Nightshade is the first book in the Sorrowsong University duet and is set in an old castle in a very misty Scotland.

The story follows Ophelia, who is accepted into the prestigious Sorrowsong University, where she hopes she will find answers to the mystery surrounding her parents death. Unlike the spoiled rich students Ophelia is on a scholarship and is an outsider due to her lack of wealth and connections.

Ophelia’s plans for revenge are complicated by her growing attraction to Alex Corbeau-Green, the son of her prime suspect in her parents death! She wants the person responsible for her parents death to face justice but can she go through with it if it means destroying Alex too?

I liked the mystical atmosphere of Nightshade; a castle University in the cold and misty Scottish highlands, shadowy libraries and references to classic literature, it all added to the dark academia feel of the story.

While I found Ophelia somewhat boring Alex had a more interesting backstory and I’m keen to read more about him. He’s tall, dark, athletic and handsome, but he’s also tortured and broody. I adore the way he takes care of his sisters and also shows up for Ophelia. He shows time and again that he’s nothing like his father.

Despite her unfortunate circumstances Ophelia is strong and determined, but she’s also vulnerable and somewhat naive.

My favourite part of the books was the banter between Ophelia and Alex, their email exchanges were hilarious! The only thing I didn’t love was the ending! I can’t believe I have to wait so long to find out what happens next!

TO BE CONTINUED?!?!

My jaw is on the floor!!! This was the perfect spooky read with so many twists and turns. I was giggling and kicking my feet at Alex & his obsession with Ophelia.

Can’t wait for book 2!

Dark academia, forced proximity, university shrouded in mystery. Secrets and murders. Enemies to lovers and revenge plot.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - it was a strong 4 stars for me. Both the murder mystery and romantic storylines were well executed in a way that kept you glued to the page.

Ophelia is a strong, determined but also vulnerable FMC who is not afraid to be different. Watching the story unfold and Ophelia have to choose between her anger and need for revenge and the developing relationships she valued showed a level of “real” that added depth and complexity to the book. Alex comes across as your typical rich play boy at the start of the book, but as you get to know him more you understand that a lot of that is a show.

I was engaged in the mystery the entire way through, and whenever I thought I knew what was going on, another piece of the overall puzzle was revealed which had me straight back to wondering what was going on.

At one stage in the book I did feel that the relationship between Ophelia and Alex suddenly jumped in a way that had me flipping back to check if I had missed anything. Other than that it was an amazing book and after that cliffhanger I cannot wait for book 2!

A huge thank you to the amazing author Autumn Woods, Zando and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Nightshade in exchange for my honest review.

"𝑶𝒑𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒂 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒍𝒚 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒆. 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆. 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒈 𝒔𝒉𝒆'𝒍𝒍 𝒅𝒐 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍. 𝑻𝒐𝒐 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚, 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒄𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆."

Special thanks to @zandoprojects @slow.burnreads @autumnwoods.author & @netgalley for the #gifted eARC and physical copies.

👉🏼 swipe for synopsis ➡️

𝙈𝙔 𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️➕️

✍️🏼 Enemies to lovers
✍️🏼 Dark academia
✍️🏼 Mysterious murders
✍️🏼 Revenge
✍️🏼 Grumpy x grumpy

So we all know im always going into books blind. We'll this one was sent to me and I read the dark academia part and the rest went out the window.
Ophelia is plagued with guilt of her parents passing and is bound to find the truth with a side of revenge. Alex happens to be part of that by familial qualities, yet she can't put a finger on what draws her to him.

I've come to love a good romantic suspense every once and a while and watching this story unfold had me glued to the pages. The academia setting really added to the ambiance, and im living for it.

I mean WOW just WOW, I was emerged into the world of Sorrowsong and I didnt want it to end. Im pining for book 2, more than I've ever wanted a second book in a series. Holy shit was that amazing.

But the last sentence 😭😭😭😭😭😭

𝙋𝙐𝘽 𝘿𝘼𝙔:


ℚ𝕆𝕋𝔻❓️⁉️❓️ What's a genre you recently read that is out of your norm, but you ended up loving?

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#mysteryandthrills #thrillersandsuspense #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerlover #thrilleraddict #thrillerjunkie #thrillergirlie #bookbuzz #darkacademia #romanticsuspense #swoonworthy #autumnwoods #nightshade #slowburnreads #zando #netgalley #topreadof2025
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This book was a rollercoaster right from the start to the end!! I need the second book like right now!! I'm obsessed with Ophelia and alex!! This book had all the vibes. It reminded me why I love dark academia books so much. The tension between the charcters was immaculate. please go read this book rn if you haven't yet!

Such a great book! The ending leaves you hanging with heartbreak. Need the next book AsAP. I could not stop reading trying to figure out what is going to happen next. “I will love you with the same intensity that you hate me”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Twisty, Tense, and Surprisingly Emotional

Nightshade is a dark, slow-burn romantic suspense that totally sneaks up on you. It’s part murder mystery, part love story, with just the right amount of grit and heart.

The mystery is well done—tense and layered, with enough red herrings to keep you second-guessing. But what really stands out is the chemistry between the main characters. The romance feels earned and believable, with just the right mix of tension, tenderness, and unresolved baggage. Nothing insta-love here, thankfully.

The writing is gorgeous without being overdone, and the darker tone fits the story perfectly. My only gripe is that the middle slowed down a bit, and a couple of side characters could’ve used more development. But overall, it’s a great read

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you so much to Autumn Woods and everyone at Netgalley and Zando for giving me an ARC of this book and the chance to review it. This book chewed me up and spat me out as a little ball of pain on the floor—see that ball? That’s me. I want to scream, I want to cry, I want to shake the psychopath who thought making this a duet was a good idea because that cliffhanger left me feral. Why did I think I deserved peace? Emotional wreck on public transport. 5⭐️ for the damage alone. We follow Ophelia Winters, who accepts a scholarship at an elite Scottish university, determined to prove her parents' death was the fault of aviation mogul Cain Green. Her plan? Simple—keep her grades up, stay under the radar. Easy. Until the mysterious man who nearly kills her on day one turns out to be Cain’s son. Enter: Alex Corbeau-Green. A monster in disguise… or so she thinks. Loneliness has been Ophelia’s only constant, but when anonymous threats and strange things start happening, she wonders if she can really survive Sorrowsong alone. Between a project partnership and becoming alibis in a murder case (yes, really), staying away from Alex becomes impossible. And when she starts falling for the soft heart beneath his cold exterior? That vengeance mission gets complicated—fast. This book is dark. Dark academia, slow-burn, Scottish Highlands gothic energy—and it delivers. The mystery and suspense of it all was incredible and just added to the tension and atmosphere. Check your triggers: there’s grief, suicidal thoughts, depression (especially with Alex), and a whole lot of emotional carnage. And yet… it’s stunning. The setting? Beautiful. The pacing? Perfection. The chemistry? SCREAMING. They don’t even get together until 60% and by then I was feral. The spice? 10/10. These two are soulmates, full stop. Alex is the blueprint for “if she asked him to jump, he’d say how high.” And Ophelia is a badass with trauma and a grudge and absolutely no chill—and I adored her. Just when she starts to love, everything goes to hell. Why can’t they just be happy??? Even the side characters were full of life and added so much. I’m obsessed. I'm wrecked. I’m ready to sell my soul for book 2. Bring tissues. Bring rage. 10/10 recommend.

From the very first page, Nightshade had me in a chokehold. Rain poured down as we followed our FMC along a winding, isolated road towards a looming, gothic university. The setting was eerie, atmospheric, and deliciously moody. Everything I want when diving into a dark academia mystery. I went in intrigued by the enemies-to-lovers trope and the haunting university backdrop, and came out absolutely obsessed!

What truly anchored me to the story was Ophelia. She’s determined and angry, fueled by grief, but she hasn’t lost her heart. Her pain, especially over the mystery surrounding her parents deaths, felt deeply layered. Watching her unravel the truth while trying to stay grounded in the promises she made to them hit hard. I love that she never felt like a caricature of the “tough girl”. She’s angry, yes, but she’s also vulnerable, curious, and so real.

And then there’s Alex. Broody. Brilliant. Burdened. He plays the role of aloof, cocky love interest so well, but underneath it all is a young man trying to hold his fractured family together. He’s not just a love interest. He’s a caretaker, a protector, and a boy with a breaking heart.

Together, Ophelia and Alex lit up the page. Their back-and-forth dynamic was addictive, the tension was top tier, and the emotional payoffs? Chef’s kiss. I wouldn’t just call this a romance, it’s a story about two broken people slowly beginning to understand that they’re not alone in their pain.

The mystery element keep me fully engaged. The pacing was sharp and the reveals were perfectly spaced out. I flew through chapters needing to know more. Every time I thought I had the plot figured out, a new piece of the puzzle would shift and deepen the stakes.

Grief, legacy, and found family are strong undercurrents throughout. Both Ophelia and Alex are navigating personal losses that have reshaped who they are, and the story explores what it means to carry those burdens and still try to reach for something (or someone) more.

And let’s talk about the setting! The writing painted a world so vivid I could feel the damp chill in the air, hear the echoes in Sorrowsong’s ancient halls, and see the silvery mist rolling across the tarn. The university wasn’t just a backdrop. It shaped the tone, the characters, and the plot itself. I could have stayed in this world for so much longer.

The cliffhanger ending left me gasping. I’m not okay. I’ll be (im)patiently waiting for book two!

If you’re into dark academia, enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romance, and atmospheric mysteries that keep you guessing, Nightshade by Autumn Woods needs to be on your radar.

Thank you to Zando publishing, author Autumn Woods, and NetGalley for the advance copy of this title.

Omg! This book was so good. Literally gave me Pretty Little Liars vibes and I’m loving it.

I loved the plot and the FMCs quest for revenge but her internal battle as she develops feelings for the OPP. The tension and the angst were heavy with this one. That forbidden love and enemies to lovers (even though it was a one sided beef) was so hot 🥵. And Alex? Omg Alex was funny as hell! He has me literally laughing out loud the entire book. His banter was top notch but the way he cared for and loved Ophelia was even better. He’s literally everything a book boyfriend should be.

This book has it all! Revenge, drama, angst, spicy romance, secrets, betrayal, mystery, and more.

4.25 stars
I really enjoyed this! Fun, fast paced, and full of tension. Plus the stalker mystery added another element that drove the plot. Can't wait to read the next one!

I really enjoyed Nightshade! It has enemies to lovers and some of the best banter! The world building is good and the characters are great! I would definitely recommend and can't wait for book 2. Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for the opportunity to review this ARC.

addictive as heck. i loved this so much. fast paced and always wanted more. i love the plot, nothing like ive ever read before.

I enjoyed this, it was a really good mixture of mystery and romance and the setting really made the dark academia come through.
I liked both main characters, I'm hoping in book 2 we get a bit more from Alex's perspective as I don't feel like I know him as well.
However Ophelia we got to know really well and I felt like I could completely understand her by the end.
I can't wait to see what happens in book 2 and hope the one part I found quite silly is resolved quickly and we learn more about the part of the world that wasn't explored to much in this book.
I did enjoy that even though this is a duology the majority of the mystery was concluded in this and there wasn't any annoying cliffhangers.

Thanks to @netgalley , the publishers for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a while to get into Nightshade. A little slow going. But it does pick up and gets so much better. I love a good enemy to lovers or hate to love. And out for revenge trope. Oh but that dang ending ugh. I cannot wait for book two.

I need the second book right now!!! It’s so dark and gloomy and I loved every second of it. Ophelia just storms your heart and then you have Alex - the grumpy, tortured, dark and deadly type. 🔥 The banter is top notch. The mystery and twists and turns off the chart.

Nightshade had an interesting and intriguing premise that had me extremely excited to read it. While it kept me interested and intrigued there were things about it that kinda annoyed me like how long it took Ophelia to tell Alex about her parents. I felt it was dragged on for too long that it became an irritating. However, I enjoyed this book that was rich in suspense, creepy vibes, tension, secrets, murder, romance and so much more. I found parts of it slow and was a bit confused by the inclusion of houses as they didn't seem to play a significant role in the story but man did I enjoy the journey so much so that I can't wait to read the conclusion. This is my first book by this author I found it enjoyable and definitely recommend. I am looking forward to reading more of her work.

You know those books where you’re like, “Okay yeah, I’ve seen this before,” and then somehow three hours go by and you’re still flipping pages like your life depends on it? Yeah. That was me.

It kicks off with all the usual suspects; moody girl, mysterious rich boy, ridiculously elite school where everyone has secrets and unlimited black cards. I was fully prepared to roll my eyes and move on. But then… the plot started throwing curveballs. Not earth-shattering twists, but enough to make me sit up and be like, “Wait, what??”

And the angst? It crept up on me. I didn’t expect to feel that emotionally invested, but suddenly I was way too concerned about two fictional people making bad decisions in hallways and libraries.

The characters aren’t breaking any molds, but I actually loved that. They were the perfect mix of messy, dramatic, and secretly soft. I especially liked the main duo Alex and Ophelia, there’s something addictive about watching them almost kiss like five times and then storm off instead. Peak entertainment.

Was it a little over the top? For sure. Were there some conveniently timed plot moves? Yep. But did I care? Not really. Because the pacing was tight, the vibes were immaculate, and the ending left me needing book two like it was a season finale cliffhanger.

If you’re in the mood for something juicy, chaotic, and surprisingly full of feelings, add this to your list. Zero regrets.

I absolutely loved this book! Every aspect, including the mystery, attraction, and angst, was beautifully crafted. Each twist kept me on the edge of my seat.

The setting was incredibly well portrayed, creating a dark and mysterious vibe that kept me entertained throughout the entire story.

Opelia and Alex became my favorite characters very quickly. Their attraction and chemistry were exceptional.

Thank you for the ARC from NetGalley! :)

Nightshade was my first dark academia book and I have to say—I’m officially hooked. From the very first page, this book pulled me into its eerie, mysterious world and didn’t let go.

The story follows Ophelia, who is not only trying to uncover the truth behind her parents’ deaths but is also being haunted—literally and figuratively—by a stalker. The way the mystery unfolded kept me completely on edge. Each clue, each twist, had me second-guessing everyone and everything. The atmosphere was haunting, rich, and perfectly moody—everything I’d want in a dark academia read.

The romance between Ophelia and Alex was such a highlight for me. Their chemistry practically jumped off the page, and the yearning and banter were top-tier. I especially loved the flirty email exchanges Alex kept sending—playful, clever, and just the right amount of swoony. Their dynamic added the perfect layer of lightness and warmth amidst the darker, more intense elements of the story.

And can we talk about that ending? OMG. I did not see it coming. It completely flipped everything I thought I knew and left me screaming for the next book. The cliffhanger was brutal in the best possible way.