House of Rayne by Harley Laroux

A gothic sapphic romance that’s as haunting as it is heart-pounding—perfect for spooky season.

House of Rayne is everything I want in a gothic romance—moody, spine-tingling, and impossible to put down. Harley Laroux delivers a story that feels tailor-made for spooky season, with just the right balance of supernatural suspense, romance, and heat.

Blackridge Island is the perfect setting: isolated, eerie, steeped in secrets. The Balfour Bed & Breakfast manages to be both inviting and unsettling at the same time, with fog, whispers, and shadows lingering in every corner. The atmosphere alone had me hooked, but the slow unraveling of the island’s history kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through. It’s properly scary without being overly gory, and I could feel the rising tension with every reveal.

A Romance That Feels Meant to Be

At the heart of the story are Salem and Rayne—two women who have endured so much in their lives, but who feel like they were always meant to find each other. Their connection is electric from the start, and I loved how naturally their relationship deepened against the backdrop of danger. There’s no unnecessary relationship drama here; the world throws enough at them, and they face it side by side. Neither of them falls into the “damsel in distress” trap—both fight to survive while also giving each other the safety, strength, and love they’ve been missing.

And yes, the chemistry is explosive. The intimacy is written with care, intensity, and heat that feels true to both characters. Add in an epilogue that gives a satisfying glimpse into their future, and I turned the last page with a huge smile on my face.

House of Rayne is gothic, sexy, suspenseful, and deeply romantic. It’s the kind of story that sweeps you up in its atmosphere, makes you glance over your shoulder, and leaves you a little breathless by the end. A perfect Halloween-season read—my first Harley Laroux, but definitely not my last.