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.

Nightshade totally pulled me in from the first page! It’s got that perfect mix of mystery, magic, and a bit of suspense that keeps you guessing. The characters feel real and relatable, and the atmosphere is dark but totally captivating. If you’re into paranormal vibes with a twist, this book is definitely worth checking out!

''I hate you.'
His laugh makes my blood white-hot.
'For the love of God, Ophelia. Make. It. Believable.''

This book was a decent, light read that doesn't make you do too much heavy lifting when it comes to figuring out the plot. I mean that in the nicest way possible, because I did fly through this one.

I loved the moody, misty setting of a university in Scotland and I loved the academia setting, even though I fear very little academics actually took place. The chemistry between Ophelia and Alex was decent, and I really enjoyed their scenes together.

I would have loved to have seen the mystery element of the story explored a little more in depth. When the perpetrator was revealed at the end, I was left feeling kind of flat because ...that was it? However, the cliffhanger at the end of the book makes me think there's more to be explored in the next book, and maybe everything is not as it seems.

All in all, this book was fun. It could have been more impactful, but I did enjoy it for a nice little pallette cleanser between heavier reads 🙂

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Zando for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

Attention please!
To all book besties who love light dark romances & academic romances: you need to read Nightshade!

Nightshade is for all of you who love:
✨ Creepy old castles
✨ Rainy, isolated settings
✨ Grumpy x Grumpy
✨ Family secrets
✨ Banter & pet names
✨ Beautiful libraries
✨ Murder x Suspense
✨ Touch her and die
✨ An outsider trying to survive & solve a mystery
✨ Perfect book boyfriends

The characters are wonderful and relatable, the backstories are perfectly balanced and the interaction/dialogue is sharp. The chemistry between Ophelia and Alex is spot on. It's a slow burn and the graphic spicy scenes aren't overly graphic, so there's a little something for those who like spice and those who don't. The surroundings are picturesque and bleak, adding to the tension that builds with every page. The language is light and fluid. I mean, really. I just love everything about this book!

Happy reading - I'm really looking forward to book 2! 🫶🏼

Dark academia, Scottish castle, and he falls first. These tropes made me want to read this story. The setting, characters, and pacing of the story were perfection. I can't wait for the next one, I am still thinking about that ending.

A book with a mix of genres that just work. A Dark Academia mystery romance? A great combination. The characters were enjoyable and the writing was easy to follow. The plot keeps you engaged and wanting to continue reading. I'm very glad I gave this book a try!

An atmospheric dark academia romance set in the Scottish highlands. The banter in this book was great, and I felt like the story was well paced. I really loved the side character in this one, as well as both our main characters. The plot was a little predictable but that's not really an issue for me, I still had fun with this one!

The writing is very fluid which makes it easy and addictive to read. The characters are well-developed and likable. I loved the dark academia vibe. The description of the castle, Achlys Hall, the library and other places was so clear. It made me feel like I was there.

Ophelia is very strong. I really sympathised with her. I found her crossword hobby very cute. I related to that. Everyone has a hobby to slow down their thoughts. I thought she cried to much though, which is understandable due to her tragic life story. I fell in love with Alex's green eyes. He's so caring with his sisters and mother, I really liked that side of him. I felt sorry for him throughout the book. No 23-year-old should feel the pressure he puts himself under.
The chemistry between Alex and Ophelia is undeniable. I caught myself smiling at their banter.

The side characters were sooo adorable. I especially loved Vincenzo and Colette. They were always so supportive to their friends. I can't wait to see more of them in the next book.

What really annoyed me was Ophelia saying that she hated Alex and his father, that she had to stay away from him and wanted revenge but kept talking to him and having spice thoughts about them. These contradictions were very frustrating.
Also, the ending, when everything is falling apart for Alex, doesn't make much sense. His mother and sisters are everything for him and he silences his phone knowing that his mother could struggle and need him? Never checks it? Another plot hole.

There are more things I liked than those I didn't, but the not so good things had a considerable impact on my appreciation of the book. But overall, it was a nice read.

This book surpassed what I imagined it was going to be like. It was much better the story line had me captivated from the start and I found myself keep turning the pages even when I needed to sleep! It blew my mind one of the top reads of the year!

If you like
✨dark academic enemies to lovers,
✨Gothic castle setting
✨nerdy talks and texts,
✨tragic back that make you emotional
✨grumpy, loner, nerdy FMC
✨Likes to take care of all MMC
✨mystery elements
✨tension and banter
✨ Slow burn
✨ Open door but with less details
you will definitely like it

Alex Corbeau-Green has entered my book boyfriend realm and grabbed one of the top 5 spots. He was so sweet and caring, despite the huge hunk grumpy rugby player looks. I feel he might be a demigod who has 48 hours in a day to do all that he manages but I will take it.

The grumpy swimmer with so much mysteries surrounding her and her morbid sense of humor is the last person he wanted to fall for, but fate has other plans. And boy o boy it was fun!!

The whole school setting was so good, with so many houses and the gothic castle academic setting with scary paintings and equally weird staff gave me all the creeps in a good way.

I loved their chemistry, the girl who thinks she doesn't deserve any love and the boy who loved her like breathing. I love that there was a smooth transition between their hate and love. Also they were so nerdy they talk in flirty crosswords and he likes to pin her down on his bed more often than necessary!! But I was all in for it.🫣

It was a slow burn and the tension was so good, there was spice but not very detailed i would say, so it is somewhere in between open door and closed door.

I loved the friendship dynamics- the supportive but sassy girls and the foul mouth Vincenzo. I hope we get a story for Vincenzo, he will be the big bad mafia lead who unalives people with no crumbs left and I can't wait.

The beginning was a bit awkward with Ophelia being a bit too trusting and blurting out secrets left and right even though she was supposed to be flying under the radar. And the ending was a bit too convenient before everything went downhill.

I would like the sequel and story between Vincenzo and Collette immediately pls 😅

I legitimately sat and read this cover to cover in one sitting I was SO HOOKED IN!!!!

Not gonna lie to you, I thought from the cover and title that this was a fantasy (lol don’t @ me I like to go in blind okay? I just went in a little blinder than usual this time) but it’s actually a dark academia murder mystery with OFF THE CHARTS sexual tension and moodiness 🤌🏻

So Ophelia is an orphan whose parents died in a helicopter crash that she knows wasn’t all it seemed. She’s spent the last four years trying to find evidence to take down the helicopter CEO who took them from her. She’s starting at Sorrowsong University where the crash took place to finally bring him down. But who should she bump into on day one? His sexy, suave, sexy, athlete, sexy, smart, sexy, caring, sexy son and heir, obviously.

When a spooky, classical literature-obsessed stalker starts to toy with Ophelia, she has to navigate her precarious place amongst the elite, solve her parents murder, and resist the urge to jump her nemesis, all while living in the coolest/spookiest castle ever (think hogwarts but with a dark academia filter on and no plot armour to stop the students getting murdered)

I was absolutely obsessed with this book, everyone is moody and grumpy and traumatised it’s just delicious. The romance is torturously slow with such good pay off and the banter was just chefs kiss.

The mystery is intriguing, the setting is atmospheric af, the twists are twisty. What more could you want?

This book showed up unannounced like a morally grey boy at your window at midnight on my Netgalley suggestions and now I’m obsessed. Why is no one talking about Nightshade? It’s smart, sharp, lowkey unhinged in the best way, and gave me one of my favourite love interests of the year. And Sorrowsong? Take me there. I’ll deal with the stalker and all.

“I’ve built my walls too high.”
“They’re worth the climb.”

There’s a mystery. There’s trauma. There’s undeniable chemistry. I wasn’t as shocked by the twist as I wanted to be but I devoured the ride anyway. Every email, every moment of tension, every crumb of vulnerability between Alex and Ophelia was chef’s kiss.

This book? Showed up like a literary thief at 3am, stole all my favourite tropes, and left without apologising. And yes ,he literally steals her books at 3am.
Why did no one warn me this would be my new personality for the week?

🕯️Tropes:
✨Morally grey academic heartthrob
✨Grumpy/Grumpier?
✨Found family (bonus points for Mafia teddy bear Vin)
✨Trauma bonding, but stylish
✨We’re not in love” → they absolutely are
✨Elite university with secrets
✨Longing in the form of email flirtation


Alex, Sir, this is an academic rivalry, you had no bussiness being this hot. What the heck!

Also if villain, why boyfriend who raids bookshelves shaped?