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Little Deaths
Rafael Nicastro has a love like poisoned wine—deeper and darker than anything Adonica Blake has ever known. Twenty years ago, she married his father. Ten years ago, she broke his heart. Now he’s the only one she can turn to when everything comes crashing down.
Donni used to be a B-list actress in the Hollywood horror scene but the winery-dappled California suburb she currently calls home has become a real live slasher movie, and her past body of work has become the killer’s inspiration.
But Rafe’s been waiting for her all this time, too. His obsession is the subject of his best-selling series of erotic novels, but he wants the real thing: her. And now that she’s in his grasp, he’ll do anything to possess her fully. Anything.
With love this twisted, even pleasure feels like a little death.
Donni used to be a B-list actress in the Hollywood horror scene but the winery-dappled California suburb she currently calls home has become a real live slasher movie, and her past body of work has become the killer’s inspiration.
But Rafe’s been waiting for her all this time, too. His obsession is the subject of his best-selling series of erotic novels, but he wants the real thing: her. And now that she’s in his grasp, he’ll do anything to possess her fully. Anything.
With love this twisted, even pleasure feels like a little death.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 2, 2022
320 people are currently reading
1776 people want to read
About the author
Nenia Campbell
60 books20.8k followersNenia Campbell is a dark romance author who lives in San Francisco, California. When she's not writing, or reading, she can be found roaming the city or curled up with her void cat. She collects romance novels older than she is and loves a villain with flair.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
January 28, 2024
I loved every single line. Little Deaths is everything I want in a book. Instant fave.
SUMMARY:
The story begins as former Scream Queen Adonica “Donni” Blake finds her husband, Marco Nicastro, dead from a heart attack. Marco’s shady business dealings and resulting lawsuit have left his widow in a financially precarious position. Desperate, Donni contacts Marco’s son/her estranged stepson, Rafael, to save her from destitution.
At 28, Rafe Nicastro is a very successful thriller author, two books into his Madison Hawthorne trilogy. His “notoriously spicy” books follow a PI investigating a series of BDSM-scene murders. They’re also inspired by his stepmom, whom he’s lusted after for over ten years. And now, she’s at his mercy.
Rafe agrees to come to Donni’s aid on one condition—that she be his muse. Meanwhile, ghosts from Donni’s past have returned with a vengeance. Someone is taking inspiration from Donni’s films to scare—possibly even kill—her. Could it be her obsessed stepson? Or does Donni have another “fan”?
Little Deaths tackles topics such as racism, sexism, ageism, classism, toxic masculinity, abuse, sexual assault, entertainment industry exploitation, and how society reinforces the status quo to enable perpetrators and disempower their victims/those in vulnerable positions. As always, look up and review Content Warnings before reading.
REVIEW:
STFU if I simp over this book.
Little Deaths feels like a book you need to read twice—once to absorb the striking imagery, language, and plot; a second time to appreciate the craft and depth.
This book was so highly hyped and delivered on every single promise. Little Deaths was all of my favorite tropes, themes, and dynamics packaged into one excellent and subversive dark romance thriller. An absolute delight to read.
I loved the way media is incorporated to augment the story. From the music, to the articles, reviews, text messages, video and voice recordings, dreams, and photos, at times Little Deaths feels like a collage in text. Every minute detail enhances the scene, with no better example than Rafe’s apartment in the prologue.
To that end, Little Deaths exemplifies the “Show, Don’t Tell” directive. For example, arriving in California, Rafe’s taxi driver asks what brings him to town. Rather than engaging an easy, cliched, exposition opportunity, Rafe shuts the conversation down, saying more in that response than he could in dialogue. In my opinion, this moment well represents the writing throughout the book—what is not said is just as important as what is said.
I loved the callbacks to Campbell’s Horrorscape series, for example, tiger lilies. Flowers are a motif in Terrorscape , even featuring an infamous chapter titled Tiger Lily, so it’s even more interesting that Rafe wants Donni to wear a tiger lily their first time.
Note: If you loved Little Deaths, you probably won’t enjoy Horrorscape. However, if you’re a Horrorscape fan, you might really like Little Deaths! Little Deaths readers, if you decide to pick up Horrorscape next, brace yourselves for a very different, much bleaker, experience and CHECK CONTENT WARNINGS.
The role of time in this novel is also noteworthy. Similar to the way in which the novel Things We Found When the Water Went Down demonstrates that trauma is non-linear, time feels fluid in Little Deaths. Between flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and interspersed texts about past events, it is easy to see how the past overlaps, lurks behind, the present.
As a slasher-inspired novel, horror is an essential element in Little Deaths, and it is very well-executed. There were numerous times when I was legitimately unsettled while reading. Like any good scary movie, the story repeatedly lulls the reader into a false sense of security, only to make your heart plummet.
The horror genre is often used as a venue for healing and trauma processing. It allows consumers to experience heightened emotions in a safe environment, where they ultimately always have an exit; it’s the reason Donni is such a horror-lover. That is part of what makes Little Deaths’ horror so chilling—Donni can’t escape. The story isn’t one that she’s watching or performing in—she’s living it.
The novel also depicts an intimate connection between fear and sex—both in Donni’s mental associations, desires, and in the story’s action (the sex scenes usually coincide with or adjoin horror scenes).
There is so, so much more I could say about this book, but I won’t. The only critical note I would make is that there are quite a few typos.
CONCLUSION:
Here’s the thing about this review: this book has basically all of my favorite tropes. I had the best time reading it. I absolutely cannot write an unbiased review because Little Deaths is so perfectly up my alley that I can only rave. However, if I was going to try to pinpoint Little Deaths’ ideal audience: if you liked the concept and themes behind My Heart Is a Chainsaw but also crave a taboo (but very sweet) erotic thriller, you will love this book. Read in October for optimal ✨🦇vibes🦇✨.
In conclusion: obsessive, unhinged, dangerous, sexy, fictional simps>>>>>
5/5 ⭐ (meets my full rating scale criteria but is also very much a “Fave” auto-five).
3/5 🌶️(handful of scenes, more plot than spice, not overly descriptive, some kinks/triggers).
Tropes:
• Age gap (28M, 40F)
• Taboo (stepson/stepmother)
• Slasher
• Scream-inspired
• Fiction about fiction
• Murder mystery
• Forced proximity
• Virgin hero
Quotes:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
SUMMARY:
The story begins as former Scream Queen Adonica “Donni” Blake finds her husband, Marco Nicastro, dead from a heart attack. Marco’s shady business dealings and resulting lawsuit have left his widow in a financially precarious position. Desperate, Donni contacts Marco’s son/her estranged stepson, Rafael, to save her from destitution.
At 28, Rafe Nicastro is a very successful thriller author, two books into his Madison Hawthorne trilogy. His “notoriously spicy” books follow a PI investigating a series of BDSM-scene murders. They’re also inspired by his stepmom, whom he’s lusted after for over ten years. And now, she’s at his mercy.
Rafe agrees to come to Donni’s aid on one condition—that she be his muse. Meanwhile, ghosts from Donni’s past have returned with a vengeance. Someone is taking inspiration from Donni’s films to scare—possibly even kill—her. Could it be her obsessed stepson? Or does Donni have another “fan”?
Little Deaths tackles topics such as racism, sexism, ageism, classism, toxic masculinity, abuse, sexual assault, entertainment industry exploitation, and how society reinforces the status quo to enable perpetrators and disempower their victims/those in vulnerable positions. As always, look up and review Content Warnings before reading.
REVIEW:
STFU if I simp over this book.
Little Deaths feels like a book you need to read twice—once to absorb the striking imagery, language, and plot; a second time to appreciate the craft and depth.
This book was so highly hyped and delivered on every single promise. Little Deaths was all of my favorite tropes, themes, and dynamics packaged into one excellent and subversive dark romance thriller. An absolute delight to read.
I loved the way media is incorporated to augment the story. From the music, to the articles, reviews, text messages, video and voice recordings, dreams, and photos, at times Little Deaths feels like a collage in text. Every minute detail enhances the scene, with no better example than Rafe’s apartment in the prologue.
To that end, Little Deaths exemplifies the “Show, Don’t Tell” directive. For example, arriving in California, Rafe’s taxi driver asks what brings him to town. Rather than engaging an easy, cliched, exposition opportunity, Rafe shuts the conversation down, saying more in that response than he could in dialogue. In my opinion, this moment well represents the writing throughout the book—what is not said is just as important as what is said.
I loved the callbacks to Campbell’s Horrorscape series, for example, tiger lilies. Flowers are a motif in Terrorscape , even featuring an infamous chapter titled Tiger Lily, so it’s even more interesting that Rafe wants Donni to wear a tiger lily their first time.
Note: If you loved Little Deaths, you probably won’t enjoy Horrorscape. However, if you’re a Horrorscape fan, you might really like Little Deaths! Little Deaths readers, if you decide to pick up Horrorscape next, brace yourselves for a very different, much bleaker, experience and CHECK CONTENT WARNINGS.
The role of time in this novel is also noteworthy. Similar to the way in which the novel Things We Found When the Water Went Down demonstrates that trauma is non-linear, time feels fluid in Little Deaths. Between flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and interspersed texts about past events, it is easy to see how the past overlaps, lurks behind, the present.
As a slasher-inspired novel, horror is an essential element in Little Deaths, and it is very well-executed. There were numerous times when I was legitimately unsettled while reading. Like any good scary movie, the story repeatedly lulls the reader into a false sense of security, only to make your heart plummet.
The horror genre is often used as a venue for healing and trauma processing. It allows consumers to experience heightened emotions in a safe environment, where they ultimately always have an exit; it’s the reason Donni is such a horror-lover. That is part of what makes Little Deaths’ horror so chilling—Donni can’t escape. The story isn’t one that she’s watching or performing in—she’s living it.
The novel also depicts an intimate connection between fear and sex—both in Donni’s mental associations, desires, and in the story’s action (the sex scenes usually coincide with or adjoin horror scenes).
There is so, so much more I could say about this book, but I won’t. The only critical note I would make is that there are quite a few typos.
CONCLUSION:
Here’s the thing about this review: this book has basically all of my favorite tropes. I had the best time reading it. I absolutely cannot write an unbiased review because Little Deaths is so perfectly up my alley that I can only rave. However, if I was going to try to pinpoint Little Deaths’ ideal audience: if you liked the concept and themes behind My Heart Is a Chainsaw but also crave a taboo (but very sweet) erotic thriller, you will love this book. Read in October for optimal ✨🦇vibes🦇✨.
In conclusion: obsessive, unhinged, dangerous, sexy, fictional simps>>>>>
5/5 ⭐ (meets my full rating scale criteria but is also very much a “Fave” auto-five).
3/5 🌶️(handful of scenes, more plot than spice, not overly descriptive, some kinks/triggers).
Tropes:
• Age gap (28M, 40F)
• Taboo (stepson/stepmother)
• Slasher
• Scream-inspired
• Fiction about fiction
• Murder mystery
• Forced proximity
• Virgin hero
Quotes:
To all the dark architects who find themselves masters of their own hells.
-
"You do understand,” he said, very softly, “that you were the inspiration behind those books, don’t you, Donni?” When she didn’t, couldn’t move, he said, “They say life imitates art, but in your case, that’s simply not true. Art—my art—is just a poor substitute for what I really want: you.”
-
"I thought you wanted to talk like civilized, rational people.”
"I lied,” he said. “What I actually want is you.”
-
"You,” she said haltingly, “have no idea what I’ve done or had to do. The things people said to me, the things people did to me—they do not compare to whatever imagined hurts you think I’ve made you suffer.” Her eyes, when they went to his, were electric. “You don’t fucking know.”
"Then show me,” he breathed. “Give me a taste of what you really are.”
-
"I wouldn’t hurt you.”
Rafe let his hands fall from her, sliding one into his pocket. When he pulled out a switchblade, Donni felt her pulse rate kick up. He handled it deftly, she couldn’t help noticing, even though this one had a tricky spring. The sharp point of it sliding out made her flinch.
Watching her, he said, softly, “I could scare you, though.”
-
"People talk about sexism like it’s a single killing blow, but it’s actually a series of little deaths. Women are dying and men are the sickness.”
There was a loud, deafening click.
"I want you to think of me as the cure.”
-
"I’m not a gold-digger,” she said stiffly.
"Then what are you? Tell me. Because I want you to be mine. Just mine.” When she moved her hand, he wrapped his fingers around it. “I didn’t know love could hurt until I met you. That longing could pierce like a knife. You’re the only woman who ever made me feel that way.”
"Rafe—I’m not a good person.”
"I don’t care.” He pressed her hand against his chest. His heart was pounding furiously. “Every time you’re near me, it’s like this. Why do you think that is?”
Her fingers curled, catching on his shirt collar. “I’m going to hurt you.”
"Then do it,” he growled. “Hurt me. Fuck me. Just don’t send me away.”
-
She had fallen in love with horror because it validated her belief that monsters wore human faces, and it provided an outlet for her constant fear without breaking her completely. Every time a movie made her heart pound and she felt the familiar flood of adrenaline and panic, she could stop the movie and leave the room, and it would all subside, and she would still be safe.
Read
September 10, 2022Nenia Campbell has serious talent and honestly one of the most laid back and approachable author’s I have had the honor of interacting it. How many authors can say they acknowledge a review that is less then 5*? I can tell you from my experience with other authors unless you give them 4 or 5* readers like us who are honest in our feelings are ignored by them. I have a serious respect for Nenia as an author because she has a respect for us the honest reader. Any dark book she writes I am on board!
December 27, 2022
DISCLAIMER: I am friends with the author and beta-read an early version of this book, but this does not affect my rating. I bought the final copy from Amazon.
This book filled the void in my life that Watch the Girls created. LITTLE DEATHS had it all: an ill-advised romance, a washed-up horror actress, multiple deaths, multi-media snippets, and smut. I love my romance with a side of toxicity and danger.
I was actually saving this and intended to read it much more quickly than I did, but life got in the way (read: me foolishly checking out library books that needed to be returned in a timely manner). Now that I'm done, I'm happy to compare LITTLE DEATHS to several things: the aforementioned WATCH THE GIRLS, the idea of 80s B-rated slashers rather than any specific one, the movie VALENTINE, and even a little soap opera drama. It's not one of these things, it's all of them. And it's basically everything I've ever wanted.
Rafe is maybe my new favorite hero of Campbell's (sorry, Nick). He was the best-dressed, for one. Oh, and he's a babe. And even though he's toxic, it's a totally acceptable kind of toxic! Nobody worry!!!!!
I was so tense by the end, and my heart was in my throat. Reading this was a rush. It gets to stay on my Kindle in my favorites folder! A huge honor!
This book filled the void in my life that Watch the Girls created. LITTLE DEATHS had it all: an ill-advised romance, a washed-up horror actress, multiple deaths, multi-media snippets, and smut. I love my romance with a side of toxicity and danger.
I was actually saving this and intended to read it much more quickly than I did, but life got in the way (read: me foolishly checking out library books that needed to be returned in a timely manner). Now that I'm done, I'm happy to compare LITTLE DEATHS to several things: the aforementioned WATCH THE GIRLS, the idea of 80s B-rated slashers rather than any specific one, the movie VALENTINE, and even a little soap opera drama. It's not one of these things, it's all of them. And it's basically everything I've ever wanted.
Rafe is maybe my new favorite hero of Campbell's (sorry, Nick). He was the best-dressed, for one. Oh, and he's a babe. And even though he's toxic, it's a totally acceptable kind of toxic! Nobody worry!!!!!
I was so tense by the end, and my heart was in my throat. Reading this was a rush. It gets to stay on my Kindle in my favorites folder! A huge honor!
Want to read
September 6, 2025Casual and enthusiastic reminder that I have a Scream-inspired slasher romance set during Halloween! The heroine is a 40-year-old scream queen horror movie actress and the hero is a 28-year-old dark romance author and a virgin! He's also her stepson. ;)
August 5, 2024
"I don't care if you see yourself as broken. I've been chasing your reflection in a ruin of jagged shards for the last ten years."
Now, this is what I want from a romantic thriller. Equal parts steam and suspense, complete with scenes that legitimately made my jaw drop or had me wondering how the hell these two were possibly going to find a HEA — or even make it out alive, for that matter. Donni was such a fun heroine to cheer for, and Rafe is all the best forms of fucked up.
✨ Representation: Donni is Vietnamese and described as "full-figured"
✨ Content warnings for:
———
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May 6, 2024
An obsessed and unhinged erotica author goes back home to collect his gore movie actress stepmother that he could never get out of his mind o.O
The MMC is 28 & the FMC is 40
The premise is simple, the setting is a disgustingly white & judgmental small town where everyone hates the heroine and the MMC is the "touch her and die" kind. Oh, and a crazy serial killer is on the loose, reenacting the former actresses' greatest movie deaths!
There is actually not much I have to say about this novel except that it is criminally underrated & currently on Kindle Unlimited!
The MMC is 28 & the FMC is 40
The premise is simple, the setting is a disgustingly white & judgmental small town where everyone hates the heroine and the MMC is the "touch her and die" kind. Oh, and a crazy serial killer is on the loose, reenacting the former actresses' greatest movie deaths!
There is actually not much I have to say about this novel except that it is criminally underrated & currently on Kindle Unlimited!
February 10, 2024
I’ve never read dark romance before this book so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Well, I DEVOURED this whole thing in a day. There are all these little mysteries mixed in that keep you dying to know either what happened in the past or what’s going to happen next.
I honestly don’t know how on earth I ended up rooting for them as a couple (again, new to the genre here) but I did.
If you’re into dark romance and you haven’t read this book, then, respectfully, WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE?
I honestly don’t know how on earth I ended up rooting for them as a couple (again, new to the genre here) but I did.
If you’re into dark romance and you haven’t read this book, then, respectfully, WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE?
January 7, 2024
Nenia Campbell does it again.
This was a campy horror fest with some A+ smut to boot!
It was like the very best parts of Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer found their way into a dark reverse age gap romance and it all just fit so very seamlessly.
Rafe will go down as one of my favourite MMCs, dark and broody with the edge of danger but inside he’s all soft and sad, longing for Donni. Big red flag energy, but you don’t even care.
Speaking of Donni, she has a will of her own. She doesn’t suffer fools and she stands up for herself. I liked that at the end of the day she didn’t NEED Rafe to save her, she could handle that sh*t on her own, but she allows him in.
As I read this, the further we got into the story and especially the relationship between Rafe and Donni I kept getting Wuthering Heights vibes and it made me love this even more. Hit me with all the darkness, the doomed love. I’m a sucker for it
I’ll leave it with this quote from the book:
“ “Two Souls, made of the same dark shit.” He breathed in against her hair and laughed throatily.” Maybe I saw myself inside of you.”
I cannot wait to read this again. It’ll stick with me. I loved it.
This was a campy horror fest with some A+ smut to boot!
It was like the very best parts of Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer found their way into a dark reverse age gap romance and it all just fit so very seamlessly.
Rafe will go down as one of my favourite MMCs, dark and broody with the edge of danger but inside he’s all soft and sad, longing for Donni. Big red flag energy, but you don’t even care.
Speaking of Donni, she has a will of her own. She doesn’t suffer fools and she stands up for herself. I liked that at the end of the day she didn’t NEED Rafe to save her, she could handle that sh*t on her own, but she allows him in.
As I read this, the further we got into the story and especially the relationship between Rafe and Donni I kept getting Wuthering Heights vibes and it made me love this even more. Hit me with all the darkness, the doomed love. I’m a sucker for it
I’ll leave it with this quote from the book:
“ “Two Souls, made of the same dark shit.” He breathed in against her hair and laughed throatily.” Maybe I saw myself inside of you.”
I cannot wait to read this again. It’ll stick with me. I loved it.
November 17, 2024
❤️ Female Revenge
🔪 Stepson/Stepmom
❤️ Whodunit
🔪 Hollywood FMC
❤️ Horror Movie Vibes
So, this was excellent.
I did not expect to be rooting for the stepson/stepmom thing, so I'm sitting here wondering WHY it made perfect sense... and also, why is Rafe (our MMC) so hot?
Nenia Campbell has put together a story that is part steamy as hell, part slasher/horror whodunit, part Hollywood, part female rage/revenge and part f*ck the patriarchy with so many little gibes at society as a whole worked into this awesome soup that is Little Deaths.
I felt enraged for the women - like Donni (our FMC) - who have suffered at the hands of men while those men continued to thrive. I laughed at the quips. And, I was on the edge of my seat during the thrilling tension created by the death threats Donni experiences after the death of her husband.
Mysterious, steamy, and captivating, it was a great read.
~
"𝑰 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒇𝒕𝒍𝒚, “𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏.”
"𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒛𝒊𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒃𝒂𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒏. 𝑺𝒉𝒆’𝒅 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒃 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒊𝒏 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉 𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒍𝒚𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔. 𝑰𝒇 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒓𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒂𝒚, 𝒊𝒕 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒛𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒍."
🔪 Stepson/Stepmom
❤️ Whodunit
🔪 Hollywood FMC
❤️ Horror Movie Vibes
So, this was excellent.
I did not expect to be rooting for the stepson/stepmom thing, so I'm sitting here wondering WHY it made perfect sense... and also, why is Rafe (our MMC) so hot?
Nenia Campbell has put together a story that is part steamy as hell, part slasher/horror whodunit, part Hollywood, part female rage/revenge and part f*ck the patriarchy with so many little gibes at society as a whole worked into this awesome soup that is Little Deaths.
I felt enraged for the women - like Donni (our FMC) - who have suffered at the hands of men while those men continued to thrive. I laughed at the quips. And, I was on the edge of my seat during the thrilling tension created by the death threats Donni experiences after the death of her husband.
Mysterious, steamy, and captivating, it was a great read.
~
"𝑰 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒇𝒕𝒍𝒚, “𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏.”
"𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒛𝒊𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒃𝒂𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒏. 𝑺𝒉𝒆’𝒅 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒃 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒊𝒏 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉 𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒍𝒚𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔. 𝑰𝒇 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒓𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒂𝒚, 𝒊𝒕 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒛𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒍."
Want to read
March 7, 2014Why all the hate for Nenia Campbell? Seriously it hasnt even got a blurb yet and people already giving 1 star reviews and putting on negative lists?
Didn't Goodreads just clamp down on Author bashing? :-( seems so unfair, I have read a few books of hers, and blog posts & her reviews - don't know where the hate is coming from!!
Didn't Goodreads just clamp down on Author bashing? :-( seems so unfair, I have read a few books of hers, and blog posts & her reviews - don't know where the hate is coming from!!
April 11, 2024
What is love if not a shift through the illusion
"I didn't know love could hurt until I met you."
Nenia Campbell is an excellent writer. Her lyricism plays like a good meal at a 4 or 5-star restaurant. At the moment, the bitten and consumed morsels feel like butter on the tongue, but afterward, you are left a little wondering. The lofty story is standard Nenia, which means perfectly moody, eerie settings with a gothic feel.
"I don’t care if you see yourself as broken. I’ve been chasing your reflection in a ruin of jagged shards for the last ten years. It’s you I want—flaws and all. No facsimiles. No illusions. Just real flesh-and-blood you.”
#Tropes
The Scream Queen stigma and mystery are the larger tropes being worked in this piece, and as always, trauma is slipped underneath the fabric of the story; noncon, sexual violence and coercion against women, death, and animal abuse are all in the folds but elegantly done. Remember, this is a Nenia Campbell special, which means you should get comfy in your seat because this will take a while. The mystery is top-tier but note the romance is best for those who desire slow burns; while the mystery moves at a good clip, the romance is glacial.
“You’re lucky you’re still young,” she sighed. “You haven’t made any mistakes yet.”
#ColdheartHeartStopper
Even though Donni has her reasons for being closed off, cold, calculating, and mistrusting, it's exhausting not to see the romance move faster. We get barely a crack in her surface by 70%, and we really need to know things because her unfeeling and manipulative persona makes it hard to root for her. Internally, she'll reveal, muse or admit...
•"People don't really know me, my true self." She shrugs; I have my reasons. End scene.
•"I would give in to love, but I won't." She shrugs; I have my reasons. End scene.
•"Oh yeah, I lied, and maybe it wasn't right, but f* it."...shrugs; I have my reasons. End scene.
We, the readers, don't get underneath her reasoning until the latter half of the book, and it makes it all that much harder to understand her. But as with all things, slow burn and slow roll, if that's your spice, you'll love it. The writing is so stellar that it will keep you on the hook.
"Every time she was safe, that raw wound inside her scabbed over just a little bit more."
#PoorLittleRichBoy
The MMC comes across as a dominant milquetoast in the tide of Donni's dis-but-not-really-disinterest-interest. He's mysterious and dark. A lie tore him apart from his family, but did it really? How can he move forward from his form of revenge? Rafe is fascinating. We get these peaks and moments within his life, but it feels watery, like a daze-like state that makes it hard to grasp. He could be layered, but he's so in character that he doesn't fully share his thoughts and musings. As a reader, it feels as if we are distant from his story, a beautiful painting to view.
"Then what are you because I want you to be mine. Just mine."
#RomancePlot
Together, these two love birds are a complicated romance for sure. The quippy and witty lines during their banter is excellent. When they do move together, the heat is electric, leaving you grubby and wanting more, but the romance takes time to get there (the entire book). They don't actually communicate outside of barbs for a long while. They don't actually show vulnerability for a while; when they do, it's either hazed over, glazed over, or left unseen on purpose (top notch mystery). We don't see them working as a unit. Instead, they are two separate beings moving through a connected story. They are players on the stage being moved about. Once again, as a mystery about Scream Queen's persona, it's riveting and grips you, but as a romance, you are left "hmmm..ok".
“You can’t just hurt people to get what you want.”
Bottom line: Nenia does a beautiful job with the layering and melding of story tropes and gives a marvelous true crime whodunit. Her characters often earn their HEA and isn't that sweeter
"I didn't know love could hurt until I met you."
Nenia Campbell is an excellent writer. Her lyricism plays like a good meal at a 4 or 5-star restaurant. At the moment, the bitten and consumed morsels feel like butter on the tongue, but afterward, you are left a little wondering. The lofty story is standard Nenia, which means perfectly moody, eerie settings with a gothic feel.
"I don’t care if you see yourself as broken. I’ve been chasing your reflection in a ruin of jagged shards for the last ten years. It’s you I want—flaws and all. No facsimiles. No illusions. Just real flesh-and-blood you.”
#Tropes
The Scream Queen stigma and mystery are the larger tropes being worked in this piece, and as always, trauma is slipped underneath the fabric of the story; noncon, sexual violence and coercion against women, death, and animal abuse are all in the folds but elegantly done. Remember, this is a Nenia Campbell special, which means you should get comfy in your seat because this will take a while. The mystery is top-tier but note the romance is best for those who desire slow burns; while the mystery moves at a good clip, the romance is glacial.
“You’re lucky you’re still young,” she sighed. “You haven’t made any mistakes yet.”
#ColdheartHeartStopper
Even though Donni has her reasons for being closed off, cold, calculating, and mistrusting, it's exhausting not to see the romance move faster. We get barely a crack in her surface by 70%, and we really need to know things because her unfeeling and manipulative persona makes it hard to root for her. Internally, she'll reveal, muse or admit...
•"People don't really know me, my true self." She shrugs; I have my reasons. End scene.
•"I would give in to love, but I won't." She shrugs; I have my reasons. End scene.
•"Oh yeah, I lied, and maybe it wasn't right, but f* it."...shrugs; I have my reasons. End scene.
We, the readers, don't get underneath her reasoning until the latter half of the book, and it makes it all that much harder to understand her. But as with all things, slow burn and slow roll, if that's your spice, you'll love it. The writing is so stellar that it will keep you on the hook.
"Every time she was safe, that raw wound inside her scabbed over just a little bit more."
#PoorLittleRichBoy
The MMC comes across as a dominant milquetoast in the tide of Donni's dis-but-not-really-disinterest-interest. He's mysterious and dark. A lie tore him apart from his family, but did it really? How can he move forward from his form of revenge? Rafe is fascinating. We get these peaks and moments within his life, but it feels watery, like a daze-like state that makes it hard to grasp. He could be layered, but he's so in character that he doesn't fully share his thoughts and musings. As a reader, it feels as if we are distant from his story, a beautiful painting to view.
"Then what are you because I want you to be mine. Just mine."
#RomancePlot
Together, these two love birds are a complicated romance for sure. The quippy and witty lines during their banter is excellent. When they do move together, the heat is electric, leaving you grubby and wanting more, but the romance takes time to get there (the entire book). They don't actually communicate outside of barbs for a long while. They don't actually show vulnerability for a while; when they do, it's either hazed over, glazed over, or left unseen on purpose (top notch mystery). We don't see them working as a unit. Instead, they are two separate beings moving through a connected story. They are players on the stage being moved about. Once again, as a mystery about Scream Queen's persona, it's riveting and grips you, but as a romance, you are left "hmmm..ok".
“You can’t just hurt people to get what you want.”
Bottom line: Nenia does a beautiful job with the layering and melding of story tropes and gives a marvelous true crime whodunit. Her characters often earn their HEA and isn't that sweeter
February 21, 2025
Amazing!
I don’t know who recommended this little gem, but I’m so grateful.
I went into it expecting typical indie overly-dirty romance and it is anything but typical.
Nenia Campbell is a genuine master of language. This is beautifully written. I did not want to put it down. It’s action packed and thrillingly takes you from page 1 and drops you off safely off at the end still bewildered and wanting more.
I love love loved this book and cannot wait to eat up her other stories.
Thank you!
I don’t know who recommended this little gem, but I’m so grateful.
I went into it expecting typical indie overly-dirty romance and it is anything but typical.
Nenia Campbell is a genuine master of language. This is beautifully written. I did not want to put it down. It’s action packed and thrillingly takes you from page 1 and drops you off safely off at the end still bewildered and wanting more.
I love love loved this book and cannot wait to eat up her other stories.
Thank you!
November 22, 2023
Exactly why tf doesn’t this book have more hype? I loved the naughty combination of forbidden love and creepy murder mystery. The tension & sex is just amazing, and Rafe is a god-tier book boyfriend.
November 30, 2024
This is a fantastic romantic thriller. Beautifully written. Unforgettable characters, hot and spicy forbidden love, murder, mystery, intrigue, and did I mention the Heathcliff-coded brooding virgin author who is obsessed with his step mother?
Adonica Blake is a great character. So well developed. Her thoughts, feelings, and actions are so well-done. She has the hard-won jaded personality of a “has-been” Hollywood starlet who survived being in the clutches of a predator.
Rafael Nicastro is the perfect hot, brooding, tormented anti-hero. The things he says…the sappy, wonderful things he says to Donni give you a perfect glimpse into the life he’s lived languishing under the weight of his obsession. (Hint: he’s a virgin.) This elevates the whole dynamic between the two of them to perfection. Rafe never comes across as pathetic in his pining either, which says a lot for how Nenia Campbell wrote him. It’s very hard to convince me a man is a dominant, commanding force when he’s nearly begging. This author pulls it off! A feat of emotional engineering.
In summary, YES. Next Nenia Campbell book now, please.
Adonica Blake is a great character. So well developed. Her thoughts, feelings, and actions are so well-done. She has the hard-won jaded personality of a “has-been” Hollywood starlet who survived being in the clutches of a predator.
Rafael Nicastro is the perfect hot, brooding, tormented anti-hero. The things he says…the sappy, wonderful things he says to Donni give you a perfect glimpse into the life he’s lived languishing under the weight of his obsession. (Hint: he’s a virgin.) This elevates the whole dynamic between the two of them to perfection. Rafe never comes across as pathetic in his pining either, which says a lot for how Nenia Campbell wrote him. It’s very hard to convince me a man is a dominant, commanding force when he’s nearly begging. This author pulls it off! A feat of emotional engineering.
In summary, YES. Next Nenia Campbell book now, please.
January 7, 2023
It started off a little slow but i was definitely hooked by the 30% mark. I loved both Donni and Rafe. Rafe was just so cute and the way he adored Donni?? NEED. And Donni i wanted to give her a hug through the whole book she deserved better
February 18, 2024
I swear…
Most people put themselves on book buying bans.
I’m putting myself on a Nenia Campbell ban. I’ve got ish to do but whenever I (metaphorically) crack open one of Nenia’s books, I am useless to the world.
Go away.
Don’t talk to me until it’s over. ✌🏻.
I can’t live my life like this! I have to be productive eventually!!
I will not apologize for my dramatics. Go read Little Deaths. Shoo. Bye. Also, you’re welcome. 🤣🤣
Most people put themselves on book buying bans.
I’m putting myself on a Nenia Campbell ban. I’ve got ish to do but whenever I (metaphorically) crack open one of Nenia’s books, I am useless to the world.
Go away.
Don’t talk to me until it’s over. ✌🏻.
I can’t live my life like this! I have to be productive eventually!!
I will not apologize for my dramatics. Go read Little Deaths. Shoo. Bye. Also, you’re welcome. 🤣🤣
March 21, 2023
I loved every little sentence.
June 30, 2024
I’ve had a rough week and kept begging the universe for some peaceful time so I could finish this book which had me in a chokehold the entire time. I was carrying my ebook everywhere so I could read if I had 5min.
Let me say this: this is the first book in a long time that I truly believe should be made a movie. 5⭐️.
It gives you Hollywood vibes, crime, sex, lies and deception.
I loved that at the end of every chapter there was a critique of either one of her horror movies or from one of Raffi’s books. It was a nice touch that worked beautifully. If Nenia was hoping to portray Donni’s public persona as an average actress and the scrutiny she faced because of those roles and her sexappeal—for the reader—…she succeeded.
Let me say this: this is the first book in a long time that I truly believe should be made a movie. 5⭐️.
It gives you Hollywood vibes, crime, sex, lies and deception.
I loved that at the end of every chapter there was a critique of either one of her horror movies or from one of Raffi’s books. It was a nice touch that worked beautifully. If Nenia was hoping to portray Donni’s public persona as an average actress and the scrutiny she faced because of those roles and her sexappeal—for the reader—…she succeeded.
December 7, 2022
4.5/5 (rounded up: the journey was tough but the ending was *chef's kiss*)
First of all, (unless i missed sth) POWDERPUFF IS FINE. THE DOGGO IS SAFE. That TW for animal death was not for her. I have spent at least 40% anxious about her life since i searched my kindle for her name and it was last found at 75% but SHE IS ALRIGHT.
Now that we're done with the most important thing-
Oh. My. God.
What a book. My heart was racing (for Rafe and for the thriller murder scary stuff), my blood was boiling (on behalf of the heroine), i was completely taken over emotionally by the story and the characters, and since i'm in a semi-reading-slump, it feels like it's been ages since i've been like this.
I wanted to take a bubble wrap and wrap it around Donni and Rafe, and eventually they were given the sweetest, most perfect happy ending ^^. These two and the doggo needed to be protected at all costs, poor little things.
Do you remember Rafe's first scene?
He was in THE club, all but laughing evilly and twirling his nonexistent villain mustache, sooo ready for revenge (kinda like Nick, and we know how "revenge" looked like for that boy-) and i thought, already clutching my pearls: "How bad, on scale from Theo to Gavin, will this guy get?". Turns out - he is even softer than Theodork.
(And he has even better nickname, our little Raffi the Giraffe *happy sigh*)
I am not complaining - also (stares at Gavin pointedly) we, the readers, are done with manwhores. We only want 100% devoted men now.
That's not the kind of book filled with twists of who killed who and why. It's not hard to figure out - especially since we got dual POV and can't blame Rafe ;) - but it's probably one of the reasons the book works so well for me, aka Usually Not a Fan of Thrillers. It's not about cheap plot twists, but the breath-taking action, painful development and amazing characters. It will probably take years for me to reread "Little Deaths" (such a perfect title!), but when I do, it will be so worth it.
Bonus:
Rafe got so many good lines. Too many, actually, and i only had a gif for one:
Why do I always find some nygmobblepot-like scene in Nenia's books? (okay, maybe not always-always, but at least thrice so far!) Maybe it's my stupid heart, or maybe it's the timeless perfection of a great ship?
First of all, (unless i missed sth) POWDERPUFF IS FINE. THE DOGGO IS SAFE. That TW for animal death was not for her. I have spent at least 40% anxious about her life since i searched my kindle for her name and it was last found at 75% but SHE IS ALRIGHT.
Now that we're done with the most important thing-
Oh. My. God.
What a book. My heart was racing (for Rafe and for the thriller murder scary stuff), my blood was boiling (on behalf of the heroine), i was completely taken over emotionally by the story and the characters, and since i'm in a semi-reading-slump, it feels like it's been ages since i've been like this.
I wanted to take a bubble wrap and wrap it around Donni and Rafe, and eventually they were given the sweetest, most perfect happy ending ^^. These two and the doggo needed to be protected at all costs, poor little things.
Do you remember Rafe's first scene?
He was in THE club, all but laughing evilly and twirling his nonexistent villain mustache, sooo ready for revenge (kinda like Nick, and we know how "revenge" looked like for that boy-) and i thought, already clutching my pearls: "How bad, on scale from Theo to Gavin, will this guy get?". Turns out - he is even softer than Theodork.
(And he has even better nickname, our little Raffi the Giraffe *happy sigh*)
I am not complaining - also (stares at Gavin pointedly) we, the readers, are done with manwhores. We only want 100% devoted men now.
That's not the kind of book filled with twists of who killed who and why. It's not hard to figure out - especially since we got dual POV and can't blame Rafe ;) - but it's probably one of the reasons the book works so well for me, aka Usually Not a Fan of Thrillers. It's not about cheap plot twists, but the breath-taking action, painful development and amazing characters. It will probably take years for me to reread "Little Deaths" (such a perfect title!), but when I do, it will be so worth it.
Bonus:
Rafe got so many good lines. Too many, actually, and i only had a gif for one:
December 4, 2022
This is a great read! The thriller aspect with the age gap keeps you on the edge of your seat.
December 16, 2025
Little Deaths by Nenia Campbell is a slasher-inspired erotic thriller romance that follows 40-year-old former scream queen Adonica Blake and her 28-year-old estranged stepson. Yes, you read that right.
Rafael Nicastro, a successful erotic thriller writer, returns to home for his father's funeral and becomes the only person Adonica can turn to for help, as her husband has left her in social and financial ruin. Luckily, Rafe has been obsessed with her for ten years and would like nothing more than to take advantage of her desperation. But with murders popping up around Donni that are clearly inspired by her own films, she has no idea who to trust. What is Rafe's agenda, really? And how far will he go to get what he wants?
So here's the thing. I find I really love spicy, borderline taboo reads ... but I need them to have an actual plot and interesting characters. Bonus points if the prose is stunning and the themes are intentional and nuanced. Little Deaths has all of the above! I've only read this and Raise the Blood so far by Nenia Campbell, but both seriously impressed me and left me thinking: why the hell haven't I heard of this author before now!? Nenia, you are the cure to this year's reading slump.
The opening prologue for this book had me instantly hooked and the addition of media clippings between parts helped to make this story cinematic and immersive in a really unique way. The writing is so beautiful, I was highlighting damn near everything. And the plot is simply 10/10; the way all the pieces came together was so compelling and dramatic.. but it also made sense for the story which is so important to me with any kind of thriller.
I'm not a huge movie buff, but I personally love Scream and my fair share of other 90's and 00's slasher films. The whole vibe of this book was so nostalgic for the feeling those films gave me — on-edge, uneasy and desperate for answers. And with the addition of an intense, toxic romance that felt so wrong it was right??? I had the best time.
Beyond the delicious relationship and slasher vibes, this story carries really strong commentary on racism and sexism that had me feeling deeply for Donni. Despite her life being so vastly different from my own, I found her to be relatable and I rooted for her every step of the way.
I think this is my very first stepmother x stepson pairing and I fear there is no going back to who I was before I picked this up. 🫣 .. He's so obsessed with her!! I won't give any specific information about Rafe because he is part of the mystery... but I loved his calculated obsession with Donni, his backstory, his emotional vulnerabilities and sharpened edges. Sometimes it's hard for me to "buy in" to the older woman x younger man trope but Rafe was all man and I was all in.
Ugh, Nenia Campbell, what have you done to me??!
My only real criticism is that there are quite a few typos. And also the fact that Powderpuff was never once taken outside to do her business despite having lots of time on-page? I think it's safe to say that Nenia is more of a cat person than a dog person. 🙈
I would recommend this to any dark romance readers that enjoy borderline taboo romance (no blood relation), a balance between spice, plot and character depth, slasher films, specifically Scream, murder mysteries, unique storytelling and age gap romance.
Rafael Nicastro, a successful erotic thriller writer, returns to home for his father's funeral and becomes the only person Adonica can turn to for help, as her husband has left her in social and financial ruin. Luckily, Rafe has been obsessed with her for ten years and would like nothing more than to take advantage of her desperation. But with murders popping up around Donni that are clearly inspired by her own films, she has no idea who to trust. What is Rafe's agenda, really? And how far will he go to get what he wants?
Desire was a tenacious seed; once sown, it kept finding ways to grow back, no matter how brutally reaped.
So here's the thing. I find I really love spicy, borderline taboo reads ... but I need them to have an actual plot and interesting characters. Bonus points if the prose is stunning and the themes are intentional and nuanced. Little Deaths has all of the above! I've only read this and Raise the Blood so far by Nenia Campbell, but both seriously impressed me and left me thinking: why the hell haven't I heard of this author before now!? Nenia, you are the cure to this year's reading slump.
The opening prologue for this book had me instantly hooked and the addition of media clippings between parts helped to make this story cinematic and immersive in a really unique way. The writing is so beautiful, I was highlighting damn near everything. And the plot is simply 10/10; the way all the pieces came together was so compelling and dramatic.. but it also made sense for the story which is so important to me with any kind of thriller.
I'm not a huge movie buff, but I personally love Scream and my fair share of other 90's and 00's slasher films. The whole vibe of this book was so nostalgic for the feeling those films gave me — on-edge, uneasy and desperate for answers. And with the addition of an intense, toxic romance that felt so wrong it was right??? I had the best time.
Beyond the delicious relationship and slasher vibes, this story carries really strong commentary on racism and sexism that had me feeling deeply for Donni. Despite her life being so vastly different from my own, I found her to be relatable and I rooted for her every step of the way.
“They say life imitates art, but in your case, that’s simply not true. Art—my art—is just a poor substitute for what I really want: you.”
I think this is my very first stepmother x stepson pairing and I fear there is no going back to who I was before I picked this up. 🫣 .. He's so obsessed with her!! I won't give any specific information about Rafe because he is part of the mystery... but I loved his calculated obsession with Donni, his backstory, his emotional vulnerabilities and sharpened edges. Sometimes it's hard for me to "buy in" to the older woman x younger man trope but Rafe was all man and I was all in.
Ugh, Nenia Campbell, what have you done to me??!
My only real criticism is that there are quite a few typos. And also the fact that Powderpuff was never once taken outside to do her business despite having lots of time on-page? I think it's safe to say that Nenia is more of a cat person than a dog person. 🙈
I would recommend this to any dark romance readers that enjoy borderline taboo romance (no blood relation), a balance between spice, plot and character depth, slasher films, specifically Scream, murder mysteries, unique storytelling and age gap romance.
December 13, 2022
I want to eventually write a longer review filled with all the great lines that came out of this book (there are so many). However, I wanted to get it out there as soon as possible to say this is one of my favorite reads of 2022. Please read this book if you haven't. The suspense was A+. The banter between Rafe and Doni A+. Rafe in general I will obsess about until the day I die. The man is smart, caring, sexy, artistic and saved himself for the fmc. No man exists like that outside of fiction, but a girl can dream can't she (or just obsessively re-read this book, you know, options...)?
I like that Doni wasn't perfect, but that she was perfect to Rafe (my favorite trope in the romance genre). She has a complicated past, and she developed a cold personality to protect herself from ever being hurt again. She's a black widow, a swooping raven in a graveyard, a dark icy abyss, but d*mn does she make it all look cool as hell. Rafe and her complemented each other perfectly, because he gazed into that abyss and saw beauty, a beauty which inspired his art.
I don't like easy romances. I like it when the fmc/mmc spit and claw at each other while trying to find their love for one another. This book delivers on that front. I'm a big fan of this author since she always delivers on original content and complicated romances.
Again, please go read this book if you haven't.
Side note: I want Rafe's books to exist in the real world, ex-bratva turned artist/bdsm master who helps a PI solve crimes in the bdsm community sounds like a really cool idea for a story.
I like that Doni wasn't perfect, but that she was perfect to Rafe (my favorite trope in the romance genre). She has a complicated past, and she developed a cold personality to protect herself from ever being hurt again. She's a black widow, a swooping raven in a graveyard, a dark icy abyss, but d*mn does she make it all look cool as hell. Rafe and her complemented each other perfectly, because he gazed into that abyss and saw beauty, a beauty which inspired his art.
I don't like easy romances. I like it when the fmc/mmc spit and claw at each other while trying to find their love for one another. This book delivers on that front. I'm a big fan of this author since she always delivers on original content and complicated romances.
Again, please go read this book if you haven't.
Side note: I want Rafe's books to exist in the real world, ex-bratva turned artist/bdsm master who helps a PI solve crimes in the bdsm community sounds like a really cool idea for a story.
July 11, 2024
When I finished this book yesterday, I closed the cover of my kindle, sat up straight (from the bent over bridge troll position I usually read in), took a deep breath, and said to my husband, “10/10; no notes.” While it was a little silly for me to say because nowhere do I rate books out of 10, the sentiment stands.
(Well, maybe there’s one note: I wanted more Powderpuff. But that’s just because I like dogs and have a soft spot for poms.)
I just loved this book so much. Horror/slasher thriller isn’t my usual fare, but damn did Nenia Campbell deliver with Little Deaths. I spent the pages at-once in awe of Campbell’s prose and the details she chose to include—just so fucking good, omg—and also genuinely scared for and invested in the lives of Rafe and Donni. (I will say knowing this was a romance and that the ill-advised pair would be getting their happy ending did help.)
Speaking of the characters. I loved Donni. She felt real and raw, and her choices throughout the book made so much sense to me. I loved the look into the seediness of the scream queen industry. I loved that we got to see her through the eyes of some pretty gross men with the interspersed reviews of her films—and how that affected her motivations. I loved the details about her wardrobe and her dog, and how out of place she felt in the community. More than anything, I wanted her to get hers.
But I also loved Rafe?? I think it could be easy to read Rafe’s POV at face value. He seems so serious. He seems so dangerous. But then you take a step back and you’re like, “Ohhh, he’s just a grown up emo who’s been pining for his stepmother for the last ten years. So much so that he’s still a virgin, basically wrote (successful) fan fiction about her, and has gone so far as to try and recreate her perfume and buy costume jewelry from her movies. A piece of which he wears to meet her for the first time when they reunite.” Like he’s a little bit loser-ish, but in the best way?
He seemed far less a danger to Donni to me after I realized that. (Which I appreciated, by the way, because she was in enough danger as it was.) And together, Rafe and Donni did make sense. They fit together like two really messed up puzzle pieces. He saw her when no one else did, and my little heart found that very romantic, despite some of his more fucked up actions.
There’s so much else I could say about this book, but I can’t give it all away in the review. But yeah, pretty near a perfect book from my POV.
(Well, maybe there’s one note: I wanted more Powderpuff. But that’s just because I like dogs and have a soft spot for poms.)
I just loved this book so much. Horror/slasher thriller isn’t my usual fare, but damn did Nenia Campbell deliver with Little Deaths. I spent the pages at-once in awe of Campbell’s prose and the details she chose to include—just so fucking good, omg—and also genuinely scared for and invested in the lives of Rafe and Donni. (I will say knowing this was a romance and that the ill-advised pair would be getting their happy ending did help.)
Speaking of the characters. I loved Donni. She felt real and raw, and her choices throughout the book made so much sense to me. I loved the look into the seediness of the scream queen industry. I loved that we got to see her through the eyes of some pretty gross men with the interspersed reviews of her films—and how that affected her motivations. I loved the details about her wardrobe and her dog, and how out of place she felt in the community. More than anything, I wanted her to get hers.
But I also loved Rafe?? I think it could be easy to read Rafe’s POV at face value. He seems so serious. He seems so dangerous. But then you take a step back and you’re like, “Ohhh, he’s just a grown up emo who’s been pining for his stepmother for the last ten years. So much so that he’s still a virgin, basically wrote (successful) fan fiction about her, and has gone so far as to try and recreate her perfume and buy costume jewelry from her movies. A piece of which he wears to meet her for the first time when they reunite.” Like he’s a little bit loser-ish, but in the best way?
He seemed far less a danger to Donni to me after I realized that. (Which I appreciated, by the way, because she was in enough danger as it was.) And together, Rafe and Donni did make sense. They fit together like two really messed up puzzle pieces. He saw her when no one else did, and my little heart found that very romantic, despite some of his more fucked up actions.
There’s so much else I could say about this book, but I can’t give it all away in the review. But yeah, pretty near a perfect book from my POV.
October 24, 2024
⚠️Trigger warning: death (peep the title), sexual abuse, rape. Triggers are there but that’s why we got here in the first place soooo⚠️
I’m going to say something that’s probably going to be an unpopular opinion: I didn’t like the main female character. Donni was mid. She was mid in character development, even her overall interactions with other characters. I feel like she had the same dimension from the beginning of the book, all the way to the end of the book. She had depth, somewhat, but I just desired more from her. Best depth I got from her was her acting moments. Which made her seem like an unreliable character to me.
The main male MC was written super well. At a certain point I didn’t feel like he was that dark like how Donni (and him) kept on saying. I peeped wayyy early that he wasn’t at THAT level. Bro just was a writer. Like you think the fucked up reads we read the authors wrote those things out of experience? Nahhh, and I don’t want to know if they were out of real experiences either 👀. They prob softies with dark thought patterns. That’s how I saw him throughout.
The plot. I have to say this cause I just do…I guessed the plot line and ending. By mid way into the read I told myself “yup this happened this way.” And I got it right. Sometimes this is ok and sometimes this isn’t.
I have to say, Nenia has written some great reads with great twists and turns. This one wasn’t her best. I just wanted more to the plot and more to the depth of these characters.
The writing itself was so good. Nenia has this was of writing that I love. Especially when she gets into those artistic moments. The play on words. The sentences of the little things that set the tone for everything else. She is growing so well in the writing itself. If she writes poetry I’d LIVE for it. I like the intention. And as she continues writing I do believe this is what will set her apart from the many.
I didn’t dislike it by any means. But it wasn’t my fave. 3.5 star rating.
I’m going to say something that’s probably going to be an unpopular opinion: I didn’t like the main female character. Donni was mid. She was mid in character development, even her overall interactions with other characters. I feel like she had the same dimension from the beginning of the book, all the way to the end of the book. She had depth, somewhat, but I just desired more from her. Best depth I got from her was her acting moments. Which made her seem like an unreliable character to me.
The main male MC was written super well. At a certain point I didn’t feel like he was that dark like how Donni (and him) kept on saying. I peeped wayyy early that he wasn’t at THAT level. Bro just was a writer. Like you think the fucked up reads we read the authors wrote those things out of experience? Nahhh, and I don’t want to know if they were out of real experiences either 👀. They prob softies with dark thought patterns. That’s how I saw him throughout.
The plot. I have to say this cause I just do…I guessed the plot line and ending. By mid way into the read I told myself “yup this happened this way.” And I got it right. Sometimes this is ok and sometimes this isn’t.
I have to say, Nenia has written some great reads with great twists and turns. This one wasn’t her best. I just wanted more to the plot and more to the depth of these characters.
The writing itself was so good. Nenia has this was of writing that I love. Especially when she gets into those artistic moments. The play on words. The sentences of the little things that set the tone for everything else. She is growing so well in the writing itself. If she writes poetry I’d LIVE for it. I like the intention. And as she continues writing I do believe this is what will set her apart from the many.
I didn’t dislike it by any means. But it wasn’t my fave. 3.5 star rating.
July 18, 2024
I picked up Little Deaths by Nenia Campbell last Stuff Your Kindle day and have no regrets. The smuttiest slasher (book in general) I have ever read. Vibes were immaculate, writing was very fast paced. It took me a hot second to immerse myself properly because Campbell doesn’t mince words or give too many grounding details- this means the book reads quickly and there were a couple of times I had to go back to figure out where we were located physically but it was so FUN.
I highly recommend for anyone who is looking to see the smut and thriller genres collide. I want more!
I highly recommend for anyone who is looking to see the smut and thriller genres collide. I want more!
December 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this one. I’ve always loved a reverse age gap trope and throw in a lil dash of taboo in it, I’m sold. And oh, a virgin H who waited for the h eventhough they were separated and a decade later time skip? Hell yeah.
While I do like the blackmail theme going on in this book, I appreciate that there’s no non-con scene between the two mcs. Slightly dubious yes but he always stops when she says no or when she’s not into it. He’s also not verbally abusive and honestly, very respectful with her with a slight humorous, sardonic tone sometimes. It’s like a banter between the two of them and I like that.
I’m not really a fan of the mysterious things going on though because 1) it feels like the buildup just focuses on that matter more 2) I already kinda figures out who’s the murderous stalker that’s been harassing the h because honestly it’s not that hard to piece it altogether. Although I must say the second twist, I did not see that coming.
Details, light spoilers and safety:
⭕️ reverse age gap (12 years)
⭕️ stepmom-stepson (nothing going on while he’s underage)
⭕️ virgin H/non virgin h
⭕️ push from the h (the H is the main pursuer)
⭕️ blackmail
⭕️ forced seduction (mild)
⭕️ dubious consents (mild)
⭕️ murderous stalker
⭕️ death threats on h
⭕️ no OW/OM drama (well slight OM drama which is the husband- H’s father)
⭕️ past abuse/rap€ (off page but it’s mentioned a few times so it could be triggering for some people)
While I do like the blackmail theme going on in this book, I appreciate that there’s no non-con scene between the two mcs. Slightly dubious yes but he always stops when she says no or when she’s not into it. He’s also not verbally abusive and honestly, very respectful with her with a slight humorous, sardonic tone sometimes. It’s like a banter between the two of them and I like that.
I’m not really a fan of the mysterious things going on though because 1) it feels like the buildup just focuses on that matter more 2) I already kinda figures out who’s the murderous stalker that’s been harassing the h because honestly it’s not that hard to piece it altogether. Although I must say the second twist, I did not see that coming.
Details, light spoilers and safety:
⭕️ reverse age gap (12 years)
⭕️ stepmom-stepson (nothing going on while he’s underage)
⭕️ virgin H/non virgin h
⭕️ push from the h (the H is the main pursuer)
⭕️ blackmail
⭕️ forced seduction (mild)
⭕️ dubious consents (mild)
⭕️ murderous stalker
⭕️ death threats on h
⭕️ no OW/OM drama (well slight OM drama which is the husband- H’s father)
⭕️ past abuse/rap€ (off page but it’s mentioned a few times so it could be triggering for some people)
March 26, 2024
While I don't think I'll reread this book (my usual standard for five star reviews) this book did and delivered everything the blurb said. The prose are beautiful and rich and enthralling. Definitely worth your time, and please check out more books by Nenia Campbell. The symbolism and consistency, the surprises and the neat tying up of all threads... This book was poignantly relevant and delightfully disturbing.
September 20, 2024
Wow what an ending!!! The start that will have you suspecting everyone, and possibly disliking everyone. But as you move along and fall for Donni and Rafe and the kills get more intense by the end you’ll be on the edge of your seat lol or standing and shouting at the characters! Such a great ending!
October 2, 2024
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Pretty much what my brain was doing during this book
Pretty much what my brain was doing during this book
Read
October 19, 2024DNF
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