Hellebore: A Dark Stalker Romance

by Joan Morven

“She is my salvation. The only thing that can drag me out of the abyss I was born into.”
He spent six years dreaming of the only woman he ever loved.
She spent six years trying to forget the worst night of her life.
When Drystan Rowe returns, neither of them realizes the past isn't finished with them.
Hidden betrayals, deadly secrets, and a darkness that has waited years to strike forces them into a nightmare where love becomes obsession, obsession becomes devotion, and survival demands blood.
Because someone has been waiting for Drystan to come home.
And this time...
They aren't coming for him.
They're coming for her.

This is a stalker gothic dark romance told in first-person POV by both main characters. Please check the author’s website for a full list of content warnings.

Genres: Dark Romance, Stalker, Forced Proximity, Touch Her and Die, Gothic, Dark

435 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 28, 2026

About the author

Dark romance Author.
Romanticizing what therapy can't fix.

Reviews

[Alva Schwung · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨✨ARC review✨✨

excuse me??? what the FUCK was this???? PERFECTION??? 😭😭😭

it should come as absolutely NO surprise to anyone that I fucking LOVE a good stalker romance. give me morally black, please. and I mean MORALLY BLACK. the kind of man who'd murder innocent people AND guilty people simply because he fucking felt like it. yeah. THAT kind. 🫡🖤🔪💅🏼

and Drystan???

O.

M.

F.

G.

I have no words left for this man. he has genuinely left me speechless 🫠🫠🫠

the entire story is driven by his obsession and that obsession is DEEP. soul-achingly deep. so utterly disgustingly deep. the kind of obsession that knows absolutely no fucking bounds, and the way it was portrayed??? HELLO????? 😭😭😭 YES.

I have officially been Stockholm-syndromed by a book because at one point I was sitting there like:

girl??? stop being mean to him??? he's just in love with you??? whilst this man had literally done... ALL OF THAT💀💀💀

but seriously, this book had me HOOKED from the very beginning. the characters are SO SO SO perfect in their imperfections, and somehow that made everything hit even harder😭🫶🏼

and the WRITING??? WOW. THE MOUTHHHH on that man😭😭😭 spitting out lines like Shakespeare reincarnated and I'm just sitting there like 🫪🥸🫪🥸SIR??? WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION??? I have been thoroughly RUINED💀🧎🏼‍♀️🧎🏼‍♀️🧎🏼‍♀️

best book I've read in August so far. so naturally, I now require EVERYONE ELSE to read it too because this was a fucking MASTERPIECE🫡🖤📚🔥

5 stars.

zero notes.

I am unwell💅🏼🤷🏼‍♀️😭

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars!

Hellebore was hella good! So deliciously gothic and moody! Drystan takes the fall for something he didn’t do and spends several grueling years away from his Briar. When he is able to get back to the girl that doesn’t even know him, he finds her changed. But he is even more obsessed with this darker side.

Briar went through something very traumatic that changed her life forever. She now walks with a dark edge. She’s about to realize just how dark she really is when Drystan comes to claim her.

Drystan gave off all the protective stalker vibes with a filthy mouth and a single minded focus on keeping Briar forever. Briar didn’t give in easily but it made their chemistry and passion more explosive.

“Oh, Briar,” I whisper, voice hoarse and broken. “I will drown you in pleasure until every thought, every memory, every name that is not mine dissolves into nothing. You will speak only my name in the dark, like a confession, like a curse, like the last word you will ever need. And when the time comes, I will bury myself so deeply inside you that you will feel me for days afterward, a constant, heavy presence, a secret you carry in your body, binding you to me long after I leave your bed.”

Drystan and Briar have a lot to go through to get their HEA but I absolutely adored Drystan’s crazy and Briar’s strength and femininity. Drystan was down bad for his girl and I love me a OTT possessive MMC.

“Sleep tight, my love. I will stand in the dark and guard what is mine. No one else will ever have you. Not in this life… or the next.”

If you love a morally black MMC that will fight tooth and nail for his girl and a FMC that rises above all the bad, then this is your book! It’s dark and filthy and offers so much passion and obsession.



ARC provided for an honest review.

[Brittany Furnish · Rating 5 out of 5]

****ARC READER REVIEW ****


This book didn’t just give me a dark stalker‑to‑lover story, it dragged me into the abyss by my ankles, whispered “don’t fight it,” and then handed me a bouquet of Hellebore flowers like that made everything fine.

Drystan?
He is the exact brand of obsessive, unhinged, morally‑corrupted man we all pretend we don’t want while secretly Googling “how to survive being kidnapped by a hot guy.” He longed for her, dreamt of her, obsessed over her, and then casually killed for her like it was a love language. Touch her and die? More like touch her and meet God.

His father?
Karma didn’t just visit, it tap‑danced on his grave.

The gothic mansion, the forced proximity, the kidnapper‑captive tension… it all had me kicking my feet like a deranged Victorian orphan. And the Hellebore flowers? I’m obsessed. They were the chef’s kiss, the aesthetic garnish on this morally blackened romance soufflé.

This book is dark, delicious, and absolutely feral.

[Misty °.•☠︎︎•.° · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Everything I do to you can hurt you, my love"

𝕿𝖔 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖉𝖔𝖜𝖘 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖑𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖊𝖗, 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖋𝖑𝖔𝖜𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖐𝖎𝖑𝖑, 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖑𝖔𝖛𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖗𝖛𝖊𝖘 𝖎𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖉𝖆𝖗𝖐 𝖚𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖑 𝖎𝖙 𝖋𝖎𝖓𝖆𝖑𝖑𝖞 𝖘𝖓𝖆𝖕𝖘. 𝕿𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖇𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝖎𝖘 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖔𝖘𝖊 𝖜𝖍𝖔 𝖜𝖔𝖚𝖑𝖉 𝖗𝖆𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗 𝖇𝖊 𝖗𝖚𝖎𝖓𝖊𝖉 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖓 𝖗𝖊𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖊𝖉.

Drystan is b@tsht crazy. Like, not just a little unhinged. FULLY UNHINGED. His one goal is to keep Briar whether she wants him or not. 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩

"𝘚𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦. 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘕𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦... 𝘖𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵."

"𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘦. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶."

Briar had a traumatic experience five years prior which affects how she perceives, reacts, and responds to anyone new. And Drystan, just by being Drystan, is a walking trigger. He can’t accept that she doesn't trust him just because he claims he's wanted her for almost a decade.

“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶.” “𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘪𝘵. 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘧©𝘬!𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴.”. “𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘤 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴.ᐣ 𝘛𝘰 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘮𝘦.ᐣ” “𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦.”

They’re drawn to each other through their shared darkness, and considering both of their messed up childhoods, I kinda get it. But Drystan conveniently forgets that she doesn’t know him. She didn’t get ten years to learn everything about him like he did her. I NEEDED her to scream that at him because clearly it needed to be beaten into that thick skull. That said, 🥵 this man's got a mouth on him, the smexy is chef's 🤌 perfection, the chemistry is felt... all the good stuff I promise!
Only complaint worth mentioning, he throws around “my love” way too loosely and way too often. It started feeling forced. It didn’t ruin the story for me, but it definitely irked me. Consider this your PSA if you’re as petty about repeated pet names as I am. 😂

This is a 𝔊𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔠 Dark Romance, so don't be shocked. The MMC is 𝘔𝘖𝘙𝘈𝘓𝘓𝘠 𝘉𝘓𝘈𝘊𝘒. Forget there is a such thing as morals, practicality, sanity (I can't emphasize this one enough), and common sense LMAO.
If you have triggers, you will want to review warnings. It has some heavy stuff on it.

Tropes/Trigger Warnings:
🚩 On page 🍇
🏴 CNC
🚩 Torture
🏴 Poisoning
🚩 Somnophilia
🏴 Kidnapping/Captivity
🚩 Stalking/Obsession

[Courtney Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hellebore By Joan Morven Arc Review 📚📚

First and Foremost, thank you Joan for accepting me as an arc reader ! Thank you for being such an amazing person , our little chats and endless support 🖤 I appreciate you way more than you know.

Dare I say this is my favourite stalker dark romance I’ve read ? The MMC Drystan is absolutely unhinged, possessive and obsessed with our FMC Briar. He brings touch her and 💀 to a whole new level and I’m so here for it . He’s the type of MMC that will literally burn the world down for his girl .

Briar is your FMC for this novel , she’s sweet , kind , someone you would definitely want as a friend . She goes through some rough times, but she comes back stronger and ready to continue on . She is the light to the darkness .

The world of Hellebore is dark , haunting and beautiful. It’s rich in plot , great spice , I definitely highly recommend for your next stalker dark romance.

6⭐️
3.5 🌶️

[Kari Tidwell (karisbookstodevour) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsession at its finest and the kind of touch her and die that makes dark romance girlies salivate! This is all about Drystan getting his girl, it’s unhinged in all the right ways, and has that perfect touch of rip your heart out with some elite revenge to go along with it and it is insanely good.
I binged this, like picked it up, ignored every responsibility I had, binged it. Drystan is ruthless about getting Briar, he has just enough of that broken boy vibe that you can overlook all the stalking, every camera, and his over the top plan to basically kidnap her and make her love him, and truthfully the way he is obviously dominant but also crazy in love with this girl to the point where you see all that gooey softness underneath, he’s pretty much your dream morally black boy. I love that it starts out feeling very much like he’s just an obsessed stalker and then with one story about what happened to Briar while he was gone it becomes burn the world to ashes revenge. And the actual truth of exactly who’s involved and exactly what they’ve done, ultimate betrayal. I’m also absurdly into the way Drystan uses something that his mother loved to torture, kill, and protect Briar, it feels very much like a dose of poetic justice and I dig it. A book I am very much recommending to any and all dark romance readers who love a man so obsessed nothing else but his girl exists, because this is exactly that done incredibly well.

[Scarlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complete page turner absolutely loved this read. This books follows Drystan (mmc) who was imprisoned for a crime he never committed. When released his obsession comes into play Briar (fmc) who lit up the darkness around him. This book is heavier on the trigger warnings so please read the triggers before reading. This is a stalker romance with obsession, fixation , vengance, and a morally black mmc. I loved the gothic vibes throughout this read which gave it a beauty you could visualize off the pages. From the attraction to the writing style this truly was immaculate. Highly Recommend! I got this via the author and this is my voluntary review.

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Arc review✨

4⭐⭐⭐⭐
3🌶️🌶️🌶️

Hellebore is a dark and hauntingly delicious stalker romance with a gothic setting and a true morally black mmc that'll have you screaming for more. The plot was so well written with great twists and spice that'll leave you sweating.

I loooooove an unhinged and possessive MMC and Drystan was all that and more! When it came to Briar he did NOT play, this man was true to his character and literally got rid of anyone who stood in his way of getting her. He had every single red flag that could exist, but that didn't stop me from adding him to my book BF list.😆

The last 10% of the story felt a bit rushed, and there were certain parts that didn't flow well for me. Otherwise, it would have been a 5 star read for me.

If you love a masked stalker with a pierced 🍆 then yes you need to pick this book up and read it. Please check your TW's as this is a true DARK romance with an MMC who gives no f*cks and there are certain things the FMC goes through that may be triggering.

Thank you to the author for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

Tropes:
-Gothic dark romance
-Morally black MMC
-Dual POV
-Touch her and ☠️
-Forced proximity
-Captive

[CharliReadsSmut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, Joan really said “let’s take a morally grey obsessive man? Make him possessive, a stalker, a masked man and make all his red flags turn magically green”.

Drystan, oh my. I should be scared, fearful and locking my doors. Instead I’m adding you to my book boyfriend list. He really just said “she’s my endgame and there’s no one else for me” whether she liked it or not.
Briar, I know his obsession was thrust upon you, but pierced peen, touch you and die and would burn the world for you makes up for it right?

If you love stalkers, masked men, obsession, possessiveness, touch her and die, an unhinged psychopath that we’re just letting off the hook, pierced peens and spicy scenes then you’ll love this.

⭐️ 4/5
🌶️ 4/5

[Sandra Maloney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written true dark obsessive stalker romance. The plot is excellent with twists that I didn’t see coming, the spice is spicy!!! This was a page turner that I could not put down, I devoured it. This is a must read if you like dark characters, fast paced action and spice.
This book was provided to me as an eARC

[Nicola Roche-Harris]

𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒓: 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒕𝒐 𝑱𝒐𝒂𝒏 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎, 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒘𝒏.

This is a gothic, stalker dark romance told in first person POV by both the MMC and FMC. There is an extensive TW list, which I strongly suggest checking before reading.

Our MMC is Drystan Rowe, a man with demons. Those demons developed and grew while he was imprisoned for a crime his father committed, forcing him to spend six years away from his obsession, his beloved Briar, the object of his deepest and most devoted attention…even though she is completely unaware of his existence. He has spent those six years yearning for her, the beautiful innocent blonde from college, and now he’s free and intent on making her his in every way possible!

Our FMC, Briar, however, has changed. She is nothing like the woman he remembers. Now living in Canada and estranged from her father, his innocent girl has been replaced by a box dyed, black haired beauty whose secret past has changed her in far more ways than just her appearance. What happened when he wasn’t there to protect her, who dared to touch what is his?

I literally inhaled this book. Every single sentence had me completely enthralled! I know any sane person would have looked at all the red flags Drystan was wildly waving and had said, “NO, absolutely not!” Thankfully, I’ll never be accused of sanity so instead, I found myself intensely wondering what crazy ass, unhinged deliciousness was coming next and being absolutely absorbed in it!

There was SO much to love about this book. The devoted stalker intent on making her his, the old Gothic mansion designed purely with Briar’s favourite things in mind, the close proximity between captive and kidnapper, the decadence of her favourite cake and the poisonous but beautiful Hellebore flower. Then throw Briar’s traumatic past, the betrayal, the hurt and this new stalker element (who isn’t Drystan) into the mix and it all blends together to create the perfect, most powerful storm of a love story!

Briar has survived something that would destroy the strongest person. She has rebuilt her life after the most horrific trauma and tragedy, keeping everything controlled and contained while allowing no man to linger in her life any longer than she deems necessary. She holds the power until Drystan forces her to relinquish control to him…and she discovers that she thrives on it!

My view: Earlier this year, I discovered my love of stalker dark romance with a morally black MMC and an “I want to be destroyed” FMC who just needs a nudge from the right person in the right dark direction. This was all that and SO much more for me!

She wants him so much but she’s struggling with her conscience, she can’t see past the red flags, so she tries to flee each time, he pulls her back for her to bask in the realisation that his punishment and presence are exactly what she needs to find herself again. The entire premise of this book had me all in, completely and utterly hooked. Every new chapter added another layer of WTF, OMG and Holy Shit moments that left me shook!

And as for the author, Joan Morven…I beg your damn pardon, what in the hellebore, girl?! I’m not well after this. I’m so NOT well!

The writing was exquisite. Every single sentence read like eating the silkiest, smoothest Belgian chocolate or indulging in the richest, most decadent cake while still searching for crumbs because you needed MORE!

This was a thing of beauty. Every new element was as unexpected as the last and quite honestly, I’m not sure any book I read going forward will ever hold my attention or leave me wanting more quite like this one.

You know when a reader raves about a book and says, “It just stayed with me long after I’d finished it”?

Yeah. This is it. This is THAT book.

10 stars and more! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drystan
“I am your stalker. I am your shadow. And you, my love... you are my darkness. We complete each other like night and the moon, inevitable. Eternal.”

Briar
"Drystan is insane. He's dangerous. A Villain wrapped in shadows and obsession. Yet he looks at me like I'm the only light in his darkness. No one has ever loved me like this. He would burn the world for me... and some twisted part of me loves that he would."

Be careful and watch the trigger warnings, this is a dark romance and there is a lot of triggering content including descriptions of grape, poisoning and death. With that said, it is an engaging story of obsession and love that defies the odds and I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves their romance dark, obsessive and off the charts spicy.

After a decade of Drystan watching Briar and holding on to that memory even when separated by prison, he comes out to find his innocent sweet Briar is a completely new being who he has to relearn before he can claim her. I mean if he had approached her instead of just stalking her he could have won her heart- but that isn't how Drystan is built and quite honestly the obsessive need adds its own fun and spicy elements to the story. Their story is difficult enough, both of them are haunted by the trauma in their past and their love story isn't an easy one by any means, especially with the kidnapping and forced imprisonment. But there are outside forces watching too and finding peace and closure is a journey that scars them both.

There are a few moments that made me want to scream about how stupid they were being, it does end in a HEA but it is a rough journey. Holy hell though it is hot!!! Their chemistry is off the charts and the way they fall into each other is completely unhealthy but who doesn’t fantasize about an unbreakable love that consumes you? Drystan is a character, he dominates every interaction and has no qualms about letting his crazy take over, but he is driven to protect Briar.

Briar was relatable in a lot of ways, especially for anyone that has struggled with self-sabotage but I do wish she had more going on with her character. She doesn’t feel as fleshed out as a person, her trauma seems to be the predominant aspect of who she is, and she is willing to let Drystan take care of everything. But that could just be my preference for FMC’s to want some part of their revenge and not just sit at home while the menfolk handle the problems. Either way I enjoyed their story, and I really hope some of the side characters get their own stories too.

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hellebore by Joan Morven is the kind of dark gothic romance that sinks its claws in early and refuses to let go.

From the opening pages, the story of Drystan Rowe and the woman he has obsessed over for six years feels less like a reunion and more like the inevitable collision of two people who were never truly free of each other.

He spent those years in the abyss, clinging to the memory of her as the only light that could pull him out…..

She spent them trying to bury the worst night of her life….. (we do find out, and I’d suggest a box of tissues 😢)

When he finally returns, neither of them understands that the past has been waiting, patient and hungry, ready to claim them both.

What i liked most was the way it handles the slow, inevitable slide from love into obsession and then into something darker and more consuming.

Drystan is not a soft hero. He is a man forged in shadows, and his devotion is absolute, bordering on the unhinged.

But the woman he finds is no longer the girl he once watched from afar. She carries her own darkness now, and the chemistry between them is charged with equal parts longing and dread. (He wants to know what happened to her,) he left her sweet and innocent, now she drinks to oblivion, finds male company and dresses like night itself!

Their relationship becomes a living thing that demands blood and sacrifice, and the story never shies away from that cost.

The atmosphere is pure gothic intensity.

Hellebore Mansion itself feels like a character, heavy with secrets and the weight of old betrayals.

Hidden threats circle closer with every chapter, and the sense that someone has been waiting for Drystan’s return, not for him but for her, creates a constant undercurrent of menace.

The writing is lush and immersive without ever becoming overwrought, letting the tension build in the quiet moments as much as in the explosive ones.

This is not a gentle romance. It is possessive, dangerous, and steeped in the kind of devotion that can destroy as easily as it saves.

The author leans hard into the moral gray areas, forcing the us to sit with the discomfort of characters who love too fiercely and protect too ruthlessly.

The result is a story that lingers long after the final page, leaving you unsettled and oddly satisfied in equal measure.

If you crave dark romance that prioritizes atmosphere, obsession, and the thin line between salvation and ruin, Hellebore delivers exactly that. 🖤

🦋

*copy supplied for review

[Cafe and Spice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joan Morven started this book exactly how I needed to, hard and fast—setting up the vibe and tone for the rest of the story. I’m one of those readers who doesn’t necessarily need a trigger warning to know what I’m about to get into (I mean with books 😅). I read them to make sure the recipe has what I need at that time. As a mood reader, this is important. Whatever struggles the story goes into, hard or soft, are a part of the journey. Morven promoted this book during the summer, and this list found me, the universe knew I needed it. I couldn’t wait to sign up for this ARC and kept hoping I'd get this opportunity, especially since it’s hard to get into ARC reading nowadays. I’m so thankful Joan took a chance on me. And thank you to my book bestie, Gem, for the suggestion.

🖤 Hellebore gives you a dark, gothic romance filled with mystery that dives into the present and the past. Without having to use a split timeline, the storyline shows how our MMC evolved through life, family, growth and his love for our FMC, Briar. Whom he had loved almost at first sight and yet from afar for years before he could even approach her. She was surrounded by pieces of shit (except for her bestie, Lucille). The dark themes explored in this story isn’t just with our beloved MMC, the POSs I mentioned previously provide you with a story that isn’t only about love, but also about the toxicity and dangers that can affect you in real life. And so, in this case, I’ll suggest you read the warnings before you dive in. Meanwhile, I swam through these murky waters with complete ease. 😏

🥀 Drystan & Briar: The MMC is her dark guardian angel… well, maybe a demon. Yes, that’s better for Drystan. Whatever other demons Briar has, they’re taken care of, and isn’t this what we all need in a book boyfriend?

☕️I paired this read with Atlas’s El Salvador Coffee. This café has notes of roasted almond, cream, and pear. I chose a medium roast to balance the dark theme of Morven’s story.

🎶 Songs that reminded me of Drystan and Briar: No Cape, No Mask by DarkLux (was just the right vibe), Into Your Heart by AJ McLean, Scenario by A Tribe Called Quest.

🗓️ What’s Next? Well, today is release day, so go on and get this for your next read. As for me, I’m holding on to hope that Lucille gets her own story. Maybe something along the lines of MFM with the “twins”. 👀

[Kat | WhenSheReads.SheReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drystan has been wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. Now that he's been released, his one objective is to resume his obsessive vigil over the one person who has been the light in his darkness: Briar.

First, I have to say how beautifully written this book is. The lines read smoothly, the pacing escalates in a splendidly creepy fashion, and each unsettling scene is just long enough to feel uneasy. I loved the references to the hellebore flower--the juxtaposition between beauty and death. The gothic undertones were vibrant and very visceral.

That being said, this is a dark romance novel that does not play around. The trigger warnings are NOT exaggerating and need to be carefully considered before imbibing through these pages. The subject matter is dark, it is just shy of horrific, and firmly plants itself into the morbid side of the macabre. This narrative is unsettling and will take space in one's psyche.

I was probably not the intended audience for this book. Despite my ability to consume most subject matter, I struggled through the second half of the story. Not because it was boring or poorly written (quite the opposite, actually), but because I had to seriously question whether this was too heavy for my mental health.

An aspect I did take serious issue with was the subtle perpetuation of the alternative community. As much fun as it is to indulge the notion of unconventional peculiarities one can find amongst the gothic/alt crowd, it is harmful to continue the idea that alternative = dangerous = criminal = bdsm = violence. And the removal of consent does *not* belong in any narrative. Full stop.

All in all, this is a solid dark romance that I know will be loved by MANY who enjoy this genre. It is definitely a book I won't soon forget. So despite my distastes mentioned, I'm rating it 4/5 for the writing talent the author clearly demonstrates and the clear execution of the plotline.

[Cafedarc · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite flowers is the hellebore. I'm not really a Christmas person, so it's kind of ironic that this beautiful but deadly poisonous flower suits me so well.
But seriously, Joan... how on earth did you come up with this book?

I actually giggled to myself when I realized how you used the flower and all the clever ways you've hidden its meaning throughout the story.

Hellebore is a showcase of what a stalker romance can be.Drystan is captivating, dangerous, charming... and also a massive walking red flag who would be absolutely terrifying in real life. If you had a stalker like him, you wouldn't be melting from love. You'd be dying of fear. 😂 Which is exactly why this charming menace completely swept me off my feet.

I clearly have some kind of stalker kink because I keep falling for these men who have absolutely no concept of privacy. None whatsoever. Then again, why would a stalker care about boundaries?

Anyway, Briar is Drystan's obsession or, as he would call it, love. Briar's background immediately intrigued me, and the story pulled me in from the very beginning. Even though I guessed some of the bigger twists fairly early on, I honestly didn't mind at all.

Briar and Drystan are a sweet mix of obsessive love, mania, and fixation, and I loved every second of it.
And the spicy scenes... is it enough if I tell you that Drystan has NINE piercings and makes Briar count them? Good Lord.

At the same time, I'm amazed by and slightly jealous of Joan's imagination and creativity. The hellebore flower is genuinely deadly, but in this story it's used so brilliantly that it almost becomes one of the main characters.

If you love stalker romances, gothic vibes, and can handle the trigger warnings, dive into this one and fall in love with the deadly charming Drystan and his light, Briar.

And BTW, Joan... those other three characters are getting books too, right? Maybe even a why choose? Please? 🖤👀

[bookedonthatfeeling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never, ever look at cake or flowers the same way again! This book was absolutely delicious! It gave me the most possessive, obsessive MMC, and I couldn’t get enough of his all consuming desire to have Briar.
I loved that he silently watched her from afar while she had absolutely no idea who he was and no memory of him before they officially met. He was basically her guardian devil, if that’s even a thing. 😂 Bad, but so, so good. He would burn the entire world and everyone in it to the ground if it meant he could have her and keep her safe.

My heart was shattered when I learned why Briar had made the changes she did in her life, but ultimately, those choices led her straight to him. And I LOVED the whole idea of Drystan creating a home for them in Hellebore Mansion, with lifelike portraits surrounding them and displaying his love for the light in his life. How those portraits were made though… well, that’s another story! 😅

They both had awful fathers, but I loved hearing Tristan talk about his mom’s love of hellebore flowers and their potential uses. Honestly, the hellebore flower was the real star of this book! It came through and saved the day in more scenarios than I could count.

I seriously devoured this book and flew through it so quickly! I just wish we could get a sequel because I am NOT ready to let these characters go.
I think I may have just found a new favourite MMC!

✨Favourite Quotes✨
I seriously have so many 🤭
I’ll just share 4 😭

“I would carve my own heart out and lay it at her feet if she asked.”

“She is mine. Everything she touches. Everything she is. Mine.”

“You belong in the darkness, where even the light can’t find you.”

“ I am your stalker. I am your shadow. And you, my love… You are darkness. We complete each other like night and the moon, inevitable. Eternal.”

[Guillen_reads13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy Recieved by Author thank you for the opportunity
Hellebore by Joan Morven is a quintessential dark romance, It is a visceral, intense, and atmospheric read that is strictly intended for readers who enjoy extreme dark romance and are comfortable with the heavy content warnings provided in the text. The book is steeped in gothic dread and obsessive intensity. The writing style is raw and focuses intensely on the internal monologue of a man who believes his obsession is a form of protection. We have Drystan, the "villain" protagonist in every sense of the word. He is violent, possessive, and unhinged. His actions like stalking, kidnapping, and murder are presented without apology, fitting the dark romance archetype of a man who would "burn the world down" for his love interest, Briar. Her character arc is complex, as she navigates the trauma of her past and the terrifying, yet strangely compelling, dynamic with Drystan. Her journey involves a struggle between fear, survival, and a dark, burgeoning attraction to the man who has claimed her. This book is definately not a traditional romance, it is a what i believe a really dark fantasy about power, trauma, and total obsession, but if you're like me and you don't see triggers but a good escape and if you are a fan of the "stalker romance" genre, you will likely find the intensity and the gothic atmosphere of Hellebore Mansion captivating. However, the content warnings (non-consent, graphic violence, kidnapping, and psychological manipulation) should be taken very seriously.This is a story about a relationship that is fundamentally unhealthy and dangerous, written specifically for an audience that seeks out that level of darkness in fiction.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Infinity stars. No notes. This was one of my most anticipated advanced reads of the year and @joanmorvenauthor did not dissapoint. She knocked this out of the park! The way Joan wrote this story is nothing short of perfection. The book is stunning inside and out, the artwork is absolutely incredible, and I must have a trophy copy.

🖤Dark Romance
🏴Morally Black MMC
🖤Tall, broody and pierced [repeatedly] MMC
🏴Touch her and ☠️.. slowly.. graphically.. piece by piece
🖤Stalking
🏴Obsession
🖤Vengeance

Joan continues to be an auto-buy author for me. Starting my obsession with "Mercy is for Saints," Joan's writing continues to consume me. She writes the best morally black, obsessive, compulsive characters and I just can't get enough. May we all have a Drystan (and some hellebore) in our lives.

🏴“They are more than flowers, Drystan. They are weapons when you need them to be… and protection when the world tries to take what you love.”

🖤“You belong in my darkness, where even the light can’t find you.”

This story consumed me from the very first page and by 10% I was completely engulfed. I'm talking "if you aren't dying then you don't need me" kind of consumed. I recommend this book to any dark romance reader and specifically those who enjoy their obsession with a side of stalking and a hefty dose of murder with no questions asked.

Thank you to author @joanmorvenauthor for the early copy of easily one of my favorite reads of the year.

✨️As always with any content, check your own triggers prior to consuming.

#Hellebore #JoanMorven #darkromance #morallyblack #morallygrey

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of the book from the author.

From the first few lines this book reached out, grabbed me by the soul, and sucked me into Hellebore. Every single aspect of a morally grey, over the top, touch her and die, I breathe and die for my love, utter obsession and possession, borderline sociopathic component that you love is in here.

Drystan has been obsessed with Briar for years, since they were teenagers. He went to prison for taking the fall for his father for the past six years where he was not able to be with her. Now that he is released, he’s coming for the object of his desire and will stop at nothing to possess her mind, body, and soul. He will destroy anyone that dares to touch what is his, even before she knows who he even is.

Briar has a stalker and while she should be fully creeped out, she’s intrigued. Briar’s traumatic past has impacted her desire for darkness. The more she learns about her stalker, the more turned on and attracted to him she becomes. She has to battle between being terrified of Drystan once he kidnaps her and brings her to his gothic mansion that he had made for them and her growing attraction to him.

Drystan learns of Briar’s traumatic past where he couldn’t protect her while he was locked up and goes on a mission to find out who hurt her to avenge her. The mystery and truth unravel as these two are more tied to each other than they even realize.

The attraction, the writing, the climatic plot, Lucille as a character, the twins, the sex, my god the sex. This was perfection, utter perfection.

10/10.

Can we get a book two following Lucille and the twins?

[Emma (CorruptedChapters_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hellebore - Joan Morven ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(ARC Review - no spoilers)

Where do I even start with this?
I finished the book a few days ago but I really needed sometime to really absorb what I’ve just read.
I love the dark romance stuff and I absolutely love me a REAL unhinged and obsessed stalker😏
And in my opinion Drystan is one determined stalker. For ten years he has been obsessed with Briar and for four years he has been her shadow, stalking, kept her safe and loved Briar from a far without her knowing.
But in the last six years, Briar was only a memory to Drystan. A light memory for him to hold on to when he couldn’t watch over her as he used to do.
In 6 years a lot have happend and changed, but not Drystan’s obsession for Briar and now he’s back. Finding her, watching and protect her again and to finally make her his. He will burn down the world for her💜

This book was really good and it had me hooked from the start.
I love the title and as Drystan I love the flower to. I know a little about flowers/herbs and Hellebore (or Julros as it’s called in Swedish) is one of many flowers that I like, even if it’s very poisonous and I love the symbolism and the connection it had in the story to Drystan, their home and to his mother.
Beautiful things can be dangerous, even deadly… remember that💜🖤

It’s dark and a little twisted with, of course, a gothic touch to it and a few surprises (I’ve had my suspicions) and it is beautifully connected through out the story👌🏻
This was my first ARC read and the first book of Joan that I’ve read, but it’s not my last😍

[Siska Wellekens · Rating 4 out of 5]

'ARC REVIEW'

I finished Hellebore… and I’m still thinking about it. 🖤

This was dark, poisonous, trauma filled and completely unhinged and honestly, I loved it.

The FMC ( Briar ) pulled me in the most. Her past, trauma and gothic transformation as a way of reclaiming her power really stayed with me. I related to her far more than I expected, which made this story hit especially hard.

Drystan. 🫠

That man is absolutely UNHINGED. Three murders in roughly a week? Sir. 😂 His obsession, violence and complete lack of moral boundaries made him such an intense MMC. Completely wrong for real life, but perfect for a dark romance. 🖤

The missing half star comes from a few moments that felt inconsistent or underdeveloped. Drystan mentions letting someone die slowly because “we have time,” but the killing happens much faster than expected. I also wanted the FMC to have a more active role in the killing of Drystan’s father. That would have felt like such a powerful moment of reclaiming her agency.

Those details didn’t ruin the story, but they did leave me thinking, “I wanted MORE.”

And now I have questions about Lucille… and the twins. 👀

WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING, AUTHOR?! 😂

Maybe a Lucille-and-the-twins why-choose situation? I would absolutely read it. 🖤

Hellebore was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last.

🌹 4.5/5 stars 🌹

Dark. Toxic. Traumatized. Obsessive. Unhinged.

Exactly the kind of book that belongs on BooksThatRuinMe. 🖤

[BrewedBookDragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly Hell In A Handbasket!!!

I have been trying to find a way to sum up what Joan did with this book and my brain chemistry....

I think it is best to start with our MMC Drystan:

He is morally black AND I do mean MORALLY BLACK!! He takes Touch Her and Die to an entirely new level.

Stalker much??? I mean god forbid a man have a hobby and plant cameras & mics in her house, car, and workplace to learn her & keep her safe.

Obs3ssion - There is the brand above his heart, the Gothic mansion that he designed every piece of with her in mind, and the ten years of stalking.

Psychologically Unstable - I mean maybe but honestly it is all out of love so who am I to judge??

Our FMC Briar:
She is sweet, she is loving, she is damaged, and she is relatable. I would absolutely want to be friends with her IRL. Plus she bakes so we are basically BFFs just from that.

Seriously though this book had me hooked from the beginning!!

Joan's characters are perfect in all their imperfections and everything they suffered makes the emotions just hit harder.

And her writing???? From the poetry pouring out of Drystan's mouth, to watching Briar struggle with warring emotions, to the gothic imagery...It was all impeccable.

This book is hauntingly dark and beautiful. The plot is rich and the spice is unhinged and hot!!

Y'all know I do not have any but this book has an extensive list of trigger warnings....READ THEM FIRST!!! Your mental health matters!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026 and I have no notes - it is an infinity star read for me and the best gothic novel I have read this year. I highly recommend this as your next stalker/dark romance.

[Chloe V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: Hellebore by Joan Morven

Release Date: September 28th, 2026

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5

This book took me minute to get into not gonna lie. BUT once I did I was hooked. It was really dark. There were two twists I wasn’t expecting that made this book dark. (No spoilers here!)

The stalking/yearning that Drystan (MMC) put himself through was absolutely insane. Granted not all of the 10 years was his fault but still. If you want a book with yearning this is it. He is totally certifiable but he owns it and doesn’t try to hide it or mislead Briar e is upfront with her about it and I think that made him more likable honestly.

Briar (FMC) didn’t totally stand out to me in any particular way aside from the fact that she was a baker. I haven’t seen that yet in any the books I’ve read. However, the war in her head that she fought and continued fighting until she literally couldn’t was almost the entirety of the book. I mean it was relatable the desire to be with him and then also pushing against him because it was scary and she literally didn’t know who he was.

This book was very relatable because to me it wasn’t far fetched. No one jumped into anything right off the bat and it wasn’t love at the very first interaction. I really enjoyed this book! Go get your copy on 09/28!

Please read the trigger warnings before reading. Some books are not for all readers and that’s okay!

[thevelvetthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An obsession that runs so deep it seeps through the fissures.
It consumes everything until nothing else matters but her.

I had years to think. To perfect. To plan.
And finally, she is standing in front of me.

But she isn’t as she used to be. Her hair is dark.
Her character meek.
Something has changed her.

After all these years, I finally found her.
And nothing will keep me away.
The manor is perfect, waiting to be lived in by my love.
The only one for me.

There’s just one thing.

She will never leave me again.
and I will destroy anyone who
stands in the way of my love.

————————————————————————————————————

Joan, you fucking did it again.

This story had me completely consumeD I wasn’t reading quietly
I was saying oh shit, noooo, fuck and OH MY GOD out loud
because I was that invested in what was happening.

The obsession is unhinged. The smut is perfection.The plot actually PLOTS. And just when I thought I knew where the story was taking me,
Joan managed to hit me with a twist I genuinely didn’t see coming.

And somehow, everyone in this book is fucking crazy.
Even Briar. Drystan doesn’t need to become less unhinged for her.
Their particular brands of insanity just work together.

There were also moments that genuinely hurt.
It gets dark. It gets brutal. It gets painful.
Please check your triggers before
going anywhere near this one.


Thank you for this ARC

[Ash Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was complete and utter PERFECTION. I am currently staring at the wall now, genuinely having withdrawals from these characters already.

I am an absolute sucker for a stalker romance. Add in a gothic mansion, a morally black MMC, unexpected plot twists and some rather deadly flowers - the perfect mix for a dark romance, and Joan Morven absolutely nailed this story.

Drystan has been obsessed with Briar for 10 long years, and he knows EVERYTHING about her. This man would do anything to protect what is his, and god help anyone who dares to touch Briar. This MMC is morally black, completely unhinged and feral - just the way we like our men!

Briar is a fabulous FMC, one with vulnerability and strength. She has been hiding parts of herself after experiencing a traumatic event. Drystan brings out her darkness and light, really allowing her to become confident and strong.

This book has everything and more and I was addicted from the first page. The writing is exceptional and the chemistry is sizzling. I am utterly obsessed with Drystan and his character development. The way we started to see him soften towards Briar towards the end of the book is so beautiful and intimate. The way he expresses his love is so poetic he has me yearning for him 🥵.

This is easily one of my favourite reads of the year so far!

[Cierra’s · Rating 4 out of 5]

🖤I received this book as An ARC 🖤This book had me pulling my hair out at times and throwing theories out left and right ( I was right about a few ) :)) I personally loved Lucille and the twins! Their loyalty is unmatched !!!🖤4.5 ⭐️🖤

Drystan’s obsession with her and all the minor details he paid attention to??? He took note of everything when it came to Briar! I felt so bad for him through out the story he truly deserved so much better.

Briar was another character I felt my heart aching for! My girl needs lots of therapy and a vacation seriously!!

I didn’t give this one 5 stars ⭐️ for a couple reasons which may be just a preference but the decision to not use contractions for majority of the story may have been intentional or maybe a personal choice made by the author, I will say in my opinion it didn’t flow naturally enough for my liking and pulled me out of the story a bit. I ignored it for the most part but at times the ‘ did not’ or ‘ can not ‘ did get to me especially when it came to dialogue. I also felt like Briar and Drystan didn’t really bond outside of sleeping with one another or trauma bonding. Yes he knew basically everything about her but she hardly knew much about him I wanted a bit more out of their relationship.Other than that I was locked into the story! I hope the twins and Lucille get the next book 👀👀👀👀

[Claire Alder · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

If you’re looking for your next dark, gothic stalker romance, look no further because Hellebore is IT!

Drystan is unhinged, obsessive, and dangerous in the most deliciously feral way—and honestly, I was volunteering as tribute from the very beginning! The entire story is driven by his devotion and obsession with Briar. After being released from prison for taking the fall for something he didn’t do, he finds his way back to Briar, determined to finally claim her as his.

Briar has always been the light in his darkness, but while he’s been away, trauma has changed her. Now, there’s a darkness inside her that calls to him like a beacon—and Drystan is more than willing to answer. And when something threatens to take Briar away from him, Drystan will stop at nothing to eliminate that threat.

This is the perfect combination of forced proximity, overprotective obsession, and mouth-watering spice, all wrapped up in a deliciously dark and gothic atmosphere. The chemistry between Drystan and Briar is written beautifully, and the spice is perfectly balanced with Drystan’s gothic, poetic mouth that had me absolutely melting.

If you love a morally black MMC who will stop at nothing to keep the woman he loves safe and bound to him, then this is the book for you. You will not be disappointed—you’ll just be completely ruined for the next book.

[TheCaffeinatedTBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Smut: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 (3.5/5)

Quick heads-up: This is a slightly darker read, so I highly suggest checking the trigger warnings before diving in!

If you are a sucker for absolutely unhinged obsessive "touch her and die" stalkers, add this one to your TBR immediately. 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

The premise hooked me right away. Our FMC, Briar, has been professionally followed by Drystan for years and she had absolutely no idea he even existed. Talk about dedication!  (And let's be real... is he even a dream MMC if he isn’t a walking red flag?) They both carry a lot of baggage, and the way they trauma bond is absolutely insane.

The pacing was perfect. It builds the tension perfectly, balancing Drystan’s obsession with their eventual intense emotional connection, and the plot twist that brought them together on a whole other level.  It didn't feel like there were any fillers at all. The plot moved seamlessly and kept me wanting to understand the "why" of everything and how their relationship would develop. The ending was a tad predictable, but I still very much enjoyed reading it! 

The spice was definitely spicy with a strong, underlying Dom/sub dynamic that I thoroughly enjoyed. While a few of the spicy scenes felt a tiny bit repetitive (while I love a pierced MMC, there was a lot of counting 😂), it still delivered an acceptable and very satisfying amount and level of smut.

[Julia Steiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle up for this one y'all! This is a very dark and disturbing stalker romance and I loved every second of it. Hey, we listen and we don't judge, right people?? Drystan is obsessed with Briar and over the top possessive and protective of her. He doesn't hesitate to unalive anyone who even looks in her direction. But, watch out even more if you've touched her, and if you've wronged or hurt her in anyway? Well, that just means Drystan gets more creative with how you die! Drystan says himself "...every single person who touched her will pay in ways that will make the devil himself look away."
He has obsessed over her for 10 years without her knowing, once he finally gets her, he is keeping her, whether she likes it or not! But Drystan isn't the real villain in this story, I was shocked at the twist this story took! Several different turns I didn't see coming! The suspense will have you on the edge of your seat!
This book is detailed in the unaliving scenes, but has some delicious spicy scenes too! There are several scenes and mentions of dark and dangerous events, so definitely check the trigger warnings before reading. Definitely worth the read, if the trigger warnings are not a concern for you.