Fruit of the Flesh

By: I.V. Ophelia

Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Luna Rey

Instant USA Today bestseller.

Behind the glamour of Gilded Age New York, a marriage of convenience between an artisan and a ballerina masks their shared appetite for revenge in this darkly seductive gothic romance.

In early 1900s New York, former ballerina Petronille De Villier makes an unconventional choice: Marry struggling sculptor Arkady Kamenev. For her, it’s an escape from her family’s unsavory legacy. For him, the De Villier name promises the patronage his art desperately needs. It should be a simple arrangement.

But beneath their marriage of convenience lurks a darker recognition. In each other, they see a reflection of their own dangerous appetites. As buried secrets surface and bodies begin disappearing, Petronille and Arkady discover their union runs deeper than social advantage. Their shared obsessions draw them into an intoxicating dance of predator and prey, though it’s never quite clear who is which.

Bound by law, God, and blood, they must decide if their monstrous natures will tear them apart or forge them into something terribly wonderful together. In a world where nothing is quite what it seems, two creatures of shadow learn that true love requires a taste for the macabre.

©2026 by I.V. Ophelia. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Ophelia crafts a genuinely eerie atmosphere and some deeply sensual love scenes on the way to a conclusion that packs a punch. Horror romance fans will find plenty to enjoy.”—Publishers Weekly

“I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, and this story was glued to my hand from the very first chapter. I.V. Ophelia transported me into Gilded Age New York and I never wanted to leave. It was dark, gripping, and compelling—entirely enthralling!”—Olivia Rose Darling, New York Times bestselling author of the Fear the Flames series

Wow what a twist

Hey so actually the plot was way cooler than I anticipated, this was awesome. I have no words. The main leads are perfect for each other and the narration was amazing

Confusing

Overall wasn’t what I expected, didn’t understand the plot. I wouldn’t read again. The whole vampire side was not necessary for me

If Bones and All was a gothic romance

Looooved the narrators!! The story definitely ended not how I was expecting. But I am so here for it!!
I love how their romance blossomed throughout this story. The dark gothic aspects were amazing!

It was a waste of great narrators to make the book in dual narration and not a DUET one 😑😞

It was a waste of great narrators to make the book in dual narration and not a DUET one 😑😞

Only the end saved it and it turned out to be a 3 ⭐️ not 2-2.5.

Something was missing but I don’t know what.

Secrets…

During this entire read i couldn’t figure out the FMC’s secret for the life of me haha. But this was an interesting story. Took a lot of turns i wasn’t expecting, including the admiration of the MMC later on. I did feel the story was dragged out a bit but still a good read nonetheless. 3.8/5 !!