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Awakening Elaina: A Tale of Loss, Lust, Love & Liberation
In the hauntingly beautiful world of Awakening A Tale of Loss, Lust, Love & Liberation, young widow Elaina grapples with the shadows of her past, echoes of childhood trauma and the scars of sexual abuse that have long silenced her spirit. Beneath the surface of her grief lies an unyielding darkness and desire for liberation and sexuality.
Enter Jacob, her best friend's brooding older brother. A hero in every sense, his obsession with her has meant that he has made it his mission to protect her from the demons that haunt her.
Can she confront her demons through desire?
A journey of self-discovery, where kink, sexual awakening and vulnerability intertwine. This is a story of loss, love, and the power to rise from the ashes.
Are you ready to awaken & embrace the Darkness...
Enter Jacob, her best friend's brooding older brother. A hero in every sense, his obsession with her has meant that he has made it his mission to protect her from the demons that haunt her.
Can she confront her demons through desire?
A journey of self-discovery, where kink, sexual awakening and vulnerability intertwine. This is a story of loss, love, and the power to rise from the ashes.
Are you ready to awaken & embrace the Darkness...
480 pages, Paperback
Published December 18, 2024
10 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 12, 2025
I did love this book ..
The storyline, the spice, the touch her & die vibes .. 👌
I just felt like it could of been shorter. There is a point in the storyline that was the perfect ending. It felt like the writing past this was put in just to fit more smut in. However, the smut that was in the rest of the storyline was spot on 👌
Overall, I would recommend the book ✌️
The storyline, the spice, the touch her & die vibes .. 👌
I just felt like it could of been shorter. There is a point in the storyline that was the perfect ending. It felt like the writing past this was put in just to fit more smut in. However, the smut that was in the rest of the storyline was spot on 👌
Overall, I would recommend the book ✌️
March 28, 2025
In the hauntingly beautiful world of Awakening Elaina: A Tale of Loss, Lust, Love & Liberation, young widow Elaina grapples with the shadows of her past, echoes of childhood trauma and the scars of sexual abuse that have long silenced her spirit. Beneath the surface of her grief lies an unyielding darkness and desire for liberation and sexuality.
Enter Jacob, her best friend's brooding older brother. A hero in every sense, his obsession with her has meant that he has made it his mission to protect her from the demons that haunt her.
Can she confront her demons through desire?
A journey of self-discovery, where kink, sexual awakening and vulnerability intertwine. This is a story of loss, love, and the power to rise from the ashes.
Are you ready to awaken & embrace the Darkness...
Thoughts:
I couldn’t put this book down! Wow! This was a dark read and I loved all of it!
The FMCs development and set backs throughout this book were well written. The MMC obsessed dark dom hero! swoon!
Elaina and Jake have my whole heart! I giggled, kicked my feet, almost threw the book and even cried a little. It was a great roller coaster!
Please check your trigger warning before reading this book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Enter Jacob, her best friend's brooding older brother. A hero in every sense, his obsession with her has meant that he has made it his mission to protect her from the demons that haunt her.
Can she confront her demons through desire?
A journey of self-discovery, where kink, sexual awakening and vulnerability intertwine. This is a story of loss, love, and the power to rise from the ashes.
Are you ready to awaken & embrace the Darkness...
Thoughts:
I couldn’t put this book down! Wow! This was a dark read and I loved all of it!
The FMCs development and set backs throughout this book were well written. The MMC obsessed dark dom hero! swoon!
Elaina and Jake have my whole heart! I giggled, kicked my feet, almost threw the book and even cried a little. It was a great roller coaster!
Please check your trigger warning before reading this book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
June 16, 2025
3.5/4stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Awakening Elaina
“My dark angle, you are my life. I would let the world burn if it meant having you for eternity.”
“The only thing I ask is that you outlive me, so I dont have to live in a world where you don’t exist.”
I give this book 3.5/4 stars. This book had a great story line truly. The FMC had backstory that was gut wrenching and gripping and you see her learn about herself, overcome trauma, ptsd, get a second chance at love, found family, truly had it all.
The spice was spicing, and much appreciated. What kept it from being a solid 4/5 was the “poly relations” should have been sprinkled throughout the book more. The group scene came i felt abruptly after she went through some serious trauma…
Her story line was strong enough, and the happy ending was nice and the spice of course.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Awakening Elaina
“My dark angle, you are my life. I would let the world burn if it meant having you for eternity.”
“The only thing I ask is that you outlive me, so I dont have to live in a world where you don’t exist.”
I give this book 3.5/4 stars. This book had a great story line truly. The FMC had backstory that was gut wrenching and gripping and you see her learn about herself, overcome trauma, ptsd, get a second chance at love, found family, truly had it all.
The spice was spicing, and much appreciated. What kept it from being a solid 4/5 was the “poly relations” should have been sprinkled throughout the book more. The group scene came i felt abruptly after she went through some serious trauma…
Her story line was strong enough, and the happy ending was nice and the spice of course.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2025
Wow 5 star read
This book was so good this is a debut novel and I loved it .
It made me laugh , it broke my heart in place and I really connected with the story.
Elaina and Jake have my whole heart and the perfect couple
The story and writing flowed perfect and I need more 🖤
This book was so good this is a debut novel and I loved it .
It made me laugh , it broke my heart in place and I really connected with the story.
Elaina and Jake have my whole heart and the perfect couple
The story and writing flowed perfect and I need more 🖤
November 10, 2025
if I could rate this out of 10, it would, without a doubt, be a 10/10😍
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
I'm struggling to comprehend how I'm feeling after finishing this book, and to find the words to describe the things it has done to me over the past week😅
It literally destroyed me, I cried a good few times over the things Elaina went through. Her growth and the things she overcame in this book was absolutely amazing. With everything she had gone through, I fully expected this to be a book where she remained broken throughout, but instead she rose from the dark like a phoenix from the ashes and absolutely smashed out of the cage of heartache she was stuck in ❤️🔥
I'm so glad her first husband died, if not I would've wanted to put him 6ft under myself. Awful creature. His family of vultures were dreadful too, the lack of loyalty towards Elaina and the betrayal was so heartless 🔪 . And don't even get me started on the mistress, I hated every part of her and her nasty, hurtful behaviour.
Jake was such a sweetheart 🫶🏼 the way he treats his "Angel" is absolutely swoon-worthy. The care, the love, the protectiveness, the worshipping, the dominance... just wow, he's incredible.
If this was a show, it would be one of those comfort shows that you watch over and over again because you just love it that much.
Normally I fly through books because I read quickly, but I purposely took my time with this one because I honestly just didn't want it to end.
This book had my heart beating crazy at one point, had me cry a good few times, smiling more than I expected, and shedding a few happy tears too. It has ruined me emotionally and then stitched me back together in the best way.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
I'm struggling to comprehend how I'm feeling after finishing this book, and to find the words to describe the things it has done to me over the past week😅
It literally destroyed me, I cried a good few times over the things Elaina went through. Her growth and the things she overcame in this book was absolutely amazing. With everything she had gone through, I fully expected this to be a book where she remained broken throughout, but instead she rose from the dark like a phoenix from the ashes and absolutely smashed out of the cage of heartache she was stuck in ❤️🔥
I'm so glad her first husband died, if not I would've wanted to put him 6ft under myself. Awful creature. His family of vultures were dreadful too, the lack of loyalty towards Elaina and the betrayal was so heartless 🔪 . And don't even get me started on the mistress, I hated every part of her and her nasty, hurtful behaviour.
Jake was such a sweetheart 🫶🏼 the way he treats his "Angel" is absolutely swoon-worthy. The care, the love, the protectiveness, the worshipping, the dominance... just wow, he's incredible.
If this was a show, it would be one of those comfort shows that you watch over and over again because you just love it that much.
Normally I fly through books because I read quickly, but I purposely took my time with this one because I honestly just didn't want it to end.
This book had my heart beating crazy at one point, had me cry a good few times, smiling more than I expected, and shedding a few happy tears too. It has ruined me emotionally and then stitched me back together in the best way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2025
This was a wickedly spicy read with quite the emotional developmental journey for Elaina. Having suffered in the past, Elaina has been stifled in so many ways & still needs to heal.
Until Jacob. He's a dark, protective, obsessive dom, brooding & ready to protect her with his 'brothers' backing him up; the 4 take on new roles in her life. Some more unexpected than others. There are some dark on page elements, as well as scenes from her past, which sensitive readers definitely need to check the triggers for.
It got spicy, it got k1nky & it got really dark in places, with more than a little revenge thrown in. So if any of this is your thing, you will 100% love this book.
I am looking forward to seeing where Penny takes the series next...
Until Jacob. He's a dark, protective, obsessive dom, brooding & ready to protect her with his 'brothers' backing him up; the 4 take on new roles in her life. Some more unexpected than others. There are some dark on page elements, as well as scenes from her past, which sensitive readers definitely need to check the triggers for.
It got spicy, it got k1nky & it got really dark in places, with more than a little revenge thrown in. So if any of this is your thing, you will 100% love this book.
I am looking forward to seeing where Penny takes the series next...
November 4, 2025
What a rollercoaster of emotions this book sent me on! The FMC transforms from a vulnerable little widow to a sex siren who takes her power back and rises from the ashes! She turns her pain and trauma into pure confidence and sex appeal! And her knight in black armour don’t even get me started on Jacob, he is the man of dreams! Dominant, possessive, protective and sexy as hell!! Together they are unstoppable
What have you done to me ?!
Screaming, crying and throwing up doesn’t even come close to how this book has effected me! Never read a love story so dark, raw, emotional and obsessive! There’s plot, there’s twists and there’s definitely spice - Everything I love in a book! I got so lost in Elaina and Jacob’s story I’m having a hard time realising they aren’t real … don’t think I will ever get over this book
I had the honour of meeting Penny at AATA last month and she did not disappoint she’s such a lovely, down to earth woman! Thank you for giving us such an amazing book, you are one talented woman
I am sooo excited to get lost in the world of Alex, Mark and Derek
What have you done to me ?!
Screaming, crying and throwing up doesn’t even come close to how this book has effected me! Never read a love story so dark, raw, emotional and obsessive! There’s plot, there’s twists and there’s definitely spice - Everything I love in a book! I got so lost in Elaina and Jacob’s story I’m having a hard time realising they aren’t real … don’t think I will ever get over this book
I had the honour of meeting Penny at AATA last month and she did not disappoint she’s such a lovely, down to earth woman! Thank you for giving us such an amazing book, you are one talented woman
I am sooo excited to get lost in the world of Alex, Mark and Derek
February 9, 2025
I loved this debut book from Penny Mappoura Salmon! It was dark and delicious and the FMC has great development in her story arc.
The MMC is obsessed, touch her and 💀 (literally). The spice is bang on through the book. The FMC finding her darkness in more waysbthan one.
A story of self discovery and I can't wait for book 2!!
The MMC is obsessed, touch her and 💀 (literally). The spice is bang on through the book. The FMC finding her darkness in more waysbthan one.
A story of self discovery and I can't wait for book 2!!
December 23, 2025
Absolutely loved this book. The emotions the author pulls out of you throughout this whole book is amazing. Got worried in the beginning over the MMCs obsession but Penny did it tastefully. The touches on some pretty dark subjects that can be relatable to some readers. It was definitely worth the read! Diving into book 2 now!
July 23, 2025
This book was so beautifully dark and I am absolutely in love with it! Elaina’s story was amazing, I love that she had so much backstory. I am also absolutely OBSESSED with Jake, and the smut! 😍❤️
6/5 stars, I am so so glad I picked this up!
6/5 stars, I am so so glad I picked this up!
August 17, 2025
(Please read your trigger warnings!!)
Elaina - Has become a widow, a widow who has found out her husband isn't who she thought he was.
She has lots of past childhood trauma, ones that she hasn't forgotten.
Her life is about to change when she rekindles with her childhood best friends brother.
Jake - Rekindles with Elaina, who is his sisters childhood best friend, he becomes obsessed with Elaina and lets her see parts of his dark and thrilling life.
This is a beautifully written dark romance, one where we see a second chance romance between childhood friends, we also see how the FMC becomes her own hero with the support of her hero man behind her guiding her the best way he can.
There are lots of twists and turns in his novel. There is also delicious spice. The way the author created the dark themes and spicy scenes in his novel is amazing!!
This book got me hook line and sinker! I absolutely ate this book up!!
This is the first time reading this authors work, and I can hands down say it will not be the last! I can’t wait to see what else this author has in store for us next!
If you are looking for a dark romance novel, with twists and turns and delicous spice, then this novel is for you! As always, please read your trigger warnings.
Elaina - Has become a widow, a widow who has found out her husband isn't who she thought he was.
She has lots of past childhood trauma, ones that she hasn't forgotten.
Her life is about to change when she rekindles with her childhood best friends brother.
Jake - Rekindles with Elaina, who is his sisters childhood best friend, he becomes obsessed with Elaina and lets her see parts of his dark and thrilling life.
This is a beautifully written dark romance, one where we see a second chance romance between childhood friends, we also see how the FMC becomes her own hero with the support of her hero man behind her guiding her the best way he can.
There are lots of twists and turns in his novel. There is also delicious spice. The way the author created the dark themes and spicy scenes in his novel is amazing!!
This book got me hook line and sinker! I absolutely ate this book up!!
This is the first time reading this authors work, and I can hands down say it will not be the last! I can’t wait to see what else this author has in store for us next!
If you are looking for a dark romance novel, with twists and turns and delicous spice, then this novel is for you! As always, please read your trigger warnings.
November 15, 2025
What a roller coaster of emotions, I have loved every second of this book so much i gave up on today and read this instead thankfully my family are understanding. I have yelled, cried and wanted to scream so much and yet every single sentence was so well put tighter. loved every part of it.
August 24, 2025
OH. MY. DAYS. So freaking hot and heartbreaking and beautiful 😕 but him... WOooooo he's stunning, and dark and made of silky chocolate 🤤 As for the fire they have... Ouch!
November 17, 2025
How have I only just come across Penny's books. I loved it.
This had everything. Great back story, obsessive MMC and smut.
Elaina had gone through so much throughout her life, more than anyone should ever have to deal with. Penny dealt with it perfectly, I loved how she showed Elaina to be a warrior and survivor and not a victim.
Jacob.. where do I start. That guy is sexy. The fact that he loves Elaina and willing to help her find her who she is, above his own needs showed how much he cared for her.
I loved how they were their dark, wild sides with one another.
The boys and Nicole were the perfect addition to the story and I cannot wait to read their books.
Find yourself a Jacob..a guy who allows the dark side out to play.
The book does touch on some dark themes so I do advise you to check the trigger warnings before reading.
This had everything. Great back story, obsessive MMC and smut.
Elaina had gone through so much throughout her life, more than anyone should ever have to deal with. Penny dealt with it perfectly, I loved how she showed Elaina to be a warrior and survivor and not a victim.
Jacob.. where do I start. That guy is sexy. The fact that he loves Elaina and willing to help her find her who she is, above his own needs showed how much he cared for her.
I loved how they were their dark, wild sides with one another.
The boys and Nicole were the perfect addition to the story and I cannot wait to read their books.
Find yourself a Jacob..a guy who allows the dark side out to play.
The book does touch on some dark themes so I do advise you to check the trigger warnings before reading.
August 19, 2025
Omg this book is dark……..like my heart 😜😜😜😜😜
Such a fantastic read from start to finish 😮💨😮💨😮💨
Elaina is a survivor AND stays that way throughout the book
Jake is 🥵🤤🫠🥵🤤🫠🥵🤤🫠 and will make sure Elaina stays that way, even with his ‘collar’ 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
A must read now for any dark hearted fan like myself
Such a fantastic read from start to finish 😮💨😮💨😮💨
Elaina is a survivor AND stays that way throughout the book
Jake is 🥵🤤🫠🥵🤤🫠🥵🤤🫠 and will make sure Elaina stays that way, even with his ‘collar’ 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
A must read now for any dark hearted fan like myself
November 10, 2025
Wow what a rollercoaster this book took me on I think I felt every emotion known to man whilst reading this book. This is dark and haunting and I ate it up. The EMC in this book was so incredibly broken and watching her flourish and then navigate her setbacks was amazing and executed brilliantly. Now let's talk about Jake cause that's what I'm TALKING ABOUT wow his overprotective alpha energy was outmatched and he may be one of my new top MMCs he can Dom me whenever he feels like it. He was dark and broody and overbearing and soooo sexy wow wow wow wow wow wow I volunteer as tribute @the way he controlled his primal emotions around the EMC and let her lead as she pieced herself back together only stepping in when he needed to urgh *swoon* he melted me yes 10 stars for Jake
But those other 3 99999991'11 have a slice of each of those pies thank you
But those other 3 99999991'11 have a slice of each of those pies thank you
November 16, 2025
This book, wow. I went through all the emotions reading this one. It is spicy, dark and perfect in everyway. I absolutely fell in love with the FMC and the MMC and I really felt all the emotions with them through the events of the book, it was brilliantly written. This book has taken a spot in my all time favourites and I will absolutely be reading everything else this Author ever writes! Absolutely Obsessed, you NEED to read this! 🖤
July 27, 2025
dark dirty and delicious.
Elaina's childhold was dark, her marriage well not what she thought, and Jake, her best friends older brother, someone she's not seen in years is just what she needs.
Penny Mappoura-Salmon is a new face in the dark romance world and i feel she's about to become a wonderful addition. This book was amazing and dark romance lovers should definitely check out her work.
Elaina's childhold was dark, her marriage well not what she thought, and Jake, her best friends older brother, someone she's not seen in years is just what she needs.
Penny Mappoura-Salmon is a new face in the dark romance world and i feel she's about to become a wonderful addition. This book was amazing and dark romance lovers should definitely check out her work.
April 2, 2025
Awakening Elaina
“ my Angel loves the darkness, she just hasn’t let herself feel it yet”
I loved this book so much. Elaina hasn’t had the easiest life she’s got some childhood trauma and she’s also widowed at a young age. She has been pretending to herself and the world that she is someone she isn’t and then enters Jake. He knows the darkness that lurks behind her mask and he loves her for it. I love how we got to see Elaina grow into herself and love herself and her darkness. Jacob is obsessed and literally gives off touch her and 💀 vibes 🤭. I’ll 100% be reading the next book in the series.
“ my Angel loves the darkness, she just hasn’t let herself feel it yet”
I loved this book so much. Elaina hasn’t had the easiest life she’s got some childhood trauma and she’s also widowed at a young age. She has been pretending to herself and the world that she is someone she isn’t and then enters Jake. He knows the darkness that lurks behind her mask and he loves her for it. I love how we got to see Elaina grow into herself and love herself and her darkness. Jacob is obsessed and literally gives off touch her and 💀 vibes 🤭. I’ll 100% be reading the next book in the series.
July 24, 2025
extremely intense, please make sure you read the warning at the beginning or this is a story that could trigger you, I was expecting it and it still managed to catch me off guard how intense it was
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2025
One of my favorite reads this month! I loved this book from start to finish. I loved the main characters and the way that they were with one another. It was a book that I didn't want to put down the entire time I read it.
September 30, 2025
'Awakening Elaina' by Penny Mappoura-Salmon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I ate this book up....
The story was so deep, and it was a hard read at times!
The story comes with a list of content warnings, so please check your triggers before reading.
It is a tale of LOSS, LUST, LOVE & LIBERATION 🖤😈
Elaina has made it through a traumatic childhood into her teens. Being abused at a young age by visitors of her Foster Mother. She doesn't know who she is and ends up marrying an investment banker and living a beige life!
Until her Husbands unexpected death.
There is a darkness within Elaina, something dying to be set free!!!
Enters a tall dark, handsome, not so strange male.... is he the key to setting her free????
It seems to be going great for Elaina, and then the past comes back to haunt her, throws her into the boot of a car, and takes her captive!
Can Elaina fight off her demons and enter the darkside???
The levels of kink in this book are unreal, and I could not put it down 😉😜
I was rooting for Elaina throughout this book.
Well done on your debut novel, Penny!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I ate this book up....
The story was so deep, and it was a hard read at times!
The story comes with a list of content warnings, so please check your triggers before reading.
It is a tale of LOSS, LUST, LOVE & LIBERATION 🖤😈
Elaina has made it through a traumatic childhood into her teens. Being abused at a young age by visitors of her Foster Mother. She doesn't know who she is and ends up marrying an investment banker and living a beige life!
Until her Husbands unexpected death.
There is a darkness within Elaina, something dying to be set free!!!
Enters a tall dark, handsome, not so strange male.... is he the key to setting her free????
It seems to be going great for Elaina, and then the past comes back to haunt her, throws her into the boot of a car, and takes her captive!
Can Elaina fight off her demons and enter the darkside???
The levels of kink in this book are unreal, and I could not put it down 😉😜
I was rooting for Elaina throughout this book.
Well done on your debut novel, Penny!!
June 1, 2025
Words can’t fully capture how brilliantly Penny nailed this story. The heartbreak, the emotional growth, and the vivid detail she poured into every page made this an unforgettable read.
One of the standout elements was how she portrayed the male main character. His possessiveness could have easily veered into unhealthy territory, but Penny masterfully turned it into something redemptive. His transformation—learning to put Elaina’s happiness, comfort, and needs above his own—was both believable and deeply moving.
And let’s talk about that sharing scene toward the end… absolutely drool-worthy.
Amazing job, Penny. I’m already looking forward to diving into more of your work!
One of the standout elements was how she portrayed the male main character. His possessiveness could have easily veered into unhealthy territory, but Penny masterfully turned it into something redemptive. His transformation—learning to put Elaina’s happiness, comfort, and needs above his own—was both believable and deeply moving.
And let’s talk about that sharing scene toward the end… absolutely drool-worthy.
Amazing job, Penny. I’m already looking forward to diving into more of your work!
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April 22, 2025This book offers a compelling narrative that draws readers into its richly crafted world. The characters are well-developed, and the plot unfolds with engaging twists that keep you hooked from start to finish. A must-read for fans of the genre!
December 12, 2025
review to follow
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews