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chelle22's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Stalking, Gun violence, Bullying, Cursing, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Blood, Death of parent, Torture, Vomit, and Violence
masooma1459's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gore, Body horror, Cursing, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Rape, Blood, Bullying, Murder, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Ableism, Child abuse, Classism, Death, Drug use, and Grief
readyforit's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4⭐️3🌶️
This book is a hunchback of notre dame retelling, set in a modern-day small Parisian-esque town in Vermont. Amaya grew up with a narcissistic mother, who moved them around a lot and exposed her to her abusive boyfriends. When Amaya was older her mother became jealous of her looks, accusing her of trying to steal her boyfriend, Parker, who calls himself the king of Festivalé. They fight, and her mother abandons a then 19yo Amaya with her baby brother, Quentin. The story takes place 5 years later, with festivalé in ruin and father Cade is hired to come clean up the town and instill the sense of god back into it. He has unusual methods though, and tries to find the worst sinners and kill them, rationalizing that god will forgive him. To the public he’s just the hot, charming, mysterious new priest. He meets Amaya at the strip club where she dances as Esmeralda and is convinced she really is the witch the townspeople say she is. He formulates a plan to off her for her temptation, but he still finds himself drawn to her. Meanwhile Parker has been blackmailing her, saying her mother left behind debts that is now Amaya’s problem.
This book has decent disability/neurodivergent representation in quinten, who is autistic. However, he kind of plays the “hunchback” character and if you know the story and will be triggered by bullying, maybe skip this one. Otherwise, I think Amaya is a great caretaker, most of the time. I would also suggest skipping if you have religious trauma, as cade had a rough childhood, growing up in an orphanage with abusive nuns.
This book touches on forbidden romance, religious taboo, temptation, obsession, possession, and vacillating moral compasses. Cade starts out morally black (although he wouldn’t call it that), using religion to purge evil as he saw fit. Then his obsession with Amaya was the only thing that drove him. Amaya has no shame or guilt about being an exotic dancer. She knows she’s not the witch everyone calls her. But as she spends more time with Cade, she slips into the darkness that surrounds him too. I would say this book is probably the darkest in the series. There are plenty of light moments with Quentin, but there is so much darkness and guilt when you read Cade’s pov. I really love Amaya’s character but Cade was not my favorite love interest we’ve had in this series for that reason. I wish he could’ve had some more fun or flirtation, but if you enjoy true obsession, you’ll like him. He is the type of MMC who will kill anyone who wrongs Amaya, and clean up her messes too. In the end, his only goal is to take care of her and quin. It’s more of a bittersweet ending than a true HEA. The extended epilogue that is available through the author’s website was also bittersweet and a nice wrap up for how Amaya, Cade, and quin moved forward.
This book is also less spicy than the others since it’s about a forbidden romance. It’s pretty descriptive but there aren’t a lot of scenes, and the scenes aren’t long. If you prefer tension to spice you’ll be happy.
I listened along to the audiobook while reading and I think that is the superior way to read this series because all of these men have accents that you don’t get otherwise. Cade’s narrator does a great job with his French accent! I also loved that Amaya had a deeper voice, as it fit her character. The audiobook didn’t have any discrepancies to the ebook like with the first 3 books in the series. I liked the book overall and it had some crazy plot twists I had no idea were coming! I may reread in the future, a few years from now if I forget the plot.
This book is a hunchback of notre dame retelling, set in a modern-day small Parisian-esque town in Vermont. Amaya grew up with a narcissistic mother, who moved them around a lot and exposed her to her abusive boyfriends. When Amaya was older her mother became jealous of her looks, accusing her of trying to steal her boyfriend, Parker, who calls himself the king of Festivalé. They fight, and her mother abandons a then 19yo Amaya with her baby brother, Quentin. The story takes place 5 years later, with festivalé in ruin and father Cade is hired to come clean up the town and instill the sense of god back into it. He has unusual methods though, and tries to find the worst sinners and kill them, rationalizing that god will forgive him. To the public he’s just the hot, charming, mysterious new priest. He meets Amaya at the strip club where she dances as Esmeralda and is convinced she really is the witch the townspeople say she is. He formulates a plan to off her for her temptation, but he still finds himself drawn to her. Meanwhile Parker has been blackmailing her, saying her mother left behind debts that is now Amaya’s problem.
This book has decent disability/neurodivergent representation in quinten, who is autistic. However, he kind of plays the “hunchback” character and if you know the story and will be triggered by bullying, maybe skip this one. Otherwise, I think Amaya is a great caretaker, most of the time. I would also suggest skipping if you have religious trauma, as cade had a rough childhood, growing up in an orphanage with abusive nuns.
This book touches on forbidden romance, religious taboo, temptation, obsession, possession, and vacillating moral compasses. Cade starts out morally black (although he wouldn’t call it that), using religion to purge evil as he saw fit. Then his obsession with Amaya was the only thing that drove him. Amaya has no shame or guilt about being an exotic dancer. She knows she’s not the witch everyone calls her. But as she spends more time with Cade, she slips into the darkness that surrounds him too. I would say this book is probably the darkest in the series. There are plenty of light moments with Quentin, but there is so much darkness and guilt when you read Cade’s pov. I really love Amaya’s character but Cade was not my favorite love interest we’ve had in this series for that reason. I wish he could’ve had some more fun or flirtation, but if you enjoy true obsession, you’ll like him. He is the type of MMC who will kill anyone who wrongs Amaya, and clean up her messes too. In the end, his only goal is to take care of her and quin. It’s more of a bittersweet ending than a true HEA. The extended epilogue that is available through the author’s website was also bittersweet and a nice wrap up for how Amaya, Cade, and quin moved forward.
This book is also less spicy than the others since it’s about a forbidden romance. It’s pretty descriptive but there aren’t a lot of scenes, and the scenes aren’t long. If you prefer tension to spice you’ll be happy.
I listened along to the audiobook while reading and I think that is the superior way to read this series because all of these men have accents that you don’t get otherwise. Cade’s narrator does a great job with his French accent! I also loved that Amaya had a deeper voice, as it fit her character. The audiobook didn’t have any discrepancies to the ebook like with the first 3 books in the series. I liked the book overall and it had some crazy plot twists I had no idea were coming! I may reread in the future, a few years from now if I forget the plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Ableism, Blood, Body horror, Rape, Violence, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Stalking, Torture, Sexual content, Child abuse, Classism, Death, Bullying, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Alcohol, Gun violence, Infidelity, Addiction, Cursing, and Vomit
bergha1998's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This one was a little gory for me personally. Also, I’m sorry but both of these main characters are off their rockers. It’s just a bit too fucked up IMHO.
DARK Romance, Stalking, 3 1/2 🔥
DARK Romance, Stalking, 3 1/2 🔥
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, Sexism, Alcohol, Blood, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Stalking, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Abandonment, Gore, Grief, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Animal death
rickireadss's review against another edition
4.25
this was so f*cking twisted & honestly gut wrenching at times, but i ended up really having a good time. but the gasp i let out at the like 85% mark— the way this started out made me not sure i would like it, but it ended up being one of my faves of the series!! i’ve never seen the hunchback of norte dame so i know i didn’t pick up on any of the little easter eggs/throwbacks to the story, but i still had a fantastic time! i can’t wait to see what’s next from this series 👀
⚠️: murder, rape, ableism, bullying, death, violence, religious bigotry, child abuse, torture, domestic abuse, gore, body horror, gaslighting, body shaming, animal death, grief, kidnapping, hate crime, gun violence, confinement, trafficking, pedophilia, stalking, adult/minor relationship
⚠️: murder, rape, ableism, bullying, death, violence, religious bigotry, child abuse, torture, domestic abuse, gore, body horror, gaslighting, body shaming, animal death, grief, kidnapping, hate crime, gun violence, confinement, trafficking, pedophilia, stalking, adult/minor relationship
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Bullying, Death, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Body horror, Gore, Ableism, Rape, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Pedophilia, Gaslighting, Stalking, Body shaming, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Hate crime, Trafficking, and Confinement
dgprus's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Blood, Death, Murder, Self harm, Misogyny, Stalking, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Gun violence
Minor: Rape
dazyreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.5
book review | Crossed by Emily McIntire
𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘
⭐️: 4.5
🌶️: 3
🏃🏼♀️: medium pace
📖: paperback
tropes/themes:
- priest x exotic dancer
- stalker
- forbidden
- dark romance
- touch her and die
- fractured fairytale
“Tell me, petite pécheresse, have you thought about your priest?”
this novel is so dark and twisted, i love it.
the slow burn and tension was so addictive. i admit there was a lull in the first 100 pages, but once the story picked up, I could not put this book down.
🌶️ writing:
Emily’s writing is thrilling, adding plenty of depth to the characters. even the steamy established so much pent up tension, that i was dying to read on with this slow burner. though the spicy scenes were less frequent, they did not disappoint. i kinda preferred is this way as the spice felt less forceful and more organic - fitting well to the forbidden nature of the story and Cade’s attempt to commit to his vow.
⛪️ plot:
to put it plainly - i loved it. i really adored the whole ‘murder mystery’ subplot which was not at all cliché. the stalking scenes were some of my favourites, why I enjoyed them I’m not sure?? i loveeee how Cade was dark and tough but had that soft spot for Amaya and her little brother. How can such a dark man be so adorable? 🫢 and i was not expecting the plot twists!!
🖤 characters:
I admire Amaya’s devotion to her younger brother, and her strength to power through the torment of her reputation and her mother’s unpaid debt. I love how she embraces her sexuality through the art of pole dancing, as an outlet for her emotions.
A tall, fluffy haired priest with a French accent who calls me ‘little sinner’? Yes please.
Cade is definitely unhinged, with a monster inside of him, that feeds from destroying demons within people. though his past was devastating, it was interesting to have a glimpse into his childhood and how they impact his character and motivations in the book.
🧎🏽♀️overall: this novel has climbed to my favourites list. i loved how Cade protectiveness which melted in a need to care for Amaya. I was so invested in how his lust for Amaya really tested his oath, because loving her hurt so much.
please be warned this is probably the darkest of Emily’s Never After Series and to always check the triggered warnings.
bookstagram: @dazyreads
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Sexual content, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Torture, and Stalking
Minor: Abandonment, Child abuse, Rape, and Bullying
__romancereader__'s review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Where do i begin i’ve been so excited to read this book since January and even more excited when the cover reveal happened in march i truly loved and enjoyed the possessiveness and jealousy of Cade with Amaya i hate damn Parker though he pissed me off so much Parker is a side character who is also a pos some parts of the book i hated and some i loved i hated how the female main character got r*ped by a side character but i loved how there were scenes from the movie that were kinda flipped but still brought up in the book there were certain things that were said in this book that i loved like “After all, people often ignore traits in others that exist within themselves” idky but i related to that a little more then id like to but i loved it it had me rereading it look 20 times before i carried on reading this book and this book is the 5th book in the Never After series if you don’t know that series its pretty much a series of Villains who get there happy endings all these books are dark romance so be aware of that but the 1st book in this series is Hooked and it’s a Peter pan retelling the 2nd book is Scarred and it’s a Lion king retelling the 3rd book is Wretched and it’s a Wizard of Oz retelling the 4th book is Twisted and it’s a Aladdin retelling and the 5th book in this series is Crossed and it’s a Hunchback of Notre dame retelling theres gonna be a 6th and final book in this series but that is yet to be released and these books are all Spicy with happy endings and no cliffhangers and some of the Tropes in this one is Fairytale Retelling, Forbidden love, Secret romance and Boy falls first oh and also Age gap i highly recommend this series jeez i feel like i wrote a story so overall i rated this books 4 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ READ THIS SERIES oouu and if thats not convincing enough look at how pretty the covers are and oouuu i forgot this the male main character is a Priest and the Female main character is a Exotic dancer NOW READ IT🥰🫶🏼
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Abandonment, Blood, Animal death, Gun violence, Bullying, Child abuse, Body horror, Death of parent, Car accident, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Sexual assault, Vomit, Sexual violence, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Not all content warnings are about the main chatacters some are and some are about the other characters you meet/hear about in the book🥰🫶🏼
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