Absolutely love this book! I actually haven't read the first book and that is okay! These are interconnected standalones of two sisters. This book follows the older sister! The romance was SO GOOD! The tension was everything! I love a good slow burn. The enemies to lovers was delicious! I listened to this audiobook in one day! I highly recommend!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC! ♥

3.5 stars
I read The Shadows Between Us a couple of years ago when I first got into reading. And while I enjoyed it at the time, looking back at it, there were some elements I really disliked. The Darkness Within Us, however, is just as fun and a step up from its predecessor in terms of writing. It's got all the fun elements that The Shadows Between Us had, like an enemies-to-lovers romance, and shadow powers, but it's also more grounded. I found Eryx and Chrysantha to be much more likeable, compelling, and three dimensional than the characters in the first book. I will say, however, I had some issues with the pacing of this story. The book started a little awkwardly, and the romance felt a little crammed into the last third of the story. I wish we had more time to see the romance develop naturally. Overall though, I had a really good time with this book. It's the perfect little escapist, fantasy-romance.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Firstly thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I went into this book having not read The Shadows Between Us. And while I do think that there is probably a benefit to reading that book first, it was absolutely not necessary to understand and enjoy this book. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this! Chrysantha and Eryx played so well off each other. I loved the banter, the scheming, and the intrigue. But I was also surprised at how much I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Chrysantha and Alessandra repair and grow. It really makes me want to go back and read Shadows. Overall I really enjoyed this story, and would recommend to anyone who loves a good enemies to lovers romance.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: there is just something so enjoyable about Tricia Levenseller's writing, I'd read literally anything she writes without hesitation.

I absolutely adored The Shadows Between Us, so I was quite happy to get back into this world and discover more about Alessandra's sister. If I am being honest, I was really wondering how it would be possible to like her haha, but she was full of surprises.

Once again, we get a strong woman who surely makes her place in the world and who does not hesitate to fight for what she deserves. You can truly feel the feminist vibe in these books and I cannot get enough of it, give me all the strong women, please! Chrysantha was a nice character to follow but I have to admit that I did not fall for her as much as I wished I did, maybe because she felt a little superficial at times.. That being said, Eryx was downright fascinating and I just wanted to know more about him as soon as he got on page. He was just so full of mystery... and I love a mysterious dark broody man.

As always with Tricia's book, the banter was fantastic and she writes tension between characters like no other, and I'm here for it. I'd say that for a YA book, this one was a little heavier on the "steam" but nothing you haven't read before with that author, she honestly has the best steamy moments that are just so full of tension and all without getting into anything explicit and I simply adore it.

I enjoyed that we got to see Alessandra and Kallias together and more than once! *heart eyes* And to my surprise I did quite enjoy the sister's reconciliation, it was nice, and I remember that I was wondering when reading The Shadows Between Us how it would be possible for these two to mend anything.

This one can be read as a standalone but I was glad I had read it in order considering the part the previous characters and story had in it, I'd definitely suggest reading in order. The narration was great in the audiobook, I would certainly recommend it. It was easy to fly through this one.

Thanks to the author, Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely adored [book:The Shadows Between Us|35702241], so when I found out that there was a companion novel, I jumped at the chance to read it, or listen to it as the case may be. Thank you NetGalley and MacMillion audio for the ability to listen to a review copy. All opinions are my own.

Chrysantha Stathos is married to a lecherous much older man who just so happens to also be dying. She pretends to be unintelligent and oblivious, but really, she has a brilliant and cunning mind. She married the Duke knowing that he wouldn't last long, so she would inherit his riches and get what she really wanted, freedom. She would have gotten it too, if the Duke's unknown grandson hadn't shown up. To make matters worse, her younger sister has recently married The Shadow King and the sisters' relationship has been one of unspoken competition.

The estranged grandson, Eryx Demos, is a mystery. He is accompanied by 2 thuggish bodyguard/attendants. He doesn't want people around, and most of all, he wants Chrysantha gone. He tries every way he knows how to get rid of her, but she is as stubborn as he is. She wants her money and independence back and he is a man of mystery.

The story is captivating and creative. It is not quite as enticing as the first book, but it is interesting to see into this strange society from a different vantage-point. Levenseller excels at creating strong women who don't quite fit into the society they have been born into.

I absolutely loved The Shadows between us, and went into this open minded. I knew the story focused more on Chrysanthia and was a little nervous about it.
I really enjoyed watching her character grow throughout the book. And was glad to see the air headed girl routine was more of an act :)
A great follow up to book 1!

I enjoyed this even more than the first one! I was really disappointed in the ending though….. I didn’t want it to end! I need more!

So yes it was a great read!

This was 4.5 stars for me!

I loved The Shadows Between Us so getting the sequel following Alessandra's sister and her life path was a wild ride.

Chrysantha Stathos has won the ultimate life hack. By hiding her intelligence and ambition behind the mask of a beautiful air-headed girl, she has become a wealthy duchess. She believes that because her late husband has passed, she has now the freedom to do as she pleases in life. Let me spoil one thing - she's wrong!

I absolutely devoured this audiobook (thank you Netgalley for the ALC) and it was everything I loved in a story. The stubborn FMC who gets what she wants meets her match. I absolutely loved the MMC, Eryx, in this story and how much of a brute he was. It's like a breath of fresh air to have a main male character who can match the energy of a stubborn female. He has some hidden secrets that are uncovered and I absolutely love how swoon worthy he becomes as the story progresses and

I won't spoil anything else but I loved this sequel and all its characters! You do not have to read The Shadows Between Us to read this, but you obviously get some back story as to why Chrysantha is so angry at life.

I liked this book a lot more than the last, but it's not my favorite series. It's not a bad series by a long shot, it's just not my favorite. I still do believe they are worth reading though.

This book is about Chrysantha. Her sister Alessandra is marrying the Shadow King (aka information told in the last book). Chrysantha though is married to a Duke and she knows when he dies off she will finally be free. The problem is now his grandson shows up. Eryx says he owns the estate, not Chrysantha. Cue the drama.

And just like the first book, the MMC is hiding something. Ohhh! And that aspect is what makes this series so much more fun. What is Eryx hiding? You will have to read the book to find out what.

I still believe this series is worth reading. Heck it might turn into your favorite book. It wasn't my favorite series but it was fun still.

What a fun read.... If you're going to indulge in an oft used trop, enemies to lovers, this is the way to do it.
Chrysantha wants nothing more than to live her life on her own terms, but in her world, women are nothing more than a mean to an end... wives to produce heirs, daughters to be bartered and so on. Spending most of her life pretending to be a simpleton, in order to quietly manipulate those me in power around her, she finagles her way into a marriage with a wealthy, elderly duke with no heirs.
And she finds her happiness when his cruel, lecherous self dies.
Until his unknown grandson, Eryx Demos, shows up, with two valets who look more like bodyguards and a lot of his own secrets.
I loved getting to know Chrysantha, and came to adore her and the way the thrived as she lived on her own in her quiet manor house. I adored that she had that time, before Eryx's arrival and upheaval, to quietly find herself a little bit and indulge herself.
And then she gets a slow burning, enemy to lover story on top of it... this was an excellent read all around!

🖤 What's it about?

In this follow up to The Shadows Between Us, we get Chrysantha Stathos' story. (Note: It can be read as a standalone, but you’ll get more depth reading Shadows before this one)..

Destined for marriage her entire life, Chrysantha manipulates things in her favor and weds a dying, wealthy duke so that she can soon inherit his fortune and live a life of her own making. But following his death, an unknown nephew, Eryx, steps onto the scene and claims the inheritance. Chrysantha refuses to stand by and let all her hard work go to waste and embarks on an investigation into Eryx.

She soon learns that he has a dark secret--one that would mean his death if the king learned of it. But Chrysantha is also growing to have a sort of affection toward Eryx, and that throws a wrench in the pursuit of her goals.

💜 My thoughts:
This was a fun novel, and I loved that characters from the first book make several appearances in this one.

Levenseller does such a great job of writing morally gray heroines (and heroes) and bringing them together despite themselves. I love that Chrysantha is an empowered woman, especially considering the world that she lives in. And I also love to see women helping each other, or at least not trying to tear each other down. There is also a great little side plot with Chrysantha's man servant and his son that was enjoyable.

The pacing was a little slow for me on this one, but overall it was a great YA read.

The audiobook is narrated by Caitlin Davies, who does an excellent job of capturing both the time period and emotion of the book.

I loved the first book so I knew I would love this one as well.
Chrysantha is perfectly written. Whiny, strong, caring but ruthless. She is so much more like her sister then they both realize.
I love the way these characters are unapologetic. They are privileged and make no excuses.
Eryx is mysterious and in the way. The delightful bits of romance, mystery and action work perfectly together.
The narrators voice was also a wonderful match to the way I would picture Chrysantha sounding.
I received an advanced reader copy but these thoughts are my own.

This was a fun time but nothing super memorable. I liked the main character, she’s a lot spicier than typical YA protagonists. I think what fell flat for me is I didn’t really *get* the romance and I wanted more world building. Maybe that happens in book 1 but I unfortunately did not read that.

2.5 stars
I struggled with both books in this duology. They’ve challenged my assertion that I don’t need characters to be likable to enjoy a book. I applaud women forging their own paths and navigating their futures. I wanted to like these books. I just didn’t connect with the vibe. Both female main characters in this series were particularly unlikable at the start and we’re supposed to wind up rooting for them by the end. I’m sure they were a big swing and a hit for most people but, unfortunately, they weren’t my jam.

Love the narration here! I found this fun and unbelievable. It was just amusing.
Our girl is just 19 years old and she is both a widow and duchess. She has spent years pretending to be dumb but now that she has her money she is coming out with her cunning intellect. She also has paid "lovers".
Good for her!

I picked up The Shadows Between Us from BookOutlet four years ago on a whim. I didn't know I needed a sequel, but boy, was this worth it! Thank you so much, NetGalley and MacMillian Audio, for the audio arc of this book! I don't think I could cope waiting for this one to release 😅

A more thorough review is to come tomorrow (maybe?). But this one was fun 🥰

Edit to add full review:
This time, we follow Chrysantha, Alessandra’s older sister, picking up where the first book left off. Chrysantha wasn't exactly a fan favorite, but this book really dives into her backstory. Turns out, she’s a fierce, determined, and surprisingly kind character, much like Alessandra.

The enemies-to-lovers trope here is fantastic. I started hating the MMC, but by the end, I was completely won over.

I loved the main character’s journey; the mysterious new male lead kept things interesting. There were so many twists and turns, and the world-building was fantastic. The audiobook narrator was great too, bringing the main character to life.

Strong and independent main character
Mysterious love interest
Morally grey characters
Classic hate-to-love romance
Fast-paced
Cameos from Alessandra and Kallias

Overall, this book is a quick, enjoyable read with a strong protagonist and a compelling romance. If you loved the first book, you’ll definitely want to give this one a go!

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Loved this book! i couldn't put it down!! didn't realize it was a second book until i had finished but oh well!! Would reread.

I had a good time with this book. It is a lower fantasy and very easy read. I feel like I was kept wondering what was next but never confused. This story focuses on Chrysantha Stathos. Trapped in a loveless marriage and pretending to be someone she isn’t. Her husband is very ill. Once he dies, everything will be hers and it will have all been worth it. Until someone claiming to be her husband’s grandson comes to take it all away. Eryx Demos is a mysterious young man with lots of secrets. What he doesn’t know is Chrysantha has secrets too. She’s more capable than everyone ever thought. Thanks to @tricialevenseller, @netgalley, and @macmillan.audio for the advanced reader copy. Releasing July 9th!

Chrysantha has risen to be one of my favorite characters Tricia Levenseller has written. I love that she got her own story, especially one that is an absolute riot! I definitely enjoyed it more than The Shadows Between Us. I'm in my Polin era so this really scratched that itch for beautiful, brilliant, girly girl, scheming mains and a man who is down BAD for her. While there are dark moments that our characters navigate this title still feels much more fun and colorful than its companion. I love when our heroines do not have to be a bad bitch skilled in battle to be strong women characters.

Welcome to Polin summer, y'all! Gobble the aesthetic up with Levenseller's drop of this absolute banger of a book.

Second in series.
A good fun fantasy romance with wit,fun,good dialogue and intense romance.
Chrysanthais is very unpopular will she change and fun happiness.
In all a good interesting story.
Voluntary reviewed.
Enjoyed the narrator.