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Bloodworth and Grave
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26A dark Romeo and Juliet retelling set in a Victorian era Fantasy world.
Finding your mate is supposed to be a blessing from the stars. In our case, it was a curse.
Because we didn't find each other through love letters and stolen glances. Our mate bond was sealed seconds before the leader of a rival family meant to kill me, intertwining our fates forever.
How can I love the man that tortured me? How can I see him as anything other than my nightmare?
Only the stars know what our destiny holds.
And only I know that our story resembles that of the two ghosts who have been showing me their tragic love story.
Will ours end the same way?
For fans of enemies to lovers, fated mates, gothic romance, and deeply emotional themes.
This book does contain explicit content. Please check the content warnings.
Finding your mate is supposed to be a blessing from the stars. In our case, it was a curse.
Because we didn't find each other through love letters and stolen glances. Our mate bond was sealed seconds before the leader of a rival family meant to kill me, intertwining our fates forever.
How can I love the man that tortured me? How can I see him as anything other than my nightmare?
Only the stars know what our destiny holds.
And only I know that our story resembles that of the two ghosts who have been showing me their tragic love story.
Will ours end the same way?
For fans of enemies to lovers, fated mates, gothic romance, and deeply emotional themes.
This book does contain explicit content. Please check the content warnings.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 2, 2026
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 1, 2026
Review from an ARC reader.
First off I would like to thank Marisa for letting me be apart of the Arc team to read her latest book!
This book had me wrenching my hands in my cardigan, kicking my feet and the twisty twists really got me. I thought I had it all figured out then curve ball!
Bloodworth and Grave is a dark retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in a gothic setting with two rival families of hatred for one another that goes back centuries involving magic until..
Romy Bloodworth our FMC gets captured during a mission by none other than our MMC Hawkins Grave. I hated him at first during Part 1 but then I started to love him. During her capture.. he tortured her forcing her to break but she wouldn’t no matter what. I commend her resilience and bravery. She thought she had the last laugh knowing he’s never been kissed..
I wasn’t expecting a mating bond to snap into place.. just as Romy was on the brink of death after the torture she endured, and then we see a completely different side to Hawkins, the despair and the guilt he feels.
“What happens when you are the one nearly to end your mates life?”
With the mating bond pulling them both together in Part 2 they discover the secrets of her Clan and unify to stop her Brother from the real business dealings he’s been doing.
Lots of betrayal and lies that lead to their ancestors of the past mating bond from their Families. I devoured this section of the book..
Rhodes Bloodworth and Monette Graves. I absolutely loved their story and how Romy and Hawkins honoured them.
I’ve always been a true believer of love at first sight and fated mates. I’m so happy I found mine!
For all the dreamers, and the ones who believe love is real.
Highly recommend for anyone who loves a good Enemies to lovers, magic, secrets, betrayal and touch and die vibes!
Thankyou, Marisa
I will read this again and again.
May the Stars be with you!
First off I would like to thank Marisa for letting me be apart of the Arc team to read her latest book!
This book had me wrenching my hands in my cardigan, kicking my feet and the twisty twists really got me. I thought I had it all figured out then curve ball!
Bloodworth and Grave is a dark retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in a gothic setting with two rival families of hatred for one another that goes back centuries involving magic until..
Romy Bloodworth our FMC gets captured during a mission by none other than our MMC Hawkins Grave. I hated him at first during Part 1 but then I started to love him. During her capture.. he tortured her forcing her to break but she wouldn’t no matter what. I commend her resilience and bravery. She thought she had the last laugh knowing he’s never been kissed..
I wasn’t expecting a mating bond to snap into place.. just as Romy was on the brink of death after the torture she endured, and then we see a completely different side to Hawkins, the despair and the guilt he feels.
“What happens when you are the one nearly to end your mates life?”
With the mating bond pulling them both together in Part 2 they discover the secrets of her Clan and unify to stop her Brother from the real business dealings he’s been doing.
Lots of betrayal and lies that lead to their ancestors of the past mating bond from their Families. I devoured this section of the book..
Rhodes Bloodworth and Monette Graves. I absolutely loved their story and how Romy and Hawkins honoured them.
I’ve always been a true believer of love at first sight and fated mates. I’m so happy I found mine!
For all the dreamers, and the ones who believe love is real.
Highly recommend for anyone who loves a good Enemies to lovers, magic, secrets, betrayal and touch and die vibes!
Thankyou, Marisa
I will read this again and again.
May the Stars be with you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
earcs-to-read
April 26, 2026So excited to be a part of the street team! Cannot wait to read this, it sounds SO good!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
eARC provided by author in exhange for an honest review - thank you!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A few notes to start off with that I've learned people care about: this is written in first person POV (but POV changes between a few characters) and is a Romeo and Juliet retelling. But please don't be like me and assume this means the story cannot surprise you, because it surprised me. Literally, it had me screaming what and other terms of shock and surprise into my empty apartment.
The depiction of grief this author provided was something that sat down in my heart next to my own grief. The way our FMC, Romy, experiences it sat heavily in my chest as someone who has experienced loss. I found myself really relating to and liking her very early on. In her hurt and disdain and in many, many moments I found myself wishing I had the strength she had and relating very deeply to the way she felt, what she experienced, and the words she spoke. She was everything I thought I would be during certain moments in my life, and everything I wasn't.
"You're not sorry because what you did was wrong. You're sorry because you didn't know it would come back to bite you in the ass."
The characters as a whole were honestly written well; I found myself feeling sympathy for them, laughing at their antics, being angry at them and disgusted by what they did, and being genuinely interested pretty early on. They were, by and large, memorable and unique and I had more than a few favorites.
The writing style was easy to understand and felt approachable. I never really spent long wondering who someone or something was if it was meant to be known and understood. I ate up how different scenes were written, even romance (I never really had read explicit romance in a book until now).
However, this being a Romeo and juliet retelling did, for me, make the story feel predictable, especially in the beginning. I was able to predict things that would happen and found myself almost getting frustrated while waiting for it to happen. I also wish that we had a little bit more information/perspective of the other characters while in part 1 because it was difficult to read at times and would've offered a POV and a break I would've appreciated.
Part 2 and 3, however, were an entirely different animal. Part 2 hooked me and then it was off to the races. I got a different perspective (not the one I wanted in part 1) and that was refreshing and really livened up the story again. I consumed the rest with an absolutely intense fire until it was over.
This was a cathartic read that touched upon pieces of me I thought was lost and buried in the past. My heart is torn open and I'm grateful for this read, and grateful for the story that it told. I'm grateful I persevered through part 1. Overall, would recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A few notes to start off with that I've learned people care about: this is written in first person POV (but POV changes between a few characters) and is a Romeo and Juliet retelling. But please don't be like me and assume this means the story cannot surprise you, because it surprised me. Literally, it had me screaming what and other terms of shock and surprise into my empty apartment.
The depiction of grief this author provided was something that sat down in my heart next to my own grief. The way our FMC, Romy, experiences it sat heavily in my chest as someone who has experienced loss. I found myself really relating to and liking her very early on. In her hurt and disdain and in many, many moments I found myself wishing I had the strength she had and relating very deeply to the way she felt, what she experienced, and the words she spoke. She was everything I thought I would be during certain moments in my life, and everything I wasn't.
"You're not sorry because what you did was wrong. You're sorry because you didn't know it would come back to bite you in the ass."
The characters as a whole were honestly written well; I found myself feeling sympathy for them, laughing at their antics, being angry at them and disgusted by what they did, and being genuinely interested pretty early on. They were, by and large, memorable and unique and I had more than a few favorites.
The writing style was easy to understand and felt approachable. I never really spent long wondering who someone or something was if it was meant to be known and understood. I ate up how different scenes were written, even romance (I never really had read explicit romance in a book until now).
However, this being a Romeo and juliet retelling did, for me, make the story feel predictable, especially in the beginning. I was able to predict things that would happen and found myself almost getting frustrated while waiting for it to happen. I also wish that we had a little bit more information/perspective of the other characters while in part 1 because it was difficult to read at times and would've offered a POV and a break I would've appreciated.
Part 2 and 3, however, were an entirely different animal. Part 2 hooked me and then it was off to the races. I got a different perspective (not the one I wanted in part 1) and that was refreshing and really livened up the story again. I consumed the rest with an absolutely intense fire until it was over.
This was a cathartic read that touched upon pieces of me I thought was lost and buried in the past. My heart is torn open and I'm grateful for this read, and grateful for the story that it told. I'm grateful I persevered through part 1. Overall, would recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Marisa Haartz
Bloodworth and Grave
Thank you for the ARC
Honest Review – 5 Stars
This is not your typical Romeo and Juliet retelling, it is darker, sharper, and far more emotionally consuming. Marisa Haartz takes a familiar concept and transforms it into something haunting and unforgettable, where fated mates feels more like a curse than a gift. A true Enemies to Lovers!
The story pulls you in quickly with its gothic atmosphere and intense emotional stakes. The worldbuilding is immersive without being overwhelming, allowing you to step right into the tension between rival families, power, and destiny. There is a constant sense of unease that lingers beneath every interaction, making it impossible to look away.
The character work is where this book truly shines. The female main character is strong, resilient, and layered with vulnerability that feels real and earned. Her journey is not rushed, her emotions, her reactions, and her growth unfold in a way that makes you feel every moment alongside her. The male main character starts off difficult to like, but that complexity adds depth to the story, creating a dynamic filled with tension, conflict, and undeniable pull.
The romance is intense and complicated, built on pain, fate, and choices that are anything but easy. It does not follow a simple path, which makes every interaction feel meaningful and charged. The emotional weight carries through the entire story, balancing darkness with moments that feel almost fragile in their beauty.
The pacing keeps you engaged, with enough twists and emotional turns to hold your attention from beginning to end. By the time you reach the final chapters, everything comes together in a way that feels both satisfying and impactful.
Overall, this is a deeply emotional, gothic fantasy romance that explores love, fate, and the cost of both. If you enjoy stories that challenge your heart while pulling you into a richly layered world, this is one you will not want to miss.
Bloodworth and Grave
Thank you for the ARC
Honest Review – 5 Stars
This is not your typical Romeo and Juliet retelling, it is darker, sharper, and far more emotionally consuming. Marisa Haartz takes a familiar concept and transforms it into something haunting and unforgettable, where fated mates feels more like a curse than a gift. A true Enemies to Lovers!
The story pulls you in quickly with its gothic atmosphere and intense emotional stakes. The worldbuilding is immersive without being overwhelming, allowing you to step right into the tension between rival families, power, and destiny. There is a constant sense of unease that lingers beneath every interaction, making it impossible to look away.
The character work is where this book truly shines. The female main character is strong, resilient, and layered with vulnerability that feels real and earned. Her journey is not rushed, her emotions, her reactions, and her growth unfold in a way that makes you feel every moment alongside her. The male main character starts off difficult to like, but that complexity adds depth to the story, creating a dynamic filled with tension, conflict, and undeniable pull.
The romance is intense and complicated, built on pain, fate, and choices that are anything but easy. It does not follow a simple path, which makes every interaction feel meaningful and charged. The emotional weight carries through the entire story, balancing darkness with moments that feel almost fragile in their beauty.
The pacing keeps you engaged, with enough twists and emotional turns to hold your attention from beginning to end. By the time you reach the final chapters, everything comes together in a way that feels both satisfying and impactful.
Overall, this is a deeply emotional, gothic fantasy romance that explores love, fate, and the cost of both. If you enjoy stories that challenge your heart while pulling you into a richly layered world, this is one you will not want to miss.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“I’ll love you until our souls meet in the heavens. And for an eternity after.” ”
⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆ ⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆ ⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆ ⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆ ⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆
💕 fated mates
🪄 rival families
💕 enemies to lovers
🪄 Romeo and Juliet retelling
💕 morally grey MMC
🪄 he kidnaps her
💕 betrayals and secrets
⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆ ⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆ ⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆ ⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆ ⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆
The first half of the book was soooooo awesome. The plot was moving fast and the stakes were high, but then things started to slow down. But the last few chapters things moved again, so I guess I’m not entirely annoyed; mainly it is just because of the fact that it could have been a five-star read. It really did have the potential. The FMC was amazing; I loved her so much. She was so strong and yet a soft one. Her reaction to everything was valid, and I loved how we didn’t just get over what had been done to her immediately but took time. I just would have loved if she had taken more time and made the MMC grovel more than that. This could have been a beautiful opportunity to see a yearning MMC. While we are on the topic of the MMC, our MMC here was terrible at first, and I hated him, but actually, that was expected because of his position. However, along the way, he started to be obviously obsessed with the FMC, but like I said, I would have liked to see him being more tortured and pathetically yearning for the FMC. The side characters were great. The magic system was great; I loved that magic came or was yielded by the wand; this kind of reminded me of Harry Potter. Actually, the two characters’ dynamic reminded me of Harmony and Draco’s dynamic in fanfics. I know that this book is supposed to be a Romeo and Juliet retelling, and it is, but also, as I mentioned, the main characters reminded me of Draco and Harmony.
All in all, I enjoyed the book and would recommend reading it.
⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆ ⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆ ⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆ ⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆ ⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆
💕 fated mates
🪄 rival families
💕 enemies to lovers
🪄 Romeo and Juliet retelling
💕 morally grey MMC
🪄 he kidnaps her
💕 betrayals and secrets
⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆ ⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆ ⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆ ⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆ ⋆°.☾⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆
The first half of the book was soooooo awesome. The plot was moving fast and the stakes were high, but then things started to slow down. But the last few chapters things moved again, so I guess I’m not entirely annoyed; mainly it is just because of the fact that it could have been a five-star read. It really did have the potential. The FMC was amazing; I loved her so much. She was so strong and yet a soft one. Her reaction to everything was valid, and I loved how we didn’t just get over what had been done to her immediately but took time. I just would have loved if she had taken more time and made the MMC grovel more than that. This could have been a beautiful opportunity to see a yearning MMC. While we are on the topic of the MMC, our MMC here was terrible at first, and I hated him, but actually, that was expected because of his position. However, along the way, he started to be obviously obsessed with the FMC, but like I said, I would have liked to see him being more tortured and pathetically yearning for the FMC. The side characters were great. The magic system was great; I loved that magic came or was yielded by the wand; this kind of reminded me of Harry Potter. Actually, the two characters’ dynamic reminded me of Harmony and Draco’s dynamic in fanfics. I know that this book is supposed to be a Romeo and Juliet retelling, and it is, but also, as I mentioned, the main characters reminded me of Draco and Harmony.
All in all, I enjoyed the book and would recommend reading it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Firstly, I want to thank Marisa for allowing me to be apart of her ARC team for Bloodworth and Grave.
Wow. I can’t think of other words right now. WOW! Bloodworth and Grave. Loved this read, couldn’t put it down once I started, I was completely wrapped in. I loved the way Marisa introduced the characters and the worldbuilding, there’s the perfect amount of backstory and detail that allows you to jump right in as if you’re alongside the characters on their journey (even in the bedroom). 🌶️
This story follows our FMC Romy from the Bloodworth clan when she gets taken and held prisoner & tortured by our MMC Hawkins, from the Grave clan, rival clans!
Little does everyone know, it is written in the stars that Romy and Hawkins are fated mates.
If you’re looking for a true enemies to lovers romance, this book has exactly what you need. The tension buildup was everything I was hoping for and more!
As a reader I felt so connected to Romy and Hawkins as a whole. Both misunderstood and sculpted by their community and upbringing. The character development genuinely made me tear up at times, especially with the alternating POV’s, you really got to delve into each mindset.
Romy is such a fierce and strong FMC and may be one of my favorites of all time. Truly a magical read (no really, there is magic) which adds to the layers of storytelling Marisa does.
Five star read, if it’s not already on your TBR list, you’ll regret not adding it NOW!
Wow. I can’t think of other words right now. WOW! Bloodworth and Grave. Loved this read, couldn’t put it down once I started, I was completely wrapped in. I loved the way Marisa introduced the characters and the worldbuilding, there’s the perfect amount of backstory and detail that allows you to jump right in as if you’re alongside the characters on their journey (even in the bedroom). 🌶️
This story follows our FMC Romy from the Bloodworth clan when she gets taken and held prisoner & tortured by our MMC Hawkins, from the Grave clan, rival clans!
Little does everyone know, it is written in the stars that Romy and Hawkins are fated mates.
If you’re looking for a true enemies to lovers romance, this book has exactly what you need. The tension buildup was everything I was hoping for and more!
As a reader I felt so connected to Romy and Hawkins as a whole. Both misunderstood and sculpted by their community and upbringing. The character development genuinely made me tear up at times, especially with the alternating POV’s, you really got to delve into each mindset.
Romy is such a fierce and strong FMC and may be one of my favorites of all time. Truly a magical read (no really, there is magic) which adds to the layers of storytelling Marisa does.
Five star read, if it’s not already on your TBR list, you’ll regret not adding it NOW!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rate: 4.5⭐️ Spice:3🌶️ Releases June 2
I was fortunate to be part of the Arc team for Bloodworth and Grave. Thank you Marisa for the opportunity and for this amazing book. You did so good 👏🏼 I finished it in 1 day.
This book is everything I love in a dark romance—twisted fate, pain, obsession, and a love that feels more like a curse than a blessing.
A mate bond sealed in the middle of violence… with the man meant to kill her???
yeah… there’s no soft love story here, this is raw, haunting, and deeply emotional. You feel her fear, her anger, and that slow, complicated shift into something she doesn’t even want to name and when the mate bond hit… I felt it
I knew it was coming and it still got me
because how do you even come back from that???
The gothic victorian fantasy setting wraps everything in this eerie, beautiful darkness and the parallel ghost love story???Heartbreaking 💔
If you love:
enemies to lovers (and I mean ENEMIES)
fated mates with a cruel twist
trauma, tension, emotional depth
romance that hurts before it heals
⭐️ “how do you love someone who became your nightmare?”
yeah… that’s the whole book
I was fortunate to be part of the Arc team for Bloodworth and Grave. Thank you Marisa for the opportunity and for this amazing book. You did so good 👏🏼 I finished it in 1 day.
This book is everything I love in a dark romance—twisted fate, pain, obsession, and a love that feels more like a curse than a blessing.
A mate bond sealed in the middle of violence… with the man meant to kill her???
yeah… there’s no soft love story here, this is raw, haunting, and deeply emotional. You feel her fear, her anger, and that slow, complicated shift into something she doesn’t even want to name and when the mate bond hit… I felt it
I knew it was coming and it still got me
because how do you even come back from that???
The gothic victorian fantasy setting wraps everything in this eerie, beautiful darkness and the parallel ghost love story???Heartbreaking 💔
If you love:
enemies to lovers (and I mean ENEMIES)
fated mates with a cruel twist
trauma, tension, emotional depth
romance that hurts before it heals
⭐️ “how do you love someone who became your nightmare?”
yeah… that’s the whole book
May 7, 2026
Bloodworth and Grave completely consumed me from start to finish. 🌙🖤
This story feels like wandering through a candlelit Victorian dream with blood on the lace gloves and fate stitched into every aspect. The almost gothic like atmosphere is beautiful without becoming heavy, and the magical elements add this almost ethereal feeling that wraps around the destruction and romance perfectly.
The mate bond everyone aches for in this world, hurts in the best way. Watching love and trauma collide between each other had me emotionally committed each and every chapter. The romance absolutely takes center stage, but the desire to right wrongs, have freedom and future, destroy enemies, the family tension, and the haunting ghostly parallels underneath it all give the story so much depth.
It’s emotional, intimate, tragic, hopeful, and painfully addictive all at once.
If you love enemies to lovers, fated mates, Victorian/gothic like fantasy, tortured romance, and stories that feel both delicate and empowering, this one deserves a spot on your radar immediately.
June 2nd can’t come fast enough, I NEED a shelf trophy of this beauty.
This story feels like wandering through a candlelit Victorian dream with blood on the lace gloves and fate stitched into every aspect. The almost gothic like atmosphere is beautiful without becoming heavy, and the magical elements add this almost ethereal feeling that wraps around the destruction and romance perfectly.
The mate bond everyone aches for in this world, hurts in the best way. Watching love and trauma collide between each other had me emotionally committed each and every chapter. The romance absolutely takes center stage, but the desire to right wrongs, have freedom and future, destroy enemies, the family tension, and the haunting ghostly parallels underneath it all give the story so much depth.
It’s emotional, intimate, tragic, hopeful, and painfully addictive all at once.
If you love enemies to lovers, fated mates, Victorian/gothic like fantasy, tortured romance, and stories that feel both delicate and empowering, this one deserves a spot on your radar immediately.
June 2nd can’t come fast enough, I NEED a shelf trophy of this beauty.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is not your typical Romeo & Juliet retelling… not even close.
Haartz takes a familiar tragedy and drags it into the shadows—twisting it into something darker, deeper, and far more dangerous. This story bleeds with magic, obsession, and a kind of darkness that doesn’t just linger… it consumes.
At times, it pushes you to the brink—raw, unsettling, and heavy with despair—only to slowly piece you back together with glimpses of love, devotion, and something almost hauntingly beautiful.
The tension? Addictive.
The romance? Intense.
The spice? 🔥 perfectly woven into the darkness.
This is deep, gothic, and unapologetically sinful in the best way.
If you love your romantasy dark, emotional, and a little unhinged…
this one belongs on your shelf.
Haartz takes a familiar tragedy and drags it into the shadows—twisting it into something darker, deeper, and far more dangerous. This story bleeds with magic, obsession, and a kind of darkness that doesn’t just linger… it consumes.
At times, it pushes you to the brink—raw, unsettling, and heavy with despair—only to slowly piece you back together with glimpses of love, devotion, and something almost hauntingly beautiful.
The tension? Addictive.
The romance? Intense.
The spice? 🔥 perfectly woven into the darkness.
This is deep, gothic, and unapologetically sinful in the best way.
If you love your romantasy dark, emotional, and a little unhinged…
this one belongs on your shelf.
May 4, 2026
I fell in love with this book! I loved the vibe of gothic romance it had and did not want to put it down. You have two families who are sworn enemies. One night the fMC gets caught by the MMC and taken back to his manor…. she is held in the dungeons and they try to get information from her.
If you love enemies to lovers, fated mates, found family, magic? Then you will absolutely enjoy reading this book!
If you love enemies to lovers, fated mates, found family, magic? Then you will absolutely enjoy reading this book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
So many twists and turns and never knowing what was going to happen next! Definitely the dark Romeo and Juliet story as she says it is. Definitely recommend sit down and relax to get sucked into the world of Romilly
Review of advance copy received from Author
Absolutely amazing, I could put it down and the twist at the end had me gasping. The spice was 🥵 as well.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews