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Wallflowers and Demons: Ashwood: A Dark Regency Monster Horror Romance
A Dark Regency Monster Horror Romance…
“Hell is ravenous, Princess. It will devour you as I will devour you…”
Step 1: A Dash of Arrogant Duke
“You pitiful woman, you dare lecture me? Do you know what it cost me to even hold onto my mind? To my humanity?! You, who has barely glimpsed the surface. You, who’s seen nothing of the sacrifices.”
Step 2: A Spoonful of Bada$$ Heroine
“You are not forgiven, Your Grace. You may dress and talk like a gentleman, but you will never be free.”
Step 3: Mix Well and Be Devoured
There are breaths, heartbeats, rapid inhalations, and drumming underneath my fingertips.
𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲, 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐞…
𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲…𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝟑…
* * * * * *
Chinese Princess, Katherine Xu is destined to marry a man whose life is shrouded in mystery and rumour — a man who does not show his face within polite society. Dorian Storm, the mad Duke of Ashwood is a recluse, and perhaps, something far worse.
He does not want a wife. He does not need a wife.
For Ashwood harbours secrets no bride should ever uncover. Inside the castle walls lie horrors born of his own hands, and Katherine soon discovers that in this marriage, the greatest threat is not the monsters growing outside the bedchamber, it is what resides within it.
Dark Romance, Erotic Horror, Erotic Thrillers, Feral Regency Romance, Monster Duke, Pitch Black, Tragedy, Gothic, Spicy, Sci-Fi Medical Horror, Splatterpunk, BDSM, Heart Pounding ONE TRUE LOVE.
“Hell is ravenous, Princess. It will devour you as I will devour you…”
Step 1: A Dash of Arrogant Duke
“You pitiful woman, you dare lecture me? Do you know what it cost me to even hold onto my mind? To my humanity?! You, who has barely glimpsed the surface. You, who’s seen nothing of the sacrifices.”
Step 2: A Spoonful of Bada$$ Heroine
“You are not forgiven, Your Grace. You may dress and talk like a gentleman, but you will never be free.”
Step 3: Mix Well and Be Devoured
There are breaths, heartbeats, rapid inhalations, and drumming underneath my fingertips.
𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲, 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐞…
𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲…𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝟑…
* * * * * *
Chinese Princess, Katherine Xu is destined to marry a man whose life is shrouded in mystery and rumour — a man who does not show his face within polite society. Dorian Storm, the mad Duke of Ashwood is a recluse, and perhaps, something far worse.
He does not want a wife. He does not need a wife.
For Ashwood harbours secrets no bride should ever uncover. Inside the castle walls lie horrors born of his own hands, and Katherine soon discovers that in this marriage, the greatest threat is not the monsters growing outside the bedchamber, it is what resides within it.
Dark Romance, Erotic Horror, Erotic Thrillers, Feral Regency Romance, Monster Duke, Pitch Black, Tragedy, Gothic, Spicy, Sci-Fi Medical Horror, Splatterpunk, BDSM, Heart Pounding ONE TRUE LOVE.
- GenresDark RomanceHistorical
373 pages, Hardcover
Published July 19, 2025
3 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 15, 2025
What a ride this book was! A historic supernatural masterpiece! I love how they ended up together under stressful circumstances. Forced marriage always makes the best romance books lol
July 23, 2025
This was an interesting twist from Eve Devearoux’s motorcycle club series. Katherine and Dorian were a wild ride. As Katherine is thrown into this world and meets Dorian nothing is as it seems and you will see all that unfolds during the plot. If you love a sassy fmc and a grumpy and arrogant mmc this is for you.
July 23, 2025
Thank you to Eve Devearoux for this ARC copy of Demons and Wallflowers:Ashwood. Making a stark departure from the Australian motorcycle gangs of her last series, Eve takes the reader back to Georgian England where a young Chinese princess, named Katherine is thrust into the gossiping world of the ton and straight into the arms of the handsome duke, Dorian Storm. But all is not as it seems. True to Eve’s usual style the action, intrigue and romance comes thick and fast as I stumbled to keep up with the pace of the unfolding plot. But that’s what you get when you devour a novel in every spare minute you get. Definitely recommend this one if you loved Bridgerton and The Strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
July 19, 2025
"Hell is ravenous, Princess. It will devour you, as I will devour you."
This was a whirlwind of a book! Fast paced, spooky, set in the 1800's with demons and other messed up creatures. Plenty of action, with some plot twists that'll leave your jaw on the floor.
A must read if you want spooky vibes, some interesting smut and to be left haunted. 👻😈
This was a whirlwind of a book! Fast paced, spooky, set in the 1800's with demons and other messed up creatures. Plenty of action, with some plot twists that'll leave your jaw on the floor.
A must read if you want spooky vibes, some interesting smut and to be left haunted. 👻😈
August 7, 2025
4.5 stars
“Hell is ravenous, Princess. It will devour you, as I will devour you.”
Dark, seductive, Wallflowers and Demons is a gothic feast of regency romance, demonic horror, and unrelenting tension. Eve Devearoux pulls no punches in this unique mashup, giving us a world where elegance and evil coexist in the candlelit halls of Ashwood.
From the first chapter, I was drawn into this world. A Chinese princess thrust into the claws of British high society? Its like an episode of Bridgerton. lol A brooding, terrifyingly magnetic duke with a secret that’s very not-of-this-world? YES PLEASE. This book is fast-paced, visceral, and rich in its regency atmosphere, yet it never feels stuffy or overly formal it’s bloody and bold in the best ways.
The horror elements hit harder in the second half, and the way Devearoux shifts from a slow-burn dread to grotesque reveals is genuinely impressive. And the smut.... Let’s just say it doesn’t waste time and is absolutely on brand for this type of monster romance dark, intense, and not for the faint of heart (or the morally rigid). Still, it never overshadows the core plot or the emotional undertones.
Katherine is such a standout FMC graceful yet resilient, never a damsel despite the odds stacked against her. And Dorian.....Whew. He’s dangerous, morally murky, and wholly unapologetic. I wanted to slap him and kiss him, sometimes in the same scene.
If I had one small critique, it's that the pacing occasionally ran ahead of itself there were a few times where I had to flip back and reorient myself. Some plot threads felt like they could’ve used just a bit more room to breathe. But honestly? That didn’t stop me from devouring this book like hellfire.
“Hell is ravenous, Princess. It will devour you, as I will devour you.”
Dark, seductive, Wallflowers and Demons is a gothic feast of regency romance, demonic horror, and unrelenting tension. Eve Devearoux pulls no punches in this unique mashup, giving us a world where elegance and evil coexist in the candlelit halls of Ashwood.
From the first chapter, I was drawn into this world. A Chinese princess thrust into the claws of British high society? Its like an episode of Bridgerton. lol A brooding, terrifyingly magnetic duke with a secret that’s very not-of-this-world? YES PLEASE. This book is fast-paced, visceral, and rich in its regency atmosphere, yet it never feels stuffy or overly formal it’s bloody and bold in the best ways.
The horror elements hit harder in the second half, and the way Devearoux shifts from a slow-burn dread to grotesque reveals is genuinely impressive. And the smut.... Let’s just say it doesn’t waste time and is absolutely on brand for this type of monster romance dark, intense, and not for the faint of heart (or the morally rigid). Still, it never overshadows the core plot or the emotional undertones.
Katherine is such a standout FMC graceful yet resilient, never a damsel despite the odds stacked against her. And Dorian.....Whew. He’s dangerous, morally murky, and wholly unapologetic. I wanted to slap him and kiss him, sometimes in the same scene.
If I had one small critique, it's that the pacing occasionally ran ahead of itself there were a few times where I had to flip back and reorient myself. Some plot threads felt like they could’ve used just a bit more room to breathe. But honestly? That didn’t stop me from devouring this book like hellfire.
July 25, 2025
Wallflowers and Demons: Ashwood by Eve Devearoux is a bold and intriguing blend of historical romance and supernatural horror, set in the 1800s. With Bridgerton-esque elegance clashing with bloody, demonic chaos, it's a book that forges its own lane in genre-bending fiction.
The story follows the unlikely pairing of a Chinese Princess and a Duke, an engaging dynamic that promised a lot of potential from the start. The opening was particularly strong—beautifully written and richly atmospheric, immediately pulling me into a world of courtly manners and creeping darkness.
However, as the plot progressed, the pacing became a bit too fast and sporadic for my taste. The narrative seemed to jump ahead without giving scenes enough time to breathe, which made it difficult to stay fully grounded in the story. I also struggled to visualise the demon forms as they were described—while imaginative, the detail felt a little too abstract to form a clear picture in my head.
That said, I admire Devearoux's ambition and creativity in fusing period drama with elements of gore, horror, and the supernatural. It’s a daring mix, and though this particular genre might not be for me, I’m genuinely glad I gave it a try. I’d absolutely be interested in exploring more of Devearoux’s work, especially if she delves into genres more aligned with my usual tastes.
The story follows the unlikely pairing of a Chinese Princess and a Duke, an engaging dynamic that promised a lot of potential from the start. The opening was particularly strong—beautifully written and richly atmospheric, immediately pulling me into a world of courtly manners and creeping darkness.
However, as the plot progressed, the pacing became a bit too fast and sporadic for my taste. The narrative seemed to jump ahead without giving scenes enough time to breathe, which made it difficult to stay fully grounded in the story. I also struggled to visualise the demon forms as they were described—while imaginative, the detail felt a little too abstract to form a clear picture in my head.
That said, I admire Devearoux's ambition and creativity in fusing period drama with elements of gore, horror, and the supernatural. It’s a daring mix, and though this particular genre might not be for me, I’m genuinely glad I gave it a try. I’d absolutely be interested in exploring more of Devearoux’s work, especially if she delves into genres more aligned with my usual tastes.
September 3, 2025
A Dark Erotica Regency Monster Horror Romance
by Eve Devearoux
What a surprising and unconventional read! I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but the title, blurb, and cover hooked me immediately—and once I started, I couldn’t put it down.
The setup: Katherine Xu, a Chinese princess, is bound to marry the mysterious and feared Duke of Ashwood—a man surrounded by rumors and secrets. Behind the walls of Ashwood Castle lurk horrors born of his own hands… and Katherine must discover whether the true danger lies outside the bedchamber or within it.
This book is:
Fast-paced, eerie, and action-packed
Spicy and unapologetically dark
Gothic + monster horror meets Regency vibes
Featuring a badass heroine who doesn’t hold back
And a duke who is… quite literally feral 😈
What didn’t work for me: some plot holes and gaps in the story that took me a bit out of it.
Did I enjoy it? Absolutely—I was glued to the pages even when I wasn’t sure what exactly I was reading. It was a wild, intense ride and definitely a “damn good time.”
⭐ ARC Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
by Eve Devearoux
What a surprising and unconventional read! I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but the title, blurb, and cover hooked me immediately—and once I started, I couldn’t put it down.
The setup: Katherine Xu, a Chinese princess, is bound to marry the mysterious and feared Duke of Ashwood—a man surrounded by rumors and secrets. Behind the walls of Ashwood Castle lurk horrors born of his own hands… and Katherine must discover whether the true danger lies outside the bedchamber or within it.
This book is:
Fast-paced, eerie, and action-packed
Spicy and unapologetically dark
Gothic + monster horror meets Regency vibes
Featuring a badass heroine who doesn’t hold back
And a duke who is… quite literally feral 😈
What didn’t work for me: some plot holes and gaps in the story that took me a bit out of it.
Did I enjoy it? Absolutely—I was glued to the pages even when I wasn’t sure what exactly I was reading. It was a wild, intense ride and definitely a “damn good time.”
⭐ ARC Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
September 14, 2025
3.7🌟
TROPES & Genres
☠️ Dark Regency Horror Romance
☠️ Beauty & the beast vibes
☠️ Forced Marriage/Proximity
☠️ Monster Elements
MY POV
✨️ I was initially very much confused on how to rate the book, 3.5 seemed way too low and 4 seem way too much 😂😂 ( doesn't makes sense?, I KNOW 💅)
✨️ Okay to the book, it in set in 1800 England, Regency period and that was my first time reading something from that era so it was natural to find some difficulty in understanding the whole vibes and terms, that's on me completely.
✨️ That aside, I did understand the story, for "MOST" of the part, like gobbling kind of understanding but there were some parts where I was completely clueless to what was happening.
✨️ The writing and story were good for the most part of the book. But as for the time being I am not too keen on diving in this era.
TROPES & Genres
☠️ Dark Regency Horror Romance
☠️ Beauty & the beast vibes
☠️ Forced Marriage/Proximity
☠️ Monster Elements
MY POV
✨️ I was initially very much confused on how to rate the book, 3.5 seemed way too low and 4 seem way too much 😂😂 ( doesn't makes sense?, I KNOW 💅)
✨️ Okay to the book, it in set in 1800 England, Regency period and that was my first time reading something from that era so it was natural to find some difficulty in understanding the whole vibes and terms, that's on me completely.
✨️ That aside, I did understand the story, for "MOST" of the part, like gobbling kind of understanding but there were some parts where I was completely clueless to what was happening.
✨️ The writing and story were good for the most part of the book. But as for the time being I am not too keen on diving in this era.
August 3, 2025
A shadowy castle, a cursed Duke, and a fearless Chinese princess who walks straight into the dark. Katherine Xu was meant to be a bride but finds herself tangled in secrets, science, and something monstrous beneath Ashwood Harbour. Dorian is no fairytale prince he’s a man with blood on his hands and danger in his bed. Gothic, gripping, and gloriously spicy this is dark romance at its finest.
July 24, 2025
[This is a review based on an ARC obtained through NetGalley]
This is a spoiler free review.
The book starts with a long list of content and trigger warnings. Read them all carefully, and close the book if any of the above make you hesitate. They are present throughout the book, in basically every chapter.
I am not a native English speaker, so I’d consider this a medium-paced book: its use of a higher registry, mandatory since this is a Regency era book, may slow down fast-paced readers like myself, especially if not used to this kind of language. This is not a pro or a con, in my opinion. It is just a fact an I am stating it as such. If you prefer a more modernised use of the English language, this may not be the book for you. It doesn’t influence my rating.
The beginning throws you in the story almost immediately, giving little background of the characters.
The POV switches between the FMC and the MMC, giving a nice visual of both of their minds, and since one is, in fact, a monster, it’s nice to know how and what he thinks, and some other minor characters in some instances.
The descriptions are nice and paint a pretty picture of the surroundings and the characters, and while i did find some mistakes, more so in the second part of the book, I’m not counting them because, as NetGalley reminds on its site, the ARCs are not the finished product and some variations may occur. I do not know if these errors have been edited out before being published, therefore I can’t consider them a problem in my review.
The explicit scenes start pretty soon in the book. And I guess that’s kind of the point of the book itself. I’m not usually an avid reader of eroticas, and you may think that choosing one that has so many warnings is a bit far fetched on my part, but I actually liked it. They’re well written, and I didn’t find myself confused, which may sometimes happen with these kind of scenes (how many times have you found yourself asking how many hands are being used?).
The plot is intriguing enough to not think of this book as just an excuse to write smut, but an actual horror story with open door scenes, even though some true horror arrives only in the second half of the book. Everything before is pretty tame in comparison, but I’m also an avid horror reader and I might be kind of desensitised to it.
I’d say the chapters are medium-long, something I’m not used to, but a nice change in pace from my usual. They never feel too long, or too short. Just right, which is something harder to achieve than it may seem.
The FMC is not a damsel in distress, which I appreciate greatly. She’s smart, thinks quickly, and can - and will - put up a fight if necessary.
The MMC isn’t the most sympathetic character, his split personality with the demon is quite dark, violent and vulgar, but it fits well with the story. I wouldn’t really say that he’s charming, although described as handsome.
I enjoyed the story, and only one smut scene left me wondering if there really was any need for it at all. One thing that I didn’t really like is a secondary plot, that could’ve been intriguing and mysterious, but was ended very abruptly with almost no explanations, almost as if the author didn’t know what to do with it.
My favorite quote is: “You deserve to be perceived fully, to be chosen without hesitation, to have that love standing beside you in body, mind and soul. Without equivocation, and not merely tolerated or excused away. For love is not idle intention. It is deed and presence. It is appearing when times are most arduous. It is desirable to be near, even when weariness or inconvenience abound. Therefore, the true question is not whether you can abide such man, Duchess, but whether you are prepared to endure the shadow of love whilst your heart withers in silence.”
Did I enjoy the book? Yes.
Would I read it again? Probably not.
Will I read the second part? Most likely yes.
All in all, I’d say 4/5, because I liked it, but not loved it.
This is a spoiler free review.
The book starts with a long list of content and trigger warnings. Read them all carefully, and close the book if any of the above make you hesitate. They are present throughout the book, in basically every chapter.
I am not a native English speaker, so I’d consider this a medium-paced book: its use of a higher registry, mandatory since this is a Regency era book, may slow down fast-paced readers like myself, especially if not used to this kind of language. This is not a pro or a con, in my opinion. It is just a fact an I am stating it as such. If you prefer a more modernised use of the English language, this may not be the book for you. It doesn’t influence my rating.
The beginning throws you in the story almost immediately, giving little background of the characters.
The POV switches between the FMC and the MMC, giving a nice visual of both of their minds, and since one is, in fact, a monster, it’s nice to know how and what he thinks, and some other minor characters in some instances.
The descriptions are nice and paint a pretty picture of the surroundings and the characters, and while i did find some mistakes, more so in the second part of the book, I’m not counting them because, as NetGalley reminds on its site, the ARCs are not the finished product and some variations may occur. I do not know if these errors have been edited out before being published, therefore I can’t consider them a problem in my review.
The explicit scenes start pretty soon in the book. And I guess that’s kind of the point of the book itself. I’m not usually an avid reader of eroticas, and you may think that choosing one that has so many warnings is a bit far fetched on my part, but I actually liked it. They’re well written, and I didn’t find myself confused, which may sometimes happen with these kind of scenes (how many times have you found yourself asking how many hands are being used?).
The plot is intriguing enough to not think of this book as just an excuse to write smut, but an actual horror story with open door scenes, even though some true horror arrives only in the second half of the book. Everything before is pretty tame in comparison, but I’m also an avid horror reader and I might be kind of desensitised to it.
I’d say the chapters are medium-long, something I’m not used to, but a nice change in pace from my usual. They never feel too long, or too short. Just right, which is something harder to achieve than it may seem.
The FMC is not a damsel in distress, which I appreciate greatly. She’s smart, thinks quickly, and can - and will - put up a fight if necessary.
The MMC isn’t the most sympathetic character, his split personality with the demon is quite dark, violent and vulgar, but it fits well with the story. I wouldn’t really say that he’s charming, although described as handsome.
I enjoyed the story, and only one smut scene left me wondering if there really was any need for it at all. One thing that I didn’t really like is a secondary plot, that could’ve been intriguing and mysterious, but was ended very abruptly with almost no explanations, almost as if the author didn’t know what to do with it.
My favorite quote is: “You deserve to be perceived fully, to be chosen without hesitation, to have that love standing beside you in body, mind and soul. Without equivocation, and not merely tolerated or excused away. For love is not idle intention. It is deed and presence. It is appearing when times are most arduous. It is desirable to be near, even when weariness or inconvenience abound. Therefore, the true question is not whether you can abide such man, Duchess, but whether you are prepared to endure the shadow of love whilst your heart withers in silence.”
Did I enjoy the book? Yes.
Would I read it again? Probably not.
Will I read the second part? Most likely yes.
All in all, I’d say 4/5, because I liked it, but not loved it.
August 15, 2025
2.5 stars
This book was a hot mess. I really hope that the copy I received was not the final because oh my gawd did this need so much editing. There were words missing, extra words, wrong words. Sometimes whose POV it was was written wrong. Things were happening that made no sense, and within a single scene the characters would be doing something one way, then all of a sudden they're doing it a completely different way. There are numerous random time skips and so many random plots going on that half the time you just have to roll with it and not question WTF is going on. Considering the absurd length of the trigger warnings, which I definitely did not read, I really expected this book to be insane with dark and triggering happenings. It was laughably not.
It might sound like I hated this book (to be fair I did not really like it) but the idea behind it was an interesting one with so many creative things going on. The problem is that it was presented more as random ideas vomited on page rather than any actual cohesion. Like, I liked the idea of Dorian having this demonic side to him that he struggles to control, but how it happened to him was quite a bit ridiculous. Only made worse with how it then spread to others. And these others become murderous giants? I mean....come on. Then there's this whatever the fuck it was going on with Dorian's mother. Seriously. What was the point of that whole thing. Just to include a depraved chapter that literally made everybody uncomfortable?
I still don't understand why Katherine was sent to England when she's a princess of another country. She speaks of having to make a good impression of the prince, but literally nothing comes of that. Katherine meets Dorian when she's at a ball with her best friend. She's immediately drawn to him so she follows him around the place until she witnesses something she shouldn't have. Dorian's demon side takes over and attacks her, and somehow that means they have to marry to save her honor. I don't know. Dorian plans to send her away as soon as he can but his demon side craves her more than he can control and he's starting to want her too. As for Katherine, she seems determined to make this marriage work with him and refuses to be a pretty wallflower. It's not long before she's confronted with everything that Dorian has been facing this whole time and she will fight beside him whether he likes it or not. The fights here were vicious, brutal, and deadly. The best kind.
This book does not want for action, there is always something going on. Despite that, at some point everything just started to feel tedious. The smexy parts were hot, even though they were the worst offenders of things being one way in one sentence and then completely different the next. There is a sort of love triangle going on, but it's completely one sided. So it was kind of annoying when this dude told Katherine that he would never hold another in his heart. Dramatic much? And I don't even know if they really even got control over this whole situation aside from killing all the monsters at the end. Wasn't the cause spreading thru the land?
So yeah. This book had a great idea going on but it failed executing it.
Best part about this book? The little picture that some books have on every new chapter page. This one has to be one of my absolute favorites. It looks 3D was just really cool.
This book was a hot mess. I really hope that the copy I received was not the final because oh my gawd did this need so much editing. There were words missing, extra words, wrong words. Sometimes whose POV it was was written wrong. Things were happening that made no sense, and within a single scene the characters would be doing something one way, then all of a sudden they're doing it a completely different way. There are numerous random time skips and so many random plots going on that half the time you just have to roll with it and not question WTF is going on. Considering the absurd length of the trigger warnings, which I definitely did not read, I really expected this book to be insane with dark and triggering happenings. It was laughably not.
It might sound like I hated this book (to be fair I did not really like it) but the idea behind it was an interesting one with so many creative things going on. The problem is that it was presented more as random ideas vomited on page rather than any actual cohesion. Like, I liked the idea of Dorian having this demonic side to him that he struggles to control, but how it happened to him was quite a bit ridiculous. Only made worse with how it then spread to others. And these others become murderous giants? I mean....come on. Then there's this whatever the fuck it was going on with Dorian's mother. Seriously. What was the point of that whole thing. Just to include a depraved chapter that literally made everybody uncomfortable?
I still don't understand why Katherine was sent to England when she's a princess of another country. She speaks of having to make a good impression of the prince, but literally nothing comes of that. Katherine meets Dorian when she's at a ball with her best friend. She's immediately drawn to him so she follows him around the place until she witnesses something she shouldn't have. Dorian's demon side takes over and attacks her, and somehow that means they have to marry to save her honor. I don't know. Dorian plans to send her away as soon as he can but his demon side craves her more than he can control and he's starting to want her too. As for Katherine, she seems determined to make this marriage work with him and refuses to be a pretty wallflower. It's not long before she's confronted with everything that Dorian has been facing this whole time and she will fight beside him whether he likes it or not. The fights here were vicious, brutal, and deadly. The best kind.
This book does not want for action, there is always something going on. Despite that, at some point everything just started to feel tedious. The smexy parts were hot, even though they were the worst offenders of things being one way in one sentence and then completely different the next. There is a sort of love triangle going on, but it's completely one sided. So it was kind of annoying when this dude told Katherine that he would never hold another in his heart. Dramatic much? And I don't even know if they really even got control over this whole situation aside from killing all the monsters at the end. Wasn't the cause spreading thru the land?
So yeah. This book had a great idea going on but it failed executing it.
Best part about this book? The little picture that some books have on every new chapter page. This one has to be one of my absolute favorites. It looks 3D was just really cool.
August 11, 2025
Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for a copy of the e-ARC in exchange for a review. As always, my honest thoughts and opinions are directly below.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
This book follows our FMC, named Katherine, who is a princess of the Qing dynasty in China. She came to England as a ward of the family of a friend from her time in school. After a scandalous moment with the Duke of Ashwood, she was forced to marry him almost against her will.
She is now beginning to see him for who and what he truly is and that means there is more to the story than she has yet seen. She isn't sure what to make of the situation but knows she has to make the best of it. There are more monsters than meets the eye.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
I normally don't read dark romance like this book but this one caught my eye when I saw it on NetGalley. I won't even lie about that. It ended up being better than I had originally intended, which is more than fine with me.
I liked Katherine more than I thought I would. She reminds me a lot of the FMC from Under the Oak Tree if I'm being honest here. I feel like there is more to Katherine than meets the eye. I was disappointed when I realized the second book in this series is not a direct sequel.
I wanted more from this couple but I suppose I can be pleased with what we got. I'm sure they will be in book 2 as well since the MMC is the duke from the next town over. I'll be requesting that title as well when it becomes available for request on NetGalley.
I just wish there was more smut in this one! I was hoping for more too after reading all the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. I was nervous about it since some of the trigger warnings at the beginning were triggers for me personally.
It wasn't as bad as I was thinking, which is a great thing, obviously. I was happy to see how quickly I got through this book and am hoping the sequel will be just as easy of a read for me. I'm not holding my breath, however.
I'd recommend this book if you're looking for a good dark romance novel. I'd also recommend this book if you enjoyed the Bridgerton series but want something darker. The demon aspect was interesting and I wish we got more backstory on that. That's my only gripe, honestly.
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This book follows our FMC, named Katherine, who is a princess of the Qing dynasty in China. She came to England as a ward of the family of a friend from her time in school. After a scandalous moment with the Duke of Ashwood, she was forced to marry him almost against her will.
She is now beginning to see him for who and what he truly is and that means there is more to the story than she has yet seen. She isn't sure what to make of the situation but knows she has to make the best of it. There are more monsters than meets the eye.
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I normally don't read dark romance like this book but this one caught my eye when I saw it on NetGalley. I won't even lie about that. It ended up being better than I had originally intended, which is more than fine with me.
I liked Katherine more than I thought I would. She reminds me a lot of the FMC from Under the Oak Tree if I'm being honest here. I feel like there is more to Katherine than meets the eye. I was disappointed when I realized the second book in this series is not a direct sequel.
I wanted more from this couple but I suppose I can be pleased with what we got. I'm sure they will be in book 2 as well since the MMC is the duke from the next town over. I'll be requesting that title as well when it becomes available for request on NetGalley.
I just wish there was more smut in this one! I was hoping for more too after reading all the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. I was nervous about it since some of the trigger warnings at the beginning were triggers for me personally.
It wasn't as bad as I was thinking, which is a great thing, obviously. I was happy to see how quickly I got through this book and am hoping the sequel will be just as easy of a read for me. I'm not holding my breath, however.
I'd recommend this book if you're looking for a good dark romance novel. I'd also recommend this book if you enjoyed the Bridgerton series but want something darker. The demon aspect was interesting and I wish we got more backstory on that. That's my only gripe, honestly.
August 3, 2025
[This is a review based on an ARC obtained through NetGalley]
This book is dark, seductive, and romantic. This story is set in the 1800’s, and while i’ve read similar books in the past, this one takes the cake. The writing, how each character speaks, the descriptions - perfectly done - it really sets the tone and puts you in that era mentally.
There is a lengthy list of content warnings at the beginning of the book, and I recommend taking the time to read through them throughly.
I absolutely loved the FMC. I think she was a well done character who shows elegance and grace, without being frail and weak. She carried her weight throughout the story, as well as the weight of others, and she was enjoyable to follow along with. The MMC I ended up loving too, although many times I wanted to throttle him. He’s a morally grey - and at times morally black - character, and honestly quite unlovable from the start. He’s pretty cold and standoff-ish, and it’s easy to dislike him. But hey, we ignore the red flags, right?
This book is marked as an erotica horror romance, and while the smut was *chefs kiss*, it didn’t take away from the plot and gave you just enough to get the idea and then some without it completely taking over. It didn’t feel super heavy on the horror aspect either, but I also read horror as a palate cleanser so I think I’m a bit biased lol. It’s not horror like “omg this is terrifying, what is that??” it’s more like lots of gore, an unsettling vibe, with hints of psychological thriller - at least how I viewed it. But once again, don’t take my word for it because I read horror for fun.
I didn’t have many issues with this book - if at all - save for the few moments I was confused about how we got from point A to point B, but I circled back to reread those bits to piece it together myself. That has no effect on my rating as it was a “me” issue. I’m giving this book a 4/5 star rating because while I thoroughly enjoyed it, I didn’t absolutely love it. And that’s okay! I’m glad I read it, and will still definitely recommend it to people. I’ll still most likely read the next book because I do want to see how it all wraps up in the end.
This book is dark, seductive, and romantic. This story is set in the 1800’s, and while i’ve read similar books in the past, this one takes the cake. The writing, how each character speaks, the descriptions - perfectly done - it really sets the tone and puts you in that era mentally.
There is a lengthy list of content warnings at the beginning of the book, and I recommend taking the time to read through them throughly.
I absolutely loved the FMC. I think she was a well done character who shows elegance and grace, without being frail and weak. She carried her weight throughout the story, as well as the weight of others, and she was enjoyable to follow along with. The MMC I ended up loving too, although many times I wanted to throttle him. He’s a morally grey - and at times morally black - character, and honestly quite unlovable from the start. He’s pretty cold and standoff-ish, and it’s easy to dislike him. But hey, we ignore the red flags, right?
This book is marked as an erotica horror romance, and while the smut was *chefs kiss*, it didn’t take away from the plot and gave you just enough to get the idea and then some without it completely taking over. It didn’t feel super heavy on the horror aspect either, but I also read horror as a palate cleanser so I think I’m a bit biased lol. It’s not horror like “omg this is terrifying, what is that??” it’s more like lots of gore, an unsettling vibe, with hints of psychological thriller - at least how I viewed it. But once again, don’t take my word for it because I read horror for fun.
I didn’t have many issues with this book - if at all - save for the few moments I was confused about how we got from point A to point B, but I circled back to reread those bits to piece it together myself. That has no effect on my rating as it was a “me” issue. I’m giving this book a 4/5 star rating because while I thoroughly enjoyed it, I didn’t absolutely love it. And that’s okay! I’m glad I read it, and will still definitely recommend it to people. I’ll still most likely read the next book because I do want to see how it all wraps up in the end.
August 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wallflowers and Demons: Ashwood is a dark, gothic, and feral ride through Regency England like you’ve never seen it before. Eve Devearoux blends the lushness of historical romance with the unsettling grit of monster horror, and the result is equal parts seductive and terrifying.
Katherine Xu, a Chinese princess, finds herself wed to the infamous Duke of Ashwood, Dorian Storm—a man whispered about in society, feared for both his madness and the dark secrets of his estate. What begins as a marriage of duty quickly spirals into a nightmarish yet enthralling exploration of desire, sacrifice, and survival. Ashwood itself is practically a character—dripping with atmosphere, menace, and the ever-present threat of the grotesque creations born within its walls.
Katherine is a standout heroine: strong, sharp-willed, and unwilling to be consumed by her husband’s demons. She pushes back against Dorian’s arrogance and torment, making her a true match for the monster duke. Their dynamic is brutal, intoxicating, and layered with both horror and passion. It’s not for the faint of heart—the romance is raw, primal, and steeped in gothic sensuality.
Devearoux doesn’t shy away from body horror, splatterpunk elements, or the extremes of gothic erotica, which makes this book unique but also very heavy. The blend of tragedy, grotesque imagery, and BDSM elements might be too much for some readers, but for those who crave a romance that bites (literally and figuratively), this story delivers.
This isn’t a lighthearted Regency romp—it’s blood, darkness, and desire bound together in a way that makes you question whether love can bloom in the most monstrous of places. For me, it was a wild and unforgettable read. Disturbing, decadent, and addictive.
If you love gothic horror, monstrous dukes, and heroines who refuse to bow to the darkness—even as they’re tempted to embrace it—Wallflowers and Demons: Ashwood is absolutely worth the plunge.
Wallflowers and Demons: Ashwood is a dark, gothic, and feral ride through Regency England like you’ve never seen it before. Eve Devearoux blends the lushness of historical romance with the unsettling grit of monster horror, and the result is equal parts seductive and terrifying.
Katherine Xu, a Chinese princess, finds herself wed to the infamous Duke of Ashwood, Dorian Storm—a man whispered about in society, feared for both his madness and the dark secrets of his estate. What begins as a marriage of duty quickly spirals into a nightmarish yet enthralling exploration of desire, sacrifice, and survival. Ashwood itself is practically a character—dripping with atmosphere, menace, and the ever-present threat of the grotesque creations born within its walls.
Katherine is a standout heroine: strong, sharp-willed, and unwilling to be consumed by her husband’s demons. She pushes back against Dorian’s arrogance and torment, making her a true match for the monster duke. Their dynamic is brutal, intoxicating, and layered with both horror and passion. It’s not for the faint of heart—the romance is raw, primal, and steeped in gothic sensuality.
Devearoux doesn’t shy away from body horror, splatterpunk elements, or the extremes of gothic erotica, which makes this book unique but also very heavy. The blend of tragedy, grotesque imagery, and BDSM elements might be too much for some readers, but for those who crave a romance that bites (literally and figuratively), this story delivers.
This isn’t a lighthearted Regency romp—it’s blood, darkness, and desire bound together in a way that makes you question whether love can bloom in the most monstrous of places. For me, it was a wild and unforgettable read. Disturbing, decadent, and addictive.
If you love gothic horror, monstrous dukes, and heroines who refuse to bow to the darkness—even as they’re tempted to embrace it—Wallflowers and Demons: Ashwood is absolutely worth the plunge.
October 6, 2025
If you’ve ever thought the gothic genre could use fewer trembling maidens and more teeth, Wallflowers and Demons: Ashwood obliges. It’s lush, unsettling, and far too addictive for something that feels like it should probably come with a warning label from a clergyman. Our FMC Katherine Xu is intelligent, wary, and far stronger than the gilded cage she’s been pushed into. She’s nobody’s shrinking violet, even when dropped into circumstances that would rattle most. Our MMC Dorian Storm, Duke of Ashwood is the sort of man who makes you wonder if “dark and brooding” is less a personality trait and more a lifestyle. Dangerous, magnetic, and not remotely interested in playing the role of charming hKatherine is thrust into a perilous marriage with the reclusive and brooding Duke of Ashwood, a match that looks regal on paper but hides something far more feral. The castle isn’t haunted by distant spirits—it’s haunted by the man himself and the horrors he’s walled away. He doesn’t want a wife, and she certainly doesn’t want what she’s about to discover. Gothic terror unfolds through every manor corridor, drawing out every well-guarded instinct Katherine thought unreachable. Courtship doesn’t exist in his world—here, intimacy is a battleground, and their chemistry is electric, twisted, and built on whispered threats as much as whispered confessions. They’ll test each other’s boundaries, trade verbal blows, and build a connection so dangerous it pulls the dread right off the walls of Ashwood and into your gut. There’s no fairy tale here—just a brutal, beautiful collision of dark magic, wounded souls, and something dangerous that might just be love If you’re looking for soft candlelight and happily-ever-afters wrapped in lace, look elsewhere. If you want gothic tension, unsettling intimacy, and the kind of romance that feels like standing too close to a fire you can’t resist—welcome to Ashwood.
November 24, 2025
"Wallflowers and Demons: Ashwood" is a rare creature: a gothic romance carved from velvet and bone, where Regency elegance collides head-on with monstrosity, horror and forbidden desire. It opens the door with lace gloves and closes it with claws. Strange, seductive, and deliciously reckless.
Katherine Xu is a heroine who carries the story without asking permission (sharp-minded, resilient, built of instinct and steel). Her arrival in English high society, wrapped in etiquette and secrets, gains weight the moment she’s tied to the enigmatic Duke of Ashwood, a man split between civility and something feral beneath his skin. The novel thrives exactly in that tension: ballroom grace versus night-creature hunger.
The dual POV structure lets us witness both Katherine’s fierce reasoning and the chaotic, aching mind of the monster watching her. It gives the horror emotional depth rather than simple shock, something tragic, intimate, almost ritualistic. And the spice? Unapologetic, intense, written to make you uncomfortable and unable to look away.
What works beautifully:
- A lush, atmospheric gothic tone: candle smoke, thunder, expensive perfume and blood.
- Characters layered with both vulnerability and violence.
- An original blend of horror and romance, unafraid to get its hands dirty.
- A rising emotional curve that tightens towards the final act.
Where it falters:
- Pacing can wobble, with abrupt momentum shifts that interrupt immersion.
- Some subplots appear and vanish too quickly, leaving a faint echo rather than resolution.
- The deliberately formal narrative voice may challenge readers accustomed to slick modern prose.
Not perfect, but unforgettable. Bold, strange on purpose, beautiful in its brutality. It leaves claw marks.
Best read with low light and steady breathing.
For those who crave a dark romance that burns, bites, and refuses to apologise.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Katherine Xu is a heroine who carries the story without asking permission (sharp-minded, resilient, built of instinct and steel). Her arrival in English high society, wrapped in etiquette and secrets, gains weight the moment she’s tied to the enigmatic Duke of Ashwood, a man split between civility and something feral beneath his skin. The novel thrives exactly in that tension: ballroom grace versus night-creature hunger.
The dual POV structure lets us witness both Katherine’s fierce reasoning and the chaotic, aching mind of the monster watching her. It gives the horror emotional depth rather than simple shock, something tragic, intimate, almost ritualistic. And the spice? Unapologetic, intense, written to make you uncomfortable and unable to look away.
What works beautifully:
- A lush, atmospheric gothic tone: candle smoke, thunder, expensive perfume and blood.
- Characters layered with both vulnerability and violence.
- An original blend of horror and romance, unafraid to get its hands dirty.
- A rising emotional curve that tightens towards the final act.
Where it falters:
- Pacing can wobble, with abrupt momentum shifts that interrupt immersion.
- Some subplots appear and vanish too quickly, leaving a faint echo rather than resolution.
- The deliberately formal narrative voice may challenge readers accustomed to slick modern prose.
Not perfect, but unforgettable. Bold, strange on purpose, beautiful in its brutality. It leaves claw marks.
Best read with low light and steady breathing.
For those who crave a dark romance that burns, bites, and refuses to apologise.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2025
This book that unapologetically rips the petals off every sweet, innocent expectation you might have going in, only to plant you right in the middle of dark, dangerous obsession… and make you love every second of it.
First off, Eve Devearoux doesn’t just write characters — she conjures them. The FMC? A supposed wallflower with thorns sharp enough to cut through your expectations. She’s soft, yes, but she’s also got bite, and watching her unravel in the hands (and mouths 👀) of morally gray, sin-drenched demons? Chef’s kiss.
And the MMCs? Whew. Possessive, broken, ruthless. The kind of monster that doesn’t ask if you want to be owned — he just does it. You’ll feel the obsession simmering on every page. This man isn’t your standard “bad boy” — he’s chaos wrapped in velvet and shadows. And when he says “mine,” your heart (and maybe your morals) won’t stand a chance.
🌶️ Level: Let’s just say… there’s enough steam in this book to fog up your Kindle screen. It’s not just spicy — it’s sinful. Expect dominance, control, power play, and that intense, toe-curling tension that builds until you’re practically begging for the release right alongside the characters.
But it’s not all heat and darkness. There are unexpected moments of tenderness, loyalty, and raw vulnerability. The emotional stakes hit hard, and the trauma is handled with a haunting kind of grace.
Final Thoughts: If you like your romance a little unhinged, your heroes morally corrupt, and your heroines secretly powerful, Wallflowers and Demons: Ashwood will absolutely devour you — in the best way. Just don’t go in expecting a fairy tale. This is a descent… and you’ll enjoy every wicked, decadent step down.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - For fans of dark romance who like their monsters sharp-tongued, their spice feral, and their plots dripping with danger.
First off, Eve Devearoux doesn’t just write characters — she conjures them. The FMC? A supposed wallflower with thorns sharp enough to cut through your expectations. She’s soft, yes, but she’s also got bite, and watching her unravel in the hands (and mouths 👀) of morally gray, sin-drenched demons? Chef’s kiss.
And the MMCs? Whew. Possessive, broken, ruthless. The kind of monster that doesn’t ask if you want to be owned — he just does it. You’ll feel the obsession simmering on every page. This man isn’t your standard “bad boy” — he’s chaos wrapped in velvet and shadows. And when he says “mine,” your heart (and maybe your morals) won’t stand a chance.
🌶️ Level: Let’s just say… there’s enough steam in this book to fog up your Kindle screen. It’s not just spicy — it’s sinful. Expect dominance, control, power play, and that intense, toe-curling tension that builds until you’re practically begging for the release right alongside the characters.
But it’s not all heat and darkness. There are unexpected moments of tenderness, loyalty, and raw vulnerability. The emotional stakes hit hard, and the trauma is handled with a haunting kind of grace.
Final Thoughts: If you like your romance a little unhinged, your heroes morally corrupt, and your heroines secretly powerful, Wallflowers and Demons: Ashwood will absolutely devour you — in the best way. Just don’t go in expecting a fairy tale. This is a descent… and you’ll enjoy every wicked, decadent step down.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - For fans of dark romance who like their monsters sharp-tongued, their spice feral, and their plots dripping with danger.
August 1, 2025
Honest ARC book reviews by Jenny 😊
I absolutely LOVED the premise of this book, and overall I really did enjoy it. I just feel like it could have been executed better.
Here is what I LOVED about the book:
❤️ Dorian Storm. I mean who doesn’t love a dark mysterious demon shifter? He is everything a MMC should be in my opinion.
❤️ The love triangle with Lord Gabriel was so well executed. I don’t think I’ve read a better love triangle that isn’t a reverse harem situation.
❤️ The book is SPICY! In all the best ways. But definitely check the trigger warnings, there are a lot of them. But honestly for as many trigger warnings as there are, I really thought the book would be darker and smuttier. Not that it wasn’t dark and smutty it certainly was, but I was a little concerned going in but I’ve read worse. 🌶️🌶️.5
Here are some of the things I think could have made the book better:
🤔 I LOVED the idea of the MFC being Chinese, but I feel like the author made her too “English”. While I understand that this isn’t totally out of the norm, historically wise since during that time frame there was a desire to be more “English”, and yes I understand that the character went to an English school, and was probably converted to Christianity. With all that said, she was still so English that at times I wondered if there was a reason to make the character Chinese at all, besides the racism (which was well done). I just would have liked to see more Chinese culture in the book.
🤔 The world building could have also been better. It got confusing at some points, and seemed to jump around a lot.
🤔 At one part of the book we read a chapter about Katherine’s best friend riding in a carriage to what i thought was to go to Katherine’s wedding ball, but then that goes nowhere. Though I understand that her friend is the subject in the next books, so maybe it was just a teaser
🤔 I read the ARC version of this book but there were a lot of editing mistakes in the version I got. Not a huge deal to me but thought I should point that out.
Overall, I think the book is WELL worth the read and you definitely pick the book up!
I got this book free from NetGalley for my honest opinion.
I absolutely LOVED the premise of this book, and overall I really did enjoy it. I just feel like it could have been executed better.
Here is what I LOVED about the book:
❤️ Dorian Storm. I mean who doesn’t love a dark mysterious demon shifter? He is everything a MMC should be in my opinion.
❤️ The love triangle with Lord Gabriel was so well executed. I don’t think I’ve read a better love triangle that isn’t a reverse harem situation.
❤️ The book is SPICY! In all the best ways. But definitely check the trigger warnings, there are a lot of them. But honestly for as many trigger warnings as there are, I really thought the book would be darker and smuttier. Not that it wasn’t dark and smutty it certainly was, but I was a little concerned going in but I’ve read worse. 🌶️🌶️.5
Here are some of the things I think could have made the book better:
🤔 I LOVED the idea of the MFC being Chinese, but I feel like the author made her too “English”. While I understand that this isn’t totally out of the norm, historically wise since during that time frame there was a desire to be more “English”, and yes I understand that the character went to an English school, and was probably converted to Christianity. With all that said, she was still so English that at times I wondered if there was a reason to make the character Chinese at all, besides the racism (which was well done). I just would have liked to see more Chinese culture in the book.
🤔 The world building could have also been better. It got confusing at some points, and seemed to jump around a lot.
🤔 At one part of the book we read a chapter about Katherine’s best friend riding in a carriage to what i thought was to go to Katherine’s wedding ball, but then that goes nowhere. Though I understand that her friend is the subject in the next books, so maybe it was just a teaser
🤔 I read the ARC version of this book but there were a lot of editing mistakes in the version I got. Not a huge deal to me but thought I should point that out.
Overall, I think the book is WELL worth the read and you definitely pick the book up!
I got this book free from NetGalley for my honest opinion.
July 23, 2025
This was a sharp 180 to what we've read from Eve before! Think of a dark Bridgerton or Pride & Prejudice, were the MMC is a filthy mouthed demon and the FMC is a fierce heroine that takes no sh!t. Both main characters were amazing and fierce. Katherine Xu, our Chinese princess that was thrust into a marriage thanks to a violent encounter with our MMC, Duke Dorian Storm, is not your usual damsel in distress. She can wield a blade and can hold her own against her new demon husband. Seeing them become brief enemies, to allies and then lovers was awesome to read.
Our MMC is the Duke of Ashwood that also struggles to keep his demon at bay, but Katherine's presence and threats to his dukedom of Ashwood will have him unraveling. Will they survive these monstrous threats? Or will that and the love that starts blossoming between them be their undoing?
The plot was fast paced and I have to be honest, I was struggling to keep up. It was literally like watching a horror/action movie unfold. The side characters were pretty cool and I can't wait to read the next book. This looks like a series of interconnected standalones where there's an ongoing story. The spice, I will give it a solid 3.5/5. It was a good balance of spice and fast paced plot. The spice is violent and monstrous, just like our characters. Katherine and Dorian are a match made in hell.
I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to read this ARC!
Our MMC is the Duke of Ashwood that also struggles to keep his demon at bay, but Katherine's presence and threats to his dukedom of Ashwood will have him unraveling. Will they survive these monstrous threats? Or will that and the love that starts blossoming between them be their undoing?
The plot was fast paced and I have to be honest, I was struggling to keep up. It was literally like watching a horror/action movie unfold. The side characters were pretty cool and I can't wait to read the next book. This looks like a series of interconnected standalones where there's an ongoing story. The spice, I will give it a solid 3.5/5. It was a good balance of spice and fast paced plot. The spice is violent and monstrous, just like our characters. Katherine and Dorian are a match made in hell.
I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to read this ARC!
August 1, 2025
This book is complicated to review. I enjoyed the story as well as the MMC and FMC themselves; however, there were a lot of distractions, which made me have to rate it a bit lower.
First, I think this book still needs a couple of passes at editing. There were many grammar mistakes, typos, repeated sentences, etc.. It felt like it missed a review stage before being published.
Second, the writing itself was pretty choppy. I kept having to go back to ensure I didn’t miss something. Scenes transitioned quickly and messily. At least once, there was a significant scene change within a single paragraph. Points of View were also sometimes inconsistent within a scene while still under a specific individual's POV.
I would consider it a spicy monster romance; I loved those parts! However, I question the number of trigger warnings the book had. I expected it to be WAY worse, but maybe that says more about me as a reader than the book itself. I’ve read other novels that felt much more intense with questionable content.
I thought the plot was exciting, and I was on the edge of my seat wondering how things would turn out. I certainly didn’t guess the ending, and that’s always fun to me.
Overall, I wonder if the release was a bit rushed. With a little more work on the writing and transitions within the story, as well as some good editing, it could be a real treat!
I am curious about what happens next…
First, I think this book still needs a couple of passes at editing. There were many grammar mistakes, typos, repeated sentences, etc.. It felt like it missed a review stage before being published.
Second, the writing itself was pretty choppy. I kept having to go back to ensure I didn’t miss something. Scenes transitioned quickly and messily. At least once, there was a significant scene change within a single paragraph. Points of View were also sometimes inconsistent within a scene while still under a specific individual's POV.
I would consider it a spicy monster romance; I loved those parts! However, I question the number of trigger warnings the book had. I expected it to be WAY worse, but maybe that says more about me as a reader than the book itself. I’ve read other novels that felt much more intense with questionable content.
I thought the plot was exciting, and I was on the edge of my seat wondering how things would turn out. I certainly didn’t guess the ending, and that’s always fun to me.
Overall, I wonder if the release was a bit rushed. With a little more work on the writing and transitions within the story, as well as some good editing, it could be a real treat!
I am curious about what happens next…
August 13, 2025
A Chinese princess meets demon duke in regency England? A Beauty and the Beast retelling?? Dark gothic romance??? Count me in!
Katherine is absolutely stellar. She's sharp, fierce, and refuses to play the helpless damsel even when faced with literal demons. I loved watching her navigate both British high society and supernatural horrors with equal sass.
And Dorian? *Chef's kiss* This man is everything I want in a morally gray love interest. He's tortured without being whiny, dangerous without being abusive, and that internal struggle between his human and demonic sides had me completely hooked. The way he tries to protect Katherine while battling his own nature? Absolutely delicious. I found myself rooting for him even when he made questionable choices.
The gothic atmosphere is where this book really shines. Ashwood Manor feels genuinely menacing, and the horror elements creep up on you perfectly. When things get gory in the second half, it's genuinely unsettling in the best possible way.
My one complaint? The story rushes through some key emotional beats. The romance needed more breathing room to feel authentic.
Also, heads up: while this did not affect my review in any way, this is marketed as erotica but it's more medium spice level. Perfectly steamy for the story and well done, just don't expect anything too scandalous.
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Katherine is absolutely stellar. She's sharp, fierce, and refuses to play the helpless damsel even when faced with literal demons. I loved watching her navigate both British high society and supernatural horrors with equal sass.
And Dorian? *Chef's kiss* This man is everything I want in a morally gray love interest. He's tortured without being whiny, dangerous without being abusive, and that internal struggle between his human and demonic sides had me completely hooked. The way he tries to protect Katherine while battling his own nature? Absolutely delicious. I found myself rooting for him even when he made questionable choices.
The gothic atmosphere is where this book really shines. Ashwood Manor feels genuinely menacing, and the horror elements creep up on you perfectly. When things get gory in the second half, it's genuinely unsettling in the best possible way.
My one complaint? The story rushes through some key emotional beats. The romance needed more breathing room to feel authentic.
Also, heads up: while this did not affect my review in any way, this is marketed as erotica but it's more medium spice level. Perfectly steamy for the story and well done, just don't expect anything too scandalous.
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2025
Big thanks to Netgalley and Eve Deveraoux for the eARC in exchange for a review.
Katherine is a visitor at a manor when a horrible beast gives reason to believe that her innocence has been compromised. She does not want to marry him, he does not want to marry her, but alas, this is set in a time where seeing a mans naked chest meant you were no good for anther.
I like her character development. She is a visitor from another country (which isn't elaborated on much, but the 'exoticness' of her is mentioned a lot) and ends up being married very quickly to a man shes only seen once. He has a secret, and he wants her to keep it. He offers to send her away from him, living along among people she's never met, in a country she was not born into. Of course, she says no and wants to stay.
Bringing her to his home on an island, they are greeted with some terrible horror that is destroying the island community.
Together, they keep secrets and devise a plan to take down the evil.
I got this as an ARC but with what I assume was zero editing. It was on occasion hard to follow who was saying what, to whom and what all was happening. I won't take away any stars for that, but I think the published version will be slightly different.
There is a lot of smexy times. Some dubious consent, human and.. whatever he is, and some rapey vibes.
Overall I really enjoyed it, and will keep an eye out for books by this author agian!
4 stars
Katherine is a visitor at a manor when a horrible beast gives reason to believe that her innocence has been compromised. She does not want to marry him, he does not want to marry her, but alas, this is set in a time where seeing a mans naked chest meant you were no good for anther.
I like her character development. She is a visitor from another country (which isn't elaborated on much, but the 'exoticness' of her is mentioned a lot) and ends up being married very quickly to a man shes only seen once. He has a secret, and he wants her to keep it. He offers to send her away from him, living along among people she's never met, in a country she was not born into. Of course, she says no and wants to stay.
Bringing her to his home on an island, they are greeted with some terrible horror that is destroying the island community.
Together, they keep secrets and devise a plan to take down the evil.
I got this as an ARC but with what I assume was zero editing. It was on occasion hard to follow who was saying what, to whom and what all was happening. I won't take away any stars for that, but I think the published version will be slightly different.
There is a lot of smexy times. Some dubious consent, human and.. whatever he is, and some rapey vibes.
Overall I really enjoyed it, and will keep an eye out for books by this author agian!
4 stars
July 29, 2025
Thank you Eve Devearoux for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Dedication: "The real-life wallflowers. The overthinkers. And those who live with monsters. The ones who feel too much. And carry the world within, unseen."
I don't normally choose regency romance but I thought I'd expand my horizons and explore a new genre. I was instantly transported into another world. This dark regency monster romance pulled me in and sent me to a highly addictive dark and twisted escape from reality. The story was fast-paced and full of heart-stopping action with plenty of steam. The world and characters were described in great detail. This book gave me all the gothic spooky sexy vibes.
Multiple POV
Dark Romance
Erotic Horror/Thriller
Monster Duke
Pitch Black
Gothic
Spicy
BDSM
Check TW
Katherine is brave, kind, and strong. I love her take-no-nonsense attitude. She is no damsel in distress.
Dorian is a sexy dangerous beast. Jekyll and Hyde. He is a monster but not the one everyone thinks he is. He wants to fix his mistakes and do the right thing.
I loved their banter and their chemistry was red hot. The way he goes feral for her. He's possessive and claiming. They were pulled together like magnets and meant to be.
What a fantastic book! I'm still reeling. I am now a total fan of this author's work. I can't wait to get my hands on another one of her books.
Dedication: "The real-life wallflowers. The overthinkers. And those who live with monsters. The ones who feel too much. And carry the world within, unseen."
I don't normally choose regency romance but I thought I'd expand my horizons and explore a new genre. I was instantly transported into another world. This dark regency monster romance pulled me in and sent me to a highly addictive dark and twisted escape from reality. The story was fast-paced and full of heart-stopping action with plenty of steam. The world and characters were described in great detail. This book gave me all the gothic spooky sexy vibes.
Multiple POV
Dark Romance
Erotic Horror/Thriller
Monster Duke
Pitch Black
Gothic
Spicy
BDSM
Check TW
Katherine is brave, kind, and strong. I love her take-no-nonsense attitude. She is no damsel in distress.
Dorian is a sexy dangerous beast. Jekyll and Hyde. He is a monster but not the one everyone thinks he is. He wants to fix his mistakes and do the right thing.
I loved their banter and their chemistry was red hot. The way he goes feral for her. He's possessive and claiming. They were pulled together like magnets and meant to be.
What a fantastic book! I'm still reeling. I am now a total fan of this author's work. I can't wait to get my hands on another one of her books.
July 29, 2025
Thank you Eve Devearoux for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Dedication: "The real-life wallflowers. The overthinkers. And those who live with monsters. The ones who feel too much. And carry the world within, unseen."
I don't normally choose regency romance but I thought I'd expand my horizons and explore a new genre. I was instantly transported into another world. This dark regency monster romance pulled me in and sent me to a highly addictive dark and twisted escape from reality. The story was fast-paced and full of heart-stopping action with plenty of steam. The world and characters were described in great detail. This book gave me all the gothic spooky sexy vibes.
Multiple POV
Dark Romance
Erotic Horror/Thriller
Monster Duke
Pitch Black
Gothic
Spicy
BDSM
Check TW
Katherine is brave, kind, and strong. I love her take-no-nonsense attitude. She is no damsel in distress.
Dorian is a sexy dangerous beast. Jekyll and Hyde. He is a monster but not the one everyone thinks he is. He wants to fix his mistakes and do the right thing.
I loved their banter and their chemistry was red hot. The way he goes feral for her. He's possessive and claiming. They were pulled together like magnets and meant to be.
What a fantastic book! I'm still reeling. I am now a total fan of this author's work. I can't wait to get my hands on another one of her books.
Dedication: "The real-life wallflowers. The overthinkers. And those who live with monsters. The ones who feel too much. And carry the world within, unseen."
I don't normally choose regency romance but I thought I'd expand my horizons and explore a new genre. I was instantly transported into another world. This dark regency monster romance pulled me in and sent me to a highly addictive dark and twisted escape from reality. The story was fast-paced and full of heart-stopping action with plenty of steam. The world and characters were described in great detail. This book gave me all the gothic spooky sexy vibes.
Multiple POV
Dark Romance
Erotic Horror/Thriller
Monster Duke
Pitch Black
Gothic
Spicy
BDSM
Check TW
Katherine is brave, kind, and strong. I love her take-no-nonsense attitude. She is no damsel in distress.
Dorian is a sexy dangerous beast. Jekyll and Hyde. He is a monster but not the one everyone thinks he is. He wants to fix his mistakes and do the right thing.
I loved their banter and their chemistry was red hot. The way he goes feral for her. He's possessive and claiming. They were pulled together like magnets and meant to be.
What a fantastic book! I'm still reeling. I am now a total fan of this author's work. I can't wait to get my hands on another one of her books.
August 6, 2025
She went to visit a friend and ended up married to a man known as a demon? The scandal practically wrote itself — and I couldn’t look away.
👹Review:
Reading this book felt like the perfect escape — dark, fast-paced, and deliciously addictive. It gave me major Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde vibes, except in this version, both sides of the monster want her.
Princess Katherine only meant to visit a friend, but one scandal later, she’s suddenly married off to Dorian — a man feared and whispered about. She’s terrified of him at first… but also undeniably drawn in. And let me just say, the chemistry between these two? Fire.
The pacing moves quickly, but it still gives a solid look into how Katherine and Dorian evolve as a couple, especially since Dorian can barely keep his demons under control around her. I loved Katherine’s boldness and Dorian’s protective side — their dynamic felt intense, messy in the best way, and so well-woven into the action-packed plot.
The mystery of Ashwood kept me turning pages, and the twist at the end? Totally caught me off guard. And yes, the monster spice was chef’s kiss — that dirty-mouthed demon did not come to play.
Tropes you’ll love:
• Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde dynamic
• Protective MMC
• Feisty FMC
• Marriage of convenience
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 — Monster spice with bite 👀
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Huge thanks to @NetGalley and Eve Devearoux for the ARC!
👹Review:
Reading this book felt like the perfect escape — dark, fast-paced, and deliciously addictive. It gave me major Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde vibes, except in this version, both sides of the monster want her.
Princess Katherine only meant to visit a friend, but one scandal later, she’s suddenly married off to Dorian — a man feared and whispered about. She’s terrified of him at first… but also undeniably drawn in. And let me just say, the chemistry between these two? Fire.
The pacing moves quickly, but it still gives a solid look into how Katherine and Dorian evolve as a couple, especially since Dorian can barely keep his demons under control around her. I loved Katherine’s boldness and Dorian’s protective side — their dynamic felt intense, messy in the best way, and so well-woven into the action-packed plot.
The mystery of Ashwood kept me turning pages, and the twist at the end? Totally caught me off guard. And yes, the monster spice was chef’s kiss — that dirty-mouthed demon did not come to play.
Tropes you’ll love:
• Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde dynamic
• Protective MMC
• Feisty FMC
• Marriage of convenience
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 — Monster spice with bite 👀
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Huge thanks to @NetGalley and Eve Devearoux for the ARC!
August 24, 2025
🩸⛓️I’ve never read anything by Eve Devearoux, but I was impressed by her writing. This book was 4 stars for me. I enjoyed the detail, the descriptions, the storytelling. It was immaculate from start to finish.
We meet Princess Katherine Xu and her maid Nora while they are traveling to meet Genevieve. But what was supposed to be just a soirée to meet the Prince Regent turns into a scandal leading to a marriage the Princess does not want to be in.
Dorian Storm, Duke of Ashwood is a man hiding a secret that could ruin the lives of so many and lead to his downfall; and it is of his own doing.
The character development of Katherine and Dorian is complex and I loved it. Their marriage was inconvenient and unwanted by both, but their love blossoms as Katherine embraces Dorian’s secret. So much is going on it was hard to keep up with everything, but I did a reread of several chapters and it all lined up perfectly. The plot twist 👀👀 I honestly didn’t expect that.
My first monster smut and it wasn’t cringy at all like I was expecting. I really enjoyed reading Eve’s book and I can’t wait to read Wexmoore.
If you like these:
🖤 Regency romance
🖤Monster smut
🖤Morally grey mmc
🖤Dark romance
🖤Unhinged
you’ll enjoy Eve Devearoux. As always,❗️CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS❗️(there’s a few pages!)
We meet Princess Katherine Xu and her maid Nora while they are traveling to meet Genevieve. But what was supposed to be just a soirée to meet the Prince Regent turns into a scandal leading to a marriage the Princess does not want to be in.
Dorian Storm, Duke of Ashwood is a man hiding a secret that could ruin the lives of so many and lead to his downfall; and it is of his own doing.
The character development of Katherine and Dorian is complex and I loved it. Their marriage was inconvenient and unwanted by both, but their love blossoms as Katherine embraces Dorian’s secret. So much is going on it was hard to keep up with everything, but I did a reread of several chapters and it all lined up perfectly. The plot twist 👀👀 I honestly didn’t expect that.
My first monster smut and it wasn’t cringy at all like I was expecting. I really enjoyed reading Eve’s book and I can’t wait to read Wexmoore.
If you like these:
🖤 Regency romance
🖤Monster smut
🖤Morally grey mmc
🖤Dark romance
🖤Unhinged
you’ll enjoy Eve Devearoux. As always,❗️CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS❗️(there’s a few pages!)
September 1, 2025
So this is a no from me. I am not new to dark romance. I am not new to demon/monster romance. This just didn’t hold my attention and took me way longer to get through than it should have. It had the potential to be something great but ended up feeling rushed and all over the place.
This starts out as Bridgerton meets Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story, which piqued my interest right from chapter one. Then it turned odd and rushed. The story transitions quickly and often left me feeling lost as to whose point of view it was even being read from. The spice is pretty graphic, especially the language that comes out of the demon’s mouth during the deed 😮💨, which didn’t necessarily bother me, but if you have triggers just be aware.
I will say, this book definitely brings the action. Right from chapter one there is exciting stuff happening. The spice is also written throughout the book, so definitely no slow-burn here. I did like the main characters, and again, the premise behind this was great. The posh princess FMC that only knows the rules of court and is loyal to a fault, and the MMC who is part Duke and part demon were great. It just wasn’t executed as well as it could have been for me.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. 🩷
This starts out as Bridgerton meets Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story, which piqued my interest right from chapter one. Then it turned odd and rushed. The story transitions quickly and often left me feeling lost as to whose point of view it was even being read from. The spice is pretty graphic, especially the language that comes out of the demon’s mouth during the deed 😮💨, which didn’t necessarily bother me, but if you have triggers just be aware.
I will say, this book definitely brings the action. Right from chapter one there is exciting stuff happening. The spice is also written throughout the book, so definitely no slow-burn here. I did like the main characters, and again, the premise behind this was great. The posh princess FMC that only knows the rules of court and is loyal to a fault, and the MMC who is part Duke and part demon were great. It just wasn’t executed as well as it could have been for me.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. 🩷
July 22, 2025
This twisted, faced paced, chaotic tale unfolds in mysterious was and will thrust you back into the haunted past of the 1800s.
To begin, hold tight for a brooding and testing MMC that you will love to hate. Lord Dorian is a demon forged in rage and loyalty—crude of tongue, relentless in battle. There isn't a soul that will test his willpower and vow to protect his people, no matter the cost. When the darkness meets light, how does one protect the demons from their heart?
Princess Katherine, a force of nature cloaked in nobility—sharp as a blade, fiercely intelligent, and unwavering in her resolve. Secrets unravel, loyalties are tested, and as their journey unfolds, the truth will change everything.
Katherine unravels when she meets Dorian in a world far from anything she's ever known and discovers appearances can be dangerously deceiving. As this uncontrollable love, that they so strongly try to deny, unfolds each will be tested and grow in ways they couldn't imagine.
Hang on tight for plot twists, captivating side characters, intriguing smut, a brooding MMC, thrills and so much more.
To begin, hold tight for a brooding and testing MMC that you will love to hate. Lord Dorian is a demon forged in rage and loyalty—crude of tongue, relentless in battle. There isn't a soul that will test his willpower and vow to protect his people, no matter the cost. When the darkness meets light, how does one protect the demons from their heart?
Princess Katherine, a force of nature cloaked in nobility—sharp as a blade, fiercely intelligent, and unwavering in her resolve. Secrets unravel, loyalties are tested, and as their journey unfolds, the truth will change everything.
Katherine unravels when she meets Dorian in a world far from anything she's ever known and discovers appearances can be dangerously deceiving. As this uncontrollable love, that they so strongly try to deny, unfolds each will be tested and grow in ways they couldn't imagine.
Hang on tight for plot twists, captivating side characters, intriguing smut, a brooding MMC, thrills and so much more.
July 25, 2025
Thank you Eve for this amazing ARC.
Some vibes that this book gives are supernatural thriller, dark romance, forced marriage, touch her and die, Sherlock Holmes met Jane Austin and made cute babies with her type.
Writing a review without spoilers when you just wanna blab about it is hard. Do to unforeseen circumstances, Katherine finds herself in situation without exit but to marry Dorian. She got 2-in-1 type of husband because Dorian himself harbors a dark secret. Think of it as Jekyll/Hyde situation but with sharp teeth, claws and the tail which can be used for other things besides strangling someone. 😈 Oh, and Kath is not scared to use sharp objects on her new husband (this lady is not a damsel in distress).
Besides infernal smut, story also have ongoing murder mystery, which will keep you hooked until the end. No spoilers but I think that majority of readers will get surprised by the ending of the story. I did but then again, I was a little bit preoccupied with Dorian's tail game 🤣
Some vibes that this book gives are supernatural thriller, dark romance, forced marriage, touch her and die, Sherlock Holmes met Jane Austin and made cute babies with her type.
Writing a review without spoilers when you just wanna blab about it is hard. Do to unforeseen circumstances, Katherine finds herself in situation without exit but to marry Dorian. She got 2-in-1 type of husband because Dorian himself harbors a dark secret. Think of it as Jekyll/Hyde situation but with sharp teeth, claws and the tail which can be used for other things besides strangling someone. 😈 Oh, and Kath is not scared to use sharp objects on her new husband (this lady is not a damsel in distress).
Besides infernal smut, story also have ongoing murder mystery, which will keep you hooked until the end. No spoilers but I think that majority of readers will get surprised by the ending of the story. I did but then again, I was a little bit preoccupied with Dorian's tail game 🤣
July 20, 2025
This was so very entertaining!! Our FMC Princess Katherine is perfection, strong-willed, quick-witted, smart, brave, and stubborn. Our MMC Lord Dorian is a dirty mouthed demon who will do anything to protect his people, even sacrifice himself. I loved how this book started off with a bang, action right off the go. I enjoyed the layers of the story. There was more than just one mystery afoot.
I enjoyed watching Katherine and Dorian love for each other grow, even if they tried to deny it. There was a jekle and Hyde vide, but not as menacing.The side characters brought in a dash of comedy, which I enjoyed. The way Eve unraveled the story kept me excited to see what happened next. And I am totally here for the old Victorian description of gore, which had me giggling!!
I did get lost from time to time and would have to back track to wrap my head around what was going on. I think that was largely due to the old English way of talking. This was the 1800s, after all.
I enjoyed watching Katherine and Dorian love for each other grow, even if they tried to deny it. There was a jekle and Hyde vide, but not as menacing.The side characters brought in a dash of comedy, which I enjoyed. The way Eve unraveled the story kept me excited to see what happened next. And I am totally here for the old Victorian description of gore, which had me giggling!!
I did get lost from time to time and would have to back track to wrap my head around what was going on. I think that was largely due to the old English way of talking. This was the 1800s, after all.
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