Morally complex characters elevate this gothic romantasy above standard enemies-to-lovers fare.
Stirred by her twin brother’s murder, a legendary vampire seeks revenge on the ruthless general who destroyed her family in Ashta’s novel.
The story opens as Soravelle Davana, once the most feared vampire of the D’Arco dynasty, is awakened from centuries of slumber in an underwater sarcophagus by the death of her twin brother, Mateo. He was her last remaining family member after the loss of their sister, Isi. Using her skills as a former assassin for the Crown, Sora makes her way to the castle her family used to own, only to find that its new occupant is an old enemy, Alobaz “Baz” Hawxley, the man responsible for killing her brother. What starts off as a straightforward revenge tale quickly becomes a game of wills when Sora learns her survival is linked to Baz. Although Sora maintains she’d rather die than submit, Ashta has crafted a morally gray romance from this situation that resists easy answers—Baz is both a conqueror and a captive of his imperial legacy, while Sora is torn between righteous fury and a desire she refuses to name. The author’s lush, dark blend of romance and gothic fantasy explores unwanted desire while sharpening its fangs on themes of vengeance, power, and political intrigue. The central characters are written with deliberate moral ambiguity, allowing their connection to feel raw and authentic rather than romanticized. The narrative pacing sustains a steady rhythm as the stakes are gradually raised. The prose boasts a rich, atmospheric intensity that reinforces the story’s tragic sensibilities, although the story does have instances of clunky dialogue and passages of heavy exposition. The fantastical setting adds texture to plot points, character interactions, and worldbuilding elements (from sentient, vindictive shadows to strange magical creatures), heightening the gothic atmosphere and rendering fate itself as an antagonist. The ways in which the novel treats destiny not as a promise but as an enemy to be resisted are particularly compelling (“Life and Death were known to be wicked gamblers, the more bizarre the scenario, the better”). The tension between vengeance and desire is maintained throughout, allowing the romance to capture readers’ attention through its twists and turns.
Morally complex characters elevate this gothic romantasy above standard enemies-to-lovers fare.Pub Date: Feb. 2, 2026
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: Jan. 8, 2026
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A lovely and moving romance that examines what it truly means to live.
Opposites attract when a Grim Reaper clashes with a Guardian Angel in this whimsical paranormal romance.
Darcy Moore is in a bit of a tough spot; she’s a Grim Reaper who’s grown tired of death. When she’s given her next assignment, Darcy decides to go rogue. Rather than reaping, Darcy is determined to save her mark, which only upsets the balance kept by the Department of Hauntings and Spirits. Nothing good comes from a Grim Reaper who’s gone AWOL. Bartender Gabriel Aetos works as a Guardian Angel. He doesn’t take kindly to the fact that a Grim Reaper is slinking around his territory. His role is to protect people, while hers is to usher souls into death. To him, their very natures are at odds and his sudden attraction to Darcy won’t change that. This is very much a grumpy-meets-grumpy romance. Gabriel tries hard to keep Darcy at arm’s length and is open about his mistrust of her. Darcy’s standoffishness, though, is born out of her feelings of isolation and loneliness. Dealing in death has taken an obvious toll on her, and she’s traveling her own introspective path on what it means to be human. Darcy’s fragility is what slowly convinces Gabriel to get close to her, despite the heady yearning he keeps under wraps. However, both view their jobs as central to their existence, for better or worse. While Darcy is actively wondering what it would mean to break free of her Grim Reaper responsibilities, Gabriel has never seemed to ponder being anything other than a Guardian Angel. Borison’s romances—most recently And Now, Back to You (2026)—always strike an emotional chord, with deep-seated conflicts that tap into themes of identity, connection, and grief. This addition is truly the epitome of a Borison romance.
A lovely and moving romance that examines what it truly means to live.Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2026
ISBN: 9780063430464
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Avon/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: July 6, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
A sweet and sparkling adult debut.
A romance ghostwriter who’s lost her motivation after a breakup is haunted by the spirit of her newly departed editor in this whimsical paranormal romance.
Florence Day doesn't believe in love or happily-ever-afters any longer. Unfortunately, she’s also the ghostwriter for a prominent romance novelist and is currently trying to finish her fourth and final contracted book. The deadline for her latest manuscript has already been pushed back several times, and her new editor, Benji Andor, isn’t allowing for any leeway. Florence can also see ghosts, an ability that’s made quite a name for her in her hometown but also partly contributed to the devastating end of her previous relationship. On the eve of her deadline, Florence finds her life upended by both an unexpected kiss with her editor and the sudden death of her beloved father. Returning home comes with its own set of baggage, though Florence holds out hope that her father’s ghost will appear for one last goodbye. She’s shocked, however, when the spirit that visits her isn’t her father but Ben Andor, mysteriously dead only a day after she’d met him. Now Florence must not only navigate her grief and fulfill her dad's last wishes, she must also contend with Ben’s confused ghost following her around until they can correct his unfinished business. The zippy banter between Florence and nearly everyone she meets keeps things moving at a sprightly clip. Every interaction is a delight, and getting to know the cast of characters in Florence’s orbit adds excitement to the book. The romance takes a bit longer to build, though, and flits in and out of focus. Florence and Ben share such chemistry that it’s a shame readers are often left waiting for them to interact. The ghostly element is fun and fresh, adding slightly higher stakes to Florence and Ben's happily-ever-after.
A sweet and sparkling adult debut.Pub Date: July 5, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-33648-9
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Berkley
Review Posted Online: May 10, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2022
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