Serenade of the Spectral Heart

by Stephanie B. Whitfield

Some horrors are born in the night. Others are stitched into the heart.

Olivia Devos’ marriage was never about love—it was a transaction signed in blood. Seven years of cruelty and broken bones have stripped her of everything but the will to survive. When she attends a Christmas ball and crosses paths with Cooper Brimington, a dark and dangerous nobleman, it feels less like fate and more like a final reckoning.

Cooper bears demons of his own. His estate is cloaked in ghost stories—rumors of vengeful spirits and bodies buried beneath the halls. But in Olivia’s desperate eyes, he sees something he thought he’d a chance at redemption.

As death stalks the corridors and guilt rots the foundations of Cooper’s crumbling world, Olivia must decide whether to risk her fragile hope on a man haunted by both the living and the dead.

This descent into madness, murder and the price paid when love is born in blood is perfect for lovers of The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Masque of the Red Death

One-click Serenade of the Spectral Heart today, and surrender to the darkness—because some hearts refuse to die quietly.

343 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 17, 2026

Reviews

[Brittany Putzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤 A Reckoning Beneath the Darkness 🖤

This gothic romance doesn’t just flirt with darkness—it waltzes with it through shadowed corridors.

Olivia Devos is not your typical heroine. She’s a survivor, forged in cruelty and bound by a marriage that feels more like a curse than a vow. Her pain is palpable, her resilience quietly fierce. When she meets Cooper Brimington—a nobleman cloaked in mystery—their connection is less a spark and more a slow-burning flame that ignites into something redemptive.

Cooper’s estate is a character in itself: a decaying mansion steeped in ghost stories and guilt, where every creaking floorboard whispers of buried sin. The atmosphere is oppressive, perfect for readers who crave romance wrapped in velvet shadows and spectral dread. Plus, the estate has a Beauty and the Beast style library with ladders! And a nosey perverted ghost lol.

What makes this story sing is its emotional complexity. Olivia and Cooper aren’t just haunted by a ghost—they’re haunted by their choices, regrets, and the fragile hope that love might still bloom in the ruins. Their chemistry is raw and beautifully tragic. The romance between them dares to ask whether two broken souls can find solace in each other without being consumed by the darkness they carry.

It ends with a happy ending.

✨ Verdict:
A masterfully woven tale of survival, redemption, and love that dares to bloom on haunted soil. Perfect for fans of gothic romance who crave emotional depth, atmospheric tension, and characters who bleed on the page.

I’ve read most of Whitfield’s books and this one is my favorite (although, The Sword of Moira is my close second favorite). I think she’s found her calling! Her redemption arc and plot twists had me turning the pages.

If you love gothic romances with great plot and a dash of spice don’t wait, grab Serenade of the Spectral Heart today!

[Anna Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

First up—read the trigger warnings. This gothic tale doesn’t shy away from domestic violence; however, it’s handled carefully. While some abuse scenes contain details, they’re never explicit, which I really appreciated.

This story isn’t just a romance. It’s about a woman rebelling against control and instead taking back her own, one choice at a time.
The romance supports her journey but never overpowers it. I loved the supernatural elements and almost wish the book had leaned even further into that side of the story.

Overall, this was a fast yet emotionally deep read. It’s not perfect, but I enjoyed it, and I breathed a sigh of relief at the HEA.

[Jerry Ying · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the character (Olivia) in the story who struggle to find her strength and Cooper's myterious, dark personality kept me hooked. The writing style is detailed and emotional—you can feel Olivia’s pain and Cooper’s tension.

The Christmas ball scene was memorable. Olivia wearing the green dress to defy Ben, and the public confrontation, felt like a turning point. Also, the intimate scene in the barn between Olivia and Cooper stood out—it was tender and emotional, not just physical, and showed how different Cooper is from Ben. I felt tense and emotional while reading.

I would recommend this book for readers who like Dark romance with suspense with Gothic, moody settings.

[Danielle Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie’s writing is absolutely gripping, this book had me hooked from the first page. Roberts has to be the sweetest character I’ve ever met and I loved the addition of Prince Grumpy Ghost. Overall this was an absolutely fantastic read, and Olivia so deserved the ending she got.