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Watching O
Octavia wanted to get away, so she applied to Emberwood Academy, leaving her cheating ex-fiancé and his new toy Rebecca. After an ill-advised night with a man she shouldn’t have even considered attractive, the notes began.
She tried ignoring them, but it was hard to ignore such a persistent admirer.
He was a broken man, but when he saw her that day, he knew he had to have her.
She tried ignoring them, but it was hard to ignore such a persistent admirer.
He was a broken man, but when he saw her that day, he knew he had to have her.
258 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2025
1 person is currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Beers
5 books25 followersJ.L Beers is a US Army Veteran, mother of two and married to her supportive husband Matt. When she isn’t writing you can find her playing with her kids, rushing them around to extra-curricular activities and working her fulltime job. Her debut book was The Truth Behind the Moon which was published in 2023. In her first book there were some mistakes which people picked out, leaving horrible reviews and it made her lose hope. After meeting JR Ward at Apollycon ‘25, her inspiring speech during a panel pushed J.L Beers to continue writing and with the help of Angelee, her editor, she now has a completed duet, omnibus and Watching O. She will continue her indie author journey until she runs out of words.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 17, 2025
A round of applause for Beers, as this introduction to dark romance has exceeded expectations this go around. Her thrilling yet satisfying novel is a great stepping stone in her journey as a successful author.
Octavia is such a lovable FMC, who has enough trauma to be completely relatable, while still having just enough spicy tendencies to be the perfect main character for a stalker dark romance.
With hints of bondage, sexually explicit content, and other dark themes, be sure to check the trigger warnings.
I absolutely adored this, and can’t wait to see what J.L. Beers writes next!
Octavia is such a lovable FMC, who has enough trauma to be completely relatable, while still having just enough spicy tendencies to be the perfect main character for a stalker dark romance.
With hints of bondage, sexually explicit content, and other dark themes, be sure to check the trigger warnings.
I absolutely adored this, and can’t wait to see what J.L. Beers writes next!
August 17, 2025
This dark romance was an intense ride from start to finish. The stalker angle added suspense and danger, while the steamy text exchanges lit the pages on fire. I loved how the tension balanced between fear and passion, making it impossible to put down. If you’re looking for a romance that’s edgy, twisted, and full of heat, this one delivers.
August 17, 2025
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Octavia needed a fresh start after finding her fiancée in bed with her best friend. Or should we say ex-fiancee and ex-best friend.
She applied to Emberwood Academy to complete her degree and get away from it all. To a place where no one knows her or her history. What she finds is a possessive, obsessed masked men that wants to keep her all to himself.
He thought he was broken after so many failed relationships. He sees Octavias beauty and cannot resist. She sees all jaded parts of him and loves him anyway.
Stalking
Masked MMC
BDSM
Touch her and 💀
He falls first
Mom/Daughter relationship that is 💜🫶🏻🥹
Banter
A very naughty 🐈⬛👀
Pay attention or you might miss who the MMC is 👀
I love that we bonded over out love for JR Ward and I LOVED the hints of her I see in this book!
Thank you for not giving up friend! For pursuing your dreams and passion!
Octavia needed a fresh start after finding her fiancée in bed with her best friend. Or should we say ex-fiancee and ex-best friend.
She applied to Emberwood Academy to complete her degree and get away from it all. To a place where no one knows her or her history. What she finds is a possessive, obsessed masked men that wants to keep her all to himself.
He thought he was broken after so many failed relationships. He sees Octavias beauty and cannot resist. She sees all jaded parts of him and loves him anyway.
Stalking
Masked MMC
BDSM
Touch her and 💀
He falls first
Mom/Daughter relationship that is 💜🫶🏻🥹
Banter
A very naughty 🐈⬛👀
Pay attention or you might miss who the MMC is 👀
I love that we bonded over out love for JR Ward and I LOVED the hints of her I see in this book!
Thank you for not giving up friend! For pursuing your dreams and passion!
August 17, 2025
J.L Beers hello to the dark romance world.
You meet Octavia who has been through some stuff. She applies to Emberwood University to get away from the drama of her fiancé cheating on her with her best friend. Octavia ends up catching the eye of someone there. Instead of him going up to meet her in a normal way (normal is overrated anyways 🤷♀️), he starts sending her notes and following her.
This book had a good twist. I thought from the beginning I knew who the stalker was going to be but boy was I wrong .
I really loved the relationship between Octavia and her mom. I also really liked the whole Emberwood university/town J.L. Beers created. Would love more books/characters in that setting.
It is a dark romance book so make sure to check the trigger warnings before reading.
🥵
He wears a mask
He calls her good girl
He falls first
You meet Octavia who has been through some stuff. She applies to Emberwood University to get away from the drama of her fiancé cheating on her with her best friend. Octavia ends up catching the eye of someone there. Instead of him going up to meet her in a normal way (normal is overrated anyways 🤷♀️), he starts sending her notes and following her.
This book had a good twist. I thought from the beginning I knew who the stalker was going to be but boy was I wrong .
I really loved the relationship between Octavia and her mom. I also really liked the whole Emberwood university/town J.L. Beers created. Would love more books/characters in that setting.
It is a dark romance book so make sure to check the trigger warnings before reading.
🥵
He wears a mask
He calls her good girl
He falls first
January 27, 2026
Seductive and Spicy
Loved this! The main characters go through a lot, but I’m here for it! The spicy was perfect! JL Beers is such an amazing author!
Loved this! The main characters go through a lot, but I’m here for it! The spicy was perfect! JL Beers is such an amazing author!
April 3, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ A perfect entry into the world of Dark Romance!!
*for a spoil free review the MMC is noted as Sam*
This book was an absolute wild ride. The mystery surrounding Octavia’s anonymous notes kept me glued to the pages and I could NOT put it down. I had at least three different theories going before the big reveal!
The dynamic between Octavia and Sam was the highlight for me… Watching them grow together while navigating the toxicity of their connection was 😚🤌🏻 perfection. It’s one of those "they really shouldn't be together, but I can't imagine them with anyone else" situations.
While the transition of finding out who was writing the notes to Octavia fully wanting to be with Sam felt a bit like insta love and moved a little fast given how it all started. But. it definitely didn't take away from the story or the enjoyment of the book, it was more of a personal preference.
By the final page I loved Sam (adding him to the book boyfriend list ✅). Highly recommend if you like high intensity toxic relationship with a side of spice (who are we kidding it’s an extra main course 😂) just be sure to check the trigger warnings first!
*for a spoil free review the MMC is noted as Sam*
This book was an absolute wild ride. The mystery surrounding Octavia’s anonymous notes kept me glued to the pages and I could NOT put it down. I had at least three different theories going before the big reveal!
The dynamic between Octavia and Sam was the highlight for me… Watching them grow together while navigating the toxicity of their connection was 😚🤌🏻 perfection. It’s one of those "they really shouldn't be together, but I can't imagine them with anyone else" situations.
While the transition of finding out who was writing the notes to Octavia fully wanting to be with Sam felt a bit like insta love and moved a little fast given how it all started. But. it definitely didn't take away from the story or the enjoyment of the book, it was more of a personal preference.
By the final page I loved Sam (adding him to the book boyfriend list ✅). Highly recommend if you like high intensity toxic relationship with a side of spice (who are we kidding it’s an extra main course 😂) just be sure to check the trigger warnings first!
October 14, 2025
This is a first time dark romance from JL Beers and she wrote it exceptionally well!
Her characters are all so well thought out!
I love that Octavia is facing so many struggles but continues to grow throughout the entire story. She doesn’t let any setbacks stop her (they make her more fiery and I love that!)
I also really love the strong female relationships between O and her mom as well as her roommate!
The plot was so twisty and had you guessing until literally the last moment! At any moment, if you try to guess who the stalker was… you’re probably wrong and I love that.
Fav character was definitely the devil cat! We love bad decisions (but they were so good).
Her characters are all so well thought out!
I love that Octavia is facing so many struggles but continues to grow throughout the entire story. She doesn’t let any setbacks stop her (they make her more fiery and I love that!)
I also really love the strong female relationships between O and her mom as well as her roommate!
The plot was so twisty and had you guessing until literally the last moment! At any moment, if you try to guess who the stalker was… you’re probably wrong and I love that.
Fav character was definitely the devil cat! We love bad decisions (but they were so good).
April 30, 2026
THIS BOOK HAD ME! 👏 Watching O is very promising, especially if you like edgy / dark romance. What makes this book stand out is how it balances darkness with emotional depth. Sometimes I questioned what was actually good vs. bad with Octavia and her stalker, which made it exciting to read!
I also loved the mystery aspect as well. Just when I thought I had a person figured out, I was pleasantly surprised.
Overall Watching O is a dark, addictive romance that grabs you from the first chapter and refuses to let go. Jessica Beers masterfully blends danger, sex, passion, and suspense into a story that feels both seductive and unsettling in the best way possible. 😉
I also loved the mystery aspect as well. Just when I thought I had a person figured out, I was pleasantly surprised.
Overall Watching O is a dark, addictive romance that grabs you from the first chapter and refuses to let go. Jessica Beers masterfully blends danger, sex, passion, and suspense into a story that feels both seductive and unsettling in the best way possible. 😉
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews