I wanted to be in love with this book so much!!! I mean, the plot sounded amazing and look at that cover!!!! It’s gorgeous!! But, about halfway in I started to lose steam while reading. It just kind of started to fizzle for me. And I thought the ending seemed a bit rushed. But I’m pretty sure it’s just me!!

Don’t get me wrong, I liked Signa as a character, she was interesting and cared for those around her. It’s endearing and I was interested in her story. But, I wasn’t really expecting the romance when it finally came. And I just wasn’t into their relationship for some reason. It was intriguing, but it just wasn’t for me. That’s why I’m going with 3 1/2 stars rounded down. It was good, but I definitely didn’t love it.

I am quite confident that most people will be really into this one, as long as they’re into YA dark fantasy romance novels. And with a sequel on the way, anything could happen. I could adore the second one, and who knows, maybe it’ll make me change my mind about this one.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, and Adalyn Grace for the opportunity to read this for my honest and unbiased opinion!!

🕯️🕯️Spooky season has begun - what better way than a Gothic Romance with Death himself?🕯️🕯️

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

As a mood reader - this spoke to me on so many levels!
✔️ Gothic Vibes 💀
✔️ Murder Mystery 🪦
✔️ Old Haunted Manor
✔️ Ghosts/Spirits 👻

Signa Farrow is called the "Cursed Orphan" after those who adopt her end up dead. Death follows her everywhere she goes. Talking to spirits, seeing ghosts, and finding out she can't kill herself. She chews on Belladonna to feel something - she's a very unique character and I loved her character growth!

Death - grim name itself - but I love him so much. A morally gray character that is also a cinnamon roll who cares very much about Signa. He's always been around taking all the people Signa cared about and leaving her always alone.

***CLIFFHANGER-ISH WARNING!!*** Twist and turns that I did not see coming that will leave you hanging on and want so much more! I can't wait to continue to follow the character's stories.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Belladonna is a twisted reimagining of the Secret Garden where Signa, an orphan with a special connection with Death, is sent to live at her grieving uncle’s haunted manor house. While Signa wishes to spend her time preparing for her societal debut, her connection to the afterlife keeps pulling her away. Lillian, her uncle’s wife, may not have died from a simple illness and unless Signa takes action, the same dark fate awaits her cousin, Blythe. But in order to help, Signa will have to put aside her desires for a normal life and finally embrace the darker of herself- after all, who better to help her solve a murder than Death himself?

Why is no one else talking about this being a Secret Garden retelling? Even more specifically, it felt like a retelling and twist inspired by the Secret Garden musical.

The opening scene where everyone at the party except Signa falls ill and dies, leaving her alone, mirrors the opening as all Mary’s family falls ill from cholera, leaving her alone in their house. While Signa is unlike Mary in personality and background, she too arrives at her rich uncle’s mysterious manor following tragedy and brings life to the family. Elijah is Archibald Craven, a kind-hearted man turned by the grief of the loss of his wife. Blythe is Collin, the sickly child locked away from the sunlight until the arrival of her cousin helps her get a new chance at life. Byron is Neville, the more business focused- and suspicious- brother who also loved his sibling’s deceased wife. Lillian is Lily- they even share names in the musical- who was nearly utterly loved before her tragic passing and is buried beneath a tree in her beloved, now locked up, garden. Even Marjorie and Sylas have parallels in Mrs. Medlock and Dickon.

I actually really enjoyed this as a twisted retelling, I just haven’t noticed a lot of other folks talking about it. It led to me listening to the musical soundtrack on repeat.

I enjoyed Signa’s story as a twist on the idea of ‘not like other girls’. Signa at first wishes to be like she understands a young lady should be- it’s not difficult to connect the paragon outlined in her Victorian etiquette manual to the un-achievable modern ‘other girl.’ However, as Signa begins to experience society and realize that she doesn’t actually enjoy being a proper lady, she also comes to realize that many of those around her- including her mother and her childhood friend Charlotte- also deviate from this ideal. She recognizes that lots of women deviate from the idealized version of femininity and is able to reject it as a crushing social construct rather than a fault with other women. This was a nice twist on the classic YA heroine and felt more true to her time as well as my own experiences growing up. Signa and Blythe’s bond was also lovely to watch develop.

Unfortunately, the romance really did not do it for me. I liked elements of it- especially Signa coming to accept her own sexual desires as being normal- but on the whole it brought down the pacing at times and felt like part of a different story. The eventual twist was decently explained but still frustrating. It just didn’t do it for me, but if you read Addie La Rue and wanted her to end up with Luc, I think you might enjoy this part of the story.

Finally, the sequel bait felt very tacked on. The story works well as a standalone and I think Grace could have written a sequel if she wished without ending this story on a rushed cliff hanger.

Despite ending on a bit of a sour note, on the whole this was an enjoyable read that I think will be rated more highly by folks who connect with the romance. I had a good time with the mystery and seeing Signa’s development, but because I didn’t click with the romance I didn't completely love the story. Still, I would recommend it for those looking for an older YA Victorian inspired gothic fantasy with both ghosts and romance.

"You are no soft thing to be coddled... You are bolder than the sun, Signa Farrow, and it's time that you burn."

Based upon the synopsis, I was very excited to read BELLADONNA. A Gothic #romantasy with a dash of murder mystery? YES, PLEASE. The prologue delivered, but after that, the novel failed to live up to my expectations.

I want to start off by commending Grace for the concept. This book reminded me a lot of Kingdom of the Wicked, but additional elements were layered in via Signa's connection with Death and the commentary on societal expectations. Unfortunately, the execution fell flat, and the pieces never truly came together in a cohesive manner. Additionally, the romance wasn't for me. While, yes, Signa shared that she hated Death, there wasn't any true tension requisite to the enemies-to-lovers trope, and I never really found their connection to be believable.

However, I absolutely loved Blythe. She was by far the most interesting character, and I would have loved for more of the novel to actively feature her.

"You hold your family's fortune, Signa. But should you marry, it will no longer be yours alone. You'll be giving everything - your wealth, your wants, your power - to a man who will hold more influence and respect than you as a woman will ever be able to garner for yourself in the world."

I finished the novel in hope that the story would conclude in a satisfying manner, but ultimately, it wasn't for me. That being said, I encourage you to check out some of the five-star reviews in addition to reading the book yourself to formulate an opinion. Many thanks to the publisher for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Adalyn Grace is a one of a kind incredible talent. This book is beautiful, enchanting, like a beautiful dream. As always she leaves us on the hook, but I couldn't read this one fast enough!!!

A haunted manor. A girl who sees spirits and Death himself. A murder that must be solved, with the help of Death, to save the life of someone else. Belladonna is dark and atmospheric, a perfect read for fall. If you liked the lyrical prose of Addie LaRue, you will love the writing in this book.

It is a bit slow at first but about halfway through, I couldn't put it down. Some of the descriptions are a bit long-winded, I found myself skimming over a lot of them. But I was invested in the storyline, the love interest(s), and the personal growth of the main character.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I got this as an E-Arc from Little Brown Books so thank you to them. All thoughts are my own.
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Belladonna follows 20 year old Signa Farrow, who was orphaned as a young baby has been left in the hands of guardians who care more about her wealth then actually taking care of her, until the Hawthornes send her a letter to come to their home. When she arrives she realized there is more than what meets the eye such as a young daughter who has fallen with a mysteries ailment and a crumbling patriarchy. It’s up to Signa to figure out how to save the last of the family has left.
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I really enjoyed this book if you took Bridgerton and then made it gothic and added poisoning that is what Belladonna is. The plot and underlying mystery solving of this book was amazing it really drew me in and kept me waiting in suspense of who is trying to culprit trying to bring down the Hawthorne name.
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We also get an enemies to lover trope with Signa and her love Interest the quotes of undying love had my giggling and blushing but best part we get a hint of spice just a dash that really made the story come together towards the end.
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Can’t Wait for the Sequel!
Belladonna is available on August 30th in B&N and major retailers.

Thanks to Netgalley & Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for this arc of Belladonna!

This was the PERFECT book to get in a spooky fall mood. It was dark, gothic, mysterious and romantic. I really liked Signa's character development. When the book started she seemed lonely and I felt sad for her but by the end I learned how strong she really is. One of the easiest 5 stars I have read lately!

This is out TODAY, so go get it!

Nineteen-year-old orphan, Signa Farrow, has an unusual relationship with death. Her "gifts" often result in her being mistreated by the string of guardians who have raised her since she was a baby. Each of her guardians, more interested in her fortune rather than her welfare, have all met an untimely end. When her current guardian dies; Signa is once again alone facing an uncertain future. When she is invited to come live at Thorn Grove with her last remaining family, the Hawthorne's, she thinks this is her chance to for a fresh start but it seems Fate and Death have other plans for her. Now Signa must team up with her most hated enemy, Death, to uncover a murderer before they strike again.

Belladonna is the first novel in a new historical YA fantasy-mystery in which a young woman has an unusual relationship with death. I don't want to give too much away by revealing her gifts; however one of them is an ability to communicate with Death himself. In order to do so, she must be in a state of "in-between". I found most of the characters, especially death, quite likeable and charming and the murder-mystery aspect of the novel kept me intrigued. I can't really pinpoint why this novel took me so long to read. I enjoyed both the plot and the characters and yet found myself only able to read a few chapters at a time before setting it back down...I'm probably a bit burnt out and it’s not the fault of this book. That being said...I do think readers will find this to be an enchanting read and I look forward to the second novel in the series. I also have to share my love for the cover art because it's just gorgeous.

If I was describing this book to friends I would say it is as if The Secret Garden had a murder mystery and in order to solve it the main character had to team up with the Phantom of the Opera who was also Wrath from Kingdom of the Wicked. So basically...I absolutely loved it.

This is one of those five star reads I wouldn't necessarily suggest to everyone but that had a lot of the elements that are uniquely suited to me and my tastes. A dreamy blend of gothic, horror, fantasy, romance and mystery that melds so well together into a captivating and engaging YA fantasy.

I really liked the main character Signa. Signa has been passed off from relative to relative after her parents die and although when she comes of age she will have access to her large fortune and her family manor, in the meantime she must suffer through neglectful and borderline hostile guardians. When we meet her, a series of events leads Signa to be shepherded off to the maybe haunted house of her cousin. Signa is very naive (she's learned most of what she knows about her place in society from an outdated book of her mother's) but it isn't a nativity that's cloying. She's very smart and capable and I appreciated the way the book balanced the plot elements with the romance (because there is romance and it really hit every one of my must have's).

Signa has some special abilities including the ability to talk to Death (!) that hinder her aspirations to just fit in for once but may be the key to unlocking a part of her that can set her free.

I must have the next book immediately!

Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for letting me read an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this gothic romance/mystery from author Adalyn Grace!

Signa is a lonely young woman waiting to be old enough to use her inheritance from her late parents. The families she is shuffled around to are neglectful and sometimes cruel, until she finds herself at Thorn Grove, a gothic mansion where mysteries abound.

I really enjoyed the mystery and background of this story- and watching Signa grow as she finally comes to accept her strange abilities and her connection with Death, who is a unique character in this story. At times Signa's choices were frustrating, and the pace at the middle seemed slow.

Overall this was an engaging gothic romance, with a strong mystery.

Definitely be aware of triggers- Signa can't die, so she poisons herself multiple times to be able to confront "Death", but she still experiences the pain of each attempt. Also parental/guardian abuse/neglect, murder, poisoning, gruesome descriptions of poisoning.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

A gothic-infused magical romance full of mystery & suspense. @ad has woven a hauntingly beautiful world full of rich atmosphere & memorable characters that will have you flipping page after page, craving more until the very end.

I really love books that takes me by surprise & has me guessing until the big reveal. This one did just that! A forewarning, Death will easily become your new book boyfriend by the end of this story.

Belladonna is a perfect read if you love dark, spooky YA fantasy. Easily a five-star read that will leave you excited for the sequel that I am in no way patient enough to wait for.

Thank you @netgalley for the opportunity to review this amazing ARC! Belladonna comes out next week August 30th, 2022!

I received an advanced ecopy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. This book is fast paced capturing your attention from the first page. I enjoyed Signa's character. Death's character was interesting in a good way. I don't particularly care for Sylas Thorly's character. This book is in stores now for $18.99 (USD).

What can I say about Belladonna? I can't put into words how mesmerized I was by the atmosphere and attention to detail that made this book so ethereal. Author Adalyn Grace has blown me away with the gothic world she's created. What can I say about Signa Farrow and Death that won't spoil the enigmatic relationship between them? They were a breath of fresh air to root for and I was floored by how much I wanted to keep reading, even when it was over. With stunning scenes meant to create captivating visuals, Belladonna easily earns the title of my favorite book this year.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for Young Readers for the eARC of the ebook!
I really enjoyed this book. I felt that it encompassed the dark feel of a gothic novel but didn’t have unnecessary flourish. The reveal of the poisoner and the cliffhanger ending make me eager to see if Grace writes another book for this character. I really enjoyed the complex relationship between Signa and Death. I also wonder if the second book will answer who poisoned the people at the party Signa’s parents died at. It was very good, and I highly recommend the book. Thank you again for the advanced copy. A full review is up on my blog hookandbooks.com.

Thank you to Little, Brown Book for Young Readers for providing me with an eARC copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This will be available for purchase tomorrow!

Rating: 3.75 stars!

Things I Liked:
- spooky vibes/atmospheric writing
- alliance with Death
- surprise plot twists

Things I Disliked:
- slow start
- consequences said but not shown

Belladonna is a gothic-infused romantic fantasy novel with ghosts, a murder mystery, and Death himself. Overall, I found this one pretty enjoyable! The writing style was perfect for the setting and the spooky vibes were immaculate as a backdrop to the main story. I loved the murder mystery and the way it unfolded. A good murder mystery, in my opinion, has four things:

1.) the person the main character thinks is the culprit
2.) the side character that has you, the reader, saying, "It's clearly them! Why does the MC not see it?"
3.) the actual culprit
4.) a surprise plot twist that may or may not have anything to do with the three things listed above

Belladonna did deliver on these and there's little I love more than a murder mystery that has me actively attempting to put clues together while reading. I was surprised by the reveals at the end and that is truly my favorite part about this type of story!

That said, I struggled to get through the first half of the book, as it had a really slow start. It felt like the first half was nearly all setup and no plot and/or actual investigation, but once it finally got going I couldn't put it down. My one major complaint is that Death and Signa discuss more than once that death isn't meant to be used on a personal whim (that there are consequences to doing so, that saving one person means that another has to die and vice versa), but it ends up being used that way in the text anyway multiple times without any consequence, which made the seriousness of death feel almost shallow.

All in all, I definitely liked it well enough to be interested in the sequel, Foxglove.

Love the writing and story in this one! It had me addicted from the very first page! I also loved the characters and need the next book!

There is definitely a YA fantasy murder mystery trend going on in publishing right now and I am here for it. Belladonna by Adalyn Grace is an upper YA Victorian, paranormal romance with a whodunnit twist.

I love a good young adult murder mystery and this one was no exception. There were times when the mystery seemed to be a bit too obvious though there were enough surprises at the end that I didn’t see coming to make this a really enjoyable read. One of the weaker elements of the story, in my opinion, was the timeline. I found it quite difficult to track with how long Signa had been at Thorn Grove. Early on in the story, it felt like too much was packed into too short of an amount of time, and later it felt like too much time had elapsed with little plot progression. This made for a bit of confusion while reading, though it didn’t have a huge effect on my overall enjoyment of the story.

The romance was not my cup of tea simply because I prefer a much slower burn than we get in this story, though I do think that many readers will love this aspect. The romance is definitely upper YA and I would caution readers to be aware that this book is not suitable for younger audiences for that reason.

The characters were likable if not entirely memorable. Many if the side characters could have benefited from a bit more development which I am hoping to see in book two. It was definitely the plot that kept me going in this book and that picked up significant at around 60% of the way through. From there to the end it was so hard to put this book down. I ended up reading until one in the morning to finish which is always a sign that I am completely engrossed in a story.

If you are someone who loves a good plot and a steamy (for YA) paranormal romance, this is certainly one for you! I am looking forward to picking up the sequel when it comes out as well as checking out the author’s backlist after reading this book.

“You are bolder than the sun, Signa Farrow, and it’s time that you burn.”

💜 Gothic infused romance
💜 Secrets and betrayal
💜 Death and the Maiden trope
💜 Murder Mystery
💜 Paranormal
💜 Morally grey cinnamon bun character
💜 Societal Debut

Orphaned as an infant, 19 year old Signa Farrow has been cursed/blessed with the inability to die and to see spirits and Death. She was raised by numerous guardians, each of whom were only motivated by her inheritance rather than her well-being and had incidentally met an untimely death. Signa was sent to live with her last remaining relatives, the Hawthornes, at their Thorn Grove estate. The matriarch of the family had recently passed away from a mysterious illness that is currently crippling the daughter. The ghost of Lillian appears to Signa and is adamant that she was poisoned and wants her to find the killer and save her daughter. With the help of Death himself, a surly stable boy, and the ghosts of the estate, Signa is determined to find the murderer.

This was a great gothic and paranormal romance fantasy book and one of my highly anticipated reads! A strong 4 stars, almost 4.5 from me. I loved the mystery and the intrigue of who could’ve been the killer and why as well as the budding relationship between Signa and Death. The opening of the book sucked me into Signa’s world and her exploration of her abilities. The ending of the book had a twist that I honestly didn’t see coming. I was dead set on my prediction and was shocked at how it unfolded!

Thank you to @netgalley and @littlebrownyoungreaders for the ARC! This amazing, imaginative, and unique book is out on August 30th!

#Belladonna #AdalynGrace #NetGalley #LittleBrownYoungReaders #ARC #GothicRomance #RomanceBooks #Romantasy #ParanormalRomance #ParanormalBooks #YoungAdult #DeathAndTheMaiden #MorallyGrey #CinnamonBunCharachter #MurderMystery #SocietalDebut #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer

This is a weird one to review, because on one hand I enjoyed it, and on the other hand, the romance was SUPER cringe. I can really only describe it as Addie La Rue meets Twilight.

The story was opulent and entertaining enough - but really not sure this needed to be a sequel. But off, Death was not it for me.

I think if this has been a new adult title I would have felt better about the romance.