What do you think?
The Devil's Doll
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
The Devil's Doll by Misa June
Publication date: August 1st 2026
Thoughts
Well I guess this book convinced me to pick up Haunting Adeline because my word did I eat this up!! The plot follows Vera who's life changes after surviving an assault, killing her attacker in self defence desperate to bury this secret only to realise someone, a serial killer witnessed everything!
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, my favourite part was how their relationship developed, more specifically when Silas met her family. This book is definitely for the dark romance girlies who love to be DRENCHED in spice!!
Read if you enjoy
▪︎ Stalker
▪︎ Touch her and die
▪︎ Hidden cameras
▪︎ Kinks and play
▪︎ Dual pov - first person
CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS
Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the ARC
My Bookstagram
The Devil's Doll by Misa June
Publication date: August 1st 2026
Thoughts
Well I guess this book convinced me to pick up Haunting Adeline because my word did I eat this up!! The plot follows Vera who's life changes after surviving an assault, killing her attacker in self defence desperate to bury this secret only to realise someone, a serial killer witnessed everything!
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, my favourite part was how their relationship developed, more specifically when Silas met her family. This book is definitely for the dark romance girlies who love to be DRENCHED in spice!!
Read if you enjoy
▪︎ Stalker
▪︎ Touch her and die
▪︎ Hidden cameras
▪︎ Kinks and play
▪︎ Dual pov - first person
CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS
Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the ARC
My Bookstagram
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Firstly, I want to say thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC copy of this enthralling book. It has been a privilege to get to read this before it's been released.
This book was a great read. Within the first chapter, I was captivated. You could tell the author, Misa June, really took the time to dive into her characters, doing research on things and fully making sure that their story arcs were fully put together and that shows clearly in her impressive writing. I loved the Vera and Silas dynamic so much. They just clicked in a way that made perfect sense. And the power dynamic? Flawless.
Let's not forget to mention the spice, because what romance book would be good without any spiciness? And clearly the author knew that because the scenes in this book would have a dark romance girly gasping for some water with all this spice we were blessed with in this book.
Speaking of Dark Romance girlies/guys, if you were a fan of Haunting Adeline, and loved Zade Meadows, let me tell you, you will absolutely SWOON over Silas. While the two characters can have arguments of similarity, I promise the book itself is entirely different and quite refreshing. It's not every day you get to see both the MMC and the FMC both be morally black characters within the same book. That is one of the reasons this sets it apart from other Dark Romances with stalker and obsession/possession tropes.
This book releases on August 1st, 2026! So make sure to check it out once it releases!
With that being said, thank you again to the Author and NetGalley for allowing me to read this and I look forward to reading future work!
This book was a great read. Within the first chapter, I was captivated. You could tell the author, Misa June, really took the time to dive into her characters, doing research on things and fully making sure that their story arcs were fully put together and that shows clearly in her impressive writing. I loved the Vera and Silas dynamic so much. They just clicked in a way that made perfect sense. And the power dynamic? Flawless.
Let's not forget to mention the spice, because what romance book would be good without any spiciness? And clearly the author knew that because the scenes in this book would have a dark romance girly gasping for some water with all this spice we were blessed with in this book.
Speaking of Dark Romance girlies/guys, if you were a fan of Haunting Adeline, and loved Zade Meadows, let me tell you, you will absolutely SWOON over Silas. While the two characters can have arguments of similarity, I promise the book itself is entirely different and quite refreshing. It's not every day you get to see both the MMC and the FMC both be morally black characters within the same book. That is one of the reasons this sets it apart from other Dark Romances with stalker and obsession/possession tropes.
This book releases on August 1st, 2026! So make sure to check it out once it releases!
With that being said, thank you again to the Author and NetGalley for allowing me to read this and I look forward to reading future work!
August 30, 2026
I'd say the start of this book was a lot darker than its continuation. Silas and Vera started with him witnessing her killing a man and stalking her. She always had a kink for that, so they started their relationship quite soon. I loved how obsessive he was, but it was written quite clearly that he also has some psychopathic tendencies. It was well written, but I'd love to see some dark(er) elements in the other half of the story. The smut is written well, and I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
4 stars, a good work for a debut author.
ARC was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4 stars, a good work for a debut author.
ARC was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 30, 2026
4⭐
I really enjoyed this book. One of my favorite things was the communication between the main characters. There were no unnecessary misunderstandings or frustrating drama, which was so refreshing to read. The chemistry was amazing, and the smut was definitely one of the highlights.
My only issue was that the romance developed a little too quickly. While I could feel the attraction between them, I wanted a deeper emotional connection before they fell so hard for each other.
Silas completely stole the show for me. His lack of social skills created realistic relationship problems, but it also made some of his sweetest moments hit even harder. Watching him love Vera in his own way was honestly adorable, and the “just ask” scene had my whole heart.
I also appreciated the attention to safe sex and realistic details during the intimate scenes, something that isn’t included often enough in romance books.
Overall, this was a fun, spicy read with great chemistry, strong communication, and a main character I absolutely loved.
I really enjoyed this book. One of my favorite things was the communication between the main characters. There were no unnecessary misunderstandings or frustrating drama, which was so refreshing to read. The chemistry was amazing, and the smut was definitely one of the highlights.
My only issue was that the romance developed a little too quickly. While I could feel the attraction between them, I wanted a deeper emotional connection before they fell so hard for each other.
Silas completely stole the show for me. His lack of social skills created realistic relationship problems, but it also made some of his sweetest moments hit even harder. Watching him love Vera in his own way was honestly adorable, and the “just ask” scene had my whole heart.
I also appreciated the attention to safe sex and realistic details during the intimate scenes, something that isn’t included often enough in romance books.
Overall, this was a fun, spicy read with great chemistry, strong communication, and a main character I absolutely loved.
September 9, 2026
🖤 FULL REVIEW TO COME 🖤
September 4, 2026
If you like a dark romance this one’s for you, stalker and touch her and die vibes. Vera tries to ignore her desires until she can’t resist anymore
August 28, 2026
For readers who love morally grey characters and happy endings.
Trauma meets kink when our FMC, Vera, finds herself in a dangerous situation after a late night at the bar. Our MMC, Silas, is a delicious mix of stalker / vigilantly oh and a certified psychopath. Incapable of love, but obsession, that is something he does very well and Vera has piqued his interest.
The story is a perfect dark, dangerous mix of tension and heat! Mixing in elements of family trauma, mental health rep and BDSM.
Trauma meets kink when our FMC, Vera, finds herself in a dangerous situation after a late night at the bar. Our MMC, Silas, is a delicious mix of stalker / vigilantly oh and a certified psychopath. Incapable of love, but obsession, that is something he does very well and Vera has piqued his interest.
The story is a perfect dark, dangerous mix of tension and heat! Mixing in elements of family trauma, mental health rep and BDSM.
August 10, 2026
ARC Review
I started this book really excited for a darker romance and the premise had me really interested.
Unfortunately, I feel like it fell short in the bit I was able to get through. I made it about 20% in and just found I didn't actually care about learning about the characters.
It seemed so focused on what the FMC was hiding about her interests and the instant obsession the MMC had for her. While I understand that is part of his character given the way his brain thinks, so far there's almost nothing to back up anything other than he saw her murder someone and got turned on.
If you're looking for a dark romance that is more angled towards the scenes than the plot, then this would be for you.
I started this book really excited for a darker romance and the premise had me really interested.
Unfortunately, I feel like it fell short in the bit I was able to get through. I made it about 20% in and just found I didn't actually care about learning about the characters.
It seemed so focused on what the FMC was hiding about her interests and the instant obsession the MMC had for her. While I understand that is part of his character given the way his brain thinks, so far there's almost nothing to back up anything other than he saw her murder someone and got turned on.
If you're looking for a dark romance that is more angled towards the scenes than the plot, then this would be for you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
[⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️]
Reminder: This is my opinion, my thoughts, my feelings. In no way am I a certified literary analyst nor will I ever claim to be.
📚First Impression:
I wanted this story solely because I saw hidden cameras and somno 🤭. And that is what I got!
💫Quick Stats
Genre: Dark Romance
POV: Dual pov, first person
Spice: 4.5/5 - only because some of it wasn’t my thing and because of the beginning.
Romance: 4/5 - ehhh, Silas is a psychopath so I don’t know how romantic you can get.
Tropes:
●stalker
●touch her and die
●hidden cameras
●all kinds of knks and play basically
●psychopath MMC
TWs:
●There is a non-cn scene at the beginning. There is mentions of other non-cn happening to non-main characters / children but its off page. It’s okay because Silas hunts them down and offs them! :) - still, check your triggers.
💕What I Loved:
Silas’ character, a psychopath, was so well done. It almost made me unnerved, how he didn’t… change. He was still blunt and unfeeling even towards her family at the end. And how he was 100% ready to lock Vera up in his house if she ever tried to leave again. I was almost hoping we got to see them cross that bridge but at the same time - I am glad we didn’t because that would probably wreck me. If Vera was not happy with how he didn’t try to make small talk with her friends or family, then that might be crossing the line for her and I like that they ended up having a happily ever after.
🤔What Didn’t Work:
I don’t particularly care for “FMC in a dark romance then writes a dark romance book herself.” Sure, it shows that she loves the dynamic and I think collectively all of us reading this dark romance book will want to see ourselves doing that. But not every MC has to be an author. I know, I know, very controversial take, but I just want to see other careers and aspirations.
😊Favorite Quotes:
**Anything Silas had to say.**
“Then again, as a teenager, I used to dream of a masked man taking me and having his way with me; sometimes he’d be kidnapping me and other times he’d be slipping in through my window.”
“Taste it,” I tell her. “Take responsibility for what you did to me.”
“And thanks to last night, I’ve come to the realization that I apparently have a breeding kink.”
“That’s a long ass safe word, doll.”
“To tell me I don’t belong with Vera. That Vera somehow isn’t mine. No one gets to say that to me. No one gets to decide where I belong in Vera’s life-not her mother, not her family, not anyone. Not even Vera.”
“She’s not running again. I like to think she has free will with me, but I also know any future relationship that doesn’t involve me wouldn’t last long anyway.”
(Omg am I going overboard? Lol, this is like just 10% of my kindle highlights, okay I’ll try to limit myself).
💛Favorite Moment(s):
For some reason, loved the road sloppy toppy. And I loved that Silas doesn’t get embarassed - so the scene where he stands up for Vera in front of her entire family and does so unapologetically. YASSS. Also, (I know, lots of favorite moments) when they were separated and Silas was absolutely raveling, coming undone. Omg he reminded me of a sick puppy that had been kicked down. That man was yearning and tired.
Let’s also not forget: “I watch her attempt to parallel park the car before she decides to give up and park across the street. I’ll need to remedy that, watching her give up was pathetic. The spot was big enough for a truck and she couldn’t even fit her sedan. It’s okay though, I’m not interested in her driving skills, I’ll happily make her my passenger princess.”
Or in the bookshop and Silas “What’s this one about, doll?”
📝Final Word
Misa June is definitely an author we should all have on our radar. I sense very good things coming from her and some dark romance authors need to take notes from her.
[Received ARC from NetGalley - review is my own opinions and thoughts 😊]
Reminder: This is my opinion, my thoughts, my feelings. In no way am I a certified literary analyst nor will I ever claim to be.
📚First Impression:
I wanted this story solely because I saw hidden cameras and somno 🤭. And that is what I got!
💫Quick Stats
Genre: Dark Romance
POV: Dual pov, first person
Spice: 4.5/5 - only because some of it wasn’t my thing and because of the beginning.
Romance: 4/5 - ehhh, Silas is a psychopath so I don’t know how romantic you can get.
Tropes:
●stalker
●touch her and die
●hidden cameras
●all kinds of knks and play basically
●psychopath MMC
TWs:
●There is a non-cn scene at the beginning. There is mentions of other non-cn happening to non-main characters / children but its off page. It’s okay because Silas hunts them down and offs them! :) - still, check your triggers.
💕What I Loved:
Silas’ character, a psychopath, was so well done. It almost made me unnerved, how he didn’t… change. He was still blunt and unfeeling even towards her family at the end. And how he was 100% ready to lock Vera up in his house if she ever tried to leave again. I was almost hoping we got to see them cross that bridge but at the same time - I am glad we didn’t because that would probably wreck me. If Vera was not happy with how he didn’t try to make small talk with her friends or family, then that might be crossing the line for her and I like that they ended up having a happily ever after.
🤔What Didn’t Work:
I don’t particularly care for “FMC in a dark romance then writes a dark romance book herself.” Sure, it shows that she loves the dynamic and I think collectively all of us reading this dark romance book will want to see ourselves doing that. But not every MC has to be an author. I know, I know, very controversial take, but I just want to see other careers and aspirations.
😊Favorite Quotes:
**Anything Silas had to say.**
“Then again, as a teenager, I used to dream of a masked man taking me and having his way with me; sometimes he’d be kidnapping me and other times he’d be slipping in through my window.”
“Taste it,” I tell her. “Take responsibility for what you did to me.”
“And thanks to last night, I’ve come to the realization that I apparently have a breeding kink.”
“That’s a long ass safe word, doll.”
“To tell me I don’t belong with Vera. That Vera somehow isn’t mine. No one gets to say that to me. No one gets to decide where I belong in Vera’s life-not her mother, not her family, not anyone. Not even Vera.”
“She’s not running again. I like to think she has free will with me, but I also know any future relationship that doesn’t involve me wouldn’t last long anyway.”
(Omg am I going overboard? Lol, this is like just 10% of my kindle highlights, okay I’ll try to limit myself).
💛Favorite Moment(s):
For some reason, loved the road sloppy toppy. And I loved that Silas doesn’t get embarassed - so the scene where he stands up for Vera in front of her entire family and does so unapologetically. YASSS. Also, (I know, lots of favorite moments) when they were separated and Silas was absolutely raveling, coming undone. Omg he reminded me of a sick puppy that had been kicked down. That man was yearning and tired.
Let’s also not forget: “I watch her attempt to parallel park the car before she decides to give up and park across the street. I’ll need to remedy that, watching her give up was pathetic. The spot was big enough for a truck and she couldn’t even fit her sedan. It’s okay though, I’m not interested in her driving skills, I’ll happily make her my passenger princess.”
Or in the bookshop and Silas “What’s this one about, doll?”
📝Final Word
Misa June is definitely an author we should all have on our radar. I sense very good things coming from her and some dark romance authors need to take notes from her.
[Received ARC from NetGalley - review is my own opinions and thoughts 😊]
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First of all, a massive thank you to the author for trusting me with an ARC of this wild, addictive, dark little masterpiece. Getting to read this early genuinely felt like a privilege — and let me tell you, I devoured it.
This book grabbed me from the very first chapter. I wasn’t expecting to fall this hard, but the moment Vera’s life flipped upside down — surviving an assault, killing her attacker in self‑defense, and then realizing a serial killer witnessed the entire thing — I knew I was in for something unhinged in the best way. And I ate it up. Every page. Every twist. Every morally black moment.
The relationship between Vera and Silas? I was obsessed. Their dynamic is the kind of dark romance tension that makes you kick your feet and question your morals. The way their connection grows, especially when Silas meets her family, had me glued to the book. It’s twisted, it’s intense, it’s wrong in all the right ways — and yet it makes perfect sense for who they are.
And let’s talk about the spice, because this book does not hold back. This is for the girlies who want to be drenched in dark romance heat. The kinks, the power play, the obsession — it’s all there, and it’s all executed with intention. The author knew exactly what she was doing, and she delivered.
What impressed me most was how much care clearly went into the characters. You can tell Misa June did her research, built their arcs thoughtfully, and made sure their motivations were layered. Vera and Silas aren’t just morally gray — they’re morally black, and that’s what makes this story stand out. It’s rare to see both the FMC and MMC operating in the shadows together, and it made their dynamic feel fresh and unpredictable.
Now, if you loved Haunting Adeline and found yourself feral over Zade Meadows, let me introduce you to Silas. He’s cut from the same obsessive, stalker‑coded cloth, but he’s his own brand of dangerous. Similar energy, completely different execution. And honestly? I swooned. Hard. But I also appreciated that the book didn’t try to replicate Haunting Adeline — it carved its own lane and stayed there.
This story is dark. It’s twisted. It’s full of red flags, manipulation, obsession, and morally corrupt choices. And yet… it’s addictive. It’s refreshing. It’s the kind of book that makes you question why you’re rooting for the people you’re rooting for.
Read this if you love:
Stalker dynamics
Touch‑her‑and‑die energy
Hidden cameras
Heavy kink
Dual POV
Morally black characters
Dark romance that doesn’t pretend to be soft
The ending left me buzzing — betrayals, tension, emotional chaos, all of it. I’m already counting down the days until book two because I need answers, vengeance, and a whole lot of feminine rage.
This book releases August 1st, 2026, and trust me, you’ll want it on your radar.
This book grabbed me from the very first chapter. I wasn’t expecting to fall this hard, but the moment Vera’s life flipped upside down — surviving an assault, killing her attacker in self‑defense, and then realizing a serial killer witnessed the entire thing — I knew I was in for something unhinged in the best way. And I ate it up. Every page. Every twist. Every morally black moment.
The relationship between Vera and Silas? I was obsessed. Their dynamic is the kind of dark romance tension that makes you kick your feet and question your morals. The way their connection grows, especially when Silas meets her family, had me glued to the book. It’s twisted, it’s intense, it’s wrong in all the right ways — and yet it makes perfect sense for who they are.
And let’s talk about the spice, because this book does not hold back. This is for the girlies who want to be drenched in dark romance heat. The kinks, the power play, the obsession — it’s all there, and it’s all executed with intention. The author knew exactly what she was doing, and she delivered.
What impressed me most was how much care clearly went into the characters. You can tell Misa June did her research, built their arcs thoughtfully, and made sure their motivations were layered. Vera and Silas aren’t just morally gray — they’re morally black, and that’s what makes this story stand out. It’s rare to see both the FMC and MMC operating in the shadows together, and it made their dynamic feel fresh and unpredictable.
Now, if you loved Haunting Adeline and found yourself feral over Zade Meadows, let me introduce you to Silas. He’s cut from the same obsessive, stalker‑coded cloth, but he’s his own brand of dangerous. Similar energy, completely different execution. And honestly? I swooned. Hard. But I also appreciated that the book didn’t try to replicate Haunting Adeline — it carved its own lane and stayed there.
This story is dark. It’s twisted. It’s full of red flags, manipulation, obsession, and morally corrupt choices. And yet… it’s addictive. It’s refreshing. It’s the kind of book that makes you question why you’re rooting for the people you’re rooting for.
Read this if you love:
Stalker dynamics
Touch‑her‑and‑die energy
Hidden cameras
Heavy kink
Dual POV
Morally black characters
Dark romance that doesn’t pretend to be soft
The ending left me buzzing — betrayals, tension, emotional chaos, all of it. I’m already counting down the days until book two because I need answers, vengeance, and a whole lot of feminine rage.
This book releases August 1st, 2026, and trust me, you’ll want it on your radar.
August 6, 2026
ARC REVIEW 🤍
It was alright, not as suspenseful as I anticipated.
The timeline was different from what I'm used to. In the beginning I thought "oh nice, something fresh" but then I realised why it doesn't actually work. Because the book felt like it should've finished already three different times; the first moment was only halfway in.
The couple moves really fast in their relationship/attraction, which is not really a bad thing in itself but that means the book feels finished at only 50%.
I did love Silas' character. The Author did really well creating a true psychopath in the way that these people do not actually have emotions or feelings naturally, they need to learn them. Most authors want to create a psychopath but then he magically turns into a completely normal person throughout the story. This psychopathic killer was, in fact, a lot more believable! Well done on that.
Personally I would've LOVED it if the story/plot had focused on the initial murder more as that was the entire reason Silas and Vera met/bonded. There was a brief moment with a friend of the victim but that just felt anticlimactic. I also would've loved it had Vera realised she's more like Silas than she thought; feeling no remorse for the initial murder. Instead she turned all soft and suddenly couldn't really stomach Silas' nature and "hobby" so truly, in the end the only real thing they "bonded" over was their kink-exploration and the fact that Silas was already obsessed.
So that also makes for a semi weak plot. A LOT of fussing about her family (whom were shit) and her one friend that was actually more a colleague than a friend in my opinion. At several points the story truly already felt finished, but then there turned out to be 20 or 10 more chapters and I thought "about what?" And it's just family banter or something.
It was alright, not as suspenseful as I anticipated.
The timeline was different from what I'm used to. In the beginning I thought "oh nice, something fresh" but then I realised why it doesn't actually work. Because the book felt like it should've finished already three different times; the first moment was only halfway in.
The couple moves really fast in their relationship/attraction, which is not really a bad thing in itself but that means the book feels finished at only 50%.
I did love Silas' character. The Author did really well creating a true psychopath in the way that these people do not actually have emotions or feelings naturally, they need to learn them. Most authors want to create a psychopath but then he magically turns into a completely normal person throughout the story. This psychopathic killer was, in fact, a lot more believable! Well done on that.
Personally I would've LOVED it if the story/plot had focused on the initial murder more as that was the entire reason Silas and Vera met/bonded. There was a brief moment with a friend of the victim but that just felt anticlimactic. I also would've loved it had Vera realised she's more like Silas than she thought; feeling no remorse for the initial murder. Instead she turned all soft and suddenly couldn't really stomach Silas' nature and "hobby" so truly, in the end the only real thing they "bonded" over was their kink-exploration and the fact that Silas was already obsessed.
So that also makes for a semi weak plot. A LOT of fussing about her family (whom were shit) and her one friend that was actually more a colleague than a friend in my opinion. At several points the story truly already felt finished, but then there turned out to be 20 or 10 more chapters and I thought "about what?" And it's just family banter or something.
August 19, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley
The Devil’s Doll is a dark stalker romance where both MCs are morally grey. I was engaged right from the start, where we see Vera end up in a precarious situation due to her self destructive behaviour - whilst she’s exploring some darker sexual fantasies, the reality of the situation she’s in becomes even more so and her actions put her in the path of Silas, a psychopathic serial killer who becomes obsessed with her and begins stalking her.
I enjoyed the cat and mouse game and surprisingly, I found the spice relatively tame for what I was expecting, especially as I assumed there would be some BDSM kink involved. Silas, whilst he was this rough and tough serial killer, was actually completely obsessed with Vera and became very soft and accommodating towards the end which was a little unexpected. I didn’t quite feel like the dispute that lead to their separation packed such a big punch and I was a little thrown back as I couldn’t put together Vera’s love for her family and dedication to them with their involvement in her life and, later on, their behaviour towards her. Maybe this was supposed to be a decision based more on anxiety and the quick timeline of the relationship, but it made me detach myself from the story and the characters a little.
Overall, I enjoyed the premise of the story and how Vera’s character was pretty unique for a dark romance and definitely more morally twisted than even she realised, and how Silas was also so soft for her (as much as a psychopathic serial killer can be, really). I wish the pacing and some of the plot points were thought through a little more but I will keep an eye out for more of Misa’s work !
Thank you Misa and NetGalley for this advanced copy.
The Devil’s Doll is a dark stalker romance where both MCs are morally grey. I was engaged right from the start, where we see Vera end up in a precarious situation due to her self destructive behaviour - whilst she’s exploring some darker sexual fantasies, the reality of the situation she’s in becomes even more so and her actions put her in the path of Silas, a psychopathic serial killer who becomes obsessed with her and begins stalking her.
I enjoyed the cat and mouse game and surprisingly, I found the spice relatively tame for what I was expecting, especially as I assumed there would be some BDSM kink involved. Silas, whilst he was this rough and tough serial killer, was actually completely obsessed with Vera and became very soft and accommodating towards the end which was a little unexpected. I didn’t quite feel like the dispute that lead to their separation packed such a big punch and I was a little thrown back as I couldn’t put together Vera’s love for her family and dedication to them with their involvement in her life and, later on, their behaviour towards her. Maybe this was supposed to be a decision based more on anxiety and the quick timeline of the relationship, but it made me detach myself from the story and the characters a little.
Overall, I enjoyed the premise of the story and how Vera’s character was pretty unique for a dark romance and definitely more morally twisted than even she realised, and how Silas was also so soft for her (as much as a psychopathic serial killer can be, really). I wish the pacing and some of the plot points were thought through a little more but I will keep an eye out for more of Misa’s work !
Thank you Misa and NetGalley for this advanced copy.
August 14, 2026
Title & Author: The Devil’s Doll by Misa June
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Genres & Tropes: dark romance / Obsessive MMC / Touch her and 💀
Pub Date & Format: August 1, 2026/e-book
【 QUICK THOUGHTS 】
• The Vibe: giving Zade Meadows (IYKYK)
• What I Loved: I loved how both Silas and Vera grew with each chapter. I wasn’t expecting the changes and damn did it work out for the better. I absolutely fell in love with them. It was so realistic because of the fantasy being real and the taboo nature of feeling like it’s not the norm.
• What Didn't Work For Me: nothing, it was a master piece!
【 SPICE BREAKDOWN 】
• Heat Level: pitch black and frequent spice 🫢
• Content Warnings: death, breeding kink, stalking, minor detailed violence, talk of Psychological illness
【 FINAL VERDICT 】
• Read this if you like: the stalker vibes turning into relationships. If you don’t mind invasion of privacy or a slight breeding kink, it’s the book for you. This book sucks you in by the second or third chapter, fair warning!! It was an incredible read and I wasn’t expecting it to flow as amazingly as it did. You could almost relate to Vera in some instances, because don’t we all love a man who’s obsessed with us?! Misa June wrote Silas’ character so well, I fell in love with him and his honesty. He was NOT afraid to be himself. Vera and Silas just click in a way that’s so satisfactory. This is a 10/10, I definitely recommend adding this to your tbr immediately 😭🖤
ARC Disclaimer: I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co. This review contains my honest and voluntary review.
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Genres & Tropes: dark romance / Obsessive MMC / Touch her and 💀
Pub Date & Format: August 1, 2026/e-book
【 QUICK THOUGHTS 】
• The Vibe: giving Zade Meadows (IYKYK)
• What I Loved: I loved how both Silas and Vera grew with each chapter. I wasn’t expecting the changes and damn did it work out for the better. I absolutely fell in love with them. It was so realistic because of the fantasy being real and the taboo nature of feeling like it’s not the norm.
• What Didn't Work For Me: nothing, it was a master piece!
【 SPICE BREAKDOWN 】
• Heat Level: pitch black and frequent spice 🫢
• Content Warnings: death, breeding kink, stalking, minor detailed violence, talk of Psychological illness
【 FINAL VERDICT 】
• Read this if you like: the stalker vibes turning into relationships. If you don’t mind invasion of privacy or a slight breeding kink, it’s the book for you. This book sucks you in by the second or third chapter, fair warning!! It was an incredible read and I wasn’t expecting it to flow as amazingly as it did. You could almost relate to Vera in some instances, because don’t we all love a man who’s obsessed with us?! Misa June wrote Silas’ character so well, I fell in love with him and his honesty. He was NOT afraid to be himself. Vera and Silas just click in a way that’s so satisfactory. This is a 10/10, I definitely recommend adding this to your tbr immediately 😭🖤
ARC Disclaimer: I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co. This review contains my honest and voluntary review.
August 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Well… Silas. 😮💨 I went into this one expecting a dark romance, but I was NOT prepared to be this invested this quickly. I was completely sucked in from the beginning, and once I started, I had a hard time putting it down.
One of my favorite things about this book was how much attention was given to the characters beyond the romance. Vera and Silas both felt like fully developed characters with their own motivations, flaws, and questionable decisions 😂 And honestly? Putting two morally black characters together was such a fun choice. Neither of them is exactly innocent, and watching that play out made their relationship so much more interesting.
And their relationship??? The tension was TENSIONING. 👀 There’s something about the way these two interact that just works, especially when you add in the power dynamics and all the obsession. Silas is absolutely the kind of MMC that dark romance readers are going to have VERY strong feelings about.
Also, the spice. 🥵 I definitely had a few “okay, Misa June… I see you” moments. 😂
If you’re a fan of darker romances like *Haunting Adeline* and enjoy obsessive, morally questionable characters, this is definitely one to add to your TBR. There are some familiar elements, but I thought the story did enough with them to feel like its own thing.
Overall, this was such a fun, addictive read, and I’m definitely curious to see what Misa June comes up with next. 🖤
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Well… Silas. 😮💨 I went into this one expecting a dark romance, but I was NOT prepared to be this invested this quickly. I was completely sucked in from the beginning, and once I started, I had a hard time putting it down.
One of my favorite things about this book was how much attention was given to the characters beyond the romance. Vera and Silas both felt like fully developed characters with their own motivations, flaws, and questionable decisions 😂 And honestly? Putting two morally black characters together was such a fun choice. Neither of them is exactly innocent, and watching that play out made their relationship so much more interesting.
And their relationship??? The tension was TENSIONING. 👀 There’s something about the way these two interact that just works, especially when you add in the power dynamics and all the obsession. Silas is absolutely the kind of MMC that dark romance readers are going to have VERY strong feelings about.
Also, the spice. 🥵 I definitely had a few “okay, Misa June… I see you” moments. 😂
If you’re a fan of darker romances like *Haunting Adeline* and enjoy obsessive, morally questionable characters, this is definitely one to add to your TBR. There are some familiar elements, but I thought the story did enough with them to feel like its own thing.
Overall, this was such a fun, addictive read, and I’m definitely curious to see what Misa June comes up with next. 🖤
August 25, 2026
This book had a really interesting premise and I can absolutely see why people would enjoy it, but unfortunately it just didn’t fully work for me. You can definitely tell this was a debut, and while it wasn’t a bad book by any means, it did feel a little hollow at times.
The biggest issue for me was the plot. At its core, it’s a morally grey man who becomes fixated on a woman, and while that can be a very fun trope when done well, I needed a little more depth and development to really become invested. Vera’s feelings also seemed to happen very quickly, which made the romance feel a little rushed.
That being said, Silas definitely had his moments. The bite mark tattoo was 🤌 and if you’re looking for spice, a possessive morally grey MMC, and that darker romance vibe, this book will probably hit the spot.
My biggest frustration was how Silas and Vera handled the situation with their family and friends. It felt a little immature and almost like the conflict was being added in just to create more tension.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad read — it just wasn’t an amazing one for me. I enjoyed parts of it, but I needed more story and emotional depth to really love it.
Title - The Devil’s Doll
Author - Misa June
Star rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy Rating - 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Overall - Autistic Allie Ambivalent🤷🏻♀️
The biggest issue for me was the plot. At its core, it’s a morally grey man who becomes fixated on a woman, and while that can be a very fun trope when done well, I needed a little more depth and development to really become invested. Vera’s feelings also seemed to happen very quickly, which made the romance feel a little rushed.
That being said, Silas definitely had his moments. The bite mark tattoo was 🤌 and if you’re looking for spice, a possessive morally grey MMC, and that darker romance vibe, this book will probably hit the spot.
My biggest frustration was how Silas and Vera handled the situation with their family and friends. It felt a little immature and almost like the conflict was being added in just to create more tension.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad read — it just wasn’t an amazing one for me. I enjoyed parts of it, but I needed more story and emotional depth to really love it.
Title - The Devil’s Doll
Author - Misa June
Star rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy Rating - 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Overall - Autistic Allie Ambivalent🤷🏻♀️
Review of advance copy received from Author
ADVANCED READER COPY
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars | 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/4 Spice
The Devil’s Doll completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. If you’re looking for a possessive, obsessed MMC with serious Zade Meadows vibes, Silas is going to be your next obsession.
The attraction is immediate, but what really stood out to me was Silas’s character development. Beneath all the intensity, he grows in ways that made me love him even more by the end. Vera was the perfect balance to him—kind, accepting, and compassionate without ever feeling weak.
The banter kept the story entertaining, and I loved how the humor was woven throughout the darker moments. The chemistry between Silas and Vera was undeniable, and I found myself rooting for them the entire time.
I also have to give a shoutout to Ivy. She was hands down my favorite side character—a true friend who supported Vera while also holding her accountable when she needed it. Every FMC deserves a friend like her.
Overall, this was an addictive, spicy romance with memorable characters, great character growth, and plenty of tension. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a single day. If you love obsessive MMCs, instant obsession, humor mixed with darker romance, and open-door spice, this one is absolutely worth the read. Highly recommend!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars | 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/4 Spice
The Devil’s Doll completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. If you’re looking for a possessive, obsessed MMC with serious Zade Meadows vibes, Silas is going to be your next obsession.
The attraction is immediate, but what really stood out to me was Silas’s character development. Beneath all the intensity, he grows in ways that made me love him even more by the end. Vera was the perfect balance to him—kind, accepting, and compassionate without ever feeling weak.
The banter kept the story entertaining, and I loved how the humor was woven throughout the darker moments. The chemistry between Silas and Vera was undeniable, and I found myself rooting for them the entire time.
I also have to give a shoutout to Ivy. She was hands down my favorite side character—a true friend who supported Vera while also holding her accountable when she needed it. Every FMC deserves a friend like her.
Overall, this was an addictive, spicy romance with memorable characters, great character growth, and plenty of tension. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a single day. If you love obsessive MMCs, instant obsession, humor mixed with darker romance, and open-door spice, this one is absolutely worth the read. Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Devil's Doll is a dark romance novel written by Misa June. The story follows Vera, a young woman whose life changes when she survives a violent assault by killing her attacker in self-defence. Desperate to bury the secret, her world unravels when she realises someone witnessed the murder: Silas, a cold serial killer.
For her debut novel, I thought Misa did a great job. I was gripped from the very first chapter and loved how she didn’t hold back with the intimate scenes. I think these are some of the best I’ve read in dark romance, and that’s an achievement in itself.
As for the characters, I think Silas is the kind of man I want for myself, someone possessive but hopelessly devoted and charming. Vera, however, I found very immature and annoying. She became very unlikable about halfway through the book, and I really disliked how demanding she was towards Silas with her expectations of him and their relationship.
Overall, I think this is a good read. It has pretty much everything you could want in a dark romance. I just found it a little too fast-paced for my liking and not my favourite book couple I’ve come across.
The Devil's Doll is a dark romance novel written by Misa June. The story follows Vera, a young woman whose life changes when she survives a violent assault by killing her attacker in self-defence. Desperate to bury the secret, her world unravels when she realises someone witnessed the murder: Silas, a cold serial killer.
For her debut novel, I thought Misa did a great job. I was gripped from the very first chapter and loved how she didn’t hold back with the intimate scenes. I think these are some of the best I’ve read in dark romance, and that’s an achievement in itself.
As for the characters, I think Silas is the kind of man I want for myself, someone possessive but hopelessly devoted and charming. Vera, however, I found very immature and annoying. She became very unlikable about halfway through the book, and I really disliked how demanding she was towards Silas with her expectations of him and their relationship.
Overall, I think this is a good read. It has pretty much everything you could want in a dark romance. I just found it a little too fast-paced for my liking and not my favourite book couple I’ve come across.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.75 rounded up to 3⭐️
The Devil's Doll follows Silas and Vera in a cat-and-mouse style stalker dark romance. The premise had a lot of potential, and I felt the foundations were there for a much deeper and more immersive story.
I do appreciate that this book is marketed as erotica, but for me, it leaned so heavily into that aspect that the plot often took a back seat. We get brief glimpses into Silas's darker work and the people he surrounds himself with, and I couldn't help feeling that exploring this side of the story more would have added much-needed depth and made the overall world far more engaging.
To me, this felt more like a novella or a filler story that sits between two larger books, with the more interesting events happening either side of it. While I enjoyed the chemistry between Silas and Vera and could see what the author was aiming for, the story never quite reached its full potential.
Overall, it wasn't a bad read, but it just didn't hit the right spot for me. If you're looking for a dark romance that focuses primarily on the erotic elements, this may be exactly what you're after. Unfortunately, I was hoping for a stronger balance between the spice and the story.
The Devil's Doll follows Silas and Vera in a cat-and-mouse style stalker dark romance. The premise had a lot of potential, and I felt the foundations were there for a much deeper and more immersive story.
I do appreciate that this book is marketed as erotica, but for me, it leaned so heavily into that aspect that the plot often took a back seat. We get brief glimpses into Silas's darker work and the people he surrounds himself with, and I couldn't help feeling that exploring this side of the story more would have added much-needed depth and made the overall world far more engaging.
To me, this felt more like a novella or a filler story that sits between two larger books, with the more interesting events happening either side of it. While I enjoyed the chemistry between Silas and Vera and could see what the author was aiming for, the story never quite reached its full potential.
Overall, it wasn't a bad read, but it just didn't hit the right spot for me. If you're looking for a dark romance that focuses primarily on the erotic elements, this may be exactly what you're after. Unfortunately, I was hoping for a stronger balance between the spice and the story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The beginning is what completely dragged me right into the book. I just kept needing to keep turning pages. I loved everything about this book, mainly the characters. Vera, the FMC. She is definitely a character I find extremely relatable. As I kept reading, I felt seen. I like the questionable and severely concerning opinions. Out of all the FMC I have come across Vera has taken first place. Now the MMC, Silas. The fact that Silas is self-aware. He learned about himself. Never have I came across a book since I got into reading where a character reads about the mental disorder they have. He learns about it, and wants to learn about how he can do better. I love everything to do with psychology and Silas is definitely someone I found fascinating Silas has surprisingly taken first place for my
favourite MMC. The plot was FANTASTIC. The Devil's Doll is definitely a book that is worth rereading! Silas and Vera will forever be engraved on my heart.
favourite MMC. The plot was FANTASTIC. The Devil's Doll is definitely a book that is worth rereading! Silas and Vera will forever be engraved on my heart.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Devil’s Doll is a debut novel from Misa June
The story is an intense dark romance of obsession, lust and love from the very beginning and I devoured the whole book in one sitting. As the story progresses both the story and the main characters grow a lot emotionally, which made my love for both of them grow more.
Our FMC, Vera is a relatable character, she isn’t perfect and has her own faults and darkness inside that she hasn't really been able to explore before she meets our MMC, Silas. Talking about Silas, he is a morally grey character who has his own principles, which makes him both interesting and lovable, to Vera and to me as a reader and I kept rooting for her all the time.
I would recommend this book to all those readers who love their dark romance well balanced with plot and spice.
The only reason why I will give this book only four out of five stars is that there were scenes that I personally think should have been explored more to make the emotional pay-off hit even more.
As this book is Misa’s debut novel, I think she did really well.
I received ARC of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
The story is an intense dark romance of obsession, lust and love from the very beginning and I devoured the whole book in one sitting. As the story progresses both the story and the main characters grow a lot emotionally, which made my love for both of them grow more.
Our FMC, Vera is a relatable character, she isn’t perfect and has her own faults and darkness inside that she hasn't really been able to explore before she meets our MMC, Silas. Talking about Silas, he is a morally grey character who has his own principles, which makes him both interesting and lovable, to Vera and to me as a reader and I kept rooting for her all the time.
I would recommend this book to all those readers who love their dark romance well balanced with plot and spice.
The only reason why I will give this book only four out of five stars is that there were scenes that I personally think should have been explored more to make the emotional pay-off hit even more.
As this book is Misa’s debut novel, I think she did really well.
I received ARC of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
August 5, 2026
“Taste it” I tell her. “ take responsibility for what you did to me.”
First, I wanna say thank you to Misa June and NetGalley for the ARC.
I devoured this book. I am a real sucker for a good spicy dark romance. Silas is most definitely book boyfriend material. You know, if you’re into the dark morally gray psychopath. He’s giving Zade Meadow vibes. Yum! Silas truly is unhinged and stuck in his psychopathic ways. I am 100% here for that.
I loved Vera as well. I find her character relatable. Which makes me enjoy the book a little more. She is also a bad@ss. Yes, she’s a little messed up in the head, but that makes her perfect for Silas. She overcomes something dark, not only surviving assault and killing the attacker, but growing from it.
Please check the trigger warnings!
* Stalker
* Touch her and 💀
* Hidden cameras
* Obsessive MMC
* Morally gray MMC and FMC
Spice: 5🌶️
Plot: 5⭐️
I would have rated this at 5⭐️ as I really did love it, but I unfortunately couldn’t get past the grammatical and case errors. If it was one or two, I could’ve looked over that, but it was a continuous thing during the book.
First, I wanna say thank you to Misa June and NetGalley for the ARC.
I devoured this book. I am a real sucker for a good spicy dark romance. Silas is most definitely book boyfriend material. You know, if you’re into the dark morally gray psychopath. He’s giving Zade Meadow vibes. Yum! Silas truly is unhinged and stuck in his psychopathic ways. I am 100% here for that.
I loved Vera as well. I find her character relatable. Which makes me enjoy the book a little more. She is also a bad@ss. Yes, she’s a little messed up in the head, but that makes her perfect for Silas. She overcomes something dark, not only surviving assault and killing the attacker, but growing from it.
Please check the trigger warnings!
* Stalker
* Touch her and 💀
* Hidden cameras
* Obsessive MMC
* Morally gray MMC and FMC
Spice: 5🌶️
Plot: 5⭐️
I would have rated this at 5⭐️ as I really did love it, but I unfortunately couldn’t get past the grammatical and case errors. If it was one or two, I could’ve looked over that, but it was a continuous thing during the book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to review this ARC!
In this book, we meet Silas and Vera and watch the obsession spiral! Vera is a lonely woman who picked up an extra job just to have some socialization in her life. In her spare time, she dreams of having someone in her life that can fulfill her darkest desires. Who better to do that than Silas? He is a psychopath serial killer who is obsessed with Vera at first sight. It’s rare to find a book where both the main characters are killers. However, I wouldn’t have asked for anything less! Silas watches from the shadows as Vera does the unthinkable right as the obsession begins. He stalks her to ensure her safety and to feed into his own obsessive tendencies. Silas takes the phrase “touch her and die” to a whole new level when he is willing to kill everyone in her path of happiness. If you loved the hidden cameras and ridding the world of “filth” aspect of Haunting Adeline, you’ll love The Devil’s Doll!
⚔️ Stalking
⚔️ MMC falls first
⚔️ Touch her and die
⚔️ Morally grey MMC and MFC
⚔️ Smut
In this book, we meet Silas and Vera and watch the obsession spiral! Vera is a lonely woman who picked up an extra job just to have some socialization in her life. In her spare time, she dreams of having someone in her life that can fulfill her darkest desires. Who better to do that than Silas? He is a psychopath serial killer who is obsessed with Vera at first sight. It’s rare to find a book where both the main characters are killers. However, I wouldn’t have asked for anything less! Silas watches from the shadows as Vera does the unthinkable right as the obsession begins. He stalks her to ensure her safety and to feed into his own obsessive tendencies. Silas takes the phrase “touch her and die” to a whole new level when he is willing to kill everyone in her path of happiness. If you loved the hidden cameras and ridding the world of “filth” aspect of Haunting Adeline, you’ll love The Devil’s Doll!
⚔️ Stalking
⚔️ MMC falls first
⚔️ Touch her and die
⚔️ Morally grey MMC and MFC
⚔️ Smut
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I'm OBSESSED, Silas is OBSESSED, we're all OBSESSED!!!
Wow was this book ever incredible! Definitely one of my favorite reads so far this year!
Vera accidentally killed a man in and liked it more than she should. Eager to get away she flees the scene hoping to escape authorities and jail time, little does she know Silas saw everything. This is where the obsession starts, and only gets more possessive from there. MANY boundaries are crossed, and Vera needs to decide if her new stalker boyfriend is safe enough to keep....most people would run.
Check your sanity at the door, because this book will make you question everything! Also loaded with a Ton of trigger warnings, make sure you check those before reading! If you love Dark stalker romance, with a morally grey antihero MMC, and a bright sunshine FMC, hidden kinks and questionable choices you'll love this story! I would highly recommend giving this a read if you also enjoyed the Cat and Mouse duet by H.D. Carlton!
I'm OBSESSED, Silas is OBSESSED, we're all OBSESSED!!!
Wow was this book ever incredible! Definitely one of my favorite reads so far this year!
Vera accidentally killed a man in and liked it more than she should. Eager to get away she flees the scene hoping to escape authorities and jail time, little does she know Silas saw everything. This is where the obsession starts, and only gets more possessive from there. MANY boundaries are crossed, and Vera needs to decide if her new stalker boyfriend is safe enough to keep....most people would run.
Check your sanity at the door, because this book will make you question everything! Also loaded with a Ton of trigger warnings, make sure you check those before reading! If you love Dark stalker romance, with a morally grey antihero MMC, and a bright sunshine FMC, hidden kinks and questionable choices you'll love this story! I would highly recommend giving this a read if you also enjoyed the Cat and Mouse duet by H.D. Carlton!
August 12, 2026
I got to read *The Devil's Doll* as an ARC via Netgalley.
At first, I was excited and really got Haunting Adeline vibes.
One evening, Vera shows up drunk at a bar and meets Caleb there. They leave the bar together to seek more privacy, but Vera soon discovers that Caleb is not trustworthy.
He takes her to a secluded spot and rapes her. Vera grabs her pocket knife and accidentally kills Caleb.
What she doesn't know is that Silas is watching from a distance, because he was keeping an eye on his target, Caleb.
Silas can't get Vera out of his head and starts stalking her, soon becoming obsessed with her.
If you like a nice, smutty book without plots, then this book is definitely for you.
As mentioned, I was very enthusiastic at the beginning, but after 25% it started to get quite boring and I knew it by then. I found Vera particularly naive and, in hindsight, demanding towards Silas. I liked that less. Also, the lack of building tension and the fact that everything happened so quickly.
I gave it 3 stars for the effort. But unfortunately, it just wasn't a book for me!
At first, I was excited and really got Haunting Adeline vibes.
One evening, Vera shows up drunk at a bar and meets Caleb there. They leave the bar together to seek more privacy, but Vera soon discovers that Caleb is not trustworthy.
He takes her to a secluded spot and rapes her. Vera grabs her pocket knife and accidentally kills Caleb.
What she doesn't know is that Silas is watching from a distance, because he was keeping an eye on his target, Caleb.
Silas can't get Vera out of his head and starts stalking her, soon becoming obsessed with her.
If you like a nice, smutty book without plots, then this book is definitely for you.
As mentioned, I was very enthusiastic at the beginning, but after 25% it started to get quite boring and I knew it by then. I found Vera particularly naive and, in hindsight, demanding towards Silas. I liked that less. Also, the lack of building tension and the fact that everything happened so quickly.
I gave it 3 stars for the effort. But unfortunately, it just wasn't a book for me!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
So, this was my first obsessive dark romance and I didn't really know what to expect. For a debut novel, Misa June didn't hold anything back and she certainly didn't hesitate to go all in.
To be completely honest, this isn't my usual genre. I tend to prefer other types of romance, but putting my personal preferences aside, this was an incredibly intense and gripping read.
The dual POVs from Silas and Vera, combined with short chapters, make it a total page-turner. My only critique is that I personally needed a bit more substance and plot to it, instead of just constant spice throughout the story.
Even so, the tension and atmosphere are perfectly dark, and that psychological edge kept me completely hooked.
All in all, I think Misa June is definitely a debut author to watch!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To be completely honest, this isn't my usual genre. I tend to prefer other types of romance, but putting my personal preferences aside, this was an incredibly intense and gripping read.
The dual POVs from Silas and Vera, combined with short chapters, make it a total page-turner. My only critique is that I personally needed a bit more substance and plot to it, instead of just constant spice throughout the story.
Even so, the tension and atmosphere are perfectly dark, and that psychological edge kept me completely hooked.
All in all, I think Misa June is definitely a debut author to watch!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a great, steamy read! And the spice is definitely bringing the heat 🔥🌶
I was hooked from page one—a real page-turner. Like Vera, I wanted to understand what makes Silas tick. I did wish Silas’s backstory had been explored a bit more deeply, and personally, I wouldn't be so quick to say "I love you" to someone. But then again, that’s the nature of dark romance. And the spice—very much in the vein of "Lights Out", but turned up a notch.
I also had to chuckle at Silas’s lack of social skills. I mean, why are there people in a shopping mall, anyway?
It was interesting to see Silas trying to understand his own behavior by looking things up in psychology books.
Even though I would have liked a bit more depth, I really enjoyed The Devil's Doll by Misa June!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a great, steamy read! And the spice is definitely bringing the heat 🔥🌶
I was hooked from page one—a real page-turner. Like Vera, I wanted to understand what makes Silas tick. I did wish Silas’s backstory had been explored a bit more deeply, and personally, I wouldn't be so quick to say "I love you" to someone. But then again, that’s the nature of dark romance. And the spice—very much in the vein of "Lights Out", but turned up a notch.
I also had to chuckle at Silas’s lack of social skills. I mean, why are there people in a shopping mall, anyway?
It was interesting to see Silas trying to understand his own behavior by looking things up in psychology books.
Even though I would have liked a bit more depth, I really enjoyed The Devil's Doll by Misa June!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 17, 2026
New author alert… and what a debut!
I absolutely loved The Devil’s Doll and can already say I’ll be reading whatever Misa June writes next.
From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked. The chapters were the perfect length, each ending in a way that made it impossible to stop reading “just one more.”
One thing I really appreciated was that the cast of characters wasn’t overwhelming. Instead, I was able to become fully invested in Silas and Vera, whose story kept me turning the pages right until the end.
I’d genuinely love to see either a prequel or a sequel. I wasn’t ready to leave these characters behind, and I feel there’s so much more of their story that could be explored.
A huge thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for Misa June’s future releases.
Due for publication: 1 August 2026. 📖🤍
I absolutely loved The Devil’s Doll and can already say I’ll be reading whatever Misa June writes next.
From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked. The chapters were the perfect length, each ending in a way that made it impossible to stop reading “just one more.”
One thing I really appreciated was that the cast of characters wasn’t overwhelming. Instead, I was able to become fully invested in Silas and Vera, whose story kept me turning the pages right until the end.
I’d genuinely love to see either a prequel or a sequel. I wasn’t ready to leave these characters behind, and I feel there’s so much more of their story that could be explored.
A huge thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for Misa June’s future releases.
Due for publication: 1 August 2026. 📖🤍
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This one wants to be HA and taps out about a third of the way in.
It sells itself as a stalker romance. It opens mid-assault, before you've met anyone or had a reason to care, and then the stalker part burns off fast. Silas - the "cold, detached serial killer" who's supposedly the draw - stops being much of a serial killer almost immediately, and what's left is a possessive boyfriend who's very into Vera. Deranged psychopath for a few chapters, then a kinky couple fighting over a family visit.
There's no spine holding it together, no plot carrying you from the first scene to the last.
If you're just here for the spice and don't need a plot under it, you'll probably have a fine time - I mostly did.
It sells itself as a stalker romance. It opens mid-assault, before you've met anyone or had a reason to care, and then the stalker part burns off fast. Silas - the "cold, detached serial killer" who's supposedly the draw - stops being much of a serial killer almost immediately, and what's left is a possessive boyfriend who's very into Vera. Deranged psychopath for a few chapters, then a kinky couple fighting over a family visit.
There's no spine holding it together, no plot carrying you from the first scene to the last.
If you're just here for the spice and don't need a plot under it, you'll probably have a fine time - I mostly did.
August 7, 2026
Thank you, NetGalley and Misa June, for giving me the opportunity to read The Devil's Doll.
The story is intriguing, fast-paced, and easy to fall in love with Vera and Silas' story.
There are some scenes that I wish we got to know the outcome (i.e., Caleb). Also, I would have liked a more in-depth explanation of how Veras parents came into money; what exactly did her fathers no job involve. us were a few loose ends, nothing major that affects the outcome of the story.
Bonus points to Silas for the way he handles Vera's mother. The way he loves Vera is swoon worthly (even if that path is led by red flags, but hey, isn't that way we love us some dark romance?).
Only problem with the ending.. I want more of Silas and Vera.
The story is intriguing, fast-paced, and easy to fall in love with Vera and Silas' story.
There are some scenes that I wish we got to know the outcome (i.e., Caleb). Also, I would have liked a more in-depth explanation of how Veras parents came into money; what exactly did her fathers no job involve. us were a few loose ends, nothing major that affects the outcome of the story.
Bonus points to Silas for the way he handles Vera's mother. The way he loves Vera is swoon worthly (even if that path is led by red flags, but hey, isn't that way we love us some dark romance?).
Only problem with the ending.. I want more of Silas and Vera.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Devil’s Doll - Misa June
I was interested in this book the minute, I read the premise. This was such a great read. Silas and Vera had a great chemistry, and I liked the attention to detail that the author put into researching disorders.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️
🔥 / Spice Rating ☀️
# of Pages 🌙 316 Pages
Release Date 🌟 8/1/26
Format 💫 Gifted Digital Copy
Series 🌙 Unknown/Not Applicable
Genre/Tropes ✨ Serial Killer MMC, Stalker Romance, secret Cameras, He Falls First, Dark Secrets, Obsession & Possession
Favorite Character ☀️ Silas
Favorite Line 🌟 ‘I don’t know where I am, don’t know what direction leads to help or a highway or hell—but I run anyway.’
I was interested in this book the minute, I read the premise. This was such a great read. Silas and Vera had a great chemistry, and I liked the attention to detail that the author put into researching disorders.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️
🔥 / Spice Rating ☀️
# of Pages 🌙 316 Pages
Release Date 🌟 8/1/26
Format 💫 Gifted Digital Copy
Series 🌙 Unknown/Not Applicable
Genre/Tropes ✨ Serial Killer MMC, Stalker Romance, secret Cameras, He Falls First, Dark Secrets, Obsession & Possession
Favorite Character ☀️ Silas
Favorite Line 🌟 ‘I don’t know where I am, don’t know what direction leads to help or a highway or hell—but I run anyway.’
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews