Little Stranger: A Dark Taboo Romance (The Web of Silence Duet) Paperback – October 27, 2023

Leigh Rivers’ Little Stranger is a masterful exploration of forbidden desire and psychological complexity, delivering a dark romance that is as unsettling as it is captivating. This first installment in The Web of Silence Duet introduces readers to a narrative that pushes boundaries and challenges conventional notions of love and obsession.The story centers on Olivia and her foster brother, Malachi Vize, whose shared traumatic pasts forge a bond that teeters between affection and obsession. After Olivia’s actions lead to Malachi’s imprisonment, he emerges years later with a singular focus: to reclaim and possess every facet of her being. Rivers delves deep into their tumultuous relationship, exploring themes of betrayal, revenge, and the haunting shadows of past traumas.Rivers’ prose is both evocative and unflinching, painting vivid scenes that capture the intensity of the protagonists’ emotions. The narrative is imbued with a haunting atmosphere, reflecting the dark and complex nature of the characters’ psyches. The pacing is deliberate, allowing for a deep exploration of the characters’ inner worlds and the gradual escalation of tension.It’s important to note that Little Stranger is not for the faint of heart. The novel delves into dark and taboo themes, including graphic depictions of violence and psychological manipulation. However, for readers who appreciate complex character studies and narratives that challenge moral boundaries, this book offers a profound and thought-provoking experience.In summary, Little Stranger is a daring and provocative novel that stands out in the dark romance genre. Leigh Rivers has crafted a story that is as beautiful as it is disturbing, leaving readers eager for the next installment in The Web of Silence Duet.Verdict: A haunting and emotionally charged exploration of forbidden love and obsession, Little Stranger is a must-read for fans of dark romance seeking a narrative that challenges and captivates.

One of the best taboo dark romances I’ve read! This book is raw and real, and full of anger and anguish. The MMC is completely unhinged, and yet I fell for him hard and fast and was rooting for him the entire time. The ending absolutely gutted me but brought me back to life quick enough – it even left room for the next chapter without leaving us hanging too hard.

I finished this book in less than 24 hours. I simply could not put it down. It’s now #1 on my list. It’s dark and twisted but also so romantic and loving? The obsession is beautiful and the torture is sensual but also gets your heart rate up. Be aware of your triggers because it has quite a few but if you’re a dark romance lover you’ll never want this book to end.

I like many others in the book space had seen the most unhinged reviews about this book. Calling it the craziest, spiciest, most deranged thing they’d ever read. So naturally I had to see for myself. The writing was subpar. Definitely read like a fanfiction and I’m starting to wonder.. are there any WELL WRITTEN dark romances?? lol. I’m not looking for a literary masterpiece but some of the writing choices are just.. not good lol. Which is really the only reason why this gets a 3.75 stars from me. The pacing was a little wonky and it had numerous time skips as well. Which, I’m not opposed to, but I felt they didn’t work super well here with the flow of the story. I get why they were used, but not my favorite choice here stylistically. The dual pov was also something im typically a fan of, but fell flat a little here for me. It was nice to include it, yes.. but the writing again just really underwhelmed me. So much so that the “dark” parts of this dark romance, just didn’t hit super hard for me. None of it was jarring as it could’ve been if it’d been better written and well executed. That being said— I did finish this book in just a little over 24 hrs. It’s a pretty fun, spicy, taboo read with a lot of fun stuff explored. There’s enough drama, and just enough unhinged behavior to keep you invested. Not the best writing but a good time and I will be reading book 2!

If your BookBoyfriend list is overflowing, get ready - Malachi is about to knock someone off and claim his throne! 😈 He’s intense, magnetic, and impossible to forget.Leigh Rivers delivers a well-written, intricately detailed world that draws you in and doesn’t let go. The tension? Electrifying. The events? Unpredictable and edge-of-your-seat gripping. Twisted secrets and a so-called “taboo love” lead you on an emotional journey filled with fragility, strength, and an unbreakable bond.❤There’s one scene in particular that completely destroyed me - the family camping trip in Little Stranger, chapter 5. Left upset and heartbroken in the darkness, Malachi’s silent anguish hit me like a tidal wave. I cried my eyes out for him. It was in that moment, amidst his despair, that I realized I’d fallen in love with him.The emotional depth of this duet is its most powerful weapon, hitting you in all the right places.🚀 However, Olivia... well, she’s the one element that knocked off half a star for me. I still can’t quite put my finger on it, but something about her didn’t click.📍Tip: If you’re planning to read The Edge of Darkness trilogy (I’ve got a review for that - scroll back and check it out!), I recommend reading it before The Web of Silence. A major spoiler at the end of Web crushed a key surprise for me, and I’d love for you to experience it unspoiled!Leigh Rivers’ universe is far from done - stay tuned because more is coming. (And there’s a Universe Guide on the author’s page!)🌶Spice 3.5/5