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Skeptically In Love
Meet Me In The Dark
Celeste Morgan never expected to see him again—the stranger who shattered her world in the dark. He was supposed to be a memory, a secret she could tuck away and never revisit. But fate has other plans.
Julian Blackwood is ruthless in business, dangerously controlled in the bedroom, and the kind of man who takes what he wants.
And now, what he wants is her.
Their chemistry is undeniable, their connection explosive, but when professional lines blur and emotions ignite, Celeste is left wondering if she walked into a dream or a trap.
Because Julian isn’t just powerful. He’s possessive. And in his world, once he claims something, he never lets it go.
And Celeste? She was his from the moment he touched her in the dark.
Julian Blackwood is ruthless in business, dangerously controlled in the bedroom, and the kind of man who takes what he wants.
And now, what he wants is her.
Their chemistry is undeniable, their connection explosive, but when professional lines blur and emotions ignite, Celeste is left wondering if she walked into a dream or a trap.
Because Julian isn’t just powerful. He’s possessive. And in his world, once he claims something, he never lets it go.
And Celeste? She was his from the moment he touched her in the dark.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
Unknown Binding
About the author
Laura Ashley Gallagher
11 books281 followersLaura Ashley was born and raised in Ireland, where she spent a large part of her childhood and teenage years studying music. Drawn to people’s stories and a lifelong storyteller, she went on to study journalism. Laura Ashley specializes in crafting stories with heaps of romance and maybe even a few tears. When she is not writing, she is spending time and having fun with her husband and young son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
October 16, 2025
3.5 Stars
I had trouble deciding whether to round up or down. While it was a very cute story with a lot of sweet moments, to did not have the spark that the first two books in this series did for me.
I found the chemistry lacking, especially in the beginning and the characters were fairly flat. This book had a lot of sex. I love spice but if it doesn’t do anything to progress the story, it just takes up pages that could have been spent developing the story or characters more. In this instance, because it is so sex focused, we don’t get to see much of either characters lives outside of each other. We get the basic bones but nothing deeper. I also found Julian to be very different and not as charismatic in this story. I would actually say he had more chemistry with Lena in the last book than he did with Celeste.
On the other hand, this was a fun romance. There was nothing technically that I didn’t like. While their chemistry wasn’t as good as the last two couples’, they set a high bar so it was still there. I loved them together, and they had a lot of really cute moments. Plus the ending and epilogue was everything. I love how this author wraps up her stories. They are very satisfying. Laura Ashley Gallagher is still a big hit for me and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
I had trouble deciding whether to round up or down. While it was a very cute story with a lot of sweet moments, to did not have the spark that the first two books in this series did for me.
I found the chemistry lacking, especially in the beginning and the characters were fairly flat. This book had a lot of sex. I love spice but if it doesn’t do anything to progress the story, it just takes up pages that could have been spent developing the story or characters more. In this instance, because it is so sex focused, we don’t get to see much of either characters lives outside of each other. We get the basic bones but nothing deeper. I also found Julian to be very different and not as charismatic in this story. I would actually say he had more chemistry with Lena in the last book than he did with Celeste.
On the other hand, this was a fun romance. There was nothing technically that I didn’t like. While their chemistry wasn’t as good as the last two couples’, they set a high bar so it was still there. I loved them together, and they had a lot of really cute moments. Plus the ending and epilogue was everything. I love how this author wraps up her stories. They are very satisfying. Laura Ashley Gallagher is still a big hit for me and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
September 7, 2025
Meet Me in the Dark was like the beginning of a run, where it takes a bit to find your legs and stride and it might be a bit unsteady. I mean, that's how I imagine the beginning of a run to feel because my knees could never.
It took a bit for this story to find a balance. Some of the details seemed murky in the beginning. However, this story found its legs. The conflict started as an annoyance of mine but it ended up making sense.
I really enjoyed Celeste and Julian. They really grew on me. The real life issues both characters faced were dealt with and then the ending, that epilogue got me. I enjoyed this one.
It took a bit for this story to find a balance. Some of the details seemed murky in the beginning. However, this story found its legs. The conflict started as an annoyance of mine but it ended up making sense.
I really enjoyed Celeste and Julian. They really grew on me. The real life issues both characters faced were dealt with and then the ending, that epilogue got me. I enjoyed this one.
August 28, 2025
I got this as an ARC and I am so glad! This book was absolutely incredible. From witty banter to utterly tender moments this book had me hooked from start to finish.
Celeste is career-focused and ambitious, Julian is dangerous and ruthless; both with an invitation to a secret elite s*x club. But what happens when one secret night rears it's ugly head in the light of day? What happens when your one night stand starts to ruthlessly obsess over you? What if you like it?
This book is incredible at weaving spice, romance, pain, grief, comedy and strength. It takes you on a roller coaster of a ride as you learn more about the main characters and not only their relationship but their own separate relationships with loved ones. I was amazed how one moment it was pure lust to another of raw tenderness.
Celeste is career-focused and ambitious, Julian is dangerous and ruthless; both with an invitation to a secret elite s*x club. But what happens when one secret night rears it's ugly head in the light of day? What happens when your one night stand starts to ruthlessly obsess over you? What if you like it?
This book is incredible at weaving spice, romance, pain, grief, comedy and strength. It takes you on a roller coaster of a ride as you learn more about the main characters and not only their relationship but their own separate relationships with loved ones. I was amazed how one moment it was pure lust to another of raw tenderness.
August 24, 2025
I didn't think I could love this book more than I loved If Love Had A Manual ... boy was I wrong.
This book packed a punch, full of knee trembling spice from the start followed by a delicious slow burn that kept me turning the pages it did not disappoint. My heart truly belongs to Julian now.
@authorlauraashleygallagher does not back away from the difficult topics and her characters are real, flawed and stronger and more likeable for it.
This was the ARC I've been most looking forward to it and I'm so glad I got to read it. An easy 5 that will
live rent free in my head until her next one.
Released on September 5th you won't want to miss this one.
September 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️, 🌶️🌶️🌶️
May 12, 2026
This is my second book by this author and I’m a fan! 🤩. I love how she writes female characters that take up room, unapologetically. They are smart, proud, and capable; fully feminine and emotionally intelligent. Claps for this 👏👏👏👏.
Celeste ❤️ Julian
Celeste and Julian meet anonymously at a swanky sex club and have an unforgettable encounter. She never sees him but she knows his voice and recognizes it and him when they meet a couple weeks later in a business meeting where she will be the new architect for his business’ landmark building. Julian and his partner are up and coming (or arrived?) real estate moguls.
Julian and Celeste each have their own troubled pasts and struggles in their current lives. It is the story of two extremely stubborn, highly intelligent, and emotionally strong people finding their person. Their person who will throw down for them and stay with them, sometimes and especially, when being actively pushed away.
💔 Third act breakup. I’m not mad at it, though. Given these characters, it made sense and was never about their love for each other.
🗣️ No miscommunication driving the plot. These two are forthright and direct w each other.
💪🏼 Both strong characters; no power imbalance. No handwriting over the fact that they’re working together. Love. This.
➡️Emotional/character growth - They each have trauma that they are carrying and need to learn how to deal w it. She has endometriosis, a chronic and painful condition that she tries to hide from him. He has a difficult past w his birth mother and she, while still in his life in a limited way, causes difficulty.
🧠 Mental health rep - Love that Julian has been seeing a therapist for years
🏥Chronic illness rep - We see a bit of her struggle w endometriosis; in the beginning after she has surgery, when she has a painful flareup and is hospitalized, and at the end when she has a hysterectomy. We see her try to hide it from Julian and then his worry and unwavering support.
👟 Exercise - Love how they both deal w their emotions and stress with exercise - she runs every morning and he boxes.
❤️ Obsessed and protective MMC (and FMC) - Julian is obsessed w Celeste from the beginning; meeting her each morning on her run and generally making it clear that he won’t go away. I loved how they each ended up punching the same guy, separately, at the end of the story.
🏠Family - He has his adoptive parents who are lovely while she is somewhat estranged from her family. She has two very close friends, Madison and Emma, and he has his business partners and boxing buddy, Matteo.
🫣 No OM/OW - No idea of their past relationships; both have experience.
🌶️ Spice - starts w the big scene at the club and then there’s a little slow burn until about 50 %. Open door; frequent; descriptive.
👥 Dual POV; HEA. Married w 2 adopted/foster children in the 10 yr later epilogue
❤️Overall, a great love story with two strong characters. Full of emotion and real depth. “Meet me in the dark” has two meanings - 1) they literally met in the dark at the sex club and 2) they each have darkness within them that they shield from everyone else. I love how deeply they see each other.
Why not 5 stars:
- The beginning dragged a bit for me
- While we can feel their connection and see how deeply in tune they are w each other, it would have been nice to see them actually be together more outside the bedroom, aside from her daily run.
Spoiler: note re third act breakup ‼️
He hears from his estranged 1/2 sister that his birth mother is dying and has asked to see him. He struggles w this relationship bc of the profound emotional trauma that he experienced w her. Rather than be open w Celeste, he hides and tries to deal w it on his own. The way back together was SO well done. Each fighting to be together in their own way, while also respecting the space that they each need.
Celeste ❤️ Julian
Celeste and Julian meet anonymously at a swanky sex club and have an unforgettable encounter. She never sees him but she knows his voice and recognizes it and him when they meet a couple weeks later in a business meeting where she will be the new architect for his business’ landmark building. Julian and his partner are up and coming (or arrived?) real estate moguls.
Julian and Celeste each have their own troubled pasts and struggles in their current lives. It is the story of two extremely stubborn, highly intelligent, and emotionally strong people finding their person. Their person who will throw down for them and stay with them, sometimes and especially, when being actively pushed away.
💔 Third act breakup. I’m not mad at it, though. Given these characters, it made sense and was never about their love for each other.
🗣️ No miscommunication driving the plot. These two are forthright and direct w each other.
💪🏼 Both strong characters; no power imbalance. No handwriting over the fact that they’re working together. Love. This.
➡️Emotional/character growth - They each have trauma that they are carrying and need to learn how to deal w it. She has endometriosis, a chronic and painful condition that she tries to hide from him. He has a difficult past w his birth mother and she, while still in his life in a limited way, causes difficulty.
🧠 Mental health rep - Love that Julian has been seeing a therapist for years
🏥Chronic illness rep - We see a bit of her struggle w endometriosis; in the beginning after she has surgery, when she has a painful flareup and is hospitalized, and at the end when she has a hysterectomy. We see her try to hide it from Julian and then his worry and unwavering support.
👟 Exercise - Love how they both deal w their emotions and stress with exercise - she runs every morning and he boxes.
❤️ Obsessed and protective MMC (and FMC) - Julian is obsessed w Celeste from the beginning; meeting her each morning on her run and generally making it clear that he won’t go away. I loved how they each ended up punching the same guy, separately, at the end of the story.
🏠Family - He has his adoptive parents who are lovely while she is somewhat estranged from her family. She has two very close friends, Madison and Emma, and he has his business partners and boxing buddy, Matteo.
🫣 No OM/OW - No idea of their past relationships; both have experience.
🌶️ Spice - starts w the big scene at the club and then there’s a little slow burn until about 50 %. Open door; frequent; descriptive.
👥 Dual POV; HEA. Married w 2 adopted/foster children in the 10 yr later epilogue
❤️Overall, a great love story with two strong characters. Full of emotion and real depth. “Meet me in the dark” has two meanings - 1) they literally met in the dark at the sex club and 2) they each have darkness within them that they shield from everyone else. I love how deeply they see each other.
Why not 5 stars:
- The beginning dragged a bit for me
- While we can feel their connection and see how deeply in tune they are w each other, it would have been nice to see them actually be together more outside the bedroom, aside from her daily run.
Spoiler: note re third act breakup ‼️
He hears from his estranged 1/2 sister that his birth mother is dying and has asked to see him. He struggles w this relationship bc of the profound emotional trauma that he experienced w her. Rather than be open w Celeste, he hides and tries to deal w it on his own. The way back together was SO well done. Each fighting to be together in their own way, while also respecting the space that they each need.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2025
I went in expecting a contemporary romance with spice, maybe some swoony banter and tension. What I got was a story that felt heavier, deeper, and far more unflinching than I ever anticipated.
Celeste Morgan thought he was just a memory—a secret she could bury in the dark. But when Julian Blackwood reappears, ruthless in business and dangerously controlled in every other part of his life, she learns that the man who touched her once never intended to let her go. Because Julian doesn’t just want her. He claims her.
And let me tell you, Julian Blackwood is that man. He’s intense, obsessive, protective to the point of feral, and yet completely undone by Celeste in ways he can’t control. He checks every single box for an MMC: falls hard, fights harder, and yes—he boxes 🥵. Meanwhile, Celeste holds her own beautifully—she’s witty, ambitious, and strong, even as she battles the very real, very raw pain of living with endometriosis. The way Gallagher wrote her struggle felt authentic and grounding, weaving it into the romance in a way that never felt performative.
The writing itself is spicy when it needs to be, heartbreaking when it cuts deep, and unexpectedly hopeful in the moments where love feels like a risk worth taking. Beneath the banter and the heat, there are threads of grief, illness, abandonment, and survival that give this book its staying power.
This was my first Laura Ashley Gallagher novel, and it will absolutely not be my last. She managed to deliver a romance that’s not just about lust and obsession, but about choosing each other through the mess, the hurt, the shadows.
It’s funny. It’s spicy. It’s sad. It’s real. It’s hopeful. And honestly? It’s the kind of story that lingers after the last page.
Celeste Morgan thought he was just a memory—a secret she could bury in the dark. But when Julian Blackwood reappears, ruthless in business and dangerously controlled in every other part of his life, she learns that the man who touched her once never intended to let her go. Because Julian doesn’t just want her. He claims her.
And let me tell you, Julian Blackwood is that man. He’s intense, obsessive, protective to the point of feral, and yet completely undone by Celeste in ways he can’t control. He checks every single box for an MMC: falls hard, fights harder, and yes—he boxes 🥵. Meanwhile, Celeste holds her own beautifully—she’s witty, ambitious, and strong, even as she battles the very real, very raw pain of living with endometriosis. The way Gallagher wrote her struggle felt authentic and grounding, weaving it into the romance in a way that never felt performative.
The writing itself is spicy when it needs to be, heartbreaking when it cuts deep, and unexpectedly hopeful in the moments where love feels like a risk worth taking. Beneath the banter and the heat, there are threads of grief, illness, abandonment, and survival that give this book its staying power.
This was my first Laura Ashley Gallagher novel, and it will absolutely not be my last. She managed to deliver a romance that’s not just about lust and obsession, but about choosing each other through the mess, the hurt, the shadows.
It’s funny. It’s spicy. It’s sad. It’s real. It’s hopeful. And honestly? It’s the kind of story that lingers after the last page.
August 24, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
This was such a refreshing Rom-Com to read. It presented real life issues that many readers would connect with on a deeper level and that’s what stuck with me throughout.
The book opens with Celeste just after getting a surgery for her endometriosis and now after two years of basically dismissing her dating life she has decided to get back out there. On the other side of the coin we have Julian and let’s just say that this man doesn’t take a break. But when both Celeste and Julian receive a mysterious letter for a club, both decide not to pass up the opportunity.
Celeste initially caught Julian’s eye because she looked out of place at first but then he noticed a change and the confidence that overcame her and he knew she was the woman he wanted to spend his time with.
Of course the pair didn’t realise that they would be seeing each other quite soon. Celeste was hired to design a new building for Julian’s company and come on we all knew that things were not going to stay professional for long especially with Julian’s insistence and more so the man was an absolute goner when it came to Celeste👀
Both Celeste and Julian were likeable characters from the get go. They are hardworking individuals. Celeste is a fierce FMC, she is ambitious and has absolutely top tier banter- I mean I want to be her friend😂 Julian Blackwood, oh my this man- I mean he ticks all my boxes - Falls head over heels for Celeste from the moment he meets her ✔️ Possessive ✔️ Witty ✔️ fights for her✔️ Dedicated & Loyal✔️
Overall I absolutely loved this book. The chemistry of the characters and the spice was impeccable and the banter was top tier in my opinion. I just loved Celeste pushing Julian’s buttons😂
Thank you so much to the author who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭
This was such a refreshing Rom-Com to read. It presented real life issues that many readers would connect with on a deeper level and that’s what stuck with me throughout.
The book opens with Celeste just after getting a surgery for her endometriosis and now after two years of basically dismissing her dating life she has decided to get back out there. On the other side of the coin we have Julian and let’s just say that this man doesn’t take a break. But when both Celeste and Julian receive a mysterious letter for a club, both decide not to pass up the opportunity.
Celeste initially caught Julian’s eye because she looked out of place at first but then he noticed a change and the confidence that overcame her and he knew she was the woman he wanted to spend his time with.
Of course the pair didn’t realise that they would be seeing each other quite soon. Celeste was hired to design a new building for Julian’s company and come on we all knew that things were not going to stay professional for long especially with Julian’s insistence and more so the man was an absolute goner when it came to Celeste👀
Both Celeste and Julian were likeable characters from the get go. They are hardworking individuals. Celeste is a fierce FMC, she is ambitious and has absolutely top tier banter- I mean I want to be her friend😂 Julian Blackwood, oh my this man- I mean he ticks all my boxes - Falls head over heels for Celeste from the moment he meets her ✔️ Possessive ✔️ Witty ✔️ fights for her✔️ Dedicated & Loyal✔️
Overall I absolutely loved this book. The chemistry of the characters and the spice was impeccable and the banter was top tier in my opinion. I just loved Celeste pushing Julian’s buttons😂
Thank you so much to the author who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭
August 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Meet Me in the Dark hits with a bang from page one and doesn’t let go. Laura Ashley Gallagher creates characters you can’t help but fall hard for, and her writing balances spice, emotion, and sharp storytelling in a way that feels effortless.
This isn’t just a steamy romance—it’s a layered story that touches on grief, friendship, infertility, foster care, and what it means to rebuild yourself. The intimacy between Celeste and Julien is fire-emoji worthy, but what kept me hooked was how their love grew beyond desire into something rooted in acceptance, healing, and choosing each other every day.
One of the most impactful lines for me was:
“It’s just another reminder that my body doesn’t follow the rules. That being a woman sometimes means bleeding out in ways no one else sees.”
That line alone captures the heart of what this book does best—it’s sexy and bold, but it also dares to show the hidden battles so many women face.
The pacing kept me turning pages (I finished it in just a few days), and the side characters were strong enough to make me want more of their stories. The twists weren’t shocking for shock’s sake—they were perfectly placed to keep the momentum going without losing believability.
If you love romance that blends heat with heart, I definitely recommend Meet Me in the Dark. It’s a story about rediscovery, testing boundaries, and finding someone who loves every version of you—even the broken pieces.
Meet Me in the Dark hits with a bang from page one and doesn’t let go. Laura Ashley Gallagher creates characters you can’t help but fall hard for, and her writing balances spice, emotion, and sharp storytelling in a way that feels effortless.
This isn’t just a steamy romance—it’s a layered story that touches on grief, friendship, infertility, foster care, and what it means to rebuild yourself. The intimacy between Celeste and Julien is fire-emoji worthy, but what kept me hooked was how their love grew beyond desire into something rooted in acceptance, healing, and choosing each other every day.
One of the most impactful lines for me was:
“It’s just another reminder that my body doesn’t follow the rules. That being a woman sometimes means bleeding out in ways no one else sees.”
That line alone captures the heart of what this book does best—it’s sexy and bold, but it also dares to show the hidden battles so many women face.
The pacing kept me turning pages (I finished it in just a few days), and the side characters were strong enough to make me want more of their stories. The twists weren’t shocking for shock’s sake—they were perfectly placed to keep the momentum going without losing believability.
If you love romance that blends heat with heart, I definitely recommend Meet Me in the Dark. It’s a story about rediscovery, testing boundaries, and finding someone who loves every version of you—even the broken pieces.
September 5, 2025
Meet Me In The Dark – Laura Ashley Gallagher ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5)
Honestly, I didn’t think it was possible to top book two (If Love Had a Manual) in this series… oh, how wrong I was! I was hooked right from the start. The character development is absolutely wonderful.
Julian… oh Julian. Grumpy, obsessed, protective, yet with such a big heart — I fell for him instantly. And Celeste? Strong, brave, and unwilling to let anyone walk over her. Together, they’re absolute perfection.
I loved everything about this book, and I highly recommend it. Huge thanks to the author for the ARC copy!
____
Meet Me In The Dark – Laura Ashley Gallagher ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5)
Honnêtement, je ne croyais pas qu’il était possible de surpasser le tome 2 (If Love Had a Manual) de cette série… oh que je me trompais! J’ai été accrochée dès le début. Le développement des personnages est tout simplement merveilleux.
Julian… oh Julian. Grumpy, obsédé, protecteur, mais avec un si grand cœur — je suis rapidement tombée sous son charme. Et Celeste? Forte, courageuse, qui ne se laisse pas marcher sur les pieds. Ensemble, ils sont parfaits.
J’ai absolument tout aimé de ce livre et je le recommande fortement. Un immense merci à l’auteure pour la copie ARC!
Honestly, I didn’t think it was possible to top book two (If Love Had a Manual) in this series… oh, how wrong I was! I was hooked right from the start. The character development is absolutely wonderful.
Julian… oh Julian. Grumpy, obsessed, protective, yet with such a big heart — I fell for him instantly. And Celeste? Strong, brave, and unwilling to let anyone walk over her. Together, they’re absolute perfection.
I loved everything about this book, and I highly recommend it. Huge thanks to the author for the ARC copy!
____
Meet Me In The Dark – Laura Ashley Gallagher ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5)
Honnêtement, je ne croyais pas qu’il était possible de surpasser le tome 2 (If Love Had a Manual) de cette série… oh que je me trompais! J’ai été accrochée dès le début. Le développement des personnages est tout simplement merveilleux.
Julian… oh Julian. Grumpy, obsédé, protecteur, mais avec un si grand cœur — je suis rapidement tombée sous son charme. Et Celeste? Forte, courageuse, qui ne se laisse pas marcher sur les pieds. Ensemble, ils sont parfaits.
J’ai absolument tout aimé de ce livre et je le recommande fortement. Un immense merci à l’auteure pour la copie ARC!
August 20, 2025
4.5 Stars!!!!!
I really enjoyed this book, it really reminded me of a really good Rom-Com that I could picture so perfectly and clearly in my head! It was really refreshing to read an unique story where both main characters were so likeable and human!
Our girl Celeste is navigating her dating life after dismissing it for 2 years due to her endometriosis.
"I cried for days because there’s something really unfair about having a choice taken away from you, even if it’s a choice you weren’t planning to make."- was a part in the book that dug deep for me, I love how the author is able to capture the pain and realness of this reality for so many. It shows the reality of the chronic illness and how it has shaped Celeste. Ugh, I just wanted to give her the biggest hug right then!
Then comes in MMC, none other than Julian Blackwood!!! I really loved him as a MMC, did I get slightly annoyed at his lack of communication (though totally valid!!) ....yes! But I adored him because he was so imperfect...he was perfect! He essentially bulldozes his way into Celeste's life, making her realise and open up to things she would have never before. Also side note...loveeee Julian's motherrrrr, like an icon for realsies!
“You want honesty, Celeste?” he snaps in a whisper. “I can’t stay away from you. That’s why I’m here. Do I want to be? Fuck no. I’ve begged myself for weeks to stop, and yet, here I am."
--
ANGRY LOVE CONFESSIONS ARE MY WEAKNESSSS
i love how the realisation that they love eachother dawns on them too! <3
Thank you Laura Ashely Gallagher for this ARC and the opportunity to review <3
I really enjoyed this book, it really reminded me of a really good Rom-Com that I could picture so perfectly and clearly in my head! It was really refreshing to read an unique story where both main characters were so likeable and human!
Our girl Celeste is navigating her dating life after dismissing it for 2 years due to her endometriosis.
"I cried for days because there’s something really unfair about having a choice taken away from you, even if it’s a choice you weren’t planning to make."- was a part in the book that dug deep for me, I love how the author is able to capture the pain and realness of this reality for so many. It shows the reality of the chronic illness and how it has shaped Celeste. Ugh, I just wanted to give her the biggest hug right then!
Then comes in MMC, none other than Julian Blackwood!!! I really loved him as a MMC, did I get slightly annoyed at his lack of communication (though totally valid!!) ....yes! But I adored him because he was so imperfect...he was perfect! He essentially bulldozes his way into Celeste's life, making her realise and open up to things she would have never before. Also side note...loveeee Julian's motherrrrr, like an icon for realsies!
“You want honesty, Celeste?” he snaps in a whisper. “I can’t stay away from you. That’s why I’m here. Do I want to be? Fuck no. I’ve begged myself for weeks to stop, and yet, here I am."
--
ANGRY LOVE CONFESSIONS ARE MY WEAKNESSSS
i love how the realisation that they love eachother dawns on them too! <3
Thank you Laura Ashely Gallagher for this ARC and the opportunity to review <3
August 22, 2025
Thank you to Laura Ashley Gallagher for the ARC of Meet Me in the Dark!
If you're craving a fast-paced, spice-laced, obsession-fueled romance, this is the book to devour. From the very first page, I was hooked—and I didn’t want to come up for air.
As a fellow endo warrior, the story hit close to home. The way Laura Ashley Gallagher explores the physical and emotional toll of endometriosis is raw, honest, and refreshingly unfiltered. It’s rare to see this kind of representation in romance, and it added so much depth and resonance for me. Be sure to read the trigger warnings before diving in, because this story doesn’t shy away from difficult themes. But that’s part of what makes it so gripping.
The dual POV (FMC and MMC) works beautifully. Their connection is fiery, complicated, and built on layers of vulnerability and undeniable attraction. I loved how flawed and human they both are. Their struggles are messy and raw—but watching them break down walls and slowly let each other in made their journey all the more satisfying. The spice is anything but subtle—obsessive, consuming, and dangerously addictive.
If you're craving a fast-paced, spice-laced, obsession-fueled romance, this is the book to devour. From the very first page, I was hooked—and I didn’t want to come up for air.
As a fellow endo warrior, the story hit close to home. The way Laura Ashley Gallagher explores the physical and emotional toll of endometriosis is raw, honest, and refreshingly unfiltered. It’s rare to see this kind of representation in romance, and it added so much depth and resonance for me. Be sure to read the trigger warnings before diving in, because this story doesn’t shy away from difficult themes. But that’s part of what makes it so gripping.
The dual POV (FMC and MMC) works beautifully. Their connection is fiery, complicated, and built on layers of vulnerability and undeniable attraction. I loved how flawed and human they both are. Their struggles are messy and raw—but watching them break down walls and slowly let each other in made their journey all the more satisfying. The spice is anything but subtle—obsessive, consuming, and dangerously addictive.
August 28, 2025
✨ Meet me in the dark ✨
Celeste and Julian’s story was so raw and honest. I really liked the dual POV. It made it easy to connect with both of them. We get a glimpse into Julian’s rough childhood and Celeste’s journey living with chronic illness, which added so much depth.
Celeste is a strong, independent woman.
Julian is a powerful businessman who’s completely obsessed with her (in the best way) since the night at the s*x club.
I couldn’t put the book down!🤩
Release date: 5 September 🙌🏻
Thank you @authorlauraashleygallagher for having me on your ARC team 💝
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Celeste and Julian’s story was so raw and honest. I really liked the dual POV. It made it easy to connect with both of them. We get a glimpse into Julian’s rough childhood and Celeste’s journey living with chronic illness, which added so much depth.
Celeste is a strong, independent woman.
Julian is a powerful businessman who’s completely obsessed with her (in the best way) since the night at the s*x club.
I couldn’t put the book down!🤩
Release date: 5 September 🙌🏻
Thank you @authorlauraashleygallagher for having me on your ARC team 💝
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
September 8, 2025
Received as an arc.
This book caught me off guard. It started with a bang. A spice unlike I've read in other novels. I was almost not ready for it. It took some getting used to. I'm not one to typically enjoy a spicy novel, but as I read on I grew to love the characters and eagerly await their connection to develop.
It grew in intensity, in more ways than one, and held your attention to want to see it through to the end. Julian Blackwood with his intensity, protectiveness, and obsession with Celeste Morgan was very engaging. Celeste herself held my attention with her wit, strength, independence, and opinions.
If you're looking for a romance that not only packs the spice, intensity, raw emotions, real-life experiences, grief, trauma, etc. This is the book for you!
Thank you to Laura Ashley Gallagher for the arc. It was interesting to enter the "Skeptically in Love" series and read through one of the stand-alone novels. I'm now curious about the others in the series and many of Gallagher's other titles.
Release date: September 5, 2025
This book caught me off guard. It started with a bang. A spice unlike I've read in other novels. I was almost not ready for it. It took some getting used to. I'm not one to typically enjoy a spicy novel, but as I read on I grew to love the characters and eagerly await their connection to develop.
It grew in intensity, in more ways than one, and held your attention to want to see it through to the end. Julian Blackwood with his intensity, protectiveness, and obsession with Celeste Morgan was very engaging. Celeste herself held my attention with her wit, strength, independence, and opinions.
If you're looking for a romance that not only packs the spice, intensity, raw emotions, real-life experiences, grief, trauma, etc. This is the book for you!
Thank you to Laura Ashley Gallagher for the arc. It was interesting to enter the "Skeptically in Love" series and read through one of the stand-alone novels. I'm now curious about the others in the series and many of Gallagher's other titles.
Release date: September 5, 2025
September 5, 2025
This novel was such an unexpected delight, delivering the perfect balance of comedy, romance, and meaningful themes. Celeste, determined to reclaim her life after years of putting love on hold due to health struggles, and Julian, a relentless workaholic, are thrown together by chance when a mysterious invitation leads them to cross paths. From that moment, sparks fly—especially when fate keeps pushing them back into each other’s lives, including a high-stakes project that forces them to work side by side. Celeste’s strength, ambition, and sharp wit make her a heroine you can’t help but admire, while Julian’s loyalty, passion, and complete devotion to her make him impossible not to swoon over. With vibrant characters, witty banter, and a love story that feels both fun and deeply genuine, this rom-com easily earns a spot on my favorites list.
September 7, 2025
‘Even in the dark, I knew you were mine.’ Swoon! I love me some enemies to lovers tropes! Oh the banter!!!! This was a well written, great story! I loved how it touches on overcoming trauma and resilience. This is my second ARC by Laura Ashley Gallagher and I sincerely hope it’s not my last - thank you for another opportunity to read one of your amazing books!
September 1, 2025
okkkkkk this is not a book to judge by the cover because it was spicyyyyy.
really spicy books aren't normally my go to, I don't like the whole dominant mmc but this was so good because there was more to the story if that makes sense. I think the way Laura writes and tells a story is so good it doesn't give me the ick when it gets to the nitty gritty stuff 🤣
thank you so much Laura for letting me arc read this. I loved it and would 100% recommend
really spicy books aren't normally my go to, I don't like the whole dominant mmc but this was so good because there was more to the story if that makes sense. I think the way Laura writes and tells a story is so good it doesn't give me the ick when it gets to the nitty gritty stuff 🤣
thank you so much Laura for letting me arc read this. I loved it and would 100% recommend
October 9, 2025
This is definitely a more sex forward story forcing me to skim a bit, but I liked how well Julian cared for Celeste when she was in need and vice versa.
May 12, 2026
double pov
Meet cute in an exlcusive sex club
She has endriometrioses and goes to a sex club to expericience sex hopefully without pain for the firsttime.
They have sex with her blindfolded in the club. later on they meet each other for a work project (she architect, he wants to build his HQ) and the tensionnnn there god damnit wow
Quotes
Instead, I feel seen without ever seeing the man responsible for it.
Five days since I let a stranger lay claim to every part I’ve spent years pretending didn’t need anything. Five days since I surrendered control and discovered something I didn’t even realize I was missing.
He’d marked me.
Whoever he was, he wanted to leave something behind.
But it’s the way the second man—Julian Blackwood—looks at me that makes me bristle where I stand.
I don’t miss the slow appraisal of my body before his dark eyes snap back to mine. I swear I see something close to recognition flash in his gaze before he masks his features.
But then the bastard has the nerve to speak and completely ruin me. “Julian Blackwood. Nice to finally meet you, Ms. Morgan. We’ve been looking forward to this.”
My stomach clenches as his voice slides down my spine. It awakens something dangerously familiar, something whispered against my skin in the dark, something I’ve replayed too many times to admit.
That voice doesn’t belong in a boardroom. It belongs in the dark, against my throat, and curled around words I still hear in my sleep.
With a cock of her head, she looks me straight in the eyes. Her glare is sharp and knowing and just the right amount of dangerous.
“Would you like me to talk you through it, Mr. Blackwood?”
Ah, she bites.
The air between us feels electric.
“Julian,” she moans, and it’s with the sound of my name dripping off her tongue that something erupts inside me. Something I haven’t named yet. Possession? Maybe. Lust? Definitely.
I went that night because I was curious and restless. I wanted one night. One woman. One moment where I wasn’t me. Someone I’m scared is turning into a shell of a man.
This woman is going to be a problem because now I’m the one unraveling, and she hasn’t even figured it out yet.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Then, holding his stare, I finish the sentence so only he can hear it and mouth: “Sir.”
A muscle ticks violently in his jaw, and his eyes blaze with dark promises and threats silently clashing between us.
That woman is going to be the death of me. I’m sure of it.
When she walked into my conference room that day, she decided to play dirty with a button too low on her blouse and a dangerous gleam in her eyes. By the time she crouched in front of me, pretending to reach for a dropped pen while mouthing a single word—Sir—I knew she’d declared war.
I’ve been battling my cock ever since.
Like hell I’m leaving her out here alone.
Not on my watch, stubborn woman. ...
“Why the hell are you following me?”
I roll down the window. “You want to run? Fine. Run. But do it fast. Standing here arguing is wasting time, and you’ll make us both late.”
“Maybe check the buttons on your blouse before you walk into my boardroom next time. Half my team nearly flatlined.”
She pauses just long enough to wiggle her fingers at me, a sugary-sweet smile spreading across her face, but it only lasts a second before her expression twists and she flips me off, vanishing inside without a backward glance.
I bark out a bitter laugh, shaking my head as I stare at the empty doorway.
Well. Good fucking morning to you, too, Celeste.
“I don’t know how to handle her,” I admit, dragging my hand through my hair.
So,” Wes says slowly, “you met your match and have absolutely no idea what to do about it.”
She’s furious, and I’m the cause. It shouldn’t bring me any twisted satisfaction, but it does because it means I’m getting to her, cracking the armor she wears so damn proudly.
That gets me the reaction I want. “Is this why you really came here, to antagonize me?”
“It’s becoming a great hobby of mine.”
“Julian,” she says, sweet as poison, “so help me God, I will bury you in this ground and build your damn skyscraper on top of your bones. I’m not doing this with you today.”
I groan into my palms. “Deeply. Unfortunately. She’s like an itch under my skin I can’t reach.”
My eyes search his, but all I see is concern, honesty, and... affection.
No, don’t do this to me, Julian.
This isn’t what he was supposed to be. He was supposed to be a single night, one moment, one forgotten fantasy. Not this. Not this frustratingly beautiful man whose quiet concern is breaking through every carefully built barrier I’ve spent years creating.
Damn him for sneaking under my skin and making me feel things I was perfectly happy burying.
“You want honesty, Celeste?” he snaps in a whisper. “I can’t stay away from you. That’s why I’m here. Do I want to be? Fuck no. I’ve begged myself for weeks to stop, and yet, here I am.
“You drive me insane by merely breathing. Every time you look at me, all I can think about is pinning you beneath me again. Finally tasting your mouth. Tasting every inch of you. Driving my cock into you so deep you see stars. And the whole time, Celeste, the whole goddamn time, all I want is to watch those beautiful fucking eyes fall apart while I do it.”
I shove both palms hard against his chest, forcing space between us even though every nerve ending in my body protests. “Fuck you, Julian. How’s that for honesty?”
A wicked smile curves his lips. “Oh, sweetheart, I really wish you would.”
“I don’t think I hate you as much anymore.”
Those broad shoulders lift on a bark of laughter, the rich sound sliding deliciously down my spine.
“That’s good, because I’m tired of pretending I hate you.”
A stupid grin curls my lips as I roll my eyes and shut the door.
“Yours,” I snap. “All yours, you fucking asshole.”
He groans, hips snapping harder. “Good girl.”
I make it impossible for him to mistake this for anything else. This is me caring for him, for Julian. The man who dominates every room, every deal, every inch of my body. The man who just washed me as if it mattered.
“But Julian,” she says suddenly, all business, “Mom and Aunt Madi said they’ll chop off your privates if you hurt Aunt Celeste.”
I swallow. “Good to know.”
The way he’s so filthy with his words, so ruthless with his touch, and yet he’s the one taking care of me afterward.
This should be so insignificant. A man wiping soap suds off my nose should mean nothing, but somehow, it feels intimate.
Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes have that dazed look I could live on.
I brush my thumb along her jaw. “That’s what happens when I leave you for five days and have nothing but a pair of your panties for company.”
She laughs, and I can feel it in my chest like a brand.
“Welcome home,” she whispers, reaching up to kiss me.
I take a sharp breath, done with this game they’re playing. “Here’s the thing. I will find out which hospital she’s in. You can make that easier, or you can waste my time. I want eyes on her. My eyes.”
If I’m not careful, I might go and fall in love with him.
Too late, Celeste.
This isn’t sex.
This isn’t casual.
This is someone seeing me. Really seeing me.
Julian appears at the bedroom door.
“I trusted you,” I whispered. “From the very first night. Blindfolded, vulnerable, in the dark… I trusted you even then. I let you in.” My voice broke no matter how hard I fought it. “I trusted you not to hurt me.”
“That was your first mistake, Celeste.”
I felt his words like a physical blow. -> girl ben je blind; je voelt toch dat hij pijn heeft; comfort him! you piss me off; hij zorgt zooo goed voor jou en als hij dan ietsvoor heeft, dan heb je het niet door en sluit je hem uit;you big dumb idiot;you just need to care for him!
“Celeste.” I’m barely holding on to patience as she opens the laptop and starts typing furiously. “Leave.”
“No.” -> goeddddd je snapt hettttt
...
“You can stop glaring at me now. I’m not leaving, but if you could order me a coffee, that would be great.”
“Why won’t you just fucking go?”
“Because,” she snaps, finally lifting her eyes to mine, “something is going on in that head of yours, and you might have fooled everyone else, but I see you. Right fucking through you. Push me away all you want, but I’ll push back harder. You taught me how, remember?”
She exhales a shaky breath. “I’m not your enemy, Julian, but I’m also not someone you can use and discard when things get tough. I know what you’re doing.”
“And what’s that?”
“Pushing me away to protect yourself.”
“Don’t,” I warn.
She ignores me and leans forward. “But here’s the thing. I’m already in. You’re just a stubborn bastard who won’t admit it.” She jabs a finger into her chest right over her heart. “I’m already in there, and I’m not leaving.”
He looks up, a crooked smile breaking across his face before relief replaces it. “My brain needed to see you.” He swirls a finger near his temple. “It goes quiet when I see you.”
“Logical?” I laugh, shaking my head. “Nothing about us is logical. Celeste and I are madness, and frankly, it’s fucking beautiful.”
She raises an eyebrow, though there’s warmth in her eyes now. “Beautiful madness?”
“Exactly.” I tap my chest, directly over my heart, the place where Celeste has taken root. “She calms the chaos. She makes the panic disappear, but more than that, she makes me want to deal with it. She makes it worth dealing with.”
I pause, let my eyes lock on his, unblinking. “She’s mine, and I protect what’s mine.”
I release his collar.
“You ever check out and disappear on me again,” she says, her voice steady despite the way she’s shaking, “I will kill you myself. Do you understand me?”
I’m tethered to her now. Every instinct, every thought, every fucking breath is tied to this woman. She’s the axis my world has shifted to.
I kiss her like it’s a vow and fuck her harder, until her warning melts into moans.
Two black eyes.
A matching set.
I’m a little proud.
Look at Julian and me working together.
Because that man is mine.
Julian is mine.
And I will defend him until the end.
Something tightens in my chest. I lean forward and brush my lips against his. “I love you.”
His thumb brushes over my jaw. “I love you, too.”
“We’re a little crazy,” I tell him, looking down at the matching marks on our knuckles.
I wait until he’s looking at me and say, “Ask me out to dinner.”
His smile is so beautiful. “Come to dinner with me, Celeste?”
“Yes.” I rest my forehead against his. “Why didn’t you ask sooner?”
Julian pulls back and brushes his thumb along my jaw as the boys crowd the table.
And I know, with absolute certainty, this is the life I never even knew I wanted, and it’s mine.
Meet cute in an exlcusive sex club
She has endriometrioses and goes to a sex club to expericience sex hopefully without pain for the firsttime.
They have sex with her blindfolded in the club. later on they meet each other for a work project (she architect, he wants to build his HQ) and the tensionnnn there god damnit wow
Quotes
Instead, I feel seen without ever seeing the man responsible for it.
Five days since I let a stranger lay claim to every part I’ve spent years pretending didn’t need anything. Five days since I surrendered control and discovered something I didn’t even realize I was missing.
He’d marked me.
Whoever he was, he wanted to leave something behind.
But it’s the way the second man—Julian Blackwood—looks at me that makes me bristle where I stand.
I don’t miss the slow appraisal of my body before his dark eyes snap back to mine. I swear I see something close to recognition flash in his gaze before he masks his features.
But then the bastard has the nerve to speak and completely ruin me. “Julian Blackwood. Nice to finally meet you, Ms. Morgan. We’ve been looking forward to this.”
My stomach clenches as his voice slides down my spine. It awakens something dangerously familiar, something whispered against my skin in the dark, something I’ve replayed too many times to admit.
That voice doesn’t belong in a boardroom. It belongs in the dark, against my throat, and curled around words I still hear in my sleep.
With a cock of her head, she looks me straight in the eyes. Her glare is sharp and knowing and just the right amount of dangerous.
“Would you like me to talk you through it, Mr. Blackwood?”
Ah, she bites.
The air between us feels electric.
“Julian,” she moans, and it’s with the sound of my name dripping off her tongue that something erupts inside me. Something I haven’t named yet. Possession? Maybe. Lust? Definitely.
I went that night because I was curious and restless. I wanted one night. One woman. One moment where I wasn’t me. Someone I’m scared is turning into a shell of a man.
This woman is going to be a problem because now I’m the one unraveling, and she hasn’t even figured it out yet.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Then, holding his stare, I finish the sentence so only he can hear it and mouth: “Sir.”
A muscle ticks violently in his jaw, and his eyes blaze with dark promises and threats silently clashing between us.
That woman is going to be the death of me. I’m sure of it.
When she walked into my conference room that day, she decided to play dirty with a button too low on her blouse and a dangerous gleam in her eyes. By the time she crouched in front of me, pretending to reach for a dropped pen while mouthing a single word—Sir—I knew she’d declared war.
I’ve been battling my cock ever since.
Like hell I’m leaving her out here alone.
Not on my watch, stubborn woman. ...
“Why the hell are you following me?”
I roll down the window. “You want to run? Fine. Run. But do it fast. Standing here arguing is wasting time, and you’ll make us both late.”
“Maybe check the buttons on your blouse before you walk into my boardroom next time. Half my team nearly flatlined.”
She pauses just long enough to wiggle her fingers at me, a sugary-sweet smile spreading across her face, but it only lasts a second before her expression twists and she flips me off, vanishing inside without a backward glance.
I bark out a bitter laugh, shaking my head as I stare at the empty doorway.
Well. Good fucking morning to you, too, Celeste.
“I don’t know how to handle her,” I admit, dragging my hand through my hair.
So,” Wes says slowly, “you met your match and have absolutely no idea what to do about it.”
She’s furious, and I’m the cause. It shouldn’t bring me any twisted satisfaction, but it does because it means I’m getting to her, cracking the armor she wears so damn proudly.
That gets me the reaction I want. “Is this why you really came here, to antagonize me?”
“It’s becoming a great hobby of mine.”
“Julian,” she says, sweet as poison, “so help me God, I will bury you in this ground and build your damn skyscraper on top of your bones. I’m not doing this with you today.”
I groan into my palms. “Deeply. Unfortunately. She’s like an itch under my skin I can’t reach.”
My eyes search his, but all I see is concern, honesty, and... affection.
No, don’t do this to me, Julian.
This isn’t what he was supposed to be. He was supposed to be a single night, one moment, one forgotten fantasy. Not this. Not this frustratingly beautiful man whose quiet concern is breaking through every carefully built barrier I’ve spent years creating.
Damn him for sneaking under my skin and making me feel things I was perfectly happy burying.
“You want honesty, Celeste?” he snaps in a whisper. “I can’t stay away from you. That’s why I’m here. Do I want to be? Fuck no. I’ve begged myself for weeks to stop, and yet, here I am.
“You drive me insane by merely breathing. Every time you look at me, all I can think about is pinning you beneath me again. Finally tasting your mouth. Tasting every inch of you. Driving my cock into you so deep you see stars. And the whole time, Celeste, the whole goddamn time, all I want is to watch those beautiful fucking eyes fall apart while I do it.”
I shove both palms hard against his chest, forcing space between us even though every nerve ending in my body protests. “Fuck you, Julian. How’s that for honesty?”
A wicked smile curves his lips. “Oh, sweetheart, I really wish you would.”
“I don’t think I hate you as much anymore.”
Those broad shoulders lift on a bark of laughter, the rich sound sliding deliciously down my spine.
“That’s good, because I’m tired of pretending I hate you.”
A stupid grin curls my lips as I roll my eyes and shut the door.
“Yours,” I snap. “All yours, you fucking asshole.”
He groans, hips snapping harder. “Good girl.”
I make it impossible for him to mistake this for anything else. This is me caring for him, for Julian. The man who dominates every room, every deal, every inch of my body. The man who just washed me as if it mattered.
“But Julian,” she says suddenly, all business, “Mom and Aunt Madi said they’ll chop off your privates if you hurt Aunt Celeste.”
I swallow. “Good to know.”
The way he’s so filthy with his words, so ruthless with his touch, and yet he’s the one taking care of me afterward.
This should be so insignificant. A man wiping soap suds off my nose should mean nothing, but somehow, it feels intimate.
Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes have that dazed look I could live on.
I brush my thumb along her jaw. “That’s what happens when I leave you for five days and have nothing but a pair of your panties for company.”
She laughs, and I can feel it in my chest like a brand.
“Welcome home,” she whispers, reaching up to kiss me.
I take a sharp breath, done with this game they’re playing. “Here’s the thing. I will find out which hospital she’s in. You can make that easier, or you can waste my time. I want eyes on her. My eyes.”
If I’m not careful, I might go and fall in love with him.
Too late, Celeste.
This isn’t sex.
This isn’t casual.
This is someone seeing me. Really seeing me.
Julian appears at the bedroom door.
“I trusted you,” I whispered. “From the very first night. Blindfolded, vulnerable, in the dark… I trusted you even then. I let you in.” My voice broke no matter how hard I fought it. “I trusted you not to hurt me.”
“That was your first mistake, Celeste.”
I felt his words like a physical blow. -> girl ben je blind; je voelt toch dat hij pijn heeft; comfort him! you piss me off; hij zorgt zooo goed voor jou en als hij dan ietsvoor heeft, dan heb je het niet door en sluit je hem uit;you big dumb idiot;you just need to care for him!
“Celeste.” I’m barely holding on to patience as she opens the laptop and starts typing furiously. “Leave.”
“No.” -> goeddddd je snapt hettttt
...
“You can stop glaring at me now. I’m not leaving, but if you could order me a coffee, that would be great.”
“Why won’t you just fucking go?”
“Because,” she snaps, finally lifting her eyes to mine, “something is going on in that head of yours, and you might have fooled everyone else, but I see you. Right fucking through you. Push me away all you want, but I’ll push back harder. You taught me how, remember?”
She exhales a shaky breath. “I’m not your enemy, Julian, but I’m also not someone you can use and discard when things get tough. I know what you’re doing.”
“And what’s that?”
“Pushing me away to protect yourself.”
“Don’t,” I warn.
She ignores me and leans forward. “But here’s the thing. I’m already in. You’re just a stubborn bastard who won’t admit it.” She jabs a finger into her chest right over her heart. “I’m already in there, and I’m not leaving.”
He looks up, a crooked smile breaking across his face before relief replaces it. “My brain needed to see you.” He swirls a finger near his temple. “It goes quiet when I see you.”
“Logical?” I laugh, shaking my head. “Nothing about us is logical. Celeste and I are madness, and frankly, it’s fucking beautiful.”
She raises an eyebrow, though there’s warmth in her eyes now. “Beautiful madness?”
“Exactly.” I tap my chest, directly over my heart, the place where Celeste has taken root. “She calms the chaos. She makes the panic disappear, but more than that, she makes me want to deal with it. She makes it worth dealing with.”
I pause, let my eyes lock on his, unblinking. “She’s mine, and I protect what’s mine.”
I release his collar.
“You ever check out and disappear on me again,” she says, her voice steady despite the way she’s shaking, “I will kill you myself. Do you understand me?”
I’m tethered to her now. Every instinct, every thought, every fucking breath is tied to this woman. She’s the axis my world has shifted to.
I kiss her like it’s a vow and fuck her harder, until her warning melts into moans.
Two black eyes.
A matching set.
I’m a little proud.
Look at Julian and me working together.
Because that man is mine.
Julian is mine.
And I will defend him until the end.
Something tightens in my chest. I lean forward and brush my lips against his. “I love you.”
His thumb brushes over my jaw. “I love you, too.”
“We’re a little crazy,” I tell him, looking down at the matching marks on our knuckles.
I wait until he’s looking at me and say, “Ask me out to dinner.”
His smile is so beautiful. “Come to dinner with me, Celeste?”
“Yes.” I rest my forehead against his. “Why didn’t you ask sooner?”
Julian pulls back and brushes his thumb along my jaw as the boys crowd the table.
And I know, with absolute certainty, this is the life I never even knew I wanted, and it’s mine.
September 15, 2025
Review: Meet Me in the Dark by @authorlauraashleygallagher
I thought I was lucky enough when I got to write an ARC review for Love Had a Manual, but Meet Me in the Dark completely blew me away. I didn’t know what was coming. Now I have to go back and read The Plus One Contract! Thankfully, each book in this series can be enjoyed as a standalone, but trust me, once you read one, you’ll want them all.
Julian Blackwood and Celeste Morgan are two strong willed, deeply layered individuals who’ve survived their own demons and only let a few people into their world. One line that stuck with me was: “Even in the dark, I knew you were mine.” That was it. I was hooked.
This story is beautifully written and emotionally gripping. It explores themes of trauma, healing, and resilience with raw honesty. After a night of unexpected, intense connection, Julian and Celeste find themselves face-to-face again in their everyday high powered lives. Both are successful, both guarded by pain from the past, and yet, the chemistry and emotional tension between them are undeniable.
I loved the banter, the push and pull, the vulnerability, and the spark. These two feel real. Their dynamic is electric, and the dual POV storytelling adds so much depth to their journey. You truly believe they could make it work in real life.
Celeste’s story especially hit home. Her struggle with endometriosis and the long fight to be heard by doctors is something so many women can relate to. Laura does a phenomenal job addressing this issue, one that’s often misunderstood or dismissed. Thank you for shining a light on women’s health and validating the experiences of so many readers.
Julian’s story, too, is powerful. Though adopted, the pain of being unwanted and neglected as a child never left him. That lingering feeling of not being “enough” is something many will understand, even if the details differ. It takes the right person or the right moment to begin healing, and Celeste is that person for him. She’s stubborn in the best way, just what Julian needed to tear down his walls walls he first helped her break through as well.
And the way Julian takes care of her especially during her hospital visit and afterward at home was just spoon worthy. Truly melt your heart moments that made me pause and say: "Fine me a man like that!" 💘
From a chance meeting in the dark to a life-altering connection, this story has everything: emotional depth, healing, friendship, passion, and yes plenty of spice. The chemistry and tension between these two keep you turning pages and wishing for more. Also, shoutout to Celeste’s fierce, supportive, chosen-sisterhood of girlfriends everyone needs a circle like that.
Thank you, Laura Ashley Gallagher, for allowing me to be part of your ARC team. I hope this is only the beginning because I am all in for whatever comes next.
I thought I was lucky enough when I got to write an ARC review for Love Had a Manual, but Meet Me in the Dark completely blew me away. I didn’t know what was coming. Now I have to go back and read The Plus One Contract! Thankfully, each book in this series can be enjoyed as a standalone, but trust me, once you read one, you’ll want them all.
Julian Blackwood and Celeste Morgan are two strong willed, deeply layered individuals who’ve survived their own demons and only let a few people into their world. One line that stuck with me was: “Even in the dark, I knew you were mine.” That was it. I was hooked.
This story is beautifully written and emotionally gripping. It explores themes of trauma, healing, and resilience with raw honesty. After a night of unexpected, intense connection, Julian and Celeste find themselves face-to-face again in their everyday high powered lives. Both are successful, both guarded by pain from the past, and yet, the chemistry and emotional tension between them are undeniable.
I loved the banter, the push and pull, the vulnerability, and the spark. These two feel real. Their dynamic is electric, and the dual POV storytelling adds so much depth to their journey. You truly believe they could make it work in real life.
Celeste’s story especially hit home. Her struggle with endometriosis and the long fight to be heard by doctors is something so many women can relate to. Laura does a phenomenal job addressing this issue, one that’s often misunderstood or dismissed. Thank you for shining a light on women’s health and validating the experiences of so many readers.
Julian’s story, too, is powerful. Though adopted, the pain of being unwanted and neglected as a child never left him. That lingering feeling of not being “enough” is something many will understand, even if the details differ. It takes the right person or the right moment to begin healing, and Celeste is that person for him. She’s stubborn in the best way, just what Julian needed to tear down his walls walls he first helped her break through as well.
And the way Julian takes care of her especially during her hospital visit and afterward at home was just spoon worthy. Truly melt your heart moments that made me pause and say: "Fine me a man like that!" 💘
From a chance meeting in the dark to a life-altering connection, this story has everything: emotional depth, healing, friendship, passion, and yes plenty of spice. The chemistry and tension between these two keep you turning pages and wishing for more. Also, shoutout to Celeste’s fierce, supportive, chosen-sisterhood of girlfriends everyone needs a circle like that.
Thank you, Laura Ashley Gallagher, for allowing me to be part of your ARC team. I hope this is only the beginning because I am all in for whatever comes next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2025
Meet Me in the Dark will be one of those books that I hold in my heart for a very long time. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into with this book. I thought I was ending a series I’d loved with another fun and heartfelt romance. I didn’t know that I would see myself in these pages, feel my pain in Celeste’s pain.
As someone who struggles daily with chronic illnesses, reading Celeste’s journey was bittersweet. She and I live such similar lives in terms of our pain. Her treatment options are ones I have had to consider, and her ultimate decision is one that I have had to accept I may need to consider in the future if my current treatment plan does not work. It’s confusing and it’s exhausting. It’s also terrifying, not just because of the pain you feel physically but because of the anguish and anxiety that comes with letting people into your life, the reluctance to do so because you don’t know how they’ll react and because you don’t want to burden them. This review isn’t intended to be a trauma dump but… Laura Ashley Gallagher gets it. Celeste’s character gets it. I don’t feel healed but I do feel seen. I don’t feel like I can open up my life to anyone else yet, but I do know that someone out there understands me and doesn’t think I’m ridiculous or overthinking it. I needed that.
Outside of Celeste’s medical journey, Meet Me in the Dark is just as heartfelt and emotional as its predecessors. Perhaps more so. Julian’s backstory is full of pain and heartache, and though at points I wanted to dive deeper with him and get to know him more, I’m glad we didn’t because I don’t think my heart could take it. His story had me crying very publicly on a train. I didn’t need any more than that!
The range of topics handled in this book is quite astounding, from child neglect to adoption, chronic illness to anxiety, misogyny and sexual harassment. All of them are handled with the utmost respect and care. I felt so completely part of this story, to the point where I felt a bit sick watching Celeste be so horribly disrespected by Kingsley. I genuinely feared for her.
Laura Ashley Gallagher’s writing is -as absolutely hilarious as it is touching, and her one-liners are unparalleled. She could have me crying on one page and belly laughing on the next. Her words are reflective and deep in one moment, and utterly hysterical the next. I just adore these books.
I cannot recommend Skeptically in Love enough. These three books have made my week. I’ve cried and I’ve laughed and I’ve kicked my feet. I’ve blushed (a lot and also on a train). I’ve sighed wistfully, wishing I was one of these gorgeous characters. These books are beautiful and hilarious and sexy. I implore you to read them and then message me so we can debrief together!
As someone who struggles daily with chronic illnesses, reading Celeste’s journey was bittersweet. She and I live such similar lives in terms of our pain. Her treatment options are ones I have had to consider, and her ultimate decision is one that I have had to accept I may need to consider in the future if my current treatment plan does not work. It’s confusing and it’s exhausting. It’s also terrifying, not just because of the pain you feel physically but because of the anguish and anxiety that comes with letting people into your life, the reluctance to do so because you don’t know how they’ll react and because you don’t want to burden them. This review isn’t intended to be a trauma dump but… Laura Ashley Gallagher gets it. Celeste’s character gets it. I don’t feel healed but I do feel seen. I don’t feel like I can open up my life to anyone else yet, but I do know that someone out there understands me and doesn’t think I’m ridiculous or overthinking it. I needed that.
Outside of Celeste’s medical journey, Meet Me in the Dark is just as heartfelt and emotional as its predecessors. Perhaps more so. Julian’s backstory is full of pain and heartache, and though at points I wanted to dive deeper with him and get to know him more, I’m glad we didn’t because I don’t think my heart could take it. His story had me crying very publicly on a train. I didn’t need any more than that!
The range of topics handled in this book is quite astounding, from child neglect to adoption, chronic illness to anxiety, misogyny and sexual harassment. All of them are handled with the utmost respect and care. I felt so completely part of this story, to the point where I felt a bit sick watching Celeste be so horribly disrespected by Kingsley. I genuinely feared for her.
Laura Ashley Gallagher’s writing is -as absolutely hilarious as it is touching, and her one-liners are unparalleled. She could have me crying on one page and belly laughing on the next. Her words are reflective and deep in one moment, and utterly hysterical the next. I just adore these books.
I cannot recommend Skeptically in Love enough. These three books have made my week. I’ve cried and I’ve laughed and I’ve kicked my feet. I’ve blushed (a lot and also on a train). I’ve sighed wistfully, wishing I was one of these gorgeous characters. These books are beautiful and hilarious and sexy. I implore you to read them and then message me so we can debrief together!
August 23, 2025
This read is playful, sexy, and layered with dark, but realistic themes. It felt like a rom-com I could easily see adapted for a feel-good Netflix film.
A chance encounter at an exclusive, invitation-only club brings Celeste and Julian together. Both are seeking an escape from their own deep-seated stress, expecting nothing more than a fleeting moment in the dark. But when a business meeting reveals a familiar voice, the spark ignites again… only this time, the temptation is impossible to ignore.
Celeste is a bold, brave architect pushing her way through the glass ceiling. She’s on the cusp of claiming everything she wants in her career, but her medical struggles complicate what she wants behind closed doors. She’s strong, tender, and in control of her own narrative, which I really appreciated.
Julian, on the other hand, is the billionaire CEO with a reputation for being untouchable. From the outside, he’s ruthless, but underneath that hard exterior lies a man scarred by abandonment and a difficult childhood in foster care. The moment he encounters Celeste his carefully built walls begin to tremble.
The banter between them is electric, equal parts sexy and infuriating as they revel in their denial. While there were definite dom/sub vibes, the author gave both characters such undeniable power over each other.
The side characters in this book had substance without dampening the focus of the story. They contributed to the overall character development of both main characters in a way that was important and precious.
Structurally, the book felt like it had several smaller “mini plots” woven throughout rather than one sweeping arc. But it wrapped together neatly, and the story was pleasant, engaging, and surprisingly quick (I devoured it in a single sitting).
If you’re looking for a sexy, fun, and slightly dark romance with characters who feel real and flawed, this one is worth picking up.
A chance encounter at an exclusive, invitation-only club brings Celeste and Julian together. Both are seeking an escape from their own deep-seated stress, expecting nothing more than a fleeting moment in the dark. But when a business meeting reveals a familiar voice, the spark ignites again… only this time, the temptation is impossible to ignore.
Celeste is a bold, brave architect pushing her way through the glass ceiling. She’s on the cusp of claiming everything she wants in her career, but her medical struggles complicate what she wants behind closed doors. She’s strong, tender, and in control of her own narrative, which I really appreciated.
Julian, on the other hand, is the billionaire CEO with a reputation for being untouchable. From the outside, he’s ruthless, but underneath that hard exterior lies a man scarred by abandonment and a difficult childhood in foster care. The moment he encounters Celeste his carefully built walls begin to tremble.
The banter between them is electric, equal parts sexy and infuriating as they revel in their denial. While there were definite dom/sub vibes, the author gave both characters such undeniable power over each other.
The side characters in this book had substance without dampening the focus of the story. They contributed to the overall character development of both main characters in a way that was important and precious.
Structurally, the book felt like it had several smaller “mini plots” woven throughout rather than one sweeping arc. But it wrapped together neatly, and the story was pleasant, engaging, and surprisingly quick (I devoured it in a single sitting).
If you’re looking for a sexy, fun, and slightly dark romance with characters who feel real and flawed, this one is worth picking up.
September 5, 2025
CW: spice, medical issues/reproductive health struggles, references to child neglect and toxic family dynamics, some others
Thank you to the author for the ARC! “Meet Me In The Dark” is available now!
Happy to report that every book in this series of standalones was marvelous.
Architect Celeste doesn’t do reckless things. She colors inside the lines, always. But when she receives an invitation to an exclusive sex club, she decides to take the plunge, just this once. Julian Blackwood never expected to see the mystery woman stuck in his head again. Yet here she is in his boardroom, and he wants her.
I knew I wasn’t going to be able to put this book down until I finished it, and I was correct. Seriously, all three of the “Skeptically in Love” books have been incredible and binge-worthy, and this one really rounded out the series.
As always, our characters come with delicious amounts of spice and raw attraction perfectly balanced with some actual life problems. In this case, Celeste is fighting her own body (endometriosis and a healthcare system that refused to believe her) and Julian is fighting the ghosts in his past (foster care, neglect, and all of the baggage that can come with those experiences). Normally I wouldn’t tell you the specifics like that, but as both of those situations can be triggering for some readers, it felt like it deserved a mention. Both of the characters’ histories and the more current impacts felt like they were handled with dignity and care, and they both brought a lot of nuance to their own dynamic.
This story, and really the whole series, is everything I love to see the genre. There’s humor, there’s drama, there’s romance, and there’s absolutely nothing more I could want in one of these books. They pack a punch and temper it wonderfully with genuinely hilarious banter and absolutely delicious spice. A+ work, and I’m positively begging the author to write another *immediately*.
Thank you to the author for the ARC! “Meet Me In The Dark” is available now!
Happy to report that every book in this series of standalones was marvelous.
Architect Celeste doesn’t do reckless things. She colors inside the lines, always. But when she receives an invitation to an exclusive sex club, she decides to take the plunge, just this once. Julian Blackwood never expected to see the mystery woman stuck in his head again. Yet here she is in his boardroom, and he wants her.
I knew I wasn’t going to be able to put this book down until I finished it, and I was correct. Seriously, all three of the “Skeptically in Love” books have been incredible and binge-worthy, and this one really rounded out the series.
As always, our characters come with delicious amounts of spice and raw attraction perfectly balanced with some actual life problems. In this case, Celeste is fighting her own body (endometriosis and a healthcare system that refused to believe her) and Julian is fighting the ghosts in his past (foster care, neglect, and all of the baggage that can come with those experiences). Normally I wouldn’t tell you the specifics like that, but as both of those situations can be triggering for some readers, it felt like it deserved a mention. Both of the characters’ histories and the more current impacts felt like they were handled with dignity and care, and they both brought a lot of nuance to their own dynamic.
This story, and really the whole series, is everything I love to see the genre. There’s humor, there’s drama, there’s romance, and there’s absolutely nothing more I could want in one of these books. They pack a punch and temper it wonderfully with genuinely hilarious banter and absolutely delicious spice. A+ work, and I’m positively begging the author to write another *immediately*.
September 17, 2025
Meet Me in the Dark is the 3rd book in the Skeptically in Love series. I haven’t read the first two books in the series yet. I don’t feel like you need to read the books in order. I feel they can easily be standalone books.
We first meet Celeste and her two best friends in a hilarious exchange of conversation with Celeste’s doctor after her surgery for endometriosis. Celeste, an architect, is a strong, independent woman who is still trying to figure out what she wants. After suffering from endometriosis for years, she is hopeful that this surgery will change her life.
Celeste decides to go out of her comfort zone and attend a secret, invite-only party. This is no ordinary party, though. Celeste never expects to see him again. The man who has occupied her thoughts and dreams. But life has a way of twisting our plans.
Julian Blackwood is a successful businessman. He likes to be in control. After a difficult childhood, he knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to get what he wants. He is shocked and intrigued when he realizes that his new architect for his company project is none other than the woman he can’t get out of his mind.
One night of passion leads them down an amazing path. Both characters are amazing. I love the banter between the two. I fell in love with both of them and was rooting for them. I honestly enjoyed all the characters. They were well-connected, and the relationships between them seemed real. You can easily see yourself hanging out with them. I am looking forward to reading the first two books in this series.
If you’re looking for a romance story with great, relatable characters, this story is the one. The story is well written; the characters are amazing. The story does have some spice, so be prepared!
I received this book as an advanced copy, and I had never read any stories by this particular author. I had no idea what to expect. I’m so glad I was given the chance to review this book and get to know this author!
We first meet Celeste and her two best friends in a hilarious exchange of conversation with Celeste’s doctor after her surgery for endometriosis. Celeste, an architect, is a strong, independent woman who is still trying to figure out what she wants. After suffering from endometriosis for years, she is hopeful that this surgery will change her life.
Celeste decides to go out of her comfort zone and attend a secret, invite-only party. This is no ordinary party, though. Celeste never expects to see him again. The man who has occupied her thoughts and dreams. But life has a way of twisting our plans.
Julian Blackwood is a successful businessman. He likes to be in control. After a difficult childhood, he knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to get what he wants. He is shocked and intrigued when he realizes that his new architect for his company project is none other than the woman he can’t get out of his mind.
One night of passion leads them down an amazing path. Both characters are amazing. I love the banter between the two. I fell in love with both of them and was rooting for them. I honestly enjoyed all the characters. They were well-connected, and the relationships between them seemed real. You can easily see yourself hanging out with them. I am looking forward to reading the first two books in this series.
If you’re looking for a romance story with great, relatable characters, this story is the one. The story is well written; the characters are amazing. The story does have some spice, so be prepared!
I received this book as an advanced copy, and I had never read any stories by this particular author. I had no idea what to expect. I’m so glad I was given the chance to review this book and get to know this author!
August 25, 2025
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes : Workplace romance, chronic illness rep, hidden identity.
Vibes : Obsessed MMC, banter, female friendships.
Laura Ashley Gallagher, you can't keep getting away with making me cry like this! (But really, please never stop!)
I've absolutely adored reading the Sceptically In Love series, one of the things I've loved most across all 3 books is how you've represented people from all different walks of life and the unique struggles they face when falling in love. This one hits a bit heavier than the other two in the series and tackles some really tough subjects, so make sure to give the trigger warnings page a look before jumping in.
We meet Celeste post-surgery for her endometriosis and right away we can see how this has impacted her relationships and day-to-day life, both physically and mentally. When Celeste hears about a mysterious sex club that values it's members anonymity, she decides its finally time to take back control over her body. She soon finds herself blindfolded and experiencing an utterly unforgettable night with a stranger she can't stop thinking about. Unbeknownst to her however, the mysterious stranger is none other than Julian, the billionaire businessman who her company has just taken on as a client.
I loved the dynamic between Celeste and Julian, there's so much teasing and banter on both their parts, trying to push each other to their limits to see who cracks first. Julian quickly becomes incredibly protective of Celeste and (literally) refuses to let her out of his sight, which becomes a real thorn in Celeste's side who values her space and independence.
They're both such strong-willed characters and I loved watching their walls slowly crumble away as they begin to accept their feelings for one another and risk letting the other into their hearts.
If you want a real hard hitting story, with a lot of emotion, and some real spicy scenes, I definitely recommend Meet Me in the Dark!
Thank you so much for the ARC!
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes : Workplace romance, chronic illness rep, hidden identity.
Vibes : Obsessed MMC, banter, female friendships.
Laura Ashley Gallagher, you can't keep getting away with making me cry like this! (But really, please never stop!)
I've absolutely adored reading the Sceptically In Love series, one of the things I've loved most across all 3 books is how you've represented people from all different walks of life and the unique struggles they face when falling in love. This one hits a bit heavier than the other two in the series and tackles some really tough subjects, so make sure to give the trigger warnings page a look before jumping in.
We meet Celeste post-surgery for her endometriosis and right away we can see how this has impacted her relationships and day-to-day life, both physically and mentally. When Celeste hears about a mysterious sex club that values it's members anonymity, she decides its finally time to take back control over her body. She soon finds herself blindfolded and experiencing an utterly unforgettable night with a stranger she can't stop thinking about. Unbeknownst to her however, the mysterious stranger is none other than Julian, the billionaire businessman who her company has just taken on as a client.
I loved the dynamic between Celeste and Julian, there's so much teasing and banter on both their parts, trying to push each other to their limits to see who cracks first. Julian quickly becomes incredibly protective of Celeste and (literally) refuses to let her out of his sight, which becomes a real thorn in Celeste's side who values her space and independence.
They're both such strong-willed characters and I loved watching their walls slowly crumble away as they begin to accept their feelings for one another and risk letting the other into their hearts.
If you want a real hard hitting story, with a lot of emotion, and some real spicy scenes, I definitely recommend Meet Me in the Dark!
Thank you so much for the ARC!
April 1, 2026
Healing in the Shadows
I am completely undone. I gave Meet Me in the Dark a 5-star rating because it is a masterpiece of vulnerability, spice, and the kind of "war" that only two people meant for each other can wage.
Celeste is a powerhouse dealing with the silent, brutal reality of severe endometriosis. Her journey starts in the hospital and leads her to the Elysium Room, where she finds a connection that doesn't require "seeing." Julian is a "tightly wound contradiction"—a man who acts like a corporate shark but is secretly a foster-system survivor with a heart he's spent years suffocating. Their transition from anonymous shadows to workplace rivals to partners is everything.
Why it Works:
* The "Unseeing" Connection: The raw, touch-starved connection they found in the dark was so powerful. It wasn't just about the spice; it was about being seen without judgment.
* The "Picnic Club": I was laughing out loud during the scene with Wes and Lena. After the heavy emotions of book two, seeing them play the protective family role for Julian while being hilariously confused about his "hobby" was perfect.
* Real-Life Heartbreak: As a mom to two boys, the scene with Madi teaching Levi how to finish a fight really got to me. And when Julian cut Celeste out after his mother died? I felt that rejection in my soul.
* The 10-Year Epilogue: This was the most healing ending yet. After the pain of her hysterectomy, seeing them adopt two boys and build that "holy" messy life together made me sob.
A flawless 5 stars. It’s spicy, it’s funny, and it handles deep medical and emotional trauma with so much grace. Julian having a therapist? Top-tier MMC behavior.
From the darkness of the Elysium Room to the beautiful mess of motherhood, Julian and Celeste are proof that sometimes you have to break to build a kingdom together.
I am completely undone. I gave Meet Me in the Dark a 5-star rating because it is a masterpiece of vulnerability, spice, and the kind of "war" that only two people meant for each other can wage.
Celeste is a powerhouse dealing with the silent, brutal reality of severe endometriosis. Her journey starts in the hospital and leads her to the Elysium Room, where she finds a connection that doesn't require "seeing." Julian is a "tightly wound contradiction"—a man who acts like a corporate shark but is secretly a foster-system survivor with a heart he's spent years suffocating. Their transition from anonymous shadows to workplace rivals to partners is everything.
Why it Works:
* The "Unseeing" Connection: The raw, touch-starved connection they found in the dark was so powerful. It wasn't just about the spice; it was about being seen without judgment.
* The "Picnic Club": I was laughing out loud during the scene with Wes and Lena. After the heavy emotions of book two, seeing them play the protective family role for Julian while being hilariously confused about his "hobby" was perfect.
* Real-Life Heartbreak: As a mom to two boys, the scene with Madi teaching Levi how to finish a fight really got to me. And when Julian cut Celeste out after his mother died? I felt that rejection in my soul.
* The 10-Year Epilogue: This was the most healing ending yet. After the pain of her hysterectomy, seeing them adopt two boys and build that "holy" messy life together made me sob.
A flawless 5 stars. It’s spicy, it’s funny, and it handles deep medical and emotional trauma with so much grace. Julian having a therapist? Top-tier MMC behavior.
From the darkness of the Elysium Room to the beautiful mess of motherhood, Julian and Celeste are proof that sometimes you have to break to build a kingdom together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2025
5⭐4.5🌶️
As the final installment in the Skeptically in Love series by the incredibly talented Laura Ashley Gallagher, Meet Me in the Dark is the perfect send-off. Packed with relatable, hilarious, and captivating characters, the story balances heavier themes with care and tact, banter that made me snort and blush, and spice that could set a nun on fire.
Celeste is a strong, stubborn, independent, and successful architect who has struggled with chronic illness for years. Fresh out of surgery, we meet her hilarious, heartwarming best friends—candid, protective, supportive, and everything you’d want in your ride-or-die crew. As Celeste works to reclaim her sensuality, she’s invited into an exclusive wink wink club where a not-so-cute (but oh-so-spicy) “meet-cute” kicks off her story with Julian.
And Julian, my love. I know I always say “this MMC has a special place in my heart,” but he is a legit game changer. With a traumatic past of his own, Julian has fought to rise above his rough beginnings. His success alongside his best friends comes from ruthless control and commanding presence. He dominates in the boardroom—and the bedroom—but also knows when to give that control back. We got glimpses of him in books 1 and 2, but this book finally gives him center stage, and it’s everything.
This romance delivers cat-and-mouse tension, push-and-pull dynamics, snarky banter, and just enough light stalking to keep me hooked.
If you haven’t read the Skeptically in Love series yet, now’s the time to fix that. Books 1 and 2 are available on KU, and book 3 (Meet Me in the Dark) releases September 5!
Huge thank you to Laura Ashley Gallagher for this delicious, rent-free read—Julian will be haunting my dreams for the foreseeable future.
What to expect:
🫠To squeal, blush, and swoon
💼Workplace romance
💸Billionaire
🫦Blindfolded spicy meet cute
🌸Chronic illness rep
❤️Hurt/Comfort
🥀Touch starved
🔥Push and pull
😏Banter and snark
✨Praise k*nk
🖤Insta-lust sans visual
👑possessive, protective, obsessed MMC
💖Strong, independent, opinionated FMC
🏡Found fam
🩷💚🩷💚
As the final installment in the Skeptically in Love series by the incredibly talented Laura Ashley Gallagher, Meet Me in the Dark is the perfect send-off. Packed with relatable, hilarious, and captivating characters, the story balances heavier themes with care and tact, banter that made me snort and blush, and spice that could set a nun on fire.
Celeste is a strong, stubborn, independent, and successful architect who has struggled with chronic illness for years. Fresh out of surgery, we meet her hilarious, heartwarming best friends—candid, protective, supportive, and everything you’d want in your ride-or-die crew. As Celeste works to reclaim her sensuality, she’s invited into an exclusive wink wink club where a not-so-cute (but oh-so-spicy) “meet-cute” kicks off her story with Julian.
And Julian, my love. I know I always say “this MMC has a special place in my heart,” but he is a legit game changer. With a traumatic past of his own, Julian has fought to rise above his rough beginnings. His success alongside his best friends comes from ruthless control and commanding presence. He dominates in the boardroom—and the bedroom—but also knows when to give that control back. We got glimpses of him in books 1 and 2, but this book finally gives him center stage, and it’s everything.
This romance delivers cat-and-mouse tension, push-and-pull dynamics, snarky banter, and just enough light stalking to keep me hooked.
If you haven’t read the Skeptically in Love series yet, now’s the time to fix that. Books 1 and 2 are available on KU, and book 3 (Meet Me in the Dark) releases September 5!
Huge thank you to Laura Ashley Gallagher for this delicious, rent-free read—Julian will be haunting my dreams for the foreseeable future.
What to expect:
🫠To squeal, blush, and swoon
💼Workplace romance
💸Billionaire
🫦Blindfolded spicy meet cute
🌸Chronic illness rep
❤️Hurt/Comfort
🥀Touch starved
🔥Push and pull
😏Banter and snark
✨Praise k*nk
🖤Insta-lust sans visual
👑possessive, protective, obsessed MMC
💖Strong, independent, opinionated FMC
🏡Found fam
🩷💚🩷💚
September 21, 2025
I read this book as an ARC reader in exchange for an honest review.
This is the third book I have read by Laura Ashley Gallagher and I absolutely loved her previous two books as seen in my earlier reviews.
This is initially a rom com but with a deeper emotional level ,as it follows one women’s battle (Celeste) through living with endometriosis. I believe it’s a book that many women can personally relate to. Either suffering with the condition themselves or knowing someone that has endometriosis.
The story takes us on a journey of hope and survival , starting with Celeste having life changing surgery in order to help her to live a normal life.
Later in the story Celeste meets Julian and they immediately develop a connection. Little do they realise they will meet again . Having initially being brought together in rather unusual circumstances they soon realise they were meant to meet each other in order to get through their own past traumas and suffering.
This book covers relationships, power, hope, loss, rejection, forgiveness, past trauma and trust.
As much as I love a good rom com I do feel the story was unrealistic in parts as I personally know someone who suffers with this condition.
⚠️ Its rather sexually explicit in parts which I feel commanded too much of the story and became extremely repetitive and abit too “Fifty Shades of Grey”.
Did I enjoy this ?
Yes I did, but I would have loved more of the emotional side of their story as I felt it could have been explored more on a deeper level . I also feel the ending was slightly rushed
Would I recommend it ?
Yes but I’d probably be selective who I’d recommend it to.
#relationship
#romance
#power
#hope
#forgiveness
#pasttrauma
#loss
#rejection
This is the third book I have read by Laura Ashley Gallagher and I absolutely loved her previous two books as seen in my earlier reviews.
This is initially a rom com but with a deeper emotional level ,as it follows one women’s battle (Celeste) through living with endometriosis. I believe it’s a book that many women can personally relate to. Either suffering with the condition themselves or knowing someone that has endometriosis.
The story takes us on a journey of hope and survival , starting with Celeste having life changing surgery in order to help her to live a normal life.
Later in the story Celeste meets Julian and they immediately develop a connection. Little do they realise they will meet again . Having initially being brought together in rather unusual circumstances they soon realise they were meant to meet each other in order to get through their own past traumas and suffering.
This book covers relationships, power, hope, loss, rejection, forgiveness, past trauma and trust.
As much as I love a good rom com I do feel the story was unrealistic in parts as I personally know someone who suffers with this condition.
⚠️ Its rather sexually explicit in parts which I feel commanded too much of the story and became extremely repetitive and abit too “Fifty Shades of Grey”.
Did I enjoy this ?
Yes I did, but I would have loved more of the emotional side of their story as I felt it could have been explored more on a deeper level . I also feel the ending was slightly rushed
Would I recommend it ?
Yes but I’d probably be selective who I’d recommend it to.
#relationship
#romance
#power
#hope
#forgiveness
#pasttrauma
#loss
#rejection
August 21, 2025
Received as an ARC.
4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
If you’re after a fluffy lovey romance, this is NOT it. This is the one time I’ll allow judging a book by it’s cover, as you’ll be wrong! This book would be perfect for adapting into a film, the characters felt genuine and relatable.
I had my heart broken and fixed so many times during reading this, if you have triggers PLEASE read the warnings before diving in! It covers trauma, childhood abuse/neglect, medical neglect, medical issues/chronic illness etc.
We meet Celeste who has struggled with Endometriosis (great to see it written about, educationally AND a person aspect), she’s missing something but can’t pin point it. She’s a strong, smart and witty business woman, a great architect.
And then Julian, a millionaire businessman, built himself up from the bottom, who’s battling his own demons from past trauma which keeps resurfacing. Loved his ‘touch her and die’ protectiveness throughout, but hated him for a little bit - you’ll see why, though I get it, his silence was infuriating me.
Their love hate relationship will have you giggling and kicking feet one second, and then 😮💨 the other.
The writing style flows easily and give us relatable senarios the characters face, she portrays the deep pain and torment that both characters deal with - chronic illness and finally getting answers, and a deep routed trauma pain that needs closure.
The chemistry between all of the characters is fabulous and funny, they felt like actual humans rather than on the page characters, her best friends? *chefs kiss* hilarious, fiercely loyal and caring (you’ll meet them on page one).
4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
If you’re after a fluffy lovey romance, this is NOT it. This is the one time I’ll allow judging a book by it’s cover, as you’ll be wrong! This book would be perfect for adapting into a film, the characters felt genuine and relatable.
I had my heart broken and fixed so many times during reading this, if you have triggers PLEASE read the warnings before diving in! It covers trauma, childhood abuse/neglect, medical neglect, medical issues/chronic illness etc.
We meet Celeste who has struggled with Endometriosis (great to see it written about, educationally AND a person aspect), she’s missing something but can’t pin point it. She’s a strong, smart and witty business woman, a great architect.
And then Julian, a millionaire businessman, built himself up from the bottom, who’s battling his own demons from past trauma which keeps resurfacing. Loved his ‘touch her and die’ protectiveness throughout, but hated him for a little bit - you’ll see why, though I get it, his silence was infuriating me.
Their love hate relationship will have you giggling and kicking feet one second, and then 😮💨 the other.
The writing style flows easily and give us relatable senarios the characters face, she portrays the deep pain and torment that both characters deal with - chronic illness and finally getting answers, and a deep routed trauma pain that needs closure.
The chemistry between all of the characters is fabulous and funny, they felt like actual humans rather than on the page characters, her best friends? *chefs kiss* hilarious, fiercely loyal and caring (you’ll meet them on page one).
September 5, 2025
I absolutely loved the first two books that belong with this series and was so excited to finally get Julian's story.
Julian has built walls so high both emotionally and physically with him owning half the sky line that he truly believed he would always be alone. An awful start to childhood has shaped him to be ruthless, controlling, and protective of what's his. Never slowing down to enjoy or wanting the simple things, because who would want someone broken?
Celeste has come into our world ready for a fresh start. Dealing with health issues is an understatement because endometriosis is no joke. So after a hopefully successful surgery, the thought of just being touched screamed yes in all directions. But how to get rid of the fear? How do you find someone who wouldn't bolt when the pain returned? In her mind, she was damaged, and again, who would want someone broken?
My favorite thing about Ashley's writing is that she doesn't shy away from the hard stuff. She's all in. Let's talk about the damage, the hard shit, the uncomfortable feeling no one wants to address, and that's truly what we get with this book.
We have two fiercely independent main characters that find all the broken pieces of each other and slowly start putting them back together. But will it be enough to break those walls down? The pull between these two is amazing.
This book is full of everything you want. Romance, spice, and banter, but it also has pain and grief. It makes you fall in love with the refreshing realness that you feel with these characters. I was left thinking about them for days after reading.
Meet Me In The Dark is officially out today, and I can't wait for you guys to dive in!
Julian has built walls so high both emotionally and physically with him owning half the sky line that he truly believed he would always be alone. An awful start to childhood has shaped him to be ruthless, controlling, and protective of what's his. Never slowing down to enjoy or wanting the simple things, because who would want someone broken?
Celeste has come into our world ready for a fresh start. Dealing with health issues is an understatement because endometriosis is no joke. So after a hopefully successful surgery, the thought of just being touched screamed yes in all directions. But how to get rid of the fear? How do you find someone who wouldn't bolt when the pain returned? In her mind, she was damaged, and again, who would want someone broken?
My favorite thing about Ashley's writing is that she doesn't shy away from the hard stuff. She's all in. Let's talk about the damage, the hard shit, the uncomfortable feeling no one wants to address, and that's truly what we get with this book.
We have two fiercely independent main characters that find all the broken pieces of each other and slowly start putting them back together. But will it be enough to break those walls down? The pull between these two is amazing.
This book is full of everything you want. Romance, spice, and banter, but it also has pain and grief. It makes you fall in love with the refreshing realness that you feel with these characters. I was left thinking about them for days after reading.
Meet Me In The Dark is officially out today, and I can't wait for you guys to dive in!
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