Grimstone by Sophie Lark

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Remi Hayes is beginning to think she’s cursed —her fiancé cheated on her, her brother Jude is a major pain in her ass, and the moldering mansion she inherited from her uncle might just be haunted.

Flipping Blackleaf Manor already feels impossible, even before Remi is blackmailed by Dane Covett, the dangerously hot doctor-next-door, and Grimstone’s most eligible bachelor—if you can ignore the fact that everyone in town thinks he murdered his wife.

Remi doesn’t want to believe it, especially after Dane sews up a gash in her thigh and steals a kiss in payment—a kiss that makes it hard to walk for reasons that have nothing to do with an injured leg.

But as the renovation takes a strange and violent turn, Remi must decide if Dane is the one haunting her nights, or if he’s trying to protect her from something much worse…

Haunted House, Hot Neighbor, Hostile Town

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 🩷💙💚❤️
Steam/Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍
Character development: 🤓😟🤯😎
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration

Characters and Plot Dynamics

Remi’s life changed completely when her parents died while she was still a teenager. She discovered that the comfortable life they had projected was a lie and that they had left behind a mountain of debt. At eighteen, she became responsible for paying off overdue bills, covering back rent, and finding a new home for herself and her younger brother Jude. Their new reality was far removed from the privileged world they once knew, and Remi carried a heavy sense of guilt for not being able to visit their beloved uncle before he passed away.

When that uncle left his home to her, Remi saw a chance to rebuild their lives. She moved herself and a now twenty year old Jude into Blackleaf Manor, a crumbling estate with a haunted reputation. Her plan was simple in theory and overwhelming in practice. She wanted to renovate the property and eventually sell it to one of the wealthy newcomers in the nearby town of Grimstone. The moment she arrived, she realized the house needed far more work than she expected.

Her first encounter with Dane Covett, the neighbor who owns the only road leading to her property, complicates everything. Dane uses that leverage to pressure her into doing repairs on his land. His condition prevents him from being in sunlight for more than a few minutes, which makes Remi’s help invaluable. What begins as a tense arrangement quickly shifts into something charged and unpredictable. Dane finds himself drawn to Remi despite believing she is not his type. Her purple hair, piercings, and tattoos should repel him, yet he cannot stop imagining her in ways that surprise him.

Rumors swirl through Grimstone that Dane murdered his wife and child. He pretends not to care, but when Remi hires a local electrician, jealousy flares. The tension between them grows as the house creaks at night, secrets linger in the shadows, and the line between danger and desire becomes increasingly thin.

Highlights

• Remi’s recent breakup with her controlling ex fiancé Gideon adds satisfying emotional texture. Watching a man like Gideon realize he lost someone he underestimated is always gratifying, especially when he cannot manipulate her into returning.
• The gothic atmosphere is one of the strongest parts of the story. Grimstone’s foggy coastline, the eerie halls of Blackleaf Manor, and the unsettling energy of Dane’s property create a moody and cinematic backdrop. The blend of small town gossip, unexplained noises, and creeping dread keeps the tension alive.
• Remi Hayes is a compelling heroine. Her resilience, practicality, and fierce loyalty to Jude make her easy to root for. Her internal struggle between logic and attraction adds emotional depth.
• Dane Covett embodies the dark romance archetype with intensity. His brooding presence, morally ambiguous choices, and dangerous reputation create a magnetic pull. The enemies to lovers dynamic between him and Remi is filled with power shifts and emotional volatility.
• The story balances romance, suspense, and mystery in a way that keeps the plot moving. Strange sounds in the manor, whispered rumors of murder, and hints of something supernatural maintain a steady sense of intrigue.

Drawbacks

• Dane’s early interactions with the ghost of his wife may be polarizing. His guilt over wanting Remi and his conversations with his dead spouse can feel jarring. While his morally gray nature is part of his appeal, some readers may find his behavior unsettling.
• Secondary characters are not explored as deeply as they could be. Important people in Remi’s life feel underdeveloped, which occasionally weakens the emotional grounding of the story.
• The romance moves quickly and leans heavily into obsession. For readers who prefer slow burn or lighter emotional intensity, the relationship may feel rushed or overwhelming. Fans of dark romance will likely enjoy the pace and tone, but it is not a universal fit.

Narration

The dual narration by Connor Crais and Victoria Connolly suits the story well. Connor Crais delivers an exceptional performance as Dane. His deep, soft voice captures Dane’s brooding nature and gives him a dangerous, introspective quality that elevates the character. Victoria Connolly has a pleasant voice with clear emotional expression, although she sounds slightly older than Remi’s youthful, punk inspired appearance suggests. Her performance is still enjoyable and does not detract from the listening experience.

Final Opinion

This audiobook blends gothic atmosphere, dark romance energy, and emotional tension into a story that feels both moody and addictive. Remi’s determination and Dane’s volatile intensity create a dynamic that is compelling from the start. The haunted setting, the simmering jealousy, and the constant question of what is real keep the narrative engaging. While some elements may divide readers, especially Dane’s more extreme moments, the overall experience is gripping and satisfying.

Quotes

“Why do we admit the truth even though it fucking hurts? Because that’s the way it won’t kill us anymore. It is painful to admit hard truths. But it’s incredibly healing to be forgiven and loved in spite of them.”

“He’ll ask her on a date, that’s a given. Will Remi say yes? I’d like to think she has better taste, but I’ve seen her clothes.”

“Nobody’s ever saved me before. I’ve always had to save myself.”

“I started to feel more and more. And the guilt was overwhelming. I wanted to dance with you that night, Remi—I’ve never wanted anything so badly. And I hated myself as soon as I left. But I don’t know how to make it okay in my head for me to enjoy you…or anything else.”

“Everything about Dane is a waving red flag, with flashing lights and sirens on top. But it also feels bright and burning and wildly arousing, the opposite of my usual instincts.”

“Why does this turn me on so bad?
Why do I like her best when I have her captive?
Remi makes me want to do dark things…
Dark urges, dark impulses…”

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