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Dreadful
Love is not always enough. Dorian and Ariella are perfect for each other. Together for almost a decade, their marriage sounds like a fairy tale. But fairy tales also have a dark side. After a massive tragedy struck in their lives, they are trying to stop their relationship from falling apart.
Dorian is a man wanting to move on with his pain, and Ariella is a woman with a purpose… revenge. But what price is she willing to pay? Deception has many faces, and sometimes people confront their biggest fears in order to have their answers.
Dreadful is a second-chance romance about a couple trying everything they have not to fall apart after finding themselves broken.
Sometimes love struggles and falls apart no matter how much we want it to hold itself together.
Dorian is a man wanting to move on with his pain, and Ariella is a woman with a purpose… revenge. But what price is she willing to pay? Deception has many faces, and sometimes people confront their biggest fears in order to have their answers.
Dreadful is a second-chance romance about a couple trying everything they have not to fall apart after finding themselves broken.
Sometimes love struggles and falls apart no matter how much we want it to hold itself together.
- GenresRomance
401 pages, Paperback
First published January 23, 2023
10 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Nyssa Winters
3 books41 followersAuthor/book hoarder 📚 with a love for words, music; and coffee ☕
If you stumble on my book... I am sorry
If you stumble on my book... I am sorry
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 2, 2023
Emotional whiplash, that is what awaits every single person that picks up this book. Nothing I can possibly write will do it justice. I also recommend going into this one blind. Let it hit you full force, you may be on the ground for the next couple of days - but I guarantee you, it's worth it. At least it is for me.
i was one of the lucky ones to get ARC for this book and my dearest Nyssa i love you for creating Dorian & Ari and making me feel emotions i didn't even know existed. This love that Dorian & Ari shared was messy, beautiful and absolutely filled to the damn brim with hope. Their story showed an ugly truth to life, that hope isn't always something to lean on, rather something to keep close. I thought this story was chemical, it broke my heart in the best way and as much as I hurt - I didn't want it to end. I didn't want to leave Dorian & Ari. I wanted to see every detail of what their lives would turn out to be.
All in all one of my best read of 2022.
It's real
It's so real that it hurts<3
TW: Grief
Death
Infidelity
i was one of the lucky ones to get ARC for this book and my dearest Nyssa i love you for creating Dorian & Ari and making me feel emotions i didn't even know existed. This love that Dorian & Ari shared was messy, beautiful and absolutely filled to the damn brim with hope. Their story showed an ugly truth to life, that hope isn't always something to lean on, rather something to keep close. I thought this story was chemical, it broke my heart in the best way and as much as I hurt - I didn't want it to end. I didn't want to leave Dorian & Ari. I wanted to see every detail of what their lives would turn out to be.
All in all one of my best read of 2022.
It's real
It's so real that it hurts<3
TW: Grief
Death
Infidelity
January 23, 2023
« I fell in love with the fire in Ariella. A fire she kept hidden from most people » - Dreadful, 2023
Now that I think about it, I believe there truly is a time for everything. Like the moment when reading became a major part of my life. At that time, I felt jaded about a lot of things. But then I came accross with this independent author, brave enough to publish her stories on the merciless world of the Internet, generous enough to share her prolific and amazing creativity with everyone.
And there came the very first piece of litterature I ever felt truly connected to. That book, it’s called Dreadful.
I didn't know what it felt like to read such powerful narratives before, and I never knew it would impact me so much to the point I would almost feel like it seemed a little bit too real for my poor heart to handle it. That’s exactly what Dreadful did to me : I grew so attached to the characters I needed a little time to let go afterwards.
When it comes to pure emotions before anything else, beyond occuring narrative dramas or various twists and turns, nothing compares to a second chance love story. Because when it comes to that kind of plot, you are being given the opportunity to explore some of the deepest complexity of human feelings and relationships.
Indeed, Dreadful is about the devastation caused by unspoken truths, how far it can lead you into a pool of mutual misunderstanding, regret and unbearably silent pain. It depicts the lack of communication between two people who once used to share everything, and the unavoidable struggles that come when different minds, different feelings and different perspectives have to collide at some point but can’t seem to be able to stand each other.
« We were distant for so long, adamant, trying to prove we were right in our pain and being wrong at the same time »
In some way, Dreadful takes you into a kind of Greek tragedy : two heros trapped in their own common tragic destiny who we desperatly want to see reunited in love, despite betrayals, desire for revenge, the threat of fatality and all at once.
The two of them both hurt with the same intensity, only their ways of dealing with it are different ; and that makes the whole storyline incredibly significant. As a reader, you meet the characters, and then it’s like a real dialogue with them (helped by the alternating points of view), and you don’t feel so judgy of them afterwards. You don’t resent them so much for their mistakes, for not talking about their feelings, for being blinded by their pain. Because you just feel. You feel everything. The pain, the anger, the love. You can feel the love that lights in the eyes of the characters through the way the author describes it with such delicacy and accuracy.
In a word, you’ll find yourself holding your breath countless times considering how commited you’ll be to the story. If that’s what you’re looking for, go get your hands on Dreadful on January 23rd 2023.
Note : Also, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Nyssa for creating a French character who’s not some kind of embarrassing and cringe type of cliché, for once. So thank you very very much Nyssa, French readers should be grateful 🖤
More serious note : All readers should be grateful, actually. Thank you for your words crossing my path, thank you for now being one of my favorite authors, and I’m sure the one of many other readers, for now, and in the future.
Now that I think about it, I believe there truly is a time for everything. Like the moment when reading became a major part of my life. At that time, I felt jaded about a lot of things. But then I came accross with this independent author, brave enough to publish her stories on the merciless world of the Internet, generous enough to share her prolific and amazing creativity with everyone.
And there came the very first piece of litterature I ever felt truly connected to. That book, it’s called Dreadful.
I didn't know what it felt like to read such powerful narratives before, and I never knew it would impact me so much to the point I would almost feel like it seemed a little bit too real for my poor heart to handle it. That’s exactly what Dreadful did to me : I grew so attached to the characters I needed a little time to let go afterwards.
When it comes to pure emotions before anything else, beyond occuring narrative dramas or various twists and turns, nothing compares to a second chance love story. Because when it comes to that kind of plot, you are being given the opportunity to explore some of the deepest complexity of human feelings and relationships.
Indeed, Dreadful is about the devastation caused by unspoken truths, how far it can lead you into a pool of mutual misunderstanding, regret and unbearably silent pain. It depicts the lack of communication between two people who once used to share everything, and the unavoidable struggles that come when different minds, different feelings and different perspectives have to collide at some point but can’t seem to be able to stand each other.
« We were distant for so long, adamant, trying to prove we were right in our pain and being wrong at the same time »
In some way, Dreadful takes you into a kind of Greek tragedy : two heros trapped in their own common tragic destiny who we desperatly want to see reunited in love, despite betrayals, desire for revenge, the threat of fatality and all at once.
The two of them both hurt with the same intensity, only their ways of dealing with it are different ; and that makes the whole storyline incredibly significant. As a reader, you meet the characters, and then it’s like a real dialogue with them (helped by the alternating points of view), and you don’t feel so judgy of them afterwards. You don’t resent them so much for their mistakes, for not talking about their feelings, for being blinded by their pain. Because you just feel. You feel everything. The pain, the anger, the love. You can feel the love that lights in the eyes of the characters through the way the author describes it with such delicacy and accuracy.
In a word, you’ll find yourself holding your breath countless times considering how commited you’ll be to the story. If that’s what you’re looking for, go get your hands on Dreadful on January 23rd 2023.
Note : Also, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Nyssa for creating a French character who’s not some kind of embarrassing and cringe type of cliché, for once. So thank you very very much Nyssa, French readers should be grateful 🖤
More serious note : All readers should be grateful, actually. Thank you for your words crossing my path, thank you for now being one of my favorite authors, and I’m sure the one of many other readers, for now, and in the future.
January 14, 2023
This book is emotional, my emotions were all over the place and although I don’t agree with stuff that was done in the book, I can understand why they did what they did. I’m glad it ended the way it did.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 24, 2023
The writing style didn't work for me. It didn't flow very well and took me out of the story. The plot was crazy🤣 I give the author props because I haven't read anything like this so that alone deserves 3 stars.
* this book is NOT safe
* this book is NOT safe
December 20, 2022
First and foremost, let me say a huge thank you to Nyssa Winters for allowing me to be a part of her ARC team for Dreadful. I was given an ARC of Dreadful in exchange for my honest review.
There are a few triggers that I feel should be mentioned - loss, grief, cheating.
Dreadful is the story of loss, grief, and trying to come back from everything that's happened in between. We meet Ariella and Dorian who suffered a great loss and in their grief not only lost themselves but their marriage.
From the very beginning I was wanting to know more. More about Dorian. More about Ariella. More about their loss. What happened between them? Not only did the story immediately pull me in, so did the characters.
I absolutely love how Nyssa took grief and showed the different magnitudes of living through that - how we all grieve differently even if we suffer from the same loss.
Ariella is determined to get to the bottom of her loss and what happened that day. Dorian wants to move forward. Their difference in grieving causes marital strife and almost even more loss. Both of them want nothing more than to heal from their loss but don't know how to do it while helping the other as well.
There were moments where I wanted to scream and yell at Dorian and Ariella, letting them know what they think the other is thinking is not what they're thinking. I kept saying "JUST TALK TO HIM/HER" There were also many moments where I just wanted to give them a huge hug.
Dreadful pulled so many emotions out of me and while it's a tough topic to read about Nyssa did it beautifully. I appreciated how she also broke up the past/present and made it very easy to distinguish which you were reading from.
Two other characters that deserve mentioning are Eli and Josh. I absolutely LOVED them! Their support through Dorian and Ariella's darkest moments and everything thereafter was amazing. Everyone needs a Josh and Eli in their lives. Not only for support but to tell you when you're messing up.
Dreadful is in my top 5 faves for 2022 reads!
Again, thank you Nyssa for allowing me to read this and I can't wait for your publication day! <3
There are a few triggers that I feel should be mentioned - loss, grief, cheating.
Dreadful is the story of loss, grief, and trying to come back from everything that's happened in between. We meet Ariella and Dorian who suffered a great loss and in their grief not only lost themselves but their marriage.
From the very beginning I was wanting to know more. More about Dorian. More about Ariella. More about their loss. What happened between them? Not only did the story immediately pull me in, so did the characters.
I absolutely love how Nyssa took grief and showed the different magnitudes of living through that - how we all grieve differently even if we suffer from the same loss.
Ariella is determined to get to the bottom of her loss and what happened that day. Dorian wants to move forward. Their difference in grieving causes marital strife and almost even more loss. Both of them want nothing more than to heal from their loss but don't know how to do it while helping the other as well.
There were moments where I wanted to scream and yell at Dorian and Ariella, letting them know what they think the other is thinking is not what they're thinking. I kept saying "JUST TALK TO HIM/HER" There were also many moments where I just wanted to give them a huge hug.
Dreadful pulled so many emotions out of me and while it's a tough topic to read about Nyssa did it beautifully. I appreciated how she also broke up the past/present and made it very easy to distinguish which you were reading from.
Two other characters that deserve mentioning are Eli and Josh. I absolutely LOVED them! Their support through Dorian and Ariella's darkest moments and everything thereafter was amazing. Everyone needs a Josh and Eli in their lives. Not only for support but to tell you when you're messing up.
Dreadful is in my top 5 faves for 2022 reads!
Again, thank you Nyssa for allowing me to read this and I can't wait for your publication day! <3
December 31, 2022
This story was exceptional. Heartbreaking and painful at times, but so worth it. Dorian and Ari have to deal with the most awful tragedy any parent would ever have to deal with… the loss of a child. One wants to move on while the other seeks revenge. Their marriage is shattered, but the lessons they learn about each other and the depth of their love, make this such an incredibly powerful story. Excellent characters and brilliant storytelling. Beautiful ending.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 6, 2023
First of all, thank you so much to Nyssa Winters for sending me an ARC of this masterpiece and letting me be a part of the lucky ones who got to read it first ❤️
Dreadful is absolutely brilliant!
I couldn't put it down, it had me on the edge all along.
The way Ariella and Dorian are falling apart after living the worst tragedy anyone could go through broke my heart.
Some parts were hard to handle emotionally speaking and I'm glad it ended the way it did.
I also love the "secondary" characters, they add so much to the story. I wish I had friends like Josh and Eli! 😅
Dreadful is definitely a must read and I will recommend it to anyone I know!
I'm glad it was my first read of the year, I couldn't have started better!
Dreadful is absolutely brilliant!
I couldn't put it down, it had me on the edge all along.
The way Ariella and Dorian are falling apart after living the worst tragedy anyone could go through broke my heart.
Some parts were hard to handle emotionally speaking and I'm glad it ended the way it did.
I also love the "secondary" characters, they add so much to the story. I wish I had friends like Josh and Eli! 😅
Dreadful is definitely a must read and I will recommend it to anyone I know!
I'm glad it was my first read of the year, I couldn't have started better!
November 28, 2022
Someone please stop cutting onions here. Dreadful is a devastatingly beautiful book, Ari is one of the strongest and bravest characters I have ever seen. There is this gut wrenching feeling I get everytime I read this book, the pain, frustration, anger , grief , love it feels like I am experiencing it all over again. It is a very sensitive subject which is dealt with very carefully and I am proud of you Bubbles. Thank you for writing this book. It was not easy and I know how much you struggled, how much effort and hard work you have put in and it turned out perfect. Thank you for giving me this opportunity, thank you for the ARC copy.
January 17, 2023
NAIL BITING. This story kept me on edge and I couldn't stop myself from turning the page. I usually feel like if I'm not distracted from the book then the Author did an excellent job writing the story. The Author truly did an excellent job as not even for a minute I got diverted from this book.
Dorian - How can someone love like him? I truly want to clap my hands for this man as not even once he gave up on his wife. He did allow his anger to take over him but in the end the love he had for her own over his madness. It's not easy to face such a tragic moment and he definitely went through a lot while seeing his dear one suffer. The pain of not being with them made him lose his mind but the way he overcame all those in order to not lose his wife was just something beyond adorable.
Ariella - This woman is such an inspiration. Yeah! She went against a lot of people and she had lost her favorite job but in the end she made sure Justice won. She would do anything to make her husband happy and that's how she comes with the idea of divorce.
Dorian had a wonderful friendship with Eli and Josh. I loved how they worked as a team to make their friends happy. I even admired the bond between Josh and Ariella. You'll enjoy reading those parts and have a good laugh. How can I forget Louis? He's the best friend any girl would love to have like our Ariella.
Dorian and Ariella were also taking therapy for their mental health issues and luckily they got the best Therapist. Thea is also yet another loving person you'll fall for just like me.
It is a powerful story which deals with a lot of emotional content. The Author did a fantastic job by intriguing me and making me almost highlight each and every line in the whole book.
This book is completely worth reading even with all those triggers like death, child loss and grievance. A book packed with emotion and definitely a happy ending.
If only the Author decides to write a new book featuring the characters of this then I would love to see Josh and Thea on it.
I am also looking forward to a bonus Epilogue of a happy Dorian and Ari. Oops! Ariella… The Nickname Ari was given to her by Dorian and it is extremely close to her. The scenes where he calls her 'Ari' again gave me butterflies and my heart truly felt heavy.
MUST READ… is all I would tell in the end. Yes! Don't even lose time reading reviews of this one such book where you can actually go blindly.
Thanks for the ARC @Nyssawinters
Dorian - How can someone love like him? I truly want to clap my hands for this man as not even once he gave up on his wife. He did allow his anger to take over him but in the end the love he had for her own over his madness. It's not easy to face such a tragic moment and he definitely went through a lot while seeing his dear one suffer. The pain of not being with them made him lose his mind but the way he overcame all those in order to not lose his wife was just something beyond adorable.
Ariella - This woman is such an inspiration. Yeah! She went against a lot of people and she had lost her favorite job but in the end she made sure Justice won. She would do anything to make her husband happy and that's how she comes with the idea of divorce.
Dorian had a wonderful friendship with Eli and Josh. I loved how they worked as a team to make their friends happy. I even admired the bond between Josh and Ariella. You'll enjoy reading those parts and have a good laugh. How can I forget Louis? He's the best friend any girl would love to have like our Ariella.
Dorian and Ariella were also taking therapy for their mental health issues and luckily they got the best Therapist. Thea is also yet another loving person you'll fall for just like me.
It is a powerful story which deals with a lot of emotional content. The Author did a fantastic job by intriguing me and making me almost highlight each and every line in the whole book.
This book is completely worth reading even with all those triggers like death, child loss and grievance. A book packed with emotion and definitely a happy ending.
If only the Author decides to write a new book featuring the characters of this then I would love to see Josh and Thea on it.
I am also looking forward to a bonus Epilogue of a happy Dorian and Ari. Oops! Ariella… The Nickname Ari was given to her by Dorian and it is extremely close to her. The scenes where he calls her 'Ari' again gave me butterflies and my heart truly felt heavy.
MUST READ… is all I would tell in the end. Yes! Don't even lose time reading reviews of this one such book where you can actually go blindly.
Thanks for the ARC @Nyssawinters
January 27, 2023
✧*̥˚ 4.5 stars *̥˚✧
Two words: Ravishingly Raw.
That’s all my thoughts summed up into two simple words. I was ravished by how raw this story is. Dreadful by Nyssa Winters is such a beautiful piece of prose. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful in fact, and it was just.. amazing!
I felt like I was being torn apart only to be put together again. I felt like screaming, crying, I wanted to step in, give these characters a hug, because damn, I felt their anguish.
I felt their anguished love. I felt their wrath of their simply bended, not broken, marriage.
Oh my word.
This was so well written, there wasn’t anything too long or too drawn out, nope. This encapsulated Dorian and Ariella’s story so well, I shed a few tears. I shed a few tears but kept going from page to page. Chapter to chapter, trying to pacify myself, but it was so worth it at the end.
This is one of those books that make you forget that you’re reading, that you’re simply just reading words on a page, reading the work of someone else. This makes you forget that completely. It makes you dive into your feelings, curl up, cry, laugh, and try to walk just one step in the shoes of Dorian and Ariella.
And the sad thing is, most of us probably can’t. So yes, this is inspiring too.
I received an ARC from BookSirens for free for a very honest review. Thank you for this opportunity. I enjoyed every single page!
Two words: Ravishingly Raw.
That’s all my thoughts summed up into two simple words. I was ravished by how raw this story is. Dreadful by Nyssa Winters is such a beautiful piece of prose. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful in fact, and it was just.. amazing!
I felt like I was being torn apart only to be put together again. I felt like screaming, crying, I wanted to step in, give these characters a hug, because damn, I felt their anguish.
I felt their anguished love. I felt their wrath of their simply bended, not broken, marriage.
Oh my word.
This was so well written, there wasn’t anything too long or too drawn out, nope. This encapsulated Dorian and Ariella’s story so well, I shed a few tears. I shed a few tears but kept going from page to page. Chapter to chapter, trying to pacify myself, but it was so worth it at the end.
This is one of those books that make you forget that you’re reading, that you’re simply just reading words on a page, reading the work of someone else. This makes you forget that completely. It makes you dive into your feelings, curl up, cry, laugh, and try to walk just one step in the shoes of Dorian and Ariella.
And the sad thing is, most of us probably can’t. So yes, this is inspiring too.
I received an ARC from BookSirens for free for a very honest review. Thank you for this opportunity. I enjoyed every single page!
January 19, 2023
I want to thank Nyssa Winters for allowing me to be part of her ARC team. This is my very first book by Nyssa and boy does it pack a punch. I primarily read fantasy over contemporary novels so this story was outside my normal reading range. Now for someone who does not read contemporary much at all this book was hard at times to get though. The depth that Nyssa writes is extremely impressive. She was able to make me feeling things from the first chapter. Over all I will say this book was a good read and eye opening on different levels, but also a challenge to read. I felt a ton of emotions as I read it and often times had to put the book down to allow myself a moment before I continued.
Am i glad I read this book and stuck it though to the end. Yes, and i think that everyone should give Nyssa’s book a chance and see what magic she has written.
Am i glad I read this book and stuck it though to the end. Yes, and i think that everyone should give Nyssa’s book a chance and see what magic she has written.
January 21, 2023
This book had me in a chokehold. Nothing was stopping me from completing it.
Ariella and Dorian's relationship is like learning how to crochet. You could make the sturdiest chain, but everything will fall apart once you pull the ends. The couple suffered a tremendous loss, yet, they were still tied to those invisible strings. Row by row they slowly formed the chains. There were rough patches and uneven loops, nevertheless, it was still genuine and pure.
One thing I love about this book is how well Ariella was written. She was independent and nothing could stop her from doing what was right, even if it meant losing a part of her.
Thank you Nyssa for the opportunity, Dreadful will always be one of my favorites. 💜
Ariella and Dorian's relationship is like learning how to crochet. You could make the sturdiest chain, but everything will fall apart once you pull the ends. The couple suffered a tremendous loss, yet, they were still tied to those invisible strings. Row by row they slowly formed the chains. There were rough patches and uneven loops, nevertheless, it was still genuine and pure.
One thing I love about this book is how well Ariella was written. She was independent and nothing could stop her from doing what was right, even if it meant losing a part of her.
Thank you Nyssa for the opportunity, Dreadful will always be one of my favorites. 💜
January 21, 2023
This book has ALL the twists and turns. Just when I thought I knew what was happening in the book it changed. SO good. I think I will have to read this one again in the future.
Extremely gripping and you'll be turning the pages all night long.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Extremely gripping and you'll be turning the pages all night long.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 9, 2023
Powerful and emotional storyline with fantastic intrigue and drama throughout. How Dorian and Ari, parents to a sweet boy, handled the trauma and loss is beyond me. Also, to not lose themselves in their loss and carry on in life was enlightening. Great writing and this book lead me through a sleepless night wanting to see the ending.
Well thought out and expressive writing throughout this story as well. Very realistic, too, and highly recommend this story with a box of tissues. Am glad to have read this book and it will be in my thoughts for many days, weeks to come. Understand how a date is significant in the loss of a dearly loved one as have done the same.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Well thought out and expressive writing throughout this story as well. Very realistic, too, and highly recommend this story with a box of tissues. Am glad to have read this book and it will be in my thoughts for many days, weeks to come. Understand how a date is significant in the loss of a dearly loved one as have done the same.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 31, 2022
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I cannot even imagine how hard it was writing about such a triggering subject but the author did so in such a real, raw way. The emotions that the main characters had, the struggles, the roller coaster of the entire book.. it was just great and portrayed perfectly! ♥️
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily*
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily*
November 28, 2022
Huge thanks to Nyssa for sending me an ARC of her book ❤️
If you have read her other book 280 Days of Blossom, and you’re hopeful that this will also be a sweet romcom, prepare to get your hopes crushed! And your heart...and seek a therapist while you’re at it.
This book will break your heart, but Nyssa managed to wrap it so well that sometimes you forget what this book had made you through. Despite all that, I really LOVED the book!
Dreadful is a book about loss and second chances; it’s a book that reminds us that life is fragile and love can’t conquer everything; relationships need work, commitment, trust, support...and that is something that Ariella and Dorian have forgotten, after the tragedy they went through.
People cope with loss and grief in different ways, and none is wrong. Dreadful depicts that in the most beautiful and genuine way:
- Ariella is a proud and stubborn woman, who wants revenge, even if that means she has to let her husband, the person she loves the most, go.
- Dorian is the opposite; he only wants to forget and move on, although the emptiness he feels won't go away.
I cried, I laughed, I screamed at Nyssa, I felt awe, I raged.
This book made me feel so many emotions that I felt like I was in a rollercoaster.
I’m super proud of you for writing this masterpiece ❤️
If you have read her other book 280 Days of Blossom, and you’re hopeful that this will also be a sweet romcom, prepare to get your hopes crushed! And your heart...and seek a therapist while you’re at it.
This book will break your heart, but Nyssa managed to wrap it so well that sometimes you forget what this book had made you through. Despite all that, I really LOVED the book!
Dreadful is a book about loss and second chances; it’s a book that reminds us that life is fragile and love can’t conquer everything; relationships need work, commitment, trust, support...and that is something that Ariella and Dorian have forgotten, after the tragedy they went through.
People cope with loss and grief in different ways, and none is wrong. Dreadful depicts that in the most beautiful and genuine way:
- Ariella is a proud and stubborn woman, who wants revenge, even if that means she has to let her husband, the person she loves the most, go.
- Dorian is the opposite; he only wants to forget and move on, although the emptiness he feels won't go away.
I cried, I laughed, I screamed at Nyssa, I felt awe, I raged.
This book made me feel so many emotions that I felt like I was in a rollercoaster.
I’m super proud of you for writing this masterpiece ❤️
January 22, 2023
ARC reader review. Thank you Nyssa for allowing me to read this ARC.
I have previously read Nyssa's books in other forms, but Dreadful always sticks out. It is a book that I highly recommend.
Nyssa has a way of writing characters that makes you fall for them and care so much about them while making you feel as many emotions as the characters do.
Ariella and Dorian have a seemingly perfect life and a loving home. Until one day, it all comes crashing down. As Nyssa's storytelling takes you through Dreadful, you realize just how beautifully flawed, and tragic humanity is through the eyes of Dorian and Ari. You grow to love Ari and Dorian through their faults and mistakes, wanting to help and cry with them. That's the thing about Nyssa's writing. You are feeling everything with the characters. You can be frustrated with them one minute and crying with them the next. Nyssa's characters are authentic, raw, and beautifully flawed.
That's what's great about her writing is that she has human characters, imperfectly perfect in every sense of the word and full of potential to grow as people. She takes such delicate topics and relays them to the reader through a lens of understanding. While we may disapprove of the characters' mistakes, we can understand why they did what they did. Both Dorian and Ari are grieving in different ways. Will their love prevail through all else? Find out in Nyssa Winter's beautifully written novel Dreadful. It will be released on January 23, 2023.
I have previously read Nyssa's books in other forms, but Dreadful always sticks out. It is a book that I highly recommend.
Nyssa has a way of writing characters that makes you fall for them and care so much about them while making you feel as many emotions as the characters do.
Ariella and Dorian have a seemingly perfect life and a loving home. Until one day, it all comes crashing down. As Nyssa's storytelling takes you through Dreadful, you realize just how beautifully flawed, and tragic humanity is through the eyes of Dorian and Ari. You grow to love Ari and Dorian through their faults and mistakes, wanting to help and cry with them. That's the thing about Nyssa's writing. You are feeling everything with the characters. You can be frustrated with them one minute and crying with them the next. Nyssa's characters are authentic, raw, and beautifully flawed.
That's what's great about her writing is that she has human characters, imperfectly perfect in every sense of the word and full of potential to grow as people. She takes such delicate topics and relays them to the reader through a lens of understanding. While we may disapprove of the characters' mistakes, we can understand why they did what they did. Both Dorian and Ari are grieving in different ways. Will their love prevail through all else? Find out in Nyssa Winter's beautifully written novel Dreadful. It will be released on January 23, 2023.
November 26, 2022
Must Read!
Ari is on a mission to prove there was something off with her child's death. It wasn't a simple car accident. After a year of grief, she has to have answers. Her husband has been distancing himself more and more. She feels like he blames her for it all.
While she has now been put in a position where she must choose how far she can go to see justice.
Dorean is living day by day. But not really present. It's just more on autopilot. He can tell Ari is drifting further a way.
Can there love continue to withstand it all....
Louis is truly a girl's best friend.
TW Child Loss.
Ari is on a mission to prove there was something off with her child's death. It wasn't a simple car accident. After a year of grief, she has to have answers. Her husband has been distancing himself more and more. She feels like he blames her for it all.
While she has now been put in a position where she must choose how far she can go to see justice.
Dorean is living day by day. But not really present. It's just more on autopilot. He can tell Ari is drifting further a way.
Can there love continue to withstand it all....
Louis is truly a girl's best friend.
TW Child Loss.
January 6, 2023
First of all, thank you very much for the opportunity to read the arc of the book, and it was an honour.
"Life is a funny thing. It's also complicated, emotional, and overall messy. There are lucky people in this world. Those who never had their life turned upside down and struggled to figure out their next move. I was never fortunate in the same way. Not even when I was a child." It struck me like a truck.
I felt like Ari at some point of my life and I was like Wow Nyssa is not joking at all. It's about to go down and who was I kidding, the more you get into the story the more you're afraid of what is going to happen next.
This is not just any simple, happily ever after, second chance with the cheating scenario. This is a complex story where every character has their own demons to fight. Every individual must choose which wolf to feed.
A lot of issues have been discussed in this book from losing a loved one to accepting that loss.
The characters evolved throughout the story and the quest of Ari could not be stopped until she was satisfied that she did her best to avenge her loss. A mother would destroy the world for those she loves. Ari's character is evidence of it. She was prepared to lose everything if she had justice for her child.
"Pain is a complicated thing, Dorian,” Thea says. “Some people need help to deal with it. Others close themselves off. The pain you both felt drifted you apart.”
Nyssa made me cry, challenged my faith in humans and fall in love with the characters again.
Can't wait for the next to come.
Bisous.
"Life is a funny thing. It's also complicated, emotional, and overall messy. There are lucky people in this world. Those who never had their life turned upside down and struggled to figure out their next move. I was never fortunate in the same way. Not even when I was a child." It struck me like a truck.
I felt like Ari at some point of my life and I was like Wow Nyssa is not joking at all. It's about to go down and who was I kidding, the more you get into the story the more you're afraid of what is going to happen next.
This is not just any simple, happily ever after, second chance with the cheating scenario. This is a complex story where every character has their own demons to fight. Every individual must choose which wolf to feed.
A lot of issues have been discussed in this book from losing a loved one to accepting that loss.
The characters evolved throughout the story and the quest of Ari could not be stopped until she was satisfied that she did her best to avenge her loss. A mother would destroy the world for those she loves. Ari's character is evidence of it. She was prepared to lose everything if she had justice for her child.
"Pain is a complicated thing, Dorian,” Thea says. “Some people need help to deal with it. Others close themselves off. The pain you both felt drifted you apart.”
Nyssa made me cry, challenged my faith in humans and fall in love with the characters again.
Can't wait for the next to come.
Bisous.
December 18, 2022
I was lucky enough for getting an ARC of this book…
This is the first book that I’ve read from Nyssa and I became an instante fan.
I don’t know what I was expecting when I started reading this, but definitely I was not expecting to get my heart broken. I was so close from getting a therapist after this… If you write a book like this again I will send you the bill Nyssa!!!
But please don’t get scared… My heart broke (too many times for me to count) but it healed too.
Dreadul is a book about loss and second chances; it’s about grief and how different people deal with it; it’s about how far we are willing to go to seek justice and about what we are willing to give up persuing it. It shows us that relationships are not always perfect and that, sometimes, love is not enough.
This book made me cry, made me laugh, made me scream and made me angry.
It made me want to hug Nyssa and strangle her at the same time. But I still love her.
This is the first book that I’ve read from Nyssa and I became an instante fan.
I don’t know what I was expecting when I started reading this, but definitely I was not expecting to get my heart broken. I was so close from getting a therapist after this… If you write a book like this again I will send you the bill Nyssa!!!
But please don’t get scared… My heart broke (too many times for me to count) but it healed too.
Dreadul is a book about loss and second chances; it’s about grief and how different people deal with it; it’s about how far we are willing to go to seek justice and about what we are willing to give up persuing it. It shows us that relationships are not always perfect and that, sometimes, love is not enough.
This book made me cry, made me laugh, made me scream and made me angry.
It made me want to hug Nyssa and strangle her at the same time. But I still love her.
March 3, 2023
while i know this is heart breaking plot. about their child's accident that then lead into another plot to revenge. but im sorry. i just cant..
- NOT SO SPOILER-
you see, i come to this not knowing that this will be a -yy-, intead of a -xy- while the MC couple xy. but then the y kinda involved w/ another y. i just cant..
why not making the x also cheated with another x ? you knw, make it settle the score. but noopee... bcoz the H should be cheated w/ his secretary which is a -y-
had i knw it, i wont read it.
not hating anyones preference though. but i also had a right to not wanting to read that yy.
- NOT SO SPOILER-
you see, i come to this not knowing that this will be a -yy-, intead of a -xy- while the MC couple xy. but then the y kinda involved w/ another y. i just cant..
why not making the x also cheated with another x ? you knw, make it settle the score. but noopee... bcoz the H should be cheated w/ his secretary which is a -y-
had i knw it, i wont read it.
not hating anyones preference though. but i also had a right to not wanting to read that yy.
February 8, 2023
This book is so emotional. I cried and got angry and laughed and smiled. This book made me feel all the emotions, and I really enjoyed watching the characters overcoming and dealing with their grief. I loved that it was written in dual POV, Dorian and Ariella are the two main characters who lost their son in a car accident. The story follows them a year after the accident and how their marriage is failing because of their lack of communication and support. They are both dealing with this in their own ways while pushing the other away. The book describes how grief and relationships are dealt with by everyone individually and how important it is that everyone heals in their own ways. All the while, Ariella is trying to sue the company whose truck hit her car and killed their son. It’s so drama filled and highlights important topics that are written beautifully. Overall, I was hooked on finding out the ending and rooted for their marriage the entire time. Totally worth the read to learn the importance of how grief changes life and how it’s important to deal with it in your own way while making sure to fight for what you want.
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy. Truly an amazing novel highlighting grief and overcoming hardships.
⚠️⚠️ 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨! 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙇𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝘼 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙, 𝙂𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙛, 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙨, 𝘿𝙞𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚, 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙄𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙚𝙨, 𝘿𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝘾𝙖𝙧 𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙪𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚!
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy. Truly an amazing novel highlighting grief and overcoming hardships.
⚠️⚠️ 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨! 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙇𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝘼 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙, 𝙂𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙛, 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙨, 𝘿𝙞𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚, 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙄𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙚𝙨, 𝘿𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝘾𝙖𝙧 𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙪𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚!
February 22, 2023
A beautiful, heart wrenching story. I loved this book and recommended you to read it. So true to life in the way the book is written, you can feel every emotion from the characters Dorian and Ariella. Marital issues that cause so much heartbreak. This book is angsts and moving, it will rip your heart out, but I urge to to pick up this book you won’t regret it! I look forward to reading more of Nyssa’s books.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 2, 2024
I was able to read this before it was published, and back then, it made me ugly cry. I bought the book, and it still made me ugly cry. I'm happy to have stumbled upon this author's work a few years ago and have loved everything she's written/published.
This book is sad, sexy, and has unexpected twists. From beginning to end, it has you hooked.
I am looking forward to whatever Nyssa Winters has in store for us in the future.
This book is sad, sexy, and has unexpected twists. From beginning to end, it has you hooked.
I am looking forward to whatever Nyssa Winters has in store for us in the future.
Read
November 21, 2023Dnf
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