Lost to the Woods

After Hours Horrors

by Riley C. Smith

What could possibly go wrong when a group of horror content creators decides to film a documentary about the haunted Appalachian Mountains?
Prepare for a hell of a hunt.

If you hear something… no, you didn’t.
If you see something… no, you didn’t.
And whatever you do—don’t run. The chase excites them.

A social media influencer, known for her curated image and viral content, is captured by a hive mind pack of cryptids, driven by a singular obsession like no other. And behind their monstrous desire lies something colder—revenge, carefully fed to them by a ghost of her past.
This isn't a love story. This is payback.

Lost to the Woods is a dual-POV, pitch-black, why-choose romance with horror elements and a twisted spin on a happy ending. This is a full-length standalone novel in the After Hours Horrors series. Be sure to read the author’s note first. For more info, visit the author’s website

Genres: Horror, Dark, Monsters, Dark Romance, Monster Romance, Paranormal, Romance

377 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2025

About the author

Riley C. Smith is a millennial multigenre indie author of dark romance, monster/paranormal romance, and horror erotica. When she’s not crafting twisted storylines and imperfect characters, Riley enjoys traveling, experimenting in the kitchen, spoiling her beloved fur baby, and getting lost in a good book.
To learn more, visit Riley’s website and don’t forget to follow her socials for new releases, sneak peeks, character art, and giveaways—everywhere @riley_c_smith

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Attention: dark romance, or to be more specific, horror erotica fans, you need to read this book. This is a masterpiece in twisted and dark storytelling. I absolutely devoured this in a short period of time. I will reread it later , but if you liked her primal snow story, you will lose your sh*t for this tale.

This story is not for the faint of heart, so check the trigger warnings, but if you're into the darkside of things, you will love the preview menu. 😉


5 influencers decide to purposely go into the woods of Appalachia and see if the stories are true. What better way to gain more exposure for their paranormal channels. Knowing the rules and choosing to ignore them sets this adventure off.

This author has become one of my favorites, and I will always read whatever she puts out. I haven't been disappointed in any of her stories. If this is also your vibe, snatch this book up now! It is currently free on KU and was just released this week. 🖤🖤

[Elixabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... the twists and turns I loved every word of it!
If you like love/hate relationships, why-chose, BDSM and monsters, this is definitely a must-read.


Ghost and Bunny have this love/hate dynamic that I ate up like crazy. Even if he is a little bit of a pitch-black MMC (who am I kidding, he is 110% Pitch Black), and she is a total "Pick Me" influencer FMC. Their push and pull make great reading and better smut. Then throw some monsters in the mix? Divine!

I really liked the rest of their group(Dev, Nate, and Kendra) also! I feel bad for Kendra, always in her friend shadow. Yet, she's always Bunnys biggest hype girl.

Warning the last half of the book had SO much smutty smut smut in it. 😈


I was provided an ARC for an honest review .

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

WTF did I just read at its finest. This was a wild ride or should I say hike. I didn’t expect it to go the way it went. The plot twist had me gasping. This is not a romance story. It is a revenge horror story with the most delicious monstrous smut. Check your TWs because this is dark!!! I can’t say too much because I don’t want to spoil it. However if you like dark depraved books you need this on your TBR yesterday!!!

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF. I tought it was really good but im really not in the headspace with heavy erotic horror monster smut. I give it 3 stars because I didn't finish it but was probably going to end up higher if I finished it.

[Chaotic Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah Riley C Smith definitely knows how to get your attention! With a trigger list that will make you blush, This was crazy ride!
Deviously dark and twisted, this book grips you in the best possible way.
This isn’t a romance, it is an erotic horror with many dark themes so be sure to check those out before diving in.
Totally recommend for those lovers of the dark and depraved!

[₊⋆ Nyxia ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐈 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬, 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐲?"

Talk about intense! Another amazing book by Riley! This is horror not a romance. Be mindful of the warnings from the author. This book is toxic, and VERY dark & unhinged!

/)/)
( . .)
( づ♡ I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!

"ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴇxᴀᴄᴛʟʏ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴꜱ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ ᴄᴀᴛᴄʜ ʏᴏᴜ. ᴀɴᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄʀᴀᴠᴇ ɪᴛ."

This book is dark af and SOOO spicy. There’s a lot that happens, lots of suspense and twists too. I love Riley’s work and they are my go to author for monster books!

This is one of those books where you just stare at the wall after reading and has you questioning yourself. If you want a dark af paranormal horror read…pick this one up!

"𝕀 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦, 𝕚𝕥 𝕞𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕤 𝕚𝕥 𝕤𝕠 𝕞𝕦𝕔𝕙 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕗𝕦𝕟."

🇹​​🇷​​🇴​​🇵​​🇪​​🇸​

🐰 revenge plot
🩷 obsession
🔪 paranormal
🐰 er0t!c horror
🩷 captor/capt!v3
🔪 sacrifice

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The erotic terror laden fever dream I didn’t know I needed!!! Thank you Riley.

This is not a romance. Please don’t go into this looking for that. This is an erotic horror monster f*cker journey for seasoned vets only.

I loved it. I devoured this like Ghost devours Bunny’s 😸😸

All five of these “brothers” are brutal, violent, primal and give 0 cares for anyone’s feelings. Why would they they are primal forest spirits who love to scare and f*ck.

Bunny got so used to being this cutesy soft fantasy for so many of her followers, she forgot how strong and resilient she actually is. She fought them and loved every second of the hate f*cking she received.

10/10 absolutely recommend.

[ɢʀᴇʏッ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ 5 🌶
📖Pages: 𝟯𝟮𝟯
🗓Release: 𝟬𝟳.11.2025

MCs: 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘣𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘺 ♡ 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘺

"𝘿𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙮, 𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙮. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙠 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 🐱"

𝙤𝙤𝙤𝙛😮‍💨🔥 im not big on reality tv/celebrity reads & that sort, so when i saw that this was about content creators... i hesitated. but 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 for a sec coz the moment i read the tropes/tws... i was 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙮 sold!! no joke...most books might have things on their tw lists but maybe only a mention in the actual story. but this?? if it said it... its gonna be there!! pretty heavy & 𝙤𝙣👏🏽𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩👏🏽 & the dual timeline was a nice additive showing the depth of ghost daddy's darkness. now the story...

highly entertaining!! one minute bunny & ghost were living the life as social media influencers with their own brand, own content focus, & gazillion followers/subscribers. at their new collab project set in the appalachian region, their camping trip had gone sooo horribly wrong!! everything quickly turned eerie, then horrific, then bizarre, but the whole time the spice was at utmost high!! again, this is a paranormal 🌶horror/dark monster rom. xpect 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 some super filthy human shmex, but also some very monstrous, deliciously obscene shifted shmex🤤🫠 heaven for my lil dark monsterfudgin ♥️!!

𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙙𝙤. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙣 𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙞𝙙𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢.

✨ 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 After Hours Horrors 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 standalone

🏕️ ᴡʜʏ ᴄʜටටsᴇ/ʀʜ
📱 ᴛටᴜᴄʜ ʜᴇʀ & ☠️
🏕️ ғටʀᴄᴇᴅ ᴘʀටxıᴍıᴛʏ
📱 ʀᴇᴠᴇɴɢᴇ
🏕️ ᴍᴀsᴋᴇᴅ sᴛᴀʟᴋʀ/ʙıᴋᴇʀ
📱 ᴄᴀᴘᴛටʀ 𝐗 ᴄᴀᴘᴛıᴠᴇ
🏕️ ᴄʀʏᴘᴛıᴅs X ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ
📱 ʜıᴠᴇᴍıɴᴅ
🏕️ ᴅᴜʙᴄටɴ/ɴටɴᴄටɴ
📱 sටᴍɴට
🏕️ ᴘʀᴀısᴇ/ᴅᴇɢ/ʜᴜᴍıʟıᴀᴛıටɴ
📱 ıᴍᴘᴀᴄᴛ/🩸🔪🕯/ᴘʀıᴍᴀʟ ᴘʟᴀʏ
🏕️ ғටʀᴄᴇᴅ "ට"/"ට" ᴅᴇɴıᴀʟ
📱 ටᴛᴛ/ᴊᴘ/ටʙsᴇssıᴠᴇ

‼️ 𝙪𝙧 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨. ✔️🆃🆆/🅲🆆

[Kez Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely a dark erotic horror story, and I was literally transfixed and wanting to know what happens next. I loved the flashbacks of Ghost and Bunny's interactions and seeing how unhinged and obsessed he was.
The love hate dynamics were intense, and it was definitely full of surprises. I kept wondering how it would escalate and introduce the paranormal side and the hive group, but wow that was crazy.
The smut was definitely full on and brought together a little of everything with dom/sub dynamics, masks, primal, captive, BDSM, and the intense group sharing.
If you're after a monster romance that's dark, twisted, and shocking, this is the book for you. It's romantic in its own unhinged way, with a possessive and deranged alpha lead that is fixated on his prey, and the ending was perfection to sum up all the dark chaos.

[Angela L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my... this book was amazing, dark, and twisted, but so amazing. This is one of my favorite monster authors, and her books are just 👌. I wasn't supposed to love to MMC, but why do I find myself falling for him just the same, like he's morally black and still I was craving his chapters. This is a dual POV, my favorites. Read those triggers. There is a nice long list, but you definitely are gonna walk in these woods if you dare.

[Carolann M · Rating 5 out of 5]

She did it again! What a book! Our girl Bun Bun, Ghost Daddy and their friends go off on an adventure to the Appalachian Mountains to look for all things cryptic and spooky! Of course the have to stay in a secluded cabin and talk to a few locals to get the scoop, but let’s just say they get more than what they asked for when they finally get into those mountains. Romance…ya it’s in there with some backstory of the characters but it’s twisted and it doesn’t last. This is most definitely dark and revengeful, with lots of twists and will keep you guessing! It has monsters of all kinds, so please check the full list of trigger warnings before diving in! But this book had me on edge the entire time I was reading, I felt every range of emotions along with the characters, it does have a kind of sort of HEA that I was not disappointed about! I did ARC read this book and loved it so much I bought the book too so please hear me when I say go get you a copy if you want something different to read in the dark paranormal monster not really romance erotic horror book selection!

[Sandra Sanches · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deliciously dark, twisted and kinky

After Primal snow, I had high expectations with Lost in the Woods, but Riley C Smith rised above and blew my mind!
A group of horror content creators decides to film a documentary about the haunted Appalachian Mountains but they find way more that they expected.
This book is not for the faint of the heart,has more triggers than a shopping list but they are so well weaved into the story that only adds intensity and leave the reader breathless and on the edge of the seat.
Well written with charismatic characters,a rich and thrilling plot with so many twists and unexpected turns that I was unable to stop reading .
Lovers of horror/erotica will love this book!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not my typical genre, but I know if I want a change to go for a Riley book. She just has a way with the horror erotica genre that calls to my inner evil.
Absolutely amazing, the mmc is a full-on psychopath, no redemption, and the fmc is a ditzy blonde, man eater.
Paranormal investigators go to check out the Appalachian mountains. Nobody listens to the locals, its all for likes and follows after all, and like any good horror story line, it all goes horribly wrong.
Horror plot mixed with outrageous spice. All the knots, fluids, and gore anyone needs in a horror/slasher, romance adjacent book. Happily ever after with a twist.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

yesssss I loved this book omg sir ghost he's crazy but I love him bunny was so perfect for him the twists and turns and turns paranormal stuff you had going on had me on the edge of my seat and that ending chiefs kiss this book was a 10 outta 10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[klinta · Rating 4 out of 5]

“this isn’t a love story. this is payback.”

devoured this.

❥ erotic paranormal horror
❥ sharing is caring
❥ revenge plot
❥ ritualistic sacrifices
❥ dubcon/noncon, somno, 🩸🔪🕯️ primal play

the way you wouldn’t even have to lure me into these woods. the monsters should fear ME. i do wish riley had focused on the folklore horror aspect much more though because i genuinely could not tell you what was going where towards the end there. like it’s really okay not to fuck 24/7. monsters need sleep too

all in all this was a trip and i am begging riley to write more stories like this and primal snow!!!

“maybe that’s what monsters do.
they see the broken bits you try to hide, and they love you for them. until they use them to gut you.”



p.s. this had like 100+ tws but my only tw was the mmc, who’s called ghost daddy, wearing a mask unironically for most of the book. and he’s in his 30s… but he’s also pierced everywhere so forgive & forget 💋

[❁ lilyreadsromance ❁ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a horror erotica about a group of influencers who venture into the Appalachian Mountains to investigate paranormal activity.

Romance? Unconventional.

HEA? Yes, but depends on who you're asking.

How horrific is it? Body horror, graphic descriptions of body mutilations, murders and of course, sexual assaults.

How erotic is it? Very. Even though it was so wrong but yes, very. There were some sharing scenes in here. Traumatic and morally wrong. But you know me.

Who would I recommend this to? People who like pitch black romance and why choose romance. Or those who like monster romance. Those who love horror and yet want to be turned on for the wrong reasons. Those who love psychopaths and morally black protagonists.

Honestly though, this book has its chilling moments. Heck, there were times when I felt like I was the one being watched through the window or hunted through the forest. It was pretty exhilarating. Recommended for those mood readers who wanted to be mindfuck really.

[Rebecca Cuevas · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC BOOK REVIEW

Lost to the Woods by Riley C. Smith

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶♾️
Dark: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤♾️
Recommend:🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽♾️


My new obsession


Okay so I was beyond excited for this book and it is safe to say that I have found another author I am obsessed with.

Book One "Primal Snow" was an absolute masterpiece, but Book Two has surpassed its original by a longshot.

This book seeped into my veins and consumed me. Once I started it I couldn't put it down. The suspense, the spice, the backstory, just everything pulls you in.

This book will pull you in and never let you go. You will want to read it over and over again. It is so dark and so perfect, you will want to crawl inside and not leave.

I promise you. So if you can't handle it the intensity and trigger warnings, because there are A LOT, then this is definitely not the book for you, but if you are like me a girl with no triggers and loves to jump in head first then go get your copy ASAP.

You will regret it if you don't. Trust me. I do suggest reading Primal Snow first though. It's not mandatory, but it would help make sense of the story where it is mentioned.

I will recommend this book for the rest of my life. Infinite stars because this was everything and more.

[argyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Ghost Daddy (13 million followers)a Bunny(6 million followers) and three friends go into the Appalachian woods to create content for their social media accounts.
Heck 5 paranormal content creators go to a cabin in the Appalachian mountains what could go wrong?
We have all heard the rules about entering the Appalachian woods: close your windows & blinds at dusk, if you hear a whisper, a whistle or your name- no you didn’t.
Do not run unless you want to be chased.
Make sure you follow rules if you want to get alive. This is monster/folklore horror stand alone.
When Ghost first sees Bunny he becomes obsessed.
She teased him through FaceTime, text messages and videos but when she refused him, his obsession turns to hate and revenge. Bunny finds herself at not just his mercy but 4 others and their goal is break her.
This is not your standard HEA but it’s still there.
Read the trigger warnings first, this book may not be for you.
I absolutely loved it myself!

[Hana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bunny, influencer and horror content creator, agrees to team up with friends and fellow creators to film a documentary about the Applaianian mountains. Not only terrified of what could be out there, Bunny is also being forced to confront Ghost Daddy, the man who's obsessed with her.

Riley C Smith's books are beautifully unhinged. She takes flawed characters and puts them under a magnifying glass then breaks and rebuilds them to accept who they are.

Check TW

🌸 Horror monster erotica
🌸 Noncon
🌸 Pitch black, pierced MMC
🌸 Monster is the true definition of a monster

[Layna Leighann · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️/5🔥

MONSTERS for sure!

Lost To The Woods is an RH paranormal erotic horror story that will leave you questioning your morals. I usually don't flinch at paranormal or horror, but holy smokes, I dove into a totally different realm of monsters, and boy howdy, I am questioning my sanity!

Do I think Bunny got what she deserved? No. Do I think she was a pick-me girl with issues? Absolutely! Do I feel for Ghost? Pending.

Was this a great read? Absolutely! For the love of all that is holy, check the TWs. This is not a cute love story. This is darker and dirtier.

[Clara Delage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hanging on my toes from the first page until the last. So many mysteries and twists that made my jaw drop and my eyes wide!

The writing was amazing too, easy and smooth, full of descriptions.
The characters were very interesting. I both hated and loved them. I love characters that give you conflicting feelings!

I was definitely not expecting THAT plot twist but I loved it!

If you want paranormal, lots of mysteries and spice, this book is for you!

*I was gifted an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

[Sue Embers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a romance. Remember that because your heart gets confused for a minute. Ghost is not to be trifled with and he doesn’t just dance the line of right and wrong. He jumps right over it head first and with a wicked smile on his face. This story is bloody and scary and oh so spicy. The twist! Oh the twist is perfect! Love this book.

[Samantha Colunga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Lord I was not ready for this book. I love everything paranormal. So when they started talking about things that I usually watch on TV I got so excited. And then my mouth dropped and I didn't know what to think. I definitely couldn't tell if I liked or disliked the MMC half the time.

[Mala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phew 😮‍💨 what a ride! I was not expecting all the excitement and sharing that happened. If you use the trigger list like a shopping list for books, this one is perfect! All the monster erotica you could think of 🥵 only put this one down to be an adult and do my parental duties

[Erin Flanegin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Riley c.smith and I loved I loved how dark and creepy it was and also phenomenal spice 🧑‍🍳💋

[Andi Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!! Ms Smith, you did it again!!! 😈 


The characters - Bunny, Ghost~Tyorin, Dorunn, Varekka, Zhyra & Khalok!!! I knew this was going to be a fantastic read and you did not disappoint with this book. I re read this again before composing my review, I had to. 


I had previously read this authors other tales and knew this one would be just as gritty, erotic, dark, emotional, frustrating and well drawn out. I felt for Bunny and her emotional baggage, sad that it had affected her so badly. You just knew the group was not going to return home after their trip, but their demise was worse than the previous book. �� The heat was off the scale! 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶+ but fitting, given the characters desires and needs. 


Ghost/ Tyorin was the perfect 'leading' male in this story and in a weird, creepy and dark way, cared for Bunny and that showed when he gave her the axe! 😉 


Despite all that happened to her and the group prior, she did finally find her 'pack' that would love her and be hers, for the rest of their 'unnaturally' long lives. 


Thank you for having me on your team and allowing me to read your books. In a dark twisted way, I'll have this as one of my favourites for 2025, thus far. Keep on writing and blessing us with such fantastic reading. 🥰🥰











Yahoo Mail: Search, organise, conquer

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok this novel... Omg! It has everything I love in my books. Spice, tension, monsters, blood, paranormal elements... But be careful, this baby is pitch-black!

A group of influencers decides to go to the Appalachian mountains to record paranormal events happening there. But they don't know that something is already waiting there for them...

This novel was not only very well written, but is also packed with all my favourite kinks and tropes. I loved Bunny and Ghost's snappy dialogues and the tension between them. And when the story turns from Blair Witch to dark revenge, it's even better. Riley is definitely my new auto-buy author!

Rating: 5/5
Spice: 5/5

[Sakura Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't do horror or thriller. I'm jumpy... I wanted to DNF at 20% because of spooky vibes but it kept me hooked and wanting. Wanting more than I ever did and broadening my circles... who knew I'd get hooked on the same spooky vibes that freaked me out?

I wont be able to sleep tonight but it's been sooooo worth it. Such a good book. Soo much mystery, anguish, pain, hate, love, revenge, a full rollercoaster of emotions. I could not recommend it more.

[Library_of_a_Trashpanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes:
Reverse Harem
Masked man
Stalker
Monster
Horror
Non-Con
Dub-Con
Somno
Knife play
Blood play
Unaliving
C*m play
Anal play
....And many more

‼️CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS, SHE PITCH BLACK‼️

1️⃣ **Overall Rating:** ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

2️⃣ **Overview/Synopsis:**: What happens when you are an influencer who craves the spotlight, but you catch the eye of a the wrong man? Maybe you shouldn’t lead him on and then show him out with another of your boys. You definitely shouldn't go on a paranormal hunt in the Appalachians with him and your friends...

3️⃣ **Favorite Character:**: Ghost. Maybe it shouldn’t be, he’s a psychopath, but I don't know. Kind of just liked his vibes.

4️⃣ **Most Memorable Scene:**: I’m surrounded. Being devoured. The realization should horrify me. But all I feel is being desired. And I fucking love it.

5️⃣ **Favorite Quote or Line:**: “It turns you on, doesn’t it?” he whispers. “Knowing they are watching you being f*cked in front of them. That they all lust after you, dying to take turns and make you their c*mslut…”

6️⃣ **Overall Review Summary:**: So I read some dark books, but this probably takes the spot for Darkest I have read. And I Loved it, like this book is going to live rent free in my head forever. I have never been so happy to stumble upon an author and find a dark and depraved playground that they have written.

The story is told in dual POV with a bit of past present, but the twist is hidden so well in the story, you don't realize there is going to be one. At least I didn't, I was so engrossed. I have been to the Appalachians, and while I didn't (Thankfully) see any paranormal things, the vibe check is real. It definatly had the suspense, I too don't want to acknowledge sounds in the woods. I don't leave my blinds open in a city, least of all a cabin in the woods.

The smut in this is Fan-f*cking-Tastic. Absolutely top tier and I am glad I wasn't in public to squirm while reading this. You don't have to wait long at all before we get into it, but know none of these scenes are aww inspiring. Ghost absolutely does nothing to redeem himself, especially when hes in his stalker mode. With that being said make sure you read triggers and are prepared. This is certainly not a romance, and I don't know if you can even call it an HEA.

But if you like dark, and you like pitch black morals then this is 100% something you should read. I already wish I could re read it for the first time again. Its that f*cking good. You better believe I am going to go to her catalog and start reading more.

[kall.isreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆ eARC review
rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
spice : 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

this dark and depraved story was so freaking good!!
The glamourized influencer lifestyle and the behind the scenes looks was a cool insight, and then the Appalachian influence and setting was so compelling! I haven't read a book set in this part of the world, but has always captured my interest with the stories and videos out there. So this was such a treat!!

The FMC is Paranormal Bunny, a popular social media influence and she is full on pink with an edge. It was a very interesting blend, she was also smart with good instincts, just naive and didn't trust those instincts enough if you ask me. But I enjoyed her character and how absolutely bad ass she became by the end! I always enjoy a stabby FMC and Bunny definitely had a lot of fights in her.

The MMCs were alllll sorts of twisted deliciousness that I found myself confusingly attracted too! Both monsters and shifters if you ask me, but most definitely what nightmares are made of! I loved the different shapes each individual took, but how their magic worked was so fascinating! I was hooked immediately just trying to figure it all out, but getting my answers almost detached my jaw from my face .. I was so blown away by these creatures and how well written they were for me.

Like I said, this is dark and depraved so i would recc checking all TWs if you have any concerns ... but a realll freaking treat to enjoy if you love horror stories and all things paranormal.
thank you so much Riley C. Smith for the opportunity to be an ARC reader, I cannot wait for more from this series!