This was my first time reading this author, and I went in with very high expectations because the hype around this gothic fantasy was huge. Sadly, it left me disappointed. It was not what I imagined, and it felt as if many promising ideas never made it fully onto the page.

There were still elements I genuinely loved. The gothic atmosphere is wonderfully crafted, with a haunting seaside mansion, the legacy of a reclusive author told through letters and diary entries, and eerie supernatural touches that create a moody sense of unease. I also enjoyed the dark academia feel. The writing itself is lush and immersive, with vivid descriptions that pull you into the setting. I do not recall any strong language, and there is only a light hint of spice, about one pepper.

The problem is the pacing. The story moves at a crawl, and I often found myself bored or struggling to stay engaged. I never connected with the characters, and even the romance felt forced. I did not sense any real chemistry between Effy and Preston. The world-building also felt thin, and the very long chapters made it even harder to stay invested.

I listened to the audiobook and truly enjoyed the narrator, who is one of my favorites. She delivered a lovely performance, but even her narration could not disguise how slow the plot felt. The book is not very long, yet it seemed to stretch on because I kept losing interest.

In the end, I wanted so much more from this story. I usually love gothic fantasies, but this one did not come close to meeting my expectations. I will not continue the series, but I am open to trying another book from this author in the future.