Story Summary
Little Stranger is an extremely dark, taboo forbidden romance between Malachi Vize and Olivia Vize, foster siblings raised together from childhood. When Malachi is released from prison after serving eight years for nearly killing their father, he returns with one goal: make Olivia pay for testifying against him. What begins as a revenge-fueled obsession spirals into a twisted love story filled with obsessive behavior, captivity themes, dubious consent, and psychological tension. As buried secrets and repressed feelings resurface, both must confront whether their connection is love or obsession—and if society will ever accept their forbidden bond.
⚠️ MAJOR CONTENT WARNING: This book contains extremely triggering content including intimate scenes during sleep, CNC (consensual non-consent), substance use, violence, blood play, knife play, and psychological themes. This is NOT a light romance.
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Main Characters
Malachi Vize
- • Age: 19 (Part One), 27 (Part Two)
- • Ethnicity: Caucasian
- • Hair Color: Black, wavy/curly
- • Eye Color: Bright blue
- • Identity: Selective mute with ASPD / Foster brother / Ex-convict
A deeply troubled man who hasn't spoken since age five, haunted by severe childhood trauma. Communicates through sign language and hides intense emotions beneath a violent, possessive exterior. Covered in tattoos with piercings, he's capable of extreme devotion but struggles with expressing love in healthy ways.
Olivia Vize
- • Age: 18 (Part One), 26 (Part Two)
- • Ethnicity: Caucasian
- • Hair Color: Long brown curls (later dyed blonde)
- • Eye Color: Brown
- • Identity: Former cheerleader / Judge's assistant / Foster sister
A compassionate woman rescued from an abusive childhood, now trapped by her adoptive mother's controlling expectations. Behind her sunny exterior lies a darkness that mirrors Malachi's—she harbors secret fantasies about fear, pain, and being hunted. Torn between guilt over her past betrayal and undeniable love for her foster brother.
Spicy Chapters – Breakdown & Content Warnings
Little Stranger is notorious for pushing boundaries in dark romance. Below is a breakdown of major intense scenes with content warnings. These descriptions contain spoilers and explicit content references.
Chapter 4 (Part One - The Tent Scene)
During a family camping trip, 18-year-old Olivia and 19-year-old Malachi play a "game" where she agrees to teach him about intimacy. The scene escalates from stripping to Olivia touching herself while Malachi watches, then attempting to cross lines before their parents interrupt.
CW: Sexual content between foster siblings, exhibitionism
"Show your big brother what you sound like when you come."
Chapter 6 (Part One - First Time)
After Malachi violently attacks their father for interrupting them, they become intimate while their father lies unconscious nearby. This scene is the catalyst for Malachi's arrest.
CW: Intense confrontation, intimate scene in crisis situation, mature content
"I come all over his fingers as the coiling at the base of my spine blows, black spots behind my eyes as my pussy grips his fingers over and over."
Chapter 10 (Part Two - The Drugging)
Malachi has been secretly affecting Olivia's awareness and monitoring her. In this chapter, he cares for her while she's unaware and they become intimate while she's in an altered state, though she responds physically.
CW: Intimate scenes during altered awareness, substance influence, complex consent
"She whimpers as I slip a finger inside her... Always so wet. Fear always turns her on."
Chapter 11 (Part Two - The Gas Mask)
At a Halloween festival, a masked Malachi (wearing a gas mask) holds a screwdriver to Olivia's throat and tells her to run. He chases her through a cornfield and engages in intense play with the tool before they have a passionate scene.
CW: CNC/dubcon, weapon play, predator/prey roleplay
"I'll give you a head start. Run, little stranger."
Chapter 12-13 (Part Two - The Basement)
Malachi kidnaps Olivia and chains her in his basement for days, engaging in intense psychological and physical experiences mixed with sexual acts, including fear play with his pet spider, knife play, marking rituals, and steamy scenes.
CW: Kidnapping, extreme bondage, arachnophobia trigger, blood play, psychological intensity
"The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the waterspout."
Chapter 15 (Part Two - The Revelation)
Olivia realizes her kidnapper is Malachi when he removes his mask. Instead of being horrified, she's aroused and they have consensual sex where she takes control. The scene marks a turning point where Malachi speaks her name clearly for the first time.
CW: Stockholm syndrome elements, complex consent dynamics
"I love you, Olivia." (His first clear words to her)
Epilogue 1 & 2
Olivia runs away from her wedding to Xander and finds Malachi. They reconcile, and he chases her through the woods in a consensual predator/prey scene before they commit to being together.
CW: Primal play, outdoor sex
"You're mine, Malachi. You're mine and I'm yours and I love you more than words can explain."
Reader Reactions
Little Stranger is extremely polarizing in the dark romance community. Readers either love its unapologetic darkness or find it crosses too many lines. Here are representative reactions:
Positive Reactions:
"This book is DARK dark. Not for the faint of heart, but if you love morally gray (more like morally black) MMCs and twisted love stories, this delivers. Malachi is unhinged and I'm here for it."
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but the spider scene was somehow terrifying AND hot? Leigh Rivers really said 'let me write the most depraved thing possible' and succeeded."
"The way Malachi learns to speak for Olivia broke my heart. Yes, he's a psychopath, but he's THEIR psychopath. The ending had me crying."
Critical Reactions:
"I DNF'd at 30%. The lack of consent and the drugging scenes were too much for me, even as someone who usually enjoys dark romance. This isn't dark, it's disturbing."
"The foster sibling relationship feels like a cop-out to write incest without writing incest. Not for me."
"Malachi needed serious therapy, not a relationship. The romanticization of his ASPD diagnosis and violence was uncomfortable."
Content Warning Discussions:
Many reviewers emphasize that while the book has content warnings, readers should take them seriously: "The author warns you at the beginning—BELIEVE HER. This isn't 'dark lite,' this is psychological torture with a romance subplot."
Where to Buy or Read Little Stranger
Little Stranger is available through multiple platforms:
- Amazon: Available in Kindle, paperback, and Kindle Unlimited
- Goodreads: Listed with full content warnings
- Direct from Author: Check Leigh Rivers' website for signed copies
- Libraries: Due to explicit content, availability in public libraries may be limited
Note: This book is 18+ and contains extremely mature content. Please review content warnings before purchasing.
Related Books: Dark Taboo Romance
If you enjoyed (or want to explore) Little Stranger's dark themes, here are similar reads:
By Leigh Rivers:
Little Liar (Book 2)
Continues the Vize family story with new dark romance
Similar Dark Romances:
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
Features stalking, kidnapping, and dubcon with a masked stalker
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
Dark romance between two serial killers
Corrupt by Penelope Douglas
Bully romance with dark, possessive themes (part of Devil's Night series)
Credence by Penelope Douglas
Extremely taboo reverse harem romance
Run Posy Run by Falon Ballard
Dark stalker romance with predator/prey elements
The Risk by S.T. Abby
Romantic suspense with a vigilante serial killer heroine
Content Warning: All these recommendations contain dark, potentially triggering content. Always check reviews and content warnings before reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Note: Little Stranger is not a book for everyone. It's designed for readers who specifically seek out extreme dark romance and can separate fiction from reality. If you have trauma related to any of the content warnings, please prioritize your mental health and skip this book.
Binge Smut with Visuals on SHORTBREAD
Love Little Stranger? Watch smut brought to life on Shortbread, just like TV shows.