My Shadow My Groom: A Dark Fantasy Horror Romance and Supernatural Thriller

by Uthman A. Hakami

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2026

Reviews

[Tony Iglesias · Rating 5 out of 5]

This blends dark fantasy, horror, and romance into a story that leans heavily on atmosphere and supernatural tension. None of that is bad, must descriptive. The premise is intriguing: a desperate young woman accepts help from a mysterious shadow entity, only to realize the price may be far greater than she expected. The book does a good job creating a sense of unease without making it feel like it dragged on just to make the fantasy page count (as you know, fantasies have huge page counts, and some stories feel like they are trying to make the story work in the genre and it drags). The supernatural elements are eerie (that's good) and unpredictable, and the relationship between Elara and the shadow figure carries a constant sense of danger. Readers who enjoy darker fantasy with horror elements and morally ambiguous supernatural characters will likely find this story compelling and memorable.

[Leana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Covenant

This story pulls you in fast and does not let go. Elara’s desperation feels real, which makes her decision to accept the shadow’s offer hit even harder. The tension builds steadily as the supernatural presence shifts from savior to something far more unsettling.

The shadow is not a softened romantic antihero. He is cold, territorial, and genuinely frightening. The mix of romantasy atmosphere with true horror stakes creates a chilling, high intensity read. If you like beauty wrapped around dread, this delivers.

[Gio Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re hunting for a soft, glittery fairytale romance—turn back now. This isn’t that kind of story. Not even close.
This book drags you somewhere darker… sharper… far more unsettling—and honestly, far more addictive.
Elara Vance isn’t some flawless heroine destined for love. She’s raw, desperate, and heartbreakingly human. When she makes a deal with the shadows themselves to save her mother, you can feel the weight of that choice immediately—and the fallout? Chilling. Relentless. Unforgiving.

[Jose Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a twist of dark fantasy horror with romance that has blood freezing moments. The story atmosphere is heavy, sometimes even exhausting, Elara's feelings are dramatically realistic, but you can't stop reading, the book is pulling you in more and more with each chapter...

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know that sick feeling that happens when youve honestly exhausted every option and you’re standing at the edge of the pit? This one gets that feeling across immediately. The oppressive atmosphere begins with the minute breathed shadows in Elaras room and it's drawn out on an unsettlingly straight line through a miracle that turns out to be more of a beautiful trap you cant escape. What fascinated me was the shadow grooms character. I learned soon enough that he’s no misunderstood brooding romantic who just needs love to fix his wickedness. He wants Elara and he’s going claim her. The way the supernatural horror starts seeping into her collapsing mundane life ratchets up the stakes so high I was at the edge of my seat ready to scream and the jump scares are earned. This is a raw exploration of the desperation of a high price wrapped in a thick shroud of anxiety inducing supernatural dread. If you are looking for actually deep take into a dark fantasy world that reads more like a crime thriller than a typical romance this is a good choice for you but I wouldnt bother turning out the lights after haha!

[FunctionX]

I've been burned by "dark romance" before where "dark" just means the love interest is broody. This is NOT that.
Elara is broke, terrified, and completely alone. The author doesn't sugarcoat it. By the time the shadow shows up, you already understand why she makes the deal. You'd probably do the same.
And the shadow entity? Genuinely unsettling. He's not secretly soft underneath. He is ancient, territorial, and wrong and the book never lets you forget it. The cold that follows him, the way reality bends near him... it's atmospheric horror done right.
If you love romantasy but keep wishing it actually scared you, this is exactly what you've been looking for.

[Arcelie Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The groom in this book is a great supernatural antagonist because he feels completely alien and very powerful. His deal is simple but the price is a territorial nightmare that changes everything about the world Elara lives in. The jump-scares are effective, and the general feeling of supernatural dread is maintained through every single chapter. It is a chilling look at a dark bargain where the miracle provided is just as scary as the monster who gave it to you in the middle of the night.

[Sarah Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story grabs you by the throat from the very first page. Elara's desperation is so visceral that when she makes a deal with the shadow, you feel the weight of it in your bones. What really sets it apart is the shadow itself, it's genuinely menacing, never softening into a typical romantic hero. The atmosphere is thick with dread from start to finish, elevating it far beyond standard fantasy romance. A must read for anyone craving darker fantasy with real horror elements.

[Kagama-the Literaturevixen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its pitch black. I cant say I enjoyed it but understand me right, its not a badly written book the writing is very atmospheric/cinematic. Its just that I would have wished it could have ended on a more empowering note for the female protagonist . I feel as if the romance part is ambigious.

If you found Do you like cosmic horror too rom-conesque
Thrum by Meg Smitherman too short and Deliver us from the evil one too bleak then you might like this one.

[Suh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn’t your typical romance. It’s darker, more intense, and genuinely unsettling. Elara’s struggles feel real, which makes her desperate choice hit even harder. The shadow isn’t a charming hero but something cold and terrifying, and that tension keeps you hooked.

The atmosphere is heavy and eerie, with a constant sense of danger. If you enjoy dark fantasy with horror elements, this is a gripping and memorable read.

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark and gripping story that blends fantasy, horror, and romance into a supernatural thriller. My Shadow My Groom pulls readers into a mysterious world filled with tension, secrets, and unexpected twists.

The mix of romance and dark supernatural elements keeps the story engaging, making it a great pick for readers who enjoy intense, atmospheric fantasy with a touch of danger and intrigue.

[JESSICA · Rating 5 out of 5]

The relationship at the center of the story is intense and emotional. It’s not a light or simple love story, there’s darkness, secrets, and a feeling that the characters are connected by something deeper than ordinary fate. That blend of romance and suspense kept me turning pages because I wanted to understand both the characters and the strange forces surrounding them.

[Chrissie Rolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gripping opening masterfully blurs the line between psychological trauma and supernatural horror. Elara Vance is a compelling, vulnerable protagonist fighting a waking nightmare of poverty and grief. The atmospheric tension from the abyssal cliff to the metallic scent of copper is suffocatingly effective. A terrifying, must-read debut.

[Hurrem Sultana · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Shadow My Groom pulled me in with its eerie premise and didn’t let go. The relationship between the protagonist and her shadow felt unsettling at first, but that’s exactly what made it so addictive. There’s something deeply symbolic about how the shadow evolves from a silent presence into something intimate, protective, and even possessive.

[Deep Forest · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Shadow My Groom is a good mix of dark fantasy, horror, romance, and supernatural suspense. The story is intricate and full of unexpected twists that keep it interesting from start to finish. The writing feels confident, blending the different tones and themes seamlessly. For those who enjoy stories that cross genre boundaries and offer something fresh, this one’s a good pick.

[NT · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t your typical story. With an unusual writing style, it has a reflective, almost dreamlike quality that draws you in and makes you pause. It invites you to slow down and really think about what’s being said, rather than just rushing through the pages. It’s the kind of book that can mean something a little different to each reader, which makes it even more special.

[Fabien François · Rating 5 out of 5]

a dark, atmospheric blend of fantasy, horror, and romance that keeps you hooked from the very beginning. The story pulls you into Elara’s desperate situation quickly, making her decision to accept the mysterious covenant both heartbreaking and believable.

[K.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly this book messed me up in the best way possible. Elara's desperation felt so real and that shadow creature gave me actual chills. Couldn't put it down, the ending wrecked me completely. Absolutely loved it

[Ike Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing dark fantasy with a unique premise. Elara’s desperation makes her a compelling protagonist, and the mysterious shadow creates constant tension. Some parts of the story felt slightly rushed, but overall it’s an engaging and suspenseful read.

[Sarah Soll · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Shadow My Groom. I wasn't initially drawn to this book, but I read it anyway, and it was really interesting. As a non-fantasy horror romance fan, this book by Uthman A Hakami was well written and easy to read.

[Kujama Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story
i fell in love with Elara from the first chapter , her groom was something else .

[Shika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book, combining a romantic story with supernatural and horror elements. Will keep an eye out for more books like this

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked that the shadow character actually feels dangerous instead of turning into a typical romantic hero. The story keeps a creepy atmosphere the whole time, which made it more interesting than most romantasy I’ve read. If you like darker fantasy with a bit of horror, this one is worth checking out.