Having no fortune, a negligible reputation, and an appearance that could only be described as plain, Miss Olympia Daventry has few prospects. Unless, of course, she elects to remain in her aunt’s home dodging her uncle’s amourous advances and his sermons, both of which are dished out in equal measure. Out of desperation, she accepts an offer of marriage from a man she has never met. Married by … met.
Married by proxy, she travels to his home and at her first sight of it, begins to wonder if perhaps she has not made a terrible mistake. Dark, ominous, foreboding—that description fits both Darkwood Hall and her new husband, Lord Albus Griffin, Viscount Darke.
Griffin had vowed never to marry, but the terms of his meddling aunt’s will have left him no other option if he intends to preserve Darkwood Hall and the secrets it holds. But he’d instructed his solicitor to secure a wife for him that would never tempt him to consummate their union. And yet Olympia tempts him at every turn. She incites in him such lust and desire, such possessiveness, that he fears the madness that threatens all the men of his line has finally claimed him.
But there are other dangers lurking within the walls of Darkwood Hall, secrets and plots, enemies that will stop at nothing to destroy them. Tempted, torn, and tormented by wanting what he should not let himself have, Griffin is lost… but for once he is not alone.
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I loved the tender love story that develops . Good book.
Although this is the 4th book in the series, it has nothing to do with the previous ones. It has a gothic feel with family madness, secrets and cover ups. At 25 Olympia leaves the home of her aunt and uncle who have cared for her for the last few years since her parents’ death. They are misers and fired the servants and used their niece in their stead. Added to that, Olympia has to be on constant guard against her uncle’s advances. She answers an ad for a wife to Viscount Darke. She is married by proxy and journeys to Yorkshire to Darkwood Hall. She is stunned to discover her husband to be young and handsome, but with so many secrets and sadness in his eyes. The servants headed by Mrs. Webster are odd with the housekeeper acting more like the mistress. Added is the former Viscount’s widow – young and beautiful! No one welcomes Olympia and what are those strange sounds like a wounded animal that occur at all hours?? But then Olympia also has secrets she is hiding from this strange handsome husband – who informs her theirs will be a marriage in name only! That leads her to look for answers – what she discovers is the insanity streak in the family resulting in murder, along with greed and envy. What neither one expects to find in the dark house of secrets and lies is true love! Once again, a surprise and wonderful conclusion to a dark, haunting gothic romance!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and went back for two more by this author.
This particular book was very captivating for me. A little bit like Jane Eyre or Rebecca, the main character is setup in a dark environment with haunting screams and wails and yet everyone is secretive about what what has been and is still going on within those walls. Little by little she is trying to put together the facts, but will she be able to before something sinister happens to her? Will her beloved eventually turn on her? Read the story to see.
Read on KU
I read book 1-4 back-to-back in quick succession. I’m going to take a break and come back to the rest soon. I enjoyed this one more than number 3 but not as much as 1 and 2. The new characters were interesting and the background was a bit darker than the previous ones. I did really like the name Darke, it felt appropriately gothic and a smidge tongue-in-cheek.
I want to read more of these, and am glad to know there are, in fact, more books in this series. Unfortunately, they’re all starting to blur in my mind. A bit too similar. I don’t want to under appreciate them because of fatigue.
Looking forward to coming back and bingeing some more.
As a dark web of Murder, Madness and Secrets are spun in A Love so Dark will hold you spellbound from the moment you begin the journey with Griffin and Olympia until the very end! Chasity Bowlin has written a Dark Regency that takes you on a rollercoaster ride of heights of sizzling passion swirling down into a vortex of darkness in this story that is filled with remarkable characters that come off the pages and will pull you into their tale, a story that is well-written, strong plot and great dialogue, with setting descriptions and action sequences that are wonderfully vivid which brings this read together perfectly. Olympia marries Griffin by proxy and arrives at Darkwood Hall which is dark, sinister and menacing looking. Griffin must marry to receive his inheritance, in name only, has emotional scars secrets he must keep. With Olympia trying to find the truth that is hidden in Darkwood Hall she will soon find their passions building in this heart pounding story filled with drama, mystery, heartbreak, trials and tribulations, turmoil, lies, deciet and while the suspense builds and tensions escalate with the twist and turns abound that makes this one outstanding story!
Brilliant,
I’ve said it before in this series and am saying it again – evil characters just don’t stand a chance!
And Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, you have competition!
This story is about Lord Albus Griffin (now why does this remind me of Harry Potter), also known as Viscount Darke and Olympia Daventry who marry by proxy.
It is a gothic romance that grabbed me and I just had to keep on listening because it pulled me in and kept me there with its slow smoldering unfolding of the plot. So brilliant that I just have to recommend it!
Lillian Yves displays her remarkable talent with her narration as usual.
After listening to the audiobook, my voluntary review above is given freely and is unbiased.