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savvyrosereads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Rating: 3/5 stars
Honestly, I read this book and I’m still not entirely sure what it was about. There’s a romance and some secrets and a small town, I can tell you that much.
This is a hard book to write a review for because I’m still not quite sure how I felt about it. On the positive side, I was definitely entertained, and the ending had me continuing to turn pages because I wanted to know what happened. I will also definitely be reading book two, because at this point I’m in too deep not to know what happens. I didn’t LOVE any of the characters, but Dom was pretty hot in a few specific moments.
That said, I was also regularly frustrated by the FMC, the MMCs, and basically everyone in the book. I didn’t understand the secrets and felt like the final reveals were simultaneously bonkers and lackluster (don’t understand how they could be both? I don’t either but if you read this book you might get it). The third act breakup had me so confused I can’t stop thinking about it and making myself angry all over again. The final sentence….was something, but I can’t tell you what because of spoilers.
The short version is I don’t regret reading this, but I’m not sure I’d go so far as to recommend it either. I look forward to discussing with my book club and reporting back after I’ve read EXODUS!
CW: Toxic relationship; death of parent; drug use; violence
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Drug use, and Sexual content
Moderate: Terminal illness
maikibikey's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
juliereadsromance's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.25
What the F just happened? Some people love this book, so PLEASE PLEASE read it if it interests you. HOWEVER, FOR ME, this read as if someone put in to ChatGPT: secret society, small mountain town, polyamory, boss’s daughter, gaslighting.
Like it all just felt kind of thrown into a mixer. It felt all over the place to me. Like one minute there’s fast cars and the next minute Sean is explaining the nature of time. Meanwhile, poor girl is just getting gas lighted left and right.
There will be no book number two for me.
Like it all just felt kind of thrown into a mixer. It felt all over the place to me. Like one minute there’s fast cars and the next minute Sean is explaining the nature of time. Meanwhile, poor girl is just getting gas lighted left and right.
There will be no book number two for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Cursing, Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Mental illness
subtlebookish's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Cursing, Drug use, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Sexual content
poupimali's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I was not expecting anything and this book gave me everything.
One of the best erotic chapter I’ve ever read (the float). Plots that I did not see coming. Everything feeling is well written.
And the cliffhanger…
One of the best erotic chapter I’ve ever read (the float). Plots that I did not see coming. Everything feeling is well written.
And the cliffhanger…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Cancer
chainsiren's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cancer, Cursing, Sexual content, and Abandonment
katelynndzindzio's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Classism
Moderate: Abandonment and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer
readwithev's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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? No
2.0
I feel very conflicted about this. People on Booktok were really hyping this up, but I’m not 100% sold. It is NOT plot heavy.
The majority of the story is Cecelia falling in love with Sean and Dominic, being in a strange hot/cold relationship with them, and being naive about their criminal involvement. I high key cannot take her seriously when she refers to their organization as “the hood.” It’s just silly and sounds very juvenile.
Also, she was giving me whip lash bouncing back and forth between being strong, independent and wanting to carve her own path versus being in love, blinded by lust and wanting to trust Sean and Dominic’s every word. Like damn girl, make a choice! She started to develop a spine in chapter 41, but was immediately back to loving them at the last chapter!
I also felt like things with Cecelia’s mom are confusing. Even in the last few chapters, Cecelia did not make any attempt to help her mom with her alcoholism. Her mom is just kind of…there to watch movies with her for one scene. Like wtf? No resolution or initiation of a conflict? It’s not clear what her role in the story. So far, she doesn’t add anything vital to move the plot.
Also, nothing about the story was very shocking. It was glaringly obvious that Sean was using her for something. The no phone rule. Smashing her apple smart watch. Isolating her from others during their dates. Like come on now? How obvious could he be? Moreover, all the vague answers he and Dominic gave her, the fact that they illegally street race, Dom is an MIT grad working in a small town at a garage? plus their ranting about the capitalism’s yoke controlling all of us? Be for real🙄 Also, her dad being shady and cold hearted? That was not shocking either. He is literally estranged from her and gave her the bare minimum financial support when she was a kid. He also owns the whole town?and I was really expected to be shocked?
The only thing that shocked me was that Dominic is NOT the Frenchman (aka he is not the leader of their “hood.”)
Overall, I’m disappointed in the plot. I had to read 65% of the book for any “exciting plot points” To be revealed. And again, they were not shocking. I never felt like any of the characters were in danger. I would have appreciated a few chapters from Sean or Dominic’s point of view that maybe would have conveyed the risks and danger of their Ravenhood gang more🤷🏻♀️ every chapter is 1st person form Cecelia’s perspective and it doesn’t stir any tension in the story imo.
The smut is pretty good. However that is not enough to redeem this book. I nearly DNF-ed at the 70% point but chose to trudge through to the end.
Also, she was giving me whip lash bouncing back and forth between being strong, independent and wanting to carve her own path versus being in love, blinded by lust and wanting to trust Sean and Dominic’s every word. Like damn girl, make a choice! She started to develop a spine in chapter 41, but was immediately back to loving them at the last chapter!
I also felt like things with Cecelia’s mom are confusing. Even in the last few chapters, Cecelia did not make any attempt to help her mom with her alcoholism. Her mom is just kind of…there to watch movies with her for one scene. Like wtf? No resolution or initiation of a conflict? It’s not clear what her role in the story. So far, she doesn’t add anything vital to move the plot.
Also, nothing about the story was very shocking. It was glaringly obvious that Sean was using her for something. The no phone rule. Smashing her apple smart watch. Isolating her from others during their dates. Like come on now? How obvious could he be? Moreover, all the vague answers he and Dominic gave her, the fact that they illegally street race, Dom is an MIT grad working in a small town at a garage? plus their ranting about the capitalism’s yoke controlling all of us? Be for real🙄 Also, her dad being shady and cold hearted? That was not shocking either. He is literally estranged from her and gave her the bare minimum financial support when she was a kid. He also owns the whole town?and I was really expected to be shocked?
The only thing that shocked me was that Dominic is NOT the Frenchman (aka he is not the leader of their “hood.”)
Overall, I’m disappointed in the plot. I had to read 65% of the book for any “exciting plot points” To be revealed. And again, they were not shocking. I never felt like any of the characters were in danger. I would have appreciated a few chapters from Sean or Dominic’s point of view that maybe would have conveyed the risks and danger of their Ravenhood gang more🤷🏻♀️ every chapter is 1st person form Cecelia’s perspective and it doesn’t stir any tension in the story imo.
The smut is pretty good. However that is not enough to redeem this book. I nearly DNF-ed at the 70% point but chose to trudge through to the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcoholism and Death of parent
ehorton97's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
eliserobinsonn__'s review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gun violence, Classism, Bullying, Xenophobia, Addiction, and Drug use