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Our Dark Mirror #2
Our Bright Window
Once a loyal hellhound, Vincent now runs with a new pack: a ragtag group of werewolves, hiding from the supernatural authorities now swarming their college town. But he can’t get his past betrayals out of his head. Henry visits his dreams every night, tormenting him with visions of the happiness he almost had. And the people he couldn’t save still haunt him–literally. Ghosts are pouring out of the Underworld, spreading corruption and darkness in their wake.
Vincent is responsible for it all, and he knows better than anyone: nothing ever truly stays dead. He must mend the broken pieces of both worlds, before everything he has come to care about is lost. In the end, the final price to save the mortal world–and the people he loves–may destroy everything he has ever known.
Vincent is responsible for it all, and he knows better than anyone: nothing ever truly stays dead. He must mend the broken pieces of both worlds, before everything he has come to care about is lost. In the end, the final price to save the mortal world–and the people he loves–may destroy everything he has ever known.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2025
11 people want to read
About the author
James Chance
3 books9 followersI have always been haunted by monsters. Everyone has some kind of creature inside them. Everyone is a little dark and strange. My stories explore how our monsters make us human–and what we should do about it. Drawing from a background in nonprofit finance and sociology, I strive to forge understanding between people in an increasingly weird world. I live in Southern California with my family of rescues (animals included).
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 29, 2025
Thanks so much to the Author for letting me read an ARC for this book!!
i absolutely ADORED Our dark mirror and have been impatiently waiting to get my hands on this one ever since I have finished it. Now I shall be impatiently waiting for the third book! :D
i love Henry and Vincent so so much and I loved getting to see more development of the relationship between them and Sierra and Casey too and watching them grow together as a kind of found family, it was lovely
I also greatly appreciate that I don't get left on huge cliff hangers for these for sure 🤣 im very excited for the premise of the next book and will definitely read it as soon as I'm allowed to c:
i absolutely ADORED Our dark mirror and have been impatiently waiting to get my hands on this one ever since I have finished it. Now I shall be impatiently waiting for the third book! :D
i love Henry and Vincent so so much and I loved getting to see more development of the relationship between them and Sierra and Casey too and watching them grow together as a kind of found family, it was lovely
I also greatly appreciate that I don't get left on huge cliff hangers for these for sure 🤣 im very excited for the premise of the next book and will definitely read it as soon as I'm allowed to c:
October 9, 2025
If you’re a fan of Our Dark Mirror, the first book in the series, you won’t be disappointed. The story continues to be compelling and emotional with a romance that is probably the slowest burn in the history of romance. It’s so amazing to be able to read along as the characters grow and evolve. Having the slow burn romance only enhances the story. Also, the overall plot of the series is cool and unique. You won’t find any stereotypical supernatural creatures here!
November 1, 2025
Wow James Chance has done it again!
I don’t even know where to start with this review.
Should I talk about the Pining? It was endless and heartbreaking. I spent the entire time wanting to hug this gang of misfits and none more so than Vincent. Seeing him so at odds with himself and those around him was so hard. He really is the ultimate sad-boi.
Should I talk about the found family? Seeing this group of young people band together and take care of each other in the messy way only young people trying to figure themselves and the world around them out can do. They are perfectly imperfect people just trying to get by in the best way the know how. It was beautiful to see them all come together united against a greater evil.
Should I talk about the fascinating mix of theology in here? Heaven and hell, the fall of Lucifer, the Greek mythology. Utterly genius. Speaking as an atheist myself the idea of heaven and hell and where we go when we move on is not something I’ve given a lot of thought to previously but this book and especially the captivating way the author writes has me hooked. For a few hours while I read I really believed in it all. And the characters fight for justice for the spirits of the dead felt viscerally real and important.
Or should I talk about the relationship between Vincent and Henry?
Oh these boys really played with my emotions. They felt so real. I remember having all the feelings they do as an early adult. The fight to feel like you’re enough for someone and to truly feel understood for who you are and not what others need you to be really spoke to my heart.
It was so wonderful to see them find acceptance in each other and all the friends around them.
And it was nice to end on a hopeful note.
And of course I have to mention the authors beautiful writing. I have whole paragraphs highlighted of the most soul touching words.
I am once again desperate for the next in this series but also happy to wait a little while because this one really out me through an emotional wringer.
All the stars!
I received and ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I don’t even know where to start with this review.
Should I talk about the Pining? It was endless and heartbreaking. I spent the entire time wanting to hug this gang of misfits and none more so than Vincent. Seeing him so at odds with himself and those around him was so hard. He really is the ultimate sad-boi.
Should I talk about the found family? Seeing this group of young people band together and take care of each other in the messy way only young people trying to figure themselves and the world around them out can do. They are perfectly imperfect people just trying to get by in the best way the know how. It was beautiful to see them all come together united against a greater evil.
Should I talk about the fascinating mix of theology in here? Heaven and hell, the fall of Lucifer, the Greek mythology. Utterly genius. Speaking as an atheist myself the idea of heaven and hell and where we go when we move on is not something I’ve given a lot of thought to previously but this book and especially the captivating way the author writes has me hooked. For a few hours while I read I really believed in it all. And the characters fight for justice for the spirits of the dead felt viscerally real and important.
Or should I talk about the relationship between Vincent and Henry?
Oh these boys really played with my emotions. They felt so real. I remember having all the feelings they do as an early adult. The fight to feel like you’re enough for someone and to truly feel understood for who you are and not what others need you to be really spoke to my heart.
It was so wonderful to see them find acceptance in each other and all the friends around them.
And it was nice to end on a hopeful note.
And of course I have to mention the authors beautiful writing. I have whole paragraphs highlighted of the most soul touching words.
I am once again desperate for the next in this series but also happy to wait a little while because this one really out me through an emotional wringer.
All the stars!
I received and ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 25, 2025
Our Dark Mirror ran so Our Bright Window could fly, and oh my god, did it soar.
James Chance didn’t just level up with this book; he found the exact frequency his soul writes on, and the result is something devastatingly, breathtakingly alive. The writing here is sharper, braver, more luminous than ever. Every sentence feels like it was pulled out of his chest still bleeding and handed straight to you.
The characterisation is heartbreaking and raw and honest in a way that should come with a warning label. Henry gets the kind of development that I know we've all been hoping for. He cracks open, lets the light and the rot spill out together, and watching him become someone so achingly vulnerable made my heart fold in on itself. I haven’t ugly-cried into a book like this in years. This one didn’t just take a piece of me; it rearranged the pieces and left fingerprints all over my ribs.
I won’t spoil the plot (it would be criminal), but Henry and Vincent are a mirror held up to each other’s oldest wounds, reflecting and refracting until you can’t tell whose pain is whose anymore. Their love feels inevitable and impossible at the same time, like watching two stars collide in slow motion.
We get incredible new characters who slot into the world like they were always meant to be there, and some long, exquisite stretches with Casey. Seeing everything through her eyes this time is its own kind of heartbreak, clear and unflinching and so tender it hurts.
James Chance plays moral yo-yo with your feelings like it’s his full-time job: just when you think the dark has won and your little heart can’t take another page, he yanks you back into warmth and trust and the promise that dawn exists. All darkness was made to be endured, and in these books James Chance is our Charon, ferrying you safely to the other side while never letting you look away from the river.
Please, please, please read Our Bright Window. It will wreck you in the best way and then put you back together brighter. I laughed. I sobbed. I highlighted half the book. I’m not okay and I’ve never been happier about it.
James Chance didn’t just level up with this book; he found the exact frequency his soul writes on, and the result is something devastatingly, breathtakingly alive. The writing here is sharper, braver, more luminous than ever. Every sentence feels like it was pulled out of his chest still bleeding and handed straight to you.
The characterisation is heartbreaking and raw and honest in a way that should come with a warning label. Henry gets the kind of development that I know we've all been hoping for. He cracks open, lets the light and the rot spill out together, and watching him become someone so achingly vulnerable made my heart fold in on itself. I haven’t ugly-cried into a book like this in years. This one didn’t just take a piece of me; it rearranged the pieces and left fingerprints all over my ribs.
I won’t spoil the plot (it would be criminal), but Henry and Vincent are a mirror held up to each other’s oldest wounds, reflecting and refracting until you can’t tell whose pain is whose anymore. Their love feels inevitable and impossible at the same time, like watching two stars collide in slow motion.
We get incredible new characters who slot into the world like they were always meant to be there, and some long, exquisite stretches with Casey. Seeing everything through her eyes this time is its own kind of heartbreak, clear and unflinching and so tender it hurts.
James Chance plays moral yo-yo with your feelings like it’s his full-time job: just when you think the dark has won and your little heart can’t take another page, he yanks you back into warmth and trust and the promise that dawn exists. All darkness was made to be endured, and in these books James Chance is our Charon, ferrying you safely to the other side while never letting you look away from the river.
Please, please, please read Our Bright Window. It will wreck you in the best way and then put you back together brighter. I laughed. I sobbed. I highlighted half the book. I’m not okay and I’ve never been happier about it.
October 31, 2025
I enjoyed getting to revisit Vincent, Henry, Sierra, Percy, and Casey. They did have someone new join their pack in this book, a young, stubborn wolf named Roman. Who I absolutely adore! He's adorable!
This book picks up after the events of where book one left off at, we get to see what the world has turned into now that the portal has been broken. These characters face more mysteries, more action, heartbreak, and redemption. I would say this book in particular is more about Vincent and his pack realizing their own worth and what they mean to each other and how to save the world rather than being about romance.
Not that that's a bad thing, I do wish we saw a bit more romance between Henry and Vincent, but I understand why there wasn't. They had a lot of complicated feelings between them that they had to work through, and I'm glad James prioritized fully fleshing out the characters he created. We got to see a more in-depth look into all of these characters and we got to see them grow not only as individuals, but also as a pack. Which I enjoyed reading about!
This book does leave off with another cliffhanger and I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of this series plays out. These characters are up against a lot of different forces at play and I'm interested in seeing how they're going to accomplish their goals.
~~I received an early copy of this book and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.~~~
This book picks up after the events of where book one left off at, we get to see what the world has turned into now that the portal has been broken. These characters face more mysteries, more action, heartbreak, and redemption. I would say this book in particular is more about Vincent and his pack realizing their own worth and what they mean to each other and how to save the world rather than being about romance.
Not that that's a bad thing, I do wish we saw a bit more romance between Henry and Vincent, but I understand why there wasn't. They had a lot of complicated feelings between them that they had to work through, and I'm glad James prioritized fully fleshing out the characters he created. We got to see a more in-depth look into all of these characters and we got to see them grow not only as individuals, but also as a pack. Which I enjoyed reading about!
This book does leave off with another cliffhanger and I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of this series plays out. These characters are up against a lot of different forces at play and I'm interested in seeing how they're going to accomplish their goals.
~~I received an early copy of this book and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.~~~
November 1, 2025
I was so excited to jump back into the 'Our Dark Mirror' series. Book one was an absolute delight of gothic dark academia and left some bloody big footsteps for Our Bright Window to fill. And fill them it did!!
What's better than one tortured book boyfriend? MULTIPLE tortured book boyfriends. Each character is traumatised, hurt, and self-critical. It makes for such a scrumptious read. It literally sang to my soul.
The character arcs were sublime, everyone has grown with the plot, and you get a real sense of humanity from everyone. There was one character who I hated and genuinely couldn't stand. I was questioning their whole existence in the book till their exit from the main plot line. Suddenly, I was distraught with tears burning my eyes. Chances the ability to flip a readers entire experience and feelings within a few pages is so impressive.
What surprised me the most during book 2 was the switch in my favourite character. In book 1, it was Vincent, but Casey absolutely dominated book 2. She was phenomenally written, and her storyline was absolutely incredible
What's better than one tortured book boyfriend? MULTIPLE tortured book boyfriends. Each character is traumatised, hurt, and self-critical. It makes for such a scrumptious read. It literally sang to my soul.
The character arcs were sublime, everyone has grown with the plot, and you get a real sense of humanity from everyone. There was one character who I hated and genuinely couldn't stand. I was questioning their whole existence in the book till their exit from the main plot line. Suddenly, I was distraught with tears burning my eyes. Chances the ability to flip a readers entire experience and feelings within a few pages is so impressive.
What surprised me the most during book 2 was the switch in my favourite character. In book 1, it was Vincent, but Casey absolutely dominated book 2. She was phenomenally written, and her storyline was absolutely incredible
November 3, 2025
Building your own pack
Vincent man he is a terrible hellhound lol. He has such a good heart. His love for Henry and his new friends is beautiful.
This series though is a slooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow burn... Vincent feels so much and he doesn't know what to do with it. I keep wanting to push them together and make them face what they both obviously need.
There is so much going on in this book. The portal has caused all sorts of unexpected issues. This book sets out to fix the portal but leads to all sorts of discoveries and unexpected things happening.
The entire event of things that happened in He'll were really intense and eye opening. We really see a lot more of how different Vincent is and how he doesn't belong there.
I can't wait to see what happens next. These guys are all in this together as friends, family and pack.
Vincent man he is a terrible hellhound lol. He has such a good heart. His love for Henry and his new friends is beautiful.
This series though is a slooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow burn... Vincent feels so much and he doesn't know what to do with it. I keep wanting to push them together and make them face what they both obviously need.
There is so much going on in this book. The portal has caused all sorts of unexpected issues. This book sets out to fix the portal but leads to all sorts of discoveries and unexpected things happening.
The entire event of things that happened in He'll were really intense and eye opening. We really see a lot more of how different Vincent is and how he doesn't belong there.
I can't wait to see what happens next. These guys are all in this together as friends, family and pack.
October 29, 2025
Vincent, my sweet, sweet Vincent. I just want you to get all the good things. This is a continuing storyline and can not be read as a standalone. I really loved how much growth these characters had just over the course of this book. Casey is probably my favorite side character because she's just so cool. This has a very, very slow burn romance element, but this is mostly all paranormal. I love the world James has created, and my favorite thing is his focus on each head when in hellhound mode. I can't wait for the next one. Conquering heaven and hell, who could ask for more?
November 8, 2025
A wonderful story. I would recommend reading Our Dark Mirror before taking on this story, but you’ll be glad you did. Vincent and Henry are far from perfect and they’re fighting in a harsh and imperfect world, but they have their friends and they have each other. That could be considered a spoiler, because they do have it rough. They’re broken apart at the end of the first book, but the way they’re pulled together is sweet and so tender. Take a chance on a good and lovely story. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2025
I’m simply amazed.
I received an arc for this book and im sharing my honest review:)
I’ve read the first book and dwelled straight into this one so i wasn’t left on a cliffhanger for a while🤣
I really love Vincent and the found family vibes that were in this book.
The slow slow burn between him and henry got me in all my feels and i just can’t wait for the next book!
James you truly done it!!!
I received an arc for this book and im sharing my honest review:)
I’ve read the first book and dwelled straight into this one so i wasn’t left on a cliffhanger for a while🤣
I really love Vincent and the found family vibes that were in this book.
The slow slow burn between him and henry got me in all my feels and i just can’t wait for the next book!
James you truly done it!!!
November 2, 2025
The second part of a riveting series, with a very slow burn relationship between Vincent and Henry. The whole group has had a lot to learn, particularly about big feelings of loneliness. This made the whole story particularly emotional, as all of them struggled so much with that and guilt. Vincent, in particular, deserves all the love. Wonderful world building and a small sliver of hope for a possible solution going into the next book.
November 1, 2025
I enjoyed the continuation of the storyline started in the first book. I do feel like getting to the ending point for this one was very drawn out. It took me a bit to get through the story. It was nice to see some relationships mesh better. I look forward to the next book.
November 2, 2025
If you liked the first one, Our Dark Mirror, you will love how James continued the story with the emotional elements and development of his characters. The plot twists in this second book, but the burn is still slow.
December 31, 2025
The thrills and chills continue in James Chance’s second novel!
Our Bright Window had a hefty workload ahead of it: it had to avoid sequel-itis and dive deeper into its vivid cast of characters, all while navigating a split between its main couple in a world that had been drastically changed. I’m pleased to say that it’s up for the job, offering us more nuanced views of our ensemble cast and their complicated lives. Casey Helliker continues to shine as a standout character for me, with a kind of fierce resolve, clarity, and tenderness that is especially welcome as Vincent grapples with everything that he, in his mind, is responsible for– and Henry Wellfellow gets to be more than a paragon of monster-hunting goodness in Vincent’s eyes. He’s deeply human, deeply flawed, and humbled by the story on more than one occasion in a way which is really welcome. . Chance has a habit of giving me secondary characters to love: I’m constantly hankering for more from Sierra, Roman, , and the rest of the squad, and I’ll hold out for them in the final book of the series.
If you’ve read Our Dark Mirror (and you should, if you haven’t!) then you’ll know Chance flirts between genre conventions. ODM was as much a school story as a paranormal thriller: tracking down a killer on campus. This time, the plot swaps the slowly unwinding mystery in favor of action, adventure, and of course, fantasy. Vincent and Henry’s kept me turning page after page, eager for more of the harrowing, often dreamlike world that Chance has created. I’ll definitely be waiting for a higher-fantasy series from him in the future, as this chapters really soared. (It may also have helped that these were times Chance leaned less on recaps and summaries of Our Dark Mirror in favor of advancing the plot– but that is a matter of individual reader taste.)
Chance is onto something with his talk of Heaven and Hell, sin and punishment and questioning– which ring even truer in a novel about queerness (who among us hasn’t realized we aren’t who we thought we’d be?). Although the endgame romance is front and center, the themes are where OBW soars. I’d readily recommend this book to fans not only of paranormal fantasy or romance, but lovers of Hazbin Hotel, The Good Place, or Supernatural, for the way it wrestles with those themes.
Our Bright Window was a solid sequel, especially from a debut author. With the stakes left higher than ever, I’m eager to see what Chance delivers in the final book of this series, and in the meantime will continue to enjoy what he’s put out! Scheduling my ODM reread so that I'm READY.
Our Bright Window had a hefty workload ahead of it: it had to avoid sequel-itis and dive deeper into its vivid cast of characters, all while navigating a split between its main couple in a world that had been drastically changed. I’m pleased to say that it’s up for the job, offering us more nuanced views of our ensemble cast and their complicated lives. Casey Helliker continues to shine as a standout character for me, with a kind of fierce resolve, clarity, and tenderness that is especially welcome as Vincent grapples with everything that he, in his mind, is responsible for– and Henry Wellfellow gets to be more than a paragon of monster-hunting goodness in Vincent’s eyes. He’s deeply human, deeply flawed, and humbled by the story on more than one occasion in a way which is really welcome. . Chance has a habit of giving me secondary characters to love: I’m constantly hankering for more from Sierra, Roman, , and the rest of the squad, and I’ll hold out for them in the final book of the series.
If you’ve read Our Dark Mirror (and you should, if you haven’t!) then you’ll know Chance flirts between genre conventions. ODM was as much a school story as a paranormal thriller: tracking down a killer on campus. This time, the plot swaps the slowly unwinding mystery in favor of action, adventure, and of course, fantasy. Vincent and Henry’s kept me turning page after page, eager for more of the harrowing, often dreamlike world that Chance has created. I’ll definitely be waiting for a higher-fantasy series from him in the future, as this chapters really soared. (It may also have helped that these were times Chance leaned less on recaps and summaries of Our Dark Mirror in favor of advancing the plot– but that is a matter of individual reader taste.)
Chance is onto something with his talk of Heaven and Hell, sin and punishment and questioning– which ring even truer in a novel about queerness (who among us hasn’t realized we aren’t who we thought we’d be?). Although the endgame romance is front and center, the themes are where OBW soars. I’d readily recommend this book to fans not only of paranormal fantasy or romance, but lovers of Hazbin Hotel, The Good Place, or Supernatural, for the way it wrestles with those themes.
Our Bright Window was a solid sequel, especially from a debut author. With the stakes left higher than ever, I’m eager to see what Chance delivers in the final book of this series, and in the meantime will continue to enjoy what he’s put out! Scheduling my ODM reread so that I'm READY.
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