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miss_berry315's review
3.0
I dnf'd this book originally because of the scene where Stephen and Grace meet. It is fairly early in the book and I really felt like the author could have done literally anything other than have Stephen practically SA Grace.
IDC if this is a spoiler, it's really not done well and adds absolutely nothing to the story overall.
Stephen is walking back home when he hears someone running and he determines that the person sounds like they're in trouble, so he wants to help (paladin things). Grace approaches him near an alleyway and asks Stephen to help her hide. Stephen then grabs her, shoves her against the wall so she's hidden from the people chasing her, and begins dry humping her and acting as if he is having sex. She plays along with it, he's apologizing the whole time (super uncomfortable) and the people chasing her end up leaving them alone. It's important to note that this happens in an alleyway very close to this city's version of a 'Red Light District' aka a place where sex workers are known to be present and offering services. The author does not write about sex workers in a positive way. The language used is outdated, Stephen says he would 'never be involved with a sex worker' and Grace is relieved. Its just really not empowering and starts the relationship between these two off in a very uncomfortable place. Why couldn't Stephen help Grace into a crate or behind some barrels, or in a pile of trash or literally anything in the entire world that could have been realistically in the alleyway? Why did the author see the only option as borderline SA??
Other than that, the book was fairly boring in plot, characters, and romance. Grace is defined by her relationships and career. I felt like the perfume making stuff could have been interesting, but kind of fell flat. I understand it's hard to write about how someone may have a natural ability to create something and how they often will incorporate that into their lives however they can, but the way that Grace can differentiate smells within complex ones just came off like the whole 'chosen one' 'special-special' trope that protagonists often have.
Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Death, Murder, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Stalking, and Panic attacks/disorders
The book starts off withmabechel's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Gaslighting, Infidelity, Suicide, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Police brutality
alexijai98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Murder, Violence, Grief, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
latashman's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Death
Minor: Death of parent
jonie_rich's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Blood, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Cannibalism, Grief, Infidelity, Murder, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
puck_jay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Gore, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, War, Blood, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
lunalorenne's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The inner monologues were pretty funny at times ( but were maybe a bit overused)
The romance between Stephen and Grace. I loved that it was much more of a slower paced romance and the respect he had for her and letting her fight her own battles but always being there for her was just so heartwarming.
Things I was unsure about:
There seemed to be two murderous plots going on in the background at once and it made it difficult to keep track of all the pieces and to understand if they were connected at all.
Stephen was sometimes a bit too self deprecating. I get that part of his character is guilt but it became a broken record with how much his inner monologue banged it into us.
Lastly it did take a little to get into it as it was a slow start and I thought the court scene was drawn out a bit too long.
Overall though an enjoyable read with some murder mystery and a great romance! I can’t wait for more from this world.
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship
honeywolf's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Murder, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Suicidal thoughts
alainral's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Violence, Body horror, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Cannibalism, and Murder
Minor: War
ijustreallyliketrees's review
- 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
2.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Emotional abuse, Death, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cancer and Child death