I was really torn with my rating on this one because while some of the dialogue made me cringe, and some of the open door scenes were uncomfortable (and a little strange IMO) I really enjoyed the underlying mystery and the overall vibe of the town of Grimstone.

As someone who isn't the biggest fan of instalust or obsession, I think this book was just not for me, but I know others will enjoy it. And I do have to give credit where it is due, I could not put this book down because I NEEDED to know what or who was causing all of the "mischief" at Blackleaf Manor.

This was such an interesting read, the gothic elements were executed well, from the setting, the characters and the plot! The murder mystery kept me hooked and I really enjoyed the way Remi and Dane’s relationship developed. Their push and pull added to their enemies to lovers dynamic (my absolute favourite trope), and whilst it quickly turns into insta lust, the underlying suspense from the murder mysteries, as well as the small town with ‘interesting’ residents had me obsessed and guessing the entire time.

The eerie atmosphere and addictive romance is the perfect read as we head into autumn and found myself finishing this book in two days. It’s a different approach from Sophie’s usual books but still has the spark that you see from her other books.

Thanks so much to Sourcebooks/bloombooks, NetGalley and Sophie Lark for the eARC, all opinions expressed are my own!

Sophie Lark did it again. Grimstone is the perfect book for spooky season and fall book recommendation. The spice?? Also perfect.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebook for the eARC.

Unfortunately I DNF this book at about 40 %. This book just was not for me, I tried hard to relate some of characters but I just couldn't it does sadden me as this is first

2⭐️
3🌶

The premise Grimstone had me intrigued at the beginning, and I loved the general setting and vibe of the story. It's perfect for getting into the autumn mood! It's also a fast read, so I found myself halfway through before I knew it.

That said, this story was not for me.

The dual-POV had me excited at first, but the perspectives weren't very differentiated.
The topics of consent, physical/intimate boundaries, and intimate saftey/health, aren't discussed between the MCs and while I understand this is fiction, this story and these characters seemed set up to have these conversations and then just... didn't.
There are copious phrases, analogies, and similes that made me cringe.
Everything felt rushed.

I'm bummed that Grimstone fell flat for me, but I'm certainly willing to and planning on trying a different book by Sophie Lark in the future!

*Thank you to Bloom and NetGalley for an ARC of Grimstone! All thoughts and opinions are my own and are being left voluntarily.*

Rating: 3.6
Spice: 4.0

Read if you like:

🥀 Dark spicy romance
👻 Eerie haunted house
🖤 Mystery’s to be uncovered
☕️ Hot doctor-next-door
🍂 Spooky fall vibes

My review:

This was my first Sophie lark novel and I am quite interested in picking up her others, as I have heard really good things about the brutal birthright series!

It starts off eerie and odd as you’re trying to navigate what is haunting the house Remi inherited from her late uncle, in the gothic and peculiar town of Grimstone. Plus there is a hot-doctor-next door that just can’t seem to get off her mind.👀

Personally I wish the romance was more slow burn instead of quick with the plot, with a few spicy scenes here and there that arn’t specifically for me, but may be for you! Overall I enjoyed this novel and it was a quick spicy read perfect for fall spooky vibes!

Many thanks to Sophie Lark, NetGalley and Bloom publishing for a free ARC!

First of all, thank you Netgalley, SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and the author for the opportunity.

What so say about this book? I could say I’m traumatised but I have read worse.

Over all I liked it, it’s a dark romance, but not THAT much you know? Either way it has all the necessary things: charismatic characters, romance (for some people could not be for their liking), a good storyline (the main characters’ stories) and a plot beyond the romance with mystery and plot twists.

Well, I already felt something strange toward that person BUT I NEVER THOUGHT THAT IT COULD THAT BAD. It was worst than I imagined.

The writing is very addictive and I wanted to read more and more because of this and the way the author ended the chapters.

I also lover the draws in some chapters and the playlist who had music in some of the scenes to look more cinematic.

Overall it’s a very good book for those who like dark romance or want to begin reading the genre.

Grimstone by Sophie Lark is the perfect mix of spine chilling mystery and steamy dark romance, set against the eerie backdrop of a crumbling mansion and a town full of secrets. If you love your romance with a side of ghostly thrills and sizzling chemistry, you’ll want to dive into this standalone story.

Remi Hayes is having the worst luck, her fiancé cheated on her, her brother is a constant headache, and now she’s stuck flipping a decaying, possibly haunted mansion she inherited from her uncle. Enter Dane Covett, the town’s dangerously attractive doctor with a dark past, a murder accusation, and enough heat to make Remi’s troubles a little more… interesting.

Dane is the ultimate brooding bad boy. The town gossips claim he murdered his wife, and his mysterious aura only adds to his allure. But when Remi gets injured and he stitches her up, sparks fly……literally. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the way he demands a kiss as "payment" will have your heart racing. Let’s just say, the heat between them is enough to raise the dead (if Blackleaf Manor’s ghosts don’t do that first).

But Grimstone isn’t just about scorching romance. As Remi renovates the mansion, strange and dangerous things start happening, making her question if it’s truly haunted, or if Dane is hiding something much darker. The plot twists keep you on edge, blending mystery, ghostly encounters, and sizzling tension in a way that feels deliciously addictive. The gothic atmosphere of the beachside town, mixed with Halloween vibes, creates the perfect setting for this hauntingly hot romance.

Sophie Lark weaves together the eerie and the erotic. Both Remi and Dane are damaged, each with skeletons in their closets, sometimes literally, and their journey to healing and connection feels raw and real, even in the midst of all the supernatural suspense. You can’t help but root for them to find peace and redemption, even as you wonder if you should be trusting Dane along with Remi.

And the spice? Be warned, this book brings the heat, with some scenes that will definitely get your pulse pounding. But it’s also not for the faint of heart, with triggering content that makes Grimstone dark, edgy, and a little dangerous.

If you’re in the mood for a sexy, spooky read where the romance burns hot and the atmosphere gives you all the gothic chills, Grimstone will deliver. It’s the perfect Halloween-season escape, full of mystery, passion, and a haunted love story you won’t soon forget.

SOPHIE LARK! 👏🏼 MAAM👏🏼 This book was so good! I’m not a gothic romance girly usually, but I know I can trust Soph to write a fun story and Grimstone was certainly one! We get some enemies to lovers, fast paced spice 😘, and some gothic vibes with a romantic thriller storyline (or is it ghosties?!) I was hooked to this book by the 25% mark and then binged it, which was great cause it’s helping pull me out of a book slump! I liked the relationship dynamic even if their paving was off at time - each of their individual stories kept me intrigued and so invested

“I love your work drive and your stubbornness. I love how you understand me and how hard you work to understand yourself. I love that you’re brave, and you’re bold, and you want the truth…”

🖤 Gothic Romance
💜 Age gap (41 MMC - 27 FMC)
💚 Romantic Thriller
💜 Insta Lust
⚠️Check out the CW! Some heavier topics included!

And the ending?! What?! I can’t wait to go read Monarch now!

Thank you NetGalley, Hambright PR and Sophie Lark for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest and unpaid review!

I definitely had my frustrations with this book. Occasionally a simile or adverb would catch me a particularly unpleasant way or something else along that vein. But that being said I genuinely enjoyed the story. Two misunderstood people taking solace in each other, saving each other AND THEMSELVES rather than the usual trope of him saving her, was a nice change of pace. And I can't lie; I did NOT expect that ending.

WOW!!! This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and I didn’t figure it all out till it was too late! Holy smokes was this book a total Mind play!! I seriously felt like I was losing my mind right along with Remi and Dane, fans self, is so much more than a hot, broody man hiding in the forest!

This book starts off tense and as Remi and her brother Jude adjust to life in their new town you start to learn that the town has dark secrets and just might be the siblings undoing. The darkest secret lives just next door and is the night doctor. Dane isn’t impressed with Remi when they first meet but something keeps him wanting more time with the fiery woman and as they get to know each other both have to decide if more could ever be.

Lark’s writing is superb and this book serves as a reminder at how dynamic and thrilling she can be in her books. She is also so good at writing characters that are layered and you won’t get to know them and who they truly are until you uncover their truths as you read. So many surprises and some memorable steamy moments that will live with you long after the last word is read!

Remi + Dane

-neighbors to lovers
-gothic romance
-small spooky town
-age gap
-hypnosis 👀

dude ill tell you what! this book gave me a mindfuck there do a while & i was really scared about how i thought the revelations were going…but that plot twist?! i did NOTTTT freaking see that coming omg!!

Another amazing book by Sophie Lark! This book absolutely sucked me in and I couldn't put it down. The story was interesting and the illustrations were stunning. I definitely didn't expect the twist at the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloombooks for the ARC!

Alright…. I tried. I really tried. My second book by this author and neither have been for me. I think they will be for some people, but just not me. The MC in this was gross immediately. The similes were just too much. His thoughts were too much. Dnfing.

Grimstone
by Sophie Lark

Grimstone by Sophie Lark is the perfect blend of gothic romance and suspense, set in the eerie, atmospheric Blackleaf Manor. Remi’s journey, from dealing with her troubled past to uncovering the secrets of her new home, is gripping, and the creepy haunted house vibes make this a great fall read. While I loved the suspenseful plot and the chemistry between Remi and Dane, I wasn’t a fan of how their relationship began with blackmail, which felt off for me. Despite this, Lark’s writing shines, combining romance and mystery beautifully. Perfect for fans of spooky romance and thrilling mysteries!

Set against the backdrop of the foreboding Blackleaf Manor, the story follows Remi Hayes, a young woman grappling with a streak of bad luck that seems almost cursed: a cheating fiancé, a bothersome brother, and now the weight of an eerie inheritance that may or may not be haunted. With a premise that effortlessly combines gothic elements with contemporary romance, Lark pulls readers into a world where love and danger intertwine in the most tantalizing ways.
Remi is a relatable and well-drawn character, her flustered emotions grounding the story amidst its more outlandish elements. As she navigates the daunting task of renovating her uncle's dilapidated mansion, readers witness her growth from a woman beleaguered by her past to one who takes charge of her future. The depiction of Blackleaf Manor as a character in its own right adds an atmospheric layer to the narrative, filled with creaks, shadows, and a lingering sense of the supernatural.
The introduction of Dane Covett, the enigmatic doctor-next-door and local pariah, spices up the plot considerably. Lark crafts Dane with a delicious complexity; he’s not simply a romantic lead but a figure shrouded in scandal and intrigue. The chemistry between Remi and Dane crackles off the pages, especially highlighted during intimate moments that are as charged as they are tender. Their flirtation begins with a desperate act of first aid that quickly turns into something more personal, setting the stage for a romance that is both steamy and fraught with tension.
This is definitely a delightful read that skillfully merges the eerie and the romantic, making it a perfect pick for fans of contemporary paranormal romance. Lark invites readers into a world where love can be just as frightening as it is exhilarating, and where one's deepest fears may just lead to unexpected redemption. Whether you’re a fan of gothic romance or just looking for a thrilling escape Grimstone is a must-read!

If you ever want a book you can’t put down, pick up a Sophie Lark book! This was the perfect spooky book for the fall season. it gave you the creepy haunted house and town vibes. I love the fact that every character she writes has a battle they’ve faced or they just have a tragic past. Loved this perfect little romance and mystery story!

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for the arc of this book.

oh grimstone. where do i begin with you?

this was one of my least favorite sophie lark books i've ever read. the premise? AMAZING
the execution? so SO dang weird

it was a lot of things but overall extremely weird.

Grimstone is a great fall read, perfect for spooky season because of the creepy haunted house vibes. Unfortunately I didn't really care for the male lead/love interest. I don't like stories where blackmail is the basis for beginning a relationship. He also doesn't believe in consent, apparently. I do think that this book should have trigger alerts at the front, and I hope the final, published version does.

major spooky vibes alert!!! this is a perfect book for sept and oct!! this is a dark spooky romance and i enjoyed it!