Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet)

Haunting Adeline is long, intense, and unapologetically atmospheric and it never once lost my attention. The story unfolded vividly in my head, and instead of dragging, it pulled me deeper the further I went. The gothic atmosphere is what truly sets this book apart. The house, the shadows, the constant unease, and the journal entries create something heavy and haunting. This doesn’t read like a standard romance with dark elements, it feels closer to a psychological gothic thriller that happens to revolve around obsession and desire. The mood is immersive, oppressive, and it lingers. Adeline and Zade are compelling, but their dynamic is not meant to be comfortable. It’s twisted, obsessive, and deliberately unsettling. This is a story that leans into morally grey, and often outright disturbing territory, and it doesn’t soften or apologise for it. If you’re looking for a healthy romance or clear‑cut consent dynamics, this will not be the book for you. Possible spoiler: One of the strongest elements is the dual storyline woven through Gigi’s letters. Following Adeline’s great‑grandmother’s affair, her stalker, and the unravelling of her cold‑case murder adds real depth and gives the book a generational, almost cursed feeling. It grounds the darkness in something larger than shock value and gives the story a sense of purpose and inevitability. That cliff hanger, while expected, still lands hard and it’s clear this is only half the story. Overall, Haunting Adeline is dark, gothic, and addictive, but it’s also confronting. I’ll be picking up Hunting Adeline soon.

It was different to what I was used to reading and is extremely dark and messed up but the characters were what kept me going. They were intriguing, and always kept me wanting more. Especially Gigi. I loved the friendship between Adeline and Daya - everyone needs a Daya in their life!! However …… Zade and Adeline? As much as I think Zade thought he was a good guy, I just can’t understand him 🤣 their relationship was messed up and I stopped trying to get my head around it. Stockholm syndrome is a no from me apparently. BUT his actual mission and the plot of the book - all for it! Saving women and kids. He got my heart there.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟This is a very dark adult romance/thriller. You are forewarned that there is plenty of strong language, graphic sex scenes and some dub/con moments too. Going into this story with this in mind, as the author clearly sets out her warnings well in advance, I plunged in the dark, decadent, and dangerous world of The Shadow aka Zane. He is a rich, tech savvy vigilante of sorts who spends his time rescuing those who have fallen prey to criminal elements that are involved human trafficking. But don’t be fooled into thinking that Zane is a good man as his own personal tendencies of brutal violence against those who have “sinned” would not be morally ok. He also unfortunately fell in love with Adeline from afar. Even though their “relationship” starts with him stalking her, leaving gifts of flowers inside her home, and calling her anonymously to taunt her, Adeline quickly finds she can’t resist the deliciously dark and slightly sinister pull of Zane especially after she gets an eye full of what he looks like. I don’t blame her! Adeline also gets herself noticed by even more worrying men which leads to Zane keeping a tighter eye on her at home while monitoring her whereabouts when she leaves. The romance and dom/sub dynamic that these two create between them is not for the faint of heart. The story has many triggers, and I cannot stress that enough. Many of Zane’s ideas to “woo” Adeline could be considered cruel, unsafe, and manipulative but I couldn’t resist their palpable attraction and the sex scenes were beyond steamy. The romance storyline goes side by side with the vigilante one which adds tension, action and drama to an already heady erotic novel but in this case, it adds layers of intrigue and suspense to the narrative and the developing relationship between Zane and Adeline. I love my Morally Grey Characters but even I have to say that Zane is heading more into the Morally BLACK territory, but I fell for him anyway. Overall, this was a compellingly sexy and thrilling book 1 in a captivating duology!

Haunting Adeline is my new favourite book. H.D Carlton is a genius, what more can I say. This book is a dark romance, that involves two main characters, Zade and Adeline. Their relationship starts when Zade sees Adeline for the first time at her book signing, and becomes instantly obsessed. He starts stalking her and that’s where their ‘relationship’ starts. It’s not plain sailing, but it is very hot, and very spicy, and I fell in love with Zade early on. Who wouldn’t want a morally grey man chasing them through the woods?? 🤣 I went through so many emotions reading this book. I laughed, cried, and my heart broke into millions of piece several times over. It draws you in, and you don’t want to put it down. H.D Carlton’s writing is exquisite. The storyline is complex and intricate, the characters are so well written that you can imagine them walking off the page and into your room. The spicy scenes are 🥵🥵🥵. The relationship between the two of them develops through the book and you can feel every emotion that they’re feeling throughout it, with such passion that it feels like you’re part of the relationship yourself. I want to warn you, it’s very dark, and there are a lot of trigger warnings, so please check them out before reading this book. I adore this book and it will forever hold a very special place in my heart ❤️

Guys wtf The book itself is good quality- fast delivery and came good condition. The content of the book..is different Why are we romanticising literal abuse? I mean..the writing style is okay, I like the dual POV - just very innapropriate. If you like "spice" and scenarios where main character falls in love with her stalker after he forces himself on her then this is for you.. I read this book but I will NOT be reading the next one. I like the dark "killer-y" vibe of this boom but that's literally it. (User preference) But HUGE trigger warning, this book is about S.A. Hum@n traffic-ing, dark r-pe and horrible situations. Ps this book ends on a pretty dark cliff hanger so if you want to read this then I suggest buying the second one too.

This book is unforgettable, sharp, intense and will have you on the edge of your seat right from the start and up until the very end. (Right into the second part of the duet). HD Carlton sets up the most perfect, hauntingly beautiful atmosphere every time, in every chapter. The plot is fantastic and never leaves you wanting, with mysterious and sharp twists and turns that build higher and higher with every page. The narratives are complex, with so many characters bopping in and out of the storyline throughout that you can’t help but guess which characters have nefarious intentions and which are there for good. The chemistry and intensity of the romance is off the charts and so toxic but so good that it hurts. The generational contributions to the story line have a fantastic effect and the format of the book, letters in between dual POV chapters keeps the story constantly interesting, constantly moving. The wheels in your head will not stop turning! There is so much to be discovered and found out. The anticipation is invigorating. The characters are relatable and it is so easy to get stuck into this world. HD’s writing will easily whisk you off to dark storms, haunted mansions, scary woods and places where shadows linger for a little too long. And the spice…ohhh the spice. It is no wonder that across the globe, people have had symbols of this duet physically, permanently inked into their skin and become totally obsessed with the characters and the chemistry. I am so thankful for the popularity whirlwind that these books and HD Carlton got sucked into because I can’t remember who I was before I knew what all the hype was about! 10/10 and will definitely read again. Remember to check trigger warnings <3

Amazing book,disappointing that the pages were falling out of the book,other then that amazing book

Loved reading this book, it’s very gripping. This book sucks you in from the start to end, I’ve got to start book 2 straight away.

Brought it for my fiancée and she absolutely loved it, although the book looks abit damaged but all it’s good.

throughout the book the ink fades and words become unclear. There are many miss spells throughout, and at the end the chapters are just mixed up and reprinted, there are like 3 chapter 32 and each have different text. I dont even know if what I read at the beginning was right or if some chapters where not printed. Left me hanging at the end and I. Hate. It. I sent a request for refund and they contacted me to send a copy.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. It got me out of a reading slump and introduced me to a whole new genre of books. Now, this book isn't for everyone. It has a shopping list of TWs. But if you use TWs as a shopping list, then this book is for you! It's engaging, spicy, and I found myself laughing out loud while reading it.

That plot was amazing

Okay y’all hear me out.I didn’t knew why everyone one was talking about how hot this book is until I got it in my own hands.Chapter 29 (page 408) was the one that I heard everyone talking the most about.Another spicy chapter is chapter 16 (page 206) The gun scene that scene got me screaming.So for all of the girlies that love dark romance books.GET THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY!