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literamy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i knew this book would be dark. it’s in the title, it’s in all the content warnings, and it’s true to it, through and through. i went through turmoil alongside Mila—through her determination to find her father, her journey to Russia, her optimism and kindness in the face of adversity, and in how she loves, wide open and without restraint.
i’m a character reader, first and foremost. i fell in love with Elena and her sweet romanticism, i adored Gianna for her sarcasm and softness, but i fell the hardest for Mila. from the get-go, she was imperfect, but so wholly intent on her life meaning something more. more than Miami, more than The Moorings, more than being married off to a man who doesn’t love her. i understand people’s criticisms of her character—she’s blindly optimistic, she’s too trusting, she makes mistakes, and she’s imperfect—but that’s why i fell in love with her. her sunshine smile, her yellow wardrobe, her warm heart, and wanting to love so much that it ends up hurting her. in that way, i thought this book was Danielle Lori’s strongest. both Mila and Ronan were SO deeply flawed, and even in this world of mafia romance and fanaticism, there was something real about that. it sucked me right in and made my heart race, and it completely transported me to Moscow alongside Mila.
and as the story unfolded, as the sucker punch of Ronan’s cruel, twisted intentions fully came to light, i got nauseous. i teared up; i felt my belly twist in rage. as we moved into the second act, i almost had to stop reading. it was visceral and too real, and i felt betrayed by Ronan right alongside Mila. the only thing that kept me going was how much i connected with her, how much she felt like a real person to me. and i was disgusted, i felt sick, and then, somewhere along the way, it quieted.
it wasn’t easy. i was so sure that my hatred and disgust for Ronan would stick with me long after i finished—but through his horrible, twisted exterior, little things started to shine. D’yavol, the most ruthless and feared man in the Russian mafia, fell for the sunshine girl he kidnapped, plays candy crush on his phone, eats froot loops, and has a thaw in his heart. there are Ronan haters and there are Ronan apologists, but i fall somewhere in the middle.
dark romances—especially ones with twisted, sadistic themes, with kidnapping, with every single plot point in TDT—are never my thing. ever. but because of Mila’s character, because of how strongly she resonated with me, because of the way this book got inside of me and refused to get out—something got me. this is my guiltiest pleasure of a read, and i understand the criticisms. i understand why people don’t like it. i understand the complaints of it being too dark, too twisted, too much. but, just like Mila, disgust turned, somewhere along the way, into passion. and then, despite all reason, passion turned into love. Mila Mikhailov, and all of her fucking yellow, drowned everything else out. and, like Mila, somehow, i fell for Ronan and the horrible, violent way he loves. it’s not simple, and it’s almost inexplicable, but the way i felt after i finished—awestruck, whiplashed, stunned—that stuck with me long after. and that’s what a good book—with complex but ultimately, somehow, lovable characters—does. it sticks to you, it stays with you.
i’m a character reader, first and foremost. i fell in love with Elena and her sweet romanticism, i adored Gianna for her sarcasm and softness, but i fell the hardest for Mila. from the get-go, she was imperfect, but so wholly intent on her life meaning something more. more than Miami, more than The Moorings, more than being married off to a man who doesn’t love her. i understand people’s criticisms of her character—she’s blindly optimistic, she’s too trusting, she makes mistakes, and she’s imperfect—but that’s why i fell in love with her. her sunshine smile, her yellow wardrobe, her warm heart, and wanting to love so much that it ends up hurting her. in that way, i thought this book was Danielle Lori’s strongest. both Mila and Ronan were SO deeply flawed, and even in this world of mafia romance and fanaticism, there was something real about that. it sucked me right in and made my heart race, and it completely transported me to Moscow alongside Mila.
and as the story unfolded, as the sucker punch of Ronan’s cruel, twisted intentions fully came to light, i got nauseous. i teared up; i felt my belly twist in rage. as we moved into the second act, i almost had to stop reading. it was visceral and too real, and i felt betrayed by Ronan right alongside Mila. the only thing that kept me going was how much i connected with her, how much she felt like a real person to me. and i was disgusted, i felt sick, and then, somewhere along the way, it quieted.
it wasn’t easy. i was so sure that my hatred and disgust for Ronan would stick with me long after i finished—but through his horrible, twisted exterior, little things started to shine. D’yavol, the most ruthless and feared man in the Russian mafia, fell for the sunshine girl he kidnapped, plays candy crush on his phone, eats froot loops, and has a thaw in his heart. there are Ronan haters and there are Ronan apologists, but i fall somewhere in the middle.
dark romances—especially ones with twisted, sadistic themes, with kidnapping, with every single plot point in TDT—are never my thing. ever. but because of Mila’s character, because of how strongly she resonated with me, because of the way this book got inside of me and refused to get out—something got me. this is my guiltiest pleasure of a read, and i understand the criticisms. i understand why people don’t like it. i understand the complaints of it being too dark, too twisted, too much. but, just like Mila, disgust turned, somewhere along the way, into passion. and then, despite all reason, passion turned into love. Mila Mikhailov, and all of her fucking yellow, drowned everything else out. and, like Mila, somehow, i fell for Ronan and the horrible, violent way he loves. it’s not simple, and it’s almost inexplicable, but the way i felt after i finished—awestruck, whiplashed, stunned—that stuck with me long after. and that’s what a good book—with complex but ultimately, somehow, lovable characters—does. it sticks to you, it stays with you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gaslighting, Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
anaya_reads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
slow-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? Yes
4.0
By the time I was at chapter 15 I was convinced I wasn’t gonna be a Ronan lover. In hindsight I should’ve known myself better that that because I I’m pretty sure this man had my heart in his pocket along with the rest of the men in this series. Mila is amazing and her relationship with Gianna is everything although brief. Albert and Khaos are kings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Torture
eyesfullofstars's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Gun violence, and Confinement
lenavejar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Medical trauma, Medical content, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
psydneigh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was a little worried that this love story wasn’t going to be believable for me, but it worked. I wish Mila and Albert had more interactions and I also wish the ending was a little longer. Kat was absolutely hilarious. the cat fight felt kind of out of place. I didn’t feel like that was in Mila to do I thought this was a trilogy, but there’s going to be another book and I wonder who that’ll be about since so far these have been almost completely different worlds. I’ll definitely be continuing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Child abuse, Confinement, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and Vomit
charm0nix's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Confinement
Moderate: Sexual violence, Blood, Emotional abuse, Stalking, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty and Injury/Injury detail
jaynellewags's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, and Emotional abuse
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