We start with Millicent "Millie" Foxboro, who is leaving her current job to take a new position helping Professor Hughes at his estate; he is a recent widow and is still grieving. His estate, Willowfield, is in disrepair, and a home of a reformer grandeur creates the gothic gloomy setting for the book. As she becomes more involved in the professor's life and work, Millie draws herself into a web of secrets.

Millie's character has a very active imagination. She is also a tale of sadness and isolation. The ghost of a woman haunts her, and she hears voices. You spend most of the book wondering if she is losing her mind or if someone is trying to make her lose her mind. You start to think everyone is a suspect and look for a motive. The novel's strength lies in its atmospheric setting and ability to weave romance and mystery elements.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op.

I had read so many raving reviews about The Cruel Dark, so I was thrilled when I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Cruel Dark was a hauntingly beautiful gothic romance that took place in the year 1928. The story surrounds Millie, who is hired as the assistant to Professor Hughes at his estate. There is mystery, intrigue, angst, and dark romance in this story. I loved the relationship development between Millie and Callum, and found myself fascinated by the story line. The prose was almost lyrical and the author did a wonderful job at drawing an image of the scenery. Though I wasn’t sure what to expect from Callum at the beginning, I grew to love the various sides of him (including the 🌶️ side). There were several plot twists; however, due to a great deal of foreshadowing, several of them I had expected. Nonetheless, this was an enchanting read that takes you on a historical journey. Would definitely recommend if you’re into dark gothic romance with some mystery/thriller 🖤

The Cruel Dark by Bea Northwick is a stunning gothic romance story.
The phenomenal writing and rich setting made for an intriguing story.
The mystery and romance was done so well. I was engaged from the very beginning.
This was a pretty awesome book with great writing, awesome dialogues and characters.

Thank You NetGalley and Victory Editing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This was a very interesting book for me, it was my first gothic type mystery and I'm not disappointed at all.
It was an amazing, quick read an I definitely recommend it!

This was an entertaining and easy read, if not a predictable. I enjoyed the atmospheric writing and the eerie setting, but I found the characters lacking in substance a bit. They were just a bit flat and I wasn’t full engaged in their dynamic because of this. But it was a quick read, nonetheless.

Title: The Cruel Dark by Bea Northwick
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Release date: October 31st 2024

Millicent Foxboro is haunted by her troubled past and uncertain future. In 1928, finding a job is tough, especially after spending two months in a mental ward for traumatic amnesia. When she lands an unusual assistantship with a reclusive mythology professor, Callum Hughes, offering a high salary, she reluctantly accepts.

However, Millie soon finds that Hughes and his decaying estate, Willowfield, are not what she expected. Once vibrant, the house is now in ruins following the death of the professor’s wife. Only three staff members remain, undeterred by rumours of ghosts. The professor is a grim and intense man with unpredictable moods and desires that awaken Millie’s own passions.

As Millie becomes more entangled with Hughes and his eerie world of flowers and folklore, she realises the house is closing in on her, threatening to expose her secrets. But the professor has his own hidden truths, and the most dangerous one is yet to be uncovered.

The Cruel Dark by Bea Northwick started slow but gradually picked up pace, and I was immersed in its gothic themes and intriguing plot.

Millie's journey from desperation to unraveling the mysteries of Willowfield and its enigmatic owner is captivating. Millicent Foxboro and Professor Callum Hughes are both deeply flawed and intriguing. Millie’s struggle with her traumatic past and the professor’s brooding intensity made for an interesting dynamic. The slow-burn romance between Millie and Callum was electrifying. The tension and eventual connection between them were expertly crafted, making their relationship both believable and enthralling.

I loved the blend of folklore, mythology, and the supernatural added layers of intrigue. The mystery surrounding the professor’s past and the secrets hidden within Willowfield kept me guessing until the very end.

If you enjoy gothic-themed novels with a mix of romance and mystery, this book is a must-read.

This is a must read fans of dark, atmospheric tales that keep you on the edge of your seat! It’s a captivating journey that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I highly recommend it to all gothic romance enthusiasts.


Thank you to The Publisher Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op ,The Author Bea Northwick & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.