Reviews

Black Swan Affair by K.L. Kreig

kkelly04's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

ladyhawke's review against another edition

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4.0

This is my first book by KL Kreig. It’s a love story, a love triangle romance, and in many ways also a mystery. The pages are full of angst, passion, love and drama wrapped in secrets, betrayal, and revelations. I haven’t read many love triangle romance books so I didn’t know what to expect, but I was totally hooked on this and devoured the pages in one sitting. The love story itself is good, the way everything unfolds uses present day vs flashback but even how that is done feels unique and works really well here. And also it’s just really well written. The author conveys emotions skillfully and makes you really ‘feel’ the moment.

I was especially impressed with the writing for the male POV. His sense of humor, and unvarnished thoughts of lust, love, angst and sex ….It felt honest and realistic, like it could actually have been written by a guy. You see it in a lot of romance books where the male characters - what they say, think and feel - strongly read like a woman trying to think like a man. Not so here!

I love a good amount of angst, passion, and drama in my love stories and this book does not lack for it, but there’s also a fine line to balance with those themes where too much can turn a good story into a sopping cliche of over-top melodrama and too little can end up reading like a moody teen romance. Fortunately, this book balances all those themes well.

natasha0410's review against another edition

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emotional sad slow-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

1.0

amberisalwaysreading86's review against another edition

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5.0

This story was phenomenal, and the blurb, although intriguing,in no way did it justice.
The way in which the author painted the difficulties of pulling oneself out of the thralls and chokehold of first love was agonizing, and so authentic. I felt every single emotion of the FMC. With the way this story ended, I’m so happy she chose to write the origin story the way she did, otherwise as a reader,it would’ve been too much for me to bear. I found the brother she chose intoxicating, and loved him more by its conclusion.

heavenlyi's review against another edition

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5.0

I love a good love triangle, so I was deliriously happy to dive into this one. A woman marrying the brother of the man she loves? Talk about an angst fest. This had all the elements of a fantastic story, and it delivered on every level. With raw and honest emotion, I was taken on a journey of growing up, and discovering what true love means.

“I married a good, honest man while I’m still in love with another.”

Maverick, or Swan, as her husband likes to call her, is in a mess of her own making. She married her best friend in an act of revenge against the man she loves, Killian. Ridden with guilt, and desperate to rid herself of these feelings for a man who has never put her first, she sets out to open her heart to a man that has wanted her all along, her husband and best friend, Kael.

“He’s the one who has always walked beside me. Selflessly. Silently. Steadfastly. Without exception. Without expectations.”

Through flashbacks, we get Kael’s POV and discover how his feelings for Maverick grew from friendship to more. I adored the way the story unfolded piece by piece, giving us more of the bigger picture with every chapter. Kael and Killian have been intertwined in Maverick’s life for as long as she can remember, both loving her in different ways. By holding on so tight to her love for Killian, she has never given Kael a chance to win her heart. Will she be able to now that they are married?

This story captivated me from page one. Flowing effortlessly from past to present, with stellar writing, and dynamic characters, I couldn’t get enough. There were twists and discoveries, and the intensity of emotion never ceased to enthrall me. The author wrote Maverick, and her internal struggles, in a way that was empathetic; despite her selfish actions, I felt her desperation. I was happy to go on the journey of soul-searching and self-discover with her; watching her character grow and mature. Black Swan Affair delivered a compelling story of what true love means, and the actions we take in the name of that love, whether good or bad.

“It’s not grand gestures but the small things that seem so mundane and inconsequential that slot themselves inside our memories forever. When everything else fades with time, those are what shine bright, undying.”

soniaandstories's review against another edition

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4.0

I couldn’t put this down. The writing, angst, intrigue, everything! There was a lot of back and forth in timelines but it was done well. I remember thinking that I don’t really feel like I knew Killian the way I did Kael and now I realize that was done on purpose. Killian was more of an infatuation. There was also some weight talk and “I’m/she’s not like other girls” moments. But all that was overshadowed by the draaama! Wonderfully executed.

bailees_bookshelf's review against another edition

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4.0

4 stars

We follow Mavs, who is marrying Kael, her childhood best friend. Only, she isn't in love with him. She's in love with his brother, Killian. But Killian betrayed her by marrying her sister, so she decides to get her revenge this way. Problem is, Kael has been in love with her for years, and he's determined to get her to see that she's been infatuated with the wrong brother for far too long.

This was such a unique way to tell a love triangle story. Past and present story lines, but in a way that keeps you interested to see which brother she chooses in the end. And, honestly, either of them would've been fantastic choices. I was torn until about halfway through the book when I realized one of them loved her completely selflessly.

The spice in this book was definitely spicing... talk about a filthy mouth, had me blushing! Love triangles aren't everyone's jam, but when they're done right, I just adore them. I don't know why I haven't heard more about this book!

drez80's review against another edition

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1.0

Originally when I finished the book, I thought it was ok, but I've changed my mind. Maverick is a selfish brat, and she was unfair to both men. I understand her frustrations with Killian, but to marry his brother out of spite is petty and awful. While I know she recognized this, it wasn't enough to make me like her. And the ending where everything came to light? Seriously? Communication people, also, I don't care who your parents are, you don't take a fall like that for your father. He's a grown man, and he should be held responsible for his own actions. But to not tell Maverick? Kael was just as selfish because he knew Mav's feelings for Killian all along but never told her. If he really was more worried about her happiness than keeping her for himself, he would have told her. I really hate selfish, ridiculous people, esp. ones who could've easily stopped all of the drama if they just had a conversation.

cheeches's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

sly99's review against another edition

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1.0

Dnf 50%

1. Confusing timeline
2. Fit-shaming/skinny shaming
3. So much fluff