I stumbled over this book and thought why not give this new to me author a try. And I found a new favorite read of mine.
Nightshade by Autumn Woods, published by Zando Projects, is the first book in the Sorrowsong University Series. Nightshade is not a stand alone, the story ends with a cliffie and continues in the next book, coming supp 2025.
This is the introduction to Ophelia and Alex' story, their lives, their pasts and maybe their destinies.
A slow burn that gripped me and didn't let go anymore. After finishing this gem of a story I'm waiting for the next installment to released. I recommend the book, 5 well deserved stars.

From: Mysticbooksandmae
Subject: five stars (adjective) a rating you give a book when it consumes your every thought
Date: Friday 18th April 10:30 CST
To: Anyone who needs and amazing book rec

Alex mf-ing Corbeau-Green!!!! I haven’t been enamoured with a mmc like this in a long while!! I loved Alex and Ophelia’s dynamic from the moment they were introduced to one another and it just kept getting better! They were both so well fleshed out, and I really appreciated each of their unique quirks. Am I going to start dressing like Oliver Twist and carrying crosswords now? Quite possibly! Also, where is a man who will send me flirty emails because I blocked his number but he’s so obsessed with me he needs to keep reaching out?!
Not only were our main characters lush and dynamic, but I also adored the dark academic setting Nightshade takes place in. Sorrowsong is not a normal university, it is filled with students from powerful and corrupt families from across the world. There were some truly dark moments, and the setting only amplified them!
I cannot believe I don’t have book two of this planned duology to immediately dive into because my babies were left in the worst situations!!:,)

I’m obsessed
I’m obsessed
I’m obsessed
Did I forget to mention, that I’m obsessed??
This scratched every itch I didn’t even know I needed scratched. I’m quite literally chomping at the bit for more. And since I know this is only part one of the duet, I’ll get my fix of Ophelia and Alex soon enough.
Some of the storyline felt predictable, in the most nostalgic way possible. Their banter was unmatched and I have secured myself another book boyfriend for sure.

I am quite literally HUNGOVER from staying up wayy too late reading this from start to finish 😭😍

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

This book was everything with its dark academia vibes, the slight dark romance vibes, a creepy stalker, mysterious deaths and an enemies-to-lovers romance 🔥🔥

The banter in this had me actively cackling out loud. I loved the way they had this intense chemistry but also fought back and forth flirtatiously. This one is a slowwww burn but it had me HOOKED.

I loved Ophelia’s character and how she was determined to find out what she could about her parents deaths. Did I think she was a little technologically stupid? Absolutely. Like girl come on, but at the same time she spends her time doing crosswords in those little books that I only ever see the elderly doing so I guess it checks out.

Alex was my favorite though. This broody, dark man who not only fell first but had so much love for his mother and sisters that it makes it impossible to hate him. (I can see why Ophelia couldn’t make herself hate him honestly).

THAT ENDING. Please give me the next book ASAP because I needdddd to know what’s going to happen. If this book isn’t on your radar it really should be!

🖤 Big thanks to Zando, Autumn Woods and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions!!

Rating: 4.25 stars

I FLEW THROUGH THIS ONE.

This was fast, intriguing and a good time.

The characters grow and they are very easy to invest in.

The romance develops at a good pace and is really addicting. The banter is so so good!!!

The story unfolds really nicely and there were definitely moments where I thought we were going to go down a very cliche route but I was pleasantly surprised.

The mystery element is executed nicely. It keeps you on your toes and though it may not be the most twisty, it’s still satisfying.

I’m so so excited for the next book.

4.75

This exceeded all of my expectations!! It was so captivating and Alex was so sweet. I loved the characters and the setting and oh my goood <b>the ending</b>. Brutal. Give me the second book — now please.

I do have a few minor complaints, because when do I not.

Primarily, the transition from the like first half of the book (enemies) to the second half (lovers) was very sudden. They went from like a 6 to 100 on feelings towards each other in like two chapters, but when it happens it HAPPENS.

The reveal could be seen from a mile—let’s be real, ten miles—away, but I wasn’t reading this book for the mystery so it didn’t bother me too much.

All in all though, this was so good, especially for a book and author I’d never heard of. I would definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

omg 😱I need book 2 like yesterday please & thank you 😱



I honestly devoured this book.
The story was so intriguing I just couldn’t stop reading it!

I feel for Ophelia & Alex so much. They both went through way too much sh*t at their age and I loved how perfect they were for each other ! I can’t wait to see more of them in book 2 ❤️

I honestly don’t know how Ophelia managed to keep her secrets from Alex that long. I swear she had so many chances to tell him the truth & I was like “JUST TELL HIM” but she didn’t 😅 I get why she didn’t but that doesn’t mean that the anticipation wasn’t killing me!

Also the banter between them was just chef’s kiss. 💋 i highlighted so many quotes 🤭

The ending had me 😱🤯 i thought I knew who the villain was but now I don’t think do 🤯

I truly can’t wait for the next one !!

okayyyy and when i tell you i need the next one immediately then what?! this was the dark academia (with a hint of romance 🙂‍↕️) of my dreams!! i already love this world and these characters sm i need to know what happens next

This book was HEAVEN!!!
Dark Academia University with a twisted MMC and a FMC who has a heartbreaking backstory but still keeps going no matter what.
A Stalker, murders and more gripping your attention while reading this book and keeping you in suspense.
Alex and Ophelia were strangers to haters to lovers but then the ending happened and it broke me.
I also really loved the side character Vincenzo...he's like a golden retriever mob boss...absolutely adorable and hilarious and the right amount of comedic relief one needed.
I can't wait to find out what happens in Book 2!
And Thank you for sending me this Arc. i really loved diving into this world!

This was a really good college, academy setting, mystery romance. Full of hilarious side characters, Vincenzo I hope you get your own book, and MCs that were both lovable. This book had tons of mystery and drama mixed in with the elite class of people who are okay with killing anyone who gets in their way. I never guessed who Ophelia’s stalker was and the major twist regarding her parents took me by surprise. The ending was a completely rollercoaster and I’m definitely looking forward to book two!
Thank you so much Zando for the review copy!

Dark academia university romance! She's an orphan and his family is responsible for her parents death!

Mourning the death of her parents, Ophelia Winters, enrolls in the prestigious Sorrowsong University, where her parents had been employed, with the hopes of uncovering details of the tragic helicopter accident that had been covered up. Full of celebrities, diplomats, and mafia heirs, the University isn't known for being a cozy place to call home. While running late for Orientation, Ophelia nearly is run over by none other than Alex Corbeau Green, son of the aviation tycoon Cain Green, whose company had been responsible for the helicopter crash.

Thoughts and Spoilers:


WOW! There is so much about this story that I loved! The banter and dynamic between Ophelia and Alex, the mystery component of discovering the crash and other incidents that occur at Sorrowsong, the found family friendships! Ophelia and Alex were both characters with emotional depth that makes perfect sense considering their individual trauma.

One of my biggest complaints was that it seems to be marketed as a mafia romance, and though there is definitely a mafia aspect to it because of their friend groups, neither Ophelia or Alex are actually involved? It's almost mafia by association? As a billionaire heir, Alex definitely is involved in some darker things and didnt really flinch about a dead body, but he himself is not actually a mafia member unless i read incorrectly. I also found that the story pacing threw me off a few times. As if major character development, especially in regards to their feelings for one another, were happening off page. This book easily could have been 40-50 pages longer in my opinion and some of those details could have been better fleshed out!
I'm definitely looking forward to reading book two!

This book is currently indie published, but is getting republished traditionally!
Thank you so much to Zando and NetGalley for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

First off, thank you to NetGalley and Zando for sending me an ARC of this book.

Okay, I just wanna prepare you, this book ends on a cliffhanger and it’s absolutely insane!! There is a warning beforehand so I knew that was gonna happen but the way the cliffhanger fell into place…I just couldn’t believe it. So, I am already waiting for book two, and book one hasn’t even officially been published yet…you can see my dilemma. Our main character Ophelia she is going to this prestigious Scottish university so she can get answers. Something happened to her parents and it’s connected to the school. On her way there she meets this guy Alex, who immediately they vibe, but she’s trying to stay on task. Later she discovers Alex‘s full name and that draws a problem for her because she hates Alex‘s father so because of that, she’s now hating him. Staying away from him obviously isn’t that easy. It’s definitely giving a slow burn but oh my gosh, when it burns, it burns!! Alex doesn’t even know why Ophelia doesn’t like him, but he’s still trying to get to know her because he feels drawn to her. Ophelia is also getting messages from a stalker while at school. Wait until that is revealed because I actually didn’t see that one coming. She’s trying to find out who her stalker is. She’s trying to fight this attraction to Alex and then she’s also trying to find out what happened to her parents. Little does she know things are running deeper than she ever could have imagined the mystery, which is so good, keeps you guessing and on your toes. It makes you just wanna keep reading the book which is why I need the second one please and thank you!

I could not put this book down and I finished it in about 2 days. I could have finished it in one day if I started it earlier but my 9-5 won’t let me leave early to read. 🙄

It was hypnotizing and intoxicating. The banter between Ophelia and Alex was so funny. I swear you could feel the tension between them through the screen. 💙

Ophelia is a sassy red head and Alex is the tough rich kid in the school. I found myself snickering each time Ophelia talked to Alex.

Ophelia has her walls so high up and is set for revenge/justice but she eventually finds herself in a conflicting situation. Should she follow her heart or get justice for her parents. This story gives off gloomy weather, gothic vibes, and the feeling that you are always being watched.

💙Hate to Love
💙 Cute & Funny Banter
💙 Kinda a slow burn
💙Anonymous stalker
💙Murder Mystery
💙Low spice, like pretty tame imo

I knew who the stalker was pretty quick but I think it was the lack of male characters that could keep me guessing and only one character fit the criteria. I wish there were more options so I could keep guessing.

The book ends on a cliffhanger but I’m dying to dig into Autumn’s brain to get spoilers. I definitely recommend this story for those cold, gloomy, shady days. It’s a quick read so grab a cup of coffee and your cuddle buddy to binge this book.

Thank you so much to Zando, Slowburn and Autumn Wood for the eARC! I am dying for the second book. 😭🥺

Autumn Woods did a great job painting us the imagery of a creepy, old university in perpetually rainy Scotland. Sorrowsong University is described with gothic elements and descriptors, and boasting 4 houses within the student body. When we are introduced to the 4 houses initially, I was excited and I expected more interactions amongst the various students within the houses to help flesh out how the university works. However, this isn't the case, and we are mostly within the Nightshade House so I found this a bit lackluster and forgot there were even 4 houses as I read on.

My shining moments were definitely Ophelia's and Alex's banter. The emails, definitions, and crossword foreplay were so witty and funny. I did enjoy their initial enemies to lovers moments, but it didn't really make sense to me that Ophelia didn't know who Alex was. If I'm set on getting revenge, I am learning EVERYTHING about the family I am getting revenge on, right? It was also only a slow burn the first half...and then Alex becomes obsessed with her quickly. It gave me whiplash how fast it happened. But hey, once he was obsessed, I still swooned.

Was the storyline a bit predictable? Yes, but I still found it enjoyable. I really like Autumn Woods' writing style. It could use a bit of polishing to enrich the characters and plot a bit better, but I was still sucked in to the world of Sorrowsong. I look forward to book 2!

Thank you Zando and Autumn Woods for the ARC ♡

I really enjoyed this one! It's got the perfect gothic setting, an incredible romance, some mystery, and a book boyfriend that I won't be forgetting anytime soon! I need the second book ASAP!

Romance. Suspense. Yearning. Found family. Nightshade has it ALL IN SPADES! Alex is the heir of an aviation company in the US and Ophelia has lost everything. They both end up at Sorrowsong- a university that basically educates the offspring of the most corrupt people in the world. It is in Scotland and has major Harry Potter vibes with houses etc, but no magic. Alex and Ophelia continue to get thrown together and eventually form a found family with some of their other friends. Ophelia is trying to avenge her parents' deaths and also has a deadly stalker lurking on campus. Alex is trying to raise his six sisters from afar while his mother is in a mental health crisis and his father is working.

Alex and Ophelia are both so miserable and attracted to each other. I loved reading how they understood each other. However- this book does end on a heartbreaking cliffhanger, but I know it will be worth it! I will be waiting for Nightshade 2 to come out with bated breath!

Thank you NetGalley and Zando for this ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

That cliffhanger just brought me physical pain <3

I went into this book completely blind and had SO MUCH FUN. A dark university setting where all of the students are from dangerous families (mafia, drug lords, evil CEOs).

Fast paced an entertaining all the way through. Started off where I thought the vibe would be enemies to lovers but morphed into “he hates how much he likes her” to “he fell first & is down bad”

Sooo fun

Oh wow! This story had a near-poetic quality to it. I absolutely loved all the literary references sprinkled throughout, and the banter between Alex and Ophelia was everything. I seriously need a Vincenzo in my life. The concept behind NIGHTSHADE was fantastic, and Autumn did a brilliant job weaving the plot together. Without giving anything away, I was genuinely caught off guard by that late revelation…so well done.

That said, something felt a bit off for me pacing-wise. Certain scenes had a “fade-to-black” feeling, like in romance novels, or they would appear and disappear so suddenly it was jarring. It’s hard to put into words, but there were moments where I found myself wanting more… more depth, more buildup, more resolution.

Still, what a strong debut. My personal feeling of “missing something” doesn’t take away from the story as a whole. The emotional connection between Alex and Ophelia, both individually and together, was beautifully done. I devoured NIGHTSHADE in one sitting and cannot wait for book two.

Tropes:
Dark academia
Murder Mystery/thriller
MMC has daddy issues
Mafia adjacent



I am excited for book2! It is already on my TBR list. I absolutely love the banter between Ophelia and Alex. I was laughing at Alex’s responses to Ophelia. I loved their interactions with one another. Alex’s character development? Flawless.

It was a slow start for me but after the 30% mark, I instantly fell in love with the two. I can’t wait to see what book2 has in store

Really enjoyed this and I am patiently impatiently waiting for the release of the 2nd book.
Thank you Netgalley for an arc of this book!