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Ashen Torment
An MM dark historical romance set in Victorian England, where obsession, forbidden desire, and the dangerous line between hatred and devotion collide when a Russian lord becomes entangled with a young Viscount.
1870. In a world of velvet, etiquette and rot, Dorian Vasiliev Ashford, obsessed with unmasking the culprit behind his parents' deaths, meets Evander, a young Viscount who seems to despise him at first sight. Yet, their initial disdain soon spirals into a volatile collision. The more they clash, the more they become consumed by a dangerous obsession with one another.
Blurb:
I'm above his depravity.
I was, at least. Before I realized I want to be the one who breaks him first.
Dorian Vasiliev Ashford is no gentleman.
Only a seasoned deviant would be aroused by the sight of me in the mud.
He presses against the limits of my patience without ever moving a muscle.
I see it in his eyes; the quiet, maddening assumption that I’ve belonged to him for a lifetime, long before he ever laid a hand on my skin.
I should be disgusted.
Instead, I’m addicted.
I hate the way his breath burns my skin.
I hate the arrogance of his gaze.
I hate the rough velvet of his Russian when he whispers.
But most of all, I hate that I’ll do anything to see him on his knees, begging for me.
Some sins you survive.
Some you beg to repeat.
Some were never meant for men like us.
1870. In a world of velvet, etiquette and rot, Dorian Vasiliev Ashford, obsessed with unmasking the culprit behind his parents' deaths, meets Evander, a young Viscount who seems to despise him at first sight. Yet, their initial disdain soon spirals into a volatile collision. The more they clash, the more they become consumed by a dangerous obsession with one another.
Blurb:
I'm above his depravity.
I was, at least. Before I realized I want to be the one who breaks him first.
Dorian Vasiliev Ashford is no gentleman.
Only a seasoned deviant would be aroused by the sight of me in the mud.
He presses against the limits of my patience without ever moving a muscle.
I see it in his eyes; the quiet, maddening assumption that I’ve belonged to him for a lifetime, long before he ever laid a hand on my skin.
I should be disgusted.
Instead, I’m addicted.
I hate the way his breath burns my skin.
I hate the arrogance of his gaze.
I hate the rough velvet of his Russian when he whispers.
But most of all, I hate that I’ll do anything to see him on his knees, begging for me.
Some sins you survive.
Some you beg to repeat.
Some were never meant for men like us.
- GenresM M Romance
522 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 2, 2026
ARC REVIEW
.
4 ✨ / 2 🌶️
.
Polnost’yu moy. Totally mine.
Dorian Alexei Maximilian Vasiliev Ashford and Evander Marcel Gideon Rochefort.
what can i say about you ?
you’re both stubborn, arrogant, hot.
the story is set in the 1800’s, as you can guess a relationship between two men or even two women is absolutely forbidden, so when Dorian and Evander met the first time, wait ? you think they fucked ? oh no.. it’s hate at first sight for Evander, and for Dorian the game just begins.
let me tell you ONE thing, it’s the slowest slow burn i ever read in my life.
and when you reached a certain point, the tension is explosive, and the 🌶️ divine. the complexity of living in this century, while obeying rules, codes, customs, with arranged marriages, contracts, trying to avoid scandals while wanting to remain true to oneself.
Evander have a past, and want to regain control of his life, while Dorian is looking for who killed his parents.
the push and pull between them is what makes them break.
i loved this book and for a debut it was very good !
.
4 ✨ / 2 🌶️
.
Polnost’yu moy. Totally mine.
Dorian Alexei Maximilian Vasiliev Ashford and Evander Marcel Gideon Rochefort.
what can i say about you ?
you’re both stubborn, arrogant, hot.
the story is set in the 1800’s, as you can guess a relationship between two men or even two women is absolutely forbidden, so when Dorian and Evander met the first time, wait ? you think they fucked ? oh no.. it’s hate at first sight for Evander, and for Dorian the game just begins.
let me tell you ONE thing, it’s the slowest slow burn i ever read in my life.
and when you reached a certain point, the tension is explosive, and the 🌶️ divine. the complexity of living in this century, while obeying rules, codes, customs, with arranged marriages, contracts, trying to avoid scandals while wanting to remain true to oneself.
Evander have a past, and want to regain control of his life, while Dorian is looking for who killed his parents.
the push and pull between them is what makes them break.
i loved this book and for a debut it was very good !
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ohhh, this book was obsessive, forbidden and completely addictive!
Dorian Vasiliev Ashford is such a fascinating character. He has this confident presence about him, and I loved how unapologetically he carries himself. He isn't trying to be the perfect gentleman, and honestly, that's part of what makes him so damn captivating. There is something dark lurking beneath that polished exterior, especially when it comes to his determination to uncover the truth behind his parents' deaths.
Evander's first impression of Dorian is basically absolutely not. 😂 He thinks he's above Dorian's depravity, wants nothing to do with him, and seems determined to keep his distance.
Except Dorian gets under his skin almost immediately.
And watching Evander slowly realise that his hatred might actually be something much more dangerous was SO GOOD. He tries to convince himself that he's disgusted by Dorian's arrogance, his gaze, his voice and the way he constantly pushes at his boundaries… while simultaneously becoming completely fascinated by him.
That whole “I hate you, so why can't I stop thinking about you?” energy was EVERYTHING.
Their chemistry is intense from the beginning, but what really hooked me was the psychological push and pull between them. Neither one wants to admit how badly they're drawn to the other. There's this constant battle over control, and every confrontation feels like they're both trying to figure out who will crack first.
And Dorian? He seems to know exactly how badly he's affecting Evander.
And I really enjoyed the darker mystery surrounding Dorian's family. His search for the person responsible for his parents' deaths gives him another layer beyond simply being the arrogant Russian lord.
But let's be honest…
DORIAN AND EVANDER. 🫠🖤
These two completely consumed this story for me.
They're stubborn. They're complicated. They're obsessed with each other. Neither wants to surrender, and neither seems capable of walking away. The more they fight their attraction, the more powerful it becomes.
And I LOVE a romance where the characters basically spend half the book thinking I absolutely should not want this man while every single interaction proves that they very much do. 😂
This isn't a sweet, fluffy romance where everything is easy. It's dark, complicated and full of tension, which made the moments of vulnerability between them hit even harder.
I cannot wait for book 2!
Dorian Vasiliev Ashford is such a fascinating character. He has this confident presence about him, and I loved how unapologetically he carries himself. He isn't trying to be the perfect gentleman, and honestly, that's part of what makes him so damn captivating. There is something dark lurking beneath that polished exterior, especially when it comes to his determination to uncover the truth behind his parents' deaths.
Evander's first impression of Dorian is basically absolutely not. 😂 He thinks he's above Dorian's depravity, wants nothing to do with him, and seems determined to keep his distance.
Except Dorian gets under his skin almost immediately.
And watching Evander slowly realise that his hatred might actually be something much more dangerous was SO GOOD. He tries to convince himself that he's disgusted by Dorian's arrogance, his gaze, his voice and the way he constantly pushes at his boundaries… while simultaneously becoming completely fascinated by him.
That whole “I hate you, so why can't I stop thinking about you?” energy was EVERYTHING.
Their chemistry is intense from the beginning, but what really hooked me was the psychological push and pull between them. Neither one wants to admit how badly they're drawn to the other. There's this constant battle over control, and every confrontation feels like they're both trying to figure out who will crack first.
And Dorian? He seems to know exactly how badly he's affecting Evander.
And I really enjoyed the darker mystery surrounding Dorian's family. His search for the person responsible for his parents' deaths gives him another layer beyond simply being the arrogant Russian lord.
But let's be honest…
DORIAN AND EVANDER. 🫠🖤
These two completely consumed this story for me.
They're stubborn. They're complicated. They're obsessed with each other. Neither wants to surrender, and neither seems capable of walking away. The more they fight their attraction, the more powerful it becomes.
And I LOVE a romance where the characters basically spend half the book thinking I absolutely should not want this man while every single interaction proves that they very much do. 😂
This isn't a sweet, fluffy romance where everything is easy. It's dark, complicated and full of tension, which made the moments of vulnerability between them hit even harder.
I cannot wait for book 2!
Review of advance copy received from Autor
I received a free ARC copy of this book. I was not paid or otherwise compensated for this review and this is my honest opinion.
Ashen Torment is a historical mm romance based on the high society of 17th century London.
Forget all about candid flirtations in innocent balls full of colour and happy tea parties. This book is harsh and distressing and beautiful and I have loved every single chapter.
The author has a remarkable talent in making the reader feel everything the characters are feeling, wether it is a burst of rage, helplessness, sadness, self loathing, desire, shame, you name it. In some cases with a description, other times with a sentence or retort, or just by the general ambiance.
The characters are very well constructed, the 2 MMCs are very well assembled and you understand their motivations and where they are coming from even when they are frustrating and make you suffer. And all the secondary characters are complete, some of them very lovable, others utterly despicable, and the rest are everything in between.
Dorian and Evander are 2 troubled characters. Each of them has a past, and this past has a heavy weight in the plot and their relationship.
Dorian lost his parents in a tragic accident 16 years ago, but the circumstances of said accident are not clear, and he is trying to investigate what authorities seemed to ignore. Evander's father perished when he was around 14 years old and what came right after this was hell. Altough both of them had companions, neither of them had valid parental figures, quite the contrary.
They both have build walls around themselves in order to keep going in life. If you add the expectations of society in that time and how they had a tense first encounter, they are up to a rough path.
Their journey is full of obstacles, the homophobia and hypocrisy of that society being in the center of it, as well as their own fears, shame and personal stories. It is distressing and frustrating and even brutal, but their connection is so electric that I've enjoyed every minute of it. I couldn't help but root for them at every step, and believe me, it pays off.
The 🌶 in this book is brutal, hot and beautiful, and it makes complete sense with their journeys.
The book ends in a cliffhanger with some big questions: What happened to Dorian's parents? Will Evander open up about what happened to him? Will they accept what is between them and allow themselves the happiness they so much deserve? One thing is for sure, I need Dorian and Evander finding happiness together and I'm really excited to know how it continues, book II can't arrive fast enough.
This book depicts some hard topics so please, check your TW becore reading.
Ashen Torment is a historical mm romance based on the high society of 17th century London.
Forget all about candid flirtations in innocent balls full of colour and happy tea parties. This book is harsh and distressing and beautiful and I have loved every single chapter.
The author has a remarkable talent in making the reader feel everything the characters are feeling, wether it is a burst of rage, helplessness, sadness, self loathing, desire, shame, you name it. In some cases with a description, other times with a sentence or retort, or just by the general ambiance.
The characters are very well constructed, the 2 MMCs are very well assembled and you understand their motivations and where they are coming from even when they are frustrating and make you suffer. And all the secondary characters are complete, some of them very lovable, others utterly despicable, and the rest are everything in between.
Dorian and Evander are 2 troubled characters. Each of them has a past, and this past has a heavy weight in the plot and their relationship.
Dorian lost his parents in a tragic accident 16 years ago, but the circumstances of said accident are not clear, and he is trying to investigate what authorities seemed to ignore. Evander's father perished when he was around 14 years old and what came right after this was hell. Altough both of them had companions, neither of them had valid parental figures, quite the contrary.
They both have build walls around themselves in order to keep going in life. If you add the expectations of society in that time and how they had a tense first encounter, they are up to a rough path.
Their journey is full of obstacles, the homophobia and hypocrisy of that society being in the center of it, as well as their own fears, shame and personal stories. It is distressing and frustrating and even brutal, but their connection is so electric that I've enjoyed every minute of it. I couldn't help but root for them at every step, and believe me, it pays off.
The 🌶 in this book is brutal, hot and beautiful, and it makes complete sense with their journeys.
The book ends in a cliffhanger with some big questions: What happened to Dorian's parents? Will Evander open up about what happened to him? Will they accept what is between them and allow themselves the happiness they so much deserve? One thing is for sure, I need Dorian and Evander finding happiness together and I'm really excited to know how it continues, book II can't arrive fast enough.
This book depicts some hard topics so please, check your TW becore reading.
October 25, 2026
I have received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
“I do not know how to define you other than that. A feverish irrationality.”
EXCUSE ME????? WHAT DO YOU MEAN THIS BOOK IS OVER?????
I need to lie down. I need to stare at a wall. I need to personally thank C. Verdelle for the absolute brain chemistry alteration that is Ashen Torment. Because WHAT WAS THAT. WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO GO BACK TO MY NORMAL LIFE AFTER THIS???
First of all, EVANDER ROCHEFORT AND DORIAN VASILIEV ASHFORD. I am not remotely normal about these two. Not even a little. The tension, the banter, the power struggles, the jealousy, the sheer audacity of these men??? Every interaction had me clutching my imaginary pearls. They could exchange approximately three sentences and somehow make it feel like an entire psychological warfare campaign. The way they challenge each other, provoke each other, and slowly reveal the things they would rather die than admit out loud???? I AM UNWELL.
And Evander. Oh, Evander. That man has my entire heart. His relationship with music, the things he keeps buried beneath that immaculate composure, the vulnerability that slips through when he least expects it — I wanted to reach into the pages and protect him from the entire world. There is something so incredibly compelling about a character who has learned to make silence his armour, and watching those carefully constructed walls become less impenetrable absolutely destroyed me.
And Dorian? DORIAN VASILIEV ASHFORD, YOU MENACE. That man is infuriating, fascinating, infuriatingly fascinating, and I cannot believe I am expected to elaborate on my feelings when all I can do is point at him and scream. The arrogance. The sharp tongue. The way he seems to have a personal vendetta against leaving Evander in peace. SIR. PLEASE. (Actually, don't. I have a point to prove.)
THE CHEMISTRY. THE PINING. THE EMOTIONAL DAMAGE. THE EVERYTHING.
What makes this book so special to me is that it isn't just about the romance. It is about the things that shape people, the ways pain buries itself beneath pride and control, and the complicated, sometimes ugly process of letting another person see what you have spent years concealing. These characters are messy. They are contradictory. They make questionable decisions. They frustrate you, surprise you, and make you want to shake some sense into them. And I LOVE THEM FOR IT.
The writing deserves its own moment of appreciation, too. The gothic atmosphere? Immaculate. The Victorian aristocratic setting? Gorgeous. The classical music, the religious imagery, the elaborate social conventions, the recurring motifs of fire, coldness, and silence? I ATE IT UP. There is something almost theatrical about the prose, as though every room, every glance, every carefully chosen word is part of a much larger performance. And the cello as an extension of Evander's emotions? PLEASE. I WILL NEVER BE NORMAL ABOUT THAT AGAIN.
I especially loved how the dual perspectives let us look beneath the surface of these characters. What they say and what they mean are often two entirely different things, and that gap between their words and their feelings is DELICIOUS. You can practically feel the tension simmering beneath every conversation. I kept wanting to know more, understand more, peel back another layer. And every time I thought I had a character figured out, the story gave me another reason to reconsider.
And the TITLE. ASHEN TORMENT. The more I think about it, the more I appreciate how perfectly it suits the atmosphere of this story. There is something haunting about the way tenderness, pain, obsession, and vulnerability can exist so uncomfortably close together. This book knows exactly how to lean into its own darkness, and I was completely, utterly captivated.
Was it intense? YES.
Was I emotionally invested beyond reason? ABSOLUTELY.
Did I spend an embarrassing amount of time thinking about these fictional men? MIND YOUR BUSINESS.
Would I read it again? IN A HEARTBEAT.
I genuinely don't care that I could probably write an entire dissertation on the things I loved about this book. Five stars feels insufficient. I finished it with approximately seventeen thousand thoughts, a thousand feelings I cannot articulate properly, and an immediate desire to shove it into everyone's hands and demand that they read it.
C. VERDELLE, YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION. YOU HAVE MY RESPECT. YOU HAVE MY ENTIRE BOOKWORM SOUL.
If you love gothic atmospheres, complicated characters, obsessive dynamics, beautifully dramatic prose, and romances that make you feel like you are witnessing two people engage in an elaborate battle of wills while simultaneously ruining each other's lives and feelings, PLEASE PUT THIS ON YOUR TBR.
Just check the content warnings first, because this book explores some genuinely heavy themes.
“I do not know how to define you other than that. A feverish irrationality.”
EXCUSE ME????? WHAT DO YOU MEAN THIS BOOK IS OVER?????
I need to lie down. I need to stare at a wall. I need to personally thank C. Verdelle for the absolute brain chemistry alteration that is Ashen Torment. Because WHAT WAS THAT. WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO GO BACK TO MY NORMAL LIFE AFTER THIS???
First of all, EVANDER ROCHEFORT AND DORIAN VASILIEV ASHFORD. I am not remotely normal about these two. Not even a little. The tension, the banter, the power struggles, the jealousy, the sheer audacity of these men??? Every interaction had me clutching my imaginary pearls. They could exchange approximately three sentences and somehow make it feel like an entire psychological warfare campaign. The way they challenge each other, provoke each other, and slowly reveal the things they would rather die than admit out loud???? I AM UNWELL.
And Evander. Oh, Evander. That man has my entire heart. His relationship with music, the things he keeps buried beneath that immaculate composure, the vulnerability that slips through when he least expects it — I wanted to reach into the pages and protect him from the entire world. There is something so incredibly compelling about a character who has learned to make silence his armour, and watching those carefully constructed walls become less impenetrable absolutely destroyed me.
And Dorian? DORIAN VASILIEV ASHFORD, YOU MENACE. That man is infuriating, fascinating, infuriatingly fascinating, and I cannot believe I am expected to elaborate on my feelings when all I can do is point at him and scream. The arrogance. The sharp tongue. The way he seems to have a personal vendetta against leaving Evander in peace. SIR. PLEASE. (Actually, don't. I have a point to prove.)
THE CHEMISTRY. THE PINING. THE EMOTIONAL DAMAGE. THE EVERYTHING.
What makes this book so special to me is that it isn't just about the romance. It is about the things that shape people, the ways pain buries itself beneath pride and control, and the complicated, sometimes ugly process of letting another person see what you have spent years concealing. These characters are messy. They are contradictory. They make questionable decisions. They frustrate you, surprise you, and make you want to shake some sense into them. And I LOVE THEM FOR IT.
The writing deserves its own moment of appreciation, too. The gothic atmosphere? Immaculate. The Victorian aristocratic setting? Gorgeous. The classical music, the religious imagery, the elaborate social conventions, the recurring motifs of fire, coldness, and silence? I ATE IT UP. There is something almost theatrical about the prose, as though every room, every glance, every carefully chosen word is part of a much larger performance. And the cello as an extension of Evander's emotions? PLEASE. I WILL NEVER BE NORMAL ABOUT THAT AGAIN.
I especially loved how the dual perspectives let us look beneath the surface of these characters. What they say and what they mean are often two entirely different things, and that gap between their words and their feelings is DELICIOUS. You can practically feel the tension simmering beneath every conversation. I kept wanting to know more, understand more, peel back another layer. And every time I thought I had a character figured out, the story gave me another reason to reconsider.
And the TITLE. ASHEN TORMENT. The more I think about it, the more I appreciate how perfectly it suits the atmosphere of this story. There is something haunting about the way tenderness, pain, obsession, and vulnerability can exist so uncomfortably close together. This book knows exactly how to lean into its own darkness, and I was completely, utterly captivated.
Was it intense? YES.
Was I emotionally invested beyond reason? ABSOLUTELY.
Did I spend an embarrassing amount of time thinking about these fictional men? MIND YOUR BUSINESS.
Would I read it again? IN A HEARTBEAT.
I genuinely don't care that I could probably write an entire dissertation on the things I loved about this book. Five stars feels insufficient. I finished it with approximately seventeen thousand thoughts, a thousand feelings I cannot articulate properly, and an immediate desire to shove it into everyone's hands and demand that they read it.
C. VERDELLE, YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION. YOU HAVE MY RESPECT. YOU HAVE MY ENTIRE BOOKWORM SOUL.
If you love gothic atmospheres, complicated characters, obsessive dynamics, beautifully dramatic prose, and romances that make you feel like you are witnessing two people engage in an elaborate battle of wills while simultaneously ruining each other's lives and feelings, PLEASE PUT THIS ON YOUR TBR.
Just check the content warnings first, because this book explores some genuinely heavy themes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have received an ARC from the author and I am sharing my honest opinion.
This book left me utterly speechless. It all carries this mysterious aura about it and the characters are brilliantly written just like the setting of the 19th century. While reading it I felt like I was living in a different time and age.
The mystery, the forbidden desire, loathing, obsessions, love, hate, friendships, passions? One could just feel every emotion running deep.
It's one hell of a reader experience. It's not just picking up a book. It's picking up a whole new world in which every character grows on you be it in a good way or a way you're supposed to be questioning whether the character has good intentions or not.
The slow burn in this book is so far the best one I have ever come across in my life. Especially when it comes to MM books. This one felt otherworldly. It had me in chokehold.
The way Evander's first impression of Dorian was "What the hell is this? Absolutely bloody not" he thought he was above him and repulsed by everything the man did. Dorian is no man to be turned down so easily though and he soon got under Evander's skin. No matter how determined Evander was to keep him at an arm length. It was wholesome to watch Evander change throughout the story.
The chemistry between them was intense from and the whole banter they got going on was otherworldly. One of my favourites.
However they are both pretty set on not admitting that they might be attracted to each other and to be honest in a setting like this it's the most dangerous thing a person could do. They are stubborn and complicated. Every interaction between them is practically a fight for control. A push and pull. Neither of them wants to surrender to the consuming desire burning within them but someone has to. They are just trying to figure out whose will is stronger.
I LOVE the mystery surrounding Dorian's family. Really invested in this part of Dorian's story and more than ready to find out how that ends. It's a nice touch to the plot.
This book is dark and intense which makes the sacred moments between the two more wholesome.
I am looking forward to reading volume II!!! 🤍
This book left me utterly speechless. It all carries this mysterious aura about it and the characters are brilliantly written just like the setting of the 19th century. While reading it I felt like I was living in a different time and age.
The mystery, the forbidden desire, loathing, obsessions, love, hate, friendships, passions? One could just feel every emotion running deep.
It's one hell of a reader experience. It's not just picking up a book. It's picking up a whole new world in which every character grows on you be it in a good way or a way you're supposed to be questioning whether the character has good intentions or not.
The slow burn in this book is so far the best one I have ever come across in my life. Especially when it comes to MM books. This one felt otherworldly. It had me in chokehold.
The way Evander's first impression of Dorian was "What the hell is this? Absolutely bloody not" he thought he was above him and repulsed by everything the man did. Dorian is no man to be turned down so easily though and he soon got under Evander's skin. No matter how determined Evander was to keep him at an arm length. It was wholesome to watch Evander change throughout the story.
The chemistry between them was intense from and the whole banter they got going on was otherworldly. One of my favourites.
However they are both pretty set on not admitting that they might be attracted to each other and to be honest in a setting like this it's the most dangerous thing a person could do. They are stubborn and complicated. Every interaction between them is practically a fight for control. A push and pull. Neither of them wants to surrender to the consuming desire burning within them but someone has to. They are just trying to figure out whose will is stronger.
I LOVE the mystery surrounding Dorian's family. Really invested in this part of Dorian's story and more than ready to find out how that ends. It's a nice touch to the plot.
This book is dark and intense which makes the sacred moments between the two more wholesome.
I am looking forward to reading volume II!!! 🤍
Review of advance copy
Ohhhhhhh
This book was everything. It is a slow burn but one you wouldn't mind because the tension would have you gasping for air. It felt like the characters were teasing us and not themselves.
The tension was so good that even when each of them were at their separate residence, it felt like they were a hair's breath away from each other.
I was devouring these pages because they were feeding me so much, I couldn't stop eating
Lord Dorian Vasiliev Ashford fell in love at first provocation. He just couldn't understand why the Viscount couldn't stand him or his presence, and then he made it his life's mission to always be in his presence. In his face.
But then it backfired because his waking and sleeping thoughts were filled with the Viscount and he knew where to channel that energy. Back at the Viscount. Dorian won't take no for an answer especially when he knows just how much Evander wants it.
Viscount Evander is a brat in every sense that matters. He pushes Dorian's buttons so hard and so well that the Lord ends up forcing his hand. Evander wants nothing to do with him. He calls him that "indecent" man but can't seem to stop coming up with false business meetings to see Dorian. He can't stand Dorian's presence but he always stays back even when everyone has left. It doesn't help that Dorian leaves him no choice either.
In a time where two men being in a relationship of that sort is worse than murder, these two couldn't stop the pull to each other. They couldn't help but gravitate towards each other.
You want to see jealous men, these two would give you so good a depiction, you'd think of them whenever you hear the word "jealousy".
It's definitely a 5 star read for me.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book was everything. It is a slow burn but one you wouldn't mind because the tension would have you gasping for air. It felt like the characters were teasing us and not themselves.
The tension was so good that even when each of them were at their separate residence, it felt like they were a hair's breath away from each other.
I was devouring these pages because they were feeding me so much, I couldn't stop eating
Lord Dorian Vasiliev Ashford fell in love at first provocation. He just couldn't understand why the Viscount couldn't stand him or his presence, and then he made it his life's mission to always be in his presence. In his face.
But then it backfired because his waking and sleeping thoughts were filled with the Viscount and he knew where to channel that energy. Back at the Viscount. Dorian won't take no for an answer especially when he knows just how much Evander wants it.
Viscount Evander is a brat in every sense that matters. He pushes Dorian's buttons so hard and so well that the Lord ends up forcing his hand. Evander wants nothing to do with him. He calls him that "indecent" man but can't seem to stop coming up with false business meetings to see Dorian. He can't stand Dorian's presence but he always stays back even when everyone has left. It doesn't help that Dorian leaves him no choice either.
In a time where two men being in a relationship of that sort is worse than murder, these two couldn't stop the pull to each other. They couldn't help but gravitate towards each other.
You want to see jealous men, these two would give you so good a depiction, you'd think of them whenever you hear the word "jealousy".
It's definitely a 5 star read for me.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
ARC REVIEW
Well… Dorian and Evander are a PROBLEM. 😂🖤
The amount of tension between these two should honestly be illegal.
They start off with so much irritation and dislike, and somehow that slowly turns into something neither of them knows how to deal with. The constant staring, arguing, provoking and jealousy? I was absolutely here for it.
Dorian is arrogant, possessive and definitely knows how to get under Evander's skin. And the fact that he seems to enjoy every second of it made him even more entertaining to read.
Evander, on the other hand, tries so hard to keep control of himself, but Dorian keeps finding all the right buttons to push. Their relationship is basically one long battle over who is going to lose control first.
I also really loved the darker side of the story. Dorian's investigation into his parents' deaths added so much more to his character and made me want to uncover the truth right alongside him. And Evander… there is clearly so much more hiding beneath the surface, which left me very curious about what we'll discover in the next book.
The historical setting made everything even more intense. The rules, expectations and fear of scandal make their attraction feel even more forbidden, and I loved how much that affected their relationship.
The slow burn, the chemistry, the jealousy and the constant push and pull between them completely worked for me. I loved watching them try to resist something they clearly couldn't ignore.
And that ending definitely left me wanting more.
Five stars from me. 🖤🥀
Now I just need book two because I NEED to know what happens next. 👀
🌶️🌶️🌶️
ARC REVIEW
Well… Dorian and Evander are a PROBLEM. 😂🖤
The amount of tension between these two should honestly be illegal.
They start off with so much irritation and dislike, and somehow that slowly turns into something neither of them knows how to deal with. The constant staring, arguing, provoking and jealousy? I was absolutely here for it.
Dorian is arrogant, possessive and definitely knows how to get under Evander's skin. And the fact that he seems to enjoy every second of it made him even more entertaining to read.
Evander, on the other hand, tries so hard to keep control of himself, but Dorian keeps finding all the right buttons to push. Their relationship is basically one long battle over who is going to lose control first.
I also really loved the darker side of the story. Dorian's investigation into his parents' deaths added so much more to his character and made me want to uncover the truth right alongside him. And Evander… there is clearly so much more hiding beneath the surface, which left me very curious about what we'll discover in the next book.
The historical setting made everything even more intense. The rules, expectations and fear of scandal make their attraction feel even more forbidden, and I loved how much that affected their relationship.
The slow burn, the chemistry, the jealousy and the constant push and pull between them completely worked for me. I loved watching them try to resist something they clearly couldn't ignore.
And that ending definitely left me wanting more.
Five stars from me. 🖤🥀
Now I just need book two because I NEED to know what happens next. 👀
Read
October 6, 2026Thank you so much @c.verdelle_author for the ARC of Ashen Torment! 🖤🥀
🖤For those who learned how to live in the dark.”
This is a gothic, slow-burn MM dark romance set in Victorian England (1856), and it absolutely nails the atmosphere. Think crumbling manor, etiquette as a weapon, velvet and blood. If you loved the aesthetic of her teasers — the chains, the white lily, the Polaroids — the book delivers on that mood.
We follow Dorian Vasiliev Ashford, a Russian lord driven entirely by revenge for his parents’ murder, and Evander Rochefort, an English Viscount who is scholarly, soft-spoken, obsessed with Greek mythology, and clearly carrying a lot of trauma of his own. Their dynamic is the core of the book: pure hate-to-love, forced proximity, mutual obsession, and a very delicious power struggle.
The chemistry is undeniable. The tension is so well done — every glance and argument feels loaded. Dorian as the possessive, morally grey MMC is exactly as promised, and Evander is more resilient than he first appears. I loved the little character details (Dorian never without a weapon / Evander’s fear of butterflies) that made them feel real beyond the tropes.
🖤For those who learned how to live in the dark.”
This is a gothic, slow-burn MM dark romance set in Victorian England (1856), and it absolutely nails the atmosphere. Think crumbling manor, etiquette as a weapon, velvet and blood. If you loved the aesthetic of her teasers — the chains, the white lily, the Polaroids — the book delivers on that mood.
We follow Dorian Vasiliev Ashford, a Russian lord driven entirely by revenge for his parents’ murder, and Evander Rochefort, an English Viscount who is scholarly, soft-spoken, obsessed with Greek mythology, and clearly carrying a lot of trauma of his own. Their dynamic is the core of the book: pure hate-to-love, forced proximity, mutual obsession, and a very delicious power struggle.
The chemistry is undeniable. The tension is so well done — every glance and argument feels loaded. Dorian as the possessive, morally grey MMC is exactly as promised, and Evander is more resilient than he first appears. I loved the little character details (Dorian never without a weapon / Evander’s fear of butterflies) that made them feel real beyond the tropes.
October 26, 2026
This book had my attention the entire time, I felt fully immersed into the universe and time period, as if I had been there. It was such a wonderful experience to read. I felt the hatred between Dorian and Evander, then the pull towards each other, followed by the dare I say love? I had never read such tension, that turned into something beautiful. Simply amazing. I cannot wait to read the next volume!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am the one who is left yearning for men I’ll never live in the same era as
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
The viscount is a very reserved man and imagine the shock on all our faces when Lord Dorian enters the chat at the man is so vexed he considered 🔥ing the man if he pissed him off or broke his heart😂 easy there sunshine😂😂😂.
Lord Dorian fell in love at first annoyance and he didn’t give a damn (or a river🤪) whose toes he will have to step on to get what or who he wants but the one he wants knows how to push back.
The banter between these two is hilarious and the JEALOUSY. I love a good jealous fit and my men knew how to say MINE without saying MINE 👀😌🤭 especially in a victorian era where gossip runs faster than the speed of light
😩 when Dorian called him “Dusha Moya” !!!!!!! Swoon
But ….. mmmm seems like there are secrets to be revealed and plots to he uncovered. Such an exciting read 🤭😌
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
The viscount is a very reserved man and imagine the shock on all our faces when Lord Dorian enters the chat at the man is so vexed he considered 🔥ing the man if he pissed him off or broke his heart😂 easy there sunshine😂😂😂.
Lord Dorian fell in love at first annoyance and he didn’t give a damn (or a river🤪) whose toes he will have to step on to get what or who he wants but the one he wants knows how to push back.
The banter between these two is hilarious and the JEALOUSY. I love a good jealous fit and my men knew how to say MINE without saying MINE 👀😌🤭 especially in a victorian era where gossip runs faster than the speed of light
😩 when Dorian called him “Dusha Moya” !!!!!!! Swoon
But ….. mmmm seems like there are secrets to be revealed and plots to he uncovered. Such an exciting read 🤭😌
September 26, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/6.
🌶️🌶️.5/5.
This was interesting. The dislike Dorian & Evander have towards each other quickly turns into something more.
They like to infiltrate each other’s space because that would get a reaction and they would drop the mask they show to society but that quickly turns into a slippery slope because once you start to see and like whats underneath the mask, you can’t undo it.
There’s a lot to unpack with Evander in the next book because in this one, we just scratched the surface.
Dorian just can’t seem to let go and Evander quickly becomes an obsession because one cannot deny what’s right in front of you.
I loved the way Dorian is in tune with Evander and doesn’t let him slip away so easily from what’s going on. I also loved how possessive he is.
The same goes for Evander. He becomes very violent when he’s jealous and loved it. 🙈 poor Dorian just takes it because that means he is present in Evander‘s mind and this bond they have, isn’t one sided.
Every men so far is keeping some sort of secret and I wonder where it will lead us.
The next book will definitely be a rollercoaster of emotions and I can’t wait to see where this story will take me.
*I read an arc of this book. *
🌶️🌶️.5/5.
This was interesting. The dislike Dorian & Evander have towards each other quickly turns into something more.
They like to infiltrate each other’s space because that would get a reaction and they would drop the mask they show to society but that quickly turns into a slippery slope because once you start to see and like whats underneath the mask, you can’t undo it.
There’s a lot to unpack with Evander in the next book because in this one, we just scratched the surface.
Dorian just can’t seem to let go and Evander quickly becomes an obsession because one cannot deny what’s right in front of you.
I loved the way Dorian is in tune with Evander and doesn’t let him slip away so easily from what’s going on. I also loved how possessive he is.
The same goes for Evander. He becomes very violent when he’s jealous and loved it. 🙈 poor Dorian just takes it because that means he is present in Evander‘s mind and this bond they have, isn’t one sided.
Every men so far is keeping some sort of secret and I wonder where it will lead us.
The next book will definitely be a rollercoaster of emotions and I can’t wait to see where this story will take me.
*I read an arc of this book. *
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ashen Torment is a new trilogy historial MM romance series that follows Dorian Vasiliev Ashford, a Russian lord seeking revenge for his parent’s murder, and Evander Rochefort an English Viscount
This was so good story, at first I was kind of confused where the story was going but as I kept reading the story completely hook me in, the chemistry, the slow burn, the push and pull between Dorian and Evander was done so well i couldn’t put it down. And can’t forget the side characters I’m already salivating for what the author has prepared for them looking for hints of any future stories.
Overall this was such a good story, I cannot wait for book two, that cliffhanger left me anxious for what’s to come.
This was so good story, at first I was kind of confused where the story was going but as I kept reading the story completely hook me in, the chemistry, the slow burn, the push and pull between Dorian and Evander was done so well i couldn’t put it down. And can’t forget the side characters I’m already salivating for what the author has prepared for them looking for hints of any future stories.
Overall this was such a good story, I cannot wait for book two, that cliffhanger left me anxious for what’s to come.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW
It has been a while since I read something like this, the whole book was written so well!
The chemistry between Dorian and Evander was so palpable, the hatred they harboured for each other which soon turned to obsession from both parties was exquisite, countless stolen glances, forbidden touches, UGH IT WAS GOOD😍
Cannot wait to see how book 2 turns out!
It has been a while since I read something like this, the whole book was written so well!
The chemistry between Dorian and Evander was so palpable, the hatred they harboured for each other which soon turned to obsession from both parties was exquisite, countless stolen glances, forbidden touches, UGH IT WAS GOOD😍
Cannot wait to see how book 2 turns out!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I don't think this one was for me. I struggled to get through the book.
1st, I was not a fan of being introduced to like 20 characters by like 20% of the book. It made it hard for me to know who was who and to remember that as I kept reading.
2nd, in this book the love interest spent more time with the side characters then themselves.
3rd, I really don't get the whole "hate" or "enemies" aspect of this. It's like they met and just "hated each other".... with no real reason behind it.
4th, this was marketed as a dark mm romance....hmmmm, not sure about the dark part....
5th, with the way this was written, I struggled following the dialogues to determine who was saying what.
6th the book art were really nice. Every chapter head had a drawing.
7th the banter between Dorian and Evander in that historical way of talking was hilarious.
At this point, I'm lowkey invested to see what happened next, but unfortunately the way I thought I was gonna really like this book, just fell flat to me.
The last like 10% lowkwy salvaged this for me.
1st, I was not a fan of being introduced to like 20 characters by like 20% of the book. It made it hard for me to know who was who and to remember that as I kept reading.
2nd, in this book the love interest spent more time with the side characters then themselves.
3rd, I really don't get the whole "hate" or "enemies" aspect of this. It's like they met and just "hated each other".... with no real reason behind it.
4th, this was marketed as a dark mm romance....hmmmm, not sure about the dark part....
5th, with the way this was written, I struggled following the dialogues to determine who was saying what.
6th the book art were really nice. Every chapter head had a drawing.
7th the banter between Dorian and Evander in that historical way of talking was hilarious.
At this point, I'm lowkey invested to see what happened next, but unfortunately the way I thought I was gonna really like this book, just fell flat to me.
The last like 10% lowkwy salvaged this for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2026
Lord Richard Brownell, Viscount Evander's best friend, cautions, “Society finds a man holding another man’s hand more offensive than a murder.”
Set in Victorian era England among nobility, Lord Richard offers us heartbreaking yet crucial context about Ashen Torment's world. Two men together is unforgivably, unimaginably scandalous, particularly for title-bearing men like our two main characters.
Lord Dorian and Viscount Evander (if I may be so informal) are enemies from the start. Their intense dislike of each other and the ways they trade subtle—and not-so-subtle—insults sets the stage for social situations filled with tension and awkwardness. As the nobility of London are a small group, running into the people you despise is inevitable. Gatherings consistently involve the same cluster again and again. In other words, try as he might, Viscount Evander just cannot get away from the likes of one Lord Dorian and his smug, offensive self.
This story is a slowwwwwwwwww burn set in a world where the stakes are sky high. It makes sense that intense, fiery emotions would be understood as hatred rather than passion or attraction as a man desiring another man is unthinkable for them.
Lord Dorian's possessiveness quickly makes itself known, even if neither fully understand why, but I found many of the moments he succumbed to his little fits of jealousy quite amusing. And Viscount Evander - such violence when he's displeased! Shocking.
I'll admit it took my brain a good several chapters to adjust to upper crust Victorian English and the way nobility never speaks plainly. What they're saying versus what they're SAYING are often two different things, and deciphering the implied, unspoken, and hinted at took me a little practice to switch on that translator in my brain.
Verdelle did a beautiful job building this world and its rules of propriety and obligation. The tension never lets up even as the two men begin to circle each other more deliberately. Neither can avoid a scandal.
There are larger themes of childhood sexual abuse, murder, and power that are touched on but not resolved as this is book one of a series. The stage is being set, the characters introduced, the stakes made clear in this first installment. It also means the two main characters are left in a bit of a cliffhanger at the end as there's so much more for them to explore and understand about themselves and each other.
I found it interesting how much I wanted to vilify the women who are eager for a relationship with Lord Dorian and Viscount Evander, when women had virtually no power and few options for survival other than marrying well. Of course young, powerful, titled men would be sought after.
There is some spice in the book but you have to wait and wait and wait for it; even when it happens it's tense and hidden. They are explosively intense, and my only real criticism of the book is that anal play MUST include lube (copious amounts of spit will only get you so far, and not having ANY at all puts you solidly in tearing-tender-tissues territory with horrible outcomes).
I'm obsessed with Lord Nathaniel. There's something delicious about his restraint and keen eye - I hope his future holds a hot man who utterly destroys him and allows him to feel passion (and that we get to witness the undoing). I'm also curious about several of the other support characters and what's in store for them. Sweet and messy Lord Richard, sh!t-stirrer Julian, and bizarre and scandalous Mr. Saint-Clair.
I want a happy ending for Dorian and Evander, though I cannot imagine how that could ever be possible in this world. I want healing for these two, even though it seems like a tall order. I want Viscount Evander's mother to fall into a wasps nest while choking on glass and even that is too kind in my mind.
Though a slower read than most because of the language and cultural of Victorian English high society, but it buzzed with electricity and increasing pressure that made me hungry for more. If you're into historical fiction, you'll love this book.
Set in Victorian era England among nobility, Lord Richard offers us heartbreaking yet crucial context about Ashen Torment's world. Two men together is unforgivably, unimaginably scandalous, particularly for title-bearing men like our two main characters.
Lord Dorian and Viscount Evander (if I may be so informal) are enemies from the start. Their intense dislike of each other and the ways they trade subtle—and not-so-subtle—insults sets the stage for social situations filled with tension and awkwardness. As the nobility of London are a small group, running into the people you despise is inevitable. Gatherings consistently involve the same cluster again and again. In other words, try as he might, Viscount Evander just cannot get away from the likes of one Lord Dorian and his smug, offensive self.
This story is a slowwwwwwwwww burn set in a world where the stakes are sky high. It makes sense that intense, fiery emotions would be understood as hatred rather than passion or attraction as a man desiring another man is unthinkable for them.
Lord Dorian's possessiveness quickly makes itself known, even if neither fully understand why, but I found many of the moments he succumbed to his little fits of jealousy quite amusing. And Viscount Evander - such violence when he's displeased! Shocking.
I'll admit it took my brain a good several chapters to adjust to upper crust Victorian English and the way nobility never speaks plainly. What they're saying versus what they're SAYING are often two different things, and deciphering the implied, unspoken, and hinted at took me a little practice to switch on that translator in my brain.
Verdelle did a beautiful job building this world and its rules of propriety and obligation. The tension never lets up even as the two men begin to circle each other more deliberately. Neither can avoid a scandal.
There are larger themes of childhood sexual abuse, murder, and power that are touched on but not resolved as this is book one of a series. The stage is being set, the characters introduced, the stakes made clear in this first installment. It also means the two main characters are left in a bit of a cliffhanger at the end as there's so much more for them to explore and understand about themselves and each other.
I found it interesting how much I wanted to vilify the women who are eager for a relationship with Lord Dorian and Viscount Evander, when women had virtually no power and few options for survival other than marrying well. Of course young, powerful, titled men would be sought after.
There is some spice in the book but you have to wait and wait and wait for it; even when it happens it's tense and hidden. They are explosively intense, and my only real criticism of the book is that anal play MUST include lube (copious amounts of spit will only get you so far, and not having ANY at all puts you solidly in tearing-tender-tissues territory with horrible outcomes).
I'm obsessed with Lord Nathaniel. There's something delicious about his restraint and keen eye - I hope his future holds a hot man who utterly destroys him and allows him to feel passion (and that we get to witness the undoing). I'm also curious about several of the other support characters and what's in store for them. Sweet and messy Lord Richard, sh!t-stirrer Julian, and bizarre and scandalous Mr. Saint-Clair.
I want a happy ending for Dorian and Evander, though I cannot imagine how that could ever be possible in this world. I want healing for these two, even though it seems like a tall order. I want Viscount Evander's mother to fall into a wasps nest while choking on glass and even that is too kind in my mind.
Though a slower read than most because of the language and cultural of Victorian English high society, but it buzzed with electricity and increasing pressure that made me hungry for more. If you're into historical fiction, you'll love this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC RECEIVED FROM AUTHOR🫶
OMG! 😭🫶THIS IS MY FIRST TIME REVIEWING A BOOK AFTER RECEIVING AN ARC COPY DIRECTLY FROM THE AUTHOR, AND I’M SCREAMINGGG! 😭
I F*CKING DEVOURED THIS BOOK! These two are insane. The way they’re both so possessive of each other but try to hide it in their own ways haha!
Evander really knows how to get under Dorian’s skin and piss Lord Dorian off, and honestly? I’ts giving and im living for it haha THE AUDACITY OF THIS MAN. 😂 And Dorian’s possessiveness over Evander has me giggling, kicking my feet, and smiling at my screen like an absolute FOOL. The way he can’t stand other people getting close to what he considers HIS??? THE JALOSI🤣
AND EVANDER??? 😭 This man is such a menace because he acts like he doesn’t want Dorian’s touch, but deep down, he craves it so badly. The way he struggles to admit it, especially considering his past trauma and how much he hates being touched, makes their dynamic even more compelling. 🥹💔 There’s something so heartbreaking about watching someone who once feared touch slowly become needy for the affection of someone they’re drawn to. I NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT EVANDER’S PAST RIGHT NOW. AUTHOR, I’M ON MY KNEES. 😭
THE BANTER. THE POWER DYNAMICS. THE TENSION. THE WAY THEY PUSH EACH OTHER’S BUTTONS. EVERYTHING IS TOP-TIER. 🤌🏻🔥 Their dynamic has me in a chokehold, and I fear there’s no going back. They’re both stubborn, possessive, and absolutely incapable of making things easy for each other. LIKE, PLEASE, JUST KISS, weytt haha nevermind
And a BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE for the author’s writing! 👏🏻The dialogue is SO well-written, and I genuinely love how the characters speak. It feels fitting for the Victorian setting and the world of aristocracy. Some of the vocabulary had me running to Google because WHAT DOES THAT WORD MEAN??? 😭💀 But in the best way possible! The writing really adds to the atmosphere, and you can tell how much care went into the characters.📚
AND THE SPICY SCENES??? hello ??? 🫦🔥I WAS BITING MY LIPS, KICKING MY FEET, AND TRYING TO ACT NORMAL WHILE READING THEIR POVs. SPOILER: I FAILED. BADLY. 😭The tension was already doing things to me, but getting inside their heads made everything SO MUCH BETTER. And DORIAN??? The way he admits just how needy he is for Evander and how quickly he loses control when it comes to him??? SIR,YOUR LORDSHIP HAS LEFT THE CHAT. 💀🔥
I especially love getting to see the contrast between Dorian’s usual control and the way Evander can unravel him. The emotional tension underneath their attraction makes their moments together even more intense. LIKE, THESE TWO ARE GOING TO BE THE DEATH OF ME. 😩❤️🔥
Overall, this book has me HOOKED. The possessiveness, the banter, the delicious power dynamics, the Victorian atmosphere, the emotional depth, AND THE SPICE??? THAT’S MY ROMAN EMPIRE NOW.🫶😭
I’M SO EXCITED TO CONTINUE THIS BOOK AND DISCOVER MORE ABOUT EVANDER’S TRAUMA, DORIAN’S FEELINGS, AND HOW THEIR RELATIONSHIP WILL DEVELOP. I NEED TO SEE HOW THEIR LOVE GROWS, HOW THEY LEARN TO TRUST EACH OTHER, AND HOW MUCH MORE THESE TWO WILL MAKE ME SUFFER BEFORE GIVING ME WHAT I WANT. 🥹💗
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE AUTHOR FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ THIS ARC! 🫶✨ I’m genuinely so happy to have experienced this story, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. If the rest of the book continues like this, I’M NOT SURVIVING. 😭💋
A WELL- DESERVED 5 ⭐️ STARS Rating for me🫶
#ARCReview #BookReview #MMRomance #DarkRomance #VictorianRomance #BookTok #Bookstagram #ARCReader
OMG! 😭🫶THIS IS MY FIRST TIME REVIEWING A BOOK AFTER RECEIVING AN ARC COPY DIRECTLY FROM THE AUTHOR, AND I’M SCREAMINGGG! 😭
I F*CKING DEVOURED THIS BOOK! These two are insane. The way they’re both so possessive of each other but try to hide it in their own ways haha!
Evander really knows how to get under Dorian’s skin and piss Lord Dorian off, and honestly? I’ts giving and im living for it haha THE AUDACITY OF THIS MAN. 😂 And Dorian’s possessiveness over Evander has me giggling, kicking my feet, and smiling at my screen like an absolute FOOL. The way he can’t stand other people getting close to what he considers HIS??? THE JALOSI🤣
AND EVANDER??? 😭 This man is such a menace because he acts like he doesn’t want Dorian’s touch, but deep down, he craves it so badly. The way he struggles to admit it, especially considering his past trauma and how much he hates being touched, makes their dynamic even more compelling. 🥹💔 There’s something so heartbreaking about watching someone who once feared touch slowly become needy for the affection of someone they’re drawn to. I NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT EVANDER’S PAST RIGHT NOW. AUTHOR, I’M ON MY KNEES. 😭
THE BANTER. THE POWER DYNAMICS. THE TENSION. THE WAY THEY PUSH EACH OTHER’S BUTTONS. EVERYTHING IS TOP-TIER. 🤌🏻🔥 Their dynamic has me in a chokehold, and I fear there’s no going back. They’re both stubborn, possessive, and absolutely incapable of making things easy for each other. LIKE, PLEASE, JUST KISS, weytt haha nevermind
And a BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE for the author’s writing! 👏🏻The dialogue is SO well-written, and I genuinely love how the characters speak. It feels fitting for the Victorian setting and the world of aristocracy. Some of the vocabulary had me running to Google because WHAT DOES THAT WORD MEAN??? 😭💀 But in the best way possible! The writing really adds to the atmosphere, and you can tell how much care went into the characters.📚
AND THE SPICY SCENES??? hello ??? 🫦🔥I WAS BITING MY LIPS, KICKING MY FEET, AND TRYING TO ACT NORMAL WHILE READING THEIR POVs. SPOILER: I FAILED. BADLY. 😭The tension was already doing things to me, but getting inside their heads made everything SO MUCH BETTER. And DORIAN??? The way he admits just how needy he is for Evander and how quickly he loses control when it comes to him??? SIR,YOUR LORDSHIP HAS LEFT THE CHAT. 💀🔥
I especially love getting to see the contrast between Dorian’s usual control and the way Evander can unravel him. The emotional tension underneath their attraction makes their moments together even more intense. LIKE, THESE TWO ARE GOING TO BE THE DEATH OF ME. 😩❤️🔥
Overall, this book has me HOOKED. The possessiveness, the banter, the delicious power dynamics, the Victorian atmosphere, the emotional depth, AND THE SPICE??? THAT’S MY ROMAN EMPIRE NOW.🫶😭
I’M SO EXCITED TO CONTINUE THIS BOOK AND DISCOVER MORE ABOUT EVANDER’S TRAUMA, DORIAN’S FEELINGS, AND HOW THEIR RELATIONSHIP WILL DEVELOP. I NEED TO SEE HOW THEIR LOVE GROWS, HOW THEY LEARN TO TRUST EACH OTHER, AND HOW MUCH MORE THESE TWO WILL MAKE ME SUFFER BEFORE GIVING ME WHAT I WANT. 🥹💗
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE AUTHOR FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ THIS ARC! 🫶✨ I’m genuinely so happy to have experienced this story, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. If the rest of the book continues like this, I’M NOT SURVIVING. 😭💋
A WELL- DESERVED 5 ⭐️ STARS Rating for me🫶
#ARCReview #BookReview #MMRomance #DarkRomance #VictorianRomance #BookTok #Bookstagram #ARCReader
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Our mouths seek each other again as if they had always known one another, as if they knew they had to meet like this, right now.”
This is my first ever MM book, a much-anticipated read, and it did not disappoint. Thank you to the author for providing an ARC copy, I am beyond grateful. Having said that, the opinions are entirely my own.
This is a slow descent into madness, or perhaps inevitability.
Evander and Dorian clash early on, sparks fly, dislike ignites, and the push and pull doesn’t let up as they keep orbiting each other, not quite able to stay away despite the very real risks. For those who don’t know (and I was one of them), relations between people of the same gender were illegal during the Victorian Era, so it doesn’t get more forbidden than this.
Because of that, the slowburn was what a slowburn should be. It kept me wanting more, and everytime I thought something might happen, one of them pulled away. When they finally crashed, the spice was exquisite, and I say this as a very picky spice reader.
Now, the characters... As someone who reads character-first, this captured me completely. They are perfectly matched: the Viscount, cold and beautiful as a marble statue (wink wink), with walls as high as they can go, and the cocky Russian lord who does not give a tiny rat’s *ss, who pursues him relentlessly, singularly, obsessively, one might say.
Evander is a brat in the full sense of the word, and even when they admit to the pull between them, the dynamic between them remains fresh and electric, which doesn’t happen often enough in romance. I could easily devour ten more books about them.
And Dorian... He surprised me in the best way possible. I expected a brute—and in a way, he very much is—but he’s also gentle, kind, and perceptive when it matters. As someone who loves possessive *ssholes with depth, I’m besotted with him, and I’ve made space for him on my shelf of favourite MMCs.
And god, are they possessive of each other. In fact, call me toxic, but the jealousy scenes in this book had me giggling and kicking my little feet.
And the banter? Good lord. Absolutely top notch.
There is also subtlety, which I appreciated. Certain themes are handled with care (check your triggers), but without making them flat, and if you pay attention, the author wove many little symbols that make this worth a reread, in my opinion.
In conclusion:
I am shattered. I shall not recover. Forgive me while I stare dramatically at the wall, like a confused little Victorian ghost, because I need Book 2 NOW.
Phenomenal read. Atmospheric, like a maddening, slow fever creeping over you, one you definitely want to sink into.
5 enthusiastic, well-deserved stars, don’t sleep on this!
“He kisses me with the haste of one who has waited too long, with the hunger of one who fears there will be no tomorrow.”
October 28, 2026
Evander & Dorian✨
Someone PLEASE check on me because this book was so good! The tension between Evander and Dorian could have been cut with a knife from the very first pages, and even with the slow burn, the chemistry was EVERYTHING. Exactly what I’m here for.
For me, everything shifted around chapters 24/25 because hello??? The way Dorian was so obsessed and protective? The caretaking? Evander being a little brat? Ugh. I was kicking my feet and giggling like an absolute idiot while devouring page after page, and somehow, it just kept getting better and better. And I promise you, chapter 36 is every bit as good as the author makes it out to be on her Instagram. 👀
It’s been a while since I’ve highlighted this many passages in a book. At this point, I might as well highlight 90% of it. I loved the pacing, the writing style was absolutely perfect for me, and I genuinely think the author did an incredible job. I also love when languages other than English are incorporated into books, and the French and Russian in this one added so much to the story. And the little detail of Evander actually trying to learn Russian so he could understand what Dorian was saying? So damn cute (even if he doesn't want to admit it).
I don’t know why I keep doing this to myself, but here I am, reading another book that ends on a cliffhanger. So please, please, please, I desperately need volume 2 so I can finally sleep peacefully again. I need answers..😩
"Your voice, your scent, the taste you denied me. You—you have poisoned me, Viscount."
I want him completely. Body, mind, soul. Every goddamn inch.
“It is you who...” I mutter, my lips grazing his, “it is you who have awakened my flesh, and make every last semblance of control vanish.”
“Dusha, ty ne predstavlyaesh’, chto ty so mnoy tvorysh.”
“Moy prekrasnyy malchik.”
“My love, Lyubov’ moya. Try saying it, Dusha.”
Someone PLEASE check on me because this book was so good! The tension between Evander and Dorian could have been cut with a knife from the very first pages, and even with the slow burn, the chemistry was EVERYTHING. Exactly what I’m here for.
For me, everything shifted around chapters 24/25 because hello??? The way Dorian was so obsessed and protective? The caretaking? Evander being a little brat? Ugh. I was kicking my feet and giggling like an absolute idiot while devouring page after page, and somehow, it just kept getting better and better. And I promise you, chapter 36 is every bit as good as the author makes it out to be on her Instagram. 👀
It’s been a while since I’ve highlighted this many passages in a book. At this point, I might as well highlight 90% of it. I loved the pacing, the writing style was absolutely perfect for me, and I genuinely think the author did an incredible job. I also love when languages other than English are incorporated into books, and the French and Russian in this one added so much to the story. And the little detail of Evander actually trying to learn Russian so he could understand what Dorian was saying? So damn cute (even if he doesn't want to admit it).
I don’t know why I keep doing this to myself, but here I am, reading another book that ends on a cliffhanger. So please, please, please, I desperately need volume 2 so I can finally sleep peacefully again. I need answers..😩
"Your voice, your scent, the taste you denied me. You—you have poisoned me, Viscount."
I want him completely. Body, mind, soul. Every goddamn inch.
“It is you who...” I mutter, my lips grazing his, “it is you who have awakened my flesh, and make every last semblance of control vanish.”
“Dusha, ty ne predstavlyaesh’, chto ty so mnoy tvorysh.”
“Moy prekrasnyy malchik.”
“My love, Lyubov’ moya. Try saying it, Dusha.”
October 26, 2026
ARC REVIEW
It feels like, on the one hand, I have read an excellent romance novel with my favorite tropes, and on the other hand, a highly artistic read where every page is filled with aesthetics. Where else will you find a book where one man says to another not "you give me a hard-on," but "I am ablaze with feelings and burn with desire for you," and you literally feel this sexual tension yourself, which only intensifies with each subsequent chapter.
First, the chapters are very aesthetically designed; the author uses incredibly beautiful pictures that already give a slight hint about what is happening in a given section.
Second, the characters are incredibly wonderful (both secondary and main, because I shipped everyone there and to me, there are no straight people in this book). My little deer, my little swan, my blue-eyed joy Evander (all Evanders are wonderful, it's not the first time I've been convinced of this) made me feel sad because of his past and how vilely he was forced to believe that it is impossible to love him. There is nothing even to say about Dorian Vasiliev Ashford — a real man who proves his true feelings through his actions, goes against everyone, and, I hope, will completely protect and take care of his little and precious love in the future.
Third, what a writing style it has.... It is as if I read some elaborate classic piece of literature, learned French, and became smarter at the same time (yes, even this happens in MM literature, rather than just a ton of useless sex scenes that make me slightly nauseous by the end of the book).
Fourth, absolutely the entire book is highlighted with a marker for me, because some quotes gave me goosebumps, others made me angry, and the rest made my panties fly off — that is how good it felt. I am eagerly looking forward to the second book in this series that I have come to love.
It feels like, on the one hand, I have read an excellent romance novel with my favorite tropes, and on the other hand, a highly artistic read where every page is filled with aesthetics. Where else will you find a book where one man says to another not "you give me a hard-on," but "I am ablaze with feelings and burn with desire for you," and you literally feel this sexual tension yourself, which only intensifies with each subsequent chapter.
First, the chapters are very aesthetically designed; the author uses incredibly beautiful pictures that already give a slight hint about what is happening in a given section.
Second, the characters are incredibly wonderful (both secondary and main, because I shipped everyone there and to me, there are no straight people in this book). My little deer, my little swan, my blue-eyed joy Evander (all Evanders are wonderful, it's not the first time I've been convinced of this) made me feel sad because of his past and how vilely he was forced to believe that it is impossible to love him. There is nothing even to say about Dorian Vasiliev Ashford — a real man who proves his true feelings through his actions, goes against everyone, and, I hope, will completely protect and take care of his little and precious love in the future.
Third, what a writing style it has.... It is as if I read some elaborate classic piece of literature, learned French, and became smarter at the same time (yes, even this happens in MM literature, rather than just a ton of useless sex scenes that make me slightly nauseous by the end of the book).
Fourth, absolutely the entire book is highlighted with a marker for me, because some quotes gave me goosebumps, others made me angry, and the rest made my panties fly off — that is how good it felt. I am eagerly looking forward to the second book in this series that I have come to love.
October 26, 2026
This book I received as an ARC and my very first one
I was so nervous going into it and on my gosh I was so glad, because it was a beautiful read.
This book was high tension, deep longing and the spice was peak C.Verdelle ate with this one. The Victorian style writing and setting and this was a breath of fresh air.
This book follow Dorian the future Marquess of Ashford and Evander the Viscount of Rochefort.
Dorian attraction to Evander was peak, to watch how his curiosity of this beautiful man transformed into infatuation and full blown possessiveness ( oh how he was jealous of the people around Evander). Oh the amount of time Dorian forget English or how to speak was funny as ever.
Oh hove my heart aced for Evander because he had to measure how much he could give and take, how much he can show and how much more he had to hide, how he always had to weigh duty status family expectations against his longing for Dorian and his true authentic self.
This book got me going through a roller coaster of emotions because being attracted to someone that society deems unattainable because of class gender, etc. longing for someone that in your orbit but can’t have or touch freely, having a taste of what happiness feels like and cannot keep it. Isn’t that TORMENT in itself.
If you love
✨Russian lord and English Viscount
✨Bi- Awaking
✨Forbidden Desires
✨Jealous and possessive Mac’s
✨Hatred and devotion
This is the book for you
To C.Verdelle I am patiently waiting for the next book please let it be soon.
I was so nervous going into it and on my gosh I was so glad, because it was a beautiful read.
This book was high tension, deep longing and the spice was peak C.Verdelle ate with this one. The Victorian style writing and setting and this was a breath of fresh air.
This book follow Dorian the future Marquess of Ashford and Evander the Viscount of Rochefort.
Dorian attraction to Evander was peak, to watch how his curiosity of this beautiful man transformed into infatuation and full blown possessiveness ( oh how he was jealous of the people around Evander). Oh the amount of time Dorian forget English or how to speak was funny as ever.
Oh hove my heart aced for Evander because he had to measure how much he could give and take, how much he can show and how much more he had to hide, how he always had to weigh duty status family expectations against his longing for Dorian and his true authentic self.
This book got me going through a roller coaster of emotions because being attracted to someone that society deems unattainable because of class gender, etc. longing for someone that in your orbit but can’t have or touch freely, having a taste of what happiness feels like and cannot keep it. Isn’t that TORMENT in itself.
If you love
✨Russian lord and English Viscount
✨Bi- Awaking
✨Forbidden Desires
✨Jealous and possessive Mac’s
✨Hatred and devotion
This is the book for you
To C.Verdelle I am patiently waiting for the next book please let it be soon.
October 30, 2026
A Victorian romance, like thick, dark hot chocolate mixed with brandy.
I wasn’t sure what I had gotten myself into when I picked up this novel. I loved the cover, and it came highly recommended by bookish friends. The fact that the Victorian era is a particular favourite of mine made me push it up on my TBR, and what a trip it was!
It's not your run-of-the-mill romance. It's different, but in a good way. It's a cup of strong tea in a world of espresso.
We don't only deal with the constraints of a new relationship, but also with forbidden romance.
This probably won't be everybody's cup of tea, but for me, it was a delight, like an artisanal praline that I savoured slowly.
I love Dorian, so I feel as if I'm going to burn in sin for it.
The relationship between Lord Dorian and Marquis Evander is electric, hot, and deeply unhealthy from beginning to end. Dorian is determined to make Evander love him, and I'll be damned if I'm not here for it.
I won't add any more spoilers. This is an experience you need to have for yourself.
I wasn’t sure what I had gotten myself into when I picked up this novel. I loved the cover, and it came highly recommended by bookish friends. The fact that the Victorian era is a particular favourite of mine made me push it up on my TBR, and what a trip it was!
It's not your run-of-the-mill romance. It's different, but in a good way. It's a cup of strong tea in a world of espresso.
We don't only deal with the constraints of a new relationship, but also with forbidden romance.
This probably won't be everybody's cup of tea, but for me, it was a delight, like an artisanal praline that I savoured slowly.
I love Dorian, so I feel as if I'm going to burn in sin for it.
The relationship between Lord Dorian and Marquis Evander is electric, hot, and deeply unhealthy from beginning to end. Dorian is determined to make Evander love him, and I'll be damned if I'm not here for it.
I won't add any more spoilers. This is an experience you need to have for yourself.
Review of advance copy received from Author
and Dorian. These two men are so complicated, I don’t even know where to begin. This story is one of the slowest burns I have read, but when it finally kicks off it’s beyond fire. All that 1800s repressions just comes out I think 😏. But also these two have some history that makes them standoffish with each other, Evander has more obvious reasons but Dorian is trying to get answers for his parents death and I get the feeling that it is holding him back in life.
This is not a time period where anything can be open between them, everything must be secret which makes their inner monologues and their jealousy just so delicious on the page, especially when they are fighting their feelings for each other. I do love a I hate you so much why can’t I stop thinking about you moment.
This is a messy, dark and layered story and is setting up for something big I feel. I’m very excited for book two because I need to know some things.
This is not a time period where anything can be open between them, everything must be secret which makes their inner monologues and their jealousy just so delicious on the page, especially when they are fighting their feelings for each other. I do love a I hate you so much why can’t I stop thinking about you moment.
This is a messy, dark and layered story and is setting up for something big I feel. I’m very excited for book two because I need to know some things.
October 27, 2026
This was absolutely mind blowing and INTENSE 🔥 🔥 The slow burn was so slow, but the tension between Evander and Dorian had me STARVING 😩
These two are constantly at each other's throats and I was living for their banter. Dorian is such a menace and the way he keeps provoking Evander? SIR 😭 and Evander you brat 🤣
The jealousy, forbidden romance and hate-to-love dynamic were everything. I loved the 1800s Victorian setting and how immersive the writing felt.
The family drama and mystery surrounding Dorian's parents death added another layer to the story.
These men are stubborn, messy and clearly obsessed with each other. I need answers about the mysteries still hanging over this story because WHAT WAS THAT ENDING? 😩
I enjoyed this book so much, and I NEED BOOK TWO ASAP 🥹
These two are constantly at each other's throats and I was living for their banter. Dorian is such a menace and the way he keeps provoking Evander? SIR 😭 and Evander you brat 🤣
The jealousy, forbidden romance and hate-to-love dynamic were everything. I loved the 1800s Victorian setting and how immersive the writing felt.
The family drama and mystery surrounding Dorian's parents death added another layer to the story.
These men are stubborn, messy and clearly obsessed with each other. I need answers about the mysteries still hanging over this story because WHAT WAS THAT ENDING? 😩
I enjoyed this book so much, and I NEED BOOK TWO ASAP 🥹
October 28, 2026
This was so good! I loved it so much — I’m just obsessed!
It’s a great story, I adore the atmosphere, and the banter between Dorian and Evander is so funny. I love them both.💛💛💛
Dorian is so determined — the guy couldn’t care less about anything or anyone, except for the people he loves, lol.
I love Evander with all my heart — he deserves the best in the world, and I absolutely love that he’s just as “unhinged” as Dorian.
And I have to say, I’ve been looking forward to reading this ever since the very first posts.🫶🏼✨
And I can’t believe that was it!? I mean, what do you mean... I WANT MORE!💛🔥
It’s a great story, I adore the atmosphere, and the banter between Dorian and Evander is so funny. I love them both.💛💛💛
Dorian is so determined — the guy couldn’t care less about anything or anyone, except for the people he loves, lol.
I love Evander with all my heart — he deserves the best in the world, and I absolutely love that he’s just as “unhinged” as Dorian.
And I have to say, I’ve been looking forward to reading this ever since the very first posts.🫶🏼✨
And I can’t believe that was it!? I mean, what do you mean... I WANT MORE!💛🔥
October 26, 2026
The tension between Dorian and Evander was electric and I really enjoyed their clashes before they finally gave in to their attraction for each other. Of course this being the 1800s, they faced many challenges as they navigated this possessive and addictive romance. The story ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait for the next book. Thank you to author C. Verdelle for the early copy.
October 26, 2026
It is indeed a book of 5 stars,but not for me.I won"t finish it,becaause it is historical. I already knew that,but I thought I would liked it,but no! For those who wants to read it,go ahead,probably you will love it.Also ,I really liked the writing!
October 28, 2026
This was the slowest slowest burn I've ever read, and i enjoyed every single syllable.
The building of tension was absolutely phenomenal.
The concept of a forbidden MM love set in 1800s between 2 aristocrats no less, was soo unique.
Atmospheric and amazing book
The building of tension was absolutely phenomenal.
The concept of a forbidden MM love set in 1800s between 2 aristocrats no less, was soo unique.
Atmospheric and amazing book
October 26, 2026
New author for me and I’m pleasantly surprised, I can’t wait for the next book.
October 26, 2026
Infinity stars⭐️!!! I knew it was going to be good but fuuuuuuuuuck!! I didn’t think it was going to he that good Jesus!!!🔥😮💨 I haven’t stopped thinking about it!! I need book 2 as in today!!
Did Not Finish
October 27, 2026DNF 25%
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