Gave me the perfect Halloween/ Autumn feels!!
I was hooked right from the get go, with the writing style, characters and the plot which kept me guessing!
Perfect mixture of scary gothic vibes with spice!

Millicent Foxboro is missing years of her memories following a tragedy that caused her to have traumatic amnesia. She’s haunted by a past she can’t remember. When she’s offered the opportunity to work as an assistant to a Professor studying mythology in his spooky, run down estate, she can’t resist. Once she arrives, she falls deep into the world of celtic folklore, flowers and mysterious journals. As she gets closer and more intrigued to the reclusive and intense professor, she becomes worried the rumors of hauntings and ghosts might be getting to her head… and might betray her secrets. Turns out, she’s not the only one with secrets.

THIS IS A MUST READ. This book was so, SO good. Five billion stars. The writing. The characters, the TWIST at the end… My jaw was on the floor. I honestly thought I had it all figured out but I DIDN’T! Once I picked this book up, I couldn’t put it down. You become utterly immersed in this dark, haunted, spooky world. I highly recommend this book, it’s so well done!

Thank you so much to Northwick publishing, netgalley and Bea Northwick for the opportunity to read this ARC. The reviews and opinions are my own and provided voluntarily.

🌹 Gothic romance
🌹 Historical
🌹 Romantic suspense
🌹 Ghosts
🌹 House secrets
🌹 Distressed heroine
🌹 Grief
🌹 BEAUTIFUL
🌹 Single pov (but needed to be)

Two chapters in... "Wow this book is beautiful Bea is a beautiful writer".
Few chapters in "Ok I'm getting Belladonna vibes and we all know I'm OBSESSED with Belladonna "
More chapters.... "Holy hell what is happening."
The last few chapters 😱🫣🥹😱😍

Absolutely LOVED everything about this. It's hard to say much because there's twists you will never see coming and I'm not risking that one bit.

But.... Take the beautiful vibes of Belladonna, the confusion of Verity and the thrilling moments of The Only One Left and you have this BEAUTIFUL book.

Thank you to @netgalley and Bea for this ARC copy.

An absolute gem!

A slow burn mystery that unfolds with shades of something unnatural at work in this rich atmospheric historical setting. The characters are so inviting that it is easy to invest in what happens to them and is just one quality that adds to this page turning story. While it can be cast as a gothic horror, mystery or even suspense, this novel is so strongly character driven by the lead Millicent Foxboro that all elements are just a supporting cast to her story. It is impossible not to invest in what happens to Millie or to want to know what happened in her past that led her to spending time in an insane asylum. She is most definitely a character you can love!

It is an obsessive read and one that will keep you wanting to know what happened and what will happen! Bea Northwick created a magnificent world around Willowfield and delivered an absolute gem of a story.

I enjoyed this book a lot. At first, I thought it was just going to be a sexy version of Jane Eyre, but it became a lot more than that, and I really did not see the ending coming. I was initially surprised by just how sexy the book was, but I don’t think it detracted from the story. As far as the ending goes, it is more than just “twisty” - the Jane Eyre vibes gave me a context that I struggled to get away from and totally blinded me to other possibilities. Overall, I thought I knew what was going down but I really wanted to be wrong. I wanted to be able to point to some happy endings, and I wanted to see some kind of redemption for some of our characters. Did we get there? A lady never tells but I will reveal that I was quite satisfied.

A creeping gothic beauty of a book! This story kept me up at night. The setting, the house, the dark creepy atmosphere contrasted with the light and charm of what used to be. The array of amazing, complex characters. The ghost. I mean really, unnervingly, creepy. The dynamic between Millie and Callum could swing from hot to cold to steamy desperation and back again with whiplash speed. And the twists. Oh my, the twists. I loved this story. Don’t miss it. It is perfect for creepy season.

This was so good! Everyone needs to look out for this new author. The book was just amazing.
This gave me American horror vibes with dark romance, and everything you could possibly want.
I love the Celtic lore that was weaved end of the story.
You can say, I absolutely loved it, and I would highly recommend it to everybody who loves a darker romance

This book was so much more than I had anticipated! When I first heard about it, I knew there would be a dark ambience to it, but this fulfilled my fairytale loving, gilded age heart. It's the year 1928 in Boston. Millie Foxboro has had a difficult life. Raised in opulence, but by a mother that despises her. After Millie graduates school she returns home to a disaster and subsequently loses her memory. Fast forward several years and she's working in a dusty book shop, but content with her life. A man visits the shop and offers her a job as a research assistant to his admirable boss.

With nothing to lose and the need of financial security driving her choice, she accepts and moves into the gothic manor of Willowfield. But inside these walls are ghost stories and Millie starts to see things lurking in the shadows and taunting her as a budding romance builds between herself and the man she's working for. But he seems to be hiding a lot of secrets and her life may be in danger.

STUNNING character development in this story with a small cast of characters that really light up each and every page.

Heavy use of Irish folktales that leave you unsettled and wondering why there seems to be so much fascination in the macabre understanding of these demons and spirits. Especially as you wander the haunted halls with Millie as she chases down morbid creatures that haunt her throughout the nights.

The ending surprised me in a HUGE WAY. I had built all kinds of theories in my head as to how this was going to end, but Northwick surprised me in such a pleasant way that I had not thought of at all.

Thank you to NetGalley and Northwick books for this ARC read!

This book proved to be an ideal choice for the spooky season! With thrilling ghostly pursuits, the discovery of a clandestine diary, and expertly crafted moments of intensity, it offered a truly captivating reading experience. I must confess that I found myself utterly in the dark about the plot's direction and couldn't predict what was going to unfold until I reached the 75% mark (clearly, my foreshadowing skills were lacking). However, as the mystery began to unravel, it all fell into place, leaving my jaw dropped to the floor!

The enigmatic romance in the story was especially enchanting and added an extra layer of intrigue that I thoroughly enjoyed.

A tremendous thanks to NetGalley, Bea Northwick, and the publisher for providing me with an advance reader's copy (ARC) in return for my honest review. "The Cruel Dark" stands as a first-time offering, skillfully intertwining a mysterious narrative. Bea Northwick, the author, adeptly shapes a romantically eerie ambiance. Abundant twists and surprises throughout the story keep readers in suspense. I was particularly impressed by the depth of character development, especially when it comes to characters like Millie and Callum. This book is an ideal choice for those who relish the seamless blend of gothic romance and academic themes, leaving them eagerly anticipating more literary creations from Bea Northwick in the future. I look forward to more books from Bea Northwick!

There is a line in the second chapter that I think perfectly sums up this book: "Strange things bloom where grief lives."

If you love gothic style romances and creepy reads with a little bit of spice, this is a must to add to your TBR.

And that's all I'm going to say because any actual review might give things away, and where's the fun in that?

This book was so haunting and had a gothic ghost mystery to it. Millie is a complicated character with her past and trying to move on with a new position without her past tainting everything.

This house and new employer also has a past and haunted history. He was very seductive and made Millie feel special but there were so many strange things happening. I definitely didn't know who to trust and which way this mystery was going to turn out.

Thank you beanorthwick for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

I was hooked from the very first page. The first thing to pull you in is the writing. Her descriptive prose really had me engrossed. Her characters were so well rounded. The pacing of the book was perfect as well, there was no lag and nothing was really rushed. The overall plot coupled with the haunting description and the perfectly crafted characters really made for an enjoyable read.
Will definitely recommend.

Not going to lie, I solely requested this book because of the cover and my bestie was reading it, too. It instantly captivated me. And the story did not disappoint either!

The first half of the book was slow for me with scene/setting and character development. I found the descriptions of the scenery and manor to be enough to be able to visualize where the story was taking place. And I enjoyed how the characters all played either grumpy or sunshine.

The angsty sexual tension between the FMC and MMC is actually really intense and kinda scary at first. But the passion is what makes it 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻. I enjoyed their interaction with one another and how it evolved over time.

The author does an amazing job of blending the lines between paranormal fantasy and reality, finally bringing you to a point as to why it was happening. And the twist at the end was 🔥. I didn’t see the plot twist coming and I just loved it!

This story is dark, crazy, creepy, yet beautiful and just all around encompassing! Do yourself a favor and read it!

Can not even contain my excitement about this one! this book has SO many twists and turns and includes all of my favorite things
- [x] creepy dark mansion
- [x] take no bullshit attitude from the FMC-She’ll fight you in her sleep (but really, she might! 🤣)
- [x] Slow burn..then comes the 🌶️
- [x] An ending you never saw coming

It will be available October 31st and you NEED it!

have you ever read a book that feels like it was specifically written with all the tropes and genres you love in mind? that is The Cruel Dark for me.
okay, let me give you the vibes.
imagine this:
•your wandering down a dark corridor in only your thin nightgown and run into the the dark, broody professor you work for.
•you feel not only haunted by the spirits that lurk the halls but also the ghosts of your past and those strange particular years you can’t quite remember.
•no one will acknowledge the strange occurrences you experience and it makes you wonder what they’re trying to hide or if you’re slowly losing your grip on reality.

this was the quickest 5 stars I’ve ever given a book. when I learned that this was a gothic romance that takes place in the late 1920s with elements of horror, fantasy, and the paranormal I knew I needed this book like water.
it is incredibly atmospheric, dark, sexy, and haunting and I couldn’t get enough. it is beautifully written and the spice is SO good.

Millicent Foxburo is a fascinating character whose courage, stubbornness, relatability, and curiosity made me fall in love with her instantly. she reminded me a bit of Edith Cushing from crimson peak. I adore her kindness, her willingness to stand up for herself but especially, her bite.

Professor Callum Hughes is exceedingly intriguing and complex. dark unkempt curls and obsessive over his research ( and other things), this character is stoic, capricious, secretive, and passionate. I could never guess his next move which had me on the edge of my seat for most of the book.

the tension between these two is palpable and the amount of twists and turns story has is on another level. I have yet to start another book because I can’t stop thinking about the ending.

if you like the idea of:
•gothic romance
a haunted manor
•a hot professor
•Celtic folklore
•dark secrets
•romantic suspense

then please preorder this book asap!! I can’t wait to have my physical copy in my hands next week🖤

it releases october 31st!!

thank you to the author and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

The cruel dark -Bea Northwick

4⭐️
A perfect read for the spooky season!
Going in to this I had no idea what to expect but I’d seen so many pictures on Instagram and so many good reviews that I had to pick it up and see what the hype was about. And it did not disappoint! I was on my toes through the entire book, never knowing what might happen. I loved watching our MC Millicent as she tries to figure out her new employer, and also what is going on in his huge mansion. The last 50 pages gave me whiplash from all the plot twists, I was so confused and I loved it. I really wish we would have gotten to learn what happened when she was at the hospital, I feel like I still had so many questions after I finished the book. Maybe there will be another one? Who knows, I do however highly recommend this book to people who enjoy. Suspense, Hauntings, Early 1900s, Mystery and Romance!

I was given this ARC and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of “the Cruel Dark” in exchange for an honest review.

4⭐️
1🌶️

We follow a story of Millie who works in a small bookshop who is offered a job as an assistant to a professor of mythology. She cannot refuse that job because of the high salary she’s been promised. When she arrives at his mansion to start her job the things are starting to get really strange. The professor is distant and not very friendly and staff are short spoken. The mansion feels spooky and haunting. She finds an old journal of professors late wife and starts seeing ghosts. Now she cannot explain to herself what’s real and what’s just an illusion.

I really enjoyed reading this book. At first I thought that might be a duology or trilogy and got satisfied when it turned out to be a standalone.

To me this novel felt absolutely gothic sometimes with Hitchcock vibes. The writing style of Bea Northwick is well readable. And I didn’t expect any spice but I’ve got it. The way the author wrapped the story to me was absolutely unexpected.

I would definitely recommend this book to those who like smart thrillers with mystic vibes.

I devoured this book! I loved the Gothic and creepy vibes. And the romance? So good! While I picked up on hints, I was wrong on where it was going! I did not see it coming, and I was left on the edge of my seat until the very end! I loved it! I can't wait for Northwick’s next book.

I will be posting a full review on my Instagram page before pub day! 🖤

This was an impressive read from a debut author. Northwick had beautifully descriptive prose that captured a haunting atmosphere that was almost dreamlike. It was spooky and there was some seriously creepy imagery that succeeded in actually jump scaring me! I loved it.

I was sucked in right away by Millie’s story and I really enjoyed following the breadcrumbs of this mystery as they were set out on page.

The only hiccup for me was in the building of the romance. There was more telling than showing as this relationship developed and so when these two came together it felt abrupt and too rushed. <spoiler>I get it but</spoiler> I think more could develop on the page. But Callum did have some swoony one liners, and the steam was great! The pacing of the romance wasn't enough to keep me from enjoying this story.

I loved the parallels to <i>Jane Eyre</i> and <i>Rebecca</i> and I will be watching this author, happy to read more from them.
I recommend this book for its spooky captivating atmosphere, compelling mystery, and a beautiful 1920’s historical setting!



Thank you NetGalley and Northwick Books for the opportunity to read this ARC. I was excited to read this and it did not disappoint.