I was so surprised by this book! I didn’t go into it with any expectations and I’m glad because it made me enjoyed the book even more. I loved the romance between Dawson and Èmilia! Also the one between Taylor and Bronson, I hope we get to see more of them in the next book. The way the past timeline was done was very interesting and helped keep me invested. I’m excited for the next book and seeing how the story will continue!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!

While I had high hopes for Death is Only The Beginning, it unfortunately did not work for me. As a reader, I found the story disjointed and confusing, to the point where it was hard to stay engaged and was forcing myself to read it. Most of my confusion came from the author switching between first and third person POV within chapters, as well as Nathaniel's chapters being titled with Liza's name. As I read more, the reason for this began to make sense, but it unfortunately wasn't clear until about 70% of the way through as we learned more about the magic/fantasy elements of the story and I wish we had gotten more info about the magical world that the author was building from earlier on in the book. Additionally, the writing style would switch from being more basic and straightforward to more fluffed up. I appreciate that the author was trying to be more poetic in their descriptions at times, but rather than enhancing the story, it made me feel like the story was dragging on and inconsistent.
When I requested this book, the description and categories originally listed this book as sci fi & fantasy/erotica, while it's now only displayed as erotica. I also wish some of the tropes, like erotic lactation, had been listed in the description upfront before requesting so I would've known I wasn't interested.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Staff Pick: Summary.

Death is Only the Beginning took me by surprise—in the best way. For a book shelved as erotica, the writing is elegant, layered, and genuinely moving, with a dual-timeline structure that gives the love story real depth. Yes, it’s dark, sexy, and dangerous, but it’s also beautifully written—proving that erotica can deliver both heat and heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Acacia Warmerdam’s Death is Only the Beginning is a sweeping dark romance that blends myth, magic, and mid-century into a haunting dual-timeline narrative. Both devastating and addictive, it’s a novel that lingers long after the last page.

The story unfolds across two timelines: in the 1950s, Èmilia struggles to reconcile the her feelings for Dawson, her lifelong best friend, and no longer step brother.
In the past, a mythic echo of Liza as she faces gods, curses, and sacrifice in a tale that mirrors and foreshadows the present. Warmerdam weaves these strands together with precision, so that each moment of desire, hesitation, and heartbreak in one timeline resonates in the other.

For readers of dark romance, this novel delivers exactly what the genre promises: passion edged with danger, intimacy born from years of starvation, and a love story that feels both inevitable and ruinous. Èmilia and Dawson’s slow burn is charged with longing, while the mythological backdrop raises the stakes to life-and-death proportions.

Though the book contains difficult themes—these are handled with care and purpose. Rather than sensationalism, Warmerdam uses them to explore resilience, survival, and the ways love can both wound and heal.

What truly surprised me was the quality of the prose. For a book categorized under erotica, I expected the focus to lean heavily on spice alone, but instead I found thoughtful, lyrical writing and a narrative depth that elevates the genre. The erotic elements are powerful, yes, but they are woven into a story of myth, trauma, and desire with skill that makes the book feel far richer than many titles in this space.
I don't normally give 5 stars for Erotica, but this one earned it.

Richly atmospheric, deeply emotional, and unapologetically dark, Death is Only the Beginning will appeal to readers of Scarlett St. Clair, Katee Robert, and Sarah J. Maas, as well as anyone who enjoys romance that embraces both passion and peril. This is a book that understands love is not always gentle—it can be consuming, dangerous, and transformative.

4.25 ⭐️

I really enjoyed this book, it had me hooked right from the beginning! I liked the two different storylines and seeing how they intertwined, it was interesting learning about Èmilia’s powers and the journey she’ll have to take through the book/past timeline. I loved the romance between Èmilia and Dawson, I loved how Dawson was with her after he finally let the last of his wall down to finally be with her! I can’t wait to continue this series and see where it’ll go!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“Too Much Tension”? That’s the Point

Some reviewers complained about “too much sexual tension.” To which I say: have you met dark romance? The entire genre thrives on “oh no we shouldn’t” followed by 400 pages of “but we’re definitely going to.” Èmilia and Dawson take that slow burn and marinate in it. It’s frustrating, it’s delicious, and it makes the eventual payoffs hit ten times harder. Which was page 115 of 350 something so like as slow burns go it was just right.

I could title a chapter. I hope the author sees this, please steal my chapter title.

Two Timelines, Twice the Drama


People also said they were confused by the dual storyline. Personally, I loved it. It’s like having two soap operas running side by side, except instead of evil twins and secret inheritances, we’ve got curses, gods, reincarnation, and forbidden love across centuries. The 1950s storyline gives us retro notebook vibe and a best-friends-to-lovers arc full of longing. The mythological timeline says, “Cool, now let’s raise the stakes by adding a lonely king and a war nurse who wants nothing to do with him.” I mean that's how I felt. Maybe Liza really did not Natty, but my jury is still out. The ending Helene said something rather foreboding that had me smiling instead of probably crying.

It’s not confusing—it’s like binge-watching two seasons of the Bridgeton at once, and trust me, it’s worth it.

Spoilers, Because We’re All Grown-Ups Here

Èmilia? Secret Goddess, witch, and walking ball of repressed power. Dawson? Protective, stubborn, and a man so hopelessly in love that he literally worries he’ll combust if she kisses him. Their romance is slow because it has to be—they’ve got family matters (pun intended), magic, and fate itself trying to pull them apart.

By the time we get to The Ceremony, all bets are off. Desire, blood, magic—it’s where the timelines blur so hard you’re not sure if you’re reading myth or reality, but either way it’s hot.

And Dawson’s confession? “I want you more than I want to breathe.” Sir, please. Take my soul while you’re at it.

The Dark Romance Vibes

Yes, there are triggers—assault, violence, betrayal—but they’re written with care, not shock value. And honestly, if you come into a dark romance expecting sunshine and puppy love, that’s like walking into a horror movie and getting mad there are people inside the wax mannequins.

This book understands that love can be both salvation and ruin, and it leans into that beautifully.

Final Thoughts

Death is Only the Beginning is messy, gorgeous, tragic, and sexy—the perfect cocktail for dark romance readers. It’s a story about how love repeats, how desire refuses to die, and how sometimes letting someone ruin you is the only way to feel whole.

Also, Dawson deserves a medal for “longest time a man has been in love without combusting.”

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Dark, Layered Romantasy.

This is the kind of story that leaves a lasting impression long after the final page. Death is Only the Beginning (Explicit) combines spicy romance, mythology, trauma, and longing into a sweeping narrative that feels both intimate and epic. It at times had an Emma vibe.
So I think the Author just needs to find the right target Audience and I am not sure NetGalley was doing that for her.

Some readers have commented that there is “too much” sexual tension, or that the dual narrative is confusing. I had the opposite experience. The tension between Èmilia and Dawson is deliberate—it builds slowly, and that restraint makes the eventual release much more powerful. Their relationship is defined by years of history, missed chances, and unspoken desire, and that depth requires space to unfold. Also now that I think about it the step brother trope was rather soft compared to the others I have read. It was more like Clueless, which funny enough ties into Emma.
I was reading the Netgalley reviews and so glad I read it instead.
I mean with how much the world is loving Conrad suffering and Belly's bad choices that kept them apart for years I figured the reviews for the tension would be spot on. But Again the world has shocked me. (Insert Eye roll) Tiktok just needs to find this book.

As for the dual storylines, they complement one another rather than compete. The modern 1950s setting and the mythological echoes create a mirror effect, showing how patterns of love, loss, and sacrifice repeat themselves. And I have a feeling the fates have there hands in the story more than you think.
I got the Pdf which was beautiful (will be buying a hard copy) and I felt the transition between the two stories was done well with he black pages and Liza's moon. Maybe the E-book is different, but I cant imagine that you would miss the whole prospective change if you were paying attention.
I mean it literally goes from Narrative to first person.
Maybe that's throwing people but the author literally says "PS: This is an odyssey, so it is okay to be confused. Remember, this is two stories in one book."
To me it was far from being confusing, but I real Dual POV often, it gave the story additional weight and meaning.

Random things I loved: The Chapter titles were spectacular, also the Prose for the whole book was just beautiful. Almost to pretty for such a dirty book by the end. Haha.

"Their breath mixed with slow heaves, each inhale laced with anticipation from years of treading this line. Their eyes looked longingly at each other as if both were asking what to do next. Neither moved, but everything between them felt on the verge of breaking as Èmilia fell into the void of his eyes."
Ugh by this point I was clutching the book, kicking my legs and screeching. (Yes I am a straight man)

Spoiler Section: There are fully described Spicy scenes but not until over halfway through the book, so the slow burn was burning.

⚠️ Spoilers ahead ⚠️

The novel doesn’t shy away from dark subject matter. Èmilia’s assault at the hands of Johnathan is a pivotal moment, written in a way that captures both horror and her slumbering powers (Ps. her birthday party was magical). It is painful to read, but it is not gratuitous, and it becomes the turning point for Èmilia’s magic and her emotional journey.
The pain, the silence, and the aftermath all shape her interactions with Dawson and explain much of the tension between them. It also explains why something else go it the way. (I think it was the fates for sure!)

Dawson, meanwhile, is torn between desire, loyalty, and a need to protect her, even when it means holding himself back. Their slow-burn dynamic—the near-kisses, the arguments, the moments of almost giving in—reflect the complexities of forbidden love and the fear of consequences.
Yes I was also over it, but isnt that the point. The Author made me feel as piss off as Dawson, and the scene at the beach where Dawson stood with the Icecream had me screaming. "Move you dumb ass!"
And Bronson (her cousin) pointing out that Dawson was watching her and not the fireworks was chefs kiss.

When they finally come together, it feels both inevitable and a shock to high society, which is exactly what makes it so effective as dark romance.

The later chapters—particularly The Ceremony and Snow on Fire—are some of the most powerful, bringing together themes of sacrifice, forbidden intimacy, and the cost of survival. These moments cement the novel as more than just a romance. The writing was so detailed with out repetition that it was easy to get lost in the book.

Triggers and Tropes

The author clearly lists the potential triggers up front, which I appreciated. While the content includes sexual assault, torture, pregnancy loss (off-page), and other heavy themes, I did not find them overwhelming. They are not included for shock value.
Readers unfamiliar with the darker side of romance may find these elements jarring, but within the genre, they are handled thoughtfully.

The tropes—friends to lovers, royalty, stepbrother romance, secret baby, unrequited love—are woven together well, and I cant wait to see what the next book gives us since we know there are other books Emilia has to read besides Liza's.

Also, I am saying it now. I am not a fan of Nathaniel, he is okay and the love story had me only on Liza's side. I want to know how she feels. How could he go 6 years without looking for her, without asking about her, without knowing who she married. I think he was a morally gray, but the small things the Author wrote him saying makes me think that he is going to do some crazy stuff later.

Also the end gutted me. I really loved all the charters so that was traumatic.

Final Thoughts

Death is Only the Beginning (Explicit) is a dark, slow-burn romance that balances myth and reality, trauma and intimacy.

This is not a story about quick resolutions or tidy love stories. It is about the persistence of desire through hardship, the way the past shapes the present, and the costs of loving deeply in a world that punishes vulnerability.

For readers who enjoy dark romance with mythological undertones, this is an excellent choice.

This book did grab my attention. I was bored and a little confused. I ened up DNFing this one. The cover is really pretty though.

I really enjoyed getting to read this book, it had that adult element that I was wanting and enjoyed the romance of this. I enjoyed the friends to lovers and how this uses the mythology that I was wanting in this type of book. Acacia Warmerdam was able to weave a strong storyline and was glad I was able to read this.

This book had a lot of missed potential in terms of the story and world building. Upon reading the first few chapters, I noticed that the author spent more time developing the romantic tension between the leads , or rather, repeating it so much it became irritating after a few chapters, and they seemingly only remembered the plot of the book after 6 chapters of painfully reading sexual tension that could have been several chapters shorter. I am aware that this is erotica, something that the synopsis did a horrible job at portraying together with the fact that this is a high fantasy story (the thing that drew me to this book was the synopsis and the promise of a story that wove through the past and the present, (well, as present as you can get in the 1950s) but is difficult to reconcile when for some reason the two leads are always talking about how they want to jump each other but it's forbidden) and I was rather intrigued at how the author would incorporate the story and erotica in the same breath, but I should've known 😔. I may give this a proper full read later on after the book releases but in the meantime, it's probably 1 star for me.


EDIT: In the few hours since I came up with this review, I noticed that the publisher changed the cover from the original one to one most likely generated by AI. As a result, I will not be publishing any reviews of the book online, even after release.

Spoiler-Free
Death Is Only the Beginning by Acacia Warmerdam

Erotica/Romance/Sci-Fantasy


I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Death Is Only the Beginning is an engaging fantasy romance that delves into themes of rebirth, destiny, and the intertwining of mortal and divine realms. I loved the parallels between two different forbidden romances—it added depth and tension to the story while highlighting the characters’ struggles and growth.

Warmerdam's writing is immersive, blending elements of mythology with contemporary settings to create a world that feels both familiar and otherworldly. The character development is compelling, with the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and empowerment at the forefront. The narrative is paced well, balancing moments of introspection with action and intrigue.

While the book introduces complex concepts and a rich backstory, it remains accessible to readers new to the genre. I would personally have preferred the story without certain triggers, though they do make sense within the narrative. The romance elements are thoughtfully integrated, adding depth to the characters’ relationships without overshadowing the central plot.

Overall Takeaway: Death Is Only the Beginning is a promising start to the Goddesses in the Moon series. It offers a captivating blend of fantasy and romance, with a strong female lead, engaging forbidden romances, and a plot that keeps readers invested.

I was unsure what to expect with this book, but I’m genuinely surprised. I loved the parallels of two different forbidden romances going hand and hand. It led to foreshadowing and a dynamic read. At the start Emmy and Dawson lowkey were driving me insane. The constant alternating between hate and love felt never ending, however that’s probably just a me thing. The writer did amazing keeping high sexual tension, desire, yearning, and a slow burn going for all to enjoy.

Her magic was by far one of the most intriguing journeys to unravel. Each time I was sure I figured out the situation another layer peeled back shocking me more. Everyone knows there is a perfect balancing act between good/evil and life/death. To use her magic it always comes at a price. Who knows how detrimental that price might be.

I’m stoked for the next book to see where this continues. I was genuinely saddened by the ending and wanted it to end on high note. This for sure has me hooked to read the second book.

P.S- Please read the trigger warnings. There were multiple moments this book could become a bit much for some readers.

First of all, I love the premise of this book. It's definitely interesting and flows beautifully. I really enjoyed the characters and the tension and emotions between them, especially Emilia and Dawson. I'm not usually a fan of friends to lovers, but their yearning gripped me. Right off the bat, there were so pretty triggering scenes in the book, so I would definitely recommend that everyone who wants to read it looks at the trigger warnings first. Despite initially loving the book, I decided the triggers were too much for me and ultimately will not be finishing. However, I don't want that to reflect poorly on this book. If you like the premise, I would highly suggest you give it a try!

This book had such an intriguing premise dual timelines, a dash of mythology, a forbidden romance, and plenty of emotional weight. I really liked how the author wove together the 1950s socialite setting with ancient myth and reincarnation themes. The emotional pull between the characters, especially the forbidden love element, was compelling, and I appreciated how the story explored grief, memory, and destiny.

That said, I struggled with the pacing. While the premise hooked me early on, the middle dragged quite a bit, and I found myself losing momentum. Some scenes felt stretched out more than necessary, and the overall length made it harder to stay fully invested. I think the impact of the story would have been stronger if it had been a little more tightly edited.

It’s still a beautiful, haunting concept with some genuinely moving moments I just wish it had been delivered in a way that kept the tension and energy consistent throughout.

"With life comes death. With pain comes healing. A balance in power... there must be a take to be able to give."

This book takes you on two separate journeys of very powerful women, learning to become comfortable in their own skin, of which is not just ordinary human skin. It is a tale of love, greed, deire, loss, grief, power and sacrifice. We get two timelines, one in the past involving a King and his forbidden love interest, and another with our female main character and HER forbidden love interest. Both stories intertwine and connect perfectly, making up the perfect plot for this book. This book will leave you questioning, unable to put it down. You will believe that you know everything there is to know, but will be hit with more and more as the story gets crazier and the stakes get higher.

Our main character has never felt comfortable with herself, she's always had more questions than answers until she stumbles upon a black book, which she can only read while asleep. This book explains everything. With a new found purpose, she seeks Dawson Knight, her childhood best friend/ex step-brother to assist her in training as she prepares for a life-altering and life-threatening battle.
This was such a fun read. I was just as curious about Nathaniel and Liza as Emilia was. This book gives and gives, leaving you speechless by the end. Highly recommend this one! It's almost like a dark, adult fairytale.