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shes_just_lucky_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Abandonment, and Rape
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual assault
Minor: Physical abuse and Alcoholism
hmmreads's review against another edition
3.0
2.75 - 3 stars
This book is like a giant underwhelming disappointment that made too many promises that it couldn't fulfill lmao.
It started with 16 YO Connor (the other names in this series were also questionable) and Jake. They were going to finally have sex with each other for the first time. Jarrett, Jake's twin, and Lorne, Connor's older brother, were covering for them both nearby. Jake was into bondage and kinky stuff so he had tied up Connor's wrist when two men came up with Jarrett and Lorne bound too. The men had guns and the kids were no match. Jake tried to untie Connor's wrists but couldn't do it fast enough before he got knocked out. When regained consciousness, Connor was being raped and sodomized.
Lorned used a pocket knife he kept in his boots and finally managed to be free of his restraints. He went after one of the men but accidentally killed the son of a stablehand. Jake went after the other and captured him. Lorne went to prison for second-degree murder even though it was an accident while the other bad guy was locked up too. The kids made a pact that they were going to kill the bad guy once he was released from prison.
Not long after that, Connor's dad had them move to Chicago and sold his share of the ranch to Jake's dad. Connor tried reaching out to the other kids but they all gave her the cold shoulder. All the while Connor's dad turned abusive toward her. Once she was 18, she ran away back to the ranch. But she was greeted with the sight of Jake with another girl (not having sex, but naked-ish). Jake was cold toward her and she left too. Lorne had also asked her to stay away when she visited him.
Fast forward, Connor stayed in Oklahoma and went to the university there. She was at this party looking to fuck someone when she spotted someone that looked like Jake. She didn't think it was him (but it was) and they had sex. It was Jake's first time but she didn't know that. Connor got a boyfriend soon after that was always cheating on her but she turned a blind eye.
The rapist's time in prison was almost up and Connor returned to the ranch. Jake told her that they kept her away because people were trying to kill her and Lorne, but now the coast was clear and she could come back. He dragged out the explanation because he wanted to use it against her, so he'd get her compliance to do what he wanted, which was to use his budget internet therapist knowledge on her to overcome her PTSD lmao. He got her to break up with her boyfriend and used mostly unorthodox exposure therapy on her, e.g. tying up her wrists again and fucking her.
He was revealing bits and pieces of what he found out while all of this was happening. And when the whole truth was finally revealed, it was underwhelming as hell. Jake and Connor's dad were spending too extravagantly and were borrowing money. The debtors were after them and they decided to dig the land because there was oil down there. The land was actually left for Connor and Lorne by their dead mom but the power of attorney was given to the dads before the kids could claim it. Connor's dad wanted to tell the kids about the oil but Jake's dad knew the kids were against it. Since Lorne was just recently 18, Jake's dad hired people to kill the kids. But the hired people ended up raping Connor too.
Anyways, Jake and Jarrett learned all of this and started killing off all the debtors. They spared their dad and told him to fuck off. Jake told Connor that the dad wasn't a threat because the debtors were gone, thus, no need for the oil. But since at the end of the day, money was money, the dad might come after them. I was waiting for the dad to show up and stir shit up but that didn't happen. Nothing happened. The "climax" of the story was Jake revealing this (which we could already imply from his cryptic hints). There was no danger at all. They just did their budget therapy while waiting around for the rapist to be released. Once he was released, they killed him. That's it. (but props to them for actually killing him instead of the "eh, let's be better people and not kill the guy" cop out)
Not sure if the dad coming after them will be the plot of the second book. But my point stands, the conflict was resolved behind the scenes without Connor's involvement. We didn't even get to see Jake investigating. All we know was that it was done. That was so stupid. I just felt like the book has zero point. Or that it felt like half a book. The book wasn't bad, the characters were okay--they weren't annoying. But nothing happened.
This book is like a giant underwhelming disappointment that made too many promises that it couldn't fulfill lmao.
It started with 16 YO Connor (the other names in this series were also questionable) and Jake. They were going to finally have sex with each other for the first time. Jarrett, Jake's twin, and Lorne, Connor's older brother, were covering for them both nearby. Jake was into bondage and kinky stuff so he had tied up Connor's wrist when two men came up with Jarrett and Lorne bound too. The men had guns and the kids were no match. Jake tried to untie Connor's wrists but couldn't do it fast enough before he got knocked out. When regained consciousness, Connor was being raped and sodomized.
Lorned used a pocket knife he kept in his boots and finally managed to be free of his restraints. He went after one of the men but accidentally killed the son of a stablehand. Jake went after the other and captured him. Lorne went to prison for second-degree murder even though it was an accident while the other bad guy was locked up too. The kids made a pact that they were going to kill the bad guy once he was released from prison.
Not long after that, Connor's dad had them move to Chicago and sold his share of the ranch to Jake's dad. Connor tried reaching out to the other kids but they all gave her the cold shoulder. All the while Connor's dad turned abusive toward her. Once she was 18, she ran away back to the ranch. But she was greeted with the sight of Jake with another girl (not having sex, but naked-ish). Jake was cold toward her and she left too. Lorne had also asked her to stay away when she visited him.
Fast forward, Connor stayed in Oklahoma and went to the university there. She was at this party looking to fuck someone when she spotted someone that looked like Jake. She didn't think it was him (but it was) and they had sex. It was Jake's first time but she didn't know that. Connor got a boyfriend soon after that was always cheating on her but she turned a blind eye.
The rapist's time in prison was almost up and Connor returned to the ranch. Jake told her that they kept her away because people were trying to kill her and Lorne, but now the coast was clear and she could come back. He dragged out the explanation because he wanted to use it against her, so he'd get her compliance to do what he wanted, which was to use his budget internet therapist knowledge on her to overcome her PTSD lmao. He got her to break up with her boyfriend and used mostly unorthodox exposure therapy on her, e.g. tying up her wrists again and fucking her.
He was revealing bits and pieces of what he found out while all of this was happening. And when the whole truth was finally revealed, it was underwhelming as hell. Jake and Connor's dad were spending too extravagantly and were borrowing money. The debtors were after them and they decided to dig the land because there was oil down there. The land was actually left for Connor and Lorne by their dead mom but the power of attorney was given to the dads before the kids could claim it. Connor's dad wanted to tell the kids about the oil but Jake's dad knew the kids were against it. Since Lorne was just recently 18, Jake's dad hired people to kill the kids. But the hired people ended up raping Connor too.
Anyways, Jake and Jarrett learned all of this and started killing off all the debtors. They spared their dad and told him to fuck off. Jake told Connor that the dad wasn't a threat because the debtors were gone, thus, no need for the oil. But since at the end of the day, money was money, the dad might come after them. I was waiting for the dad to show up and stir shit up but that didn't happen. Nothing happened. The "climax" of the story was Jake revealing this (which we could already imply from his cryptic hints). There was no danger at all. They just did their budget therapy while waiting around for the rapist to be released. Once he was released, they killed him. That's it. (but props to them for actually killing him instead of the "eh, let's be better people and not kill the guy" cop out)
Not sure if the dad coming after them will be the plot of the second book. But my point stands, the conflict was resolved behind the scenes without Connor's involvement. We didn't even get to see Jake investigating. All we know was that it was done. That was so stupid. I just felt like the book has zero point. Or that it felt like half a book. The book wasn't bad, the characters were okay--they weren't annoying. But nothing happened.
amberreadsromance28's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Knotted is a dark, cowboy romance with a second chance between childhood sweethearts. The beginning of this book is extremely dark and traumatic. It was so horrible and heartbreaking to read, but I always trust Pam Godin and the journey she takes us on. She is THE BEST dark romance author and I have loved every book I have read of hers.
Jake and Conor are teens who have grown up on the same farm and have been in love since they were kids. They are finally going to lose their virginity together, but Jake wants to tie her up to a tree for one of his darker fantasies. Unfortunately, some dangerous men interrupt them, and they brutally assault Conor in front of Jake, his brother, and Conor’s brother. This night breaks this family apart, and Conor is forced to move away to the city with her dad. When she finally is able to return a couple years later Jake is not the same person and she goes through even more heartbreak.
This book was so angsty and put me through all of the feels. I was rooting for these soul mates to be together. Conor had so much to overcome with all her PTSD triggers and I loved the way Jake helps her heal. I also enjoyed the brothers, and I can’t wait to read their books next.
Pam Godwin is one of my all-time favorite authors and she can literally do no wrong. I loved this book and would highly recommend it, just check your triggers.
TW: SA (on page), murder, abuse by a parent
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Knotted is a dark, cowboy romance with a second chance between childhood sweethearts. The beginning of this book is extremely dark and traumatic. It was so horrible and heartbreaking to read, but I always trust Pam Godin and the journey she takes us on. She is THE BEST dark romance author and I have loved every book I have read of hers.
Jake and Conor are teens who have grown up on the same farm and have been in love since they were kids. They are finally going to lose their virginity together, but Jake wants to tie her up to a tree for one of his darker fantasies. Unfortunately, some dangerous men interrupt them, and they brutally assault Conor in front of Jake, his brother, and Conor’s brother. This night breaks this family apart, and Conor is forced to move away to the city with her dad. When she finally is able to return a couple years later Jake is not the same person and she goes through even more heartbreak.
This book was so angsty and put me through all of the feels. I was rooting for these soul mates to be together. Conor had so much to overcome with all her PTSD triggers and I loved the way Jake helps her heal. I also enjoyed the brothers, and I can’t wait to read their books next.
Pam Godwin is one of my all-time favorite authors and she can literally do no wrong. I loved this book and would highly recommend it, just check your triggers.
TW: SA (on page), murder, abuse by a parent
c_marie_writes's review against another edition
4.0
Pam Godwin knows how to do dark, angsty romance for sure!
This one is no different. We meet our cowboys, Jake, and his twin. Also Conor's brother. Jake and Conor have a pretty much forbidden romance, and the book starts when they are 16. That birthday night turns out to be the worst night of their lives, and it's dark.
The angst of the MCs and the romance was there. I love her writing, and her story telling, 4.5 stars for me.
This one is no different. We meet our cowboys, Jake, and his twin. Also Conor's brother. Jake and Conor have a pretty much forbidden romance, and the book starts when they are 16. That birthday night turns out to be the worst night of their lives, and it's dark.
The angst of the MCs and the romance was there. I love her writing, and her story telling, 4.5 stars for me.
the_escape_artist_'s review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars - this is a tough review. The book is well written. the story is compelling and the characters are interesting. And the spice is very spicy. I Will definitely read more by this author.
Now for the bad - obsession with virginity. There is actually a point where after an SA the FMC is apologetic/sad that the attackers « stole » her virginity from her childhood sweetheart, that’s not great.
The handling of PTSD. I hated that the MMC called what he was doing « therapy » which was just a 24 yr old with a high school diploma pushing her triggers until she has a panic attack and then her writing some stuff in a journal. I was okay with it, but for him to call it therapy and her to just recover from her ptsd effectively in 3 weeks was hard to wrap my head around. PTSD takes decades to recover from and takes delicate expert care.
Now the petty - stop referencing songs in your books writers. If I don’t know the song I am missing something, and it is distracting and takes me out of the story,
Now for the bad - obsession with virginity. There is actually a point where after an SA the FMC is apologetic/sad that the attackers « stole » her virginity from her childhood sweetheart, that’s not great.
The handling of PTSD. I hated that the MMC called what he was doing « therapy » which was just a 24 yr old with a high school diploma pushing her triggers until she has a panic attack and then her writing some stuff in a journal. I was okay with it, but for him to call it therapy and her to just recover from her ptsd effectively in 3 weeks was hard to wrap my head around. PTSD takes decades to recover from and takes delicate expert care.
Now the petty - stop referencing songs in your books writers. If I don’t know the song I am missing something, and it is distracting and takes me out of the story,
ellensbookishcollection's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bookishlychar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
4.5
I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. There was so much story and depth here that is absolutely heartbreaking. This book has a lot of horrible things happening in it, and I recommend checking trigger warnings before you go in.
Jake and Conor were first loves, but they are torn apart due to tragedy. This follows their relationship and whether they can find their way back to each other. I went into this blind, and this book shocked me. Some of the things in this book were shocking, and so heartbreaking.
Conor was so strong for everything she had been through. There has been so much pain and heartbreak in her life. I was so frustrated with Jake sometimes, but as the story unfolds you start to understand more of why he was doing what he did. The connection between Conor and Jake was obvious, and even when they were hating each other you can see the love that exists.
Pam Godwin writes an emotional story that you can feel come through the pages. Through the darkness, she is able to write a heartbreakingly beautiful story full of love.
Jake and Conor were first loves, but they are torn apart due to tragedy. This follows their relationship and whether they can find their way back to each other. I went into this blind, and this book shocked me. Some of the things in this book were shocking, and so heartbreaking.
Conor was so strong for everything she had been through. There has been so much pain and heartbreak in her life. I was so frustrated with Jake sometimes, but as the story unfolds you start to understand more of why he was doing what he did. The connection between Conor and Jake was obvious, and even when they were hating each other you can see the love that exists.
Pam Godwin writes an emotional story that you can feel come through the pages. Through the darkness, she is able to write a heartbreakingly beautiful story full of love.
steph_p_571's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0