Dark academia university romance! She's an orphan and his family is responsible for her parents death!

Mourning the death of her parents, Ophelia Winters, enrolls in the prestigious Sorrowsong University, where her parents had been employed, with the hopes of uncovering details of the tragic helicopter accident that had been covered up. Full of celebrities, diplomats, and mafia heirs, the University isn't known for being a cozy place to call home. While running late for Orientation, Ophelia nearly is run over by none other than Alex Corbeau Green, son of the aviation tycoon Cain Green, whose company had been responsible for the helicopter crash.

Thoughts and Spoilers:


WOW! There is so much about this story that I loved! The banter and dynamic between Ophelia and Alex, the mystery component of discovering the crash and other incidents that occur at Sorrowsong, the found family friendships! Ophelia and Alex were both characters with emotional depth that makes perfect sense considering their individual trauma.

One of my biggest complaints was that it seems to be marketed as a mafia romance, and though there is definitely a mafia aspect to it because of their friend groups, neither Ophelia or Alex are actually involved? It's almost mafia by association? As a billionaire heir, Alex definitely is involved in some darker things and didnt really flinch about a dead body, but he himself is not actually a mafia member unless i read incorrectly. I also found that the story pacing threw me off a few times. As if major character development, especially in regards to their feelings for one another, were happening off page. This book easily could have been 40-50 pages longer in my opinion and some of those details could have been better fleshed out!
I'm definitely looking forward to reading book two!

This book is currently indie published, but is getting republished traditionally!
Thank you so much to Zando and NetGalley for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

First off, thank you to NetGalley and Zando for sending me an ARC of this book.

Okay, I just wanna prepare you, this book ends on a cliffhanger and it’s absolutely insane!! There is a warning beforehand so I knew that was gonna happen but the way the cliffhanger fell into place…I just couldn’t believe it. So, I am already waiting for book two, and book one hasn’t even officially been published yet…you can see my dilemma. Our main character Ophelia she is going to this prestigious Scottish university so she can get answers. Something happened to her parents and it’s connected to the school. On her way there she meets this guy Alex, who immediately they vibe, but she’s trying to stay on task. Later she discovers Alex‘s full name and that draws a problem for her because she hates Alex‘s father so because of that, she’s now hating him. Staying away from him obviously isn’t that easy. It’s definitely giving a slow burn but oh my gosh, when it burns, it burns!! Alex doesn’t even know why Ophelia doesn’t like him, but he’s still trying to get to know her because he feels drawn to her. Ophelia is also getting messages from a stalker while at school. Wait until that is revealed because I actually didn’t see that one coming. She’s trying to find out who her stalker is. She’s trying to fight this attraction to Alex and then she’s also trying to find out what happened to her parents. Little does she know things are running deeper than she ever could have imagined the mystery, which is so good, keeps you guessing and on your toes. It makes you just wanna keep reading the book which is why I need the second one please and thank you!

Autumn Woods did a great job painting us the imagery of a creepy, old university in perpetually rainy Scotland. Sorrowsong University is described with gothic elements and descriptors, and boasting 4 houses within the student body. When we are introduced to the 4 houses initially, I was excited and I expected more interactions amongst the various students within the houses to help flesh out how the university works. However, this isn't the case, and we are mostly within the Nightshade House so I found this a bit lackluster and forgot there were even 4 houses as I read on.

My shining moments were definitely Ophelia's and Alex's banter. The emails, definitions, and crossword foreplay were so witty and funny. I did enjoy their initial enemies to lovers moments, but it didn't really make sense to me that Ophelia didn't know who Alex was. If I'm set on getting revenge, I am learning EVERYTHING about the family I am getting revenge on, right? It was also only a slow burn the first half...and then Alex becomes obsessed with her quickly. It gave me whiplash how fast it happened. But hey, once he was obsessed, I still swooned.

Was the storyline a bit predictable? Yes, but I still found it enjoyable. I really like Autumn Woods' writing style. It could use a bit of polishing to enrich the characters and plot a bit better, but I was still sucked in to the world of Sorrowsong. I look forward to book 2!

Thank you Zando and Autumn Woods for the ARC ♡

I really enjoyed this one! It's got the perfect gothic setting, an incredible romance, some mystery, and a book boyfriend that I won't be forgetting anytime soon! I need the second book ASAP!

Romance. Suspense. Yearning. Found family. Nightshade has it ALL IN SPADES! Alex is the heir of an aviation company in the US and Ophelia has lost everything. They both end up at Sorrowsong- a university that basically educates the offspring of the most corrupt people in the world. It is in Scotland and has major Harry Potter vibes with houses etc, but no magic. Alex and Ophelia continue to get thrown together and eventually form a found family with some of their other friends. Ophelia is trying to avenge her parents' deaths and also has a deadly stalker lurking on campus. Alex is trying to raise his six sisters from afar while his mother is in a mental health crisis and his father is working.

Alex and Ophelia are both so miserable and attracted to each other. I loved reading how they understood each other. However- this book does end on a heartbreaking cliffhanger, but I know it will be worth it! I will be waiting for Nightshade 2 to come out with bated breath!

Thank you NetGalley and Zando for this ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

That cliffhanger just brought me physical pain <3

I went into this book completely blind and had SO MUCH FUN. A dark university setting where all of the students are from dangerous families (mafia, drug lords, evil CEOs).

Fast paced an entertaining all the way through. Started off where I thought the vibe would be enemies to lovers but morphed into “he hates how much he likes her” to “he fell first & is down bad”

Sooo fun

Oh wow! This story had a near-poetic quality to it. I absolutely loved all the literary references sprinkled throughout, and the banter between Alex and Ophelia was everything. I seriously need a Vincenzo in my life. The concept behind NIGHTSHADE was fantastic, and Autumn did a brilliant job weaving the plot together. Without giving anything away, I was genuinely caught off guard by that late revelation…so well done.

That said, something felt a bit off for me pacing-wise. Certain scenes had a “fade-to-black” feeling, like in romance novels, or they would appear and disappear so suddenly it was jarring. It’s hard to put into words, but there were moments where I found myself wanting more… more depth, more buildup, more resolution.

Still, what a strong debut. My personal feeling of “missing something” doesn’t take away from the story as a whole. The emotional connection between Alex and Ophelia, both individually and together, was beautifully done. I devoured NIGHTSHADE in one sitting and cannot wait for book two.

Tropes:
Dark academia
Murder Mystery/thriller
MMC has daddy issues
Mafia adjacent



I am excited for book2! It is already on my TBR list. I absolutely love the banter between Ophelia and Alex. I was laughing at Alex’s responses to Ophelia. I loved their interactions with one another. Alex’s character development? Flawless.

It was a slow start for me but after the 30% mark, I instantly fell in love with the two. I can’t wait to see what book2 has in store

Really enjoyed this and I am patiently impatiently waiting for the release of the 2nd book.
Thank you Netgalley for an arc of this book!

Thank you to Zando and NetGalley for this ARC. This book delivered exactly what it described. Dark academia, enemies to lovers, mafia vibes. I was here for all of it. Was the ending a little predictable? Sure! Will I be continuing the series? Absolutely. Alex was a golden retriever in a black cat’s body. Thank you to Autumn for a fast paced great read.

Cliche? Maybe, but I ATE IT UP. Autum did an amazing job being able to make something that is common and turn it into something unique yet comforting at the same time.

Thank you NetGalley for a free eArc in exchange for an honest review!

I’m honestly surprised how much I enjoyed this one! There’s not a ton of plot or build up for the romance, but I really loved their chemistry. The banter was top tier and I was giggling a few times. I also really enjoyed the setting/ vibes of the book as a whole. I cannot wait to see where book 2 goes because the cliffhanger killed me!

Charlotte + Alex

-dark academia
-romantic suspense
-enemies to lovers
-grumpy/grumpy
-murder mystery

phewwww this one is gonna really take us thru the ringer with this cliffhanger! but the tension, angst & the banter between these two is so raw & pure! & their character development, both separate & together is written so beautifully! it's a great ride!!

This book started off a little slow for me but I'm so glad I stuck with it! Alex is a top tier book boyfriend! And the banter between him and Ophelia was 10/10. But I would not recommend reading this in public. The ending had me sobbing on an airplane. I need book 2 ASAP!

I'm an absolute sucker for a good enemies to lovers trope, and Nightshade did not disappoint.

Corrupt CEO's, awful parents, covered up murders, mafia besties, secrets, betrayal, mental illnesses, and a romance you just can't help but root for. A broody, depressed, sweet, caring man who doesnt think he's worthy of love but would do anything for his sisters and his mother and a sassy, emotional, independent woman out to avenge her parents untimely death. Wires cross, world's coincide, and I lapped up every twist and turn.

While the writing was occasionally quite repetitive, there were some real gems throughout the book that spoke to me. A particular favourite being: "Just surviving is achievement enough" because isn't that just the reminder we all need to hear sometimes.

Alex truly had me kicking me feet at times, and the way he and Ophelia bickered and flirted together - especially the email subject headings and the crossword clues - had me cackling.

I sort of predicted the big reveal near the end of the book a few chapters prior, but it was still tense and tied a few loose ends together. That is, until the damn cliffhanger ending came and unravelled them all over again.

Genuinely very excited for book 2, genuinely very annoyed I now have to wait for it.

Loved this spooky atmospheric dark academia, the character development was top notch and what kept me reading, the pace was a little slow but I really enjoyed reading this!

4.5!
Dark Academia isn't usually a favourite of mine but Nightshade was so a pleasure to read.

I found it a little tricky to get into at first but the character development and relationship between Ophelia and Alex sucked me in and kept me rooting for them. I loved how the tone of Autumns writing matched the mood/weather/overall feel of the book so consistently.

Nightshade is spooky, suspenseful, emotional, and fast paced!
Excited to have it in store and see what comes next from Autumn, Alex and Ophelia!

Thank you for this advanced read to the author, publisher, and NetGalley.
A soft dnf/pause for now, so the middle rating, I don't feel anything else would be fair. I am definitely in the minority here but this one just didn't click with me, could be the reading slump or simply I am not into dark academia in general. This was probably my best attempt with the subgenre yet. The characters were interesting and the tone/atmosphere were right and combined mystery and wit well.
I think my biggest issue was that the beginning was abrupt and a lot of background felt missing. In general I think it needs better flow and transitions so that the plot moves more organically and we feel tension and urgency.
But overall I think it would be a great read for people who like dark academia/mafia/university romances and I am glad that I had the chance to try it.