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Dark Manor Chronicles #1
A Secret in the Garden
Not yet published
Expected 24 Feb 26From USA Today bestselling author Jeneane O'Riley comes the first in a series of deliciously dark and whimsical standalone romances.
Some secrets were never meant to be unearthed.
Perched on a windswept cliff, Blackwood Manor looms like a dark monument to a mysterious family. Behind its grand iron gates, one part of the estate has been left to rot since the tragic death of Hester Blackwood: the once-glorious conservatory, now choked by vines and shattered glass. The rest of the family is gone—only her brooding son, Jasper, remains, the heir to a weapons empire.
Desperate to save her job and out of options, botanist Eliza Arnold makes a bold gamble—drive to the manor and beg the elusive millionaire for a donation. Jasper agrees...on one chilling condition: restore the conservatory. Alone. No help. No leaving.
But the manor is not empty.
As Eliza battles thorns and secrets, a magnetic tension builds between her and Jasper—dark, dangerous, and impossible to ignore. And something else stirs among the roots and ruins...whispers in the walls, confusing disturbances, and a presence watching her every move.
The deeper Eliza digs, the more she uncovers a garden of grief, longing…and desire. Because in Blackwood Manor, even buried things can bloom again.
Some secrets were never meant to be unearthed.
Perched on a windswept cliff, Blackwood Manor looms like a dark monument to a mysterious family. Behind its grand iron gates, one part of the estate has been left to rot since the tragic death of Hester Blackwood: the once-glorious conservatory, now choked by vines and shattered glass. The rest of the family is gone—only her brooding son, Jasper, remains, the heir to a weapons empire.
Desperate to save her job and out of options, botanist Eliza Arnold makes a bold gamble—drive to the manor and beg the elusive millionaire for a donation. Jasper agrees...on one chilling condition: restore the conservatory. Alone. No help. No leaving.
But the manor is not empty.
As Eliza battles thorns and secrets, a magnetic tension builds between her and Jasper—dark, dangerous, and impossible to ignore. And something else stirs among the roots and ruins...whispers in the walls, confusing disturbances, and a presence watching her every move.
The deeper Eliza digs, the more she uncovers a garden of grief, longing…and desire. Because in Blackwood Manor, even buried things can bloom again.
400 pages, Paperback
Expected publication February 24, 2026
32 people are currently reading
22097 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
January 28, 2026
2/5
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the e-arc!
Quite frankly I’m not even sure what was going on here. This book has so many elements that I adore but I was just very confused about the execution of said elements.
To start things off, Eliza is a bit too much of a pushover for too long for me. Her character growth near the end is lovely, but I just feel the way she interacts with Jasper was really unhealthy for too long. Why is he threatening to kill someone and you’re turned on? Why does the idea of him being a killer make you wet? She needed therapy IMMEDIATELY and I don’t think she had enough relationships either. She has jasper and his staff. No one else. Her sister is vaguely there, but they only call once before she shows up at the end (and we only see her say a few sentences of dialogue anyway). The relationship with her mom is very sad, but I was wondering where the hell her dad was 😭 Although I have so much sympathy for her as a character due to her trauma, I just feel she didn’t grow or have healthy ways of doing so. She needs therapy and friends outside of Jasper’s circle.
Jasper was too toxic for my tastes. I think a distinction needs to be made between morals we can have in fantasy settings and contemporary ones. In a fantasy setting, where death is perhaps frequent because a war is going on, I suppose I could understand why Jasper was so violent. But in a contemporary setting, he comes off as genuinely hostile in a way that is not attractive, and we never get a reason really. He felt abandoned by his parents his whole life. We’re told he was a drug dealer as a high schooler and just move past this??? He deals weapons and I’m confused as to why we would want to like a man who makes his money off of WARFARE? And then he has illegal weapons as well???????? Sorry but I fear I have too many morals to find Jasper in any way desirable. His development is nice enough but I think we glossed over too many issues 😅
The plot is cool at first (ghost!!!! Creepy house!) but it’s so surface level. Eliza doesn’t do a lot of investigative work. Jasper broods a lot. She gardens. Rinse and repeat. I wanted to maybe just see more of the world I guess? I felt like the story was so contained but the house lacked an atmosphere to justify why it had to take place here, if that makes sense. And for such a creepy house (or supposedly), it’s not Gothic. Find me screaming at a brick wall that a spooky aesthetic does NOT make something Gothic. You simply cannot just slap a ghost and possible murder into a house and say it’s Gothic.
I feel that the romance is an insta-lovey mess. Jasper is such a recluse but opens up so easily to Eliza. The attraction is instantaneous and a part of it just doesn’t feel authentic. So many times does Eliza say ‘it isn’t controllable, it’s fate, we can’t fight this’ etc which just seemed to me as making excuses for the lack of development they had. Although the smut was a slow burn to get to, I make the shocking argument that this book needed far more smut. In fact, maybe if they’d had sex earlier I would better understand their physcial attraction and chemistry. For the smut, on one hand, the scenes executions are all pretty hot. I appreciated the choreography of it. On the other hand, Jasper needed to shut the hell up. Someone gag him. Worst dirty talker on the planet. He was creeping me out 😭
My largest qualm with the novel though is the amount of inner monologues. Oh my gosh. I don’t know if I’ve read a book with more internal thoughts outside of classics and literary fiction. It was ridiculous how often Eliza and Jasper would think of the same things. So many pages were devoted to their thoughts and I wanted to break free.
The final reveal was a major letdown for me and I still don’t think any of the characters were justified in what they did. Wild how they caused Jasper so much trauma.
And despite the fact this book is the first in a series of interconnected standalones, we have no side characters for book 2. Literally NONE. If I had to place bets I’d say Callum might be book 2 simply because he’s mentioned once for no reason and never again and that had to mean something. Or I hope it did.
Overall, I found this book to just have poor execution for some very interesting plot points. I think I’d enjoy it more if it was full on fantasy, which I know this author’s other series is, so I think I’ll have more luck with those books!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the e-arc!
Quite frankly I’m not even sure what was going on here. This book has so many elements that I adore but I was just very confused about the execution of said elements.
To start things off, Eliza is a bit too much of a pushover for too long for me. Her character growth near the end is lovely, but I just feel the way she interacts with Jasper was really unhealthy for too long. Why is he threatening to kill someone and you’re turned on? Why does the idea of him being a killer make you wet? She needed therapy IMMEDIATELY and I don’t think she had enough relationships either. She has jasper and his staff. No one else. Her sister is vaguely there, but they only call once before she shows up at the end (and we only see her say a few sentences of dialogue anyway). The relationship with her mom is very sad, but I was wondering where the hell her dad was 😭 Although I have so much sympathy for her as a character due to her trauma, I just feel she didn’t grow or have healthy ways of doing so. She needs therapy and friends outside of Jasper’s circle.
Jasper was too toxic for my tastes. I think a distinction needs to be made between morals we can have in fantasy settings and contemporary ones. In a fantasy setting, where death is perhaps frequent because a war is going on, I suppose I could understand why Jasper was so violent. But in a contemporary setting, he comes off as genuinely hostile in a way that is not attractive, and we never get a reason really. He felt abandoned by his parents his whole life. We’re told he was a drug dealer as a high schooler and just move past this??? He deals weapons and I’m confused as to why we would want to like a man who makes his money off of WARFARE? And then he has illegal weapons as well???????? Sorry but I fear I have too many morals to find Jasper in any way desirable. His development is nice enough but I think we glossed over too many issues 😅
The plot is cool at first (ghost!!!! Creepy house!) but it’s so surface level. Eliza doesn’t do a lot of investigative work. Jasper broods a lot. She gardens. Rinse and repeat. I wanted to maybe just see more of the world I guess? I felt like the story was so contained but the house lacked an atmosphere to justify why it had to take place here, if that makes sense. And for such a creepy house (or supposedly), it’s not Gothic. Find me screaming at a brick wall that a spooky aesthetic does NOT make something Gothic. You simply cannot just slap a ghost and possible murder into a house and say it’s Gothic.
I feel that the romance is an insta-lovey mess. Jasper is such a recluse but opens up so easily to Eliza. The attraction is instantaneous and a part of it just doesn’t feel authentic. So many times does Eliza say ‘it isn’t controllable, it’s fate, we can’t fight this’ etc which just seemed to me as making excuses for the lack of development they had. Although the smut was a slow burn to get to, I make the shocking argument that this book needed far more smut. In fact, maybe if they’d had sex earlier I would better understand their physcial attraction and chemistry. For the smut, on one hand, the scenes executions are all pretty hot. I appreciated the choreography of it. On the other hand, Jasper needed to shut the hell up. Someone gag him. Worst dirty talker on the planet. He was creeping me out 😭
My largest qualm with the novel though is the amount of inner monologues. Oh my gosh. I don’t know if I’ve read a book with more internal thoughts outside of classics and literary fiction. It was ridiculous how often Eliza and Jasper would think of the same things. So many pages were devoted to their thoughts and I wanted to break free.
The final reveal was a major letdown for me and I still don’t think any of the characters were justified in what they did. Wild how they caused Jasper so much trauma.
And despite the fact this book is the first in a series of interconnected standalones, we have no side characters for book 2. Literally NONE. If I had to place bets I’d say Callum might be book 2 simply because he’s mentioned once for no reason and never again and that had to mean something. Or I hope it did.
Overall, I found this book to just have poor execution for some very interesting plot points. I think I’d enjoy it more if it was full on fantasy, which I know this author’s other series is, so I think I’ll have more luck with those books!
January 1, 2026
3.75 ⭐️ rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for providing me with this ARC. The book will be released February 24, 2026! All opinions are my own.
This is Jeneane O’Riley’s venture into the world of romance without the fantasy. She doesn’t leave us hanging though, introducing elements of gothic settings, ghostly hauntings and morally grey parricidal main love interests to the mix. A Secret in the Garden gives us another taste of Jeneane‘s amazing writing style in a deliciously new and dangerous setting.
Eliza Arnold is the botanist willing to sacrifice her dignity and possibly her life to go up to Blackwood Manor and ask the reclusive and possibly murderous Jasper Blackwood for access to his conservatory. To her surprise, he accepts, with the caveat that she is the only one that can work on it and that she has to move into the manor to do so. As she begins to bring the dilapidated conservatory back to life, she is haunted by Jasper’s mother and makes it her mission to discover the truth behind the rumors of his parents’ murders. As she gets closer to his family’s secrets, she finds herself getting closer to the man himself. Perhaps the two of them are more alike than she first realized.
Both Eliza and Jasper come in with extremely troubled pasts and poor parent relationships that have molded the kind of people they are as adults. Eliza, abused and put down, is a people pleaser while Jasper, abandoned, is closed off and cold. They needed each other to break out of the prisons they and their parents have created over the years but it took A LOT to get there. Eliza is constantly doubting herself at every turn in the book, sometimes from one sentence to the next (the whiplash!). It looks like she is making progress but then she regresses again (this applies both to the solving the mystery and healing herself). Jasper on the other hand, remains pretty aloof until suddenly we are hit with the full force of his obsession that’s been quietly seething in the background. For the spice and the romance, for you slow burn lovers out there, I’d say this book definitely pulls it out, drawing out their tension until at least the 75% mark.
The ghostly/gothic/haunting elements were an interesting touch and something I think this author excels at. Her writing captured the atmosphere of the dark manor with its mysterious owner so well and all the haunting moments had me on the edge of my seat. I wish I had read this in the fall for the perfect ambience. The mystery itself was woven into the story so well and it kept it going through the parts where Eliza’s indecisiveness was repetitive. The ending was surprising and emotional, and showed me that without even realizing it, I had become invested in the Blackwood family.
Like with her Infatuated Fae series, I am impressed by the way Jeneane is able to weave a story and hide her intentions from the reader until she’s ready for you to know the full picture but not in an annoying way where you are left with open ended questions for the whole book that grate on you. This book is definitely not as “action packed” and has a more deliberate pacing, but for those looking for a darker setting with a bit of mystery and a slow burn romance, this will hit the spot. Side note, why is she so damn smart…mind blown.
Themes:
Slowburn
Touch her and die
Gothic Haunted Manor Mystery (is this a theme?)
Quotes to tempt you:
He was everything the house was—dark, distant, brooding, and horrifying, covered up with a beautifully expensive varnish.
Our trauma had broken us so deeply that we were able to see each other through our cracks.
Dreams are only coveted because you have to face reality for a while to truly appreciate them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for providing me with this ARC. The book will be released February 24, 2026! All opinions are my own.
This is Jeneane O’Riley’s venture into the world of romance without the fantasy. She doesn’t leave us hanging though, introducing elements of gothic settings, ghostly hauntings and morally grey parricidal main love interests to the mix. A Secret in the Garden gives us another taste of Jeneane‘s amazing writing style in a deliciously new and dangerous setting.
Eliza Arnold is the botanist willing to sacrifice her dignity and possibly her life to go up to Blackwood Manor and ask the reclusive and possibly murderous Jasper Blackwood for access to his conservatory. To her surprise, he accepts, with the caveat that she is the only one that can work on it and that she has to move into the manor to do so. As she begins to bring the dilapidated conservatory back to life, she is haunted by Jasper’s mother and makes it her mission to discover the truth behind the rumors of his parents’ murders. As she gets closer to his family’s secrets, she finds herself getting closer to the man himself. Perhaps the two of them are more alike than she first realized.
Both Eliza and Jasper come in with extremely troubled pasts and poor parent relationships that have molded the kind of people they are as adults. Eliza, abused and put down, is a people pleaser while Jasper, abandoned, is closed off and cold. They needed each other to break out of the prisons they and their parents have created over the years but it took A LOT to get there. Eliza is constantly doubting herself at every turn in the book, sometimes from one sentence to the next (the whiplash!). It looks like she is making progress but then she regresses again (this applies both to the solving the mystery and healing herself). Jasper on the other hand, remains pretty aloof until suddenly we are hit with the full force of his obsession that’s been quietly seething in the background. For the spice and the romance, for you slow burn lovers out there, I’d say this book definitely pulls it out, drawing out their tension until at least the 75% mark.
The ghostly/gothic/haunting elements were an interesting touch and something I think this author excels at. Her writing captured the atmosphere of the dark manor with its mysterious owner so well and all the haunting moments had me on the edge of my seat. I wish I had read this in the fall for the perfect ambience. The mystery itself was woven into the story so well and it kept it going through the parts where Eliza’s indecisiveness was repetitive. The ending was surprising and emotional, and showed me that without even realizing it, I had become invested in the Blackwood family.
Like with her Infatuated Fae series, I am impressed by the way Jeneane is able to weave a story and hide her intentions from the reader until she’s ready for you to know the full picture but not in an annoying way where you are left with open ended questions for the whole book that grate on you. This book is definitely not as “action packed” and has a more deliberate pacing, but for those looking for a darker setting with a bit of mystery and a slow burn romance, this will hit the spot. Side note, why is she so damn smart…mind blown.
Themes:
Slowburn
Touch her and die
Gothic Haunted Manor Mystery (is this a theme?)
Quotes to tempt you:
He was everything the house was—dark, distant, brooding, and horrifying, covered up with a beautifully expensive varnish.
Our trauma had broken us so deeply that we were able to see each other through our cracks.
Dreams are only coveted because you have to face reality for a while to truly appreciate them.
February 1, 2026
Perched on a lonely cliff, Blackwood Manor is a place where nothing truly stays buried. When desperate botanist Eliza Arnold arrives seeking help, she’s offered a dangerous bargain instead. Restore the ruined glass conservatory, alone and in silence, in exchange for everything she needs.Its brooding heir, Jasper Blackwood, is as closed off as the estate itself, yet something magnetic pulls them together as Eliza works among the choking vines and shattered glass. The deeper she digs, the more she uncovers not just the manor’s secrets, but a dark, aching connection between them.Because in Blackwood, grief, desire, and the past all grow wild…and even what’s been buried can still bloom.
A Secret in the Garden is pure gothic temptation with a decaying manor on a cliff, a shattered conservatory, restless spirits, and a love story tangled in grief and longing. Blackwood Manor feels haunted in every sense by ghosts, by secrets, by the people who never truly left and I always swoon for that kind of dark eerie, romantic atmosphere in a book. Told thru dual POV, we slip between FMC Eliza and MMC Jasper as they’re forced into close quarters, restoring a forgotten garden while something unseen watches from the shadows. The tension between them is slow and aching, threaded with jealousy, fear, and a pull neither of them can outrun. I loved how the mystery and the romance grow side by side, like vines creeping over cracked stone. That said, Eliza’s inner thoughts do circle the same doubts at times, which made parts of her emotional spiral feel repetitive. However the haunted setting, the ghostly presence, and the charged, forbidden attraction still kept me hooked. If you love gothic dark romance with unkept gardens, broken hearts, crumbling manors, and killer broody morally grey love interests this one is absolutely worth stepping into.
Thank you again NetGalley and Bloom Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
A Secret in the Garden is pure gothic temptation with a decaying manor on a cliff, a shattered conservatory, restless spirits, and a love story tangled in grief and longing. Blackwood Manor feels haunted in every sense by ghosts, by secrets, by the people who never truly left and I always swoon for that kind of dark eerie, romantic atmosphere in a book. Told thru dual POV, we slip between FMC Eliza and MMC Jasper as they’re forced into close quarters, restoring a forgotten garden while something unseen watches from the shadows. The tension between them is slow and aching, threaded with jealousy, fear, and a pull neither of them can outrun. I loved how the mystery and the romance grow side by side, like vines creeping over cracked stone. That said, Eliza’s inner thoughts do circle the same doubts at times, which made parts of her emotional spiral feel repetitive. However the haunted setting, the ghostly presence, and the charged, forbidden attraction still kept me hooked. If you love gothic dark romance with unkept gardens, broken hearts, crumbling manors, and killer broody morally grey love interests this one is absolutely worth stepping into.
Thank you again NetGalley and Bloom Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 8, 2026
Meet my latest five star read! If you’re craving a gothic romance with tension, steam, a murder mystery, and a heavy dash of the paranormal, this is the book you want to grab!
The banter, OMG, it’s so good. I was giggling one moment and cackling the next.
There’s also a central theme of family traumas and healing. How certain events from our youth impact our relationships and who we become as adults. It was thoughtfully explored.
Eliza has lived a pretty restrictive life due to her upbringing. Jasper brings this quality of excitement and danger that has her eager to face new experiences head on.
If you love the sound of:
-Botanist fmc
-Broody and closed off millionare mmc
-Mysterious manor with secrets
-Paranormal elements
-Healing together
-Incredible romance and banter
A Secret in the Garden is a must!
The banter, OMG, it’s so good. I was giggling one moment and cackling the next.
There’s also a central theme of family traumas and healing. How certain events from our youth impact our relationships and who we become as adults. It was thoughtfully explored.
Eliza has lived a pretty restrictive life due to her upbringing. Jasper brings this quality of excitement and danger that has her eager to face new experiences head on.
If you love the sound of:
-Botanist fmc
-Broody and closed off millionare mmc
-Mysterious manor with secrets
-Paranormal elements
-Healing together
-Incredible romance and banter
A Secret in the Garden is a must!
February 11, 2026
honestly, this was fine. there’s nothing that really stuck out as bad to me. but i also had no feelings that really drew me towards it while reading it. i found it to be a bit predictable and wish it would have been a bit more mysterious but it had a lot of elements i really enjoy in a romantasy. it was really spicy, but it made sense in the story and wasn’t too much in my opinion. it was a fair amount of plot/spice. i do believe there were a few plot holes in this story or maybe just not fully fleshed out ideas/concepts. i also wasn’t a huge fan of eliza. she did turn around in the end and get better, but i really struggled with her for a while. however, i did enjoy the mmc, jasper! i did find this to be a little too instalove-y for my liking and was hoping for a bit more tension from this story. overall, it was a fun read but it doesn’t stand out to me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC of this book!
I enjoyed reading this book. It definitely drew me in and kept me captivated. I did feel like some things were rather quick in developing. I liked Eliza a lot. Jasper came off a little childish occasionally, but I imagine that could do with his upbringing. Overall, I really like it! This is the first book I've read from Jeneane O'Riley, and I look forward to checking out more.
I enjoyed reading this book. It definitely drew me in and kept me captivated. I did feel like some things were rather quick in developing. I liked Eliza a lot. Jasper came off a little childish occasionally, but I imagine that could do with his upbringing. Overall, I really like it! This is the first book I've read from Jeneane O'Riley, and I look forward to checking out more.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️ - 4.5 stars
"She was fucking mine."
Review:
Well that was new. I have never cried because of plants before 🌿 lol.
I absolutely loved this gothic dark paranormal romance filled with suspense, mystery and a sizzling slow burn romance full of tension.❤️🔥
The FMC Sydney grew up with narcissistic parents and her mother in particular was truly the devil. She is a botanist who approaches Jasper the elusive millionaire owner of an old gothic estate hoping to restore his deceased mother’s conservatory while also seeking a donation.
Once Jasper agrees and Sydney begins working alone in the conservatory strange and unsettling things start to happen. There are secrets buried within the conservatory itself and they slowly begin to reveal themselves.
The story definitely played with my emotions. Her mother drove me completely crazy and there were moments when I honestly wished I could reach through the book and grab her. Later in the story I found myself wanting to do the same with Jasper but for very different reasons. 😉
This book had my full attention from beginning to end and I highly recommend it. 🙌🏼
- Standalone
- Gothic haunted manor
- Dark paranormal romance
- Slow-burn tension
- Forced proximity
- Dark secrets
- Mystery
- Broody millionaire x botanist
- Spice
I got this e-ARC from Bloom and NetGalley for free and leave this honest review voluntarily.
"She was fucking mine."
Review:
Well that was new. I have never cried because of plants before 🌿 lol.
I absolutely loved this gothic dark paranormal romance filled with suspense, mystery and a sizzling slow burn romance full of tension.❤️🔥
The FMC Sydney grew up with narcissistic parents and her mother in particular was truly the devil. She is a botanist who approaches Jasper the elusive millionaire owner of an old gothic estate hoping to restore his deceased mother’s conservatory while also seeking a donation.
Once Jasper agrees and Sydney begins working alone in the conservatory strange and unsettling things start to happen. There are secrets buried within the conservatory itself and they slowly begin to reveal themselves.
The story definitely played with my emotions. Her mother drove me completely crazy and there were moments when I honestly wished I could reach through the book and grab her. Later in the story I found myself wanting to do the same with Jasper but for very different reasons. 😉
This book had my full attention from beginning to end and I highly recommend it. 🙌🏼
- Standalone
- Gothic haunted manor
- Dark paranormal romance
- Slow-burn tension
- Forced proximity
- Dark secrets
- Mystery
- Broody millionaire x botanist
- Spice
I got this e-ARC from Bloom and NetGalley for free and leave this honest review voluntarily.
January 17, 2026
First off, thank you to Jeneane O'Riley and Bloom (Sourcebooks) for the advanced reader's copy of "A Secret in the Garden" via NetGalley. This book will be published on February 24, 2026.
I have met Jeneane twice now (SHE IS THE SWEETEST) and had yet to read one of her books. When I saw this book on NetGalley, I knew I needed to read it! When I say that this book was right up my alley, I mean it!!!
A dark, gothic, romantic suspense with so many mysteries and a touch of haunting - this book had me at the edge of my seat while swooning for the slow burn!!!
This book follows Eliza Arnold (FMC), a young botanist who is trying to save her job, and Jasper Blackwood (MMC), a rumored murdered, who owns a weapons empire and also owns Blackwood Manor. Eliza has been determined to get into the Blackwood Manor conservatory to restore the rumored super rare plants that it contains. Jasper is apprehensive to let anyone into his home, but once he agrees to let Eliza and only Eliza in, a ghost appears to her. As she starts to unravel Blackwood Manors secrets, she also starts to fall for the man who is such a mystery to her. What secrets do the walls of the manor hold and will Eliza figure them out?
Jasper may be my perfect book boyfriend. He's mysterious, tall, brooding, a millionaire, and soooo protective of the one's he loves. He's also a little morally gray and we love that too.
I loved the references to Batman & Alfred. I loved the descriptive nature of the plants and the view from the manor. There were many other parts I loved, but I don't want to reveal any spoilers (cough cough** the locket ** cough cough).
This is my first 5 star read of the year! The slow burn was PERFECTION, the yearn was SUBLIME, and I didn't want the story to end.
This book is a romance, a mystery, a fantasy, and A MUST READ. I'm already anticipating the 2nd book in the Dark Manor Chronicles!!
I have met Jeneane twice now (SHE IS THE SWEETEST) and had yet to read one of her books. When I saw this book on NetGalley, I knew I needed to read it! When I say that this book was right up my alley, I mean it!!!
A dark, gothic, romantic suspense with so many mysteries and a touch of haunting - this book had me at the edge of my seat while swooning for the slow burn!!!
This book follows Eliza Arnold (FMC), a young botanist who is trying to save her job, and Jasper Blackwood (MMC), a rumored murdered, who owns a weapons empire and also owns Blackwood Manor. Eliza has been determined to get into the Blackwood Manor conservatory to restore the rumored super rare plants that it contains. Jasper is apprehensive to let anyone into his home, but once he agrees to let Eliza and only Eliza in, a ghost appears to her. As she starts to unravel Blackwood Manors secrets, she also starts to fall for the man who is such a mystery to her. What secrets do the walls of the manor hold and will Eliza figure them out?
Jasper may be my perfect book boyfriend. He's mysterious, tall, brooding, a millionaire, and soooo protective of the one's he loves. He's also a little morally gray and we love that too.
I loved the references to Batman & Alfred. I loved the descriptive nature of the plants and the view from the manor. There were many other parts I loved, but I don't want to reveal any spoilers (cough cough** the locket ** cough cough).
This is my first 5 star read of the year! The slow burn was PERFECTION, the yearn was SUBLIME, and I didn't want the story to end.
This book is a romance, a mystery, a fantasy, and A MUST READ. I'm already anticipating the 2nd book in the Dark Manor Chronicles!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
a 4.5 star read
Thank you Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are my own.
Mysterious dark gothic paranormal romance story that was beautifully written. A love story that doesn't start as a love story but self growth and worth that ends in a love story.
A botanist, Eliza, is trying to save her job when funding is cut at her job so she goes to the mysterious Blackwood Manor to meet the elusive Jasper Blackwood to help rehabilitate the conservatory that housed beautiful exotic and some endangered plants and flowers. She's put on a time frame to fix the entire thing by herself and if she does maybe she can save her job. Jasper tried to stay away being the ever so mysterious man the media claims he is... until he can't stay away. With rumors going around that he killed his parents and deals in illegal activity, Eliza takes it up on herself to get to the bottom of it. While she's working on the garden she finds a mysterious locket. This locket holds many secrets which includes letting her see a wispy looking ghost who Eliza can only see. Eliza can't tell if the ghost is trying to help or hinder her giving her clues and mysterious things inside the locket. With interesting plots and an edge of danger and mystery I couldn't stop reading. I absolutely loved this story. There is romance and spice in the story however it is not the main point of the story. It is a side story that doesn't make the story as the plot is the best thing. It kept me entertained with vivid imagery. I've never been one to look at plants and flowers and think anything more than oh that's pretty but this story had me loving the flowers and plants depicted. A must read book that I can't wait to have my hands on the physical copy. Spice level for me 1.25/5.
There are heavier topics mentioned in this story that should be looked at before reading.
With the tropes of slow burn, forced proximity, standalone, billionaire romance, and self discovery.
Thank you Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are my own.
Mysterious dark gothic paranormal romance story that was beautifully written. A love story that doesn't start as a love story but self growth and worth that ends in a love story.
A botanist, Eliza, is trying to save her job when funding is cut at her job so she goes to the mysterious Blackwood Manor to meet the elusive Jasper Blackwood to help rehabilitate the conservatory that housed beautiful exotic and some endangered plants and flowers. She's put on a time frame to fix the entire thing by herself and if she does maybe she can save her job. Jasper tried to stay away being the ever so mysterious man the media claims he is... until he can't stay away. With rumors going around that he killed his parents and deals in illegal activity, Eliza takes it up on herself to get to the bottom of it. While she's working on the garden she finds a mysterious locket. This locket holds many secrets which includes letting her see a wispy looking ghost who Eliza can only see. Eliza can't tell if the ghost is trying to help or hinder her giving her clues and mysterious things inside the locket. With interesting plots and an edge of danger and mystery I couldn't stop reading. I absolutely loved this story. There is romance and spice in the story however it is not the main point of the story. It is a side story that doesn't make the story as the plot is the best thing. It kept me entertained with vivid imagery. I've never been one to look at plants and flowers and think anything more than oh that's pretty but this story had me loving the flowers and plants depicted. A must read book that I can't wait to have my hands on the physical copy. Spice level for me 1.25/5.
There are heavier topics mentioned in this story that should be looked at before reading.
With the tropes of slow burn, forced proximity, standalone, billionaire romance, and self discovery.
December 30, 2025
I was pleasantly surprised! This one sucked me in from page 1. It was dark and has a gripping mystery that had me guessing until the end. The romance was palpable between the two main characters. We meet Eliza a timid botanist looking for a way to save her job. She meets Jasper the owner/billionaire of the Blackwood Manor. He has a conservatory that is in disrepair full of exotic plants that has caught Eliza and her place of work attention. She ends up offering her services and Jasper obliges. Once she starts the twist and turn start. It’s spooky, haunting and kept me guessing like I mention earlier. The story wraps with a sweet little bow in a way I didn’t expect. This one is also pretty spicy 🌶️ for those who are curious. If you enjoy dark romance, murder mystery, “mine” and billionaire MMC then I highly recommend this one.
February 7, 2026
Suspenseful and intriguing, the backdrop of a decaying garden sets the tone for Jeneane’s journey into this new sub-genre of gothic suspense. While the goal was to revitalize Blackwood Manor’s garden for her own career gain, Eliza quickly realizes that she may have bitten off more than she can chew. The presence of Jasper Blackwood is unnerving, but that’s not the only worrisome presence in the garden.
I loved Eliza’s character and the way she showed her vulnerable side despite her past experiences. Jasper’s dark and mysterious persona creates another layer of suspense for the reader. And the romance between Eliza & Jasper will definitely satisfy readers of Jeneane’s previous works!
Thank you Jeneane O’Riley, Bloom, and Netgalley for the ARC!
I loved Eliza’s character and the way she showed her vulnerable side despite her past experiences. Jasper’s dark and mysterious persona creates another layer of suspense for the reader. And the romance between Eliza & Jasper will definitely satisfy readers of Jeneane’s previous works!
Thank you Jeneane O’Riley, Bloom, and Netgalley for the ARC!
November 18, 2025
First, I must say thank you to Jeneane for personally sending me an arc, complete with a handwritten note. At the risk of sounding cliche and a bit corny, your books have irrevocably changed my life. They have awoken an old and long forgotten love for writing, a love I thought was snuffed out by one of those enemies cloaked in white robes (😉).
Since the moment I got my hands on this beauty of a story, I found myself in a war between my head and my heart to slow down and cherish the story and wanting to engulf the book in one sitting. It was so beautifully written that I genuinely wondered when Jeneane had time to watch the show that is my life and somehow capture perfectly the kind of relationship I have with my mother with Eliza and her own mother. There were whole paragraphs of inner monologue that a lot of young women, myself included, have had when they were raised by their first bully. A less healed version of myself may have been triggered at some of Eliza’s mother’s dialogue, and the decently healed version of myself is so grateful for how their relationship was portrayed in the end.
Now onto the more fun part of the story… Jasper MF Blackwell. Though Daddy Mendax will probably always have my heart, Jasper did give him a run for his money. As much as I love a true villain like Mendax, I do truly love a man that yearns and is willing to change for the woman of his dreams. The banter between Eliza and Jasper was absolutely delish and the tension was palpable. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t giggling and kicking my feet like a schoolgirl much to my husband’s annoyance. (Don’t worry, he wasn’t annoyed once he reaped the benefits).
Speaking of, the spice was worth the wait. That’s all I will say about that.
And as if this love story wasn’t already amazing on its own, the added little murder mystery that was happening definitely kept me on my toes. And in true Jeneane O’Riley fashion, I did not see some of the plot twist coming. Like Hester becoming of my favorite characters.
Without going into any true spoilers, all in all, this was another beautiful work of art that I’m so happy I got to experience. I can’t wait for you all to be able to get your hands on this
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
(Audio courtesy of Sourcebooks Audio/Bloom Books and NetGalley.)
3⭐
This isn’t a bad read by any stretch, and I don’t regret my time with it, but it ultimately lands in the middle of the road.
Yes, it's a little predictable, but it's also a lot sexy? And sexy in a way that really fits the narrative. In a world of mismatched plot/sex, there's value in a romance with thematically on-point spice. And there were a couple of other things I thought were well done, as well. The ghost interactions, for one. They were thoughtful and added some needed depth to the story. And the accompanying playlist at the beginning? Some great tracks!
I also appreciated the depiction of trauma and the care put into it. The MMC is vilified and isolated from a young age because everyone suspects him of his mother's murder, and the FMC has to deal with her mother's narcissistic personality and the effect it has on her life.
Speaking of trauma... I do want to address the author's use of trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.
While I genuinely appreciate the intention behind trigger warnings, I think execution matters a great deal. My personal preference is that I’m allowed to curate my own safe spaces, even as someone who has a nervous system like a livewire and debilitating triggers. I’d much rather seek out content awareness through reviews or a dedicated section on the author’s or publisher's website, rather than having trigger warnings placed unavoidably front and center.
When trigger warnings are presented this way, they can have the unintended consequence of preventing readers from easing into a story and building trust before difficult content emerges organically. Blunt, context-free warnings can backfire for an anxious mind, putting the reader on high alert rather than allowing tension to build naturally.
I recognize this is a personal preference, not a universal rule. We’re all bringing our own histories and nervous systems to the media we consume. In this case, regardless of whether the trigger warnings were helpful, neutral, or counterproductive, they proved to be spoiler-y, which is a cardinal sin for me.
/end trigger warning pontification
Finally, let's talk continuity errors, because there were a couple that legit interfered with my enjoyment of the narrative. Let’s go, spoiler tag!
It feels genuinely sloppy.
Audio-Specific 🎧: 13 Hours, 30 Minutes, narrators Alex Picard and Ian Bedford both do a really great job. Picard is particularly good at depicting distress. This is either a recommendation or a warning, because she really goes hard with her visceral performance. Personally it was a challenge to listen to, but obviously she did her job and she did it well.
📌 TL;DR: Not mid as shorthand for ‘worst thing to ever be written.’ Just mid-mid.
3⭐
This isn’t a bad read by any stretch, and I don’t regret my time with it, but it ultimately lands in the middle of the road.
Yes, it's a little predictable, but it's also a lot sexy? And sexy in a way that really fits the narrative. In a world of mismatched plot/sex, there's value in a romance with thematically on-point spice. And there were a couple of other things I thought were well done, as well. The ghost interactions, for one. They were thoughtful and added some needed depth to the story. And the accompanying playlist at the beginning? Some great tracks!
I also appreciated the depiction of trauma and the care put into it. The MMC is vilified and isolated from a young age because everyone suspects him of his mother's murder, and the FMC has to deal with her mother's narcissistic personality and the effect it has on her life.
Speaking of trauma... I do want to address the author's use of trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.
While I genuinely appreciate the intention behind trigger warnings, I think execution matters a great deal. My personal preference is that I’m allowed to curate my own safe spaces, even as someone who has a nervous system like a livewire and debilitating triggers. I’d much rather seek out content awareness through reviews or a dedicated section on the author’s or publisher's website, rather than having trigger warnings placed unavoidably front and center.
When trigger warnings are presented this way, they can have the unintended consequence of preventing readers from easing into a story and building trust before difficult content emerges organically. Blunt, context-free warnings can backfire for an anxious mind, putting the reader on high alert rather than allowing tension to build naturally.
I recognize this is a personal preference, not a universal rule. We’re all bringing our own histories and nervous systems to the media we consume. In this case, regardless of whether the trigger warnings were helpful, neutral, or counterproductive, they proved to be spoiler-y, which is a cardinal sin for me.
/end trigger warning pontification
Finally, let's talk continuity errors, because there were a couple that legit interfered with my enjoyment of the narrative. Let’s go, spoiler tag!
It feels genuinely sloppy.
Audio-Specific 🎧: 13 Hours, 30 Minutes, narrators Alex Picard and Ian Bedford both do a really great job. Picard is particularly good at depicting distress. This is either a recommendation or a warning, because she really goes hard with her visceral performance. Personally it was a challenge to listen to, but obviously she did her job and she did it well.
📌 TL;DR: Not mid as shorthand for ‘worst thing to ever be written.’ Just mid-mid.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow, what a whirlwind!
First, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
I have never read anything from Jeneane O'Riley but have heard about the author from fellow book friends. I read the synopsis of this book and was immediately intrigued by the promise of gothic romance vibes.
This was the epitome of a true gothic, paranormal romance book set in a massive, haunting manor. As a fellow plant lover, I loved the premise of the FMC being a botanist and her vast knowledge of plants. I found myself googling all the different rare species of plants which made reading this book very fun for me.
As for the reclusive, broody MMC, he reminded me so much of Beast from beauty in the beast where everyone has already made up their opinions on him including the FMC before actually getting to know him. The spice in this book is a slow burn but done expertly well. I mean that to say, once the spice hits it bursts into flames! The chemistry between the two was so heavy and intense, it was nice to see them finally give in to it. I liked the aspect of the MMC getting what he wanted, which was the FMC, but also being respectful that she didn't trust him and to come out of her shell on her own.
The relationship Eliza had with her mother was extremely toxic. It made me respect her more when she stuck to her boundaries and distanced herself while also trying to get her mother help, even though her mother didn't take it.
I also loved the aspect of paranormal activity and how the FMC was basically sent on a ghost hunt. My only issue with it, I wanted a little more information as to why Eliza was the only one who could see her.
Overall, this book was a fun read and I definitely recommend it to anybody looking for something different than the norm! I'm looking forward to more of this series!
First, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
I have never read anything from Jeneane O'Riley but have heard about the author from fellow book friends. I read the synopsis of this book and was immediately intrigued by the promise of gothic romance vibes.
This was the epitome of a true gothic, paranormal romance book set in a massive, haunting manor. As a fellow plant lover, I loved the premise of the FMC being a botanist and her vast knowledge of plants. I found myself googling all the different rare species of plants which made reading this book very fun for me.
As for the reclusive, broody MMC, he reminded me so much of Beast from beauty in the beast where everyone has already made up their opinions on him including the FMC before actually getting to know him. The spice in this book is a slow burn but done expertly well. I mean that to say, once the spice hits it bursts into flames! The chemistry between the two was so heavy and intense, it was nice to see them finally give in to it. I liked the aspect of the MMC getting what he wanted, which was the FMC, but also being respectful that she didn't trust him and to come out of her shell on her own.
The relationship Eliza had with her mother was extremely toxic. It made me respect her more when she stuck to her boundaries and distanced herself while also trying to get her mother help, even though her mother didn't take it.
I also loved the aspect of paranormal activity and how the FMC was basically sent on a ghost hunt. My only issue with it, I wanted a little more information as to why Eliza was the only one who could see her.
Overall, this book was a fun read and I definitely recommend it to anybody looking for something different than the norm! I'm looking forward to more of this series!
February 2, 2026
3.5 rounded up! A Secret in the Garden is a slow-burn romance full of creeping vines, shattered glass, and long-buried family secrets. Blackwood Manor comes alive in this book—it’s oppressive, haunting, and beautifully decayed—and O’Riley’s atmospheric writing makes it impossible not to sink fully into its setting. The story unfolds at a deliberate pace, letting tension, dread, and desire build gradually rather than rushing toward payoff. It’s moody, gothic, and super intoxicating, and I enjoyed every moment!
Eliza and Jasper are both shaped by deeply troubled pasts, and their connection is equal parts frustrating and magnetic. Eliza’s constant self-doubt can be repetitive, but it also reflects how deeply her trauma runs, making her growth feel earned rather than easy. Jasper remains distant and unreadable for much of the book, which only heightens the impact when his carefully controlled obsession finally surfaces. The slow burn is real—restrained and immensely satisfying once the tension finally snaps!
The gothic mystery and haunting elements are woven seamlessly into the romance, keeping the story engaging even during its quieter moments. The emotional weight of the Blackwood family history sneaks up on you, and by the end, I was far more invested than I expected to be. This isn’t an action-heavy read, but it’s rich in mood, longing, and intensity—perfect for readers craving a dark, atmospheric romance with a lingering sense of unease. Some of the tropes and themes in this book include a genuine slow burn romance, “touch her and die”, a ghostly mystery within a gothic, haunted manor, and a morally gray MMC! If you’re a fan of these tropes, I think you’ll really like this one!
A big thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books | Bloom Books for this eARC!
Eliza and Jasper are both shaped by deeply troubled pasts, and their connection is equal parts frustrating and magnetic. Eliza’s constant self-doubt can be repetitive, but it also reflects how deeply her trauma runs, making her growth feel earned rather than easy. Jasper remains distant and unreadable for much of the book, which only heightens the impact when his carefully controlled obsession finally surfaces. The slow burn is real—restrained and immensely satisfying once the tension finally snaps!
The gothic mystery and haunting elements are woven seamlessly into the romance, keeping the story engaging even during its quieter moments. The emotional weight of the Blackwood family history sneaks up on you, and by the end, I was far more invested than I expected to be. This isn’t an action-heavy read, but it’s rich in mood, longing, and intensity—perfect for readers craving a dark, atmospheric romance with a lingering sense of unease. Some of the tropes and themes in this book include a genuine slow burn romance, “touch her and die”, a ghostly mystery within a gothic, haunted manor, and a morally gray MMC! If you’re a fan of these tropes, I think you’ll really like this one!
A big thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books | Bloom Books for this eARC!
November 29, 2025
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Bloom for an early copy for an honest review!
Please review all trigger warnings before reading this book! Topics such as narcissistic behavior, abuse, and more are discussed.
3.5/5
When I heard that Jeneane O'Riley was writing a gothic romance book, I was excited to check it out. I wasn't the biggest fan of How Does It Feel however, my friends were so I had some hope going into this.
We follow Eliza as she goes to Blackwood Manor in hopes of restoring their conservatory and navigate through the mysteries that hide behind the gates at Blackwood Manor.
I am an absolute sucker for a gothic romance. I love gothic, paranormal stories. O'Riley did an amazing job tying the paranormal aspect into the story. I do wish that there was more of a focus on the ghost and explaining more of where this came from and how our FMC was able to see her.
As for our MMC, I have such a love/hate relationship with him. The dirty talk was top tier but his thoughts around Eliza were so back and forth in an immature way at first that it's a miracle that I don't have whiplash!
I am excited to see where this series goes! I am a sucker for an interconnected standalone series.
Please review all trigger warnings before reading this book! Topics such as narcissistic behavior, abuse, and more are discussed.
3.5/5
When I heard that Jeneane O'Riley was writing a gothic romance book, I was excited to check it out. I wasn't the biggest fan of How Does It Feel however, my friends were so I had some hope going into this.
We follow Eliza as she goes to Blackwood Manor in hopes of restoring their conservatory and navigate through the mysteries that hide behind the gates at Blackwood Manor.
I am an absolute sucker for a gothic romance. I love gothic, paranormal stories. O'Riley did an amazing job tying the paranormal aspect into the story. I do wish that there was more of a focus on the ghost and explaining more of where this came from and how our FMC was able to see her.
As for our MMC, I have such a love/hate relationship with him. The dirty talk was top tier but his thoughts around Eliza were so back and forth in an immature way at first that it's a miracle that I don't have whiplash!
I am excited to see where this series goes! I am a sucker for an interconnected standalone series.
February 8, 2026
2.5 stars and some feelings of disappointment from this one - it had all the trappings of a perfect gothic girl winter vibe: a rundown conservatory, a mysterious locket, a house on a cliffside, a brooding man of the manor with an elderly butler, ambiguous “deaths??” - and yet, the elements didn’t really come together to make a perfect book!
I think my biggest gripe that held across the book was just that the main character Eliza was not doing it for me. She was a pushover (her relationship with and what she let her mom get away with were absolutely insane) whose life just kind of fell into her lap and she didn’t do much to try and take over for herself! Her relationship with Jasper was semi-interesting but the chemistry came kind of out of nowhere for me… On the bright side, I was very interested in the story of Jasper’s parents!!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Jeneane O’Riley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
I think my biggest gripe that held across the book was just that the main character Eliza was not doing it for me. She was a pushover (her relationship with and what she let her mom get away with were absolutely insane) whose life just kind of fell into her lap and she didn’t do much to try and take over for herself! Her relationship with Jasper was semi-interesting but the chemistry came kind of out of nowhere for me… On the bright side, I was very interested in the story of Jasper’s parents!!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Jeneane O’Riley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2025
The fact that it is a series of standalones already had me sold! The flow of the story reminded me of her Infatuated Fae series which I liked. The beginning started off strong. Around the 35% mark it wasn’t as attention grabbing, but once you get to the halfway point you don’t want to put it down. As with Infatuated Fae it kept me guessing. There were a couple spicy scenes, not a lot, but I don’t think the story really needed it. I appreciated that while the story is mainly from the POV of the FMC, Eliza, we were gifted with a couple chapters from Jasper’s POV. The ending also tied of the story well and there wasn’t unfinished business that would live rent free in our head for the next month.
*A copy of this book with provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
*A copy of this book with provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
December 5, 2025
ARC Review-
Plants and ghosts. What more could you possibly need? Jeneane O’Riley is a master at creating dark gothic settings for her characters, and of course is horticulturist herself. So, the main setting of the conservatory with the striking and dark plants is a perfect blend of her unique style. A way of sharing her personal interests with us as her readers.
This was my first book by her outside of her infatuated fae series and I loved it. It was everything I expected it to be and then some. Having read her books before, I knew to anticipate plenty of plot twists and eerie thrill, both of which she certainly delivered on in this standalone. I am also always a sucker for a found family trope, so to read about Eliza finding friendship and acceptance at the manor was a guaranteed way to warm my heart.
“I learned that plants, like people, sometimes needed time to heal and that it didn’t always happen as quickly as I wanted. They needed the right environment, care, and space to stretch toward the light”
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for this eARC in enhanced for my honest review.
Plants and ghosts. What more could you possibly need? Jeneane O’Riley is a master at creating dark gothic settings for her characters, and of course is horticulturist herself. So, the main setting of the conservatory with the striking and dark plants is a perfect blend of her unique style. A way of sharing her personal interests with us as her readers.
This was my first book by her outside of her infatuated fae series and I loved it. It was everything I expected it to be and then some. Having read her books before, I knew to anticipate plenty of plot twists and eerie thrill, both of which she certainly delivered on in this standalone. I am also always a sucker for a found family trope, so to read about Eliza finding friendship and acceptance at the manor was a guaranteed way to warm my heart.
“I learned that plants, like people, sometimes needed time to heal and that it didn’t always happen as quickly as I wanted. They needed the right environment, care, and space to stretch toward the light”
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for this eARC in enhanced for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I began struggling with the book pretty consistently about 25% or so of the way through. I'd hit my last straw when the MMC had to do something with his "feral energy" at 53%. I skimmed ahead to confirm what I had suspected of the ghost story portion of the book, and read the last paragraph or so for closure.
If you like super toxic men and a FMC in dire need of therapy, this might be for you.
ARC received from the publisher.
If you like super toxic men and a FMC in dire need of therapy, this might be for you.
ARC received from the publisher.
November 14, 2025
I don't know how I am going to move on from this story.
I am in love with everything about this. I am so beyond blessed to have gotten an ARC copy from Netgalley, and I cannot wait to have the physical copy in my hands in just a short few months.
Everything about this was beautiful, and I swear she cant write a bad book. I couldn't recommend this more, and hope that everyone picks this up when it comes out.
I am in love with everything about this. I am so beyond blessed to have gotten an ARC copy from Netgalley, and I cannot wait to have the physical copy in my hands in just a short few months.
Everything about this was beautiful, and I swear she cant write a bad book. I couldn't recommend this more, and hope that everyone picks this up when it comes out.
December 17, 2025
This is a 6 star read for me! Wow wow wow wow! I got an arc through netgalley and so grateful for it! I was scared to start it because I knew I was going to fall in love with this gothic romance immediately, and fell is exactly what happened!
I absolutely LOVED this book and it’s one I won’t be able to stop thinking about! It was so beautifully written and the connection Eliza and jasper have is *chefs kiss*
I cannot wait to see where the series goes and this book hasn’t been released yet!
I absolutely LOVED this book and it’s one I won’t be able to stop thinking about! It was so beautifully written and the connection Eliza and jasper have is *chefs kiss*
I cannot wait to see where the series goes and this book hasn’t been released yet!
November 22, 2025
Solid 3.5. Definitely jumping into the rest of her books.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley for the chance of reviewing this arc.
12/26
@25% I'm not quite sure what to make. The premise sounds interesting and promising, but the romance between Jasper and Eliza feels a bit forced and like it's going too fast. Although there's supposed to be a lot of tension and enemies-to-lovers, it's more along the lines of instalove that just feels awkward for me. I would have enjoyed this much more had it not been for the "tension" that Eliza keeps talking about like she's trying to convince me it's there, as it doesn't allow for their chemistry to form organically. Sometimes the wording gets repeated to the point where it gets diluted, where she mentions their vulnerability to each other, the other one knowing the pain the other feels, etc. Takes away from the mystique a little. I don't know. So far, I'm not buying it, but I still have a long way to go before I really make up my mind.
12/27
As someone with mother issues myself, I have to comment that I strongly sympathize with Eliza's plight. O'Riley does a PHENOMENAL job capturing the misery and gives a an echo of my own relationship with my mom, giving me flashback (which is actually a HUGE compliment despite my suffering through my mom with her mom).
Final Verdict: Eventually, Jasper and Eliza did organically come together well (in more ways than one, hehe) and I really loved their chemistry and how they complimented and completed one another. The part where Jasper went out of his way to do an activity with Eliza and spend time with her so sweet, it had me smiling.
In the midst of this, I truly enjoyed the mystery unravelling, that had me guessing until the very end. When it was finally solved, it just made me feel so bad for Jasper.
I cheered on Jasper and Eliza in the end, although their start wasn't perfect which would have given this book five stars since it would have given their romance more time to bloom and develop. Still, overall a great book with a great mix of spice, mystery, and spooks.
12/26
@25% I'm not quite sure what to make. The premise sounds interesting and promising, but the romance between Jasper and Eliza feels a bit forced and like it's going too fast. Although there's supposed to be a lot of tension and enemies-to-lovers, it's more along the lines of instalove that just feels awkward for me. I would have enjoyed this much more had it not been for the "tension" that Eliza keeps talking about like she's trying to convince me it's there, as it doesn't allow for their chemistry to form organically. Sometimes the wording gets repeated to the point where it gets diluted, where she mentions their vulnerability to each other, the other one knowing the pain the other feels, etc. Takes away from the mystique a little. I don't know. So far, I'm not buying it, but I still have a long way to go before I really make up my mind.
12/27
As someone with mother issues myself, I have to comment that I strongly sympathize with Eliza's plight. O'Riley does a PHENOMENAL job capturing the misery and gives a an echo of my own relationship with my mom, giving me flashback (which is actually a HUGE compliment despite my suffering through my mom with her mom).
Final Verdict: Eventually, Jasper and Eliza did organically come together well (in more ways than one, hehe) and I really loved their chemistry and how they complimented and completed one another. The part where Jasper went out of his way to do an activity with Eliza and spend time with her so sweet, it had me smiling.
In the midst of this, I truly enjoyed the mystery unravelling, that had me guessing until the very end. When it was finally solved, it just made me feel so bad for Jasper.
I cheered on Jasper and Eliza in the end, although their start wasn't perfect which would have given this book five stars since it would have given their romance more time to bloom and develop. Still, overall a great book with a great mix of spice, mystery, and spooks.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I wanted to like this book, since I picked it up on Netgalley because of the interesting title (I love secret gardens), the cover, and the description, but I really hated it, frankly.
There is SO MUCH of Eliza’s stream-of-consciousness, repetitive thoughts I wanted to scream. Like she keep going back and forth on her attraction to Jasper and whether or not she thinks he killed his parents, and it gets old really fast. For one, I don’t care if this guy is the most good-looking man on the planet; he turned his father’s knife-making company into a weapons company that he sells to anyone and everyone. Like he admits in his own monologue that he’s a weapons dealer and turned into one to spite his parents who abandoned him, and I’m like… how about no.
Eliza and Jasper both desperately need therapy, although idk what it’d do for Jasper since he doesn’t seem to think much of the morally questionable stuff he does. Eliza just… needs therapy even if this garden magically cured her and taught her how to stand up for herself. Her relationship with her sister is basically an afterthought, since we don’t even know how they made up and are just told that they did in a matter of a couple sentences.
The romance is so insta-lovey also, and I just could not understand Eliza’s internal struggle at all. Hello??? You keep thinking he’s a murderer like the rumors say but oh he’s too hot. I wanted to shake her so badly. Her employer also sucks, but I guess none of the characters are more than one dimensional, unfortunately. And the reveal about what really happened after all the buildup just felt dumb because the plot felt so nonsensical and forced.
The metaphors and similes used made it seem like the author is trying really hard to have deep, poetic meaning, when instead you end up with sentences like:
“She held herself like a rose surrounded by bees, completely in control.” I don’t even know what this has to do with roses or bees at all besides the garden theme I guess…???
“It didn’t matter how much brightness Eliza Arnold brought into this manor—it would always be a black hole of horrors…just like me.” I… no.
“I closed my gaping mouth and tried to make my eyes not so bulgy. They felt bulgy.” Please never say bulgy again.
It kind of has the opposite effect of what’s intended when this is how most of the writing reads, unfortunately.
Sadly, this one was a letdown, despite the description sounding promising. It felt kind of beauty and the beast-like with the reclusive rich guy in a haunted manor and with a kind of flower, but that’s as far as the similarities go. He has one scar I guess, but it’s not really in the way or ever mentioned after the initial stuff, so I guess not.
Thank you to Netgalley/Bloom Books for the ARC.
There is SO MUCH of Eliza’s stream-of-consciousness, repetitive thoughts I wanted to scream. Like she keep going back and forth on her attraction to Jasper and whether or not she thinks he killed his parents, and it gets old really fast. For one, I don’t care if this guy is the most good-looking man on the planet; he turned his father’s knife-making company into a weapons company that he sells to anyone and everyone. Like he admits in his own monologue that he’s a weapons dealer and turned into one to spite his parents who abandoned him, and I’m like… how about no.
Eliza and Jasper both desperately need therapy, although idk what it’d do for Jasper since he doesn’t seem to think much of the morally questionable stuff he does. Eliza just… needs therapy even if this garden magically cured her and taught her how to stand up for herself. Her relationship with her sister is basically an afterthought, since we don’t even know how they made up and are just told that they did in a matter of a couple sentences.
The romance is so insta-lovey also, and I just could not understand Eliza’s internal struggle at all. Hello??? You keep thinking he’s a murderer like the rumors say but oh he’s too hot. I wanted to shake her so badly. Her employer also sucks, but I guess none of the characters are more than one dimensional, unfortunately. And the reveal about what really happened after all the buildup just felt dumb because the plot felt so nonsensical and forced.
The metaphors and similes used made it seem like the author is trying really hard to have deep, poetic meaning, when instead you end up with sentences like:
“She held herself like a rose surrounded by bees, completely in control.” I don’t even know what this has to do with roses or bees at all besides the garden theme I guess…???
“It didn’t matter how much brightness Eliza Arnold brought into this manor—it would always be a black hole of horrors…just like me.” I… no.
“I closed my gaping mouth and tried to make my eyes not so bulgy. They felt bulgy.” Please never say bulgy again.
It kind of has the opposite effect of what’s intended when this is how most of the writing reads, unfortunately.
Sadly, this one was a letdown, despite the description sounding promising. It felt kind of beauty and the beast-like with the reclusive rich guy in a haunted manor and with a kind of flower, but that’s as far as the similarities go. He has one scar I guess, but it’s not really in the way or ever mentioned after the initial stuff, so I guess not.
Thank you to Netgalley/Bloom Books for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Gothic romance with a side of ghosts” sign me up for that haunted conservatory drama.
It delivers on the vibes but not quite a windy cliffside in a Brontë novel. Eliza, our botanist heroine who's basically one bad Zoom call away from unemployment (thanks, narcissistic mom from hell, yikes at that lady), rolls up to Blackwood Manor begging for cash from brooding weapons heir Jasper. He basically says, "Fine, but fix my mom's overgrown jungle of a conservatory. Alone. No take backs." Cue Eliza hacking at vines, dodging spiders the size of her regrets, and accidentally stirring up the late Hester's ghost like she's auditioning for a seance reality show.
The mystery unravels like a particularly thorny rosebush: Hester popping in when she’s supposedly alive?? A magical locket?
The conservatory restoration feels like it takes longer than my last attempt at adulting. At 30% in and it's still mostly Eliza vs. shattered glass and existential dread… girl, I get the metaphor for healing from ruins, but maybe trim a few vine-tangling monologues? And her mom's scenes? Brutal realism, sure, but they land like unsolicited advice at Thanksgiving: accurate, but do we NEED more rounds?
Then there's the business dinner. Eliza's never had fish before (??), and they're at this stiff table with a bunch of Jasper's potential weapons-deal clients, and Jasper decides NOWS THE TIME to drop innuendos louder than a dropped fork. "Slower, I don’t wanna miss anything." "I bet you’re beautiful when you choke." In front of EVERYONE. While she's trying to not gag on her first-ever salmon fillet. Cringe af, I was grimacing at my Kindle. Like, bro, seal the deal later; these guys are here for business, not watch your foreplay TED Talk. It yanked me right out of the moody manor stuff into secondhand embarrassment central.
Not flawless, could've pruned a bit for punchier twists, and maybe hired a sensitivity reader for fish eating virgins, but if you're into whimsically dark escapism, this'll do the trick. Three stars: pretty bloom, needs a good edit shear. (See what I did there?!)
- Brooding MMC with a secret soft side
- Slow-burn enemies-to-lovers lite (more prickly banter than outright feud)
- Haunted manor mystery (ghost mommy dearest)
- Found family via spectral intervention
- Narcissistic parent villainy (the real monster under the bed)
- Cringe public flirtation (business dinner edition: NEVER again)
(Also, random aside: why do all these manors have conservatories? Is it code for "trauma greenhouse" or just an excuse for steamy window scenes? And Jasper, buddy, innuendos at dinner? Stick to the ghosts next time.)
It delivers on the vibes but not quite a windy cliffside in a Brontë novel. Eliza, our botanist heroine who's basically one bad Zoom call away from unemployment (thanks, narcissistic mom from hell, yikes at that lady), rolls up to Blackwood Manor begging for cash from brooding weapons heir Jasper. He basically says, "Fine, but fix my mom's overgrown jungle of a conservatory. Alone. No take backs." Cue Eliza hacking at vines, dodging spiders the size of her regrets, and accidentally stirring up the late Hester's ghost like she's auditioning for a seance reality show.
The mystery unravels like a particularly thorny rosebush: Hester popping in when she’s supposedly alive?? A magical locket?
The conservatory restoration feels like it takes longer than my last attempt at adulting. At 30% in and it's still mostly Eliza vs. shattered glass and existential dread… girl, I get the metaphor for healing from ruins, but maybe trim a few vine-tangling monologues? And her mom's scenes? Brutal realism, sure, but they land like unsolicited advice at Thanksgiving: accurate, but do we NEED more rounds?
Then there's the business dinner. Eliza's never had fish before (??), and they're at this stiff table with a bunch of Jasper's potential weapons-deal clients, and Jasper decides NOWS THE TIME to drop innuendos louder than a dropped fork. "Slower, I don’t wanna miss anything." "I bet you’re beautiful when you choke." In front of EVERYONE. While she's trying to not gag on her first-ever salmon fillet. Cringe af, I was grimacing at my Kindle. Like, bro, seal the deal later; these guys are here for business, not watch your foreplay TED Talk. It yanked me right out of the moody manor stuff into secondhand embarrassment central.
Not flawless, could've pruned a bit for punchier twists, and maybe hired a sensitivity reader for fish eating virgins, but if you're into whimsically dark escapism, this'll do the trick. Three stars: pretty bloom, needs a good edit shear. (See what I did there?!)
- Brooding MMC with a secret soft side
- Slow-burn enemies-to-lovers lite (more prickly banter than outright feud)
- Haunted manor mystery (ghost mommy dearest)
- Found family via spectral intervention
- Narcissistic parent villainy (the real monster under the bed)
- Cringe public flirtation (business dinner edition: NEVER again)
(Also, random aside: why do all these manors have conservatories? Is it code for "trauma greenhouse" or just an excuse for steamy window scenes? And Jasper, buddy, innuendos at dinner? Stick to the ghosts next time.)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’m still trying to figure out why this didn’t click for me because by all accounts it should have been right up my alley.
It has ghosts(?) and a potential murder mystery and a spooky gothic house with a giant gothic garden and a morally grey rich man and a strong but traumatized heroine - literally everything I love. Somehow though, none of it came together in a satisfying way for me and none of the elements that held such promise were teased out sufficiently. I found the prose clunky at times and I don’t know whether it was an ARC issue but the tense seemed to jump from past to present in the same paragraphs regularly. Maybe this is something that will be dealt with before publication - hopefully it is! - but it made it hard for me to enjoy. I also didn’t enjoy how repetitive so many of the internal monologues felt and I wonder whether this was due to not enough follow through on potentially interesting plot points. For instance:
We hear all about how scary Jasper is and Eliza’s internal monologue is allllll about what a scary murderer he is but the narrative never digs deeper than a surface level into what that means. What are these arms he’s dealing? Tell us more about the secret rooms being added on and what nefarious items are in them? Speaking of scary, what’s Evil Alfred’s deal? Early in the story jasper alludes to being cowed by him because of his past but… we never find out what that past is that would make him intimidating? He’s a gardener and that’s all we get. Also, why is he so opposed to Jasper and Eliza; he never communicates why that’s so bad but he does everything to dissuade them from coming together. It makes no sense with how much he protects jasper emotionally that he wouldn’t encourage this connection.
The ultimate twist at the end is… boring to say the least. I’m glad the “ghosts” of the past get resolution but boy howdy, that’s a lame reason to have 20 years of haunting trauma and baggage. Miscommunication: I hate to see it.
While I’m thankful to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for honest review, I don’t think I’ll pick this one up at publication time.
It has ghosts(?) and a potential murder mystery and a spooky gothic house with a giant gothic garden and a morally grey rich man and a strong but traumatized heroine - literally everything I love. Somehow though, none of it came together in a satisfying way for me and none of the elements that held such promise were teased out sufficiently. I found the prose clunky at times and I don’t know whether it was an ARC issue but the tense seemed to jump from past to present in the same paragraphs regularly. Maybe this is something that will be dealt with before publication - hopefully it is! - but it made it hard for me to enjoy. I also didn’t enjoy how repetitive so many of the internal monologues felt and I wonder whether this was due to not enough follow through on potentially interesting plot points. For instance:
We hear all about how scary Jasper is and Eliza’s internal monologue is allllll about what a scary murderer he is but the narrative never digs deeper than a surface level into what that means. What are these arms he’s dealing? Tell us more about the secret rooms being added on and what nefarious items are in them? Speaking of scary, what’s Evil Alfred’s deal? Early in the story jasper alludes to being cowed by him because of his past but… we never find out what that past is that would make him intimidating? He’s a gardener and that’s all we get. Also, why is he so opposed to Jasper and Eliza; he never communicates why that’s so bad but he does everything to dissuade them from coming together. It makes no sense with how much he protects jasper emotionally that he wouldn’t encourage this connection.
The ultimate twist at the end is… boring to say the least. I’m glad the “ghosts” of the past get resolution but boy howdy, that’s a lame reason to have 20 years of haunting trauma and baggage. Miscommunication: I hate to see it.
While I’m thankful to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for honest review, I don’t think I’ll pick this one up at publication time.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
DNF @ 15% because I just wasn’t enjoying it at all.
Pros
Deluxe Edition - So, so pretty
Writing Voice - Excellent
World Building - Lush and atmospheric. I usually don’t enjoy a lot of descriptive exposition, but this had a good balance - enough to paint a mental picture but not so much as to be boring.
Cons
Grammar - Maybe it’s because I got an ARC, but the grammar was embarrassingly bad. Most notably, the book was written in past tense, but would randomly switch to present. It was infuriating to read.
Contradictions - Many, examples include:
The FMC described herself as “quiet and soft-spoken, the least threatening person imaginable” and that she had learned from a young age to be invisible, a strength she intended to rely in to persuade the MMC of her deal. However, within 2 minutes of meeting the MMC her strategy appears to just be a list of demands. She states, “you are going to donate $250,000” and “you are going to let us fix up your conservatory.” This is hardly soft spoken, invisible behavior.
She also described the MMC’s father as a “dotting, besotted husband” who built an entire conservatory to make his wife happy, and then later referred to him as a “greedy, money hungry monster who only cared about himself.”
She says she a botanist, not a gardener, who barely helped in her family’s backyard growing up & had only a small amount of experience in the gardens at work. Then one page later she says she spent her life among plants “coaxing them to thrive where they would otherwise wither.”
FMC’s initial pitch to the MMC was mortifyingly bad - demanding, cocky, (poorly) emotionally manipulative, pushy, completely ignorant, borderline childish…and now she’s made me side with a man so I am doubly annoyed
FMC - Childish, stupid, and quite judgmental.
MMC - Struck a personal pet peeve of mine. I hate, hate, hate, when the MMC bullies, toys with, or generally makes the FMC miserable for his own amusement. I like my MMCs to adhere to the rule: if you like her, be nice to her.
Enemies-to-Lovers: I am so sick of this trope.
Pros
Deluxe Edition - So, so pretty
Writing Voice - Excellent
World Building - Lush and atmospheric. I usually don’t enjoy a lot of descriptive exposition, but this had a good balance - enough to paint a mental picture but not so much as to be boring.
Cons
Grammar - Maybe it’s because I got an ARC, but the grammar was embarrassingly bad. Most notably, the book was written in past tense, but would randomly switch to present. It was infuriating to read.
Contradictions - Many, examples include:
The FMC described herself as “quiet and soft-spoken, the least threatening person imaginable” and that she had learned from a young age to be invisible, a strength she intended to rely in to persuade the MMC of her deal. However, within 2 minutes of meeting the MMC her strategy appears to just be a list of demands. She states, “you are going to donate $250,000” and “you are going to let us fix up your conservatory.” This is hardly soft spoken, invisible behavior.
She also described the MMC’s father as a “dotting, besotted husband” who built an entire conservatory to make his wife happy, and then later referred to him as a “greedy, money hungry monster who only cared about himself.”
She says she a botanist, not a gardener, who barely helped in her family’s backyard growing up & had only a small amount of experience in the gardens at work. Then one page later she says she spent her life among plants “coaxing them to thrive where they would otherwise wither.”
FMC’s initial pitch to the MMC was mortifyingly bad - demanding, cocky, (poorly) emotionally manipulative, pushy, completely ignorant, borderline childish…and now she’s made me side with a man so I am doubly annoyed
FMC - Childish, stupid, and quite judgmental.
MMC - Struck a personal pet peeve of mine. I hate, hate, hate, when the MMC bullies, toys with, or generally makes the FMC miserable for his own amusement. I like my MMCs to adhere to the rule: if you like her, be nice to her.
Enemies-to-Lovers: I am so sick of this trope.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Secret in the Garden by Jeneane O’Riley is one of those rare books that weaves atmosphere, mystery, and romance into something magical. The setting of Blackwood Manor with its forgotten conservatory, groaning trees, and whispering corridors make you feel like you are walking through the mist yourself.
Eliza Arnold isn't just a FMC she's a character who instantly captivates. As a botanist who is under immense pressure to salvage her career, and her decision to go to Blackwood Manor to restore the neglected conservatory feels both audacious and vulnerable. She bears the scars of a difficult relationship with her mother, but her love of plants and the way she struggles and grows amidst growing secrets and supernatural events make her utterly captivating.
Jasper Blackwell the perfect, dark, and complex love interest
Jasper is exactly the brooding, layered man I love in gothic romance. He is mysterious, sometimes blunt, often inaccessible and yet irresistible. His relationship with Eliza is charged with slow-burn tension, sharp banter and moments of genuine emotional exposure. You sense his inner struggle and slowly awakening gentleness toward Eliza, making him one of my favorite romantic protagonists of the year.
Gothic atmosphere and lingering mystery
The atmosphere in A Secret in the Garden is utterly captivating. The abandoned conservatory full of overgrown plants, the unexpected presence of a ghostly presence, and the dormant secrets of the Blackwood family constantly gave me goosebumps and curiosity. The story balances mystery, romance, and a touch of the paranormal in a way I've rarely read so well.
If you love gothic romance, slow-burn love, secret gardens, and characters who truly grow, this is a must-read for 2026.
I received an ARC for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Eliza Arnold isn't just a FMC she's a character who instantly captivates. As a botanist who is under immense pressure to salvage her career, and her decision to go to Blackwood Manor to restore the neglected conservatory feels both audacious and vulnerable. She bears the scars of a difficult relationship with her mother, but her love of plants and the way she struggles and grows amidst growing secrets and supernatural events make her utterly captivating.
Jasper Blackwell the perfect, dark, and complex love interest
Jasper is exactly the brooding, layered man I love in gothic romance. He is mysterious, sometimes blunt, often inaccessible and yet irresistible. His relationship with Eliza is charged with slow-burn tension, sharp banter and moments of genuine emotional exposure. You sense his inner struggle and slowly awakening gentleness toward Eliza, making him one of my favorite romantic protagonists of the year.
Gothic atmosphere and lingering mystery
The atmosphere in A Secret in the Garden is utterly captivating. The abandoned conservatory full of overgrown plants, the unexpected presence of a ghostly presence, and the dormant secrets of the Blackwood family constantly gave me goosebumps and curiosity. The story balances mystery, romance, and a touch of the paranormal in a way I've rarely read so well.
If you love gothic romance, slow-burn love, secret gardens, and characters who truly grow, this is a must-read for 2026.
I received an ARC for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was excited to get this ARC because it seemed like a dark Secret Garden. This one was not for me. So Eliza is a botanist trying to get the mysterious Jasper Blackwood to donate a lot of money to the gardens that she works for. Most people think he killed his parents. She goes to his house and tries to convince him that she can bring his near-death gardens back to life. I'm not sure what that had to do with him giving a big donation to her place of work though. He is a recluse and does not like anyone at his house, but somehow agrees that she can bring his gardens back to life and have a party to celebrate it at the end of three months. Never does he agree to give a donation at the end of three months. He is having an addition built on the house but tells her she must do it all alone because he doesn't want a bunch of strangers working at his house. But the crew working on the addition is okay? There is a storyline with her toxic mother that also made no sense. She has her mom stay in her apartment while she is at the manor and her mom tells the landlord to give away her stuff and her apartment. That's not how that works. You can't just break a lease. The whole mom storyline didn't even go anywhere or add to the story. There was not much dialogue and the chapters were very long so it was mostly Eliza's inner monologue. A few chapters are in Jasper's POV. Eliza doesn't think Jasper killed his parents even though she watches him shoot a person. That just turns her on. There was also another side storyline of illegal weapons that also went nowhere. The book was much longer than it needed to be and with long chapters the whole book just dragged on for me. I did not find any chemistry between the main characters so that didn't help either. Oh, yeah and throw in a ghost that only Eliza can see, but she never mentions it to Jasper.
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