H. D. Carlton

The Manipulator

I can manipulate the emotions of anyone who lets me.
I will make you hurt, make you cry, make you laugh and sigh.
But my words don't affect him. Especially not when I plead for him to leave.
He's always there, watching and waiting.
And I can never look away.
Not when I want him to come closer.


The Shadow

I didn't mean to fall in love.
But now that I have, I can't stay away.
I'm mesmerized by her smile, by her eyes, and the way she moves.
The way she undresses...
I'll keep watching and waiting. Until I can make her mine.
And once she is, I'll never let her go.
Not even when she begs me to.

While not required, it is highly suggested to read the novella, Satan's Affair, first.

Author's Note: This book ends on a cliffhanger. For CWs, please check the author's website.

Cat and Mouse Duet Book 1

Haunting Adeline

Ryleigh Johnson

I want to slap him. But the asshole would probably like it, and then turn around and slap me back. And my dumbass self would probably like it, too. 

Stephanie 

Amanda Autumn Berrey

Rory

Hana 

"Let me know which stars you prefer. The ones above you, or the ones I make you see."

Anita

saidaa<3

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

All I want to do is break her. Shatter her into pieces. And then arrange those pieces to fit against my own. I don’t care if they don’t fit—I’ll fucking make them.

🌸 Crybaby 🌸

hannah groom 

“What you’re seeing now is what I see every day. No matter how far I run, how hard I try to escape you—you’re everywhere I go. You’re everything I see. Loving you is like being trapped in a house of mirrors, little mouse. And I’ve never felt so at home while being so lost inside you.”

Morgan Denlinger

When you make someone fall in love with the darkest parts of you, there's nothing you can do that will scare them away. 

They will be yours forever because they already love all the fucked up bits and pieces of you.

I don't have the goddamn time to deal with small fish when I have Great Whites floating around in my ocean. Too bad for them, I'm a fucking Megalodon.

Sleepyreader

Rachel

It was an exiting read and the ml left me questioning his sanity several times but the book has a little bit of everything mystery, romance, stalking, spooky vibes, human trafficking, and a decent amount of spice.

Ellie moonstone 

Terrible writing that the plot absolutely could not make up for. May not have been the intention of the actor but it read like romanticizing rape, toxic relationships, and sexual violence. In my opinion this book is very damaging for a young mind that is still discovering what love and sex should look like.

Maryam

Rose cakes

Both characters are annoying af, the plot sucks and the writing style is horrendous 

Honestly laughed more than anything at how bad this was. 

Roxanne Ramirez

Overhyped 

I can’t even with this dumpster fire

Both characters are annoying af, the plot sucks and the writing style is horrendous 

Honestly laughed more than anything at how bad this was. 

I just don't see how sexual assault is excusable and I think it is incredibly hypocritical that Zade works to disband sex trafficking rings and save women from horrible situations, while simultaneously stalking, instilling fear into and assaulting a woman, but acting like he's so different. I've also heard the argument that "she actually wanted it because of the way her body was reacting", but she literally said no multiple times and was terrified. 

Montana Langille

I was very curious about this book and was very excited to get into it. I can happily say that I was not disappointed. The author wrote these characters so well, it was so interesting to get inside their heads. Although this is my first dark romance read, I loved it. I would describe it as a trainwreck that you just can't look away from. I loved these characters, and the inner turmoil Addie was going through and how genuine Zade was. I also really enjoyed the side story of Addie figuring out who murdered her great-grandmother. Really loved this book and I can't wait to see what happens in the next one!

Maggie Hotmer

I had low expectations for this one, but the story line was actually ok. Maybe to vivid writing for me. But I don’t understand why would she fall for him. He is literally psiho

Angie

read this for funsies to get me out of my reading slump. i honestly expected it to be way worse. it was relatively enjoyable and i flew through it. it was still pretty gross and weird at some parts though. i don't get why people are so obsessed with zade.

kaii

Interesting. This was my first dark romance book. It wasn’t as exciting/good like what it was hyped up to be but it was decent. Make sure to read the trigger warnings before reading.

drewbee🐝🍯✨

This could have gotten such a higher rating if Zade wasn't a walking contradiction. Like how are you going to save women and girls from the same thing you're doing to Adeline? 😭

Anyways, I only liked the concept of the work he did. How he was helping people but that barely mattered when he was a creep himself. I couldn't read it anymore, I got bored lol.

Tali ⋆.˚🦋༘⋆

This could have gotten such a higher rating if Zade wasn't a walking contradiction. Like how are you going to save women and girls from the same thing you're doing to Adeline? 😭

Anyways, I only liked the concept of the work he did. How he was helping people but that barely mattered when he was a creep himself. I couldn't read it anymore, I got bored lol.

I don’t know if it’s just me or is this book overhyped? The writing felt like the author was trying too hard to make herself believe that she is a good author? 🤷🏻‍♀️  Zade is toxic, he IS not a hero, not a dark hero in any sense. He for fucks same f- her with a gun, that should make you run away. This book was a disappointment especially when she finds her grandmother’s love letters 💀 I can’t for the life of me recommend this shit to anyone. This book is just dark, there’s no romance. No hate to the author or readers who loved it. You can and are free to do so, just don’t ask me or others who disliked this book to do the same!!

↑ this was my review back when I read this book, without finishing it. Zade made me eat my own words. So here is my full review after reading this book again, with a new perspective. 

→ This is the first book in the cat & mouse duet. This is also my first book by hailey. I wanted to read it for such a long time, i couldn’t read it while having all my morals getting in the way, and i was not into dark romance at the time. 

I’m so happy i finished the book everyone kept talking about, hyping it, and i find that it is good. Just that i won’t hype it too much. 

Rating :⭐⭐⭐⭐ (I was going to give it three stars, but one more star for zade and only him) 

Tropes : enemies to lovers, contemporary, dark romance, stalker romance.

Characters : i) <spoiler>zade — let’s talk about him, he’s the best hacker, who dismantles corrupt governments and rescues victims of human trafficking. He’s also a stalker, which bleeds into his obsession with Adeline. The book starts with creepy vibes, Adeline moving into her grandmother’s house, and gets stalked by zade. The story progresses slowly, zade’s obsession, and him rescuing women and making sure they are safe, away from fucking pedophiles, and rich people who only fill their pockets. Zade won my heart, because i didn’t think out of every other profession, he’d be a hacker, and also protects women, and children. (Real men could never). His obsession with Adeline is strawberry on top. (I don’t like cherry on top of a cake) 

Zade does everything in his power to make sure no girl is being abused at the hands of a pedophile, or a rapist. He stalks Adeline, and makes her scared of her life, but in the book, Adeline loves it. And i don’t mind that either.</spoiler>

ii) Adeline reilly — Adeline is fiery, pretends to be strong, but is soft at heart, i liked her, but not too much. 

What I loved : the story, the plot. I was invested, although I took my time finishing this book. 

What I struggled with : nothing. Miss hailey’s writing is smooth, and i wanted to keep reading until the end. 

Strong character development : character development only for zade, Adeline still has to grow on me. 

Favorite quotes/ highlights : “my mother. Her favorite flowers were roses. She always has them flipped so i wouldn’t hurt myself. One year, i told her that i would be sad when she died because all the roses would die with her. So, she gave me a plastic rose and said that as long as I have that rose, she would never be truly gone.”

Any other details : this was my first stalker romance, and i wanted to read that sik luv by jescie hall, but i picked this book and got captivated, and wanted to finish it. Zade leaving roses for adeline touched my heart. I’m still so wrapped up in zade that i don’t think I can list down all the things that could have been potentially disturbing for other readers. I loved their love story, and although gigi’s love story is solved, as the book says, my heart says there could be more to their story than i know. Zade will always and forever be my kitty cat. He likes his name better, but I like kitty cat more. Zade won my heart, I am not taking into account what morals have to say, just that I love this man, and he’s 🫶🏼.

ruhaani ♡

I don’t know if it’s just me or is this book overhyped? The writing felt like the author was trying too hard to make herself believe that she is a good author? 🤷🏻‍♀️  Zade is toxic, he IS not a hero, not a dark hero in any sense. He for fucks same f- her with a gun, that should make you run away. This book was a disappointment especially when she finds her grandmother’s love letters 💀 I can’t for the life of me recommend this shit to anyone. This book is just dark, there’s no romance. No hate to the author or readers who loved it. You can and are free to do so, just don’t ask me or others who disliked this book to do the same!!

↑ this was my review back when I read this book, without finishing it. Zade made me eat my own words. So here is my full review after reading this book again, with a new perspective. 

→ This is the first book in the cat & mouse duet. This is also my first book by hailey. I wanted to read it for such a long time, i couldn’t read it while having all my morals getting in the way, and i was not into dark romance at the time. 

I’m so happy i finished the book everyone kept talking about, hyping it, and i find that it is good. Just that i won’t hype it too much. 

Spoiler alert. 

[This book ends on a cliffhanger]

Plot : ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Story :⭐⭐⭐⭐

Burn :🌶️🌶️🌶️

Rating :⭐⭐⭐⭐ (I was going to give it three stars, but one more star for zade and only him) 

Tropes : enemies to lovers, contemporary, dark romance, stalker romance.

Pacing : medium. 

Characters : i) <spoiler>zade — let’s talk about him, he’s the best hacker, who dismantles corrupt governments and rescues victims of human trafficking. He’s also a stalker, which bleeds into his obsession with Adeline. The book starts with creepy vibes, Adeline moving into her grandmother’s house, and gets stalked by zade. The story progresses slowly, zade’s obsession, and him rescuing women and making sure they are safe, away from fucking pedophiles, and rich people who only fill their pockets. Zade won my heart, because i didn’t think out of every other profession, he’d be a hacker, and also protects women, and children. (Real men could never). His obsession with Adeline is strawberry on top. (I don’t like cherry on top of a cake) 

Zade does everything in his power to make sure no girl is being abused at the hands of a pedophile, or a rapist. He stalks Adeline, and makes her scared of her life, but in the book, Adeline loves it. And i don’t mind that either.</spoiler>

ii) Adeline reilly — Adeline is fiery, pretends to be strong, but is soft at heart, i liked her, but not too much. 

What I loved : the story, the plot. I was invested, although I took my time finishing this book. 

What I struggled with : nothing. Miss hailey’s writing is smooth, and i wanted to keep reading until the end. 

Loveable characters or not : yes. 

Strong character development : character development only for zade, Adeline still has to grow on me. 

Plot driven / character driven : a mix. 

Favorite quotes/ highlights : “my mother. Her favorite flowers were roses. She always has them flipped so i wouldn’t hurt myself. One year, i told her that i would be sad when she died because all the roses would die with her. So, she gave me a plastic rose and said that as long as I have that rose, she would never be truly gone.”

Any other details : this was my first stalker romance, and i wanted to read that sik luv by jescie hall, but i picked this book and got captivated, and wanted to finish it. Zade leaving roses for adeline touched my heart. I’m still so wrapped up in zade that i don’t think I can list down all the things that could have been potentially disturbing for other readers. I loved their love story, and although gigi’s love story is solved, as the book says, my heart says there could be more to their story than i know. Zade will always and forever be my kitty cat. He likes his name better, but I like kitty cat more. Zade won my heart, I am not taking into account what morals have to say, just that I love this man, and he’s 🫶🏼.

this was my first time reading a dark romance book and i was seriously shocked. it wasn’t too bad if you fans of dark romance, but for me definitely won’t be picking up the second book.

Clivia

asur.pranzz 

soph 

Was a rough read. The author was very good but rape on any level should not be justified just because the MMC is hot and she likes to be scared. Take her on a date or something Stalking STALKING is not the answer. 

Sierra Bennett

This book was a page turner for sure. It had me hooked the moment I picked it up and and I couldn’t put it down. I finished it in about a week and throughly enjoyed every moment of it. As someone with some past trauma that relates to this book it didn’t trigger me at all. I don’t have a weak stomach by any means and am pretty desensitized to mostly everything. This book really wasn’t as bad as I had prepared myself for. I found the characters to be very intriguing. Adeline made me upset at times because of the way she was denying her love that was developing for Zade. Zade is a strong man who has a dangerous look too him and lives a dangerous lifestyle for the greater good. He’s a bad man but for good reasons. I really liked his character. At times I could see that the book may be cringey to people because of the nicknames and the lovey dovey stuff. I personally wasn’t bothered by it. It honestly wasn’t as smutty as I had anticipated. I’m not saying it wasn’t smutty but i’ve read books that were smut like every chapter. Definitely on the freaky side but there wasn’t a whole lot of sex scenes in my opinion. The author was not lying when she said that there was a cliffhanger. Not only was there a cliff hanger but there was two. One for each characters last chapter. Ending off on these cliffhangers really made me yearn to read the next book! I would definitely recommend this. It’s a popular book for a reason.

Vera Parker

!Slight spoilers!

This book was a page turner for sure. It had me hooked the moment I picked it up and and I couldn’t put it down. I finished it in about a week and throughly enjoyed every moment of it. As someone with some past trauma that relates to this book it didn’t trigger me at all. I don’t have a weak stomach by any means and am pretty desensitized to mostly everything. This book really wasn’t as bad as I had prepared myself for. I found the characters to be very intriguing. Adeline made me upset at times because of the way she was denying her love that was developing for Zade. Zade is a strong man who has a dangerous look too him and lives a dangerous lifestyle for the greater good. He’s a bad man but for good reasons. I really liked his character. At times I could see that the book may be cringey to people because of the nicknames and the lovey dovey stuff. I personally wasn’t bothered by it. It honestly wasn’t as smutty as I had anticipated. I’m not saying it wasn’t smutty but i’ve read books that were smut like every chapter. Definitely on the freaky side but there wasn’t a whole lot of sex scenes in my opinion. The author was not lying when she said that there was a cliffhanger. Not only was there a cliff hanger but there was two. One for each characters last chapter. Ending off on these cliffhangers really made me yearn to read the next book! I would definitely recommend this. It’s a popular book for a reason.



The conclusion to the Cat and Mouse Duet is here...The DiamondDeath walks alongside me,But the reaper is no match for me.I'm trapped in a world full of monsters dressed as men, and those who aren't as they seem.They won't keep me forever.I no longer recognize the person I've become,And I'm fighting to find my way back to the beast who hunts me in the night.They call me a diamond,But they've only created an angel of death.The HunterI was born a predator,With ruthlessness ingrained in my bones.When what's mine is stolen from me in the night,Like a diamond hidden within a fortress,I find that I can no longer contain the beast.Blood will paint the ground as I tear apart this world to find her.And bring her back to where she belongs.No one will escape my wrath,Especially not those who have betrayed me.Warning: This is the second and final installment to the Duet. You must read Haunting Adeline first.

Hunting Adeline

Es ist sehr gut geschrieben, trotzdem gibt es Stellen die etwas komisch sind… wie zum Beispiel die Pistolen Scene, eine Verg€waldig*ung wird verherrlicht 

Sophie Neumann

It started good, but then the story started to fall apart. I mean, okay, good smut and all that, but the characters and their reasoning just don’t make sense :/

Rio (they/them)

It started good, but then the story started to fall apart. I mean, okay, good smut and all that, but the characters and their reasoning just don’t make sense :/

I was expecting more.

This definitely wasn’t my favourite dark romance. 

I will read the second one because I am a sucker for punishment 

Brittany Peterson

3 stars from me. 

This definitely wasn’t my favourite dark romance. 

I will read the second one because I am a sucker for punishment 

donits ~inactive

I enjoyed the smut, but over all the book wasn’t much enjoyable, not enough plot or storyline that I would like. I’m going to still read the second book. 

Edna Aviles

One of my first “darker” dark romances and wow!! This was awesome!! The ending what the actual hellll?!!! I just love how some people are connected without knowing it so that is so though through! Hd Carlton wrote a masterpiece! Kinda scared for the second one!!

Femke

The manipulator. I can manipulate the emotions of anyone who lets me. I will make you hurt, make you cry, make you laugh and sigh. But my words don't affect him. Especially not when I plead for him to leave. He's always there, watching and waiting. And I can never look away. Not when I want him to come closer. The shadow. I didn't mean to fall in love. But now that I have, I can't stay away. I'm mesmerized by her smile, by her eyes, and the way she moves. The way she undresses...I'll keep watching and waiting. Until I can make her mine. And once she is, I'll never let her go. Not even when she begs me to.

Haunting Adeline Cat and Mouse Duet Book 1