Monarch

From USA Today bestselling author Sophie Lark, Monarch heralds the start of a gripping new romantic thriller series set in the enigmatic, Gothic beach town of Grimstone.

Elena Zelenska, a 27-year-old bookstore enthusiast and a virgin, makes an unexpected decision to escape her mundane life by becoming a mail-order bride. When she meets Benjamin Wittacker, a charming and attractive single father who also happens to be a published author, it seems as though her gamble has paid off. Benjamin sweeps her off her feet, and soon, her life begins to resemble a fairytale. Especially when Ben starts constructing an elaborate castle in the woods just for her.

However, when Elena finally arrives in Grimstone, her dream starts to unravel into a nightmare. The once beautiful castle turns out to be a sinister maze filled with hidden chambers, and Benjamin's princely facade starts to crumble, revealing a potential monster behind the mask.

Stranded far from home and isolated, Elena finds an unlikely ally in Atlas Covett, the imposing and stern owner of the Monarch hotel. Atlas, who terrifies even his own employees, becomes Elena’s unexpected protector. With his stoic presence, he offers her a semblance of safety and comfort amid the encroaching darkness.

As her bond with Atlas deepens, Elena faces increasing perils from her increasingly erratic fiancé. Benjamin’s controlling nature takes on increasingly twisted forms, turning the castle he promised into a potential prison. Elena must navigate this treacherous terrain and find a way to break free before it’s too late.

Monarch threads a tale of suspense, romance, and Gothic terror, immersing readers in a world where every shadow holds a secret, and every heartbeat could be the last.