Devil on the Lake

Silver Lake Prep #0.5

by Veronica Eden

From Hallowed Night, a Halloween Romance Anthology
Wealthy.

Privileged.

Unchecked.

The boys of Silver Lake Prep can be cruel.
Nothing holds them back.
They always get what they want.
Dante Adams is the worst of them all.
When he lures me to the Halloween party in the woods, he makes me his prey.
Stalks me.
Hunts me down.
There’s nowhere to hide from his wicked torment.
And once he catches me, the game turns into something else.
Something darker and more depraved.

Devil on the Lake is a dark high school bully romance with material that may be difficult for some readers. It’s recommended for mature readers due to intense language and sexual situations

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Novella, Dark, Romance, High School

118 pages, Paperback

First published November 4, 2021

About the author

Veronica Eden is a USA Today and International bestselling author of romances with spitfire heroines, irresistible heroes, and edgy twists.

She loves exploring complicated feelings, magical worlds, epic adventures, and the bond of characters that embrace us against the world. She has always been drawn to gruff bad boys, clever villains, and the twisty-turns of a morally gray character. She is a sucker for a deliciously swoony hero with a devastating smirk. When not writing, she can be found soaking up sunshine at the beach, snuggling in a pile with her untamed pack of animals (her husband, dog and cats), and surrounding herself with as many plants as she can get her hands on.

Keep up with Veronica:
Newsletter Sign up ➜ bit.ly/venewsletter
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Website ➜ bit.ly/veronicaeden
Amazon ➜ amazon.com/author/veronicaeden
Facebook ➜ facebook.com/veronicaedenauthor
TikTok ➜ tiktok.com/@veronicaedenbooks

Reviews

[Flor ❁ (HIATUS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute. short story.

can't wait x lunaphoenix's (aka devlinblair's son and theabishop's daughter) story.

[Lammie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Granny should have had a reckoning 🔪💀. Enough said ⚰️

[kitxia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It sucks to read someone living your dream 😩
I love them so much and i hope we get more about dante and willow

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but it's only a short story. Reason why I'm giving it 3 stars:

1. Went into instalove immediately which made it not believable. They went from hating eachother to sleeping together then within minutes...literally minutes they decided to be in a relationship? Just didn't make sense how quickly that worked out. If story was longer and would of worked to get there then story would of been better. Definitely had potential.

2.There was also unanswered questions such as what happens to Dante with family issues.

I think there should be a duet where more things can be explored about their story.

[Luu ⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Es re rara la trama y muchas cosas me parecieron medias meh? Pero por lo menos entretiene. 2.5

Ojalá este libro no fuera solo introductorio xq hay muchas cositas me hubieran gustado ver desarrolladas 😔

[jordane · Rating 4 out of 5]

PHOENIXLUNA WHEN????

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devil’s Night masked bully romance with HOTT spicy scenes? Short novella with an HEA? Check and check!

[Jamie Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as part of the Hallowed Night Anthology. Enjoyed this story. Loved the angst but ultimate sweetness the characters find, plus it's Halloween which makes it festive and fun.

[Vale Dreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lo leí como parte de una antología de Halloween (Hallowed Night A Halloween Romance).

Me gustó mucho! Aunque esta historia corta no es para todo el mundo.
Es un dark bully romance y aunque en realidad no soy muy fan de los bully romance, éste estuvo muy bueno. También es lo primero que leo de Veronica Eden y estaba bien escrito, me gustó su forma de escribir.

Dante (el protagonista) al comienzo se comporta como un bully, pero Willow (la protagonista) le hace frente, me gustó que se defendiera y luchara contra él en vez de ser sumisa o aguantar los comentarios/bromas de Dante.
Otra cosa que me gustó fue que, si bien salió en dos escenas, se sintió el amor que le tenía la mamá a Willow; hay libros de 300 páginas sobre adolescentes en donde siempre muestran a los padres trabajando, prácticamente como si no existieran, en esta historia corta no fue así.

Los capítulos son narrados por ambos, permitiendo entender qué pasaba por la cabeza de los protagonistas y entenderlos mejor.
Cuando corren por el bosque sí me dio un poco de miedo que Dante estuviera loco de verdad y de lo que podría hacerle a Willow, menos mal que la historia no tomó el camino de la violencia
Hubieron momentos spicy y aunque tenían diálogos degradantes, no fueron incómodos.
Me gustó que se comunicaran y aclararan las cosas, no sólo por tener atracción sexual olvidaron su mal historial. También cuando Dante la protegió, reivindicándose, y que en el último capítulo se mostrara un poco de su relación.

✨Mejores frases✨
«La chica gótica es más querida que yo. Y la odio por ello.»

«Las ganas de besarla me asfixian.»

«—Te atrapé—le gruño al oído—.Toda mía, ahora.»

«Esto es un error. Esto es retorcido. Esta es una locura de la que no quiero despertar nunca.»

«La maldita ironía. Ella es la causante de todos mis problemas, pero solo cuando estoy cerca de ella me arde el pecho así.»

«Willow va a rodar, pero la agarro por la cintura y la vuelvo a tirar contra mi cuerpo. Se tensa durante un instante, pero se relaja cuando reclamo sus labios con los míos para darle otro beso.»

[TheBookPlatypus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely phenomenal read.
“Each year, a legacy is passed down amongst the students of our prestigious private school from generation to generation to keep traditions going. When mischief night and Halloween fall on a weekend, we all party at a private campground on the lake…”

What better time to do a prank on the girl that utterly ruined Dantes life? You see he lives with quite a nasty and abusive grandmother, and if he doesn’t keep a perfect grades she literally will sit and eat in front of him and not allow him to eat. So he plagiarized a paper and got caught for it embarrassing the grandmother. He ended up plagiarizing the goth chick, Willow’s paper. It’s her fault that his life is absolute hell at home.

I have an absolute love for the whole chasing, predator, finding your prey in the woods thing. Is that even a trope, or a kink? I don’t know but we totally get it and this book with him wearing a freaking mask and chasing Willow all through out in the woods and it gets pretty heated.
“I want her for myself. To torment. To catch. To drive wild. I will break her.”

Everyone knows that while goth and punk chicks get bullied in school, most guys want to bang them anyway.
Dante is no exception. They end up having some of the most hottest sex I’ve read. Along with some degrading and just extreme dirty talk.
“Look at you, goth girl. New you’d be wet as fuck. You’re a little slut for freaky shit. “

They had a connection. A spark. And he realized he was taking out his anger on the wrong person. Because this is a novella, yes it did move a bit fast. But the writing was perfection. I am a new fan of this author. There’s also some other drama (a stalker perhaps) that I won’t even talk about because you just need to read this story!

[Emma Schouten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting this, I wasn't sure what to expect. After the first book in the Hallowed Night: A Halloween Romance Anthology turned out to be a prequel for a bigger series (and therefore not having a true ending), I was a little apprehensive that all the stories were going to be like that. That being said, I was about halfway through when I started crossing my fingers there would be a series about Dante and Willow as well.

Attending a party in the woods is clearly a thing people do on Halloween, even when they have a crazy stalker. It's Willow's first time, though Dante has dark plans (dark enough that for a while I wondered if I was going to finish or not). Of course, those plans so went awry and, long story short, Dante and Willow have a thing for each other. Though that still leaves the stalker to be dealt with.

While there wasn't a lot of room for character development, I feel like I did get to know Willow and Dante. I understand why Willow wouldn't stand for plagiarism. I understand why Dante would want revenge. I would have loved more about the two of them to really understand why Dante would react the way he did. I just want to read more about them!

Yes, I made quite a turn from "fearing" all stories about be prequels to "hoping" they were going to be. But, alas, disappointment: the main series doesn't focus on them but other couples. This was a short but sweet stand-alone that was definitely worth reading.

[Littlebookishbirdie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮.“
. . . . . .

I’m always looking for a good novella to read. They are the perfect in between break for novels which can be emotional and problem filled.

I discovered Veronica Eden a few weeks ago and not only is she amazing a writing these shorts, her spicy scenes are 🥵🥵🥵. I think I’ve already read three or four different novellas by her?

Devil on the Lake is a kink filled novella that also happens to be very dark. This is FM who like dubious consent and the MM is her bully. So this is an intense steamy read that also deals with some cruel pranks and stalkers.

If you don’t like darker themes, then I wouldn’t recommend this novella. This couple lives on the darker side and they tend to show affection through such means. Though at the end, they do have some sweet tender moments. But overall, they both really enjoy being viciously cruel to each other.

Degradation is top notch in this book to me. He knows exactly how to talk down to her and she doesn’t deny loving it. It’s spiteful and intense, their passion and impatience with each other was hot.

This was the perfect quick, dark, smutty read that I needed. Loved it. A favorite.

[sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

soooooo im dying and need the second gen spin off series right f*cking now!!! EXCUSE ME

really enjoyed this read!! never want to leave this silver lakes universe 🥺

hopes for the future:
- devlinblair and bishopthea kids serving us best friends to lovers 😭😭😭😭
-eliana and easton being toxic angst and sexy (IM HERE FOR IT ALL) 🖤🖤🖤🖤
- more dante and willow!!!

[Aleah Persaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

I shouldn’t be up this late smiling so widely at this ending. OMG! This was such a hot, steamy, quick read. Just gotta say the hate in this book really showed even when they were getting down and dirty. He lived for the chase and she lived for being chased. Only they didn’t know it until it was in front of their face. But the ending….. so sweet. Absolutely adorable.

[KASH · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5stars!!!

ɪ ᴅᴏɴᴛ ᴘʟᴀʏ ᴀʀᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛ sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ.

Looking for a fast paced, DARK, spicy read? This Halloween bully romance novella pulls out all the stops. Definitely check triggers as this one is a little on the darker side, but it did exactly what I needed it to!
This one was originally found in the Hallowed Night anthology but can be found now on its own.

[Katy Battisti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book! This is my first book I read from this author. I read this in one sitting. I love bully books, it definitely will keep you on your toes. I will definitely be reading more in this series!

[Beckie Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first bully romance, and I have to say I ate this book up. I liked that it was a short book, considering it was my first bully romance. Love how it quickly became a 'touch her and die' situation.

[E. Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope we get to see more about their story, like…a book maybe? With more of the “next generation of troublemakers”? Just saying😇 I’m definitely not done with Dante and Willow though!!

[Raqueni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing. Can’t wait to know more about the other kids

[K_Tyoko_Readss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great bully romance novella.

The darkness and the chemistry are on point, absolutely loved it!

[Sarayah McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veronica can do no wrong... this was a delicious quick read. Bully romance, enemies to lovers, jealousy, chivalry, and of course spice.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 cute can’t wait for the next book

[Rachel Gasseling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad little novella. Very steamy/spicy and has a decent plot.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️

Short, hot, deranged. What’s not to love? I just wish they weren’t in high school, I’m just gonna imagine they’re in college or something cuz high school students are a turn off.

[Sukriti · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrative centers around a privileged and ruthless student at Silver Lake Prep, known for his manipulative and domineering behavior. He becomes entangled with a new student who is determined to stand her ground against the school's toxic hierarchy. Their interactions are charged with tension, leading to a tumultuous relationship that challenges both their perceptions of power and vulnerability. The story explores themes of dominance, resistance, and the blurred lines between hate and love.​

[Payal - A Bookaholic's Musings · Rating 4 out of 5]

DANTE and WILLOW

I need more of Dante and Willow!!... Please tell me their story continues with the other books and we get closure!... That evil grandmother had better get her comeuppance!

This book is an introduction to the next generation of the Saints and Sinners and I cannot wait to see what happens with Phoenix and Luna who have been introduced here as well and all the other characters!!

I want to know what happens in this couple’s life after this short, freaky all Hollow’s Eve romantic story.

At one point I was sure feeling apprehensive, with the prank and the insane chase through the woods, (which was wayyy to intense for a prank) *shudders*, but there is a thin line between hate and love, and this couple has crossed it.

[Lauri MissDysfunktion · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an awesome prequel to the next of the Saints & Sinners.

It was cute. A great short story.

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughly enjoyed this. Willow be living the dream. I really hope we get more of Dante and Willow. Looking forward to Phoenix and Luna's story.