Devoted: A Dark Stalker Romance

by Julia Sykes

Genres: Dark Romance, Stalker, Dark, Romance, Amazon, Romantic Suspense, Adult

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 29, 2026

About the author

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

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

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

Reviews

[Sim-fully Ever After]

3.75🌟 | 3🌶️

This was such an addictive, fast-paced read.

I flew through it, completely hooked by Karolina, her connection with Bones, and the mysterious Professor Rand. The obsession, forbidden tension, and stalker vibes pulled me in, and I especially loved the chemistry between Karolina and Rand.

I did guess a few of the twists, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the ride. Karolina’s past added emotional depth, while Rand’s possessive, broody energy was exactly what I wanted. A couple of moments of dialogue didn’t quite land for me, but overall, the pacing and tension kept me thoroughly invested.

And that ending! I had some of it figured out, but the final reveal still caught me off guard.

I’m definitely invested enough to need the next book, and I can’t wait to see where Karolina and Rand’s story goes.

~~~~

A huge thank you to Julia Sykes and Hambright PR for the Copy! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[Soft Nectarine ~]

I wanted darkness & I did get scared…by that cringe dialogue 😬 started & ended with a SMUT scene that lacked true chemistry!

Karolina has been living her life in the wake of a traumatic fosterhood (but now living off of her parent’s inheritance…suuuure okay). She’s in a cyber relationship with a MASKED stranger who she speed dials for orgasms. But then she meets a hot new professor and she tells the Mask to kindly “fuck off” so she can hop on the scholarly train 👩🏽‍🏫 It’s okay though because the Mask is also her new professor who is also her stalker…a man of all trades! All aboard this messy smut train…

Things that didn’t make sense:
❗️has sexual trauma but will meet a random stranger from internet for primal sex party
❗️where does he get the money for all that?
❗️snarking off to her literal professor & antagonizing him in class *maybe I’m just too fearful of authority*
❗️THE HORNIEST virgin I’ve ever seen!
❗️too many stalkers in one book

I never thought I’d say this but…STOP with the constant smut scenes. CEASE THE SMUTTING! This story barely had a plot or a sensible relationship structure. I couldn’t fully immerse myself in the dark smut scenes because I had no background on their relationship/chemistry 💔 The story starts with a smut scene and the dialogue is criiiinge…sadly doesn’t get better as the entire story continues with elementary dialogue with reactive cringe lines. It didn’t jive with my preferred taste in romantic chemistry.

Don’t even get me started on her BRATTINESS! At one point she antagonizes him with “Very scary. Such brute. Much caveman.” and I literally want to jump off a cliff and die.

student x professor
stalking
dom/sub
punishments
dual virgins
secret identities
masked persona
sex toys
*cluffhanger

Thank you Hambright PR for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Books &Chaos]

I seriously absolutely DEVOURED this book!

I picked this one up for the student/teacher trope, but somehow ended up completely obsessed with the stalker trope—a trope I genuinely never knew I needed so bad until now.

The MMC is dark, intense, possessive, and completely obsessed with the FMC, and honestly… I was here for every second of it! The FMC is more closed-off when it comes to her love life, but I loved seeing her stand her ground when it mattered, especially when she had no problem telling her professor exactly what she thought when defending a friend.

One thing I really appreciated was how much of their backstory we got. We get to understand the experiences that shaped them into the people they are in the present, which made it easier to understand their choices and why they are the way they are.

And the suspense and plot twists?! They kept me turning pages because I NEEDED to know what was coming next.

Needless to say, I am officially hooked—and after that ending, I need book two immediately.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes ✨:
Forbidden Romance
Masked Man
Stalking
He falls first
Professor x Student

Thank you to the author and Hambright PR for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Winfield]

The author changed the title of the book from Duplicitous: A Dark Stalker Romance to Devoted: A Dark Stalker Romance, thank goodness she kept the same cover art because I would never gotten a chance to read it.

This forbidden romance is packed with great plot twists and suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. Karolina, trying to escape her traumatic past, has built a new life as Lena but struggles to let anyone close to her. In a long-term, online ‘relationship’ with a masked man named Bones, she’s fulfilled but emotionally guarded. When she encounters a smug new professor, Rand, their mutual attraction heats up, especially when he steps in to protect her from a stalker.

Karolina is a strong, independent character, while Rand’s intense possessiveness makes him a classic red flag male lead. Their professor-student dynamic creates palpable tension, with witty banter elevating their connection. The clever plot twists and a shocking cliffhanger ultimately earned this book five stars.

If you enjoy suspense, tension, and a morally complex male lead who falls hard for his female counterpart, this book should be on your TBR!

[Rachel]

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

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

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

[Brooke ✌︎㋡]

Devoted by Julia Sykes

Ok wow! I binged this book so freaking fast! Any book that can make me not be able to put it down is most likely an automatic 5 ⭐️! This dark romance has a really good thrilling twist to it that just made me keep turning pages. And MAN! I never knew a book could have so much spice without like actual 👉👌 👀 until the very end! Lots and lots of kinky playing that’s for sure. And the masked stalker was definitely exciting. (I always have to say this when I read dark romances: please protect your mental health and check the warnings when going into dark romances and please remember that this is FICTION).

I will have to admit, I knew the twist at the end from the get go. It was almost glaringly obvious for me but was still a fun and exciting read and I DEFINITELY CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK! I geek out over books that I just can’t put down. You will love it if you love the more vanilla side of dark romances.

Spice level is a 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Tropes you will enjoy✨

🚫 Forbidden Romance
🎭 Masked Man
🪢 BDSM
😍 He Falls First
👀 Stalking
💼 Professor / Student

Thank you Hambright PR and Julia Sykes for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review!

[bookedonthatfeeling]

I just adore the professor x student trope, and this was absolutely perfect. The eerie backstory had me enthralled from the very beginning. I was desperate to uncover who Rand truly was. I kept thinking I had him figured out, but I wasn’t completely sure until the very end. And it seems there’s still so much more to learn about him… especially the other name he’s called in the ending chapters. 👀 Needless to say, I’m very curious!
Karolina, though… my heart shattered for her a little at the end. She never forgave herself for what she did and everything she lost. Then, when she finally gives in and chooses what she wants, she gets blindsided all over again. I’m not saying what happened was right, but I’m really hoping for an HEA for her and Rand!

I’ll definitely be clocking in and rushing to read Depraved! Give me ALL the possessive, broody professor, please! 😍 I’m absolutely ready for more!

Thanks to Hambright PR for this e-book!

[Jacklyn B]

This book is fast paced and dark and easy to get lost in. The author creates this great sense of tension and suspense and chemistry right from the start. Karolina has been through a lot but she’s strong and feisty - when they meet in person we really start to get that side of her personality. She’s also very understandably cautious…I mean, except for the whole getting into the car with a masked man part, but I don’t judge!

And then we have Rand - he is all in for Karolina - he’s possessive and obsessed and protective. Some readers will see red flags, others will look right past them and see how completely swoon worthy he is!

There are some good twists, and while you might guess a couple that ending was 😳🤯👀

I have so many questions and can’t wait to see where this goes!

I can’t wait to read book 2!

✨What To Expect:
🥀 Dark Romance
🚫 Forbidden Romance
🎭 Masked Man
🖤 Dark Academia Vibes
🪢 BDSM
❤️‍🔥 He Falls First
👀 Stalking
💼 Professor / Student
⁉️ Secrets & Twists
🩶 Morally Gray Characters

[Liz_Dolphin70_Reads]

Before I even opened the book, I was completely obsessed with the cover. This is a fantastic dark romance. It has a masked stalker MMC and a tough female main character. I love this book because it gives you insight into both of these characters. What led them to be the way they are their past and then their present. I love how possessive the MMC is and will do anything for the female main character. I love Lena and Rand so much. I love that forbidden romance between professor and student! I highly recommend and I need book 2 !!

[Tyla 🧚 🗡️ ☠️ 🩸 🖤]

ARC
Even though I was expecting something along the lines of that ending.. it was still absolutely bizarre, very far fetched 😂
But I did enjoy this story. Dark stalker romance. Nice short story. VERY spicy I’ll never think of a library the same again. I think if this is going to be a duet, the two will probably have been better as one longer story! But I am intrigued to see how this will play out in book 2.. 🫣

[Maddy]

Julia Sykes knows how to write the most ‘devoted’ and depraved MMCs!🤭 Her books are always so intense and captivating all the way through, I never find myself bored when reading them. I devoured this book and read it in one sitting; I simply could not put it down.
I loved how intense our MMC was and I loved how we were given some of the FMC’s background through her nightmares. I was immediately hooked by chapter 1 and still need more after finishing the book, especially with that cliffhanger!👀

[Brooke Chambers]

Thank you HambrightPR and Julia Sykes for the arc!

Some of this was predictable but still awesome, because I love a good stalker romance 😂 and then there was other parts where I was taken aback and needed so many more questions answered!
All I will say is I need the second book asap because that ending got me stressed.
🌶️🌶️
🖤🖤🖤

[Amber R]

I went into this expecting a dark romance, but wow... this one was dark and FULL of spice🔥

The MMC is completely unhinged—obsessive, possessive, and morally questionable in every way. The story leans heavily into the stalker romance trope with lots of suspense and cat-and-mouse moments, so definitely check the trigger warnings before picking this one up up.

If you love dark romances with obsessive antiheroes, secret identities, and a plot that keeps you saying "what did I just read?" this might be for you. 🖤

[liz]

(Read and reviewed about a month ago and now the sequel is out! )
ETA: The sequel is not on my Kindle. I understand delays happen.. I do. Even 2-3 times. I guess this is why I don’t like starting unfinished series’ very often. The new date for the sequel Depraved: A Dark Stalker Romance is now 8/18/26.

Ok. So. I’ll start with my old years ago Disclaimer: I knowingly suck at “reviews”. I very rarely write them. Please seek out the wonderful bloggers and others for fantastic, well balanced and often justifiably crafted reviews to seek knowledgeable opinions.

These are my thoughts. Sometimes because a book made me feel compelled to write something, others for my person reasonings.

Back to the book…
Devoted: A Dark Stalker Romance, as it’s now called, is a fairly newly published first of-a-sequel by a somewhat familiar to me Author, Julia Sykes.

Being a “Carolina girl” myself, I love when any book references places in or around my home state. Such a small thing I realize but just a cherry on the top for me, personally.

Having read Sykes’ work a couple of times before, I was already aware this that she produced very well written, often quite HOTT, sexy books without super overly complicated, but enjoyable plots. However, I hadn’t read anything dark lately by her, and something about this intrigued me for sure.

As often happens, I stumbled upon this book prior to publishing when I saw the cover. I LOVE the juxtaposition of the beautiful flowers against the skeleton. Perfection in my opinion, considering different aspects of the book.

In ”Devoted” the female main character KAROLINA, left after college at UNC (Go Heels!) to go abroad for her graduate studies in medieval history and to escape memories of her horrific past. She had one specific incident that has haunted her and has shaped her life in both ways that she is aware and unaware.

Because of her trauma she stays at a distance from any relationships. However, she befriends and confides in a masked man online known only to her as “Bones”. There is an emotional distance that speaks to Karolina in this type arrangement. She and the faceless “Bones” develop over the several years into a sexual couple, and she willingly submits to him over the safety of the computer.

Unbeknownst to her “Bones” has many secrets of his own. His past. His obsession with Karolina, or Lena as she’s known, is extreme to say the least , and knows no boundaries.

“Karolina is my entire world, my only reason for existence.” (-“Bones”)

Just as “Bones’”plan to enter her life off of the computer screen as her Professor takes shape, danger is on the horizon in multiple forms.

A well written “dark-ish gray” (to me, at this point) romance with a twisted story. THIS ENDS ON A CLIFFHANGER!!! It’s been a long time since I’ve REALLY NEEDED A SEQUEL- like this! This sequel could go in so many directions- I. Need. To. Know. !! I read this book in no time flat!

So many things have played out in my mind since turning the last page of Devoted. Only a great book can do that, & leaving yearning for more, in my opinion.

Side Note: “Dark” is subjective to all readers , so just bc it’s “gray” or “dark-ish” to me, doesn’t mean everyone will find it as such, or that the sequel won’t be more or less so. Always check for triggers, etc, it’s just not an issue for me.

[Erin B]

THANK YOU HAMBRIGHT PR FOR THIS ARC OPPORTUNITY!!
•
☠️ARC REVIEW ☠️
•
Devoted by Julia Sykes
•
“I want my professor, and he doesn’t seem remotely worried about having a forbidden relationship with his student.”
•
*THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS*

Add this to the list of of authors of “if she writes it, I’ll read it” because thats just what Julia Sykes does for me.

This beautiful forbidden love story follows Karolina and Rand. & boy do I tell you it is going to throw you for a loop. There is twists there is turns and there is slow burn with angst. This story is a beautiful roller coaster, but it is going to keep you on your toes and have you constantly turning the page. This book is a short read that will immediately draw you in and keep pulling until you feel like you are getting stalked by Bones himself. So, buckle up!

Now, what I would have NEVER guessed?? THAT RAND/BONES WAS A VIRGIN TOO!!!! THE GASP I GUSPED OMFG.
The chemistry with this couple had me in tears at so many points.
(Next part straight from book)
“I’m not going to fuck you,” he promises.
“But don’t you…” My cheeks heat, and I’m not sure if I’m disappointed or flustered. “Don’t you want me?”
“You have no Idea how goddamn badly I want you,” he confesses. “But I won’t take more than you’re ready to give.”
LIKE WHAT!?!?! I CRIED I STG.

I had a feeling from the beginning where it was going to go, but I never would have guessed that I was going to be left on a cliffhanger like that, and now I am foaming at the mouth for book 2😭

“I was going to make you beg, but I’m the one who’s desperate.”

📚rating: 5/5 ⭐️
•
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
•
📚Tropes:
Age gap
Forbidden romance
MMC&FMC have V card
Stalker romance

•
PUBLISH DATE JULY 29 2026
PRINT LENGTH: 215 PAGES

[Letty]

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

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

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

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

Check your TW ❌ !

Book Overview below as well 👇🏻



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



Book overview

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

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

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

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

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

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

I crave to torment and cherish her.

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

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

[Catherine]

Devoted? Obsessed? In this book, there is no difference between the two.

The FMC Karolina had many traumatic experiences in her foster home. One specific night, she was forced to defend herself against her foster brother. That night changed her life forever. She ran away, changed her name, and built a new better life for herself. She prefers to keep to herself, never letting anyone too close. This includes a strictly sexual online relationship with a masked man who calls himself Bones. When Bones reveals wants a real relationship with her, Karolina immediately pushes him away.

Karolina is now pursuing an MA in History to assist her in writing fantasy novels while she hopefully also teaches to help pay the bills. At school and in her day to day life, she goes by her fake name, Lena. One of her professors, Rand, is gorgeous, confusing, and a bit of an asshole. When she starts receiving concerning anonymous messages, Rand becomes her protector. The more she comes to depend on him, the closer they become.

To Rand devotion and obsession are the same thing. Karolina doesn't know it, but he has wanted her for a long time. He will do anything to have her. Rand will manipulate Karolina into his arms while also protecting her from the rest of the world. He is so close to finally having her right where he wants her. He just has to make sure she doesn't discover all of his secrets before he gets her to fall in love with him.

[Findapassion1114]

"𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒄𝒆. 𝑪𝒓𝒖𝒆𝒍. 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒃𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕."

Special thanks to @authorjuliasykes @hambright_pr for the #gifted epub in exchange for an honest review.

👉🏼 swipe for synopsis ➡️

𝙈𝙔 𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️➕️

📷Touch her and die
📷Masked men
📷Emotional scars
📷Hunter x prey
📷Stalker
📷Professor x student
📷Academia
📷Banter

This book has ruined my brain, in the best way ever. I dont even know how to form thoughts let alone words for this book. I read it in 1 sitting because not only is it super fast paced but its that damn good. Wow im literally mins blown. And what a cliff hanger. I need the next book like freaking yesterday

I honestly didnt think I'd like this as much as I did. I don't remember why I requested this one but I'm super thankful I did.

This is my first book by Julia but her writing is so surreal I need more from her! Also, the cover is freaking gorgeous. Anything with a skull on it, always wins my heart but this one is simplistic and eye catching in all the right ways. And yes im a cover judger, Sue me. Lol

The tension both good and bad between the main characters is great, and it gives you all thr atmospheric creepiness too. The ending was jaw dropping and I literally can't wait for book 2!

𝙋𝙐𝘽 𝘿𝘼𝙔:
July 29, 2026

ℚ𝕆𝕋𝔻❓️⁉️❓️ Where was the last place you traveled?

.
.
.

🏷
Julia Sykes . Dark Romance . Stalker Romance . Dark Stalker Romance . Academia Romance . Dark Academia Romance .

#darkacademiaromance #darkstalkerromance #stalkerromance #academiaromance
.

[Emmy Wong]

This book may seem like your typical masked man stalker romance but it is so much more. Julia Sykes always manages to write the most brutally emotional dark romances and the cliffhanger ending of this one ripped my soul out of my body. Bones is the online guy Karolina trusts but he wants so much more than to be the online masked guy she gets off with. I do think that in terms of Bones/Rand being a masked stalker he’s pretty average and doesn’t do anything I haven’t seen before but the ending might have changed everything. He’s also a hot professor so that gets extra points in my book. His devotion seriously knows no bounds (hence the title of this book) but all the secret personas he kept were bound to crash into one another at some point so I there was some predictability in this plot but I definitely didn’t predict the other part (you’ll have to read to find out). Karolina is also such an interesting character and super cool aspiring fantasy writer but also a traumatised girl with trust issues. I loved her fierce personality but she really isn’t my favourite fmc of Julia unfortunately. I did love the chemistry and banter between Karolina and Professor Arsehole (as she likes to call him), and can’t wait to see more of them in the next (and final) book of this duology. It’s a solid dark romance read and I give it a 4/5

[MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog]

Karolina grew up with two foster brothers and a tragic incident happened back then. Years later she is trying to be someone else but her memories of that night still haunt her. That’s why she only has an online relationship with a masked man named “Bones” but her new professor Rand is also taking an interest. She has no idea who either really is but will it change her feelings once the truth is revealed? This is one twisted story showing a D/s relationship built from trauma. Be aware this has many TW topics so definitely check those before reading. Ending on quite the cliffhanger, you will be wanting book two to see where Bones, Rand and Karolina are headed in their twisted story. I don’t want to say much more as I feel it is better going into this blind as much is revealed as you read. Get ready for an interesting twist. Told in first person and dual POV.

[Catherine Linger]

SPOILERS AHEAD!

Oh goodness!

Oohh is this a good one! I am SO into stalker to romances and I live for this one!

Rand/Bones is such a hunk! I mean, wow! The things he does for Karolina are just so swoon worthy! He lives for her, she is his EVERYTHING! he waits for her physically and mentally. He takes care of her, he protects her and her heart. Ok, the keeping secrets thing, annoying, but it is all part of the plot.

Karolina, poor girl has had to be soo strong her whole life. Girl, forgive and lean on your man. You know you can!

Oh, but what’s this? Another stalker, that’s evil! I need to know what happened on that Ranch years ago to Brandon, & yes we all knew it was him first thing. But, details! I need details and the rest of Karolina and Brandon’s story!

Waiting anxiously for Depraved!

#HPRDevoted

#JuliaSykes

#HambrightPR

[Jamie Reads]

Devoted by Julia Sykes is a fast‑paced, dark, stalker romance that wastes no time pulling you into its intensity. From the opening chapters, the tension is high, the obsession is palpable, and the story moves with a momentum that kept me turning pages quickly. Sykes leans fully into the possessive devotion, the danger, and that addictive push‑pull dynamic that readers love in dark romance.

While I found plot twists predictable, the pacing and emotional beats still made the story engaging for me. The central relationship is twisted, consuming, and intentionally uncomfortable in places, the kind of dynamic that defines this genre.

The book ends on a cliffhanger, setting up the next installment with high stakes and unanswered questions. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where the story goes from here and how the characters evolve in book two.

Because this is a dark romance with stalker elements, I strongly recommend checking trigger warnings before diving in. For readers who enjoy obsessive MMCs, intense dynamics, and fast‑moving plots, Devoted delivers exactly what you’re looking for.

[Leighann]

If you’re in the mood for a quick, dark romance read that is fast paced and will knock your spicy pickles off, then Devoted is for you.

Right from the first chapter, this book had me guessing, theorizing, and swatting away questions from family regarding adult responsibilities.

Spicey and bingeable, I read this in a day and a half.

Tropes you’ll find:
Forbidden Romance
Masked Man
BDSM
He Falls First
Stalking
Professor / Student

This is book 1 in the Deceit Duet and I will definitely be reading book 2.

Please read trigger warnings.

Thank you to Hambright PR and Julia Sykes for the opportunity to read and review. Devoted is available now!

[Kristi Arends]

Bones/Rand is feral over Karolina/Lena and will stop at nothing - not even unaliving someone to show just how devoted he is.
The chemistry between these two is ❤️‍🔥 and the spice is 🥵
Yes, there is a lot of smut in this book, I mean c'mon it's a dark stalker romance. But there is also plot and a twist at the end that had me picking my jaw up off the floor. 😲
It's been a minute since I sat down and binged a book in a day. Devoted was incredibly captivating and I honestly could not put it down.
After the cliffie ending, I need book 2.
Do I recommend? Yes.
Be sure to check TWs ⚠️

Thank you to Hambright PR and Julia Sykes for my copy of Devoted in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and given freely.
Happy reading! 🤓

[Mary Lohorn]

Obsessed, possessive, masked, AND her professor? Say less. 👀🖤

Bones is completely unhinged, protective, and the definition of touch her and 💀. The forbidden tension, masked identity, and obsessive cat-and-mouse vibes had me hooked from the start. I flew through this because I had to know what happened next.

If you love stalker romance, forbidden tension, masked men, and morally gray MMCs who take obsession to the next level, this one’s definitely worth adding to your TBR.

[Rebecca Hawkins]

SO the steam of this one IS GREAT, but the plot...

is not.

I don't know what it is, but I feel like something is disjointed and the story doesn't flow as it should. The beginning hooked me and then as the story went on... I was not as in love. However, the ending..... drew me back in and I unfortunately need to know more....

Dang it....

[Heather Newsome]

What a book… From the start to finish I wasn’t sure what was doing to happen on the next page. So many red flags in this book but that’s what I liked about it. Stalker romances can get stale after a while but this one kept me needing more.

[Brina]

This is a great read! I love the arc of the story and Rand and Karolina's relationships. They work really well together and are intertwined seamlessly. It's both entertaining and captivating. I really enjoyed reading every bit and can't wait for the conclusion. I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sofia]

That was a crazy ending and super spicy 🔥

[Elizabeth Craft]

Waiting For Sequel!!

Devoted: A Dark Stalker Romance is a fairly newly published first of a sequel by a somewhat familiar to me Author, Julia Sykes.

Being a “Carolina girl” myself, I love that some of her books mention or reference places in or around my home state. Such a small thing I realize but just a cherry on the top for me, personally. Having read Sykes’ work a couple of times before, I was already aware this that she produced very well written, often quite HOTT, sexy books without super overly complicated, but enjoyable plots. However, I hadn’t read anything dark lately by her, and something about this intrigued me for sure.

As often happens, I stumbled upon this book prior to publishing when I saw the cover. I LOVE the juxtaposition of the beautiful flowers against the skeleton. Perfection in my opinion, considering different aspects of the book.

The female main character KAROLINA, left after college at UNC (Go Heels!) to go abroad for her graduate studies in medieval history and to escape memories of her horrific past. She had one specific incident that has haunted her and has shaped her life in both ways that she is aware and unaware.

Because of her trauma she stays at a distance from any relationships. However, she befriends and confides in a masked man online known only to her as “Bones”. There is an emotional distance that speaks to Karolina in this type arrangement. She and the faceless “Bones” develop over the several years into a sexual couple, and she willingly submits to him over the safety of the computer.

Unbeknownst to her “Bones” has many secrets of his own. His past. His obsession with Karolina, or Lena as she’s known, is extreme to say the least , and knows no boundaries.

“Karolina is my entire world, my only reason for existence.” (-“Bones”)

Just as “Bones’”plan to enter her life off of the computer screen as her Professor takes shape, danger is on the horizon in multiple forms.

A well written “dark-ish gray” (to me, at this point) romance with a twisted story. THIS ENDS ON A CLIFFHANGER!!! It’s been a long time since I’ve REALLY NEEDED A SEQUEL- like this! This sequel could go in so many directions- I. Need. To. Know. !! I read this book in no time flat! I didn’t want to sit it down.

So many things have played out in my mind since turning the last page of Devoted. *Only a great book can do that, I think.*

Side Note: “Dark” is subjective to all readers, so just bc it’s “gray” or “dark-ish” to me, doesn’t mean everyone will find it as such, or that the sequel won’t be more so( or less). Always check for triggers, etc, it’s just not an issue for me.