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Pink Ink: A Dark Romance
Gothikana meets Dexter in this sinfully delicious dark romance about a horror-obsessed film student who's secretly tracking the murders of a serial killer--unaware he's also her brooding professor.
There's a serial killer prowling the city, and no one has noticed...
Except for me.
I see the connections between his kills--
The artistic references,
The careful curation of the scene,
The macabre motifs that turn violence into vivid works of art.
When I recreate one of his murders for my film project at Cresswell University,
I unknowingly present it to the very man who committed the crime.
Professor Maddox Shaw.
A world-renowned artist struggling to recapture his muse.
A serial killer caught deep in the web of a dangerous secret society.
A man who makes me come alive.
Sleeping with your professor is bad enough.
Sleeping with a serial killer is just asking for trouble.
When trouble finds me, it's not Maddox, but the powerful people pulling his strings.
There's no line they won't cross to keep their secrets safe.
And there's no line Maddox won't cross to keep me.
After all, he's good at killing people.
There's a serial killer prowling the city, and no one has noticed...
Except for me.
I see the connections between his kills--
The artistic references,
The careful curation of the scene,
The macabre motifs that turn violence into vivid works of art.
When I recreate one of his murders for my film project at Cresswell University,
I unknowingly present it to the very man who committed the crime.
Professor Maddox Shaw.
A world-renowned artist struggling to recapture his muse.
A serial killer caught deep in the web of a dangerous secret society.
A man who makes me come alive.
Sleeping with your professor is bad enough.
Sleeping with a serial killer is just asking for trouble.
When trouble finds me, it's not Maddox, but the powerful people pulling his strings.
There's no line they won't cross to keep their secrets safe.
And there's no line Maddox won't cross to keep me.
After all, he's good at killing people.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published August 4, 2026
About the author
Avina St. Graves
10 books6,036 followersFrom an early age, romance author Avina St. Graves spent her days imagining fantasy worlds and dreamy fictional men, which spurred on her introverted tendencies. In all her day dreaming, there seemed to be a reoccurring theme of morally grey female characters, love interests who belonged in prison, and unnecessary trauma and bloodshed.
When she isn't reading, writing, doom scrolling, or figuring out how to make red flags look green, you can find her holed up in bed, combating the three Ps: back pain, neck pain, and knee pain.
When she isn't reading, writing, doom scrolling, or figuring out how to make red flags look green, you can find her holed up in bed, combating the three Ps: back pain, neck pain, and knee pain.
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Want to Read
March 14, 2026Professor x student trope
Serial killer x detective trope
Yes sign me up thank you
Serial killer x detective trope
Yes sign me up thank you
September 10, 2026
"I've found a kindred soul in you, and the world will burn before I let you go."
Holy fuck. This was so much better than what I expected. It had all the tropes I could need for an easy, immersive read. The gothic atmosphere, secret society and dark academia was perfect to lose myself into. The serial killer and the detective trope was well executed. Though I do think the investigation was on the weaker side and got overpowered by the romance.
But even better was the pull of the forbidden, taboo romance between the professor and student. This genre is not for everyone, so kindly don't give me lectures on purity (yes I've had a couple in the comments) 😒 If it's not for you, take yourselves out before judging me for enjoying a book. Anyway, the age gap was delicious and the professor x student chemistry delivered 🤭
I was positively surprised by how much I liked Reyna. She's a little quirky on the dark side. But she's sarcastic, relatable and man... Can she throw a punch and a slap 😂 I loved how badass she was and tbh? I found her perfectly reasonable.
Professor Maddox? Good heavens. I loved how unhinged he was. This man had me drooling before he even said a word. This man radiates power, aura, dominance and such effortless sexiness. And the mouth on this man? 🥵🥵🥵 I felt like I ascended. He's a possessive, filthy yearner 🫠🫠🫠 I give him the husband stamp simply cause he had me hot and bothered.
"To my muse,
To be loved by an artist is to become immortal.
This is for you."
The romance was intense and please don't go in expecting a slow burn. It's insta lust to love. The banter between the two is great, chemistry is chef's kiss. It reads natural and easygoing despite the lust. You would want them to just get to the spice. And oh how good the spice delivers 😩 I did not have a single holy thought whenever Maddox did something or used that foul mouth. 😭🥵
The only thing that holds me back from rating it five stars is that the ending felt rushed. I was expecting a lot more action from our serial killer professor. Instead, the way things resolved felt too easy. Too convenient. I wanted more drama from the Order and although the resolution wouldn't have been easier that way, it would have been memorable.
Also, idk if it's just me but I would love a sequel for Abigail. There are so many layers to her and in fact even Spencer 🤷♀️
~•~•~
I need something unhinged. And I'm not even going to pretend like I'm not reading this for the professor x student forbidden romance 😩🫣
Holy fuck. This was so much better than what I expected. It had all the tropes I could need for an easy, immersive read. The gothic atmosphere, secret society and dark academia was perfect to lose myself into. The serial killer and the detective trope was well executed. Though I do think the investigation was on the weaker side and got overpowered by the romance.
But even better was the pull of the forbidden, taboo romance between the professor and student. This genre is not for everyone, so kindly don't give me lectures on purity (yes I've had a couple in the comments) 😒 If it's not for you, take yourselves out before judging me for enjoying a book. Anyway, the age gap was delicious and the professor x student chemistry delivered 🤭
I was positively surprised by how much I liked Reyna. She's a little quirky on the dark side. But she's sarcastic, relatable and man... Can she throw a punch and a slap 😂 I loved how badass she was and tbh? I found her perfectly reasonable.
Professor Maddox? Good heavens. I loved how unhinged he was. This man had me drooling before he even said a word. This man radiates power, aura, dominance and such effortless sexiness. And the mouth on this man? 🥵🥵🥵 I felt like I ascended. He's a possessive, filthy yearner 🫠🫠🫠 I give him the husband stamp simply cause he had me hot and bothered.
"To my muse,
To be loved by an artist is to become immortal.
This is for you."
The romance was intense and please don't go in expecting a slow burn. It's insta lust to love. The banter between the two is great, chemistry is chef's kiss. It reads natural and easygoing despite the lust. You would want them to just get to the spice. And oh how good the spice delivers 😩 I did not have a single holy thought whenever Maddox did something or used that foul mouth. 😭🥵
The only thing that holds me back from rating it five stars is that the ending felt rushed. I was expecting a lot more action from our serial killer professor. Instead, the way things resolved felt too easy. Too convenient. I wanted more drama from the Order and although the resolution wouldn't have been easier that way, it would have been memorable.
Also, idk if it's just me but I would love a sequel for Abigail. There are so many layers to her and in fact even Spencer 🤷♀️
~•~•~
I need something unhinged. And I'm not even going to pretend like I'm not reading this for the professor x student forbidden romance 😩🫣
October 8, 2026
i can tell this book fed the family
August 6, 2026
5⭐ I am officially obsessed. Obsessed with Maddox, Reyna, the mystery, the found family and the romance. This book and 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸 reminded me that there's still good books for me to read after long time of slump 🙂↕️ tbh I don't understand why i've been putting it off🙇🏻♀️.
The vibes of the book are perfect and they all work together pretty well to just keep you turning the pages. The 𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 was really interesting, there was alot of mystery and mysterious things like Reyna's family, the crimes, the secret society, and Reyna herself with all the mystery around her and it did an amazing job keeping me interested. And the 𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁??? Bro I wouldn't ever thought🫠 I really was so shocked and idk if there was signs but I never came to this conclusion and possibility 😭😭.
𝗥𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗮 was a great FMC and I found her character to be very interesting. We have mysterious atmosphere about her parents and her patient and love for following the “Shadow” murders and turning them into movies. She was able to stay strong while dealing with shocking discoveries abt people she love which I love her for.
𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗢𝗫 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗪𝗪𝗪𝗪!!!❤️🔥❤️🔥 LOVED this man. I was literally obsessed with him from the moment he appeared. He's down so bad!! She literally complemented his art and that was the only thing he could think about for dayssssss. He's morally gray and he yearns and flirts so good AND he calls her 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️. A perfect man🤭
The 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 and almost the last 10% of the book wasn't my favourite and even tho I still enjoyed it I still think it was a bit too rushed.
This definitely won't be my last read from this author, I'll be looking forward on reading more of her books!
“To be understood is to know intimacy.”
“To be loved by an artist is to become immortal.”
|𝐏𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝
𝖣𝖺𝗋𝗄 𝖺𝖼𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗆𝗂𝖺, 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝖿𝖾𝗌𝗌𝗈𝗋 𝗑 𝗌𝗍𝗎𝖽𝖾𝗇𝗍, 𝖺𝗀𝖾 𝗀𝖺𝗉, 𝗌𝖾𝖼𝗋𝖾𝗍 𝗌𝗈𝖼𝗂𝖾𝗍𝗒?? 𝖲𝗈𝗎𝗇𝖽𝗌 𝗉𝖾𝗋𝖿𝖾𝖼𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗆𝖾🙂↕️
The vibes of the book are perfect and they all work together pretty well to just keep you turning the pages. The 𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 was really interesting, there was alot of mystery and mysterious things like Reyna's family, the crimes, the secret society, and Reyna herself with all the mystery around her and it did an amazing job keeping me interested. And the 𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁??? Bro I wouldn't ever thought🫠 I really was so shocked and idk if there was signs but I never came to this conclusion and possibility 😭😭.
𝗥𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗮 was a great FMC and I found her character to be very interesting. We have mysterious atmosphere about her parents and her patient and love for following the “Shadow” murders and turning them into movies. She was able to stay strong while dealing with shocking discoveries abt people she love which I love her for.
𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗢𝗫 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗪𝗪𝗪𝗪!!!❤️🔥❤️🔥 LOVED this man. I was literally obsessed with him from the moment he appeared. He's down so bad!! She literally complemented his art and that was the only thing he could think about for dayssssss. He's morally gray and he yearns and flirts so good AND he calls her 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️. A perfect man🤭
The 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 and almost the last 10% of the book wasn't my favourite and even tho I still enjoyed it I still think it was a bit too rushed.
This definitely won't be my last read from this author, I'll be looking forward on reading more of her books!
“To be understood is to know intimacy.”
“To be loved by an artist is to become immortal.”
|𝐏𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝
𝖣𝖺𝗋𝗄 𝖺𝖼𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗆𝗂𝖺, 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝖿𝖾𝗌𝗌𝗈𝗋 𝗑 𝗌𝗍𝗎𝖽𝖾𝗇𝗍, 𝖺𝗀𝖾 𝗀𝖺𝗉, 𝗌𝖾𝖼𝗋𝖾𝗍 𝗌𝗈𝖼𝗂𝖾𝗍𝗒?? 𝖲𝗈𝗎𝗇𝖽𝗌 𝗉𝖾𝗋𝖿𝖾𝖼𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗆𝖾🙂↕️
![Profile Image for Saranya [returning!].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1791100382i/187457635._UY200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
She is obsessed with recreating the city’s most gruesome unsolved murders for her senior project. He is the professor grading her work and the hidden hand behind the crimes she’s bringing to life.
ᰔᩚ professor x student
ᰔᩚ age gap
ᰔᩚ secret society
ᰔᩚ found family
ᰔᩚ murder
ᰔᩚ dark academia vibes
This was exactly what I needed for my current mood. Having previously read Skin of a Sinner, I couldn't wait to dive into another one of this author's worlds. I really, really loved Reyna, the fmc of this book. Her character was much interesting and stronger than that of Belle. While Maddox, who is the mmc of this book, was compelling, Roman still is unbeatable.
But here's a thing- I don't really want to read any book in a male's pov. Most of his pov's were filled with lust!
Regardless of that, this was unputdownable. I absolutely devoured it. And oh my, what a spectacle of the plot twist that was!
────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────
commentary:
~ He aCtUaLLy committed a murder with a bReAd kNiFe?!!?!!
~ Uhh, there's a mistake in their age gap here. It was mentioned 7 years gap and now it's saying 11 years age gap.
~ Bahaha, the fmc just called him "the human embodiment of viral infection." Love you, girlie<3
~ My head is absolutely steaming right now. The mmc made a horrible first impression, and people with that disposition always irritate me.
────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: 4 August 2026
ᰔᩚ professor x student
ᰔᩚ age gap
ᰔᩚ secret society
ᰔᩚ found family
ᰔᩚ murder
ᰔᩚ dark academia vibes
This was exactly what I needed for my current mood. Having previously read Skin of a Sinner, I couldn't wait to dive into another one of this author's worlds. I really, really loved Reyna, the fmc of this book. Her character was much interesting and stronger than that of Belle. While Maddox, who is the mmc of this book, was compelling, Roman still is unbeatable.
But here's a thing- I don't really want to read any book in a male's pov. Most of his pov's were filled with lust!
Regardless of that, this was unputdownable. I absolutely devoured it. And oh my, what a spectacle of the plot twist that was!
────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────
commentary:
~ He aCtUaLLy committed a murder with a bReAd kNiFe?!!?!!
~ Uhh, there's a mistake in their age gap here. It was mentioned 7 years gap and now it's saying 11 years age gap.
~ Bahaha, the fmc just called him "the human embodiment of viral infection." Love you, girlie<3
~ My head is absolutely steaming right now. The mmc made a horrible first impression, and people with that disposition always irritate me.
────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: 4 August 2026
Did Not Finish
September 27, 2026dnf @ 17%.
i’m so sorry guys. i honestly debated not sharing my thoughts cause it genuinely gives me anxiety when i have a string of bad reads, because i don’t want to look like a hater 😭
but then i remind myself reading is so subjective and i am grateful to have found a community of lovely people who won’t think that of me. i also preach about how all thoughts are valid so better stop overthinking it lol. i won’t be rating it though.
but anywayyyyy, i genuinely picked this book up because i love the professor x student trope & i thought i’d eat it up. however, it took me 3 whole days to get this far & i fear i will start crying from boredom if i force myself to keep going. i just feel so unbelievably apathetic towards this book. i can’t even say if it’s good or bad because i feel absolutely nothing towards it. i wasn’t vibing with the writing and the mc’s inner monologues felt like the most nothingness of nothing that’s ever nothinged.
i also want to add that i do think i am suffering from a bit of a slump, so this probably played a part in it too. i went in with low expectations & truly thought i’d be here for a silly, fun, hot time. but unfortunately it didn’t work for me. that’s okay, i guess 😫 i definitely think if this is on your tbr you should pick it up and try for yourself!!
my besties who loved it, please forgive me 🙏🏻
i feel so bad about this, idk why, i am clearly not normal. what can you do.
i am officially banned from book club picks. NO MORE PICKS FROM ME.
________
a bit of professor x student 😛 for a read with my girls grace and kayla 🤭
we have been slacking so bad on our monthly reads and phone yaps! hopefully our comeback is made better by a good read. i am however going in with low expectations as been as my last 2 reads have been below 3 stars 🥲
i’m so sorry guys. i honestly debated not sharing my thoughts cause it genuinely gives me anxiety when i have a string of bad reads, because i don’t want to look like a hater 😭
but then i remind myself reading is so subjective and i am grateful to have found a community of lovely people who won’t think that of me. i also preach about how all thoughts are valid so better stop overthinking it lol. i won’t be rating it though.
but anywayyyyy, i genuinely picked this book up because i love the professor x student trope & i thought i’d eat it up. however, it took me 3 whole days to get this far & i fear i will start crying from boredom if i force myself to keep going. i just feel so unbelievably apathetic towards this book. i can’t even say if it’s good or bad because i feel absolutely nothing towards it. i wasn’t vibing with the writing and the mc’s inner monologues felt like the most nothingness of nothing that’s ever nothinged.
i also want to add that i do think i am suffering from a bit of a slump, so this probably played a part in it too. i went in with low expectations & truly thought i’d be here for a silly, fun, hot time. but unfortunately it didn’t work for me. that’s okay, i guess 😫 i definitely think if this is on your tbr you should pick it up and try for yourself!!
my besties who loved it, please forgive me 🙏🏻
i feel so bad about this, idk why, i am clearly not normal. what can you do.
i am officially banned from book club picks. NO MORE PICKS FROM ME.
________
a bit of professor x student 😛 for a read with my girls grace and kayla 🤭
we have been slacking so bad on our monthly reads and phone yaps! hopefully our comeback is made better by a good read. i am however going in with low expectations as been as my last 2 reads have been below 3 stars 🥲
September 9, 2026
5/5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
─ ཐི ⋅ ♰ ⋅ ཋྀ ─
I love watching the connections between his kills unfold: the artistic references, the careful curation of each scene, the macabre motifs that transform violence into something disturbingly beautiful.
When I recreate one of his murders for my film project at Cresswell University, I unknowingly present it to the very man who committed the crime: Professor Maddox Shaw. A world-renowned artist struggling to recapture his muse. A serial killer tangled deep in the web of a dangerous secret society. A man who makes me feel alive.
I was utterly captivated by this British serial-killer artist. Nothing but green flags as far as I could see. His poetry showed up in every chapter, and I never stood a chance.
Maddox Shaw is a serial killer who operates as a fixer for a secret society, handling their problems in the shadows. Reyna is a film student at the same college, obsessed with recreating an unknown killer's murders for her class assignments. She's witty, hard-headed, and never lets anyone push her around.
The dynamic between Reyna and Maddox had me hooked. The quick-witted sparring, the charged tension, the mutual obsession. Their chaos matched in the best way.
She's a young filmmaker fixated on the work of a serial killer who becomes her muse; her art is inspired by him. Maddox, her substitute professor, is arrogant, brilliant, and beautiful. A man who gives life to art through the act of creating it. The moment he notices her, he becomes obsessed. Slowly, she becomes his muse, his everything. His entire world begins to orbit around her.
They understand each other on a level no one else can reach. Soulmates, truly. Her work becomes about him; his paintings become about her. Then it all comes crashing down when she discovers the truth about the Order, the secret society he belongs to. After misunderstandings and life-altering events, they finally find their happily ever after.
I was genuinely surprised by how beautiful and neat the writing was. Easy to read, yet still deeply poetic. Some parts had me laughing out loud; others had me questioning my life choices at 2 a.m.
Apologies for including so many quotes and so little actual review. This book is a masterpiece to me. I'm nearly speechless. The quotes alone almost brought me to my knees. Maddox and Reyna are simply perfect for each other. It was a spicy, fast-paced read with an incredible plot, like a blend of Dexter, Hannibal, and Gothikana.This book was an absolute masterpiece.
Quotes:જ⁀➴
"I’ve always been fascinated by death. "
"There’s a certain serenity that overcomes me whenever I’m killed; it washes
o the burdens of my day, and for one peaceful second, I’m free."
There’s something to be said about human creativity. Give a person a piece of
paper, and they might fold it, draw on it, or turn it into ash. "
"It’s dark, depraved, and simplistically genius. "
"I have a part to play in all this that makes the sweet call of death feel more like acceptance than fear, because to die is to know what it means to have lived. "
"To be understood is to know intimacy, as they say"
“I find peace in the dark and the macabre.”
"Ink leaves a stain, but if you scrub it hard enough, it’ll disappear from the
naked eye, but traces of it will always linger as long as you know where to look.
It’s a reference to grief and the everlasting stain of death.”
"I’ve found a kindred soul in you, and the world will burn before I let you go."
“Let me be your monster, love. It’s always been dark around my soul,
and you’ve made me hungry for more.”
“I’m wholly, completely, and madly consumed by you, and it might kill me.
Life and death lost meaning, and the only thing that made me feel human was
art, and that was gone too. Until you came along. You haunt me while I’m
awake. While I’m sleeping. I can’t breathe because of you.”
"You’re killing me, Reyna. And I’ve killed for you. I’ll be the dark, and I’ll be
the fucking shadows to your light, love. Our broken pieces together.”
“Is that what you want? To see me on my knees, begging?'. “Because I’ll crawl across glass if that’s what you want me to do. I’ll get on my knees every morning and every night if it means you’ll look at me again."
"She isn’t just art; she is a goddess, perched on the altar for me to
sacrifice myself in the name of worship."
"Love isn’t strong enough for what I’m feeling. It’s the maddest kind of
obsession that turns a man insane. "
"That I’m not a tortured artist; I’m a full tragedy
─ ཐི ⋅ ♰ ⋅ ཋྀ ─
I love watching the connections between his kills unfold: the artistic references, the careful curation of each scene, the macabre motifs that transform violence into something disturbingly beautiful.
When I recreate one of his murders for my film project at Cresswell University, I unknowingly present it to the very man who committed the crime: Professor Maddox Shaw. A world-renowned artist struggling to recapture his muse. A serial killer tangled deep in the web of a dangerous secret society. A man who makes me feel alive.
I was utterly captivated by this British serial-killer artist. Nothing but green flags as far as I could see. His poetry showed up in every chapter, and I never stood a chance.
Maddox Shaw is a serial killer who operates as a fixer for a secret society, handling their problems in the shadows. Reyna is a film student at the same college, obsessed with recreating an unknown killer's murders for her class assignments. She's witty, hard-headed, and never lets anyone push her around.
The dynamic between Reyna and Maddox had me hooked. The quick-witted sparring, the charged tension, the mutual obsession. Their chaos matched in the best way.
She's a young filmmaker fixated on the work of a serial killer who becomes her muse; her art is inspired by him. Maddox, her substitute professor, is arrogant, brilliant, and beautiful. A man who gives life to art through the act of creating it. The moment he notices her, he becomes obsessed. Slowly, she becomes his muse, his everything. His entire world begins to orbit around her.
They understand each other on a level no one else can reach. Soulmates, truly. Her work becomes about him; his paintings become about her. Then it all comes crashing down when she discovers the truth about the Order, the secret society he belongs to. After misunderstandings and life-altering events, they finally find their happily ever after.
I was genuinely surprised by how beautiful and neat the writing was. Easy to read, yet still deeply poetic. Some parts had me laughing out loud; others had me questioning my life choices at 2 a.m.
Apologies for including so many quotes and so little actual review. This book is a masterpiece to me. I'm nearly speechless. The quotes alone almost brought me to my knees. Maddox and Reyna are simply perfect for each other. It was a spicy, fast-paced read with an incredible plot, like a blend of Dexter, Hannibal, and Gothikana.This book was an absolute masterpiece.
Quotes:જ⁀➴
"I’ve always been fascinated by death. "
"There’s a certain serenity that overcomes me whenever I’m killed; it washes
o the burdens of my day, and for one peaceful second, I’m free."
There’s something to be said about human creativity. Give a person a piece of
paper, and they might fold it, draw on it, or turn it into ash. "
"It’s dark, depraved, and simplistically genius. "
"I have a part to play in all this that makes the sweet call of death feel more like acceptance than fear, because to die is to know what it means to have lived. "
"To be understood is to know intimacy, as they say"
“I find peace in the dark and the macabre.”
"Ink leaves a stain, but if you scrub it hard enough, it’ll disappear from the
naked eye, but traces of it will always linger as long as you know where to look.
It’s a reference to grief and the everlasting stain of death.”
"I’ve found a kindred soul in you, and the world will burn before I let you go."
“Let me be your monster, love. It’s always been dark around my soul,
and you’ve made me hungry for more.”
“I’m wholly, completely, and madly consumed by you, and it might kill me.
Life and death lost meaning, and the only thing that made me feel human was
art, and that was gone too. Until you came along. You haunt me while I’m
awake. While I’m sleeping. I can’t breathe because of you.”
"You’re killing me, Reyna. And I’ve killed for you. I’ll be the dark, and I’ll be
the fucking shadows to your light, love. Our broken pieces together.”
“Is that what you want? To see me on my knees, begging?'. “Because I’ll crawl across glass if that’s what you want me to do. I’ll get on my knees every morning and every night if it means you’ll look at me again."
"She isn’t just art; she is a goddess, perched on the altar for me to
sacrifice myself in the name of worship."
"Love isn’t strong enough for what I’m feeling. It’s the maddest kind of
obsession that turns a man insane. "
"That I’m not a tortured artist; I’m a full tragedy
Read
February 4, 2026the dark romance girlies will love maddox shaw🙂↕️
full rtc closer to pub day
full rtc closer to pub day
August 8, 2026
honestly pretty hawtt thanks maddi for putting us on💘
my only issue was that there was some inconsistency in the character arc, but my experience was amplified and i had a very fun time reading this at night under my covers.
my only issue was that there was some inconsistency in the character arc, but my experience was amplified and i had a very fun time reading this at night under my covers.
August 30, 2026
4.5 stars ✨
YES YES YES , the dark academia x Dexter vibes were everything i needed and more 🙂↕️
The plot was truly well executed in this book with the right amount of romance and banter. I truly didn’t want to put this down. I’m such a sucker for an age gap student x processor romance and this one delivered!!
Maddox Shaw 😮💨 this tortured , British, serial killer artist had me in a chokehold since the get go. Like was he an obsessive freak when it came to Reyna?! Yes, but like he staged his killings for her , called her love, drew her cause she was his muse, stalked her with reason, and got on his knees when he had to grovel for her. Like what wasn’t there to like about him?!! All I saw were green flags all around. This man as well kept spitting poetry in every chapter, I couldn’t get enough,
“Reyna Sinaga is breathtaking. No, breathtaking isn’t a strong enough word. I could spend a lifetime scouring every dictionary in existence, and I would never find a descriptor that would come close to what she is.” 🫠 also why was he unintentionally funny?! he was so witty and sarcastic without even trying to be, he had me giggling from time to time.
Reyna, finally we get an fmc who has a back bone from the get go. Even though she came from a broken family and had a lot of insecurities she was very stern , determined and didn’t let anyone boss her around. I also liked how she would put Maddox in his place. She had the man wrapped around her finger.
Also Reyna and Maddox together , they were so hot!! They matched each other’s freakiness so well!! And the chemistry between them two was everything.
The mystery and secret society storyline was so good as well and the little plot twist in the end actually got me, but the only reason why this wasn’t a complete 5 star for me was that the last few chapters felt so rushed for no reason and some stuff just got resolved way too quickly. And the epilogue felt a little lackluster, but I really enjoyed this and wish I could re-read it for the first time again.
YES YES YES , the dark academia x Dexter vibes were everything i needed and more 🙂↕️
The plot was truly well executed in this book with the right amount of romance and banter. I truly didn’t want to put this down. I’m such a sucker for an age gap student x processor romance and this one delivered!!
Maddox Shaw 😮💨 this tortured , British, serial killer artist had me in a chokehold since the get go. Like was he an obsessive freak when it came to Reyna?! Yes, but like he staged his killings for her , called her love, drew her cause she was his muse, stalked her with reason, and got on his knees when he had to grovel for her. Like what wasn’t there to like about him?!! All I saw were green flags all around. This man as well kept spitting poetry in every chapter, I couldn’t get enough,
“Reyna Sinaga is breathtaking. No, breathtaking isn’t a strong enough word. I could spend a lifetime scouring every dictionary in existence, and I would never find a descriptor that would come close to what she is.” 🫠 also why was he unintentionally funny?! he was so witty and sarcastic without even trying to be, he had me giggling from time to time.
Reyna, finally we get an fmc who has a back bone from the get go. Even though she came from a broken family and had a lot of insecurities she was very stern , determined and didn’t let anyone boss her around. I also liked how she would put Maddox in his place. She had the man wrapped around her finger.
Also Reyna and Maddox together , they were so hot!! They matched each other’s freakiness so well!! And the chemistry between them two was everything.
The mystery and secret society storyline was so good as well and the little plot twist in the end actually got me, but the only reason why this wasn’t a complete 5 star for me was that the last few chapters felt so rushed for no reason and some stuff just got resolved way too quickly. And the epilogue felt a little lackluster, but I really enjoyed this and wish I could re-read it for the first time again.
March 9, 2026
"The things I want to do to you, love." His voice comes out hoarse.
Strained.
Possessed."
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ 4.75 🌟
I loved whatever was wrong with this , and please ? Professor Shaw 😩😩😩
And hell yes , reading goal done🤭
Yall know how much i love a good professor x student , and this people was a HIT .
This was so so so unhinged and messy , and I ATE IT UPPP .
Hear me out : She's into crime scenes from that ONE serial killer, her film project is based on his kills and murders and she has to send them to her professor, who spoiler alert, is THE hot as fuck husband material serial killer who's called Professor Shaw *his name only makes me swoon*🤭
Guys I loved this , and that's putting ut low , everything was perfect about this , the plot, how the mystery element unfolded, the witty banter between Reyna and Shaw , the tension between them , the possessiveness, the damn spice too 😩. Everything was mwah, and just how I love it .
I went into this with high expectations, and damn they were met , it's crazy , spicy and fear and I enjoyed every second of it
Reyna is so baddass , she's a film student who gets her inspo from a serial killer by sneaking and studying his murder scenes (totally illegal) , she's witty and hard-headed and never bossed around , I love my girlie so much . She went through some hard familly stuff , and suffered from severe depression , I would have loved to you know see more of it but I guess this book was mostly focused on the crime element which totally made up for it.
Daddy Madox Shaw , my husband , my other half , my soul mate. He's the grumpy serial killer professor , hot as fuck , and is head over heels over Reyna . I LOVE that man people, lemme explain why :
⤿She had a nut allergy , so what does this amazing man do ? He carries an epi pen everywhere with him and kicks a student from his class because he was eating some nuts and establishes a "no nuts" rule just for her 🤭
⤿ he calls her LOVE, and thats a good enough reason 🤭
⤿He learns her favorite snacks , so he can leave them for her on his crime scenes when she sneaks in .
⤿She is out of inspiration , so he murders new people just for her so she can finish her projects (crazy but I love it ) , bonus point she once wondered how effective is dismemberment with a butter knife , so he kills his next victim with a butter knife 😩🥺
⤿He is so obsessed that he can't breath when he isn't around her , so he sneaks in ebery night into her room and watches her sleep
What more does a girl need 🙏
Why not a full 5 stars ? Well, the whole Shepherd drama could have been done a little inny whinny better , and I had seen it coming to be honest but still I enjoyed it nonetheless 🤷♀️
---
Pre-Read:
You dont know how high my expectations are right now , please be like Gothicana 😩
Saw this on ig and added it to my tbr just to find out it wasnt released yet 💔
But good side ? Professor x student romance where she is obsessed with crimes but her professor ends being the criminal she searching for. Yep am in
Strained.
Possessed."
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ 4.75 🌟
I loved whatever was wrong with this , and please ? Professor Shaw 😩😩😩
And hell yes , reading goal done🤭
Yall know how much i love a good professor x student , and this people was a HIT .
This was so so so unhinged and messy , and I ATE IT UPPP .
Hear me out : She's into crime scenes from that ONE serial killer, her film project is based on his kills and murders and she has to send them to her professor, who spoiler alert, is THE hot as fuck husband material serial killer who's called Professor Shaw *his name only makes me swoon*🤭
Guys I loved this , and that's putting ut low , everything was perfect about this , the plot, how the mystery element unfolded, the witty banter between Reyna and Shaw , the tension between them , the possessiveness, the damn spice too 😩. Everything was mwah, and just how I love it .
I went into this with high expectations, and damn they were met , it's crazy , spicy and fear and I enjoyed every second of it
Reyna is so baddass , she's a film student who gets her inspo from a serial killer by sneaking and studying his murder scenes (totally illegal) , she's witty and hard-headed and never bossed around , I love my girlie so much . She went through some hard familly stuff , and suffered from severe depression , I would have loved to you know see more of it but I guess this book was mostly focused on the crime element which totally made up for it.
Daddy Madox Shaw , my husband , my other half , my soul mate. He's the grumpy serial killer professor , hot as fuck , and is head over heels over Reyna . I LOVE that man people, lemme explain why :
⤿She had a nut allergy , so what does this amazing man do ? He carries an epi pen everywhere with him and kicks a student from his class because he was eating some nuts and establishes a "no nuts" rule just for her 🤭
⤿ he calls her LOVE, and thats a good enough reason 🤭
⤿He learns her favorite snacks , so he can leave them for her on his crime scenes when she sneaks in .
⤿She is out of inspiration , so he murders new people just for her so she can finish her projects (crazy but I love it ) , bonus point she once wondered how effective is dismemberment with a butter knife , so he kills his next victim with a butter knife 😩🥺
⤿He is so obsessed that he can't breath when he isn't around her , so he sneaks in ebery night into her room and watches her sleep
What more does a girl need 🙏
Why not a full 5 stars ? Well, the whole Shepherd drama could have been done a little inny whinny better , and I had seen it coming to be honest but still I enjoyed it nonetheless 🤷♀️
---
Pre-Read:
You dont know how high my expectations are right now , please be like Gothicana 😩
Saw this on ig and added it to my tbr just to find out it wasnt released yet 💔
But good side ? Professor x student romance where she is obsessed with crimes but her professor ends being the criminal she searching for. Yep am in
April 3, 2026
War is over!!! Avina finally wrote a tolerable fmc 🎉🎉🎉🎉 Was she the best fmc? No but I didn't despise her, so that's definitely a step up😅
This was not bad actually; I had a decent time with it. 5 stars for Maddox though that man was HAWTTT and snarky and I love me some snarky men😌
The ending was sooo rushed and everything was tied up with a perfect bow in such an odd way😅 Reyna had some dumb moments here and there.. her behavior was inconsistent in some places.. like she would be cunning one moment then absurdly idiotic the next😅
Anyways, this was fun, but definitely not a memorable book for me.
This was not bad actually; I had a decent time with it. 5 stars for Maddox though that man was HAWTTT and snarky and I love me some snarky men😌
The ending was sooo rushed and everything was tied up with a perfect bow in such an odd way😅 Reyna had some dumb moments here and there.. her behavior was inconsistent in some places.. like she would be cunning one moment then absurdly idiotic the next😅
Anyways, this was fun, but definitely not a memorable book for me.
August 14, 2026
❛ 𝑤𝑒'𝑟𝑒 𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑛𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑒. 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑜𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟. 𝑖'𝑚 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑒'𝑠 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑒. 𝑖'𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑎𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ. 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝑎 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖'𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟. ❜
✧˖°. ┆★★★★★ — 𝟱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀
₊ 🔪 ⊹ 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 ⋆˚࿔
i've learnt three things reading this book: one, i have a fetish for artsy serial killers, two, i have a thing for black and pink covers (one and two relate to butcher and blackbird as well, one of my fav books of all time - noticing a pattern here??), and three, i love the professor x student trope 🤭
i actually had THE best time reading this!! it was so fun and so incredibly vibe-y and i literally couldn't put it down i read it b4 bed, when i woke up, in my car; anytime i could read, i did. i didn't understand any of the art references but everything abt it was so freaking cool and it didn't really matter bcuz i was super engaged anyway!! the mystery aspect didn't reeeaally grip me, i kind of alr guessed what happened w reyna's dad, but it didn't rlly take away from the book so it was chill.
the playlist i made for this book was also FIRE and the perfect length!! if that isn't a sign i don't know what is bcuz i can count on one hand the number of times that's happened. i cackled sooo much reading this - i'm literally giggly just thinking abt it. i absoultely adoreeeed this book and i will def be reading more books by avina st. graves in the future!!
p.s. this was originally 4.75 stars for a while after i read it but since then not a day has gone by where i haven’t thought abt this book soooo ⭐️ boom
🖤 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 ˙⋆✮
𝑟𝑒𝑦𝑛𝑎 ⋆·˚ ༘ *
I LOVE HERRR!! first of all, her pink ink project was so freaking cool!? i'm not someone that's into art like at all but i was soooo interested throughout the whole book and i reckon it was actually one of my favourite things abt it!! (well i loved everything but still) reyna was sooo super funny and just cool and interesting ugh i actually love her sooo much!! a lot of the things she said and her reactions were what made me laugh while reading, and i also loved how emotional she was and how she was never afraid to speak her mind, her honesty was so nice to read abt. i also adore her name lols it's literally so prettyy
𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑜𝑥 ⛧⋆˚࿔⋆
omfg this MANNNNN 🙂↕️🙇♀️ maddox shaw and his pretty green eyes, messy hair, glasses, muscles, and sexy british accent can literally come bite me 🫦 agh he's sooo fine dare i say my dream man...no but seriously i'm down bad for fictional serial killers in general, but ARTSY serial killers?? stop it i'm easy 🤲⛓️💥 his love for his art and attention to detail and knowledge abt it was sooo interesting to read abt, and smart men r such a turn-on i totally get the professor x student trope now. he was also just hilarious and super sweettt, his love for his brother was adorable <3
🩷 𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡
their meet-cute had me dead i can't 😂 and when she showed up to class and HE was her professor?? DONE ✋ insanely good start. every time he called her love it did things to me. a british man calling me love would be my downfall too. i thiiiiink this was my first book w the professor x student trope and BOYYY DID I EAT IT UPPP!! THE TENSIONNNN WAS *MWAH* chefs kiss 👌 had me going insaaaane. the admiration and interest they had for each other from the very start was one of my (many) favourite things abt their love - it wasn't just insta-lust. they way they know and understand each other was just perfecttt!! this was one of those few books i've read where i adore the way love is written that makes it feel like the magical thing it is in movies and media <3 the way they drew inspiration from each other and dedicated their art to each other was TOOO GOOD!! HE LITERALLY DEDICATED HIS WHOLE EXHIBIT TO HER!? AHHHH BRB SCREAMING. and for ur information, the smut was great 🙂↕️ mr. shaw and miss sinaga?? folded ✋ they were HOT 🫦🤭
🎧 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡 ‧₊ ♪˚⊹
⤿ shh...don't say it - fletcher
⤿ how could u love somebody like me - artemas
⤿ into it - chase atlantic
⤿ muse - isabel larosa
⤿ mustang baby - nessa barrett, artemas
⤿ passenger princess - nessa barrett
⤿ free - madison beer
⤿ scary love - the neighbourhood
⤿ do i wanna know? - dove cameron
⤿ killin' it girl - j-hope, glorilla
⤿ got me obsessed - jade lemac
⤿ pretty baby - ella boh
⤿ dirty little secret - nessa barrett
ılı.lıllılıı.ıllı..
𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 ‧₊ ♪˚⊹
do i wanna know? ❘ dove cameron
0:47 ─•────── -3:05
⇆ㅤ ◁◁ ❚❚ ▷▷ㅤ ↻
⁀➴ ❛ (𝑑𝑜 𝑖 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑎 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤?) 𝑖𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠?, (𝑠𝑎𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑔𝑜) 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑛' 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑦 ❜
💌 𝑞𝑢𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠 ⛧⋆˚࿔⋆
✧ ❛ ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒? ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑖 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟, 𝑏𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑟𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟, 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙, 𝑖 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑒𝑟, 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑟𝑡. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝑖𝑠𝑛'𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖'𝑚 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔. 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠 𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑒. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑐𝑦. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑎 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟. 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑙. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑖’𝑣𝑒 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑚𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢. ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠. 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒. 𝑠𝑜 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑦 𝑖𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑦: 𝑖 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜𝑜, 𝑟𝑒𝑦𝑛𝑎. ❜
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ⏾⋆.˚ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
⏾⋆.˚ ┆ 𝘱𝘳𝘦-𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 .ᐟ ₊ 🔪 ⊹ 🩷
you had me at serial killer, you had my soul at professor x student. i'm alr in love w this author bcuz wdym this book has a playlist that is not only perfect and incredible but has some of my fav songs?? ✋ just marry me atp. i also ADORE this cover and title i just know this is gonna eat 😈 xx
✧˖°. ┆★★★★★ — 𝟱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀
₊ 🔪 ⊹ 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 ⋆˚࿔
i've learnt three things reading this book: one, i have a fetish for artsy serial killers, two, i have a thing for black and pink covers (one and two relate to butcher and blackbird as well, one of my fav books of all time - noticing a pattern here??), and three, i love the professor x student trope 🤭
i actually had THE best time reading this!! it was so fun and so incredibly vibe-y and i literally couldn't put it down i read it b4 bed, when i woke up, in my car; anytime i could read, i did. i didn't understand any of the art references but everything abt it was so freaking cool and it didn't really matter bcuz i was super engaged anyway!! the mystery aspect didn't reeeaally grip me, i kind of alr guessed what happened w reyna's dad, but it didn't rlly take away from the book so it was chill.
the playlist i made for this book was also FIRE and the perfect length!! if that isn't a sign i don't know what is bcuz i can count on one hand the number of times that's happened. i cackled sooo much reading this - i'm literally giggly just thinking abt it. i absoultely adoreeeed this book and i will def be reading more books by avina st. graves in the future!!
p.s. this was originally 4.75 stars for a while after i read it but since then not a day has gone by where i haven’t thought abt this book soooo ⭐️ boom
🖤 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 ˙⋆✮
𝑟𝑒𝑦𝑛𝑎 ⋆·˚ ༘ *
I LOVE HERRR!! first of all, her pink ink project was so freaking cool!? i'm not someone that's into art like at all but i was soooo interested throughout the whole book and i reckon it was actually one of my favourite things abt it!! (well i loved everything but still) reyna was sooo super funny and just cool and interesting ugh i actually love her sooo much!! a lot of the things she said and her reactions were what made me laugh while reading, and i also loved how emotional she was and how she was never afraid to speak her mind, her honesty was so nice to read abt. i also adore her name lols it's literally so prettyy
𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑜𝑥 ⛧⋆˚࿔⋆
omfg this MANNNNN 🙂↕️🙇♀️ maddox shaw and his pretty green eyes, messy hair, glasses, muscles, and sexy british accent can literally come bite me 🫦 agh he's sooo fine dare i say my dream man...no but seriously i'm down bad for fictional serial killers in general, but ARTSY serial killers?? stop it i'm easy 🤲⛓️💥 his love for his art and attention to detail and knowledge abt it was sooo interesting to read abt, and smart men r such a turn-on i totally get the professor x student trope now. he was also just hilarious and super sweettt, his love for his brother was adorable <3
🩷 𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡
their meet-cute had me dead i can't 😂 and when she showed up to class and HE was her professor?? DONE ✋ insanely good start. every time he called her love it did things to me. a british man calling me love would be my downfall too. i thiiiiink this was my first book w the professor x student trope and BOYYY DID I EAT IT UPPP!! THE TENSIONNNN WAS *MWAH* chefs kiss 👌 had me going insaaaane. the admiration and interest they had for each other from the very start was one of my (many) favourite things abt their love - it wasn't just insta-lust. they way they know and understand each other was just perfecttt!! this was one of those few books i've read where i adore the way love is written that makes it feel like the magical thing it is in movies and media <3 the way they drew inspiration from each other and dedicated their art to each other was TOOO GOOD!! HE LITERALLY DEDICATED HIS WHOLE EXHIBIT TO HER!? AHHHH BRB SCREAMING. and for ur information, the smut was great 🙂↕️ mr. shaw and miss sinaga?? folded ✋ they were HOT 🫦🤭
🎧 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡 ‧₊ ♪˚⊹
⤿ shh...don't say it - fletcher
⤿ how could u love somebody like me - artemas
⤿ into it - chase atlantic
⤿ muse - isabel larosa
⤿ mustang baby - nessa barrett, artemas
⤿ passenger princess - nessa barrett
⤿ free - madison beer
⤿ scary love - the neighbourhood
⤿ do i wanna know? - dove cameron
⤿ killin' it girl - j-hope, glorilla
⤿ got me obsessed - jade lemac
⤿ pretty baby - ella boh
⤿ dirty little secret - nessa barrett
ılı.lıllılıı.ıllı..
𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 ‧₊ ♪˚⊹
do i wanna know? ❘ dove cameron
0:47 ─•────── -3:05
⇆ㅤ ◁◁ ❚❚ ▷▷ㅤ ↻
⁀➴ ❛ (𝑑𝑜 𝑖 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑎 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤?) 𝑖𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠?, (𝑠𝑎𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑔𝑜) 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑛' 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑦 ❜
💌 𝑞𝑢𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠 ⛧⋆˚࿔⋆
✧ ❛ ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒? ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑖 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟, 𝑏𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑟𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟, 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙, 𝑖 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑒𝑟, 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑟𝑡. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝑖𝑠𝑛'𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖'𝑚 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔. 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠 𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑒. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑐𝑦. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑎 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟. 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑙. ❜
✧ ❛ 𝑖’𝑣𝑒 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑚𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢. ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠. 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒. 𝑠𝑜 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑦 𝑖𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑦: 𝑖 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜𝑜, 𝑟𝑒𝑦𝑛𝑎. ❜
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ⏾⋆.˚ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
⏾⋆.˚ ┆ 𝘱𝘳𝘦-𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 .ᐟ ₊ 🔪 ⊹ 🩷
you had me at serial killer, you had my soul at professor x student. i'm alr in love w this author bcuz wdym this book has a playlist that is not only perfect and incredible but has some of my fav songs?? ✋ just marry me atp. i also ADORE this cover and title i just know this is gonna eat 😈 xx
September 7, 2026
HELP 🌚 suddenly I want to go back to uni and get down and dirttttty with a hot professor 🥵
Maddox has awakened something in me 🫠 I wanna sit in the front row and be the worst fucking student alive 🤸🏻♀️
Pre-read:
She's in her hot professor era 😛🤓
Maddox has awakened something in me 🫠 I wanna sit in the front row and be the worst fucking student alive 🤸🏻♀️
Pre-read:
She's in her hot professor era 😛🤓
Want to Read
October 3, 2026pre-read:
professor x student? i'm ready for class Mr Maddox Shaw 🤓
professor x student? i'm ready for class Mr Maddox Shaw 🤓
September 13, 2026
𝑷𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝑰𝒏𝒌 - 4.75 stars
Spoilers blocked out
tropes
- Dark academia
- student x professor
- Filthy mouthed mmc
- They’re each others’ muses
- Secret society
- Forbidden romance
🎟️ My thoughts ⸝⸝.ᐟ⋆
This completely lived up to my expectations, so we’ll done and say it with me now WE👏NEED👏MORE👏STANDALONE👏ROMANCES this and was a perfect example of one. I had such a fun time and the vibes were immaculate. This was student x professor / forbidden romance done RIGHT, the tension was just 😫😫. I didn’t love the fmc and I thought a few points were poorly explained at times but the gothic/ dark academia setting was well written and gave me everything that was promised with a perfect balance of plot and romance, overall this was just really fucking fun.
🖋️Characters ⸝⸝.ᐟ⋆
🖇️— 𝑹𝒆𝒚𝒏𝒂 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒂
❝ I shouldn’t be alone in this room with him, but it’s the only place in the world that feels right. Here, with him, the universe could catch fire, and he’ll hold me through it. ❞
Honestly i didn’t really love her but she didn’t quite make me want to jump off a cliff either , like the whole horror movie obsession thing was cool, but it was definitely giving ‘I’m not like other girls’ at times. Even from the first chapter the constant talk about her mum was a bit of a drag to read about but one thing I did love was her witty banter with Maddox is was sm fun to read. She kind of had a dumb reaction to but I’m glad that was resolved quickly. But thank god she wasn’t one of those completely oblivious fmcs who literally doesn’t realise even when the the mmc is drooling all over her (which is what I was expecting) that was quite refreshing.
🖇️— 𝑴𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒐𝒙 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒘
❝ You’re killing me, Reyna. And I’ve killed for you. I’ll be the dark, and I’ll be the fucking shadows to your light, love. Our broken pieces t together. So don’t leave. I promise you forever.” ❞
THIS MAN AND THE MOUTH ON HIM AS WELL 😫😫 Maddox motherfucking shaw could run me over and I’d thank him. He was a completely asshole at times but I was so here for it what can I say🫦
Okay his British accent was completely bogus like hello saying bloody and wanker is not enough because no one who grew up in England says eighth grade plus it’s TROUSERS not pants thank you very much. (I’m sorry this just irritated me) omg and the TENSION between him as reyna especially in class was just 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻
🏫 plot and writing ⸝⸝.ᐟ⋆
The whole secret society thing + reyna’s little investigation was SO cool but I think it was a poorly explained at times so I didn’t fully understand till yeh end really and the pacing was PERFECT and had me hooked the entire time I swear I couldn’t put this down. The vibes were immaculate I adored this setting especially for a fall read!
💘 overall ⸝⸝.ᐟ⋆
This completely lived up to my expectation and I will definitely be reading more from this author!
₊˚⊹ ᰔ pre read 🖋️
A Professor x student age gap dark academia/romance with secret society and found family?! Uhm sign me the fuck up
Spoilers blocked out
tropes
- Dark academia
- student x professor
- Filthy mouthed mmc
- They’re each others’ muses
- Secret society
- Forbidden romance
🎟️ My thoughts ⸝⸝.ᐟ⋆
This completely lived up to my expectations, so we’ll done and say it with me now WE👏NEED👏MORE👏STANDALONE👏ROMANCES this and was a perfect example of one. I had such a fun time and the vibes were immaculate. This was student x professor / forbidden romance done RIGHT, the tension was just 😫😫. I didn’t love the fmc and I thought a few points were poorly explained at times but the gothic/ dark academia setting was well written and gave me everything that was promised with a perfect balance of plot and romance, overall this was just really fucking fun.
🖋️Characters ⸝⸝.ᐟ⋆
🖇️— 𝑹𝒆𝒚𝒏𝒂 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒂
❝ I shouldn’t be alone in this room with him, but it’s the only place in the world that feels right. Here, with him, the universe could catch fire, and he’ll hold me through it. ❞
Honestly i didn’t really love her but she didn’t quite make me want to jump off a cliff either , like the whole horror movie obsession thing was cool, but it was definitely giving ‘I’m not like other girls’ at times. Even from the first chapter the constant talk about her mum was a bit of a drag to read about but one thing I did love was her witty banter with Maddox is was sm fun to read. She kind of had a dumb reaction to but I’m glad that was resolved quickly. But thank god she wasn’t one of those completely oblivious fmcs who literally doesn’t realise even when the the mmc is drooling all over her (which is what I was expecting) that was quite refreshing.
🖇️— 𝑴𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒐𝒙 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒘
❝ You’re killing me, Reyna. And I’ve killed for you. I’ll be the dark, and I’ll be the fucking shadows to your light, love. Our broken pieces t together. So don’t leave. I promise you forever.” ❞
THIS MAN AND THE MOUTH ON HIM AS WELL 😫😫 Maddox motherfucking shaw could run me over and I’d thank him. He was a completely asshole at times but I was so here for it what can I say🫦
Okay his British accent was completely bogus like hello saying bloody and wanker is not enough because no one who grew up in England says eighth grade plus it’s TROUSERS not pants thank you very much. (I’m sorry this just irritated me) omg and the TENSION between him as reyna especially in class was just 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻
🏫 plot and writing ⸝⸝.ᐟ⋆
The whole secret society thing + reyna’s little investigation was SO cool but I think it was a poorly explained at times so I didn’t fully understand till yeh end really and the pacing was PERFECT and had me hooked the entire time I swear I couldn’t put this down. The vibes were immaculate I adored this setting especially for a fall read!
💘 overall ⸝⸝.ᐟ⋆
This completely lived up to my expectation and I will definitely be reading more from this author!
₊˚⊹ ᰔ pre read 🖋️
A Professor x student age gap dark academia/romance with secret society and found family?! Uhm sign me the fuck up
August 11, 2026
Rating: 4
⭐️
He called her love, drew inspiration from her, customized his murders with things related to her, got on his knees to apologize, and dedicated his whole exhibit to her.
Maddow Shaw, everyone 🫦
Safety :
> Safe. Neither is with anyone else after meeting each other;
> OWD: 🚫
Although Maddox was engaged to another woman, it's entirely arranged by his family. Maddox could barely tolerate her, and wasn’t involved in any way with her. They kissed on the cheek maybe once, just for show.
> OMD: yes, from Reyna's friend. She went out with him once but nothing happened. She wasn't interested.
> Maddox wasn’t a manwhore. We also got no information regarding his past, except this quote: He’s well aware of the fact that I’ve kept to myself. I’m sure he knows that I’ve never been one to bring women to bed. Let alone students.
He called her love, drew inspiration from her, customized his murders with things related to her, got on his knees to apologize, and dedicated his whole exhibit to her.
Maddow Shaw, everyone 🫦
“The things I want to do to you, love.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.” Maddox’s voice breaks and he tugs me closer. “I didn’t want to, but I thought it was the only way I could keep you safe. Until the day someone puts me in the dirt, the only person I’ll ever be is yours. My only regret in this life is that I made you think that you weren’t everything to me, and I’ll never forgive myself for that. You’re all I’ve ever wanted and everything I shouldn’t have.”
“Is that what you want? To see me on my knees, begging?” Maddox slides onto the floor, dropping to his knees between my parted legs. “Because I’ll crawl across glass if that’s what you want me to do. I’ll get on my knees every morning and every night if it means you’ll look at me again.”
He palms my thighs and rubs his hands over every curve of my body, anguished, like the only thing that can stop his torment is me and he won’t survive if I let him go.
A sob builds in my throat. “I can’t rely on your words, Maddox. They’ve lied to me before.”
“I’ll do anything. Name it, and it’s yours. I’ll gouge my heart right out of my chest if that’s what you want. Kill my own father if it makes you sleep easier. Anything at all, and I’ll do it.”
He drops lower onto his knees, gazing up at me in total despair. “Please, Reyna. Give me one more chance.”
I avert my eyes and wipe away my tears with my sleeve. “I don’t want to be made a fool of again.”
“You won’t. I promise.”
“I’ve killed a great many men for you. Harassed a substantial amount of the teaching body for you. Created and dedicated an entire collection to you because you consume every one of my thoughts. You alone brought me to life. So let me say it simply: I love you too, Reyna.” He pauses, then his smile turns wicked. “Now, if you’d be so kind as to follow me into the back, I need to see what your dress looks like on the floor.”
Safety :
> Safe. Neither is with anyone else after meeting each other;
> OWD: 🚫
Although Maddox was engaged to another woman, it's entirely arranged by his family. Maddox could barely tolerate her, and wasn’t involved in any way with her. They kissed on the cheek maybe once, just for show.
> OMD: yes, from Reyna's friend. She went out with him once but nothing happened. She wasn't interested.
> Maddox wasn’t a manwhore. We also got no information regarding his past, except this quote: He’s well aware of the fact that I’ve kept to myself. I’m sure he knows that I’ve never been one to bring women to bed. Let alone students.
September 12, 2026
Finally free from this snooze fest! The only reason I picked this up was because it mentioned Gothikana -- which was and will always be God tier ! With that being said the premise was so interesting but I was bored out of my head till the last 20-25% of the book; so the .5 are for that! I will like to give this author another try in the future but this unfortunately wasn't a memorable read
My Bookstagram
My Bookstagram
August 19, 2026
gothikana x dexter vibes done so right.
i feel avina has outdone with this one and probably her best works so far (in my opinion).
i enjoyed this book so much. the gothic setting and the mystery element were done so well.
reyna and maddox matched my freakuency here, and i absolutely ate it up. maddox might be a perverted obsessive freak, but his heart is so pure. 😩
in conclusion,
maddox: *breathes*
me: please rearrange my guts 😁
okay bye.
i feel avina has outdone with this one and probably her best works so far (in my opinion).
i enjoyed this book so much. the gothic setting and the mystery element were done so well.
reyna and maddox matched my freakuency here, and i absolutely ate it up. maddox might be a perverted obsessive freak, but his heart is so pure. 😩
in conclusion,
maddox: *breathes*
me: please rearrange my guts 😁
okay bye.
August 10, 2026
I really thought I was going to absolutely love this book, but it ultimately boiled down to nothing...The forbidden romance between student Reyna and professor Maddox was wholly uninteresting and so instalusty. I wanted to love them so bad, but their mutual obsession just felt forced. And normally that can work in a dark romance, but these two built absolutely no connection; they didn't really have any deep conversations or moments to tie them together. It truly felt like their inner dialogue was just them lusting after one another for no real reason. I seem to be in the minority with my thoughts here, but I think this story had so much more potential. Where was the intrigue? Where was all the tension and chemistry? Not to mention how rushed and boring the ending was; everything came to a head in the last 10%, and it was so dissatisfying. The secret society mystery and all the dark academia vibes fell completely flat in this book. The premise was there but the execution was sorely lacking; this felt way too juvenile to be a dark romance that supposedly resembles Dexter and Gothikana. I think it's probably on me for having high hopes, because I can see this story working for so many other people, but I was just so disappointed
~Many thanks to Gallery for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
~Many thanks to Gallery for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
October 9, 2026
This is the kind of book you need to read slowly.
Every painting. Every sculpture. Every movie scene. Every murder scene. You need to visualize every single detail in your mind to truly get the most out of this book. And honestly? I loved that.
The artistic detail in this book is INCREDIBLE. It’s not just there to make the story look pretty. It’s so deeply intertwined with the plot and the characters that it becomes an intrinsic part of the book itself. Every detail has meaning, every scene has a purpose, and the more you pay attention, the more you appreciate just how much thought went into it. 🖤
Because the protagonists don't just fall for each other.
They fall for each other's artistic vision.
What the fuck could be more romantic than that? 😭🖤
I've read serial killer romances before. But this is the first one I've read that actually gets it RIGHT. The thought processes felt realistic, the emotional build-up was fantastic, and the entire relationship felt like something that developed naturally from who these characters were.
The book understood its characters. It understood its darkness. And it understood that sometimes the most intimate thing two people can share isn't a touch or a confession...
It's the way they see the world.
And when they see it the same way, even the most macabre things can become a love language. 🔪
This is what I want from a dark love story.
The darkness. The obsession. The psychological depth. The feeling that two people can recognize something in each other that nobody else could ever understand.
Perfect. I genuinely have no more words. 🖤
───♡─────────────
✧ rating: 5 stars — one of my favorites ✧
✧ would I reread? definitely
✧ emotional state: artistically inspired and thoroughly obsessed 🖤
✧ summary: Reyna is a horror-obsessed film student who notices the artistic patterns connecting a string of murders and recreates them for a university project, unknowingly presenting them to the very man who committed them: Professor Maddox Shaw, a world-renowned artist (and serial killer entangled in a dangerous secret society). As their shared artistic vision develops into an obsessive romance, Reyna finds herself caught in a web of powerful people determined to protect their secrets. Sleeping with your professor is bad enough. Sleeping with a serial killer? That's a whole other problem. 🔪
───♡─────────────
♡ THE GOOD:
• The level of artistic detail: I LOVED this. This book is basically a macabre love letter to artists, and I honestly don't think I've ever read a book that made art feel so integral to both the plot and the characters. Both protagonists see the world through an artist's eyes. Everything has a meaning, a recurring theme, a reason, a plan, a motif. Nothing feels accidental. Even the violence becomes a form of artistic expression, and the attention given to the WHY behind every creative decision was incredible. And the best part? The book actually takes the time to explore what those artistic choices mean.
Take Reyna explaining why she uses pink blood in her projects:
• The romance: the protagonists don't fall in love because of lust, circumstance, or simply spending enough time together. They fall in love through their shared artistic vision. I don't even know how to explain how much I LOVE this concept. 😭 This felt so deep and unique that the romance genuinely stood out from anything else I've read. The very thing that made these characters who they were was also the reason they were drawn to each other.
• The Order's ranks: I have a soft spot for secret society books, especially when they take place in an academic setting and actually explain and explore the different ranks within the organization. I simply cannot help but find it intriguing to imagine how these societies work. The hierarchy, the rules, the different levels of power, the way everyone fits into the larger structure... it's like a small-scale society within a society, with its own systems and dynamics. 🕸️
• The pace: this book is fast-paced, and I loved how it skips over time without making us miss anything important. It avoids turning into a slice-of-life narration while still giving us all the details we need. It's such a difficult balance to get right, and I think this book handled it beautifully. Fast-paced, but not lacking in detail. Detailed, but never unnecessarily drawn out. ✨
• The obsessive romance: I loved how the romance felt like an obsession that both characters were fighting against. Almost like a sickness they knew they should cleanse themselves of, but simply didn't have the mental fortitude to resist.
And especially Maddox... This man becomes SO obsessed with Reyna that he doesn't even seem to realize just how far gone he is anymore. 😭
• The spice: 10/10. No further explanation needed. 🔥
• The ending: while it wasn't completely unexpected, it was satisfying to no end. 🖤
xoxo, until the next book 🖤📖✨
Every painting. Every sculpture. Every movie scene. Every murder scene. You need to visualize every single detail in your mind to truly get the most out of this book. And honestly? I loved that.
The artistic detail in this book is INCREDIBLE. It’s not just there to make the story look pretty. It’s so deeply intertwined with the plot and the characters that it becomes an intrinsic part of the book itself. Every detail has meaning, every scene has a purpose, and the more you pay attention, the more you appreciate just how much thought went into it. 🖤
Because the protagonists don't just fall for each other.
They fall for each other's artistic vision.
What the fuck could be more romantic than that? 😭🖤
I've read serial killer romances before. But this is the first one I've read that actually gets it RIGHT. The thought processes felt realistic, the emotional build-up was fantastic, and the entire relationship felt like something that developed naturally from who these characters were.
The book understood its characters. It understood its darkness. And it understood that sometimes the most intimate thing two people can share isn't a touch or a confession...
It's the way they see the world.
And when they see it the same way, even the most macabre things can become a love language. 🔪
This is what I want from a dark love story.
The darkness. The obsession. The psychological depth. The feeling that two people can recognize something in each other that nobody else could ever understand.
Perfect. I genuinely have no more words. 🖤
───♡─────────────
✧ rating: 5 stars — one of my favorites ✧
✧ would I reread? definitely
✧ emotional state: artistically inspired and thoroughly obsessed 🖤
✧ summary: Reyna is a horror-obsessed film student who notices the artistic patterns connecting a string of murders and recreates them for a university project, unknowingly presenting them to the very man who committed them: Professor Maddox Shaw, a world-renowned artist (and serial killer entangled in a dangerous secret society). As their shared artistic vision develops into an obsessive romance, Reyna finds herself caught in a web of powerful people determined to protect their secrets. Sleeping with your professor is bad enough. Sleeping with a serial killer? That's a whole other problem. 🔪
───♡─────────────
♡ THE GOOD:
• The level of artistic detail: I LOVED this. This book is basically a macabre love letter to artists, and I honestly don't think I've ever read a book that made art feel so integral to both the plot and the characters. Both protagonists see the world through an artist's eyes. Everything has a meaning, a recurring theme, a reason, a plan, a motif. Nothing feels accidental. Even the violence becomes a form of artistic expression, and the attention given to the WHY behind every creative decision was incredible. And the best part? The book actually takes the time to explore what those artistic choices mean.
Take Reyna explaining why she uses pink blood in her projects:
“‘On one hand, there’s sentimentality. On the other hand, like you said, society has prescribed notions of femininity and masculinity to specific colors. Using pink as the blood is the feminization of violence typically caused by men. It’s ironic, contradictory, and elicits emotional dissonance. Jarring, and it makes men uncomfortable. The word girly sits on the tip of their tongue, but they never say it, because the level of brutality of the crime was fueled by testosterone and male ego. A color is a color. Whether the liquid bleeding from a puncture wound is green or blue or even purple.’”
• The romance: the protagonists don't fall in love because of lust, circumstance, or simply spending enough time together. They fall in love through their shared artistic vision. I don't even know how to explain how much I LOVE this concept. 😭 This felt so deep and unique that the romance genuinely stood out from anything else I've read. The very thing that made these characters who they were was also the reason they were drawn to each other.
• The Order's ranks: I have a soft spot for secret society books, especially when they take place in an academic setting and actually explain and explore the different ranks within the organization. I simply cannot help but find it intriguing to imagine how these societies work. The hierarchy, the rules, the different levels of power, the way everyone fits into the larger structure... it's like a small-scale society within a society, with its own systems and dynamics. 🕸️
• The pace: this book is fast-paced, and I loved how it skips over time without making us miss anything important. It avoids turning into a slice-of-life narration while still giving us all the details we need. It's such a difficult balance to get right, and I think this book handled it beautifully. Fast-paced, but not lacking in detail. Detailed, but never unnecessarily drawn out. ✨
• The obsessive romance: I loved how the romance felt like an obsession that both characters were fighting against. Almost like a sickness they knew they should cleanse themselves of, but simply didn't have the mental fortitude to resist.
And especially Maddox... This man becomes SO obsessed with Reyna that he doesn't even seem to realize just how far gone he is anymore. 😭
“She has a nut allergy? Why was this not underlined in red in her student profile? This is pure negligence on the university's part. I'll be having words with the administration manager to ensure this doesn't happen again.
‘What specifically are you allergic to?’ Ignoring her protests, I take the EpiPen out of her bag. (…)
‘Is this the only one you have?’
She nods. ‘I only need one.’
Incorrect. She should have one in her bag and another in her pocket at all times.
There should also be one in every room she enters, and every class she has. Another oversight on the university's part.
‘What type of nuts can't you eat?’
‘Um, just tree nuts.’
I nod.
I'm willing to admit my own shortcomings. Not knowing the classes of nuts is one of them. A fact that will change before the day ends.”
• The spice: 10/10. No further explanation needed. 🔥
• The ending: while it wasn't completely unexpected, it was satisfying to no end. 🖤
xoxo, until the next book 🖤📖✨
October 12, 2026
I wish I loved this as much as the hype led me to believe 🥲Maybe it’s because I read and enjoyed Gothikana so recently, but the comparison didn’t really hold up for me 🤷♀️ This was just fine, nothing too memorable. I just feel like it was trying to do too much with the serial killing, the secret society, and the student x professor. There just wasn’t enough time to flesh it all out properly. The ending felt very rushed and anticlimactic because of it. I do have to give credit though, the premise of stalking a serial killer and falling in love with him was intriguing, and Maddox Shaw can GET IT. 🔥💅
October 11, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️
an obsessed professor who un-alives bad guys? I’m sat
an obsessed professor who un-alives bad guys? I’m sat
September 21, 2026
4.5 ✨
ılı.lıllılıı.ıllı..
Fell in love with a killer (slowed) D4WN
⇆ㅤ ◁◁ ❚❚ ▷▷ㅤ ↻
This book was so damn good. Gothic atmosphere, a professor-student romance, an age gap, a secret society... it had everything I absolutely cannot help but lose myself in. But let me tell you, the writing was exceptional. The descriptive language had me completely engaged from the very first page.
Then there was the dynamic between Reyna and Maddox. Their meet-cute? Oh, I was seated. It immediately drew me in. The verbal sparring, the tension... I ate it up.
Professor Maddox? Holy shit. His aura of dominance had me wanting to get on my knees every time he gave Reyna a command. And the mouth on this man? DAMN. He was obsessed from the very beginning.
What really got me was the allergy storyline. Reyna has a nut allergy, and she's been sort of seeing someone she has told a thousand times about it, yet he keeps giving her almonds. Maddox sees her EpiPen once, asks about her allergy, and immediately takes it upon himself to learn everything he can. He carries an EpiPen with him everywhere, kicks a student out of class for eating nuts, and even establishes a nut-free classroom just for her.
I liked Reyna, although I do think she made some pretty questionable decisions at certain points in the story. But alas. She's sarcastic, quirky, and has a dark side... which I can totally relate to.
The romance was intense and HOOOOOOTTTTTT. The banter between the main characters was fantastic, and the chemistry and sexual tension were off the charts. The spice absolutely delivered. Maddox had my mind going completely blank whenever he had her at his mercy. I could form no coherent thoughts except YES SIR. But it wasn't just physical attraction. They genuinely felt perfect for each other and understood one another in a way that nobody else could.
The only reason I'm not giving this, a full five stars is because the last 20% felt a bit rushed and was resolved a little too easily. I would have liked more drama, action, or something further connected to the Order. The ending wasn't bad by any means, but considering how strong the rest of the book was, I expected a little more from the final act.
Quotes:
"I've found a kindred soul in you, and the world will burn before I let you go."
"To be understood is to know intimacy, as they say"
"Ink leaves a stain, but if you scrub it hard enough, it’ll disappear from the
naked eye, but traces of it will always linger as long as you know where to look.
It’s a reference to grief and the everlasting stain of death.”
“Let me be your monster, love. It’s always been dark around my soul,
and you’ve made me hungry for more.”
“I’m wholly, completely, and madly consumed by you, and it might kill me.
Life and death lost meaning, and the only thing that made me feel human was
art, and that was gone too. Until you came along. You haunt me while I’m
awake. While I’m sleeping. I can’t breathe because of you.”
"You’re killing me, Reyna. And I’ve killed for you. I’ll be the dark, and I’ll be
the fucking shadows to your light, love. Our broken pieces together.”
“Is that what you want? To see me on my knees, begging?'. “Because I’ll crawl across glass if that’s what you want me to do. I’ll get on my knees every morning and every night if it means you’ll look at me again."
"She isn’t just art; she is a goddess, perched on the altar for me to
sacrifice myself in the name of worship."
"Love isn’t strong enough for what I’m feeling. It’s the maddest kind of
obsession that turns a man insane. "
September 1, 2026
“to my muse, to be loved by an artist is to become immortal. this is for you. yours always, maddox shaw.”
4.5⭐️ !!! the mouth on this man, dear LORD. i need therapy.
the amount of times i mentally changed my rating while reading should be studied. i have to admit i was kinda bored at first, but then something happened and the plot started to get interesting and then something else happened and i was pissed off, but then something happened again and i was back giggling and kicking my feet.
the one thing that was consistent the whole time was maddox and his godforsaken mouth. this man he had me SCREAMING, i was going feral. and, he was so funny for absolutely no reason.
and the yearning !!!! him saying to her that he was immortalizing her ??? GOODBYE.
and the quotes no like i can’t.
“reyna sinaga is breathtaking. no, breathtaking isn’t a strong enough word. i could spend a lifetime scouring every dictionary in existence, and i would never would come close to what she is.”
“she was made perfect for me. that is not an opinion or a feeling or some misguided notion from rose-tinted sunglasses. that is a fact. reyna sinaga is perfect for me.”
“maybe i haven’t made it clear, love. you are a risk i’m willing to take. i’ve tasted your depravity, and i want to get drunk on it. you’re intoxicating, reyna. i haven’t been able to think of anything else but you.”
“i see you in every room, even if you’re not there. everything i’ve told you is true. i’ve killed for you, reyna. i’ve done things for you that no good man would do. there’s only you for me.”
“i’m wholly, completely, and madly consumed by you, and it might kill me. life and death lost meaning, and the only thing that made me feel human was art, and that was gone too. until you came along. you haunt me while i’m awake. while i’m sleeping. i can’t breathe because of you.”
“my devotion to you has turned me deadly.”
4.5⭐️ !!! the mouth on this man, dear LORD. i need therapy.
the amount of times i mentally changed my rating while reading should be studied. i have to admit i was kinda bored at first, but then something happened and the plot started to get interesting and then something else happened and i was pissed off, but then something happened again and i was back giggling and kicking my feet.
the one thing that was consistent the whole time was maddox and his godforsaken mouth. this man he had me SCREAMING, i was going feral. and, he was so funny for absolutely no reason.
and the yearning !!!! him saying to her that he was immortalizing her ??? GOODBYE.
and the quotes no like i can’t.
“reyna sinaga is breathtaking. no, breathtaking isn’t a strong enough word. i could spend a lifetime scouring every dictionary in existence, and i would never would come close to what she is.”
“she was made perfect for me. that is not an opinion or a feeling or some misguided notion from rose-tinted sunglasses. that is a fact. reyna sinaga is perfect for me.”
“maybe i haven’t made it clear, love. you are a risk i’m willing to take. i’ve tasted your depravity, and i want to get drunk on it. you’re intoxicating, reyna. i haven’t been able to think of anything else but you.”
“i see you in every room, even if you’re not there. everything i’ve told you is true. i’ve killed for you, reyna. i’ve done things for you that no good man would do. there’s only you for me.”
“i’m wholly, completely, and madly consumed by you, and it might kill me. life and death lost meaning, and the only thing that made me feel human was art, and that was gone too. until you came along. you haunt me while i’m awake. while i’m sleeping. i can’t breathe because of you.”
“my devotion to you has turned me deadly.”
Want to Read
March 31, 2026im not a big dark romance reader BUT once i saw this was professor x student where he’s a serial killer and she’s recreating his murders for a film project for his class you know i had to request an arc right away 🤭
and yes i got the arc ◝(ᵔᗜᵔ)◜
and yes i got the arc ◝(ᵔᗜᵔ)◜
August 8, 2026
I ATEEEE!!! this book up. The banter between Reyna and Maddox made me giggle because Rey didn't hold back and Maddox didn't also when they first met and you go wtf this asshole 🤣🤣🤣
And when they both find out he's her new sub professor she's intrested in learning from him. Taking his advice when she recreates murders for her senior project and well he's the subject since he's the serial killer, She's obessed with she just doesn't know it. I loved watching Maddox kill he made sure he set up the scene so his Lil muse would explain it to him. He loved that she saw him. I swear they were two peas in a pod. She was also looking for clues to her father's murder. 👀👀👀
It does take a minute for them to cross that path lots of sexual tension, building trust and losing it when secrets come out later in the story. And mind you Reyna didn’t care he was a serial killer she hated when he lied that he was engaged. Spoiler below on that. 😏 girl said with her whole chest you can kill but i ain't dating a cheater or being a cheater 🤣
Beside that mess the other thing that made me wanna slap Maddox was the "break up" because he didn't want his brother to go through what he went through. Glad he woke up and chose to be selfish and go after his girl.
Saftey- Maddox is engaged only thing they've done is she kissed his cheek and that was for show for the society. Thats all nothing sexual, he never wants to be near her. She is really nice she also doesn't wanna be with him she has a whole ass boyfriend. And Reyna has a cop friend who has a crush on her and goes on 1 date thats all.
Low angst, no ow/tiny om drama, Cheating (not between mains), Drama, sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Slowburnish
Age gap
32mmc/22FMC
Gore
Secret society
Body mutilation
Arrange marriage (not between the mains)
Use of paintbrush
Praise kink
Torture
Exhibitionism
Seperation few weeks
Off page csa/sa
Assault to the main character
Mentions of self harm & Cancer
Scarring
Impact play
Breath play
Roleplay
Cockwarming
No condom
Hea
Epilogue
And when they both find out he's her new sub professor she's intrested in learning from him. Taking his advice when she recreates murders for her senior project and well he's the subject since he's the serial killer, She's obessed with she just doesn't know it. I loved watching Maddox kill he made sure he set up the scene so his Lil muse would explain it to him. He loved that she saw him. I swear they were two peas in a pod. She was also looking for clues to her father's murder. 👀👀👀
It does take a minute for them to cross that path lots of sexual tension, building trust and losing it when secrets come out later in the story. And mind you Reyna didn’t care he was a serial killer she hated when he lied that he was engaged. Spoiler below on that. 😏 girl said with her whole chest you can kill but i ain't dating a cheater or being a cheater 🤣
Beside that mess the other thing that made me wanna slap Maddox was the "break up" because he didn't want his brother to go through what he went through. Glad he woke up and chose to be selfish and go after his girl.
Saftey- Maddox is engaged only thing they've done is she kissed his cheek and that was for show for the society. Thats all nothing sexual, he never wants to be near her. She is really nice she also doesn't wanna be with him she has a whole ass boyfriend. And Reyna has a cop friend who has a crush on her and goes on 1 date thats all.
Low angst, no ow/tiny om drama, Cheating (not between mains), Drama, sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Slowburnish
Age gap
32mmc/22FMC
Gore
Secret society
Body mutilation
Arrange marriage (not between the mains)
Use of paintbrush
Praise kink
Torture
Exhibitionism
Seperation few weeks
Off page csa/sa
Assault to the main character
Mentions of self harm & Cancer
Scarring
Impact play
Breath play
Roleplay
Cockwarming
No condom
Hea
Epilogue
August 6, 2026
Boring but the smut? Girl, they were BUSY. 💀
September 8, 2026
“I’m wholly, completely, and madly consumed by you, and it might kill me. Life and death lost meaning, and the only thing that made me feel human was art, and that was gone too. Until you came along. You haunt me while I’m awake. While I’m sleeping. I can’t breathe because of you.”
I needed break from the fantasy and sad things i have been reading so this was the perfect book!! It was surprisingly fun & hot 🙂↕️ I’m always down for the student x professor trope, but this was not only about that. I was actually surprised by the serial killer trope and the whole thing with her father. It kept me interested even though I predicted the whole father thing 😭
But yeah, the audiobook and narrators were really good as well. Loveddd it 🤍
I needed break from the fantasy and sad things i have been reading so this was the perfect book!! It was surprisingly fun & hot 🙂↕️ I’m always down for the student x professor trope, but this was not only about that. I was actually surprised by the serial killer trope and the whole thing with her father. It kept me interested even though I predicted the whole father thing 😭
But yeah, the audiobook and narrators were really good as well. Loveddd it 🤍
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