Ruin Me Gently: A Sin and Salvation Novel

by Rachael Chadwick

Hardened by heartbreak. Guarded by fear. Pulled in by something they can’t explain.

Lilith has spent her life surviving, believing that love is just another lie—a pretty promise that always ends in pain and bruises.

Silas has spent years keeping his distance from people, convinced that connection only leads to heartache.

But when he sees Lilith, something about her pulls him in.

When he steps out of the shadows, Lilith surprises him. She isn’t afraid of him—in fact, she finds his over the top protectiveness… entertaining.

He’s trying to keep his heart out of it.

She’s just along for the ride.

But obsession has a way of blurring the lines.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance

590 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2025

About the author

Rachael Chadwick is a UK based author who writes dark romance, because real-life men have given her enough emotional damage—and it’s never as sexy as it is in the books. When she’s not dreaming up morally confused love interests that actually deserve redemption, she’s wrangling her two sons, ruling over a tiny army of cats, and abandoning yet another hobby. She firmly believes red flags are only attractive in fiction and that those ink on paper happily-ever-afters are sweeter when they come with a little suffering first.

Reviews

[Rachael Chadwick]

Hello my loves!

The countdown is on for the 6th of June!

Just here to share a little bit of info about the book before publication day. Can’t wait for you all to meet Lilith & Silas 🖤

TRIGGER WARNINGS

Ruin Me Gently is a dark romance story that explores strong themes that could be distressing to some people. Reader discretion is advised.

Emotional and psychological abuse
Childhood abuse and neglect
Stalking
Domestic violence
Physical violence
Sexual assault (implied/off page)
Death of a loved one
Symptoms of PTSD
Self harm
Mental health struggles
Suicide by overdose

🖤

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3eG...

https://pin.it/6xvq0TxYq

[Ania · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was kindly sent an ARC read, but know that all opinions are genuine and my own. 

5⭐️
4/5 🌶

Indie Author Rachael Chadwick captivates me from page freaking 1 with this book. The story between Lilith and Silas is the embodiment of Sleep Token's "Provider" and "Dangerous." That's literally the best way to describe it. They are both people with baggage, but realize they don't have time carry it alone, or that it's not theirs to begin with. They help each other become better people. 

For the ladies - Silas is written like every book boyfriend should be. He understands consent, boundaries, feelings,  etc. Don't get me wrong, there are parts where he is a bit OTT, but let's be real. We like that in our book boyfriends. 

The spice is DEFINITELY spicing in this book 🌶🥵💦 I had no idea that I liked hands as much as I did until this book. It was also very refreshing to see role reversal and power play, but also understanding between the two of them when they did it. It's like the both knew the other so well. The best part was that the spicy scenes were ALL DIFFERENT and not monotonous! And the begging 🤌 speaking in Italian 🥵 Need I say more?!

This story is heavy, so take heed of the TWs. It masterfully shows what it's like to manipulate and gaslight others, but also what happens to those same people when you take their power away. There are many mentions of DV, emotional and physical abuse, PTSD and mental health issues stemming from PTSD, and death of loved ones. 

That's enough yapping. Go pick up this book when it comes out in June!

[Ellie Est · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC READ REVIEW—
“I’ve loved you since—fuck, since before I was even allowed to.”

I want to stay by saying that I came across this book on tik tok and I was hooked. I had the amazing honor of getting to read this book before release date and I absolutely loved it! This quote definitely is how I feel towards RMG…When ‘Bone Deep’ came out I was excited but I had been waiting for ‘Ruin me Gently’ and the stalker trope was something I didn’t know I needed. It has a lot of tragic backstory. As someone who has gone through some slight traumatic life experiences (not about to trauma dump) there are moments that I relate to Lilith. Also, can we get a round of applause for the curvy girl appreciation!! It’s one of the main things I love about this book, I struggle a lot with body BDD (body dysmorphia) so reading this book really made me realize that I’m not the only one who struggles with these things. It’s a very heavy book in the aspect of trauma and abuse but it still gives light to Silas’ perspective on it. He’s a literal Great Dane to me. Big, brooding and tough in appearance yet the sweetest, wanna be lap dog type of energy. MIND YOU, a lot of Italian phrases, I personally appreciated my kindle so much for having translations on hand in the moment I was reading. Also, due to the busy work schedule I have it took longer for me to read this but it’s a book that hooks you easily and could be read in literal days!

[Lizzie (lifeonasofa) · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘I mean, I’m not saying you’re sick drunk or anything but this is the happiest I’ve ever seen you. And considering you’re usually about three minor inconveniences away from arson, I feel like I should be concerned’ 🔥 - Rachael Chadwick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5 Stars

Firstly, thank you to @rachaelchadwickauthor for sending me this ARC to review. It was an honour to be among the first to fall in love with these wholesome characters and their story. 💕

It’s no surprise that I adored this book straight off the bat, I’m a SUCKER for a stalker romance. I was HOOKED by the man in the hood. Mr Stalker was OBSESSED with our girl Lilith from the start - and rightly so. 👀

The trauma surrounding both Lilith and Silas as individuals is pretty dark, so please check the trigger warnings. ⚠️ For anyone who has ever been made to feel unworthy, Lilith hits deep. I completely related to her decisions and feelings throughout. ❤️‍🩹

Silas. What a gentle shadow. This man felt like he was constantly holding my hand. He gave Lilith everything she needed to heal before she even knew to ask. He gave her space, he gave her strength and BOY DID SHE USE IT. 🙏🏻

It’s a chonky read and I loved every page. Their story was so deeply woven - it captured more than just big moments, it highlighted the importance of baby steps in recovery. Also shout out to Molly & Finn for being dream besties. 👯

A very healing read that left me feeling lighter - which surprised me. This book took me completely off guard as I haven’t read a dark romance like it. I didn’t require a mental break, Silas didn’t leave me questioning my feminism. 🥰

For me, I simply wanted more (yes, I’m greedy). This could’ve been a trilogy for me - I would’ve devoured a whole book of tension and stalking alone. 😂 I’m a character reader so I never want to say goodbye.

‘Her death defying beauty was only rivalled by her inability to follow simple instructions’.

[Lauren Brodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could rate this 6 stars I would.

This was a tragically beautiful world of smut and I never wanted it to end.

Lilith was a very relatable character and in ways you wish you couldn’t relate to but Jesus, she’s a hell of a woman.

Silas is the dark, unhinged, gold lab we all dream of having by our side.

The side character Finn also plays a massive part in this book for me and was hilarious and needed through the darkness.

The plot was so well written, the smut was refreshing and not the repetitive at any point throughout the book and the fact he would worship her in Italian who knew that would be such a turn on?

Rachael Chadwick, never stop writing, please xo

[soph watkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

I follow this author on TikTok and think her videos are hilarious so thought I’d give it a go!

I enjoyed the first half of this book, but I found that the second half became very much all spice very little plot.
If it gets to the point where reading spice becomes boring, there’s simply too much of it 🤣

Overall did enjoy, but was a very mid read!

[Melina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was easily 200 pages too long, but the first half was pretty good. Calling it a dark romance is a stretch.

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes. Yes. YESSS!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵

I was very fortunate to be able to adv read this and would firstly like to thank the author for the opportunity 🖤

This book is appropriately named, because this does infact ruin you gently!
This is the 2nd book from the creative mind of Rachael Chadwick. Giiirl you’ve found your calling!

I won’t spoil it for others, I will just say that this is an absolute recommended book, go buy it, get it on your kindle or physical and enjoy this spicy, chokehold of a book!

[Lilah Melbourne-Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been dying to review this book!!! I read it in like 2 sittings! I couldn't put it down! the emotional roller coaster i went on reading this, I havnt had this in a book for a long time.
This book has the perfect amount of story and spice, very evenly matched which i love in a book.
I 100% recommend but definitely read the trigger warnings first if you need to x

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am … disappointed.

I loved the authors’ most recent release (a novella) and figured I would give an actual book of hers a go. That was perhaps a mistake.

Don’t get me wrong, the spice is top tier 10 out of 10 stuff but the scenes beyond that? Kind of ”meh”. That became very clear when reading a full book rather than a novella.

Things I liked:
- The spice. Chadwick is phenomenal at writing good spicy scenes!
- I liked the premise of the book (stalker x the stalked).
- I do think the topic of domestic violence was brought in brilliantly. It tied into the story, and it was described in a really natural, respectful and genuine way.

Things I did not like:
- The length. It seemed unnecessarily long and a lot of chapters didnt give us anything (I skimmed the last 40% of the book because I was bored).
- I did not get the whole psychosis situation at all and it felt like something that had been added in last minute to get the word count up. The whole floating between two different people? Confusing. I would’ve liked the book a whole lot better without that element because unlike how the topic of DV was treated, the whole psychosis thing felt sloppy and rushed.
- I HATE when authors include a shit ton of text in a foreign language and then don’t bother explaining what it is that the character is saying. I didnt translate a single italian thing (simply because I didnt care enough to know what was said, which says a lot about my interest in the book).

In conclusion. Great spice but the rest was … boring. I know it’s an up-and-coming author (this being their 2nd release) therefore I won’t be a complete bitch and give it 1 star. But I do hope more time is spent on the scenes not involving sexual themes for the next release, because that is where more work needs to be put in (the spice works, not so much the rest!).

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lilith and Silas.
Stalker but make him cute and funny.
Very deep, significant DV themes, done well.
Loved Finn (Silas’ best friend) and hope he gets his own book!


Fave bits and highlights

I was exhausting sometimes. I knew that. I’d been hearing it since I was a kid. Too loud, too emotional, too sensitive, too much. It had stuck like gum to my ribs, this constant reminder that I was supposed to make myself smaller, quieter, easier to manage.

“Shouldn’t you at least pretend to enjoy yourself? Shake a few more hands? Maybe even—dare I say it—smile?” “I smiled earlier,” I said, shooting him a flat look. “At the catering staff when they brought out the canapés. That doesn’t count.” “They had brie,” I shrugged. “It was an emotional moment.”

“Tonight, we say farewell to the smell of overpriced cologne on my bedsheets. Goodbye to a man of big gestures and small emotional capacity. Adios to the walking red flag who had the confidence of a much taller man. Au revoir to gaslighting and guilt trips.”

��If I go missing because of this, will you please use a hot picture of me for the press?”

“Molly, I want to spend tonight catching Clark. Not actively shitting my pants because I’ve decided to ignore my lactose intolerance.” She raised an eyebrow. “You eat cheese though?” “Some things are worth the pain,”

“You’re such a miserable bastard.” “Yup.” “Don’t even try to tell me you’re busy.” “I’m busy.” “You’re a liar and a recluse.” “Correct.”

And what would I even say? “Oh, please help me, officer! A man has given me croissants and the tools to defend myself against men! Yes, yes, he’s very mysterious! No, I don’t know what he looks like! But I do know his taste in literature is impeccable!”

Maybe if I’d been given real love as a kid, I wouldn’t be sat here wondering if my stalker was just a misunderstood dumbass who never learned how to flirt.

Oh no, oh no, oh no. I didn’t. I couldn’t have. But I fucking did. I’d sent my stalker a picture of my ass… with my vibrator in full, unmistakable view. That was it. I was faking my death and moving across the world, effective immediately.

I wanted to be on my knees, I wanted her to use me. To shove me back. Ride my face. Grind down until I was drowning, until I was begging for more.

Because it was never just about sex. Never just about getting off. Of course I liked sex. But it was what came after—the shift. The expectation. The emotional offering they wanted from me.

“Stalking a girl, giving her a mind-blowing orgasm, and a post-coital snack service. Very mysterious. Very generous. Do you leave Yelp reviews open for feedback?”

Nothing says ‘definitely didn’t get finger-fucked by a masked man with really big hands’ like waking up in a disgustingly good mood for no reason at all.

“Tell me I was good for you. Tell me I made you come the way you needed—cazzo—tell me I can do it again. Please, Lilith.”

“Silas fucking Graves?” His mouth quirked like he was fighting back a smirk. “No, my middle name’s Emilio. Not ‘fucking.’”

“I know, sweetheart. What can I do for you right now?” “Euthanise me?” I asked as I sat up straight, trying to push past the pain. “That’s not funny.” “It is a little bit.”

“Read it to me.” “What?” “Read. It. To. Me.” His eyes locked onto mine, something subtle shifting behind them. “In English or Italian?”

“Sei la donna più bella che io abbia mai visto. Non hai idea di quanto mi senta privilegiato a far parta della tua vita. Ti prometto che ti proteggerò sempre, che ti terrò al sicuro, che non permetterò mai che ti accada nulla di male. Non merito questo. Non merito te. Sei davvero incredibile.”

“I’d give you all the stars if I could, sweetheart.”

“That’s the spirit. Now, if someone grabs you, what do you do?” “Scream. Cry. Piss myself.” “Dude. No.”

“Oh my God. Is this a primal thing? Like, you saw me fight, and now your cave man brain is like ‘must claim woman?’”

[nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was so fun! I’ve never really liked the stalker trope but this was executed really well. i enjoyed the way their relationship developed and how when the author described him as possessive, he actually WAS possessive. abuse was a big factor in this book though so tw!! but so was the theme of overcoming your past and having the courage to push forward despite it all. they both had their demons and they both fought ruthlessly. i commend that aspect. i will be reading more of the authors work because her world building and characters were so easy to follow and get into and i enjoyed it. just please, check the trigger warnings. It’s a lot, but It’s nothing like other stalker books that’s for sure.

also have to mention the power dynamic reversal and how she had him on his knees during most of the intimate scenes?? amazing work that was absolutely thrilling to read and i fear awakened something in me …. also the hand kink appreciation - finally!! hand girlies rise (I’m standing tall). him being this huge figure within society and then pleading on his knees for her?? GIVE ME MORE!!

also curvy mc appreciation!!!! as a curvier girl i LOVED reading about how much he worshipped her body. and how he didn’t tolerate any negative self talk. that scene on the roof of his place where he made her say she’s beautiful over n over if she wanted him to keep fucking her genuinely re-wired my brain. their chemistry was peak and the devotion to each other was so heartwarming. the epilogue made me cry. the proposal?? i was in tears. i love when hurt people get happy endings. makes my heart soar!!

also, fuck clark. praying he rots in hell.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 Synopsis (Spoiler-Free):
A dark romance that delivers on every promise of tension, trauma, and desire, Ruin Me Gently follows Lilith and Silas - two characters whose connection is as dangerous as it is magnetic. This is not your typical love story. It’s brutal, messy, raw, and beautifully unhinged in all the ways a dark romance should be. It leans into the darker elements of obsession and control, with an undercurrent of vulnerability that makes it all the more compelling.

🧠 My Thoughts:

I was lucky enough to get this as an ARC, and honestly, I was worried at first that it might follow the same path as Bone Deep - dark, yes, but familiar. I couldn’t have been more wrong. This is something else entirely.
Rachael Chadwick’s storytelling is razor-sharp, nothing here is predictable or overdone. It’s pure dark romance, executed with a careful balance of chaos and care. The relationship between Lilith and Silas is intense in every sense, and while it's absolutely not for the faint of heart, it works.
As with Bone Deep, trigger warnings are absolutely essential, but if you’re comfortable with them, you’re in for something genuinely gripping.

Rachael if you read this - I’m also begging for this to be part of a trilogy - Finn and Orion need their stories next.

🗣️ Favourite Quotes:
“I've loved you since — fuck, since before I was even allowed to.”
“I’d give you all the stars if I could, sweetheart.”
“It didn’t feel like surviving when you had to piece yourself back together from nothing afterwards.”
“Now crawl.”
“Look at you, so pretty for me.”

[Blake Pender · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gripping Journey of Healing, Spice and Connection

To start, I was given an early copy of this book, and I thank Rachael for giving me this - excited to review this for you and this review is of my own, keeping professional and spoiler free!

Rachael Chadwick's Ruin Me Gently is a powerful and deeply emotional dive into the aftermath of trauma and the unexpected paths to healing. This book takes readers on an intense journey alongside Lilith as she navigates the complexities of escaping a destructive past and finding a different kind of connection.

The story masterfully builds a world filled with raw emotion and compelling characters. Chadwick's writing draws you in, exploring themes of survival, resilience, and the messy, unpredictable nature of recovery. While the path is challenging, the narrative offers a compelling look at how trust can be rebuilt and how hope can emerge even in the darkest of times.

Readers who appreciate a romance with significant depth and a focus on the characters' internal journeys will find themselves captivated.

Without giving away any key plot points, the interactions between the characters are charged with intensity, leading to moments that are both heartwarming and breathtaking. It's a story that will stay with you, long after you've turned the final page. Prepare for a read that is as thought-provoking as it is emotionally resonant.

Please be aware that this novel contains mature themes and is intended for readers who are comfortable with exploring difficult subjects.

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can tell Rachael Chadwick put her heart and soul into this story. I was lucky enough to be an ARC reader, but all opinions are my own.

I fell in love with both Lilith and Silas right off the bat. They both come with their demons, but damn was it written so good. Their chemistry jumps from the page, and had me squealing and kicking my feet.

Silas is everything you’re looking for in your next book boyfriend. He’s the perfect mix of gentle but deadly. Tall, dark, handsome AND tattooed, but with a perfect golden retriever energy thrown in the mix. A gentle caress of a shadow: a stalker you can’t help but love. And I have suddenly come away with a hand kink?? And I’m not complaining about it.

While I do believe it was heavy on Italian (god bless google translate), and it could have benefited from just a *tad* more editing, I have seen Rachael address this on social media, and I can only respect her openness about this, and her reasoning. I love seeing new indie authors rise, and just KNOW that Rachael will be ON THE RISE. Her story telling is incredible, and her characters feel real and raw.

I had been highly anticipating this read, and want to thank Rachael for giving me the pleasure of reading it before it’s release date. If you enjoy some heavier themes in your romance, a journey of a characters emotional/mental state, spice that is SPICY🌶️ and a man BEGGING… you will devour this just as I did. Though do be mindful of the trigger warnings.

[Jenni Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

1000 stars out of 5
Life isn't lived on paper. It's in the ink

I honestly don't know if I can put down in words how great this book is, now I loved Bone Deep, but this?!, this is Romance that is Dark, there's very little light and fluffy in here, but it's not all nasty dark depraved bad guys romance.
Yes there's some light stalking, and some questionable uses of technology, and some violence, but they're not the worst kind if you know what I mean.
I love Rachaels writing, the pacing is great, there's heart racing moments, there's bits where you can breathe, but the story never stops, it just keeps you reading, and reading.
Silas and Lilith are both broken people, but when Silas first meets Lilith, he knows he wants her, but he knows that if he gives himself the chance to find her again, she'll end up getting hurt so he tries to stay away, but (spoiler alert) he can't.
Lilith doesn't want to end up like her mother but she finds herself in a relationship that is turning out to be just like her mother & step-fathers.
Because of this there are some pretty heavy trigger warnings at the start, so please read these.
I didn't want their story to end, and I was sobbing at the end (in a good way I promise), this book has become one of the 3 books now that I will always recommend if anyone asks, or even if they don't lol

[Reynareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin with this book? I came across it on Tik Tok because the author made a hilarious promo video and immediately ordered it. It took me 2 days to get through and I just hate that it ended. Silas is the absolute best book bf I've seen in a long time but he is very troubled and haunted by his past which is why he has such a hard time letting Lilith in. He's become obsessed with her but refuses to open up because he's afraid people who get too close to him end up getting hurt. Lilith, unfortunately has been abused so much in life and she can't understand how this gorgeous hot successful Italian man is into her so the dynamic between them is incredibly climactic. There were some spicy scenes that made me wish I was in the book and I won't spoil anything for you but if you know about a man's gspot and where it's at, he loves having it stimulated. If you know, you know. Also, he's a switch! And will say "sit on my face, I didn't say hover". Again, I'm just so sad it is over. There is a lot of talk about grief which is why I think I had a hard time, but I also went into it blindly without reading triggers so it was entirely my fault. I'm a seasoned dark romance reader though so please don't do this if you are someone that's easily triggered. I hardly have any.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF’d at 44% with an exceptionally heavy heart ☹️

After absolutely inhaling Bone Deep, I was really pleased that the author didn’t let the grass grow before releasing another book! However, Ruin Me Gently just moved way too slowly to keep my attention. At almost halfway through the book I hadn’t learned anything about Lilith or Silas that I hadn’t picked up on in their first chapters 🫣

Don’t get me wrong - I enjoyed the way their relationship developed, from him basically doing a drop-and-run of gifts on her doorstep to no longer even trying to hide his stalking - but it lacked the teasers and hints to hold my attention and keep me wondering.

This hasn’t put me off trying out anything else from this author, though! And, to be quite honest, she had a job outstripping Bone Deep because that’s up there with books I wish I could read again for the first time 🙌🏻

[Millie Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m about to build a shrine to Rachael 🧎🏼‍♀️ I was hooked from the very beginning and could not stop thinking about it. Silas and Lilith have my whole heart & I’m not ready to say goodbye 3 also honourable mention of Finn who I immediately need more of

Tropes
- stalker
- Obsessed mmc
- Plus size & mental health rep
- Doberman x black cat
- Touch her and die
- Hurt x comfort

Quotes <3

“I couldn't think. I couldn't breathe. All I could see was her.”

"Lilith, there's not a lot I wouldn't do for you."

“I adored her. Not in a soft, delicate way
— but in the way a wildfire adores oxygen. In the way the ocean adores the moon, tugged forward by something unseen, something inevitable.”

"I'd give you all the stars if I could, sweetheart."

“She looked like home.”

[Whitney Barracks · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ dark romance
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ spice
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ everything
I’m not joking when I say this book has altered my brain chemistry.
This book had everything I crave in a dark romance. The spice was toe curling and delicious without being cringe. The trauma elements were so well woven. Nothing felt thrown in for shock value. It was messy in the best way.
And the chemistry between them was ridiculously good. It was kicking my feet and giggling at kind of good.
I’ll be thinking about Lilith and Silas for a very very long time. They made me laugh, ache, and maybe cry at least five times.
This was genuinely beautiful. I would highly recommend this if you like your dark romance dark but yet somewhat still realistic, like this could actually happen in real life!
Well done 👏

[Kayleigh ⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be picked to be one of @Rachael Chadwick - Author Arc readers for this book.

This book healed my soul!

It was so so good, I loved Lilith and Silas but shout-out to Finn cos he was bloody brilliant.

✅ Mental health representation
✅ Black cat FMC/Morally Grey MMC
✅ Touch her and you die trope
✅ Slow burn
✅ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Check the trigger warnings because the book covers some heavy topics, but does it well. It had me staying up late in the night and rushing back to it the next day to read more. I was blown away after Bone Deep but this is somehow impossibly even better!? One of my favourite reads this year and best bit, it's released today!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Ieva Valentinavičiūtė · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book it had a good mix of dark romance, healing, and chemistry that worked beautifully! Silas is definitely one of my favorite fictional men complex, intense, and surprisingly cute. I loved watching the relationship evolve, starting from his darkly obsessive behavior (yes, stalking and mysterious gifts included) to something much deeper and more meaningful. It was heartwarming to see Lilith’s journey as she began to heal from her past traumas and grow into a more confident version of herself.
Also, the spice was well done, it was very steamy and it added to the emotional tension in all the right ways.

[Morgan Stowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since this book came out, and frankly, even before that, I've been dying to read it. That being said, I bit the bullet and started yesterday. And when I did, I ate this book up like my last damn meal—I fucking ATE! I could not put it down; I loved it so much. The writing 🤌, the characters 🤌, the smut 🤌🥵! I was getting to the end of the book and in my head, thinking, "No 😔🥺, it can't be over! I want more. I NEED MORE! There has to be more...." There wasn't, and now I'm upset 😂.
10/10 would recommend. I laughed, I cried, I was hanging onto every word—all the tension, everything. It was smooth and very easy to read.

[Cara Crotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤ARC Review

WOW. This is the second book by Rachael Chadwick that I’ve read in the past week, and I absolutely DEVOURED both of them.

Ruin Me Gently had me gripped from the beginning. I mean, I read all 697 pages in the space of 3 days! This is the first book I’ve ever read with the secret stalker trope, and I just couldn’t get enough.

Silas and Lilith are such beautiful characters, with incredibly well thought out, dark pasts. I loved their chemistry, the slow burn, and the Dobermann x Black Cat energy. 🐈‍⬛

This book will be on my mind for the foreseeable future.

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When you stand there, when you’re helpless, when you’re trying so fucking hard but you know-you know-you can’t do a damn thing…it’s different.”

This book made me feel seen and heard in so many different ways. The characters grew on me and it was heartbreaking to feel their pain and struggles. This book highlights the reality of domestic abuse and abuse in general. I can see parts of me in Lilith and it reminded me there is light within the darkness. I highly recommend this book. Please check trigger warnings before reading this book.

“Your existence is proof they didn’t win. You did.”

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly only found this because the author posted a promo TikTok where she giggled through most of her words.

I wanted spice, spice it delivered! Bonus for a shy, hidden, buff stalker also delivering pastries at the ass crack of dawn.

Beyond that, the character development was impressive and it was refreshing to read characters working through their trauma.

It’s definitely worth checking out trigger warnings, as there’s a few darker moments in here, but overall the plot kept me interested.

[Kate Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another absolute BANGER from Rachael. Who knew I’d be giggling and kicking my little feet over a stalker? Literally the biggest sweetheart. FINALLY an FMC of a realistic age with a realistic body and realistic insecurities. The MCs are messy, flawed and perfectly imperfect. Get you a concerningly devoted Doberman of a man because Silas is peak “why we love fictional men”. Once again Rachael’s absolutely killed it with her writing, I will forever recommend this book 🖤

[SynderellaLou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh! Dammit Rachael, now I need a Silas in my life!
Beautifully written, gripping plot line.. had me questioning myself, and audibly gasping at some parts!
Spice Spice Spice!
Black cat X Golden retriever energy, and the funniest little bearded dragon!
Read the TWs!
Also, for any translations, they are at the back of the book.. which I found out after I had kept stopping and Google translating them
Once again, Rachael has smashed it with this stunning book!!

[Hannah Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

genius
Devoured this so damn quickly. Cried, laughed, cried some more. Ruin me gently is perfection in every way possible. Lilith was so relatable, Silas is just beautiful, Finn and Molly are the best friends anyone could ever wish for. The spice was filthy in the best way, the plotline kept me on my toes as I watched their relationship develop. Probably my favourite read of 2025. Keep them coming Rachael!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know why, but this book did not engage me as the author's book Bone Deep: A Psychological Dark Romance. I do enjoy intimate, romantic descriptions to enhance character relationships, but pages and pages of explicit encounters was just too much, in my opinion. I found myself skipping these encounters to get to the meat of the story. Too much 50 Shades of Grey and not enough of James Patterson or Lee Childs.