Darkest at Dusk

by Eve Silver

Isabella Barrett sees ghosts. But the dead aren’t the only ones watching her.

Left penniless and alone after her father’s sudden death, Isabella accepts a position at Harrowgate Manor, an isolated estate shrouded in secrets and sorrow. Whispers stalk the halls. Icy fingers graze her skin. And shadowed figures watch her from the dark. The spirits want something from her—and their intentions are growing darker.

Her new employer, the enigmatic Rhys Caradoc, is a man forged of silence and secrets. He claims to need her help cataloguing his rare book collection, but Isabella soon realizes he knows far more about her gift—and her past—than he should.

As the line between the living and the dead begins to blur, and Harrowgate’s buried horrors claw their way to the surface, Isabella must decide if Rhys is her protector… or something far more dangerous.

For readers who crave haunted manors, brooding heroes, slow-burn desire, and chilling ghostly mysteries, this standalone historical gothic romance will leave you breathless.

Genres: Gothic, Romance, Horror, Paranormal, Fantasy, Gothic Romance, Mystery

285 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 23, 2025

About the author

National bestselling author Eve Silver has been praised for her "edgy, steamy, action-packed" books, darkly sexy heroes and take-charge heroines. Her work won the OLA Forest of Reading White Pine Award 2015, was shortlisted for the Monica Hughes Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy 2014, was listed as a 2013 American Bookseller's Association Best Book for Children and a Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens. She has garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Quill and Quire, two RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Awards, Library Journal's Best Genre Fiction Award, and she was nominated for the Romance Writers of America® RITA® Award.

Eve lives with her husband and two exuberant border collie/Australian shepherds.

Contact Eve through her website at http://www.evesilver.net

Reviews

[Hearteater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this book caught me off-guard in the very best way.

I haven’t reached for anything paranormal in a long time because I feel like it always involves communicating with ghosts, but I decided to try this one anyway because I was in the mood for a romance with a gothic, dreary background, and this definitely delivered. I don’t know why I haven’t sought out more gothic romance because I have been missing out…but I’ve already got several more queued up.

TLDR, this was a really good slow burn gothic romance with likable characters, mystery, very light horror elements and a healthy dose of dread, a loooooot of longing and pining, with a very happy ending. There is no cliffhanger and from what I've read, this is a standalone story, despite it being part of the new "Revenant Roses" series. It was very Crimson Peaks, minus the gross brother/sister stuff (thank goodness) and the fast marriage.

This review will have FULL SPOILERS in the hidden section below, just FYI.

Darkest at Dusk is set in late 1800s England. We follow Isabella and Rhys, two people who see ghosts, though they have very different backgrounds. Isabella has been mostly sequestered throughout her life due to her unusual ability, told by her antiquarian father to not let anyone know what she can see for fear of her being locked in an asylum (which we get a small taste of in the opening chapter). So, she grows up in London with only her dad, his colleagues/friends, and the ghosts as company, as her mother passed away during her birth. While ghosts do surround her, they aren’t corporeal and can’t affect things in real life. Isa is intelligent, reliable, caring, diligent, thoughtful, if a bit muted, though that’s understandable. Her two favorite things seem to be her father and repairing books, though it’s mostly because she doesn’t know much else. We then meet Rhys, introduced as a mysterious potential antagonist who is attempting to insert himself into Isa’s life, despite her father’s protests. He has a shadowed, traumatic past that drives him somewhat obsessively toward a single goal, which we discover he needs Isa to accomplish, though we don’t know the details until later. Thanks to some tragic events that transpire, she finds herself somewhat forced to accept an offer of employment from him, moving to his huge manor near Maidenhead to live and work. Around here, we find out Rhys was an inmate at St. Jude’s asylum, the same one Isa briefly visited with her dad in the beginning. Harrowgate Manor is a bit dreary and quiet, one part of it burned down due to a mysterious past event no one really wants to discuss but we eventually learn about. We meet his small staff, a loveable cast of characters that all seem to have been saved by Rhys, being either orphans or people that had nowhere to go and so were taken in by him; they all think highly of him, contradicting the poor opinion the local villagers (and he himself) have of him. For the first time in her life, Isa gets to be part of a group of friends/equals, something she never had the chance to experience before, which helps her bloom a bit. It’s endearing to experience that with her and to see it through Rhys’s POV chapters as well. She finds out quickly that his home does not have visible ghosts hanging around, unlike most other places she’s been, and instead only seems to have one unique wraith in the form of a young girl that can actually interact with the world, presenting a tangible threat that hangs over her and the others as the story progresses. We find out that Rhys has brought her there to help free the spirits of his late family: his mother, father, and two brothers, all somehow connected by the wraith. He needs the other half of a grimoire her father passed to her to cast some spell to banish the wraith. We also find out that the wraith is his psycho young cousin Catrin, who killed his entire family and now torments their spirits and everyone else in the house; we also discover that Rhys killed her, after finding out she murdered his father and the rest of his family, by locking her in a room that had begun to burn, resulting in that entire portion of the manor going up in flames. Along the way, we get some slow burn romance between Isa and Rhys, eventually blooming into a romance that is really sweet to experience, giving us two spicy scenes that are just explicit enough but really tastefully done. Rhys sees himself as a villain but is actually a good man, dedicating his life to saving his departed loved ones. Isa eventually uncovers the entire story from Rhys and willingly volunteers to participate in the ritual, despite the dangers it will present to her. After nearly dying during it, they come out alive and with the wraith banished from the house, and now they can even control their ability to see ghosts, so they aren’t always harassed by them. There’s a really sweet ending prologue where we find out they married off-page and are now remodeling the burned portion of the house (something they couldn’t do while Catrin was there haunting it). He’s showering her with gifts and surprises her with plans to visit Paris, somewhere she’s always dreamed of going. It’s a really wholesome ending that left a big smile on my face.

Aaaaaanyway, this book has earned a place on my (sometimes questionable) favorites shelf and will definitely be re-read again sometime. I’m excited to have a hardback copy with this beautiful cover! I’ve already got some more gothic romance books queued up, too – I definitely want more. My one gripe about this book is that there is no continuation of their story, but I guess it didn’t really need it.

[DarkStar's Book Cavern · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is incredibly atmospheric and very gothic in every sense of the word. Isabella is a very interesting character, she is our main POV and you really get the sense of her inner strength. Rhys is a perfect mystery – brooding, foreboding, dark. With a voice that sounds “like brandy poured over gravel”. Rhys keeps telling the reader that he isn’t the hero – he is the villain in every sense of the word. And because this is a dual POV we get to see his viewpoint and everything he does is to manipulate Isabella into having absolutely no choice but to go to his house and take up his employment offer.

I was really enjoying this, it was taking me on a merry dark, ghostly journey. However, I cannot forgive just shoving a couple of graphic sex scenes in that helped the plot in no way, shape or form. Isabella and Rhys already had a chemistry that was off the charts and that was without physical touching. She would be doing a task and he would walk in the room and the hairs on the back of her neck would react. That is what I want, that is the period consistency that this was going for. There was no need to shove a graphic sex scene in there! The ending was far too rushed in comparison to the rest of the book, just take the time and write it out.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. YouTube Review: https://youtu.be/dX6_wMXdAXk

[LoveMyAuthors · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've really missed Eve Silver's gothic stories.

Darkest at Dusk was eerie and chilling...not really horror, but if apparitions and ghosts doing bad deeds are not your thing, you might want to take a pass on this one. For me, it had just enough surrounding storyline to keep me engaged. While it's slow going at the beginning, I could almost forgive that when the MMC finally told his backstory. You will certainly need to practice patience to get to the big reveal and once there the climax will hold you breathless. Enjoy!

Honestly, I love a good slow burn, but for you romance readers, be warned the romance will not be the central focus of this one 😉

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love a man who believes himself to be awful and then would give the world to his partner.

you know it's good when I'm rooting for a straight couple.

[Chanda Cathey · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good

enjoy this book of second sight. I anxiously waiting for the next one. it’s spooky and entertaining, love the story.

[Bok Choy Nomad (Cat-Dan) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Darkest at Dusk by Eve Silver

Given we just passed the spooky season here (in Canada) and I wanted a different palate cleanser, I decided to give ‘Darkest by Dusk’ a try. It is also my first time reading author Eve Silver, and I must say, I was very impressed (and suitably chilled, in a good way)!

As promised, this haunting tale set during the Victorian era begins with FMC, Isabella Barett and her father visiting an institute for what we would term ‘mental health’ now when she’s a child. Isabella has the ability to see the ghostly realm, and her father trains her to never reveal this after he is appalled by the institution’s conditions. When she becomes older and is left in poverty and all alone after her father’s death, she has little choice, but to accept an offer of employment at Harrowgate Manor after the MMC, Rhys Caradoc, lines everything up so she can live and work there cataloguing his rare library.

The author is an excellent storyteller and deftly reveals Isabella’s strength as she navigates the eerie and foreboding manor. I felt Isabella’s and Rhys’ encounters and growing relationship was well layered and believable, especially as we were privy to his point of view throughout, which balanced the narration thoroughly. In spite of his machinations to get her to his manor, his compassion, respect and desire for her to trust him came through and this grounded the frightening events surrounding them.

“Partners. From his lips it was not courtesy but conviction, the scandalous belief that she stood beside him, not behind.”

Likewise, I really liked how Isabella had strong allies in the housekeeper, Mrs Abernathy, and the young maid, Peg, whose loyalty provided a grounding presence against the odd sounds and things happening around them. Not knowing what to expect, I was glad Isabella didn’t have to keep battling everything on her own.

The only parts I didn’t enjoy were when I had to admittedly speed read past several descriptions of the evil character because they were intense and a tad too graphic (disclaimer: I’m not a horror fan whatsoever, but still managed to survive). Also, I’m all for romance and spice when done well, however, I did feel it was a bit odd that they would prioritize this aspect a second time during the climax (pun unintended). This somehow took away from their vibrant and established soul connection and the overarching storyline’s finale somehow for me.

Overall, this was an excellent story, and I give it a full 4 stars and recommend if you enjoy or would like to try out a well-written gothic romance with balanced characters in a tale to keep you up at night!

P.S. I am grateful to BookSirens for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this story for which I am voluntarily writing this honest review.

P.S. 2: If you liked this, then please check out my other book reviews of stories about strong women and their handsome sidekicks!

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Booksprout for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

I almost gave up on this in the beginning, not because of the story, but because my mood was in a dark place because of some personal stuff and I did not think reading something dark and gothic would actually help. I was wrong... this is a haunting, dark, gothic story that actually was exactly what I needed because it drew me in and consumed my attention when I needed to escape reality.

This was a richly woven tale about a young woman kept isolated by her visions and her overly protective father. We are given a brief glimpse of what Isabella and her father when she was a child, and what he sought to protect her from. Then to an adult Isabella, a grown woman who has been kept in protective isolation for years by her father, but faces a new reality without him. She is in a dangerous and fragile state, with no protection, no other family or friends, and no income, and limited prospects being a woman in Victorian England. Her only path appears to be to take on a position to catalogue the library at Harrowgate Manor, owned by Rhys Caradoc.

Except his motives are suspect, especially as Isabella is aware that her father had rejected Mr. Caradoc and his entreaties previously, and had a pronounced distrust and dislike of the man. But what choice does Isabella have, when there are no other prospects for her, and she has nothing to live on, not even her father's collection of antique books, most of which were sold, it turns out, to the enigmatic Rhys Caradoc.

Rhys and Harrowgate Manor have a dark and sinister past, that has witness much sorrow and loss, and he seeks to eliminate the remaining wraiths haunting him and his home, but finds that in order to do so, Isabella and her father's books may be the keys he needs. He whets her curiosity and intrigue by baiting lures, but finds his purpose muddled by a growing attraction to Isabella.

Richly laid out dark, gothic story about a haunted house and family with a sinister past bleeding into the present. Isabella is caught between her growing attraction, desire, and trust for Rhys, and her father's protective teachings in the past to hide her abilities, and to protect herself. But while unless the haunting presence at Harrowgate faced, Rhys cannot be freed from the past, and he, Isabella, and those who remain face growing danger.

Deliciously spine tingling, with an underlying slightly steamy romance.

4.5 stars out of 5

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐ Rating: 5/5 ⭐
📝 Short Summary

When a young woman arrives at a remote estate shrouded in mystery, she finds herself surrounded by secrets, spirits, and a brooding man with a past of his own. As the haunting presence in the house grows stronger, danger closes in and love and terror begin to intertwine in the shadows.

💭 Full Review:

WOW. This book completely took me by surprise in the BEST way. I expected a gothic ghost story (which I LOVE), but I got so much more: haunting atmosphere, slow burn romance, emotional depth, and twists that had me glued to the pages. This is the kind of historical fiction that reminds me why I love the genre.

The setting was PERFECT. A lonely estate, eerie hallways, whispers in the dark… the classic haunted house vibes were immaculate. Eve Silver knows how to build tension without rushing, and every chapter felt cinematic and chilling. The ghost elements were genuinely creepy but also meaningful, tied deeply into the characters’ trauma and the house’s secrets.

And the romance? SLOW. BURN. PERFECTION.
The sheltered heroine + brooding hero dynamic gave me full on gothic romance joy. Their chemistry was emotional, tense, and believable no insta love, just beautifully built connection. By the time things unfolded between them, I was fully invested.

The plot surprised me in the best way. I thought I had it figured out (I was wrong!), and the ending was SO satisfying. Dark, emotional, and hopeful all at once. This author blended ghost story + historical romance + psychological suspense flawlessly.

I loved this so much I will 100% be purchasing a physical copy and recommending it to anyone who loves gothic fiction. This is a new favorite!

✨ Favorite Element:

The ending. It was haunting, emotional, and absolutely worth the build-up.

🧠 Trigger Warnings:

Isolation

Gaslighting

Death

Murder

Grief

Emotional manipulation

✅ Would I Recommend?

YES, YES, YES.
If you love gothic historical fiction with ghosts, slow-burn romance, and a brooding hero… this is a MUST READ.

🎭 Tropes / Genre Tags:

Haunted House

Slow-Burn Romance

Brooding Hero

Sheltered Heroine

Gothic Fiction

Historical Romance

Ghost Story

Atmospheric & Emotional

🙏 Thank You:

Thank you so much to BookSirens and Eve Silver for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I loved this book so much I’ll be purchasing a finished copy!

[Lori S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read most of Eve's gothic romance series so when this appeared, I was immediately interested. This isn't exactly gothic romance but a kind of extension of the genre with some paranormal elements included. Isabella has been able to see wraiths all her life. But it has been nothing but troublesome for her and she would be relieved if it could be stopped. Her father has spent years researching in order to help her but then he dies and she is left alone in the world. Meanwhile, Rhys has experienced the loss of many of his family members and seeks out the assistance of Isabella to banish an evil that seems to haunt his home and family.

I mostly enjoyed this book, but there were a few odds and ends that didn't seem to be resolved, something that I sometimes see in paranormal books. The romantic aspect was mostly held together by a strong attraction. My thought it they would know each other better in the future. But there is a knowing of each other they have that wouldn't have happened with just anybody else either. The depth of that understanding each other may just be strong enough to carry them along. I enjoyed spooky scenes and bumps in the night that happen. I'm a but uncertain how I feel about Rhys' deception used to lure in Isabella to his cause. I guess there's no way to know how willing she might have been without that preface of sorts. I did like the way Isabella becomes a more fully formed person after she goes to work for Rhys. Before this she was more an extension of her father and had to hide many aspects of her being. But in her new place, she slowly finds she doesn't have to hide so much after all.

Overall, this was a good read, and I would rate this 3.5 stars. Thank you to BookSirens and the author for providing a free advanced reader copy. I have provided my feedback voluntarily.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t read historical gothic romances. But I have read books this author wrote several years ago, the Northern Waste series. Those were post-apocalyptic romances, quite different from this genre, yet I liked her writing style so much I decided to give this book a try. I’m glad I did. I devoured this book in several hours. It was moody and atmospheric and eerie. The author really managed to convey the feel of the time and place. Isabella was an interesting character, a woman who could see spirits at a time when such a claim would have had you locked away. Her father protected her in the ways he believed best, but when he passes away Isabella is left to find her own path. She is offered a job by the mysterious Rhys Caradoc and, seeing no other choice, joins him at his home, Harrowgate Manor. While this book is a romance, I found it to ultimately be more of a story of Isabella and her journey. She begins the book quite sheltered and we watch as she becomes stronger, more determined. But the romance was also very intriguing. Rhys is a wounded man, plagued by the echoes of his lost family and the evil that has taken over the manor. He and Isabella find in one another a true understanding and an attraction that flames to love. If you’re in the mood for a haunting and intense read filled with romance and wrathful spirits I highly recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars! I don't read the 5 star reviews when deciding what books to read yet this one deserves the 5 stars. I really had trouble putting the story down and fell asleep with it still in my hands. This is the first book I've read by Eve Silver but it won't be the last one. If they're all as good as this one she's a sure winner of awards.
Isabella sees and hears those who have passed away. They call to her for release from their in-between world so their souls may rest.
Out of love for her, her father seeks help for her but is horrified by the conditions and treatment methods used in that time period and refuses to leave her in the care of the doctor they meet with. Instead he tells her to ignore the voices and visions. Deny what she knows is there. She learns to keep her secret from him and everyone else.
Her father is visited by a stranger named Rhys who wants everything he holds dear and is banished from their home. Isabella hears and sees their heated exchange and wonders who this man could be. She feels he holds the key to everything.
When her father dies Rhys is her only hope for employment, food, and a roof over her head. She soon learns Rhys has endured pain, loss, betrayal, and the same voices and visions she has.
The rest of the story is about the development of their relationship which is so respectful and tender I found myself holding my breath at points. Yes it is a ghost story but its' a love story too.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Alaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a 5 for me. I loved the gothic setting, the strong FMC, and the mysterious plot. Isabella was such a refreshing mc. She was strong and courageous without being bratty. She had the ability to see the dead but was taught her whole life to ignore what she saw. If she acknowledged the dead she would be labeled insane and locked away. I also LOVED Rhys! He was so gentle with her and to me he never seemed like the villain. The yearning between the MCs had me on the edge of my seat! I finished this book in under 24 hours. I could not put it down.

The only plot hole that sticks we me after reading: *spoiler alert* How did Isabella’s papa get ahold of the second half of the grimoire? In the story, Catrin finds both halves in a tree and then goes on to commit her vile acts and eventually is killed. Then Rhys says he spends time trying to track down the second half of the book and someone to help him open the gate (Isabella).

[Judith Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I started the prologue until I finished the last line of the epilogue I was on a supernatural gothic ride! Darkest at Dusk, Eve Silver's latest in her Revenant Roses series, was packed with atmosphere and psychological dread, featuring relatable but complex characters, including a brooding and handsome leading man, and two steamy scenes that made for an emotional, thrilling reading experience. One of the moments I really enjoyed was how Isabella, the female main character, related to the villain, understanding the parallels in their experiences. I thought using the unresolved traumas at a moment of extreme danger was a great touch that enhanced the risk to the main character and added humanity to the villain. In short, if you like gothic romance, read this book. You'll have a great time!

[DoctorCopper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A remarkably bewitching paranormal gothic tale. This was so well-written, especially the tension, not just between the FMC and MMC, but the entire story as a whole kept me completely enthralled and wondering what was going to happen next.
The only reason I did not give it five stars was that the ending came across as quite rushed. The buildup throughout was so mesmerizing, but then what was essentially the final showdown came and went so rapidly, I was a bit letdown. Felt as if it needed to be a touch more descriptive, more fleshed out. It wasn’t a bad ending by any means, just a bit abrupt.
But the book was an excellent read and reminiscent of the atmospheric style of Jane Eyre or Rebecca.

[Ltlmer2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisitely crafted! It draws you in right from the start and never lets you go. The author's prose is so evocative and wonderfully dark and creepy. It always hits just the right note, never overdone. Spine-tingling good.

I do so love a good gothic, and this one hits all the typical notes you want while still being fresh and engaging. Plus a touch of steam 🔥 🔥

Everything was described so well, I could see it as a movie in my head. You won't want to put it down.

This was a new author for me and I am an immediate fan.

Also, what a gorgeous and perfect cover. It is the cover which first drew me to this book, and I am so glad I dove in.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Elizabeth Hegel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I overall enjoyed this book. It’s my first gothic horror and it was very interesting! The visuals were mostly decent, I enjoyed the characters, and I thought it was a fun read. I found the climax to be pretty difficult to envision though, and also feel like the premise isn’t overly original. I also could have gone without the two graphic sex scenes. With this said, I understand some people love that stuff, so it’s more personal choice. And tbh, I didn’t mind the first one since it felt relevant to bringing Isabella and Rhys together, but the second one felt like it came out of nowhere lol. Overall, I think I’d give this a 3.5 star!

[cafeymedialunas · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,7 / 5

Me encantó. Es el primer libro de este tipo que leo, y el segundo sobre este otro tipo de realidades (el primero fue Carcoma). Siempre pensé que este género no era para mi pero Eve Silver definitivamente me atrapó con esta historia bien desarrollada y con un final conmovedor. La realidad es que hay sutililzas que me hubiera gustado estuvieran más cuidadas, el desarrollo de las relaciones y vínculos entre personajes, profundizar en ciertas historias o razones que llevaron a, en fin, ahondar en lo que hacía que el libro fuera lo que es. Más allá de eso, muy linda lectura de fin de semana, la recomiendo.

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Darkest at Dusk! It feeds every craving for a gothic romance with ghosts, secrets, and a hauntingly beautiful setting. The isolated manor, the whispering spirits, and the slow-burn chemistry between the heroine Isabella and the enigmatic Rhys had me totally drawn in. Eve Silver builds real tension through atmosphere and emotional stakes, and the story’s ending felt both satisfying and resonant. If you enjoy dark, moody love stories wrapped in mystery and supernatural chills, this one is a gem. I can't wait to read more from her!

[Robin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gothic romance is my favorite genre, and this is just what I needed! A haunting mansion, ghosts, whispers, secrets, paranormal abilities, and forbidden desire. Loved it! I have read and enjoyed all of the author’s Dark Gothic series, and was so excited for her latest entry! I look forward to the next chilling adventure!
I received a free copy via Booksirens, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Historical Maiden · Rating 5 out of 5]

highly Recommend

I did enjoy reading this book. It was scary! I had to sleep with the lights on 2 nights in a row. Just finished it. I really took a liking to Viola and Pansy…the 2 sisters that live in the village. One starts a sentence and the other finishes it. The love scenes between Rhys and Isabella went too far. They were not needed. Once scene was enough to show the reader that they were bound to one another , devoted.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a strong Gothic horror novel, it was suspenseful and worked with what I was hoping for from the description. The characters had that feel that I was looking for and enjoyed the idea of the supernatural elements on this storyline. Eve Silver was able to weave a strong tale and was invested in what was going on. I appreciated getting into the setting during this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lilithya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The haunted setting of the novel was very well done at first. The first few chapters guide to the story perfectly. I loved the main character.

But the chemistry between the male main character and the female main character, while sweet and somewhat believable, was also extremely rushed.

I expected more lore about the world and the supernatural elements and backstory on the main characters.

[Deana Lauritson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author and it did not disappoint! The author combines a hauntingly beautiful, gothic romance. A real page turner! I can’t wait to read more by this author and I highly recommend!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenna Devroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the details. I felt the oppression. I felt the despair and fear. The uncertainty of where Isabella would turn to and what her choices were with her grim reality.

The slow burn of it… girl. Ghosts, Gasps, and Grim.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mrs S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to BookSirens for my advance copy in return for my honest review. I am always drawn to gothic romances; something about dark, forbidding mansions and brooding, handsome men, always draws me in. This book did not disappoint, it was everything I love and more. Think Jane Eyre with the added bonus of vengeful ghosts. Perfect reading for spooky season.

[Janice Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was a bit slow to start, but eventually picked up and became rather scary. I liked Isabella and Rhys, the characters were fleshed out and believable. Great gothic atmosphere and there was an exciting ending.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Diane Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a dark novel, full of spirits and psychological undertones, that I couldn’t stop reading. There are no “living” villains, just a few desperate ones, trying to survive the evil from the other side.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[becs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was honestly one of my favorite books I have read this year! I have become a HUGE fan of gothic romantasy, and this one was definitely 5/5. I love a good morally gray man who would do anything for the woman he loves. The slow burn romance was chef’s kiss; the tension between the MFC and MMC was exquisite.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the prologue I had to read the rest of this story and was not disappointed. This story combines some of my likes: gothic atmosphere; mention of the horrors of Victorian medical practice; a nearly destitute woman alone in the world; a gloomy estate avoided by the villagers. Isabella is left with no other choice than to turn to Rhys, the man her father had warned away. Not only is his estate gloomy, but both MCs hear spirits! I liked the slow pace of their relationship. The manner in which the author has the spirits reach out to Isabella was quite chilling.
I received a free review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Yadah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a winner

Another brilliant atmospheric gothic romance from an author who knows how to do it best. Some of the descriptions were creeeeepy and lent well to the whole 'haunted mansion' vibe.