House of Rayne

by Harley Laroux

SALEM

I wasn’t supposed to be here.

I was supposed to be marrying my fiancé, looking forward to a tropical honeymoon. Instead, I found myself on a ferry headed for historic Balfour Manor on Blackridge Island, in the Pacific Northwest. Now I’m stranded, with a woman I’m irresistibly drawn to.

Rayne holds secrets as dark and mysterious as her old house. Crimson shadows stalk the halls and strange voices call out in the night—but it's she who haunts me most.

Following a gruesome murder, the island's true nature is revealed, and every night becomes a fight for survival. Something is stalking the forest, killing indiscriminately . . .

And this time, we're its prey.


RAYNE

Death has followed me since childhood. My mother's murder and father's violent death changed me, teaching me just how cruel the world could be.

I never got what I wanted, until Salem showed up at my door. She’s adventurous, beautiful, and doomed if she stays here. Now, I suddenly have something to lose: the woman who broke down my walls and saw through my mask, who showed me I'm worth loving.

My family has long been buried, but even the vilest of secrets must be dug up again to survive the evil that hunts us. I finally have something to fight for, and I'll do whatever it takes to save her.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Fantasy, Lesbian, Gothic, Horror, Queer

416 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2025

About the author

Harley is an author of Adult Romance and Erotica. They write kink-positive, steamy love stories with queer protagonists, dangerous stakes, and haunting atmospheres.

Harley lives in Washington state with their husband and three cats. Most days they can be found at their desk drinking tea with at least one cat on their lap.

Reviews

[Melanie (meltotheany) · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

please believe me when i say that i wanted to love this so badly. i also do not want to turn anyone away from picking up a sapphic gothic story, so please just take this review with a grain of salt, and maybe i just read this at the wrong time. (also, there is a melanie name drop, so if we are friends, you will probably giggle extra when you pick this up.) >.<

we meet salem when she is fleeing from a wedding, and she meets a very beautiful girl at a bar, and they have a really amazing night together. well, flash forward a little bit and now salem is taking a two week getaway, where she will be staying at a gothic manor on an isolated island, and the owner of the house is none other than rayne, the girl who has had that amazing night with. yet, no one stays on the island after november 1st, because something is for sure haunting the forests. but maybe both our mcs end up isolated there together, where they are forced to figure out what is happening on this island… or else.

the set up was great, and i extra love the trope of “omg we had a one night stand prior” so i was extra excited! and the atmosphere is so eerie and paints such lush easy to see and feel settings! and, as always, harley has such wonderful prose, that it always feels like a treat to read a story by them.

but it breaks my heart to say that i just didn’t love these characters, and i felt really not invested in their relationship, romantic or sexual. And i feel insane typing that, becuase if you were to ask me what author is currently writing the sexiest books, id probably say harley! but this one just wasn’t giving me that, which feels horrible to type. and the actual mystery just felt so very obvious from the very start, which led to zero thrilling suspense for me. but maybe it is just because i was overhyping this subconsciously, which is why i still really recommend it and want you all to give this one a try if you are interested!

trigger + content warnings: talk of dead animal (deer), blood, anxiety, “cancer” used as a descriptor, missing people (including young girls), loss of mother in past / loss of loved ones, homophobia (negative light), talk of murder, religious trauma, religious killings, talk of cheating in past (on one of the mcs), human experimentation, domestic abuse in past, guns, fire

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♡ buddy read with betty jo, penny, + maëlys

[Erika Braga · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s perfect for spooky season !

I am a Harley Laroux STAN but this one didn’t hit as hard for me….. Before everyone get the knives let me explain.
I’ve been waiting for this book since she finished the Souls Trilogy. I was missing her writing and couldn’t believe how long I was going to have to wait. So needless to say my expectations were too high. I am not saying this is a bad book, I have no issues giving a bad review when I don’t like the book. I am simply saying this book did not meet my expectations.
To begin with the story is VERY spooky and that I LOVED, I can see some people getting a little afraid while reading this book specially at night. The scenario, the small town vibes and what was happening, it was definitely giving me Her Soul to Take vibes and I FREAKING LOVE that book, so naturally I thought I was going to love that one too. The issue for me was that the romance was SO insta love, and when I say insta love I mean in less than a month they were like “I can’t live without you” type of shit. The first few pages of the first chapter they are already together. I normally don’t mind insta love but they had no build up, no tension, no angst, nothing….. they were instantly in love and that’s it. Obviously the story circles around the mystery and they are supposed to deal with it together, but the lack of tension and angst made the romance dull. And that’s not to say I didn’t like the characters, I actually REALLY liked both of them individually. I loved Rayne and I loved Salem, I love that it is a sapphic romance.
I also truly got upset with one thing that happens in the end that I thought it was unnecessary…..
but I will definitely always be anxiously waiting for another book from the Queen Harley 🖤

[Bookish Boy]

If Harley Laroux writes it, I am gonna read it. AND ITS GOTHIC FF ROMANCE? ON MY KNEES.

[Sapphic Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic sapphic horror!

This is one of those books where I genuinely think you need to experience the audiobook. Allie Shae and Jaclyn Kelso deliver an absolutely phenomenal performance, and there were moments that gave me literal goosebumps.

I won’t spoil the plot, but if you’re a fan of Midnight Mass (the vibes are very similar), The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, or anything Mike Flanagan creates, you will likely love this story too. It’s atmospheric, unsettling, and beautifully written, with just the right balance of spice, tension, and emotional depth.

The characters are brilliantly crafted, and our two MCs, Salem and Rayne, are especially compelling. Their connection felt vivid and genuine. My only small critique is that their romance leaned a bit into insta-love for my taste, but considering everything they endure together in such a short time, it is easy to understand why their relationship develops as quickly as it does.

Overall, this is a gripping and gorgeously eerie read that I highly recommend, especially in audio format.

[Krysta ꕤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

”She held my face close and told me she loved me. After so many years in hell, it felt like I finally found the stairs to heaven.”

first things first: I’d die for Loki the dog. now, as for the rest of the book.. i loved the horror elements— the descriptions and atmosphere was so well done and even managed to be a little creepy in parts. to be honest, the romance was very insta lust but i did still like Rayne and Salem together. despite all the sex, they were actually very tender and caring towards one another and it was so cute. i live for hurt/comfort scenes and there were plenty of those throughout the story. i enjoyed the action but i also have to admit that the plot was very predictable, it was immediately obvious to me exactly what was going on and who was the cause of it all. i had the best time reading this though and now im looking forward to picking up the authors other books.
———

shout out to Ashlyn for the buddy read ♥️

[lexie · Rating 3 out of 5]

forced proximity in a creepy building with that one hot girl you hooked up with??? sign me up 🧎🏻‍♀️i devoured this in a day and request more sapphic gothic romances asap mf rocky

thank you to netgalley and kensington for the arc!!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5 ⭐️
3.5/5 🌶️

House of Rayne is a dark, sultry mix of gothic mystery, horror, and sapphic romance. Set on a spooky, isolated island full of secrets and lies. The atmosphere is so vivid you can practically feel the fog rolling in.

This book delivers intense, emotional, and gory moments, balanced with just the a lot of spice (a Harley LaRoux writing staple and we love it). It’s super sapphic, super spooky, and super satisfying. The tension stays high until the very end — and that ending? Completely satisfying and beautifully wrapped up.

If you’re into gothic horror, queer romance, and stories where the secrets run deep, this one’s a must-read.

Thanks to Harley and Kensington for a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[brittany:)]

super excited about this one✨🖤 #arc

[taylor ❤️‍&#x1f525; · Rating 4 out of 5]

excuse me sir, do you have time to talk about our lord and savior harley laroux?

after a broken engagement, salem decides to bike up the west coast to heal and finds herself on the eerily beautiful and haunted blackridge island. staying at balfour manor ran by a woman named rayne, salem quickly finds herself entangled not only with the manors owner but also in an islands decade old mystery that has left countless bodies in its wake.

house of rayne has spooky, paranormal elements that make your heart beat a little faster while also adding depth to the story. it doesn’t overshadow the romance, if anything it adds to the tension between rayne and salem and my god is that tension absolutely delicious.

the emotional complexities of the characters and their relationships with one another is something i can really appreciate about this book. despite their obvious physical attraction, the trust and emotional relationship built between rayne and salem felt realistically gradual and strong.

one of my favorite things about this book is the detailed way laroux writes and describes her creatures. they paint a perfect, terrifying picture that left me with goosebumps each time i pictured them in my head. intertwining these creatures with a history that includes a father filled with religious persecution and a mother taken away from her daughter to soon? absolute gold.

i have loved every single harley laroux book i have ever read and this one is no different. it is an incredibly strong standalone.

————————

𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ⋆˚࿔

imagine my excitement when this arc showed up on my doorstep a couple of days ago. i couldn’t resist pushing back my tbr to start this. 🤭

𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘹 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. 🤍

[monica ✨ romantasyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been sat waiting for Harley’s sapphic gothic romance and it was everything I wanted!!!

this book was spooky and gothic and gay and I had such an amazing time!!! I actually had to put the book down once bc I got so spooked (looking at you, bathtub scene). the atmosphere and writing shot this straight to the top of my favs of harley’s!!

when rayne and salem meet and share a steamy night without names, neither think they’ll ever see each other again. but then salem shows up at salem’s b&b, and the island it’s on isn’t what it seems!! there’s a haunted island, mysterious and spooky disappearances, and harley’s classic love story all wrapped up in these pages. I’ve been waiting for this sapphic romance for what feels like forever and it 10/10 did not disappoint!!

Thank you Kensington books for the arc copy!

actual rating 4.5.

[Valkyrie ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm obssessed with Harley Laroux's writing. It never fails to pull me right into the story. This time, with a chilling mystery, a creepy island, and a deeply unsettling town, I simply couldn’t put the book down.

This book is genuinely eerie, with intense horror and graphic moments that hit hard. It kept reminding me of shows like Midnight Mass or From. And I mean that as the highest compliment. Harley managed to create such unsettling athmosphere, and yet, even when I was feeling grossed out, I was unable to look away.

I love that Harley wrote a sapphic romance, and I genuinely enjoyed both characters and their intense sexual chemistry. That being said, the relationship did feel a bit insta-lovey and rushed at times, which slightly undercut the otherwise perfect pacing and compelling plot.

The smut was incredible well done. It felt so organic and real, I just love the way Harley writes BDSM dynamics and women. It truly made me feel things.

I guess it’s hard to follow a masterpiece like Losers, but House of Rayne is still the perfect spooky read for this time of year and I truly hope it becomes a seasonal classic.

I'll remain seated for anything and everything Harley Laroux decides to publish.

[Smutty Little Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I missed Harley’s writing! I LOVED this book. The beginning brought me flashbacks and the same feel as the Souls Trilogy. I made the mistake of reading this book at night, alone, in the dark and let me tell you… I had goosebumps the entire time! I loved the storyline, the suspense, and Rayne and Salem were beautiful together!

Add it to your TBR, read this beauty and bask in the magnificent story Harley once again creates.

#sapphic romance
#dark romance

[mads · Rating 5 out of 5]

harley wrote it? 5 stars immediately. take my money and time, please and thank you 🖤

[Frida · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ eerie, morbid, and deliciously off-kilter

House of Rayne is the kind of story that crawls under your skin and hums there. Harley Laroux knows how to build a world that feels both rotten and romantic…decadent decay dripping with tension. I loved the atmosphere, the characters, the sense that something is always watching from the corners. There’s a strange, sticky beauty in the way she crafts dread, like mould creeping across silk. It gave me non-stop chills, and the audiobook just elevated the entire experience.

Now, I must admit that, although I absolutely adore MM romances, sapphic romances are slightly more difficult for me. This is primarily due to the fact that it is already difficult for me to connect with one FMC, let alone two. But I liked both Salem and Rayne a lot. And the smut was yummy! Maybe the best smut in a sapphic romance I've read so far. But, ngl, some of the spicy scenes landed like they stumbled into the wrong room. Not bad—never bad—but occasionally misplaced, breaking the eerie cadence instead of feeding it. And there were a few moments where the tone of the story just… glitched. One minute you feel the cold breath of unease, and then suddenly the next chapter veers off, deflating the tension that was so close to peaking. Ultimately, I felt like the story lost momentum every once in a while.

Still, I can’t shake this book. The vibes, the atmosphere, the characters—they linger. House of Rayne isn’t perfect, but it’s sharp, unsettling, and weirdly beautiful. A solid four stars for the story that left dirt under my nails and whispers in my head.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

guys i think i have a new favorite Harley Laroux book bc omfg?!

[Kristen Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall Rating: 3.5
A good book to start off the spooky season.
Engagement: 3.5
I try my best not to compare books I'm reading with other books by the same author but I just couldn't help myself with this one. I picked up this book specifically because of how much I enjoyed the Souls Trilogy and because I thought it would be a perfect book to start off my spooky reading season. Right off the bat I had a difficult time getting invested into this story. It felt like Laroux was trying to hard to create a gothic horror instead of just focusing on creating a great story - and the story suffered because of it (I go into more detail in my Readability section below). I think if this were my first Laroux novel I would have liked it a bit more, and I would definitely recommend it as a good book for Halloween season, but if you are looking for Harley Laroux at her best, when you're done with this book go pick up the Souls trilogy...immediately.

Storyline: 3.5
ADULT CONTENT: for 18+ readers only. Set on a small island off the west coast, Rayne, like the other inhabitants of the island, are trapped there by a terrible secret. Able to leave for short stints only, she meets the other FMC, Salem. What she thinks is a one-night stand turns to something more when Salem shows up on the island and gets unexpectedly stuck there. Together, these two characters have to face a brutal winter, a terrible secret, and their ever-growing feelings for each other.

Readability: 3.3
There were some things I really enjoyed about reading this story: short chapters, multiple POV's, first person narratives. However, I also felt like this story was rushed. There were a few, very minor, continuity errors and some scenes which to me were unclear and I had to re-read some sections to make sure I understood the scene correctly. None of these were major issues, but they happened enough that they took me outside of the story and made reading it a little less enjoyable. Outside of those small complaints the story is well written, and has a decent and consistent flow. Anyone over 18 with a middle-school level reading skill would be able to read this without issue.

[Sara Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

RAYNE 😭
Que mulher é esta ? Meu deus

Amei cada segundo deste livro. Todos os bocadinhos de suspense, de amor… foram várias emoções.

Sem dúvida que foi dos melhores livros que eu já li até hoje, completamente fora do normal.

Desde o início que fui surpreendida. Sabia que em cada página iria encontrar algo que me fizesse suster a respiração, ou que me iria deixar com borboletas na barriga.
Acompanhar a Rayne e a Salem na ilha, na neve, de bicicleta, de moto quatro… CARAÇAS, que aventura incrível.

Obviamente que o plot era de suspeitar, mas mesmo assim achei que foi intenso e tocou imenso aos leitoras a forma como a Rayne lidou com tudo.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+❤️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[❀ Jamie ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

This was full of creepy moments, buried secrets, and dark small town atmosphere. The character and world building was immaculate as always. I felt like someone was watching me and going to leap out to get me in my own home while reading this. 🫣

This is my first FF book and it was extremely spicy! The greenhouse scene? 😮‍💨 Their relationship formed naturally and I had to fight tears at the end of the book. I recommend if you are looking for a spooky & spicy book with a great plot!

Favorite Quote: “Feeling nothing, or feeling too much, was the eternal problem I faced.”

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy, spooky, GAY!!!
Action packed mystery on a haunted island with religious cult-like islanders, and kinky sapphic loooooove!!
Big fun. 😍

I was immersed in this gothic wintery landscape, with some of the beeeest sapphic spice I’ve ever read!! What more could you want??

Salem and Rayne were so brave and likable. The chemistry was really great. Some of the spicy scenes will stay with me forever. 😮‍💨

[tane'a · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ i’m stunned, rtc

[Aleksandra (part-time hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Both fmcs were such great characters that it wouldn’t be possible for me to choose a favourite one. Their protectiveness made me swoon. I didn’t entirely love the fact that their story started as ONS, but I don’t really enjoy relationships starting with ONS. Not a fan of that. I was surprised that I enjoyed insta-lust and (kinda) insta-love, it doesn’t always work out for me in books, but here it fit perfectly.

The story itself (not counting romance of course) was so gloomy and creepy that it has kept me on my toes throughout the whole book. I was so fucking stressed all the time lmao. It’s a perfect read for the Halloween month with those vibes.

And the smut 🤭 SO.HOT. I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE smut in Harley Laroux’s books. They just know what they’re doing. I’ve never been disappointed with the sex scenes they write, like ever.



safety: *spoilers*
-no ow/om drama (like at all, Salem (fmc1) is freshly out of the engagement — it’s been a month, her fiancé was cheating on her and he broke it off, he doesn’t make any appearance, she briefly mentions it, no feelings for him, there’s one girl that Rayne (fmc2) mentions was her first kiss (so in school), but no drama either, it was also very briefly mentioned)
-neither of them slept around, Salem was engaged, I’m not sure if she had sex with anyone since that time or not, no info, Rayne hooked up with other people, also no info how long it’s been, she chooses people that don’t live on the island so no stupid appearances of ex flings or so
-no cheating/sharing/3rd act breakup

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
If you’re looking for something spooky to read this season, this sapphic gothic romance definitely fits the bill. This book is haunting and horrific and spicy and sweet all at the same time.
Harley crafts such a creepy, spine chilling atmosphere that I truly felt transported to the isolated Blackridge Island and the haunted Balfour Manor.
There’s something terrorizing the residents of the island and our grumpy B&B owner, Rayne, and the mystery had me hooked until the very last page. The story is fast paced and action packed and there’s horror and tragedy at the center of it all. Harley really isn’t afraid to go there and deliver us something gruesome.
The surprisingly sweet romance was a nice contrast to the other more terrifying and gruesome aspects of the story. These two are obsessed with each other from the moment they meet. And by sweet I also mean wildly spicy and kinky, as I’ve come to expect from this author.

I almost forgot how much I love Harley’s writing, but it truly is so so good. I could read her books for days.
Highly recommend!

Sapphic Gothic Romance
Fast Burn
Isolated Island Town
Grumpy x Sunshine
Haunted B&B
One night stand
Forced proximity
Bondage & other kinks
Religious & Family Trauma

( The dog is okay in the end I promise )

[Miki_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm whelmed but I don't buy the romance ngl (rtc)

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads for sending me an ARC of this book! I was sold when it was described as sapphic horror. Immediately a yes for me! What I loved about this book is that it has a true balance of romance and horror. Romance is not my favorite genre but I am here for some 🌶️🌶️🌶️!!! So I loved that whenever this book started to get a little too into the romance for me, it would shift back to something creepy or a tense moment happening. Oh, did I just burn through 4 pages of sapphic smut? Let me leave you with this weird interaction from the small town that will leave you feeling unsettled. ✨ yes. And, “oh did something incredibly traumatic and terrifying just happen? Quick! Take your pants off! I need you now!” Because honestly, accurate.

And the religion aspect to this?! Perfection.

As for those saying it’s instant love, I don’t agree. Trauma bonding is a real thing but also I would call this more instant infatuation or intrigue. But also, what is sapphic romance without some *yearning*. 🤌

And for those who need to know: the dog does survive.

[m k · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5

idk man the story was mad interesting but the sex scenes felt soooo out of place

im not a smut reader so i cant rly have an opinion but i feel like this might not be the medium for it. like someone gets disemboweled and like the next day theyre having extremely involved BDSM sex. ok!

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what a good thriller/horror is all about! As I read I just kept thinking what a great movie this would make. It has all the makings of an exciting yet chilling story. An ominous plot with murders & hauntings, set in a creepy cursed town giving a Sleepy Hallow vibe. Mix that with a spicy sapphic romance and you get this gripping story that will have you hooked from start to finish.

Rayne and Salem are complex and lovable characters with great chemistry. The transition from one night stand to "can't live without you" was done perfectly. This book will have you feeling all the things, from horror and disgust to blushing and swooning. It's a thrilling gothic story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

[Leona Greally · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
3🌶️

Thank you to NetGalley and Hambright PR for sending me an eARC of this book.

This was a fun, spooky, spicy time!

This follows Rayne who owns a b&b on a remote island and Salem who is looking for a change of scenery from her own life.

When Salem arrives on the Island, she is shocked to see Rayne when she is checking in because as it would turn out - they have already met!

The Island doesn’t allow tourists to visit from the start of November for fear of the ‘bad weather’ so Salem is cutting it fine by travelling there in late October.

A lot of mysterious things happen on the Island and Salem’s eyes are slowly opened to the spooky goings on at Balfour Manor..

I loved the creepy, sinister vibes of this book and also the relationship between Rayne and Salem. It was beautiful to see how unapologetic Rayne was on the small religious Island and she didn’t hide her feeling for Salem from her peers even with their hostile attitudes.

The spice was HOT!!!! This was my first FF romance and Harley Laroux smashed it!!

[Amanda Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

House of Rayne is everything I want in a gothic romance—moody, spine-tingling, and impossible to put down. Harley Laroux delivers a story that feels tailor-made for spooky season, with just the right balance of supernatural suspense, romance, and heat.

Blackridge Island is the perfect setting: isolated, eerie, steeped in secrets. The Balfour Bed & Breakfast manages to be both inviting and unsettling at the same time, with fog, whispers, and shadows lingering in every corner. The atmosphere alone had me hooked, but the slow unraveling of the island’s history kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through. It’s properly scary without being overly gory, and I could feel the rising tension with every reveal.

At the heart of the story are Salem and Rayne—two women who have endured so much in their lives, but who feel like they were always meant to find each other. Their connection is electric from the start, and I loved how naturally their relationship deepened against the backdrop of danger. There’s no unnecessary relationship drama here; the world throws enough at them, and they face it side by side. Neither of them falls into the “damsel in distress” trap—both fight to survive while also giving each other the safety, strength, and love they’ve been missing.

And yes, the chemistry is explosive. The intimacy is written with care, intensity, and heat that feels true to both characters. Add in an epilogue that gives a satisfying glimpse into their future, and I turned the last page with a huge smile on my face.

House of Rayne is gothic, sexy, suspenseful, and deeply romantic. It’s the kind of book that sweeps you up in its atmosphere, makes you glance over your shoulder, and leaves you a little breathless by the end. A perfect Halloween-season read—my first Harley Laroux, but definitely not my last.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Nenia Campbell]

I might not make it to fall tbh omg, NEED

[whatmarissareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"God, the way she looked at me made me want to die for her. But, more frightening than that... I wanted to live for her too."

5 ⭐ 4🌶️

I HAVE MISSED HARLEY'S WRITING SO MUCH!!!!!!!!
Hot damn it's been a minute and this was SO WORTH the wait
The gothic vibes, the suspense, the supernatural, the spooky, the ROMANCE OMG

Rayne and Salem meet one night at a bar and hook up, expecting never to see each other again. Little does Salem know… Rayne is the owner of the Airbnb she’s traveling to on a secluded island.

Salem is trying to escape life after a traumatic breakup, but once she settles into Rayne’s Airbnb, she quickly realizes something isn’t right about this town. Something haunts it.... and a chilling mystery begins to unfold before our eyes. AND THE BEST ROMANCE!!!!

This gave me major Midnight Mass vibes.. you know the Netflix show by Mike Flanagan?
It was incredible! I didn’t want it to end, and I physically couldn’t put it down.
I was literally walking on my treadmill reading and I looked up and it had been 40 minutes LOL I was like wtf!!! you will forget you're reading with this one

Anyways, Harley Laroux is an auto read/auto buy author for me and this absolutely shows why
I ATE THIS ONE UP!!!!