A review by spinebinding
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

dark fast-paced

2.0

A PWP read.  I did not come to this story for the plot but was hoping for more of a gothic romance that focused on the uncertainty if the stalker is a ghost or not, but it reads more like a mafia romance.  It's not the worse book I've ever read, but the story is very q-anon that threatens to exhibit antisemitic sentiments.  The author does acknowledge this in what is essentially an author's note in the beginning of the book but lacks the skill to make an actually nuanced story with problematic, morally gray characters.  Her writing feels like she is force feeding her audience, making the thoughts, feelings, and actions of her character explicit, no matter how obvious the implications should be.  Overall an awkward read that I stuck through for the same reason I watch a train wreck.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Antisemitism, Torture, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Murder, Kidnapping, Gun violence, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Pedophilia, Child death, and Child abuse

A major aspect of the book deals with a fantastical and highly fictional depiction of the human trafficking of women and children for the purpose of being sexually abused by people in political or financial power. While brief descriptions of violence is given, the sexual abuse of children is never depicted or described in detail. This is a dark romance novel, heavy on the dark, and the author gives trigger warnings in the beginning of the book. Take them seriously.