Sophie Lark is the most addicting author. I think it's the mix of suspense, a little thriller, the completely unexpected and the steamy romance. Her books have a little hint at things that I wouldn't usually enjoy but then I DO. This follow up to Grimstone is completely different but also just as page turning. Elena is a mail order bride and what seems to be a perfect situation gets out of hand before she realizes. As they wait to move into their "new house", they stay at the Monarch. Where the owner is more than she thought to find in America. I loved the Rebecca vibes that I got from this story. But its definitely darker than my norm.

One of my favorite books is Grimstone by Sophie Lark, so as you can imagine I was ecstatic when I received the arc for Monarch. This is the second part in the series where a new character get involved in a love triangle with Dane's brother, and a "known" author. The new character is targeted in Ukraine and then brought to the US for a new life with her husband who quickly isolate's her and starts controlling her every move. Not only does her happy ending unravel quickly, but she must save a child and herself from the situation or will she be doomed in the death castle forever?

The story builds great, and the ending is pretty predictable but there are some surprises. However, the narcissistic boyfriend who had to outsource his girlfriend because no one else was pretty predictable. It did talk in circles at times and rather than just pushing forward with the story, the author added another round of violence or disaster dinner (which was old by the second time it happened).

I loved the graphics in this book, but I wish there was more than the two main characters.

The Romance scenes were good! There are some other graphic scenes where the main character is being forced or touched without her consent so be aware of that. Spice level is around 3 or 4 out of 5.

This was generally an enjoyable read, and I really enjoyed Grimstone! But this one fell flat for me in a lot of ways, and I was pretty disappointed with that.

I'm not 100% sure how to explain it, but nothing at all happens even though a lot happens? It feels like the plot moves forward in 2-3 sentences and skips ahead quickly and then we get 20 pages of inner monologue, rinse and repeat. I really loved Lorne's character and the direction she took with it, but I just felt like there was something missing to get us from where we were at the start of it to where we are at the end. The slow escalation was great, but we definitely go from like 30 to 100 in the span of two pages. I really wanted there to be a big event that really let the terror sink in before we got to the end, and it just wasn't there.

I also didn't find Elena particularly compelling as a character. She didn't really have much of a personality outside of Atlas and Lorne's existence. Oh and being a 27 year old virgin. We hear about that a lot. I definitely think it was important to the story, but it's brought up A LOT to the point that it was really pulling me away from the events that were happening. And the way she goes from 27 year old virgin to goddess in bed basically immediate was just too much for me. There's a lot of unbelievability around this part of her character that didn't work for me.

But as with all Lark novels, the vibes were vibing!! She's got the gothic atmosphere and creepy factor NAILED in everything of hers I've read. I think the dual POV worked really well here (not as well as in Grimstone, though), but I think adding in Lorne's POV here and there would have made for a really twisted and dark novel while giving me the escalation I wanted.

Overall this was a fast and interesting read and you'll definitely love it if you wanted more of Atlas after reading Grimstone! But if you're looking for the same level of smut/darkness/character depth, you'll be a little disappointed.

I’ve never been so happy in my life to get a NetGalley ARC copy of a book as I was when a SOPHIE LARK BOOK landed in my NetGalley shelf. Anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with Sophie Lark. She is one of the best authors out there, and this book is no exception. I actually liked Monarch more than Grimstone, although I enjoyed both thoroughly. The spooky vibes were prominent in this book, but it was still a heartwarming romance story between our two leads. I only wish I could have engorged on another one hundred or two hundred pages because I never want to leave this universe.

“I’ve always felt there’s another Elena … a sneaky little shadow who lives inside my head. She likes all sorts of things she’s not supposed to like and whispers terrible thoughts. That Elena wants to be chased through a dark hotel by Atlas. She wants to feel those huge hands seize her body and wrap around her throat. Which is wrong on many levels”

“But now that I’m not longer thirsty … I’m fucking hungry. Ravenous, even. And Elena looks like a ten-course feast”

Slow burn, forbidden romance, and forced proximity. It was really good. I really enjoyed it!!! I have to admit that after reading Grimstone, this book was less twisted and more romantic. It was still a bit dark to be completely honest with y’all but as always with this author I tend to have an amazing time all throughout the experience. And this was no exception. The thing I love the most though, is the amazing illustrations present in the book. Between chapters and sometimes more than one per chapter, they are what makes the narrative so much more real and exciting. Elena and Atlas share some trauma from their past that only allowed them to connect more and find solace in one another in a way none of them thought was deserved. I loved their dynamic and despite it being sweeter than Remi and Dane’s one, I can’t say I complain !!!

“… she’s punishing herself. But here’s the problem: the punishment she’ll get … will be more than she can handle”

“Because there it is, in black and white, captured forever on film … how desperately I want her”

“I saw you and you saw me. And we both knew it. We knew what happened. We knew what we felt”

A dark romance with a creepy/spooky Halloween vibe!

Elena is a 'mail order bride'.. She met Lorne her fiancée and thought he was the answer to all her prayers... but is he really what he seems? He brings her back to the States, to a spooky as hell town called Grimstone. Lorne is currently building their new home so they have to stay at the local motel called Monarch with his 9 year old daughter. Here she meets the owner Atlas, and they are both attracted to each other instantly.
This is where things start to go downhill for Elena, weird things start happening with her room, and Lorne is a lot more controlling and possessive than he originally let her believe... but Atlas.... he makes her feel safe.

What a creepy dark romance read. I couldn't put this down because I just couldn't wait to see how it finished. Atlas has this 'touch her and die' vibe radiating from him, and definitely gives you all the feels.

Elena did come off naive at the beginning, but I think that is due to her being from a different country. I constantly wanted to yell at her!

Monarch is the second book in this series, but definitely can be read as a standalone.

I've read a few books by Sophie Lark and have enjoyed each one so far.

Elena thought that Lorne was the answer to all of her life’s problems. He was handsome, a devoted father, a wealthy author, AND he wanted to marry her and bring her to the US. Prince Charming didn’t mention that his castle wasn’t finished so they would be living at the Monarch Hotel for a few weeks until they could move in and get married.

Atlas ran the Monarch like a well oiled machine, at least until Lorne’s fiancé showed up and turned his world upside down. He didn’t like how Lorne treated her, and he decided that she was his responsibility to protect (as a hotel guest, of course).

This was a fun read full of suspense, romance, mystery, and a cute 9 year old that stole the show.

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC.

Sophie Lark was a new author to me and this book was a great choice because now I can’t wait to read more books from her and have already picked up Grimstone (same universe as Monarch but a stand alone title). The only thing that I didn’t find perfect about this book for me was that the ending seemed a smidge rushed, not in any way that I thought some resolution was missing just rushed. If half stars were a thing it would maybe warrant rating 4.5 stars but since half stars aren’t a thing it gets all 5 stars because only giving 4 would be a disservice to the novel.

This is a semi dark gothic romantic thriller (I say semi dark because while dark things are mentioned and hinted at they don’t happen on page in the story). I think gothic romance is one of the harder ones to really capture the gothic vibes without falling too heavy into troupes and Sophie does an amazing job of it. You almost feel like you are have been pulled into the world reading by candlelight sitting in a bay window of a tower overlooking a stormy grey sea.

The author does an excellent job of creating three dimensional characters whose flaws you can relate to in the good ones and the evil in the bad ones is something that is real and human. The story starts like a fairy tale with a mail order bride from the Ukraine moving to a small isolated town and slowly the darkness creeps into her life. I won’t say more to avoid any spoilers but trust me the hero is delicious and the princess gets a happy ever after.

🦋 Spooky
🦋 Forced proximity
🦋 Forbidden Romance
🦋Thriller

Bravo Sophie!!! && thanks to Net Galley, Bloom Books, & the Queen Sophie Lark for this absolutely beautiful ARC.

This is a creepy, spooky, forbidden romance. The whole vibe of this book is perfection. Sophie made me feel like I was truly inside the town of Grimstone and the gorgeous hotel Monarch.
🦋MMC Atlas is this massive man 🥰🥰🥰🥰 who quite literally is her savior.
🦋Tiny FMC Ivy literally stole the show 🥺🥹🐇
🦋FMC Elena 🥰🥰 was our amazing star !
The tension in this book was off the charts. Havent read a book with tension like this in a while.
🌶️. 5
This one’s a quick little read for fall👻

i was excited about this one and it did not disappoint. i actually enjoyed this more than the first one. i like that it has thriller and romance elements!!! fun read for october being spooky season.

Yes. This whole book was a vibe and I can't wait to recommend it. I read Grimstone after receiving this ARC from the publishers and netgalley so I could get a feel for the authors writing. I was honestly nervous going into this book since I didn't care for Grimstone... but...

Monarch was so, SO much better. It felt put together with the story, the characters, and the writing.

Elena and Atlas are everything I want to read for a book couple. They have the banter, the chemistry, and he created a darkroom for her to develop her pictures! They were sweet and supportive and I could've read more about them. Elena was so sweet with Ivy (her fiancé's daughter) and Atlas was the biggest cinnamon roll that I just smiled when they interacted.

There was a little spice but I didn't feel like this story needed a whole bunch anyway. It was more about the emotional connection and I really appreciated that.

I'm so happy with this book and it's going to be one I definitely recommend to others.

SOPHIE DOES IT AGAIN EVERYONE. I absolutely fell in love with the town of Grimstone in the last book. I was so excited that Atlas was getting his own book!! The bond between Elena and Ivy was actually my favorite part of the whole story. Most everyone can be understood if given proper care, attention, and nurturing. Obviously we come for the romance of Elena and Atlas even though we first get introduced to Lorne ( 10/10 don’t love him). And we stay for the mother daughter like bond between Elena and Ivy. I believe that Atlas was exactly the right person for Elena to love. And I absolutely adored this!!! Can’t recommend enough. Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC!!

Great installment super Gothic and semi spice level, with a great batch of characters i live reading about keep it up

5 ⭐ 2 🌶

This is everything I was hoping for in a spooky season romance from Sophie. While I was a touch disappointed in Grimstone, all of that faded as we stepped into Monarch.

I absolutely adored Elena, Atlas and Lily. Elena and her secret past and hopeful future was a fascinating combo. She wanted so badly to make her relationship with Lorne work, at first for herself and then for Lily. But here comes Atlas and the chemistry was palpable. The more red flags (and not the good kind dark romance friends 😂) Lorne showed, the more green flags (and a few good red flags) Atlas showed and I loved watching these two forbidden friends fall in love.

I really enjoyed the little twist. Not sure about anyone else but I absolutely didn't see that one coming. As for Lorne and the Haunted Mansion, I felt like I saw that coming a mile away and still loved every moment.

The epilogue was everything I wanted for their happily ever after. If only we get to see Mrs. Cross thrown off those cliffs in some kinda bonus short, pleaseandthankyou.

This is book two in the Grimstone series. I have not read the first book, but it can be read as a standalone.

Elena Zelenska, 27 years old, is about to move to Oregon from the Ukraine, to marry best selling thriller/horror author Lorne Ronson. At first things seem to go well, but after meeting his daughter Ivy and the caretaker, Mrs. Cross, Elena is certain somebody’s hiding something.
After meeting Atlas Covett, the owner of the Monarch Hotel they are staying at, while Lorne is building his castle outside of Grimstone, Elena’s life is being turned upside down.

Atlas Covett doesn’t like Lorne Ronson. There is something fishy about him. It’s the eyes that look dull, like there’s no life behind them. But the woman, this fiancé Elena, is intriguing to Atlas. He feels like she is safe with him and he’ll do everything to prove to her that Lorne isn’t the right man for her.

I immediately fell in love with Atlas. He’s 6”7, 30 years old and built like a linebacker. He’s a “could k!ll you, but is a cinnamon roll” type with Elena and his POV chapters where 🥰😍!

The ending felt a bit rushed, but other than that, I enjoyed this book.

I received an advance review copy for free, NetGalley and SourceBooks Bloom Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed being back in Grimstone, Sophie did a great job setting the scene of this creepy little town, perfect for an October read.
This was insta-love, with some suspense elements and a sweet little girl who definitely deserved better.
Whilst this is the second book in the Grimstone series, it can be read as a standalone, as although we do get some Dane/Remi cameos, this isn't a large enough part of this story to cause confusion.

Monarch by S. Lark, published by Sourcebooks Bloom, is the second book in the Grimstone Series.
Blurb: In a desperate bid to get out of town, bookstore nerd Elena becomes the most unlikely bride. She's swept off her feet by Benjamin Wittacker, handsome single father and published author. Her life is turning into a fairytale, especially once Ben starts building her a castle in the woods. But when Elena arrives in Grimstone, her fairytale turns unfairytaily.
The castle in the woods is a labyrinth of chambers, and Ben is no Prince Charming.
Far from home, Elena's only ally is Atlas, the owner of the Monarch hotel. He becomes Elena's unexpected protector, offering solace and sanctuary.
An intriguing read with dark elements that had me in suspense til the last page.

Sophie Lark does it again with *Monarch*! Having loved *Grimstone*, I knew this was going to be a banger, and it did not disappoint. Elena’s journey from sheltered bookstore nerd to mail-order bride had me hooked from the start, and the tension ramps up as she’s swept into a dark, twisted fairytale. Benjamin starts off as the dream guy, but the layers of his character slowly unravel, turning him into a true monster. The gothic vibes of the castle, with its eerie hidden chambers, were perfectly unsettling.

Atlas Covett, the brooding owner of the Monarch hotel, quickly became a favorite. His fierce yet protective nature provides the contrast needed against Ben’s growing malevolence, and the chemistry between him and Elena is electric. The tension, the dark twists, and the slow-burn romance made *Monarch* a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat read. If you loved *Grimstone*, you’ll absolutely devour this!

I'm reading first book from Sophie lark and enjoyed her writing. Who wants to read romance with thriller please go for this one. It's perfectly suspenseful and creep you out.

This story starts with Elena—mail order bride from Ukraine. She came in search of her fairytale and she thought she got one until she learns that things are not exactly as they seems.

This is 2nd in series I know but I not felt first missing. If you like dark Gothic romances this is totally for you.

Monarch by Sophie Lark

Monarch is the second book by Sophie Lark to take place in Grimstone. It follows the story of Elena, essentially a mail-order bride from Ukraine, as she meets Lorne, an American author, and relocates to the Monarch hotel in Grimstone with him. There she meets Atlas, the owner of the Monarch, and sparks fly between the two pretty much immediately which makes Lorne deeply unhappy. Lorne is a horror/thriller novelist and eventually it is difficult to determine how much of his books are from a character’s perspective and how much is actually his, which makes him seem more unhinged as a character.

I finished this book in about 6 hours and was super excited about it because I really enjoyed Grimstone. Despite loving the setting of the Monarch and Grimstone again, this book really fell flat for me. While Lorne was a frightening villain, there were situations with him that felt rushed and plot holes that I couldn’t get past. The relationship between Atlas and Elena was enjoyable, but again, there were situations that didn’t make sense based on the temperament of the villain and how he would have reacted to their developing feelings. While there were aspects of the book that were enjoyable, this one didn’t draw me in like Grimstone did. Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.