This reads like an extra dark, extra horny Witcher and you'll definitely be reading it for the "plot." It's a dark romance with witches, hell, lost memories and so much spice.
There's also a cute comedy relief evil minion who steals the show. He has Bartholomew vibes. Go into this knowing it s a fun easy short read. The bones are really good and I think this has so much potential to be a deeper more explored longer story. Thanks to netgalley the publisher and author for the arc

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Genre: Dark Romance / Fantasy / Occult
📖 Summary (without major spoilers)
Grimoire’s Bride is a sweeping story in which magic, power, and forbidden love collide. The narrative centers on a heroine bound by an ancient grimoire (a magical book) who finds herself entangled in a dark pact. As she wrestles with the pull of the grimoire’s power and her own desires, she must decide whether to surrender to the forces that beckon her or fight to retain her humanity. Along the way, she’s drawn to a mysterious, dangerous figure who may hold both salvation and ruin in his hands.
Lenore Nox weaves a world that feels both ethereal and visceral: ritual, runes, shadows, and internal conflict permeate the pages. The romance is intense and fraught with danger; the magic is rooted in dark bargains and consequences.
👍 What I Loved
Atmosphere & World-Building. One of the strengths of Grimoire’s Bride is how immersive the setting feels. From the cryptic runes to the whispered incantations, you sense that magic is not a glittering ornament but something dangerous and weighty.
Emotional Conflict. The internal struggle of the protagonist, torn between power and morality, love and self-preservation, is compelling. Nox doesn’t shy away from the cost of magic, which gives the stakes real weight.
Complex Romance. The romantic tension is charged and uneasy, not a safe or conventional love story. The push-pull dynamics, secrets, and danger amplify the attraction rather than undercut it.
Writing Style & Tone. The prose leans toward the poetic and dark, with vivid imagery and an undercurrent of longing. It’s not always light reading, but it’s emotionally resonant.
👎 Points of Caution / Things That Didn’t Fully Work for Me
Pacing Lulls. At times the narrative slows, especially in the middle, with long stretches of introspection or setting detail that could have been trimmed a little.
Ambiguities & Mysteries. While mystery is a strength, occasionally it feels too opaque. I wanted a few more signposts or grounding elements to keep me fully oriented.
Secondary Character Development. Some supporting characters remain shadowy or underdeveloped; I found myself wanting more backstory or clearer motives for them.
💡 Final Thoughts
Grimoire’s Bride is a gripping and darkly romantic read that will especially appeal if you enjoy stories where magic comes with a price and love is as dangerous as it is intoxicating. Lenore Nox delivers an emotionally charged, lyrical tale full of shadows, longing, and power. While it stumbles slightly in pacing and clarity at times, its strengths in atmosphere and emotional conflict make it a memorable read.
If I were to rate it more precisely: 4 out of 5: solidly “worth reading,” especially for fans of dark fantasy romance.

As a grimdark fantasy reader, I’m often let down by books pitched as “dark” that barely toe the line. Grimoire’s Bride had no such qualms. I’ve never read, played, or watched The Witcher, which is what this universe is based around, but I found myself immediately getting those grimdark and horror vibes I so love from other books I’ve devoured. This book is not for the average romantasy lover. This is more of a grimdark fantasy with erotica and some fucked-up romance sprinkled in. The characters aren’t the light-hearted, morally grey characters seen in fiction and romantasy books. These characters are morally dark grey to pitch-black. They will do evil deeds without a hint of regret, and there are no redemption arcs waiting in the wings.

Nox’s whimsical writing weaves the reader through a journey of the FMC’s adventures as a mercenary with other sell swords in the first few chapters. This felt reminiscent of other books in this genre, establishing a background of characters up to their small quests throughout the years and seeing how it connects later in the story. The FMC, Morena, is an unapologetic necromancer who’s slowly reminded of who she really is. The King of Hell, Razakel, keeps finding her, insisting she belongs at his side. For someone so ruthlessly infernal, he gives her a surprising amount of choice, which makes their dynamic feel dangerous and intoxicating.

As she uncovers her lost memories, Morena uses whatever weapon she has at her disposal. This includes her sexuality. Between betrayals and power plays, she seduces allies and enemies alike to get what she wants, and sometimes the scenes are there because, yes, this is also a horny book.

Not everything is seamless. A few transitions are rough, and Morena’s motives blur at times (to be fair, I’m not sure she always knows them herself). There’s lingering ambiguity around certain characters and their agendas. This book has such great bones, though, that I believe with more willing alpha/beta readers on this, those details could be ironed out and help the author hone their craft.

It saddens me to see so many low reviews for this novel so far. There are some shining pieces: mysterious, steamy moments between the leads that make you crave more; an adorably repulsive little sidekick who steals scenes in the back half; and deliciously macabre set pieces that will make horror lovers feral.

If any that appeals to you, maybe try out this book and see how you like it. It feels like the start of a bigger universe, and I’ll be lining up for whatever comes next.

The dynamic between the leads is full of tension and slow-burn chemistry that builds naturally. I loved how their relationship developed—not just through passion, but through mutual understanding and trust forged in the most unexpected places. There’s a lyrical quality to the writing that makes even the quieter moments feel spellbinding. If I had one small critique, it’s that a few sections felt a little drawn out, but it didn’t take away from the experience. The payoff is worth it, and the emotional depth of the ending stuck with me long after closing the book. Haunting, romantic, and full of dark magic, Grimoire’s Bride is a captivating read for anyone who loves their fantasy with equal parts danger and desire.

Unique as it is dark, medieval and menacing - dark times, dark magic, and dark lust. Atmospheric and sometimes brutal, but definite snark too. Fun reading for a dark and stormy night, with the lights on of course ...