Haunting Adeline, by H.D. Carlton

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 4/5

Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 | 4/5

Subgenre & Type: Dark Romance | MF

Tropes & Microtropes: Cat & Mouse, Stalker, Paranormal Undertones, Con-Non-Con, Primal Play, Gun Play, Bondage, Degradation.

Series Details: Book 1 of 2 | End in a Cliffhanger | Complete Series | Cat and Mouse Duet

Format Details: Kindle Unlimited | Physical Print | Audible | Published by Hailey Carlton | 608 Pages

Haunting Adeline holds a special place in our hearts as our first foray into Dark Romance. We are introduced to Adeline Reilly, a young author who relocates to her family's home in Washington state after her grandmother's passing, only to discover she's being stalked. The culprit is Zade Meadows, leader of an underground organization fighting human trafficking. With her friend Daya's support, Adeline delves into the secrets of her family’s home, uncovering her great-grandmother's murder while also keeping Zade at arm's length. Narrated from Adeline and Zade's perspectives, the novel provides insight into their conflicting emotions. Zade struggles with his primal tendencies toward Adeline, giving her no choice until she reciprocates his feelings. Despite his role as her stalker, he becomes her unexpected protector. As Zade battles the Society, a group of powerful figures engaging in ritualistic child sacrifices, his complex relationship with Adeline deepens. Despite his dark actions, Zade emerges as a unique knight in shining armor. The novel's abrupt conclusion leaves us eager for the next installment in the Cat and Mouse duet.

Content Warnings: Dubious consent, consensual non-consent, mentions of child trafficking, mentions of child death, violence.