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hapalyn's review
- 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? Yes
3.0
I adore Mariana Zapata, and I've read at least four of her other books (All Rhodes Lead Here, The Wall of Winnipeg, Kulti, From Lukov With Love), and I know this is one of her earliest releases if not her first. So, I recognize this isn't really her best.
All of that out of the way, this book is pretty rough. There's redeeming qualities; the characters have cute moments and the dynamics are generally sweet on the outside. I think certain scenes really just had me jaw-dropped with how they were even published. Spoilers ahead here that aren't super life-changing but here's a warning anyway ->
CHARACTERS: The mmc was kind of easily angered, I don't think he was an overall abusive character (by my standards, which I think are generally fair), but he had moments where his emotional outbursts would be considered abusive. The age gap really wasn't anything too insane (fmc - 24 ; mmc - 33?), but the fmc was treated like a rogue teenager by mmc and her brother (also 33). It felt juvenile. Like, the fmc is very infantilized (generally refuses to swear, calls 33 year olds "old" in a way that just seems ridiculous... most 24 y/os don't really notice or care about this type of gap, she's constantly lectured and chewed out in public scenarios in an embarrassing manner) whilst the other adults around her are relatively normal.
LANGUAGE/GRAMMAR: If you're a person easily pissed off by overuse of words in books (not catchphrases, just ... the same additives), you're going to be trekking through hell in this one. The use of "friggin'" instead of fuck or frick was like...... exhausting. The mmc uses babe/baby/honey a lot, which I figured was just an attempt at southern hospitality, but I noticed a lot of other people irritated with this. It was just exhausting.
FMC/MMC RELATIONSHIP: For a Mariana Zapata book, the character got together pretty quickly, which had me thinking "Oh, great.. the third act breakup is going to be so irritating and long and drawn out". Which, fortunately or unfortunately it wasn't. Spoilers again ->
SPICE & MISC SEX STUFF: Compared to her newer books, this book had several detailed and graphic sex scenes. It wasn't really for me, but if that is what interests you the most, then there's enough to be somewhat satisfying in my opinion. However, there is the virgin girl with guy who's been around trope. It was really just kind of grating. She would feel insecure about his past hookups (which, I'd say is valid? I really think it is a natural thing to come up in this scenario and valid "concern" for lack of a better word, but he'd kind of brush it off and she'd convince herself she was being "dramatic") and it was just an unnecessarily subplot. Not to mention the fact that, if you're a feminist, you'll for sure be bothered by the slut-shaming and use of bitch/whore/etc.
CLIMAX/PLOT/RESOLUTION?: The way this book ended felt rushed. Around page 300, I was like.. "Why is there another 100+ pages to go?". By then we'd already had an established relationship, but then we had family drama + and unnecessary (in my opinion) gang plotline. The resolution between fmc and her dad that happened like 10-20 pages before the end of the book was unsatisfying, rushed, and just not even needed. It was unsatisfying all around. I don't think the plot (aside from the romance) in general was anything to write home about. If you're going to read it, read it for the characters or romance - not the plotline.
And as long as this review is, I can say there was enough "cute" moments to push me through it (I almost DNFed around page 300). I probably wouldn't reread this book compared to some of her others, but if you do have an interest in tattoos, bikers, etc. then maybe it has some value to you. I would never recommend starting off your Zapata introduction with this book, read her newer stuff. Despite not being totally horrible, there was enough to irritate me into not wanting to read this again.
trigger warnings & tropes (i get detailed):
- cancer (main character & side character's child)
- death of a parent (cancer)
- alcohol, bars
- hookup culture, sex, graphic sex scenes
- swearing
- brother's... friend? not best friend
- biker gang
- age gap (24 fmc & 33 mmc)
- deadbeat dad
- alcoholic dad
- pregnancy in epilogue
- descriptions of vomit
- (for all of those who regularly read mariana zapata, you know) there's fart mentions, shit mentions, etc. the typical from her
that's all i can think of off the top of my head
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcohol, Cancer, and Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content and Vomit
Minor: Pregnancy
birbpal's review
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
This book was such a delight from Miss Mariana. Seriously, I was not expecting the spice level this book supplied! 😳 I was pleasantly surprised.
What I wasn't surprised about was the deliciousy grumpy MMC that is Dex Locke. He was low-key a jerk but swoon nonetheless. He was fiercely loyal, protective, and hot. Tattoos and piercings? Hell yes!🫠🙏
Now in typical Mariana fashion, this book was single-pov in the FMC's perspective. As the FMC, Iris was kind of hard to like sometimes. She made dumbass decisions, and she was a pushover. These were frustrating qualities, but the worst thing about her has to be her dry personality.
Iris really didn't do much. She liked to swim and read, but other than a few instances or mentions, those hobbies really didn't make her feel fleshed out to me. Iris let others dictate what she did, even in the end, when she decided to go back to school. I also hate that she apparently has a best friend named Lanie, who was mentioned a couple of times, and yet, we never got a single instance of her and Iris interacting with each other. Like, what's even the point?
Yes, I liked reading this book, but Iris as a character was hard to enjoy. Everything else about the book was really great. Sonny was an amazing older brother, Dex's employees were funny and sweet, even Luther the prez of the MC was an interesting character.
Overall, if you have a hefty amount of patience, I think you'll be able to read this book. All other aspects were enjoyable, especially if you are looking for something a bit spicier from Miss Mariana. Give it a go.🐥💕
Graphic: Cursing, Cancer, and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism
tsiuqtluh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Cursing, and Violence
ash's review against another edition
1.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Grief, Gun violence, Death of parent, Cancer, Cursing, Medical content, and Violence
signelinnea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Cursing, Sexual content, and Cancer
Moderate: Infidelity, Grief, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
quietmarki's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Cursing, Pregnancy, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Cancer, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Violence
angieondisability's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Cursing, Gun violence, Sexual content, Grief, and Cancer
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
100_pages_hr's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Abandonment, Blood, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Minor: Death, Confinement, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
sofiarmz13's review
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Alcohol, Abandonment, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Cancer, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Grief, and Medical trauma
Minor: Gun violence, Murder, Pregnancy, and Vomit
khloereads86's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Unfortunately didn’t get any of the stupid grins or giggly butterflies I have from some of her other books but there were some cute and funny parts.
Graphic: Cancer and Cursing
Moderate: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Sexual content, Violence, and Medical trauma
Minor: Pregnancy, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Grief, and Alcoholism