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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
Super cheesy and predictable, but I went in with that expectation. It felt like reading a fan fiction. I didn’t hate it though… I’ll probably read the next book.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
I was pleasantly surprised. I saw this book hyped on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram so i just had to know if it was good. Overall, the smutty scenes are very steamy without being too cringy. I love the clues Tessa finds. Each one elevated the danger and increased Tessa’s desperation. I empathized with Tessa’s grief, frustration, guilt and fear.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of professor+student kinks I think if Saint were also a grad student like Tessa their meet cute and love story would still work and there would be the same power dynamic.
I was really moved by Tessa’s determination to find clues about her sister. The party invitation, the failed rendezvous at the party, redacted news articles, her assault, etc. All a great build up.
I am a confused how her “mediocre” school performance allowed her to get a scholarship to an elite university. I think the author could have tweaked that detail a bit. maybe instead of Tessa lying a lot to get into the school, she relinquished a dream job or even broken off a serious relationship. Something like that would have made more sense to me and increased the idea that Tessa was desperate for answers. She was willing to give up her “good life” to investigate Wren’s death.
I think the author could have added 1-2 scenes of Tessa and Saint bonding over something other than their dead siblings. It felt like #traumabonding What else do they have in common? Do they like the same books? Do they enjoy the same movies? Can they bond over an activity other than sex? It’s just playful banter, Saint falling head over heels for Tessa, and sexual sparks? We’re just supposed to believe Saint thought she was mysterious and attractive and that’s why he feels protective and caring towards her? This aspect of their relationship is why the book does not get 4⭐️ Their relationship is still missing substance beyond the physical.
Also, the scene where Saint walks in the bathroom and forgives Tessa after finding out she was using him and lying to him? It seems suspicious to me that he forgave her in less than a day.
After Tessa moved out Sloane does not circle back to Tessa’s roommates Kris and Jai who were making snarky, passive aggressive comments about her dating Saint. I wonder if that was thrown in to put pressure on Tessa or if they will comes back in book two.
Personally, I am not in a rush to read book 2. The “meh” love story is why this book only gets 3⭐️ I am more invested in the mystery society at Oxford, the political power each member has, and what they use their influence for.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of professor+student kinks I think if Saint were also a grad student like Tessa their meet cute and love story would still work and there would be the same power dynamic.
I am a confused how her “mediocre” school performance allowed her to get a scholarship to an elite university. I think the author could have tweaked that detail a bit. maybe instead of Tessa lying a lot to get into the school, she relinquished a dream job or even broken off a serious relationship. Something like that would have made more sense to me and increased the idea that Tessa was desperate for answers. She was willing to give up her “good life” to investigate Wren’s death.
I think the author could have added 1-2 scenes of Tessa and Saint bonding over something other than their dead siblings. It felt like #traumabonding What else do they have in common? Do they like the same books? Do they enjoy the same movies? Can they bond over an activity other than sex? It’s just playful banter, Saint falling head over heels for Tessa, and sexual sparks? We’re just supposed to believe Saint thought she was mysterious and attractive and that’s why he feels protective and caring towards her? This aspect of their relationship is why the book does not get 4⭐️ Their relationship is still missing substance beyond the physical.
Also, the scene where Saint walks in the bathroom and forgives Tessa after finding out she was using him and lying to him? It seems suspicious to me that he forgave her in less than a day.
After Tessa moved out Sloane does not circle back to Tessa’s roommates Kris and Jai who were making snarky, passive aggressive comments about her dating Saint. I wonder if that was thrown in to put pressure on Tessa or if they will comes back in book two.
Personally, I am not in a rush to read book 2. The “meh” love story is why this book only gets 3⭐️ I am more invested in the mystery society at Oxford, the political power each member has, and what they use their influence for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death, Suicide, Violence, Blood
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
3-3.5/5 not exactly sure how to rate it 😖
“Legacy is our gift, and our sworn bond,”
Thrust into a world of secrets and sex, Tessa truly has no idea what she's gotten herself into. She goes to Oxford to try and figure out what happened with her sister, Wren, and find the man that r*ped her and caused her mental health to deteriorate. Obviously, she is smart to have gotten the Ashford Scholarship, but I don't understand some of the decisions she makes. She seems to want to figure out what happened to wren, but then does everything else except looking for answers. And her "friends" ugh were awful! Jealousy is a b*tch!!! Now, Saint, I'm unsure how to feel about him..I find him so hot, like Tessa! But there's something deeper. And I do wonder who he truly is. That ending didn't help things. I hope he didn't hurt Wren! And that Tessa won't end up 6 feet under.
The overall story is definitely interesting and has so much to explain. The story just didn't feel that it was moving. It was so slow. Honestly, the book could have been shorter, and I would have liked it more. The writing felt off with the characters, too. So it's hard for me to figure out where exactly to rate this book. I do want to find out what happens. I just hope there's a lot more doing in the next one. But the spicy scenes were on point!!!! Lord, they were 🔥🔥🔥 I need all the spicy scenes to be like that.
“Legacy is our gift, and our sworn bond,”
Thrust into a world of secrets and sex, Tessa truly has no idea what she's gotten herself into. She goes to Oxford to try and figure out what happened with her sister, Wren, and find the man that r*ped her and caused her mental health to deteriorate. Obviously, she is smart to have gotten the Ashford Scholarship, but I don't understand some of the decisions she makes. She seems to want to figure out what happened to wren, but then does everything else except looking for answers. And her "friends" ugh were awful! Jealousy is a b*tch!!! Now, Saint, I'm unsure how to feel about him..I find him so hot, like Tessa! But there's something deeper. And I do wonder who he truly is. That ending didn't help things. I hope he didn't hurt Wren! And that Tessa won't end up 6 feet under.
The overall story is definitely interesting and has so much to explain. The story just didn't feel that it was moving. It was so slow. Honestly, the book could have been shorter, and I would have liked it more. The writing felt off with the characters, too. So it's hard for me to figure out where exactly to rate this book. I do want to find out what happens. I just hope there's a lot more doing in the next one. But the spicy scenes were on point!!!! Lord, they were 🔥🔥🔥 I need all the spicy scenes to be like that.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed Saint and the vibe of the book. It kept me wanting to read the rest of the series to figure out the mystery. Thus was the best book in the series.
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced