What do you think?
Fruit of the Flesh
Behind the glamour of Gilded Age New York, a marriage of convenience between an artisan and a ballerina masks their shared appetite for revenge in this darkly seductive gothic romance.
In early 1900s New York, former ballerina Petronille De Villier makes an unconventional choice: Marry struggling sculptor Arkady Kamenev. For her, it’s an escape from her family’s unsavory legacy. For him, the De Villier name promises the patronage his art desperately needs. It should be a simple arrangement.
But beneath their marriage of convenience lurks a darker recognition. In each other, they see a reflection of their own dangerous appetites. As buried secrets surface and bodies begin disappearing, Petronille and Arkady discover their union runs deeper than social advantage. Their shared obsessions draw them into an intoxicating dance of predator and prey, though it’s never quite clear who is which.
Bound by law, God, and blood, they must decide if their monstrous natures will tear them apart or forge them into something terribly wonderful together. In a world where nothing is quite what it seems, two creatures of shadow learn that true love requires a taste for the macabre.
In early 1900s New York, former ballerina Petronille De Villier makes an unconventional choice: Marry struggling sculptor Arkady Kamenev. For her, it’s an escape from her family’s unsavory legacy. For him, the De Villier name promises the patronage his art desperately needs. It should be a simple arrangement.
But beneath their marriage of convenience lurks a darker recognition. In each other, they see a reflection of their own dangerous appetites. As buried secrets surface and bodies begin disappearing, Petronille and Arkady discover their union runs deeper than social advantage. Their shared obsessions draw them into an intoxicating dance of predator and prey, though it’s never quite clear who is which.
Bound by law, God, and blood, they must decide if their monstrous natures will tear them apart or forge them into something terribly wonderful together. In a world where nothing is quite what it seems, two creatures of shadow learn that true love requires a taste for the macabre.
331 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2026
About the author
I.V. Ophelia
8 books2,871 followersUSA Today Bestselling author I.V. Ophelia is known for the gothic vampire series The Poisoner. Born in small-town New England, she now haunts the streets of New York City, writing the most unhinged tales she can conjure. When not crafting gothic romance, she works as a full-time artist, hoards nineteenth-century gowns and antique furniture, dotes on her menagerie of pets, and plots her next literary transgression.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,796 reviews
January 28, 2026
This was fun! A fabulous, spicy, gothic standalone that takes place in the early 1900’s. I was entertaiiiined!
August 31, 2025
2.75 ★— If I had to sum up Fruit of the Flesh in one phrase, it would be: style over substance.
It’s got an interesting setup, some cool character ideas, a gorgeous cover, and lines of dialogue and descriptions that would look great on a moodboard or in an aesthetic quote post. But when it came to actually putting all of that together into a story, it just didn’t work for me.
Set in early 1900s New York, the book follows Petronille de Villier, a 24-year-old former ballerina from a wealthy family. She’s lived a life of privilege, but also of various forms of abuse under her parents. When she marries clay artisan Arkady Kamenev, it’s a quiet rebellion against their expectations and as the story goes on, the two of them uncover the hidden darkness in each other, turning their marriage of convenience into something more.
The problem is that the story feels disjointed. The book drops us straight into Petronille’s wedding day, and from there it’s like being handed little snapshots: glimpses of conversations, flashes of darkness, moments that could’ve been powerful. But without the grounding or buildup that makes you care, those moments never really land — or at least didn’t land for me. There’s almost no sense of the world or the characters’ pasts, so instead of feeling immersed, I felt detached and couldn’t quite get pulled into the narrative.
And that’s what really disappointed me, because the ideas are fantastic. A sculptor with a dark penchant, a traumatized ballerina with twisted family baggage, macabre undertones woven into their relationship, some exploration of kink… it’s exactly the kind of thing I would love to really get lost in. As someone who grew up a teenager fascinated with Perfume by Patrick Süskind and enjoys exploring messed-up characters, I should’ve and wanted to like this. But it mostly just bored me, because the thriller and horror aspect didn’t really go deep enough for me and the romance, while sometimes delivering scenes with some pretty prose, didn’t convince me either, because of the general disconnect to the story I felt during my read.
I think readers who are already fans of this author will find what they’re looking for here, but for me it just didn’t hit the way I hoped. Great ideas, interesting setup, but ultimately not enough depth to keep me invested.
________________________
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
It’s got an interesting setup, some cool character ideas, a gorgeous cover, and lines of dialogue and descriptions that would look great on a moodboard or in an aesthetic quote post. But when it came to actually putting all of that together into a story, it just didn’t work for me.
Set in early 1900s New York, the book follows Petronille de Villier, a 24-year-old former ballerina from a wealthy family. She’s lived a life of privilege, but also of various forms of abuse under her parents. When she marries clay artisan Arkady Kamenev, it’s a quiet rebellion against their expectations and as the story goes on, the two of them uncover the hidden darkness in each other, turning their marriage of convenience into something more.
The problem is that the story feels disjointed. The book drops us straight into Petronille’s wedding day, and from there it’s like being handed little snapshots: glimpses of conversations, flashes of darkness, moments that could’ve been powerful. But without the grounding or buildup that makes you care, those moments never really land — or at least didn’t land for me. There’s almost no sense of the world or the characters’ pasts, so instead of feeling immersed, I felt detached and couldn’t quite get pulled into the narrative.
And that’s what really disappointed me, because the ideas are fantastic. A sculptor with a dark penchant, a traumatized ballerina with twisted family baggage, macabre undertones woven into their relationship, some exploration of kink… it’s exactly the kind of thing I would love to really get lost in. As someone who grew up a teenager fascinated with Perfume by Patrick Süskind and enjoys exploring messed-up characters, I should’ve and wanted to like this. But it mostly just bored me, because the thriller and horror aspect didn’t really go deep enough for me and the romance, while sometimes delivering scenes with some pretty prose, didn’t convince me either, because of the general disconnect to the story I felt during my read.
I think readers who are already fans of this author will find what they’re looking for here, but for me it just didn’t hit the way I hoped. Great ideas, interesting setup, but ultimately not enough depth to keep me invested.
________________________
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 1, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️½ — 3,5/5 🩰🍑💚
✦ a world built on secrets ✦
This was a book that caught my attention from the beginning with its dark atmosphere and the feeling that there was always something hidden beneath the surface. I found myself curious about the characters, their secrets, and the reasons behind the choices they made. 👀
What drew me in was the combination of gothic elements, mystery, and the psychological side of the story. The author created an atmosphere where I always felt like there was another layer waiting to be uncovered, and that kept me interested as the story unfolded.
This wasn’t a perfect read for me, but it was definitely an intriguing one. It had an interesting concept and enough elements that made me want to continue and see where the story would take me.
✦ the truths hiding beneath the surface ✦
The story was one of the reasons I stayed invested. I liked the way the author slowly revealed information instead of explaining everything immediately. The twists worked well because they changed the way I viewed certain events and gave more meaning to what came before. 🤯
I also appreciated that the plot wasn’t only focused on the romance. It explored secrets, difficult decisions, and the consequences of the characters’ actions, which gave the story more depth and made it feel like more than just a love story.
However, I felt that the pacing shifted a little in the second half. The beginning had more mystery and uncertainty, while the later parts focused more on resolving the conflicts. I still enjoyed seeing everything come together, but I found myself more connected to the first part of the book.
⸻
Petronille De Villier was a character I found myself trying to understand rather than simply judge. She wasn’t someone I could define with one simple trait; she carried both vulnerability and strength, and her personality was shaped by everything she had experienced.
What I appreciated about her was that she wasn’t written as a perfect heroine. She made mistakes, had fears, and sometimes made choices that were difficult to agree with, but they still felt connected to who she was and the situation she was trying to survive.
I enjoyed seeing her struggle with the expectations placed on her while trying to figure out what she truly wanted for herself. Her journey was interesting because it was not only about what was happening around her, but also about how she dealt with everything internally. 😔
Arkady Kamenev was a character who kept me curious because he was not easy to fully understand. He had a strong and intimidating presence, but there was always a difference between what he showed and what he kept hidden. 😶🌫️
I liked that he wasn’t written as a typical romantic hero. He could be harsh, possessive, and morally complicated, but there were also moments that revealed another side of him. Instead of making me immediately like him, his contradictions made me want to understand his motivations.
What worked well about both Petronille and Arkady was that they felt like complete characters on their own. Their relationship was important, but they each had personal conflicts and individual struggles that shaped who they were.
⸻
✦ a marriage of tension and temptation ✦
Petronille and Arkady’s relationship was the part of the book I was the most invested in. Since their marriage starts as a marriage of convenience, their connection develops through uncertainty rather than immediate trust or affection.
I especially enjoyed the early stages of their marriage. The tension between them, the way they challenged each other, and all the things they refused to say openly created a dynamic that kept me wanting to see what would happen next. Their chemistry came from that balance between attraction and hesitation. 🫠
I loved watching them slowly reveal different sides of themselves through their actions rather than simple words. Those moments were where their connection felt the most interesting and genuine.
However, once their relationship became more established, I felt that some of the tension that made them so compelling at the beginning started to fade. I missed the uncertainty and the push-and-pull that made their dynamic stand out. The relationship was still enjoyable, but that change was the biggest reason I couldn’t connect with it in the same way until the end.
⸻
Overall, Fruit of the Flesh was a book that gave me mixed feelings, but I’m glad I experienced it. I enjoyed discovering this story, getting to know these characters, and following the changes in their relationship.
Even though some parts worked better for me than others, there were still moments that kept me invested and made me appreciate what the author was trying to create.
What stayed with me the most was the journey of Petronille and Arkady and the way their connection changed over time. It wasn’t a perfect reading experience, but it was one that gave me enough to think about after finishing it. ✨
❀⊹⊱ 𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 ⊹⊱❀
⤿ A ballerina and a sculptor in early 1900s New York… sharing a taste for revenge ? Say less. 👀🤭
✦ a world built on secrets ✦
This was a book that caught my attention from the beginning with its dark atmosphere and the feeling that there was always something hidden beneath the surface. I found myself curious about the characters, their secrets, and the reasons behind the choices they made. 👀
What drew me in was the combination of gothic elements, mystery, and the psychological side of the story. The author created an atmosphere where I always felt like there was another layer waiting to be uncovered, and that kept me interested as the story unfolded.
This wasn’t a perfect read for me, but it was definitely an intriguing one. It had an interesting concept and enough elements that made me want to continue and see where the story would take me.
✦ the truths hiding beneath the surface ✦
The story was one of the reasons I stayed invested. I liked the way the author slowly revealed information instead of explaining everything immediately. The twists worked well because they changed the way I viewed certain events and gave more meaning to what came before. 🤯
I also appreciated that the plot wasn’t only focused on the romance. It explored secrets, difficult decisions, and the consequences of the characters’ actions, which gave the story more depth and made it feel like more than just a love story.
However, I felt that the pacing shifted a little in the second half. The beginning had more mystery and uncertainty, while the later parts focused more on resolving the conflicts. I still enjoyed seeing everything come together, but I found myself more connected to the first part of the book.
⸻
Petronille De Villier was a character I found myself trying to understand rather than simply judge. She wasn’t someone I could define with one simple trait; she carried both vulnerability and strength, and her personality was shaped by everything she had experienced.
What I appreciated about her was that she wasn’t written as a perfect heroine. She made mistakes, had fears, and sometimes made choices that were difficult to agree with, but they still felt connected to who she was and the situation she was trying to survive.
I enjoyed seeing her struggle with the expectations placed on her while trying to figure out what she truly wanted for herself. Her journey was interesting because it was not only about what was happening around her, but also about how she dealt with everything internally. 😔
Arkady Kamenev was a character who kept me curious because he was not easy to fully understand. He had a strong and intimidating presence, but there was always a difference between what he showed and what he kept hidden. 😶🌫️
I liked that he wasn’t written as a typical romantic hero. He could be harsh, possessive, and morally complicated, but there were also moments that revealed another side of him. Instead of making me immediately like him, his contradictions made me want to understand his motivations.
What worked well about both Petronille and Arkady was that they felt like complete characters on their own. Their relationship was important, but they each had personal conflicts and individual struggles that shaped who they were.
⸻
✦ a marriage of tension and temptation ✦
Petronille and Arkady’s relationship was the part of the book I was the most invested in. Since their marriage starts as a marriage of convenience, their connection develops through uncertainty rather than immediate trust or affection.
I especially enjoyed the early stages of their marriage. The tension between them, the way they challenged each other, and all the things they refused to say openly created a dynamic that kept me wanting to see what would happen next. Their chemistry came from that balance between attraction and hesitation. 🫠
I loved watching them slowly reveal different sides of themselves through their actions rather than simple words. Those moments were where their connection felt the most interesting and genuine.
However, once their relationship became more established, I felt that some of the tension that made them so compelling at the beginning started to fade. I missed the uncertainty and the push-and-pull that made their dynamic stand out. The relationship was still enjoyable, but that change was the biggest reason I couldn’t connect with it in the same way until the end.
⸻
Overall, Fruit of the Flesh was a book that gave me mixed feelings, but I’m glad I experienced it. I enjoyed discovering this story, getting to know these characters, and following the changes in their relationship.
Even though some parts worked better for me than others, there were still moments that kept me invested and made me appreciate what the author was trying to create.
What stayed with me the most was the journey of Petronille and Arkady and the way their connection changed over time. It wasn’t a perfect reading experience, but it was one that gave me enough to think about after finishing it. ✨
❀⊹⊱ 𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 ⊹⊱❀
⤿ A ballerina and a sculptor in early 1900s New York… sharing a taste for revenge ? Say less. 👀🤭
September 1, 2025
Thank you so so much I.V. Ophelia for the opportunity to ARC read!! <3
This beautifully dark and gritty gothic romance consumed me, I could not put this down. The writing was beautiful, poetic and atmospheric. There was so much intrigue and the perfect amount of mystery which made reading this almost like solving a puzzle, I was picking up every piece of information that's gradually fed to us throughout this story to bring together the final picture.
I am obsessed with the themes and imagery in this, the overarching theme of hunger, wanting, desire. The characters Petronille and Arkady are complex with imperfections and each their own secrets. The spice in this was unhinged (the best kind) and often left me picking my jaw up off the floor.
Such a good gothic romance standalone!
This beautifully dark and gritty gothic romance consumed me, I could not put this down. The writing was beautiful, poetic and atmospheric. There was so much intrigue and the perfect amount of mystery which made reading this almost like solving a puzzle, I was picking up every piece of information that's gradually fed to us throughout this story to bring together the final picture.
I am obsessed with the themes and imagery in this, the overarching theme of hunger, wanting, desire. The characters Petronille and Arkady are complex with imperfections and each their own secrets. The spice in this was unhinged (the best kind) and often left me picking my jaw up off the floor.
Such a good gothic romance standalone!
February 16, 2026
ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ✦ . ⁺ . 4.0 - 4.2 ☆ . ⁺ . ✦
ㅤ ㅤ ˋ°•*⁀➷ㅤmight contain spoilers ❗
ㅤ This book is certainly not for everyone, particularly not for readers who shy away from dark, twisted gothic literature that revels in discomfort and very taboo subjects. Fortunately for me (and for the friend who so wisely recommended it), this was entirely my cup of tea.
ㅤ It was not flawless, largely because I am, regrettably, a pretentiouslittle bitch critic with impossibly specific standards, but it was gripping, disturbing, and outrageously shocking in all the right ways. Ultimately, it delivered exactly what I crave from gothic fiction: something bleak, impactful, and just unsettling enough to linger.
ㅤ I will say and emphasize this if you know yourself to not be comfortable with some very disturbing subjects (i will not specify exactly which to not spoil anything), please do check the content warnings for this book first.
ㅤ This might be a long review.....
ㅤ ㅤ “A quiet night enjoyed with fresh fruit, a good book, burning hickory.”
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ honest thoughts
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ Firstly, I adored the writing. It was precise and almost technical in its construction, yet undeniably poetic, rich in detail, attentive to emotion and imagery, and still lush enough to feel indulgently beautiful. This book used language deliberately, almost surgically, to press every feeling directly onto the reader. And that is no small achievement. Translating emotion into words is one thing; making those words feel lived-in is another entirely.
ㅤ More often than not, I found myself trapped in the very emotions the characters were enduring. I felt the simmering rage at the suffocating hopelessness of it all. I panicked at every looming misstep. I grieved alongside them in their loneliness and quiet abandonment. The pressure, the gloom, the oppressive weight of the atmosphere; I did not simply read about them. I experienced them. I found myself relating to some of the emotions depicted in here more than I like to agree and I think that, the realisation, made this book somehow feel even more impactful.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ And as for the atmosphere, truly, I am helpless before a dark, gothic setting steeped in tension, vengeance, simmering rage, and a distinct absence of mercy. Whatever remains of my moral compass seemed perfectly content to take a brief vacation in such deliciously depraved scenery. It is an addictive environment, and I surrendered to it willingly.
ㅤ The layered symbolism was particularly satisfying: repetitive yet purposeful, heavy with hidden meanings, sharp wordplay, and dialogue that suggested far more than it openly confessed. Every gesture felt calculated, every exchange loaded. Reading it felt like participating in an elegant but deeply macabre game; some sort of cruel intentions wrapped in velvet and brutality delivered with impeccable manners.
ㅤ And yes, I will absolutely return to the symbolism, because nothing delights me more than gothic literature that dares to be unapologetically heavy-handed with its metaphors.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I can totally understand why this book felt frustrating for some people; it is literally constructed like one of those thriller films where you are being fed random scenes that, despite being in a chronological order, don't really make sense UNTIL THE VERY END. It is perfectly understandable to feel frustrated at times, but for me this worked really well.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I genuinely believe I could speak about the symbolism in this book for hours (and I might make a small list of these things at the end of the review), which is likely the unavoidable side effect of having studied literature as my major. There are countless subtle layers woven throughout the narrative, and I am convinced I have only uncovered a fraction of them.
ㅤ Yes, much of this symbolism is buried beneath scenes designed to shock, often sickening, often overtly sexual, but if one is willing to look past the initial provocation, there is far more to discover there. In fact, that shock factor, which I admittedly appreciated, functions almost as a distraction from the true reality.
ㅤ Some of the ideas explored are undeniably controversial: objectification reframed as veneration, submission reimagined as a form of power, sexualization rooted in insecurity and control. These are not gentle concepts, nor are they presented delicately. However, there are a lot of hidden meanings to be discovered if you feel like this is something you might enjoy reading.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I will refrain from discussing the romance in detail, purely out of respect for those who prefer to experience it in real time. What I will say is this: it is unmistakably a dark GOTHIC romance; it is intense, unsettling, and very clearly written for a specific audience.
ㅤ I fully understand why it would not appeal to everyone. It is not designed to. It demands a certain tolerance, perhaps even an enthusiasm, for morally questionable dynamics wrapped in pretty societal manners.
ㅤ But, apparently I am part of that target audience and my morality is in hell anyway so hey, I enjoyed this.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ Do not ask me why this was not a five-star read, because I genuinely cannot provide a satisfying answer. Perhaps the ending felt slightly rushed, as though everything collided at once. Perhaps certain dynamics did not unfold as fully as I had hoped. Perhaps there were threads I wished had been explored more deeply.
ㅤ Whatever it was, it remains something entirely personal, that not even I can fully explain and that others might not even share in the slightest.
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ characters
ㅤ ⊹ Petronille De Villier — I will keep this part of the review extremely short because I feel like everything I might say could be a potential spoiler. Petronille embodies a profoundly self-destructive nature, one that seems deeply rooted in her own insecurity. She exists as a captive within the confines of her own life, burdened by secrets and desires too unsettling to expose. It is only when someone perceives a strange beauty within what others would deem monstrous that her carefully restrained chaos finds recognition.
ㅤ ⊹ Arkady Kamenev — He carries an almost obsessive intensity, fueled by passion and an unyielding drive for an...artistic sort of justice. A true artist, he finds beauty even in the darkest corners. Unlike Petronille, he refuses to be trapped by their life’s suffocating confine. His resistance is fierce, even violent, and he extends that defiance to offer her a path to freedom as well.
ㅤ His love is as obsessive and brutal as it is tender and caring. In the end, he is a man of action, not words, demonstrating his deepest devotion by returning Petronille her agency from the very beginning.
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ should you read this?
ㅤ If I were a person caring about the general opinion, I might not recommend this directly. But as I am as far from that as possible, YES, go and read this if you feel like something unsettling, almost vulgar in its darkness is what you can put up with.
ㅤ It might scar you for life, or it might become your new obsession. Isn't that an intriguing bet you'd want to take?
┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍBONUS ( SPOILERS AHEAD ❗) ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ symbolism
ㅤ This is something that I wanted to add out of my own love and passion for this specific genre. Please note that this is, however, just MY PERSONAL interpretation of some of the elements from this book. Also, everything below is a complete spoiler, so proceed only if you have no issue with major spoilers.
ㅤ ♦ The townhouse - is a perfect symbol of confinement and hidden pasts, a decaying prison that mirrors the FMC’s own trapped existence. She is captive to her parents and the rigid control over her immediate society that they enforce, locked within both the physical space and the destructive patterns of her own behavior. Its decay reflects the deterioration of her mind and sanity, keeping her simmering in rage.
ㅤ The contrast between its quite modern, beautiful exterior and its dark, aging, clustered interior mirrors her own life: outwardly composed, pleasant, and normal, while concealing disturbing secrets she only dares to pour into her journal, obsessively recording what cannot be spoken aloud.
ㅤ ♦ Moths - Traditionally, moths symbolize a pull toward danger and destruction, which aligns perfectly with what the FMC is forced to endure, as well as the weight of her secrets. Their literal invasion of her home underscores how her entire life revolves around hidden, dark, and forbidden truths capable of consuming her. In their fragility, they reflect her own nature: a devouring, insatiable force concealed behind a delicate exterior.
ㅤ ♦ Sexual taboos (dominant/submissive, BDSM) – Surprisingly, the smut in this book rarely read as overtly sexual for me, but they surely feel disturbing and shocking at times. They serves as a metaphorical journey toward healing and empowerment: the FMC reclaims her body and autonomy by consciously engaging in dynamics she once endured without control, with the ability to stop them at will.
ㅤ They also function as a symbolic breaking of psychological barriers, forcing hidden desires and past traumas into the open, an experience that leads to transformation and acceptance.
ㅤ ♦ Arkady having intercourse with the statue of Petronille – Beyond its shocking nature, I think this scene marks the official start of his obsessive love for her. As an artist who elevates his creations to near-religious reverence, he extends that same worship to Petronille, positioning her as his supreme muse, but also as his new object of desire through the nature of the carnal actions. His violence in the act serves as a dark foreshadowing of his dual nature: a caring, profound artist who is simultaneously capable of serving violent revenge as an act of love.
ㅤ ♦ Cannibalism (yes, you read that right) – Beyond its obvious connection to taboo desires, it symbolizes the ultimate act of “consumption,” of power and the total domination or destruction of another. Her parents forcing her into these acts reflects their insatiable hunger for control, using her as the instrument to literally consume others as a form of punishment.
ㅤ Her growing sense of being overwhelmed by the number of bodies she has to consume toward the book’s end underscores her desperate desire for freedom, both from these dark impulses and, ultimately, from her family.
ㅤ ♦ Arkady hiding the bodies in his statues – By transforming his victims into statues, he strips them of the ability to cause further harm, condemning them to eternal immobility as silent, powerless spectators as a form of justice. In doing so, he assumes a godlike role, offering a twisted form of “redemption” by concealing their true selves beneath art (something beautiful), yet entirely of his own making. In his secret type of violent revenge, he becomes both creator and judge, wielding absolute power over transformation and punishment.
ㅤ There are surely many more scenes and elements in this book that could prove to be very important elements to be analysed, hiding much deeper meaning. But I feel like this is enough for now to satisfy my need for analysys.
⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍendㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹
ㅤ ᯓ ✿ pre-reading ⪼ ㅤ started ┆16-Feb-2026┆
ㅤ ㅤ ⤿ one of my best friends, whom I trust fully, recommended this to me, so I’ll know whose ass to cancel if I don’t find it up to par 😌
ㅤ ㅤ ˋ°•*⁀➷ㅤmight contain spoilers ❗
ㅤ This book is certainly not for everyone, particularly not for readers who shy away from dark, twisted gothic literature that revels in discomfort and very taboo subjects. Fortunately for me (and for the friend who so wisely recommended it), this was entirely my cup of tea.
ㅤ It was not flawless, largely because I am, regrettably, a pretentious
ㅤ I will say and emphasize this if you know yourself to not be comfortable with some very disturbing subjects (i will not specify exactly which to not spoil anything), please do check the content warnings for this book first.
ㅤ This might be a long review.....
ㅤ ㅤ “A quiet night enjoyed with fresh fruit, a good book, burning hickory.”
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ honest thoughts
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ Firstly, I adored the writing. It was precise and almost technical in its construction, yet undeniably poetic, rich in detail, attentive to emotion and imagery, and still lush enough to feel indulgently beautiful. This book used language deliberately, almost surgically, to press every feeling directly onto the reader. And that is no small achievement. Translating emotion into words is one thing; making those words feel lived-in is another entirely.
ㅤ More often than not, I found myself trapped in the very emotions the characters were enduring. I felt the simmering rage at the suffocating hopelessness of it all. I panicked at every looming misstep. I grieved alongside them in their loneliness and quiet abandonment. The pressure, the gloom, the oppressive weight of the atmosphere; I did not simply read about them. I experienced them. I found myself relating to some of the emotions depicted in here more than I like to agree and I think that, the realisation, made this book somehow feel even more impactful.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ And as for the atmosphere, truly, I am helpless before a dark, gothic setting steeped in tension, vengeance, simmering rage, and a distinct absence of mercy. Whatever remains of my moral compass seemed perfectly content to take a brief vacation in such deliciously depraved scenery. It is an addictive environment, and I surrendered to it willingly.
ㅤ The layered symbolism was particularly satisfying: repetitive yet purposeful, heavy with hidden meanings, sharp wordplay, and dialogue that suggested far more than it openly confessed. Every gesture felt calculated, every exchange loaded. Reading it felt like participating in an elegant but deeply macabre game; some sort of cruel intentions wrapped in velvet and brutality delivered with impeccable manners.
ㅤ And yes, I will absolutely return to the symbolism, because nothing delights me more than gothic literature that dares to be unapologetically heavy-handed with its metaphors.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I can totally understand why this book felt frustrating for some people; it is literally constructed like one of those thriller films where you are being fed random scenes that, despite being in a chronological order, don't really make sense UNTIL THE VERY END. It is perfectly understandable to feel frustrated at times, but for me this worked really well.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I genuinely believe I could speak about the symbolism in this book for hours (and I might make a small list of these things at the end of the review), which is likely the unavoidable side effect of having studied literature as my major. There are countless subtle layers woven throughout the narrative, and I am convinced I have only uncovered a fraction of them.
ㅤ Yes, much of this symbolism is buried beneath scenes designed to shock, often sickening, often overtly sexual, but if one is willing to look past the initial provocation, there is far more to discover there. In fact, that shock factor, which I admittedly appreciated, functions almost as a distraction from the true reality.
ㅤ Some of the ideas explored are undeniably controversial: objectification reframed as veneration, submission reimagined as a form of power, sexualization rooted in insecurity and control. These are not gentle concepts, nor are they presented delicately. However, there are a lot of hidden meanings to be discovered if you feel like this is something you might enjoy reading.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I will refrain from discussing the romance in detail, purely out of respect for those who prefer to experience it in real time. What I will say is this: it is unmistakably a dark GOTHIC romance; it is intense, unsettling, and very clearly written for a specific audience.
ㅤ I fully understand why it would not appeal to everyone. It is not designed to. It demands a certain tolerance, perhaps even an enthusiasm, for morally questionable dynamics wrapped in pretty societal manners.
ㅤ But, apparently I am part of that target audience and my morality is in hell anyway so hey, I enjoyed this.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ Do not ask me why this was not a five-star read, because I genuinely cannot provide a satisfying answer. Perhaps the ending felt slightly rushed, as though everything collided at once. Perhaps certain dynamics did not unfold as fully as I had hoped. Perhaps there were threads I wished had been explored more deeply.
ㅤ Whatever it was, it remains something entirely personal, that not even I can fully explain and that others might not even share in the slightest.
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ characters
ㅤ ⊹ Petronille De Villier — I will keep this part of the review extremely short because I feel like everything I might say could be a potential spoiler. Petronille embodies a profoundly self-destructive nature, one that seems deeply rooted in her own insecurity. She exists as a captive within the confines of her own life, burdened by secrets and desires too unsettling to expose. It is only when someone perceives a strange beauty within what others would deem monstrous that her carefully restrained chaos finds recognition.
ㅤ ⊹ Arkady Kamenev — He carries an almost obsessive intensity, fueled by passion and an unyielding drive for an...artistic sort of justice. A true artist, he finds beauty even in the darkest corners. Unlike Petronille, he refuses to be trapped by their life’s suffocating confine. His resistance is fierce, even violent, and he extends that defiance to offer her a path to freedom as well.
ㅤ His love is as obsessive and brutal as it is tender and caring. In the end, he is a man of action, not words, demonstrating his deepest devotion by returning Petronille her agency from the very beginning.
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ should you read this?
ㅤ If I were a person caring about the general opinion, I might not recommend this directly. But as I am as far from that as possible, YES, go and read this if you feel like something unsettling, almost vulgar in its darkness is what you can put up with.
ㅤ It might scar you for life, or it might become your new obsession. Isn't that an intriguing bet you'd want to take?
┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍBONUS ( SPOILERS AHEAD ❗) ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ symbolism
ㅤ This is something that I wanted to add out of my own love and passion for this specific genre. Please note that this is, however, just MY PERSONAL interpretation of some of the elements from this book. Also, everything below is a complete spoiler, so proceed only if you have no issue with major spoilers.
ㅤ ♦ The townhouse - is a perfect symbol of confinement and hidden pasts, a decaying prison that mirrors the FMC’s own trapped existence. She is captive to her parents and the rigid control over her immediate society that they enforce, locked within both the physical space and the destructive patterns of her own behavior. Its decay reflects the deterioration of her mind and sanity, keeping her simmering in rage.
ㅤ The contrast between its quite modern, beautiful exterior and its dark, aging, clustered interior mirrors her own life: outwardly composed, pleasant, and normal, while concealing disturbing secrets she only dares to pour into her journal, obsessively recording what cannot be spoken aloud.
ㅤ ♦ Moths - Traditionally, moths symbolize a pull toward danger and destruction, which aligns perfectly with what the FMC is forced to endure, as well as the weight of her secrets. Their literal invasion of her home underscores how her entire life revolves around hidden, dark, and forbidden truths capable of consuming her. In their fragility, they reflect her own nature: a devouring, insatiable force concealed behind a delicate exterior.
ㅤ ♦ Sexual taboos (dominant/submissive, BDSM) – Surprisingly, the smut in this book rarely read as overtly sexual for me, but they surely feel disturbing and shocking at times. They serves as a metaphorical journey toward healing and empowerment: the FMC reclaims her body and autonomy by consciously engaging in dynamics she once endured without control, with the ability to stop them at will.
ㅤ They also function as a symbolic breaking of psychological barriers, forcing hidden desires and past traumas into the open, an experience that leads to transformation and acceptance.
ㅤ ♦ Arkady having intercourse with the statue of Petronille – Beyond its shocking nature, I think this scene marks the official start of his obsessive love for her. As an artist who elevates his creations to near-religious reverence, he extends that same worship to Petronille, positioning her as his supreme muse, but also as his new object of desire through the nature of the carnal actions. His violence in the act serves as a dark foreshadowing of his dual nature: a caring, profound artist who is simultaneously capable of serving violent revenge as an act of love.
ㅤ ♦ Cannibalism (yes, you read that right) – Beyond its obvious connection to taboo desires, it symbolizes the ultimate act of “consumption,” of power and the total domination or destruction of another. Her parents forcing her into these acts reflects their insatiable hunger for control, using her as the instrument to literally consume others as a form of punishment.
ㅤ Her growing sense of being overwhelmed by the number of bodies she has to consume toward the book’s end underscores her desperate desire for freedom, both from these dark impulses and, ultimately, from her family.
ㅤ ♦ Arkady hiding the bodies in his statues – By transforming his victims into statues, he strips them of the ability to cause further harm, condemning them to eternal immobility as silent, powerless spectators as a form of justice. In doing so, he assumes a godlike role, offering a twisted form of “redemption” by concealing their true selves beneath art (something beautiful), yet entirely of his own making. In his secret type of violent revenge, he becomes both creator and judge, wielding absolute power over transformation and punishment.
ㅤ There are surely many more scenes and elements in this book that could prove to be very important elements to be analysed, hiding much deeper meaning. But I feel like this is enough for now to satisfy my need for analysys.
⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍendㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹
ㅤ ᯓ ✿ pre-reading ⪼ ㅤ started ┆16-Feb-2026┆
ㅤ ㅤ ⤿ one of my best friends, whom I trust fully, recommended this to me, so I’ll know whose ass to cancel if I don’t find it up to par 😌
February 19, 2026
the wasted potential pains me. this could’ve been incredible.
the writing was interesting & the concept was intriguing, but it didn’t feel very cohesive. the storytelling was very disjointed and choppy. nothing really happened until the very end, and by then i didn’t care anymore.
notable elements:
• based in early 1900s in NYC
• fmc is retired ballerina, mmc is an artist (a sculptor)
• marriage of convenience (him — for wealth, her — to make her family upset)
• dual pov
• mystery element
• a bit of a gothic element
• lovely writing & quotes
this could have been greatly improved with more emphasis on the plot and chemistry between main characters. the spice was great, actually, but the yearning could have been turned up a few notches.
*available on kindle unlimited
the writing was interesting & the concept was intriguing, but it didn’t feel very cohesive. the storytelling was very disjointed and choppy. nothing really happened until the very end, and by then i didn’t care anymore.
notable elements:
• based in early 1900s in NYC
• fmc is retired ballerina, mmc is an artist (a sculptor)
• marriage of convenience (him — for wealth, her — to make her family upset)
• dual pov
• mystery element
• a bit of a gothic element
• lovely writing & quotes
this could have been greatly improved with more emphasis on the plot and chemistry between main characters. the spice was great, actually, but the yearning could have been turned up a few notches.
*available on kindle unlimited
August 27, 2025
When I tell you that the writing in this book is literal poetry, I am not lying. The mystery, the suspense, the romance, the tension. I loved every aspect of it. The way I felt like I was in 1900s New York with these characters was insane.
January 26, 2026
My rating is a generous 1.5 so you can well guess how this is going to go. But let’s start with what I liked about FOTF:
- I'm a sucker for rich people problems so when I saw this is during the Gilded Age, I had to check it out. Ballerina marries an artist in order to spite and break free of her family - now how did this happen 👀
- I’m a moth connoisseur so I was curious to see how the moths will play in either as imagery or device.
- In the beginning of the book there were bits and pieces to flag to the reader that things aren’t as they seemed. Sadly, most of these were either forgotten or when it became time to put the pieces together for the “reveal” it was too forced, like the author had reached their word limit and had to wrap it up. The ending made no sense, especially from a technical standpoint. It came out of the blue with no buildup or foreshadowing.
The first chapters of FOTF where we’re introduced to Arkady and Petronille were interesting, it was obvious that they’re all hiding something and putting on masks, and it makes you curious. However, the moment the FMC and the MMC are alone together, it all falls apart in the cringiest of ways. I don’t need book characters to be likable or relatable, I need them to make sense in their narrative and to be written to the best of the author’s abilities. With Petronille and Arkady we’re having the same character portrait issues that I had with Alina and Silas in “The Poisoner” - they start out strong and interesting, and they very quickly either fall flat and apart, or everything they do doesn’t make sense, nor is it connected to prior actions/dialogue.
Starting off with Arkady, we know almost nothing about him and how he got into sculpting, or what his goals in life are. Apparently he has issues, violent urges and doesn’t trust himself to have penetrative sex because *aggression* which explains all the (when you think about it, aggressive) fingering and avoiding intercourse with his wife. It’s not clear why he’s violent, other than being an immigrant foster kid, which explains nothing really. We have scenes of him looking down on the De Villiers and internally going “I’m not going to do anything for them lol”, immediately followed by him doing exactly what they wanted of him. SPOILER-when I was reading his chapters and later Petronille’s POVs, I thought that he might be a serial killer burning the corpses in the kiln, and that Petronille was his next victim, but no…that’s not how the story goes-SPOILER. It's constantly repeated how poor and rundown Arkady is, he can't pay his rent on the studio, yet has a telephone installed there and wins the bid during the auction scene for the dress by bidding $12k (in today's money that's over $400k). He never pays the rent btw. His landlord shows up once and that's it. He's also constantly switching between smoking a cigarette, a cigar and a pipe within the same chapter (make do with this detail as you will).
Then we have Petronille who has constant fits of hysteria (marketed here as “she’s a brat! hihi”) and some weird esoteric “you’re allowed to feel angry and want to be seen and take up space” talk throughout the story. One moment she’s rational and can talk back to both Arkady and her family, then she’s talking about how edgy she is and what aspirations she has (don’t ask me what they are, I have no idea), the next she’s throwing things at Arkady, being a drunk, not eating, not carrying for her house, just sitting there doing literally nothing with her time. Whenever there’s a scene where she interacts with someone she’s always on the defense, aggressive and flat and nothing dialogues. If someone from the ballet crosses paths with her, they’re barely described or given a name but they throw insults and belittle Petronille. Every interaction is for the purpose to attack and trigger her. Like with Arcady's character, she does and says things that contradict later actions. She's first described as someone who doesn't eat anything other than apricots, or cares to cook and shop for food but has to do it because there's noone else to do it for her. Then later on, Arkady describes how the kitchen has the newest type of stove and how Petronille's hobby is cooking.
The arranged marriage between her and Arkady doesn't make sense. Supposedly she did it to get away from her family and put some distance between them, yet she's constantly getting baited by them and interacting with them. She's from this new money family trying to make it big, yet you're telling me they allowed her to marry an artist because she chose him?? Everything about Mr De Villier's motivation and line of through made me spiral, and I hate this man so much. Not because he's evil and a beast to all of them. No. It's because he's such a cartoonish villain, it's even in his name. He's just throwing oneliners, oblique threats and insults. It physically hurt every time he showed up. Yet, my biggest peeve is that his first name gets thrown in there past the 70%. Why even bother??
There's very little about anything or anybody in the book. The descriptions of characters and surroundings are few, when not repetitive, they are bleak. Every other dress Petronille wears is cream colours, Arkady's suits are "nice". If I didn't know this was New York during the Gilded Age from the blurb, I wouldn't have found out. Sometimes it feels like the story could be taking place down the street from where I live, and I'm not even on the same continent. The focus is primarily on word salad-too modern sounding-dialogue and everyone constantly saying aphorisms with the specific intent of being used later as quotes on Pinterest moodboards. Nobody speaks authentic and natural in this story, nobody. There's always something about knives, hearts, fruit, the soul, the flesh, and appetites without further elaboration, rhyme or reason to these images or concepts. The cannibalism at the end was so forced, and such a lazy "solution" to hiding bodies. Given the amount of apricots that Petronille ate and that her family has an orchard, I thought the fruit was poisoned and it was killing her. Instead we got a "oh, we force-fed you your biological mother and random people, and you knew about it and you ate it lol, lmao even". I really wish she and Arkady had tried to kill each other in the end, it would have made for a better ending.
I’m very nitpicky and pretentious when it comes to historical fiction. Like “The Poisoner”, FOTF is full of inaccuracies, contemporary dialogue and concepts which threw me off completely while reading, and leads me to believe that this is just how IVO writes and her editors don't seem to care.
- “Blashko lines” were coined as a term by Alfred Blashko in 1901. FOTF supposedly takes place in the early 1900s so this might pass but how is someone like Arkady (a random guy off the street) aware of this condition and the clinical term? From the little that we know about his background and education (or lack of), it doesn’t explain how he knows this. The visits to the morgue wouldn’t explain it, no.
- Whistleblower is coined in the late 1960s
- Human rights and Human Right Violations (as we know them today) are a result of WW2
- Mrs De Villier telling Petronille to “become a sex symbol” and let the press write snuff pieces on her, as if women (even white and rich) weren’t ostracized for just breathing wrong during that time period.
- Unmarried Petronille is allowed to live away from her parents, in a house all on her own without any servants. I don’t know what’s with IVO’s aversion towards rich people having servants but we have the same thing in “The Poisoner” with Alina and Silas’ houses. I get the need for secrecy but it makes no sense, also these people can’t do their own chores, look at how they live…
The BDSM:
- “I’m looking for your boundaries.” And I’m looking for a molecule of people acting their century/era when I read historical fiction. Throughout the book Arkady attempts to have conversations with Petronille about BDSM by using contemporary terms and concepts. These conversations and phrases are so weird that even Petronille acknowledges it at one point on page. While it’s fantastic to finally have a MMC that is not a walking red flag and cares about what the FMC wants, the tone and timing makes it seem like this is done for the sake of marking things off from a checklist. Arkady is talking about “brats”, “princesses”, “safe words”, he’s checking in on her and engaging in one(!) aftercare scene. The only reason why I know the bath scene is an aftercare scene is because it was mentioned in the Content Warnings page. All the scenes about setting boundaries, consent, exploring fantasies and trying out different play scenes, felt disingenuous and forced.
- Most of the erotic scenes were supposed to be a type of play, to help Petronille deal with *everything* but here’s the problem. On the one hand you have Arkady who is doing a poor job of delivering a modern day BDSM 101 class. Even Petronille has no idea what they’re doing and doesn’t understand (me too, but that’s because of the descriptions). On the other hand you have Petronille, who although an escort with many patrons and previous experience, is talking and acting like a virgin until the very end.
- Add to that how all the erotic/play scenes were initiated at weird no-connection-to-prior-events-no-foreplay and were brief and confusing. Instead of getting descriptions of who is doing what where with whom, characters would have inner monologues waxing poetically about their souls, their flesh, God, wetness and other moral dilemmas in the middle of unsanitary fingering (also, what is it with heterosexuals and moulding clay together????). There's so much fingering....
- The food play scene feels like it was done only so there’s some wordplay early on involving the title. There’s no other explanation. Because imagine waiting all day for your husband to come home and cook you the dinner he promised you, only for him to finally show up late with nothing but a bag of fruit. And then initiate fruit food play while he’s both domineering you but also giving you a fruit lecture. All the while he knows you are anemic and haven’t eaten much. Like okay, it’s erotic, it’s sensual to get fruit stuffed in your mouth but why not do this for dessert? Why not actually cook that dinner and do this at the end?
Overall there's very little world building and time and effort put into the characters. They aren't even two dimensional, they are inconsistent, disjointed, immature in their actions and expressions, they talk and behave in ways that don't make sense for their social status and time period. The text itself is punishing for the reader; some sentences don't sound finished, scenes abruptly cut off, chapters don't feel connected at times, the imagery and descriptions make no sense. The amount of things left unsaid or left to the interpretation of the reader are too many, and you don't get answers to some things - resolutions and reveals are thrown in at the very end of the book.
Frankly, I was looking forward to reading this and seeing how IVO had progressed as an author, especially since this is also a standalone. They have good ideas and their marketing is always on point. But this was sad and disappointing to read. This just doesn't sound like a finished draft. I kept stopping to reread bits and ask myself what am I reading, what is going on, what tf is Mr De Villier trying to accomplish because I do not see the vision, let alone the logic. The man was literally threatening "Yes, I will ruin my daughter but I will also shoot myself in the foot!".
Lastly, and this is just for me, but every time someone called Petronille "Petre" I snort-sobbed because"Petre" is the masculine nickname for Peter. Add to that the whole Mr Kamenev vs Mrs Kameneva — while I appreciate that Petronille noticed the difference in their names and asked about it, the explanation Arkady gave her barely made sense and I got it only because I'm Slavic 💀
- I'm a sucker for rich people problems so when I saw this is during the Gilded Age, I had to check it out. Ballerina marries an artist in order to spite and break free of her family - now how did this happen 👀
- I’m a moth connoisseur so I was curious to see how the moths will play in either as imagery or device.
- In the beginning of the book there were bits and pieces to flag to the reader that things aren’t as they seemed. Sadly, most of these were either forgotten or when it became time to put the pieces together for the “reveal” it was too forced, like the author had reached their word limit and had to wrap it up. The ending made no sense, especially from a technical standpoint. It came out of the blue with no buildup or foreshadowing.
The first chapters of FOTF where we’re introduced to Arkady and Petronille were interesting, it was obvious that they’re all hiding something and putting on masks, and it makes you curious. However, the moment the FMC and the MMC are alone together, it all falls apart in the cringiest of ways. I don’t need book characters to be likable or relatable, I need them to make sense in their narrative and to be written to the best of the author’s abilities. With Petronille and Arkady we’re having the same character portrait issues that I had with Alina and Silas in “The Poisoner” - they start out strong and interesting, and they very quickly either fall flat and apart, or everything they do doesn’t make sense, nor is it connected to prior actions/dialogue.
Starting off with Arkady, we know almost nothing about him and how he got into sculpting, or what his goals in life are. Apparently he has issues, violent urges and doesn’t trust himself to have penetrative sex because *aggression* which explains all the (when you think about it, aggressive) fingering and avoiding intercourse with his wife. It’s not clear why he’s violent, other than being an immigrant foster kid, which explains nothing really. We have scenes of him looking down on the De Villiers and internally going “I’m not going to do anything for them lol”, immediately followed by him doing exactly what they wanted of him. SPOILER-when I was reading his chapters and later Petronille’s POVs, I thought that he might be a serial killer burning the corpses in the kiln, and that Petronille was his next victim, but no…that’s not how the story goes-SPOILER. It's constantly repeated how poor and rundown Arkady is, he can't pay his rent on the studio, yet has a telephone installed there and wins the bid during the auction scene for the dress by bidding $12k (in today's money that's over $400k). He never pays the rent btw. His landlord shows up once and that's it. He's also constantly switching between smoking a cigarette, a cigar and a pipe within the same chapter (make do with this detail as you will).
Then we have Petronille who has constant fits of hysteria (marketed here as “she’s a brat! hihi”) and some weird esoteric “you’re allowed to feel angry and want to be seen and take up space” talk throughout the story. One moment she’s rational and can talk back to both Arkady and her family, then she’s talking about how edgy she is and what aspirations she has (don’t ask me what they are, I have no idea), the next she’s throwing things at Arkady, being a drunk, not eating, not carrying for her house, just sitting there doing literally nothing with her time. Whenever there’s a scene where she interacts with someone she’s always on the defense, aggressive and flat and nothing dialogues. If someone from the ballet crosses paths with her, they’re barely described or given a name but they throw insults and belittle Petronille. Every interaction is for the purpose to attack and trigger her. Like with Arcady's character, she does and says things that contradict later actions. She's first described as someone who doesn't eat anything other than apricots, or cares to cook and shop for food but has to do it because there's noone else to do it for her. Then later on, Arkady describes how the kitchen has the newest type of stove and how Petronille's hobby is cooking.
The arranged marriage between her and Arkady doesn't make sense. Supposedly she did it to get away from her family and put some distance between them, yet she's constantly getting baited by them and interacting with them. She's from this new money family trying to make it big, yet you're telling me they allowed her to marry an artist because she chose him?? Everything about Mr De Villier's motivation and line of through made me spiral, and I hate this man so much. Not because he's evil and a beast to all of them. No. It's because he's such a cartoonish villain, it's even in his name. He's just throwing oneliners, oblique threats and insults. It physically hurt every time he showed up. Yet, my biggest peeve is that his first name gets thrown in there past the 70%. Why even bother??
There's very little about anything or anybody in the book. The descriptions of characters and surroundings are few, when not repetitive, they are bleak. Every other dress Petronille wears is cream colours, Arkady's suits are "nice". If I didn't know this was New York during the Gilded Age from the blurb, I wouldn't have found out. Sometimes it feels like the story could be taking place down the street from where I live, and I'm not even on the same continent. The focus is primarily on word salad-too modern sounding-dialogue and everyone constantly saying aphorisms with the specific intent of being used later as quotes on Pinterest moodboards. Nobody speaks authentic and natural in this story, nobody. There's always something about knives, hearts, fruit, the soul, the flesh, and appetites without further elaboration, rhyme or reason to these images or concepts. The cannibalism at the end was so forced, and such a lazy "solution" to hiding bodies. Given the amount of apricots that Petronille ate and that her family has an orchard, I thought the fruit was poisoned and it was killing her. Instead we got a "oh, we force-fed you your biological mother and random people, and you knew about it and you ate it lol, lmao even". I really wish she and Arkady had tried to kill each other in the end, it would have made for a better ending.
I’m very nitpicky and pretentious when it comes to historical fiction. Like “The Poisoner”, FOTF is full of inaccuracies, contemporary dialogue and concepts which threw me off completely while reading, and leads me to believe that this is just how IVO writes and her editors don't seem to care.
- “Blashko lines” were coined as a term by Alfred Blashko in 1901. FOTF supposedly takes place in the early 1900s so this might pass but how is someone like Arkady (a random guy off the street) aware of this condition and the clinical term? From the little that we know about his background and education (or lack of), it doesn’t explain how he knows this. The visits to the morgue wouldn’t explain it, no.
- Whistleblower is coined in the late 1960s
- Human rights and Human Right Violations (as we know them today) are a result of WW2
- Mrs De Villier telling Petronille to “become a sex symbol” and let the press write snuff pieces on her, as if women (even white and rich) weren’t ostracized for just breathing wrong during that time period.
- Unmarried Petronille is allowed to live away from her parents, in a house all on her own without any servants. I don’t know what’s with IVO’s aversion towards rich people having servants but we have the same thing in “The Poisoner” with Alina and Silas’ houses. I get the need for secrecy but it makes no sense, also these people can’t do their own chores, look at how they live…
The BDSM:
- “I’m looking for your boundaries.” And I’m looking for a molecule of people acting their century/era when I read historical fiction. Throughout the book Arkady attempts to have conversations with Petronille about BDSM by using contemporary terms and concepts. These conversations and phrases are so weird that even Petronille acknowledges it at one point on page. While it’s fantastic to finally have a MMC that is not a walking red flag and cares about what the FMC wants, the tone and timing makes it seem like this is done for the sake of marking things off from a checklist. Arkady is talking about “brats”, “princesses”, “safe words”, he’s checking in on her and engaging in one(!) aftercare scene. The only reason why I know the bath scene is an aftercare scene is because it was mentioned in the Content Warnings page. All the scenes about setting boundaries, consent, exploring fantasies and trying out different play scenes, felt disingenuous and forced.
- Most of the erotic scenes were supposed to be a type of play, to help Petronille deal with *everything* but here’s the problem. On the one hand you have Arkady who is doing a poor job of delivering a modern day BDSM 101 class. Even Petronille has no idea what they’re doing and doesn’t understand (me too, but that’s because of the descriptions). On the other hand you have Petronille, who although an escort with many patrons and previous experience, is talking and acting like a virgin until the very end.
- Add to that how all the erotic/play scenes were initiated at weird no-connection-to-prior-events-no-foreplay and were brief and confusing. Instead of getting descriptions of who is doing what where with whom, characters would have inner monologues waxing poetically about their souls, their flesh, God, wetness and other moral dilemmas in the middle of unsanitary fingering (also, what is it with heterosexuals and moulding clay together????). There's so much fingering....
- The food play scene feels like it was done only so there’s some wordplay early on involving the title. There’s no other explanation. Because imagine waiting all day for your husband to come home and cook you the dinner he promised you, only for him to finally show up late with nothing but a bag of fruit. And then initiate fruit food play while he’s both domineering you but also giving you a fruit lecture. All the while he knows you are anemic and haven’t eaten much. Like okay, it’s erotic, it’s sensual to get fruit stuffed in your mouth but why not do this for dessert? Why not actually cook that dinner and do this at the end?
Overall there's very little world building and time and effort put into the characters. They aren't even two dimensional, they are inconsistent, disjointed, immature in their actions and expressions, they talk and behave in ways that don't make sense for their social status and time period. The text itself is punishing for the reader; some sentences don't sound finished, scenes abruptly cut off, chapters don't feel connected at times, the imagery and descriptions make no sense. The amount of things left unsaid or left to the interpretation of the reader are too many, and you don't get answers to some things - resolutions and reveals are thrown in at the very end of the book.
Frankly, I was looking forward to reading this and seeing how IVO had progressed as an author, especially since this is also a standalone. They have good ideas and their marketing is always on point. But this was sad and disappointing to read. This just doesn't sound like a finished draft. I kept stopping to reread bits and ask myself what am I reading, what is going on, what tf is Mr De Villier trying to accomplish because I do not see the vision, let alone the logic. The man was literally threatening "Yes, I will ruin my daughter but I will also shoot myself in the foot!".
Lastly, and this is just for me, but every time someone called Petronille "Petre" I snort-sobbed because"Petre" is the masculine nickname for Peter. Add to that the whole Mr Kamenev vs Mrs Kameneva — while I appreciate that Petronille noticed the difference in their names and asked about it, the explanation Arkady gave her barely made sense and I got it only because I'm Slavic 💀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2025
I.V. Ophelia is a writer who doesn’t just write nonfiction, she writes actual poetry. I love when I am reading a book, and it feels so much more than a dark romance. It’s almost dreamlike, like you are stepping into the 1900’s itself and experienced how dark and gritty it was. This is a true dark gothic romance with themes of gore, people who are full of secrets, and secret identities.
The story opens with a marriage between two strangers who are seemingly attracted to one another, or may even come to care for each other, but nothing is ever how it seems, and they not only have their own secrets, but also have extremely dark pasts. When we met Patronille, you soon come to realize that something is off about her. You can tell that she is keeping something from us and isn’t giving us the whole picture of what her story is and her “affliction.”
Arkady was someone that Patroneille needed in her life. He had such a bold and confidant personality that I felt like he kept her grounded and showed her how to grow and to become a better version of herself. He always made sure she was taken care of and would come to her rescue like a dark knight, ugh. Just *swoon* I knew he had a dark past, especially with how his personality was and how he had no issues with his method of drawing, IYKYK.
In true Ophelia fashion, the ending took me by complete surprise, and I was shocked. In a way to sum this book up, it was complete unhinged, but in the absolute best way possible. The spice was dark and deprived, the characters were so unhinged and morbid, but they somehow fit together so perfectly and found that were exactly what each other needed. This story was so beautifully dark and captivating, and I cannot wait for mor people to read it and devour it the way I did.
“I want you,” I said quietly. “I need you,” he replied raggedly, keeping me tight against the door.
“Tell me to stop.” His voice was strained. “Stop holding back,” I begged. “I want all of you, every last unsavory piece of you.” He grunted and left love bites down my shoulder, the back of my neck. “I’ll ruin you.” His voice low. “Spoil me,” I gasped. “Like I’m worth the trouble.”
Fruit of the Flesh will be out on January 20, 2026!
*Thank you so so much to NetGalley, Montlake, and the incredible I. V. Ophelia for the ARC!*
The story opens with a marriage between two strangers who are seemingly attracted to one another, or may even come to care for each other, but nothing is ever how it seems, and they not only have their own secrets, but also have extremely dark pasts. When we met Patronille, you soon come to realize that something is off about her. You can tell that she is keeping something from us and isn’t giving us the whole picture of what her story is and her “affliction.”
Arkady was someone that Patroneille needed in her life. He had such a bold and confidant personality that I felt like he kept her grounded and showed her how to grow and to become a better version of herself. He always made sure she was taken care of and would come to her rescue like a dark knight, ugh. Just *swoon* I knew he had a dark past, especially with how his personality was and how he had no issues with his method of drawing, IYKYK.
In true Ophelia fashion, the ending took me by complete surprise, and I was shocked. In a way to sum this book up, it was complete unhinged, but in the absolute best way possible. The spice was dark and deprived, the characters were so unhinged and morbid, but they somehow fit together so perfectly and found that were exactly what each other needed. This story was so beautifully dark and captivating, and I cannot wait for mor people to read it and devour it the way I did.
“I want you,” I said quietly. “I need you,” he replied raggedly, keeping me tight against the door.
“Tell me to stop.” His voice was strained. “Stop holding back,” I begged. “I want all of you, every last unsavory piece of you.” He grunted and left love bites down my shoulder, the back of my neck. “I’ll ruin you.” His voice low. “Spoil me,” I gasped. “Like I’m worth the trouble.”
Fruit of the Flesh will be out on January 20, 2026!
*Thank you so so much to NetGalley, Montlake, and the incredible I. V. Ophelia for the ARC!*
March 19, 2026
I’m screaming!!!!! 😭✨🤍
I loved this sooo much!!!! 😭
This was gothic, lyrical, poetic, deep, and depraved in the best way 🤍✨🌿🦋 I have SO many highlights and notes… like my Kindle is lit up 😮💨✨🍑
This was honestly everything 🤍✨ I really don’t even have the words… this felt like perfection for me 😭🌿 It captured everything I want in a book. The writing was so pretty, so meaningful, and just… ugh 😮💨🤍✨
Most definitely a new gothic romance staple for me!!! 🤍✨ I haven’t loved a book like this since A Dowry of Blood 🖤🍑
And that twist was everything!!! 😭🤍✨ They were made for each other and compliment each other so well… even down to their names 😮💨🌿 it felt so classic and timeless ugh 🤍✨
💬💬💬
“I learn. You die when you don’t adapt. What you don’t respect in life will kill you.” 🤍🍑
“Self-deprecation is second nature. It lives under your skin, makes a home in your heart until it rots in comfort.” 🌿🤍
“You need to stop taking every man’s word as gospel,” 🤍✨
“Is that you sacrifice what you really want to say, how you really want to act, at all times. You are a portrait of what you wish to portray, unable to speak and only there to be observed. As a woman, I would have thought you’d understand this most of all.” 🌿🦋🤍
“Perhaps the best correction is knowing when to sculpt rather than chisel,” I interrupted with a tense smile. “Why labor and hit dry plaster when you could guide the material while it’s still malleable?” ✨🤍
“I consider haste a sin. I can appreciate the patience it takes to wait for something. To wait until it’s ripened to perfection.” 🍑🤍✨
Pre-read:
I have a good feeling about this one🍋🌿
I loved this sooo much!!!! 😭
This was gothic, lyrical, poetic, deep, and depraved in the best way 🤍✨🌿🦋 I have SO many highlights and notes… like my Kindle is lit up 😮💨✨🍑
This was honestly everything 🤍✨ I really don’t even have the words… this felt like perfection for me 😭🌿 It captured everything I want in a book. The writing was so pretty, so meaningful, and just… ugh 😮💨🤍✨
Most definitely a new gothic romance staple for me!!! 🤍✨ I haven’t loved a book like this since A Dowry of Blood 🖤🍑
And that twist was everything!!! 😭🤍✨ They were made for each other and compliment each other so well… even down to their names 😮💨🌿 it felt so classic and timeless ugh 🤍✨
💬💬💬
“I learn. You die when you don’t adapt. What you don’t respect in life will kill you.” 🤍🍑
“Self-deprecation is second nature. It lives under your skin, makes a home in your heart until it rots in comfort.” 🌿🤍
“You need to stop taking every man’s word as gospel,” 🤍✨
“Is that you sacrifice what you really want to say, how you really want to act, at all times. You are a portrait of what you wish to portray, unable to speak and only there to be observed. As a woman, I would have thought you’d understand this most of all.” 🌿🦋🤍
“Perhaps the best correction is knowing when to sculpt rather than chisel,” I interrupted with a tense smile. “Why labor and hit dry plaster when you could guide the material while it’s still malleable?” ✨🤍
“I consider haste a sin. I can appreciate the patience it takes to wait for something. To wait until it’s ripened to perfection.” 🍑🤍✨
Pre-read:
I have a good feeling about this one🍋🌿
January 22, 2026
“The curse of the flesh is to be consumed.”
I have no idea, NO IDEA, how I feel about this book 🍑
The characters…ex-ballerina & sculptor 🩰 A marriage of convenience with one liners like “I bet you’d cry if I made you finish the greens on your plate.” 🥦
The spice: umm..lots of interesting objects🫣
The twist ? 🩸🔥🩸absolute chaos, the last few chapters physically slapped me in the face and then bam, the book was finished. Maybe I’m unwell because it’s a standalone ?
SO…I’m immediately diving into a re-read to figure out the PURE SHOCK this book has left me in. I don’t know if it’s good or bad shock 😵💫
Rating *pending* the 3 stars ⭐️ is purely because the anticipation for this book release had me in a chokehold, the character art and cover art is stunning 🙌🏼
*After an immediate re-read I’ve settled on 2.5⭐️ It pains me as I loved The Poisoner but on reflection I can see I was letting that sway my rating. The gaps in plot & character motives just didn’t add up for me. The ending, I just … I’ve got no words 💀
I have no idea, NO IDEA, how I feel about this book 🍑
The characters…ex-ballerina & sculptor 🩰 A marriage of convenience with one liners like “I bet you’d cry if I made you finish the greens on your plate.” 🥦
The spice: umm..lots of interesting objects🫣
The twist ? 🩸🔥🩸absolute chaos, the last few chapters physically slapped me in the face and then bam, the book was finished. Maybe I’m unwell because it’s a standalone ?
SO…I’m immediately diving into a re-read to figure out the PURE SHOCK this book has left me in. I don’t know if it’s good or bad shock 😵💫
Rating *pending* the 3 stars ⭐️ is purely because the anticipation for this book release had me in a chokehold, the character art and cover art is stunning 🙌🏼
*After an immediate re-read I’ve settled on 2.5⭐️ It pains me as I loved The Poisoner but on reflection I can see I was letting that sway my rating. The gaps in plot & character motives just didn’t add up for me. The ending, I just … I’ve got no words 💀
September 6, 2025
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*
4 Stars!
A beautifully dark, twisted ride worth the wait!
I’ve wanted to read Fruit of the Flesh ever since I saw its announcement on the author's account, and I can honestly say that the gorgeous cover I’d seen in the meantime was absolutely worth the hype. This arc lived up to almost all of that anticipation.
Set in early 1900s New York, the story brings together a former ballerina and a struggling sculptor in a marriage of convenience that quickly spirals into something much more complex and unsettling. The gothic atmosphere is lush and intense, beautifully matched to the dark romance and macabre undertones that run through every chapter.
Ophelia’s prose is gorgeously evocative and richly atmospheric, and she knows exactly how to build tension between characters whose desires and secrets twist together in shocking ways. The plot isn’t a light read — it’s dark, sometimes messed up, and definitely not for the faint of heart — but for me, those tropes were exactly my cup of tea.
If I had one small critique, it’s that the pacing occasionally felt like it was savoring the mood more than driving straight toward resolution, which left me wanting just a bit more clarity in some places. But overall, this was a compelling, immersive read that scratched the gothic romance itch beautifully!
_________________________
Tropes that makes me more excited for the book:
- Brat/ Brat tamer
- Marriage of Convience
- Rich Girl x Gold Digger
- Ballerina FMC x Sculptor MMC
- Artist x Muse
- They'd kill for each other
- Gilded age NYC
- Dual POV
4 Stars!
A beautifully dark, twisted ride worth the wait!
I’ve wanted to read Fruit of the Flesh ever since I saw its announcement on the author's account, and I can honestly say that the gorgeous cover I’d seen in the meantime was absolutely worth the hype. This arc lived up to almost all of that anticipation.
Set in early 1900s New York, the story brings together a former ballerina and a struggling sculptor in a marriage of convenience that quickly spirals into something much more complex and unsettling. The gothic atmosphere is lush and intense, beautifully matched to the dark romance and macabre undertones that run through every chapter.
Ophelia’s prose is gorgeously evocative and richly atmospheric, and she knows exactly how to build tension between characters whose desires and secrets twist together in shocking ways. The plot isn’t a light read — it’s dark, sometimes messed up, and definitely not for the faint of heart — but for me, those tropes were exactly my cup of tea.
If I had one small critique, it’s that the pacing occasionally felt like it was savoring the mood more than driving straight toward resolution, which left me wanting just a bit more clarity in some places. But overall, this was a compelling, immersive read that scratched the gothic romance itch beautifully!
_________________________
Tropes that makes me more excited for the book:
- Brat/ Brat tamer
- Marriage of Convience
- Rich Girl x Gold Digger
- Ballerina FMC x Sculptor MMC
- Artist x Muse
- They'd kill for each other
- Gilded age NYC
- Dual POV
March 26, 2026
3⭐️
Interesting setting, 1900’s New York however I feel that setting wasn’t utilised enough in the book, I feel like it definitely could’ve been more immersive
As always poetic and beautiful writing, this story follows Petronille a ballet dancer entering a marriage of convenience with a struggling sculptor. Where they learn and discover things about themselves and each other through this marriage
Petre was such a brat I couldn’t stand her and she read extremely childish 😅 I also felt like there wasn’t really much plot?! There was but there wasn’t? The ending was pretty good, the spice was good but the story as a whole felt very unfinished?
Interesting setting, 1900’s New York however I feel that setting wasn’t utilised enough in the book, I feel like it definitely could’ve been more immersive
As always poetic and beautiful writing, this story follows Petronille a ballet dancer entering a marriage of convenience with a struggling sculptor. Where they learn and discover things about themselves and each other through this marriage
Petre was such a brat I couldn’t stand her and she read extremely childish 😅 I also felt like there wasn’t really much plot?! There was but there wasn’t? The ending was pretty good, the spice was good but the story as a whole felt very unfinished?
April 26, 2026
Fruit of the Flesh is a macabre twist of a romance, the seedy underbelly of the artsy upper classes running rampant. Admittedly, I expected this to feel more obsessive, to be thoroughly caught within a complex web that felt inescapable. It lacked a little in that regard, but it was a quick, darker leaning story that has still tempted me to try more from I.V Ophelia.
October 1, 2025
Um???? Well the ending was genuinely INSANE and very shocking, I literally felt sick. Almost thought I missed a content warning but I guess it would be a spoiler to have it listed there??? Still...
Honestly, I wasn't hooked right away but the moment I reached 19%, I was so invested! I was really curious on how Arkady and Petronille's relationship would develop and found Arkady to be really sweet. But then around the 60% mark... I got bored again and tbh it was a struggle getting to the end. Hence, the overall 3 star rating.
I do feel like Petronille and Arkady didn't really have chemistry tbh. I get that Petronille's childhood is the result of how she is right now, but I can't deny that her character really annoyed me. I wish I could've liked her😭 Arkady I liked at first but also that turned into disinterest after a certain point mostly because their relationship was boring to me. Their individual characters were very underdeveloped in my opinion.
Also, it kind of felt like the plot was all over the place?? Like I thought I was missing something but no it really was just confusing. And the ending genuinely was so random and I guess looking back it makes sense now but still super random??? That reveal was very disgusting and I know that's the point but I guess learned I don't like reading about that!! But uh yeah, it was alright in the end. 3 stars for at least keeping me interest for a good amount of the book. Oh also, the art is super pretty!!
Thank you Montlake for the ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
Honestly, I wasn't hooked right away but the moment I reached 19%, I was so invested! I was really curious on how Arkady and Petronille's relationship would develop and found Arkady to be really sweet. But then around the 60% mark... I got bored again and tbh it was a struggle getting to the end. Hence, the overall 3 star rating.
I do feel like Petronille and Arkady didn't really have chemistry tbh. I get that Petronille's childhood is the result of how she is right now, but I can't deny that her character really annoyed me. I wish I could've liked her😭 Arkady I liked at first but also that turned into disinterest after a certain point mostly because their relationship was boring to me. Their individual characters were very underdeveloped in my opinion.
Also, it kind of felt like the plot was all over the place?? Like I thought I was missing something but no it really was just confusing. And the ending genuinely was so random and I guess looking back it makes sense now but still super random??? That reveal was very disgusting and I know that's the point but I guess learned I don't like reading about that!! But uh yeah, it was alright in the end. 3 stars for at least keeping me interest for a good amount of the book. Oh also, the art is super pretty!!
Thank you Montlake for the ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
September 7, 2025
3.5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for offering me an eARC in exchange of a review!
Fruit of the Flesh is a another dark delicacy from I.V. Ophelia I couldn't wait to consume.
Taking place during the Gilded Age, an ex-ballerina and a sculptor bind themselves to a marriage of convenience for their own selfish desires, what could possibly go wrong?
I can say both morbid curiosity and I.V. Ophelia's entrancing writing had me flipping through the pages to unfold what lies beneath the façade of Petronille De Villier and her elusive new husband, Arkady Kamenev.
It took a while to figure them out but I did not expect the "twist". Absolutely flabbergasted I'm disappointed in myself that I did not piece it together.
Maybe that has more to do with the fact that I felt as if I randomly stumbled into a story from the very start and forced myself to be patient until I could get a feel of where the story was headed. I wouldn't say it felt disjointed as much as it felt abrupt.
Although the book did take place during the Gilded Age, I wouldn't describe anything as gilded thanks to its gothic backdrop. As if something much darker and haunting was looming.
While it is a marriage of convenience and what could've been a story of rags to riches for a struggling sculptor like Arkady, he finds himself tangled into the web of his wife and in-laws' mysteries and darkest secrets.
To Petre this marriage was an opening performance of defiance and she was the perfect muse to Arkady whose artisan hands sculpted her desires and unfurled her body's cravings—both erotic and morbid.
It had many elements I enjoy in an I.V. Ophelia book, who splendidly crafts such dark romances, however I was left with wanting more or wish some of it had been fleshed out enough. Especially in the first half.
You can find the trigger warnings listed at the beginning of the book. This is definitely a dark book with content that might be triggering for sensitive readers or readers with specific triggers.
Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for offering me an eARC in exchange of a review!
Fruit of the Flesh is a another dark delicacy from I.V. Ophelia I couldn't wait to consume.
Taking place during the Gilded Age, an ex-ballerina and a sculptor bind themselves to a marriage of convenience for their own selfish desires, what could possibly go wrong?
I can say both morbid curiosity and I.V. Ophelia's entrancing writing had me flipping through the pages to unfold what lies beneath the façade of Petronille De Villier and her elusive new husband, Arkady Kamenev.
It took a while to figure them out but I did not expect the "twist". Absolutely flabbergasted I'm disappointed in myself that I did not piece it together.
Maybe that has more to do with the fact that I felt as if I randomly stumbled into a story from the very start and forced myself to be patient until I could get a feel of where the story was headed. I wouldn't say it felt disjointed as much as it felt abrupt.
Although the book did take place during the Gilded Age, I wouldn't describe anything as gilded thanks to its gothic backdrop. As if something much darker and haunting was looming.
While it is a marriage of convenience and what could've been a story of rags to riches for a struggling sculptor like Arkady, he finds himself tangled into the web of his wife and in-laws' mysteries and darkest secrets.
To Petre this marriage was an opening performance of defiance and she was the perfect muse to Arkady whose artisan hands sculpted her desires and unfurled her body's cravings—both erotic and morbid.
It had many elements I enjoy in an I.V. Ophelia book, who splendidly crafts such dark romances, however I was left with wanting more or wish some of it had been fleshed out enough. Especially in the first half.
You can find the trigger warnings listed at the beginning of the book. This is definitely a dark book with content that might be triggering for sensitive readers or readers with specific triggers.
January 26, 2026
2.5 ⭐️ Well, men can f*ck literally anything indeed.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ARC + ALC REVIEW
--ARC REVIEW--
“Do you think,” I whispered, eyes fluttering open, “this could be how Eve felt in the garden?”
He smiled like it was a silly question. “If the snake were half as lucky as I am now, I would consider the temptation worthwhile.”
A gothic marriage of convenience with an ex-ballerina and a sculptor? SAY NO MORE. Ophelia's books have always had me in a chokehold ever since The Poisoner was released back in 2024. So when she announced a gothic historical marriage of convenience, I knew it would be one of my top reads.
And it certainly was.
Petronille de Villier is our former ballerina from FMC, who comes from a rich family and is pulled into a marriage with the poor sculptor, Arkady Kamenev.
Marriage of convenience, yes, but these two fall hard for each other, and it had me blushing like crazy at times. The spice was also well written as usual, and it definitely made me curious about some of the stuff that was written 👀🤣
Ophelia always writes characters who have deep, complex personalities, and also a world with descriptions that when you read it, it feels as if you can easily insert yourself into it and imagine every scene vividly.
This book is the perfect mix of gothic horror and dark romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
A million stars for this book. I will ALWAYS be talking about it, thank you very much.
--ALC REVIEW--
You mean we get to have we get to have Teddy Hamilton narrate Arkady, and Luna Rey narrate Petre? What a good day to be into audiobooks.
Their voices blended seamlessly with their characters, and they reflected them perfectly. If my ears were people, they would be crawling on the floor from how hot this audiobook was lol. The suspense and the romance were as palpable as reading it for the first time, and Luna and Teddy put everything into this performance to perfect this audiobook. Had me hooked!
------------------------------------------------
update: Aug. 28
okay seriously, only 10% in, and this is one of the hottest books with the most orgasmic writing i've ever read
----------------------------
*rubs hands together like a fly*
THIS BOOK IS GOING TO HE MY ENTIRE PERSONALITY GOODBYE. IM SO HERE FOR MY LOML OPHELIA AND THE HOTNESS THAT WILL BE IN THIS BOOK 😩🩷
sculptor x ballerina ? SAY LESSSS🩰
🍑 Standalone
🩰 HEA
🍑 Ex-Ballerina × Sculptor
🩰 Marriage of Convenience
🍑 1901 NYC
🩰 Murder and Mystery
🍑 Proper BDSM Practices
🩰 Themes of Autonomy, anti-capitalism, not-so-polite society, toxic families
--ARC REVIEW--
“Do you think,” I whispered, eyes fluttering open, “this could be how Eve felt in the garden?”
He smiled like it was a silly question. “If the snake were half as lucky as I am now, I would consider the temptation worthwhile.”
A gothic marriage of convenience with an ex-ballerina and a sculptor? SAY NO MORE. Ophelia's books have always had me in a chokehold ever since The Poisoner was released back in 2024. So when she announced a gothic historical marriage of convenience, I knew it would be one of my top reads.
And it certainly was.
Petronille de Villier is our former ballerina from FMC, who comes from a rich family and is pulled into a marriage with the poor sculptor, Arkady Kamenev.
Marriage of convenience, yes, but these two fall hard for each other, and it had me blushing like crazy at times. The spice was also well written as usual, and it definitely made me curious about some of the stuff that was written 👀🤣
Ophelia always writes characters who have deep, complex personalities, and also a world with descriptions that when you read it, it feels as if you can easily insert yourself into it and imagine every scene vividly.
This book is the perfect mix of gothic horror and dark romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
A million stars for this book. I will ALWAYS be talking about it, thank you very much.
--ALC REVIEW--
You mean we get to have we get to have Teddy Hamilton narrate Arkady, and Luna Rey narrate Petre? What a good day to be into audiobooks.
Their voices blended seamlessly with their characters, and they reflected them perfectly. If my ears were people, they would be crawling on the floor from how hot this audiobook was lol. The suspense and the romance were as palpable as reading it for the first time, and Luna and Teddy put everything into this performance to perfect this audiobook. Had me hooked!
------------------------------------------------
update: Aug. 28
okay seriously, only 10% in, and this is one of the hottest books with the most orgasmic writing i've ever read
----------------------------
*rubs hands together like a fly*
THIS BOOK IS GOING TO HE MY ENTIRE PERSONALITY GOODBYE. IM SO HERE FOR MY LOML OPHELIA AND THE HOTNESS THAT WILL BE IN THIS BOOK 😩🩷
sculptor x ballerina ? SAY LESSSS🩰
🍑 Standalone
🩰 HEA
🍑 Ex-Ballerina × Sculptor
🩰 Marriage of Convenience
🍑 1901 NYC
🩰 Murder and Mystery
🍑 Proper BDSM Practices
🩰 Themes of Autonomy, anti-capitalism, not-so-polite society, toxic families
Currently Reading
June 6, 2025IM SEATED ✨✨
January 7, 2026
I.V. Ophelia does it again; her writing and the way she can pull you into her gothic atmosphere is absolutely remarkable.
I was completely and utterly enraptured by Fruit of the Flesh.
In sickness, in health, and maybe dark secrets? The story reels you right into New York 1900s, following Arkady, an artisan, and Petronille, an ex-ballerina put into a marriage of convenience.
On every page, I was devouring the haunting prose. The characters are layered, morbid, and peculiar. The world is creepy, dreadful, yet mysteriously alluring.
Petronille first appears as spoiled (bratty), selfish, pessimistic, and a bit frustrating. Though despite all that, underneath the flesh and the feminine rage, she just wants to be seen and understood. I was feeling all the emotions for her; she’s socially awkward and does not GAF to ruin your appetite. The character growth on my girl was phenomenal and wicked. Also, I loved the descriptions of her outfits, from the tailored elegance to the colors she chose, and her taste in fruit.
Arkady, the “Brat Tamer”, my new favorite MMC. I was immediately drawn to him; he’s attentive, confident, smart, introverted, mischievous, and loves to galvanize Petre. This man, although he seemed quite mysterious and unhinged with his desires, I was fixated. His curiosity and his ability to unravel Petronille’s desires had me shook. He was patient and willing to do anything for his ✨wife✨, and his backstory made me love him more. I love a dark, poetic, tortured artist. Let’s just say intrusive thoughts for the win.
It delves into intimacy, kinks, emotions, and desires. Proper BDSM, with consent and communication. Although the sexual themes seemed heavy, they were moments of tenderness which made it all the more sensual and appealing. Scorching slow burn indeed 😮💨😩🔥
The story explores the darkest corners of the mind, the secrets buried deep, and the depravities that are inflicted. It’s thought-provoking, historically accurate, and reflective. In retrospect, where society or things we cannot control try to consume us. The demand for justice and those who go against us.
The ending had me shook. Throughout the book, I was theorizing and wanting to know what was underneath the surface, and when it was time for the revelations, I was sitting with my jaw on the floor (murder mystery is my favorite).
I.V. Ophelia is an auto-buy author for me and, without a doubt, my all-time favorite gothic romance author.
Thank you to NetGalley and I.V. Ophelia for the opportunity to receive this arc. I am so excited for FOTF to be released soon!
Tropes:
🍑Gothic Romance
🩰Psychological Horror
🍑Standalone
🩰Gilded Age NY
🍑Ex-Ballerina x Sculptor
🩰Marriage of Convenience
🍑Murder and Mystery
🩰Proper BDSM practices with consent
🍑Toxic families
🩰A Not so polite society
🍑Themes of Autonomy
🩰Anti-capitalism
I was completely and utterly enraptured by Fruit of the Flesh.
In sickness, in health, and maybe dark secrets? The story reels you right into New York 1900s, following Arkady, an artisan, and Petronille, an ex-ballerina put into a marriage of convenience.
On every page, I was devouring the haunting prose. The characters are layered, morbid, and peculiar. The world is creepy, dreadful, yet mysteriously alluring.
Petronille first appears as spoiled (bratty), selfish, pessimistic, and a bit frustrating. Though despite all that, underneath the flesh and the feminine rage, she just wants to be seen and understood. I was feeling all the emotions for her; she’s socially awkward and does not GAF to ruin your appetite. The character growth on my girl was phenomenal and wicked. Also, I loved the descriptions of her outfits, from the tailored elegance to the colors she chose, and her taste in fruit.
Arkady, the “Brat Tamer”, my new favorite MMC. I was immediately drawn to him; he’s attentive, confident, smart, introverted, mischievous, and loves to galvanize Petre. This man, although he seemed quite mysterious and unhinged with his desires, I was fixated. His curiosity and his ability to unravel Petronille’s desires had me shook. He was patient and willing to do anything for his ✨wife✨, and his backstory made me love him more. I love a dark, poetic, tortured artist. Let’s just say intrusive thoughts for the win.
It delves into intimacy, kinks, emotions, and desires. Proper BDSM, with consent and communication. Although the sexual themes seemed heavy, they were moments of tenderness which made it all the more sensual and appealing. Scorching slow burn indeed 😮💨😩🔥
The story explores the darkest corners of the mind, the secrets buried deep, and the depravities that are inflicted. It’s thought-provoking, historically accurate, and reflective. In retrospect, where society or things we cannot control try to consume us. The demand for justice and those who go against us.
The ending had me shook. Throughout the book, I was theorizing and wanting to know what was underneath the surface, and when it was time for the revelations, I was sitting with my jaw on the floor (murder mystery is my favorite).
I.V. Ophelia is an auto-buy author for me and, without a doubt, my all-time favorite gothic romance author.
Thank you to NetGalley and I.V. Ophelia for the opportunity to receive this arc. I am so excited for FOTF to be released soon!
Tropes:
🍑Gothic Romance
🩰Psychological Horror
🍑Standalone
🩰Gilded Age NY
🍑Ex-Ballerina x Sculptor
🩰Marriage of Convenience
🍑Murder and Mystery
🩰Proper BDSM practices with consent
🍑Toxic families
🩰A Not so polite society
🍑Themes of Autonomy
🩰Anti-capitalism
March 23, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
This book 😂🫣🤯
A gorgeous gothic romance, heavy on the macabre and heavy on the spice. Set in the 1920’s - this is a looot of fun and the spice really spiced things up and I was here for it.
A book of two halves for me, I looooved the first half. Second half left me with questions, especially on motives etc and how they actually felt about each other?? I still have no idea how that’s fully working.
I’m kinda lowkey reeling from this though?
This book 😂🫣🤯
A gorgeous gothic romance, heavy on the macabre and heavy on the spice. Set in the 1920’s - this is a looot of fun and the spice really spiced things up and I was here for it.
A book of two halves for me, I looooved the first half. Second half left me with questions, especially on motives etc and how they actually felt about each other?? I still have no idea how that’s fully working.
I’m kinda lowkey reeling from this though?
August 25, 2025
My jaw? On the FLOOR.
WTH OPHELIA!?? I was not expecting that ending at ALL. Oh my god.
This.. this surprised me in the best of ways. This is my first I.V. Ophelia, but definitely won’t be the last. It’s probably one of the most unique plot lines I’ve ever read.
When I tell you the fact that he buries a body for her is just A SCRATCH of what’s to come… I mean it.
The writing immediately pulls you into this golden, dream-like gothic setting. I genuinely felt the sun on my cheeks, peaking through the canopy and shrubs. You’re thrown into a marriage happening between two strangers, but they end up much more entwined by their secrets than they could ever imagine.
I liked how when we get to know Petronille, there’s always this nagging feeling: ‘she’s not telling us something’ or ‘she has more to her than meets the eye’. She never backs down from a challenge, and she says it when she doesn’t think something is right.
Arkady is the perfect person for Petronille. He complements her personality, never judging her, but allowing the best environment for her to grow. He makes her feel safe and comfortable, regularly making sure she’s getting what she wants.
The way everything is described, from the theater’s ambiance to the vibrance of the fruit, to the horrific events, it just makes you feel so immersed. All your senses are turned on, and everything mentioned feels alluring.
That being said please understand that this contains some dark themes so you may want to look into that. You’ll definitely have a… b🩸🩸🩸dy good time that’s for sure.
Thank you so much to montlake for this earc.
WTH OPHELIA!?? I was not expecting that ending at ALL. Oh my god.
This.. this surprised me in the best of ways. This is my first I.V. Ophelia, but definitely won’t be the last. It’s probably one of the most unique plot lines I’ve ever read.
When I tell you the fact that he buries a body for her is just A SCRATCH of what’s to come… I mean it.
The writing immediately pulls you into this golden, dream-like gothic setting. I genuinely felt the sun on my cheeks, peaking through the canopy and shrubs. You’re thrown into a marriage happening between two strangers, but they end up much more entwined by their secrets than they could ever imagine.
I liked how when we get to know Petronille, there’s always this nagging feeling: ‘she’s not telling us something’ or ‘she has more to her than meets the eye’. She never backs down from a challenge, and she says it when she doesn’t think something is right.
Arkady is the perfect person for Petronille. He complements her personality, never judging her, but allowing the best environment for her to grow. He makes her feel safe and comfortable, regularly making sure she’s getting what she wants.
The way everything is described, from the theater’s ambiance to the vibrance of the fruit, to the horrific events, it just makes you feel so immersed. All your senses are turned on, and everything mentioned feels alluring.
That being said please understand that this contains some dark themes so you may want to look into that. You’ll definitely have a… b🩸🩸🩸dy good time that’s for sure.
Thank you so much to montlake for this earc.
August 28, 2026
Yeah, NOPE. I’m done. This could’ve been amazing—all the ingredients were there—but instead it was flatter than a pancake. I’m not going to belabor the flaws; there are many 1-2 star reviews that echo my issues, but here’s a quick bullet list for posterity. (Please note I skipped ahead to the spice & finale to see if it was worth pushing through. It wasn’t.)
-poor/nonexistent sense of time + place
-poor scene transition
-random switching tenses (hellooo, editors?)
-anachronistic dialogues/monologues
-disjointed prose
-bland as fuck characters + vague villainy
-H: 21-yr-old Sculptor Edgelord (stfu, bro 😂)
-h: 24-yr-old whiny emo goth-girl-in-white 🙄
-poor/nonexistent character development
-nonexistent chemistry due to☝🏻
-poor/nonexistent plot momentum + pace
-flag-waving ‘quotables’ for mood boards
-period setting ignored except clothes + candles
-tired trope alert: sympathetic murderous MCs 🥱
-forced spice that doesn’t spice, because who cares about these people?
-forced shocks that don’t shock, because who cares about these people?
I really wanted to love this. The blurb sounded like my kind of gothicky jam, & the aesthetics could’ve been fantastic. But it wasn’t. It just felt undercooked, underdeveloped, & rushed to publication. Also: authors, I’m begging you to quit force-feeding contemporary stories into historical settings. PLEASE STOP. Unless you’re committed to the backdrop, don’t bother; it’s insulting to readers who seek out period pieces. This book could’ve been any era, any city—the Gilded Age hook was a nothingburger that tasted of dust. I’m not saying you can’t show kinkiness in the past, but when your overwrought artsy Edwardian Edgelord starts prattling on about “brat taming,” I’m tapping out. This could’ve been set on any modern NYC college campus & nothing would change. Unless it’s an obvious fantastical rendition of AU history (steampunk, vampires, etc), please don’t say something is a period novel when nothing about it rings true to that era.
…So. Did I like anything? 🤔 The moths. The cover. The macabre/sensual play on fruits. But alas, that’s not enough for a satisfying read. Life is short & I’m moving on.
-poor/nonexistent sense of time + place
-poor scene transition
-random switching tenses (hellooo, editors?)
-anachronistic dialogues/monologues
-disjointed prose
-bland as fuck characters + vague villainy
-H: 21-yr-old Sculptor Edgelord (stfu, bro 😂)
-h: 24-yr-old whiny emo goth-girl-in-white 🙄
-poor/nonexistent character development
-nonexistent chemistry due to☝🏻
-poor/nonexistent plot momentum + pace
-flag-waving ‘quotables’ for mood boards
-period setting ignored except clothes + candles
-tired trope alert: sympathetic murderous MCs 🥱
-forced spice that doesn’t spice, because who cares about these people?
-forced shocks that don’t shock, because who cares about these people?
I really wanted to love this. The blurb sounded like my kind of gothicky jam, & the aesthetics could’ve been fantastic. But it wasn’t. It just felt undercooked, underdeveloped, & rushed to publication. Also: authors, I’m begging you to quit force-feeding contemporary stories into historical settings. PLEASE STOP. Unless you’re committed to the backdrop, don’t bother; it’s insulting to readers who seek out period pieces. This book could’ve been any era, any city—the Gilded Age hook was a nothingburger that tasted of dust. I’m not saying you can’t show kinkiness in the past, but when your overwrought artsy Edwardian Edgelord starts prattling on about “brat taming,” I’m tapping out. This could’ve been set on any modern NYC college campus & nothing would change. Unless it’s an obvious fantastical rendition of AU history (steampunk, vampires, etc), please don’t say something is a period novel when nothing about it rings true to that era.
…So. Did I like anything? 🤔 The moths. The cover. The macabre/sensual play on fruits. But alas, that’s not enough for a satisfying read. Life is short & I’m moving on.
January 22, 2026
3.5⭐️
Wow what a ride
A gothic romance with horror elements set in the 1900s following our retired Ballerina FMC Petre and our MMC Arkady an artisan who both agree to a marriage of convenience for very different reasons.
I honestly don’t know what to say for this review without giving any spoilers away honestly just go in blind and also note that yes you’re gonna be confused majority of the book but just know it starts clicking at like the 80% mark and it takes a very unexpected turn. I was very shocked.
Overall I really enjoyed this read. I liked the atmosphere, the tension between our couple, and the mystery throughout the book kept me intrigued. I also appreciated the underlying messaging in this book and the fact that it made me uncomfortable (as the gothic genre should) and paints a haunting story of how monsters are not always born but made.
Wow what a ride
A gothic romance with horror elements set in the 1900s following our retired Ballerina FMC Petre and our MMC Arkady an artisan who both agree to a marriage of convenience for very different reasons.
I honestly don’t know what to say for this review without giving any spoilers away honestly just go in blind and also note that yes you’re gonna be confused majority of the book but just know it starts clicking at like the 80% mark and it takes a very unexpected turn. I was very shocked.
Overall I really enjoyed this read. I liked the atmosphere, the tension between our couple, and the mystery throughout the book kept me intrigued. I also appreciated the underlying messaging in this book and the fact that it made me uncomfortable (as the gothic genre should) and paints a haunting story of how monsters are not always born but made.
October 27, 2025
What the fu*k was that…
April 25, 2026
This was just as weird and freaky as I wanted it to be
Did Not Finish
May 8, 2026DNFed at 25%, FMC married for convenience and MMC married for money, he’s a sculptor and she’s a retired ballerina… there was tension and yearning, but something felt flat I was not invested enough to continue. 🧐
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It actually pains me to give this book a 2. I absolutely adored The Poisoner and vowed to read everything Ophelia ever writes.
I was trying so hard to convince myself to bump this book up to a 3 star.
Unfortunately, it was just insanely disjointed, there were a lot of things that didn't really line up or weren't explained. I didn't really like Petronille at all, she was so wishy washy. 1 second she hated Arkady, next she loved him, then back and forth and back and forth. I think there was way too much going on for a standalone and the whole relationship was just really weird and Ophelia brushed past some pretty important moments in their relationship.
The surprise ending didn't make up for much, it would've been great if I didn't struggle through the entire book to get to it.
I'm really hoping that this is purely because it was a standalone instead of a series. I feel like it all could've been a lot better fleshed out and coherent if it were a series.
This is the hardest and most disappointing review I've ever had to write. 😮💨
I had also read back to back gothic novels before this and my mood had changed, however I don't think that would've affected my ratings too much.
I was trying so hard to convince myself to bump this book up to a 3 star.
Unfortunately, it was just insanely disjointed, there were a lot of things that didn't really line up or weren't explained. I didn't really like Petronille at all, she was so wishy washy. 1 second she hated Arkady, next she loved him, then back and forth and back and forth. I think there was way too much going on for a standalone and the whole relationship was just really weird and Ophelia brushed past some pretty important moments in their relationship.
The surprise ending didn't make up for much, it would've been great if I didn't struggle through the entire book to get to it.
I'm really hoping that this is purely because it was a standalone instead of a series. I feel like it all could've been a lot better fleshed out and coherent if it were a series.
This is the hardest and most disappointing review I've ever had to write. 😮💨
I had also read back to back gothic novels before this and my mood had changed, however I don't think that would've affected my ratings too much.
September 5, 2025
Thank you Montlake, NetGalley and I. V. Ophelia for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating 4.25 ⭐️
I devoured this!!! And even this might be an understatement as I read the book in about 4 and a half hours!!! Literally couldn't put it down.
This was the best gothic horror and I would have NEVER predicted where it was going. I will never look at a peach the same after reading it!
The writing was sooo beautiful and captivating, the characters were soo well written and the spice definitely delivered!
Actual rating 4.25 ⭐️
I devoured this!!! And even this might be an understatement as I read the book in about 4 and a half hours!!! Literally couldn't put it down.
This was the best gothic horror and I would have NEVER predicted where it was going. I will never look at a peach the same after reading it!
The writing was sooo beautiful and captivating, the characters were soo well written and the spice definitely delivered!
February 1, 2026
alc review to come
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