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Shadowbound
The Dark Moon Series: Inspired by the characters, creatures, and magic from the world of Dungeons & Dragons—the foul language, gratuitous violence, and dark themes of a Quentin Tarantino movie—with love, spice, and a happily ever after in each book.
*Each book in the series is set the in same world, interdependent of one another, and can be read in any order.
CAN LIGHT EVER BANISH THE DARKNESS ENTIRELY?
As a witch, Orelia uses her powers to heal the pleasure girls working in her village’s brothel. With violent men as patrons, her job is never finished, until one night when she’s abruptly released from her position. Left with little money, food, or hope of other employment, she makes a desperate decision.
Orelia tries a spell on her garden to help it produce anything edible, only to accidentally bind herself to the king’s executioner in the process. With her life now tethered to the cold, murderous fae’s, the two must journey across the continent to find the druid who can reverse the spell.
For if one of them dies, so does the other.
Having always wanted to see the world, Orelia can’t wait to explore. Vade wants nothing more than to be left alone, so being bound to a happy-go-lucky witch is his nightmare. Along the way, they encounter dangerous creatures and twisted people, with their opposing personalities putting the two at constant odds. Orelia tries to believe the fae isn’t as monstrous as he seems, but even her kind-spirited nature finds it difficult to see the light within him.
When their plans are thwarted, and an even larger threat looms over them, the intensifying struggle for survival brings the two closer. Their hearts soften toward one another, but the battle continues as Orelia’s optimism clashes with Vade’s pessimism, forcing her to ask the question: Is our outlook merely formed by the sum of our experiences? Or can we choose how we view the world?
*Each book in the series is set the in same world, interdependent of one another, and can be read in any order.
CAN LIGHT EVER BANISH THE DARKNESS ENTIRELY?
As a witch, Orelia uses her powers to heal the pleasure girls working in her village’s brothel. With violent men as patrons, her job is never finished, until one night when she’s abruptly released from her position. Left with little money, food, or hope of other employment, she makes a desperate decision.
Orelia tries a spell on her garden to help it produce anything edible, only to accidentally bind herself to the king’s executioner in the process. With her life now tethered to the cold, murderous fae’s, the two must journey across the continent to find the druid who can reverse the spell.
For if one of them dies, so does the other.
Having always wanted to see the world, Orelia can’t wait to explore. Vade wants nothing more than to be left alone, so being bound to a happy-go-lucky witch is his nightmare. Along the way, they encounter dangerous creatures and twisted people, with their opposing personalities putting the two at constant odds. Orelia tries to believe the fae isn’t as monstrous as he seems, but even her kind-spirited nature finds it difficult to see the light within him.
When their plans are thwarted, and an even larger threat looms over them, the intensifying struggle for survival brings the two closer. Their hearts soften toward one another, but the battle continues as Orelia’s optimism clashes with Vade’s pessimism, forcing her to ask the question: Is our outlook merely formed by the sum of our experiences? Or can we choose how we view the world?
527 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2024
46 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
November 8, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 I was given an ARC for my honest opinion and there are tiny spoilers in this review (nothing major I’m just explaining plot)!! I loved this book. It had all the right elements in my mind to make a great book. I think that it’s wonderful.
The story follows a sweet witch, Orelia, who sees the world as all sunshines and rainbows (just like me honestly). She’s a healer by nature and works in a brothel to heal the girls who work there. When she gets laid off, she tries to make money off growing and selling her produce from her garden. She tries to bind her healing power to her plant to make her garden flourish and accidentally binds herself to a morally BLACK, broody, pissy fae, Vade.
They travel the continent together in order to get this binding spell reversed. In their travels together they face some hard times and Orelia learns that the world isn’t all sunshine and rainbows and that there are truly vile and evil people in the world and she has to learn some hard lessons.
I loved this book in the sense that I really do feel like I am Orelia (even physically like I AM a curvy woman with redhead, side note I love the red head representation!!) and I have definitely had to learn some hard lessons throughout life. I thought the characters and their stories were beautifully written. There is representations of violence and sexual violence in this book, but nothing I thought too particularly triggering just make sure to check the warnings before going into this book.
I did feel as though perhaps the ending was a little rushed. I would have liked to see it more drawn out and explained a bit? Or maybe some chapters from Vade’s pov just so I can know a bit of his thought process. It will make sense when you read it. But I loved it. And I loved the book and how it ends!!
The story follows a sweet witch, Orelia, who sees the world as all sunshines and rainbows (just like me honestly). She’s a healer by nature and works in a brothel to heal the girls who work there. When she gets laid off, she tries to make money off growing and selling her produce from her garden. She tries to bind her healing power to her plant to make her garden flourish and accidentally binds herself to a morally BLACK, broody, pissy fae, Vade.
They travel the continent together in order to get this binding spell reversed. In their travels together they face some hard times and Orelia learns that the world isn’t all sunshine and rainbows and that there are truly vile and evil people in the world and she has to learn some hard lessons.
I loved this book in the sense that I really do feel like I am Orelia (even physically like I AM a curvy woman with redhead, side note I love the red head representation!!) and I have definitely had to learn some hard lessons throughout life. I thought the characters and their stories were beautifully written. There is representations of violence and sexual violence in this book, but nothing I thought too particularly triggering just make sure to check the warnings before going into this book.
I did feel as though perhaps the ending was a little rushed. I would have liked to see it more drawn out and explained a bit? Or maybe some chapters from Vade’s pov just so I can know a bit of his thought process. It will make sense when you read it. But I loved it. And I loved the book and how it ends!!
April 24, 2025
I was lucky enough to get to read this before it’s released. Maybe tiny spoilers ahead?
With that being said, dang. I really enjoyed this book. I’m usually an audiobook girl (I tend to have attention problems) and fully expected this to take me longer than five days to read, but I kept finding myself wanting to know what happens next. That caused me to read to it any chance I got.
If you’re a fantasy reader, this will be right up your alley. Nicole Holland has built a rich, magical world that pulls you in almost instantly. Her descriptions were super detailed and made it easy to bring the story to life in my head. Good writing and a good story is what’s in store for you.
I’m a sucker for a good slow burn, and this may be one of the slowest (and most frustrating) burns I’ve read. No fast romance here. I loved it. The mmc is the poster boy for broody, grumpy, and any adjectives along those lines. Admittedly, I did want to shake him a few times, but he does redeem himself. The fmc was sweet and lovely, and I genuinely felt bad for her throughout the book. One scene made me slightly emotional for a second and will stick with me for a while.
This book comes out in December and I 10/10 recommend checking it out!
With that being said, dang. I really enjoyed this book. I’m usually an audiobook girl (I tend to have attention problems) and fully expected this to take me longer than five days to read, but I kept finding myself wanting to know what happens next. That caused me to read to it any chance I got.
If you’re a fantasy reader, this will be right up your alley. Nicole Holland has built a rich, magical world that pulls you in almost instantly. Her descriptions were super detailed and made it easy to bring the story to life in my head. Good writing and a good story is what’s in store for you.
I’m a sucker for a good slow burn, and this may be one of the slowest (and most frustrating) burns I’ve read. No fast romance here. I loved it. The mmc is the poster boy for broody, grumpy, and any adjectives along those lines. Admittedly, I did want to shake him a few times, but he does redeem himself. The fmc was sweet and lovely, and I genuinely felt bad for her throughout the book. One scene made me slightly emotional for a second and will stick with me for a while.
This book comes out in December and I 10/10 recommend checking it out!
December 5, 2024
Shadowbound was one of my favorite fantasy reads of the year! This is a dark, tension-filled, adventure story with one hell of a morally charcoal shadow daddy and sweet sunshine female lead.
I had so much fun reading this book! Adventuring across the continent and meeting so many friends along the way had me smiling. The tension and banter between Vade and Orelia had me giggling. Side note, this is a SLOW BURN 🔥 But ohhhhhh man does it get delicious!! Of course there were some moments that had me in my feelings, wanting to crawl right into the story and set some things straight. The love confession? Absolutely to die for 💕
I love that this is going to be an interconnected, standalone series. Perfect for those that want to read fantasy, but need a break from large series. Overall the plot was great, pacing was perfect, characters are lovable, and writing was outstanding. This is one you won’t want to put down!
I had so much fun reading this book! Adventuring across the continent and meeting so many friends along the way had me smiling. The tension and banter between Vade and Orelia had me giggling. Side note, this is a SLOW BURN 🔥 But ohhhhhh man does it get delicious!! Of course there were some moments that had me in my feelings, wanting to crawl right into the story and set some things straight. The love confession? Absolutely to die for 💕
I love that this is going to be an interconnected, standalone series. Perfect for those that want to read fantasy, but need a break from large series. Overall the plot was great, pacing was perfect, characters are lovable, and writing was outstanding. This is one you won’t want to put down!
November 10, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. I am a huge fantasy lover, along with being an avid gamer, this book was able to combine all the things that I enjoy. If I could give more than 5 stars then I would. It was fun, witty, and totally had me all in my feels during a couple places. I loved the character development and Vade is the perfect brooding shadow daddy that any girl could hope for. I am honored to have gotten to read this book as a ARC book, and I can't wait to see where this series goes!
November 9, 2024
This book...OMG! I could not put this book down! I was hooked in the first few pages! Every chance I got between working and chasing after a toddler, I was reading it. I was given an ARC copy to read, and I fell in love with the mail female character. I saw a bit of myself in her and felt an attachment. If I could give more stars, I would ✨️ definitely going to be reading it again!
November 10, 2024
I was chosen as an ARC reader for this book. I was excited to read it and give a review. I don't review often, as my own personal preference, but I will give an honest review of this one.
The Good -
I have to say I was worried when it was advertised as High Fantasy with D&D elements. However, the story captured me from chapter 1. There is not an overwhelming amount of characters and world building to digest. I tend to get bogged down and uninterested with being pummeled from the beginning. The writing sets to stage and it flows beautifully. I felt I was walking with the characters throughout the story and felt emerged in their world. The enemies to lovers/slow burn is on par. The first 3/4 pace was great.
The not so great -
The last 1/4 of the book seems rushed. There are scenes I felt could have been (and deserved) to be "drawn out". I felt the MMC's abrupt change was underplayed. The FMC got her HEA but it wasn't my favorite outcome.
This is where I wish GR has .5 stars. I would say this is closer to 4.5 than a 5.0, hence my rating of 4.0. A 5.0 IMO is when I would sell a kidney to read again for the first time. This storyline was great, but I feel satisfied with the single read through. Still a great read for the year!
The Good -
I have to say I was worried when it was advertised as High Fantasy with D&D elements. However, the story captured me from chapter 1. There is not an overwhelming amount of characters and world building to digest. I tend to get bogged down and uninterested with being pummeled from the beginning. The writing sets to stage and it flows beautifully. I felt I was walking with the characters throughout the story and felt emerged in their world. The enemies to lovers/slow burn is on par. The first 3/4 pace was great.
The not so great -
The last 1/4 of the book seems rushed. There are scenes I felt could have been (and deserved) to be "drawn out". I felt the MMC's abrupt change was underplayed. The FMC got her HEA but it wasn't my favorite outcome.
This is where I wish GR has .5 stars. I would say this is closer to 4.5 than a 5.0, hence my rating of 4.0. A 5.0 IMO is when I would sell a kidney to read again for the first time. This storyline was great, but I feel satisfied with the single read through. Still a great read for the year!
November 30, 2024
I really loved the story, and there were some plot threads I really liked (i.e., Vade being the King’s executioner, the way different races interact with and think of each other, etc.), but the plots I found the most interesting weren’t fully explained.
Orelia is such a sweet and naive character. I was so excited to see her character develop as she got out and saw the world, but she stayed the same. Even after each encounter Vade and Orelia went through, nothing about her changed whether it was for better or worse.
I am someone who reads a decent amount of spicy/smutty books, and I really enjoy them. The spice in this book seemed to happen suddenly in a way that didn’t seem to fit (in my eyes) with what was happening in the narrative. I know that Vade is the “grumpy, angry fae with a dark past”, and that’s something I really liked about him. It felt out of character how fast he “suddenly” let his walls down and admit his feelings for Orelia. I was expecting to see it happen more gradually, to see him fighting his instincts to keep walls up, or unknowingly letting his walls down. I think what led to the spice feeling sudden was how he was hardcore rejecting each of her advances. I LOVED his love confession to her, how he did it and what he said. I wish there was more of that sprinkled throughout the story so we could see that side of him sooner.
I really loved the story and where the plot was going. I just wish I got to know the characters more and see more of their development.
Orelia is such a sweet and naive character. I was so excited to see her character develop as she got out and saw the world, but she stayed the same. Even after each encounter Vade and Orelia went through, nothing about her changed whether it was for better or worse.
I am someone who reads a decent amount of spicy/smutty books, and I really enjoy them. The spice in this book seemed to happen suddenly in a way that didn’t seem to fit (in my eyes) with what was happening in the narrative. I know that Vade is the “grumpy, angry fae with a dark past”, and that’s something I really liked about him. It felt out of character how fast he “suddenly” let his walls down and admit his feelings for Orelia. I was expecting to see it happen more gradually, to see him fighting his instincts to keep walls up, or unknowingly letting his walls down. I think what led to the spice feeling sudden was how he was hardcore rejecting each of her advances. I LOVED his love confession to her, how he did it and what he said. I wish there was more of that sprinkled throughout the story so we could see that side of him sooner.
I really loved the story and where the plot was going. I just wish I got to know the characters more and see more of their development.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2024
Shadowbound is an enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, dark fantasy - not dark romance. Per the author, the magic systems and some races are inspired by D&D, which I love and can definitely see. It's a fast-paced fantasy with detailed world-building, carefully planned plots, and lovely details that make you feel the adventure. I received an ARC copy of this book and will be seeking out more by the author because I enjoyed this one a lot. The magic and world are clear without being overly intricate to the point that it's heavy or hard to understand. It's explained clearly but it doesn't beat you over the head. I also thoroughly enjoyed that there's a glossary in the back to help you keep the species, types of magic, currency, etc. straight if you ever find yourself confused. All fantasy should have this in my opinion.
Minor spoilers ahead:
I enjoyed the writing style and the pacing, but the book leans heavily into sexual assault (or attempted sexual assault) as a plot device, which is NOT my favorite. In every town or village the main characters travel to, SOMEONE comments on the FMC's figure and either makes direct threats toward her or attempts to assault her. Additionally, I felt like the MMC's confession of love came a bit too suddenly. Maybe I'm spoiled by all my dual POV reads lately, but it felt like too sudden of a shift in his mindset. There's a bonus chapter from his POV at the end that helps with some of that whiplash, but I would have liked more of that in the book itself as I feel like it would have helped me connect more to his perspective and made the change in his mindset a bit less abrupt.
All in all I really enjoyed the book, I wish GoodReads let you do half-stars, because this is a 4.5 rating for me.
Spice level 🌶️🌶️
Minor spoilers ahead:
I enjoyed the writing style and the pacing, but the book leans heavily into sexual assault (or attempted sexual assault) as a plot device, which is NOT my favorite. In every town or village the main characters travel to, SOMEONE comments on the FMC's figure and either makes direct threats toward her or attempts to assault her. Additionally, I felt like the MMC's confession of love came a bit too suddenly. Maybe I'm spoiled by all my dual POV reads lately, but it felt like too sudden of a shift in his mindset. There's a bonus chapter from his POV at the end that helps with some of that whiplash, but I would have liked more of that in the book itself as I feel like it would have helped me connect more to his perspective and made the change in his mindset a bit less abrupt.
All in all I really enjoyed the book, I wish GoodReads let you do half-stars, because this is a 4.5 rating for me.
Spice level 🌶️🌶️
May 13, 2025
Shadowbound by Nicole Holland is a dark fantasy with an epic adventure, spine tingling tension, and slow-slow burn. What’s not to love?
The writing is intricate and immersive in a way that makes it feel like you’re meeting these characters and traveling along side them. Our MC’s, Orelia and Vade, have delicious and addictive banter and sexual tension that leaves you yearning for the moment the steam becomes spicy (trust me, it’s worth it 😏). When things finally align and the love confession comes, it’s memorable and romantic on deep level.
Being part of a standalone, interconnected series, Shadowbound is perfect for us mood readers who like dark fantasy but don’t like to commit to a long, multi-book series. Overall, this was an immersive, enthralling, and satisfying experience with excellently developed characters, emotional moments, and a pristine plot. I will most certainly be tuning in for the next installment of The Dark Moon series!
Thank you so much, Nicole Holland & team and R&R Book Tours for the review copy! I will continue to cherish this opportunity to read and offer my honest thoughts.
The writing is intricate and immersive in a way that makes it feel like you’re meeting these characters and traveling along side them. Our MC’s, Orelia and Vade, have delicious and addictive banter and sexual tension that leaves you yearning for the moment the steam becomes spicy (trust me, it’s worth it 😏). When things finally align and the love confession comes, it’s memorable and romantic on deep level.
Being part of a standalone, interconnected series, Shadowbound is perfect for us mood readers who like dark fantasy but don’t like to commit to a long, multi-book series. Overall, this was an immersive, enthralling, and satisfying experience with excellently developed characters, emotional moments, and a pristine plot. I will most certainly be tuning in for the next installment of The Dark Moon series!
Thank you so much, Nicole Holland & team and R&R Book Tours for the review copy! I will continue to cherish this opportunity to read and offer my honest thoughts.
November 9, 2024
Hey, I was given an early ARC copy and my review below is 1000% my honest opinion.
Orelia, a small town girl waiting for adventure. More like the smallest blimp of a town. She is kind and good-natured. Her reality, though, does get crushed at times. It builds her resolve in what she believes in with knowing how cruel life really is. I absolutely love her, even though her nieveity was just like ok girl time to grow up and see the world. It was her heart that sold me. She is truly an amazing character. Forever in my heart. Always.
Vade, what a divine specimen. Like holy moly. Even though he is rough around the edges, his story is riveting. The reasons to the why makes everything make sense. Plus, like charcoal shadow daddy like...yes, please. Couldn't get enough of him, like not enough. Plus, the way he is described girl...you'll be lusting for him too.
What an adventure. The world alone was very well thought out, along with its different species and magic system. Dnd inspired, but it has its own flare to it for sure that makes it standalone in the realm of fantasy. Even with the lovestory, the main focus was clear and never wavered, which I enjoyed. Pasts mixed with the present that made the journey just as enjoyable. You can see that these characters grew and blossomed into two of my favorite book couples.
I can't wait for the next adventure. I recommend this book highly and will be recommending to my book lover friends once it's released.
Orelia, a small town girl waiting for adventure. More like the smallest blimp of a town. She is kind and good-natured. Her reality, though, does get crushed at times. It builds her resolve in what she believes in with knowing how cruel life really is. I absolutely love her, even though her nieveity was just like ok girl time to grow up and see the world. It was her heart that sold me. She is truly an amazing character. Forever in my heart. Always.
Vade, what a divine specimen. Like holy moly. Even though he is rough around the edges, his story is riveting. The reasons to the why makes everything make sense. Plus, like charcoal shadow daddy like...yes, please. Couldn't get enough of him, like not enough. Plus, the way he is described girl...you'll be lusting for him too.
What an adventure. The world alone was very well thought out, along with its different species and magic system. Dnd inspired, but it has its own flare to it for sure that makes it standalone in the realm of fantasy. Even with the lovestory, the main focus was clear and never wavered, which I enjoyed. Pasts mixed with the present that made the journey just as enjoyable. You can see that these characters grew and blossomed into two of my favorite book couples.
I can't wait for the next adventure. I recommend this book highly and will be recommending to my book lover friends once it's released.
December 5, 2024
HOLY CRAP, I DEVOURED THIS ARC!
Big thanks to the author for gifting me this book, in return for my honest review!
🗣️ 📖 was 5 stars!!
🗣️🌶️ was 5 stars!!
- DnD-inspired
- Dark fantasy
- High fantasy romance
- Grimdark world
- Tarantino-like v!olence
- Fae & Witch
- Morally charcoal MMC
- Quest plot line
- Sloooow burn
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- HEA
This book is a painfully slow burn. Like, slower than watching paint dry. But, SO WORTH IT!
Do you love SHADOW DADDY’s who are dark and broody perfection!? The MMC is just that! 🙌🏻 Oh and the MFC is a witch! She starts off as this gentle healer, who turns into a sexy badass. The tension between them? Chef’s kiss.💋
The writing? So beautiful it made me want to throw my Kindle across the room. JK. And, it was so easy to read! Nicole just knows how to pant a picture with her words.
I DEFINITELY RECCOMEND THIS BOOK! 🙌🏻😁🖤
THERE IS GOING TO BE MORE! I literally cannot wait …
Big thanks to the author for gifting me this book, in return for my honest review!
🗣️ 📖 was 5 stars!!
🗣️🌶️ was 5 stars!!
- DnD-inspired
- Dark fantasy
- High fantasy romance
- Grimdark world
- Tarantino-like v!olence
- Fae & Witch
- Morally charcoal MMC
- Quest plot line
- Sloooow burn
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- HEA
This book is a painfully slow burn. Like, slower than watching paint dry. But, SO WORTH IT!
Do you love SHADOW DADDY’s who are dark and broody perfection!? The MMC is just that! 🙌🏻 Oh and the MFC is a witch! She starts off as this gentle healer, who turns into a sexy badass. The tension between them? Chef’s kiss.💋
The writing? So beautiful it made me want to throw my Kindle across the room. JK. And, it was so easy to read! Nicole just knows how to pant a picture with her words.
I DEFINITELY RECCOMEND THIS BOOK! 🙌🏻😁🖤
THERE IS GOING TO BE MORE! I literally cannot wait …
November 28, 2024
5/5⭐️
I received an ARC directly from the author in exchange for an honest review!
Minor spoilers ahead!!!
Tropes:
- Forced proximity
- Shadow daddy
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Hurt/comfort
- One bed
- Older female (33) to male (26)
- Angst
- Hate to love
- Dominate woman in the bedroom, at times (not fully dom/sub)
- After care
- He has a praise kink
Content warnings:
- Graphic violence/Gore/Blood
- Misogyny/Slut shaming
- Sex work (willing and unwilling)
- Death & grief
- Sexual violence and mentions of rape
- Drugging of a MC
- Mentions of slavery/trafficking of women
- Mentions of child abuse
- Brief mentions of panic attacks
- Brief mention of animal death
- Brief violence between MCs
- Sexually explicit
- Bonus chapter: in-depth description of torture
Spice: 4/5🌶️ (At least two intimate scenes, explicit language with a variety of sexual acts)
Other info: Witch FMC, fae MMC, third person POV, one POV, completed storyline
Favorite quotes: “A light bright enough to revive even the blackest heart.”
“You are not ‘nothing’ to me, Orelia. You’re a summer rain when it soaks the ground and breathes its love into the earth. You’re the setting sun that paints the clouds in remarkable shades of pink, orange, and yellow.”
“You’re the warmth of a fire and the softness of a blanket on a cold winter’s night. You’re the flowers that bloom year after year no matter how harsh the seasons, and the calm of the sea before sunrise, when not even the birds have woken, and all is peaceful. You’re the world, Orelia. Because you are everything. That’s what you are to me. Everything.”
Thoughts: Where do I even start!?
This is one of my top 10 reads of the year. The intricate world building made it even more vivid to me while looking at the map. The backstory of both the main characters was easy to follow but at the same time memorable and showed why the characters are the way they are. The grumpy/sunshine aspect was great as well!
I know I can’t consider this a “slow burn” because it came to be in one book and I usually like to reserve “slow burn”s for when it takes multiple books, but wow. Sitting at the edge of my seat and biting my nails-type burn for sure!
The tension! gods, that was so well done. Even from the first scene it was like I could feel it in the air around me.
I’m a lover of all things dark and twisty, especially when it’s incorporated into fantasy, although this isn’t the darkest I’ve read, it definitely hit some of those elements and 👩🏻🍳 😘.
I didn’t even know this book touched on the FMC showing some dominance in the bedroom, but I love that in books and it is so hard to find! I’m not into the extreme side, but this was perfect. I was so excited when I got to that part.
Him having a praise kink was also not something I was expecting, but another thing I look for in books! It isn’t very popular in what I’ve read so far. It scratched an itch that has been itching for this entire year!
I have a new book boyfriend and book girlfriend to add to my list!
I received an ARC directly from the author in exchange for an honest review!
Minor spoilers ahead!!!
Tropes:
- Forced proximity
- Shadow daddy
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Hurt/comfort
- One bed
- Older female (33) to male (26)
- Angst
- Hate to love
- Dominate woman in the bedroom, at times (not fully dom/sub)
- After care
- He has a praise kink
Content warnings:
- Graphic violence/Gore/Blood
- Misogyny/Slut shaming
- Sex work (willing and unwilling)
- Death & grief
- Sexual violence and mentions of rape
- Drugging of a MC
- Mentions of slavery/trafficking of women
- Mentions of child abuse
- Brief mentions of panic attacks
- Brief mention of animal death
- Brief violence between MCs
- Sexually explicit
- Bonus chapter: in-depth description of torture
Spice: 4/5🌶️ (At least two intimate scenes, explicit language with a variety of sexual acts)
Other info: Witch FMC, fae MMC, third person POV, one POV, completed storyline
Favorite quotes: “A light bright enough to revive even the blackest heart.”
“You are not ‘nothing’ to me, Orelia. You’re a summer rain when it soaks the ground and breathes its love into the earth. You’re the setting sun that paints the clouds in remarkable shades of pink, orange, and yellow.”
“You’re the warmth of a fire and the softness of a blanket on a cold winter’s night. You’re the flowers that bloom year after year no matter how harsh the seasons, and the calm of the sea before sunrise, when not even the birds have woken, and all is peaceful. You’re the world, Orelia. Because you are everything. That’s what you are to me. Everything.”
Thoughts: Where do I even start!?
This is one of my top 10 reads of the year. The intricate world building made it even more vivid to me while looking at the map. The backstory of both the main characters was easy to follow but at the same time memorable and showed why the characters are the way they are. The grumpy/sunshine aspect was great as well!
I know I can’t consider this a “slow burn” because it came to be in one book and I usually like to reserve “slow burn”s for when it takes multiple books, but wow. Sitting at the edge of my seat and biting my nails-type burn for sure!
The tension! gods, that was so well done. Even from the first scene it was like I could feel it in the air around me.
I’m a lover of all things dark and twisty, especially when it’s incorporated into fantasy, although this isn’t the darkest I’ve read, it definitely hit some of those elements and 👩🏻🍳 😘.
I didn’t even know this book touched on the FMC showing some dominance in the bedroom, but I love that in books and it is so hard to find! I’m not into the extreme side, but this was perfect. I was so excited when I got to that part.
Him having a praise kink was also not something I was expecting, but another thing I look for in books! It isn’t very popular in what I’ve read so far. It scratched an itch that has been itching for this entire year!
I have a new book boyfriend and book girlfriend to add to my list!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2025
If you're reading this, yet haven't started reading and listening to Shadowbound on Audible, then what are you waiting for and pickup your copy as well as press play! Author, Nicole Holland, truly provided their reader/listener a magical D&D- inspired treat-- with not only world building but perfect character development that made me fall head over heels with both, Orelia and Vade's stories. Who doesn't love a happy sunshine witch that heals, and a grumpy morally grey MMC that knows how to protect and defend -- as he strikes fear in those who try to cross him and those he cares for.
Orelia and the Kings executioner, Vade, are bound together by a spell and must find their way to break it, but what goes on during their journey to do so, leaves you feeling spellbound and not wanting to put the book down or press pause. Shadowbound was perfectly crafted by Nicole Holland, and the talented narrators, Andi Eloise and Adam Hunter were a team any audiobook listener would want to hear the story their reading come to life! What a powerhouse of a duo with chemistry that was in sync from start to finish! Adam Hunter, blew me away with his performance of not only Vade, but every male character in Shadowbound. How anyone can do that many accents and voices in ONE book left me in AWE! Adam's masterful performance had me in tears, laughs when needed, and held my attention through intense scenes that had me clearing my schedule to continue listening on because I just couldn't get enough. It has been a very long time since a book left an impact on me and a narrator swooning their listener with their performance.
I couldn't think of any other narrators who could deliver performances like Andi Eloise and Adam Hunter did. Don't miss out any longer and enjoy the world of Shadowbound by Nicole Holland, narrated by Andi Eloise and Adam Hunter. 🩶⚔️
I highly recommend picking up a physical copy of Shadowbound while listening to it on Audible! I am so glad I did this because it really brought the scenes to a whole other level, especially since it is done as a duet too, which is ever better!
Tropes: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, love to hate, grumpy/sunshine, D&D-inspired fantasy, slow burn. 🔥
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Orelia and the Kings executioner, Vade, are bound together by a spell and must find their way to break it, but what goes on during their journey to do so, leaves you feeling spellbound and not wanting to put the book down or press pause. Shadowbound was perfectly crafted by Nicole Holland, and the talented narrators, Andi Eloise and Adam Hunter were a team any audiobook listener would want to hear the story their reading come to life! What a powerhouse of a duo with chemistry that was in sync from start to finish! Adam Hunter, blew me away with his performance of not only Vade, but every male character in Shadowbound. How anyone can do that many accents and voices in ONE book left me in AWE! Adam's masterful performance had me in tears, laughs when needed, and held my attention through intense scenes that had me clearing my schedule to continue listening on because I just couldn't get enough. It has been a very long time since a book left an impact on me and a narrator swooning their listener with their performance.
I couldn't think of any other narrators who could deliver performances like Andi Eloise and Adam Hunter did. Don't miss out any longer and enjoy the world of Shadowbound by Nicole Holland, narrated by Andi Eloise and Adam Hunter. 🩶⚔️
I highly recommend picking up a physical copy of Shadowbound while listening to it on Audible! I am so glad I did this because it really brought the scenes to a whole other level, especially since it is done as a duet too, which is ever better!
Tropes: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, love to hate, grumpy/sunshine, D&D-inspired fantasy, slow burn. 🔥
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
May 16, 2025
I was provided a copy of this title for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Oreliq & Vade.
Firstly, I love a good map and appendix combo in the front/ back of a book when there’s a journey across a lot of terrain or maybe some terms you may not be readily familiar with, so I was overjoyed to find both in these pages.
Shadowbound is the first title of The Dark Moon series by Nicole Holland and follows Orelia, a witch with a penchant who falls on hard times when the owner of the brothel she heals at unceremoniously lets her go, and Vade, the brutal fae and royal executioner to the king, who happens upon her preforming a spell and startles her, which causes the magic she intended to bind to her garden to bind to him instead. As a result, the pair cannot travel more than a half mile away from one another without feeling as if they are being torn apart from the inside out.
They set off together on a journey to find a Druid that can undo the bond, but the path proves longer and more difficult than either could have imagined— and along the way, they learn a little about themselves and a lot about each other. They save each other on more than one occasion and in more than one way, altering both their lives forever.
Read this if you love:
Magic
Healer FMC
Different types of Fae
Witches
Multiple creature races
Hard-working FMC
Accidental bond
Winged MMC
Forced proximity
Enemies to lovers
Arrogant MMC
Brutal MMC
Touch her and ☠️
Tension @100
Grumpy x sunshine
Low and slow burn to fiery inferno
“Mine”
One bathtub
“Good boy”
Tragedy
Twisty ending
Thank you so much to Nicole Holland & R&R Book Tours for providing me with a digital copy!
Oreliq & Vade.
Firstly, I love a good map and appendix combo in the front/ back of a book when there’s a journey across a lot of terrain or maybe some terms you may not be readily familiar with, so I was overjoyed to find both in these pages.
Shadowbound is the first title of The Dark Moon series by Nicole Holland and follows Orelia, a witch with a penchant who falls on hard times when the owner of the brothel she heals at unceremoniously lets her go, and Vade, the brutal fae and royal executioner to the king, who happens upon her preforming a spell and startles her, which causes the magic she intended to bind to her garden to bind to him instead. As a result, the pair cannot travel more than a half mile away from one another without feeling as if they are being torn apart from the inside out.
They set off together on a journey to find a Druid that can undo the bond, but the path proves longer and more difficult than either could have imagined— and along the way, they learn a little about themselves and a lot about each other. They save each other on more than one occasion and in more than one way, altering both their lives forever.
Read this if you love:
Magic
Healer FMC
Different types of Fae
Witches
Multiple creature races
Hard-working FMC
Accidental bond
Winged MMC
Forced proximity
Enemies to lovers
Arrogant MMC
Brutal MMC
Touch her and ☠️
Tension @100
Grumpy x sunshine
Low and slow burn to fiery inferno
“Mine”
One bathtub
“Good boy”
Tragedy
Twisty ending
Thank you so much to Nicole Holland & R&R Book Tours for providing me with a digital copy!
November 7, 2024
!MINOR SPOILERS!
I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion on Shadowbound and was pleased to find the book was as the author described. It undoubtedly satisfies its’ dark fantasy/high fantasy/fantasy romance genres. The fact that this is NOT a dark romance should not deter you from reading! The journey taken by the FMC & MMC is riveting. Nicole Holland's detailing throughout the story allows the imagery to give you a full immersion into the fantasy world of Minro and beyond. You get a clear picture of who Orelia & Vade are and how they see themselves; it was captivating to see how they evolved separately and together. Their slow-burn romance was the perfect pace for how the story unfolded. The pace of the book overall I felt was adequate. Some parts of the plot seemed to take a while to work through but I feel the descriptions and time it took during these tellings was necessary to placing you with and where the characters were. This is definitely a book for those of us who love to get lost in the fantasy worlds of the books we read. It has a sufficient balance of storyline and spice. It’s a captivating read with a happy ending, but it took the road of violence, physical/sexual assault, torture, and attempted rape to help make the story what it was. I gave the book a 5-star rating. Some parts were so well written I was brought to tears because of how relatable Orelia and her feelings/circumstances were. Spice level I give a 3.5/5, you get more than enough description with the spicy scenes but they don't consume the entire book (no taboo tropes) if that's what you’re looking for. I would recommend this book to anyone fond of fantasy, it is an 18+ read and certainly an enjoyable read for its intended audience. I consumed this one quickly. It's one of those "what, it's 2am already!?" Reads
I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion on Shadowbound and was pleased to find the book was as the author described. It undoubtedly satisfies its’ dark fantasy/high fantasy/fantasy romance genres. The fact that this is NOT a dark romance should not deter you from reading! The journey taken by the FMC & MMC is riveting. Nicole Holland's detailing throughout the story allows the imagery to give you a full immersion into the fantasy world of Minro and beyond. You get a clear picture of who Orelia & Vade are and how they see themselves; it was captivating to see how they evolved separately and together. Their slow-burn romance was the perfect pace for how the story unfolded. The pace of the book overall I felt was adequate. Some parts of the plot seemed to take a while to work through but I feel the descriptions and time it took during these tellings was necessary to placing you with and where the characters were. This is definitely a book for those of us who love to get lost in the fantasy worlds of the books we read. It has a sufficient balance of storyline and spice. It’s a captivating read with a happy ending, but it took the road of violence, physical/sexual assault, torture, and attempted rape to help make the story what it was. I gave the book a 5-star rating. Some parts were so well written I was brought to tears because of how relatable Orelia and her feelings/circumstances were. Spice level I give a 3.5/5, you get more than enough description with the spicy scenes but they don't consume the entire book (no taboo tropes) if that's what you’re looking for. I would recommend this book to anyone fond of fantasy, it is an 18+ read and certainly an enjoyable read for its intended audience. I consumed this one quickly. It's one of those "what, it's 2am already!?" Reads
November 13, 2024
I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC for an honest review. And honestly I loved this. My rating is 4.5 stars almost perfect. The world was inspired by DnD and you can really see that based on the different classes of beings and also how the magic system works in this world. There were times the story felt a little rushed particularly the ending or it could have been I was just not ready for the book to end. I loved the characters especially Vade! I know he was supposed to be this dark male lead. But I loved him instantly. I also appreciated that the female lead was older than her early 20’s as they are in most books. Overall I loved this and I cannot wait to read more from this author in the future. And hopefully more stories will take place in this world. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy with a little bit of darkness.
December 4, 2024
I really enjoyed this book!! Would give 4.5 stars if I could. The half star off 5 stars is because there were a few aspects of the world/magic that were a bit confusing to me, however, that could be because this is the first book I’ve read of Nicole’s and I’m not familiar with D&D. I received an advanced copy of this book and loved it far more than I anticipated.
Overall, this was a great, entertaining, fun and easy read. I would LOVE an audio of this someday.
The two main characters were well developed and engaging. There were a few scenes that felt like they had similar vibes to a cheese hallmark movie, but honestly, I love that kindof stuff 😂 the pacing was great and the FMC didn’t make me want to jump off a cliff with my annoyance with her 😬
Looking forward to diving more into other books from this author!
Overall, this was a great, entertaining, fun and easy read. I would LOVE an audio of this someday.
The two main characters were well developed and engaging. There were a few scenes that felt like they had similar vibes to a cheese hallmark movie, but honestly, I love that kindof stuff 😂 the pacing was great and the FMC didn’t make me want to jump off a cliff with my annoyance with her 😬
Looking forward to diving more into other books from this author!
November 14, 2024
I had the opportunity to be an arc reader for this book and I appreciate that very much. If I could stay up all night and read this book I would’ve, however life had other plans. The enemies to lover section was good. The writing was something of a 3rd person and I haven’t read 3rd person in a while, however 3rd person was mostly from the mfc perspective main reason for loss of star but should only be half. The characters are well written, and I did want to throw my phone sometimes at how the characters acted, I laughed. And while only 1 book and one series has had me tears. I did tear up in this book. So if you’re looking for a cute, and funny quick read then this book is so for you. Hope everyone enjoys.
December 6, 2024
I came across Nicole a few months ago while she was still in this process of writing this book and I was instantly interested. It was cool to see her writing process over the course of this year and the hard work she put into this.
The story and plot were both interesting, and the world-building was rich and detailed. I loved Oreilia and Vade. Their dynamic was fun, and very much in opposition of each other.
With that being said, I think the character development could have been stronger. The romance between them felt a little rushed and didn’t feel natural to me. The slow burn was worth it, but it did catch me off guard in that moment.
I would recommend this to those who enjoy fantasy, even with it being inspired by DnD, it didn’t feel overwhelming and easy to understand without prior knowledge. I’m excited to see where the series goes next because the story has so much potential!
Thank you, Nicole, for the advanced copy!
The story and plot were both interesting, and the world-building was rich and detailed. I loved Oreilia and Vade. Their dynamic was fun, and very much in opposition of each other.
With that being said, I think the character development could have been stronger. The romance between them felt a little rushed and didn’t feel natural to me. The slow burn was worth it, but it did catch me off guard in that moment.
I would recommend this to those who enjoy fantasy, even with it being inspired by DnD, it didn’t feel overwhelming and easy to understand without prior knowledge. I’m excited to see where the series goes next because the story has so much potential!
Thank you, Nicole, for the advanced copy!
December 6, 2024
First off, I would like to thank the author for this ARC read for a honest review.
OMFG!!! I am absolutely SPEECHLESS!
This book grabbed hold of my soul and dragged me to its deep, dark pits!
I haven’t enjoyed a fantasy book this much in awhile!
The characters (especially the grumpy/sunshine trope), the adventure, just everything in this book was *chef’s kiss*!
I seriously want to adopt Orelia as my BFF and Vade…he’s officially my favourite book boyfriend now lol.
I loved this book so much that I am super proud to say that Shadowbound has gained the #1 spot in my favourite books read in 2024 and I seriously can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
OMFG!!! I am absolutely SPEECHLESS!
This book grabbed hold of my soul and dragged me to its deep, dark pits!
I haven’t enjoyed a fantasy book this much in awhile!
The characters (especially the grumpy/sunshine trope), the adventure, just everything in this book was *chef’s kiss*!
I seriously want to adopt Orelia as my BFF and Vade…he’s officially my favourite book boyfriend now lol.
I loved this book so much that I am super proud to say that Shadowbound has gained the #1 spot in my favourite books read in 2024 and I seriously can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
January 9, 2025
This should not have taken me so long to read but life got in the way! This was a great read! The author was able to really nail the feel of the tension between Orelia and Vade the entire book. The fighting back and forth, the attraction that they did not want to have. It was amazing. There are some graphic scenes several times in the book (if you need to, check the trigger warnings). I felt ever emotion imaginable while reading this book. My favorite line will be in my full review!
Full review on my website on 1.14.25.
www.mommodeloading.com
Full review on my website on 1.14.25.
www.mommodeloading.com
April 22, 2025
Shadowbound
A dark twisted fantasy that intrigued me from the start. The story had a lot of dark themes and really played the light/dark perfectly. It was a thrilling action-packed quest that had the characters forced together to survive.
I enjoyed the story and really liked Orelia’s character. She was the definition of sunshine and I enjoyed her positivity and compassion for the world.
Vade was dark, brutal, and arrogant. He was pretty much the dark to Orelia’s light.
Tropes to enjoy here are; slow burn, forced proximity, accidental bond, grumpy/sunshine, hate to love, ‘you are enough’, he trains her, only soft for her, morally grey characters, magic, class difference, hurt her and xx vibes, and more.
The story is very dark and deals with sensitive topics be sure to check content warnings!
A dark twisted fantasy that intrigued me from the start. The story had a lot of dark themes and really played the light/dark perfectly. It was a thrilling action-packed quest that had the characters forced together to survive.
I enjoyed the story and really liked Orelia’s character. She was the definition of sunshine and I enjoyed her positivity and compassion for the world.
Vade was dark, brutal, and arrogant. He was pretty much the dark to Orelia’s light.
Tropes to enjoy here are; slow burn, forced proximity, accidental bond, grumpy/sunshine, hate to love, ‘you are enough’, he trains her, only soft for her, morally grey characters, magic, class difference, hurt her and xx vibes, and more.
The story is very dark and deals with sensitive topics be sure to check content warnings!
November 13, 2024
I was lucky to be selected to get an ARC for this book and I am SO GRATEFUL! If you like fantasy and slow burn this is the book for you! Also this book references DND characters but you do not need knowledge of DND to read it. I know next to nothing about the game but I was able to get the information I needed from the book.
This world is nicely built without being overly boring or hard to understand.
Without giving too much away, this is a slow burn with a few steamy scenes.
Can not wait for the rest of the series!
This world is nicely built without being overly boring or hard to understand.
Without giving too much away, this is a slow burn with a few steamy scenes.
Can not wait for the rest of the series!
November 11, 2024
WOW!! Thank you to the author for allowing me to read this!!! Such an amazing book!! I absolutely couldn’t re put it down!! Everything was wrote so beautifully that it kept me interested the entire time. The plot, the romance!!! I haven’t read many 5 star reads this year but this one I would rate up there with acotar and fourth wing in my opinion! I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Its and enemies to lovers. And it’s based off the world of Dungeons and Dragons. With that being said I know nothing about that and I absolutely loved it and found it easy to understand. So you definitely do not need to know about the world before hand. There is adventure, great banter, love, a few sad things, everything you need in a book to immerse yourself into the world!
Its and enemies to lovers. And it’s based off the world of Dungeons and Dragons. With that being said I know nothing about that and I absolutely loved it and found it easy to understand. So you definitely do not need to know about the world before hand. There is adventure, great banter, love, a few sad things, everything you need in a book to immerse yourself into the world!
November 11, 2024
This was what every fantasy romance girly has been waiting for!!! As a bg3 and d&d girly i loved the fact this was d&d inspired!!! The mmc and fmc banter and growth was everything. Their adventure was amazing!! Nicole holland did an amazing job really immersing you into this fantasy world. The different characters you meet on the way through their adventure is truly awesome! Slow burn but scorching all the way through till the flame ignites 😉. The story was sooooo good!!! I dont want it to end. Lol
November 29, 2024
I was lucky enough to find this author on TikTok and really liked the idea of a DnD inspired dark fantasy romance and couldn’t wait to read it! This book does not disappoint when it comes to the imagery Nicole has created. The world building is stunning, character development is amazing and you actively develop along side the FMC and MMC. The adventure that goes on throughout the book keeps things exciting with the fight scenes as well as the forests and cities that they find themselves in. Also, the fight scenes are so intense that you HAVE to finish chapter after chapter to find out what happens next! This book is able to emotionally hook you to the characters and you as the reader have the ability to emotionally connect to each character and relate to them each in different ways. I have never had a book bring me to ugly tears as this one was able too. I am so sad the book is over and will remain my top tier favorite book to date! I am so excited to see how the Dark Moon Series flourishes and really want the next one ASAP!!!
November 10, 2024
This is one of the best written books I have read! From the moment the story began, I was captivated by both the FMC and MMC. Our FMC seeing the good the world has to offer even when presented with the worst situations is inspiring! But the MMC, is easily one of the best book characters ever given to us. I cannot wait to read more of this author's work!
November 7, 2024
Wow! I just finished this book, and it was so amazing. I love the world that I entered and the characters that I met and loved along the way. Vade, he's just, wow, and Orelia was one of the sweetest characters! I just couldn't put this down. I'm sad to see their story end, but I'm so excited to see what other characters we'll meet in the next story! I'm definitely hooked.
December 7, 2024
“Because you are enough. Just the way you are.”
This was such a fun book! It’s been a while since I got into a high fantasy book as complex as this and I loved it! The adventure and banter between the main characters was so enjoyable. And the conclusion was extremely satisfying.
The world building had me picturing the world of The Witcher and while I have no knowledge of D&D I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. For me personally I could have used a tab bit more world building but I love complex and intricate details. It was the perfect amount of world building to get the lay of the land and people without being overwhelming.
One caveat I would give would be for people triggered by things such as violence, torture, murder, and suggested rape. I am one who can dislike a book if too much is suggested and I can strongly say that I did not have any issues with the writing.
This was such a fun book! It’s been a while since I got into a high fantasy book as complex as this and I loved it! The adventure and banter between the main characters was so enjoyable. And the conclusion was extremely satisfying.
The world building had me picturing the world of The Witcher and while I have no knowledge of D&D I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. For me personally I could have used a tab bit more world building but I love complex and intricate details. It was the perfect amount of world building to get the lay of the land and people without being overwhelming.
One caveat I would give would be for people triggered by things such as violence, torture, murder, and suggested rape. I am one who can dislike a book if too much is suggested and I can strongly say that I did not have any issues with the writing.
May 14, 2025
4.5 stars!
This is an ARC Review
A fantastic tale following a witch and a fae stuck in a forced proximity journey across the world after being accidentally bound to each other. With aspects of darkness vs light, good vs evil, enemies to lovers, trauma, love, and so much more!
The plot:
A beautiful, kind witch hoping to start a garden to sell her produce after losing her healing job at her local brothel accidentally ties herself to a brutal fae by binding their lives together in a spell she hoped to use on her garden goes wrong. If one dies, the other does as well. Only to find out this fae is the King's executioner and a very dangerous, dark, and gloomy man, whom she is now forced to travel the continent with in search of a druid who can undo her magical mistake. Excited at the opportunity to see the world, she takes off on the adventure, forced to share a never ending close proximity to the seemingly cruel man she is bound to, but she may just learn that it is the world that is cruel and there may be something more to this fae than the darkness and death that surround him.
I loved this plot! I thought it was very unique while also still encompassing beloved romantasy themes. I'm a sucker for forced proximity, hate to love/enemies to lovers vibes, and grumpy/sunshine, and this one did not fail to deliver. I was definitely taken on a journey in this one. I also found it interesting and gripping that they had their main objective of finding a druid powerful enough to reverse their binding spell, but also due to the MMC being the King's executioner, they had many side quests that he took them on to complete his executioner missions when they presented themselves. There were so many themes about sex and pleasure, the cruelty within the world, the battle between light and dark, the depths of trauma, and more that this book took a deep dive into. (Please check trigger warnings before reading, there is very intense content). This book stirred up so many emotions. Sometimes I laughed, others I wanted to cry, and I just downright wanted to slap the MMC through the pages or set the evil men in this book on fire. This one was definitely the full package, and can we talk about how absolutely stunning the cover is and the amazing, though short and sweet, title!
Orelia:
The FMC is a compassionate witch who's dedicated her life to healing and caring for others. She's never been outside her small village and doesn't know much else besides her job at her local brothel healing the pleasure girls, until her life takes a drastic turn when she is fired from her job and forced to find another way to make income, which she chooses to be gardening to sell her produce only that she can't seem to successfully grow anything and turns to her friend for a spell to help her plants grow. However, she makes a mistake with the spell and binds herself to the dark and grumpy MMC Vade. Because of this, she has to embark on a journey across the continent, which at first she is excited about, due to her finally having a chance to see the world. However, she quickly learns that the world may not be as nice as she thought or hoped. During her travels, she sees and experiences some unspeakable acts. Despite this, however, she continues to shine her light, and against her better judgement, starts to fall for her dark companion, testing just how far his darkness goes and how much her light can heal and change him, which she finds is no easy feat in the slightest.
Orelia (cont'd):
I admire her spirit and how, despite everything, she wants to be good and help people. She is a beautiful character both inside and out. I really enjoyed her character and rooted for her the entire time. I very much enjoyed seeing her growth from a somewhat naive and reserved girl to one who stands up for and fights for herself and the ones she loves, and one who is bold and comes into herself despite her previous fears and traumas. She is, however, not always strong, and I liked that aspect too. We can't always be strong and bright all the time, but she still continued on. She endured a lot of terrible things on her journey, and even though it got really close to, she did not let it crush her spirit or stop her. 5-star character!
Vade:
The MMC was such an amazing, mysterious, brutal, grumpy, shadow daddy. Throughout the book, he played such a hard game of having no feelings, being a brutal fae and executioner, Death's Shadow, as he was referred to as, when hidden far underneath, there was so much more to him. He honestly frustrated the hell out of me! But in the best way. He tried so hard to just be cold and indifferent to Orelia, and most of the time, I wanted to reach through the pages to slap him and shake him and yell at him. He really built on to the enemies-to-lovers, hate to love, grumpy/sunshine vibes of this book, and I was all for it! And it made it so much more worth it when we started getting his soft moments with Orelia, even though he would deny it with every bone in his body. But I loved his change and growth as well, and he was glorious when he finally broke through his extremely tough exterior to his true self of who he wanted to be, but was never allowed the chance. Crazy how much someone can flourish with light and love and how much they wither without it.
Romance and spice:
This one was definitely a slooooow burn, enemies to lovers/hate to love vibes, grumpy/sunshine in a forced proximity mix, and it was exactly what I wanted. Vade continued to make it seem like he had absolutely no interest in or care for Orelia, but then he was always there when she needed him and he would take care of her and protect her with everything he had, although he would try to get away with it by saying it was only because her life was tied to his, but I knew the truth deep down. Prepare to be frustrated with this one, though, because of his stubbornness and rock-hard exterior, he treated Orelia awfully sometimes and had an act of purposely making her jealous, which she also had her fair share of doing as payback. He waved off so many of her advances, and I wanted to scream at him to just give in and give our girl a break. When their spice did FINALLY happen, it was steamy and spicy.
There were additional sexual scenes throughout the book, not all of them being romantic and consensual (not regarding MMC), so please check trigger warnings.
Tropes:
• Shadow Daddy
• Forced Proximity
• Witches, faes, Druids, etc.
• Grumpy/sunshine
• One bed
• Sloooow burn
• HEA
• Enemies to lovers vibes
• Spice
• Trauma and trigger warnings
... And more!!!
•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•★•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•◌•
Quotes:
• “Now that family can live in peace. You may think me a monster, Orelia, but monsters have many faces. One can never know the truth of what goes on inside a home except those who live inside it.”
• “That’s why we call her ‘Mother’ Moon,” Evie said with reverence in her voice. “Because it is women who know best how to brave the darkness.”
• “You’re the warmth of a fire and the softness of a blanket on a cold winter’s night. You’re the flowers that bloom year after year no matter how harsh the seasons, and the calm of the sea before sunrise, when not even the birds have woken, and all is peaceful. You’re the world, Orelia. Because you are everything. That’s what you are to me. Everything.”
• ‘I never knew something as dark as death could still cast a shadow.’
This is an ARC Review
A fantastic tale following a witch and a fae stuck in a forced proximity journey across the world after being accidentally bound to each other. With aspects of darkness vs light, good vs evil, enemies to lovers, trauma, love, and so much more!
The plot:
A beautiful, kind witch hoping to start a garden to sell her produce after losing her healing job at her local brothel accidentally ties herself to a brutal fae by binding their lives together in a spell she hoped to use on her garden goes wrong. If one dies, the other does as well. Only to find out this fae is the King's executioner and a very dangerous, dark, and gloomy man, whom she is now forced to travel the continent with in search of a druid who can undo her magical mistake. Excited at the opportunity to see the world, she takes off on the adventure, forced to share a never ending close proximity to the seemingly cruel man she is bound to, but she may just learn that it is the world that is cruel and there may be something more to this fae than the darkness and death that surround him.
I loved this plot! I thought it was very unique while also still encompassing beloved romantasy themes. I'm a sucker for forced proximity, hate to love/enemies to lovers vibes, and grumpy/sunshine, and this one did not fail to deliver. I was definitely taken on a journey in this one. I also found it interesting and gripping that they had their main objective of finding a druid powerful enough to reverse their binding spell, but also due to the MMC being the King's executioner, they had many side quests that he took them on to complete his executioner missions when they presented themselves. There were so many themes about sex and pleasure, the cruelty within the world, the battle between light and dark, the depths of trauma, and more that this book took a deep dive into. (Please check trigger warnings before reading, there is very intense content). This book stirred up so many emotions. Sometimes I laughed, others I wanted to cry, and I just downright wanted to slap the MMC through the pages or set the evil men in this book on fire. This one was definitely the full package, and can we talk about how absolutely stunning the cover is and the amazing, though short and sweet, title!
Orelia:
The FMC is a compassionate witch who's dedicated her life to healing and caring for others. She's never been outside her small village and doesn't know much else besides her job at her local brothel healing the pleasure girls, until her life takes a drastic turn when she is fired from her job and forced to find another way to make income, which she chooses to be gardening to sell her produce only that she can't seem to successfully grow anything and turns to her friend for a spell to help her plants grow. However, she makes a mistake with the spell and binds herself to the dark and grumpy MMC Vade. Because of this, she has to embark on a journey across the continent, which at first she is excited about, due to her finally having a chance to see the world. However, she quickly learns that the world may not be as nice as she thought or hoped. During her travels, she sees and experiences some unspeakable acts. Despite this, however, she continues to shine her light, and against her better judgement, starts to fall for her dark companion, testing just how far his darkness goes and how much her light can heal and change him, which she finds is no easy feat in the slightest.
Orelia (cont'd):
I admire her spirit and how, despite everything, she wants to be good and help people. She is a beautiful character both inside and out. I really enjoyed her character and rooted for her the entire time. I very much enjoyed seeing her growth from a somewhat naive and reserved girl to one who stands up for and fights for herself and the ones she loves, and one who is bold and comes into herself despite her previous fears and traumas. She is, however, not always strong, and I liked that aspect too. We can't always be strong and bright all the time, but she still continued on. She endured a lot of terrible things on her journey, and even though it got really close to, she did not let it crush her spirit or stop her. 5-star character!
Vade:
The MMC was such an amazing, mysterious, brutal, grumpy, shadow daddy. Throughout the book, he played such a hard game of having no feelings, being a brutal fae and executioner, Death's Shadow, as he was referred to as, when hidden far underneath, there was so much more to him. He honestly frustrated the hell out of me! But in the best way. He tried so hard to just be cold and indifferent to Orelia, and most of the time, I wanted to reach through the pages to slap him and shake him and yell at him. He really built on to the enemies-to-lovers, hate to love, grumpy/sunshine vibes of this book, and I was all for it! And it made it so much more worth it when we started getting his soft moments with Orelia, even though he would deny it with every bone in his body. But I loved his change and growth as well, and he was glorious when he finally broke through his extremely tough exterior to his true self of who he wanted to be, but was never allowed the chance. Crazy how much someone can flourish with light and love and how much they wither without it.
Romance and spice:
This one was definitely a slooooow burn, enemies to lovers/hate to love vibes, grumpy/sunshine in a forced proximity mix, and it was exactly what I wanted. Vade continued to make it seem like he had absolutely no interest in or care for Orelia, but then he was always there when she needed him and he would take care of her and protect her with everything he had, although he would try to get away with it by saying it was only because her life was tied to his, but I knew the truth deep down. Prepare to be frustrated with this one, though, because of his stubbornness and rock-hard exterior, he treated Orelia awfully sometimes and had an act of purposely making her jealous, which she also had her fair share of doing as payback. He waved off so many of her advances, and I wanted to scream at him to just give in and give our girl a break. When their spice did FINALLY happen, it was steamy and spicy.
There were additional sexual scenes throughout the book, not all of them being romantic and consensual (not regarding MMC), so please check trigger warnings.
Tropes:
• Shadow Daddy
• Forced Proximity
• Witches, faes, Druids, etc.
• Grumpy/sunshine
• One bed
• Sloooow burn
• HEA
• Enemies to lovers vibes
• Spice
• Trauma and trigger warnings
... And more!!!
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Quotes:
• “Now that family can live in peace. You may think me a monster, Orelia, but monsters have many faces. One can never know the truth of what goes on inside a home except those who live inside it.”
• “That’s why we call her ‘Mother’ Moon,” Evie said with reverence in her voice. “Because it is women who know best how to brave the darkness.”
• “You’re the warmth of a fire and the softness of a blanket on a cold winter’s night. You’re the flowers that bloom year after year no matter how harsh the seasons, and the calm of the sea before sunrise, when not even the birds have woken, and all is peaceful. You’re the world, Orelia. Because you are everything. That’s what you are to me. Everything.”
• ‘I never knew something as dark as death could still cast a shadow.’
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