Rating: ★★★
Audience: Upper YA Historical Fantasy Romance
Length: 464 pages
Author: Jenn Bennett
Publisher: Simon Teen
Release Date: October 28th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace meets A Study in Drowning in this sizzling gothic romantasy that follows the forbidden romance between a young nurse and a mysterious young man imprisoned by a dangerous occultist.

After receiving a strange summons, eighteen-year-old nursing student Molly O’Rinn finds herself the private live-in nurse for a wealthy young man in his haunting Hudson Valley mansion. But after arriving at his secluded estate, Molly discovers that her handsome employer is not what he seems, and most surprising of all is what rests deep inside the mansion’s walls.

Perhaps not what, but who…

A young man about Molly’s age—at least in appearance—is a prisoner of the estate, locked behind magical barriers. Nin is royalty, the son of a legend. He is not human, not of this world…and not like anyone Molly has ever met.

Molly should stay away from him. But Nin is a terrifying yet strangely attractive being, and soon both Molly and Nin find themselves drawn to each other, sparked by a connection neither of them can deny. But as the two become entangled in a forbidden affair, outside forces start to press in.

Because Nin’s legendary father is looking for his son, and he’s not the only one.

To keep Molly safe, Nin must find a way back to his realm or suffer the consequences. Even if it means choosing his princely duty over love.

Thank you to Simon Teen for the eARC.

WENT ROGUE.

Well I think calling this one adjacent to Belladonna is where this all went wrong. These two books are not on the same level.

I thought things started out fine and I was intrigued. There’s a good atmosphere and spooky gothic vibes throughout. That note did hit the best.

But a few things didn’t make sense. One of those being the dialogue. Some of it felt extremely modern and I get that it’s a young adult book but it threw me out of the story the way Molly would phrase somethings.

The cover lends itself to some kind of haunting ball vibes right? Those aren’t there either. The plot meanders and slows to excruciating lengths. Molly, “I’m a nurse I know what to do” (though she hasn’t even completed her training), wasn’t that fun to be around. And then adding in so many gods, possession, curses, etc. in the late second half had me quirking my head. It did not need all of that. Once again, the lack of focus for the story is when it really went off the rails.

It looks like there will be a sequel, but I don’t know how I feel about it or if I’ll read it [yet].

Overall audience notes:

• Upper YA Fantasy Romance
• Language: mild
• Romance: vague fade to black
• Violence: moderate
• Content warnings: those dying of tuberculosis, loss of loved ones

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