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notamouse's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
3.0
🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Minor: Car accident, Abandonment, Violence, Stalking, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Gaslighting, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Abortion, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Bullying
shaykay's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.0
Lilac has been sitting on my TBR for a while, and I finally took the plunge. It was an exciting book. But it felt like everything wrapped up really fast, and then the end had a big bang, but there was just so much in the middle that nothing happened. I wish we had more band content or even some drama. Even the whole enemies-to-lover thing was wrapped up too soon. I wanted more from this one, especially since it was over 500 pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Gaslighting, and Infidelity
hayleyjhe's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I think I struggle to relate to the stereotypical FMC who cannot communicate...
It takes me out of the story. I wanted a simple, easy read, and this was just poorly written angst wrapped in a reverse harem plot.
The booktok account who suggested this to me made it sounds exciting, but it was predictable and not overly enjoyable. The story had a lot of opportunity to delve into some world building, setting up some more complex scenarios and instead it was just some characters which were average at best having a lot of sex. I am all for sex in a book, but I want to earn the smut, you know?
Anyway, would not reccommend.
It takes me out of the story. I wanted a simple, easy read, and this was just poorly written angst wrapped in a reverse harem plot.
The booktok account who suggested this to me made it sounds exciting, but it was predictable and not overly enjoyable. The story had a lot of opportunity to delve into some world building, setting up some more complex scenarios and instead it was just some characters which were average at best having a lot of sex. I am all for sex in a book, but I want to earn the smut, you know?
Anyway, would not reccommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, and Gaslighting
Minor: Abortion and Gun violence
tianabooks's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I had a complicated journey with this book. I picked this up because I've been in a big RH binge and, even more so, rockstar romances tend to almost always work for me.
The beginning was anticipated and I immediately appreciated how headstrong Braxton was; the clash between her and the guys brought a lot of tension and created interesting banter. I mean, the dudes were awful to her at first but we all know this was going to change eventually. Although there seemed to be an 'insta-lust' component, it didn't really bother me. The more mature scenes were done well; a lot of steam and multiple explicit scenes. I liked the synesthetic part - it was an interesting take on the condition and the descriptions were done well. The significance of the title was pretty sweet as well as well as the epilogue! An epilogue after some time, beautiful.
The issues for me were more dynamic and structure based. Even though there are three (3) guys, emphasis seemed to be primarily on one of them, with the other two feeling more like extra features instead of solid parts of the 'harem' dynamic. For example, the large conflict at the later part of the book revolved around that guy. On top of it, we got the backstory of one of the guys at the 90% point of the book, AFTER the resolution of the twist/main issue. It didn't feel as significant at that point, which is a sad thing to say because it was pretty serious. There was SO much miscommunication, lack of willingness to discuss anything, tantrums thrown by multiple characters. It became a tad bit 'too much'.
I would've also liked to see more of the concert atmosphere, the audience vibes, the adrenaline rush since it is a rockstar-romance book. But that is a more personal preference.
In general, the writing was good and I know there are people who loved this, which is absolutely fine! I just had some issues with it. :)
The beginning was anticipated and I immediately appreciated how headstrong Braxton was; the clash between her and the guys brought a lot of tension and created interesting banter. I mean, the dudes were awful to her at first but we all know this was going to change eventually. Although there seemed to be an 'insta-lust' component, it didn't really bother me. The more mature scenes were done well; a lot of steam and multiple explicit scenes. I liked the synesthetic part - it was an interesting take on the condition and the descriptions were done well. The significance of the title was pretty sweet as well as well as the epilogue! An epilogue after some time, beautiful.
The issues for me were more dynamic and structure based. Even though there are three (3) guys, emphasis seemed to be primarily on one of them, with the other two feeling more like extra features instead of solid parts of the 'harem' dynamic. For example, the large conflict at the later part of the book revolved around that guy. On top of it, we got the backstory of one of the guys at the 90% point of the book, AFTER the resolution of the twist/main issue. It didn't feel as significant at that point, which is a sad thing to say because it was pretty serious. There was SO much miscommunication, lack of willingness to discuss anything, tantrums thrown by multiple characters. It became a tad bit 'too much'.
I would've also liked to see more of the concert atmosphere, the audience vibes, the adrenaline rush since it is a rockstar-romance book. But that is a more personal preference.
In general, the writing was good and I know there are people who loved this, which is absolutely fine! I just had some issues with it. :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcohol
Moderate: Gaslighting and Emotional abuse
Minor: Drug use, Pedophilia, and Pregnancy
toxic religious communityfatkidatheartreads's review
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gaslighting
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