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.

This book pulled me in from the beginning and kept me up past my adult work night bedtimes. It started off inconspicuous with a rich man meeting this girl with some amazing banter. I am here for the dark academia vibe this book took! I loved the back and forth between the MMC and FMC! I am so sad to have to now wait for book 2 (I need answers!). Overall writing and story were good! I have nothing negative to say about this book, I couldn’t stop reading it. Would definitely recommend if you’re looking for a book with rich/CEO posh dark Scottish academia vibes. I will be back for book 2!

Thank you NetGalley and Zando publishing for the arc!

Wow! I was not sure what to expect going into this book but I am SO glad I read it.

I was hooked from the first chapter. I was completely invested in the characters and the story. Even the side characters were a good and I hope they get their own books in the future. Nothing is what it seems. The relationship between Ophelia and Alex was just, heartwarming. They were each what the other needed. He knew she didn't come from money, but he never made her feel less than for not having it. The way his family embraced her without even having met her, it brought tears to my eyes. She tried so hard not to fall in love, but it was inevitable.

The writing was good and easy to follow. The story flowed really well and the pacing was on point. I didn't ever feel bored or rushed. That cliffhanger though!? How much can two people take before they completely break? I have thoughts on the end, but I will have to wait until part two to find out if I am right. It can't come soon enough, I am OBSESSED! I stayed up past my bedtime to finish this because I HAD TO KNOW!

Thank you #NetGalley for letting me review this!

3.5 Stars

Autumn Woods sets the stage for Nightshade with a strong hook: a grieving, revenge-fueled Ophelia Winters is enrolled at Sorrowsong University on scholarship to uncover the truth behind her parents deaths. Add-in a forbidden love interest, a creepy castle, and dark academia vibes. For a while, it works. There’s tension, high stakes, and a slow burn between the FMC and MMC. The banter is great, the friendships are mediocre, but the stalker/murder plotline is just creepy enough to keep you turning pages.

But, here’s where the story starts to unravel: the execution. It really needed a few more edits. This feels more like a first draft than a finished novel. It is odd, too, considering that this was originally an indie novel and is now being traditionally published. You would think that edits were made (and maybe they were, and in that case I suggest a new editor altogether). There are timeline jumps (weeks, months)—especially after emotionally pivotal moments—making it hard to stay grounded. Character motivations sometimes shift without enough buildup (Ophelia and Alex’s hate-to-love whiplash is a prime example), and too many plot points are introduced without being fully explored.

To name a few:
- Why doesn’t Ophelia just record the tape when she visits Laura?
- Why hasn’t anyone at Sorrowsong—where secrets are currency—figured out who Ophelia is and that her parents are actually dead?
- Why was Ophelia’s house changed at the last minute (Hemlock to Nightshade) if house assignments are preselected in the first place?
- What really happened between Bancroft and Annalise? He says that Annalise chose Ophelia, which is why he took the hit out on her parents. But there's no build up. This should have been included in the letter he (i.e. the stalker) left in Ophelia's room with all the polaroids.

All of these questions (and more) are introduced, but few are followed through with the weight they deserve. AND MY GOD, if they were elaborated upon...I'm telling you FIVE STARS ALL AROUND. Frankly, this book feels like a great early draft. More time developing the plot lines that matter, especially Ophelia’s backstory, her parents’ involvement at Sorrowsong, and the layers of betrayal leading up to their deaths would make this book a true standout. Also, I would not be offended by a dual timeline. It would have added emotional resonance and helped tie everything together more cohesively. Nonetheless, Nightshade is a bingeable read and I WILL be reading book 2 because the basic premise is fantastic. I just hope it's edited better than book 1.

I’ve been nursing this book since mid April. I really wanted to like it but I just was not connecting with the characters. DNF at 70%.

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

Although this book held great promise, it fell flat for me. My expectations were very high since I knew many people who gave it 5 stars, but I was let down.

The writing wasn`t for me. It was repetitive, had too many pop culture references and the dialogue was cringe and unnatural. I also had trouble getting lost in the story as I didn`t really get the whole mafia university thing set in the modern world. The pacing was also strange, fast yet slow at the same time.

Even though this book wasn`t for me, clearly many people loved it!

This book had such a hooking beginning! It’s very mysterious, suspenseful, humorous/ sarcastic and tension-filled!

I couldn’t put it down! In my opinion, everything was put together well and I absolutely loved the dynamic between the FMC & MMC (Ophelia & Alex). The plot twists were great, and the anticipation and action were written so well!

It was amazing, but that ending was so crazy; I need book 2 right now!!!