I absolutely loved this book, I've read others by this author and enjoyed them but I wasn't blown away. This book made me read it in one sitting because it was so good and I couldn't get enough of it. The main characters both had their issues but worked through them and made things work, I enjoyed the idea of this book because so far I hadn't seen anything like it.
I would recommend to everyone possible.

An atmospheric tale from Sophie Lark just in time for the spooky season as Remy Hayes inherits a creepy, gothic mansion from her uncle that she intends to flip with her brother but before that can happen, things begin to go bump in the night. Is the house haunted or are the issues a little more explainable and someone still breathing is trying to scare the new owners? Throw in a love interest in the shape of Grimstone’s town doctor, Dane Covett who may or may not be a homicidal maniac who has murdered his family and I’m beginning to think Remy wished her uncle had left his house to somebody else!

This was a bit of an instalove romance and perhaps a little too insta for this reader as I didn’t get any sense of chemistry or connection between the hero and heroine and there really wasn’t any time for anything to develop. The overall story itself showed a lot of promise and I wanted to love this book but unfortunately, I found some of the lines just a little too cringeworthy for that to happen so I’m only giving this book 3.5 stars.

While I think many people will enjoy this book it was just not for me. A bit too sexual which took precedence over plot and not something I will be recommending. I can see where this would have a place on many people’s bookshelves who like the more dark smutty reads. Really like the playlist throughout the book!

Dark and eerie, Grimstone transports you to a delapidated mansion in the woods amidst a town filled with secrets, lies and bad reputations.

Remi and her brother Jude arrive at their uncles old home, Blackleaf, in the bizarre town of Grimstone to flip it. The home is it total disrepair but Remi’s hoping to fix it up and then make a profit selling it to help her brother pay for college. If only this house didn’t feel like an impossible task.

Enter in Dane Covett, the mysteriously handsome night doctor next door who everyone says killed his wife. Dane just so happens to own the road leading to Blackleaf and forces Remi to agree to help around his house in exchange for using the road. When Remi get injured working at his house, Dane is quick to stitch her up but also quick to steal a kiss that leaves her head spinning.

As Remi’s nights are haunted with dreams and odd noises that wake her in the night, Dane is also plagued by his past. As the two get to know one another, can they help each other heal and also figure out what or who is out to get Remi?

I kind of went into this story blind. I had it in my head that it was more thriller or even maybe paranormal but we pleasantly surprised to find myself in a VERY dark romance!! It does have some thriller aspects as well which I really enjoyed!

Honestly, this feels like a great fall read for all you uncanny lovers!

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley.

Amazing book! Loved every word and I highly recommend it.

When I read the synopsis of this book, I KNEW I needed to read it. I thought it was a fast and easy read. I kept thinking this book would be more of a haunting/paranormal romance than contemporary based on what was happening in the book at the beginning and the vibes it was giving off.

I enjoyed the pace of the book, though I found the third-act breakup to not make ANY sense. It seemed like the author didn't know how to drive the wedge between the FMC and MMC so she just chose something random to undo all the work. Of course, there were trust issues, but this catalyst didn't make sense. The spice level and romance (outside of the breakup) were wonderful! I loved Dane and Remi from the beginning. I would say that's what pushed the rating from a 3 to a 3.5.

The tension between Dane and Emma didn't make sense either. The author kept hinting that Emma was into the FMC, but there weren't any signs that she was interested or trying to make a move. It's like the author forgot about that plotline towards the end and never touched on it again.

The end of the book made sense, but I think the author could have done a better job of building up to the climax. The killer wasn't fleshed out enough, and how tf did Dane randomly know who the killer was or the huge shift in Remi that made her have a sudden realization that wasn't shared with any of the readers?

Overall this book is a pretty average romance novel. I would give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars. I'll likely read the next book in this series because it was entertaining enough.

This book was sent to me for an honest review from Sophie Lark and Bloom Books (love them!)

I love Sophie Larks books and this one was no exception! This was a great gothic thriller, just in time for Fall! The plot was well paced, and the romance added in was *chefs kiss*. Overall this was a great book that I had a hard time putting down.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC!

I was very excited to read this one .. sadly It wasn’t a book for me.. I had to dnf at 27%.. the eerie, haunted, gothic atomosphere were VERY promising but the insta-lust was too cringe,

This book is intense and filled with twists and turns! The characters are so well written, A great thriller and perfect for this spooky season. The plot was on point, and the added romance made this book unputdownable!

Remi and her brother Jude are moving Blackleaf manor. The falling apart gothic house their Uncle Ernie left them. They plan to fix up Blackleaf and flip it. Blackleaf is in the small town of Grimstone. Their first day there, Remi encounters Dane Covett. Dane, an older doctor (he’s 41 to her 27) with secrets of his own. Dane is taken by Remi and sets up a deal that she can use his land to access Blackleaf and in return she will do whatever work he asks of her. around his own manor. The two tangle as Remi tries to find out if the town rumors about the mysterious Dane are true.
The illustrations in this book were a game changer. I got to the end of a chapter and saw the first one and was ecstatic. I love to see how the author sees the characters and events they are describing. I was bummed every chapter did have an illustration.
The one thing I didn’t enjoy about this book was how sexual aggressive Dane’s character is. Dane’s POVs were mostly lusting about Remi’s body. With Dane’s past I was hoping for more. On top of the fact he’s older than her and he’s a doctor, I expected more. He also has a thought about Remi using the bathroom that he found sexual that I really disliked.

Spicy male female age gap contemporary gothic romance. A spicy spooky book that was an insta lust and a quick read. The limited edition with sprayed edges is gorgeous.

Grimstone by Sophie Lark is a haunting gothic dark romance that takes place in a spooky house with a peculiar town & a dazzlingly suspicious neighbor. I was entranced with the setup of this novel, this town & the mixture of the romance, struggles & the intriguing mystery that lurks in the background throughout.

Grimstone is great for fans of…
🖤 Dark Romance
🖤 Haunted House
🖤 Spooky Gothic
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 Neighbors to Lovers
🖤 Age Gap

It has a map! It is dark & spooky & the coolest start to a book. It also has illustrations like her other books. I’m always completely blown away by the artwork. They’re stunning & just bring the characters to life. The author also provides a playlist, which I always appreciate to help set the tone to novel & elevate the experience if the reader so chooses. I am going to keep this review short & vague as a way to not give spoilers away, but I was enthralled with the writing. I loved the mixture of spooky with mystery & romance. It’s such a fascinating combination.

I am a big fan of Sophie Lark & I will read anything she writes! I am so curious to see where the next book in the series goes.

Massive thanks to NetGalley, Bloom Books & Hambright PR for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

I have read and loved this author's books before so when I saw that she had a romance/thriller, I was all in. I mean, this cover gives the perfect spooky season vibes. There's just something about her writing that is engaging and easy to read. Surprisingly, the romance was probably my least favorite aspect of this story. I loved the gothic atmosphere, the main character, and the twisty plot. While not my favorite of hers, I'd still definitely recommend and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.

Remi is always having bad luck and when she doesn’t get a warm welcome to Grimstone it’s just more sadness for her. When strange things begin to happen, she becomes really spooked. Get ready for a twisted suspenseful romance where things are not as they seem.

Another gripping dark romance from Sophie. I lived out main character Remi and how tenacious she is. And her mysterious neighbor, who Remi just can’t help in figuring out his puzzle. Sprinkle into the story a haunted house and it’s a perfect quick romance. I did find the story a little predictable but the story gave me exactly what I was hoping for.

Sophie Lark does a fantastic job of blending this dark Gothic thriller with plenty of spice and just a touch of romance. This dark tale had me on the edge of my seat and I could not put it down. Perfect for those dark and spooky nights to curl up with and enjoy!

The setting is perfect for spooky time. Grimstone is an eerie, dark, and slightly unhinged small beach town. Everyone knows everyone and your family history. Small town gossip is a real problem here.

Remi and her brother move into her deceased uncle's rundown mansion in the hopes of flipping it for a profit. Unfortunately her next door neighbor Dane might be a problem. He's dark and has secrets of his own. In the beginning their relationship is a little crazy but in a strange way they grow to trust each other. However, a plot twist knocked me down right before I figured it out. I was on my toes trying to figure where this book was headed. I'd it ghosts? Is it something more sinister?

I really enjoyed this dark and twisted tale Sophie has brought us. Please check trigger warnings!

Grimstone by Sophie Lark is like a rollercoaster ride through a haunted mansion with a side of spicy encounters. Remi and Dane’s story is dark, gothic, and a bit unhinged, in the best possible way.

Remi is a fierce, no-nonsense woman who’s been through the wringer, juggling the ghosts of her past while trying to make things work. Enter Dane, the brooding, enigmatic man who’s equal parts Hades and a brooding bad boy. Their chemistry is off the charts, but their relationship is a tangled mess of lust and emotional baggage. Think Beauty and the Beast, but with more psychological twists and turns.

The book teases you with an unreliable narrator vibe—are the spooky happenings real or all in Remi's head? Is Dane a tortured soul or just plain confusing? You’ll find yourself playing detective, trying to piece together the eerie puzzle of their world.

While the steam factor is high and the tension palpable, Dane’s character feels a bit surface-level. We get his lustful thoughts in abundance but not much else. The romance can be a whirlwind of hot and cold, with a lack of deep emotional connection. The unanswered questions and the standalone format might leave you craving more, but if you’re into dark, deliciously twisted tales, Grimstone will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

Omg!! This book!!! It was fun sexy and all of the above!!! I found it out this down!!

Gothic sexy fun and wild also gave me emotions I didn't expect to feel and not in a fully bad way. Will reconmend for the romantic livers