Haunting Celeste

Stephanie Keijzer - A perfect spooky-season read filled with vampires, taboo, and grief; a reminder to check trigger warnings before falling under its spell.
Ladenia27 - A dark, magical ode to the American South—rich with blood, music, and hope. A hauntingly beautiful work of gothic imagination.
Rhiannon Cheyenne - A five-star masterpiece of New Orleans history, trauma, and love—elegantly written, emotionally charged, and unforgettable.
Jinane Abou Hassan Zahran - A layered, seductive Southern Gothic vampire romance worthy of television; vivid imagery and emotional depth throughout.
Zina - Hauntingly beautiful. The cursed love between Celeste and Julien lingers long after the final page, with Mischief's eerie, protective presence stealing hearts.
Valinda Brown - A fearless exploration of slavery, obsession, and forbidden love—moral complexity woven with historical realism and emotional power.
Amy Tadlock - Immersive storytelling and multi-POV depth. Minor timeline gaps aside, the writing remains magnetic and assured.
Kaitlyn McMackin - A well-written, easy-to-follow short story with a solid plot and just the right measure of spice.
Kyla - An immediate favorite—darkness, magic, trauma, and romance in perfect, poetic balance.
Tamare - Ambitious and atmospheric; powerful, emotionally complex, and haunting, even where pacing blurs the supernatural edges.
Lora Blackburn - A dark, emotional journey through magic, danger, and passion that grips from the first line to the last.
Samantha Beneke - Imaginative, daring, and full of creative potential—uneven in moments, but genuinely visionary.
Nita - Dark, twisty, taboo, shocking, and wildly entertaining—a ride few will expect and none will forget.
Randi Zodrow - A spicy, atmospheric Halloween read blending hoodoo, heat, and heart. Unforgettable characters and unforgettable vibes.
Adri - A dark-fantasy romance brimming with trauma, diversity, and growth. A perfect Halloween read—be sure to review trigger warnings.
Gothicprincess - The short version of a longer novel and utterly spellbinding. Celeste—a Black saxophonist—and Julien—a white pianist—meet in segregated New Orleans, their bond spanning lifetimes. The prose burns with history, sensuality, and myth: hoodoo, saints, rosaries, vampirism, and sex work rendered with rare respect. Celeste and Julien's relationship is both taboo and transcendent, steeped in pain, protection, and desire. Mischief is deliciously dark and witty, Circe divine, the rose garden and graveyard scenes breathtaking. The spice is unapologetic, the emotion raw. Haunting Celeste proves that love can rise from ashes and blood. Trigger warnings apply.
Desiree Cook - I loved every page—read it in four hours flat! The cat's POV was fantastic, the FMC bold and magnetic, the spice and detail on point. Highly recommended for anyone craving spicy vampires and emotional bite.
Angel Jessy Jay - Dark romance, taboo themes, and all the deliciously twisted "ghosts, gods, and obsessions." Mischief the cat absolutely steals the show. The opening POV may start off awkward but quickly blossoms into something wild and addictive—you'll say "WTF" and "I need more" in the same breath.

Inara Reads Dark and Twisted
“Haunting Celeste delivers powerful gothic vampire energy reminiscent of Dracula without ever feeling like a retelling. The writing is beautiful and immersive, the romance deeply developed, and the atmosphere rich with authenticity. Dark, emotional, and unexpectedly tender, this was a captivating five-star read.”

V Brown (LetsBeRealBooks)
“A morally charged, thought-provoking vampire romance that confronts obsession, class, race, violence, and cursed bloodlines with unflinching honesty. Set against the haunting backdrop of New Orleans, Haunting Celeste explores centuries of suffering and forbidden love with emotional weight and complexity.”

Scarlet
“Don’t be fooled by the roses—this novella will make you bleed. A brutal, mind-bending, morally black vampire romance filled with caging, biting, spice, and the darkest lines. When Llianne drops a book, you stop everything and read.”

Javabean Workshop
“Moody, descriptive, and emotionally heavy in the best way, this story pulls you into its cursed world and doesn’t let go. The ancient goddess trapped in the cat Mischief is a standout—darkly funny, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. Heavy, unsettling, but utterly gripping.”

Sami
“A standalone dark southern gothic vampire romance steeped in obsession, curses, goddesses, and blood rituals. The taboo elements are intentionally uncomfortable, the lovers tragic and compelling. Creative, bold, and unlike anything else I’ve read.”

Dayna Smith
“A chilling, atmospheric novel that blends suspense, mystery, and emotional depth. The characters are layered and compelling, with tension that simmers beneath every shadow. A moody, immersive experience that lingers long after the final page.”

Book_it_to_me_baby
“A dark, taboo vampire romance woven with Greek mythology and U.S. history—completely unique and emotionally devastating. Celeste and Julien endure heartbreak on every level, and their cursed love left me shattered. Dark, intense, and absolutely worth it.”

Deborah Hamilton
“Rich with southern gothic lore and strong character focus, this story leaves you wanting more. Each character shines through dedicated chapters, even at a fast pace. A compelling read for fans of dark, atmospheric fiction.”

Juli Reads
“I felt like I was trapped inside a never-ending song. Short, juicy, and spicy, this story completely wrecked me in the best way. Julien and Celeste linger long after the final page—I loved it.”

Gothicprincess
“Twisted. Taboo. Insane. One of Llianne’s best works, and that’s saying a lot. A perfect dark romance experience from start to finish.”

bry’s corner
“My first pitch-black vampire romance, and it was absolutely worth it. The detail is incredible, the darkness addictive, and the spice unforgettable. Highly recommended.”

Stephanie Jackson
“My first book by this author and I’m completely obsessed. Southern-spicy, dark, and exactly what I needed. Bold, addictive, and unforgettable.”

I absolutely loved and thoroughly enjoyed the story, Haunting of Celeste! The mythology characters featured in the storyline add an incredible level of excitement. The story is filled with thrilling, hot, and spicy scenes, making it a nonstop page-turner that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

This story truly pulls at your heartstrings and stirs a whirlwind of emotions. I felt the intense love, anger, and deep sadness that resonated deeply with me. Set in a tough era of unfairness, pain, and prejudice, these themes only heighten the story’s impact and emotional pull.

Throughout, powerful morals emerge—staying true to oneself despite the risks, confronting challenges with honesty, and forging ahead with unwavering conviction in your actions. This story is an exhilarating ride full of passion, courage, and unforgettable moments.

I'm eagerly looking forward to the next installment of Haunting of Celeste and exploring all the other captivating books by Llianne Olivo.

I was delighted to receive an advanced reader copy of Haunting Celeste by Llianme Olivo for free, for an honest review. A big thank you to BookSirens for sending me the ebook!