Moth & Flame

by Chiara Forestieri, Vanessa Ambrata (illustrator)

This novella features explicit *spicy* content and is intended for audiences 18+ only.

Hella
Draven Morainu is everything I've ever wanted in a male, and yet he has no idea who I am. After opening his k!nk house and discovering there was zero information to be found about its tall, ruggedly handsome, and muscle-bound owner, I seek out the help of Gothika's most notorious crime lord to give me information on him and soon learn that stalking is not beneath me.

Unfortunately, my face is rather recognizable, and if anyone were to catch me patronizing a k!nk house, I’d probably be flayed by family, ostracized by the public, to then be brutally mVrdered by my cheating fiancé I'm being forced to marry.

Draven
After serving The Blackspire Empire as Reaper for the last hundred years, I've finally managed to carve out a life of peace for myself. A life that doesn't consist of hunting down the scum of Gothika. That is until Hella Vex-Nocturni shows up in my k!nk house, and I find myself exploiting all the skills I've honed over the years as a Reaper to stalk my own client. Every evening, whether it’s after she’s already gone to sleep or just after she’s left work, I don’t go home until I’ve laid my eyes on her. And while stalking her isn't exactly the height of professionalism... professional boundaries can get f*cked. This female is my soulbound.

Tropes

Fated mates
Stalking (each other)
Fast burn
Dom/sub dynamics
Shadow Daddy/Werewolf MMC
Vampire FMC
Arranged marriage
Dual POV
Hurt comfort
Trauma healing
Unique world & magic system
Conspiracies
Enough k!nk & spice to set your undergarments aflame
Morally grey MCs
All the banter
All the feels

Trigger FMC calls the MMC ‘Daddy’
(they have no actual familial relations, this is purely a dom/sub kink)
Non-Consent/SA
(to the FMC by another male character that is not the MMC)
Spousal Abuse
(not committed by the MMC)
Stalking
(by the FMC & MMC)
C_m Play
Cream P!es
Gagging
Knotting
Claiming/Marking
Dom/Sub Dynamics
Description of Violence
Discussion of Mental Health



If you can handle all of that we should be good on the rest.

Despite the dark TWs, this book is a fun, funny, and heartwarming ride into an imaginative gothic/steampunk realm.

Genres: Fantasy, Novella, Paranormal, Vampires, Monsters, Dark Romance, Paranormal Romance

98 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2025

About the author

Mother | Author | Lover of Quantum Physics, Health & Wellness, & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Reviews

[brittany:) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lush, gothic novella that completely swept me away 🦇🌕.
If you love fated mates, arranged marriage, and a touch of mutual stalking 😏, this is the one.

Our FMC, Hella, is a vampire with bite, grace, and power, and our MMC Draven is a shadow daddy werewolf 🐺🖤 — dark, brooding, possessive… and absolutely obsessed with her. And she’s just as obsessed back 👀. The high spice 🔥 combined with actual plot?! A rare combo, and Chiara delivered.

The lyrical, flowery writing made everything feel so lush and hauntingly romantic 🥀. I truly don’t know how she managed to build such a vivid world and emotionally charged connection in so few pages — but she DID 👏 THAT. The vibes were immaculate — gothic, darkly magical, and completely unhinged in the best way possible 🖤🩸.

This is my first read by Chiara Forestieri, and consider me a new fan 🤍🖤.

AND THE ENDING?!?! When I saw the sneak peek of book 2: “Gilded Fangs & Mortal Flesh” I literally started geeking out 🫨🩶. The second book can’t come soon enough!

[Carla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t understand well this story, it was so confusing…

[｡.•*¨*•♬✧maeve ✧♬•*¨*•.｡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3.9/5 this is a super cute monster/paranormal/vampire novella! i was a little confused by author’s messages and i can’t seem to find the second book that was supposedly published in may…..but oh well- there WAS an HEA and not necessarily a cliff hanger but i do want to know more!

ᯓ★ˎˊ˗

🌶️4.5/5 check triggers but there isn’t anything too taboo here!!

ᯓ★ˎˊ˗

dom/sub
spousal abuse (not mmc but forced fiancé)
light stalking
c*m play
knotting
claiming/marking
violence/explicit s*xual content

ᯓ★ˎˊ˗

+100 points for the beautiful cover🥹

ᯓ★ˎˊ˗

sure, id recommend for a super quick, smutty read:)

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sizzling short‑story read opens in the past before catapulting you into the present day, making it a book you’ll want to read in one sitting. The chemistry between characters is electric, and the spice level is through the roof, ensuring that every scene is filled with intensity. The author’s smooth transitions maintain a brisk pace and elevate the tension. Just be sure to check the trigger warnings before you dive in—you won’t want any surprises. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, spicy read!

[Karyn Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moth and Flame ARC Review:

Rating ⭐️/🌶️:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️


My Thoughts:

Wow, holy spicy! One thing is for sure about Chiara Forestieri She’s going to write some deliciously unhinged spicy Romantasy books, and Moth and Flame was no exception!!! I tore through this novella, and it left me wanting so much more in all the best ways. The banter, the spice, and the dual stalking were my favorite parts. I loved it all! It was a dark but sweet novella and had the perfect amount of everything. And the daddy k¡nk did it for me! So, if you’re in the market for some dual stalking, devouring spice, and a quick dark romantasy read, then Moth and Flame by Chiara Forestieri is your book! Readers discretion is advised please see TW’s below. Happy Reading!

[Dari Malaunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review.

Moth & Flame is an engaging and intensely atmospheric novella, packed with passion and drama. At just 120 pages, it delivers a fast-paced experience, but for me, there wasn’t quite enough depth to the world-building and lore. I would have loved for it to be longer giving more clarity on the events, the setting, and the "why" behind everything was happening. The story throws the reader directly into a whirlwind of events and emotions, which keeps the momentum strong but leaves some lingering curiosity about the bigger picture. That said, this didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.

One of the highlights was the chemistry between the characters, their interactions were undeniably hot and compelling. The connection between the protagonists, though limited to only a couple of closely intimate scenes, still intrigued me. I would have loved to see their relationship develop further with deeper emotional context. The hint at book 2 was exciting, and I’ll definitely be looking forward to it, especially in the hope of gaining more insight into the world and characters.

The poetic and very well-written easy style of the writing added a beautifully intense quality to the storytelling, but it left me wanting more: more details, more moments, more exploration of this captivating gothic fantasy.
Overall, despite these missing elements, it was still a well-crafted and enjoyable read.

And wishing ya all a good shadow daddy Draven to spoil you and call you his kitten <3

A solid 4-star experience, and I truly appreciate the ARC copy!
Thank you!

My rating system (explained):
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: It touched my heart and soul in some sort of way. Satisfied in all means.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: I loved it.
⭐⭐⭐: Neutral - not good, not bad.
⭐⭐: It was not my cup of tea.
⭐: I was unwell while reading this book, obviously I didn't like it.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check the trigger warnings!
non-consent/SA, stalking, spousal abuse, cum play, cream pies, gagging, knotting, claiming/marking, dom/sub dynamics (she calls him "Daddy"), violence

Hella is a vampire and Draven is a shadow daddy werewolf who are both obsessed with each other...but, there's one problem. Hella is engaged to Alister to strengthen allies, family bloodlines, and fortunes.

Hella watches Draven from afar and curiosity gets the better of her. She enlists the help of a notorious crime lord to give her information in order to get closer to Draven. For months, she visits Draven at a kink house, fulfilling all of her desires.

This book is hella spicy and the perfect little novella to warm things up! I do wish that we got more character depth and backstory because I would love to know why these two are so obsessed with each other (other than being fated mates). The book ends rather abruptly and left me wanting to read more.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for something totally different from what I was currently reading and this delivered. This has an interesting premise and cool mythology. Plus- it was very steamy, but also sweet? They’re mutually stalking each other which was adorable lol loved it and can’t wait to read more from this author!

[✨ Just Another Bookwyrm ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yussss, I freaking KNEW I would LOVE her books when I tried them 🥰🔥

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like half a book...

KU Read
75 Pages
Paranormal Romantasy
Fated Mated
Shadow Daddy x Vampire
Knotting
Kink Club
Arranged Marraige (not FMC or MMC)

I enjoyed this book but tbh it felt like the story was just getting good and the plot was thickening only to be abruptly cut off and I was left wanting more... the spice is spicy, the stage is set, I just need more!

[Kez Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark and spicy novella with Dom sub themes, shadow daddy vibes, and mutual unhinged stalker antics.
It sets the scene of Hella and Dravens obsessive love, and plans for her to escape her cruel fiancée and family obligations.
They are possessive of each other, and although a short read you get plenty of passion. Can't wait for more of this series.

[Jeliza Torres · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hella has been in a loveless marriage to Alister. Her family and their business partners forced their engagement to her fiancé that has no love or loyalty towards her. She then comes across Mr. Draven, the owner of Moth & Flame (a kink house). They’re technically both stalking each other but haven’t come forward about it yet. She teased him with her orgasms, and he restrains himself from ever doing more because he wants her to leave Alister and be his. His soulbound. Hella finds the courage to end things with Alister and tell Draven she wants him but needs his protection. With the help of Lazarus, they were able to get dirt on Alister. Not really sure about the ending though… yea we got the dirt to help Hella be with Draven, find out that Draven and Lazarus are not from that realm, they’re from the exiled. The end… either way I love the connection between Hella and Draven. Def got together!

[Library_of_a_Trashpanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paranormal Shifter
Knotting
SPICY
MF

1️⃣ **Overall Rating:** ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

2️⃣ **Overview/Synopsis:**: When your fiancée is a major A Hole and you find someone better to stalk.

3️⃣ **Favorite Character:**: Hella. This girl knows what she wants and is going to get it.

4️⃣ **Most Memorable Scene:**: When Hella is stalked home and decides to put a show on 🌶️🌶️

5️⃣ **Favorite Quote or Line:**: “Hella, I’ve spent my whole life killing for a living. What’s a little more spilled blood when I’d forge a river of it just to lay my eyes on you?”

6️⃣ **Overall Review Summary:**: This is a quick Spicy and delicious novella.

I absolutely devoured it. The spice is written so so well and so is the longing. I definitely want to know more about this universe, which Chiara did an amazing job setting up I’m 85 pages.

[Lauren Gibbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Spicy fantasy novella.

[Roo · Rating 4 out of 5]

First.. I read it. Then I listened to it. 👀

A perfect quick spicy read. 🙂‍↕️🔥

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need a short BDSM fantasy novella? Chuara's. got you covered. She never fails to disappoint and this book was well worth the read just like all of her other ones!

[Alejandra Guerrero · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s a nothing burger with a side of nothing salad.

[Fedythereader · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What if I’d been an assassin or something?”
“Kitten, even if you were, my life is yours to take”

In the darkness and the shadow, when you don’t think you deserve more, love can blossom … even with a lizard shifter who is ready to give you the world when everyone else has always hell bent on telling you it’s not yours to take. This short novella is all about this. It’s about belonging. It’s about longing. It’s about obsession. It’s about possession, freely given. It’s about claiming in the most primal and yet natural way when both people want it to desperately there is no denying it. It’s dark romance for everyone else. It’s Hella and Draven for those reading this novella. It shows you craving. It shows you that, if you only hope, your “daddy” is there … even if you think you can’t have better!! Their story is amazing and addicting. And it’s the kind of novella you simply can’t put down, even if you wanted to and tried to do. It’s the one that gets you in so deeply, you simply want to be one of the characters or both or be with both. It’s just … that. And that’s also the magic of this author’s writing. You always want more. You crave it. You can’t deny it to yourself. Not that you want to. These are the best kind of stories. Those you would want to always reread. Those you would always want to print in your mind. I’m so happy I got to read this one!! Here’s to future stories we can be even more obsessed with!!

“I’ve spent my whole life killing for a living. What’s a little more spilled blood when I’d forge a river of it just to lay my eyes on you?”

[TheBookishGoth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I loved this. It was the perfect short read to get me out of the mini slump I found myself in this week. Reading mode fully reactivated with this one, Thank You Chiara!

The characters are beautiful, you can feel Hella's pain and rage over her current situation but she's also sassy and funny af, I mean the way she rationalises the fact that she now owes a crime lord a favour because she needed help stalking this guy who owns a Kink Club is just fabulous.

Draven is the perfect MMC, he's big, he's hot and he's obsessed with her. I love their connection, that they are obsessed with each other, that they stalk each other but she's very aware that he's following her home every day. The rom-com aspects of this book make it cute as well as dark and morally grey.

I think it is safe to say that no matter who you are you will hate Alistair, I won't give spoilers but you will get the ick for him almost instantly.

Chiara's writing always makes me happy and I will read anything she puts out into the world. There is mention of more books to this series and I am excited to see where this goes.

[Precious · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a novella with a fast story development and the perfect amount of spice? Also a novella that leaves you wanting the second book?

She decides to find out who he is because of her curiosity about his business (and maybe after seeing him once), and start to stalk him. He decides to stalk her after setting his eyes on her for the first time when she walk into his kink house. She must make the decision to finish her engagement to her vicious fiancé, and break all the boundaries left to be with him.

This was a perfect very short novella. I love been able to sit for a bit after a long day and be able to finish a book on one sitting, specially if the book has everything I seek on a story. Fast paced plot that does not leave you questioning things. Yes, you will have questions, and of course you will find answers on the next book. The book fast meant to be fast and straight to the point while still hooking you up and not let you go. Second book here I go!

[GracelinaReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Draven and Hella

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I typically don’t reread a book, but man if anyone could get me to do it, it’s Chiara!

Moth & Flame is incredibly hot, and I felt the same way I did when I first read it almost a year ago. Hella is so elegant and sexy. Watching her shine under Draven had me kicking my feet and giggling. Draven is such a Daddy, and I can totally understand why Hella is enamored with him.😮‍💨

Chiara’s writing has a way of stirring up all sorts of feelings and leaving you breathless long after you’ve finished her books. Just so you know, I read this at work and now I’m stuck with the consequences of reading such a hot novella.😫🥵

Chiara is one of my favorite authors and I can’t wait to read more from her🥵

[Gemslilbooknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short novella that packs a punch and literally leaves you gagging for more!! 

Perfect for any Dark Fantasy lover with plenty of kinks and trigger warning to wet your appetite.

An Unhinged FMC/MMC Insta love with enough plot and back ground setting to kick of a new series.

Moth & Flame was created for a pod cast   and is the perfect little tease for Chiara works to come.

The book ends on a cliffhanger with book 2 (approx 200 pages) planned for release later In the year and I'm sooo ready for it.

[Neapolitan670 &#x1f4da;&#x1f5a4; · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it a gothic esq. novella? Why, yes, yes it is but with the addition of vampires and Nykanthros got your attention yet?

Our FMC is engaged to a vampire not for love, but arranged to give them more power. Hella, doesn’t want this loveless marriage, doesn’t want that type of power, so she explores her own fun. Draven owns a club Moth & Flame, he intrigues our FMC so much that she seeks him out.

It’s a short story, dark, gothic vibes with spice and large peens with knots 🫦 This is the first in the series of Gothika and The Blackspire Empire.

[Jessy Melton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moth & Flame is a quick+spicy read and like all of Chiara’s other books, it’s extremely unhinged.

The way Chiara can take a story and make it come to life with her descriptions and world building is nothing short of amazing. Can’t wait to see what else comes from The Gothika & The Blackspire Empire Series!!!!

[Crystal Sunday · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶🌶🌶🌶
This was such a fun and spicy read! I'm so excited to be back in the world of the Sanguinati and the amazing and memorable characters Chiara writes. Hella and Draven lurk their way into eachothers hearts and I can't wait to read what comes next in this crazy journey. I already know we're in for a wild ride with this amazing author!

[Miranda Crys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baby, this little number is spiiiiii-ceyyy. The game between Draven & Hella made me giggle the entire time. They want each other. Us, the readers, want them with each other. Novellas have a tendency to leave me wanting more like the greedy little dark romance/smutty reader I am. Was it amazing? Yes. Should I demand more of Draven and Hella from Chiara? Probably. Now off to get my fix by finishing My Blood is Yours from - both are available on KU

Please mind your triggers!! I cannot stress this enough for anyone reading an explicit dark romance book.

5/5 ⭐️
5/5 🌶️

[emotionALLYreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot twist: I am the moth to the flame because I was not ready for this to end.
This short, spicy novella captured my attention immediately. I was ready for vengeance on behalf of Hella, but was understandably distracted by our shadow daddy, Draven. Once my focus snapped back into place, I was fully invested in the dual stalking storyline…and then it was over.
I’m officially begging for book two.

[Sharma Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ATE THIS UP OMG 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 - I am so glad there is another coming because DAMN I honestly couldn’t get enough!! It’s giving spicy shadow daddy vibes, along with “who did this to you?”, stalking and graphic spice 🥵 I’ll be holding my breath for book 2.

[Dawn Cotterell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read. A very quick one only took just over an hour. I was gutted when I got to the end, but was pleasantly surprised to see there will be a book 2 coming out ! I will definitely be checking out more of the authors books!

[Emmy P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ate and left no crumbs.

I would have read 500 pages of this. Not only was I hooked from the moment it started, I had some lovely little laughs along the way.

Top tier spice. Will be back for more.