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dark
emotional
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First and foremost: MIND THE CONTENT WARNINGS
this book deals with a number of dark and potentially triggering topics, so make sure you are in the correct headspace before diving into this book (and the series in general);
I’ve often struggled with queer romance for one reason or another - it can be a minefield - but this story handled it well. Writing an Ace/Demi character is not easy, so having a main character experience what many who identify with Ace-spec have is refreshing and oddly validating.
this book deals with a number of dark and potentially triggering topics, so make sure you are in the correct headspace before diving into this book (and the series in general);
I’ve often struggled with queer romance for one reason or another - it can be a minefield - but this story handled it well. Writing an Ace/Demi character is not easy, so having a main character experience what many who identify with Ace-spec have is refreshing and oddly validating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder
Moderate: Dysphoria
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ll just began by saying that it was so much better than I thought it would be ?
I loved Brandon so much and it honestly hurt me to know how he felt about himself and how he never let himself be happy. And everytime he was getting better it was worse the second afterward. (Definition of one step forward and three steps back). I liked that we saw so much his struggles and how he began to be better towards himself thanks to Niko. He deserves to love himself and be happy.
Niko is the definition of being pathetically in love. I know a lot of people found his monologues cringe but I personally found them funny and I loved being in his head. I appreciate that Niko never truly abandoned Brandon and his need to know him and what was going on in his head is what saved Bran. I was a little disappointed that Niko had difficulties respecting Bran’s boundaries, mostly when I could literally feel what Bran was feeling at those moments.
I had an idea of what the past of Brandon must have been, for him to feel nauseous when people touch him. So I wasn’t surprised at the reveal but the moment after Niko saw the video 😨 Like I was not expecting Bran’s reaction to Niko seeing the video be THAT. I was so chocked !!! (Also that video was very hard to read about like, Grace got what she deserved).
Another little regret is that I would have liked to be more details and moment with Nikolai and his mental health issues as well. We saw what was going on internally for him, but I wish we got a little more.
Honorable mentions :
- Landon and Brandon’s relationship. I don’t need to say more, they were perfect and cute.
- The brotherly moments between the guys and seeing their friendship. Also Eli being a big brother to all of them.
- Levi’s chapter. It was a masterpiece.
- Landon and Niko teaming up to kill Grace (their love for Bran overpower their hatred for each other).
- Any cute moment between Bran and Niko.
- The EliAva crumbs 🤭
- The Gareth / Kayden scene (she can’t give us that and not write a book or novella about them).
- Niko jealous of a child.
- Bran possessive (we talk a lot about possessive Niko but I liked when Bran was the possessive one).
- The glimpse we got of the other couples
- The friendship showed between all of the LoG characters.
I loved Brandon so much and it honestly hurt me to know how he felt about himself and how he never let himself be happy. And everytime he was getting better it was worse the second afterward. (Definition of one step forward and three steps back). I liked that we saw so much his struggles and how he began to be better towards himself thanks to Niko. He deserves to love himself and be happy.
Niko is the definition of being pathetically in love. I know a lot of people found his monologues cringe but I personally found them funny and I loved being in his head. I appreciate that Niko never truly abandoned Brandon and his need to know him and what was going on in his head is what saved Bran. I was a little disappointed that Niko had difficulties respecting Bran’s boundaries, mostly when I could literally feel what Bran was feeling at those moments.
I had an idea of what the past of Brandon must have been, for him to feel nauseous when people touch him. So I wasn’t surprised at the reveal but the moment after Niko saw the video 😨 Like I was not expecting Bran’s reaction to Niko seeing the video be THAT. I was so chocked !!! (Also that video was very hard to read about like, Grace got what she deserved).
Another little regret is that I would have liked to be more details and moment with Nikolai and his mental health issues as well. We saw what was going on internally for him, but I wish we got a little more.
Honorable mentions :
- Landon and Brandon’s relationship. I don’t need to say more, they were perfect and cute.
- The brotherly moments between the guys and seeing their friendship. Also Eli being a big brother to all of them.
- Levi’s chapter. It was a masterpiece.
- Landon and Niko teaming up to kill Grace (their love for Bran overpower their hatred for each other).
- Any cute moment between Bran and Niko.
- The EliAva crumbs 🤭
- The Gareth / Kayden scene (she can’t give us that and not write a book or novella about them).
- Niko jealous of a child.
- Bran possessive (we talk a lot about possessive Niko but I liked when Bran was the possessive one).
- The glimpse we got of the other couples
- The friendship showed between all of the LoG characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt