This is great academy love. The story was so cute, and the flirting was to die for. I NEED part 2. I really liked how gloomy of a character the main girl was.

What abook. Devoured this in a sitting, will pick up anything by this author now. An auto buy. 5* from start to finish I was hooked.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for this ARC. I enjoyed this and finished it in less than two days. There were some predictable plot points but I really didn’t mind. Writing was solid and the author made it so I was invested in our main characters. The cliffhanger was a heart breaker though and I am hoping for a HEA in the end.

This was unfortunately predictable and kinda boring to me. I can definetly see how and why people might love it, because the themes a,d tropes are interesting but for me, they weren't enough to keep me invested.

Autumn woods's writing isn't bad, I just feel like some parts were dragged out while others were rushed. I also wish that Ophélia didn't abandon her revenge plot that quickly and was, idk, a bit more interested in finding out who her stalker was, specially after everything he did?

Overall, I thought that Nightshade (2.5 stars) could use a bit of work but I can see it being a hit with the booktok community.

Nightshade by Autumn Woods is a chillingly fun dark academia romance that readers will devour!

I could not put this book down. Nightshade is a page turner! It's filled with mystery, plot twists, turns, betrayal and an alibi. It's tension filled, suspenseful, swoony and romantic all at once all set in the picturesque Scotland. I loved the dark academia setting in Scotland, I felt like she painted the imagery and setting so vivid that you could feel you were right there. Ophelia wants revenge and the murderers' son Alex just so happens to go the same uni. Alex is dealing with alot and ophelia becomes his support and life line when she comes into his life. They become each other's support and the way he adores her? Alex is the perfect book boyfriend. He plays rugby, tall, accent and he years and longs and adores his girl so naturally he's perfect. You have to go into his book blind but my god the emotional rollercoaster it'll take you will be worth it. So good! I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

Ophelia & Alex
Dark Academia
Romantic Suspense
Enemies to lovers
Murder Mystery

Omg I love this one!!

Ophelia finds herself at a new college, trying to uncover what happened to her parents.

I love the connection between these two!

I love the mysteriousness!

The cliffhanger though!!!! That one is just mean 😂😂 I can't wait for book 2!!

I could not put this down. Searching for answers in a dangerous place, our main character is immersed in a world where she does not belong. Exciting and filled with twists this was so good!

This was such an easy 5star rating from me!! From the story line with the mystery and the twists and turns, to the enemies to lovers slow burn, I absolutely ate it all up!!
It had me holding me breath towards the end!! It ends on a cliff hanger.. and I mean it’s a hanger!!! I’ll be straight on to book 2 as soon as it’s released! This book will get its claws in you and you won’t want it to let go!!

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this!

This book is was everything and the ending, that cliffhanger has altered my brain chemistry because I am unwell.

Night Shade is an love to hate, enemies to lovers, rich boy/poor girl, dark academia, revenge filled story with a stalker (not the kind we like) and lots of mystery to sift through. There were multiple plot twists and heartbreaking moments.

I’ve fallen in love with Alex and Ophelia. Their banter was top tier. I mean, if you want to be giggling and blushing like a school girl or boy - this book is for you. Be warned the ending is a dreadful cliffhanger and I am unwell, the only cure is the second book in this duet.

I love the story and it deserve more, personally I love the banter so much and I want more, I have nothing to explain but overall I love it and ate it

OKAAYYY hottest new dark academia romantic suspense! And the banter between the MCs was so good - like really love. Plus, the rivals to lovers action was chef’s kiss. My only complaint was that there could have been a slower burn, as it came across a bit instalove when it did happen.

Overall, a fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for this eARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

Zando only ever publishes bangers. I’m convinced.

First and foremost, thank you so much to Slowburn for the ARC of this book!!!!

I love a good romantic suspense. Love a good plot twist. Love a good forbidden, enemies to lovers romance. This book had it ALL.

Ophelia is a girl who’s been dealt a shitty hand of cards, but when those cards aren’t eating her alive, they’re fueling her desire for revenge. The fact that she is still trying to avenge her parents’ death, even when everything about it is practically erased and she’s ignored from everyone who might have information is a testament to her strength.

Alex is a man who has his entire world on his shoulders and carries the burden of caring for everyone who means something to him. Emotionally stunted? Maybe. But his love language is acts of service and that’s the hottest thing about him. He’s only 23 and he shouldn’t have to be a father to his 6 sister while also juggling his mother’s health, his father’s shady businesses dealings, and his own life, but he is. And we love him for fighting and living for everyone in his life.

The plot of this book wasn’t just centered around a budding romance between one-sided enemies, but a woman searching for the truth of her parents’ death while falling in love with the son of the man who she deems responsible. The fight for their love was hard-fought. Through death, stalkers, blackmail, and too many outside forces to name, they still made it through… kind of.

Let me just say, that ending had my jaw ON THE FLOOR and yelling. I am more than ready for book 2 and will be waiting with open hands for it to land in my inbox (hint hint, nudge nudge, Slowburn 👀)

It’s always such a delight when a hyped book lives up to its hype. And @authmnwoodsauthor’s “Nightshade” was all over my feed and it LIVED UP to the hype. This is the first book in a duology, and Autumn has created such a lush and intriguing world that’s making me want book 2, like, now.

This is dark academia in a world of haves - rich kids with richer parents living in the morally gray. Ophelia is on a mission for vengeance, and is the grumpiest grump ever. She’s single minded in her focus until she meets Alex, who is charming bd attractive and exactly the wrong person for her to want. She does her best to avoid him but then, wouldn’t you know it, they end up in each other’s orbit constantly (and Alex loves having her nearby).

Ophelia is sad and has abandonment issues and keeps to herself. She was such a brilliant character, someone smart and capable who isn’t afraid to let herself speak up while trying to not be perceived. I loved how reluctant she was to integrate into Sorrowsong and how quickly she was forced to do so - fighting her feeling for Alex from the jump.

Alex, meanwhile, was perfect as a brooding, down bad, protective man who would do anything for the girl who burrowed her way into his heart (despite his reluctance). He was so funny in that perfectly dry way I love, broken just enough, and had so much charisma. And honestly all he wanted to do is kiss Ophelia!

There’s crossword puzzles used as flirting, email as foreplay, and the best banter. The setting is moody and dark, with elements of humor and suspense (there’s murder and mystery and a stalker and shady people lurking everywhere). PLUS there are some unbelievably fun side characters (hi Vincenzo!). Autumn wrote a completely compelling and unputdownable book that had me gripped, and then completely kept me on the edge of my seat.

Absolutely devoured this one. Nightshade is a gritty romantasy full of sharp edges, slow-burning enemies-to-lovers tension, and one seriously badass heroine. The pacing is relentless - in a good way! And the emotional stakes hit hard. I especially loved the way the author peeled back the characters’ layers over time, revealing vulnerabilities beneath all that strength.

The world felt dark but immersive, with a hint of political intrigue and a heavy dose of danger. Definitely a standout in the romantasy space.

🔥 Main takeaways: Addictive chemistry, complex leads, and top-tier angst
🖤 Would recommend if you enjoyed: Throne of Glass, The Bridge Kingdom, or The Shadows Between Us

This book is so incredible i cant recommend it enough, the setting, plot characters, chemistry everything about this book is perfection. i was lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC and i have no doubt this book is going to blow up from how amassing it is.

Pre thoughts
- romance?

Post thoughts
- Very atmospheric read
- The tension and plot twists!!!
- Vincenzo is a great side character


Overall:
I need the second book in the series!!! I devoured this book in two days and it was an absolutely beautiful read, the healthy development of the characters and mental health representation is lovely. I can’t wait to see how this series’s progresses.

Stars 4/5
Spice 2/5


Tropes:
Slow burn
Enemies to lovers

Thank you net gallery, zando and Autumn woods for the opportunity to review this ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own xx

I enjoyed this! Loved the setting at the university and all mystery surrounding Ophelia’s parents death! Loved the characters and that they had so many differences but actually were quite similar. Love the relationship Alex has with his sisters! Looking forward to the next book!

It was hypnotizing and intoxicating. The banter between Ophelia and Alex was so funny. I swear you could feel the tension between them through the screen. 💙

Ophelia is a sassy red head and Alex is the tough rich kid in the school. I found myself snickering each time Ophelia talked to Alex.

Ophelia has her walls so high up and is set for revenge/justice but she eventually finds herself in a conflicting situation. Should she follow her heart or get justice for her parents. This story gives off gloomy weather, gothic vibes, and the feeling that you are always being watched.

💙Hate to Love
💙 Cute & Funny Banter
💙 Kinda a slow burn
💙Anonymous stalker
💙Murder Mystery
💙Low spice, like pretty tame imo

I knew who the stalker was pretty quick but I think it was the lack of male characters that could keep me guessing and only one character fit the criteria. I wish there were more options so I could keep guessing.

The book ends on a cliffhanger but I’m dying to dig into Autumn’s brain to get spoilers. I definitely recommend this story for those cold, gloomy, shady days. It’s a quick read so grab a cup of coffee and your cuddle buddy to binge this book.

Thank you so much to Zando, Slowburn and Autumn Wood for the eARC! I am dying for the second book. 😭🥺

I still think that this book was perfect!!

From the very first chapter, Nightshade had me hooked. The tension between Alex and Ophelia is unreal, they bicker, banter, and glare at each other like they’ve been at war for years, and yet the chemistry is just chef’s kiss. They’re both so sarcastic I started giggling like crazy. Like actually out loud. It’s the kind of witty back-and-forth that makes you fall for the characters without even realizing it.

And let’s talk about THE EMAILS. When Ophelia was hiding under the couch and emailing him? Pure. Perfection. I was literally smiling like an idiot through the whole thing, kicking my feet and everything. It was the perfect mix of tension, awkwardness, and that slow burn magic that makes you keep turning the page at 2 a.m.

The mystery at the heart of the story is just as gripping as the romance. Ophelia’s parents d!ed in a helicopter crash, but someone deleted the evidence. She’s sure Cain (ugh, I forgot his last name too but you know who I mean) is behind it. So what does she do? She marches herself right into his territor, the university his son attends, to find out the truth.

And he is suspiciously hot who nearly runs her over with his car on day one. Because of course he does.

The university setting is so atmospheric, it honestly gave me Harry Potter vibes with the different “houses,” the eerie paintings, and the strange, secretive energy lurking in the halls. It’s the best feeling, being pulled into a world that feels both magical and dangerous.

In short: the romance? Flawless. The mystery? Addictive. The vibes? Immaculate.
Nightshade is one of those books you finish and immediately want to reread just to feel it all again

Nightshade by Autumn Woods follows Ophelia Winters, who earns a scholarship to Sorrowsong University, a secluded and elite school. She has one goal: uncover the truth behind her parents’ mysterious deaths near the university grounds and get revenge on those responsible. Things become more complicated when she crosses paths with Alex Corbeau-Green, the son of the man she suspects.
It’s very much an enemies-to-lovers setup, but what made it work for me was the slow build. The tension between Ophelia and Alex is really well done, intense without being rushed.
The writing style took a little time to get used to. At first, I found it a bit confusing, but as the story unfolded it got better and I was to curious to find out what happens next.
One detail I really loved was the use of word definitions as email subject lines. Those moments added so much personality and depth to Alex and Ophelia’s dynamic.
Honestly, I didn’t think I’d get so invested in this book, but by the end, I was completely hooked. The mystery kept me curious, the emotional beats hit harder than I expected, and the romance was just so good. Also, guys with sisters? Always a win. There's something about that quiet emotional intelligence that just hits.
Nightshade ended up being an unexpectedly great read. Dark, atmospheric, and a little messy in the best way. If you like tension, layered characters, and a touch of revenge, this one’s worth picking up.
Thank you netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book early! And I really can’t wait for book two!!