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tracyw's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
lasayegh123's review against another edition
2.0
No. Just no.
I have read 2 other novels by this author and really enjoyed them. But this one…ugh. I should have DNF it after the scene with both brothers (gross), but for some reason I kept going. And though I did like the ending, I just don’t really understand the psychological drama the author was depicting and her use of sex with the character development.
Would not recommend this to…well, to anyone.
Is not going to put me off from reading the author’s other works, this was just a hard pass for me.
I have read 2 other novels by this author and really enjoyed them. But this one…ugh. I should have DNF it after the scene with both brothers (gross), but for some reason I kept going. And though I did like the ending, I just don’t really understand the psychological drama the author was depicting and her use of sex with the character development.
Would not recommend this to…well, to anyone.
Is not going to put me off from reading the author’s other works, this was just a hard pass for me.
julie2525's review against another edition
I tried. I really tried. I listened reviewer advice to give it a shot and look past some of the taboos because the story is unique and interesting. Yes, it is unique and interesting. But I couldn't. The ick factor was too high for me. dnf 65%.
The story is about a neglected and lonely 17-year old whose famous parents killed themselves together so they didn't have to live without each other. Unfortunately, they never thought of their daughter and didn't think of waiting the 8 weeks to her 18th birthday. Being underage, she was shipped off to relatives, a step-uncle and his boys who live in the middle of nowhere, in a place that is unreachable after the first snow. *sigh* Here we go. The dad. I have trouble with age gaps, and 17-45ish is too much ick. And when, during a heated scene, he commands her attention and asks "yes, what?" He is satisfied with her answer--not "yes, sir" but "yes, uncle." Ew. As for the boys, while I had less issue with 18-20 year old step-cousins in the rural mountains, the first scene with the brothers was sexual assault and the second was on her 18th birthday and beyond my comfort level. I skipped ahead to the epilogue and then looked for scenes where she fell in love with the final love interest. I ran into more uncomfortable scenes. I cannot with the dad. I gave up. I have also decided I've had enough contemporary romance for a while.
The interesting part is the idea of 3 relationships before you settle down: one for lust, one for learning, one for love. That is, one is adventure, excitement, and a crush. The second is a a bad decision, someone who may be using you, someone you aren't willing to give your whole heart to, but someone you can be selfish with and learn about yourself. The third is the one you can settle down with, the someone you can be with long-term, imperfections and all. I like the idea of each man representing one, but I can't confirm if that happened because I didn't get that far.
The story is about a neglected and lonely 17-year old whose famous parents killed themselves together so they didn't have to live without each other. Unfortunately, they never thought of their daughter and didn't think of waiting the 8 weeks to her 18th birthday. Being underage, she was shipped off to relatives, a step-uncle and his boys who live in the middle of nowhere, in a place that is unreachable after the first snow. *sigh* Here we go. The dad. I have trouble with age gaps, and 17-45ish is too much ick. And when, during a heated scene, he commands her attention and asks "yes, what?" He is satisfied with her answer--not "yes, sir" but "yes, uncle." Ew. As for the boys, while I had less issue with 18-20 year old step-cousins in the rural mountains, the first scene with the brothers was sexual assault and the second was on her 18th birthday and beyond my comfort level. I skipped ahead to the epilogue and then looked for scenes where she fell in love with the final love interest. I ran into more uncomfortable scenes. I cannot with the dad. I gave up. I have also decided I've had enough contemporary romance for a while.
The interesting part is the idea of 3 relationships before you settle down: one for lust, one for learning, one for love. That is, one is adventure, excitement, and a crush. The second is a a bad decision, someone who may be using you, someone you aren't willing to give your whole heart to, but someone you can be selfish with and learn about yourself. The third is the one you can settle down with, the someone you can be with long-term, imperfections and all. I like the idea of each man representing one, but I can't confirm if that happened because I didn't get that far.
rantsandreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It’s all in the family to say the least 🙊🙈
I found this read interesting enough, with elements that understandably can be polarizing for some . The step-family dynamics and relationships with younger, or nearly adult women didn’t strike me as overly taboo or bothersome, especially with consent being clear.
The brotherly love scene was something I chose not to overthink, simply to enjoy it more! 😏🌶️ The book was enticing enough to keep me reading, and I appreciated the author’s style in writing spicy scenes, even though the story itself might not have had a lot of depth. It did delve into some dark and emotional themes, which I felt were done relatively well.
None of the male characters particularly stood out to me in a favorable way, though I did appreciate Kaleb’s character arc. Despite the ending feeling a bit rushed, I liked how it wrapped up.
This was my first read from Penelope Douglas, and despite the mixed reviews, I found myself enjoying it. I’m looking forward to exploring more of her work.
I found this read interesting enough, with elements that understandably can be polarizing for some . The step-family dynamics and relationships with younger, or nearly adult women didn’t strike me as overly taboo or bothersome, especially with consent being clear.
The brotherly love scene was something I chose not to overthink, simply to enjoy it more! 😏🌶️ The book was enticing enough to keep me reading, and I appreciated the author’s style in writing spicy scenes, even though the story itself might not have had a lot of depth. It did delve into some dark and emotional themes, which I felt were done relatively well.
None of the male characters particularly stood out to me in a favorable way, though I did appreciate Kaleb’s character arc. Despite the ending feeling a bit rushed, I liked how it wrapped up.
This was my first read from Penelope Douglas, and despite the mixed reviews, I found myself enjoying it. I’m looking forward to exploring more of her work.
kylieshadereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
minniemine's review against another edition
1.0
Curiosity killed the fucking cat. I should have stayed away but unfortunately I had to see if it was as bad as people said it was and I fear its even worse. this book is just romanticized abuse after abuse after abuse.
The fmc is very obviously a troubled and mentally dysfunctional child. Her parents committed suicide after 17 years of parental neglect and she's given off to her father's step brother with whom he had no blood ties. She goes off to live with said step uncle and his 2 sons, all of whom are raging misogynists btw, where she's eventually and repeatedly emotionally abused, manipulated and raped. At the end of the book she ends up with the one son who had no interest in her past raping her any opportunity he got until she convinced herself she liked it.
Jake, the step uncle, is such a disgusting man who was attracted to her, a 17 year old, threatened to spank her more than once and actually did go through with it one time, was way too possessive, almost fucked her in the kitchen while she was a minor amongst other nasty things.
Noah was just as possessive and infuriating. I was actually so close to killing him when he threatened to get her pregnant so she wouldn't leave. He and his father also have a disgusting obsession with her being underage and wanting to fuck her
Kaleb, the main person I hate, is nothing but a glorified rapist and man child. I'm shocked that she ended up with him. The fmc falls in love with him, which honestly is just Stockholm syndrome, after a couple scenes and interactions where he either sexually or physically assaults her in every single one and it's all just???? Even when we got his pov it was glaringly obvious that he felt nothing for her other than physical attraction so where exactly is love coming from?
As far as first impressions go, this was downright horrendous. If this author is in the habit of romanticizing rape and SA and abuse, I will not be touching another book of theirs
The fmc is very obviously a troubled and mentally dysfunctional child. Her parents committed suicide after 17 years of parental neglect and she's given off to her father's step brother with whom he had no blood ties. She goes off to live with said step uncle and his 2 sons, all of whom are raging misogynists btw, where she's eventually and repeatedly emotionally abused, manipulated and raped. At the end of the book she ends up with the one son who had no interest in her past raping her any opportunity he got until she convinced herself she liked it.
Jake, the step uncle, is such a disgusting man who was attracted to her, a 17 year old, threatened to spank her more than once and actually did go through with it one time, was way too possessive, almost fucked her in the kitchen while she was a minor amongst other nasty things.
Noah was just as possessive and infuriating. I was actually so close to killing him when he threatened to get her pregnant so she wouldn't leave. He and his father also have a disgusting obsession with her being underage and wanting to fuck her
Kaleb, the main person I hate, is nothing but a glorified rapist and man child. I'm shocked that she ended up with him. The fmc falls in love with him, which honestly is just Stockholm syndrome, after a couple scenes and interactions where he either sexually or physically assaults her in every single one and it's all just???? Even when we got his pov it was glaringly obvious that he felt nothing for her other than physical attraction so where exactly is love coming from?
As far as first impressions go, this was downright horrendous. If this author is in the habit of romanticizing rape and SA and abuse, I will not be touching another book of theirs
emcoffin's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
leattox's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0