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A review by gigglybookgeek
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
First and for most, READ ALL TRIGGER WARNINGS! Yes, all of them. Every last one. Protect your mental health.
Second, through no fault of the author, but the AI voice Kobo has used for this audiobook was disgraceful. It also ended before the actual book did. Mid sentence. Perhaps I would have given another half staring I had a better experience.
The Manipulator: I get calling Addie that because as an author, she can write words and spin tales. I see her more as socially awkward yet doesn’t like to be told what to do. So sometimes playing a role could be looked at as manipulation. Although, she gets manipulated and so much more. Not to mention living in her grandmother’s haunted mansion.
Daya, her bestie, I absolutely adored her and want to hear more about her. She’s in an interesting position, and doesn’t know it yet.
The Shadow: “Z” is both a hero and an absolute menace. It’s dark Romance for sure. He pushed my boundaries, and had to just keep reminding myself. It’s a dark romance, then keep going. The dubcon/noncon had me pausing to breathe through some things before I could come back. I knew what I was getting into when I started reading. It didn’t mean some triggers didn’t kick up that were tough to keep reading/listening. It also doesn’t mean that I would not want to experience some of the absolute fireworks this man can cause.
Again, this is dark romance. It is not for everyone. I’ll admit I’m a little nervous going into book 2. Here I go through!
Second, through no fault of the author, but the AI voice Kobo has used for this audiobook was disgraceful. It also ended before the actual book did. Mid sentence. Perhaps I would have given another half staring I had a better experience.
The Manipulator: I get calling Addie that because as an author, she can write words and spin tales. I see her more as socially awkward yet doesn’t like to be told what to do. So sometimes playing a role could be looked at as manipulation. Although, she gets manipulated and so much more. Not to mention living in her grandmother’s haunted mansion.
Daya, her bestie, I absolutely adored her and want to hear more about her. She’s in an interesting position, and doesn’t know it yet.
The Shadow: “Z” is both a hero and an absolute menace. It’s dark Romance for sure. He pushed my boundaries, and had to just keep reminding myself. It’s a dark romance, then keep going. The dubcon/noncon had me pausing to breathe through some things before I could come back. I knew what I was getting into when I started reading. It didn’t mean some triggers didn’t kick up that were tough to keep reading/listening. It also doesn’t mean that I would not want to experience some of the absolute fireworks this man can cause.
Again, this is dark romance. It is not for everyone. I’ll admit I’m a little nervous going into book 2. Here I go through!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Sexual harassment