My Honest Review of "Haunting Adeline"

“All I want to do is break her. Shatter her into pieces. And then arrange those pieces to fit against my own. I don’t care if they don’t fit—I’ll fucking make them.”

― H.D. Carlton, Haunting Adeline

Holy shit.

What a whirlwind these books truly are.

You know that post-book clarity you find yourself in after finishing a series? That's the frame of mind that I am in right now. I debated writing a post about this but I decided to because I am hoping to find other people that have mixed feelings about the books.

First off, this is just my opinion. There are hundreds of book reviews out there for Haunting Adeline and the sequel, Hunting Adeline.

Now the only other sexy books that I have read are the Fifty Shades of Grey series. Personally, not a fan of "too many" sex scenes whereas other people could argue and say it's the right amount or there could have been more. I just couldn't stop reading. And I'm not gonna lie, I'm kind of mad H.D. Carlton because you have ripped me out of my comfort zone and I fell in love with your words.

I used my Kindle Unlimited subscription to read these books. I had noticed people on TikTok ranting and raving about how good this book is and I thought to myself, "hmm, seems creepy and people have good things to say about this, may as well since its on Kindle Unlimited for, somewhat free."

I was not prepared to come out of this with a new favourite author. I say that with full confidence as I'm now reading the prequel/stand alone novel called Satan's Affair by H.D. Carlton which takes place before Haunting Adeline- solely because I cannot get enough of this deranged universe of books that I have found myself in.

Now, if you don't love dark romance, then this author might not be for you. For myself? This is a new genre for me to be exploring and honestly, I am hooked. My partner calls it porn for women but I wasn't reading it for the smexy scenes. I read it for the storyline. A woman falling in love with her stalker, human trafficking rings, corrupt secret societies, and then sex scenes unlike anything I have ever read before on top of all that. I even told my partner while I was reading the novel one night that the pace just keeps picking up and it makes it hard to find a lull in order to stop reading it. I am hooked H.D. Carlton. Why did you do this to me?

I do have to say, the way my stomach turned at the gun scene, makes me want to stick a "readers beware sticker" on the cover of both these books. (If you have read the books, you would know what I am talking about when I say the gun scene.) It just, almost made me physically ill. But like I said, I am hooked on Addie's universe and I need more.

H.D. Carlton has written and published seven novels, four of them being in the Cat and Mouse universe. I didn't know it when I began the series, but the book that I am currently reading, titled, Satan's Affair, is meant to be read prior to Haunting Adeline and Hunting Adeline. The fourth novel titled Where's Molly takes place before Hunting Adeline but is meant to be read after you finish the novel. I want readers to know though, it is heavy stuff that she has written about. But damn is she ever a good writer in my mind. I'm blown away by how good these books were. Even if my brain is now going, "what in the ever living fuck did I just read?"

Here is a link to the author's website.

If I didn't sell you on her books, here is the GoodReads description of Haunting Adeline, the book that has been all over my BookTok- well besides ACOTAR.

The Manipulator

I can manipulate the emotions of anyone who lets me.

I will make you hurt, make you cry, make you laugh and sigh.

But my words don't affect him. Especially not when I plead for him to leave.

He's always there, watching and waiting.

And I can never look away.

Not when I want him to come closer.

The Shadow

I didn't mean to fall in love.

But now that I have, I can't stay away.

I'm mesmerized by her smile, by her eyes, and the way she moves.

The way she undresses...

I'll keep watching and waiting. Until I can make her mine.

And once she is, I'll never let her go.

Not even when she begs me to.

While not required, it is highly suggested to read the novella, Satan's Affair, first.

This book was previously banned on Amazon due to the trigger warning. Please read reviews or go to the author's website.

SO, that being said, have you read any of H.D. Carlton's work before? What did you think? Let me know in the comments.

Chloe Rose Violet 🌹