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witchy_book_babe's review
5.0
In a true Janice tone “oh my god!”, this book was unbelievably good! I was hooked from the Prologue. I knew right away that this was my vibe. And every page I turned I was not disappointed! This book is absolutely unlike anything I have ever read before and it was everything I have been searching for. I am Latina and for once, FOR ONCE there is a Latina Female Lead that was so authentic and such a tough you-know-what, but also she was dark and deranged…the perfect package! If you don’t like dark books, this book will not be for you. As for me, it was a freaking thrill ride that I would ride over and over again.
Also, I must say the shower scene in this book took me by surprise. Because I read it and my jaw literally dropped…I was like no I’m not into this right? Well spoiler alert I learned that I was into it and it worked for me! The spice is very dirty and top tier in my opinion. You have these two dark unhinged tainted souls and after digesting the scene (and later scenes) it absolutely made sense that Ryan and Gunner would be this way. Which also just solidifies how fantastic a writer Marie Maravilla is. She wrote these characters with precision! Everything about them made sense and they stayed on course.
The plot was very dark themed and the twists! I love being caught off guard in the best way which this book achieved. I feel like I could dive into explaining this book and not know when to stop. After finishing it, there are so many aspects that were just done so well I find so much appreciation for this original, brutal, adrenaline pumping, jaw dropping, sweat worthy, kickass book. I cannot wait for book 2. This series has started off with a bang and I am here for this world Toxic Paradise!
Also, I must say the shower scene in this book took me by surprise. Because I read it and my jaw literally dropped…I was like no I’m not into this right? Well spoiler alert I learned that I was into it and it worked for me! The spice is very dirty and top tier in my opinion. You have these two dark unhinged tainted souls and after digesting the scene (and later scenes) it absolutely made sense that Ryan and Gunner would be this way. Which also just solidifies how fantastic a writer Marie Maravilla is. She wrote these characters with precision! Everything about them made sense and they stayed on course.
The plot was very dark themed and the twists! I love being caught off guard in the best way which this book achieved. I feel like I could dive into explaining this book and not know when to stop. After finishing it, there are so many aspects that were just done so well I find so much appreciation for this original, brutal, adrenaline pumping, jaw dropping, sweat worthy, kickass book. I cannot wait for book 2. This series has started off with a bang and I am here for this world Toxic Paradise!
528's review
2.5
Didnt Feel their Connection.
Didnt Like the writing Style.
I don't like insta Love/Lust.
Couldnt keep my interest.
Didnt Like the writing Style.
I don't like insta Love/Lust.
Couldnt keep my interest.
kendalliskiwii's review
4.0
4.5 stars - I love reading about violent, angry women <33
Ryan is the pseudo-daughter of the leader of the Los Muertos Cartel. She's angry, she's tired of being underestimated, and she's ready to prove herself. She was bloodthirsty and a killer but still feminine. I liked the way she dealt with the misogyny that she faced day to day, taking it in stride until they turned their backs, waiting until they least expected her.
I saw some reviews complain that she was a "not like other girls character" and while I guess I see where you could get that from, I don't agree. There were a lot of different types of female characters in this book, like her best friend, and they were never made to seem less than because she was "better." She also faced a wide range of emotions and allowed herself to feel and take her guard down around Gunner.
She's the arms dealer for the cartel, and she's now in charge of a deal between the cartel and an up-and-coming motorcycle club, the skeletons of society.
Gunner is in charge of dealing with the cartel, and going into the meeting he fully expects this "Ryan" to be a man, and when he meets her, he think shes there to take his drink order. The way that Ryan cut him down was BRUTAL and amazing to watch. I loved watching them all eat their words after she consistently proved them wrong for thinking she was weak.
It had a bit of an enemies-to-lovers vibe, but around 30-40% it did get a little insta-lovey.
I honestly didn't mind that thought because this was the first book I have read in forever that made me literally giggle and kick my feet as I was reading it.
I swear this author had to have had a history of writing fanfiction because she KNOWS what the people want. It was so funny. At the beginning of each chapter, there was a little note from her about that chapter and it was so fun. It felt like she was reading the book right along with me. There were lots of "touch her and die," AND "touch him and die."
MORE TOUCH HIM AND DIE IN BOOKS PLEASE!! Just soo many good tropes and I could not stop giggling.
Some of the plot twists had me literally gasping!! I didn't see them coming but when they did it was like everything clicked and they made sense.
This was a great no brain cells just vibes book. I had so much fun reading this and I can't wait to finish this series!! Would recommend :))
Quotes:
"I realized that darkness didn't equal evil. Good intentions often needed to be accomplished with what someone had determined were sins."
"I wanted to bear witness to her brutality while letting her know she didn't have to do it alone."
"Seemed she liked me violent. Noted. Bring her the heads of men who offend her."
"She was so beautiful with her scarred, caring heart and attitude as sharp as the blade she wielded. We were one and the same, she and I."
"She reminded me of a lioness stalking down her prey. There was no question Ryan was an apex predator, and this man was about to be eaten alive.
"Gunner showed me a man shouldn't demand you chain yourself to their feet. I didn't know what Gunner felt for me, but I knew he didn't keep me caged."
"Being in love with Gunner made me deadlier, not weak."
"I was a chained man living for nothing, and you came and changed that. Your soul isn't damaged, Ryan. You're strong enough to face what others won't, to do things others aren't willing to do to save the lost. I see your soul, Ryan. I love you, all of you. Every part."
Ryan is the pseudo-daughter of the leader of the Los Muertos Cartel. She's angry, she's tired of being underestimated, and she's ready to prove herself. She was bloodthirsty and a killer but still feminine. I liked the way she dealt with the misogyny that she faced day to day, taking it in stride until they turned their backs, waiting until they least expected her.
I saw some reviews complain that she was a "not like other girls character" and while I guess I see where you could get that from, I don't agree. There were a lot of different types of female characters in this book, like her best friend, and they were never made to seem less than because she was "better." She also faced a wide range of emotions and allowed herself to feel and take her guard down around Gunner.
She's the arms dealer for the cartel, and she's now in charge of a deal between the cartel and an up-and-coming motorcycle club, the skeletons of society.
Gunner is in charge of dealing with the cartel, and going into the meeting he fully expects this "Ryan" to be a man, and when he meets her, he think shes there to take his drink order. The way that Ryan cut him down was BRUTAL and amazing to watch. I loved watching them all eat their words after she consistently proved them wrong for thinking she was weak.
It had a bit of an enemies-to-lovers vibe, but around 30-40% it did get a little insta-lovey.
I honestly didn't mind that thought because this was the first book I have read in forever that made me literally giggle and kick my feet as I was reading it.
I swear this author had to have had a history of writing fanfiction because she KNOWS what the people want. It was so funny. At the beginning of each chapter, there was a little note from her about that chapter and it was so fun. It felt like she was reading the book right along with me. There were lots of "touch her and die," AND "touch him and die."
MORE TOUCH HIM AND DIE IN BOOKS PLEASE!! Just soo many good tropes and I could not stop giggling.
Some of the plot twists had me literally gasping!! I didn't see them coming but when they did it was like everything clicked and they made sense.
This was a great no brain cells just vibes book. I had so much fun reading this and I can't wait to finish this series!! Would recommend :))
Quotes:
"I realized that darkness didn't equal evil. Good intentions often needed to be accomplished with what someone had determined were sins."
"I wanted to bear witness to her brutality while letting her know she didn't have to do it alone."
"Seemed she liked me violent. Noted. Bring her the heads of men who offend her."
"She was so beautiful with her scarred, caring heart and attitude as sharp as the blade she wielded. We were one and the same, she and I."
"She reminded me of a lioness stalking down her prey. There was no question Ryan was an apex predator, and this man was about to be eaten alive.
"Gunner showed me a man shouldn't demand you chain yourself to their feet. I didn't know what Gunner felt for me, but I knew he didn't keep me caged."
"Being in love with Gunner made me deadlier, not weak."
"I was a chained man living for nothing, and you came and changed that. Your soul isn't damaged, Ryan. You're strong enough to face what others won't, to do things others aren't willing to do to save the lost. I see your soul, Ryan. I love you, all of you. Every part."
sabrina7's review
0.25
i nearly didn’t finish this because it was so dumb. i was pretty frustrated by how sexist gunner was in the beginning and it felt like that was never addressed and all the sudden he was just “slay queen.” also i get that lolli was supposed to be a villain but before ryan even knew her, in fact just at a single glimps of lolli’s hand on gunner’s shoulder, was enough for ryan to think of her with derogatory names for sex-workers. and then she had the gall to say she was very pro-sex-worker. like maybe u are with ur girls but theres some deeper unpacking to do if u then proceed to go and throw the word “whore” around as an insult. overall, very poor writing and the sex scenes were so cringe i had to straight up skip them, couldn’t even skim. this author has made it on my never-again list.
zabeishumanish's review
I so very much want to be a dark romance girly, and I’m just not. Not the right read for me.
yeriwithaj_'s review
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
Interesting series, definitely promising.
This one is another book I read and forgot to review. I remember enjoying it but not being wowed.
This one is another book I read and forgot to review. I remember enjoying it but not being wowed.
kendalliskiwi's review
4.0
4.5 stars - I love reading about violent, angry women <33
Ryan is the pseudo-daughter of the leader of the Los Muertos Cartel. She's angry, she's tired of being underestimated, and she's ready to prove herself. She was bloodthirsty and a killer but still feminine. I liked the way she dealt with the misogyny that she faced day to day, taking it in stride until they turned their backs, waiting until they least expected her.
I saw some reviews complain that she was a "not like other girls character" and while I guess I see where you could get that from, I don't agree. There were a lot of different types of female characters in this book, like her best friend, and they were never made to seem less than because she was "better." She also faced a wide range of emotions and allowed herself to feel and take her guard down around Gunner.
She's the arms dealer for the cartel, and she's now in charge of a deal between the cartel and an up-and-coming motorcycle club, the skeletons of society.
Gunner is in charge of dealing with the cartel, and going into the meeting he fully expects this "Ryan" to be a man, and when he meets her, he think shes there to take his drink order. The way that Ryan cut him down was BRUTAL and amazing to watch. I loved watching them all eat their words after she consistently proved them wrong for thinking she was weak.
It had a bit of an enemies-to-lovers vibe, but around 30-40% it did get a little insta-lovey.
I honestly didn't mind that thought because this was the first book I have read in forever that made me literally giggle and kick my feet as I was reading it.
I swear this author had to have had a history of writing fanfiction because she KNOWS what the people want. It was so funny. At the beginning of each chapter, there was a little note from her about that chapter and it was so fun. It felt like she was reading the book right along with me. There were lots of "touch her and die," AND "touch him and die."
MORE TOUCH HIM AND DIE IN BOOKS PLEASE!! Just soo many good tropes and I could not stop giggling.
Some of the plot twists had me literally gasping!! I didn't see them coming but when they did it was like everything clicked and they made sense.
This was a great no brain cells just vibes book. I had so much fun reading this and I can't wait to finish this series!! Would recommend :))
Quotes:
"I realized that darkness didn't equal evil. Good intentions often needed to be accomplished with what someone had determined were sins."
"I wanted to bear witness to her brutality while letting her know she didn't have to do it alone."
"Seemed she liked me violent. Noted. Bring her the heads of men who offend her."
"She was so beautiful with her scarred, caring heart and attitude as sharp as the blade she wielded. We were one and the same, she and I."
"She reminded me of a lioness stalking down her prey. There was no question Ryan was an apex predator, and this man was about to be eaten alive.
"Gunner showed me a man shouldn't demand you chain yourself to their feet. I didn't know what Gunner felt for me, but I knew he didn't keep me caged."
"Being in love with Gunner made me deadlier, not weak."
"I was a chained man living for nothing, and you came and changed that. Your soul isn't damaged, Ryan. You're strong enough to face what others won't, to do things others aren't willing to do to save the lost. I see your soul, Ryan. I love you, all of you. Every part."
Ryan is the pseudo-daughter of the leader of the Los Muertos Cartel. She's angry, she's tired of being underestimated, and she's ready to prove herself. She was bloodthirsty and a killer but still feminine. I liked the way she dealt with the misogyny that she faced day to day, taking it in stride until they turned their backs, waiting until they least expected her.
I saw some reviews complain that she was a "not like other girls character" and while I guess I see where you could get that from, I don't agree. There were a lot of different types of female characters in this book, like her best friend, and they were never made to seem less than because she was "better." She also faced a wide range of emotions and allowed herself to feel and take her guard down around Gunner.
She's the arms dealer for the cartel, and she's now in charge of a deal between the cartel and an up-and-coming motorcycle club, the skeletons of society.
Gunner is in charge of dealing with the cartel, and going into the meeting he fully expects this "Ryan" to be a man, and when he meets her, he think shes there to take his drink order. The way that Ryan cut him down was BRUTAL and amazing to watch. I loved watching them all eat their words after she consistently proved them wrong for thinking she was weak.
It had a bit of an enemies-to-lovers vibe, but around 30-40% it did get a little insta-lovey.
I honestly didn't mind that thought because this was the first book I have read in forever that made me literally giggle and kick my feet as I was reading it.
I swear this author had to have had a history of writing fanfiction because she KNOWS what the people want. It was so funny. At the beginning of each chapter, there was a little note from her about that chapter and it was so fun. It felt like she was reading the book right along with me. There were lots of "touch her and die," AND "touch him and die."
MORE TOUCH HIM AND DIE IN BOOKS PLEASE!! Just soo many good tropes and I could not stop giggling.
Some of the plot twists had me literally gasping!! I didn't see them coming but when they did it was like everything clicked and they made sense.
This was a great no brain cells just vibes book. I had so much fun reading this and I can't wait to finish this series!! Would recommend :))
Quotes:
"I realized that darkness didn't equal evil. Good intentions often needed to be accomplished with what someone had determined were sins."
"I wanted to bear witness to her brutality while letting her know she didn't have to do it alone."
"Seemed she liked me violent. Noted. Bring her the heads of men who offend her."
"She was so beautiful with her scarred, caring heart and attitude as sharp as the blade she wielded. We were one and the same, she and I."
"She reminded me of a lioness stalking down her prey. There was no question Ryan was an apex predator, and this man was about to be eaten alive.
"Gunner showed me a man shouldn't demand you chain yourself to their feet. I didn't know what Gunner felt for me, but I knew he didn't keep me caged."
"Being in love with Gunner made me deadlier, not weak."
"I was a chained man living for nothing, and you came and changed that. Your soul isn't damaged, Ryan. You're strong enough to face what others won't, to do things others aren't willing to do to save the lost. I see your soul, Ryan. I love you, all of you. Every part."
lets9255's review
3.0
for me
This book could have gotten a 4 from me but the plot twist of spoiler alert!!: having gunner actually be a special agent going undercover this book would have been wayyyy better. I’m so but I don’t see him and Ryan together when he is an agent. It doesn’t make sense I don’t like it. The ending was a little lackluster and needed more. I loved the story and how badass Ryan was. Her and gunner were cute until the special agent thing. Overall this book was good and kept my attention. 3/5
This book could have gotten a 4 from me but the plot twist of spoiler alert!!: having gunner actually be a special agent going undercover this book would have been wayyyy better. I’m so but I don’t see him and Ryan together when he is an agent. It doesn’t make sense I don’t like it. The ending was a little lackluster and needed more. I loved the story and how badass Ryan was. Her and gunner were cute until the special agent thing. Overall this book was good and kept my attention. 3/5