He Sees You When You're Sleeping Authors Kass O'Shire and Emily Antoinette

Book Review

3.5 out of 5 stars!



"She may be terrorized by me, but she' supposed to at least be enjoying the holiday season, dammit!" - Seth


Ada used to love the holidays until her anxiety overtook everything. Now she stays wrapped up in blankets and cozy sweaters inside her cabin. Running her business of helping others manage their lives and enjoying the holidays. But Ada has a secret Santa who is refusing to let her ignore the festive time of year. From mysterious packages, text messages, and Christmas lights they won't stop!


Unsure if this is an overzealous Christmas lover or a creepy stalker Ada is at a loss. Sleep hasn't been helping to ease her mind because it's full of nightmares. Maybe some of the dreams border on darker desires that she should see a therapist about. Will she get a break or will all this break Ada?


"How do I go from being her Krampus to her secret Santa? She's never been anything but good. She deserves presents and candy, not punishment." - Seth


I was excited about this read because I've been enjoying both authors works! Their individual cozy genres and writing styles. They do state at the beginning of this read that this is not their usual genre and they were branching out to a dark romance.


I could relate to Ada and her anxiety, spending all your time in a constant state of panic and a breath away from an attack. Remaining inside and trying to find safety while holding off the nightmares and spiraling thoughts. The mind is a very powerful and terrifying thing, being trapped inside it isn't a thrill. I loved how things were handled with her character and growth. Showing the unflattering side of mental illness and how crippling it can be at times. 


Seth is a dark romance MMC with that morally grey compass and wondering if this is going to be a romance or horror with a bad ending for the FMC. (They get a very amazing HEA!). I was submerged into the read around Seth and how he was written. Dual POVs helping to show his darkness and how he was trying to fight it but was compelled differently. Trying to figure out what he was and guessing semi correctly but loved the twists with him!


Do read through the content warnings! I loved the warning around Henry, Ada's lab who is the truest of best boys! The authors basically stating no harm would come to him! There's language, showcasing of mental health, spiraling, and more. Semi funny and understandable feelings of going insane and feeling unsafe because of all the things that were misinterpreted as a red flag stalker and creepy. Poor Seth was only trying to help but, in our world, we would definitely see his attempts the way Ada had! We do get spicy MF action and monster loving.


Now this is just my personal and honest opinion! You may not agree with it and that's perfectly fine because reading is subjective! For me, I felt like the true/"real" villain of the story could have been left out entirely. The villain didn't flow and felt shoved in, with quite a few reasons as to why they were awful, and then quickly resolved within a few chapters. We get mention of them before they become a major plot key but a simple name and one line of description. No hints or little nudges sooner that something may be up.


I also agree with another reviewer who mentioned how attached Ada was to Henry and how Henry hated this person (barking/lunging at them) and Ada continued allowing this person into her life. If you've ever been around dogs or owned one and they have never barked at anyone/loves everyone but barks at a certain individual. . . I'm turning and walking far, far away from that person.


The ending scenes felt a little long for me, but I understood wanting to show all the moments and things Ada thought she wouldn't have again! Again, personal and honest opinion! They get a very happy HEA and Henry gets all the cuddles and belly rubs!


Do enjoy the read with a dark romance set during Christmas time! And don't forget to give the authors some stars!


He Sees You When You're Sleeping - Kindle edition by O'Shire, Kass, Antoinette, Emily. Romance Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.


He Sees You When You're Sleeping by Emily Antoinette, Kass O'Shire, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®


Emily Antoinette


Home | Kass O Shire Author

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