I devoured this book—no other way to put it. Autumn Woods delivers an atmospheric, dark academia masterpiece with Nightshade, weaving together a slow-burn romance, chilling secrets, and characters that feel as alive as they are dangerous.

From the first page, I was hooked. The setting is deliciously gothic, and the tension simmers beneath every interaction. The slow burn between Ophelia and Alex is perfectly paced—intense, frustrating (in the best way), and utterly addictive. Speaking of Alex: he's officially my new favorite book boyfriend. Mysterious, intelligent, yet caring and protective, and a little dangerous? Sign me up. I love that he fell first.

Ophelia is a standout FMC. She's dark, complex, and entirely unapologetic in her thirst for revenge. Her inner turmoil and sharp edges make her compelling and interesting —a refreshing change from more conventional protagonists.

And that ending? Shook. The cliffhanger left my jaw on the floor, and I’m already counting down the days until the next installment.

If you’re into dark academia with morally gray characters, slow-burn romance, and high stakes, Nightshade is a must-read. Autumn Woods is definitely an author to watch.

“If you end up being the death of me, Winters, I couldn’t ask for a better end.”

This book FAR EXCEED all expectations. It was a masterpiece, truly. From fully-flushed out character development, to intricate plot, to a slow burn that will have you climbing the walls. Nightshade has easily become one of my favorite reads of the year!

Nightshade follows Ophelia Winters, whose parents were murdered in a planned helicopter crash. Ophelia, over the years, has been compounding evidence against the prospective culprits. Which leads her to Sorrowsong University, the place where her parents worked. This college is unlike any others, filled to the brim with children of dark, scary, and powerful underground crime leaders, Ophelia sticks out like a sore thumb lol.

The author did such a fantastic job weaving so many plot points (murder mystery, Ophelia’s creepy stalker, revenge, attempted and successful murders, and romance). Not a single page was ever wasted. I just can’t get over how incredible this book was.

Our MMC, Alex, is also just *unintelligible screaming* He is son to the CEO of the helicopter company that hd a hand in Ophelia’s parent’s murder. Alex is son to the protective, almost a dash possessive, but also is so romantic and sweet. Alex and Ophelia together, despite being a bit of star-crossed lovers, made SO MUCH sense together.

P.S. this slow burn is one for the ages because the way I was still dying at like 70% LOL.

Hate to love// revenge// found family// SLOW BURN// dark academia vibes// eerie gothic castle// dry humping// thigh riding// MMC is a certifiable munch// Virgin FMC// Both MCs are grumpy

5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️

Thank you Autumn Woods, Zando, and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review. All opinions are my own.

This was easily five stars. It reminded me of Wednesday', with the dark atmosphere, dark humor, and complex characters, but in romance form (and without monsters). From the beginning, I was obsessed, but now I'm just in love. I think I've found my favorite book of the year. Ophelia felt so real, and I really connected to the way she felt. Both main characters have mental health struggles that were portrayed so beautifully in Woods' writing. And Alex! Listen, I knew I'd like him the moment tattoos and rugby were mentioned, but he is so obsessed with Ophelia—the little things he does for her are just everything. They're both characters that have been broken by their circumstances, yet they’re able to find themselves when they’re with each other. And his relationships with his sisters were so sweet. And that cliffhanger, it's brutal. I'm invested, I'll read the next book Autumn Woods writes... and the next one... and the one after that.

So ummm...when does book 2 come out? And can I have an ARC for it please?

This book had such a gorgeous balance of mystery and romance, and I ate up every second of it.

I went into this book with, to be honest, no actual expectations, and it ended up being an extraordinary read. I’m struggling to articulate my thoughts because it was just such a fun, twisty story. I didn’t expect the plot twists, and I certainly couldn’t predict what was going to happen next at any point.

Both the setting and the characters were extremely well written, with the perfect amount of depth. Ophelia and Alex were such interesting, layered characters — I found myself wanting to peel back those layers the more I read. I also really enjoyed the inclusion of the ‘background’ characters. It definitely left room for a potential spin-off series after the duology is complete — but even if Autumn Woods doesn’t go in that direction, I’ll still be absolutely obsessed with this book.

Alex’s relationship with his mom and sisters, and how that shaped his other relationships, felt very fleshed out and real. I loved how Autumn Woods explored his mom’s mental health struggles — it added so much depth and made me like Alex even more. He never resented Ophelia for how she acted toward him, and that made him easy to root for.

I also appreciated how Ophelia’s poverty was portrayed, and how her feelings of inadequacy came through. It felt authentic and nuanced.

The plot? Amazing, honestly a 10/10. I love a good revenge story, I love a good stalker mystery, and this book delivered both.
The characters? Insanely well written, 10/10.
The setting? Gorgeous. I’m obsessed with the Scottish Highlands, castles, and gothic university vibes, so this was literally the perfect book for me.

Overall, this was a 4.5-star read for me (rounding up to 5 stars), and I am buzzing at the thought of the next book in the duology!

Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for providing me with a copy of this book. I’m so grateful!
All opinions are my own xx

Alex is my everything and I amobsessed with him. Definitely a 6 star read and one of my new all time favorite books. NO NOTES. And that cliffhanger?!!! I need book 2 immediately 😭😭 This was PERFECT

Arc review!
4.5/5

I really liked this book and it was more than I expected.
I loved the characters, I loved the store & almost al the other characters in the book!
The storyline & growth are written very well!
I can't wait to read the next book, because the ending.....

Thank you so much for everyone involved for the copy!

Nightshade pulled me in from the very first chapter and didn’t let go. Set against the haunting backdrop of a gothic Scottish university, this story blends revenge, romance, and mystery in the most addictive way.

Ophelia is sharp, guarded, and full of fire—she’s not at Sorrowsong University to make friends; she’s there to uncover the truth behind her parents' deaths. But things get messy fast when Alex enters the picture—her rival, her suspect’s son, and the last person she expected to care about.

Their dynamic is pure tension—grumpy vs. grumpy, hate-to-love, and full of biting banter that somehow turns tender. I was completely hooked on their slow, simmering connection. Their email exchanges had me grinning, and the way their walls start to come down… ugh, my heart.

The dark academia vibes are absolutely spot on: eerie hallways, ancient secrets, academic rivalries, and just the right amount of suspense. There's even a stalker subplot that kept me guessing and totally dialed up the tension.

What I appreciated most was the emotional depth. Both characters are dealing with grief, pressure, and guilt, and you really feel that weight. There are moments that hit surprisingly hard, especially watching Ophelia struggle to let anyone in.

The ending? Cruel. That cliffhanger left me in actual disbelief—I’m going to be thinking about it until the sequel drops.

If you love slow burn, layered characters, messy feelings, and stories that sit somewhere between romance and thriller, Nightshade is one to watch.

Thanks to Netgalley and Zando for the eARC. Ophelia’s parents died four years ago in a helicopter crash as they were leaving the University they worked for. Ophelia gets a full ride to the University and attends with one goal in mind. To find evidence that someone tampered with the helicopter and murdered them. Her suspects son happens to attend the same university. Ophelia and Alex are drawn together but Ophelia fights to stay away. Someone is staking Ophelia. An academic romance with mystery. Couldn’t put it and down can’t wait for the sequel.

I absolutely loved this book!
The setting, characters, plot! Everything
I can't wait for book 2

Alex's character made me fall for him instantly

Omg I am unwell with that ending. I need the second book like yesterday. This is great for fans of LJ Shen and Rina Kent. It's kind of dark academic mafia? They're at a Scottish university but they're all over 21 for some reason and there's murder and hit men and deceit and dark brooding men.

Probably only one pepper - spice is def not the focus. The focus is FMC trying to find the truth about why her parents were killed in a helicopter crash and seek vengeance against those responsible. Except then she falls for one of them.

Side characters definitely leave room for more in the universe.

Huge thanks to zando for the review copy and introducing me to this author

I really don't know what to think.
It took me a while to really enjoy reading it, I felt that the continuity of some scenes didn't make much sense. Sometimes it seemed like a few days had passed, but the characters were talking about weeks. Or that a character was in one place, but in the next paragraph he appeared in another.

When the reading got going, it was a turning point. I really loved the development of the main couple. And the development of the FMC was also great. Alex is a special case, I judged him a lot at first, but now I want to protect him from all evil.

I would have liked it more if there wasn't this cheating plot (it's not between the main couple), but I understand that the author needed a reason for everything and in her head it made total sense.

The ending made me curious to read the next book. I'm anxious!

OMGGGGGGG
I’m actually obsessed with this book. With Ophelia and Alex. With this world. The story. The way he sees her 😭😭😭😭

The way I inhaled the last 30% of this book and I’m SCREAMINGGGGGG. I can’t believe it. 😭😭😭 I need the next book like yesterday wtf

I loved everything about this story. The plot and characters. The yearning and banter. The heavier topics really added to the story but I would check tw. This is a great story. MMC was so supportive, and sweet even if he wasn’t trying. Take a chance on this. You won’t regret it. Good love story!

I need MORE! This book was so good! I was so hooked from page one, it was gripping and the story really had me turning the pages as fast as I possibly can!

3⭐️ 1🌶️

I was so excited for this book. First of all the cover was stunning. The preorder incentive art was stunning. The moody, rainy, dark academia vibes were perfect.

There was a lot I really liked about this book. The banter, the suspense and mysteries, and the way the communicated in crossword puzzle clues was adorable.

But I think I just need to accept defeat and realize that dark academia books might not be for me. Olivia and Alex are young and traumatized so I tried giving them grace, but they were just so immature. I had a hard time believing they were as old as they were supposed to be. I also struggled with the miscommunication/lack of communication trope. So much could have been resolved if Ophelia just talked to Alex.

I’m on the fence about if I’ll pick up the second book. That cliffhanger has me intrigued.

I really loved this book and can't wait for book 2! If you like Dark academia this book will be right up your alley!

Ophelia is our 19th century dressing FMC. She is relatable and you could feel the deep loss she was going through because of losing her parents.

Alex is our dark, depressed rugby player who is falling for Ophelia!

I really liked the banter between our main characters. The ending took me out😳

From the very beginning I was drawn into the book, the setting, the writing, the vibes. It had everything to keep me hooked and I was until the very last page!! Ophelia was so sweet but determined to not let people get the best of her! Alex.. sweet sweet Alex.. amazing book boyfriend material right there!!
The suspense in this was so intriguing but not too much that I couldn’t enjoy the romance story.
That ending?!?!??! I neeeeeeeeex book 2 immediately! This was such a brilliant read and I cannot wait to read more of the series

Nightshade is gothic perfection wrapped in Scottish mist and served with a side of devastating slowburn romance that had me giggling one minute and sobbing uncontrollably the next. (Which is totally a compliment, crying is my favorite hobby)

Finding ourselves alongside Ophelia at the deliciously creepy Sorrowsong University, we're thrown into an investigation in the mysterious circumstances around the death of Ophelia's parents. Alex is the biggest green flag to ever exist. Sure, he's sassy and hilarious, but he has a heart of gold and the protective instincts of a golden retriever with their person. I will commit crimes for this man because he deserves the world. The tension between them was fantastic, but I love the realistic slowburn in him letting her become comfortable and set the pace, not slowburn for the sake of being, well, slow.

I binged through this in a single setting the moment the e-ARC hit my kindle and then was left mourning that I not only didn't have book 2, but that I would have to wait even longer because book 1 wasn't even out yet. The found family elements hit perfectly, the mental health representation was authentic and genuine, and the mystery had me incredibly invested. Alex's sass and unwavering devotion to protecting Ophelia proves that sometimes the best love interests are nothing like their terrible fathers. Fair warning: if you jump into my DMs, I'm going to be screaming and crying about theories on what is coming next.

Overall: 4.5 ⭐️

I was immediately hooked and honestly could’ve read this book in one sitting. This book had all the dark elements I love in gothic romances. Ophelia goes to Sorrowsong University trying to figure out what happened to her parents. What she doesn’t know is that there’s someone there waiting for her. I’m a sucker for mystery and trying to figure out everything before the end. The stalker was really obvious and that’s the only reason this book isn’t 5⭐️s. But that twist in the end had me second guessing everything I thought I figured out😱 Then we have Alex who is just trying to take care of his mom and sisters. From their first encounter they’re drawn to each other. But once Ophelia figures out who Alex’s dad is she starts to push him away. But the invisible string keeps bringing them together and she finds everything she’s been missing in him. I loved the way they cared for each other and how they communicated in the cutest ways. Now after that cliffhanger I need the next book immediately!!!

I also highly recommend the audiobook it was pure perfection. It’s done duet style by Eloise Thompson and Ben Holtzmuller. Since this book is based in the UK the accents made the reading experience so much better!

ARC Review: Nightshade by Autumn Woods
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5 rounded up)

Nightshade is a fast-paced, atmospheric read that blends dark academia, gothic mystery, and somehow billionaire/mafia romance in a way that feels fresh and addictive. From the very first chapter, I was hooked by the tension, the elite academic setting, and the slow-burning chemistry between Alex and Ophelia. Their banter was sharp, their dynamic compelling, and the romantic undertone gave the story some much-needed softness amidst the darkness.

The dark academia elements were chef’s kiss!! Secrets, cryptic clues, morally gray characters, all set against a moody backdrop. It scratched a very specific itch for me as a reader who loves layers.

That said, the pacing occasionally worked against the clarity of the narrative. There were a few moments where scenes jumped too quickly, settings shifted within the same chapter, or characters were introduced and then seemingly forgotten. It didn’t ruin the experience, but it did leave me wishing for a little more cohesion and depth in places.

The mystery is what truly carried the momentum for me. I found myself flipping pages late into the night just to find out what really happened. While it may not be a flawless masterpiece, it’s absolutely an entertaining ride for fans of romantic suspense, dark academia, and twisty plots with an edge.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Autumn Woods for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.