Scan barcode
theteamsreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Rape, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, and Body horror
Moderate: Addiction, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, and Gun violence
Minor: Body shaming and Car accident
midnightrose_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Rape, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Incest, Murder, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
booknerdxo88's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Rape, and Incest
Minor: Animal cruelty
jen1804's review
- 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
3.5
I like Kai and Banks together and their dynamic where they’re both so stubborn, and with the forced proximity trope and the power play. Though I find I’m left feeling that their love story was lacking somewhat. I can’t really pinpoint it, I kinda feel like it all happened too quickly even though it probably actually didn’t, but having finished the book that’s the feeling I’m left with. I also feel that their emotions were a bit too up and down with each other a bit too often, too much so that it started to seem a bit too unrealistic. Anyway I look forward to hearing a bit more about them in future books in the series and how their story continues to unfold and progress.
It was interesting to uncover more of the sad complexities about Damon in this book and I’m really looking forward to reading his story next even if it is probably going to hurt.
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Incest, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Blood, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, Body horror, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Confinement, Death, Abandonment, and Mental illness
dianasofia8's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, and Violence
niyahneal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Stalking, Violence, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Addiction, Death, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Drug use, Drug abuse, Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
kodafaith's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
I feel like this one was just a major set up for the next one but I did enjoy Kai and Nik so much in this one!!
Graphic: Blood, Pedophilia, Violence, Stalking, Self harm, Incest, Death, Rape, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
milf101's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Incest, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Violence, and Toxic relationship
coligmueller's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Gaslighting, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Incest, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Lesbophobia and Gun violence
_youfloweryoufeast_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Genre: Dark Romance
Age group : Adult
POV : First person / multiple POV
Characters: 3/5 ⭐️
Plot: 3.5/5 ⭐️
Setting/Themes: 3/5 ⭐️
Writing: 2/5 ⭐️
Spice : 4 ⭐️
• Please check TWs & CWs
• mature language, sexual scenes, violence, arson, mentions of kidnapping, vandalism, sexual assault, mentions of statutory rape, child abuse, implied blasphemy, murder, attempted murder, guns, substance abuse, mentions of mental illness, loss of a loved one, slut shaming & more.
• Dark romance
• Tropes : Brother’s best friend (but make it dark & gritty)
• HEA
“Run. Because I turn into a very different person when no one’s looking”
Okay so, did I like this better than corrupt? Yes. Was it a lot more problematic, too? Of course. But I saw a tweet today speaking of how we’re not allowed to berate dark romances for it’s problematic aspects as that’s the entire point of the genre. And that if we intend to, we might as well not read it. While I do particularly disagree, I’m not going to complain about it, I will highlight a few though. Overall, the plot intrigued me. I liked the suspenseful, horror esque elements in the book, I really did.
Nikova Banks. Okay, for the most part, her judgement and her jaded view of love for her brother and how she thought he was right all along pissed me off, but it did make me understand how victims of abuse felt. It’s heartbreaking, truly. I liked her strength and grit, though. I liked how she had the ability to think, and I do think she’s particularly intelligent. On top of it all, I liked the way she functioned. She’s a badass.
Kai Mori. Dare I say I liked Kai? I did not like Michael but I did love Kai. Sucker for strategic, intelligent and calculating men (people in general) also a sucker for simps, that mess up and grovel after.
My issues:
- the misogynist tendencies of all the men in the book (toy or tool, iyk, yk)
- the fetishism of WLW for the sake of the men’s satisfaction
- the shaming of escorts/sex workers
- slut shaming
- usage of berating names (not in a kinky way, but a really mean way)
- the sexual interaction between an 18 & 17 year old ?!
- the way women were berated
- a brother talking horribly about his sister
- the Japanese rep?¿ she could’ve done it better, truthfully
Welp, there’s so much more. But as I said, no complaints, yes? Will I continue on with the rest of the books in the series? Yes, since I impulsively bought them all.
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Abandonment and Child abuse
Minor: Murder
There’s a lot more triggers, please search it up.