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A review by thelongroadtosanity
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
"Let me know which stars you prefer. The ones above you, or the ones I make you see. When you make someone fall in love with the darkest parts of you, there's nothing you can do that will scare them away."
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Wow, this is far from what I was expecting when it comes to this read. Adeline is a famous author who has just moved into her recently deceased grandmother's manor. While renovating the house, Addie soon finds red roses in places where they shouldn't be and a dark shadow lurking outside her windows at night... meaning that she has a stalker. After multiple failed attempts for the police to catch him, Addie soon takes things into her own hands and antagonizes her stalker to the point where he comes into her home and puts a gun to her head. After numerous times crossing paths, Addie learns that her stalker, Zade, is a murderous serial killer who goes after sex traffickers. His victims have soon set their sites on his little mouse and the chaos unfolds.....
I knew that this was darker read before I had gotten into it, but I was surprised that there was a more murder-mystery element to it in regards to Addie's great-grandmother's murder. Even though I thought that Adeline was more of a flat character, I really was invested in the plot and the interactions that unfolded between her and Zade. I also liked the alternating perspectives, which was refreshing to see things from both Zade and Addie as they dive deep into their own investigations.
PLEASE make sure you read ALL OF THE TRIGGER WARNINGS before you pick up this book. I can assure you this may not be for everyone. Also make sure to read the disclaimer at the beginning of the book as well. There are a lot of adult themes throughout this book including non-consensual sexual acts (some involving weaponry), very detailed descriptions of gore, murder, torture, pedophilia, and more. (July 2023)
I hate the fact that this book ends on a cliffhanger but I am glad that my friend let me borrow the sequel right away! Happy reading... if you dare ;)
4 out of 5 stars
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Wow, this is far from what I was expecting when it comes to this read. Adeline is a famous author who has just moved into her recently deceased grandmother's manor. While renovating the house, Addie soon finds red roses in places where they shouldn't be and a dark shadow lurking outside her windows at night... meaning that she has a stalker. After multiple failed attempts for the police to catch him, Addie soon takes things into her own hands and antagonizes her stalker to the point where he comes into her home and puts a gun to her head. After numerous times crossing paths, Addie learns that her stalker, Zade, is a murderous serial killer who goes after sex traffickers. His victims have soon set their sites on his little mouse and the chaos unfolds.....
I knew that this was darker read before I had gotten into it, but I was surprised that there was a more murder-mystery element to it in regards to Addie's great-grandmother's murder. Even though I thought that Adeline was more of a flat character, I really was invested in the plot and the interactions that unfolded between her and Zade. I also liked the alternating perspectives, which was refreshing to see things from both Zade and Addie as they dive deep into their own investigations.
PLEASE make sure you read ALL OF THE TRIGGER WARNINGS before you pick up this book. I can assure you this may not be for everyone. Also make sure to read the disclaimer at the beginning of the book as well. There are a lot of adult themes throughout this book including non-consensual sexual acts (some involving weaponry), very detailed descriptions of gore, murder, torture, pedophilia, and more. (July 2023)
I hate the fact that this book ends on a cliffhanger but I am glad that my friend let me borrow the sequel right away! Happy reading... if you dare ;)
4 out of 5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Body horror, Torture, Child death, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Rape, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and Violence