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Sorrowsong University #1
Nightshade: Temná touha
Ophelia Wintersová přijímá stipendium na prestižní skotské univerzitě Sorrowsong s cílem dokázat, že za smrt jejích rodičů nese vinu letecký magnát Cain Green. Její plán je jasný – mít dobré známky a nevzbudit pozornost. Jenže už první den ji málem zabije záhadný muž, z kterého se vyklube Cainův syn. Alex Corbeau-Green je podle ní jen mladší verzí svého otce – krásný, ale nebezpečný. Když se však Ophelia stane terčem anonymních výhrůžek, musí s ním začít spolupracovat a jejich vztah se postupně mění. Která touha je však silnější – ta po pomstě, nebo ta po Alexovi?
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 2025
About the author
Autumn Woods
3 books3,515 followersAutumn Woods is the Sunday Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Sorrowsong University series. She writes gothic and gloomy settings with love stories that’ll tear you apart just to put you back together again. Her books have been translated into twenty languages.
Outside of writing, she is a book illustrator and an aerospace engineer, and you’ll often find her climbing, painting, baking, or walking the British countryside with Mr Woods and their dog.
Outside of writing, she is a book illustrator and an aerospace engineer, and you’ll often find her climbing, painting, baking, or walking the British countryside with Mr Woods and their dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 16,352 reviews
October 14, 2025
“You make me finally understand what people mean when they say life isn’t long enough.”
No words just Alex Corbeau Green. Aka my new husband. Aka the most pathetic, sad boy, obsessed, tortured yearner on the planet. I am so done. I have a problem. I can’t remember the last time a fictional man had me this down bad. I actually can’t handle it.
This book was EVERYTHINGGGGGGG THEY ARE EVERYTHING!!! I need book two more than I need air to breathe the ending actually made me cry WHAT?! The banter, the spooky gothic university setting, the murder mystery/stalker plot, the suspense, the romance, the pain, the mental health rep, Ophelia made me feel so seen and heard. They literally flirt via email and through crosswords. Bye. This man tattooed, glasses wearing, intellectual, witty, flirty, man who draws her and washes his hair and is like a father to his 6 sisters?! No his backstory is actually making my chest ache. PROTECT HIM AT ALL COSTS I well as they drag me away to the padded room.
I cannot.
“I’ve built my walls too high.” “They’re worth the climb.” “They aren’t.” We stop on the mansion steps, his tone soft. “They are. For me, they are.”
“If you end up being the death of me, Winters, I couldn’t ask for a better end.”
“Then I’ll love you with the same intensity that you hate me. I’ll hold on to you just as hard as you push me away. I’ll fix you like you’re fixing me. I’ll always be here, Ophelia, I’ll sit at the bottom of valleys and stand on the top of mountains with you.”
“Forget dying for her. I’d live for her. I feel like I could overcome all the darkness inside if only it meant I’d get a life in her company in return.”
“Ophelia is my deadly nightshade. She’s bad for me. I know what she’ll do to me, but she’s too beautiful. Too enticing. She’s too deep in my bloodstream already, painful and ecstatic all at once.”
“Ophelia feels like finding another human after months in the desert. A light permeating the thick black cloud. When my wayward mind wanders, it staggers back home to her.”
No words just Alex Corbeau Green. Aka my new husband. Aka the most pathetic, sad boy, obsessed, tortured yearner on the planet. I am so done. I have a problem. I can’t remember the last time a fictional man had me this down bad. I actually can’t handle it.
This book was EVERYTHINGGGGGGG THEY ARE EVERYTHING!!! I need book two more than I need air to breathe the ending actually made me cry WHAT?! The banter, the spooky gothic university setting, the murder mystery/stalker plot, the suspense, the romance, the pain, the mental health rep, Ophelia made me feel so seen and heard. They literally flirt via email and through crosswords. Bye. This man tattooed, glasses wearing, intellectual, witty, flirty, man who draws her and washes his hair and is like a father to his 6 sisters?! No his backstory is actually making my chest ache. PROTECT HIM AT ALL COSTS I well as they drag me away to the padded room.
I cannot.
“I’ve built my walls too high.” “They’re worth the climb.” “They aren’t.” We stop on the mansion steps, his tone soft. “They are. For me, they are.”
“If you end up being the death of me, Winters, I couldn’t ask for a better end.”
“Then I’ll love you with the same intensity that you hate me. I’ll hold on to you just as hard as you push me away. I’ll fix you like you’re fixing me. I’ll always be here, Ophelia, I’ll sit at the bottom of valleys and stand on the top of mountains with you.”
“Forget dying for her. I’d live for her. I feel like I could overcome all the darkness inside if only it meant I’d get a life in her company in return.”
“Ophelia is my deadly nightshade. She’s bad for me. I know what she’ll do to me, but she’s too beautiful. Too enticing. She’s too deep in my bloodstream already, painful and ecstatic all at once.”
“Ophelia feels like finding another human after months in the desert. A light permeating the thick black cloud. When my wayward mind wanders, it staggers back home to her.”
July 26, 2026
this was SO GOOOD! took me a little to get into it but when I did, I realllyy did! it had no business being so funny.
“i’m going to die and I haven’t even done today’s wordle”
“I never get mail so wether it’s a severed hand or a threat in a box.. I will get my fun unboxing”
I loved alex so much. he just kept getting better. and I adored ophelia!! also love the side characters, belladonaaaa my girllll!!!! can’t wait until book 2!
“until midnight 100 years from now” <3
“i’m going to die and I haven’t even done today’s wordle”
“I never get mail so wether it’s a severed hand or a threat in a box.. I will get my fun unboxing”
I loved alex so much. he just kept getting better. and I adored ophelia!! also love the side characters, belladonaaaa my girllll!!!! can’t wait until book 2!
“until midnight 100 years from now” <3
October 13, 2025
As much as I had fun with it, it was far from perfect imo. I definitely see the appeal but it's probably one of those cases where my high expectations let me down. With the way everyone hyped it up, I was expecting a lot more than what I got.
The dark academia vibes were really good and immersive. The writing was okayish I suppose. I loved the way it started but it lost its rhythm in the middle. There was always something missing, not sure what but it just didn't feel like it was clicking. Parts of it felt a bit juvenile in the way it was written.
The characters were alright. Imo Alex carried the book, he really is a charming guy. I loved his sarcastic quips and wit. But also how appreciated how upfront he can be. He is the kind of mmc who immediately captures your attention. Ophelia on the other hand was a mess. She was fierce one moment, then completely weak the next moment. I just think there was more potential to her than what we saw.
The chemistry between the two though is pretty good. I enjoyed the romance and slow build. The push and pull on Ophelia's end got me annoyed at one point though. The banter between her and Alex was chef's kiss. The spice could have been a bit more steamy imo but I guess the author was going for a tasteful approach, which is probably just me nitpicking atp. Sorry 🫣 At least I'm self aware 😭.
The ending was really fun to get into. I won't deny that. The way it ended had me shook and baffled at the audacity to not immediately give us the next book 👁👄👁 But I'm looking forward to reading the next one and hope that it's a bit mature in it's writing.
Thanks to sweet Meg for reading it with me. BR are always fun with you 🥰
~•~•~
All I know about this one is that everyone is swooning over Alex and I intend to find out WHYYY 🤭
The dark academia vibes were really good and immersive. The writing was okayish I suppose. I loved the way it started but it lost its rhythm in the middle. There was always something missing, not sure what but it just didn't feel like it was clicking. Parts of it felt a bit juvenile in the way it was written.
The characters were alright. Imo Alex carried the book, he really is a charming guy. I loved his sarcastic quips and wit. But also how appreciated how upfront he can be. He is the kind of mmc who immediately captures your attention. Ophelia on the other hand was a mess. She was fierce one moment, then completely weak the next moment. I just think there was more potential to her than what we saw.
The chemistry between the two though is pretty good. I enjoyed the romance and slow build. The push and pull on Ophelia's end got me annoyed at one point though. The banter between her and Alex was chef's kiss. The spice could have been a bit more steamy imo but I guess the author was going for a tasteful approach, which is probably just me nitpicking atp. Sorry 🫣 At least I'm self aware 😭.
The ending was really fun to get into. I won't deny that. The way it ended had me shook and baffled at the audacity to not immediately give us the next book 👁👄👁 But I'm looking forward to reading the next one and hope that it's a bit mature in it's writing.
Thanks to sweet Meg for reading it with me. BR are always fun with you 🥰
~•~•~
All I know about this one is that everyone is swooning over Alex and I intend to find out WHYYY 🤭
August 17, 2026
4.35!
“Then I’ll love you with the same intensity that you hate me. I’ll hold on to you just as hard as you push me away. I’ll fix you like you’re fixing me. I’ll always be here, Ophelia, I’ll sit at the bottom of valleys and stand on the top of mountains with you. We’re too good not to work.”
How good was this?!?
I didn't get the chance to read much this week, but oh my days when I picked this book up- I could not stop. It was so damn addicting. The writing was definitely something I vibed with because it had me in a flow. There were some things that I struggled with- not enough to ruin my experience but enough for me to notice. I did like how atmospheric it was for me. It gave me this vivid image that I just loved. Also, I have no idea why, but this book made me so damn nostalgic (might be cuz I was blasting "ribs" on repeat, but it took me back to 2022 😭 and I loved it for that alone)
“I’ve built my walls too high.”
“They’re worth the climb.”
Ophelia, Nah because as soon as I saw that she was a redhead- I was on the floor. Litr me:
okay but actually she had me in a chokehold. Anyways besides that, she was a troubled character, carrying such heavy grief with her and trying to figure out her life, with everything including her feelings working overtime to be against her. It felt good to see her try and fail and then try again to navigate her way through. The snarkiness>>> 🫦 like guys how hot was that 🫣 Her solving crosswords even at the most intense moments was so 😭😭
“Ophelia is my deadly nightshade. She’s bad for me. I know what she’ll do to me, but she’s too beautiful. Too enticing. She’s too deep in my bloodstream already, painful and ecstatic all at once.”
Moving on to Alex, I GET THE HYPE. It was actually weird because would I categorize him as a broody bad boy? 🫳🫴 but he had those elements. He was actually respectful tho, which I liked. He might seem a bit intimidating from the outside, but he was very gentle, esp when you get to read his perspective. Reading the first chapter from his pov was so fun 😭 I also loved how unbelievably down bad this man was and everything that he did lowk felt effortless. It was like all the things were coming to him naturally 😭
“Fine, I want this. I want you. I can’t escape you, Alex. You’re like the sun. I turn away, I look down, but I can still see you reflected in everything at my feet. If I draw the curtains, you slip through the cracks. I can’t fall for the moon instead because it’s you that illuminates it. None of that changes the fact that we just won’t work. You’re not the problem here. It’s me, and things out of my control.”
The romance, was easily the best part about this book. Now, this made all the other things that I found lacking irrelevant, because the way the whole book was built around it, and esp with the way it was written 😮💨 the banter first of all?? Amazing. What makes a book super enjoyable for me is the THE. DAMN. BANTER. It was so beautifully delivered here. Their love actually felt like love. The chemistry?? INSANEEE. The tension? BURNING THROUGH THE PAGESS. Not to mention how both of them would shamelessly flirt. It was spicy, not in the sense that there were a lot of sex scenes but rather the situations, and the proximity, and how all of that was explored 🪭 oh my daysssss some of the best romance I have read in monthsss.
“One down. Seven letters. First letter O. I’ve had a long day, and I want her for dinner.” Holy fuck.” (best way to use crosswords)
Okay, moving on to the slight problems-
Plot the plot was okay at best. I liked the mysterious aspect regarding her parents' death, but truly if the romance wasn't there, I would've given up on it. The stalker's side quest was nice too, but with time it also became eh until the end, which was its peak imo Slight spoilersI don't understand when a character finds out who is after them while they are in front of them- why can't they act nonchalant and get out of it and then do smthing about it. ugh smh.
I also kinda wanted more from the side character only because they had a lot of potential but ig there is book 2 for it.
Overall, it was an amazing read!!
___
I have been wanting to read this one for sooo long!! I got the arc for the second book a while back and I am trying to escape my slump, so perfect time. Also, the artwork that this book has??? Amazing!
“Then I’ll love you with the same intensity that you hate me. I’ll hold on to you just as hard as you push me away. I’ll fix you like you’re fixing me. I’ll always be here, Ophelia, I’ll sit at the bottom of valleys and stand on the top of mountains with you. We’re too good not to work.”
How good was this?!?
I didn't get the chance to read much this week, but oh my days when I picked this book up- I could not stop. It was so damn addicting. The writing was definitely something I vibed with because it had me in a flow. There were some things that I struggled with- not enough to ruin my experience but enough for me to notice. I did like how atmospheric it was for me. It gave me this vivid image that I just loved. Also, I have no idea why, but this book made me so damn nostalgic (might be cuz I was blasting "ribs" on repeat, but it took me back to 2022 😭 and I loved it for that alone)
“I’ve built my walls too high.”
“They’re worth the climb.”
Ophelia, Nah because as soon as I saw that she was a redhead- I was on the floor. Litr me:
okay but actually she had me in a chokehold. Anyways besides that, she was a troubled character, carrying such heavy grief with her and trying to figure out her life, with everything including her feelings working overtime to be against her. It felt good to see her try and fail and then try again to navigate her way through. The snarkiness>>> 🫦 like guys how hot was that 🫣 Her solving crosswords even at the most intense moments was so 😭😭
“Ophelia is my deadly nightshade. She’s bad for me. I know what she’ll do to me, but she’s too beautiful. Too enticing. She’s too deep in my bloodstream already, painful and ecstatic all at once.”
Moving on to Alex, I GET THE HYPE. It was actually weird because would I categorize him as a broody bad boy? 🫳🫴 but he had those elements. He was actually respectful tho, which I liked. He might seem a bit intimidating from the outside, but he was very gentle, esp when you get to read his perspective. Reading the first chapter from his pov was so fun 😭 I also loved how unbelievably down bad this man was and everything that he did lowk felt effortless. It was like all the things were coming to him naturally 😭
“Fine, I want this. I want you. I can’t escape you, Alex. You’re like the sun. I turn away, I look down, but I can still see you reflected in everything at my feet. If I draw the curtains, you slip through the cracks. I can’t fall for the moon instead because it’s you that illuminates it. None of that changes the fact that we just won’t work. You’re not the problem here. It’s me, and things out of my control.”
The romance, was easily the best part about this book. Now, this made all the other things that I found lacking irrelevant, because the way the whole book was built around it, and esp with the way it was written 😮💨 the banter first of all?? Amazing. What makes a book super enjoyable for me is the THE. DAMN. BANTER. It was so beautifully delivered here. Their love actually felt like love. The chemistry?? INSANEEE. The tension? BURNING THROUGH THE PAGESS. Not to mention how both of them would shamelessly flirt. It was spicy, not in the sense that there were a lot of sex scenes but rather the situations, and the proximity, and how all of that was explored 🪭 oh my daysssss some of the best romance I have read in monthsss.
“One down. Seven letters. First letter O. I’ve had a long day, and I want her for dinner.” Holy fuck.” (best way to use crosswords)
Okay, moving on to the slight problems-
Plot the plot was okay at best. I liked the mysterious aspect regarding her parents' death, but truly if the romance wasn't there, I would've given up on it. The stalker's side quest was nice too, but with time it also became eh until the end, which was its peak imo Slight spoilersI don't understand when a character finds out who is after them while they are in front of them- why can't they act nonchalant and get out of it and then do smthing about it. ugh smh.
I also kinda wanted more from the side character only because they had a lot of potential but ig there is book 2 for it.
Overall, it was an amazing read!!
___
I have been wanting to read this one for sooo long!! I got the arc for the second book a while back and I am trying to escape my slump, so perfect time. Also, the artwork that this book has??? Amazing!
February 5, 2025
I wish I had been on that helicopter crash
August 7, 2025
I had so much fun with this!!! Alex was a PERFECT MMC. One of the more memorable ones, that’s for sure! Such a good gothic romance. And that cliffhanger!!! Need book 2 NOW!!!
March 4, 2026
Alex should start using his eyes more; those are the only balls he has
so boring and cliche 🥴🥱
so boring and cliche 🥴🥱
December 24, 2025
3.5 stars!
Alex carried this book ON HIS HOT MUSCULAR BACK AND THUNDER RUGBY THIGHSSSSSSSS
This was fun! I liked the murder mystery, but alas it was very predictable for me, the stalker was obvious and I fear I saw that final twist coming a mile away😭 Still a fun time though!
However👀👀👀 The romance kinda ruined it for me😭😭 At first, they hated each other and the banter was TOP TIER!!!! The shift from hate to love was so rushed to me that it made it not believable and kinda gave me the ick I'M SORRY😭😭😭 It should have been a slower burn, I needed them to kiss at like 80%😅 However, I loved how Alex was so protective and sweet with Ophelia🫶🫶
The spice was.. a choice😅 Imo, if you're gonna make a book spicy, commit to it yk and give us all the dirty details😅😅 It was kinda ...tepid? Like there was all this build up and then it just fizzled😞
The ending was so angsty though, so ofc I loved it 😅
______________________________________
Buddy reading with my bestieeee Cha 💖
Heard nothing but great things about this I'm so excited!
Alex carried this book ON HIS HOT MUSCULAR BACK AND THUNDER RUGBY THIGHSSSSSSSS
This was fun! I liked the murder mystery, but alas it was very predictable for me, the stalker was obvious and I fear I saw that final twist coming a mile away😭 Still a fun time though!
However👀👀👀 The romance kinda ruined it for me😭😭 At first, they hated each other and the banter was TOP TIER!!!! The shift from hate to love was so rushed to me that it made it not believable and kinda gave me the ick I'M SORRY😭😭😭 It should have been a slower burn, I needed them to kiss at like 80%😅 However, I loved how Alex was so protective and sweet with Ophelia🫶🫶
The spice was.. a choice😅 Imo, if you're gonna make a book spicy, commit to it yk and give us all the dirty details😅😅 It was kinda ...tepid? Like there was all this build up and then it just fizzled😞
The ending was so angsty though, so ofc I loved it 😅
______________________________________
Buddy reading with my bestieeee Cha 💖
Heard nothing but great things about this I'm so excited!
November 25, 2025
Alex could slap me in the face with his rugby thighs and I’d say thank you xx
Reading this was the best time I’ve had in a long fking while.
The meet cute had me giggling biting the tip of my finger kicking my feet twirling my hair. I’ve not felt this way about a couple since so long 😭 I missed this feeling. They’re so swoon worthy.
Their banter was ACTUALLY funny. Brit’s always write the best banter I swear. Like I was cackling out loud slapping my knee covering my face with the paperback so fucking giddy after their every interaction. And the tension, quips and jabs didn’t stop even after they got together but it got even better. Can you even ask for anything more really? (More Alex povs — if want to be really picky 😝💋)
What am I GNA do now it’s over 😭😭 the wait for the next book is aboutta be so painful 🤚 I’m feeling it already
Alex Alex alexxxxxx the man of my dreamsTAKE YOUR PANTS OFF who said that!
Pls the way he’s actually the most loveable fucker ever??? The respect and admiration he holds for Ophelia has my heart sinking and soaring at the same time. (Ik that won’t make sense if you’ve not read the book but trust me after you read it, you’ll be nodding ur head in agreement) And it’s not just for Ophelia but his sisters and mother ugh he makes me wanna pinch his cheeks give him the cuddliest bear hug and then rail him till kingdom come. Like it can’t get any better than Alex I’m telling u.
Ophelia my beloved. She’s the sweetest crossword loving hermit. The way she has the most gentle soul it makes me wanna cry. I haven’t taken to an fmc in this way before and it was a new experience for me. I litch just wanna reach into the book and STAB everyone who wishes her harm (with a fork… laced with acid)
The stalker storyline was so yummy I was buzzing with every page. Even tho I did guess the stalker I was STILL reeling after that ending because wdymmmmm this is how ur ending it!!! Miss author did us so dirty 😔 on a serious note THIS is how you end the first book of a duet. The right amount of intrigue and mystery with a nice hint of pain to give that kick (right at the back of the knees to rlly be specific)
As the judges from The Great British Bake-off would say, this was an unctuous eat 🙂↕️🙂↕️
𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲:
I have theories. Many theories.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
The way I’ve been WAITING for this moment since months omg I just know imma eat this book up
Reading this was the best time I’ve had in a long fking while.
The meet cute had me giggling biting the tip of my finger kicking my feet twirling my hair. I’ve not felt this way about a couple since so long 😭 I missed this feeling. They’re so swoon worthy.
Their banter was ACTUALLY funny. Brit’s always write the best banter I swear. Like I was cackling out loud slapping my knee covering my face with the paperback so fucking giddy after their every interaction. And the tension, quips and jabs didn’t stop even after they got together but it got even better. Can you even ask for anything more really? (More Alex povs — if want to be really picky 😝💋)
What am I GNA do now it’s over 😭😭 the wait for the next book is aboutta be so painful 🤚 I’m feeling it already
Alex Alex alexxxxxx the man of my dreams
Pls the way he’s actually the most loveable fucker ever??? The respect and admiration he holds for Ophelia has my heart sinking and soaring at the same time. (Ik that won’t make sense if you’ve not read the book but trust me after you read it, you’ll be nodding ur head in agreement) And it’s not just for Ophelia but his sisters and mother ugh he makes me wanna pinch his cheeks give him the cuddliest bear hug and then rail him till kingdom come. Like it can’t get any better than Alex I’m telling u.
Ophelia my beloved. She’s the sweetest crossword loving hermit. The way she has the most gentle soul it makes me wanna cry. I haven’t taken to an fmc in this way before and it was a new experience for me. I litch just wanna reach into the book and STAB everyone who wishes her harm (with a fork… laced with acid)
The stalker storyline was so yummy I was buzzing with every page. Even tho I did guess the stalker I was STILL reeling after that ending because wdymmmmm this is how ur ending it!!! Miss author did us so dirty 😔 on a serious note THIS is how you end the first book of a duet. The right amount of intrigue and mystery with a nice hint of pain to give that kick (right at the back of the knees to rlly be specific)
As the judges from The Great British Bake-off would say, this was an unctuous eat 🙂↕️🙂↕️
𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲:
I have theories. Many theories.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
The way I’ve been WAITING for this moment since months omg I just know imma eat this book up
September 22, 2025
I have this side of me that hopes the book ends with a cliffhanger 😃😃 But after reading THE CLIFFHANGER, I started crying and desperately wanting to read the next book, and ofc, it’s not out yet 😃 It’s like my two sides are punishing each other: one hopes for the cliffhanger, and the other one suffers because of it 😭
IDC, I NEED BOOK TWO!!! When is it releasing?!? 😭😭
Ophelia Winters, a strong and brave FMC, has completely caught my heart 🤭🤭 In the beginning, she was just okay, just okay 😭 but now, I really like her 👀🤭 She’s sooo brave, omggg. I loved how she fought at the end.
Alex Green, omg omg omg, 👀 he’s sooo fine ahhhh 🤭🖤🩷 I loved him from the very start, caught my attention within the first 2%! 🤭 Too early? Yes. But 👀 AHHHH!!!! Dare I say, this guy is literally the best 🙂↕️ And how he treats his sister and mom 🥹🥹 Stawwwwpppp!!! A brother like him is a blessing, fr 🥹🫶 And the man he is? 👀😩
Tbh, the plot twist isn’t that jaw-dropping. You might be able to figure it out. The beginning intrigued me and kept intriguing me until the end 🙂↕️ But yes, you might not be able to figure out the cliffhanger because that one’s really good 🤭👀
Even the side characters are sooo good 🥹 Am I sensing something between Colette and Eike?? I definitely am 🙂↕️🫶 Omgggg 👀 I need their book. I also need Vincenzo’s book 🙂↕️ I looove him sooo much, he’s sooo good 👀 Need to know who he’s gonna end up with? 🤭👀
I really loved the whole dark academia set-up 🙂↕️🖤 Everything was portrayed so well. And it was way more fun buddy reading with Nerlie 🤭🌷 ilysmmm. I just can’t wait for book two 😭
That’s it, guys. Love y’all 🫶🩷
————————————————
°❀.ೃ࿔* pre-read °❀.ೃ࿔*
Soooo excited for this 🤭🖤🩷 Doing a buddy read with my beautiful Nerlie 🫶🌷
IDC, I NEED BOOK TWO!!! When is it releasing?!? 😭😭
Ophelia Winters, a strong and brave FMC, has completely caught my heart 🤭🤭 In the beginning, she was just okay, just okay 😭 but now, I really like her 👀🤭 She’s sooo brave, omggg. I loved how she fought at the end.
Alex Green, omg omg omg, 👀 he’s sooo fine ahhhh 🤭🖤🩷 I loved him from the very start, caught my attention within the first 2%! 🤭 Too early? Yes. But 👀 AHHHH!!!! Dare I say, this guy is literally the best 🙂↕️ And how he treats his sister and mom 🥹🥹 Stawwwwpppp!!! A brother like him is a blessing, fr 🥹🫶 And the man he is? 👀😩
Tbh, the plot twist isn’t that jaw-dropping. You might be able to figure it out. The beginning intrigued me and kept intriguing me until the end 🙂↕️ But yes, you might not be able to figure out the cliffhanger because that one’s really good 🤭👀
Even the side characters are sooo good 🥹 Am I sensing something between Colette and Eike?? I definitely am 🙂↕️🫶 Omgggg 👀 I need their book. I also need Vincenzo’s book 🙂↕️ I looove him sooo much, he’s sooo good 👀 Need to know who he’s gonna end up with? 🤭👀
I really loved the whole dark academia set-up 🙂↕️🖤 Everything was portrayed so well. And it was way more fun buddy reading with Nerlie 🤭🌷 ilysmmm. I just can’t wait for book two 😭
That’s it, guys. Love y’all 🫶🩷
————————————————
°❀.ೃ࿔* pre-read °❀.ೃ࿔*
Soooo excited for this 🤭🖤🩷 Doing a buddy read with my beautiful Nerlie 🫶🌷
September 26, 2025
3.5 stars ⭐
⤷ mini spoiler-free review!! ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ my thoughts
i’m starting to think i’m actually the problem because somehow i always end up being the odd one out when it comes to fantasy books—i didn’t love this one and honestly, i haven’t loved any i’ve read so far this year 😭
don’t get me wrong, this book wasn’t all that bad. i loved the dark academia setting and vibes, and the mystery paired with the fast pacing kept me engaged throughout.
what fell flat for me was the romance. it feels like the enemies to lovers trope has been reduced to characters who “hate” each other while secretly lusting after one another nowadays, and this book leaned heavily into that. ophelia and alex’s dynamic often felt more like childish bickering than actual tension. they barely knew each other, yet for some reason they were completely obsessed with one another, with their relationship revolving almost entirely around physical attraction and sexual tension rather than emotional connection. on top of that, ophelia kept straying from her plan because of her growing feelings for alex, and the constant mention of how she shouldn’t like him but she does became tiring.
there were also times when i had to reread sentences just to understand what was going on, which occasionally pulled me out of the story.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ overall
while i didn’t love this book as much as most did, i still enjoyed it and would recommend it if you’re in the mood for a dark, atmospheric read this fall.
────────── ⋆⋅end⋅⋆ ──────────
pre-read
officially tackling my fall tbr ~ i’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this book so i have high hopes!
⤷ mini spoiler-free review!! ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ my thoughts
i’m starting to think i’m actually the problem because somehow i always end up being the odd one out when it comes to fantasy books—i didn’t love this one and honestly, i haven’t loved any i’ve read so far this year 😭
don’t get me wrong, this book wasn’t all that bad. i loved the dark academia setting and vibes, and the mystery paired with the fast pacing kept me engaged throughout.
what fell flat for me was the romance. it feels like the enemies to lovers trope has been reduced to characters who “hate” each other while secretly lusting after one another nowadays, and this book leaned heavily into that. ophelia and alex’s dynamic often felt more like childish bickering than actual tension. they barely knew each other, yet for some reason they were completely obsessed with one another, with their relationship revolving almost entirely around physical attraction and sexual tension rather than emotional connection. on top of that, ophelia kept straying from her plan because of her growing feelings for alex, and the constant mention of how she shouldn’t like him but she does became tiring.
there were also times when i had to reread sentences just to understand what was going on, which occasionally pulled me out of the story.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ overall
while i didn’t love this book as much as most did, i still enjoyed it and would recommend it if you’re in the mood for a dark, atmospheric read this fall.
────────── ⋆⋅end⋅⋆ ──────────
pre-read
officially tackling my fall tbr ~ i’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this book so i have high hopes!
November 8, 2025
4.5 rounded up. DEVOURED. This felt like the gothic ambiance of a Kerri Lake book but with the ABSOLUTE BEST BANTER. Love love love loveddddddddddd. Foaming for book 2.
August 16, 2025
![Profile Image for Saranya [uni- s.ia.].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1786610860i/187457635._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
February 6, 2026
𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶཐི༏ཋྀ 5 stars
★★★★★
What am I supposed to do now?
(˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )づ♡
I finished Nightshade and now I’m just a haunted shell of a person wandering the halls of my own life whispering “Alex Corbeau-Green” like a spell that might bring him back. This book didn’t just give me butterflies- it gave me a whole damn aviary.
Alex Corbeau Green... the man you are🤌🤌🤌✨✨💕💕💖💖❤️
🏛️ Sorrowsong Uni Houses
(¯´•._.• S̶̨̅o̷̢̪̠̻̩͕̾̃̋r̴̢̜̯̮̳̖̈́̇̐̏̊r̴͖̀̀͘o̶̘͔̹͇̰͔͙̭̍ͅw̵̡̯̣̘͚̜̲̭̥̮̓̈͛̓̈̈́̑͋͆ş̴̛̤̦̣̪̓̀̇̓o̸̦͐̆̆͆̽̽́̕ņ̶̢̮̗͇͈͖̜̤͉͗͒͝ǵ̵̢͙̪̟̭̘͉̐̆́ ̸̫̃̈́̿̚Ǔ̶̧̜̖̫̙̺̯̊͆̏n̶̪̹͕͎̲̍̍͗̽ͅį̸̢̛̹̞̮̭̉̒̆̀̃͒̊̆̎ͅ ̷̩͚͇͓̑̃̂ͅH̸͈͖̺͓̦̱͖̍̓́͜ơ̶̢̦̩̫̙̠͖̪̎͑̆̕ụ̷̔͆̒̂̇̒͗͐̒̈s̸̢̬̭͎̱̱͉̟͔̜͆̃̎e̵̖̟͓͖̩͌s̷͕̙̘̳̄̏̎͂̈́̊̃̊̕ •._.•´¯)
»»---(¯`S⑊o⑊r⑊t⑊i⑊n⑊g⑊ ⑊H⑊a⑊t⑊ ⑊e⑊d⑊i⑊t⑊i⑊o⑊n´¯)---»»
Cortinar House- Ravenclaw💙
Snakeroot House- Hufflepuff💛
Hemlock House- Gryffindor❤️
Nightshade- Slytherin💚
Alex Corbeau-Green. The man. The myth. The walking heartbreak in a black shirt. His emotional depth>>>>>
& his charm>>>>
This book is gothic in the way a soul feels after rereading a love letter from someone who left. Trauma, healing and rom wrapped in velvet prose and rainy windows.
⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆
Oh yeah... 'Alex Volkov'
😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️💕
“Salad makes me sad,”- same girl:(
I AM LOVING IT SO MUCKING MUCH!
However, the names should have been a bit original... Ophelia (also there in Phantasma) and Alex (from Twisted love) :(
Hilarious.
Stop😭😭😭
Woah
There it is; the disappointment, the expectation that trauma has to turn into an inspirational story. That a life changing injury should end in a Paralympic gold and an awful childhood should fuel your meteoric rise to success.
WHY IS THIS SO RELATABLE? LIKE... STH LIKE THIS HAPPENED TO ME A YEAR AGO
Ok this one is really hilarious 😂
Oh my god. I am in LOVE with this book
THESE QUOTES!!😭😭
Ah!! My heart!!!
THE ENDING??!!!
I DEFINITELY CAN'T SURVIVE LIKE THIS!!!!!!😭😭😭😭😭
I NEED THE 2nd BOOK RIGHT NOWWWW!!!!!
★★★★★
What am I supposed to do now?
(˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )づ♡
I finished Nightshade and now I’m just a haunted shell of a person wandering the halls of my own life whispering “Alex Corbeau-Green” like a spell that might bring him back. This book didn’t just give me butterflies- it gave me a whole damn aviary.
Alex Corbeau Green... the man you are🤌🤌🤌✨✨💕💕💖💖❤️
🏛️ Sorrowsong Uni Houses
(¯´•._.• S̶̨̅o̷̢̪̠̻̩͕̾̃̋r̴̢̜̯̮̳̖̈́̇̐̏̊r̴͖̀̀͘o̶̘͔̹͇̰͔͙̭̍ͅw̵̡̯̣̘͚̜̲̭̥̮̓̈͛̓̈̈́̑͋͆ş̴̛̤̦̣̪̓̀̇̓o̸̦͐̆̆͆̽̽́̕ņ̶̢̮̗͇͈͖̜̤͉͗͒͝ǵ̵̢͙̪̟̭̘͉̐̆́ ̸̫̃̈́̿̚Ǔ̶̧̜̖̫̙̺̯̊͆̏n̶̪̹͕͎̲̍̍͗̽ͅį̸̢̛̹̞̮̭̉̒̆̀̃͒̊̆̎ͅ ̷̩͚͇͓̑̃̂ͅH̸͈͖̺͓̦̱͖̍̓́͜ơ̶̢̦̩̫̙̠͖̪̎͑̆̕ụ̷̔͆̒̂̇̒͗͐̒̈s̸̢̬̭͎̱̱͉̟͔̜͆̃̎e̵̖̟͓͖̩͌s̷͕̙̘̳̄̏̎͂̈́̊̃̊̕ •._.•´¯)
»»---(¯`S⑊o⑊r⑊t⑊i⑊n⑊g⑊ ⑊H⑊a⑊t⑊ ⑊e⑊d⑊i⑊t⑊i⑊o⑊n´¯)---»»
Cortinar House- Ravenclaw💙
Snakeroot House- Hufflepuff💛
Hemlock House- Gryffindor❤️
Nightshade- Slytherin💚
Alex Corbeau-Green. The man. The myth. The walking heartbreak in a black shirt. His emotional depth>>>>>
& his charm>>>>
This book is gothic in the way a soul feels after rereading a love letter from someone who left. Trauma, healing and rom wrapped in velvet prose and rainy windows.
⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆
“Alex. My name is Alex.”
Alex. Something about him seems familiar.
Oh yeah... 'Alex Volkov'
...But I have this feeling about Ophelia. Like she’s all my future Christmases and everything in between.
“Then I’ll love you with the same intensity that you hate me. I’ll hold on to you just as hard as you push me away. I’ll fix you like you’re fixing me. I’ll always be here, Ophelia, I’ll sit at the bottom of valleys and stand on the top of mountains with you."
😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️💕
“Salad makes me sad,”- same girl:(
I AM LOVING IT SO MUCKING MUCH!
However, the names should have been a bit original... Ophelia (also there in Phantasma) and Alex (from Twisted love) :(
From: Alex Corbeau-Green
Subject: Punctuality (noun) the fact or quality
of being on time.
Date: Tuesday 1st October 20:04 BST
To: Ophelia Winters
I’m in the library. Look for the charming
gentleman in the black shirt.
-ACG
From: Ophelia Winters
Subject: Patience (noun) the ability to wait, or
to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed.
Date: Tuesday 1st October 20:05 BST
To: Alex Corbeau-Green
I’m on my way down now. Are you sitting to the
left or the right of the charming gentleman?
Signing your emails with your initials is
obnoxious,
Ophelia
Hilarious.
But then I remember my dad cried when I broke my ankle at seven. Cried when I felt lonely at school at ten.... That man would cry if he saw me now, and I know in my heart he’d tell me that no victory is worth it if you lose yourself on the way.
Stop😭😭😭
From: Alex Corbeau-Green
Subject: User Error (noun) technical problems caused by the human user
Date: Saturday 11th October 10:03 BST
To: Ophelia Winters
No problem.
It always helps to lift the lid and turn the laptop on.
—ACG
Woah
There it is; the disappointment, the expectation that trauma has to turn into an inspirational story. That a life changing injury should end in a Paralympic gold and an awful childhood should fuel your meteoric rise to success.
WHY IS THIS SO RELATABLE? LIKE... STH LIKE THIS HAPPENED TO ME A YEAR AGO
Ok this one is really hilarious 😂
“Sugar. You want to be called sugar.”
“No, not sugar. Something else, like…” I scratch my head. I have no idea. He presses his lips together. “Sugar.”
I shove him out of the way, feeling my cheeks flame. “Not sugar. Honey? No. Not honey. Muffin? No.”
He looks exasperated with me. “Jesus Christ. What’s next? Eggs? Preheat oven to two fifty? Baking soda, I’m home!”
Oh my god. I am in LOVE with this book
THESE QUOTES!!😭😭
"Can you fix the fact that I don't like you?"
He doesn't call me out on my lie, instead tapping my phone screen beside us to see the time. 4:32 p.m. "Like me until five. Then we can go back to before."
"It's almost six o'clock now. Give me until midnight. For my own sanity, let yourself be loved until midnight."
There's only so much willpower a woman can have. I surrender myself to his stupid plan. "Midnight."
"Midnight, a hundred years from now."
I laugh and shove him off me. "That wasn't in the deal"
"You should always read the fine print, Ophelia."
“Let’s go home,” he whispers.
“Home?”
“Wherever you want, love. It’s home if we’re there.”
Ah!! My heart!!!
THE ENDING??!!!
I DEFINITELY CAN'T SURVIVE LIKE THIS!!!!!!😭😭😭😭😭
I NEED THE 2nd BOOK RIGHT NOWWWW!!!!!
December 28, 2025
Se non è AI, non me lo spiego.
Recensione indignata su YT.
Recensione indignata su YT.
March 30, 2025
I fear I ate this up 💅
🚨WARNING🚨 There’s a high chance you might find this predictable and cliché. Honestly, for most of it, I did too! And yet, somehow, Woods managed to keep me hooked. I couldn’t put this down. I think it’s one of those guilty pleasure reads where you know exactly where it’s going, but you’re still having the best time along the way. That said, there were definitely a few twists I didn’t see coming, and I really enjoyed myself!
“Oh… am I actually enjoying this?” That was my exact thought as I got deeper into the book. It starts off very been-there-done-that. Ophelia is the mysterious, gloomy girl, and of course, she meets Alex, the hot, rich, too-cool-for-you guy. Oh, and of course the elite school filled with insanely wealthy kids and their over-the-top connections. Yeah, yeah, I thought I knew where this was going. But then, a certain part of the plot grabbed my attention. Suddenly, there was mystery. And wait… was that angst I was feeling?! Oh, okay, well, now I have to know what happens. Some things did end up feeling a little too convenient, but I’m so glad I stuck with it because things got crazy by the end with some of those reveals.
I genuinely enjoyed all the characters. They were exactly the type you’d expect in a book like this, but that didn’t make them any less fun. Of course, I loved my main characters, and the more I got to know them, the more I liked them. They’re complicated in their own beautifully messy ways, thrown into situations they never saw coming. The romance? Yeah, I was into it. But I’ll admit I might have enjoyed their chemistry before they got together just a little more… but only because I’m a tiny bit toxic. Just a smidge.
The pacing was great, and the book even left me with a pretty cool cliffhanger—the kind that has me itching for the next one!
🚨WARNING🚨 There’s a high chance you might find this predictable and cliché. Honestly, for most of it, I did too! And yet, somehow, Woods managed to keep me hooked. I couldn’t put this down. I think it’s one of those guilty pleasure reads where you know exactly where it’s going, but you’re still having the best time along the way. That said, there were definitely a few twists I didn’t see coming, and I really enjoyed myself!
“Oh… am I actually enjoying this?” That was my exact thought as I got deeper into the book. It starts off very been-there-done-that. Ophelia is the mysterious, gloomy girl, and of course, she meets Alex, the hot, rich, too-cool-for-you guy. Oh, and of course the elite school filled with insanely wealthy kids and their over-the-top connections. Yeah, yeah, I thought I knew where this was going. But then, a certain part of the plot grabbed my attention. Suddenly, there was mystery. And wait… was that angst I was feeling?! Oh, okay, well, now I have to know what happens. Some things did end up feeling a little too convenient, but I’m so glad I stuck with it because things got crazy by the end with some of those reveals.
I genuinely enjoyed all the characters. They were exactly the type you’d expect in a book like this, but that didn’t make them any less fun. Of course, I loved my main characters, and the more I got to know them, the more I liked them. They’re complicated in their own beautifully messy ways, thrown into situations they never saw coming. The romance? Yeah, I was into it. But I’ll admit I might have enjoyed their chemistry before they got together just a little more… but only because I’m a tiny bit toxic. Just a smidge.
The pacing was great, and the book even left me with a pretty cool cliffhanger—the kind that has me itching for the next one!
July 18, 2025
✩ 5 stars ✩
What to Expect:
➼ Hate to Love
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Grumpy x Grumpy
➼ Murder Mystery
➼ Slow Burn
➼ He Falls First
➼ Romantic Suspense
➼ Cliffhanger
➼ Dark Academia/University Setting
➼ Duet Narration
➼ Dual First Person POV
That ending!! 💔 I need book 2 immediately!
Over 12,000 majority positive ratings before it was even traditionally published? When a book has this much hype, nine times out of ten I’m left disappointed, but I ate this one up! The overall tone of the book felt very romantic to me. The academic setting, the rainy weather, the star crossed feel of their relationship, etc. I kind of think of romance books like a recipe, a little of this trope, sprinkle in this genre or that, add in a little atmosphere, etc., and all I can say is that this author got the recipe exactly right. 🙌🏻
Hate to love is always a good place to start, but the reason for that hate needs to be justified but still forgivable for it to work and Autumn wrote those details perfectly. The book has a bit of a Mafia undertone that the MMC is distant from but still connected to. I loved that this was included but that the author still managed to write him as a very good and caring man with his own complex motivations for staying connected to the family business. The FMC has her own secrets and reasons to keep the MMC at arm’s length that added to the romantic suspense between them, and the tension was so good! She fought her growing feelings for him, but the plot continually threw them together in ways that were unavoidable and made the forced proximity make sense. The MMC was also just so gone for her in the best way. The more I think about it, He Falls First really might be the best trope out there and the author incorporated it so well here! His grumpy personality made his fixation with her that much sweeter, especially once we get to see his softer side when he goes above and beyond to care for her and his family. He’s actually perfect. 🥰
As far as the setting goes, I think anyone who’s been to college romanticizes an academic setting. Heck, just watching Gilmore Girls might be enough to romanticize it. That feeling of walking across the quad on an autumn day is already such a tangible feeling, but bringing that feeling to a Scottish Castle?! 👨🏻🍳💋 The atmosphere in this one can’t be beat!
I think this would make an excellent screen adaptation! I really hope we get one someday!! I genuinely won’t be happy until book two is in my hands! I need an HEA for Alex & Ophelia!
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: I was trying to hold off on this one since I have so many other books in my Libby account with a clock on them right now, but this is all I can think about, so here goes! ✨✨
I found a UK friend to send me the sprayed edge copy from TheWorks! 🥹 So excited for this to arrive!
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
Connect with me on Instagram
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
This looks like a promising new release! Looks like the release date listed on GR is inaccurate. According to the author’s Instagram, it comes out in print on June 24th and is already available on KU!
What to Expect:
➼ Hate to Love
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Grumpy x Grumpy
➼ Murder Mystery
➼ Slow Burn
➼ He Falls First
➼ Romantic Suspense
➼ Cliffhanger
➼ Dark Academia/University Setting
➼ Duet Narration
➼ Dual First Person POV
That ending!! 💔 I need book 2 immediately!
Over 12,000 majority positive ratings before it was even traditionally published? When a book has this much hype, nine times out of ten I’m left disappointed, but I ate this one up! The overall tone of the book felt very romantic to me. The academic setting, the rainy weather, the star crossed feel of their relationship, etc. I kind of think of romance books like a recipe, a little of this trope, sprinkle in this genre or that, add in a little atmosphere, etc., and all I can say is that this author got the recipe exactly right. 🙌🏻
Hate to love is always a good place to start, but the reason for that hate needs to be justified but still forgivable for it to work and Autumn wrote those details perfectly. The book has a bit of a Mafia undertone that the MMC is distant from but still connected to. I loved that this was included but that the author still managed to write him as a very good and caring man with his own complex motivations for staying connected to the family business. The FMC has her own secrets and reasons to keep the MMC at arm’s length that added to the romantic suspense between them, and the tension was so good! She fought her growing feelings for him, but the plot continually threw them together in ways that were unavoidable and made the forced proximity make sense. The MMC was also just so gone for her in the best way. The more I think about it, He Falls First really might be the best trope out there and the author incorporated it so well here! His grumpy personality made his fixation with her that much sweeter, especially once we get to see his softer side when he goes above and beyond to care for her and his family. He’s actually perfect. 🥰
As far as the setting goes, I think anyone who’s been to college romanticizes an academic setting. Heck, just watching Gilmore Girls might be enough to romanticize it. That feeling of walking across the quad on an autumn day is already such a tangible feeling, but bringing that feeling to a Scottish Castle?! 👨🏻🍳💋 The atmosphere in this one can’t be beat!
I think this would make an excellent screen adaptation! I really hope we get one someday!! I genuinely won’t be happy until book two is in my hands! I need an HEA for Alex & Ophelia!
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: I was trying to hold off on this one since I have so many other books in my Libby account with a clock on them right now, but this is all I can think about, so here goes! ✨✨
I found a UK friend to send me the sprayed edge copy from TheWorks! 🥹 So excited for this to arrive!
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
Connect with me on Instagram
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
This looks like a promising new release! Looks like the release date listed on GR is inaccurate. According to the author’s Instagram, it comes out in print on June 24th and is already available on KU!
June 24, 2026
4.5⭐ It should be illegal for a book to end like this. This book was an absolute rollercoaster. The perfect mix of thriller, mystery, and dark academia, with a romance that had me completely obsessed.
The mysterious stalker atmosphere had me suspecting everyone and having a hard time trusting anyone. And even after all my attempts to figure out who it was, I was still wrong.
➪ 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 & 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆, 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗮, 𝗛𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝗛𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿.
THIS is how I want the 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲. THIS is how you make LONGING with a PATHETIC YEARNING man. And two tortured souls that are perfect together.
The things I'd do for 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅?? My standards are sky high bc of this man, Alex can do no wrong. He loved her even when he knew she hated him and would never love him back, HE STILL LOVED HER!! THIS is what I mean when I say I LOVE a pathetic yearning man. He's such a tortured soul I can't handle it😫❤️🔥.
That 𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 was pure chaos. I was stressed, confused, and desperately trying to piece everything together. I spent the last few chapters with my heart racing, counting down the pages, waiting for answers, and then it just... ended. I don't think I'll ever guess what will happen next in book 2, All I know is that it can't be good.
“I’m obsessed with her. Desperate for her. But I could never be good for her.”
“Ophelia is my deadly nightshade. She’s bad for me. I know what she’ll do to me, but she’s too beautiful. Too enticing. She’s too deep in my bloodstream already, painful and ecstatic all at once.”
“If you end up being the death of me, Winters, I couldn’t ask for a better end.”
“I’ll love you with the same intensity that you hate me. I’ll hold on to you just as hard as you push me away. I’ll fix you like you’re fixing me. I’ll always be here, Ophelia, I’ll sit at the bottom of valleys and stand on the top of mountains with you. We’re too good not to work.”
|𝐏𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 ִֶ་.𖥔 ݁˖
𝖶𝖾𝗅𝗅, 𝖨 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝗍𝗈 𝗁𝗎𝗋𝗋𝗒 𝗎𝗉 𝖻𝖾𝖿𝗈𝗋𝖾 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 2 𝗂𝗌 𝗈𝗎𝗍🫠🫠.
The mysterious stalker atmosphere had me suspecting everyone and having a hard time trusting anyone. And even after all my attempts to figure out who it was, I was still wrong.
➪ 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 & 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆, 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗮, 𝗛𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝗛𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿.
THIS is how I want the 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲. THIS is how you make LONGING with a PATHETIC YEARNING man. And two tortured souls that are perfect together.
The things I'd do for 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅?? My standards are sky high bc of this man, Alex can do no wrong. He loved her even when he knew she hated him and would never love him back, HE STILL LOVED HER!! THIS is what I mean when I say I LOVE a pathetic yearning man. He's such a tortured soul I can't handle it😫❤️🔥.
That 𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 was pure chaos. I was stressed, confused, and desperately trying to piece everything together. I spent the last few chapters with my heart racing, counting down the pages, waiting for answers, and then it just... ended. I don't think I'll ever guess what will happen next in book 2, All I know is that it can't be good.
“I’m obsessed with her. Desperate for her. But I could never be good for her.”
“Ophelia is my deadly nightshade. She’s bad for me. I know what she’ll do to me, but she’s too beautiful. Too enticing. She’s too deep in my bloodstream already, painful and ecstatic all at once.”
“If you end up being the death of me, Winters, I couldn’t ask for a better end.”
“I’ll love you with the same intensity that you hate me. I’ll hold on to you just as hard as you push me away. I’ll fix you like you’re fixing me. I’ll always be here, Ophelia, I’ll sit at the bottom of valleys and stand on the top of mountains with you. We’re too good not to work.”
|𝐏𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 ִֶ་.𖥔 ݁˖
𝖶𝖾𝗅𝗅, 𝖨 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝗍𝗈 𝗁𝗎𝗋𝗋𝗒 𝗎𝗉 𝖻𝖾𝖿𝗈𝗋𝖾 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 2 𝗂𝗌 𝗈𝗎𝗍🫠🫠.
July 31, 2026
⤿ rating: 3 stars
⤿ age: 18+
⤿ spice: 1.5/5
══⋆⋅☆⋅⋆══╡ Overview: ╞══⋆⋅☆⋅⋆══
⁀જ➣꒰ ⋮ ρℓσт.꒱
That book was not bad, but not great either—I enjoyed most of it. Maybe I went in with too high expectations, but I was a little let down by it. I expected way more than that. I see it has a lot of potential to be greater. Sometimes I felt bored due to the very long chapters.
The mystery plot was very intriguing, and I enjoyed it very much. This book was marketed as an enemies-to-lovers, and I didn’t see that at all. They just “hate” each other for a while, and then the lusting starts to happen. I was happy to be right about the plot twist, but I didn’t like the fact that it was so predictable. The cliffhanger was predictable, as well.
⁀જ➣꒰⋮ 𝕽𝖔𝖒𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖊.꒱
The back and forth with Ophelia quite bothered me. I loved seeing them in Chapter One, and then the chemistry felt lacklustre for me until the 50% mark. I started loving the romance between them after that, but at the same time, I felt like I needed more tension between them. The romance was a bit rushed. Also, I went into this book thinking it was spicy…and it wasn’t t at all. I was a little disappointed by that, to be honest. I don’t understand the need for “spicy” scenes if they’re not going to be detailed. (Oops, sorry, not sorry)
⁀જ➣꒰⋮ ᭙𝕣ⅈ𝕥ⅈꪀᧁ.꒱
The writing started out fine, but it just got worse later on. It was way too descriptive and felt like it lacked consistency.
══⋆⋅☆⋅⋆══╡ Characters: ╞══⋆⋅☆⋅⋆══
જ⁀➴ Ophelia: I’m so sorry to say this, but she has the personality of a cardboard. She was so, so bland and boring. I did not love her at all. I resonated with her backstory and need for revenge. But her feelings were all over the place; it was exhausting to read the same thing over and over again. I did relate to her in certain ways, but I didn't vibe with her personality.
જ⁀➴ Alex: He carried the entire book on his back, in my opinion. I adored him and even more so as the book went on. I hated the fact that he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. Like, give the poor man a break for once. He is very charming, and I loved how he yearned and cared for Ophelia. I absolutely loved how he took care of his mom and his sisters. This man deserves more hype; he is so perfect. He is so husband material.
── .✦ 𝓕𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼: Overall, it was enjoyable, but it’s overhyped.
«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»
੭୧pre-read:⊹ ࣪ ⑅
Molly and I have been wanting to buddy read this for a while, and here we are. I'm super excited for that, let's hope it delivers 🩷🤭
⤿ age: 18+
⤿ spice: 1.5/5
══⋆⋅☆⋅⋆══╡ Overview: ╞══⋆⋅☆⋅⋆══
⁀જ➣꒰ ⋮ ρℓσт.꒱
That book was not bad, but not great either—I enjoyed most of it. Maybe I went in with too high expectations, but I was a little let down by it. I expected way more than that. I see it has a lot of potential to be greater. Sometimes I felt bored due to the very long chapters.
The mystery plot was very intriguing, and I enjoyed it very much. This book was marketed as an enemies-to-lovers, and I didn’t see that at all. They just “hate” each other for a while, and then the lusting starts to happen. I was happy to be right about the plot twist, but I didn’t like the fact that it was so predictable. The cliffhanger was predictable, as well.
⁀જ➣꒰⋮ 𝕽𝖔𝖒𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖊.꒱
The back and forth with Ophelia quite bothered me. I loved seeing them in Chapter One, and then the chemistry felt lacklustre for me until the 50% mark. I started loving the romance between them after that, but at the same time, I felt like I needed more tension between them. The romance was a bit rushed. Also, I went into this book thinking it was spicy…and it wasn’t t at all. I was a little disappointed by that, to be honest. I don’t understand the need for “spicy” scenes if they’re not going to be detailed. (Oops, sorry, not sorry)
⁀જ➣꒰⋮ ᭙𝕣ⅈ𝕥ⅈꪀᧁ.꒱
The writing started out fine, but it just got worse later on. It was way too descriptive and felt like it lacked consistency.
══⋆⋅☆⋅⋆══╡ Characters: ╞══⋆⋅☆⋅⋆══
જ⁀➴ Ophelia: I’m so sorry to say this, but she has the personality of a cardboard. She was so, so bland and boring. I did not love her at all. I resonated with her backstory and need for revenge. But her feelings were all over the place; it was exhausting to read the same thing over and over again. I did relate to her in certain ways, but I didn't vibe with her personality.
જ⁀➴ Alex: He carried the entire book on his back, in my opinion. I adored him and even more so as the book went on. I hated the fact that he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. Like, give the poor man a break for once. He is very charming, and I loved how he yearned and cared for Ophelia. I absolutely loved how he took care of his mom and his sisters. This man deserves more hype; he is so perfect. He is so husband material.
── .✦ 𝓕𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼: Overall, it was enjoyable, but it’s overhyped.
«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»
੭୧pre-read:⊹ ࣪ ⑅
Molly and I have been wanting to buddy read this for a while, and here we are. I'm super excited for that, let's hope it delivers 🩷🤭
April 24, 2026
—— ✿ 3.75 stars
❛❛And God above, I’m sick of feeling sad, sick of not knowing how not to feel sad.❜❜
This was so fun! Admittedly I think my expectations may have been a bit too high given the hype, but for the most part I had a great time!
I told myself this review would be a short one but um I kind of got carried away. Whoops. Sorry?
꒰ ROMANCE ꒱
The romance progression felt inconsistent. There was a lot of push and pull between Alex and Ophelia, great back and forth from the first chapter, and then all of a sudden just push with no pull (he refers to her as the “ginger girl” and doesn’t notice when she’s left the room?), and then BAM a massive gigantuous pull. Their chemistry was all over the place. However, at about the 50% mark you kind of get past this weird rushed stage and I felt much more grounded in the story, and Alex… okay I get the hype now. I get it I get it I get it.
꒰ ALEX ꒱
Alex should be a professional juggler with how much life crap he takes on, poor guy with his thunder rugby thighs has the weight of the world on his shoulders. He’s patient, offering Ophelia reassurance whenever she needs it (yeah okay bare minimum but whatever Alex does is hot okay?) and is patient with her fear to commit to him even if it kills him. Don’t get it twisted, that doesn’t stop him from trying to convince her otherwise though, oh hell no. The quotes from this man??? Phewie.
“I like looking after you. It makes me feel better.”
Why is he so freaking sexy, it pisses me off.
꒰ OPHELIA ꒱
Speaking of fear of commitment and giving your trust wholly to someone, Ophelia was the echo to my soul. Her character is kind of all over the place, yet still in some ways relatable (although I’m so bad at crosswords I think she would have a meltdown). She’s just so sad, the embodiment of melancholy. She overthinks and lacks optimism - understandably after losing everyone she ever loved.
“Don’t break my heart. It’s fragile.” ☹️
But Ophelia also has a burning desire for revenge, and has this amazing ability at channeling her anger into snark towards Alex lol. She’s a paradox, albeit a messy and sometimes frustrating one.
꒰ MYSTERY & SETTING ꒱
The mystery plot was probably the most consistent out of everything. It was thrilling, tense, kept me on the edge of my seat even if it was predictable. And the setting was immaculate, all doom and gloom, just how I like it.
꒰ ENDING ꒱
However the ending had steam coming out my ears. Everything I thought would happen, but didn’t want to happen, happened. Thinking about the cliffhanger still makes me mad, I’m sorry 😭. Please give me the next book and please please please don’t drag things out 🙏🏻.
꒰ OVERALL ꒱
I’ve felt conflicted on how to fairly rate this as my expectations were sky high. Inconsistency was a running theme, and the ending had me so frustrated (I still can’t tell if this is a good or bad thing because I do need the second instalment like yesterday). But I genuinely really enjoyed a big chunk of this book, and found it hard to put down at many points.
And Alex Alex Alex… 🦵 More of his quotes as a thank you for your time:
“He didn’t deserve it.” “The date?” “That dress.”
“In a world full of complicated, Ophelia, my feelings for you are extremely simple”
“What’s stopping you?” “It’s complicated.” “Doesn’t matter. I’ll find it and I’ll fix it for you.”
“I’ve built my walls too high.” “They’re worth the climb.” “They aren’t.” We stop on the mansion steps, his tone soft. “They are. For me, they are.
“You make me finally understand what people mean when they say life isn’t long enough.”
“Then I’ll love you with the same intensity that you hate me. I’ll hold on to you just as hard as you push me away. I’ll fix you like you’re fixing me.“
Okay sorry I’ll stop now.
P.S. thank you Salma my buddy read queen for reading this with me. We’d wanted to read this together for ages but put it off until closer to the second book’s release. I now regret not waiting even longer 😭.
❛❛And God above, I’m sick of feeling sad, sick of not knowing how not to feel sad.❜❜
This was so fun! Admittedly I think my expectations may have been a bit too high given the hype, but for the most part I had a great time!
I told myself this review would be a short one but um I kind of got carried away. Whoops. Sorry?
꒰ ROMANCE ꒱
The romance progression felt inconsistent. There was a lot of push and pull between Alex and Ophelia, great back and forth from the first chapter, and then all of a sudden just push with no pull (he refers to her as the “ginger girl” and doesn’t notice when she’s left the room?), and then BAM a massive gigantuous pull. Their chemistry was all over the place. However, at about the 50% mark you kind of get past this weird rushed stage and I felt much more grounded in the story, and Alex… okay I get the hype now. I get it I get it I get it.
꒰ ALEX ꒱
Alex should be a professional juggler with how much life crap he takes on, poor guy with his thunder rugby thighs has the weight of the world on his shoulders. He’s patient, offering Ophelia reassurance whenever she needs it (yeah okay bare minimum but whatever Alex does is hot okay?) and is patient with her fear to commit to him even if it kills him. Don’t get it twisted, that doesn’t stop him from trying to convince her otherwise though, oh hell no. The quotes from this man??? Phewie.
“I like looking after you. It makes me feel better.”
Why is he so freaking sexy, it pisses me off.
꒰ OPHELIA ꒱
Speaking of fear of commitment and giving your trust wholly to someone, Ophelia was the echo to my soul. Her character is kind of all over the place, yet still in some ways relatable (although I’m so bad at crosswords I think she would have a meltdown). She’s just so sad, the embodiment of melancholy. She overthinks and lacks optimism - understandably after losing everyone she ever loved.
“Don’t break my heart. It’s fragile.” ☹️
But Ophelia also has a burning desire for revenge, and has this amazing ability at channeling her anger into snark towards Alex lol. She’s a paradox, albeit a messy and sometimes frustrating one.
꒰ MYSTERY & SETTING ꒱
The mystery plot was probably the most consistent out of everything. It was thrilling, tense, kept me on the edge of my seat even if it was predictable. And the setting was immaculate, all doom and gloom, just how I like it.
꒰ ENDING ꒱
However the ending had steam coming out my ears. Everything I thought would happen, but didn’t want to happen, happened. Thinking about the cliffhanger still makes me mad, I’m sorry 😭. Please give me the next book and please please please don’t drag things out 🙏🏻.
꒰ OVERALL ꒱
I’ve felt conflicted on how to fairly rate this as my expectations were sky high. Inconsistency was a running theme, and the ending had me so frustrated (I still can’t tell if this is a good or bad thing because I do need the second instalment like yesterday). But I genuinely really enjoyed a big chunk of this book, and found it hard to put down at many points.
And Alex Alex Alex… 🦵 More of his quotes as a thank you for your time:
“He didn’t deserve it.” “The date?” “That dress.”
“In a world full of complicated, Ophelia, my feelings for you are extremely simple”
“What’s stopping you?” “It’s complicated.” “Doesn’t matter. I’ll find it and I’ll fix it for you.”
“I’ve built my walls too high.” “They’re worth the climb.” “They aren’t.” We stop on the mansion steps, his tone soft. “They are. For me, they are.
“You make me finally understand what people mean when they say life isn’t long enough.”
“Then I’ll love you with the same intensity that you hate me. I’ll hold on to you just as hard as you push me away. I’ll fix you like you’re fixing me.“
Okay sorry I’ll stop now.
P.S. thank you Salma my buddy read queen for reading this with me. We’d wanted to read this together for ages but put it off until closer to the second book’s release. I now regret not waiting even longer 😭.
Want to Read
August 7, 2026I’m so excited to read this book. 😰
November 6, 2025
4.75 stars!!!!! ALEX CORBEAU GREEN!!!!! THE MAN YOU ARE!!!
I fear many book reviews start off this way, but I want to hammer home just truly how immaculate this man is. carved by the gods themselves. if i made a man perfectly in laboratory conditions, it would be him. f**k.
not only was he perfect, this plot and setting kept me flipping pages with a ferocity that 100% messed up my sleep schedule for the rest of the week. I could NOT put this down. yearning???? check. from the second he sees her, actually. banter???? DUH. the protective tenderness of their relationship and the whole “who did this to you” is just the cherry on top ;)) and the mental health struggles they both experienced were represented incredibly well IMO. I am well & truly obsessed.
gnawing at my enclosure’s iron bars for the second one now… fml
I fear many book reviews start off this way, but I want to hammer home just truly how immaculate this man is. carved by the gods themselves. if i made a man perfectly in laboratory conditions, it would be him. f**k.
not only was he perfect, this plot and setting kept me flipping pages with a ferocity that 100% messed up my sleep schedule for the rest of the week. I could NOT put this down. yearning???? check. from the second he sees her, actually. banter???? DUH. the protective tenderness of their relationship and the whole “who did this to you” is just the cherry on top ;)) and the mental health struggles they both experienced were represented incredibly well IMO. I am well & truly obsessed.
gnawing at my enclosure’s iron bars for the second one now… fml
March 1, 2025
this had the potential to be so so so good but it just kept falling flat. every time I got invested and immersed in the overall mystery of the crash and the stalker I was jolted out of it by Ophelia’s self loathing and indecision over whether or not she wants to bone Alex
then it felt like I blinked and it went from them disliking each other to pining to obsessed?? where was the development other than it just happening.
also this was marketed as dark romance and mafia but it felt like mafia was just shoved in there to check off the trope. and these characters were far too childish for university let alone me to take it being “dark” seriously.
and just because there are dark themes like murder does! not! make! it! dark! romance! Alex was a cinnamon roll like?? hello
I will give it points for the end though because if most of the book had been that exciting I wouldn’t have almost dnf’d six times
then it felt like I blinked and it went from them disliking each other to pining to obsessed?? where was the development other than it just happening.
also this was marketed as dark romance and mafia but it felt like mafia was just shoved in there to check off the trope. and these characters were far too childish for university let alone me to take it being “dark” seriously.
and just because there are dark themes like murder does! not! make! it! dark! romance! Alex was a cinnamon roll like?? hello
I will give it points for the end though because if most of the book had been that exciting I wouldn’t have almost dnf’d six times
April 28, 2026
4⭐️
When it comes to Alex Corbeau-Green… I would fold faster than a lawn chair 🪑💀
Everyone who hyped him up — YOU WERE RIGHT. This man is literally one of one.
And Ophelia? She’s actually so lovely. Took me a hot minute to get used to her, not gonna lie, but in the end she delivered everything I hoped for and more ✨
This book is SHORT but moves FAST. Like no time to breathe fast. No filler, just plot doing cardio the whole time 🏃♀️📖
BUT the reason this isn’t a full 5⭐️:
the first half felt kinda bumpy 😅 The writing didn’t flow smoothly for me and at times it felt like the editing team took a little nap. Either I got used to it or it improved, because the second half? Smooth sailing. No complaints.
Overall: not perfect… but am I already mentally preparing for Book 2?
Yes. Absolutely. I will be there. Front row. No hesitation 🤷♀️📚🍿
When it comes to Alex Corbeau-Green… I would fold faster than a lawn chair 🪑💀
Everyone who hyped him up — YOU WERE RIGHT. This man is literally one of one.
And Ophelia? She’s actually so lovely. Took me a hot minute to get used to her, not gonna lie, but in the end she delivered everything I hoped for and more ✨
This book is SHORT but moves FAST. Like no time to breathe fast. No filler, just plot doing cardio the whole time 🏃♀️📖
BUT the reason this isn’t a full 5⭐️:
the first half felt kinda bumpy 😅 The writing didn’t flow smoothly for me and at times it felt like the editing team took a little nap. Either I got used to it or it improved, because the second half? Smooth sailing. No complaints.
Overall: not perfect… but am I already mentally preparing for Book 2?
Yes. Absolutely. I will be there. Front row. No hesitation 🤷♀️📚🍿
January 18, 2026
vuelvo cuando esté más tranquila porque ahora solo sé decir BSOANZHAODOAJSISMANSIAK
-
LO HA DADO TODO Y MÁS.
¿Quieres entender el concepto de amar a alguien con todo tu ser? Lee a Alex Corbeau-Green. No importa qué tan jodida esté su vida, ni qué tantos problemas carguen a su espalda: en el momento en el que conoce a Ophelia, todo queda reducido a ella.
No esperas que una historia que gira entorno a un misterio y venganza familiar pueda contener una de las historias de amor más vivas, dentro de unos personajes cargados de tristeza y frustración. ¿Ophelia Winters? Mi absoluta protegida. Cada vez que nos mostraba algo de ella y de su dolor, me venía abajo. Los detalles, las cosas de la rutina que no tienen importancia hasta que tu vida cambia y de repente lavar los platos trae consigo un profundo dolor. Un dolor que el amor no cura, pero suaviza.
El banter, yearning, la ambientación gótica que en ocasiones parece rozar lo paranormal, el suspense y la tensión… 10/10. Eso sí, ¿el final? Genuinamente creo que se me paró el corazón por unos segundos.
-
LO HA DADO TODO Y MÁS.
¿Quieres entender el concepto de amar a alguien con todo tu ser? Lee a Alex Corbeau-Green. No importa qué tan jodida esté su vida, ni qué tantos problemas carguen a su espalda: en el momento en el que conoce a Ophelia, todo queda reducido a ella.
No esperas que una historia que gira entorno a un misterio y venganza familiar pueda contener una de las historias de amor más vivas, dentro de unos personajes cargados de tristeza y frustración. ¿Ophelia Winters? Mi absoluta protegida. Cada vez que nos mostraba algo de ella y de su dolor, me venía abajo. Los detalles, las cosas de la rutina que no tienen importancia hasta que tu vida cambia y de repente lavar los platos trae consigo un profundo dolor. Un dolor que el amor no cura, pero suaviza.
El banter, yearning, la ambientación gótica que en ocasiones parece rozar lo paranormal, el suspense y la tensión… 10/10. Eso sí, ¿el final? Genuinamente creo que se me paró el corazón por unos segundos.
November 8, 2025
➸ 5 stars
tropes / what to expect:
- hate to love
- rugby player x swimmer
- lonely girl x broken boy
- grumpy x grumpy
- murder, mystery, and revenge
- university setting in scotland
this book took me by surprise. i knew this would be something i would like but i never expected it to touch my heart so deeply. i completely fell in love from the first page; starting off strong with the addicting banter, i was grinning from ear to ear and excited for the journey and oh the journey was oh so great. i love these characters so much and feel so deeply for them. i am not exaggerating when i say there’s a hole in my heart that won’t be filled until i get book two in my hands because that ending hurt and i NEED more. i’m so excited for the sequel and my mind will take a pause until then because i cannot let go of these characters.
favorite quotes:
“You’re too good a woman for a man like him.”
“And you’d be better?”
“Ophelia, love, I’d be significantly worse. But I can’t watch you with him.”
“Then look away.”
“Can’t.”
“I don’t even bother trying to look away. I drink in every minute detail like I’m dying and she’s the cure.”
“You occupy my mind.
Those stupid crosswords. You’re those for me. You’re the cage for my thoughts.”
“A small smile graces her pinkening lips, and oh my god, it’s a smile that’s going to ruin my life. It’s a smile I’ll replay in my head each night as I lie in that blissful space between awake and asleep.”
“Ophelia feels like finding another human after months in the desert. A light penetrating the think black cloud. When my wayward mind wanders, it staggers back home to her.
She’s everything I’ve been asking the universe for, and she fucking hates me.”
“I’ve built my walls to high.”
“They’re worth the climb.”
“They aren’t.”
“They are. For me, they are.”
“You make me finally understand what people mean when they say life isn’t long enough.”
“You are my worst enemy.”
“Then I’ll love you with the same intensity that you hate me. I’ll hold on to you just as hard as you push me away. I’ll fix you like you’re fixing me. I’ll always be here, Ophelia, I’ll sit at the bottom of valleys and stand on the top of mountains with you. We’re too good not to work.”
“I love every piece of you, especially the parts that you’ve convinced yourself aren’t worthy of my love.”
“Let’s go home.”
“Home?”
“Wherever you want, love. It’s home if we’re there.”
“Until midnight.”
“Until midnight, a hundreds years from now.”
tropes / what to expect:
- hate to love
- rugby player x swimmer
- lonely girl x broken boy
- grumpy x grumpy
- murder, mystery, and revenge
- university setting in scotland
this book took me by surprise. i knew this would be something i would like but i never expected it to touch my heart so deeply. i completely fell in love from the first page; starting off strong with the addicting banter, i was grinning from ear to ear and excited for the journey and oh the journey was oh so great. i love these characters so much and feel so deeply for them. i am not exaggerating when i say there’s a hole in my heart that won’t be filled until i get book two in my hands because that ending hurt and i NEED more. i’m so excited for the sequel and my mind will take a pause until then because i cannot let go of these characters.
favorite quotes:
“You’re too good a woman for a man like him.”
“And you’d be better?”
“Ophelia, love, I’d be significantly worse. But I can’t watch you with him.”
“Then look away.”
“Can’t.”
“I don’t even bother trying to look away. I drink in every minute detail like I’m dying and she’s the cure.”
“You occupy my mind.
Those stupid crosswords. You’re those for me. You’re the cage for my thoughts.”
“A small smile graces her pinkening lips, and oh my god, it’s a smile that’s going to ruin my life. It’s a smile I’ll replay in my head each night as I lie in that blissful space between awake and asleep.”
“Ophelia feels like finding another human after months in the desert. A light penetrating the think black cloud. When my wayward mind wanders, it staggers back home to her.
She’s everything I’ve been asking the universe for, and she fucking hates me.”
“I’ve built my walls to high.”
“They’re worth the climb.”
“They aren’t.”
“They are. For me, they are.”
“You make me finally understand what people mean when they say life isn’t long enough.”
“You are my worst enemy.”
“Then I’ll love you with the same intensity that you hate me. I’ll hold on to you just as hard as you push me away. I’ll fix you like you’re fixing me. I’ll always be here, Ophelia, I’ll sit at the bottom of valleys and stand on the top of mountains with you. We’re too good not to work.”
“I love every piece of you, especially the parts that you’ve convinced yourself aren’t worthy of my love.”
“Let’s go home.”
“Home?”
“Wherever you want, love. It’s home if we’re there.”
November 12, 2025
3.5⭐️ this was SO FUN!! Was it predictable? Yes. Do I care? No. This has a little bit of everything and I can absolutely see why so many people love this! Dark academia ✅ murder mystery ✅ mafia families ✅ forbidden romance ✅ secrets ✅ creepy stalkers ✅ he falls first (and hard) ✅ flirting via crossword?? ✅. A bingeable and entertaining autumn read 🍂
July 18, 2025
alex corbeau-green's abs: great for looking at, terrible for falling on. my knees can confirm.
August 18, 2025
I’m actually obsessed with this book?? Like, this was so good!! The vibes were immaculate and the setting gave me the autumn vibes I was craving!! If you’re looking for a dark academia romance for the fall, this one is literally perfect!
Ophelia was such a relatable fmc and Alex might be one of my new favorite mmc’s (it’s the dark hair/tattoo combo that I will fall for every single time). That ending was CRIMINAL though and I need the next book right now!!!
some fave quotes! <3
"I feel so deeply. I always have. Every emotion that runs through me goes through an amplifier on the way in. The tiny inconveniences feel like mountains, the annoyances become insurmountable wrath."
“Ophelia feels like finding another human after months in the desert. A light permeating the thick black cloud. When my wayward mind wanders, it staggers back home to her.”
"There it is; the disappointment, the expectation that trauma has to turn into an inspirational story. That a life changing injury should end in a Paralympic gold and an awful childhood should fuel your meteoric rise to success. Just surviving is achievement enough."
Ophelia was such a relatable fmc and Alex might be one of my new favorite mmc’s (it’s the dark hair/tattoo combo that I will fall for every single time). That ending was CRIMINAL though and I need the next book right now!!!
some fave quotes! <3
"I feel so deeply. I always have. Every emotion that runs through me goes through an amplifier on the way in. The tiny inconveniences feel like mountains, the annoyances become insurmountable wrath."
“Ophelia feels like finding another human after months in the desert. A light permeating the thick black cloud. When my wayward mind wanders, it staggers back home to her.”
"There it is; the disappointment, the expectation that trauma has to turn into an inspirational story. That a life changing injury should end in a Paralympic gold and an awful childhood should fuel your meteoric rise to success. Just surviving is achievement enough."
July 30, 2026
not even the perceived (yet unrealized, mind you) threat of alex’s rugby thighs cracking heads like a walnut could save this. i wanted to love this. believe me. like…a lot. some parts were decent fun but it was all incredibly hollow. i think the fanfare around this one gave me too high expectations, even though i did my best to temper them going in. i found myself squinting for things to obsess over rather than feeling things organically, and by the end i just couldn’t take a lick of this seriously. i’m so sorry 😭. i feel so stupid because everyone loves this and i find myself wondering what it is that i’m missing. i don’t mean any disrespect as i outline my woes below. this is just my process and my reading journal. feel free to ignore it all if you’re a nightshade truther. i just didn’t get this one, i fear.
i started out ok with it. it wasn’t blowing my mind, but by 20%, i felt as though i was in 3.5 territory — so not bad at all. by 50%, i was sending out some distress signals to ask what it was that i may be misunderstanding because my mental rating had dropped to a 3. somewhere post-fact, we trickled down to a 2.5. it was the last act with the villian wielding a fake gun that took me all the way down to 2 stars 🤣.
too many things just went wrong for me 🙈. here goes:
— the discombobulating characterization of the heroine
ophelia was a chaotic, inconsistent mess. i really struggled to find her convincing. she needed to be more amanda clarke / emily thorne from revenge and less of the reckless and disorganized bleeding heart nancy drew that she ultimately was. observing her wheels of justice turn was like watching amateur hour. one minute she’s hellbent on avenging her parents, next minute she’s wanting to abandon the mission because she’s a little spooked. one minute she’s despising her roommate, next minute she’s being all “my heart is broken” and mourning her life when something detrimental happens. most of all, she’s all over the place with her interactions with the hero, alex. she’s all like “i hate you” one minute, and in the next breath, she’s lapping after him. i was getting too much whiplash and she was incredibly unfocused. i thought she was serious about this for four years but nah. also, she wasn’t very smart nor was she sleuthing with any sort of healthy sense of self-preservation. she was trusting people so early with truths and not moving stealthily enough, revealing her hand to just about anyone. i couldn’t for the life of me understand her goals and motivations, or parse together what her long-game truly was.
— too much telling, not enough showing
it was running rampant in here. key plot beats would be glossed over or recapped. the spice was almost all told and written very lazily, so don’t expect much on that front either. even the disposal of the immediate villian in this book happened off-page, and they had a toy gun! it was so goofy that i couldn’t stop cackling. i apologize to the dear friends who had to listen to my unladylike wheezing and snorting when i got near the end because i was like what is going awwwwwn?!
where was ophelia in the four years between her parents dying and her popping up at the university? what was her plan exactly? what was going on with alex’s mental health? why were the characters supposedly dark and dangerous without me seeing it play out? why were there unresolved plot threads? why are there active mafia plants at the school? why did almost no one figure out who she was sooner, considering her rickety ass story, striking resemblance to her mother and the supposed reach / influence / know-how of the characters? many progressions and characteristics were simply TOLD to me in an unbelievable fashion that it all felt implausible.
— choppy romantic development
the romance was somewhat incredible to me. as in…not credible. along with the tepid physical intimacy, the dislike / hate between these two felt too put on at times, to the point of feeling forced. his reason for not being able to “stand her” was thin. her reasons weren’t all that more solid either, despite the context. then, the shift to being about each other happens with a few steps missing inbetween for me and it was a bit rocky and whiplash-y. i couldn’t fully buy it. yes, they had cute and funny banter at times, but there were instances where i felt like it was bordering on trite and made me involuntarily roll my eyes. i wish there was more depth and nuance to their dynamic. the emotional side to it also felt a bit too shallow for me.
— aesthetics prioritized over substance
this was a mash-up of tropes rather than a cohesive and organic end-product. the side characters were ornamental caricatures, the mafia insert was wholly unbelievable and the dark academia claims are no more than background doctor’s office music, rather than an intrinsic part of the story. if you expect a deeply sinister and immersive gothic dark academia setting, don’t. all it boils down to is four harry potter-esque university houses (even the innocuous-seeming hemlock that ophelia wanted to be a part of at the start of the book was giving hufflepuff), there’s a little bit of ivy on the walls, a few on-the-nose literary references…but that’s about all there is. i just talked about this in my nocticadia review. i need not elaborate.
— the stakes never felt serious enough
the villain had a toy gun. A TOY GUN. i am not making this up. people were singing like canaries at the slightest provocation, despite the story trying to convince me they were all scared of this formidable boogeyman who had so much power to destroy lives and get away with murder. but they were happy to let things slip and talk with no burner phones, nor make solid ATTEMPTS at being discreet. a murder at the university was completely glossed over with no apparent consequences. everything felt cavalier and a lot of solutions were too convenient. many answers fell into the heroine's lap to the point that they didn’t feel earned. everything was predictable, down to the ending. need i say more?
— the miscategorization of the age level of the book itself
this read like a YA book. now, i LOVE YA romances, i really do. a scroll through my read shelf will confirm this. however, if a book claims to be a new adult or even adult book, but the vibe is reading young adult, it can be very off-putting — which was the case here. i didn’t understand it UNTIL youssra pointed it out to me when i was flailing at the midpoint about not being able to take this seriously. as soon as she said it, the lightbulb went on in my head and i was like AHA! that’s it. the language, dialogue and actions of the characters read very juvenile and this would have all been ok for me if i went into the book with the expectation that it would be young adult fiction. since it wasn’t supposed to be (i gather), this created a big disconnect between me and the material, particularly the claims of what was happening in the book. it also made certain things come across very cringey in parts.
— strange pacing, weak mystery, sloppy resolution
how many times am i going to point out that the predictable villian was disposed of quickly and somewhat off-page after brandishing a fake weapon?! FAKE!!! nothing came as a surprise. the development of the mystery plot could have been more intriguing and suspenseful. the circumstances leading to the cliffhanger were also just too formulaic and wholly foreseeable. the pacing throughout the story didn’t manage to hold my rapt attention because it was uneven. at times, i was bored and wondering when we were going to up the ante. it never quite happened.
now…will i read daybreak? probably. i’ve always been nosy and i do feel the need to get closure on the story. alex was working overtime to keep this book afloat for me, so he’s going to be my main incentive to read the conclusion. he was sweet, hot and devoted. carrying this on his back in a squat, i’m sure. those thighs don’t lie. i’ll be attempting it in good faith and hoping for a level-up on the storytelling. going into it with my expectations well-adjusted should help as well. i DID try with this one though, i promise 😭.
30/07 edit: couldn’t make it past the 10% mark of daybreak. since i don’t log my dnfs, i’m just leaving a note here. it felt like pulling teeth, and because i don’t feel like pushing through on something i could already tell was not going to peak above 2 stars, and i wasn’t invested in the characters at all, i decided to wrap it all right on up. i got (consensually) spoiled on the outcome and i’m so glad i didn’t continue for THAT. nonsensical.
i started out ok with it. it wasn’t blowing my mind, but by 20%, i felt as though i was in 3.5 territory — so not bad at all. by 50%, i was sending out some distress signals to ask what it was that i may be misunderstanding because my mental rating had dropped to a 3. somewhere post-fact, we trickled down to a 2.5. it was the last act with the villian wielding a fake gun that took me all the way down to 2 stars 🤣.
too many things just went wrong for me 🙈. here goes:
— the discombobulating characterization of the heroine
ophelia was a chaotic, inconsistent mess. i really struggled to find her convincing. she needed to be more amanda clarke / emily thorne from revenge and less of the reckless and disorganized bleeding heart nancy drew that she ultimately was. observing her wheels of justice turn was like watching amateur hour. one minute she’s hellbent on avenging her parents, next minute she’s wanting to abandon the mission because she’s a little spooked. one minute she’s despising her roommate, next minute she’s being all “my heart is broken” and mourning her life when something detrimental happens. most of all, she’s all over the place with her interactions with the hero, alex. she’s all like “i hate you” one minute, and in the next breath, she’s lapping after him. i was getting too much whiplash and she was incredibly unfocused. i thought she was serious about this for four years but nah. also, she wasn’t very smart nor was she sleuthing with any sort of healthy sense of self-preservation. she was trusting people so early with truths and not moving stealthily enough, revealing her hand to just about anyone. i couldn’t for the life of me understand her goals and motivations, or parse together what her long-game truly was.
— too much telling, not enough showing
it was running rampant in here. key plot beats would be glossed over or recapped. the spice was almost all told and written very lazily, so don’t expect much on that front either. even the disposal of the immediate villian in this book happened off-page, and they had a toy gun! it was so goofy that i couldn’t stop cackling. i apologize to the dear friends who had to listen to my unladylike wheezing and snorting when i got near the end because i was like what is going awwwwwn?!
where was ophelia in the four years between her parents dying and her popping up at the university? what was her plan exactly? what was going on with alex’s mental health? why were the characters supposedly dark and dangerous without me seeing it play out? why were there unresolved plot threads? why are there active mafia plants at the school? why did almost no one figure out who she was sooner, considering her rickety ass story, striking resemblance to her mother and the supposed reach / influence / know-how of the characters? many progressions and characteristics were simply TOLD to me in an unbelievable fashion that it all felt implausible.
— choppy romantic development
the romance was somewhat incredible to me. as in…not credible. along with the tepid physical intimacy, the dislike / hate between these two felt too put on at times, to the point of feeling forced. his reason for not being able to “stand her” was thin. her reasons weren’t all that more solid either, despite the context. then, the shift to being about each other happens with a few steps missing inbetween for me and it was a bit rocky and whiplash-y. i couldn’t fully buy it. yes, they had cute and funny banter at times, but there were instances where i felt like it was bordering on trite and made me involuntarily roll my eyes. i wish there was more depth and nuance to their dynamic. the emotional side to it also felt a bit too shallow for me.
— aesthetics prioritized over substance
this was a mash-up of tropes rather than a cohesive and organic end-product. the side characters were ornamental caricatures, the mafia insert was wholly unbelievable and the dark academia claims are no more than background doctor’s office music, rather than an intrinsic part of the story. if you expect a deeply sinister and immersive gothic dark academia setting, don’t. all it boils down to is four harry potter-esque university houses (even the innocuous-seeming hemlock that ophelia wanted to be a part of at the start of the book was giving hufflepuff), there’s a little bit of ivy on the walls, a few on-the-nose literary references…but that’s about all there is. i just talked about this in my nocticadia review. i need not elaborate.
— the stakes never felt serious enough
the villain had a toy gun. A TOY GUN. i am not making this up. people were singing like canaries at the slightest provocation, despite the story trying to convince me they were all scared of this formidable boogeyman who had so much power to destroy lives and get away with murder. but they were happy to let things slip and talk with no burner phones, nor make solid ATTEMPTS at being discreet. a murder at the university was completely glossed over with no apparent consequences. everything felt cavalier and a lot of solutions were too convenient. many answers fell into the heroine's lap to the point that they didn’t feel earned. everything was predictable, down to the ending. need i say more?
— the miscategorization of the age level of the book itself
this read like a YA book. now, i LOVE YA romances, i really do. a scroll through my read shelf will confirm this. however, if a book claims to be a new adult or even adult book, but the vibe is reading young adult, it can be very off-putting — which was the case here. i didn’t understand it UNTIL youssra pointed it out to me when i was flailing at the midpoint about not being able to take this seriously. as soon as she said it, the lightbulb went on in my head and i was like AHA! that’s it. the language, dialogue and actions of the characters read very juvenile and this would have all been ok for me if i went into the book with the expectation that it would be young adult fiction. since it wasn’t supposed to be (i gather), this created a big disconnect between me and the material, particularly the claims of what was happening in the book. it also made certain things come across very cringey in parts.
— strange pacing, weak mystery, sloppy resolution
how many times am i going to point out that the predictable villian was disposed of quickly and somewhat off-page after brandishing a fake weapon?! FAKE!!! nothing came as a surprise. the development of the mystery plot could have been more intriguing and suspenseful. the circumstances leading to the cliffhanger were also just too formulaic and wholly foreseeable. the pacing throughout the story didn’t manage to hold my rapt attention because it was uneven. at times, i was bored and wondering when we were going to up the ante. it never quite happened.
now…will i read daybreak? probably. i’ve always been nosy and i do feel the need to get closure on the story. alex was working overtime to keep this book afloat for me, so he’s going to be my main incentive to read the conclusion. he was sweet, hot and devoted. carrying this on his back in a squat, i’m sure. those thighs don’t lie. i’ll be attempting it in good faith and hoping for a level-up on the storytelling. going into it with my expectations well-adjusted should help as well. i DID try with this one though, i promise 😭.
30/07 edit: couldn’t make it past the 10% mark of daybreak. since i don’t log my dnfs, i’m just leaving a note here. it felt like pulling teeth, and because i don’t feel like pushing through on something i could already tell was not going to peak above 2 stars, and i wasn’t invested in the characters at all, i decided to wrap it all right on up. i got (consensually) spoiled on the outcome and i’m so glad i didn’t continue for THAT. nonsensical.
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