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Darlington Circus : A Twisted Christmas
Not yet published
Expected 3 Nov 26For investigative journalist Lucy Wryters, the Darlington Circus isn't just a story—it's an obsession.
Arriving just in time for Christmas, the striking black-and-white tents promise the ultimate career-defining scoop. But the moment she steps across the threshold, the lines between reality and illusion begin to blur. She doesn't just find a story—she finds Silas.
Fierce, possessive, and bound by dark secrets, Silas pulls her deep into the circus's hidden realm. Becoming his prisoner shouldn't feel like a fantasy, yet waking up in this world feels like a dream she never wants to leave. But behind the glittering facade of holiday magic, the illusion is starting to fracture.
And she may just become the story.
Arriving just in time for Christmas, the striking black-and-white tents promise the ultimate career-defining scoop. But the moment she steps across the threshold, the lines between reality and illusion begin to blur. She doesn't just find a story—she finds Silas.
Fierce, possessive, and bound by dark secrets, Silas pulls her deep into the circus's hidden realm. Becoming his prisoner shouldn't feel like a fantasy, yet waking up in this world feels like a dream she never wants to leave. But behind the glittering facade of holiday magic, the illusion is starting to fracture.
And she may just become the story.
170 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy
Once I picked up Darlington Circus, I honestly could not seem to put it down. Just like the FMC, I found myself becoming increasingly curious about Darlington Circus and the people who lived within it. There was something unsettling about the entire place, and from the very beginning, I felt like there was more going on than what was being shown.
At first, everyone in the circus felt like a walking red flag. I did not trust anyone, and every character seemed to have their own secrets and reasons to make me suspicious. I kept trying to figure out who could be trusted and who was hiding something. Then, somehow, in the middle of all that suspicion, I found myself completely shipping the FMC and MMC. I was not expecting it, but once I started rooting for them, there was no turning back.
The romance is definitely a slow burn, but honestly, it is worth the wait. Their relationship develops gradually, and that made the moments between them feel much more rewarding. I loved watching the tension build and seeing how their feelings slowly developed despite everything happening around them.
As a reader, I love trying to predict the ending. I am constantly making theories, convincing myself that I have figured everything out, only to be proven wrong when the author throws in a twist. Darlington Circus gave me exactly that experience.
I also really enjoyed the writing style. It was easy to read, engaging, and most importantly, difficult to stop reading. The story pulled me in so well that I kept telling myself I would read just one more chapter, only to continue because I needed to know what happened next.
What really surprised me, though, was how much the backstories of the people in the circus affected me. Learning more about them made me feel sad and gave me a completely different perspective on the characters. It made me question my first impressions of them and, at the same time, left me hoping that the FMC would make the right decisions.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
At first, everyone in the circus felt like a walking red flag. I did not trust anyone, and every character seemed to have their own secrets and reasons to make me suspicious. I kept trying to figure out who could be trusted and who was hiding something. Then, somehow, in the middle of all that suspicion, I found myself completely shipping the FMC and MMC. I was not expecting it, but once I started rooting for them, there was no turning back.
The romance is definitely a slow burn, but honestly, it is worth the wait. Their relationship develops gradually, and that made the moments between them feel much more rewarding. I loved watching the tension build and seeing how their feelings slowly developed despite everything happening around them.
As a reader, I love trying to predict the ending. I am constantly making theories, convincing myself that I have figured everything out, only to be proven wrong when the author throws in a twist. Darlington Circus gave me exactly that experience.
I also really enjoyed the writing style. It was easy to read, engaging, and most importantly, difficult to stop reading. The story pulled me in so well that I kept telling myself I would read just one more chapter, only to continue because I needed to know what happened next.
What really surprised me, though, was how much the backstories of the people in the circus affected me. Learning more about them made me feel sad and gave me a completely different perspective on the characters. It made me question my first impressions of them and, at the same time, left me hoping that the FMC would make the right decisions.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Read
September 17, 2026Darlington circus_ a twisted Christmas, truly lives UpTo its name. It is about an extraordinary circus owned by the Darlingtons and the time setting is during Christmas. In addition to this, the story appears linear until we chance upon a cruel twist towards the end of the story, leaving the audience agape in suspense that will not be relieved anytime soon.
The main character, Lucy, is a young woman engaged to be married. Professionally, she is a reporter who is armed with curiosity and the intelligence to follow up and unravel mysteries. She is razor focused on a mysterious and extraordinary circus whose secrets she wants to the world. Little does she realize that the circus will fight back against the exposure.
The story uses vivid description, imagery and fantasy to describe an unbelievable world that is filled with the fulfillment of human desires and particularly, a young woman's. There is an incredibly handsome and strong man, every young woman's dream. His character and physique are attractive. He is supportive and obsessed with her, a provider and fantastic lover to boot.
A fantasy world is created where beautiful food and drinks are available at whim, where you can eat all you want but never grow fat, where you can live and live but never die, where you can read every book imaginable and have access to beautiful clothes that fit you. Even the weather changes according to whim. This setting is painted beautifully by the writer. It is truly someone 's definition of a happy place.
The book is about romance, still in the extreme unattainable sense, perfect yet unreachable. Something you desperately want and need but it is also too good to believe. It poses the question of, what if you could have everything, but then, there is one horrible twist that cannot be surmounted, how much would you give up to have it?
I'll leave the incredible twist at the end for you to unravel as you read the book. Happy reading.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The main character, Lucy, is a young woman engaged to be married. Professionally, she is a reporter who is armed with curiosity and the intelligence to follow up and unravel mysteries. She is razor focused on a mysterious and extraordinary circus whose secrets she wants to the world. Little does she realize that the circus will fight back against the exposure.
The story uses vivid description, imagery and fantasy to describe an unbelievable world that is filled with the fulfillment of human desires and particularly, a young woman's. There is an incredibly handsome and strong man, every young woman's dream. His character and physique are attractive. He is supportive and obsessed with her, a provider and fantastic lover to boot.
A fantasy world is created where beautiful food and drinks are available at whim, where you can eat all you want but never grow fat, where you can live and live but never die, where you can read every book imaginable and have access to beautiful clothes that fit you. Even the weather changes according to whim. This setting is painted beautifully by the writer. It is truly someone 's definition of a happy place.
The book is about romance, still in the extreme unattainable sense, perfect yet unreachable. Something you desperately want and need but it is also too good to believe. It poses the question of, what if you could have everything, but then, there is one horrible twist that cannot be surmounted, how much would you give up to have it?
I'll leave the incredible twist at the end for you to unravel as you read the book. Happy reading.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
Magical circus mysterie
Journalist Lucy has been waiting for the day the Darlington Circus comes to town, because there is something mysterious going on and she wants to uncover it. Here comes Silas, the head of security of Darlington Circus and an 'offer' of getting a Christmas with the circus to uncover all it's secrets. But everything ain't what it seems.
This book is an adult whimsical circus mysterie, the spice is light and uncomplicated unlike Silas, our MMC who is complex and not what I first thought. Lucy is the FMC of the story, a determined journalist out to get her story.
I have some trouble with Lucy, she reads a bit flat and young, and I have some difficulties connecting with her. The book itself is more mysterious than dark, or maybe it is just me who is twisted 😅.
Maybe for you if you like
- a fast read
- your plot with a bit if spice
- a mystery
- a circus setting
- twists and turns
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Journalist Lucy has been waiting for the day the Darlington Circus comes to town, because there is something mysterious going on and she wants to uncover it. Here comes Silas, the head of security of Darlington Circus and an 'offer' of getting a Christmas with the circus to uncover all it's secrets. But everything ain't what it seems.
This book is an adult whimsical circus mysterie, the spice is light and uncomplicated unlike Silas, our MMC who is complex and not what I first thought. Lucy is the FMC of the story, a determined journalist out to get her story.
I have some trouble with Lucy, she reads a bit flat and young, and I have some difficulties connecting with her. The book itself is more mysterious than dark, or maybe it is just me who is twisted 😅.
Maybe for you if you like
- a fast read
- your plot with a bit if spice
- a mystery
- a circus setting
- twists and turns
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
OMG. Haunting. Hypnotic. Magical. Captivating. The circus is amazing. The world behind the circus is better. And this story takes places during Christmas which makes the magic even more magical. A new location (city/country) every day. How and later why? Journalist Lucy has been obsessed with finding out how for years, waiting for them to come to her town. She meets Silas, the head of the circus security. He lures her deeper into their magical world. So much fun and magic and romance! The mildest spice. The ending had me torn and wanting more. Oh Silas! I hope Silas and Lucy’s story continues. I’m new to the author and didn’t realize there were books before this. This book gave a little background on the circus owners, so I’m going to read the original books, but PLEASE continue with Silas and Lucy!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Omg! I need more of Silas and Lucy!! I loved this Christmas novella. I am in awe of the entire Darlington Circus series! I have absolutely loved every book! This one was no different, but that ending had me in tears!!
Even though this is technically a stand alone novella in the Darlington Circus world, I suggest you also read the other three books in the series, so you get the whole affect! It wldnt be a Darlington circus Christmas novella without the awe and magic and a little heartbreak! I hope this is a sign of more to come from the circus. I absolutely loved all these characters through the entire series. Velar may be my fav but Silas comes in a very close second. He’s a total green flag in my book. Even though Lucy is just a nosy journalist looking for a story, she belongs to the circus and esp to Silas!
Even though this is technically a stand alone novella in the Darlington Circus world, I suggest you also read the other three books in the series, so you get the whole affect! It wldnt be a Darlington circus Christmas novella without the awe and magic and a little heartbreak! I hope this is a sign of more to come from the circus. I absolutely loved all these characters through the entire series. Velar may be my fav but Silas comes in a very close second. He’s a total green flag in my book. Even though Lucy is just a nosy journalist looking for a story, she belongs to the circus and esp to Silas!
Review of advance copy received from Author
My favorite within the Darlington Circus world so far. The mysterious and wonderful family within this story make cameos throughout this novella, but Silas is our mystery in this story. Lucy is inexplicably drawn to ferret out the mysteries behind the circus and it's enigmatic employees, and while trying to dig up her story, she is forced to remain at the circus throughout the holiday season.
SK, you always bring the mystery, intrigue, and spice into your stories at just the right time. Thank you for giving me a chance to dip my toes back into this wonderful world. If you enjoy paranormal fantasy, you should definitely pick up this novella; but AFTER you have read at least books one and two.
SK, you always bring the mystery, intrigue, and spice into your stories at just the right time. Thank you for giving me a chance to dip my toes back into this wonderful world. If you enjoy paranormal fantasy, you should definitely pick up this novella; but AFTER you have read at least books one and two.
September 12, 2026
This was more cozy and mysterious than dark, but it was still a nice read. Could definitely see myself cozied up with a blanket and hot chocolate in December reading this. I absolutely loved learning all the backstories of each character and I wanted to know everything about the entire town and be there myself. The ending wasn't my favorite, but that's just me being salty! Definitely recommend this book!
Thank you to Booksirens and SK Hinkley for the ARC!
Thank you to Booksirens and SK Hinkley for the ARC!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews