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cosley's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Minor: Self harm
lillyrb's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
I don’t think I can give this book a standard star rating of any kind, which doesn’t mean it’s a particularly bad or good book i’m just not quite sure how to feel about this.
I read this book because I didn’t know what to read next and a trusted reviewer (any book i’ve read after their recommendation has been great) really loves this book. Disclaimer, I did not know what I was getting myself into. I’ve never read a dark romance before and I really was not prepared. The beginning made me really quite uncomfortable. However, Sophie Lark’s writing style is incredible and the way she details the thoughts and feelings of the main characters is simply fascinating. Ultimately, I decided to read the whole thing because I enjoyed the writing, was taken with the psychological implications (?) of the main characters and I really really wanted to know what other people see in this book.
I didn’t not enjoy the book but I also didn’t like it in the way I usually enjoy reading books. It’s certainly a gripping read and the characters and writing are intriguing but overall the book not something I could describe as liking. I will read the second book because, again, I kind of need to know what other people are seeing in this and how the story develops, but I don’t think I can rate this book in any comprehensive way.
I read this book because I didn’t know what to read next and a trusted reviewer (any book i’ve read after their recommendation has been great) really loves this book. Disclaimer, I did not know what I was getting myself into. I’ve never read a dark romance before and I really was not prepared. The beginning made me really quite uncomfortable. However, Sophie Lark’s writing style is incredible and the way she details the thoughts and feelings of the main characters is simply fascinating. Ultimately, I decided to read the whole thing because I enjoyed the writing, was taken with the psychological implications (?) of the main characters and I really really wanted to know what other people see in this book.
I didn’t not enjoy the book but I also didn’t like it in the way I usually enjoy reading books. It’s certainly a gripping read and the characters and writing are intriguing but overall the book not something I could describe as liking. I will read the second book because, again, I kind of need to know what other people are seeing in this and how the story develops, but I don’t think I can rate this book in any comprehensive way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Gore, Stalking, Violence, Murder, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Vomit, Self harm, Suicide, Rape, Misogyny, and Abandonment
readwithloz's review against another edition
dark
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Murder, Blood, Kidnapping, Rape, Self harm, and Stalking
Minor: Addiction and Abandonment
sashasauroras's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
“I hate being wrong.
I hate it all the more for how rarely it happens.
My anger flares at the girl.
This is her fault. Her fault for defying the fate rushing toward her”
important trigger warnings:
-murder
-detailed murder
-abduction
-sexual assault
-sexual harassment
-neglectful parents
-abuse (from parents)
-STALKING!!!! (that’s a big ass part of the book)
-invasion of privacy(also a big part of the story)
-trauma and nobody is going to therapy
I hate it all the more for how rarely it happens.
My anger flares at the girl.
This is her fault. Her fault for defying the fate rushing toward her”
important trigger warnings:
-murder
-detailed murder
-abduction
-sexual assault
-sexual harassment
-neglectful parents
-abuse (from parents)
-STALKING!!!! (that’s a big ass part of the book)
-invasion of privacy(also a big part of the story)
-trauma and nobody is going to therapy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Rape, Trafficking, Body horror, Child abuse, Gun violence, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Stalking, Abandonment, Animal death, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Violence
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Mara is a struggling artist who is working 3 jobs just to get by. One evening at a show, she catches the attention of 2 of San Francisco's most notable artists, Cole and Alister. Unfortunately for Mara, both men are sociopaths and serial killers.
Mara has had a troubled life. She has survived her alcoholic/abusive mother and abusive stepfather. She is on her own in San Francisco trying to get by day to day. She has been through hell. She is very feisty and independent. As her career takes off, her reliance and dependence on Cole becomes stronger. He is responsible for all of her success and he is the one protecting her from Alister. As their relationship progresses, she begins to change to reflect what Cole wants her to be. So the question is, is she being manipulated by Cole or is he opening her up to who she truly is? I think he is preying upon her trauma to manipulate her into becoming who he wants her to be. Had she never meet him, I doubt she would have ever gone so far as to kill her mother. Before Cole, she was trying to move on with her life and did not want to get revenge on her mom and stepfather.
Cole is a sociopath and murderer who cares about nothing other than getting what he wants. He is devoid of empathy, ruthless, and powerful. He and Alister have being in competition with each other since art school. Alister was obsessed with getting Cole's attention and wants him to collaborate on a "project". Mara is the unsuspecting victim that Alister chooses. He leaves her to die near Cole's dumping ground, knowing that he will find her and hoping that he will kill her. Cole does not want to play this game with Alister. So, being the psycho that he is, when he finds her, he leaves her to die. After learning that Mara managed to survive, he becomes obsessed with her and begins to stalk her. He engrains himself into her life and makes her reliant on him. She becomes the center of his universe and he will stop at nothing to protect her, especially from Alister. Cole has convinced himself that he loves Mara, but can a sociopath truly feel love? I think for Cole, his attachment to Mara is completly self-serving. Mara is under his control and he is able manipulate her into becoming what and who he wants.
Tropes: taboo/dark romance
Mara has had a troubled life. She has survived her alcoholic/abusive mother and abusive stepfather. She is on her own in San Francisco trying to get by day to day. She has been through hell. She is very feisty and independent.
Cole is a sociopath and murderer who cares about nothing other than getting what he wants. He is devoid of empathy, ruthless, and powerful. He and Alister have being in competition with each other since art school. Alister was obsessed with getting Cole's attention and wants him to collaborate on a "project". Mara is the unsuspecting victim that Alister chooses.
Tropes: taboo/dark romance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Death, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Abandonment, Grief, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Stalking, and Emotional abuse
morgansbookshelves's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Bumped up my rating from a 4.5 to a 5! I love how dark and twisted this book is. Lark has a very impressive talent for making you root for the bad guy, as much as I should have disliked Cole I couldn't help but hang on to every word in his chapters. Seeing how his mind worked was fascinating and I am so glad that I have access to book 2. I need to see how this is going to end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Classism, Kidnapping, Cursing, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Gore, Sexual assault, Torture, Death, Emotional abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Stalking, Violence, Body horror, and Bullying
Moderate: Self harm, Abandonment, Misogyny, Child abuse, and Confinement
Minor: Death of parent and Alcohol
hunnykurls's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Murder, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Stalking and Self harm
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment
bryelle's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-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
3.5
Mara is a hard working art student. There is a serial killer who is killing woman in the Bay Area. Mara gets abducted and tortured. The killer leaves her body to taunt another killer Cole. He liked control and won’t fall to someone else’s agenda. Mara sees Cole and when she realizes he won’t help her she fights to save her selves. Mara returns to her “normal” life after her trauma. Cole becomes obsessed with her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Abandonment, Body horror, Gaslighting, Murder, Torture, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, and Stalking
Moderate: Ableism and Self harm
jen1804's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
4.0
He’s a 10 but he’s a serial killer stalker.
⚠️Significant content warnings⚠️
⚠️Significant content warnings⚠️
Mixed feelings about this book but on the whole I really enjoyed it. This is a dual POV book where each chapter alternates between Mara Eldritch, a 26 year old junior artist trying desperately to make ends meet in San Francisco, and Cole Blackwell, a (maybe 30 year old), wealthy, famously renowned artist, who also happens to be a serial killer.
Cole has a rival artist named Alastor Shaw whom he competes with within the art world, for recognition, awards, praise etc. Oh and Shaw also just so happens to be a serial killer too!
The difference between Cole and Shaw is made obvious to the reader. Shaw is more impulsive, more gruesome, more aggressive with his victims and leaves remains behind. Cole is more meticulous, more refined, more secretive and gives nothing away.
It was really interesting, and also chilling, to read a book through the perspective of a sociopath, Cole’s thought processes, his coldness towards everything, his lack of empathy.
The book starts at an art show where both Cole and Shaw are showcasing work, jumping straight in with Cole thinking about Shaw’s most recent murder making the headlines.
Cole notices Mara for the first time when someone spills red wine on her white dress but she takes herself to the bathroom, tie dyes the rest of the garment with more wine and manages to turn the spillage into something beautiful. Shaw notices Cole looking at her and naturally decides to kidnap her and “gift” her to Cole, bound and bleeding, leaving her dying and vulnerable not far from the cave where Cole disposes of his victims. (Yeah I know, pretty fucked up.) After Cole is done with his kill of the night he comes across Mara in his path. He knows it’s Shaw messing with him, offering the girl from the art show for him to kill. Cole has never killed a woman before and disturbingly he just stares at Mara for a while before simply stepping over her and walking away, leaving her to bleed out. But Mara is stronger than either Cole or Shaw thought because she uses her survival instincts to get out of the situation, find her way to a road and she somehow survives, albeit with some deep scars.
Thus ensues Cole’s obsession with Mara. He stalks her, breaks into her property, man handles her things. Rents the place next door so he can watch through her window. He sets it up so that Mara is offered studio space at his studio, something she’s elated about because she’s in desperate need of art space. But when they meet she recognises his face as the man who stood over her watching her die in the woods and then walked away. But Mara’s probably a little bit fucked up as well. I mean case and point she very easily returned to normal after said kidnapping. Whereas if that had been me I think I’d be a broken woman for a very long time. She’s had a traumatic childhood and every instinct which tells her to run and be afraid of Cole Blackwell, she ignores, obviously. She’s stubborn and we are rewarded with a tense back and forth between Mara and Cole, each trying to get under the other’s skin.
Ultimately they find themselves attracted to each other and Cole is confused about what’s happening when he starts experiencing jealousy whenever Mara has ‘interactions’ shall we say with other guys. What begins to unfold is some rare tender moments between them as well as a deep lust and Cole’s overprotective need to keep her safe from Shaw. There’s no fully fledged love yet but this book is part of a duet and I suspect their ‘relationship’ will develop in the second book, likely with Mara ending up a little murderous herself, and tbh I’m here for it.
There’s honestly a lot to love about this book. It’s fascinating and sometimes incredibly hot (yeah I probably need a therapist, whatever). But there’s also some scenes I could do without because they’re so dyer and so graphic (but hey this is a book about serial killers so what did I expect) and I’m also not in love with some of the smut either, sorry not sorry.
But overall yes a good read.
Satisfactory ending? Yes, a cliffhanger, onto book 2.
The difference between Cole and Shaw is made obvious to the reader. Shaw is more impulsive, more gruesome, more aggressive with his victims and leaves remains behind. Cole is more meticulous, more refined, more secretive and gives nothing away.
It was really interesting, and also chilling, to read a book through the perspective of a sociopath, Cole’s thought processes, his coldness towards everything, his lack of empathy.
The book starts at an art show where both Cole and Shaw are showcasing work, jumping straight in with Cole thinking about Shaw’s most recent murder making the headlines.
Cole notices Mara for the first time when someone spills red wine on her white dress but she takes herself to the bathroom, tie dyes the rest of the garment with more wine and manages to turn the spillage into something beautiful. Shaw notices Cole looking at her and naturally decides to kidnap her and “gift” her to Cole, bound and bleeding, leaving her dying and vulnerable not far from the cave where Cole disposes of his victims. (Yeah I know, pretty fucked up.) After Cole is done with his kill of the night he comes across Mara in his path. He knows it’s Shaw messing with him, offering the girl from the art show for him to kill. Cole has never killed a woman before and disturbingly he just stares at Mara for a while before simply stepping over her and walking away, leaving her to bleed out. But Mara is stronger than either Cole or Shaw thought because she uses her survival instincts to get out of the situation, find her way to a road and she somehow survives, albeit with some deep scars.
Thus ensues Cole’s obsession with Mara. He stalks her, breaks into her property, man handles her things. Rents the place next door so he can watch through her window. He sets it up so that Mara is offered studio space at his studio, something she’s elated about because she’s in desperate need of art space. But when they meet she recognises his face as the man who stood over her watching her die in the woods and then walked away. But Mara’s probably a little bit fucked up as well. I mean case and point she very easily returned to normal after said kidnapping. Whereas if that had been me I think I’d be a broken woman for a very long time. She’s had a traumatic childhood and every instinct which tells her to run and be afraid of Cole Blackwell, she ignores, obviously. She’s stubborn and we are rewarded with a tense back and forth between Mara and Cole, each trying to get under the other’s skin.
Ultimately they find themselves attracted to each other and Cole is confused about what’s happening when he starts experiencing jealousy whenever Mara has ‘interactions’ shall we say with other guys. What begins to unfold is some rare tender moments between them as well as a deep lust and Cole’s overprotective need to keep her safe from Shaw. There’s no fully fledged love yet but this book is part of a duet and I suspect their ‘relationship’ will develop in the second book, likely with Mara ending up a little murderous herself, and tbh I’m here for it.
There’s honestly a lot to love about this book. It’s fascinating and sometimes incredibly hot (yeah I probably need a therapist, whatever). But there’s also some scenes I could do without because they’re so dyer and so graphic (but hey this is a book about serial killers so what did I expect) and I’m also not in love with some of the smut either, sorry not sorry.
But overall yes a good read.
Satisfactory ending? Yes, a cliffhanger, onto book 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Murder, Self harm, Kidnapping, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Confinement, Gaslighting, and Torture
golden_like_dior's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Gaslighting, Grief, Murder, Stalking, Self harm, Abandonment, Abortion, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Violence