I loved the setting and dark/gothic undertone. I’ve been craving a book set in the 1920’s and this did not disappoint. Bea brought fourth an immersive world full of macabre moments. I loved the Celtic folk references. This is the perfect read for fall. I can’t wait to buy my physical copy for my library. Thank you to net galley and the talented author for my arc.

Thank you to Net Galley, Victory Editing and Bea Northwick for the ARC. The writing in this book is incredibly descriptive, reminding me of Stephanie Garner's style, especially when it comes to world-building. However, this world has a different vibe; it's more gloomy and macabre. It's a historical gothic romance. There’s a mystery that needs to be unraveled. The spice is great in this book as well. This book includes secrets, tension, ghosts, and Celtic folklore. If you’re a fan of belladonna or one dark window, you'd like this. This book is the perfect book for fall. Absolutely adored it!

Will link my tik tok review when it is done, should be before sept 30. Thank you again!

I finished The Cruel Dark yesterday and had to sleep it off before writing this, my jaw is still on the floor! This story is perfect for the upcoming spooky season, absolutely haunting and captivating. If you like American Horror Story, you'll want to be reading this because it's better.
Set in 1928 Millie a 26 year old bookkeepers assistant, has had a tough past. Nicknamed by her wicked mother "mad Millie", she had an episode that left her in a mental hospital before she found her way to Mr.Helms book shop. Her memory was missing of any events post her college graduation, leaving only those dark times she had in her family estate years ago. Millie was approached by a doctor who shared her love of Celtic lore and fairy tales. he offered her a position as a professors assistant with a pay rate she just could not refuse. She left the city to make way to the spooky gothic Fae inspired estate of the famous widowed Professor Hughes. Everyone warned her of the secrets and dark magic that lie dormant inside of Willowfield, especially the ghosts. What she did not know before entering was that there was so much more than that inside, including a spicy, butterfly inducing relationship with her boss Professor Callum Hughes.
The banter in this book is perfection, the SPICE made my belly do flips. The relationship between Callum and Millie....WOW. The pacing was a bit slow in the beginning but sorts itself quickly and surely makes up for it as you progress. I mean the secrets, the twists, the mystery, and the JAW DROPPING ending. I'm clapping like a seal, I loved it. I also loved the highlight on Celtic Lore, it was the special touch of this book that made things truly magic and peculiar.
Thank you Bea Northwick, NetGally, and Xpresso book tours for this ARC! The perfect read, at such a great time to get spooky! #NetGally #TheCruelDark

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌶️🌶️🌶️

The Cruel Dark by Bea Northwick

This is not my usual Genre to read. Mystery/Thriller with a heavy dose of romance.

This book has opened my mind to a new genre! I very much enjoyed this book. It had twists and turns, shock revelations and heart stopping, creepy scenes. The historical setting added to the scary aspects of the book. I enjoyed the build up to a double shock feature at the end.

Prepare to be swept away to 1928, thrust into an exciting and mysterious story.

Thank you so much to Bea Northwick and Northwick Books for allowing me to ARC read this enticingly mysterious book!

Get your copy soon!

Publication Date: 31 October 2023

Note for the Author:
Chapter 4: the word Point has a f after it: ‘points’
Chapter 4: you use the phrase ‘right out’ - it may sound better as ‘out right’
Chapter 7: you have written (in a passage that she is reading) ‘no matter we are’ I think this may be supposed to say ‘no matter where we are’

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advance copy of this book to read.

The story follows Millie, a young woman who has spent 2 months in a mental institute as she starts new employment with Professor Callum Hughes at the atmospheric Willowfield Estate.

This is my first historical academic romance and it did not disappoint. It's a great autumn/Halloween read with ghosts, faes and forbidden lust.

It really reminded me of Verity by Colleen Hoover but a more sophisticated and grown up version. The language and descriptions made for a beautiful and enchanting read.

If you're looking for a suspenseful, dark and gothic historical read this is for you.

4.5 stars

The Cruel Dark is a 1920’s gothic story with excellent haunted house vibes which felt reminiscent of Rebecca. We follow our main character Millie after she leaves her job in Boston to be a research assistant to a reclusive widowed professor, Callum. Soon after arriving Millie has doubts about this new role as she starts seeing and hearing things she can’t explain while the staff and Callum seem to be acting strange. There also is a constant presence of Callum’s deceased wife throughout the home. A creepy tale ensues as Millie tries to figure out the secrets of her new residence while maintaining her sanity.

I really enjoyed this book with all of the gothic descriptions and overall creepy vibes. I did not see the twists coming, and was kept guessing all the way until the end. The writing was very atmospheric and immersive. This book was an overall creepy delight, perfect for fall!

I received an ARC ebook from NetGalley for an honest review.

For a debut novel, this left quite an impression and I cannot wait to see what more this author will come out with in the future.

I really enjoyed this book for the fall season. I was giving spooky and very spicy, I definitely had me creeped out from time to time which is impressive since I don't startle easily!

The plot was amazing and was paced very nicely.

The characters were beautifully written and I felt like I was walking alongside the protagonist turning every corner with Millie.

Although the ending was decently predictable I was still pleasantly surprised and thought it ended just the way it should, it was great.

I don't typically read historical fiction or romances but I really liked this one and would recommend it to others who are trying to get into the genre as well. This is also in part of how well-written the book was the imagery was insane and the connection to characters and detail was otherworldly. Because of the writing style Bea used I was able to read this book in one day.

Though it has creepy elements it really is a great story I think everyone should check it out! When this book is released I hope it gets a lot of traction on social media because it is well deserved.

Excellent job Bea!

There are very few books that leave me speechless at the end, this is one of them.

Dang. Just. . . WOW!

The last chapter of this book is EVERYTHING. I thought I knew what was coming. I thought I could vaguely guess. I was wrong on SOOOOOOOOOO many levels. That alone is refreshing. I love to be surprised.

This book truly is a Dark Romance and has some wonderfully creepy imagery to go along with it. Since I am a very busy working mom of two, most of my reading is done at night after the kids go to bed. . . I can honestly say there was one night I was torn between being ok with how scared I was and my need to keep reading. Reading won out, but I woke my husband up on the sly just to not me along for a moment. BAHAHA!

I said it once, but It needs to be said two or three times more. This story is beautiful, the imagery is stunning, the characters are demential. I could honestly go on and on just listing the reasons this book is so jaw droopingly good.

5 freaking stars all the way around.

Thank you NetGalley and Northwick Books for the ARC.

Gothic and atmospheric, The Cruel Dark edges up on horror at times- I don’t always go for scary reads, but this was deliciously creepy. Northwick gives us gorgeous, evocative descriptions of Willowfield. I could really see it in my head. In novels like these the setting needs to be its own character, and she definitely achieves that. The Cruel Dark has VIBES. But that’s not all it is— Northwick captures the undercurrents of fear and grief that permeate the house and its inhabitants.

Millie is a great character. With a supremely tragic backstory that reveals itself slowly, it’s clear she feels defined by her past and her trauma. But we see her strength and backbone before she recognizes it in herself. Northwick gives her narrative voice clarity and conviction, which contrasts well with the looming tension and uncertainty of the plot. And phew, the sexual tension with Callum is *chef’s kiss.* So hot.

There’s a twist that I guessed pretty quickly, but so much remained between point A and point B that I couldn’t figure out that I didn’t mind at all. The plot builds slowly, with more focus on creating the gothic ambience, which makes perfect sense for the genre. The ensuing climax and resolution did feel a bit rushed, but still mostly worked for me.

The Cruel Dark sucked me right in. It was especially perfect that I read it on an overcast night in a cottage in Maine. This is a great read for fall and Halloween. Fittingly, it comes out on October 31!

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ahhh this book! The absolute perfect spooky season book, I couldn't get enough of it.

The plot was engaging once it picked up, I did find it a bit slow in the beginning. I got major AHS vibes with I loved as that is one of my favourite shows, and it only added to my experience with reading the book. Theres as enough mystery in the book that I had to keep reading to find out, and while some parts were a bit predictable, in no way did that take away from the book.

The FMC was spunky and had my chuckling at times, and her relationship with the MC was engaging and oh so good. The spice level here was perfect and suited the feel of their relationship, nothing felt forced.

Loved it, so happy I read this book!

The description of this book caught my eye while perusing NetGalley, looking for something to get me in the mood for Spooky Season. This book fit the bill nicely, and I was delighted to receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review. And, honestly, I liked it.

The book is drenched in atmosphere. Long, winding sentences that evoke everything...the weather, the desolation of the manor house, the gardens, and the foods. To my knowledge, this is the author's first published work, and they do an admirable job evoking the senses and capturing a feeling that blends reality and a dreamy, haunted, almost paranormal feel. You're never quite certain what is imagined. That being said, the writing style became quite static with repeated sentence structures and almost too many descriptions of the external world, while not having enough of the innerworkings of the heroine's mind.

As for the story, it certainly captures a gothic feeling and will appeal to fans of Jane Eyre or Rebecca. But, buckle in, you're going to soak in atmosphere before you get to the plot. The mystery and romance both start around the 50% mark and almost the entire plot happens after 80%. I understand why, but given the short length of the book, it felt like a slog to get through the first third of the book. Once I hit that 50-60% mark, I read it in one sitting. Fans of cozy mystery or romantic suspense, will not be terribly surprised by the twist at the end, and romance readers will be concerned about the chemistry between the two main characters.

But, if you're looking for a gothic-vibe, atmospheric read that teems with florid language and vivid descriptions, then give this one a go. You'll love it.

The dark is truly cruel.

Millie is just a young woman trying to get day by day. Callum is a professor and owner of a large estate mourning his passing wife.

But has she truly passed?

Millie finds herself at his estate on a job to help him with his work but soon a budding romance emerges.
Dark memories start to resurfaces and secrets spill from pages. Who we thought we knew isn’t who they truly are.

The Cruel Dark is a gothic romance, haunting, eerie, and steamy.

“I am a gentleman, Millie, but not always, and I certainly don’t intend to be one right now.”

The Cruel Dark by Bea Northwick
@beanorthwick

This Gothic Romance is set to release on Halloween, and the timing couldn’t be any more perfect. It has everything you want in a spooky and sexy Gothic Romance; ghosts, secrets, madness, creatures, folklore, lies, and love. I urge you to read it that night, because as it ramps up, it will have you on edge, and you can absolutely devour it in one evening. The plot was remarkable and the ending surprising. The book as a whole gave me the chills, and by the end, I was stunned. What a brilliant debut Romance Novel from Bea Northwick.

The characters were wonderful and captivating. Millie was intriguing with her mysterious memories and actions while Callum was intense and moody; I whole heartedly enjoyed their banter. You just want to keep reading to find out what their deal is and resolve all the unanswered questions running through your head as you read. The romance and spice were just enough and don’t take away from the brilliant plot line. Not only will this book give you chills it also brings the heat. The Professor is… 🥵

If you enjoy Hester B Fox books then you should absolutely check this one out. Or vice versa!

"You don't know the dangers of this game you're playing, Millie”

Thank you Bea Northwick, NetGalley and Northwick Books, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.

The story follows Millie - a smart and disarmingly romantic heroine, who gets a job offer she can't refuse. She's to become an assistant researcher/secretary to Pr. Callum Hughes, in the crumbling estate of Willowfield. He's a recent widower, and some even say, a dangerous man with mind full of secrets. The longer Millie stays in the Willowfield, the more unexplainable things start to happen. She can't help herself and her curiosity. Especially when no one wants to talk about late Mrs. Hughes.

The Cruel Dark is mysterious, suspenseful and deliciously creepy debut novel - perfect read for a cold and gloomy day. It's very atmospheric and has a good balance between romance as well as elements of folklore and academia. It has enough of twists and turns, than some reader may (or may not) guess. But either way, the dynamic between the distressed Millie and her sinister love interest Callum, the secretive nature of Willowfield staff and ghosts straight out of horror movies, will occupy your mind until the very last page!

Please check Tw's!

This was a spooky moody read that had me from the beginning. It is beautifully written and has just the right amount of spice. The author had me wanting to explore the mansion in hopes of bumping into the Professor myself.

I first want to thank Bea Northwick, Northwick Books, and NetGalley for this ARC ebook edition.

Millie has a past she can't remember. All she knows is one day she woke in a mental ward in a local clinic with nothing to show for the last four years of her life. What she does remember of her time before is a past riddled with abuse and nightmares.

When she gets a job offer she can't refuse, she finds herself in the crumbling estate of Willowfield as the assistant researcher / secretary to Professor Callum Hughes. He's dark and broody. A recent widower. What's darker than the man, however, is the house itself. Things go bump in the night with no explanation to what's causing them. The minimal staff are tight-lipped about the situation of the house and the late Mrs. Hughes.

As things escalate, Millie is forced to confront all the things haunting her. Her past as well as the house. And maybe Professor Hughes himself.

This book was everything I needed to get me into the spooky season. A creepy haunted house filled with ghosts and secrets that left me reading until the early hours of the morning.

I had my suspicions about the twists and turns of this book. Suspicions that turned out correct. But I absolutely LOVED watching them unfold. I loved the way Northwick caused me to doubt my suspicions without outright dissolving them. The haunting was creepy. The characters were well developed. The scenery and setting were vivid. I loved the 1920s time frame to really round out the idea of being stranded in this house with nowhere to go.

Mexican Gothic vibes mixed with a little Jane Eyre. This novel is perfect for the haunting season and should be on everyone's list.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bea Northwick for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Wow. I had to keep double-checking to confirm that this was indeed a debut novel because it was GOOD. I think Bea Northwick will be my newest auto-buy author. I can't wait to see what she releases next.

"The Cruel Dark" is a *sexy* gothic historical romance and mystery all in one. It's what I wish "The Haunting of Hill House" was.

Millie Foxboro, haunted by a traumatic past, works at a bookshop following her release from an asylum, with no memories from the past few years. After befriending a doctor, she gets a job as an assistant to the peculiar Professor Callum Hughes at his remote estate, Willowfield. She hopes that this temporary assignment will provide her with more stability- and perhaps sanity.

When she arrives at the once-magnificent home, she realizes she may be in over her head. Plagued with despair and rumors of ghosts, the house has been all but abandoned after the tragic death of Mr. Hughes' wife.

Millie, Professor Hughes, and the three remaining staff are all keeping secrets of their own. As a passionate and lustful yet reluctant relationship begins to grow between Millie and Professor Hughes, the house and its inhabitants seem to close in around Millie, ending in a shocking crescendo that will leave readers captivated.

Bea is a talented writer who was able to effortlessly create a lush and haunting atmosphere. I felt a general sense of unease for most of this book, which I call a job well done. The pacing was perfect and was so gripping that I finished this in one sitting! The slow burn and passion between Millie and Professor Hughes was 🌶 and intense. The characters were all unique and very well developed.

If you like:
-Gothic literature
-Beautiful writing
-Historical romance
-Spice ("I've decided not to make this easy for you ... you're going to have to keep quiet on your own if you don't want everyone to know what we're up to.")
-Decrepit estates
-A headstrong and intelligent narrator
-Swoon-worthy lines ("I love every piece and part of you, then and now, and I know I've made so very many mistakes, but if you'll forgive me and my stupidity, then I swear I will love every part to come.")
-Mystery

.....then I would highly recommend reading "The Cruel Dark" on its release date, October 31, 2023.

Phenomenal. Truly. The story was riveting, characters mysterious, and the spice was written beautifully. Its an absolute page turner and just when you think you know what's going to happen, you don't. I can't wait to read more from this author!

For the historical romance fans, this one is for you! I was clutching my imaginary pearls the entire time. The imagery in this book is sublime and very well written. I took my sweet time soaking up every page. The dark gothic elements had me thrilled. The heat between Millie and Callum was lovely to watch unfold. I thought I had the ending figured out, and I was jaw-droppingly wrong. Bea Northwick has a way with words, and I look forward to reading more from her. Thank you, Netgalley and Bea Northwick, for the opportunity to read this ARC.

"The Cruel Dark" is a mesmerizing gothic, spooky, historical romance that weaves a spellbinding tale of mystery, spice and the supernatural. What a perfect fall read! The author masterfully crafts the atmosphere, enveloping readers in an eerie and suspenseful ambiance. I was going between being tense and spooked to kicking my feet giggling while reading bc i was excited to see what happens between Callum and Millie! Their chemistry is as palpable as the paranormal entities that surround them.

As the layers of deception and hidden truths are peeled away, readers will find themselves on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning the pages. This novel is a must-read for fans of the American Horror Story!

Thank you NetGalley, Publisher and Author for this ARC!