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Faded Touches: Some scars fade. Others crave to be reopened.
Faded Touches Some scars fade. Others crave to be reopened.
He was never meant to be mine.
My professor. My undoing. The man who saw every hidden part of me and didn’t look away.
Hayden Stone lived by rules and silence, but I made him break both.
What started as defiance became something darker, something that burned through every line we swore we would never cross. In the quiet corners of the university, we played with fire and called it love.
But fire leaves nothing untouched.
And what we began in secret was always meant to destroy us.
Because some loves are not meant to heal.
They are meant to burn.
He was never meant to be mine.
My professor. My undoing. The man who saw every hidden part of me and didn’t look away.
Hayden Stone lived by rules and silence, but I made him break both.
What started as defiance became something darker, something that burned through every line we swore we would never cross. In the quiet corners of the university, we played with fire and called it love.
But fire leaves nothing untouched.
And what we began in secret was always meant to destroy us.
Because some loves are not meant to heal.
They are meant to burn.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2025
6 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
December 14, 2025
Wow what a read. This is an age gap, professor and student romance that takes you for a ride. Edwina seems to be the shy introverted student who keeps to herself and her two friends. Hayden is the cold hearted professor running from a life he no longer wanted to be part of. The tension between these two is 🔥 and there’s a connection between them that makes you wonder if Hayden is obsessed with Edwina for revenge or something else. Be prepared for a cliff hanger that made me 🤯 as Edwina finds out about the connection between her and Hayden. I’ll be looking forward to book 2 of this duet.
December 21, 2025
This is the slowest of slow burns! I found myself screaming at Hayden and Edwina to actually have a conversation!! You could cut the tension between them with a knife. What harmed the story for me was too much inward dialogue with both characters. Instead of talking to each other or even others, they were constantly in their heads. I think they should have had more genuine conversations and cute moments. The broody was a nice touch but wanted a bit more of the sweetness between the two.
December 16, 2025
Loved this booked! Highly recommend for those that like possessive MMC, slow burn, I shouldn’t want this but can’t help it. The FMC can hold her own but submits to him in the best way. The suspense in needing to know the whole back story but only getting bits and pieces throughout the book had me on the edge of my seat. And the cliffhanger it ended on?! OMG i can’t wait for book 2 to come out.
December 5, 2025
“For her, I’d burn the whole fucking world and still call it devotion.”
This book was absolutely wild. The kind of wild that makes you sit up at 3 a.m. whispering “oh we’re doing that now?”
It had everything I didn’t even know I needed:
a caffeine-fueled heroine, a brooding unhinged professor with onyx eyes and glasses, and a plot that kept me on the absolute edge of my seat.
We meet Edwina — caffeine-dependent, soft-spoken but emotionally barricaded, running from a past her family basically detonated. Semester day one? She crashes into a man who radiates pure “I woke up already annoyed.” Coffee spills. Pride bruises. Chaos ensues.
She brushes him off as an asshole…and then walks into class to discover that the asshole is Professor Hayden Stone. From there, it’s academic warfare: sharp comebacks, clashing viewpoints, and the kind of intellectual jabs that sound normal if you ignore the sexual tension humming underneath. And that “pretend to hate you while absolutely staring at your lips” energy? Yeah, Gwen and Aster clock it instantly.
Everything stays tightly restrained until Edwina goes out for drinks. A guy gets way too close, and Hayden — who mysteriously ends up at the same bar — swoops in with the protectiveness of a man whose sanity is already slipping. He pulls the guy off, gets her home safe, and realizes she was trying to forget him. And wow, does that make him spiral.
After that? The tension becomes ridiculous. Emotional. Intellectual. Physical.
It snaps wide open in that art studio corner where they’re supposed to draw but end up destroying every boundary they’ve been pretending to protect.
That’s when Hayden shifts into full storm-walking menace mode.
Edwina mentions a ski trip? He shows up. Uninvited. At the exact moment another guy is flirting with her.
Then he gets her alone, pins her to the wall, and delivers a possessive, quiet “let him touch you and see what happens” that rewired my bloodstream. He refuses to let anyone else teach her to ski, muttering threats like they’re pillow talk.
And hidden in all that chaos is the softest, most devastating detail: she gives him every first he’s never had — emotionally, physically, intimately. And he goes quietly, intensely feral about it. Like he doesn’t know how to hold something that gentle without gripping too tight.
But the spiral hits hard.
Hayden’s secrets — the accident that binds them, the grief he’s been dragging, the messy family history he can’t outrun — finally catch up. And before he can tell her the truth, a certain fiancée steps back into the picture and drops a misunderstanding so brutal it snaps the entire relationship in half.
Timing fails. Trust fractures. And everything shatters so completely that they disappear from each other’s lives for five whole years.
This book hooked me from the moment it stopped pretending to be chill. The obsession, the guilt, the forbidden pull, the emotional carnage — it all hit exactly right. I took my time getting into it, but once it grabbed me, it did not let go.
I’m feral waiting for book two.
This book was absolutely wild. The kind of wild that makes you sit up at 3 a.m. whispering “oh we’re doing that now?”
It had everything I didn’t even know I needed:
a caffeine-fueled heroine, a brooding unhinged professor with onyx eyes and glasses, and a plot that kept me on the absolute edge of my seat.
We meet Edwina — caffeine-dependent, soft-spoken but emotionally barricaded, running from a past her family basically detonated. Semester day one? She crashes into a man who radiates pure “I woke up already annoyed.” Coffee spills. Pride bruises. Chaos ensues.
She brushes him off as an asshole…and then walks into class to discover that the asshole is Professor Hayden Stone. From there, it’s academic warfare: sharp comebacks, clashing viewpoints, and the kind of intellectual jabs that sound normal if you ignore the sexual tension humming underneath. And that “pretend to hate you while absolutely staring at your lips” energy? Yeah, Gwen and Aster clock it instantly.
Everything stays tightly restrained until Edwina goes out for drinks. A guy gets way too close, and Hayden — who mysteriously ends up at the same bar — swoops in with the protectiveness of a man whose sanity is already slipping. He pulls the guy off, gets her home safe, and realizes she was trying to forget him. And wow, does that make him spiral.
After that? The tension becomes ridiculous. Emotional. Intellectual. Physical.
It snaps wide open in that art studio corner where they’re supposed to draw but end up destroying every boundary they’ve been pretending to protect.
That’s when Hayden shifts into full storm-walking menace mode.
Edwina mentions a ski trip? He shows up. Uninvited. At the exact moment another guy is flirting with her.
Then he gets her alone, pins her to the wall, and delivers a possessive, quiet “let him touch you and see what happens” that rewired my bloodstream. He refuses to let anyone else teach her to ski, muttering threats like they’re pillow talk.
And hidden in all that chaos is the softest, most devastating detail: she gives him every first he’s never had — emotionally, physically, intimately. And he goes quietly, intensely feral about it. Like he doesn’t know how to hold something that gentle without gripping too tight.
But the spiral hits hard.
Hayden’s secrets — the accident that binds them, the grief he’s been dragging, the messy family history he can’t outrun — finally catch up. And before he can tell her the truth, a certain fiancée steps back into the picture and drops a misunderstanding so brutal it snaps the entire relationship in half.
Timing fails. Trust fractures. And everything shatters so completely that they disappear from each other’s lives for five whole years.
This book hooked me from the moment it stopped pretending to be chill. The obsession, the guilt, the forbidden pull, the emotional carnage — it all hit exactly right. I took my time getting into it, but once it grabbed me, it did not let go.
I’m feral waiting for book two.
December 4, 2025
Faded Touches is a deeply emotional and volatile journey that plunges the reader into the turbulent world of Hayden and Edwina—a world defined by forbidden boundaries, undeniable chemistry, and the electric tension of an age-gap, professor-student romance. Author Elvina A. Elshad delivers a story that promises high stakes and delivers on every dark, possessive note.
The Forbidden Trope Dynamics
This book thrives on the careful execution of its core tropes:
Professor and Student / Age Gap: The narrative immediately establishes the unbreachable professional line separating Hayden and Edwina. Hayden, the possessive hero, embodies the perfect storm of authority and longing. The power imbalance inherent in this dynamic is explored intensely, making every interaction—from a shared glance in a lecture hall to a secret meeting—feel fraught with danger and deeply thrilling.
Forced Proximity: The trope of "Forced Proximity" elevates the emotional tension from an academic crush to a consuming, inescapable bond. When fate (or perhaps carefully orchestrated circumstances) repeatedly throws Edwina and Hayden together outside the classroom, the line between propriety and desire shatters. This proximity is the crucible where their relationship is forged, allowing Hayden’s controlling nature to fully emerge.
The Possessive Hero: Hayden is the dark, possessive hero readers crave in a high-angst romance. His intensity is palpable, his desire to claim Edwina absolute. This isn't a story of gentle persuasion; it's a battle for control and acceptance where Hayden’s actions blur the lines between protection and obsession. The acknowledgment of his flaws and the eventual, necessary vulnerability he displays are key to making this character captivating rather than cruel.
Narrative Style and Emotional Depth
Elshad's writing is characterized by its emotional intensity. The language is rich and evocative, especially when detailing the internal monologues of the characters. The author successfully conveys the sense of craving that defines their relationship—the silent, painful moments of restraint and the explosive relief of surrender.
The development of Edwina is equally critical. She is not a passive character; her journey involves navigating her attraction to a man who demands everything while simultaneously fighting to maintain her own identity amidst the whirlwind. Her strength, not just her vulnerability, grounds the intensity of Hayden's possessiveness.
Final Verdict
Faded Touches is a powerful read for those who appreciate the darker side of romance, where the hero is unapologetically obsessive and the forbidden nature of the relationship creates a constant, thrilling threat. It is a slow-burn of emotion that culminates in a firestorm of passion and a conclusion that leaves the reader desperately needing the next installment (as the author notes, Hayden and Edwina’s story continues in Book Two of the Faded Duet).
The Forbidden Trope Dynamics
This book thrives on the careful execution of its core tropes:
Professor and Student / Age Gap: The narrative immediately establishes the unbreachable professional line separating Hayden and Edwina. Hayden, the possessive hero, embodies the perfect storm of authority and longing. The power imbalance inherent in this dynamic is explored intensely, making every interaction—from a shared glance in a lecture hall to a secret meeting—feel fraught with danger and deeply thrilling.
Forced Proximity: The trope of "Forced Proximity" elevates the emotional tension from an academic crush to a consuming, inescapable bond. When fate (or perhaps carefully orchestrated circumstances) repeatedly throws Edwina and Hayden together outside the classroom, the line between propriety and desire shatters. This proximity is the crucible where their relationship is forged, allowing Hayden’s controlling nature to fully emerge.
The Possessive Hero: Hayden is the dark, possessive hero readers crave in a high-angst romance. His intensity is palpable, his desire to claim Edwina absolute. This isn't a story of gentle persuasion; it's a battle for control and acceptance where Hayden’s actions blur the lines between protection and obsession. The acknowledgment of his flaws and the eventual, necessary vulnerability he displays are key to making this character captivating rather than cruel.
Narrative Style and Emotional Depth
Elshad's writing is characterized by its emotional intensity. The language is rich and evocative, especially when detailing the internal monologues of the characters. The author successfully conveys the sense of craving that defines their relationship—the silent, painful moments of restraint and the explosive relief of surrender.
The development of Edwina is equally critical. She is not a passive character; her journey involves navigating her attraction to a man who demands everything while simultaneously fighting to maintain her own identity amidst the whirlwind. Her strength, not just her vulnerability, grounds the intensity of Hayden's possessiveness.
Final Verdict
Faded Touches is a powerful read for those who appreciate the darker side of romance, where the hero is unapologetically obsessive and the forbidden nature of the relationship creates a constant, thrilling threat. It is a slow-burn of emotion that culminates in a firestorm of passion and a conclusion that leaves the reader desperately needing the next installment (as the author notes, Hayden and Edwina’s story continues in Book Two of the Faded Duet).
Review of advance copy received from Author
This student x professor trope really grabbed my attention because it was so deliciously complicated. I mean, I'm not really a big fan of slow-burn romance but Faded Touches makes me feel that waiting an entire decade for a kiss would be worth it! And it's an age-gap forbidden romance between Professor Hayden and his student, Edwina. A kind of trope that I'm always looking for. ❤️❤️❤️
✅ I love the writing style. It's clear and the scenes of each chapter are so vividly described that will give you an instant movie to imagine what kind of chaos is about to unfold.
✅ Edwina's friends are top tier. I can confidently say that I'm very happy for Edwina to have Zayn and Gwen on her side. I can feel their genuine support for her in every crisis and sneaky plan. I was afraid at first to read about them because friendship betrayal is one of my triggers (if it's considered a valid trigger then yes, it is? I don't know). But as a little spoiler, their friendship is positively loyal to a fault. Bless their hearts, Ma'am!
✅ So, Professor "Yummy" Hayden. Wow! I love how smart he is first of all. His words as a professor bring a certain intensity that make Edwina blush in the most inappropriate situations. Imagine your professor also has a secret desire for you. OMG. I might actually show up for 8 AM classes!!!!! 😂❤️
He's also mysterious and he's running from his past that still hasn't been fully explained (I'm waiting!). The author said there's a Part 2. It's complicated but he manages to keep one foot in the lecture hall and the other one behind a locked door where Edwina and him are having a secret naughty affair. I think I need to wash my brain with holy water after I read the part where Hayden "punished" Edwina. 😁 I'm staring at the wall for a solid ten minutes trying to regain my innocence.
-------------
NOTE: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Elvina A. Elshad for giving me the opportunity to read this early.
✅ I love the writing style. It's clear and the scenes of each chapter are so vividly described that will give you an instant movie to imagine what kind of chaos is about to unfold.
✅ Edwina's friends are top tier. I can confidently say that I'm very happy for Edwina to have Zayn and Gwen on her side. I can feel their genuine support for her in every crisis and sneaky plan. I was afraid at first to read about them because friendship betrayal is one of my triggers (if it's considered a valid trigger then yes, it is? I don't know). But as a little spoiler, their friendship is positively loyal to a fault. Bless their hearts, Ma'am!
✅ So, Professor "Yummy" Hayden. Wow! I love how smart he is first of all. His words as a professor bring a certain intensity that make Edwina blush in the most inappropriate situations. Imagine your professor also has a secret desire for you. OMG. I might actually show up for 8 AM classes!!!!! 😂❤️
He's also mysterious and he's running from his past that still hasn't been fully explained (I'm waiting!). The author said there's a Part 2. It's complicated but he manages to keep one foot in the lecture hall and the other one behind a locked door where Edwina and him are having a secret naughty affair. I think I need to wash my brain with holy water after I read the part where Hayden "punished" Edwina. 😁 I'm staring at the wall for a solid ten minutes trying to regain my innocence.
-------------
NOTE: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Elvina A. Elshad for giving me the opportunity to read this early.
December 15, 2025
Faded Touches by Elvina A. Elshad is a dark, slow-burn age-gap romance that thrives on tension, obsession, and secrets simmering just beneath the surface. 🖤📚
Hayden is the ultimate broody, emotionally distant professor—cold on the outside, tortured on the inside, and very clearly running from a past he refuses to face. Edwina, on the other hand, is his perfect opposite: intelligent, quiet, observant, and entirely unaware that the man fate just shoved into her life already knows her.
What starts (for Edwina) as an embarrassing coffee spill quickly turns into a "wait… that’s my professor" moment, but for Hayden, the story begins long before that. The book opens with secrets hinted at early on—ones that don’t fully unravel until the end—and that slow reveal keeps the tension tight the entire way through. The fact that he knows her but she doesn’t know him adds an extra layer of darkness that is both unsettling and addictive.
Hayden’s obsession with Edwina leans deliciously into the dark romance territory. If you love a possessive, touch-her-and-die kind of hero, this book absolutely delivers. 🔥 The buildup is intense. By the time the spice finally hits, I was internally screaming for them to just talk, touch, anything already—ready to combust from the anticipation alone.
Elshad’s writing is rich with beautiful imagery and emotional intensity. Everything is told in such a vivid, visual way that it feels like you’re standing right there, watching every charged glance and restrained moment unfold. While I personally would have loved a bit more direct interaction between Edwina and Hayden and slightly fewer internal monologues, the emotional depth and atmosphere more than make up for it.
And that ending? A cliffhanger that left me staring at the page, immediately needing book two. 😮💨 I cannot wait to see what comes next for Edwina and Hayden and how the fallout of those revealed secrets will shape their future.
✨ Thank you to the author for this beautifully written, emotionally charged story—I’m very much looking forward to continuing the journey. ✨
Hayden is the ultimate broody, emotionally distant professor—cold on the outside, tortured on the inside, and very clearly running from a past he refuses to face. Edwina, on the other hand, is his perfect opposite: intelligent, quiet, observant, and entirely unaware that the man fate just shoved into her life already knows her.
What starts (for Edwina) as an embarrassing coffee spill quickly turns into a "wait… that’s my professor" moment, but for Hayden, the story begins long before that. The book opens with secrets hinted at early on—ones that don’t fully unravel until the end—and that slow reveal keeps the tension tight the entire way through. The fact that he knows her but she doesn’t know him adds an extra layer of darkness that is both unsettling and addictive.
Hayden’s obsession with Edwina leans deliciously into the dark romance territory. If you love a possessive, touch-her-and-die kind of hero, this book absolutely delivers. 🔥 The buildup is intense. By the time the spice finally hits, I was internally screaming for them to just talk, touch, anything already—ready to combust from the anticipation alone.
Elshad’s writing is rich with beautiful imagery and emotional intensity. Everything is told in such a vivid, visual way that it feels like you’re standing right there, watching every charged glance and restrained moment unfold. While I personally would have loved a bit more direct interaction between Edwina and Hayden and slightly fewer internal monologues, the emotional depth and atmosphere more than make up for it.
And that ending? A cliffhanger that left me staring at the page, immediately needing book two. 😮💨 I cannot wait to see what comes next for Edwina and Hayden and how the fallout of those revealed secrets will shape their future.
✨ Thank you to the author for this beautifully written, emotionally charged story—I’m very much looking forward to continuing the journey. ✨
December 4, 2025
Reading this book has made me smile gently on more than one occasion. The writing reminded my of the way my best friend weaves words. The buildup was carefully crafted, a deliberate construction with a clear aim. There's undeniable potential in the style, but the constant repetitiveness sometimes made it hard to relish the actual content. At times, the same sentiment would be repeated in different packaging over multiple pages.
While the beginning of the story felt quite prolonged, other things towards the end felt super rushed and cramped. This also led to some relationships and characters being more shallow (for example her friends), which made it hard for me to connect with them.
I liked the buildup of the relationship between Edwina and Hayden but I didn't like their dynamic once they actually crossed the threshold to sexual intimacy. The way his possessiveness and jealousy turned into him punishing HER for attention other men paid her. It just seemed rather toxic. How he berated her and slut shamed her, even though he had been the first man she'd been intimate with. That whole situation pissed me off.
It felt like the artful tension they had broke into trivial and informal speech once they actually crossed that line and I was mourning the skillfully curated observations from before.
While there were obviously parts to the story I'm criticising, I am overall really impressed by the use of language as a craft, especially considering that this is the author's first book in English, which is not her native language.
What you get
- professor x student
- he falls first and harder
- jealous, possessive, obsessive MMC
- they have a past she doesn't remember
- he's running from his demons
I received this book as an ARC. This review represents my honest personal opinion.
📖 Faded Touches by Elvina A. Elshad
⭐⭐⭐
#reading #bookstagram #booktok #forbiddenlove #professorxstudent #arc #fadedtouches #elvinaaelshad
While the beginning of the story felt quite prolonged, other things towards the end felt super rushed and cramped. This also led to some relationships and characters being more shallow (for example her friends), which made it hard for me to connect with them.
I liked the buildup of the relationship between Edwina and Hayden but I didn't like their dynamic once they actually crossed the threshold to sexual intimacy. The way his possessiveness and jealousy turned into him punishing HER for attention other men paid her. It just seemed rather toxic. How he berated her and slut shamed her, even though he had been the first man she'd been intimate with. That whole situation pissed me off.
It felt like the artful tension they had broke into trivial and informal speech once they actually crossed that line and I was mourning the skillfully curated observations from before.
While there were obviously parts to the story I'm criticising, I am overall really impressed by the use of language as a craft, especially considering that this is the author's first book in English, which is not her native language.
What you get
- professor x student
- he falls first and harder
- jealous, possessive, obsessive MMC
- they have a past she doesn't remember
- he's running from his demons
I received this book as an ARC. This review represents my honest personal opinion.
📖 Faded Touches by Elvina A. Elshad
⭐⭐⭐
#reading #bookstagram #booktok #forbiddenlove #professorxstudent #arc #fadedtouches #elvinaaelshad
December 15, 2025
“You’re the only thing I’ve ever been sure of, Edwina. The only thing I’d destroy myself for if that’s what it took to keep you.”
“You’re my flare in the dark. My Little Flare. You’re mine.”
This is in an academic setting (college) where Edwina (student, senior) and Hayden (Younger Professor her senior by 10 ish years).
Their initial run into one another wasn't exactly your classic sweet moment. In the beginning Hayden appears to be this extremely arrogant asshole and mysterious man. You really don't get much info about him and even his interactions with our FMC are extremely short. Which I found extremely confusing at first but it ALL came together as the story unfolded. 🤯
The author did a great job with detail and building the foundation for the overall storyline. Edwinas friendship with Aster and Gwen ❤️❤️
The writing I found to be almost poetic and the detail involved in each scene was amazing. I could literally picture everything which made this captivating.
This slow burn was torture. (In the best way) And the beginning is a slllloooowwww burn filled with angst and tension... then BAM the author hits you with this HUGE jaw dropping piece of information! I did not see that coming. Literally yelled WTF 😳😂 So let's just say that's where I got HOOKED. (And that wasn't the only one!!) Everything started falling into place and made this a page turner. This is filled with mystery, obsession, and heartbreak sprinkled with a couple twists!!!! I look forward to the next one. 👏 Well played Elvina well played 👏
✔️Forbidden Romance
✔️Age Gap
✔️Slow burn
✔️Yearning
✔️Professor x student
✔️Obsession
Thank you for my ARC! I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
“You’re my flare in the dark. My Little Flare. You’re mine.”
This is in an academic setting (college) where Edwina (student, senior) and Hayden (Younger Professor her senior by 10 ish years).
Their initial run into one another wasn't exactly your classic sweet moment. In the beginning Hayden appears to be this extremely arrogant asshole and mysterious man. You really don't get much info about him and even his interactions with our FMC are extremely short. Which I found extremely confusing at first but it ALL came together as the story unfolded. 🤯
The author did a great job with detail and building the foundation for the overall storyline. Edwinas friendship with Aster and Gwen ❤️❤️
The writing I found to be almost poetic and the detail involved in each scene was amazing. I could literally picture everything which made this captivating.
This slow burn was torture. (In the best way) And the beginning is a slllloooowwww burn filled with angst and tension... then BAM the author hits you with this HUGE jaw dropping piece of information! I did not see that coming. Literally yelled WTF 😳😂 So let's just say that's where I got HOOKED. (And that wasn't the only one!!) Everything started falling into place and made this a page turner. This is filled with mystery, obsession, and heartbreak sprinkled with a couple twists!!!! I look forward to the next one. 👏 Well played Elvina well played 👏
✔️Forbidden Romance
✔️Age Gap
✔️Slow burn
✔️Yearning
✔️Professor x student
✔️Obsession
Thank you for my ARC! I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
December 23, 2025
5⭐️ FORBIDDEN. CONSUMING. IT LEFT ME FEELING SO MUCH BUT WANTING MORE.
A forbidden romance between a professor and his student. A slow burn, age gap love that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The tension, the yearning, the longing, the desperation and need for one another… Hayden and Edwina’s connection are so electrifying, it settles beneath your skin and stays there, humming. You can feel their connection buzzing through your veins, tightening your chest, clouding your thoughts until nothing else fits inside your mind.
The entire time I read this book, my breathing was haggard, heavy.. My hands kept reaching for my throat, clutching the pearls that weren’t there. I felt undone by the way they think about each other, by everything they don’t say out loud.
This book not only drew me in.. It disorients me. The writing style, the way Elvina tells this story has this beautiful depth. It makes me feel slightly off balance and beautifully uneasy. That’s the best way I can describe it. The deeper I went, the more each page consumed me. I didn’t know what to expect and that uncertainty made it more addictive.
What Hayden and Edwina have, it goes far beyond attraction. It’s deeper. It runs so deep it borders on ruin. This isn’t just forbidden romance. It’s an addiction. An obsession. And i love every second of it. Easily one of my favourite reads of the year.
I really fell in love with Elvina’s writing and storytelling. If you love forbidden romance, age gap, super snail slow burn, both MMC and FMC yearning and longing for each other? Then please read this. It will leave you feeling so much, but wanting more.
A forbidden romance between a professor and his student. A slow burn, age gap love that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The tension, the yearning, the longing, the desperation and need for one another… Hayden and Edwina’s connection are so electrifying, it settles beneath your skin and stays there, humming. You can feel their connection buzzing through your veins, tightening your chest, clouding your thoughts until nothing else fits inside your mind.
The entire time I read this book, my breathing was haggard, heavy.. My hands kept reaching for my throat, clutching the pearls that weren’t there. I felt undone by the way they think about each other, by everything they don’t say out loud.
This book not only drew me in.. It disorients me. The writing style, the way Elvina tells this story has this beautiful depth. It makes me feel slightly off balance and beautifully uneasy. That’s the best way I can describe it. The deeper I went, the more each page consumed me. I didn’t know what to expect and that uncertainty made it more addictive.
What Hayden and Edwina have, it goes far beyond attraction. It’s deeper. It runs so deep it borders on ruin. This isn’t just forbidden romance. It’s an addiction. An obsession. And i love every second of it. Easily one of my favourite reads of the year.
I really fell in love with Elvina’s writing and storytelling. If you love forbidden romance, age gap, super snail slow burn, both MMC and FMC yearning and longing for each other? Then please read this. It will leave you feeling so much, but wanting more.
December 4, 2025
4 ⭐️
Tropes:
- Professor x student
- Age gap
- Slow burn
- Forced proximity
- Strong FMC / Alpha Male
Book 1 of a duet
Hayden - grumpy, arrogant and cold. His entire world has changed, shaped upon a choice made that impacted his entire future.
Edwina - thoughtful, intelligent and observant. At moments sassy and angry.
Thoughts:
- Poetic writing. This had so many beautiful quotes, scenes and moments. I highlighted so many things because it was just so captivating.
- This is a slow burn. It’s torturous at points. However, the tension is so well built and each scene between our MCs just adds to the overall moment.
- I love Edwina’s friends! & I’m super interested and hope we get to know more about Zayn and Gwen because there’s definitely something interesting about him and them.
- The twists and turns were unexpected but added so much. I definitely think it helped us to understand Hayden a lot more, getting a background insight.
- The final few chapters were completely captivating. I couldn’t read them fast enough. It had everything I wanted and more. It left me angry, sad, emotional and conflicted. I understood both characters but also hated how it’d got to this point.
- The spice was 🌶️ and again the writing was so beautiful and delicate that it just made those scenes even more intense.
Other points:
- TW/ content list included at the beginning
- Ends of a cliffhanger
- Duel POV
- Cute little illustrations for each chapter
- The character art was beautiful and I loved the dedication!
Tropes:
- Professor x student
- Age gap
- Slow burn
- Forced proximity
- Strong FMC / Alpha Male
Book 1 of a duet
Hayden - grumpy, arrogant and cold. His entire world has changed, shaped upon a choice made that impacted his entire future.
Edwina - thoughtful, intelligent and observant. At moments sassy and angry.
Thoughts:
- Poetic writing. This had so many beautiful quotes, scenes and moments. I highlighted so many things because it was just so captivating.
- This is a slow burn. It’s torturous at points. However, the tension is so well built and each scene between our MCs just adds to the overall moment.
- I love Edwina’s friends! & I’m super interested and hope we get to know more about Zayn and Gwen because there’s definitely something interesting about him and them.
- The twists and turns were unexpected but added so much. I definitely think it helped us to understand Hayden a lot more, getting a background insight.
- The final few chapters were completely captivating. I couldn’t read them fast enough. It had everything I wanted and more. It left me angry, sad, emotional and conflicted. I understood both characters but also hated how it’d got to this point.
- The spice was 🌶️ and again the writing was so beautiful and delicate that it just made those scenes even more intense.
Other points:
- TW/ content list included at the beginning
- Ends of a cliffhanger
- Duel POV
- Cute little illustrations for each chapter
- The character art was beautiful and I loved the dedication!
December 8, 2025
Faded Touches is for you if you are craving beautiful imagery, dark academia vibes, and brooding. SO. much brooding!
This novel follows Edwina, a college senior, and Hayden, her mysterious and moody professor, as they first meet (well, as far as Edwina knows) and work together on a department symposium.
Edwina and Hayden start rocky; he is super rude and arrogant, while she was raised to be a meek people pleaser. Despite what seems to be a personality clash, the tension, yearning, and obsession pretty much start right away.
The plot of this book was a little too slow-burning for me. I love a slow burn, but there were several times where I wanted to grab Hayden and scream, "OMG, JUST GENUINELY TALK TO HER ALREADY!" It felt like there wasn't enough outward action happening. The action that did happen was dramatic; I wanted to see them together more- more conversations, more scenes of them working or getting coffee together.
Instead, there was more inward brooding from both of the main characters. There was A LOT of introspection that slowed it down. Both of them give off the classic tortured literary artist vibe. She came across as broken and hurt, while he was more angry and hate-filled. Very moody, very sulky, very dramatic. The brooding is, however, extremely beautiful- as in, the writing and the imagery are very well done. It is very descriptive (sometimes a little repetitive). My English teacher heart was so happy to read something that has clearly been written by a literature-loving author.
This novel follows Edwina, a college senior, and Hayden, her mysterious and moody professor, as they first meet (well, as far as Edwina knows) and work together on a department symposium.
Edwina and Hayden start rocky; he is super rude and arrogant, while she was raised to be a meek people pleaser. Despite what seems to be a personality clash, the tension, yearning, and obsession pretty much start right away.
The plot of this book was a little too slow-burning for me. I love a slow burn, but there were several times where I wanted to grab Hayden and scream, "OMG, JUST GENUINELY TALK TO HER ALREADY!" It felt like there wasn't enough outward action happening. The action that did happen was dramatic; I wanted to see them together more- more conversations, more scenes of them working or getting coffee together.
Instead, there was more inward brooding from both of the main characters. There was A LOT of introspection that slowed it down. Both of them give off the classic tortured literary artist vibe. She came across as broken and hurt, while he was more angry and hate-filled. Very moody, very sulky, very dramatic. The brooding is, however, extremely beautiful- as in, the writing and the imagery are very well done. It is very descriptive (sometimes a little repetitive). My English teacher heart was so happy to read something that has clearly been written by a literature-loving author.
December 10, 2025
Faded Touches: A Poetic Debut That Leaves You Devastated
Elvina Elshad’s debut, Faded Touches, immediately establishes her as an author to watch. This novel is a masterclass in deeply detailed and poetic writing, offering an original and intensely captivating storyline. I devoured this book in a single day, finding myself completely hooked until the shattering final page.
The narrative centers on the explosive, forbidden dynamic between Edwina, an intelligent college student, and Hayden Stone, her grumpy, brooding professor. The author skillfully constructs a torturous slow burn, utilizing immaculate pacing to build a relentless, palpable sexual and intellectual tension between the MCs.
The characters are complex and rich, burdened by secrets and complicated pasts. The story is fueled by unexpected twists that grant necessary depth and understanding, especially regarding Hayden’s protective instincts and layered history. This high-stakes forbidden romance culminates in a massive, emotionally charged climax—a brutal misunderstanding that shatters their connection and results in a devastating cliffhanger.
Faded Touches is a must-read for lovers of angsty, intensely emotional, and high-quality dark romance. The perfectly woven spice enhances the experience without distracting from the gripping plot.
Elvina Elshad’s debut, Faded Touches, immediately establishes her as an author to watch. This novel is a masterclass in deeply detailed and poetic writing, offering an original and intensely captivating storyline. I devoured this book in a single day, finding myself completely hooked until the shattering final page.
The narrative centers on the explosive, forbidden dynamic between Edwina, an intelligent college student, and Hayden Stone, her grumpy, brooding professor. The author skillfully constructs a torturous slow burn, utilizing immaculate pacing to build a relentless, palpable sexual and intellectual tension between the MCs.
The characters are complex and rich, burdened by secrets and complicated pasts. The story is fueled by unexpected twists that grant necessary depth and understanding, especially regarding Hayden’s protective instincts and layered history. This high-stakes forbidden romance culminates in a massive, emotionally charged climax—a brutal misunderstanding that shatters their connection and results in a devastating cliffhanger.
Faded Touches is a must-read for lovers of angsty, intensely emotional, and high-quality dark romance. The perfectly woven spice enhances the experience without distracting from the gripping plot.
January 26, 2026
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
🌶Spice Rating: 2.5 / 5
Genre: Dark Romance / Contemporary / Forbidden Love
Tropes: Professor × Student, Age Gap, Slow Burn, Forced Proximity, Brooding Hero, Intense Emotion
Faded Touches tells the story of Edwina, a senior college student whose life collides with that of Hayden Stone, a brooding professor with a past scarred by secrets. What begins as awkward tension and simmering irritation soon becomes something far deeper—and far more dangerous. Their slow-burn connection navigates forbidden boundaries, emotional wreckage, and hidden truths neither expected.
I'm finally back after a long and crazy few months, but in that time I've had the opportunity to read this arc.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this!
Hayden, had me on my knees, even though he was arrogant most times, but the yearning and the tension made up for all of that.
At times I wanted to smack their heads together and say GET A ROOM ALREADY!
Elshad masterfully builds a slow, agonizing tension between Edwina and Hayden, letting their connection unfold through unspoken desire and emotional restraint. Every interaction is loaded with quiet intensity-lingering looks, unsaid confessions, and raw inner turmoil that deepen the pull of this beautifully paced slow-burn romance.
🌶Spice Rating: 2.5 / 5
Genre: Dark Romance / Contemporary / Forbidden Love
Tropes: Professor × Student, Age Gap, Slow Burn, Forced Proximity, Brooding Hero, Intense Emotion
Faded Touches tells the story of Edwina, a senior college student whose life collides with that of Hayden Stone, a brooding professor with a past scarred by secrets. What begins as awkward tension and simmering irritation soon becomes something far deeper—and far more dangerous. Their slow-burn connection navigates forbidden boundaries, emotional wreckage, and hidden truths neither expected.
I'm finally back after a long and crazy few months, but in that time I've had the opportunity to read this arc.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this!
Hayden, had me on my knees, even though he was arrogant most times, but the yearning and the tension made up for all of that.
At times I wanted to smack their heads together and say GET A ROOM ALREADY!
Elshad masterfully builds a slow, agonizing tension between Edwina and Hayden, letting their connection unfold through unspoken desire and emotional restraint. Every interaction is loaded with quiet intensity-lingering looks, unsaid confessions, and raw inner turmoil that deepen the pull of this beautifully paced slow-burn romance.
December 14, 2025
I was very lucky to receive an Arc Copy for Faded Touches by Elvina A. Elshad. This book took me out of my usual reading bubble of Romantasy and allowed me to delve into Romance x Forbidden Love.
This book throws us into the chaotic world of Edwina and Hayden who both have a past that they are desperately trying to run away from - that is until they meet each other.
This story had elements of betrayal, yearning, enemies to lovers, slow-burn, academic setting and forced proximity.
It is worth noting, that were some chapters in this book that were a bit heavier than I had initially expected, but this all comes down to preference and overall I really enjoyed the storyline and the building of this romance.
The last few chapters will have you gasping though, so if you are someone who hates a cliffhanger, maybe try to hold off until book 2 comes out, because the ending of Book 1 will have you begging for more!
Well done Elvina!! Cannot wait to continue reading about Hayden & Edwina in book 2.
This book throws us into the chaotic world of Edwina and Hayden who both have a past that they are desperately trying to run away from - that is until they meet each other.
This story had elements of betrayal, yearning, enemies to lovers, slow-burn, academic setting and forced proximity.
It is worth noting, that were some chapters in this book that were a bit heavier than I had initially expected, but this all comes down to preference and overall I really enjoyed the storyline and the building of this romance.
The last few chapters will have you gasping though, so if you are someone who hates a cliffhanger, maybe try to hold off until book 2 comes out, because the ending of Book 1 will have you begging for more!
Well done Elvina!! Cannot wait to continue reading about Hayden & Edwina in book 2.
December 8, 2025
Let’s start with the prologue: it reeled me in and had me ready to devour the story. The author used great details to describe the setting and feelings of the main characters but it seemed to be repetitive and the amount of detail was a little too much for me. Although, I appreciated being able to fully understand the internal conflicts of the characters, the details for the setting and other minor things was too much for this kind of novel. I didn’t need paragraphs upon paragraphs to visualize the setting after the first couple of chapters. The amount of detail for fluff took away from the actual story at times.
I loved the relationship between Gwen, Aster, and Edwina but I didn’t understand the chemistry between the two main characters. It was definitely a slow burn but the slowness didn’t really help imagine the chemistry building between them. The characters didn’t spend enough time together to go from hating one another to being obsessed.
I loved the relationship between Gwen, Aster, and Edwina but I didn’t understand the chemistry between the two main characters. It was definitely a slow burn but the slowness didn’t really help imagine the chemistry building between them. The characters didn’t spend enough time together to go from hating one another to being obsessed.
November 24, 2025
Faded Touches is written by new-to-me author, Elvina Elshad. This is her debut and it’s book 1 of a duet.
I went into this book with high hopes of finding another author to add to my reading list and definitely found one. I am so glad I took the chance to read this book. Written with tremendous detail and depth, this storyline is original and kept me engaged throughout. The characters have layers and hidden pasts that keep the attention of the reader. It never becomes stagnant and keeps good pacing. There are some unexpected twists that occur making it all the more interesting. Never in my life have I read a chapter in a book, where nothing but verbal exchange takes place, that made me need to touch grass. Seriously, the heated tension is pure fire. This book does end on a cliffhanger, and I look forward to diving into book 2 as soon as it’s available.
December 1, 2025
What a rollercoaster... I loved it!! 😍 student x teacher, angsty, possessive, touch her and die, yearning from both MCs, The spice was perfect 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🔥 but didn't take away from the story itself. Edwina, our FMC young college student, falls for her grumpy professor Hayden (but let be honest, he fell first 😏) after bumping into him at a cafe shop and some spilled coffee. The story continues as the tension builds between them throughout the book. The emotional wave from both MCS will have you laughing,crying, and occasionally internally screaming, LOL
Finished this arc in a day.. yes, it was that good. The ending, thought gutted me.. and yes, I will be patiently waiting for book 2. Thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to read and review ❤️❤️
Finished this arc in a day.. yes, it was that good. The ending, thought gutted me.. and yes, I will be patiently waiting for book 2. Thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to read and review ❤️❤️
December 5, 2025
This slow burn is a descent into obsession, heartbreak and the kind of love that burns even as it destroys. It's raw, emotional and complicated. Hayden and Edwina story gives you everything you desire in a dark romance. This book takes place in an academic setting with banter and tension, that is on fire. Their forced proximity and age gap has their professor-student relationship in turmoil. The FMC is a little timid but comes willingly out of her shell. The MMC is strong, confident and would hurt anyone that touches Edwina. It's dark. It's twisted. It's beautiful in its brutality. Elvina doesn't give you a fairytale, she gives you a storm and you'll willingly dance in it. Cliffhanger warning.
ARC
ARC
December 20, 2025
**ARC Review**
First, a big thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I was so excited to dive into this book—the tropes sounded exactly like my cup of tea!
What I liked: The writing is incredibly poetic. The author has a real talent for describing emotions in a way that feels very vivid.
What didn't click: I struggled with the pacing. The descriptive language eventually felt a bit repetitive, and the "five years earlier" jump after the prologue left me wanting more answers than I actually got by the cliffhanger ending.
Final Verdict: Just because it didn't hit the mark for me doesn't mean it won't for you! If you enjoy a slow-burn, lyrical style, definitely check this one out.
First, a big thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I was so excited to dive into this book—the tropes sounded exactly like my cup of tea!
What I liked: The writing is incredibly poetic. The author has a real talent for describing emotions in a way that feels very vivid.
What didn't click: I struggled with the pacing. The descriptive language eventually felt a bit repetitive, and the "five years earlier" jump after the prologue left me wanting more answers than I actually got by the cliffhanger ending.
Final Verdict: Just because it didn't hit the mark for me doesn't mean it won't for you! If you enjoy a slow-burn, lyrical style, definitely check this one out.
November 23, 2025
WOW what a book !! i have been captivated through and finished this book very fast but i didnt want it to end.
i fell in love with the characters Edwina and Hayden and honestly i didnt want to put the book down. All i want to ask is when is the next book due our because im dying to read it after that ending🫣
If you love romance, professor/student, he falls first (honestly!!) obsessive man,strong FMC then guys start reading 🥰
Some non spoilers quoted that stood out to me.
" The quiet ones always have the dirtiest imaginations"
" A beauty that wasn't meant to soothe or comfort, but to ruin"
" I was becoming something ferel, irrational, unhinged, addicted."
i fell in love with the characters Edwina and Hayden and honestly i didnt want to put the book down. All i want to ask is when is the next book due our because im dying to read it after that ending🫣
If you love romance, professor/student, he falls first (honestly!!) obsessive man,strong FMC then guys start reading 🥰
Some non spoilers quoted that stood out to me.
" The quiet ones always have the dirtiest imaginations"
" A beauty that wasn't meant to soothe or comfort, but to ruin"
" I was becoming something ferel, irrational, unhinged, addicted."
November 29, 2025
Oh lawd this book had me on the edge of my seat. I am so ready for book two.
Edwina is sassy and tried to keep her emotions hidden. She was the one to do what is right until him. Scared to drive and walked everywhere. She kept to herself and her two friends. Always had everything planned out.
Hayden the handsome professor who comes off cold. Running from life he wanted no part of. Didn’t want the part of life that connected to his family.
I wanted to laugh and cry while reading this. Had the right amount of spice and the story flowed amazingly. I can’t wait to read book two to see how the story ends.
Edwina is sassy and tried to keep her emotions hidden. She was the one to do what is right until him. Scared to drive and walked everywhere. She kept to herself and her two friends. Always had everything planned out.
Hayden the handsome professor who comes off cold. Running from life he wanted no part of. Didn’t want the part of life that connected to his family.
I wanted to laugh and cry while reading this. Had the right amount of spice and the story flowed amazingly. I can’t wait to read book two to see how the story ends.
November 26, 2025
The blurb sounded interesting and teacher student romance is my kind of trope but this book just wasn’t for me. I enjoyed the friendship between edwina and her friends but felt the storyline was quite chunky rather than a natural flow. The relationship and character progression between main characters felt quite stunted and went from strangers to obsession without much context between time as in no conversations or significant time spent. Under stand once finishing why everything was quite vague regarding them but felt was almost too vague and left me scratching my head at times. The narrative and dialogue could be repetitive at times. I liked the plot idea but felt it fell a little flat for me.
November 26, 2025
I AM GUTTED. It feels like I too am breaking apart inside! x_x like I am destroyed. eff it hurts.
now that that is over, and I can breathe freely again, this is one sloowww burn! typically I am not a fan of a slow burn as I tend to lose focus, but the ending of this makes up for it.
now I will sit here, patiently waiting the next book because it ends on a cliffhanger.
fair warning.
but the burn, slow and torturous, builds to a fiery inferno of passion. if you can hold on, you might enjoy the angst.
and the angst IS angsty!
now that that is over, and I can breathe freely again, this is one sloowww burn! typically I am not a fan of a slow burn as I tend to lose focus, but the ending of this makes up for it.
now I will sit here, patiently waiting the next book because it ends on a cliffhanger.
fair warning.
but the burn, slow and torturous, builds to a fiery inferno of passion. if you can hold on, you might enjoy the angst.
and the angst IS angsty!
November 27, 2025
Ok wow! The writing is *chefs kiss* So detailed and descriptive. Poetic.
This is a slow burn between professor and student and girl did it burn. You know those stories that keep you thinking about them long after you read them? This is one of them, right here.
There was so much yearning and angst between Edwina and Hayden that made you crave more.
I am so excited to see where the rest of the story takes us in book two. Thank you Elvina for this ARC. I will be thinking about this book for weeks to come.
This is a slow burn between professor and student and girl did it burn. You know those stories that keep you thinking about them long after you read them? This is one of them, right here.
There was so much yearning and angst between Edwina and Hayden that made you crave more.
I am so excited to see where the rest of the story takes us in book two. Thank you Elvina for this ARC. I will be thinking about this book for weeks to come.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was hard to get into ( I found it started slow) until it was not. All I want to say is just wow the chemistry was amazing. He tries to resist as he knows he should because he is her professor. He fails though and falls hard. She hates him so much (because the first time they meet he is a jerk) but she is not capable of keeping these feelings of hatred as he tempts her more and more every day. Which confuses her and it definitely changes everything. The twists and the cliff hanger. I hope the next book does not take to long.
December 23, 2025
it was Exactly what I was Missing 😭🫶🏻.....
the tension, The YEARNING , The chemistry..
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH... I'm in love with Hayden and Edwina ❤️
the writing style instantly draws you in... it was so Poetic... it was a little bit slow in the beginning but I couldn't stop reading and I finished it till 3 am and it was worth it 😂🫶🏻...
the cliffhanger 😭😭😭😭...
this is the First book in the duet....can't wait to read the Second book 🫶🏻💓
thus my obsession with the Professor student trope begins 😂🫶🏻💓
the tension, The YEARNING , The chemistry..
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH... I'm in love with Hayden and Edwina ❤️
the writing style instantly draws you in... it was so Poetic... it was a little bit slow in the beginning but I couldn't stop reading and I finished it till 3 am and it was worth it 😂🫶🏻...
the cliffhanger 😭😭😭😭...
this is the First book in the duet....can't wait to read the Second book 🫶🏻💓
thus my obsession with the Professor student trope begins 😂🫶🏻💓
December 5, 2025
To hate someone so much for a choice you made without knowing what is actually taking place. To falling madly in love with them. Only to have your past to continue to haunt you. The professor/student love to me wasn’t even a factor within the book but more about their story before. The suspense of knowing there was something between them that only Professor Stone remember , but only knowing little bits at a time kept the love story feel more forbidden.
December 10, 2025
The narrative centers on the explosive, forbidden dynamic between Edwina, an intelligent college student, and Hayden Stone, her grumpy, brooding professor. I enjoyed the story line and the characters and the obsession Hayden has for Edwina. The story hooked me and found myself wanting to finish it find out the end. Cant wait for the next one. This is my first time reading this author. I got this book as an ARC reader and am leaving this review willingly.
December 15, 2025
An age gap, professor and student forbidden romance that will take you on a ride
Edwina is a shy student and Hayden is the dark brooding mysterious professor 2🖤
These two have insane chemistry and a past she can't remember and he can't outrun
The writing was a little overly descriptive and repetitive for my liking but the story was good enough to keep me reading and I honestly can't wait for book 2
Thank you Elvina for the ARC opportunity and congratulations on your debut novel 💕
Edwina is a shy student and Hayden is the dark brooding mysterious professor 2🖤
These two have insane chemistry and a past she can't remember and he can't outrun
The writing was a little overly descriptive and repetitive for my liking but the story was good enough to keep me reading and I honestly can't wait for book 2
Thank you Elvina for the ARC opportunity and congratulations on your debut novel 💕
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