When Amara Rose takes a job at Black Manor she thought she knew what she was getting herself into and what to expect, even though the Manor itself was an estate up north on the island of O'ahu. But, there was nothing that could have ever prepared her for the charm of the intelligent and cryptic Mr. Black or that of his older brother, Dr. Shadow whom she found to be alluring and rather seductive. But, then she finds that strange occurrences and unsettling truths start to swirl around her. Suddenly Miss Rose starts to fear that both of the brothers' rather captivating presence is hiding a far darker reality than she had realized at first. And then she starts to hear the whispers of skeletal woods that begin to terrorize her mind.

Will Amara find that she is to be consumed by them forever?

Wicked Beasts is a gothic paranormal romance that is inspired by Beauty & the Beast and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.

YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay attention to the content and trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There are some scenes and content in this book that may be unsuitable for some readers and triggering for other readers. Please remember that your mental health comes first at all times.

Tropes: Gothic Paranormal Romance, Suspenseful, Dual Personality, Why Choose, But Not, Haunted House, and Forced Proximity.

Wicked Beasts by Skelley Leigh Crane is a gothic paranormal romance that has been inspired by not only Beauty & the Beast but also The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. And I found this combination to be a very interesting blend that at first I didn't quite think was going to work together to tell a clear and concise story. And yet, upon reading Wicked Beauty, I found that these two inspirations blended beautifully together to tell a unique and intertwined story that just blended together to flow perfectly.

I was enthralled by this book from the very first page and I never wanted it to end. Shelley has this beautiful magnetic way with words that flow seamlessly and elegantly on the page that you feel like you are being drawn into the story yourself.

This book is told from the POV of Amara our FMC and we get to discover with her the lush shadowy mansion that is Black Manor. Through her eyes, we get to discover all the secrets that the manor holds. The manor that is tucked away in the lush greenery of Hawaii we see that contrasted against the somewhat neglected mansion – that alone is a rather large contrast – and the mansion itself is full of velvet curtains, these deep mahogany treatments that catch your eye, and full of dusty secrets waiting to be found.

Tristan is this enigmatic, handsome, somewhat shy, very awkward young student who believes in science. He's like a circle wrapped in a box we a trying to figure out how to free without destroying the box. And I wanted to know so badly what pieces he was trying to fit together and just why he was doing it. Honestly, I found him to be more of a paradox than anything and I could tell that there was a lot more under the surface than we could see at first, but his amber eyes held the secrets.

Amara is supposed to be Tristan's assistant but it's actually Dr. Shadow who gets her second-guessing the new visitor's intentions not only toward her but also the connection that he has with Tristan.

The way that Shelley tells the story is more like she is painting you a picture or showing you a movie in your mind. Each word she chooses is perfect to create this vivid and evocative image in your mind of what is happening in each scene. It's masterfully well done and it's a talent that not all authors have.

Character development, growth, and arcs were again so incredibly strong. Every character had the depth to them that you wanted and yet you could see them grow and develop further as you progressed through the book. You never felt like any one character was stagnating and holding back the book from moving forward. There was always growth and movement from each character that was just amazing to see.

Even with the steamy scenes that we got, they were expertly written with care, with each reader in mind and you never felt the need to skim past them just to get to the next part in the story. Each steamy scene that was included was there for a purpose and was there to help move the story forward and keep the story from stagnating and getting to lax.

This book requires you to have patience in your reading in order to revel in how this very deliberately paced mystery unfolds. And believe me, if you take the time to read this book, have the patience, and wait for all to be revealed, the reward will be well worth the wait.

The seductive imagery, the world that is seethed in mist, a smell of ancient texts and metallic iron, and the chill creeping up your spine with the tense thriller. I loved the way that Shelly took a fairy tale that we all loved growing up and mixed it with everything in a gothic lover's dream added in all the twists and turns and then used such a dedicated hand that gave us this compelling and stunning narrative that in my opinion is a must read.

This book is a masterclass in writing and a chef's kiss in taking two opposite genres and putting them together into one intoxicating book that in my opinion is a must-read for everyone who loves gothic romance, forced proximity, Why choose but not why choose (gotta read to find that out.) I just highly recommend.

And I can't wait to read more from Shelley Leigh Crane. This is the first book by her that I have ever read but it is not going to be the last. I love her writing style, her literary voice, her character development, honestly, I don't think there is one bad thing that I can say about this book or Shelley's writing.

Wow. Dark, gothic, very intense. I read this in 24 hours. The story had me enticed to keep going from the start. I love the whole dark house, mysterious mmc and this did not disappoint. There is mystery and intrigue. I cannot wait for more stories from this author.

Fantastical dark romantic retelling of a Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
The prose and writing of this book is poetic. I caught myself highlighting so many sentences that were constructed so lyrical they were breathtaking.

The scenery and storytelling was vivid as though you were watching it take place instead of reading.

The story follows Amara who is down on her luck, trying to write a book as she gets a new job as a personal assistant to a younger rich man- Mr. Black. Mr.Black is alluring with a quiet warmth. While Amara fins him attractive she is trying to maintain a professional distance. As the story continues, some odd things start happening in the old manor, and Amara finds more questions than answers.

If you enjoy dark romance- give this one a go.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)

Wicked Beasts is a gothic, atmospheric tale that blends classic literary echoes with a fairytale edge. Told through Amara’s perspective, the story draws readers into a Hawaiian mansion filled with secrets, velvet shadows, and a slow-burning sense of dread.

Tristan, the shy but magnetic student of science, is as intriguing as he is enigmatic, while the arrival of the mysterious Dr. Shadow deepens the tension and heightens the stakes. Shelley Leigh Crane’s writing is lush, lyrical, and deliberately paced, rewarding readers with vivid imagery, a creeping gothic atmosphere, and a story that lingers long after the last page.

A must-read for fans of romantic gothic fiction and fairytale-inspired mysteries.

The story follows Amara Rose, who takes a position at the isolated Black Manor, where she finds herself drawn to the enigmatic Mr. Black and his alluring brother. The plot is laced with gothic atmosphere and mystery, steadily unfolding with unexpected twists and deeply emotional moments. While undeniably steamy, the romantic elements are balanced well with suspense and character-driven storytelling. What sets this novel apart is the author's writing style, lyrical, fluid, and cinematic. The prose paints vivid, often ethereal imagery that makes the scenes feel almost tangible. I often found myself pausing just to appreciate the language itself. The pacing is consistent, and the narrative structure gradually deepens both the romance and the underlying mystery in satisfying ways.
Character development is another standout. Each character feels layered and emotionally complex, especially as the themes of identity, grief, and transformation take center stage. The chemistry between the leads is magnetic, charged with both tenderness and volatility, and their individual arcs are compelling and well-earned. Though the book leans heavily into sensuality, the steamy scenes are tastefully written and serve the emotional stakes of the story.
It’s mysterious, magnetic, and beautifully haunting, with a dark romanticism that lingers long after the final page. If you enjoy gothic tales with modern edge, lyrical writing, and emotionally intense romance, this is a must-read.