My Darling, Ghost

by Kaitlyn Kross

Wynnie Jackson is a librarian, trying to survive a relationship that is slowly destroying her... until the evening she comes home to find her boyfriend brutally murdered and a masked stranger waiting for her in the dark. He says he did it for her and has no plans to leave her alone.

Ghost has been watching Wynnie for months now, carefully planning when to show himself. He kills her abusive boyfriend and others he believes pose a threat to her path to happiness, convinced that he's doing nothing more than protecting her. And all he wants in return? Her love.

It's soon clear that they are both the most dangerous thing either of them has ever encountered. Because when the hunter becomes the hunted, and the victim becomes something far more volatile, blood will be shed.

When the police discover their crimes, the two have no choice but to run... together.

-- My Darling, Ghost is a dark romantic suspense. Content warnings are available on my website! Please read carefully and thoroughly.

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 19, 2026

About the author

Kaitlyn Kross is a debut indie author.
She lives in Southern Illinois with her family and her Australian Shepard.
You'll often find her reading smut, obsessing over TV shows or writing on various upcoming projects.
You can find her on Instagram @kaitlynkrossauthor

Reviews

[Rebecca_Karla]

Thank you for having me as an ARC reader for this! It was a pleasure! 🖤

So you may think “oh, a librarian FMC sounds kinda boring” & that not much will happen in this book? 🥱
My Darling, Ghost will definitely proof you wrong! Because Wynnie isn’t your typical boring & shy bookworm you might imagine her to be. Oh boy you won’t see all of the twists coming! 🙂‍↕️

Wynnie lives in a relationship with an abusive man & one day she comes home to only find him dead. That are the circumstances under which she meets her stalker, Ghost. Everything that will follow this dramatic introduction is up to you to find out while reading! Be prepared for a wild ride you won’t forget easily!

Their story had me in a chokehold the whole time, it’s incredibly fast paced that you’ll fly through the pages. All the banter beween the MC is just chef’s kiss! 🙌🏻
And the ending? Had my jaw on the floor 🫡 & left me with questions as well as in need of a second book about Darling & Ghost 🤫

Are you in for a possessive stalker, a woman getting her revenge & both of them making decisions based off of desperation?
Grab the debut of Kaitlyn Kross! It is so well written, you won’t be able to set the book down from page one! Grab this for a quick read for the season & see for yourself! 🖤

[Renita]

Omg… my jaw is on the freaking floor. What a debut novel omg! This was incredible. It usually takes me longer to read physical books but I inhaled this. Literally inhaled it. I could not put it down.

The FMC is a librarian and the MMC is her stalker. This man is the definition of touch her and 💀. Winnie is such a bada$$, once she found her worth, there was no stopping this girl. I’m actually so obsessed with these two it’s not even funny.

The ending is where my mind is blown. My emotions are all over the place. TALK ABOUT A PLOT TWIST OMG. I’m on my hands and knees begging for a part 2 because WHAT. I will never get enough of these 2. This story was truly captivating. Kaitlyn must be some sort of witch because there’s no way this is her first book. This was amazing.

[CharliReadsSmut]

Oh my gosh!! What a read!

This book kept me guessing from the beginning and the stalker vibe was hella strong in this one. The red flags were waving right in my face, but, I’ll ignore them because Preston loves Wynnie 🥹

I didn’t expect half of what happened and I liked that it wasn’t predictable!

And the ending?? Well, it eas left for us to decide what happens and I don’t know if that’s better or worse??

If you like masked stalker, ☠️ for her, ☠️ for him, lots of murder, lots of stalking, lots of flowers and notes, he falls fast and hard, she fights her true feelings and being on the edge of your seat the whole time, then you you’ll like this book!

⭐️ 4/5
🌶️ 3/5

[Shiya]

My Darling, Ghost by Kaitlyn Kross
★ ★ ★ ★|🌶️🌶️.5| Dark Romance

𓂃˖ ࣪⊹ 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬

𝑴𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑴𝒚 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅, 𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒇 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅. 𝑺𝒐𝒐𝒏, 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈. – 𝑮𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒕

I absolutely devoured this book. Wynnie stole my heart right out of my chest. Me and Ghost have a love-hate relationship due to some of his actions, but it's okay because he loves our girl to death.
This was such a fire debut although I SERIOUSLY wish this book was longer.

𓂃˖ ࣪⊹ 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭

“𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒎𝒆. 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒔 𝒇𝒂𝒓 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒏—𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒗𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒓 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉? 𝑲𝒆𝒆𝒑. 𝑭𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑮𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈.”

Oh how I loved the way the plot slowly unfolded. The premise drew me in since the start and I could NOT put this book down for the life of me. I just wished we could've seen Wynnie's descent into darkness in much more detail [I'm just saying it could've been solved with a long book hehe]. The ending somehow was perfect was this book, even though I wanted more details. All in all, this was a very quick and easy read for me.

𝑴𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆; 𝒔𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒕.

𓂃˖ ࣪⊹𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

“𝑫𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓. 𝑵𝒐𝒘 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒕 𝒖𝒑.”

CLOCK IT GIRL! I absolutely loved the way she clapped back at Ghost. Their romance felt so toxic but right somehow. Ghost worshipped Wynnie and loved her like he was dying and she was the cure. I would've loved to see their romance more fleshed out but it's okay. I am a huge fan of Obsession with consent [about sex and the relationship itself] and ghost served it for me in a damn platter.

“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝑰’𝒎 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒆. 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒌 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓.”

Overall this book is perfect for readers who've just stepped into the dark romance world and want a short quick read with a Stalker MMC who is obsessed with the FMC

[literaturecryptid]

Thank you to the author for allowing me to be an arc reader for this book. All opinions are my own, and I am writing this review voluntarily.

Wynnie, a librarian struggling in her relationship with an abusive man, has her life shattered when she returns home to find her boyfriend dead. His killer waits for her, expressing he did it for her; he’d do anything for her. As she is stalked, the story gets darker and darker, with bloodshed on both sides.

I’ve been so excited to read this since I saw it on instagram. Obsession is one of my favorite romance tropes (…and men in masks), so I knew I had to get my hands on it. There were so many good things about this book: the killer reveal, the slow burn enemies to lovers, the notes. The first few chapters had me dying for more, but unfortunately the middle section wasn’t for me. I expected hurt, heartbreak, and total emotional ruin. It felt too nonchalant, and the chemistry wasn’t there for me. I wish we’d gotten more interactions before the killer reveal, more time for her to explore her feelings. The ending though? Absolutely delicious. I wasn’t expecting it, but I loved it.

[Laura Williams]

ARC review. The descriptions, the flow of writing - great! I just didn’t like the story and I struggled to finish it. The MCs weren’t morally grey they were morally black. Ghosts actions didn’t bother me so much (apart from Blaire that was excessive) - he was unhinged from the beginning but the progress of Wynnie bugged me. She went from beaten caring librarian to self centred psycho killer in just a few pages. No remorse, nothing. If there was more on her background to understand a change in her like this I probably would’ve taken this better. I mean he only had his brother and sister in the world and she brutally murdered both of them one in front of him and he just shrugged it off like it was nothing? They were innocent, it was brutal cold murder especially the sister. (Hence Morally black) Their behaviours and actions just didn’t equate to their backgrounds. At times their romance was sweet and lovely - the notes and flowers I loved but at other times it felt rushed. The beginning was great as was the writing as I said. The story was just not for me, I couldn’t make sense of it.

[Modern Malice]

I am SO happy for the opportunity to review this. Thank you so much for the trust🖤✨

I cannot believe what I just read is a DEBUT novel?! Kaitlyn’s writing style had me on the edge of my seat the whole time! She’s absolutely going to be an auto read/buy author. I’m SO excited to see what she does next! She knows exactly how to give us that masked stalker trope that makes us all melt. I’d imagine anything she writes will have me in a chokehold.🫶🏼

Darling, Wynnie Jackson, the FMC that you are. If you’re looking for a strong and hilarious FMC, you found her. The abuse at the hands of her boyfriend, the manipulative coworker, our girl endured so much through this story. Yet, she remains funny. From the shampoo bottle sword, and famous words like “I’ll just fight him.” I wanted to be her best friend immediately.

Ghost, I love you. I love all your red flags but only because you love our girl so much. If you’d like to find out why, start reading bestie.🤭😉

[Cassondra]

First, I want to thank the author for allowing me the opportunity to be one of many to get an early preview of this book before it comes out!

In Kaitlyn Kross’s debut novel we follow a girl name Wynnie who is a librarian and has a abusive ex, (you do get a small glimpse of the abuse on page) she comes home from work one day to find him dead and her stalker has killed him. From there we get dual POV s from her and her stalker.

I will say the first half of this book had me interested I wanted to know more about this stalker and who he was. So I kept reading. But then about 30-40% of the book it kinda felt rushed. I wanted more of the stalker. I wanted more stalker interactions than what we get. But then THE ENDING PULLED ME BACK IN. The twists we get in this book is not what I expected of our little FMC or even for her and the MMC.

[Lea-Mai Carter]

*ARC REVIEW*

I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump so this took me longer than I’d like to finish it but OMG what the hell was that? If you’re looking for a Bonnie and Clyde meets Thelma and Louise style book then this is perfect!

Preston and Wynnie’s relationship is definitely toxic but kind of in the best way. An ‘all or nothing’ ‘do or die’ kind of dynamic, that just so happens to work perfectly for them and also the reader.

I felt so many emotions during this and I’m both annoyed and pleasantly surprised with that ending. I do wish we got 2 epilogues, because I like when things are wrapped up but this leaves you wanting more and having questions and leaving the ending up to interpretation.

[Kassie]

Advanced Reader Copy

I got the honor to read this before ARCs went out and I have to say Kaitlyn wrote an amazing story!

Wynnie is a librarian and just trying to survive her relationship when Ghost comes into her life and rips it apart...
Ghost however thinks he is bringing them closer together so they can finally be in a relationship....

Soon stalker becomes stalked and this relationship changes their future.... there is no HEA but it was such a good story!

If you love a stalker, forced proximity, female rage, on the run killers then this is for you!
I promise this book doesnt disappoint!

[Miah Carlson]

I don’t know that I’ve fully processed everything yet but what a wild ride

Ghost and Wynnies story has me in an absolute chokehold. Obsessive stalker, hidden identities, love to hate him and then all in

The angst, push and pull, I live for it.

Wynnie truly is living through hell, surviving and not thriving in life with her boyfriend when all of a sudden one day he’s gone.
Ghost comes storming into her life no more holding back making himself known after months of stalking and watching.

Will Wynnie fall for his diabolical ways of showing love or will she push him away completely, only time will tell

[vanessa | spicegirlbookclub]

The song that came to mind? ‘03 Bonnie & Clyde by Jay Z & Beyoncé. Yuh!!

This was a short, thrilling, joy ride! Stalker x One-sided Enemies to… Fugitives?! Not trying to spoil anything about this one. Buckle up for it!

Thank you Kaitlyn Kross for giving me this opportunity to be one of your beta readers. You’re an incredible writer! GIRL YOU HAD ME WATCHING YOUR STORY UNFOLD LIKE A MOVIE! You deserve all the praise and recognition. Congratulations on your debut novel!!!!

[Crista Sedlacek]

Omgggg I loved this!! This book had so many twists and turns i wasnt expecting while reading it and i kept getting surprised. This doesn't follow your typical stalker storyline and i really enjoyed that. Its darker and i really couldn't put it down! I had to keep reading and find out what happens. Poetic ending in my opinion, the kiss shared sent me! Loved both of them individually and their banter was so good!

[Alison]

ARC reviewer

Wow, just wow. I was hooked from beginning to end. The FMC is a quiet librarian with a stalker (MMC). Check the TW as this story goes from 0-60 real fast and I couldn’t read it fast enough. The character development through the book has you hooked and they had some real moments that tugged on my heart strings.

Kross’s writing is fantastic from start to finish and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

[Alexis Miller]

Amazing read. This book has my heart racing so many times in the best of ways. I really couldn’t get enough of ghost and his darling. I loved the way ghost was two sides to a coin basically and how infatuated he was with Winnie. I was extremely impressed to see how Winnie went about handling everything that happened to her. That ending had my heart going so much. That last chapter was very intriguing to see from his pov

[Jemma Carter]

I would give this 3 1/2 stars because I did really enjoy the story because I do like not knowing where the story could go and Kaitlyn gave us a lot of that. I was never sure what was around the corner or how they were going to come together. I just felt the end was bit meh for me but from the epilogue I am hoping we do get more of Whinnie and Preston because I do hope there is more to their story and will 100% read more by the lovely Kaitlyn

[tay]

AHHHH I got the honor to read this as a Beta reader and this was SO SO SO GOOD 😍

I can’t wait for the world to meet Ghost and Wynnie. This book is Kaitlyn’s first debut and she nailed it on the head. Her writing style drags you in and makes you want more. The banter between the FMC and MMC is immaculate.

[Natasha Coburn]

Don’t forget to read the epilogue!!
It’s very fast paced not missing a beat. You’ll see a growth in Wynnie that progresses almost overnight a librarian bada$$ not to be messed with. I had a love hate with ghost because he’s sweet but…. I hope to see a book 2 because you can’t leave me hanging the way you did.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[madisonskyebooks]

This was Kaitlyn’s debut novel… and I can hardly BELIEVE it. The book was so well written, the story was amazing and had me on the edge of my seat. THE UNHINGED BEHAVIOUR was top notch, the no HEA in this book didn’t take anyway any part of the journey they took. Absolutely incredible, can’t wait to read more of Kaitlyn’s work!

[Anushka]

La verdad que desde que descubrí el libro en Threads tenía muchas ganas de leerlo, y durante el primer 30% me parecía un libro 10/10, pero después el libro decae un poco porque sentí que el libro se apresuró demasiado, pero después en los últimos capítulos volvió a remontar.

[Kaz Taylor]

Advanced Reader Copy. Been waiting to read this and OMG I loved it! The story line was tragedy and stalking and love all mixed into one. The ending.. epic.

[Samreadsbooks28]

This was such a good book! Took only four days to finish it! Worth the read