Love Rots in the Dark: Two haunting tales of young love

by D.C. Habib, Zamil Akhtar

There's nothing more dangerous than young love.

Mathew has always admired Amber from afar, too shy to make a move. But when their quiet bus ride home takes a turn, they find themselves locked up in a grim basement. They must confront their captor’s intentions—and the unsettling mystery of a glowing closet that may hold the key to their survival or doom.


Maven reunites with his high school crush, only to learn that she’s part of a cult. When she invites him to join, he must balance his attraction for her with his fear toward the mysterious cult that has taken residence in his hometown.


Love Rots in the Dark is a chilling collection of love and survival, where hope flickers in the darkest corners and every choice comes at a price.

102 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2025

About the author

Daniel Habib, an American-Lebanese author, teacher, and acclaimed filmmaker. A student of King, Barker and Ito, his prolific screenwriting career has birthed numerous successful series and feature films, earning both critical acclaim and commercial success. Today, he channels his dark gift into crafting thrilling and heart-pounding stories across various media formats.

Reviews

[amerie ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

normally books never really scare me but this was absolutely terrifying. i mean body clenched, eyes wide, type of scary.

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of two short horror romance stories left me creeped out and amused, and wanting for more!

Whilst horror is one of my favourite genres, romance not so much, so I didn’t know what to expect from these two stories. But I trust D. C. Habib’s writing completely, so I knew it was going to be good. And I wasn’t wrong! Both stories were a blast and I loved how the theme of love, and in particular “high school crush”, was tackled in different ways.

Whilst young love can help you overcome difficult situations, and in the case of the first story ‘Hell Smiles’, life or death ones, it takes so much more than love to forget the body horror nightmare Matthew and Amber were thrown into!

As for the second story ‘My High School Crush Took Me To A Cult Meeting. I Regret Going.’, I learnt that young love can be creepy AF, especially when you casually accept to join a weird cult just because Maven couldn’t think with his brain but with his appendage (if you know what I mean).

I loved the writing style, every sentence engaging, every bit of dialogue on point and with enough vivid gory imagery to satiate my horror heart. The only negative (which is a positive really), is that I wish these stories were longer, but that’s just because I couldn’t have enough! Though I applaud the haunting feeling I was left with after finishing the book, I still feel Samantha’s presence!!

They say you never forget your high school crush, these stories will give you good reasons as to why! If you need some horror romance in your life, this is a short but effective way to get it!

Thanks to the authors for a copy and this is my honest opinion.

[Aeroreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visceral and chilling, Love Rots In The Dark delivers everything it promises. This duology gives readers two stories that will linger with them for a long time. Eerie settings and quick reads made this book very enjoyable.

[Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the second story a lot more than the first but omg were they both creepy af

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the first story more than the second. Both are creepy and unsettling in their own ways.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book,

IMO I just didnt like the ending of Hell Smiles, but other then that both amazingly gross stories 🖤