⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? For sure. Sean is inadvertently drawn into a world far removed from her normal life. It is a fight for survival and change.

Sean’s not in the market for love. The only female, let alone Black, interventional cardiologist at her hospital, she’s watched too many of her male colleagues divorce their first wives to marry younger models—and then there’s the abusive relationship she’s spent the better part of her early 30s healing from. Her passions are reserved for her best friend, her goddaughter, and her job. Then she meets Julian. Brooding, beautiful and eleven years her junior. In short: A bad idea. Julian pursues her in a way that sets off alarm bells in her mind, but she finds herself unable to resist their undeniable chemistry—even starts fantasizing about him in dreams that feel altogether too real. They also have a lot in common despite their age gap. So, to hell with it: If men can date younger, why can’t she? But the more Sean gets to know him, the more impossible Julian seems: He has a depth and sorrow to him that’s beyond his years, and sometimes there’s a look in his eyes that’s less than human, and leaves her feeling more like prey. Plus, Sean herself has been exhibiting odd symptoms—memory lapses, a lack of restraint that’s unlike her, persistent exhaustion—that all trace back to Julian, making Sean feeling more than a little afraid. Who—or what—is she falling, irrevocably, in love with?

MY THOUGHTS

This type of horror paranormal romance was a first for me and I was blown away. It had me at the edge of my seat, holding my breath, and both fearing and anticipating what would come next. The story alternated between light and romantic and menacing without warning.

It was obvious that something strange was going on with Julian, but it took a long time for Sean to figure it out. The author very skillfully weaved the paranormal elements with everyday human behaviour and didn’t shy away from loss and anguish and bloody violence. Every part of this world had a good explanation and I felt like most of my questions were answered by the end. The plot had parts that focused heavily on Sean’s work at the hospital, which I found interesting.

Julian and Sean’s romance was intense and electric and confusing. He blew hot and cold, and since the story was written only from Sean’s viewpoint, it was difficult to know his true feelings and motivations. Sean made him reevaluate his life and its purpose. It is a “you make me want to be a better man” kind of situation.

I was very invested in this story and it was impossible to put down. If you like a sinister age-gap paranormal romance, then this is definitely for you. See what other readers are saying on Goodreads.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Were you hooked by that book? Let me know in the comments below.

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publication Date: July 14, 2026
Sensuality Rating: Hot