Scan barcode
anovelglimpse's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I have mixed feelings about Until Willow. I am a fan of the Until Him/Her series and ARR's writing. I wanted to love this book. I didn't. I liked reading it for the most part. It kept me entertained in a way. It had the same fast pace, some of the Mayson family I've grown to love, some interesting new characters, and a romantic suspense plot. There were three things that kept me from loving it.
1. Willow wasn't my favorite. I don't know what it was about her, but she came off as flighty. I didn't like her initial reactions to Clay or the silly decisions she made when it came to all of the romantic suspense stuff that was going on. I'm surprised she didn't wind up dead. Clay felt like a more developed character. Willow needed something.
2. Building on Willow... Is there such a thing as a one-sided BOOM? I mean, I felt it from Clay's end, but not really from Willow's. Maybe it was the running she did? Or maybe it was because I felt like they never actually got to know each other? Most of their relationship was based on their physical attraction to each other. It was missing the emotional connection we've got in the past from the other couples in this series.
3. There were too many things thrown into the romantic suspense plot. Willow and Clay met in a certain way, but that event didn't seem to have anything to do with the rest of the story. It was weird. I guess it was to throw us off the trail of what really happened, but what really happened didn't feel like it fit. Maybe that's because I was still focused on what happened at that first meeting between Willow and Clay.
What about those things I mentioned I liked then? Clay fit the bill for an ARR alpha hero. His backstory was interesting. I liked the few cameos I got with the Mayson family -- even if I wanted more involvement from them. I think ARR was busy setting up Clay's brothers' series with this book, so they got more time. I loved Miles and his daughter. I don't remember the youngest brother's name, but I wouldn't mind reading about him and his best friend. Tucker is the one brother I am not a fan of reading more about. Maybe the other brothers' books will change my feelings.
So, yeah. Mixed feelings. I guess I was just expecting certain things that have been consistent throughout the series and didn't get them. It will be interesting to see where things go from here.
1. Willow wasn't my favorite. I don't know what it was about her, but she came off as flighty. I didn't like her initial reactions to Clay or the silly decisions she made when it came to all of the romantic suspense stuff that was going on. I'm surprised she didn't wind up dead. Clay felt like a more developed character. Willow needed something.
2. Building on Willow... Is there such a thing as a one-sided BOOM? I mean, I felt it from Clay's end, but not really from Willow's. Maybe it was the running she did? Or maybe it was because I felt like they never actually got to know each other? Most of their relationship was based on their physical attraction to each other. It was missing the emotional connection we've got in the past from the other couples in this series.
3. There were too many things thrown into the romantic suspense plot. Willow and Clay met in a certain way, but that event didn't seem to have anything to do with the rest of the story. It was weird. I guess it was to throw us off the trail of what really happened, but what really happened didn't feel like it fit. Maybe that's because I was still focused on what happened at that first meeting between Willow and Clay.
What about those things I mentioned I liked then? Clay fit the bill for an ARR alpha hero. His backstory was interesting. I liked the few cameos I got with the Mayson family -- even if I wanted more involvement from them. I think ARR was busy setting up Clay's brothers' series with this book, so they got more time. I loved Miles and his daughter. I don't remember the youngest brother's name, but I wouldn't mind reading about him and his best friend. Tucker is the one brother I am not a fan of reading more about. Maybe the other brothers' books will change my feelings.
So, yeah. Mixed feelings. I guess I was just expecting certain things that have been consistent throughout the series and didn't get them. It will be interesting to see where things go from here.
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Murder, and Violence
More...