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Nightshade
Evie has spent years building a life that works.
In a world where vampires, shifters, witches, and demons live openly, coexistence is governed by law, etiquette, and unspoken rules. As general manager of one of the city’s most elite restaurants, Evie knows how to navigate power, influence, and dangerous personalities without ever becoming part of their world.
Until the wrong men start paying attention.
A chance encounter draws Evie into the orbit of two powerful Alters whose interest goes far beyond curiosity. What begins as unsettling attention becomes something more complicated — magnetic, dangerous, and impossible to ignore. As her carefully ordered life fractures, long-buried truths rise to the surface, and desire becomes tangled with questions of identity, power, and fate.
Nightshade is a dark, atmospheric urban fantasy with a slow-burn romantic core, where attraction is a warning sign, love is never safe, and awakening power changes everything.
In a world where vampires, shifters, witches, and demons live openly, coexistence is governed by law, etiquette, and unspoken rules. As general manager of one of the city’s most elite restaurants, Evie knows how to navigate power, influence, and dangerous personalities without ever becoming part of their world.
Until the wrong men start paying attention.
A chance encounter draws Evie into the orbit of two powerful Alters whose interest goes far beyond curiosity. What begins as unsettling attention becomes something more complicated — magnetic, dangerous, and impossible to ignore. As her carefully ordered life fractures, long-buried truths rise to the surface, and desire becomes tangled with questions of identity, power, and fate.
Nightshade is a dark, atmospheric urban fantasy with a slow-burn romantic core, where attraction is a warning sign, love is never safe, and awakening power changes everything.
- GenresParanormal
405 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2026
About the author
Elodie Groves
1 book4 followersElodie Groves is an Australian author known for her urban fantasy and paranormal romance, crafting tales where myth and magic lie just beneath the surface of our modern world. Her narratives seamlessly weave slow-burn romance into richly imagined supernatural landscapes, delving into themes of power, identity, desire, and the cost of uncovering buried truths.
With a passion for folklore, mythology, and powerful female narratives, Elodie Groves creates immersive worlds influenced by ancient forces, political tension, and hidden histories. Her debut series, The Alters Saga, masterfully blends dark fantasy, romance, and myth into stories where coexistence is delicate and nothing — or no one — is entirely ordinary.
When she isn’t writing her captivating paranormal romance or urban fantasy, Elodie can often be found world-building with a cup of tea in hand, experimenting with new baking recipes, or deeply engaged in research for her next book.
With a passion for folklore, mythology, and powerful female narratives, Elodie Groves creates immersive worlds influenced by ancient forces, political tension, and hidden histories. Her debut series, The Alters Saga, masterfully blends dark fantasy, romance, and myth into stories where coexistence is delicate and nothing — or no one — is entirely ordinary.
When she isn’t writing her captivating paranormal romance or urban fantasy, Elodie can often be found world-building with a cup of tea in hand, experimenting with new baking recipes, or deeply engaged in research for her next book.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Strong Opening and Powerful Finale — A Promising Urban Fantasy Debut
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
In Nightshade, debut author Elodie Groves instantly hooked me with a top-secret classified file that draws readers into a world of Alters: vampires, shifters, witches, and demons who openly live alongside humans. Our heroine, Evie, is a thirty-something woman who has spent years carefully avoiding the supernatural world. When two powerful Alters take notice of her, a slow-burn why-choose romance begins.
While I loved the blurb, the story quickly moves beyond it with exciting multi-POV reveals, so I’ll stay intentionally vague to avoid spoilers.
Groves keeps the momentum strong through the first 11%. The opening bursts with clever banter, vivid narratives, and a wonderfully sassy Evie who had me laughing out loud. Throughout the book, key emotional moments landed hard, and a funeral scene genuinely made me tear up. The major identity reveals delivered satisfying payoff, and the final stretch (around 77% onward) brought thrilling action and showed Evie in her absolute element, radiating power and confidence.
As the story transitions into its middle section, the pace slows considerably and begins to feel repetitive. Descriptions that felt fresh, at first, were reused and eventually lost their magic: light through curtains, the fridge’s low hum, wards vibrating and pulsing, even (my favorite) inanimate objects breathing.
I understand the slower pace and recurring imagery were likely intended to deepen emotional investment before a major loss. Incorporating evocative flashbacks to Evie’s younger years might have offered an alternative way to tighten pacing, reduce repetition, strengthen world-building, and subtly foreshadow the twists while preserving the emotional impact.
Evie’s sass fades significantly after the stellar beginning. So when, about two-thirds in, a MMC offers to make her dinner and she abruptly retorts, “I don’t need taking care of,” the reaction feels uncharacteristically defensive, especially after chapters of her quietly relying on his steady, wordless care.
Even though the romantic setup is why-choose, the spice stayed lighter than I expected. There were a handful of intimate scenes that, in my opinion, land squarely in the two-to-three pepper range with occasional brushes of four. Other readers may rate the heat higher; this is purely my personal take. Groves has mentioned that later books will feature more graphic content, darker themes, and higher emotional stakes. So, I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.
The story is written in Australian English, which gave it a fresh, authentic voice. Some sentences felt fragmented or run-on, occasionally pulling me out of the story's flow. However, it didn’t stop me from enjoying it overall.
I’m curious how future books in the Alters Saga will function as interconnected standalones. This installment raises fascinating questions, and Groves introduces inventive new lore that expands the possibilities of this world. Perhaps each book will follow a new heroine with her own origin story before everything converges in a final volume?
Ultimately, the strong opening and finale, atmospheric vibe, humor, emotional depth, stunning artwork, and compelling developments make Nightshade a promising debut. It’s worth reading if you enjoy slow-burn urban fantasy with awakening-power elements and why-choose romance. I’ll definitely be watching for more from Elodie Groves!
I received an advance reader copy and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
In Nightshade, debut author Elodie Groves instantly hooked me with a top-secret classified file that draws readers into a world of Alters: vampires, shifters, witches, and demons who openly live alongside humans. Our heroine, Evie, is a thirty-something woman who has spent years carefully avoiding the supernatural world. When two powerful Alters take notice of her, a slow-burn why-choose romance begins.
While I loved the blurb, the story quickly moves beyond it with exciting multi-POV reveals, so I’ll stay intentionally vague to avoid spoilers.
Groves keeps the momentum strong through the first 11%. The opening bursts with clever banter, vivid narratives, and a wonderfully sassy Evie who had me laughing out loud. Throughout the book, key emotional moments landed hard, and a funeral scene genuinely made me tear up. The major identity reveals delivered satisfying payoff, and the final stretch (around 77% onward) brought thrilling action and showed Evie in her absolute element, radiating power and confidence.
As the story transitions into its middle section, the pace slows considerably and begins to feel repetitive. Descriptions that felt fresh, at first, were reused and eventually lost their magic: light through curtains, the fridge’s low hum, wards vibrating and pulsing, even (my favorite) inanimate objects breathing.
I understand the slower pace and recurring imagery were likely intended to deepen emotional investment before a major loss. Incorporating evocative flashbacks to Evie’s younger years might have offered an alternative way to tighten pacing, reduce repetition, strengthen world-building, and subtly foreshadow the twists while preserving the emotional impact.
Evie’s sass fades significantly after the stellar beginning. So when, about two-thirds in, a MMC offers to make her dinner and she abruptly retorts, “I don’t need taking care of,” the reaction feels uncharacteristically defensive, especially after chapters of her quietly relying on his steady, wordless care.
Even though the romantic setup is why-choose, the spice stayed lighter than I expected. There were a handful of intimate scenes that, in my opinion, land squarely in the two-to-three pepper range with occasional brushes of four. Other readers may rate the heat higher; this is purely my personal take. Groves has mentioned that later books will feature more graphic content, darker themes, and higher emotional stakes. So, I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.
The story is written in Australian English, which gave it a fresh, authentic voice. Some sentences felt fragmented or run-on, occasionally pulling me out of the story's flow. However, it didn’t stop me from enjoying it overall.
I’m curious how future books in the Alters Saga will function as interconnected standalones. This installment raises fascinating questions, and Groves introduces inventive new lore that expands the possibilities of this world. Perhaps each book will follow a new heroine with her own origin story before everything converges in a final volume?
Ultimately, the strong opening and finale, atmospheric vibe, humor, emotional depth, stunning artwork, and compelling developments make Nightshade a promising debut. It’s worth reading if you enjoy slow-burn urban fantasy with awakening-power elements and why-choose romance. I’ll definitely be watching for more from Elodie Groves!
I received an advance reader copy and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review of Nightshade by Elodie Groves
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
First of all thank you Elodie for gifting me your novel.
What a fantastic debut. Nightshade delivers a dark, atmospheric urban fantasy with just the right mix of intrigue, danger, and slow-burn tension.
Evie has spent years building a carefully controlled life in a world where vampires, shifters, witches, and demons coexist under strict rules. As the general manager of one of the city’s elite restaurants, she knows how to navigate power and personalities—without ever getting pulled into the chaos. Until she does.
A chance encounter pulls Evie into the orbit of powerful and dangerous men, and what starts as unsettling attention quickly becomes something far more complicated. Secrets long buried begin to surface, and Evie is forced to question everything—her identity, her past, and whether she’s ever truly been just human.
This is a “why choose” story featuring wolf shifters, witches, and a cast of compelling MMCs—Chris, Quinn, and Aodhan—each bringing their own tension and intrigue. The relationships are magnetic, the stakes feel real, and the slow unraveling of Evie’s world keeps you hooked.
What really stood out is how interconnected the story feels. There’s a strong sense that this is just the beginning, with more characters and storylines to come in future books. Evie is a solid FMC—capable, layered, and someone you can root for as everything around her begins to fracture.
If you love urban fantasy with a darker edge, slow-burn romance, and a powerful heroine surrounded by danger (and very compelling men), this is absolutely worth picking up.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
First of all thank you Elodie for gifting me your novel.
What a fantastic debut. Nightshade delivers a dark, atmospheric urban fantasy with just the right mix of intrigue, danger, and slow-burn tension.
Evie has spent years building a carefully controlled life in a world where vampires, shifters, witches, and demons coexist under strict rules. As the general manager of one of the city’s elite restaurants, she knows how to navigate power and personalities—without ever getting pulled into the chaos. Until she does.
A chance encounter pulls Evie into the orbit of powerful and dangerous men, and what starts as unsettling attention quickly becomes something far more complicated. Secrets long buried begin to surface, and Evie is forced to question everything—her identity, her past, and whether she’s ever truly been just human.
This is a “why choose” story featuring wolf shifters, witches, and a cast of compelling MMCs—Chris, Quinn, and Aodhan—each bringing their own tension and intrigue. The relationships are magnetic, the stakes feel real, and the slow unraveling of Evie’s world keeps you hooked.
What really stood out is how interconnected the story feels. There’s a strong sense that this is just the beginning, with more characters and storylines to come in future books. Evie is a solid FMC—capable, layered, and someone you can root for as everything around her begins to fracture.
If you love urban fantasy with a darker edge, slow-burn romance, and a powerful heroine surrounded by danger (and very compelling men), this is absolutely worth picking up.
May 4, 2026
If you enjoy slow-burn romances, werewolves, and an urban fantasy setting, Nightshade by Elodie Groves might just be the book for you.
I absolutely love a werewolf story that is able to seamlessly blend realism with the paranormal. The worldbuilding is complex and full of emotion that enhances plot elements. Groves does an amazing job incorporating characters into this world. I enjoyed reading about their lives and found their actions understandable in the context of their characters.
Evie is an FMC who highlights grief and the slow processing of it. I also enjoy that while she is diving into the paranormal world, she isn’t a damsel-in-distress. It is nice to see her grow throughout the novel. As for the MMCs, I liked Quinn. He is more likely to act on emotion and I found his interactions with Evie in the early stages to be more fun. Regarding their chemistry with Evie, it is a slow-burn but I would have loved to see more interactions between them. However, patient readers do get rewarded by the end.
On the topic of characters, there are multiple POVs, allowing readers insight into the protagonists, antagonists, and side characters. One can piece together the full story and watch everything come together.
All in all, Nightshade is an excellent introduction into a paranormal world that is full of action, magic, and danger. I wonder where the story might go with future books down the line.
I absolutely love a werewolf story that is able to seamlessly blend realism with the paranormal. The worldbuilding is complex and full of emotion that enhances plot elements. Groves does an amazing job incorporating characters into this world. I enjoyed reading about their lives and found their actions understandable in the context of their characters.
Evie is an FMC who highlights grief and the slow processing of it. I also enjoy that while she is diving into the paranormal world, she isn’t a damsel-in-distress. It is nice to see her grow throughout the novel. As for the MMCs, I liked Quinn. He is more likely to act on emotion and I found his interactions with Evie in the early stages to be more fun. Regarding their chemistry with Evie, it is a slow-burn but I would have loved to see more interactions between them. However, patient readers do get rewarded by the end.
On the topic of characters, there are multiple POVs, allowing readers insight into the protagonists, antagonists, and side characters. One can piece together the full story and watch everything come together.
All in all, Nightshade is an excellent introduction into a paranormal world that is full of action, magic, and danger. I wonder where the story might go with future books down the line.
May 4, 2026
Elodie Groves's Nightshade is a why-choose paranormal romance in the urban fantasy genre. I can go either way, but when a story is set in a world where supes are a known entity. There are more possibilities: settings, enemies, lovers, etc., and Elodie capitalizes on that. There is a shady supernatural government that acts more like a crime syndicate than anything else; magic is literal on every page; and one of the love interests is human.
The characters were good. Evie was strong-willed and had some fire in her belly. She had a great group of guys. Chris was a sweetheart, Quinn was playful, and Aodhan was dark and broody. The romance was good. It was a mixture of fated mates, childhood sweethearts-to-lovers, and enemies-to-lovers. Grief played a bigger role in the story than I expected, but it wasn't bad (I didn't want to cry), and it didn't overwhelm the plot. The story had a darker edge with all the criminal activities, and the twist was good; it took the story in a direction that I wasn't expecting. Nightshade was a good read, but that was Evie's story. Considering each book focuses on a new romance, I'm looking forward to the new characters, new plots, and where the overall story arc is headed.
The characters were good. Evie was strong-willed and had some fire in her belly. She had a great group of guys. Chris was a sweetheart, Quinn was playful, and Aodhan was dark and broody. The romance was good. It was a mixture of fated mates, childhood sweethearts-to-lovers, and enemies-to-lovers. Grief played a bigger role in the story than I expected, but it wasn't bad (I didn't want to cry), and it didn't overwhelm the plot. The story had a darker edge with all the criminal activities, and the twist was good; it took the story in a direction that I wasn't expecting. Nightshade was a good read, but that was Evie's story. Considering each book focuses on a new romance, I'm looking forward to the new characters, new plots, and where the overall story arc is headed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review: Nightshade by Elodie Groves
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A huge thank you to Elodie Groves for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy of this book!
I was incredibly excited to dive into this one—it hits the "trifecta" of everything I love in a story: fantasy/paranormal elements, a "why choose" dynamic, and morally grey men.
Nightshade is set in a world where humans and supernaturals coexist, navigating the messy, tense politics that come with sharing a civilization. The stakes felt real, and the atmosphere was spot on.
The storyline was gripping and hooked me almost immediately, which is a massive plus for my short attention span! While the main characters were definitely interesting enough to keep me turning pages, I found myself craving a bit more backstory—specifically regarding the history of the existing relationships to help deepen that emotional connection.
The ending was a total shock! Between that cliffhanger and the lingering mysteries surrounding the world-building and secondary characters, I’m officially invested. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A huge thank you to Elodie Groves for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy of this book!
I was incredibly excited to dive into this one—it hits the "trifecta" of everything I love in a story: fantasy/paranormal elements, a "why choose" dynamic, and morally grey men.
Nightshade is set in a world where humans and supernaturals coexist, navigating the messy, tense politics that come with sharing a civilization. The stakes felt real, and the atmosphere was spot on.
The storyline was gripping and hooked me almost immediately, which is a massive plus for my short attention span! While the main characters were definitely interesting enough to keep me turning pages, I found myself craving a bit more backstory—specifically regarding the history of the existing relationships to help deepen that emotional connection.
The ending was a total shock! Between that cliffhanger and the lingering mysteries surrounding the world-building and secondary characters, I’m officially invested. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Nightshade was such a great dark paranormal why choose read! It is also the debut novel from Elodie Groves!
Vampires, witches, shifters and demons. A dangerous world, secrets everywhere, and Evie being thrown right into the middle of it all.
Evie is trying to work out who she can trust, what is actually happening around her, and where she fits into this world that she really did not ask to be part of.
She is guarded, careful, and loyal. She is still heavily impacted by the death of her parents, and that feeds into so much of why she is the way she is.
Then we have Chris, Quinn and Aodhan. Each of them bring something different to Evelyn’s life. There is protectiveness, tension, secrets and romance.
Chris was Evie’s anchor. Quinn knew what he wanted and was not afraid to tell her, and Aodhan brought danger and authority. They each had their own dynamic with Evie, while also giving her something she needed.
There was enough mystery and danger to keep me wanting answers, all while the world felt like there was still so much more to uncover.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It was dark, messy, full of supernatural chaos, and left me needing to meet the FMCs and MMCs of the next 6 books!
Add this to your TBR if you love paranormal why choose, protective MMCs, secrets, danger and a strong woman trying to survive a world she never asked to be part of.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Vampires, witches, shifters and demons. A dangerous world, secrets everywhere, and Evie being thrown right into the middle of it all.
Evie is trying to work out who she can trust, what is actually happening around her, and where she fits into this world that she really did not ask to be part of.
She is guarded, careful, and loyal. She is still heavily impacted by the death of her parents, and that feeds into so much of why she is the way she is.
Then we have Chris, Quinn and Aodhan. Each of them bring something different to Evelyn’s life. There is protectiveness, tension, secrets and romance.
Chris was Evie’s anchor. Quinn knew what he wanted and was not afraid to tell her, and Aodhan brought danger and authority. They each had their own dynamic with Evie, while also giving her something she needed.
There was enough mystery and danger to keep me wanting answers, all while the world felt like there was still so much more to uncover.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It was dark, messy, full of supernatural chaos, and left me needing to meet the FMCs and MMCs of the next 6 books!
Add this to your TBR if you love paranormal why choose, protective MMCs, secrets, danger and a strong woman trying to survive a world she never asked to be part of.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW ❤️
Thank you Elodie for having me on your team. It was a pleasure. As for this story, this was a love for me. I loved the world that this pulled me in to. Vampires, shifters, witches, and more. Beautiful world building with a description so vividly created, that it played out in my mind with little to no effort. I was immediately pulled into this story with Evie. Seeing her growth throughout was amazing. It’s always a joy to see a character grow into themself, especially when they were unaware that that was their true self. All of the characters were great. I loved the danger and so many buried truths coming to the surface. With everything that was taking place, Evie’s life was annoying but simple at that point. The darkness, the twists and turns, had me on the edge of my seat. I was completely invested. For being a debut, this was truly amazing, and I hope to read more by Elodie in the near future.
Thank you Elodie for having me on your team. It was a pleasure. As for this story, this was a love for me. I loved the world that this pulled me in to. Vampires, shifters, witches, and more. Beautiful world building with a description so vividly created, that it played out in my mind with little to no effort. I was immediately pulled into this story with Evie. Seeing her growth throughout was amazing. It’s always a joy to see a character grow into themself, especially when they were unaware that that was their true self. All of the characters were great. I loved the danger and so many buried truths coming to the surface. With everything that was taking place, Evie’s life was annoying but simple at that point. The darkness, the twists and turns, had me on the edge of my seat. I was completely invested. For being a debut, this was truly amazing, and I hope to read more by Elodie in the near future.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review.
Well this was a fun read! What a fantastic debut.
The world-building manages to feel magical yet grounded, proving how the ‘Alters’ can feel like a natural part social fabric.
Multiple POVs allowing the reader to feel fully informed the entire book, including from the protagonist and antagonists (not something I see a lot of!).
I love a slow burn that’s actually a slowww burn and Nightshade does not disappoint. The tension builds until you’re completely hooked (and you’ll probably have a favourite!)
Evie is a fantastic protagonist. She’s real in her reactions and the way she grows and manages the complexities that come her way.
If you like your romantasy drowning in high stakes and a complex, eye- brow raising, ‘Why Choose' dynamic, don't sleep on Elodie���s debut novel!
Well this was a fun read! What a fantastic debut.
The world-building manages to feel magical yet grounded, proving how the ‘Alters’ can feel like a natural part social fabric.
Multiple POVs allowing the reader to feel fully informed the entire book, including from the protagonist and antagonists (not something I see a lot of!).
I love a slow burn that’s actually a slowww burn and Nightshade does not disappoint. The tension builds until you’re completely hooked (and you’ll probably have a favourite!)
Evie is a fantastic protagonist. She’s real in her reactions and the way she grows and manages the complexities that come her way.
If you like your romantasy drowning in high stakes and a complex, eye- brow raising, ‘Why Choose' dynamic, don't sleep on Elodie���s debut novel!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The pages hum and crackle with an electric energy, what a debut novel from Elodie Groves. Witches, wolves, vampires, shifters the world of Nightshade is rich and draws you in immediately.
Evie is our relatable protagonist, both powerful and vulnerable in this twisting urban fantasy tale of love, loss and rich self discovery.
With an ensemble of vibrant and quirky, lovable and sometimes very hatable characters that circle around Evie and The Saucy Chatelaine, the world of Nightshade feels lived in and real, magical and yet gritty. Mysterious… and definitely a little spicy!
Congratulations Elodie on an unforgettable novel, thank you for delivering us so deliciously into the world of Nightshade - I can’t wait for the next instalment.
Evie is our relatable protagonist, both powerful and vulnerable in this twisting urban fantasy tale of love, loss and rich self discovery.
With an ensemble of vibrant and quirky, lovable and sometimes very hatable characters that circle around Evie and The Saucy Chatelaine, the world of Nightshade feels lived in and real, magical and yet gritty. Mysterious… and definitely a little spicy!
Congratulations Elodie on an unforgettable novel, thank you for delivering us so deliciously into the world of Nightshade - I can’t wait for the next instalment.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Nightshade is a great debut by this author. The world building, the magic, the mystery, the twists and turns! This is a why choose (FMMM) that dives into a world of magic and humans coexisting in the same world. This story focuses on the world building, plot, and characters, with some Greek mythology embedded within. I love that this is a standalone that will be interconnected with future standalones in this world. Honestly, I cannot wait to dive into the next story and hope we see the quartet from Nightshade in future books as well. This book is definitely going on my re-read rotation and becoming a part of my library.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Nightshade is a stunning debut that breathes fresh life into urban fantasy with its perfect mix of mystery and slow-burn tension. Elodie Groves does a fantastic job building a world where supernatural politics feel sophisticated and genuinely dangerous, all seen through the eyes of a relatable, sharp-witted protagonist. The chemistry is electric, the atmosphere is deliciously dark, and the "awakening power" trope is handled with a refreshing level of depth. If you love stories where the romance feels like a high-stakes game of chess, this is a must-read
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars
I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!
I was hooked right from the start. This was one of the first urban fantasies I have ever read and I really enjoyed it. I loved the relationships that Evie had throughout the book with Chris, Quinn and Aodhan.
The only reason I rated it 4.5, is that i think the book could have explored Evie coming to terms with her heritage in more depth. I felt as though the story was slightly rushed towards the end, but I overall still really enjoyed it and can't wait to read the 2nd book!
I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!
I was hooked right from the start. This was one of the first urban fantasies I have ever read and I really enjoyed it. I loved the relationships that Evie had throughout the book with Chris, Quinn and Aodhan.
The only reason I rated it 4.5, is that i think the book could have explored Evie coming to terms with her heritage in more depth. I felt as though the story was slightly rushed towards the end, but I overall still really enjoyed it and can't wait to read the 2nd book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2026
Everything I want in a paranormal romance 🙌
Reverse harem
Shifters
Magic
Prophecy
High stakes
There’s just enough mystery woven in to keep you guessing the whole time and it definitely feels like the start of something bigger in the series. The ending isn’t a brutal cliffhanger (LOVE THAT) but it leaves enough unanswered that you need to keep going.
I liked all the characters… well, except the one you’re definitely not supposed to like 👀
If you’re into paranormal romance with tension, intrigue and a slow-building dynamic this one’s worth picking up.
Reverse harem
Shifters
Magic
Prophecy
High stakes
There’s just enough mystery woven in to keep you guessing the whole time and it definitely feels like the start of something bigger in the series. The ending isn’t a brutal cliffhanger (LOVE THAT) but it leaves enough unanswered that you need to keep going.
I liked all the characters… well, except the one you’re definitely not supposed to like 👀
If you’re into paranormal romance with tension, intrigue and a slow-building dynamic this one’s worth picking up.
May 5, 2026
Recieved this as an ARC from the author and leaving my honest review.
What an amazing debut for this author. I loved this urban fantasy/paranormal why choose! (I mean those are some of my fave tropes so hard not to love) the emotional aspects added to the story and while the pacing may slow a bit towards the middle it feels intentional for the emotional blow that comes afterwards. Cant wait to see what else this author has for us! Recommend for anyone who loves a good paranormal why choose with excellent plot points!
What an amazing debut for this author. I loved this urban fantasy/paranormal why choose! (I mean those are some of my fave tropes so hard not to love) the emotional aspects added to the story and while the pacing may slow a bit towards the middle it feels intentional for the emotional blow that comes afterwards. Cant wait to see what else this author has for us! Recommend for anyone who loves a good paranormal why choose with excellent plot points!
May 1, 2026
Really great debut novel
If you're a slow burn lover then this is for you.
Evie is a complex person with a difficult past, and not a lot of direction.
She returns home after the breakdown of her relationship and come back into contact with a part love and then the almost serendipitous encounters with new men.
The band together to stop the evil invasion of their town.
This is a deep and dark paranormal romance. I enjoyed it and read it over a few days.
If you're a slow burn lover then this is for you.
Evie is a complex person with a difficult past, and not a lot of direction.
She returns home after the breakdown of her relationship and come back into contact with a part love and then the almost serendipitous encounters with new men.
The band together to stop the evil invasion of their town.
This is a deep and dark paranormal romance. I enjoyed it and read it over a few days.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The pacing of both romance and plot was superb. The world building was well done, and set up for future connective books! I liked Evie's development throughout and the individual connections to her men! Each have their own blessings and strength.
Nightshade is a standalone in an interconnected series, and i am looking forward to seeing the rest of them!
Nightshade is a standalone in an interconnected series, and i am looking forward to seeing the rest of them!
May 9, 2026
There is so much in this novel but I will just leave this quote as it is enough evidence alone to read it.
“No wonder men have built altars,” he says, voice a rough whisper. “When a goddess like you exists, I understand why they kneel.”
Enjoy.
(I received this as a free ARC and leave this review voluntarily)
“No wonder men have built altars,” he says, voice a rough whisper. “When a goddess like you exists, I understand why they kneel.”
Enjoy.
(I received this as a free ARC and leave this review voluntarily)
April 20, 2026
~*-arc for honest review -*-
This one tools me a bit not cause it wasn’t good but because it deserved time. It was very enjoyable and I liked and cared about the characters.
Highly recommend this book
This one tools me a bit not cause it wasn’t good but because it deserved time. It was very enjoyable and I liked and cared about the characters.
Highly recommend this book
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you love a strong FMC who comes into her strength, you will love this book! Slow burn ✅ Why choose ✅ possessive MMCs ✅ —Have them all and I’m here for it!!! The banter…. Had me cracking up! The FMC is sassy and I love it!
May 2, 2026
A great why choose. Evie has alot of anxiety at the beginning of the book and then it levels. This is a great stand alone, but with interlocking stories later. I have read books by Elodie Graves and she always done a wonderful job building her characters.
May 4, 2026
Advanced Readers Copy given by the author.
I very much enjoyed this book.
Reverse harem.
Paranormal.
🌶🌶 not too spicy, but just enough.
I look forward to reading the next book.
I very much enjoyed this book.
Reverse harem.
Paranormal.
🌶🌶 not too spicy, but just enough.
I look forward to reading the next book.
April 20, 2026
🌶️🌶️
This was such an entertaining storyline and very different from the typical shifter romances. I quite enjoyed it. The characters were highly entertaining, the plot unfolded well if a little fast, and I look forward to Book Two. I continued to be enthusiastically anticipating the uncovering the next detail.
Potential Spoiler part:
The issue that kept this from being five stars for me is that there were some points that almost just weren’t detailed enough to make sense to me, such as the automatic acceptance of a strange and somewhat rival new shifter in charge without so much as a real introduction after Evie mated with Aodhan. Even before it was clear she was actually a goddess. I also felt like more pov chapters from the MMCs and even Michael would have been incredibly helpful in world building and would have helped to explain their internal struggles coming to resolution just a little better for the sake of fluidity. However, these weren’t enough to distract me enough to keep from enjoying the story overall. Well done.
Thanks to the author for giving me the opportunity to be an ARC reader.
This was such an entertaining storyline and very different from the typical shifter romances. I quite enjoyed it. The characters were highly entertaining, the plot unfolded well if a little fast, and I look forward to Book Two. I continued to be enthusiastically anticipating the uncovering the next detail.
Potential Spoiler part:
The issue that kept this from being five stars for me is that there were some points that almost just weren’t detailed enough to make sense to me, such as the automatic acceptance of a strange and somewhat rival new shifter in charge without so much as a real introduction after Evie mated with Aodhan. Even before it was clear she was actually a goddess. I also felt like more pov chapters from the MMCs and even Michael would have been incredibly helpful in world building and would have helped to explain their internal struggles coming to resolution just a little better for the sake of fluidity. However, these weren’t enough to distract me enough to keep from enjoying the story overall. Well done.
Thanks to the author for giving me the opportunity to be an ARC reader.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
The anxiety Evie felt at the start of the book vibrated and made my stomach twist in sympathy.
But as she found out who she was, who Vera was, she became stronger, increasing in confidence and becoming more present and better able to deal with everything.
The writing was beautiful and I fell in love with all the characters, especially Chris. But this is Elodie’s story, I did however, enjoy the multi pov chapters. I felt totally present throughout Elodie’s journey from human to something more.
Great!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️
But as she found out who she was, who Vera was, she became stronger, increasing in confidence and becoming more present and better able to deal with everything.
The writing was beautiful and I fell in love with all the characters, especially Chris. But this is Elodie’s story, I did however, enjoy the multi pov chapters. I felt totally present throughout Elodie’s journey from human to something more.
Great!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️
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