Awakening Elaina: A Tale of Loss, Lust, Love & Liberation

by Penny Mappoura-Salmon

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...

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Spicy

448 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2024

About the author

Penny Mappoura-Salmon is an international dark romance author known for writing emotionally intense, addictive stories filled with morally grey men, dangerous devotion, trauma-to-healing romance, and obsession that borders on ruin.

Her bestselling Dark Series blends dark romance, suspense, found family, emotional healing, and possessive antiheroes readers can’t stop thinking about.

Known for emotionally charged relationships, cinematic tension, and fiercely loyal characters, Penny creates stories that explore darkness, survival, love, and the people willing to burn the world down for each other.

When she isn’t writing emotionally devastating fictional men, she can usually be found planning her next special edition obsession, attending signing events, or building the world of DARK one morally questionable man at a time. 🖤

Reviews

[Anna Nenna]

I need more information about the relationship? I tried a sample on Kindle (I am very intrigued by the audio!) and in the long list of TW and CW there is infidelity mentioned- I hope that is in regards to the past relationship!? 🤞😬😵‍💫
What type of relationship this is: Monogamous? RH? Poly? No information at all… 🤷🏻‍♀️🫣
Ebook costs approximately 8 dollars plus taxes for those with no KU!

[Claire]

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 ✌️

[Lynnmarie542_books]

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!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Nicole Gemme]

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.

[Ashley Miller]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

Okay… WOW. This book was SO much more than I was expecting. I went into this completely blind and came out completely emotionally wrecked, obsessed with these characters, and very much thinking about JAKE. 😮‍💨 Because that man?!?!

The story hooked me right away, but what really got me was Elaina. Her story is heavy, heartbreaking, and filled with trauma, and watching her slowly start to find herself again was such a powerful part of the book. Her healing didn’t feel rushed or magically fixed. You could feel how much she had been through, which made watching her reclaim pieces of herself hit that much harder. She goes from surviving to actually living, and I loved watching that transformation.

And then there’s Jake. 🥵 Protective? Obsessed? Morally gray? Completely gone for Elaina? YES PLEASE. The way he loves her and is willing to absolutely destroy anyone who hurts her had me eating this man UP. But what I loved most was that beneath all that intensity, he genuinely wanted Elaina to find herself and realize just how powerful she really was. Their chemistry was 🔥🔥🔥, and the spice was absolutely spicing.

And the audiobook?! Cate Morrigan and Xander Lee KILLED IT. The performances added so much emotion to the story, especially during the heavier moments, and Xander’s voice as Jake… ma’am. 😮‍💨 Let’s just say I understood the assignment of listening to this one.

This is definitely a dark read with some incredibly heavy themes, so please check the trigger warnings before diving in. But if you love dark romance with trauma, healing, obsession, protective/possessive energy, intense chemistry, BDSM elements, and an MMC who would go to war for his woman… add this one to your TBR.

Thank you BlueNose for the ALC. As always, these are my honest thoughts.

[Fiona Reads ☁️🧸🪬🎧🗡️]

Elaina went through a lot of trauma going up and you experience this with her all the way through the book. Another major event happened I didn’t see coming and when I tell you my heart was in my mouth.
she grows as a character and becomes the woman she wants to be, finds love after a loveless marriage with our obsessed mmc who has been obsessing over her since they were young.
yearning loving and 5 star spice. The spice is heavy all the way through the book so if this is what you love, run … (I see you running ya filthy animal)

we get found family, great side characters and the perfect ending to their journey.
i dont want to give too much away in this review but if want something spicy this is for you.. but please please check your trigger warnings xx

fantastic Job to My Gal Pagan !! Look at you now,
I loved the way pagan brought Eliana to life and the way she did all the female characters . You smashed it Angel 😜
and of course Xander great job!
I really enjoyed the audio and thank you to
Blue Nose again for this amazing opportunity

[Amber]

This book was an emotional rollercoaster, and I loved it!
Elaina starts off broken by her husband's death and having to deal with his awful family after some shocking truths come out at the funeral. But she bravely takes her life back with her best friend's brother, Jacob, by her side.

Add a devastating past that comes back to haunt Elaina, and you've got a gripping story.

Watching Elaina get her confidence back was inspiring and kept me hooked, and the chemistry between her and Jacob was seriously HOT!!!!

I'm really looking forward to continuing the series. I have a feeling that I'm going to be obsessed with Alex!!

[Maggie]

One of the best books I've ever read! Can't wait to read the rest of the series!!

[Sharon Melia]

4.5 stars

Awakening Elaira is a dark romance centred
eyl inelie
lustavral dies & she finds out all his sorolid beatine secrets. With him gone she has to find '

herself again, maybe this time the real Elaira
enter Take, a childhood friend & her baf brother, hes been her protector, hidden in
wtil he does.
This is perrys debut book & if you love dark romarce this book is for you. It's full of obessive MMC ard a bad ass strong finc!
She goes through it all ard comes out the other side.
arazing good !!

[Laura Cowell]

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! 🖤

[Jasmine Stacey]

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 🖤

[Becky Doyle]

A tale of loss, lust, love and liberation. It’s right there on the cover. But you’re not prepaired for this book.
Dark romance ‘touch her and die’ vibes are strong.
Steamy ‘I can’t get enough of you’ intimacy with a deep BDSM vibe gives me life! Not the 50 shades type either, the real D/s vibe we all drool over.
But beyond that, we have a deep story line that will put you on a rollercoaster similar to Haunting Adeline and other dark romances that just seem to live under your skin forever more. This one will haunt you.

Elaina has seen more trauma than a woman of her just 30s ever should have. Loosing her parents resulted in being thrown into the foster system where she was brutally abused by the men who would frequent the homes she was placed in. Dark, dirty predators that took everything from her body and soul. So when she marries young to a man of wealth who quickly trained her to be the perfect beige wife fit for the high society he walked among; she was merely a shell of what she used to be. So alone: so lost.

But she never was truly alone, because all these years Jake (her childhood besties brother) has been watching her, following her moves, learning everything he can; and he’s not just obsessed; she is his oxygen and he will have her. Protect her. Save her.

Through the fire of trauma risen again, the exploration of her own inner darkness; and the guidance of a dominating Jake tempting his Angel to show her Devil side in and out of the bedroom, El not only manages to extract her revenge for those who harmed her in the most brutally delicious way, she steps into her power, realises her true self, and becomes the ‘ little badass’ she always had hidden away inside: and together with Jake; the world is theirs to conquer. Well in-between the amazingly spicy moments and the frequent debortuary at their new adventure, a BDSM club called Dark.

Readers beware , the trauma El goes through can be triggering, it’s intense; detailed , and you live it alongside her as this book has its way of really immersing you , so read your trigger warnings. But for those Dark romance girlies out there like me who eat trigger warnings as a snack this is definitely a book for you.

[Rae Richard]

4.6 ⭐️ 4.2🌶️ 4.8🎧

I absolutely loved this book! The writing pulled me in from the beginning, and the characters—especially the main characters—were wonderfully developed. Their chemistry and growth made them feel so real, and I loved getting to know them.

This is definitely a dark read, with darker themes and an intense atmosphere that added so much depth to the story. It won’t be for everyone, but I really enjoyed the darker elements and how they shaped the characters and their relationship.

The spice was definitely spicing!!!! The chemistry was undeniable, and those scenes delivered. 😮‍💨

I also loved the audiobook. Cate Morrigan and Xander Lee did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. Their voices, emotional range, and delivery added so much depth to the story and made the listening experience even more engaging.

Elaina is the definition of a survivor, and watching her fight through everything she’s been through, even when she didn’t believe she had any strength left, broke my heart in the best way. Seeing her finally find people who truly love her, protect her, and remind her of her worth made me so emotional because she discovers that the strength she was searching for had been inside her all along—and she is so much stronger than she ever realized.

Jacob’s obsession with Elaina felt less like possession and more like an all-consuming devotion—the kind where she became the person he would always choose, protect, and fight for without hesitation. He was the ultimate “I’d go to war for you” kind of man, fiercely loyal and hopelessly devoted, proving through every action just how deeply he cared for her.

Jacob really said, Elaina is my priority, everyone else can take a number. 😂💀

Overall, this was an enjoyable read and listen with great writing, memorable characters, undeniable chemistry, and fantastic narration.

I loved it, devoured it, and yes… I recommend it!!!

Thank you blue nose for giving me the chance to listen and get to know a new author.

[Aleia Tylkowski]

Girl. This book had me feeling EVERYTHING. Elaina’s story is heartbreaking, raw, and heavy, but watching her begin to rise out of her grief and rediscover herself was so damn beautiful. I loved that her healing wasn’t made to feel easy or neat. You could feel the weight of everything she had survived, which made every step she took toward reclaiming her life, her voice, and her sexuality mean so much more.

Now Jacob? My goodness. That man is obsessive, protective, morally gray, and completely gone for Elaina. He is the exact kind of MMC I eat up. The fact that he had carried those feelings for so long made his devotion hit even harder. He had that intense who did this to you energy, but there was also a tenderness in the way he supported her as she became the woman she wanted to be. And that mouth? Sir. The spice was absolutely spicing, but it also felt connected to Elaina’s awakening and vulnerability instead of being thrown in just for shock value.

The audiobook made this even better. Cate Morrigan and Xander Lee were absolutely astounding. Cate’s voice is so soft and beautiful, but she still pours so much emotion into Elaina that you feel every bit of her pain and growth. And Xander? My goodness. His voice is so soothing, but he gives Jacob this edge that fits his character perfectly. Then he does that breathy thing during the spicy scenes, or anytime Jacob is talking about Elaina, and it is DELICIOUS. They brought so much feeling and intensity to this story and completely elevated the experience.

I also loved the found family element and the way the relationships around Elaina brought warmth to such a dark story. This was about so much more than romance. It was about grief, trauma, desire, healing, and a woman finally taking herself back. Definitely check the trigger warnings because this one goes to some very dark places, but it was such a powerful and addictive read. Five huge stars!

[Cat.thebookworm]

Awakening Elaina is the first book in the Dark Series, and WOW — what an incredible start. I genuinely couldn’t put this book down.

I would just say that if you do have some triggers then check out the warnings for this book first.

The story follows Elaina, who becomes a widow at a young age and begins to struggle once again with the trauma from her childhood. During her marriage, she had become someone she wasn’t — moulded by her husband into what he considered the perfect wife and woman. No one truly knew the real Elaina.

Except for Jacob — her old best friend’s older brother. He has been obsessed with Elaina for years, lurking in the background and keeping an eye on her for the last ten years.

This is a dark read, and as someone still fairly new to the genre, I can confidently say I am fully invested in this series. Elaina is written perfectly; her character development, as well as her setbacks, feel incredibly real. You truly feel for her after everything she has been through — and what she goes through again would be enough to make anyone want to give up.

There are some scenes I absolutely loved, but I don’t want to go into too much detail and risk spoilers. Her badass moment was everything she needed, and the Christmas Eve scene… wow — HOT.

I also love the relationship between Elaina and Jake. They are perfection together, and he would do absolutely anything to protect her. While many people talk about their relationship, the friendship between Elaina and Nicole also deserves recognition. After drifting apart, they come back together as if they had never been separated — a true example of real friendship.

I honestly wish I had discovered this series sooner. Now, hand me book two.

[Readwithmills]

Was Awakening Elaina my kind of story? ...hell yeah it was- Five stars, easily.
Elaina completely carried this book for me. I loved how she wasn't just instantly "figured out"-you actually get to see her grow into herself, piece by piece. There's something really satisfying about watching her come into her own, and it felt genuine the whole way through. She's strong, but not in an over-the-top way-more in that quiet, determined way that sneaks up on you. The things she has faced I don't think I could face the world in the way she does and having a best friend brother to guide her into the spicy world of BDSM safely yesssss please!
The overall vibe of the story just worked. It's emotional without being heavy, and there's this steady depth to it that keeps you hooked. It's not trying too hard, it just is, and I appreciated that. You can tell it's a story about growth, healing, and stepping into who you're meant to be, but it never felt forced.
The romance was such a good addition too. It didn't overpower everything else, but it blended in really nicely with Elaina's journey. It felt natural, not rushed, and liked how it supported her story instead of taking it over.
Everything just came together in a way that made it hard to put down. It's one of those books where you finish it and just sit there for a second like. yeah, that was worth it.
Definitely a five-star read for me. I can't wait to read more.

[L A]

Ok first if you're going to read this book, check the trigger warnings as they are justified in this book!

Now Elaine's story is heartbreaking in this book as she's had past trauma, got through it, found herself, had more trauma and so on but its only thanks to Jake she finally finds peace, even when her past trauma comes back to haunt and abuse her some more he's still there, not to put the pieces of her back together again as they were but to help her build something better!

Jake has been a part of her life from the beginning, always in the background helping (as much as possible) to remove the bad parts of her life so she finds her peace. Is he a good guy, yes if you dont mind a compulsive morally black person as a good guy!

Is there spice in this? Hell yes, to some maybe too much but their Jake is a passionate, obsessive person and Elaina needs and feeds off his passion for her which helps her to heal herself and become what he's always seen her to be, a beautiful badass woman.

So if youre after a truly dark read with some heavy emotionally triggering scenes for the FMC to endure and then become stronger from them while the MMC is removing anyone who hurt/hurts her, then get this book, or listen to the audio book done to perfection by Cate Morrigan and Xander Lee.

[Joanne]

Elaina’s journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit amidst profound grief and trauma. Her story unfolds with raw honesty, capturing the arduous path of healing and self-discovery in a way that feels authentic and deeply moving. Each step Elaina takes toward reclaiming her life and identity resonates with the weight of her struggles, making her triumphs all the more poignant. Jacob’s character adds a compelling dynamic, with his obsessive yet tender devotion offering a protective presence that supports Elaina’s evolution. His morally gray nature and fierce loyalty are balanced by moments of genuine care, creating a rich and complex relationship.
The narrative is not just about romance, it’s a layered exploration of themes like grief, desire, and empowerment. The found family element infuses warmth into the darkness, emphasising the importance of supportive relationships in healing. The intimate scenes are intense yet thoughtfully woven into Elaina’s journey, reflecting her vulnerability and newfound strength. While the story delves into challenging themes, requiring careful attention to trigger warnings, its portrayal of recovery and empowerment is both powerful and addictive, deserving of high praise and recommendation.
Cate Morrigan and Xander Lee have truly brought the audiobook to life with their exceptional performances. The way Cate infuses Elaina with softness yet profound emotion made her journey even more impactful. Meanwhile, Xander’s ability to balance a soothing tone with a sharp edge seems to add a layer of authenticity to Jacob’s character. His unique delivery during the more intense scenes captures the listener’s attention and enhances the story’s emotional depth. It’s incredible how skilled narrators can elevate an audiobook, transforming it into an immersive experience that resonates deeply.

[TalkbookswithKaya]

I freaking loved this book! Elaina’s journey was easily one of my favorite parts. Watching her grow, find her strength, and truly start coming into her own felt so natural and earned.

Jake is officially my dream man! The way he protects Elaina, cares for her, and supports her without ever making her feel incapable had me completely obsessed. He doesn’t try to become her strength for her. He gives her the safety and encouragement to discover just how strong she already is.

Jake manages to be protective, supportive, and sexy as hell at the same time, and apparently that is exactly my type.

I loved that their relationship didn’t overshadow Elaina’s character growth either. If anything, it gave her space to become more of herself. Watching her transformation while simultaneously falling completely in love with Jake made this such a damn good read.

Elaina got her awakening and apparently so did I, because now my standards include Jake!

[Arlene]

This was not what I expected, ai absolutely loved Elaina and Jake’s story.

Jake and Elaina grew up together, she was best friends with Jake’s sister, quietly Jake always looked out for Elaina whether she knew it or not or not.

Elaina has suffered physically and emotionally, growing up in foster care, beat and abused. She then married into money and slowly finds out that it is a loveless marriage and changes her.

The death of her husband brings Jake back into her life, although he never was far away. This is when Elaine’s life takes a turn for the better. Granted she has more heartache to go through but having Jake by her side strengthens her.

This is a phoenix rising from the ashes. A strong bad ass female.
So much heartache, live and plenty of steamy sex. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, Christmas Day and birthday dinners will never be the same for me 😂😂(iykyk)

A fantastic read, looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Ava Rose]

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...

[Katherine Elley]

Best friends brother
Dual POV
Touch her d!e vibes

In this new dark series we meet Elaina. She’s had a traumatic past and is dealing with her demons. Her husband, passes away and she finds out that he’s been having a separate life with another woman. She feels angry, disappointed and lied too.
At the wake she stumbles into Jacob, her best friend, Nicole’s brother.
Jacob works for a security firm and since his sister and Elaina became friends he has been obsessed with her.
The spice and the story is amazing. The side characters of Alex, Derek and Mark intrigue me.

Penny is a new author to me and I cannot wait to read more of her work. Highly recommend this new dark romance series.

[Kaylee Beringer]

4⭐️|4🌶️

𝗜𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗲,
↠ obsessed & possessive MMC
↠ best friend’s older brother
↠ trauma + healing
↠ BDSM + spicy romance
↠ revenge, obsession & found family
𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣… 🎧
!!! ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʀɪɢɢᴇʀ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ !!!

The audiobook really brought Elaina and Jake’s story to life. I loved getting to experience Elaina finding her strength and reclaiming herself, while Jake’s protective, possessive energy had me completely hooked. The narration made this an especially easy one to get lost in, and the spice definitely delivered!

[Dominique Sykes]

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

[Janene]

This book hit home for me a lot. Elaina I absolutely love, such a force and her strength is something I hope I can aspire to. Jake is just amazing and the way her helps her grow. Their relationship is definitely goals. This book was very cathartic for me as it touched on some subjects that I’m currently dealing with and it’s written so well.

The spice was top tier 😍 very hot and my other half definitely enjoyed this ones as well.

Can’t wait to read the rest of the series

[Leigha PageTurning Mama]

Awakening Elaina
By Penny Mappoura-Salmon

Best friends older brother
Deep obsession
Morally grey hero
Grief
Sexual awakening
Rising from the ashes/healed by love
Reunited friends

“The things I'd do to you. I'd make you forget. Every memory. Every scar. I'd ruin you for anyone else. You'd feel like no one ever hurt you. No one ever touched you. No one ever loved you before me.”

“I would climb him like a tree.”

Wow! what a rollercoaster ride this book was. I absolutely LOVED this book and I cannot wait to read the next in the series. Penny, you did amazing, there wasn't anything I disliked even if I did message you some questionable things. For me the plot and smut was there, you had me feeling all of the emotions possible multiple times, and i'm told it only gets worse from here. So wish me luck!

We start off with Elaina already broken by the death of her husband, and having to deal with he's awful family and the secrets they have been hiding. These secrets alone would make someone sink but Elaina was stronger than ever and determined to take the life by the horns and ride it like a cowboy! With her best friends brother... Jacob. Unfortunately when Elaina's past comes to haunt her Jacob steps right into hunting mode with he's friends. Watching Elaina get her confidence back after everything she goes through was beautiful to watch and such an inspiration to anyone who has been through similar.

A tale of Loss, Lust, Love and Liberation

[Ashley Rose]

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!!

[Crystal DiBlasio]

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!

[Hayley Clemmy]

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!

[Sam Oneill]

(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.