Where the Dark Things Bloom
Dark psychological gothic romance, taboo, step-siblings trope.
She was never supposed to leave, he was never supposed to stay.
When her estranged father dies, Lenore Thorn returns to the one place she swore she'd never set foot in again- a crumbling gothic mansion on the edge of a town that whispers her family's name in fear.
Her only intention is to sell it and leave for good. But someone is already there.
Dorian Thorn, her stepbrother, never left. Raised beside her but never truly her brother, he has always been possessive, cruel, and unreadable.
He tells her the house is still theirs, that she belongs here and to him.
She resists his cold touch, his hungry gaze, and the way he speaks of their past in riddles.
But when she discovers the darkest secrets that hide behind the walls; blood rituals, missing children, a locked room her father forbade her to enter- she realizes Dorian isn't the one keeping her here.
The house won't let her leave.
And neither will he.
Published: April 25, 2025
Pages: 204
ISBN: 9798280342460
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Available in: Paperback
Reader Reviews
1 rating
Kay S.
This book is a dark, psychological, taboo romance prequel to All The Things We Buried (coming soon) with ghosts, a haunted house, a cult and a truly dark love that is beyond boundaries. PLEASE ENSURE YOU READ THE CONTENT WARNINGS FIRST - THIS BOOK IS A LOT (BUT IN THE BEST WAY IF YOU LOVE REALLY DARK/PITCH BLACK ROMANCE)
Lenore is a reflection of every girl trying to heal from things she thought were part of her path, her destiny in this world of uncertainty and wreckage. She is trying to quiet her own darkness by following his, Dorian's, and using it as a way to escape. But do we ever really escape our demons or just learn to live with them and accept them as part of our journey to becoming ourselves?
The psychological mystery element of this book is what kept me gripped from start to finish, not knowing what is real, never completely sure if this is all in someone's head or actually happening. The depth of the backstory, the cult, the six commands, just makes this story all the more exciting to read.
The darkness of this story is also terrifyingly stunning, you are not sure whether to love it or be scared of it, much like Lenore and Dorian's relationship. The way they are truly a part of each other and how their dynamic unfolds and yet still remains tragically romantic just shows that A. Em can really paint a picture with some dark and twisted words.
I feel truly connected with this book and its characters and definitely appreciated the 'explained' chapter - it answered a few questions and confirmed some things I had been feeling from chapter one. When I say this book will hit you emotionally, I am not kidding, I am still going over it all in my head, relating to certain things, dissecting the imagery and the metaphors hidden just beneath the surface of the plot.
I truly cannot wait to explore the rest of the story and am truly honoured to be part of A.Em's Shady Babes to help support her work.
Cannot fault this book in any way, 5 star read and 4 chilli's for the spice due to the darkness surrounding it and it's taboo nature.