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Chatterley: A gothic reimagining of the most scandalous love story ever told
What if the most scandalous romance ever told was rewritten as a dark, gothic romantasy?
Sir Clifford Chatterley turned me into a vampire to prove a theory — that feral creatures like me could be domesticated, civilised, and made acceptable for his aristocratic world. He keeps me chained and starved, drowning my hunger in silver and ash while he moulds me into the perfect Progeny wife.
But his gamekeeper sees something different when he looks at me.
Oliver Mellors doesn't want to tame me. He wants to unleash me. In the dark woods beyond Wragby Hall, he teaches me to hunt. To feed. To feel. He shows me that the wildness my husband is trying to suppress isn't shameful — it's my power.
Between the lord who wants to break me and the vampire who wants to free me, I discover a hunger that has nothing to do with blood. And everything to do with taking back what's mine.
My body. My desire. My rage.
You know the story.
But you don’t know my story.
'Chatterley' by Cara Clare is a standalone, deliciously dark, gothic reimagining where Lady Chatterley has fangs, the gamekeeper knows how to use his, and burning down the patriarchy has never been so satisfying.
Sir Clifford Chatterley turned me into a vampire to prove a theory — that feral creatures like me could be domesticated, civilised, and made acceptable for his aristocratic world. He keeps me chained and starved, drowning my hunger in silver and ash while he moulds me into the perfect Progeny wife.
But his gamekeeper sees something different when he looks at me.
Oliver Mellors doesn't want to tame me. He wants to unleash me. In the dark woods beyond Wragby Hall, he teaches me to hunt. To feed. To feel. He shows me that the wildness my husband is trying to suppress isn't shameful — it's my power.
Between the lord who wants to break me and the vampire who wants to free me, I discover a hunger that has nothing to do with blood. And everything to do with taking back what's mine.
My body. My desire. My rage.
You know the story.
But you don’t know my story.
'Chatterley' by Cara Clare is a standalone, deliciously dark, gothic reimagining where Lady Chatterley has fangs, the gamekeeper knows how to use his, and burning down the patriarchy has never been so satisfying.
322 pages, Paperback
Published February 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
February 28, 2026
This was a gloriously dark tale of revenge, feminine rage, and embracing forbidden desires in a satisfyingly raw way.
Connie is abused, tortured, conditioned, and forced to be an experiment to prove new vampires can be tamed, controlled, and moulded to fit the progeny's image.
Connie has no desire to be tamed, especially by her sadistic and controlling husband who sees her as nothing more than an object, so she bides her time, pretends to be obedient, and learns to hide her bloodlust and erotic desires. Then she meets Oliver, groundskeeper at the estate, and recognises the same feral hunger, and together they unlock their power and fury in an illicit affair, and channel their dark nature to escape their prison.
It's a gothic tale of forbidden love, secret desires, liberation and empowerment.
Connie is abused, tortured, conditioned, and forced to be an experiment to prove new vampires can be tamed, controlled, and moulded to fit the progeny's image.
Connie has no desire to be tamed, especially by her sadistic and controlling husband who sees her as nothing more than an object, so she bides her time, pretends to be obedient, and learns to hide her bloodlust and erotic desires. Then she meets Oliver, groundskeeper at the estate, and recognises the same feral hunger, and together they unlock their power and fury in an illicit affair, and channel their dark nature to escape their prison.
It's a gothic tale of forbidden love, secret desires, liberation and empowerment.
February 23, 2026
CHATTERLEY BY CARA CLARE
A Gothic/Paranormal spicy retelling releasing February 28th, 2026.
Chatterley was an absolutely perfect example of how to write an unapologetic story about feminine rage, love, desire, and the darkness that comes with reclaiming your power. As a reimagining of Lady Chatterley’s Lover, it touches on everything—class, sexuality, women’s rights, the expectations society forces on us—yet Cara Clare twists the knife by adding vampirism, torture, hunger, shame, and a new kind of captivity that mirrors the old. The world she constructed felt harrowingly close to the original, just sharpened with fangs and fire.
Connie was incredible. A strong, relentless female character who embodies so many of the things women still think about today—relationships, men, societal pressure, and the parts of ourselves we hide just to survive. Even with how much we’ve evolved since the original was written, you can still feel how far we have left to go. Connie’s unwavering commitment to find meaning, to pursue love, to be her true self—even while being starved, chained, and literally tortured into someone else’s version of “perfect”—was inspiring. Watching her step into who she truly is, instead of who she was told to be, felt powerful and painfully relatable.
And Mellors… Oliver was exactly the man this strong woman needed. He worshipped her strength. He embraced everything she became, everything she feared, everything she wanted. While Clifford tried to break and tame her, Oliver encouraged her to rise, to claim her power, to hunt, feed, and live boldly. Their connection was instant and magnetic—you could feel it radiating off the page. He has that perfect “touch her and die” energy, but he also lets her choose, lead, and burn as brightly as she wants. He never tried to cage her. He let her grow. He helped her grow.
Their relationship was such a beautiful balance of devotion, danger, and desire. A crescendo of hunger, rage, passion, and tenderness that made for an easy five-star read.
The plot, while not overly complicated, keeps the reader’s attention and remains incredibly engaging. Every chapter pulls you deeper into Connie’s journey and the sharp contrast between the life she had, the life she was forced into, and the life she fights to claim. It’s bold, dark, emotional, and deeply satisfying.
If you’re a fan of:
• strong, powerful FMCs
• forbidden love
• romantasy retellings
• gothic vibes
• BDSM vampires
• female rage
• and a love story that burns as much as it heals—
Then Chatterley is absolutely for you.
I was hooked from the first page and didn’t want to put it down. I wanted to devour it all in one sitting. It was phenomenal.
No notes from me—just praise. 4.5 stars 4 spice
Releasing February 28th, 2026 — mark your calendars and add to your TBR’s.
A Gothic/Paranormal spicy retelling releasing February 28th, 2026.
Chatterley was an absolutely perfect example of how to write an unapologetic story about feminine rage, love, desire, and the darkness that comes with reclaiming your power. As a reimagining of Lady Chatterley’s Lover, it touches on everything—class, sexuality, women’s rights, the expectations society forces on us—yet Cara Clare twists the knife by adding vampirism, torture, hunger, shame, and a new kind of captivity that mirrors the old. The world she constructed felt harrowingly close to the original, just sharpened with fangs and fire.
Connie was incredible. A strong, relentless female character who embodies so many of the things women still think about today—relationships, men, societal pressure, and the parts of ourselves we hide just to survive. Even with how much we’ve evolved since the original was written, you can still feel how far we have left to go. Connie’s unwavering commitment to find meaning, to pursue love, to be her true self—even while being starved, chained, and literally tortured into someone else’s version of “perfect”—was inspiring. Watching her step into who she truly is, instead of who she was told to be, felt powerful and painfully relatable.
And Mellors… Oliver was exactly the man this strong woman needed. He worshipped her strength. He embraced everything she became, everything she feared, everything she wanted. While Clifford tried to break and tame her, Oliver encouraged her to rise, to claim her power, to hunt, feed, and live boldly. Their connection was instant and magnetic—you could feel it radiating off the page. He has that perfect “touch her and die” energy, but he also lets her choose, lead, and burn as brightly as she wants. He never tried to cage her. He let her grow. He helped her grow.
Their relationship was such a beautiful balance of devotion, danger, and desire. A crescendo of hunger, rage, passion, and tenderness that made for an easy five-star read.
The plot, while not overly complicated, keeps the reader’s attention and remains incredibly engaging. Every chapter pulls you deeper into Connie’s journey and the sharp contrast between the life she had, the life she was forced into, and the life she fights to claim. It’s bold, dark, emotional, and deeply satisfying.
If you’re a fan of:
• strong, powerful FMCs
• forbidden love
• romantasy retellings
• gothic vibes
• BDSM vampires
• female rage
• and a love story that burns as much as it heals—
Then Chatterley is absolutely for you.
I was hooked from the first page and didn’t want to put it down. I wanted to devour it all in one sitting. It was phenomenal.
No notes from me—just praise. 4.5 stars 4 spice
Releasing February 28th, 2026 — mark your calendars and add to your TBR’s.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!!
This book had me captivated since the very beginning. I wasn't familiar with the original classic "Lady Chatterley's Lover" before reading this so I didn't know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. There wasn't a single moment where I felt bored or disengaged. The story had me emotionally invested and even had me crying at one point. I especially loved the dark, gothic, and spicy elements of the book!
The connection between Mellors and Connie was so beautiful to watch unfold. Their chemistry is undeniable and the tension between them felt intense!!
The themes of female rage and liberation were incredibly powerful. I loved the way Mellors encouraged Connie to embrace her true self without fear of judgment and shame. Watching Connie take back control and become her true feral vampire self was empowering to watch!!
My only reason for not giving this book 5 stars is that while sex plays an important role in Connies liberation, I felt there were too many smut scenes. I would have loved a few more soft, intimate moments between Connie and Mellors where we could see them in a more relaxed and mundane state. I also would have enjoyed a moment towards the end where Connie helped comfort Mellors in return.
That being said, I still very much enjoyed the book and absolutely recommend it to everyone!!
This book had me captivated since the very beginning. I wasn't familiar with the original classic "Lady Chatterley's Lover" before reading this so I didn't know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. There wasn't a single moment where I felt bored or disengaged. The story had me emotionally invested and even had me crying at one point. I especially loved the dark, gothic, and spicy elements of the book!
The connection between Mellors and Connie was so beautiful to watch unfold. Their chemistry is undeniable and the tension between them felt intense!!
The themes of female rage and liberation were incredibly powerful. I loved the way Mellors encouraged Connie to embrace her true self without fear of judgment and shame. Watching Connie take back control and become her true feral vampire self was empowering to watch!!
My only reason for not giving this book 5 stars is that while sex plays an important role in Connies liberation, I felt there were too many smut scenes. I would have loved a few more soft, intimate moments between Connie and Mellors where we could see them in a more relaxed and mundane state. I also would have enjoyed a moment towards the end where Connie helped comfort Mellors in return.
That being said, I still very much enjoyed the book and absolutely recommend it to everyone!!
Review of advance copy
this unfortunately wasn't for me. i couldn't connect with the characters at all because the romance felt insta lovey and also really forced... connie was naive and cliche at times and mellors was a horn-dog. i loved ghost the best out of them all lmao.
the writing style was one of the biggest issues. because of it, i couldn't get into the story and it just wasn't written in a way that would feel believable. i loved the short chapters, though.
while i loved the idea of the plot, the execution wasn't the best. also 80% of the book is just smut and not well written at that. 😭 it's such a pity because i thought i would enjoy this! it also didn't really give me gothic vibes. i wish we saw more of the plot instead of smutty scenes over and over again.
the writing style was one of the biggest issues. because of it, i couldn't get into the story and it just wasn't written in a way that would feel believable. i loved the short chapters, though.
while i loved the idea of the plot, the execution wasn't the best. also 80% of the book is just smut and not well written at that. 😭 it's such a pity because i thought i would enjoy this! it also didn't really give me gothic vibes. i wish we saw more of the plot instead of smutty scenes over and over again.
February 23, 2026
Chatterley was an absolute perfect example of how to write an unapologetic story about feminine rage.
From the start of the story, my hackles were immediately up from the treatment of FMC, Connie.
A recently turned vampire to be used as nothing more than an experiment, she was forced to endure horrific torture. But one thing that men with big egos don’t understand is that if you show them what they expect to see, their thirst will be satiated . And what they should be afraid of? Women who know when to unleash their fury, when those men least expect it.
Thankfully, Oliver was the man that every strong woman deserves. A man who not only recognizes power and worships her for it, but also can see the desires that are real and make us who we are.
This was a perfect crescendo of desire and rage that made for an easy five star read.
From the start of the story, my hackles were immediately up from the treatment of FMC, Connie.
A recently turned vampire to be used as nothing more than an experiment, she was forced to endure horrific torture. But one thing that men with big egos don’t understand is that if you show them what they expect to see, their thirst will be satiated . And what they should be afraid of? Women who know when to unleash their fury, when those men least expect it.
Thankfully, Oliver was the man that every strong woman deserves. A man who not only recognizes power and worships her for it, but also can see the desires that are real and make us who we are.
This was a perfect crescendo of desire and rage that made for an easy five star read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGallery and Victoria Editing for this ARC
And of course Cara Clare
This review contains NO spoilers! And all that is said is my honest and non-biased opinion.
I am not going to give spoilers or massive details of what happens in this book. That would be silly and counterproductive!
Release date for this book was 28th February 2026
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was okay, it wasn't amazing but wasn't extremely bad. It was very middle of the road for me.
Although not one part made me want to put down the book or lost me, I do feel there wasn't much developing either. It was very much a different night, same thing, another night, same thing and so on.
I do wish we had more "love" and romance in some scenes. We had a lot of smut and a lot of smut and a lot of smut, then I love you.
The smut was good. super raunchy, but smut and sex doesn't equal love, just wish we had more development on the love.
Also, I did notice towards the last third of the book, it seems like we gave up on the world building and sentence building. There seemed to be a lot of listing and not a lot of description anymore.
Other than that, it was a fine book. very middle of the road, hence a middle of the road rating from me.
The cover is stunning though!
Thank you again to NetGallery and Victoria Editing And of course Cara Clare
This review contains NO spoilers! And all that is said is my honest and non-biased opinion.
I am not going to give spoilers or massive details of what happens in this book. That would be silly and counterproductive!
Release date for this book was 28th February 2026
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was okay, it wasn't amazing but wasn't extremely bad. It was very middle of the road for me.
Although not one part made me want to put down the book or lost me, I do feel there wasn't much developing either. It was very much a different night, same thing, another night, same thing and so on.
I do wish we had more "love" and romance in some scenes. We had a lot of smut and a lot of smut and a lot of smut, then I love you.
The smut was good. super raunchy, but smut and sex doesn't equal love, just wish we had more development on the love.
Also, I did notice towards the last third of the book, it seems like we gave up on the world building and sentence building. There seemed to be a lot of listing and not a lot of description anymore.
Other than that, it was a fine book. very middle of the road, hence a middle of the road rating from me.
The cover is stunning though!
Thank you again to NetGallery and Victoria Editing And of course Cara Clare
February 14, 2026
ARC Read: NetGallery & Plume Noire Books
This story is a reimagining of Lady Chatterley with a supernatural twist. Connie is a prisoner in Clifford’s castle where he tortures her in an attempt to turn her into a civilised vampire who survives only on animal blood. Secretly she falls in love with Oliver the groundskeeper and the plot unfolds around their desperate attempt to escape Clifford’s cruel control.
I enjoyed this book as I love vampires, forbidden love and a bit of spice. This story packed a bunch of spice. The cover was gorgeous too however I just wish the author hadn’t included the scene involving the defiling of an animal’s skull it didn’t sit right with me. But otherwise this was a good read and a happy ending.
This story is a reimagining of Lady Chatterley with a supernatural twist. Connie is a prisoner in Clifford’s castle where he tortures her in an attempt to turn her into a civilised vampire who survives only on animal blood. Secretly she falls in love with Oliver the groundskeeper and the plot unfolds around their desperate attempt to escape Clifford’s cruel control.
I enjoyed this book as I love vampires, forbidden love and a bit of spice. This story packed a bunch of spice. The cover was gorgeous too however I just wish the author hadn’t included the scene involving the defiling of an animal’s skull it didn’t sit right with me. But otherwise this was a good read and a happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2026
This is the sort of book that I absolutely love where you start reading it and don’t want to stop. This book literally had me engaged right from the very start.
Chatterley as a dark Gothic retelling of Lady Chatterley’s lover which was written at the beginning of the 1900’s and at that point was actually banned. This book touches on so many different themes a number of which are about society’s expectations of women especially at the beginning of the 20th century but then Cara throws in vampires female rage etc etc.
I absolutely loved watching Connie and Mellows relationship bloom and how they were instantly drawn to each other with Mellor worshipping Connie in every way
For such a short book, Cara definitely squeezes a lot in without it being confusing or lacking in anyway
Chatterley as a dark Gothic retelling of Lady Chatterley’s lover which was written at the beginning of the 1900’s and at that point was actually banned. This book touches on so many different themes a number of which are about society’s expectations of women especially at the beginning of the 20th century but then Cara throws in vampires female rage etc etc.
I absolutely loved watching Connie and Mellows relationship bloom and how they were instantly drawn to each other with Mellor worshipping Connie in every way
For such a short book, Cara definitely squeezes a lot in without it being confusing or lacking in anyway
March 13, 2026
A darkly gothic retelling of Lady Chatterley. I really enjoyed this retelling the additions of vampires added an extra element. It was dark and disturbing at times, spice and rage. I really enjoyed going back and forth between the two times periods and seeing how Connie learns to embrace her dark side and her relationship with Mellors helps her find her true self.
March 19, 2026
i’m pretty sure this book found me at exactly the right time because i was in the WORST reading slump and this pulled me right out of it. i needed something pure vibes and a bit no-brainer (no shade LMAO) and this delivered. if i’d read it at another time maybe my rating would be different, but right now it was exactly what i needed. i really enjoyed the world cara clare created! the vampire system felt fresh compared to the usual ones. i also loved connie, ten toes down idc 😭 i know some people dislike her but i was rooting for her the whole time. and oliver… my pathetic, desperate man i love you. their dynamic was everything. the yearning between them was SO good and the tension really carried the story. yes, there’s A LOT of spice, but it also explores their pasts and makes their connection feel deeper than just lust. watching connie grow into herself and take control was SO satisfying. and oliver is basically a protective cinnamon roll for her. if you like gothic vibes, vampires, yearning, and a slightly pathetic man DOWN BAD for his woman, you’ll probably have a great time with this
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
this book was a good time.
I wasn't sure at first but the tension definitely started building as the story went on. I found the concept of the progeny vampires really interesting. the aspect of an experiment is great already but the "training" was a great twist to your typical vampire stories.
I wasn't sure at first but the tension definitely started building as the story went on. I found the concept of the progeny vampires really interesting. the aspect of an experiment is great already but the "training" was a great twist to your typical vampire stories.
February 28, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from Netgally.
I wasn’t familiar with the original classic “Lady Chatterley’s lover” before reading this book so I didn’t know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. This book was very captivating from the beginning and I really enjoyed it. I loved the writing, the chapters weren’t too long and you get a mix of both the MMC and FMC POV’s.
Would definitely recommend this to anybody who wants a vampire, feminine rage, spicy story.
Check trigger warnings before reading.
I wasn’t familiar with the original classic “Lady Chatterley’s lover” before reading this book so I didn’t know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. This book was very captivating from the beginning and I really enjoyed it. I loved the writing, the chapters weren’t too long and you get a mix of both the MMC and FMC POV’s.
Would definitely recommend this to anybody who wants a vampire, feminine rage, spicy story.
Check trigger warnings before reading.
February 25, 2026
Thank you Netgally and Cara Clare for an ARC of Chatterley!
I thought this book was amazing! This was a dark romance with vampires, what more could you ask for? I loved the way that the 2 main MCs YEARNED for each other, he had never met her just saw her and he yearned so badly. The writing was beautifully done. It had just the perfect amount of story building, I loved the double point of views as well as when you went back in time and learned how she came to be. I was hooked from page 1. The build up to the ending had my heart pumping, so good!! Mellors the man you are!! 10/10 ⭐️
I thought this book was amazing! This was a dark romance with vampires, what more could you ask for? I loved the way that the 2 main MCs YEARNED for each other, he had never met her just saw her and he yearned so badly. The writing was beautifully done. It had just the perfect amount of story building, I loved the double point of views as well as when you went back in time and learned how she came to be. I was hooked from page 1. The build up to the ending had my heart pumping, so good!! Mellors the man you are!! 10/10 ⭐️
March 1, 2026
“When I was human, they told me desire was a sin. Now I am a monster, I live to be sinful. I think maybe you do, too.”
Let’s be honest, Lady Chatterlys’ lover was scandalous for its time; a book that dared to write a woman with passion, sexual desire and a disregard for societies expectations of her as a woman and an aristocrat. And I think Connie would’ve loved this.
This dark fantasy reimagining uses a rich backstory of vampire aristocracy to deepen the metaphor of women being by treated like creatures, shamed for their own wants and moulded into whatever shape their husbands wanted.
Connie and Mellor share their narration, giving us two perspectives to their growing relationship and the dangers it brings - the writing was intoxicating, poetic, with a seductive edge that just pulled you in. Each chapter is quick, but rich in detail, with language that feels appropriate for a 1920’s English countryside but not fully compliant so it might be difficult for a modern reader.
Connie takes most of the story, leading us through her recent imprisonment and a type of vampire rehab, giving us insight into the world she lived in before she was Lady Chatterly and what the world knew of its own vampires- which had it’s own lore and place in key moments of history.
It was hard not to love Constance right away — her defiance, her sense of self - and to find the mirrored meanings in her imprisonment and torture by her husband. Her instant obsession with Mellor was a curious one, even in the original, I find myself almost believing in the first sight infatuation where in general I just can’t get behind it.
“Already, even though i do not yet know all the ways in which I will come to love him, I would follow him anywhere.”
Now, if you’re not into a spicier kick to your books, this just isn’t for you — there is deliciously graphic, visceral sex scenes that play with the ideas of kink and submission; and aside from being a cheek-flushing addition the story, they add a devilish layer to explorations of giving and taking control throughout the book.
For me, there’s a few recurring word choices that always throw me out of any sexy scenes that are used here, so I wasn't personally into them but that's personal taste. There is also some other darker themes that are explored, the author does a fantastic job of not falling into a pitfall of letting the more abusive, monstrous elements of the characters become romanticised or glamourised.
A feral, desperate tale about a dangerous woman finding her power and control — and of course, love.
Let’s be honest, Lady Chatterlys’ lover was scandalous for its time; a book that dared to write a woman with passion, sexual desire and a disregard for societies expectations of her as a woman and an aristocrat. And I think Connie would’ve loved this.
This dark fantasy reimagining uses a rich backstory of vampire aristocracy to deepen the metaphor of women being by treated like creatures, shamed for their own wants and moulded into whatever shape their husbands wanted.
Connie and Mellor share their narration, giving us two perspectives to their growing relationship and the dangers it brings - the writing was intoxicating, poetic, with a seductive edge that just pulled you in. Each chapter is quick, but rich in detail, with language that feels appropriate for a 1920’s English countryside but not fully compliant so it might be difficult for a modern reader.
Connie takes most of the story, leading us through her recent imprisonment and a type of vampire rehab, giving us insight into the world she lived in before she was Lady Chatterly and what the world knew of its own vampires- which had it’s own lore and place in key moments of history.
It was hard not to love Constance right away — her defiance, her sense of self - and to find the mirrored meanings in her imprisonment and torture by her husband. Her instant obsession with Mellor was a curious one, even in the original, I find myself almost believing in the first sight infatuation where in general I just can’t get behind it.
“Already, even though i do not yet know all the ways in which I will come to love him, I would follow him anywhere.”
Now, if you’re not into a spicier kick to your books, this just isn’t for you — there is deliciously graphic, visceral sex scenes that play with the ideas of kink and submission; and aside from being a cheek-flushing addition the story, they add a devilish layer to explorations of giving and taking control throughout the book.
For me, there’s a few recurring word choices that always throw me out of any sexy scenes that are used here, so I wasn't personally into them but that's personal taste. There is also some other darker themes that are explored, the author does a fantastic job of not falling into a pitfall of letting the more abusive, monstrous elements of the characters become romanticised or glamourised.
A feral, desperate tale about a dangerous woman finding her power and control — and of course, love.
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨️ARC Book Review✨️
Chatterley - Cara Clare (303📖) (9th February - 18th February) 5⭐️ 4🌶
Genres/Triggers:
•Lady Chatterley's Lover retelling
•Dark
•Gothic
•Romantasy
•BDSM
•Dom × Sub
•Wax Play
•Blood Play
•Restraint
•Torture
•Forced Marriage
I am so honoured to have received this ARC from the amazing Cara Clare. Chatterley is to release 28th February!!!
Constance 'Connie' Chatterly (formerly Reid) is turned into a vampire by Sir Clifford Chatterley to prove to the council that he can make and mould her into the perfect Progeny wife. He does this by torturing her with starvation, chains and silver.
But Oliver Mellors, Clifford's gamekeeper, sees her for everything that she has become and welcomes it.
While Clifford believes he is taming her, Oliver encourages Connie to embrace her new self and everything it has to offer. He empowers her and shows her what she is truly made of. They hunt together, feed together and experience the most epic love either of them has ever had. And they are both willing to do whatever it takes to be together.
Oh I do love a Cara Clare book! They never fail to disappoint in any way, shape or form.
I have loved Cara from The Phoenix Prophecy series (which I highly recommend you read by the way), to Luna (you should also read this too😝) and now, Chatterley.
As expected from any Cara Clare novel, it was phenomenal! No notes at all from me! I have never read Lady Chatterley's Lover so I went in not knowing the story. After reading Chatterley, I'm very tempted to give it a go.
From start to finish, I was hooked! I wish I didn't have to put it down in between and just read it all in one sitting.
The instant connection between Connie and Oliver was amazing, you could feel it radiating off the page before they had even met. Their relationship flowed smoothly and I loved the way he only ever lifted her up and showed her how to embrace the strong, brave and powerful woman Connie was.
We will say nothing about Clifford. We were all taught that if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all😂.
If you are a fan of a strong, powerful FMC, romantasy, a little bit of darkness and/or gothic vibes with lots of spice and a love that hits the spot, Chatterley is for you!
Releasing 28th February 2026 - mark your calendars!!
Chatterley - Cara Clare (303📖) (9th February - 18th February) 5⭐️ 4🌶
Genres/Triggers:
•Lady Chatterley's Lover retelling
•Dark
•Gothic
•Romantasy
•BDSM
•Dom × Sub
•Wax Play
•Blood Play
•Restraint
•Torture
•Forced Marriage
I am so honoured to have received this ARC from the amazing Cara Clare. Chatterley is to release 28th February!!!
Constance 'Connie' Chatterly (formerly Reid) is turned into a vampire by Sir Clifford Chatterley to prove to the council that he can make and mould her into the perfect Progeny wife. He does this by torturing her with starvation, chains and silver.
But Oliver Mellors, Clifford's gamekeeper, sees her for everything that she has become and welcomes it.
While Clifford believes he is taming her, Oliver encourages Connie to embrace her new self and everything it has to offer. He empowers her and shows her what she is truly made of. They hunt together, feed together and experience the most epic love either of them has ever had. And they are both willing to do whatever it takes to be together.
Oh I do love a Cara Clare book! They never fail to disappoint in any way, shape or form.
I have loved Cara from The Phoenix Prophecy series (which I highly recommend you read by the way), to Luna (you should also read this too😝) and now, Chatterley.
As expected from any Cara Clare novel, it was phenomenal! No notes at all from me! I have never read Lady Chatterley's Lover so I went in not knowing the story. After reading Chatterley, I'm very tempted to give it a go.
From start to finish, I was hooked! I wish I didn't have to put it down in between and just read it all in one sitting.
The instant connection between Connie and Oliver was amazing, you could feel it radiating off the page before they had even met. Their relationship flowed smoothly and I loved the way he only ever lifted her up and showed her how to embrace the strong, brave and powerful woman Connie was.
We will say nothing about Clifford. We were all taught that if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all😂.
If you are a fan of a strong, powerful FMC, romantasy, a little bit of darkness and/or gothic vibes with lots of spice and a love that hits the spot, Chatterley is for you!
Releasing 28th February 2026 - mark your calendars!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a spicy, gothic (vampire-filled) retelling of Lady Chatterley’s Lover, that definitely lived up to its extensive list of BDSM/ kink based content warnings!
Now, I should probably mention I’ve never actually read the original Lady Chatterley’s Lover, so can’t say how accurate this retelling is plot wise.
I can however tell you that the emotional intensity and yearning between our vampire protagonists Connie (Lady Chatterley) and Oliver Mellors (her husband’s groundskeeper) were incredibly delicious. The romantic scenes they share were soo steamy, but also delved into aspects from both of their pasts, which made their feelings for each other feel more than just superficial or lust based.
I also really empathised with Connie, who’s endured nothing but judgement from everyone around her. And my heart really broke for her in the flashback scenes of her human life (and how low her self esteem was as a result.) But loved that Oliver gave her an outlet free of shame and judgement, that allowed her to really explore herself and decide who she wanted to be.
Was it mostly steamy? Yes! But she really grows into her own during these scenes (which were fabulously steamy) and sees Connie actually take back control and explore her deepest desires with someone who cares about her. As well as rage against the patriarchy (and the vampire wet blanket that is her husband, Sir Clifford.)
I adored Oliver too, who despite his gruff demeanour is actually a bit of a (protective) cinnamon roll when it comes to Connie. If you love a “who hurt you” coded shadow daddy (with fangs) as much as I do (and a kink for being dominated by his lady) then you’re gonna absolutely love him.
Connie’s husband however, was soo unlikeable! He gave off strong vampire William Collins (from Pride & Prejudice) vibes that made me despise him (and root for his downfall) from the very first chapter.
Overall, a satisfyingly insatiable, (and blood soaked) Dark Fantasy that I genuinely couldn’t put down!
Also, a thanks to Instabooktours and Cara Clare for the review arc.
Now, I should probably mention I’ve never actually read the original Lady Chatterley’s Lover, so can’t say how accurate this retelling is plot wise.
I can however tell you that the emotional intensity and yearning between our vampire protagonists Connie (Lady Chatterley) and Oliver Mellors (her husband’s groundskeeper) were incredibly delicious. The romantic scenes they share were soo steamy, but also delved into aspects from both of their pasts, which made their feelings for each other feel more than just superficial or lust based.
I also really empathised with Connie, who’s endured nothing but judgement from everyone around her. And my heart really broke for her in the flashback scenes of her human life (and how low her self esteem was as a result.) But loved that Oliver gave her an outlet free of shame and judgement, that allowed her to really explore herself and decide who she wanted to be.
Was it mostly steamy? Yes! But she really grows into her own during these scenes (which were fabulously steamy) and sees Connie actually take back control and explore her deepest desires with someone who cares about her. As well as rage against the patriarchy (and the vampire wet blanket that is her husband, Sir Clifford.)
I adored Oliver too, who despite his gruff demeanour is actually a bit of a (protective) cinnamon roll when it comes to Connie. If you love a “who hurt you” coded shadow daddy (with fangs) as much as I do (and a kink for being dominated by his lady) then you’re gonna absolutely love him.
Connie’s husband however, was soo unlikeable! He gave off strong vampire William Collins (from Pride & Prejudice) vibes that made me despise him (and root for his downfall) from the very first chapter.
Overall, a satisfyingly insatiable, (and blood soaked) Dark Fantasy that I genuinely couldn’t put down!
Also, a thanks to Instabooktours and Cara Clare for the review arc.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Chatterley ARC
I was drawn in by the gorgeous cover and when I saw the words gothic and that it had vampires, I was sold. A paranormal reimagined version of the classic “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” which I was not familiar with. The Notice of Confiscated Material at the beginning absolutely set the vibe for the book. It was a nice fun touch.
This story was dark, romantic, with satisfying feminine rage, and a little disturbing at times… but like in an intriguing way? I was immediately hooked and really enjoyed this story overall.
Set in early 1900’s England, Constance finds herself imprisoned after being turned vampire. Her husband is her captor- an ancient vampire, he’s abusive, and obsessed with making her his experiment. He wants to prove to the vampire Council leaders that it’s safe to create more vampires that won’t be a danger to society after recent peace treaties. He tortures and imprisons her to see how much he can control and tame until her primal instincts are as dull as his. But all of his efforts only make her more desperate to find her true self.
The estate gamekeeper Oliver Mellors 🔥 … he wants to unlock that inner feral creature he knows she holds inside. I enjoyed seeing Connie grow into her new self and loved how Oliver was not afraid to show her while also respecting her boundaries.
𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘥𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭
There’s so much passion, and I was immersed in their love for each other. This book has a quite a lot of spice but it didn’t take away from the plot in my opinion. I also liked the dual timeline to get glimpse into Connie’s past life.
The final 20% was intense and emotional, both with adoration and gut wrenching anguish. The ending was satisfying yet I still wanted more.
Thank you @netgalley and Victory Editing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
🗓️ ℝ𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝔻𝕒𝕥𝕖: 𝟚.𝟚𝟠.𝟚𝟞
I was drawn in by the gorgeous cover and when I saw the words gothic and that it had vampires, I was sold. A paranormal reimagined version of the classic “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” which I was not familiar with. The Notice of Confiscated Material at the beginning absolutely set the vibe for the book. It was a nice fun touch.
This story was dark, romantic, with satisfying feminine rage, and a little disturbing at times… but like in an intriguing way? I was immediately hooked and really enjoyed this story overall.
Set in early 1900’s England, Constance finds herself imprisoned after being turned vampire. Her husband is her captor- an ancient vampire, he’s abusive, and obsessed with making her his experiment. He wants to prove to the vampire Council leaders that it’s safe to create more vampires that won’t be a danger to society after recent peace treaties. He tortures and imprisons her to see how much he can control and tame until her primal instincts are as dull as his. But all of his efforts only make her more desperate to find her true self.
The estate gamekeeper Oliver Mellors 🔥 … he wants to unlock that inner feral creature he knows she holds inside. I enjoyed seeing Connie grow into her new self and loved how Oliver was not afraid to show her while also respecting her boundaries.
𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘥𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭
There’s so much passion, and I was immersed in their love for each other. This book has a quite a lot of spice but it didn’t take away from the plot in my opinion. I also liked the dual timeline to get glimpse into Connie’s past life.
The final 20% was intense and emotional, both with adoration and gut wrenching anguish. The ending was satisfying yet I still wanted more.
Thank you @netgalley and Victory Editing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
🗓️ ℝ𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝔻𝕒𝕥𝕖: 𝟚.𝟚𝟠.𝟚𝟞
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Chatterley is an audacious, electrifying reinvention of one of literature’s most infamous love stories — and it absolutely delivers. Cara Clare takes the core of a classic scandal and transforms it into a dark, sensual gothically charged romance that is as bold and original as it is provocative.
From the very start, the narrative grips with its unique blend of vampire lore and feminist reclamation. Instead of a passive aristocratic heroine, we are drawn into the fierce voice of a woman turned vampire — chained, pushed to the brink, and ultimately fighting to reclaim her autonomy. The transformation from victim to empowered force of nature is thrilling, visceral, and gloriously satisfying.
The dynamics between the trio of central characters are rich with tension, passion, and emotional depth. Oliver Mellors, reimagined here not merely as a gamekeeper but as the liberator of wildness and desire, is a compelling counterpoint to the oppressive aristocratic world. His influence on the heroine ignites a journey of self-discovery that feels intensely personal and genuinely transformative.
What Chatterley does best is reframe a well-known story through the lens of empowerment, reclaiming themes of desire, identity, and resistance to control. The gothic atmosphere, sharp emotional stakes, and fierce romantic arcs make this a standout in modern romantasy and a must-read for fans of bold, genre-blending retellings.
If you love dark, sexy, and original takes on classic tales — especially ones that put agency, power, and passion at the center — Chatterley is an absolute five-star triumph.
From the very start, the narrative grips with its unique blend of vampire lore and feminist reclamation. Instead of a passive aristocratic heroine, we are drawn into the fierce voice of a woman turned vampire — chained, pushed to the brink, and ultimately fighting to reclaim her autonomy. The transformation from victim to empowered force of nature is thrilling, visceral, and gloriously satisfying.
The dynamics between the trio of central characters are rich with tension, passion, and emotional depth. Oliver Mellors, reimagined here not merely as a gamekeeper but as the liberator of wildness and desire, is a compelling counterpoint to the oppressive aristocratic world. His influence on the heroine ignites a journey of self-discovery that feels intensely personal and genuinely transformative.
What Chatterley does best is reframe a well-known story through the lens of empowerment, reclaiming themes of desire, identity, and resistance to control. The gothic atmosphere, sharp emotional stakes, and fierce romantic arcs make this a standout in modern romantasy and a must-read for fans of bold, genre-blending retellings.
If you love dark, sexy, and original takes on classic tales — especially ones that put agency, power, and passion at the center — Chatterley is an absolute five-star triumph.
March 20, 2026
Chatterley by Cara Clare is a gorgeously dark, haunting reimagining of one of literature’s most scandalous love stories, and it fully lives up to its gothic promise. From the very first page, Clare draws you into a world thick with atmosphere—where passion simmers beneath the surface, secrets fester in every shadow, and desire collides with danger in the most intoxicating ways.
The characters are exquisite in their complexity. They are flawed, passionate, and achingly human, driven by longing and trapped by circumstance. Clare captures the intensity of forbidden love with nuance and depth, making every glance, touch, and choice pulse with tension. There’s an aching vulnerability here that makes the romance both thrilling and emotionally resonant.
The gothic atmosphere is immersive and beautifully rendered. From the windswept estates to the candlelit corridors and dark corners where secrets hide, Clare’s prose paints a world that is at once luxurious and menacing. The tension is constant, the stakes are high, and the sense of longing and danger keeps you on edge while making it impossible to put the book down.
The narrative is rich and layered, exploring love, obsession, societal expectation, and personal freedom, all while keeping the suspense tight and the emotions raw. Clare’s writing lingers long after the final page, leaving you haunted by both the story and the sheer intensity of the romance.
Chatterley is perfect for fans of gothic romance, dark passion, and stories that blur the line between beauty and danger.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — haunting, sensual, and unforgettable; a masterful reimagining that commands your attention.
The characters are exquisite in their complexity. They are flawed, passionate, and achingly human, driven by longing and trapped by circumstance. Clare captures the intensity of forbidden love with nuance and depth, making every glance, touch, and choice pulse with tension. There’s an aching vulnerability here that makes the romance both thrilling and emotionally resonant.
The gothic atmosphere is immersive and beautifully rendered. From the windswept estates to the candlelit corridors and dark corners where secrets hide, Clare’s prose paints a world that is at once luxurious and menacing. The tension is constant, the stakes are high, and the sense of longing and danger keeps you on edge while making it impossible to put the book down.
The narrative is rich and layered, exploring love, obsession, societal expectation, and personal freedom, all while keeping the suspense tight and the emotions raw. Clare’s writing lingers long after the final page, leaving you haunted by both the story and the sheer intensity of the romance.
Chatterley is perfect for fans of gothic romance, dark passion, and stories that blur the line between beauty and danger.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — haunting, sensual, and unforgettable; a masterful reimagining that commands your attention.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’ll admit to not knowing the story on which this retelling is based, but I was drawn in by the promise of a gothic vampire romance; dark, passionate, and a rebellion against the patriarchy. You definitely don’t need to know the source to follow the story here, so don’t let that put you off!
Connie, the FMC, was the feral embodiment of a woman broken down by society and ready to rebel. We watch her lean more and more into her rage and passion through the book, whilst learning to hide it from those who use it against her. And all of that encouraged by Oliver, who only wants to set her free in every meaning of the word, willing to follow her lead, teach her the things her husband tried to deny, and protect her in any way he can.
That being said, I would have loved more general background and world building - we got Connie’s history through well placed flashbacks, and learned Mellor’s as well, but the overarching world history was missing, as well as some of the vampire lore. How did vamps come to be in power (especially with only 11 progeny in the UK)? What’s the difference between secondbloods and rogues? Does the rest of the world operate the same?
The ending here definitely set up for another book, and given that looks like it’ll extend outside of the estate, hopefully there will be a fuller picture then.
Definitely check the triggers, but for those who love a dark romance, vampires, and a story driven by characters who want to let their base desires free, this is for you.
Thank you to Insta Book Tours and the author for my proof copy
Connie, the FMC, was the feral embodiment of a woman broken down by society and ready to rebel. We watch her lean more and more into her rage and passion through the book, whilst learning to hide it from those who use it against her. And all of that encouraged by Oliver, who only wants to set her free in every meaning of the word, willing to follow her lead, teach her the things her husband tried to deny, and protect her in any way he can.
That being said, I would have loved more general background and world building - we got Connie’s history through well placed flashbacks, and learned Mellor’s as well, but the overarching world history was missing, as well as some of the vampire lore. How did vamps come to be in power (especially with only 11 progeny in the UK)? What’s the difference between secondbloods and rogues? Does the rest of the world operate the same?
The ending here definitely set up for another book, and given that looks like it’ll extend outside of the estate, hopefully there will be a fuller picture then.
Definitely check the triggers, but for those who love a dark romance, vampires, and a story driven by characters who want to let their base desires free, this is for you.
Thank you to Insta Book Tours and the author for my proof copy
Review of advance copy received from Author
Chatterley is such a great standalone supernatural romance! It's a dark and a bit macabre story of Lady Chatterley becoming a Vampire and beign told to surpress her nature and become what her sire want's her to be. I loved the writing, its immerivse, deep, intense and really well structured. The pacing of the book is perfect, there wasn't a moment I didn't enjoy in the story.
And the spice...😌 Oh wow, the mix of bdsm, forbidden desires and the mix of dominance and submissivness was soooooo good. Every scene had me on the edge, the eoritc aspects added to the book's story of Connie's awakening, not just as a new Vampire but as a woman who's desires were always frowned upon.
Oliver is my favourite type of MMC, will unalive for her but will also help her take back control. He will dominate for her pleasure but will still enjoy her taking charge. Their relationship was a bit insta-lusty but it came from a deep desire for understanding one another and their mutual want for being different not like the other Vampires want them to be.
I felt so immersed into the story I couldnt put it down once I sat down to read. I think so many people who love Erotic romance with dark supernatural vampire themes (lots of blood drinking) will find this story really enjoyable.
Thank you to the author and Insta book tours for the ARC copy! I loved it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
And the spice...😌 Oh wow, the mix of bdsm, forbidden desires and the mix of dominance and submissivness was soooooo good. Every scene had me on the edge, the eoritc aspects added to the book's story of Connie's awakening, not just as a new Vampire but as a woman who's desires were always frowned upon.
Oliver is my favourite type of MMC, will unalive for her but will also help her take back control. He will dominate for her pleasure but will still enjoy her taking charge. Their relationship was a bit insta-lusty but it came from a deep desire for understanding one another and their mutual want for being different not like the other Vampires want them to be.
I felt so immersed into the story I couldnt put it down once I sat down to read. I think so many people who love Erotic romance with dark supernatural vampire themes (lots of blood drinking) will find this story really enjoyable.
Thank you to the author and Insta book tours for the ARC copy! I loved it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
March 3, 2026
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This dark, gothic, vampire‑filled retelling of Lady Chatterley’s Lover had me hooked from page one. I wasn’t familiar with the original classic going in, but it didn’t matter—this story stands completely on its own. The atmosphere is rich, the tension is intense, and the blend of female rage, liberation, and paranormal spice is incredibly compelling.
Connie’s transformation is the highlight of the book. Watching her reclaim her autonomy, lean into her feral power, and shed the shame forced onto her was powerful and emotional. Her chemistry with Mellors is undeniable, and their connection unfolds with a raw, magnetic pull.
The worldbuilding—especially the progeny vampires and the experimental “training”—adds a fresh twist to vampire lore, and the writing balances gothic moodiness with fast‑moving emotion. The villain is genuinely chilling, and the ending sets up the next book beautifully.
My only drawbacks were wanting more plot depth, more worldbuilding around the vampire hierarchy, and a few softer emotional moments between Connie and Mellors to balance the heavy spice.
Still, this was an addictive, atmospheric read that delivers exactly what it promises: dark romance, rebellion, and a heroine embracing her power. Fans of gothic paranormal romance and vampire stories will love this.
This dark, gothic, vampire‑filled retelling of Lady Chatterley’s Lover had me hooked from page one. I wasn’t familiar with the original classic going in, but it didn’t matter—this story stands completely on its own. The atmosphere is rich, the tension is intense, and the blend of female rage, liberation, and paranormal spice is incredibly compelling.
Connie’s transformation is the highlight of the book. Watching her reclaim her autonomy, lean into her feral power, and shed the shame forced onto her was powerful and emotional. Her chemistry with Mellors is undeniable, and their connection unfolds with a raw, magnetic pull.
The worldbuilding—especially the progeny vampires and the experimental “training”—adds a fresh twist to vampire lore, and the writing balances gothic moodiness with fast‑moving emotion. The villain is genuinely chilling, and the ending sets up the next book beautifully.
My only drawbacks were wanting more plot depth, more worldbuilding around the vampire hierarchy, and a few softer emotional moments between Connie and Mellors to balance the heavy spice.
Still, this was an addictive, atmospheric read that delivers exactly what it promises: dark romance, rebellion, and a heroine embracing her power. Fans of gothic paranormal romance and vampire stories will love this.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Chatterley is a dark, gothic reimagining of Lady Chatterley’s Lover, and I really enjoyed its vampire romance twist. It takes the classic story and turns it into something fresh and original, it feels like a book with its own identity rather than just a retelling.
In this version, Connie has been turned into a vampire by her husband, Lord Chatterley, who’s an awful, controlling man. I absolutely hated him. He’s cruel and twisted, determined to force Connie into a strict, lifeless existence. But what really drives the story is Connie’s connection with Mellors, the groundskeeper. Their relationship grows beautifully from pure lust into something deeper, love and genuine devotion.
The gothic atmosphere is rich and sensual, with plenty of spice and some darker elements that definitely make it a bold read.
Overall, I loved the combination of gothic romance, danger, and desire. If you enjoy vampire love stories that reimagine classics in intriguing new ways, Chatterley is well worth picking up.
4 stars.
Thank you to Instabook tours and the author for sending me an advance reader copy to read and review.
In this version, Connie has been turned into a vampire by her husband, Lord Chatterley, who’s an awful, controlling man. I absolutely hated him. He’s cruel and twisted, determined to force Connie into a strict, lifeless existence. But what really drives the story is Connie’s connection with Mellors, the groundskeeper. Their relationship grows beautifully from pure lust into something deeper, love and genuine devotion.
The gothic atmosphere is rich and sensual, with plenty of spice and some darker elements that definitely make it a bold read.
Overall, I loved the combination of gothic romance, danger, and desire. If you enjoy vampire love stories that reimagine classics in intriguing new ways, Chatterley is well worth picking up.
4 stars.
Thank you to Instabook tours and the author for sending me an advance reader copy to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Chatterley by Cara Clare
3.75 stars (rounding up to 4)
A stunning, electrifying Gothic retelling.
I was pulled in straight away — not just by the dark, gothic cover, but by the feral chaos of the FMC and the instant, all-consuming connection between the two main characters.
I absolutely loved the dark, seductive dynamic between Connie and Mellors. Watching Connie come into her own — discovering who she is as a vampire while rediscovering herself as a woman — was genuinely fascinating.
While I enjoyed most of the book, some chapters felt a little short and, at times, lacking in deeper character development. The focus leaned heavily toward the sexual relationship. As an avid smut reader, that isn’t necessarily a problem for me — and the scenes were well written and felt fresh compared to others in the genre — but the beginning hinted at something even more layered. After a while, I found it harder to stay fully invested in the characters and overall plot.
That said, the chemistry? Undeniable. And when it hits, it really hits.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.75 stars (rounding up to 4)
A stunning, electrifying Gothic retelling.
I was pulled in straight away — not just by the dark, gothic cover, but by the feral chaos of the FMC and the instant, all-consuming connection between the two main characters.
I absolutely loved the dark, seductive dynamic between Connie and Mellors. Watching Connie come into her own — discovering who she is as a vampire while rediscovering herself as a woman — was genuinely fascinating.
While I enjoyed most of the book, some chapters felt a little short and, at times, lacking in deeper character development. The focus leaned heavily toward the sexual relationship. As an avid smut reader, that isn’t necessarily a problem for me — and the scenes were well written and felt fresh compared to others in the genre — but the beginning hinted at something even more layered. After a while, I found it harder to stay fully invested in the characters and overall plot.
That said, the chemistry? Undeniable. And when it hits, it really hits.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2026
For me this was really a 2.5/5 rounded up to 3, simply because I really did enjoy the idea of the vampires created in this narrative. I did not read the original classic this was reimagining was based on, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Overall the flow of the plot and the background to the characters was really interesting, the intertwining of a nurse background with an ongoing war to the epidemic of vampires interfering with humans.
That being said, I would’ve much preferred a less erotically written version. I feel like the idea of Connie becoming “free, wild, untamed, etc” was fully shown in her taming instincts and relearning how to exist now that she is turned with Mellors. Adding the sex scenes didn’t really do much for any character development, almost feeling like a way to reach quota as a mature audience novel, and I found that I skipped over a lot of them just because they didn’t feel necessary. Don’t get me wrong, I knew there would be some form of intimate scenes in this but I think that I prefer the rest of the novel more whether it be the trainings in the garden or the aftermath of Ghost.
That being said, I would’ve much preferred a less erotically written version. I feel like the idea of Connie becoming “free, wild, untamed, etc” was fully shown in her taming instincts and relearning how to exist now that she is turned with Mellors. Adding the sex scenes didn’t really do much for any character development, almost feeling like a way to reach quota as a mature audience novel, and I found that I skipped over a lot of them just because they didn’t feel necessary. Don’t get me wrong, I knew there would be some form of intimate scenes in this but I think that I prefer the rest of the novel more whether it be the trainings in the garden or the aftermath of Ghost.
February 8, 2026
Chatterley is a gothic reimagining of Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Connie has been turned into a vampire by Clifford; however, as a progeny vampire, he follows strict rules and is determined to force Connie into the same controlled existence. Despite this, Connie finds herself irresistibly drawn to Mellors, the groundskeeper, and what unfolds is dark, gothic, and at times very spicy…
This was my first book by Cara Clares, and it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted, featuring plenty of spice including wax and blood play. The story moves at a steady pace for most of the book, before shifting up a gear towards the end. I really enjoyed Connie’s spirit and determination as a character, as well as Mellors’ unwavering devotion to her.
The novel leans more towards light fantasy, with fairly simple world-building, keeping the focus firmly on Connie and Mellors’ relationship. It is ultimately a romance story with a gothic twist. If you’re a fan of spicy vampire romances, this may well be the book for you!
This was my first book by Cara Clares, and it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted, featuring plenty of spice including wax and blood play. The story moves at a steady pace for most of the book, before shifting up a gear towards the end. I really enjoyed Connie’s spirit and determination as a character, as well as Mellors’ unwavering devotion to her.
The novel leans more towards light fantasy, with fairly simple world-building, keeping the focus firmly on Connie and Mellors’ relationship. It is ultimately a romance story with a gothic twist. If you’re a fan of spicy vampire romances, this may well be the book for you!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to get an arc of this book and I thought it was an atmospherically gothic story with a writing style that depicts the time period in which the events take place.
I had never heard of Lady Chatterleys Lover so had no idea what the story was about, but I have read Cara's Nova series and loved it so I had no doubt, going in blind, that I would enjoy this one too!
After doing a bit of digging and learning about the original story that Cara's depiction is based on, I think she hit the mark in her portrayal of these characters, by taking these characters and re imagining them as vampires and creating a seductive story of strength, love, and rage.
Connie didn't ask to be turned. Her choice was taken away from her and then she was forced to deny her basic urges, told they were sinful and tortured until those instincts faded and she became a shell of herself. Then she encountered Oliver, and then she started to feel again. She learned what it was to embrace who she is. With Olivers help she will escape Sir Cliffords clutches, but it isn't easy.
I had never heard of Lady Chatterleys Lover so had no idea what the story was about, but I have read Cara's Nova series and loved it so I had no doubt, going in blind, that I would enjoy this one too!
After doing a bit of digging and learning about the original story that Cara's depiction is based on, I think she hit the mark in her portrayal of these characters, by taking these characters and re imagining them as vampires and creating a seductive story of strength, love, and rage.
Connie didn't ask to be turned. Her choice was taken away from her and then she was forced to deny her basic urges, told they were sinful and tortured until those instincts faded and she became a shell of herself. Then she encountered Oliver, and then she started to feel again. She learned what it was to embrace who she is. With Olivers help she will escape Sir Cliffords clutches, but it isn't easy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC REVIEW:
Chatterley by Cara Clare
Release date 28th February 2026
3.5 ⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
Chatterley is a mixture of gothic and dark romance, it takes on a classical hue of Lady Chatterleys lover that entices the reader to read a darker version of the classical tale. It follows lady Chatterley who's been recently turned into a vampire and might as well be a science experiment for her new husband, Sir Clifford.
The writing style is a unique blend of classical literature and dark, it shows you the emphasis on how women are shamed for their sexuality or any emotion that they portray. The plot whilst not exciting is very imaginative and has ways of drawing you in. The chapters, we're the perfect length and gave you enough information without feeling as though everything is been thrown at you all at once. Chatterley is definitely a book I'd recommend readers in the autumnal months for a dark and spicy read.
I'd like to thank Netgalley, plume noire books and the author for gifting me the ebook for my honest review.
Chatterley by Cara Clare
Release date 28th February 2026
3.5 ⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
Chatterley is a mixture of gothic and dark romance, it takes on a classical hue of Lady Chatterleys lover that entices the reader to read a darker version of the classical tale. It follows lady Chatterley who's been recently turned into a vampire and might as well be a science experiment for her new husband, Sir Clifford.
The writing style is a unique blend of classical literature and dark, it shows you the emphasis on how women are shamed for their sexuality or any emotion that they portray. The plot whilst not exciting is very imaginative and has ways of drawing you in. The chapters, we're the perfect length and gave you enough information without feeling as though everything is been thrown at you all at once. Chatterley is definitely a book I'd recommend readers in the autumnal months for a dark and spicy read.
I'd like to thank Netgalley, plume noire books and the author for gifting me the ebook for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I've watched the movie "Lady Chatterley's Lover" and enjoyed it, but I have never gotten around to reading the original novel. So when I read the description of the book and found out it was a reimaging of Lady Chatterley with vampiric elements I was very intrigued and looked forward to reading it.
The gothic setting was amazing, the dark feeling that Clifford gave me every time he was present, even in the glimpses of the past we got was unreal. No matter what, every time he was involved I was unnerved because he was just.. a weird man overall. The pacing was also extremely well done and never once did I find myself bored. My only gripe with the book in general is.. we need more desperately we need more.
Connie and Mallor's relationship was interesting, there was adequate spice and decent romance but.. I feel that like instant connection to this was weird? But I also get why it happened because he kind of had something she didn't have: a sense of freedom.
Thank you to Netgalley and Plume Noire Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
The gothic setting was amazing, the dark feeling that Clifford gave me every time he was present, even in the glimpses of the past we got was unreal. No matter what, every time he was involved I was unnerved because he was just.. a weird man overall. The pacing was also extremely well done and never once did I find myself bored. My only gripe with the book in general is.. we need more desperately we need more.
Connie and Mallor's relationship was interesting, there was adequate spice and decent romance but.. I feel that like instant connection to this was weird? But I also get why it happened because he kind of had something she didn't have: a sense of freedom.
Thank you to Netgalley and Plume Noire Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Chatterley wastes absolutely no time getting going! I knew as soon as I read the Prologue that this was going to hit for me - I loved how direct but descriptive the writing was and it hooked me straight away. I haven't read the original novel, but I have seen an adaption, and I loved how Chatterley took key events from Lady Chatterley's Lover and put them into this bloodthirsty paranormal romance, full of yearning, rage and revenge. It was just so satisfying!
Some of the spicy scenes were VERY unexpected. I definitely didn't have a few of those on my bingo card this year! The author's note at the start of the book contains the content warnings. It does have some dark and kink-focused content in it, so definitely make sure you're comfortable with that. But if you are, this is definitely a good time!
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
Some of the spicy scenes were VERY unexpected. I definitely didn't have a few of those on my bingo card this year! The author's note at the start of the book contains the content warnings. It does have some dark and kink-focused content in it, so definitely make sure you're comfortable with that. But if you are, this is definitely a good time!
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
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