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Her Obedience
My father's sins belong to him now. And so do I.
Five years ago, I ran. Built a life of my own.
A flower shop. Friends. Freedom.
I thought I escaped the Everett name.
I was wrong.
Gage Blackwood has been watching me.
Pulling the strings of my so-called independence like a man toying with a puppet.
Now he wants what was promised to him.
Me.
And he doesn’t just want my obedience.
He wants my body.
My mind.
My submission.
I’d rather set my world on fire than let him control me again.
But the problem is…
Part of me doesn’t want to run.
This book contains themes of coercion, emotional manipulation, toxic family dynamics, power imbalance, and a possessive, morally gray hero who plays by his own rules. All intimate scenes depict fictional adults in consensual situations within the context of dark romance power dynamics. If any of these themes may trigger you, please choose another book. Recommended for mature audiences only (18+) who enjoy slow-burn tension, dark secrets, and dangerously intense chemistry.
Tropes
Arranged Marriage
Power Imbalance
Morally Gray Hero
Possessive Protector
Slow-Burn Tension
Touch of the Forbidden
Hidden Agendas
Family Secrets
Trapped in a Deal
Five years ago, I ran. Built a life of my own.
A flower shop. Friends. Freedom.
I thought I escaped the Everett name.
I was wrong.
Gage Blackwood has been watching me.
Pulling the strings of my so-called independence like a man toying with a puppet.
Now he wants what was promised to him.
Me.
And he doesn’t just want my obedience.
He wants my body.
My mind.
My submission.
I’d rather set my world on fire than let him control me again.
But the problem is…
Part of me doesn’t want to run.
This book contains themes of coercion, emotional manipulation, toxic family dynamics, power imbalance, and a possessive, morally gray hero who plays by his own rules. All intimate scenes depict fictional adults in consensual situations within the context of dark romance power dynamics. If any of these themes may trigger you, please choose another book. Recommended for mature audiences only (18+) who enjoy slow-burn tension, dark secrets, and dangerously intense chemistry.
Tropes
Arranged Marriage
Power Imbalance
Morally Gray Hero
Possessive Protector
Slow-Burn Tension
Touch of the Forbidden
Hidden Agendas
Family Secrets
Trapped in a Deal
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2025
2 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 26, 2025
I really jinxed myself into thinking this can potentially be enjoyable just from reading it at 8%. And now, there is no one else to be blamed than ME. What could have been a compelling, fast-paced read ended up feeling shallow, uneventful, and disappointingly dull.
One of the book's major issues is its pacing. Most scenes are dragged on far too long without enough substance to justify their length. Despite the short page count (which should be in for a quick read), the book felt like a slog because so little actually happened. The writing failed to maintain momentum, making even simple moments feel laborious.
Not to say, the characters were a major letdown. Gage had the potential to be a fascinating, enigmatic figure, but instead, he fell flat—his personality was bland, and his power dynamics never felt fully explored. The central conflict (an arranged marriage to cover up Poppy’s father’s fraud in exchange of protection) should have been gripping, but it lacked depth and looks like it was created just for the sake of creating a conflict with no proper execution.
Poppy’s characterization was equally inconsistent. She initially resisted the marriage, only to submit abruptly, particularly in an uncomfortable consummation scene that lacked any real tension or buildup. Their relationship shifted from strangers to a settled couple with whiplash-inducing speed, making their interpersonal rapport hard to believe. Arrange marriage trope should be fun especially when we get to see two characters slowly falling in love. While I am not expecting a lovey-dovey romance for what to be a somewhat dark romance, this is just purely transactional. YAWN!
Ultimately, the book relied on popular tropes but did not bring anything fresh or engaging to them. The writing was functional but uninspired, failing to elevate the thin plot or underdeveloped characters. By the end, I was left wondering how something with so much potential ended up so forgettable.
A disappointing read, especially after such a strong start.
One of the book's major issues is its pacing. Most scenes are dragged on far too long without enough substance to justify their length. Despite the short page count (which should be in for a quick read), the book felt like a slog because so little actually happened. The writing failed to maintain momentum, making even simple moments feel laborious.
Not to say, the characters were a major letdown. Gage had the potential to be a fascinating, enigmatic figure, but instead, he fell flat—his personality was bland, and his power dynamics never felt fully explored. The central conflict (an arranged marriage to cover up Poppy’s father’s fraud in exchange of protection) should have been gripping, but it lacked depth and looks like it was created just for the sake of creating a conflict with no proper execution.
Poppy’s characterization was equally inconsistent. She initially resisted the marriage, only to submit abruptly, particularly in an uncomfortable consummation scene that lacked any real tension or buildup. Their relationship shifted from strangers to a settled couple with whiplash-inducing speed, making their interpersonal rapport hard to believe. Arrange marriage trope should be fun especially when we get to see two characters slowly falling in love. While I am not expecting a lovey-dovey romance for what to be a somewhat dark romance, this is just purely transactional. YAWN!
Ultimately, the book relied on popular tropes but did not bring anything fresh or engaging to them. The writing was functional but uninspired, failing to elevate the thin plot or underdeveloped characters. By the end, I was left wondering how something with so much potential ended up so forgettable.
A disappointing read, especially after such a strong start.
July 14, 2025
Thank you Danielle for the eARC and the opportunity to read this book!
If you're looking for a spicy fast paced read that is a nice palette cleanser in between more thought consuming books, I highly recommend this book!
I enjoyed this book, but I do wish there was more in the middle about Poppy falling for Gage. It seemed like a pretty abrupt shift after the wedding. The characters felt a little surface level for my liking, but like I said for a palette cleanser it worked!
If you're looking for a spicy fast paced read that is a nice palette cleanser in between more thought consuming books, I highly recommend this book!
I enjoyed this book, but I do wish there was more in the middle about Poppy falling for Gage. It seemed like a pretty abrupt shift after the wedding. The characters felt a little surface level for my liking, but like I said for a palette cleanser it worked!
July 18, 2025
What an exciting read! It had an increasing tempo, with an underlying thrill to it! That illusion of calmness that gives you the feeling of something explosive is about to happen, and happen it did! Awesome book!
July 12, 2025
Such an amazing book! I read all in one go. Arranged marriage where they start almost as enemies and end up being lovers! I love how strong of a character Penelope is! Worth the read 100%
July 11, 2025
Thank you to Danielle Reed for the eARC!
A subtle start…
One of the first things I noticed at the beginning of this book was how subtle the foreshadowing was. While Penelope–called “Poppy” at the start–metes out exposition about her past, the future is already knocking on her door. I really enjoyed this use of foreshadowing because not only did it pay off nicely, it demonstrated Penelope’s intelligence, perception, and proactive nature. By giving us a few chapters of her day-to-day life to explain what she’d built for herself, as well as demonstrating what she had done to protect it, we really get a sense of who Penelope is, what her values are, and what her character traits are. The beginning of this book is a very well written demonstration of the “show don’t tell” principle, as well as a great sympathetic start to make the reader like and care about Penelope before the plot really gets rolling.
…a harrowing middle…
The thing about dark romances that keeps me coming back for more is exactly what Her Obedience delivers: a sinking sensation in my stomach as the trap tightens and the cage grows ever stronger around the character. Every decision Gage Blackwood makes is calculated in the way a chess master has mapped out the entire game before touching their first piece. Not only does Gage calculate for efficiency, wealth preservation, and business opportunities but he anticipates and accommodates for Penelope’s emotional and mental wellbeing–so long as it serves his purposes. Seeing Penelope test the boundaries, attempt her escapes through the cracks she finds, and move between acceptance and resistance so realistically was the same as watching the tension build in a suspenseful horror movie. Like Penelope, as a reader I was left disoriented by some of Gage’s moves while oddly charmed by others. It’s really interesting to read a book in which an intelligent character succeeds in not only manipulating the main character, but also the reader.
…and an ending that’s more of a beginning.
I would not venture to call the end of Her Obedience a happy ending, but it is certainly a beginning moreso than the finality of Penelope’s cage closing around her. Don’t worry, I’m not about to spoil the ending for you (you’ll have to discover for yourself how Penelope manages to rebuild her cage). Dark romance tends to have two kinds of endings in my experience: unapologetically dark endings that more realistically reflect the themes of the novel, and unrealistically happy endings that curb the darker themes of the novel in favor of the traditional romance HEA. Her Obedience subverted my expectations of either of those endings. Gage’s personality and behavior are unwavering and consistent with how the plot moved, and Penelope’s maneuver at the end is in many ways not a happy ending so much as a clever one that left me, personally, sick to my stomach but narratively satisfied. Which is honestly what I would consider a highly successful end to a dark romance novel, as I am typically unsatisfied by an unrealistic HEA or a flat one-toned dark ending.
Final Thoughts
I’m not sure I’ve read such a well-written and thought out dark romance before. Most of the dark romance I’ve read before is only nominally “dark,” usually thanks to the use of supernatural creatures or paranormal themes that allow the reader to suspend enough belief so as to make way for the supposed happiness of the couple getting together. Her Obedience is more nuanced, startlingly realistic, and holds on to enough edge-of-your-seat drama to keep you hooked on Penelope’s struggle against Gage’s control. There are moments where you want to root for the happiest possible solution, moments where you’re excited to see Penelope get free, and moments where the potential future that takes place after the end seems almost bright. All of which I would say makes this an incredibly well-written narrative with engaging characters and a satisfying ending. So long as you are heeding the content warnings appropriately, I do absolutely recommend this as a dark romance!
A subtle start…
One of the first things I noticed at the beginning of this book was how subtle the foreshadowing was. While Penelope–called “Poppy” at the start–metes out exposition about her past, the future is already knocking on her door. I really enjoyed this use of foreshadowing because not only did it pay off nicely, it demonstrated Penelope’s intelligence, perception, and proactive nature. By giving us a few chapters of her day-to-day life to explain what she’d built for herself, as well as demonstrating what she had done to protect it, we really get a sense of who Penelope is, what her values are, and what her character traits are. The beginning of this book is a very well written demonstration of the “show don’t tell” principle, as well as a great sympathetic start to make the reader like and care about Penelope before the plot really gets rolling.
…a harrowing middle…
The thing about dark romances that keeps me coming back for more is exactly what Her Obedience delivers: a sinking sensation in my stomach as the trap tightens and the cage grows ever stronger around the character. Every decision Gage Blackwood makes is calculated in the way a chess master has mapped out the entire game before touching their first piece. Not only does Gage calculate for efficiency, wealth preservation, and business opportunities but he anticipates and accommodates for Penelope’s emotional and mental wellbeing–so long as it serves his purposes. Seeing Penelope test the boundaries, attempt her escapes through the cracks she finds, and move between acceptance and resistance so realistically was the same as watching the tension build in a suspenseful horror movie. Like Penelope, as a reader I was left disoriented by some of Gage’s moves while oddly charmed by others. It’s really interesting to read a book in which an intelligent character succeeds in not only manipulating the main character, but also the reader.
…and an ending that’s more of a beginning.
I would not venture to call the end of Her Obedience a happy ending, but it is certainly a beginning moreso than the finality of Penelope’s cage closing around her. Don’t worry, I’m not about to spoil the ending for you (you’ll have to discover for yourself how Penelope manages to rebuild her cage). Dark romance tends to have two kinds of endings in my experience: unapologetically dark endings that more realistically reflect the themes of the novel, and unrealistically happy endings that curb the darker themes of the novel in favor of the traditional romance HEA. Her Obedience subverted my expectations of either of those endings. Gage’s personality and behavior are unwavering and consistent with how the plot moved, and Penelope’s maneuver at the end is in many ways not a happy ending so much as a clever one that left me, personally, sick to my stomach but narratively satisfied. Which is honestly what I would consider a highly successful end to a dark romance novel, as I am typically unsatisfied by an unrealistic HEA or a flat one-toned dark ending.
Final Thoughts
I’m not sure I’ve read such a well-written and thought out dark romance before. Most of the dark romance I’ve read before is only nominally “dark,” usually thanks to the use of supernatural creatures or paranormal themes that allow the reader to suspend enough belief so as to make way for the supposed happiness of the couple getting together. Her Obedience is more nuanced, startlingly realistic, and holds on to enough edge-of-your-seat drama to keep you hooked on Penelope’s struggle against Gage’s control. There are moments where you want to root for the happiest possible solution, moments where you’re excited to see Penelope get free, and moments where the potential future that takes place after the end seems almost bright. All of which I would say makes this an incredibly well-written narrative with engaging characters and a satisfying ending. So long as you are heeding the content warnings appropriately, I do absolutely recommend this as a dark romance!
July 2, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ rounded up!
thank you Danielle for the eARC!
calling all my dark romance girlies and i mean *DARK* romance girlies!!! …but let’s be real who doesn’t love a possessive, stalker billionaire mmc?
okay before you continue i beg, please read the tws on this. it was dark, it was possessive, it was dubious, BUT DAMN WAS IT HOT!! think beauty and the beast but beast was in the mafia & took what he wanted with no cares.
fmc was so realistic in my mind. not weakened by her circumstances but still affected by things beyond her control. her actions were ones i feel like i would have made, not overly heroic but strong in her own ways if that makes sense?
i’m a little disappointed that book 2 in this series is not continuing penelope and gage’s story. it felt like there were a few questions left unanswered and like this was setting up for more. :( will i still be reading tho? absolutely
there were a few things that stood out to me that brought down my rating: repetitive phrasing and robotic dialogue. the dialogue made sense at times but even some of the more “sincere” moments felt stiff. as for the repetitive phrasing, without getting too spoilery, there were certain phrases that could have been said to mean the same thing without repeating the same exact wording. i noticed this quite a few times throughout the book.
overall, i enjoyed this book a lot. it was a fun, quick little that i devoured in a day. i’m excited to read what danielle does next!
thank you Danielle for the eARC!
calling all my dark romance girlies and i mean *DARK* romance girlies!!! …but let’s be real who doesn’t love a possessive, stalker billionaire mmc?
okay before you continue i beg, please read the tws on this. it was dark, it was possessive, it was dubious, BUT DAMN WAS IT HOT!! think beauty and the beast but beast was in the mafia & took what he wanted with no cares.
fmc was so realistic in my mind. not weakened by her circumstances but still affected by things beyond her control. her actions were ones i feel like i would have made, not overly heroic but strong in her own ways if that makes sense?
i’m a little disappointed that book 2 in this series is not continuing penelope and gage’s story. it felt like there were a few questions left unanswered and like this was setting up for more. :( will i still be reading tho? absolutely
there were a few things that stood out to me that brought down my rating: repetitive phrasing and robotic dialogue. the dialogue made sense at times but even some of the more “sincere” moments felt stiff. as for the repetitive phrasing, without getting too spoilery, there were certain phrases that could have been said to mean the same thing without repeating the same exact wording. i noticed this quite a few times throughout the book.
overall, i enjoyed this book a lot. it was a fun, quick little that i devoured in a day. i’m excited to read what danielle does next!
July 17, 2025
Okay so this book really pulled me in slowly. At first, I was just reading, thinking okay cool Poppy’s smart, trying to live her life protect what she has but then Gage shows up and everything shifts. Not all at once though it’s done in a way where you don’t even realise how deep you’ve gotten into their story.
I won’t lie Gage made me uncomfortable more than once. But at the same time I couldn’t stop reading. The way he handles things the way he talks it’s cold but also weirdly careful. He’s not your usual over-the-top villain. He’s quiet but dangerous and somehow that’s worse 😅
Poppy on the other hand I liked a lot. She doesn’t lose herself even when things are getting messed up. She keeps pushing, keeps trying. That made me root for her the whole time.
The ending wasn’t what I expected. It’s not exactly happy but not hopeless either. It just fits. Like it makes sense for the kind of story this is.
So yeah if you like darker stuff where the relationship is messy and the characters are playing mind games half the time, you might enjoy this. But definitely read the warnings first, it’s not a light read.
I won’t lie Gage made me uncomfortable more than once. But at the same time I couldn’t stop reading. The way he handles things the way he talks it’s cold but also weirdly careful. He’s not your usual over-the-top villain. He’s quiet but dangerous and somehow that’s worse 😅
Poppy on the other hand I liked a lot. She doesn’t lose herself even when things are getting messed up. She keeps pushing, keeps trying. That made me root for her the whole time.
The ending wasn’t what I expected. It’s not exactly happy but not hopeless either. It just fits. Like it makes sense for the kind of story this is.
So yeah if you like darker stuff where the relationship is messy and the characters are playing mind games half the time, you might enjoy this. But definitely read the warnings first, it’s not a light read.
July 10, 2025
This dark romance wasnt as dark as I thought it would be, despite the essentially forced marriage… but 80% of the book is Poppy hating Gage and their situation, and as soon as it starts to feel like her feelings are beginning to change, it happens so suddenly & then the book ends suddenly after. I feel like the ending could have been spaced out more or her feelings could have started changing sooner? It felt very surface level too, like theres not a lot of depth to the characters, it didn’t bring out any big emotion for me. There are some plot points that seemed left loose too? Like Gage’s mom. He starts to finally open up about her more and then we never hear about her again. We never get any other news of Poppy’s dad or the rest of her family, like her dad just gave up that fast and accepted he wasnt allowed to see his daughter again? Just seemed out of character for the type of character her dad is. I still enjoyed the story & characters, I just wish there had been more depth to all of it.
July 17, 2025
This was a fast-paced, spicy read that kept me turning the pages. It definitely delivered on the tension and heat, but I found myself wanting just a bit more in terms of development. The setup was intense and immediately intriguing, but the emotional shift between Poppy and Gage felt a little too quick for me, especially after everything leading up to it. I enjoyed Poppy’s inner strength and found her reactions believable given the situation, but I would’ve loved to see more of her growth throughout rather than so much happening all at once.
There were moments where I felt like scenes or conversations could’ve gone deeper or revealed more about the characters. A few story threads were brought up and never fully explored, which left me with questions I really wanted answers to. Especially considering how much potential there was for more depth and complexity. That said, I still had a good time reading this. It’s the kind of book that works well when you want something steamy and intense without getting too emotionally heavy. I just wish we had more time to really sit with the characters and let things unfold.
There were moments where I felt like scenes or conversations could’ve gone deeper or revealed more about the characters. A few story threads were brought up and never fully explored, which left me with questions I really wanted answers to. Especially considering how much potential there was for more depth and complexity. That said, I still had a good time reading this. It’s the kind of book that works well when you want something steamy and intense without getting too emotionally heavy. I just wish we had more time to really sit with the characters and let things unfold.
July 21, 2025
📚 Her Obedience by Danielle L. Reed
⭐️ 3.5/5 | 🌶️ 4/5
I’m not sure I’ve read a dark romance quite this well thought-out before. A lot of dark romance I’ve picked up leans on paranormal elements to soften the blow, but this one? It’s raw, grounded, and leans fully into the emotional weight of Penelope’s struggle.
There were moments I was rooting for her freedom, moments I wanted the romance to work out, and others where I honestly didn’t know what I wanted—which is a huge testament to how well-written this story is. The characters had me hooked, the tension stayed high, and the ending felt both satisfying and earned.
It’s a fast-paced, spicy read, but with more depth than I expected. Definitely worth picking up—just don’t skip the content warnings.
⭐️ 3.5/5 | 🌶️ 4/5
I’m not sure I’ve read a dark romance quite this well thought-out before. A lot of dark romance I’ve picked up leans on paranormal elements to soften the blow, but this one? It’s raw, grounded, and leans fully into the emotional weight of Penelope’s struggle.
There were moments I was rooting for her freedom, moments I wanted the romance to work out, and others where I honestly didn’t know what I wanted—which is a huge testament to how well-written this story is. The characters had me hooked, the tension stayed high, and the ending felt both satisfying and earned.
It’s a fast-paced, spicy read, but with more depth than I expected. Definitely worth picking up—just don’t skip the content warnings.
July 18, 2025
This was such a great book. I loved the arranged marriage to what it ended up being. This book was so good you get to see how the characters evolve together. The relationship between Gage and Poppy is just so good, you can see she doesn't want to want him but eventually she falls hard for him. The enemies to lovers trope was so good in this one. If you like a dark romance that turns soft this one is for you.
July 28, 2025
Interesting story - starts with Poppy running her own Flower Shop. She is happy with her life away from her very controlling family. This is a good story, it draws you in and it was hard for me to put it down. Enjoyable read - I had some timing issues with the book - thus the 4 stars - might not bother you!
July 27, 2025
I must confess that at about 40% I gave up and stopped reading it, and started another book. This was nothing but a book about coersion and control, it was a constant narrative of you will OR....., and this got tiring and boring very quickly. Sorry, just my opinion
July 2, 2025
Her Obedience is an emotional, suspenseful read. Danielle writes her characters with in-depth descriptions, allowing the reader to feel what her characters are feeling. The storyline is easy to follow, and the spice is every bit steamy.
I love how Poppy continues to speak her mind throughout the book, not allowing Gage or her father to quiet her. Even as the story winds down she does begin to open her mind to the possibilities, even if they go against what she originally wanted.
I love the way Gage is calm, compassionate (to an extent) and every bit infatuated with Poppy. Regardless of their situation, he continues to give her the space she needs to adjust.
There are trigger warnings, so please check them prior to reading to make sure you are comfortable.
I love how Poppy continues to speak her mind throughout the book, not allowing Gage or her father to quiet her. Even as the story winds down she does begin to open her mind to the possibilities, even if they go against what she originally wanted.
I love the way Gage is calm, compassionate (to an extent) and every bit infatuated with Poppy. Regardless of their situation, he continues to give her the space she needs to adjust.
There are trigger warnings, so please check them prior to reading to make sure you are comfortable.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews