This was a fair book to read, it seemed shallow and I could not connect with the characters, I saw where the author was going. While considered a dark romance, it appeared more "stalkerish" than a romance. While the title and description sounded great, to me it just didn’t work. I do admit that Ms. Parker got it right in building up suspense by adding a twist or two.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for free.

This book could’ve been good. Like the idea of them having the affair from afar was a hot idea. That’s it though. The couple got together physically too quickly. The dialogue was to be desired the characters just felt like they were written to be edgy for edgy sake. The plot felt frail and predictable. Clocked the “twist” from a mile away. I compared my copy of the book to the published copy and there are editing errors throughout. Overall this was a let down. As the author even in says in there about me “different strokes for different folks” and they’re right I prefer even my smut to be written well.

1 hot, somewhat dark romance. Not for anyone under 18. When Libra finds herself in an abusive relationship, the only thing she has to turn to is her art. Zane is a recluse who flirts with death. His only relief is playing Russian roulette with the gun his sister killed herself with.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you for allowing me to review

Like a bad car accident you just can’t look away

Incredibly predictable and this is coming from someone who never guessed the right murderer. Also the entire plot was given away in the synopsis.

The author says she writes intelligent books but ngl I think I’m dumber after this one. Not for me!

Addicted is a dark romance book that features Zane and Libra. Zane is a recluse with a dark past and Libra is an artist who just wants to be herself. I struggled to get into this book. It jumped right into the characters with little backstory and in my opinion just went straight for the spice. The title and cover drew me into this book but it was not what I expected.

If you are into dark and intense romance books, then this one is for you! I highly recommend checking trigger warnings before starting this book.

I am torn on this book. I enjoyed it overall, even though it’s not a genre I’ve read before. I liked the development of the story between Zane and Libra, and the premise that every tortured soul can finds their match. I really struggled with Sophia. It became obvious to me pretty early she was dryer villain in the story, so the outcome was somewhat predictable.

To me, this was one of the most painful books to read. I normally enjoy a good smutty book, but this one reminded me of a cheap cheesy porn script. I can appreciate the idea of it, but I feel like it definitely needed to be cleaned up a bit more. The relationships between the characters needed to be more in depth so the reader had a better understanding of the dynamics between the characters. For instance, why would a billionaire allow a house keeper to dictate what he did to amuse himself. It was a bit ridiculous most of the time.

The story between Libra and Zane is a book that is the perfect combination between spice and chemistry. The two characters are connected from the start in every sense and the way the chemistry builds between them is exactly what the book needed.

The twist towards the end truly shocked me and I couldn’t have guessed the ending, but the way it was portrayed was brilliant. The way each character is described is exactly how you can imagine them being and you can envision exactly how Aubrey Parker wanted them to come across.

This book was truly sensational and it is a high rated 4 star. I will be recommending to everyone that I know and is one that I will think about for a while.

Thank you Aubrey Parker for this fantastic story.

Addicted is a dark romance with elements of mystery that tells the story of Libra - an artist stuck in a controlling marriage that she is trying to escape and Zane - a reclusive Billionaire. This book has a good balance of steamy, intense and gripping story telling.

While the plot had elements that drew me in, I found it to be a bit predictable at times. The story follows a familiar trajectory, which may lessen the impact for some readers who are hoping for a more unexpected twist. That being said, the chemistry between the main characters and the dark, suspenseful atmosphere more than makes up for this.

If you are a fan of dark romances this is a great one for you. I advise checking trigger warnings before reading.

Addicted is a compelling read for fans of steamy romance with darker, more intense undertones. It’s an emotionally gripping tale that doesn’t shy away from portraying the messy, complicated sides of love. The plot was very predictable and sometimes can be quite boring but other times thrilling and steamy

Addicted is a dark romance that delves into the unique relationship between Zane and Libra. Before diving in, I highly recommend reading the author's note, as this book contains certain tropes that may be triggering for some readers.

The first half of the book took me some time to get into. I struggled to connect with the characters, the storyline, and some of the more.... unconventional activities they engaged in. However, as the plot unfolded, I found myself increasingly intrigued—especially when the mystery aspect came into play. Trying to piece together the identity of the murderer kept me engaged, even though the ending was somewhat predictable. My favorite scene of the entire book is when we find out who the murderer is. As the reader, I could physically feel the emotions EACH character was feeling. I was rapidly turning those pages!

Personally, the stalker trope isn’t my favorite—even if the heroine was fully on board with it. That said, if you enjoy dark, boundary-pushing romances with a lot of spice, this book delivers on that front. For me, the smut occasionally felt excessive, but fans of the genre who crave intensity and heat will likely devour this one.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. Addicted by Aubrey Parker is a steamy, emotional romance that explores the complexities of love, lust, and addiction. The story centers on a passionate and intense relationship, with characters who are deeply flawed yet relatable. The plot is engaging, drawing readers in with its raw, unfiltered portrayal of emotions and desires. While it may be a bit too explicit for some, fans of contemporary romance will appreciate the deep character development and the sizzling chemistry between the leads. If you’re into intense, emotionally charged love stories with a bit of heat, Addicted might be worth checking out.

This was my first dark romance booked and I loved it. It was fast paced and I love the two different characters points of view. It was an easy read and I liked the twist.

A very intriguing romance. It had bit more too it. Deeper, darker, more exotic than your average romance. Lots of plot points and plot twists.
I was rooting for the pair. And eager to see if and how the story would play out. Who was guilty. Was anyone guilty in such a complex situation?

This book had so much potential but ultimately it fell flat for me due to the lack of editing. I love the premise and I was hooked early on. Towards the middle of the book, it began to go downhill. The plot became way too unrealistic. It was also so obvious what was going on from the beginning and the fact that the so called Tech genius could not figure it out was unbelievable.

Thrilling story line, the love that grows between both Zane and Libra both romantic and exotic. The dark secrets within all the characters creates the thrilling, adventurous experience.

I found myself completely immersed in this erotic romance, and I couldn't put it down. The characters were absolutely captivating, each with their own distinct personality that brought the story to life. The connection between Libra and Zane was so magnetic and intriguing, making their relationship feel genuine and compelling. The writing in this book was exceptional, especially the way the author described Libra’s painting process—it was so vivid, I felt like I could see her artwork come to life before my eyes. Truly an enjoyable read!

This novel was very dark, intriguing. but it did deliver. As a fan of dark romance I loved it and ate it like chocolate.

A must for 2025

Thank you to Sterling & Stone, Aubrey Parker, and NetGalley for this ARC!

I'm not quite sure how to review this book. The title, the cover, the content of the book, the writing style, the themes... none of it matched what it appeared. The writing style flowed well and it was captivating. After reading the first 3-4 chapters, I thought this was going to turn out to be a 5-star read, but I ended reading about half of it and then skipped to the end to confirm what I had already figured out during the first third of the book. The twist at the end was predictable. Although I love a spicy romance the smut in this book was way too much. It felt like almost every chapter I read had some sort of smut or allusion to smut. Overall, it was probably more like a 2-star read but an extra star for the fluid writing style.

Aubrey Parker’s Addicted is a dark, intense, and undeniably gripping read that delves into complex themes while delivering an electrifying romance. The novel doesn’t shy away from heavy subjects, and its characters carry deep emotional scars, making their journey both compelling and raw.

What sets this story apart is its seamless integration of technology into the plot, adding an intriguing layer that enhances the suspense and stakes. The chemistry between the characters is undeniable, bringing plenty of spice while also exploring the depth of their struggles.

For readers who enjoy dark romance with broken yet fascinating characters and a touch of high-stakes intrigue, Addicted delivers an unforgettable experience.