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An Eternity of This: A Phantom of the Opera Tale
The year is 1884 and the Paris Opera House is at last ready to re-open its doors. Answering an advertisement for the position of costume designer and seamstress, Genevieve Devereaux wants only a simple existence and a means to support herself after escaping a troubled and violent marriage. Once a member of the glittering Parisian nobility, Genevieve abandons her old identity and finds in the theater the ideal environment to live in peace and do work she enjoys. A year has passed since the infamous disaster that almost left the Opera in ruins, but beneath the stage in the catacombs below, the supposed madman rumored to be the Opera Ghost still lives. With his life in tatters and his heart mad with grief, Erik finds in Genevieve a woman with her own secrets and everything to lose. Breaking his year-long silence, the Phantom of the Opera takes up his game to resurrect his reign of terror and secure the object of his desperate obsession, the now married Christine de Chagny, using Genevieve as his unwilling pawn. But with each confrontation, a heated tension begins to grow between them, binding them more irrevocably together. As the shadow of Genevieve's violent past closes in, will finding someone just as broken as he is convince Erik to step off the path that will inevitably lead to his own self-destruction? Inspired by the original novel by Gaston Leroux.
- GenresRetellingsRomance
527 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2019
28 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Osborne
1 book11 followersAmanda began writing when she was in her teens, most of it heaped into ratty notebooks that she wishes she could find today. Her first serious writing experience began in her early 20's, while a loved one was deployed overseas. Wanting to have a focus other than worrying, she began writing 'An Eternity of This' on a fan fiction website and gained a following of other Phantom of the Opera fanatics. The loved one came home and life intruded and she didn't write for a long time.
After getting her associate's in library services and weathering some major upheavals in life, Amanda decided to finally pick up writing again and finished 'An Eternity of This' and published it.
Amanda lives in Indianapolis with her over-sized mutt Dio and her tiny majestic calico, Phasma. She works as a circulation supervisor at a small, public library. 'An Eternity of This ' is her first novel.
After getting her associate's in library services and weathering some major upheavals in life, Amanda decided to finally pick up writing again and finished 'An Eternity of This' and published it.
Amanda lives in Indianapolis with her over-sized mutt Dio and her tiny majestic calico, Phasma. She works as a circulation supervisor at a small, public library. 'An Eternity of This ' is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 6, 2019
From the Militant Recommender Book Review Blog: https://militantrecommender.blogspot....
Christine has left him, married now to Raoul. The Paris Opera House was destroyed in the process of his trying to make her love him and be his bride. Erik still lives and stalks the hidden passageways of the rebuilt Opera, listening to all the secrets shared within, and it is through this habit that he discovers a new employee now occupying the room Christine once did.
Genevieve Devereaux, a new seamstress has joined the staff at the Opera Populaire. She is tall and almost pretty, though she dresses in severe dresses with her hair pulled up in a tight bun and glasses, giving the air of a spinster. In fact, she is a former Comtesse, now divorced from a handsome titled man whose façade hid the sadistic abusing monster beneath. She has affected the disguise to hide her whereabouts in fear of her life, and also to indulge her talent for designing and sewing, a talent that had been frowned on as unseemly for a girl, then woman, of her station.
It is this secret, Erik overhears, and decides he can make use of it. But first, he might need a new wardrobe, his having been damaged in the fire. Will his hold over Genevieve force her to follow his written demands?
And as for Genevieve, has she left one form of hell for this new one where this Opera Ghost could turn her over to her hated ex-husband if she did not follow his instructions?
Amanda Osborne has given us a sympathetic and believable protagonist in Genevieve and her story which takes us behind the scenes and into the demanding roles of the costume designers and seamstresses as they work with the various cast members who populate the operas presented on stage.
And Erik, the commanding, attractive yet exasperating figure who will act out in destructive ways if he can't get what he wants. Still desperately longing for Christine who could never love him for who he was, was he destined to always be alone and unloved?
This is a love story for anyone who loves Erik and hoped for more for him. Beautifully written and realized and filled with details, passion and heartbreak. If you are a Phantom Phan (and even if you're not) then don't hesitate to get a copy of "An Eternity of This". You won't be disappointed and you'll find yourself hoping for more from this author!
Christine has left him, married now to Raoul. The Paris Opera House was destroyed in the process of his trying to make her love him and be his bride. Erik still lives and stalks the hidden passageways of the rebuilt Opera, listening to all the secrets shared within, and it is through this habit that he discovers a new employee now occupying the room Christine once did.
Genevieve Devereaux, a new seamstress has joined the staff at the Opera Populaire. She is tall and almost pretty, though she dresses in severe dresses with her hair pulled up in a tight bun and glasses, giving the air of a spinster. In fact, she is a former Comtesse, now divorced from a handsome titled man whose façade hid the sadistic abusing monster beneath. She has affected the disguise to hide her whereabouts in fear of her life, and also to indulge her talent for designing and sewing, a talent that had been frowned on as unseemly for a girl, then woman, of her station.
It is this secret, Erik overhears, and decides he can make use of it. But first, he might need a new wardrobe, his having been damaged in the fire. Will his hold over Genevieve force her to follow his written demands?
And as for Genevieve, has she left one form of hell for this new one where this Opera Ghost could turn her over to her hated ex-husband if she did not follow his instructions?
Amanda Osborne has given us a sympathetic and believable protagonist in Genevieve and her story which takes us behind the scenes and into the demanding roles of the costume designers and seamstresses as they work with the various cast members who populate the operas presented on stage.
And Erik, the commanding, attractive yet exasperating figure who will act out in destructive ways if he can't get what he wants. Still desperately longing for Christine who could never love him for who he was, was he destined to always be alone and unloved?
This is a love story for anyone who loves Erik and hoped for more for him. Beautifully written and realized and filled with details, passion and heartbreak. If you are a Phantom Phan (and even if you're not) then don't hesitate to get a copy of "An Eternity of This". You won't be disappointed and you'll find yourself hoping for more from this author!
May 19, 2019
Unpredictable, yet sensual Erik
So much PhanFic, so little time. Which version of Erik do we get this time? Vicious, twisted Leroux? Tortured, longing Lloyd Weber musical? Intricate, detailed Susan Kay? Smoldering, sunburnt Lloyd Weber movie? A mix? A new version?
Let's go to the text:
"He was unpredictable, volatile, and a murderer. While his gentlemanly side and even his tenderness existed beneath the facade, he was much more the manipulator, the wrathful god-like being that I had first encountered."
Leroux it is, with a touch of the Lloyd Weber musical version that bred Phanatics. But wait...
"I couldn't keep my gaze from devouring the sight of him in the dark gold waistcoat, black cravat, tail coat, and the dense velvet of his cloak. His hair was loose and was a stream of fire along his shoulders in the lamplight. The white of his mask was bathed in honeyed light and within it, his eyes were deeper and darker."
...and erotically charged, gorgeous but for his face Lloyd Weber movie Phantom, too. My, but this Opera House is heating up quickly, isn't it? Add in a heavy dose of backstory for our beloved, beautifully flawed Erik, and we're back in the Opera Populaire.
Set with many familiar characters after the end of the original, the leading lady of the book is not a ballerina or singer, but a talented seamstress with a tortured past. Seems a perfect match for our talented musician, magician, murderer, madman with a tortured past. (I'll mention the leading lady, but in all truth it's not why we read these. It's all about Erik.)
As a Phantom portrayal - obsessive madman does anything to get his way - 5 stars. He's beautifully twisted at first, taking advantage of a woman with trauma in her past. He stalks the cellars and corridors of the Opera House with the lithe grace and barely contained rage of a wild panther. Kidnapping, seduction with music, complete lack of respect for privacy and personal space, and possessive murderous rage? The Phantom's Greatest Hits, available now!
As a book about healing from abuse - for both leads, as Erik finding a terribly damaged woman hiding in his Opera House is a popular trope - it's a far cry from reality. 3 stars. He commands her attention by being alternately kind and awful. He sulkily withdraws attention like a petulant child. He emotionally manipulates her. Could be her ex-husband, could be Erik, could be both.
Yet the writing kept me reading, wondering what might happen next, however implausible. Despite Genevieve's abusive background, she finds Erik's unpredictable ways enticing - very lightly plausible, but I'll avoid the psychological discourse on abuse survivors. Sensual moments serve to cement their relationship, as they both long for such contact.
So much PhanFic, so little time. Which version of Erik do we get this time? Vicious, twisted Leroux? Tortured, longing Lloyd Weber musical? Intricate, detailed Susan Kay? Smoldering, sunburnt Lloyd Weber movie? A mix? A new version?
Let's go to the text:
"He was unpredictable, volatile, and a murderer. While his gentlemanly side and even his tenderness existed beneath the facade, he was much more the manipulator, the wrathful god-like being that I had first encountered."
Leroux it is, with a touch of the Lloyd Weber musical version that bred Phanatics. But wait...
"I couldn't keep my gaze from devouring the sight of him in the dark gold waistcoat, black cravat, tail coat, and the dense velvet of his cloak. His hair was loose and was a stream of fire along his shoulders in the lamplight. The white of his mask was bathed in honeyed light and within it, his eyes were deeper and darker."
...and erotically charged, gorgeous but for his face Lloyd Weber movie Phantom, too. My, but this Opera House is heating up quickly, isn't it? Add in a heavy dose of backstory for our beloved, beautifully flawed Erik, and we're back in the Opera Populaire.
Set with many familiar characters after the end of the original, the leading lady of the book is not a ballerina or singer, but a talented seamstress with a tortured past. Seems a perfect match for our talented musician, magician, murderer, madman with a tortured past. (I'll mention the leading lady, but in all truth it's not why we read these. It's all about Erik.)
As a Phantom portrayal - obsessive madman does anything to get his way - 5 stars. He's beautifully twisted at first, taking advantage of a woman with trauma in her past. He stalks the cellars and corridors of the Opera House with the lithe grace and barely contained rage of a wild panther. Kidnapping, seduction with music, complete lack of respect for privacy and personal space, and possessive murderous rage? The Phantom's Greatest Hits, available now!
As a book about healing from abuse - for both leads, as Erik finding a terribly damaged woman hiding in his Opera House is a popular trope - it's a far cry from reality. 3 stars. He commands her attention by being alternately kind and awful. He sulkily withdraws attention like a petulant child. He emotionally manipulates her. Could be her ex-husband, could be Erik, could be both.
Yet the writing kept me reading, wondering what might happen next, however implausible. Despite Genevieve's abusive background, she finds Erik's unpredictable ways enticing - very lightly plausible, but I'll avoid the psychological discourse on abuse survivors. Sensual moments serve to cement their relationship, as they both long for such contact.
November 12, 2021
I was so excited when this came up on my Kindle Unlimited suggestions.
I was never much into fanfiction, with the exception of some Phanfiction in the early 00s. This one was the best I had read back then, but after a while the author had stopped writing and I lost track of it. I tried to find it again some years ago but could only find the first few chapters on some old website that I can't even recall.
So when this showed up for me I was ecstatic, not only could I read it again, but it was completed! I was a little afraid that it wouldn't be as good as I remembered, but it was even better now that I'm older and could appreciate it. I have read some truly horrendous Phanfic (I'm looking at you, Phantom of Manhattan) and some that meant well but you could tell was written by teenage girls desperateto see Erik live happily ever after. This was not one of those. This was well written, well researched, and it's clear that the author is familiar with multiple adaptations, taking mostly from Leroux but there is also some ALW and even Kay mixed in, which I adore because I love all three and I like to think the "real" story is a mix of them.
Genevieve and Erik's story is amazing. I love how in the end, Erik realizes how unhealthy his obsession with Christine was and can finally find happiness with someone real who loves him for who he is.
I was never much into fanfiction, with the exception of some Phanfiction in the early 00s. This one was the best I had read back then, but after a while the author had stopped writing and I lost track of it. I tried to find it again some years ago but could only find the first few chapters on some old website that I can't even recall.
So when this showed up for me I was ecstatic, not only could I read it again, but it was completed! I was a little afraid that it wouldn't be as good as I remembered, but it was even better now that I'm older and could appreciate it. I have read some truly horrendous Phanfic (I'm looking at you, Phantom of Manhattan) and some that meant well but you could tell was written by teenage girls desperateto see Erik live happily ever after. This was not one of those. This was well written, well researched, and it's clear that the author is familiar with multiple adaptations, taking mostly from Leroux but there is also some ALW and even Kay mixed in, which I adore because I love all three and I like to think the "real" story is a mix of them.
Genevieve and Erik's story is amazing. I love how in the end, Erik realizes how unhealthy his obsession with Christine was and can finally find happiness with someone real who loves him for who he is.
August 28, 2019
Very captivating, and a definite page turner
Very captivating and a definite page turner. The only Negative thing (and it’s very small and really just a personal preference) that I can say is that Eric is described as having long red hair.....that’s a NO from me and was a tad bit distracting. Overall this was a wonderful continuation of the Phantom’s story that I throughly enjoyed and could not put down. I would very much like to read another continuation of the children. Maybe a joining of the families to bridge the past? I will keep my eye out for one
Very captivating and a definite page turner. The only Negative thing (and it’s very small and really just a personal preference) that I can say is that Eric is described as having long red hair.....that’s a NO from me and was a tad bit distracting. Overall this was a wonderful continuation of the Phantom’s story that I throughly enjoyed and could not put down. I would very much like to read another continuation of the children. Maybe a joining of the families to bridge the past? I will keep my eye out for one
May 1, 2019
Genevieve just wants to start her life over, and hide from her ex husband who will kill her if he finds her. When she gets a job as a seamstress at the Opera, she never expected to meet the Phantom of the Opera himself. Erik realizes that he can blackmail Genevieve into helping him survive in his self imposed exile, however as he comes to learn more things about her, he figures out that they are more alike than what he thought. When Genevieve’s life is threatened will Erik come to her rescue or will his blinding love for Christine cause his and Genevieve’s downfall?
This is Amanda’s first novel, and let me start of saying this has easily become one of my favorite retellings to date. Amanda takes you on an amazing adventure, while making you fall in love with the Phantom all over again. This book is told mainly from Genevieve’s point of view, however there are some chapters where you get to read from Erik’s and Genevieve’s exes point of view. I will warn you that there is mention of sexual abuse, and physical abuse within this book. There are also very descriptive sex scenes, however all of this does not take away from the story, but gives it so much more feeling. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will fall in love.
Any lover of the Phantom of the Opera needs to read this book, and I seriously hope there is a sequal, because I want more!
This is Amanda’s first novel, and let me start of saying this has easily become one of my favorite retellings to date. Amanda takes you on an amazing adventure, while making you fall in love with the Phantom all over again. This book is told mainly from Genevieve’s point of view, however there are some chapters where you get to read from Erik’s and Genevieve’s exes point of view. I will warn you that there is mention of sexual abuse, and physical abuse within this book. There are also very descriptive sex scenes, however all of this does not take away from the story, but gives it so much more feeling. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will fall in love.
Any lover of the Phantom of the Opera needs to read this book, and I seriously hope there is a sequal, because I want more!
January 19, 2019
Enjoyable and so well written!
Wow, I never expected a phantom book to come out on my birthday. So I spent all of this time reading over this book and, I can’t say that I was not disappointed. I loved the characters and how they stayed true The source material if they were based off of.The author was not shying away from Erik’s madness or shall we say crude/cruel side.
The story is about a woman, Genevieve, after leaving her abusive husband and suffering from a bit of trauma that is still with her after that whole ordeal she goes in hiding and take the job at the opera house. Then we get to meet the old cast some new and some old. Also loved The author out of the Persian he is so enjoyable,and I absolutely wanted some more of his character.It’s always a plus for me whenever I see the Persian in a book because he always is disregarded in some books. Erik, Ah Yes, As I mentioned before the other does not shy away from how his character originally acted. He can be brutal he can be absolutely the best person you’ll ever meet he does have a lot of twists and turns which was quite enjoyable and true to the character. The way she described him in the book I rather like it and it was rather so original and I never had a phantom described like that. I give author props :) It’s the story of two people that get changed because of love and, finally find happiness. There’s a lot of ups and downs they are not a perfect couple but you can’t help but root for them.
This book made me laugh in some scenes while It also has some tearjerking and heartwarming scenes. It is definitely well written and I spotted no typos. I can tell the author absolutely put her all into this book. And, hopefully she makes more about in the future because I would definitely read them. For her first book published she did a really great job!
Wow, I never expected a phantom book to come out on my birthday. So I spent all of this time reading over this book and, I can’t say that I was not disappointed. I loved the characters and how they stayed true The source material if they were based off of.The author was not shying away from Erik’s madness or shall we say crude/cruel side.
The story is about a woman, Genevieve, after leaving her abusive husband and suffering from a bit of trauma that is still with her after that whole ordeal she goes in hiding and take the job at the opera house. Then we get to meet the old cast some new and some old. Also loved The author out of the Persian he is so enjoyable,and I absolutely wanted some more of his character.It’s always a plus for me whenever I see the Persian in a book because he always is disregarded in some books. Erik, Ah Yes, As I mentioned before the other does not shy away from how his character originally acted. He can be brutal he can be absolutely the best person you’ll ever meet he does have a lot of twists and turns which was quite enjoyable and true to the character. The way she described him in the book I rather like it and it was rather so original and I never had a phantom described like that. I give author props :) It’s the story of two people that get changed because of love and, finally find happiness. There’s a lot of ups and downs they are not a perfect couple but you can’t help but root for them.
This book made me laugh in some scenes while It also has some tearjerking and heartwarming scenes. It is definitely well written and I spotted no typos. I can tell the author absolutely put her all into this book. And, hopefully she makes more about in the future because I would definitely read them. For her first book published she did a really great job!
March 10, 2025
Let me start this review by saying, I am slightly obsessed with The Phantom of the Opera (I mean, look at my profile picture) I have read MANY retellings, some where Erik ends up with Christine, and some where he finds love with someone else.
This book TAKES THE CAKE.
I loved every second of reading this book. I actually read it as slowly as I could stand, just to savor it. It’s one of those books I wish I could go back and reread for the first time. Unlike most retellings of POTO, the author didn’t shy away from Erik’s cruelty and madness. He could be tender, but he’s also manipulative, mysterious, and dangerous. When Genevieve received her first letter from the mysterious O.G, I squealed with excitement! It was the most accurate version of our dear Opera Ghost that I have ever read, and I honestly felt that I was reading a sequel to the original story.
As for Genevieve, I liked her a lot and I’m so happy Erik found love with a more mature, intelligent woman than Christine. Raoul and Christine make appearances throughout the book, which I thought may annoy me, given Erik’s ongoing obsession with her, and I detest love triangles, but to my delight, it was so well written and stayed true to the characters, and by the end I loved having them involved in the storyline. I even got choked up near the end during a scene between Erik, Christine and Genevieve- it was touching!
I’m absolutely shocked the author has only written this one book. She’s an excellent writer, and I really hope she continues writing and publishes a sequel! Please, Amanda, the Phans need a second book!!!
I’ll end this review by saying, if you wished the story had continued, and Erik had found the love he deserves, just buy this book and thank me later.
This book TAKES THE CAKE.
I loved every second of reading this book. I actually read it as slowly as I could stand, just to savor it. It’s one of those books I wish I could go back and reread for the first time. Unlike most retellings of POTO, the author didn’t shy away from Erik’s cruelty and madness. He could be tender, but he’s also manipulative, mysterious, and dangerous. When Genevieve received her first letter from the mysterious O.G, I squealed with excitement! It was the most accurate version of our dear Opera Ghost that I have ever read, and I honestly felt that I was reading a sequel to the original story.
As for Genevieve, I liked her a lot and I’m so happy Erik found love with a more mature, intelligent woman than Christine. Raoul and Christine make appearances throughout the book, which I thought may annoy me, given Erik’s ongoing obsession with her, and I detest love triangles, but to my delight, it was so well written and stayed true to the characters, and by the end I loved having them involved in the storyline. I even got choked up near the end during a scene between Erik, Christine and Genevieve- it was touching!
I’m absolutely shocked the author has only written this one book. She’s an excellent writer, and I really hope she continues writing and publishes a sequel! Please, Amanda, the Phans need a second book!!!
I’ll end this review by saying, if you wished the story had continued, and Erik had found the love he deserves, just buy this book and thank me later.
June 11, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
🎵Phantom of the Opera Retelling
❤️🩹Scarred, Broken, Masked MMC
🫦Age Gap (35, 50)
❤️🔥Slow Burn
☠️Touch Her and D1e
🥺Past Traumas
💝SA and DV Survivor FMC
🖤Angst, So Much Angst
💞Hurt/Comfort
🩸Wound Tending
An absolutely glorious retelling with twists of originality that gives way to quite the character study and riveting drama that is hard to find. Erik has been in isolation for a year since the Opera catastrophe. He's thought gone forever or dead. He let Christine go and she's married to a kindly Raoul. Enter Genevieve, a 35 yr old divorcee who's now the lead costumer as the Opera house reopens. She is a fighter, having broken from her highly abusive (and s3xually abusive) husband of 15 years, and wanting to live free, quietly, on her own terms. Erik takes notice and requests of her to make him new suits, bring him food ,etc and she has delightful, snippy retorts to his demands but slowly the begin to share tender moments.
He's shattered from what was his first love rejecting him of Christine, and he's afraid to let anyone get close again. Genevieve falls for him first, all his charm and arrogance is a front for the wounded soul beneath. His emotions are always knocked to "10" so at times he's highly impulsive, reactive to anger. But it's out of fear. This Erik is so beautifully complex and it explores such depths to psychological for him. His fear of abandonment, of being touch starved, feeling he's ugly and not deserving of the rights of a normal man, hating himself. Their intimacy is gentle and careful learning and then we have passionate lovemaking that's done incredibly tastefully...with poetic tempo and soft, tactile touch. No dirty talk...this feels real, and is are my favorite kinds of love scenes.
I can't say enough of how I loved this interpretation/ continuation for Erik. He has psychological trauma but so does Genevieve (of a different kind, as she is unsure if she can even accept a man in bed after her previous abu3e). They have to navigate and communicate and overcome their pain, insecurities, fears. But Erik's pathology is still so immensely powerful, layered, and intoxicating. His self hatred breaks my heart, especially when we see what a talented, loving, gentle soul he truly is. If only the world could see it. This is an all time Phantom fave of mine. I cherish this couple and especially this Erik
🌶🌶🌶
🎵Phantom of the Opera Retelling
❤️🩹Scarred, Broken, Masked MMC
🫦Age Gap (35, 50)
❤️🔥Slow Burn
☠️Touch Her and D1e
🥺Past Traumas
💝SA and DV Survivor FMC
🖤Angst, So Much Angst
💞Hurt/Comfort
🩸Wound Tending
An absolutely glorious retelling with twists of originality that gives way to quite the character study and riveting drama that is hard to find. Erik has been in isolation for a year since the Opera catastrophe. He's thought gone forever or dead. He let Christine go and she's married to a kindly Raoul. Enter Genevieve, a 35 yr old divorcee who's now the lead costumer as the Opera house reopens. She is a fighter, having broken from her highly abusive (and s3xually abusive) husband of 15 years, and wanting to live free, quietly, on her own terms. Erik takes notice and requests of her to make him new suits, bring him food ,etc and she has delightful, snippy retorts to his demands but slowly the begin to share tender moments.
He's shattered from what was his first love rejecting him of Christine, and he's afraid to let anyone get close again. Genevieve falls for him first, all his charm and arrogance is a front for the wounded soul beneath. His emotions are always knocked to "10" so at times he's highly impulsive, reactive to anger. But it's out of fear. This Erik is so beautifully complex and it explores such depths to psychological for him. His fear of abandonment, of being touch starved, feeling he's ugly and not deserving of the rights of a normal man, hating himself. Their intimacy is gentle and careful learning and then we have passionate lovemaking that's done incredibly tastefully...with poetic tempo and soft, tactile touch. No dirty talk...this feels real, and is are my favorite kinds of love scenes.
I can't say enough of how I loved this interpretation/ continuation for Erik. He has psychological trauma but so does Genevieve (of a different kind, as she is unsure if she can even accept a man in bed after her previous abu3e). They have to navigate and communicate and overcome their pain, insecurities, fears. But Erik's pathology is still so immensely powerful, layered, and intoxicating. His self hatred breaks my heart, especially when we see what a talented, loving, gentle soul he truly is. If only the world could see it. This is an all time Phantom fave of mine. I cherish this couple and especially this Erik
September 30, 2024
I'm a very harsh critic when it comes to the books I read. I always go into a new book afraid and expecting that something will bother the flow of the story or my being able to follow it. I did not have such problems with this book. I have started several other POTO related novels and find myself abandoning them for numerous reasons. Normally I have a problem with the FMC. They are normally either insufferable, or start to fall for the Phantom super quickly and with no buildup or tension. Erik is a very troubled and dark man. It does not make sense to just fall for him instantly. However, I actually really enjoyed Genevieve and her traits. She was compelling, smart, sympathetic, and defiant at times. I also really enjoyed the characterization of Erik. I felt it was very accurate in his ways of being frightening and sympathetic. The romance had a fabulous slow build and was very touching. This ended up becoming on of the best books I've read in a while. I couldn't put it down. Fabulous work, Amanda!
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February 26, 2022How many times can the word "sensual" be used before it gets redundant? How many times can lust and passionate kissing be discussed and mentioned before you should put the book down? For me, it was 20% through. I did not realize it was this erotic.
A brief summary:
-Genevieve will work at the Opera house to escape her past!
-O.G. isn't a real person!
-Oh no. He is . And his lips are triggering.
-Erik is so mean!
-Look at his sensual lips
-Genevieve must comply with his wishes or else be exposed as a former comtesse.
-His lips are gorgeous, but he is so cruel!
-Oh no, Genevieve is desiring him, the cruel ghost! What could this mean?
-Christine returns!
-Erik lusts after her from afar.
Aaaaand, I stopped. 🤦
A brief summary:
-Genevieve will work at the Opera house to escape her past!
-O.G. isn't a real person!
-Oh no. He is . And his lips are triggering.
-Erik is so mean!
-Look at his sensual lips
-Genevieve must comply with his wishes or else be exposed as a former comtesse.
-His lips are gorgeous, but he is so cruel!
-Oh no, Genevieve is desiring him, the cruel ghost! What could this mean?
-Christine returns!
-Erik lusts after her from afar.
Aaaaand, I stopped. 🤦
July 3, 2025
DNF @ 43% — the sheer number of typos in this drove me insane. I’m not sure if it’s just the kindle edition or what, but this desperately needs to be edited once more. Additionally, I find it unrealistic that a DV victim would fall so fast for a man who was regularly physically intimidating her, throwing her around, and almost gave her a concussion 🤦♀️ Sure, Erik gets some character development, but he is DEEPLY unlikable for about the first 30% of the story, and even then he only changes how he treats her after he finds out she was abused— and this is after spending said 30% monologuing about how she’s a whore who cuckolded her husband. Because why ask questions when you can just make assumptions, right? I loathed the repeated miscommunication trope here.
I was also getting tired of the narrative essentially being “Genevieve is NOT beautiful AT ALL… but her plain, boring features make her quite pretty if you look at her long enough, despite how unremarkable she is 🥹” Not quite the sort of talk I would be wanting from a partner. Honestly, what was unremarkable to me about her was her personality. She’s so close to an independent woman, but the second Erik comes close she rolls over immediately. There’s some justification for that in the beginning of the book because he’s blackmailing her but after that? Girl, no. This man bruised your wrists, threw you around, watched you bathe without your consent, threatened to tell your abusive, rapist of an ex-husband where you are, and nearly gave you a concussion! Full stop, she essentially traded in one toxic relationship for a slightly less toxic one 🚩🚩 Sure, he ‘changes’ but the fact she fell for him before he did… I personally would not be able to forgive the bs Erik put her through.
The only thing I really liked here was the characterization of the Daroga 😔💔
I was also getting tired of the narrative essentially being “Genevieve is NOT beautiful AT ALL… but her plain, boring features make her quite pretty if you look at her long enough, despite how unremarkable she is 🥹” Not quite the sort of talk I would be wanting from a partner. Honestly, what was unremarkable to me about her was her personality. She’s so close to an independent woman, but the second Erik comes close she rolls over immediately. There’s some justification for that in the beginning of the book because he’s blackmailing her but after that? Girl, no. This man bruised your wrists, threw you around, watched you bathe without your consent, threatened to tell your abusive, rapist of an ex-husband where you are, and nearly gave you a concussion! Full stop, she essentially traded in one toxic relationship for a slightly less toxic one 🚩🚩 Sure, he ‘changes’ but the fact she fell for him before he did… I personally would not be able to forgive the bs Erik put her through.
The only thing I really liked here was the characterization of the Daroga 😔💔
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2026
This was such a painful and healing experience at once. I truly felt all of the pages, it had very balanced suspenseful and relaxing parts, everything in the book making perfect sense in the world of the Phantom of the Opera. Any time I thought that the events are going to turn out weirdly, characters are going to act unrealistically and I'm going to roll my eyes they just behaved in the way that is the most natural to them which made me only more glued to the pages...Thank you so much for writing this book, Amanda.
November 13, 2022
This was such an engrossing and emotionally charged story filled with plenty of drama. You have to suspend some disbelief that a woman escaping an abusive marriage she had been trapped in for fifteen years would allow for some of the things Erik does, and at times the characters seem to contradict themselves.The climax at the end was incredibly suspenseful even with the foreshadowing of what might have to happen. All in all, it is a fast paced and enjoyable read.
September 16, 2020
Loved it -WANT MORE!!!
Although it’s not a E/C book throughout I loved every minute of reading this book I gave it a chance and thank you dear author it is good can’t wait for more from you I have you in my saved lists of authors to read from!
Although it’s not a E/C book throughout I loved every minute of reading this book I gave it a chance and thank you dear author it is good can’t wait for more from you I have you in my saved lists of authors to read from!
February 27, 2020
Great story and well written. But there were a LOT of grammatical and spelling errors throughout the book.
March 10, 2022
Amazing.
One of the best phantom of the opera stories I’ve ever read, perhaps the best.
-Westley the dread pirate Roberts
One of the best phantom of the opera stories I’ve ever read, perhaps the best.
-Westley the dread pirate Roberts
July 26, 2024
10/10 love this and Mandy! I've been following this book since geocities and the pay off is amazing. Im so proud that Mandy published it! Love you!
January 23, 2026
This was really sweet and I enjoyed it start to finish!
It does help if you’re familiar with the phantom storyline before reading.
It does help if you’re familiar with the phantom storyline before reading.
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