Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet)

Haunting Adeline is long, intense, and unapologetically atmospheric and it never once lost my attention. The story unfolded vividly in my head, and instead of dragging, it pulled me deeper the further I went. The gothic atmosphere is what truly sets this book apart. The house, the shadows, the constant unease, and the journal entries create something heavy and haunting. This doesn’t read like a standard romance with dark elements, it feels closer to a psychological gothic thriller that happens to revolve around obsession and desire. The mood is immersive, oppressive, and it lingers. Adeline and Zade are compelling, but their dynamic is not meant to be comfortable. It’s twisted, obsessive, and deliberately unsettling. This is a story that leans into morally grey, and often outright disturbing territory, and it doesn’t soften or apologise for it. If you’re looking for a healthy romance or clear‑cut consent dynamics, this will not be the book for you. Possible spoiler: One of the strongest elements is the dual storyline woven through Gigi’s letters. Following Adeline’s great‑grandmother’s affair, her stalker, and the unravelling of her cold‑case murder adds real depth and gives the book a generational, almost cursed feeling. It grounds the darkness in something larger than shock value and gives the story a sense of purpose and inevitability. That cliff hanger, while expected, still lands hard and it’s clear this is only half the story. Overall, Haunting Adeline is dark, gothic, and addictive, but it’s also confronting. I’ll be picking up Hunting Adeline soon.

Haunting Adeline is an electrifying experience that intertwines elements of murder mystery, dark romance, and chilling obsession, culminating in a narrative that's as haunting as its title suggests. H.D. Carlton skillfully crafts a tale that grips the reader from the very first page and doesn't let go until the last. Plot and Themes: At its core, Haunting Adeline dances between suspense and seduction. The story follows Adeline, a woman ensnared in a web of danger and desire as she grapples with a mysterious stalker whose intentions blur the lines between obsession and romance. The murder mystery aspect keeps you guessing; secrets unravel and bodies pile up, creating an atmosphere thick with tension. The author deftly explores themes of trauma, power, and the complexity of human relationships, which lends depth to what could easily have been a straightforward thriller. Characters: Adeline is a well-rounded protagonist, imbued with both strength and vulnerability. Her journey of self-discovery amidst chaos is compelling, and you can't help but root for her as she navigates the treacherous waters of her stalker’s intentions. The stalker himself is a beautifully twisted character—charming yet terrifying—who exemplifies the dark allure that characterizes so many figures in this genre. Their dynamic is fraught with tension, and the psychological games they play are both captivating and unsettling. Writing Style: Carlton's writing is sharp and evocative, painting vivid scenes that pull you into Adeline’s tumultuous world. The pacing of the story is expertly handled, balancing moments of slow-burning tension with rapid-fire twists that leave you breathless. The dialogue sparkles and feels authentic, enhancing the overall mood of the novel. Spice Factor: As for the “off the chart spicy” aspect, Carlton does not shy away from blending heat with darkness. The intimate encounters are as steamy as they are charged with underlying tension, making for some truly unforgettable scenes. The chemistry between Adeline and her stalker is palpable, traversing the line between passion and peril, leaving readers both exhilarated and on edge. Conclusion: Haunting Adeline is not for the faint of heart; it's a wild ride through the shadows of obsession and desire, expertly layered with a gripping murder mystery. H.D. Carlton has crafted a tale that’s both engrossing and unnerving, leaving readers to ponder the fine line between love and madness. If you’re a fan of dark romance with a side of suspense, this book is an absolute must-read. Brace yourself for an unforgettable journey into the depths of desire and danger.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟This is a very dark adult romance/thriller. You are forewarned that there is plenty of strong language, graphic sex scenes and some dub/con moments too. Going into this story with this in mind, as the author clearly sets out her warnings well in advance, I plunged in the dark, decadent, and dangerous world of The Shadow aka Zane. He is a rich, tech savvy vigilante of sorts who spends his time rescuing those who have fallen prey to criminal elements that are involved human trafficking. But don’t be fooled into thinking that Zane is a good man as his own personal tendencies of brutal violence against those who have “sinned” would not be morally ok. He also unfortunately fell in love with Adeline from afar. Even though their “relationship” starts with him stalking her, leaving gifts of flowers inside her home, and calling her anonymously to taunt her, Adeline quickly finds she can’t resist the deliciously dark and slightly sinister pull of Zane especially after she gets an eye full of what he looks like. I don’t blame her! Adeline also gets herself noticed by even more worrying men which leads to Zane keeping a tighter eye on her at home while monitoring her whereabouts when she leaves. The romance and dom/sub dynamic that these two create between them is not for the faint of heart. The story has many triggers, and I cannot stress that enough. Many of Zane’s ideas to “woo” Adeline could be considered cruel, unsafe, and manipulative but I couldn’t resist their palpable attraction and the sex scenes were beyond steamy. The romance storyline goes side by side with the vigilante one which adds tension, action and drama to an already heady erotic novel but in this case, it adds layers of intrigue and suspense to the narrative and the developing relationship between Zane and Adeline. I love my Morally Grey Characters but even I have to say that Zane is heading more into the Morally BLACK territory, but I fell for him anyway. Overall, this was a compellingly sexy and thrilling book 1 in a captivating duology!

Brought it for my fiancée and she absolutely loved it, although the book looks abit damaged but all it’s good.

throughout the book the ink fades and words become unclear. There are many miss spells throughout, and at the end the chapters are just mixed up and reprinted, there are like 3 chapter 32 and each have different text. I dont even know if what I read at the beginning was right or if some chapters where not printed. Left me hanging at the end and I. Hate. It. I sent a request for refund and they contacted me to send a copy.

The book quality and shipping package were greatly handled.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. It got me out of a reading slump and introduced me to a whole new genre of books. Now, this book isn't for everyone. It has a shopping list of TWs. But if you use TWs as a shopping list, then this book is for you! It's engaging, spicy, and I found myself laughing out loud while reading it.

Absolutely gorgeous. Came in perfect condition ❤️👌🏼