Phantasm

The Exodus

by Harleigh Beck

Join the Exiled or die.

𝓒𝓮𝓬𝓲𝓵𝓲𝓪
After years of evading the Exiled, the secret society responsible for my family’s destruction, I’m back and seeking revenge. Every five years, the Exiled hosts Hell Fire Night, a deadly gathering where members engage in sinister games. My to cause as much destruction as I can even if it means infiltrating their prestigious party and eliminating them. Nothing will stand in my way—not even Darian Delacroix, the enigmatic Duke who has me in his sights.

𝓓𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓪𝓷
Cecilia Van Der Meer believed she could escape the Exiled, but she was mistaken. As the heiress to one of the largest fortunes in the country and the daughter of the Duke behind my family’s demise, she has become a target. Fortunately for me, she’s now caught in my web, and I refuse to let her slip away. I’m determined to break her, just as her father shattered my family. But the stakes are high, and the lines between love and vengeance are about to blur.

What’s it going to be, Cecilia? Marry me or die?

Phantasm is a dark romance. Please see the book preview for complete CW.
The books in this shared world series are standalones can be read in any order.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Thriller, Forced Proximity, Marriage Of Convenience

348 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2024

Reviews

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m gonna say it, I do enjoy me a Harleigh Beck read which might be obvs if you follow me on here and on socials, she has this way of writing that is just…not predetermined but her own way of drawing you in, her individuality for each story is for me truly awe inspiring.

This book, a part of the Exodus series, is bow down worthy. Don’t get me wrong, there were parts where I’m FFS you started off as a badass, knives on your thighs to where did that go? To f**k that’s hot? To OMG! Ya’ kidding me! As the story progresses we are led into their world, Cecilia is hidden in plain sight, her seeking revenge only to find herself entwined with Darian. The man she believes is behind her vengeance, two secret societies convinced they are the righteous ones.

We are drawn into the back n forth of Darian and Cecilia’s tumultuous relationship, what they don’t expect is to find themselves relying on one another. Until faced with the possibility of maybe losing. They both have suffered heartbreak in the past, will they know it again in their future? Are the societies intent on defeating their foes?

This book was a wild ride to say the least, though there were a few times I scoffed too. Harleighs’ penchant for writing stories that not only entice you, but at the same time she throws some bloody mayhem at you, is why she’s such a fantastic author. I really enjoyed this one.

[Kendra Renae · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️5 ; 🌶️ 4

Listennnnn I will neverrrrr hate a Harleigh Beck book my girl does no wrong . It’s soo hard for me to find books where I equally love the mmc and the fmc , but here we are with two badass leads and the undying chemistry from the beginning is chefs kiss👏🏾 . Two emotionally broken individuals filled with anger from their past and both key roles in the Exiled society . What happens when you go against the exiled ? Let’s just say it’s war so suit up because this ride never stopped. Can’t wait to read Sinclair’s story I love a good comfort character.

[Onyx Reads Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another amazing edition to the Exodus Series! Harleigh did an amazing job bringing Cecilia and Darian to life. Right off the bat in chapter 1, it gets steamy, and it only gets better from there. And don't get me started on how good the banter between Cecilia and Darian are. If you enjoyed the rest of the Exodus Series, you'll definitely enjoy this one!
Like the rest of the series, it is very graphic, so please read the triggers going in.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC!

[Cindy dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My god this book was EVERYTHING.

The enemies to lovers, forced marriage, revenge plot with a dangerous secret society looming in the wings.

It’s dark and depraved and if you’re squeamish when it comes to gore this might not be for you.

I loved the chemistry between Darian and Cecelia and the spice was spicing.

I can’t wait to dive into Unholy by Kinsley Kincaid to get more of them, but also Sinclair 😮‍💨😮‍💨

[princess ౨ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

will harleigh ever put out a book i don't like??? I GUESS WE'LL NEVER KNOW! i ate this enemies to lovers / captive to lovers pipeline UPPPPPPPP oh my god i did. cecelia might be the luckiest girl ever cos i want some of that schmeaty meat she was getting every night like girl stop making me jelaoussssss 😭😭 yall know i love a simp and mr delacroix???? SIMP DOWN!!!!!! 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️ something abt a big scary mafia man being silly boy in love w his wife just make me feral. it will always be a hit in my household yes it will! and that horny lil secret society just gets crazier n crazier whewwwww thank you harleigh for allowing me to arc read u rlly have me rooting n tooting rn how good this masterpiece was!

[˚₊‧꒰ა vruxreads ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

ahh something new and different! loved the characters and the plot. their chemistry was sizzling and the smut was good as well.


‼️no cheating, very lil ow/om drama‼️

Also there is a sharing scene which I didn't because he lets two other men spank her ass while he watches and then kills them. First he invites them and then he gets jealous so he kills them.

Illiterate asshole why did you invite them at first place 🙄

[Isa · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” “Are you scared Daddy will hurt you?”
Omg what did Harleigh Beck put in this book😩 I have never read a book in the exodus series but when I saw Harleigh beck was writing the new book I SCREAMED!!
The REVENGE, the FORCED MARRIAGE, the SPICE!!! This book had everything I love and I honestly can’t wait to read Sinclairs book.

[daemyra, the realm's delight]

Feb. 2025: DNF at 64%. I didn’t like it when I first read it. Insta-love. Nothing dark or twisted. Preserved after a break, but again not feeling it.

2024:
In less than 24 hours!! Waiting for the preorder to drop...

[Letty Howarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Obsessed!!!
This was absolutely incredible!
I could not put this down I had to read in one sitting.

This book, nearly had me in tears at one point ✝️ iykyk
I loved Darian and Cecilia a lot and I loved getting more of Nathanial Sinclair and bits of Elijah too. It has me all the more excited for Unholy.
I also liked how this was quite different to the others I’ve read in the exodus series in that it started on the night of the reckoning but goes on much further past that.

The writing as always with Harleigh Beck was fantastic there is nothing I can fault she has a way of writing that immerses you and I love it!

Thank you to Harleigh Beck for sending me the arc for this book.

[Abbie Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book oh my god. The plot, the spice, the HUMOUR!!!!! I need to read more Harleigh Beck asap

[Bea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as arc
5-⭐️ 5-🌶️
Holy shit what a wild ride.

I love how this series is shaping up, but also Haleigh writing along Kinsley (haunted/sinner and homecoming)
Seeing these characters more.
Also I howled at everyone’s thoughts on E because they are not wrong. He is a little nut case.

This was so good so damn spicy and action freaking packed. The reckoning was a small portion of this book but there was so much to offer on more insite on the exodus and the goings on after the reckoning.

Obsessed can’t even scratch the surface on this one.
I am blown away AGAIN. Because Harleigh sucks you in on the first page and leaves you shook with a nice little twist.

[Aria Maze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five frucking stars and all the chili peppers.

I knew I would love this because I haven’t read a single book of hers that I haven’t enjoyed. When I say this series has been fantastic??

Cecilia is a woman on a mission, but all that kind of gets thrown out the window when see sees Darian. Within minutes of them talking… yeah things change.

Darian is immediately enamored. Smitten. Whipped. He’s still rough with her and no one could say he’s romantic but he is determined to make her his.

These two are…crazy. Lol I mean the entire series is but there were scenes that made my jaw drop and then I was cackling. I love two unhinged people together. There’s just nothing like it.

You wanna read this. You need it. Trust me.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I was hooked from page 1 this takes enemies to lovers to a whole new level the spice was spicing and those plot twists i was kept thoroughly on my toes the whole way through , cecelia and darians dynamic was on fire they paired so well together this couple had it ROUGH but in the most amazing way another 5⭐️ from Mrs beck

[ritika · Rating 2 out of 5]

1,5 stars

I just dont understand why we need to torture women☹️😔

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

At the start of this, I wasn’t quite sure if this was going to be my thing. It wasn’t the darkness more how fast it seemed to move. I mean from the first instance of Darian and Cecilia crossing paths it was full steam ahead and it just took me a mad minute to catch up and become invested. Once it clicked for me I was all in and this was such a manic rollercoaster of darkness and insanity that had me bloody gripped in a chokehold throughout.

This is part of a larger series and a collaboration of various authors all focusing on a secret society called the Exiled. This is the only book I’ve read in this series and I received a gorgeous special edition in my smut and sip book sub. This one can easily be read as a standalone and I followed along with no problem.

Cecelia Van Der Meer has been running from the Exiled since she was a child. When her dad disappeared on hell night her mother took her and ran far away. Now fully grown she's back and currently a member of a radical group who all hold a grudge against the society. When Cecilia and her fellow Antichrist members infiltrate the Exiled on hell night things don’t quite go to plan. It’s a suicide mission but Instead of death Cecilia now finds herself married to Darian Delacroix a high-ranking Duke and also Cecilia’s enemy and the man she suspects is involved in her father's disappearance.

This was dark depraved and incredibly erotic. Darian and Cecelia were dynamite together their chemistry was explosive and hot as Hades. Darian is also possessive as hell and would kill anyone who even thinks to look twice at his new wife. As dark and twisted as he could be he was also incredibly vulnerable which he hides behind a visage of tight control. I especially adored his bromance with his bestie Sinclair who totally has his back.

I liked Cecelia she bends with the punches and has a backbone of pure steel she isn't a shrinking violet and accepts Darian in his entirely.

This is a dark read not really the romance itself but the themes are dark so do check your triggers as this doesn't shy away from that and it gets pretty graphic. Totally inappropriate but I couldn't help laughing during that torture scene with Darian and Sinclair these two crack me up they just bounce off each other and their banter was pure gold.

[M (hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

the first half of this book was PERFECTION. i was obsessed with the characters. cecilia was amazing, sassy, and definitely not a doormat. darian was HILARIOUS, charming, and so easy to love. their banter was everything. i was eating it up. then the second half happened and it felt like a completely different book.

cecilia’s personality was GONE. she turned into this passive, frustrating, borderline brainless version of herself that made me want to scream. darian’s humor and personality also vanished. it felt like i was suddenly reading about two entirely different people.

there’s some miscommunication that kicked off a spiral of absolute nonsense that ruined the rest of the book for me. every decision they made felt deliberately awful. cecilia in particular just kept making worse and worse choices. i reached a point where i was counting down the pages, just wanting it to be over.

i feel betrayed. this could’ve been a five star read. cecilia had so much potential to be an incredible character, but she was completely dumbed down to serve the plot. and that’s what makes it worse. it wasn’t just bad. it was wasted potential.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked by Chapter one. I have so many notes😂

Right from the get-go I knew Darian was royally screwed.
A smitten kitten.
I was most definitely giggling at inappropriate moments but the banter between Darian and Cecelia was too good.

Darian’s moods wings were giving me whiplash but it started to make more sense as the story unfolded and we understood his motives more. He’s a tortured and vulnerable man and Cecelia is his reckoning.

(Side note: LITTLEFOOT?! HOW DARE YOU.)

I definitely was not expecting the plot twist but it absolutely made the story more gripping. I may edit this to add spoilers after release because I HAVE THOUGHTS.

I devoured this story sparing attention to little else. I absolutely cannot wait to continue with The Exodus Series and read more about Sinclair in Unholy🥰

As always, check your trigger warnings!

[MsSmuttySmut · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was INCREDIBLE!!!

From start to finish I was hooked!

The relationship between Darian & Cecilia starts off toxic and unhinged, the development between not only them as individuals but together is chaotic but so freaking beautiful!

And let’s not forget to the banter between Darian and Nathanial Sinclair (aka Daddy Sinclair) who is from the devils society by Kinsley Kincaid..: this is the crossover we needed and Harleigh did not disappoint!!

Did I mention the mouth on Darian - “Keep those cock drunk eyes on me, wife.” - absolutely yes!!!!

[Samia · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book had its ups and downs (mainly in the beginning) but i actually ended up liking it. had a few interesting plot twists and was a rather dark horror-ish romance book. what i still can not wrap my head around is the age gap? i think it was only it was only addressed at the early beginning of the book and then never again? the mmc is in his 50s or something and the fmc is 20. VERY unsettling if you ask me BUT at the very least he gave no pedo / groomer vibes or anything like that so i guess?

[Brittany Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨


I have been living for the Exodus series. Darian and Cecilia are not an exception. I loved this story. No surprise if you’ve read any book by Harleigh that there is a twist you don’t see coming. The banter in this book is too tier. The Exodus is a secret society that bred them both for revenge but what happens when their plans collide? I guess you’ll have to read and find out.

I should also mention Nathaniel and Darians bromance is just chefs kiss, I love their interactions. Another 5⭐️ book that I absolutely ate up from Harleigh.

[Gabby Wentworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

secret society
strong FMC
forced marriage
4/🌶️

when Cecilia has to make the decision to marry one of the elders of the Exodus, she puts her life at risk being near the enemy just to receive answer and get justice for her family. but what if HE is also wanting justice for the exact same reason?

i honestly did not know what to expect going into this book i was hooked! the plot twist of Darian Delacroix really had me intrigued.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darian and Cecilia’s banter made the whole story so much better.

I really liked getting another glimpse at other characters from this series, and in Nathanial Sinclair’s case more than a glimpse.

Two people born into and broken by the Exodus. Both wanting nothing more than revenge, or so they thought until meeting each other.

Harleigh Beck is the queen of plot twists and there was so much that happened that I didn’t see coming at all.

I want more of these characters already!

I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

[What the smut · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an ARC review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I almost don’t know what to say about this amazing book. Darian is very much an anti-hero, there are very specific reasons for his lack of emotions. He can’t help that he is a heartless bastard. Cecelia has her own vendetta, and Darian is determined to keep het true identity under wraps. Together their story is gritty and hard but also funny and endearing. We can’t leave out Sinclair, one of the best side characters!

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book couldn't have been better! I think this is probably my favorite out of the series. The plot, the banter, the spice... everything just hit and was an emotional rollercoaster in the best possible way. The banter and humor, though! That was possibly my favorite part as I don't find it done well often in a lot of dark romances, but this was everything. This is one I didn't want to end, and I can't wait to buy the paperback! I can't wait for everyone to dive in and experience this! 🖤🖤🖤🖤

[bookdiaryofyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The banter is soooo good! I laughed so hard with the power battle between cecilia and darian! The story like always amazing! Harleigh can't write a single bad book!
The spice was ugh chefs kiss and the story itself as well!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Mariah’s Bookshelf 🔪👻❤️‍🔥 · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love dark romance, secret societies, and morally complex characters, this book will grip you from the first page and refuse to let go. It’s a haunting, seductive ride that deserves every bit of its five stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[Bria Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh yes 🫠 just all of it!

The banter = wet dream
The story line = perfection!

[Kenia Coronado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved them so freaking much!!!

The story quicks off on chapter 1!!
Amazing plot and character development!!

Would be amazing if there was a book 2! Some things were left unsolved.

[ReadWithPat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gets you hooked in from the very first few chapters. The plot is plotting the spice is spicing a good read