Dark Thirst

by Quinn Rivers

Sean hides behind masks, a king of shadows spinning thirst traps for the world to devour.

Michelle knows him better than anyone should; her step-cousin, untouchable yet irresistible.

From stolen glances at family gatherings to late-night scrolls through his darkest videos, her crush festers into something dangerous. Armed with a fake profile, she stalks his digital empire, liking, commenting, craving. Until their chats ignite a fire neither can ignore. But when she slips into his apartment, dons his mask, and whispers too close to the truth, the game turns deadly.

He’s furious, enthralled, and falling hard. Caught between a vengeful ex’s blackmail and a family that could unravel, they dive into a love as twisted as it is electric.

In the shadows of desire, one question burns: how far will they go to claim each other?

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2025

About the author

Hi there! I'm Quinn Rivers, a 34-year-old writer based in Chicago, where I live with my husband and our two lovable dogs. Reading has always been a passion of mine, a love that began in my childhood and has only grown stronger over the years. While writing has always been something I’ve cherished, I never quite found the courage to share my stories with the world. Until now.

This marks a new chapter for me as I step into the world of dark and taboo romance. I've worked in many different fields, which has given me a unique perspective on life, love, and the complexities of human emotions.

I can't wait for you to join me on this journey and dive into the worlds I’m creating!

Reviews

[whatinthehea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check me out everywhere: what.in.the.hea

Genre: Dark Taboo
Storyline Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice Rating: 4/5🌶️
Tropes: Step-cousins, Chicago/land locations, BDSM-esque, Stalking, Primal Play, Masked Man

Well hello, Quinn Rivers… I see you.

This is the first book I’ve read by Quinn. And let me tell you, it was freakin’ good. For a short story it had a plot I loved, spicy scenes that made me 🥵, and was twisted enough that it satisfied my black little heart.

Both MCs have stalker tendencies.
Both are a little psychotic.

In my opinion this is a must read!
XOXO
Enjoy!

[Mandy Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel so lucky to have been chosen as an ARC reader for this one—and wow, what a ride! This was my first Quinn Rivers book, but definitely not my last. It gave off serious Lights Out vibes, but darker, more intense, and way spicier. We’ve got a curvy, nerdy FMC, taboo twists, and a masked mystery man that will absolutely wreck anyone with a Ghostface or mask kink (guilty!). The stalking—both virtual and in-person—was deliciously dark, and the tension? Chef’s kiss. This book was a wild, unputdownable 5-star read.

[Melanie Endicott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Quinn for selecting me to ARC read this.
OH MY GOD, 10 FUCKING STARS READ. MASKED MEN ARE MY FUCKING WEAKNESS I love love love Sean’s and Michelle’s start of relationship, the obsession is real. I love masked men so very much. This was phenomenal AMAZING. I devoured this book without stopping for breath, lol(not kidding). The ending was *chefs kiss* the tatttoos and all. I hate hate Anna and Michelle’s mother. Like let her live her life how she wants to!!!
I just. I love this book. I will be thinking about this book until the day I die. It’s that fucking good. Highly recommend. Quinn Rjvers thank you for writing another GREAT book. Can’t wait for more in the future.

[Emmy Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun reading this, think: lights out but step-cousins. In my opinion being step cousins isn’t nearly as bad as being step siblings, like they weren’t raised together but it’s still pretty taboo. Sean posts thirst traps online, with his mask on and they get found by… his step cousin. And I love how we get the fmc as the stalker this time, she’s a genius hacker and extremely bold despite the shy quiet facade she puts up. I find it funny how one second she’s bravely breaking into his house and the next she’s scared for her life when he asks to meet up. Honestly she’s pretty morally grey and I love it! She’s a force of nature and readers see more of that near the end, and damn did it surprise me. The plot twists near the end were shocking and I didn’t expect it to turn out like that at all. I was kept on my toes throughout the second half of this book. I loved Michelle but I gotta admit she does make some pretty bad decisions. Sean also makes some bad decisions but he’s the green flag in their relationship (not that I care, I tend to gravitate towards red flags). Also amazing smut with primal play! One of my faves! I wish this book gave us a deeper dive into their chemistry and more about them as people so we could relate more to them. I love them as much as i can but with the little information given they feel like strangers to me. However this was still a short fun read, I had an amazing time and I give it a ⅘

[Ally Redden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Thirst review :
Stars out of 5: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you to Quinn Rivers for selecting me to be one of the ARC readers for her new book Dark Thirst !!

I absolutely devoured this book!! I finished it in a day and a half!! Pulled me in from the very start and I couldn’t put it down! 🤩The story and writing flows so well and the spice in it…. perfection🌶️🫶🏻

I loved the main characters of the book! The sassiness and confidence of the FMC and the possession / obsession of the MMC. Love a good forbidden love ❤️‍🔥

It is definitely a dark romance, so read the trigger warnings before! Unless you like dark romance and want to be surprised 😏

[Tracy Redden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow 🤩 This was a tantalizing, spicy, dark romance novella that I easily had to finish in one sitting. For a novella it flowed at a great pace and didnt leave me with any unanswered questions. It as a short story that brought all the spice, banter and surprises. Loved every minute of it ❤️‍🔥
Thank you Quinn Rivers for selecting me to be an arc reader. I look forward to more from this author.

[Rachel Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

spicy, leaving me wanting more!

Phew! ❤️🤗🔥 oh my gosh, Michelle & Sean have the greatest chemistry and that primal attraction/possession towards each other! 😍 High spice, a little drama and some tears shed. I’m here for this each and every time!! You will not be disappointed with Quinn’s writing!

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so fucking hot. I devoured it and I wish there was more 🥵 Sean and Michelle are *chefs kiss*, the perfect kinky couple.

It doesn’t get much hotter than a masked man 😍 and I love that she was obsessed with him first, you get your man girl 😏

Thank you Quinn for the ARC.

[Sandra Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part I enjoyed this one. I love that the ‘nerdy’ girl ends up with the tatted boy for sure. I did see a few holes in the twist that could have been solved with simply hacking buttttttt then it wouldn’t quite live up to the twisted dark we all have grown to love! If you want a short read to go e you a quick fill of your masked fantasy, this is for you.

[Rhiannon Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Thirst - Quinn Rivers

I love books where it’s the female main character who is the morally Gray or the stalker. So many books has the male main character be the morally gray one or the villain or the bad guy so I really do love it when I read a book and it’s the female character. Michelle is just so interesting especially when she has moments of self reflection and she realizes that hey this is weird, but I’m gonna do it anyway, and I think that just adds so much to the story when the characters are self realizing. I also really enjoy Sean as well and that he tries so hard to protect Michelle, even though she can protect herself. The chemistry between these two was so fun and I enjoyed the little hidden identity for a little while.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️

🔥 / Spice Rating ☀️

# of Pages 🌙 158 pages

Release Date 🌟 7/21/25

Format 💫 Kindle Unlimited

Series 🌙 The Scandalous Novellas, #2

Genre/Tropes ✨ Taboo romance, dark romance, obsessed FMC, morally Gray FMC, sex worker MMC, hidden identity

Favorite Character ☀️ Sean

Favorite Line 🌟 ‘I make a mental note to hack into his profile and check his messages. Weird, but I’m obsessed.’

‘The rest of the night is a blur, but what sticks with me is that eerie feeling that I’m being watched.’

‘How can I stay mad at her? But I am. I’m furious that she tricked me. Furious that she felt she couldn’t come clean and tell me how she felt. This could have ended up worse.’

“Don’t forget, I can see everything you do on your phone. Did you think I was some stupid little girl? I don’t need someone to protect me. She needs protecting now.”

[SinfulReadsByV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Thirst is the perfect title for this very spicy novella. 158 pages of pure 🥵. This is a taboo step-cousins romance where lives finally entwine when Michelle stumbles across Sean’s content page… and it turns into an instant, stalker-level obsession. Can you blame her, though?
Sean is a hardworking mechanic (sigh a man who works with his hands) and he’s also a digital content creator on the side, the kind we all secretly (or not-so-secretly) enjoy on our socials. From cosplay to masks, he brings the heat in more ways than one.
Quinn, you packed a lot of fun into this book! That shopping list? Whew. There are some seriously delish items in there 👀.
Please make sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in. This one is definitely not for the faint of heart. It leans heavily on the spice but still manages to weave in a juicy layer of family drama for Michelle. And Anna… yeah, she’s a whole problem Sean has to deal with. All I can say is men 🙄. Women always have to fix their mistakes, lol. Michelle is next-level petty, which I LOVED.
I genuinely enjoyed this story and was sad to see it end so quickly. I was completely hooked, and the tension that plays out between these two is perfection. This is the second ARC I’ve read from Quinn and without a doubt, it’s my favorite of the two she’s released so far.
Highly recommend grabbing this one if you’re into masked, slightly obsessive FMCs and MMCs, forbidden tension, and steamy scenes that don’t hold back. 🔥

[Ninssss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up Dark Thirst after getting approved for an eARC and this little novella served exactly what I was expecting. If you’re into stalking, CNC, masked lovers, knife and blood play, and a step-cousin spice (they’re not blood-related, relax), then you’re in for a twisted treat.

Michelle, our FMC, is not your usual damsel. She’s the one doing the stalking, and she’s obsessed with this masked man named Ghost. I love how she starts off a bit shy, but once she gains confidence? She owns it. She’s strong, twisted in all the right ways, and honestly, so fun to read. And Sean? Whew. This masked man knows how to make your dark desires come alive. Their chemistry? Hot and satisfying.

There’s a certain scene where he surprises her (no spoilers here), and it instantly became one of my favorites. The whole thing was spicy in the best way, but what made it even better was that everything they did was fully consensual. So yes, high spice, but done right.

I genuinely have zero complaints. I’m the type of reader who says, “the more TWs, the better,” and this book hit the mark without ever feeling rushed or shallow. For a novella, it had just the right amount of depth, character, and detail. And I honestly just want more of them.

If you’re into the darker tropes I mentioned, Dark Thirst will not disappoint. Fast-paced, spicy, and just the right amount of unhinged, definitely worth picking up.

[Samaria McKnight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanna give it a 4.5 stars but it won’t let me 😭😭. Received this ARC in exchange for a review!

Quinn has done it again dammit!!! I just eat her books up and I want others to read them too. This one is a completely different journey from her first scandalous novella. Different setting, characters, etc. I feel like overall it took me on a hell of a rollercoaster. I loved every second of it! If you like an exhilarating and spicy read, definitely pick this one up! 4.5 stars because Quinn accomplished what she came to do yall! Quick story that grips your attention and leaves you wanting MORE.

My only critique(s): I felt the story moved too fast. There’s so many elements like Michelle getting revenge by tormenting Anna, Sean and Anna’s past relationship seeping its way in because Anna won’t leave him alone, etc. I wish the book was a bit longer to give these moments some time.

I would love to see a continuation of these 2 if it’s possible. I do love their dynamic. I think though that Amber and Marcus from Whipped will always be my Shaylas hehe ;) Thank you Quinn for this arc read!

[Amanda Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quinn Rivers’ Dark Thirst novella plunges readers into the incredibly seductive world of masked man thirst traps, which is right up my alley. I received an eARC for this book and enjoyed it from start to finish. This is my second novella by Quinn Rivers, and once again, she did not disappoint!

This book is short and spicy with a plot twist that you don’t see coming. Sean is a mechanic who films masked thirst traps as a side gig. Michelle is a shy tech nerd who develops an obsession for the masked man she came across on her social media feed whom she quickly figures out is her step-cousin. That doesn’t stop her though - he’s not blood related, so it’s fine, right??

This book was deliciously spicy - who doesn’t love a masked mystery man who’s good with his hands – with CNC scenes, blood and knife play, stalking and a twisty storyline to keep you on the edge of your seat? If you’re in the mood for a quick, saucy dark romance to devour, then this is your jam!

[Alli Carlson · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

A fast, spicy, taboo story with a dark twist, Dark Thirst had an intriguing premise, but ultimately didn’t hit the mark for me.

Michelle’s complicated dynamic with her mother—especially the weight-based comments—was painfully relatable. That thread of real emotional conflict added some needed depth. But beyond that, the story felt like it lacked the emotional nuance and tension I was hoping for. It gave me Caught Up by Navessa Allen vibes, but without any of the humor or bite that made that one work.

There were moments of genuine heat, and if you’re looking for a quick, spicy escape into a forbidden romance (step-cousin trope, masked thirst trap energy, stalker-turned-situationship), this might work better for you than it did for me. I’d just read something worse right before this, which probably boosted my tolerance.

Not the worst thing I’ve read, but definitely not something I’ll be revisiting.

[OooLaLa Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unhing€d, Taboo, & Addictive

OMG Besties… "Dark Thirst" takes taboo and says, “let’s make it unhing€d.” I was CHEERING for Michelle and Sean, like it was my job. Michelle being the obs€ss€d one... Absolutely iconic. The cyb€rsta£king twist was messy, unhing€d, and way more fun than expected... and I loved every second of it.

Sean as the masked MMC serving shadowy thirst traps... Say less. The tension between them crackles from stolen family glances to late-night DMs, and once it snaps… whew. The spice is SPICIN’. Like, one-handed-read territory 😏 Knif€ play, primal energy, impact play... this novella does NOT hold back.

Michelle is OTT obs€ss€d in the best, most “why didn’t I see that coming?!” way, and Sean fully matches her chaos. Twisted, electric, and wildly addictive. Definitely must-add to TBR!

My Ratings: ⭐ 4.5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 4/5

🥀 For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤

[Ladenia27 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Thirst is everything the name promises and I could not put it down!

Both MCs are shy but kinky and thirsty.
I loved the FMC, Michelle, she’s just the right amount of shyness vs. kinky and morally grey and she made me laugh a lot.
The MMC is a prince that makes his task to be the best he can for his princess, especially when he matched her brand of crazy with his possessiveness.

The story is fast paced and full of action, romance and lots of amazingly hot spicy moments, some a bit more unhinged as we cannot forget the kinks and taboo aspects (forget, ha, we beg for them).

I highly recommend reading this amazing book, just don’t forget to check the trigger warnings list first!

I feel so lucky and thankful to have been chosen to receive an advance review copy for free, from the author Quinn Rivers, and I am happily leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alexia D'Ambrosio · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Oh my god!! I ate this novella up!! I finished this book in one sitting & could not put it down!! I absolutely love Michelle & Sean!! I love that Michelle was the stalker in this book & was obsessed with him!! 🤭 I also love the masks involved & the kinks explored!! The spice was definitely spicing and was written so well!! The filthy mouth on Sean, oh my lord!! 🥵 I loved everything about this book & would highly recommend giving it a read!! If you are looking for a quick, spicy novella with masks/cosplays, primal play, blood play, she stalks him, kink exploration & a man with a filthy mouth… 😏 then this is the book for you!! 🥰 10/10 would def recommend!!

Thank you so much for giving me an ARC of this book, I had a great time reading it & really appreciate the opportunity!! I can’t wait to read more books by this author!! 💖

[Jenn Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark thirst is the second novella is Quinn River’s Scandalous Novella series. Let me tell you scandalous is shorting how spicy this novella is.

Imagine scrolling along media and you come across a thirst trap that has caught your attention. It pulls you in and you can’t look away. But wait you recognize those tattoo….. it’s your step-cousin. You still can’t turn away. You’re salivating.

Your new obsession!!

But what if the obsession was equal?
Both characters equally obsessed that they will take all measurements protecting and keeping what’s theirs.

From new kinks explored, to possessive obsession, this novella has the perfect level of spice and leaves you thirsty.

[Alisha Pascual · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing short story by Quinn. I love the forbidden aspect of step-cousins. They’re not related by blood, only through marriage and didn’t grow up together but are still technically “family”. But the heart wants what it wants, and what it wants is each other. Sean and Michelle are so hot together, the masks, content that they made, the dirty talk, holy smokes. But how they both felt like the black sheep in the family but felt so comfortable, so at ease with each other, like they found family, home within each other. Their story is so cute but drama filled and steamy, a perfect combination. I can’t wait to see what else there is in store for the future.

[mrnuina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love seeing fmc so cunning and fierce and oh so smart! She did not let anyone coming her way!
Once again, mmc was hot! And masked, i loooove masked men! I mean gimme one(or more) right now!
Sean and michelle truly were meant to be!
Spice was there but of course it have to be with story like this!
This really helped me forget my life for a little while

This was my first book from Quinn but not my last, no, i am gonna read everything from her!
This is dark romance novella, it was short but did not feel boring at any times. Story went on so well and is so well written and so easy to read.
I think you might wanna have water with you while you read because you may get a bit hot

[Paula Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Thirst @quinnivers_author - Just
WOW!

Where to begin? If you like masked men, stalking, possessive, hacker tropes then this is for you!

I loved that it was multiple masks but Anubis was Egypt has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember and this just pulled me right in!

Michelle (FMC) and Sean (MMC) are unreal - he's an online thirst trapper and shes a cybersecurity student (hacker) what could go wrong, wait did I mention their step cousins?! Yeah fun, but our sassy FMC isn't all she seems and knows how to take what she wants and our tatted MMC will give her the world!

This taboo novella packs so much into a short read but it is one you won't put down.

[Bree McNamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Dark Thirst is a fast-paced, spicy, taboo novella that grabs you from page one. Michelle, a quiet hacker with stalker tendencies, and Sean, a masked thirst-trapper mechanic (yes, really), have intense, primal chemistry that makes for a wild ride. I loved the reversed stalker trope, the delicious mask play, and how unapologetically twisted it got. The story is short and punchy, though I wish we’d gotten a bit more emotional depth and less drama with the ex. Still, it’s addictively dark, fun, and definitely left me thirsty for more. Check the trigger warnings before diving in!

[Chi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel so incredibly fortunate to have been chosen as an ARC reader for "Dark Thirst" by Quinn Rivers.

This was my first time reading this author, but it definitely won't be my last. The tension and intensity in this book were absolutely off the charts!

Quinn is able to deliver this deliciously dark Taboo romance in a way that hooked me from the moment our masked man was introduced. Who knew obsession could be so so steamy.

. The chemistry was phenomenal, and the obsession felt so real. Chef's kiss! I devoured this book without stopping and can't recommend it enough. This is a must-read for anyone who loves a dark, taboo romance. I'm already looking forward to Quinn Rivers' next book!

[Courtny Renee Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

👻 step-family
🩸 blood play / knife play
👻 CNC
🩸 masks
👻 Hacking
🩸 fast-paced
👻 nerdy FMC


I was chosen as an ARC reader for this & I’m so glad! It was such a good, fast paced read.

This was my first Quinn Rivers book & I wasn’t disappointed! The vibe of this book reminded me of Lights Out so I loved it! The obsession they have for one another was chefs kiss. And the spicy scenes 🥵 whew boy. Even the ending was perfect for these characters. 4 ⭐️ for sure. I’d give 5 but I wanted it to be a longer read 😂🫶🏻

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wooooo girl. The spice was spicing in this one.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Thank you Quinn Rivers for the ARC and 👏 the plot + the hotness.

4.5 stars!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ + 1/2

A dark (taboo) romance (step-cousins). Stalking & a Masked Man sign me up, right? They’re NOT RELATED! If you liked Caught Up, this is for you. A quick read (150ish pages). The wrench 🔧 scene in the body shop had me go “oh sh*t” out loud and sent me. THE BEST scene.

I was instantly mad at Michelle’s mom and stayed that way the rest of the novella. No ma’am, mama! Let that girl live! Sean aka Ghost gave me all the millennial Scream vibes.

[SilverRibbonReviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an incredible read! The storyline was engaging, and the characters were well-developed and compelling. The heat level was intense—in the best way possible. There's just something about masked men that adds an extra layer of allure and mystery, and this book delivered on that front flawlessly. Quinn did an outstanding job crafting this novel, and it’s one I’ll definitely be revisiting. I’ll also be recommending it to others—this is a story that deserves to be talked about and widely known.

[Magen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️

The spice was yummmm
I love a good taboo
I love the masked man vibe (and masked girl ) that scene was chefs kiss. The ending was adorable and crazy at the same time lol
I think what really took a star away for me was that I didn’t love the drama in this story with the ex or how it was handled, it came off a little cheesy to me.
Over all I would still recommend for a short easy dark romance , and I will be reading more of Quinn’s work. It just didn’t hit all the marks for me this time but was almost there.

[KimJH · Rating 4 out of 5]

SOOO HAWTT!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥

LITERALLY DEVOUREDD IT IN ONE SITTINGGGG😭😭😭😭😭
LOVEDDD MICHELLE
THE GEEKY NERDYY GIRL WHO HAS A WHOLEEE NEW SIDE TO HERRD🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻
AND SEANN!!!!!!!
NO WORDSSS

THEY JUST WENT FROM CUTE COZY COMFORTING VIBES IN THE START OF THE BOOK
TO BEINGG SOO HOOTTTTT

LOVE THE SPICYYY SCENEE🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Hate the ex tho when she tried to threaten sean😭😭
If they had a breakup i would be devastated 😭😭

But LOVE OUR SAVAGE QUEEN FOR TAKING THE REVENGE 😭😭😭

[spicy.midnight.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Novella was such a good read!

I’m so glad I got chosen to receive an ARC for this because 🤩 AMAZING

Everyone always wants the guy to stalk them but after reading this novella? Us girls can stalk the guys too 🥰 Seriously though this novella was amazing and all of the spicy scenes were SPICY! Let’s just say my husband enjoyed this book (even though he did not read it). Definitely a nice little read for a day off or in between books when you just want the spice like now!