À La Folie

Cirque Du Désir #1

by Nova Kane

Indie Conners, stared my demons in the eye and smiled.
She fell for everything I hoped she'd fear, and now she's making me feel things I don't want to feel.
Obsession, passion, hope and something new and even more dangerous- love.

Lux Julius is everything I shouldn't want. Everyone warned me about him.
But where others see a monster they condemn, I see a lost and misunderstood soul.
The more he pushes me away, the harder I'll fight. I won't stop until his demons become mine.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Horror, Novella, Halloween, Erotica

ebook

First published March 9, 2024

Reviews

[Noa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Because here, in Cirque Du Desir, no desire, no craving is too dark or twisted."

Never stays in the same place for more than a couple days.
All your wildest desires yours for the taking.
One ticket is the entrance to all your sick thoughts.
The man behind it all?
Lux Julius.
The myth. The legend. The horror.
And the new fascination of Indie Conners.
But Indie is about to find out that while she is fascinated…
Lux is downright obsessed 😈😈

"She challenges and pushes without fear. Intriguing. But how far will she push?"

I am in love in the most dark and twisted ways!!
This spicy horror novella was absolutely CAPTIVATING!! Circus smut will always get me and I will not apologize! I could not put this down for the life of me and I devoured it.
I cannot wait for the next books in the series and I know they will be as absolutely BONKERS as this one 🧡😈🖤

"Not even Christ can save you now, Indie. You wanted this. You called on my demons, and they answered."

As you all know by now one of my favorite playlists to make is "Dark Circus Core" so you can just imagine my excitement for this one 🧡😈🖤
These are the songs I added:

(Link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3PH... )

🎵 "FREAK SHOW" - Chandler Leighton
🎵 "Halloweenie IV: Innards" - Ashnikko
🎵 "Wonderland" - Natalia Kills
🎵 "Freak Show" - Jake Daniels, AViVA
🎵 "Careful What You Wish For (the doctor said so)" - Jack Harris
🎵 "QUEEN OF THE FREAKS" - AViVA
🎵 "FREAKSHOW" - PLVTINUM
🎵 "Killing Butterflies" - Lou Bliss
🎵 "Sick Thoughts" - Lou Bliss
🎵 "Nightmares Never End" - JT Music, Andrea Storm Kaden
🎵 "Haunted House" - Neoni
🎵 "Lights Out" - bludnymph
🎵 "FUCK" - SNOW WIFE
🎵 "Tear You Apart" - She Wants Revenge
🎵 "Chokehold" - Sleep Token
🎵 "Drip Off" - Austin Giorgio
🎵 "Pretty In The Dark (Slow + Reverb)" - Ashley Sienna, Ellise
🎵 "Eyes Closed" - Connor Kauffman
🎵 "IF THERE IS A GOD, IT'S ME" - PLVTINUM
🎵 "Hunting Season" - Ice Nine Kills
🎵 "See You Bleed" - Ramsey
🎵 "MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT" - Loveless
🎵 "Enter Sandman" - Rina Sawayama
🎵 "Massacre" - Kim Petras
🎵 "Skin and Bones" - David Kushner
🎵 "THE DRAIN" - Bad Omens, HEALTH, SWARM
🎵 "Sinner" - Of Virtue
🎵 "Feel Me Now" - If Not For Me
🎵 "Harder To Breathe" - Letdown.
🎵 "Burn" - Tom Walker
🎵 "Pain" - Jake Daniels
🎵 "PRETTY PLEASE" - Dutch Melrose, benny mayne
🎵 "Nightmare" - UNDREAM, Neoni
🎵 "Beauty" - Layto
🎵 "INFERNO" - Sub Urban, Bella Poarch
🎵 "S&M - Nightcore Version" - Rain Paris
🎵 "Twisted" - MISSIO
🎵 "Funhouse" - P!nk
🎵 "KNIVES" - Neoni, Savage Gas$p
🎵 "use me" - Makk Mikkael
🎵 "Nightmares" - Ellise
🎵 "Play With Fire" - Sam Tinnesz, Yacht Money
🎵 "Devil in Her Eyes" - Bryce Savage
🎵 "No Mercy" - Austin Giorgio
🎵 "Desire" - MEG MYERS
🎵 "Monster" - Lady Gaga
🎵 "Taste (Speed)" - Ari Abdul
🎵 "greedy" - Tate McRae
🎵 "Eve" - Precious Pepala
🎵 "FINAL GIRL (too pretty to die)" - PI3RCE
🎵 "Whore" - In This Moment
🎵 "BLURRY" - Neoni
🎵 "Special Death" - Mirah
🎵 "Freak" - Doja Cat
🎵 "Devil Devil" - MILCK
🎵 "Secrets" - Omido, Ordell, Rick Jansen
🎵 "Throne" - Bring Me The Horizon
🎵 "Toxic" - Omido, Rick Jansen
🎵 "Not Afraid Anymore" - Halsey
🎵 "trouble" - Camylio
🎵 "Nothing Else Matters" - Miley Cyrus, WATT, Elton John, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Trujillo, Chad Smith
🎵 "obsessed" - zandros, Limi
🎵 "Dirrty" - Christina Aguilera, Redman
🎵 "AMERICAN HORROR SHOW" - SNOW WIFE
🎵 "Killer In The Mirror" - Set It Off
🎵 "Killer" - Valerie Broussard
🎵 "Utopia" - Neoni
🎵 "Le Monse" - Richard Carter
🎵 "The American Nightmare" - Ice Nine Kills

And you know what they say about spicy horror novellas 💓💓

"Fuck, Indie. Look how badly your body craves my touch. The touch of a monster."

"Your fucking cunt was made by the devil himself, Indie. But he made it just for me."

"You're going to swallow my fucking load like it's your communal bread. Like it's going to wash away the sins you committed tonight."

🎪 Tropes 🎪

🤡 Dark Romance
🤡 Masked MMC
🤡 Knife Play
🤡 Blood Play
🤡 Circus Spice
🤡 And so much more…

Book Edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/C-U81qhA2...

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will never look at ketchup packets the same way again...I'd lie if I said I didn't both laugh and was also a bit traumatised by that scene. Goal achieved?

Anyway, the warnings are there for a reason, and nobody (except maybe Indie) is a good person, least of all Lux. There are some dark things that go on, but most of it isn't related to the two main characters.

I like that actually, their relationship with each other, while really fast (went from zero to I love you in 2 days), wasn't as sick and depraved as their surroundings. The only problem I have with it is that it doesn't really make sense.

Because like, Lux had a really traumatic childhood, we find that out early on (I read that one line and was like "oh we're going there omg") and he's been running this carnival for a decade, never participating in the events he was hosting, and then suddenly Indie shows up and he's okay with being touched, but only by her.

Maybe this is only an issue because of the length, if it was a full length book there'd be more depth to their relationship and we'd get to see why Indie is so special. I kinda refuse to believe that no one else he perceived as innocent came into his tent in all those years.

I still liked it though, and had a good time reading it. Aaaaand shoutout to Claire for having the best style in the book, even if she wasn't a very good friend.

3.5

[Tatiana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was rough to get through because it read like a Wattpad novel written by a teenager trying to be edgy. The main characters were a pick me girl and a “I’m so bad. Fear me” boy. The part with her dad toward the end felt rushed and unnecessary as if it were added in there just to figure out how to get her to the end the author wanted. I stuck with it because I love the dark circus theme but I found myself skimming through the last few chapters.

[Poppy Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

I knew this was going to be fucked up and it certainly was that😅 I wish (knowing this is a series) that Lux and Indie’s relationship developed more slowly and we saw Indie try to navigate this new depraved world she’s now a part of

If you want DARK romance set in a circus where people’s darkest darkest desires come out then you’ll love this

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those looking to dance with demons in the dark, welcome to Cirque Du Désir, where all your deepest desires come to life and nothing is off limits. Don’t mind the clowns. Ok, actually watch out for that one.

À La Folie is a salacious tale of obsession and acceptance dipped in an oily pool of pure debasement. Author Nova Kane enters the scene with a fast-paced novella that packs a punch and utilizes every single page to deliver readers into the depths of depravity, seamlessly weaving carnality with carnage. There’s nothing like a circus filled to the brim with carnies of questionable repute, am I right?

While a tempest of temptation occurs beneath the bigtop, two fractured souls meet within the eye of the storm, and they are STUNNING together. Indie, a seemingly good girl patron, and Lux, the infamous and villainous ringmaster, are inexplicably drawn to one another. And it turns out they’re a match made in hell. The compulsion that exists between them leads to a few nights of insanely wicked desire, and I ate up every single moment of it.

What Indie endures at the hands (and mouth) of Lux is just downright sinful…and sooo f/cking hot.

There’s nothing more I can say…you just need to give this a read. My only complaint is that I am in desperate need of more. A quick, engaging read, Kane knocked this one out of the park, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for the future. This is a fun one, don’t miss out. Also, read those TWs, this isn’t for the faint of heart.

Oh, and a quick shoutout to Johnny, that sick motherf/cker. Nova, can we get a spin-off, please? K, thanks.

[Brittany Ferraro · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for something, fast paced, a little insane, and dark look no further. This book pulled me out of a reading slump and I couldn’t be more grateful🙏🏻 one thing about Nova is she’s going to SLAY a novella every single time !!!

A circus where you can let your freak flag fly🎪 what’s not to love here??

Between the ketchup packet and the clowns, I am a little traumatized, nothing too serious though 😅

I ATE THIS LITTLE BOOK UP

[Анастасія ꒰⁠⑅⁠ᵕ⁠༚⁠ᵕ⁠꒱⁠˖⁠♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Думала ставити 2 зірки, але мене зацікавила кінцівка, то ж 3. Я точно цю книжку наврядчи коли-небудь буду ще читати. Епізод з запальничкою та некрофілія цьому дуже сприяють. Жгг мене дуже дратувала, я майже постійно закатувала очі, якщо б вона не вбила батька(самозахист там був) то я б розчарувалась повністю

[Velina · Rating 2 out of 5]

the trigger warnings triggered themselves in this book

[Ayushi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why is this short erotic horror novella better than any series in the same genre? (I see you, Harley Laroux!) This totally lived up to the title; also, please, I could never look at a ketchup packet and not think about this book. That particular scene totally took me out.😭

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ★

Lux is the incarnation of my haunting nightmare, and I never want to wake up.

Holy smokes! For a debut novella this was AMAZING! It was completely unhinged and toxic and downright filthy and I ate it all up! I for one LOVE a good circus setting and one based around lust? So good! It felt like a full length novel as opposed to a novella, which is hard to achieve, and nothing felt rushed.

Indie and Lux were divine together, looking past society's vision of flaws in one another and seeing their true selves for who they are. They were each others yin and yang, and it was so romantic and deliciously spicy, I couldn't get enough! I cannot wait to see what more this author has to write because I will be reading it all!

What To Expect:
⨳ MF Dark Romance
⨳ Novella
⨳ Circus Setting
⨳ Masked MMC
⨳ Blood Play
⨳ Completely Unhinged

The circus always seemed like the place for me. Moving from town to town, never settling because nothing ever felt like home. I've never felt found, not until Indie.

❤︎ ARC provided in exchange for an honest review ❤︎

[Johanna 夏✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

„I’m not the knight in shining armour you seem to think I am. I’m not your saviour. I’m the villain…”
•
CTW ‼️
•
This novella is what I searched for, when I say I want something really dark. It was catching, unique and spicy.
Nova Kanes writing style is easy to read and the story goes by a great flow. Loved it from the beginning to the end.

[Mimiorphee]

DNF @ 64%
What's evern the point? It's not sexy, nor is it intriguing, let alone thrilling.
The writing is repetitive, the plot non-existent.
I'm done.

[Yar · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5

[Moony Luve · Rating 4 out of 5]

So dark, so hot, omgggg
The only thing I would change is that I want MOREEEE lol.
I am so excited for the next one 😍😍😍

[crusadeannihilation · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 this is equally effed up and hot asf

Thank u

[Vendea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiktok v poslední době může za všechny dark romance, do kterých se pouští. Čím zvrácenější, tím lepší. Hlavně něco, co nebude tak nudné jako Hauntění Adély... A La Folie splnilo vše, co jsem si pod pojmem "zvrácenost" představila. A až na občasnou mizernou práci editorky... to bylo něco. Mezi čtenáři se to marketuje jako temnější Caraval se spoustou kinků a sexu... a rozhodně to to splňuje. Přečtěte si před čtením trigger warningy. Protože:
- je tu několikanásobně popsaná nekrofilie (mrtvoly)
- domácí násilí a docela dost grafické napadení
- zdrogování účastníků
- vše se může natáčet a publikovat na internetu

Rozhodně to není pro každého. Má to ale jen nějakých 130 stran, takže ideální na jeden večer. A je to free na Kindle Unlimited, pokud máte!

4/5*

[Kate Drier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book!

À La Folie is Nova Kane's debut erotic horror novella and I can honestly say, it lived up to the genre's expectations. It was unhinged and cruel, but did I finish it in a single day - yup ;)

Indie is Lux's perfect match in every way. She rises to meet his every challenge and see's beyond his tragic past, teaching him that love and being loved are always a possibility.

Please check out the trigger warnings before reading as this book has very dark themes and scenes.

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

"À La Folie" by Nova Kane is an electrifying whirlwind of emotions that left me breathless and yearning for more! From the moment I dove into this short story, I was hooked by the intense chemistry between Indie and Lux.

Indie Conners is a powerhouse, facing her demons with a smile and falling for everything that should have terrified her. Lux Julius, the enigmatic bad boy everyone warned her about, is a complex and compelling character who stole my heart. Where others see a monster, Indie sees a misunderstood soul, and their fiery connection is nothing short of mesmerising.

This book is a roller coaster of obsession, passion, and hope, topped with a dangerous hint of love that kept me on the edge of my seat. Lux's struggle with his feelings and Indie's unwavering determination to break through his walls made for a captivating dynamic that I couldn't get enough of.

Nova Kane has crafted a story that packs a punch in every page.

Despite its brevity, this quick read hit the spot perfectly, leaving me craving more of Indie and Lux’s story.

If you're looking for a fast-paced, emotionally charged romance that will keep you glued to the pages, "À La Folie" is the book for you. It's a wild ride of passion and redemption that you'll devour in one sitting. Highly recommend!

[destiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

YUMMY. HOT. FAST. AND. DELICIOUS.

the urge to read this again is so high. like … nova kane never fails to deliver in her short and spicy with a dash of unhinged books. this HAD IT ALL 😍🖤

this is a dark, fast paced erotic horror romance with creepy circus, masked mmc, blood and fire play, touch her and die … for real, unhinged characters, going to have you reach for your rose 🤭

the way i want to go to this circus is quite concerning. this dark and depraved little circus is out here ready for those who want to live out their wildest fantasies !! lux is absolutely delicious. this man can string me up ANYDAY 🫠 he’s just an unhinged, possessive and obsessive, misunderstood soul. that is is until he meets indie. i absolutely loved her. her fiery attitude and the fact that she’s not afraid of him. 10/10 ❤️‍🔥

this book snatched me out of reading slump so fast, i got whiplashes left and right 😫

🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Hannah Rhodes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly have no words for what I just read!! If you’re looking for a deranged MMC who runs the most dark and twisted circus around THEN THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU! It’s dark, unhinged, gruesome, and spicy as hell!!!

TROPES:
Dark Romance
Masked MMC
Knife play
Blood play
And honestly that is just the beginning!!

[Olik · Rating 2 out of 5]

Аделінка з ґудзиками не йде ні в яке порівняння з цією крінжатіною. Дами і господа, беріть тазик із собою - під час прочитання захочеться поринати і не раз. І одразу записуйтесь до психолога, після такого точно треба обстежитись.

[Lori Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!! The first book by this author and it was exceptional! If you are looking for something dark, dirty and depraved… you found it! Just make sure to check your trigger warnings!!! This one has a slew of them!!!

Lux and Indie are magnetic and explosive! Daddy Lux is everything and he will bring all your darkest desires to surface. I couldn’t get enough of him and I’m left wanting even more!!! I’m hoping there is a follow up book to this one! Lux and Indie deserve a whole novel!

So if you are looking for that quick dark read… this is it! Nova Kane brings the darkness level to pitch black with this one. But holy h3ll… I want more!

[Alison is probably reading smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big thank you to the author for allowing me this ARC read. Honestly, this was such a spectacular dark romance read! I was hooked with from page one and finished it in a matter of hours. For a book with so many trigger warnings, it was honestly everything I needed and more. The characters were loveable (I get weak for masked men) and I absolutely loved the setting. Do these types of carnivals actually exist, if so, count me in! The spice was top tier and the storyline was very well thought out. I would love to see more of Lux and Indie's adventures.

If you're looking for another read with circus-y smutty vibes, I think Mayhem Carnival and this one would be the perfect pair to read.

[kileigh✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fast, dark, and fucked up!

Definitely read your trigger warnings for this one.

The MMC fell for the girl in like 3 days and is talking about love… I’m so serious. The events in this book took place over ONE weekend spent together!

Some grammatical errors.

Listen, if you want a fast paced, short, entertaining, fucked up, dark romance with ZERO plot, this is for you!!

[Jasmine Shabazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now first and foremost READ TRIGGER WARNINGS 😈‼️ However, I love dark romances and this one is my first from this author and a first for a circus erotic horror dark romance novella and when I say it was definitely dark, unhinged, depraved and unexpected yet still had spice with the romance feel‼️ Cause Lux 👀🤭🥵 Read this as an ARC and definitely worth it to see this different genre for me as well

[Halie Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

if Caraval was erotic horror and I loved every second of it 🫡

[Kyleigh ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for the faint hearted. Sick and twisted. Can’t believe a stay at home mom wrote this book! I did enjoy that this actually had a story to it and wasn’t just pure smut. Don’t get me wrong, it’s FILLED with it, but there’s a backstory and a shocking end to it.

[Isis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book lived up to all the teasers and hype!😮‍💨
Nova Kane really did that and that playlist! Chefs kiss🖤🖤🖤👏🏽
Everyone’s a little crazy ✨

Tropes:
🎭Masked MMC
🩸/ 🔥 Play
Circus Chaos🤡
Touch her & 💀 (LITERALLY)

What did I just read? And why do I need to read I again?! This book is dark, delicious, depraved and unhingedddd. I LOVE IT! 🖤🖤🖤🖤
I went into this ARC with an idea and was I wrong, this was so much more 😈
This is pitch black romance was the first of its kind for me and I need more, holy shit 🫠 This Circus is for families during the day but the at night the freaks come out to play…..
I can’t talk about this without spoiling it so I will leave you with this:
It’s a fast paced Erotic horror that revolves around people who wish to live out their wildest fantasies and get everything they ask for.
Lux is UNHINGED, MORALLY BLACK, OBSESSED and a misunderstood soul.
Indie is an innocent and pure soul who wishes to escape the reality of her life and gets to see who she really is with a trip to Cirque Du Desir.
The plot along with the spice and chaos all in one was absolute perfection. I need a copy of this ASAP to place on my trophy shelf!!

[Toxic · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible story from Nova!

If you’re looking for dark and macabre for a read, then this is for you.

Indie is our FMC and she sees something she likes in our MMC, despite the social norms that’s expected in humankind being totally absent. She sees his soul and knows hers matches.

Lux, the MMC of the story is a shattered and broken man, who sees indie and just knows she can pick up his pieces and put them together to match hers.

This story takes you on a journey of love, lust, and darkness and had me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole read.

Nova is definitely someone who’s work I’ll be reading more of!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥
Circus setting
Blood play
Masks
Who is Johnny
HEA

[Readingwithdesi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so freaking good! This is a DARK EROTICA so CHECK THOSE TRIGGERS BEFORE HAND I LOVED this book so much CANT WAIT FOR BOOK 2!!