Scan barcode
lezreadalot's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty cute! One thing I really appreciate about Cole's books is the natural diversity. A lot of times when I read m/f romance I just prepare myself to enjoy my favourite romantic tropes, but also to disappear back into a world where everyone is white and straight. But you don't have to do that in Cole's novels. The heroine isn't the only person of colour, when others were mentioned (even in passing) it didn't come off as token-y at all, and there were the beginnings of a tiny f/f B-plot. And I appreciated that!
The story itself was cute, a little silly at times, not very surprising/inspired in its twists and turns, and at one point I wanted to strangle the hero (JUST TELL HER THE TRUTH DUDE). And I feel like she tried to tie up the story a little too quickly and neatly when she didn't really need to.
But it was a nice, fun, leisurely read; just what I needed.
3.5 stars
The story itself was cute, a little silly at times, not very surprising/inspired in its twists and turns, and at one point I wanted to strangle the hero (JUST TELL HER THE TRUTH DUDE). And I feel like she tried to tie up the story a little too quickly and neatly when she didn't really need to.
But it was a nice, fun, leisurely read; just what I needed.
3.5 stars
tita_noir's review
4.0
I was expecting contemporary romance but got a more action-oriented romantic suspense. The way the bad guy engineered the heroine's public disgrace is my personal nightmare. And how awful of me that my first thought when a bunch of goons get killed in her apartment and she had to flee is "now maybe people will believe that she was telling the truth!' Really who cares about goons bleeding out all over the carpet.
The hero was nicely sexy and the chemistry between the leads was palpable. Did think their emotional connection felt rushed, but the pace of the story almost seemed to drag the characters along so that there was a reason to the urgency.
This was a page turner with a bit of a heartbreaking twist at the end regarding a supporting character that I did not see coming!
Enjoyed this one.
The hero was nicely sexy and the chemistry between the leads was palpable. Did think their emotional connection felt rushed, but the pace of the story almost seemed to drag the characters along so that there was a reason to the urgency.
This was a page turner with a bit of a heartbreaking twist at the end regarding a supporting character that I did not see coming!
Enjoyed this one.
nico1000's review against another edition
4.0
I liked it. At about 70% in I realised that I'd actually read it already, but I still liked it. Not really a romance though, and the heroine is possibly Too Stupid To Live? You know, one of those types who deliberately follow mafia henchmen into dark alleys to give them a stern talking to? It gives the hero a chance to be all rescue-y, and Julian is one of those very rescue-y types, but I still wished that Shalomeh actually acted like an educated woman of the world for once. She was so frustrating!
But I really liked Julian's staged Meet-Cute. It was very wrong of him, but I love heroes who do dickish things in the name of love. The conflict and the tension of that first half before he bursts his own bubble of deception was very well done. The string of lies and creative half-truths, and his whole "Excuse me Miss, what's your name?" routine...
But I really liked Julian's staged Meet-Cute. It was very wrong of him, but I love heroes who do dickish things in the name of love. The conflict and the tension of that first half before he bursts his own bubble of deception was very well done. The string of lies and creative half-truths, and his whole "Excuse me Miss, what's your name?" routine...
stegan's review against another edition
4.0
The way Cole genre and period hops between books is really something. This time, a hard-boiled gangland thriller that moves along at a good clip for a short book. The action and love scenes receive equal attention to detail, which I appreciated. The only thing I might have asked for is a bit more of a twist at the end, but other than that another really good one from Alyssa Cole.
zombiezami's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I see the roots of When No One is Watching in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Trafficking, and Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Infertility, Police brutality, and Suicidal thoughts
Warharmony's review
4.0
I am completely embarrassed to admit that I mistook Albania for Algeria and was getting rather annoyed at all the white-coding of characters from Africa. My bad. This book featured a Black heroine, a Latina bestie, and queer secondary characters, all of which were done right, without needing to make a big damn deal out of any of it. What a pleasure!
The plot itself was thrilling. A highschool teacher gets in way over her head while trying to help an abused student. A FBI agent on the heels of a notorious gangster from his past runs across a beautiful woman whose life is being torn apart as collateral damage. Sparks fly and the two of them team up to save the day. Wonderful.
The plot itself was thrilling. A highschool teacher gets in way over her head while trying to help an abused student. A FBI agent on the heels of a notorious gangster from his past runs across a beautiful woman whose life is being torn apart as collateral damage. Sparks fly and the two of them team up to save the day. Wonderful.
More...