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bubblewombat's review
1.0
What I thought this was going to be: a dark Romeo and Juliet retelling.
What it actually was: explicit kidnapping, torture and rape with no Romeo or Juliet in sight.
The only thing they retained from the original story is their last names. In a way this is a good thing, because the book is terrible, no need to ruin Shakespeare further.
Juliet Avery doesn't read like a 25 year old heroine at all. She's spoiled and bratty, as one would suspect and even, dare I say, likable at the beginning. That quickly changes the longer we're in her head.
But I did feel for her, when it seemed like everything was going wrong with her crazy father who wanted to marry her off to her dead sister's fiancé, she had to break up with her 8 year (violent) boyfriend and deal with learning her eggs have been harvested (oddly enough, not the worst thing that happens in the book).
The point where it really goes wrong is her kidnapping. Is kidnapping meant to be nice? No, of course not. But if this was meant to be a romantic story (as it's marketed) then you can't write it like this. You just can't.
There's no reason why the rape happened, it doesn't add to the plot and it's really explicit. And disgusting. And plain wrong. It's romanticised in a way and I am not here for that shit. Also there's no warning.
Apart from the themes mentioned above, there's also suicide which wasn't handled well. Is that a surprise? At this point, no.
The relationship between Avery and Rome is barely mentioned until they're put in a specific situation together which doesn't match the blurb. And even then it's nothing special, no sparks, nothing.
I'm supposed to feel the hate that Rome is feeling towards her and all I felt was emptiness. Her family ruined his? Sent him to prison for something he didn't do? So what? Who cares? Not me.
I think it says a lot that I'm more interested in Avery's father than either of the main leads. He was written decently at least. And Will wasn't too bad all things considered, I at least strongly disliked him.
We got a random P.O.V. from an FBI agent somewhere in the middle maybe, he also didn't seem experienced and his P.O.V. wasn't needed, especially when we didn't see him before.
This book is a huge disappointment. I expected so much from it. Within the first three chapters I even thought I'd read book two, but now I won't. And I suggest you don't either unless if this is your kind of thing, then by all means, go ahead.
What it actually was: explicit kidnapping, torture and rape with no Romeo or Juliet in sight.
The only thing they retained from the original story is their last names. In a way this is a good thing, because the book is terrible, no need to ruin Shakespeare further.
But I did feel for her, when it seemed like everything was going wrong with her crazy father who wanted to marry her off to her dead sister's fiancé, she had to break up with her 8 year (violent) boyfriend and deal with learning her eggs have been harvested (oddly enough, not the worst thing that happens in the book).
The point where it really goes wrong is her kidnapping. Is kidnapping meant to be nice? No, of course not. But if this was meant to be a romantic story (as it's marketed) then you can't write it like this. You just can't.
There's no reason why the rape happened, it doesn't add to the plot and it's really explicit. And disgusting. And plain wrong. It's romanticised in a way and I am not here for that shit. Also there's no warning.
Apart from the themes mentioned above, there's also suicide which wasn't handled well. Is that a surprise? At this point, no.
The relationship between Avery and Rome is barely mentioned until they're put in a specific situation together which doesn't match the blurb. And even then it's nothing special, no sparks, nothing.
I'm supposed to feel the hate that Rome is feeling towards her and all I felt was emptiness. Her family ruined his? Sent him to prison for something he didn't do? So what? Who cares? Not me.
I think it says a lot that I'm more interested in Avery's father than either of the main leads. He was written decently at least. And Will wasn't too bad all things considered, I at least strongly disliked him.
We got a random P.O.V. from an FBI agent somewhere in the middle maybe, he also didn't seem experienced and his P.O.V. wasn't needed, especially when we didn't see him before.
This book is a huge disappointment. I expected so much from it. Within the first three chapters I even thought I'd read book two, but now I won't. And I suggest you don't either unless if this is your kind of thing, then by all means, go ahead.
pioneer's review
4.0
LEGIT.
WHAT DID I JUST READ?
AND AM I SICK BECAUSE I WANT MORE?
WTF!
I did not expect ANY of that. But holy hell...
WHAT DID I JUST READ?
AND AM I SICK BECAUSE I WANT MORE?
WTF!
I did not expect ANY of that. But holy hell...
ximena88's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Drug use, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide
amhoxie's review
1.0
Umm, the description of this book and the actual book are nothing alike. This is not a dark romance like I expected. There are so many instances of the writer just repeating herself which was quite annoying. Also I had no idea what was going on throughout most of the book.
arfs's review
4.0
I read reviews collectively all preparing me for what was coming but yet I was caught OFF GUARD. So many things happened in 300 pages. It's one of those books that will remain with you. This was such a twisted and cruel spin on Romeo and Juliet that had me intrigued and yes there is a cliffhanger ending so there is a second book that I need to read.
hawful's review
1.0
Horrendous. Felt like the author's ego heavily influenced the hubris of character motivations and the atrocities were just hit after hit after for just the hell of it. And it read as unfinished.
hannahlovesreading's review
5.0
Second chance, forced proximity, rival families
review to come once I'm finished with book 2
review to come once I'm finished with book 2
fictioncourt's review
2.0
Holy fucking shit, LSG did it again.
I haven't read a book of hers since the Gypsy Brothers and I kind of missed the bloody dark romance, and this was bloody alright.
The over the top was questionable at best, the entire thing was nauseating, to be honest, and so far I can't see how that will play into the future.
But the lovers to enemies to reluctant friends was interesting.
I haven't read a book of hers since the Gypsy Brothers and I kind of missed the bloody dark romance, and this was bloody alright.
The over the top
Spoiler
egg harvestingBut the lovers to enemies to reluctant friends was interesting.