A love this twisted should never have begun… but now it can never end.
Libra has spent years suffocating under her husband’s control. The only freedom she has left is the thrill of being watched – it’s the one secret she keeps from the man who owns every part of her life.
But when she catches him watching back, everything changes.
Zane Crawford made billions developing a technology that changed the world, but none of it mattered – not when it was too late to save the only person who he truly cared about. Grief has made him a ghost, existing but never living.
Until he sees her.
Beautiful.
Trapped.
Addicted to the same forbidden hunger that has awakened something primal inside him.
What begins as a silent game of temptation soon ignites into something neither of them can control.
Stolen touches.
Secret nights.
A dangerous love affair.
But the deeper they fall, the higher the stakes become – because Libra’s husband isn’t the kind of man she can leave. And when she and Zane joke about the only way out, it’s just that. A joke.
Until her husband turns up dead.
Now, the affair that once set them free has become a cage. The police suspect them. The evidence is damning. Zane and Libra swear they didn’t do it… but if neither of them is guilty, then someone else is.
And whoever framed them isn’t done yet.
Addicted is a dark romance filled with voyeurism, dangerous temptation, and an illicit affair that turns desire deadly.
I love to write stories with characters that feel real enough to friend on Facebook, or slap across the face. I write to make you feel, think, and burn with the thrill that can only come from getting lost in the pages. I love to write unforgettable characters who wrestle with life's largest problems. My books may always end with a Happily Ever After, but there will always be drama on the way there.
To me, this was one of the most painful books to read. I normally enjoy a good smutty book, but this one reminded me of a cheap cheesy porn script. I can appreciate the idea of it, but I feel like it definitely needed to be cleaned up a bit more. The relationships between the characters needed to be more in depth so the reader had a better understanding of the dynamics between the characters. For instance, why would a billionaire allow a house keeper to dictate what he did to amuse himself. It was a bit ridiculous most of the time.
Addicted is a dark romance that delves into the unique relationship between Zane and Libra. Before diving in, I highly recommend reading the author's note, as this book contains certain tropes that may be triggering for some readers.
The first half of the book took me some time to get into. I struggled to connect with the characters, the storyline, and some of the more.... unconventional activities they engaged in. However, as the plot unfolded, I found myself increasingly intrigued—especially when the mystery aspect came into play. Trying to piece together the identity of the murderer kept me engaged, even though the ending was somewhat predictable. Despite that, the pacing in the latter half kept me turning the pages.
Personally, the stalker trope isn’t my favorite—even if the heroine was fully on board with it. That said, if you enjoy dark, boundary-pushing romances with a lot of spice, this book delivers on that front. For me, the smut occasionally felt excessive, but fans of the genre who crave intensity and heat will likely enjoy it.
Thank you to Sterling & Stone, Aubrey Parker, and NetGalley for this ARC!
I'm not quite sure how to review this book. The title, the cover, the content of the book, the writing style, the themes... none of it matched what it appeared. The writing style flowed well and it was captivating. After reading the first 3-4 chapters, I thought this was going to turn out to be a 5-star read, but I ended reading about half of it and then skipped to the end to confirm what I had already figured out during the first third of the book. The twist at the end was predictable. Although I love a spicy romance the smut in this book was way too much. It felt like almost every chapter I read had some sort of smut or allusion to smut. Overall, it was probably more like a 2-star read but an extra star for the fluid writing style.
Aubrey Parker’s Addicted is a dark, intense, and undeniably gripping read that delves into complex themes while delivering an electrifying romance. The novel doesn’t shy away from heavy subjects, and its characters carry deep emotional scars, making their journey both compelling and raw.
What sets this story apart is its seamless integration of technology into the plot, adding an intriguing layer that enhances the suspense and stakes. The chemistry between the characters is undeniable, bringing plenty of spice while also exploring the depth of their struggles.
For readers who enjoy dark romance with broken yet fascinating characters and a touch of high-stakes intrigue, Addicted delivers an unforgettable experience.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for free.
This book could’ve been good. Like the idea of them having the affair from afar was a hot idea. That’s it though. The couple got together physically too quickly. The dialogue was to be desired the characters just felt like they were written to be edgy for edgy sake. The plot felt frail and predictable. Clocked the “twist” from a mile away. I compared my copy of the book to the published copy and there are editing errors throughout. Overall this was a let down. As the author even in says in there about me “different strokes for different folks” and they’re right I prefer even my smut to be written well.
I found myself completely immersed in this erotic romance, and I couldn't put it down. The characters were absolutely captivating, each with their own distinct personality that brought the story to life. The connection between Libra and Zane was so magnetic and intriguing, making their relationship feel genuine and compelling. The writing in this book was exceptional, especially the way the author described Libra’s painting process—it was so vivid, I felt like I could see her artwork come to life before my eyes. Truly an enjoyable read!
Addicted is a dark romance book that features Zane and Libra. Zane is a recluse with a dark past and Libra is an artist who just wants to be herself. I struggled to get into this book. It jumped right into the characters with little backstory and in my opinion just went straight for the spice. The title and cover drew me into this book but it was not what I expected.
If you are into dark and intense romance books, then this one is for you! I highly recommend checking trigger warnings before starting this book.
These days, it's hard to keep my rapt attention for a short period of time. I had the privilege of reading this book last year, well before it released in 2025, and I absolutely loved it. Dark, twisted, messed up protagonists... who I couldn't stop rooting for. A hopeful ending for these messy protagonists left me very satisfied.
This was a fair book to read, it seemed shallow and I could not connect with the characters, I saw where the author was going. While considered a dark romance, it appeared more stalkerish than a romance. While the title and description sounded great, to me it just didn’t work. I do admit that Ms. Parker got it right in building up suspense by adding a twist or two.
Thrilling story line, the love that grows between both Zane and Libra both romantic and exotic. The dark secrets within all the characters creates the thrilling, adventurous experience. Definitely recommend if you are a smut reader.
Addicted is a dark romance mystery about libra an artist in a controlling unfulfilling marriage and Zane a recluse billionaire. While very steamy it also has a good but predictable plot line. I recommend reading triggered warnings before diving in there are many. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC
I got this as an ARC. I was expected something entirely different based on the cover. The plot was got for the first half and then it got too crazy… even for me.