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Fair's Fair #1
Haunt
One unforgettable night. One extreme haunt. One chance to push my limits.
Armed with a safeword and a waiver, I head into the most viral extreme haunt in the city, ready to embrace the thrill with three friends by my side. As a horror fanatic, I’m confident I can handle whatever twisted scenarios await us.
But when the line between fantasy and reality blurs, I quickly realize I’ve made a terrible mistake.
What begins as a thrilling challenge soon spirals into a nightmare. The safeword doesn’t work, and I find myself trapped in a dirty warehouse, pursued by two masked men who see my fear as part of their twisted game.
They won’t let me go.
And as the terror intensifies, I can’t help asking myself…do I really want to escape?
Please read the content warnings at the beginning of the book. This book is dark, with content that could bother some readers. HAUNT is a short, spicy Halloween novella. It’s MMF, and doesn’t end with a cliffhanger. It is extremely dark.
Armed with a safeword and a waiver, I head into the most viral extreme haunt in the city, ready to embrace the thrill with three friends by my side. As a horror fanatic, I’m confident I can handle whatever twisted scenarios await us.
But when the line between fantasy and reality blurs, I quickly realize I’ve made a terrible mistake.
What begins as a thrilling challenge soon spirals into a nightmare. The safeword doesn’t work, and I find myself trapped in a dirty warehouse, pursued by two masked men who see my fear as part of their twisted game.
They won’t let me go.
And as the terror intensifies, I can’t help asking myself…do I really want to escape?
Please read the content warnings at the beginning of the book. This book is dark, with content that could bother some readers. HAUNT is a short, spicy Halloween novella. It’s MMF, and doesn’t end with a cliffhanger. It is extremely dark.
103 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2024
798 people are currently reading
2120 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Merlin
44 books2,043 followersAJ Merlin would rather write epic love stories than live them. I mean, who wants to limit themselves to only falling in love once? She is obsessed with dark fantasy, true crime, and also dogs. From serial killers to voyeurs all the way down to the devil himself, AJ's specialty is in writing irredeemable heroes who somehow still manage to captivate their heroines (and her readers).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews
January 6, 2025
you’d have to be seriously deranged to like this. anyway 6 stars
November 6, 2024
The fact that this was only a novella is criminal 😭 I need more?! I literally have so many questions, I was so invested.
October 31, 2024
Scary but hot
As always when it comes to messed up books the questions of "Why do i like this" and "why am I like this" come up and honestly I'll probably never know the answers but I do know that AJ never misses. Unfortunately my dearest AJ I will need to know what happens next. Did she know them? Do they live happily ever after? Does she go back again next year? What did all those people do?? Even if there isn't anything after this, this was so fun and perfect. I'm not really into horror movies but this had me scared the perfect amount and yah know feeling spicy too 👀
As always when it comes to messed up books the questions of "Why do i like this" and "why am I like this" come up and honestly I'll probably never know the answers but I do know that AJ never misses. Unfortunately my dearest AJ I will need to know what happens next. Did she know them? Do they live happily ever after? Does she go back again next year? What did all those people do?? Even if there isn't anything after this, this was so fun and perfect. I'm not really into horror movies but this had me scared the perfect amount and yah know feeling spicy too 👀
November 9, 2024
I had a feeling how this book was going to go. It was actually worse than what I thought. This was true horror, straight up--not just a dark romance with a stalker or some scary-ish parts. This was like, oh wow, what in the Saw did I just get myself into here? lol Yet, I kept reading, and I loved it. I don't know why. I should have been freaked out. I should have put the book down and ran away. Oh, but no...I kept reading and reading. I ate that stuff up. Reading romance horror has warped me. I am doomed. Hahahahaha.
Seriously, if you don't already like dark, horror romances, don't read this book. And you have to like a particular type of horror romance to enjoy this. I've seen a lot of them where it's like a slasher-type, but the love interest gets spared sort of deal. Nah, this ain't it. Think more of like Hostel. It's gruesome and squeamish, and I really wasn't sure how the book was going to turn out. There are so many triggers in this book. Please do your research if you have any before you pick it up. However, if this is your jam, I guarantee it'll be a five star for you too.
Seriously, if you don't already like dark, horror romances, don't read this book. And you have to like a particular type of horror romance to enjoy this. I've seen a lot of them where it's like a slasher-type, but the love interest gets spared sort of deal. Nah, this ain't it. Think more of like Hostel. It's gruesome and squeamish, and I really wasn't sure how the book was going to turn out. There are so many triggers in this book. Please do your research if you have any before you pick it up. However, if this is your jam, I guarantee it'll be a five star for you too.
October 30, 2024
omg just finished and TEN OUT OF TEN. SO good. I couldn't put it down. I loved the entire thing and it's exactly what I needed. aj merlin *never* disappoints
November 1, 2024
Fast, fun, fucked-up Halloween read
Edited from 3 - 4 stars
Why? Because a there’s enough here for a much more in-depth story. Yes, the novella with nc dvp has depth, pun intended.
But really, there’s a whole cast of characters that I’m now more curious about, not just the MCs.
This is how I woke up this morning after finishing the book in one fell read last night:
-Who’s Nero?
-Why is Hex coaching Banshee (I think that was who was speaking in the hall).
-What did the guests do to earn their fates?
-How did Noa get “lost”? Because that obviously wasn’t the case!
-Is this is a traveling grind house or an annual only-event, as hinted at.
-What is the full nature of Ravage & Harrow’s relationship. I’m sensing some trauma-bonding there…
-Why *are* there so many hallways in a warehouse?
I’d actually like to read about all of that.
Edited from 3 - 4 stars
Why? Because a there’s enough here for a much more in-depth story. Yes, the novella with nc dvp has depth, pun intended.
But really, there’s a whole cast of characters that I’m now more curious about, not just the MCs.
This is how I woke up this morning after finishing the book in one fell read last night:
-Who’s Nero?
-Why is Hex coaching Banshee (I think that was who was speaking in the hall).
-What did the guests do to earn their fates?
-How did Noa get “lost”? Because that obviously wasn’t the case!
-Is this is a traveling grind house or an annual only-event, as hinted at.
-What is the full nature of Ravage & Harrow’s relationship. I’m sensing some trauma-bonding there…
-Why *are* there so many hallways in a warehouse?
I’d actually like to read about all of that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2025
I love AJM, but she lost me at making the FMC lick the MMC’s dirty (bloody) boots. Add in all the “little girl” and “little bitch” name calling, and it was just so cringe.
I am clearly not a humiliation/degradation/shame girlie and this was obviously a giant nope for me.
I am clearly not a humiliation/degradation/shame girlie and this was obviously a giant nope for me.
October 1, 2025
Fair’s fair. 😮💨 jigsaw has nothing on this bloody crew …
“Where do you think we are?”
“I’m… we’re at grim descent, the extreme haunt…”
“Are we? Are you sure that’s where you are? Or did you maybe end up somewhere you shouldn’t, in a game you weren’t invited to?”
“But”
“Maybe it wasn’t your friends who were in the wrong place Noa… Maybe you wandered somewhere that you shouldn’t have, and now you don’t get to wander back out.”
AHHHHHHH YES SIR 🫡 immediate 5 stars and I need more
“Where do you think we are?”
“I’m… we’re at grim descent, the extreme haunt…”
“Are we? Are you sure that’s where you are? Or did you maybe end up somewhere you shouldn’t, in a game you weren’t invited to?”
“But”
“Maybe it wasn’t your friends who were in the wrong place Noa… Maybe you wandered somewhere that you shouldn’t have, and now you don’t get to wander back out.”
AHHHHHHH YES SIR 🫡 immediate 5 stars and I need more
May 19, 2025
⭐️2.75 🌶️4.5
CHECK THE MF TRIGGERS
🔪Halloween novella
🔪Dark Romance
🔪MMF
🔪Non-consent
🔪Single POV
*this is a novella so I don’t rate it the same as a full length novel*
Very dark. Very spicy. Very short. Exactly what I wanted. However, there were a TON of unanswered questions.
Also if I had to read the word whine one more time I was going to scream.
SPOILERS BELOW
they never explained why the other people were selected for the “alternate” haunt or what exactly they did. Or why the “actors” are there or even who the “actors” are. Why were Noa’s friends invited/gave her the wrong address? Who is Nero? Why was the doll girl acting like that? What is the relationship between H&R besides the sexual hint?? What’s the significance of Fair’s Fair and why did the girl get nervous when it was in the video??
CHECK THE MF TRIGGERS
🔪Halloween novella
🔪Dark Romance
🔪MMF
🔪Non-consent
🔪Single POV
*this is a novella so I don’t rate it the same as a full length novel*
Very dark. Very spicy. Very short. Exactly what I wanted. However, there were a TON of unanswered questions.
Also if I had to read the word whine one more time I was going to scream.
SPOILERS BELOW
they never explained why the other people were selected for the “alternate” haunt or what exactly they did. Or why the “actors” are there or even who the “actors” are. Why were Noa’s friends invited/gave her the wrong address? Who is Nero? Why was the doll girl acting like that? What is the relationship between H&R besides the sexual hint?? What’s the significance of Fair’s Fair and why did the girl get nervous when it was in the video??
December 4, 2024
It’s unfair
It’s unfair how short this story was and yet it didn’t lack in anyway. The men are hot, that’s the honest truth, in that kind of ghost face slasher way. Be warned that there is def some themes of dubious consent, the men are beyond morally gray though there is def implications that their actions are driven by a sense of Justice.
Though I do wish the story went a little more into depth about “that” the scenes with the fmc were HOT, and I do really wish this books was longer. Because I could have read 500 pages more of this story. 10 out of 10 I would definitely recommend this read.
Update: Just realized this is one book of a three part series and I’m so excited.
It’s unfair how short this story was and yet it didn’t lack in anyway. The men are hot, that’s the honest truth, in that kind of ghost face slasher way. Be warned that there is def some themes of dubious consent, the men are beyond morally gray though there is def implications that their actions are driven by a sense of Justice.
Though I do wish the story went a little more into depth about “that” the scenes with the fmc were HOT, and I do really wish this books was longer. Because I could have read 500 pages more of this story. 10 out of 10 I would definitely recommend this read.
Update: Just realized this is one book of a three part series and I’m so excited.
November 14, 2024
Excellent. Such a good set up for a terrifying story. This short novel was full of horror and coercion. Interesting ending. I feel like there are some unanswered questions that I was really hoping we would get answered that were left open. Also this is my second AJ Merlin book I’ve read and unfortunately Rav sounded a lot like Kayde from Dead of Summer. I mean I like both of the characters’ personalities and she does well with dialogue so this is easily overlooked. Otherwise no complaints. Do check trigger warnings though, this is erotic horror after all.
December 11, 2024
I was really surprised this author was a woman. I thought, only a man could make a woman enjoy a rape fantasy. But I was proven wrong, based on the author's photo. It wasn't scary enough, gory enough, or anything enough. Just a bunch of sexual tension in all the wrong places, for me anyway. Not my type of book, reminds me of those "AA#####" Slave books. Not my style at all, unfortunately. It could have gone so much further with the other 'haunt" characters instead of just focusing on the two guys. A better story would have been following the groups in front of Noa!
November 18, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I ATE THIS UP!! Then dove right into book 2!
If you’re looking for A quick, spicy, and exciting Novella, this is the one! I was left wanting MORE MORE MORE! Ok so happy there’s a second book, and even a third!! I love Ravage & Horrow, need a couple of my own. 🥵
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I ATE THIS UP!! Then dove right into book 2!
If you’re looking for A quick, spicy, and exciting Novella, this is the one! I was left wanting MORE MORE MORE! Ok so happy there’s a second book, and even a third!! I love Ravage & Horrow, need a couple of my own. 🥵
December 28, 2024
It’s a cute little quick read. Quite gory but not really scary.
October 31, 2024
HELLO, YES. IT IS ME AND I AM FERAL. FÜCKING FERALLLLLLLLL OVER THIS BOOK RN.
I NEED A FULL LENGTH LIKE I NEED AIR.
I NEED A FULL LENGTH LIKE I NEED AIR.
June 9, 2025
I don't even know where to begin. Haunt is one of the darkest, goriest, filthiest, most visceral dark romances I've ever read—and I loved every sick, twisted second of it.
Set during Halloween, the premise seems simple: an exclusive haunt, a missing waiver, and one girl showing up alone. But nothing—nothing—can prepare you for the mindfuck this turns into. This is not just a haunted house. This is House of 1000 Corpses meets dark romance. It's brutal. It's bloody. It's unrelenting. It's got masked men, chainsaws, breath play, and consent that lives in the shadowy realm of we both know this is so wrong but we're still doing it anyway.
Noa, our heroine, is everything I’ve been missing in horror heroines. She doesn’t just scream and sob and beg. She stabs. She kicks. She fights tooth and nail. And yet—when Ravage sets his sights on her, you better believe things get twisted in ways I can’t even put into words (or Instagram might ban me).
And that ending??? That final scene physically punched me in the gut. I’m still recovering. You can read this book as a standalone… but why would you? Once you get that last chapter, you need to keep going. You need to know what happens next. Part 2 and 3 are calling my name—but I’m gonna need a breather before diving in. Because AJ Merlin doesn’t just write books. She drags you through them by the throat.
Massive trigger warnings apply—don’t go in blind. But if you’re brave enough to enter Grim Descent… good luck making it out.
Set during Halloween, the premise seems simple: an exclusive haunt, a missing waiver, and one girl showing up alone. But nothing—nothing—can prepare you for the mindfuck this turns into. This is not just a haunted house. This is House of 1000 Corpses meets dark romance. It's brutal. It's bloody. It's unrelenting. It's got masked men, chainsaws, breath play, and consent that lives in the shadowy realm of we both know this is so wrong but we're still doing it anyway.
Noa, our heroine, is everything I’ve been missing in horror heroines. She doesn’t just scream and sob and beg. She stabs. She kicks. She fights tooth and nail. And yet—when Ravage sets his sights on her, you better believe things get twisted in ways I can’t even put into words (or Instagram might ban me).
And that ending??? That final scene physically punched me in the gut. I’m still recovering. You can read this book as a standalone… but why would you? Once you get that last chapter, you need to keep going. You need to know what happens next. Part 2 and 3 are calling my name—but I’m gonna need a breather before diving in. Because AJ Merlin doesn’t just write books. She drags you through them by the throat.
Massive trigger warnings apply—don’t go in blind. But if you’re brave enough to enter Grim Descent… good luck making it out.
December 28, 2025
This novella does exactly what a good dark romance should do: it grabs you, unsettles you, and leaves you wanting significantly more. And yes, the cliffhanger is criminal.
Before anything else: the trigger page must be taken seriously. This is dark. Non-consent, dubious dynamics, and extreme emotional and situational content are central to the story. This is not a “dip your toe in” kind of read. But if you actively seek out the darker edges of the genre, this novella absolutely delivers.
The atmosphere is thick from the first page, eerie, intimate, and almost claustrophobic in the best way. Haunt leans hard into mood and tension without wasting space, which is impressive for a shorter format. The emotional and psychological pull beneath the darkness is what really makes it work, and the heavy use of non-verbal communication only heightens the connection. And yes, I am a praise girl, so the fact that this book gives us murdery psychos who also know how to praise? Immediate swoon. That combination of danger and affirmation is pure catnip for me.
The only thing keeping this from a full 5 stars is the length. With more room to explore the characters’ inner worlds and stretch the emotional arc, this would easily be a top-tier favourite. That said, knowing there are two more novellas in this series, I fully expect this rating to climb once the story continues.
Haunt proves that short doesn’t mean simple. It’s consuming, uncompromising, and expertly paced.
Also… a character named Ravage? I’m unwell.
Before anything else: the trigger page must be taken seriously. This is dark. Non-consent, dubious dynamics, and extreme emotional and situational content are central to the story. This is not a “dip your toe in” kind of read. But if you actively seek out the darker edges of the genre, this novella absolutely delivers.
The atmosphere is thick from the first page, eerie, intimate, and almost claustrophobic in the best way. Haunt leans hard into mood and tension without wasting space, which is impressive for a shorter format. The emotional and psychological pull beneath the darkness is what really makes it work, and the heavy use of non-verbal communication only heightens the connection. And yes, I am a praise girl, so the fact that this book gives us murdery psychos who also know how to praise? Immediate swoon. That combination of danger and affirmation is pure catnip for me.
The only thing keeping this from a full 5 stars is the length. With more room to explore the characters’ inner worlds and stretch the emotional arc, this would easily be a top-tier favourite. That said, knowing there are two more novellas in this series, I fully expect this rating to climb once the story continues.
Haunt proves that short doesn’t mean simple. It’s consuming, uncompromising, and expertly paced.
Also… a character named Ravage? I’m unwell.
November 27, 2025
Dark smut … can’t even call this a romance
5 ⭐️’s
4.5 🌶️’s
Super sexy, kinda scary, lots of fun! A great Halloween book or just horror if you’re into non/dub-con, breath play, masked men, MMF action & so much more. They really hit a lot of kinks in the book. And it’s just a wild ride that I absolutely loved. 😮💨 😋
Plus, the ending is just so cute but kind of a cliffhanger, but also if you wanted to stop the trilogy there it would make sense leaving with a little open ended, fill in the blank ending.
- “Do we have a little horror lover? Are we making this real enough for you?” -Ravage
However, my one critique is that sometimes I just couldn’t imagine what the author was trying to depict. Writing could have been better. But yah, still 5 stars so if you’re into dark smut, just read it!
5 ⭐️’s
4.5 🌶️’s
Super sexy, kinda scary, lots of fun! A great Halloween book or just horror if you’re into non/dub-con, breath play, masked men, MMF action & so much more. They really hit a lot of kinks in the book. And it’s just a wild ride that I absolutely loved. 😮💨 😋
Plus, the ending is just so cute but kind of a cliffhanger, but also if you wanted to stop the trilogy there it would make sense leaving with a little open ended, fill in the blank ending.
- “Do we have a little horror lover? Are we making this real enough for you?” -Ravage
However, my one critique is that sometimes I just couldn’t imagine what the author was trying to depict. Writing could have been better. But yah, still 5 stars so if you’re into dark smut, just read it!
November 12, 2024
November 2024
Kindle edition
Short, but still a struggle for me. From the start it was you're making a mistake, you don't belong here vibes and Noa felt like a mary sue rabbit type, in the wrong place at the wrong time. Up until the facade shattered, it was a bit cringe. After that lines were crossed and it was dark. Ravage and Harrow were pretty much opposites with the same goal. Ends on a partial cliffhanger. I'm surprised she didn't wake up with them in her bed, but the games continue with another rhetorical choice. Defo gonna read the next one. Hopefully, this one will go easier next time.
Kindle edition
Short, but still a struggle for me. From the start it was you're making a mistake, you don't belong here vibes and Noa felt like a mary sue rabbit type, in the wrong place at the wrong time. Up until the facade shattered, it was a bit cringe. After that lines were crossed and it was dark. Ravage and Harrow were pretty much opposites with the same goal. Ends on a partial cliffhanger. I'm surprised she didn't wake up with them in her bed, but the games continue with another rhetorical choice. Defo gonna read the next one. Hopefully, this one will go easier next time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2025
Haunt by AJ Merlin
Please check your trigger warnings and content warnings before diving into this
Noa is planning on going to a haunt with her friends. She ends up showing up early and of course her friends are always late. She ends up going into the haunt and what starts as her waiting for her friends and going with her friends turns into a night she never expected.
Two of the masked men there end up setting there eyes on her and they are ready to play. They want to make sure that she has an experience she has never expected.
I love how Noa was feisty and ready to fight them at any chance she had. The spicy scenes were definitely spicing 😍🥵
Can't wait to read the next book
Please check your trigger warnings and content warnings before diving into this
Noa is planning on going to a haunt with her friends. She ends up showing up early and of course her friends are always late. She ends up going into the haunt and what starts as her waiting for her friends and going with her friends turns into a night she never expected.
Two of the masked men there end up setting there eyes on her and they are ready to play. They want to make sure that she has an experience she has never expected.
I love how Noa was feisty and ready to fight them at any chance she had. The spicy scenes were definitely spicing 😍🥵
Can't wait to read the next book
January 1, 2025
I liked the kind of scary thrill of it all. It’s a very hot in theory thing. Wish we got more closure at the end but I see it’s a series so I’m going to check that out!!
Also it is just FOUL making that man a redhead
Also it is just FOUL making that man a redhead
October 31, 2024
Pure fucking FIRE!!!
November 24, 2024
So dark but....
So dark and twisted is an understatement but also so good! Falls under the same darkness as Haunting and Hunting by H.D can't wait to read book 2
So dark and twisted is an understatement but also so good! Falls under the same darkness as Haunting and Hunting by H.D can't wait to read book 2
January 28, 2025
this was so sexy & depraved, aj merlin never misses in my book (pun intended).
May 27, 2025
6 stars
May 29, 2025
“i’m happy you fucked up.”
this was cheesy as hell but also really hot…. harrow
this was cheesy as hell but also really hot…. harrow
June 23, 2025
wow
Well I totally didn’t expect that at all. This book was crazy. It did leave me with questions though. Great job
Well I totally didn’t expect that at all. This book was crazy. It did leave me with questions though. Great job
October 17, 2025
DNF chapter 3. "Which is more than fine, really, since they really were just me rambling away my anxieties at them." I cannot with this writing....
October 21, 2025
Really good and really dark! You’ve been warned.
October 29, 2025
Spooky Season Marathon 👻🎃💀😈
4/?
Novella
I can't stress enough how crazy this was, this is the wildest thing I've read in a while WTF. A horror romance in every sense of the word.
4/?
Novella
I can't stress enough how crazy this was, this is the wildest thing I've read in a while WTF. A horror romance in every sense of the word.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews