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Lilies from Hell: Blossoms of Death Duet I
Blossoms of Death Duet, Book I
He was living proof that demons could escape from hell and walk among us, but that wasn't enough to get that arctic blue out of my head.
Quite the contrary.
I lost count of the nights I spent longing to see him again, even from a distance and in secret; or to hear his voice, even if I couldn't understand a word he said. However, everything changes when they return to the city and that longing turns into a delicious nightmare I never want to wake up from.
He was living proof that demons could escape from hell and walk among us, but that wasn't enough to get that arctic blue out of my head.
Quite the contrary.
I lost count of the nights I spent longing to see him again, even from a distance and in secret; or to hear his voice, even if I couldn't understand a word he said. However, everything changes when they return to the city and that longing turns into a delicious nightmare I never want to wake up from.
419 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2026
5 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thanks to Elara Nocturne for providing the eARC. This is my honest opinion.
Passion in the Shadows
'Lilies from Hell' by Elara Nocturne weaves a world that is as dark as it is captivating. Her prose is rich and cinematic, instantly pulling readers into a gothic atmosphere that feels almost tangible. The emotional intensity of her characters lingers long after the pages are turned, making the story both haunting and memorable.
The strength of Nocturne’s writing lies in her fearless exploration of obsession, desire, and moral ambiguity. Characters are complex, magnetic, and unpredictably human, and the twists in the narrative keep the tension alive throughout. There is a daring originality in the way she blends dark romance with gothic sensibilities, creating a story that feels uniquely hers.
Yet, the ambition of the narrative sometimes overwhelms the structure. Certain scenes feel overwrought, pacing can wobble, and some plot threads remain unresolved, leaving an occasional sense of frustration. Despite these flaws, the pull of her vivid world and emotionally charged storytelling is undeniable.
'Lilies from Hell' is an immersive experience, full of shadowed corners and intense emotion. It fascinates, it haunts, and it sometimes frustrates, but above all, it lingers in the mind long after the last page is closed.
Dark Romance | Gothic Atmosphere | Obsession | Moral Ambiguity | Forbidden Desire | Emotional Intensity | Twisted Relationships | Cinematic World-Building | Haunting Secrets | Intense Passion | Complex Characters | Daring Originality
Passion in the Shadows
'Lilies from Hell' by Elara Nocturne weaves a world that is as dark as it is captivating. Her prose is rich and cinematic, instantly pulling readers into a gothic atmosphere that feels almost tangible. The emotional intensity of her characters lingers long after the pages are turned, making the story both haunting and memorable.
The strength of Nocturne’s writing lies in her fearless exploration of obsession, desire, and moral ambiguity. Characters are complex, magnetic, and unpredictably human, and the twists in the narrative keep the tension alive throughout. There is a daring originality in the way she blends dark romance with gothic sensibilities, creating a story that feels uniquely hers.
Yet, the ambition of the narrative sometimes overwhelms the structure. Certain scenes feel overwrought, pacing can wobble, and some plot threads remain unresolved, leaving an occasional sense of frustration. Despite these flaws, the pull of her vivid world and emotionally charged storytelling is undeniable.
'Lilies from Hell' is an immersive experience, full of shadowed corners and intense emotion. It fascinates, it haunts, and it sometimes frustrates, but above all, it lingers in the mind long after the last page is closed.
Dark Romance | Gothic Atmosphere | Obsession | Moral Ambiguity | Forbidden Desire | Emotional Intensity | Twisted Relationships | Cinematic World-Building | Haunting Secrets | Intense Passion | Complex Characters | Daring Originality
January 10, 2026
I want to start by thanking E.Nocturne for allowing me to be an ARC reader. This was my very first read by this author, and let me tell you it won’t be the last! Lillies from Hell is the first book in the series, and I can’t wait to read the next!
There were parts in the story where I did feel a bit lost or but was quickly refocused and consumed by the characters. The blurbs of Russian really helped, and the snippets of journal/book entries were a nice touch! The bond between Lena and Alek was like nothing I had ever experienced before!
💙Gothic & Mafia Vibes
💚Touch her & ☠️
💙Unhinged & OTT MMC
There were parts in the story where I did feel a bit lost or but was quickly refocused and consumed by the characters. The blurbs of Russian really helped, and the snippets of journal/book entries were a nice touch! The bond between Lena and Alek was like nothing I had ever experienced before!
💙Gothic & Mafia Vibes
💚Touch her & ☠️
💙Unhinged & OTT MMC
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2026
This book does not hold your hand. It grabs you by the throat and drags you straight into the mess…and honestly? I was here for it.
Lilies from Hell dives headfirst into obsession, violence, and morally gray chaos, following a protagonist who is equal parts fascinating and deeply unsettling. He’s layered, conflicted, and walking a very thin line between wanting connection and fully embracing his darker impulses. And let’s talk about the supporting cast, the mother and the red-haired girl add emotional weight and tension that make everything feel just a little more unhinged (in the best way).
The atmosphere is thick. The writing is vivid, dark, and dripping with tension, creating a world that feels claustrophobic and dangerous. You can practically feel the unease creeping in as the story unfolds. The plot keeps tightening the screws, pulling you deeper into the protagonist’s twisted reality and daring you to look away. (Spoiler: you won’t.)
This book is not for the faint of heart. There’s explicit content, violence, and themes that unapologetically blur the lines of morality and romance. If you need your characters clearly good or bad, this will make you uncomfortable, and that’s kind of the point.
Lilies from Hell is dark, provocative, and emotionally intense. If you love morally ambiguous characters, unsettling narratives, and stories that push boundaries instead of playing it safe, this one deserves a spot on your shelf. Just don’t expect to come out unchanged.
Lilies from Hell dives headfirst into obsession, violence, and morally gray chaos, following a protagonist who is equal parts fascinating and deeply unsettling. He’s layered, conflicted, and walking a very thin line between wanting connection and fully embracing his darker impulses. And let’s talk about the supporting cast, the mother and the red-haired girl add emotional weight and tension that make everything feel just a little more unhinged (in the best way).
The atmosphere is thick. The writing is vivid, dark, and dripping with tension, creating a world that feels claustrophobic and dangerous. You can practically feel the unease creeping in as the story unfolds. The plot keeps tightening the screws, pulling you deeper into the protagonist’s twisted reality and daring you to look away. (Spoiler: you won’t.)
This book is not for the faint of heart. There’s explicit content, violence, and themes that unapologetically blur the lines of morality and romance. If you need your characters clearly good or bad, this will make you uncomfortable, and that’s kind of the point.
Lilies from Hell is dark, provocative, and emotionally intense. If you love morally ambiguous characters, unsettling narratives, and stories that push boundaries instead of playing it safe, this one deserves a spot on your shelf. Just don’t expect to come out unchanged.
February 28, 2026
This was a brand new author for me and it didn’t disappoint. This was much darker than I expected at times and then less so when you’d expect it to be dark.
There’s some really good twists and turns throughout and the romance in this slaps. The only thing I really struggled with at times is that the authors first language isn’t English and so at times it didn’t flow as easily, however you can understand what’s happening. That being said, I was arc reading it and therefore those issues may have been sorted before release so please don’t let that put you off.
With this being the first in a duet, I’m hoping there’ll be some more info about the background of the characters and the nature of the “business” they’re involved in.
🌟🌟🌟.75/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.75/5
There’s some really good twists and turns throughout and the romance in this slaps. The only thing I really struggled with at times is that the authors first language isn’t English and so at times it didn’t flow as easily, however you can understand what’s happening. That being said, I was arc reading it and therefore those issues may have been sorted before release so please don’t let that put you off.
With this being the first in a duet, I’m hoping there’ll be some more info about the background of the characters and the nature of the “business” they’re involved in.
🌟🌟🌟.75/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.75/5
Did not finish
February 2, 2026i sadly dnf'ed this book at 15%.i got it as an arc and i was quite excited since the set up was amazing and the story had huge potential however two major things led me to dnf this book. the story/plot itself was hard for me to follow and keep up with. i couldn't tell what was going on much throughout what i read along with the grammar/spelling mistakes. if it was just a few i could overlook it but there was just too many. i still stand by that this story itself has huge potential if executed correctly!
March 2, 2026
I was so excited to dive into this one after I was accepted as an ARC reader for this book. It was dark and the gothic vibe was fantastic. I loved the twists and turns and the blood play. But I had a hard time following in sine areas and there were grammatical errors all throughout. I think this needed another round of editing, but aside from that, I really liked this and I’m looking forward to reading more from Nocturne.
January 7, 2026
Lilies from Hell is a dark, seductive dive into a world where danger and desire intertwine with unforgettable intensity. As the first book in the Blossoms of Death Duet, this story delivers a compelling mix of gothic atmosphere, tension-soaked romance, and intriguing mystery that hooks you from the first page. 
The narrative centers on a protagonist haunted not only by a chilling connection to a mesmerizing but inscrutable man—described as being “living proof that demons could escape from hell and walk among us”—but also by the way her longing for him blurs the line between fear and fascination. As their paths cross again, what once was distant transforms into a “delicious nightmare” that lingers long after the story moves forward. 
What stands out in this book is its rich gothic vibes and immersive emotional pull. The writing balances shadows and passion, giving romance readers just enough spice and complexity without losing the story’s eerie, noir-leaning edge. There’s a cinematic quality to the scenes, especially as flashbacks and cultural elements (like translated dialogue) add depth and texture to the world. 
At around 472 pages in the Kindle edition, Lilies from Hell builds a slow-burn connection that feels intense and unforgettable—perfect for fans of dark, atmospheric romance with heart and heat. 
The narrative centers on a protagonist haunted not only by a chilling connection to a mesmerizing but inscrutable man—described as being “living proof that demons could escape from hell and walk among us”—but also by the way her longing for him blurs the line between fear and fascination. As their paths cross again, what once was distant transforms into a “delicious nightmare” that lingers long after the story moves forward. 
What stands out in this book is its rich gothic vibes and immersive emotional pull. The writing balances shadows and passion, giving romance readers just enough spice and complexity without losing the story’s eerie, noir-leaning edge. There’s a cinematic quality to the scenes, especially as flashbacks and cultural elements (like translated dialogue) add depth and texture to the world. 
At around 472 pages in the Kindle edition, Lilies from Hell builds a slow-burn connection that feels intense and unforgettable—perfect for fans of dark, atmospheric romance with heart and heat. 
Did not finish
February 13, 2026I want to thank the author for sending me this ARC but i honestly couldn't get into it, I got to 40% and I still wasn't feeling it so I had to drop it.
March 2, 2026
For the love of all things holy (or unholy), do not read this book if you have triggers. This makes Haunting Adeline seem like children's play. Maybe that's all you need to know to want to read the book, and if so, good for you and welcome to the party! However, I highly recommend reading the trigger warnings if you're not depraved like the rest of us and make sure this book is to your liking. Many scenes are vividly depicted and well written, and as a reader who typically visualizes as I read, the descriptions were definitely there!
The writing style was phenomenal and kept you intrigued once the story got truly "started". It was a little slow for the first couple chapters (at least to me) while I was trying to figure out the direction of the story, but there was plenty of background to cover for setting the scene! The story is told through the two main characters' viewpoints, with some chapters from Alek and some from Lena, but I did appreciate that there was no "overlap". It drives me crazy when the same scene is told from multiple points of view most of the time, and the author did well on avoiding this!
There were times it got confusing, as the chapters do change views mid-chapter some, and there isn't really anything directly pointing out that you just swapped from Lena to Alek or vice versa (the chapters themselves include the name the view is from) until you read a couple of lines. Once you get in the groove of figuring it out though, it becomes second nature as you continue to read and you can flip easily.
The story itself? Strange but beautiful. There was a lot of violence obviously, but it set the stage for the relationship dynamic between Lena and Alek. Their story progressed throughout in a less traditional enemies to lovers trail but it was still fun to follow! There was some Satanism references in the book which is fine, but it honestly felt a little awkwardly placed, almost like it was trying to force a shock appeal? It didn’t really mesh well with the rest of the story, but it was an important area when used.
There were also a couple of plot holes, but I'm hoping those get discussed/resolved in book two! Without spoilers, I just need some kind of answers about Rowina because I spent the second half of the book waiting on her to make sense! Viktor was such a fun little touch though, and I hope to see some expansion in the next book. Overall though, I'm fairly pleased and once I got into the book, I stayed up until 1am to finish it! I'm excited to see where book two leads and find out answers to the mysteries surrounding Lena and her memory.
The writing style was phenomenal and kept you intrigued once the story got truly "started". It was a little slow for the first couple chapters (at least to me) while I was trying to figure out the direction of the story, but there was plenty of background to cover for setting the scene! The story is told through the two main characters' viewpoints, with some chapters from Alek and some from Lena, but I did appreciate that there was no "overlap". It drives me crazy when the same scene is told from multiple points of view most of the time, and the author did well on avoiding this!
There were times it got confusing, as the chapters do change views mid-chapter some, and there isn't really anything directly pointing out that you just swapped from Lena to Alek or vice versa (the chapters themselves include the name the view is from) until you read a couple of lines. Once you get in the groove of figuring it out though, it becomes second nature as you continue to read and you can flip easily.
The story itself? Strange but beautiful. There was a lot of violence obviously, but it set the stage for the relationship dynamic between Lena and Alek. Their story progressed throughout in a less traditional enemies to lovers trail but it was still fun to follow! There was some Satanism references in the book which is fine, but it honestly felt a little awkwardly placed, almost like it was trying to force a shock appeal? It didn’t really mesh well with the rest of the story, but it was an important area when used.
There were also a couple of plot holes, but I'm hoping those get discussed/resolved in book two! Without spoilers, I just need some kind of answers about Rowina because I spent the second half of the book waiting on her to make sense! Viktor was such a fun little touch though, and I hope to see some expansion in the next book. Overall though, I'm fairly pleased and once I got into the book, I stayed up until 1am to finish it! I'm excited to see where book two leads and find out answers to the mysteries surrounding Lena and her memory.
March 5, 2026
Blossoms of Death Duet book 1
Dark romance lovers prepare to be ruined in the best way. This was an excellent debut novel. It's emotional, twisted, intense, dark, and absolutely unhinged. The Gothic Mafia vibes were so intriguing. The characters are complex, and the plot kept me turning pages. The tension had me squirming in my seat and unsettled.
Lena and Alek were absolutely everything. I loved the flashbacks from when they met as children. Their story begins from when she is 9 and he is 13. The way Alek was so obsessed and possessive over Lena. Their connection is intense, to say the least. It is a slow build-up.
My heart broke for all the atrocious things Alek had endured growing up. This poor unhinged psycho in love.
As this is a duet, there is a cliffhanger, I'm interested to find out where the story goes and having all the loose ends tied up. As of now, I'm left with so many plot holes and questions so the author did their job, leaving me wanting.
Tropes:
Mafia with Gothic vibes
Future Pakhan + mafia princess
Morally black OTT MMC
He falls first and hard
Unhinged MCs
Stalker
Cliffhanger
Dual POV
Check TW (seriously)
Some things to note before going into this book, it's my understanding that english is not the authors first language so it is slightly noticeable, the chapters change POV at times halfway through, and sometimes the same scene is repeated from the other MCs POV. Also, it's graphic, so if you're squimish, be advised.
Thank you, E. Nocturne for the opportunity to read this book.
Dark romance lovers prepare to be ruined in the best way. This was an excellent debut novel. It's emotional, twisted, intense, dark, and absolutely unhinged. The Gothic Mafia vibes were so intriguing. The characters are complex, and the plot kept me turning pages. The tension had me squirming in my seat and unsettled.
Lena and Alek were absolutely everything. I loved the flashbacks from when they met as children. Their story begins from when she is 9 and he is 13. The way Alek was so obsessed and possessive over Lena. Their connection is intense, to say the least. It is a slow build-up.
My heart broke for all the atrocious things Alek had endured growing up. This poor unhinged psycho in love.
As this is a duet, there is a cliffhanger, I'm interested to find out where the story goes and having all the loose ends tied up. As of now, I'm left with so many plot holes and questions so the author did their job, leaving me wanting.
Tropes:
Mafia with Gothic vibes
Future Pakhan + mafia princess
Morally black OTT MMC
He falls first and hard
Unhinged MCs
Stalker
Cliffhanger
Dual POV
Check TW (seriously)
Some things to note before going into this book, it's my understanding that english is not the authors first language so it is slightly noticeable, the chapters change POV at times halfway through, and sometimes the same scene is repeated from the other MCs POV. Also, it's graphic, so if you're squimish, be advised.
Thank you, E. Nocturne for the opportunity to read this book.
March 7, 2026
Warning: Very dark and very violent. Morality is a blurry, gray line, and I'm still not certain that the 'romance' can actually be considered as such. So be warned before you dive in. Read the trigger warnings before you start.
This was a good story line. It was hard to follow at several points and I was easily confused. That is what kept it from a 5 star. It was definitely darker than most of the things I've read. Think Game of Thrones level violence and sexual content in a more modern, gothic, mafia type of way. The world building was good...there were just some parts that I couldn't decipher what was going on. This was an ARC version of the book so it may have been that. It was very chaotic in some areas as well, which may have contributed to my confusion.
Some of the MMC point of view was very eye-opening. You get a front row seat to how a psychopath thinks and yes, feels. The confusion and love he feels for the FMC, his thoughts and feelings about his life and "job". So very interesting.
It does end on a cliffhanger. Which I get frustrated about. But the story and characters were great so yes, I will be reading the next one. I need to find out not only what happens, and also who is behind some of the things that are happening. I have ideas, but it is absolutely not certain like in other stories where you can pick out who the MC enemies are quickly. Technically, they're ALL bad guys, it's a matter of connecting with one side vs another.
This was a good story line. It was hard to follow at several points and I was easily confused. That is what kept it from a 5 star. It was definitely darker than most of the things I've read. Think Game of Thrones level violence and sexual content in a more modern, gothic, mafia type of way. The world building was good...there were just some parts that I couldn't decipher what was going on. This was an ARC version of the book so it may have been that. It was very chaotic in some areas as well, which may have contributed to my confusion.
Some of the MMC point of view was very eye-opening. You get a front row seat to how a psychopath thinks and yes, feels. The confusion and love he feels for the FMC, his thoughts and feelings about his life and "job". So very interesting.
It does end on a cliffhanger. Which I get frustrated about. But the story and characters were great so yes, I will be reading the next one. I need to find out not only what happens, and also who is behind some of the things that are happening. I have ideas, but it is absolutely not certain like in other stories where you can pick out who the MC enemies are quickly. Technically, they're ALL bad guys, it's a matter of connecting with one side vs another.
February 4, 2026
I loved the idea of this book, I love a second chance romance and there were many great twists. But for me, it just felt like this kind of plot has been done a million times and I’ve read it a million times. Maybe someone new to this type of dark romance storyline might enjoy it more… because to me even the final cliffhanger didn’t have that much of an effect. I admit some did do quite a number on me though. They meet for the first time as children, and honestly I wish we got more from that time frame too, because there were quite a lot of time skips and they were all significant I just feel they could have been more impactful if written a little differently. I do love a grey mmc who is soft only for her. I loved the trope where he’s this dark broken soul and she saved him and is the only reason he’s still alive so he basically worships the ground she walks on. The only little contradiction to this is the little bit in the beginning where he’s pretends she doesn’t exist? Anyways still loved the mmc in this book. As for the fmc, she’s okay, not really that I don’t like her, more I didn’t see anything that special about her. This book was a decent read, yes it’s a little slower in the middle but it picks back up pretty soon. I do think it’s a little dragged but I do have high hopes for the second book in this duet! I give this a 3/5
February 23, 2026
This is an ARC review!
Holy shit was this DARK! The gore and violence in this is probably the darkest (and most gruesome) I’ve ever read. This wasn’t morally grey. It was pitch black in every sense of the word! But fuck did I enjoy reading it!
I HIGHLY recommend reading all the trigger warnings because DAMN! I read them all and I still was left startled! I did really enjoy reading this arc and with that ending?!? 🤯 I need the second book like NOW!
Tropes/what to expect:
Unhinged MMC
British MFC
Dark obsession
He falls first and hard
Amnesia
Hidden relationship
Trigger Warnings. I’m only listing some. Please take care of your mental health.
Organ and drug trafficking
Graphic Violence
A LOT of gore
On page torture
On page SA of a minor
Attempted Suicide
Here’s my critiques.
It was very hard to tell what exactly was going on sometimes. A character was mentioned being gone or somewhere else but then they’d suddenly appear like they were there the whole time. I understand and was made aware that English isn’t the authors first language. But it does seem like it was really roughly translated to English without much editing done. I did still enjoy reading this. But I did have to overlook a lot of confusing things.
Holy shit was this DARK! The gore and violence in this is probably the darkest (and most gruesome) I’ve ever read. This wasn’t morally grey. It was pitch black in every sense of the word! But fuck did I enjoy reading it!
I HIGHLY recommend reading all the trigger warnings because DAMN! I read them all and I still was left startled! I did really enjoy reading this arc and with that ending?!? 🤯 I need the second book like NOW!
Tropes/what to expect:
Unhinged MMC
British MFC
Dark obsession
He falls first and hard
Amnesia
Hidden relationship
Trigger Warnings. I’m only listing some. Please take care of your mental health.
Organ and drug trafficking
Graphic Violence
A LOT of gore
On page torture
On page SA of a minor
Attempted Suicide
Here’s my critiques.
It was very hard to tell what exactly was going on sometimes. A character was mentioned being gone or somewhere else but then they’d suddenly appear like they were there the whole time. I understand and was made aware that English isn’t the authors first language. But it does seem like it was really roughly translated to English without much editing done. I did still enjoy reading this. But I did have to overlook a lot of confusing things.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lilies from Hell is not an easy read — and it’s not meant to be.
From the very beginning, there’s a quiet sense of dread woven into the atmosphere. The themes are dark and uncomfortable, and the emotional intensity is undeniable. The characters feel raw and deeply flawed, carrying their pain in ways that feel disturbingly real.
That being said, there were moments where I wished the story had slowed down. Some emotionally significant scenes felt rushed, and I wanted a little more depth and reflection. More time to truly sit with what was happening.
There were also a few parts that felt somewhat disconnected from the main storyline. For example, a scene involving a dog giving birth caught my attention. I expected it to carry deeper meaning or tie back into the narrative, but it didn’t really lead anywhere. It wasn’t a bad addition, just slightly confusing in terms of purpose.
Overall, this is a dark, intense story that doesn’t offer easy comfort. It explores trauma and moral gray areas with a heavy hand, and while not every element felt fully developed for me, the atmosphere and emotional weight made it a memorable read.
From the very beginning, there’s a quiet sense of dread woven into the atmosphere. The themes are dark and uncomfortable, and the emotional intensity is undeniable. The characters feel raw and deeply flawed, carrying their pain in ways that feel disturbingly real.
That being said, there were moments where I wished the story had slowed down. Some emotionally significant scenes felt rushed, and I wanted a little more depth and reflection. More time to truly sit with what was happening.
There were also a few parts that felt somewhat disconnected from the main storyline. For example, a scene involving a dog giving birth caught my attention. I expected it to carry deeper meaning or tie back into the narrative, but it didn’t really lead anywhere. It wasn’t a bad addition, just slightly confusing in terms of purpose.
Overall, this is a dark, intense story that doesn’t offer easy comfort. It explores trauma and moral gray areas with a heavy hand, and while not every element felt fully developed for me, the atmosphere and emotional weight made it a memorable read.
March 6, 2026
Holy hell was this an intense ride of a story! Alekei is bat shit crazy, and I mean that in the most toxic sense because gah damn that man is certifiably insane! I usually fall for the MMC (but I mean morally grey men are top teir 😘) but, and it pains me to say this, Alekei can't be saved..at this point at least. Lena deserved the love he doted on her in the illusion of himself he showed her, because lets face it he was absolutely devoted and loved her; but the news she got from her dad downright pissed me off and I wanna shoot him myself for hiding that! I hope he redeems himself because right now I think she can do better. The smut was intense, and bloody...but still a page turner! 🥵 I can't wait to see how their tale ends in book 2! There's a couple of things I wanna touch on; first off the gun scene with the gun loaded and the safety off?! MA'AM! 😳😱 Secondly, Alekei's declaration of love reminded me of Ryat from The Ritual in the best way! And lastly, when Lena was nuclear pissed off and SHOT HIM IN THE ASS?! Show him whose boss girl 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼Thank you @e.nocturne_author for the privilage to be part of your ARC team!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2026
I found myself trying to connect with this book. Some aspects worked well for me and some dont. The connection between the past and present felt a bit vague. Although there are many flashbacks highlighting moments between the FMC and MMC, they didn’t feel as they were fully explored. Perhaps it might be the author’s intentional choice as these gaps are meant to unfold more clearly in the next installment.
What did stand out to me, however, was the MMC. He’s written in a way that is deeply compelling - questionable, dark, and unhinged. His presence, combined with the tension in the plot, keeps the story engaging and adds a layer of unpredictability.
The FMC, on the other hand, feels like a puzzle still waiting to be solved. There are noticeable gaps in her past that shape who she is in the present, and that left me wanting more clarity. Those unanswered questions add to the overall character development and leave room for further exploration in future installments. Grateful to be given the opportunity to read this in advance.
What did stand out to me, however, was the MMC. He’s written in a way that is deeply compelling - questionable, dark, and unhinged. His presence, combined with the tension in the plot, keeps the story engaging and adds a layer of unpredictability.
The FMC, on the other hand, feels like a puzzle still waiting to be solved. There are noticeable gaps in her past that shape who she is in the present, and that left me wanting more clarity. Those unanswered questions add to the overall character development and leave room for further exploration in future installments. Grateful to be given the opportunity to read this in advance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story shows you how obsession can become dangerous to certain people. When they two main characters are children and connect with each other she becomes the very air he breathes.
This story has almost every trigger you can think of. It gives you stalking, it gives you abuse, blood play and so much more. While parts of the book become confusing and somethings fall out of place the story itself comes together at the very end making the next book something you look forward to. Needing to know where Alek and Lena are going to end up.
I love the way the author adds another language into the book and then gives you the description of what is said so you dont have to look it up. And even more than that I love the small poems that are added to some of the chapters, wishing there was more throughout the story.
This story has almost every trigger you can think of. It gives you stalking, it gives you abuse, blood play and so much more. While parts of the book become confusing and somethings fall out of place the story itself comes together at the very end making the next book something you look forward to. Needing to know where Alek and Lena are going to end up.
I love the way the author adds another language into the book and then gives you the description of what is said so you dont have to look it up. And even more than that I love the small poems that are added to some of the chapters, wishing there was more throughout the story.
March 2, 2026
This one felt like walking through a candlelit hallway with creepy beautiful music playing in the background. The vibe was dark and dreamy at the same time, because the atmosphere stayed heavy and moody the whole read, and it made every little moment feel intense without needing a lot of action.
The romance had that dangerous pull that keeps tugging at you, because the chemistry felt sharp instead of soft and sweet, I kept getting that fluttery anxious feeling like something wild was about to happen. The writing felt lush too, like every scene had texture and mood, which made it super immersive.
I just wanted a tiny bit more emotional clarity at times because I was so wrapped up in the aesthetic that I wanted deeper connection moments to hit even harder. Still though, such a moody, addictive read.
The romance had that dangerous pull that keeps tugging at you, because the chemistry felt sharp instead of soft and sweet, I kept getting that fluttery anxious feeling like something wild was about to happen. The writing felt lush too, like every scene had texture and mood, which made it super immersive.
I just wanted a tiny bit more emotional clarity at times because I was so wrapped up in the aesthetic that I wanted deeper connection moments to hit even harder. Still though, such a moody, addictive read.
March 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
I personally felt like overall it fell flat for me. I loved the idea of the story and I did love the MMC and gore/funny banter at points with some of the characters. The “spicy” scenes were filled with heavy k!nks but even that I read to be pretty forced. It does end in a cliffhanger but found it all just chaotic/confusing and pretty dragged out with no actual storyline to tie everything together for me to grasp. Also, had minor grammar errors throughout and at the beginning getting confused when it would change to another pov within the MC’s POV chapter. I haven’t given up on it entirely and still holding out and hoping book 2 will redeem book 1 for me! 🖤
** Thank you so much, E. Nocturne for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are voluntarily my own.
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
I personally felt like overall it fell flat for me. I loved the idea of the story and I did love the MMC and gore/funny banter at points with some of the characters. The “spicy” scenes were filled with heavy k!nks but even that I read to be pretty forced. It does end in a cliffhanger but found it all just chaotic/confusing and pretty dragged out with no actual storyline to tie everything together for me to grasp. Also, had minor grammar errors throughout and at the beginning getting confused when it would change to another pov within the MC’s POV chapter. I haven’t given up on it entirely and still holding out and hoping book 2 will redeem book 1 for me! 🖤
** Thank you so much, E. Nocturne for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are voluntarily my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.75 ⭐️
Lilies from Hell was one heck of a ride! Thank you, Elara Nocturne for the chance to read your first book as an ARC! I am looking forward to reading more of your work.
First, the characters, all of them, gave life to this story. I hope to see returns in book 2 and more depth.
I enjoyed the little blurbs of Russian and then the explanation of the blurb.. That was pulled off well… I have seen authors struggle with how to do that.
I liked the writing for the most part… this story kept my attention and even where it got slow or lost me… I kept pushing through and got my rhythm back because the story picked up.
I think there was enough building of character and story to make the 2nd book really interesting.
Lilies from Hell was one heck of a ride! Thank you, Elara Nocturne for the chance to read your first book as an ARC! I am looking forward to reading more of your work.
First, the characters, all of them, gave life to this story. I hope to see returns in book 2 and more depth.
I enjoyed the little blurbs of Russian and then the explanation of the blurb.. That was pulled off well… I have seen authors struggle with how to do that.
I liked the writing for the most part… this story kept my attention and even where it got slow or lost me… I kept pushing through and got my rhythm back because the story picked up.
I think there was enough building of character and story to make the 2nd book really interesting.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“You told me my ears were the most beautiful you had ever seen. I dont know if it was the weed taking a effect on your brain, but that day i spent the whole night looking at myself in the mirror, trying so hard to love something about myself that you had liked, but I failed.”
Alexei is a walking red flag but do I love him anyways. Yes. Yes I do. The way he was so possessive over Lena and overly obsessive has me crumbling like sand for that man. This was my first time reading anything by this author but their will be more. I loved it. I can't wait for the second duet to come out.
Alexei is a walking red flag but do I love him anyways. Yes. Yes I do. The way he was so possessive over Lena and overly obsessive has me crumbling like sand for that man. This was my first time reading anything by this author but their will be more. I loved it. I can't wait for the second duet to come out.
January 19, 2026
I wanna start by thanking E. Nocturne for my first ever arc copy and I apologize it took me so long to read.
Wow, this book will not be my last book from this author. The first chapter really lured me into the story, it was very intense and graphic and it definitely made my stomach a bit queasy but I don't think it would be dark romance if it didn't.
I didn't want to put it down at all. Although there were some parts I feel like the plot was lost and I feel like it could've been at least 50 pages less, I enjoyed this book nonetheless and I look forward to reading more of this series!
Wow, this book will not be my last book from this author. The first chapter really lured me into the story, it was very intense and graphic and it definitely made my stomach a bit queasy but I don't think it would be dark romance if it didn't.
I didn't want to put it down at all. Although there were some parts I feel like the plot was lost and I feel like it could've been at least 50 pages less, I enjoyed this book nonetheless and I look forward to reading more of this series!
January 2, 2026
💚gothic vibes
🖤he falls first and HARD
💚 mafia princess
🖤 OTT MMC
Firstly, thank you for allowing me to read this! The gothic mafia vibes are everything! The flashbacks giving us sneak peaks into what has happened added more to the story! The way the Russian was translated at the end of the chapter was a lovely little addition to someone who hasn’t got a clue how to speak Russian🤣 The spice was spicing and was the perfect addition to this story!
🖤he falls first and HARD
💚 mafia princess
🖤 OTT MMC
Firstly, thank you for allowing me to read this! The gothic mafia vibes are everything! The flashbacks giving us sneak peaks into what has happened added more to the story! The way the Russian was translated at the end of the chapter was a lovely little addition to someone who hasn’t got a clue how to speak Russian🤣 The spice was spicing and was the perfect addition to this story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2026
This reminded me of a Quentin Tarantino movie in all the best ways there’s twists and turns that you don’t see coming . It has gruesome scenes that will make you question what you are reading, not enough to put it down, in fact it makes me you want so much more.
By the ending I’m not sure which character to trust, leaving us with so many questions.
it’s a good read, I do suggest reading with no distractions this is one of those you might miss something
By the ending I’m not sure which character to trust, leaving us with so many questions.
it’s a good read, I do suggest reading with no distractions this is one of those you might miss something
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC. This is my voluntary, honest review. This book was the first I’ve read by this author.
I loved the book!! I have been wanting a morally black character for so long, and the fact that the MMC and FMC are, really, made me happy.
The plot is good. I got confused a bit in some parts, but I was still able to follow the story.
I cannot wait for the second book. I need to stay in that world!
I loved the book!! I have been wanting a morally black character for so long, and the fact that the MMC and FMC are, really, made me happy.
The plot is good. I got confused a bit in some parts, but I was still able to follow the story.
I cannot wait for the second book. I need to stay in that world!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book really made me want to like it so much that I did. Nothing was going to stop me from reading this book. I tried to stay up as late as I could to finish it because it was getting good, but I feel asleep with this book in my hands. I proceeded to finish this book as soon as I could. This book was sooooo good that it made me question reality! Thank you E. Nocturne for letting me read this book as an ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you so much to E. Nocturne for the eARC of this one. I was into the story at first but there was times when I was kind of thrown off by the writing. The plot was there and I loved the way Lena and Aleki are with each other, it is the epitome of a dark romance but I kept having to go back because I felt lost at times while reading it. It is a great read and I am going to try and reread it when it comes out but for now it just didn't hit every mark for me.
March 1, 2026
If you like dark… this one is for you. 🖤 And I don’t mean a little dark… I mean full-commitment, haunting, gore, and chaos.
The writing is beautifully unsettling, and the tension stays thick the entire time. I loved how layered the characters were and how nothing felt simple or clean.
Definitely not a fluffy read, but if you live for obsession, twisted vibes, and that “I should stop but I won’t” energy then you’ll eat this up.
The writing is beautifully unsettling, and the tension stays thick the entire time. I loved how layered the characters were and how nothing felt simple or clean.
Definitely not a fluffy read, but if you live for obsession, twisted vibes, and that “I should stop but I won’t” energy then you’ll eat this up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review
I thoroughly enjoyed the premise of this book, however I did feel like there's room for improvement.
The story line is good with mafia vibes and dark, obsessive desire. I feel like there was a lot of jumping around which proved a little challenging to follow at times. With a little more editing to make it more cohesive and easier to follow.
I thoroughly enjoyed the premise of this book, however I did feel like there's room for improvement.
The story line is good with mafia vibes and dark, obsessive desire. I feel like there was a lot of jumping around which proved a little challenging to follow at times. With a little more editing to make it more cohesive and easier to follow.
February 15, 2026
This book was giving to me as an ARC here is my honest and voluntarily review. This book is dark and gets you from the beginning into a haunting world filled with danger, passion, and emotional depth. The chemistry burns slowly at first, then explodes in ways that feel both thrilling and heartbreaking.
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