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Bound in Shadow: A Wickedly Spicy Dark Fantasy Romance
Bound in ShadowA Dark Romance with a Sinister Twist (Shadow London Book 1)
By Rachel RiderWelcome to Shadow London, where power is the only currency that matters, and desire is the most dangerous game of all.
When brilliant cybersecurity expert Eloise Taylor is handed a cryptic thumb drive by her boss just days before his brutal murder, she dismisses his paranoia. But the code she unknowingly possesses is a coveted secret, a key that unlocks the doors between worlds, and it paints a target on her back she never saw coming.
Thrust into the crosshairs is Jude Benthey – heir to a powerful Shadow London family, master of the digital underworld known as The Hive, and a man accustomed to taking exactly what he wants. He’s dark, dangerous, and radiates a chilling authority that pulls Eloise into his orbit even as every instinct screams for her to run. He needs the code she holds, but his interest in Eloise quickly spirals into a dangerous obsession that eclipses mere necessity.
Dragged from the familiar streets of London Above into the perpetual twilight of Umbra Londinium, a secret ancient city beneath the metropolis, Eloise finds herself Jude’s captive. This is a place where ancient magic collides with cutting-edge technology, where Five Families rule through violence and secrets, and where her knowledge makes her both a priceless asset and a deadly liability.
Trapped in Jude's gilded cage, surrounded by luxury but stripped of her freedom, Eloise must navigate a labyrinth of treacherous alliances and forbidden desires. The magnetic pull between her and her captor is undeniable, a volatile chemistry forged in darkness and fuelled by the constant threat surrounding them. Theirs is a battle of wills fought in the shadows, where surrender might be the only path to survival, or the ultimate destruction.
But Eloise is more than just a pawn in their deadly game. Her sharp mind is her greatest weapon, and she refuses to break under Jude's possessive control. As she delves deeper into the conspiracy that cost Harley his life, she uncovers secrets that threaten the very foundations of Shadow London and the fragile peace between the ruling families.
Jude, obsessed and protective, finds his carefully constructed world threatened not just by external enemies, but by the feelings Eloise ignites within him. He is drawn to her fire, her resilience, her refusal to yield completely. Keeping her safe becomes paramount, even as his methods blur the lines between protection and possession, control and craving.
In the depths of Umbra Londinium, loyalty is fragile, betrayal cuts deep, and love is a weakness that can get you killed. As Eloise and Jude hunt for truth amidst a web of lies, the sparks between them ignite into a dangerous inferno that could either save them both or consume everything they hold dear.
Bound in Shadow is the thrilling first novel in the Shadow London universe by Rachel Rider, plunging readers into a darkly erotic world where grimdark fantasy meets urban romance. Prepare for a tale of forced proximity, intense power dynamics, and a connection forged in the heart of darkness, where survival necessitates embracing the shadows within.
Dive into a city that never sleeps, ruled by desire and steeped in secrets. Discover if love can bloom even in the deepest shade, or if the darkness will claim them both. Your descent into Shadow London begins now.
By Rachel RiderWelcome to Shadow London, where power is the only currency that matters, and desire is the most dangerous game of all.
When brilliant cybersecurity expert Eloise Taylor is handed a cryptic thumb drive by her boss just days before his brutal murder, she dismisses his paranoia. But the code she unknowingly possesses is a coveted secret, a key that unlocks the doors between worlds, and it paints a target on her back she never saw coming.
Thrust into the crosshairs is Jude Benthey – heir to a powerful Shadow London family, master of the digital underworld known as The Hive, and a man accustomed to taking exactly what he wants. He’s dark, dangerous, and radiates a chilling authority that pulls Eloise into his orbit even as every instinct screams for her to run. He needs the code she holds, but his interest in Eloise quickly spirals into a dangerous obsession that eclipses mere necessity.
Dragged from the familiar streets of London Above into the perpetual twilight of Umbra Londinium, a secret ancient city beneath the metropolis, Eloise finds herself Jude’s captive. This is a place where ancient magic collides with cutting-edge technology, where Five Families rule through violence and secrets, and where her knowledge makes her both a priceless asset and a deadly liability.
Trapped in Jude's gilded cage, surrounded by luxury but stripped of her freedom, Eloise must navigate a labyrinth of treacherous alliances and forbidden desires. The magnetic pull between her and her captor is undeniable, a volatile chemistry forged in darkness and fuelled by the constant threat surrounding them. Theirs is a battle of wills fought in the shadows, where surrender might be the only path to survival, or the ultimate destruction.
But Eloise is more than just a pawn in their deadly game. Her sharp mind is her greatest weapon, and she refuses to break under Jude's possessive control. As she delves deeper into the conspiracy that cost Harley his life, she uncovers secrets that threaten the very foundations of Shadow London and the fragile peace between the ruling families.
Jude, obsessed and protective, finds his carefully constructed world threatened not just by external enemies, but by the feelings Eloise ignites within him. He is drawn to her fire, her resilience, her refusal to yield completely. Keeping her safe becomes paramount, even as his methods blur the lines between protection and possession, control and craving.
In the depths of Umbra Londinium, loyalty is fragile, betrayal cuts deep, and love is a weakness that can get you killed. As Eloise and Jude hunt for truth amidst a web of lies, the sparks between them ignite into a dangerous inferno that could either save them both or consume everything they hold dear.
Bound in Shadow is the thrilling first novel in the Shadow London universe by Rachel Rider, plunging readers into a darkly erotic world where grimdark fantasy meets urban romance. Prepare for a tale of forced proximity, intense power dynamics, and a connection forged in the heart of darkness, where survival necessitates embracing the shadows within.
Dive into a city that never sleeps, ruled by desire and steeped in secrets. Discover if love can bloom even in the deepest shade, or if the darkness will claim them both. Your descent into Shadow London begins now.
643 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2025
5 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 11, 2025
Liked the overall story and the world. Unfortunately, didn't care for FMC and her choices until right near the end. Also, really didn't like Alessandro, he came off super gross (ymmv).
Displaying 1 of 1 review