Wow this is such an incredible book and such a thrilling read.
I loved the charakters and the storyline and definitky want to know how the author is building this new setting for the comming storys ( hopefully a lot cause i see the potential)

And one more thing ....boy oh boy the " scenes" when it is getting hot hotter sexy as hell.
What a fantastic read.

Thank you NetGalley and Sophie Lark for the ARC of Grimstone! I’ve been wanting this book for forever it feels like and I finally got to read it the first day of October and I DEVOURED it! I loveeee a good dark romance, characters were strong and the storyline kept me fully engaged the whole time!

Book Name: Grimstone
Author: Sophie Lark

ARC
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and Netgalley for an ARC

Stars: DNF
Spice: DNF

Thoughts
- This was just too dark for my taste.
- MMC was not Romantically intriguing at all
- Felt VERY aggressive
- Felt Very Non Consent based
- Gave me the ICK

Due to the Negative Nature of this review, I will not be posting it to Goodreads or retail sites with respect to the publisher and author.

Dare I say: Dr. Death is pretty darn delectable.

This book was the perfect mix of suspenseful, spooky and sexy!

This book had the perfect vibes for the spooky season, and for that alone, it definitely served its purpose! There were some seriously creepy moments and just enough mystery to keep me hooked and wanting to see how it all played out. The romance, though? Eh, it was a bit too insta-lusty for my taste. I love a good slow burn, and this one just didn’t quite do it for me on that front.

But let’s talk about that twist—wow! It honestly surprised me more than some thrillers I’ve read recently, so kudos for that! However, as a standalone, it left me with a few unanswered questions, which was a bit frustrating. I guess some things were more for the spooky vibe and meant to be left to interpretation.

All in all, it was fun, and I’m super excited to dive into the next book in the series, which releases tomorrow! Stay tuned for that review!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for letting me enjoy this eARC!

Remi and her younger brother move to Blackleaf Manor, a dilapidated mansion left to her by her deceased uncle. Remi is hard up for money to support her brother and pay for his college, once he decides to go. Upon their arrival to Blackleaf Manor, Remi finds that the access to the mansion is a driveway that is owned by their neighbor, Dane Covett. Dane is a grump, antisocial, eligible hot bachelor, and the towns night doctor. After promising to do miscellaneous renovations at Dane’s mansion in order to utilize the drive to Blackleaf Manor, she finds that that grump doctor is intriguing. Remi is starting to believe that things couldn’t get worse, her fiancé cheated on her, her brother doesn’t help and continues to mooch, and her jerk of a neighbor who may have killed his wife is causing some conflicting emotions/feelings.
This story had haunted house and mystery/thriller vibes, along with enemies-to-lovers romance. Remi is not the typical romance FMC that I have encountered in other books, and I am here for it! I really enjoyed this gloomy romance that had small coastal town vibes. The chemistry between Remi and Dane captures the reader from the very beginning. The mystery of this story kept me guessing throughout the story and made my jaw drop when the twist hit. Between the piano randomly playing at night, sinks clogging with things that shouldn’t be in a drain, and someone lurking in the windows, this was a great read as we enter the Halloween season.
Thank you NetGalley, SOURCE Blook Books, and Sophie Lark for allowing me the opportunity to read this advance readers copy and providing my honest feedback!

To be honest with you, I’m not quite sure what I just read. I don’t hate the book but I didn’t come away loving it like I thought I would. I got this book just in time for spooky season, thinking it would hit the mark, and it did in some ways, but in others it was a let down.

I saw the plot twist coming from a mile away. It was pretty obvious what was happening at around the 30% mark of the story, but the book does do a decent job of trying to keep it under wraps. I did enjoy how the twist was revealed though, it kept up alot of suspense throughout the story.

The romance between our MCs was just a bit clunky and weird. There was a bit of dubious consent happening right at first which caused me to have a bitter taste in my mouth, especially considering the hypnotism..... However, that’s just my own opinion and I urge you to make your own judgement. I have seen Hundreds of reviews/ratings of people in love with this story and characters.

The book does have a HEA and there are some moments that really do hit the spot, but I won’t be reading this one again and I won’t be continuing the series either, even though it does focus on different couples going forward

I think my biggest issue with the book is just that i was expecting more. I wanted MORE of the horror/Thriller aspects. I wanted more of the romance between the couple instead of just sex. I wanted more of the spooky/haunted vibes. I simply wanted more.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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I had a great time reading it , the perfect mix of spice, suspense, horror and romance. Perfect for reading during October.
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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!