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Brightling
Not yet published
Expected 22 Sep 26Blood has been stolen.
Bonds have been broken.
Brightlings are fading & hidden.
Darklings are unsated & starved.
The Stars no longer shine for guidance,
they burn with vengeance.
Bonds have been broken.
Brightlings are fading & hidden.
Darklings are unsated & starved.
The Stars no longer shine for guidance,
they burn with vengeance.
745 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 22, 2026
About the author
B.B. Aspen
4 books85 followersB.B. Aspen
[Virgo Sun - Aquarius Moon - Sagittarius Rising]
B.B. is an awkwardly extroverted–but always authentic–indie author who thrives in dispersing magic throughout her everyday life as a full time ER RN, mom of three wildlings and a world travelling hippie witch.
When B.B. is not reading or writing why-choose fantasy romance or celestial poly reverse harem brilliance she deeply enjoys prancing around her vegetable garden and committing to the beach bum lifestyle.
She takes her coffee hot, her crystals charged and her humor twisted.
Stay wild.
[Virgo Sun - Aquarius Moon - Sagittarius Rising]
B.B. is an awkwardly extroverted–but always authentic–indie author who thrives in dispersing magic throughout her everyday life as a full time ER RN, mom of three wildlings and a world travelling hippie witch.
When B.B. is not reading or writing why-choose fantasy romance or celestial poly reverse harem brilliance she deeply enjoys prancing around her vegetable garden and committing to the beach bum lifestyle.
She takes her coffee hot, her crystals charged and her humor twisted.
Stay wild.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love her. She is my Brightling Book Baby!
Release Day September 22, 2026 on the Autumn Equinox.
Release Day September 22, 2026 on the Autumn Equinox.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love a good standalone because there is no pressure of waiting for the next book, you get to completely immerse yourself in the world, get emotionally attached, have your heart put through things, and actually get the full story.
And Brightling gave me exactly that.
The world-building, the plot, the characters, everything just worked for me. But what really had me invested was Danika and everything surrounding her past.
Her Darklings only know that she rejected them and disappeared, but they don’t know everything she went through or what actually led her there.
So naturally I’m reading like…
When are we getting the truth?
Can they forgive her?
Can she forgive them?
Can everyone heal?
And most importantly… WHEN ARE WE GETTING REVENGE?!
Because with everything Danika went through, I was READY for consequences to be served.
Then you have the Darklings and all their different personalities, the tension, the spice, the revelations and me thinking I was going to choose a favorite.
Yeah… no.
A Darkling or a Brightling?
Honestly, why choose? Don’t ask me to do impossible things.
By the end, I didn’t even know what I wanted to be anymore.
And Brightling gave me exactly that.
The world-building, the plot, the characters, everything just worked for me. But what really had me invested was Danika and everything surrounding her past.
Her Darklings only know that she rejected them and disappeared, but they don’t know everything she went through or what actually led her there.
So naturally I’m reading like…
When are we getting the truth?
Can they forgive her?
Can she forgive them?
Can everyone heal?
And most importantly… WHEN ARE WE GETTING REVENGE?!
Because with everything Danika went through, I was READY for consequences to be served.
Then you have the Darklings and all their different personalities, the tension, the spice, the revelations and me thinking I was going to choose a favorite.
Yeah… no.
A Darkling or a Brightling?
Honestly, why choose? Don’t ask me to do impossible things.
By the end, I didn’t even know what I wanted to be anymore.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the absolute pleasure to be one of @b.b.aspen_author beta readers for her upcoming book Brightling. This read kept me captivated and my breath held throughout its pages. I don’t want to give too much away since the story is still being edited… but WOW. This read will keep your mind wondering what happened in the past? Can there be a future? Can there be forgiveness? Can there be healing and understanding? But most of all… When will there be revenge? Danika is a strong ass Brightling that has encountered so much that her Darklings do not know. All they know is she rejected them and disappeared. Can finding her lead to closure.. to the answers they seek? Awakenings will happen. The truth will be shown. Passions will ignite. As a reader your heart will beat through your chest as you wait for the answers. As you read the pure ecstasy of these pages. I have my favorite Darkling picked out… will you be able to choose just one at the end?
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so very much to the author for letting me read this great ARC!
I was highly entertained by this book. The plot, the world building, the characters, and the pace are all great. This would have been a 5☆, however, there are just so many spelling and grammer errors throughout this book. Just about every page has at least one error, from misused words to missing words entirely to extra added words. I have to wonder if this has been edited yet? You know how when you say something through text-to-speech and it comes out a bit jumbled (like, "Please pick up milk on the way home." will turn into something messed up like "Please picket milk on the the wayhome."), this reads like that. Idk if it's just my copy or what, but it was distracting for me.
Other than that, I quite enjoyed this...well, minus chapter 40🤔🤮, but that's on me for not looking at TW.
I was highly entertained by this book. The plot, the world building, the characters, and the pace are all great. This would have been a 5☆, however, there are just so many spelling and grammer errors throughout this book. Just about every page has at least one error, from misused words to missing words entirely to extra added words. I have to wonder if this has been edited yet? You know how when you say something through text-to-speech and it comes out a bit jumbled (like, "Please pick up milk on the way home." will turn into something messed up like "Please picket milk on the the wayhome."), this reads like that. Idk if it's just my copy or what, but it was distracting for me.
Other than that, I quite enjoyed this...well, minus chapter 40🤔🤮, but that's on me for not looking at TW.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Best dark standalone out there! A gorgeous and filthy addition to my shelves!
I devoured the plot, savored the spice and cheered when consequences were dealt to the perpetrators. It healed something in me that I desperately needed, since our world lets *them* walk free. Bring the system down my devious Darklings!! Let your Brightling Burn it!
Brightling is a big girl and going to make a beautiful shelf trophy! (ARC reader here!) For a standalone there was plenty of character growth, plot, smut, spice and mic drop moments that kept me drooling and devouring chapter after chapter.
Warning: these pages did burn me due to the high level of chili pepper content. It is a yes from me! 10/5 STARS.
I devoured the plot, savored the spice and cheered when consequences were dealt to the perpetrators. It healed something in me that I desperately needed, since our world lets *them* walk free. Bring the system down my devious Darklings!! Let your Brightling Burn it!
Brightling is a big girl and going to make a beautiful shelf trophy! (ARC reader here!) For a standalone there was plenty of character growth, plot, smut, spice and mic drop moments that kept me drooling and devouring chapter after chapter.
Warning: these pages did burn me due to the high level of chili pepper content. It is a yes from me! 10/5 STARS.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had me at the mention of a Second Breakfast and finished me with her safeword being screamed down their bloodbond. Are you freaking kidding me!? My soul! Brightling has all my favorite tropes, but I wasn't expecting such a strong a enemies to lovers vibe with tension and banter that hurt my face from smiling so much. That was amazing to stumble on in a dark, RH book with Blood Wars. Emotionally, I was not prepared for investing my soul into these characters. There are 6. I love them. And I LOVE that they love each other. I love HOW they love each other. Just yes. The consent, the aftercare, the spice level. B.B. there better be another book IN this realm... Or I'll sic the Starseed on you!
Review of advance copy received from Author
If not for the cover alone, for the plot, for the spice, for the stars!
As an ARC reader that devours a variety of fiction... I am happy to announce Brightling checks the box off for everyone in one way or another. This book is perfect for readers of so many genres. (Also the trope list is LIT!) Readers of polyamory/RH/WC dark romance, PNR, dystopian, vampires, fantasy, queer, magic systems and star hippies this is for you! Arlo and Lore are my babies. I can't wait for you to love them too!
Thank you B.B. for positive kink representation. (some soft/minor and others not soft at all.) You did a great job of giving glimpses into the rationale and behaviors without it dominating the Darkling characters.
You are such a GOOD GIRL.
As an ARC reader that devours a variety of fiction... I am happy to announce Brightling checks the box off for everyone in one way or another. This book is perfect for readers of so many genres. (Also the trope list is LIT!) Readers of polyamory/RH/WC dark romance, PNR, dystopian, vampires, fantasy, queer, magic systems and star hippies this is for you! Arlo and Lore are my babies. I can't wait for you to love them too!
Thank you B.B. for positive kink representation. (some soft/minor and others not soft at all.) You did a great job of giving glimpses into the rationale and behaviors without it dominating the Darkling characters.
You are such a GOOD GIRL.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Blood has been stolen.
Bonds have been broken.
Brightlings are fading & hidden.
Darklings are unsated & starved.
The Stars no longer shine for guidance,
they burn with vengeance.
This book was such an easy and enjoyable read.
The characters and the world building was good throughout this book.
Well written and nice book. Enough spice that kept me hanging on through the entire book.
I received an advance review copy at no cost and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bonds have been broken.
Brightlings are fading & hidden.
Darklings are unsated & starved.
The Stars no longer shine for guidance,
they burn with vengeance.
This book was such an easy and enjoyable read.
The characters and the world building was good throughout this book.
Well written and nice book. Enough spice that kept me hanging on through the entire book.
I received an advance review copy at no cost and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews