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The Sanctuary #2.5
Shade
When magic reunites two fated mates who'd once been friends, will they fall in love and find light in the darkness or lose themselves in it?
Diego
Losing your sight at the age of ten was not fun. Losing your best friend was even worse. Not every kid befriended the monster under their bed, but Shade hadn't been a monster. He'd been sweet, kind, and the best friend I'd ever had. He'd also saved my life.
I'd thought I would never 'see' him again, but then the thing that kept me safe and stopped me from getting hurt started tugging me somewhere, and following its pull led me straight to Shade. Finding him again was nothing short of a miracle, and there was no way I was letting him go again.
Shade
Living in the Sanctuary was great. I had a place of my own, and I didn't have to be afraid of light, or the pain it would cause me. I was safe, if a little lonely. I had friends, but none as close as the one I'd once had, even if he'd been just a child.
When Diego walked right into my home one day out of nowhere, I was afraid I was dreaming. But he was really there, had been led to me by my own shadows that'd stayed with him years ago. I'd never thought we would meet again, and I'd never imagined he would grow up into such a good-looking man.
Shade is a 40k words MM paranormal romance featuring a shadow-being vulnerable to the light, a blind human who always finds the silver lining, and the pocket dimension of The Sanctuary, home to all kinds of supernatural beings.
While Shade is a standalone novella and can be read on its own, it is a part of The Sanctuary series and chronologically falls between The Jorogumo and The Shtriga.
Diego
Losing your sight at the age of ten was not fun. Losing your best friend was even worse. Not every kid befriended the monster under their bed, but Shade hadn't been a monster. He'd been sweet, kind, and the best friend I'd ever had. He'd also saved my life.
I'd thought I would never 'see' him again, but then the thing that kept me safe and stopped me from getting hurt started tugging me somewhere, and following its pull led me straight to Shade. Finding him again was nothing short of a miracle, and there was no way I was letting him go again.
Shade
Living in the Sanctuary was great. I had a place of my own, and I didn't have to be afraid of light, or the pain it would cause me. I was safe, if a little lonely. I had friends, but none as close as the one I'd once had, even if he'd been just a child.
When Diego walked right into my home one day out of nowhere, I was afraid I was dreaming. But he was really there, had been led to me by my own shadows that'd stayed with him years ago. I'd never thought we would meet again, and I'd never imagined he would grow up into such a good-looking man.
Shade is a 40k words MM paranormal romance featuring a shadow-being vulnerable to the light, a blind human who always finds the silver lining, and the pocket dimension of The Sanctuary, home to all kinds of supernatural beings.
While Shade is a standalone novella and can be read on its own, it is a part of The Sanctuary series and chronologically falls between The Jorogumo and The Shtriga.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2025
118 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Stella Rainbow
54 books279 followersStella Rainbow is the pen name of a twenty something woman from India. Her heart is too full of rainbow colored stories to be limited by the lack of awareness in her home country.
Stella spends her days cuddling up with her cat, typing out new stories, daydreaming and reading all the books she can get her hands on.
She loves talking to her readers and other book lovers, so don't hesitate in contacting her on any of her socials or emailing her at authorstellarainbow@gmail.com
Stella spends her days cuddling up with her cat, typing out new stories, daydreaming and reading all the books she can get her hands on.
She loves talking to her readers and other book lovers, so don't hesitate in contacting her on any of her socials or emailing her at authorstellarainbow@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
October 13, 2025
Who knew monster romance could be this damn sweet?
Shade & Diego were absolutely adorable.
The audiobook was great! Sam Stark did an amazing job.
Shade & Diego were absolutely adorable.
The audiobook was great! Sam Stark did an amazing job.
October 2, 2025
The Sanctuary series has been so interesting. A nice little pocket dimension to accommodate a variety of beings that don’t quite fit in the human world. There’s also an overarching storyline featuring the Headmaster’s magic glitches. I’m looking forward to seeing how that is resolved.
Shade and Diego get a reunion story, having been friends when Diego was young. One of the things I love most about this author’s works is that the characters often have some kind of difference or disability. As anticipated, they’re fated mates and perfect for each other. This author’s low-angst style is appealing.
I heard narrator Sam Stark recently in other books and am enjoying their style. They did a great job in this world.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy.
Shade and Diego get a reunion story, having been friends when Diego was young. One of the things I love most about this author’s works is that the characters often have some kind of difference or disability. As anticipated, they’re fated mates and perfect for each other. This author’s low-angst style is appealing.
I heard narrator Sam Stark recently in other books and am enjoying their style. They did a great job in this world.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy.
September 22, 2025
Monsters under the bed are real—but not always what you expect. Shade is the monster, and Diego is blind, each living in darkness for different reasons. Their connection is powerful, their friendship unshakable. I couldn’t help but love them for how much they meant to each other. A beautiful mix of heart, history, and hope.
I received this ARC from the author and voluntarily leaving my review.
Monica
I received this ARC from the author and voluntarily leaving my review.
Monica
September 24, 2025
Shade and Diego were simply adorable together. Their relationship was as unique as the characters themselves.
I really enjoyed this one. Shade deserved his own HEA and Diego was absolutely perfect for him.
Narrator’s performance was absolutely fantastic!
*I voluntarily read this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one elses*
I really enjoyed this one. Shade deserved his own HEA and Diego was absolutely perfect for him.
Narrator’s performance was absolutely fantastic!
*I voluntarily read this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one elses*
September 29, 2025
I was very excited to find a new “monster under my bed” book. I firmly believe they are underrated.
This book was basically a no angst, very sweet read. Not quite what I expected, but enjoyable all the same. Diego is a human who as a kid befriends the monster under his bed. The two separate after a traumatic experience leaves Diego blind, only to reunite many years later once Diego is an adult.
One thing that I really loved about this story is that it mentioned how their separation was necessary for a romantic relationship to develop between them. Once Shade’s age was revealed, I began to feel a little icky about their relationship. So I will say that was handled very nicely. I also like how Diego’s blindness isn’t treated as a disability. Merely a different way of experiencing the world.
There were a few issues that bothered me: some parts of the story felt very repetitive and Shade is described as being centuries old but is often depicted as being very naive. I get that part of that would stem from his isolation, but idk…it just felt very incongruous to me. My biggest complaint is that I feel like I’m left confused about their HEA. Like do they get one? Or just the HFN? Shade is seemingly immortal, or at least has an incredibly long life span. Diego is human. There’s no mention of how the rest of their lives will play out, and I have questions!
I give this book 3 starts. I really struggle with no angst books because everything feels too easy. So that heavily influenced my rating. I enjoyed the book well enough, but I’m not sure I’ll continue the series.
This book was basically a no angst, very sweet read. Not quite what I expected, but enjoyable all the same. Diego is a human who as a kid befriends the monster under his bed. The two separate after a traumatic experience leaves Diego blind, only to reunite many years later once Diego is an adult.
One thing that I really loved about this story is that it mentioned how their separation was necessary for a romantic relationship to develop between them. Once Shade’s age was revealed, I began to feel a little icky about their relationship. So I will say that was handled very nicely. I also like how Diego’s blindness isn’t treated as a disability. Merely a different way of experiencing the world.
There were a few issues that bothered me: some parts of the story felt very repetitive and Shade is described as being centuries old but is often depicted as being very naive. I get that part of that would stem from his isolation, but idk…it just felt very incongruous to me. My biggest complaint is that I feel like I’m left confused about their HEA. Like do they get one? Or just the HFN? Shade is seemingly immortal, or at least has an incredibly long life span. Diego is human. There’s no mention of how the rest of their lives will play out, and I have questions!
I give this book 3 starts. I really struggle with no angst books because everything feels too easy. So that heavily influenced my rating. I enjoyed the book well enough, but I’m not sure I’ll continue the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2025
An uplifting and no angst love story from Stella Rainbow. It is a standalone book, though it falls within Rainbow's The Sanctuary series. The story is a sweet romance between Shade, a shadow being vulnerable to light, and Diego, a blind human who was friends with Shade as a child. Kind of a second chance romance, with a hint of the paranormal, it was lovely to read about how they meet up again, and realise that their connection is meant to be.
September 17, 2025
I was so happy that Shade got his love story! They both were super cute!
September 28, 2025
Diego and shade's story was cute. To be honest though, I think all of Stella's characters and couple combinations are great and fit well together.
This storyline is so inclusive and accepting of everyone, from Diego, to Shade, to Jai or Keoni. Regardless of the challenge someone deals with (in this case blindness), every being does what they can to help and is willing to listen and learn. Some examples of this include a wheelchair, a cart, and the use of bluetooth devices. At no point is anyone made to feel bad about themselves, feel like a burden for a condition that is out of their control, or feel excluded from what everyone else is participating in like a wedding.
This is the type of book that I desperately wanted to read when I was younger. I would have been overjoyed to come across a book that not only has a character with a disability, but also portrays disability as a whole, and the person with a disability in a positive light. A lot of stereotypes that I have heard from people outside of the disability community were not reenforced here. I am so grateful for that. For instance, Diego has a job, doesn't wear sunglasses all the time, and isn't miserable and hating life because he can't see. Thank you for your stories. They mean more to me than you will ever know.
This storyline is so inclusive and accepting of everyone, from Diego, to Shade, to Jai or Keoni. Regardless of the challenge someone deals with (in this case blindness), every being does what they can to help and is willing to listen and learn. Some examples of this include a wheelchair, a cart, and the use of bluetooth devices. At no point is anyone made to feel bad about themselves, feel like a burden for a condition that is out of their control, or feel excluded from what everyone else is participating in like a wedding.
This is the type of book that I desperately wanted to read when I was younger. I would have been overjoyed to come across a book that not only has a character with a disability, but also portrays disability as a whole, and the person with a disability in a positive light. A lot of stereotypes that I have heard from people outside of the disability community were not reenforced here. I am so grateful for that. For instance, Diego has a job, doesn't wear sunglasses all the time, and isn't miserable and hating life because he can't see. Thank you for your stories. They mean more to me than you will ever know.
September 16, 2025
I absolutely loved this story. The connection that Diego had with Shade is remarkable especially for how long they were apart. Shade stayed away to keep Diego safe only to find out that when he left so did Diego’s sight. Diego wasn’t bothered at the beginning because he thought he could better understand how Shade lived until Shade left. Once Diego tracked Shade down and made himself a part of Shade’s life they figured out together that they are fated mates and will always feel the pull to be together. I definitely recommend this book to everyone who loves mm romance stories with a bit of darkness. It’s also wonderful in audiobook format and Sam did a fantastic job narrating.
November 17, 2025
'Shade' written by Stella Rainbow, (Audible) narrated by Sam Stark
A slow burn paranormal pairing of a supernatural being called Shade, who lives within shadows, and his old human childhood friend, Diego, who was blinded in an abusive attack by his mother's boyfriend (or stepdad?), as a child.
They haven't talked to each other since Diego was released from the hospital to come home. Diego thought Shadow would be there waiting for him, but he had disappeared, which was heartbreaking for Diego since he considered Shadow his best friend and his protector.
Fast forward years later to Diego as an adult who teaches third grade and who never forgot about Shade, missing him every day and planning for his return, whenever that happens.
And Shade, now living in a "pocket realm" called 'Sanctuary' (a realm that occurs in one of the spaces between the various human and other realms), who is also missing Diego and wondering what has happened to him since that terrible day, but not planning on returning to the human realm, for "reasons".
A very sweet storyline of old childhood friends who rediscover each other by an odd quirk of Fate and who come to realize they are "Fated Mates" and delighted to be together again.
Featuring two very diverse types of beings finding each other after the human boy grows into adulthood. The boy always hoping for the day his childhood best friend returned from wherever he had disappeared to...and the shadow being (the "monster under the bed") believing that they'd never see each other again.
This tale seemed more oriented to Young Adults, and was lacking in many details and bit bland for my taste. (yeah, there's some sex and even though pretty vanilla, appropriate for two virgins)
Still, Stella Rainbow is a good writer; there are other books by them that have more bite to them (not just the vampire characters in other books...but yeah, those too, lol).
Things that I DO like about Stella's books is their inclusion of a multitude of types of characters in various human races and also a varity of other types of beings, plus inclusion of what some humans call dis-abled, and others call differently-abled beings. Great spectrum of characters and how they came to be living in an inclusive world!
A slow burn paranormal pairing of a supernatural being called Shade, who lives within shadows, and his old human childhood friend, Diego, who was blinded in an abusive attack by his mother's boyfriend (or stepdad?), as a child.
They haven't talked to each other since Diego was released from the hospital to come home. Diego thought Shadow would be there waiting for him, but he had disappeared, which was heartbreaking for Diego since he considered Shadow his best friend and his protector.
Fast forward years later to Diego as an adult who teaches third grade and who never forgot about Shade, missing him every day and planning for his return, whenever that happens.
And Shade, now living in a "pocket realm" called 'Sanctuary' (a realm that occurs in one of the spaces between the various human and other realms), who is also missing Diego and wondering what has happened to him since that terrible day, but not planning on returning to the human realm, for "reasons".
A very sweet storyline of old childhood friends who rediscover each other by an odd quirk of Fate and who come to realize they are "Fated Mates" and delighted to be together again.
Featuring two very diverse types of beings finding each other after the human boy grows into adulthood. The boy always hoping for the day his childhood best friend returned from wherever he had disappeared to...and the shadow being (the "monster under the bed") believing that they'd never see each other again.
This tale seemed more oriented to Young Adults, and was lacking in many details and bit bland for my taste. (yeah, there's some sex and even though pretty vanilla, appropriate for two virgins)
Still, Stella Rainbow is a good writer; there are other books by them that have more bite to them (not just the vampire characters in other books...but yeah, those too, lol).
Things that I DO like about Stella's books is their inclusion of a multitude of types of characters in various human races and also a varity of other types of beings, plus inclusion of what some humans call dis-abled, and others call differently-abled beings. Great spectrum of characters and how they came to be living in an inclusive world!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2025
This is a story about Diego and Shade, two fated mates who are reunited after years of separation. Diego lost his sight as a child and also lost his best friend, Shade, a "monster" who had saved his life. Years later, a magical pull guides him back to Shade. Shade, who lives in a Sanctuary to avoid the painful effects of light, is surprised when Diego walks back into his life, led by the very shadows that have been protecting him for years.
I enjoyed this novella which explores whether these two can find love and light in their unexpected reunion. The way that they were able to do things together using available shadow was clever and adding some technology was the icing on the cake. The inclusion of the other Sanctuary residents in the story was a nice touch. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.
I enjoyed this novella which explores whether these two can find love and light in their unexpected reunion. The way that they were able to do things together using available shadow was clever and adding some technology was the icing on the cake. The inclusion of the other Sanctuary residents in the story was a nice touch. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.
September 26, 2025
4.5/5 This is a sweet, low-angst story that reunites a blind human with the “monster” who lived in the shadows under his bed when he was a child. I’ve been intrigued by Shade since we met him earlier in the Sanctuary books, and I’ve loved Diego since we first met him. It was awesome to see them meet as adults. I loved how well they fit in each other’s spaces and how they figured out how to be together. Everything about Shade’s shadow powers is fascinating. And Pixie the cat is awesome!
The Sanctuary is such a great found family, and I love spending time with all of them. It’s nice to see how previous couples are now fairing. I’m a bit anxious about the glitches and looking forward to more!
Sam Stark narrated, and he did an awesome job!
The Sanctuary is such a great found family, and I love spending time with all of them. It’s nice to see how previous couples are now fairing. I’m a bit anxious about the glitches and looking forward to more!
Sam Stark narrated, and he did an awesome job!
December 14, 2025
It was gratifying to meet Shade finally. He's been mentioned, but there's been no backstory, no explanation of why he is, or what he is. I'm still not entirely sure, but at least I have much more to go on. Hearing his story and how he finds his fated mate is so sweet. Oddly enough, I see a little of the story of yet another of Rainbow's characters, where an older person finds out that he's the fated mate to a child, and goes away so as not to make the child feel obligated or uncomfortable. Of course, Shade's situation is different, but the outcome is similar. I'm so looking forward to the next story in this series!
September 27, 2025
4.25/5. It was a super sweet story, but because of the reunited aspect it had, it being so cut-and-dry made it lack some depth and dimension. It was very Point A - Point B with no frills or fluff or much in the way of words. I mean, it worked on one level, sure, but you could really feel the drop in the level of storytelling and detail this author is usually giving. I missed it, I won’t lie. Other than that, seeing Shade get his forever and more of Diego was excellent for the mushy parts of my brain.
October 5, 2025
The story of Shade and Diego. Diego who has known Shade all his life, because Shade lived under his bed. I thought it was a very nice story, unexpected, because I'm not into horror or anything like that. But this story is really beautifully written and you immediately feel involved with the blind Diego. Because that's what he is. A blind teacher who unexpectedly meets his childhood sweetheart Shade again. And also the other superhumans who live in the sanctuary. Yes, I can honestly say that I was pleasantly surprised and that this clearly leaves me wanting more.
September 16, 2025
Shade is a short but beautiful story that left me smiling. I loved that the main characters already knew each other, it gave their relationship instant depth and made their journey even more heartfelt. It’s a wonderful continuation of the series, with familiar characters making welcome appearances. The Shtriga, the main character of the next book, is introduced here and I’m thrilled to see a disabled protagonist taking center stage. I can’t wait to dive into the next installment!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2025
I got this book via an ARC review. I fell in love with this universe from the first book I read that Stella wrote. I have to say she has done it again with Shade and Diego's characters. The connection that they had when Diego was younger just made it wonderful when they met again. The sweet connection and love they have for each other is so sweet. The friendship that Diego made with Liam in the earlier books coming full circle when he realize
September 25, 2025
Shade and Diego’s story is sweet and comforting. Shade and Diego are long lost friends who are brought back together again with the added bonus of being mates. This is a no angst, sweet with heat novella that is well written and heartwarming.
The audio is so well done. Sam Stark captured all the emotions of the characters and had distinct voices for all the characters.
5 stars for both the story and the audio! I recommend this book!
The audio is so well done. Sam Stark captured all the emotions of the characters and had distinct voices for all the characters.
5 stars for both the story and the audio! I recommend this book!
October 16, 2025
This was simply fascinating.
One of the most unusual books I've read, but totally enjoyable.
The pace was slow moving.
The emotions sweet and sincere.
The plot perfectly written.
The characters were perfect for each other and those they interact with help move the story along.
As well as give us some background knowledge.
Thanks to Bookfunnel and Stella for this ARC.
I recommend you read this!
One of the most unusual books I've read, but totally enjoyable.
The pace was slow moving.
The emotions sweet and sincere.
The plot perfectly written.
The characters were perfect for each other and those they interact with help move the story along.
As well as give us some background knowledge.
Thanks to Bookfunnel and Stella for this ARC.
I recommend you read this!
September 20, 2025
I loved this book! I love that the main character is blind but he doesn’t let it get him down. Diego is very matter of fact that he can’t change it so he deals with it and goes on. The love story between Diego and Shade gave me the warm fuzzies. Diego embraces Shade with no fear and total acceptance of Shade being paranormal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2025
I absolutely loved this story. This is a fantastic world with some amazing characters and wonderful stories. Shade and Diego were so wonderful together. I really enjoy when friends get a second chance and this was such an interesting story. You could read this as a standalone but there are little moments that you will miss if you haven’t read the other books. I can’t wait for the next story.
September 26, 2025
THE DARK IS SO BRIGHT WITH SHADE AND DIEGO!
I was really looking forward to Shade's and Diego's story. I met these two from previous books in the series and loved them and was very interested to get to know them more. I loved getting to know these two and seeing them blossoming in their connection. Beautiful read.
I was really looking forward to Shade's and Diego's story. I met these two from previous books in the series and loved them and was very interested to get to know them more. I loved getting to know these two and seeing them blossoming in their connection. Beautiful read.
September 28, 2025
4/5⭐
This was really good, I had a great time. The characters were nicely fleshed out and so sweet. I liked how their backstory was done and when they met each other again it was so obvious that they care about each other very much. Plot wise not much happened but honestly I was just enjoying watching them get closer and going on cute dates. The side characters made the story even better.
This was really good, I had a great time. The characters were nicely fleshed out and so sweet. I liked how their backstory was done and when they met each other again it was so obvious that they care about each other very much. Plot wise not much happened but honestly I was just enjoying watching them get closer and going on cute dates. The side characters made the story even better.
October 9, 2025
Shade by Stella Rainbow has a lot of heart written in this shorter story about The Sanctuary's shadow, who lives in the Darkness, and Diego, who we met in The Naga as a visitor to Liam's comic book shop. I was so happy that these two were able to get their HEA, especially since it turns out the two have a (friendship) history together which was ended abruptly. Can't wait for the next one!
November 13, 2025
In this book, Diego is a blind man who follows a pulling sensation to a mysterious building where he finds Shade, a shadow being who he knew as a child. Diego had been wondering for years where Shade had disappeared to and if he would ever see him again.
I like this story and the characters. It was a decent and easy read. If you’re into monster romances with sweet characters, this is one I’d recommend.
I like this story and the characters. It was a decent and easy read. If you’re into monster romances with sweet characters, this is one I’d recommend.
September 25, 2025
Diego and Shade
I loved this book. This is a second chance romance but it made sense to make the relationship work. Shade is just the sweetest and now I need a cat. Diego fits right in with the rest of the group.
I loved this book. This is a second chance romance but it made sense to make the relationship work. Shade is just the sweetest and now I need a cat. Diego fits right in with the rest of the group.
September 27, 2025
I love that Shade and Diego found each other again. Best friends to lovers is my comfort trope and this one was especially sweet.
Not only did they find each other but to find out they were mates made it even more special. Shade too deserved his HEA.
Not only did they find each other but to find out they were mates made it even more special. Shade too deserved his HEA.
October 1, 2025
This is a cozy read full of fluffy feelings and hugs. It is a typical Stella Rainbow book with family vibes. It fits well into the Sanctuary series, I just have two thoughts: the relationship moves from meeting to love too fast for me. The character development for Diego was fast, he meets Shade again and immediately falls head over heels.
The second point, Shade is described as having long nails, he has to be careful not to scratch Diego. But when being intimate the nails seems to have disappeared...
Otherwise nice little read, I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
The second point, Shade is described as having long nails, he has to be careful not to scratch Diego. But when being intimate the nails seems to have disappeared...
Otherwise nice little read, I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2025
The absolute sweetness of Shade and Diego's story was so heartwarming. They were both such wonderful characters and their friends to lovers journey made for a highly enjoyable read.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book*
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book*
September 30, 2025
I was lucky enough to get an arc of Shade.
What a lovely story from Stella. I love the sanctuary stories, they give me warm and feel good vibes, and this was no exception.
Shade and Diego were perfect together. I'm so glad Shade got his hea.
What a lovely story from Stella. I love the sanctuary stories, they give me warm and feel good vibes, and this was no exception.
Shade and Diego were perfect together. I'm so glad Shade got his hea.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews