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25 reviews for:
Phobia: A Dark Romance Anthology
Fae Quin, J. Dylan, Victoria Woods, Roxanna C Revell, L.K. Reid, A.L. Woods, Ashlyn Drewek, Nyla K., Hellie Heat, Michaela Cole, S.M. Landon, Marie Ann
4.11 AVERAGE
25 reviews for:
Phobia: A Dark Romance Anthology
Fae Quin, J. Dylan, Victoria Woods, Roxanna C Revell, L.K. Reid, A.L. Woods, Ashlyn Drewek, Nyla K., Hellie Heat, Michaela Cole, S.M. Landon, Marie Ann
4.11 AVERAGE
Phobia is a perfectly spooky and haunting anthology that I could not get enough of. Listed below are my favorite entries in this fantastic anthology.
Mortem Obire by Ashlyn Drewek brings you back into the Tennenbrose world. In this story, you follow best friends Jamie and Larkin. They have been best friends since they were thirteen and are completely devoted to one another. The friendship and devotion between these two was my favorite aspect of the story. It really made me root for these guys, especially when they had so much to overcome.
Overall I loved this thrill ride from beginning to end. I loved how I never really knew where this story would go and was pleasantly surprised throughout, especially with all of the character reveals. Together Jamie and Larkin go through so much in their story. I love how they worked together and faced their demons while remaining true to one another. Such a fantastically spooky story!!
Mask of Malice by Michaela Cole is a perfectly dark thrilling "romance." This story follows Zane and Graysin as they experience quite a dangerous encounter with one another. Zane is a complicated character who is recovering from his grief after losing a family member. Graysin is working towards healing from past trauma and moving forward with his life. They are brought together through tragedy while playing quite a dangerous game.
I loved how I never really knew where this story was going. I was thrown for quite a loop while reading the last chapter to the point that I reread this story again and had such a great experience after a certain reveal. Loved the dangerous atmosphere throughout this story and genuinely feared for Graysin, he is a strong character who really proved himself.
No Sleep by Nyla K is a fantastic thrilling romance between Asa, who has such a heartbreaking backstory, and his new neighbor Jules who comes into his life at the perfect moment to help Asa heal and recover from his intense trauma.
Together they both go on such a journey, where we meet unique side characters while maintaining such an eerie atmosphere throughout this haunting story. Loved it so much and cannot wait to see these characters again.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Mortem Obire by Ashlyn Drewek brings you back into the Tennenbrose world. In this story, you follow best friends Jamie and Larkin. They have been best friends since they were thirteen and are completely devoted to one another. The friendship and devotion between these two was my favorite aspect of the story. It really made me root for these guys, especially when they had so much to overcome.
Overall I loved this thrill ride from beginning to end. I loved how I never really knew where this story would go and was pleasantly surprised throughout, especially with all of the character reveals. Together Jamie and Larkin go through so much in their story. I love how they worked together and faced their demons while remaining true to one another. Such a fantastically spooky story!!
Mask of Malice by Michaela Cole is a perfectly dark thrilling "romance." This story follows Zane and Graysin as they experience quite a dangerous encounter with one another. Zane is a complicated character who is recovering from his grief after losing a family member. Graysin is working towards healing from past trauma and moving forward with his life. They are brought together through tragedy while playing quite a dangerous game.
I loved how I never really knew where this story was going. I was thrown for quite a loop while reading the last chapter to the point that I reread this story again and had such a great experience after a certain reveal. Loved the dangerous atmosphere throughout this story and genuinely feared for Graysin, he is a strong character who really proved himself.
No Sleep by Nyla K is a fantastic thrilling romance between Asa, who has such a heartbreaking backstory, and his new neighbor Jules who comes into his life at the perfect moment to help Asa heal and recover from his intense trauma.
Together they both go on such a journey, where we meet unique side characters while maintaining such an eerie atmosphere throughout this haunting story. Loved it so much and cannot wait to see these characters again.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
First off I want to say I do not like books full of short stories. My reasoning is because you get into a story and then bam!!! It is over. I feel like the stories could continue on. That being said, I was asked to read this book of short stories and here are my reviews on the ones I read.
Scopaesthesia by: A.L. Woods ☆☆☆☆☆
This was the first story in the book and I loved it. It was a spooky read with dark elements. The main characters have quite the background. I would have loved to read a full book on how they came to be. They like to be physical on a whole new level. The risk of being caught really pushes their seduction to a whole new high. Add into this mix the mystery of a wax museum and mysterious figures within and you have a perfect horror mystery. I would love a full book on this one, but enjoyed the short story.
Songbird by: Victoria Woods ☆☆☆☆☆
Wow! Just wow! This story blew me away. If you readers are familiar with this author and have read her book Numinous, then you are in for a treat. This is the story of “Gran” when she was human and how she came to be. Follow the Easter Eggs in this one.
This book has many triggers and is not to be read lightly. So don’t read it if you can’t take it. Just to give you a few examples: physical and mental abuse, addiction, very different sexual experiences, horror, voodoo occult like magic, multiple sex partners to one person, etc. Don’t give it a bad review because you are squeamish.
On that note:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have never read a short story that I didn’t feel was missing key parts or cut too short, when I was done. With that being said, this book left me feeling complete and I didn’t feel like it was missing anything. The story felt full and detailed. It was dark, dangerous and filthy.
The characters were strange and unusual in their own ways. Bastion was dark, mysterious, depraved and sinful. Rosalie was sweet, innocent and very curious. Curious in a time when sex was meant for marriage and most marriages were arranged.
This story is dark, sinful, alluring, hypnotizing and steamy. The heat level of the story is a ten blowing up. I enjoyed the dark and spooky elements along with the setting in the cemetery. It is a page turner that you can’t put down. It will draw you in and captivate you. I applaud Ms. Woods on a job well done.
Scopaesthesia by: A.L. Woods ☆☆☆☆☆
This was the first story in the book and I loved it. It was a spooky read with dark elements. The main characters have quite the background. I would have loved to read a full book on how they came to be. They like to be physical on a whole new level. The risk of being caught really pushes their seduction to a whole new high. Add into this mix the mystery of a wax museum and mysterious figures within and you have a perfect horror mystery. I would love a full book on this one, but enjoyed the short story.
Songbird by: Victoria Woods ☆☆☆☆☆
Wow! Just wow! This story blew me away. If you readers are familiar with this author and have read her book Numinous, then you are in for a treat. This is the story of “Gran” when she was human and how she came to be. Follow the Easter Eggs in this one.
This book has many triggers and is not to be read lightly. So don’t read it if you can’t take it. Just to give you a few examples: physical and mental abuse, addiction, very different sexual experiences, horror, voodoo occult like magic, multiple sex partners to one person, etc. Don’t give it a bad review because you are squeamish.
On that note:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have never read a short story that I didn’t feel was missing key parts or cut too short, when I was done. With that being said, this book left me feeling complete and I didn’t feel like it was missing anything. The story felt full and detailed. It was dark, dangerous and filthy.
The characters were strange and unusual in their own ways. Bastion was dark, mysterious, depraved and sinful. Rosalie was sweet, innocent and very curious. Curious in a time when sex was meant for marriage and most marriages were arranged.
This story is dark, sinful, alluring, hypnotizing and steamy. The heat level of the story is a ten blowing up. I enjoyed the dark and spooky elements along with the setting in the cemetery. It is a page turner that you can’t put down. It will draw you in and captivate you. I applaud Ms. Woods on a job well done.
This Anthology was a wild ride.
The creepy horror vibes in most of them were perfect for Halloween and nothing gets your heart racing like spooks and love.
Personally, I enjoyed the MM novellas way more than the MF ones — some MF stories I couldn’t even manage to get through the first chapter.
Overall, I enjoyed it more than not, and the 5 star stories are definitely worth it.
‼️There are spoilers ahead, so proceed at your own risk.‼️
Side note: what was up with the fucking geese?! Was I hallucinating, or did most authors drop a little goose Easter egg in the middle of their story? I felt like I was going crazy.
This review might be a little all over the place, but let’s embrace the chaos, shall we?
The creepy horror vibes in most of them were perfect for Halloween and nothing gets your heart racing like spooks and love.
Personally, I enjoyed the MM novellas way more than the MF ones — some MF stories I couldn’t even manage to get through the first chapter.
Overall, I enjoyed it more than not, and the 5 star stories are definitely worth it.
‼️There are spoilers ahead, so proceed at your own risk.‼️
Side note: what was up with the fucking geese?! Was I hallucinating, or did most authors drop a little goose Easter egg in the middle of their story? I felt like I was going crazy.
This review might be a little all over the place, but let’s embrace the chaos, shall we?
Chills and Thrills
What goes bump in the dark that gives you chills? What makes you look over your shoulder and feel phantom fingers touching your neck? What do you see when you close your eyes? All the answers to these questions and more lie in Phobia. Are you brave enough to face your fears, and just maybe find love along the way?
Mortem Obire by Ashlyn Drewek
“Believe in the power of Halloween.” I’ve always loved Halloween. It’s my favorite time of year, so imagine my happiness when it’s paired with BFs to lovers. Jamie and Larkin already have an unbreakable bond but oh how my heart hurt as we learned about their pasts. I have a weakness for long-time friends who fall in love and these two would do anything for the other. What happens in this story only cements my love and beliefs I have for this powerful holiday.
No Sleep by Nyla K.
“You’re like… a dream. When everything else is a nightmare.” Ah my poor Asa, I felt it all for him. To live life as he does isn’t truly living and it was heartbreaking to see. Enter Jules who is full of kindness, life, and happiness. Through their fast friendship, which quickly heats up, they discover the beauty of dreams and love together.
Becoming His Angel by S.M. Landon
“He is the night made just for me. The darkness in his soul fits me like a glove.” I have a huge soft spot for possessive stalkery-type characters who have no shame about their actions and will do whatever it takes to keep what they view as theirs. So meeting Anthony and Delorean was a delight! I loved how these two meshed together so completely and how through darkness these two not only found light and love, but a home.
What goes bump in the dark that gives you chills? What makes you look over your shoulder and feel phantom fingers touching your neck? What do you see when you close your eyes? All the answers to these questions and more lie in Phobia. Are you brave enough to face your fears, and just maybe find love along the way?
Mortem Obire by Ashlyn Drewek
“Believe in the power of Halloween.” I’ve always loved Halloween. It’s my favorite time of year, so imagine my happiness when it’s paired with BFs to lovers. Jamie and Larkin already have an unbreakable bond but oh how my heart hurt as we learned about their pasts. I have a weakness for long-time friends who fall in love and these two would do anything for the other. What happens in this story only cements my love and beliefs I have for this powerful holiday.
No Sleep by Nyla K.
“You’re like… a dream. When everything else is a nightmare.” Ah my poor Asa, I felt it all for him. To live life as he does isn’t truly living and it was heartbreaking to see. Enter Jules who is full of kindness, life, and happiness. Through their fast friendship, which quickly heats up, they discover the beauty of dreams and love together.
Becoming His Angel by S.M. Landon
“He is the night made just for me. The darkness in his soul fits me like a glove.” I have a huge soft spot for possessive stalkery-type characters who have no shame about their actions and will do whatever it takes to keep what they view as theirs. So meeting Anthony and Delorean was a delight! I loved how these two meshed together so completely and how through darkness these two not only found light and love, but a home.
Great read.
There were so many good short stories in the anthology. Lots of new, to me, authors with characters I want to read more about.
Loved Scopaesthesia by A.L. Woods- this one was an epilogue story to another book of hers, I hadn't read this previous book and you didn't need to have. Loved the characters and will be reading the other books featuring them.
No Sleep by Nyla K was so good too. Such a heart-breaking core to the story but loved Asa and Jules together, they were so cute together. I loved how Jules supported As a when he needed it. Also loved the little teaser view of Rory and Pup-iykyk.
There were so many good short stories in the anthology. Lots of new, to me, authors with characters I want to read more about.
Loved Scopaesthesia by A.L. Woods- this one was an epilogue story to another book of hers, I hadn't read this previous book and you didn't need to have. Loved the characters and will be reading the other books featuring them.
No Sleep by Nyla K was so good too. Such a heart-breaking core to the story but loved Asa and Jules together, they were so cute together. I loved how Jules supported As a when he needed it. Also loved the little teaser view of Rory and Pup-iykyk.
Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. Larkin has been Jamie's rock in his unsteady world. Keeping the darkness away, only it's more then friendship either want. After a scare from a ghost, Dr. Corbin explaining to Jamie that he was a medium. Leaving Larkin in the dark because how could he explain that. That is until a past monster has one very disturbing mindset to finish wht they started.
Scopaesthesia 0⭐️
By: A.L. Woods
Katrina & Adam
Dnf - boring. Annoyed by use of “tapered eyes”
Mortem Obire 5⭐️
By: Ashlyn Drewek
Jamie & Larkin
Enjoyed the story, kept me interested. Liked the little
twist at the end.
Pockets Deep in Darker Waters0⭐️
By: Fae Quin
Henry & Oliver
DNF chapter 2. POV is weird. Can’t always tell who is talking or thinking.
The Taste of Crimson 3⭐️
By: Hellie Heat
Adrien & Silas
Pretty intense beginning. Standard vigilante vampire middle. Bloody douche fountain ending, that was new for me.
Lobo 1⭐️
By: J. Dylan
Silas & Cressida
Terrible story. Typos. 0-60 in a clunky fashion
Something Sinister This Way Comes 1⭐️
By: L.K. Reid
Lazarus & Danika
Hated it. Stupid surprise baby. Stupid limbo ending.
Static 2⭐️
By: Mari Ann
Static & Madison
What the fuck did I just read?
Mask of Sin 3⭐️
By: Michaela Cole
Graysin & Kellen/Zane
Nice twist. (Spoiler)I thought demon might be Kellen!
No Sleep 3⭐️
By: Nyla K
Jules & Asa
It’s was interesting. Many typos. Bonus points for “flamingies”
Toko 2 ⭐️
By: Roxanna C. Revell
Naomi & Dom
Well I’ve found the only thing I hate more than surprise pregnancy, forced pregnancy. But I did like Naomi’s tenacity.
Becoming His Angel 4⭐️
By: S.M. Landon
Anthony & Delorean
This one was good! There were some typos though.
Songbird 2⭐️
By: Victoria Wood
Rosalie & Bastien
What was the phobia? Terms that weren’t in use in 1725 were used pulling me from the story. Breaking the 4th wall with Bastiens POV was jarring. The ending was unsatisfying.
By: A.L. Woods
Katrina & Adam
Dnf - boring. Annoyed by use of “tapered eyes”
Mortem Obire 5⭐️
By: Ashlyn Drewek
Jamie & Larkin
Enjoyed the story, kept me interested. Liked the little
twist at the end.
Pockets Deep in Darker Waters0⭐️
By: Fae Quin
Henry & Oliver
DNF chapter 2. POV is weird. Can’t always tell who is talking or thinking.
The Taste of Crimson 3⭐️
By: Hellie Heat
Adrien & Silas
Pretty intense beginning. Standard vigilante vampire middle. Bloody douche fountain ending, that was new for me.
Lobo 1⭐️
By: J. Dylan
Silas & Cressida
Terrible story. Typos. 0-60 in a clunky fashion
Something Sinister This Way Comes 1⭐️
By: L.K. Reid
Lazarus & Danika
Hated it. Stupid surprise baby. Stupid limbo ending.
Static 2⭐️
By: Mari Ann
Static & Madison
What the fuck did I just read?
Mask of Sin 3⭐️
By: Michaela Cole
Graysin & Kellen/Zane
Nice twist. (Spoiler)I thought demon might be Kellen!
No Sleep 3⭐️
By: Nyla K
Jules & Asa
It’s was interesting. Many typos. Bonus points for “flamingies”
Toko 2 ⭐️
By: Roxanna C. Revell
Naomi & Dom
Well I’ve found the only thing I hate more than surprise pregnancy, forced pregnancy. But I did like Naomi’s tenacity.
Becoming His Angel 4⭐️
By: S.M. Landon
Anthony & Delorean
This one was good! There were some typos though.
Songbird 2⭐️
By: Victoria Wood
Rosalie & Bastien
What was the phobia? Terms that weren’t in use in 1725 were used pulling me from the story. Breaking the 4th wall with Bastiens POV was jarring. The ending was unsatisfying.
Mortem Obire by Ashlyn Drewek - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Full review can be found under novella’s page.
Pockets Deep in Darker Waters - Fae Quin
Full review can be found under novella’s page.
Pockets Deep in Darker Waters - Fae Quin
3.5/5
Static by Marie Ann — 4.5/5
OMG IT WAS AMAZING. Why was it so short? I need more. I hope Marie decides to make it a full-length novel, because I'm obsessed. The rating is not five stars, only because I wanted it to be longer.
A crazy clown who calls you 'darlin'? Yes please.
I will pray every day for this novella to become a book.
No sleep by Nyla K — 2.5/5
Pretty disappointed in this story. I wanted to read this anthology mainly because of Nyla K, but I didn't like the development of the relationships here at all. I know it's a novella, so it's hard to create a relationship between the main characters where you can see that they really love each other, but here the "I love you" after a week where they didn't even meet that much felt flat.
At least this short story introduced some new characters which I think will be fun to read about. A new series by Nyla about a Riot Park? It sounds so good. I can’t wait.
Static by Marie Ann — 4.5/5
OMG IT WAS AMAZING. Why was it so short? I need more. I hope Marie decides to make it a full-length novel, because I'm obsessed. The rating is not five stars, only because I wanted it to be longer.
A crazy clown who calls you 'darlin'? Yes please.
“Suck on my ax, darlin’.” Gooseflesh takes over my entire body."
I will pray every day for this novella to become a book.
No sleep by Nyla K — 2.5/5
Pretty disappointed in this story. I wanted to read this anthology mainly because of Nyla K, but I didn't like the development of the relationships here at all. I know it's a novella, so it's hard to create a relationship between the main characters where you can see that they really love each other, but here the "I love you" after a week where they didn't even meet that much felt flat.
At least this short story introduced some new characters which I think will be fun to read about. A new series by Nyla about a Riot Park? It sounds so good. I can’t wait.