This had such promise!! Gothic, slightly flowery prose, arranged marriage, creepy house. Then the plot just kind of fell apart and the book lost the gothic creepiness and just was sex scene after sex scene. Meh, I was hoping for gothic horror, not romance that has a little bit of spooky in it.

DNF. I got almost 100 pages into this and still found I wasn't enjoying myself. This truly might get better after that, I'm just not someone who wants to continue a book I'm not loving. One big thing that irritated me is how often it's mentioned how tiny Belle is. Over and over the author makes sure we realize how bony, lithe, and small she is. It was just SO unnecessary in my opinion. The vibes were beginning to get a little creepy but I had no desire to keep reading. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

🕯️ GOTHIC. LUSTY. DISORIENTING. 💀 A dark manor, strange rituals, and tangled desires set the stage for a gothic tale full of atmosphere and ambition. When Belle is forced into an arranged marriage with the enigmatic Lord Hellthorne, she finds herself trapped in a crumbling estate where the walls whisper, the dead linger, and love might be the most dangerous force of all. While it didn’t fully come together for me, I was intrigued by the world it tried to build and the emotions it aimed to stir.

This one was a tough read for me, and not in the way I hoped. I went into Lady Hell genuinely excited. The cover, the gothic premise, the eerie manor and supernatural threads... it all sounded like something I’d love. But I struggled to stay grounded in the story, and while I kept hoping it would eventually click, it just never quite did.

The writing style is richly descriptive, which fits the gothic tone, but the prose often swung between overly flowery and oddly simplistic. There were moments that caught me—lines or imagery that worked—but just as often, a beautifully built scene would be undercut by clunky or stilted dialogue that didn’t feel natural or emotionally grounded.

One thing that consistently pulled me out of the story was the way characters were referred to and spoken about. There was a heavy reliance on generic terms like “woman” and “girl,” often used in place of actual names or deeper character insight, and it started to feel impersonal and repetitive. That same repetition showed up in the prose too, particularly in how Belle’s body was described. Words like “bony,” “small,” and “lithe” came up again and again, even in scenes where they didn’t feel emotionally relevant or necessary. She’s described as having a “tiny voice,” and at one point, after an intimate scene, she’s referred to as “the tiny girl” and “little redheaded girl”—moments that felt especially unsettling in context. That kind of language was one of the things that crossed a threshold for me, pushing past characterization into something that felt infantilizing and uncomfortable.

This became hard to ignore because a large part of the story fixates on Belle’s smallness: her frame, her voice, her presence; and while the book does address her disordered eating, the repeated descriptions felt excessive to the point of discomfort. There’s a line between acknowledging a character’s illness and unintentionally romanticizing the symptoms, and this sometimes tipped into the latter. It left me wondering what the intention was, and if the weight of that storyline might have landed better with more interiority and nuance.

On top of that, the frequent shifts in perspective were disorienting. There were times I wasn’t sure whose internal voice I was in, which made already-fragile emotional arcs feel scattered rather than immersive. The combination of these elements (tonal inconsistencies, unnatural dialogue, repetitive language, and abrupt POV changes) ultimately made it harder for me to stay grounded in the world or to form a real connection with the characters.

Romance also plays a major role here, but I had trouble buying into it. Relationships seemed to form quickly, and much of the emotional language leaned heavily on lust while calling it love. The sex scenes themselves were vividly written, but often felt abrupt or disconnected from the characters’ arcs. The tone often shifted quickly, from horror to lust to emotional trauma, which made it harder for any one moment to fully land. I think I was hoping for something more emotionally layered or slow-burning... especially in a story where intimacy and trauma intersect so closely.

The plot itself felt tangled. There are so many moving pieces: religious mythology, demonic forces, memory loss, secret pregnancies, murder; that instead of building suspense, I often felt lost. Major reveals sometimes came out of nowhere or lacked the grounding needed to make them feel impactful. Characters often experienced intense events (death, hauntings, revelations) without much emotional follow-up, which left those moments feeling hollow. That sense of disorientation pulled me out of the story more than once.

All that said, I really do see the creative vision behind this. Alyssa Page clearly had a bold concept and a strong aesthetic in mind, and there’s something compelling about the world she’s reaching for. For me personally, the execution didn’t come together in a way that fully worked, but I can see the pieces that might really click for other readers. I found myself wishing for more emotional depth, a clearer sense of the world’s structure, and more time spent developing the relationships and stakes. Still, I’d be interested to see how her voice grows over time, because there’s real imagination here, and I think her future work could resonate more with me.

I think Lady Hell might still work for readers who enjoy gothic romance with a heavy dose of supernatural drama, dark family secrets, and lust-driven relationships. If you’re drawn to atmospheric settings, morally ambiguous characters, and stories that lean into intensity over clarity, this might be worth checking out.

Thank you to Purple Fern Publishing and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF

This was honestly not at all what I expected it to be. I thought the horror aspect was going to be very present but I read about 33% and it was lacking.
The writing style was nice though hence why I continued for so long

I love Gothic and I did enjoy the Gothic elements of this book even though it leans more towards horror at times.

The relationship between Belle and her lovers was well written, especially for someone who is not exposed to polyamory.

However, I thought that there was too much world building that really didn't add to the plot. There could have been half the amount and I would still know what was going on. A lot of the detailed exposition wasn't touched again and seemed redundant by the end.

The writing being from an omnicsient narrator also left it feeling slightly inconsistent and it took a while for me to get used to as I am not used to that kind of narration.

For my first horror book…Truly not bad. It was acutely gory with a very much hell ish romance. Stepping outside my usual genres I admit I was apprehensive, but I was left pretty satisfied in the end. The only things I have issues with was the repetition - this made it a struggle sometimes. I needed more show than tell in regards to the love triangle and the development of the relationships, otherwise I can't really connect with the book. Nonetheless, the elements of witchcraft and evil were done well, the characters and the dynamics needed more work!

This was my first true horror in years, and my my, it did not disappoint! Magic, murder and mayhem abound, set in an unknown historical time in a fictional kingdom, the plot and characters kept me hooked throughout. I don't know why I was surprised in having questions left at the end of the book, since this is part 1 of 2, but I am sure the second will satisfy all of our curiosities. And while the plot is spooky, horrific and gory, I enjoyed the romance budding between the trio just as much. I will say though, I felt the female characters slightly tedious in that they seemed insecure and emotionally immature, but to be fair, they are young women. I also would have wanted to know the origin of Rose's anorexia, since it's mentioned so much throughout the book.

Unfortunately I DNFed about halfway through because the plot was getting lost in all the smut scenes and im just not very interested in that, i am a little disappointed was good and interesting but didn't expect to get the same sex scene over and over, it got quite boring .. and the description was a little too silly and kept me out of the book for those. The main plot to me deserved more attention and would've made the sex scene more appealing if i cared about what was happening

As much as I wanted to enjoy this book, I couldn't really get into the writing. There was nothing wrong with it per see, just not my style. Thank you for letting me read it early.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

What a unique read!

Horror meets gothic romance and I am living for it!

First of all, huge trigger warning: the main character suffers from anorexia. It’s a major plot in the story so if you are sensitive to this topic, I would definitely avoid this book.

I honestly couldn’t wrap my head around how someone could take something as cutesy as romance and creepy horror and blend them together. These two topics should not go together and yet they do in this book and it works perfectly! I was equally spooked and feeling the love.

The setting of the story really had me feeling like I was in a gothic film. Beautifully detailed and descriptive. I seriously felt like I was walking through the dark corridors of the manner.

The characters were full of depth and personality. Even the maids seemed to jump off the page.

The spice in this book is mild for a MFF but I’m not mad at it. There is definitely detail but it was pretty tame compared to what I’m used to. I personally think the author focused more on the connections between the characters rather than having them go at it like rabbits so that’s a plus.

If you aren’t into overly descriptive spice, this is definitely right up your alley.

I would recommend to anyone who loves horror and romance equally. This was a perfect blend of the two genres and I think enthusiasts of both would really enjoy it!

I loved this book! It felt like a fairy tale I hadn't heard before with lots of spice. The FMC is so tender and interesting and her dynamic with the MMC is fraught but keeps on giving. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a sweet story to steal your heart.

This was weird and addictive at the same time. It was very dark, gore and disturbing to the core. I enjoy the concept/premise of the book where it revolves royalty, darkest secret, gothic mansion and polymorous (MFF) relationship. I think most of these are quite new to me and I never read this kind of story. The rarity of it intrigues me!

I love the writing and I think author done a good job to make it more engaging for a reader. I would say I never know the word "peace" when I read this book cuz every part make me a little anxious especially when it comes to Branwell and Belle scene. I love the idea of the darkest secret of gothic mansion and I really enjoyed it but seems the story got dragged a little bit and I believe there are quite plot holes in some scenes which I really appreciates to know about it especially when in comes to Florence and Velveteen

Last but not least, It is an enjoyable read and If you looking for REAL GOTHIC kind of story, this is the best. Thank @netgalley and Publisher for the Arcs in exchange of honest review!

Alyssa Page’s Lady Hell is a mesmerizing blend of gothic horror and psychological suspense, steeped in eerie atmosphere and unrelenting dread. With its crumbling manor, haunted whispers, and a heroine trapped in a waking nightmare, this novel is a must-read for fans of Crimson Peak and Rebecca.

Belle’s marriage to Bramwell Hellthorne should have been her salvation, an escape from loneliness. Instead, it plunges her into a dark and twisted world where reality bends, secrets fester, and the very walls seem alive with malevolence. As her sister succumbs to a terrifying demonic possession after visiting the estate, Belle begins to question everything she thought she knew—about faith, the supernatural, and the enigmatic man she married. With bloodstained walls, ghostly music, and a portrait that refuses to stay in place, Hellthorne Manor is as much a character as any living soul in the novel, its mysteries unraveling with chilling precision.

Page’s writing is lush and immersive, weaving a tale that is as hypnotic as it is horrifying. The slow-burning tension builds masterfully, keeping the reader unsettled as Belle’s descent into the manor’s secrets becomes inescapable. The psychological complexity of the story elevates it beyond simple ghostly frights—this is a tale of power, control, and the blurred line between love and entrapment.

Lady Hell is an atmospheric, bone-chilling gothic horror that lingers long after the final page. With haunting imagery, a suffocating sense of doom, and a protagonist caught in a web of dark revelations, it’s the kind of novel that demands to be read with the lights on.

Lady Hell by Alyssa Page follows the story of Belle, a young woman from a poor village, and her arranged marriage to the mysterious Bramwell Hellthorne. We get to experience Belle's new life as Lady Hellthorne in a beautiful and eerie gothic manor where not everything is as it seems.

I went in expecting to absolutely fall in love with this book, but I was let down unfortunately. The descriptive writing was beautiful and left readers so engrossed in the gothic environment. The more scarier and unsettling scenes were written so well and I felt genuinely uncomfortable (in the best way) many times!! I just felt that the plot was not consistent and left me with many questions and wanting more.

There is a huge supernatural element to this story, which was often overlooked and overshadowed by the love story, which often infuriated. Blood dripping from the walls, creepy paintings that should not be there, literal evil dead girls, yet everyone just moved on so casually from these literal horrors and got on with having their threesomes as if nothing happened. Now don't get me wrong, I was obsessed with the poly relationship and how beautifully it was written, but why are we ignoring the big demonic elephant in the room just so I can get another sex scene, exactly the same as the last one. I wanted and needed more background and plot relating to the supernatural storyline, that in my opinion, was the main plot.

There were also time skips that often left out a lot of important information in my opinion, and important information at that. The main one was the blooming of Belle's relationship with Florence and the first few months of her new life as Mrs Blackthorne. Once the wedding was over, we skipped several months down the line to when Florence and Belle have already begun this secret relationship and Belle has began to settle into her new home. There were several time jumps that often had readers filling in gaps.

A personal opinion - Belle had everything she could have wanted and Blackthorne an ideal husband. Belle wa an insufferable character and Blackthorne deserved better.

Overall, I did enjoy this read, but it lacked a solid and fluid plot. I'll definitely be checking out the sequel to see where it all goes as I have so many unanswered questions from this book.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for and ARC of Lady Hell in an exchange for a voluntary and honest review.

📖 Summary:
Lady Hell follows Belle, a newlywed from an arranged married. She is uncomfortable with her new and strange life at Hellthorne Manor. What starts as an eerie gothic setup turns into something evil— involving demonic possession, haunted portraits, and family secrets. As Belle starts to figure out what’s really going on, the line between reality and nightmare begins to blur.

💬 Bookish Thoughts:
This book had a really strong start. The gothic horror vibes were great in the beginning, and I was really interested in the demonic possession storyline — that part genuinely creeped me out in the best way.

Unfortunately, the rest of the book didn’t work for me. After the first third, the plot felt messy and hard to follow. It felt like I was reading three different stories in one, and I couldn’t figure out where it was going.

The constant POV switches made things even more confusing — some of them happened mid-chapter, and we even got chapters from minor side characters that didn’t seem necessary. That really pulled me out of the story and was frustrating.

I also struggled with the characters. I didn’t find anyone likable which made it hard to stay invested. The writing itself felt repetitive at times, and the mix of modern language with the gothic setting didn’t really mesh for me.

📚 Final Thoughts:
I usually love gothic horror and really appreciate stories with queer rep, so I was hoping to enjoy this one more than I did. There were pieces I liked in the beginning, but overall, it didn’t come together for me. I’m giving it 2 stars because the premise had potential, but the execution wasn’t quite there. One thing I want to specifically call out is that this book should have included a content warning for incest. That content is disturbing and absolutely qualifies as incest. Readers deserve to be properly warned.

⭐️ Rating: 2 stars

dnf at 47%

I should’ve looked at reviews before cuz i didn’t know this book was just smut. I liked the other aspects like the characters were interesting (stereotypical though) and when the creepy things were happening I was really enjoying it. The world also seemed very built up and interesting. I just couldn’t do the spice anymore, what fully made me stop was “kitten” as a pet name. That’s just too cringy for me

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! I cannot wait to add this to my home library! This is the type of book that I would love to see turned into a movie. I loved the very naughty gothic horror feel. Plus the god is woman and witchy vibe. The only beef I had is that I wish there was more explanation as to why Bramwell was not interested in physical intimacy at all. At first I thought he may have had a thing with Ly, but that wasn’t it. Was his character asexual? Did his mom screw him up? Other than that, I loved this book! I can’t wait to read the next installment!

Lady hell is an MFF horror/romance that follows Belle who marries Lord Bramwell and is whisked off to live in his gothic manor. There she meets his cousin and her husbands best friend and quickly a romance blossoms between the three. But little do they know that there is more to Lord Bramwell than meets the eyes and he is playing with forces that are more powerful than any of them can imagine.

I really enjoyed this book, the world building was excellent but not over the top.
As a fan of gothic horror he gothic vibes in this are so great, everything from the gothic manor to the vibrant red garden.

The body horror in this freaked me out so deeply, mixed in with the overwhelming sense of dread that came with just being present in that house and I found myself rushing to figure out the story and to see what was going to happen next! I don't think I'll ever look at a painting the same way again!

The soothing part of this story is the romance between Belle, Flo and Lyren, the three of them have a very deep connection and they have some very well written erotic moments that are really beautiful.

I can't wait to read the next instalment of this book and see what is going to happen next! It was an excellent read.

I really wanted to like Lady Hell. The premise intrigued me, and I was hoping for a dark, gothic horror experience, but unfortunately, the book didn't quite hit the mark for me.

The story is told from a third-person perspective, but it frequently alternates focus between various characters. While I typically enjoy a multi-perspective narrative, the transitions here felt jarring and rushed at times. The quick jumps between characters often left me disoriented and broke the flow of the story. At moments, it even seemed like the narrative strayed from the established third-person perspective, which further disrupted the reading experience.

Additionally, the tone of the book leaned more toward romance than horror, which was a real disappointment given my initial expectations. While romance can certainly be a compelling element in a gothic horror novel, it overshadowed the darker, eerie atmosphere I was hoping for.

All in all, Lady Hell just didn't deliver the gothic horror experience I had anticipated. While the writing had potential, the pacing and genre shift ultimately left me unsatisfied.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC of this book.

This was so atmospheric!! From the first page, I was hooked.

Also I love love loved the rep - it was so satisfying watching the characters' bonds unfold alongside the Gothic background. WOW.