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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
This is really just one long novella. Nothing happens! It’s good if you’re not in the mood to commit to anything and just want smut. However, I can’t really call this a book if there’s no plot. Because NOTHING happens!!!! This is just 300 pages of a woman cheating on her husband.
I’m pretty let down by this, to be honest. I complained that [b:Hunting Adeline|59050133|Hunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse, #2)|H.D. Carlton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1639934603l/59050133._SY75_.jpg|204505074] was too dark, but this wasn’t dark enough. Ronaldo was a stalker, but in a lackluster way (I’m so sorry for writing that). There was 0 reason for him to be in the mafia or for the ghosts in Parsons Manor to play a part. It felt like it was only there to give this book more of a noir feel. There was no conflict between the MCs or… anyone else, for that matter. Which leads me to my next point.
This book had so much potential. In HA we find out that Gigi was murdered by her husband’s best friend because the friend was in love with her and was jealous that she was having an affair with Ronaldo and not him. We even got some really great glances of how Frank would be capable of this throughout the book. If I’m being fully honest, I completely forgot about that since it’s been a while since I read [b:Haunting Adeline|58763686|Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse, #1)|H.D. Carlton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1628900532l/58763686._SX50_.jpg|91913524] and even I knew that Frank was going to end up being the problem in this book. When that didn’t happen, I was like, okay cool so maybe we see John find out about Gigi/Ronaldo and that’s the conflict. Nope! At the very least, we get an extended epilogue? NOPE. The book ends after a random nothing scene. This could’ve been a really cool, pretty dark book exploring the conflict with Frank and how Gigi managed to get out of her marriage to John. When was Gigi murdered? Did she ever get time with Ronaldo or was it a love too late sort of situation? I’m just mad that the most intriguing part of this book is the plot summary I read from [b:Haunting Adeline|58763686|Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse, #1)|H.D. Carlton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1628900532l/58763686._SX50_.jpg|91913524]. This book has no HEA, but I would’ve rather had a sad ending that a nothing ending.
That’s really the crux of why this feels like a novella to me. [b:Phantom|217987129|Phantom|H.D. Carlton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1729405800l/217987129._SY75_.jpg|224512180] can’t standalone outside of the Cat & Mouse duet.
I’m pretty let down by this, to be honest. I complained that [b:Hunting Adeline|59050133|Hunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse, #2)|H.D. Carlton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1639934603l/59050133._SY75_.jpg|204505074] was too dark, but this wasn’t dark enough. Ronaldo was a stalker, but in a lackluster way (I’m so sorry for writing that). There was 0 reason for him to be in the mafia or for the ghosts in Parsons Manor to play a part. It felt like it was only there to give this book more of a noir feel. There was no conflict between the MCs or… anyone else, for that matter. Which leads me to my next point.
This book had so much potential. In HA we find out that Gigi was murdered by her husband’s best friend because the friend was in love with her and was jealous that she was having an affair with Ronaldo and not him. We even got some really great glances of how Frank would be capable of this throughout the book. If I’m being fully honest, I completely forgot about that since it’s been a while since I read [b:Haunting Adeline|58763686|Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse, #1)|H.D. Carlton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1628900532l/58763686._SX50_.jpg|91913524] and even I knew that Frank was going to end up being the problem in this book. When that didn’t happen, I was like, okay cool so maybe we see John find out about Gigi/Ronaldo and that’s the conflict. Nope! At the very least, we get an extended epilogue? NOPE. The book ends after a random nothing scene. This could’ve been a really cool, pretty dark book exploring the conflict with Frank and how Gigi managed to get out of her marriage to John. When was Gigi murdered? Did she ever get time with Ronaldo or was it a love too late sort of situation? I’m just mad that the most intriguing part of this book is the plot summary I read from [b:Haunting Adeline|58763686|Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse, #1)|H.D. Carlton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1628900532l/58763686._SX50_.jpg|91913524]. This book has no HEA, but I would’ve rather had a sad ending that a nothing ending.
That’s really the crux of why this feels like a novella to me. [b:Phantom|217987129|Phantom|H.D. Carlton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1729405800l/217987129._SY75_.jpg|224512180] can’t standalone outside of the Cat & Mouse duet.
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It tells Gigi’s story. All the tribulations with her husband and her affair with Ronaldo. Love at first sight book set in 40s mafia vibes
omg i don’t think i’m ok after finishing this. i devoured this book literally it consumed my thoughts, i was addicted to Gigi and Ronaldo. their chemistry was top tier. i loved getting to read Gigi’s diary because it was like getting to deep dive into her mind. her love for Sera literally melted my heart, she’s such a good mum.
i absolutely loved the blending of historical fiction and mafia dark romance, i didn’t ever think it would be possible to write the two so well but H.D. Carlton did it flawlessly.
i will never get over the bonus scene. forget addy and zade cause i haven’t even read haunting adeline but the snippet of Gigi and Ronaldo honestly made my heart burst with joy. they really meant it when they said they’d follow eachother through death and after. i’m actually gonna cry if i keep talking about it lol
i absolutely loved the blending of historical fiction and mafia dark romance, i didn’t ever think it would be possible to write the two so well but H.D. Carlton did it flawlessly.
i will never get over the bonus scene. forget addy and zade cause i haven’t even read haunting adeline but the snippet of Gigi and Ronaldo honestly made my heart burst with joy. they really meant it when they said they’d follow eachother through death and after. i’m actually gonna cry if i keep talking about it lol
Don't want to have it end. So I left them happy.
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Phantom..... Now i Know the cat and mouse Duet is Really Taking off, and i did read one, i think i did prefer this, i loved how the mum was so protective of her kid, I loved the historical elements, we wernt overwhelemed but it was there... I dont know if i was overly keen on the Plot or Any of the Male characters so for that its a 3/5
Omg the love they have for each other and beyond. I love Phantom's story.