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Story and Review of Haunting Adeline by H. D Carlton

Story Summary (Spoiler-Free)

Haunting Adeline is a dark romance novel, the first book in the Cat and Mouse Duet series. It follows Adeline Reilly, a bestselling author who moves into her late grandmother's eerie, old mansion known as Parsons Manor. As Adeline settles in, she begins uncovering chilling secrets about her family's past and a stalker who seems to be watching her every move.

The stalker is Zade Meadows, a morally grey vigilante who rescues trafficked women by night and becomes obsessed with Adeline. Unlike typical stalkers, Zade is both terrifying and strangely protective. His fixation turns their relationship into a twisted dance of fear, obsession, and reluctant attraction.

As Adeline battles the terror and attraction Zade stirs in her, she also discovers the horrifying history buried within Parsons Manor. The story intertwines psychological suspense, horror elements, and intense, taboo romance.

Trigger warnings are necessary here: the novel deals with stalking, dubious consent, violence, and heavy psychological themes.





 Review

Writing Style: H.D. Carlton's writing is immersive, atmospheric, and hauntingly vivid. She creates a chilling, gothic vibe around Parsons Manor while building a dark, seductive tension between the leads.

Characters:

- Adeline is strong, smart, and relatable, even as she struggles with the twisted relationship dynamics.
- Zade is a controversial character. Some readers find his obsessive love disturbingly compelling, while others feel his actions cross too many lines.

Themes: It explores obsession, blurred lines between love and fear, trauma healing, and the impact of generational secrets.

Strengths:

- Gripping plot that hooks you from the beginning.
- Well-developed chemistry and slow-burn tension.
- Unique blending of horror, thriller, and romance genres.

Weaknesses:
- The darker elements are very intense and not for everyone.
- Some readers might find Zade's behavior irredeemable rather than romantic.
- Pacing sometimes drags during Adeline’s investigations into her family secrets.

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Overall Verdict

If you enjoy dark, boundary-pushing romances with heavy psychological horror and thriller elements, you might love Haunting Adeline. However, it is definitely not a light-hearted romance — you should approach it aware of its dark content.

Rating: 4/5 for dark romance readers.  
(But would be 2/5 for someone expecting traditional romance.)

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