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readnoot's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
This review is not critique of West as an author but observation of the bullying trope in this dark romance. This was my first time reading a dark romance and a bullying novel, so the overall impression I was left with is that this genre (dark romance) and subgenre (bully romance) are essentially settings for sexual violence toward women and misogynistic representation for men. I can understand the appeal of reading darker sexual stories, as the kinks and acts in this book are not unheard of or even uncommon. I take zero issue with those elements. However, I do have concerns about the blatant sexual assault repeatedly perpetrated against Violet throughout the novel and how these attacks are treated so casually; they just happen to occur every week but are never reported or fought against. For most of the book, Violet even believes she deserves these assaults, which is a shocking and disturbing mindset to imbue in a young female character. At some point, we must engage critically with the novels we read, even the ones we pick up for only entertainment. The one thing missing from this entire book that would flip the scenes from impending r*pe to titillating smut is consent. The main female character being hunted by a group of men so they can have their way with her is horrifying and disappointing unless she consents, at which point it could be exciting and satisfying. I understand that this lack of consent is likely the draw of bullying tropes in dark romances, yet, that is why such stories are not for me. To the credit of West, the back and forth between timelines was well executed, and the mystery of what happened to Chloe kept me engaged to the end of the plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Bullying, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Misogyny, Stalking, and Death
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