I gave this book A 3.5.... I really enjoyed the Gothic type romance between Sophie and Mr. Argenston. I think it was sweet the way the love story unfolded, amidst a spooky background, which by the way I loved the way the author chose to describe the house called Northwood, that Sophie's husband whisked her off to right after their marriage.

But why is the staff so strange and the house so spooky? I'm never one to put spoilers in.

I think this book is great, especially if you want a change of pace like I did from my usual genre. I can't wait for book #2 to come out!

Special thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book for my honest review.

This book was haunting, terrifying, and suspenseful with a little bit of romance in the mix. The author created a super creepy atmosphere, great characters, and many heart-pounding, vivid scenes. Everything came together so well to create a gripping, supernatural tale that I finished in under 8 hours. It was such an easy, quick read and I’m gonna be picking up the next book in the sequel because I have to after that ending!

This was my first Darcy Coates book, and it both did and didn't meet my expectations. I am not the biggest fan of gothic period romances, and going in this felt exactly like that. A 'forced' marriage due to crumbling circumstances, a strange rich man with a dark demeanor and mysterious home, willing to save her family from destitution. I was eye-rolling with the best of them. This book surprised me, not only did the home and budding relationship meet my expectations, but in the paranormal aspects, it quite exceeded them in what turned out to be a very entertaining and chilling read. So hey in the long run, mayhap I won't judge a book based on others that burnt me, perhaps, just perhaps, I'll give more a chance because of this one.

The book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another gripping and entertaining by this author. I loved the atmosphere, the great plot and the characters.
I couldn't put it down and I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Darcy Coates was an author I hadnt heard about, but the description of the book grabbed my interest and now I'm addicted to her. I read all this book in one day. Its a good classic haunted Victorian story. I was expecting to hate Sophie for being a weak delicate lady but she was so well written, I just couldnt. The story is interesting and spooky and I need more from this author.

Shouting praise for Darcy Coates! She has an amazing way of weaving a story and I cannot put down any book she writes. She is a fresh and amazing voice in horror.

I could not stop reading this novel. It was the perfect amount of fright. The descriptions of the haunting and trauma to Sophie is enough to send shivers down my spine but hardly grotesque. There is some classic Gothic romance which pulled at my heart strings. I'm not a sappy romantic reader and sometimes it felt like the romance and emotions appeared out of nowhere but honestly, I've thought about it and it feels on par with classic Gothic story lines. All or nothing, hot or cold.

Highly recommend this book to anyone that ones a good fright and page turner experience.

House of Shadows is a Gothic horror novel but it feel full of life and is quite a rush. Sophie Hemlock meets Mr. Argenton in passing at an outing with her Uncle and 15 days later she is married and traveling to his estate, the mysterious Northwood. A sprawling estate that sits hours from civilization.

Her husband is a highly regarded and wealthy businessman who descends from the mysterious Argenton family. Once a large and respected family, there are now only four remaining members and they are cold and full of secrets.

Sophie is still roiling from the quick marriage and departure from her family but those worries are trivial. She realizes quickly that Northwood is haunted by Argenton ancestors and they appear to be resentful of her presence in their house. Their hostility is unnerving. Pianos play in the middle of the night, blood drips from the ceiling, shadows breath on her in the dark.

She is trapped in Northwood with a husband she is growing fond of but is full of secrets. Can she trust him or will be and the damnable Northwood be her demise?

After Sophie's family suffers financial trouble, the wealthy and mysterious Mr. Argenton proposes marriage. In order to save her family from poverty, she accepts his proposal and moves into his family's remote estate, which is harboring a dangerous secret. The more time Sophie spends at Northwood, the stranger things become. The staff refuses to meet her eyes, her new cousin draws disturbing pictures, and ghosts seem to haunt the halls.

House of Shadows is the first installment in a new series titled the same, and the author did a wonderful job creating a sinister, atmospheric setting. There is a good mix of horror, mystery, and ghost story to keep any reader interested and on edge. The romance in the story was quickly developed, but the characters are well written. If you enjoy Gothic romances, consider adding House of Shadows to your TBR.

3.75 stars
**Many thanks to Darcy Coates, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Release date: 5 May 2020**

House of Shadows is a book that is sure to grab any readers' attention within the first few chapters. Due to its easy writing and fast pace, this is perfect for anyone trying to get out of a reading slump. After a financial disaster strikes her family, Sophie Hemlock says yes to a marriage with a dark, wealthy stranger: Mr. Argenton. Within seconds she is whisked off to a house, Northwood, where she is surrounded by hauntingly pale and scared faces of numerous mute staff and the every sneering faces of Mr. Argenton's relatives. As she struggles to find her way she accidentally finds a red door behind which Sophie senses a looming presence... will she figure out the secrets surrounding the Northwood residents?

Darcy Coates does an amazing job of keeping her readers on the edge of their seats. Since the second you get into Northwood you will be intrigued by its vastness, its residence, and the atmosphere. I loved the gothic atmosphere so much because it was ever-present in the way Northwood was described. Although the writing is very simple most times, the imagery and atmosphere is definitely Coates' strong-point. Throughout the entire book we are shown not told things, and I am very grateful for that... it really does wonders by adding to the mystery (whether it is the symbolism of labyrinths or foreshadowing or just atmospheric build-up).

One thing that I didn't really like was the beginning (and anything related to Sophie's family really). The book starts off in a random place, in my opinion, and in minutes we are already leaving Sophie's life behind. Though this doesn't really matter, I would have preferred to understand the bond surrounding Sophie and her family more as it is quickly glossed over and forgotten.

I did really enjoy the romance, maybe not so much because it was sexy, but because the way Mr. Argenton and Sophie fall in love with each other. This is definitely a strong area for the novel. (spoiler hidden! Please look to original review to open the spoiler tag, thank you!)

The other section that I didn't quite appreciate was the characterisation. Though I do understand that maybe the author wants the reader to envision themselves in Sophie, I do not think that making her a blank slate was the best choice. Honestly, you can replace Sophie with any YA kind and gentle female character and you'd be fine.

All in all, I thought House of Shadows was quite an enjoyable read, and I hope that House of Secrets, the sequel, continues relishing in book 1's strengths while improving on the weaknesses.

Original review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3281998143?book_show_action=false

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my digital copy of House of Shadows.

I really liked the feel of this book. There is a lot of atmospheric tension and definitely a lot of creepy happenings. I haven't read many Gothic horror/romance books, but this was a quick paced story and enjoyable to read. Darcy Coates' writing is descriptive and I could picture everything perfectly.

Sophie is quite taken by the tall, dark stranger she meets while at the opera with her uncle. She is unsettled by him, but also intrigued. Bad news comes to her when she finds out her family is on the brink of ruin when a disaster bankrupts them. Mr. Argenton comes up with a proposition of sorts; Sophie marry him and he in return will restore the family's name and money. She takes his offer and is taken to Northwood, a sprawling mansion in the middle of nowhere. She finds the rest of his family unsettling. Rose, Garrett and Elise all seem to be hiding something; she's even more on edge when she begins to realize that her new husband is also hiding a dark secret.

Northwood is crawling with darkness itself. Strange creatures creep across the lawns at night, ghosts are seen in the home and blood even drips from the ceiling. Elise, the young cousin, draws disturbing pictures of a dark creature that she says is haunting her. Sophie is soon in the middle of an ongoing horror story and soon, that horror story will come to a dark crescendo. She must fight to save not only herself, but also the man she married.

House of Shadows is a fast paced, dark story with great elements of horror.

I am so glad I have found Darcy Coates as an author! She is exactly what my reading life has been missing. House of Shadows is gothic horror in the truest of forms, it is chilling and less to a perfectly executed crescendo that most modern day books lack. This is one of those books that throws you in a Victorian time period and spooky house right from the beginning and doesn't let you go. It throws in a family curse and mythical creature without ever crossing the line of being cliche.

The romance in this book is super subdued and never outweighs the frights it delivers. Although, it does help to warm the reader to the characters of Sophie and Joseph and invest in their relationship that one might assume is doomed from its sudden birth. Everything that happens in this book, from character development to plot thickening, seems 100% intentional and serves a purpose in delving up a truly scary story that will leave you begging for more and, luckily, there is already a sequel out to dive into, which I am doing RIGHT NOW.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honesty and to Darcy Coates for renewing my faith in the horror genre!

There was something strangely, unsettlingly intense about the man. He was cultured and polite, but she thought there were subtle hints - the slight inflection in his voice and the intense edge to his eyes - that suggested he was capable of terrible dangerous thing.”

Mysterious handsome stranger? Creepy gothic house full of dark secrets? Paranormal activity? Check, check and check. This book intrigued me from the very start. I loved the mysterious and dark components leading up to the house. The romance was cute too but a little quick to my liking.

One thing that disappointed me was the lack of anticipation. Events happened quick without giving you that chill or suspense factor. I also don’t know how to feel about how it ended nor the main concept. It was an interesting take on a horror story and I do like what the “secret” actually is. But it’s not really a secret though. I do also wish it was a longer story because I finished it in one sitting. Overall, still an enjoyable read!


Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this digital arc!

This was a fun fast paced Gothic romance. The story had a old fashion horror feel to it that really made you get engrossed in the book. The growth of the heroine in the novel was also something I really enjoyed. This story had all of the elements you look for in any Gothic story and left you wanting more. The author really does a good job of setting up for more to come.

This is my second Darcy Coates book and I've come to learn there are two things I can count on - my enjoyment of her writing style and eerie covers perfect for what's inside.

Reading The Amityville Horror many years ago made me a fan of haunted house novels.  I seem to gravitate toward them.  House of Shadows has a distinct gothic feel, an aspect which adds to the creep factor in my opinion.  When candles are your only souce of lighting, you never know what that light will fall on when you round a corner.  Or what it might miss in the shadows.  

After marrying someone she barely knows and moving far away from her family, Sophie is immediately thrust into an unwelcoming sitation with Joseph's relatives.  It's also clear the staff are terrified of something and barely speak.  Sophie initially gives off the damsel-in-distress vibe, but when her back is against the wall, she comes through when it counts.    

This is a quick read, but I wouldn't have minded it being longer.  Once the climax is reached, pacing moves at break-neck speed, but the ending nicely sets up the second book.  

If you're looking for aggressive horror, this may not be the book for you, but if you enjoy some creepy-crawly moments that send chills down your spine with a touch of romance, you'll settle in nicely with House of Shadows.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

House of Shadows is an enjoyable gothic romance/mystery/thriller/horror. The writing is well done and provides a good amount of the creepy. The romantic element is a bit convenient and happens quickly for my liking. Overall It was worth reading and I definitely will seek out the second book in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. .

House of Shadows is a romantic story, set in a gothic atmosphere! There.. thats all you need to know about this book.. now pick it up and start reading for a spooky, creepy reading experience.. no horror.. just a mild spooks and suspense! Love the whole gothic setting of the story. Sophie and Joseph are loveable.. although I felt Sophie could easily pass for a “disturbed” girl.. i think that because how well the author has penned down the characters and the story line!
Thank you NetGalley, author and publisher for the ARC. This review is my own and is not influenced in any way.

The House of Shadows is about a young woman named Sophie. After her family suffers from financial trouble, the rich and mysterious Mr. Argenton swoops in at the right time with a marriage proposal. In order to save her family, Sophie agrees to his proposal and moves into his family estate - Northwood. However, something is wrong with the house and the staff. No one will look her in the eye, her new cousin draws disturbing pictures and the dead don't seem so dead.

I really liked the horror aspect of the book. It was the right amount of creepy. Sophie is a brave and headstrong woman, which no one would blame her if she noped right out of that house after things start going wrong. What I didn't really care for was the romance. Sophie and Mr. Argenton had very few interactions before she suddenly realizes she loves him. She barely knows the way to her own room at that point, let alone know her new husband well enough to have profound emotions for him. I get thatl trauma brings people together, but it was still a bit of a stretch. I really wish the book was a bit longer to give the relationship time to develop and build up more suspense.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Twenty-year old Sophie lives a comfortable life of wealth with her family. The family is looked after, and her brother is enrolled in an expensive private school. But everything changes when a boat full of silks for the family's merchant business smashes on the rocks at sea. Her family lost everything, and to save her family she is given an offer. Marry the handsome, but odd Joseph and move into his home, or watch her family become destitute.

After her marriage to Joesph, she rides to the family home in his carriage and starts to understand that something is not quite right about the eerie house in the woods. Even the horses when approaching the house will not come too close...but why? Even odder is Joseph's Aunt Rose who will stop at nothing to treat Sophie badly and keep her away from Joseph. And then she begins to believe that something is in the house with her. And the presence may be dark, with sharp teeth, and it may be after her.

I absolutely loved this dark gothic thriller, and had a difficult time putting it down. The descriptions of the house, the odd happenings and the woods kept me on the edge of my seat. And the budding romance between her and the dark handsome Joseph was nice as well. I definitely recommend this thriller, and plan to pick up the second in the series once it's available.

House of Shadows is the first of two gothic mysteries in the Ghosts and Shadows series. The pacing and intensity starts slow and innocent and builds steadily throughout.

We first meet Sophie whose merchant father has just lost nearly everything in a shipping accident. That's where Mr. Argenton comes in - mysterious and very well off, he asks to marry Sophie, in exchange promising to take care of her family's financial issues. Sophie has no choice but to say yes and by doing so agrees to live in his home far from the nearest town.

The mysteries start immediately after the wedding. Sophie's new husband appears to be ill and journeys ahead leaving Sophie to make the three day journey alone. When Sophie finally arrives he appear fine. Upon her arrival the mystery deepens.

Sophie is enthralled with the mansion and the secrets it holds. Is it really just wolves lurking in the woods? Is the house haunted? What's wrong with her new husband and his peculiar family? What is behind the red door?

Sophie is the perfect blend of timid yet curious to explore. Extremely well written with vivid descriptions that capture your imagination and put you right there creeping through the hallways with Sophie. This story is totally unique and unpredictable in the best kind of way.

Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys thrillers and mysteries without the violence that tends to permeate the genre. While there is a layer of romance to this that is just a small part of the story.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley for supplying me with a copy to review. Will definitely be adding a hard copy to my collection when it comes out!

Horror/paranormal is not a genre I read a lot of, but wow, House of Shadows has definitely made me regret that. I got so engrossed in this book I read it in a day, and still couldn't have enough of it.

Something is so attractive about paranormal mysteries set in mysterious mansions ! House of Shadows completely delivers that, and the ambient creepy mood is so well balanced you can read the book even if you get scared easily. When I started reading it I hadn't realized this was the first book in a series, and oh my, learning that made my whole day a little better ! I can't wait to read about the house again.

I was not too fond of Sophie, the main character, who I thought a little too naive for her own good. However, the Argenton family was definitely incredible. Although I loved them all, I was especially interested in Elise, Joseph's niece, who gives off MASSIVE Wednesday Adams energy ! She's that 12 year old girl, who draws a strange monster and seems to be haunted by something powerful. I wanted to read about her so bad ! House of Shadows was focused on Sophie and Joseph, but I hope that book 2 will be more focused on Elise and Garrett, as the end might suggest.

I was pretty terrified by this book! It was creepy and haunting and so well written. Loved it. Kept me on the edge of my seat through out xx