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The Poison Daughter
To err is human. To avenge is Divine.
Every person Harlow Carrenwell kisses dies immediately, and that’s the way she likes it. The poison-lipped youngest daughter of Lunameade’s magical founding family has used her power to annihilate their opposition.
Her first husband is in the ground. Her new betrothed is next.
But the merry widow has a secret. When she’s not acting as an assassin at her parents' whims, she moonlights as a vigilante for abused women in their walled-off city.
Meet a man. Lure him in. Kill him with a kiss. Until one night Harlow kisses a mark and he doesn’t die.
Worse, her invincible partner in passion is her new betrothed, Henry Havenwood, and now he knows about her double life. Instead of selling her out and bringing the rival families to blows, he does something much more sinister—whisks her away to wed in his wild mountain fort.
Harlow doesn’t trust Henry, but the only way to protect her family and the city of Lunameade is to figure out what his family is planning.
Cursed with a husband she can’t kill and trapped in a fort miles of vampire-infested woods from home, Harlow’s survival requires her to do the impossible: Make the man who knows she’s a killer fall in love with her anyway.
The Poison Daughter is a standalone dark fantasy romance that combines the vigilante justice for abusive men of Promising Young Woman with a romantasy arranged marriage and a dash of vampires.
Every person Harlow Carrenwell kisses dies immediately, and that’s the way she likes it. The poison-lipped youngest daughter of Lunameade’s magical founding family has used her power to annihilate their opposition.
Her first husband is in the ground. Her new betrothed is next.
But the merry widow has a secret. When she’s not acting as an assassin at her parents' whims, she moonlights as a vigilante for abused women in their walled-off city.
Meet a man. Lure him in. Kill him with a kiss. Until one night Harlow kisses a mark and he doesn’t die.
Worse, her invincible partner in passion is her new betrothed, Henry Havenwood, and now he knows about her double life. Instead of selling her out and bringing the rival families to blows, he does something much more sinister—whisks her away to wed in his wild mountain fort.
Harlow doesn’t trust Henry, but the only way to protect her family and the city of Lunameade is to figure out what his family is planning.
Cursed with a husband she can’t kill and trapped in a fort miles of vampire-infested woods from home, Harlow’s survival requires her to do the impossible: Make the man who knows she’s a killer fall in love with her anyway.
The Poison Daughter is a standalone dark fantasy romance that combines the vigilante justice for abusive men of Promising Young Woman with a romantasy arranged marriage and a dash of vampires.
666 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2025
10584 people are currently reading
56752 people want to read
About the author
Sheila Masterson
9 books741 followersSheila Masterson is the USA Today Bestselling author of The Poison Daughter, a dark enemies to lovers romantasy standalone about a vigilante who uses her poison kiss to take revenge on abusive men in her community, until she's unwittingly thrust into an arranged marriage with the only man immune to her magic.
Her other works include the gothic fairy tale fantasy romance, Song of the Dark Wood, the angsty epic romantasy quartet, The Lost God Series, as well as its next-generation standalone spinoff, A Legacy of Stars.
When Sheila's not busy stabbing beloved side characters and dreaming up new ways to make her readers cry, you can find her browsing the shelves at local indie bookstores, drinking fancy cocktails with friends, or curled up reading books and tarot. She lives outside Philadelphia with a small army of underwatered houseplants that survive out of spite.
Her other works include the gothic fairy tale fantasy romance, Song of the Dark Wood, the angsty epic romantasy quartet, The Lost God Series, as well as its next-generation standalone spinoff, A Legacy of Stars.
When Sheila's not busy stabbing beloved side characters and dreaming up new ways to make her readers cry, you can find her browsing the shelves at local indie bookstores, drinking fancy cocktails with friends, or curled up reading books and tarot. She lives outside Philadelphia with a small army of underwatered houseplants that survive out of spite.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,007 reviews
December 23, 2025
Gah I loved this so much. It felt like a duology but made into a standalone. The banter and tension had me SCREAMING… and a badass FMC.
Check triggers bc this is dark and spicy.
Check triggers bc this is dark and spicy.
December 27, 2025
If the main two characters had a motto, I think it would be “risk your life behind enemy lines because mom and dad said to, accomplish nothing”
I loved the first few chapters and then suddenly I realized I went from awesome femme fatale lore to just the same four people having the same conversations over and over and over again. It just feels like nothing HAPPENS after the wedding. Like the main characters go off and are completely removed from all of the actual plot lines. If they stayed in the main city I think it would have been more interesting, but instead we just get like 600 pages of pure dialogue, usually very repetitive dialogue too. He can’t be poisoned by her, and that’s literally her whole thing. The Poison Daughter literally stops poisoning people after like the first chapter. I feel ripped off.
Both of these people are supposed to be spying on countries they have a mortal grudge against and neither of them actually succeed at anything. Any information they ever get is handed to them, frequently out of no where and not by their own spying skills. There is no sneaking, no sabotaging, just two people lying to each other badly while fully aware they are being lied to. And it goes on freaking forever. This book needed to be like 200 pages shorter if not more.
The main characters are very flirty, but at no point did I feel like they actually had much chemistry. They both “hate” each other but for reasons I don’t really think make much sense. Like sure her dad killed his family but it’s not like she even knows about that or condones it. He sees her poison people and he’s so horrified about that for some reason. And then he turns around and does the same thing and stabs people and for some reason she’s disgusted? Like guys come on, you’re doing the same exact thing, get over it. All of their dialogue, which is probably 70% of the book btw, is just probing for information and then flirting to deflect. Rinse repeat. Rinse repeat. Like even in the end, I feel like she doesn’t give a crap about him, she just keeps him around because he’s the only one she can actually have a physical relationship with.
Anyway, the book was too long, the characters were too far removed from the actual story, and everyone talks entirely too much. I didn’t hate it, but I definitely skipped large sections because I couldn’t take all of the talking.
I loved the first few chapters and then suddenly I realized I went from awesome femme fatale lore to just the same four people having the same conversations over and over and over again. It just feels like nothing HAPPENS after the wedding. Like the main characters go off and are completely removed from all of the actual plot lines. If they stayed in the main city I think it would have been more interesting, but instead we just get like 600 pages of pure dialogue, usually very repetitive dialogue too. He can’t be poisoned by her, and that’s literally her whole thing. The Poison Daughter literally stops poisoning people after like the first chapter. I feel ripped off.
Both of these people are supposed to be spying on countries they have a mortal grudge against and neither of them actually succeed at anything. Any information they ever get is handed to them, frequently out of no where and not by their own spying skills. There is no sneaking, no sabotaging, just two people lying to each other badly while fully aware they are being lied to. And it goes on freaking forever. This book needed to be like 200 pages shorter if not more.
The main characters are very flirty, but at no point did I feel like they actually had much chemistry. They both “hate” each other but for reasons I don’t really think make much sense. Like sure her dad killed his family but it’s not like she even knows about that or condones it. He sees her poison people and he’s so horrified about that for some reason. And then he turns around and does the same thing and stabs people and for some reason she’s disgusted? Like guys come on, you’re doing the same exact thing, get over it. All of their dialogue, which is probably 70% of the book btw, is just probing for information and then flirting to deflect. Rinse repeat. Rinse repeat. Like even in the end, I feel like she doesn’t give a crap about him, she just keeps him around because he’s the only one she can actually have a physical relationship with.
Anyway, the book was too long, the characters were too far removed from the actual story, and everyone talks entirely too much. I didn’t hate it, but I definitely skipped large sections because I couldn’t take all of the talking.
Did not finish
March 10, 2026I am sorry to everyone who loved this book, but I genuinely cannot believe we read the same thing. Unfortunately, this is going to be a DNF at 60% for me.
The writing itself is actually good—but what on earth is happening in this story? Oh right… nothing. Absolutely nothing.
So we have Harlow, whose whole personality trait is that she can kill people with a kiss. Poisonous lips, deadly smooches—call it whatever you want. Her very “ jolly-good “parents decide she needs to marry the heir of Mountain Haven Fort. Fine.
She then travels with him and his parents to said fort… and from that point onward the plot apparently decides to take a very long nap.
We wander around. We travel. We arrive. We exist.
Then at about 50% they finally get married… and yes, they fuck. Also, a tiny detail I almost forgot: somehow her deadly kiss doesn’t work on him, because if it did he would’ve been dead somewhere around the 10% mark of the book.
And that’s basically it.
For a romantasy, this book felt way too long for how little actually happens. I kept waiting for the story to start… and at 60% I finally accepted that it probably already had.
Sadly, this one just wasn’t for me. I found it genuinely boring.
I’m not going to rate the book because I didn’t finish it, and I don’t feel like it’s fair to give a rating without reading the whole thing.
The writing itself is actually good—but what on earth is happening in this story? Oh right… nothing. Absolutely nothing.
So we have Harlow, whose whole personality trait is that she can kill people with a kiss. Poisonous lips, deadly smooches—call it whatever you want. Her very “ jolly-good “parents decide she needs to marry the heir of Mountain Haven Fort. Fine.
She then travels with him and his parents to said fort… and from that point onward the plot apparently decides to take a very long nap.
We wander around. We travel. We arrive. We exist.
Then at about 50% they finally get married… and yes, they fuck. Also, a tiny detail I almost forgot: somehow her deadly kiss doesn’t work on him, because if it did he would’ve been dead somewhere around the 10% mark of the book.
And that’s basically it.
For a romantasy, this book felt way too long for how little actually happens. I kept waiting for the story to start… and at 60% I finally accepted that it probably already had.
Sadly, this one just wasn’t for me. I found it genuinely boring.
I’m not going to rate the book because I didn’t finish it, and I don’t feel like it’s fair to give a rating without reading the whole thing.
February 15, 2026
Bro, when everyone kept telling me this book was “so me,” I was like, yeah okay… but holy fuck, they were right. I really took my time with this book. I wanted to enjoy every single moment and I had the absolute best experience.
This is fantasy romance, done absolutely right. A lot of fantasy books feel the same to me, which is fine I still enjoy them, but this hit different. It surprised me at every damn turn.
I am obsessed with this world. You’ve got the ones in power AND the the Drained Ones, who are basically just blood thirsty monsters, but who’s the real villain in this story? 👀 the family that sits at the top of the food chain has the most power, and also keeps that power hidden from the public, so no one really knows what their gifts are orrrr the undead who is terrorizing and killing.
This story is filled with so many secrets, a ton of betrayal, and so many things that you’re gonna want answers to immediately. OH AND TRAUMA because what would an amazing book be without trauma?😭😭
We have Harlow a literal fucking force of nature. She kills abusive men under her secret identity, the Poison Vixen. Her gift is my favorite 🤭She kills men with a kiss. But she’s got more tricks up her sleeve, trust me.
One day she goes to drop her kiss of death…and the dude doesn’t die. She’s shook. And then it turns out he’s the guy she’s arranged to marry from a place everyone thought was destroyed.Shes mind blown, and that officially makes Henry enemy number one.
And the banter…oh, the banter. I’m talking next-level, other dimension shit. At 80%, maybe 85% in, and I’m still convinced these two are plotting each other’s deaths. They refused to show their hand and they were playing each other like chess pieces, pulling strings, manipulating, teasing. The stakes stayed high as hell the entire book. Edge-of-your-seat doesn’t even cover it.
Harlow is now officially in my top FMCs. Sass, brains, strength, zero fucks given she’s everything. And paired with Henry somehow she shines even brighter.
Henry…ohhhh Henry. He may have done some really questionable things, but I loved him so hard. Every time Harlow cracked his armor or we got a peek inside his brain, I just knew he was down bad for her. And the way this man throws around “my wife” left and right had me barking like a doggg. He is obsessively protective, and I loved every second of it.
These two have one of my all-time favorite dynamics. The push, the pull, the banter( so playful and flirty) it never felt forced. Just perfectly, beautifully written. They both have some thing that they are fighting for, and they will stop at nothing to end on top. they’re more alike than they ever realized. That’s why they’re unstoppable.
There was ONE particular spicy scene. Holy. Fuck. I’m not saying anything you need to experience this yourself but oh my God. I might have reread it four times, don’t you dare judge me .
The way Henry claims what he wants, makes Harlow feel so fucking desired and wanted…I will never recover.
The last 15%? Lock the fuck in. You will not put this book down. The twists, the reveals, the heart-shattering moments hit so hard and land SO perfectly. I was sobbing. My heart shattered. That all come together seamlessly😭😭👏🏻👏🏻
A Big, satisfying ending that makes total sense. Not for shock value for the story. And I love that. I love that so fucking much.
Some books just resonate with me. This is One of them. Not just one of the best fantasy romances I’ve ever read, but one of the best books, period. The writing, the story, the characters, feminine RAGEEEE and a bonus a pet wolf. Nothing I would change. I closed this book feeling so satisfied and ready to tell the world to read this NOW.
This is fantasy romance, done absolutely right. A lot of fantasy books feel the same to me, which is fine I still enjoy them, but this hit different. It surprised me at every damn turn.
I am obsessed with this world. You’ve got the ones in power AND the the Drained Ones, who are basically just blood thirsty monsters, but who’s the real villain in this story? 👀 the family that sits at the top of the food chain has the most power, and also keeps that power hidden from the public, so no one really knows what their gifts are orrrr the undead who is terrorizing and killing.
This story is filled with so many secrets, a ton of betrayal, and so many things that you’re gonna want answers to immediately. OH AND TRAUMA because what would an amazing book be without trauma?😭😭
We have Harlow a literal fucking force of nature. She kills abusive men under her secret identity, the Poison Vixen. Her gift is my favorite 🤭She kills men with a kiss. But she’s got more tricks up her sleeve, trust me.
One day she goes to drop her kiss of death…and the dude doesn’t die. She’s shook. And then it turns out he’s the guy she’s arranged to marry from a place everyone thought was destroyed.Shes mind blown, and that officially makes Henry enemy number one.
And the banter…oh, the banter. I’m talking next-level, other dimension shit. At 80%, maybe 85% in, and I’m still convinced these two are plotting each other’s deaths. They refused to show their hand and they were playing each other like chess pieces, pulling strings, manipulating, teasing. The stakes stayed high as hell the entire book. Edge-of-your-seat doesn’t even cover it.
Harlow is now officially in my top FMCs. Sass, brains, strength, zero fucks given she’s everything. And paired with Henry somehow she shines even brighter.
Henry…ohhhh Henry. He may have done some really questionable things, but I loved him so hard. Every time Harlow cracked his armor or we got a peek inside his brain, I just knew he was down bad for her. And the way this man throws around “my wife” left and right had me barking like a doggg. He is obsessively protective, and I loved every second of it.
These two have one of my all-time favorite dynamics. The push, the pull, the banter( so playful and flirty) it never felt forced. Just perfectly, beautifully written. They both have some thing that they are fighting for, and they will stop at nothing to end on top. they’re more alike than they ever realized. That’s why they’re unstoppable.
There was ONE particular spicy scene. Holy. Fuck. I’m not saying anything you need to experience this yourself but oh my God. I might have reread it four times, don’t you dare judge me .
The way Henry claims what he wants, makes Harlow feel so fucking desired and wanted…I will never recover.
The last 15%? Lock the fuck in. You will not put this book down. The twists, the reveals, the heart-shattering moments hit so hard and land SO perfectly. I was sobbing. My heart shattered. That all come together seamlessly😭😭👏🏻👏🏻
A Big, satisfying ending that makes total sense. Not for shock value for the story. And I love that. I love that so fucking much.
Some books just resonate with me. This is One of them. Not just one of the best fantasy romances I’ve ever read, but one of the best books, period. The writing, the story, the characters, feminine RAGEEEE and a bonus a pet wolf. Nothing I would change. I closed this book feeling so satisfied and ready to tell the world to read this NOW.
February 15, 2026
“I'd rather be tortured by your presence than
agonized by your absence." I kept pausing just to savour all these perfect lines! If it wasn’t the hilariously sharp jabs, then it was those heartfelt, swoony lines that left your heart in pieces.
I need all these quotes on a tote bag, a bumper sticker, or honestly, I’d even accept this author drafting my future (hypothetical) wedding vows. Either one works. I’m not picky..
These characters were my kind of characters. Never 2D, always more to discover. I mean, Harlow was an undercover vigilante taking out women’s abusers. As she said ‘In the absence of a conscience, men need something to fear. I've made myself their monster.’ Her actions were unpredictable, and you never really knew what would come out of her mouth.
I fake a pout. "I can't believe you would doubt how much I miss my beloved..."
Aidia's lips twitch into a smirk at my long
pause. "Marc."
I snap. "Marc! It was on the tip of my tongue. I'm so bereft I nearly forgot his name.
See, this was just the start of the book and I already loved her!! That along with the early plot twist, which was welcome and very hot, had me hooked straight away.
This was the arranged-marriage trope, so once we met the hero in pretty surprising circumstances, it shifted to dual POV. I really enjoyed having both perspectives in this book, which I usually don’t…From the start, you knew they both had ulterior motives for entering into this marriage. Because you knew this, you were able to analyse their actions and facades as you read, instead of having to think back later.
Also, a moment of silence for the sexual tension, angst, subtle touches, and continuous glances. Top tier, no notes 👌I love enemies-to-lovers, and I honestly think it is a really hard trope to master. Most books have bickering just to fill pages and prove they are enemies, but this one doesn’t. They argue, but not just for the sake of hearing themselves talk. They know when silence says more than words ever could.
Their arguments are pure, unmatched banter. Somehow every verbal jab just proves they’re perfect for each other. They tease constantly, with words, with looks, with that deliberate step just a little too close, only to pretend it meant absolutely nothing. It’s flirtation disguised as a fight, and it’s glorious 🙌 Also it is important to mention that there is one horse a lot of the time…which produced this gem.
He slaps a hand on my ass. "Now get on the f*cking horse, like a good little wife."
Sir, I’m already in that saddle 🎠
It included so many moments I didn’t even know I needed, like the relationship between Bea and Harlow. I was fully convinced this was about to turn into a sapphic romance (pre-hero) and I was fully invested. When she pushed her against that wall 🫦. I understand they are just best friends…now, but don’t tease me with that kind of chemistry.
I think the book beautifully captures those quiet, aching moments of broken people fixing their masks just enough to get through the day. Refusing to be swallowed by grief or the weight of their past. Every time they said “I hate you,” whether in the heat of an argument or when something real slipped through, it felt less like a declaration and more like a reminder to themselves.
I desperately need to mention the plot twist at 85 percent. It absolutely ripped my heart out of my chest. I feel like I should have seen it coming, and now it makes perfect sense, which somehow makes it worse. It was shocking and raw and completely devastating, and yes, I cried. It was everything.
This book is longggg (like my review 😅). Not a complaint, just an observation. Around the 50 percent mark, I could have used a little break. I’m not saying it should have been two books, but I wouldn’t have opposed it. At times, the inner monologue dragged a little, yet the plot is so unique it feels wrong not to give it five stars, and I know I’ll reread it.
It’s a standalone, no epilogue, and honestly, I didn’t need one. The ending fits the characters perfectly, thinking that far into the future just isn’t in their personalities.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. The story wasn’t a carbon-copy fantasy. It had funny moments, shocking moments, and devastating moments, and none overpowered the others. You should definitely read it! Now’s a good time.
agonized by your absence." I kept pausing just to savour all these perfect lines! If it wasn’t the hilariously sharp jabs, then it was those heartfelt, swoony lines that left your heart in pieces.
I need all these quotes on a tote bag, a bumper sticker, or honestly, I’d even accept this author drafting my future (hypothetical) wedding vows. Either one works. I’m not picky..
These characters were my kind of characters. Never 2D, always more to discover. I mean, Harlow was an undercover vigilante taking out women’s abusers. As she said ‘In the absence of a conscience, men need something to fear. I've made myself their monster.’ Her actions were unpredictable, and you never really knew what would come out of her mouth.
I fake a pout. "I can't believe you would doubt how much I miss my beloved..."
Aidia's lips twitch into a smirk at my long
pause. "Marc."
I snap. "Marc! It was on the tip of my tongue. I'm so bereft I nearly forgot his name.
See, this was just the start of the book and I already loved her!! That along with the early plot twist, which was welcome and very hot, had me hooked straight away.
This was the arranged-marriage trope, so once we met the hero in pretty surprising circumstances, it shifted to dual POV. I really enjoyed having both perspectives in this book, which I usually don’t…From the start, you knew they both had ulterior motives for entering into this marriage. Because you knew this, you were able to analyse their actions and facades as you read, instead of having to think back later.
Also, a moment of silence for the sexual tension, angst, subtle touches, and continuous glances. Top tier, no notes 👌I love enemies-to-lovers, and I honestly think it is a really hard trope to master. Most books have bickering just to fill pages and prove they are enemies, but this one doesn’t. They argue, but not just for the sake of hearing themselves talk. They know when silence says more than words ever could.
Their arguments are pure, unmatched banter. Somehow every verbal jab just proves they’re perfect for each other. They tease constantly, with words, with looks, with that deliberate step just a little too close, only to pretend it meant absolutely nothing. It’s flirtation disguised as a fight, and it’s glorious 🙌 Also it is important to mention that there is one horse a lot of the time…which produced this gem.
He slaps a hand on my ass. "Now get on the f*cking horse, like a good little wife."
Sir, I’m already in that saddle 🎠
It included so many moments I didn’t even know I needed, like the relationship between Bea and Harlow. I was fully convinced this was about to turn into a sapphic romance (pre-hero) and I was fully invested. When she pushed her against that wall 🫦. I understand they are just best friends…now, but don’t tease me with that kind of chemistry.
I think the book beautifully captures those quiet, aching moments of broken people fixing their masks just enough to get through the day. Refusing to be swallowed by grief or the weight of their past. Every time they said “I hate you,” whether in the heat of an argument or when something real slipped through, it felt less like a declaration and more like a reminder to themselves.
I desperately need to mention the plot twist at 85 percent. It absolutely ripped my heart out of my chest. I feel like I should have seen it coming, and now it makes perfect sense, which somehow makes it worse. It was shocking and raw and completely devastating, and yes, I cried. It was everything.
This book is longggg (like my review 😅). Not a complaint, just an observation. Around the 50 percent mark, I could have used a little break. I’m not saying it should have been two books, but I wouldn’t have opposed it. At times, the inner monologue dragged a little, yet the plot is so unique it feels wrong not to give it five stars, and I know I’ll reread it.
It’s a standalone, no epilogue, and honestly, I didn’t need one. The ending fits the characters perfectly, thinking that far into the future just isn’t in their personalities.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. The story wasn’t a carbon-copy fantasy. It had funny moments, shocking moments, and devastating moments, and none overpowered the others. You should definitely read it! Now’s a good time.
January 7, 2026
Listen… I do not hand out six-star ratings. Like, ever. But this book? Yeah. It earned it. I loved it. No notes. Dark fantasy/romantasy done the way it’s supposed to be done.
I’ve been so burnt out on romantasy lately that when a friend told me I needed to read this, I fully rolled my eyes and said, “... sure.” Joke’s on me because I was immediately obsessed.
We’re introduced to a city surrounded by blood-sucking monsters called The Drained, ruled by a powerful magical family who maintain a vice-like grip on power under the guise of “protection.” Each sibling possesses a different magic, each one carefully exploited by their parents to keep control. That is, until word arrives that a long-lost city survived a Drained purge ten years earlier… and they’re coming with a son and a marriage proposal.
Enter our FMC and MMC, Harlow and Henry, both bound by duty to see this union through, which is exactly what makes this story so damn entertaining! These two are a match made in revenge heaven, each coming fully equipped with their own secrets. One of those secrets? Harlow’s magic. When Harlow kisses you… You die. This ability also allows her to rid the city of men who abuse their wives, earning her the title “The Poison Vixen.”
There’s just one problem... Henry, her new fiancé, is immune.
What follows is a delicious battle of wits, with both characters trying to outsmart the other. Harlow is incredibly relatable, and her love and need to protect her sister, Aidia, from her abusive husband is the driving force behind everything she does. Mirroring Henry’s own motivations following the death of his own sister. They’re fighting for the same thing, just from opposite sides of the fence.
I absolutely loved Harlow. She’s relatable, fiercely strong, and relentlessly driven. I cannot stand weak FMCs, and our girl is anything but. AND HENRY... well, he isn't too bad himself and has a bit of a kink for primal play, which immediately had me sat.
AND the mic drop moments??? Dear lord, there are a few. It's hard to get things over on me, but several times I was left stunned. Truly.
This was the perfect book to usher in 2026. My only complaint? I wanted more. I could easily read a million pages of Harlow and Henry.
If you do not add this gem to your TBR you are missing out. I am going to have the biggest book hangover now.
I’ve been so burnt out on romantasy lately that when a friend told me I needed to read this, I fully rolled my eyes and said, “... sure.” Joke’s on me because I was immediately obsessed.
We’re introduced to a city surrounded by blood-sucking monsters called The Drained, ruled by a powerful magical family who maintain a vice-like grip on power under the guise of “protection.” Each sibling possesses a different magic, each one carefully exploited by their parents to keep control. That is, until word arrives that a long-lost city survived a Drained purge ten years earlier… and they’re coming with a son and a marriage proposal.
Enter our FMC and MMC, Harlow and Henry, both bound by duty to see this union through, which is exactly what makes this story so damn entertaining! These two are a match made in revenge heaven, each coming fully equipped with their own secrets. One of those secrets? Harlow’s magic. When Harlow kisses you… You die. This ability also allows her to rid the city of men who abuse their wives, earning her the title “The Poison Vixen.”
There’s just one problem... Henry, her new fiancé, is immune.
What follows is a delicious battle of wits, with both characters trying to outsmart the other. Harlow is incredibly relatable, and her love and need to protect her sister, Aidia, from her abusive husband is the driving force behind everything she does. Mirroring Henry’s own motivations following the death of his own sister. They’re fighting for the same thing, just from opposite sides of the fence.
I absolutely loved Harlow. She’s relatable, fiercely strong, and relentlessly driven. I cannot stand weak FMCs, and our girl is anything but. AND HENRY... well, he isn't too bad himself and has a bit of a kink for primal play, which immediately had me sat.
AND the mic drop moments??? Dear lord, there are a few. It's hard to get things over on me, but several times I was left stunned. Truly.
This was the perfect book to usher in 2026. My only complaint? I wanted more. I could easily read a million pages of Harlow and Henry.
If you do not add this gem to your TBR you are missing out. I am going to have the biggest book hangover now.
March 1, 2026
Yeah, so this one of those books where I don’t believe all the 5 star ratings, I’m so sorry but like….. !? YALL. come on.
I wasn’t going to write a review for this but the more I think about it I’m so annoyed and I feel like it’s community service to warn you about this
Messy & boring. Both MCs ended up being so shallow????
This started off with some of my fav elements and had the potential for an awesome dark fantasy but somehow it completely fell apart
I started to lose interest AT the wedding which should have been giggly and fun. From there it unfortunately just got way worse. The way that this just dragged and dragged and dragged…… what happened to the plot!!!?? This had the set up for SO MANY things to happen. Well!? Nothing happened. All they did was hate each other and fuck and flirt and try to manipulate each other and it was just so. damn. boring.
SO frustrating that I honestly didn’t care what happened to anybody in the end. I swear 300 pages could have been taken out 🫠 which is crazy for a standalone
I wasn’t going to write a review for this but the more I think about it I’m so annoyed and I feel like it’s community service to warn you about this
Messy & boring. Both MCs ended up being so shallow????
This started off with some of my fav elements and had the potential for an awesome dark fantasy but somehow it completely fell apart
I started to lose interest AT the wedding which should have been giggly and fun. From there it unfortunately just got way worse. The way that this just dragged and dragged and dragged…… what happened to the plot!!!?? This had the set up for SO MANY things to happen. Well!? Nothing happened. All they did was hate each other and fuck and flirt and try to manipulate each other and it was just so. damn. boring.
SO frustrating that I honestly didn’t care what happened to anybody in the end. I swear 300 pages could have been taken out 🫠 which is crazy for a standalone
January 30, 2026
4.5⭐️
воу воу воу яка це була захоплива подорож 🔥🔥
це чудове одиночне роментезі. і так цікаво було нестися його сторінками. мені насправді полюбилися персонажі, і головні і другорядні, що я не хотіла прощатися з їхнім світом 🥹
щодо головних героїв. їх смачнюща хімія і обмін шпильками протягом усієї книги - це просто вибухова суміш із приємним гумором 😮💨🤌 цей «дикий вовче» генрі і «отруйниця» харлоу підсадили мене на себе повністю.
нареееешті дорослі 30-річні персонажі, з нормальною мотивацією неприязні один до одного. моєму щастю немає меж! і хоча моментами вони проявляють справжню симпатію, їх пов'язує шлюб за домовленістю, але більшість часу вони діють з хитрістю, переслідуючи власні цілі, а не покладаються на почуття.
моя мила харлоу, магія якої настільки непомітна, що будь-який сторонній спостерігач сприйме її вбивство як акт кохання. ох ця отруйниця, яка вбиває поцілунками 💋💀 було неймовірно приємно переживати цю історію саме з такою жгг - спостерігати за її вимуштрованою силою і стійкістю та побачити її справжню, зломлену і розбиту під кінець. хотілося її обійняти, і я рада, що генрі часто «мучив» її обіймами ☺️
ох генрі, чоловіче, ні - мій вовче 🐺🫠 тут просто без питань. запакуйте його. перед його харизмою, турботою, готовністю зробити усе заради близьких важко встояти. особливо, коли він морально сірий персонаж, під стать нашій харлоу 😈
а як він стелить.. що в ліжку, що словами 🤤🥵 я задовбалась нотувати його цитати. тільки в книжках на таке і ведусь 😁
✍️"– послухай, харлоу. я не хочу тебе переконувати. я хочу, щоб ти сама захотіла піти зі мною. я хочу знати, що ти зі мною не через угоду, яку ти уклала з батьками, чи обіцянку, яку ти дала перед богами, а тому, що ти хочеш бути зі мною. я не буду кращим за всіх інших, хто прикидався, що кохає тебе, якщо не дам тобі самостійно прийняти рішення. – він піднімає моє підборіддя. – я хочу щодня дивитись у ці прекрасні фіолетові очі і знати, що ця жінка, яка повернула колір у мій світ, вирішила стати моєю дружиною."
другорядні персонажі теж розтопили серденько. брайс - просто май мейт. його жарти і відверта поведінка знижували градус напруги навколо 😝
і хоча будова світу тут вийшла більш камерною (два міста, якими правлять різні магічні сім'ї і між ними ліс з вампірами, які на ці міста нападають), для одиночної книги це зіграло в плюс.
подобається, як поступово усе розкривається: різновиди магії від божеств і як вона працює, жахливі події 10-річної давнини, секрети наших гг і болючі моменти, які їм вдалося пережити.
сам сюжет, окрім лл, також зосереджений навколо сімейних ворожнеч, їхніх внутрішніх стосунків і таємниць, політичних інтриг, помсти та боротьби за владу. через усе це другою половиною книги прямо несешся. тут і очікувані, і шокуючі твісти завезли, фінальний приємно здивував - його я не розгадала. і прояв жіночої люті в усій красі. просто хотілося подати харлоу сірника, щоб вона спалила то все вщент. муахаха 👹🔥 але вона і з холодним розрахунком на відмінно впоралася 👏
загалом є невеликі мінуси, які не дають відчути цю книгу на міцні пʼять зірок для мене. наприклад, недостатнє розкриття вампірів, їхнього походження та еволюції (типу як, що, і для чого це було 🤨), або об'єм книги спокійно міг бути меншим на 100 стр, нічого не втративши. але то все дрібниці, бо це точно гуд роментезі без цих бісячих клішованих моментів, які вже так знайомі й приїлися в багатьох інших представників цього жанру 😎
воу воу воу яка це була захоплива подорож 🔥🔥
це чудове одиночне роментезі. і так цікаво було нестися його сторінками. мені насправді полюбилися персонажі, і головні і другорядні, що я не хотіла прощатися з їхнім світом 🥹
щодо головних героїв. їх смачнюща хімія і обмін шпильками протягом усієї книги - це просто вибухова суміш із приємним гумором 😮💨🤌 цей «дикий вовче» генрі і «отруйниця» харлоу підсадили мене на себе повністю.
нареееешті дорослі 30-річні персонажі, з нормальною мотивацією неприязні один до одного. моєму щастю немає меж! і хоча моментами вони проявляють справжню симпатію, їх пов'язує шлюб за домовленістю, але більшість часу вони діють з хитрістю, переслідуючи власні цілі, а не покладаються на почуття.
моя мила харлоу, магія якої настільки непомітна, що будь-який сторонній спостерігач сприйме її вбивство як акт кохання. ох ця отруйниця, яка вбиває поцілунками 💋💀 було неймовірно приємно переживати цю історію саме з такою жгг - спостерігати за її вимуштрованою силою і стійкістю та побачити її справжню, зломлену і розбиту під кінець. хотілося її обійняти, і я рада, що генрі часто «мучив» її обіймами ☺️
ох генрі, чоловіче, ні - мій вовче 🐺🫠 тут просто без питань. запакуйте його. перед його харизмою, турботою, готовністю зробити усе заради близьких важко встояти. особливо, коли він морально сірий персонаж, під стать нашій харлоу 😈
а як він стелить.. що в ліжку, що словами 🤤🥵 я задовбалась нотувати його цитати. тільки в книжках на таке і ведусь 😁
✍️"– послухай, харлоу. я не хочу тебе переконувати. я хочу, щоб ти сама захотіла піти зі мною. я хочу знати, що ти зі мною не через угоду, яку ти уклала з батьками, чи обіцянку, яку ти дала перед богами, а тому, що ти хочеш бути зі мною. я не буду кращим за всіх інших, хто прикидався, що кохає тебе, якщо не дам тобі самостійно прийняти рішення. – він піднімає моє підборіддя. – я хочу щодня дивитись у ці прекрасні фіолетові очі і знати, що ця жінка, яка повернула колір у мій світ, вирішила стати моєю дружиною."
другорядні персонажі теж розтопили серденько. брайс - просто май мейт. його жарти і відверта поведінка знижували градус напруги навколо 😝
і хоча будова світу тут вийшла більш камерною (два міста, якими правлять різні магічні сім'ї і між ними ліс з вампірами, які на ці міста нападають), для одиночної книги це зіграло в плюс.
подобається, як поступово усе розкривається: різновиди магії від божеств і як вона працює, жахливі події 10-річної давнини, секрети наших гг і болючі моменти, які їм вдалося пережити.
сам сюжет, окрім лл, також зосереджений навколо сімейних ворожнеч, їхніх внутрішніх стосунків і таємниць, політичних інтриг, помсти та боротьби за владу. через усе це другою половиною книги прямо несешся. тут і очікувані, і шокуючі твісти завезли, фінальний приємно здивував - його я не розгадала. і прояв жіночої люті в усій красі. просто хотілося подати харлоу сірника, щоб вона спалила то все вщент. муахаха 👹🔥 але вона і з холодним розрахунком на відмінно впоралася 👏
загалом є невеликі мінуси, які не дають відчути цю книгу на міцні пʼять зірок для мене. наприклад, недостатнє розкриття вампірів, їхнього походження та еволюції (типу як, що, і для чого це було 🤨), або об'єм книги спокійно міг бути меншим на 100 стр, нічого не втративши. але то все дрібниці, бо це точно гуд роментезі без цих бісячих клішованих моментів, які вже так знайомі й приїлися в багатьох інших представників цього жанру 😎
November 10, 2025
This started off really strong for me and I loved the premise, but it unfortunately lost me in the second half. A lot of the spice was darker and just not my cup of tea. In general there was a lot of lying, manipulation, and betrayal that was glossed over and forgiven easily, so the romance fell flat for me.
Overall, there was a lot of internal monologue and a lot of build up for a hasty resolution.
The premise was there, and I loved her prose (so many great quotes!) but this one unfortunately just didn’t hit for me like I had hoped!
Overall, there was a lot of internal monologue and a lot of build up for a hasty resolution.
The premise was there, and I loved her prose (so many great quotes!) but this one unfortunately just didn’t hit for me like I had hoped!
October 7, 2025
if you like your romantasy on the darker side, with a hefty dose of Traumatic Backstory, a murderous (-ly hot) vigilante FMC, an MMC with lots of secrets, and kinky sex rituals????? THEN MAKE THIS YOUR NEXT READ.
jesus h christ this was capital G GOOD. relentlessly flipping pages good. texting your friends to preorder this good. charge your v*brator good. yell out loud at every single plot twist good. i devoured this in the midst of one of the worst slumps i’ve ever been in!!!! that’s how much i loved it!!!!!
literally fantastic, gritty and dark and emotional and heavy in all the right ways, spicy as f*ck, and packed to the gills with toxicity and jealousy and betrayal and plot twist after plot twist.
this reminded me so much atmospherically of the first from blood and ash book, but better (imho), and with a stronger emotional throughline since it’s a standalone. sheila tackled some heavier themes in this one — tread with caution if domestic violence (not between the MCs!), grief, and family abuse are triggers for you.
otherwise, if you liked the badass vigilante FMC, secret identity MMC, the scary craven, an older father figure bodyguard, and the toe-curling spice from FBAA, you’ll love this one too, no doubt.
dark and hot and beautiful and messy and i loved every second of it and am genuinely mad that this is a standalone because this is such a cool world with such fascinating lore and magic and side characters I WANT MORE DAMMIT. but i’ll settle for rereads and that bonus epilogue in the meantime.
thank you to sheila for the opportunity to read an early copy, and for the A+++ chronic migraine representation.
jesus h christ this was capital G GOOD. relentlessly flipping pages good. texting your friends to preorder this good. charge your v*brator good. yell out loud at every single plot twist good. i devoured this in the midst of one of the worst slumps i’ve ever been in!!!! that’s how much i loved it!!!!!
literally fantastic, gritty and dark and emotional and heavy in all the right ways, spicy as f*ck, and packed to the gills with toxicity and jealousy and betrayal and plot twist after plot twist.
this reminded me so much atmospherically of the first from blood and ash book, but better (imho), and with a stronger emotional throughline since it’s a standalone. sheila tackled some heavier themes in this one — tread with caution if domestic violence (not between the MCs!), grief, and family abuse are triggers for you.
otherwise, if you liked the badass vigilante FMC, secret identity MMC, the scary craven, an older father figure bodyguard, and the toe-curling spice from FBAA, you’ll love this one too, no doubt.
dark and hot and beautiful and messy and i loved every second of it and am genuinely mad that this is a standalone because this is such a cool world with such fascinating lore and magic and side characters I WANT MORE DAMMIT. but i’ll settle for rereads and that bonus epilogue in the meantime.
thank you to sheila for the opportunity to read an early copy, and for the A+++ chronic migraine representation.
December 27, 2025
I'm a bit torn between 4 and 5 stars, but I'm leaning 5 stars because this is a standalone. I think it's reaaaally hard (almost impossible) to find a well-done standalone in the romantasy genre, and this is one of the better ones I've ever read. Overall, I ate this up, and this was surprisingly good.
This has an arranged marriage trope, vampires, a "black widow" type FMC who has poison powers, and a lot of smut (primal kink, BDSM, praise kink, etc.). There's also some good jealousy, one-horse trope, "my wife," and "touch her and die" moments. Check triggers because there are some intense ones here.
On the very positive side, the story is captivating. While there are times where the world-building was a bit confusing, the actual plot and magic had me completely invested. I picked up this book and really never put it down again, which is saying something because it's 600+ pages on kindle. I was up until 1:00am finishing it. I generally liked both main characters. Also, I pride myself on being able to predict the endings for books like this, but I genuinely had no idea what was going to happen at the end of this book. The person who ended up being Rochelli was one of my main suspects, but I also had 3-4 suspects, so it could've been other people too. I don't think I've ever read another FMC with these particular powers, and I was completely fascinated by how her powers worked.
That said, this book could really benefit from an editor. There is a lot of repetitive text which makes it seem like the author forgot she already wrote something and would write the literal EXACT sentence of internal monologue again from the other main character's POV. I also thought the FMC, in particular, had a lot of internal monologue that could have been cut down. Finally, I thought that the FMC and the MMC seemed to have these grand plans for the entire book (while being manipulated by both sets of their parents), but towards the end of the book, where were those initial grand plans? I don't even know what the original plans were supposed to be. In particular, it seemed like Henry and his family had nothing really planned at all in their quest for revenge despite constantly referencing the big plans they had for Harlow and her family. It seems like Harlow and Kellan kind of sorted everything for them.
Spoilers ahead! I also didn't love how the claiming bite sex scene happened right after
The ending of this book had some really great plot twists. I knew something was off with Aidia because she never really seemed to be on page with other people and came out at the weirdest times, but I did not predict what had happened and thought her story had more to do with her glamour magic. The story of Harlow and Aidia was truly a messed up tale. Rochelli was a pretty good twist too (although, it was one of my predictions because I was thinking earlier in the book about how she never suspected him but him being Rochelli would be very similar to her secretly being the poison vixen). I liked the plot twists and generally liked the ending. I wish Stefan had some closure and we got to see a bit more of Harlow and Henry's life back at the fort, but oh well. I feel like there's opportunity to write more about Bryce's story.
I will note, I noticed a fair amount of similarities to From Blood and Ash. It was definitely not enough to really complain about and was not the majority of the book, and tbh the first few books in the FBAA series are some of my favorites, but the similar minor plot points were noticeable. The "Drained" were basically Craven (mutated humanoid monsters/vampires with a deadly bite but non-deadly claws) who moved mist with them wherever they went. The MMC, Henry, secretly being a less-bad vampire was very similar to Casteel. Even the way both FMCs find out about the vampires and try to run away, but then get chased and f*cked in the woods, is the same. Also, the MMC having a wolf best friend who forms a strong bond with the FMC was like Kieran (and the wolf in this book was named like Kiren or something like that, which raised my eyebrows). Gaven was also very similar to Viktor from FBAA, although Poppy was much more torn up about Viktor's death.
Anyways, overall, I would recommend this. I enjoyed it! It's definitely not perfect, but in a genre that's filled with series that are unnecessarily long and dragged out, I thought this gave us the perfect amount of story and magic. There was a ton of intrigue, and it stood well on it's own two legs.
This has an arranged marriage trope, vampires, a "black widow" type FMC who has poison powers, and a lot of smut (primal kink, BDSM, praise kink, etc.). There's also some good jealousy, one-horse trope, "my wife," and "touch her and die" moments. Check triggers because there are some intense ones here.
On the very positive side, the story is captivating. While there are times where the world-building was a bit confusing, the actual plot and magic had me completely invested. I picked up this book and really never put it down again, which is saying something because it's 600+ pages on kindle. I was up until 1:00am finishing it. I generally liked both main characters. Also, I pride myself on being able to predict the endings for books like this, but I genuinely had no idea what was going to happen at the end of this book. The person who ended up being Rochelli was one of my main suspects, but I also had 3-4 suspects, so it could've been other people too. I don't think I've ever read another FMC with these particular powers, and I was completely fascinated by how her powers worked.
That said, this book could really benefit from an editor. There is a lot of repetitive text which makes it seem like the author forgot she already wrote something and would write the literal EXACT sentence of internal monologue again from the other main character's POV. I also thought the FMC, in particular, had a lot of internal monologue that could have been cut down. Finally, I thought that the FMC and the MMC seemed to have these grand plans for the entire book (while being manipulated by both sets of their parents), but towards the end of the book, where were those initial grand plans? I don't even know what the original plans were supposed to be. In particular, it seemed like Henry and his family had nothing really planned at all in their quest for revenge despite constantly referencing the big plans they had for Harlow and her family. It seems like Harlow and Kellan kind of sorted everything for them.
Spoilers ahead! I also didn't love how the claiming bite sex scene happened right after
The ending of this book had some really great plot twists. I knew something was off with Aidia because she never really seemed to be on page with other people and came out at the weirdest times, but I did not predict what had happened and thought her story had more to do with her glamour magic. The story of Harlow and Aidia was truly a messed up tale. Rochelli was a pretty good twist too (although, it was one of my predictions because I was thinking earlier in the book about how she never suspected him but him being Rochelli would be very similar to her secretly being the poison vixen). I liked the plot twists and generally liked the ending. I wish Stefan had some closure and we got to see a bit more of Harlow and Henry's life back at the fort, but oh well. I feel like there's opportunity to write more about Bryce's story.
I will note, I noticed a fair amount of similarities to From Blood and Ash. It was definitely not enough to really complain about and was not the majority of the book, and tbh the first few books in the FBAA series are some of my favorites, but the similar minor plot points were noticeable. The "Drained" were basically Craven (mutated humanoid monsters/vampires with a deadly bite but non-deadly claws) who moved mist with them wherever they went. The MMC, Henry, secretly being a less-bad vampire was very similar to Casteel. Even the way both FMCs find out about the vampires and try to run away, but then get chased and f*cked in the woods, is the same. Also, the MMC having a wolf best friend who forms a strong bond with the FMC was like Kieran (and the wolf in this book was named like Kiren or something like that, which raised my eyebrows). Gaven was also very similar to Viktor from FBAA, although Poppy was much more torn up about Viktor's death.
Anyways, overall, I would recommend this. I enjoyed it! It's definitely not perfect, but in a genre that's filled with series that are unnecessarily long and dragged out, I thought this gave us the perfect amount of story and magic. There was a ton of intrigue, and it stood well on it's own two legs.
December 29, 2025
Wow!!! Just wow! This was my first book by Sheila and now I’m obsessed with her writing and want to read her entire backlist!!! Once I finished this book I wanted to reread and catch things I missed on the first read through, especially with so many u expected plot twists!
This standalone Romantasy has so many of the tropes I love with arranged marriage, FMC assassin, political intrigue, vampires, and *ahem* rituals. Harlow is our FMC and she is a female in her 30s which is so refreshing! She is a princess by day and an assassin by night who poses as an anonymous assassin with a poisonous kiss who unalives abusive men. We get a murderous meet cute when she is hired to 💋 an allegedly abusive man who ends up being someone she has INSANE chemistry with and her kiss won’t work on him. The next day, it is revealed that he is our MMC, Henry, the son of a long lost family believed to be dead and her newly betrothed.
Henry quickly discovers his wife’s nefarious intentions but still goes through with the wedding in hopes of eventually taking down her family. Harlow must travel with Henry back to his isolated home city where she quickly learns about customs in the city to include a hunt where men chase women and have a primal play situation. Harlow must also undergo a sex ritual with Henry as part of the ceremony.
We get to watch the cat and mouse game between these two including their undeniable chemistry that is the fine passionate line between hate and desire. I really loved this book and I want a reread so badly!
Read this book if you like:
💋 assassin FMC
💋 characters in their 30s
💋 arranged marriage
💋 a “my wife” moment
💋 “who did this to you”
💋 touch her and ☠️
💋 chronic illness rep
💋 unique magic system
💋 vampires
💋 political intrigue
💋 Primal play
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you so much to Sheila for the eARC!
This standalone Romantasy has so many of the tropes I love with arranged marriage, FMC assassin, political intrigue, vampires, and *ahem* rituals. Harlow is our FMC and she is a female in her 30s which is so refreshing! She is a princess by day and an assassin by night who poses as an anonymous assassin with a poisonous kiss who unalives abusive men. We get a murderous meet cute when she is hired to 💋 an allegedly abusive man who ends up being someone she has INSANE chemistry with and her kiss won’t work on him. The next day, it is revealed that he is our MMC, Henry, the son of a long lost family believed to be dead and her newly betrothed.
Henry quickly discovers his wife’s nefarious intentions but still goes through with the wedding in hopes of eventually taking down her family. Harlow must travel with Henry back to his isolated home city where she quickly learns about customs in the city to include a hunt where men chase women and have a primal play situation. Harlow must also undergo a sex ritual with Henry as part of the ceremony.
We get to watch the cat and mouse game between these two including their undeniable chemistry that is the fine passionate line between hate and desire. I really loved this book and I want a reread so badly!
Read this book if you like:
💋 assassin FMC
💋 characters in their 30s
💋 arranged marriage
💋 a “my wife” moment
💋 “who did this to you”
💋 touch her and ☠️
💋 chronic illness rep
💋 unique magic system
💋 vampires
💋 political intrigue
💋 Primal play
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you so much to Sheila for the eARC!
February 6, 2026
The Poison Daughter has by far been one of the best dark Romantasy standalone I have read in such a long time! I fear I won’t be able to pick up another Romantasy for a hot minute because I feel the slump coming 🥹🖤
The plot twists and lies will come jumping at you through the lines messing with your thoughts and feelings. Keeping you on the edge of your seat. It was truly amazing but also appalling.
Our “Poison Vixen” baddie Harlow who you will become to love. Lips that speak volume with a poisonous kiss that is meant to kill. She truly is a deadly touch ready to strike at any moment.
The world building felt dark like you can hear the secrets being kept between the walled cities with crawling vampires. A romance that will keep you invested. Henry with his filthy mouth and a side of danger to him just really does something to you 🔥
Harlow and Henry are both mentally shattered but their souls are so much more and meant for one another. You can feel their love and tension between the lines and I was over here screaming for them!
I’m so happy I went into this book blind because it was exactly what I needed in the moment and can’t wait to read more from this author 💜
The plot twists and lies will come jumping at you through the lines messing with your thoughts and feelings. Keeping you on the edge of your seat. It was truly amazing but also appalling.
Our “Poison Vixen” baddie Harlow who you will become to love. Lips that speak volume with a poisonous kiss that is meant to kill. She truly is a deadly touch ready to strike at any moment.
The world building felt dark like you can hear the secrets being kept between the walled cities with crawling vampires. A romance that will keep you invested. Henry with his filthy mouth and a side of danger to him just really does something to you 🔥
Harlow and Henry are both mentally shattered but their souls are so much more and meant for one another. You can feel their love and tension between the lines and I was over here screaming for them!
I’m so happy I went into this book blind because it was exactly what I needed in the moment and can’t wait to read more from this author 💜
January 12, 2026
It's only January, but I already know this is going to be one of my favorite books of the year.
If you're a romantasy fan, read The Poison Daughter immediately! You won't regret it.
If you're a romantasy fan, read The Poison Daughter immediately! You won't regret it.
February 1, 2026
Це одне з найкращих фентезі, яке я читала 💜
Хімія між Харлоу й Генрі - топ: багато іскр, сарказму й напруги. Дорослі герої з логічною поведінкою і мотивацією 🔥.
Харлоу - сильна, хитра та самодостатня. Їй нікого не треба в цьому житті, якби вона залишилась сама в кінці - вона б також була щаслива та знайшла свій спокій.
Другорядні персонажі теж приємно здивували. Гейвен та Айдія 💔.
Мені тільки не вистачило чуть більше про знекровлених інформації та я б почитала додатковий епілог 🤍.
Хімія між Харлоу й Генрі - топ: багато іскр, сарказму й напруги. Дорослі герої з логічною поведінкою і мотивацією 🔥.
Харлоу - сильна, хитра та самодостатня. Їй нікого не треба в цьому житті, якби вона залишилась сама в кінці - вона б також була щаслива та знайшла свій спокій.
Другорядні персонажі теж приємно здивували. Гейвен та Айдія 💔.
Мені тільки не вистачило чуть більше про знекровлених інформації та я б почитала додатковий епілог 🤍.
December 30, 2025
2.75/5 ⭐️ for now
This is going to be all over the place. 😅
I have no idea how I feel about this book. I’m 80% in, so I’m not done yet, but I have a lot of thoughts and feelings.
The most prominent one:
Frustration.
The premise of this book was amazing, the prose itself is good, and I was hooked for the first maybe 50%. I LOVE when an enemies to lovers is truly an enemies to lovers, and that’s certainly what this book is… Attempting to be?
However, I’m on page 518 and the enemies are still… Enemies? I think? But they don’t hate each other? They lust for each other? I don’t even know. But the lies and manipulation have gotten tired and old. It feels like there’s very little actual relationship building happening when the writing is full of the same repetitive hatred, inner monologue and conversations.
After Henry killed Gaven (SHOCKED he actually did it) and is now planning on LYING ABOUT IT, I honestly don’t see how he can be redeemed. 🥹
The FMC started out headstrong and has turned into a doormat who just likes to wear lace and pout and be sarcastic.
The MMC outside of the Gaven situation is… I don’t know? He constantly feels like a different character from one chapter to the next. I keep waiting for him to actually care about HER, and it just doesn’t happen aside from surface level feelings that aren’t enough for him to be decent just because he W A N T S to and not because he’s trying to manipulate her.
Don’t even get me started on the weird ass vampire sex (which I’m normally a fan of, mind you) that made me genuinely uncomfortable after he literally just killed Gaven and she has ✨NO IDEA✨. 😃
My bottom line is that you can’t have a 650 page book be full of that repetitive manipulation and hatred, no TRUE plot moving the story forward, boring conversations that should have been edited out, no care or TRUE moral regard between the MMC and FMC, and expect the payoff to be satisfying.
I would understand if maybe the outward dialogue was still not shifting from hatred, but the inner monologue was, but that’s not even the case. Nah, he’s STILL just thinking about lying to her and how he can get her onboard with his little “plans”. Alas, I’m positive everything will be tied up quickly during the last 30 or so pages and Harlow will forgive Henry like he didn’t kill her fucking FATHER FIGURE and manipulate her into submission. ✨✨✨
All will be well when he can see in ✨color✨ again. Because he supposedly “loves” her suddenly. 🙄
Fucking spare me. You have to make the MMC likable if you want the relationship to work in the end. Him still being a manipulative and murderous twat 80% in is not “love”. Certainly not the kind you root for, in my opinion.
At this point, I’m finishing the last 130 pages with nothing but annoyance in my heart. If my feelings change (not likely), I’ll update my review.
This is going to be all over the place. 😅
I have no idea how I feel about this book. I’m 80% in, so I’m not done yet, but I have a lot of thoughts and feelings.
The most prominent one:
Frustration.
The premise of this book was amazing, the prose itself is good, and I was hooked for the first maybe 50%. I LOVE when an enemies to lovers is truly an enemies to lovers, and that’s certainly what this book is… Attempting to be?
However, I’m on page 518 and the enemies are still… Enemies? I think? But they don’t hate each other? They lust for each other? I don’t even know. But the lies and manipulation have gotten tired and old. It feels like there’s very little actual relationship building happening when the writing is full of the same repetitive hatred, inner monologue and conversations.
After Henry killed Gaven (SHOCKED he actually did it) and is now planning on LYING ABOUT IT, I honestly don’t see how he can be redeemed. 🥹
The FMC started out headstrong and has turned into a doormat who just likes to wear lace and pout and be sarcastic.
The MMC outside of the Gaven situation is… I don’t know? He constantly feels like a different character from one chapter to the next. I keep waiting for him to actually care about HER, and it just doesn’t happen aside from surface level feelings that aren’t enough for him to be decent just because he W A N T S to and not because he’s trying to manipulate her.
Don’t even get me started on the weird ass vampire sex (which I’m normally a fan of, mind you) that made me genuinely uncomfortable after he literally just killed Gaven and she has ✨NO IDEA✨. 😃
My bottom line is that you can’t have a 650 page book be full of that repetitive manipulation and hatred, no TRUE plot moving the story forward, boring conversations that should have been edited out, no care or TRUE moral regard between the MMC and FMC, and expect the payoff to be satisfying.
I would understand if maybe the outward dialogue was still not shifting from hatred, but the inner monologue was, but that’s not even the case. Nah, he’s STILL just thinking about lying to her and how he can get her onboard with his little “plans”. Alas, I’m positive everything will be tied up quickly during the last 30 or so pages and Harlow will forgive Henry like he didn’t kill her fucking FATHER FIGURE and manipulate her into submission. ✨✨✨
All will be well when he can see in ✨color✨ again. Because he supposedly “loves” her suddenly. 🙄
Fucking spare me. You have to make the MMC likable if you want the relationship to work in the end. Him still being a manipulative and murderous twat 80% in is not “love”. Certainly not the kind you root for, in my opinion.
At this point, I’m finishing the last 130 pages with nothing but annoyance in my heart. If my feelings change (not likely), I’ll update my review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2026
Nothing is more exciting than coming across your first 6 star read for 2026. If you haven't read this book,! need you to add this absolute masterpiece to your TBR. Heck, put the book down you are reading now and download this on KU and please, PLEASE talk to me about this book.
I have been in such a funk with reading for this month that it's actually been so annoying. Everything I have read has just been eh. Then I come across this book and my brain chemistry has been changed forever. Like how am I suppose to go on like this book didn't just flip my world upside down? This book has so many twists and turns, plot twist after plot twist, and so many lies and deception I don't know how I was able to keep track of it all. But I was eating it up. I honestly wish I could go back in time and reread this again for the first time.
Harlow was an absolute bad ass. Like I want to be her when I grow up, and just run around kissing bad men and taking them out. She was such an unstoppable force to be reckoned with and it just blew me away. There were also so many times when my heart absolutely broke for her and I couldn't fathom how she kept going. By the end I was fist pumping for my girl and how she was able to finally get her revenge, and it was so damn good. Henry was such a little shit and he knew he was being a little shit. That's honestly the best way I could describe him. Every time he would do something, I would be sitting there ripping my hair out because of this turd. But man oh man did he make the wait with it to finally be team Henry. I knew something was coming when we were skirting around parts of him that seemed off and kept in the dark. Just when I thought I knew what was going on, another bomb would drop. Man oh man was I salivating over this man and his absolute filthy mouth. I knew their chemistry was going to be good from the banter alone, but nothing prepared me for it.
There were so many moments where I honestly thought my heart was going to come out of my chest or I was waiting to go into cardiac arrest because of yet another plot twist. This story was beyond thrilling and I cannot wait to add more from this author to my TBR.
I have been in such a funk with reading for this month that it's actually been so annoying. Everything I have read has just been eh. Then I come across this book and my brain chemistry has been changed forever. Like how am I suppose to go on like this book didn't just flip my world upside down? This book has so many twists and turns, plot twist after plot twist, and so many lies and deception I don't know how I was able to keep track of it all. But I was eating it up. I honestly wish I could go back in time and reread this again for the first time.
Harlow was an absolute bad ass. Like I want to be her when I grow up, and just run around kissing bad men and taking them out. She was such an unstoppable force to be reckoned with and it just blew me away. There were also so many times when my heart absolutely broke for her and I couldn't fathom how she kept going. By the end I was fist pumping for my girl and how she was able to finally get her revenge, and it was so damn good. Henry was such a little shit and he knew he was being a little shit. That's honestly the best way I could describe him. Every time he would do something, I would be sitting there ripping my hair out because of this turd. But man oh man did he make the wait with it to finally be team Henry. I knew something was coming when we were skirting around parts of him that seemed off and kept in the dark. Just when I thought I knew what was going on, another bomb would drop. Man oh man was I salivating over this man and his absolute filthy mouth. I knew their chemistry was going to be good from the banter alone, but nothing prepared me for it.
There were so many moments where I honestly thought my heart was going to come out of my chest or I was waiting to go into cardiac arrest because of yet another plot twist. This story was beyond thrilling and I cannot wait to add more from this author to my TBR.
October 7, 2025
So, this is very tricky for me to rate as I didn’t realize this was a DARK romance. Without the smut? 4.5 rounded up to 5 / 5! However, this smut… I didn’t expect how damn dark this dark romance would be 😅 After the second big smut scene (IYKYK), I seriously thought about DNFing. If you are someone who doesn’t read dark romance too much, please ignore the handful of people saying it’s not that smutty (someone literally said 3/5 spice level!?!?!??) - it is *incredibly* smutty and very explicit and it’s, in my opinion, extremely degrading and hard to read. It’s also massively focused on kinks like voyeurism and it’s extremely violent. (I’m upset about Shane. Haha).
Other than the smut? Amazing representation and depictions of chronic pain (migraines), trauma, broken family life and domestic abuse, etc. Just overall quite well written. Clearly well thought out and planned and I loved all the twists and the ending!
Other than the smut? Amazing representation and depictions of chronic pain (migraines), trauma, broken family life and domestic abuse, etc. Just overall quite well written. Clearly well thought out and planned and I loved all the twists and the ending!
January 29, 2026
Кохання — це не давати людині, яку ти кохаєш, бути беззахисною. Кохання — це той, хто допомагає тобі одягти броню, хто знає, як і коли допомогти тобі її зняти.
5⭐️
Мені дуже сподобалась книга! Є певні недоліки, до яких можна причепитися, але не буду)
Одиночне фентезі, дорослі герої, з цікавим світоустрієм, ці благословення, магія, правила міст, це дуже захопливо) а щеее трохи, ну трішки, дикі звичаї одного міста 😝
Яка тут шалена хімія між героями 🔥 палало все 🤤
Тут дійсно троп від ненависті до кохання, з реальними причинами, які можуть вартувати життя. І як гарно прописано 🤗
Генрі - ʼмій дикий вовчеʼ і Харлоу, ʼотруйна лисицяʼ, вони пожежа, я відмічала абсолютно кожну їх перепалку, кожну шпильку, а як Генрі вміє говорити 🤤
Разом вони вибухова суміш ненависті, кохання, пристрасті та ревнощів 🔥
А момент де Генрі ʼпобачивʼ 🥹 а коли зізнався Харлоу 🥹 такі вони разом хороші, я повірила в їх кохання 🫶
Вони змогли дати безпеку один одному ❤️
А які тут гарячі сцени 18+ 😈😈😈
Я була в шоці з історії про сестру, не очікувала, і абсолютно не підозрювала, хто лідер повстання. Гниди отримали по заслугам, хороші- отримали своє довго і щасливо.
Однозначно варто читати 🤗
5⭐️
Мені дуже сподобалась книга! Є певні недоліки, до яких можна причепитися, але не буду)
Одиночне фентезі, дорослі герої, з цікавим світоустрієм, ці благословення, магія, правила міст, це дуже захопливо) а щеее трохи, ну трішки, дикі звичаї одного міста 😝
Яка тут шалена хімія між героями 🔥 палало все 🤤
Тут дійсно троп від ненависті до кохання, з реальними причинами, які можуть вартувати життя. І як гарно прописано 🤗
Генрі - ʼмій дикий вовчеʼ і Харлоу, ʼотруйна лисицяʼ, вони пожежа, я відмічала абсолютно кожну їх перепалку, кожну шпильку, а як Генрі вміє говорити 🤤
Разом вони вибухова суміш ненависті, кохання, пристрасті та ревнощів 🔥
А момент де Генрі ʼпобачивʼ 🥹 а коли зізнався Харлоу 🥹 такі вони разом хороші, я повірила в їх кохання 🫶
Вони змогли дати безпеку один одному ❤️
А які тут гарячі сцени 18+ 😈😈😈
Я була в шоці з історії про сестру, не очікувала, і абсолютно не підозрювала, хто лідер повстання. Гниди отримали по заслугам, хороші- отримали своє довго і щасливо.
Однозначно варто читати 🤗
January 3, 2026
Did I read the same book as everyone else? Why are there a bunch of glowing reviews?
Look, It started off strong and had me completely hooked… and then it just slowly dwindled into nothing.
Why is this book so long?! Barely anything happened. It became a wash-and-repeat cycle a million times over: lie, backstab, flirt, f**k, repeat. Over and over. Same drama, different chapter.
I’m honestly mad at myself for pushing through and finishing it. Considering the size of this book, I really should have DNF’d, but the reviews were so good that I kept convincing myself it would eventually pick up. Maybe it will get better… It didn’t.
Instead, it just dragged on and on, long past the point where it should have wrapped up. 😩
Also, there are plot holes the size of wazoo too.
The FMC started off strong, but she lost her wit as soon as the MMC came into the picture. After that, they were both just messy. It’s fine if you love a true enemies-to-lovers vibe, but when it came to the love part, it didn’t make sense. There was a chasm of drama between them, and I couldn’t see why they were suddenly hit by the love bug. Yer, no… not it.
To sum it up, I won’t recommend.
Look, It started off strong and had me completely hooked… and then it just slowly dwindled into nothing.
Why is this book so long?! Barely anything happened. It became a wash-and-repeat cycle a million times over: lie, backstab, flirt, f**k, repeat. Over and over. Same drama, different chapter.
I’m honestly mad at myself for pushing through and finishing it. Considering the size of this book, I really should have DNF’d, but the reviews were so good that I kept convincing myself it would eventually pick up. Maybe it will get better… It didn’t.
Instead, it just dragged on and on, long past the point where it should have wrapped up. 😩
Also, there are plot holes the size of wazoo too.
The FMC started off strong, but she lost her wit as soon as the MMC came into the picture. After that, they were both just messy. It’s fine if you love a true enemies-to-lovers vibe, but when it came to the love part, it didn’t make sense. There was a chasm of drama between them, and I couldn’t see why they were suddenly hit by the love bug. Yer, no… not it.
To sum it up, I won’t recommend.
February 5, 2026
Immaculate. Sometimes I am afraid to read standalone novels because I worry it won't be enough (what can I say, I'm insatiable). But this book... this story might as well have been a never ending saga in my mind.
So beautifully written, I think I highlighted the entire book. The characters... the pure, raw layers of their emotions. I felt it all.
It was so well thought out and then flawlessly translated to paper. The magic system in this story is one of my favorites, so unique but uncomplicated. The strength of BOTH main characters and their deep rooted desire for revenge, sometimes against each other. Oh yes, quite a lot of manipulation which normally would bother me. But with them, never. Because you felt the irrevocable passion between them, no matter how they denied it.
I could ramble for hours. If you made it this far, I beg you to read this book.
So beautifully written, I think I highlighted the entire book. The characters... the pure, raw layers of their emotions. I felt it all.
It was so well thought out and then flawlessly translated to paper. The magic system in this story is one of my favorites, so unique but uncomplicated. The strength of BOTH main characters and their deep rooted desire for revenge, sometimes against each other. Oh yes, quite a lot of manipulation which normally would bother me. But with them, never. Because you felt the irrevocable passion between them, no matter how they denied it.
I could ramble for hours. If you made it this far, I beg you to read this book.
January 29, 2026
3 Stars
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise, the fact that it was a stand-alone, and I did enjoy the H.
The Not-So-Good: The h's attitude.
The Bad: The closure and pacing.
Overall: This was alright. I definitely felt some parallels to The Serpent and the Wings of Night, not necessarily with the hunger games aspect but with the vigilante h and secrets the H has, definitely. I don't read fantasy that much, so it was interesting that I felt those similarities with a book that I had actually read. I thought it was slow and the ending left me hanging. I would love to read some more adult fantasy that are either stand-alones or shorter series, so please give me some recommendations if you have them!
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Harlow and Henry's story. Harlow is the youngest daughter to the family in power and she is shocked to hear that she is getting married off again to Henry, who belongs to a family that everyone thought was dead long ago. She's especially shocked when the night before she thought he was a mark for her secret identity that poisons domestic abusers with her kiss, and he didn't die when she kissed him. Henry is out for vengeance after Harlow's family caused his sister's death, and he has no issue using Harlow to get it. There are some fantasy politics and violence, some secrets revealed, some sexy times...and they get a HEA ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Harlow and Henry's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Not the best. I feel like there were several times that I checked the percentage done while reading this one. I never skimmed, but I definitely felt it was slow and I wasn't fully engaged the whole time. There seemed to be a good bit of repetitiveness and mental loops about the same things. Then the ending was super abrupt in the sense that all this build up led to...that?!
Instalove: No, more like hate to love with some lust thrown in.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Henry. I liked him a good bit more than the h, but I did want him to communicate better once he started to care for the h.
h (heroine) rating: 2.5 stars. Harlow. I struggled with her because her bitchy attitude got old very quickly. Sadly, she keeps it through the book.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: No, just mild jealousy/possessiveness from both h and H
Sex scene with OW or OM: No, see below cheating spoiler
Cheating: Not IMO
Separation: No
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends kind of abruptly with a lot of unanswered questions. I would still call it a HEA , but I definitely needed more closure.
Safety: This one should be either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise, the fact that it was a stand-alone, and I did enjoy the H.
The Not-So-Good: The h's attitude.
The Bad: The closure and pacing.
Overall: This was alright. I definitely felt some parallels to The Serpent and the Wings of Night, not necessarily with the hunger games aspect but with the vigilante h and secrets the H has, definitely. I don't read fantasy that much, so it was interesting that I felt those similarities with a book that I had actually read. I thought it was slow and the ending left me hanging. I would love to read some more adult fantasy that are either stand-alones or shorter series, so please give me some recommendations if you have them!
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Harlow and Henry's story. Harlow is the youngest daughter to the family in power and she is shocked to hear that she is getting married off again to Henry, who belongs to a family that everyone thought was dead long ago. She's especially shocked when the night before she thought he was a mark for her secret identity that poisons domestic abusers with her kiss, and he didn't die when she kissed him. Henry is out for vengeance after Harlow's family caused his sister's death, and he has no issue using Harlow to get it. There are some fantasy politics and violence, some secrets revealed, some sexy times...and they get a HEA ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Harlow and Henry's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Not the best. I feel like there were several times that I checked the percentage done while reading this one. I never skimmed, but I definitely felt it was slow and I wasn't fully engaged the whole time. There seemed to be a good bit of repetitiveness and mental loops about the same things. Then the ending was super abrupt in the sense that all this build up led to...that?!
Instalove: No, more like hate to love with some lust thrown in.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Henry. I liked him a good bit more than the h, but I did want him to communicate better once he started to care for the h.
h (heroine) rating: 2.5 stars. Harlow. I struggled with her because her bitchy attitude got old very quickly. Sadly, she keeps it through the book.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: No, just mild jealousy/possessiveness from both h and H
Sex scene with OW or OM: No, see below cheating spoiler
Cheating: Not IMO
Separation: No
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends kind of abruptly with a lot of unanswered questions. I would still call it a HEA , but I definitely needed more closure.
Safety: This one should be either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
March 8, 2026
Outstanding. The creativity and imagination of the plot development throughout had me hooked. This will live rent free in my head, until I pick it up again, definitely one I'll reread! As a standalone this is perfect.
December 4, 2025
dark romance with a baddie fmc with a poison kiss 💋 dark fantasy arranged marriage
what I liked:
-super creative and interesting magic set up:
different divines impart different blessings and Harlow can see them based on auras
-twist on vampires
-chronic migraine rep
-large dysfunctional/abusive family dynamics (her feelings and thoughts about it really nailed it and felt appropriate to fantasy world and setting)
-close with sister
-MMC lost his ability to see color in attack ten years prior, his friends have gotten the ability back when they fall in love
What I didn’t like:
-long! I think some pro editing would’ve helped it feel more concise. I started skimming at 70%
-for a book with feminist undertones, the MMC had frat bro vibes a lot of the times. I had a hard time finding his personality consistent or likable. She was given strict behavioral mandates to not embarrass him or make him look weak. For example, they have a hunt right before their arranged marriage wedding. At this point they have already been intimate (but not had sex). Part of the wedding involves them having sex. He plans to have sex with a previous partner of his and it goes into detail about how attracted he is to her, her smell etc. She walks up to him taking her up against a tree about to have intercourse. He explains to his friends how he needs to “get it out of his system” or some such. The next page or so she’s confessing she’s never had an orgasm. Her previous partner was a woman. It doesn’t track for me.
-it was enemies to lovers but until the very end they kind of each do what they wanted without much regard for the other unless it wouldn’t work for their “plan”
-the exhibitionism in the book didn’t feel hot or integrated, it was in front of their enemies, people in their community they eat meals with she is just getting to know etc. For me personally felt a bit exploitative the way it was written.
If you like a long slow burning dark romantasy you may enjoy this. Check triggers.
what I liked:
-super creative and interesting magic set up:
different divines impart different blessings and Harlow can see them based on auras
-twist on vampires
-chronic migraine rep
-large dysfunctional/abusive family dynamics (her feelings and thoughts about it really nailed it and felt appropriate to fantasy world and setting)
-close with sister
-MMC lost his ability to see color in attack ten years prior, his friends have gotten the ability back when they fall in love
What I didn’t like:
-long! I think some pro editing would’ve helped it feel more concise. I started skimming at 70%
-for a book with feminist undertones, the MMC had frat bro vibes a lot of the times. I had a hard time finding his personality consistent or likable. She was given strict behavioral mandates to not embarrass him or make him look weak. For example, they have a hunt right before their arranged marriage wedding. At this point they have already been intimate (but not had sex). Part of the wedding involves them having sex. He plans to have sex with a previous partner of his and it goes into detail about how attracted he is to her, her smell etc. She walks up to him taking her up against a tree about to have intercourse. He explains to his friends how he needs to “get it out of his system” or some such. The next page or so she’s confessing she’s never had an orgasm. Her previous partner was a woman. It doesn’t track for me.
-it was enemies to lovers but until the very end they kind of each do what they wanted without much regard for the other unless it wouldn’t work for their “plan”
-the exhibitionism in the book didn’t feel hot or integrated, it was in front of their enemies, people in their community they eat meals with she is just getting to know etc. For me personally felt a bit exploitative the way it was written.
If you like a long slow burning dark romantasy you may enjoy this. Check triggers.
October 16, 2025
DNF at 30%. This book had so much potential. The author is decent at writing. But this book sadly fell into the trap that so many other romantasy books have fallen into lately:
-NOT EVERY BOOK NEEDS TO BE 600++ PAGES. If this book was a tight <400 pages, that would’ve helped keep my interest. I was flipping through pages and pages, desperately trying to get to the plot.
-It’s not enemies-to-lovers if they’re *immediately* doing h0rny sh!t. Give me romantic TENSION and YEARNING.
-Similar to the above point: not all FMCs need to be SO overtly sexy, wearing lingerie to courtly functions, and with a body count in the dozens. It’s just not interesting. I’m tired of it.
Maybe I need a break from romantasy. You could apply the above critiques to a lot of the recent books of this genre.
-NOT EVERY BOOK NEEDS TO BE 600++ PAGES. If this book was a tight <400 pages, that would’ve helped keep my interest. I was flipping through pages and pages, desperately trying to get to the plot.
-It’s not enemies-to-lovers if they’re *immediately* doing h0rny sh!t. Give me romantic TENSION and YEARNING.
-Similar to the above point: not all FMCs need to be SO overtly sexy, wearing lingerie to courtly functions, and with a body count in the dozens. It’s just not interesting. I’m tired of it.
Maybe I need a break from romantasy. You could apply the above critiques to a lot of the recent books of this genre.
December 29, 2025
There were several points of betrayal where the strong minded FMC instantly forgives. Her personality differs throughout the book.
I was so shocked that minutes after she found a huge secret she let her claim her and have sex... like what? that is the opposite of her and the way she doesn't care about Gaven's death....
I was so shocked that minutes after she found a huge secret she let her claim her and have sex... like what? that is the opposite of her and the way she doesn't care about Gaven's death....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2026
3⭐️ gosh where do I even begin….. this is sort of spoilery so take that what you will
“The divines work in mysterious ways” came up at least 5 times. Once would already be too many.
This felt like the author wrote down a list of tropes they wanted to include, and then dedicated 2-3 chapters as a mini story for each trope. Sometimes I actually love that but this was so overly tropey I was annoyed. When we finally get the truth about Henry I was like oh geez here we go….🙄
This book was structured as what I like to call “According to right now” meaning things were explained only as they happened. There was no structure to the plot. We jumped from thing to thing so rapidly. There was very little continuity. Like Henry was supposed to have greyscale vision, but he knew some rando had red hair. Or he was ultra possessive but then randomly was like “I’m going to share you” and then that never came back up again. Or her begging to go home and check on her sister and then being like “why did you summon me” to her parents. Errr what?
It started to get a little red pilly with the “women must respect their husband” from Henry and I didn’t love that.
I struggled to tell the difference between Henry and Harlows POV because the author wrote them in the same way. They used the same words and the same phrases. Even the parents on both sides did the same things as the other. Not to mention, Harlows personality was not consistent throughout the book and she really started to suck towards the end. I loved her whole “I’m going to protect women from abusers” bit but she didn’t actually care about protecting them.
Don’t even get me started about the twist about the sister. Seriously PMO. It was first person POV so Henry KNEW and was mad about it and it never came up in his POV??? Not even a hint.
I would have DNFed but I wanted to know who Rochelli was. Which was the only thing I didn’t mind about the story. It made sense who he was.
“The divines work in mysterious ways” came up at least 5 times. Once would already be too many.
This felt like the author wrote down a list of tropes they wanted to include, and then dedicated 2-3 chapters as a mini story for each trope. Sometimes I actually love that but this was so overly tropey I was annoyed. When we finally get the truth about Henry I was like oh geez here we go….🙄
This book was structured as what I like to call “According to right now” meaning things were explained only as they happened. There was no structure to the plot. We jumped from thing to thing so rapidly. There was very little continuity. Like Henry was supposed to have greyscale vision, but he knew some rando had red hair. Or he was ultra possessive but then randomly was like “I’m going to share you” and then that never came back up again. Or her begging to go home and check on her sister and then being like “why did you summon me” to her parents. Errr what?
It started to get a little red pilly with the “women must respect their husband” from Henry and I didn’t love that.
I struggled to tell the difference between Henry and Harlows POV because the author wrote them in the same way. They used the same words and the same phrases. Even the parents on both sides did the same things as the other. Not to mention, Harlows personality was not consistent throughout the book and she really started to suck towards the end. I loved her whole “I’m going to protect women from abusers” bit but she didn’t actually care about protecting them.
Don’t even get me started about the twist about the sister. Seriously PMO. It was first person POV so Henry KNEW and was mad about it and it never came up in his POV??? Not even a hint.
I would have DNFed but I wanted to know who Rochelli was. Which was the only thing I didn’t mind about the story. It made sense who he was.
February 6, 2026
2.5⭐️ początek był fajny, później poziom spadł, szkoda. Zdecydowanie za długa i powtarzalna, przewidziałam prawie wszystko, bo ma dużo wspólnych punktów z "Krew i Popiół".
February 7, 2026
This book really left me questioning all the book recommendations I save from online, this was trash, but RAVED about... someone explain...
This book has an interesting premise and still completely wastes it.
The concept of a poison-kiss vigilante is fun on paper, but the execution is rough. There is an exhausting amount of over-explaining and repeated information, as if the author assumes the reader cannot retain basic details. It made the story feel like it wasn’t moving at all.
I also struggled to connect with Harlow. Her motivations felt oddly detached, her pain felt placed there because the plot needed it, and her supposed “power” never felt like an actual asset. She has to kiss people to kill them, and yet the narrative keeps insisting she is invaluable without really showing why. The character dynamics felt flat, and there was no real emotional or romantic tension to anchor the story.
This had nothing to do with length and everything to do with depth, prose, and execution. I kept pushing through until I realized I genuinely did not care what happened next, which is usually my sign to stop.
Interesting idea. Weak writing. Disjointed characters. I’m glad I DNF’d when I did.
This book has an interesting premise and still completely wastes it.
The concept of a poison-kiss vigilante is fun on paper, but the execution is rough. There is an exhausting amount of over-explaining and repeated information, as if the author assumes the reader cannot retain basic details. It made the story feel like it wasn’t moving at all.
I also struggled to connect with Harlow. Her motivations felt oddly detached, her pain felt placed there because the plot needed it, and her supposed “power” never felt like an actual asset. She has to kiss people to kill them, and yet the narrative keeps insisting she is invaluable without really showing why. The character dynamics felt flat, and there was no real emotional or romantic tension to anchor the story.
This had nothing to do with length and everything to do with depth, prose, and execution. I kept pushing through until I realized I genuinely did not care what happened next, which is usually my sign to stop.
Interesting idea. Weak writing. Disjointed characters. I’m glad I DNF’d when I did.
January 18, 2026
we need more fantasy standalones!!
loved this book from beginning to end. the world building wasn’t overly complicated and i really liked most of the characters. this is a dark fantasy romance but i was here for the plot just as much as the romance.
harlow is forced into an arranged marriage after henry’s family mysteriously resurfaces after an attack on their land 10 years ago. both of their families want them to spy on the other and learn their secrets. AND HOLY SECRETS. they are both keeping so many secrets. you’re uncovering their past and ancestral history throughout the entire book, so there’s no chance of you getting bored.
i wish some of the side characters had more of a storyline, i wanted to know more about henry’s parents and harlow’s siblings. or maybe i just want an epilogue to see how everyone is doing after the ending 😩
loved this book from beginning to end. the world building wasn’t overly complicated and i really liked most of the characters. this is a dark fantasy romance but i was here for the plot just as much as the romance.
harlow is forced into an arranged marriage after henry’s family mysteriously resurfaces after an attack on their land 10 years ago. both of their families want them to spy on the other and learn their secrets. AND HOLY SECRETS. they are both keeping so many secrets. you’re uncovering their past and ancestral history throughout the entire book, so there’s no chance of you getting bored.
i wish some of the side characters had more of a storyline, i wanted to know more about henry’s parents and harlow’s siblings. or maybe i just want an epilogue to see how everyone is doing after the ending 😩
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