The Nightmare Bride: A Gothic Romantasy Standalone

by Shaylin Gandhi

He’s planning their wedding. She’s planning his funeral.

Life in a remote, storm-wracked swamp isn’t all bad—Harlowe has a crumbling manor to call home, thread to patch her dresses (again), and almost enough to eat. Sure, the eldritch storms that sweep the bayou inflict hallucinatory nightmares on everyone in their path, but Harlowe would never dream of leaving. Not when her best friend, Amryssa, needs her.

Then Amryssa’s father arranges her marriage to a sadistic prince, and Harlowe does the she takes her friend’s place at the altar, determined to get close enough to drive her dagger through the prince’s heart.

Except Harlowe’s new husband isn’t what she expects. Instead of cruelty, she finds charm, a quick wit, and a sparkling gaze that makes her pulse quicken. Worse, the prince proves inexplicably immune to the storms. But if he isn’t the monster everyone fears...who is he?

As the nightmares increase and threaten Amryssa’s very existence, Harlowe races to uncover the manor’s secrets—and her husband’s. Soon, she must decide what matters the man she vowed to destroy, or the woman she swore to save.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Gothic, Enemies To Lovers, Fantasy Romance, Adult

366 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 2, 2025

About the author

Shaylin Gandhi first fell in love with love stories when she started stealing grown-up books off her mother’s bookshelf at the age of ten. By twelve, she’d perfected the art of reading under the covers by flashlight, and in high school, she attempted her first novel. She now writes from the mountains of Golden, Colorado, where she lives with her husband and identical twin daughters. When not finagling words onto paper, Shaylin can be found hiking, scheming up ways to earn another passport stamp, or ingesting enough coffee to power a small city.

Reviews

[joni ౨ৎ (vacation hiatus)]

oh.my.gosh
this might be one of the best romantasies ive read... like ever?
rtc ASAP!!

if you're looking for a slow burn adult romantasy, marriage of convenience, a mmc who yearns, gothic elements and just a fun time - i defo recommend checking this out !!! out now on KU!!

𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read

this cover is SO beautiful and ive been into gothic books lately so here we go!! marriage of convenience >>

thank you to shaylin and the nerd fam for an e-copy!


↪ started nov 23

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’m a handful. Too much.”
“Well,” he said. “As one handful to another, I think you’re just enough.”

Truly a standalone, I'm kind of shocked?? The worldbuilding was unique, the romance a slow burn, the storyline was interesting and had some twists that kept me wanting to read more and more. I guessed one of them during the wanted poster scene, but it was still a satisfying reveal.

Now, personally, I was so annoyed that they didn't just plot to kill Vick (I think that's his name, it's been a few days and I already returned the book to KU) instead of letting him get away with everything. And then they let him go at the end because they're better people etc etc, but still.

Another thing that kind of annoyed me was Harlowe never ever putting herself first, it was always Amryssa this, Amryssa that, the only selfish thing she did, was trying to prevent Amryssa from going with her mother, because she thought she needed her, when it as clear Amryssa wanted to go. On the other hand, her undying loyalty is admirable, and something anyone would want in a friend.

Some of the side characters could've used more development, but I did have a clear favourite nonetheless. I liked his little side romance, and that he got his own happy ending too.

Bonus points for making Ky a ginger (don't tell him I said that) and completely obsessed with Harlowe right from the start.

[Steph ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

6⭐️ this book really exceeded my expectations! 😍
The world building, mystery, and banter were all 10/10
I am interested in reading more from this author now

[That_awkwardbook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful standalone romantasy. From the start of the story it intrigued me with the world building and magic. I really enjoyed the multiple plotlines woven together every thing fit perfectly. Harlowe is an absolute badass that would do anything for her friend Amryssa.
But she is so funny and has such a sharp tongue.
Ky is such a beautiful, proud and self-absorbed Prince that I would not mind sharing my bed with. The chemistry between the characters is so delicious.

thank you to Nerdfam and the author Shaylin Gandhi for trusting me with a copy of this book.

[whatcharlyreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a unique book in the best way possible!!! The flirty banter had me giggling and kicking my feet, I love a cocky MMC. The plot twists were sooo good, they had me GLUED to the pages. The FMC's insane overprotectiveness of Amryssa had me slightly annoyed at some point, but I love the character developement and how it all played out in the end. Would definitely recommend!!!

[Ofwitchbrew · Rating 1 out of 5]

It didn’t grab me.
Sorry!

[micolreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,25 ⭐

[Josclyn Craft · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Nightmare Bride was absolutely captivating in its dark, horrifying, nightmarish glory. He’s planning their wedding. She’s planning his funeral. And honestly? That alone had me immediately desperate for this ARC!!

There were so many elements I adored. Harlowe is the kind of FMC who is fiercely loyal to her core, even when that loyalty costs her peace and her own happiness. And Ky? Undeniably Ky, even before you fully understand him. He truly feels tailor-made for the Carrion Swift girlies.. quick-witted, morally delicious, sharp-tongued, and yes… falls first. The way “lioness” and “wife” rolled off his tongue??? I simply was NOT prepared. 😮‍💨

“If you had no desire to be conquered, you should never have conquered me, first.”

"You're a force of nature, lioness. Once you embrace that, nothing will stand in your way."

The friendship between Harlowe and Amryssa was equally beautiful, more sisters than friends. Two women trying so hard to protect and please one another when all they really needed was permission to choose themselves. It felt raw and real in the best way. & Lunk… oh my goodness. I didn’t even know I needed him as much as I did. The biggest, softest teddy bear. I would pay actual money for character art of him and a certain someone together ((;

Overall, this story pulled me in quickly and refused to let go. The twists genuinely shocked me (always my favorite), the magic system was intriguing, and the characters completely stole my heart. I just wanted to stay longer in this eerie, romantic world. I definitely recommend adding to tbr!!

[Kaylie Helfrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the stand alone Romantasy of my dreams!

A stabby FMC, an arranged marriage, convincing him to marry the wrong woman, a plot to unalive the husband, a magical dagger, nightmares that storm through the town, other man drama with the FMCs situationship, and the most delicious of slow burns.

Harlowe is the keymistress for a princess that is being married off to Prince Kyven of a neighboring kingdom. When Harlowe gets word from an old friend that the Price is a sadistic and evil man responsible for the disappearance of women in his Kingdom she decides to take matters into her own plans. She will marry the Prince in her friends place and unalive the Prince on their wedding night. But Kyven isn't anything like Harlowe was expecting; he's calm, helpful, and has one of the smartest mouths that rivals Harlowe's mouth.

The banter, the chemistry, the plot, the character building, everything was just so perfect! This is one of my favorite Romantasy reads of the year, and did I mention it's a STANDALOINE!!!!

Obsessed! I love this book with every fiber of my being and I just want everyone to read it.

Thank you again to The Nerd Fam and the Author for the gifted copy!

[Athena of Velaris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harlow has spent her entire life trying to protect her best friend, so when that means marrying a wicked prince in her friend's place to kill him on their wedding night, she does so readily. Except the prince isn't what she expected. And he has secrets that may save her home. And her best friend is going insane by the day, called into the swamp by magical nightmares. As the lines between wrong and right (and hatred and love) start to blur, Harlow must decide who she is really trying to protect and what she's willing to risk to do so.

The worldbuilding in The Nightmare Bride was incredibly unique and interesting. Nightmares that literally drive people crazy? Well that sounds like the perfect dash of magic in a crumbling castle at the edge of the world. No matter how much I loved the setting, I wished the characters and the plot had been fleshed out a little more. The two main leads were well developed, but everyone around them felt like shadows. The plot was also paced a bit oddly, and everything resolved too quickly. That being said, I still enjoyed the story and would recommended for fans of short gothic romances.

Read if you like...
🗡️Enemies-to-lovers because of circumstance
🗡️Haunted castles and dark forests
🗡️He isn't afraid of her sharp edges
🗡️Learning to live without fear
🗡️Arranged marriages that get turned on their head
🗡️"Lioness." / "Prince."
🗡️Ghosts and sleeping gods
🗡️Forbidden love (despite being married)

Thank you to the NerdFam and the author for an e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

[Mads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh???? This was so good, WHAT!!! I mean, I loved the cover so had to request it on The Nerd Fam but I never have high expectations, and this one exceeded them. I was so intrigued with the characters and the unique world that I read this in one sitting!

Things I loved:
🥀Like I said above, the world was unique. It didn't feel like standard Medieval fantasy, and while we didn't get too in depth with the magic or anything (def more romance focused), I understood it just fine and liked it.
🥀I LOVEDDDDDD Ky. What a refreshing change from Shadow Daddies. He was fun, he was flirty, he knew exactly how to charm away my distrust. Like I love a man who is on his knees, and he was definitely on them for her.
🥀She was lowkey selfless but also a bitch and I really resonated with that
🥀Ky deserves another bullet just thinking about him
🥀The spice!!! Tension was built up properly so while the spice scenes were nothing crazy, they were worth it

My only teeny tiny thing was that I also got annoyed with her friend. I get why she was loyal to Amyrssa but also... let a girl die at some point and get back to Ky. And I wish we would have had a little more resolution with the FMC's parents, but I get that those things aren't always resolved so I forgive that. And I still really really liked this one

5 stars because if you read it in one sitting, it's either amazing or terrible, and we know which one I choose.

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓, 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝑵𝒆𝒓𝒅𝑭𝒂𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝒈𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘. 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒘𝒏 ✮⋆˙

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you The Nerd Fam for this ARC, I am leaving my honest review in exchange! 3.5 stars, rounded to 4!

So, I love me a good enemies-to-lovers arc. I was excited to pick this up when I read the blurb plus the cover is gorgeous, which is a huge thing for me.

This is my first meeting with Shaylin Gandhi and it's been an interesting ride. Finishing this book, I have some mixed opinions, but they are leaning toward positive.

I will start with the writing style. The use of dramatic and short sentences is really not my thing. There were multiple one-word sentences that did nothing for the suspense, but made me cringe and gave a clumpy feel to the text. I feel like more editing could've served this story well.
Also, when the world is Victorian-inspired I want the characters to feel authentic in their speech and reactions, which doesn't bode with some jokes or reactions put down. They felt very modern and casual. The swearing burnt the 'ingredients' put down, which made them not very tasty.

The premise of the plot is fantastic. The beginning felt like a horror story, not a romantasy, but I wished more of that remained, because about 30% in, I think that element got lost. The MMC was part of the mystery, but even before the review, I was sure he isn't what he was supposed to be. Now, the concept of Nightmares was very fun. Truly a piece of gothic in there, but I wished the rest of the vibes in the book matched it.

The FMC... well, I have issues with her. While she is a compelling protagonist, I felt like something was missing. Her motivations were a bit clouded for me, I understand that loyalty drives her, but I didn't feel it justified. Her relationship with Amryssa at first was less platonic in the beginning to me — also a puzzling thing. In the end, I liked the sacrifice made and the roles being reversed. Bit further in the story, as the romance developed, I felt like she lost her edge, which was probably intended, but by the end she felt like all the other heroines who'd been 'tamed' by their love interest.

I imagined the arranged part of the marriage going differently, but there were many unique takes on that sort of relationship. I congratulate the author on her creativity.

The MMC was simple, but fun. I enjoyed him, I like my men simping! I won't say more, to not spoil it.

The spice leve is 2/5. Though, there was some fun tension.

For me, this was a light-hearted read. If you like stabby heroines and simping men AND arranged marriages, this might be the book for you!

[Kirstin ♡⚔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆ℕ𝕖𝕣𝕕 𝔽𝕒𝕞 𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨☆
4.5⭐
The tag line of "a gothic romantasy standalone" really drew me into wanting to read The Nightmare Bride, and I loved every minute of it. Shaylin does an amazing job of immersing you into the story and has such a beautifully descriptive way of writing.
I adored Harlowe's devotion and loyalty to Amryssa, their friendship bond is so strong and the fact that she would do anything in her power to help her - even if it is to her detriment - was so heartwarming and special.
I fell in love with Ky instantly! His cocky, confident personality won me over from the start. He doesn't fall into the stereotypical MMC in romantasy stories, he feels refreshing in his devotion to Harlowe without coming across as overbearing. I'm adding him to my book boyfriend list 🤭🥰

[Isabel Jarnow · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ Thank you to the Nerd Fam for the ARC!

"He's planning their wedding, but she's planning his funeral."

Prince Kyven is sent to Oceansgate, where nightmares come to life, to marry Amryssa. Harlowe has heard terrible things about Kyven, and vows to marry him instead to protect her best friend.

I enjoyed the banter and the friendship in this book. The world was unique, and I really enjoyed the overall plot. I wish some parts had moved a little faster.

Tropes:
banter and yearning
gothic vibes
sentient dagger
unique world

[Annee Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Nerdfam for this ARC, I just wish I was able to enjoy it more.

It kind of felt like the author was going for something along the lines of Anathema and/or One Dark Window but it didn’t quite work. The language seemed too modern for the setting which took me out of it a bit, and Harlowe’s obsession with keeping after her grown ass friend was infuriating. The book as a whole read as very juvenile to me.

[jaycie]

dnf :(

I got this as an arc from Nerd Fam, but unfortunately have to dnf after reading over 50% of it.

I don’t know if it is just the wrong time, but I didn’t find myself invested in the plot. I didn’t feel the chemistry of our characters and life is too short to not love what you’re reading. So maybe I’ll pick it up again at a later time!

[evie ˚ ✧˚ · · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

"you're worth dreaming about. you're the only one in this godforsaken place that is"

this was so unexpectedly good! the characters were super developed and the plot was well thought out.

harlowe and kai are such a black cat-golden retriever vibe and it was done very well. i saw the twist very far off (even though i also thought that maybe harlowe is amryssa’s father's daughter- she is not!)

also lunkkkk. what a sweetheart! him and the chef's relationship was adorable and although we didn't see much of him, his character was so well done- amryssa's comrade, kai's brother figure.

the main problem with this book was that it is a standalone. this author had a great story with an incredible outline which could have been a duology. the conflict was solved in around 20 pages :/

but the vibes were there! my first gothic book, and it was great!

post-read
YESSSS

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read!

I happily stumbled upon this book being recommended on TikTok! I was sooo happy that I did! A cute book with some romance, adventures, and a few secrets and fights along the way

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5+ stars / Spice: 2.5/5 peppers

Gods and Goddesses, a forsaken land, Nightmare storms that cause madness… This book was SO unique and immersive - I couldn't put it down! I adored our prickly, protective FMC and her cocky, carefree groom. Their banter was incredible and the slow burn was delicious! I was seriously invested in them both, as well as the side characters and their stories. At one point I was sure I had the mystery figured out, but I was wrong! Such an amazingly enchanting Fantasy Romance with gorgeous writing!

What to expect: - Marriage of Convenience - Hidden Identity - Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine - One Bed - "My Wife" - Hate to Love - Mystery and Secrets - Standalone Novel

[Belinda Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into The Nightmare Bride expecting a dark, atmospheric romantasy… but I did not expect the twists and turns this book took 😭🖤. I was glued to the pages from start to finish — every time I thought I had something figured out, the story gently laughed at me and turned a sharp corner. It was incredible.

From the opening chapters, I was swept into this storm-wracked, nightmare-ridden bayou where reality blurred with illusion 🌫️🌩️. The worldbuilding was so rich and eerie — eldritch storms that inflicted madness, a decaying manor full of secrets, and a land cursed by forgotten gods and goddesses. Everything felt so alive and immersive that I could almost taste the humidity and hear the whisper of nightmares drifting through the halls 👻✨.

And Harlowe… oh, Harlowe. She was an absolute badass who would burn the world down for her best friend 🔥💖. Fierce, prickly, with a tongue sharp enough to cut glass, but also vulnerable in ways that pulled at my heart. Her loyalty to Amryssa was the emotional core of the book for me, and it made every one of her choices — even the reckless ones — feel so deeply human.

Then there was Ky… a beautiful, proud, self-absorbed, cocky prince who made me swoon every time he opened his smug, stupidly perfect mouth 😩👑✨. I wouldn’t have minded sharing a bed with him either — lucky Harlowe. Their chemistry? Delicious. Their banter? Sharp and addictive. Their slow burn? Torture in the BEST way 🔥💫.

The mystery threaded through the romance so beautifully. I genuinely thought I had the manor’s secrets figured out — I was wrong. The reveals were haunting, clever, and tied so perfectly into the themes of identity, sacrifice, and love in the midst of darkness. Every subplot, every side character, every emotional beat felt intentional and beautifully woven together.

This was such a unique, immersive standalone romantasy that left me enchanted, breathless, and honestly wishing I could experience it again for the first time.

✨ Perfect for Fans Of…

If you loved dark romantasy filled with storms, secrets, and sharp-tongued characters, this book was perfect for you 👇

💜 Tropes & Vibes
👰‍♂️ Marriage of Convenience
🎭 Hidden Identity
😒☀️ Reverse Grumpy × Sunshine
🛏️ One Bed
💍 “My Wife” Moments
❤️‍🔥 Hate to Love Slow Burn
🔮 Mystery & Dark Secrets
🌩️ Nightmare Magic / Cursed Land
🕯️ Standalone Gothic Romantasy

Shaylin Gandhi’s writing was gorgeous, atmospheric, and deeply emotional. This book felt like a dream — or maybe a nightmare — that I never wanted to wake from 🖤🌙.

Thank you so much to the author and The Nerd Fam for the ARC opportunity. 💫📚💜

[Shawna Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌶️ Our female lead, Harlowe, is about to stir up all sorts of trouble.

She’s the key keeper/friend/lady-in-waiting to her best friend, Amryssa, though Am’s father, the seneshal, is a viciously grieving widower in a tiny province that is being torn apart by violent storms where nightmarish hallucinations drive people to maim and kill themselves. As such, those living in the region must be shackled to their beds to ride out the horrors inflicted upon them.

Daddy just wants his precious girl to be kept safe by marrying her off to the king’s youngest son, Kyrian, but Harlowe us received word that the prince in question, due at any minute, has a bad reputation for torturing and killing animals and having kidnapped another seneshal’s daughter for a week of depravity and pain before finally letting her go.

Harlowe is determined to keep Am safe, so she takes her friend’s place and marries the prince while claiming to be the expected bride. This way she can kill the prince during the night when he attacks her, Amryssa can stay safe in the capital as the Prince’s widow, while Harlowe sacrifices her life for killing a royal.

It’s a trade she is willing to make… and yet Kyrian is nothing like she imagined. That and he’s kind, not even trying to hurt her so she lets him live.

Of course all hell breaks loose the next morning once the seneshal discovers her duplicity. Having not consummated the marriage, an annulment is sent for by messenger, leaving Harlowe with six long weeks to keep an eye on the prince without succumbing to his charms while they wait for the annulment paperwork to arrive.

Naturally, things are just going to go downhill from here…

It’s a charming love story where he’s the sunshine to her grumpy, with a chunk of mistaken identity going around. The side plot of the nightmare storms was enjoyable and played well with the main storyline and the characters themselves. Plenty of witty banter and moments both spooky, mysterious and some serious bouts of rage.

This is a standalone story, and the author is new to me, but I wouldn’t mind reading more of her catalog should another storyline e interest me.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was captivated by The Nightmare Bride by Shaylin Gandhi. It's dark, horrifying, and has a nightmarish glorying nature. The world is eerie and

I love the premise in which he’s planning their wedding while he’s planning his funeral.

Harlowe, our FMC, who is loyal to her core, even when that loyalty costs her peace and happiness. Ky, our MMC, is quick-witted, morally delicious, and sharp-tongued, The fact that he falls first is EVERYTHING! IYKYK! ("lioness"). The slow burn and banter was delicious!

Harlow has spent her entire life trying to protect her best friend, so when that means marrying a wicked prince in her friend's place to kill him on their wedding night, she does so readily. Except the prince isn't what she expected. And he has secrets that may save her home. And her best friend is going insane by the day, called into the swamp by magical nightmares. As the lines between wrong and right (and hatred and love) start to blur, Harlow must decide who she is really trying to protect and what she's willing to risk to do so.

The friendship between Harlowe and Amryssa was also beautiful, more like sisters than friends. It felt raw and real in the best way.

The worldbuilding in The Nightmare Bride was incredibly unique and interesting. Nightmares that literally drive people crazy... well that's just insane! literally in this book! The two main characters were well developed, but everyone around them felt a bit like shadows. The plot was also paced a bit faster but that's not awful I just wanted more.

Overall, this story pulled me in quickly and refused to let go. The twists genuinely shocked me, the magic system was intriguing, and the characters were heartwarming.

I recommend this book to eerie, gothic dark romantasy lovers who love to be haunted by the pages of a book long after they have finished it!

I was fortunate enough to read an advanced copy gifted to me by the author and The Nerd Fam in exchange for an honest review if I wanted to leave one.

[Stina Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m honestly struggling to put my feelings into words, The Nightmare Bride by Shaylin Gandhi absolutely consumed me in the most beautifully horrific way imaginable. I pick up a pen to organize my thoughts, but this book refuses to sit quietly in a corner of my mind. It’s still screaming, whispering, haunting… and I mean that as the highest compliment.
From the very first chapter, the storyline grabbed me with its originality and fresh perspective. Our FMC isn’t swooning over the MMC from page one, far from it. She’s focused on one thing, and one thing only: keeping her best friend alive. Her obsession isn’t romantic; it’s raw, fierce loyalty. And that twist on the typical dynamic? Perfection.
This book is an intoxicating blend of love, betrayal, and creeping horror, stitched together flawlessly and topped off with an ending that left me staring at the wall in awe. If you’re craving something that defies expectations, something unique in tone, plot, atmosphere, and character, this is absolutely the book you should be picking up.
I didn’t even want to race through it. I wanted to savor every eerie detail, every emotional beat, every shadowy reveal. And yet… I still devoured it in a single day. The imagery? Stunning. Vivid. Almost cinematic. Gandhi paints scenes that feel like they’ve crawled off the page, reached into your chest, and claimed a little piece of your soul.
And then there’s Kyvan. Oh, Kyvan. A deadly prince who’s anything but predictable. He radiates major Flynn Ryder energy, that perfect blend of humor, charm, danger, and heart-stopping beauty. He’s instantly unforgettable, and genuinely one of the best MMCs I’ve encountered in a long time.
If you want a story that keeps you on edge, makes you question reality, and leaves you wondering whether you might also be slipping into a nightmare of your own… this is the one. The Nightmare Bride isn’t just a book, it’s an experience. One you’ll want to lose yourself in again and again.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review | The Nightmare Bride by @authorshaylingandhi
The story follows Harlowe, who is stubborn, fiercely loyal, and driven by a love for her best friend that borders on self-sacrifice. That devotion is what leads her to take Amryssa’s place and marry the infamous Prince Kyven of Hightower, a man rumored to be monstrous.

But here’s the twist I absolutely loved: Kyven isn’t Kyven at all. He’s actually Kia, a man who believes in living life to the fullest, trying everything once, and embracing every experience. Because he’s a skilled actor, he’s able to slip into the role of Prince Kyven and lie convincingly enough to fool an entire kingdom.

Meanwhile, the town of Oceangate is drowning under a curse: twisted Nightmares, barren food stores, and a fear that hangs heavy over every person. Eventually, we learn the curse was placed by the goddess Zephyrine because her daughter, Harlowe’s best friend Amryssa, was meant to be returned to her on her eighteenth birthday. When she wasn’t, the goddess unleashed her fury on the land.
One of the standout side characters, Vick, discovers how to break the curse. His desperation pushes him to kidnap Amryssa to return her to the goddess, but Harlowe is ready to sacrifice herself instead. But in the end, Amryssa chooses to go willingly; the swamp is already calling to her soul, and she knows where she truly belongs.

The book beautifully blends themes of sacrifice, identity, perception, loyalty, and the courage to choose your own path. The atmosphere is haunting and magical without ever feeling overwhelming, and the emotional moments land exactly where they should.

One thing I especially appreciated is that this is a standalone. It delivers a complete, satisfying romance, mystery, magic, and resolution, without making you commit to a whole series. It’s perfect for when you want a dark, moody romantasy that you can devour quickly.

[Alicia (weird.reads.books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Nightmare Bride feels like getting swallowed by a storm-wracked swamp where the air is wet, the manor is crumbling, and the sky itself is out here weaponizing nightmares. Harlowe’s life is already stitched together with threadbare survival until her best friend, Amryssa, is promised to a prince with a reputation sharp enough to draw blood. So Harlowe does what any ride-or-die, blade-first heroine would do: she takes her friend’s place at the altar, fully intending to turn “wedding night” into “funeral arrangements.”

And then the problem shows up: the groom isn’t what she was bracing for.

Instead of a monster, she finds charm, quick wit, and the kind of presence that makes you question every warning you’ve ever trusted. Their dynamic is delicious—full of tension, witty banter, and that constant “is he dangerous or is he just… interested?” energy that keeps you turning pages at irresponsible speeds. Meanwhile, the nightmare storms (yes, actual eldritch, hallucinatory nightmare storms) are prowling around the edges of everything, giving the whole story this lush, gothic pressure-cooker vibe. The fact that the prince seemed untouched added a cloud of mystery that had me on the edge of my seat and had me doubting him part of the time but hoping it’s all a misunderstanding.

What I loved most is how romance-forward this is while still keeping its claws in the eerie atmosphere and underlying questions. It’s tender in the places it needs to be, feral when it counts, and it understands the assignment: let the heroine be competent and stubborn, let the chemistry simmer, and let the setting feel like a living thing watching them both. Also, this book is a standalone romantasy, so no waiting!

If you want a gothic swamp fairytale where the bride is holding the dagger and the “villain” refuses to behave, add this to your TBR.

Thank you to the Nerd Fam and Shaylin Gandhi for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

[BeeFaith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Nightmare Bride is such a well-written gothic romantasy standalone that I DEVOURED in 24 hours.

I found the slow burn between Hawlowe and Kyven deliciously taunting. It peaked like a tsunami, wild and untamed. I need more of these types of books in my life.

If you enjoyed The Nightmare Bride, I highly recommend Shaylin Gandi's One Charmed, Twice Cursed standalone romantasy. It's short, sweet, and full of angst

Quotes:

“You’re beautiful when you do that, by the way.” Kyven’s voice dropped to a velvety croon. “That look of yours... it makes me want to misbehave, if only so you’ll scold me, afterward.”

Goddess, if I kissed him, I wouldn’t offer him an inch. Not even a mile, like he’d said. I’d give him a fucking light- year.

“You’re a force of nature, lioness. Once you embrace that, nothing will stand in your way.”

I never intended any of that, but you know how I feel about challenges, and here you are, the most spectacular one of all, because no one’s ever made me work this hard, or demanded so much of me, or commanded me to become the best version of myself merely so I could earn the right to stand in their presence, and now that you have, I fear I might be addicted, because I can’t imagine doing anything less with anyone else.”

Fuck, I didn’t care where he’d come from. I just wanted to inhale him. Punish him. Tear him into pieces and consume each one. If only this once.

“Gods. My vicious wife. I was hoping you’d say that.”

“If you had no desire to be conquered, you should never have conquered me, first.”

Tropes/Themes:
• Gothic romantsy
• Morally gray FMC
• Sentient dagger
• Marriage of inconvenience
• Strong female friendship
• "Wife"

[Susan (Purplegalaxyreads94) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thank you to the author and to nerdfam for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first ever book that I’ve read by Shaylin Gandhi and I’ll admit, she nailed the gothic romantasy trope with ease. I was immediately captivated by this story from the very beginning when it talked about having paranormal nightmares. I never thought nightmares could be used as anything other than just a scary dream, but in this book, the nightmares are powerful and the characters have to lock themselves up in order to keep themselves safe. This concept alone made me so curious about it, especially when amyrssa was effected by them the most.

I really enjoyed the friendship between Amyrssa and Harlowe. You can truly see that they mean a lot to one another and that they both are willing to do whatever they need to in order to protect one another. Even to the point of switching places in order to keep a marriage from happening. I love how fearless harlowe is as she isn’t afraid of doing what she has to in order to keep Amyrssa safe. Their bond is so strong and special that you can’t help but want everything to work out for them. Kyvan is our mysterious prince MMC who ends up being tricked into a marriage to Harlowe. I honestly loved how cheeky and confident he acted as well as hearing him call Harlowe a lioness. I could keep going on and on about this story but I need to stop to avoid too many spoilers. This is a fabulous standalone that you don’t want to miss out on.

[Trinhelium Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐡𝐢

The Nightmare Bride feels like stepping into a fever dream a swamp blooming with rot and magic, nightmares thick enough to touch, and a girl who has spent her whole life choosing someone else’s comfort over her own breath.

My favorite part was the scenery, The bayou is alive whispering, churning, watching. Every room in the crumbling manor feels worn, haunted by storms and secrets vivid.

Harlowe, a girl defined by loyalty so sharp it cuts. Her devotion to Amryssa beautiful, misguided, desperate. It’s heartbreaking because you can feel how deeply she believes she must earn her worth by giving herself away.

“I like it when you beg.”

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 : ★ ★ ★ .𝟓 / 𝟓
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 : ♥︎ ♥︎ / 𝟓

Her Husband, carved from charm, wit, and unexpected tenderness. Their dynamic begins with daggers and assumptions, but slowly shifts into something warm and teasing, something dangerous but hopeful.

The story does have its uneven moments: pacing that sometimes rushes past its own revelations, side characters who feel more shadow than substance, and bits of Harlowe’s origin that echo other works. But the emotional core stays strong especially in the final chapters, which deliver a beautiful reflection on worth, courage, and choosing oneself.

Read If You Like
"Lioness." / "Prince."
Soft banter that turns sharp
“He falls first”
Ghosts and sleeping gods
Standalone gothic romance

“I received an electronic copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.”

[Anais (atrailofpages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This follows Harlowe, keymistress to the seneschal’s daughter Amryssa. She protects Amryssa from the nightmare storms that plague their land. And now Harlowe must protect Amryssa from her upcoming nuptials to the horrid Prince Kyven who is known for his brutality.

When the Prince arrives, he mistakes Harlowe for Amryssa, and now Harlowe has the perfect opportunity to pretend to be Amryssa, marry the Prince and then murder him. However, things take a turn when the prince acts nothing like what she’s heard.

This was such a fun read! The banter!!!!! Prince Kyven!!!! I just had way too much fun reading this book.

Prince Kyven made me think of Howl with his arrogance and vainness, while also being rather humorous and melodramatic. Oh he was sooo entertaining, and Harlowe could NOT figure this guy out. It was so entertaining watching these two interact with Harlowe being so baffled and Kyven just flirting away or saying such nonsense. You can’t help but love him, and then love Harlowe too. I would have reacted much like her with his confusing tactics and actions 😆 I mean he’s a bad guy right?!

Those two made the book. It’s more of fantasy romance with the emphasis on the romance. It centered primarily between the two, along with the lovely friendship Harlowe and Amryssa have, and the twists that happen, and the mystery of the nightmare storms and why Kyven comment act the way you would expect.

The world made for a unique book and it would be lovely to explore more of the world since it seems vast. Maybe there’ll be more in this world!

I definitely enjoyed this book, and if you just need a grumpy/sunshine romance with good banter, this one is for you.

Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to The NerdFam and Shaylin for the e-ARC of the book!

If you're looking for a fun standalone with an interesting magic system and fierce female friendship, look no further!

Harlowe is the definition of ride or die--I mean, how many of you would be willing to marry a prince with a reputation for being a psychopath that murders animals and attacks women just to save your best friend from being subjected to him? I'm not sure I would, but she does it in a HEARTBEAT and without a second glance. Harlow's overprotectiveness is a little much sometimes (to the point I was ready to scream once, but it does serve a purpose!), but I think we all want a friend who can love like that.

I almost hate that this is a standalone, because after *that* ending, I'd love to see Harlowe and Amryssa on an adventure together in the current state.

The side characters were all great too--the side story with Lunk is just too cute, and we do love a murderous #2.

This is a super devourable book with an interesting magic system that make it a great slump buster, or just something quick and fun to read in between series! It's darkish without being SUPER dark (I mean, the evil magic is called the Nightmare and you have to chain yourself up to prevent yourself from harm, so it's obviously not rainbows and butterflies),

I had a great time with it and will definitely be reading more from this author!