⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’ve ever read a book that sits perfectly in that “didn’t love, didn’t hate” middle ground? That’s exactly Deadly Temptation by Holly Bloom for me.
This is the first instalment in a complete 5-book dark romance series, and coming in at just over 200 pages, it’s a super fast, snappy read—ideal if you need something to slot in between longer, heavier books on your TBR.
What worked for me
The premise is right up my street! I love dark romance that doesn’t lean too hard one way or the other, and this nailed the balance: there’s actual plot and tension driving the story, paired with well-written spice that felt natural rather than forced. It’s easy to pick up, flows quickly, and I never felt like dragging my way through chapters.
What didn’t quite land
For me, it fell a little flat overall. The pacing jumps around quite a lot, and I found myself getting confused more than once—struggling to keep track of who was who, who was involved with who, and exactly when certain things happened.
There are also quite a few loose ends and unanswered questions by the time you turn the final page. It’s possible these will all be addressed and explained as the series goes on, but it did leave this first book feeling a little incomplete on its own.
Final thoughts
This isn’t going to become a new favourite, but it’s still a solid start to a series! If you’re after a quick dark romance and don’t mind waiting for answers down the line, I’d still recommend giving it a go—you might end up loving it way more than I did.
Let me know!
Love&Pages
J💛
Books For The Soul 