Haunting Adeline: Book 1 of 2: Cat & Mouse Duet

By H.D. Carlton

Book Overview

Instant NYT Bestseller
USA Today Bestseller
Viral Booktok Sensation

The Manipulator

I can manipulate the emotions of anyone who lets me.
I will make you hurt, make you cry, make you laugh and sigh.
But my words don't affect him. Especially not when I plead for him to leave.
He's always there, watching and waiting.
And I can never look away.
Not when I want him to come closer.

The Shadow

I didn't mean to fall in love.
But now that I have, I can't stay away.
I'm mesmerized by her smile, by her eyes, and the way she moves.
The way she undresses...
I'll keep watching and waiting. Until I can make her mine.
And once she is, I'll never let her go.
Not even when she begs me to.

While not required, it is highly suggested to read the novella, Satan's Affair, first.

Author's Note: This book ends on a cliffhanger. For CWs, please check the author's website.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1638932468
• ISBN13: 9781638932468
• Release Date: August 2024
• Publisher: Zpn
• Length: 624 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.8" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Dark, uh, smut with a side of comedy and mystery.

2.5* stars. Review summary: Despite the amateurish prose in the beginning, Adeline's annoying behavior like a petulant teenager, and questionable pleasures, there is heart in Haunting Adeline and growth within its pages. Not necessarily of the characters, but growth nonetheless. The great spooky atmosphere, the cheesy horror movie vibes, and both Zade and Adeline's investigations are worth your time. Just make sure to check the trigger warnings on the author's website first. Full review: I'm not even sure how to start this review. I really liked the mystery aspect, even though by the first quarter of the 600-page book I already had a pretty good guess of who did the crime in the past, or who was involved, and was later proven right on both accounts. I still loved the mystery and learning the details of what happened. The conclusion was satisfying, but I feel like it was wrapped up in a rush. The prose in the beginning was rough. The atmosphere was fantastic, very creepy, but the inner dialogue of the characters was pretty hilarious at times. I've read some reviews that said they found the writing cheesy; I found it just funny, like it was purposefully comedic to break up some of the tension without damaging the atmosphere. Despite that, for the first 2/3 of the book, I felt like I was reading a roughly written fan fiction. By chapter 25, more detail was added, making things feel a bit fuller and less cliché. Addie, the female main character, felt like a sorority girl who discovered alcohol for the first time. I swear I don't think there was a scene where she did not have a drink by her side or had just finished one. She also had the self-awareness to know that she was stupid, that her actions were stupid; even her best friend said as much, yet... it gave me dumb blonde in a horror movie vibes. She's not blonde. But with the heavy material, I felt like the super average, "I'm not like other girls" shtick was overdone. I'm pretty sure her best friend Daya had the only common sense in the entire book. I liked Daya. I like this book as a whole because, nearing the end, the writing did get a lot better, and once the smut was more consensual between parties, it even got better. That first scene, and y'all know what I'm talking about if you read it, just gave me the ick, but the Satan's Affair Hall of Mirrors scene I loved. And for those that enjoy the less consensual scenes, you do you; no judgment, it's just not for me. There were also minor leaps in what the characters inferred that, as a reader, we knew, but they shouldn't have, which took me out of the story a bit. IF, I did not like this book, I would not have stuck out all 600 pages, so I hope this does not come off as a hate review. I liked the book, I feel like the bad overshadowed the good a lot. The plot was compelling, mainly the cold case of Gigi's death and Zade's investigation on his side of things. Hopefully, the next book, Hunting Adeline, will carry on with the better prose and fuller-feeling plot that the end of Haunting Adeline had. Also, having more of Zade's point of view.

A new favorite for me

Haunting Adeline is the kind of dark romance that grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go. I loved every minute of it. The tension between Adeline and Zade is unsettling in the best way, and the book balances psychological suspense with emotional intensity so well that I kept turning pages long after I meant to stop. What really stood out to me was how the story layers mystery, obsession, and gothic atmosphere without ever losing momentum. The dual POV adds a sharp edge — Adeline’s fear and curiosity contrasted with Zade’s relentless devotion creates a dynamic that’s disturbing yet completely addictive. It’s a page‑turner through and through, the kind of book that pulls you back in because you have to know what happens next. If you enjoy dark, morally grey romance with a thriller backbone, this one delivers.

I have a love hate for this book

I just got done reading Aiden Pierce's Lord of Bones books and hopped right into this one looking for another depraved love story. This one would absolutely be the next book to read but its missing something for me. I like adeline as a person but can't stand her at times in this book. She contradicts herself every other chapter. She likes being stalked secretly but hates the guy for making her realize these dark fantasies shes into. She wants him to stop all of this but is to much of a sassy mouthed brat to stop provoking him? And there are so many coincidences that kind of makes the storyline....is predictable the word I'm looking for? Don't get me wrong. I can't put this book down. I've finished 1/2 the book in 2 days and already bought the next book. It's a great Gothic romance. I'd recommend it to people into dark erotica because this is not for weak stomach people. Some of the scenes are.....much...for most. Overall I give it a 7.5/10 so far.

Loved it!

This book ends on a cliffhanger. Boy does it ever! 😮 First off, what!? And second, what? I understand some people may not like this book. Then I also understand some may love this book. I completely love this book! Yes, there are some parts that are a lot. I say its 18+ only but 21+ may be better. But, the real monsters are getting their butts handed back to them! Zade is something else... yes, and that makes him Zade. I'll admit though I was a little scared to start this because of other reviews but I was already hooked when he began his types of interrogations. Then little gifts were being delivered 🤭 Then he met Adeline and it was all full force by then! Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Just because the mystery with Gigi, the things Zade had to get involved with to do his job, and of course Adeline in the middle of all of this.

Excellent book delivery, Dissapointed in the story

Didn't finish it yet, I'm in the middle of the story and so far it's been a hard read for me. The writing tries to be dark and atmospheric but it doesn't quite land. The characters don't really have any depth despite the backstories and the "explanations" on what they do. The author of this book decided to make the psycho stalker a "good man" by making him fight against "trafficking" apparently. Too edgy, doesn't feel real, the protagonist is dumb, the spicy scenes are stupid. Horrible dark romance author. Even Fifty Shades of Grey was better written than this.

Good book

Good books just definitely 18× not for the faint of heart its a good book full of twist and turns i love Addy and her stocker didnt live the rape and other content but once things calm down they made a good power couple. He truly loves Addy

Not As Good As I Hoped

A Very Long Read. I Was Expecting A Naughtier Book. This Had More Of A Storyline. It Was Still Good Though. I Will Read The Second One.

The disclaimer doesn't even cover it.

The front of the book has a disclaimer and it doesn't let you know that it promotes rape and stalking as okay because the perpetrator is rich, a vigilante, and attractive.

Spicy Dark Stalking

It is definitely something I'm going to get the next book for!! I read reviews saying it starts out slow, but it wasn't dull. There was plenty going on.

all kinds of crazy

Wow!!!! I bought the second book when I got half way with this one!!!!! At first, I wasn't going to finish reading it because it was all kinds of crazy but I fell in love with the characters. The characters in this book are INTENSE to say the least along with the RELATIONSHIPS!!! The author made great connections in her story!!! Good plot!!! The author made it so you were able to follow each event that was going on. I got to the point where I had to finish this book!!!!!!!!!! Just wow!!!!! I need a mental break before starting the next book!!!! Lets not forget the scenes ONLY adults should be reading! Mindblowing!!!!

Amazing read!!

Found this series on BookTok and had to order. I can NOT put it down! Definitely agree with the recommendation to check the trigger warnings and 'check your sanity at the door' 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️! 10/10 amazing series!