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A Dark Inheritance
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Expected 6 Apr 27332 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 6, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 4, 2026
Wow. This was my first gothic read & …. I loved it! Paranormal romance is something I’ve learned I’ll devour. Then hearing ADI will actually be a duology has me even more excited.
The twists, the suspense, the mystery, the betrayal. I was locked in!! Hanging on every chapter to see where we’d land. The pacing was perfect. Bluebeard of course had me completely entranced. He was giving me Cole from Charmed vibes, but darker. 😈 I hung on his every word, really. 🥴 Then we have Catherine. She’s sweet & selfless. Break them chains, baby. Be the wolf!
Let me also add that the folktale of Bluebeard was unknown to me until I finished this read & I looked it up. But knowing only adds to the joy I experienced reading this take. Amber’s writing doesn’t miss for me. 🙂↔️🖤 I can’t wait to see what the other authors came up with!
The twists, the suspense, the mystery, the betrayal. I was locked in!! Hanging on every chapter to see where we’d land. The pacing was perfect. Bluebeard of course had me completely entranced. He was giving me Cole from Charmed vibes, but darker. 😈 I hung on his every word, really. 🥴 Then we have Catherine. She’s sweet & selfless. Break them chains, baby. Be the wolf!
Let me also add that the folktale of Bluebeard was unknown to me until I finished this read & I looked it up. But knowing only adds to the joy I experienced reading this take. Amber’s writing doesn’t miss for me. 🙂↔️🖤 I can’t wait to see what the other authors came up with!
Review of advance copy
Let me start by saying Amber always DELIVERS!!!! As soon as this book was available to download, which I was able to get from the Bonkers Romance campaign, I began my bed rotting session and devoured this in one sitting 💓💓
Catherine, our FMC, never expected to receive an inheritance from the biological family she never knew, but when a salesman shows up at her door with news of an inheritance, she decides it’s something worth pursuing since it could help her adopted parents, especially her sick mother. So with her husband Patrick accompanying her while posing as the salesman (which he had experience in before he met Catherine), since the inheritance is under Catherine’s maiden name, she sets off on this strange little adventure to meet Mr. Bluebeard and sort out the inheritance at a gothic manor 🙂↕️🕯️
The gothic and haunting vibes, the banter, Catherine’s strange dreams, and the little breadcrumbs of foreshadowing had me suspicious the entire time 🧐 And Mr. Bluebeard???? Well this man has RUINEDDDD me - this book was so good!!!!!! 🖤🖤🖤 can’t wait for book 2!
Catherine, our FMC, never expected to receive an inheritance from the biological family she never knew, but when a salesman shows up at her door with news of an inheritance, she decides it’s something worth pursuing since it could help her adopted parents, especially her sick mother. So with her husband Patrick accompanying her while posing as the salesman (which he had experience in before he met Catherine), since the inheritance is under Catherine’s maiden name, she sets off on this strange little adventure to meet Mr. Bluebeard and sort out the inheritance at a gothic manor 🙂↕️🕯️
The gothic and haunting vibes, the banter, Catherine’s strange dreams, and the little breadcrumbs of foreshadowing had me suspicious the entire time 🧐 And Mr. Bluebeard???? Well this man has RUINEDDDD me - this book was so good!!!!!! 🖤🖤🖤 can’t wait for book 2!
September 5, 2026
If it’s one thing about me? I LOVE a gothic paranormal romance. When I saw that Amber was dipping her toes into my beloved genre, I was HYPEE. Baby she did NOT disappoint. BLUBEARD? PATRICK? Catherine’s whole everything? The writing, the atmosphere, the way she absolutely nailed the manor truly coming alive? Yeah. Sat. I consumed this mf in approximately 24 hours.
This book has joined the ranks of ones that live inside my skin, and I need the next one YESTERDAY.
This book has joined the ranks of ones that live inside my skin, and I need the next one YESTERDAY.
Review of advance copy
5 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You need not bow to me. I should be the one on my knees for you, Miss Stewart.
A Dark Inheritance is a novella kickstarting an adult dark gothic romance series that originated as part of a Backerkit book collection called The Bluebeard Chronicles where authors all took the original story of Bluebeard and added their own spin to it. Amber V. Nicole has since said she is planning a sequel.
Written in multi first person POV the story primarily follows Catharine, a young woman living a small but happy existence in 19th century France with her ailing mother, loving husband, and independent father when a salesman arrives at her door telling her she has been bequeathed an inheritance from the long estranged grandparent (she was adopted). Yet in order to gain the inheritance to help her family she must pretend to be single while her husband assumes the role of the salesman who found her...except upon entering the manor of her ancestors and meeting the enchanting Bluebeard it becomes clear something more is at play and the secrets within this small mountain village of Romania threatens everything...including their lives.
I could not put this book down once I started!
Catherine is this beautiful character because she refuses to be confined to labels. She is inquisitive, a bit naive at times, but also manipulates in the name of helping and gaining information in a world out to keep secrets from her. I found her love for her family and husband to be beautiful and I felt for her struggle as this house haunts her. She is exactly the kind of FMC we needed to navigate this story and I loved where she took us.
Patrick and Bluebeard are our two other MMCs. This is not a throuple romance so we get this delicious push and pull here. Patrick obviously loves Catherine and I loved seeing those moments together but Bluebeard just has a way with words that lures you in. Getting Bluebeard's POV especially really was eye opening! I don't want to spoil much but these men!!
“You have crawled inside my bones. Have invaded all my senses and burned yourself onto my damned soul, Catherine. What a cruel thing you are to snake your way through my skin and consume me so thoroughly.”
In terms of spice I would place this novel at 4 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. There are approximately six spicy scenes and you start seeing spice from the first chapter. There is a preexisting relationship between two of the characters which explains the early on spice. The spice is explicit and detailed with an element of roughness and domination. Spice gets progressive more passionate as the story progresses with a hint of added elements. I felt the spice was HOT and it really made me struggle to choose.
The story itself is a mystery with a touch a spookyiness. I found the setting of the manor to be the perfect haunting level and the introduction to really help show that contrast. I liked getting a chance to see Catherine and Patrick as a happy couple as the story tests their relationship. The side characters (i.e. servants of the estate) really upped the creep factor and I wanted to shake Catherine at times for not picking up what they were putting down. Bluebeard is the tempting and almost offsetting character but his passion and obsession with Catherine just makes you want to ignore the red flags. Patrick made some big mistakes but I could see his love. I found the twists and turns and Catherine kept exploring to be well paced out and MAN the twist at the end! Catherine really shows her strength! I loved where this book went. It does not end on a HEA which is why I am desperate for a sequel as there are so many threads to still unravel.
Overall, this is a perfect spooky read and I continue to be obsessed with this author!
You need not bow to me. I should be the one on my knees for you, Miss Stewart.
A Dark Inheritance is a novella kickstarting an adult dark gothic romance series that originated as part of a Backerkit book collection called The Bluebeard Chronicles where authors all took the original story of Bluebeard and added their own spin to it. Amber V. Nicole has since said she is planning a sequel.
Written in multi first person POV the story primarily follows Catharine, a young woman living a small but happy existence in 19th century France with her ailing mother, loving husband, and independent father when a salesman arrives at her door telling her she has been bequeathed an inheritance from the long estranged grandparent (she was adopted). Yet in order to gain the inheritance to help her family she must pretend to be single while her husband assumes the role of the salesman who found her...except upon entering the manor of her ancestors and meeting the enchanting Bluebeard it becomes clear something more is at play and the secrets within this small mountain village of Romania threatens everything...including their lives.
I could not put this book down once I started!
Catherine is this beautiful character because she refuses to be confined to labels. She is inquisitive, a bit naive at times, but also manipulates in the name of helping and gaining information in a world out to keep secrets from her. I found her love for her family and husband to be beautiful and I felt for her struggle as this house haunts her. She is exactly the kind of FMC we needed to navigate this story and I loved where she took us.
Patrick and Bluebeard are our two other MMCs. This is not a throuple romance so we get this delicious push and pull here. Patrick obviously loves Catherine and I loved seeing those moments together but Bluebeard just has a way with words that lures you in. Getting Bluebeard's POV especially really was eye opening! I don't want to spoil much but these men!!
“You have crawled inside my bones. Have invaded all my senses and burned yourself onto my damned soul, Catherine. What a cruel thing you are to snake your way through my skin and consume me so thoroughly.”
In terms of spice I would place this novel at 4 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. There are approximately six spicy scenes and you start seeing spice from the first chapter. There is a preexisting relationship between two of the characters which explains the early on spice. The spice is explicit and detailed with an element of roughness and domination. Spice gets progressive more passionate as the story progresses with a hint of added elements. I felt the spice was HOT and it really made me struggle to choose.
The story itself is a mystery with a touch a spookyiness. I found the setting of the manor to be the perfect haunting level and the introduction to really help show that contrast. I liked getting a chance to see Catherine and Patrick as a happy couple as the story tests their relationship. The side characters (i.e. servants of the estate) really upped the creep factor and I wanted to shake Catherine at times for not picking up what they were putting down. Bluebeard is the tempting and almost offsetting character but his passion and obsession with Catherine just makes you want to ignore the red flags. Patrick made some big mistakes but I could see his love. I found the twists and turns and Catherine kept exploring to be well paced out and MAN the twist at the end! Catherine really shows her strength! I loved where this book went. It does not end on a HEA which is why I am desperate for a sequel as there are so many threads to still unravel.
Overall, this is a perfect spooky read and I continue to be obsessed with this author!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Dark Inheritance by Amber V. Nicole is a gothic paranormal romance novel combining the psychological thriller elements of horror with the yearning and spice romance. Although A Dark Inheritance is a step away from the romantasies she has published previously, in this novel, Ms. Nicole has proven that she can skillfully master any genre.
The prose in A Dark Inheritance is expertly constructed, allowing the reader to delve into the heroine's inner workings as she finds herself thrust into a gothic manor in a foreign country where nothing feels quite right. I really identified with Catherine's fear of abandonment and motivation to help those who did stick by her side during her difficult life. Catherine's struggle with society's expectations of her vs her true desires is also familiar to so many of us, and Ms. Nicole really brought that struggle to life. These pieces combined with the mysterious inheritance adds a lot of depth to the paranormal and romance elements of the plot.
Fans of Ms. Nicole's other books will love A Dark Inheritance, as will fans of gothic romance, dark romance, and paranormal romance. Catherine's difficulty separating reality from her imagination and dreams in the setting of the dark, gothic manor will also appeal to fans of horror and psychological thrillers. If you're looking for a well-written novel with a compelling story that works across multiple genres, definitely pick up a copy of A Dark Inheritance.
The prose in A Dark Inheritance is expertly constructed, allowing the reader to delve into the heroine's inner workings as she finds herself thrust into a gothic manor in a foreign country where nothing feels quite right. I really identified with Catherine's fear of abandonment and motivation to help those who did stick by her side during her difficult life. Catherine's struggle with society's expectations of her vs her true desires is also familiar to so many of us, and Ms. Nicole really brought that struggle to life. These pieces combined with the mysterious inheritance adds a lot of depth to the paranormal and romance elements of the plot.
Fans of Ms. Nicole's other books will love A Dark Inheritance, as will fans of gothic romance, dark romance, and paranormal romance. Catherine's difficulty separating reality from her imagination and dreams in the setting of the dark, gothic manor will also appeal to fans of horror and psychological thrillers. If you're looking for a well-written novel with a compelling story that works across multiple genres, definitely pick up a copy of A Dark Inheritance.
Review of advance copy
This book is beyond binge worthy and the only reason it “took this long to read” was due to my continued annotations and lack of wanting the story to end. I was immediately captured into this book in chapter 1.
I will say I went into this book straight blind without reading the overview. I saw Amber wrote it and was just exciting to read another one of her master pieces. It delivered just like I thought it would.
I was VERY confused as to what on earth was going on for the vast majority of this book. Catherine seemed like such a goodie goodie everything that happens is a shock to the system. But in such a deliciously good way! Patrick seems to not be himself BUT he has treated our Catherine with nothing but respect. Except in the bedroom. Iykyk.
Bluebeard is a weird name and well he seems to be very insistent Catherine sign. I wondered the whole time…why? Well by the end we all know why and we all know just how far he’s willing to go.
This one was spicy from the start but the plot is what keeps you coming back. It might have you yelling or swooning or just all in all feelin hot and bothered. No matter how you feel…this book is absolutely an easy 5⭐️.
I will say I went into this book straight blind without reading the overview. I saw Amber wrote it and was just exciting to read another one of her master pieces. It delivered just like I thought it would.
I was VERY confused as to what on earth was going on for the vast majority of this book. Catherine seemed like such a goodie goodie everything that happens is a shock to the system. But in such a deliciously good way! Patrick seems to not be himself BUT he has treated our Catherine with nothing but respect. Except in the bedroom. Iykyk.
Bluebeard is a weird name and well he seems to be very insistent Catherine sign. I wondered the whole time…why? Well by the end we all know why and we all know just how far he’s willing to go.
This one was spicy from the start but the plot is what keeps you coming back. It might have you yelling or swooning or just all in all feelin hot and bothered. No matter how you feel…this book is absolutely an easy 5⭐️.
September 8, 2026
A Dark Inheritance (Bluebeard Chronicles, book 1) — Amber V. Nicole (⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ stars)
Reading Format: Digital
Desperate to pay for her sick mother's medical bills, Catherine travels to claim a suspicious inheritance in person. Once she and her husband arrive at a remote mountain town to claim it, they cross paths with a dangerous benefactor who hides deadly secrets.
I enjoyed Catherine and her discovery into who she was and what was happening. I struggled with the pacing and initial development. It lacked to really grab my attention until about 80% in when progress in the story actually took place. However, the ending definitely held my attention and has me interested in how Amber moves Catherine's story forward.
Genre: Fantasy, Dark Romance
Liked: Villain
Did Not Love: Flat character growth, Pacing, Thin world-building
Would I recommend: Maybe
Who it's for: Those who enjoy historical fantasy.
Reading Format: Digital
Desperate to pay for her sick mother's medical bills, Catherine travels to claim a suspicious inheritance in person. Once she and her husband arrive at a remote mountain town to claim it, they cross paths with a dangerous benefactor who hides deadly secrets.
I enjoyed Catherine and her discovery into who she was and what was happening. I struggled with the pacing and initial development. It lacked to really grab my attention until about 80% in when progress in the story actually took place. However, the ending definitely held my attention and has me interested in how Amber moves Catherine's story forward.
Genre: Fantasy, Dark Romance
Liked: Villain
Did Not Love: Flat character growth, Pacing, Thin world-building
Would I recommend: Maybe
Who it's for: Those who enjoy historical fantasy.
Review of advance copy
There is no coherence whatsoever because….
That book was a wild ride. I’m not sure if I’ll ever get over it.
There’s just something to be about fierce, desperate, feral, passionate love that gets me everytime.
I loved watching Catherine explore the world and see how much more was out there. I enjoyed her character development as much as I loved the romance.
The characters of Patrick and Bluebeard I have a hard time speaking about without spoiling….so all I can say is that a Morally Grey MMC is gonna win with me with me every time 😈😈 There is something about not allowing barriers in between, all the things they're willing to do to have the person they NEED (not want, but NEED)
I NEED BOOK 2 IN MY HANDS!!!! I will be thinking about this for ETERNITY 😉
That book was a wild ride. I’m not sure if I’ll ever get over it.
There’s just something to be about fierce, desperate, feral, passionate love that gets me everytime.
I loved watching Catherine explore the world and see how much more was out there. I enjoyed her character development as much as I loved the romance.
The characters of Patrick and Bluebeard I have a hard time speaking about without spoiling….so all I can say is that a Morally Grey MMC is gonna win with me with me every time 😈😈 There is something about not allowing barriers in between, all the things they're willing to do to have the person they NEED (not want, but NEED)
I NEED BOOK 2 IN MY HANDS!!!! I will be thinking about this for ETERNITY 😉
Review of advance copy
This was my first Amber Nicole book and I loved it! I read The Dark Inheritance as part of the Bonkers Romance campaign for The Bluebeard Chronicles, dark and spicy fairytale retellings about accessing the doors of forbidden knowledge. The story was fun, addictive, and a little scary. I don’t normally enjoy FMCs who are very young (Catherine is probably 23 in the story) but her youthful naivety and subsequent growth as a woman were important to how the plot unfolded and her relationship with the MMCs developed. Bluebeard (the MMC) is a great mix of charming and dark, the kind who makes you route for the villain.The story wraps up nicely but offers a glimpse at subsequent books, which I will certainly read!
Review of advance copy
This read like a very talented author who’s on v2 of their book. Pacing in the beginning is glacial while the end is a sprint. We know we’re in for “paranormal” but it’s so long to get there it - easily over half the book. Stakes aren’t clear for a very long time.
Dream sequences and what is real and what is not: main character Catherine doesn’t know, so the audience doesn’t know either, which is rough for establishing continuity. Catherine swears she’s awake for turn out to be dreams and premonitions how do you ever know what is real?
Catherine turns into an action hero badass at the end without any hints she had it in her.
The men in this series are enjoyable and consistent at least.
Dream sequences and what is real and what is not: main character Catherine doesn’t know, so the audience doesn’t know either, which is rough for establishing continuity. Catherine swears she’s awake for turn out to be dreams and premonitions how do you ever know what is real?
Catherine turns into an action hero badass at the end without any hints she had it in her.
The men in this series are enjoyable and consistent at least.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is exactly why Amber is an auto-buy author for me!
I think l've found my new favorite Gothic Paranormal Romance in ADI.
This is spicy, suspenseful, mysterious and so so addicting. The spooky vibes took hold and I couldn't put this one down...Did I fall for the evil MMC? Oh definitely. I fell hard, I fell fast. The tension and blur between reality and illusion was absolutely wild and I am feral for book 2!
I think l've found my new favorite Gothic Paranormal Romance in ADI.
This is spicy, suspenseful, mysterious and so so addicting. The spooky vibes took hold and I couldn't put this one down...Did I fall for the evil MMC? Oh definitely. I fell hard, I fell fast. The tension and blur between reality and illusion was absolutely wild and I am feral for book 2!
Review of advance copy received from Author
And this is why Amber V. Nicole is an instant buy author for me 🙌🙌🙌
Mysterious, exciting and suspenseful. I really hope we get a book 2 because that ending 🙃🙃🙃🙃
I didn't know where this story was going, it kept me on my toes with its many twists and turns. Some of the revelations I predicted, some left me completely shocked!
The relationships were complex and compelling. Patrick can do no wrong in my eyes
Mysterious, exciting and suspenseful. I really hope we get a book 2 because that ending 🙃🙃🙃🙃
I didn't know where this story was going, it kept me on my toes with its many twists and turns. Some of the revelations I predicted, some left me completely shocked!
The relationships were complex and compelling. Patrick can do no wrong in my eyes
Review of advance copy received from Author
The way this book has inserted itself into my soul. I eat up everything Amber writes but this style. PLEASE AMBER,
NEVER STOP.
I immediately need a reread. The plot. The twists. The mystery to it. The spooky vibes. THE SPICE.
No one writes spice like Amber baby. 🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️ & this book was no different.
Loved everything about this and that ENDING. Gimme moreeeeeeeeee.
NEVER STOP.
I immediately need a reread. The plot. The twists. The mystery to it. The spooky vibes. THE SPICE.
No one writes spice like Amber baby. 🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️ & this book was no different.
Loved everything about this and that ENDING. Gimme moreeeeeeeeee.
Review of advance copy
Backed this project and literally ate up book 1 so quickly. Granted anything Amber V. Nicole is just spectacular! This was dark, moody, emotional, and of course sexy!!!!! I love Patrick but Bluebeard 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Spicy, spooky perfection! But what do you MEAN there's two of them? 🥵
Review of advance copy
i devoured this, similar to the way
Review of advance copy received from Author
Catherine is a stronger woman than I cos I would’ve signed on the dotted line immediately.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews