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caseroo7's review against another edition
3.0
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
Maldeamores is the first book that I have ever read by Mara White. It is a standalone prequel to her Heightsbound series, and you do not need to have read the other books to understand this one. I have to admit that I am a sucker for taboo love stories. There is just something about the forbidden that makes romance books more juicy sometimes. So when I read the blurb for this book, I knew I had to read it. Let me warn you though, this book will not be for everyone. This book is about cousins who fall in love with each other. I won't give away much of the actual story so as not to spoil the book, but I think that this is one of those books that just needs to be experienced without knowing everything ahead of time.
Belen and Luciano have loved each other since they were kids. They have always been inseparable, and they have only grown closer over the years. However their friendship has always felt like more to each of them, except they know that they shouldn't feel the way they do. Being cousins, they do everything that they can to fight what they know is wrong and yet you can't control who you fall in love with.
I will say that I had a few issues with these characters. They were in a really tough situation, and I understand that they each must have been so confused and that they would struggle with their feelings. That being said, Belen got on my nerves a bit with her constant crying. Yes things were upsetting, but after awhile I began to wonder if she was capable of doing anything besides crying. Luciano ran a bit hot and cold, and it was easy to see why Belen would be confused. I liked Lucky though, and I really felt as though these two genuinely belonged together. I know that for a lot of people incest is a hard limit, and that might make reading this one difficult. But these two seemed to really be two people who loved each other and were perfect for one another that just so happened to be related. They were so close, and it was that way from the very start. They had clear chemistry and an undeniable connection.
So without getting into the story too much, I loved about 90% of this book. Then the ending happened, and it pretty much wrecked me. This was not the way I had hoped for, and honestly it was very unsatisfying for me. I really had to take some time to get my thoughts together on this book before sitting down to write my review, because I felt pretty betrayed at the end of this book. But as I continued to think about Maldeamores, I thought about the book as a whole and I couldn't put it down. If it wasn't for the ending, I really think this would have been close to a five star read for me. So I decided to go with a 3 star rating since I did enjoy this book up until the end. This one was beautiful and heartbreaking, and filled with emotion and angst. I was drawn in right from the start and absolutely couldn't stop myself from finishing this book. I read it almost in one sitting, and would have finished it in one if real life hadn't demanded my attention. While I was unhappy with the ending, I can't deny that I loved Mara White's writing style, and I was captivated from the first page. I am really hoping that we end up getting more for Lucky and Belen. I would love to see something else down the line for these characters, and I hope that it might change how I felt at the end of this book.
**ARC Provided by Flirty Subs PR**
Maldeamores is the first book that I have ever read by Mara White. It is a standalone prequel to her Heightsbound series, and you do not need to have read the other books to understand this one. I have to admit that I am a sucker for taboo love stories. There is just something about the forbidden that makes romance books more juicy sometimes. So when I read the blurb for this book, I knew I had to read it. Let me warn you though, this book will not be for everyone. This book is about cousins who fall in love with each other. I won't give away much of the actual story so as not to spoil the book, but I think that this is one of those books that just needs to be experienced without knowing everything ahead of time.
Belen and Luciano have loved each other since they were kids. They have always been inseparable, and they have only grown closer over the years. However their friendship has always felt like more to each of them, except they know that they shouldn't feel the way they do. Being cousins, they do everything that they can to fight what they know is wrong and yet you can't control who you fall in love with.
I will say that I had a few issues with these characters. They were in a really tough situation, and I understand that they each must have been so confused and that they would struggle with their feelings. That being said, Belen got on my nerves a bit with her constant crying. Yes things were upsetting, but after awhile I began to wonder if she was capable of doing anything besides crying. Luciano ran a bit hot and cold, and it was easy to see why Belen would be confused. I liked Lucky though, and I really felt as though these two genuinely belonged together. I know that for a lot of people incest is a hard limit, and that might make reading this one difficult. But these two seemed to really be two people who loved each other and were perfect for one another that just so happened to be related. They were so close, and it was that way from the very start. They had clear chemistry and an undeniable connection.
So without getting into the story too much, I loved about 90% of this book. Then the ending happened, and it pretty much wrecked me. This was not the way I had hoped for, and honestly it was very unsatisfying for me. I really had to take some time to get my thoughts together on this book before sitting down to write my review, because I felt pretty betrayed at the end of this book. But as I continued to think about Maldeamores, I thought about the book as a whole and I couldn't put it down. If it wasn't for the ending, I really think this would have been close to a five star read for me. So I decided to go with a 3 star rating since I did enjoy this book up until the end. This one was beautiful and heartbreaking, and filled with emotion and angst. I was drawn in right from the start and absolutely couldn't stop myself from finishing this book. I read it almost in one sitting, and would have finished it in one if real life hadn't demanded my attention. While I was unhappy with the ending, I can't deny that I loved Mara White's writing style, and I was captivated from the first page. I am really hoping that we end up getting more for Lucky and Belen. I would love to see something else down the line for these characters, and I hope that it might change how I felt at the end of this book.
**ARC Provided by Flirty Subs PR**
fallen_for_books30's review against another edition
5.0
You know some relations aren't normal but human beings are complex characters and more complicated is the love that blossoms between two people aren't meant to love in a certain way but love knows no boundaries. there are no specific reasons why we feel the way we do but it happened. What happened in this book was s hard not because of the the topic but because i could feel the love, the desire and the pain of Luck and Belen radiating from every word. Some love should be just accepted rather than understood.
mybookishaffair's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sexyvixenreader's review against another edition
5.0
This review is for Maldeamore Book 1 and MAlentendido Book 2 as I can not separate them. Just like Lucky and Belen, this has to be together. ;-)
First I don't do at all the forbidden love stories, they just don't do it for me but something about the blurb just grabbed me and I had to read this book. I start reading and getting into chapter 2 and I was hooked but I realize this was a continuation of the first book Maldeamores: Lovesick so I snatched it up on Amazon and set ablaze to reading this story and by the time I finished Maldeamores: Lovesick (3 am) I was clicking open Malentendido: Misunderstood immediately and diving in. This story was so beautiful and well written I was just left me awestruck. This is my first read from Mara White and I am now a lover of her writing. You don't have to read Maldeamores: Lovesick to enjoy Malentendido: Misunderstood but you will come out the other end enjoying this story so much more. Lucky and Belen story is nothing less than perfection. Bravo!!
First I don't do at all the forbidden love stories, they just don't do it for me but something about the blurb just grabbed me and I had to read this book. I start reading and getting into chapter 2 and I was hooked but I realize this was a continuation of the first book Maldeamores: Lovesick so I snatched it up on Amazon and set ablaze to reading this story and by the time I finished Maldeamores: Lovesick (3 am) I was clicking open Malentendido: Misunderstood immediately and diving in. This story was so beautiful and well written I was just left me awestruck. This is my first read from Mara White and I am now a lover of her writing. You don't have to read Maldeamores: Lovesick to enjoy Malentendido: Misunderstood but you will come out the other end enjoying this story so much more. Lucky and Belen story is nothing less than perfection. Bravo!!
bookgirl0925's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this story but there was just something lacking for me. I have no problem with the taboo relationship or the ménage/lesbian storyline. My problem lies with both Belen and Luciano. Belen as being weak and so blinded in love or what she thinks is love. And Lucky, he was just a street hustler and thug and I never believed the chemistry between them. My favorite character was Belen's roommate Lucy. I also had a hard time believing the role of the therapist Belen was seeing in college. And what is up with that ending?
eslismyjam's review against another edition
5.0
I should have known what I was getting myself into. I read White’s first novel Heights of Desire in one sitting, palms sweating, agonizing about what was going to happen—even though I knew, from the blurb that I wasn’t going to get my happy ending.
The same was true of Maldeamores , the third in her Heightsbound series, I couldn’t put it down, and believe me, I tried. At two am, frantically worrying about lack of sleep, I thought maybe I could just finish in the morning. But who was I kidding? Screw sleep. I had to know what happened to Lucky and Belén.
There is no disclaimer about the lack HEA on this one, but maybe there should be because it goes against the grain for normal romance readership (though the prologue will give you a pretty good idea). Though, if you’ve read White’s other books you know that a happy ending isn’t really her style. I’m the type of reader that enjoys reading outside of my comfort zone, so it worked for me. That’s one of the reasons I’ve enjoyed White’s books. The other is that the woman always nails the voices of her main characters. White’s writing is sharp and her characterization distinct and spot on. She writes Spanish Harlem in New York City like no one else--you can practically imagine watching the story play out from the corner bodega. And, perhaps the thing I enjoy most is her uncanny ability to write an authentic, Hispanic-male, bad-boy. Need I say more? Yum.
The real issue here, and what is going to *perhaps* turn people off is the topic of this book: incest. I suppose we can argue that cousin to cousin romance isn't technically incest-- but really? Thinking about that doesn't make you the tiniest bit squeamish?
It does me. I guess if incest is an absolute deal-breaker for you then put the book down now, but I urge you to read on because it’s worth it. I’ve read a couple of books on the subject of incest, most notably Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma which is both disturbing and amazing. Reading that book you are uncomfortable, questioning everything, but you can’t put it down. This story is like that, though perhaps tamer. I have stayed away from the more popular, voyeuristic titles on incest-that-really-isn’t-incest: books about step-brothers and adopted siblings, etc. Those books' sole purpose are to titillate with the idea of the forbidden without actually delving into the issue for real. That's fine, it's just not for me.
This isn’t one of those books.
There is nothing hedonistic about White’s exploration of the idea of two cousins falling in love with one another, though I wasn’t sure about that for the first part of the book. In the first 30%, I wondered where White was going with her characters and her conflict.
The beginning of the novel explores Belén and Lucky’s childhood as they grow up, grow apart, and grow more and more attracted to one another, and while I enjoyed that part, the novel grew in depth in the latter half.
The second part of the novel follows Lucky to the marines and Belén to Vassar, as they continue to think about, and fight their feelings for one another. Certainly, there is a good amount of erotic content, particularly toward the end, including a ménage situation. It should be noted, that the ménage serves to further the plot, not just as meaningless sex to make the book more provocative.
However, what pushed this book from one that I was enjoying, to one that I couldn’t put down, were the developments after Belén goes away to college. There, Belén begins to explore of the topic of being in love with her cousin, and the book takes on a different tone. She discusses the topic with her roommate and best friend, goes to therapy, and even joins a support group for co-dependency in an attempt to grapple with her issues. Giving the reader access to all of those different perspectives on the conflict added a lot to the book and made it much more than just a naughty book about two cousins who love each other. Because quite frankly, as Belén struggled with her feelings, so did I.
I hesitate to call this a romance. It is a genre-bending novel. It IS a romance, but it doesn’t follow the formula. It has elements of erotica too, but while your reading those parts, you feel like maybe you should be disgusted instead of riveted. And, like White’s other books, it is a tragedy and it's taboo. All that rolled together made for one damn fine read. I loved it.
The same was true of Maldeamores , the third in her Heightsbound series, I couldn’t put it down, and believe me, I tried. At two am, frantically worrying about lack of sleep, I thought maybe I could just finish in the morning. But who was I kidding? Screw sleep. I had to know what happened to Lucky and Belén.
There is no disclaimer about the lack HEA on this one, but maybe there should be because it goes against the grain for normal romance readership (though the prologue will give you a pretty good idea). Though, if you’ve read White’s other books you know that a happy ending isn’t really her style. I’m the type of reader that enjoys reading outside of my comfort zone, so it worked for me. That’s one of the reasons I’ve enjoyed White’s books. The other is that the woman always nails the voices of her main characters. White’s writing is sharp and her characterization distinct and spot on. She writes Spanish Harlem in New York City like no one else--you can practically imagine watching the story play out from the corner bodega. And, perhaps the thing I enjoy most is her uncanny ability to write an authentic, Hispanic-male, bad-boy. Need I say more? Yum.
The real issue here, and what is going to *perhaps* turn people off is the topic of this book: incest. I suppose we can argue that cousin to cousin romance isn't technically incest-- but really? Thinking about that doesn't make you the tiniest bit squeamish?
It does me. I guess if incest is an absolute deal-breaker for you then put the book down now, but I urge you to read on because it’s worth it. I’ve read a couple of books on the subject of incest, most notably Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma which is both disturbing and amazing. Reading that book you are uncomfortable, questioning everything, but you can’t put it down. This story is like that, though perhaps tamer. I have stayed away from the more popular, voyeuristic titles on incest-that-really-isn’t-incest: books about step-brothers and adopted siblings, etc. Those books' sole purpose are to titillate with the idea of the forbidden without actually delving into the issue for real. That's fine, it's just not for me.
This isn’t one of those books.
There is nothing hedonistic about White’s exploration of the idea of two cousins falling in love with one another, though I wasn’t sure about that for the first part of the book. In the first 30%, I wondered where White was going with her characters and her conflict.
The beginning of the novel explores Belén and Lucky’s childhood as they grow up, grow apart, and grow more and more attracted to one another, and while I enjoyed that part, the novel grew in depth in the latter half.
The second part of the novel follows Lucky to the marines and Belén to Vassar, as they continue to think about, and fight their feelings for one another. Certainly, there is a good amount of erotic content, particularly toward the end, including a ménage situation. It should be noted, that the ménage serves to further the plot, not just as meaningless sex to make the book more provocative.
However, what pushed this book from one that I was enjoying, to one that I couldn’t put down, were the developments after Belén goes away to college. There, Belén begins to explore of the topic of being in love with her cousin, and the book takes on a different tone. She discusses the topic with her roommate and best friend, goes to therapy, and even joins a support group for co-dependency in an attempt to grapple with her issues. Giving the reader access to all of those different perspectives on the conflict added a lot to the book and made it much more than just a naughty book about two cousins who love each other. Because quite frankly, as Belén struggled with her feelings, so did I.
I hesitate to call this a romance. It is a genre-bending novel. It IS a romance, but it doesn’t follow the formula. It has elements of erotica too, but while your reading those parts, you feel like maybe you should be disgusted instead of riveted. And, like White’s other books, it is a tragedy and it's taboo. All that rolled together made for one damn fine read. I loved it.
talonvictoria's review against another edition
3.0
Oh man, I know I'm not supposed to like books like this. I KNOW IM NOT but damn if I can't help it. The angst was real with this one. And the writing was every bit of fantastic.
"She is raw. Pure emotion. Savagely in love with me and willing to sacrifice whatever it takes."
I'm obsessed with Mara's writing in this book. LOVED it! I'd love to pick up her others to see where they take me as well. The story line itself didn't hurt my heart, it was Mara's writing alone. The way she intricately entwined these two people's lives together for me I just couldn't get enough. By far the best prose I have read in a long while.
I loved this story because we grow up with Belen and Lucky from the day their brought together as babies. Every step of the way we are there. To me, that's how connections are formed, not just with the characters but to me as the reader. I need to have that connection they have so I can feel what they feel and Mara did a wonderful job letting me into their world.
Three stars though because the ending was the worst. Like, "hey! All of this happened in like three of four years but nope, here's what you get!" I spent all this time reading your book and that's the ending you stick me with!
Basically, when you read this book you're getting a real raw and dirty and gritty story with taboo and WOW. I can't even begin to describe. This book has almost every form of taboo in it. But had the ending executed and met my exceptions, I would have enjoyed the book so much more. Now I just feel...empty and confused.
"She is raw. Pure emotion. Savagely in love with me and willing to sacrifice whatever it takes."
I'm obsessed with Mara's writing in this book. LOVED it! I'd love to pick up her others to see where they take me as well. The story line itself didn't hurt my heart, it was Mara's writing alone. The way she intricately entwined these two people's lives together for me I just couldn't get enough. By far the best prose I have read in a long while.
I loved this story because we grow up with Belen and Lucky from the day their brought together as babies. Every step of the way we are there. To me, that's how connections are formed, not just with the characters but to me as the reader. I need to have that connection they have so I can feel what they feel and Mara did a wonderful job letting me into their world.
Three stars though because the ending was the worst. Like, "hey! All of this happened in like three of four years but nope, here's what you get!" I spent all this time reading your book and that's the ending you stick me with!
Basically, when you read this book you're getting a real raw and dirty and gritty story with taboo and WOW. I can't even begin to describe. This book has almost every form of taboo in it. But had the ending executed and met my exceptions, I would have enjoyed the book so much more. Now I just feel...empty and confused.
dragonflyreads's review against another edition
4.0
Maldeamores is as taboo as it gets and I loved it all!
Best friends growing up, cousins by birth, neighbors by their mothers choice. Belén and Luciano have what you would call an unconventional relationship. Belén knows her love for Lucky is forbidden but she doesn't know how to love otherwise. She knows he's it for her, and she wants to be with him.
Lucky has spent his life fighting his feelings for Belén. There's a family secret about her parents and she doesn't know about it. When she finds out, she'll realize that her love for him is even more forbidden that she thought.
Lucky and Belén's story takes place over years. Within that time frame we get lust, love, heartbreak and so much more. Mara White writes forbidden like nothing I've ever read before. You feel for Belén's struggles even though it's not something you'd ever venture to create for yourself. There was one scene that just didn't sit well with me regarding Belén and sex and lust, and overcoming a hurdle for herself. It was HOT, don't get me wrong, but I felt like it was just out of place and out of character for this sweet girl.
The epilogue of Maldeamores was EPIC. I mean, what the heck! It's left off as there doesn't need to be a second book but with Malentendido's release just around the corner, I really can't wait to get back to the neighborhood with my favorite cousins.
Best friends growing up, cousins by birth, neighbors by their mothers choice. Belén and Luciano have what you would call an unconventional relationship. Belén knows her love for Lucky is forbidden but she doesn't know how to love otherwise. She knows he's it for her, and she wants to be with him.
Lucky has spent his life fighting his feelings for Belén. There's a family secret about her parents and she doesn't know about it. When she finds out, she'll realize that her love for him is even more forbidden that she thought.
Lucky and Belén's story takes place over years. Within that time frame we get lust, love, heartbreak and so much more. Mara White writes forbidden like nothing I've ever read before. You feel for Belén's struggles even though it's not something you'd ever venture to create for yourself. There was one scene that just didn't sit well with me regarding Belén and sex and lust, and overcoming a hurdle for herself. It was HOT, don't get me wrong, but I felt like it was just out of place and out of character for this sweet girl.
The epilogue of Maldeamores was EPIC. I mean, what the heck! It's left off as there doesn't need to be a second book but with Malentendido's release just around the corner, I really can't wait to get back to the neighborhood with my favorite cousins.
raciethereader's review against another edition
3.0
This book involves a very taboo subject of a romance between cousins. In addition, there are some sex scenes which are outside the comfort zone of many readers. What is beautiful and makes this work is the raw and gritty setting of cousins living in Spanish Harlem, the powerful heartache and love sickness described by Belene, and the sacrifices made by Luciano.
The things in this book that worked for me in particular were some of the imagery of Belene's glass heart, Luciano's fire, and love sickness. I really liked the urban setting which felt real to me. The life of newly immigrated Dominican mothers added to the depth of the setting. The book is emotional and many times my heart hurt for Belene and Lucky.
My rating is a 3 as I did not feel particularly connected to the characters, Belene was not convincing to me as being as smart as she is portrayed, and some side characters, particularly Jeremy felt one dimensional. The ending was fantastic, and I am glad I read it.
The things in this book that worked for me in particular were some of the imagery of Belene's glass heart, Luciano's fire, and love sickness. I really liked the urban setting which felt real to me. The life of newly immigrated Dominican mothers added to the depth of the setting. The book is emotional and many times my heart hurt for Belene and Lucky.
My rating is a 3 as I did not feel particularly connected to the characters, Belene was not convincing to me as being as smart as she is portrayed, and some side characters, particularly Jeremy felt one dimensional. The ending was fantastic, and I am glad I read it.