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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
Claire goes through some s**t in this book! The beginning was a bit slow and slightly confusing but you realize why she acts like she does further in which was super helpful. Mason is a mystery I can’t wait to find out more in the rest of this series, but the chemistry between him and Claire was hot!!!
3.5 stars, I’m having trouble deciding on bumping it to 4 or knocking it down to 3. I kept seeing this book rec’d in *multiple* Facebook groups and I finally but the bullet. I don’t like to read unfinished series. I loathe cliffhangers with every fiber of my being. I can’t relate to people who love them, it just goes against everything in me. I saw a couple posts saying this doesn’t have a cliffhanger so I decided to take the risk.
For the record, technically there’s no cliffhanger. However, there’s also no resolution to the story and more questions than answers. One of the reasons I avoid unfinished series is that I read *a lot* therefore my information retention isn’t that great. A book has to be amazingly epic to make a lasting impression on me. I don’t know if this book will stick with me or not but I’d lean towards not. It’s not a bad book, it’s fine, it’s well written, I like the authors style and the story is intriguing enough but I’m not certain that I’ll recall it by the time the next book comes out, if I even remember there is a next book at all.
The story is too slow paced in the beginning. It draaaaaaags on much too long, I almost DNF out of frustration before things finally got interesting. I understand building tension by delaying the inevitable meeting of the H and h but you almost lost me completely because it was so drug out.
I didn’t hate the heroine but I honestly can’t say I liked her that much. I can’t really articulate why I didn’t love her but she just didn’t do it for me. We don’t actually get a ton of insight into the H as part of the mystery but out of the two he’s definitely more interesting. I’m not sure I’m into him enough to come back for book 2, if I remember.
Cover 3/5
Story 3.5/5
Heat 2/5
Angst 2.5/5
Technically a medium burn, H/h have sex around 62%, but the beginning of the book is paced so slowly it feeeeels like a slow burn. There’s some sexy messages, masturbation and foreplay between them before 62% but none of that counts to me.
No condoms
No virgins
H is bossy and dominant
The h seems to enjoy being embarrassed
No big push away but hesitation from h
No OW drama
Some OM drama
No breakups but aside from 2 very brief chance encounters the H/h don’t physically meet until 37%, aside from running into him twice all the communication is entirely e-mail and she’s very inconsistent with replying.
No cliffhanger but no resolution to story
No HEA yet
Safety - there is no cheating. The h does go on a date with pervy coworker. She ends up with a stalker that is identified and resolved by the end of the book. I’d call this a safe read
For the record, technically there’s no cliffhanger. However, there’s also no resolution to the story and more questions than answers. One of the reasons I avoid unfinished series is that I read *a lot* therefore my information retention isn’t that great. A book has to be amazingly epic to make a lasting impression on me. I don’t know if this book will stick with me or not but I’d lean towards not. It’s not a bad book, it’s fine, it’s well written, I like the authors style and the story is intriguing enough but I’m not certain that I’ll recall it by the time the next book comes out, if I even remember there is a next book at all.
The story is too slow paced in the beginning. It draaaaaaags on much too long, I almost DNF out of frustration before things finally got interesting. I understand building tension by delaying the inevitable meeting of the H and h but you almost lost me completely because it was so drug out.
I didn’t hate the heroine but I honestly can’t say I liked her that much. I can’t really articulate why I didn’t love her but she just didn’t do it for me. We don’t actually get a ton of insight into the H as part of the mystery but out of the two he’s definitely more interesting. I’m not sure I’m into him enough to come back for book 2, if I remember.
Cover 3/5
Story 3.5/5
Heat 2/5
Angst 2.5/5
Technically a medium burn, H/h have sex around 62%, but the beginning of the book is paced so slowly it feeeeels like a slow burn. There’s some sexy messages, masturbation and foreplay between them before 62% but none of that counts to me.
No condoms
No virgins
H is bossy and dominant
The h seems to enjoy being embarrassed
No big push away but hesitation from h
No OW drama
Some OM drama
No breakups but aside from 2 very brief chance encounters the H/h don’t physically meet until 37%, aside from running into him twice all the communication is entirely e-mail and she’s very inconsistent with replying.
No cliffhanger but no resolution to story
No HEA yet
Safety - there is no cheating. The h does go on a date with pervy coworker. She ends up with a stalker that is identified and resolved by the end of the book. I’d call this a safe read
Check the warnings before reading.
"It is not a 'Dark romance' but rather a romance surrounded by a lot of darkness.
Every girl has needs & needs must be met!
That's the only excuse for what Claire did while making the decision to explore out of her comfort zone.
That one action caused both a blessing & a huge amount of turmoil.
Claire starts the first sequence to a heart pumping, breath taking series of events.
Tension throughout builds uncontrollably leading to an ultimate cliffhanger.
A deeply intense & horror stricken build up to a sequel. Readers will not be disappointed.
"It is not a 'Dark romance' but rather a romance surrounded by a lot of darkness.
Every girl has needs & needs must be met!
That's the only excuse for what Claire did while making the decision to explore out of her comfort zone.
That one action caused both a blessing & a huge amount of turmoil.
Claire starts the first sequence to a heart pumping, breath taking series of events.
Tension throughout builds uncontrollably leading to an ultimate cliffhanger.
A deeply intense & horror stricken build up to a sequel. Readers will not be disappointed.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I LOVE PLAYFUL/LOADED BANTER and they gave it to me so i am happy.
Argh I’ve done it again!
I didn’t realise this wasn’t finished when I started this and now I’m going to have to wait!! Loved it, can’t wait for more!
I didn’t realise this wasn’t finished when I started this and now I’m going to have to wait!! Loved it, can’t wait for more!
My overall experience with the book was good, however, it started slow and I had a really hard time relating to the female main character. It didn't really grab my attention until I had read over a third of the book. I did think the charcters were well written, and the plot, after the initial bit, moved along quickly. I did enjoy the end of the book from the male's point of view. I will probably read the next book in the series.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Stalking, Murder
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Suicide, Vomit, Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
I received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was book one of the Illicit Library Collection and I am looking forward to seeing where it goes from here. Mason and Claire met under strange circumstances but quickly fell for each other. The plot line was easy to guess but still kept my interest.
This book had plenty of suspense and tension and soooo much spice 🔥 but I wish there had been more character development. I felt it was a bit rushed at times and didn’t develop Mason’s character nearly enough. I’m hopeful we learn more about him as well as Claire in future books!
This was book one of the Illicit Library Collection and I am looking forward to seeing where it goes from here. Mason and Claire met under strange circumstances but quickly fell for each other. The plot line was easy to guess but still kept my interest.
This book had plenty of suspense and tension and soooo much spice 🔥 but I wish there had been more character development. I felt it was a bit rushed at times and didn’t develop Mason’s character nearly enough. I’m hopeful we learn more about him as well as Claire in future books!
tense