Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet) Paperback – August 13, 2021

I COULD SCREAMI skipped sleeping hours, workout sessions and even a shower to read this book people. SPOILERS I think the author did an awesomejob in tackling this sensitive topic (having a stalker), and making it thirlling, sexy, and... relatable? Just like Adeline, as much as I was squealing while reading, a voice in my head (moral compass) kept saying "this is so wrong", it would be so wrong if it were happening in real life. So. I can't quite pinpoint what would've made this story even better for me, but it was well enough written to be convincing and not put me off. I loved the constant feeling of DANGER while reading the book, whether it was because of Zade himself, the Society sick people, or Gigi's murder case. The atmosphere was excellently built! I FELT the darkness, storms, rain, adrenaline, terror. UghI guess the only thing that disappointed me was that the stalking started out of the blue; it was some kind of "obsession at first sight" and Zade just decides to stalk Adeline after watching her for a while when she was at a book event. Apparently, considering the way she's described, she's both hot and charming in a natural way so. That's that; no "real" reasond behind it. But well, this wasn't terrible enough so as to prevent me from enjoying the book! Zade's still a psycho if you ask me, but he's more focused on protecting Adeline (so that no one else has her lol?) than hurting her (can't deny he's hurt her, forced her to do sexual stuff, and even threatens to end her with his belt if she bit his c0ck), he kills "bad guys" and saves vulnerable children/women, and he's attractive, sexy, intense, beastly, committed, devoted, and wants to be a daddy (in every sense of the word lol). So these are the traits that end up convincing you as a reader, I guess, making you believe that "it's not that bad".I LOVED Zade as a character! He's so masculine and intense... the way he speaks! And kisses, and touches lol I'm just so grateful that he didn’t turn all vanilla at some point. It's so refreshing, in a sick way, how he takes whatever he wants from Adeline and owns his fantasies when he's with her (he tells her what to do or even say sometimes). Sorry I'm just tired of all these men (characters) asking for permission lol. So yes; I appreciate that the author truly shows us that Zade is "bad", and that feeling lasts till... the end of the novel. I also love that there's no traumatic story behind him lol and that he never regrets nor apologizes for stalking Adeline; he totally owns it.And Adeline... Even though not that relevant to the story, I loved that she's a writer and socially anxious! I enjoyed reading her! I loved that, at least, she's aware of how "stupid" she's been for "allowing" certain situations with her stalker (not that she could've stopped him, really), and that little by little she just accepts that she likes it all; the thrill, danger, horror, being forced. Of course, she ends up LOVING it and practically begging for more. But her inner conflict, her mixed feelings were very well developed, to the point of her experience being relatable.Something I loved regarding their whole dynamic, apart from the cat and mouse chase, and the fire and juices between them, was how... the deeper they went physically, the more they developed their connection. I just loved reading that! Without making it sappy. They found each other in sex, and that helped with their connection outside of sex. (Oh and I LOVED the built up tension and all the sex scenes!!!!). It was refreshing reading how wanted Adeline was by this beast of a man. Okay so, in case it wasn't clear I LOOOOOOVED this book! It's definitely one of my favorites now! On the downside, I was so gripped by it and obsessed with what was going to happen with them, that Zade's point of view (when he was out doing "humanitarian" work) and Gigi's diary pages felt more like a hazard than something that I was interested in reading and enjoy. Finally, though this is a romance and I AM here for it, a part of me had the crazy idea that by the end of the book, Adeline was so freaked out about the "being a mommy" coment that she had decided to run away! (And that's why the title of the second book is "Hunting" Adeline). I cannot deny I felt disappointed when that wasn't the case lol. Still an awesome book that I totally recommend!

This book was a true test to see if I really like dark romance and I passed the test.It’s very intense so make sure this is a path you want to follow before diving in because it ends on a cliffhanger and the second book is painful.Just a heads up because I think it’s important information before starting this series. The second book… the first half is completely brutal and not spicy just torture. I skimmed it but I don’t think you even need to do that. Just start at part 2 if you can’t handle that part. They talk about everything enough that you’ll know what happened.Now it lost a star for me because it needs a better editor. Easy errors to spot and numerous.

There's a reason I don't read incomplete duets or series because then I'm sad when I can't read the next book. I went against my better judgment with this book and I have no regrets (okay I have some because I hated waiting for book two) because I loved this story. The great news is the second book is out now, so you don't have to wait if you're reading this review!I've never read anything remotely similar to this book and I don't know that I ever will. This was my first time reading something truly as dark as this. I've read other books with heavy triggers, but this book was different. I read Satan's Affair beforehand (highly recommend reading that first) and I wasn't entirely sure what this book was going to be about. I knew a past murder, stalking, and love were involved, but that was it. If you had told me one of my top reads from 2021 would've been a stalker romance, I would've laughed in your face. Not only is the romance good, and the spice is off the charts hot, but the overarching story is just so good.Adeline is an author who moves into her grandmother's old home after she passes away. Adeline was close to her grandmother and felt a pull to come back to the home that always fascinated her. While living in the house, she discovers family secrets that have been buried for a long time, secrets involving her great grandmother. Her great grandmother was stalked, but here's the kicker? Her great grandmother had a spicy affair with her stalker! Adeline's great grandmother was murdered and she works with her best friend to figure out who did it. While trying to solve this mystery, Adeline finds herself in the same place as her great grandmother did with a hot stalker.Zade is a leader of a vigilante group that's only mission is to bring down trafficking rings and the horrible people that run them. And not just any type of trafficking rings. Rings that are linked to very powerful people in the country and the world. Zade is determined to get as many women and children to safety as he can. He puts himself in the line of fire to save the lives of the innocent people taken by these rings. He sounds like an ideal guy right? Well, did I mention he's also Adeline's stalker? Zade stumbles across Adeline by accident and it's a wrap for him. He wants to make her his and there's nothing that's going to stop him. Now I'm not saying he's still not an ideal guy (I do love him), but let's just say these are two VERY opposite qualities. On one hand, you have this man trying to save women and child, but on the other hand he's stalking a woman. Many would argue he can't be both a good and terrible guy at the same time, but I think this book begs to differ.I personally loved Adeline and thought she was a dynamic heroine. She was sassy, fun, and radiated fierceness. She does stand up for herself throughout the book, even to Zade, although standing up to him doesn't do much. I liked that we get her inner thoughts on Zade as their relationship plays out. I like watching her slowly open up to him and trust that he'll protect her, which seems like the opposite thing a stalker would do. One of my favorite things was when Adeline told her friend about one of her spicy encounters with Zade and that he "took her soul". I couldn't be more jealous of her, trust me. Based on the cliffhanger, book two isn't going to be an easy ride for Adeline, but I know she's going to be okay. Someone as fierce as her work her way through any situation, even if it takes some time.I cannot explain how much I love Zade. I know, I know, he's a stalker. Here's the thing: I just don't care. He really had me contemplating if getting stalked is that bad (it is, but let's ignore that). I loved how he was written to be so multilayered. H.D. Carlton knew what she was doing when she wrote him this way. He's meant to challenge everything you know and make you wonder if he's really all that bad. His qualities are so opposite of each other that he left me spinning so much throughout this book. I would take pauses while reading and say out loud, "Am I actually into this man?" or "I'm in love with this unhinged man. Am I good?" I laughed way too many times when doing this because I just know how people would react in my life if I told them how much I love Zade. The mouth on Zade is UNMATCHED. God, that man says the wildest stuff, but it's so unbelievably hot. And the things he does with his hands to Adeline? Where do I sign up??? I love his love for Adeline and I can't wait to see what he does in book two knowing how this book ended.The writing in this book is beautiful and so good. H.D. Carlton is talented and it shows in this book. I enjoyed the different storylines taking place and how they all connected to one another. I thought it was interesting to see Adeline live a similar life to her great grandmother. I think getting to read her great grandmother's thoughts on her own personal stalked helped Adeline in her own way. This book is just so so so good! I cannot recommend it enough. I do STRONGLY encourage everyone consider the triggers before reading. I look forward to book two!

Darkness has a name, and it’s written in ink and obsession.Haunting Adeline is not for the faint of heart—but if you dare step into the shadows, you’ll find a story that grips you by the throat and doesn’t let go. Yes, it’s dark. Uncomfortably dark. It dances on twisted lines and explores themes that are as haunting as the title suggests. But here’s the thing—it doesn’t sacrifice story for shock.The plot is solid, layered, and absolutely addictive. You’re not just reading about the monsters in the dark—you’re unraveling why they exist. Adeline’s world is a spiral of secrets, danger, and raw chemistry, and you can’t help but get pulled under.This isn’t your typical love story. It’s obsession wrapped in velvet and violence. It’s a tale where you’ll question everything—and everyone—including yourself.Proceed with caution... but definitely proceed.