Reviews with content warning for Drug use - Once You're Mine

I am dead. Deceased. Was not expecting to learn about myself today. ~~That chase scene though.~~ ~~Y'all~~.

As far as the writing style goes, there were a few awkward phrasings, but overall, it is very well written. Hayden is the stuff of fantasy. Calista is a bit of a Mary Sue with honestly some very understandable trust issues and a tragic backstory. And the ending is a cliffhanger worthy of the season finale of a TV Show.

As far as the romance dynamics go, you've got some nonconsensual stalking and voyeurism. You have themes of obsession and "protection" via control and manipulation. Lots of tension. Hayden throws a lot of primal lines out there, and is extremely possessive. Calista, rightfully, challenges his desire to lock her in a cage throughout the entire story and I love her for it.

Obviously thier relationship isn't healthy. Obviously it's problematic. But dark romance doesn't exist as a genre because of the wholesome vibes. I will be reading the sequel to this one, and I'm really interested to see how the issues presented in this book get resolved.

Content Warnings

kimberrleigh's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

kotashomelibrary's review

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

noellelovesbooks's review

Go to review page

3.75

Content Warnings: sexual content, stalking, murder, torture, violence, blood, grief, loss of body autonomy, and gore.
Mention of: being roofied, drug addiction, loss of a parent, and rape.

I saw some snippets of this book on Booktok and was intrigued.

There are definitely elements that you need to not look to closely at or you'll be rolling your eyes. Like how she never once suspects he's her stalker...even though he always knows where she is...like really? When you met him you didn't have a cell phone or social media...so how does he know exactly where you are? And really you aren't extremely concerned about the level of public violence he commits in your name?

Now if you don't look too closely at those aspects you'll be just fine 😅

This man is a walking red flag with neon flashing lights...and yet...I still swooned at the way he talks about her...

Example 1:
"She’s not only gotten under my skin but inside my blood. A person can’t survive without it, without that life force. She is mine. My reason for feeling alive. My reason for feeling enraged. My reason for feeling anything at all."

Example 2:
"you're in my blood, Callie. Underneath my skin. No matter how hard I try, I can't cut you out without killing myself in the process.”

Example 3:
"I’ll never leave you. Not in this life or whatever comes after. You are mine. And I will burn this world to fucking ashes before I let anything take you from me. Or me from you.”

Look is he a killer? Yes. Has he stalked her? Yes. Is he hiding secrets that can/will tear them apart? Also, yes. And yet...this book still had me swooning over his feelings for her 🤭

This book does end on a cliffhanger that requires you to immediately pick up book two. I can't wait to dive in and see what happens next and just how their relationship can become an HEA.

Content Warnings

More...