Sing For Me

Masked Darkness Duet #1

by V. Wynters

She wasn’t just the darkness in the shadows, she was the darkness within me.


I knew my life was promised to another.

The devil that haunts these walls, who treads the well-worn paths of my prison... He’s the man I’m destined to marry, but he’s not the person I want.
The ghost of the opera house, the monster in the shadows - they’re the one I cling to; the songs they write are the ones that will set my soul free.
And now I’ve found her, I refuse to let go.

Sing For Me is book 1 in the Masked Darkness duet. A stranger to lovers’ sapphic romance re-imagining the classic Gothic novel, The Phantom Of The Opera.
Book 2, Sing With Me, will conclude their story with a guaranteed HEA.
Author's All CW’s/TW’s will be found at the front of the book. Mature readers only.
This book does end on a cliffhanger.

Genres: Lesbian, Retellings, Gothic, LGBT, Queer, Dark Romance

155 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 29, 2024

About the author

Living in the UK, V Wynters enjoys writing about romance, no matter the individuals background or gender, mixed with some heart break, healing and angst.

Reviews

[Wicked Fox ✨️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need the next book asap 💔

[Olga Rudnitska · Rating 3 out of 5]

замало

на всі 115 стр лише одна сцена зустрічі (і та спайсі)
ще й закінчення на кліф.

можливо фанатам Привида Опери зайде більше
🩷жж роман

[Grace · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @80%

[Jade Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second read for pride week and was a lovely continuation! It felt like reading a sweet historical-romance, probably because it was a sapphic retelling of Phantom of the Opera which is a parisian novel written in 1909.

I loved how V.Wynters nodded to the orginial with aspects of French, traditional clothing and descriptions, and gothic-architecture. This book will definately suit fans of the classic! The Phantom Dahlia had her stalker aspects, but was sweet and respectful of Calantha and I loved their blossoming romance. I particularly liked Wynter's backstories of the Phantom and how she struggled with accepting her sexuality. Actually, this theme was well written for both characters - how badly homosexuality was treated in the 1990s and gave this story an extra historical layer. There's just so many different layers to it!

It was quite a gothic read, with beautiful prose and languange, as suiting of the plot, and will suit those who romance with a strong story line. It does end on a cliffhanger, but I like to remain hopeful that love conquers all, because these two women deserve their happily ever after!

[Emely ꣑୧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN “to be continued” 🧍🏽‍♀️

i truly adore dahlia and calantha, this story is so beautiful 🥹 i HATE raoul with a burning passion ✋🏾
i fear i am down BAD for dahlia 🤭 she could write music for me and sit me down on a piano any time 🧎🏽‍♀️

ugh that cliffhanger 😭✋🏾 don’t even right now guys
i can’t wait to read their second book!!

xoxo,
Em 😚

[Jess Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall 4✨️
not a bad premise for a short one! interested to see the second one

" I am left to suffer. Yearning for a woman who is to be married to a man."💞

"My soul has been grieving in sadness for a woman who is yet to know I exist "

[L.R. Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. If you're the kind of person who wanted Phantom to get the girl, then Sing For Me is the sapphic love story you always needed.

I think I might just make this book my personality for a while. In all honesty, it's probably not a surprise to anyone that I a) love gothic imagery and b) adore Phantom of the Opera, so saying this story is absolutely stunning will also not be much of a surprise.

But it is. From the haunting sounds of the Paris Opera, to the intimate conversations between two hidden lovers, this tale is glorious. Be aware that it does end on a cliffhanger, but book 2 will be out next year!

Thank you so much to the author for the absolute privilege of being an alpha reader for this book. I'm grateful to you for sharing this beautiful story with me 🙏🏻🥹

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was poetically beautiful. I very much enjoyed the vibe and the whole setting of the story. The fact that this Phantom of the Opera retelling is FF, which makes it even more
special. I can't even explain how perfectly written all the characters are. We feel their emotions so well. The pain they are going through. The love and freedom they get
through music and finally the rage so strong it can burn.

You can't help but cheer for the girl in the shadows to get her revenge and, at the same time, to be able to protect the woman she is secretly obsessed with and finds her happiness.

Calantha is trapped in life she never signed up for. Slowly losing hope for ever being able to escape the devil until Dahlia enters her orbit.

The chemistry between these two was unbelievable. The build-up for their face to face meeting was nicely executed. And the kiss they've shared, you simply wanted more.

I need to mention that this is the first part of the duet, and we have a cliffhanger at the end of it. I really hope we won't have to wait long for the book too because I can't wait to see how Dahlia will deliver her revenge, and I need to see them happy together!

[Hunter Athena · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novella has a lot of potential, but I think it needs to be developed a little bit more. The book felt more like an endless stream of internal monologue rather than a plot where things actually happen. I also like to see a villain be fully developed rather than just being told he’s a bad man. Show me the ways in which he’s bad, build him up in the novel to be bad. Don’t just tell me he’s bad and evil and no good over and over. The novella also had some spelling and grammar errors which could have easily been avoided with a little more editing. And the two MCs kinda just felt whiny and were often very repetitive. I think the author does have a talent, just needs to spend a bit more time developing these plots and writing them. If she were to take that extra time and effort I have no doubt in my mind that these duology novella’s could be combined into one book and traditionally published!

[Kayla P · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fairly loose retelling of phantom. I enjoyed it but there were quite a few typos and things that don’t make sense. There also wasn’t much action in the plot, it was a lot of internal dialogue. I liked the prose and the characters but the plot was lacking and the grammar errors make it so I don’t want to read the sequel.

[Morgan Embleton · Rating 2 out of 5]

155 pages of a ✨whole lot of nothing✨

[AroundtheBookBend · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s just something about pining

What a beautiful and painful beginning. While I’m not a Phantom of the Opera fanatic, I do still really like it. It was nice to see a retelling of it, and a sapphic one at that.

I could feel the longing from Dahlia and Calantha, both for each other and why they perceived as freedom. I really loved seeing Calantha’s small acts of rebellion. There’s nothing better than caged bird showing it can still fly. And Dahlia was such a tragic character—which was to be expected.

I’m can’t wait to see what comes of their conclusion, especially after that ending.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark Sapphic Phantom of the Opera retelling. Sing for me is the first part of a duet in which we meet Dahlia and Calantha.

For a novella this delivers on a range of emotion. The pain these women feel because of their circumstances. The freedom music allows them. The hidden temptation, desire and lust. Im excited to see this unravel in the second book.

V’s writing captured me and kept me turning pages, I absolutely fell for Dahlia. My heart hurt for her. I loved the secrecy within the shadows, and how everything tied together.

[mel. ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS ✨
Rating criteria below.

★★★★★ ──┄ absolutely phenomenal, a flawless piece of literature that i will continuously recommend as if it is my only personality trait.

★★★★☆ ──┄ amazing, i thoroughly enjoyed reading it and am more than likely to hype up the book because i found myself immersed in the world.

★★★☆☆ ──┄ good, but did not completely enthral and entice me like a four star read does.

★★☆☆☆ ──┄ merit can be given, but the book personally wasn’t for me.

★☆☆☆☆ ──┄ read until the end but really wasn’t for me and i couldn’t in good faith recommend it.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you do yourself a favour this cold, dark wintery season... Read this book. Obsessive love interests with a gothic backdrop? Yes please!

Author has the privilege of being the first person to make me read something Phantom of the Opera based and I don't regret it for a second because Erik has nothing on Dahlia. Much love for these ladies and the hardships and longing and need for each other and I cannot wait for the next book.

[Emmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sing For Me is a gothic re-imagining of the Phantom of the Opera. Oh and the good news? The Phantom gets the girl. The great news? The Phantom is also a girl hehehe.

Because this is book 1 of a duet, it gives you great insight on the background of the characters and sets you up for what's yet to come. Dahlia and Calantha's mutual yearning for each other was poetically written. And their first meeting? Yummm. I can't wait to find out what happens next in their conclusion!

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. I don't have a computer right now so my book reviews have really taken a hit lately. Anyway, to keep this short I really enjoyed this! It's a sapphic Phantom of the Opera retelling which um yes please! I thought the writing was good and very atmospheric and really nails the gothic vibes. Calantha and Delilah were interesting characters and I liked the connection between them. This ends on a cliffhanger and I cannot wait for book two.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE Phantom of the Opera, so I was stoked for this. I wish it was a little darker....you know the Phantom killed people in the original....Dahlia needs to kill a few people, lol. unless it happens in the second book. if you love Phantom of the Opera, you should read this. She does warn you it ends on a cliffhanger.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sapphic and Phantom of the Opera!

I love that this is a sapphic retelling of the phantom of the opera and how it has a spin of its own. I can’t wait for book 2 because the cliffhanger has me on tenterhooks.

[Ellie Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book in a couple of hours and loved it. Haunting and gothic whilst beautiful and sad. Just perfection. Can’t wait for part 2 💜

[Jes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have had the deepest crush on The Phantom for so long and I couldn’t believe someone wrote my dream but after reading it, I wish they hadn’t.

[Calling All Book Lovers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Painfully waiting for the next book to be released…..