Sarah Rivens

Hey there! I'm Sarah Rivens, and I write the kind of dark romance that probably shouldn't be read in public (unless you're really good at keeping a poker face). Fair warning: my stories aren't for the faint of heart.

Writing has always been my escape, ever since I was scribbling angsty poetry in my journals as a teenager in France. (Yes, I'm French – and no, my real-life romance stories aren't nearly as dramatic as the ones I write!) I started sharing my stories on Wattpad, never expecting them to blow up the way they did. When "Captive" hit millions of reads, I honestly thought there was some kind of glitch in the system. Turns out there are a lot of readers out there who love their romance with a heavy dose of darkness and complexity.

I write about the shadows that live in all of us – the desires we're not supposed to have, the attractions that society tells us are wrong, and the kind of love that burns so hot it might just destroy everything in its path. My characters? They're messy, complicated, and sometimes morally questionable. But that's what makes them real. I don't do perfect heroes or innocent heroines – give me complex characters with layers of trauma and questionable decision-making skills any day.

"Captive" was my first published book, and watching it transform from a Wattpad sensation to a published novel has been surreal. The story of Ella and her captor touches on themes of power, control, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. It's definitely not your typical romance – think less flowers and chocolates, more psychological tension and forbidden attraction. (My mom still hasn't read it, and honestly? I'm kind of relieved about that.)

When I'm not writing about dangerous men and the women who challenge them, I'm probably binge-watching true crime documentaries (research, I swear!), drinking way too much coffee, or trying to convince my cat that my laptop keyboard is not his personal bed. I live in a small French town where everyone thinks I write children's books – and I'm totally fine keeping it that way!

My writing process is pretty chaotic. I usually start with a character who won't leave me alone, then build the world around their darkness. Music is essential – my playlists are a weird mix of heavy metal and classical piano pieces. Sometimes I write in cafés, but after too many concerned looks from people reading over my shoulder, I mostly stick to my home office now.

To my readers: thank you for being brave enough to dive into these dark waters with me. Your messages about staying up all night to finish my books (sorry about those work meetings you struggled through!) mean everything. I love how you understand that sometimes the most beautiful love stories come from the darkest places.

What can you expect from my books? Raw emotion. Complicated relationships. Characters who will probably make you want to throw your e-reader across the room (please don't). Tension that builds until you can barely breathe. And yes, steam – but always with purpose, always tied to the emotional journey.

I'm currently working on my next book (no, I won't tell you who it's about, but those who've read "Captive" might have some theories). It's darker than my first, which I didn't think was possible, but here we are. My characters apparently didn't get the memo about keeping things light and fluffy.

If you're looking for sweet, wholesome romance, I'm probably not your girl. But if you want stories that explore the darker side of love, that push boundaries and make you question everything you thought you knew about right and wrong – well, pull up a chair. We're going to have fun together.

You can find me on Instagram where I post way too many book teasers and pictures of my cat judging my writing choices. And yes, I read all your messages, even if I sometimes take forever to respond (blame the characters in my head – they're very demanding).

Welcome to my dark little corner of the romance world. Make yourself comfortable – but not too comfortable. You never know what's lurking in the shadows.