The second book for the ’10 before the end’ challenge has been read. This one was recommended to me by a dear friend, so you better believe I ordered it right away. The book is called ‘Nightshade’ and is written by Autumn Woods, it’s a first in the Sorrowsong University series.

There is only one reason for Ophelia to accept the scholarship to Sorrowsong and that is to find out what really happened to her parents. Both of her parents worked at the university and died in a helicopter crash 4 years ago, it was ruled an accident but Ophelia doesn’t believe that to be true.

Details about what happened had been swept under the rug, no one wanted to fight for the truth which is why for the past 4 years Ophelia has been writing a document with everything she has found out in the meantime. Now at Sorrowsong she just needs to find the proof that Cain Green ordered the hit and why and find justice for her parents.

Low on funds, with her bag on her shoulder she makes her way to the university, in the pouring rain when someone stops and offers her a ride. A very attractive young man with something sinister about him; but once she knows who he is, she plans to stay as far away from him as she can.

There are almost no rules at this university, it’s not unheard of that people attending disappear or get killed. Only the richest attend, sons and daughters of criminals or even the mafia. There are four houses at this school; which kind of reminded me of Harry Potter. The one that comes closest to Slytherin is called Nightshade and that’s where Ophelia is being housed, much to her dismay because she wanted to go to Hemlock. Why Nightshade? She doesn’t have a bad bone in her body; only revenge.

Once the course starts and she’s finding her way in the day to day and actually makes some friends (which is hard because Ophelia is kind of a grump) and uncovers some things does she get emails, someone being in her room when she’s not there. Even her roommate gets murdered! What the actual…

Staying away from that attractive man that is actually the son of Cain Green has been proven more difficult than she thought since there is something bubbling under the surface. When the person that has been sending her weird and somewhat threatening emails finally makes his move and leaves her left for dead does Alex switch gears, he’s finally coming to terms with the fact that he’s in love with Ophelia even though it seems like she pushes him away; not knowing what he did wrong.

This book is very intriguing, there is a lot happening. It’s a bit like sleuthing meets enemies to lovers (one sided enemy, because he doesn’t know) with a sprinkle of thriller in there. The cliffhanger is insane; I actually can’t wait to read the next one.

I’m giving this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars