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Heart So Dark
Not yet published
Expected 18 Aug 26Sooner or later, all vampires go mad . .
A killer stalks the rain-shrouded streets of Victorian London, leaving a trail of brutalized, bloodless corpses in his wake. While most suspect Jack the Ripper has returned, a select few know that a far darker force is at play.
Charlotte Murray, a socialite with a secret, is plagued by nightmares of a beautiful young man with a strange hunger. Gabriel Harding, her childhood love, now a charming and charismatic man-about-town, can no longer outrun the demons from his past. Leo Eriksson, an unwilling, centuries-old vampire, is losing his grip on reality.
The three soon find themselves embroiled in a web of death, obsession, madness, and revenge as they investigate the horrific killings, drawing ever closer to the enigmatic figure at the heart of it all.
A killer stalks the rain-shrouded streets of Victorian London, leaving a trail of brutalized, bloodless corpses in his wake. While most suspect Jack the Ripper has returned, a select few know that a far darker force is at play.
Charlotte Murray, a socialite with a secret, is plagued by nightmares of a beautiful young man with a strange hunger. Gabriel Harding, her childhood love, now a charming and charismatic man-about-town, can no longer outrun the demons from his past. Leo Eriksson, an unwilling, centuries-old vampire, is losing his grip on reality.
The three soon find themselves embroiled in a web of death, obsession, madness, and revenge as they investigate the horrific killings, drawing ever closer to the enigmatic figure at the heart of it all.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 18, 2026
About the author
M. Catherine Buschmann
2 books4 followersM Catherine Buschmann is an NYC native, compulsive reader, and procrastinative writer. When not toiling away at her day job, she can be found chugging iced coffee, hugging her cat, rearranging her bookshelves, or all three at once!
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 25, 2026
If you watched Dracula a love story and were looking for something to scratch that dark goth twisted love story this is it. This grabbed me right away and has the absolute perfect atmosphere, it’s dark, twisted and hot. Couldn’t put this down and now sadly am stuck waiting impatiently for book two (it does end on a cliff hanger 😭🥺) thanks so much to Nerd Fam and the author for my copy!
May 26, 2026
Struggled with keeping my interest. The idea of the story was great, I just don’t think it’s for me
May 31, 2026
ARC review.
I had a really hard time maintaining my concentration and want to continue with this book. I kept thinking once we get past the preliminaries it’ll be better. It did not.
There are so many characters and so many—words—- can a book have too many words? This one sure felt like it did
The premise is brilliant. An educated vampire who is losing his mind, seeing visions of his lost lives in his every day life, meeting with London’s best and trying to find peace and joy in what is left of his time. Surrounded by mysterious murders of bloodless women it is assumed perhaps Jack the Ripper has resurfaced. Sounds intriguing right? When you get those bits the story does draw you in. The problem is that those bits are few, and within the over worded encounters of multiple characters it all gets lost. Even a fun courtship goes to the wayside.
Overall just a rough one to read.
I had a really hard time maintaining my concentration and want to continue with this book. I kept thinking once we get past the preliminaries it’ll be better. It did not.
There are so many characters and so many—words—- can a book have too many words? This one sure felt like it did
The premise is brilliant. An educated vampire who is losing his mind, seeing visions of his lost lives in his every day life, meeting with London’s best and trying to find peace and joy in what is left of his time. Surrounded by mysterious murders of bloodless women it is assumed perhaps Jack the Ripper has resurfaced. Sounds intriguing right? When you get those bits the story does draw you in. The problem is that those bits are few, and within the over worded encounters of multiple characters it all gets lost. Even a fun courtship goes to the wayside.
Overall just a rough one to read.
May 29, 2026
First of all thank you to The Nerd Fam for gifting me this ARC.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Heart So Dark by M. Catherine Buschmann delivers a haunting blend of gothic horror, mystery, romance, and supernatural suspense wrapped in the fog-drenched streets of Victorian England. With strong Jack the Ripper-esque undertones and a darkly atmospheric setting, this novel pulls you into a world where nightmares feel prophetic, secrets fester beneath polite society, and monsters walk openly in the shadows.
The story follows three deeply damaged yet compelling characters whose lives become entangled through a string of horrific murders. Charlotte, a wealthy socialite burdened by disturbing nightmares and dangerous secrets, was probably my favorite perspective. She’s far more layered than she initially appears, and I loved watching her struggle between maintaining appearances and confronting the darkness closing in around her.
Gabriel, her childhood love, brings emotional weight to the story. He’s haunted by his own past demons and carries a sense of guilt and exhaustion throughout the novel that made him feel very human despite the increasingly supernatural events surrounding him. His connection with Charlotte added a softer emotional thread to an otherwise grim and bloody narrative.
Then there’s Leo — the century-old vampire slowly losing his grip on reality. Leo easily steals every scene he’s in. Buschmann writes him with this tragic instability that makes him both terrifying and strangely sympathetic. He feels ancient, exhausted, dangerous, and broken all at once. His unraveling mind added an unsettling unpredictability to the story that kept me hooked.
What really worked for me was the atmosphere. The author captures Victorian London beautifully — grim alleyways, candlelit parlors, blood-soaked streets, thick fog, and the constant sense that something evil is lurking just out of sight. The murders themselves are brutal without becoming gratuitous, and the mystery surrounding the enigmatic killer kept me engaged throughout.
I also appreciated that this wasn’t a typical vampire romance. While there are romantic elements, the story leans much more heavily into psychological horror, mystery, and gothic tragedy. The vampire lore feels fresh enough to stand apart from more conventional paranormal stories, and the darker tone gave the entire book a more mature feel.
That said, there were moments where the pacing slowed, particularly in the middle sections where the narrative focused heavily on internal struggles and backstory. Some plot threads could have been compressed to keep the tension consistently high. Still, the payoff toward the end was worth it, especially as all three characters’ lives collided in increasingly dangerous ways. The ending makes us want to go straight to book two.
Overall, Heart So Dark is an immersive and atmospheric gothic vampire story with compellingly flawed characters, eerie Victorian horror vibes, and an intriguing murder mystery at its core. If you enjoy dark paranormal fiction with emotional depth, morally gray characters, and strong gothic horror influences, this is definitely worth picking up.
A great twist on a Vampire story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Heart So Dark by M. Catherine Buschmann delivers a haunting blend of gothic horror, mystery, romance, and supernatural suspense wrapped in the fog-drenched streets of Victorian England. With strong Jack the Ripper-esque undertones and a darkly atmospheric setting, this novel pulls you into a world where nightmares feel prophetic, secrets fester beneath polite society, and monsters walk openly in the shadows.
The story follows three deeply damaged yet compelling characters whose lives become entangled through a string of horrific murders. Charlotte, a wealthy socialite burdened by disturbing nightmares and dangerous secrets, was probably my favorite perspective. She’s far more layered than she initially appears, and I loved watching her struggle between maintaining appearances and confronting the darkness closing in around her.
Gabriel, her childhood love, brings emotional weight to the story. He’s haunted by his own past demons and carries a sense of guilt and exhaustion throughout the novel that made him feel very human despite the increasingly supernatural events surrounding him. His connection with Charlotte added a softer emotional thread to an otherwise grim and bloody narrative.
Then there’s Leo — the century-old vampire slowly losing his grip on reality. Leo easily steals every scene he’s in. Buschmann writes him with this tragic instability that makes him both terrifying and strangely sympathetic. He feels ancient, exhausted, dangerous, and broken all at once. His unraveling mind added an unsettling unpredictability to the story that kept me hooked.
What really worked for me was the atmosphere. The author captures Victorian London beautifully — grim alleyways, candlelit parlors, blood-soaked streets, thick fog, and the constant sense that something evil is lurking just out of sight. The murders themselves are brutal without becoming gratuitous, and the mystery surrounding the enigmatic killer kept me engaged throughout.
I also appreciated that this wasn’t a typical vampire romance. While there are romantic elements, the story leans much more heavily into psychological horror, mystery, and gothic tragedy. The vampire lore feels fresh enough to stand apart from more conventional paranormal stories, and the darker tone gave the entire book a more mature feel.
That said, there were moments where the pacing slowed, particularly in the middle sections where the narrative focused heavily on internal struggles and backstory. Some plot threads could have been compressed to keep the tension consistently high. Still, the payoff toward the end was worth it, especially as all three characters’ lives collided in increasingly dangerous ways. The ending makes us want to go straight to book two.
Overall, Heart So Dark is an immersive and atmospheric gothic vampire story with compellingly flawed characters, eerie Victorian horror vibes, and an intriguing murder mystery at its core. If you enjoy dark paranormal fiction with emotional depth, morally gray characters, and strong gothic horror influences, this is definitely worth picking up.
A great twist on a Vampire story.
Review of advance copy
Thank you The Nerd Fam for the advance copy of this book.
After reading the blurb of Heart So Dark, I was instantly hooked. Vampires + victorian London? absolutely sign me up.
Luckily, I was not disappointed.
The story begins in 1891 London, where there has been a series of brutal and bloody murders of women across the city, with fears that Jack the Ripper may have returned. The murderer is on the loose and the people of London are afraid.
Our man characters are Charlotte, a young socialite, her future fiancé Harding, and the mysterious Leo, a friend of Harding’s uncle. Together, they become embroiled in a dark and terrifying world of vampires, as they try to figure out who the killer is.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. I found the setting to be oppressive and suffocating, even claustrophobic at times, perfect for a dark gothic romance, although I do think, for me, the romance could have taken a back seat as the actual storyline of the murders and Leo’s vampirism was much more interesting. I didn’t really care much about Charlotte and Harding’s relationship, but I think I was just far too invested in the supernatural and gothic elements.
I also really enjoyed how well researched this was. As an English teacher, I teach a gothic/victorian writing scheme, and found Buschmann to have thoroughly researched the period. I loved the references to Bedlam asylum, and the inclusion of societal expectations for both Charlotte and Harding. I’d have loved to have seen that explored further actually. I also loved the subtle references to Dracula (whitby, charlotte’s surname of Murray etc).
My only main criticism would be pace. I felt like it was a bit all over the place in terms of pacing. It seemed to be jumping locations, times, characters etc, and I did find myself having to re-read a page as I was confused. However, upon reflection, I actually think it works really well for creating a disorientating and confusing environment for the reader, as it matches exactly how most of the characters felt. The last 15% or so really picked up too, and I couldn’t read it fast enough. It ended on a decent cliffhanger, and I immediately wanted to read book 2. please release it asap!!!! i need to know what’s happening!!!!
all in all, this was thoroughly enjoyable, and I genuinely can’t wait to read Book 2. I also may slightly be in love with Leo. I love a brooding, troubled anti-hero!
After reading the blurb of Heart So Dark, I was instantly hooked. Vampires + victorian London? absolutely sign me up.
Luckily, I was not disappointed.
The story begins in 1891 London, where there has been a series of brutal and bloody murders of women across the city, with fears that Jack the Ripper may have returned. The murderer is on the loose and the people of London are afraid.
Our man characters are Charlotte, a young socialite, her future fiancé Harding, and the mysterious Leo, a friend of Harding’s uncle. Together, they become embroiled in a dark and terrifying world of vampires, as they try to figure out who the killer is.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. I found the setting to be oppressive and suffocating, even claustrophobic at times, perfect for a dark gothic romance, although I do think, for me, the romance could have taken a back seat as the actual storyline of the murders and Leo’s vampirism was much more interesting. I didn’t really care much about Charlotte and Harding’s relationship, but I think I was just far too invested in the supernatural and gothic elements.
I also really enjoyed how well researched this was. As an English teacher, I teach a gothic/victorian writing scheme, and found Buschmann to have thoroughly researched the period. I loved the references to Bedlam asylum, and the inclusion of societal expectations for both Charlotte and Harding. I’d have loved to have seen that explored further actually. I also loved the subtle references to Dracula (whitby, charlotte’s surname of Murray etc).
My only main criticism would be pace. I felt like it was a bit all over the place in terms of pacing. It seemed to be jumping locations, times, characters etc, and I did find myself having to re-read a page as I was confused. However, upon reflection, I actually think it works really well for creating a disorientating and confusing environment for the reader, as it matches exactly how most of the characters felt. The last 15% or so really picked up too, and I couldn’t read it fast enough. It ended on a decent cliffhanger, and I immediately wanted to read book 2. please release it asap!!!! i need to know what’s happening!!!!
all in all, this was thoroughly enjoyable, and I genuinely can’t wait to read Book 2. I also may slightly be in love with Leo. I love a brooding, troubled anti-hero!
May 26, 2026
Thank you NerdFam for the advanced copy!
Heart So Dark takes place in late 1800’s London and follows Charlotte and her fiancé, Harding. Things start to shift when Harding’s uncle and his long-time friend, Leo, come into the picture.
The only problem?
Leo is a vampire. And the only person who knows is Harding’s uncle, Hess.
As Leo attempts to integrate into society, his past continues to haunt not only him but those around him. No one seems to know why nightmares plague them every night or why mysterious young women keep turning up murdered.
Leo and Hess try to uncover the truth behind the killings, all while Leo grows closer and closer to Charlotte.
I really enjoyed the darker atmosphere throughout this book. The author did a great job weaving together seductive undertones with macabre elements, and I especially appreciated the vampire folklore. You could tell research was done regarding things like strigoi, nosferatu, and the superstitions surrounding them.
That being said, I did struggle some with the writing style. The POVs shifted back and forth within the same chapters, and at times I found it a little confusing. Personally, I think separate POV chapters may have flowed better for me.
I also thought the premise itself was really interesting and kept me reading because I wanted answers.
While the ending did leave off on a cliffhanger, I can’t say it had me desperately needing book two because I started piecing together where things may be headed. However, I’m intrigued enough to see how the story continues.
Heart So Dark takes place in late 1800’s London and follows Charlotte and her fiancé, Harding. Things start to shift when Harding’s uncle and his long-time friend, Leo, come into the picture.
The only problem?
Leo is a vampire. And the only person who knows is Harding’s uncle, Hess.
As Leo attempts to integrate into society, his past continues to haunt not only him but those around him. No one seems to know why nightmares plague them every night or why mysterious young women keep turning up murdered.
Leo and Hess try to uncover the truth behind the killings, all while Leo grows closer and closer to Charlotte.
I really enjoyed the darker atmosphere throughout this book. The author did a great job weaving together seductive undertones with macabre elements, and I especially appreciated the vampire folklore. You could tell research was done regarding things like strigoi, nosferatu, and the superstitions surrounding them.
That being said, I did struggle some with the writing style. The POVs shifted back and forth within the same chapters, and at times I found it a little confusing. Personally, I think separate POV chapters may have flowed better for me.
I also thought the premise itself was really interesting and kept me reading because I wanted answers.
While the ending did leave off on a cliffhanger, I can’t say it had me desperately needing book two because I started piecing together where things may be headed. However, I’m intrigued enough to see how the story continues.
May 19, 2026
Thank you Nerd Farm for the advance copy
First, can we talk about this cover? Absolutely gorgeous. It instantly pulled me in, and thankfully the story inside was just as unique. This book felt like nothing else I’ve read before. It blends dark gothic vibes with paranormal elements perfectly, all set in Victorian-era London — which made the atmosphere even better. Between the mysterious murders, vampires, and ghosts, it gave me all the creepy gothic vibes I love.
Charlotte is living in London with her aunt and is engaged to Gabriel, while fear spreads across the city as young women start turning up dead. Naturally, everyone believes Jack the Ripper may have returned… but Gabriel’s uncle Hess and his best friend Leo know better. These murders are far more brutal, with victims’ throats ripped apart — and Leo would recognize the signs better than anyone since he is a vampire himself.
While trying to uncover who is behind the killings, Leo is also haunted by the ghosts of his three former wives/fiancée.
I really loved the storyline and the gothic atmosphere. There were a few moments where the pacing started to drag a little for me, but I was still completely invested because I HAD to know how everything was going to end. And then… that ending. I was left hanging and immediately realized this is only book one in the series. Now I’m impatiently waiting for book two because I need answers.
First, can we talk about this cover? Absolutely gorgeous. It instantly pulled me in, and thankfully the story inside was just as unique. This book felt like nothing else I’ve read before. It blends dark gothic vibes with paranormal elements perfectly, all set in Victorian-era London — which made the atmosphere even better. Between the mysterious murders, vampires, and ghosts, it gave me all the creepy gothic vibes I love.
Charlotte is living in London with her aunt and is engaged to Gabriel, while fear spreads across the city as young women start turning up dead. Naturally, everyone believes Jack the Ripper may have returned… but Gabriel’s uncle Hess and his best friend Leo know better. These murders are far more brutal, with victims’ throats ripped apart — and Leo would recognize the signs better than anyone since he is a vampire himself.
While trying to uncover who is behind the killings, Leo is also haunted by the ghosts of his three former wives/fiancée.
I really loved the storyline and the gothic atmosphere. There were a few moments where the pacing started to drag a little for me, but I was still completely invested because I HAD to know how everything was going to end. And then… that ending. I was left hanging and immediately realized this is only book one in the series. Now I’m impatiently waiting for book two because I need answers.
May 26, 2026
Heart So Dark by M. Catherine Buschmann was an exciting and addictive read. Set in London during the Victorian era, the story follows a centuries-old vampire, a bisexual socialite, and her childhood love as they become entangled in a mysterious series of murders spreading through the city.
I was hooked from the very first page and couldn’t put it down until I had answers. The mystery keeps the story moving at a fast pace, while the gothic atmosphere makes every scene feel dark and immersive. Buschmann’s writing is rich and emotional, blending suspense, romance, and danger in a way that keeps readers constantly invested.
The novel is dark, sensual, and deliciously forbidden, making it perfect for readers who enjoy gothic romance with morally complex characters and high emotional stakes.
Overall, Heart So Dark is a thrilling mix of mystery, romance, and supernatural horror that left a lasting impression on me and kept me thinking about the characters long after I finished the final page.
I was hooked from the very first page and couldn’t put it down until I had answers. The mystery keeps the story moving at a fast pace, while the gothic atmosphere makes every scene feel dark and immersive. Buschmann’s writing is rich and emotional, blending suspense, romance, and danger in a way that keeps readers constantly invested.
The novel is dark, sensual, and deliciously forbidden, making it perfect for readers who enjoy gothic romance with morally complex characters and high emotional stakes.
Overall, Heart So Dark is a thrilling mix of mystery, romance, and supernatural horror that left a lasting impression on me and kept me thinking about the characters long after I finished the final page.
Did Not Finish
May 29, 2026DNF at 54% 😞
No star rating due to not finishing. Thank you The Nerd Fam for providing this copy for me to review!
The premise of this book is excellent. I love the idea of a murderous vampire roaming the streets of 19th century London - it was giving historical gothic horror more than gothic romance. The murders are way more of the focus than the romance.
There was just so much unnecessary filler that I occasionally skimmed through chapters, and I could not get past the amount of typos - plus a whole page repeated itself. I thought I was going crazy, but when I reread the page I was reading the same couple of paragraphs twice.
I also just felt like the same situations were repeating over and over. The first couple of times it was horrifying…but after the fifth and sixth I was desensitized and begged inwardly for something different.
I wanted to give it a solid chance and when I got halfway through the book, it wasn’t holding my interest the way I hoped :( It definitely needs to go through another solid round of editing and polishing.
No star rating due to not finishing. Thank you The Nerd Fam for providing this copy for me to review!
The premise of this book is excellent. I love the idea of a murderous vampire roaming the streets of 19th century London - it was giving historical gothic horror more than gothic romance. The murders are way more of the focus than the romance.
There was just so much unnecessary filler that I occasionally skimmed through chapters, and I could not get past the amount of typos - plus a whole page repeated itself. I thought I was going crazy, but when I reread the page I was reading the same couple of paragraphs twice.
I also just felt like the same situations were repeating over and over. The first couple of times it was horrifying…but after the fifth and sixth I was desensitized and begged inwardly for something different.
I wanted to give it a solid chance and when I got halfway through the book, it wasn’t holding my interest the way I hoped :( It definitely needs to go through another solid round of editing and polishing.
May 30, 2026
I’m absolutely the kind of person who sees a gorgeous book and immediately decides it’s coming home with me, and this one was no exception. The cover is stunning, and the promise of Gothic vibes, vampires, and a moody atmosphere had me sold before I even opened it. The little nods to Dracula, the asylum setting, and the historical touches were fun to pick up on, and the overall mood stayed interesting all the way through. Hess and Leo’s friendship was easily my favorite part — the kind of steady, loyal bond everyone wishes they had.The one relationship that didn’t click for me was Leo and Charlotte. You can see where it’s heading, but it jumps from “something might be happening” to “oh, okay, we’re doing this now” without the build‑up I expected. On the flip side, following Hess and Leo’s research was genuinely engaging. In the end, I liked the book, even if it didn’t completely sweep me away. I’m not sure I’d chase down the sequel, but if it crossed my path, I’d pick it up. I’m curious enough to want to see how everything wraps up. Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Heart So Dark" by M. Catherine Buschmann takes us back to 1891 London, where a series of chilling murders has everyone on edge, raising fears that Jack the Ripper might have returned., and the city is gripped by fear as a killer roams free.
The story centers on Charlotte, her fiancé Harding, and the enigmatic Leo, a friend of Harding’s uncle. Together, they dive into a dark and haunting world filled with vampires as they seek to uncover the identity of the murderer. I found the plot engaging and loved the gothic vibes throughout.
There were a few moments where the pacing slowed down a bit, but my curiosity kept me hooked until the end, and that ending definitely left me wanting more! I can't wait for book two because I need to find out what happens next!
Thank you to The NerdFam for this eARC.
The story centers on Charlotte, her fiancé Harding, and the enigmatic Leo, a friend of Harding’s uncle. Together, they dive into a dark and haunting world filled with vampires as they seek to uncover the identity of the murderer. I found the plot engaging and loved the gothic vibes throughout.
There were a few moments where the pacing slowed down a bit, but my curiosity kept me hooked until the end, and that ending definitely left me wanting more! I can't wait for book two because I need to find out what happens next!
Thank you to The NerdFam for this eARC.
May 25, 2026
Heart So Dark was such an atmospheric and emotionally intense read. The dark fantasy elements blended beautifully with the romance, and the world felt immersive without becoming overwhelming. I especially loved the tension between the characters—it kept me invested the entire time. Buschmann’s writing style has a lyrical quality that made even the quieter moments feel meaningful and haunting.
The pacing dragged slightly in a few sections, which is the only reason this wasn’t a full five stars for me, but overall I had a great time reading it. If you enjoy morally gray characters, dark magic, emotional stakes, and a moody fantasy vibe, this book is definitely worth picking up.
The pacing dragged slightly in a few sections, which is the only reason this wasn’t a full five stars for me, but overall I had a great time reading it. If you enjoy morally gray characters, dark magic, emotional stakes, and a moody fantasy vibe, this book is definitely worth picking up.
May 27, 2026
Thank you Nerd Fam for the advance copy of Heart So Dark!!
This book is a Vampire Mystery set in 1800’s London. The “scene” is set as dreary and goth but the story was not dreary at all. I love a good Victorian Vampire(s)😉 I will say, at times the context jumped around from character to character and had me re-reading a few paragraphs, but that did not distract from the intensity of the storyline. Over all paced well and an easy read.
I appreciated the true historical data the author added in as it made the story more authentic to the time period.
The ending is full of suspense and I am looking forward to the second book!
This book is a Vampire Mystery set in 1800’s London. The “scene” is set as dreary and goth but the story was not dreary at all. I love a good Victorian Vampire(s)😉 I will say, at times the context jumped around from character to character and had me re-reading a few paragraphs, but that did not distract from the intensity of the storyline. Over all paced well and an easy read.
I appreciated the true historical data the author added in as it made the story more authentic to the time period.
The ending is full of suspense and I am looking forward to the second book!
Read
May 25, 2026"Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted books.
I got an Arc copy of this book and am so happy, I love a good gothic horror book. I loved the Victorian setting and I thought this book was really paced well until the end. We have Jack the Ripper, Vampires, ghosts and an amazing Fmc Charlotte! This book had me hooked, we have someone committing murders of young girls around town and our Leo recognizes the signs. Can they figure this out? The ending has me so excited for book two! This is definitely a must read.
I got an Arc copy of this book and am so happy, I love a good gothic horror book. I loved the Victorian setting and I thought this book was really paced well until the end. We have Jack the Ripper, Vampires, ghosts and an amazing Fmc Charlotte! This book had me hooked, we have someone committing murders of young girls around town and our Leo recognizes the signs. Can they figure this out? The ending has me so excited for book two! This is definitely a must read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I want to thank NerdFam for letting me to read this fantastic book as an ARC. I loved it. This is a 5 star read for me. I’m so obsessed with the story because it really was gothic and dark. I loved that it had vampires in it. This book reminded me a bit of the gothic vampire story that I just recently read and it was called The Poisoner by IV Ophelia. When I finished the ARC, I was sad that it ended but I’m looking forward on book 2🖤.
May 25, 2026
Heart So Dark van M. Catherine Buschmann heeft me vanaf de allereerste pagina compleet in zijn greep gehouden. De sfeer in het boek is heerlijk mysterieus en de personages zijn zo ontzettend goed uitgewerkt dat je er helemaal in wordt gezogen.
Het plot zit vol onverwachte wendingen en de spanning blijft constant voelbaar. Voor iedereen die houdt van een verhaal met diepgang, emotie en een scherp, duister randje is dit echt een absolute aanrader.
Het plot zit vol onverwachte wendingen en de spanning blijft constant voelbaar. Voor iedereen die houdt van een verhaal met diepgang, emotie en een scherp, duister randje is dit echt een absolute aanrader.
May 26, 2026
Thank you Nerd Fam for the gifted ARC!
3.5 Stars
Definitely a fun read if you love vampires, gothic and horror/mystery. So many dark twists and turns that it will definitely keep you wondering. Not sure if it was entirely for me as I struggled to get through it during some parts. It does end on a cliffhanger so keep that in mind when picking it up!
While it was a fun read - I'm not sure If I will pick up book 2.
3.5 Stars
Definitely a fun read if you love vampires, gothic and horror/mystery. So many dark twists and turns that it will definitely keep you wondering. Not sure if it was entirely for me as I struggled to get through it during some parts. It does end on a cliffhanger so keep that in mind when picking it up!
While it was a fun read - I'm not sure If I will pick up book 2.
May 25, 2026
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted books, I had a good time reading this book. It follows the MFC Charlotte, a beautiful socialite navigate her life between trying to stay in the spotlight and her deliberating nightmares. She finds herself entwined with her childhood love and an estranged vampire. So many dark plot twists and secrets. It’s such a fun read and will leave to aching for more!
May 26, 2026
Thank you to "thenerdfam" for this advance copy
I truly enjoyed this read. I loved the Gothic style vampire turned detective of this story. It was full of love, lust, regret, sadness, suspense and grief. It was a mix for a great story. It was a turn pager for sure. I devoured it in a day
I truly enjoyed this read. I loved the Gothic style vampire turned detective of this story. It was full of love, lust, regret, sadness, suspense and grief. It was a mix for a great story. It was a turn pager for sure. I devoured it in a day
Review of advance copy received from Author
THIS BOOK GAVE ME ALL THE GOOSEBUMPS... I am such a suck for a dark gothic romantic storyline and this one absolutely devoured me, then spit me back out. It was everything I ever want or expect to read in this genre - any other authors need to read this and take notes.
May 20, 2026
Thank you Nerd Fam for the ARC!
I had fun reading this. I loved the mix of horror and mystery. I was hooked from beginning to end. Was definitely a memorable read for me!
I had fun reading this. I loved the mix of horror and mystery. I was hooked from beginning to end. Was definitely a memorable read for me!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Nerd Fam for the gifted ARC!
The story itself was interesting, however it took effort to read - I think it could have been shorter than it is.
The story itself was interesting, however it took effort to read - I think it could have been shorter than it is.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you nerd fam for the ARC. Loved that this book had attention to details and well researched. I have learned that “goth” is not for me but with that said this book was good.
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