A Heart Bleeding Gold

by H.M. Darling

A heart to break, a heart to bleed - one last chance to love.Sophie Hawthorne considers herself an expert at goodbyes. In her two hundred years of life, she has lost nearly every person she’s ever loved. While her new life in Paris promises a new start with her best friends and her brother, Sophie can’t help but worry about the next time her heart gets broken. When Eliza stumbles into her life, Sophie is left reeling by the broken-hearted American girl. However, after a drunken night out, Sophie discovers Eliza has been a vampire for thirteen years, and it’s time to say goodbye to the human life she knew - and it’s tearing her apart. For the first time, Sophie’s centuries of experience with heartache could do some good, if only Eliza would let her in. But if Eliza never faces her pain, her harsh words and cruel actions could drive Sophie away… and they both could lose the best thing that’s ever happened to them.

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 21, 2024

About the author

H.M. Darling is a new adult indie author that lives and burns in Arizona with her scrooge of a cat named Tobey. She has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. She writes books full of morally gray characters, villainous love interests, and tops it all off with lots of spice!

When she is not writing, you can usually find her collecting houseplants, listening to Taylor Swift, or reading a book from her never-ending TBR list.

Reviews

[theromantasybookcorner._ · Rating 4 out of 5]

➳༻❀☕️🅱︎🅾︎🅾︎🅺•🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆☕️❀༺➳

✧°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

📚📝✨🥀𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞•𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦🥀✨📝📚
🩸𝙰 𝙷𝙴𝙰𝚁𝚃 𝙱𝙻𝙴𝙴𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙶𝙾𝙻𝙳 𝙱𝚈 𝙷.𝙼. 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙶
✨𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝟹 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙼𝙸𝙳𝙽𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃 𝚂𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂 - 𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙲𝙾𝙽𝙽𝙴𝙲𝚃𝙴𝙳 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝙽𝙳𝙰𝙻𝙾𝙽𝙴𝚂
🩸𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝚅𝙰𝙼𝙿𝙸𝚁𝙴 𝚂𝙰𝙿𝙿𝙷𝙸𝙲 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴
✨𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: 𝙼𝙰𝚈 𝟸𝟷𝚂𝚃 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺
╰┈➤𝙰𝚅𝙰𝙸𝙻𝙰𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙾𝙽 𝙺𝚄✨
🩸𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥: 𝙴𝙼𝙾𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝙰𝙻; 𝙷𝙴𝙰𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙶; 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙸𝙲; 𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙴; 𝙷𝙾𝙿𝙴𝙵𝚄𝙻
✨𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗡𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥: 𝟸𝟷𝟸 𝙿𝙰𝙶𝙴𝚂
🩸𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ || 𝟻
✨⚠️𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦

✧°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

✨✨𝘔𝘺 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴✨✨
Thank you so much to H.M. Darling for my Advanced Reader Copy of 𝗔 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗! This review is comprised entirely of my own thoughts & opinions, & is based on the copy I received.

I absolutely adored this book! HM Darling is really doing something special with this series, and I’ve loved seeing her portray so many different types of relationship dynamics with each book that comes out. I have loved all her books and this one didn’t disappoint at all! It was a quick read and I felt fully emotionally invested in the plot, the characters, and the romance, even with it being a shorter read.

I LOVED Sophie and Eliza’s story so much - their story is emotional, heart-wrenching, transformative, and healing, all wrapped up in one big emotional roller coaster. There were so many times that I cried, screamed, and wanted to shake certain characters! There was so much angst and tension. There were a few times where Eliza was a little insufferable, but I loved the way that Sophie handled all the situations that they were put in and I really enjoyed seeing Eliza’s growth as the story went on. AND I always get so excited with this in interconnected standalones, but it made my heart SO happy to see some of the characters from previous books make an appearance! That’s always the best!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I love everything that HM Darling writes, and this was the perfect sweet, emotional, and whimsical (Parisian romance is such a mood!) read! I can’t wait to read Indy’s book when it releases!

📚📝✨𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘✨📝📚
🩸Vampire Romance
🩸Sapphic Romance
🩸Happily Ever After
🩸Slow Burn Romance
🩸Angst and Tension
🩸Parisian Vibes
🩸Found Family
🩸Self-Discovery

✧°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

[Brianna Citino · Rating 3 out of 5]

“She was a nest of thorns preparing to sink so deep into my skin I may never break free.”

A Heart of Bleeding Gold by H.M. Darling is a vampire romance set in Paris, it is a light romance with conflict and angst. I love that the main characters from book 1 and 2 are still so linked to the main characters in this story. If you enjoy a story with people learning to love and over come tragedies then check this book out!
I received an advanced reader copy for free for my honest review.

[Dru · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶/5

Heroin:The FMC (Sophie) is a vampire living in modern Paris. She is used to loss after living for over 200 years, and having to end every relationship the moment they start to notice she didn't age. She wasn't jaded from this, but did feel a sense of loneliness. However, she wasn't completely alone and had some great friends which really added to her dynamic.

Sophie meets Eliza, and Eliza does not want anything to do with Sophie. She plans to push everyone away, but Sophie doesn't give up. She is drawn to Eliza, and tries to break through her tough walls to get to the genuine part of Eliza that she hides from the world.

The book is focused on the relationship building between Sophie and Eliza. It definitely is on the sweet side, which fits the theme of a romance in Paris. So if you like short books that is just about the relationship between the main characters, you may enjoy the book. It is also a quick read, so something light to pick up.

Eliza is very hot and cold, which did get repetitive during the book, but at least Sophie also was annoyed by it so I didn't feel as bad for being annoyed. I will say the betrayal was quite the unexpected, and the fact Sophie stuck to her guns, making Eliza grovel back into her good graces was satisfying to read. It wasn't a quick forgiveness situation, and within a short book, I thought it was well done.

Honestly my main gripe was Eliza as a character and I wish Sophie had a bit more depth written to her about the Eliza's behavior. At times it would feel more surface level, or more told than shown.

Tropes:
✅ Found Family
✅ Grumpy/Sunshine (not super sunshine but definitely not a grump)
✅ Betrayal
✅ Fated-Mates (but not super insta-love)
✅ LGBTQ+
✅ First person POV (from Sophie only)

Thank you H.M. Darling for sending an arc for this book!

[McKenna Lash · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️

“And then there was you, and you’re a ray of sunshine, a pool of gold, in my world of shadows”

First of all, thank you to the amazing author for allowing me to read an early copy of this book. I devoured this book in less than 24 hours! I couldn’t put it down!

I’m incredibly amazed at how H.M. Darling is able to portray such a wide range of relationship dynamics within the same universe and friend group. Book #1 followed Addie and Holland which was a magical and heartwarming read. Book #2 was Willa and Wren’s story, which was beautifully devastating and full of understanding and love. This book, #3, tells the story of Sophie and Eliza - who are two very broken people seemingly destined to never be compatible, but prevail due to their intense love of one another.

This story made me feel ALL the emotions! Throughout the book I felt heartbroken over the pain of the leading ladies, giddy over the amazing and spicy moments they shared, and infuriated by choices made. I swear I got whiplash reading the second half!

It truly hit home seeing a relationship dynamic where two people are trying to find love and build a connection while simultaneously trying to fight demons and fears from the past. Nobody is perfect, but it’s important to never forget to try.

I look forward, once again, to seeing how their relationship progresses and peeks itself into the last book (OMG SAD😢) while also hearing Indy’s story. I adore every character in this series, no doubt thanks to the wonderful H.M. Darling for making them so well written and developed.

Lovely, lovely read - definitely recommend!

[Amber Hoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Heart Bleeding Gold is the third book in the Midnight Series. The blurb says that you can read each book in the series as a stand alone, but I highly recommend reading the books in order. Each book follows a different couple, however there is a lot of character overlap, and each book is really a continuation of the previous book. This is a Sapphic Vampire Romance, with some possible triggering events.

Each book in this series is not only better than the last, but a vastly different relationship dynamic. A Heart Bleeding Gold is much darker than the last two books in this series. It also has a lot more plot, and a lot less spice. This story definitely had me in my feels, more than once I ugly cried and screamed aloud in disbelief that a character did something. I enjoyed angst and twists in this romantic story. Sophie is by far my favorite character of the Midnight Series, I adored how self aware and confident she was, while still having a heart of gold. I loved that we got more character development in this book than we have in the other books in the series, though I still need more from the entire cast.
Overall I found this to be an enjoyably sweet romance story full of angst and heart break and very little spicy scenes. I am looking forward to the remaining books in the series.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is well written, albeit a short one. I quite enjoyed the start of the book. I felt like I could resonate with the way Eliza dealt with her feelings, because I also some times handle my feelings that way. But I felt bad for Sophie, she didn't deserve the back and forth.

Secondly, I am sorry, I don't care that Addie is accepting Eliza and trying to be a good person and all, I just can not forgive Eliza for what she did. She threw a temper tamtrum because Sophie was officially tired of her bullshit and threw her out. Which I think should have happened already. Eliza should not be welcomed back in their lives so soon. She should beg, she should crawl. Idk, she should grovel.

I quite liked the story and it had it's cute moments. I think anyone going through a relationship with a hot and cold person would resonate with this book. Maybe not the vampires (😂😂) but with the storyline of dealing with heartbreak, goodbyes and grief.

I would recommend you read this book if you want a quick but deep read.

#AddieIsBetterThanMe

[Jacsan Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Heart of Bleeding Gold by H M darling is the third installment of the midnight series and it did not disappoint. It was filled with so much emotion, it gave me whiplash!

This book follows Sophie who we’ve met in previous book and Eliza, a new vampire that was running away to Paris. Sophie and Eliza’s story is filled with so much emotion, it had me crying and yelling at my kindle. With phrases like…

“But I’m made of darkness, and you’re daylight. I knew from the first moment that if you got involved with me, I would destroy you.”

Or the way Sophie describes Eliza…

“Eliza was dangerous. She was a nest of thorns preparing to sink so deep into my skin I may never break free.”

I highly recommend reading this book! It is a short read, but a very good one. Thank you H M Darling for the opportunity to read this ARC!

[Elana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a vampire romance. This is book three in the Midnight series. This book takes place in Paris and is about Sophie and Eliza’s journey. I was taken on a roller coaster ride of emotions throughout reading this book. Overall I enjoyed the book and thought the story was well done! I look forward to reading book 4!

[Brandy Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always adore anything HM Darling writes. Her books are such an easy read for me as they keep me interested from the first chapter to the last. None of that you have to read through to get to the good parts again. Her story telling is always good and this book is no different.

[Raeann Wolfley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read for me that I enjoyed. If you love yourself some vampire romance, spice, and in Paris. Well you have to read this book!

[Reilly AS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you H.M. Darling for the opportunity to read your book in exchange for an honest review.

This is an instant love story between Sophie Hawthorn and Eliza. Sophie has never had someone who has stayed in her life other than her brother. She has been trying to make Paris her home but is unsure of her place in this world.

Sophie meets Eliza and finds her instantly attractive. This is where their story begins.

Why this story is amazing:
~Single POV
~Urban Fantasy
~Vampires
~Insta Love

Trigger Warning:
~Lots of Blood
~Poor Communication
~Loneliness