Since this is my very first review, I thought it only made sense to start with the series that pulled me straight down the rabbit hole, and the man who had me questioning whether Zade was actually stalking Adeline or just making sure she was safe.
Be warned I try to avoid giving things away however doing a review inevitably it’s hard to avoid spoilers. This review won’t ruin the book but it does have some minor spoilers.
Quick Recap of the Books
Here’s my simplified summary of each one:
Haunting Adeline follows Adeline as she tries to uncover the truth about what happened to her great grandmother. Along the way, she meets Zade, or rather Zade sees her at a book signing and becomes, well, obsessed, I mean in love. From there, their twisted love story begins. Zade is the kind of man who insists on making sure she gets home safe, leaves surprise flowers in her house, and steps in whenever she might do something reckless otherwise he might have to “send a hand” to help her out. On top of that, he runs a company that takes down human trafficking rings. You know, just everyday stuff like killing bad guys. Job’s a job.
Hunting Adeline picks up after Adeline is kidnapped by one of the biggest trafficking rings in the world. Zade is hell-bent on finding her and blowing the whole syndicate to pieces for daring to touch what’s his. It also showcases a beautiful revenge that felt so good to read.
What I Loved
One thing I’ll never get tired of in books is an obsessed male main character falling head-over-heels for a female main character. I think part of why so many of us love it is because, let’s be honest, obsession like that doesn’t really exist in real life.
Another thing I adored is Zade’s weakness: kids. For such a dominant and intimidating character, seeing that soft spot get exposed multiple times throughout the series was hilarious and refreshing. So many books I’ve read since don’t even bother making the male main character care about kids, so this little quirk really stood out.
I also have to shout out strong female characters. I think it’s fine to have fragile ones sometimes, but I love when a woman can throw down and hold her own. Adeline may not be the strongest female main character I’ve ever read, but she put in the work and went through hell without breaking.
And then there’s the spice. Absolute chef’s kiss. The gun scene, the house of mirrors, and the theater scene were unforgettable. The spice was detailed enough that I could picture every single moment, and I loved it. Plus, there were moments that made me laugh in disbelief, like some of Zade’s “over-the-top” surprises.
What Fell Short for Me
As much as I enjoyed the series, I do have a couple of critiques.
First, the grandmother mystery didn’t hit as hard as I was hoping for. It felt underwhelming by the end. I also wish there had been some interaction with Molly, who I’ll be reviewing soon. That connection would have rounded the story out perfectly for me.
My Ratings
Would I buy the book?
Absolutely. I would buy every edition out there. In fact, the duet is already sitting proudly on my shelf.
Characters: 5/5
H.D. Carlton did such a great job pulling us into the heads of these characters. Even outside of the dark, sexy, dominant moments, there were sweet, funny interactions that made them feel real. And the side characters were just as enjoyable, especially when they brought unexpected humor or little quirks that made me grin.
Plot:
- Book 1: 4/5. The grandmother storyline faded into the background too quickly, but otherwise I was hooked the whole time.
- Book 2: 5/5. The emotional rollercoaster was brutal in the best way. It wasn’t just Zade swooping in to save Addy within 24 hours; it felt raw and realistic, and I loved the unpredictability.
Writing:
- Book 1: 5/5. Zade’s obsession with Addy was written so well, and the level of description made everything vivid.
- Book 2: 5/5. I appreciated that Carlton showed the real aftermath of trauma. Addy didn’t just bounce back immediately, and that depth made the story so much more powerful.
Spice: 5/5. Even though Book 2 had less, the way Carlton wrote Addy’s healing made it just as impactful. Book 1’s spice was not your average scenes and definitely unforgettable. Some of the surprises made me blush and laugh at the same time.
Final Thoughts
The Cat and Mouse Duet is 100 percent worth the hype. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it as a first step into dark romance, but you only live once, right? It’s intense, twisted, and unforgettable.
H.D. Carlton, if you’re reading this, please send me a box set.