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The Darkest Gift
Christmas isn’t about presents—it’s about choosing the perfect victim to unwrap.
It’s a game. A deadly one, where the player has no idea he’s about to become the star of a twisted version of the 12 Days of Christmas. But will he survive?
Not all predators wear their intentions on their sleeve, and some prey are far more dangerous than they seem.
Welcome to a holiday season, where the only thing that shines bright is the edge of the blade.
Maree's Warning, The Darkest Gift is a whychoose MMF dark contemporary romance. It contains very explicit 18+ very dark, sexual content, and straight-up smut. The main characters are not good at all, there is lots of dark and twisted content. There is a warning list at the front of the book but please feel free to reach out to me on social media prior to purchasing. Proceed at your own risk, if you dare. All the characters are 18+
It’s a game. A deadly one, where the player has no idea he’s about to become the star of a twisted version of the 12 Days of Christmas. But will he survive?
Not all predators wear their intentions on their sleeve, and some prey are far more dangerous than they seem.
Welcome to a holiday season, where the only thing that shines bright is the edge of the blade.
Maree's Warning, The Darkest Gift is a whychoose MMF dark contemporary romance. It contains very explicit 18+ very dark, sexual content, and straight-up smut. The main characters are not good at all, there is lots of dark and twisted content. There is a warning list at the front of the book but please feel free to reach out to me on social media prior to purchasing. Proceed at your own risk, if you dare. All the characters are 18+
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2024
42 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
About the author
Maree Rose
22 books786 followersMaree Rose is a romance writer based on the East Coast of Australia.
When she isn't writing she is reading or spending time with her family.
She has dabbled in writing since she was a little girl but finally took the plunge to publish in 2023.
She loves a good insta-lust/insta-love story and did experience this with her own marriage.
When she isn't writing she is reading or spending time with her family.
She has dabbled in writing since she was a little girl but finally took the plunge to publish in 2023.
She loves a good insta-lust/insta-love story and did experience this with her own marriage.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 28, 2025
The Darkest Gift is the kind of book that looks you dead in the face and says, “Oh, you thought this was dark romance? That’s cute.” Because this isn’t dark romance — this is full-blown horror erotica wearing stilettos and smirking.
The vibe is pitch-black from page one. Everything is cold, calculated, and unapologetically twisted. The characters aren’t “morally gray,” they’re morally gone. No soft moments, no inner gooey center, no “oh look, he secretly cares.” Absolutely not. Everyone here operates on wickedness and precision, and the writing leans into that with sharp, almost clinical intention.
And honestly? It’s incredibly well done. The atmosphere is thick, the tension is unsettling in the best way, and the author commits hard to the darkness. You can tell she wasn’t interested in giving these characters hearts — she gave them knives instead.
Now me? I’m a dark-romance reader at heart. I like my chaos, I like my damaged characters, but I also need one thread of emotional connection to latch onto. This book said, “Respectfully, no,” and kept right on being beautifully depraved.
So here’s the truth:
If you love pitch-black erotica where the characters are deliciously dangerous and the vibe is more “psychological menace” than “romantic tension,” this will hit every one of your buttons. If you want emotion, softness, or even a hint of redemption… you’re going to feel like you showed up to the wrong party.
I can absolutely appreciate how well it’s written — the style is sharp, the darkness is intentional, and the commitment to the tone is fantastic. It just sits firmly in the horror-erotica lane, not the romance one, and readers should go in knowing exactly what they’re signing up for.
The vibe is pitch-black from page one. Everything is cold, calculated, and unapologetically twisted. The characters aren’t “morally gray,” they’re morally gone. No soft moments, no inner gooey center, no “oh look, he secretly cares.” Absolutely not. Everyone here operates on wickedness and precision, and the writing leans into that with sharp, almost clinical intention.
And honestly? It’s incredibly well done. The atmosphere is thick, the tension is unsettling in the best way, and the author commits hard to the darkness. You can tell she wasn’t interested in giving these characters hearts — she gave them knives instead.
Now me? I’m a dark-romance reader at heart. I like my chaos, I like my damaged characters, but I also need one thread of emotional connection to latch onto. This book said, “Respectfully, no,” and kept right on being beautifully depraved.
So here’s the truth:
If you love pitch-black erotica where the characters are deliciously dangerous and the vibe is more “psychological menace” than “romantic tension,” this will hit every one of your buttons. If you want emotion, softness, or even a hint of redemption… you’re going to feel like you showed up to the wrong party.
I can absolutely appreciate how well it’s written — the style is sharp, the darkness is intentional, and the commitment to the tone is fantastic. It just sits firmly in the horror-erotica lane, not the romance one, and readers should go in knowing exactly what they’re signing up for.
December 17, 2024
Well, well, well. When Maree releases a surprise story that's also a dark Christmas story, who am I to not read this? When I tell you, this does NOT disappoint... this does NOT disappoint! If you're looking for a twisted 12 Days of Christmas story, grab this one, right nowwwww!!!!
Other than the fact that the MMC is named what he is, that man is hotttt! But it makes me wonder, who's worse? Mason or Iris? I mean, either way, these two...together...they're unstoppable! And even in their dark, sick world, they're hot! Ugh I love them so much!
Elijah...oh boy, this man...Welllllll he clearly knows what he's doing, and I mean, how do you get so lucky to be able to be wrapped up in Mason and Iris?! I mean...jealous!!
So... where do we sign up to be in the middle of this sandwich? Iris... please let me have a turn!!!! 🥵
I wouldn't mind if we got more of them in future works because, man, what I wouldn't give to see what the next round of traditions would be!
Other than the fact that the MMC is named what he is, that man is hotttt! But it makes me wonder, who's worse? Mason or Iris? I mean, either way, these two...together...they're unstoppable! And even in their dark, sick world, they're hot! Ugh I love them so much!
Elijah...oh boy, this man...Welllllll he clearly knows what he's doing, and I mean, how do you get so lucky to be able to be wrapped up in Mason and Iris?! I mean...jealous!!
So... where do we sign up to be in the middle of this sandwich? Iris... please let me have a turn!!!! 🥵
I wouldn't mind if we got more of them in future works because, man, what I wouldn't give to see what the next round of traditions would be!
December 5, 2025
Maree Rose did it again. This was amazing much like her other works.
December 23, 2025
Tell me, Elijah, have you ever wanted someone so badly that you'd burn the world down just to see them smile?
If you’re looking for a dark and depraved read these last few days of the holiday season, step into this delicious MMF romance world from Maree Rose. This one will bring the heat even if it’s a bit cold outside 😮💨🥵 our ménage scenes start off quickly and get this party started, until Iris and Mason’s real selves come to light as the bring Elijah into their twisted web. Oh, and Elijah may just have a twist for them as well 😉Just the right length for a quick read in front of the fire, but trust me you won’t want to put this one down!
If you’re looking for a dark and depraved read these last few days of the holiday season, step into this delicious MMF romance world from Maree Rose. This one will bring the heat even if it’s a bit cold outside 😮💨🥵 our ménage scenes start off quickly and get this party started, until Iris and Mason’s real selves come to light as the bring Elijah into their twisted web. Oh, and Elijah may just have a twist for them as well 😉Just the right length for a quick read in front of the fire, but trust me you won’t want to put this one down!
January 7, 2025
Any book by Marée Rose is a hit omg they’re so fucked up but they’re soooooo good
December 10, 2025
A psychotic husband & wife duo have an interesting Christmas tradition… but this year their new “guest” is just as psychotic as they are! What starts as 12 days of pleasure & pain, turns into a Christmas display of gruesome proportions & a happy psycho Throuple!
The vibe is pitch-black from page one. Everything is cold, calculated, and unapologetically twisted. The characters aren’t “morally gray,” they’re morally gone. No soft moments, no inner gooey center, no “oh look, he secretly cares.” Absolutely not. Everyone here operates on wickedness and precision.
This twisted Christmas thriller hooked me from the first line. The deadly spin on the 12 Days of Christmas is brilliantly executed—each “gift” more chilling than the last. Clever, tense, and wickedly unhinged.
The spice is amazing and Mason, Iris, and Elijah are a match made in darkness. They are perfect together.
The vibe is pitch-black from page one. Everything is cold, calculated, and unapologetically twisted. The characters aren’t “morally gray,” they’re morally gone. No soft moments, no inner gooey center, no “oh look, he secretly cares.” Absolutely not. Everyone here operates on wickedness and precision.
This twisted Christmas thriller hooked me from the first line. The deadly spin on the 12 Days of Christmas is brilliantly executed—each “gift” more chilling than the last. Clever, tense, and wickedly unhinged.
The spice is amazing and Mason, Iris, and Elijah are a match made in darkness. They are perfect together.
December 16, 2024
Wow just wow. This sneaky little Christmas book is FUCKED in the best way. These characters are morally black. Like absolutely FUCKED and I love them 🤣.
Iris and Mason are a power couple. They work hard and play harder and by play harder I mean commit torture, sexual depravity and murder. But this Christmas they meet their match and he is as deliciously depraved at they are they just don’t know it yet but they are about to find out in the most fucked up, hot way.
These characters deserve each other and I loved every fucked up, hot, depraved me moment of it. It’s fine everything is fine I absolutely questioned myself and my sanity during this entire read. If you love morally black absolutely irredeemable characters this one is for you.
Iris and Mason are a power couple. They work hard and play harder and by play harder I mean commit torture, sexual depravity and murder. But this Christmas they meet their match and he is as deliciously depraved at they are they just don’t know it yet but they are about to find out in the most fucked up, hot way.
These characters deserve each other and I loved every fucked up, hot, depraved me moment of it. It’s fine everything is fine I absolutely questioned myself and my sanity during this entire read. If you love morally black absolutely irredeemable characters this one is for you.
December 4, 2025
This twisted Christmas thriller hooked me from the first line. The deadly spin on the 12 Days of Christmas is brilliantly executed—each “gift” more chilling than the last. Clever, tense, and wickedly unhinged, this book turns holiday cheer into pure dread in the best way. A razor-sharp festive read I couldn’t put down
January 2, 2026
Book Title: The Darkest Gift
# of pages: 186
Spice: 4/5
MMF
Favorite Quote:
"With Elijah caught between us, we've found the perfect pawn. A beautiful, breakable toy for us to wind up and watch spin out of control. The thrill of corrupting him, of drawing him into our web of depravity, is a high like no other."
# of pages: 186
Spice: 4/5
MMF
Favorite Quote:
"With Elijah caught between us, we've found the perfect pawn. A beautiful, breakable toy for us to wind up and watch spin out of control. The thrill of corrupting him, of drawing him into our web of depravity, is a high like no other."
December 17, 2024
twisty!!
I really didn’t know what to expect from this except for the mountain of questions I had about halfway through. Turns out this is good! Like so good I hope we get more of these characters at some point.
I really didn’t know what to expect from this except for the mountain of questions I had about halfway through. Turns out this is good! Like so good I hope we get more of these characters at some point.
December 18, 2024
12 dark, dirty days of Christmas
Fantastically dark, depraved and oh so dirty. This is a brilliantly dark Christmas tale, the twelve days of Christmas will never feel the same again!
Fantastically dark, depraved and oh so dirty. This is a brilliantly dark Christmas tale, the twelve days of Christmas will never feel the same again!
December 20, 2024
This is a moderately dark, fun, and smutty holiday read!
The ‘twist’ is one I could see coming from the start but, I continually second guessed myself throughout the story.
I’ll likely be re-reading this next Christmas season.
The ‘twist’ is one I could see coming from the start but, I continually second guessed myself throughout the story.
I’ll likely be re-reading this next Christmas season.
June 3, 2025
Not sure what I was expecting tbh
It was an okay read. Took a bit too long to get to the climax but overall, I found this book to be somewhat interesting. Iris and Mason are insane, and I enjoyed their dynamic with Elijah.
It was an okay read. Took a bit too long to get to the climax but overall, I found this book to be somewhat interesting. Iris and Mason are insane, and I enjoyed their dynamic with Elijah.
November 29, 2025
A psychotic husband & wife duo have an interesting Christmas tradition… but this year their new “guest” is just as psychotic as they are! What starts as 12 days of pleasure & pain, turns into a Christmas display of gruesome proportions & a happy psycho Throuple!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Knife play, edging, MMF
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Knife play, edging, MMF
December 18, 2025
This booked had me drawn in from the start, pitch black. Was not expecting anything like that for the ending. Had me going what the fuck. Mason and Iris definitely have the power couple factor. Maree Rose definitely knows how to write a pitch black Christmas Novella.
December 15, 2024
Oh. My. Lordt.
🥵🥵🥵🥵
I have no words. Zero. My brain is mush. I’ll be looking under the tree for my own dark depraved sinfully exquisite couple to take me in.
🥵🥵🥵🥵
I have no words. Zero. My brain is mush. I’ll be looking under the tree for my own dark depraved sinfully exquisite couple to take me in.
December 21, 2024
I loved everything about this dark and twisted book. The spice is amazing and Mason, Iris, and Elijah are a match made in darkness. They are perfect together.
December 21, 2024
YES YES YES!
More please, so much more please,
These three, DID THINGS TO ME.
I need to see how truly fucked up things can get with me, and I need Manson in Elijah so much more haha!
More please, so much more please,
These three, DID THINGS TO ME.
I need to see how truly fucked up things can get with me, and I need Manson in Elijah so much more haha!
December 23, 2024
5*/5 ⭐️
Це максимально заборонена заборона, але це так 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
Це максимально заборонена заборона, але це так 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
January 27, 2025
Wow this book had me mindblown the whole way through. Fantastic read.
December 27, 2025
The Darkest Gift…more like 12 dangerously delicious ones🫦 Their marriage may be unconventional, but who wants to be normal anyways? Oh the tension and passion within these pages!!!😮💨 There was also such an addicting backstory full of mystery (especially for us true crime junkies). This baby is definitely one of my top holiday reads of this year.🎄
December 29, 2025
🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Darkest Gift by Maree Rose had a great twist at the end was well done. It was definitely spicy, which I know some readers will enjoy. That said, the story overall just didn’t really grab me. I found myself losing interest at times and struggling to stay engaged, even though the writing itself was fine. The ending helped my overall opinion. An okay read, just not one that fully held my attention.
The Darkest Gift by Maree Rose had a great twist at the end was well done. It was definitely spicy, which I know some readers will enjoy. That said, the story overall just didn’t really grab me. I found myself losing interest at times and struggling to stay engaged, even though the writing itself was fine. The ending helped my overall opinion. An okay read, just not one that fully held my attention.
May 9, 2025
Maree Rose knocked it out of the park with this one. It’s on the same level as Hunt Me Darling and it’s how a suspense romance book should be written. I absolutely love being thrown off and I was really happy with this one. Idc if other people saw the ending a mile away and they thought it was predictable. Hoping for something similar to this soon
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews