The concept of the story was super interesting and I had such high hopes for this one - the tropes are right up my alley but this book just wasn’t for me. I felt like it was very cliche and boring. I found myself a bit confused at parts and I just didn’t care to continue reading this one.

Dark academia
Hate to love
Forced proximity
Grumpy x grumpy
Romantic suspense
He falls first
Slow burn

j'ai adoré l'ambiance Dark Academia, le suspense autour de nos deux personnages, les tensions qui grandissent tout comme leurs sentiments et la manière dont on est tenus en haleine. Ophelia est une héroïne qui ne baisse jamais les bras même quand elle est menacée et elle va tout faire pour mener à bien sa vengeance alors qu'elle tombe amoureuse d'Alex... qui est un personnage génial, qui donne tout pour les autres et qui a tendance à s'oublier parfois. L'intrigue a de multiples tiroirs, certains qui vont être réglés dans ce premier tome et d'autres qui restent en suspens et j'ai hâte de lire la suite et fin ! Vivement

“𝙄𝙣 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙, 𝙊𝙥𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙖, 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚.”

Nightshade by Autumn Woods
5⭐️ | 1.5🌶️

-academia
-enemies to lovers
-Scottish castle setting
-he falls first
-slow burn
-murder & mystery
-stalker
-dual POV

This was a perfect dark academia romance with so much banter, tension, mystery and intrigue!

Ophelia seems like she puts off weird vibes but only because grief, trauma and isolation have have worn her down. She accepts a scholarship to an elite university in the hopes of bringing down her parents’ murderer. But things get complicated when she starts getting close to his son, Alex.

“𝙏𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚.”
“𝙄’𝙙 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”
𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨 𝙨𝙢𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧, 𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩. “𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙’𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.”

Alex... He’s taken on so much responsibility for his age and had his focus solely on one purpose. Until Ophelia. Every interaction with her brings back a piece of himself. From grey, numb and indifferent to seeing colors and hoping for things again. It’s so beautifully romantic while still remaining dark and fun.

“𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪”
“𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧?”
“𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣, 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚.”

Meanwhile, Ophelia’s stalker has been following her every move and making her time at Sorrowsong University a nightmare. But this only brings her and Alex closer together.

“𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙, 𝙬𝙚’𝙡𝙡 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙞𝙩.”

I absolutely loved the writing style to this, from the emotion to the chemistry happening over quipy email subject lines. I just need book 2 already 😭.

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

Thank you Autumn, @zandoprojects and @slowburn.reads for the advanced copy! Nightshade releases June 24.

4.5 stars! Dark, moody and addicting!

I tore through Nightshade by Autumn Woods so quickly!! This book hooks fast and doesn’t let go, even if some of the plot points feel a little familiar. But honestly? Predictability didn’t dim the fun one bit. If you’re a sucker for dark academia, enemies-to-lovers angst, and just the right amount of spooky mystery, this one’s got your name all over it.

Set against the eerie backdrop of Sorrowsong University (yes, it’s as gothic and fog-drenched as it sounds), the story follows Ophelia, a grieving, guarded FMC who is on a mission to uncover the truth behind her parents’ deaths. Enter Alex, the broody son of her prime suspect. They’re not thrilled to be working together, but as the secrets pile up and danger creeps closer, their dynamic shifts in ways that are as tense as they are tender. The slow-burn romance hits all the right beats, and the banter? Sharp enough to draw blood.

Where Nightshade really shines is in its emotional depth. There’s a weight to the characters’ inner lives that adds richness beneath the mystery. The author doesn’t shy away from exploring grief, mental health, and identity in a way that feels nuanced and deeply human. It’s rare to find a fantasy that balances eerie tension with such a strong emotional core.

Is it perfect? Not quite. A few dips in pacing and moments where I craved a bit more clarity in the world-building kept this from being a full 5-star for me. But those are minor things in a book that overall left me genuinely eager for the sequel. That cliffhanger? Rude. Criminal, even.

This is a standout debut for fans of moody, character-driven fantasy. If you like your romance slow-burn, your mysteries shadowy (who doesn't?!), and your fictional universities full of ghosts, Nightshade is worth your time. Bring on book two!!

Nightshade is a slow burn and god the tension is so so so good. It’s sexy and mysterious and I went thru all the emotions while reading this story!!!
It’s NOT fantasy, although the dark academia vibes are 🤌PERFECTION, it does not have any other-worldly elements. It does however, have a Uni full of the world’s youngest elite (mafia, models, & everything in between)! The banter was delicious and I licked every bit of it up!

Add to your TBR if you like:
🏰 Grumpy x Grumpy
🖤 Dark Academia
🏰 Swimmer x Rugby Player
🖤 He Falls First 😍
🏰 Mystery & Suspense
🖤 Hate to Love
🏰 Mürder and Cover Ups
🖤 Email & Crossword Banter

She’s an orphaned girl searching for answers on her parents murders. He’s the parent-ified big brother that’s trying to protect his sisters. Oh, did I mention he goes to therapy and is an airline heir?! And his dad is… well, read and you’ll find out 😉!

I didn’t just fall for this story, that cliffhanger pushed me right over the edge and I am barely hanging on and not okay. I need book two like asap!!!!

Book Rating:⭐ 4.5/5
Spice Rating:🌶️ 1/5

I didn’t know what to fully expect going into this book, and OMG, it surprised me in the best way possible! Autumn Woods did such a fantastic job with this slow burn. I was yearning right alongside these characters. The anticipation was absolutely perfect.

Ophelia and Alex were amazing. If I were their age and had to endure even half of what they went through? Nope. Couldn’t be me. I felt all the feels for these two.

And let’s talk about the banter, the author nailed it! Their back-and-forth had me grinning the whole time. This is such a good hate-to-love romance. You’ve got double grumpy MCs who just can’t help themselves, plus all the secrets that created the perfect push and pull.

And that cliffhanger?! I will be sprinting to grab book two, how could I not after that ending?!

If you love slow burns, grumpy MCs, major tension, and serious Dramione vibes, this one’s for you!

I read this book so quickly. So much happens, and yes, the general plot was somewhat predictable but it didn’t stop me from enjoying it AT ALL. Dark academia x mystery x enemies-to-lovers romance? Sign me up. I loved how the mental health aspects were portrayed, you really sense the conflict in the characters and how complicated their situations are. The wit? Love it. I can’t wait for book 2; the ending was CRIMINAL. I’m so glad it’s a duology because I don’t think I could wait even longer for a conclusion.

Nightshade by Autumn Woods is a fun, dark, and twisty romance set at a spooky university in Scotland. The main character, Ophelia, is trying to figure out what really happened to her parents, and she ends up getting stuck working with Alex—the son of the man she suspects. At first, they hate each other, but as creepy things start happening and danger builds, they start to grow closer. There’s murder, mystery, banter, and just the right amount of slow-burn romance. It’s a super addicting read with a moody vibe and a cliffhanger that makes you want to grab the next book right away

This book was unfortunately not for me. I was really excited to dive into this dark academia romance but sadly it didn’t captivate me. The characters weren’t likable and the pacing was too slow. This book definitely had the potential to be a great one. I just needed more than what it was giving.

I picked this up for the dark academia aesthetic and stayed for the rich emotional undercurrents, the layered characters, and the eerie, atmospheric world of Sorrowsong University.

Autumn Woods crafts a story that’s both intimate and mysterious. The setting is gorgeously gothic—foggy grounds, forgotten corners of campus, whispered secrets echoing through ancient hallways. But what stood out to me most was how personal the story felt. Beneath the magical elements and slow-burning intrigue is a core of real human vulnerability: grief, longing, identity, and the fragile ties we build with others when we feel most alone.

The characters feel lived-in, especially the protagonist, who I found refreshingly introspective and relatable. Her internal struggles never felt forced; instead, they quietly shaped the way she moved through the world, and through the increasingly strange events at Sorrowsong. There’s a slow unraveling of both self and plot, and while the pacing dipped in the middle, the payoff was worth it. The final chapters gripped me, and I was left with that delicious ache only good books manage to evoke.

There were moments where I wished for just a bit more world-building clarity or emotional intensity, which is why this wasn’t quite a 5-star for me—but it’s still a book I’ll remember. And one I’ll recommend to readers who crave character-driven fantasy with a melancholic edge and a touch of the uncanny.

I’ll definitely be continuing with the series. Nightshade may be the first, but Sorrowsong’s story is far from over—and I’m so ready to return.

This book was absolutely everything I want in romance - somewhat dark, suspenseful, heat from the start with a satisfying payoff and of course an incredible setting.

Ophelia and Alex are such a great couple who despite everything, truly are the right fit for each other.
My favourite “trope in romance” is he falls first and this story had this in spades.

The ending had me spiralling and I’m already needing book two, like yesterday…

4.5⭐️

Alex Corbeau-Green, the man that you are! Do be aware that this ends on a cliffhanger and I need book 2 immediately! I thoroughly enjoyed the setting of a creepy gothic castle being set in Scotland. How do I enroll in Sorrowsong University?

Autumn did a great job of setting that gothic narrative that remained prevalent throughout. I loved the mystery in trying to figure out who did what, and while I wasn’t completely on the money with my guess, I was pretty close!

The connection and slow burn between Ophelia and Alex was chef’s kiss. The text banter? The email banter? I was swoonin, laughin, and kickin my little feeties.

Ophelia loves crossword puzzles, and he hits her with a “One down. Seven letters. First letter O. I’ve had a long day and I want her for dinner.” SIR!

In this you can expect:
✨ Grumpy x grumpy
✨ Rugby player MMC
✨ Swimmer FMC
✨ Hate to love
✨ Steamy but not spicy
✨ Dark academia university setting
✨ Murder Mystery

This young adult book is mysterious, has some romance (enemies to lovers vibes), and a twist at the end that leaves you upset that you can’t have the next book in your hand to find out what happens next. I thought I had it all figured out, but then I didn’t. Characters and plot development are well written.

Dark academia usually isn’t my vibe. It feels cliche and overdone, but LAWD am I glad I gave it a go. Something in my gut told me I had to read it, it sounded so intriguing. And intriguing it was!
I LOVED reading this arc. I lost sleep over this story, and I don’t regret it. The prologue had me hooked. It intrigued me, and set the vibe for the story.
The FMC Ophelia is an only child who lost her parents in a helicopter accident a few years back, and she finds herself at Sorrowsong University - the place both her parents worked, and where she promised her father she’d never go. She’s here to find out what really happened the day her parents died, because she suspects there was foul play.
Ophelia is witty, funny, and the banter between her & our MMC who we meet at the beginning is UNMATCHED (also the crossword & email banter? pleaseeeee).
While Ophelia is standing at the gates of the school, she’s almost run over by Alex as he’s driving down the street, and due to the rain, he stops in time, just missing her.
From the literal second they meet, the banter is *chefs kiss* and I love Ophelia’s witty and hilarious responses. I feel like I could be besties with Ophelia. Or just be her, because she is such a relatable character and I love that.
Soon after meeting & getting a ride from Alex, Ophelia learns that he’s the son of the man who she suspects is responsible for her parents’ death. She’s convinced he’s just like him, and from the second she learns who he is, she hates him. Wants to avoid him at all costs.
Ophelia doesn’t feel safe at Sorrowsong, especially when she feels like she’s being watched and starts getting emails from an unknown source. As the story goes on, we learn more about Ophelia, Alex, and see their disdain for each other turn into something more. Alex’s cold, grey heart softens for Ophelia as they become closer, and she reluctantly gains feelings for him aswell, despite her hatred for his father and her plan to take down his family.

This story has me hooked, I CANNOT wait to read the second book. The ending of book 1 was heartbreaking and my heart hopes that everything works out for Ophelia and Alex in the end.

Also, Vincenzo. That’s all.

Dark academia Romance vs Mystery thriller,

I loveeee when a good mystery is thrown in to other genres.

This book was a pleasant surprise. Admittedly some parts of the plot were predictable however i found i didnt hate it, in fact I had a good time reading. It’s giving popcorn thriller with dark academic and romantic components.

The characters were likeable, the setting was fun, the book was giving fast paced page turner.

Thank you for the gifted copy! I will be picking up book 2!

Publishes - June 24th

Oh, my god. That cliffhanger is CRIMINAL.

Night Shade was a bit of a detour for me. I’ve been leaning heavily into fantasy lately, as contemporary fiction hasn’t grabbed me as much. But, WOW, did this book grab me and not let go.

Ophelia is determined to get revenge on behalf of her parents. Their murder was covered up so thoroughly that it’s like they simply went missing. Now she’s taking the last lifeline she has—a free ride to a university her parents thoroughly warned her away from, and the site of their murder. Getting information on the man who helped carry out the hit and cover it up is all Ophelia can think about. So it’s rather unfortunate that upon her arrival, she immediately runs into the perpetrator’s obnoxiously attractive (and just obnoxious) son. But she should be more concerned by the fact that her new roommate keeps threatening her life, and that she seems to have a mysterious stalker determined to drive her insane.

I. Am. Feral for the MMC in this one. He has an incredible morality despite being fundamentally morally grey in his goals, and he and the FMC are so perfect for each other. Their relationship builds in a way that actually feels natural, and their banter is truly top-notch. The book does have the sort of drama you’d find in a darker teen TV show, but it hits all the right notes. The location is unsettling, the lore of it eerie, and the cast of characters (read: fellow students) littered with the untrustworthy and untouchable children of the world’s elite and despicable. Simultaneously, these same people gain depth even in the periphery of the main characters. I’d have liked to see even more of them, but the chemistry between Ophelia and Alex is so good that I’m happy to focus my attention on them.

Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable, if dark, read. It’s filled with romance and conspiracies and I cannot wait until the second book comes out.

So many thanks to NetGalley and Zando for giving me a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Rating: 4.5 stars

Review posted to StoryGraph: June 18, 2025 (https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/e9fdc1d2-235d-43e1-9808-28eedba53464)
Review posted to Instagram: PENDING

Autumn Woods does amazing in this dark academia/sports romance.

Told in first person, dual POV. We meet Ophelia and Alex. Her parents were murdered and Ophelia is out for revenge. What better place than a Scottish castle? And the castle is the university where the son of her parent's murderer attends—even better.

Alex is a rugby player, but he is navigating his own demons in the form of depression. When he sees Ophelia, that changes things for him. They are both grumpy, and I love it! She is a swimmer and I love the take on a sports romance where they both are athletes.

It's a total hate to love, where she wants to ruin his world and he just wants to be in hers. He definitely falls first. I am on the edge of my seat waiting to see what comes next.

“I can’t stay away from you, Ophelia. I’ve never pretended I can.”

Nightshade by Autumn Woods
Release date:June 24th
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Age rating:18+
Spice:I think there were two or three scenes but I don’t remember where, they were easy to skip though. Many references

Thank you for this arc! I couldn’t put this book down. The writing was so addictive, and the plot was so good. Yeah at times it was a little predictable, but I found myself hooked and enjoyed every single page. The mystery aspect was so great, and I can’t wait to see what happens in book two. The characters really shined for me. I’m obsessed with Alex and Ophelia. They’re everything. They’re both such complicated and complex characters and I love them. They’re so broken and I just want them to get their happy ending. Their emotional connection and the way they just understand each other just gets to me it’s so beautiful. I loved all the side characters too, and the found family felt really sweet. This book was just so good. The ending was wild, and I feel like I fell off a cliff. So excited for book two and will definitely pick it up. This book dealt with a lot of things, so definitely check the trigger warnings before you read it, but if it sounds like something you’d like I definitely recommend it!

P.S. check trigger warnings before reading this one

4.5 stars!
I stayed up far past my bedtime to read this and I have no regrets. This is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year! THE BANTER!! Ophelia and Alex are everything I want in MCs. Alex I did figure out the stalker immediately but the cliffhanger at the end shocked me and I cannot wait for the second book in this series.
My only two criticisms are that I wish certain events played out on page, like her being “questioned” by her roommate’s father. I feel like that would have added a layer to Ophelia’s already fragile mindset. Also, the formatting of this e-book was awful to the point where I had to put my kindle down a few times because I got so frustrated by it. I have no doubt the formatting will be fixed before the book is released!

Thank you to Zando and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
4⭐️

A guilty-pleasure dark academia romance full of angst, twists, and elite-school drama.

Nightshade is the kind of book you think you’ve figured out—until it surprises you. Yes, it leans into familiar tropes: gloomy heroine, brooding rich boy, elite school full of secrets—but somehow it works. It’s fast-paced, packed with drama, and has just enough mystery and emotional depth to keep the pages turning.

Ophelia and Alex’s romance simmers beneath layers of trauma, angst, and banter, with a slow-burn buildup that’s satisfying, if occasionally a little too convenient. The whole cast of characters is chaotic in the best way—messy, dramatic, and surprisingly lovable.

If you’re into dark academia vibes, emotional tension, and don’t mind a few clichés along the way, this is a fun, addictive read with a cliffhanger that will leave you itching for the sequel.