Think twice if…
- Content warnings: Abuse, Death, Grief, Religious trauma, Graphic violence, Torture, Sexual content, Slut shaming, Misogyny, Child sexual abuse, Rape, Mental illness, Suicidal ideation, Human trafficking, Dubious consent, Body horror
Nightshade
by Keri Lake
Book 1 in Nightshade Duology
Pick this up when you want gothic atmosphere with teeth and a romance that feels cursed before it feels safe. It is the kind of slow-burn dark romance that asks you to settle in and let the dread do its job.
goodreads 3.96/5 26,445 ratings
storykind_community 3.5/5 2 ratings
Quick fit
Is this story right for you?
A decision-first view of the reading experience.
Length664 pages
Series statusCompleted series · 2 books
Spice4/5 · Passionate / intense
PacingSlow
Story profile
What the story promises
The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.
Romance promise
- Forbidden love
- Male/female pairing (M/F)
- Slow burn
- High
- Passionate / intense
- Book hangover incoming
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- Dark/tortured soul
- Star-crossed
- Slow seduction
- The angst delivered
- Mysterious stranger
- Fated mates
- Taboo / forbidden
- Obsessed
- Possessive alpha
- Push and pull
- Possessive / claiming
- Immortal/ancient
- Possessive love interest
- Fantasy / supernatural intimacy
- Only one who understands them
- Frequent explicit scenes
- Possessive/protective
- Tension
- Longing glances
- Touch starvation
- Bondage/restraint
- Possessive
- Dominance
- Dubious consent elements
Fantasy promise
- Gothic romance
- Big city / metropolis
- Paranormal
- Angels
- Dark romance
- Temple / church / monastery
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- Gothic
- Demons
- Urban fantasy
- Time-spanning love
- Immortal/mortal romance
- Angel romance
- Demon romance
Reading experience
- Dual POV
- Slow
- Dark
- Heavy
- Survivor
- Mental health rep
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- Atmospheric
- Haunting
- Lush
- Angsty
- Intense
- Sensual
- Emotional
- Forbidden desire
- Star-crossed lovers
- Slow descent into darkness
- Cursed bloodline
Similar stories
Similar in ways that matter
Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.
468 pages Completed
Forbidden Sanctuary
Layla Kara
Similar because
Angel romance · Demon romance · Angels
Different because
Spice is lower (3/5 vs 4/5). A shorter read (468 vs 664 pages).
448 pages Completed
The Deer and the Dragon
Piper C.J.
Similar because
Only one who understands them · Demon romance · Immortal/mortal romance
Different because
Spice is lower (3/5 vs 4/5). Medium pacing rather than Slow.
408 pages Completed
Black Rose
Karina Halle
Similar because
Only one who understands them · Time-spanning love · Immortal/mortal romance
Different because
Spice is higher (5/5 vs 4/5). Medium pacing rather than Slow.
Book details
- Length
- 664 pages
- Language
- English
- Format
- Book