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mafer1's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
renaes01's review
3.0
You would think that after writing a whole ass filler book about Landon and Parker’s parents to set up their story that this book would be pretty focused on their relationship. But it wasn’t.
I did actually like Landon and Parker, especially Landon. I loved how obsessive and possessive he was although it was very dialled down compared to what I thought he would be like. He could actually be very sweet. I also liked Parker and how she fought him although after they got together she became a little bit of a pushover and all the dark elements of their relationship disappeared. But I also feel like they had so much potential as a couple if they weren’t side characters in their own book because this book was literally a prequel for Hannah’s books.
I liked Hannah because she seems very sweet but I didn’t like that the author was shoving this down the readers throat. Like we get it.
I also hated all the shit between Hannah, Dare, Aubrey and Anae. With the way the author is setting up Hannah’s book and because of that stupid bonus chapter it looks like Hannah might end up with Dare or in a throuple with Dare and Aubrey which I think is absolute bullshit. If that happens then there was literally no point to the first book and Aubrey and Dare are ruined. After this book I think their relationship is already ruined for me. I just can’t believe how this author obviously believes she’s some mastermind when the way this series is headed is so incredibly stupid.
I wanted her to continue the Untouchables series but due to her latest books I don’t want her to go NEAR Carter and Zoe.
Merged review:
You would think that after writing a whole ass filler book about Landon and Parker’s parents to set up their story that this book would be pretty focused on their relationship. But it wasn’t.
I did actually like Landon and Parker, especially Landon. I loved how obsessive and possessive he was although it was very dialled down compared to what I thought he would be like. He could actually be very sweet. I also liked Parker and how she fought him although after they got together she became a little bit of a pushover and all the dark elements of their relationship disappeared. But I also feel like they had so much potential as a couple if they weren’t side characters in their own book because this book was literally a prequel for Hannah’s books.
I liked Hannah because she seems very sweet but I didn’t like that the author was shoving this down the readers throat. Like we get it.
I also hated all the shit between Hannah, Dare, Aubrey and Anae. With the way the author is setting up Hannah’s book and because of that stupid bonus chapter it looks like Hannah might end up with Dare or in a throuple with Dare and Aubrey which I think is absolute bullshit. If that happens then there was literally no point to the first book and Aubrey and Dare are ruined. After this book I think their relationship is already ruined for me. I just can’t believe how this author obviously believes she’s some mastermind when the way this series is headed is so incredibly stupid.
I wanted her to continue the Untouchables series but due to her latest books I don’t want her to go NEAR Carter and Zoe.
I did actually like Landon and Parker, especially Landon. I loved how obsessive and possessive he was although it was very dialled down compared to what I thought he would be like. He could actually be very sweet. I also liked Parker and how she fought him although after they got together she became a little bit of a pushover and all the dark elements of their relationship disappeared. But I also feel like they had so much potential as a couple if they weren’t side characters in their own book because this book was literally a prequel for Hannah’s books.
I liked Hannah because she seems very sweet but I didn’t like that the author was shoving this down the readers throat. Like we get it.
I also hated all the shit between Hannah, Dare, Aubrey and Anae. With the way the author is setting up Hannah’s book and because of that stupid bonus chapter it looks like Hannah might end up with Dare or in a throuple with Dare and Aubrey which I think is absolute bullshit. If that happens then there was literally no point to the first book and Aubrey and Dare are ruined. After this book I think their relationship is already ruined for me. I just can’t believe how this author obviously believes she’s some mastermind when the way this series is headed is so incredibly stupid.
I wanted her to continue the Untouchables series but due to her latest books I don’t want her to go NEAR Carter and Zoe.
Merged review:
You would think that after writing a whole ass filler book about Landon and Parker’s parents to set up their story that this book would be pretty focused on their relationship. But it wasn’t.
I did actually like Landon and Parker, especially Landon. I loved how obsessive and possessive he was although it was very dialled down compared to what I thought he would be like. He could actually be very sweet. I also liked Parker and how she fought him although after they got together she became a little bit of a pushover and all the dark elements of their relationship disappeared. But I also feel like they had so much potential as a couple if they weren’t side characters in their own book because this book was literally a prequel for Hannah’s books.
I liked Hannah because she seems very sweet but I didn’t like that the author was shoving this down the readers throat. Like we get it.
I also hated all the shit between Hannah, Dare, Aubrey and Anae. With the way the author is setting up Hannah’s book and because of that stupid bonus chapter it looks like Hannah might end up with Dare or in a throuple with Dare and Aubrey which I think is absolute bullshit. If that happens then there was literally no point to the first book and Aubrey and Dare are ruined. After this book I think their relationship is already ruined for me. I just can’t believe how this author obviously believes she’s some mastermind when the way this series is headed is so incredibly stupid.
I wanted her to continue the Untouchables series but due to her latest books I don’t want her to go NEAR Carter and Zoe.
sonja_ahrb's review
5.0
I’ve been so excited for Parker and Landon’s book since Undertow and as soon as I was able to, I downloaded and started Contempt! More than that, I actually spent most of my free time reading it instead of doing something else which has pretty much been the norm for me this whole year. Contempt was just so compelling to me, I lived for the interactions between Landon and Parker before they got together officially and was always looking forward to the next one and after they did get together? I was totally over the moon, I just loved them so much! Landon and Parker are for sure my favorite couple in this series and I think they’re one of my favorite Sam Mariano couples in general as well!
I really feel that same way about this book as a whole — Contempt was so amazing! I loved everything and all the characters — I even like Anae in this book and I absolutely hated her in Even if it Hurts. I mean, yes, she’s still a crazy psycho, but she just cracked me up in this book and I couldn’t help but like her. It was weird but undeniable. I loved getting to see more of Hannah and her and Parker’s friendship is so wonderful and I can’t wait for her book! The thing I loved the most was definitely Landon and Parker’s relationship, especially once they were together. They’re just so sweet together and almost felt like they were in domestic bliss practically immediately. There were stumbling blocks, but seeing how they work together just made my heart all warm and gooey — I love, love, LOVE this book!
~ Sonja, 5 Stars
I really feel that same way about this book as a whole — Contempt was so amazing! I loved everything and all the characters — I even like Anae in this book and I absolutely hated her in Even if it Hurts. I mean, yes, she’s still a crazy psycho, but she just cracked me up in this book and I couldn’t help but like her. It was weird but undeniable. I loved getting to see more of Hannah and her and Parker’s friendship is so wonderful and I can’t wait for her book! The thing I loved the most was definitely Landon and Parker’s relationship, especially once they were together. They’re just so sweet together and almost felt like they were in domestic bliss practically immediately. There were stumbling blocks, but seeing how they work together just made my heart all warm and gooey — I love, love, LOVE this book!
~ Sonja, 5 Stars
thefictionfreak's review
1.0
Absolute disappointment. I didn’t care about Hannah’s character in EVEN IT HURTS but by the end of this book I fucking loathe her. I don’t know who wanted Hannah’s book but I am definitely not one them. Was this book about Landon and Parker or Hannah? Dear Sam, if you really wanted to write Hannah’s book this much, you should’ve done that instead of writing a filler book about her and calling it Landon and Parker’s book. Hannah had more time than both of the leads combined. For heavens sake, I would’ve waited until Hannah book if I wanted to read about her. This was supposed to be about Landon and Parker but they ended up being side characters in their own book. Definitely the worst book I’ve read from Sam Mariano so far. Landon and Parker had so much potential and she completely ruined it because of Hannah.
Also the fact she just ruined Aubrey and dare just for Hannah. it looks dare is gonna be paired up with Hannah or they are gonna a throuple from the bonus chapter. But no matter what she does, dare and Aubrey are already ruined for me. A pity considering I really loved the first book. I had to force myself to finish this book.
It was just not Hannah, the book as a whole was extremely boring. I had such high such high expectations after reading the authors note. She was actually right, Landon and Parker were nothing like Zoey-Carter and Aubrey-dare. Even a piece unseasoned boiled chicken would have more personality and chemistry than these two did. so yes, they are absolutely nothing like the other two couples.
I can’t put into words about my disappointment at the fact they were both cameos in their own book and the author completely forgot about their development and chemistry because she was way too busy showing Hannah’s problem. it's such a pity, the book started out so well. I actually really liked the scenes Landon and Parker had together and it would’ve a great book if it was not for the Hannah-Dare drama.
Honestly, I feel lied to. Whatever the author promised us was not there all, this was Such a let down. Please do better dear author. I know Hannah is your favorite female lead but please stop ruining Aubrey and dare because of her. I’ve decided not to read any other books in this series until I am sure Sam has not ruined them to build Hannah’s book which I think is unlikely because she already ruined Landon-parker and dare-aubrey. So yeah, bye to any future books by Sam Mariano.
Also the fact she just ruined Aubrey and dare just for Hannah. it looks dare is gonna be paired up with Hannah or they are gonna a throuple from the bonus chapter. But no matter what she does, dare and Aubrey are already ruined for me. A pity considering I really loved the first book. I had to force myself to finish this book.
It was just not Hannah, the book as a whole was extremely boring. I had such high such high expectations after reading the authors note. She was actually right, Landon and Parker were nothing like Zoey-Carter and Aubrey-dare. Even a piece unseasoned boiled chicken would have more personality and chemistry than these two did. so yes, they are absolutely nothing like the other two couples.
I can’t put into words about my disappointment at the fact they were both cameos in their own book and the author completely forgot about their development and chemistry because she was way too busy showing Hannah’s problem. it's such a pity, the book started out so well. I actually really liked the scenes Landon and Parker had together and it would’ve a great book if it was not for the Hannah-Dare drama.
Honestly, I feel lied to. Whatever the author promised us was not there all, this was Such a let down. Please do better dear author. I know Hannah is your favorite female lead but please stop ruining Aubrey and dare because of her. I’ve decided not to read any other books in this series until I am sure Sam has not ruined them to build Hannah’s book which I think is unlikely because she already ruined Landon-parker and dare-aubrey. So yeah, bye to any future books by Sam Mariano.
amberreadsromance28's review against another edition
4.0
I am going back and forth on how I want to rate this. I was so excited for this book and I absolutely love Sam Mariano, but this was lacking a certain something. It may be a 3.5, but I rounded it up to 4 for my love of Sam Mariano.
I wanted a more fleshed out story and I felt like we were only getting surface level development between the characters and little to no story. The bully romance I wanted was put on the backburner so we can go on and on about Hannah. This was too centered around Hannah, her horrible life, obsession with trying to get her moved into the pool house...I mean come on. Most of the story is being wasted setting up whatever story Sam Mariano is trying to tell for Hannah. I did not like Dare and thought we could move on from him, and yet we spent a majority of this book talking, thinking, or stressing out about him.
Landon and Parker did not have enough scenes together, where they were alone. They were constantly being babysat by the parents or, of course, Hannah. I was expecting a lot more growth between the characters. I wanted more info or conversations about the death of his mother, development of the bad relationship with Landon's father, and explanation on why he bullied her so bad for years. We get the reasons, but I wanted him to explain to Parker why he treated her so badly.
I did like how the conflict at the end did not lead to a 3rd act break up and it did not cause unnecessary issues between them. I knew the secret from the start, but I didn't mind that.
I still had a good time with the OTT, possessive behavior of Landon, the dubcon, and sex scenes. I was just disappointed and expected more. I am still interested in continuing the series, but I honestly could care less about Dare. I do not like Dare and I wanted to move past his evil character.
I wanted a more fleshed out story and I felt like we were only getting surface level development between the characters and little to no story. The bully romance I wanted was put on the backburner so we can go on and on about Hannah. This was too centered around Hannah, her horrible life, obsession with trying to get her moved into the pool house...I mean come on. Most of the story is being wasted setting up whatever story Sam Mariano is trying to tell for Hannah. I did not like Dare and thought we could move on from him, and yet we spent a majority of this book talking, thinking, or stressing out about him.
Landon and Parker did not have enough scenes together, where they were alone. They were constantly being babysat by the parents or, of course, Hannah. I was expecting a lot more growth between the characters. I wanted more info or conversations about the death of his mother, development of the bad relationship with Landon's father, and explanation on why he bullied her so bad for years. We get the reasons, but I wanted him to explain to Parker why he treated her so badly.
I did like how the conflict at the end did not lead to a 3rd act break up and it did not cause unnecessary issues between them. I knew the secret from the start, but I didn't mind that.
I still had a good time with the OTT, possessive behavior of Landon, the dubcon, and sex scenes. I was just disappointed and expected more. I am still interested in continuing the series, but I honestly could care less about Dare. I do not like Dare and I wanted to move past his evil character.
nicoco628's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
trickyclouds's review
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
midnightrose_reads's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Contempt is the third book in the Coastal Elite series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death and Death of parent