Lover: The Cruel Dark Companion Novella

The Cruel Dark #1.5

by Bea Northwick

Experience Willowfield in a chilling and heartbreaking new way - through the eyes of its haunted master, Professor Callum Hughes.

This novella follows the plot of THE CRUEL DARK from beginning to end, chapter by chapter, in Callum Hughes' POV and contains several bonus scenes. LOVER is meant to be read after THE CRUEL DARK and not in tandem, as it contains plot spoilers from Chapter 1.

Genres: Gothic, Romance, Historical Romance, Fantasy, Novella, Dark Romance, Historical Fiction

149 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 2024

About the author

Bea Northwick is a lover of magical, spooky, and romantic things. She owns too much perfume, can’t pick an aesthetic, and loves 80s movies. She lives with her husband, children, dogs, and a black cat in the sunny American South where she dreams daily of Irish cottages and rain swept Scottish castles.

Praise for THE CRUEL DARK

"Northwick presents a dark love story that sparkles with elements of gothic horror and more modern romance as Millie explores the dark secrets hidden in Willowfield’s shadows..." - Kirkus Reviews

"This gothic is sumptuous, jolting, and occasionally—like Willowfield’s gardens—blooming with hope." BookLife

Praise for BLACKWICKET

This dark, eerie fantasy makes it clear from the start that it’s impossible to hide from your destiny—or your mistakes..Northwick’s themes of family, secrets, and isolation dominate, mixed with moments of lush romance and fierce self-scrutiny that tease the promise of lighter moments on the horizon for this besieged heroine." Publishers Weekly BookLife

Reviews

[Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐


Lover: The Cruel Dark Companion Novella by Bea Northwick presents the events described in the author’s novel The Cruel Dark from the perspective of Callum Hughes.

I truly enjoyed this novella and was glad that it answered most of the questions that I felt were left unanswered in the novel. Consistently paced fluid narrative, elegant prose and well-developed plot points made for an immersive read. The author has done a wonderful job of conveying Callum’s thoughts and emotions, shedding light on what was going on parallel to Millicent’s experiences, thereby providing a well-rounded perspective on Millicent’s story.

Please read this novella only after having read the novel.

Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph

[༚˳⁺✧˚Jennifer ˚✧⁺˳༚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

pre-read: I love Goodreads so much because I would have never found this novella if I didn’t see someone else mark it as want to read.

I’ve got a soft spot for A Cruel Dark, it was one of my first ARCs. So, I’m really excited to read this one!

—-

I really enjoyed this little novella, it rounded out the experience of the first book and the epilogue had me smiling. 4/5

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't love being in the head of a heartbroken, love-sick man?

A quick companion novella, highlighting the events of The Cruel Dark from Callum's pov, with the addition of a sweet epilogue of Millie and Callum in the future. Obviously, it didn't have the eerie tension of the first book because you already know what's happening but I've got stars in my eyes for Professor Hughes.

"The bane of this house that would always take the love it was given and swallow it whole, leaving only husks of its inhabitants behind.

[Christy Bath · Rating 5 out of 5]

While The Cruel Dark will appeal to a variety of readers, across multiple genres, this accompanying novella was made for us romance readers.

I cannot speak in detail for fear of ruining major plot points of TCD, but Lover is an opposing pov story that pulls at the heartstrings in all the best ways. We get to see how the story unfolds for another character, and it’s vital in appreciating the romance aspect. It answers so many questions about what was happening beyond Millie’s perspective, and how other side characters were affected.

If you read The Cruel Dark, I highly recommend continuing on and enjoying this short 128ish page novella! To be honest, it made me appreciate the first book even more! 😭🖤

5 huge stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this!

[Lilith Mühlberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite reads from last year was "The Cruel Dark", which is a haunting gothic romance with memorably spooky elements and a romance that just stuck with me. The companion novella "Lover" returns to that very same story from the perspective of Callum (the MMC). It is meant to be read after reading the book itself as it contains spoilers for the novel.

I loved returning to Willowfield and discovering it from a very different point of view to that of Millicent's! Getting that insight into Callum's head during the events of the book supplied details and emotions that cast him in a completely different light. And since this is his POV, the novella also includes scenes and key moments that can't be seen in the "The Cruel Dark", which made for great additional background information. And as I said in my TCD review, the spice he provides is utterly delicious - this remains true for the novella as well! 🌶️

Also, I wasn't expecting that last chapter to be what it was, but I loved it so much!

A huge thank you to Bea Northwick for the ARC in return for my honest opinion! 🤍

[Delaney Piche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obsessed, wait til the booktok girlies get ahold of this.

[summer⁎ ˚ ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

i mean it's a novella from the first book and recounts all of the situations from his POV. i was delighted to read his thoughts after figuring it all out!!!! i can't believe i ever thought callum was the monster 😫 this poor soul having to do what he had to do !!!! i just wanted to hug him

[Cassandra J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @beanorthwick for this ARC of Lover!

Yall my heart. 🖤

Bea writes her stories so eloquently and I’m easily swept off my feet. I didn’t think I could love Callum anymore than I did…then Madam Northwick went and wrote Lover. Lover gives us a look into Callums POV and it is EVERYTHING. And that ending. 🥹😭

If you need me I’ll be over here continuing to swoon and wait for my own Callum Hughes to come into my life.

[Hot Mess Sommelière ~ Caro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Companion novella to The Cruel Dark, to be read after the main book. Since this is basically an alt pov retelling, it didn't feel fresh. But that may be because I read this back to back with Cruel Dark instead of a few months later.

Still great writing and story, but not as enjoyable for me personally

[Lilly 🖤 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3 ⭐️

I was glad we got to see more of Callum and Millie, but at some points I got really bored because it was the same things that was happening in the first book just in his POV (ik the author warns people of that but still). Yes I know what I’m about to say will make you think “but 149 some pages is already short” and I get that but I feel like it should’ve been a tad bit shorter..

[Kyshaf (Rozanov 81) · Rating 5 out of 5]

She appeared enchanted, and I was glad I could still charm her
“It must be beautiful here during the warm months.”
“Most beautiful.”
I wasn’t looking at the world around us, because the world I wanted was looking at me.

OMGGG CALLUM'S POV IS EVERYTHING LITERALLY EVERYTHING I'M LITERALLY CRYING I LOVE HIM I LOVE HIM & MILLIE.
HE is the man he's amazing he's everything ugh i love how he never gave up on her their love lovedd her the same even after she changed all he cared about was her being safe with him her being happy 🫂

“You are my blessing,” I murmured against her mouth. “Who knows,
perhaps there’s some magic in this place after all.”

perfect ending doesn't exi...

"I sat with my wife, our daughter sleeping at her breast, our sons tucked into their cots where they’d been placed after the chaos of the birth had woken them. My family was whole, and it was the only thing I had ever wanted."

this epilogue is everything literally everything 😣🥹
it's perfect i couldn't ask for something else I'm so happy Millie finally got a home and people who truly love her 😭❤️

[chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was everything i hoped for and more. i just wish this was printed at the end of the cruel dark because it feels like required reading to properly conclude this story. callum, our lovesick and tortured mmc 🖤 i LOVED his pov! the devotion and confidence he has in their love was so charming to read. you could literally feel their yearning on page. his pov definitely brought a whole new level of tension to their story.

this novella answers any lingering questions, and offers more insights to what was going on with the side characters during the cruel dark. for obvious reasons pertaining to the twists and reveals in book one, so many things were left out or were purposefully mysterious, and this ties up all of those loose strings so perfectly. this is a flawless conclusion to their story imo. i’m so grateful the author wrote this! it definitely made me reflect on the cruel dark with a new appreciation.

and the epilogue?!? 😭🖤 absolutely perfect

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This companion novella manages to fill in the blanks and provide some insight into just what is going through Callum’s head during the course of the previous book. Though it doesn’t have the mysterious gothic ambience of its predecessor it stands out in its own right and is an excellent read thats adds so much nuance to all that occurred previously. I felt I really got to know Callum much better here understanding his mindset went a long way to padding this out and adding so much additional richness as well as depth to the unfolding narrative. This was the novella I didn’t realise I actually needed until I’d inexperienced it. I’m still somewhat in awe that this is a debut author and I recommend both books highly.

[Madison Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Male POVs are for the girls 🫶🏽

[Gardenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agonizing, passionate, and heart-wrenching to the core❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥😭 Exquisite read.
The writing style was perfection and to my taste.
Loved this novella so much!! I must have more🩶❤️🩶

[Sydni · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED this novella. it would have been 5 stars if there was more info added, it felt a little repetitive reading it right after the first. we were robbed of the giddy greenhouse scene not once, but twice 😭

[Antonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting companion novel, but not totally necessary imo.

[✨Katie is a Reader✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10

No notes

This novella and standalone book are absolutely incredible and I will be thinking about Millie and Callum forever

[DancingMarshmallow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall: 3.5 stars

This is a great example of a retelling of a romance novel from the male hero's POV that actually adds depth to the character personalities and plot and isn't just "man horny." The strength of this novella is getting insight into the spooky gothic mystery at the core of the book it's a companion to, The Cruel Dark, and, obviously, what the mysterious Professor Hughes was thinking during those events. A lot of dialog is repeated, which makes sense, and some scenes are skimmed over, so you're not getting a deep dive into the hero's every thought, a la Edward in Midnight Sun, but that's okay.

DO NOT read this novella before reading The Cruel Dark. Nothing will make sense and you'll have all the mystery spoiled for you.

[Piper Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I wouldn't enjoy a companion novel as much, seeing as I've already read the story, but I was very pleasantly surprised. Though I can't say I enjoyed it as much as The Cruel Dark itself, purely based on how captured I was by the first book. Nonetheless, I really did love this novella. It was so interesting seeing all the communications between the two from the perspective of Callum. I loved seeing all the tones and spared looks from his side, and all his views and turmoils throughout. I'm very glad this one went more into the romance of the two and what had been before. I also really enjoyed the differing endings, allowing us to see further into their future without feeling like it was some rushed thing. I'm very glad I chose to pick this up.

[✰ Hailey (Taylor’s Version) ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never read a book that is just another character’s pov for the whole book, but this was shockingly really good. It was really interesting to see how Callum was hiding that Millie was actually his wife, and all his little inner thoughts. The epilogue was great too, I loved seeing them happy and what they’re doing years later.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

After finishing The Cruel Dark I was looking forward to this companion novella and getting the Professor's POV. Unfortunately I don't think this delivered what I was hoping for. It didn't add enough to what we already experienced in The Cruel Dark. It was short enough that I'm not mad I read it but it's definitely not a necessary read.

[taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

professor callum hughesssss the man that you areeeee 😭🖤 i loved this little novella. i am so glad we are able to get his perspective of all the things that happened in the first book. and that ending couldn’t have been more perfect.

[ReadWithPat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great novella from Callum’s POV and I loved being inside his head there’s yearning there’s heartbreak and love I loved how this mystery unfolded. Oh my sweet professor can’t believe I ever doubted you😩

[KP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not usually a novella gal but the way I ran to this. Professor Callum, as one would expect, did not disappoint. A very sweet round up to the story and the epilogue had my heart swelling.

[Amara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know that I could have done what he did

[Hollen Herbst Smirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Callum. Sweet sweet Callum. My heart physically ached for him but what a beautiful happy ending :’)

[vicki mastrototaro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was similar to the cruel dark. An ok ready

[su ୨୧ · Rating 1 out of 5]

“I wasn’t looking at the world around us, because the world I wanted was looking at me.”

rather dull and unoriginal. nonetheless, i love when men love the proper way.

[Beatriz Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro si o si debes leerlo después de terminar "The Cruel Dark", ya que este libro está narrado desde la perspectiva de profesor Callum y por lo tanto no quieres hacerte ningún spoiler. Así que solo leelo después de haber leído el anterior.

Habiendo dicho esto, lo he disfrutado mucho. Tener la perspectiva de Callum y ver su tormento para lidiar con todo y recuperar lo que más anhela, así como sus momentos de derrubarse pero levantarse y ser fuerte para continuar me ha dejado sin palabras.

Este libo es igual de adictivo que el anterior y sinceramente recomiendo leerlo.