This book started off a little slow for me but I'm so glad I stuck with it! Alex is a top tier book boyfriend! And the banter between him and Ophelia was 10/10. But I would not recommend reading this in public. The ending had me sobbing on an airplane. I need book 2 ASAP!

I'm an absolute sucker for a good enemies to lovers trope, and Nightshade did not disappoint.

Corrupt CEO's, awful parents, covered up murders, mafia besties, secrets, betrayal, mental illnesses, and a romance you just can't help but root for. A broody, depressed, sweet, caring man who doesnt think he's worthy of love but would do anything for his sisters and his mother and a sassy, emotional, independent woman out to avenge her parents untimely death. Wires cross, world's coincide, and I lapped up every twist and turn.

While the writing was occasionally quite repetitive, there were some real gems throughout the book that spoke to me. A particular favourite being: "Just surviving is achievement enough" because isn't that just the reminder we all need to hear sometimes.

Alex truly had me kicking me feet at times, and the way he and Ophelia bickered and flirted together - especially the email subject headings and the crossword clues - had me cackling.

I sort of predicted the big reveal near the end of the book a few chapters prior, but it was still tense and tied a few loose ends together. That is, until the damn cliffhanger ending came and unravelled them all over again.

Genuinely very excited for book 2, genuinely very annoyed I now have to wait for it.

Loved this spooky atmospheric dark academia, the character development was top notch and what kept me reading, the pace was a little slow but I really enjoyed reading this!

4.5!
Dark Academia isn't usually a favourite of mine but Nightshade was so a pleasure to read.

I found it a little tricky to get into at first but the character development and relationship between Ophelia and Alex sucked me in and kept me rooting for them. I loved how the tone of Autumns writing matched the mood/weather/overall feel of the book so consistently.

Nightshade is spooky, suspenseful, emotional, and fast paced!
Excited to have it in store and see what comes next from Autumn, Alex and Ophelia!

Thank you for this advanced read to the author, publisher, and NetGalley.
A soft dnf/pause for now, so the middle rating, I don't feel anything else would be fair. I am definitely in the minority here but this one just didn't click with me, could be the reading slump or simply I am not into dark academia in general. This was probably my best attempt with the subgenre yet. The characters were interesting and the tone/atmosphere were right and combined mystery and wit well.
I think my biggest issue was that the beginning was abrupt and a lot of background felt missing. In general I think it needs better flow and transitions so that the plot moves more organically and we feel tension and urgency.
But overall I think it would be a great read for people who like dark academia/mafia/university romances and I am glad that I had the chance to try it.