MORENA : Paranormal Gothic Erotic Horror

by A. Em

Paranormal Erotic Horror

When a desperate construction worker breaks an old urn during a renovation job, he unknowingly unleashes something that was never meant to be freed. Homeless and out of options, he spends three nights in the cursed house, just long enough for something to follow him.

A chance offer leads him to caretaking an old woman who tells him haunting stories of a spirit named Morena, a woman with dark skin, black hair, and eyes the color of a storm. A woman mentioned only in whispers, always in threes.

Soon, he begins to see her.

Morena, once the beautiful obsession of a serial killer, was betrayed, murdered, and bound to silence. Now, she haunts again. Watching. Wanting. Burning with jealousy as he falls for another woman.

But the deeper he falls, the more Morena frees a darker his lover is not who she seems. And maybe… neither is he.

Bloody Mary had a mirror. Morena has you.

“Mirror black and water still,
Morena waits to feel the kill.
One for sorrow, two for flame,
Say her name and play her game.

Morena, Morena, Morena...

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance

185 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2025

About the author

“Where others write ever after, I write never after.” -A.

Social Media;

Instagram: iam_a_em

Pinterest: a_em_author

TikTok: a_em_author

Reviews

[destiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

arc review to come 🖤

[Darkacademiareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.eM. has done it again.

If you’ve read any of her books, you already know, she doesn’t do light, fluffy, or picture-perfect happily-ever-afters. But that’s exactly what makes her stories so vividly unique and unforgettable.

This book was devastatingly beautiful, haunting, eerie, and yes, deliciously spicy. But beneath all of that runs something deeper: a pulse of fear, heartbreak, and pain that clings to every page. It’s dark and raw, yet there’s a strange kind of beauty in how it all unravels.

The worldbuilding is impeccable, chilling, immersive, and layered with a quiet dread that seeps into your bones. You’ll keep reading not just because you want to, but because you need to, you need the truth, the answers, the why behind the horror.

And that serial unaliver twist? Absolutely brilliant. Every revelation hits like a punch, and before you can even recover, another twist knocks the air out of you. You’ll find yourself staring into the void whispering, did that really just happen?

A.eM. isn’t just an author, she’s an architect of emotion, building worlds from pain and poetry. Her books don’t comfort; they confront. They tear open old scars and make you face the reflection you’ve been avoiding.

Her writing is for those who feel too much and not enough all at once, the broken, the healing, the beautifully human.

If you’re ready for a story that will wreck you, haunt you, and still leave you craving more, pick this one up. It’s not a fairytale, it’s a masterpiece born from the dark.

[Nini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an arc, but my rating/review are my own!

review coming soon...
omgggg what the hell!!!!!

[Aleesha Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun twist and I love a paranormal 😍

[D.3.b.0.r.a.h · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first chapter, Morena pulls you into a dark, unsettling atmosphere that refuses to let go. What begins as an ordinary situation quickly spirals into something far more disturbing, as the past refuses to stay buried and a presence awakens that should never have been disturbed. The tension builds slowly but relentlessly, creeping under your skin and lingering long after you’ve put the book down. This isn’t a story you simply read — it’s one you feel.

Morena herself is less a character and more an obsession made flesh, haunting the edges of every moment. As the lines between reality, fear, and desire begin to blur, the story leans heavily on mood and character rather than plot twists, which works perfectly for its gothic horror tone. Every interaction feels charged, intense, and slightly unhinged in the best way, making it impossible to fully relax while reading.

The writing is raw and emotional, with moments that are both disturbing and captivating. The erotic elements are woven seamlessly into the darkness, serving the story rather than overpowering it and adding to the sense of unease rather than comfort.

This is not a light read and definitely not for everyone, but for readers who enjoy paranormal gothic horror with erotic undertones and psychologically unsettling stories, Morena is a powerful and memorable experience that stays with you long after the final page.

[itsjustjasz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️ WENT IN BLIND, CAME OUT SHOOK

This was not only my first book from A. eM but also my first paranormal horror read & I went in completely blind. Honestly, that made the whole thing even more exciting & full of unexpected turns.

It scared the bejeezus out of me, but it’s also heavily plot driven. You thought you figured it out? WRONG. You don't. After a few tries, I question every assumptions I made next & just let the story carry me wherever it wanted.

But as much as I was (terrifyingly) hooked by the horror & the thrill, it was the emotional part that really got me. It cuts deep because it’s the truth we often choose to ignore:

Evil isn’t forged. It bleeds from the wounds that were inflicted on us. It’s born from the consequences of someone’s pain, from suffering that turns into hate, revenge & morally wrong actions.

This book was DEFINITELY a ride in itself. I'm jumping on my next read from hers, All The Things We Burried

Warning: This book contains mature & sensitive content. Please run through the trigger warnings. Read with discretion.

[Layna Leighann · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️/4🔥

Morena never leaves

Morena is a spicy horror story that gives 🩸Mary vibes, but scarier. Who is Morena? What does she want? Who d@mned her to this curse of haunting the living and taking her revenge out on these souls? It's not what you think! The twist in this story was something I didn't see coming and I enjoyed every word of it. I felt bad for her for the first half of the book, but then when the twist happened with Matteo, I was like, "Ooooohhhh, she ran right off the rails!" This gives the right amount of creepy and spicy while keeping you locked in on the story to find the answers you're seeking.

[Kayla B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hands down just AMAZING... but then again everything I've read from A has been a pure work of art. Seriously pure paranormal perfection. If you enjoyed the thrill of Bloody Mary as I did as a kid, this book will be a hit of nostalgia almost. I don't even know how to properly give this book a review of the justice it deserves without giving it away. But I will try.

*Please read the trigger warning before reading...*

"Her curse is not the blade, nor the blood. It is the guilt she awakens, the memories she claws out from where they hide. And regret, they say, is what kills you in the end."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🖤Dual POV
🖤Haunted House
🖤Blurred Reality
🖤Blood Play
🖤Love Triangle
🖤Ghosts
🖤Carnal Memory
🖤Consensual Non-Consent

"You're broken. And broken things..." "... belong to me."

Matteo finds himself working for his ex boss's brother, renovating an old house that is haunted. By none other than the curse of Morena. When he finds himself falling through the floor, he comes face to face with the nightmare himself. From that day forward it was as if they were one in the same. He couldn't stop thinking about her, and he didn't know why. As time went on he became interested in who killed her, as random items from her past kept appearing. But nothing could have prepared him for what would come next.

Morena had been killed many years prior, and has been known as a nightmare curse ever since. Coming when her name has been called 3 times. But no one knows how she came to be, not even herself. But after Matteo breaks her urn one day, she finds herself instantly attached to him. But unsure as to why. But one thing is certain... Matteo will be owned by Morena, and will eventually die like all the others. But not before finding out how she really died, and by whom.

The amount of twists and turns this book will take you down, will keep you constantly second guessing. You will be left wondering if you even believe anything anymore.

You'll remember my silence louder than all the screams you ignored."

Thank you so much A for allowing me to be a part of your hype team and to read your work. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Siempre_sera2.0 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating:✨✨✨✨✨
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️

“Run. Tell them the story. Tell them that if you call my name three times, I will come. Tell them to be afraid. I know where they live. I know who they hide. I know who they hurt. I know the secrets that keep them awake at night. Tell them Morena is not gone. Tell them Morena lives.”

When I say A.eM. NEVER disappoints like holy crap. This book had me on the edge of my bed needing to know what happened next. We have Morena our FMC she was bullied, betrayed, and was never giving the kind of love she deserved. She lost her mom the same night she came face to face with one of El Treces victims, and feels the guilt of not being there for her mom. She disappears in 1984 without a trace her body never found… haunting and killing people that call to her. Matteo ends up doing construction to the home Morena lost her life in years later, she appears to him after he falls into the hidden basement below the stairs, as time passes he wants her sexually, he wants to avenge her. The twist and turns this story took, was written beautifully. All the characters introduced, finding out exactly how Morena died was so heartbreaking, getting the reveal of who El Trece really was, to say I was shocked would be an understatement. Also seeing a little bit of cross over between A’s books is always a special little Easter egg for her readers.

“ La muerte es apenas el inicio.”
“Death is only the beginning.”


-Thank you so much A for this beautifully written story.

For any and everyone if you are bullied, feel overwhelmed or experiencing a mental crises please reach out to your local crises center, a friend, a loved one who is in your corner.
You are loved, you matter, please stay, you are not as alone as you may feel🖤

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

💔 Morena by A. Em 💔

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ || 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

“Morena. A nightmare that breathed against your skin and left you shivering alone. She was not just something to fear; she was fear itself, pressing in until it drowned you from the inside out. Monsters like her aren’t born. They are forged in grief, in fire, in wounds that never heal.”

😮‍💨🤌🏻 what a HELLA spooky read for this amazing spooky season. I literally love A Em’s writing style. I love when i pick up a book expecting it to be creepy, and it genuinely is. I’m not kidding, i had to take my phone flashlight to the bathroom 🤌🏻😮‍💨

Matteo is running from his past, but seems to get tangled up with all the wrong people.. so, when he finds himself homeless & out of a job, he takes what he can get. He’s expected to restore an older, said to be haunted, house to its former glory. But when an accident causes him to fall through the floor & breaks an old urn - little does he know that he’s releasing his newest nightmare. Morena. She thrives and feeds on people’s regrets and secrets, and boy does Matteo have one. Plagued by his obsession (newly found) with Morena & finding out what happened to her, he goes down an INSANE & INTENSE rabbit hole, and finds out that the answer may be closer than he thinks….

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶🌶🌶🌶

Wow just wow A. This book was absolutely amazing. I cried and gasped (wtf I did not see that coming). You kept me on my toes through the whole book. Morena is a force to be reckoned with. The definition of f*ck around and find out. Too young to fully experience life to its fullest, betrayed and left alone. I feel for her and understand her anger. Matteo, is something I didn't expect going into this book. 😱😱 A you surpassed every expectation and blew my mind. That ending 🤌🏼. Absolutely recommend this book if you can handle the triggers and like a good Paranormal Erot!c Horror. This book had spice, not just between Matteo & Isabella, but Matteo & Morena & all 3, but not all parties are aware 👻😈 . Death and Grief are things everyone deals with in life but some never think about what its like for the ones who die especially after a brutal one. Were they scared, were they alone, what actually happened, did they move on, can they move on? So many questions, some left unanswered, sometimes forgotten, but Morena is left like a curse on your tongue. Bloody Mary has the Mirror, but Morena has you. Are you brave enough to play her game?
MORENA, MORENA, MORENA

[Michelle Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morena by A. Em

This story was a journey I wasn’t prepared for, but once again A. Em has blown me away with her brilliant mind and writing. She takes us deep into Matteo’s discovery of Morena and her haunting story, and I loved how the book was structured into parts—Matteo, Morena, Death, and finally the Epilogue.
The shifts in perspective, the layering of the story, and the depth she weaves in kept me hooked from beginning to end. In true A. Em style, she doesn’t go easy on us—constantly keeping us begging for more and wondering what would happen next. And that Easter egg at the end? Absolutely genius. It left me craving the next book immediately.
This story will stay with you, haunting your thoughts long after you’ve finished. Next time I find myself in front of a mirror, I’ll be asking: am I brave enough to whisper “Morena” three times?
The balance of light and darkness, the eerie paranormal elements, and yes—the unapologetically smutty smut—made for the perfect mix. Dimensions were crossed, minds were blown, and I can’t thank A. Em enough for yet another masterpiece. She never lets us down.

[Crystal Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wooooow!!!! A.eM ALWAYS delivers. This book is dark, emotional, and spicy. It will have you flying through the pages, but also wanting to slow down because you don’t want it to end. Matteo is uses to losing everything, he has not lived the easiest life. And now he finds himself working for his ex bosses brother, also his ex lovers uncle. While working there, he falls through the floor and comes face to face with the nightmare himself, Morena. And ever since he can’t stop thinking about her, he starts to do more digging and wants to learn more and starts to uncover some truths. There are so many stories about Morena, but when you learn the actual truth about what really happened to her, my heart sank. No wonder that house was haunted. She deserves to get her justice. And then the connection that Morena and Matteo developed, ummmmm hello. This book, whew, it was full of secrets, twists and turns. Be careful how many times you say her name out loud, you just never know where Morena will be lurking. This was like my childhood horror story of Bloody Mary brought to life, but amplified and so much better!

[Maree Gustafson · Rating 5 out of 5]

B!tch....you better be joking!

That was my first thought about Morena.
As a girl from Sweden, I grew up with storys about ghosts and spirits, with folklore and urban legends about the darkest creatures the mind can create.

So the story about Morena happens in Barcelona even tho I'm honest...it would have fitted so so good in New Orleans tbh.
But Barcelona is the place of our story. And in this story our oh so lonely and broken Matteo meets Morena, a ghost with a past so...sad. Even more sad than Matteos life.
When you read the story, you'll learn that not all ghosts are nice. Not all ghosts wants to play. At least not a kids game.
This ghost, Morena...she wants so much more. Once you called her, it's like which every ghost. You'll not get rid on them. And Matteo, whatever he does, whatever he tries to think about (or fvck) Morena doesn't let him go.
She wants him whole. His heart, his soul...his eyes. Because ghosts like Morena....they don't have a heart...even when you try to meet them with kindness, with a pure mind, it's not enough.
So how can you expect them to stop? To leave you alone?

And just like Morena haunts Matteo, their story will haunts you!

[Azarra Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Run. Tell them the story. Tell them if you call my name three times, I will come. Tell them to be afraid... Tell them Morena is not gone. Tell them Morena lives.

Morena is an erotic story that gives Bl00dy Mary vibes but spicier and scarier. I came into this blind-- I've never read an erotic horror but I figured 2 of my favorite genre's can't be bad ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

This book was a heart-wrenching, dark, chilling, and undeniably hot. A. Em did not disappoint! Her writing style is phenomenal-- the way she crafts the story, builds the world, and pulls such raw emotion from the reader is nothing short of brilliant. The way Matteo was written made me want to wrap him in a hug. He’s a lost soul-- abandoned, broken, hollow, and simply existing rather than living. A man weighed down by grief, trapped in survival mode… until he meets her. And from that moment, everything begins to change. I cried, I gasped, I laughed but I did not expect the ending! The way she sets up the story keeps you guessing, making you believe you’ve figured out the villain—until you realize you haven’t. "Villains aren't born. They rise out of good people who have been torn apart by betrayal."

[darkbutterfly.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

🅱🅾🅾🅺 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆:

My rating: 5⭐️

If you say Morena three times...

Morena
Morena
Morena

Morena will appear in the mirror and with bleeding eyes, you'll blindly follow her to hell.

"𝐑𝐮𝐧. 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲. 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐲 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞. 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐝. 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞. 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐞. 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐭. 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬."

Bloody Mary
Bloody Mary
Bloody Mary

Okay, there's more than a little similarity going on here.

Unputdownable.

Lots of thought-provoking ideas.

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞, 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐥𝐲. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤.

I loved the whole thing.

Scary, spicy, and captivating.

"𝐌𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥, 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥. 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰, 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞, 𝐒𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞."

Now who's who, what happened to Morena, who's the serial killer, what's up with Metteo?

If you like paranormal erotic horror novellas, this story is a must-read for you. 😈

[Samsbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oppressive, sensual, and deeply unsettling, MORENA weaves together erotic horror and supernatural folklore in a way that lingers long after the last page. From the first paragraph, the tone is grimy and evocative—dusty construction sites, cursed objects, and haunted rooms all pulse with a throbbing sense of dread and desire.

This book is Bloody Mary meets Candyman with a dose of erotic surrealism. A modern urban legend told through the eyes of a broken man haunted by what he’s uncovered—and by who he might truly be. The rhyme alone is enough to make your skin crawl, but it’s Morena herself who will haunt your dreams.

🖤 “He broke an urn during a renovation job…
…now something follows him.”

👁️‍🗨️ She’s dark-skinned, storm-eyed, and only ever mentioned in whispers.
They call her Morena.
Say her name three times—and you’re hers.

📖 Erotic. Horrific. Haunting.

💀 Bloody Mary had a mirror. Morena has you.

#BookTok #HorrorTok #SpicyReads #ParanormalRomance #DarkFiction #EroticHorror #MORENA #IndieAuthor #SpookySeasonReads

[Midnight Dahlia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually don’t read horror books because I prefer action, I feel words alone don’t create the same eerie or frightening effect. This book was no exception. I read it, but I couldn’t connect with the story or the characters at all. The characters felt confusing and messy, and I didn’t understand their motivations or relationships. The story seemed rushed; the revenge scenes, in particular, felt abrupt and anticlimactic compared to how the story began.

I think this book needed more depth and longer descriptions to help readers understand why events happened and to provide clarity on the characters. At times, I couldn’t tell who’s son or daughter, who killed whom, or even whose house belonged to whom. Morena appeared to be a ghost, yet her actions often felt human, which added to my confusion. Even the epilogue left me puzzled.

Overall, this experience reinforced why I prefer horror movies over horror books, visual storytelling makes it easier to follow the plot and feel the intended suspense.

[Chantal H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morena, Morena, Morena.....Words that will not leave your mind. They will stick to you like a broken record on repeat. This book crawled under my skin, make me wake up in the middle of the night, still wondering what the hell she did. It took me into a world of mystery, disbelief, heartache and mindblowing turns. Each written word takes you on a journey that will not leave you unscared or untouched. This book also has some spicy scenes, that are very unique, and hot as can be.


A.eM has a way with words that touches your heart and soul, they will stay with you without a doubt. Her books are not for the fainted, they are raw, emotional and play with your sanity. You will feel every word and those pages, and it will be worth every feeling you get.

Make sure you read these warnings, your mental health is important. And after reading the warnings and you are sure you can handle it, it will be well worth the read. But know once you read her words, you will crave more.

[Darian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will have its claws in you from the very first page and it will tear into you all the way to the end.
I couldn't get enough. Even when it was over I still wanted more.
This is a book that you won't know what's real and what you're being made to see.
The twists and turns this book takes, you think you know what's happening or what's going to happen but you don't.
I loved how A.em can make her books just perfect. Everything ties together just amazing and the whole storyline just flows perfectly until next thing you know, you're at the end of the book. This book had connections throughout it that you will never believe until you read it! So just… go, run and read this!!
This is definitely a dark one though so by all means do not skip those triggers they are there for your mental well being!
If those lists are your menu like they are mine though… This book is quickly going to become a must have for you!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

You ever read a book that just has your jaw on the floor while you stare into the void trying to make sense of the madness you just experienced? Yeah. Me too. This happens every single time I read anything written by A. Em. This left me reeling in the best way. The thing that gets me, and I shouldn't be surprised by it, yet I always am, is how powerful her stories really are. There is so much more happening than what meets the eye. There is so much to learn about life and death and pain and trauma. Not every story needs the happy ending you think you want. This was a reminder that some monsters are born and others are made. The decisions we make can be incidental or completely life altering. Strength can overcome fear, but fear can create strength. We are constantly walking a line that could change our path at any given moment. This paranormal thriller had me guessing from page one and let me tell you, I saw none of it coming! Looking forward to what comes next.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I dont know what I expected going into this book but it wasnt close to that. I think I found a new genre to obsess over.
I am not one who watches thrillers, horrors or anything paranormal. So I seriously jumped into the deep end with this one but oh did I swim through it. I was hanging on every word needing to know what happens next.

It was a post about this book that made me follow A.EM in the first place on Instagram and when I signed up for Z (the book with no title, no blurb and no release date), I just knew I had to read something to fill the small void all the clues and teasers for Z have created for me and once I made that decision I knew I had to read Morena. And OMW I am glad I did. Thats all I am going to say about this book although I will say this... if you like Dark romance, anything twisted or paranormal, I highly recommend you go read this one, I doubt you will be disappointed.

[Ashy’s Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Death is only the beginning.”

First things first: I did not go seeking out “erotic horror,” but they keep finding me nonetheless & I’m not entirely mad about it 🤣 This was definitely an experience!

Matteo is a broken soul who loses everything after caught sleeping with his bosses daughter.

When taking on a new job to refurbish an old house, he becomes ensnared by a beautiful, dangerous & legendary ghost.

“They say if you stand before a mirror in the dark & whisper her name three times, she will appear. 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘢, 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘢, 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘢.”

Their “relationship” is absolutely chaotic: mysteries, secrets, betrayal, REVENGE & an ominous ending of whats to come 🧐

“Did you call me because you were lonely? Or because you wanted to be destroyed?”

This is a paranormal erotic horror, not a dark romance. No happily skipping off into the sunset here & as always, check triggers 🫶🏼

[Freyja's Athenaeum · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

“La muerte es apenas el inicio.”

Morena by A. Em was beautifully consuming, poetic, and terrifying all at once. When I tell you I was utterly haunted after reading this book, I mean I was HAUNTED.

Morena had her claws in me from page one and A. Em's writing never fails to amaze me. The atmosphere she created in Morena chilled me to the bone and seeped into my imagination so deeply that I could almost feel the chill in the air as my heart squeezed at Morena's very presence on the page.

This was a quick but deeply emotional read, with sinister twists, erotic horror, and dark heavy themes.

As with all of A. Em's books, Morena is not for the faint of heart. You will feel emotions for days after you turn the last page. You might be a little leery of mirrors afterward too...

[Ingride · Rating 4 out of 5]

They say if you say her name three times, she'll come after you. Morena, who is she? A legend? A demon?

A bitter woman? Connected by accident, Matteo breaks an urn and something happens, through this small accident, we learn the story of this man who carries a weight, but he said her name three times, and she came. Who? Once, she was someone, owner of a very atrocious beauty, and a naive heart, a betrayal causes everything in her to be shaken and she makes a pact.

But there are pacts, which should not be made, and sometimes, death waits patiently. He called her, she came. The events were what they had to be. And the way it ends? It makes me think that this will not be the end of Morena, nor of Death.

[Danni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Morena blends emotion in a way that may be challenging to follow.
Personally, I found the structure a bit confusing especially as someone who has a minimal understanding of Spanish. I was able to get the gist of it, but it was difficult to connect with.
Having the translation at the end of each chapter helped.

That being said Morena would more likely resonate with someone who understands Spanish fluently and can read without trying to fill in the blanks.
It hit the eerie mark; it was all the things it promised it would be.
If you like erotic horror and can understand Spanish, then this is definitely for you.

[Harley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally got around to reading and I was not disappointed at all.

I felt sooooo bad for her and found myself cussing her sister and that bastard0 out for what they did to her so I mean I guess her way of going after people was justified.

Matteo.. well I guess once you go ghost you don’t go back until she asserts dominance and shows you who runs things lol.

All in all very good, perfect for spooky szn or any for that.

If you like Bloody Mary then I mean hello you def need to read this. Also… ahem… MA’AM did you just leave me on a cliffhanger?! Because I have questions and need answers.

[Katherine M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author does creepy well and this one is perfect for spooky season. I would categorize this as a Bloody Mary retelling and a paranormal dark erotic horror romance. Her books are on the shorter side but read like full length novels. You get immersed in her world and there is always a lesson to be learned. This book has many moving parts and characters and can get confusing, especially towards the end. I found myself trying to remember who the names were from before but you will shocked by some revelations.

[Sam B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading A. eM books always makes me dive deep into the depths of my mind and ponder. Morena was no exception. I grew up with the Bloody Mary stories of chanting the name 3 times in the mirror. Well in this story it’s Morena and appear she does.
This tied together folklore and erotic horror in a tantalizing way that had my toes curling and checking the dark doorways around me.
I don’t know if I finished the book or if it finished me but I loved every second of it. So many parts had my jaw dropping in surprise or in nail bitting suspense. Definitely the perfect book for spooky season.

[Natalie’s_world_in_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

A is amazing at writing stories!
I love this book.
It’s dark, spicy, & emotional.
It gets in your head.
Once I started reading I couldn’t stop!
Morena ~ The FMC ~ Haunting and killing people who call for her.
There’s so much more to this storyline, so many more characters to meet!
Read this book to find out the whys!
Trust me you don’t want to miss out!

Fav Quote ~

Thin line between love and hate. People we love can turn quickly into people we hate.