gothicvamperstein's review
4.0
A Darker Shade is a well written book on so many levels. The characters are well developed, even if one or two of them are a bit of a pain in the arse. The plot and storyline has enough suspense to make it engaging and it has an eerie atmosphere from time to time. It was also really neat that the book also added context for some of the history, such as the poor treatment of Native Americans, especially the children, in the early 1900's. The book also has some gothic horror elements, such as a somewhat isolated house.
The only bad thing is that I felt the ending was perhaps a bit rushed, but that's a small detail.
The only bad thing is that I felt the ending was perhaps a bit rushed, but that's a small detail.
pamelas's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed this quick read. Very atmospheric. Ms. Curtis did a great job creating a spooky vibe and it got even spookier and scarier as the book went on. My only criticism if I feel the book wrapped up way too quickly.
bookishshani_k's review against another edition
5.0
This book has all of the things I would expect from a somewhat spooky but suspenseful novel. Molly has taken a job in the deep setting of a small town in Maine during the winter season. She's given the chance to make it and end up better off in some ways or walk away and forfeit that. She has a lot to think about because her decisions don't just affect her. What she decides can change absolutely everything. Her nerves, patience, and sanity will be tested at times. But what she deals with shows her independence and the need to find out the why and how's to things. In the end will she come out as haunted as the house she's lived in? Will the secrets it holds continue to be so? So many questions that I asked throughout the book! If I'm honest, I was a little bit startled a few times but I loved it! I love a book that can shake you a little and keep you so interested it's totally worth the binge read at night. It's such a well-done book, and I can't wait to read more from the author.
ericarobyn's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
A Darker Shade by Laura K. Curtis is a chilling suspense romance that will keep readers peeking through their fingers to try to see through to the happy ending while it looks like the story is on a crash course toward the worst.
If you can’t already guess, I was hooked!
This had everything I look for when I read tales that are in the romance genre; a wonderful character that you root for from page one, a tense setting, obstacles to overcome, and a heartwarming ending that will make you tear up and want to cheer.
But don’t let that distract you from the other keyword when describing this book! It was also wickedly suspenseful and chilling!
But about the plot! In this tale, we have a city girl named Molly who has been sent out to a remote home in Maine to be a live in nanny and tutor. Her goal is to build a relationship with twelve year old Liza, who has stopped speaking after she lived through a trauma. There’s a lot of money at stake if Molly succeeds with that goal, and that money can go a very long way for her and her family.
But when she arrives, it’s clear that things aren’t going to be as easy as she had hoped. The owner tries to dismiss her immediately, the other woman staying at the house with her fourteen year old daughter is harsh and conniving, and to make matters worse, Molly can sense darkness in this home.
For a time, the two girls, Liza and Hailey, keep Molly busy. It’s all mainly lighthearted day-to-day events, sprinkled with a bit of drama. But then when the story begins to steer into the suspense side of things, it gets really intense!
Watching Molly grow over just a short time was wonderful. She already had a pretty good head on her shoulders when she entered the house, and she was able to quickly adapt to any situation that was thrown at her. By the end of the book, I just wanted to give her a hug!
All of the supporting characters were intriguing. Liza was an easy character to love as well. The rest I was a bit wary of. When some of them started showing their true colors, it was a bit of a shock! A couple of them had me rooting for them in one way or another.
And of course, as this story was set in Maine I just have to make a note of that. I loved seeing things I could easily recognize having lived there! Like the pizza place with the big wood-fire brick oven and farm to table menus that overlooked the bay. And I chuckled at the note about how quick the drive through the city was.
My Favorite Passages from A Darker Shade
A child of concrete and glass, I had never lived outside of a city. In my experience, nature was carefully bottled up in parks and zoos, constrained by walls, gates, and cages. Here it edged so close to the tarmac that it seemed ready to break through, as if at any moment we might take a blind curve and find the road buckled by the gnarled roots of giant trees.
A shudder shook me and goosebumps crawled over my skin like an army of spiders.
As I read, the room closed in, shadows clustering and reaching for us until it seemed the walls themselves leaned forward, listening. So clear, so sure was the sense of presence that I could not help sneaking glances toward the dusky, darkened corners, searching for whoever might stand there. But we were alone.
One thing about Maine – if you’re looking for something strange, you’ll find it here.
The shadows in the hall shifted and stretched with the movement of the trees in the wind outside, reaching for us until we flipped the light switch in the ballroom.
My Final Thoughts on A Darker Shade
Laura’s writing style is one that is sure to pull readers in with its shadowy hands. For a while, you’ll think you’re in control as you read along, but then you’ll notice that the grip has gotten tighter, and you won’t be able to pull away until you’ve reached the last page!
This is a must read for fans of suspense mixed with a little romance! I had an absolute blast reading this. This needs to be a film!
13thmoon's review against another edition
5.0
I loved A Darker Shade! I knew I had to read this as soon as I saw the Gothic romance inspired cover. I've loved the genre for decades, and although this is more a horror/ghost story than a romance, there was a romantic element as well.
Molly has taken a live in position as a tutor for a widower's daughter and her cousin at a remote mansion in Maine. One of the girls has stopped speaking following her mother's death and claims to be visited by her mother's spirit. Her father is adamant that she not be indulged in this fantasy he is sure she's dreamed up. Molly is protective of the girl and guides the father into being more open-minded about what she claims even though he may not believe in the supernatural.
The characters are well developed and the plot advances at a comfortable pace. The creepiness factor is high, the tension builds steadily, and the history of the house and its past occupants is laid out beautifully.
I hope to read more of this type from Ms. Curtis. I think it's high time for comeback of the Gothic genre and this has given me hope it might be beginning!
Thanks to Netgalley and River Hills Press for providing this ARC in return for an honest review.
Molly has taken a live in position as a tutor for a widower's daughter and her cousin at a remote mansion in Maine. One of the girls has stopped speaking following her mother's death and claims to be visited by her mother's spirit. Her father is adamant that she not be indulged in this fantasy he is sure she's dreamed up. Molly is protective of the girl and guides the father into being more open-minded about what she claims even though he may not believe in the supernatural.
The characters are well developed and the plot advances at a comfortable pace. The creepiness factor is high, the tension builds steadily, and the history of the house and its past occupants is laid out beautifully.
I hope to read more of this type from Ms. Curtis. I think it's high time for comeback of the Gothic genre and this has given me hope it might be beginning!
Thanks to Netgalley and River Hills Press for providing this ARC in return for an honest review.
iamltr's review against another edition
5.0
I started this book and was hooked from the first chapter. Usually, new to me writers take a chapter or two for me to get into the story but I was happy that this was not the case.
Molly is working so that her sister, and herself, can have a better life after the death of her mother. When she is given an assignment to tutor and take care of a non-speaking child with a good paycheck, she leaps at the chance. The only thing is that she has to stay for the entire time and there is a bonus check involved if the student starts to talk.
I liked Molly, she was really fleshed out. I did have issues with the rest of the cast of people, especially Thane, the father of the child she was hired to take care of.
This book is not scary at all, but the paranormal aspects were written well and I enjoyed the actual haunting part of the story very much.
Molly is working so that her sister, and herself, can have a better life after the death of her mother. When she is given an assignment to tutor and take care of a non-speaking child with a good paycheck, she leaps at the chance. The only thing is that she has to stay for the entire time and there is a bonus check involved if the student starts to talk.
I liked Molly, she was really fleshed out. I did have issues with the rest of the cast of people, especially Thane, the father of the child she was hired to take care of.
This book is not scary at all, but the paranormal aspects were written well and I enjoyed the actual haunting part of the story very much.
mudder17's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
What a great story! A gothic romance with a bit more of the creepiness than some of the ones I grew up with. This story had great main characters, annoying supporting characters (lol!) and plenty of atmosphere and freakiness. I loved it! This was an ARC so there are still some minor editing issues, but nothing that took away from my enjoyment of the book. I also liked the inclusion of the local history, especially about the poor treatment of the Native Americans (particularly the children) in the early 20th century. The only minor complaint was that the story seemed to end abruptly, although it was definitely a good ending! But another paragraph or two would have been nice.
Special thanks to #LauraKCurtis, #NetGalley, and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What a great story! A gothic romance with a bit more of the creepiness than some of the ones I grew up with. This story had great main characters, annoying supporting characters (lol!) and plenty of atmosphere and freakiness. I loved it! This was an ARC so there are still some minor editing issues, but nothing that took away from my enjoyment of the book. I also liked the inclusion of the local history, especially about the poor treatment of the Native Americans (particularly the children) in the early 20th century. The only minor complaint was that the story seemed to end abruptly, although it was definitely a good ending! But another paragraph or two would have been nice.
Special thanks to #LauraKCurtis, #NetGalley, and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
entertaininglynerdy's review
4.0
A darker shade was a really good book. I always love ghost stories and to a degree it reminded me of The Turn of the key
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