Duplicitous: A Dark Stalker Romance

by Julia Sykes

About the author

Julia Sykes is a USA Today bestselling author of edgy, emotional romance. When she's not writing, she's usually reading.

Other than reading, her obsessions include iced coffee, unicorns, charcuterie, aged Manchego cheese (or any cheese, really), and fancy dresses.

An American expat, Julia now lives in her adopted, beloved home of York, England. Most days, you can find her wandering the cobbled streets and daydreaming about her next novel.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to preface in saying I love this author. I love all of her work and her writing style. She writes in a way that keeps me engaged and hooked from the beginning. She also writes clear expressions of SUB and DOM experiences. In comparison to other authors that write grey area DOM/SUB her writing in my opinion gives a clear understanding of the main characters participating in DOM/SUB activities.

Now back to this book. Literally the first two chapters are spicy, intense, and omg has me hooked. I was locked in. The masked character Bones and the chase scene was so wild. I could not put this book down and absolutely scratched my stalker romance itch.

That ending...that cliffhanger ending...I had predicted or guessed some of the twists but not that very end. I'm still in shock. I can't wait to read book 2.

[Letty · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up! I read this in one night!!
That ending 😩 was like OMG say what?? That can’t be possible!

This starts off running with Karolina & is already “messy” with her foster brothers, Carter & Brandon when she’s younger.

Fast forward, now an adult & dealing with her trauma in her own way as a young woman getting her MA. She has Bones, her masked man, via video chat who is she feels is “safe” as it’s not a relationship & is superficial serving its purpose 😉
Throw in a hot professor and a very possessive stalker, things start escalating!

I highly recommend putting on your TBR!
If you like possessive MMCs, masked men, being chased in the woods, professor/student, and stalkers THIS is for you!

Check your TW ❌ !

Book Overview below as well 👇🏻



***A special thank you to the author, Julia Sykes, for the opportunity to read & review this ARC! I am voluntarily leaving this honest review. ***



Book overview

I’ve watched her. Waited for her. Protected her from the shadows.
I’ve been obsessed with Karolina for years, but she has no idea that I've been stalking her every move.

Any man who dared to try to touch what’s mine is dead.

Now, I’ve finally become the man she’ll want, not the monster I’ve hidden from her.

She only knows me as “Bones”, her masked online confidante.

But it’s time for the mask to come off, even if I can never reveal who I really am.

I’ll insert myself into her life as her new professor, and she’ll finally be mine in every way.

I crave to torment and cherish her.

If she ever tries to run away, there’s nowhere on Earth she can hide from me.

Because I know her darkest, most depraved secret: Karolina wants to be hunted.

[Ecem Esen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok first things first. I am a stalker romance connoisseur. Its my fave trope and i have basically read all of them.

I have never in my whole 2 years of reading felt what i felt at the plot twist. My heart actually sank into my stomach and my heart was racing. It wasnt an outcome i considered at ALL. this was BRILLIANT. Its that end chapter where you actually start to tell how deranged he actually is, like mentally GONE.

The MMC Rand is absolutely gone over this girl, in love but dangerously and i have read some pitch black romances. I think what makes this more disturbing and impacting compared to them is how it is written so realistically. Not just stalker for shock value . I love how he still respects her boundaries however i suspect there may be some noncon arriving in the second book 😏. He would do anything for this girl.

I also really enjoyed the FMC. Karolina/Lena is a very guarded girl but she actually tries to put the effort in to opening up to him. She is fiercely independent and absolutely owns her sexuality which is refreshing, even though shes a virgin shes not shy from exploring which is rare.

im still reeling from this and i want the second book so so badly . This is going to be a reread alot of times

God Julia you are genius i love u

[The Heathens Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark stalker romance, foster siblings, masked man, and from the very first page you know exactly what game you've signed up for. The opening chapter doesn't ease you in: Foster siblings, child abuse, and dialogue that's genuinely uncomfortable to read beautifully written, but uncomfortable. Karolina fights back, and that fight matters; it sets up everything that follows.
Fast forward five years and Karolina hasn't been able to be touched since except by "Bones," a masked, red-skull-wearing virtual stranger she's built years of trust with him online. Spice hits from chapter 2 and doesn't let up, and what I appreciated most is how it's handled: this isn't just heat for heat's sake, it's her reclaiming a safe, controlled space to explore her own sexuality after trauma. That's a genuinely interesting take, and it's done with care.
Bones is obsessive, possessive, unhinged, the kind of stalker-romance hero who every dark romance fan wants but would absolutely run from in real life. His solution to "getting his girl" is exactly as deranged as it should be, and the banter between them (she's bratty, he loves it) gives the book some breathing room between the heavier aspects.

Where this book really got me: there's a second presence circling Karolina that builds a separate, distinct thread of dread alongside everything else going on and it's woven in so well. Without spoiling anything, the reveal tied to it hits hard and readjusts the stalker fear that's been simmering throughout. This is exactly the kind of twist that deserves to land fresh, so I won't say another word about it just trust me.

Heads up on content: stalking, sexual assault, CNC, murder, child abuse, foster care trauma, degradation, power imbalance (Professor/ Student)this is not a light read. It is a Dark Romance and that is how you should go into this read.
Book 2 is flagged as darker still (kidnapping, drugging, torture, dubious consent), so pace yourself accordingly.

[Chai_Tea_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh, that cliffhanger… and THE PLOT TWIST. I had my suspicions, but I still didn’t fully believe I was right (no spoilers here).

Karolina has endured more than anyone should have to. Orphaned at a young age and subjected to unimaginable abuse, she’s fought hard to escape her past and build a new life for herself, even while being haunted by recurring nightmares. Her one source of comfort is Bones—her masked online confidant who makes her feel safe in a way no one else can.

But what Karolina believes is harmless fun is anything but. Bones is a man consumed by obsession, and when that obsession pushes past her boundaries, Karolina’s walls go up and she runs. Refusing to let her slip away, Bones finds another way back into her life—this time as her professor, where he uses manipulation and calculated tactics to draw her closer.

But when a real threat emerges, secrets can no longer stay buried. Bones can’t hide behind his mask forever, and Karolina can’t keep running.

What you can expect:
Trauma
Stalking
Virgin Masked MMC
Hidden Identity
Power Play
“Good Girl”
Primal Play
OTT/Obsessed MMC
Touch Her and Die
Spanking
Virgin FMC
Professor x Student
Hidden Cameras
Forbidden

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating read that held me riveted from start to finish, main characters are simply wonderful
Karolina has endured more than anyone should ever have to, Orphaned at a young age and subjected to unimaginable abuse. She has worked extremely hard building her life into something so much better and is trying to leave the nightmares behind.
Bones as she knows him is used to taking on any risks and he is always watching her he is ready to take out anyone that threatens her safety, he finds a way to come into contact with her by teaching at her place of study, he is a professor position and they meet and he helps her and watches her as much as he is able.
When there was a real threat where secrets can no longer remain hidden, he knows that Karolina has to be put in the picture, she has to know who he has been doing to ensure that she remains safe.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the wonderful writing.

[Courtney Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely read the trigger warnings before reading this. I wont put any spoilers in this.

Read in a day, throughly enjoyed this. Gripping the edge of my seat during the dramatic and adrenaline rush scenes. You can actually feel the emotions coming out of the page.
When the little bit of spice hits, it hits! 3 out of 5 for spice. 10/10 as usual for the writing.

Holy F! Like that plot twist at the end? Damn!

I love how the fmc is bratty and likes to wind up the mmc with her attitude (reminds me of me!)
I also love how this is set in York, UK (close to where I live!) I do love an English set book.

I cant wait for the 2nd book because this was just perfect and leaves it on a cliffhanger.

Thank you Julia for allowing me to review this as an ARC. I absolutely enjoyed it 🥰

[Cyndy Vasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia has done it again. She has set a fire to burn 🔥with a heat that will consume. Duplicitous is a surprising, tension-filled beginning book in a firey dark romance series. 🔥 It is impossible to put down and leaves you ready for more. Karolina is feisty and strong because she's had to survive. I was drawn into her story instantly. Bones is a safe outlet after all she's been through, but he isn't who she knows him to be. ❣️ You will be drawn in and held until you are artfully thrown over the cliff to hang until the next book.
Detailed world building and intense character development craft this story into your next favorite series beginning from Julia Sykes!
🔥The chase is on & you will be caught.🔥

[Quinty Smits · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book that made you want to keep reading. A lot happens; sometimes you see things coming, and some things you don't. I read it in one sitting. The main character is sassy and rude, but also submissive, I love it when he stalks her, it's not a big deal, but that he makes everyone who touches her regret it, especially when he plays three people to get her. and the ending is a good cliffhanger; you want to know what happens next.

[Hannah Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved the ARC for this in exchange for an honest review!

Steamy, spice level extremely high and so many twists and turns!
Had my giggling and kicking my feet, yelling at my kindle and nearly throwing it across the room

5 stars but would rate it higher if I could! Will definitely read more from this author

[Annabelle Adwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a good read, well written and a slow burn between Rand and Karolina but they are meant to be! There is a couple of twists and turns but I did not want this story to end! I really cannot wait for the next book!!

[Sarah Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only negative of this book for me is I wish it was longer! I loved it. You could easily read this book in one sitting. I found it very fast paced with lots of little twists and top tier spice! This first chapter is definitely pretty dark so check trigger warning

[Laura Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah!! Amazing !! How absolutely riveting !! I am so in love with Lena. She is saucy and strong !! I love this character. So excited for the next one in this series
It was a crash after the last page. Love this twisted and endearing story