The Neurospicy After dark archive

Title: Sweetly Obsessed (Devoted in Darkness #3)

Author: Kira Cole

Genre: Dark Romance / Stalker Romance / Contemporary Romance

⭐ Rating: 4/5

🌶️ Spice: 4/5

Tropes:

• Morally gray characters
• CNC kink
• Possessive obsessed MMC
• MMC falls first
• FMC naïve
• Protective “touch her and die” energy
• Boy/Here Obssessed
• Stalking
• Psychological tension

Content Warnings: Please check the author’s listed triggers before reading.

My Thoughts

Sweetly Obsessed delivers exactly what the title promises and that is an intense, possessive, emotionally charged romance wrapped in obsession, devotion, and morally gray behavior. Kira Cole leans fully into dark romance territory here, creating a story where love and fixation blur together in ways that are uncomfortable, addictive, and impossible to ignore. I read her first duology for Cade & Violet which is book #1/#2 of the Devoted in Darkness series. I loved the premise, the writing style, so I knew I that reading Lola & Enzo’s story would be good fun.

I would say that the chemistry between the main characters is immediate and consuming, with tension that builds through possessiveness (slightly deranged behavior on MMC’s part), emotional vulnerability, and complicated power dynamics. The relationship isn’t meant to be healthy in a traditional sense, and readers going in expecting a soft romance may struggle, it is a dark romance. But for fans of obsessive antiheroes and messy devotion, there’s plenty to sink into. I know that’s how I felt while reading the book.

To me this book thrives on atmosphere and emotional intensity. The stakes often feel personal rather than external, making the story more about attachment, trust, and obsession than straightforward plot progression.

What Worked for Me:

#1 – The obsessive romance elements

If you enjoy “touch her and die,” possessive, mildly deranged behavior energy, morally questionable devotion, and characters willing to burn everything down for each other, this book delivers. The obsession felt central to romance rather than added purely for shock value. The MMC definitely falls first as well, which was and is always a favorite trope of mine.

#2 – Strong emotional tension

The push and pull between attraction, fear, vulnerability, and dependence created moments that felt emotionally charged. Violet (FMC) was naïve, slightly annoying but her character growth throughout the plot was excellent and by the end she no longer annoyed me. Enzo, dear sweet, Enzo…swoon. I love him, he is obsessed, deranged and willing to do anything for the people he loves even when he is so incredibly wrong in most of the things he does. I love that in the main character. No matter how annoyed I was with characters or decisions, I wanted to read more. The tension hooks the reader.

#3 – Dark atmosphere

I would say that overall, Kira Cole maintains a moody, intense tone throughout the story. The darker emotional themes stay consistent and help reinforce the overall feel of the series.

#4 – Chemistry between the characters

Whether readers love or hate the pairing, the connection feels powerful. The interactions rarely feel flat, which kept me engaged. The spice is delicious and dark. Check your trigger warnings but it hot. I enjoyed how it was written. Phew. Can’t spoil it for you.

What Didn’t Work for Me:

#1 – Some relationship dynamics may feel repetitive/drawn out

At times, the cycle of conflict, possessiveness, and emotional escalation felt familiar. Readers wanting more variation in character growth or conflict resolution may notice repetition or feel like some aspects of the story needed to be concluded faster.

#2 – Pacing occasionally slowed

Within the repetitive/drawn out thought, I felt there were moments where emotional tension outweighed forward movement in the plot, making sections feel slower than they should have been. I honestly think that the story could have been told in one longer book than a Duology.

#3 – Limited appeal outside dark romance readers

This is very much written for readers who already enjoy darker romance themes. If obsessive love interests, blurred boundaries, lots of kink or morally gray behavior aren’t your thing, this likely won’t convert you. Check your content warnings!

#4 – Secondary character development

Some side characters felt underexplored compared to the central relationship and could have added more depth to the story. Although I do feel she might be setting up for another duology in the series i.e. Silas’ story.

Things to Consider Before Reading:

#1 – This book may be a good fit if you enjoy:

• Dark romance with obsessive or possessive love interests
• Morally gray characters
• High emotional intensity
• Devotion bordering on unhealthy attachment
• Relationship-focused plots over action-heavy plots
• Protective/“mine” energy in romance

#2 – This may not be for you if you prefer:

• Healthy relationship models
• Slow burn with softer emotional dynamics
• Low-drama romances
• Minimal trigger content
• Clearly heroic love interests

Always review trigger warnings before starting.

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Final Thoughts

Sweetly Obsessed is a dark, emotionally intense installment in the Devoted in Darkness series that embraces obsession, devotion, and messy relationships without apology. It won’t work for every reader, but I would say that fans of darker romance tropes and possessive antiheroes will likely appreciate the atmosphere, and intensity Kira Cole creates.

If your favorite romances make you question your morals while still rooting for the couple… Sweetly Obsessed  deserves a spot on your TBR.

Would I continue the series? I did. (ARC for #4 TO BE POSTED TOMORROW)
Recommended for: Dark romance readers who enjoy obsession, morally gray love interests, and emotionally messy relationships.

Story Rating: 4/5

Spice Rating: 4/5 🌶️

Overall: 4/5 ⭐

Neurospicy Rating: Mildly rent free, probably forever if it wasn’t a duology.

Kira Cole is writing excellent dark stalker romance! 100% recommend this series!

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review with absolutely no sugarcoating, no holding back, questionable grammar and dialogue being all my own. This review is being left voluntarily.

From Amazon: Sweetly Obsessedis Book 1 of Enzo and Lola’s story in the Devoted in the Darkness Duet Two, delivering a stalker-obsessed MMC, a forbidden romance born from shared betrayal, and the dangerously addictive pull of a man who’s been in her shadow for years. Their story continues in Beautifully Twisted (Book #4 in Devoted in Darkness Series).

While this duet is part of the Devoted in the Darkness world, you don’t need to read the first duet, Enzo and Lola’s arc is complete and self-contained.

Publication Date: May 29^th 2026

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