Dark Devotion

by C. Hallman

Genres: Dark Romance

59 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 14, 2026

About the author

C. Hallman is a USA Today Bestselling Author who wrote her debut novel in 2018 and has since published over 100 books in various romance subgenres. Her works have been on numerous bestseller lists and have been translated into 8 languages around the world.
When she doesn't write her next novel, she publishes spicy novellas under the pen name Darcy Rose.

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Reviews

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely a dark and intense novella with Elijah and Leona. This was intense and chaotic. The twists and turns were wild. With some heavy themes. But this really pulled me in and kept reading me reading. I devoured this at fast. Can’t wait for what comes next.

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novella that I read in one sitting. This author sure knows how to grab my attention and keep it throughout. I thought this was a great read and can’t wait to read more :)

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Devotion is a short dark romance including some triggers. Contains mature adult themes. It contains explicit content. A short full-length novella with a guaranteed HEA. It’s the prequel to Touch of Hate. Eighteen year old Leona made an orphan at seventeen, survives on the streets until Rebecca brings her to New Haven, where she discovers a depraved community and must escape. This is Leona and Elijah which is told from a dual point of view. Captivating. Decadent. Sinful. Dirty. Twisted. Dark. An unputdownable and absorbing addictive read.
A contemporary romance, dark romance, hate-to-love vibes story, romantic suspense story, morally-grey antihero romance, crime thriller story, enemies-to-lovers romance, 90 minute short romance, captivity story, forced proximity romance, polar opposite attracts story, protective alpha hero romance, with lies, deception, darkness, madness, power and control, obsession, possessiveness, anger, threats, revelations, survival, resilience, fear, human trafficking, dominance, dirty talking, submission, spice, heartbreaking, loss, grief, pain and hurt, consensual intense rough sex, captivity, angst, mystery, surprises, twists and turns, danger, violence, family found, trauma, depravity, kidnapping, auction/sold, passion, love and so much more.
Leona loss her mom at seventeen years old, it left her homeless and an orphan because she was her only family. And from there on her life was rough with her doing everything she could living on the street in order to stay out of foster care, and have managed to survive on her own but barely. She longed to get off the street and find some type of normalcy or permanence. So when one day she came across this wonderful lady name Rebecca and she took her to New Haven she thought I was the luckiest girl in the world. Because it was hard to survive on the streets and she just wanted a nice warm bed at night. Rebecca preach all holy stuff and tell them not to do stuff the Lord wouldn't approve of. At first she wanted to be seen and for her to be proud of her. She knows something was off when all the girls had to where the same things. But as she noticed certain things about the place her instincts started kicking in and she know that she should trusted her instincts.
And to make matters worse they have armed guards watching them and she finally realized that they were there to keep them in instead of letting them leave. Now she's eighteen, and know that if she don’t get out of there soon, she might not live to turn any older. And when she told Rebecca that she wanted to leave she got really mad. Rebecca acts like New Haven was a christian cult. But it turns out that they were nothing more than a human trafficking ring. They separate the girls from the boys and the children are under constant harm guards. Elijah and his younger brother Tristan was forced to work their by his dad. Leona was desperate to leave and thought that Elijah could help her, but when she tries to befriend him he was cold-hearted towards her and rejects her pleas for help.
But after seeing what type of place it was he knows that he as it get away and take his brother with him. Elijah had been planning and waiting for the right time to leave New Haven with his brother and he must now take Leona with him as well. The three must work together in order to escape from their situation. Their romance was a slow burn and it was saving grace to what could have been a tragic situation with her being trafficked into the sex slave ring. Will they be successful in their escape? Will they get their HEA?

I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG . What an emotional rollercoaster that sucks you right in from the very first page and does not let go . I started reading late last night and to say I did not get any sleep would definitely be an understatement. Dark Devotion is a novella and Prequel to C HALLMAN’S Hate and Chaos Duet and oh man was it truly fantastic. Dark and Delicious and Steamy and just utterly Addictive. I genuinely could not devour it fast enough. I could not get enough of this introduction/ world that C Hallman has so brilliantly created . A world filled with the most captivating characters, characters filled with so many layers and complexities you simply cannot help but to find yourself 100 % intrigued and invested.

[Amie Kieffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danger and Mystery Reeled Me In…

This is a really good short read that reeled me in because the complexity of what was taking place was so immense and one has to really be following along and paying attention to take in all that's being laid out.

What Leona is going through is simply awful and when you think about how this sort of thing probably does happen in real life it literally draws you in to such a feeling of suspense as you read on and hope that she can survive this living h*** that she was experiencing.

Elijah is someone who is also fighting some demons and his plans change unexpectedly.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a little danger and doesn't mind sensitive situations.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Misty Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. This is a novella prequel to Hate & Chaos duet.
Leona was living on the streets before she came to New Haven. She was excited to be there and followed all the rules. It quickly become clear that it everything was not as it seemed and it was time for her to leave.
Elijah has been waiting patiently for the perfect time to get out of New Haven. He has to protect his brother and get them both out. Only he didn't expect to catch feelings for Leona. Now he has to find a way to get them all out alive.
I devoured this short read and can't wait to read more.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize that I had previously read this when it was in an anthology. The story itself is fine. After Leona lost her mom, she was taken in by a woman, unbeknownst to her, who was human trafficking. Elijah's dad is employed by this woman, and once Elijah figures out what's going on, he has to decide whether or not to step in. I honestly feel like the name doesn't fit the story itself. And once I realized that I had already read this in an anthology, I was hoping that there would have been more building on the story, but there wasn't.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LoveMeDarkly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows Elijah and Leona.

Leona loses her mom and is picked up by Rebecca who "takes care of her." Once she turns 18 she lets Rebecca know she wants to leave and when she says no, she makes a plan to leave in the middle of the night.

Elijah's dad is a drunk who does whatever Rebecca wants because when is the one who feeds his addiction. The night Leona tries to escape, she is caught and sent to Elijah and his father, Henry's house.

This book is super faced paced (59 pages), but still does a great job telling a story. I loved the HEA, but I wish I knew more if what Rebecca was up to actually came to an end or if something happened with Leona and Elijah.

[Tanya Rae ~ TaSTy WordGasms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Devotion is a novella & a prequel to Hate & Chaos duet in which I have read and enjoyed. This is Leona and Elijah’s story.

I found it interesting to read have read Dark Devotion after reading the duet. This book is a pretty dark romance so make sure you check out the TW/CW’s.

I am glad to have gone back and read this book. Little did Leona know how evil Rebecca was and was Elijah as monstrous as everyone else? You as the reader need to read this to find out. Things happen very fast & furious since this is a novella.

[Good Booking Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid hit from an author who honestly never disappoints. Even in a shorter format, the writing is sharp and immersive—she has a way of pulling you in immediately and keeping you turning pages just to see what happens next.

The story itself is dark and gripping, and while this is a novella, it doesn’t feel lacking in plot at all. It lays a strong foundation and feels very intentional—more like a prequel that sets up something bigger (and once you read it, you’ll get what I mean).

It’s not the spiciest of her works, but it still hits the mark and fits the tone of the story well. Overall, a compelling, unsettling read that does exactly what it needs to—and leaves you wanting more.

Thank you to the C. Hallman for the ARC. This review is only my opintion.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about a place for homeless children that has religious undertones but is not what it seems. Leona has just had her 18th birthday and has a gut feeling that everything is not what it seems in this place -- one that she felt was safe but now that she is viewing it from revised optics, she realizes she missed all the red flags early on. Fortunately, her luck changes when Elijah decides he is willing to help her.

An intense read that makes you feel emotions you might not want to feel but definitely worth the read.

[Clara Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Devotion follows Leona and Elijah who are trapped in an impossible situation because they put their trust in the wrong people. Now they're prisoners in a crazy place called New Haven that's far from the God loving community they want you to believe.
Will he risk it all helping her before it's too late?

I received an free copy through Booksprout an I'm voluntarily leaving my review.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[REBECCA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the prequel to Hate to Chaos series. Leona is an orphan picked up of the street by seemingly a lovely helpful Rebecca who actually runs a cult & traps her in their commune. Elijah is another troubled sole trapped in the commune with his brother & alcoholic father. We start to see behind the scenes of what the cult is about & what they actually face. I would read before reading the hate series.

[Lady Di Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Haven isn't what Leona thought it was. She arrived thinking she found a safe space but when she decides it's time to leave she learns the choice isn't hers to make. Elijah has been waiting to leave New Haven with his brother, but now he also have Leona to worry about. This is short and to the point but it's intense with some dark themes around human trafficking. Looking forward to reading the additional books.

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can you run before it is too late?

You thought that you were safe. Leona has started to notice that things aren't right at the compound and she knows that she needs to escape. But she is caught and there is only one person that is willing to help her. Elijah knows what is about to happen but he needs to save his little brother. He knows that Leona is bout to be sold and he has a choice to make. Will he save her as well? A good short read

[Syd Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book. I enjoyed the Leona and Elijah's very start as this is a prequel for the Hate and Chaos, which was also great! I loved the passion and keep for being free that so many take for granted. This two are able to get away and start a new life, free, but little did they know that have more ahead.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story follows orphaned Leona who once thought that Rebecca was her hero, taking her off the streets to a place called New Haven, which is basically just a fancy prison. When she tries to escape, Rebecca sends her to Elijah and his father where she suddenly learns the awful truth of New Haven. Will she be able to make it out alive?

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thrilling story that had me all caught up in the characters and is also the prequel for Hate and Chaos duet. This is Elijah and Leona's story that is a dark romance so be warned there are triggers. It is a great story that I enjoyed connecting with the characters through their journey.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[ajscenic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick short read about two people finding each other in a time of crisis. This book has a solid plot, twisted bad guys and people doing the right thing. Elijah and Leona have good chemistry and their scenes have the right tension and sense of danger. This is a good read with a good ending.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Devotion is a short novella and the prequel to the Hate & Chaos duet. In this book we get Elijah and Leona's story, and it is a dark and twisted one. If you trigger easily, check the trigger warnings first, but if you like to dip your toes on the dark side, then grab this book and hold on. Overall, this is a great read, my only complaint is that I wish it had been longer.

[L KQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Haven Facade

Leona and Elijah both end up in New Haven for various reasons but their goal is the same. Leave before it is too late. It was a short yet very intense read. While this is a prequel to the Hate and Chaos duet, the couple changes. This was a story that captured my attention right from the start.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

A prequel to the Hate to Chaos duet, oddly it works better having read the duet first.
We see orphaned Leona see behind the curtains at new Haven and the truth about Rebecca when shes sent to Elijahs and his father, and their story truly begins. Well written short, quick interesting read

[Dark Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short novella that's a prequel to the Hate & Chaos duet. I haven't read that series yet, so this was all new, but I enjoyed Leona and Elijah's story in all its intensity. It's dark romance, so if there are triggers you're concerned about, you should probably check them before reading.

[Megan Richards · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short story featuring a cultish-foster care-human trafficking ring, insta-love, and a cliffhanger ending.

This story has the potential to be really good with some editing and polishing. Writing was choppy at some points.

[Princess Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing.

The writing is solid, the plot has potential. There's no darkness here though, no devotion. After years of watching crime shows, real and fake, this was such a letdown.

[Sammye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was So good. The suspense and drama kept me reading non-stop. It’s a short, dark quick read. I loved how Leona and Elijah‘s relationship developed into a sweet love. I’m anxious to read more about the human trafficking cult. Excellent read.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a great little prologue. Definitely want to read more of this. Already got the touch of hate book ready to dive into! There are some trigger warnings to be aware of so always check those out ⚠️ but a good quick read with plot and a bit of spice 😉

[Saundra Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This prequel is a perfect teaser to the Hate and Chaos duet, a thrilling series. You will have to brave a lot of danger before reaching a happy ending but it's a ride you won't forget.

[Tina McParland · Rating 4 out of 5]

quick Read

This was a quick short but thorough suspense romance with a but of a twist and leaving me wanting more.

[Hollyanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Devotion was a quick read about Elijah and Leona and is told from both of their points of view. This is a prequel novella before the Chaos duet.

Leona and Elijah live on a compound, and when Leona decides to try to escape, she gets stuck being guarded by Elijan and his dad. Elijah has his own plans on leaving with his younger brother, and now Leona has thwarted those plans.

When Leona asks Elijah to do something he's torn. Does he risk his brother and his safety and help Leona? Or does he rescue his brother and leave for good? Can he rescue Leona and his brother? I enjoyed this little novella and now am excited to read the other books, to see what happens with this compound.