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klm_wl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lesburrata's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emmae1733's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
First half felt very slow, but the ending was worth the read.
williamz4lyf's review against another edition
2.0
This is my first Milena McKay book. I was reading simultaneously with another book by the author, The Headmistress. Of both books, this is the one I prefer the least.
I did not particularly enjoy this book. It dragged a lot and suffered from having a MC that was utterly immature and unlikeable and we were unfortunately stuck in the main character’s mind. There were many repetitive descriptions that made the reading experience a drag.
I enjoyed the book mostly when it focused on plot elements. But the book purports to be a character study of a character whose growth process is neither interesting nor compelling. The plot that followed the intrigue of taking down rivals, cross country trips and trying to rescue the SO was quite interesting. But these parts were in the middle of the book. The first and last third of the book emphasized character development of the MC which I wasn’t particularly interested in. The spice in the book is also not great and adds nothing to the book’s reading experience.
I think the book suffered from having a bad MC and this is why it’s a solid 2-star reading experience.
I did not particularly enjoy this book. It dragged a lot and suffered from having a MC that was utterly immature and unlikeable and we were unfortunately stuck in the main character’s mind. There were many repetitive descriptions that made the reading experience a drag.
I enjoyed the book mostly when it focused on plot elements. But the book purports to be a character study of a character whose growth process is neither interesting nor compelling. The plot that followed the intrigue of taking down rivals, cross country trips and trying to rescue the SO was quite interesting. But these parts were in the middle of the book. The first and last third of the book emphasized character development of the MC which I wasn’t particularly interested in. The spice in the book is also not great and adds nothing to the book’s reading experience.
I think the book suffered from having a bad MC and this is why it’s a solid 2-star reading experience.
alexis_t's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
pointofvin's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
blaze6217's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at 25%, unfortunately.
I really wanted to like this book, and had high hopes for it as I’ve seen many rave reviews and am a fan of sapphic novels. The writing style just wasn’t for me on this one. I can’t write a full review as I DNF, but I’ll review what I did read.
Neve is an “Ice Queen” professional who has been carrying on a secret affair with a much younger employee at her office, Audrey. Neve has come to the realization that the affair has gone much further than she intended, and in order to save her career and reputation she must end it. She believes the only way to end things for good is to make Audrey hate her, so she breaks things off with her in a very cruel way.
The author starts off strong with some hot and heavy sapphic content, and then very quickly trails off into page after page of inner monologue of the extremely unlikeable main character. A quarter into the book and it has been a year since Neve ended the affair, and she is still repeating the same things over and over in her head. There is barely any dialogue, and the book is filled with discrepancies, cliches, and just not great writing.
The author mentions that Neve threw herself into her work as a distraction after the break up, but then when it flashes forward a year her career is in trouble because she hasn’t focused enough on her work to ensure her projects meet or exceed expectations. Neve is also seeing a therapist, who seems less like a therapist and more like an antagonist. I suppose many clients may see their therapist in that light initially, but a year into it and Neve and the therapist are still going ‘round and ‘round in the same arguments. Additionally, it is mentioned several times that Neve and Audrey never did much talking when they were together, and yet Audrey is in love with Neve and Neve clearly seems to reciprocate those deep feelings even after a year of being apart.
This is more personal preference/pet peeves, but the author also over uses words and cliches such as “trope” and referring to any act of sex as “being taken”.
Overall, this reads more as amateur fan fiction. If you’re fine with pages upon pages of inner monologue with no real dialogue, an unlikeable character, and overuse of cliches you will probably enjoy this book. As for me, I’m moving on to the next!
I really wanted to like this book, and had high hopes for it as I’ve seen many rave reviews and am a fan of sapphic novels. The writing style just wasn’t for me on this one. I can’t write a full review as I DNF, but I’ll review what I did read.
Neve is an “Ice Queen” professional who has been carrying on a secret affair with a much younger employee at her office, Audrey. Neve has come to the realization that the affair has gone much further than she intended, and in order to save her career and reputation she must end it. She believes the only way to end things for good is to make Audrey hate her, so she breaks things off with her in a very cruel way.
The author starts off strong with some hot and heavy sapphic content, and then very quickly trails off into page after page of inner monologue of the extremely unlikeable main character. A quarter into the book and it has been a year since Neve ended the affair, and she is still repeating the same things over and over in her head. There is barely any dialogue, and the book is filled with discrepancies, cliches, and just not great writing.
The author mentions that Neve threw herself into her work as a distraction after the break up, but then when it flashes forward a year her career is in trouble because she hasn’t focused enough on her work to ensure her projects meet or exceed expectations. Neve is also seeing a therapist, who seems less like a therapist and more like an antagonist. I suppose many clients may see their therapist in that light initially, but a year into it and Neve and the therapist are still going ‘round and ‘round in the same arguments. Additionally, it is mentioned several times that Neve and Audrey never did much talking when they were together, and yet Audrey is in love with Neve and Neve clearly seems to reciprocate those deep feelings even after a year of being apart.
This is more personal preference/pet peeves, but the author also over uses words and cliches such as “trope” and referring to any act of sex as “being taken”.
Overall, this reads more as amateur fan fiction. If you’re fine with pages upon pages of inner monologue with no real dialogue, an unlikeable character, and overuse of cliches you will probably enjoy this book. As for me, I’m moving on to the next!
bonriki's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Kidnapping, Outing, Child abuse, Abandonment, and Domestic abuse