Reviews

One Cut Deeper by Joely Sue Burkhart

lunakitty71's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

kawaii_momo's review

5.0

This is not my first book by Joely Sue Burkhart. But this is the first book of hers that I have read that has not been romantasy. I have to say, I am impressed! And will for sure be going on to read some of her other series I had not gotten to yet. The author's note states this is a rewrite of an older story, and I am really looking forward to book 2. This story is about Ranay, who has it bad for Mr. Charles MacNiall. Ranay has a bad past with BDSM, having been living as a slave (which is a type of submissive, but full time) and she lost herself at the end of the relationship. The domination that Charlie exudes is overwhelming for her, but she's afraid to let herself give in to him at all. He draws her in by asking her to dog sit while he goes on a trip and the sparks immediately fly. He's the perfect Dom, making sure that she still does things for herself so she cannot end up in a bad place again. But that is where things start getting weird. Someone tries to break in. And Charlie has a much darker side than she knew. And when the FBI show up, they say he's a serial killer of submissives, and he disappears. She has to decide if she trusts him enough to wait. It's a rollercoaster and I was so there for every bit of it. I love a good morally grey character, and Charlie is the best. He's a good guy, such a good guy, for Ranay. But he's for sure a bad guy too. I was rooting so hard for their happy ending. I highly recommend this read!

I received this book for free as an ARC to review.

amollenkopf's review against another edition

5.0

The darkness and suspense of this book were top notch. I had a few ideas of how this book would pan out, however it was so much more than I could have ever imagined. I absolutely loved this book and definitely would read more of these characters.

savgulick's review

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

schomj's review

Not what I was expecting at all. Think I might like it more after re-reading (not a fan of the anxious not-knowing in suspense novels). Reminded me of Cara McKenna in a good way.

cana's review against another edition

1.0

I don't think I've ever spent so much reading time just rolling my eyes. Insta-lurve, random plot elements, totally unanchored in reality. Bloody but also really dull.

roniloren's review

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love dark romance and love when authors go off the reservation with heroes but somehow keep them sympathetic. That is hard to do. This one isn't for the squeamish--blood play, knife play, edgy BDSM scenes. But even if you can't relate to the characters wanting the things they want, I think the author does a good job explaining why it works for these two people. Plus, the plot was fast-moving and I enjoyed the suspense/thriller element. Will definitely check out the next book whenever it releases.

fatemahmorozova's review

3.0

I can appreciate that it was well written but it's so far from being my kind of thing that I can't even tell you.