He Sees You: A Dark Christmas Romance

A Dark Holiday #1

by Elizabeth Knox, Amanda Willow (Narrator), Joe Arden (Narrator)

She writes about killers. He kills. This December, they'll meet.

Celeste Sterling came home to the Adirondacks with writer's block and daddy issues.

She'll leave with blood on her hands and a monster's ring on her finger.

Between now and then? Twenty-three days of being hunted by a man who makes her fictional villains look like choir boys. A man who collects deer skulls like love letters. Who knows every filthy word she's ever written—including the ones she deleted.

Welcome to a small town where everyone's keeping secrets, Daddy's gun won't save you, and the local serial killer has been waiting two years for his favorite author to come home.

Celeste thought she understood darkness. After all, she's made millions writing it.

But there's a difference between typing "he's dangerous" and having danger learn your daily routine. Between writing "touch her and die" and watching him make that promise literal.

Between creating a monster and realizing one already exists.

Genres: Dark Romance, Christmas, Dark, Audiobook, Romance, Stalker, Holiday

Audible Audio

First published November 1, 2025

About the author

Elizabeth Knox is a USA Today Bestselling romance author who specializes in romantic suspense, and dark romance. She’s well-known for her intense page-turning motorcycle clubs, and sinister dark mafia books. 

While Elizabeth loves to write, she is an avid reader as well, who reads a mixture of genres. She lives on a farm with her husband in the northeastern United States with her rescue animals. When she isn’t working, you can find her horseback riding, riding ATVs, or out on the farm with her animals.

Follow Her on Social Media:
Facebook: facebook.com/elizabethknoxbooks
Instagram: instagram.com/authorelizabethknox
Patreon: patreon.com/c/ElizabethKnox
TikTok: tiktok.com/@authorelizabethknox
Bookbub: bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-knox
Amazon: amazon.com/Elizabeth-Knox/e/B071KDT21Y

Sign up for her newsletter:
https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5f77d1...

Join her Reader's Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/19166...

Get a F.R.3.3. MC ROMANCE:
https://BookHip.com/DHQSTPV

Reviews

[Malak☽︎ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I genuinely can't wrap my head around how a woman with a perfectly normal, highly successful life and a genuinely good relationship with her father can suddenly meet a man and fall “madly in love” at a speed that’s not just fast, but downright absurd.

There’s nothing natural, believable, or even logical about it. And somehow, on top of that, she casually adapts to his murder-soaked lifestyle and starts killing alongside him as if violence has always been second nature to her. No struggle. No moral conflict. No transition. Just instant acceptance.

What’s even more infuriating is how, in the span of a single day, she discovers that her father (the man she loves so much) is actually the biggest villain imaginable, and yet reacts with the most robotic calm. No shock. No breakdown. No tears. No sense of betrayal. Just… nothing. The emotional whiplash that should define this revelation is completely ignored.

Everything is rushed to an insulting degree. The character development is sacrificed for speed, the emotional scenes are skipped entirely, and the result is a storyline that feels lazy, hollow, and painfully unrealistic. Moreover, this was a very boring read.

[Ali b · Rating 1 out of 5]

The idea was good and the beginning really pulled you in. But the cringe started around 40% and it did not recover.

[Kendra Renae · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️3.9 🌶️3


The twist and turns and cartwheels in this book had me spun. Did I enjoy being thrown around? Well yes lol yes I did🙂‍↕️

[⦻ jack ⦻ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off strong, then just got cringey

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast paced dark small town romance. Celeste is a dark romance writer who returns to her hometown to try to write her next book. Cain is a serial killer who’s obsessed with Celeste. When these two meet it’s instant attraction and these two become each other’s whole world. The twists in this book will keep you interested. Always check TWs before jumping in a dark romance.

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Tis the season for dark holiday romance...

This fast-paced dark romance packs a punch in 250 pages full of thrilling suspense, mystery, danger, and delicious spice.

I absolutely loved everything about this book. With amazing characters like Celeste our dark romance author who seeks inspiration after seeming to have lost her motivation and passion, and Cain this mysterious mountain man who has his own brand of darkness and moral compass. This was such an addictive read I quickly devoured all the pages.
I really enjoyed reading about the process the FMC had writing dark romance and how absolutely devoted the MMC was to her.

Celeste and Cain's darkness mirrors one another's and their compatibility is undeniable. I just loved the build-up and anticipation.

Tropes:
Stalker
Forced proximity
Anti-hero
Morally black
Serial unaliver
Vigilante
Touch her and ☠️
Ultra protective
Obsessive/Possessive MMC
Graphic
Explicit
Dual POV

Check TW

[Adriana · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could give this a zero I would. It’s a no from me. My face was 🤨 the whole time. I read this for my book club only.

[Dankinia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd recommend this if you are in the mood for a spicy small town story about a serial killer and an author that writes dark romance novels deciding to embrace their inner darkness.

Overall, I rate it 3⭐out of 5 based on the following: 🤩Enjoyment - 3; 👥Characters - 3.5; 📖Plot - 3; 🗺️Atmosphere - 3.5; and🖋️Writing - 2 with the first 3 categories being most important.

What worked for me:
• Celeste realizing Cain is who she's been imagining when she writes her dark romance novels
• Cain using his darkness to avenge and protect those who need it

What didn't work for me:
• The story contradicted itself in a few places. I won't give specifics, but characters say they were one place and later say they were somewhere else or the FMC knowing details before they were shared with her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Finished Reading
11/29/2025

[Ambers Book Nest · Rating 4 out of 5]

He Sees You by Elizabeth Knox is a dark Christmas romance that was exactly what I was hoping for. I went in expecting something quick, a little chaotic, and slightly unhinged—and that’s exactly what I got, in the best way.

I really loved the idea of a dark romance writer ending up in situations similar to the ones she writes about. It added a fun, slightly twisted layer to the story and made everything feel more intense. The book doesn’t hold back on its darker themes, but it’s still fast-paced and super easy to binge in just a few sittings.

Some parts were a bit predictable, but honestly, there was always another twist popping up just when I thought I knew where things were going. It kept things interesting and hard to put down.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and flew through it. I’m definitely keen to see where the story goes in the second book.

"If I kiss you," I warn, my hands moving to her waist, "there's no going back. I don't do halfway. I don't share. I don't let go."

[Bookshelf ִ🪽་༘ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️
->rtc

[Mara Cătălina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well this sucked :)))

[Jessica Stueber · Rating 5 out of 5]

He Sees You
By Elizabeth Knox
(12/29/25)
5⭐️
3🌶️
🔘Erotic Horror
🔘Psychological Thriller
🔘Dark Romance
🔘Horror

Celeste Sterling is a dark romance writer, who currently has a case of writer’s block. She decides to go back home for the holidays to get some inspiration. Little does she realize how “inspired” she is going to become when she meets a man who should be one of the characters in her book. The lines between good and bad get fuzzy along the way and not everyone is who you think!

This book was dark and thrilling! It kept me captivated and guessing constantly! The enfing was amazing! I hope this series continues as there is much to still learn about these characters. Narration in this book was fantastic!

Thank you to Blue Nose for providing me with an advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest review.

Tropes:
👺 Serial Killer
🦹 Crime
🌶️ Erotica
💀 Death

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m half and half with this, didn’t hate it but also didn’t love it. Can a book be friendzoned? That’s probably the level I’m at tbh. I’m giving 4 stars mainly cause the narration was really good.

I liked the concept, Dark Romance writer who’s looking for inspiration for her upcoming book but finds something more, and she likes it. It’s definitely got some dark, twisted, and at times gory aspects to it; there’s a part that brings a whole new meaning to the term D***head, but there were quite a few times where I was just listening more for the noise than the story because there were too many predictable moments and parts of the storyline where I thought “ why does this sound like it’s trying to be… (insert book title here)” Even with that tho I still found myself listening to the end because I needed to know what happened. It’s definitely a good listen to pass the time with and the narration was done very well.

[Athena, the goddess of books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Celeste Sterling, a thriller author whose career is losing its bite, returns to her hometown in the Adirondacks for inspiration. What she finds is Cain Lockwood, the brother of her friend who lives in the mountains isolated and who plays the violin at night. He has been watching her for two years, collecting her deleted manuscript pages, and killing predators in the woods while the sheriff, who is Celeste's father searches for the killer.

Sheriff Sterling turns out to be protecting an actual predator, the deputy Jake Bauer, who has a long history of harassment, violence, and stalking that Sterling willfully ignored. When Jake tries to break into Celeste’s room at night, she jumps out a second-story window to escape. Cain steps in and kills Jake in a way that is… memorable. Instead of recoiling, Celeste steps deeper into Cain’s world.

[Alina]

DNF at 68%

The beginning started off great, but it felt too rushed. By the middle of the book the main plot felt finished and the book kept trying to find something new to make the plot. The romance was nice but very surface level. They weren't together long enough to form an actual connection and all of a sudden they're engaged. It all just felt pretty mid.

[A79senlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book due to its fulfillment of my hallowed book trinity: cover, blurb and trigger warnings. If those three things sing to me, I’m sold.

There were some great moments here, but many others played a discordant note for me. The inconsistent timing of events, for example, drove me batty, and there were too many instances of the details not matching. To mention just a few (SPOILERS):

🔪 Cain says early in the book that Juliette was at Columbia (University) when their parents died, but later says Juliette was 13 and at a sleepover.
💋 Cain says his kiss is not like those “romantic kisses she probably writes about,” but he’s read every word she’s ever written, so there should be no “probably.”
👮‍♀️ With as meticulous as Cain is, how did he not consider that Jake could have been somewhere else (with witnesses) during the murders?
🛏️ Did Celeste have two “childhood bedrooms?” When she comes home, she’s staying in one, but when that becomes a crime scene, she moves to another one.
🚗 Cain says he can identify people’s cars by their engine noise, but when he and Celeste are together and they hear a car, he asks if it’s her father — he should already know it’s not.
💍 The state detective refers to Celeste as “Mrs. Lockwood” before he finds out that she married Cain.

Some things just flat-out made no sense to me, such as:

💋 “I kiss her forehead, tasting salt from tears she won't let fall.” Very pretty picture, but not physically possible.
🎁 How did Celeste’s dad know about the gifts?
🔪 Why did Cain lie to Celeste about not killing the female victims? He’s honest about everything else.
🧐 How do these people research and plan elaborate schemes in a matter of hours?
⁉️ The one that bothers me the most: Why on earth did Sterling show up at the wedding? Why did he agree to make the phone calls they demanded he make? And why did he then wait around to be killed?! He had ample opportunities to either escape or kill himself, but he just did whatever they said and hung around until it was his turn to be murdered.

Lest you think there was nothing I liked, I can tell you there is some lovely prose to be found, particularly some of the passages Celeste writes for her book. The characters were interesting and it held my attention throughout. The bones are there (no pun intended); the book just needs more editing.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alexandria Segura · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️| 🎧 Audio: 5⭐ (DUET!)

First , as always thank you to Blue Nose Audio for the ALC.

The audio was a full 5/5 and absolutely carried this experience. Duet narration is always a win, and Joe Arden is a pleasure to listen to. I would happily consume anything he narrates. Amanda Willow also did an incredible job and complemented him perfectly.

As for the story itself: it wasn’t bad, but it felt like things moved very quickly..from just meeting to being together, and I never fully connected with the characters. That said, the ending was packed with twists, reveals, and surprises, and it definitely made up for what the book may have been lacking earlier.

And let’s talk about Jake’s punishment 👏👏
That was insane, unforgettable, and honestly incredible. A unicorn? If you know, you know.

I also really appreciate stories that feature vigilante-style justice, especially when it comes to taking down truly vile people.

Overall, a solid listen -elevated by phenomenal narration and a wild ending.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a new series, and this is Celeste and Cain’s story.
Celeste is a writer about killers, but she has daddy issues and is suffering from writer’s block. Cain is a killer, who has been following Celeste since before she published her first book. Celeste heads back to where she grew up seeking inspiration, and where her dad is the towns sheriff. Celeste spends 23 days being hunted by a man who makes her fictional characters look like choir boys.
This is a well written easy to read, action packed story, with family dynamics, friendships, emotions, surprises, danger, suspense, intrigue, secrets, obsession, touch her and die vibes, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, twisted, and unpredictable, dark Christmas romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paige (wingsandsmut) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved listening to this audio and it was a quick dark romance book to enjoy!! There’s some suspense and twists and I ate it up! The audiobook performed in duet by Amanda Willow & Joe Arden and they both did a lovely job at narrating this. The intensity of certain scenes really came through and I just wanted to keep listening. There’s action, suspense, spice, complicated relationships, and instant chemistry between Cain & Celeste. If you want a quick and spicy dark romance, definitely add this to your list!

What to expect
-stalker
-obsessive/possessive
-serial killer
-small town
-forced proximity
-touch her and die
-morally grey

Thank you to Elizabeth Knox & Blue Nose Audio for letting me listen & review an ALC of this book.

[Clary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version and I really enjoyed this one. The idea of an author getting inspiration back in her small hometown to write these dark romance stories was perfect. I loved the way Celeste wrote, her own words impactful and dark. The chemistry between Celeste and Cain was undeniable. Their romance was exquisitely dark, and exactly what I was looking for. Cain is the exact definition of morally grey, and I love how they ended up banding together against the "truly evil ones". The plot is definitely full of twists and turns, and it's full of suspense mixed with the perfect amount of spice. There were some inconsistencies in the story but I felt like they were minor enough that it didn't detract from my enjoyment of it. The narration by Joe Arden and Amanda Willow was phenomenal. Joe was this way of bringing these dark characters to life that ends up with me wanting more and more. And Amanda brought the perfect balance of emotions to the story.

[Lisa Baker-Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

He Sees You
by Elizabeth Knox
251 pages
7/16 - 7/16
Kindle/Audio Immersive
3.75/5⭐️
4/5🌶️
4.5/5🔪

Well now- what a Christmas story! A dark romance writer travels to her hometown in hopes of shaking off her writer's block. Her father, the sheriff, tells her about a string of suspicious murders.... and in a matter of a few days, she is being stalked. Her publicist's brother lives in the town and is the town outcast. He is suspected in the suspicious murders. Lots of trigger warnings in this one.... stalking, child trafficking, attempted rape, murder, small town cover-ups.... and the list goes on. I liked this one.... and I will read more by this author.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The amount of highlights I put in this book is crazy! 250 pages jam packed with darkness, passion, twists and action. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor when I was done!
This is definitely one for those who love DARK romance and Christmas!

The moments in Chapter 17....chokehold, absolute choke hold.

"love and violence were not opposites but dance partners, moving together in terrible harmony."

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook 5⭐️
Spice 2 🌶️
Story 4 ⭐️

He Sees You by Elizabeth Knox is a Dark Romance Christmas Novella. This is a very fast pace stalker, serial unaliver with dark themes novella. The story starts with our FMC who is a writer and lost her spark, in order to regain it , she goes back to her roots, where a complicated past and a stalker awaits. This story is very eventful, Cain & Celeste are made for each other, filled with delicious spice, action and suspense.
Audiobook: is a duet style narration by Amanda Willow and Joe Arden did an amazing job embodying the characters and brining them to life. If you are looking for a quick, delicious , obsessive, possessive MMC with Joe Arden’s Voice, this one is for you. Amanda did amazing for Celeste, she is a feisty FMC that grows in her own even more and biting the darkness to the surface, voicing her to perfection.
Thank you Blue Nose and Elizabeth for this amazing opportunity, experiencing this amazing adventure!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is absolutely pack with drama action
suspense steam and darkness.
The plot was interesting and grab my attention
and the characters had depth to them.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kalene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story took me on a journey I wasn't expecting!!! I am so glad I picked this up and read it! It was amazing it had me going insane at times but I was here for it all. I can't wait to read more by this author!!!!

[Alaina Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joe Arden will always make a book fantastic. The FMC narration was not my favorite. I did really like the story though. It was a good quick and dark book. Made me giggle inappropriately at times 🤣 the unicorn part killed me

[Ebony · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was … not good.

Spoilers ahead!!!

I gave it a second star only because the concept was strong. The execution, however, left something to be desired.

This book was somehow both too long and too short at the same time if that makes sense.

The fun part (for me personally) about a dark romance is the build up of tension between the MCs. The scary “who is watching me” part, to the discovery of who the MMC is and loving them anyway. But this book fast tracks that part, so they are in love at lightning speed. That’s the part of the book that should take up space, however it’s over by the midpoint and we are left with a hundred plus pages of them fighting corruption in their town.

Also, and this is not something I ever thought I’d be able to say about a book featuring a serial killer fighting a trafficking ring, but this was painfully boring. It came across as weirdly repetitive and cheesy at times. And it just seemed to drag on and on. Like I get it, you’re going to be traveling killers forever, your father’s a bad person, this is who you were always meant to be … great.

Lastly, this book had some continuity issues that were hard to ignore.

In all, I did not enjoy this book and had to force myself to finish it. I’ve noticed that a lot of others seem to love it though, so maybe it’s just me!

[Jamie Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had great potential. I absolutely LOVE the concept of a dark romance author going to her hometown to find inspiration for a new book only to get her own vigilante serial ☠️ stalker. Love it!
However, it was extremely fast paced with no give of time line... it seems like they were head over heels in love within a day. There were a lot of repetitiveness (I swear everything was "pale", eyes, hair, skin, on both MCs). And there were several inconsistencies along with the fact that the FMC seemed to know things about the MMC before it was even shared with her.

[Andrea Nicholson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Genuinely shocked this book has so many 4 & 5 star reviews as this was a pile of hot garbage. At times the warmth was nice, at other times it was simply garbage.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

He Sees You is the first book in the Dark Holiday Series. A full-length standalone novel with no cheating or cliffhanger and complete with a happily-ever-after. A dark thriller writer returns home to find herself hunted by an obsessive serial killer who knows her work intimately. The hunter has become obsessed.The author is about to become his. And Daddy dearest? He's about to become family with a serial killer. 'Tis the season for a dark romance that will ruin you for safe men and happy endings. Warning: Contains a morally black hero who believes consent is negotiable and murder is foreplay. This is Cain and Celeste story which is told from a dual point of view. A well done story with two flawed and damage individuals and a twisty and complex storyline that grabs audience attention from the start and keeps you riveted and turning the pages. An unputdownable and absorbing read.
A psychological thriller story, serial killer story, contemporary romance, touch-her-and-die romance, protective alpha hero romance, morally-grey dark antio-hero story, holiday romance, dark romance, mountain man story, romantic suspense story, forced proximity romance, polar opposite attracts story, insta-love romance, insta-everything, lust-at-first-sight romance, stalker romance, obsessive/possessive alpha hero story, return home story, small town romance with violence, fear, possessiveness, obsession, danger, power play, bloodshed, attacks, threats, dominance, submission, angst, push and pull, survival, dirty talking, power and control, revelations, lies, resilience, deep dark hidden secrets, mystery, suspense, passion, family, action, return to hometown, drama, manipulation, darkness, madness, surprising twists and turns, losses, understanding, shocking truths, friendship, grief, loyalty, deception, spice, love and so much more.
Celeste Sterling is a best selling serial killer author, she writes about killers. Her last book didn't go well with her readers. Her editor wants her work to be same as her earlier work if not more darker. She's having writer's block for her next novel and her editor and best friend, Juliette suggested that she should go back to her hometown of Adirondack and maybe she would get some inspiration. Juliette as brother name Cain who has moved back home in the mountains of Adirondack at their decease parents home. Cain is a weird, damaged, broken, and dangerous recluse who is an obsessive fan turn killer of Celeste. He has manipulated everything in order to bring back Celeste home. His sister Juliette has given every copy of Celeste books and he as turned all her fictions into reality. She went home for writer's block but when she leaves her hometown again she'll leave with blood on her hands and a monster's ring on her finger. Her dad is the sheriff of their little town and when the murders started happening he believes that it was Cain, the mountain man who plays his violin.
When Celeste dad learn that she was coming home he had some reservations because of the numerous murders that had occurred and he couldn't solve. Celeste thought that she understood darkness, after all she's made millions writing it. But there's a difference between typing he's dangerous and having danger learn your daily routine. Between writing touch-her-and-die and watching him make that promise literal. There's a monster in town stalking Celeste and killing people and Cain does everything in his power to protect her and his town. Cain see Celeste as his soul mate and a kindred spirit. Cain is working from the shadows dealing with the town's monster. And he was also leaving her small gifts daily that also boost her confidence. At the end they would learn a lot and the killer would shock and surprise them. A great start to the series.

I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.