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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
Wow
What an amazing read.....I can't write too much as I'm off to start book 2!!
Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys thriller, smut, horror, suspense
What an amazing read.....I can't write too much as I'm off to start book 2!!
Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys thriller, smut, horror, suspense
Thissssss was the most fucked up thing I’ve ever read. I had to ffw through parts. That being said, it was still kinda good- 3.5 ⭐️
I was curious because it’s such a populair book, but it isn’t for me
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Trigger warning
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton is an exercise in toxic romance masquerading as a thriller. It’s a book that wants to be edgy, dark, and compelling, but instead comes off as a cringe-worthy attempt at romanticizing abuse and obsession, leaving readers with more discomfort than intrigue.
The premise has potential. A woman is stalked by a man with a shadowy past, and the two begin an intense, deeply flawed relationship. However, the execution falters at nearly every turn.
The male lead, Zade, is an unlikable, over-the-top caricature of the “bad boy” archetype—violent, possessive, and somehow supposedly irresistible. Unfortunately, he’s less of a tortured soul and more of a walking red flag, a character who’s difficult to sympathize with when his idea of love seems more like a deranged power play than anything resembling mutual respect.
Adeline, the female protagonist, isn’t much better. She fluctuates between being a damsel in distress and an inexplicably accepting participant in Zade’s erratic behavior. Instead of exploring the psychological depth of abuse and obsession, the book frequently skirts over these serious themes to indulge in gratuitous scenes of violence, control, and manipulation that never quite serve the narrative in a meaningful way. The romance, if you can call it that, is less about connection and more about the toxic chemistry between two people who should never, under any circumstance, end up together.
The pacing is another issue—far too slow in some places, with repetitive scenes that add nothing but filler. There’s a lack of substance to the plot beyond the forced “will-they-won’t-they” tension, and the twists, when they come, feel predictable and often contrived.
Perhaps the most glaring issue with Haunting Adeline is the way it romanticizes unhealthy relationships. The novel seems to relish in the idea of a “possessive” lover as some kind of thrilling fantasy, which could be dangerous for readers who don’t critically examine the message it’s sending. Abuse, manipulation, and control should not be glamorized, yet this book doesn’t seem interested in exploring the real consequences of those behaviors. Instead, it seems more preoccupied with presenting them as part of some twisted fairy tale romance.
In conclusion, Haunting Adeline tries to be dark and edgy but falls flat, offering little more than a toxic relationship dressed up as a thriller. It’s hard to call it a true psychological thriller when it’s more focused on salacious, melodramatic antics than any meaningful exploration of its characters or themes. If you’re looking for a romance with depth or a thriller with suspense, this is not it. It’s a hot mess of clichés and problematic dynamics that will leave most readers with a sour taste.
Rate : 2/5 Stars.
The premise has potential. A woman is stalked by a man with a shadowy past, and the two begin an intense, deeply flawed relationship. However, the execution falters at nearly every turn.
The male lead, Zade, is an unlikable, over-the-top caricature of the “bad boy” archetype—violent, possessive, and somehow supposedly irresistible. Unfortunately, he’s less of a tortured soul and more of a walking red flag, a character who’s difficult to sympathize with when his idea of love seems more like a deranged power play than anything resembling mutual respect.
Adeline, the female protagonist, isn’t much better. She fluctuates between being a damsel in distress and an inexplicably accepting participant in Zade’s erratic behavior. Instead of exploring the psychological depth of abuse and obsession, the book frequently skirts over these serious themes to indulge in gratuitous scenes of violence, control, and manipulation that never quite serve the narrative in a meaningful way. The romance, if you can call it that, is less about connection and more about the toxic chemistry between two people who should never, under any circumstance, end up together.
The pacing is another issue—far too slow in some places, with repetitive scenes that add nothing but filler. There’s a lack of substance to the plot beyond the forced “will-they-won’t-they” tension, and the twists, when they come, feel predictable and often contrived.
Perhaps the most glaring issue with Haunting Adeline is the way it romanticizes unhealthy relationships. The novel seems to relish in the idea of a “possessive” lover as some kind of thrilling fantasy, which could be dangerous for readers who don’t critically examine the message it’s sending. Abuse, manipulation, and control should not be glamorized, yet this book doesn’t seem interested in exploring the real consequences of those behaviors. Instead, it seems more preoccupied with presenting them as part of some twisted fairy tale romance.
In conclusion, Haunting Adeline tries to be dark and edgy but falls flat, offering little more than a toxic relationship dressed up as a thriller. It’s hard to call it a true psychological thriller when it’s more focused on salacious, melodramatic antics than any meaningful exploration of its characters or themes. If you’re looking for a romance with depth or a thriller with suspense, this is not it. It’s a hot mess of clichés and problematic dynamics that will leave most readers with a sour taste.
Rate : 2/5 Stars.
slow-paced
dark
tense
medium-paced
I read this expecting to LOL instead I was kinda traumatized lmfao. It's written well-enough but I couldn't get behind this as a romance. As an exploration of Stockholm syndrome? Yes. I just wish it hadn't ended the way that it did. I really would've preferred it if Adeline just ended up murdering Zade and regaining control of her life.
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes