Crawl Space

by J.N. Bamforth

My obsession
My little demon
I'm a cold blooded killer, a monster without a voice.
I'll do whatever it takes to have my little demon, even if I have to drag her through hell myself.

This is a pitch black erotic horror with very dark themes throughout.

Genres: Dark Romance, Horror, Romance, Dark

355 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2025

Reviews

[Teneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 5/5 stars

Holy. Shit. Before anything else: read the triggers. This book is absolutely not for everyone.

I have never had a reading experience quite like this—where I wanted to gag, couldn’t stop turning the pages, and still somehow fell completely in love with the MMC and FMC. Silas and Iris destroyed me. Iris is such a strong, unforgettable heroine, and the way their story unfolded was brutal, terrifying, and yet strangely beautiful.

The third-person POV gave the book a different edge, adding to the sense of dread and detachment while still making me feel every twist and turn. And prepare yourself—you will be disgusted. This is pitch-black, gory, claustrophobic erotic horror that pushes boundaries.

The ending left me reeling. I’ll admit, my autistic brain couldn’t handle the uncertainty, and I immediately DM’d J.N. Bamforth to check if the cliffhanger would stay that way forever. (Spoiler: I needed reassurance!)

Tropes: haunted inheritance, stalker MMC, obsession/possession, forced proximity, erotic horror, morally corrupt MMC.
Triggers: gore, confinement, torture, murder, psychological manipulation, graphic horror sex.

This was something else entirely—dark, disturbing, addictive, and unforgettable. Crawl Space is not just a book; it’s an experience.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ ARC review ~
This book instantly had me, the first chapter from Silas’ POV sent this straight to my favorites list 😍

I liked Iris, but Silas stole my heart. Those two together are perfect.

The writing style is amazing. Some parts are written like the characters are talking to you, which i love. I actually loved pretty much everything about this book but do not take the warning at the start of this book lightly. Some chapters are so gruesome, it made me wanna throw up lol.

Having the POV of the watcher in a few chapters made this even more interesting, even if those chapters made me sick.

That ending though 🤯

100000% would recommend this book!

[MorallyDarkReadz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crawl Space @jnbauthor

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 Stars)
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 (5/5 Spice)

“Sometimes love doesn’t save you—it consumes you.”

Crawl Space by J.N. Bamforth is everything I crave in a dark romance—twisted, obsessive, and devastatingly addictive. From the first page, it grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go.

When Iris moves into Willow Creek Manor after the death of her grandmother, she expects grief, shadows, maybe even ghosts. What she doesn’t expect is Silas—a serial killer hiding in plain sight. What begins as horror slowly unravels into obsession, intimacy, and a dark love story that defies every boundary of morality.

Silas is not just the monster in the shadows—he’s a man fractured by cruelty, haunted by voices, broken by a world that chewed him up and spit him out. And somehow, Iris doesn’t run. She sees him. She pulls him back. With her, the voices quiet—at least temporarily. And that fragile peace between them? Absolutely intoxicating.

But then the Watcher appears, and Silas shifts from predator to protector. Touch her and die becomes his mantra, and the raw devotion he has for Iris turns the story into a blood-soaked love letter.

The spice? UNREAL. It’s filthy, raw, and threaded with obsession. Every scene drips with heat, possession, and intensity. It’s the kind of spice that makes your pulse race and leaves you gasping for more.

And that ending? I’m still screaming. J.N. Bamforth knows how to craft a cliffhanger that rips your heart out and makes you desperate for more. I need the next book, I need more Silas and Iris, because their story is nowhere near done.

This book is proof that love doesn’t always heal—it devours. It’s brutal, messy, and beautiful in the darkest way possible. J.N. Bamforth is so damn talented—I will devour everything she writes.

[Sarahreadsallthebooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when something is so disgusting you gag? Well…

Crawl Space was unbelievable. It was utterly horrific in parts and still had me swooning and laughing out loud in others!

It was also very educational, I learnt lots of things, like what ‘finger skins’ are “They’re like little socks, but for your fingers instead.” Also that I have a stronger stomach than I thought!

Despite hiding from my kindle at times, I had such fun reading this.

BUT

Please do your research before reading this book, it’s a pitch black romance/erotic horror the list of trigger warnings is LONG, it won’t be for everyone but if you love serial killers, revenge, graphic horror scenes, with stalking and obsessive MMCs then this book should be on your TBR.

5/5⭐️
5/5🌶️

I cannot wait for whatever comes next!

[Emilee Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 10/4/25

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

🖤Mute Masked MMC
🪓 Serial K!ller
🖤Mental Health Rep
🔪 Gothic Vibes
🖤Elder Emo FMC
🎙️True Crime Junkie
🖤Pitch Black Horror Erotica
⚠️ CHECK TRIGGERS!!!

📝🙌🏻 HUGE thank you to @jnbauthor for trusting me as an ARC reader again… you are 2 for 2 with me! Crawl Space was another 5 star read and also my first official pitch black erotic horror 🫣 and holy shit did she deliver. This book gave me all the shocks, spice, romance, twists, and those positively nauseating moments. Iris and Silas’ love story was incredibly insane but also so romantic… what does that say about me!? 😂 Once again, she made me feel personally connected to the characters…I was rooting for them the whole way!

The story was engaging and at times I was questioning myself for reading it but I couldn’t stop! It kept my attention the entire time and found myself picking up my Kindle at some of the worst times…like cooking dinner. But damn girl, you had to go and drop that cottage cheese image in my head…thank god I already hate cottage cheese! And now there’s a handful of things I’ll never look at the same again…jars included. 😩🤣

Also can we PLEASE talk about that ending because what the actual hell!? I literally almost threw my Kindle across the room!!! Please tell me there’s a second book! I need more of Iris and Silas!

🌟 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐋 - HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! For all my horror erotica girlies…just make sure to check the trigger warnings because this one is definitely not for the weak!

[Audi Walbridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah.

First and foremost I know we always say check your trigger warnings but please read these ones.

This may be one of the darkest romances I've read. I don't have any triggers or tropes I can't read but even I had moments of cringing or trying to read really fast through it. However that said I could not put it down.

Iris and Silas's love story is concerning, unorthodox, slightly psychotic, but still romantic.

Silas did not have a great upbringing and my heart broke for him. Iris has a stalker, and no not just Silas.

I definitely looked at cottage cheese a little different for awhile 😂

The ending though.... maam!!!! I know she's not doing us like that.

If you like pitch black, erotic horror, mixed with romance, give this one a go!

[Marta Conteh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me on a tremendous roller coaster of sensations and emotions! I loved the story of Silas and Iris.

🖤I'm going to shout my love for Silas from the rooftops.🖤

J.N. Bamforth has mastered conveying everything in this story. Honestly, few authors have been able to make me feel so many things with their writing style, and she's MY FAVORITE!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review -
Now please read the warnings! This really is a pitch black romance and will definitely make your stomach whirl - with my job it’s takes a lot for me to feel sick … this book however. Nah 😂 don’t read this on your lunch breaks if you are a bit squeamish or if you love cottage cheese 🫠!

It’s certainly taken me into the deep deep black end of erotic horror and with a bang! But it’s been the perfect book to introduce me to these style of novels and perfect for the upcoming spooky season 🦇🩸🔪
This is honestly once again such well written and I love a book that finishes on a “what the hell has happened moment”.
Such a great use of characters which really makes you rethink your morals 😂 Silas and Iris are such a match made in heaven and the Watcher just makes me feel sick thinking about him 🤮🧀

Will definitely be recommending this to friends and very grateful for the opportunity to have an ARC read of this one

[Anatasia McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

mom ? can you come get me ? im scared.
listen.....
I dont have the right words.
its a ride. a wild one. one you may or may not want to get off from but can't peel your eyes away.
read the triggers AND the author note. take it seriously.
this is NOT a dark romance. this is an erotic horror. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME.
chapter 19? good luck.

[Optimisticbooknerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

Okay but this was hot... and scary? maybe need therapy but that's for another day LOL Definitely wanna read this author again

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

well you have done it again. incredible writing.
but my god it's disgusting. definitely felt sick a good few times.
Iris is a true crime podcaster. She inherits a 'haunted' mansion.
just so happens to be haunted by a sexy masked killer
Touch her and absofuckinlutely die.
His banter is 🤌🏼
she's a bad bitch that knows exactly what she wants.
Loves a good run through the woods 👀
One character will have you trying to hold the puke down
The way she writes these people is just outstanding.
Thanks for the arc. love your work.

5⭐

[Lynnmarie542_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the absolute pleasure of beta reading Crawl Space and my mind was Completely blown. This one takes the crown as my favorite beta read yet.

A pitch black, beautifully horrifying story with equal parts swoon worthy and stomach churning. I loved every damn second of it.

“Until the end.”

⚠️ Please check your triggers (I went in blind) and for the love of gawd—do not eat while reading this 😂

Huge thank you for letting me be part of your beta team! 🖤

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this. Crime podcaster x Unaliver seriously ate it up. Couldn't put it down and finished in one sitting. Love Silas and his humor. that ending. Can't wait for more. Now I'm gonna shout out Jn. I'm not squeamish and have no triggers. I made it through 19 IYKYK. 26 though had me a bit queasy and well done to her. This is the first book to elicit a reaction from me. No book has ever ruined food for me. Check TWs and take that warning at the beginning seriously.

[Elorafae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This surpasses 5 stars, let me tell you right now! This book had me hooked from the first page…

I had the pleasure of ARC reviewing this and I cannot express how much I’ve enjoyed and ate this book up. The characters, the story, the emotions it pulls from you is just chefs kiss.

Now I’m not one to do reviews with spoilers so don’t worry about that but this books had me laughing, crying, raging, gagging, swooning…. Like you are on a rollercoaster that quite frankly, I didn’t want to get of and the fact this is a cliffhanger as well chomping at the bit for more already.😩

Iris is a quirky, relatable and lovable character, and the fact she’s a curvy gal just ticks all the right boxes for me 😍

Silas…. Ugh that scarred and twisted man!! I want him for myself. I want to love him and live in his darkness and twisted beauty, he had me weak on several occasions🥵

Now the one thing about this book that caught me off guard was the third POV… just be ready that’s all I’ll say on this matter… (TWs are needed 😏)

JN absolutely smashed it with this, it was everything I love about pitch black erotic horror with a good dosage of romance. The horror aspects really fed into my love for horror and the smut was well… SMUTTING 😈and we all love smut, right!?

If you are wanting a gripping, dark, twisted and quite beautiful (in an unhinged way) story then Crawl Space is for you. You won’t regret it 🖤

[Dark Book Girlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book from the small bits of information I had seen on TT. Then to get asked to ARC read was such an honour.

**4.5**

I loved Silas so much. His inner monologue had me in stiches. Yes his past was heart-breaking but despite what he turned into the people that caught his attention, in my opinion, deserved it and more.

This is the first book I have read where there is a character that is mute and it is actually for a genuine reason. That was interesting and to see how he tried to overcome that was hard but also real and I appreciated that.

What happened to his sister broke my heart. That poor girl did the only thing she could do to escape when to her there was no other options and for it to be Silas to be the one to see that I am not at all surprised that is what made him snap.

Now Ivy, this FMC was just chefs kiss!! She's hilarious with a whole heap of sarcasm that makes for a fantastic read. Some of my favourite quotes are from Ivy...

"I'm going to need to book a session with Jesus if this carries on."
"I have a knife and raging anxiety, and they don't mix pretty well."

See hilarious!!

As for James... I have no words, but the ear scene, despite being gross, lives rent free in my head.

I do have a few questions that I will need answers to. How did they know where to find Silas? They entered the house knowing he was there? I need to know if this will be explained? It is clear that the penitentiary where Silas was before allows for systematic abuse and I can't wait to see what Ivy and Silas do when they are there. I know Ivy has that darkness in her. I am itching to see what she is capable of.

Also the cliff-hanger was so mean!! I need to know!!

[Courts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even start? This book was phenomenal. The writing, pacing, characters, and even the chapter lengths…everything felt spot on.

Although it’s a shorter read, it never once felt rushed. Every detail you needed was there and the chapters were the perfect length. They didn’t feel like they not dragged or were over too quick. I absolutely loved both the FMC and MMC and the chemistry between them was undeniable. My only small complaint is that I would’ve liked a few more moments of them together to really watch their bond develop. It did feel a little like they jumped from zero to one hundred in just a couple of chapters 😂

As for the story itself…I’m a big fan of dark romance, and this one went beyond dark into pitch-black horror…and I loved it. It is not for the faint heart and you definitely need to know your triggers in order to read this.

The book is told from three POVs and let me tell you, the third character’s chapters had me absolutely gagging. I don’t think I’ve ever read about someone so vile. His hygiene and his eating habits…just disgusting, and not in the way you’d expect 🤮🤮🤮 We only got a couple of chapters told by “the watcher” and each time they got worse and worse. I honestly don’t think I’ll ever look at cottage cheese, mac and cheese or crackers the same way again😭😭

I also found myself wanting a bit more backstory about Silas especially his time in the penitentiary and how exactly he connects with James. We get told little bits but honestly I need a whole novella about it *hint hint*

But overall, this was such an addictive read and I cannot wait for the sequel. Honestly, it feels unfair that I got to read it early as an ARC and now have to wait even longer for book two. It ends on a cliffhanger, so of course, I immediately DM’d J.N. Bamforth to beg for reassurance that it couldn’t just end like that and THANK GOD she confirmed there’s a second book coming 😂.

Now I’m just crossing all my fingers and toes that I’ll be lucky enough to snag an ARC for the next release.

[Laura Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

(ARC Review)
Wow this book…
Where do I even begin with this one?
If you love your books dark, kinky and gory then you need to read this. But if you get queasy easily, maybe rethink reading this… it really isn’t for the faint hearted!
I see trigger warnings like a shopping list and for me, the darker the better.
I’d never actually read a book that’s phased me or made me cringe… until now! Parts of this book literally made me gag and shudder, so kudos to Jordan for that one 🤣

I really enjoyed the plot - it was different, fast paced and definitely kept my intrigue.
I’m a sucker for a dangerous masked killer MMC and my good god Silas Riggs did not disappoint 🥵
As for the FMC Iris, she was a strong bad ass woman with an attitude and I loved her for it.

The third POV in this book was a good addition and definitely made things more interesting. I found myself not wanting to put this down and when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about the plot and what was going to happen next.

The book ends on a cliffhanger and what a cliffhanger it was!
It’s left me with so many questions and I just want more!! It wasn’t enough, I could have happily carried on reading about these characters and their world for many more pages!

All in all, this book is definitely not for everyone. But if you like reading unhinged things and aren’t squeamish then I think you’ll eat this up just like I did. I cannot WAIT for more 🙌🏻
Thank you so much Jordan for allowing me to be an ARC reader for you. This is definitely a book I won’t forget in a hurry!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

HELLO??? PITCH BLACK GIRLIES. THIS IS FOR YOU

Crawlspace by J.N. Bamforth actually ruined me in the BEST way 😭🔥 This book is dark, twisted, unhinged, and had me gripping my Kindle like my life depended on it. The tension?? The atmosphere?? The way the plot kept throwing me around like a ragdoll?? I have no notes. ZERO.

But listen. Daddy Silas. DADDY. SILAS. 🫠 The man opens his mouth and it’s basically SWEET CONFUSED MAN WITH A TWIST monologue that feels like a service package I did NOT sign up for but will happily renew on subscription. He is terrifying, magnetic, sinful, ADORABLE and I’m sorry but WHY did I eat up every single second he was on the page?? Like sir, ruin me properly. 😳🔥

This isn’t just a book, it’s an experience. It’s dark, it’s spicy, it’s horrifying, and it’s going to live rent free in my brain forever. If you’re a dark romance/horror bestie—READ. THIS. BOOK. And then come scream with me about Daddy Silas because I am not okay. 🖤

[Bookishlyvenus ⋆˚࿔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

tbh, i had no idea what to expect coming into this book but i was not disappointed!

the whole concept of a mute mmc who lived in the fmc’s WALLS was all i needed to be convinced! you will fall in love with sillas trust me. he crawled into my heart (no pun intended) and latched there!! i want to protect him at all costs. i loves him every bit of the way.

AND CHAPTER 19!!!?? i remember clutching my pearls, jaw dropped, gagging a bit but i loved it i would read this 100 times all over again🤣🤣

i definitely recommend reading this just make sure to check tw’s!

[haunted.kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC!!!
I loved this one so much 😮‍💨

[Jasmin Elyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

There has never been a book to make me gag like this book, however I loved every minute of it. Thankyou for allowing my an ARC again and I can’t wait for book 2!
Such a good start to the spooky season!

[Ellie Reads ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now where do I even begin…SHE’S DONE IT AGAIN! Crawl Space has been one of my favourite reads of the year! When I say I physically gagged and not in the good way you know you’re in for a treat!

Jord, thank you for bringing Silas into my mind, he now lives there rent free and is never moving out 😂

“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒓𝒖𝒏, 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆.. 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒐.. 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒆.”

If you want a book that’s going to keep you on edge and clenching in both the good way 👀 and the bad way 🤮 this book is for you! Silas will forever stay with me!

I saw myself in Iris and I felt so seen as a spooky girly who has questionable thoughts 😂

Also JAMES NEEDS TO GO CHOKE ON NAILS! Nuff said 👏

Rating: ♾️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Gag meter: 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

[spicy_book_nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts : This was a crazy ride… Just when I thought it couldn’t get crazier than a hot, masked, serial unaliver living in her walls… a mystery stalker with some real craziness comes through… this made me queasy, and I’ve read some F’d up stuff. Captured by Lauren Biel “mayo jar” has NOTHING on this book…

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot / Storyline 👩🏻‍💻: 📑📑📑📑
First Spicy Scene: 9 %
Darkness: 🖤🖤🖤
Red Flags: 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
HEA: Cliffhanger - Duet series
POV: Multiple

⚠️⚠️⚠️spoilers - whole story***
Iris inherits her Grandmothers old house. She never knew her grandmother.
When she arrives, she is excited to start a new journey. Iris is a crime pod caster. She hears weird noises and her food is being eaten… (not creepy at all).
Silas is a serial unaliver that is on the run. He and his sister Sophia grew up in an @bu$ive house hold, physically, mentally, but worse of all, SA. Silas tried to take most of the tor+^re but Sophia swung herself from a tree with a rope she found. That’s when Silas unalived both parents. He went to an asylum but escaped later on, where he found Iris’s grandmother’s house. She knew he was there, leaving plates of food for him so he wouldn’t go hungry.
Iris researched Silas. She has a lot of empathy for him and his story.
A “handyman”, Nick, shows up to fix some things but Iris gets creeped out and sends him on his way. Silas follows him only to find out he was planning on hurting Iris. So naturally, Silas unalives Nick, painfully.
Meanwhile, “The Watcher” (or TW) has been obsessed with Iris. TW is a nasty little man that can only be described as worse than the horrible capture of Caltured by Lauren Biel (If ya know, ya know…).
Silas shows himself to Iris and she isn’t scared. They start a “thing” but he won’t take his mask off yet.
TW sends Iris a letter detailing his obsession, Silas intervenes and gets the letter before Iris. TW sends another letter and a USB. He is into snuff films and sends her some.
Iris doesn’t know what to make of it so she doesn’t say anything. Silas and Iris continue their “relationship” and he chases her through the woods. They bang and he lets her take his mask off!!!
All while TW is watching and growing more angry. Iris was supposed to be his. Now he is going to hurt her more than he planned.
Iris and Silas go back to the house (Iris sees a shadow watching 😒😒😒 and doesn’t say anything). Silas kind of disassociates and tries to unalive Iris thinking it’s his dad and wraps his hands around her neck. She passes out and he revives her only for her to send him away because she was so scared. Silas goes unwillingly but vows to get her back.
TW takes Iris and tor+^res her relentlessly and sends a video to Silas. TW taunts Silas on the video. Silas realizes who TW is and where he is. TW is James Whitaker, a guard at the asylum who tor+^red him almost every night (including SA).
Silas finds them and knocks TW out… Iris tells Silas she “needs” him now to erase the touch of TW… This was a little over the top for me, I mean, she had acid soaked nails driven through her leg and he carved his name in her stomach. NO way she would be up for that, but hey, who doesn’t love a little crazy with their fiction. After, Silas hurts TW and Iris tells him to be done with it so they can leave.
They return to her house only for the news story to break about someone finding TW. They try to leave but the police show up, pew pew Silas and take both back to the asylum.
CLIFFHAGER…

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My fingers itch to crawl inside her. To wear her flesh like a suit"

I am as obsessed with this book as our MMC is with our FMC! If like me, you like your book boyfriends being literal murdering psychopaths, then this book is for you.

Crawl Space follows our protagonist, Iris as she moves into the manor that was left to her by her late grandmother. However, the old house is not the only thing left behind after her passing. Iris soon discovers that there's a lot more to the creaking and banging noises that she's blaming on an ancient house.

This was such a wonderfully dark and unhinged read, I truly adored it. Our MMC Silas may be the biggest walking red flag, but he broke my heart and I would bend over backwards for him, quite literally. He is the definition of 'touch her and die' and he will have readers weak at the knees (if you're as sick and twisted as I am)!

The characters were written incredibly, as were their backstories. The chemistry and smut was literally top tier, I had to stop reading just to compose myself at some points. I will definitely be returning to read some of the sex scenes in this story. The plot twist took me by surprise and my jaw was on the floor with how it ended! I devoured this story in two sittings, completely pulled into the world with the wonderful writing style and multiple povs.

As a huge splatterpunk and slasher fan, the gory and disgusting scenes did not phase me negatively in the slightest, but I loved them! They were so horrifically written in the best and most unhinged way, so bloody and disgustingly enjoyable!

Overall, Crawl Space was a beautifully written in the most sick, twisted and unhinged way! It had me feeling so many emotions, rooting for characters you definitely shouldn't be rooting for and will have you hooked and on the edge of your seat from the get go. Please read the trigger warnings before diving into this, as Crawl Space is not just for anyone, trust me. I cannot wait to read more books by Bamforth and am extremely honoured and grateful to have been chosen as an arc reader!

Thank you so so much to the author for and arc of Crawl Space. All opinions are mine and have been left voluntarily.

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒎𝒆? 𝑨 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒏𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔. 𝑨 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒅, 𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅. 𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏. 𝑫𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔.

When I read the blurb and TW to this book, I knew it’ll be a book that I wouldn’t be able to put down! Thank you again jnbauthor for giving me the opportunity to ARC read your book.

First and foremost, PLS READ TW before you proceed.

Some trigger warnings include but not limited to: SOMNOPHILIA, CHILD ABUSE/CHILD SUICIDE, MENTIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, MURDER, GORE, PTSD, VOCAL DAMAGE, MENTAL VOICES, STALKING, RAPE BY INSTRUMENTATION, DECAPITATION, BODY MUTILATION, DISMEMBERMENT, SERIAL KILLERS, SCALPING

The first page got me hooked right away and I was unable to put it down. It was a constant read for me when I had downtime at work because I needed to know what happens next. This book made laugh, cry, angry, grossed me out (IYKYK).

“𝒘𝒆’𝒓𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒊𝒏, 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓.”

I fell in love with our MMC and FMC. As unhinged as Silas was, he was also a golden retriever boyfriend and great example of “touch her and die” literally. And our FMC, Iris is such a bad ass character.

“𝑰’𝒎 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒎𝒆, 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓. 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒈𝒐.. 𝑰 𝒈𝒐, 𝒂𝒏𝒅.. 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒉.. 𝒊𝒇 𝒊𝒕 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰’𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒃𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆.”

Now, the third POV I didn’t expect but a very well written character. His motivate and actions got me on the edge of my seat! The author writing is very captivating and the details put into this book was.. very vivid. I urge you not to be eating or drinking anything when you’re reading this book.

I couldn’t comprehend the ending so I had to reach out to the author because WHAT (IYKYK) GO. READ. THIS. BOOK.

Ratings: 5 ⭐️
Spice: 5 🌶️

[Ramona Strijkers · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I can feel her eyes burning into my soul, chipping away at the solid exterior that I've built around me, and f.ck it feels good to be seen"

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶.5

With certainty I can say that this is the first book that almost made me throw up....and I LOVE IT!

This book took me on a rollercoaster of feelings.
My heart got shattered, my feet were kicking, multiple parts of me were crying (not just the eyes), my stomach wanted to get rid of its contents multiple time, the moment Iris gave Silas his first kiss made me all tingly and Silas's inner monolog had me cackling.

"F.cking hell. This little demon is beautiful. My fingers itch to crawl inside her skin, to wear her flesh like a suit. I know she’d be warm and cosy, like a soft blanket. I’ve never had a blanket before. I’d quite like this woman to be my blanket.
You can’t turn people into blankets, Silas."

Silas and Iris are a match made in hell, he is unhinged, not at all in touch with reality and would do anything to keep his little demon and she is very loving and patient but also has a darker side to her and that bratty mouth cracked me up.

“Alright you ghost d1ck, show yourself! I’m due on my period and you’re pissing me off.”

Let's not talk about Iris's stalker though cause I might just get nauseous again just thinking about him 🤢 he is just vile.

I must admit, the thought of not finishing this book crossed my mind just for a millisecond, not because I was not a good book because it's amazing but because it was messing with my dinner. I'm like Joey *Joey's doesn't share food* and I liked to keep my food in my tummy and not having to share it with my couch 😅

But other than that, YESSS, you need to read this!!

[Gemz Booktok · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 / 5 — Haunting, visceral, unforgettable
Crawl Space by J. N. Bamforth completely consumed me. It’s one of those rare reads that crawls under your skin and stays there long after you’ve turned the final page. Dark, disturbing, and beautifully written, this book proves that pitch black erotic horror can be both terrifying and deeply human at the same time.
From the moment Iris steps into Willow Creek Manor, the tension never lets up. The house feels alive—watching, breathing, waiting—and the author writes with such sensory precision that you can hear the creak of every board and feel the cold press of its secrets. The atmosphere is suffocating in the best way.
The characters are what truly make this shine. Iris is flawed and defiant, and her dynamic with Silas Riggs is complex, raw, and unforgettable. And then there’s The Watcher—the perspective that had me simultaneously horrified and fascinated. Every chapter builds dread until it’s almost unbearable, but you can’t look away.
What impressed me most was how emotionally charged it all felt. Beneath the darkness and brutality, this is a story about survival, trauma, and control—told without apology. It’s not shock for shock’s sake; every disturbing moment serves the story and the psychology behind it.
The authors prose is lyrical but razor-sharp. The pacing is deliberate, the world fully realized, and the horror feels earned. It’s easily one of the most immersive dark reads I’ve encountered in a long time.
Crawl Space is for all the pitch black book lovers erotic horror lovers —it’s intense, graphic, and unapologetically dark—this is an absolute must-read
This author doesn’t just tell a story. They trap you inside it!!!
Gemz Booktok x

[Maree Gustafson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silas...my poor Silas. Life wasn't easy with him, it used to treat him like meat. Meat that doesn't talk when being used, just so the depraved creature can take from him. The once innocent little boy was forced to turn into a man full of darkness, blood lust, and a taste for justice to get rid of the true monsters in this world.
And when we talk about taste, his new flavour is Iris, the granddaughter of the women who once lived in Willow Creek Manor, where he lives behind the walls, watching her whilest his fascination for her grows.
Like Brahms from The Boys, just much more filthy and nasty.
Iris was abandoned by her mother, which I think did something to her, and out of nowhere, our dear FMC owns a house. Iris is like a moth to a flame when it comes to morbid things, which she and I have in common.
A toy shaped like a tentacle? Yes....
And just when you think, she'd run away when Silas crawls up from behind the walls, not hiding his hunger for her, you're wrong. So fvcking wrong. In that moment, two broken soul collide, giving each other what they crave and need.
The smut...i have no words for that. Just know that my little friend with his ears did what he could! Because the idea of a man behind the walls of my house, hiding his face behind a mask...mother Mary i would do things with and to him. HE could do whatever he wants with me.
Sorry, what?!
But it wouldn't be a book by Jordan, when Silas and Iris could have had their HEA because some fvck up Watcher comes out of his shit hole and forces Silas to protect his little demon at all costs.
I can't deal with the cliffhanger!

[Gabs Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay. I’m not the one to be disgusted by words in the fictional book, but The Watcher POVs? I had to place my Kindle down and look at the ceiling to think about what the HECK I read. And worst of all I can just imagine every disgusting scene and the smell and everything. This book is not for the weak and I think I know where my limit is with dark romances like that. This is the limit. Thick thick line I will not be able to step over. I want to take bits of my brain out where those images are stored. But for everything else, JESUS, Silas.. the man you are. Now i’m gonna search for every dark romance book which has MMC with a mask and living in the walls, thanks J.N. :) the book was beautifully written, maybe a bit boring around the killings, but it’s just me, i’m the problem. I loved the relationship between Silas and Iris, the way he did everything for her for such a long time before taking something for himself. The perfect example of nice guys always finish last. I might have wanted a little bit more podcast content, but that’s alright, Silas made up for it.

The only problem I have from the end scene with The Watcher is the way FMC crawled on the floor on her KNEES, when minutes before she had nails in her knees. That’s the only part I was a bit confused about. And maybe the way Silas wanted to use her before thinking that she needs to go to the hospital. But other than that, thank you for this masterpiece :)

[Nini · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got an arc, but my rating/review are my own!

omg omg omg😳😳😮 what was this???!!!
this was so dark, made me wanna throw-up but was so damm good!!!!

dedication:
••
𝓕𝓸𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓰𝓲𝓻𝓵𝓼 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝓪𝓵𝔀𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓯𝓲𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓪𝓼𝓴𝓮𝓭 𝓴𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓻 𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓿𝓮. 𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝓲𝓼 𝓶𝓮, 𝓘 𝓪𝓶 𝓱𝓮𝓻.
••

quotes:
••
“𝖄𝖔𝖚’𝖗𝖊 𝖗𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 𝖆𝖇𝖔𝖚𝖙 𝖔𝖓𝖊 ����𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖌, 𝖑𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖑𝖊 𝖉𝖊𝖒𝖔𝖓. 𝕴 𝖆𝖒 𝖈𝖗𝖆𝖟𝖞, 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖞𝖔𝖚’𝖗𝖊 𝖘𝖔 𝖕𝖗𝖊𝖙𝖙𝖞 𝖜𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖑𝖎𝖊. 𝕾𝖔 𝖑𝖊𝖙’𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖓𝖉 𝖔𝖚𝖙 𝖍𝖔𝖜 𝖒𝖚𝖈𝖍 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖉𝖔𝖓’𝖙 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖙 𝖒𝖊, 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖑𝖑 𝖜𝖊?”
“𝕿𝖊𝖑𝖑 𝖒𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖔𝖚𝖌𝖍𝖙𝖘, 𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖞. 𝕴 𝖓𝖊𝖊𝖉 𝖙𝖔 𝖐𝖓𝖔𝖜 𝖜𝖍𝖆𝖙’𝖘 𝖌𝖔𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖔𝖓 𝖎𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖕𝖗𝖊𝖙𝖙𝖞 𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖉 𝖔𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖘. 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖘𝖎𝖑𝖊𝖓𝖈𝖊 𝖎𝖘 𝖙𝖔𝖔 𝖒𝖚𝖈𝖍 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖒𝖊. 𝕴 𝖓𝖊𝖊𝖉 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝖛𝖔𝖎𝖈𝖊, 𝖇𝖊𝖈𝖆𝖚𝖘𝖊 𝕴 𝖈𝖆𝖓’𝖙 𝖌𝖎𝖛𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖒𝖎𝖓𝖊.”
“𝕴’𝖒 𝖓𝖔𝖙 𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝖍𝖚𝖗𝖙 𝖞𝖔𝖚, 𝖑𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖑𝖊 𝖉𝖊𝖒𝖔𝖓, 𝖇𝖚𝖙 𝕴 𝖆𝖒 𝖌𝖔𝖓𝖓𝖆 𝖒𝖆𝖐𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖒 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖒𝖊.”
••
“𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓶𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓪𝓰𝓪𝓲𝓷?”
“𝓔𝓪𝓽 𝓶𝓮 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓘’𝓶 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓵𝓪𝓼𝓽 𝓯𝓾𝓬𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓶𝓮𝓪𝓵.”
••
“𝕾𝖍𝖔𝖜 𝖒𝖊, 𝖑𝖊𝖙 𝖒𝖊 𝖘𝖊𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖙𝖔𝖚𝖈𝖍 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖘𝖊𝖑𝖋 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖒𝖊.”
“𝕴 𝖉𝖎𝖉 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖒, 𝖆 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖕𝖑𝖊 𝖔𝖋 𝖓𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙𝖘 𝖆𝖌𝖔 𝖆𝖈𝖙𝖚𝖆𝖑𝖑𝖞. 𝕴 𝖘𝖆𝖜 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖙𝖔𝖞 𝖎𝖓 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝖇𝖊𝖉𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊 𝖚𝖓𝖎𝖙. 𝕴 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖉 𝖒𝖞 𝖈𝖔𝖈𝖐 𝖙𝖔 𝖇𝖊 𝖏𝖚𝖘𝖙 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙. 𝕿𝖔 𝖇𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖕𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖚𝖗𝖊 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖙𝖔𝖞 𝖉𝖔𝖊𝖘. 𝕿𝖔 𝖋𝖊𝖊𝖑 𝖊𝖆𝖈𝖍 𝖇𝖆𝖗 𝖘𝖑𝖎𝖕𝖕𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖎𝖓𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝖕𝖚𝖘𝖘𝖞. 𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝖑𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝖘𝖔 𝖋𝖚𝖈𝖐𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖌𝖔𝖔𝖉 𝖔𝖓 𝖒𝖞 𝖇𝖔𝖔𝖙, 𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖞.”
“𝕴’𝖛𝖊 𝖆𝖑𝖘𝖔 𝖇𝖊𝖊𝖓 𝖕𝖗𝖆𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖈𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖆 𝖋𝖊𝖜 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘, 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉𝖘 𝖒𝖔𝖘𝖙𝖑𝖞, 𝖎𝖙’𝖘 𝖇𝖊𝖊𝖓 𝖞𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖘 𝖘𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖊 𝕴’𝖛𝖊 𝖘𝖕𝖔𝖐𝖊𝖓 𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖕𝖊𝖗𝖑𝖞 𝖇𝖚𝖙 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖉𝖊𝖘𝖊𝖗𝖛𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝖍𝖆𝖛𝖊 𝖒𝖞 𝖛𝖔𝖎𝖈𝖊, 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕴 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖙 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖙𝖔 𝖍𝖆𝖛𝖊 𝖎𝖙.”
“𝕽𝖎𝖉𝖊.. 𝖒𝖞.. 𝖇𝖔𝖔𝖙.”
••

tropes:
☆🍁pitch black romance
☆🍁erotic horror
☆🍁true crime
☆🍁mute masked mmc
☆🍁virgin mmc
☆🍁he lives in her walls
☆🍁stalker
☆🍁triple pov