Scan barcode
bookboyfriend4life's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
poupimali's review
fast-paced
4.0
Mickey has serious issues. Like severals.
And I think we could say the same for Bella.
They complete each other.
And I think we could say the same for Bella.
They complete each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Bullying, Gore, Murder, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Abandonment, Blood, and Gun violence
abrown04's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
My god this was just crazy left and right. The MMC is CRAZYYYYY. It’s hard ti believe if this was real life you wouldn’f run away screaming from Roman. I mean she hasn’t seen you in nearly 3 years and the first thing you do is jerk off with her underwear😭? Honestly if you were in the book you would be all over Roman but in real life RUN AWAY
Read on Kindle
Read on Kindle
Content Warnings
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
birbpal's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
⭐️⭐️ Stars
AHHHHHHH! I am LOSING my mind over this book. The FMC Isabella and MMC Roman deserve each other is all I can say. Their combined stupidity and insanity are a match made in hell.🔥
Let me start off first by saying I'm not a typical consumer of dark romances. I usually can't get past a lot of the themes and dubious acts, but something about this book caught my eye. The beginning was actual fire. I consumed the first few chapters like a starved woman; they were so good. I especially liked the chapters focusing on Roman and Isabella's childhood.
But then we get past the initial murdering of Isa's foster family, and everything falls apart.
Roman had SO many opportunities to prove his story to Isabella as to why he disappeared three years ago, but he is a manic narcissistic ass who is dead set on making her love him again in a roundabout, difficult way. The ridiculous thing is that in the end—in the second to last chapter— Isabella finds the letters he wrote to her from prison that finally makes Isabella fully love him again. The letters that ROMAN HAD THE ENTIRE TIME but didn't want to show her FOR SOME REASON‼️
But that's not the most offensive thing Roman does. Roman is legitimately a dumbass along with just being an asshole. His impulsive control is zero, and as a result, he puts Isabella in danger multiple times along with genuinely making her life more miserable.
But Isa isn't any better tbh. She made it her life mission to be one of the most unlikable characters I have ever had the displeasure of reading about. In the beginning, I understood why she was so abrasive and combative. She had ever right to be difficult! But as the story progressed, she continued to be a bitch to Roman even when she saw some proof of his reason why he was forced to leave her (tiny spoiler, he got shot too and there is an actual bullet scar on his chest to show he wasn't lying, which she saw.) Like I said above, it took more than 90% of the book to fully forgive Roman and confess her love to him. I. Want. To. Die.
Final complaints? The book felt like a mashup of tropes, tied loosely together by a plot with bad pacing. AKA, a bad wattpad novel. The characters were unlikable. I loved the chapter when they were children because it was obvious to me how devoted they were to each other. As adults, they were insufferable.
The reason why I gave it so high if a rating was I managed to finish it, so yeah, there's that. I also enjoyed some small parts of their relationship, and Roman was at least entertaining.🤷♀️
AHHHHHHH! I am LOSING my mind over this book. The FMC Isabella and MMC Roman deserve each other is all I can say. Their combined stupidity and insanity are a match made in hell.🔥
Let me start off first by saying I'm not a typical consumer of dark romances. I usually can't get past a lot of the themes and dubious acts, but something about this book caught my eye. The beginning was actual fire. I consumed the first few chapters like a starved woman; they were so good. I especially liked the chapters focusing on Roman and Isabella's childhood.
But then we get past the initial murdering of Isa's foster family, and everything falls apart.
Roman had SO many opportunities to prove his story to Isabella as to why he disappeared three years ago, but he is a manic narcissistic ass who is dead set on making her love him again in a roundabout, difficult way. The ridiculous thing is that in the end—in the second to last chapter— Isabella finds the letters he wrote to her from prison that finally makes Isabella fully love him again. The letters that ROMAN HAD THE ENTIRE TIME but didn't want to show her FOR SOME REASON‼️
But that's not the most offensive thing Roman does. Roman is legitimately a dumbass along with just being an asshole. His impulsive control is zero, and as a result, he puts Isabella in danger multiple times along with genuinely making her life more miserable.
But Isa isn't any better tbh. She made it her life mission to be one of the most unlikable characters I have ever had the displeasure of reading about. In the beginning, I understood why she was so abrasive and combative. She had ever right to be difficult! But as the story progressed, she continued to be a bitch to Roman even when she saw some proof of his reason why he was forced to leave her (tiny spoiler, he got shot too and there is an actual bullet scar on his chest to show he wasn't lying, which she saw.) Like I said above, it took more than 90% of the book to fully forgive Roman and confess her love to him. I. Want. To. Die.
Final complaints? The book felt like a mashup of tropes, tied loosely together by a plot with bad pacing. AKA, a bad wattpad novel. The characters were unlikable. I loved the chapter when they were children because it was obvious to me how devoted they were to each other. As adults, they were insufferable.
The reason why I gave it so high if a rating was I managed to finish it, so yeah, there's that. I also enjoyed some small parts of their relationship, and Roman was at least entertaining.🤷♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Torture, Physical abuse, Stalking, Bullying, Gore, Confinement, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, Abandonment, Mental illness, and Death of parent
mizdimplesx's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
5.0
I'm obsessed. Is Roman an absolutely unhinged, red flag? Absolutely. Would it be scary as fuck in real life? You bet. But in this book, it works. He would do anything to keep his girl safe and happy. The ultimate touch her and die or wish you were trope runs rampant in this book. I loved the humor and jokes. It genuinely made me laugh out loud multiple times. Looking forward to reading more from Avina. Make sure you read your trigger warnings. Mental health is important.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Blood, Murder, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Stalking, Abandonment, Gun violence, Grief, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, and Violence
colorcrystals's review
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
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
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4 Fuck Roman Riviera Stars ⭐
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
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
Content Warnings
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
More...