45k reviews for:

If We Were Villains

M.L. Rio

4.19 AVERAGE

dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was incredible! The writing is excellent. The concept was unique and captivating. It was thrilling and I couldn’t put it down. 
dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
challenging emotional sad slow-paced
dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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
adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

Off-brand version of The Secret History, without Donna Tartt’s lyrical prose and depth of characterization. But I still enjoyed it because I was specifically looking for pretentious dark academia vibes.
dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense
dark mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

THIS WAS MY 50TH BOOK OF THE YEAR!!

I don't think I could have picked a better book to read this time of year. The atmosphere was exactly what I was craving. 

I find it genuinely hard to some up how I feel about a book like this, I overall loved the premise, I loved the way the story was told and especially how it was broken up into acts. 

I loved the group dynamics and the setting. I think at times I got frustrated at the students not being believable in terms of them just not communicating or even discussing things they definitely should be. 

James and Oliver kept me turning the pages throughout. 
I loved the messiness of the young horny theatre students and the love triangle. ( With like 5 people?? ) 

The ending was confusing, I dont think that Meredith would be single and lonely and so welcoming to Oliver after 10 years. Also the body not found??? ehhhmmmm? What do you mean??? 

I would like James located immediately pls. 
relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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

"Murder is as near to lust as flame to smoke"

The characters are complex and their relationships even more so. Im still kind of mad at Meredith for what she did but i still like her character. Richard is textbook 101 haunting the narrative and yet i still don't know much about him other than his archetype and that one scene where Oliver enters his room (im so confused by the shoes thing).
i don't dislike any character (other than Richard) but i didn't feel Wren as much, i just don't think i got to know her properly. 
i love books where the author's knowledge and interests are clear and vast but not forced just to show how much they know. i really liked this book.

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