M is for Manderley

I’m doing folklore and book review posts to reach and please a larger audience. Previous years have shown select interest in both and to minimise blogging throughout the year, I’m focusing my efforts on April.

Focusing on an A to Z of my TBR (to be read) list, each letter will have books starting with that letter on my list, a book I’ve read and reviewed (with the review!) and one of my books matching the letter with a link about more info about the book (I’ve published some new books, so take a look).

I chose the books this year quite randomly from my Goodreads Want to Read page. Some are quite creatively added to letters.

I know there were suggestions in last year’s Reflection post that I skip my TBR and just get on with the review, but I like knowing what I have left to read for each letter (and how far I’ve come with all the reading challenges I’ve done) so things are staying the same. Scroll down to the reviews if you’re not interested in what my TBR still contains. FYI, you might encounter issues with commenting if you don’t tick all the boxes marked as mandatory (especially the privacy one).

Let the fun begin!

If you’d rather check out my folklore post for today, go here.

My TBR

About the Book I’ve Read

Manderley Academy: Ghosted by Steffanie Holmes

He may play like an angel, but this sinful angel is determined to make my life hell.

When my mom got sick, my dreams of a career in music imploded. That is, until Madame Usher wafts into my life like a ghost from the past, offering me the chance to study at the exclusive Manderley Academy – a music school for the most gifted and wealthy.

It’s an offer I can’t refuse—free room and board at the gothic mansion where elite students immerse themselves in mastering their art. But there’s a catch, and it’s a big one.

I’m her slave.

I clean the rooms. I polish the piano keys. I serve her and the six rich, pretentious students who paid to be here.

I must endure their bullying in silence. Even when they destroy my things, sabotage my performances, and try their best to drive me from Manderley.

Rich. Arrogant. Cruel. Especially Dorien Valencourt – the cute boy who used to be my friend grew up into the world’s hottest a-hole. The Bad Boy of Baroque with his sinister smirk and come-to-bed eyes. Dorien won’t have the poor little charity case ruining his fun. He’s heard me play. He knows I’m a serious contender for the prestigious Manderley Prize.

Dorien isn’t used to losing, especially to the help.

But he’s not the only one haunting me.

Something twisted and evil shrouds Manderley Academy. Maybe my bullies are the least of my problems. Maybe Dorien’s not the one behind the strange noises in the walls, the warnings scrawled on my mirror, and the gruesome murders on the school grounds.

Maybe…maybe Manderley’s ghosts are real.

A dark mystery unfolds around musician Faye de Winter in book one of this gripping gothic college bully romance by USA Today best-selling author Steffanie Holmes. Warning: Proceed with caution – this tale of a spoiled rich boy with an unsettling secret and the girl who refuses to put up with his shit contains dark themes, a creepy house, a smoldering second-chance romance, college angst, cruel bullies, swoon-worthy sex, and potential triggers.

Check it out on Goodreads.

My Review

A gothic tale with broken, brooding heroes and a kick-ass heroine who doesn’t take their nonsense lying down. I enjoyed the setting, the music, the mystery, and all the drama.

I like the Cinderella trope Faye has going for her and that all three of the guys have something more going on that meets the eye. And the hint of Victorian mysteries throughout is quite enjoyable.

My favourite moment is when Faye punches Heather in the face – I’m sure everyone cheered.

A steamy reverse harem with loads of subplots to keep you entertained. Can’t wait to start book 2.

About the Book I’ve Read

Manderley Academy: Haunted by Steffanie Holmes

Ivan, Titus, Dorien.
The bad boys of Baroque, the kings of this school.
They messed with the wrong girl.
I’ll topple them from their thrones.

They made me trust them.
They made me want them.
Now, I’m going to haunt their asses.
Even if it costs me… everything.

They’ll carry their secrets to their graves.
If they don’t put me six-feet-under first.

Manderley Academy won’t claim another victim.
They can’t shove these skeletons back in the closet.
I’ll do whatever it takes to get justice.

It’s time for Manderley’s ghosts to come out and play.

A dark mystery unfolds around musician Faye de Winter in book two of this gripping gothic college reverse harem bully romance by USA Today best-selling author Steffanie Holmes. Warning: Proceed with caution – this tale of three spoiled rich boys with unsettling secrets and the girl who refuses to put up with their shit contains dark themes, a creepy house, a smoldering second-chance romance, college angst, cruel bullies and swoon-worthy sex.

Check it out on Goodreads.

My Review

Victorian poisons, a creepy old house, possible paranormal activity, and the usual bullying nonsense going on, it’s a wonder Faye hasn’t snapped yet. But beautiful music and her broken muses keep her together.

I enjoyed the who-dunnit aspect of her mother’s poisoning, the lack of the kind of proof the authorities need to convict, the gothic insanity of Manderley, and the cult that eclipses all.

And the ending cliffhanger…!

A fun, twisted adventure with great worldbuilding and swoon-worthy sex.

About the Book I’ve Read

Manderley Academy: Spirited by Steffanie Holmes

Musician.
Heartbreaker.
Murderer.

Dorien Valencourt is in deep shit.
His cheeky grin and stormy eyes won’t help him this time.

But I will.
I’ve found love in the darkness.
Three broken muses possess me,
Mind, body, and soul.
I won’t give them up for anything,
Especially not for a witch with a blackened heart.

In a school ruled by shadows and secrets,
I’ll shine a light in the darkest places.
We’ll expose a long-buried violation,
And force a villain to confront her sins.

If only our secrets don’t devour us all.

With Titus and Ivan at my side,
we’ll free Dorien from his cage.
We’ll drag these skeletons into the daylight.

The ghost of Manderley will have her revenge.

A dark mystery unfolds around musician Faye de Winter in the final book of this gripping gothic college reverse harem bully romance by USA TODAY best-selling author Steffanie Holmes. Warning: Proceed with caution – this tale of three spoiled rich boys with unsettling secrets and the girl who refuses to put up with their shit contains dark themes, a creepy house, a smoldering second-chance romance, college angst, cruel bullies and swoon-worthy sex.

Check it out on Goodreads.

My Review

A fun adventure through a gothic mansion – ghosts, poison, secret passages and all.

I think the cult thing and the bigger Manderley story could have been stretched over another book or two – this book was all-action without enough lulls to just take a breath as all the plot points got tied up. Still a good book, though.

I liked how it all tied together in the end. I’m still not sure that I like Elena, especially how she manipulates Ivan…

Another twisted adventure with classical music living side-by-side with Metal, Faye getting to keep all three her broken muses, swoon-worthy sex, and awesome revenge. Did I mention that the explosive fire scene was my favourite?

A great end to an interesting and enjoyable series.

Trigger warning: mental illness, drug abuse, almost-rape, creepy old men.

My Book

Magic at Midnight

I hope you enjoyed this. For more books I’ve read and reviewed, check out either my Pinterest board about reviews or my Goodreads profile. Alternatively, you can check out my reviews on BookBub. Have you read any of the books? Loved or hated any of them?

You can now support my time in producing book review posts (buying books, reading, writing reviews and everything else involved) by buying me a coffee. This can be a once-off thing, or you can buy me coffee again in the future at your discretion.

*FYI, my reviews are my honest opinion and if something bothers me, I tell it straight. How else will anything change? My opinions are based on being a voracious reader and book buyer, not an attack on the author.*

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