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Dark Manor Chronicles #1
A Secret in the Garden
Not yet published
Expected 24 Feb 26Win a free print copy of this book!
0 days and 23:16:50
25 copies available
U.S. only
Perched on a windswept cliff, Blackwood Manor looms like a dark monument to a mysterious family. Behind its grand iron gates, one part of the estate has been left to rot since the tragic death of Hester the once-glorious conservatory, now choked by vines and shattered glass. The rest of the family is gone-only her brooding son, Jasper, remains, the heir to a weapons empire.
Desperate to save her job and out of options, botanist Eliza Arnold makes a bold gamble--drives to the manor and begs the elusive millionaire for a donation. Jasper agrees...on one chilling restore the conservatory. Alone. No help. No leaving.
But the manor is not empty.
As Eliza battles thorns and secrets, a magnetic tension builds between her and Jasper--dark, dangerous, and impossible to ignore. And something else stirs among the roots and ruins...whispers in the walls, confusing disturbances, and a presence watching her every move.
The deeper Eliza digs, the more she uncovers a garden of grief, longing...and desire. Because in Blackwood Manor, even buried things can bloom again.
Desperate to save her job and out of options, botanist Eliza Arnold makes a bold gamble--drives to the manor and begs the elusive millionaire for a donation. Jasper agrees...on one chilling restore the conservatory. Alone. No help. No leaving.
But the manor is not empty.
As Eliza battles thorns and secrets, a magnetic tension builds between her and Jasper--dark, dangerous, and impossible to ignore. And something else stirs among the roots and ruins...whispers in the walls, confusing disturbances, and a presence watching her every move.
The deeper Eliza digs, the more she uncovers a garden of grief, longing...and desire. Because in Blackwood Manor, even buried things can bloom again.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 1, 2026
3.75 ⭐️ rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for providing me with this ARC. The book will be released February 24, 2026! All opinions are my own.
This is Jeneane O’Riley’s venture into the world of romance without the fantasy. She doesn’t leave us hanging though, introducing elements of gothic settings, ghostly hauntings and morally grey parricidal main love interests to the mix. A Secret in the Garden gives us another taste of Jeneane‘s amazing writing style in a deliciously new and dangerous setting.
Eliza Arnold is the botanist willing to sacrifice her dignity and possibly her life to go up to Blackwood Manor and ask the reclusive and possibly murderous Jasper Blackwood for access to his conservatory. To her surprise, he accepts, with the caveat that she is the only one that can work on it and that she has to move into the manor to do so. As she begins to bring the dilapidated conservatory back to life, she is haunted by Jasper’s mother and makes it her mission to discover the truth behind the rumors of his parents’ murders. As she gets closer to his family’s secrets, she finds herself getting closer to the man himself. Perhaps the two of them are more alike than she first realized.
Both Eliza and Jasper come in with extremely troubled pasts and poor parent relationships that have molded the kind of people they are as adults. Eliza, abused and put down, is a people pleaser while Jasper, abandoned, is closed off and cold. They needed each other to break out of the prisons they and their parents have created over the years but it took A LOT to get there. Eliza is constantly doubting herself at every turn in the book, sometimes from one sentence to the next (the whiplash!). It looks like she is making progress but then she regresses again (this applies both to the solving the mystery and healing herself). Jasper on the other hand, remains pretty aloof until suddenly we are hit with the full force of his obsession that’s been quietly seething in the background. For the spice and the romance, for you slow burn lovers out there, I’d say this book definitely pulls it out, drawing out their tension until at least the 75% mark.
The ghostly/gothic/haunting elements were an interesting touch and something I think this author excels at. Her writing captured the atmosphere of the dark manor with its mysterious owner so well and all the haunting moments had me on the edge of my seat. I wish I had read this in the fall for the perfect ambience. The mystery itself was woven into the story so well and it kept it going through the parts where Eliza’s indecisiveness was repetitive. The ending was surprising and emotional, and showed me that without even realizing it, I had become invested in the Blackwood family.
Like with her Infatuated Fae series, I am impressed by the way Jeneane is able to weave a story and hide her intentions from the reader until she’s ready for you to know the full picture but not in an annoying way where you are left with open ended questions for the whole book that grate on you. This book is definitely not as “action packed” and has a more deliberate pacing, but for those looking for a darker setting with a bit of mystery and a slow burn romance, this will hit the spot. Side note, why is she so damn smart…mind blown.
Themes:
Slowburn
Touch her and die
Gothic Haunted Manor Mystery (is this a theme?)
Quotes to tempt you:
He was everything the house was—dark, distant, brooding, and horrifying, covered up with a beautifully expensive varnish.
Our trauma had broken us so deeply that we were able to see each other through our cracks.
Dreams are only coveted because you have to face reality for a while to truly appreciate them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for providing me with this ARC. The book will be released February 24, 2026! All opinions are my own.
This is Jeneane O’Riley’s venture into the world of romance without the fantasy. She doesn’t leave us hanging though, introducing elements of gothic settings, ghostly hauntings and morally grey parricidal main love interests to the mix. A Secret in the Garden gives us another taste of Jeneane‘s amazing writing style in a deliciously new and dangerous setting.
Eliza Arnold is the botanist willing to sacrifice her dignity and possibly her life to go up to Blackwood Manor and ask the reclusive and possibly murderous Jasper Blackwood for access to his conservatory. To her surprise, he accepts, with the caveat that she is the only one that can work on it and that she has to move into the manor to do so. As she begins to bring the dilapidated conservatory back to life, she is haunted by Jasper’s mother and makes it her mission to discover the truth behind the rumors of his parents’ murders. As she gets closer to his family’s secrets, she finds herself getting closer to the man himself. Perhaps the two of them are more alike than she first realized.
Both Eliza and Jasper come in with extremely troubled pasts and poor parent relationships that have molded the kind of people they are as adults. Eliza, abused and put down, is a people pleaser while Jasper, abandoned, is closed off and cold. They needed each other to break out of the prisons they and their parents have created over the years but it took A LOT to get there. Eliza is constantly doubting herself at every turn in the book, sometimes from one sentence to the next (the whiplash!). It looks like she is making progress but then she regresses again (this applies both to the solving the mystery and healing herself). Jasper on the other hand, remains pretty aloof until suddenly we are hit with the full force of his obsession that’s been quietly seething in the background. For the spice and the romance, for you slow burn lovers out there, I’d say this book definitely pulls it out, drawing out their tension until at least the 75% mark.
The ghostly/gothic/haunting elements were an interesting touch and something I think this author excels at. Her writing captured the atmosphere of the dark manor with its mysterious owner so well and all the haunting moments had me on the edge of my seat. I wish I had read this in the fall for the perfect ambience. The mystery itself was woven into the story so well and it kept it going through the parts where Eliza’s indecisiveness was repetitive. The ending was surprising and emotional, and showed me that without even realizing it, I had become invested in the Blackwood family.
Like with her Infatuated Fae series, I am impressed by the way Jeneane is able to weave a story and hide her intentions from the reader until she’s ready for you to know the full picture but not in an annoying way where you are left with open ended questions for the whole book that grate on you. This book is definitely not as “action packed” and has a more deliberate pacing, but for those looking for a darker setting with a bit of mystery and a slow burn romance, this will hit the spot. Side note, why is she so damn smart…mind blown.
Themes:
Slowburn
Touch her and die
Gothic Haunted Manor Mystery (is this a theme?)
Quotes to tempt you:
He was everything the house was—dark, distant, brooding, and horrifying, covered up with a beautifully expensive varnish.
Our trauma had broken us so deeply that we were able to see each other through our cracks.
Dreams are only coveted because you have to face reality for a while to truly appreciate them.
December 30, 2025
I was pleasantly surprised! This one sucked me in from page 1. It was dark and has a gripping mystery that had me guessing until the end. The romance was palpable between the two main characters. We meet Eliza a timid botanist looking for a way to save her job. She meets Jasper the owner/billionaire of the Blackwood Manor. He has a conservatory that is in disrepair full of exotic plants that has caught Eliza and her place of work attention. She ends up offering her services and Jasper obliges. Once she starts the twist and turn start. It’s spooky, haunting and kept me guessing like I mention earlier. The story wraps with a sweet little bow in a way I didn’t expect. This one is also pretty spicy 🌶️ for those who are curious. If you enjoy dark romance, murder mystery, “mine” and billionaire MMC then I highly recommend this one.
November 18, 2025
First, I must say thank you to Jeneane for personally sending me an arc, complete with a handwritten note. At the risk of sounding cliche and a bit corny, your books have irrevocably changed my life. They have awoken an old and long forgotten love for writing, a love I thought was snuffed out by one of those enemies cloaked in white robes (😉).
Since the moment I got my hands on this beauty of a story, I found myself in a war between my head and my heart to slow down and cherish the story and wanting to engulf the book in one sitting. It was so beautifully written that I genuinely wondered when Jeneane had time to watch the show that is my life and somehow capture perfectly the kind of relationship I have with my mother with Eliza and her own mother. There were whole paragraphs of inner monologue that a lot of young women, myself included, have had when they were raised by their first bully. A less healed version of myself may have been triggered at some of Eliza’s mother’s dialogue, and the decently healed version of myself is so grateful for how their relationship was portrayed in the end.
Now onto the more fun part of the story… Jasper MF Blackwell. Though Daddy Mendax will probably always have my heart, Jasper did give him a run for his money. As much as I love a true villain like Mendax, I do truly love a man that yearns and is willing to change for the woman of his dreams. The banter between Eliza and Jasper was absolutely delish and the tension was palpable. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t giggling and kicking my feet like a schoolgirl much to my husband’s annoyance. (Don’t worry, he wasn’t annoyed once he reaped the benefits).
Speaking of, the spice was worth the wait. That’s all I will say about that.
And as if this love story wasn’t already amazing on its own, the added little murder mystery that was happening definitely kept me on my toes. And in true Jeneane O’Riley fashion, I did not see some of the plot twist coming. Like Hester becoming of my favorite characters.
Without going into any true spoilers, all in all, this was another beautiful work of art that I’m so happy I got to experience. I can’t wait for you all to be able to get your hands on this
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow, what a whirlwind!
First, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
I have never read anything from Jeneane O'Riley but have heard about the author from fellow book friends. I read the synopsis of this book and was immediately intrigued by the promise of gothic romance vibes.
This was the epitome of a true gothic, paranormal romance book set in a massive, haunting manor. As a fellow plant lover, I loved the premise of the FMC being a botanist and her vast knowledge of plants. I found myself googling all the different rare species of plants which made reading this book very fun for me.
As for the reclusive, broody MMC, he reminded me so much of Beast from beauty in the beast where everyone has already made up their opinions on him including the FMC before actually getting to know him. The spice in this book is a slow burn but done expertly well. I mean that to say, once the spice hits it bursts into flames! The chemistry between the two was so heavy and intense, it was nice to see them finally give in to it. I liked the aspect of the MMC getting what he wanted, which was the FMC, but also being respectful that she didn't trust him and to come out of her shell on her own.
The relationship Eliza had with her mother was extremely toxic. It made me respect her more when she stuck to her boundaries and distanced herself while also trying to get her mother help, even though her mother didn't take it.
I also loved the aspect of paranormal activity and how the FMC was basically sent on a ghost hunt. My only issue with it, I wanted a little more information as to why Eliza was the only one who could see her.
Overall, this book was a fun read and I definitely recommend it to anybody looking for something different than the norm! I'm looking forward to more of this series!
First, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
I have never read anything from Jeneane O'Riley but have heard about the author from fellow book friends. I read the synopsis of this book and was immediately intrigued by the promise of gothic romance vibes.
This was the epitome of a true gothic, paranormal romance book set in a massive, haunting manor. As a fellow plant lover, I loved the premise of the FMC being a botanist and her vast knowledge of plants. I found myself googling all the different rare species of plants which made reading this book very fun for me.
As for the reclusive, broody MMC, he reminded me so much of Beast from beauty in the beast where everyone has already made up their opinions on him including the FMC before actually getting to know him. The spice in this book is a slow burn but done expertly well. I mean that to say, once the spice hits it bursts into flames! The chemistry between the two was so heavy and intense, it was nice to see them finally give in to it. I liked the aspect of the MMC getting what he wanted, which was the FMC, but also being respectful that she didn't trust him and to come out of her shell on her own.
The relationship Eliza had with her mother was extremely toxic. It made me respect her more when she stuck to her boundaries and distanced herself while also trying to get her mother help, even though her mother didn't take it.
I also loved the aspect of paranormal activity and how the FMC was basically sent on a ghost hunt. My only issue with it, I wanted a little more information as to why Eliza was the only one who could see her.
Overall, this book was a fun read and I definitely recommend it to anybody looking for something different than the norm! I'm looking forward to more of this series!
November 29, 2025
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Bloom for an early copy for an honest review!
Please review all trigger warnings before reading this book! Topics such as narcissistic behavior, abuse, and more are discussed.
3.5/5
When I heard that Jeneane O'Riley was writing a gothic romance book, I was excited to check it out. I wasn't the biggest fan of How Does It Feel however, my friends were so I had some hope going into this.
We follow Eliza as she goes to Blackwood Manor in hopes of restoring their conservatory and navigate through the mysteries that hide behind the gates at Blackwood Manor.
I am an absolute sucker for a gothic romance. I love gothic, paranormal stories. O'Riley did an amazing job tying the paranormal aspect into the story. I do wish that there was more of a focus on the ghost and explaining more of where this came from and how our FMC was able to see her.
As for our MMC, I have such a love/hate relationship with him. The dirty talk was top tier but his thoughts around Eliza were so back and forth in an immature way at first that it's a miracle that I don't have whiplash!
I am excited to see where this series goes! I am a sucker for an interconnected standalone series.
Please review all trigger warnings before reading this book! Topics such as narcissistic behavior, abuse, and more are discussed.
3.5/5
When I heard that Jeneane O'Riley was writing a gothic romance book, I was excited to check it out. I wasn't the biggest fan of How Does It Feel however, my friends were so I had some hope going into this.
We follow Eliza as she goes to Blackwood Manor in hopes of restoring their conservatory and navigate through the mysteries that hide behind the gates at Blackwood Manor.
I am an absolute sucker for a gothic romance. I love gothic, paranormal stories. O'Riley did an amazing job tying the paranormal aspect into the story. I do wish that there was more of a focus on the ghost and explaining more of where this came from and how our FMC was able to see her.
As for our MMC, I have such a love/hate relationship with him. The dirty talk was top tier but his thoughts around Eliza were so back and forth in an immature way at first that it's a miracle that I don't have whiplash!
I am excited to see where this series goes! I am a sucker for an interconnected standalone series.
December 3, 2025
The fact that it is a series of standalones already had me sold! The flow of the story reminded me of her Infatuated Fae series which I liked. The beginning started off strong. Around the 35% mark it wasn’t as attention grabbing, but once you get to the halfway point you don’t want to put it down. As with Infatuated Fae it kept me guessing. There were a couple spicy scenes, not a lot, but I don’t think the story really needed it. I appreciated that while the story is mainly from the POV of the FMC, Eliza, we were gifted with a couple chapters from Jasper’s POV. The ending also tied of the story well and there wasn’t unfinished business that would live rent free in our head for the next month.
*A copy of this book with provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
*A copy of this book with provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
December 5, 2025
ARC Review-
Plants and ghosts. What more could you possibly need? Jeneane O’Riley is a master at creating dark gothic settings for her characters, and of course is horticulturist herself. So, the main setting of the conservatory with the striking and dark plants is a perfect blend of her unique style. A way of sharing her personal interests with us as her readers.
This was my first book by her outside of her infatuated fae series and I loved it. It was everything I expected it to be and then some. Having read her books before, I knew to anticipate plenty of plot twists and eerie thrill, both of which she certainly delivered on in this standalone. I am also always a sucker for a found family trope, so to read about Eliza finding friendship and acceptance at the manor was a guaranteed way to warm my heart.
“I learned that plants, like people, sometimes needed time to heal and that it didn’t always happen as quickly as I wanted. They needed the right environment, care, and space to stretch toward the light”
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for this eARC in enhanced for my honest review.
Plants and ghosts. What more could you possibly need? Jeneane O’Riley is a master at creating dark gothic settings for her characters, and of course is horticulturist herself. So, the main setting of the conservatory with the striking and dark plants is a perfect blend of her unique style. A way of sharing her personal interests with us as her readers.
This was my first book by her outside of her infatuated fae series and I loved it. It was everything I expected it to be and then some. Having read her books before, I knew to anticipate plenty of plot twists and eerie thrill, both of which she certainly delivered on in this standalone. I am also always a sucker for a found family trope, so to read about Eliza finding friendship and acceptance at the manor was a guaranteed way to warm my heart.
“I learned that plants, like people, sometimes needed time to heal and that it didn’t always happen as quickly as I wanted. They needed the right environment, care, and space to stretch toward the light”
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for this eARC in enhanced for my honest review.
November 14, 2025
I don't know how I am going to move on from this story.
I am in love with everything about this. I am so beyond blessed to have gotten an ARC copy from Netgalley, and I cannot wait to have the physical copy in my hands in just a short few months.
Everything about this was beautiful, and I swear she cant write a bad book. I couldn't recommend this more, and hope that everyone picks this up when it comes out.
I am in love with everything about this. I am so beyond blessed to have gotten an ARC copy from Netgalley, and I cannot wait to have the physical copy in my hands in just a short few months.
Everything about this was beautiful, and I swear she cant write a bad book. I couldn't recommend this more, and hope that everyone picks this up when it comes out.
December 17, 2025
This is a 6 star read for me! Wow wow wow wow! I got an arc through netgalley and so grateful for it! I was scared to start it because I knew I was going to fall in love with this gothic romance immediately, and fell is exactly what happened!
I absolutely LOVED this book and it’s one I won’t be able to stop thinking about! It was so beautifully written and the connection Eliza and jasper have is *chefs kiss*
I cannot wait to see where the series goes and this book hasn’t been released yet!
I absolutely LOVED this book and it’s one I won’t be able to stop thinking about! It was so beautifully written and the connection Eliza and jasper have is *chefs kiss*
I cannot wait to see where the series goes and this book hasn’t been released yet!
November 22, 2025
Solid 3.5. Definitely jumping into the rest of her books.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Gothic romance with a side of ghosts” sign me up for that haunted conservatory drama.
It delivers on the vibes but not quite a windy cliffside in a Brontë novel. Eliza, our botanist heroine who's basically one bad Zoom call away from unemployment (thanks, narcissistic mom from hell, yikes at that lady), rolls up to Blackwood Manor begging for cash from brooding weapons heir Jasper. He basically says, "Fine, but fix my mom's overgrown jungle of a conservatory. Alone. No take backs." Cue Eliza hacking at vines, dodging spiders the size of her regrets, and accidentally stirring up the late Hester's ghost like she's auditioning for a seance reality show.
The mystery unravels like a particularly thorny rosebush: Hester popping in when she’s supposedly alive?? A magical locket?
The conservatory restoration feels like it takes longer than my last attempt at adulting. At 30% in and it's still mostly Eliza vs. shattered glass and existential dread… girl, I get the metaphor for healing from ruins, but maybe trim a few vine-tangling monologues? And her mom's scenes? Brutal realism, sure, but they land like unsolicited advice at Thanksgiving: accurate, but do we NEED more rounds?
Then there's the business dinner. Eliza's never had fish before (??), and they're at this stiff table with a bunch of Jasper's potential weapons-deal clients, and Jasper decides NOWS THE TIME to drop innuendos louder than a dropped fork. "Slower, I don’t wanna miss anything." "I bet you’re beautiful when you choke." In front of EVERYONE. While she's trying to not gag on her first-ever salmon fillet. Cringe af, I was grimacing at my Kindle. Like, bro, seal the deal later; these guys are here for business, not watch your foreplay TED Talk. It yanked me right out of the moody manor stuff into secondhand embarrassment central.
Not flawless, could've pruned a bit for punchier twists, and maybe hired a sensitivity reader for fish eating virgins, but if you're into whimsically dark escapism, this'll do the trick. Three stars: pretty bloom, needs a good edit shear. (See what I did there?!)
- Brooding MMC with a secret soft side
- Slow-burn enemies-to-lovers lite (more prickly banter than outright feud)
- Haunted manor mystery (ghost mommy dearest)
- Found family via spectral intervention
- Narcissistic parent villainy (the real monster under the bed)
- Cringe public flirtation (business dinner edition: NEVER again)
(Also, random aside: why do all these manors have conservatories? Is it code for "trauma greenhouse" or just an excuse for steamy window scenes? And Jasper, buddy, innuendos at dinner? Stick to the ghosts next time.)
It delivers on the vibes but not quite a windy cliffside in a Brontë novel. Eliza, our botanist heroine who's basically one bad Zoom call away from unemployment (thanks, narcissistic mom from hell, yikes at that lady), rolls up to Blackwood Manor begging for cash from brooding weapons heir Jasper. He basically says, "Fine, but fix my mom's overgrown jungle of a conservatory. Alone. No take backs." Cue Eliza hacking at vines, dodging spiders the size of her regrets, and accidentally stirring up the late Hester's ghost like she's auditioning for a seance reality show.
The mystery unravels like a particularly thorny rosebush: Hester popping in when she’s supposedly alive?? A magical locket?
The conservatory restoration feels like it takes longer than my last attempt at adulting. At 30% in and it's still mostly Eliza vs. shattered glass and existential dread… girl, I get the metaphor for healing from ruins, but maybe trim a few vine-tangling monologues? And her mom's scenes? Brutal realism, sure, but they land like unsolicited advice at Thanksgiving: accurate, but do we NEED more rounds?
Then there's the business dinner. Eliza's never had fish before (??), and they're at this stiff table with a bunch of Jasper's potential weapons-deal clients, and Jasper decides NOWS THE TIME to drop innuendos louder than a dropped fork. "Slower, I don’t wanna miss anything." "I bet you’re beautiful when you choke." In front of EVERYONE. While she's trying to not gag on her first-ever salmon fillet. Cringe af, I was grimacing at my Kindle. Like, bro, seal the deal later; these guys are here for business, not watch your foreplay TED Talk. It yanked me right out of the moody manor stuff into secondhand embarrassment central.
Not flawless, could've pruned a bit for punchier twists, and maybe hired a sensitivity reader for fish eating virgins, but if you're into whimsically dark escapism, this'll do the trick. Three stars: pretty bloom, needs a good edit shear. (See what I did there?!)
- Brooding MMC with a secret soft side
- Slow-burn enemies-to-lovers lite (more prickly banter than outright feud)
- Haunted manor mystery (ghost mommy dearest)
- Found family via spectral intervention
- Narcissistic parent villainy (the real monster under the bed)
- Cringe public flirtation (business dinner edition: NEVER again)
(Also, random aside: why do all these manors have conservatories? Is it code for "trauma greenhouse" or just an excuse for steamy window scenes? And Jasper, buddy, innuendos at dinner? Stick to the ghosts next time.)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’m still trying to figure out why this didn’t click for me because by all accounts it should have been right up my alley.
It has ghosts(?) and a potential murder mystery and a spooky gothic house with a giant gothic garden and a morally grey rich man and a strong but traumatized heroine - literally everything I love. Somehow though, none of it came together in a satisfying way for me and none of the elements that held such promise were teased out sufficiently. I found the prose clunky at times and I don’t know whether it was an ARC issue but the tense seemed to jump from past to present in the same paragraphs regularly. Maybe this is something that will be dealt with before publication - hopefully it is! - but it made it hard for me to enjoy. I also didn’t enjoy how repetitive so many of the internal monologues felt and I wonder whether this was due to not enough follow through on potentially interesting plot points. For instance:
We hear all about how scary Jasper is and Eliza’s internal monologue is allllll about what a scary murderer he is but the narrative never digs deeper than a surface level into what that means. What are these arms he’s dealing? Tell us more about the secret rooms being added on and what nefarious items are in them? Speaking of scary, what’s Evil Alfred’s deal? Early in the story jasper alludes to being cowed by him because of his past but… we never find out what that past is that would make him intimidating? He’s a gardener and that’s all we get. Also, why is he so opposed to Jasper and Eliza; he never communicates why that’s so bad but he does everything to dissuade them from coming together. It makes no sense with how much he protects jasper emotionally that he wouldn’t encourage this connection.
The ultimate twist at the end is… boring to say the least. I’m glad the “ghosts” of the past get resolution but boy howdy, that’s a lame reason to have 20 years of haunting trauma and baggage. Miscommunication: I hate to see it.
While I’m thankful to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for honest review, I don’t think I’ll pick this one up at publication time.
It has ghosts(?) and a potential murder mystery and a spooky gothic house with a giant gothic garden and a morally grey rich man and a strong but traumatized heroine - literally everything I love. Somehow though, none of it came together in a satisfying way for me and none of the elements that held such promise were teased out sufficiently. I found the prose clunky at times and I don’t know whether it was an ARC issue but the tense seemed to jump from past to present in the same paragraphs regularly. Maybe this is something that will be dealt with before publication - hopefully it is! - but it made it hard for me to enjoy. I also didn’t enjoy how repetitive so many of the internal monologues felt and I wonder whether this was due to not enough follow through on potentially interesting plot points. For instance:
We hear all about how scary Jasper is and Eliza’s internal monologue is allllll about what a scary murderer he is but the narrative never digs deeper than a surface level into what that means. What are these arms he’s dealing? Tell us more about the secret rooms being added on and what nefarious items are in them? Speaking of scary, what’s Evil Alfred’s deal? Early in the story jasper alludes to being cowed by him because of his past but… we never find out what that past is that would make him intimidating? He’s a gardener and that’s all we get. Also, why is he so opposed to Jasper and Eliza; he never communicates why that’s so bad but he does everything to dissuade them from coming together. It makes no sense with how much he protects jasper emotionally that he wouldn’t encourage this connection.
The ultimate twist at the end is… boring to say the least. I’m glad the “ghosts” of the past get resolution but boy howdy, that’s a lame reason to have 20 years of haunting trauma and baggage. Miscommunication: I hate to see it.
While I’m thankful to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for honest review, I don’t think I’ll pick this one up at publication time.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Secret in the Garden by Jeneane O’Riley is one of those rare books that weaves atmosphere, mystery, and romance into something magical. The setting of Blackwood Manor with its forgotten conservatory, groaning trees, and whispering corridors make you feel like you are walking through the mist yourself.
Eliza Arnold isn't just a FMC she's a character who instantly captivates. As a botanist who is under immense pressure to salvage her career, and her decision to go to Blackwood Manor to restore the neglected conservatory feels both audacious and vulnerable. She bears the scars of a difficult relationship with her mother, but her love of plants and the way she struggles and grows amidst growing secrets and supernatural events make her utterly captivating.
Jasper Blackwell the perfect, dark, and complex love interest
Jasper is exactly the brooding, layered man I love in gothic romance. He is mysterious, sometimes blunt, often inaccessible and yet irresistible. His relationship with Eliza is charged with slow-burn tension, sharp banter and moments of genuine emotional exposure. You sense his inner struggle and slowly awakening gentleness toward Eliza, making him one of my favorite romantic protagonists of the year.
Gothic atmosphere and lingering mystery
The atmosphere in A Secret in the Garden is utterly captivating. The abandoned conservatory full of overgrown plants, the unexpected presence of a ghostly presence, and the dormant secrets of the Blackwood family constantly gave me goosebumps and curiosity. The story balances mystery, romance, and a touch of the paranormal in a way I've rarely read so well.
If you love gothic romance, slow-burn love, secret gardens, and characters who truly grow, this is a must-read for 2026.
I received an ARC for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Eliza Arnold isn't just a FMC she's a character who instantly captivates. As a botanist who is under immense pressure to salvage her career, and her decision to go to Blackwood Manor to restore the neglected conservatory feels both audacious and vulnerable. She bears the scars of a difficult relationship with her mother, but her love of plants and the way she struggles and grows amidst growing secrets and supernatural events make her utterly captivating.
Jasper Blackwell the perfect, dark, and complex love interest
Jasper is exactly the brooding, layered man I love in gothic romance. He is mysterious, sometimes blunt, often inaccessible and yet irresistible. His relationship with Eliza is charged with slow-burn tension, sharp banter and moments of genuine emotional exposure. You sense his inner struggle and slowly awakening gentleness toward Eliza, making him one of my favorite romantic protagonists of the year.
Gothic atmosphere and lingering mystery
The atmosphere in A Secret in the Garden is utterly captivating. The abandoned conservatory full of overgrown plants, the unexpected presence of a ghostly presence, and the dormant secrets of the Blackwood family constantly gave me goosebumps and curiosity. The story balances mystery, romance, and a touch of the paranormal in a way I've rarely read so well.
If you love gothic romance, slow-burn love, secret gardens, and characters who truly grow, this is a must-read for 2026.
I received an ARC for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was excited to get this ARC because it seemed like a dark Secret Garden. This one was not for me. So Eliza is a botanist trying to get the mysterious Jasper Blackwood to donate a lot of money to the gardens that she works for. Most people think he killed his parents. She goes to his house and tries to convince him that she can bring his near-death gardens back to life. I'm not sure what that had to do with him giving a big donation to her place of work though. He is a recluse and does not like anyone at his house, but somehow agrees that she can bring his gardens back to life and have a party to celebrate it at the end of three months. Never does he agree to give a donation at the end of three months. He is having an addition built on the house but tells her she must do it all alone because he doesn't want a bunch of strangers working at his house. But the crew working on the addition is okay? There is a storyline with her toxic mother that also made no sense. She has her mom stay in her apartment while she is at the manor and her mom tells the landlord to give away her stuff and her apartment. That's not how that works. You can't just break a lease. The whole mom storyline didn't even go anywhere or add to the story. There was not much dialogue and the chapters were very long so it was mostly Eliza's inner monologue. A few chapters are in Jasper's POV. Eliza doesn't think Jasper killed his parents even though she watches him shoot a person. That just turns her on. There was also another side storyline of illegal weapons that also went nowhere. The book was much longer than it needed to be and with long chapters the whole book just dragged on for me. I did not find any chemistry between the main characters so that didn't help either. Oh, yeah and throw in a ghost that only Eliza can see, but she never mentions it to Jasper.
November 29, 2025
This book was a surprise for me. I tend to not gravitate towards dark romance but the title and cover intrigued me, so I gave it a shot. Eliza's character both frustrated me and garnered a lot of sympathy from me, especially in her relationship with her emotionally abusive mother. So much of her life was controlled by her mother, and it was hard to read some of the scenes between them. This also made it hard for me to wrap my head around Eliza being told by Jasper that she could only work in the greenhouse if she agreed to live in the manor for the duration of the project. Of course, Jasper had no idea of how much of Eliza's life had been controlled by another person, and he did redeem himself in that regard eventually, but there some points early on that were tough to read. This is probably just a dark romance thing, but I thought it was something to make a note of. I think I enjoyed the plot of the book more than the romantic relationship between Jasper and Eliza. Without spoiling anything, there were some twists that I wasn't expecting, and at various times, I had no clue how the storyline would resolve. The relationship between Jasper and Eliza was pretty dysfunctional from the beginning. Both of them lied to the other over pretty major things, and they both have a significant amound of unresolved parental related trauma. While the book does have a HEA, I found it hard to believe that these two characters would make it in the long term considering the circumstances surrounding how their relationship started. Overall, I don't think this book was for me, but as far as a dark romance goes, it's probably great if you're more used to reading this type of romance.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book!
December 6, 2025
A Secret in the Garden by Jeneane O’Riley
🖤 Gothic Romance · Darkly Whimsical · Haunting Slow Burn
If you crave gothic romance with a hint of magic, a crumbling manor, and a brooding heir hiding too many secrets, then welcome to your next obsession.
Blackwood Manor is alive or at least it feels that way. Twisted vines, shattered glass, ghostly whispers in the conservatory… and a recluse heir who makes danger feel beautiful.
Eliza, a botanist desperate to keep her job, bargains her way into restoring the long-abandoned greenhouse.
Jasper, the last Blackwood, agrees on one chilling condition:
👉 she must live in the manor while she works.
What follows is a delicious blend of:
🌿 gothic mystery
🌿 forced proximity in a haunted estate
🌿 slow-burn tension that unfolds like a creeping vine
🌿 dark secrets buried beneath the roots
🌿 two people shaped by trauma, pulled toward each other anyway
This story leans hard into atmosphere with the fog, cracked stone, fluttering shadows and the romance is messy, aching, and emotionally charged. Both characters are deeply flawed, both are healing in wrong and right ways, and that’s part of the allure.
Think:
✨ Crimson Peak vibes
✨ Hidden grief, locked rooms, and forbidden wings of the manor
✨ A love story growing where it shouldn’t
✨ A garden that refuses to stay buried
If you love:
🖤 Dark gothic romance
🖤 Haunted estates with secrets
🖤 Broody MMCs with tragic pasts
🖤 Slow-burn obsession
🖤 Mystery woven into every chapter
…then A Secret in the Garden absolutely belongs on your 2026 TBR.
#ASecretInTheGarden #DarkManorChronicles #GothicRomance #Romantasy #DarkRomanceVibes #HauntedManor #SlowBurnRomance #BloomBooks
🖤 Gothic Romance · Darkly Whimsical · Haunting Slow Burn
If you crave gothic romance with a hint of magic, a crumbling manor, and a brooding heir hiding too many secrets, then welcome to your next obsession.
Blackwood Manor is alive or at least it feels that way. Twisted vines, shattered glass, ghostly whispers in the conservatory… and a recluse heir who makes danger feel beautiful.
Eliza, a botanist desperate to keep her job, bargains her way into restoring the long-abandoned greenhouse.
Jasper, the last Blackwood, agrees on one chilling condition:
👉 she must live in the manor while she works.
What follows is a delicious blend of:
🌿 gothic mystery
🌿 forced proximity in a haunted estate
🌿 slow-burn tension that unfolds like a creeping vine
🌿 dark secrets buried beneath the roots
🌿 two people shaped by trauma, pulled toward each other anyway
This story leans hard into atmosphere with the fog, cracked stone, fluttering shadows and the romance is messy, aching, and emotionally charged. Both characters are deeply flawed, both are healing in wrong and right ways, and that’s part of the allure.
Think:
✨ Crimson Peak vibes
✨ Hidden grief, locked rooms, and forbidden wings of the manor
✨ A love story growing where it shouldn’t
✨ A garden that refuses to stay buried
If you love:
🖤 Dark gothic romance
🖤 Haunted estates with secrets
🖤 Broody MMCs with tragic pasts
🖤 Slow-burn obsession
🖤 Mystery woven into every chapter
…then A Secret in the Garden absolutely belongs on your 2026 TBR.
#ASecretInTheGarden #DarkManorChronicles #GothicRomance #Romantasy #DarkRomanceVibes #HauntedManor #SlowBurnRomance #BloomBooks
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley for the chance of reviewing this arc.
12/26
@25% I'm not quite sure what to make. The premise sounds interesting and promising, but the romance between Jasper and Eliza feels a bit forced and like it's going too fast. Although there's supposed to be a lot of tension and enemies-to-lovers, it's more along the lines of instalove that just feels awkward for me. I would have enjoyed this much more had it not been for the "tension" that Eliza keeps talking about like she's trying to convince me it's there, as it doesn't allow for their chemistry to form organically. Sometimes the wording gets repeated to the point where it gets diluted, where she mentions their vulnerability to each other, the other one knowing the pain the other feels, etc. Takes away from the mystique a little. I don't know. So far, I'm not buying it, but I still have a long way to go before I really make up my mind.
12/27
As someone with mother issues myself, I have to comment that I strongly sympathize with Eliza's plight. O'Riley does a PHENOMENAL job capturing the misery and gives a an echo of my own relationship with my mom, giving me flashback (which is actually a HUGE compliment despite my suffering through my mom with her mom).
Final Verdict: Eventually, Jasper and Eliza did organically come together well (in more ways than one, hehe) and I really loved their chemistry and how they complimented and completed one another. The part where Jasper went out of his way to do an activity with Eliza and spend time with her so sweet, it had me smiling.
In the midst of this, I truly enjoyed the mystery unravelling, that had me guessing until the very end. When it was finally solved, it just made me feel so bad for Jasper.
I cheered on Jasper and Eliza in the end, although their start wasn't perfect which would have given this book five stars since it would have given their romance more time to bloom and develop. Still, overall a great book with a great mix of spice, mystery, and spooks.
12/26
@25% I'm not quite sure what to make. The premise sounds interesting and promising, but the romance between Jasper and Eliza feels a bit forced and like it's going too fast. Although there's supposed to be a lot of tension and enemies-to-lovers, it's more along the lines of instalove that just feels awkward for me. I would have enjoyed this much more had it not been for the "tension" that Eliza keeps talking about like she's trying to convince me it's there, as it doesn't allow for their chemistry to form organically. Sometimes the wording gets repeated to the point where it gets diluted, where she mentions their vulnerability to each other, the other one knowing the pain the other feels, etc. Takes away from the mystique a little. I don't know. So far, I'm not buying it, but I still have a long way to go before I really make up my mind.
12/27
As someone with mother issues myself, I have to comment that I strongly sympathize with Eliza's plight. O'Riley does a PHENOMENAL job capturing the misery and gives a an echo of my own relationship with my mom, giving me flashback (which is actually a HUGE compliment despite my suffering through my mom with her mom).
Final Verdict: Eventually, Jasper and Eliza did organically come together well (in more ways than one, hehe) and I really loved their chemistry and how they complimented and completed one another. The part where Jasper went out of his way to do an activity with Eliza and spend time with her so sweet, it had me smiling.
In the midst of this, I truly enjoyed the mystery unravelling, that had me guessing until the very end. When it was finally solved, it just made me feel so bad for Jasper.
I cheered on Jasper and Eliza in the end, although their start wasn't perfect which would have given this book five stars since it would have given their romance more time to bloom and develop. Still, overall a great book with a great mix of spice, mystery, and spooks.
December 7, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The book follows Eliza as she arrives at Blackwood Manor to take on the job of restoring the conservatory. The setup is the perfect blend of gloomy, isolated, and intriguing. I love gothic and paranormal stories, and this story definitely delivers on the eerie, mysterious mood. The paranormal element is woven in well and gives the house a real presence. If anything, I found myself wishing the ghostly side had been explored even more deeply, especially when it came to where it originated and how Eliza was able to see it.
Jasper, on the other hand, left me with mixed feelings, which honestly kept things interesting. There were moments when he completely worked for me, especially when the tension was high, but he also had stretches where his reactions toward Eliza felt a little immature. It made me feel like I was getting emotional whiplash. Still, when his character landed, it really landed.
Even with my mixed moments, I am excited to see where this series goes next. I love interconnected standalones, and the author clearly knows how to build a world that feels rich and mysterious. This one has me curious enough to keep following along.
The book follows Eliza as she arrives at Blackwood Manor to take on the job of restoring the conservatory. The setup is the perfect blend of gloomy, isolated, and intriguing. I love gothic and paranormal stories, and this story definitely delivers on the eerie, mysterious mood. The paranormal element is woven in well and gives the house a real presence. If anything, I found myself wishing the ghostly side had been explored even more deeply, especially when it came to where it originated and how Eliza was able to see it.
Jasper, on the other hand, left me with mixed feelings, which honestly kept things interesting. There were moments when he completely worked for me, especially when the tension was high, but he also had stretches where his reactions toward Eliza felt a little immature. It made me feel like I was getting emotional whiplash. Still, when his character landed, it really landed.
Even with my mixed moments, I am excited to see where this series goes next. I love interconnected standalones, and the author clearly knows how to build a world that feels rich and mysterious. This one has me curious enough to keep following along.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ Rounded up to 4
I have to say this one started out rather slowly. I saw that this book is under the Romance Genre and was confused. At 62% the mc’s had barely had a full conversation. So the romantic pacing was definitely off for me. This was not a slow burn. It was absolutely nothing into a spark that suddenly exploded. I can’t even say it’s enemies to lovers because they never really hated each other. 🤷🏻♀️ The FMC spent the whole time pinging back and forth between him being a murderer and him being hot. The MMC spent the whole time appearing out of nowhere, softly/coldly speaking and brooding. The wrap up of the mystery surrounding Jasper’s mother was underwhelming. An anti-twist if you will. I did very much enjoy the gothic feel and the ghost leading Eliza on a journey.
Having said that, the deeper issues are the clincher. Eliza’s issues with her Mom being a selfish controlling a**hole. Jasper’s issues with being abandoned by his parents. Them both not wanting to let anyone in but working thru their baggage to be together. The ghost and the magic locket too get a thumbs up from me. 👍🏼
This is noted as a first in a series. I’m interested to see how this would be continued.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
I have to say this one started out rather slowly. I saw that this book is under the Romance Genre and was confused. At 62% the mc’s had barely had a full conversation. So the romantic pacing was definitely off for me. This was not a slow burn. It was absolutely nothing into a spark that suddenly exploded. I can’t even say it’s enemies to lovers because they never really hated each other. 🤷🏻♀️ The FMC spent the whole time pinging back and forth between him being a murderer and him being hot. The MMC spent the whole time appearing out of nowhere, softly/coldly speaking and brooding. The wrap up of the mystery surrounding Jasper’s mother was underwhelming. An anti-twist if you will. I did very much enjoy the gothic feel and the ghost leading Eliza on a journey.
Having said that, the deeper issues are the clincher. Eliza’s issues with her Mom being a selfish controlling a**hole. Jasper’s issues with being abandoned by his parents. Them both not wanting to let anyone in but working thru their baggage to be together. The ghost and the magic locket too get a thumbs up from me. 👍🏼
This is noted as a first in a series. I’m interested to see how this would be continued.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Secret in the Garden by Jeneane O’Riley is a thoughtful and emotionally engaging novel that blends mystery, personal growth, and the quiet power of nature. Set against the symbolic backdrop of a garden, the story explores how hidden truths shape identity and healing.
ASITG is descriptive without being overwhelming, allowing readers to vividly imagine the setting while staying focused on the characters’ journeys. The garden itself functions as more than a physical space; More than JUST a garden.
The characters are relatable and well-developed, particularly in how they wrestle with trust, memory, and vulnerability. Rather than relying on dramatic twists alone, O'Riley builds tension through reflection and gradual revelation, making the story feel authentic, grounded, and as if YOU are apart of the story.
Overall, Secret in the Garden is a compelling and introspective read, ideal for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with meaningful symbolism & retellings. Jeneane O’Riley delivers a novel that encourages patience, empathy, and the courage to uncover what has long been hidden.
Also to mention shes one of my favorite authors and creates BEAUTIFUL stories :) This is definitely one to dive into
ASITG is descriptive without being overwhelming, allowing readers to vividly imagine the setting while staying focused on the characters’ journeys. The garden itself functions as more than a physical space; More than JUST a garden.
The characters are relatable and well-developed, particularly in how they wrestle with trust, memory, and vulnerability. Rather than relying on dramatic twists alone, O'Riley builds tension through reflection and gradual revelation, making the story feel authentic, grounded, and as if YOU are apart of the story.
Overall, Secret in the Garden is a compelling and introspective read, ideal for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with meaningful symbolism & retellings. Jeneane O’Riley delivers a novel that encourages patience, empathy, and the courage to uncover what has long been hidden.
Also to mention shes one of my favorite authors and creates BEAUTIFUL stories :) This is definitely one to dive into
November 24, 2025
I hadn't read this author before, but I had heard good things about her Fae series. Supernatural/paranormal romance (preferable with high spice) is my fave (moreso than contemporary), so I was excited about a creepy, Gothic manor and a tragic, yet unsolved, death with a ghost. For me, hands down, the best parts were the ghost interactions with Eliza, second to how MMC Jasper helped Eliza get over her fear of heights. I felt bad MFC Eliza had such a crummy mom - made me want to give mine an extra hug. While I can appreciate insta-chemistry, I do not like when people then seemingly fight the insta-chemistry for no good reason. I felt their relationship did develop & they both helped each other's vulnerabilities (good job Jasper - she likes painting, so go buy her paint supplies & dress casual). I also felt bad how the conservatory efforts unfolded toward the end, but without spoiling, all I can say is I understand. However, I just didn't sink into this author's writing style. I can't even explain why, so I know that's not helpful either. Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC opportunity.
November 24, 2025
5 ⭐️ 2.5 🌶️
I loved this book with a kind of fierce, unexpected intensity. It does start slowly, but once I hit the 30% mark, I was fully invested—obsessed, even—and absolutely unable to put it down.
The atmosphere is wonderfully gothic, eerie, and mysterious, the kind of immersive vibe that settles over you and refuses to let go. The characters were another standout. The MMC is beautifully misunderstood—secretive, morally questionable, and impossible not to be intrigued by. The FMC, on the other hand, is ambitious, curious, and a total goody two shoes in the best way. Their chemistry was fantastic, their connection surprisingly pure, and their banter added the perfect spark.
The plot had me in a chokehold. The layers of mystery, the slow unfurling of secrets, and the way the author fit every puzzle piece together made the reading experience addictive. I had so many theories, yet I’m thrilled to say I never figured it out before the reveal.
I genuinely loved everything about this—the vibe, the romance, the mystery, the intrigue. It all worked together seamlessly. This is one of those books I can recommend without hesitation.
I loved this book with a kind of fierce, unexpected intensity. It does start slowly, but once I hit the 30% mark, I was fully invested—obsessed, even—and absolutely unable to put it down.
The atmosphere is wonderfully gothic, eerie, and mysterious, the kind of immersive vibe that settles over you and refuses to let go. The characters were another standout. The MMC is beautifully misunderstood—secretive, morally questionable, and impossible not to be intrigued by. The FMC, on the other hand, is ambitious, curious, and a total goody two shoes in the best way. Their chemistry was fantastic, their connection surprisingly pure, and their banter added the perfect spark.
The plot had me in a chokehold. The layers of mystery, the slow unfurling of secrets, and the way the author fit every puzzle piece together made the reading experience addictive. I had so many theories, yet I’m thrilled to say I never figured it out before the reveal.
I genuinely loved everything about this—the vibe, the romance, the mystery, the intrigue. It all worked together seamlessly. This is one of those books I can recommend without hesitation.
November 30, 2025
“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆, 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒈𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒖𝒈𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆. 𝑼𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒊𝒍, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒔 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓.”
A botanist, Eliza, working for a botanical garden convinces the wealthy, potentially murderous, Jasper to allow her to fix up his mother’s conservatory in exchange for access to rare plants and a nice donation to her employer. She grows closer to Jasper while being haunted by a ghost in the Blackwood Manor.
This book is a fun thriller with a side of romance. I really enjoyed trying to figure out the mystery of Jasper’s parents and the manor’s ghost, as well as seeing how two lonely outcasts can find comfort in each other. As a plant lover myself, I appreciated the garden elements and beautiful parallels for Eliza restoring the garden, but also growing herself too. It was a beautiful read, and I look forward to reading some of Jeneane O’Riley’s other books.
Also a huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an early copy of this book!
A botanist, Eliza, working for a botanical garden convinces the wealthy, potentially murderous, Jasper to allow her to fix up his mother’s conservatory in exchange for access to rare plants and a nice donation to her employer. She grows closer to Jasper while being haunted by a ghost in the Blackwood Manor.
This book is a fun thriller with a side of romance. I really enjoyed trying to figure out the mystery of Jasper’s parents and the manor’s ghost, as well as seeing how two lonely outcasts can find comfort in each other. As a plant lover myself, I appreciated the garden elements and beautiful parallels for Eliza restoring the garden, but also growing herself too. It was a beautiful read, and I look forward to reading some of Jeneane O’Riley’s other books.
Also a huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an early copy of this book!
December 8, 2025
This is absolutely a book you read for the vibes. If you read Hazelthorn by CG Drews and you thought to yourself “wow I loved the vibes of this and wish I could read more just like this,” then you need to read this book! The gothic, paranormal ambiance of this story is absolutely everything! I also really surprisingly liked that this is a standalone. The story was paced appropriately and yet it felt like the world was so much larger than it really was. You move through the story at a medium speed, yet you feel like you’ve been in it forever and never want to read (this is a good thing!).
We have a haunted estate, forced proximity, slow burn romance, gothic atmosphere, mystery, and obsession all wrapped in a decadent dark romance. Is their relationship healthy? No. But that’s why it works in this world.
I can’t wait to see what else comes from this world.
Everything Jeneane writes, I want to read. And now, I’ll absolutely be reading the rest of the standalones connected to this one that she writes.
Thank you very much to Sourcebooks: Bloom Books and NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
We have a haunted estate, forced proximity, slow burn romance, gothic atmosphere, mystery, and obsession all wrapped in a decadent dark romance. Is their relationship healthy? No. But that’s why it works in this world.
I can’t wait to see what else comes from this world.
Everything Jeneane writes, I want to read. And now, I’ll absolutely be reading the rest of the standalones connected to this one that she writes.
Thank you very much to Sourcebooks: Bloom Books and NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Secret in the Garden is a dual POV, dark gothic romance with hauntings & mystery
Jeneane O’Riley has done it again with A Secret in the Garden, as a reader who fell in love with her Infatuated Fae series I knew I would enjoy this one.
Our story takes place at a dark gothic manor & abandoned (& purposefully neglected) conservatory holding dozens of extinct plants that Pinehurst Botanical Gardens desperately need since donations have slowed down to almost nothing. With donations being so low our FMC Eliza Arnold has to save her job by driving to the famous manor & convincing our MMC Jasper Blackwood to hire her & the botanical gardens to revive the forgotten & neglected conservatory. Little did she expect he agreed but with shocking terms...
“It will be you–only you-- who works here. No one else. That's my offer”
- Jasper Blackwood
“Also, you'll need to stay here. Full-time.”
- Jasper Blackwood
I enjoyed this book, the dark gothic vibes & hauntings really had me locked in. Also Jeneane just has a way of writing MMCs that I loooove.
Thank you so much to Jeneane O’Riley, SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books & Netgalley for the eARC & the opportunity to read this book!
Jeneane O’Riley has done it again with A Secret in the Garden, as a reader who fell in love with her Infatuated Fae series I knew I would enjoy this one.
Our story takes place at a dark gothic manor & abandoned (& purposefully neglected) conservatory holding dozens of extinct plants that Pinehurst Botanical Gardens desperately need since donations have slowed down to almost nothing. With donations being so low our FMC Eliza Arnold has to save her job by driving to the famous manor & convincing our MMC Jasper Blackwood to hire her & the botanical gardens to revive the forgotten & neglected conservatory. Little did she expect he agreed but with shocking terms...
“It will be you–only you-- who works here. No one else. That's my offer”
- Jasper Blackwood
“Also, you'll need to stay here. Full-time.”
- Jasper Blackwood
I enjoyed this book, the dark gothic vibes & hauntings really had me locked in. Also Jeneane just has a way of writing MMCs that I loooove.
Thank you so much to Jeneane O’Riley, SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books & Netgalley for the eARC & the opportunity to read this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I went into this book blind. I loved the Infatuated Fae series, and I will read anything that Jeneane O'Riley writes, so as soon as I had the opportunity to read an ARC of this, I was in! That being said, the problem with going in blind is that I didn't know what I was getting myself in to.
However, as different as this is to her other works, I loved it! It gave me gothic, slightly sinister vibes and I adored it. It kind of reminded me a little of Beauty and the Beast and Wuthering Heights, but without being depressed that the beast doesn't stay, well, beastly.
Eliza is a botanist who wants to save her job, by offering to help restore the garden of Blackwood Manor - home to the mysterious billionaire (and possible murderer) Jasper.
I cannot state how much I enjoyed this book. Eliza's mother reminded me of Mrs Bennett (if she was less marriage focused, and more concerned about the environment and controlling her children). That may not be the best analogy, but they both give me the same feeling of loathing and annoyance.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bloom Books for the opportunity to read this book.
However, as different as this is to her other works, I loved it! It gave me gothic, slightly sinister vibes and I adored it. It kind of reminded me a little of Beauty and the Beast and Wuthering Heights, but without being depressed that the beast doesn't stay, well, beastly.
Eliza is a botanist who wants to save her job, by offering to help restore the garden of Blackwood Manor - home to the mysterious billionaire (and possible murderer) Jasper.
I cannot state how much I enjoyed this book. Eliza's mother reminded me of Mrs Bennett (if she was less marriage focused, and more concerned about the environment and controlling her children). That may not be the best analogy, but they both give me the same feeling of loathing and annoyance.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bloom Books for the opportunity to read this book.
January 1, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Secret in the Garden is a beautifully slow-burning mystery that kept me hooked right up until the final page. From the atmospheric setting to the ghostly twists and turns, this book blends murder mystery and paranormal intrigue in a way that feels fresh and immersive.
The chemistry between the FMC and MMC is fantastic... that slow, simmering tension is one of my favorite elements of the story. Every look, every charged moment, made the eventual payoff so worth it. When the spice finally arrives, it hits with satisfying heat that feels earned and perfectly timed.
What I loved most is how this book keeps you guessing. The ghostly elements add an eerie layer, and the mystery unfolds in unexpected ways. Just when you think you’ve figured out what’s going on, another clue or twist pulls you deeper down the rabbit hole.
If you enjoy a slow-burn romance wrapped inside a juicy, haunting mystery this one’s definitely worth your time. Atmospheric, engaging, and with a chemistry that sizzles once it ignites.
4 stars mysterious, romantic, and thoroughly engrossing. 📖🕯️💫
A Secret in the Garden is a beautifully slow-burning mystery that kept me hooked right up until the final page. From the atmospheric setting to the ghostly twists and turns, this book blends murder mystery and paranormal intrigue in a way that feels fresh and immersive.
The chemistry between the FMC and MMC is fantastic... that slow, simmering tension is one of my favorite elements of the story. Every look, every charged moment, made the eventual payoff so worth it. When the spice finally arrives, it hits with satisfying heat that feels earned and perfectly timed.
What I loved most is how this book keeps you guessing. The ghostly elements add an eerie layer, and the mystery unfolds in unexpected ways. Just when you think you’ve figured out what’s going on, another clue or twist pulls you deeper down the rabbit hole.
If you enjoy a slow-burn romance wrapped inside a juicy, haunting mystery this one’s definitely worth your time. Atmospheric, engaging, and with a chemistry that sizzles once it ignites.
4 stars mysterious, romantic, and thoroughly engrossing. 📖🕯️💫
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is an ARC review
Book was provided by Netgalley and Bloom Books
This dark romance had many diffferent elements that creates a very interesting story. Set in a haunted manor, Eliza finds herself working for Jasper, a very mysterious and wealthy man. There are many rumors surrounding Jasper and his family that leave everyone avoiding him and Blackwood manor at all cost. But somehow Eliza finds herself living in close proximity to Jasper and a possible fatal attraction forms. The more time Jasper spends with Eliza, the harder he falls for her. As they say hurt people, hurt people. As soon as Jasper realizes he is developing feelings/attraction for Eliza he begins to push her away and creates physical distance between them. Eliza finds herself entangled in the mystery surrounding the Blackwood manor and contemplating whether she can trust Jasper or should fear him. The mystery begins to unravel as Eliza digs into the past and truths are uncovered.
This dark romance had a great balance of mysterious plot and spice. The perfect elements for a page turner that many will find intriguing.
Book was provided by Netgalley and Bloom Books
This dark romance had many diffferent elements that creates a very interesting story. Set in a haunted manor, Eliza finds herself working for Jasper, a very mysterious and wealthy man. There are many rumors surrounding Jasper and his family that leave everyone avoiding him and Blackwood manor at all cost. But somehow Eliza finds herself living in close proximity to Jasper and a possible fatal attraction forms. The more time Jasper spends with Eliza, the harder he falls for her. As they say hurt people, hurt people. As soon as Jasper realizes he is developing feelings/attraction for Eliza he begins to push her away and creates physical distance between them. Eliza finds herself entangled in the mystery surrounding the Blackwood manor and contemplating whether she can trust Jasper or should fear him. The mystery begins to unravel as Eliza digs into the past and truths are uncovered.
This dark romance had a great balance of mysterious plot and spice. The perfect elements for a page turner that many will find intriguing.
November 21, 2025
I’m so happy I had gotten this arc from Netgalley, I have been patiently (not so patiently) waiting for this book to be released.
This story had me enraptured as soon as I started. What do you do when your job is on the line, you’re in a downward spiral & you have an utterly overbearing narcissistic mother who controls your ever waking breath? You run to a haunted manor & demand to work on the dilapidated conservatory of course.
Eliza has always let everyone control her life. But when she confronts her self with a dark and broody murder she finds that she can’t back down from a challenge. And BOY was she challenged. Not only is she running on a deadline to finish an impossible job, she’s being haunted by the secrets in the manor. Can she finish in time and receive the praise she’s desperately seeking? Fear blurs the lines of sanity and matters of the heart blur the lines of reality you’re stuck in an impossible situation. Or are you?
This book is going to be released on February 24, 2026.
This story had me enraptured as soon as I started. What do you do when your job is on the line, you’re in a downward spiral & you have an utterly overbearing narcissistic mother who controls your ever waking breath? You run to a haunted manor & demand to work on the dilapidated conservatory of course.
Eliza has always let everyone control her life. But when she confronts her self with a dark and broody murder she finds that she can’t back down from a challenge. And BOY was she challenged. Not only is she running on a deadline to finish an impossible job, she’s being haunted by the secrets in the manor. Can she finish in time and receive the praise she’s desperately seeking? Fear blurs the lines of sanity and matters of the heart blur the lines of reality you’re stuck in an impossible situation. Or are you?
This book is going to be released on February 24, 2026.
December 29, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
Some secrets were never meant to be unearthed.
The cover and the book description immediately drew me in. I've never read this author before but she's definitely one worth reading.
Eliza is a botanist just trying to be successful so she can live on her own. She's tired of living under the scrutiny of her narcissistic and controlling mother. In her last desperate attempt to keep her job, she is determined to renovate the conservatory at Blackwood Manor.
Jasper Blackwood is a millionaire recluse who has been accused of murdering his parents when he was 15. He never allows anyone to visit Blackwood Manor because he knows what the town thinks of him. He hates it there at Blackwood Manor but also can't seem to get rid of the place and he has no desire to fix up the conservatory that his mother loved so much. It can rot for all he cares. But he challenges Eliza to a job that's doomed to fail - never thinking she'd stay the course.
Ghosts, plants, dark Gothic suspense, and romance with a little bit of spice all in one.
Some secrets were never meant to be unearthed.
The cover and the book description immediately drew me in. I've never read this author before but she's definitely one worth reading.
Eliza is a botanist just trying to be successful so she can live on her own. She's tired of living under the scrutiny of her narcissistic and controlling mother. In her last desperate attempt to keep her job, she is determined to renovate the conservatory at Blackwood Manor.
Jasper Blackwood is a millionaire recluse who has been accused of murdering his parents when he was 15. He never allows anyone to visit Blackwood Manor because he knows what the town thinks of him. He hates it there at Blackwood Manor but also can't seem to get rid of the place and he has no desire to fix up the conservatory that his mother loved so much. It can rot for all he cares. But he challenges Eliza to a job that's doomed to fail - never thinking she'd stay the course.
Ghosts, plants, dark Gothic suspense, and romance with a little bit of spice all in one.
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