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The Haunting of Chateau de Mornay
She uses him as a slave, bowing to her every desire out of love and need for her.
The only problem is that he isn’t real.
An abandoned French chateau, a warren of death during the French Revolution, is purchased by a grief-stricken couple hoping to convert it to a hotel to aid in their recovery. However, a powerful spirit resides within that catapults their lives down a path to madness.
The only problem is that he isn’t real.
An abandoned French chateau, a warren of death during the French Revolution, is purchased by a grief-stricken couple hoping to convert it to a hotel to aid in their recovery. However, a powerful spirit resides within that catapults their lives down a path to madness.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2024
137 people are currently reading
897 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
April 19, 2024
In all honesty, I could not get past the first 30 pages. It opens with a group of nazis chasing a french female spy. They catch her and gang rape her. Before they can kill her, a man comes in and saves her life. After he gives her food and drink this female spy has fallen hopelessly in love and makes vigorous love to him. Are you actually kidding me?!?!?!?! Its very clear what this author thinks of women and with this much misogyny in the opening chapter, there is no way I was going continue it. Jesus dude.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2024
A haunted Chateau set in France, where love and loss collide-
I will say the premise of the book was what hooked me. The delivery is not what I was expecting at all.
When I go into a book with the premise being "haunted house," I expect it to be about a haunted house. This was essentially a book about a woman fucking a ghost; the ghost is also a serial killer. And then, the woman becomes a marvel character at the end and uses her power to defeat the ghost when she realizes she is his next victim.
To say this was a let down is an understatement.
Another reason I didn't enjoy this book- the "spice" starts early on, and was not written in a way I enjoyed at all. This story would have been better without it. And then there's a scene where the FMC gets aroused and touches herself when the MMC (ghost) is telling her about a sexual escapade he had when he was 12 with his stepmother.
Now, I shouldn't have to explain why this was an issue.
The writing could be improved, as well as the overall plot.
I will say the premise of the book was what hooked me. The delivery is not what I was expecting at all.
When I go into a book with the premise being "haunted house," I expect it to be about a haunted house. This was essentially a book about a woman fucking a ghost; the ghost is also a serial killer. And then, the woman becomes a marvel character at the end and uses her power to defeat the ghost when she realizes she is his next victim.
To say this was a let down is an understatement.
Another reason I didn't enjoy this book- the "spice" starts early on, and was not written in a way I enjoyed at all. This story would have been better without it. And then there's a scene where the FMC gets aroused and touches herself when the MMC (ghost) is telling her about a sexual escapade he had when he was 12 with his stepmother.
Now, I shouldn't have to explain why this was an issue.
The writing could be improved, as well as the overall plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2024
An abandoned French chateu, a dead 18th century aristocrat falling in love with a 21st century woman that he knows absolutely nothing about, and a front door always left slightly ajar.
The novel begins in a winter of 1944 during the movement of French resistance fighters (Maquis) against German occupations troops. As the first chapter thaws out, a hidden path of insanity is slowly uncovered- one that lay dormant and undisturbed for hundreds of years, until now.
There seems to be a low ceiling on how great books about people living in a haunted house can be. This novel blew a hole through its own roof.
This gothic and enchanting journey is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution where rich characters and a chilling narrative captivates, entertains and haunts. Like many haunted houses, the building itself is its own unique character- a looming talisman of death that far-stretches shadows even after the story has been told. There were a lot of detailed character and interior descriptions that really did paint a stunning picture, and there were a lot of really nice plot twists that I genuinely loved. Some I saw coming, but others left me pleasantly surprised. I’ve never particularly been interested in romance novels (especially spicy hot ones) but this was actually really great, and yet again I found myself falling in love with a ghost.
Overall It was an easy read that I managed to demolish in three sittings. It’s also very likely I’d read this again. Andrew transports you into past realms of love and loss where human emotion -desire, lust, obsession, fear- shatters the fragile line between fantasy and reality.
The aftermath cuts deep enough to leave scars.
The novel begins in a winter of 1944 during the movement of French resistance fighters (Maquis) against German occupations troops. As the first chapter thaws out, a hidden path of insanity is slowly uncovered- one that lay dormant and undisturbed for hundreds of years, until now.
There seems to be a low ceiling on how great books about people living in a haunted house can be. This novel blew a hole through its own roof.
This gothic and enchanting journey is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution where rich characters and a chilling narrative captivates, entertains and haunts. Like many haunted houses, the building itself is its own unique character- a looming talisman of death that far-stretches shadows even after the story has been told. There were a lot of detailed character and interior descriptions that really did paint a stunning picture, and there were a lot of really nice plot twists that I genuinely loved. Some I saw coming, but others left me pleasantly surprised. I’ve never particularly been interested in romance novels (especially spicy hot ones) but this was actually really great, and yet again I found myself falling in love with a ghost.
Overall It was an easy read that I managed to demolish in three sittings. It’s also very likely I’d read this again. Andrew transports you into past realms of love and loss where human emotion -desire, lust, obsession, fear- shatters the fragile line between fantasy and reality.
The aftermath cuts deep enough to leave scars.
August 2, 2024
DONT FALL FOR THIS TIKTOK SCAM BOOK
After being very excited about the overall plot and where it could go, I couldn’t get past the opening 3 chapters, the editing makes “memory flashes” confusing making you have to go back and reread to see if you’re in the present of the story or if they are thinking of a distant memory as there is barely any distinction in the writing / editing.
also is just a boring story coming out the gate.
Was very excited to read this with the author constantly going on TikTok live, now I understand why as that is the only way this book will sell.
After being very excited about the overall plot and where it could go, I couldn’t get past the opening 3 chapters, the editing makes “memory flashes” confusing making you have to go back and reread to see if you’re in the present of the story or if they are thinking of a distant memory as there is barely any distinction in the writing / editing.
also is just a boring story coming out the gate.
Was very excited to read this with the author constantly going on TikTok live, now I understand why as that is the only way this book will sell.
April 14, 2024
I fully believe that ai was used to write this book. The writing is so bad. The premise hooked me in but I don’t think I can finish it. Haunted chateau? SO IN ! A French revolutionary being r**ed in the first chapter but somehow h*rny and getting it in a few paragraphs later? Bye
May 16, 2024
This is in serious need of an editor. This could have been a great book but it just wasn’t. Too much back and forth too much fluff to fill extra pages. What was the point of delving into the MMCs past when it really didn’t have much to do with the present? It just was not written well and at times seemed like 3 different stories and not in a good way. I wanted to love it but I just did not.
March 4, 2024
Pls don't bar me but I can't say much more than FK what an amazing first novel Blake, love your work! It'll stay with me for a while I think
August 20, 2024
This book had potential really did, beautiful name, beautiful cover, but I couldn't finish reading. The beginning starts with a French revolution era, guys chased a girl into this house they raped her, she gets saved from a guy and his wolves, he feeds her and then she sleeps with him on the kitchen floor after just being raped, really??? Then it goes to modern time and it keeps bouncing from one person's perspective to another within a sentence, couple sentences to another sentence. It bounced a lot. The husband he sees a ghost and it does something to him, the wife finds him outside, gets him to the hospital , he gets on medicine, needs bed rest and help. It's like she could care less, she cares more about that house. He leaves and she doesn't even try to find him, or go after him it's like oh well let me just get back to spending his money on the house and then that was the end of the husband, you don't hear nothing else from the husband. Not trying to call him, talking to him,nothing that was the end of it. Then she starts seeing and talking to ghost hanging out with him, she does sexual things with a ghost right away. Smh. The book had potential, but it flopped. I was disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2024
Male authors should not write about being r*ped from a woman characters perspective in such a distasteful and unrealistic way. Not only did the character not care that it was happening, but it didn’t effect her whatsoever. I pray this man doesn’t have daughters since this book is something he’s so proud of. Maybe I should have done more research, but nowhere on the book or any description posted by the author did I see any mention of there being graphic adult content in this book. I was expecting a horror gothic romance, not a r*pe fantasy as the opening scene. Trigger warnings are important, Blake but so is a basic understanding of trauma if you’re going to attempt to write about it. Also: for someone who’s been writing their whole life you desperately need an editor. I couldn’t make it past page 17
April 12, 2024
This was an amazing debut novel that feels like the author has been writing for a very long time. This book has ghosts, malevolent spirits, gothic/paranormal horror, a haunted chateau, multiple timelines (definitely not confusing!) including WWII and the French Revolution, and even some spice! This book uses all your senses and makes you feel you are there!
A rich couple purchases the chateau to renovate it into a hotel, but it has a very bloody history and is haunted.
A rich couple purchases the chateau to renovate it into a hotel, but it has a very bloody history and is haunted.
April 7, 2024
Not exactly what I expected but I really enjoyed it and would absolutely read a sequel!
August 26, 2025
You get transported to the past and thrust back into the future. Scary, heart pounding and crazy! Very descriptive, characters are intriguing. This is a great spooky season read!
October 8, 2024
Trigger warning - this review discusses sensitive topics.
It opens with a Nazi resistance woman being raped in the chateau, then she is rescued by a mystery man & his wolves.....she then has sex with the ghost and professed love for him. M'kay. Because that's exactly what a woman who's just been gang raped is going to do.
An actor & his wife buy the chateau to help the wife heal from their grief of losing their only child. A child you hardly hear about by the way.
We are treated to copious descriptions of the big penis sooooo large in girth his wife's hand can't close around it.
The ghost drives him insane & instead of the wife leaving with her husband, she stays & becomes a sex toy to the ghost. And she masturbates in front of the ghost while he's telling her about inappropriate sexual acts with his step-mom. What the actual F.
This book was 98% ghost porn, 2% mystery. I'm so disappointed 😞. I was so excited about a haunted chateau & what would happen. Instead it was just a poorly written porn script.
Clearly the author thinks this is what women want in "romance" and it misses the mark on every single page. Only person worth a damn was Benoit the contractor.
It opens with a Nazi resistance woman being raped in the chateau, then she is rescued by a mystery man & his wolves.....she then has sex with the ghost and professed love for him. M'kay. Because that's exactly what a woman who's just been gang raped is going to do.
An actor & his wife buy the chateau to help the wife heal from their grief of losing their only child. A child you hardly hear about by the way.
We are treated to copious descriptions of the big penis sooooo large in girth his wife's hand can't close around it.
The ghost drives him insane & instead of the wife leaving with her husband, she stays & becomes a sex toy to the ghost. And she masturbates in front of the ghost while he's telling her about inappropriate sexual acts with his step-mom. What the actual F.
This book was 98% ghost porn, 2% mystery. I'm so disappointed 😞. I was so excited about a haunted chateau & what would happen. Instead it was just a poorly written porn script.
Clearly the author thinks this is what women want in "romance" and it misses the mark on every single page. Only person worth a damn was Benoit the contractor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2024
1. The blurb’s first sentence is a complete lie about the premise of the book.
2 . This male author clearly does not know how to write women, and I believe is actually quite bitter of them at this time in his life. (Based on the bio at the end of his book it’s just him and his two children.)
3. The writing was *meh* but somewhat engaging which had me finishing the book instead of DNFing. He definitely got sidetracked about halfway through the book, and clumsily brought it back around towards the end. But he isn’t subtle or nuanced in his writing so the plot didn’t have depth, and any ‘twists’ were pretty weak and amateurish….fanfic authors do so much better in their writing.
2 . This male author clearly does not know how to write women, and I believe is actually quite bitter of them at this time in his life. (Based on the bio at the end of his book it’s just him and his two children.)
3. The writing was *meh* but somewhat engaging which had me finishing the book instead of DNFing. He definitely got sidetracked about halfway through the book, and clumsily brought it back around towards the end. But he isn’t subtle or nuanced in his writing so the plot didn’t have depth, and any ‘twists’ were pretty weak and amateurish….fanfic authors do so much better in their writing.
June 3, 2024
It was ok. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and the story. There were many times where Anna and Luc just annoyed me. It wasn’t for me.
September 15, 2024
This was a DNF for me.
September 17, 2024
I wanted to love this, but I couldn't. It was such a great premise, but unfortunately missed the mark.
May 21, 2025
”I don’t want to stay here.”
^^^My thoughts when reading this book.
Banal writing and a mediocre story written by a man who clearly is overly infatuated with the idea of rape and conquering women. Which is the most tired, worn out trope in horror anyways - but calling this horror is a stretch.
This isn’t a horror novel; it’s a rape fantasy novel. And very obvious why it needed to be self-published for several reasons even outside of that - not the least of which that it simply isn’t good.
It’s okay if you don’t know how to write women - but then please don’t make a woman your main character.
Also, I can 100% can guarantee that no woman has ever been gang raped and then is just so grateful to her savior that she immediately has sex with him???? #straightfrompornhub
And, not to beat a dead horse even more, but I’m completely serious that this is a line in the book, “The confusion. The pain was so much and he couldn’t think of anything else. A true mind violation or rape.” HUH? Again, no exaggeration, things always seem to circle back to the r-word even when they’re unrelated.
In short, I would personally avoid this novel like the plague. And I’d recommend the author clear his search history and cookies.
TW: rape, gang rape, assault
^^^My thoughts when reading this book.
Banal writing and a mediocre story written by a man who clearly is overly infatuated with the idea of rape and conquering women. Which is the most tired, worn out trope in horror anyways - but calling this horror is a stretch.
This isn’t a horror novel; it’s a rape fantasy novel. And very obvious why it needed to be self-published for several reasons even outside of that - not the least of which that it simply isn’t good.
It’s okay if you don’t know how to write women - but then please don’t make a woman your main character.
Also, I can 100% can guarantee that no woman has ever been gang raped and then is just so grateful to her savior that she immediately has sex with him???? #straightfrompornhub
And, not to beat a dead horse even more, but I’m completely serious that this is a line in the book, “The confusion. The pain was so much and he couldn’t think of anything else. A true mind violation or rape.” HUH? Again, no exaggeration, things always seem to circle back to the r-word even when they’re unrelated.
In short, I would personally avoid this novel like the plague. And I’d recommend the author clear his search history and cookies.
TW: rape, gang rape, assault
May 17, 2025
This novel was the biggest let down. The author desperately needs an editor. He had so many side stories thrown in that had nothing to do with whatever plot he was trying to form.
He also needs an education on reproduction. In the 1700s there would not have been a way for a woman who is actively sleeping with two men to know who the father of the offspring would have been.
A modern educated woman in her 40s would not believe that "dumping herself out" after relations to be effective birth control.
Using "flop" to describe a man being excited is juvenile at best. Find a thesaurus.
18 year old taking 12 year old to bed is not sex. It is predatory.
This is not a gothic horror. It not even a haunted house story. It a poorly written book about a woman getting it on with a ghost
He also needs an education on reproduction. In the 1700s there would not have been a way for a woman who is actively sleeping with two men to know who the father of the offspring would have been.
A modern educated woman in her 40s would not believe that "dumping herself out" after relations to be effective birth control.
Using "flop" to describe a man being excited is juvenile at best. Find a thesaurus.
18 year old taking 12 year old to bed is not sex. It is predatory.
This is not a gothic horror. It not even a haunted house story. It a poorly written book about a woman getting it on with a ghost
July 5, 2024
I found out about this book when I stumbled across the author’s live stream of it on TikTok. It sounded like something I’d really enjoy and I love supporting indie authors. Overall, I did enjoy the book.
An American couple, Brad and Anna, travel overseas to purchase an abandoned French chateau. They are looking to make a dream of theirs come true in renovating this chateau into a hotel. They just recently lost their young daughter in a tragic accident and are in need of a happy distraction. However, upon purchasing this chateau, there is a heavy presence affecting both Brad and Anna.
This presence drives Brad out of the chateau with no explanation to Anna when she wakes up to find Brad gone. She keeps calling him and gets no response. She only hears from his friend and she is made out to be the cause of his unexplained departure and cut off connection.
Anna is still at the chateau and starting the renovations and suddenly makes a powerful connection with a lingering spirit on the property. This spirit makes a huge impact on Anna and has her questioning what’s real and what isn’t.
This book was filled with historical information from the French Revolution era along with some gothic horror aspects and romance, which I enjoyed.
The formatting of this book, however, was an eye-sore and made it hard for me to follow at times. The scenes between past and present also jumped around a lot and it took me longer to finish this one compared to any other book. Aside from the poor editing and formatting issues, I did enjoy this story for what it was! I’ll read this author again for sure!
An American couple, Brad and Anna, travel overseas to purchase an abandoned French chateau. They are looking to make a dream of theirs come true in renovating this chateau into a hotel. They just recently lost their young daughter in a tragic accident and are in need of a happy distraction. However, upon purchasing this chateau, there is a heavy presence affecting both Brad and Anna.
This presence drives Brad out of the chateau with no explanation to Anna when she wakes up to find Brad gone. She keeps calling him and gets no response. She only hears from his friend and she is made out to be the cause of his unexplained departure and cut off connection.
Anna is still at the chateau and starting the renovations and suddenly makes a powerful connection with a lingering spirit on the property. This spirit makes a huge impact on Anna and has her questioning what’s real and what isn’t.
This book was filled with historical information from the French Revolution era along with some gothic horror aspects and romance, which I enjoyed.
The formatting of this book, however, was an eye-sore and made it hard for me to follow at times. The scenes between past and present also jumped around a lot and it took me longer to finish this one compared to any other book. Aside from the poor editing and formatting issues, I did enjoy this story for what it was! I’ll read this author again for sure!
April 18, 2024
I have been putting off this review not because it's a bad book, because it was a mouth dropping, eye popping, chef's kiss, what did I just read, can't find the words, kind of book. This was my first horror book and I'm so glad I gave The Haunting of Chateau de Mornay a chase. The way Blake describes how the chateau looks, and how the powder for the wigs smells pulled me in the story to the point that I was there with the characters. There was action, spice, betrayal, manipulation, love, and my favorite twists. When I founded out this was Blake's debut novel, I was thrown for a loop. The Haunting of Chateau de Mornay is well worth the time to read. I encourage everyone to read this mouth dropping novel. From here on out I will never pass over the chase to read a horror book thanks to Blake.
September 20, 2024
2.5/5
It's not often that I don't think I can recommend a book. The writing is good, however, this book has a pacing and characterization issue. The beginning of the book sets up a mystery that you easily forget about with the middle chunk of the book. The twist pops up in the last 100 pages, but then its rushed. Did this book want to be a romance or a horror? I couldn't tell you. The author has a great talent for horror but the romance was not heart-pounding and exciting at all, it is more eerie. Maybe that was the point but I couldn't tell what the author wanted with the marketing of it being 'spicy'.
Also, there is no warning for some of the themes in this book; I think it's needed.
It's not often that I don't think I can recommend a book. The writing is good, however, this book has a pacing and characterization issue. The beginning of the book sets up a mystery that you easily forget about with the middle chunk of the book. The twist pops up in the last 100 pages, but then its rushed. Did this book want to be a romance or a horror? I couldn't tell you. The author has a great talent for horror but the romance was not heart-pounding and exciting at all, it is more eerie. Maybe that was the point but I couldn't tell what the author wanted with the marketing of it being 'spicy'.
Also, there is no warning for some of the themes in this book; I think it's needed.
Read
October 24, 2024DNF. Spoilers ahead.
Once again. Rape for the sake of demeaning women only. In the first chapter a character is gang raped by Nazis. Immediately following that she is delighted to make love to a ghost. Wait what.
I pushed through for about 50% of the book. The spice scenes are continually ridiculous and honestly should have just been left out. The ghost is fingering fmc while telling a story of his first sexual experience when he was 12. 12. These two things were not necessary in the same scene.
The formatting is bizarre and editing was severely lacking. These are not things I usually care about but they made it even more difficult for me to want to get through this book.
Dang you TikTok.
Once again. Rape for the sake of demeaning women only. In the first chapter a character is gang raped by Nazis. Immediately following that she is delighted to make love to a ghost. Wait what.
I pushed through for about 50% of the book. The spice scenes are continually ridiculous and honestly should have just been left out. The ghost is fingering fmc while telling a story of his first sexual experience when he was 12. 12. These two things were not necessary in the same scene.
The formatting is bizarre and editing was severely lacking. These are not things I usually care about but they made it even more difficult for me to want to get through this book.
Dang you TikTok.
October 31, 2024
So much S*x and r*pe in just the first chapter! Whoa dude. I didn’t like the over and beyond details in EVERY SENTENCE. It’s like describing something to death. You forget what you’re reading. Anyway, I saw he trolled someone for leaving an honest review, if that’s true shame on him. A true author should accept all criticism, go and bad. Not punish his readers. Kinda bummed to toss the book out after paying for it :/ meh, on to the next. (Strong misogyny vibe)
October 16, 2024
I came across this book in TikTok and was excited about the premise. A haunted French chateau bought by a Hollywood couple who wants to bring it back to its former glory. It was a very cool idea, I just don’t think it was delivered well. The story felt disjointed and confusing at times.
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September 28, 2024📕I really tried to read this one but I just couldn’t. The description of the chateau was so much it just didn’t suck me in. Maybe someday I’ll try and read it again.
May 21, 2024
The story was good. The only thing that bugged me was that it seemed like the author tried hard to use big words to describe things.
July 3, 2024
Fantastic debut novel! I can’t wait to read the next book when it comes out! Very well written and descriptive. I couldn’t put it down!
July 11, 2024
Horrible written like it was written with ai or least a plot that feels stolen from others was a huge snooze fest and borderline pathetic do not read if you value your time or original others
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July 21, 2024Did not enjoy it. Not particularly well written. Shallow characters. Not recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews