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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Stalking, Gaslighting, Alcohol
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really wanted to like this book :( But in the end, it just fell short. This is my second book from Sophie Lark and I’m sensing a bit of a pattern with her stories. Although they are enjoyable, it feels like half way through the plot it looses interest and I find myself struggling to finish. Elena in this story was so frustrating that I couldn’t enjoy Atlas’ character. This book should’ve been right up my alley. I love dark romance, thrillers, and dark academia vibes. Grimestone was a really cool location, I just wish there was more depth with the characters and their storyline.
If you wish for a romance mixed with thriller/horror then I would totally recommend this duology!
I definitely liked this one better the first—not saying the first was bad just different. While the first had the sicko brother, this one had a Mr. March (AHS Hotel) feel in terms of the villains of the story!
Elena was an interesting female character and the opposite of Remi from the first book. Where Remi is strong-will and a ‘do it yourself’ independent woman, Elena is quiet and reserved, more prone to rely on others. She was still fun to read about as her personality changes for the better!
Atlas just made it all the better with his inner thoughts, especially when he acknowledged his jealousy
I definitely liked this one better the first—not saying the first was bad just different. While the first had the sicko brother, this one had a Mr. March (AHS Hotel) feel in terms of the villains of the story!
Elena was an interesting female character and the opposite of Remi from the first book. Where Remi is strong-will and a ‘do it yourself’ independent woman, Elena is quiet and reserved, more prone to rely on others. She was still fun to read about as her personality changes for the better!
Atlas just made it all the better with his inner thoughts, especially when he acknowledged his jealousy
This was enjoyable I didn’t think it was as good as the first book which I devoured but some of that is probably down to my personal taste rather than anything being wrong with this. This again this takes place in the town of Grimstone. Atlas our hero is Danes brother from the previous book he owns the Monarch which is the hotel in town.
Elena is from the Ukraine and to escape a bad situation she agrees to marry a virtual stranger. They’ve only met in person once and all of there interactions since that meeting have been long distance. Packing up and agreeing to marry Lorne an author Elena is apprehensive but hopeful.
But Lorne doesn’t seem anything like she remembers and rather than the loving father to Ivy he portrayed he’s actually disinterested and bordering on cruel. Then there’s the creepy monstrosity he’s building out in the woods that fills Elena with apprehension. The only light on the horizon for her is Atlas who she’s instantly drawn towards. But with a dark secret blighting her own past Elena feels stuck and like she’s made a terrible mistake.
This was creepy and ominous and the atmospheric ambiance was done well. My problem with this was actually Elena and her refusal to help herself. I felt she was overly naive and bordering on apathetic when it came to making the correct choice. Her personality was just so passive. I mean I was getting concerned with just what extremity was needed to actually open her eyes to the potential danger that was so obvious to anyone with half a brain. Atlas I did like he was such a sweetheart and became Elenas instant champion protector. He was such a gruff grouchy gentle giant.
The end game with this one was hell strange. I couldn’t quite work out the whys of any of this and it all felt extremely bizarre. I don’t think there were enough explanations to make it make sense. Lorne was an awful individual but he felt very one dimensional and caricature evil villain. It ended up feeling somewhat rushed and slightly unfinished like there should have been more.
As for the daughter Ivy again she also came across as one dimensional as was Mrs Cross, Lorne’s personal assistant and Ivy’s minder. There was no further background and information was sparse. We were left with loose ends that needed addressing. Book one and book two just felt like chalk and cheese. This just wasn’t executed well.
We do get a cameo from the previous couple which was appreciated and I liked catching up with them. This was ok and was an easy read but it could have been so much more. Book one was definitely the stronger of the two in my opinion.
Elena is from the Ukraine and to escape a bad situation she agrees to marry a virtual stranger. They’ve only met in person once and all of there interactions since that meeting have been long distance. Packing up and agreeing to marry Lorne an author Elena is apprehensive but hopeful.
But Lorne doesn’t seem anything like she remembers and rather than the loving father to Ivy he portrayed he’s actually disinterested and bordering on cruel. Then there’s the creepy monstrosity he’s building out in the woods that fills Elena with apprehension. The only light on the horizon for her is Atlas who she’s instantly drawn towards. But with a dark secret blighting her own past Elena feels stuck and like she’s made a terrible mistake.
This was creepy and ominous and the atmospheric ambiance was done well. My problem with this was actually Elena and her refusal to help herself. I felt she was overly naive and bordering on apathetic when it came to making the correct choice. Her personality was just so passive. I mean I was getting concerned with just what extremity was needed to actually open her eyes to the potential danger that was so obvious to anyone with half a brain. Atlas I did like he was such a sweetheart and became Elenas instant champion protector. He was such a gruff grouchy gentle giant.
The end game with this one was hell strange. I couldn’t quite work out the whys of any of this and it all felt extremely bizarre. I don’t think there were enough explanations to make it make sense. Lorne was an awful individual but he felt very one dimensional and caricature evil villain. It ended up feeling somewhat rushed and slightly unfinished like there should have been more.
As for the daughter Ivy again she also came across as one dimensional as was Mrs Cross, Lorne’s personal assistant and Ivy’s minder. There was no further background and information was sparse. We were left with loose ends that needed addressing. Book one and book two just felt like chalk and cheese. This just wasn’t executed well.
We do get a cameo from the previous couple which was appreciated and I liked catching up with them. This was ok and was an easy read but it could have been so much more. Book one was definitely the stronger of the two in my opinion.
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So it started out promising but then it became kind of meeeh about half way through.
The plot could have been great but the characters were unfortunately lacking. The inner monologue of Elena makes me rather want to watch paint dry and the supposedly big bad villain of the story was kind of boring and bland. Atlas was the typical savior kind and I struggled to connect with him.
BUT, the book gets points for having an interesting plot and for keeping me on my toes wondering what direction this is going in. And Ivy, she was the most interesting and honestly best thing about this book.
Three stars, would not recommend but had an entertaining time reading it and do absolutely not regret it.
The plot could have been great but the characters were unfortunately lacking. The inner monologue of Elena makes me rather want to watch paint dry and the supposedly big bad villain of the story was kind of boring and bland. Atlas was the typical savior kind and I struggled to connect with him.
BUT, the book gets points for having an interesting plot and for keeping me on my toes wondering what direction this is going in. And Ivy, she was the most interesting and honestly best thing about this book.
Three stars, would not recommend but had an entertaining time reading it and do absolutely not regret it.