"Fruit of the Flesh" by I.V. Ophelia is a darkly seductive gothic romance, perfect for readers who crave morally entwined lovers and an intoxicating dance of predator and prey. This is a story where revenge and desire collide, creating an atmosphere that is both haunting and irresistibly alluring.

While I’ve read my fair share of macabre literature, gothic romance in this capacity is relatively new to me. As someone venturing into this genre for the first time, I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction. "Fruit of the Flesh" has absolutely convinced me to add gothic romance to my library.

This book ticked every box I was looking for at the moment:
☆ Marriage of convenience
☆ Moral ambiguity
☆ Historical fiction
☆ Seduction and yearning
☆ Proper BDSM practices, especially consent
☆ Mystery
☆ And (unexpectedly!) inappropriate use of clay

I didn’t realize I’d be into that last one, but here we are.

I.V. Ophelia’s writing is like seamless poetry and simply phenomenal. Her ability to capture the essence of a moment feels almost artistic, like watching a painting slowly take form. Every word is deliberate, and every scene is drenched in atmosphere, making the story both captivating and unforgettable. I cannot wait for this to be published, and I will be looking forward to more of I.V. Ophelia's work.

Most anticipated book of the year and I’m a little underwhelmed. 2.5stars.

Sure this book had romance but I wouldn’t call it a romance book, Thriller yes romance no.
The characters are 2D we really don’t get much from them at all we don’t even learn about their backgrounds until 97% into the book like damn would have been nieces for it to come a little earlier.
Her mysterious illness ? The one she was born with which is hinted at throughout the book isn’t even mention only mixed in with what happened to her as a child which I understand might have made it worse but more context would have been nice.

The premise of the book had me sold, yes marriage of convenience ( but it’s not like she did this behind her parents back? They allowed her to? Like wut. And he married her to for the fame to help his career but we don’t get any of that? Just a few scenes at his warehouse where he sculpts and his landlord harassing him.
He married into money but we don’t see any of it? We get alot of descriptive details of her fine dresses and he got one paragraph for one event.

All in all this fell short. This could have easily been a duology with all the details but it just felt rushed, the chemistry between them could have expanded into something more deeper but it feels like we got cut off.

All in all if you like the mysterious and being left a little wanting this book is for you.

This book is an absolute work of art. The suspense, the drama, the ANGER was written perfectly. The atmosphere was hauntingly beautiful, following the moths with their ominous presence fluttering innocently.

In the book you follow Petronille and Arkady at they navigate their new marriage with one another. The story is set in the gilden age of New York. Petronille is a fierce personality and an even sharper tongue, her opposite is her husband with his logical responses that matches her wit. They’re a match made in hell, quite frankly. I loved when her bratty attitude took light and Arkady was quick to play with her.

“Someone like me had to be with someone who sharpened the mind, for I was a knife and she was a water stone. Opposite but useful together.” Screaming crying, cause I love them so much!

The use of BDSM was beautiful and respectful it is described perfectly with the exchange of trust between these two. It isn’t made to be a quick “sexy” scene but a moment of vulnerability and respect. The vibe of waiting for the other shoe to drop had my anxiety skyrocketing in the best way. The small Easter eggs through out the book were DELISH, it was like putting together a macabre puzzle.

The visuals and symbolism were stunning:

“I consider haste a sin. I can appreciate the patience it takes to wait for something. To wait until it’s ripened to perfection.”

“I balled my fists in her wet blouse, squeezing her against me like it would be possible to just absorb her there, two pieces of wet clay kneaded together.”
.
This quickly became one of my favorite reads of 2025. Thank you so much to the author and NetGalley for the approval to read an ARC!

Fruit of the Flesh is an atmospheric masterpiece of gothic romance, rife with both the haunting beauty expected of the genre and the tender details of a twisted love. I was sucked into this story from the beginning -- as the relationships evolve, the mystery only grows, leading the reader through a maze of shadowed history, unreliable narration, and seductive danger. I adored Arkady and Petronille's marriage, and their desire and understanding of the other's corrupted needs. Ophelia writes with a unique and bewitching voice, grabbing the reader by the throat and only letting them go with the final line (and even then, still holding a piece captive).

I'll be thinking about this one for ages. So beautiful and deliciously dark.

A story brimming with lush gothic elements, suspense, and a mystery that will send a chill straight down your spine.

Petronille is an ex ballerina forced to choose a husband. To get a dig in at her toxic family, she selects the lowly starving artist, Arkady, who’s been working on her families property.

Although the newlyweds are vastly different, they can’t deny there’s a magnetic pull and curiosity about one other that continually draws them together. One has morbid muses, and the other an unhealthy obsession with stone fruit. You have to read to find out what I mean!

I remained unsettled and uneasy from start to finish. There’s a heavy sense of dread and dark secrets unshared from both main characters.

I really enjoyed the relationship between the mc’s. We’re gifted delightful banter and physical exploration with respect and boundaries.

I adore when a book makes me feel like I’ve unraveled a mystery a bit, but then the author quickly rewinds it, and continues to leave me questioning the truth!

All the books revelations were shocking!
I will read everything this author graces us with!

I've been wanting to read I.V. Ophelia for some time now and I was fortunate enough to read an early copy of Fruit Of The Flesh and OMGGGGG!!! Why haven't I given her books a read way sooner. This was the most beautiful gothic romance that I've ever read. I.V. Ophelia truly has a way with word. Her writing style is out of this world. The plot. The characters. The romance. Everything was just so perfect. This is one of those books that really grabs your attention and makes you yearn for more. I am completely blown away at how good this book was.

I will be recommending this to every single person I know and I'll definitely be giving I.V. Ophelia's other book a read. 10/10!!!

Heat Index: 8/10

—genuinely macabre, and genuinely a romance

—Gilded Age darkness

—marriage of convenience but they're both sickos (complimentary(

The Basics:

Petronille De Villier, a former ballerina, chooses to marry struggling sculptor Arkady Kamenev—a man she doesn't even know—to defy her parents and escape her family. Arkady takes her up on it because, well, he could use the money and connections. But as the two slowly get to know each other, they recognize in one another similar tastes. And maybe those tastes might have something to do with a mysterious disappearance or two...

The Review:

I am someone who actually loves a good dark romance—I just need it to be good. And I tend to find that gothic-adjacent dark romances, hard as they can be to find, are more likely to be good than "a random man is subjecting me to his Dark and Twisted Mind". The Gilded Age is the perfect setting for something a little gothic, a little spooky, and rather on the dark side—without necessarily venturing into the paranormal. If you enjoyed Crimson Peak, this is going to give you similar vibes, but with a lot more romance and a lot less of the supernatural. Just normal(ish) human horrors!

Ophelia plunges you right into the action with Arkady and Petronille's wedding. Though the thing is, there isn't that much "action' on the page—outside the bedroom. And that's not a critique. The reveals and twists unfold methodically, in a way that truly does feel true to a gothic story. It reads as if you're walking down a corridor at night with only a candle to get you. There may not be constant, high-octane adventure, but you're still on the edge of your seat waiting to uncover the truth.

And the thing is, the other part of the action is really Arkady and Petronille's unfolding relationship. For her, it's true convenience. She needs to get away from her family (this book has, quite easily, one of the worst pairs of parents I've ever read about) and she's willing to do whatever is necessary. Having sex with the man she's exchanged two sentences with in order to seal the deal? Sure. She's going to lie back and think of England (they are, to be clear, in New York).

But Arkady won't accept that. He's intrigued by Petronille, and he turns out to kind of be an all or nothing guy when it comes to thing that intrigue him. Yet he doesn't push like a Dogged Nice Guy. He hangs back. He teases. He lures. This is a seduction of a novel—and Petronille's seduction is physical, for sure, but it's also emotion and mental.

And then Arkady kinda plays himself, because you definitely get the sense that Petronille wasn't supposed to go and expose all his vulnerabilities and secrets too, oh no!!!

This is, again, a dark romance. Those secrets are harrowing. The morality, it is, at best, gray. I wouldn't say anything that occurs on the page is over the top, but it is intense. If you're not comfortable with the truly macabre—like, seriously bump in the night type stuff—and backstories involving childhood abuse, I wouldn't say this is for you. Read the content warnings. Get the vibe. Proceed with caution.

But for me? This was just what the doctor ordered, and I want more from I.V. Ophelia.

The Sex:

So, the sex in this book is really good.

I'd say it edges into erotic romance (while also being a historical romance and and a dark romance) not simply due to the quantity of the sex scenes, but their psychological quality and the way in which Arkady and Petronille's emotional relationship develops alongside their erotic closeness.

It's a true BDSM romance. You don't get the acrobatics you'll find in some novels, but you'll find spanking, shibari, some rather creative usage of... objects... and the employment of a safe word and power exchange. In a lot of ways, this is one of the healthiest displays of BDSM I've seen in a romance novel, despite the rather twisted aspects of Arkady and Petronille's characters. He may be a dark, strange guy, but he sure does respect that consent (and generally adore his wife).

The sex scenes are creative. They never feel plug and play (haha). They match Arkady's shifts between the stern and the taunting, Petronille's bratty vulnerability. And they're fun! I clutched my pearls several times! There's fruit, there are commands, and again, those OBJECTS.

Just really, really good.

The Conclusion:

With poetic prose and a tone that vacillates perfectly between fun creepiness, swoony romance, and genuine tenderness, Fruit of the Flesh is a great example of where I hope gothic romance goes today. It's a downright feast.

I am utterly obsessed.

Fruit of the Flesh is a gilded Gothic dream (or nightmare) of a book. With a tension-filled marriage of convenience, a powerful family who would do anything to keep up appearances and the troubled pasts of the couple at the centre of it all, you'll find yourself on a turbulent journey.

Set in NYC during the early 1900s, Petronille, a retired ballerina and the spoiled youngest daughter of a wealthy family, asks to be married to the artisan who had been working on her family's home, despite having never spoken to him. After Petronille & Arkady's unorthodox marriage takes place, secrets start to surface - it would seem no one is what they make themselves out to be.

The writing is evocative, immersive and descriptive, without falling into the trap of being too prosey. The senses are teased with vivid imagery and olfactory descriptions, while the atmosphere is so decadent and rich that it feels like you are living in it.

There's a split between the settings described; those that are warm, golden and drenched in filtered sunlight, while others are dark and industrial. All while maintaining that gorgeous gothic feeling that Ophelia does so well.

You truly go on a journey with both Petronille & Arkady. They are both full of secrets and unravelling them through the book is an experience. At face value, Petre is a spoiled ex-ballerina but there's so much more to her than that. Likewise, Arkady is an arrogant, aloof artist at first glance. However, his loyalty to Petre is astonishing, even after everything that happens, and I found myself swooning on more than one, probably inappropriate, occasion. Does that say a lot about me? Maybe.

Their relationship is full of tension and the yearning is just delectable. The constant back and forth, the flirting, the indifference, even the arguing. It all fits together beautifully. There are so many tender moments and you find yourself aching for them to stop being so stubborn and to find solace in each other. Despite their differences, Petronille & Arkady are made for each other.

The spicy scenes are HOT; fraught with tension like the rest of the relationship, exploring BDSM and establishing the power-balance that works for them.

I found myself shocked on more than one occasion; reveals I didn't see coming, the incorrect use of clay (the content warning wasn't lying), the ending. Combined with the romance, the story flowed perfectly with the pace picking up towards the end as you scramble to find out what's going to happen.

I'd love to be able to read Fruit of The Flesh again for the first time. Alas, I'll have to settle on a reread.

Thank you so much to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for the eARC, I shan't be forgetting this one anytime soon.

If I had to sum up Fruit of the Flesh in one phrase, it would be: style over substance.

It’s got an interesting setup, some cool character ideas, a gorgeous cover, and lines of dialogue and descriptions that would look great on a moodboard or in an aesthetic quote post. But when it came to actually putting all of that together into a story, it just didn’t work for me.

Set in early 1900s New York, the book follows Petronille de Villier, a 24-year-old former ballerina from a wealthy family. She’s lived a life of privilege, but also of various forms of abuse under her parents. When she marries clay artisan Arkady Kamenev, it’s a quiet rebellion against their expectations and as the story goes on, the two of them uncover the hidden darkness in each other, turning their marriage of convenience into something more.

The problem is that the story feels disjointed. The book drops us straight into Petronille’s wedding day, and from there it’s like being handed little snapshots: glimpses of conversations, flashes of darkness, moments that could’ve been powerful. But without the grounding or buildup that makes you care, those moments never really land — or at least didn’t land for me. There’s almost no sense of the world or the characters’ pasts, so instead of feeling immersed, I felt detached and couldn’t quite get pulled into the narrative.

And that’s what really disappointed me, because the ideas are fantastic. A sculptor with a dark penchant, a traumatized ballerina with twisted family baggage, macabre undertones woven into their relationship, some exploration of kink… it’s exactly the kind of thing I would love to really get lost in. As someone who grew up a teenager fascinated with Perfume by Patrick Süskind and enjoys exploring messed-up characters, I should’ve and wanted to like this. But it mostly just bored me, because the thriller and horror aspect didn’t really go deep enough for me and the romance, while sometimes delivering scenes with some pretty prose, didn’t convince me either, because of the general disconnect to the story I felt during my read.

I think readers who are already fans of this author will find what they’re looking for here, but for me it just didn’t hit the way I hoped. Great ideas, interesting setup, but ultimately not enough depth to keep me invested.




Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

FOTF was everything I was looking for —full of suspense and tender moments that made it an incredibly captivating read.
Arkady and Petronille's relationship felt so raw and intimate throughout the story. The pair started off as distant strangers in their marriage, but once their secrets were unveiled, then their love truly blossomed into acceptance and devotion. The mystery and suspense was paced perfectly throughout the story. I could not put this book down as I was totally entranced by the eloquent way in which it was written. This story was so beautifully crafted with rich imagery and stunning detail. If you are looking for something romantic with mystery and suspense, this is definitely the read for you. I lost count of how many times I was shocked when another secret was revealed. This book definitely knows how to pull emotions from the reader in the best way possible. Thank you I.V. Ophelia for such a beautiful story, l'm so thankful l got to read this as an arc!

The author takes us back to the Gilded Age in New York, where a young ex-ballerina embarks on a marriage of convenience with an artist. They are strangers to each other, but little by little, they discover that perhaps their union was just what they needed.

What I liked most and would highlight about this book is the setting. If there is one thing the author achieves, it is creating a vivid atmosphere with a balance of light and many shadows. As I read, I couldn't help but compare the setting to paintings: for me, each scene is a painting that has come to life, maintaining the sepia and dark tones of a picture intended to disturb.

I can't say that I liked the characters throughout the book, and I can't decide if that's a good or bad thing. Both are complex, multi-layered characters that cannot be understood at first glance. Petronille is a woman who was not allowed to be a person and who found childish behavior to be her only way to be seen. It's not pleasant to read, and I don't think it should be. Many of us can identify with her motivations. On the other hand, her role as a dancer was not described sufficiently. Especially at the beginning, I missed seeing why she liked it so much, why it was such a sacrifice to stop dancing. I also don't think it's entirely clear why she needed to get married, although it is hinted at in the end.

Arkady is a much more balanced character in his behavior, and yet his coldness sometimes seemed excessive and unjustified to me. Again, I feel that this is intentional, as these characters are not meant to be likable, but rather to illustrate the consequences of a childhood marked by pain and abandonment, coupled with a society that views its poorest members as mere objects rather than individuals. In this case, his reasons for accepting the marriage are clear, but the details of how exactly he would benefit from it are not. Although it was not essential to the overall plot, it would have provided more clarity on how Petronille's family and the society in which they live function.

The romance is toxic and all-encompassing. They are two completely lost souls, finding themselves in the control that comes with the certainty of knowing you are desired, needed, or seen by another person. It is not a pure and virginal romance, but heartbreaking, dark, and, for the most part, uncomfortable. However, the intimate scenes are everything they should be. The sexual interactions are not explosive; they are not a repetition of acts that already seem mechanical from how often they are repeated in modern texts. No, the sex scenes in this story exude sensuality, and I loved that.

As for the pace of the story, I feel that it was not consistent. Despite starting directly with the wedding, some things are left without a clear explanation. It is evident that the author leaves loose ends throughout the story to conclude with a strong tie-in at the end. However, I believe that this was not always what the story demanded. Some revelations would have been more effective if revealed throughout the plot rather than left for the end.

That said, that ending is a perfect tie-in for the story. The ending is the darkness I was looking for when I read the synopsis of this story. The author did not disappoint; in fact, I would say she exceeded my expectations on this point. I loved feeling uncomfortable and, at the same time, finally understanding the characters and their secrets. I loved the evilness of the final scenes, the grotesque revelations, and the acceptance. It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for me.

Thanks to NetGalley, Montblake, and I.V. Ophelia for the eARC. My opinions are my own and mine alone.

This book is beautifully written, well crafted and very addictive. It however was just not the story for me personally. Petronille and Arkady are really intriguing characters and their story is very interesting. I am so happy to see other people loving this book because it deserves all the love it is getting, I think if you love gothic stories with a mystery aspect you will truly enjoy this book.

Fruit of the Flesh is a gothic romance set in the gilded era. When Petrionille is forced by her parents to choose a husband, she chooses the starving artist, commissioned to work on their property, out of spite.

Fruit of the Flesh is a delicately woven story that unravels slowly. Every secret that is revealed breeds even more questions. As the FMC and MMC discover more about each other, the tension continues to grow with each encounter more tantalizing than the next. The dark gothic atmosphere paired with the mouthwatering tension and yearning between the characters, and the mysteries slowly unfurling, made this story captivating from beginning to end.

this book is extremely romantic,
not just with actions but the way Arkady (the mmc) speaks about Petronille (the fmc) is just so beautiful.
this is a beautiful written stand alone i would classify this as a dark gothic romance (which i never read btw) and i loved it! The writing, the character growth, the loyalty is all so good! I had so many thoughts after this I had to pull out the reading journal and write down what i was feeling. One of my thoughts was “he has dead eyes, shes extremely emotional” 😭 oh AND the ending SHOOK ME!

set in 1901 in “polite society” NYC the setting of this book was so well done, as well as clothing & home descriptions

I love the names I.V. Ophelia choses in her books theyre so unique without being ridiculous

now on the spice;
the spice in this book was deliciously done. This wasnt spice with a side of plot it was plot with spice and I feel like it was tastefully done.

with this being a standalone backstories have to be limited but you get enough to understand why the main characters are the way they are

thank you so so much for the arc!

This story is going to stay with me for a while. I was both enthralled and disturbed from the first page.

If you like dark, boring on horror, romances, this is a unique and engrossing read. Just make sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in.

It took me a bit to get into the story - the writing held the promise of a lot to come, but slow moving to understand what was under the surface. The characters were both flawed and putting on a front. And I liked both capturing the flaws while also building a romance story that loved each other as they were, not trying to change one another.

I did have some issues with the story, lowering my score to 3.5.pecifically a lack of consistency. First, Petronille’s character sand actions came across inconsistent - going from irate to timid to childlike all on a whim. Second, the pacing - especially at the end where it seemed like a big rush to tie the story together.

Thank you to I. V. Ophelia, Montlake, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Inappropriate use of clay and statues AND brat taming? sure, why the hell not!

I love when characters match each others freaks and these two do to an alarming degree.

This was a lush and atmospheric gothic historical dark romance set during the gilded age in New York. The vibes really were just *chefs kiss*. The setting and the writing was gorgeous. Both languid, slow and filled with just the right amount of tension. This turned out to be more character driven than plot which I think worked really well here. High key obsessed with I.V Ophelia and the way her brain works and her writing.

There was a twist in here that I should have seen coming based off the vibes AND the titles and yet it gagged me all the same. All I'll say is that it bumped this book up to a new favorite because those themes are my FAVORTE.

The ending is absolutely bananas lmfao

Thank you so much to netgalley and publishers for the arc!

This book is a complete work of art, the literary poetry woven throughout is breathtaking.

The text was so eloquently written and atmospheric that I felt myself immediately transported to 1901 NYC, from Petronille’s eccentric clothing choices to the lush descriptions of their surroundings, I was utterly consumed with their environment.

The complexity of both the MC’s is fascinating as they both have so many carefully crafted layers. As the story progresses, we begin to learn more about them as they slowly begin to open up to each other and reveal their secrets. They are both deeply flawed yet their magnetic connection balances them out.

I never wanted this to end, and once the final stage of the act was revealed, I was completely floored. I wouldn’t say it was a twist more so than a cumulation of multiple puzzle pieces slotting together, painting the final picture of the story. This was so carefully crafted and impossible to predict which made it both entertaining and thought provoking.

A haunting gothic romance which is unsettling, jaw dropping, and full of desire. This one will stay with me for a while and I can’t recommend it enough 🫶🏻

Thank to you NetGalley & Montlake for the ARC

Opheila wrote another masterpiece, the subtle foreshadowing that finally hits you in the face when you've finished it. the proper use of BDSM practices was refreshing when it is so often just thrown into a book with little care towards the community. The writing was beautiful and fit the time period really well and it was fully immersive.
this book could not have pulled me out of a slump faster and will definitely be on my re-read list forever.

Okay so the sex was hot but guys, be so fr, what the hell was happening. I swear this book gave me whiplash. I have no grasp on the plot, or on why things went the way they did. The main relationship had its moments, but I was so confused as to their overall dynamic. Basically stuff happened, some of it i was in to, but most of the time I was confused. I wish I'd liked this because it sounded so! freaking! cool! Alas :(

Petronille De Villier and Arkady Kamenev are a heavenly match made in hell and I absolutely love their relationship. I adore their back and forth, the way he treats her and calls her out on the way she behaves, and how desperately she wants him. Their relationship grows and experiences growing-pains so naturally as two very traumatized, very different people begin falling in love with one another in as steamy a slow-burn as a stand-alone novel can capture.
I loved the underlying plot and its many mysteries and I was looking forward to seeing it come to a compelling head, so terrified of who might get framed or take the fall for the things which they want nothing more than to hide. There were so many villains that I wanted to see put to justice and when I began entering into the last ten percent of the book I was curious as to how it could all be tied up - wondering who would end up getting away because *surely* they couldn't all be taken care of. And it is the fact that they were all taken care of, all so neatly dealt with, that I struggle so hard giving this book more than three (point five) stars. It simply fell apart for me right at the end. Everything was a little too neat, a little too rushed. We get the happy ever after that our main characters are deserving but it felt a little flat and anti-climactic after so much suffering.
I cannot give enough praise for the main characters though. So perfectly flawed and mysterious. Their chemistry was exciting and I was looking forward to the next moment they had chance to come together and challenge one another. The setting and atmosphere was described so perfectly that I could so easily see everything playing out in my mind's eye like a movie. I loved the finer details of the character's appearances being mentions like Petronille's beauty-marks, the patterns across her abdomen, or Arkady's dimple and easy smile.