| Title | : | In the Shadows |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 376 |
| Publication | : | Published April 17, 2024 |
One, two, I’m coming for you.
She’s my obsession.
Three, four, kneel on the floor.
I want to possess her in every way.
Five, six, I’m up to my old tricks.
She knows me as The Portland Serial K!ll3r.
Seven, eight, lay in wait.
Little does she know I’m watching her.
Nine, ten, never to be seen again.
Welcome to your worst nightmare, Little Lamb.
Who am I? Let me introduce myself.
I’m Death. And I have found my Queen.
Ella McCloud you’re the flicker of light in my dark, dark world.
The color in my grayscale existence.
I yearn for you like the night yearns for the stars.
"In the Shadows" is not merely a dark romance novel; it is an addiction, a siren song that beckons readers into its inky embrace, refusing to release its hold even after the final page is turned. Prepare to lose yourself in the shadows, for once you enter, there is no turning back." ~ World of Books65
**Dear readers, this dark romance contains multiple POVs, multiple storylines, and many exciting moving pieces that come together in one satisfying and unexpected HEA. If you enjoy a single storyline, this book might not be for you.
** In the Shadows is a dark, age gap romance standalone with an unhinged hero. Check TW/CW and tropes on the author's website.
In the Shadows Reviews
-
Okay this one was suggested to me by a friend And I put it on the back burner for a later date…. And I had also read a few of my fellow readers reviews on GR… but yet again I put it on the back burner…But then it popped up on my Kindle Unlimited and I knew it was destiny for me to read this one
So okay ladies and gentlemen let’s buckle up for a crazy ride, this is right around the time that you might want to check the warnings on this one because there are plenty of them….
Let me kindly inform you that This book contains
multiple POVs, Ella, Death and Sebastian
A serial killer is on the loose, and police are reminding residents of Portland to lock their doors, windows, and use an alarm system if available
Ella McCloud has got herself in one heck of a situation
See she has two completely different men in her life. One fed her darkness. The other fed the light. She was in bigger trouble than she realized….. Somehow, she finds herself to be accomplice to murder
If it wasn’t bad enough that her heart was torn between two separate males, and Ella had developing feelings for both of them …. the kicker was ..One is a serial killer, and the other One is a Vigilante…… They are night and day and she is caught in the middle ……. Pretty much literally and figurally
This is one of those edge of the seat read that you just can't put down till the very end…. Yeah, your mind will be reeling with all of the twist and turns throughout the book J.A. Owenby has gave us with this mind-blowing suspense thriller/ Stalker read
-
'𝐈N T𝐇E S𝐇A𝐃O𝐖S' Is a full length dark suspenseful romance book by J.A. Owenby. Spoken in 'dual perspectives.'
This had been popping up a time or two on my feed, then the word STALKER pops up and of course I'm bumping this up!! Jumping into this I was pulled in straight away.
What the frig did I just read!! This was one hell of a ride on the crazy train, a masked man has her in his sights, and can only be one man, and that finger points to the serial killer in her area and he's right on her doorstep. Locked doors and a top notch security system won't keep him out.
'R𝐔N......'
'𝐎n𝐞, t𝐰o, 𝐈'𝐦 𝐜o𝐦i𝐧g f𝐨r y𝐨u.
𝐓h𝐫e𝐞, f𝐨u𝐫, K𝐧e𝐞l o𝐧 𝐭h𝐞 𝐟l𝐨o𝐫
𝐅i𝐯e, 𝐒i𝐱 𝐈'𝐦 𝐮p t𝐨 𝐦y o𝐥d t𝐫i𝐜k𝐬
𝐒e𝐯e𝐧, E𝐢g𝐡t, 𝐥a𝐲 𝐢n w𝐚i𝐭.
N𝐢n𝐞, T𝐞n, 𝐍e𝐯e𝐫 𝐭o b𝐞 𝐬e𝐞n a𝐠a𝐢n......'
And in the same breath she's attracted to the hotty barman of the club she's been frequenting with her bestie.
She's playing the juggling game, a father ravaged with cancer and she's taken it to pay his medical bills, how she does it is a secret she's afraid to reveal.
He's not who he seems, he's a bad boy with a angel on his shoulder, what he's hiding could land him in prison for life.
This kept me on my toes, little clues thrown throughout left behind like little breadcrumbs as we piece what the author slowly reveals to us. So many twists and turns which kept me on my toes.
Definitely go into this one blind, because there's so much to unpack in this book, twists and turns, dark and gritty, good and bad. -
3.5 stars rounded up! I LOVED the combination of dark romance and thriller, really enjoyed the ride.
I will say the author had me thoroughly confused for quite a bit during the book but ultimately I did predict the twist at the beginning of the book and the rest felt fairly predictable as well. However I genuinely loved the plot and thought it was great.
I did think there was quite a bit that felt… cheesy maybe? Also, realized I am for sure not a fan of some of the… kinks in this one but that’s not the books fault 😂 -
In the Shadows is live and FREE in Kindle Unlimited! If you love a dark, stalker, age gap full of 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶, plot twists, primal, breeding, and much more, then you'll enjoy In the Shadows. No third act breakup and an HEA. Check the TW/CW please on my website please.
If you preorder then you'll get the first chapter NOW.
Excerpt:
“Please,” she whispered. “Please don’t.” She swallowed excessively, terror twisting her features.
I moved off her bed, adrenaline rushing through my veins as I stood in front of her nightstand, blocking her access from the panic button located beneath the drawer.
“I’m a fair man, Ella, so I’ll make you a deal. If you can reach one of the alarm buttons in the other part of the house, I’ll leave you alone. You’ll be free of me. No more messages, no more sta.lking. I’ll move on.” Like that would ever happen, but giving her hope before I stripped it away was all part of the game. “And don’t even consider the alarm I’m standing in front of. That would be way too easy.”
She sat up and swung her legs off the bed. “Do I have your word? You’ll leave me alone? I’ll never hear from you again?” Little beads of sweat coated her forehead, her gaze darting toward the kitchen.
My mind raced with a dangerous intensity, teetering on the brink of uncontrollable desire. The sight of her consumed me, and my senses heightened to levels only matched by the rush of t/rturing a vi.ctim. I was devoured by a primal craving, coursing through my veins like a dr/g I couldn’t get enough of.
“Yes. But no more chit chat. Run, Ella. Run for your f/ck.ng life. I’ll even give you a head start.” -
What book did I get?!
Okay, so I'm in a slump, because this book's rating is almost 4.3 and I still hated it.
Or maybe I got screwed and for some reason I got another, less edited, overly long, unnecessarily contrived version?
I was engaged with the mystery at the beginning. But since it was pretty obvious, I soon tired of all the useless filler.
There was also the fact that I can't think of anything lamer than a serial killer singing a children's song.I whistled “London Bridge is Falling Down” as I walked to the back of the building where John was held.
Wait. Yes, yes I can. And that's having him justify his choice in his own head.The song was almost as dark as I was, but not quite. One theory suggested it referenced Viking attacks in the eleventh century. Another explained it was about entombing live children in the foundations of bridges to ensure they wouldn’t collapse.
The friends' justifications are... just... I can't even find the words for that level of stupid.
The ending was messed up. Imagine having the 'problem' the hero has and add to that the sleep depravation from taking care of twins? Recipe. For. Disaster.
Side note; people who have read this: how do you justify her cheating? And if her 'kinda not dating yet, but wanting to date' Sebastian is not cheating, then how are you okay with her leading him on? I won't give away "spoilers" (there was absolutely nothing impressive, new, or even interesting about them anyway), but the end result doesn't matter. What matters is what she knew at the time when she did what she did. That's cheating in my book.
Anywho, I'm out.
-
This book will suck you right in & the suspense will keep you f/wanting to put it down! Just when I thought I knew what was happening & had it figured out, I began questioning everything again.
I loved Ella. She was the light to Death’s darkness & was the only one to keep him grounded- to a point. Death was so hot, possessive & 1000% certifiably unhinged. God that scene in the woods was filthy hot. One minute this crazy man is talking filthy & screwing her brains out, the next he’s caring for her & is gentle. It’s freaking H.O.T! And sweet, kind hearted Sebastian! I loved him so much too!
This definitely isn’t a fairy tale romance! But it was wickedly good & will keep you dying of suspense until the very end. It’s got it all- serial killer, stalker, & a love triangle w/a surprising plot twist! -
this would have been a solid 3 or 4 but then she got pregnant
-
Therapy... there isn't a single character in this book that doesn't need it.
Why must authors try and overcomplicate dark romance books? There were so many intersecting lines that magically connected, my head spun. And I understand trying to make the characters and story dynamic, but I don't like being manipulated. The author purposely threw in random tidbits with the sole intention of misguiding their readers, and it really pissed me off.
And my rant can't NOT contain spoilers, so continue reading at your own risk: -
Ladies and Gentlemen, get ready for this book
5-star. CHEF'S KISS 💋
WOW! The spice level in this book. Holy $h!t....
It rocked my boat but good. 🥵
My lady bits are screaming!!!
Heck yesss!
Finally, a book that's got some super spicy scenes in it.
I love J A. Owenby's books.
She has done an outstanding job with this one
"STANDING OVATION " 👏👏
This book will pull you in, and the plot twist
When it gets to you. When you finally read it
When it finally hits that plot twist in the book.
It will hit you like a ton of bricks. !!
Boom!!!!
You will sit there with your mouth hanging open.
I PROMISE!!!
I am chomping at the bit. I want to tell it all.
I can't, though ..
I can you this.. You won't regret it..
Hop on to her website and preorder
I don't hand out Chef 💋 that often. 5 stars, yes!!
This book is so worth it.
Stalker
Possessive Alpha male. 🥵😈🫣
Protective/Jealous
My kinda man!! Ladies and Gentlemen, get ready for this book
5-star. CHEF'S KISS -
Holy wow! What a wild ride this was! Ella, Sebastian, and Death; all intertwined and not in the way that I expected. I often find that even dark romances don’t hold many surprises for me but J.A. Owenby really had me sitting here guessing who was who and what the heck was going on! Normally I feel like I guess the “twists and turns” of the plot of the dark romance genre but not this time 😂 and that’s a good thing! This book had it all. Thriller, horror/gore, spice, mental health rep, morally black and morally grey characters, a strong FMC. I really hope we get some more from the other characters in this book because I 👏🏼 am 👏🏼 addicted 👏🏼👏🏼😂
“Even Death deserved a Queen.” (BRB I’m kicking my feet squealing)
5 ⭐️ from me 🤤😍 -
Run as fast as you
can, little lamb.
This wolf is about to hunt you down
and devour you,”
Prepare to be captivated and consumed by the twisted allure of "In the Shadows" by the reigning monarch of dark romances, J.A. Owenby. This tale delves fearlessly into the depths of the human psyche, unearthing those sinister desires we dare not speak of, yet secretly harbour in the recesses of our souls.
From the very first page, Ms Owenby shatters the boundaries of conventional romance, thrusting readers into a realm where light and shadow converge in a chilling dance of seduction. Ella, our reluctant heroine, finds herself ensnared in this macabre ballet, navigating a labyrinth of passion and peril where every step teeters on the precipice of ecstasy and destruction.
J A Owenby's mastery lies in her ability to blur the lines between good and evil, weaving a tapestry of moral ambiguity that leaves readers breathless with anticipation. As the spine-tingling story unfolds, the kaleidoscope of emotions spins wildly, revealing a spectrum of hues that range from the blinding brilliance of love to the abyssal depths of despair.
At the heart of this dark symphony stands Death AKA Shadow Whisperer, a figure cloaked in mystery and menace, whose allure is as intoxicating as it is deadly. To divulge more would be to spoil the intoxicating journey that this author has crafted with such precision and skill.
"In the Shadows" is not merely a dark romance novel; it is an addiction, a siren song that beckons readers into its inky embrace, refusing to release its hold even after the final page is turned. Prepare to lose yourself in the shadows, for once you enter, there is no turning back. -
“Little lamb, you should know better than to replace in the presence of a wolf”
✨BOOK REVIEW✨
🔥 Book: In the Shadows
🔥 Author: JA Owenby
✨Overall: 6/5⭐️
✨Spice: 4/5🌶️
🩶EXCUSE ME, while I pick my jaw up off the floor!! This book was ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL. It is hands down the best book I’ve read this year. The suspense had me on my toes the entire book! I was addicted and could not put it down until it was finished. Just when I thought I’d figured it out, NOPE.
🩶For my dark romance besties, if you take any recommendations from me.. let this one be the one!🖤
🩶PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE check the triggers warning before reading.
🩸When you finally meet the monster hiding under your bed.
🩸One, two, I’m coming for you.
🩸She’s my obsession.
🩸Three, four, kneel on the floor.
🩸I want to possess her in every way.
🩸Five, six, I’m up to my old tricks.
🩸She knows me as The Portland Serial Killer.
🩸Seven, eight, lay in wait.
🩸Little does she know I’m watching her.
🩸Nine, ten, never to be seen again.
🔪Welcome to your worst nightmare, Little Lamb.
🔪Who am I? Let me introduce myself.
🔪I’m Death. And I have found my Queen. -
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Absolute perfection!
This book will drag you in and absolutely destroy you, but you will thank it when it’s finished with you like a good girl! 🥵
The suspense and the mystery through out the whole story is amazing it’s enough to keep you on edge and thinking trying to solve Death.
Even the epilogue just ties in perfectly giving that closure that you need.
I will 100% read again 😍 -
Managed to finish this in a day, purely because I couldn’t sleep so I thought I may as well finish 😂😂.
This was good though! I really enjoyed this one! I enjoyed everything about this. -
I don't know what to say......this book was so unexpected. I am still picking my jaw up off the floor after that sick twisted plot twist. Wow!!! This book definitely should come with a warning label. It has so many triggers in it. So be warned this book is not for the faint of heart and should be read with caution. So don't go in and read it and put a negative review, because you have been warned. It is full of darkness, and the sick twisted mind of a serial killer with a conscience.
Death is watching, so you best not do anything bad or he will be at your backdoor. Ella is full of light and is very loyal to her family and friends. But she has a secret of her own and she has caught Death's attention. He is watching and waiting to make his next move.
This story kept me enthralled till the very end. It is mysterious, yet sick and twisted. But yet you just can't put it down. It is like a train wreak....you just can't look away. It draws you in and captivates you. The sick and twisted mind of Death is scary and will shove fear down your throat at the same time it will turn you on.
This book is full of blood, gore, danger and murder. It is an edge of the seat read that you just can't put down till you complete the j0urney. It has a plot twist that is jaw dropping and very unexpected. It keeps you guessing throughout and the very ending has another unexpected twist that has you saying no way! I was completely blown away. This intense read is scary and exciting at the same time.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the dark and sinful romance times x 1000. It has all the key elements of a good smut read with a heavy dose of horror. Just be sure to check out the trigger warnings in advance. -
Oh. My. Fucking. God…. WOW
Where do i begin…this book was incredible and I literally have zero criticism. It’s definitely one of my top reads this year. The writing, the characters (thank god the characters was great), the plot and everything else was 10/10.
I really enjoyed this book, and i was hooked just from the first chapter until the very end.
This book is told from three different POVs: Ella as the FMC, Sebastian and Death as the MMCs.
Death is an unhinged serial killer running around the city. Who’s also Ella’s stalker.
Sebastian is the good guy. He’s loving, gentle, and protective. A total opposite from Death.
And Ella is a girl who work for a criminal attorney with a darkest desires and fantasies. Who apparently fall for both men.
“I’ll tell you who I am, little lamb. I’m the only man allowed to break you. I am your god, and you will bow and worship me.”
“Run as fast as you can, little lamb. This wolf is about to hunt you down and devour you,”
“ Embrace what’s inside you, little lamb. Embrace your darkness. As I’ve told you … we are the same.”
“You hide from the world, but I see you.”
Sweet baby Jesus… -
In The Shadows was breathtaking!
Ella is falling in love with two men.
One is pure light. Sebastian is the most loving, caring guy, and the way he is head over heels in love with Ella is heart melting!
The other is pure darkness. Death is demanding and controlling, and the way he is head over heels obsessed with Ella is panty dropping.
Going on the journey with Ella to figure out which love interest interests her the most is an intense journey! The twists and turns in this book had me squealing. I was impressed with the writing, the characters, the plot, and the spice!
I can't get enough of this book.
This book is definitely one I recommend if you like dark, psychologically thrilling, spicy romance! -
This book is dark, twisted, and will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end! The suspense of what would happen next kept me hooked, and I did not see the twists coming.
I loved the possessiveness, the push & pull, but most of all, I liked the light and dark from Ella and the mmc. Normally, you only see the dark of one and the light of another, but when they are mixed throughout the story and with both, its next level. The spice in this book was 🥵🔥!!
If you love stalker, suspense, dark and twisted, then you don't want to miss out on this amazing read! -
OMG this book is amazing!!!!!!!
Ella, goes out with her bff Cami and gets the attention of the bartender Sebastian 😜
Sebastian, sees a beautiful woman that he can’t and won’t let go of, even though he’s a very busy man, along with his friends Kip and Dope
Cami has a little ‘side’ job that gains the interest of ‘shadow whisperer’
But what happens when you realise things aren’t always what they seem?????
This book is not only amazingly written, but you’ll think you’ve worked it all out…..only to realise you were wrong 🤪 and talk about 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
A must read now!!!!! -
A must read!!
The most intense storyline I've read this year! To say I was drawn into this book hook, line and sinker is an understatement. I couldn't put this down! It is gloriously dark, twisted and so original. Nothing like anything I've read before.
The relationships between the characters are complex and intriguing. I was on the edge of my seat throughout as I immersed myself in this superbly written story. Highly recommended. 5 stars -
Dark, twisted, depraved, suspenseful, and mind-blowing, that is the best way to describe this story. There were so many times i thought i had an idea on who death was, but then something would come, and i would doubt myself. This was a definite rollar coaster ride that i wish would have never ended. This is so amazing and a definite must-read.
-
This book satisfied every desire. I love the dark guy, but my heart is also a sucker for the sweet one too. I found myself hardly able to put the book down because I just wanted to know what happened next. So many unknowns to discover, and my brain was here for it. Unlike anything I have read before!
-
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time!! Danger and curve balls lurk around every corner. I could not put this book down. I had been anxiously awaiting the release and it did not disappoint but instead exceeded all expectations and hope.
-
It’s very rare for me to read a book and not at least have some inkling of what’s going to happen next. In the Shadows was one of those ones that had me going “oh I know what’s going to happen” and then being ABSOLUTELY FUCKING WRONG!
I spent a chunk of this novel thinking I knew exactly who was going to be the big reveal, and boy was I wrong. Owenby did very well at spinning a twist I didn’t see coming.
Overall the novel was well written and the characters well developed. In the end I was cheering for the FMC in a way I didn’t expect from the beginning of the story.
Overall my rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 -
4 Stars
3.5 Chili Peppers
Tropes:
Age Gap
Stalker
Serial Unaliver
Praise
Degradation
Mulitple POV
Please check Trigger Warnings
"This aint no fucking fairy tale, Princess"
Have you ever read a book, and had to stop reading it, because you have to be an adult for a little while and take care of your responsibilities? But while you aren't reading, you can't help but think about said book, and wonder what will happen. No, well that was this book for me. I did not want to stop reading it, I needed to know how it was going to end.
Honestly, when I thought I figured it out, I didn't. I mean this is an exact representation of my face during certain parts:
I don't want to say much about this one because I don't want to give anything away. But trust me when I say this book will make you feel all the feels. There were times when I got angry, there were times when I wanted to yell at Ella. There were times when I found myself saying "aw
www."
Plus Sebastian has an Australian accent, if that doesn't want to make you want to read it, I don't know what will.
"Even Death deserved a Queen."
I have read a few of J.A. Owenby's books and I have to say, she is on my list of must-read authors. You do not want to miss this one.
Thank you to J.A. and The Author Agency for this ARC. -
Ladies and Gentlemen, get ready for this book
5-star. CHEF'S KISS 💋
WOW! The spice level in this book. Holy $h!t....
It rocked my boat but good. 🥵
I love J A. Owenby's books.
She has done an outstanding job with this one
"STANDING OVATION " 👏👏
This book will pull you in, and the plot twist
When it gets to you. When you finally read it
When it finally hits that plot twist in the book.
It will hit you like a ton of bricks. !!
Boom!!!!
You will sit there with your mouth hanging open.
I PROMISE!!!
I am chomping at the bit. I want to tell it all.
I can't, though ..
I can tell you this.. You won't regret it..
Hope on to her website and preorder
I don't hand out Chef 💋 that often. 5 stars, yes!!
This book is so worth it.
Possessive Alpha male. 🥵😈🫣
Protective/Jealous
Stalker 🥵🖤
My kinda man!! -
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Angst: 💔💔💔💔
Cliffhanger? ❌️
Do I recommend it? YES! But it is trigger heavy.
Tropes: dark stalker romance, age gap, romantic suspense, serial killer, kinks galore
When you finally meet the monster hiding under your bed. One, two, he’s coming for you. She’s his obsession. Three, four, kneel on the floor. He wants to possess her in every way. Five, six, he’s up to his old tricks. She knows him as The Portland Serial Killer. Seven, eight, lay in wait. Little does she know he’s watching her. Nine, ten, never to be seen again. Welcome to your worst nightmare, Little Lamb. Who am he? Let him introduce himself. He’s Death. And he has found his queen. Ella McCloud, you’re the flicker of light in his dark, dark world. The color in his grayscale existence. He yearns for Ella like the night yearns for the stars.
This story is definitely going on my top reads of 2024 list. If you are obsessed with dark romance, then it is your dark duty to add this to your shelf. This author weaved one hell of a detailed plot. There's a love triangle, mental health representation, multiple POVs, heat to scorch you, and enough angst to get your fix. The suspense had me riding the edge of my seat as I followed each twist and turn. It's rare that I'm unable to guess where the plot is heading, but I was caught completely off guard with the events that occurred. Simply put, I LOVED this story! This is my honest opinion, freely given. -
Reviewed by Robyn for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner
My first book by this author has left me stunned; this is such an absorbing storyline that engages your attention from the beginning until the very last page. I am definitely going to be looking into more books by this writer.
There are three points of view telling this story, and they all give essential information and insight into the different characters. Who is Death? It is a question that intrigues and makes you ponder it through the story. The suspense is fantastic, as is the romance between the leading characters.
The stalker gives readers a touch of mystery and unease; it did for me because he was getting inside Ella’s house! The topic of where a killer killing ‘evil’ people, therefore ridding the world of villains, comes up and is an interesting sideline. Then there’s the childhood trauma for a couple of the characters that ensures readers feel all the emotions.
This dark, twisted story is very entertaining, and I found it difficult to put down once I’d started.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
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