though! This is part of the Darkverse so HEA isn't guaranteed but this one has one, or at least a HFN.
I was happy for Jude and Lux in the end. It was interesting to see some of the larger world outside of Cambric Creek. The stark contrast of these wolf packs really sets Cambric Creek as practically utopian/idyllic by comparison. I liked some of the worldbuilding in terms of having werewolves that can't turn.
I had a revelation while reading this: I love CM Nascosta's story concepts and plots but her romance usually leaves a little something to be desired for me. It tends to be heavy on the internal monologue and not as much interaction between the love interests.
This novella fits the bill. The "romance" part of this doesn't happen until half way through or later and it's pretty brief. There's essentially a couple very short conversations and a few lines stating they've been interacting and spending time together. That's it. That's the sum of the romance buildup. Then they hook up and suddenly they're ride or die for each other.
Was the spice at least good? Well, it was still up my alley because shadow creature but it's hard for me to say because I wasn't as invested in the characters. There also wasn't very much of it. But, y'know, shadow dick, shadow tentacles, shadow wings, etc. and I love that shit.
Now here's the thing: I could say it's because it's a novella so it didn't have time to develop the relationship but I think that's bullshit. One, because I've seen novellas do it and two, because there was some other stuff in here that probably could have been sacrificed in favor of the romance stuff, but that depends on the balance the author is going for. I'm starting to think that's intentional on Nascosta's part rather than incidental. Oh, well.
I'll try to curb my expectations accordingly in the future. I'm planning on reading Two for Tea: Welcome to Azathé which also features a shadow creature and is a bit longer so we'll see how that pans out!
June 8, 2025
I did not like this and I really had no clue what was going on from how it was written.
February 14, 2025
This one gave me hope that maybe C.M Nascosta hasn't completely lost her touch with these books.
It was quick, it was sexy, it was spicy.
Completely riddled with grammatical mistakes and definitely needed a decent editor though.
It was quick, it was sexy, it was spicy.
Completely riddled with grammatical mistakes and definitely needed a decent editor though.
August 8, 2024
I love a shadow daddy.
January 26, 2024
Quick little sexy novella.
Jude is sold and bred within an hour of meeting her fiancé and then they find out it turns out she’s not a real wolf. She’s dumped in an abandoned strip joint and her body guard shadow person stands in as her knot when her fiancé stops coming to visit?
Jude is sold and bred within an hour of meeting her fiancé and then they find out it turns out she’s not a real wolf. She’s dumped in an abandoned strip joint and her body guard shadow person stands in as her knot when her fiancé stops coming to visit?
March 12, 2024
This a the longer book in the Cambric Creek after dark series and I loved it. I also loved the crossover from characters in the main series a lot! Jude and Lux had a very complex dynamic that I found interesting. We see the darker side of werewolves in this book and how packs can parallel mafia/gang dynamics. I don't mind HFN endings, especially with complex characters such as these whose stories can't be magically resolved overnight.
Horn Level: 3/5🌶️
Format: Ebook
I give this book a 3/5🌟 rating.
Check out my socials here for more reviews!
Horn Level: 3/5🌶️
Format: Ebook
I give this book a 3/5🌟 rating.
Check out my socials here for more reviews!
January 21, 2025
Super short, pero entretenido.
February 20, 2024
Like it’s all right. I guess.
Overall, a lot of stuff got rushed to keep it a short story. There was way more depth of character within these pages than there was in tea for two. This got more of an ending for sure but still “meh”. At most 3 stars and that’s bc I like the author
Overall, a lot of stuff got rushed to keep it a short story. There was way more depth of character within these pages than there was in tea for two. This got more of an ending for sure but still “meh”. At most 3 stars and that’s bc I like the author
February 1, 2024
This didn't quite hit for me; the story moved too slowly for a short story but it also wasn't compelling enough to fill out a longer format. It wasn't bad by any means, but it also wasn't memorable in the way most of C.M. Nascosta's stories are.
January 26, 2024
The Cambric Creek After Darkverse holds a very special place in my cold, black heart.
📖 Single POV, third limited, past tense
✨ Synopsis:
Jude is a werewolf who has never shifted, and she’s sold to a neighboring pack to pay off her father’s debts. When they find out she’s ‘broken,’ they hide her away like a dirty secret. But she’s not alone. A shadowy bodyguard lurks in the corners.
✨ Review:
Just so you’re aware, I might be a little bit obsessed with this novella.
My heart went out to Jude right from the start. She’s spent her life being treated poorly because she doesn’t shift, yet her wolf is still a vital part of her. I admired her resilience and her ability to hope for the future while expecting the worst.
I am completely enthralled by Lux. He’s morally grey (my fav!) and his ability to transform his body (Tentacles! Wings! Horns! Extra fancy 🍆!) blows my mind. Like, how am I supposed to go back to regular monsters after experiencing Lux?
I loved watching these two dance around each other (literally, she’s a dancer) and fall for each other. I also loved the connection with the Hemmings.
A confession: I bought Two for Tea when it first came out but I haven’t read it yet (it’s been staring at me accusingly from my TBR). But now I’m obsessed with shadow creatures and I need to read it ASAP.
In conclusion, I loved this novella to pieces.
Overall Rating: 🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
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📖 Single POV, third limited, past tense
✨ Synopsis:
Jude is a werewolf who has never shifted, and she’s sold to a neighboring pack to pay off her father’s debts. When they find out she’s ‘broken,’ they hide her away like a dirty secret. But she’s not alone. A shadowy bodyguard lurks in the corners.
✨ Review:
Just so you’re aware, I might be a little bit obsessed with this novella.
My heart went out to Jude right from the start. She’s spent her life being treated poorly because she doesn’t shift, yet her wolf is still a vital part of her. I admired her resilience and her ability to hope for the future while expecting the worst.
I am completely enthralled by Lux. He’s morally grey (my fav!) and his ability to transform his body (Tentacles! Wings! Horns! Extra fancy 🍆!) blows my mind. Like, how am I supposed to go back to regular monsters after experiencing Lux?
I loved watching these two dance around each other (literally, she’s a dancer) and fall for each other. I also loved the connection with the Hemmings.
A confession: I bought Two for Tea when it first came out but I haven’t read it yet (it’s been staring at me accusingly from my TBR). But now I’m obsessed with shadow creatures and I need to read it ASAP.
In conclusion, I loved this novella to pieces.
Overall Rating: 🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
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January 27, 2024
Shapeshifting shadow man with wings and tentacles, yeah yeah fine, no problem. The only part I did a double take was when she wrapped her calf over the wooden pole at the strip club. Is it that the people are so bad at running a club, they have wooden poles cause they're incompetent? Anyway, I love this novella, it's sweet, delivers on the shapeshifting smut and it's got a strong heroine who embraces whatever life throws her way.
February 19, 2024
As promised, dark and steamy.
I love her writing style and the world she creates. Her characters are interesting and well developed. I've loved this series and I hope for more soon. The level of steam is, I'm sure, too spicy for some. Conservative thinkers in search of a sweet romance should feel free to move along.
I love her writing style and the world she creates. Her characters are interesting and well developed. I've loved this series and I hope for more soon. The level of steam is, I'm sure, too spicy for some. Conservative thinkers in search of a sweet romance should feel free to move along.
January 23, 2024
Thank you to the author for the early Patreon release!
As someone who loves a good morally gray character, I couldn’t help but love Lux and his “touch her and die” attitude towards Jude. This has to be one of my more favorite books in the CC universe.
I will add — read the tags and triggers. I’m glad CM includes them in the very front of the book for easy accessibility.
I hope to see more of Jude and Lux in Trapp’s book (which I’m now anxiously awaiting)!
As someone who loves a good morally gray character, I couldn’t help but love Lux and his “touch her and die” attitude towards Jude. This has to be one of my more favorite books in the CC universe.
I will add — read the tags and triggers. I’m glad CM includes them in the very front of the book for easy accessibility.
I hope to see more of Jude and Lux in Trapp’s book (which I’m now anxiously awaiting)!
June 12, 2024
Second in the series of not so light and fluffy. Read those red flags and all should be well. Also, this is in the Monster Romance genre so don't say it's bad because you didn't know what you were getting yourself into.
I recommend for monster romance readers who like their grit and there romances with imperfect characters.
I recommend for monster romance readers who like their grit and there romances with imperfect characters.
January 5, 2025
This was a steamy hopeful ride.
February 7, 2026
A fun little novella about Jude, a werewolf who can’t turn, and Lux, the shadow person tasked with guarding her.
Can be read as standalone
HEA
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Can be read as standalone
HEA
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Read
January 23, 2024I love most things that cm nacosta writes but Cambridge after dark has to be my absolute fave!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews