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3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 AVERAGE
Gripping but Hard hitting read
Wow, what a gripping read. Jade west is a brilliant author whose writing skills play fantastic mind games on the reader.
This is quite a long book and I felt some of it could have been condensed slightly and also felt that too large a proportion of the book was dedicated to the dark story and the happy ending was then skimmed over. That's why I've only given 4 stars
Cass is a wonderful woman who is blinded by her idealistic view of love and romance. Partly due to her career in the wedding industry. It's this naivety that makes her the perfect target for Anthony. Desperate for love she ignores the blatant red flags in the relationship
What follows is some very detailed coercion, physical and emotional abuse as well as exploitation and some graphic dub-con sex scenes. All while isolating Cass and making her believe she wants this.
It's a hard read but worth it. Check triggers first!
Wow, what a gripping read. Jade west is a brilliant author whose writing skills play fantastic mind games on the reader.
This is quite a long book and I felt some of it could have been condensed slightly and also felt that too large a proportion of the book was dedicated to the dark story and the happy ending was then skimmed over. That's why I've only given 4 stars
Cass is a wonderful woman who is blinded by her idealistic view of love and romance. Partly due to her career in the wedding industry. It's this naivety that makes her the perfect target for Anthony. Desperate for love she ignores the blatant red flags in the relationship
What follows is some very detailed coercion, physical and emotional abuse as well as exploitation and some graphic dub-con sex scenes. All while isolating Cass and making her believe she wants this.
It's a hard read but worth it. Check triggers first!
Triggering but Therapeutic
This author knows a thing or two about narcissistic abuse… I was so triggered reading it but I was rooting for the heroine the entire time. I could’ve been her. There is an HEA but there’s a lot of darkness to get to it, just like in real life. I mean I wasn’t having gang bangs with ten guys but the deception and manipulation was spot on.
This author knows a thing or two about narcissistic abuse… I was so triggered reading it but I was rooting for the heroine the entire time. I could’ve been her. There is an HEA but there’s a lot of darkness to get to it, just like in real life. I mean I wasn’t having gang bangs with ten guys but the deception and manipulation was spot on.
One thing I will say with this book is go into it with an open mind. It pushes some boundaries.
The moment Cass meets Ant she is charmed by him. He easily wins her over and its world wind story for them. I don’t know if I would necessarily call it a relationship, but there was an instant lust between the two of them. Things progressed at a rapid speed. Though, despite their feelings towards each other I really wasn’t feeling any sort of chemistry or spark between them. Ant is interested in some particular things and is upfront with Cass about them and she is so wrapped up in him that she easily agrees.
This book is split into two parts. The first part is told just from Cass’s POV and I found myself wishing that there was some from Ant in there. The second part is told in a dual POV with Cass and a third character, Ger. I felt a connection with Cass and Ger from the start. I liked their connection. Plus, you can’t deny the spice in this one right from the start.
Note that this isn’t an RH, it does contain things that may be triggering to some readers and to me didn’t really feel like a romance, even though there was a HEA.
The moment Cass meets Ant she is charmed by him. He easily wins her over and its world wind story for them. I don’t know if I would necessarily call it a relationship, but there was an instant lust between the two of them. Things progressed at a rapid speed. Though, despite their feelings towards each other I really wasn’t feeling any sort of chemistry or spark between them. Ant is interested in some particular things and is upfront with Cass about them and she is so wrapped up in him that she easily agrees.
This book is split into two parts. The first part is told just from Cass’s POV and I found myself wishing that there was some from Ant in there. The second part is told in a dual POV with Cass and a third character, Ger. I felt a connection with Cass and Ger from the start. I liked their connection. Plus, you can’t deny the spice in this one right from the start.
Note that this isn’t an RH, it does contain things that may be triggering to some readers and to me didn’t really feel like a romance, even though there was a HEA.
DNF at 20%
Seemed too picture perfect, and when Cass dislikes being coerced into banging other guys it was too much, strange concept and glad i stopped here with how supposed H ant is with her
Seemed too picture perfect, and when Cass dislikes being coerced into banging other guys it was too much, strange concept and glad i stopped here with how supposed H ant is with her
Part one - 1st person/single POV
Part two - 1st person/dual POV
Spice - 4/5
Before I get into anything else let me explain that this book is all kinds of steamy. However, some of that steam is during some not so romantic and possibly disturbing situations. That TW/CW needs to be highly considered before getting very far into this book. Just saying.
So I thought I had an idea of what this was going to be about, but then it turned into something so much more than what I thought it was. When the author says this is dark she means it! There were a few times I struggled a little to read some scenes. And that’s not even because they are too graphic or anything. It’s because of the entire situation. All of the build up, especially once I realized what had happened, had me so worked up I needed to stop and take a minute to collect myself before I continued on. The emotions and reactions that this story can bring out of you is so surprising, or at least for me it was. The whole book is unexpected because as I said it’s so not what I thought it was going to be.
This takes a deep dive into a side of some relationships that people do not understand or believe possible unless they experience it themselves. It sheds a light on how someone can abused in so many different ways. It also shows how things from our past can effect the way we view the world and the paths we take even without us realizing it. Just prepare yourself to have conflicting feelings about things before reading and go into it with an open mind.
Very nicely done Jade!
Part two - 1st person/dual POV
Spice - 4/5
Before I get into anything else let me explain that this book is all kinds of steamy. However, some of that steam is during some not so romantic and possibly disturbing situations. That TW/CW needs to be highly considered before getting very far into this book. Just saying.
So I thought I had an idea of what this was going to be about, but then it turned into something so much more than what I thought it was. When the author says this is dark she means it! There were a few times I struggled a little to read some scenes. And that’s not even because they are too graphic or anything. It’s because of the entire situation. All of the build up, especially once I realized what had happened, had me so worked up I needed to stop and take a minute to collect myself before I continued on. The emotions and reactions that this story can bring out of you is so surprising, or at least for me it was. The whole book is unexpected because as I said it’s so not what I thought it was going to be.
This takes a deep dive into a side of some relationships that people do not understand or believe possible unless they experience it themselves. It sheds a light on how someone can abused in so many different ways. It also shows how things from our past can effect the way we view the world and the paths we take even without us realizing it. Just prepare yourself to have conflicting feelings about things before reading and go into it with an open mind.
Very nicely done Jade!
I don’t know how to rate this one. Strangers in my Bed is truly unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Hands-down the most graphic book I’ve ever read and it made me extremely uncomfortable at times. But the true thought-provoking story really enraptured me.
The longest book I’ve read in years, the last 40% consumed me because just how fucked up will it get? Yes, that fucked up.
From the darkest chapters to a truly sweet and memorable HEA but then… PHEW.
Go in blind but please heed the trigger warnings.
TW: Manipulation, gaslighting, coercion, multiple partners, dubcon, FLUIDS EVERYWHERE
The longest book I’ve read in years, the last 40% consumed me because just how fucked up will it get? Yes, that fucked up.
From the darkest chapters to a truly sweet and memorable HEA but then… PHEW.
Go in blind but please heed the trigger warnings.
TW: Manipulation, gaslighting, coercion, multiple partners, dubcon, FLUIDS EVERYWHERE
Strangers in my bed ARC Review and Edit
I urge you to go in blind with this book, I hadn’t read the blurb since I had signed up for the ARC and it was the best decision however if you do have triggers please read the TWs.
This story was not AT ALL what I expected and I love Jade for that.
You’ll get the steamy, filthy scenes that is the authors signature, but the story is heavy and the characters INTENSE. I felt so much anger and pain throughout, the subtle message pulled at my heartstrings and left an impression I’ve never forget.
I’m not going to spoil anything, just trust Jade West to tell you stories you wouldn’t trust any other author with.
Strangers in my Bed is a story of obsession, self worth and love. However I wouldn’t say it’s a romance, there is a HEA but not in the way you would think.
You won’t be forgetting this one in a hurry.
That epilogue better mean another book is on the horizon
I urge you to go in blind with this book, I hadn’t read the blurb since I had signed up for the ARC and it was the best decision however if you do have triggers please read the TWs.
This story was not AT ALL what I expected and I love Jade for that.
You’ll get the steamy, filthy scenes that is the authors signature, but the story is heavy and the characters INTENSE. I felt so much anger and pain throughout, the subtle message pulled at my heartstrings and left an impression I’ve never forget.
I’m not going to spoil anything, just trust Jade West to tell you stories you wouldn’t trust any other author with.
Strangers in my Bed is a story of obsession, self worth and love. However I wouldn’t say it’s a romance, there is a HEA but not in the way you would think.
You won’t be forgetting this one in a hurry.
That epilogue better mean another book is on the horizon
dark
tense
medium-paced
This was painful to get through, but not unenjoyable weirdly. Was pretty impressed with the author's ability to write such a manipulative character
THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE. I repeat, this is not a romance. This falls more in erotic fiction so please know that going in. Yes technically we have an HEA but it’s not for the story we are told… or at least not with who we are to believe the hero is at first.
There is loads of sex, that’s pretty much what this book is. Some of the scenes are not nice kitty butterfly scenes either. This deals with a HEAVY topic so I’m going to list a TW at the bottom of this review, please don’t look if you don’t want it spoiled…. But I feel it’s important to relay because it plays into why this is not a true romance story in my opinion.
The story was still beautiful and needed to be told, but I didn’t like how it was marketed as a true romance. It was painful to read at times but I’m glad our girl got some good in the end.
TW:
Domestic prostitution (heroine is unaware), gaslighting, manipulation
There is loads of sex, that’s pretty much what this book is. Some of the scenes are not nice kitty butterfly scenes either. This deals with a HEAVY topic so I’m going to list a TW at the bottom of this review, please don’t look if you don’t want it spoiled…. But I feel it’s important to relay because it plays into why this is not a true romance story in my opinion.
The story was still beautiful and needed to be told, but I didn’t like how it was marketed as a true romance. It was painful to read at times but I’m glad our girl got some good in the end.
TW:
Domestic prostitution (heroine is unaware), gaslighting, manipulation
dark
emotional
medium-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