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rizzzin 's review for:
Haunting Adeline
by H.D. Carlton
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“Haunting Adeline” by H.D. Carlton – A Dark, Twisted, and Utterly Addictive Ride
I just finished Haunting Adeline, and I feel like I’ve been put through an emotional rollercoaster. This book made me feel so many things—excitement, thrill, unease, shock, obsession, and even heartbreak. It exceeded my expectations in ways I never saw coming. Without a doubt, 5/5 stars. It’s dark, sensual, dangerous, and utterly intoxicating. I’m completely in love with the story, in love with the characters, and in love with the way H.D. Carlton crafted this book.
Before I got into self-help books, thrillers were my first love. After a long reading slump, I eased back into books with self-help, then rom-coms, and eventually dark romance. My first dark romance (Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight) was brutal and traumatizing, but I realized not all dark romances are that extreme. Then came Credence by Penelope Douglas, and now Haunting Adeline—which is hands down the best of the three.
One of the things I loved the most? It felt like I was reading multiple stories in one book. This isn’t just a stalker romance—it’s a thriller, a murder mystery, and a vigilante story all at once:
• Adeline and Zade’s dark, obsessive romance, which started with him stalking her but evolved into something so much deeper.
• The mystery behind Adeline’s great-grandmother Gigi’s murder, where I found myself analyzing clues, guessing suspects, and trying to figure out the truth.
• Zade’s life as the founder of Z, an underground vigilante group dedicated to hunting down the worst criminals—human traffickers, abusers, and predators.
• Zade’s skills as a hacker, which made him even more dangerous and intriguing.
It was like reading several gripping thrillers at the same time, yet everything connected perfectly. I was constantly shifting between romantic tension, psychological suspense, crime, and raw emotion—and I loved every second of it.
And then there were the journal entries. At the end of each chapter, Gigi’s journal pieces were woven into the story, slowly revealing details about her tragic past and her murder. I loved reading them because they made me feel like a detective, trying to piece together who really killed Gigi. And yes, I guessed it was Frank from the beginning. But the plot twist behind why he did it? I never saw that coming.
Of course, I can’t talk about this book without mentioning Zade. I fell for him, even though I know I shouldn’t. He’s unhinged, possessive, obsessive, and absolutely terrifying at times. In real life, I’d be his biggest hater. But in this fictional world? I was obsessed. He wasn’t just some creep lurking in the shadows—he was also a man with a purpose, a mission, and a code of justice that no one else had the courage to act on. The way he hunted down predators, his insane hacking abilities, his fierce protectiveness over Adeline—it all made him one of the most compelling characters I’ve read in dark romance.
And Adeline? She was equally strong, equally complex, and her friendship with Daya was one of my favorite things in the book. I loved how Daya was the kind of best friend who wouldn’t judge but would still fiercely protect her. That level of loyalty and trust in their friendship was just as gripping as the romance.
And let’s talk about the rated R scenes. H.D. Carlton did not hold back. The sex scenes? Absolutely insane. The tension, the build-up, the raw intensity—it was all so hot. Zade himself is just ridiculously sexy, and every single scene between him and Adeline was on another level. I was literally sweating while reading. It was the kind of spice that leaves you breathless, your heart pounding, and your mind reeling. Dark, forbidden, and completely addictive.
And then, THAT ENDING.
I wasn’t expecting a cliffhanger that would destroy me, but here we are. I was planning to read other books before jumping into Hunting Adeline, but there’s no way I can do that now. I NEED answers. Who betrayed Zade? Who set him up? And what the hell is going to happen to Adeline?
If you love dark romance with thriller elements, jaw-dropping twists, morally gray characters, and an intense, unforgettable love story, Haunting Adeline is it. It’s haunting, addictive, and deeply unsettling in the best way. Easily one of my favorite reads of the year. Now excuse me while I dive straight into Hunting Adeline.
I just finished Haunting Adeline, and I feel like I’ve been put through an emotional rollercoaster. This book made me feel so many things—excitement, thrill, unease, shock, obsession, and even heartbreak. It exceeded my expectations in ways I never saw coming. Without a doubt, 5/5 stars. It’s dark, sensual, dangerous, and utterly intoxicating. I’m completely in love with the story, in love with the characters, and in love with the way H.D. Carlton crafted this book.
Before I got into self-help books, thrillers were my first love. After a long reading slump, I eased back into books with self-help, then rom-coms, and eventually dark romance. My first dark romance (Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight) was brutal and traumatizing, but I realized not all dark romances are that extreme. Then came Credence by Penelope Douglas, and now Haunting Adeline—which is hands down the best of the three.
One of the things I loved the most? It felt like I was reading multiple stories in one book. This isn’t just a stalker romance—it’s a thriller, a murder mystery, and a vigilante story all at once:
• Adeline and Zade’s dark, obsessive romance, which started with him stalking her but evolved into something so much deeper.
• The mystery behind Adeline’s great-grandmother Gigi’s murder, where I found myself analyzing clues, guessing suspects, and trying to figure out the truth.
• Zade’s life as the founder of Z, an underground vigilante group dedicated to hunting down the worst criminals—human traffickers, abusers, and predators.
• Zade’s skills as a hacker, which made him even more dangerous and intriguing.
It was like reading several gripping thrillers at the same time, yet everything connected perfectly. I was constantly shifting between romantic tension, psychological suspense, crime, and raw emotion—and I loved every second of it.
And then there were the journal entries. At the end of each chapter, Gigi’s journal pieces were woven into the story, slowly revealing details about her tragic past and her murder. I loved reading them because they made me feel like a detective, trying to piece together who really killed Gigi. And yes, I guessed it was Frank from the beginning. But the plot twist behind why he did it? I never saw that coming.
Of course, I can’t talk about this book without mentioning Zade. I fell for him, even though I know I shouldn’t. He’s unhinged, possessive, obsessive, and absolutely terrifying at times. In real life, I’d be his biggest hater. But in this fictional world? I was obsessed. He wasn’t just some creep lurking in the shadows—he was also a man with a purpose, a mission, and a code of justice that no one else had the courage to act on. The way he hunted down predators, his insane hacking abilities, his fierce protectiveness over Adeline—it all made him one of the most compelling characters I’ve read in dark romance.
And Adeline? She was equally strong, equally complex, and her friendship with Daya was one of my favorite things in the book. I loved how Daya was the kind of best friend who wouldn’t judge but would still fiercely protect her. That level of loyalty and trust in their friendship was just as gripping as the romance.
And let’s talk about the rated R scenes. H.D. Carlton did not hold back. The sex scenes? Absolutely insane. The tension, the build-up, the raw intensity—it was all so hot. Zade himself is just ridiculously sexy, and every single scene between him and Adeline was on another level. I was literally sweating while reading. It was the kind of spice that leaves you breathless, your heart pounding, and your mind reeling. Dark, forbidden, and completely addictive.
And then, THAT ENDING.
I wasn’t expecting a cliffhanger that would destroy me, but here we are. I was planning to read other books before jumping into Hunting Adeline, but there’s no way I can do that now. I NEED answers. Who betrayed Zade? Who set him up? And what the hell is going to happen to Adeline?
If you love dark romance with thriller elements, jaw-dropping twists, morally gray characters, and an intense, unforgettable love story, Haunting Adeline is it. It’s haunting, addictive, and deeply unsettling in the best way. Easily one of my favorite reads of the year. Now excuse me while I dive straight into Hunting Adeline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Stalking, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, Cannibalism, Death of parent