Everyone needs to read this immediately. 🚨WARNING🚨 There’s a high chance you might find this predictable and cliché. Honestly, for most of it, I did too! And yet, somehow, Woods managed to keep me hooked. I couldn’t put this down. I think it’s one of those guilty pleasure reads where you know exactly where it’s going, but you’re still having the best time along the way. That said, there were definitely a few twists I didn’t see coming, and I really enjoyed myself!

“Oh… am I actually enjoying this?” That was my exact thought as I got deeper into the book. It starts off very been-there-done-that. Ophelia is the mysterious, gloomy girl, and of course, she meets Alex, the hot, rich, too-cool-for-you guy. Oh, and of course the elite school filled with insanely wealthy kids and their over-the-top connections. Yeah, yeah, I thought I knew where this was going. But then, a certain part of the plot grabbed my attention. Suddenly, there was mystery. And wait… was that angst I was feeling?! Oh, okay, well, now I have to know what happens. Some things did end up feeling a little too convenient, but I’m so glad I stuck with it because things got crazy by the end with some of those reveals.Ophelia Winters, one of the most relatable characters i have read in a while.
abandonment issues? check. trust issues? check. sad-girl & a loner? check. dresses like a 19th century character?(well i don’t obviously but the 99% homeless-looking side of me was thrilled) check. and beneath this persona a girl who craves academic validation and have a strong intelligent personality? check check checkAlex Corbeau-Green, new book boyfriend unlocked!! Ladies, we love men who yearn.
Dry humor? check. Daddy issues? check. Brooding grump yet with a sensitive heart? check. Expert in words of affirmation? check. Act of service? check. Protective & Caring? Check. Can go to any lengths to get the girl he’s pining on? check. Add please when asking for a kiss?(yeah, you read that right) check check checkThe ending? Heartbreaking. Okay i’ve read enough thrillers so i already guessed who the stalker was in the first-half in itself but despite its predictable nature, the last part came out as a genuine surprise to me. I felt the last two chapters were quite rushed when i read but thinking about it now, i understand it was written to make readers confused and all over the place and in way to not give them a moment to think what the fuck did just happened. And it sure did succeed lmao.

Tropes:
☞ Dark Academia
☞ Enemies to Lovers
☞ Mystery & Murder
☞ Low Spice, High tension
☞ Scottish Castle setting
☞ Grumpy x Grumpy
☞ Rugby Player x Swimmer
☞ He falls first
☞ Found Family

If you like dark gothic academia with Hogwarts houses vibes and love reading about two broken characters falling for each other, this book is a perfect pick for you. I can’t recommend this book enough.

I loved this so much!!!! this is just a perfect combo of everything I want in a story.

The highlights of what I adored about this story:
-the setting (college in a creepy Scottish castle),
-the characters - Ophelia and Alex are my babies and I'm obsessed with them
-the storyline (Ophelia trying to destroy Alex's life as revenge for her life falling apart)
-the weird mystery going on in the background
-Alex and Ophelia's texts and emails are everything

Not to mention the YEARNING! And the romance! And Ophelia finally making friends! AAAAAAHHHHHH it's so good.

Murder. Mystery. Mafia-adjacent dark academia. Nightshade is pure goth girl bait and I devoured it like it owed me revenge. Ophelia’s out for answers at an elite university soaked in secrets, and Alex—brooding son of her prime suspect—is the worst person to fall for… which naturally means he’s the only one who gets under her skin. Enemies-to-lovers? Check. Found family? Sort of. A murder alibi turned forbidden romance? Oh, absolutely. Perfect for fans of Gothikana, Maxton Hall, and anyone who whispers “I could fix him but I’d rather ruin him.” Welcome to Sorrowsong. You’re not making it out unscathed.

Wow. This book had me pleasantly surprised. The FMC in this book was HILARIOUS with some of her comebacks! I can’t wait for book 2!

-grumpy x grumpy
-he falls first
-Hate to love
-dark academia

Thank you for the ARC. 🙌✨

I really enjoyed this, it had suspense, mystery and banter-y romance. (Loved the emails)

I would have finished this book faster if life didn’t get in my way.

It was a little predictable, but I ate it up anyways. I was curious how it was going to end since it’s going to be a duet, and I need book 2 now please 🙏. As soon as things were looking to good to be true with the mystery solved and loved found. Bam, heartbreak and a new mystery.
I need to know what happens next for them.

Nightshade by Autumn Woods merges dark academia with romance in an atmospheric tale set against the backdrop of a Scottish castle. This compelling story follows a female protagonist driven by revenge and grappling with an orphan complex, as she becomes entangled with a powerful empire inheritor in a narrative tinged with stalker elements.

The novel expertly weaves in poetry references throughout, adding depth to its dark academic atmosphere. While the romance falls on the lighter side of dark, it maintains enough edge to keep readers invested in the unfolding relationship.

The book successfully delivers an engaging experience that will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy their academia with a gothic twist. With its strong character dynamics and atmospheric setting, Nightshade proves to be a compelling read that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the sequel.

I DEVOURED THIS BOOK

I have been in a bit of a reading slump the majority of 2025 and this book DRAGGED me out of it kicking and screaming.

I was hooked from the first chapter. I loooooved the FMC and the MMC and I felt their characteristics were fleshed out and consistent through the entire book which sometimes can be rare. It really made the book easy to feel immersed in.

The spooky gothic academia vibes were IMMACULATE while still maintain the “modernized” feel. Like they mention social media and not once did it take me out of the story or feel out of place which was astounding.

Like I genuinely don’t have anything negative to say about this book I loved it so much.

THE ENDING HURTSSSSSSSSSS LIKE ARE YOU KIDDING ME I CANT WAIT FOR BOOK TWO

Thank you so so much Slowburn & Autumn Woods for this early copy I had so much fun reading this book!!!

I had a hard time with this book. I really wanted to get into it, but it was lacking the dark, atmospheric feeling I seek out in dark academia books. I was so excited about this book since a lot of my mutuals have loved this, but it just wasn’t for me.

Nightshade by @autumnwoods.author

Allow me to SCREAM about this book for a moment because it was absolutely addicting perfection! The characters, the university setting, the creepy vibes, all excellent! Alex is the dreamiest, most drool worthy MMC 🤤 and Ophelia is a strong girlie and they are so hot together. I was giggling and kicking my feet several time throughout this book. The one liners and their banter… so good. After that ending, I cannot wait for book 2! 😍

Read if you love:
-dark academia
-mafia vibes
-clue/whodunnit murder mystery/cover ups/stalkers
-creepy Scottish gothic mansion/university
-super sexiness (but not toooo spicy. Hot and tasteful and not at all cringe!)
-depression/mental health rep
-rugby player/swimmer romance

This was exactly as good as I thought it would be! The dark academia vibes and spooky Scottish university setting were immaculate. Alex and Ophelia made me laugh out loud, swoon, giggle, cry. The pacing was perfectly tortuous and I literally could not wait for them to get together. Their relationship was messy and heartbreaking but they were so perfect for one another.

This was such a page turner and the mysteries had me in suspense the whole time. There are stalkers, murders, coverups, oh my. While one of the big reveals wasn’t a huge surprise, the ending was definitely a shock. I cannot freaking wait to read the conclusion of Alex and Ophelia’s story!

Thank you to Zando and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

ARC review, all thoughts are entirely my own.

I was HOOKED from the beginning y’all. I think I read 60% in one day I just couldn’t put this book down, obsessed may summarise how I felt about this!

The premise of this book follows Ophelia, a girl who lost her parents to an accident and she is trying to find out who caused it. In order to do that she went to study at Sorrowsong University - a gothicly described university. Whilst there she meets Alex and I won’t tell you much more - you’ll need to read it to find out as I don’t want to spoil.

I just really loved Alex as a character also (not only because he has rugby player thighs), he had so many layers and so much depth to him and I just need more of him. I will say, I felt the romance between the two rushed when they finally hit it off. My other comment is I would have liked a little more about Ophelia overcoming the traumas she’s been through (therapy or something) especially as a result of some of the things that happened in this book.

I am DYING for the next book, I need it now!! (This did end on a cliffhanger).

4.5⭐️

Oh my! I loved this book so so so much. I’m so thankful I got the opportunity to read it.

Nightshade is a Dark Academia & Romance book. The main character Ophelia goes to this prestigious school to get revenge after her parents death and ends up meeting Alex, the sweetest most caring man EVER.

I have no words. I ate this up. The things that Alex said and did had me swooning and Ophelia is such a strong female character.

I guess the ending has a trope that I don’t enjoy as much and that’s why my rating goes down half a star. But basically I NEED the second book. NOW. Help.

Thank you SO SO much for this ARC!!!

Okay I reaaaaally enjoyed this book. Although the characters are young, their stories are well developed (and tragic) and I felt like I knew the characters really well. I appreciated the small amount of spice and felt like it made sense when it happened.

I’m interested to hopefully see more of the group dynamics between Alex’s friends, and hopefully see Alex spend some more money on Ophelia next time hehe.

I’m really excited to read book 2!!!

i was truly enamoured by this book. it was so incredible — the setting, the tension & banter, the characters, the feelings— all so perfect! truly one of the best books i have ever read. the writing is stunning, atmospheric and so humorous, i laughed out loud so much and had to sit back and stare at the wall multiple times to just soak in the masterpiece that is autumns writing.

i laughed (a lot) i cried (a lot) and i loved the book (a lot) the writing was exceptional and so so stunning, i was hanging on to every word and couldn’t bare to put the book down!

the humour was PERFECT i cackled so many times at how relatably dorky and herself ophelia was and how alex completely matched her energy. their interactions through email/texts was my favourite thing ever and so fun to read! they were so compatible and their chemistry was SO HOT. no word of a lie i was giggling and kicking my feet constantly😭

i loved their dynamic from the beginning and was so glad that their banter and teasing stayed when they got together! honestly such a perfectly matched and written couple i am obsessed with both of them!

i loved how deeply we got to know alex and ophelia, their characters were so distinct and uniquely written that i felt so connected to them, and all of the side characters were so well developed too! eike & belladonna hmu pls xoxox

i related to both ophelia and alex on so many levels, they just really felt like real people and i loved that so much. reading their relationship start from hate (validly might i add) to becoming so soft and beautiful made me heart melt!

two heartbeats helping eachother🥹

the plot line?? don’t even get me started on how insane it was!! i was on the edge of my seat and so so intrigued! the setting and descriptions made it even more magical and i fell so deeply in love with sorrowsong and its secrets

i don’t want to spoil any quotes but i swear i highlighted the whole book😭😭 it was beyond amazing and easily a new forever favourite of mine!!! infinite stars i cannot recommend it enough & am SO excited for book two!!!

i could talk forever about this book and how much i loved it. infinite stars!!!

Wow! Wow! Wow! 🤯 This book deserves all the stars. ⭐️

A Dark Academia Romance filled with suspense, revenge, mystery, and a breathtaking love story. To say my mind is blown is putting it lightly.

The author did a phenomenal job at creating the perfect atmosphere. The characters are perfectly developed and the plot is actually the main star.
I couldn’t put it down. It kept me invested and captivated from page one.

CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS BOOK ENOUGH!!

Tropes:

Hate to Love

Forced Proximity

Dark Academia

University Setting

Grumpy x Grumpy

Murder mystery

Romantic Suspense

He Falls First

Nightshade is book one of a duet and follows Ophelia and Alex at an elite university located in Scotland. His father is somehow responsible for the death of her parents and she wants revenge.

I ate this up. It was such a good and well paced hate to love romance. I love when two broken characters fall in love and help each other heal. Ophelia and Alex are complex characters you want to root for. There is also mystery within the plot that was entertaining. I do wish the side characters were utilized and fleshed out more but I did like them. Can’t wait for book 2.

I loved this so much and it's perfect for a romantic suspense.
If you like:
*dark academia
*Enemies-to-lovers
*he falls first
*found family
*grumpy x grumpy
*low spice
*Scottish castle setting
Then this is the book for you!

I’ve been seeing this book everywhere, so I was really happy that i got the arc :) This books was so fun to read!

Gothic Scottish rainy castle that is sad girl spring's wet dream >
Tall dark handsome tattooed green eyed love interest >

My enjoyment journey of this book: stumbled in the beginning, then ran full sprint, then stumbled and fell at the end.

On the outside it checks so many boxes for me, but the execution wasn't a fav. Mainly the characters felt recycled, the dialogue didn't feel authentic to how they would actually speak. Didn't know the FMC Ophelia was Scottish until it was explicitly stated because she didn't read as a Scottish/British character with the diction choices.

Spice was fade to black but murder was in full color.

If you are a fan of extremely slow burns, dark academia, Hogwarts house vibes, broken characters falling for each other, tension, and angst, then this is the book for you.

This is a beautifully written book with characters that are multi layered. Ophelia is sad, lonely, and angry, but she still wants to be loved and accepted. Alex is depressed and angry with the weight of the world on his shoulders. This book is a master class in character development.

It started out a bit slow for me, but as I kept reading, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. There were some things that pulled me out of the story a bit. Why is Ophelia going to swim in the tarn when the temperature is in single digits? Why is Alex wearing rugby shorts outside in December in Scotland? But? That plot twist and cliffhanger at the end? Sign me up for book two right now!