Sinister: A dark romance

by Michaella Dieter

SINISTER

They say monsters are made, not born.

I had an idyllic childhood with the perfect family and the big house in the suburbs. Until the evil that seeps below the streets of Arcadia City stole everything from me, piece by piece.

My parents. My home. My foster sister.

Now, I've become the monster they created. I'm ridding the streets of vermin and hunting down the men who murdered my sister.

Better run, motherfuckers. Sinister is coming.


DOLLY

They say revenge is a dish best served cold.

I spent my childhood trapped in a nightmarish cycle of abuse and torment. They took everything from me and left me a shell of what I once was.

Now I'm free, and I'm going to make them pay. I won't let anyone stand in my way, not even the man known as The Carver—even if I find myself drawn to him in the most unexpected of ways.

Welcome to The Dollhouse. Please, enjoy your stay.


*Sinister is a dark forbidden age-gap romance novella featuring two broken main characters intent on revenge. It contains dark themes some readers may be sensitive to. It has ties to the Vengeance Series, but is a complete standalone. It was formerly published in the Bad For Me anthology.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Horror, Novella

104 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2024

About the author

A former American, Michaella now calls Scotland home. When she isn't checking out men in kilts or chasing the wild haggis through the glens, you can usually find her skulking about the online bookish community.

Michaella has always been fascinated with the darker, more macabre facets of the human psyche and doesn't shy away from controversial, taboo, and dark themes in her writing.

A self-proclaimed book nerd, she's happiest curled up on the sofa with a good book and a margarita or two, while merrily adding more book boyfriends to her already overflowing harem.

Reviews

[Duchess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super short story but filled with everything I fucking love. But first check the TW's.

This author surprises me every fucking time with such creative deaths. Like what the fuck do you do all day, create the most horrible deaths possible for your characters to dish out? Cuz I fucking love it!

Sin and Dolly are vengeful fuckers who are after those who hurt them in their youth. They stumble upon eachother and all beautiful bloody hell showers upon all the little fuckers that undoubtedly reeked of a whores taint. Individually, they were interesting to read about, but together, they make up my favorite fucking couple by this author!

They worked concurrently to get to this poorly packaged sack of horseshit who's in charge. Only to realize, the bigger ketchup pre-cum fucker was working under an even bigger turd, who's father would've been disappointed in, if he fucking stayed. Again, the deaths were just so deliciously orchestrated. I'll stop before I start giggling.

The short story was exactly what I needed in my mini slump. Easy to read, gets to the point, and fucking bloody. PERFECT.

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another quick read, but the content is spot on 🖤 Read the trigger warnings ⚠️

Our MCs are wrapped up in their own darkness, seeking revenge against those who sin (if you read it you will get this pun 😁) Dolly uses her past to ensure the deleting she does allows her to reap those who need to suffer. Our MC is no different but he's been trained and is just as formidable 🔪🩸

It all comes together in a great package of 🩸 and gore. I can't give you anymore without spoiling and it is a quick read 🤷

[Gianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just no.

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved everything Michaella has wrote and this one is no different. ***Please read TWs, because this does dip into some sensitive areas***

Dolly is a woman who has lived through the darkest of nightmares and tortures, to be rescued and seek vengeance on those that caused her harm and took the one person that meant world to her. I adored this violence filled heroine so much, how she took her pain and funneled it back to those that caused it along with still being kind enough to give to those in need (even though she didn’t have much) is virtue that sunk into my bones.

Sinister aka The Carver is a man that is determined to “protect his city” and seek vengeance on those who tried to kill him and took from him that one thing that he cared for the most. I loved this hero from the first chapter and just falling for him more as the story progressed. The way he took his anger and focused it on cleaning up the dirt made me swoon to no end.

This talented queen spun a story that seamlessly intertwined with my favorite characters from the Vengeance series, but still made it its own. I am sucker for a good a revenge/reuniting romance and this one is that with the addition of a dash of taboo/forbidden and the perfect amount of criminally insane. It’s emotional, gritty, bloody, spicy and packs a punch with two characters that I fell in love with quickly. I can easily see myself revisiting this and adding it to my library.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3🌶

Ending let it down for me.

[Rebecca Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC in return for my honest opinion


I have loved every book that Michaela has released. She claimed me as one of her stalkers with the first book she released, and she’s never gonna get rid of me 😈

This book was amazing. Dark, gory, twisted, spicy, knife play…what more could you ask for? Sinister Dolly are perfect for each other. And Richard making Sin and Wren foster siblings was the worst thing he could have ever done, for himself of course. It worked out just fine for sin and Wren. 🤭

‘’You could put a ring on it’ 😍

Please read the trigger warning before reading this book!

[kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a super quick read that drew me in right from the very start and engaged me so much that I read it in an hour I couldn't put it down. I loved Sinister and Dolly and I liked the story, the only thing for me was that the ending was really rushed and it ended so abruptly that it left me feeling a bit cheated.

Having said that though, I can't wait to read more by the author

[kayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

“They call us murderers and vigilantes, but we do what the system refuses to — take out the trash.”
Short dark romance with a dope FMC. Spice, suspense - I ATE this one up 🔥

[Jessica Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*. It’s a brother/sister trope with Zade x Sibby vibes. IYKYK.

[Bookaholic blonde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michaella, as always, doesn't disappoint with this book. It's brilliantly dark and beautiful written!
***Please read trigger warnings ⚠️ as this book deals with sensitive issues.***
If you love a good dark revenge/reunited romance, this is for you. I was totally captivated by the characters and was cheering them on. I would definitely highly recommend this book! 🖤🥵🔥🚩

[Gemma Croft · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really quick dark romance read, fast paced, spice but not to extreme and a good little story line with a happy ending :) if your looking for something dark spicy and quick this is the book for you 🖤

[jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, dangerous read but worth every page turn. I was hooked from the first turn of the page. I really enjoyed this book and loved that older characters from previous books were factored in .

The twists and turns within this story’s were perfect . I can’t wait to read more from Michaella .

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn’t exactly what I was expecting . It was better .

[Ashieeeboo · Rating 4 out of 5]

for how short it was it was really good. Just extremely fast paced.

[M (hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found it quite predictable and bc of that quite boring

[Xanny Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐ 4.5 Stars Review of Sinister by Michaella Dieter

Sinister is a dark forbidden novella that dives headfirst into revenge, trauma, and two monsters finding each other in the shadows.

Sinister—once Sinclair, the golden boy of Arcadia City—has been reshaped by violence and loss. After witnessing the murder of his foster sister, he transforms into “The Carver,” a meticulous hunter who carves justice out of the men who wronged them.

Dolly—once Wren, a girl trapped and broken in “The Dollhouse”—escaped, but she carries her scars like weapons. Her sole purpose is vengeance against the men who destroyed her childhood, and she refuses to let anyone stand in her way.

When their paths collide, it’s brutal, intoxicating, and inevitable. Two predators circling the same prey, drawn together by the same hunger for blood and justice. What begins as reluctant cooperation becomes obsession, lust, and a dark bond forged in violence.

This book was dark, fucked up, and absolutely addictive—I devoured it in a single sitting. It reads like a fever dream of vengeance, raw trauma, and taboo desire. The dynamic between Sinister and Dolly was feral and magnetic, every page buzzing with danger and obsession.

The revenge arc hit with the intensity of a cult-classic horror film—it gave me major I Spit on Your Grave vibes. The atmosphere carried the same merciless energy, making every kill feel like a hymn of retribution. And the soundtrack in my head? “Inbred” and “Ptolemaea” by Ethel Cain. The lyrics match the rage, the ruin, and the twisted intimacy of these characters so perfectly that it felt cinematic.

The novella is short, but it doesn’t waste a second. The dual POVs—Sinister with his methodical precision, Dolly with her unflinching hunger—balanced each other and built a bond that felt both inevitable and doomed. I loved how their names shifted (Sinclair→Sinister, Wren→Dolly) as a symbol of survival and rebirth through darkness.

If Michaella Dieter ever gives us a part two, I will devour it the moment it drops. For anyone who craves taboo, revenge-fueled, morally gray love stories with a sharp bite—Sinister delivers..

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

Revenge, Romance, and a Double Dose of Darkness!

Sinister isn’t your typical love story, it’s raw, ruthless, and refuses to shy away from the shadows.

This dark, forbidden romance takes two broken souls, throws them into the grimy underbelly of Arcadia City, and lets them loose to wreak havoc on their shared demons.

A gritty, compelling novella that takes dark romance to a whole new level! Michaella Dieter masterfully balances visceral revenge with an unconventional love story that kept me on edge until the final page.

Meet the Antiheroes:

Sinister: The vengeful force of nature determined to clean the streets and his soul by carving his own brand of justice. He’s a monster forged from pain, and his journey of revenge is as brutal as it is gripping.


Dolly: The Dollhouse Queen with a past that would shatter anyone else, now pulling her own strings. She’s as fierce as she is fragile, and her vendetta burns with icy precision.

When their paths collide, sparks fly, not the tender, fluffy kind, but the sharp, dangerous kind that leaves scars. Their age gap and shared hunger for vengeance make their connection forbidden, intoxicating, and undeniably electric.

Why I loved it:

✔️ Unapologetically Dark Themes: Abuse, vengeance, and justice in a world where morality isn’t black and white....it’s blood red.

✔️ Complex Characters: Sinister and Dolly are as flawed as they come, but you’ll root for them anyway.

✔️ Standalone with Layers: While it ties into the Vengeance Series, this novella stands tall on its own.
✔️ Trauma Romance with Depth: It’s not just about pain; it’s about survival, healing, and finding connection in the unlikeliest of places.

Not for the faint of heart, but for those who dare to explore the shadows, this one’s for you!

[EMFubz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5📚 2/5🌶️
“I chuckle, a dark and foreboding sound that would send most fleeing in terror.”
What is it with dark romance authors and their lack of writing skills😭

“I pull out a pair of opera glasses from one of my pockets.”
Are we in an 80’s comedy movie?

“I’ve never had consensual sex, and besides my occasional yearnings for companionship—generally after seeing my guardian angels with their men—I never thought it was something I’d even want. But I do now.”
The same old storyline of a SA victim who suddenly gets all horny for the first time ever after the incident(s) just because she met a hot man🙄. Why not for once have her appreciate his looks but only start lusting after they built a relationship, trust and got to know each other. I’m tired of a man physics being the magical heal for trauma and trauma response.

I also wish there would’ve been more pages detailing their childhood (together but also before everything happened) especially considering this is a dark romance therefore darker themes are expected to be shown. The flashback/past scene rather reminded me of a normal romance book were situations like these are only briefly mentioned.

But all that aside, for a 100 page quick read I really liked the book and I’m glad that after many recent failed attempts, I finally found an actual dark romance book again, which is also actually good. See dear wanna be “dark romance” authors who fail at writing dark romance books, your MMC doesn’t need to be a rapist to make the book dark romance (them being a rapist actually disqualifies then from that genre)

Dolly is an absolute badass❤️*kneels*🧎🏼‍♀️.
And Sin is such husband material!😮‍💨

Tw:
•murder
•death
•torture
•child (sexual) abuse
•gore

[BrooklynBookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

MUST check trigger warnings and proceed with caution!!!

Sinister is a SUPER dark romance, age gap, novella with VERY heavy topics. We have Wren & Sinclair. The became foster siblings at a young age and Sin would do anything to protect Wren. They’re suffering in the foster home of a monster who keeps them locked in an old walk-in freezer and starves them. When they think he’s left, Sin decides to get them out of the freezer in search of food. But then Richard returns and catches them, he’s determined to punish them by any means necessary. That’s including separating them and hurting them the most.

Now, Sinister is known as The Carver. Cleaning up the streets of Arcadia, one monster at a time. Having believed Wren is dead, he realizes someone’s been watching him.

Dolly is the little girl all the monsters love. With her dollhouse full of tricks, she slowly but surely takes out all the men that like to hurt little kids. Dolly & Sin don’t know the other still exists.. and they both set their eyes on the men that wronged them.

This was such a DARK read!!! It’s gory, it’s heavy, lots of killing and LOTS of taboo spice!! Both Sin & Dolly are incredibly unhinged and off the rails. An interesting plot and great dialogue. Dolly is INCREDIBLE!!! Enjoyed but not my favorite. 3 stars!!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dolly and Sinister 🤭
“It’s okay. Shh, Wren. Sinister is here, and no one will hurt you again. You’re safe.”

I loved them so much, and they were so cute together. I loved it when they finally found that each other was in fact alive. After Dolly stalked him, not knowing who he was, I don’t usually like she stalks him trope, but it was actually cute.

I pull her into my arms. “Shh, little bird. It’s going to be all right.” Her fingers curl in my shirt, holding on to me like I might disappear again.

I know it’s a novella, but when they finally reunited it honestly felt a bit rushed. Maybe I’m just greedy and wanted them to talk a bit more about their lives since meeting each other. But other than that, I really did love this novella. I wish it was longer 😩

It is kinda taboo, but that’s my guilty pleasure…maybe these books have finally broke me 😂
This line really made me laugh…
“While the words pour from my mouth, my conscience screams, You just fucked your sister.”

I don’t know why I found this so funny because then he says…
“But she isn’t my sister, is she? Not really. We’re not blood related, and we didn’t grow up together.”
Honestly, I don’t know why it made me giggle 😂

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did a buddy read of this it’s a very short novella with a lot of gory details
Please check the trigger warnings
Right so this follows sinister and dolly a brother and sister who are not related in any sort of way and they are both unhinged and serial killers of the bad guys so doing good in my mind 😂😂😂
Dolly and Sinister are tortured by keeping them in a freezer room with very little food and sometimes none and hardly any water this happened when they were younger.
When they sneak out to get some food they get caught and made to believe they both were killed which is why there on their revenge path
After finding each other again they work together to take out the people who did them wrong and by god do they get their revenge.
Loved them both I need a Barbie bat in my life very spicy and very gory

[espookymami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️

I devoured this one up! Despite the fast pacing it built a well designed world. I love the portrayal of the different ways they kill, as well as how they came to be. I ate up how they both are vigilantes. The gore was spectacular.

I saw the plot twist coming but, again it was in the trigger warnings so you have an idea. Now its not normally a trope I would like BUT it was well written. It did urk me a few times cause im like why say that. 🤣 BUT I guess thats the appeal of the “taboo-ness” other than that I loved it. It was a very refreshing palate cleanser for me. A little picker upper outta a book slump.

I loved the consent as a SA survivor and the power she regained and the vulnerability. I enjoyed it so much and was reading it LIVE on TT and everyone was eating it up with me.

Read the trigger warnings.

[Kristen Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revenge to die for

When Sin loses Wren, A girl he promised to protect, he is thrown off a bridge to his death only to be saved by a mafia boss. He grows up training becoming something more to be able to get the revenge is heart yearns for

Dolly grew up in a home where things no child should have to experience does only to be saved by a group of hackers that take down trafficking things. She grows up wanting to clean the city is the monsters that walk the city.

Both are drawn to each other not knowing why and when you find out it leaves you shocked. Such a fantastic short read that you can finish in one day. Filled with spice, action, and a dark romance you'll never forget.

[Sarah Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sinister by Michaella Dieter

Came across this last night while scrolling Kindle suggestions and gave it a go and I was not disappointed.

Sinclair and Wren are no longer the two scared little children who have endured torture and hell for those sick individuals they are now Dolly and sinister "the carver" seeking revenge on the monsters of their past.

A brother and sister twisted vigilante duo that rids the demons of their childhood and brings them back from the dead to reunite with one another. Taking back what was ripped from them and exorcising those demons.

Yes I said brother and sister (not blood related or brought up together really) please read the triggers before you dive in the book covers some topics some may find triggering.

[Lovedarkbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both the MMC and FMC have had a rough childhood - separated from their family and thrust into a dark, cruel world dominated by abuse.

Sin, for years has been consumed with vengeance against those who murdered his foster sister and tries to clean up the corrupt city he resides in.

Dolly, independant, resourceful and creative, targets those who match her abusers, by luring them into her Dollhouse. Also cleansing the city. But she's become interested in her opposition. She's watching him and he knows she's watching.

Can these two come together through their shared goal?

Please familiarise yourself with the content before you start.

YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

[Heather Bustamante · Rating 5 out of 5]

If she writes it, they will come!!!

When you find an author that writes dark and delicious stories, it's like finding your happily ever after! Michaela is my happily ever after for sure❤️

Sinister is a quick read that gives all the right feels. It's a perfect touch her and die twisted darkness that most of us Crave. I absolutely loved this read and appreciate it even more since it took me back to the characters I've grown to love from The Vengeance Series. If you haven't read that I highly recommend it but please read the TW beforehand.

[Samantha Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid 3.5 ⭐️ for this dark & depraved novella!
The author definitely knows how to pack a punch. With less than 100 pages we learn the heartbreaking backstory of our two MCs both absolutely pushed to the pits of darkness because of it. This is not a story for the faint hearted, there is more death & depravity than you really comprehend. Whilst amongst the chaos & blood shed, our MCs find each other, with some *questionable* spicy scenes to follow.

[Athena, the goddess of books · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one reminded me about Sick Fux by Tillie Cole only it is shorter and not that dark.
Sin and Dolly were foster siblings till one day when they got separated by evil men, Dolly, whose name back then was Wren, was sold and abused and Sin got saved by a man and made his life mission to revenge his sister. They get together again in their quest of setting things straight and got their revenge on Richard, the man who set their demise when they were young.

[Kate Aulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sinister ✨review✨

❤️dark romance
🖤murder
❤️sensitive topics discussed
🖤revenge

“Fuck I can smell your desire little stalker”

Absolutely obsessed with sinister and dolly and I cannot believe the plot twist!!

Love the tension between then just how hot of a couple they are. And the way they get revenge😍 really wish this was longer because it was so good!

[Jaye Winkley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella!!

I love a short, fast paced story and this was just that!! 99 pages but it packed a punch - I loooved Dolly🥹 another fab FMC!!

Please if you plan on reading this one check your triggers!! The backstory of Sinister and Dolly is heartbreaking… but they get their revenge🤭🖤