2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because the ending.
This was a slow burn with some spicy scenes. Good spooky vibes for fall. Most of the book was uneventful but the ending was great. Because it was so slow, I almost DNF’d before I got to the good stuff. My pet peeve was the author often used more modern language but the book was supposed to take place in the 1920s. Maybe I am more harsh on this book because I read it at the same time as Starling House which was a waaaaaay better haunted house story. Sorry not sorry.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced release copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Cruel Dark is a spooky romance set in 1928. Millie Foxboro is looking for a new start after spending two months in a mental ward for traumatic amnesia. She finds the perfect opportunity - she becomes an assistant to a professor of mythology. The job is at widowed Professor Callum's estate of Willowfield. After the death of his wife, the house is falling apart, the staff is bare bones, and the estate is full of ghosts and sadness. Millie is drawn to the professor and his work, and finds herself struggling to find sense of what is real and what is not.

What I liked: This was spooky, but not a horror (I'm not a huge fan of horror). The setting of the manor was perfect for this story. The house and the professor's studies just enhanced the mystery of his wife's demise and death. Millie's ambiguous past also made it hard for the reader to know if she was struggling mentally or if the house was having an effect on her. The sexual tension and the spice was perfect! I will admit - the twists in this story caught me off-guard, and I usually am a little more astute with plot twists!

What I didn't like: I can't think of anything I didn't like.

I would definitely recommend this book to any one who likes a spooky mystery! I really enjoyed this read and can't wait to see more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Bea Northwick for the ARC.

The Cruel Dark is an eerie , historical, gothic romance about a book shop assistant named Millie. When a new job opportunity arises around the exact time she needs it, she can't help but accept. There is the attractive and mysterious new boss, the skittish yet almost nonexistent staff, and her job- wich is to help translate gaelic lore. The past comes haunting them all and her reality is blurred between what is fiction and what is real.

I will start by saying this gets steamy and the steam does not let up once it gets to that point, close to smut. It is not reverse harem or contain weird kinky things. Definitely four out of five chilli peppers.

The Cruel Dark is a perfect balance of spice , eerie spooky vibes, phycological mystery /thrill; a story line that keeps on giving until the end . It is perfect for those who want a solid October book but don't want to fully commit themselves to really scary things .

The descriptive writing style reminds me of Outlander and the story itself gave me Rebecca vibes. This is not new or young adult material, I promise the maturity of the characters and writing is satisfyingly adult.

My only complaint would be that it was too much description. In the middle of the story I had skipped over/ skimmed over some of the chapters because it lost my attention, and they did not add to the story.

I had mostly guessed the ongoing mystery with the lead character at around 40% . I believe if some of those details had been held back I would not have guessed so early in the story.

The ending was so perfect and touching, it made me love the couple even more. The Cruel Dark is a must for gothic romance lovers .

The Cruel Dark - first novel by author Bea Northwick - is an interesting story with a clever surprise. The writing is strong but some of the characters lack focus and the relationship between Millicent Foxboro and Dr. Callum Hughes moves too quickly. In 1928, Miss Foxboro takes a research assistant job at Willowfield House, helping Dr Hughes work on fairytale research. Initially, Millicent tries to remain 'comfortable and unnoticed..in unassuming beiges', but almost immediately becomes outspoken and 'visible; to her new boss (Hughes) - this change is not adequately explained. Although she has amnesia of several recent years, Millicent remembers her youth and studies in old Irish, Greek, and Latin. Millicent and Callum are quickly attracted to each other and - too soon - act on those feelings. Here is where the book lacks character development and storyline. The other critique is that the intimacy scenes are more graphic than would be expected and don't really sync with the 'voice' of the novel. Overall, 'The Cruel Dark' is well done and I look forward to the next book by Bea Northwick.

A gripping gothic mystery that keeps you guessing until the last page. In a house full of secrets is it the house that is haunted, or Millie herself?

The atmosphere in this book is so thick it practically flows off the page. All of the best elements of classic gothic literature are present in this and it is written with such skill that it's almost impossible to put it down. There are layers to the mystery of Millie and Willowfield that I don't want to spoil so I won't reveal too much, just that nothing is what it seems and trying to figure out the truth is a battle. I loved the way things were slowly revealed, that Millie's tenacity is what helps her through. I love a strong female lead and Millie is fantastic as a woman who is damaged but refuses to crumble.

I really enjoyed this book, and it would have been a five star review but I didn't care for the graphic spicy bits. It was a little bit in your face for my liking, but anyone who likes their romance spicy will absolutely love this.

I give this book 4 stars

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC

I enjoyed this! While I did guess the majority of the ending/twist, it was still a fun ride. The romance and mystery were well written. A great book for fall and the Halloween season. Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this ARC!

I’m obsessed with this book.

.I read this in a day, and I haven’t done that in a while. I needed to know what was going to happen, what the heck was going on at Willowfield, what the heck was happening to Millie.

The Cruel Dark is the perfect blend of creepy, sexy, romantic, and surprising. I truly had no idea what was happening all the way until the end, and it’s been a long time since I’ve been surprised by an ending.

My husband actually asked me if I was okay at one point because I kept gasping. 😂

I will recommend this book to everyone!

The Cruel Dark is a fantastic gothic read with an unbelievable plot twist that I personally did not see coming! It’s atmospheric, sensual, clever and kept me hooked throughout. The romance builds up very organically and is incredibly hot without being cheap. In fact nothing in this book is cliché or predictable. The gothic vibe was textbook and reminded me of Rebecca in many ways. Great range of characters, loved the setting, definitely a stand out in this genre for 2023.

The perfect read for this time of year! The dark, isolated setting, the strange happenings! It made me think of Jane Eyre and Rebecca but set in the US in the twenties. A well-crafted gothic novel with a delightful amount of sexual tension and spice! I should have seen the ending coming but I did not! Such a great read! I look forward to more books from this author.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of The Cruel Dark in exchange for an honest review.


5 ⭐️
2 🌶️

Wow! Where to begin?

This story is a delightful treat just in time for spooky season. A gothic romance between Millie who is hiding secrets and the dark brooding Professor Callum Hughes.
The author did a magnificent job creating a very dark and dreary atmosphere and setting the scene for all of the spooks in this story. Perfect descriptions of the settings along with eerie descriptions of all things that go bump in the night.

Another thing that I greatly enjoyed about this read was that I thought the author did a brilliant job of creating red herrings, distractions and creating a general sense of doubt for the reader. The creepy stuff just added to the general sense of unease, disbelief and questioning.

There were two reveals in this story, and one in particular had my jaw on the floor. I DID NOT see that one coming!

Overall this was a fantastic read! And I cannot wait to see what more this author has in store.

An intricate mix between romance and historical fiction, with a bit of folklore and mystery, “The Cruel Dark” tells us the story of Millie Foxboro and her eery and fantastical experience at Willowfield.

Hand in hand with ghosts and desperate mysterious characters, we find ourselves immersed in the troubled mind of a young woman, who doesn’t seem to tell apart myth from reality - and, as it turns out, neither can we.

I was pleasantly surprised, as this is Bea Northwick’s debut novel. The writing is quite charming and beautiful, even though I was ocasionally bored and found myself skimming through some of the pages. Also, I love when authors insert the title of the book inside the narrative and the pages.

Thanks to NetGalley and Northwick Books for sending me an ARC e-copy of The Dark House.

Millicent Foxboro is running from her past and it leads her to brooding Professor Callum Hughes and the strange Willowfield Estate. But she soon learns she’s not the only one with secrets to hide.

This dark and gothic tale is filled with mystery, giving vibes of Jane Eyre and Rebecca crossed with The Haunting of Hill House (all of my favourites!)

Parts of the story were spooky and had me checking the shadowy corners of my bedroom at night! The storyline also kept me guessing until the very end and I wanted to go back and start again to work out what I’d missed the first read through.

I love a broody MMC who’s challenged by a fiesty FMC, and Callum and Millie make the perfect pairing. There were also some spicier chapters which added to the story’s decadent, forbidden atmosphere.

The perfect autumn read, I loved it!

The Cruel Dark is a moody, dark gothic NA romance that balances just the right amount of spooky and spice. There's a bit of Rebecca vibes with a strong heroine haunted by her past and a mercurial hero. There's a lot of twists, dark hallways, and haunted grounds. I enjoyed just how suspenseful the story was. In fact, in one particular scene, I was completely taken by surprise at how chilling it was! This is a great choice for fall reading, and Bea has you covered if you're in the mood for some chills and thrills!

What readers can look forward to:

🖤 Atmospheric & eerie estate
🖤 1920’s setting
🖤 Brooding hero
🖤 Slow burn romance
🖤 A touch of horror
🖤 Ghosts
🖤 Bits & pieces of Celtic folklore
🖤 Secrets & twists

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝑩𝒆𝒂 𝑵𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒘𝒊𝒄𝒌, 𝑵𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒘𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝑮𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝑹𝑪.

The Cruel Dark is an atmospheric gothic romance set in a remote, crumbling Massachusetts estate. Full of Celtic folklore, paranormal oddities, and an unreliable narrator.
Millicent Foxboro, our narrator and protagonist, has endured terrible loss and hardship, culminating in traumatic amnesia where she has lost about two years of her previous life. Her struggles and journey to strength and acceptance is well done and heartfelt. Professor Callum Hughes, the leading man and new employer, is the perfect gothic love interest combining gentle and brooding into an enigmatic character. The tension and chemistry between the two main characters is evident throughout the story, both sweet and sinister at times.
The pace, writing style, setting, and side characters also added to the immersive experience. A perfect October read!


This will be posted to Goodreads and Amazon upon publication

Dark romace meets gothic romance. I loved all the old mansion vibes. I loved following Millie and Callum’s love story unfold. I also enjoyed the mystery behind the mansion and the question of was it really an accident or murder? The book keeps you on your toys until the very end. It’s a slow burn, but worth it just to watch the story unfold and pick up all the pieces along the way.

I loved this book! It is everything you want in a spooky Gothic romance. The story follows Millicent Foxboro as she takes a position at the deteriorating Willowfield as an assistant to Professor Hughes. She has dabbled in studying dark fairytale creatures, things that go bump in the night, and is helping the professor organize her notes. “Mad Millie” soon begins seeing things in the house that feel real…but are they? She is forced to deal with her secrets that she’d rather keep hidden. The author masterfully crafts and weaves this story, and the plot twist at the end was amazing! This was such a fresh story, and I couldn’t stop reading. It’s amazing!

I received ARC from Northwick Books and Netgalley, who I give thanks for giving me a chance to give an honest review for a book
Gothic Jane Eyre ambience but with spice and a wild plot twist?! I HAD to give this book a 4/5 star review. {CW: miscarriages, mental institution, blood, hallucinations, sexual content}

Blurb: “Millicent Foxboro is haunted. Not by ghosts, but by the anguish of her past and the uncertainty of her future. After all, even in the progressive year of 1928, most people would balk at hiring a woman who’d spent two months in a mental ward for traumatic amnesia. So when an uncommon assistantship to a reclusive Professor of mythology falls into her lap with an ungodly salary attached, her desperation for stability overrides her cautious nature. To Millie’s dismay, the widowed Professor Callum Hughes and his estate, Willowfield, are more than she bargained for. The once magnificent home, known for its sprawling gardens and dazzling parties, is falling to pieces after the death of the professor’s fragile wife. What’s more, the staff has been reduced to the only three people not frightened away by rumors of ghosts, leaving the halls empty and languishing in bitter memories. The professor himself is a grim, intense man with unclear expectations, unpredictable moods, and hungry eyes that ignite Millie’s own dormant passions. The closer she finds herself drawn to Professor Hughes and his strange world of flowers and folklore, the more the house closes in, threatening to reveal her secrets. But the professor is keeping secrets of his own and the most dangerous of all is hers to discover.”

The writing style, the creepy but gothic ambience, and even a bit of Celtic folk lore mentioned along the way were amazing. The only reason I dropped a star was because the plot twist was a little hard for me to believe, but I am more analytical than most. This was a spicy and creepy read that I needed in my life!

This gothic romance set in 1928 was atmospheric, eerie, and so good!
Millie was a bit unconventional, working in a bookstore studying mythology for fun, hoping no one would discover her interesting past. She was invited to work with a Professor in his crumbling mansion as an assistant based on her knowledge. The professor lost his wife a few years ago, causing a lot of rumors about spirits, darkness, and danger surrounding the large house.
I think my favorite part of the book was not knowing how it would unfold. Would this have horrors involving spirits, demons, or perhaps the Celtic and fae entities the mansion seemed to pay homage to? Or would Millie just be actually mad? Or something else? Would the Professor be dark and dangerous or just a man? Exactly how Crimson Peak-ish was this going to get? Or would it seem more like Rebecca?
I was invested in how it would go and was pleasantly surprised by how it ended. I highly recommend this book if you’re into gothic romance. It is the perfect fall read.
If you’re more into the romance part, there were some spicy areas and lots of tension, so I felt like there was a good balance for everyone.

From the moment The Cruel Dark began I was entranced, so caught up in the layers of the story that I couldn’t stop reading. This is one of my favorite books of 2023 and for so many wonderful reasons, the writing, the storytelling, the romance, the details and deliciousness of every page. The writing is poetically divine, immersive, atmospheric and decadent. I couldn’t stop highlighting and note taking while burying myself within the pages. Bea Northwick’s debut is gorgeously wrought and beautifully done.

This book has it all - mystery, the majestically tragic estate of Willowfield, spice, creepiness permeating the pages, and at its heart the most delicious romantic slow-burn with so much intensity and tension, there was nothing I didn’t love about everything that is The Cruel Dark.

When Millie arrives at the estate to become an assistant to the one and only Professor Callum Hughes, she isn’t prepared for the deliciously tension filled relationship she is about to be entrapped in and wow, the tension and push and pull between Millie and Callum is so freaking good. I had moments when they were interacting that my jaw would literally drop and I would start grinning like a crazy person. These two singe the pages and come to life in the most beautiful way. I loved every slow burn and spice driven moment of their story.

This isn’t just a love story though, oh no, there is creepiness galore, mystery, darkness, and so many questions weaved perfectly together. What happened to Millie in the memories she lost? What happened to Callum’s wife? And what exactly is trapped within the beautiful estate of Willowfield? Ghosts or something much more sinister?

I highly recommend this dark, romantically drenched, atmospheric perfection of a story. Seriously, do yourself a favor and read this beauty of a novel. I hope it traps you within its pages like it did me.

Thank you Bea Northwick and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Cruel Dark got me in my heart. Although the story was very different it gave me similar feels to two other loves of mine. One being the song Hallelujah. don't ask me why, in fact I began listening to the song as I read the book halfway through. There was two unexpected twists for me. one though more than the other. For that reason it reminded me of a movie I love but won't mention the name of because I feel it may give spoiler clues. so different but still along the same lines. I loved the ending. I felt for the character of Millie from the start and that blossomed into a great love for her throughout. I enjoyed the story so much that though I read it in advance I also have ordered a physical copy. that is rare for me to do. Great fall or spring or summer or winter time book to read. preferably in a quiet dim lit room.