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Embers in the Dark
Queen of fire.
King of ruin.
Harlow King should have died in that alley. Instead, she survived to hunt the men who destroyed her.
Wealthy, untouchable, and about to learn what vengeance looks like.
Ronan Vale isn't her savior. He's her weapon.
Together, they'll burn it all down.
But what happens when fire falls for ruin?
King of ruin.
Harlow King should have died in that alley. Instead, she survived to hunt the men who destroyed her.
Wealthy, untouchable, and about to learn what vengeance looks like.
Ronan Vale isn't her savior. He's her weapon.
Together, they'll burn it all down.
But what happens when fire falls for ruin?
- GenresAmazonDark Romance
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2025
About the author
Karleigh Kiss
3 books28 followersKarleigh Kiss is a dark romance author who writes stories that explore love in its rawest, messiest form - scars and all. She has a soft spot for villains, survivors, and happily-ever-afters that are a little messy but worth fighting for. When she’s not writing, Karleigh can usually be found drinking way too much caffeine, watching true crime documentaries, or baking sweet treats!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 12, 2026
♾️⭐
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This wasn't an easy, rose-colored love story. No, it was imperfect, it was gritty, it was brutal and it was everything it needed to be. It was a woman taking back her power and deciding that she wasn't just going to lie back and take it. It was a woman reclaiming herself, her body and her mind. It was a woman saying enough is enough.
Harlow's attack was brutal. It left me devastated, unable to breathe and feeling like that scared, powerless girl again. And then suddenly, it made me feel like I was healing too. As if I was going through the transformation and coming out on the other side of it all. Her journey was empowering, it was authentic and it worked for her story. I may have felt like I wanted to throw up, like my stomach was going to revolt and like I couldn't breathe, but I also felt peace and healing throughout her entire book. I cried a lot. I was sick and had to put the book down for a day, because I simply couldn't keep reading (nothing against the book & everything to do with my heart and mental state). I gave myself a day to catch my breath and then went back to it.
I'm not sure I would even consider this a love story - I know her and Ronan get together, but their story isn't the central focal point, its more a subplot than the main storyline. I wouldn't have it any other way. I loved that her book centered around her, her healing and her quest for justice. Do I agree with it? Yes. Does that make me crazy? Possibly. Do I consider it to be morally gray? No. Those men in these pages may be fictional, but there are so many that get away with this in real life on a daily basis that it honestly makes me angry. Some times we have to take our power back in the only way we can and if that's the way Harlow does it, I am no one to judge her. In fact, I actively and loudly cheered her on. I supported her from the moment she began right up until the moment she executed her plans and when she took a step back from it all as well. Those cowards deserved EVERYTHING she did to them.
Harlow's story is so many of our stories wrapped up in a few hundred pages. I know what it is to feel worthless, to feel like I'm nothing, to feel powerless. Watching her work through that was like watching myself. Getting to see Harlow realize that she is worth everything no matter what anyone tells her was a breath of fresh air. I loved that she had a support system, although I hated that she felt the need to lie to them, but I do understand why she had to do it. Not everyone can accept what needs to be done or why.
As for Ronan, the man was exactly what she needed him to be. He was gentle, understanding and rough when she needed him. Reese, is the perfect balance to them. I loved them both and can't wait for his book to come out.
This book will live in me for the rest of my life. I will carry it with me every day, I know I'll be thinking of it forever. It may not be for everyone, let's face it most will probably think she went too far, but for those that know what it feels like to be Harlow it may just be the healing read they need. It was for me. Harlow isn't a victim, she's a survivor. She's a force to be reckoned with, a fierce woman who took back her life. She's inspiration in a fictional character.
Thank you Karleigh for writing and sharing Harlow with us, I will carry her with me everywhere I go.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This wasn't an easy, rose-colored love story. No, it was imperfect, it was gritty, it was brutal and it was everything it needed to be. It was a woman taking back her power and deciding that she wasn't just going to lie back and take it. It was a woman reclaiming herself, her body and her mind. It was a woman saying enough is enough.
Harlow's attack was brutal. It left me devastated, unable to breathe and feeling like that scared, powerless girl again. And then suddenly, it made me feel like I was healing too. As if I was going through the transformation and coming out on the other side of it all. Her journey was empowering, it was authentic and it worked for her story. I may have felt like I wanted to throw up, like my stomach was going to revolt and like I couldn't breathe, but I also felt peace and healing throughout her entire book. I cried a lot. I was sick and had to put the book down for a day, because I simply couldn't keep reading (nothing against the book & everything to do with my heart and mental state). I gave myself a day to catch my breath and then went back to it.
I'm not sure I would even consider this a love story - I know her and Ronan get together, but their story isn't the central focal point, its more a subplot than the main storyline. I wouldn't have it any other way. I loved that her book centered around her, her healing and her quest for justice. Do I agree with it? Yes. Does that make me crazy? Possibly. Do I consider it to be morally gray? No. Those men in these pages may be fictional, but there are so many that get away with this in real life on a daily basis that it honestly makes me angry. Some times we have to take our power back in the only way we can and if that's the way Harlow does it, I am no one to judge her. In fact, I actively and loudly cheered her on. I supported her from the moment she began right up until the moment she executed her plans and when she took a step back from it all as well. Those cowards deserved EVERYTHING she did to them.
Harlow's story is so many of our stories wrapped up in a few hundred pages. I know what it is to feel worthless, to feel like I'm nothing, to feel powerless. Watching her work through that was like watching myself. Getting to see Harlow realize that she is worth everything no matter what anyone tells her was a breath of fresh air. I loved that she had a support system, although I hated that she felt the need to lie to them, but I do understand why she had to do it. Not everyone can accept what needs to be done or why.
As for Ronan, the man was exactly what she needed him to be. He was gentle, understanding and rough when she needed him. Reese, is the perfect balance to them. I loved them both and can't wait for his book to come out.
This book will live in me for the rest of my life. I will carry it with me every day, I know I'll be thinking of it forever. It may not be for everyone, let's face it most will probably think she went too far, but for those that know what it feels like to be Harlow it may just be the healing read they need. It was for me. Harlow isn't a victim, she's a survivor. She's a force to be reckoned with, a fierce woman who took back her life. She's inspiration in a fictional character.
Thank you Karleigh for writing and sharing Harlow with us, I will carry her with me everywhere I go.
January 13, 2026
The plot of this book had me super intrigued when I requested the ARC on BookSirens. The first couple of chapters even had me hooked. Then I quickly realized that it was executed terribly.
There are so many repeated words, phrases and sentences it was a struggle to get through. I don’t know how many times I read that Harlow was delivering “systematic revenge” or how she is now “focused” and finally “knows who she is meant to be” and how her friends “have no idea who she is becoming” and everything is so vague about how she is becoming this precise lethal weapon to take out her revenge plot. Actually the whole book is so vague. The characters have no depth whatsoever.
I read about Harlow planning murder “with the same precision people use to *insert ordinary action here” at least 3 times in the first 50%. Word for word the author repeats everything CONSTANTLY instead of adding actual depth to the story and characters. The book is just every person vaguely describing how Harlow is turning her trauma into beautiful / magnificent lethal purpose and precision. Nobody talks like this. Nothing these characters say is real.
Harlow is so vague when her friends check up on her she just tells them “I’m becoming who I’m meant to be/doing what needs to be done/everything is falling into place” like an eerie ass robot and none of them question her further? Just no question on what she even means?
Also, this book had a content page in the beginning saying it was a slow burn. It is not (which I don’t care I like insta lust) but having a one year time skip in the first couple chapters and then immediately having the characters fuck and say I love you is not a slow burn.
Once Harlow and Ronan get together in the first 20% their relationship is immediately boring after. There’s no substance to their relationship and there is zero conflict between them the entire book.
The book is written like these characters are robots and not real human beings. They talk like what an AI bot thinks humans talk like.
Chapter 35 is labeled as a Reese chapter when it’s clearly Harlow.
And last, the epilogue? I take recovery/ addiction/ rehab very seriously and Harlow being in a 12 step program, with a sponsor and who goes to meetings as she gets sober after her attack in the first fucking page just completely forgets all about that when her revenge is done and Ronan is buying her expensive wine? What was the author thinking? And as she’s drinking this wine she literally says that her sponsor said “she is the poster child for successful recovery”
I cannot express how much this book pissed me off an if it wasn’t an ARC I would have dnf’d by 30%.
The idea of the plot sounded great. A strong woman who takes out revenge on the men who caused her trauma. But this author did it terribly.
There are so many repeated words, phrases and sentences it was a struggle to get through. I don’t know how many times I read that Harlow was delivering “systematic revenge” or how she is now “focused” and finally “knows who she is meant to be” and how her friends “have no idea who she is becoming” and everything is so vague about how she is becoming this precise lethal weapon to take out her revenge plot. Actually the whole book is so vague. The characters have no depth whatsoever.
I read about Harlow planning murder “with the same precision people use to *insert ordinary action here” at least 3 times in the first 50%. Word for word the author repeats everything CONSTANTLY instead of adding actual depth to the story and characters. The book is just every person vaguely describing how Harlow is turning her trauma into beautiful / magnificent lethal purpose and precision. Nobody talks like this. Nothing these characters say is real.
Harlow is so vague when her friends check up on her she just tells them “I’m becoming who I’m meant to be/doing what needs to be done/everything is falling into place” like an eerie ass robot and none of them question her further? Just no question on what she even means?
Also, this book had a content page in the beginning saying it was a slow burn. It is not (which I don’t care I like insta lust) but having a one year time skip in the first couple chapters and then immediately having the characters fuck and say I love you is not a slow burn.
Once Harlow and Ronan get together in the first 20% their relationship is immediately boring after. There’s no substance to their relationship and there is zero conflict between them the entire book.
The book is written like these characters are robots and not real human beings. They talk like what an AI bot thinks humans talk like.
Chapter 35 is labeled as a Reese chapter when it’s clearly Harlow.
And last, the epilogue? I take recovery/ addiction/ rehab very seriously and Harlow being in a 12 step program, with a sponsor and who goes to meetings as she gets sober after her attack in the first fucking page just completely forgets all about that when her revenge is done and Ronan is buying her expensive wine? What was the author thinking? And as she’s drinking this wine she literally says that her sponsor said “she is the poster child for successful recovery”
I cannot express how much this book pissed me off an if it wasn’t an ARC I would have dnf’d by 30%.
The idea of the plot sounded great. A strong woman who takes out revenge on the men who caused her trauma. But this author did it terribly.
December 14, 2025
This book is definitely in my top 10 read for 2025. Strong fiery FMC who wants revenge with her MMC by her side supporting her through everything. I love the support Rowan gives Harlow. There’s no messy drama, just full support and love. I loved the multiple POVs in this book. I can’t wait for Reese’s story to come out.
November 7, 2025
this was like such a satisfying read. I love a story about a strong FMC out for revenge. I love calculated strategy. I LOVED a supportive MMC. A professional follower who literally is a supportive partner with zero primal play. I loved this story and can't wait for the 2nd installment.
November 8, 2025
This book was so good. It was an emotional rollercoaster for sure but loved her growth. Despite it all she came out of everything stronger, better, & got justice even if it was done differently. Definitely recommend.
October 13, 2025
Review To Come 🖤
December 25, 2025
Quote:
“The woman who was broken in that alley is gone, replaced by someone who turns trauma into purpose and healing techniques into weapons.”
ARC Review. No Spoilers
I was intrigued by the short blurb for this book. Sometimes less information works better as overly detailed descriptions can spoil the story.
This is a story about a woman who has been through hell - emotionally and physically. It’s dark, though and centered around healing and how a single night can completely change a life and a person.
At its core, it’s about survival, rebuilding, becoming stronger, and finding love along the way, supported by people who stand beside you.
The first chapters pulled me in, and I genuinely thought this would be a thrilling journey. However, the deeper I got into the story, the less I found myself enjoying it.
This was a difficult review to write, because the themes here are fragile and important. I even considered DNFing the book but ARC reviews are meant to be honest, and so here I am.
What I did like was the heart of the story itself: trauma healing, the search for justice, found family, a strong FMC, a protective MMC and the idea of turning pain into purpose.
What broke the spell for me was the execution. Certain words, sentences, and phrases were repeated throughout the book, which pulled me out of the reading experience.
While the plot is present, there wasn’t enough worldbuilding or character depth for me - those small details that make characters feel real and allow for emotional connection.
The mission of the main characters also felt more like obsession than purpose.
I think these characters, especially MMC Ronan and his friend Reese, deserved a stronger presence both on and off the page.
Overall, the story felt too predictable to me, including where the next book is heading.
This book may work well for readers looking for a fast-paced read with fewer details and a more straightforward plot.
For me, this is one of the rare cases where I’m unsure if I’ll continue with the series, as the direction of the story already feels clear.
Dark Romance • Thriller • Found Family • Trauma & Healing • Slow Burn • 1st person, multi POV • 18+ / TW
⭐ 3/5 | 🌶 4/5
Thank you @booksirens for this ARC, I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“The woman who was broken in that alley is gone, replaced by someone who turns trauma into purpose and healing techniques into weapons.”
ARC Review. No Spoilers
I was intrigued by the short blurb for this book. Sometimes less information works better as overly detailed descriptions can spoil the story.
This is a story about a woman who has been through hell - emotionally and physically. It’s dark, though and centered around healing and how a single night can completely change a life and a person.
At its core, it’s about survival, rebuilding, becoming stronger, and finding love along the way, supported by people who stand beside you.
The first chapters pulled me in, and I genuinely thought this would be a thrilling journey. However, the deeper I got into the story, the less I found myself enjoying it.
This was a difficult review to write, because the themes here are fragile and important. I even considered DNFing the book but ARC reviews are meant to be honest, and so here I am.
What I did like was the heart of the story itself: trauma healing, the search for justice, found family, a strong FMC, a protective MMC and the idea of turning pain into purpose.
What broke the spell for me was the execution. Certain words, sentences, and phrases were repeated throughout the book, which pulled me out of the reading experience.
While the plot is present, there wasn’t enough worldbuilding or character depth for me - those small details that make characters feel real and allow for emotional connection.
The mission of the main characters also felt more like obsession than purpose.
I think these characters, especially MMC Ronan and his friend Reese, deserved a stronger presence both on and off the page.
Overall, the story felt too predictable to me, including where the next book is heading.
This book may work well for readers looking for a fast-paced read with fewer details and a more straightforward plot.
For me, this is one of the rare cases where I’m unsure if I’ll continue with the series, as the direction of the story already feels clear.
Dark Romance • Thriller • Found Family • Trauma & Healing • Slow Burn • 1st person, multi POV • 18+ / TW
⭐ 3/5 | 🌶 4/5
Thank you @booksirens for this ARC, I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 20, 2025
Hmm, when I read the blurb for this I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but it definitely wasn’t that. This book focused more on the plot than the characters. Harlow goes through something pretty horrific and vows to herself to get revenge on those who hurt her. I’m not really sure what to rate this because after reading this I’m not sure if revenge plots are really my thing. Don’t get me wrong I like that she got justice for herself, but I think this book was just too much for me. There were so many things packed into this book, that I feel like should’ve been explored more. I wish we would’ve seen more devlopment between Harlow and Ronan, but I guess it’s hard to do that when the book mainly focuses on the revenge plot and less on the romance part. It just didn’t feel balanced to me. Plus, I honestly didn’t like the fact that one of her attackers had a couple of chapters from their pov.
Be sure to check triggering warnings.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Be sure to check triggering warnings.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 18, 2026
Burn It All Down
OMG Besties… the beginning of "Embers In The Dark" by Karleigh Kiss absolutely wrecked me. Harlow’s assault was brutal, and my heart shattered for her. But I need to say this clearly... the author handled the trauma, the aftermath, and even Harlow’s withdrawals during recovery with so much care and respect. We get chapter after chapter focused on her healing journey, the resources, the support system… and that mattered. It never felt exploitative. Just raw and honest.
And then we get Ronan’s first inner thoughts and I was like, “Ohhh hello, sir… obsessed much?” 😂 The possessiveness? The slow burn? The simmering “touch her & d!e” energy? Delectable. Add in feminine rage and vigilante justice, and I was seated. The revenge arc was a chef’s kiss.
Was it a bit repetitive at times? Yes. But overall? Still an intense, satisfying ride. Reese’s story is next and I am READY. This series is absolutely TBR-worthy.
My Ratings: ⭐ 4.5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 3/5
🥀 For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
OMG Besties… the beginning of "Embers In The Dark" by Karleigh Kiss absolutely wrecked me. Harlow’s assault was brutal, and my heart shattered for her. But I need to say this clearly... the author handled the trauma, the aftermath, and even Harlow’s withdrawals during recovery with so much care and respect. We get chapter after chapter focused on her healing journey, the resources, the support system… and that mattered. It never felt exploitative. Just raw and honest.
And then we get Ronan’s first inner thoughts and I was like, “Ohhh hello, sir… obsessed much?” 😂 The possessiveness? The slow burn? The simmering “touch her & d!e” energy? Delectable. Add in feminine rage and vigilante justice, and I was seated. The revenge arc was a chef’s kiss.
Was it a bit repetitive at times? Yes. But overall? Still an intense, satisfying ride. Reese’s story is next and I am READY. This series is absolutely TBR-worthy.
My Ratings: ⭐ 4.5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 3/5
🥀 For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
January 5, 2026
4.5 stars for me....
This was such a satisfying read that hit all the right notes! I absolutely love a story centered on a fierce, strong FMC driven by revenge and smart, calculated strategy. But what really made this stand out was the MMC—he is the definition of "partnership goals."
It was so refreshing to have a supportive, steady partner who is a "professional follower" with zero primal play drama. I was hooked from start to finish by their dynamic. I can’t wait to dive into the second installment!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was such a satisfying read that hit all the right notes! I absolutely love a story centered on a fierce, strong FMC driven by revenge and smart, calculated strategy. But what really made this stand out was the MMC—he is the definition of "partnership goals."
It was so refreshing to have a supportive, steady partner who is a "professional follower" with zero primal play drama. I was hooked from start to finish by their dynamic. I can’t wait to dive into the second installment!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 19, 2025
Karleigh Kiss has delivered a total page-turner with Embers in the Dark. From the very first chapter, I was captivated by the intense atmosphere and the palpable danger lurking in the background.
The chemistry between the main characters is absolute fire—it is messy, complicated, and scorching hot. I loved that the romance didn't take a backseat to the plot; instead, they drove each other forward. The suspense element was handled perfectly, keeping me guessing and on the edge of my seat until the very end.
The chemistry between the main characters is absolute fire—it is messy, complicated, and scorching hot. I loved that the romance didn't take a backseat to the plot; instead, they drove each other forward. The suspense element was handled perfectly, keeping me guessing and on the edge of my seat until the very end.
December 12, 2025
This read hit all the right notes! A fierce FMC plotting her revenge, a story full of smart, calculated moves, and an MMC who’s utterly supportive, steady, and completely swoon-worthy—no messy primal drama, just pure partnership goals. I was hooked from start to finish and can’t wait to dive into the next installment!
January 3, 2026
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes/TW:
Dark thriller romance
Fiesta FMC x Protective MMC
Slow burn
Trauma and healing
Rape/violence/drug abuse/self harm/suicide
Thank you Karleigh Kiss and BookSirens for the opportunity to review this ARC copy.
*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
Tropes/TW:
Dark thriller romance
Fiesta FMC x Protective MMC
Slow burn
Trauma and healing
Rape/violence/drug abuse/self harm/suicide
Thank you Karleigh Kiss and BookSirens for the opportunity to review this ARC copy.
*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
March 13, 2026
I actually give this book 3.5 stars.
It definitely wasn’t a light read, Harlow’s story was tough, heartbreaking at first and then somewhat heartwarming in the end. I’m glad that justice was finally hers, and that she got her HEA with Ronan. This was a rather good first novel from Karleigh, she should be proud.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It definitely wasn’t a light read, Harlow’s story was tough, heartbreaking at first and then somewhat heartwarming in the end. I’m glad that justice was finally hers, and that she got her HEA with Ronan. This was a rather good first novel from Karleigh, she should be proud.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 4, 2025
Review coming!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews