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challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Every review I read was teasing toward a HUGE twist in the second half of the book but I found it predictable and even a little bit of a let down. I think I was expecting something more clever. But I really love Nyla’s writing style and character development so even though I was disappointed by the twist I still enjoyed the book.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Lots of plot holes! Fun read if you aren’t looking for something with depth I think. It seemed like the characters were really flat and the ending 25% of the book felt like an idea dump with not a lot of connection to the rest of the book. I guess if it’s “for the plot” maybe don’t bother.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts
So this is my second book by this author and definetly the last.
There seems to be a pattern: so much smut that at some point i want to yell "enough f*cking, give me some plot!" and then the plot hits like a bomb and makes me feel AWFUL. I read to feel good, not to suffer. Nyla K. Seems to intend to hurt the reader or at least trigger a very strong reaction and I don't like it.
ugh I wish it was possible to write messages here. I need someone to tell me how the f*ck it was possible for Dash to imagine sex (e. G. in the employee room), a cock cage with electroshocks, food, gifts and an escape plan on his own. Did she explain that in the end of the book? Or in any of the following books? I really want to know it, but it hurts to go on reading. If somebody reads this and wants to enlighten me, my Slowly ID is EKERX66. Also, are the following books in the series equally hard on the feelings?
And it's too absurd that they don't know each other and then meet in Tulum. WHAT A COINCIDENCE. And why was there even a POV for an imagined guard? I feel... betrayed
There seems to be a pattern: so much smut that at some point i want to yell "enough f*cking, give me some plot!" and then the plot hits like a bomb and makes me feel AWFUL. I read to feel good, not to suffer. Nyla K. Seems to intend to hurt the reader or at least trigger a very strong reaction and I don't like it.
And it's too absurd that they don't know each other and then meet in Tulum. WHAT A COINCIDENCE. And why was there even a POV for an imagined guard? I feel... betrayed
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
5 stars easy easy easy easy *launches into my ultimate faves folder*
When something goes into my ultimate faves it means it reached some of my strict-ass requirements, but the biggest one is: I want to re-read it. And shiiiittttt, I want to re-read this one again and again and again and again and again. SO BADLY. Sometimes I can't pinpoint why, but I'll still try to.
Dash is such a wonderfully complex character and Nyla is SO, SO GOOD at immersing me into a story to the point where the character is relatable and I FEEL IT. Dash felt like me, I felt like Dash. His confusion steered the plot so well I genuinely started to believe that he was completely innocent and that his arrival in Alabaster Pen was some sort of mistake or someone just straight up had it out for him.
Kemper is DELICIOUS, both the real Kemper and Dash's Kemper. I love the switch and the mirroring and the blurring of both Kempers being gentle, but also possessive, but also loving, but also slightly aggressive (whether with Dash or him holding back his sexuality) I just love him ok. Dash deserves him, someone ready to take care of him and love him despite everything.
I think Nyla handles mental issues reaaallllyyyyy really well. Dash didn't feel corny or fixed at the end or 'this author read a single webpage and based everything off of that.' He read like a real person, he FELT like a real person with a real illness. The amount of tears I cried over him and his trauma oh my goddddd. If you didn't relate that's fine, ofc, but I certainly did and this is why I will always keep Dash close to my heart.
I see a lot of people say they wish it had ended a different way and I get it-- I was so convinced that it would end with Dash in ANOTHER hallucination where Tulum didn't happen and he woke up in the East Wing with Kemper somehow trying to get him out, possibly drugged up and shit. But honestly... I like Nyla's ending better? It feels more precious, like we get to see two love stories meshed together instead of the ENTIRE BOOK being unreal or at least unreliable because of Dash's POV. Also I'm a fucking SUCKER for the serendipity. What are the chances of Kemper BEING IN TULUM, WHERE DASH HAS HAD A BROCHURE FOR FOR YEARS??? I'm gone. I love their ending. They deserve a big fancy house where they can fit a jet ski in the garage and lil Sobaka can trot around and Dash can sneak away to call his buddies. Immaculate
The side characters? Chefs kiss. They were so well fleshed out and dynamic even though this wasn't their book. It made me move onto the others immediately (as I will again for my re-read, I'm an adult no one can stop me.) Ren and Luther are my sons. Felix Darcey is my son. Lemuel Love is my son. Joy is my daughter. Thank you I am taking no criticisms at this time.
ANYWAYS TLDR; excellently written, complex, deep, emotional characters that will stay in my heart forever, thrilling plotline, Nyla K plot twists (y'know, the best kind, because obviously), gooooooooooooooood filthy smut, HEA (well deserved). A DOG AT THE END.
Nyla K always has everything. I'd only read three of her books and honestly all of them are re-read worthy so now she's my new insta-buy author.
Also the warden can kiss my ass, but I'm excited to see how she might make me turn around and eat my damn words LMAO
When something goes into my ultimate faves it means it reached some of my strict-ass requirements, but the biggest one is: I want to re-read it. And shiiiittttt, I want to re-read this one again and again and again and again and again. SO BADLY. Sometimes I can't pinpoint why, but I'll still try to.
Dash is such a wonderfully complex character and Nyla is SO, SO GOOD at immersing me into a story to the point where the character is relatable and I FEEL IT. Dash felt like me, I felt like Dash. His confusion steered the plot so well I genuinely started to believe that he was completely innocent and that his arrival in Alabaster Pen was some sort of mistake or someone just straight up had it out for him.
Kemper is DELICIOUS, both the real Kemper and Dash's Kemper. I love the switch and the mirroring and the blurring of both Kempers being gentle, but also possessive, but also loving, but also slightly aggressive (whether with Dash or him holding back his sexuality) I just love him ok. Dash deserves him, someone ready to take care of him and love him despite everything.
I think Nyla handles mental issues reaaallllyyyyy really well. Dash didn't feel corny or fixed at the end or 'this author read a single webpage and based everything off of that.' He read like a real person, he FELT like a real person with a real illness. The amount of tears I cried over him and his trauma oh my goddddd. If you didn't relate that's fine, ofc, but I certainly did and this is why I will always keep Dash close to my heart.
I see a lot of people say they wish it had ended a different way and I get it-- I was so convinced that it would end with Dash in ANOTHER hallucination where Tulum didn't happen and he woke up in the East Wing with Kemper somehow trying to get him out, possibly drugged up and shit. But honestly... I like Nyla's ending better? It feels more precious, like we get to see two love stories meshed together instead of the ENTIRE BOOK being unreal or at least unreliable because of Dash's POV. Also I'm a fucking SUCKER for the serendipity. What are the chances of Kemper BEING IN TULUM, WHERE DASH HAS HAD A BROCHURE FOR FOR YEARS??? I'm gone. I love their ending. They deserve a big fancy house where they can fit a jet ski in the garage and lil Sobaka can trot around and Dash can sneak away to call his buddies. Immaculate
The side characters? Chefs kiss. They were so well fleshed out and dynamic even though this wasn't their book. It made me move onto the others immediately (as I will again for my re-read, I'm an adult no one can stop me.) Ren and Luther are my sons. Felix Darcey is my son. Lemuel Love is my son. Joy is my daughter. Thank you I am taking no criticisms at this time.
ANYWAYS TLDR; excellently written, complex, deep, emotional characters that will stay in my heart forever, thrilling plotline, Nyla K plot twists (y'know, the best kind, because obviously), gooooooooooooooood filthy smut, HEA (well deserved). A DOG AT THE END.
Nyla K always has everything. I'd only read three of her books and honestly all of them are re-read worthy so now she's my new insta-buy author.
Also the warden can kiss my ass, but I'm excited to see how she might make me turn around and eat my damn words LMAO
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced