**Shadow Play by Angel M. Shaw** is straight-up *fire*! I picked this book up thinking I’d just read a chapter or two, and next thing I know, it’s 2 a.m., and I’m closing the back cover like, "Dang, that was a ride!" This story pulls you in and doesn’t let go. The way Angel M. Shaw writes? She paints pictures with her words, and the characters feel so real it’s like they could walk off the page and into your living room.

The vibe is dark, mysterious, and just the right amount of edge—perfect for anybody who loves a book with twists that keep your heart racing. And let me tell you, the plot had me clutching my invisible pearls! Every chapter had me like, "Wait, WHAT?!" The layers of drama, the secrets, the action? Chef’s kiss.

I don’t wanna spoil too much, but the way Shaw handles themes of identity, power, and trust? *Muah chefs Kiss*. She made me feel things and think things—and I love when a book does that. If you’re about binge-reading something that’s got suspense, a dash of the supernatural, and characters you’ll love and side-eye at the same time, this is your next read.

Trust me, Black girl to Black girl, **Shadow Play** is worth every second. Shaw did her thing!

Winter is finishing her doctorate and works with Hunter's autistic son August. Sparks fly between the two but both have traumatic pasts.
Winter may be one of my new favorite FMC. The mental health rep in this book was so good. Hunter was so patient and loving with her anxiety.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I’m usually good with reading dark romances and was aware of all the trigger warnings, but I’m still not sure I was the target audience for this book.

I made it roughly halfway through the book but wasn’t able to connect with the characters or the storyline. I also struggled with the relationship between the 2 main characters. It felt too “instalove” to me. Apart from a slightly awkward first meeting, the spice began almost immediately without the characters really getting to know each other.

However, I did really like the autism and mental health/anxiety representation. It was great to see the support and focus on August by both Winter and Hunter.

4.5⭐️ rounded up to 5⭐️

“Even when we’re both dead and in the ground, my soul will find yours. Our children and children’s children will know about our love.”

Tropes/Micro Tropes:
•Anxiety & Autism Representation (FMC has anxiety and a service animal. MMC son is autistic)
•Interracial Couple (BW WM)
•Plus Size FMC
•Secret Society
•Workplace Romance (sorta?)
•Billionaire Single Dad
•Suspense
•Forced Proximity
•Opposites Attract
•Slight Slow Burn
•Spicyyyyy

Ramblings:
Wow! Just wow! I can’t believe this is Angel Shaw’s debut novel! Winter is our FMC who has past trauma that has caused her to have severe anxiety resulting in the need to have her dog, Kitty, as a service animal. Hunter is our playboy, billionaire MMC who has an autistic son he suddenly has custody of after his mom dies. August (the son) and Hunter have had virtually no relationship and August resents his dad. Winter takes on Augusts case to help him navigate this change in his life and to get hours towards her practicum she needs for her degree. The first time her and Hunter lay eyes on each other the attraction is intense! The more they spend time together the more they are unable to resist the attraction. They start dating, but things get messy when secrets are revealed!

I cant wait to read Oathbreaker! That cliffhanger was INTENSE!

This book! Wow I devoured this book! Shaw did a great job on ALL characters and their development. Both Winter and Hunter have huge back stories and trauma that crush your heart but feel in love with them both and was pulling for their love stories. I loved Augusts character, the growth of him with the help of Winter. The ending was so upsetting with a cliffhanger because I feel so committed to apart of the story and seeing it through! Great job on shaws part, I very much look forward to reading the second book, find out who the secret Misha is finally and recommending it to all that will listen! Would love to read Leo and Hunters sister’s stories in a spin off as well! Thank you to netgally and the publisher for the chance to read and give my honest review.

I was initially concerned that I would not be able to get into this book. However, I am so happy I finished it.

I love that throughout the rocky relationship between Hunter and Winter, August always remains a priority. The author does a phenomenal job of showing the struggle of living with PTSD.

The cliff hanger!!! I have no words for it, except I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book!

Wow. My first billionaire romance and it was a good one! I loved the anxiety and autism representation in the book. And the cliff hanger!!! I'll be reading the next books when they come out for sure.

This was a bit much for me

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this book! The characters are well written and the story drew me in. I love how the author brings up amazing topics like Autism, anxiety, and ptsd. It’s some topics that authors stay away from but the author wrote it very well. I am in love with the writing style and the characters. Definitely recommend!

steamy billionaire single dad ... you had me sold !!! From the very beginning I was hooked. And I cannot wait for Book 2!

Thank you to Love & Letters Press & NetGalley for the chance to reach this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Hi my name is Alex and this book broke me. I immediately was upset at the end because I didn't realize the 2nd book is coming out right away and I want it.

Once I got into this book, oh I devoured it.

First of all, I feel so freaking seen by this book. As a human with ASD and GAD, wow. I could relate to so much and I feel like the book/author did an excellent job with representation.

Second, I love Hunter, the MMC. I love everything about this man, I love the "mob adjacent"ness he has, everything.

The only thing that threw me off was at point I think Winter describes her ""(I don't know goodreads guidelines but fill in the blank) as "sopping" and all that me think of was a soaking wet dish rag being twisted 🤣🤣

Otherwise I am here for this series, give them all to me, I will read them and love them 💚

This is a steamy, single dad, romance and there are darker aspects to it. Check the trigger warnings!

5 stars overall. 10 out of 10 for spiciness. Obsessed.

I haven’t done many dark romances so have little to compare it too and I don’t know if this genre is entirely for me. I struggled a little bit to get into it but did like how the author touched on disability and mental illness. Thank you to the publisher Love & Letters Press & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

This one was okay for me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters as well as the storyline...However, I loved the representation for disabilities, this isn't brought up nearly enough in books. I think the mob vibes were done really well also, because I typically have a hard time with mob romances and getting into them. I do wish I would have read the content warnings prior, but that's a me issue! Overall, I think this is a 3/5!

Title: Shadowplay by Angel M. Shaw

Release Date: July, 23rd, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars


In "Shadowplay," Winter and Hunter are drawn together by an irresistible force, despite the dangers lurking in their shadows. Winter, a survivor fighting to protect her future, is tempted by the darkness embodied by Hunter, a Prince haunted by his past. Their forbidden love threatens to unravel as they navigate through political intrigue and shady alliances.

As their connection deepens, they must confront the ghosts of their pasts and the sinister forces seeking to tear them apart. This gripping tale of forbidden love and dangerous secrets sets the stage for a suspenseful and spicy romance in the world of the wealthy and powerful.

The narrative unfolds over an extended period, featuring multiple time jumps that impact the development of characters and relationships within the story. While "Shadowplay" introduces various plot elements, it leaves many aspects open for exploration in the subsequent books of the series.

Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with both the characters and the storyline in this book. While I typically enjoy darker themes, something about this narrative failed to captivate me. I'm uncertain whether it was the writing style or the pacing of the plot itself. However, I did find it commendable that the story incorporated elements of medical terminology and addressed topics such as autism and PTSD. Despite these aspects, I couldn't fully engage with the book enough to read it in one sitting.


Thank you to The Publisher Love & Letters Press, The Author Angel M. Shaw & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve chosen to DNF this book and won’t be reviewing it on my social media accounts.

I had not even made it past the first chapter and found the writing crass and distasteful and with lashes of racism on the pages. This isn’t for me and I’m hope I’m just the wrong target audience for this book and that the author will find the correct one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Love & Letters Press for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC for a fair and honest review.

It pains me to leave this review because I understand how indie authors depend heavily on positive reviews, but this book was absolutely not for me. As a fan of dark romance, I’m no stranger to trigger warnings, and I did check the author’s site for a full list prior to reading. I still don’t feel like that in any way could have prepared me for the mess this book was. The story itself was the trigger warnings. The plot is so weak that the entire story hinges on the shock factor.

While I don’t recommend this book, I won’t be posting to any social accounts. Maybe there’s an audience for this book, but I’m not it. I think most people won’t be able to get past chapter 1.

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I feel awful about this because I did go to the authors website to check for Trigger Warnings before requesting this book. I thought I’d be okay, but the opening chapter was just too much for me. It was hard for me to read and just didn’t sit well with me.

Shadowplay is a steamy billionaire single dad x doctorate student, opposites attract, forbidden romance with dark elements and themes throughout.

Shadowplay shines is in its depictions of mental health and disabilities, including Autism. However, the story spans for quite a bit of time with several time jumps throughout, causing the development of characters and different relationships within the story to suffer. Shadowplay has many elements to its plot, many of which are still to be explored in the books that follow in this series.

As mentioned above, Shadowplay has dark themes. Please be sure to read content/trigger warnings prior to reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Love & Letters Press for an advanced copy of Shadowplay in exchange for my honest review.

Shadowplay wasn't it for me.
There was too much vulgarity with little substance to the book. I felt that sensitive topics were explored however they were poorly executed. In my opinion, the story felt forced and distasteful. It's like the opposites of each characteristic were brought up in terms of Winters weight or even cup size (like why?) to make it seem or make the character seem like it's a book about going against the norm, however it didn't click for me. Also, I felt it to be a bit generic in that every woman meeting a millionaire/ billionaire must be thoroughly embarrassed during their first encounter.
Hunter on the other hand, I just did not like. It could be due to the poor developed characters or that his demeanor was not appealing. I found him to be more like a petulant child.
I don't think Hinters character held a candle to Gideon Cross.


I probably would not recommend this book and completed for the sake of the review.


Thank you to Netgalley and the Author for the opportunity to read and review the book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.