Shadows of Light

The Dark Canvas #1

by Anastasia Wilder

If The Devil Wears Pradawas a dark romance with mafia ties, high-stakes suspense, and spice that lingers. Perfect for readers who love the obsessive tension of You, the grit of The Bear, the glamour and pressure of The Devil Wears Prada, and the dark, morally gray romance of Rina Kent, Tate James, J.T Geissinger, and L.J. Shen.


In the city that never sleeps, one woman is unraveling—memory by memory, touch by touch.

Beatrix Mercer has spent years perfecting three specific her career as a fashion conservator, a carefully curated reputation, and her refusal to fall for a man.

But when fractured memories break through and shadows start to close in, her grip on reality starts to slip. She’s felt it for years—what it’s like to be watched, to sense eyes where they shouldn’t be, phantom touches when no one is there.

Then, he appears.

Gabriel Di Rossi. Enigmatic. Intense. Impossible to ignore.

Their connection is electric, but as lust tangles with obsession and trust erodes under the weight of secrets, Beatrix must ask is Gabriel her salvation…or her ruin?

Some memories refuse to stay buried.
Some truths won’t let you forget.


Tropes : Morally gray anti-hero, he’s obsessed, touch her and die, stalker, grumpy x life of the party, curvy/plus-size FMC, body positivity, kink exploration, “talks her through it,” who did this to you, found family, Met Gala glamour, high-fashion world, organized crime, psychological tension, mental health rep, disability representation.
Setting : New York City.

Content warnings available at Anastasia Wilder’s website.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Contemporary, Romance, Mafia Romance

389 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2026

About the author

Anastasia Wilder is a dark romance author who writes morally grey stories for readers who want to be seen, desired, and worshipped. The kind of stories that have velvet-wrapped romance, laced with shadows and desire—and thoughts that linger.

She writes love that is fierce, flawed, and anything but safe.

Anastasia lives in the Midwest with her husband and two fur babies. When she’s not falling for morally grey heroes, wing leaders, or a certain territorial fae bastard, she can be found skiing, traveling, daydreaming, or swinging in her hammock with a cocktail and book in hand.

Reviews

[Mel D · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Advanced Copy Read Review (my first-excited squealing)

Shadows of the Light by Anastasia Wilder had me HOOKED!!! Once I started I could stop until I had finished.

This story pulls you in with an intoxicating blend of tension, emotion, and mystery that makes it impossible to put down. From the very first chapter, the atmosphere feels intense and electric, drawing you deeper into a world filled with secrets and hidden motives.

The main character, Beatrix, The Goddess herself, is incredibly compelling. She is strong, intelligent, and determined, yet the cracks in her confidence slowly begin to show as the story unfolds. Watching her struggle between strength and vulnerability makes her journey feel raw and authentic. I could find myself relating to her more and more as the story progressed. Her experiences and growth add emotional depth that keeps you invested in every moment.

Then there is the Chef himself—mysterious, magnetic, and impossible to ignore. He brings a constant sense of tension to the story, leaving you questioning his intentions. Is he protecting her, or is he part of the darkness surrounding her? Their chemistry is intense and emotional, making every interaction feel powerful. Some say “Yes, Chef” I would add ‘More, Chef’ Please, Chef’ and ‘Yes, Sir’.

The setting and atmosphere add another layer to the story. The world feels glamorous/freeing, while maintaining a dangerous/eery edge at the same time.

Yes, I cried several times while reading this book and needless to say it has my gripped my heart and I am anxiously awaiting the continuation.

[Melissa Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. OMG what a roller coaster ride that had me staying up late to read. I did not want to put it down it had me at the edge of my seat. The chemistry that these two had was amazing! He wanted to keep her safe at all costs. The spice was spicy 🥵. If you love dark suspense then you will love this!! The end oh my what a cliffhanger!! Please read your triggers!!

“Perfect for readers who love the obsessive tension of You, the glamour and pressure of The Devil Wears Prada, and the dark, morally gray romance of Rina Kent, Tate James, J.T. Geissinger and L.J. Shen.


In the city that never sleeps, one woman is unraveling—memory by memory, touch by touch.

Beatrix Mercer has spent years perfecting three specific things: her career as a fashion conservator, a carefully curated reputation, and her refusal to fall for a man.

But when fractured memories break through and shadows start to close in, her grip on reality starts to slip. She’s felt it for years—what it’s like to be watched, to sense eyes where they shouldn’t be, phantom touches when no one is there.

Then, he appears.

Gabriel Di Rossi. Enigmatic. Intense. Impossible to ignore.

Their connection is electric, but as lust tangles with obsession and trust erodes under the weight of secrets, Beatrix must ask herself: is Gabriel her salvation…or her ruin?

Some memories refuse to stay buried.
Some truths won’t let you forget.


Tropes: Morally gray anti-hero, he’s obsessed, touch her and die, stalker, grumpy x life of the party, curvy/plus-size FMC, body positivity, kink exploration, “talks her through it,” who did this to you, found family, Met Gala glamour, high-fashion world, organized crime, psychological tension, mental health rep, disability representation.
Setting: New York City.”

[Isabella Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

"𝖄𝖔𝖚'𝖗𝖊 𝖌𝖔𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖑𝖆𝖞 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖑𝖊𝖙 𝖒𝖊 𝖐𝖓𝖊𝖊𝖑 𝖆𝖙 𝖆𝖓 𝖆𝖑𝖙𝖆𝖗. 𝕴'𝖒 𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖘𝖍𝖎𝖕.”

Yes, Chef...Yes, Chef...YES, CHEF!!! Holy hot balls this book was NOT what I was expecting but I loved it anyway...I don't know that I have all the words to describe this book...it is a wild ride and it DOES end on a cliffhanger, so just keep that in mind when reading it...it's like a really long tease...it will be worth it in the end 😉

Beatrix is our sassy, classy and all the bad a**y that you will ever need in an FMC. Shes curvy and so confident, we love a body positive queen. She has secrets, secrets she has worked VERY HARD to keep hidden, annnnddddd most of them we the reader still don't know lol BUT THAT'S OK!! We will find out when we are supposed to.

Gabriel, or Chef Gabriel as he prefers, is our deliciously sinful MMC with a past as dark as the pans he cooks with. He is an ex Mafia unaliver, don't even know how one comes to be that, turned chef. Such an odd switch of careers, but honestly it works for him.

Bea and Gabriel meet when she dines at one of his restaurants, and the man is INSTANTLY obsessed. He has found his goddess and is ready to worship at her alter. Loving her no nonsense attitude and spitfire personality...the curves don't hurt either. But when Bea has her friend leave a review of the restaurant, hes not that excited about it and leaves her a criptic message which leads these two into a very hot, very spicy relationship. If you know anything about Anastasia Wilder's writing, you know her spice is SPICY...so like....read in a cold area or literally in the cold shower, have whatever device you need handy, because it gets HOT in that kitchen and you will be yelling, "YES CHEF!| repeatedly.

Now, it's not all sunshine and dasies and hand necklaces...that would be boring. Bea has a stalker, because who wouldn't want to stalk this literal marvel of a woman. No but seriously, it's a problem and it threatens to break everything she worked so hard to keep together. Once Gabriel finds out about this, he is on full alert. His focus is SOLEY on keeping Bea safe...but will her dark past come and ruin everything they have built? Or is our Chef ready to head back to the old job to protect the woman he loves?

Thank you SO MUCH to Anastasia Wilder for giving me the incredible opportunity to ARC read this phenomenal book!!!

❤️‍🔥Dark Romance
❤️‍🔥Morally Grey MMC
❤️‍🔥Curvy FMC
❤️‍🔥YES CHEF!!
❤️‍🔥Touch Her and .....
❤️‍🔥Ex Mafia Unaliver Turned Chef
❤️‍🔥Stalking
❤️‍🔥He Worships Her
❤️‍🔥Enemies to Lovers
❤️‍🔥Fast Burn
❤️‍🔥Dual POV
❤️‍🔥Cliffhanger

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️ 2/5

This book was a little maddening. It felt like there was no clear focus in the story; as if it could go in any direction. Also, there was a cliffhanger which wasn’t noted anywhere. I received an eARC, but the copy I read was more rough draft material than eARC material, with all of the spelling and grammar errors.

There was a lot of background and context missing, too. By the end of the story, I had more questions than I did starting the book. Why is Beatrix getting these flashbacks and eerie feelings? Who is stalking her? How does her family fit into her life currently? Why did Gabriel leave his mafia ties and does he have any connection to Beatrix? What about Lola and her family? How did Giuliana come about and why is she bullying Beatrix? There were a lot of side characters’ stories that I didn’t understand how they integrate into the story. Or maybe their stories not important or relevant to the story at all?

This book at first looked interesting, but I do think this needs a few more rounds of edits. I am unsure if I will read the sequel.

Thank you Anastasia Wilder and Luna Literary Management for providing this e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

#ShadowsofLight #AnastasiaWilder #ARC

[Tara Malta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book grips you from the beginning and takes you on a wild ride and has you guessing until the cliffhanger of who the big baddie is!

[Danielle (tbr to epilogue) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book keeps you guessing!
Guarded Beatrix has a mysterious past and she is hesitant but feisty when she first meets Gabriel, a man with secrets himself.
When she is being stalked he is willing to do everything he can to keep her safe including returning to his dark past.
Bea and Gabriel have amazing chemistry and the spice is spicy.
Trying to figure out what is going on with the stalker and Bea’s fears keeps you guessing and trying to figure out who to trust.
And that cliffhanger had me almost crushing my Kindle.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ ┇ Bookstagram ┇ BookTok

This book is an absolute roller coaster that keeps you guessing from start to finish. Beatrix is guarded, feisty, and hiding a mysterious past, while Gabriel is a man with secrets of his own—an ex-mafia killer willing to return to his dark ways to protect her at any cost. When Bea becomes the target of a stalker, aka “the Watcher,” the tension skyrockets, leaving you constantly questioning who to trust and what really happened in her past.

The chemistry between Bea and Gabriel is undeniable, with tension that burns hotter on every page. He’s intensely obsessed in the best way, and she’s a confident, curvy heroine who refuses to back down—even when fear creeps in. I’ll always love a curvy FMC paired with an MMC who is completely devoted and unapologetically body-positive.

This is packed with danger, suspense, irresistible heat, with twists that keep you hooked from start to finish. And that ending—completely unhinged. An unforgettable cliffhanger that will have you desperate for more!


‎‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧

➳❥ Dark Romance
➳❥ Morally Grey MMC
➳❥ Curvy FMC
➳❥ Touch Her & Die
➳❥ Ex-Mafia Killer turned Chef
➳❥ Stalking
➳❥ He Worships Her

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼

"It's a dress, not a yes, dickhead."

"You're going to lay there and let me kneel at an altar. I'm here to worship.”

“I want you more than air in my lungs, and if you let me, I would drag you into the fiery depths of hell with me-just to not be away from you for a day."

"You know as well as I do that beauty comes in all forms. And I crave yours."

"Everyone else is a candle, and you're the volcano remaking the world. You've remade my world."

[tattyabbsreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️
4/5 🌶️

Shadows of Light by Anastasia Wilder follows Beatrix, a career driven woman who lives in NYC and works at the MET. She is a confident plus size woman who loves the fashion world and wants to have a brand of her own one day. She meets Chef Gabriel (by coincidence) at his restaurant and then later has her best friend (a publicist, Lola) write a review regarding his restaurant. Gabriel is obsessed with Bea at first site because of her sass, beauty, and the fact that she puts up with his brooding behavior. Gabriel finds a review written about his restaurant that he doesn’t like and he thinks he knows who’s behind it. Bea tries to immediately put distance between herself and Gabriel because of his response to the article “I will find you”, but that doesn’t work in her favor for long…..

This book is so so good and deliciously spicy. Gabriel has a filthy mouth and Bea isn’t afraid to ask for what she wants. Bea has a consistent feeling throughout the book of being stalked or watched but isn’t sure if it’s paranoia or realty. The “watcher” is an unknown character who has everyone in the book asking, “who the heck are you?”. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that was dark romance and suspense, but I hope all of them are this good and page turning. The entirety of the book has you wanting to keep going to find out what happens next. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series as it did end on a cliffhanger that had my jaw dropping.

Tropes:

- Touch her and 💀
- Plus size FMC
- Ex Mafia MMC
- “yes chef”
- Enemies to lovers
- Fast burn

This book was sent to me as an ARC by Anastasia Wilder and Luna Literary. Thank you to both for allowing me to read this fantastic book and review it honestly. 🖤🌶️

This book is out March 26th and the second book in this series, Rays of Darkness, is next to follow soon.

[Casie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had nooooo idea what to expect from this book… Is it dark? spicy? Now that I’ve read it, it’s soooo much more than that. First, I love our fmc Beatrix and I love the friendship she has with Lola even more!!! the fact that their relationship through the whole entire book never waivers and I love that!!
So this book is such a mix of things right? It definitely has the Devil wears Prada vibes, but I like that it’s very detailed in a more intricate inside look at what a career fashion design may be like.
Now… I like to think that I have a love affair with food so any book that has cooking in it, not to mention a chef like our mmc Gabriel - I’m going to devour (see what I did there? lol). And honestly, a lot of my highlights from the book are when food is mentioned lol
I will say at first when the spice hit it’s sort of felt a tiny bit repetitive, but that quickly changed for the better!!
I like that this is a mafia and stalker romance as well, but those aren’t the only plots in the storyline and I feel like as the story developed so did the characters but at the same time I feel like the more we got to know those characters, there are some secrets or things that are yet to be revealed.
Okay but never did I think this book would end like that???! Omg!!!!! I had no idea that this was not a standalone, but I’m super excited about this!!! I cannot wait for the next book!!!

I received this book as an arc from Luna literary but all of my opinions are my own.

[Brimstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think it's ever been hard to read a book by Anastasia Wilder 😩 i get so caught up in how much she can pull you in, and then spit you out with the cliffhangers that she throws you off of 💀😭
i absolutely adored, getting to see Beatrix fall for Gabriel but teetering on the knife of danger with a stalker threatening to ruin it all. who he needs to be in order to keep her safe vs the live he wanted out of will be the death of him. but the fire between them was hotter than any kitchen and you can definitely tell that these 2 are going to fight thru trenches to get back to the sun. I want to dive into this world nd I know that this is going to be one hell of a series. I cannot wait for more in book 2, because oh my God, are you kidding me? I knew it was him, and even if it's not him. I'm still gonna be mad because I absolutely cannot contain my excitement and and my panic at what happens at the end. I thought we were getting somewhere. I thought you were gonna do something good for me?! But no, you just said, absolutely not. kicked me in the shins, then ran!! Anastasia, I will be patiently waiting to arc book 2 as well. And until then, fall in love @ the front row seated at the chef's table. Even if it's gonna break your heart Shadows of Light was worth every page ✨️🖤🌶

[Cocolici · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I’ve read a dark romance that felt this right in every sense. This was one of those books I genuinely didn’t want to end.

And Gabe… oh wow. A hot, pierced, tattooed chef x mafia? That man checked every single box for me.

Some authors can write spice well and others really shouldn’t attempt it, but Anastasia Wilder absolutely understood the assignment. Gabe has the perfect filthy mouth without ever crossing into cringe territory. It’s confident, intense, and completely addictive.

Needless to say, 𝙶𝚊𝚋𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚘𝚏𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚌𝚕𝚊𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚙𝚘𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚃𝚘𝚙 𝟻 𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝙱𝚘𝚢𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜. Welcome, gorgeous Gabe… take your place. 🥵

𝙸𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞’𝚛𝚎 𝚌𝚛𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚊𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚝 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚕𝚢, 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚊𝚋𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚞𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚍𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜

[Kristen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an amazing experience with this new author! There were elements of Devil Wears Prada along with mafia vibes. Gabriel - master chef but also with past ties to the mafia, is drawn to Beatrix who clearly has someone stalking her. She is a talented young woman working at the Met. A stalker is attempting to send “presents” to Beatrix and she is feeling more and more threatened. She has her best friend, Lola, who is her ride or die partner in life. There is a lot of tension between Gabriel and Beatrix throughout the book as she senses she’s in danger and he is trying to cover up his past with how he protects her.

This is great for those who love the following tropes:

🖤Morally gray anti-hero
🖤Stalker
🖤Curvy FMC
🖤Found Family
🖤”Who did this to you?”
🖤Touch her and ☠️
🖤Body positivity
🖤Organized crime

I absolutely loved that he couldn’t stay away from Beatrix even when he felt like that would be the best thing for her. Who doesn’t love an MMC who will sacrifice his own wants for those of his love??

[Janalee Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This book is dark, tense, and seriously steamy.

Beatrix, is career-driven, fashion-loving, works at the MET in NYC and fully owns who she is. A confident, plus-size queen with big dreams and no intention of playing small.

And then there's Gabriel... chef, ex-mafia enforcer, and a walking red flag, but the kind you knowingly ignore (yes, chef).

Their meet-cute is not sweet, but their chemistry is immediate, explosive, and full of tension. Add in a restaurant review he definitely didn't like, secrets that refuse to stay buried, and pasts that come back with a vengeance, and suddenly everything feels like it could fall apart at any moment.

Will their chemistry and undeniable connection be enough to break down the walls around their hearts and help them find their way to each other through the darkness?

[Brit Kirkwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fantastic. My sweet spot is a romantic suspense. This was leaning slightly more towards dark - especially in a psychological aspect. It had an eerie feeling throughout and I was hooked. Gabriel had me saying “yes, chef” right along with Beatrix through the book. Do yourself a favor and grab this book immediately.

[Tay_is_reading_again · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was NOT expecting a cliffhanger ending so that kinda surprised me. This was good! It’s a romantic suspense with spice. It was on my Kink & Ink TBR and I’m glad I read it!!

[Karma Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the city that never sleeps, one woman is unraveling—memory by memory, touch by touch. 🩸

Some memories refuse to stay buried.
Some truths won’t let you forget.

Tropes:
🖤 Morally gray anti-hero
🖤 Touch her and die
🖤 Broody x Life of the Part energy
🖤 Curvy FMC & body positivity
🖤 Met Gala glamour + Mafia

✨️Beta Read✨️

Reservations required. ❤️‍🔥💋

[ItzameMari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devil Wears Prada + morally grey stalker + chef de cuisine = a book you don’t put on the back burner!

Curves and spice and everything nice is what Anastasia delivers in this deliciously moving book. I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in one sitting. 10/10!

I give this 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ and felt an emotional connection with our FMC. If this isnt on your TBR, add it now.

[Kayla.bookish26 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows of Light – Anastasia Wilder (ARC Review)

Tropes:
🖤 Dark Romance
❤️Life of the Party FMC
🖤Grumpy, Elusive MMC
❤️Stalker
🖤 “Yes Chef”
❤️Primal, Blood, Knife, and Breath Play

The mouth on that man 🫠. I loved his character the most. The man that I am referring to is none other than Gabriel Di Rossi. The main MMC in this deviously dark gripping romance. I was obsessed with this book and could not put it down. It immediately draws you in and does not let you go until the very end. This book is packed full of tension, mystery, suspense, and a burning chemistry. Beatrix always has the feeling of being watched and as her memory starts to crack, the shadows start to creep in.

I loved Beatrix. She was determined, strong, and so very smart. She works for the MET in New York City. I loved her confidence as a plus sized woman in the fashion industry. One day she has the hopes of starting her own brand.

Gabriel is a chef and ex mafia, at the start of the book. He soon realizes that he is willing to return to that life if it means he can protect Beatrix. He literally assigns a squad of men to protect her. I loved that about this book, his overbearing protectiveness was hot, to say the least. This book keeps you guessing, with twists and the tension over the fact that Gabriel could be the on that she needs protection from.

Blurb from the Author:
In the city that never sleeps, one woman is unraveling—memory by memory, touch by touch.

Beatrix Mercer has spent years perfecting three specific her career as a fashion conservator, a carefully curated reputation, and her refusal to fall for a man.

But when fractured memories break through and shadows start to close in, her grip on reality starts to slip. She’s felt it for years—what it’s like to be watched, to sense eyes where they shouldn’t be, phantom touches when no one is there.

Then, he appears.

Gabriel Di Rossi. Enigmatic. Intense. Impossible to ignore.

Their connection is electric, but as lust tangles with obsession and trust erodes under the weight of secrets, Beatrix must ask is Gabriel her salvation…or her ruin?

Some memories refuse to stay buried.
Some truths won’t let you forget.


Tropes : Morally gray anti-hero, he’s obsessed, touch her and die, stalker, grumpy x life of the party, curvy/plus-size FMC, body positivity, kink exploration, “talks her through it,” who did this to you, found family, Met Gala glamour, high-fashion world, organized crime, psychological tension, mental health rep, disability representation.

I would like to thank Luna Literary and Anastasia Wilder for the chance to read this amazing book. These are my honest thoughts in exchange for an Advanced Reader Copy.

[Gina Blades · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ 3.5-4🌶️ ARC REVIEW: 📖 SHADOWS OF LIGHT 📖 by Anastasia Wilder ✨ This is book 1 in the Dark Canvas series. It’s dark, tense, suspenseful, and SPICY. Gabriel is a chef (can we say, ‘yes, chef’? 🥵) with a dark past, and uses his mafia connections to protect Beatrix from a stalker. She’s confident and owns who she is but is feeling out of control. Gabriel is a walking red flag but helps her reclaim her power. He calls her goddess, takes edging and hand necklaces seriously, knows creative uses for a mirror 🪞, and always is a consent king 🤴. This ended on a surprise cliffhanger, and I’m excited to read the continuation in book 2 ASAP.

A blank canvas is hope.

Gabriel di Rossi is a Fiorello family mafia enforcer turned Michelin-seeking chef. Beatrix Mercer is a fashion conservator for the Costume Institute at the Met in NYC, but her dream is to open her own atelier. Beatrix dines at his chefs table one night and it’s definitely not a meet-cute. 🤣 Then one night Beatrix is attacked and Gabriel saves her. Gabriel gets her home safely and realizes someone is watching her. He’s obsessed and vows to protect her.

Gabriel is dangerous but not to her. He thinks he’s a monster, irredeemable. He’s methodical in his cooking and life. He thrives on control and precise calculations. Cooking is his love language.

She’s bold, unapologetic, and independent. Gabriel loves that she’s sassy, sarcastic and isn’t afraid to tell him what she wants 🛏️. 👌🏻👏🏻 He worships every inch of her. He wants to be the man she needs and deserves.

❤️ 🖐️🐱
❤️ He likes to eat 🐱
❤️ Aftercare
❤️ Dirty mouth/he talks her through it 😮‍💨
❤️ Good girl
❤️ Eyes 👀 on me
❤️ He cleans 👅 his fingers
❤️ He pushes it back in 💦
❤️ Primal/blood/knife play 🩸
❤️ Creative use of a wall
❤️ 🍑 play
❤️ Toys as teammates

Favorite quotes:
"You say the word and I stop. But until then, you're mine. Say it."
"Until I say stop."

"You're going to lay there and let me kneel at an altar. I'm here to worship.”

The same man whose intensity scares me is the same man who wants to protect me.

"All I want for my birthday is to fall asleep with your taste on my tongue."

“I like to learn someone before I ruin them.”

"Until I say, this is just us, just fun."
"I'll take what my goddess gives me."

Read this if you like:
*Dark romance
*Mafia romance
*Morally gray chef MMC
*Fashion conservator FMC
*Suspense
*He’s pierced
*Praise
*Grief
*Trauma/healing
*Mental health/therapy rep

Content warning: flashbacks to child abuse, domestic violence, panic attacks, violence, death of parent, murder, torture, stalking

Thank you to Anastasia and Luna Literary for letting me read/review. All opinions are my own.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know where to BEGIN with this one because my brain is still somewhere in New York, staring over my shoulder like Beatrix, wondering if Gabriel is about to step out of the shadows 😩

Shadows of Light is not just a book, it’s a whole fever dream wrapped in silk and danger. It’s glossy Met Gala glamour on the outside and something dark, obsessive, and razor-sharp underneath. And I ate. it. UP.

Beatrix Mercer??? I loved her immediately. She’s curated, controlled, put-together to the point of fragility… and then you start seeing the cracks. The memories slipping. The feeling of being watched. Those little moments where reality feels like it’s tilting just slightly off-center?? It’s so eerie and addictive. You don’t just read her spiral, you feel it. I was side-eyeing every scene like “WAIT… is this real or am I losing it too??”

And then… Gabriel Di Rossi enters and just absolutely ruins any sense of safety.

This man is not a green flag. He’s not even a red flag. He’s the entire warning siren blaring at full volume and I STILL said “yes, absolutely, come closer.” The obsession?? The intensity?? The way he exists in that space between protector and threat?? I was unwell. Completely unwell.

The dynamic between them is EVERYTHING. It’s that delicious push and pull where you don’t know if you want them to kiss or fight or combust. The “touch her and die” energy is STRONG, but it’s layered with this almost hypnotic control, especially in those moments where he talks her through things?? I’m sorry but I had to put the book down and stare at a wall for a second 🫠

And can we talk about the VIBES. The high-fashion world, the pressure, the power plays, the underground threads of organized crime woven through couture and champagne?? It felt decadent and dangerous, like diamonds hiding knives.

What really got me though was how much depth there is beneath the obsession. The mental health rep, the way Beatrix’s reality fractures, the exploration of trust and control and identity… it’s not just dark for the aesthetic. It means something. It lingers.

Also, the found family?? Needed that softness because everything else had me gripping the edge of my sanity.

By the end I was fully feral, heart racing, emotionally compromised, and still wanting MORE. Beatrix and Gabriel have that kind of connection that doesn’t just burn… it consumes. The kind you know is dangerous but you lean in anyway.

Five stars, no notes, I would willingly let this book ruin me again and again 😌🔥

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨️ARC REVIEW✨️

4.5🌟

4.5🌶

⚠️Check your triggers⚠️


Thank you to Anastasia Wilder and Luna Literary Management for the opportunity to read this enthralling story. 


Beatrix Mercer has clawed her way to the top of the MET’s fashion conservation department. She’s finally given the promotion she has been gunning for. Though it comes with more challenges than she anticipated. Her first assignment is to plan the annual gala and with the antagonistic marketing lead. But Beatrix’s best friend, a food critic, is determined to celebrate Beatrix’s win with reservations to Sinner’s Only, a high-end exclusive restaurant. Only Beatrix is left to celebrate on her own and she is given a spot at the elusive chef’s table. That one night of celebration leads Beatrix onto a path she can’t come back from. As Beatrix is navigating the trials of planning the Gala and her strong pull to Gabriel di Rossi, she is unnerved by the discovery that she has a stalker and shadows from her past threaten to tear apart everything she has worked for.


Gabriel di Rossi, once the most feared enforcer in the Italian mafia, is carving a life for himself and his brother through his restaurant. One night, at his chef table a beautiful woman challenges his iron grasp on his kitchen. He is enthralled with her and forces his way into Beatrix’s life. In the throws of his obsession, he discovers that she is in danger. The only question is, are they remnants of his past or something more dangerous?


This story scratched the exact itch I have had for a good mafia romance. The intensity Beatrix and Gabriel had for each other burned bright from their first meeting. Anastasia Wilder created the perfect blend of mystery with Beatrix's stalker and yearning with the back and forth between our two MCs. I never knew what the next page was going to bring and I was feral for it. Gabriel brought major Doberman vibes to his sheer obsession of Beatrix. His intense loyalty and need to protect her had me melting. The twists this story took have me on a knife’s edge and I cannot wait to see what curveballs Wilder will through at us and bring these two back from the brink.


Tropes:

Dark Romance

Life of the Party FMC

Grumpy, Elusive MMC

Body Positivity

She has a Stalker

He Reads a Spicy Book Just for Her

Traumatic Pasts 

"Yes, Chef"

Kinks: Primal, Blood, Knife, and Breath Play


Favorite Quotes:

"A woman so beautiful that even Caravaggio would beg her to let him paint her. A rare ingredient, indeed.”


“What I feel now, with whatever Beatrix is stirring in me, that’s something else. Because it makes me want to be better than who I was. Who I am. And do worse things to those who would threaten her. A goddess among men.”


“He looks like an angel in the light and a devil in the shadows.”


“When he kisses me, it’s ruin and safety and salvation all at once.”


“You’re going to lay there and let me kneel at an altar. I’m here to worship.”


“I want you more than air in my lungs, and if you let me, I would drag you into the fiery depths of hell with me— just to not be away from you for a day.”


“She saw the monster in me and didn’t back down. She met it with her own.”


I received an advanced copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The above opinions are my own.

[Summer M {sum.mun.reads} · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5/5🌟

I had to gather my thoughts for a whole day before writing this review and that cemented the fact that this is a 5 star read! Back story on me. I am not typically a dark romance girlie. Sure, I read Fifty Shades back in the day…but that’s actually the extent of it. When this book was described as The Devil Wears Prada meets dark suspenseful romance with an ex-mafia now-turned chef and a confident, curvy fashion curator…my interest was piqued. I enjoy a little suspense…occasionally. This book held me in its grip from the first page. I couldn’t look away. And most importantly, she made me love these characters! I am invested in them! To me, that’s super important in a spicy book. If I don’t truly care for the characters then I just glaze over the spice. Homegirl had me hooked on this chef and this fiery curvy bombshell! Please be aware that this is book one and will leave you on a killer cliffhanger! (Anastasia…whyyyy?! 🫠😏😉) I am ready for book two immediately, thank you! 🧎🏻‍♀️
She’s a spicyyyy girl, okay?! Like 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. Open door, descriptive, dirty talking spice…with kinks. Check your TW, but I probably don’t have to tell the dark romance girlies that! 😉
This is a good book! Thank you so much to the author and to Iris Influencer Society for the eARC! This voluntary review is my honest thoughts and opinions about the book. I think you’ll love this book if you love:

🖤morally grey anti hero
🥞touch her and 💀
🖤stalker
🥞curvy FMC
🖤mental health rep
🥞found family
🖤high fashion world
🥞organized crime
🖤psychological tension
🥞NYC setting
🖤dual pov
🥞open door spice with kink exploration

And if you’re wondering why I chose a stack of pancakes as my emoji…wouldn’t you like to know 😏 Read the book! And then come back to my review and throw some pancakes in the comments! 😉

Quotes:

“You want it messy. You want it dark. Let me give it to you.”

“Okay.” I release a shaky breath and nod. “Until I say, this is just us, just fun.”
“I’ll take what my goddess gives me.”

“You know as well as I do that beauty comes in all forms.” He pauses. “And I crave yours.”

“The only pain I’m going to cause,” I continue, dragging my thumb up her spine, grounding her, “is the pain you beg me for.”

“Everyone else is a candle, and you’re the volcano remaking the world. You’ve remade my world.”

‘Control isn’t about what I can do. It’s about what I choose not to do.’

[Cassandra Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I genuinely do not even know where to begin with Shadows of Light by Anastasia Wilder because this book had me absolutely HOOKED from the very first page. 😭🖤✨

This story is such an intoxicating blend of psychological tension, glamour, obsession, and mystery that once I started, I genuinely could not put it down.

Beatrix completely stole my heart. 😌✨
She’s strong, intelligent, talented, and so beautifully layered. I loved watching her navigate this high-pressure, glamorous New York world while the cracks in her reality slowly begin to show. The memory gaps, the constant feeling of being watched, and that eerie sense that something isn’t quite right had me side-eyeing every chapter. 👁️🖤

The atmosphere of this book is EVERYTHING.

It feels luxurious and dangerous all at once; like couture gowns, champagne, and flashing camera lights on the surface, with something dark and unsettling lurking just underneath. It honestly gave me Met Gala glamour meets psychological suspense and I ate it UP. ✨🥂🖤

And then there’s Gabriel Di Rossi. 😮‍💨🍽️🔥

This man walked into the story and immediately changed the entire vibe.

Mysterious. Intense. Morally gray. Completely impossible to ignore.

Every scene with him felt heavier in the best way. There’s this constant question hanging over every interaction: is he protecting her… or pulling her deeper into the darkness?

And honestly?? I didn’t even care because I was sat. 👀🖤

Their chemistry is so intense and emotionally charged. The push and pull between them had me completely locked in, and the worship/protective energy?? PLEASE. 🫠🔥

The “touch her and die” vibes were immaculate, and yes… apparently I, too, now have a chef kink because the only thing running through my mind was yes chef 😌🍽️🖤

This book gave:
✨ morally gray chef MMC
✨ plus size FMC
✨ dark romance + suspense
✨ touch her and 💀
✨ obsession / stalker vibes
✨ luxury fashion backdrop
✨ found family moments
✨ cliffhanger that emotionally attacked me 😭

And that ending???
ABSOLUTELY NOT. ❌😭

I need book two immediately because what do you mean it ends THERE??

Five stars, no notes, and I would absolutely let Gabriel ruin my peace again. 🖤✨

[Harmeet Kaur Ghai · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW✨❤️‍🔥

Gabriel Di Rossi🤤
yeah let’s start there because this man walked into the story and immediately changed the vibe for me 👀🖤 like from his first appearance i already knew i was going to be paying attention to everything he did.

this book had tension, mystery, emotion and spice and i was hooked from the first chapter. the whole time i kept feeling like something wasn’t adding up in the background and it made me want to keep reading just to figure out what was really going on.

our fmc our goddess 😌 is strong, intelligent and incredibly talented and i loved how she never lost herself even when things around her started feeling confusing and slightly off. the memory gaps and that constant feeling that someone might be watching her honestly made the story feel so much more intense.

and gabriel?? mysterious. intense. very hard to ignore. there’s something about him that just makes every scene feel heavier in the best way and i genuinely found myself waiting for him to show up again.

their dynamic had that strong protective energy that i always fall for 🤌🏻 and the whole vibe of this book honestly felt like the devil wears prada meets YOU, luxury, fashion and power on the surface but something darker quietly running underneath it all 🖤👁️

also the restaurant name sinners only?? perfect. no notes.

and the worship energy in this book???🥵
“i’ll take what my goddess gives me”
“your curves are art”
“i want to put you on an altar and let others see what they can’t have”
yeah… i get it gabriel. i completely understand actually 😌

overall this book had mystery, tension, emotional moments and the spice was spicing 🌶️ because gabriel di rossi absolutely knew what he was doing👀😌

BUT THAT CLIFFHANGER??? absolutely not ❌

Anastasia you cannot leave me like that i need book 2 immediately because what do you mean it ends there 😭🖤

thank you for the ARC copy ✨ i’m so excited (and slightly stressed) to see what happens next in this series

…and after reading this book all i have to say is apparently i have a chef kink now because the only thing coming out of my mouth is YES CHEF 😌🍽️🖤

[Angela Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows of light was such a incredible read. It was filled with so many secrets, mystery, and so much spice.🔥🖤. I really loved the characters she created in this story and she had you on the edge of your seat with all these twists throughout the book. All I can say is , YES CHEF🔥🥵🔥🥵🔥🥵

She really made you feel like somebody was watching you during this entire story and felt all the creepiness lol. I loved how certain things unraveled throughout the book and it kept you trying to figure out who the stalker was and how this was all going to end. Also, knowing that something bad happened to the FMC but not sure what exactly happened kept you so invested in the story.

I loved Bea, this feisty and fierce redheaded FMC. I just love a curvy main female lead and this woman was a goddess! I loved her pup Ellie too and their bond was so beautiful. I definitely resonated with her on many levels.

And chef Gabriel , 🥵🥵🥵🥵. Ex mafia man trying to stay out of the lifestyle , but willing to get back into it to keep her safe🥰. I’ll never look at pistachio cream the same again and I’m so glad I’ll always have that image in my head 💦. The way this man worshiped her and was all consuming with his love was chefs kiss! I really loved that he bought some of her favorite romance novels so he could learn all her fantasies and then acted them out with her. That’s the man of the century right there and the type I’m looking for.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I also really loved the side characters ! Her best friend Lola and his brothers Vincent and Adrian. There is so much more to unpack there and I can’t wait to get more of them !

This cliffy though at the end, like how is she gonna do this to us? My jaw literally hit the floor. So many twists and turns at the end and still such a mystery as to who the stalker could be. I however think I know who it is. But honestly, this cliffhanger was so intense and I need book 2 like now! This is for all my dark romance girlies who love mystery and the most delicious spice🖤🔥

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Shadows of Light by Anastasia Wilder completely pulled me in from the very first page.

This story has such an intoxicating mix of psychological tension, glamour, and obsession that it was impossible to put down. The atmosphere is dark and electric, and every chapter feels like you are stepping deeper into Beatrix Mercer’s unraveling world.

Beatrix is such a compelling heroine. She is strong, intelligent, and fiercely independent, yet you can feel the cracks forming as her memories begin to fracture and the sense of being watched grows stronger. Watching her struggle to hold onto reality while navigating the high pressure world of fashion conservation in New York City added so much depth to the story. Her journey felt raw and honest, especially with the thoughtful representation of mental health and disability.

And then there is Gabriel Di Rossi. Mysterious, intense, and dangerously magnetic. He is the kind of morally gray anti hero that completely steals the scene every time he appears. His obsession with Beatrix creates this constant tension that keeps you questioning everything. Is he protecting her or pulling her deeper into the darkness. Their chemistry is powerful, emotional, and impossible to ignore.

The high fashion backdrop, the Met Gala level glamour, the organized crime elements, and the psychological twists all weave together beautifully. It feels both luxurious and unsettling at the same time. Add in the found family moments and body positive representation and the story becomes even more layered and meaningful.

Shadows of Light is a gripping dark romance filled with obsession, secrets, and a haunting sense that not everything is what it seems. If you love morally gray men, intense emotional stakes, and stories that keep you questioning the truth until the very end, this book absolutely delivers. I was hooked from start to finish and I cannot recommend it enough.

[Livy dow · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY CLIFFHANGER


Beatrix Mercer’s life in NYC is meticulously controlled, her career, her reputation, and her heart, but when shadows and fractured memories start closing in, everything she thought she knew begins to unravel. I’m obsessed with Bea, she’s smart, fierce, hilarious, and so perfectly complex 😍 and OMGGGG Gabriel, morally grey, intense, swoony, and just chef’s kiss perfect. Their connection sparks lust, obsession, and emotional danger in equal measure 💖🔥

This is my second ARC from Anastasia, and OMG, she just keeps getting better and better the more I read from her. The cliffhanger, though, fair warning, it will destroy you and leave you begging for more 😱💔 I’m equal parts excited and nervous to see what comes next

And the drama, the tension, the anticipation with her stalker had me questioning everyone 😳💥 Every interaction, every glance, every phantom touch kept me on edge. Anastasia’s mastery of suspense is next-level. I could not put this down

And can we talk about the Met Gala scenes 😍💃 I’ve literally never read a book that dives into the glamour, fashion, and chaos of the Gala like this. The energy, the tension, the opulence make the story feel cinematic and so larger than life

Also, can we just take a moment to appreciate representation? I LOVE seeing plus-size girlies like Bea owning her power, her confidence, her sexuality, and her story 💕💃 Anastasia does it so well, and it makes me so happy to have a heroine who feels real, relatable, and absolutely iconic

What you will find inside this book: Dark Romance, Life of the Party FMC, Grumpy Elusive MMC, Body Positivity, She has a Stalker, He Reads a Spicy Book Just for Her, Traumatic Pasts, Yes, Chef, and Kinks: Primal, Blood, Knife, and Breath Play 🔥💥

Beatrix and Gabriel’s story is addictive, dangerous, intoxicating, and utterly unputdownable ✨ If you love dark, obsessive romance, morally grey anti-heroes, swoon-worthy tension, Met Gala glamour, plus-size heroines, spicy chemistry, and mind-blowing cliffhangers, you need this book in your life

Release Day: 27/03 📅

[ReviewsByNic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows of Light by Anastasia Wilder
5 out of 5 stars
ARC

Thank you, Anastasia and IRIS, for this early copy. All parts of this review are of my honest opinion 💚

When I say you need to run to get this book, I mean it. I am OBSESSED just like Gabriel is with Beatrix. This book is raw, emotional, intense, and had me on the edge of my seat the entire way through. I would give anything to be able to read it for the first time again.

Beatrix is who really did it for me. She is intelligent, strong, and aware that there's something amiss. She's not quite emotionally open (for a reason) and we get to explore what this means for her and how to bring things to the surface all while she is dealing with a stalker who wants her to themselves. She is also with the fashion conservation and received a promotion that not only adds more stress, but also brings in more people who criticize her for her size (bet we could all relate to that). But even with all of that, she is a fantastic representation for someone who is actively struggling with her mental health while also taking the steps to improve it through therapy. A positive role model if you will ♥️

Gabriel is almost as good (sue me, I like her more 🤣). He is intense, dangerous, an amazing chef, and I might as well say it, steaming hot 🥵 He comes from a rough background that shaped who he is and even through that, he shows Beatrix so much respect and is utterly obsessed with her. They have undeniable chemistry and this shows when he meets her needs and lets her explore in a way that no man ever had before. She is his Goddess and there is no doubt about it.

If that doesn’t tell you to read it this book, I don’t know what will. All I can say is you better grab a copy and we can all demand book two together. Anastasia, you did such a fantastic job with this book. I was and still am so excited for the books release and for book two in the future 🥰

[Alodia B Storm · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐ 7.5/10
🌶️ 3.5/5

Read this if you like:
→ The Devil Wears Prada x You vibe
→ Curvy FMC rep
→ She is focused on her life but then he walks in
→ Suspense romance

Shadows of Light tells a romance between a fashion conservator who's so focused on her dream career and a chef who's an ex-mafia; a pretty unique background in itself.

In this dual-POV story, we're getting a glimpse on how Bea struggles with her career not because she's incapable but because fashion industry can be ruthless. And she tries to always standing to her ground; homegirl is just trying to live her dream y'all. But her life isn't exactly peaceful because she has a stalker and that's where Gabriel walks in.

I like how their relationship is introduced gradually from the argument to many other opportunities for being at the same place & time. As the story progresses, I keep taking sides between the two. For example, at the start I feel like Gabriel's irritation towards the review is valid but then after many chapters, I feel the same anger as Beatrix after Gabriel's abrupt decision despite promising to always protect her.

Suffice to say, the story is dramatic in the best way. The spice is adventurous. Who doesn't like when he pushes 'it' back in and takes his time worshipping her body? Gabriel takes cooking to a new level & now everybody wants a chef boyfriend.

The book ends in a cliffhanger because it's off for the 2nd book. It can be pretty slow in the middle but towards the end, I feel so many emotions. Beatrix and Lola's outburst should be louder (they're too much of an angel) and Giuliana? Gabriel, come on. How can you not notice the difference and I mean it in a respectful way! You hug Bea lots of time already! I hope all these pent-up frustration can be redeemed with a very satisfying grovel on the finale.

[Lauren (lololovesthings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars.

"Shadows of Light" by Anastasia Wilder is a dark romance with a fiery FMC and an uber-hot, morally grey MMC. It does end in a cliffhanger, so know that going into it!! I am not a huge dark romance aficionado, so I'm not sure how others would measure or rate its "darkness" level (you know what I mean??), but I did enjoy this book and was pulled in by its tension, drama, excitement, and mysterious elements. I felt it was a little long and a little repetitive throughout, but apart from that, I was mostly engaged in the goings on here. Beatrix (FMC) and Gabriel (MMC) are both interesting characters. Beatrix has had a lot of trauma in her life, but remains fierce and funny in her day-to-day life. She rarely backs down from what she wants. She has a carefully crafted persona and seldom lets anyone see the real her. She is dedicated to her job, is a wonderful friend, and is trying to deal with the scars of her past. Gabriel is an intense chef MMC with a dark history. He becomes obsessed with Beatrix after she eats in his restaurant. His fixation eventually infiltrates his every waking moment and thoughts. His equally carefully crafted persona winds up melding his past and his present together as he seeks to save Beatrix from the ghosts of her past, the terror of her present, and the potential of her future. Their chemistry is toxic and hot as heck. Obvious red flags left and right here, but that's part of the fun. Gabriel's obsession and the tension between them are absolutely palpable and delicious. I dug the spicy elements quite a bit, though they did get a little repetitive at times. I cannot wait for the second installment in this series!

Thank you to Anastasia Wilder and Luna Literary for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.