Masked Desires

by Mel Reilly

Anala
My brother shot down any chance for a relationship with his best friend when we were in high school. Damon Morozov left for two years but now he’s back and I’m determined to show him we belong together, whether he knows it’s me or not.

Damon
I left to start up a business company in New York and to run from my feelings for my best friend’s twin sister. I can’t be in a relationship, my demons still haunt me and I keep it all in the dark where it belongs. I come back home to realize it’s going to be harder than I thought to fight my feelings. When a masked girl at a halloween party starts stalking me, I learn I can’t keep everything hidden.

Masked Desires is a short and spicy brother's best friend novella where she is the masked stranger.

Genres: Dark Romance, Novella, Dark, Morally Grey

61 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 25, 2024

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was short and fun -- the author took a lot of dark romance tropes and reversed them. In this novella, the fmc is the masked, "who hurt you?" sta1k3r, which was so refreshing.

The only thing is that I wish there had been more, a longer story, more drama, that the characters had been even more intense. Nevertheless, Masked Desires is subversive and features excellent dialogue. I also understand that thus was the author's first publication and, starting this strong, things can only get even better. Eager to read another of Mel Reilly's books.

3.5⭐️

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, to the point and perfectly spicy!
3.5 ⭐️ marked up

[Jessie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short book

I really enjoyed this book. Its the definition of short but sweet.

The story was good with a good amount of spice for a short story. They had a kiss years ago and he ran away, they've both always wanted each other but never acted on it...until the fancy dress party where she calls herself a ghost and teases him.

Damn Damon you sure do know the right things to say and do to a woman 😍🥵

Can we also take a moment to appreciate the cover on this book....beautiful 😍

Overall great book.
4 ⭐️
3 🌶

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, super fun read where the author turns dark tropes on their head. This steamy fast paced novella leaves you feeling all kinds of good with the brothers best friend trope. A different and refreshing take on the masked stranger with our girl Anala taking up such a role and Damon needing to get out of his own head.The author is becoming a fast favorite of mine.

[Ivy Blacke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anala has always had a thing for her brother's best friend. Although in the story you don't read too much about the brother and his friendship with Damon.

However, there is plenty of Anala and Damon. She sneaks her way into his heart like a ghost, but once he sees her and knows what she was doing, what she saw, he makes her his.

Very quick read, and loved the story.

[GothicNesta🖤 · Rating 1 out of 5]

My first 1 ⭐️ read. I don’t know if this is AI or something? But the skeleton of a good story was there, but the meat and muscle was missing.
Like a really poorly made sandwich.
I think we said, a BLT without the B&T…

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

(RTC)

[Ryn Meagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: Masked Desires by Mel Reilly

Okay, listen up bookish goblins, because Masked Desires is 55 pages of sheer chaotic delight and you need it in your life yesterday.

Let’s break this down: HE is the brother’s best friend (scream with me), he’s Russian (scream louder), and he cooks (I’m now feral).

SHE?? Oh, honey. Our FMC wears a ghost mask (as one does when stalking your long-time crush-slash-your brother’s bestie) and he calls her ‘ little ghost’
This girl is the blueprint for harmlessly unhinged. She’s been obsessed since first laying eyes on him and honestly, relatable.

Now, don’t let the short page count fool you. This baby has plot. Like, legitimate, “Oh wow I didn’t expect to be emotionally invested” kind of plot. And then—bam!—spice so hot I nearly had to fan myself with the book I was reading it on. 🔥

If I could give one recommendation for your TBR right now, it’s to haunt your wishlist with this gem. Masked Desires is funny, flirty, faintly feral, and fantastically weird in all the best ways.

[Simran Flora · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 star is too bloody generous of me.

I need someone to write a good story for a dark romance and not just write shitty smut with a rushed “dark back story” for a character and call it a day.

Anyone who thinks this is dark romance is wrong. It’s just a poorly written excuse to write terrible smut.

There is no buildup or connection with these characters from a reader's point of view, so we don't care about essentially everything they’re saying and doing. The author tried to implement everything required to make the reader care - key word is TRIED.

In 50 pages, too much and not enough was happening at the same time, that’s a skill to do in itself so well done, I guess…?

I tried to push past the clear punctuation and grammar errors, but the story as a whole was just BORING (yes, including the smut).

Where are the good dark romance authors at? 😔

[Theresse (Tess) Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spice: 3.5/5

This novella offers an intriguing twist on the masked stalker trope by flipping the script and giving the FMC the upper hand. The power dynamic between Anala and Damon is electric, with both characters maintaining a delicate balance of control throughout the story, which keeps the tension high and the stakes thrilling. I particularly appreciated Anala’s unwavering support for Damon as he grapples with his troubled past—it's a refreshing take on the role of love and healing. However, for all its strengths, the book feels a bit too short, leaving me wanting more from these complex characters and their world. Despite that, it’s a fun, quick read.

Tropes Include:
- Brother’s Best Friend
- Masked FMC
- First Love
- “I will always protect you.”

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You’ve always been the light in my dark, lonely life. I see you, even when you think no one is watching.”

Are you in desperate need of a fast paced, steamy novella with the infamous brother’s best friend trope?!? Well, look no further! Mel Reilly’s Masked Desires has an incredible amount of spice and a fun plot! Anala and Damon have an insane amount of chemistry and their desire for one another is unmatched.

Unlike other books with masked strangers/stalkers, Masked Desires is the first book I’ve read where the FMC is the masked stranger. It made for such an interesting read! Overall, this book was short, sweet, and spicy! It’s definitely worth reading!!!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t let the cover fool you.

Masked Desires A Brother's Best Friend Romance by Mel Reilly is a short (under 100 pages) novella that is steamy. It was a different take on the masked stranger being a female rather than a male. Anala knew what she wanted and was sassy and went after it. Damon just had to get out of his own head with a little persuasion.

Easy and steamy read that don’t take long with getting caught up in their story. Looking forward to more great stories from Mel. This is a standalone and is told in DPOV.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun, vibrant, quick little read! I loved how the FMC took the lead and did things I think all us dark romance girlies would do. We love the morally grey men because we would be by their side doing all the same dark and depraved things. Their relationship was very sweet and super steamy. Instalove and Instalust and all the added benefits of having a history to pave the way. They were cute but also had steamy chemistry. It's definitely an enjoyable short read!

[Alma Benitez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was such a quick short little story that I loved 🥰 something quick to read plot isn’t big it’s something small. Which I wish it would’ve been more of that but other then that it was good it is spicy. anala knows what she wants and goes for it which is so good I haven’t seen yet a book like that. Damon feels like he doesn’t deserve happiness which he does. I loved The ending it was prefect happy ending.

It’s a brothers best friend romance

[Winter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the concept of this and it was well written. I had a few problems with it though. I found myself rolling my eyes that she stayed a V and he didn't even though he was supposedly obsessed with her. Not cool. Second, the whole idea of him pushing her away because he was so dark and assuming he would "taint" her was ridiculous. It was also so cringe and a lazy plot device. With all that being said the author shows real promise as this was her debut.

[Heather Kruczek · Rating 4 out of 5]

So amazing to see a woman in a male dominated field! 😂 Anala is serving up sexy but helpful stalker and hacker in this short read. This has a small bit of plot to it, but plenty of spice packed into 50 pages. Damon, her brother's best friend, has been the focus of her obsession for the last 5 years. Now that he is back in town, she's determined to change the course of their relationship. What better way than to mask up and stalk him, while trying to screw with his head?

[Whitney Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a quick novella filled with spicy scenes and a HEA, definitely read this book. The FMC is masked and goes after her twin brother's best friend. There is also primal play. I enjoyed this novella and recommend it if you want a quick spicy read with a strong and sassy FMC and protective MMC.

🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5

🔥Masked FMC
🔥Primal Play
🔥Brother's Best Friend
🔥She st@lks him
🔥HEA

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awkward Love At First Sight

This was a quick read, and it was cool how she was the one in the mask and not him. I loved how they were both a bit unhinged and did the same secret things. I think I enjoyed the story more than the spicy scenes....which is a first. I would definitely give this author another go-around and see what else they can create!

[Kayla (KK) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short read and in this one the author reversed most tropes that other books have. This one the FMC is the masked stalker with who hurt you vibes. It was weird at first cause it wasn’t what I was used to however, it was refreshing to see that women can live out the fantasy just as well. I really enjoyed this short story and the storyline!

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was so dry. There were lots of run on sentences, missing punctuation, and other things like that, which was very annoying. I know it was a short read but it just didn’t flow well. And the writing was also disjointed. One second in one place, the next second you’ve skipped ahead. Also I think sometimes the tense switched between past and present! Hard to get through.

[Bailey Ackerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Masked Woman!

It was super quick and 🥵 I loved the twist of the FMC being the stalker and wearing the mask! I loved the twist with Dame too and everything he did. Super spicy and a quick good read!

[Laurenloveslit81 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good debut novella!

This author did a really great job on this debut novella! It was fun and spicy. Even though it’s very short, the characters were well developed and I loved them together. Perfect if you’re looking for a quick steamy read!

[Savannah Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This hook was great. I loved the characters and the lead up to the relationship. The story was amazing so was the spice aspect of the book. My fantasies are masked people so yeah that was great!

[Roo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice short and spicy novella! I loved meeting Anala and Damon and there dynamic! This book really pulls you in the world and you will finish it in one sitting! Absolutely obsessed with them!

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Sydney S · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing is… not good, and it needs another round of edits for typos and grammar. I love the idea of a lady stalker with mask kink. It just wasn’t done well here. At all.

It was a struggle to finish this novella.

[kristyl.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masked Desires is a short and spicy brother's best friend novella where she is the masked stranger. It was a short and super fun read where both Anala and Damon were a bit unhinged. 10/10 would recommend. I'm excited to see what else this author has to offer

[Alina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know this is supposed to be a short and not plot-heavy story, but it somehow still felt rushed and/or confusing, jumping from one event to the next.
Some parts were skimmed over and others drawn out without much correlation imo.
Didn't really excite me.

[Mellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I wanted to show you our demons can dance”

I ended Novella November with a bang! I really enjoyed this one. It was quick, spicy, and the plot was good too!

💋 Brother’s best friend
💋 She’s the stalker
💋 Masked Mommy
💋 “Who hurt you?”
💋 Russian nickname “Koshechka”
💋 52 page novella

[My Dark Romantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

short steamy read

I love this little twist on a masked stranger. This story is perfectly spicy and the right length for a one sitting read.

[Yeri (wildflowerreader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less than 90 minute read.

I really enjoyed this one. It was quick but there was story, smut, the characters were solid. I really liked it.