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A Dark Inheritance

Not yet published
Expected 6 Apr 27
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Catherine and Patrick St. Jameson are just an ordinary couple. Living in a small town in the heart of France, they make ends meet with Catherine’s work at her family's bakery and Patrick's odd-end jobs. Soon despair falls over the small family when Catherine’s mother falls ill.

Just when the medical bills threaten everything, including her mother’s life, Catherine receives news of an inheritance. The only problem? She must claim it in person and be unmarried.

Desperate for the money, Patrick and Catherine devise a plan to secure the inheritance before anyone discovers the true extent of their ruse. What they don’t expect is the mysterious benefactor who is not what he seems, and the quiet town in the mountains of Romania that may hold secrets neither of them will survive.

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 6, 2027

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About the author

Amber V. Nicole

24 books11.2k followers
Amber V Nicole is a dark fantasy writer with a touch of horror added into the mix. When she is not writing new and fantastic ways to devastate her readers she is probably playing video games or obsessing over anime. Amber loves morally gray characters with their flaws and all and is always dreaming of far off places with dragons, magic, and swords. She loves a good villain and plans to tell many stories showcasing them in the spotlight.
You can find Amber active the most on her Instagram.

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5 stars
36 (67%)
4 stars
8 (15%)
3 stars
5 (9%)
2 stars
4 (7%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Angie.
64 reviews3 followers
September 6, 2026
I devoured this!

Amber's been an auto-read author since The Book of Azrael and in no world will she ever disappoint.

This was a beautifully written take on the story of Bluebeard. The plot, the characters, the twists, the SPICE? Gimme, gimme, gimme!

Catherine's handed an opportunity to change not only her own life, but the lives of her family and the town surrounding her and she jumps at it. Unbeknownst to her, not everything is as it seems. She sets off to claim her inheritance from an unknown family member and is taken to her new estate where she is stuck waiting to complete the paperwork, kept company by workers of the house, and the mysterious and alluring Bluebeard. Her stay is full of whispered secrets, strange dreams, and weird happenings.

&& baby this man...woof WOOF. Just his presence draws you in, you need to know more about him immediately. He is the executor of her inheritance but he too has secrets. Will Catherine discover the truth, or will she fall for the schemes...

Profile Image for Tea.
175 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
October 22, 2026
Perfection. The romance, plot, world building all had my locked in. The writing is amazing. And the spice? 10/10

Check this gothic romance out. Don’t think twice.
Profile Image for Lana Cay.
53 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!
Profile Image for Samantha Willens.
Author 1 book105 followers
September 9, 2026
This was very different from Amber’s Gods & Monsters series. A gothic, dark, paranormal romance.

It honestly took me a bit to get into. It had the classic aspects of a classic gothic victorian (?) romance. I question it because at times it really only felt “victorian” because there were corsets, carriages, and candles. A pretty thin thread to hold up the time period. But it did have good gothic and paranormal elements.

The characters I didn’t feel too deeply about. The men were just meh to me.

If there's a book 2, I most likely will be reading it!

---

Spoiler below: By the end I felt Catherine was just her and I’m not mad about it.



Star: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam: 💋💋
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Dark: 🌆 sunset
25 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 21, 2026
This “standalone” was longer than the other novellas and still couldn’t get to the point in 300 pages. What was that ending? Maybe someday the author will come back and write the rest? When?

Uh pros: I like that there was an actual character named Bluebeard. I liked the main character and the general premise! I was intrigued in the beginning.

Cons: by the second half we’d just been wasting time opening up questions for the reader that were not resolved to my satisfaction. There’s no executor in any of the flashbacks she sees so why is he so necessary now? How did they get a message through the storm saying the executor can’t come and yet can’t just get the guy himself to come over? how do they have such good weather predictions to know about this mysterious storm that will come in and block the roads?

I thought the hidden door and the reveal of its contents were weak and didn’t understand why he needed her and her family so much or what he gets by finally signing with the last family member. Why didn’t he have everything he needed from past generations ? Did he need a certain number of her bloodline to sign? Did he need everyone living to sign and they reproducing faster than he could convince them to sign? What are they signing??? I have too many questions and this story did not have answers. Oh but maybe there’s another book. I guess I’ll read that if it comes out one day, but I’ve spent so long waiting for these books to release already that I’m not that excited. This story could’ve been a standalone as far as I’m concerned.
Profile Image for Seta ❀.
60 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy
September 4, 2026
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!
Profile Image for babyyblueereadsXO.
40 reviews
September 22, 2026
Babbyyyyyy Amber never misses everrr🤌🏼🤌🏼

I was locked🤞🏼 tf in with this book. I’m actually a little disgusted how obsessed with Bluebeard I am(not rly I love it here) he really he’s just a smooth walking & talking menace😈 he sucks you in so easily *pun very much intended*

Catherine has a tender heart of gold. She’s so incredibly selfless. She’s got that bad bihhh in her & I can’t wait to see more of it🙌🏼

I don’t even wanna talk about the betrayal of a certain someone bc I’m flabbergasted beyond words. I am very sad how things ended for said person bc they didn’t deserve it😭
Profile Image for Chloe Sexton.
13 reviews
Review of advance copy
September 17, 2026
Oh. Oh this was so good.
The plot, the characters, the ending. It was all perfection. I love Amber V. Nicole’s work and this was just such a fun read.
The spice was HEATED! Oh my god I can’t even. I just don’t understand how I can have this many feelings from only a 330 page book.
Profile Image for Lilyin.
22 reviews3 followers
August 30, 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.
Profile Image for Jillsbooknook.
977 reviews64 followers
Review of advance copy
September 1, 2026
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!
Profile Image for Beth.
29 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
August 31, 2026
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.
Profile Image for Andrea Griggs.
296 reviews11 followers
Review of advance copy
September 3, 2026
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⭐️.
Profile Image for Maggie.
402 reviews
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.
Profile Image for OM.
776 reviews13 followers
Review of advance copy
August 29, 2026
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 😉
Profile Image for Brujeria Babe.
66 reviews
Review of advance copy
September 2, 2026
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!
3 reviews
Review of advance copy
September 8, 2026
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.
Profile Image for Tasha .
192 reviews2 followers
October 11, 2026
MISS AMBER!!!

I have no words for the way her FMCs are written. Diana is a GODDESS for me and I will forever be blind to her. But Catherine might just be my second wife!!

I backed this project simply because of the authors. I knew I would not be disappointed! Did I know the story of Bluebeard? No! Did I care? NO!! Amber wrote it, I’m reading it.

Catherine is not what she seems. I love it!!

Patrick is a walking green red flag! I’ll take it.

Bluebeard?! Y’all are not ready 👀 or maybe you are…

This paranormal twisty turny spicy mysterious epic tale will soon hold a place of honor on my shelves. Do yourself a favor and READ THIS!!
Profile Image for Rita Olander.
162 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
August 31, 2026
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!
Profile Image for Ellie Rose.
188 reviews11 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 1, 2026
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
Profile Image for Shawna O'Connor.
12 reviews
Review of advance copy
September 30, 2026
It took me a little bit to really get into the book. Now, I'm devastated it is over. I hope there will be a sequel.

I felt all over the place emotionally throughout and heart broken by the end. I really enjoyed the characters. Much of the time I felt one way about them only to have my opinion flipped at the end. This is the first book I've read by Amber V. Nicole. I will be adding her other titles to my TBR list.
Profile Image for Samantha.
46 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 2, 2026
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.
Profile Image for Sydney Lavell.
110 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy
September 11, 2026
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.
Profile Image for ashmichellef.
85 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
August 31, 2026
Spicy, spooky perfection! But what do you MEAN there's two of them? 🥵
Profile Image for asdfghjazz.
55 reviews
Review of advance copy
September 3, 2026
i devoured this, similar to the way
Profile Image for Amanda | romandasy.
147 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 4, 2026
Catherine is a stronger woman than I cos I would’ve signed on the dotted line immediately.
Profile Image for Nell Of Frell.
383 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
October 11, 2026
This was not good. If I hadn't paid for the Kickstarter I never would have continued this past the first chapter. Very self-insert, pick-me writing. I'm just not into that.
Profile Image for Naz- bookhusbandcollector.
81 reviews
Review of advance copy
September 8, 2026
I read this book as soon as backerkit sent it to us. I love Amber's Gods and Monsters series so I figured I would love this an I was right! I was really excited to read a different kind of story from her and she absolutely killed it!

I read. I simped. I got attached to characters. I screamed.

I devoured this in one sitting. I basically highlighted the entire book because these characters spoke with such beauty and eloquence but also there was so much banter that had me giddy. I was swooning for most of this book.

Not only was I swooning but I was also entranced in the mystery. While this is a bluebeard retelling so I knew sort of how it goes, Amber still managed to add some unique elements that had me guessing the whole time. This is also a love triangle and while at some point you may be torn, for me at least that was remedied immediately lol There are also some animal companions that you will love and be attached to.

The spice in this book is also ...SO HOT.

As for the love interests and outcomes

I need part two ASAP!!!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews