A Deal For a Kiss

by W. Winters

From USA Today Best selling author Willow Winters, comes a spicy novella, that takes us deep into the underworld.

Nothing could hide her from me.

The darkness is everywhere and it moves about in the mortal realm…. And then there’s her.
Bright and so easily seen.
Mine.

She calls to me like I prayed to the Gods she would.

I should feel guilt for what I’m going to do. What I must do.
She doesn’t remember, but I do. She belongs to me.

I will claim her and bring her to the underworld as mine.
At all costs… nothing will keep me from what belongs to me.

A Deal for a Kiss is a standalone prequel Novella to His in the Dark

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Dark Romance, Novella, Romantasy, Dark, Ebooks

106 pages, Paperback

First published December 4, 2024

About the author

Willow Winters is so happy to be a USA Today, Wall Street Journal and #1 Contemporary Best Selling Author!

Stay up to date!

Want a text alert? Text "Willow" to 797979!

Sign up to my newsletter + get EXCLUSIVE content, sneak peeks, and FREE books monthly: https://willowwinterswrites.com

All the other details you need to know: https://linktr.ee/willowwintersauthor

Willow started writing after having her little girl, Evie, December 2015. All during her pregnancy with Evie she continued to read and she only wanted to read romance. She was reading a book a day — sometimes two.

In January 2016 Willow was staying up late with Evie and just thinking of all these stories. They came to her constantly so she finally sat down and just started writing. She always wanted to do it so she figured, why not? Today Willow cannot be happier for making that decision!


Merciless World

A Kiss to Tell

Possessive
Seductive

Merciless
Heartless
Breathless
Endless

All He’ll Ever Be

A Kiss To Keep

A Single Glance
A Single Kiss
A Single Touch

Hard to Love
Desperate to Touch
Tempted to Kiss
Easy to Fall

Merciless World Spin Off

It’s Our Secret

Standalone Novels:
Broken
Forget Me Not

Sins and Secrets Duets:
Imperfect (Imperfect Duet book 1)
Unforgiven (Imperfect Duet book 2)

Damaged (Damaged Duet book 1)
Scarred (Damaged Duet book 2)


Standalone Novels:
All I Want is a Kiss
Tell Me To Stay
Second Chance
Knocking Boots
Promise Me
Burned Promises
Forsaken, cowritten with B. B. Hamel

Collections
Don’t Let Go
Deepen The Kiss
Kisses and Wishes

Valetti Crime Family Series:
Dirty Dom
His Hostage
Rough Touch
Cuffed Kiss
Bad Boy 

Highest Bidder Series,
cowritten with Lauren Landish:
Bought
Sold 
Owned 
Given

Bad Boy Standalones,
cowritten with Lauren Landish:
Inked
Tempted
Mr. CEO

Happy reading and best wishes,
Willow xx

Reviews

[Wobilba · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short but enjoyable Greek mythology novella. A prequel to His in the Dark, about Persephone and Hades. Can’t wait 🤗

[Elizabeth ❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Greek Mythology novella had me hooked! It's a prequel to His in The Dark, which is about Hades and Persephone; I can't wait to read it ❤️

[Aspi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wtf

[Philippa - (The British Bibliophile) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️

'Short, sweet, but with the promise of more to come. A Deal for a Kiss by Willow Winters lines things up perfectly for what Ivy and Carlisle will become.' - The British Bibliophile

Thank you to Willow and her VPO--Sophie--for sending me an ebook Advanced Reader Copy for me to read and leave an honest review as part of her ARC/Promo team.

NOTE - - This review will be spoiler-free as standard, but it will contain references to contents within the book's blurb. If you wish to go into this book as a blind read without knowing a single thing about it, please exit my review now :)

┏━━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━━┓
⠀⠀⠀📖 A R C ⠀ R E V I E W 📖
┗━━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━━┛

A Deal for a Kiss is a prequel read to the upcoming full-length novel set to release in the February of 2025, His In the Dark. This prequel read can be read as a standalone read as well as being tied to its future novel companion.

If you are a frequent reader of Willow's as I am, you will be somewhat if not completely familiar with her style of re-tellings. If you have yet to try a re-telling or are new to Willow's work entirely, this is the perfect opportunity to get a taste of what is to come and to see if it is your kind of avenue you wish to explore more.

Already, I can confirm that as I was fully captivated and convinced by this prequel read starring the mortal Ivy and not-so-mortal, immortal Carlisle. It might or might not have, in part, something to do where this tale kicks off. Edinburgh, Scotland. A place that has held my heart from afar for the longest time and a place steeped in culture, history and of course, magic. The perfect place for a romantic rendezvous between two soulmates, torn apart, trying to reconnect with one another.

Standard with the element of mythology, A Deal for a Kiss possesses that delicious haunting element that is both impressive and breathtaking to read. It holds you to the page and doesn't let you go until you've finished the last word. That is where I was at with this prequel, glued to the page as I read Willow blend seamlessly the tendrils of Greek mythology with her signature element of dark romance, imagery so vivid you feel like you were there with the characters and chemistry that already leaps out of the pages, the players are firmly on the stage and the play is ready and waiting to firmly begin.

Ivy and Carlisle embody the very definition of 'star-crossed lovers', battling against the very fates that seem more determine to keep them apart than together. Their love crosses more barriers--and realms--than the average moral-on-moral love, leaving us firmly on the edge of our seats as we hold back our own emotions to see where things could possibly go next for them.

Though their story was short--as is standard for a prequel read--, we are once again left hungry for more of what Willow has fed us, literarily. It is a fair assessment to say that we have been sated with just enough from Ivy and Carlisle to patiently wait for more, while also hungering for more.

After all, we all know a kiss is just a prequel to. much more.

See you next year, Ivy and Carlisle.

[❁ lilyreadsromance ❁ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was confused most of the times but something is telling me that if I read the main story of the series, I would probably understand everything better. So, as the benefit of the doubt, I'll okay-ed this one.

[Laura Reads Too Much · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prequel to Willows upcoming release, His In The Dark. A dark retelling of Hades and Persephone and this spicy intriguing lil novella has me chomping for it!!

What would you do if your one true love, your one-in-a-lifetime soulmate or your one-in-hundred-lifetimes soulmate didn't remember you?
That's what Carlisle is faced with when his Ivy can't remember him. He's distraught but he's determined to fix it which means he's prepared to do whatever it takes ....

Loved it and so excited for His In The Dark.

[Mindesa Molines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willow Winters - A Deal for a Kiss

Bu yazardan okuduğum ilk kitaptı. Çok düşük beklenti ile başladığım bir kitaptı; ama beni olumlu yönde şaşırttı. Benim beklentim mitoloji sosuna bulanmış, kısa, erotik bir şey olmasıydı. Kitap kısa ama bayağı bir aşk romanıydı, şaşırdım. Gayet de güzel yazılmıştı, yazarın tarzını çok beğendim.

Kitap, ebedi iki aşık olan Ivy ve Carlisle’ın tekrar dünyaya gelmesinin hikayesini anlatıyor. Ivy; önceki yaşadığı hayatları hatırlamazken, Carlisle hepsini hatırlar ve Ivy’ye olan aşkını da unutmaz. Sapık takipçi gibi Ivy’yi takip eder. En sonunda Ivy’yi Hades’in yer altı dünyasına kaçırır. Sonra olaylar olaylar :)))

Kitaba puanım 8!

[MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the prequel to the upcoming “his in the dark” pnr romantasy where we are introduced to Ivy, Carlisle and others. Ivy is in Edinburgh to study the architecture but feels she is being watched. There is always a presence nearby. Carlisle needs her to remember but what is it she has forgotten? Oh, after this I need to know what is going to happen next but I won’t say anymore. Get ready for a love across the realms. Told in first person and dual POV.

[Veronica LaRoche · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely couldn’t stop reading this prequel. I love a good retelling of Hades & Persephone and this was absolutely amazing. So ready to see whet will happen next.

[Kacie Mummawh0reads.x · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4🌶️2💧0

A Deal for a Kiss is  a prequel to His in the Dark, but can be read as a standalone. 

This paranormal romance gives us a sneaky look into WW new book, His in the Dark. It is a short read but it’s alluring and captivating and will leave you NEEDING more. Mark your calendars! I can’t wait!


#willowwinters #adealforakiss #darkromance #steamybooks #bookrecs #steamyreads #audiobook #bookaholic #readingtime #bookshelf #instabooks #bookblogger #bookreview #booktok #reading #booklover #bookworm #booknerd #goodreads #aussiebookstagrammers #aussies #australianreaders #darkromance #reading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #instabook #booksofinstagram #booksarelife #spicybooklover

[FS Meurinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a captivating prequel to the upcoming dark romance, His in the Dark. This novella introduces Ivy, a mortal studying in Edinburgh, and Carlisle, an immortal bound to the underworld. Ivy feels a mysterious presence watching her—Carlisle, her forgotten soulmate, who is determined to rekindle their connection despite the odds. The story is a hauntingly beautiful mix of Greek mythology, dark romance, and undeniable chemistry. With vivid imagery and a tantalizing storyline, this short read sets the stage for an epic love story across realms. It’s seductive and emotional and leaves you craving more. A must-read for fans of dark retellings and steamy, forbidden romances! I can’t wait for what’s next.

[Jenna Crumpton · Rating 5 out of 5]

For this to be a prequel to Willow’s upcoming book, His In the Dark, I was completely hooked! It had just the right about of spice and I truly enjoyed the characters Ivy and Carlisle. Although we got a little bit of their story here I really hope we get a little bit more in the full length book because I’m intrigued!

Also, who doesn’t love a dark retelling of Hades and Persephone? Yes please! I can’t wait to find out about the deals that were made and see more about the darkness of the underworld!

Thanks so much to Willow Winters and Hambright PR for an ARC of this book for an honest review!

[Sara Reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a great introduction into this author's next romance His in the Dark. This is very short, but extremely hot and spicy novella is definitely something that you can easily read, probably in 30 minutes. Ivy and Carlisle have some pretty insane chemistry 🫠🥵

Again, it’s a great introduction into this new world, and I simply cannot wait!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Alicia B.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Deal for a Kiss is the prequel to Willow Winters' upcoming release titled His in the Dark, which is a dark retelling of Hades and Persephone. This novella is short and spicy. It leaves you wanting more, in a good way. It was a great introduction into the upcoming story. I can't wait to see how this story develops and connects to His in the Dark.

*I received this novella as an arc and am voluntarily providing an honest review.

[Gladys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared to be stunned and captivated by this novella and the brand new, oh so enticing world it is going to introduce you to. The blend of darkness, steam, angst, drama and emotion is rich, sharp and seductive. Carlisle and Ivy definitely have my attention, and I cannot wait to continue their story.

[Sonia McClintock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spicy novella that serves as a prequel to Willow Winters' upcoming book; His in the Dark.

I was instantly drawn into the story and wanted to know more about Ivy and Carlisle. Their story held its own! However, I wanted to know more about the other characters/world.

Safe to say I'm ready to dive into the next book!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know i love some willow winters! I signed up so fast for this arc. It was just what I needed to get out of the little slump I was in.

ADFAK is a prequel to His in the dark. It was the perfect novella to hook me into Ivy and Carlisles world. And as always Willow nailed it with this steamy retelling!! I can't wait for the next book.


Thank for the opportunity to arc read!

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The spice be spicing in this one! Willow nails this paranormal demon romance and I cant wait to see where the series goes from here.

You'll love this if you enjoy:
🖤 Paranormal romance
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 Dark Romance

[Qady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is short,sweet and spicy.
We are introduced to Ivy,Carlisle and others. It sets up for the next book so well and will leave you wanting more.

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

What did I just read?

[Lauren Eschmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book left me wildly confused but very intrigued. I truly can’t wait for the first book in series to come out.

• Dark Romance
• Demon Romance
• Hades x Persephone Retelling
• Novella

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enticing novella
A demon finds the woman that he has loved for centuries and brings her to the underworld. Obviously, this brings us into contact with gods like Hades, Athena and Aphrodite, but I felt a lot of questions were left unanswered.



Goodreads review published 24/12/25

[Agnes Odek · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Nothing could hide her from me. The darkness is everywhere… and then there’s her. Bright and so easily seen. Mine.”
Knowing someone over multiple lifetimes only for them not to recognize you. Carlisle faces a terrible reality. He is determined to beat all odds and reclaim his girlfriend. His penalty is that she lives in the mortal world while he is a demon. Even after transporting her to his dark world, will her memories of being together return, or will she resist him till the end? Winter's work illustrates the cost of regaining what was lost. The conflict between passion and the consequences encountered. Winters' tale is simply entertaining. It does, however, demonstrate a deeper understanding of what it means to fully belong to someone.
Going against the odds to have the one that consumes every fibre and thought in the body. She demonstrates a love that transcends adversity and time. The reader may feel the forces that bring the tragic lovers together. The novella's content is powerful and intriguing. With each kiss, touch, and breath, suspense grows. Through skilfully crafted words, the reader is transported on an emotional journey. Connecting with the characters on a deeper level, knowing their needs, personalities, and feelings for one another. A Deal for a Kiss is mainly based on love, passion, and hope. These three are so thoroughly described in the book that they may almost be physical.
The prequel is a standalone, but Winter's writing generates a sense of foreboding for the events to come. It makes one want for more of the dark romance. It also suggests a world that could be explored in the novel His in the Dark. A Deal for a Kiss is more than just an introduction to His in the Dark; it's a powerful declaration about fate and passion. This book is emotionally packed. It strikes a balance between mythology and modern structures. For those who enjoy dark romance, this prequel foreshadows the epic story to come.

[Bookish Spy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I truly have no idea what I just read.
The FMC had no personality. Same with the MMC. And it was wholly uninteresting and confusing. I didn't even realise it was Greek mythology based until like halfway through the book. And I don't even understand the ending.

In my opinion, any book that is supposed to be able to be read as a standalone shouldn't confuse the reader.

Even forgetting that, if you read this for the spice, you will be bored. This was the most frilly and yet somehow basic spice I've read in a while

Truly wish I had better things to say because I was looking forward to reading this, but sadly I will not be bothering to continue this series

➛ 𝟏 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫

[books.with.beckyy · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

A Deal For A Kiss by
Willow Winters
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“𝕀’𝕧𝕖 𝕟𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕗𝕖𝕝𝕥 𝕤𝕠 𝕨𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕖. 𝕀𝕥 𝕥𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕠 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕡𝕚𝕖𝕔𝕖𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕞𝕖 𝕤𝕙𝕖 𝕗𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕕.”

Carlisle and Ivy’s story is a must read! This was a quick, steamy read that left me wanting more!

Carlisle desperately longs for Ivy and the past they shared. But Ivy doesn’t remember him or their past relationship. That doesn’t stop him from loving Ivy endlessly and wanting to protect her.

Although this novella was a quick read, the story is well done! I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. 🖤

Thank you Willow Winters and HambrightPR for sending me this ARC! 🖤

𝑨 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝑲𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒍 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒑𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌, 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝑱𝒂𝒏𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒚 2025!

𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐑𝐁//
Nothing could hide her from me. The darkness is everywhere and it moves about in the mortal realm…. And then there’s her. Bright and so easily seen.

Mine. 
She calls to me like I prayed to the Gods she would. I should feel guilt for what I’m going to do. What I must do.She doesn’t remember, but I do. She belongs to me.I will claim her and bring her to the underworld as mine.

At all costs… nothing will keep me from what belongs to me.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a prequel to Willow's story of Hades and Persephone. I just loved it. Carlisle and Ivy have found each other time after time, but now she has lost her memory, and it will never come back. But Carlisle is determined to have her remember. Hades helps him, but he has his own agenda.

[PP's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Deal for a Kiss by Willow Winters is prequel to her upcoming paranormal or fantasy romance. And this novella definitely leaves you wanting for more immediately. Ivy and Carlisle's love story stays strong across the realms and through the time. It captured the angst beautifully. It was also spicy all the way. It introduces us to the world which is set in Greek mythology. Olympus. Hades. Hecate. Aphrodite. Athena. Persephone. The author set up the next book with hint of something exciting and explosive.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

[the endless tbr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Deal for a Kiss is a novella prequel to the upcoming release His in the Dark, releasing in January 2025

I devoured this novella, It had mystery, angst, and lots of spice.

The love this man had for her was endless and beautiful.
It was swoony and just perfect.
I can not wait to read the next book, this novella made me anxious for more.
The writing, the plot, and the spice were so well-balanced. I am a huge fan of Willow Winters writing style and she killed like always. 🫶🏻

[April Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Deal For A Kiss 💋 by Willow Winters: Book Review
“Bright and so easily seen. She calls to me like I prayed to the gods she would. What I would give to be mortal again so she could see me as I see her. Time…in time… I stop the thought, hating what must be done.”

Genre:
Mythology Retelling
Dark Romantasy
Dark Romance
Tropes & Themes:
Stalking Romance
Kidnapping Romance
Mythology

A Deal For A Kiss — Alternative Edition

“he is nothing but darkness”

Book Details:
Kindle Edition
Thank you to the Author for the e-copy of A Deal For A Kiss! 💋

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

“…then I was taken again. Back to the darkness, falling this time and landing harshly on the rough carved stone beneath me. I could see nothing, feel nothing but the unforgiving stone. Hear nothing but the violent beat of my pulse. I thought there was no one and nothing, until I felt him behind me. Turning as quickly as I could served no purpose; there was nothing but blackness surrounding me.”

A Deal For A Kiss, by Willow Winters, is an erotic, dark-romantasy and the prequel to His In The Dark: a Persephone & Hades Retelling. Typical me, I read these books out of order — which didn’t affect my enjoyability, fortunately. While interconnected, these books can be read as standalones, as I did quite by accident! Nevertheless, I was swept up like a tornado into this dark love story, written in Winters’ beautiful, romantic prose.

A Deal For A Kiss is Ivy and Carlisle’s story, which leads up to the next installment: Persephone and Hades’ story. Ivy is alone and lonely, completing her Masters degree in Edinburgh, where clouds are always overhead. Worse, she feels a dark presence stalking her, chilling her to her bones.

“He’s stalking me. If he’s even real…”

Ivy’s visceral reaction to the dark entity shadowing her is written in a way that the reader can feel the chilling tension and suspense; and the build-up is dark romantasy gold. I understood and felt empathy of her expectations of campus life versus reality, where if you’re not already in a clique, it can be extremely difficult to fit in. I too found this true, many moons ago, my experience at a Community College versus a University was worlds different. I totally understood how Ivy felt, drinking her coffee alone, and having the bare minimum of socialization despite being among extremely large groups in lecture halls, cafés, or in Ivy’s situation, the coffeehouse students flocked to. Her emotions felt real and appropriate, as did her curiosity of a possible darkness tailing her.

Told in dual pov with smooth narrative transitions made for an enjoyable read. Carlisle was such an intriguing character and his everlasting adoration and worship of Ivy was beautiful and breathtaking. There were incidents foreshadowing events of the next read that I was surprised to discover. One of these reveals is jaw-dropping-shocking and I highly recommend readers of this series to also read this prequel!

“My heart thuds with the agony of remembering so much when the only love I’ve ever known remembers nothing. We’ve had lifetimes together. Every lifetime. My soulmate, my everything. Ripped apart only at our last death. The memories flash before my eyes. The rage and the brutal sadness.”

Fans of heavily spiced stalking/kidnapping/captive/dark romance tropes will delight in this prequel. The spice/erotica practically melted my screen it was so hot.🔥 That and the love over many lifetimes is enough to melt even the coldest of hearts. 🖤

I’m also favorable to book covers with florals and fantasy elements. This “discreet” cover/alternative edition is stunning. I also like the version with the couple’s limbs lovingly intertwined.

'The light from the fire in the corner of the room dances in his dark eyes. “That our love was a gift from the gods. One they could take away,” he says and then lifts the goblet, “and one they can give back.”'
😭🖤

Overall, another great read by Willow Winters, with its beautiful, romantic prose, an imaginative nod to mythology, and a dark love story that endures all.

Highly recommended to self-proclaimed Book Baddies who like their romantasy dark, their hero morally-black, and their heroine feisty deep within her innocence!!

About the Author:

Willow Winters is so happy to be a USA Today, Wall Street Journal and #1 Contemporary Best Selling Author!

Stay up to date!

Want a text alert? Text “Willow” to (302) 205-3701

Sign up to my newsletter + get EXCLUSIVE content, sneak peeks, and FREE books monthly: https://willowwinterswrites.com

All the other details you need to know: https://geni.us/3B53kF

Willow started writing after having her little girl, Evie, December 2015. All during her pregnancy with Evie she continued to read and she only wanted to read romance. She was reading a book a day — sometimes two.

In January 2016 Willow was staying up late with Evie and just thinking of all these stories. They came to her constantly so she finally sat down and just started writing. She always wanted to do it so she figured, why not? Today Willow cannot be happier for making that decision!




—Goodreads Bio



Discover more from A Well Read Woman Blog
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

https://awellreadwomanblog.wordpress....

[Morgan A Kilth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the censored version on YouTube. Gets really good at the end!