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bookboyfriend4life'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
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Grief, and Gore
Moderate: Physical abuse, Abandonment, Bullying, Child abuse, Gore, Alcohol, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Violence, Drug use, Sexual harassment, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Death, Stalking, Grief, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Toxic friendship, and Sexual content
s1ck4n's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Murder, Blood, Grief, Kidnapping, Bullying, Child abuse, and Stalking
melissaslibraryy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Body horror, Murder, Violence, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Sexual content, and Stalking
abrown04's review
- 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
3.0
Read on Kindle
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Body horror, and Child abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, Confinement, Addiction, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Stalking, Alcoholism, Kidnapping, Drug use, Grief, Sexual harassment, and Forced institutionalization
fairylass's review
- 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
4.0
This book captured my attention from the very first page! I love a good smutty dark romance, and this is one of the best and beautifully written ones I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Somehow I ended up tearing up, laughing, and covering my mouth in shock all within the first chapter and as the book continued. I love the backstory for the characters and how the time periods flash back and forth; this really helps you get a sense of why the MCs have the bond they do. Essentially, you’re shown rather than being told! And don’t even get me started on the spicy scenes. I’m definitely going to be reading more from this author!
Graphic: Gun violence, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Stalking, Torture, Cursing, Sexual harassment, Violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Murder, Blood, Grief, Bullying, and Death of parent
ahbee_p_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Child abuse, Bullying, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual harassment
leeguinan's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Stalking, Torture, Sexual content, Blood, Violence, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Cursing, Death, Gore, and Murder
colorcrystals'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: Child abuse, Murder, Sexual content, Blood, Torture, Confinement, and Cursing
Moderate: Stalking, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Violence, Abandonment, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent
koistyfishy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
There is "obsessive MMC" and then there is Roman Riviera. He is what you think of when you take the psychotic killer instinct from Natural Born Killers and merge him with a slightly concerning overly cute sweetheart...
This was the perfect book to cure my reading "funk", not exactly a slump as I was still managing to read; but everything I was picking up seemed to lack that draw and spark...something was missing and this book had it in droves! It managed to hook me from page one and make me obsessed to see the story of Bella and Mickey unfold.
Bella and Mickey (Or Isabella and Roman) have been friends since they were children, both growing up in the harshness of the foster system, Mickey becomes Bella's saviour, protecting her from bullies, beating up boys who are mean to her and being a general sweetheart by looking out for her needs above his own. It's adorable to see how the friendship of these two blossom into love. Until on Bella's 17th Birthday when she finally kisses Roman, he breaks her heart and disappears for 3 years without a word or trace. Flashforward to now, where Roman has come back for Bella and he isn't afraid to get blood on his hands, serving a deathly judgement to the Foster father and Brother who abused her for the three years he has been gone...and he isn't leaving without Bella in tow.
I really loved how this book was broken up between flashbacks of the past and present, it gave this side to the characters that was innocent, charming and loveable. The characterisation was done well as you could feel the mind-shift change from child to adult, but also see how their personalities were formed from the glimpses into their childhood, in the present scenes.
Bella was definitely my favourite character between the two. She's had a difficult life having to endure the harsh reality of being a girl growing up in the foster system as her mother died too soon and her father didn't want her. The trauma she experiences as she grows up is heartbreaking and sad and is a terrible reminder of the reality that some children really do grow up in an awful foster family that emotionally and physically abuses them. She has never felt safe alone, even in her own home and only finds that solace of safety when in the presence of Mickey. She does tend to be extremely emotional and I did sometimes get a little annoyed at her towards the end as it felt like she was always crying. But I know she's had a hard life so who could really blame her given all that she has gone through and goes through in this book? Let's just say if I were in her shoes I'd probably be a permanent puddle of snotty tears too.
Roman is an interesting character as he takes everything to the extreme. If he loves, he loves A LOT almost to the point of suffocating. If he's angry, God help you that it is not directed at you as he will see red and will most likely beat you to a pulp with his hands until you're dead. If he is sorry, he won't stop apologising and trying to make it right. Being in his head is like being on a constant thrill ride but you never come down. He is obsessive and possessive and probably the most extreme side of that spectrum I have ever seen. Almost to the point that is sickly sweet how much this man loves and adores Bella and will, in this twisted way do anything he can to care for and look out for her. A true epitome of "Touch her you die". His internal narrative is sometimes quite juvenile and naive but given his situation and how he grew up, it almost makes sense for why aspects would seem stunted. This was also in a complete juxtaposition for how much he cares about Bella at times being super mature in ensuring her wellbeing is looked after. I found him an intriguing character but I'd be scared shitless of him if I met him.
The relationship between the two of them has years and years of foundation and the craftsmanship that went into creating this was a pure work of art. The redemption and re-romance that happens when they are older is a whirlwind but exciting. Even though this feels like a weird movie and they might be boring and on the verge of serial killeresque behaviour (well at least Mickey) It was still sweet to see how they found each other again.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, it was exciting and sexy and gave me that thrill I needed, while still delivering really complex and well-formed characters. This is the second book from Avina St. Graves that I have read but I can say I truly love her writing style and love seeing what unique thing comes out of her head!
Basically...If you love the idea of a man chasing you barefoot through the woods and then punishing you with an orgasm, then this book is definitely for you!
The Summary of Tropes include:
▶ Friends to Lovers
▶ Dual POV
▶ Dual Timelines
▶ Possessive and Obsessive MMC who is so caring and thoughtful
▶ Stalker Romance
▶ Captive/Captor (kinda)
▶ Second Chance Romance
▶ Touch her You die
▶ Bonny and Clyde Vibes
So many thanks to Avina St. Graves (Zian) for the gifted ARC!
All thoughts and feelings in this review are my own
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Torture, Bullying, Stalking, and Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Alcohol
bookameme'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
5.0
Crazy Hot & Completely Disturbed
If you break, I’ll put you back together. If you run, I’m running right behind you. If you burn, I’ll burn with you.
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Rape, Pedophilia, Violence, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Cursing, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Torture, Gore, Mental illness, and Blood