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loverofromance's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:ππππ
Cover:ππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: ππππ
Heart & Feels:ππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: πππ
Page Turner Level:ππππ
Narration:π§π§π§
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨.5
First Impressions
Bound By Vengeance was a story that I knew would be a rough road, considering what the heroine we know has gone through from the previous installment, so I also knew that there was a chance that this book would also contain aspects that I would struggle with. I admit that I really struggle with a certain element in the story (which I will go in further depth to so if you don't want that spoiled skip the review), but what made it work was that the author really fleshed it out in a way that for the most part made sense. It also has some fun pining elements, her family coming to support her and a road to vengeance against those that wronged her. I also loved getting back to the Ravage MC. Its such a fun MC series for sure.
First Line
Vengeance: punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong.
Summary
In this story, we have our heroine, Augstyn, who lost her child and was sexually assaulted, and she is full of secrets and pain and her family is determined to get her free of the past so that she can move on. But Austyn is full of pain, regret and sorrow in a way that no one can fully understand. But now she is on the road to vengeance against the man that raped her and put her on this road of self hate. Austyn has been in love with Ryker for many years, but he has never seen the woman. But now she nows she is dirty and ruined for Ryker and could never be good enough. but Ryker is determined to show Austyn that she is worth loving no matter what it takes.
What I Loved
There are many elements to this story that I did enjoy. I really loved the unrequited love and the relationship building aspects to this story. There is something about a pining heroine I love. I know most romance readers prefer the hero pining, but honestly, that is way common, so I tend to go after the heroines that ache and yearn for their men in such a honest way. There is something about reading a MC romance that keeps the heart so raw and full of edge. What we see in the Bound By Vengeance novel is a story of redemption, healing and most of all raw pain and guilt. Its a story that isn't easy to read. What I really appreciated was the way that the author really fleshes out these feelings about what the heroine does. About her healing process and learning to accept the mistakes that she has made and learn to live with those mistakes. Its definitely not an easy road for her, and we see her work through the trauma but also her own sins and how Ryker assists her in cleaning out those wounds and learning to live with herself. And its not an easy road for Austyn, and we definitely see a side to abortion that is rarely focused on. How the psychological effects of such a decision has on the woman. Society may be all about pro abortion, but it never talks about how it affects the person that makes that decision. Ryan Michele really handled this aspect well. I am not a supporter of having abortion in romance, so I admit I struggled, but I do feel like this author really focused on it well and showcased the emotional and mental harm it can cause as well. Most authors that place this aspect in a romance never flesh it out in this way, and I appreciated this author in willing to handle it in this story.
What I Struggled With
Well its pretty obvious, but the biggest component of the story that I had a hard time with was the abortion. The heroine is raped, and has an abortion. To be honest its never even explained why she even really did it. I do wish that had been answered, as it would have answered some questions. That was my biggest issue and also I personally just don't think abortion should even be in a romance. But while I had issues with this, and I almost DNF this book because of it, I stuck with it, because I had a feeling that the author was writing it in for a reason and I appreciated what was delivered in this story.
Narration
This narration was awful!! Especially the narrator who did the male POV. I wish it had been done by Joe Arden, but it most definitely wasn't Joe Arden, which was disappointing. Its why I have been doing these books in audio haha What really rubbed me the wrong way, was the male narrator and how he handled the female dialogue, it just made me cringe so bad. The female narrator did a solid job though.
Overall View
Bound by Vengeance was a heart felt story that tackled some very difficult issues with delicacy, its a story of healing and working through the process of guilt and grief in such a relative way.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance
Character Types: Bikers
Themes: Small Town, Tear Jerker, Abortion, Family Saga, Motorcycle Clubs, Pining Heroine
Tropes: Revenge, Unrequited Love
Book Perspective
Duo POV's
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both
Song This Book Inspires
Whiskey Bent and Hellbound by Hank Williams JR
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes recommend doing these books in order if you can.
Steam/Spice Explanations
Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:ππππ
Cover:ππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: ππππ
Heart & Feels:ππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: πππ
Page Turner Level:ππππ
Narration:π§π§π§
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨.5
First Impressions
Bound By Vengeance was a story that I knew would be a rough road, considering what the heroine we know has gone through from the previous installment, so I also knew that there was a chance that this book would also contain aspects that I would struggle with. I admit that I really struggle with a certain element in the story (which I will go in further depth to so if you don't want that spoiled skip the review), but what made it work was that the author really fleshed it out in a way that for the most part made sense. It also has some fun pining elements, her family coming to support her and a road to vengeance against those that wronged her. I also loved getting back to the Ravage MC. Its such a fun MC series for sure.
First Line
Vengeance: punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong.
Summary
In this story, we have our heroine, Augstyn, who lost her child and was sexually assaulted, and she is full of secrets and pain and her family is determined to get her free of the past so that she can move on. But Austyn is full of pain, regret and sorrow in a way that no one can fully understand. But now she is on the road to vengeance against the man that raped her and put her on this road of self hate. Austyn has been in love with Ryker for many years, but he has never seen the woman. But now she nows she is dirty and ruined for Ryker and could never be good enough. but Ryker is determined to show Austyn that she is worth loving no matter what it takes.
What I Loved
There are many elements to this story that I did enjoy. I really loved the unrequited love and the relationship building aspects to this story. There is something about a pining heroine I love. I know most romance readers prefer the hero pining, but honestly, that is way common, so I tend to go after the heroines that ache and yearn for their men in such a honest way. There is something about reading a MC romance that keeps the heart so raw and full of edge. What we see in the Bound By Vengeance novel is a story of redemption, healing and most of all raw pain and guilt. Its a story that isn't easy to read. What I really appreciated was the way that the author really fleshes out these feelings about what the heroine does. About her healing process and learning to accept the mistakes that she has made and learn to live with those mistakes. Its definitely not an easy road for her, and we see her work through the trauma but also her own sins and how Ryker assists her in cleaning out those wounds and learning to live with herself. And its not an easy road for Austyn, and we definitely see a side to abortion that is rarely focused on. How the psychological effects of such a decision has on the woman. Society may be all about pro abortion, but it never talks about how it affects the person that makes that decision. Ryan Michele really handled this aspect well. I am not a supporter of having abortion in romance, so I admit I struggled, but I do feel like this author really focused on it well and showcased the emotional and mental harm it can cause as well. Most authors that place this aspect in a romance never flesh it out in this way, and I appreciated this author in willing to handle it in this story.
What I Struggled With
Well its pretty obvious, but the biggest component of the story that I had a hard time with was the abortion. The heroine is raped, and has an abortion. To be honest its never even explained why she even really did it. I do wish that had been answered, as it would have answered some questions. That was my biggest issue and also I personally just don't think abortion should even be in a romance. But while I had issues with this, and I almost DNF this book because of it, I stuck with it, because I had a feeling that the author was writing it in for a reason and I appreciated what was delivered in this story.
Narration
This narration was awful!! Especially the narrator who did the male POV. I wish it had been done by Joe Arden, but it most definitely wasn't Joe Arden, which was disappointing. Its why I have been doing these books in audio haha What really rubbed me the wrong way, was the male narrator and how he handled the female dialogue, it just made me cringe so bad. The female narrator did a solid job though.
Overall View
Bound by Vengeance was a heart felt story that tackled some very difficult issues with delicacy, its a story of healing and working through the process of guilt and grief in such a relative way.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance
Character Types: Bikers
Themes: Small Town, Tear Jerker, Abortion, Family Saga, Motorcycle Clubs, Pining Heroine
Tropes: Revenge, Unrequited Love
Book Perspective
Duo POV's
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both
Song This Book Inspires
Whiskey Bent and Hellbound by Hank Williams JR
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes recommend doing these books in order if you can.
Steam/Spice Explanations
Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion
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