Reviews

The Heart of Smoke by K Webster

bellebookblog's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Jude Park is young when his house burns down, injuring himself and fatally killing his mother.  Jude’s injuries were severe that he resorts to wearing masks to cover his scars.

 Nathan, Jude’s father hires Tate, a therapist to help the whole family with their issues but especially Jude with the hope of getting him to leave his house & stop wearing masks.

 

 

The twists and turns of the dynamics of the Park family was absolutely fascinating.  I literally cried, laughed and even cried some more with everything that happened to Jude & Tate with Sean.

 

I’m beyond excited for Dempsey’s story.  

 

  

asaaana's review

Bland as fuck. Dude went from hatred to fascination and lovesickness in less than a second, to the point I thought I missed a chapter. 

daisybookattic's review

5.0

I finished this book and I'm still surprised how Beautiful Jude is .......

abeyerlein's review

4.25

I'm really enjoying this story - this dysfunctional family really needs a therapist, and Tate is the perfect choice! Jude is so damaged, but his heart is constantly peeking out from under his (literal) mask. (Why, yes, I do have Phantom of the Opera going through my head right now.) Perfect for all my dark romance girls!

adajean2023's review

emotional funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

last  year I read and loved He Made Me Stay by K. Webster and when I seen The Heart Of Smoke was also a MM romance I was hyped up big time for it. I was planning to read this in February and decided last night to just peek at the first two chapters. Well I peeked and then spent all night reading the rest of it! It really brings to light how the fears we have about ourselves when we are hurt, feel guilty or grieving over a loved one can make us hide ourselves from the world. We all have a mask to wear sometimes. often times what we see as ugly is actually beautiful. Also loved the message that Love is worth taking our masks off and facing the world when we need to protect it. Such a great read!!!

clarynathanwill's review

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Thank you to K. Webster and her team for the advance reader copy of The Heart of Smoke, the third Shameful Secret story.

I love a little hit of taboo from K. Webster and this series delivers both a steamy romance and a bit of a surreal emotional experience. The time the Park family is delivering an M/M romance with Jude falling for his therapist Tate.

I am a K. Webster review team member, but I remain honest and genuine in my reviews.

Check out my full review here.

lady_h_reads's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

I’m growing dizzy with the need to obliterate him with pleasure. I want so much more than I’ll ever deserve or receive.

 

The Park family is back in this third interconnected standalone in the Shameful Secrets series. It is now the emotionally withdrawn son’s turn for a HEA. While not a particularly dark romance, some darker themes are explored, so check TW if necessary.

 

This book has a slow start. The Park family is extensive with MANY issues (just read the first two books to get a taste), so there are a lot of initial name-droppings and character/plot recaps. Once we get established in the story, especially once the outsider Tate has been introduced to everyone, the plot progresses quickly. 

 

I love a tortured hero! Both MMCs are broken. Jude with the crippling self-hatred from his mother’s death in a fire. Tate, who is running from an abusive and controlling ex. While their relationship starts off in a bit of a captor/captive situation, they end on a sweet note. 

 

This is medium burn and moderately spicy. There are MM bi-awakening moments and a burgeoning dom/sub relationship between the MCs. 

 

It is not necessary to read the first two books in the series – I read this as a total standalone – I would recommend reading them in order. 

 

Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance

Tropes/Features: captor/captive, light enemies to lovers vibes, forbidden romance, forced proximity, therapist/patient, age gap, tortured hero, hurt/comfort, MM bi-awakening, size difference

Narrator: Dual 1st Person POV

Relationship Type: MM, medium burn, moderate spice

Book Type/Ending: Interconnected standalone with HEA

TW/CW: Available in book

thaliaohh's review

4.0

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Spice:

kodom251999's review

dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This book is filled with angst, darkness, mystery, and of course, romance. Jude is heartbreaking. His thoughts about himself and the tragedy of his mother dying had me in tears. When Tate arrives, Jude is determined to send him packing. 

Tate is naturally submissive, and Jude overwhelms him. I loved this book. Their first kiss was HOT! The twist shocked me. I did not see that coming. This family rallied around them, and yes we get to visit with the family of characters we already love! This book is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! 

judgingbooksandcovers's review

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0