Limerence

by K. Rose

Lelious is perfection wrapped in shadows.

From the moment he walks into the bakery, I’m hooked—his dark eyes, his effortless charm, the way he makes me feel like I’m the only one in the room. But behind his smile is something darker. I can feel it, even as I fall deeper under his spell.

He says I’m his light, his obsession, his everything. I should run, but I can’t. The pull between us is too strong, too consuming.

I’m losing myself to him—his touch, his words, his darkness. And I’m terrified that’s exactly what he wants.

161 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2025

About the author

K. Rose has been a part of the Indie Author Community for years. Getting her start as a reader, her keen eye led to a wonderful career in Alpha/Beta and ARC (Advance Reader Copy) reading. As a joke to her fellow advanced reader colleagues, she created a spoofed blurb and cover for a story and the feedback was so positive that it sparked her to run with it.
That stoked a fire that has her racing down a multi-genre freeway with no off-ramp in sight. K. doesn’t write to “market” and she is fairly certain that her humor and use of puns may cause an eye roll or two. This still wouldn’t stop her from making sure there is humor in every one of her stories. As a Multi Genre Author, there is sure to be something for everyone to love.
She has traveled the USA extensively, including Alaska, and lived in thirty-eight of the fifty states. Home is now the beautiful state of Wisconsin, where she dreams up her stories in the company of her menagerie of furbabies, including five puppies, five rescue kitties, a bunch of chickens, ducks and turkeys ruled by a Rooster named Chicken Parm, and a ninety-gallon tropical fish tank.
Life will always be interesting for K. Rose, which will fuel her works, and keep her muses singing, come join the chorus.

Find more about K. at the places below!

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Reviews

[Cherie Alvaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series Hexes and Oh's Bakery is an original plot line, (very refreshing). This book about Elsmea and Lelious, is both dark and steamy! I found it to be well written with an enjoyable story line, with plenty of spice and kink. It fitted well with the other books in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cali Mafiaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aahhhh I really enjoyed reading this book!! Lelious is dark and so obsessed with Elsmea this sweet total opposite who’s looking for love … & aahhh I really cant say more except it’s sooo good & Make sure to read the trigger warnings!!

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be warned before you start reading this book as there is some pretty dark content in it. So please read the trigger warnings at the start of this book.

Oh boy to try and write a review for this book? Lelious is a difficult character to get your head around i thought and I don't think we find out enough about him here. He's a master manipulator which he uses to great effect against Elsmea (FMC). Who is drawn into that game he's playing her to get his own way. His dark obsession with Elsmea led him to do some questionable things. The ending just seemed a bit unresolved and unfinished to me. I guess I wanted to read more and felt a bit short changed. Still it was a short but gripping read that really drew me in.

[Libby Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! 4.5 stars!! I feel like this was definitely a book that keeps you on your toes. One minute you thinking it’s going to be romantic the next you’re not so sure! So it was definitely not a book that you find predictable, which I liked as a lot of books you can guess what’s going to happen and it gets abit boring!
This was definitely a book that had me surprised but in a good way, it was abit dark with the stalking.
One thing I was really grateful for was the author writing how to pronounce the characters names at the start of the book! I would not of had a clue how to say them else!
Overall a really good fairly short read!

[Julorie Siefert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elsmea wants want most of us want, a passionate lover, who sees you and knows who you are. The day Lelious walks into the bakery Elsmea feels this immediate attraction to him. Elsmea does not realize that Lelious has this dark side of him that he slowly ensnares the one he goes after with carefully laid out plans like the name of the book “Limerence” is a state of mind resulting from romantic feelings for another person to become infatuated or obsessed with a person. While it seems in the beginning it is Lelious that has the obsession, in a way he does to break Elsmea but I felt he succeeded in his plan. Why don’t you read this story and see what you think.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love K. Rose’s writing and the stories that are created. This one has a stalker situation that has the chance of turning bad. We meet Elsmea who has this sweet personality that would be so happy to find a passionate partner. Early into the story we meet Lelious who can be charming and charismatic. The two seem to have a beautiful chemistry that explodes off the pages. We start to see the darker sides of Lelious and his obsessions that he loves. While the story does have some darker elements to it and yes there are possible triggers it doesn’t seem as dark as some other books i have read. One thing I do wish was changed was it seems to skip some elements that had me thinking I might have missed something. Otherwise, it is a good story that has an unexpected ending. It is a really good, interesting and intriguing story.

[Amanda J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book; it was one of those you read in one sitting...at least I could....lol. I love dark romance, and this was darkish in ways that were interesting and kept me reading. Lelious was a great MMC; his obsessive and "careful" planning were a gem. I loved that he used thoughtfulness to his advantage....hehehe. I'm telling you this MMC may have appeared good, but what a darker side he had. And, Elsmea, her innocent personality was just delicious to read about. Having the cat/mouse thing was great and even better without the mouse not knowing. Overall, it was a good read, and one I wished didn't end.

[Naurarwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read, and don't expect a HEA cause for me there wasn't one, also make sure you read the content warnings before going in. Limerence is a standalone in the Hexes and Oh's Bakery shared world series. We get to meet Elsmea who works at a bakery, she's sweet and naive. Then there's Lelious, a master manipulator who shows Elsmea a sweet side when really he's wrapped in darkness.

It's a story about obsession and a man manipulating what is happening so he gets his own way, which in this case is the girl. There isn't really too much I can say about the story without accidentally spoilering it but it was an enjoyable, albeit on the shorter side read.

[Sharon Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not at all what I was expecting.

Bakery worker Elsmea catches the eye of obsessed stalker Lelious. I have to say I loved Lelious - he is very unpredictable and dark.

The writing in this is so good. The author manages to convey Elsmea and Lelious' felling so well and so vividly. it was such a joy to read.

There is not a traditional HEA here and TBH I'm still thinking about the ending and I'm not sure if that bothers me or not. LOL its certainly thought provoking.

Make sure you check the author's content warnings .

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paula Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Limerence" is an enjoyable book that tells the story of Elsmea, a woman looking for love. She feels a strong attraction to Lelious when he walks into her bakery. At first, it seems like a sweet romance, but Lelious has a dark side.As the story unfolds, we see how he carefully plans to get close to Elsmea, which adds excitement to the plot. The book is easy to read, with likable characters and a gripping storyline. It explores the themes of love and obsession in a way that's relatable.If you want to read a story about love that has some twists, "Limerence" is a great choice! Give it a try and see what you think.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that this book kept me at the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen to the FMC. What started out as a sweet romance for our FMC turns into something that she did not want. Limerence has a good plotline that keeps the reader held in wondering why the MMC did what he did. But in the end Our FMC comes out the better character and stronger in some ways for how she handled the situation and the odd gifts that were delivered to her place of work.
So, If you like somewhat Chilling stories, Suspense that keeps you wondering and Bravery that goes above and beyond then check out Limerence

[Joy Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. K gives us something different in this dark standalone book! The story of Elsmea and Lelious is not your typical romance, so please make sure you read the trigger warnings. Their story begins with him watching from the shadows as he tries to find out everything about Elsmea before walking into her bakery and meeting her. To learn what happens, dive into this wonderfully written story with complex characters and plot twists that keep you guessing and turning pages throughout. I loved reading this story and highly recommend it. Don't miss out on this book!!

[Sara Persman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short Dark Stalker read and I was all for it! Lelious the MMC is someone you want to love but finds exceptionally disturbed as he leads his obsession into falling in love with him. I enjoyed how sweet the book started out and the little twist at the end had me wishing there was more background into his past. The FMC was super sweet, and fell into a dark world where she was unable to filter the good and bad at some point but eventually came out stronger than she would have thought. This book is worth reading!

[Angela Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifty shades of black. Just as the title indicates, there is an obsession. Intense and dangerous. Leilous is tall dark and handsome. Elsmae this light, loving and free. Light. Dark. Carefree. Calculated. Like the opposite sides of a magnet. This story takes the reader on a dark journey of desire and pushing boundaries. There are lots of triggers throughout and I would caution reader to review the warnings before diving in. All that being said, this is very well written intended for a quick read. It’s easy to fall in love with both MC.

[K. Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Limerence will be available in KU Releasing FEB 18th 2025!

This is a Contemporary M/F stalker situationship.
There are things that could be triggering for some sensitive readers. Please be mindful of your mental health.
TW’s:
Stalker/Stalking
BDSM (in many forms)
Blindfold
Rope Play/ Binding
Choking in a sexual way
Unconsciousness from Choking
Mental Illnesses
Sexual Limits Tested
Somnophilia
(Almost) Sexual Assault
Self-Mutilation
Mentions of Blood

[Haley Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lelious has the title for dark MMC’s. Having taken a fascination with Elsmea. Sweet Elsmea has no idea the world she walked into with Lelious. From the jump I knew this was going to be dark, all the measures that Lelious takes to insert himself into Elsmea’s world. This world was very well written and it was captivating from the get-go. If you’re looking for a quicker darker read, this book is for you. But be prepared to find yourself in the darkness with Lelious.

[Autumn Winchester · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is DARK. Make sure you check out the TW before opening this one.

I enjoy dark books, the darker the better. This book is a 3.5 star for me. Mostly because of the trigger warnings and how disturbing it is. I don't think I'll read it a second time, but if so, I'll come back and edit this rating.

i loved the stalking and plot. Great word building and overall great read.

[Dawn Milligan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a quick read for me, yet it was well thought out and paced appropriately for the given space. The characters have good chemistry, and I thoroughly enjoyed the flow. It is the first book in this world that I have read, and it has piqued my interest in exploring the others. Overall, it is a good read.

[June McKibben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elsmea wants a lover that knows her inside and out and has passion. Lelious walks into her bakery and she is instantly attracted to him but he has a dark side that she thinks she sees and then brushes off. This book had me reading to get to know both these characters more and hooked with the chemistry they produce. Great book

[TXBRITGAL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

This dark stalker romance is filled with intrigue as Lelious plays the cat and mouse game from the shadows. There are definitely no puppies and rainbows here. Prepare for a dark romance. It's definitely a complicated relationship with all kinds of layers. I was slow to get into this one, but the themes and characters are complex, colorful and interesting.

[Jasmine Voosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Limerence', by K Rose is a Book in the 'Hexes and Ohs Bakery' Series, and I loved it!!! The MMC is quite obsessed and just a tad dark, neatly inserting himself into the FMC's world without her realizing it. There are triggers, so be wary, but personally, I didn't mind the read and read the book in one sitting! Can't wait to explore other books in this series!

[Jes Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

St@lker Obsessed!!

This was a great read!! I love st@lker romances.
Lelious is definitely a man obsessed.
Elsmea is definitely a woman who wants that obsession focused on her. At least in the beginning.
Make sure you check the author's content warnings, darkness levels may vary.
Also the ending may not be for everyone but I really enjoyed it.

[Belinda Clemons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I say yum. I love books based in and around about bakery so Limerence caught my eye right away. K. ROSE added dark romance to the trope and it was amazing. I love how determined Lecious was to have Elsmea. Hiding his dark side then using everything in his dark bag of tricks to get to the innocent Baker he has been stalking in the shadows.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very lucky to get a chance of reading this book before it was published. A spell will be woven when they first meet and the more she learns the more she wants him. See how they get in as they get closer and closer. A great dark read

[Jacqueline Chappell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark romantic standalone. This is an intense and often unsettling story. The MMC is grey at best and I was chilled by his actions. It was not an easy read even though it was quick. Watch for triggers.

[Cleocutie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is dark and full of emotions. Elsmea just wants a sweet romance and thinks she has found it before it turns dark. I really enjoyed seeing Elsmea start to take control of her life instead of just being led by the end of the book.

[Elitta Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elsmea owns a bakery. She is waiting for the man of her dreams. In walks Lelious, with his dark eyes and perfection. Elsmea feels like there is something darker in Lelious. She thinks she should run, but can't fight the attraction she feels. How will everything turn out? Highly recommend reading.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dark stalker romance. Elsmea is a baker who is being stalked. Lelious lives in the shadows. His obsession with Elsmea is dark. Elsmea wants to trust and love Lelious from the first meeting. I struggled a bit with this one. I really wanted to see an HEA, but felt like Elsmea really started tried to take control of her life by the end. I was hoping for more closure tho. Overall, I enjoyed the storyline and would recommend.

[Juanita Mullens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark stalker story with a bit of a twist. Steamy, dark, kind of sad for the fmc. Pretty interesting.

[Victoria Wyatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

No me without you

Yikes Lelious is obsessed with Elsmea. He has inserted himself in her life only she unaware of what he has done. She is unaware the darkness that lies within him. Once she finds out yikes. That ending