Nocturne In Red

by K.I. Tolles

All she ever wanted was to be loved so much it hurt.

Four years ago, Ari fell in love with a stranger who never said a word—and disappeared.

She never stopped looking for him.

When obsession finally yields a clue, Ari follows it to Milan, convinced she's finally taking control of her life. But what she doesn't know is that her red-haired stranger is a touch-starved vampire who survives by living in the shadows—and by his rules, anyone who remembers him must die.

Except Ari would do anything to make him love her. Her devotion awakens something he's kept buried for centuries. Desire turns feral and control blurs into surrender, until love becomes the thing they might not survive.

Please note: This is a dark romance intended for mature readers and does not depict healthy relationships.

Genres: Novella, Vampires, Paranormal, Dark Romance, Paranormal Romance

181 pages, Paperback

Published April 22, 2026

About the author

Hi, I’m Katie, though in the world of my books, you’ll find me as K.I. Tolles. I write paranormal romances where slow-burn tension meets dangerous magic, and fate is never as simple as it seems. I believe every love story should have teeth, every heroine should be impossible to tame, and every hero should make you question whether you’d follow him into the dark.

When I’m not writing, you’ll probably find me haunting antique bookstores, building playlists for fictional couples, drinking too much coffee, or rereading my favorite fantasy romances by candlelight. I'm forever torn between exploring new worlds and coming home to my own, and believe the best stories leave you a little breathless, a little heartbroken, and completely unwilling to let go.

Reviews

[Roxy Eslinger]

Stalker vibes but not in a good sexy way. More depressed, needy and depressed clingy way. Spending years with a good stable relationship just to always be thinking of a random guy you looked at for a minute in a bar?! Nahh

[Zen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release Date: April 22, 2026
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

All Ari ever wanted was to be loved. The mere thought of it made her heart hurt with need. One night, it all changed.

Four years ago, in a club, Ari made eyes with the most captivating man she had ever seen. Tall, mysterious, with gorgeous cherry-red hair that fell to his shoulders. She was mesmerized! When she decided to try to find him, it seemed like he had disappeared. She had never had any luck with men, so why would this be any different?

All that Ari had ever wanted in life was for someone to love her and want her as much as she wanted them. Sometimes this led to a desperation that was more of a turn-off than a turn-on, but all of that was about to change. Ari heads to a concert she had purchased a few months ago, and she could not believe her eyes. The man with the cherry-red hair was on stage, setting up with the orchestra to play his violin. Her violinist. She found him, and her heart was swept away! Little did she know that he caught her scent and knew without a doubt that it was the woman he locked eyes with.

Would Ari finally receive the love she has longed for since she was a girl, or will this man break her heart like all of the others?


**Possible Spoilers**
I want to thank K.I. Tolles for allowing me to read her arc. This is a first in what I hope may be many more novellas to come!

The red flags that flew throughout this book were something I didn't realize I needed! Ari is a walking poster for those with the lowest self-esteem, and it took me a bit to recalculate my train of thought. I have teetering self-esteem issues like Ari, but hers were a lot! But it is what was needed to understand why she was so desperate for love. A lot of us feel this way, and I know she will make you feel less crazy or alone with her approach to being wanted.

The guy she was with at the beginning of the book made me so mad, I don't even care to go back and remember his name, but he hit a nerve in me that was personal. Total douchebag is who that guy was, and I know we have dealt with guys like him all the time! Then, seeing V for the first time, hell, I became just as obsessed and wanted to find him for me!! I love how mysterious and captivating he was described. What was hard for me was the lack of interaction until the last 10% of the book. I wanted more interaction before the fated final kiss, but we all knew that once they had been together, V was not going to kill her. Ari asking to be turned is what most of us, I feel, would have done. I know I would have!

I did enjoy this a lot, but I did wish that this were a novel instead of a novella. So much was rushed that could have been fleshed out more, so it didn't feel like it was being mashed together. I kind of hate that there is no more to their story, but I do feel it did wrap up nicely. I wouldn't be mad if there happened to be another novella or even a full storyline for Ari and V. They are fascinating!

A girl can only hope!

Happy reading📚

[AussieBookAddict (Mel) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: ★★★★★

Nocturne In Red by K.I. Tolles is a dark paranormal romance that leans fully into obsession, devotion, and the kind of all-consuming love that blurs the line between desire and destruction. With its haunting Milan backdrop and a dangerously alluring vampire at its core, the story threads together gothic tension, primal need, and an intense emotional pull that feels both seductive and unsettling in the best way.

Where this novel truly excels is in its commitment to emotional extremity. Ari’s unwavering devotion and willingness to chase a love that borders on self-destruction creates a heroine who is both vulnerable and relentless. Opposite her, the red-haired vampire embodies a predatory restraint that slowly fractures under the weight of her persistence. Their dynamic thrives on imbalance: power, control, and hunger intertwine to create a relationship that is as toxic as it is intoxicating. Rather than softening these edges, the narrative embraces them, allowing the tension to build in a way that feels raw and unapologetic.

The chemistry is immediate and feral, driven by a push-and-pull between dominance and surrender that keeps every interaction charged. The inclusion of darker elements; manipulation, blood play, and the ever-present threat of violence; adds to the atmosphere rather than detracting from it, reinforcing the story’s central theme: that love, in this world, is not safe...it’s consuming.

Pacing is another standout strength. The story moves with a gripping urgency that mirrors Ari’s obsession, making it incredibly easy to devour in a single sitting. Despite the fast pace, the emotional beats still land effectively, ensuring that the connection between the characters feels earned, even within the chaos of their circumstances.

For readers, the experience is immersive and addictive. The blend of gothic romance and modern intensity gives it a familiar yet elevated feel, reminiscent of The Vampire Diaries and Grimm, with a touch of Twilight nostalgia, but far darker and more unrestrained in its execution.

I would highly recommend Nocturne In Red to readers who gravitate toward dark romance with heavy trigger themes, vampire lore with a predatory edge, and relationships that explore obsession, power imbalance, and emotional intensity without apology. This is not a soft love story, it’s one that bites.

Overall, this is a gripping, visceral, and deeply addictive read that fully embraces its darkness, delivering a romance that is as haunting as it is unforgettable.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ★★★⯪☆

I want to start off by giving my biggest gratitude to the author for approving me of this ARC! I also want to mention that NiR is my FIRST ever ARC so this was all the more special to me and I will never forget this experience.

I finally dipped my toes into the dark romance pool with Nocturne in Red by K.I. Tolles! As my first official dark romance, I went into this expecting something truly inhumane and disgusting. To my surprise (and maybe because I’ve seen so much marketing for the genre online), I found this quite tame! It is a great "beginner-friendly" dark romance for those who want to test the waters. While it’s not a constant spice-fest, when it hits, it HITS.

I would have loved to see V (the MMC) lean further into his "morally black" label. He felt very controlled by his own rules; I wanted to see him more unhinged and dangerous rather than just killing out of necessity. The FMC, Ari, was a real treat! She was written well for what and who she is- a girl who longed for love due to absent parental love and became obsessed with validation. Honestly? I think she is the truly morally black character here and not our MMC. I went in thinking V was a brute, but seeing the "human" out-monster the vampire was a refreshing bit I didn't see coming.

Did it meet my expectations? Yes!

Did it exceed my expectations? Not quite—I would have loved more intensity.

Would I have liked it darker? 100%!

Did I enjoy it? Absolutely!

Overall, Nocturne in Red is a quick one-sitting read with an unhinged FMC who leaves her life to follow the MMC in the shadows and does everything she can to get what she wants. This is also my first book of K. I. Tolles and I’m definitely going to have her under my radar from now on 👀 If you love mysterious, brooding musicians who just happen to have a thirst for blood, this definitely had to be in your TBR pile!

⚠️ PLEASE make sure to read the content warnings before diving in!

[Dani's Shelf Indulgence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the Advanced Reader Copy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you have always wanted to read Anne Rice, but found it to be too much, or you are in desperate need of a short and spicy vampire palette cleanser- then Nocturne In Red is the book for you!

I'm going to start off by saying, while I enjoyed the story, the FMC was not for me. I could not stand some of her behaviours. To be fair to the author, Ari is a real character, like I think everyone knows an Ari in real life, so she was very well written.
Her clingyness and need to please the men in her life irked me to no end!

Ari finally meets a stand up guy, who showers her with love and affection. Three years in and he is about to propose, but instead our girl Ari, runs away.
Why may you ask?
Because of a guy she had seen twice!!!!!
A Guy with red hair, playing the viola....

Ari is obsessed with her red-haired mystery man, and decides, after stringing along poor old mate for 3 years, that she must have her viola playing hunk.

Ari travels overseas to meet the man that doesn't even know she exists...little does she know, her mystery man is a vampire!

What I loved about this story is that V, our vampire MMC, does not immediately fall in love with Ari....no, no, no, he thinks Ari is going to be his next meal! At this point in the story, I was hoping he would eat her and that would be that, but instead somehow Ari grows on him. Instead of eating her, he ends up "eating her"! 🐱🌶🔥😂

This was a slow burn, spicy Novella and an excellent palette cleanser! But take my advice, DO NOT READ the bonus chapter, you do not need to know, I promise you the book ends where it should, don't go peeking, let it end, how it ends. 👏🙌

[Nicole W · Rating 5 out of 5]

“All she ever wanted was to be loved so much it hurt.”

Nocturne in Red was such a good dark romance paranormal novella. It gave me the sexiness of Interview with the Vampire mixed with the love story feel of Twilight.

Your FMC is Ari. She is scared to be alone, a little, no a lot overbearing, obsessive and desperately wants someone to love her. One night out she spots a handsome red haired violinist. She says every atom in her body ached for his attention but he disappeared. She ended up dating someone else who wanted her as deeply as she had wanted others. But she couldn’t get the violinist out of her head, and that obsession followed her for four years.
When she gets a tip that he is in Italy, she leaves everything behind to go find him.

V is your MMC, an red haired 800 year old vampire who can never let humans remember him twice or he has to kill them. He recognizes Ari from the past and knows he should end her it to protect his secret. They make arrangements for one night out together before he is to kill her
and girrrrrrrrrrl when he takes her back to his apartment. 😳🔥💦.

He gives her the approval she had needed all along, and after being with her, he starts to see everything he has been missing, she sees him as a person, not a monster.

The problem….she witnesses him feeding. But the joke was on him, because she wasn’t at all, scared she wanted him even more.

Just know there is a scene where he bites her while his hand is doing other things and I screamed!!! 🖤

I’m not going to ruin the rest, but this over and over was a five star read for me. It was beautifully written, dark, sexy, and so descriptive you could place yourself right there. You could feel it all and sink right into the story. Such a beautifully written dark and sexy novella.

[Zia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between 3.5 to 4 stars.

Who doesn’t love a dark vampire fantasy romance? That’s exactly what this book promises, and the main issue I have with the story is that it’s not long enough.

We get a thrilling view into this bite sized romance between Ari and V, promised a dark romance style telling of their relationship. V, a violist and Ari, a girl who’s enamored with him from the first night she sees him playing at a club. And it delivers, in the way that a bite sized cupcake delivers when you’re hungering for an entire cake. It was a beautiful taste into a world I wish we had more of.

The writing was solid, though again, due to the short nature of the story, the pacing did feel rushed. I wish we had more time to live and breathe with these characters and feel their longing for each other. The story is told through multiple POVs, and again, I feel like we would have benefited from more of V’s perspective, or none of it at all. But in the end, I was glad to have picked this up, and I cannot wait for the author’s next work!

The only misstep I found in the entire novel was a piece of potential infidelity. It’s unclear in the book if Ari simply leaves a boy she is currently with to pursue V, or if she leaves him hanging, and I feel like it would have been good to know just a touch more definitively that she decided to leave that world behind as she lusts over our titular vampire.

This is an honest review in exchange for an ARC provided by the author.

[Rayya O'Reilly · Rating 2 out of 5]

2🌟 1🌶

May contain spoilers!!!

This was an ARC and I am so grateful to have received it.

This was a shorter book, a novella, so I didn't expect a heavy plot, or much emotional damage. I expected a fun qui k read, which it was.

It started off so good, I was invested to see where the FMCs obsession would lead her and what danger she would find herself in. The author wrote her insecurities, delusions and need to be validated at every second, REALLY well. She just wasn't a likeable character for me, at all. Especially past the 60/70 page mark. She was very frustrating and it frustrated me to no end, that the MMC didn't feel the same😂

The MMC was better. But I still felt no connection to him. I appreciated that he just started out viewing her as his next meal. But despite his inner conflicts for his 'rules' and his desire for her, I genuinely was craving the ending for him to just toy with his 'food' and fulfil his primal, animal instincts. My eyes betrayed me and I read the last paragraph before the blood exchange and I was so excited for a split second.

I just wish it was dark. As far as vampires and creatures of the shadows go, and as far as her stalker tendencies go, I fear this wasn't really dark. I craved more darkness, more blood, more carnage (being vampires) and more.. desire?

Credit where credits due, this was well written in exposing vulnerabilities, in describing imagery and setting the scenes. Also, please, do not read the epilogue. Its much better to believe that that was the end before the epilogue.

[Rainbowsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so different from most of what I usually read, yet it hooked me almost instantly. Dark, emotional, and filled with twisted longing and an aching hunger for love, it was unlike anything I expected, but impossible to put down. I absolutely loved it.
Ari and V.'s story is dark, fascinating, and deeply layered. Through Ari's past and present, you slowly begin to understand why she thinks, feels, and acts the way she does. At times, I questioned her mental state, but I also understood why she made the choices she did. Her obsession and determination to chase the man she could never forget pulled me deeper and deeper into the story.
The plot felt original and surprised me in the best way. Like I said, this is not my usual kind of read, but it intrigued me so much that I ended up binging it straight through to the end, like falling into a velvet labyrinth with no interest in finding the exit.
This is a standalone, and while the ending is somewhat open, it is still clear and satisfying. I also loved that K. Tolles gave readers an epilogue. The only thing I will probably keep wondering about is V.'s real name... but then again, maybe that is exactly what she intended. 😏
This is the second book I have read by her, and once again, I loved it. 🙌⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ There is also just enough 🌶🌶 for the thirsty readers 😆
If you love intrigue, passion, dark fantasy, and twisted love stories, this book absolutely deserves a place on your TBR.

[A Girl Called Crow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author for this ARC!

This was a fun little story—a good palette cleanser and something that delivered what was expected.

As a short story, and an uncomplicated one at that, there’s not much to complain about. I think my biggest gripe was that I was hoping for a darker story. It felt a bit typical—girl desperate for love, becomes enamoured by a stranger, finds out he’s a vampire, is desperate for him anyway, and winds up being turned.

There were a few things that were never resolved - like what the hell happened to Toby, the boyfriend in the beginning. He just left and that was that. I think it would’ve been far more effective if V had killed him, especially since there was never a name released in the news she saw. Finding out that it was the creep was slightly disappointing since I’d forgotten about him entirely.

And then the second thing - what’s V’s real name? Or did I miss that somehow.

Also just wondering about the fact that she couldn’t get home from the theatre. She has a smartphone presumably - surely she could get home that way? Or with her being stuck in the rain after the concert - I’m sure there would’ve been a bar or somewhere nearby that was open at that time to take shelter. What about a taxi or Uber?

There were a few other bits that were slightly jarring but again, as a short story, it was a fun, quick read.

[Amanda L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly sexy for a perfect, bite-size spicy novella.

I'm a sucker for a hot vampire and this one got me. Told in dual POV (my favorite), we spend the majority of the story with Ari as she obsesses over the mysterious viola player who enters and disappears from her life just as quickly. There is something remarkably endearing about her, despite her willingness to indulge her obsessive tendencies to an uncomfortable degree. I couldn't help but want to root for her. I would have loved a little more into V's character because I am personally a gigantic fan of immortal/near-immortal beings having any kind of crisis of confidence. He is the most unique combination of Dom + artistic soul + cinnamon roll + lethal weapon that I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Spoiler below for the final ~25% of the book.

I would have given anything (ANYTHING) to have spent another 250 pages living in just the 19 day period where she finds V and he weighs what to do with her. If that 2.5 week period was the entire novella it would be an automatic 5-star read.

This novella was so enjoyable and I had a fantastic time reading it. Thank you so much to the author, K.I. Tolles, who so graciously sent me a copy of this delightful book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I can't wait to read more of her work.

[Stephie · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Actually 3.5 stars!) What a fun romp! Nocturne In Red is a dual POV stand-alone paranormal romance. It follows Ari, a girl desperate for an all consuming love, and V, a mysterious viola playing vampire.

This book was a quick, emotion filled read. It was well paced and I loved the ending. I thought that Katie's writing was vivid and detailed, I just wish it was longer! Don't hate me, but I did not like Ari in the beginning. She hung all of her worth on whichever man she was dating. She even talks about how she changes herself to fit into exactly when her current man wants. Once she found V, she became confident and asked for what she wanted, and I started to like her. I wish we could have learned more about V's background and find out about the things he did that drove him to create the rules he lived by. Actually, I wish we knew more about V overall. I really enjoyed the “playing with the prey” trope, it might be a new favourite of mine thanks to V and his games.

I really enjoyed this novella and will never look at viola players the same again!

3.5 out of 5 stars
3 out of 5 spicy peppers
Memorable line: “I'm yours. You can have me.”
Read this if you like: Paranormal romance, cliffhanger, instalove, obsession, predator x prey, vampires
F*ck appears: 27 times
Spicy chapters: 8, 9, 12

[Candace's_Book_Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one had me in a chokehold from the start.

Nocturne in Red is dark, obsessive, and just a little unhinged in the way that makes you keep turning pages even when you know you probably shouldn’t. Ari is messy in a very real way. She wants to be loved so badly it almost hurts to watch, and I actually appreciated that the story didn’t try to soften that. It made her choices make sense, even when I wanted to shake her a little.

And then there’s V… broody, distant, violin-playing vampire with that quiet intensity that feels more dangerous than outright chaos. Their dynamic leans hard into that predator/prey energy, but flipped just enough to keep it interesting. It’s obsessive, a little toxic, and very “this is going to end badly but I’m still here for it.”
The vibe is heavy on longing and tension, with moments where you’re not totally sure if what’s happening is romance or something darker. The spice definitely leans into that edge too, more hunger than softness.

My only real gripe is that I wanted more. Being a novella, everything moves quickly and I would’ve loved more time with them, more build, more interaction before the payoff. But for what it is, it still delivers a complete, satisfying arc.

If you like your vampire romance dark, fast, and a little obsessive with characters that feel slightly unhinged in the best way, this will absolutely hit.

[TheBookishGothGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars

This is a dark vampire romance so check your triggers please

I was lucky to be given the opportunity to read this early and I really enjoyed it.

Ari is a people pleaser, she's needy and to be honest, I found her quite easy to identify with (which was annoying because I found myself telling her off like I would myself for doing something stupid)
When her eyes meet those of a red haired stranger in a nightclub, she cannot get this man out of her head. She sees him everywhere and cant let it go that there is a connection with this man. When she's goes to a concert and he's sat there, first chair Violist, she knows there is more to this than just a chance glance in a club.

V is a dark, broody, classic vampire. Black suit, British accent, pale, keeps his distance from humans and human emotion.

The story is dark and emotional and with the she stalks him trope being central to the plot, it was a good twist on your classic vampire romance.

The spice is pretty hot and there are moments when you aren't entirely sure if its passion or murderous hunger so this adds to the heat of it all.

I would recommend this to other lovers of vampire romance with a little more darkness thrown in.

[CJ Greiser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, so… I did enjoy this as a novella, and the writing itself was strong enough to keep my attention the whole way through. The premise had a lot of potential, and I was definitely intrigued by the concept.

That said, I went into this expecting a darker, spicier read, and it didn’t quite deliver on that for me. The romance leans more toward closed-door, with intimacy that fades to black rather than being explored on the page. If you’re someone who prefers more explicit or emotionally intense scenes, this may feel a bit light.

As someone who reads a lot of dark romance, I personally wouldn’t categorize this as one. While the story includes elements like a mysterious vampire MMC, obsession from the FMC, and a brief on page feeding/kill scene, those aspects felt more conceptual than impactful.

For me, it was missing some of the core elements that typically define dark romance. The overall dynamic didn’t quite reach the level of emotional or on-page intensity I usually expect from the genre.

Overall, I did enjoy the story and think it has a solid foundation, but I found myself wishing for a bit more depth and payoff, especially in the relationship and emotional stakes.

[Ravenwood Archives · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to K.I. Tolles for the opportunity to read this ARC.

For me, Nocturne in Red reads in two distinct movements, almost like its own emotional symphony. The first half is where this book absolutely sang for me. The FMC’s inner world her spiraling thoughts, her vulnerabilities, the way she tries to make sense of herself felt so real and so familiar that I kept thinking, “Oh… I have absolutely been here.” Tolles captures that emotional terrain with precision.
As the story shifts into the romantic and relational arc, I found myself wanting… more. The connection between the FMC and MMC hits at a break‑neck pace, and while I understand the constraints of a novella, my heart wanted the space to sink into that intensity. I wanted the slow burn, the tension, the emotional gut‑punch — basically an extra 200 pages to let that relationship breathe and devastate me properly.
To be fair, this might just be a me‑thing. I’m a sucker for depth and lingering emotional build, and Tolles clearly knows how to deliver that. It’s simply hard to fit that level of connection into such a tight page count.

[steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d like to thank K.I Tolles for allowing me to have opportunity to read this!

Nocturne in Red is a dark, quick paced, paranormal romance.

The FMC is quite obsessive and a little unhinged. She is raw in how she feels, what she thinks and as you’ll learn, what she wants. She’s honestly relatable in so many ways that I’m not sure if I should be worried. 😂 She was written as if you were chatting when your best friend trying to hype her up but also be like WHAT ARE YOU DOING? I loved it.

Our MMC is moody, he’s dark, he’s mysterious and I love the build up (trying not to spoil anything) that we get leading up to meeting him.

Their dynamic was captivating to me, not like some HEA where you know all is well and things will work. This was more cat & mouse but who’s the cat, who is the mouse. The desire they had, the perfectly paced slow burn as we learn about them was written so well and so immersive.

The pacing of this book sold me on it, it was fast enough that you could build emotion towards the story but not so fast that you’re having to remember what happens when or feeling like you missed a moment.

I loved this novella and was so upset that it had to end, lol.

Tropes:
obsessive FMC
slow burn
cat & mouse dynamic
villain but self inflicted confusion MMC

[Kristiyana St · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ ARC review ✨

I devoured this so fast it barely stood a chance.

First of all… vampires. I already knew I was going to love it, and it did not disappoint. But what made it even better is the dynamic—she stalks him. Like??? The whole predator/prey energy is there, but flipped, and it feels so obsessive and intense in the best way.

This book is pure obsession meets immortality. The kind of love that isn’t soft or safe—it’s consuming, a little toxic, and honestly addictive to read. It’s very much that “I want you so much it hurts” kind of energy, and I was completely here for it.

And the spice?? Dark. Murderous. Exactly what this story needed. It’s not just chemistry—it’s hunger, control, and that edge of danger that makes everything feel heightened.

But what really got me is that underneath all the chaos and obsession, there’s that simple, painful desire—to be loved so much it hurts. And you feel that.

If you love vampires, fast-paced reads, and obsessive, slightly unhinged romance… you need to read this.

[Mira Gallow · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review

This was an entertaining novella about a troubled young woman desperate for love, haunted by the memory of a man who appeared to really see her. It was well-written, but the first part didn't really grip me because of the infodumps and the repetition in the inner dialogue. While self-pity and the overwhelming need to be wanted are good emotions, they were a little over the top. They were shown and told over and over again. For that reason, Ari as a character didn't have many layers. She felt reduced to her need, and after she met V, she was suddenly fearless and confident. The story could have benefited from some conflicting emotions on her part.
Like some of the other reviewers, I would have preferred to see more of the dynamics between Ari and V, especially after the long introduction to Ari's situation, and see V appear sooner in the book (also in terms of POV). Ah, tortured anti-heroes :)

[Crista Sedlacek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected this to be short and sweet as I saw a lot of the marketing from the author. I did think it was going to be a bit darker than it was but I'm not complaining.

I finished this book in one sitting. I liked the ending, leaving it up to the reader to read the last bit if they wanted. I thought that was a cool touch. I thought we'd get more spice to this but with it being short, I know we had less time to go through stuff. I felt like i got enough background and story from the author to really understand how the characters were feeling! I think I really wanted more of Vs perspective but totally understand with a novella that there isnt as much time.

I loved the obsession and that it was her who had it. Normally the man has the obsession with the woman! I enjoyed that she also knew that she wasn't happy in her relationship, i'm all for leave and do what makes you happy 👏

Thanks for the ARC 🫶🏻

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

This book is about Ari who becomes consumed by her obsession with a mysterious violist after a concert four years earlier. When she finally tracks him down in Milan their instant connection ignites a dangerous passion that threatens to ruin them both.
Nocturne in Red is a short story that packs a punch. I love the tension, the morally greyness, and the love story that feels both toxic and is inevitable. While this book is short the author manages to make the book feel complete. There were no pacing issues that often happen with short books.
It is no secret that I mostly prefer longer books because it gives room to flesh out characters more than is possible in short books. This book is no exception on that front. I would have loved more character development, for this book however the development was enough for the story.
This book left me wanting more, like what happened. And that is exactly what the author wanted.

[Tysha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is a dark vampire romance, filled with longing and obsession.

Would you give up everything for a man you don't know?

After an extremely public breakup in a club, Ari locks eyes with a mysterious red haired man, who is watching her from the second floor of the club. Even though not a word is spoken, this starts an obsession that will last years.

This story dragged me in, and refused to let go, and I really enjoyed it. There's something about a slow-burn that just keeps me reading, patiently waiting for the payoff. And what a payoff!! (And yes, I did read the epilogue, I couldn't resist.)

At 130 pages, this was the perfect read for in between longer stories, and if you enjoy slow burn vampire romance, if definitely recommend giving it a go too.

I received an ARC of this ebook from the author, and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.

[Merriann Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advance Copy Received from the Author

Starting a book from a new-to-you author is always a gamble, but Nocturne in Red absolutely paid off. I stumbled across this author on social media and couldn’t resist the promise of dark romance and vampires.

This novella was the perfect palette cleanser—short, fast-paced, and incredibly well-written. I devoured it in just a few hours. What truly hooked me was the sheer intensity of emotion the author poured into Ari’s obsession with V. Even after seeing him only once, her fixation is so palpable it kept me turning the pages late into the night.

The author masterfully blends several dark tropes, including:
Stalker FMC
Power imbalance & Predatory/Prey dynamics
Murderous spice
Morally black vampire MMC

If you’re looking for a quick, dark paranormal read with a FMC who is unhinged in the best way, I highly recommend this one.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ari is haunted by rejection, boyfriends, her mother, even a long term, caring lover of many years. When she spies a man with cherry red hair after a tough break up, she becomes infatuated. Who is this man with the cherry red hair?

"Nocturne in Red" is a well-written, uncomplicated novella. Ari's obsession grows over time, becoming desperate. It feels unnatural, as it should. The language and pacing drive across thenhunger she feels for him. She doesn't know her mystery man, but she needs him, even if she shouldn't. He has his own hunger. His frustration is palpable.

I loved both the original ending and the epilogue. They both somehow feel right. The story could go either way and I adore that.

[Printessan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this 3.5⭐️

This was a quick and easy read that pulled me in pretty fast. I liked the whole obsession vibe between Ari and V, it had that slightly unhinged feeling that makes you want to keep reading.
Ari was interesting, but also frustrating at times. You can really see how much she craves love, almost to the point where it becomes a bit too much. V on the other hand had that classic mysterious vampire energy, but I honestly wanted a bit more from him.
The story had a really good atmosphere and I liked the darker tone, but I kept wishing it was longer and a bit more intense. It felt like it could have gone deeper, both emotionally and story wise.
Still, I enjoyed it and read it in one sitting.

Thank you so much K.I for letting me be a part of your team.❤️🌺

[Crawrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a dark roller caster read this was!
But oh I loved it! The passion, the depth and the hotness.
V is such a dark soul, ruled by self control and have a shattered soul. While Ari who is a little unhinged, is in her obsession also very self aware and I enjoyed that the she was the stalker. I really loved this book, it's full of tension in all the best ways. It kept me in my toes and the story is so well written! The humour and loving spice mixed with the self reflection and darkness made this dark romance chefs kiss. I loved their dynamic!

If you love Dark romance, vampire MMC and a strong FMC I highly recommend this book.

I got this book for free as I'm an ARC reader, for an honest review.

[Aura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc reader review.

Because of her. Her. Her.

I knew the book would be short, but invested in Ari's research of her violist I started to forget and then came then end. I would have read 200, 300 pages more but I am still happy with the novella format.

You managed to put so many emotions in so little pages. The desperation, the need for more, the human need to be desired and loved.

Even if Ari and V's story ends here, they will remain in my heart. Ari's unconditional love mixed with the sound of V's viola.

And the writing was, as good as I expected, obviously. Thank you for letting me be part of their story.

[Annie (Houseofbooksandboardgames) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nocturne in Red was a quick, enjoyable read. I felt like the prose worked really well for the vibe the author was going for. Having her stalk him was a fun twist on the typical tropes in a vampire romance. Ari makes some very questionable decisions but I still wanted things to go well for her.

I would say this was not as dark as I was expecting and I would probably describe V as more morally grey than black. I personally would have preferred if less time was spent on the time between when they first saw each other to when they actually meet since it is a novella but I understand what the author was going for with that section.

Thanks to the author for the ARC!

[Faiza BEGUM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn’t love a dark vampire romance ?! Cause im obsessed with them. And this book ? Became one of my favourite 🤩.

Ari a people pleaser get obsessed and fall for a stranger who came to her life and disappeared without a word. She start to see him everywhere she goes. Her obsession grew more and more. She then attend a concert in Milan and meet with certain violist. She immediately knew that there’s more then what she saw.

V is the mysterious vampire. Watching Ari being obsessed with him awake something in him.

Honestly this book is so good that I finished it in one go without even putting it down.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and fast paced novella that pulled me in from the start! 😊
We follow Ari as she searches for a mysterious man from a club who has disappeared into the night. Initially she gives up and lives a normal life but something always pulls her to find V again so she leaves her comfy life in search of danger and mystery!
V is a tortured soul who lives a completely solitary life and never leaves someone alive who may remember him but could Ari finally change this for him?
This was a quick novella that was full of dark parts and fast spice with some vampire fun along the way and honestly I would have loved for this to be a full length novel as well! 😍💕