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The Darkest Waltz
It’s 1927 and twenty-two-year-old Evangeline Ward rules the Georgia marshes as Queen of the Bootleggers. One night during a liquor drop, a rival bootlegger ambushes her gang and finds the secret tunnel to her stash. In just one night, her entire life is threatened to go up in flames.
Just when she thinks her empire may crumble, a strangely familiar man appears to offer her a deal. Weston Abernathy needs a wife to gain his inheritance and his family’s company, Abernathy Railroad. Evangeline needs a place to live and hide her alcohol and the isolated island he calls home is perfect. Seizing the seemingly perfect opportunity, she hastily accepts his terms and his hand.
But dark whispers of curses follow them to the island. The odd deaths of Weston’s family members and visions of a woman in the mansion’s windows haunt Evangeline’s steps to the altar. When Evangeline wakes to find dirt beneath her nails and a locket with another woman’s picture in it, she begins to question her sanity—and the man she’s slowly falling in love with.
Even as Weston’s touch sets fire to her body and soul, dragging her further in, Evangeline begins to uncover the dark truth surrounding the Abernathy family and begins to wonder if this deal really was too good to be true.
Just when she thinks her empire may crumble, a strangely familiar man appears to offer her a deal. Weston Abernathy needs a wife to gain his inheritance and his family’s company, Abernathy Railroad. Evangeline needs a place to live and hide her alcohol and the isolated island he calls home is perfect. Seizing the seemingly perfect opportunity, she hastily accepts his terms and his hand.
But dark whispers of curses follow them to the island. The odd deaths of Weston’s family members and visions of a woman in the mansion’s windows haunt Evangeline’s steps to the altar. When Evangeline wakes to find dirt beneath her nails and a locket with another woman’s picture in it, she begins to question her sanity—and the man she’s slowly falling in love with.
Even as Weston’s touch sets fire to her body and soul, dragging her further in, Evangeline begins to uncover the dark truth surrounding the Abernathy family and begins to wonder if this deal really was too good to be true.
- GenresGothic
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2024
About the author
Ashley R. King
8 books144 followersAshley R. King is a middle school English teacher whose love of the written word began when her mom took her to the public library, letting her check out stacks of books taller than she was. She’s the least athletic person you’ll ever meet, but that doesn’t decrease her love for her favorite sport, tennis.
She loves swoony romances and is addicted to sweet tea. When she’s not teaching or writing happily ever afters, she can be found snuggled up with a book, travelling, or quoting obscure lines from her favorite movies and tv shows. She lives in a small town in Georgia with her favorite person in the world—her husband, and their sweet and chatty spoiled cat, Cleo.
Find her on
Instagram: @ashleyrkingwrites
Facebook: facebook.com/ashleyrkingwrites
She loves swoony romances and is addicted to sweet tea. When she’s not teaching or writing happily ever afters, she can be found snuggled up with a book, travelling, or quoting obscure lines from her favorite movies and tv shows. She lives in a small town in Georgia with her favorite person in the world—her husband, and their sweet and chatty spoiled cat, Cleo.
Find her on
Instagram: @ashleyrkingwrites
Facebook: facebook.com/ashleyrkingwrites
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Want to Read
December 19, 2024Nenia rec
September 11, 2024
This author has done it again! She’s made me love a book so much I can’t wait to order it, place it on my shelf, then immediately take it off and re-read it again. Oh…my…God this book. It’s the perfect creepy, ghostly, moody, Southern, romantic, 1920s Prohibition vibe that will make you love main character, Evangeline, for all of her spunk and heart’s desires. What a rich world in this story, as well as a twist or two! THE DARKEST WALTZ is pure genius and a true winner.
Did Not Finish
January 28, 2025Dnf 10% the dialogue was eh and I’m not super into insta love.
September 13, 2024
thank you to penpal pr and ashley king for the arc!
some of the lore of the mansion was confusing, and the resolution of it was a little bit unsatisfying but i really liked the imagery. some of the dialogue felt very trope-y which took me out of it a bit and the pacing of it was weird and very insta love. not the best but also not bad! jimmy is my fav tho love u bestie
some of the lore of the mansion was confusing, and the resolution of it was a little bit unsatisfying but i really liked the imagery. some of the dialogue felt very trope-y which took me out of it a bit and the pacing of it was weird and very insta love. not the best but also not bad! jimmy is my fav tho love u bestie
September 23, 2024
Firstly, thanks so much to the author and Pen Pal PR for an eARC of this book!
This started off so strong. Creepy, eerie, very atmospheric and immersive. However, the plot wasn’t interesting enough to keep me engaged and at times the dialogue was stilted.
I wanted so badly to love this but it just wasn’t for me!
This started off so strong. Creepy, eerie, very atmospheric and immersive. However, the plot wasn’t interesting enough to keep me engaged and at times the dialogue was stilted.
I wanted so badly to love this but it just wasn’t for me!
November 9, 2024
I was really intrigued by this spooky novel the moment I read about this on threads, and I knew I had to get an arc for this (news flash, was in a slump last month 😐). Anyway, I did get the arc 🤌🏽.
The introduction really did set it up for me, I think it was a good execution and a compelling that just stoke my curiosity more.
The characters, especially Evangeline, were an okay FMC for me. I really liked her and would love to know more about her. I enjoyed her walk through together with the other side characters. Side characters were pretty interesting here if I'm being honest
Weston, the MMC, I kind of regarded him as barely okay one. I just think he wasn't really fleshed out to me and that his character failed to convince me.
The plot, on the other hand, was kind of underwhelming, which is my biggest issue for this spooky story. There's many things that could have been explored more regarding the elements at play here. Although I regarded it as an okay one, I still think it could have had better execution and weaving. I also thought it wasn't that gothic enough? It just failed to really give me that vibe, more on just a regular spooky vibe.
The same goes for the romance. I think it also lacks developments, especially the chemistry vibe, which really disappointed me. It is just saddening, actually, since I could see and feel so much potential with the pairing, characters, and the story.
Overall, I think I could say this was an okay read.
Thank you, author, for the e-arc opportunity via PenPal PR.
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Date Released: September 23, 2024
Date Read and Reviewed: November 9, 2024
Ratings: 3⭐️
The introduction really did set it up for me, I think it was a good execution and a compelling that just stoke my curiosity more.
The characters, especially Evangeline, were an okay FMC for me. I really liked her and would love to know more about her. I enjoyed her walk through together with the other side characters. Side characters were pretty interesting here if I'm being honest
Weston, the MMC, I kind of regarded him as barely okay one. I just think he wasn't really fleshed out to me and that his character failed to convince me.
The plot, on the other hand, was kind of underwhelming, which is my biggest issue for this spooky story. There's many things that could have been explored more regarding the elements at play here. Although I regarded it as an okay one, I still think it could have had better execution and weaving. I also thought it wasn't that gothic enough? It just failed to really give me that vibe, more on just a regular spooky vibe.
The same goes for the romance. I think it also lacks developments, especially the chemistry vibe, which really disappointed me. It is just saddening, actually, since I could see and feel so much potential with the pairing, characters, and the story.
Overall, I think I could say this was an okay read.
Thank you, author, for the e-arc opportunity via PenPal PR.
-------
Date Released: September 23, 2024
Date Read and Reviewed: November 9, 2024
Ratings: 3⭐️
September 18, 2024
Thank you to PenPalPR and Ashley R King for sending an E-ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4 ⭐️
· Gothic romance
· Queen of bootlegging FMC
· Ghosts
· Marriage of convenience
· Mysterious manor
· Moody MMC
· Set in the 1920’s
This is the perfect book for the spooky season. It’s got gothic romance, haunted manors, ghosts and all the spooky feels. Ashley does an amazing job at creating an eerie, uneasy feeling while you’re reading. Kind of like that “you need to read it with the lights on” kind of unease, BUT IT'S PERFECT!
The plot was great, the flow was a little off just because I felt like it was really fast paced, which held my attention but also felt a little much as I couldn’t keep up with the characters or what was happening because it just kept changing on me. Could very much be a ME problem (LOL). The characters are just chefs kiss. You have a badass, bootlegging FMC and then you have this mysterious, moody, GREEN EYED MMC! (If you know me, you know I have a weakness for blue/green eyed suitors LOL).
All around, it was a great book to kick off spooky season and I’m so grateful Ashley gave me the opportunity to be one of the first people to read it before she sends it out to the world!
Rating: 4 ⭐️
· Gothic romance
· Queen of bootlegging FMC
· Ghosts
· Marriage of convenience
· Mysterious manor
· Moody MMC
· Set in the 1920’s
This is the perfect book for the spooky season. It’s got gothic romance, haunted manors, ghosts and all the spooky feels. Ashley does an amazing job at creating an eerie, uneasy feeling while you’re reading. Kind of like that “you need to read it with the lights on” kind of unease, BUT IT'S PERFECT!
The plot was great, the flow was a little off just because I felt like it was really fast paced, which held my attention but also felt a little much as I couldn’t keep up with the characters or what was happening because it just kept changing on me. Could very much be a ME problem (LOL). The characters are just chefs kiss. You have a badass, bootlegging FMC and then you have this mysterious, moody, GREEN EYED MMC! (If you know me, you know I have a weakness for blue/green eyed suitors LOL).
All around, it was a great book to kick off spooky season and I’m so grateful Ashley gave me the opportunity to be one of the first people to read it before she sends it out to the world!
Want to Read
October 18, 2024Give me all the gothic romances please!
October 8, 2024
The Darkest Waltz was a a great pick for Spooky Season, with a haunted house being the main focus of the story. Set in the '20s with a fierce bootlegger FMC it definitely gave off the dark and creepy vibes needed.
Some of the character interactions did feel a little rushed and I would have liked a little more depth into the building of the romance, but that being said this is a short book and can appreciate all that was managed to be included in less that 300 pages.
Overall I enjoyed this as a quick easy read.
Some of the character interactions did feel a little rushed and I would have liked a little more depth into the building of the romance, but that being said this is a short book and can appreciate all that was managed to be included in less that 300 pages.
Overall I enjoyed this as a quick easy read.
October 20, 2024
From the first page
This book had me hooked! I loved the dark and mysterious feeling I got from this book. I loved the absolute strength of the female E, Evangeline, Queenie. The male character was just mysterious enough for me to not like him at first, and then fell in love with his protectiveness and strange ways. The description of the homes had me picturing the whole scene in my head. Overall, very well written and great story!
This book had me hooked! I loved the dark and mysterious feeling I got from this book. I loved the absolute strength of the female E, Evangeline, Queenie. The male character was just mysterious enough for me to not like him at first, and then fell in love with his protectiveness and strange ways. The description of the homes had me picturing the whole scene in my head. Overall, very well written and great story!
September 12, 2024
Thank you to Pen Pal for a copy of the E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!
The Darkest Waltz is a Gothic Romance with paranormal elements. The FMC Evangeline is an infamous bootlegger who falls into a marriage of convenience and with a mysterious man from her past.
This book is great for the fall season, there’s a haunted manor, ghosts and much more that is spot on for the spooky season.
Personally, this wasn’t necessarily my favorite. The plot and pacing of the book seemed to contrast against one another rather than flow. I wished that the book had a slower pace for us to get to know the characters separately before they fall in love with one another.
I couldn’t fully care for the couple because I felt like I barely knew anything about them and their chemistry was lack luster.
This wasn’t a bad book but it also wasn’t the greatest.
This could be your kind of book if you’re looking for a insta love gothic romance.
The Darkest Waltz is a Gothic Romance with paranormal elements. The FMC Evangeline is an infamous bootlegger who falls into a marriage of convenience and with a mysterious man from her past.
This book is great for the fall season, there’s a haunted manor, ghosts and much more that is spot on for the spooky season.
Personally, this wasn’t necessarily my favorite. The plot and pacing of the book seemed to contrast against one another rather than flow. I wished that the book had a slower pace for us to get to know the characters separately before they fall in love with one another.
I couldn’t fully care for the couple because I felt like I barely knew anything about them and their chemistry was lack luster.
This wasn’t a bad book but it also wasn’t the greatest.
This could be your kind of book if you’re looking for a insta love gothic romance.
September 23, 2024
The gothic horror romance of my dreams.
Ruthless, decisive, strong. Just some words that describe Evangeline Ward, Queen of the Bootleggers. It’s 1927 and Evangeline runs a successful criminal operation in the Georgia marshes moving liquor. But one night, a rival has enough, and it changes her life forever. Someone from Evangeline’s past helps her, but his help comes with a price.
Weston Abernathy needs a wife to claim his inheritance, who better than the desperate and business minded woman from his past? But Weston is cursed, or so it appears. Family members dying, strange noises at night, ghostly apparitions. And when Evangeline wakes beneath a tree, covered in mud and surrounded by bones, she knows there’s something else going on at Weeping Oak Manor. What makes matters worse? She’s falling in love with the man that dragged her into this mess…
I’m trying so hard to be professional with this review because all I really want to do is scream and swear, but I’ll try to not do that here. I don’t really want to go into too much detail because I want you all to read this going in blind like I did, so I’ll be brief.
I freaking LOVED this. The vibes were freaking immaculate. Goth? Check. Horror? Check. Big dumb idiot emo guy and big dumb idiot independent girl that have THE biggest issues who have the hots for each other but try to deny it because they’re IDIOTS resulting in some super high tensions, but when they give in, they give in hard? CHECK.
The writing was just as good, easy to follow and fun to read. I truly felt like I was in the Georgia marshes and that I was in that wretched Manor.
Evangeline was such a well written FMC. And I too would pine after an emo boy I met once in the dark of night, for 7 years. You a real one for that, girlie.
Please, for my own sanity, read this book so we can be unhinged about it together. If you’re a fan of gothic horror and romance, you will absolutely love this book.
Thank you to Pen Pal PR and Ashley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Ruthless, decisive, strong. Just some words that describe Evangeline Ward, Queen of the Bootleggers. It’s 1927 and Evangeline runs a successful criminal operation in the Georgia marshes moving liquor. But one night, a rival has enough, and it changes her life forever. Someone from Evangeline’s past helps her, but his help comes with a price.
Weston Abernathy needs a wife to claim his inheritance, who better than the desperate and business minded woman from his past? But Weston is cursed, or so it appears. Family members dying, strange noises at night, ghostly apparitions. And when Evangeline wakes beneath a tree, covered in mud and surrounded by bones, she knows there’s something else going on at Weeping Oak Manor. What makes matters worse? She’s falling in love with the man that dragged her into this mess…
I’m trying so hard to be professional with this review because all I really want to do is scream and swear, but I’ll try to not do that here. I don’t really want to go into too much detail because I want you all to read this going in blind like I did, so I’ll be brief.
I freaking LOVED this. The vibes were freaking immaculate. Goth? Check. Horror? Check. Big dumb idiot emo guy and big dumb idiot independent girl that have THE biggest issues who have the hots for each other but try to deny it because they’re IDIOTS resulting in some super high tensions, but when they give in, they give in hard? CHECK.
The writing was just as good, easy to follow and fun to read. I truly felt like I was in the Georgia marshes and that I was in that wretched Manor.
Evangeline was such a well written FMC. And I too would pine after an emo boy I met once in the dark of night, for 7 years. You a real one for that, girlie.
Please, for my own sanity, read this book so we can be unhinged about it together. If you’re a fan of gothic horror and romance, you will absolutely love this book.
Thank you to Pen Pal PR and Ashley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 19, 2024
Thank you to the author and PenPal PR for the ARC copy!
First off, this is a great read for spooky season. Second, I loved the 1920’s setting. I find that era fascinating. The initial chapters sucked me in quickly. I also liked the main character Evangeline - she is a great strong female protagonist.
I gave it three stars because I would have loved a bit more depth to the characters. I feel like I had no idea what kind of “supernatural” elements were going on until close to the end. Was it werewolves, vampires, ghosts? I couldn’t follow it easily. I also was not a huge fan of Weston, the main romantic interest. I liked a lot of the other characters, however.
I think if this novel was a bit longer, there could have been more room for backstories and explanations of the supernatural elements that would have helped me understand the characters and the sequence of events better. But overall it was an enjoyable read. Just not my personal favorite.
First off, this is a great read for spooky season. Second, I loved the 1920’s setting. I find that era fascinating. The initial chapters sucked me in quickly. I also liked the main character Evangeline - she is a great strong female protagonist.
I gave it three stars because I would have loved a bit more depth to the characters. I feel like I had no idea what kind of “supernatural” elements were going on until close to the end. Was it werewolves, vampires, ghosts? I couldn’t follow it easily. I also was not a huge fan of Weston, the main romantic interest. I liked a lot of the other characters, however.
I think if this novel was a bit longer, there could have been more room for backstories and explanations of the supernatural elements that would have helped me understand the characters and the sequence of events better. But overall it was an enjoyable read. Just not my personal favorite.
September 25, 2024
🥀 The Darkest Waltz 🥀
Rate : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre : Gothic Romance
Author : Ashley R. King
Thank you to Pen Pal PR for the eARC of this book in exchange for a review!
Eerie, mysterious, romantic and beautiful, The Darkest Waltz was a great stepping stone into the autumnal season and really set the mood for spooky season.
The Darkest Waltz is set in the 1920’s and follows Evangeline - a bootlegging queen who loses her home after an altercation with a rivalling gang - who ends up moving into a mysterious manor owned by Weston Abernathy for help. In exchange, Weston needs a wife for his inheritance… and these things have to work out somehow? Will their marriage be solely on gain or will they actually fall in love?
This is something that is outside of my usual reads - I’m not one for gothic romance - however I did enjoy this one. I really did enjoy the author’s writing and was really invested within the lore of the mansion Weston resided in.
I adored the relationship between Weston and Evangeline. Although a bit unorthodox in communication, I did love their little moments and adored the way Weston spoke to Evangeline. He was quite the gentleman too.
I also loved the mystery aspect of this novel, wanting to find out more about what happened with Weston’s family and the deep rooted ‘curse’ as it were on his family home. The suspense was great and I loved finding out the details as Evangeline dug deeper and deeper into the drama.
If you love gothic romance with an air of mystery full of revenge, love and marriage of convenience. This is the one for you!
CW/TW : Death of a family member, sexual content
Rate : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre : Gothic Romance
Author : Ashley R. King
Thank you to Pen Pal PR for the eARC of this book in exchange for a review!
Eerie, mysterious, romantic and beautiful, The Darkest Waltz was a great stepping stone into the autumnal season and really set the mood for spooky season.
The Darkest Waltz is set in the 1920’s and follows Evangeline - a bootlegging queen who loses her home after an altercation with a rivalling gang - who ends up moving into a mysterious manor owned by Weston Abernathy for help. In exchange, Weston needs a wife for his inheritance… and these things have to work out somehow? Will their marriage be solely on gain or will they actually fall in love?
This is something that is outside of my usual reads - I’m not one for gothic romance - however I did enjoy this one. I really did enjoy the author’s writing and was really invested within the lore of the mansion Weston resided in.
I adored the relationship between Weston and Evangeline. Although a bit unorthodox in communication, I did love their little moments and adored the way Weston spoke to Evangeline. He was quite the gentleman too.
I also loved the mystery aspect of this novel, wanting to find out more about what happened with Weston’s family and the deep rooted ‘curse’ as it were on his family home. The suspense was great and I loved finding out the details as Evangeline dug deeper and deeper into the drama.
If you love gothic romance with an air of mystery full of revenge, love and marriage of convenience. This is the one for you!
CW/TW : Death of a family member, sexual content
September 21, 2024
Thanks to @penpalpr and @ashleyrkingwrites for the ARC!
I really enjoyed this book. It’s different from anything I’ve ever read, but also felt a bit like a Gothic mishmash of Jane Eyre, Where The Crawdads Sing, and Beauty and the Beast.
Perfect for spooky season, it was easy to imagine the Georgia marshes dark and rainy for the duration of the story. Evangeline and Weston were a beautifully dark match. It can come off a bit like instalove, but you have to keep in mind that they each held each other in their minds for the years they were apart, and the initial lack of knowledge about Weston in particular plays into the overall mystery that is slowly uncovered.
The mystery itself is full of unexpected twists and turns that kept me flipping pages until 2 am. That said, I found the ending slightly unsatisfying. If the story was just a bit longer, or offered an epilogue with Weston and Evangeline more settled, or on their way to being so, I think that could be easily resolved.
I think the only “criticism” I have is that I’m not sure if the character of Kay Ward (Evangeline’s mother) really offered anything to the plot. I think she could have left or died within the 7 year interim, or even before the story began. I just don’t think any of her scenes added to the story.
Overall, I loved this book. As I said, I read it all in one sitting, staying up until 2 am because I HAD to know what happened. I would absolutely recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s different from anything I’ve ever read, but also felt a bit like a Gothic mishmash of Jane Eyre, Where The Crawdads Sing, and Beauty and the Beast.
Perfect for spooky season, it was easy to imagine the Georgia marshes dark and rainy for the duration of the story. Evangeline and Weston were a beautifully dark match. It can come off a bit like instalove, but you have to keep in mind that they each held each other in their minds for the years they were apart, and the initial lack of knowledge about Weston in particular plays into the overall mystery that is slowly uncovered.
The mystery itself is full of unexpected twists and turns that kept me flipping pages until 2 am. That said, I found the ending slightly unsatisfying. If the story was just a bit longer, or offered an epilogue with Weston and Evangeline more settled, or on their way to being so, I think that could be easily resolved.
I think the only “criticism” I have is that I’m not sure if the character of Kay Ward (Evangeline’s mother) really offered anything to the plot. I think she could have left or died within the 7 year interim, or even before the story began. I just don’t think any of her scenes added to the story.
Overall, I loved this book. As I said, I read it all in one sitting, staying up until 2 am because I HAD to know what happened. I would absolutely recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2025
🦇🖤 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓇𝓀𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝒲𝒶𝓁𝓉𝓏 - 𝒜𝓈𝒽𝓁𝑒𝓎 𝑅. 𝒦𝒾𝓃𝑔 🖤🦇
“𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦, 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘯?” 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘳, 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨. “𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴?”
The gorgeous, classic gothic style cover is what originally drew me to this book, but the story soon captured me as well. What a fun, spooky gothic romance! The Darkest Waltz has everything I love about the gothic genre: the isolation, the madness, and of course the ghosts.
🦇 Set in 1920s Georgia
🦇 Bootlegger FMC
🦇 Haunted MMC
🦇 Isolated Island Mansion
🦇 Marriage of Convenience
🦇 Bootlegging Rivalry
🦇 Ghosts
🦇 Dark Past & Family Secrets
🦇 Outcast Main Characters
🦇 Found Family
I loved that the main characters originally met as teens, then again seven years later.
Being set in prohibition added another layer to the classic gothic secret tunnels - layers that tie in to both of our main characters troubles.
“𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴.”
With elements reminiscent of Rebecca (the new wife haunted by her husband’s secrets) and We Have Always Lived in the Castle (outcast main characters, rumours from the townsfolk), The Darkest Waltz is a great gothic romance read!
“𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩—𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮.”
“𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦, 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘯?” 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘳, 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨. “𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴?”
The gorgeous, classic gothic style cover is what originally drew me to this book, but the story soon captured me as well. What a fun, spooky gothic romance! The Darkest Waltz has everything I love about the gothic genre: the isolation, the madness, and of course the ghosts.
🦇 Set in 1920s Georgia
🦇 Bootlegger FMC
🦇 Haunted MMC
🦇 Isolated Island Mansion
🦇 Marriage of Convenience
🦇 Bootlegging Rivalry
🦇 Ghosts
🦇 Dark Past & Family Secrets
🦇 Outcast Main Characters
🦇 Found Family
I loved that the main characters originally met as teens, then again seven years later.
Being set in prohibition added another layer to the classic gothic secret tunnels - layers that tie in to both of our main characters troubles.
“𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴.”
With elements reminiscent of Rebecca (the new wife haunted by her husband’s secrets) and We Have Always Lived in the Castle (outcast main characters, rumours from the townsfolk), The Darkest Waltz is a great gothic romance read!
“𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩—𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮.”
October 3, 2024
• the darkest waltz •
A Southern Gothic tale about a lady bootleggers in the 1920s, a mysterious railroad heir, and the things that haunt them, The Darkest Waltz is a fun debut from Ashley R. King that’s a great addition to any spooky season reading list.
The story follows Evangeline Ward, a young woman whose bootlegging empire in Georgia is being threatened, and Weston Abernathy, the heir to a massive railroad fortune that was left to him after the tragic and mysterious demise of his family – but he needs a wife to officially inherit the money.
So we get a marriage of convenience, a very haunted house, and the mystery of the Abernathy deaths, all set against the backdrop of the Georgia marshes. The writing is atmospheric and immersive, the mystery is rich, the romance is complicated, and the ghosts have their own agendas.
Though this never veers into true horror, the ghost story is compelling and Ashley does a great job infusing suspision and paranoia and suspension into the pages as the story unfolds. Plus, there’s all the great details of 1920s fashion and enough romance to get you by.
🐊A huge thank you to Ashley R. King and Pen Pal PR for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy!🖤
A Southern Gothic tale about a lady bootleggers in the 1920s, a mysterious railroad heir, and the things that haunt them, The Darkest Waltz is a fun debut from Ashley R. King that’s a great addition to any spooky season reading list.
The story follows Evangeline Ward, a young woman whose bootlegging empire in Georgia is being threatened, and Weston Abernathy, the heir to a massive railroad fortune that was left to him after the tragic and mysterious demise of his family – but he needs a wife to officially inherit the money.
So we get a marriage of convenience, a very haunted house, and the mystery of the Abernathy deaths, all set against the backdrop of the Georgia marshes. The writing is atmospheric and immersive, the mystery is rich, the romance is complicated, and the ghosts have their own agendas.
Though this never veers into true horror, the ghost story is compelling and Ashley does a great job infusing suspision and paranoia and suspension into the pages as the story unfolds. Plus, there’s all the great details of 1920s fashion and enough romance to get you by.
🐊A huge thank you to Ashley R. King and Pen Pal PR for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy!🖤
May 30, 2025
This is more of a 2.5-star review for me. I was in the mood for some gothic romance and picked this up. It has lots of potential, but so many things fell short. For one thing, if you enjoy insta-love then this is the book for you. Didn't really get to know anybody really and the author has a lot of purple prose.
Besides it being insta-love, the couple gave me whiplash. First, she knows him and then she doesn't. They trust each other, but then they don't. He is going to tell her all the secrets and then he doesn't. Nothing to really build on as you can see.
The main female, Evangeline, was fine. She repeatedly tells you that she is the Queen of the Bootleggers. She can take care of herself. The love interest, Weston, is just a dude. I like his loyalty to Evangeline, but other than that he is just...there.
Though the story is weak, I must admit, things were happening at a rapid pace that it was keeping me entertained. It was fun, but the store needed more work,
Evangelina's voice was a ribbon of starlight between them, a tentative thing that wished things were different.
She hadn't heard him approach-he moved with unparalleled stealth like a cat. Her eyes widened as she took him in like her favorite painting in every lovely stroke. The moonlight painted his face in beautiful but cruel planes and lines.
Besides it being insta-love, the couple gave me whiplash. First, she knows him and then she doesn't. They trust each other, but then they don't. He is going to tell her all the secrets and then he doesn't. Nothing to really build on as you can see.
The main female, Evangeline, was fine. She repeatedly tells you that she is the Queen of the Bootleggers. She can take care of herself. The love interest, Weston, is just a dude. I like his loyalty to Evangeline, but other than that he is just...there.
Though the story is weak, I must admit, things were happening at a rapid pace that it was keeping me entertained. It was fun, but the store needed more work,
September 22, 2024
Holy moly! I loved (almost) every single thing about this book. The ghosts were crazy! The servants were top notch! Evangeline was everything I could ask for from a morally grey leading lady. She led that bootlegging business with sass and class and an iron fist. My small, tiny issue was with Weston being bipolar. That man clearly is so very much super doper in love with Evangeline. Why in the world would we want to convince her to leave? Just let the lovely lady stay and be happy and in love please! I LOVED that Evangeline was always solving her own issues with assistance from the men and not her just becoming a damsel in distress after getting married, and even before getting married. If I lived in the 1920s I would’ve joined her bootleggers business just to be close to her honestly. Love that girl!
Thank you Pen Pal PR and Miss Ashley for allowing me to read this book early by providing me an ARC. I truly enjoyed reading about Evangeline and Weston and all the ghosts!
Thank you Pen Pal PR and Miss Ashley for allowing me to read this book early by providing me an ARC. I truly enjoyed reading about Evangeline and Weston and all the ghosts!
September 22, 2024
3.5 stars rounded!
Just in time for spooky season! I would classify this as an Upper/New YA romance. This book is gothic in the sense that the Addams Family movie is (read:because of the house they live in).
This was a good read. The FMC’s character development was a bit of a rocket. She’s an only child trying to make ends meet for her family but takes up bootlegging…and then becomes the best at it?? We love a boss babe so, I guess. There was also drama coming in from like three different angles and it just felt like, okay, that’s enough. I wish we could have focused on one problem and built around that.
The supernatural aspect of it did have me playing whodunnit but it also wrapped up kind of abruptly.
Still, this was a good light read and I am looking forward to seeing what else this author comes up with in the future.
Just in time for spooky season! I would classify this as an Upper/New YA romance. This book is gothic in the sense that the Addams Family movie is (read:because of the house they live in).
This was a good read. The FMC’s character development was a bit of a rocket. She’s an only child trying to make ends meet for her family but takes up bootlegging…and then becomes the best at it?? We love a boss babe so, I guess. There was also drama coming in from like three different angles and it just felt like, okay, that’s enough. I wish we could have focused on one problem and built around that.
The supernatural aspect of it did have me playing whodunnit but it also wrapped up kind of abruptly.
Still, this was a good light read and I am looking forward to seeing what else this author comes up with in the future.
September 22, 2024
The Darkest Waltz was definitely an interesting read!
Gothic romance
Paranormal elements
Marriage of convenience
It had a lot going for it! I think it’s a good book to pick up right now for spooky season. The secluded, haunted mansion setting was perfect.
I was a bit confused by the bootlegger plot. It didn’t seem to really fit in the rest of the story for me and felt more like an afterthought/subplot.
I feel like we also didn’t get to know the characters very well. And it was weird that every time Evangeline asked Weston something he wouldn’t answer or would deny it at first, then suddenly relent and tell it all. It just didn’t flow super well.
I did think Evangeline and Watson were really sweet together. I loved how they were able to reconnect after their mysterious initial meeting.
But I did enjoy this!
Gothic romance
Paranormal elements
Marriage of convenience
It had a lot going for it! I think it’s a good book to pick up right now for spooky season. The secluded, haunted mansion setting was perfect.
I was a bit confused by the bootlegger plot. It didn’t seem to really fit in the rest of the story for me and felt more like an afterthought/subplot.
I feel like we also didn’t get to know the characters very well. And it was weird that every time Evangeline asked Weston something he wouldn’t answer or would deny it at first, then suddenly relent and tell it all. It just didn’t flow super well.
I did think Evangeline and Watson were really sweet together. I loved how they were able to reconnect after their mysterious initial meeting.
But I did enjoy this!
September 23, 2024
Thank you to Pen Pal PR and Ashley R. King for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I really liked the writing of this book and think Ashley R. King is excellent with her words :) I enjoyed how dark and gloomy it was, and I always like a little paranormal dark romance.
My biggest issue with this was the pacing. It felt like it was happening mind-blowingly fast. Like, Evangeline and Weston's marriage happened so quickly, and the story explains why, but Evanegline's feelings for Weston literally make no sense to me. She doesn't know him, AT ALL, and she's very quickly obsessed wit him. And likewise. They both are very hooked on each other because of an incident they experienced together when they were 15/16 where they didn't get to know each other at all. If you like insta-love, you will really enjoy this storyline!
I really liked the writing of this book and think Ashley R. King is excellent with her words :) I enjoyed how dark and gloomy it was, and I always like a little paranormal dark romance.
My biggest issue with this was the pacing. It felt like it was happening mind-blowingly fast. Like, Evangeline and Weston's marriage happened so quickly, and the story explains why, but Evanegline's feelings for Weston literally make no sense to me. She doesn't know him, AT ALL, and she's very quickly obsessed wit him. And likewise. They both are very hooked on each other because of an incident they experienced together when they were 15/16 where they didn't get to know each other at all. If you like insta-love, you will really enjoy this storyline!
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September 23, 2024Thank you to Pen Pal PR and Ashley King for providing an ARC of The Darkest Waltz.
Unfortunately, this book was a DNF for me at 52%. I was very intrigued by the premise. The 1920s setting…the FMC being a bootlegger…the mysterious MMC…all things that should have been a success for me. After reading half the book, I couldn’t figure out the FMC’s motivations for her actions. The pacing was off from the beginning. So many things happened within the first few chapters without any explanation on why the FMC was motivated to do those things. She trusted and helped the MMC in the swamp in the beginning, she automatically trusts him with her business after speaking a handful of sentences with him, she agrees to marry him. Why? It seems the only motivation is that she finds him hot and creepy. I couldn’t find my motivation to continue.
Unfortunately, this book was a DNF for me at 52%. I was very intrigued by the premise. The 1920s setting…the FMC being a bootlegger…the mysterious MMC…all things that should have been a success for me. After reading half the book, I couldn’t figure out the FMC’s motivations for her actions. The pacing was off from the beginning. So many things happened within the first few chapters without any explanation on why the FMC was motivated to do those things. She trusted and helped the MMC in the swamp in the beginning, she automatically trusts him with her business after speaking a handful of sentences with him, she agrees to marry him. Why? It seems the only motivation is that she finds him hot and creepy. I couldn’t find my motivation to continue.
September 23, 2024
I found this book to be unique and so much fun!
This is a perfect read for spooky season. It has gothic vibes, haunted manor, ghosts, etc. that provides a lot of excitement. I also liked the time period this was set in. It was a nice change for historical romance.
I liked the FMC a lot. She's an infamous bootlegger which I found to be really cool. She gets into a marriage of convenience with a mysterious man from her past which was added a lot of intrigue to the story. I found the FMC to be a great lead.
I would have liked a bit more time spent on the romance and the characters so that would be my one critique. I think the novel needed to be a little longer to allow for this. I just wanted more romance.
Overall a fun time!
This is a perfect read for spooky season. It has gothic vibes, haunted manor, ghosts, etc. that provides a lot of excitement. I also liked the time period this was set in. It was a nice change for historical romance.
I liked the FMC a lot. She's an infamous bootlegger which I found to be really cool. She gets into a marriage of convenience with a mysterious man from her past which was added a lot of intrigue to the story. I found the FMC to be a great lead.
I would have liked a bit more time spent on the romance and the characters so that would be my one critique. I think the novel needed to be a little longer to allow for this. I just wanted more romance.
Overall a fun time!
September 13, 2024
(ARC REVIEW) | Why is this so spooky yet so perfect? I feel like I need to highlight 2 things (even though everything about this book was Chef Kiss). First is the incredible way Ashley R. King evokes a sense of unease that is both eerie and hauntingly authentic. If you've been to the South, you'll see she fully captured the ghostly Southern atmosphere.
The other thing I want to mention is the beautiful relationship between the main characters. OMGGGGG! A badass FMC and mysterious green-eyed MMC? Yes, please 🖤 They complement each other perfectly, and even in their darkest times, they manage to draw out the best in one another. I love them!
The other thing I want to mention is the beautiful relationship between the main characters. OMGGGGG! A badass FMC and mysterious green-eyed MMC? Yes, please 🖤 They complement each other perfectly, and even in their darkest times, they manage to draw out the best in one another. I love them!
September 23, 2024
The Darkest Waltz is a good read for spooky season and if you love the 1920 era, paranormal and marriages of convince than this book should be added to your TBR.
I gave it three stars because I needed more from this book, I loved Evangeline and how she led the bootleg business. However, I feel like the book needed to be a bit longer so that we can learn about characters backstories. I didn’t feel like I knew to much about them. Overall it was a good book just not my favorite.
I did receive this book as an ARC from Pen pal pr, and I want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
I gave it three stars because I needed more from this book, I loved Evangeline and how she led the bootleg business. However, I feel like the book needed to be a bit longer so that we can learn about characters backstories. I didn’t feel like I knew to much about them. Overall it was a good book just not my favorite.
I did receive this book as an ARC from Pen pal pr, and I want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 24, 2024
Thanks to Pen Pal PR for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you’re in the mood for a spooky season read, The Darkest Waltz by Ashley R. King is a solid choice. It’s a Gothic Romance with paranormal elements that give it that perfect eerie vibe. The haunted manor, ghosts, and other supernatural touches really set the mood.
However, I did feel like the pacing was a bit off. The story moves along but then seems to end pretty abruptly, leaving me wanting more closure. Evangeline and Weston make a perfect match, but their love develops really suddenly—it’s like one moment they’re getting to know each other, and the next they’re head over heels. That part felt a bit rushed.
Despite those points, the book is a fun, atmospheric read, especially if you’re craving something with ghostly twists and Gothic vibes to get you in the spooky spirit!
If you’re in the mood for a spooky season read, The Darkest Waltz by Ashley R. King is a solid choice. It’s a Gothic Romance with paranormal elements that give it that perfect eerie vibe. The haunted manor, ghosts, and other supernatural touches really set the mood.
However, I did feel like the pacing was a bit off. The story moves along but then seems to end pretty abruptly, leaving me wanting more closure. Evangeline and Weston make a perfect match, but their love develops really suddenly—it’s like one moment they’re getting to know each other, and the next they’re head over heels. That part felt a bit rushed.
Despite those points, the book is a fun, atmospheric read, especially if you’re craving something with ghostly twists and Gothic vibes to get you in the spooky spirit!
September 14, 2024
I want to say thank you to Pen Pal for this ARC. I never read this author before but I have to say I absolutely loved it! It was a little different from what I normally read but I enjoy trying different things and this certainly fell in that category because of the paranormal scenes. You never knew what was coming next. Evangeline and Weston were the perfect couple and I'm so happy that things ended up the way they did. Frankly I couldn't put this book down until I got to the end of it. I highly recommend it - I know you won't regret the time spent reading it.
September 25, 2024
3.75 ⭐️
This book was just what I needed to kick off the spooky season. I don’t think I’ve ever read a gothic romance with paranormal elements and it lived up to my expectations. It was decently paced, the mystery/spooky vibes were enough to grab your attention, had quirky and interesting characters (Evangeline was so bad ass!), and it had a very entertaining finale. It was such a fun, quick spooky read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Ashley R. King and Pen Pal PR.
This book was just what I needed to kick off the spooky season. I don’t think I’ve ever read a gothic romance with paranormal elements and it lived up to my expectations. It was decently paced, the mystery/spooky vibes were enough to grab your attention, had quirky and interesting characters (Evangeline was so bad ass!), and it had a very entertaining finale. It was such a fun, quick spooky read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Ashley R. King and Pen Pal PR.
September 25, 2024
This is my first time reading Ashley R. King and I definitely won't be my last! This usually isn't the type of book I'd go for, but I really enjoyed it, I'm very grateful to have been given an ARC thank you so much Ashley R. King. The book had me hooked from the start, I really enjoyed the writing style, and it gave the best spooky gothic romance vibes. This is the perfect book if you're looking for a gothic romance with marriage of convenience book to get into the spooky season!!!
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