Grimstone is a perfect book for the autummn and halloween season.
It has the perfect vibes, interesting twists and intriguing characters.
Dark, twisted and delicious. I totally adore Sophie Lark's books.
But please read the trigger warnings.

🛠️Grimstone😵‍💫 by Sophie Lark @sophie_lark_author
Thank you @netgalley for this ARC, this is my honest review!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️
💭My thoughts: This was a slower read but it didn’t disappoint. I liked the spooky mystery aspects to it. Who did what? I went in blind because this author is always hit or miss for me but I won’t knock anything until I try it. I was greatly surprised about the female character’s background and trauma. It added so well to the plot and how she felt so drawn to someone like Dane no matter what she heard in town. In the end, she ended up truly feeling exactly like Dane does. I’m really looking forward to the next book! I definitely recommend this if you can comfortably read through darker themes and enjoy spooky mansion reads.

This blew my mind. I am officially obsessed and need more. I loved the characters and did not want to put this book down!

This was a fun, spicy entertaining book with gothic/creepy overtones. It was everything I adore in a dark romance. The setting and characters were well written and entertaining. The plot itself Carried the eeriness and intrigue I love without sacrificing the salaciousness I expect.

This book starts off on the wrong foot by presenting our leading man, Dane, in a dressing gown. Total Hefner playboy vibes could not be less sexy. And the creep only continued: every thought this man has is about how he can manipulate Remi for his sexual pleasure. I think the goal was dark/sexy, but all I was feeling was gross cringe.

The writing didn't work for me either - very passive and repetitive. Both lead characters are adults (age gap) but come off as incredibly immature. Yikes.

eARC provided via NetGalley for review.

If Sophie Lark writes it — I will read it!!

I’ve been a long time lover of Lark’s book, but this one hands down has to be one of my absolute favorite. The dark vibes, the romance, the … everything. Perfection.

First thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had mixed feelings about this book. While I was initially intrigued by the premise, the book itself fell flat in a variety of ways.

First, while I understand that this is a Romantic Thriller this book felt rather like an instalove. While there were some moments that skipped along a few weeks, it still seemed to take place within a matter of a few short weeks rather than maybe a couple of months. The two main characters didn’t really seem to have much chemistry other than their sexual tension. And during the moments when the tension did break, their encounters were uncomfortable and borderline non consensual especially in the beginning. Overall, it left me unsettled and uncomfortable.

Second, I felt that the plot of the book was all over the place. We are immediately thrusted into the town of Grimstone and it’s deemed as a weird town but there is nothing to indicate the peculiarity of its inhabitants other than they do not trust Dane based upon what happened to his wife and child. Plus the direction of the story change rather frequently, such as being in the middle of a sexual scene and then the next Dan and Remi are arguing about a fence and it’s no big deal. These moments were rather abrupt and pulled away from the story at times. Plus the writing seemed rather disjointed and that it was written by a high school student rather than an adult.

Lastly, I felt that the big reveal at the end of the book was rather predictable. There were a variety of clues throughout the book that had indicated Jude was the culprit. Such as the shed not being cleaned out, his desire to always wanting to be left alone. So while it gave a thrilling aspect, it wasn’t as dramatic of a plot twist as I had hoped.

Overall, this book was lacking and mediocre at best. It helped to get me in the spirit of the Halloween season but I was left wanting more.

Grimstone is a deliciously dark romance that'll keep you hooked! Remi's life is a mess, but things get even crazier when she inherits creepy Blackleaf Manor and meets Dane, the hot doctor-next-door with a murder accusation hanging over him. Their chemistry is undeniable, but danger lurks around every corner. With its eerie atmosphere, sassy heroine, and twists galore, this book is perfect for fans of gothic romances and small-town secrets. Think Kristin Ashley meets Pepper Winters - if you enjoy dark, suspenseful love stories, "Grimstone" is your next obsession! 4.5/5 stars.

Grimstone is a dark and seductive entry into the romantic thriller genre from USA Today bestselling author Sophie Lark. Set in the atmospheric, eerie beach town of Grimstone, this novel is dripping with Gothic suspense, blending romance with mystery and a touch of the supernatural. Lark weaves a compelling narrative that will pull readers in from the very first page and keep them guessing until the end.

The story centers around Remi Hayes, who finds herself in a perfect storm of bad luck: a cheating fiancé, a troublesome brother, and the inheritance of a crumbling, potentially haunted mansion. Right from the start, Remi’s situation sets the stage for a tense and unpredictable journey. The Gothic setting of Blackleaf Manor, with its decaying beauty and ghostly rumors, creates a palpable sense of unease that permeates the novel, making the house itself feel like a character within the story.

What really propels Grimstone forward is the electric chemistry between Remi and her enigmatic neighbor, Dane Covett. Dane is the quintessential dark, brooding hero—a dangerously attractive doctor with a cloud of suspicion hanging over his head, thanks to the town’s belief that he murdered his wife. The tension between Remi and Dane is immediate and intense, with Lark writing scenes that sizzle with sexual tension and suspense. Their dynamic is a perfect mix of push and pull, and as Remi is drawn deeper into Dane’s orbit, the lines between danger and desire blur in the most delicious way.

As the plot unfolds, the story takes several unexpected twists. The renovation of Blackleaf Manor becomes more than just a backdrop, as strange occurrences and violent accidents hint at a darker force at play. Is the house truly haunted, or is there something more sinister lurking beneath the surface? Lark plays with these Gothic tropes masterfully, keeping readers on edge as they try to unravel the mysteries of both the house and the town of Grimstone.

One of the strongest elements of the novel is its atmosphere. Lark’s description of Grimstone is rich and moody, creating a setting that feels alive with secrets. The town’s history, its residents, and the oppressive feeling of something lurking just out of sight all contribute to the tension that builds throughout the novel. It’s the perfect backdrop for a story where nothing is as it seems.

Ultimately, Grimstone is an intoxicating mix of romance, thriller, and Gothic mystery. Lark balances the steamy romance between Remi and Dane with a chilling sense of danger, creating a story that feels both thrilling and emotionally charged. Readers who love atmospheric mysteries, dark secrets, and intense romantic tension will find themselves completely absorbed in the world of Grimstone. With its haunting setting and complex characters, Grimstone is a gripping start to what promises to be a standout series.

Sophie Lark always delivers on the spicy weird level.
This book once again did not disappoint. Remi and her brother Jude have had a really rough life since the death of their parents. Moving to Grimstone and working to flip her Uncle Ernie’s house might give them the chance to make some money and have a little breathing room. The town is creepy and so is the house. Weird things keep happening and their neighbor is a pretty strange fellow.
You’ll like this if you like:
*insta-lust
*He is interested first
*Elements of BDSM

The story kept me interested and the twist at the end was a good one. I received a ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.

I would like to say that it is a story of love, or of suspense and horror but I can't because it is not that simple.
.
This book has different amounts of each genre but the predominant one is suspense. In each chapter I don't know who to suspect, who is the culprit, what is happening. Are there ghosts? murderers? is someone crazy? I spent the entire book wondering who it was while wishing it wasn't Dane, because there is nothing sexier and better than when a misunderstood character falls first and is devoted with such passion that the red flags are like Christmas lights. But still you can’t help your self, and you fall all the way.
.
Remi is in a difficult situation after breaking up with her fiancé, she decided to take the money she had and her brother Jude to Grimstone. The small town on a sinister coast where the house that their uncle left them.
.
with plans to repair it and sell it to pay for Jude's college. But when they arrive, what surprises them is not the immense work they have ahead of them with the mansion. Or the strange treatment that the townspeople give them, it is the strange neighbor who lives in a more impressive mansion and does not go out during the day.
.
The townspeople call them Dr. death and depending on who you talk to you will have a different version but all dark ones. If it were up to Remi she would never come near him but the road that leads to her house is part of his neighbor's property and in order to be able to come and go she needs to make a deal with him.
.
Many strange things happen, as many characters as there are in this book and it was impossible to leave it for another day, I needed to get to the end and know everything. And… It was really good. That's why I already have the following one on my wishlist
.
I had a great time reading it , the perfect mix of spice, suspense, horror and romance. Perfect for reading during October.
.
Thanks to Sophie Lark, her team and SourceBooks Bloom books for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion.

I enjoyed Grimstone. Remi and Dane’s story was dark and had mystery with small-town secrets. Grimstone was a spooky and atmospheric backdrop. I can’t wait too see more from this town.

2.75 stars

”why do we admit the truth even though it fucking hurts? because that’s the way it won’t kill us anymore. It is painful to admit hard truths. but it’s incredibly healing to be forgiven and loved in spite of them.”


the novel’s atmosphere was a bit macabre with a soupçon of suspense here and there. to say that the plot twist took me by surprise is an euphemism. i think this read would work for anyone craving a less-serious and less-polished ‘Gothikana’ version of RuNyx (minus the student X professor arc). both the protagonists had heavy pasts that shadowed their present and they tried to work through their anterior demons to somehow build a future together. there were a few questionable parts of the plot-line that i didn’t approve of or even like and they played a role in the way i didn’t manage to get attached to the main characters, at all. but i absolutely loved the illustrations.

many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Grimstone is gives the BEST spooky season vibes and is the perfect blend of spooky and spicy mixed with mysterious and creepy. I don't know about anyone elsse, but I absolutely LIVE for the gothic vibes of the "might be a haunted mansion" trope--and Sophie Lark absolutely KILLS this one! Our main characters remi and Dane are delicious and have great chemistry and I love, love, love their energy. GIve my the plot twists, the atmospheric setting, the small (and creepy) town vibes and make it a slow burn that builds into something impossible to stand the heat of in the end!.WELL DONE!

Spooky with a side of spice? 🌶️👻 First time reading Sophie Lark and I went in completely blind—didn’t even peek at the synopsis! Let me tell you, I did not see that twist coming.

Grimstone is the perfect eerie small town for the season, with just the right mix of romance, mystery, and a dash of steam to keep things interesting. 😏 Remi just inherited her eccentric uncle’s mansion, and it’s a total wreck. She’s tackling the reno herself (with a little help from her brother). But… who’s playing the piano in the dead of night? Who’s killing off the neighbors’ dogs? And who sawed through the rafters?! 👀 You’ll have to read to find out!

Sophie Lark absolutely nails it with Grimstone! This book is the perfect mix of creepy, mysterious, and steamy, set in a gothic small town that feels straight out of a Halloween dream. Remi is a total badass heroine who’s trying to flip a haunted mansion (no big deal, right?), but things get really interesting when she crosses paths with Dane—the dark, brooding doctor next door who the whole town thinks might’ve killed his wife.

Lark does an amazing job building up the tension between Remi and Dane, keeping you guessing about his true intentions the entire time. Their chemistry is off the charts, and the gothic vibes are spot on. The plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat, and the spooky atmosphere just made it all the more fun to read. If you’re into dark, moody romance with a dash of mystery and a whole lot of spice, this one’s a must-read! Perfect for anyone who loves a good slow-burn romance wrapped in a haunted, gothic setting. I seriously couldn’t put it down!

Give me all the spooky vibes! This book had me on the edge of my seat with each page. All of the twists and turns had my head spinning. I did not see the reveal at the end coming which I think is what makes this book and Sophie Lark's writing so great.

Dane and Remi were such complex characters. They each had their flaws but they had each other to overcome and work through them. Dane was not who I was expecting him to be. I was expecting him to be more of a villain or a morally grey character. Instead, he is a deeply misunderstood person with a tragic past. You can see how much his past haunts him and how he blames himself for what happens. He is not the bad guy, but feel like he deserves to be seen as one. It is not until Remi shows up that he believes that maybe he does deserve some happiness.

Remi is the type of person that takes on way more than she can chew and feels responsible for everyone around her. You can tell how much she loved her brother and literally put her own life aside for him. She would have done whatever it took to give him a life that he deserved. Her story is tragic as well as she had all of this responsibility thrust upon her. The worst part was that it could have been easily avoided if certain things did not happen...

I was able to find a fun connection in this book. I live in New Orleans, so whenever Remi and Jude talked about it I could easily picture what they were describing. I started smiling when they said Jude went to Newman because that is a real private school in New Orleans that I happen to live near. It is really cool to think about a fictional character attending there even if they suck.

When I was 85% done with the book I was so curious how Lark would wrap up the story. I feel like so many things were discussed and I had no clue how it would all come together. Luckily it did along with the biggest twist of the book that had be gasping out of shock.

Overall, this was a great spooky season read. The character development throughout was great along with the plot and of course the spice that Lark is known for. Prepare to find your newest dark romance obsession.

Thank you to Bloom and Sophie Lark for the digital eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Quick read with some spice. Not a lot of character development and falls into a lot of familiar tropes, but an enjoyable read.

This book was unhinged in the best way. We could tell off the bat that Remy was an unreliable narrator, we never really knew what was real and what wasn't. We definitely felt like something was missing though...it wasn't quite spooky, or creep, or eerie enough, and we were left with SO MANY QUESTIONS at the end for it being a standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc!

The atmosphere was everything for me….the seclusion of the woods, the small town whispers and secrets, the decrepit old mansion… *chef’s kiss*

I loved the characters and their instant chemistry. The one character I couldn’t stand was justified in my distaste by the reveal at the end.

It tried to have a spooky vibe, but that didn’t quite catch for me. The smut was good as well as the prose…I highlighted so many sections because the wiring was so beautifully done.

While I highly enjoyed reading this, I can’t say it’ll be one I’ll remember 6 months from now.