Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse, #1) by H.D. Carlton

dark romance • stalker romance • gothic atmosphere • morally gray hero • psychological suspense

A haunting gothic mansion, a mysterious presence that refuses to stay away, and an obsession that blurs the line between desire and danger. When Adeline Reilly returns to her late grandmother’s home in Seattle, she expects a fresh start. Instead, unsettling discoveries and an enigmatic stranger draw her into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Haunting Adeline is a provocative, suspense-filled dark romance for readers drawn to twisted obsession, chilling secrets, and a love story that ventures far beyond the ordinary.

The Vibe

Adeline Reilly is a successful author with a sharp mind and a fiercely independent spirit. Returning to her family’s gothic mansion offers the chance to reconnect with her past, but the house holds secrets that are far more unsettling than old memories. Strange occurrences, mysterious messages, and an unwelcome presence turn her fresh start into something altogether more sinister.

Enter Zade, a shadowy, intensely fixated man whose interest in Adeline refuses to be ignored. Their dynamic is charged with tension, dangerous curiosity, and a battle of wills that keeps the line between fear and fascination unsettlingly thin.

Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Seattle and a haunting family estate, this story blends gothic mystery with psychological suspense and an intensely dark romantic undercurrent. The result is an immersive, provocative read for those who prefer their romance dangerous, their heroes morally complicated, and their tension impossible to escape.

Dark, disturbing, and deliberately provocative, Haunting Adeline explores obsession and desire in a story that pushes boundaries. This is an extremely dark romance with potentially distressing content, so readers are encouraged to review the author's content warnings before reading.

Spice Level

• 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️  (5/5)

Tropes & Tags

• Dark romance
• Stalker romance
• Obsessive hero
• Morally gray male lead
• Gothic mansion
• Psychological suspense
• Romantic thriller
• Dangerous attraction
• Cat-and-mouse dynamic
• Mysterious family history
• Atmospheric setting
• High-tension, boundary-pushing romance

Books in Series (In Order)

• Haunting Adeline, #1
• Hunting Adeline, #2