Obsessed with this book and the universe seems interesting. Did not see that massive plot twist coming 😳
Great characters and great story telling. I am looking forward to seeing where we end up now.
Immediate auto buy. Also looking into other books by the author 👏🏽👏🏽

5 stars !
Hot, spicy, sexy. For adults.

Young adults who like to have fun, have parties... but there's a masked killer around.

I couldn't put this book down. I read half last night and just finished the other half a minute ago and had to share my thoughts right away.
The writer keeps you hooked from the first page to the last. I couldn't have guessed who the killer was and I was shocked.
And the ending... Well, the ending is explosive and bloody !

Thank you for allowing me access to this book!

What a roller coaster ride this book was! I love a great dark romance and this delivered.

Willow our FMC has had some toxic years that have brought her to a small town in Missouri where she meets our dark MMC Dean. With a killer on the lose our main characters find themselves in a fake dating/protection alliance that has us guessing what will happen next at each turn.

This was a fast-paced dark romance with well-written development, spice, and just enough tension. I can’t wait to see where the story goes in book two. I am definitely picking up the other reads by Astrid Ares Wise

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dual POV
Cliffhanger; Book 1 of the Sicarius Duology

Thank you Astrid and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC copy.

*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

What a wild, fast-paced ride! I love a dark romance with a down-bad MMC and plenty of tension. Willow's move to a small town with a teenage murderer kept me hooked I read half of it in one sitting.
It hits you with dark, brutal scenes, but mends your heart with the romance. So many emotions! Check your trigger warnings.
Thank you to Astrid Ares Wise and their team for this. Can't wait for the next one!

A quick read, that I did find very entertaining. I think Dean could have been more developed. Willow, needs therapy after everything she has been through in this book. This relationship does have potential and the storyline did lose me here and there but overall I enjoyed it. It kinda felt this a retelling for Jason in a very different way but same “thriller” feel.

I’m absolutely destroyed with the end of this book and I the second one for tomorrow, thank you very much.
I just finished reading this book and I’m speechless with everything, and I know, I just know, there’s more to the history in the one that is coming next, when the second one is the duology comes out.
Focusing in the first one, I really think the author did a great job at describing the personality, and the urges that come with it, of a psychopath, hence I could truly feel like I was the one getting those urges of killing and causing harm.
I also love the development that Dean had throughout the story, the fact that being with Willow was enough to shut those dark thoughts down and I love it when she’s the reason he becomes not that bad. I truly enjoyed reading their history and feeling the same way they did through it all.
But the end???? Nooooooo I was destroyed in the end.
I think there are things that are going to be explained in the second book, aka the reason Milon was working in that place.
Oh Well, I recommend this masterpiece to the dark romance lovers because I’m pretty sure they’re are going to love as much as me.

I enjoyed this very dark read. This book had me from the beginning and hooked all the way through. This book isn’t for the faint of hearts so read the TW first before diving into this story.

As Halloween 2016 approaches, the town panics, people vanish, and the search for the killer closes in.

Some people fall in love. Willow falls into something nefarious.

Tropes:

Forced proximity
Fake dating
Enemies to lovers, lovers to enemies
Found family
Taboo family relationships
Morally black
Spicy

So this book was very dark, very intense, and can be very triggering for some people. But me, I loved it! I was on the edge of my seat the whole book! I can’t wait for book 2 to get here already!

Review of Love NEFARIOUS by Astrid Ares Wise
* * * * *
A very dark and deadly romance that is not for the faint of heart, and I honestly cannot wait for the second book.

Willow is stuck moving to a new town with her stepfamily...right as the bodies start popping up.
Terrifying. Disturbed. A slasher in the shadows.
She already has enough on her plate with new school, pushy horndogs, an intrustive classmate, and now she's stuck in the sights of a killer.

There is enough detailed trigger warnings in this book to let you know that the actions in this book at not off page, and that you will need a strong stomach and depraved mind to continue you...in the best way possible. Let's face it, some of the horrible things in this book are well deserved to the people we want to get slapped by karma.
I am intruiged to what else is to come after that ending, and how things will play out with all this unfinished business.

I have been listening to a LOT of dark romance books lately. I don't normally love e-reads, but I was drawn in by the cover art & then the description.

This was definitely on the morally black side of things, so if you're ever going to check your Trigger Warnings .. it should be on this one! The story moved quite quickly at the beginning, which I would have preferred slow down. Also, it ended much too soon. But I really enjoyed the complexity of the MMC (including the somewhat sharp swings from darkness to tenderness & vice versa).

I thought it was little unusual to have this dark of a story set with high schoolers; I normally avoid stories in that setting. But I also understand that many of the conflicts that the characters ran into were due to their age and parents' support (or lack there of).

All-in-all, I enjoyed the book and would recommend to others if I know they are an avid dark romance reader!

Love Nefarious is a gritty,dark,and twisted story of obsession, and a love so dangerous, one doesn’t know if the characters will survive its intensity.

Willow is such a downtrodden character,but I love her fire,and spirit. She has the desire to change her fate, and to rise above her brokenness and oppressive home life.
You feel for her, and the glimpses of her suffering are both crucial to the story, and sickening to watch. The author did a great job of painting an accurate picture of her suffering without it being too gratuitous in nature.

Dean is a troubled soul, and I throughly understood the way his disorder is described, and the ways in which it was depicted.
I was so intrigued by his family dynamic,and found myself chuckling at the brotherly rivalries and interactions. He’s so childlike in his reasonings and responses to situations ,that I found myself thoroughly enjoying his inner dialogue and laughing at his antics instead of being turned off by them.

These characters are obsessive and their tale is dark, but I’m son invested in their fate. Looking forward to the continuation and conclusion of this series!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc.

Love Nefarious by Astrid Ares Wise is a dark, addictive read that blends romance, suspense, and psychological tension into a story that's hard to put down. Willow's attempt at a fresh start quickly unravels as she becomes entangled with Dean, a dangerously captivating character whose obsession keeps you questioning his motives until the very end.
The fake dating trope evolves into something much darker against the backdrop of a town plagued by a serial killer, creating a constant sense of unease and mystery. Dean is the definition of morally black, making him both fascinating and unsettling, while Willow's journey keeps the emotional stakes high.
Dark romance readers will appreciate the intense atmosphere, twisted relationships, and shocking moments throughout the story. The trigger warnings should absolutely be taken seriously, as this book explores heavy and disturbing themes. While some plot threads feel unfinished, that's expected as the first installment in the Sicarius Duology.

**READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS**

There are some seriously dark themes here. It can be hard to stomach, so please check the list. That said, I actually thought the plot and story line were interesting. It's a little clunky, and could use an edit BUT I was definitely never bored. I found myself emotional during some moments (even though this is a literal psycho we're talking about here) which was honestly a little surprising for such a dark story. Its probably one of the darker stories I've personally read, but like I said, I enjoyed the plot.

This was definitely one of those books where the title gives you a pretty good warning that you are not walking into a sweet little uncomplicated romance. 😂

I really enjoyed the darker atmosphere and morally complicated characters. I never quite knew who I should trust or exactly how everything was going to play out, which kept me reading. I especially liked that the romance wasn't neat and perfect. It was messy, intense, and sometimes a little unhinged—which worked perfectly for this story.

Really enjoyed this, it's unapologetically dark. Take the trigger warnings seriously for sure. Dean and Willow's story was an absolutely unhinged good time. There was a lot going on and sometimes it felt like too much but the plot kept me guessing. I didn't care for the fact that they were in high school even though they are 18 and 19. I will read the 2nd book to see how their story finishes.

What. The. Hell. 😮‍💨🔥

This book was one hell of a ride. The tension, the obsession, the chaos… I was hooked. I went in expecting dark, but this still managed to surprise me in the best way.

Nefarious had me stressed, invested, and questioning everything, and honestly? I loved every second of it.

Wow. I'm not sure how to review rhis. I absolutely loved it. It was spicy Enemies To Lovers abd forced proximity at its absolute highest. The main characters were written so well that it felt believeable. The story grips you and I honestly couldn't put it down. I need book 2 now!

4.5 ⭐️ — Dark, Messed-Up & Completely Addictive

Okay, first things first… I NEED Book 2 immediately because that cliffhanger?! 😭😂

This is a pitch-black romance, so please make sure you check the trigger warnings before diving in. If you’re anything like me, though, you’ll probably read them and think, fuck it, let’s go! 😂

Dean… wow. This man is absolutely obsessed, completely messed up, and somehow you can’t help but love him. Never mind the things he does—he’s basically every woman’s biggest red flag, but secretly the one we all crave. 🚩🔥

And then there’s Willow. What a woman. She’s determined, strong and resilient, and despite everything that gets thrown at her, she refuses to give up. She’s a true warrior, and I absolutely loved watching her fight through everything.

The story is dark, twisted and messed up in all the best ways. It completely sucked me in and had me hooked from beginning to end. It’s the kind of book that stays in your head and leaves you desperate for more.

So yes, 4.5 stars from me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

The only reason it didn’t get the full 5 stars is because I’m currently sulking over that bloody cliffhanger. 😂😭

Now hurry up with Book 2 because I NEED ANSWERS! 👀🔥

Love Nefarious by Astrid Ares Wise

Love Nefarious is definitely not a light or comfortable romance, and I think anyone picking it up should pay close attention to the trigger warnings first. This is dark romance at its darkest, with damaged characters, obsession, disturbing situations, and a relationship that constantly makes you question where the line between love and something much more dangerous actually sits.

I went into this one knowing very little beyond the warnings, and I'm honestly glad I did. It allowed me to discover Willow and Dean naturally instead of going in with expectations about where their story was headed. Once I started, I was completely absorbed. I read a huge portion of the book in one sitting because I needed to know what would happen next.

Willow broke my heart in so many ways. She's been living under an incredibly oppressive situation and has spent so much of her life trying to keep the people around her happy, particularly her father, that she's lost pieces of herself along the way. But underneath all that exhaustion and fear is a woman who desperately wants more. She wants control over her own future, wants to escape the life she's been forced into, and refuses to completely surrender to the circumstances surrounding her.

Her past is difficult to read about, and some of the things she has endured are genuinely heartbreaking. Those moments aren't there simply for shock value, though. They helped me understand why Willow behaves the way she does and why breaking free is such a complicated process for her. I found myself rooting for her throughout the entire story.

Then there's Dean.

Dean is complicated, disturbing, fascinating, and incredibly hard to look away from. His psychological disorder has a major influence on the way he experiences the world, processes situations, and deals with his impulses. His POV gave me an unsettling look into his thoughts, particularly when those urges become difficult for him to control.

What surprised me was how entertaining Dean could be despite how dark he is. His interactions with his brothers and the family dynamics brought some unexpected humor into the story. His way of interpreting certain situations can almost seem childlike at times, and I found myself laughing at moments when I absolutely wasn't expecting to.

His darker actions are obviously another matter entirely, but I became fascinated by the contrast between the different sides of him. There's violence and darkness, but there is also development. Watching Willow's influence begin to affect the way Dean handles his impulses was one of the most interesting aspects of his character arc.

I particularly liked that Willow doesn't magically "fix" him. Instead, her presence gives him something to fight for and another reason to resist parts of himself that he struggles to control. Their connection is unhealthy in plenty of ways, but it's also complicated enough that I couldn't simply dismiss it.

The book is intense, obsessive, emotionally heavy, and definitely uncomfortable at times. That's also what kept me so invested. Willow and Dean are both deeply damaged people, and neither of them fits neatly into the role of a perfect hero or heroine. Their choices can be difficult to understand, but I wanted to keep following them because I needed to see where all of this would eventually lead.

As someone who enjoys dark romance, I thought Love Nefarious delivered the darker atmosphere I was looking for while still giving the characters enough depth to make me care about them.

Just please don't skip those trigger warnings. This book goes into some seriously heavy territory, and knowing what you're getting into is important.

I'm already invested in Willow and Dean's story, and after that ending, I'm absolutely going to need the continuation. I have far too many questions about where these two—and everyone around them—go from here.

Rating: 4.9 / 5 Stars

Love Nefarious by Astrid Ares Wise - Book 1 of the Sicarious Duology - is a dark, obsessive, and incredibly compelling read that left me wanting more.

The story follows Dean, the MMC, who is deeply psychotic, obsessive, and morally complex, and Willow, the FMC, who becomes his secret obsession. What I found so interesting is that their obsessions mirror each other in a way that makes you question who is truly obsessed with whom.

*Trigger Warning:* This book deals with very heavy and difficult topics including sexual assault, murder, trafficking, and childhood trauma. Please check trigger warnings before reading.

Going into this, I wasn't sure how I would feel about Dean. There are moments where you may dislike him because of his disturbing behaviors and mental health struggles. However, I found myself unexpectedly rooting for both Dean and Willow.

I don't condone Dean's actions, but Astrid understands him in a way where you can relate to why he became this person. Some may call him a monster - I would call him deeply damaged with a backstory I desperately want to know more about. What traumas did he endure growing up? What was his household like with his parents, especially his father? What are the complex relational dynamics between him and his brothers? The tension with Kade in particular is palpable - at times borderline hate - and I need to know more.
What worked for me:

- Plot: Fast-paced, dark, and leaves you on edge. It ends in a way that makes Book 2 essential.
- Character Development: Even though we get a foundation for how their environments shaped them, I am left with so many questions, which is a testament to how well-developed they are. I want to know everything that hasn't been told yet.
- Writing: Atmospheric and immersive. It handles dark psychology without romanticizing the trauma.

I rated this 4.9 stars because it is a strong start to a duology. It gave me a solid plot and character foundation while leaving me eager for answers about Dean's past and what happens next for him and Willow. Highly recommend for dark romance readers who love morally grey, obsessive MMCs and check their trigger warnings.

Thank you to NetGalley and Astrid Ares Wise for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An absolutely fantastic and fanfic worthy read! I cannot wait for more! I read it in less than a day and in one sitting.

This was such a dark and wild reading experience! I really enjoyed the slasher vibes, Halloween atmosphere, and the way the romance became increasingly twisted and intense. The story pulled me in with its dangerous characters, obsession, secrets, and disturbing family dynamics. Dean was definitely a character who kept me guessing, and I enjoyed the darker, more unhinged moments throughout the story.

I will say that this book is very dark, so the trigger warnings should definitely be taken seriously. There is violence, murder, nonconsensual sexual content, psychological abuse, toxic and obsessive behavior, and taboo relationships.

There were a few moments where I wanted more development in certain areas, but overall I found it entertaining, unpredictable, and completely different from a typical romance. And that ending definitely left me wanting to know what happens next.

This one was such a switch up from my typical reading genre, but I do love a dark romance. This book is definitely a DARK romance and the characters are all so damaged. This was a pretty good read

love nefarious was such a wild and addictive read. i loved how dark and chaotic everything felt, while still having so much chemistry and tension between the characters. there were so many moments where i had absolutely no idea what was coming next, but i was completely along for the ride. messy, intense, and honestly just such a fun book to get lost in. 🖤

So I read this on NetGalley as I offered to do a sort of ARC review and this is my honest review of this book.

It’s a fast paced very dark romance that touches on many topics such as SA, domestic abuse, murder and a very very dark mmc!

Now I love me a book with trigger warnings because I find them more interesting when it comes to reading and sometimes you don’t want to read a book that’s all fluffy and cute.

If you enjoy the darker side of life then this book is definitely worth reading. The characters were written well and you understand the trauma from both mmc and FMC which sometimes you don’t get on darker books.

I binged this in less than 24 hours as started it last night and finished it this afternoon so needless to say it was a good book if I couldn’t put it down.

I’m really looking forward to the second book because I just need to know how it ends!!!!

Thank you. I know it's late in the game, but this story was spicy; it's good. These two people were hot, and I enjoyed it.

Astrid Ares Wise’s dark romance—steeped in slasher vibes—follows Willow Miller, who moves to Helena with her family and begins her senior year just as a dangerous serial killer starts terrorizing the town. Willow meets the irresistible Dean and, through a series of coincidences, enters into a fake relationship with him. As tension mounts in the town, that fake relationship begins to feel frighteningly real.

I have to admit, I hadn’t heard of this book until the author herself offered it to me. I decided to read it a bit, and—and behold—I couldn't put it down. The story isn't particularly long, so it’s an easy one-day read. Story starts immediately, offering the reader a glimpse into the mind of a completely unhinged serial killer. I enjoyed the writing style and the fast-paced plot, though—being the greedy reader I am—I would have liked a bit more detail on certain plot points. The story is told from three perspectives and is packed with twisted family dynamics, forbidden emotions, and even the occasional severed limb. There was spice, but it was restrained—though certainly not what you’d call "vanilla." Without spoiling too much, one character’s role was so deliciously unhinged that I found myself wanting even more of that. The story was insidious; just as you settled into a deceptively calm rhythm, the narrative would suddenly—and brutally—jolt you back into the chaos. This is utterly dark and triggering—sometimes a bit tame, but at other times completely unhinged—and I enjoyed it from start to finish. And what was that ending?! I want to know what happens next... even though I’m not sure I really do. Plus, I want this book on my shelf because the cover is stunning 🔥

This was such a different and unique take on serial killer romance. I really enjoyed how it was written and how it really dove into the mind of Dean. It was dark but I love these kind of books. I’m glad I found this on NetGalley!

For starters please please please check the triggers before jumping into this!

It is hot, it is spicy, it is dark and twisted, it is ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! I devoured this book so fast I did not want to put it down! The twists and turns, the emotional distress this inflicted on me I need more! The complexity of the characters had me locked in wanting and needing more from them. I need book 2 ASAP!

I really enjoyed the creepy, slasher-like atmosphere, the obsession between Willow and Dean, and all the mystery surrounding the characters. Dean was definitely a walking red flag, but I couldn’t stop reading about him and Willow’s complicated relationship. Some parts were definitely intense and disturbing, but they fit the story really well. I did feel like a few things could have been developed a little more, but overall I had a great time reading!