Top positive review
4.0 out of 5 starsAdeline and Zade
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 30, 2023
CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS ⚠️
Haunting Adeline is a dark romance, heavy on the dark side. If that is not your thing, then do not read this book. It is not for the faint of heart.
I am a fan of dark romance and Haunting Adeline really lived up to all the hype.
I enjoyed the writing so much as well as the story. Sometimes it is difficult to find both in one book, but H.D. Carlton has accomplished this.
The descriptive scene building was perfection, I could imagine each place in my head perfectly. Especially the dark, gothic, Parsons Manor, set back in the woods. I want to live there.
Adeline is a well known author who loves to be scared. She lives in her grandmother's house and stumbles upon family secrets. They lead her to start investigating her great-grandmother's murder.
Zade is instantly drawn to Addie, and he knows she will be his. He becomes obsessed with her and keeping her sage from everyone... except himself.
Adeline's character was so real. I loved how she didn't just fall for Zade immediately, as I have seen in many dark/stalker romances. Addie actually takes her time to come to terms with her feelings. It just felt more believable.
Zade is... the perfect stalker. I can't get over him. I already know I am unhinged for my love of fictional stalkers and such, but Zade set the bar so high. There is SO much more to him then just being a stalker though, and I think that's why everyone loves his character so much. Plus he never hides who he truly is, he is 100% always himself and upfront.
The spice level is also intense perfection. I'm not a fan of non-con, which there is some scenes of in this book. But there was something about the way it was written that I didn't get the ick feel I normally do. I think having Adeline's internal struggle with her feelings of hate and desire really help to make those scenes manageable.
There is so much more to this book then all of that as well. There's mystery and thrills, spice and dark themes. It is definitely a great read.