Black Widow's Bite

Monsters in the Darkness #1

by Bella Reves

Addison has resigned herself to the fact that she’ll be alone forever, thanks to an unfortunate ‘gift’ that drives anyone who touches her to the brink of insanity. When a vicious attack sends her tumbling down a staircase, Addison stumbles upon four reclusive men who are just as troubled as she is. Wyatt, whose tortured soul screams for relief as he takes pain from everyone around him. Austin, whose affinity with snakes has left him stuck inside for fear of cruelty. Piper, whose ability to see the future comes at a terrible cost, leaving his mind fractured and his clarity waning with each passing day. Cain, the terrifying protector of this group of misfits, would gladly burn the world - Addison included - to keep them safe.

Addison’s world is turned upside down as fate keeps pushing her towards these four men, and she begins to wonder if maybe this den of monsters is exactly where she belongs. On the heels of her arrival, the group receives a terrifying warning, and Addison’s dreams begin to look more like dark omens as they prepare to fight an unknown threat.

What could be so evil that it would scare the monsters lurking in the dark?

Genres: Why Choose, Paranormal

222 pages, Paperback

Published March 7, 2024

Reviews

[Lunawolfwy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything! There is romance, lust, spiciness, mystery & more! It's like superhero meets romance.

I was pulled into the book immediately, and the excitement & mystery kept me reading right up to the end. In the beginning, I loved two of the characters. By the end, I loved them all!

I highly recommend this book regardless of which genres you usually read. Surely you'll find that and so much more!

[Annie✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, where do I start…

I couldn’t stop reading🤭 this book was so addictive and the idea for the story was bloody brilliant. I loved every single part of it.

I am a big fan of RH and this was *chef’s kiss*. They all brought something different to the table and I am here for it! It also wasn’t the type of RH, where one part would get a bit jealous or whatever. In this book the FMC was actually being spoilt by all of them 🥵

I want to know, how did the author come up with such idea?

The characters are all very likeable and some scenes were really descriptive and gruesome, but it just added something even more intriguing to the story.

I am also glad Addy found her people and even though Cain was a pain in the a$$, he finally came around in the end.

I am really looking forward to book 2, because it ended… well… it didn’t end. 🖤

[Natalie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

March 2024
Kindle edition
KU

This one stuck out to me. It sounded interesting and it was. Addy, the black widow, manipulating people by touch and killing them with intimacy. I felt sorry for her but then there was the comment about using her 'gift' to get free drinks etc. She was a straight forward fmc, and I liked how she was with the guys.

Austin was my fave with all the snakes, followed by Cain. Wyatt felt like a gatekeeper, whereas Piper felt like a gray area, with the whole consent timing thing. I liked it, how all the characters were healing. It did feel a bit damsel in distress at the end, and then with the predictable not dead ending. I liked this one. I'm curious what will happen past a standalone. It felt all tied up until the end.

[Jourdyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had such high hopes when I started reading this. The concept is so good. I love dark broody characters with super powers and these characters had so much potential. Unfortunately a good idea does not make a good book. The writing was not well done. There are basic grammar mistakes that pulled me out of the story but overall, I just wanted more. It felt very rushed and like there were ideas for specific scenes but they didn’t blend together very well. I understood the authors intentions but I felt like I was having to fill in a lot of story gaps. Really sad because it could have been so great!

[Traci Sek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just popped my reverse harem🍒 and dang was it an adventure! This is a first by this author and it is thrilling!

I was captivated the entire time and the way the characters just fit together and worked together like a puzzle 🧩 was amazing! This I’m told is on the lighter side of reverse harem and also felt like a marvel hero movie except they were unlikely heros with powers no one ever really thought about and they don’t help other people just their own.

Beautifully written and a couldn’t put it down book!
My favorite character had to be Cain followed by Austin Wyatt then Piper yes four guys 1 girl with a magical power that many cannot resist!

5 delightfully chilling stars!!

[xia · Rating 4 out of 5]

soo fun

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black Widow’s Bite by Bella Reves is so good. I trully enjoyed reading it, and loved all the quirky characters.

Addie is such a great FMC – she is strong but weak, fierce but scared, and resigned to a life alone in order to not watch everyone she touches die. Seeing her interact with the 4 guys is so good!

I think Austin was my favorite of the guys. His mannerisms, attraction to Addie, and the general oddness of him was so sexy, attractive, and also made you just love the guy.

Piper is the one you’d pick to get your freak on, and he has no qualms about being open with himself. Wyatt is our teddy bear, and Cain is our protector. All written so well, and all aligned perfectly with their unusual natures.

Black Widow’s bite is one of the sexiest books I’ve read recently. It didn’t have anymore spice than other dark romance erotica books, but there was just something so so so sexy and arousing about this book and the events that unfolded within it. Austin and Piper?? They will get your pulse thrumming. Of course Cain will too, but for me it was all Austin and Piper.

The way Addie goes about finding her place with these 4 misfit men is so good, I loved it. And the twist/ending? Wow – so dark, so depraved, so creepy, and so good.

Overall, Black Widow’s Bite by Bella Reves was an excellent read! I would recommend it to anyone who likes dark romance/erotica, dubious consent, why choose, torture, and more all wrapped up in a little black book.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was like Xmen but why choose and instead of being heroes they are all kind of weird outcasts that live in a tattoo studio 😂 but like they are all still hot and you can't help but fall in love with them.
The whole premise of this book made me excited as soon as I saw the blurb- a FMC whose touch makes people go crazy and unalive themselves. So freaking cool (does this make me morbid 🤷‍♀️😅). The men also have some special Xmen like abilities but not ones you would typically read about. I loved how the men were so drawn to her right from the start and it was like she was their missing puzzle piece. The writing was fantastic and I loved the suspense at the end. I wish I could have book 2 right now! (No pressure Bella 😂)
Also kudos for making me like snakes 🐍 😂

I received an ARC and this is my honest review

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

This was absolutely fantastic, with such life sized 3 dimensional characters, who are all completely unique, every single voice was different. She displayed Piper's craziness and Austins vulnerability and naivety beautifully mixed with Cains anger and Wyatts quiet hopefulness and Addys strength and intelligence. It was such a unique story, and so different from anything I've ever read, with the guys being misfit outcasts of society barely scraping by who understand their differences as much as Addy - that is to say not at all. Rather than the usual suave billionaire known it alls you usually get in these kinds of stories. I look forward to the second book.

[Bewitched Tome Trove · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so good! I read it in less than 24 hours! It was that good, I didn't want to put it down.Bella painted a vivid picture and wrote flawlessly. I can't choose who I like best. Piper, Wyatt, Austin, and Cain are the perfect men when put all together. I love how Addy just embraced her it and them all.They all care about each other. And, the spice was so good! I'm not ashamed to say, it got me hot!!

I love the chosen family, touch her and die (x4), Mr. grumpy, Golden Retriever, Witty Banter, open bed, why choose. Ooh, the villain you love to hate! And, the ending, what the actual .....

I hope I get the honor of reading book #2!

Accessibility: super easy fast read with text to speech. I can't wait for the audio!!

[meaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my favorite paranormal why choose romances! i’ve never read anything like this before and i couldn’t put it down. i can’t wait for the second book!

the plot was amazing, i loved addy and her take-no-shit attitude. austin is my little snake bb. and i have so much love for cain, wyatt, and piper!

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every minute of it! It’s been awhile since I’ve read a good why choose and this was just what I needed. I loved being able to see just how Addy developed her relationships with each guy and how her gift affected them. It was literally like she was the perfect fit to their little family of misfits. I can’t wait to see what Bella has up her sleeve next!

[E.K. Darnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this why choose story! Each character was distinctive and interesting and I enjoyed the unique paranormal aspect. Excited to read more about Addy and her guys!

[kirsten ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ★★★★★
Started: 04 October 24
Finished: 05 October 24

POSSIBLE SPOILERS:

The atmosphere from beginning to end builds and builds with tension.

The different “powers” they all have are cool to learn about. I really enjoyed the plot when their powers flared up and you got to see a more in-depth look into the workings of them.

I loved Austin and his little feral nature and his snakes (I probably wouldn’t like them living with me but I can appreciate them on paper). Wyatt and his helpfulness and his protective nature was endearing. Piper was a bit of an enigma because even though we got to see a lot of his power I don’t feel like we got much backstory on him but, I loved his wit and playfulness a lot, he brought humour when it was just darkness. Lastly, Cain. His protective, nurturing self was really charming. Not so much at the start until you realise how soft hearted he really is, then he just grabs you in with his warmth (IYKYK).

Addison is a great character. Her loneliness as well as theirs has made this little found family complete and I love them all.

The writing was great, plot was flowing really well and kept me hooked from start to finish and the characters were well written with more to give. I can’t wait to get to the second book to see where the story takes us especially with that bit of cliffhanger.

[K.C. Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK.
I have already reread through a second time in as many weeks.
I am new to RH romance, but this was a beautiful introduction. It gave me all of the warm fuzzies. I keep thinking about it and smiling at random times during my day.
The characters felt whole and unique, and I hope we get to see more of this group in the next book!

Addy is a great character. She is lonely and self-isolated by necessity, not choice. I found her endearing.
Seeing the entire group find belonging in a world that rejects them is endlessly enjoyable. This book is very re-readable, and the spice is lovely. I would be curious to know more about how the MMCs can use their various powers in amorous situations! We get hints of that, but I hope there is even more in the next book.
Austin. is. the. BEST.
Maybe I'm just a sucker for a feral, barely-human MMC with possessive tendencies, but he is far and away the most endearing of the bunch, followed by Piper. I loved that Austin and Piper have a history, too.
Wyatt and Cain are great too, but the other two stole the spotlight. That said, I do think the characters were very well-balanced.
10/10, Bella Reves is now an insta-read author for me!

[Nalina IB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best 5 stars I have ever given to a book. A Super exciting read, has everything literally everything from romance, to suspense, to steam, and thriller. This book grabbed, so hun my attention was snatched from the beginning until the end, I was devouring this book and wished it kept going the best part that it got me out of long READING slump!!

The plot was beautifully written, the storyline, the build up, the characters ALL of them have there own issues and special moments they all witnessed the development and progress during the story, the end was expected tbh.

The only thing that I am still wondering about was they’re all messed up in away they can’t stop it most of the times, are they gonna find sth or somewhere to help them control themselves? Bcz pretty much they’re FARE of normal (but I love them all lol) So I hope in the next book they’re will be more gathering the threads together to answer this question.

[Jen, Queen of RH · Rating 1 out of 5]

𝐃𝐍𝐅

Unfortunately have to drop this despite getting more than a few chapters in because there's m/m in the next installment which I had to find out from another reader's review and not the author themself 😃. Which I guess isn't surprising considering there were no content warnings or trigger warnings provided at the beginning of the book nor in the book description.

I'm extremely disappointed that I wasted my time reading something only to find out it's going to have content I don't like. I'm just glad I found out before attempting to finish, or else I would've wasted more time and energy.

[DarcieReadsALot · Rating 4 out of 5]

What weirdness did I just read?! But actually kind of in a good way. I'm not entirely sure what is happening in this book, but it's only low fantasy, meaning that most of the world is completely normal, with the exception of our FMC and MMCs. Austin actually just broke my heart every time we got a chapter from his POV. That poor boy just wants to be loved, is that so much to ask?! I've been pulled in too far now and must carry on to the next book. I need answers!

[K.J. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t typically enjoy RH but this one was so well done. I loved how they were all a group of outcasts rather than the hot-jock type typical for this trope. Addy was awesome and I genuinely can’t choose which of the MMCs I liked the most so I guess I’ll have them all 😉

[IceyLove2772 · Rating 5 out of 5]

captivating

I didn’t know what I expected when going into this but it was so good. The chemistry was off the charts with Addy and her men. I love how they’re a little bit psycho but instantly knew she was there’s.

[Lil Paige Ternah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes. I wasn't sure what to expect with this and kinda like the format. She's an FMC I'm not mad at and it's sweet seeing the boys in their different elements.

Not a fan of snakes so I skipped that

0/5 🐍
1/5 🌶️
3.5/5 📜

[Regina Sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely! Smoothly written, an easy one-day read, nonetheless quite elegant and beautiful. Uncomplicated. Each character was distinctly unique and I loved it.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

The second book has m/m

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was a bit dressing the différents pov . but this books was amazing !! i just added Cain to my book boyfriend list 😍🥰. easy to read and captivating . i am in love and Addie, i just want to hug her

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, what a freaky book

[Pink Panther · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 75%

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of the book was what drew me in. I love a reverse harem and throwing in powers was a big bonus. So glad that I read it. The only thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars was that the ending felt rushed to me. I loved all the characters and how different all of their personalities were. It was fun seeing how they helped each other and how they all had their own relationship to Addie. It was a very quick read but well worth it.

[Alina Comsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to start?

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

With the truth, I think. I don't like RH/Why choose books. I make it a rule not to read them when advertised as such. There's something for everyone and RH is not for me. And that's absolutely fine.

BUT

The COVER. The TITLE. The BOOK OVERVIEW. The reader in me demanded I read. So read I did.
And let me tell you: I really dislike this Bella Reves now. It was a matter of pride and stubborness for me NOT to like RH. And NOW... I LOVE Black Widow's Bite.

That's right. I freaking love this book and I'm dying to get my hands on BWB2.

This is not your normal run of the mill romance. It's not the flowers, or the butterflies, or the small-town swoon, or the fated mates magic.
It's grit. It's angst. It's pain. It's survival.

The connection between characters is unbelievable. The friendship, the care, the reasons to push forward when you are so close to giving up.
The phrase "I promise to keep living for you" come to mind as I was devouring each page. Because dying for someone is easy. Finding the will to live through each agonising day for some is incredibly selfless and difficult.

And that's what we see. A group of misfits that each choose to live, not for themselves, but for the group. Each day, everyday, at every step.

My main issue with RH books is that I always love one of the MMCs more. There's always one bright and shiny that I root for to come ahead.
And guess what? I did relate to one of the MMCs more than the others. But Bella being sneaky Bella didn't allow me to fall down that particular rabbit hole.

No, no. She hit me with complex characters that appealed to different weaknesses in me, different needs, to the point where a straight forward MF situation did NOT appeal to me. There isn't one without the other.

Such an apt description "group of misfits". You take one? You HAVE all of them.

I cannot recommend this book enough. Let yourself fall into the trap of the Black Widow. You might just enjoy the bite :-)

Easily one of my favourite books of the year.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freaking loved this book! Had such a great twist to the story …

It was extremely well written and the characters all had such great depth.. can’t wait for book 2!