Closer to you

by Calia Quinn

Dove never wanted to stand out, content to live unnoticed in the sleepy town of Hollow Hills. But when a gilded invitation arrives, granting her entry to the mysterious twelve-night party at the legendary Riley Manor, she’s pulled into a world she doesn’t understand—and one she may not survive.

Ashton, the reclusive and devastatingly handsome owner of the manor, has been watching Dove long before she stepped through his doors. To him, she’s more than just another guest—she’s his obsession, a delicate bird he’s determined to cage. His charm is magnetic, his presence intoxicating, but beneath his alluring facade lies a darkness Dove can’t outrun.

Each night, the games grow more dangerous, the house more sinister, and Ashton’s hold on her more inescapable. Every whisper warns her to leave, but her body betrays her, drawn to the man who promises ruin wrapped in desire.

In a place where the walls themselves seem to watch, and danger hides behind every shadow, Dove must will she escape Ashton’s deadly grip, or will she surrender to the allure of the darkness?

Twelve nights. One house. One man who will destroy you, sweetly.
Enter if you dare—leave if he lets you.

Check the authors website for content warnings.

Every book in this series can be read as a stand alone and ends with a HEA.

Genres: Dark Romance

418 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 19, 2025

Reviews

[Tedra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf

I hated the side character Lilith - you know when an author tries too hard? Tries making a character kinda crazy always saying the most random crap to appear unhinged and deep at the same time?

Everything is a cliche '
& unoriginal in this book.

P.s. the amount of torturing done to the FMC by the villain & she doesn't go to therapy for therapy for any of
it? Crap like this that ruins a story.

[Anna-Lucia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot was ok but the story needs a good edit. It started strong but fizzled to nothing in the middle. I struggled to finish it because of the overused, excessive description which ruined the flow of the story. multiple times sentences were repeated making me think I'd clicked back. Furthermore, the story has many grammatical errors, switching from first to second person in the same sentence.

The plot gaps in the book also left me feeling disconnected with the story. Incidents happened with no mention of the aftermath or consequences or easily accepted.

The book could be (and I wished it was) cut down by about 100 pages if the repetition was removed and if the pace was quicker. The end was too quick. Afterwards chapters, yes chapters of Dove's heartbreak, she accept him back within several pages. Totally off balance.

This was nearly abandoned several times and therefore has put me off reading the next book although the story sounds good.

[Gemma Sefton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out good, i had high hopes after reading the blurb and this is usually what draws me in on whether or not to read a book. However, there were a lot of plot holes with this. I kept thinking I had skipped parts and going back wondering what the hell I had missed. The fact that Dove went missing and it was barely questioned. She returned after 'months' like it wasnt a big deal and her friend was just totally accepting of her being gone that long with no word. There were just so many moments where I was like 'wait, what?' - was confusing at times and parts very repetitive.
The ended felt rushed, after listening to Dove go on and on about the hurt.. to then forgive him in one page? Unfortunately, disappointing.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashton and Dove. It all starts with an invitation. To a manor. Twelve nights. Twelve games. Ashton is how do you say .. the maked stalker who chases you in the woods .. Dove is the girl who cant stay away even though she knows she should. This is a dark sensual obssessive tramatizing, mentally and physically, twist of a psychological story read only for entertainment then this is for you, If you cant read such things without that in mind then you shouldnt pick up this book but if you want a dark dark sensual disturbing thriller then this is for you. Remember entertainment only. Remember, breath.

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

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled to get through this book. It started well with an intriguing plot and characters but then it went downhill fast. The repetition was painful to get through. The same descriptions and emotions seem to be stated over and over again and there’s a lot of filler in the middle with barely anything happening. It felt like the author had planned a beginning and knew how they wanted it to end but had no idea how to fill the middle. This book definitely needs more editing and could probably be reduced by 100 pages. Good concept, just needs more work.

[Daria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up with Crazy

When the story checks those dark boxes. Ashton and Dove will take you through it. He was there to get away. She was there and not seen. The past is dark and tragic and lives in their live dreams.
He stalks to know. He takes to claim. She's definitely broken of no fault of her own. When she starts to feel. She is shattered. To learn the Boogeyman is back. He had best intentions that quickly soured like rotten dreams.
L and her merry band of unlivers was so a fav! Chaos pain and suffering. Can there ever be light at the end of the tunnel? Enjoy.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. In the beginning was really good. But it went downhill. I found a repetitive really annoying. If I had to hear Dove say I'm just tired one more time to her friend. And then Ashton at some point started talking in a third person. I feel like if the book had been cut in half and taken out a lot of the filler and repetitiveness it would have been excellent.

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

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm honestly hit or miss on this book. I enjoyed it but it had moments that I wasn't a huge fan of. This is a stalker romance but it's unlike any I've read before. There is not one but two men stalking her and trying to destroy her. However, one of them wants to completely break her while the other wants to break her enough to have a little fun. It's an interesting story but I didn't feel attached to the characters. I felt a little lost through parts of this book because it felt like two plots intersecting in a very weird way. Would I try it again probably because it could have been timing for me?

[Melissa Bramwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not quite complete

Don't read the kindle version, it's awful. Whoever proofread these books is clearly uneducated. There's so much repetition and not enough to the actual story. Half the book is about the town being hallmark of the trees growing like teeth. It's just not enough. The base story could be great but there just wasn't enough imagination into the characters.
Unfortunate.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doves life changes with a guilded invitation to the manor, where Ashton has resided watching and waiting to capture his Dove, and now she sun his grasp 12 days of sin and desires await but will she be able to leave? Well written steamy hot, possesive, desires, captive, stalker and more.

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

[Belize Esperanza Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't what I was expecting, but also, I'm not sure what I was expecting. This was my first book by this author, and I really enjoyed it, but I felt the ending needed more. The plot was plotting good while the romance was also super strong. we definitely need a lillith book at some point and is love more in these two

[Cheyenne Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out great but I could not get into it. There was some holes in the plot and the point of view changed to third person and gpt confusing. The story line is there just not my cup of tea even as a dark romance reader.

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

[Kristian Swift · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stalker
hea
gorgeous
hot
what more do you want lmao

Please check triggers before reading this book

This for me was a 4.5 🌟 review
medium burn

The story flowed well which in turn kept me wanting to turn the page

[Mary S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashton and Dove story has been the best one I have read so far. Let me just tell you that this Ashton guy will do about just anything to get his little bird. Best read I have had. And I can’t wait for more of this Hollow Hills series.

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dove doesn't know that she has been watched by Ashton. A dark obsessive and possessive read, with dark games, seduction and suspense, and plenty of spice.

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

[Darkangel Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was most definitely a nail biting read. Ashton is obsessed with Dove but they both have secrets that could be deadly. Loved it!!!!.

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

[S I · Rating 4 out of 5]

Closer to You by Calia Quinn
My first time for this author and it was engaging. If you’re looking for a dark suspense, dark characters and exciting characters drama then this one is for you.

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

[brenda hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a great way to start this series with this book I kept turning the pages and was on the edge of my seat. I recommend this book.

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

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I think this started out super strong, towards the middle of the book it lost pace for me. There's some repetitiveness as well. If those were fixed this would just definitely be a 5 ⭐ read for me.

[The Huntress Booktok]

What a breath of fresh air in the dark romance genre. I loved the different and interesting ways the author chose to play so to speak between the main characters. Calia managed to break my heart and put it back together with this book.

[Amanda Grange · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exciting and darkish Halloween read. Dove gets invited to a Halloween party at a mansion. She gets a hot masked stalker and fun sexy times. Yes, please.

[Debs]

Sorry but too messed up even for me.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

goooood read, lots spice

[Live, Laugh, Leave Me Alone · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 8%
lots of typos on my kindle unlimited as well which was super annoying

[Josephine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lots of grammatical errors.

[Fi]

DNF’d… dreadful.

[Eloise · Rating 1 out of 5]

The begging was good but then it got really peretative whith description word for word and at some point changed from i felt ect to he felt it was ok but could have been alot better