Ring Around the Rosie

by C. Hebert

Ashes, ashes we all fall down

ASTER
Sabbath Creed had an intensity that always enthralled me, yet I never would have fathomed his love could warp my own sanity into madness, setting ablaze everything I loved until nothing was left but ashes and agony.
I’ve always been drawn to fire, the way it consumes, transforms, and purifies. But I never expected it to devour my world, leaving nothing behind but ashes and heartbreak.
From that moment on, I chose to escape my fate, to escape him.
I could always feel his presence, lingering like smoke in the air. It was only a matter of time before he would find me. His love, twisted and charred by the flames of his obsession, burned endlessly for me. He would never let me go, not after what happened.
I thought working at Camp Redwood would hide me from his gaze, but it only pushed me into the spotlight with its own dark secrets. He was here, and I needed to make the ultimate allow his love to consume me or extinguish its flames. Forever.

SABBATH
She thinks she can escape me, but she'll never understand. I’m not just a part of her past; I’m a part of her. She might try to extinguish the flames, but I'll never let her. I will make her mine again—no matter the cost. My little spitfire.


This is a dark romance. Please check triggers prior to reading.

Genres: Dark Romance, Horror, Erotic Horror, Dark

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2025

About the author

Commonly known as Cyn, C. Hebert is a multi-genre author who loves to paint a pretty, yet horrific, picture woven together with absolute chaos. True gravevard reads.
While most authors like to write happily ever afters, C. Hebert prefers to take her stories in the opposite direction, delivering darker tales with a hint of madness, tugging at your heartstrings.
She is a self proclaimed manic write who loves to constantly push herself to do more.

C. Hebert is a published poet and writes darker, more unique works under a secondary pen name, which is an International Best Seller. It is listed on her social media.

Reviews

[Smutty Little Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun little slasher read! Definitely different than others I've read and it was short and sweet. I would love to read a book for what happens next.

[Stephanie Vicente · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ring Around the Rosie by C. Hebert was a short and fun , it was an enjoyable read that delivers a classic 80s slasher vibes with some cult elements added a unique layer to the story, which personally made it stand out from typical slasher tales. I had a great time reading this book.

[Momma Murder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sooooooo good!

Excellent characters, I loved the mystery and the summer camp in the middle of a forest, definitely creepy vibes the whole time.

I was on the edge of my seat! Scary and brutal.
And THAT ENDING! 🔥

[Lisa Conant · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5
4 🌶

🪓80's Camp Slasher
❤️‍🔥Obsessive MMC
🫦Taboo - Stepsiblings
👀Stalking
😱Horror Suspense
🏚Cults and Rituals

A mind-bendy, nostalgic 80's Slasher story that would be perfect as a horror flick on a rainy night with some popcorn! Hebert always manages to introduce us to such vivid characters in a short amount of time.

Our troupe is nicely defined and of course, in true honor fashion, you never know who's safe! We follow Rosie to this 60 year old decapitated camp, where she's trying to hide put from her Obsessive and mu4derous stepbrother (Sabbath)...whom also she has been closely intimate with.

Cultist elements become revealed not only in the eerie totems amongst the redwoods of the camp amd whispers in the night but it oddly begins to connect to Sabbath's history. We get near fever dream s3xual encounters and an ongoing mystery of what Sabbath is really protecting Rosie from.

A lot is packed in 240 pages and it moves with purpose and thrilling excitement as to what will happen next. Creeping with atmosphere and dripping with er0tic horror, it still weaves a solid narrative, taking you for a wicked ride!

[Danielle Barraza · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️ 5/5🌶️ 5/5🩸
“𝓡𝓮𝓼𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓭𝔀𝓸𝓸𝓭“

Ok where do I sign the petition to make Ring Around The Rosie into a movie ASAP! This book was so good and creepy! Aster has been on the run trying to escape the pain of her past, but more importantly from Sabbath the cause of all the pain. When she finds herself at Camp Redwood to take a camp counselor job she finally feels a moment of peace.
This book was so well done and keeps your guard up because just when you think you know what’s going on something happens you didn’t even begin to think of! The eeriness of the random totems and odd voices in wind really make you shiver. I really loved the 80s summer slasher vibe of it all! And to top it off a taboo step siblings romance where the mmc isn’t just morally grey this man is PITCH BLACK! Everything about this book shot it to top of my favorite reads EVER! Then to add onto the amazing story, the book cover? Are you joking?? It’s so gorgeous 😩

This is a MUST read! For spooky time,for summertime, FOR ALL THE TIME? Just READ.IT🫵

🪓Ring Around the Rosie Tropes🪓
🖤Dark Romance
📼80's Slasher
🩸Horror/Gore
⛺️Summer Camp
💉Plague Doctor
🔥Touch Her & Burn
❤️‍🔥Taboo Romance (step-siblings)
🖤Masked Stalker
🌲Cult/Rituals/Sacrifice
🔥Runaway
🥀Love/Hate

[s.shadereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

“What do you say, spitfire? Are you ready to set your soul free and join me in the darkness?”

Read if you like:

•𝙳𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚁𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎
•𝟾𝟶’𝚜 𝚂𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚛
•𝙷𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛/𝙶𝚘𝚛𝚎
•𝚂𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚛 𝙲𝚊𝚖𝚙
•𝙿𝚕𝚊𝚐𝚞𝚎 𝙳𝚘𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚛
•𝚃𝚘𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝙷𝚎𝚛 & 𝙱𝚞𝚛𝚗
•𝚃𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚘 𝚁𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎
(𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱-𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴)
•𝙼𝚊𝚜𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚔𝚎𝚛
•𝙲𝚞𝚕𝚝/𝚁𝚒𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕𝚜/𝚂𝚊𝚌𝚛𝚒𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚎
•𝚁𝚞𝚗𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢
•𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎/𝙷𝚊𝚝𝚎
.
.
This whole book played out like a twisted fever dream. I didn't know which way was up and down. And, that ending left me 🤯🤯

It's very light on the "romance" aspect. And, honestly, I wish we saw more of how Rosie and Sabbath fell for one another. It's all more just hinted at, and all this takes place after their fallout. So, a few flashbacks to happier moments between the two would have made me happy because you could definitely tell they had a huge connection aside from their blood oath.

The book itself had that true horror/slasher movie vibe. So if you love a good slasher, this one is for you. And, fair warning like any good slasher, don't get too attached to any certain character because you never know who's going to be next. 😈

And, again, in pure slasheresque style, you are going to be yelling at the main characters and throwing up your wtf are you doing hands. I swear, Aster/Rosie had me wanting to slap some sense into her at times. Like, no girl, why are we doing that! 😂🤬

Overall, it was a fun, twisty, mind-bending ride that I thoroughly enjoyed.

And as always. Check those trigger bbys ⚠️ ⚠️

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting quick read.

Aster, formerly Rosie, is on the run and ends up applying for a job as a camp counselor at Camp Redwood. When she arrives, she learns about strange rumors of mysterious deaths and injuries in the woods surrounding the camp. Not only that, but the very person that Aster was running from is also on the staff as a counselor. When strange things start happening and Aster sees figures in the woods, will she be able to keep herself or anyone else safe?

This was definitely an interesting twist on a slasher tale. I really liked the cultish aspects of the story and the plague doctor outfits. I also really liked how devoted Sabbath seemed to keeping Aster and Foster safe. There is definitely a lot packed into this story so make sure to check the triggers!

[plantbookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like all of C. Hebert’s books, I’m left speechless!

Aster has to be one of my favorite final girls. She fought tooth and nail to survive and laughed in the face of death.

I loved Sabbath! He was dark, depraved, yet completely obsessed with Aster. They both shared quite a bit of trauma and it does end… unconventionally so be warned!
But if you’re looking for a different summer slasher full of cults, mystery & plague doctors, this is for you!


🔥 dark romance
🥀 80’s slasher
🔥 touch her & burn
🥀 taboo
🔥 sacrifice & rituals
🥀 runaway
🔥 love / hate
🥀 summer camp
🔥 hand necklaces
🥀 cult
🔥 plague doctor
🥀 cat & mouse
🔥 possessive mmc

[Alex 📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that I’ve picked my jaw up off the floor & can collect my thoughts, I loved this so much! It was the perfect summer camp horror, with a side of creepy cults & plague doctors.

Each character brought something different to the story making it so enjoyable & relatable for me. I fell in love with some, while others gave me the absolute CREEPS.

I found myself right there with Aster and ber back and forth feelings about Sabbath. He’s a tough one to figure out but I ended up loving him. The plot twists and turns had me reeeeling and I ended this book not knowing exactly how to feel, but loving every second of it.

[Emily (emilysdarkcorner) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ring Around The Rosie by C. Hebert

Please check your trigger and content warnings before reading

Rosie (Aster) is on the run, she has been on the run ever since losing her family in a fire. Just when she thinks she is free and he can't find her....

He's found her. She finds herself constantly looking over her shoulder and just feeling on edge. She finds herself at Camp Redwood. Seems like your ordinary everyday summer camp right!? WRONG

Aster finds her step brother Sabbath there as well and doesn't know how to feel. Sabbath has made it his mission to never let her go again. He will burn the world for her no matter what it takes.

"It's been a long time, Rosie. I've missed you." "No matter how much time has passed, or how much you think you've changed, you remain the same. Broken, and waiting for me to piece you back together."

I did not want this book to end! I NEED more of these characters as well because I loved them so much. Sabbath and Roise were just everything.

[Alexis Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an amazing read. I loved it from the start and was so fascinated by everything. I loved the slasher vibe and the camp setting. I enjoyed all the turmoil, betrayals, friendships, love, sacrifice. All these things made this book so good. I was on the fence the entire time figuring stuff out and being in my emotions wondering what’s next. The ending was very interesting

[Candis Arnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

C. Hebert's writing never disappoints!! Loved the 80s horror slasher vibes!! Ring Around The Rosie is creepy and unhinged and one crazy wild emotional ride! It pulls you in from the very start and keeps you on your toes all the way to the end! I hope we get more of Rosie/Aster and Sabbath in the future!

[Alex Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Ashes, ashes, we all fall down.”

Summerween wet its pants with this one.

This twisted summer camp takes an unexpected turn when ghost stories become reality.

I don’t know how to even convince you except read it! Like please read it!

[Amy Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book because how can you not love the summer camp slasher vibes? Throw in some taboo and the ever present twists and turns C. Hebert is always good for and I’m sold. I cannot recommend this enough.

[Sarah Carvell · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you want a good campy 80s horror slasher flick, but don’t want to watch tv… pick up Ring Around The Rosie! Sabbath gives off true obsessed stalker don’t touch her vibes. Aster (Rosie) makes her way to Camp Redwood and you just need to read to figure out what is going on! The story captivates you, and pulls you in to continue searching for answers. Creepy horror tale meets erotic dark romance, what more could you want?!

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My love of 80’s slasher movies just got a boost with this book. It felt like a mashup of little bits from all my favorites, and I think I might be a little obsessed now. Horror, violence, gore, taboo, spice….it had it all! And that ending!! I have no words

[What the smut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come.

[jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review:

this book gave me AHS: 1984 vibes 😮‍💨 it was such a fun slasher read, the whole summer camp / redwood aesthetics were perfect! 🖤

[Bria Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow oh gosh WOW 🫠🔥 loved every single moment of this!

[Miasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This start off interesting and then got incredibly boring to chaos to wtf. I mean it gave credit to the name sake of the song.

[Alyssa J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ohmegee!!! A spicy-summer-camp-slasher-cult book by one of my favorite authors?! 🤌🤌 Top tier! -All of my favorite things wrapped into a great story!

[Itzel Aguilera · Rating 4 out of 5]

the 90’s slasher vibe of this book was just perfect!

A girl on the run from her past ends up finding work at a run down summer camp

She thought she was safe but then she turns around and there he is. The boy who ruined her life. Her stepbrother. The boy who she thought she loved and loved her back.

Nothing is what it seems. There’s something wrong in that camp. There’s a dark history there that happens every few years and it seems that year is going to happen again.

But he’s sees her again after so many years. It might have been a coincidence that he showed up at that camp. But now that he sees her again after so long, he’s never going to let her go again.

But there are things happening in the background that she would never understand and he can either protect her or let it all burn.

[Kari Tidwell (karisbookstodevour) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s Summer Camp time ya’ll and my God is it freaking awesome! Think Friday the 13th with a little Nightmare on Elm Street and a dash of whatever creepy cult that’s always watching movie you can think of, and you’ll get this masterpiece of a slasher read. With its 80’s vibes, a cart chuck full of trigger warnings, wicked hot dark romance, and intense we’re all gonna die heart pounding, blood racing feel this book swallows you whole and drags you completely into Sabbath’s obsessive love for Rosie, thrills your dark romantic heart with how far he will go and has gone to save her and tie her to him, and has you so freakin gone for him it’s not even funny. It’s blood lines, rituals, the darkness hidden within, and love that destroys, and it is a can’t miss must read that is sheer freakin genius.
I am in awe of C. Hebert’s brilliance. I have never read a book by her that I wasn’t blown away by and totally obsessed with and this one is no exception. She nails that scared, creepy feeling, the plot has twists and turns that balance this line of I saw that coming and oh my god, what? that just keep you hanging on every word in every line, and she gives you these characters in Sabbath and Rosie that are good versus evil on the outside and a white hot mess of love, desire, fate, and so right for each other underneath it. Just an excellent dark romance that reads like a comfort read in the sense it has a familiarness to it that you easily sink into and yet completely blows your mind with how unhinged and unique it is.

[Crookedhouseofbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm mid-fence on this one.

I definitely could see how, if the story had been developed more, it could've been converted into an 80s B slasher film but in its condensed form, it just left me feeling a tad bit unfulfilled.

This story was interesting mashup of 80s slasher/ summer camp meets small town cult vibes (The Harvest meets Camp Crystal Lake). I also enjoyed the use of plague doctor masks in the slasher element.

Another thing I liked was the taboo trope used. I'm always a sucker for the forbidden...in this case, the step siblings relationship. I do, however, wish that this aspect had been explored more. There's very little background developed and the storyline begins at the point in their relationship where it's viewed more as a second chance romance. This kinda made it hard to create in-depth character arcs for the main couple and it left me asking more questions than not. It also made it hard for me to feel any sort of chemistry or personal investment in their relationship.

Also, on that note, I wish there had been more spicy scenes. I'll reiterate though...I did like all the tropes that were presented.

I think that some things were supposed to create mystery and make it feel like a "thriller" but, unfortunately, nothing surprised me or kept me guessing.

80s campy slasher meets religious cult vibes
Horror romance - unconventional HEA
Secret identities
Taboo - step siblings MF romance
Possessive AF MMC
Stalker vibes
Short read

Darkness level 🌗
Spice rating 🌶️🌶️

[Kata · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars

“Never disrespect the redwoods.”

This book was a wild ride in the best possible way. 80s slasher, suspenseful horror with summer camp in the middle of the woods, masked stalker, cult, plague doctors, creepy rituals and sacrifices. And of course some delicious spicy scenes with hand necklaces, breath play and CNC.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Aster and Sabbath, and loved learning more about their shared history throughout the book. The spice between them was spicing and they were definitely hot together.

The storyline was interesting and had me hooked straight from the first pages, and the ending had me speechless. Loved how some scenes made me question whether they were actually happening or just in Aster’s head.

Perfect summertime read. I highly recommend checking this one out, but please check the TW/CW before reading!


“Once you strike a match, you may extinguish the flame, but you can’t restore what has already been burned.”
“The lie is sweeter than facing the bitter fact that we did it to ourselves. We earn our misfortunes. And we build our own hell.”
“You’re mine, spitfire. You have been since the day we fucked in the basement while our parents slept upstairs.”
“Fuck, Rosie. Your darkness is even tastier than I remember.”
“What do you say, spitfire? Are you ready to set your soul free and join me in the darkness?”


I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.

[Crystal Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Ring around the Rosie, a pocket full of posies. Ashes. Ashes. We all fall down."

Wow! This was a crazy and wild ride and my mind is blown! This was an 80s slasher, horror, dark romance, cult, mixed with crazy rituals and plague doctors. Definitely check out your triggers before reading this book, it is not for the weak.

Aster (Rosie) is running from her past and the family that she lost. She find herself at Camp Redwood. She realizes right away that something is off about this camp and things are not as they seem. This is not your normal average summer camp. And when she sees her stepbrother, Sabbath, that she has been running from it gets even darker.

Every day at the camp the days get stranger and darker. She is not sure if she is seeing things or if she is dreaming. Everyone keeps warning her about the redwoods, but she is not sure why everyone is worried about the trees and why Sabbath and his little brother are being so mysterious and cryptic about what’s going on and how they are connected.

The relationship between Aster and Sabbath is complicated. She is mad at him for everything he has done, but they are connected and bonded and she cares about him also. But she is determined to break “The Order.” Aster is determined and freaking strong willed. And Sabbath, my feelings about him changed throughout the book. At first I was not a fan of his, but towards the end as I found out more about his “religion” and the pressures he was under.

5⭐️
2🌶️

[Kelly K · Rating 5 out of 5]

The nostalgia I felt reading this was strong but amped up by a new fresh flavor. Who doesn't love a good summer camp by the lake with cute counselors wearing tight 80s shorts filled with sex, alcohol, and oh yeah creepy woods, cultish symbols, and masked killers?! A stalker always finds its prey and Sabbath is no exception (or was it fate?). Rosie is a survivor and it's hard not to fall in love with most of these characters even when you know someone is gonna die right??!!! I was about as confused as Rosie as to what was going on around her and as it becomes clear it just gets darker and spicier and gorier and scarier, and....you get it.
Sabbath is an enigma (albeit smoking hot psycho) for most of the book but there is no doubt in his obsession for Rosie. He will kill anyone or anything that would harm her, but that doesn't mean she is safe from death from him either. And Foster....this freak gets the Oscar for creepy kid performances. I would love to see a 10 years later Foster Tabitha book 2! The twists and turns in this were delicious. I loved the ending and am left wanting more. Like I said, Rosie is a survivor? And for the love of all things unholy, respect the flocking trees folks.

[Erin Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨🔮🌞🌕🍄🌕🌞🔮✨

ARC REVIEW

Ring Around The Rosie - C Hebert

5/5⭐️

📚📚📚
This one was totally a one sitting read for me. What an ending it had too! Omg my mouth was gaping for literally the whole end because that was intense and so suspenseful! This one gave me all the scary slasher vibes of movies I love watching. Sabbath and Rosie are such a fav of mine now because that hate to love/back and fourth game they had was just to good! He calls her Spitfire 😍😍 Overall without giving too much away I highly recommend this one!

📚📚📚
If you like to read:
- Dark romance
- 80s slasher
- Horror/gore
- Summer camp
- Plague doctor
- Touch her and burn
- Taboo romance
- Step siblings
- Masked stalker
- Cult/Rituals/Sacrifice
- Runaway
- Love/hate
… You should definitely check this out

📚📚📚

Thank you so much for sending me a copy for an honest review in my own words. #giftedcopy

✨what’s throwback slasher you enjoy? Or what are you currently reading?

#books #booklover #smut #booknerd #bookfriend #bookish #booklovers #bookishcommunity #bookloversunite #instabook #bookporn #bookphotography #reviews #igbooks #ilovereading #smutty #bookaddiction #bookhoader #hotnsexy #fortheloveofbooks #bookrecs #yummy #givemeallthebooks #readingthepainaway #booktok

[Freya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to Camp Redwood!!

Every 10 years blood must be spilled. The Redwood demands it.

Aster/Rosie has been stalked across the country. She tries to hide but he can always find her. In attempt to stay in hiding, Aster/Rosie gets a summer job as a camp counselor at Camp Redwood. Everyone around her tells stories about the sinister redwood forest all around them. Tales of death and disappearances.

Sabbath will always find her. They are blood bound after all. Aster/Rosie hates him but she doesn’t know why he did what he did all those years ago. She doesn’t know all his secrets. But she will..

Harm the redwoods and they will harm you back. They whisper and chant in the wind. Branches covered in mysterious totems. Some say they come alive seek an offering.

Obsessed with the 80’s horror slasher vibes. This scary thriller will keep you guessing throughout the story. Plot with smut. Chef’s kiss 💋

WHAT TO EXPECT:

🩸DARK ROMANCE/HORROR
🪓80'S CAMP SLASHER TABOO ROMANCE (STEP SIBLINGS)
🩸MASKED MC
🪓OBSESSION/STALKING
🩸PLAGUE DOCTORS
🪓LOVE/HATE
🩸CNC/ BREATH PLAY
🪓HAND NECKLACES
🩸A POSSESSIVE MC
🪓A CULT/RITUALS/SACRIFICE
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you to the author for this ARC for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

🪓 Ring Around The Rosie by C. Hebert 🪓
✨ ARC Read | Review ✨

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ || 🌶️🌶️🌶️

“I could feel the darkness within him reach down my throat and into my very soul. He was right. I couldn’t outrun the truth any longer. I wasn’t just his. I was a part of him, just as he was a part of me. We were bound together. Forever.”

🤯😨🤌🏻 What the HELL did i just read!? I LOVED it! All of it! What a WILD ride! 🤌🏻🥵 this was so wild i put my kindle down and said “what the hell” - but i ATE 👏🏻 IT 👏🏻 UP! I live C Hebert’s writing.

🪓 Taboo - Step Siblings
🔥 Masked MMC
🌹 80’s Slasher Camp Vibes
🪓 Obsessive/Possessive MMC
🔥 Touch Her & D!e
🌹 “Good Boy” / “Good Girl”
🪓 Cults / Rituals / Sacrifices

Rosie has spent a long time running from Sabbath, her stepbrother.. but he always seems to find her. She’s broke, homeless and sees a job ad for Camp Redwood - boom, easy money. Or so she thought. The camp is weird, the owner and boss is weird, and everyone is afraid of the Redwood trees. Can she figure out what’s going on? And what happens when a blast from the past shows up? Will she survive? Will any of them? 👀