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La hija del veneno
To err is human. To avenge is Divine.
Every person Harlow Carrenwell kisses dies immediately, and that’s the way she likes it. The poison-lipped youngest daughter of Lunameade’s magical founding family has used her power to annihilate their opposition.
Her first husband is in the ground. Her new betrothed is next.
But the merry widow has a secret. When she’s not acting as an assassin at her parents' whims, she moonlights as a vigilante for abused women in their walled-off city.
Meet a man. Lure him in. Kill him with a kiss. Until one night Harlow kisses a mark and he doesn’t die.
Worse, her invincible partner in passion is her new betrothed, Henry Havenwood, and now he knows about her double life. Instead of selling her out and bringing the rival families to blows, he does something much more sinister—whisks her away to wed in his wild mountain fort.
Harlow doesn’t trust Henry, but the only way to protect her family and the city of Lunameade is to figure out what his family is planning.
Cursed with a husband she can’t kill and trapped in a fort miles of vampire-infested woods from home, Harlow’s survival requires her to do the impossible: Make the man who knows she’s a killer fall in love with her anyway.
The Poison Daughter is a standalone dark fantasy romance that combines the vigilante justice for abusive men of Promising Young Woman with a romantasy arranged marriage and a dash of vampires.
Every person Harlow Carrenwell kisses dies immediately, and that’s the way she likes it. The poison-lipped youngest daughter of Lunameade’s magical founding family has used her power to annihilate their opposition.
Her first husband is in the ground. Her new betrothed is next.
But the merry widow has a secret. When she’s not acting as an assassin at her parents' whims, she moonlights as a vigilante for abused women in their walled-off city.
Meet a man. Lure him in. Kill him with a kiss. Until one night Harlow kisses a mark and he doesn’t die.
Worse, her invincible partner in passion is her new betrothed, Henry Havenwood, and now he knows about her double life. Instead of selling her out and bringing the rival families to blows, he does something much more sinister—whisks her away to wed in his wild mountain fort.
Harlow doesn’t trust Henry, but the only way to protect her family and the city of Lunameade is to figure out what his family is planning.
Cursed with a husband she can’t kill and trapped in a fort miles of vampire-infested woods from home, Harlow’s survival requires her to do the impossible: Make the man who knows she’s a killer fall in love with her anyway.
The Poison Daughter is a standalone dark fantasy romance that combines the vigilante justice for abusive men of Promising Young Woman with a romantasy arranged marriage and a dash of vampires.
908 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2025
About the author
Sheila Masterson
9 books2,879 followersSheila Masterson is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of The Poison Daughter, a dark enemies to lovers romantasy standalone about a vigilante who uses her poison kiss to take revenge on abusive men in her community, until she's unwittingly thrust into an arranged marriage with the only man immune to her magic.
Her other works include the gothic fairy tale fantasy romance, Song of the Dark Wood, the angsty epic romantasy quartet, The Lost God Series, as well as its next-generation standalone spinoff, A Legacy of Stars.
When Sheila's not busy stabbing beloved side characters and dreaming up new ways to make her readers cry, you can find her browsing the shelves at local indie bookstores, drinking fancy cocktails with friends, or curled up reading books and tarot. She lives outside Philadelphia with a small army of underwatered houseplants that survive out of spite.
Her other works include the gothic fairy tale fantasy romance, Song of the Dark Wood, the angsty epic romantasy quartet, The Lost God Series, as well as its next-generation standalone spinoff, A Legacy of Stars.
When Sheila's not busy stabbing beloved side characters and dreaming up new ways to make her readers cry, you can find her browsing the shelves at local indie bookstores, drinking fancy cocktails with friends, or curled up reading books and tarot. She lives outside Philadelphia with a small army of underwatered houseplants that survive out of spite.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 21,853 reviews
December 9, 2025
If the main two characters had a motto, I think it would be “risk your life behind enemy lines because mom and dad said to, accomplish nothing”
I loved the first few chapters and then suddenly I realized I went from awesome femme fatale lore to just the same four people having the same conversations over and over and over again. It just feels like nothing HAPPENS after the wedding. Like the main characters go off and are completely removed from all of the actual plot lines. If they stayed in the main city I think it would have been more interesting, but instead we just get like 600 pages of pure dialogue, usually very repetitive dialogue too. He can’t be poisoned by her, and that’s literally her whole thing. The Poison Daughter literally stops poisoning people after like the first chapter. I feel ripped off.
Both of these people are supposed to be spying on countries they have a mortal grudge against and neither of them actually succeed at anything. Any information they ever get is handed to them, frequently out of no where and not by their own spying skills. There is no sneaking, no sabotaging, just two people lying to each other badly while fully aware they are being lied to. And it goes on freaking forever. This book needed to be like 200 pages shorter if not more.
The main characters are very flirty, but at no point did I feel like they actually had much chemistry. They both “hate” each other but for reasons I don’t really think make much sense. Like sure her dad killed his family but it’s not like she even knows about that or condones it. He sees her poison people and he’s so horrified about that for some reason. And then he turns around and does the same thing and stabs people and for some reason she’s disgusted? Like guys come on, you’re doing the same exact thing, get over it. All of their dialogue, which is probably 70% of the book btw, is just probing for information and then flirting to deflect. Rinse repeat. Rinse repeat. Like even in the end, I feel like she doesn’t give a crap about him, she just keeps him around because he’s the only one she can actually have a physical relationship with.
Anyway, the book was too long, the characters were too far removed from the actual story, and everyone talks entirely too much. I didn’t hate it, but I definitely skipped large sections because I couldn’t take all of the talking.
Edit because I forgot the worst part: Harlow is supposed to be some legendary champion for abused women in her city but the second she realizes she CAN sleep with a man who (for all she knows) beats his wife up on the regular, she immediately does? So gross! Also the fact that he ISN’T that woman’s husband means her system is not foolproof. How many of her victims were actually innocent and just being offed by someone pretending to be their wife? What a strange protagonist for a fantasy book. If you loved this book, I am so happy for you, it just wasn’t for me at all.
I loved the first few chapters and then suddenly I realized I went from awesome femme fatale lore to just the same four people having the same conversations over and over and over again. It just feels like nothing HAPPENS after the wedding. Like the main characters go off and are completely removed from all of the actual plot lines. If they stayed in the main city I think it would have been more interesting, but instead we just get like 600 pages of pure dialogue, usually very repetitive dialogue too. He can’t be poisoned by her, and that’s literally her whole thing. The Poison Daughter literally stops poisoning people after like the first chapter. I feel ripped off.
Both of these people are supposed to be spying on countries they have a mortal grudge against and neither of them actually succeed at anything. Any information they ever get is handed to them, frequently out of no where and not by their own spying skills. There is no sneaking, no sabotaging, just two people lying to each other badly while fully aware they are being lied to. And it goes on freaking forever. This book needed to be like 200 pages shorter if not more.
The main characters are very flirty, but at no point did I feel like they actually had much chemistry. They both “hate” each other but for reasons I don’t really think make much sense. Like sure her dad killed his family but it’s not like she even knows about that or condones it. He sees her poison people and he’s so horrified about that for some reason. And then he turns around and does the same thing and stabs people and for some reason she’s disgusted? Like guys come on, you’re doing the same exact thing, get over it. All of their dialogue, which is probably 70% of the book btw, is just probing for information and then flirting to deflect. Rinse repeat. Rinse repeat. Like even in the end, I feel like she doesn’t give a crap about him, she just keeps him around because he’s the only one she can actually have a physical relationship with.
Anyway, the book was too long, the characters were too far removed from the actual story, and everyone talks entirely too much. I didn’t hate it, but I definitely skipped large sections because I couldn’t take all of the talking.
Edit because I forgot the worst part: Harlow is supposed to be some legendary champion for abused women in her city but the second she realizes she CAN sleep with a man who (for all she knows) beats his wife up on the regular, she immediately does? So gross! Also the fact that he ISN’T that woman’s husband means her system is not foolproof. How many of her victims were actually innocent and just being offed by someone pretending to be their wife? What a strange protagonist for a fantasy book. If you loved this book, I am so happy for you, it just wasn’t for me at all.
December 23, 2025
Gah I loved this so much. It felt like a duology but made into a standalone. The banter and tension had me SCREAMING… and a badass FMC.
Check triggers bc this is dark and spicy.
Check triggers bc this is dark and spicy.
January 27, 2026
For a poisonous assassin there’s a distinct lack of both poisoning and assassinations in this book. She is a daughter though. So there’s that.
Did Not Finish
August 26, 2026DNF at 25%…. Idk why I picked up romantasy in my state of being. Maybe I’ll come back to this idk.
Did Not Finish
September 6, 2026DNF on ch. 14 but ILL BE BACK!!! this isn’t even a dnf.. this is simply a PAUSE!!!
“we were ON A BREAK” but make it me & this book rn!
I just can’t stop thinking about crescent city, so i’m gonna start that instead. my mind is consumed and i’m a mood reader to my core so here we are.
“we were ON A BREAK” but make it me & this book rn!
I just can’t stop thinking about crescent city, so i’m gonna start that instead. my mind is consumed and i’m a mood reader to my core so here we are.
October 16, 2026
THE ENDING!!!! Soooo many crazy twists and surprising reveals. suchhhh a clever ending!! Overall I really loved this book!! It's dark, has monsters, two powerful magical families, lots of messed up characters, a forced marriage, enemies to lovers, and two head strong main characters. I have so many fantastic things to say about this book. I really really loved it. Only docking a quarter star because Henry did infuriate me a few times in the beginning of the book 😅 but overall I loved him. Henry was such a sassy and equally annoying and charming man, that was also suchhh a safe space for Harlow 🥹 when few others in her life were. AND HARLOW is soooo badass!!! She's survived so much AND cares sooo much for others, especially the women of Lunameade. Great spooky season read!
Did Not Finish
March 8, 2026I am sorry to everyone who loved this book, but I genuinely cannot believe we read the same thing. Unfortunately, this is going to be a DNF at 60% for me.
The writing itself is actually good—but what on earth is happening in this story? Oh right… nothing. Absolutely nothing.
So we have Harlow, whose whole personality trait is that she can kill people with a kiss. Poisonous lips, deadly smooches—call it whatever you want. Her very “ jolly-good “parents decide she needs to marry the heir of Mountain Haven Fort. Fine.
She then travels with him and his parents to said fort… and from that point onward the plot apparently decides to take a very long nap.
We wander around. We travel. We arrive. We exist.
Then at about 50% they finally get married… and yes, they fuck. Also, a tiny detail I almost forgot: somehow her deadly kiss doesn’t work on him, because if it did he would’ve been dead somewhere around the 10% mark of the book.
And that’s basically it.
For a romantasy, this book felt way too long for how little actually happens. I kept waiting for the story to start… and at 60% I finally accepted that it probably already had.
Sadly, this one just wasn’t for me. I found it genuinely boring.
I’m not going to rate the book because I didn’t finish it, and I don’t feel like it’s fair to give a rating without reading the whole thing.
The writing itself is actually good—but what on earth is happening in this story? Oh right… nothing. Absolutely nothing.
So we have Harlow, whose whole personality trait is that she can kill people with a kiss. Poisonous lips, deadly smooches—call it whatever you want. Her very “ jolly-good “parents decide she needs to marry the heir of Mountain Haven Fort. Fine.
She then travels with him and his parents to said fort… and from that point onward the plot apparently decides to take a very long nap.
We wander around. We travel. We arrive. We exist.
Then at about 50% they finally get married… and yes, they fuck. Also, a tiny detail I almost forgot: somehow her deadly kiss doesn’t work on him, because if it did he would’ve been dead somewhere around the 10% mark of the book.
And that’s basically it.
For a romantasy, this book felt way too long for how little actually happens. I kept waiting for the story to start… and at 60% I finally accepted that it probably already had.
Sadly, this one just wasn’t for me. I found it genuinely boring.
I’m not going to rate the book because I didn’t finish it, and I don’t feel like it’s fair to give a rating without reading the whole thing.
October 8, 2026
sheila masterson, if you ever see me in public make sure to file a restraining order against me. i hope your pillow is forever cold on both sides. i hope you never feel the stress of a mediocre man. i hope you find a bag of a million dollars on the ground. i know this book fed the family 🩷✨
y’all i fr need a tetanus shot after this cuz wtf… it was a dark and stormy night when i decided to finally give this book a chance. as i opened my kindle and began reading while laying in bed, to my surprise the sun was rising and the birds were chirping and i was more that half way through this monster of a book. everyone please come to my celebratory party because i am cured of my reading slump. 🥳✨🎉
the premise of “female main character has a poisonous kiss that is fatal to all kisses the male main character but WAIT he doesn’t die!” completely straightened my spine. pair that with a unique and easy to digest magic system, arranged marriage, vigilante shit, and a mystery woven effortlessly into the plot? girl i’m too easy.🧎🏻♀️➡️
as a woman, Harlow mf Carrenwell, was just too satisfying. from not taking shit from anyone by day to killing men by night. she holds a fist of furry in an hourglass figure. i was beating my chest like a gorilla while giggling to myself everytime i read the banter between her and Henry. there’s something about a woman that hates being told what to do and defies orders every time. every move she made, my eyes were glued to the page. every time she challenged Henry, i was in heat. her relationship with her sister was the best part honestly. tears in my eyes for a sibling bond that felt all too real. nothing has ever felt more painful than reading their sister dynamic. i know sheila’s pen was ablaze writing this book.
Henry “don’t run from me or i’ll catch you” Havenwood needs to never be felt unattended around me…OH so he likes to kiss his wife who has poisonous lips even though he’s immune? somewhere (my bed) a women (me) gets pregnant (triplets.) when they did the devils tango in front of an audience as part of their “marriage rituals” only to break the ancient relic that’s supposed to solidify their marriage??? ho…my internal organs were crushed! this man knows her without words. he knows the exact space she takes up. being without her is like a missing limb. he doesn’t even realize he’s falling for her while unfolding his—decade in the making—revenge plan. all plans crumble at the sight of Harlow. all reasoning is vanished if she’s even slightly in danger. the facade is stripped away without his permission. he is tortured, achingly so, at the fact that he CAN fall in love. mind you, he can’t see color. mind you, in order to see color one must fall in love. i think you know where this is going. 💓💓
oh did i mention he’s the captain of Yeaner-ship??
“Yes, I want your anger. Be as mad at me as you need to, just not from a forest away. Stay with me. Make me suffer for it. I'd rather be tortured by your presence than agonized by your absence." LIKE put this man out of his misery dammit!!
i would have liked an additional chapter, i say with a frown. ☹️
another thing I will say is that the writing got really repetitive at times. usually that kind of thing doesn’t bother me, but it does when you’re explaining world-building or dropping important lore, only to repeat the exact same information a few paragraphs or chapters later. it felt like the book was constantly making sure we didn’t forget that “the Divine of Whatever did Whatever to Whoever.” ho… i promise i didn’t develop amnesia between chapters. spare me please. 🙄🤚🏽
also, if I had to read the word “chafe” one more time, I was about to start chafing myself every time it showed up.
That said, I read the independently published version, so I’m hoping a lot of those repetitive sections and wording choices were cleaned up in the traditionally published edition.
i still highly recommend! let me go bang my head against a brick wall! 🤓✨
4.5 ⭐️
y’all i fr need a tetanus shot after this cuz wtf… it was a dark and stormy night when i decided to finally give this book a chance. as i opened my kindle and began reading while laying in bed, to my surprise the sun was rising and the birds were chirping and i was more that half way through this monster of a book. everyone please come to my celebratory party because i am cured of my reading slump. 🥳✨🎉
the premise of “female main character has a poisonous kiss that is fatal to all kisses the male main character but WAIT he doesn’t die!” completely straightened my spine. pair that with a unique and easy to digest magic system, arranged marriage, vigilante shit, and a mystery woven effortlessly into the plot? girl i’m too easy.🧎🏻♀️➡️
as a woman, Harlow mf Carrenwell, was just too satisfying. from not taking shit from anyone by day to killing men by night. she holds a fist of furry in an hourglass figure. i was beating my chest like a gorilla while giggling to myself everytime i read the banter between her and Henry. there’s something about a woman that hates being told what to do and defies orders every time. every move she made, my eyes were glued to the page. every time she challenged Henry, i was in heat. her relationship with her sister was the best part honestly. tears in my eyes for a sibling bond that felt all too real. nothing has ever felt more painful than reading their sister dynamic. i know sheila’s pen was ablaze writing this book.
Henry “don’t run from me or i’ll catch you” Havenwood needs to never be felt unattended around me…OH so he likes to kiss his wife who has poisonous lips even though he’s immune? somewhere (my bed) a women (me) gets pregnant (triplets.) when they did the devils tango in front of an audience as part of their “marriage rituals” only to break the ancient relic that’s supposed to solidify their marriage??? ho…my internal organs were crushed! this man knows her without words. he knows the exact space she takes up. being without her is like a missing limb. he doesn’t even realize he’s falling for her while unfolding his—decade in the making—revenge plan. all plans crumble at the sight of Harlow. all reasoning is vanished if she’s even slightly in danger. the facade is stripped away without his permission. he is tortured, achingly so, at the fact that he CAN fall in love. mind you, he can’t see color. mind you, in order to see color one must fall in love. i think you know where this is going. 💓💓
oh did i mention he’s the captain of Yeaner-ship??
“Yes, I want your anger. Be as mad at me as you need to, just not from a forest away. Stay with me. Make me suffer for it. I'd rather be tortured by your presence than agonized by your absence." LIKE put this man out of his misery dammit!!
i would have liked an additional chapter, i say with a frown. ☹️
another thing I will say is that the writing got really repetitive at times. usually that kind of thing doesn’t bother me, but it does when you’re explaining world-building or dropping important lore, only to repeat the exact same information a few paragraphs or chapters later. it felt like the book was constantly making sure we didn’t forget that “the Divine of Whatever did Whatever to Whoever.” ho… i promise i didn’t develop amnesia between chapters. spare me please. 🙄🤚🏽
also, if I had to read the word “chafe” one more time, I was about to start chafing myself every time it showed up.
That said, I read the independently published version, so I’m hoping a lot of those repetitive sections and wording choices were cleaned up in the traditionally published edition.
i still highly recommend! let me go bang my head against a brick wall! 🤓✨
4.5 ⭐️
February 27, 2026
Yeah, so this one of those books where I don’t believe all the 5 star ratings, I’m so sorry but like….. !? YALL. come on.
I wasn’t going to write a review for this but the more I think about it I’m so annoyed and I feel like it’s community service to warn you about this
Messy & boring. Both MCs ended up being so shallow????
This started off with some of my fav elements and had the potential for an awesome dark fantasy but somehow it completely fell apart
I started to lose interest AT the wedding which should have been giggly and fun. From there it unfortunately just got way worse. The way that this just dragged and dragged and dragged…… what happened to the plot!!!?? This had the set up for SO MANY things to happen. Well!? Nothing happened. All they did was hate each other and fuck and flirt and try to manipulate each other and it was just so. damn. boring.
SO frustrating that I honestly didn’t care what happened to anybody in the end. I swear 300 pages could have been taken out 🫠 which is crazy for a standalone
I wasn’t going to write a review for this but the more I think about it I’m so annoyed and I feel like it’s community service to warn you about this
Messy & boring. Both MCs ended up being so shallow????
This started off with some of my fav elements and had the potential for an awesome dark fantasy but somehow it completely fell apart
I started to lose interest AT the wedding which should have been giggly and fun. From there it unfortunately just got way worse. The way that this just dragged and dragged and dragged…… what happened to the plot!!!?? This had the set up for SO MANY things to happen. Well!? Nothing happened. All they did was hate each other and fuck and flirt and try to manipulate each other and it was just so. damn. boring.
SO frustrating that I honestly didn’t care what happened to anybody in the end. I swear 300 pages could have been taken out 🫠 which is crazy for a standalone
June 15, 2026
ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ✦ . ⁺ idk, idc. 5 ☆ ⁺ . ✦
ㅤ ㅤ ˋ°•*⁀➷ㅤmight contain spoilers ❗
ㅤ You know what? We all deserve a guilty pleasure every once in a while, and this book is officially mine. ♡♡
ㅤ My only complaint is that this was marketed as enemies-to-lovers when that is absolutely not what this is. At this point, it should be called enemies AND lovers, because I am fairly convinced this woman will still be attempting to murder him twenty years into their marriage, and he will still be taking it as a heartfelt declaration of devotion. Safe to say, I ABSOLUTELY ADORED THIS BOOK. Everything about it just clicked perfectly for me. The characters, the dynamics, the chaos, the tension, the unhinged energy of it all. It felt like this book was specifically designed in a laboratory to appeal to my very particular tastes.
ㅤ And now comes the hardest part of all: writing a review for a book I actually enjoyed. Because apparently I find it much easier to write five paragraphs about things that annoy me than to explain why I had an amazing time.
ㅤ ㅤ “A woman can never be too rich, too confident, or too knowledgeable about poisonous plants.”
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ honest thoughts
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I loved the concept of this world and the way it was constructed. The contrast between the polished, stuck-up perfection of Lunameade and the untamed beauty of Mountain Haven was genuinely fascinating. I also loved the difference in atmosphere between the two: one serious, elegant, and refined; the other supposedly wild, instinctual, and unapologetically primal (yet far more gentle).
ㅤ What I found most interesting, though, was how beautifully the book played with those appearances. Because beneath all that elegance and class, Lunameade often hides things far more barbaric than the people it looks down upon. In contrast, those considered "primal" frequently show more honesty, loyalty, class and humanity than the supposedly civilised world ever does.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ Sadly, the whole idea of women being forced into these roles and being abused by the very people who are supposed to protect and care for them hit far too hard. It was such a beautiful yet deeply unsettling detail, especially because it mirrors issues that still exist today.
ㅤ What made it even more striking was seeing these things happen within a society that prides itself on being elegant, educated, and civilized, while the supposedly "primal" society built around instinct is the one that actually shows women more respect. It really gives you something to think about.
ㅤ And yet, both societies reflect a problem that feels increasingly familiar: women are expected to play their role, stay agreeable, remain "proper" and accept a man's protection for the sake of their own safety. Enter our FMC, who has absolutely NONE of that nonsense. I am fairly certain her husband's entire world is about to be turned upside down because of her, and honestly? I would have paid good money for an epilogue just to witness the aftermath.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ The book deals with some very harsh realities and it might definitely make you uncomfortable at times. But, if you ask me, I think this is exactly the scope of these elements being present here. You ARE MEANT to feel uncomfortable reading them just because they are meant to shock you so that you can actually understand how flawed and broken these characters actually are. Because these are some VERY FUCKED UP CHARACTERS.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ This definitely won't be everyone's cup of tea. It tackles some pretty heavy concepts, and unless you find yourself relating to the characters or understanding where they're coming from, I can easily see parts of this story feeling uncomfortable, frustrating, or even downright ridiculous. A lot of what makes this book work depends on whether you connect emotionally with its themes and characters. If you do, it hits hard. If you don't, you might spend half the book wondering what everyone else is seeing that you're missing. So, in conclusion: CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE PICKING THIS UP. I am begging you.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ On this note, I was unaware that being hunted down and "forced" to submit would be something I fuck with, but oh well...the more you know, I guess...
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I love it when I’m smart enough to spot a plot twist coming, but I love it even more when a book manages to shock me anyway. This one somehow gave me both. It let me have my little moment of intellectual superiority when I correctly guessed one of the revelations, only to immediately humble me by throwing something even more shocking my way. The audacity. I genuinely did not see some of those twists coming, and I absolutely loved that. This book kept me constantly guessing, constantly suspicious, and yet somehow completely unaware of what was actually waiting around the corner.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ Now take a seat for the romance section of this review, because this might get a bit long; I am after all a romantic at heart: give me a messed up love story that I can analyse, and you have my entire attention.
ㅤ This romance is very multifaceted in a way that is both frustrating and beautiful. I definitely had moments where I questioned what on earth was happening between these two, but at the same time, their internal monologues, their pasts, and the way they see the world constantly clarified everything.
ㅤ No, this is not a soft, fairy-tale love story built on trust, patience, and gentle emotional growth. These people are freaks. Very damaged freaks, to be clear. They are so flawed and broken that it is almost impressive they managed to find each other at all. Everything about them is unconventional, yet it works in its own strange way. It begins from something much darker, rooted in hate, but still grows into something strong enough to change them both. This love is not soft or slow. It is violent, wild, primal, and vicious, and somehow exactly the only kind of love these two could survive in.
ㅤ The ending does bring a softer edge, where both of them finally realise that their ruined selves somehow created something real between them. Something quiet and fragile, born from the need to be seen, to be safe, and to be themselves without masks. Watching them understand that what started as an act turned into something deeply authentic was genuinely beautiful.
ㅤ I will also repeat: this story deals with strong themes and very primal, intense dynamics. It is not for everyone, and whether it works for you will honestly come down to taste.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THE ENDING; NOT BECAUSE IT IS BAD (it was ✨perfection✨), BUT BECAUSE I REFUSE TO ACCEPT IT ENDED. GIVE ME 5 MORE BOOKS RIGHT NOW!!!!!
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ characters
ㅤ ALL THESE CHARACTERS ARE IN THEIR THIRTIES. AND GUESS WHAT?? THEY ACT LIKE IT!! This alone should convince you to read the book.
ㅤ ⊹ Harlow — As someone who constantly feels the need to be in control, to know everything, and to never feel like they are one step behind anyone else, I related to Harlow on a very deep level. That aspect alone added so much to my connection with the story. At times it genuinely felt like I was reading fragments of myself in her. And once that kind of empathy clicks into place with a character, it becomes almost impossible not to fall in love with the story around them. She is strong, sly, intelligent, and powerful. She understands exactly what she is capable of and uses it with a kind of calculated precision, almost like a personal form of justice. But she is also deeply lonely, searching for a space where she can finally drop the mask and just exist as herself. There is so much depth to her, and I found it incredibly compelling to watch. And honestly? A woman who dresses for herself, owns her power, and refuses to shrink for anyone else??? You dropped this, queen - 👑
ㅤ ⊹ Henry — What. A. Man. I’m not even exaggerating when I say he has rocketed up my list of book boyfriends at a speed I would personally also consider climbing him at. A man who actually acknowledges his mistakes, apologises, and immediately tries to make it right? Yes. That is the baseline emotional intelligence requirement I am willing to accept. He is just as broken as Harlow, and that’s exactly why he understands her so well. He seems to know what she needs even when she doesn’t say it out loud, and he consistently shows up for her in a way that feels both protective and grounding. He is loyal, fiercely protective of the people he loves, and manages to create the kind of safety where Harlow can finally drop her mask and just be herself. Don't worry, he is also a complete dominant freak and possesses a sassiness that should be illegal. And on top of all that? He literally goes from hating this woman to being down bad for her without even being aware of it.
ㅤ Both Harlow and Henry are broken in their own way, but God, how beautifully they manage to bring the best out of each other to light; how beautifully they complement each other without even being aware of it. And I am pretty sure she is still going to try and murder him and he will fall in love even deeper with her. I AM SORRY, I REALLY CANNOT STOP TALKING ABOUT THEM!! I LOVE THEM SO INSANELY MUCH!! I LOVE BROKEN CHARACTERS, I LOVE FLAWED CHARACTERS AND WHEN THEY COME TOGETHER TO CREATE SOMETHING SO MAGNIFICENT??? I AM GONE.
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ should you read this?
ㅤ Yes. No explanation, no additional details to try to convince you; just read it.
ㅤ Do I care that this wasn’t a perfect book? Absolutely not. The flaws, if we can even call them that, were so small and so insignificant for me that they didn’t impact my reading experience in the slightest. I loved every single moment of reading this book. Genuinely, not a second felt wasted. I need a reread immediately. I NEED THIS TO BE A SERIES!!! I NEED AT LEAST 2 MORE BOOKS OF THESE TWO BEING COMPLETELY SAVAGES TOGETHER PLEASE!!!!!
⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍendㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹
ㅤ ᯓ ✿ pre-reading ⪼
ㅤ ○ started ┆15-June-2026┆
ㅤ ㅤ ⤿ i need this to be good because i can feel a reading slump coming and i REFUSE TO BE AFFECTED BY SOMETHING LIKE THAT!!!!
ㅤ ㅤ ˋ°•*⁀➷ㅤmight contain spoilers ❗
ㅤ You know what? We all deserve a guilty pleasure every once in a while, and this book is officially mine. ♡♡
ㅤ My only complaint is that this was marketed as enemies-to-lovers when that is absolutely not what this is. At this point, it should be called enemies AND lovers, because I am fairly convinced this woman will still be attempting to murder him twenty years into their marriage, and he will still be taking it as a heartfelt declaration of devotion. Safe to say, I ABSOLUTELY ADORED THIS BOOK. Everything about it just clicked perfectly for me. The characters, the dynamics, the chaos, the tension, the unhinged energy of it all. It felt like this book was specifically designed in a laboratory to appeal to my very particular tastes.
ㅤ And now comes the hardest part of all: writing a review for a book I actually enjoyed. Because apparently I find it much easier to write five paragraphs about things that annoy me than to explain why I had an amazing time.
ㅤ ㅤ “A woman can never be too rich, too confident, or too knowledgeable about poisonous plants.”
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ honest thoughts
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I loved the concept of this world and the way it was constructed. The contrast between the polished, stuck-up perfection of Lunameade and the untamed beauty of Mountain Haven was genuinely fascinating. I also loved the difference in atmosphere between the two: one serious, elegant, and refined; the other supposedly wild, instinctual, and unapologetically primal (yet far more gentle).
ㅤ What I found most interesting, though, was how beautifully the book played with those appearances. Because beneath all that elegance and class, Lunameade often hides things far more barbaric than the people it looks down upon. In contrast, those considered "primal" frequently show more honesty, loyalty, class and humanity than the supposedly civilised world ever does.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ Sadly, the whole idea of women being forced into these roles and being abused by the very people who are supposed to protect and care for them hit far too hard. It was such a beautiful yet deeply unsettling detail, especially because it mirrors issues that still exist today.
ㅤ What made it even more striking was seeing these things happen within a society that prides itself on being elegant, educated, and civilized, while the supposedly "primal" society built around instinct is the one that actually shows women more respect. It really gives you something to think about.
ㅤ And yet, both societies reflect a problem that feels increasingly familiar: women are expected to play their role, stay agreeable, remain "proper" and accept a man's protection for the sake of their own safety. Enter our FMC, who has absolutely NONE of that nonsense. I am fairly certain her husband's entire world is about to be turned upside down because of her, and honestly? I would have paid good money for an epilogue just to witness the aftermath.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ The book deals with some very harsh realities and it might definitely make you uncomfortable at times. But, if you ask me, I think this is exactly the scope of these elements being present here. You ARE MEANT to feel uncomfortable reading them just because they are meant to shock you so that you can actually understand how flawed and broken these characters actually are. Because these are some VERY FUCKED UP CHARACTERS.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ This definitely won't be everyone's cup of tea. It tackles some pretty heavy concepts, and unless you find yourself relating to the characters or understanding where they're coming from, I can easily see parts of this story feeling uncomfortable, frustrating, or even downright ridiculous. A lot of what makes this book work depends on whether you connect emotionally with its themes and characters. If you do, it hits hard. If you don't, you might spend half the book wondering what everyone else is seeing that you're missing. So, in conclusion: CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE PICKING THIS UP. I am begging you.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ On this note, I was unaware that being hunted down and "forced" to submit would be something I fuck with, but oh well...the more you know, I guess...
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I love it when I’m smart enough to spot a plot twist coming, but I love it even more when a book manages to shock me anyway. This one somehow gave me both. It let me have my little moment of intellectual superiority when I correctly guessed one of the revelations, only to immediately humble me by throwing something even more shocking my way. The audacity. I genuinely did not see some of those twists coming, and I absolutely loved that. This book kept me constantly guessing, constantly suspicious, and yet somehow completely unaware of what was actually waiting around the corner.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ Now take a seat for the romance section of this review, because this might get a bit long; I am after all a romantic at heart: give me a messed up love story that I can analyse, and you have my entire attention.
ㅤ This romance is very multifaceted in a way that is both frustrating and beautiful. I definitely had moments where I questioned what on earth was happening between these two, but at the same time, their internal monologues, their pasts, and the way they see the world constantly clarified everything.
ㅤ No, this is not a soft, fairy-tale love story built on trust, patience, and gentle emotional growth. These people are freaks. Very damaged freaks, to be clear. They are so flawed and broken that it is almost impressive they managed to find each other at all. Everything about them is unconventional, yet it works in its own strange way. It begins from something much darker, rooted in hate, but still grows into something strong enough to change them both. This love is not soft or slow. It is violent, wild, primal, and vicious, and somehow exactly the only kind of love these two could survive in.
ㅤ The ending does bring a softer edge, where both of them finally realise that their ruined selves somehow created something real between them. Something quiet and fragile, born from the need to be seen, to be safe, and to be themselves without masks. Watching them understand that what started as an act turned into something deeply authentic was genuinely beautiful.
ㅤ I will also repeat: this story deals with strong themes and very primal, intense dynamics. It is not for everyone, and whether it works for you will honestly come down to taste.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THE ENDING; NOT BECAUSE IT IS BAD (it was ✨perfection✨), BUT BECAUSE I REFUSE TO ACCEPT IT ENDED. GIVE ME 5 MORE BOOKS RIGHT NOW!!!!!
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ characters
ㅤ ALL THESE CHARACTERS ARE IN THEIR THIRTIES. AND GUESS WHAT?? THEY ACT LIKE IT!! This alone should convince you to read the book.
ㅤ ⊹ Harlow — As someone who constantly feels the need to be in control, to know everything, and to never feel like they are one step behind anyone else, I related to Harlow on a very deep level. That aspect alone added so much to my connection with the story. At times it genuinely felt like I was reading fragments of myself in her. And once that kind of empathy clicks into place with a character, it becomes almost impossible not to fall in love with the story around them. She is strong, sly, intelligent, and powerful. She understands exactly what she is capable of and uses it with a kind of calculated precision, almost like a personal form of justice. But she is also deeply lonely, searching for a space where she can finally drop the mask and just exist as herself. There is so much depth to her, and I found it incredibly compelling to watch. And honestly? A woman who dresses for herself, owns her power, and refuses to shrink for anyone else??? You dropped this, queen - 👑
ㅤ ⊹ Henry — What. A. Man. I’m not even exaggerating when I say he has rocketed up my list of book boyfriends at a speed I would personally also consider climbing him at. A man who actually acknowledges his mistakes, apologises, and immediately tries to make it right? Yes. That is the baseline emotional intelligence requirement I am willing to accept. He is just as broken as Harlow, and that’s exactly why he understands her so well. He seems to know what she needs even when she doesn’t say it out loud, and he consistently shows up for her in a way that feels both protective and grounding. He is loyal, fiercely protective of the people he loves, and manages to create the kind of safety where Harlow can finally drop her mask and just be herself. Don't worry, he is also a complete dominant freak and possesses a sassiness that should be illegal. And on top of all that? He literally goes from hating this woman to being down bad for her without even being aware of it.
ㅤ Both Harlow and Henry are broken in their own way, but God, how beautifully they manage to bring the best out of each other to light; how beautifully they complement each other without even being aware of it. And I am pretty sure she is still going to try and murder him and he will fall in love even deeper with her. I AM SORRY, I REALLY CANNOT STOP TALKING ABOUT THEM!! I LOVE THEM SO INSANELY MUCH!! I LOVE BROKEN CHARACTERS, I LOVE FLAWED CHARACTERS AND WHEN THEY COME TOGETHER TO CREATE SOMETHING SO MAGNIFICENT??? I AM GONE.
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ should you read this?
ㅤ Yes. No explanation, no additional details to try to convince you; just read it.
ㅤ Do I care that this wasn’t a perfect book? Absolutely not. The flaws, if we can even call them that, were so small and so insignificant for me that they didn’t impact my reading experience in the slightest. I loved every single moment of reading this book. Genuinely, not a second felt wasted. I need a reread immediately. I NEED THIS TO BE A SERIES!!! I NEED AT LEAST 2 MORE BOOKS OF THESE TWO BEING COMPLETELY SAVAGES TOGETHER PLEASE!!!!!
⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍendㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹
ㅤ ᯓ ✿ pre-reading ⪼
ㅤ ○ started ┆15-June-2026┆
ㅤ ㅤ ⤿ i need this to be good because i can feel a reading slump coming and i REFUSE TO BE AFFECTED BY SOMETHING LIKE THAT!!!!
Want to Read
June 22, 2026Dah the cover is so pretty
February 15, 2026
Bro, when everyone kept telling me this book was “so me,” I was like, yeah okay… but holy fuck, they were right. I really took my time with this book. I wanted to enjoy every single moment and I had the absolute best experience.
This is fantasy romance, done absolutely right. A lot of fantasy books feel the same to me, which is fine I still enjoy them, but this hit different. It surprised me at every damn turn.
I am obsessed with this world. You’ve got the ones in power AND the the Drained Ones, who are basically just blood thirsty monsters, but who’s the real villain in this story? 👀 the family that sits at the top of the food chain has the most power, and also keeps that power hidden from the public, so no one really knows what their gifts are orrrr the undead who is terrorizing and killing.
This story is filled with so many secrets, a ton of betrayal, and so many things that you’re gonna want answers to immediately. OH AND TRAUMA because what would an amazing book be without trauma?😭😭
We have Harlow a literal fucking force of nature. She kills abusive men under her secret identity, the Poison Vixen. Her gift is my favorite 🤭She kills men with a kiss. But she’s got more tricks up her sleeve, trust me.
One day she goes to drop her kiss of death…and the dude doesn’t die. She’s shook. And then it turns out he’s the guy she’s arranged to marry from a place everyone thought was destroyed.Shes mind blown, and that officially makes Henry enemy number one.
And the banter…oh, the banter. I’m talking next-level, other dimension shit. At 80%, maybe 85% in, and I’m still convinced these two are plotting each other’s deaths. They refused to show their hand and they were playing each other like chess pieces, pulling strings, manipulating, teasing. The stakes stayed high as hell the entire book. Edge-of-your-seat doesn’t even cover it.
Harlow is now officially in my top FMCs. Sass, brains, strength, zero fucks given she’s everything. And paired with Henry somehow she shines even brighter.
Henry…ohhhh Henry. He may have done some really questionable things, but I loved him so hard. Every time Harlow cracked his armor or we got a peek inside his brain, I just knew he was down bad for her. And the way this man throws around “my wife” left and right had me barking like a doggg. He is obsessively protective, and I loved every second of it.
These two have one of my all-time favorite dynamics. The push, the pull, the banter( so playful and flirty) it never felt forced. Just perfectly, beautifully written. They both have some thing that they are fighting for, and they will stop at nothing to end on top. they’re more alike than they ever realized. That’s why they’re unstoppable.
There was ONE particular spicy scene. Holy. Fuck. I’m not saying anything you need to experience this yourself but oh my God. I might have reread it four times, don’t you dare judge me .
The way Henry claims what he wants, makes Harlow feel so fucking desired and wanted…I will never recover.
The last 15%? Lock the fuck in. You will not put this book down. The twists, the reveals, the heart-shattering moments hit so hard and land SO perfectly. I was sobbing. My heart shattered. That all come together seamlessly😭😭👏🏻👏🏻
A Big, satisfying ending that makes total sense. Not for shock value for the story. And I love that. I love that so fucking much.
Some books just resonate with me. This is One of them. Not just one of the best fantasy romances I’ve ever read, but one of the best books, period. The writing, the story, the characters, feminine RAGEEEE and a bonus a pet wolf. Nothing I would change. I closed this book feeling so satisfied and ready to tell the world to read this NOW.
This is fantasy romance, done absolutely right. A lot of fantasy books feel the same to me, which is fine I still enjoy them, but this hit different. It surprised me at every damn turn.
I am obsessed with this world. You’ve got the ones in power AND the the Drained Ones, who are basically just blood thirsty monsters, but who’s the real villain in this story? 👀 the family that sits at the top of the food chain has the most power, and also keeps that power hidden from the public, so no one really knows what their gifts are orrrr the undead who is terrorizing and killing.
This story is filled with so many secrets, a ton of betrayal, and so many things that you’re gonna want answers to immediately. OH AND TRAUMA because what would an amazing book be without trauma?😭😭
We have Harlow a literal fucking force of nature. She kills abusive men under her secret identity, the Poison Vixen. Her gift is my favorite 🤭She kills men with a kiss. But she’s got more tricks up her sleeve, trust me.
One day she goes to drop her kiss of death…and the dude doesn’t die. She’s shook. And then it turns out he’s the guy she’s arranged to marry from a place everyone thought was destroyed.Shes mind blown, and that officially makes Henry enemy number one.
And the banter…oh, the banter. I’m talking next-level, other dimension shit. At 80%, maybe 85% in, and I’m still convinced these two are plotting each other’s deaths. They refused to show their hand and they were playing each other like chess pieces, pulling strings, manipulating, teasing. The stakes stayed high as hell the entire book. Edge-of-your-seat doesn’t even cover it.
Harlow is now officially in my top FMCs. Sass, brains, strength, zero fucks given she’s everything. And paired with Henry somehow she shines even brighter.
Henry…ohhhh Henry. He may have done some really questionable things, but I loved him so hard. Every time Harlow cracked his armor or we got a peek inside his brain, I just knew he was down bad for her. And the way this man throws around “my wife” left and right had me barking like a doggg. He is obsessively protective, and I loved every second of it.
These two have one of my all-time favorite dynamics. The push, the pull, the banter( so playful and flirty) it never felt forced. Just perfectly, beautifully written. They both have some thing that they are fighting for, and they will stop at nothing to end on top. they’re more alike than they ever realized. That’s why they’re unstoppable.
There was ONE particular spicy scene. Holy. Fuck. I’m not saying anything you need to experience this yourself but oh my God. I might have reread it four times, don’t you dare judge me .
The way Henry claims what he wants, makes Harlow feel so fucking desired and wanted…I will never recover.
The last 15%? Lock the fuck in. You will not put this book down. The twists, the reveals, the heart-shattering moments hit so hard and land SO perfectly. I was sobbing. My heart shattered. That all come together seamlessly😭😭👏🏻👏🏻
A Big, satisfying ending that makes total sense. Not for shock value for the story. And I love that. I love that so fucking much.
Some books just resonate with me. This is One of them. Not just one of the best fantasy romances I’ve ever read, but one of the best books, period. The writing, the story, the characters, feminine RAGEEEE and a bonus a pet wolf. Nothing I would change. I closed this book feeling so satisfied and ready to tell the world to read this NOW.
November 10, 2025
This started off really strong for me and I loved the premise, but it unfortunately lost me in the second half. A lot of the spice was darker and just not my cup of tea. In general there was a lot of lying, manipulation, and betrayal that was glossed over and forgiven easily, so the romance fell flat for me.
Overall, there was a lot of internal monologue and a lot of build up for a hasty resolution.
The premise was there, and I loved her prose (so many great quotes!) but this one unfortunately just didn’t hit for me like I had hoped!
Overall, there was a lot of internal monologue and a lot of build up for a hasty resolution.
The premise was there, and I loved her prose (so many great quotes!) but this one unfortunately just didn’t hit for me like I had hoped!
Currently Reading
October 24, 2026700 pages? This better be worth it 🫠
Buddy reading with gorgeous 𝘂𝘀𝘄𝗮𝗵 💜
Buddy reading with gorgeous 𝘂𝘀𝘄𝗮𝗵 💜
February 7, 2026
⤷ 1/5 stars ── .✦
and the crowd is... underwhelmed?
i loathed this book. but i finished it anyway, and here's what i hated about it.
the fmc, harlow, is horrible. there's a fine line between being a 'badass woman who takes shit from no one' and a complete fucking asshole to everyone and everything, and harlow kept tap dancing right on it.
in addition to being a bitch to literally everyone who breathes her way, she is extremely classist, and cherry picks the issues she should be outraged over. here's an example; harlow thinks that all abusive men must be killed, which, you know, is great! by all means, kill those wife-beating pieces of shit! well done! now, you'd think that someone with so much compassion as harlow, who cannot bear to see women suffer at the hands of men, would have the same energy for the poor magic-less people who are brutally forced to cut themselves and donate their blood to the harlow family's well in order to fight against the vampire/creatures clawing at the gates outside, yes? oh, you'd be horribly wrong if that's the case.
little miss harlow believes that these people are selfish for refusing to give their blood two or three times a month. she thinks the young, the old, the sickly, and the pregnant are sooo self-centered, and taking their safety for granted. how dare they not donate their blood when harlow's evil, power-obsessed family are protecting the gates! how dare these magic-less vermin be against donating their blood when said family rules over them like tyrants, killing their children and letting in these vampire/creatures to steal their women and take them away to be raped! how dare they!
here are her exact words: “Say what you will about Harrick Carrenwell. He’s many awful things, but he takes his responsibility very seriously, and people take it for granted.”
okay, here's what i want to say, harlow. your father is a fucking dictator who kills literal babies in fear that they might develop the same type of magical abilities as him and threaten his rule. he's a pig who lets women be abducted and raped by bloodthirsty creatures. he's a coward who saved his own ass by directing those creatures to a defenseless fort and killing half the population there. and you want the people to be more thankful towards him? get the fuck out of here.
harlow, at heart, is simply not a good person. she's not a bad bitch, she's just a bitch. she, very frankly, is an elitist asshole, there's literally no other way to phrase it. i was genuinely shocked when she had zero character development in that regard. disgusting.
the mmc, henry, is a misogynistic, abusive piece of shit, who gave me so much secondhand embarassment. he's an immature child in a man's body. he's also a cheater. the night before he married her, he was off participating in some sort of sex ritual, kissing and getting hot with some other woman. if harlow hadn't interrupted, they would have have had sex right there. yikes. he's such a manwhore, it was insane.
there are also copious amounts of very public sex, and talks of sharing the fmc with other men, which may be a turn off for some readers, so beware of that. it's like they can't get off unless they're being watched, and it personally gave me the ick. the sex scenes were very juvenile, as much of this book was, admittedly.
the climax of the book was horrible. i assumed there would be a battle or something similar with the growing amount of bloodthirsty creatures, but no, it was all just boring family politics. instead of killing the creatures, harlow killed her parents instead. which, i guess, girl. whatever.
so what was the point of showing us how these creatures have now suddenly evolved to be able to speak? it genuinely went nowhere. the creatures were more of a mildly threatening accessory in the backdrop, which i personally believe was a huge miss of potential. i would have enjoyed it a lot more if there was some sort of battle, or if the book even explained how they would deal with that problem instead of focusing on family politics that bored me to death. instead, we got nothing. the book ended with zero information about it.
also, for a book that leaned so heavily on the 'divined' aka the gods worshipped, it would have been nice for them to have made an appearance. but it was silence from them too.
the story had so much more interesting directions it could have gone in, and the author chose to take the worst possible route by focusing on family drama.
a whole 668 pages of hot garbage. i genuinely cannot wrap my head around the high rating. ew.
and the crowd is... underwhelmed?
i loathed this book. but i finished it anyway, and here's what i hated about it.
the fmc, harlow, is horrible. there's a fine line between being a 'badass woman who takes shit from no one' and a complete fucking asshole to everyone and everything, and harlow kept tap dancing right on it.
in addition to being a bitch to literally everyone who breathes her way, she is extremely classist, and cherry picks the issues she should be outraged over. here's an example; harlow thinks that all abusive men must be killed, which, you know, is great! by all means, kill those wife-beating pieces of shit! well done! now, you'd think that someone with so much compassion as harlow, who cannot bear to see women suffer at the hands of men, would have the same energy for the poor magic-less people who are brutally forced to cut themselves and donate their blood to the harlow family's well in order to fight against the vampire/creatures clawing at the gates outside, yes? oh, you'd be horribly wrong if that's the case.
little miss harlow believes that these people are selfish for refusing to give their blood two or three times a month. she thinks the young, the old, the sickly, and the pregnant are sooo self-centered, and taking their safety for granted. how dare they not donate their blood when harlow's evil, power-obsessed family are protecting the gates! how dare these magic-less vermin be against donating their blood when said family rules over them like tyrants, killing their children and letting in these vampire/creatures to steal their women and take them away to be raped! how dare they!
here are her exact words: “Say what you will about Harrick Carrenwell. He’s many awful things, but he takes his responsibility very seriously, and people take it for granted.”
okay, here's what i want to say, harlow. your father is a fucking dictator who kills literal babies in fear that they might develop the same type of magical abilities as him and threaten his rule. he's a pig who lets women be abducted and raped by bloodthirsty creatures. he's a coward who saved his own ass by directing those creatures to a defenseless fort and killing half the population there. and you want the people to be more thankful towards him? get the fuck out of here.
harlow, at heart, is simply not a good person. she's not a bad bitch, she's just a bitch. she, very frankly, is an elitist asshole, there's literally no other way to phrase it. i was genuinely shocked when she had zero character development in that regard. disgusting.
the mmc, henry, is a misogynistic, abusive piece of shit, who gave me so much secondhand embarassment. he's an immature child in a man's body. he's also a cheater. the night before he married her, he was off participating in some sort of sex ritual, kissing and getting hot with some other woman. if harlow hadn't interrupted, they would have have had sex right there. yikes. he's such a manwhore, it was insane.
there are also copious amounts of very public sex, and talks of sharing the fmc with other men, which may be a turn off for some readers, so beware of that. it's like they can't get off unless they're being watched, and it personally gave me the ick. the sex scenes were very juvenile, as much of this book was, admittedly.
the climax of the book was horrible. i assumed there would be a battle or something similar with the growing amount of bloodthirsty creatures, but no, it was all just boring family politics. instead of killing the creatures, harlow killed her parents instead. which, i guess, girl. whatever.
so what was the point of showing us how these creatures have now suddenly evolved to be able to speak? it genuinely went nowhere. the creatures were more of a mildly threatening accessory in the backdrop, which i personally believe was a huge miss of potential. i would have enjoyed it a lot more if there was some sort of battle, or if the book even explained how they would deal with that problem instead of focusing on family politics that bored me to death. instead, we got nothing. the book ended with zero information about it.
also, for a book that leaned so heavily on the 'divined' aka the gods worshipped, it would have been nice for them to have made an appearance. but it was silence from them too.
the story had so much more interesting directions it could have gone in, and the author chose to take the worst possible route by focusing on family drama.
a whole 668 pages of hot garbage. i genuinely cannot wrap my head around the high rating. ew.
December 30, 2025
2.75/5 ⭐️ for now
This is going to be all over the place. 😅
I have no idea how I feel about this book. I’m 80% in, so I’m not done yet, but I have a lot of thoughts and feelings.
The most prominent one:
Frustration.
The premise of this book was amazing, the prose itself is good, and I was hooked for the first maybe 50%. I LOVE when an enemies to lovers is truly an enemies to lovers, and that’s certainly what this book is… Attempting to be?
However, I’m on page 518 and the enemies are still… Enemies? I think? But they don’t hate each other? They lust for each other? I don’t even know. But the lies and manipulation have gotten tired and old. It feels like there’s very little actual relationship building happening when the writing is full of the same repetitive hatred, inner monologue and conversations.
After Henry killed Gaven (SHOCKED he actually did it) and is now planning on LYING ABOUT IT, I honestly don’t see how he can be redeemed. 🥹
The FMC started out headstrong and has turned into a doormat who just likes to wear lace and pout and be sarcastic.
The MMC outside of the Gaven situation is… I don’t know? He constantly feels like a different character from one chapter to the next. I keep waiting for him to actually care about HER, and it just doesn’t happen aside from surface level feelings that aren’t enough for him to be decent just because he W A N T S to and not because he’s trying to manipulate her.
Don’t even get me started on the weird ass vampire sex (which I’m normally a fan of, mind you) that made me genuinely uncomfortable after he literally just killed Gaven and she has ✨NO IDEA✨. 😃
My bottom line is that you can’t have a 650 page book be full of that repetitive manipulation and hatred, no TRUE plot moving the story forward, boring conversations that should have been edited out, no care or TRUE moral regard between the MMC and FMC, and expect the payoff to be satisfying.
I would understand if maybe the outward dialogue was still not shifting from hatred, but the inner monologue was, but that’s not even the case. Nah, he’s STILL just thinking about lying to her and how he can get her onboard with his little “plans”. Alas, I’m positive everything will be tied up quickly during the last 30 or so pages and Harlow will forgive Henry like he didn’t kill her fucking FATHER FIGURE and manipulate her into submission. ✨✨✨
All will be well when he can see in ✨color✨ again. Because he supposedly “loves” her suddenly. 🙄
Fucking spare me. You have to make the MMC likable if you want the relationship to work in the end. Him still being a manipulative and murderous twat 80% in is not “love”. Certainly not the kind you root for, in my opinion.
At this point, I’m finishing the last 130 pages with nothing but annoyance in my heart. If my feelings change (not likely), I’ll update my review.
This is going to be all over the place. 😅
I have no idea how I feel about this book. I’m 80% in, so I’m not done yet, but I have a lot of thoughts and feelings.
The most prominent one:
Frustration.
The premise of this book was amazing, the prose itself is good, and I was hooked for the first maybe 50%. I LOVE when an enemies to lovers is truly an enemies to lovers, and that’s certainly what this book is… Attempting to be?
However, I’m on page 518 and the enemies are still… Enemies? I think? But they don’t hate each other? They lust for each other? I don’t even know. But the lies and manipulation have gotten tired and old. It feels like there’s very little actual relationship building happening when the writing is full of the same repetitive hatred, inner monologue and conversations.
After Henry killed Gaven (SHOCKED he actually did it) and is now planning on LYING ABOUT IT, I honestly don’t see how he can be redeemed. 🥹
The FMC started out headstrong and has turned into a doormat who just likes to wear lace and pout and be sarcastic.
The MMC outside of the Gaven situation is… I don’t know? He constantly feels like a different character from one chapter to the next. I keep waiting for him to actually care about HER, and it just doesn’t happen aside from surface level feelings that aren’t enough for him to be decent just because he W A N T S to and not because he’s trying to manipulate her.
Don’t even get me started on the weird ass vampire sex (which I’m normally a fan of, mind you) that made me genuinely uncomfortable after he literally just killed Gaven and she has ✨NO IDEA✨. 😃
My bottom line is that you can’t have a 650 page book be full of that repetitive manipulation and hatred, no TRUE plot moving the story forward, boring conversations that should have been edited out, no care or TRUE moral regard between the MMC and FMC, and expect the payoff to be satisfying.
I would understand if maybe the outward dialogue was still not shifting from hatred, but the inner monologue was, but that’s not even the case. Nah, he’s STILL just thinking about lying to her and how he can get her onboard with his little “plans”. Alas, I’m positive everything will be tied up quickly during the last 30 or so pages and Harlow will forgive Henry like he didn’t kill her fucking FATHER FIGURE and manipulate her into submission. ✨✨✨
All will be well when he can see in ✨color✨ again. Because he supposedly “loves” her suddenly. 🙄
Fucking spare me. You have to make the MMC likable if you want the relationship to work in the end. Him still being a manipulative and murderous twat 80% in is not “love”. Certainly not the kind you root for, in my opinion.
At this point, I’m finishing the last 130 pages with nothing but annoyance in my heart. If my feelings change (not likely), I’ll update my review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
on-hold
August 16, 2026── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
ִֶָ. 𓂃˖꣹ pre-read ꧔⟢ ִֶָ࿐
ahh this book has been on my tbr foreverrr but for reasons unbeknownst to me, i was so scared to start iti haven't seen many negative reviews so nmf i found it intimidating lolol. (#moodreaderthings)
but it's finally tiiiime ehehe.
(lowk im still in a reading slump rn but we won't talk abt that. i can force the slump away ik i can)
br w my loveliest hamsa💘
ִֶָ. 𓂃˖꣹ pre-read ꧔⟢ ִֶָ࿐
ahh this book has been on my tbr foreverrr but for reasons unbeknownst to me, i was so scared to start it
but it's finally tiiiime ehehe.
(lowk im still in a reading slump rn but we won't talk abt that. i can force the slump away ik i can)
br w my loveliest hamsa💘
February 15, 2026
“I'd rather be tortured by your presence than
agonized by your absence." I kept pausing just to savour all these perfect lines! If it wasn’t the hilariously sharp jabs, then it was those heartfelt, swoony lines that left your heart in pieces.
I need all these quotes on a tote bag, a bumper sticker, or honestly, I’d even accept this author drafting my future (hypothetical) wedding vows. Either one works. I’m not picky..
These characters were my kind of characters. Never 2D, always more to discover. I mean, Harlow was an undercover vigilante taking out women’s abusers. As she said ‘In the absence of a conscience, men need something to fear. I've made myself their monster.’ Her actions were unpredictable, and you never really knew what would come out of her mouth.
I fake a pout. "I can't believe you would doubt how much I miss my beloved..."
Aidia's lips twitch into a smirk at my long
pause. "Marc."
I snap. "Marc! It was on the tip of my tongue. I'm so bereft I nearly forgot his name.
See, this was just the start of the book and I already loved her!! That along with the early plot twist, which was welcome and very hot, had me hooked straight away.
This was the arranged-marriage trope, so once we met the hero in pretty surprising circumstances, it shifted to dual POV. I really enjoyed having both perspectives in this book, which I usually don’t…From the start, you knew they both had ulterior motives for entering into this marriage. Because you knew this, you were able to analyse their actions and facades as you read, instead of having to think back later.
Also, a moment of silence for the sexual tension, angst, subtle touches, and continuous glances. Top tier, no notes 👌I love enemies-to-lovers, and I honestly think it is a really hard trope to master. Most books have bickering just to fill pages and prove they are enemies, but this one doesn’t. They argue, but not just for the sake of hearing themselves talk. They know when silence says more than words ever could.
Their arguments are pure, unmatched banter. Somehow every verbal jab just proves they’re perfect for each other. They tease constantly, with words, with looks, with that deliberate step just a little too close, only to pretend it meant absolutely nothing. It’s flirtation disguised as a fight, and it’s glorious 🙌 Also it is important to mention that there is one horse a lot of the time…which produced this gem.
He slaps a hand on my ass. "Now get on the f*cking horse, like a good little wife."
Sir, I’m already in that saddle 🎠
It included so many moments I didn’t even know I needed, like the relationship between Bea and Harlow. I was fully convinced this was about to turn into a sapphic romance (pre-hero) and I was fully invested. When she pushed her against that wall 🫦. I understand they are just best friends…now, but don’t tease me with that kind of chemistry.
I think the book beautifully captures those quiet, aching moments of broken people fixing their masks just enough to get through the day. Refusing to be swallowed by grief or the weight of their past. Every time they said “I hate you,” whether in the heat of an argument or when something real slipped through, it felt less like a declaration and more like a reminder to themselves.
I desperately need to mention the plot twist at 85 percent. It absolutely ripped my heart out of my chest. I feel like I should have seen it coming, and now it makes perfect sense, which somehow makes it worse. It was shocking and raw and completely devastating, and yes, I cried. It was everything.
This book is longggg (like my review 😅). Not a complaint, just an observation. Around the 50 percent mark, I could have used a little break. I’m not saying it should have been two books, but I wouldn’t have opposed it. At times, the inner monologue dragged a little, yet the plot is so unique it feels wrong not to give it five stars, and I know I’ll reread it.
It’s a standalone, no epilogue, and honestly, I didn’t need one. The ending fits the characters perfectly, thinking that far into the future just isn’t in their personalities.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. The story wasn’t a carbon-copy fantasy. It had funny moments, shocking moments, and devastating moments, and none overpowered the others. You should definitely read it! Now’s a good time.
agonized by your absence." I kept pausing just to savour all these perfect lines! If it wasn’t the hilariously sharp jabs, then it was those heartfelt, swoony lines that left your heart in pieces.
I need all these quotes on a tote bag, a bumper sticker, or honestly, I’d even accept this author drafting my future (hypothetical) wedding vows. Either one works. I’m not picky..
These characters were my kind of characters. Never 2D, always more to discover. I mean, Harlow was an undercover vigilante taking out women’s abusers. As she said ‘In the absence of a conscience, men need something to fear. I've made myself their monster.’ Her actions were unpredictable, and you never really knew what would come out of her mouth.
I fake a pout. "I can't believe you would doubt how much I miss my beloved..."
Aidia's lips twitch into a smirk at my long
pause. "Marc."
I snap. "Marc! It was on the tip of my tongue. I'm so bereft I nearly forgot his name.
See, this was just the start of the book and I already loved her!! That along with the early plot twist, which was welcome and very hot, had me hooked straight away.
This was the arranged-marriage trope, so once we met the hero in pretty surprising circumstances, it shifted to dual POV. I really enjoyed having both perspectives in this book, which I usually don’t…From the start, you knew they both had ulterior motives for entering into this marriage. Because you knew this, you were able to analyse their actions and facades as you read, instead of having to think back later.
Also, a moment of silence for the sexual tension, angst, subtle touches, and continuous glances. Top tier, no notes 👌I love enemies-to-lovers, and I honestly think it is a really hard trope to master. Most books have bickering just to fill pages and prove they are enemies, but this one doesn’t. They argue, but not just for the sake of hearing themselves talk. They know when silence says more than words ever could.
Their arguments are pure, unmatched banter. Somehow every verbal jab just proves they’re perfect for each other. They tease constantly, with words, with looks, with that deliberate step just a little too close, only to pretend it meant absolutely nothing. It’s flirtation disguised as a fight, and it’s glorious 🙌 Also it is important to mention that there is one horse a lot of the time…which produced this gem.
He slaps a hand on my ass. "Now get on the f*cking horse, like a good little wife."
Sir, I’m already in that saddle 🎠
It included so many moments I didn’t even know I needed, like the relationship between Bea and Harlow. I was fully convinced this was about to turn into a sapphic romance (pre-hero) and I was fully invested. When she pushed her against that wall 🫦. I understand they are just best friends…now, but don’t tease me with that kind of chemistry.
I think the book beautifully captures those quiet, aching moments of broken people fixing their masks just enough to get through the day. Refusing to be swallowed by grief or the weight of their past. Every time they said “I hate you,” whether in the heat of an argument or when something real slipped through, it felt less like a declaration and more like a reminder to themselves.
I desperately need to mention the plot twist at 85 percent. It absolutely ripped my heart out of my chest. I feel like I should have seen it coming, and now it makes perfect sense, which somehow makes it worse. It was shocking and raw and completely devastating, and yes, I cried. It was everything.
This book is longggg (like my review 😅). Not a complaint, just an observation. Around the 50 percent mark, I could have used a little break. I’m not saying it should have been two books, but I wouldn’t have opposed it. At times, the inner monologue dragged a little, yet the plot is so unique it feels wrong not to give it five stars, and I know I’ll reread it.
It’s a standalone, no epilogue, and honestly, I didn’t need one. The ending fits the characters perfectly, thinking that far into the future just isn’t in their personalities.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. The story wasn’t a carbon-copy fantasy. It had funny moments, shocking moments, and devastating moments, and none overpowered the others. You should definitely read it! Now’s a good time.
August 11, 2026
3 - 3.5 Stars...
Man, this was a chunker.
I'm having a hard time putting my thoughts together about this brick for whatever reason.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Harlow bordered on "not like other girls" a little too much for me. I found her frustrating at times and she didn't offer up too much character development...but I can't say she wasn't true to the character and background that Masterson gave her. Stalwart and inflexibly true.
Her family dynamics, magic system, and world was interesting...but I called the As a result the motivation and stakes just felt lower to me? I don't know.
I digress.
I really liked Henry, his family, his world, and his background.
And the marriage ritual thing?
Dayum.
One full star for just that, folks.
Round. of. Applause.
(I would have rounded down otherwise, not even lying)
I will say the romance lacked a lot for me in important ways otherwise though. I never felt Harlow's connection to Henry all the way. The push/pull was so circular and never-ending. It lasted way too long and, after a while (7,000,000 pages in), I just didn't care anymore. Which made me not invested in their love and connection overall, sadly.
I also felt there was a lot of redundancy here. A LOT. Certain thoughts, feelings, and issues were endlessly rehashed and could have done with some additional distillation. And while some topics were beat into the veritable ground, other plot and character arcs were just abandoned to their own ends.
But anyway.
Overall, I found this book to be entertaining.
I recommend it to anyone who finds the premise interesting.
Man, this was a chunker.
I'm having a hard time putting my thoughts together about this brick for whatever reason.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Harlow bordered on "not like other girls" a little too much for me. I found her frustrating at times and she didn't offer up too much character development...but I can't say she wasn't true to the character and background that Masterson gave her. Stalwart and inflexibly true.
Her family dynamics, magic system, and world was interesting...but I called the As a result the motivation and stakes just felt lower to me? I don't know.
I digress.
I really liked Henry, his family, his world, and his background.
And the marriage ritual thing?
Dayum.
One full star for just that, folks.
Round. of. Applause.
(I would have rounded down otherwise, not even lying)
I will say the romance lacked a lot for me in important ways otherwise though. I never felt Harlow's connection to Henry all the way. The push/pull was so circular and never-ending. It lasted way too long and, after a while (7,000,000 pages in), I just didn't care anymore. Which made me not invested in their love and connection overall, sadly.
I also felt there was a lot of redundancy here. A LOT. Certain thoughts, feelings, and issues were endlessly rehashed and could have done with some additional distillation. And while some topics were beat into the veritable ground, other plot and character arcs were just abandoned to their own ends.
But anyway.
Overall, I found this book to be entertaining.
I recommend it to anyone who finds the premise interesting.
Currently Reading
October 24, 2026𖣂๋࣭ ⭑ pre-read 𖣂๋࣭ ⭑
Guess who’s back?? 👀 Bestie Krisha 🙂↕️💜 So ofc, we have to do a buddy read 🤭💜 This time, we decided to read a Romantasy 🤭🙂↕️ But damnnn, this book is THICKKKKKK 😭
Guess who’s back?? 👀 Bestie Krisha 🙂↕️💜 So ofc, we have to do a buddy read 🤭💜 This time, we decided to read a Romantasy 🤭🙂↕️ But damnnn, this book is THICKKKKKK 😭
Currently Reading
May 11, 2026—— 𖣂 pre-read
I started reading this abroad and didn’t think I’d log it on goodreads as a little break BUT I’M SO INVESTED I SIMPLY HAVE TO. Currently on chapter 9, it’s slow starting but so interesting so far. Begging it doesn’t go downhill.
Edit: okay what the hell man. Planning on hooking up with another woman 200 pages into the book is not ittttt 🥴
I started reading this abroad and didn’t think I’d log it on goodreads as a little break BUT I’M SO INVESTED I SIMPLY HAVE TO. Currently on chapter 9, it’s slow starting but so interesting so far. Begging it doesn’t go downhill.
Edit: okay what the hell man. Planning on hooking up with another woman 200 pages into the book is not ittttt 🥴
January 3, 2026
Listen… I do not hand out six-star ratings. Like, ever. But this book? Yeah. It earned it. I loved it. No notes. Dark fantasy/romantasy done the way it’s supposed to be done.
I’ve been so burnt out on romantasy lately that when a friend told me I needed to read this, I fully rolled my eyes and said, “... sure.” Joke’s on me because I was immediately obsessed.
We’re introduced to a city surrounded by blood-sucking monsters called The Drained, ruled by a powerful magical family who maintain a vice-like grip on power under the guise of “protection.” Each sibling possesses a different magic, each one carefully exploited by their parents to keep control. That is, until word arrives that a long-lost city survived a Drained purge ten years earlier… and they’re coming with a son and a marriage proposal.
Enter our FMC and MMC, Harlow and Henry, both bound by duty to see this union through, which is exactly what makes this story so damn entertaining! These two are a match made in revenge heaven, each coming fully equipped with their own secrets. One of those secrets? Harlow’s magic. When Harlow kisses you… You die. This ability also allows her to rid the city of men who abuse their wives, earning her the title “The Poison Vixen.”
There’s just one problem... Henry, her new fiancé, is immune.
What follows is a delicious battle of wits, with both characters trying to outsmart the other. Harlow is incredibly relatable, and her love and need to protect her sister, Aidia, from her abusive husband is the driving force behind everything she does. Mirroring Henry’s own motivations following the death of his own sister. They’re fighting for the same thing, just from opposite sides of the fence.
I absolutely loved Harlow. She’s relatable, fiercely strong, and relentlessly driven. I cannot stand weak FMCs, and our girl is anything but. AND HENRY... well, he isn't too bad himself and has a bit of a kink for primal play, which immediately had me sat.
AND the mic drop moments??? Dear lord, there are a few. It's hard to get things over on me, but several times I was left stunned. Truly.
This was the perfect book to usher in 2026. My only complaint? I wanted more. I could easily read a million pages of Harlow and Henry.
If you do not add this gem to your TBR you are missing out. I am going to have the biggest book hangover now.
I’ve been so burnt out on romantasy lately that when a friend told me I needed to read this, I fully rolled my eyes and said, “... sure.” Joke’s on me because I was immediately obsessed.
We’re introduced to a city surrounded by blood-sucking monsters called The Drained, ruled by a powerful magical family who maintain a vice-like grip on power under the guise of “protection.” Each sibling possesses a different magic, each one carefully exploited by their parents to keep control. That is, until word arrives that a long-lost city survived a Drained purge ten years earlier… and they’re coming with a son and a marriage proposal.
Enter our FMC and MMC, Harlow and Henry, both bound by duty to see this union through, which is exactly what makes this story so damn entertaining! These two are a match made in revenge heaven, each coming fully equipped with their own secrets. One of those secrets? Harlow’s magic. When Harlow kisses you… You die. This ability also allows her to rid the city of men who abuse their wives, earning her the title “The Poison Vixen.”
There’s just one problem... Henry, her new fiancé, is immune.
What follows is a delicious battle of wits, with both characters trying to outsmart the other. Harlow is incredibly relatable, and her love and need to protect her sister, Aidia, from her abusive husband is the driving force behind everything she does. Mirroring Henry’s own motivations following the death of his own sister. They’re fighting for the same thing, just from opposite sides of the fence.
I absolutely loved Harlow. She’s relatable, fiercely strong, and relentlessly driven. I cannot stand weak FMCs, and our girl is anything but. AND HENRY... well, he isn't too bad himself and has a bit of a kink for primal play, which immediately had me sat.
AND the mic drop moments??? Dear lord, there are a few. It's hard to get things over on me, but several times I was left stunned. Truly.
This was the perfect book to usher in 2026. My only complaint? I wanted more. I could easily read a million pages of Harlow and Henry.
If you do not add this gem to your TBR you are missing out. I am going to have the biggest book hangover now.
January 3, 2026
Did I read the same book as everyone else? Why are there a bunch of glowing reviews?
Look, It started off strong and had me completely hooked… and then it just slowly dwindled into nothing.
Why is this book so long?! Barely anything happened. It became a wash-and-repeat cycle a million times over: lie, backstab, flirt, f**k, repeat. Over and over. Same drama, different chapter.
I’m honestly mad at myself for pushing through and finishing it. Considering the size of this book, I really should have DNF’d, but the reviews were so good that I kept convincing myself it would eventually pick up. Maybe it will get better… It didn’t.
Instead, it just dragged on and on, long past the point where it should have wrapped up. 😩
Also, there are plot holes the size of wazoo too.
The FMC started off strong, but she lost her wit as soon as the MMC came into the picture. After that, they were both just messy. It’s fine if you love a true enemies-to-lovers vibe, but when it came to the love part, it didn’t make sense. There was a chasm of drama between them, and I couldn’t see why they were suddenly hit by the love bug. Yer, no… not it.
To sum it up, I won’t recommend.
Look, It started off strong and had me completely hooked… and then it just slowly dwindled into nothing.
Why is this book so long?! Barely anything happened. It became a wash-and-repeat cycle a million times over: lie, backstab, flirt, f**k, repeat. Over and over. Same drama, different chapter.
I’m honestly mad at myself for pushing through and finishing it. Considering the size of this book, I really should have DNF’d, but the reviews were so good that I kept convincing myself it would eventually pick up. Maybe it will get better… It didn’t.
Instead, it just dragged on and on, long past the point where it should have wrapped up. 😩
Also, there are plot holes the size of wazoo too.
The FMC started off strong, but she lost her wit as soon as the MMC came into the picture. After that, they were both just messy. It’s fine if you love a true enemies-to-lovers vibe, but when it came to the love part, it didn’t make sense. There was a chasm of drama between them, and I couldn’t see why they were suddenly hit by the love bug. Yer, no… not it.
To sum it up, I won’t recommend.
February 13, 2026
NOT RECOMMEND UNLESS YOU HATE YOURSELF AND ALSO ROMANCE
STARTED THIS BOOK LIKE: 😍 Enemies to lovers? Obsession? Marriage of convenience? Inject it.
ENDED THIS BOOK LIKE: 🤡 Enemies to lovers? Where?? What enemies? What lovers?? These two are just horny coworkers who got lost on the way to a plot.
THE MATH AIN'T MATHING:
First 40%: Omg this is so good, best book of the year, telling my grandkids about it.
Next 50%: Wait... are we... in a loop? Same fight. Same broody stare. Same 'I hate you but also want to sit on your face' energy. Got it.
Last 10%: MMC suddenly goes "I love you" outta nowhere like he just remembered he’s in a romance novel. Sir. WHAT feelings? When did those develop? During the commercial break??
"Enemies to lovers" implies there were enemies. These two skipped enemies, skipped friends, skipped lovers, and went straight to "lust demons with a marriage certificate." The only spark between them is friction from how hard the plot is dragging.
MMC, HALL OF FAME FOR WORST ROMANTIC LEAD:
Not possessive. Not caring. Not even paying attention. Man kissed the Other Woman after marrying FMC and was two seconds from a full deposition before FMC walked in. Your honor, that’s not a red flag, that’s the entire Soviet flag parade. But sure, let’s believe his 90% mark confession of undying love. Bro discovered emotions via Amazon Prime same-day delivery.
PLOT? WE DON'T KNOW HER
If "repeating the same 3 arguments for 500 pages" is a plot, then I’m Shakespeare. There’s more development in a bowl of instant ramen. At 90% they’re still copy-pasting dialogue from Chapter 6 like it’s their job.
WOULD REREAD IF I EVER NEED TO REMEMBER WHY I HAVE TRUST ISSUES
STARTED THIS BOOK LIKE: 😍 Enemies to lovers? Obsession? Marriage of convenience? Inject it.
ENDED THIS BOOK LIKE: 🤡 Enemies to lovers? Where?? What enemies? What lovers?? These two are just horny coworkers who got lost on the way to a plot.
THE MATH AIN'T MATHING:
First 40%: Omg this is so good, best book of the year, telling my grandkids about it.
Next 50%: Wait... are we... in a loop? Same fight. Same broody stare. Same 'I hate you but also want to sit on your face' energy. Got it.
Last 10%: MMC suddenly goes "I love you" outta nowhere like he just remembered he’s in a romance novel. Sir. WHAT feelings? When did those develop? During the commercial break??
"Enemies to lovers" implies there were enemies. These two skipped enemies, skipped friends, skipped lovers, and went straight to "lust demons with a marriage certificate." The only spark between them is friction from how hard the plot is dragging.
MMC, HALL OF FAME FOR WORST ROMANTIC LEAD:
Not possessive. Not caring. Not even paying attention. Man kissed the Other Woman after marrying FMC and was two seconds from a full deposition before FMC walked in. Your honor, that’s not a red flag, that’s the entire Soviet flag parade. But sure, let’s believe his 90% mark confession of undying love. Bro discovered emotions via Amazon Prime same-day delivery.
PLOT? WE DON'T KNOW HER
If "repeating the same 3 arguments for 500 pages" is a plot, then I’m Shakespeare. There’s more development in a bowl of instant ramen. At 90% they’re still copy-pasting dialogue from Chapter 6 like it’s their job.
WOULD REREAD IF I EVER NEED TO REMEMBER WHY I HAVE TRUST ISSUES
October 21, 2026
🎧 Control -Halsey 🎧
⇆ㅤ ◁◁ ❚❚ ▷▷ㅤ ↻
The Poison Daughter completely pulled me into its dark and dangerous world and ofcourse there is Henry, need I say more...
I love fantasy stories with morally gray characters, and Harlow Carrenwell was the kind of heroine I couldn't stop rooting for. Look at times she was a bitch, but I'm not one to talk, so I am am not going to judge. She's fierce, flawed, and determined to protect vulnerable women, abd deeply driven by her desire for revenge and justice, even when her methods are brutal. What I enjoyed most was that she wasn't written as a perfect character. Her struggles, choices, and emotional battles made her feel real and unforgettable. The more you get into the story the more you learn about the why's. Why she is the way she is and why she does what she does. The twists kept twisting in this one let me tell you.
The relationship between Harlow and Henry was my favourite part of the book. The tension, banter, and slow development of trust kept me turning pages. Their enemies-to-lovers journey felt intense and believable, but let's be honest they were more like enemies and lovers because I don't see this man ever having a day's worth of peace with this woman in his life. And believe me he is exactly where he wants to be.
Henry is so HOOOOOT. That man would have me on my knees in half a second flat no lies. At first, he seems mysterious and impossible to trust, which makes sense considering he comes from a rival family and suddenly becomes the one person immune to Harlow's deadly kiss. Instead of being intimidated by her reputation or trying to control her, he challenges her in ways that force her to confront her fears, beliefs, and vulnerabilities.
What makes Henry stand out is that he's far more than a typical fantasy love interest. Beneath his confidence and wit is someone carrying his own burdens and secrets. As the story unfolds, his actions reveal a deep loyalty and compassion that contrast beautifully with Harlow's guarded nature. I loved watching their relationship evolve because Henry doesn't try to "fix" Harlow or change who she is. Instead, he sees all the darkness she carries and chooses to stand beside her anyway.
Their chemistry is incredible, but what made me truly invest in them as a couple was the emotional connection they built. The banter is sharp, the tension is irresistible, the spice is SPICY damnnnnn I needed to fan myself, and the moments when Henry lets his guard down are some of the most powerful in the book. He becomes Harlow's equal in every sense, matching her strength while also providing the understanding and acceptance she desperately needs.
I also loved the atmosphere of the story. The dark fantasy setting, dangerous forests, family secrets, and supernatural elements created a world that felt both magical and threatening. There were plenty of twists that surprised me for real... I really didn't see some of them coming. Maybe I was just to into Henry to notice.
What didn't make this a full 5 star was that some things were left open ended and questions remained unanswered some of the plot fell a bit flat or made me say huh???? BUT OVERALL, The Poison Daughter was more than just a romance. It was a story about survival,dealing with grief, justice, trust, and learning to let someone see the parts of yourself you try to hide from everyone.
⇆ㅤ ◁◁ ❚❚ ▷▷ㅤ ↻
The Poison Daughter completely pulled me into its dark and dangerous world and ofcourse there is Henry, need I say more...
I love fantasy stories with morally gray characters, and Harlow Carrenwell was the kind of heroine I couldn't stop rooting for. Look at times she was a bitch, but I'm not one to talk, so I am am not going to judge. She's fierce, flawed, and determined to protect vulnerable women, abd deeply driven by her desire for revenge and justice, even when her methods are brutal. What I enjoyed most was that she wasn't written as a perfect character. Her struggles, choices, and emotional battles made her feel real and unforgettable. The more you get into the story the more you learn about the why's. Why she is the way she is and why she does what she does. The twists kept twisting in this one let me tell you.
The relationship between Harlow and Henry was my favourite part of the book. The tension, banter, and slow development of trust kept me turning pages. Their enemies-to-lovers journey felt intense and believable, but let's be honest they were more like enemies and lovers because I don't see this man ever having a day's worth of peace with this woman in his life. And believe me he is exactly where he wants to be.
Henry is so HOOOOOT. That man would have me on my knees in half a second flat no lies. At first, he seems mysterious and impossible to trust, which makes sense considering he comes from a rival family and suddenly becomes the one person immune to Harlow's deadly kiss. Instead of being intimidated by her reputation or trying to control her, he challenges her in ways that force her to confront her fears, beliefs, and vulnerabilities.
What makes Henry stand out is that he's far more than a typical fantasy love interest. Beneath his confidence and wit is someone carrying his own burdens and secrets. As the story unfolds, his actions reveal a deep loyalty and compassion that contrast beautifully with Harlow's guarded nature. I loved watching their relationship evolve because Henry doesn't try to "fix" Harlow or change who she is. Instead, he sees all the darkness she carries and chooses to stand beside her anyway.
Their chemistry is incredible, but what made me truly invest in them as a couple was the emotional connection they built. The banter is sharp, the tension is irresistible, the spice is SPICY damnnnnn I needed to fan myself, and the moments when Henry lets his guard down are some of the most powerful in the book. He becomes Harlow's equal in every sense, matching her strength while also providing the understanding and acceptance she desperately needs.
I also loved the atmosphere of the story. The dark fantasy setting, dangerous forests, family secrets, and supernatural elements created a world that felt both magical and threatening. There were plenty of twists that surprised me for real... I really didn't see some of them coming. Maybe I was just to into Henry to notice.
What didn't make this a full 5 star was that some things were left open ended and questions remained unanswered some of the plot fell a bit flat or made me say huh???? BUT OVERALL, The Poison Daughter was more than just a romance. It was a story about survival,dealing with grief, justice, trust, and learning to let someone see the parts of yourself you try to hide from everyone.
Did Not Finish
September 20, 2026DNF at 55%. I really enjoyed the beginning but as the book went on I was getting bored with the plot development. Scenes started feeling repetitive and there was a big focus on lust and less true romantic development than I had hoped for.
October 3, 2026
i love them both with all my heart omggg, harlow is exactly my type of girl.
my quotes
“I wanted to kill you. Was my blade in your chest not obvious enough?” I snap.
He smiles against my skin. “You’re too well-trained to have missed my heart.”
“She turned my scars into stars and now she’s gone.”
I see the war in her. I see a monster who doesn’t want to spread the hurt around. Just like I see the woman who knows how easily she could tip over that edge and become the thing she fears.
I can’t believe how my mother’s mind has written over reality with a narrative that makes her blameless.
“Beautiful, wretched wife. You will be my undoing.”
“I just want—” My voice cracks, and I take a deep breath. “Certainty.”
my quotes
“I wanted to kill you. Was my blade in your chest not obvious enough?” I snap.
He smiles against my skin. “You’re too well-trained to have missed my heart.”
“She turned my scars into stars and now she’s gone.”
I see the war in her. I see a monster who doesn’t want to spread the hurt around. Just like I see the woman who knows how easily she could tip over that edge and become the thing she fears.
I can’t believe how my mother’s mind has written over reality with a narrative that makes her blameless.
“Beautiful, wretched wife. You will be my undoing.”
“I just want—” My voice cracks, and I take a deep breath. “Certainty.”
January 22, 2026
With over 7500 ratings and a 4.5 star average, I was SO excited to read this book. By the summary, it had everything I loved.
Female vigilante ✅
Arranged marriage ✅
Wounded heroine ✅
Who-did-this-to-you? ✅
~and yet~
I must have read a different book than near everyone else. Even in the rest of the 1 star reviews, I didn’t see how absolutely unredeemable the MMC is. He is a complete and total piece of $h!t. Here she is, moonlighting as a woman-abuser killer, yet she marries an emotionally and sexually abusive man? If the trigger warnings had included dub-con and non-con, I’d have dipped out so fast. But I am SHOCKED at the sheer amount of people who don’t see what he did to her at 80-ish% as rape.
I don’t think the insta-love to loathe to love trope can ever be done well - and if it can, it certainly wasn’t here. There was NO chemistry whatsoever between the MCs, and the MMC clearly only wanted her for sex (which was rarely fully consensual). It felt like a trainwreck I couldn’t look away from. I HATE the stupid body-betrayal trope and I rated this one star and left the harsh review because if you’re going to have that, LABEL IT AS A TRIGGER.
Also, let’s not get started on the pretty much cheating ass manwhore this guy is. On the night before his betrothal he’s getting it on with a chick within two mins of meeting her. Then after their betrothal announcement, he gets it on with another woman. Yet HE HAS THE EFFING AUDACITY to get pissed every time she even looks at or entertains the attention of other men? And when she brings that up, he just smirks and is like “oooooh you’re jealous.”
Don’t even get me started on the tRuE lOvE iS tHe AnSwEr trope 😭 that was some middle grade plot $h!t.
I can’t believe I read this whole thing but I kept hoping there was some of redemption for this guy. There’s not. He’s horrible. If the TWs had actually been accurate, I probably would have given it 2 stars (it was also poorly written and ridiculously repetitive to the point it could have been 200 pages shorter). I honestly probably wouldn’t have read it at all, because I know my triggers and stay away from them in order to be fair to the author. It’s not fair to rate a book low because you ignored the TWs. But rating it low because the author was disingenuous in them? I will do that every time. Especially because it gives such a horrible expectation of what “good” men “should be like.”
Female vigilante ✅
Arranged marriage ✅
Wounded heroine ✅
Who-did-this-to-you? ✅
~and yet~
I must have read a different book than near everyone else. Even in the rest of the 1 star reviews, I didn’t see how absolutely unredeemable the MMC is. He is a complete and total piece of $h!t. Here she is, moonlighting as a woman-abuser killer, yet she marries an emotionally and sexually abusive man? If the trigger warnings had included dub-con and non-con, I’d have dipped out so fast. But I am SHOCKED at the sheer amount of people who don’t see what he did to her at 80-ish% as rape.
I don’t think the insta-love to loathe to love trope can ever be done well - and if it can, it certainly wasn’t here. There was NO chemistry whatsoever between the MCs, and the MMC clearly only wanted her for sex (which was rarely fully consensual). It felt like a trainwreck I couldn’t look away from. I HATE the stupid body-betrayal trope and I rated this one star and left the harsh review because if you’re going to have that, LABEL IT AS A TRIGGER.
Also, let’s not get started on the pretty much cheating ass manwhore this guy is. On the night before his betrothal he’s getting it on with a chick within two mins of meeting her. Then after their betrothal announcement, he gets it on with another woman. Yet HE HAS THE EFFING AUDACITY to get pissed every time she even looks at or entertains the attention of other men? And when she brings that up, he just smirks and is like “oooooh you’re jealous.”
Don’t even get me started on the tRuE lOvE iS tHe AnSwEr trope 😭 that was some middle grade plot $h!t.
I can’t believe I read this whole thing but I kept hoping there was some of redemption for this guy. There’s not. He’s horrible. If the TWs had actually been accurate, I probably would have given it 2 stars (it was also poorly written and ridiculously repetitive to the point it could have been 200 pages shorter). I honestly probably wouldn’t have read it at all, because I know my triggers and stay away from them in order to be fair to the author. It’s not fair to rate a book low because you ignored the TWs. But rating it low because the author was disingenuous in them? I will do that every time. Especially because it gives such a horrible expectation of what “good” men “should be like.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2026
⥼~-✰-~⥽ ☽ ˚♡⋆˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗⥼~-✰-~⥽ ☽
STOPPPP THIS WAS JUST 🤌🤌
Okay I wasn’t at all going to think about this book… if I was going to enjoy it or not.. but man am I wrong I was immediately hooked after chapter 1 the worldbuilding of it being vampires across the town.. protectors to protect the village ? Like what more can we need from this ??
The way I couldn’t put this one down soon as I started needed more.. the tension we had the drama definitely caught my attention.
I loved the worldbuilding of learning more about Lunameade I just found really interesting especially knowing there’s bloodsuckers outside that people are scared of making there way into…I just found the pacing of this book really well written wasn’t too rushed in the worldbuilding which I find in fantasy it’s either too slow or too quick..
The only downfall I thought was slightly triggering which I didn’t expect in this was these poor women being mysteriously missing and being abused badly physically that people are supposed to protect the women I found it quiet disturbing in a lot ways felt so bad for them. I do feel like this might not be for everyone standard to read just with how high the abuse talk is in this one but it is a harsh reality that to recognise this but in a way it has been written beautifully how it’s been described you do feel bad for these characters how they suffered so much in this book still trying to be badasses too still trying to save the world of vampires intruders.
Now let’s get into the characters 🤌my longest introduction yet! 🤭🤪
˚┊✦Harlow:
Okay I represent Harlow so much in this one knowing her quirks of wanting to know everything what’s going on knowing every detail wanting to be in the loop of things legit so me in this sense.. like I do this on daily basis even when it’s good gossip too! But her attitude about knowing details I’m like yep she’s me.
I do get her strong ability wanting to be confident in her true self too very quick with her comebacks 🤣 I love the sass in her I always find with fmc in fantasy that there usually sometimes weak. Annoying. Hard to understand but she was badass in my eyes. The fact that she has loving family around her despite her mother sometimes being a complete asshole behaviour with Harlow that pisses me the fuck off.. she still wants that compassion and love from someone else but I feel like she can be shy in that aspect.
˚┊✦Henry :
MY… MAN… So HANDSOME BYEEEEEEEE…!! 🤌so fucking lush this beautiful man omg 😧 I have gained a new book boyfriend for sure I was a bit skeptic at first with Henry but coming up to his POVs knowing more about him.. hi daddy 😉🙏I loved loved his attitude when it comes to personal issues he can be very sensitive too with feelings he always apologises when he’s in the wrong or fucked up like that shows courage I loved that he speaks his true mind he’s not a pussy to say what he wants to say🤣I love that about him! The way he protects Harlow so much even know he gets mad about her at times but he knows how to deal with her attitude he’s so sweet towards her.
The romance
Good Lord almighty the smutt in this j did not expect to happen that dark and so public aswell ! Like holy shit without revealing too much spoilers but that was hot! Did this need to be 600+ worth.. for these two to have hot sex? Yes.. it definitely worth it for those… the way these two instantly just connect so well together even the lack of communication besides that there love for each other was just outstanding.
The ending:
I really enjoyed the ending, I loved how badass Harlow was towards getting her revenge 🤌without reavling spoilers this was so so good the reveal !! I cannot believe that happened!
This is definitely 5 star reads even though it took a little longer to finish with it being so chonky which didn’t realise the page count 😅was still very entertaining read for sure I will miss Henry a lot though 😭
🎃⭒˚.⋆ 🎃 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚. 🎃 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🎃 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🎃 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🎃 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚. 🎃 ⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🎃⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🎃 ⋆⭒
﹏﹒✦﹒✶﹏﹒✦﹒﹏✦﹒
𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋🎃⋮ ⌗ pre read ⋆˙⟡
⤷ ゛ ˎˊ˗ Started October 2026
why is it winter time its always the best to read fantasy books more?? this iss 600+ pages asweell seem to be picking alot of thicker bookss this year lmaooo! cant wait to finally be reading this one !!
STOPPPP THIS WAS JUST 🤌🤌
Okay I wasn’t at all going to think about this book… if I was going to enjoy it or not.. but man am I wrong I was immediately hooked after chapter 1 the worldbuilding of it being vampires across the town.. protectors to protect the village ? Like what more can we need from this ??
The way I couldn’t put this one down soon as I started needed more.. the tension we had the drama definitely caught my attention.
I loved the worldbuilding of learning more about Lunameade I just found really interesting especially knowing there’s bloodsuckers outside that people are scared of making there way into…I just found the pacing of this book really well written wasn’t too rushed in the worldbuilding which I find in fantasy it’s either too slow or too quick..
The only downfall I thought was slightly triggering which I didn’t expect in this was these poor women being mysteriously missing and being abused badly physically that people are supposed to protect the women I found it quiet disturbing in a lot ways felt so bad for them. I do feel like this might not be for everyone standard to read just with how high the abuse talk is in this one but it is a harsh reality that to recognise this but in a way it has been written beautifully how it’s been described you do feel bad for these characters how they suffered so much in this book still trying to be badasses too still trying to save the world of vampires intruders.
Now let’s get into the characters 🤌my longest introduction yet! 🤭🤪
˚┊✦Harlow:
Okay I represent Harlow so much in this one knowing her quirks of wanting to know everything what’s going on knowing every detail wanting to be in the loop of things legit so me in this sense.. like I do this on daily basis even when it’s good gossip too! But her attitude about knowing details I’m like yep she’s me.
I do get her strong ability wanting to be confident in her true self too very quick with her comebacks 🤣 I love the sass in her I always find with fmc in fantasy that there usually sometimes weak. Annoying. Hard to understand but she was badass in my eyes. The fact that she has loving family around her despite her mother sometimes being a complete asshole behaviour with Harlow that pisses me the fuck off.. she still wants that compassion and love from someone else but I feel like she can be shy in that aspect.
˚┊✦Henry :
MY… MAN… So HANDSOME BYEEEEEEEE…!! 🤌so fucking lush this beautiful man omg 😧 I have gained a new book boyfriend for sure I was a bit skeptic at first with Henry but coming up to his POVs knowing more about him.. hi daddy 😉🙏I loved loved his attitude when it comes to personal issues he can be very sensitive too with feelings he always apologises when he’s in the wrong or fucked up like that shows courage I loved that he speaks his true mind he’s not a pussy to say what he wants to say🤣I love that about him! The way he protects Harlow so much even know he gets mad about her at times but he knows how to deal with her attitude he’s so sweet towards her.
The romance
Good Lord almighty the smutt in this j did not expect to happen that dark and so public aswell ! Like holy shit without revealing too much spoilers but that was hot! Did this need to be 600+ worth.. for these two to have hot sex? Yes.. it definitely worth it for those… the way these two instantly just connect so well together even the lack of communication besides that there love for each other was just outstanding.
The ending:
I really enjoyed the ending, I loved how badass Harlow was towards getting her revenge 🤌without reavling spoilers this was so so good the reveal !! I cannot believe that happened!
This is definitely 5 star reads even though it took a little longer to finish with it being so chonky which didn’t realise the page count 😅was still very entertaining read for sure I will miss Henry a lot though 😭
🎃⭒˚.⋆ 🎃 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚. 🎃 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🎃 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🎃 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🎃 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚. 🎃 ⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🎃⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🎃 ⋆⭒
﹏﹒✦﹒✶﹏﹒✦﹒﹏✦﹒
𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋🎃⋮ ⌗ pre read ⋆˙⟡
⤷ ゛ ˎˊ˗ Started October 2026
why is it winter time its always the best to read fantasy books more?? this iss 600+ pages asweell seem to be picking alot of thicker bookss this year lmaooo! cant wait to finally be reading this one !!
Did Not Finish
October 21, 2026dnf @ 38%
IM FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
the concept was intriguing but harlow was insufferable and the plot was kinda going nowhere. henry was the only good thing about this book but still not enough to keep me interested. SORRY MADDI AND MONIQUE BUT IM HAPPY YOU'RE ENJOYING 💜💜💜
°❀.ೃ࿔* 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 ₊ ⊹🪻 ✿ ˚. 🫐
CULT READ WITH MY BADDIE BESTIES MADDI & MONIQUE ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
IM FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
the concept was intriguing but harlow was insufferable and the plot was kinda going nowhere. henry was the only good thing about this book but still not enough to keep me interested. SORRY MADDI AND MONIQUE BUT IM HAPPY YOU'RE ENJOYING 💜💜💜
°❀.ೃ࿔* 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 ₊ ⊹🪻 ✿ ˚. 🫐
CULT READ WITH MY BADDIE BESTIES MADDI & MONIQUE ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
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