Behind the Scenes: A Dark Sapphic Stalker Romance

by Eden Emory

Step back into the Club Pétale Universe with Laura and Harley’s dark, obsessive romance. When a serial killer hiding behind the mask of a charming actor sets her sights on a high-profile criminal defense attorney, nothing will stand in her way. But lucky for her, Laura never backs down from a challenge—especially not one this dangerous.

It was love at first sight.

One day I was visiting an all queer adult club and the next I was falling madly in love with one of New York’s most ruthless criminal defense lawyers.

If only she’d give me the time of day. But to her, I was just a spoiled Hollywood starlet.

But she had no idea just how dark a secret I was hiding was. Nor did she realize just how bloody and disturbing her life was about to get.

The monster in me would stop at nothing. Not until she was mine .

Genres: Lesbian, Dark Romance, LGBT, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Contemporary, Crime

216 pages, Paperback

Published August 14, 2025

About the author

Also writes under Elle Mae.

Reviews

[mica · Rating 2 out of 5]

la idea estaba... la ejecución medio medio

[Unpopmary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Behind the Scenes is a dark sapphic stalker romance, and when I read the premise, I was honestly so excited to jump in. It gave me major Don't Forget Me vibes (another book by Eden that I absolutely loved), so I went in with pretty high expectations.

But… this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The story felt too short, and I kept wishing for just a bit more time to really sink into the characters and the world. If it had been fleshed out more, I think the pacing and emotional depth would have felt stronger. The romance also leaned a little too much into insta-love/lust for my liking, so it didn’t completely win me over.

Harley, as a character, was tough for me to connect with—she came off as a bit overbearing at times. Laura, though, was a different story. I loved how strong she was and how she didn’t just conform to the expectations people have for someone in the legal field. She had this grounded, determined energy that made her stand out.

All in all, this one wasn’t quite my favorite, but I can still see it working for readers who like fast, intense romances with a darker edge. The potential was definitely there—I just wish it had taken its time to dig a little deeper.

[Jasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

This is my first time reading a book by Eden Emory and a FF dark stalker book at that and let me say that this was so good. The writing style was good with a fast pace. I liked how Harley a movie star was determined and obsessed for Laura a defense lawyer and how she stopped at nothing to have her. They are the perfect duo!! The spice in this story is so good. I can’t wait to check out Eden's other books! ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND!!

Thank you GoodGirlsPR for the ARC!

✨Tropes✨

💋FF dark stalker romance
❣️One bed
🔪 Knife play
👩🏼‍💼Criminal defense lawyer
❣️Obsessed
🥵Spicy

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Eden Emory book! Similar vibes, different story. I enjoyed this one. Think I’m a sucker for a stalker/very morally grey FMC 😂

This book is written in first person with 2x POV’s. Obsessive Stalker, Masc/Femme, BDSM Club, Actor/Lawyer. 4x Spicy Scenes.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Behind the Scenes by Eden Emory
🖤 Dark sapphic romance
🖤 Obsessed stalker
🖤 Unaliving as a gift 😮
🖤 Knife play 🔪

Ouuu this book was so good! I’ve realized I have a thing for dark sapphic stalker romances and this one did not disappoint.

Harley is a famous actress and a serial killer who only goes after the people she thinks deserve it. Laura’s a defense attorney with some killer instincts of her own who spent years staying one step ahead. Harley was so obsessed with Laura from the very first moment she saw her and was determined to get her. I was hooked from page one ☝🏽

It’s fast paced, steamy, and unhinged in the best way. These two were crazy together and that’s exactly what made it so exciting. There’s obsession, blackmail, murder, action, and a lot of spice 🔥 Some scenes had me like 😳 but i ate it up 😮‍💨

If you’re into the dark-ish side of sapphic romance, I highly recommend this one 😏

[Britni MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

I really do love anything connected to Club Petale, and this was no different. Pretty quick read and some of my favorite kinks.

I would love for a continuation with Harley and Laura’s story, with their joint venture I feel the sky is truly the limit. Say this for selfish reasons as I would just like more of them.

When they’re both touch her and die, but only one is enforcing the die part for the both of them. Kinda hot right?

[Beatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Eden Emory and Good Girls pr for the arc.
The premises were really captivating, I was curious about Harley being both a serial killer and a public figure and it did not disappoint, it was interesting to read how she was able to handle both sides of her and how her mind worked. Laura was also really interesting, she was so smart and always stood up for herself, I like such a strong character.
I was not a fan of the insta love, Harley’s obsession with Laura was too sudden, but it played well with Harley being a stalker and blackmailing Laura.
It was really fast paced, so I would have preferred more build up in their relationship but it has been a really good read.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

first off thank you to goodgirlspr for the early copy of behind the scenes ✨❤️

this was incredible! i think this is my 4th or 5th eden emory book and they just hit everytime, they’re always so well written and easy to read and the characters are always *💋chefs kiss* so going into this i had quite high expectations and i definitely was not disappointed and i especially loved the little cameos from the club petale world

this was so much fun, i probably shouldn’t have been kicking my feet and giggling at a serial killer but when it’s harley and exception can be made…right? the fliratious banter between harley and laura was perfection and if you’re after more FF dark stalker romances then this is your gal because it has everything from knife play, one bed, forced proximity, blackmail, and delicious levels of spice🌶️🌶️

my only reason for it not being 5 stars is that i wish it was longer, i just wanted more of laura and harley together ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

[~lil maso~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Natalie for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner

A spicy, dark romance between a serial killer movie star and a defense attorney!!
This was a fast paced steamy obsessive story, with lots of twists and turns!
Harley and Laura sizzle together.

I really can't get enough of Eden's stories.


*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
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[Jawairia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

[sab · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was my first sapphic read and i devoured it in less than 24 hours with no regrets. this was dirty, unhinged, insane, delicious, debased, filthy, and quite wholesome.

[Samantha Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was this absurd? Yes
Was it well written? No
Was it even particularly good? Not really
Did i eat it up? Obviously

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Eden Emory in a club pétale universe. It was a little to short read for me but i was entertained nonetheless. Not as much smut as i thought but definitely dark.

[verenmore_vixen · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s mine, and no one will ever talk about her like that again. Just like no one will ever know how to touch her like I will.

I couldn’t wait to destroy her facade. Break down her walls and rip apart that mask she wore so prettily.

Arc Review
Behind The Scenes by @ellemaebooks @edenemorybooks
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️


Thank you so much @good.girls.pr and @ellemaebooks for an opportunity to arc read Behind The Scenes. I’ve read the entire Club Petale series and this was such a delicious extension. I loved the cameos from some of the past characters.

The plot was absolutely gripping. The way both woman let go and embrace one another was so beautiful. Laura couldn’t deny her body of Harley which was hilarious cause I knew she didn’t want to crave her.

The spice scenes are good but not overly detailed. The plot was 10/10 and flowed so well until the end. A perfect sapphic dark stalker romance!

Behind The Scenes is out now!

#behindthescenes #sapphic #bdsm #queerbdsm #stalkerromance #arcreview #ellemaebooks

[Jules Heatley · Rating 1 out of 5]

horrible and batshit crazy and also bad. i am the fool for having high hopes for characterization or character development but laura goes from terrified and deeply uncomfortable around harley to willingly luring in victims for her for no reason at all and it is so so strange. although admittedly there’s something hilarious about harley being a literal murderer and blackmailing laura into the most dubious ‘relationship’ ever only to INSIST on having a safeword and explicit consent from laura😭 like she’s cool with murder blackmail torture etc etc but draws the line at unsafe bdsm practices??? whatever you say girl. also what’s up with the cult stuff why did any of that shit matter

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

lawyer x actress but make it unhinged, horny, and emotionally devastating

i swear on my dusty legal textbooks this book had me by the throat from page one. the lawyer x actress dynamic??? HELLO?? as a certified law girly myself every time laura started lawyering i was like “HELL YEAAAAH GO GET IT GIRL YOU MY NEW ROLE MODEL!!!!" the professional competence kink was PROFESSIONAL. she had me giggling and kicking my feet like it was an exam i would actually show up for 😭�� the spice oh babes… the spice was a whole separate plotline. knife play scenes that felt like eden emory personally wanted to awaken something in me. i was sitting there like: “okay cool cool cool yeeey new kink unlocked!! love that for me.”
every moment was hot, intense, and built on TRUST???? in a way that made it even hotter. like they weren’t just touching bodies they were touching eachothers souls with cutlery. AND THEN THE EPILOGUE WAS THE BEST END EVER????? MARKING EACH OTHER??? CARVING INITIALS LIKE A GOTH MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE??? i literally SCREAAAAAMED and devoured all of it. now the only thing that made my brain blink a little was this: the entire plot was basically laura & harley falling in love OBVIOUSLY 🤭 that was the mission like the holy grail the thesis and once that emotional bomb went off… the book kept going.? not in a bad way!! js in a we keep vibing a lil it was more like: the plot finished its 9 to 5 shift it clocked out and the characters were like “haha anyway we’re still here making out and traumatizing each other adorably.”
it turned into bonus content.???? not boring at all!! 😭😭 it had extended cut energy. vibes first storytelling. i wasn’t mad honestly i had fun.!!! it felt like we were given extra time to sit backstage with them while they carved initials and kissed like they invented kissing. 😭😭😭
so yeah:

this book is chaotic, sexy, a little unhinged, full of blood and devotion and backstage tension it gave me the EXACT serotonin boost i needed.
10/10 would let these two carve their way into my heart again.

[cloudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'm a fucking dog for her. ready to kneel in front of her and be walked on a leash.

if i had to describe this book i’d say it’s a “chicago” (the movie) reimagining meets jennifer tilly playing tiffany valentine (the bride of chucky) playing jennifer tilly. the gays will get it. i still can’t believe my silly little idea inspired the eden emory to write a club pétale spin off, or how i like to refer to it, book 5 “don’t corrupt me” (or “don’t blame me” now that i think of it). that series means everything to me; obviously, i was in denial over its ending. so to have any type of contribution to the expansion of this universe means i’m doing something right. i have to say, without any bias, this might be the author’s strongest work to date. plot wise it was genius, everything felt right, and for a story with these many twists, i didn’t find any holes in it. how every scene followed each other, the pace and flow, everything was spot on. don’t even get me started on the characterization, specifically harley’s (she and avery are my favorite unhinged stalker). not to mention the side characters, which is a strength she’s mastered; they not only jump off the page, but as a reader i always latch onto them and keeping turning the page to see when they’ll pop up next. as for laura, all that untapped potential she demonstrated on “don’t leave me” was fully taken advantage of, everything i imagined her to be and act, the author achieved. it’s so refreshing how unapologetic she was about her ambition and greed. it’s always frowned upon when women work for those things so i really appreciated her drive. this could so easily and seamlessly be expanded on. there’s so much potential for building into this “new world”, especially with both assistants and the prison as a background.

* beta read

[Tala · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading Eden Emory and wow—what a wild, fast-paced ride! Behind the Scenes hooked me right away with its dark, sapphic stalker romance premise, and it absolutely delivered. Harley, a movie star with some very unhinged tendencies, was completely obsessed with Laura, a sharp and badass defense lawyer, and she stopped at nothing to make her hers. The obsession was crazy, the blackmail was twisted, and yet somehow the author made it all work perfectly.
Both women were such strong, no-nonsense characters who gave as good as they got. Laura was smart, witty, and refused to take anyone’s BS, while Harley was relentless, funny in her own unhinged way, and dangerously charming. Together, their banter, chemistry, and dynamic were so entertaining—definitely the perfect duo.
Also the way this was spicy?? Did not expect it. Laura and Harley have so much chemistry/tension between the sheets.
The story is unapologetically fast-paced, with action, obsession, murder, money, and plenty of spice that elevated the whole book. I’m not usually into insta-love, and Harley’s obsession was very sudden, but it actually fit her stalker personality and made the story even more intense. Honestly, I just wish the book was longer because I wasn’t ready to let Harley and Laura go.
Loved the twist with the sapphic obsession/ stalking.

[zagzig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Club Petale really needs to look into all these murderers they keep inviting to the club. not that Ax and Sloan seem to have much of an issue with murder, but the murderers who are also stalkers keep murdering other patrons of the club in jealous rages

this was a lot of fun. I mean, for a sapphic serial killer romance. I also read other things I'm not weird

I thought the, ah, wooing could have lasted a little longer, but ~200 pages you've got to get to the good stuff of Theodora Bundy and Jenny Dahmer killing people and then carving each other's initials into their bodies

and I've been complaining time and time again that books by this author in my opinion waste time by setting up low rank villains when they could be focusing on the core premise of fucked up people doing weird unsafe sex with each other. so I'm glad this novel omitted that in favour of the aforementioned murder and bloodplay

the protagonists of the main Club Petale books showed up as well, which, eh. it felt like they were crossing off a checklist more than anything, we didn't really learn anything new other than Quinn is either very self-aware or very un-self-aware about stalker romances. "nah this bitch is crazy you need to run" we all remember you in Don't Hate Me girl

[Millie Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book from Eden Emory! I absolutely love the club pètale world and this was a fantastic new edition 🤭 I’m a sucker for obsessed live interests and Harley did not disappoint, there was no way she was going to let Laura get away and I loved every second of her possessiveness. The only reason this isn’t rated higher is I wished I we had more and it was a bit longer as it felt quite faced paced compared to some of Emory’s other books but still I ate up every moment of this book 🤞🏻


Tropes
- Stalker romance
- Serial unaliver / lawyer
- Bdsm club
- Blackmail
- Obsessed fmc

Quotes <3

“There was something about her. Something that called to my own darkness.”

“I knew I had found the love of my life, and I would stop at nothing to get her.”

“I couldn’t wait to destroy her facade. Break down her walls and rip apart that mask she wore so prettily.”

“I want you. And I will have you.”

“I’m a fucking dog for her. Ready to kneel in front of her and be walked on a leash.”

[ᴊᴇꜱꜱᴛʜᴇʙᴏᴏᴋᴅᴇᴍᴏɴ ☾ ✧˚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧… 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧? 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙮 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨. 𝙈𝙚. 𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙚. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙣 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙖𝙙𝙡𝙮.”

i loved this so much and i need more books like this. Harley sees Laura at a queer BDSM club and is immediately obsessed and begins stalking her. however, stalking Laura isn’t the only secret Harley has. Laura has no time for the big time actress as a criminal defense lawyer. but when Harley makes it impossible for Laura to ignore her, Harley makes sure pull out all the stops to keep her. even if she is a serial unaliver 😜

this book has all the goodness we want in an obsessed main character. and Harley doesn’t hesitate to show and tell Laura how much she is in love with her. i can’t believe this is the first book i’ve read by the author bc now i’m going to go back and read through all their books.

thank you Eden Emory for an e-ARC of 𝑩𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔

[Brittni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5 stars.

I will always read any by Eden Emory / Elle Mae and this did not disappoint. I always enjoy when the author ties back to the club and brings back prior characters.

I loved the development of Laura as well as watching her let loose a bit from her strict structure. As a workaholic myself it hit hard and the way she worked vs taking care of herself because that’s the expectation and if she didn’t who would. It’s a very common sentiment in modern society. My only complaint was Harley and while I love me a toxic, dark main character I just struggled to find her likable. I love how she was fiercely protective of Laura but it just struggled to hit the mark with me.

Overall, beautifully written. The author is talented and always hits the mark. The smut was 10000000/10 and the development of the storyline was superb.

[SpicySeoulReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

Oh, this was a fast-paced, dark & spicy good time! I loved Harley and Laura both so much! Laura was definitely a No BS kinda woman, and Harley was a No means Yes kinda woman HA! Harley was not going to quit until Laura loved her. The banter was HOT, the chemistry was HOT. I loved Harley's unhinged self and honestly wish the story would have been longer so that I could continue loving her.

I'm not usually an Insta-Love girlie, and this was a little quick for me, however the entire story was fast paced, so I feel like it fit.

If you like a super obsessed FMC over a bad-ass FMC, a little stalking, murder, blackmail, and money to blow, then you're going to enjoy this read!

[Kaija · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m OBSESSED!! This was SO good, and I binged it in a matter of hours after getting the ARC!
Harley is determined and obsessed and quite frankly a massive walking red flag but I LOVE her!
Laura is determined and tries to keep a wall up for a while but Harley with her obsession and love easily breaks down those walls!

They really do make the perfect couple because they give each other what they need and in Laura’s case she didn’t know she needed. And of course it’s steamy too!

I’m was super lucky to ARC read this thanks to GoodGirlsPR and I need this on my shelf!!

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Persistence is the key to love. I guess...

Okay... This book was fucked up and I LOVED IT! There is a desperate need for more dark sapphic romance. I loved the charater's characterizations. They certainly had very different voices. Laura being able to let go with the most unlikely type of person was the best. The juxtaposition of a blooming love versus a burning love that started with a spark was fun to read. The only thing I wanted was more of their story, but often times Eden Emory books make me feel that way.

[Khristen Pippin · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Die For

I usually have a hard time with stalker/killer romances but I really enjoyed Behind the Scenes! The love interests were both twisted enough that it felt sexy and built anticipation instead of coming off like a horror novel. The only thing I can say is I’d have loved to see more of Penelope and her character. It would have been fun to see more of a relationship between her and Harley and give her motivation for why she works so hard for her. I’m a sucker for side characters. Other than that, it was a great read that kept me entertained from start to finish.

[Solely Sapphic Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of Eden Emory’s club pétale universe and couldn’t wait to read this one and it didn’t disappoint.

I’m a sucker for dark romance and Emory’s books hit the mark each time. This one was a little fast paced for my liking but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment.

I enjoyed the weird chemistry between Laura and Harley and was enthralled from the beginning.

It would’ve been 5⭐️, but I felt the smut wasn’t on the same level as Don’t Stop Me or Don’t Hate Me, it fell a little flat for me in this one. Still a great read, so overall 4⭐️

[Marcy Sorenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝘽𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙗𝙮 𝙀𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙀𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙮

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🫑 3.5/5
📖𝙀𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 (𝘈𝘓𝘊)
𝙇𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝: 219 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴
𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: 𝘍𝘍 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦

Overall I really enjoyed this. It had good pacing, and I genuinely liked both fmcs. Love how obsessed and determined Harley was to get Laura. The spice is this is so good🥵😮‍💨 absolutely recommend

𝙏𝙍𝙊𝙋𝙀𝙎:
- FF dark stalker romance
- One bed
- Knife play
- S3x club
- Stress serial killer
- Criminal defense lawyer
- Blackmail
- Spicy
- HEA

[Jen Betchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a few of the Club Pétale books, and this one lives up to the expectations! I love how the characters cross over throughout the book, while meeting new characters you can’t help but love. It’s as sick, twisted and spicy as you’d expect, in all the best ways! This book is the definition of the phrase ‘Is somebody gonna match my freak?’… Read at your own risk, you won’t be disappointed.


I received an ARC of ‘Behind the Scenes’ in exchange for my honest review.

[✨Sandra✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a spicy, fun and quick read. I was so intrigued by the dark sapphic stalker romance story, and Harley was the perfect stalker with unaliving tendencies. She was obsessed with Laura from the first time she saw her, and was determined to get her.

They were complete opposite, and they fit so well together. The build up and chemistry between them was so good, and it was fast paced with a lot of action. The spice was so hot, and it elevated the story so well! Great read 💋