A review by kitsunesdiary
Nightshade by Autumn Woods

dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

📖💌🔪🏉🎓🩸

“Until midnight, a hundred years from now.”

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OH MY GOD— Nightshade had me hooked from the first page. The tension, the mystery, and the chemistry between the characters drew me in instantly. I could feel the weight of Ophelia’s grief and determination, and I instantly related to Ophelia—her vulnerabilities, her inner struggles, and everything about her felt so real. And Alex, he is so complex, mysterious, charming, and funny… I am completely head over heels for him!! I’ll admit I have a thing for broken boys. Alex is such an emotional & soft person beneath his tough exterior.

They are both grumpy, and stubborn which made their witty, back-and-forth banter so much fun to read. The tension & longing was so good!! I am OBSESSED. He falls first and HARD. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I couldn’t get enough of their dynamic.

Nightshade masterfully blends dark academia, enemies-to-lovers, and slow-burn romance. It’s a perfect balance of tension, and raw emotion. As much as Ophelia is on a quest for revenge, the book explores her struggles and how her feelings for Alex evolve, making it a beautiful emotional journey to witness.

The pace of the story is perfect— the plot unfolds naturally while still keeping you on the edge of your seat. The writing is nothing short of STUNNING. It’s incredibly poetic, with beautiful, evocative descriptions that painted vivid pictures in my mind. I was completely immersed in the world, and I felt like I was right there. The atmosphere and world-building are so rich that you can practically feel the chill of the Scottish air and the weight of the secrets that hang in the shadows.

But that ending?! I was NOT prepared for the cliffhanger, now I can’t wait for the second book. If you're after a dark, captivating read with stunning prose and a romance that’ll keep you hooked, Nightshade is a must.

💌: i’m so grateful, thank you so SO much for the ARC Autumn Woods & Lovenotes PR !! I was beyond excited for this book, and it exceeded every expectation I had 🫠🫶🏻

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🏰 Book tropes:
➳ hate to love
➳ grumpy x grumpy
➳ dark academia 
➳ Scottish castle setting
➳ creepy events
➳ email banter
➳ rainy weather
➳ rugby player MMC & swimmer FMC (not a sports romance!)
➳ old grudge & mysterious murder
➳ an anonymous stalker