Gothic romance is a whole vibe I am loving at the moment. So when I saw the audiobook on netgalley I decided to give it a go and I'm so glad I did.
The Cruel Dark had a haunted house, ghosts, mystery, romance, with gothic and historical elements.
I really enjoyed the audiobook, narrated by Madison Mitts and Theodore Zephyr, they really brought the characters to life, with their own personalities and emotions.
I was hooked on the story from the very first listen, it was a quick read. I really enjoyed the characters of Millie and Callum, they had chemistry and banter.
The story is full twists and turns and I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what would happen next.
I loved this story and I will definitely be reading more by this author.

3.5 STARS. A beautifully written gothic romance. I really enjoyed the writing style of this book and the vibes were excellent. However, I did struggle to connect with the main love interest which made it less enjoyable for me.

4/5 - I think I would have made it 4.5 if poor Callum didn't sound like he was 60.

Thoughts
The Cruel Dark is a beautiful and haunting story. Our FMC deals with a troubled background, amnesia and wanting to find her place in life.

Willowfield was once a magnificent home, fallen into disrepair and neglect haunted by it’s own past. It’s owner Professor Callum Hughes hires our FMC Millie as an assistant in his research of mythology and folklore.

Love is madness, life is madness and everything in between is just a little bit of insanity - or is it?

Negative
I loved this book. My only negativity would be the voice for the Professor - it didn’t quite fit. He felt about 60. Although I do like the Voice Actors other work so feel it just wasn’t best fit.

Fits/Tropes
Gothic Romance, horror, mystery & historical.
Professor/Boss, dislike to lovers, who cares who sees us, sneaking around, quiet but passionate FMC.

This adult audiobook gave me a feeling that something wasn’t quite right straight from the start. Just what I enjoy. With a title of Cruel Dark that’s exactly as it should be. The narration is interesting. Mostly a female narrator, with a slight American twang. Perfect for the setting. But there is also a male narrator for conversations she has with male characters. Brilliant idea; his voice is deep and sonorous. Again Perfect. The ending had a twist I didn’t see coming. Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

3.5 stars rounded up. The spooky, gothic, and romantic vibes really worked for me here. The story was a tiny bit predictable, but I still enjoyed it. The audio narrating made it extra fun.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book surprised me in a way I can’t describe. The way it was narrated was amazing and it truly had me on the edge of my seat from time to time, however I was confused at bits but it tied itself together in a neat little bow. It was written in one perspective, Millie, but I really did like how for all the male characters they had the male narrator come in so it wasn’t just female narration. Duet narration is my favourite and I loved how the actors were able to put on different accents for different characters. The story itself was very engaging, even though I found myself confused. I wasn’t expecting the plot twist in the end. It definitely carried out the one narrative up until the plot twist and you weren’t even guessing what that was. I loved our two main characters, Callum and Millie, I loved how deep the story, The characters were developed and they had heart and soul. You could feel the pain of the people in this book. And I think the main reason why I was confused is because you’re going through Millie‘s perspective and she is trying to tie bits and pieces of her story together. It does focus on the amnesia aspect that Millie has and you really don’t know how Millie has amnesia until the end, so I guess you could say that was really well done that you weren’t guessing okay she’s not remembering things though she’s only seeing things just because she was. One thing I also really liked was the Irish folklore and Irish myths that were in this story how the characters held such a deep connection with it. One thing is, I do have a few questions, more so as I was reading, it wasn’t all in and out (if you get me). The language was a bit hard to understand at some points, but it was consistent so I do like that. More so my taste isn’t truly Gothic romance but I did like this and I liked the dark aspects of it. So yeah, good book, not great though.

DNFing at 56% because nothing has happened. If you’re here for the vibes, this one is for you. It’s dark, atmospheric, mysterious, & gives a dark Beauty and the Beast vibes (I have no clue if that’s where the story actually goes).

There is a mystery about why the professor won’t let anyone roam the house after dark & what happened to his late wife. I’m just not interested enough to stick with it and find out.

The narrators are wonderful at setting the vibe of the story. The audiobook is 8 hours in length.

This would be great for a dark/winter read if you’re a seasonal mood reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bea Northwick for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. The Cruel Dark is a beautifully written gothic romance and the narrators did a wonderful job bringing this to the audiobook. I listened to it in one sitting! I enjoyed the twists and turns the mystery took and figured out a couple of them along the way which is always fun for me. I felt a little disconnected to the main characters and didn't feel their romance as much as I would have liked. Overall if you're a fan of the genre, I think you'll enjoy this one!

This is a new author that we all need to watch out for because they will rock the book world! This was such a vibe. Gothic, creepy, intricate detail of the world that was set, ghosts, hauntings, and an aloof professor living in a decrepit house in the middle of nowhere. Set in the 1920's, this was a perfect book to read for my Spooky/October TBR list.
"Strange things Bloom where grief lives."
Miss Foxboro took a job in Professor Hughes homes to help him get in order all his data he's accumulated over the years. The grim fairytales and research is something Millie has been drawn to for years. Right away to get an eery feeling in this dark and creepy house and the help that still live there...the world building and detail of everything was so spot on, it kept me enthralled to read. I was obsessed from chapter one. You'll want to know what's going on. Who's doing what. And I have to say, my guesses were SO wrong. Little spice. Incredible book. 1felt like it ended rather abruptly though and the romance aspect was very minuscule. I'd like to see an epilogue possibly into the future,

Thanks NetGalley, Bea Northwick and Victory Editing for the audiobook copy of this book- it was a pleasure.

The beginning of this novel started with a beautifully creepy and descriptive setting that gave me goosebumps. It helped that my daughter happened to be watching the live version of Beauty and the Beast as I completely pictured a mansion that was a cross between the Beast’s castle and Foxworyh Hall from VC Andrews’ Flowers in the Attic series. I was hoping to find ghosts and find out why the staff is curiously withdrawn.

Then the romance (ahem, spicy Romance) was mixed into the story. I don’t mind it as much as long as there are solid characters and there is still a storyline in there. I didn’t love that part of the book as much. But that’s personal preference- I’d rather see the story than the heat, so I’d drop that section of the review to a three.

I also enjoyed how the story did manage to end well. The mystery was explained and not just told to the reader but actually shown. It was a solid twist- not too surprising but again, told well and out gorgeous setting still stayed solid. That part of the book kept me intrigued and engaged- a solid five stars.

Overall, well-done.

The Cruel Dark was such a Gothic dark story, set in the 1920's amidst a large estate named Willowfield, a once spectacular home known for its beautiful gardens and large parties, but not anymore since the lady of the house's death. Millie who has spent two months in a mental ward for traumatic amnesia is offered a job at Willowfield to help Professor Callum Hughes at his estate. She couldn't resist the huge salary that could help set up in a new life so she accepts, but then weird things starts to occur at Willowfield.

I could guess the ending and plot twist coming and then I started doubting myself. The creepy gothic atmosphere was everything. The audio book narration was really well done, I love the author's choice to have it narrates as a duet. I'm glad I got the audio cause I don't think I would have enjoyed the book as much as the audio

The eerie gothic vibes, ghosts and the pinch of spice made this perfect for me.

This was a well written and engaging book. The mystery storyline had me wondering what was going on in the old mansion, and the romance was well paced with palpable chemistry between the two main leads. The ending was somewhat predictable but still had me at the edge of my seat. The extremely detailed descriptions of the mansion setting and the female lead’s state of mind and surroundings felt a little too long on some occasions, which is the only thing I felt could be improved.

I really enjoyed The Cruel Dark.

Summary:

Millicent Foxboro doesn’t have the memory for several years of her life. Doctors at the ward said she had traumatic amnesia but she doesn’t remember what traumatic event took place. Millie after leaving the ward starts working with a doctor. His friend, Professor Callum Hughes needs an assistant to help in his library. Millie accepts the position. Callum is grieving the loss of his wife and has become a recluse. Williowfield, his estate, is said to be haunted.

Is it really haunted or is something else happening?


My thoughts:

I loved the narration of the audiobook. Madison Mitts and Theodore Zephry were the perfect voices for The Cruel Dark.

This to me appears to be a Gothic or Horror retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It is also the first horror I’ve ever read. I wasn’t necessarily scared by the voices, people she was seeing, or sounds she was here; however, I spent the whole novel carefully following to see if I could figure out what was happening. Spoiler: I was completely wrong. I like it when I can’t figure things out because I see it as a well written story.

The Cruel Dark was really enjoyable and I’m glad I read it.

Thank you NetGalley and Bea Northwick for the ARC of “The Cruel Dark”!! I loved everything about this book!! From the beauty and the beast feel to the gothic overlay!! You’ll find mystery, slow burn romance, Spicceeee, tragic death and more in this book!! It is one I’d highly recommend to add to your TBR!!! The only thing is I’d prefer the ebook/physical to the audio only because I wasn’t in love with the chosen voice actors but that’s a personal preference!

A debut novel set in the 1920s with a haunted history, limited staff and overall creepy atmosphere. This book reminded me of Beauty and the Beast with some gothic vibes. I have nothing against the overall story, It was good and flowed well. However, there were some tropes in the story that I don't particularly like, but I know others do. My main issue was with the audiobook itself. The male narration was rather jarring when the book is told in only one POV. The voices themselves made me cringe and uncomfortable to the point I had to skip sections within the book. I will be giving this book another chance, but will be reading a physical/ ebook copy. The audiobook was not my favorite making it hard to enjoy the story as a whole.

Thank you to netgalley and Northwick for an advanced listening copy of this title for my honest review.

This one had some beauty and the beast vibes and I honestly really enjoyed it. The end got a little twisted though and almost a bit complicated. I found myself having to listen to it twice to make sure I picked it up right but besides that, this one was pretty great. I loved the premise and how it developed.

🌀Synopsis
Millicent is thrilled to have a job. After her complicated past and time in a mental institution, she’s thankful someone took the chance on her. Working with Callum is difficult at first but the two warm up to each other. Millicent is tormented by her dreams and the house and Callum continuously saves her from both. After progressing to a physical relationship, Callum proposes and Millicent agrees. It’s time to leave the house and it’s horrors behind. Before they can leave, one person is determined to get his just dues though and Millicent’s life is once again put in danger. Can Callum saver her this time?

Really good Paranormal Mystery Romance with an awesome twist!

Publisher's summary
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.

Thanks to NetGalley & Northwick Books for the ALC of this book!

The Cruel Dark
By: Bea Northwick
Narrated by: Madison Mitts, Theodore Zephyr
Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins
Publisher: Northwick Books

The Cruel Dark by Bea Northwick with Madison Mitts (Narrator), Theodore Zephyr (Narrator)

A dark mysterious historical romance with Gothic vibes that's an unexpected thriller with a twist that is as creepy as it is seductive.

When Millicent Foxboro is offered the perfect job as an assistant that pays very well, she can't say no. Her new employer Professor Callum Hughe is cold and distances himself from speaking to her only when needed. He lives in a grand eccentric mansion built by his grandfather that was heavily crafted with Celtic and nature references as his grandmother was from Ireland and as the only child in the family, it was left to him when his parents passed away not long after he married his wife. As they planned their life together his wife gradually fell ill, and she too passed away several years ago. Now the professor lives alone except for the two women who staff the vast mansion. They also only interact with Millie when needed, although the younger woman is friendlier yet timid. The groundskeeper is very friendly and handsome, however, Millie works in the Professor's library and when she arrives during the cold months in the setting of Boston Massachusetts, it doesn't allow them to interact as he stays in the grounds-keeper cottage away from the house on the property.

The home needs repair and Millie is told not to roam as many rooms are unsafe to enter for fear of getting hurt. There are many dark corners for things to hide, and she keeps seeing and hearing odd things within the home at night. Is the professor's deceased wife haunting the house? Millie also has sleepwalking issues when she is stressed which she has suffered from since she was young and frequent nightmares. She doesn't mention this to her new employer because she needs this job, and she doesn't want him to find out about her short stay in a psych ward, or that she forgets a few years of her life completely in fear of losing this well-paying job. The longer she stays there and gets the professor to open up and relax a bit as well as some of the staff, the strange things seem to increase in the home and they seem to be attracted to her.


This book starts a little slow as you learn about Millie and the history of this old family mansion, but it picks up with her interactions with the professor, the mansion staff, and the mansion itself. The ending was thrilling, and fast, and just when you think the story is going one way, it flips completely. I love it when a story has something unexpected happen and makes the build-up worth the wait. Although there was a slow build-up, I was still intrigued by the story and couldn't stop listening. The male narrator has a deep delicious voice that sounds lovely when listening to an audiobook.

✅Creepy Gothic
✅Haunted
✅Tragic death
✅Secrets
✅Slow Burn attraction
✅Spice
✅Thiller

I received an audiobook ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is available now in physical, audio, and digital books.

Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me to listen to CRUEL DARK by Bea Northwick. I haven’t read anything by Bea prior to this. I really enjoyed her writing, and the narrators were fantastic in this duet audiobook. I did wish the male character had longer scenes, as it was primarily voiced by the female character.

This is also my first historical romance. It is set in the 1920s. Mille has a haunted past and gets offered a job at Willowfield with Professor Callum Hughes. She couldn’t deny it because of the salary he offered. It would set her up for a couple of years once she finished the research, except there is more to know about Callum and Willowfield.

This would be a perfect fall spooky read. It had just the right amount of ghosts and secrets throughout. I was not expecting the ending. I did feel that the book went a little fast at the ending - all in all I enjoyed this one!

Tropes:
🐦‍⬛ Historical Romance
🐦‍⬛ Gothic Romance
🐦‍⬛ Mystery
🐦‍⬛ Grieving MMC
🐦‍⬛ FMC Trauma
🐦‍⬛ Mental Health Rep

"The Cruel Dark" is an enthralling tale set in the 1920s at Willowfield, a grand estate once renowned for its sprawling gardens and lavish parties, now fallen into disrepair after the lady of the house's passing. Millie, who once spent two months in a mental ward due to traumatic amnesia, is offered a job at Willowfield to assist Professor Callum Hughes. Unable to resist the substantial salary that promises a fresh start, she accepts the position. Initially taken aback by Hughes' rude demeanor, Millie gradually finds herself drawn in by his undeniable allure.

The book was giving me scary vibes and some chapters really creeped me out. The pace was great and not to fast or slow. I did guess some of the plot twist, but not all of it. The ending was great and I did not expect it at all, The chemistry of the MCs was great and the spice was also nice.

OVerall I really enjoyed this book.