5 Things I Loved About Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton (And One That Shook Me)
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“You’ll run. But I’ll chase.”
If I had a dollar for every time Zade Meadows said something that made me want to simultaneously swoon and run for my life, I’d be rich enough to live in a gothic mansion like Adeline Reilly. Welcome to the dark, twisted, and totally addictive world of Haunting Adeline—a book that left me breathless, disturbed, and somehow still begging for more.
Whether you’re deep into dark romance or just dipping your toes into the morally gray abyss, here are five things that completely hooked me—and one that left me reeling.
1. Zade Freaking Meadows
Let’s be real: Zade is the blueprint for every dangerously obsessive book boyfriend you shouldn’t want—but do anyway. He’s confident, unhinged, brilliant, and built like a weapon. He stalks Adeline with the precision of a sniper and the obsession of a man who’s made up his mind about fate. Is it problematic? Absolutely. Did I eat it up? Also yes.
“I don’t need to be the hero. I just need to be the one who owns you.”
There’s something about the way H.D. Carlton writes Zade that makes you forget how wrong it all is… until you remember. And then you keep reading anyway.
2. Adeline’s Slow-Burn Spiral
Adeline isn’t your typical romance heroine. She’s not overly likable. She’s haunted, guarded, often cold—and that’s exactly what makes her so fascinating. Watching her unravel, struggle for control, and face her own fears head-on was one of my favorite parts.
I especially loved her diary entries. They gave us a raw, unfiltered look at her trauma and fear. Her evolution from prey to someone reclaiming her power was slow, messy, and gripping.
3. The Tension Was Criminal (Literally)
If sexual tension was a crime, Haunting Adeline would be doing life without parole.
The slow-burn power struggle between Zade and Addie was addictive. It walks a very thin line between consensual and coercive—which won’t be for everyone—but the push and pull had me flipping pages like a woman possessed. Even the silences between them felt heavy. Electric.
This book doesn’t tease. It taunts. And just when you think you’ve had enough? It goes darker.
4. That Deliciously Gothic Vibe
I’m a sucker for old mansions, secret passageways, cursed bloodlines, and candle-lit rooms full of danger and ghosts. The atmosphere in Haunting Adeline is everything. You can practically smell the dusty books and blood in the air.
“I live in a house that breathes my nightmares back at me.”
Tell me that line isn’t haunting in the best way?
The setting is a character in itself, and it adds layers of dread and tension that makes even the romantic scenes feel dangerous.
5. The Mystery Within the Madness
While Zade and Addie are the heartbeat of this story, the mystery plot—Adeline’s investigation into her grandmother’s murder and the trafficking ring Zade is trying to destroy—adds real stakes. It’s not just vibes and spice; there’s a sinister, pulsing undercurrent of danger that keeps things from becoming one-dimensional.
Even when I was mentally yelling at the characters, I was hooked.
✖️ One Thing That Shook Me
Okay, real talk: some scenes in this book cross serious lines.
This isn’t your average enemies-to-lovers romance. This is stalker romance with dubcon, manipulation, and non-negotiable moral ambiguity. If you're expecting hearts and flowers… maybe back away slowly.
One scene in particular—a pivotal turning point in their physical relationship—left me deeply conflicted. It made me pause and honestly ask, Why am I still rooting for this? And yet, that’s kind of the point. H.D. Carlton doesn’t want you to feel safe in this story. She wants you to question everything.
💬 Final Thoughts
If you’re someone who likes your romance dark, dangerous, and deeply layered, Haunting Adeline will consume you. It’s not for the faint of heart, and definitely not for readers triggered by themes of stalking, sexual violence, or power imbalances. But for readers who can handle the shadows—it’s unforgettable.
🖤 Have you read Haunting Adeline?
Did you fall for Zade or want to throttle him? Are you brave enough to dive into Hunting Adeline next? Drop your favorite (or most messed-up) quote in the comments.