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These Wicked Gardens
She was always strange—too quiet, too clever, too otherworldly. So when the monster came, they knew exactly who to blame.
Ever since the beast razed her village, Beatrice has lived in exile, tending the vineyard that produces the most coveted wine in the land. But she rarely sets foot beyond the vines, not when the villagers still believe she is the one who called the monster in the first place. To keep herself company, she spins stories of adventure, danger, and romance.
Then Gabriel arrives, a silver-tongued merchant with a face that's all too familiar. He claims he only wants to buy her wine, but Beatrice recognizes him—not from her past, but from the stories she’s only ever told herself.
When the line between man and monster blurs, she’ll have to decide which one she’s truly been waiting for.
These Wicked Gardens is a standalone novella set in the world of The Midnight Republic. It can be read independently, without prior knowledge of the main series.
Ever since the beast razed her village, Beatrice has lived in exile, tending the vineyard that produces the most coveted wine in the land. But she rarely sets foot beyond the vines, not when the villagers still believe she is the one who called the monster in the first place. To keep herself company, she spins stories of adventure, danger, and romance.
Then Gabriel arrives, a silver-tongued merchant with a face that's all too familiar. He claims he only wants to buy her wine, but Beatrice recognizes him—not from her past, but from the stories she’s only ever told herself.
When the line between man and monster blurs, she’ll have to decide which one she’s truly been waiting for.
These Wicked Gardens is a standalone novella set in the world of The Midnight Republic. It can be read independently, without prior knowledge of the main series.
163 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 3, 2026
Novella? This is a full fledged story that made my head spin in the best way. I can't WAIT to read The Midnight Republic series when it's released!
L.B. Black quickly has become one of my favorite authors after starting another series of hers (Ghosts I Have Loved) & adding the rest to my TBR. When I learned she was releasing The Wicked Gardens - a standalone novella - based in the world of her upcoming series I knew I had to read immediately and I'm so glad that I did. I read a lot of fantasy and romantasy and stories can blend together - L.B. Black has an uncanny ability to build distinct and immersive worlds while telling unique stories that are all their own.
L.B. Black quickly has become one of my favorite authors after starting another series of hers (Ghosts I Have Loved) & adding the rest to my TBR. When I learned she was releasing The Wicked Gardens - a standalone novella - based in the world of her upcoming series I knew I had to read immediately and I'm so glad that I did. I read a lot of fantasy and romantasy and stories can blend together - L.B. Black has an uncanny ability to build distinct and immersive worlds while telling unique stories that are all their own.
February 11, 2026
Actual is 3.5 ⭐️!!!
Ok, I looooove gothic romance and I mean, vampires are top shelf for me. Top shelf. So I really enjoyed this! This was so inventive and really rich storytelling.
It’s also pretty steamy, which doesn’t bother me, but I’ve found that I prefer euphemistic language over staring directly into the horse’s mouth. 😂 The use of “f*ck,”“cock,” and “clit” always throw me, but especially in a period piece. It just sours the scene to me. That’s honestly the only real issue I had with this book.
Other than that, this was an immaculate dark fairytale! Gabriel was hilarious and I loved everything about him. He was charming and funny with a dark streak, and his confidence was sexy as all get out.
His quote, “Don’t worry about the sword. We all inevitably get gored at some point in our youth.” Had me rolling! Just so matter-of-fact and unbothered, lol! There’s definitely a story there!
Beatrice had a really good character arc and she was refreshing to see on the page. Sensitive and unsure, you could feel her loneliness, which was even more endearing. I love that she was an outcast due to circumstances beyond her control and that she wasn’t born special or anything. I think I hate that trope, lol!
They were also both orphans and I loved how the dreams factored into their actual relationship. If this has been a full length book so we could get into their characters a little bit more, it would’ve been a solid five stars. This was very well done!
Ok, I looooove gothic romance and I mean, vampires are top shelf for me. Top shelf. So I really enjoyed this! This was so inventive and really rich storytelling.
It’s also pretty steamy, which doesn’t bother me, but I’ve found that I prefer euphemistic language over staring directly into the horse’s mouth. 😂 The use of “f*ck,”“cock,” and “clit” always throw me, but especially in a period piece. It just sours the scene to me. That’s honestly the only real issue I had with this book.
Other than that, this was an immaculate dark fairytale! Gabriel was hilarious and I loved everything about him. He was charming and funny with a dark streak, and his confidence was sexy as all get out.
His quote, “Don’t worry about the sword. We all inevitably get gored at some point in our youth.” Had me rolling! Just so matter-of-fact and unbothered, lol! There’s definitely a story there!
Beatrice had a really good character arc and she was refreshing to see on the page. Sensitive and unsure, you could feel her loneliness, which was even more endearing. I love that she was an outcast due to circumstances beyond her control and that she wasn’t born special or anything. I think I hate that trope, lol!
They were also both orphans and I loved how the dreams factored into their actual relationship. If this has been a full length book so we could get into their characters a little bit more, it would’ve been a solid five stars. This was very well done!
January 7, 2026
Massive thanks to the author for an ARC of this work!
Novellas are arguably one of the hardest pieces to get right, in my opinion. It’s all the work of a novel, but you have to do it quickly, directly, and to the point without losing any magic of storytelling. And this was one of the best novellas I’ve read in a very long time.
The descriptions were lush and rich while not over the top or cringey. The author truly has a delicious writing style that I thoroughly enjoyed. Beatrice and Gabriel’s relationship unfolded beautifully, and in such an unexpected way. I loved the way this story progressed, and the way it ended. The pacing didn’t feel rushed or uneven.
I’m not going to lie, I didn’t vibe with Beatrice for most of the piece. I think the author worked to show just how impactful years alone had been on her, and I think it was well demonstrated, but I wanted to shake some sense into her more than once (especially in her frequent comfort zone references to the vineyard). Also I got a bit confused at times about the creature politics of this world (probably because I was reading it as a standalone). Finally, I didn’t necessarily need the full page illustrations. What would have been more helpful to me in illustration is a depiction of the creatures. Overall though, this was a stellar read.
I will definitely want to read more about this world, and more from L.B. Black!
Novellas are arguably one of the hardest pieces to get right, in my opinion. It’s all the work of a novel, but you have to do it quickly, directly, and to the point without losing any magic of storytelling. And this was one of the best novellas I’ve read in a very long time.
The descriptions were lush and rich while not over the top or cringey. The author truly has a delicious writing style that I thoroughly enjoyed. Beatrice and Gabriel’s relationship unfolded beautifully, and in such an unexpected way. I loved the way this story progressed, and the way it ended. The pacing didn’t feel rushed or uneven.
I’m not going to lie, I didn’t vibe with Beatrice for most of the piece. I think the author worked to show just how impactful years alone had been on her, and I think it was well demonstrated, but I wanted to shake some sense into her more than once (especially in her frequent comfort zone references to the vineyard). Also I got a bit confused at times about the creature politics of this world (probably because I was reading it as a standalone). Finally, I didn’t necessarily need the full page illustrations. What would have been more helpful to me in illustration is a depiction of the creatures. Overall though, this was a stellar read.
I will definitely want to read more about this world, and more from L.B. Black!
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December 22, 2025I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my honest review. I have been reading a lot of romantasy novels and found this one to feel unique in setting, tone and magic. The story centers on Beatrice who runs a vineyard by herself after the death of her parents. One day a mysterious merchant shows up in town upending her solitary life. I don't want to say too much more and give away too much of the plot as it is better to discover it as it unfolds. I found both main characters very likable and though the story doesn't rely heavily on banter, there is a bit of fun banter. I was excited to hear that this is a standalone novella that set in the world of The Midnight Republic. I'm excited to read more set in this world!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews