Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
The first stand-alone novella - introducing you to the Nocturnal Hearts series by Elliott Rose…

Highly trained, deadly, and three hundred years old. Fehrn is a shifter wolf out to complete his reconnaissance mission.

Elite Spy.

Warrior.

Rational.

He has been watching her for weeks. Determined to extract information about the dark witches she is loyal to.

But when the moment to get close enough occurs he breaks his code, throwing the rules out to agree to her bargain.

***

Comfortable alone, quietly devoted, and grateful to the masters who sheltered her from an orphan’s destitution. Idalia hides her true self.

Fire Witch.

Telepath.

Dutiful.

Alone in this world, she has kept her secret her whole life. Staying safe and unassuming. Completing her role in the castle of the House of Elharean without question.

But when the claws that threaten her neck one night also threaten to rip down the walls around her heart, she strikes a bargain.

The only problem is, she just lied.

Before he discovers the truth she’d better hope her heart doesn’t betray her.

Author's Note: This is a standalone novella - interconnected with the other books and characters in the Nocturnal Hearts series. HEA guaranteed. Please check the author's website for all tropes, tags, and CWs.

146 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2023

376 people are currently reading
3019 people want to read

About the author

Elliott Rose

19 books3,984 followers
Elliott Rose is a bestselling author of romance on the forbidden and deliciously dark side. She lives in a teeny tiny beachside community in the south of Aotearoa, New Zealand with her partner and three rescue dogs.

Find her with a witchy brew in hand, a notebook overflowing with book ideas, or wandering along the beach.

Join her reader group The Cauldron for exclusive giveaways, BTS details, first looks at character art/inspo, and intimate chats about new and ongoing projects.


Join her Newsletter for all the goodies and major news direct to your email inbox.


Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
168 (17%)
4 stars
245 (25%)
3 stars
354 (36%)
2 stars
152 (15%)
1 star
38 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
Profile Image for Anja.
283 reviews6 followers
August 7, 2023
Sometimes I wonder, why I am so frustrated with novellas.
I feel so stupid for saying that this felt too rushed and unbelieveable, but then Alix E. Harrow's Six Deaths of a Saint is only 30 pages and it's pure perfection to me.
I found the world building to be interesting and our main character was a fire witch, which was interesting to see, but everything else was just meh. (Although I think the next installments will be better, since they're full length novels)
Profile Image for iam_cubanqueen.
82 reviews5 followers
September 11, 2023
I luckily got an ARC and it’s been one of the best I’ve gotten in a while 💖 I love the writing and tension the buildup I literally cannot wait for more 💖💖💖

I’ve added another member to my fantasy reverse harem because Fehrn is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Profile Image for Kai Van.
812 reviews22 followers
March 9, 2024
no thank you. one more line about her swollen/huge breasts was gonna ruin me. not for me.

CW: Dubious Consent/Non Consent, sexual assault mentions, off page torture, blood, sexual content in general, confinement, violence
Profile Image for Alyson | Books.plants.and.tea.
275 reviews21 followers
May 27, 2023
Objectively, this is a good novella, especially for a debut.

However, novellas often don't allow the relationship and intimacy build up, timing and pace I need to be pulled in and sold on the relationship between the MCs, especially before the spice hits. Considering I had a hard time getting into the first two chapters, the spice hitting very quickly with little to no connection to fall back upon (except the insta lust) and the instalove trope that I very much dislike... It had a few elements that just don't work for me.

Of course, this is a personal preference. Like I said, it's a good novella if the above is your shtick, or if you can suspend disbelief enough to enjoy the complete disregard for stranger danger. I really liked both characters, the plot was entertaining and the spice was well written and HOT. The world building was good, although confusing at some points thanks to insufficient explanation. I'm really intrigued about this new world I'm stepping into.

So, overall, this gets a 3 star rating, because there was enough to keep me invested to continue reading , even though the major elements didn't work for me. Looking forward to the next book, which will hopefully work out better for me.
Profile Image for ruby.
208 reviews74 followers
July 11, 2023
A quick shifter read!

This was the first time am reading of Elliott and I loved this short novella. A quick supernatural novella including wolf shifter with a powerful witch, actions, ancient dark magic, lies, danger and spicy romance. The story was good and engaging.
Profile Image for Zara Wilson.
25 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2024
I will never think of a gazebo in the same way again.
2/5 🌶
Profile Image for April Benoit.
106 reviews20 followers
May 15, 2025
this is a short spicy novella that truly kicks off the series! i know that this series is a interconnected standalone but i will be reading it in order!!

You mean to tell me this series i’ll see vampires, witches, shifters & MORE?! SIGN ME UP

what a perfect way to introduce the world and the character in this novella! you would think a full book would be best to do that but elliot rose wrote this PERFECTLY!!

Fehrn our MMC is a WOLF SHIFTER!! you read that right okay a wolf shifter who is also a spy and has a filthy mouth 😮‍💨

Idalia our FMC is a fire witch who believes in the good til she was proven wrong by our wolf shifter daddy. She also has to keep her powers a secret because she is surrounded by individuals who believe magic isn’t a thing anymore.

This novella is full of secrets!

i can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
Profile Image for Ofwitchbrew .
249 reviews17 followers
June 10, 2024
You know how the universe bestows upon you books that you’ve been looking for for some time now? That’s what happened to me yesterday.
I just finished Chasing the Wild ARC read and I was scrolling on here and found this.
I’ve been begging my friends to send me a witch rec with this plot line and SURPRISE SURPRISE, I found one.
I needed something short, sweet and supernatural with a hint of smut and I found it.
Best find this week. This month, really.
The story was SO GOOD, I’m sure this is a great intro for the whole series, you can read this as a standalone I’m sure but I feel we’ll meet them further in the other books.
Elliot you’re my favourite FIND OF THIS YEAR!
Profile Image for MissClo.
410 reviews27 followers
April 23, 2023
I really enjoyed this novella.

It is a great insight into the world that Rose is creating and I’m so invested in some of the other characters already mentioned.

Rose expertly introduces many new aspects to this paranormal world without giving too much away; it’s a perfect trap for us readers.

I want to know more about the Seal and the infamous House. What will happen to the werewolf and the vampiress? What is Fehrn and Lia’s new world?

The story has a HEA of course and a big promise from the author that we will see these two in the next book which I’m looking forward to.

I deducted one star because the relationship developed a little too quickly for me. I guess that is the nature of novellas. However, Rose already shows off her writing style and I look forward to reading more in the world.
Profile Image for V (theBookVibrant).
207 reviews31 followers
June 2, 2023
This was such a fun novella! It those a great job introducting us to the paranormal world.

This novella was fast paced (It has too for a book with 104 pages) and steamy. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
57 reviews
August 9, 2023
A good quick read to help get you out of a reading slump.

Of course because it was a novella, the story progressed very fast but I still thought it had a good pace.

Worth the 3 hours it took to read.
Profile Image for cait ʚ♡⃛ɞ.
151 reviews4 followers
June 29, 2025
Simply not for me. Trying my best to widen my genre’s and unfortunately as much as I love this authors cowboy romances, this shifter romance wasn’t my cup of ☕️

If you like a short and spicy novella which I’m sure would lead into a great series with full length novels, this might be up your alley!
Profile Image for Dejia Sanders.
9 reviews
September 2, 2025
I'd say 3.5 stars. SOME spoilers ahead but nothing that gives away the true plot of the story!!!



definitely the quickest mating bond I've ever read. they're essentially strangers but they fell in love in 2 nights and mated within a week of meeting? there's enough of a plot that i know the full length novels will be more satisfying to read
Profile Image for Sara Virasami.
348 reviews
May 31, 2024
Super fast read because it's a novella.

I liked that he called her Little Dragon. Spice was good too.
Profile Image for kayla.
226 reviews2 followers
July 7, 2024
i would say i’m mad but i don’t want to feel anything about this book any further.
Profile Image for Sherri Lynn Parent.
93 reviews2 followers
April 30, 2025
As one of my many Elliott Rose reads I'm a little disappointed in this novella.
It doesn't have the same feel as her books do now, that likely has to do with the fact that this is her debut novella.
I love her books now and will continue this series because I believe things will get better.
This will not be a priority read for me however I will continue with the series at some point.
Profile Image for Teela (bookdragontee).
526 reviews84 followers
May 20, 2023
(4.5 ⭐️)

I’ve been meaning to read this little ditty for a minute and omg I loved it. It’s short, spicy, has some great intrigue, solid tension, and the foundation stones set in place for the upcoming series this is a part of and the start of the world building are all good. There are one or two places where the detailed descriptions made things drag a wee bit, but it’s minor and more of a personal preference than anything else.

Will definitely be picking up the next books in this series as they release!
Profile Image for Trinity.
743 reviews260 followers
September 29, 2024
Author Services
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5

TW - parental death (past, assumed), orphan (FMC), indebted servitude, corruption (mentioned), violence including threats of violence, lewd thoughts which, if acted on, would be sexual assault (secondary character to the FMC), captivity / confinement, blood, torture (off page and mentioned), threat of torture, use of fire including burning, murder (knife violence), burns (from fire, mentioned briefly)

Tropes - dark, paranormal, insta lust

This was a quick and fun read about a sheltered witch and a wolf shifter who wants to fight for what's right. They stand on opposite sides of the truth and get pushed into a sticky situation. I felt like this novella set up the world nicely and introduced us to just enough of the lore to get us invested - interested in seeing what happens next

I was paid to provide a breakdown of the TW/CW of this book which can be found on the author's website

Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪

🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List
Profile Image for Samantha Groat.
426 reviews19 followers
May 19, 2023
This was a short, spicy little novella that did a great job of introducing us to the world the author is going to write within and hopefully build upon in her ongoing series.

The story introduces us to a number of characters, as well as the beginnings of what is sure to be an expanded upon overarching plot set within the world.

There are witches, vampires, shifters, magic and old ancient powers at play here. The set up for a killer series is evident. The spice was also spicin’ so I’m excited to see what will be done with that in a fully fleshed out novel!


I understand this was a novella and it’s purpose was to introduce those things above before the main story started however I had trouble connecting with the love story between the FMC and MMC in this novella as they literally met and were telling each other they loved each other within 3-5 days. Although they did end up being mates so that could explain it. I just found the pacing super fast when I might’ve enjoyed slowing it down slightly to make sure I had a handle on everything.

But the story did exactly what I’m guessing it was supposed to do and was well written. I’m definitely keen to see where book 2(1?) goes after this!
Profile Image for Bookalyptic.
75 reviews6 followers
September 27, 2023
Sweet Inferno is the first book in the Nocturnal Hearts Series, but is also a standalone installment and it is a nice and easy to read novella. We join Lia in her day to day tasks in the House of Elharean. But when she meets Fehrn while doing her nightly tasks in the House of Elharean she has a decision to make, and that decision will turn her world upside down.

Having read Vicious Cravings as an ARC reader first, this book was a nice introduction to the world and the backstory. Though the book is short, it is a novella, and I would prefer a bit more buildup in some aspects of the story, I enjoyed reading it. Elliott Rose has a nice writing style, and boy does she know how to bring the spice and mix it with an awesome storyline and plot.

All in all this is a deliciously spicy novella that sets an awesome beginning into the Nocturnal Hearts Series. 3.5 stars because some things are better when they are a little slower ;)
Profile Image for Mel.
258 reviews4 followers
October 23, 2023
2.5 ⭐

Short introduction into this world. Intended as a sort of teaser book to introduce characters and some of the larger plot points in future books. I got this one on Stuff Your Kindle Day.

I found myself slightly bored during parts of this story though I have no idea how because my first thought when finishing is that it also felt a bit rushed almost?

Writing was good and I enjoyed reading about the characters. The last 40% was definitely the best of the entire book, prior to that I couldn't see where the book could possibly be going. Felt a bit like it was written purely for the smut. Yes there is smut. In a 100 page novella there are 3 separate smut scenes in fact so if that's foreshadowing for the rest of the series... Well you've been warned.

I'm not totally sure of I will continue the series yet.
Profile Image for Marissa.
46 reviews11 followers
September 30, 2024
DNF. I tried so hard y’all. I got to 55% and I just could not any more. You knowwww I love me some instalust/instalove, especially when we’ve got a sexy shifter involved. But THIS was just so implausible. There was no explanation of a pull, tether, inexplicable need, mate bond.. nothing to explain why these clear enemies (he basically was like.. yo.. help me steal this thing or die) would go to getting busy within 5 minutes of their first encounter. Him I totally understand.. he’s been watching her for weeks as he scouted the place for his mission. But her?? And we had that scene from his POV so there was nothing from her fighting or questioning the sexual feelings, she just went with it with no resistance. I know it’s fantasy, but gods I just couldn’t. I kept hoping it would get better and I wanted to push through so I’d have context for book 1 of the series but 🙈
Profile Image for Kriss.
158 reviews9 followers
January 27, 2025
✧𝀈❀

❀ Rating: 3-3.5✯
❀ Num. Pages: 146
❀ Date Read: January 27th 2025
❀ Format: E-book
❀ Status: Read.

𝀈✵🎕✵𝀈

✧𝀈❀Overall thoughts:

I seriously read this book today while commuting and during a break between schoolwork, and the only feeling I have towards it is Okay?. I guess. I wish I picked up something different. I have no clue why, it's just that this story did not speak to me. It is lust-filled and it certainly is not a romance. That's a shame. I want to read a lust-free romance book. I haven't seen those in a while.

In any order of ideas, this book was okay. Nothing special. I kinda want to read at least the first two books of the series, because they seem interesting, but if they turn into lust again, I'm seriously DNFing.

3.5 stars?

𝀈✵🎕✵𝀈

Profile Image for Nicky Anderson.
560 reviews15 followers
April 21, 2023
🌟🌟🌟💫

Sweet Inferno is the first book in the Nocturnal Hearts series. It is also the first book by this author I have read.

This had everything i love. Witches, vampires, shifters intrigue and romance.

The only reason this isn't rated higher is it is a novella (less than 150 pages). You only get a little bit about the world the characters live in and there is very little character building. This could have done with being a longer book so the world building and character building could have been fleshed out more. I hope this builds in future books.

Overall it was an interesting introduction to the series and I'm looking forward to reading more.

Thank you to the author for a free digital copy.
Profile Image for Renee Polks Reads.
296 reviews25 followers
September 14, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
Perfect Paranormal Fantasy Novella
BOOK 1 - Nocturnal Hearts Series

This novella is Elliott Rose's debut book for her Nocturnal Heart Series.
They are all standalone books, so they can be read separately and, in any order, but are all intertwined into the world of the Nocturnes.

The world-building is done quickly and efficiently making it so easy to picture the characters, their surroundings and the bigger plot. Elliott's ability to form her book world is unique and very well done.

This book has everything you want in a fantasy romance, and it definitely made me want to consume the entire series.

Anything Elliott writes, I'll have 2 of thanks.

**Preferred reading order was book 3, 1, 2, 4, 5.
Profile Image for Valerie Gadd.
43 reviews
November 20, 2023
Plot:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️

As always please read any trigger or content warnings.
This is the first book I have read from this Author. I have to say her writing style is a little different than what I am use to and took me a minute to really get into. I am use to the separate points of view for the characters. This book is not like that which took me a little bit to grasp. While this writing style is not my cup of tea personally this book was really good!! There was a good plot line was great! I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series! While the writing style threw me for a loop the story itself kept me interested from that start! Definitely if this book a read if your interested in a supernatural romance novella!!
Profile Image for Lissa J.
646 reviews11 followers
January 25, 2025
A bit dry, even with all the insta spice. This story felt like a writing exercise to explore the idea of this series, but without much emotional or romantic depth. It also only had the beginnings of the world building. I wished I had skipped this for the full length novel to see if this series is worth reading.

In Kindle this is placed as book 1 which is why I started here, but in goodreads this is book 0.5 of a series. I would normally ignore novella style intro books as I find them to often be only worth reading if you are already invested in a series. This is definitely the case here. I've read her Crimson Ridge series and I like her writing there enough to give this series a go, despite this lack lustre intro.
Profile Image for Noelle.
708 reviews16 followers
August 5, 2023
Content Warnings: Sexual content, violence, sexual harassment, confinement, and torture.

This was one of the books where I saw a quote, on Tiktok, from another book and decided to start the series.

I wish we would have gotten a little more backstory to the history/lore of the world. With the information we learned in this novella...I didn't really leave it feeling invested in the story. There's also confessions of love WAY before I would like it lol Even in fated mates novels...I like it to take a bit before love is thrown around. Anyways...I look forward to diving further into this series and hopefully feeling the investment I'm looking for.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.