Rum and Roses

by Ashley J. Vinson

Meet Silas: an ordinary man whose world spirals into darkness the moment he lays eyes on Rosalie. Her radiant smile, that infectious laugh, and carefree spirit ignite a burning fixation within him. What begins as innocent admiration quickly morphs into a twisted obsession. One where he lurks silently in the shadows of her life, convinced that their connection is fate.

When Silas kidnaps Rosalie to shield her from a world he believes threatens to tear them apart, a complex relationship takes shape within their hidden refuge. Fear gives way to understanding, and love begins to bloom in the unlikeliest of places. Rosalie, initially terrified, starts to see glimpses of Silas’s desire to love and be loved; no matter how dark the path may be.

As they navigate a maze of fear, passion, and obsession, their story challenges the very meaning of love, blurring the lines between devotion and danger.

Dark, seductive, and utterly unpredictable; this is a story where love knows no bounds, even if that love is deep rooted from obsession.

Unknown Binding

Expected publication June 6, 2026

About the author

Ashley J Vinson is the author of swoon worthy and spicy adult romances. Originally from the Midwest, she currently resides on Oahu due to her husband's military orders.

Follow her on Instagram @authorashleyjvinson

Reviews

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super quick read. I would have been done sooner had I not started to catch up on ARCs but I decided today was the day. The storyline was totally understandable, it was easy to follow, and it definitely left me wanting more. Love love LOVE Rosalie and Silas, and I can't wait for you all to meet them! Thank you, Ashley, for letting me Beta read this for you!

[Victoria Kennerknecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this little dark romance novella
This is a great palette cleanser/ beginner dark romance book. It’s not too dark but enough to make it thrilling.
Every dark romance reader atleast thinks about it once, “what if I was kidnapped but he was hot??” Or something along the lines, don’t even lie to yourself! This novella is a fun play on that little fantasy
I also think it’s such a fun contrast of dark and light between the 2 main characters, a tatted bad guy and a blonde ballerina.

[Amanda Schumacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read.. before you read, please check your trigger warnings and protect your mental health if this is too much..


holy Stockholm syndrome!! Silas is one obsessively murderous guy! He loves Rosalie but can’t stand anyone talking to her so he kidnaps her while she was under the influence …

Thank you Ashley for the opportunity to arc read this for you!

[Megan]

Rosie and Silas are baristas together. But all bets are off when Silas first lays eyes on Rosie. He will do anything to protect her. Even ☠️ for her? His inner monologues are hilarious 😂 If you like novellas with dark romance. This is for you!

Favorite Quotes
✨“Don’t worry Rosie, I’ll keep you safe.”
✨“Am I crazy?”
✨”If this is a dream, I never want to wake up.”

[Momma Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this little novella. It was an easy read between tasks, and despite the short length, you can’t help but fall in love with Rosie and Silas. This is perfect for people wanting to dip their toes into the water of dark romance and see what all the hype is about.

[Jessy Oltersdorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very lucky to have gotten an ARC by the lovely Ashley of this book and this is my honest review.

This Novella is a spicy dark romance, so read the trigger warnings before to make sure you're comfortable with everything.

Now, I love me some dark romance with spice and kidnapping? In real life, no absolutley not, in books?! Its so hot!
Silas is also the cutest cinnaman roll of a biker MMC, like he does all these dark things but you just want to pet him? Yes he is that cute and also hot, the things he does in the bedroom... Major spice level.

Rosie is a cutie too, she is so soft and innocent.
What was very good in this kidnapping story is that Rosie knows Silas before all this goes down, that way the unfolding love story makes much more sense. Especially considering this is a short Novella and not a 500 page book.
Overall the relationship between them is the main character and I am here for it. They have many good and cute moments, and some not so cute ones, where I blushed... :))

Its a wonderful short Novella again by Ashley J Vinson and again my only complaint is, its too short. Give us more pages, more time, I just want MORE!! (because its so good!)

5/5 Stars

[Lav's Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this quick read! Silas is so adorable , it’s so hard not to fall in love with him. Rosalie is such a sweet soul. Opposites attract right? 😉 The tension had me kicking my feet and giggling hehe 😋 this is the perfect palette cleanser. Dark romance with a HEA? How can you not want to read this!

[Chloe May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story line and loved how fast paced the book was! Easy to read but also very enjoyable. Great book!

[Jessica Sokol · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I would like to thank the author for my ARC copy of this book. This was such a quick and fun read. It’s a novella and very short but it didn’t feel short. The author did a great job at pacing this appropriately so it didn’t feel rushed. It was dark but also not bc there was so much love. And Silas, what a dream he is! I really enjoyed this!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rum and roses is so good! it’s got some romance in there which I love to read about! (:
he will do anything to protect her!
they are baristas together!
he wants to protect her!

[Kaci Rehkemper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun quick dark romance! While Silas definitely has a dark side to him, you can tell he is a romantic at heart. I love his little acts of love and attentiveness such as memorizing and always making Rosalie's favorite coffee. Rosalie is super sweet. I love the opposites attract trope. The kidnapping trope adds thrill to the dark romance. Thank you Ashley for letting me arc read this!