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dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent
dark
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
This was excellent and I had the best time! I loved it. The sports part of this sports romance was pretty minimal - I would have been okay with more, but the plot did great without it!
I usually CANNOT STAND the miscommunication trope, but it was done so well! My justification for hating miscommunication in romance is that usually the reasoning for it is really weak (or flat out silly in some cases), but the strength of the reason really made this trope hold up in this book! I also felt like the possessive trope was really well done. I've read a couple books where the possessive partner came across as really icky (even misogynistic and scary), but I felt possessiveness really worked in this story especially when it was paired with Lyla being stalked by another person. Lockland's possessiveness was a comfort and freedom to her, while in contrast, her stalker's possessiveness was sick and twisted burden.
I love books that surprise me and this book took two tropes that I normally don't like and turned it into a 5 star read for me!
Content warnings: rape on page, stalking, intimidation, and rape by a family friend (not the romantic partner), death of a mother, murder and cover-up of a close friend by stalker, explicit sex.
I usually CANNOT STAND the miscommunication trope, but it was done so well! My justification for hating miscommunication in romance is that usually the reasoning for it is really weak (or flat out silly in some cases), but the strength of the reason really made this trope hold up in this book! I also felt like the possessive trope was really well done. I've read a couple books where the possessive partner came across as really icky (even misogynistic and scary), but I felt possessiveness really worked in this story especially when it was paired with Lyla being stalked by another person. Lockland's possessiveness was a comfort and freedom to her, while in contrast, her stalker's possessiveness was sick and twisted burden.
I love books that surprise me and this book took two tropes that I normally don't like and turned it into a 5 star read for me!
Content warnings: rape on page, stalking, intimidation, and rape by a family friend (not the romantic partner), death of a mother, murder and cover-up of a close friend by stalker, explicit sex.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Stalking, Murder
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Also, I really did enjoy into what are your physical copy of his book. There are some things that I wish you were a little different.
I want it more of the frustration of him looking for her, and I want it more buildup to the attention of going back to Fairview.
I just felt million that everything was just so fast pace. I didn’t have any time to process in taking the villain of the story and all the stuff that he was doing.
But otherwise this book is really good and I would recommend it, just checked the trigger warnings!
I want it more of the frustration of him looking for her, and I want it more buildup to the attention of going back to Fairview.
I just felt million that everything was just so fast pace. I didn’t have any time to process in taking the villain of the story and all the stuff that he was doing.
But otherwise this book is really good and I would recommend it, just checked the trigger warnings!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Murder
Minor: Suicide
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
If I had to sum up Until I Get You in just one word, it would have to be intense because everything about this one has an intensity about it. From the tone to the characters to the storyline, it's intense. I would strongly suggest heeding the content warnings included in the book because things do get dark. There is a bit of suspense that follows the characters from the beginning, and it had me hooked and hanging on every word waiting for the reveal. Part of that includes a couple of scenes that were pretty hard to hear - I did listen to this one, and to be honest, I'm not really sure which format would've been harder to get through on those parts. I can usually imagine it so much darker than it comes across in audio, but Kasha Kensington pulls out all the stops. The emotion of those scenes comes through in her voice and tone, and she had my heart pounding.
Even the romance has that intensity about it. Lachlan's feelings for Lyla are right there on the line of obsession, and I'd even go so far as to say he crossed that line a few times. At the same time, I couldn't stop rooting for this couple. Without giving too much away, I'll explain it by referencing the cover. That smoke you see on the cover is perfect for this relationship because where there's smoke, there's fire, and Lyla and Lachlan are hot enough to set the curtains on fire!
Kasha Kensington is joined by Joe Arden, who wowed me as he always does. This was my first time listening to Kensington, and after hearing the whole thing, I can't imagine anyone else as Lyla. Of course, Joe Arden's sexy voice was perfect for Lachlan, and he perfectly captured that intensity I've been talking about. I'll stop there before I give away the book's secrets, and there are a fair few to discover. So, to sum it up, the combination of Claire Contreras's writing and Joe Arden and Kasha Kensington's narration is a thing of beauty. Somehow Contreras has escaped my notice until this book, but I plan to remedy that immediately. Until then, I highly recommend Until I Get You for readers of dark romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
So this book had me… emotional. Like a full range of emotions. I went into this completely blind so when it took a turn, I was shocked, to say the very least. Thank god for @frombrunvandash & @ninas.booksta bc they talked me off a LEDGE. I’m slightly embarrassed at the visceral reaction I had, but I honestly get so invested in the books I read it feels like I’m living it - & oof, do I go through all the emotions during.
It was nothing of what I was expected. The spice is SO SO good. I absolutely loved Lachlan & Lyla, their relationship feels so special. The touch & die trope is exquisite. This is marketed as a dark hockey romance — it has SOME hockey, but it’s mostly a romance with dark elements. I recommend it to anyone who feels they’re ready for an emotional rollercoaster! I really loved this & will be thinking of it for a long time.
*please check trigger warnings!*
Are there any books that you had a very emotional reaction to? Whether that’s anger, love, infatuation, lust, or despair - or all of the above? I’d love to hear your experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Car accident, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment
Minor: Suicide, Vomit, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
PLEASE CHECK YOU TWs BEFORE READING THIS! Contents about SH/SA/R*pe is not between the MCs
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Blood, Medical content, Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity, Suicide
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
5/5 stars
3.5/5 spice
A dark sports romance that will completely consume you from the first page... first sentence...
"Sometimes wings are built from despair."
Tropes:
Hockey romance
Possesive MMC
Strangers to lovers
Opposites attract
Anti-hero/Alphahole
He falls first
"Touch her and die" vibes
The angst in this book was intense. So much happens in the first part. You think that there will be some relief in the second... but no. You will suffer... but you're going to be happy about it. There are dark themes in this book that add suspense to the storyline.
Lyla is a survivor. I want to wrap her in warm hugs and comfort, so I can totally understand Lachlan's protectiveness with her. But she's also strong and resilient. She sacrifices so much and survives so much. I loved how she was the complete opposite of what Lachlan was used to from women. He had to work hard for her trust and affection, but once these two admitted their feelings, they were so good together. Was he a possessive, alphahole ready to break/kill any guy who tries to talk to his girl? Yes. Do we love him anyways? Yes.
Their story spans a little over 3 years, starting in college and their lives after college. It's such an emotional roller coaster. Just when you think they are going to be OK, something happens to derail their plans. But the love they share for each other is so much deeper than anything I've read... they are soulmates. The connection, the love, the passion they have for each other is just next level.
'“You can shut out the entire world, Lyla James.” He kisses my lips hard, making my heart skip a beat. “But never me.”' 🥹🫶🏽
I highly recommend reading the trigger warnings with this book because of the trauma that was experienced and discussed my the MCs.
I received an ebook ARC from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered freely.
3.5/5 spice
A dark sports romance that will completely consume you from the first page... first sentence...
"Sometimes wings are built from despair."
Tropes:
Hockey romance
Possesive MMC
Strangers to lovers
Opposites attract
Anti-hero/Alphahole
He falls first
"Touch her and die" vibes
The angst in this book was intense. So much happens in the first part. You think that there will be some relief in the second... but no. You will suffer... but you're going to be happy about it. There are dark themes in this book that add suspense to the storyline.
Lyla is a survivor. I want to wrap her in warm hugs and comfort, so I can totally understand Lachlan's protectiveness with her. But she's also strong and resilient. She sacrifices so much and survives so much. I loved how she was the complete opposite of what Lachlan was used to from women. He had to work hard for her trust and affection, but once these two admitted their feelings, they were so good together. Was he a possessive, alphahole ready to break/kill any guy who tries to talk to his girl? Yes. Do we love him anyways? Yes.
Their story spans a little over 3 years, starting in college and their lives after college. It's such an emotional roller coaster. Just when you think they are going to be OK, something happens to derail their plans. But the love they share for each other is so much deeper than anything I've read... they are soulmates. The connection, the love, the passion they have for each other is just next level.
'“You can shut out the entire world, Lyla James.” He kisses my lips hard, making my heart skip a beat. “But never me.”' 🥹🫶🏽
I highly recommend reading the trigger warnings with this book because of the trauma that was experienced and discussed my the MCs.
I received an ebook ARC from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered freely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Grief, Stalking
Minor: Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While Claire Contreras is a new to me author, I’ve seen her around Bookstagram on stories my friends post. I knew going into Until I Get You that I was stepping onto a very special ride that was part Tower of Terror/Space Mountain/Carowinds Fury 360 — in other words, a very emotional rollercoaster. I paid attention to the TRIGGER WARNINGS. And yes, I cried. And laughed. And dropped my jaw several times. This book is/has:
- Hockey (very important selling point)
- Obessive Behavior
- Guy Falls First
- Murder
- Rape
- Second Chance Romance
- Spice/Steam (high on the Scoville scale)
- Friendship
- Broken Families and Healing
This book . . . WOW. It’s told from two points of view and I am 100% supportive of that because it needed to be done that way. The reader needs to see the point of view from Lyla and Lachlan (whom I adore). So, let’s talk about these two.
Lachlan Duke – at first I’m completely unimpressed with Lachlan. He’s everything I hated about jocks in school. Especially the ones who made bets about getting a girl to have sex with them. That they have a money pot that they have to pay into if they don’t have sex with the amount of girls aka puck bunnies at the beginning of the season is disgusting. But Lachlan’s world gets turned upside down by a girl who doesn’t conform to any constructs of the typical college party girl. She has no interest in him. No interest in partying. She doesn’t even dress like a party girl. Her clothes hide her body. Lach wants to know who this enigma is and why she is the way she is.
Lyla James Marichal – in Lachlan’s eyes she’s disinterested in partying or socializing. But there’s another story. One that only a few know. One that she works hard to keep hidden. So hidden that she’s blocked out her feelings to the point that she’s numb. She doesn’t feel. She’s given up to the point she’s left even her sport – soccer. She doesn’t have time for someone like Lachlan Duke. He can chase her roommate but he’s just coming over to see her. Then, after an encounter that leaves her shaken, it’s Lachlan that makes her feel safe. Little by little she let’s him in until her walls are all but down.
The next thing Lyla and Lach know they are kissing in front of their close friends. And then, disaster strikes. Lachlan is left hospitalized. Lyla’s fight or flight response kicks in.
The friends. There is a whole cast of characters in this book that you are going to meet, and some are the best, and some are … you’ll see. But Marissa and Prescott are the best friends anyone can ask for. Look forward to your journey through this book. Savor it. It’s worth it. Mine is highlighted and annotated.
In conclusion, I loved this book. There were times I really was crying. This book deals with really tough issues but ultimately is about redemption. And that’s beautiful.
I rate this book 5 Stars. Or 5 Hockey Sticks
🏒 🏒🏒🏒🏒
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Valentine PR.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment