Lee

by R.N.A.

To be haunted or hunted.

"It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me."

Anabel Lee is an orphan with no memories of what came before, until they slowly unravel, one ghost at a time.
Loneliness and missing pieces are all she knows until she meets her first love. Together they build those pieces until they turn 18 and separate towards other paths, promising to reunite someday.

Anabel meets her best friend and soul mate, Ardella, and they navigate uncharted waters of new adulthood and promiscuity.
A stranger swoops in by storm, sweeping Ana into something all-consuming. Soon, the secrets and lies pile up until Anabel goes to comfort and assist her best friend after her family's deaths and mysterious disappearances.
Anabel gets a suspicious letter and leaves, returning to where it all began.
A place "with an utter depression of soul which I can compare to no earthly sensation more properly than to the after-dream of the reveller upon opium."

The truth slowly unveils itself, revealing far more than Ana bargained for.
"A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser."

Just what awaits Anabel and her partner in crime, Ardella?

Lee is an Edgar Allan Poe-inspired, interconnected standalone for Poa with MFMF* (Why Choose with both female and male characters) and taboo content.

18+

Please check CWs before reading as it may not be suited for all readers.

376 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2025

About the author

RNA / R.N.A. Author is the previous pen name for R.N. Arcadia.

Reviews

[Katie P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much. It was dark, taboo, and surprisingly healing. Anabel deserves the world.

[Book Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is a haunting novel that entwines family, trauma, and love, echoing the eerie and mysterious tones of Edgar Allan Poe. The story centers around Anabel Lee, a character whose journey from a troubled past to personal growth is both heartbreaking and beautiful. The narrative is rich with twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The expansive scope of Anabel's journey, from childhood to adulthood, often feels rushed. With more deliberate pacing and a tighter focus on character and emotional development, the novel could have reached greater heights. As it stands, "Lee" is a moderately engaging read that hints at the author's potential for crafting even more compelling stories in the future.

[Brooklyn L. Wolves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lee by R.N.A. proposes an ambitious and darkly-tinged narrative, drawing inspiration from the haunting works of Edgar Allan Poe to weave a tale of lost memories, fated encounters, and unfolding secrets. While the novel boasts an intriguing premise and caters to a specific niche within dark romance, its execution ultimately leaves certain elements feeling underdeveloped, resulting in a reading experience that is more adequate than exceptional.

The strongest aspect of Lee is its initial atmospheric promise. The scattered Poe quotes and the central mystery surrounding Anabel Lee's forgotten past effectively set a tone of melancholy and intrigue. The concept of a protagonist "haunted or hunted" by her own history and the gradual unraveling of those memories presents fertile ground for a compelling psychological journey. For readers drawn to "Why Choose" romance with both male and female partners (MFF*) and a willingness to engage with taboo content, the book certainly delivers on these specific genre expectations, presenting a series of intense and consuming relationships as Anabel navigates her tumultuous young adulthood.

However, the expansive scope of Anabel's journey, as outlined in the synopsis, proves to be both the novel's ambition and its primary challenge. The narrative attempts to cover a vast emotional and temporal landscape: from childhood love and separation, through new adult promiscuity and the formation of deep friendships, to a whirlwind new romance, betrayals, and ultimately, a grand return to uncover a hidden truth. This extensive plot often feels rushed, with significant life events and relationships unfolding at a pace that precludes deeper emotional exploration. Each pivotal moment or connection, while impactful in its description, could have benefited from more space to breathe, allowing the reader to fully invest in the character arcs and the nuances of Anabel's evolving relationships.

Similarly, while the Poe influence provides a thematic framework, its integration occasionally feels more like a stylistic choice than a deeply embedded narrative current. The true gothic atmosphere or psychological depth one might anticipate from such an inspiration sometimes gets diluted by the sheer volume of dramatic plot shifts and interpersonal entanglements. The "secrets and lies" are indeed piled high, but their eventual revelation, while impactful, might have resonated more profoundly with a more deliberate pacing and focused build-up.

In summary, Lee offers an intriguing concept for readers seeking a dark, multi-partner romance with a strong undercurrent of mystery and taboo. While it successfully establishes an enigmatic atmosphere and delivers on its genre promises, the ambitious breadth of the narrative occasionally sacrifices depth for scope. With more deliberate pacing and a tighter focus on character and emotional development, the novel could have truly soared, but as it stands, it's a moderately engaging read that hints at greater potential.

[Alisha Pascual · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely different from what I usually read but it was so captivating i just couldn’t stop reading. But I will say that because I didn’t read Poa it was just a little confusing but I could still follow along pretty well. Other than that this was a great read. It isn't a novella but it’s not too long, and for the length of the book I think it was decently paced. But my absolute favorite thing about this book was that it was sexy, dark, and twisted, exactly the way I like it. All I can really say is read Poa then Lee and you will be set and a better experience. Loved this!

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible. This is eerie and haunting, cryptic and mysterious, until all the pieces finally fall into place. The ending was perfect despite the journey and that’s all I’ll say to avoid spoilers. You must read Poa first and everything will make sense. Hats off to my best friend, I’m so proud of you. This is a favorite by far.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, sexy, and a bit twisted; Lee is exactly what I was hoping.

[APut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Likes: The characters and the story. The pacing. More is happening. Spicy. I like Lee better than Poa due to the unique story and conflicts.

Dislike: Wondering what position people were in. lol

[daddysbabygirlreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

[Mirana ☆ミ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a solid 4.5 stars read for me!

RNA, did it again, the story was captivating (as always) and I think I've got a new favorite character besides Rory 🤭

I will forever eat up anything this author writes because it's always a good time!

Go pick it up if you want to have a guaranteed nice time!

[Kate Pazanin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee by R.N.A.
An Edgar Allan Poe retelling with a sinful twist of spice. This book is dark, ominous, and dripping with gothic suspense from the very first page. Annabel’s journey is haunting and seductive, blurring the line between love and obsession, sanity and madness.
R.N.A. doesn’t just retell Poe — they breathe new life into his shadows, weaving a story that’s both poetic and chilling. Every chapter pulls you deeper into the gothic haze, until you’re completely lost in the world of Lee. The atmosphere, the tension, the slow unraveling of secrets — it’s addictive in the best, most dangerous way.
If you crave dark romance with literary roots and a touch of the macabre, Lee is one that will haunt you long after you close the book. 🖤

[jody Melendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great to get in the Halloween scary season . It can be read as a standalone. It definitely kept me on my toes it’s a bit taboo but worth every twisted page i turned

[Adri_reads_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this second installment from the author, RNA, Edgar Allen Poe’s, “Anabel Lee”, comes to life in a dark retelling.

Anabel Lee, with her lack of memory due to an accident or so she believes it to be has woken up in all places a hospital. After, a brain injury, and awaking from a coma she is lost to her own self. “I am lost to time. My whole life is nothing but blankness”. With no family to return to , what is to become of Anabel Lee?

“The past maybe blank, but the future holds endless possibilities ”.

Be orphaned, she’s remanded to a group home for displaced and troubled youth. During her stay until she turns eighteen she encounters new relationships and unfamiliar emotions as she uncovers her trauma riddened past.

-1st person pov
-2nd book- read “Poe” first
- Poly relationships- lqbtq
- Trigger warnings
- Open door spice

* First off, the way that I loved this book and how it takes you for a ride. It was a full story of love, betrayal and rediscovery. If you love dark romance, and characters that come to life off the page this one is for you.

[BookGirl 0214 · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Lee” by RNA is one of those books that quietly gets under your skin. It’s haunting and emotional, but more than that—it feels deeply human. The story follows Anabel Lee, an orphan trying to make sense of her life and the pieces of her past that keep surfacing through ghostly memories. There’s this lingering sense of emptiness in her world until love gives her something to hold onto… and then takes it away.
What struck me most was how real Anabel feels. Her loneliness, her first love, her connection with Ardella—all of it captures that messy, beautiful confusion of growing up and figuring out who you are. The friendship between Anabel and Ardella is raw and layered; it’s not perfect, but it’s honest. They stumble through young adulthood, desire, and loss in ways that feel painfully relatable.
When the stranger enters Anabel’s life, everything shifts—fast and uncontrollably. What starts as passion turns heavy with secrets and guilt. And when tragedy strikes Ardella’s world, Anabel’s choice to return “to where it all began” feels both brave and inevitable. The atmosphere grows darker, almost dreamlike, as the truth starts to unfold.
RNA’s writing is beautiful and poetic without losing touch with the emotional reality of the characters. There’s a quiet ache running through every page—a mix of love, grief, and the haunting weight of memory. “Lee” isn’t just about ghosts; it’s about how we become haunted by the parts of ourselves we can’t let go of.

[Nadia Hinojosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual R.N.A. brings us a haunting tale of family, trauma and love. I was so excited when I realized I recognized characters from a previous “Poa.”
I could never have imagined the twists in this story! Not to mention reuniting with certain characters. The story was dark, heartbreaking and beautiful. For Anabel to move on with her life despite her past shows true strength in character. The friends and lovers she makes continue to help her grow into who she is meant to be. Until he shows up…
Thank you, R.N.A. for another amazing story. I was very excited to see hat happened to Poa and friends! It’s like attending a reunion and catching up with old classmates.

[DMCechak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lee- Anabel’s Tale

“I will always need you. Don’t let your mind win. Don’t let memories take what you know to be true. No matter what happened before, you are not that person or that life anymore. You are Anabel. Forget the last name; it doesn’t define your spirit or your heart.”

There is so much dark emotion in RNA’s latest book, Lee.

We find a broken young woman who seems to exist out of time. She has haunting near memories, but her true memory is gone.

She is fortunate to find, at several stages of her life, special people who make a difference in her world.

This is an intensely intimate story with choices being made that are far from traditional.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, for the most part. Bad editing in ebooks is just a huge ick for me and will ruin an otherwise good book.