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| Categories | Thrillers & Suspense |
| Author | H. D. Carlton |
| Publisher | Independently published (August 13, 2021) |
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 627 pages |
| Item Weight | 1.63 pounds |
| Dimensions |
5.5 x 1.42 x 8.5 inches |
I. Book introduction
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton is a dark and suspenseful thriller about an author who inherits her grandmother’s gothic mansion—only to realize she’s being stalked. As eerie break-ins and cryptic messages escalate, she uncovers her great-grandmother’s tragic past, hinting at a deadly fate that may soon be her own.
AN INSTANT NYT BESTSELLER, USA TODAY BESTSELLER, AND AMAZON TOP 5 BESTSELLER!
“I’ve chased you across time and space, and you’ve never been able to get away.”
For Adeline Reilly, moving back to Seattle was supposed to be the perfect fresh start. With her flourishing career as an author, and the inheritance of her late grandmother’s gothic mansion, there is nothing to stand in her way.
But Adeline isn’t alone in Parson’s Manor.
It isn’t the angry souls haunting the hallways of her childhood home that Adeline fears–it’s the mysterious break-ins, roses appearing, and threatening messages that somehow sound more like eerie promises.
Adeline has a stalker.
Yet, she quickly discovers she’s not the first person in her family to fall victim to a shadow in pursuit.
Left behind are her great-grandmother’s haunting journals detailing the story of her own phantom, and subsequently, her brutal murder.
Parson’s Manor now holds more than just Adeline’s memories—it houses a grim future that could lead to history repeating itself.
If she doesn’t fall in love with her stalker first.
While not required, it is highly suggested to read the novella, Satan’s Affair, first.
Author’s Note: This book ends on a cliffhanger. For CWs, please check the author’s website.
Recommended Reading Order for the C&M Universe:
- Satan’s Affair
- Haunting Adeline
- Hunting Adeline
- Where’s Molly
About the Author (H. D. Carlton)
H. D. Carlton is a New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author. She lives in Oregon with her husband, two dogs, cat, and Bigfoot. When she’s not bathing in the tears of her readers, she’s watching paranormal shows and wishing she was a mermaid. Her favorite characters are of the morally gray variety and believes that everyone should check their sanity at the door before diving into her stories.
II. Reviewer: Haunting Adeline by H. D. Carlton
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1. SK reviews for Haunting Adeline
Oh my gosh. Am at a loss for words. This was so good and addicting 🤌
I was hooked from the first page right up till the end. The plot, subplot, the romance and the characters were so well written. I have read H.D. Carlton’s Does It Hurt before, which was the first book I read of hers and knew right away what a talented writer she is. I think this might be an even better work.
Now I won’t deny this book is not for anyone. Either you’ll like it, enjoy it or be disgusted and hate it. There’s no in between. I went in thinking it’s a dark romance but oh boy, it really was dark. Some of the things that happen between Adeline and Zade, I’m glad it’s just a work of fiction and nothing more.
Adeline is someone I liked instantly. She has life to her, personality but the only thing that kind of bugged me a bit was how questionable her life choices were at times. Seriously, the girl had a death wish. Are we really surprised by the ending?🥲
Coming to Zade, oof.. I don’t think I’ve ever had such conflicted thoughts about the love interest. He’s such a complex character. Yes, he’s twisted, man doesn’t know how to approach a girl right, but at the same time he’s doing things that make him to be such a good person. Notice- a good person, not a good romantic 😩 But he did care for Adeline and protect her arse whenever he could. You see why I’m conflicted?
The chemistry between the two is really good and the smut is super juicy. The murder mystery aspect was something I enjoyed and how ‘Z’ handled the crimes.
Anyhoo, I’m looking forward to reading the sequel. This one did cure my reading slump. The reason I give it four stars instead of five is cause of the gun play scene, which was a bit much😅
Disclaimer – Throughout the book, there were some scenes, especially the gun play, the stalking and falling for the stalker, which I do not agree with. It’s a work of fiction, and that brings comfort to me knowing that this is not real. My rating and enjoyment level of the book doesn’t mean I’m agreeing to it to happen to anyone in reality. The book is not meant for the weak hearted and the triggers are heavy. Before picking it up, please think through.
⚠️TW- Graphic violence, human trafficking, stalking, child trafficking, sexual assault, gun play, somnophilia, bondage and degradation.⚠️
2. ABIGAIL reviews for Haunting Adeline
5 Dark stars
“Let me know which stars you prefer. The ones above you, or the ones I make you see.”
*Beware of the cliffhanger*
Okay attention everyone—if you like dark romance… this is a must-read. I will however warn you that this is VERY dark and can get a little gruesome. The darkness and smut in this is *chefs kiss* I will have a trigger warnings list at the bottom of this review.
Adeline (Addie) Reilly is an author living in a home called Parson’s Manor in the deep woods of Seattle having been passed down from her great grandmother to her grandmother, and now to her. This home has a deep, dark, and mysterious history. Addie is constantly running into the spirits within the home. While exploring her newly inherited home, Addie discovers something that starts her on a chase to uncover the past and its secrets. Only she isn’t aware that there is someone waiting in the shadows watching.
Zade (Z) Meadows is a wide-range and very skilled vigilante who is the founder/owner/creator of Z. A large undercover team that busts pedophiles—women and children sex trafficking rings and organizations. He came across this in his youth scrolling the dark web when he found his love for hacking. Zade notices Addie at one of her book signings and in an instant had an obsession and love form for her. From there he decided that she was his little mouse and that he was going to hunt her. That’s where his stalking begins.
This book is a whirlwind! I couldn’t put it down for a second. Just like Zade’s obsession with Addie—I was obsessed with this book. I absolutely love them. Their relationship is well… taboo but incredibly addicting. Not only is this is romance but it is filled with a mystery story underline as well as the very disturbing topics revolving around sex trafficking. Everything is detailed, so if you are squeamish to gore, this is not a book for you. This also is very HOT in the spice department. Get ready to have your body physically heat up reading some of the smut in this.
*Trigger Warnings*
Graphic violence, dub/non con, child & human sex trafficking, and sacrifice, gunplay
Overall, I can’t recommend this book more. This really is one of my new top favorites out of all the books I have read. I’m looking forward to seeing how their story comes to a close.
3. RAE reviews for Haunting Adeline
4.5⭐️
I’m kinda speechless. I absolutely loved this book.
I’ve been meaning to read this for years but I’ve had so many people warn me away (especially towards book 2), and their reasonings are absolutely valid, but I’m glad I finally read this.
I actually had physiological responses while reading this book: goosebumps, heart rate increasing, shallow breathing to name a few. The first 45% was fantastic and eerie and spooky and I couldn’t put it down. All about the characters and this creepy old mansion, just 🤌🏻👌🏻.
The last half was more about the plot development. The suspense wasn’t as prevalent, which I kind of missed, but setting up a great story about taking down human trafficking rings one by one was more than enough to keep me hooked.
I loved Addie (FMC) and Daya’s friendship. They were goals. But honestly, there was so much open communication and respect and honesty between them. I want more women friendships represented like this.
Zade (MMC) was mysterious and intriguing. I enjoyed being in his POV a lot more than I thought I would. I know it’s hard for some to wrap their head around this being a romance considering the triggers listed and the fact that he is, indeed, Addie’s stalker. I get it. But that’s the beauty of dark romances, they’re fiction, we don’t want this IRL, it’s interesting to read about and get lost in. Which I was.
While this wasn’t as dark as I was expecting, I am not denying it wasn’t dark, because it was. I think it helped going in expecting it to be pitch black.
I did see some of the surprises coming, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment. I thought this was a well put-together, excellently written book. One that ends on a cliffhanger y’all! I am gonna read book 2, once I can find myself not dreading it based on reviews, spoilers, comments I’ve read 😅. I think I will read Satan’s Affair before Hunting Adeline. Sibby was a fun character we got briefly introduced to. I wanna know more. 🖤
4. LAUREN reviews for Haunting Adeline
Dark Dark Dark
Wow. I was not expecting myself to love this book. But I did, and here we are. First off, it is non-con for about half of the book. If this is something you are not okay with, I do not recommend reading this book. I understand. We all have our limits. Just stop reading this review and find another book to read. I shall carry on in the meantime.
H.D. Carlton’s Writing
Carlton’s writing was addicting. The way she was able to build scenes is a craft. If anything, she’s the manipulator. In some of the more intense scenes between Addie and Zade, she built up suspense to it. She created enough suspense so I could feel Addie’s fear. I could visualize the scene in my head through her eyes. There were scenes I played over and over again in my head. I haven’t been able to do that with other authors in a while. I found myself highlighting on my Kindle lines that I thought were so well written. Carlton made Addie funny without being cringey, and the humor she used wasn’t overdone. I loved the use of the journal entries throughout the book, it added another layer of suspense and build up towards the plot. Ugh. I just loved her writing.
Addie
There were some questionable moments I had with Addie. But, she was self-aware about herself and how she was feeling about Zade. Heck, she even admitted that she gets off on being scared. She was brave, strong, and was funny. She definitely had a morals battle with herself over the course of the book, but like Zade said, she didn’t really have a chance (if you read the book you’ll get what I mean). I do think she made her own choice about starting to have feelings for Zade (ones other than fear).
Zade
Okay, I have to say what everyone else is saying. The conflict of Zade’s profession while he stalks and *youknowwhats* Addie. I think it’s actually passively brought up in the book at one point. Haunting Addie is a dark romance novel, so this is something you have to accept. But yeah, it’s not a good look. He is very intense with Addie, even when he professes his feelings and plans for their future with her. I’m not sure if the author made him be a vigilante to placate readers feelings, or even her own feelings, about how there is some good in Zade, to make him likable in some way. Or take for example when he k-worded Arch. Arch just happened to be a bad guy. It certainly would’ve made Zade an evil guy if he had k-worded an innocent guy. I feel like these things are to kind of justify that we still like Zade even though he does stalk and *youknowwhats* Addie. Whatever makes us feel better at the end of the day, yanno? I still enjoyed his character and his obsessed with Addie. The roses were a sweet detail.
The Plot(s)
*spoiler* I thought the plot was crafted extremely well. To me, I thought there were 3 plots/storylines (whatever you call it). 1) Addie and Zade’s relationship 2) the investigation of Gigi’s k-word and 3) Zade’s own investigation into the videos. They all intertwined smoothly and all felt relevant. They kept the story flowing nicely and I didn’t feel like there were any parts of the book that felt stalled.
This book does end on a cliff-hanger, which I am actually okay with just because the sequel is coming out in the end of January lol. I am very interested to see what direction Carlton has taken the story in.
5. ERIKA R. BRADLEY reviews for Haunting Adeline
Little Mouse, Little Mouse Let Me In
Holy Cliffhanger!!!!
First things first- I can’t believe it took me so long to read this one, but definitely worth it!!
Z has my dream job! I love his character!! Yes he’s a killer but he’s only taking out rapists and pedos, And Yes he stalked Addie, but she comes to realize she wants his attention on her constantly.
Adeline is a brave one and I was completely bought in to uncovering GiGi’s murder right along with her.
This book has everything I love – suspense, mystery, murder, dark romance and justified vigilance. I also love how their relationship progressed and just need each other as the story goes on. I’ve already purchased book 2 and am so ready to dive in to find out what happens.
6. KARINA’S MAGICAL READS reviews for Haunting Adeline
My first book into the Dark Romance Genre!
Haunting Adeline was my first book into the Dark Romance genre when I picked back up my love for reading this year. My best friend and I both wanted to read together and so we chose this duet. My lord, I was not prepared, but I also devoured this book. H.D. Carlton writes REAL and RAW and does not hold back on her storytelling. I think that’s what I appreciate most. The FMC and MMC were intriguing and the triggers for this book are there for a reason. IT won’t be for everyone, but it is Fiction and not real. However, the scenarios and things that happen in this book are real, as in the trafficking scenarios. Those are real and hard but I think that not enough people talk about these things because they may be taboo. Trafficking is a heartbreaking thing and the MMC in this does everything in his power to stop these things from happening. There are so many elements to this story and it’s a wild ride. If you check your triggers and give this book a chance, you will appreciate it. When you are done with this one, there is a duet (2nd book) that takes off where this one leaves you with a pretty heavy cliffhanger. I loved this duet.
7. JESSE reviews for Haunting Adeline
Couldn’t Put it Down!
I absolutely loved the way this book was written. It keeps you on your toes and is by far the spiciest book I’ve read to date. I’m completely obsessed with Zade and he couldn’t be more perfect. However, take the trigger warning seriously because this book is not for everyone. It definitely got a little hard to read towards the end because of the explicit pedophilia and SA. Seriously tested up a couple of times reading about the kids. But they did get what the deserved. All in all, great read, but be sure to suit up with your thick skin for this one!
8. KALI reviews for Haunting Adeline
So incrediblh dark, yet so beautifully written.
I truly didn’t know what to expect when I started reading this book, nor did I expect to fall in love with it. There are some seriously dark elements at play in this novel, but thankfully the male protagonist is a vigilante. I absolutely love how the romantic parts played out. This was so beautifully and thoughtfully written. I’m so glad I found this book and decided to take a chance on it. Looks like dark romance novels are for me!
NOTE: Be aware that there are triggers including: sex-trafficking, death, child sex-trafficking and explicit sex scenes
9. CHELSEA reviews for Haunting Adeline
Did this book unlock my love of stalker romances? Yes. Yes it did.
I loved that this felt like 50% horror, 50% dark romance and I also didn’t know I needed that in my life. I was a bit late to hop on this bandwagon but so glad I waited for the second book to be out before starting because I was ravenous for book two. This is also one of those books that I will likely talk about very briefly on my channel because it’s not for the faint of heart and I don’t want it being tossed into anyone’s hands who aren’t all ready in the deep end of dark romance. Trigger warnings are pretty much all that you can imagine in a world where the hero is a stalker and in the underbelly of the human trafficking world. Rape, SA, gun play, blood play, all the dark kinks, etc. While this is not nearly as triggering as the sequel, it’s still a lot and very intense.
Ok so anyway, Zade can get it. That’s all.
10. SAMMIE READS reviews for Haunting Adeline
HOLY. FUCKING. CLIFFHANGER. Whew, I am frantically knocking out this review so I can backflip into the next book! Lots to unpack so let’s get to it. Adeline and Zade…these two. Zade is her stalker which already makes him a bit unhinged…but I’m into it! As for Adeline being into it, not so much. To be fair, he freaks her out on purpose, wanting her to know every dark part of him so that when she does fall in love with him, she’s aware of all his flaws. Skewed logic? Perhaps. Still…
Zade runs a secret organization that takes down pedophiles, human trafficking, and all of the monsters in between. There is the threat of The Society, and someone has leaked videos of them murdering children and drinking their blood. Think the conspiracy theory about “adrenochrome” and pair that with a secret society of rich and powerful monsters. It’s dark to read about, but this shit happens. And the author, while keeping it surface level, doesn’t shy away from that.
Simultaneously, there is also the 75 year old murder mystery of her great-grandmother Gigi, and ghosts unknown who also reside in the…did I not mention? A black gothic Victorian mansion that Adeline inherited from her Nana?! Living my dream, sexy stalker and all. But I digress. This was fast paced and winding, and thoroughly enjoyable to read! Read those trigger warnings if you dive into this, don’t say you haven’t been warned!!!!
III. Haunting Adeline Quotes by H. D. Carlton
The best book quotes from Haunting Adeline by H. D. Carlton
“One day, you will realize that you are not trapped in a prison,” he murmurs roughly. “You are in my church where I am your God, and you are my equal. I’m not a jail, little mouse, I am your sanctuary.”
“UNKNOWN: Sneaking off with random men, little mouse? If I catch his hands anywhere near you, they’ll end up in your mailbox by morning.”
“Let me know which stars you prefer. The ones above you, or the ones I make you see.”
“When you make someone fall in love with the darkest parts of you, there’s nothing you can do that will scare them away. They will be yours forever because they already love all the fucked up bits and pieces of you.”
“I want to slap him. But the asshole would probably like it, and then turn around and slap me back. And my dumbass self would probably like it, too.”
“Baby, you rule the fucking kingdom, and I will gladly bow to you.”
“Cat got your tongue, little mouse?”
“All I want to do is break her. Shatter her into pieces. And then arrange those pieces to fit against my own. I don’t care if they don’t fit—I’ll fucking make them.”
“Sometimes the happiest people are the saddest,”
“Love is an enigma, and it’s redefined every time someone says it.”
“Sneaking off with random men, little mouse? If I catch his hands anywhere near you, they’ll end up in your mailbox by morning. A”
“Zade,” he whispers against my lips. “That’s the only name that will ever leave your lips from now on, especially when you’re making that little pussy feel good. And when I’m making that pussy feel good, then you can call me God.”
“If it’s real, then I’ve chased you across time and space, and you’ve never been able to get away.”
“Run, if I catch you, I f-k you.”
“My body is just a vessel that my soul inhabits, attached to a shell that it’ll one day leave. And when that day comes, I won’t care to let that shell go. I carry my body around because I have to, not because it’s a choice. But when I possess something meaningful, I’m choosing to hold on to it. Carrying something meaningful in my skin is effortless but holding onto something that I could lose—that takes devotion.”
“Because then I wouldn’t be true to myself, little mouse. I love that I scare you. I love that you try to run from me. The push and pull. The cat and mouse game. I fucking love it. And I think a part of you does, too.”
“If my redemption resides somewhere within you, then I will spend the rest of my life searching for it inside of you.”
“I’m not a jail, little mouse, I am your sanctuary.”
“What you’re seeing now is what I see every day. No matter how far I run, how hard I try to escape you—you’re everywhere I go. You’re everything I see. Loving you is like being trapped in a house of mirrors, little mouse. And I’ve never felt so at home while being so lost inside you.”
“You’re going to murder him too?”
“Of course I am. Slowly, too. Start with snipping the Achille’s heel so he can’t run, and then—”
“That’s fucked up, you’re going to jail,” she cuts in, disgust curling her lip. “Actually, I hope you go to prison and are sentenced to death.”
She turns with a snarl, but she doesn’t make it a step before my hand snaps out, capturing her arm and whipping her back around, directly into my chest.
Addie inhales sharply, her eyes dilating as I seize the back of her neck with one hand and grab her delectable ass with the other, lifting her up against my body.
“Will you be my last meal, baby?”“His voice is full of dark promises and dangerous beginnings.”
“I guess I wanted to see roses all over your house, too. Maybe because you feel like home.”
“I’ll have her because she’s the first thing that made me feel something good in so long, and I’ve become obsessed with keeping it. I don’t have very many something goods in my life, and I don’t care if it makes me selfish for wanting to hold on to it.”
“Come on, man. Are you this worked over a piece of ass? Her voice may be cut out for porn, and her pussy tight as fuck, but shit, you can find that in other bitches too. I’ve fucked plenty of them.” What was going to be a fairly slow death is now going to be the slowest death to ever happen since the dawn of humanity. It was bad enough that he spoke of my girl in such a disgusting manner, but then he went and topped it off by implying Addie isn’t anything special. She’s the first of her kind to exist, and there will never be another like her.”
“Remember this moment,” he growls deeply, withdrawing to the tip before pushing deeper inside of me. “Because the next time I fuck you, you will be deeply in love with me, Adeline. I’m your stalker and a murderer, and you will love me anyways.”
“This isn’t a climb to heaven. It’s a fall from grace.”
“His eyes are tracing my curves like they’re scripture, and he’s a sinner that is searching for proof of a God that he no longer can hear.”
“What did I tell you, little mouse? That you couldn’t escape me. If it’s real, then I’ve chased you across time and space, and you’ve never been able to get away.”
“I have never pretended to be a good person. But what I did do was create my own fucking morals to live by. I will keep killing every deranged individual who resides on this goddamn planet if it means children don’t have to die, and you don’t have to live in danger.”
“I keep from gritting my teeth, though all I really want to do right now is grind them to dust. The main reason I don’t is because I would no longer be able to bite Addie’s clit.”
Excerpted from Haunting Adeline by H. D. Carlton
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