When I rented this room, I had hoped to create a private artist’s retreat, and finally focus on my painting.
Instead, I find myself haunted by distraction in the form of Vic.
Vic is the strikingly handsome son of my new landlady. However, beneath that charming, self-confident smile lies a deep well of untapped evil.
He seems to share a dark secret with another a medical student who rents the basement apartment. The student is testing an experimental cure which seems more akin to a miracle.
I do not understand the secret which binds them. Not yet.
Soon, I will realize that all is not as it seems in this quiet home, as I am dragged into a world of horror and madness, a world of unspeakable cruelty and undeniable pleasure.
This novel revolves around an explicit, dark, dangerous relationship. Content warnings apply, so please read the author’s note at the beginning of the book.
3.75 although I feel like this is impossible to rate...
Of all the weird, dark, concerning books I've read and loved, Fallen Under might have been the one that left me the most unsettled. Not for its darkness, necessarily, but for how it messes with the head.
I have to admit that I might have DNFed, had I not read reviews that talked about how there is a point when you question everything you thought you knew about the story. And I am so glad I pushed through because YES. It's true.
In hindsight, the things that had thrown me off suddenly made sense.
The FMC is vague and without contour but still made it possible to fall into her story. Which this is. It's her story. So I had no option but accept her view of things, the lease through which she sees the other characters, however unaccounted for it might seem at times.
Without giving much depth to the characters, the author managed to create dynamics that were equally off-putting and weirdly understandable. The book takes what it needs, the plot is at no point drawn out artificially and has no urge to resolve everything.
This is a rollercoaster and I can't lie, I am still a bit shaken after getting off the ride.
Sadly, I struggled a bit with the writing style. I admit that, knowing what I know now, even the rather straight-forward, retelling type of writing makes sense. It read, at parts, like a diary. However, I personally feel like it could have done with just a little more polishing, but that is my very subjective take.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Fallen Under and can see it being loved by many dark romance girlies who are in for a little suspense and a lot of mindfuck.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review
I don’t even know where to start to write a review for this book… it had all the spooky and mystery behind it but I am still trying to wrap my head around what in the world was going on. This book was definitely wild to put it simply!
I really wanted to like this a lot, the premise is super interesting but to be honest none of the characters are likable. I didn’t really enjoy how jumpy things are, you’ll be reading about the FMC doing one thing and then in the next paragraph she’s somewhere completely different in a way that doesn’t really make sense.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lydia did an outstanding job of keeping me in the dark with the FMC throughout the book. You know some of the characters are dark and twisted, but you keep second guessing yourself. I had no idea what was going on and felt like I was loosing my mind alongside the FMC. All the pieces do come together in the end and you finally get answers. I wouldn’t necessarily say it has a HEA, but the characters seem to think that they are living a HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
To start off with, I thought the relationship between Nadia and Vic was another one of those quick romances that goes from 0 to 100 in no time at all. Boy was I wrong but right all at the same time.
Lydia is able to keep the reader in the same sense of uncertainty as Nadia. You don't know what is real and what isn't. I had to re-read sections trying to make sense of it, worried I had missed something but hadn't. Everything made sense by the end though whilst making absolutely no sense at all. I loved it.
The writing style is smooth and descriptive and I was hooked from the start.
A very clever book indeed!
I received a free copy of this book from booksprout and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
First I wanna say I won this book from a giveaway on Goodreads. Sounded interesting so when I got it as soon as I was done with my previous book I started this one. 30 pages in I wanted to put it down. The story is missing a lot and seems to try and develop itself over time but does a bad job. The characters are easily forgotten with no sense of depth or understanding. At 92 pages I couldn’t force myself to read anymore. This is the first book I couldn’t finish. I usually have a hard time just giving up on something but this book just did not give me hope of it getting any better
I think that July is the start of the spooky season so I have been searching for horror books to read.
This was great for that! It’s a bit morbid but not overly filled with gore. There’s a bit of a mystery element to it. And some experimentation going on as well as a bit of murder mystery.
Nadia moves to get a fresh start and hopefully some inspiration for her paintings. She moves in essentially with a family. There she meets Vic and they begin a very unhealthy relationship almost immediately. Within days they’ve slept together and exchanged I love yous.
Edith, his mother and Theresa, his aunt, are both sick and under the care of Matthew who he met and hired to take care of them. Matthew is a medical student who uses tinctures to care for them both.
The plot twists were interesting but I wish the ending hadn’t been open ended. It was clear there was manipulation going on and Vic was a bit of a narcissist if not a psychopath but there was something unsatisfying about the ending.
I received an advance review cope for free, and I am leaving his honest review voluntarily.
When I picked up this novel, I was expecting a quiet escape into a private artist's retreat, but what I got was something much more sinister and enthralling. The story revolves around the protagonist's journey from seeking solitude to being drawn into a web of horror, madness, and twisted relationships. My jaw hit the floor a few times during the read. The author does an incredible job of creating an atmosphere of creeping dread. Vic, the landlady's son, is as captivating as he is terrifying. His charm is a mask for the deep well of darkness that lurks beneath, and the tension between him and the protagonist is palpable throughout the novel. The mysterious medical student in the basement adds another layer of intrigue and horror, with his experiments blurring the line between science and something far more dangerous. I had mixed feelings about Matthew and felt like more light could've been shown on him. While the book's themes are dark and the relationships even darker, the writing is compelling and the story kept me hooked from start to finish. However, it’s important to note that this novel isn’t for everyone. The content is explicit, and the author includes a detailed note at the beginning, which I recommend reading if you’re unsure whether this is your kind of book.
Overall, this is a gripping and haunting read, perfect for those who enjoy exploring the darker side of human nature. Just be prepared to be pulled into a world where nothing is as it seems. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was..... Weird and gross. And I'm not sure it was in a good way. The writing style feels oddly simplistic and none of the characters, the female lead especially, are very fleshed out. The smut was bad and I kept reading to figure out what was up but I was a little let down.
PLOT:
Nadia is an artist struggling with her painting block. She rents a room in the house of an elderly woman and meets the old lady's nurse, sister, son and a medical student who is treating her. While initially hesitant Nadia sinks into this motley group and does not emerge the same.
THOUGHTS:
- Nadia is TSTL. honestly. I almost stopped reading from how dumb she continues to be. From the very beginning the whole situation is super weird and unsettling but she does not listen to that. She basically explains away all the weird stuff and becomes insta in love with Vic, the son, just because he's hot. She sleeps with him right away and when his treatment of her gets more intense and freaky she doesn't stop seeing him or insists on using protection. She doesn't question almost anything when it comes to him, lets him manipulate and abuse her and never really tries to leave.
- the smut SUCKED. It's literally just him pumping into her over and over roughly and she's soaked of course. Just so boring and stale.
- I HATED the ending. No spoilers but Nadia is an idiot and Vic is a creep. I felt like this was a total waste of time.
If Nadia hadn’t driven a car or used a cell phone, I wouldn’t have been surprised to find this enthralling novel play out in a historical setting with its distinctly Gothic vibe. It had all the elements of a Victorian horror story. There was the dark, mysterious house, the strange landlady and her handsome, enigmatic son, a secretive fellow tenant in the basement, the unsuspecting guest, inexplicable happenings and a sinister atmosphere that only grew ever more oppressing. I have to admit I thought Vic was a bit creepy from the start. It was nothing I could pinpoint, but he just seemed too charming and simply too good to be true. I loved the author’s writing style, which amped up that feeling of dread. I was shocked by how quickly Nadia was sucked into Vic’s orbit, almost as soon as she walked in the door. The deeper she fell down that rabbit hole, the less she could do to stop what was happening. Nothing is as it seems here, and the twists and turns keep coming. There are a few questions left hanging, which I won’t get into because that would spoil the plot, but I would have liked to see a more definitive ending. However, no matter how disturbing, this is psychological horror at its best. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Rating: ★★★☆☆½ Spice Level: 🌶🌶 Dark Romance, Horror, Erotic Horror, Villain Romance, Body Horror
Fallen Under by Lydia Harbinger is a dark and twisted journey that delves into explicit, unsettling territory. The story follows an artist who, hoping for a peaceful retreat, finds herself entangled with Vic, her alluring yet sinister new landlord’s son. What starts as an attempt to focus on her painting quickly spirals into a world of horror and twisted pleasure.
The novel is richly descriptive, vividly portraying its unsettling atmosphere and psychological tension. However, the complex and often confusing plot may leave readers feeling a bit lost. The story's heavy focus on psychological manipulation and dark desires provides a gripping yet disorienting experience.
The book is certainly quick to read, with a lot of focus on its intense, explicit scenes. The warnings at the beginning are crucial—this is a dark romance with heavy themes and body horror, and it includes elements of dubious consent and abuse. It’s a niche read that fans of dark and erotic horror might appreciate, but it’s definitely not for everyone.
Fallen under is so confusing. You think you, the dear reader, knows what's happening? WRONG! All wrong.
I was feeling a subtle unease while reading, and thought this would change as soon as things clear up. Haha, no. It messed totally with my head, some things becoming clear as others, which I thought were clear, became foggy and fuzzy. What happened when? Was it real? Are the characters dreaming? Every answer to a question leaves you with more questions. Some answers you have to find yourself.
If you want to feel uneasy, and question yourself, your mind and your perception, this one's for you.
Not to forget the spice (which I really liked) in the story which is also questionable and seems unreasonable throughout the story, but also makes sense in the end.
Though the ending was a bit unsatisfying, I enjoyed this book very much as it differs from everything I read before.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.*
Reading Fallen Under, I was always wondering what in the world is going on. This story follows the relationship between Vic and Nadia. Nadia rents out a room in Vic’s house from his mother. In the house is Nadia, Vic, his mother and aunt and their care taker, and a med student that lives in the basement, Matthew. Matthew has a “cure” for Vic’s mother’s ailments but it is in the study phase. Nadia feels things are off in the house so she is always investigating things. Through it all she grows close with Vic. And we see that relationship develop through out the story. The story line has great potential. I felt the ending was very rushed, and there seemed to be questions that I would have liked answered. I felt that those key things would have made the story even better. It did have me guessing and I didn’t see the ending coming, but after reading it, it really made sense.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily…
I wanted to love this book so much! Horror books have been my calling lately and I love that this book has you second guessing at every turn but sometimes i felt like i was loosing my mind.. I got lost with it at some points and had to force myself to push through to the end. When i first started this book I saw that others had the same issue and knew that I needed to push through. The ending does bring it all together thankfully because I would have gone crazy if it hadn’t! I think it’s a good book and had the ability to be great with some tweaks..I definitely would read something else by Lydia in the future.
A dark twisted Romance where this book follows FMC through her POV knowing deep into her thoughts and narrations. Loved how the darkness surrounded her, the secrets that lay, the spiciness that followed, and the mixture of it all made it a lot more interesting. There were instances where I couldn't connect with the FMC and a few instances where I thought it was out of place or maybe it was just me. But that didn't keep me from liking the darkness. When it comes to horror and dark Romance I am instantly pulled. It was different and not necessarily in a bad way. In fact, it was really good apart from a few things here and there. I would like to recommend this book to all Dark Romance Lovers.
Ok, this book is so messed up! Half the time you can’t figure out what’s real and what’s not. It made it so hard to guess what the heck was going on.
I really feel bad for Nadia. She really spiraled. Vic was always either creepy or desirable. Once again hard to figure out.
After Margaret’s “scene” about halfway through the book, things get interesting very fast! It had my mind spinning! What was real and what wasn’t! So crazy!
The ending was alright. Not what I thought would happen but okay.
The way this book hooked me and held on until the very end! I wanted to sock one of the guys in the face so bad for the way he was acting. This book deals with Stockholm syndrome in a way that I felt as though I was Nadia. It warped my mind in a way that I felt as though I was in the book and I experienced the confusion along with Nadia. It's not for the faint of heart and the best word I could use to describe this story would be a mindfuck. I can't wait for you guys to see this twisted story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I wish I could do half stars because this was a 3.5 stars. The book was a bit fast and confusing. Nadia rents a room in a house with a bunch of strangers. She meets Vic, the owner of the houses son. Vics aunt is in the attic, and there is a creepy med student who I am still not sure if her found out if he was a student or had a different name. The relationship with Nadia and Vic goes fast and crazy. I am still wondering what I read. Murder mystery and paranormal. I received this book as an ARC. This is my honest opinion.
“I will show you how much I love you. The rest is up to you. You can stay here as a prisoner, or as my wife.”
At first I was whoa, that was too quick. I understood the lust of first sight but the exchange of love yous threw me off. Then it all clicked into place. There was a reason for it all. This book goes beyond Stockholm Syndrome. I'm left with doubts regarding the reason for the deaths, so no idea if I should have not been reading at 2 am and I missed the reason. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
this books beginning was a bit slow. after powering through the first couple of chapters it started to get good. Nadia was renting a place to focus on her art. she runs into Vic a tenant that also lives there. he is charming and handsome and she falls right into it. then you have mathew another tenant who is a med student. after a bit weird stuff starts happening. really nice mystery.
This wasn't just dark; it was black. So black, it is hard to read. Now, don't get me wrong. This was remarkably well written. The world-building is great. Character development is top-notch. There is no HEA here. There is just a twisted ending. This was a good book. If you want something dark, twisted, and wrong, you have found it. Enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed reading this book. Once I started reading Fallen Under, I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to keep reading so I could see what was going to happen next. The characters are great and the storyline hooked me from the start. I don't want to spoil this book for anyone, so I won't go into details. Please read the book blurb for some information about the book. I recommend reading this book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a very interesting read. I loved that it kept you in the FMC perspective because it made you feel just as she felt when she was uncovering some truth. I liked this read and enjoyed the eerie vibes that this gave off. It left you questioning what was real and what wasn’t. Also it made you question the FMC and what was true to her or what was manipulation which is what I imagine what she felt like.
First of all, I absolutely loved the cover of this book. It immediately set the tone of the this dark and eerie story. This book is filled with spine tingling, unsettling energy that I ate up. If you like your MMC to be beautiful and off-the-goddamn rails, then you'll love this book. I'm not sure if this author has other books published, but I intend to go hunting for them. Highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Created a captivating atmosphere, a lot of twists and great plots. Had me hooked all the way through! It’s not a book for the faint of heart for sure. Would have personally preferred more at the end but overall it’s a great book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was an interesting one. Definitely keeps you on your toes with all the twists and trying to figure out what’s reality and what is being imagined. This was the type of dark that you can’t put down because you enjoy every second of it even as it pushes the boundaries. Harbinger also does a great job with the spice.
I really wish we had a 3.5 rating because I do feel it was almost a 4. The author has a wonderful sense of descriptive language and that drew me in as a reader. Her characters were mysterious and there was a sense of eeriness incorporated into the story. The book was a bit disjointed for my liking and some sentence formation was a bit odd. I do believe she is the making of a wonderful author.
Interesting read. First time I’ve read anything by this author so I wasn’t sure what to expect. When Nadia moves into a house, she’s met by a cast of characters that she can’t figure out. There’s an older lady, nurse, bizarre doctor and a son who she’s attracted too, as well as the aunt in the attic. When she finally figures out what is going on, it will be too late to escape.
Lydia Harbinger does a fantastic job writing this type of book, it dealt with dark topics and had that horror that was needed for this type of books. The romance had that feel that I was expecting and glad it doesn't shy away from the explicit. I can't wait to read more from the author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed the first half of this book. I was intrigued by everything that was going on and the characters in the story. The second half I couldn't really keep up with what was happening. I felt like it was all over the place. I didn't really understand his motives and really just finished it to finish it.