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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
This book made the rare leap to my "Wow" shelf for the fantastically consistent voice and tight character arcs that showed the flaws of humans in general. I really liked how the people in this story were damaged and grew from that to a HEA. Also, wonderfully written intimate scenes. I'll be reading more from this author after this debut.
A slow and intense burn. It takes a bit to really get going and I didn't particularly like Uma's frightened rabbit bit at the beginning, but it all gets explained and she definitely has her reasons.
This book should come with some major trigger warnings about physical abuse because things get ugly, but it deals with it rather well and with sensitivity.
This book should come with some major trigger warnings about physical abuse because things get ugly, but it deals with it rather well and with sensitivity.
Went into this kinda blind and loved it a lot more than I expected. Uma runs away to a small town to escape her (extremely) abusive ex and, you guessed it, ends up meeting Ivan and finding more. Really charming characters, with exactly my kind of MMC (tall, outdoorsy, rough around the edges but would do absolutely anything for the FMC). Hot and *unique* smut, which is hard to find these days. As per usual, I wished that it could've had another 50 pages but the pacing was spot on.
CW: mentions/descriptions of domestic violence, sexual assault, disabilities/marks. Please check trigger warnings on a site like romance.io!
CW: mentions/descriptions of domestic violence, sexual assault, disabilities/marks. Please check trigger warnings on a site like romance.io!
4 Stars.
I won't give a recap—read the blurb to learn what the book is about. I will not hat I really liked this book. I liked the damaged characters, and that they didn't magically become healed. I enjoyed the fact that these were far from perfect people, which is nice when so many books anymore seem to have characters the author couldn't bring themselves to give flaws. And it took some "book time" to build some trust between the protagonists, which was nice. I wasn't such a fan of the fact that the book ends at 66% on my Kindle. If I hadn't bought it on sale for $1.99 or $0.99 I'd have been peeved by the fact that the book ends so soon compared to the amount of content. My Kindle says there is still 2 hours of reading to do, and the story is over? I'm really not a fan of this trend, book producers; please stop? And I'd have really enjoyed an epilogue on this book—something about it still feels unfinished.
I won't give a recap—read the blurb to learn what the book is about. I will not hat I really liked this book. I liked the damaged characters, and that they didn't magically become healed. I enjoyed the fact that these were far from perfect people, which is nice when so many books anymore seem to have characters the author couldn't bring themselves to give flaws. And it took some "book time" to build some trust between the protagonists, which was nice. I wasn't such a fan of the fact that the book ends at 66% on my Kindle. If I hadn't bought it on sale for $1.99 or $0.99 I'd have been peeved by the fact that the book ends so soon compared to the amount of content. My Kindle says there is still 2 hours of reading to do, and the story is over? I'm really not a fan of this trend, book producers; please stop? And I'd have really enjoyed an epilogue on this book—something about it still feels unfinished.
this book is super problematic for the fact that the heroine, after escaping an abusive relationship, hops into bed with the hero in less than 2 weeks! one minute she's too scared to have someone touch her during a self-defense class, the next moment she's telling the hero to take his underwear off. we're supposed to believe that Uma has experienced a huge trauma at the hands of her ex. she acts skittish for maybe 30% of the book but once the hero and his magic penis enters the picture, she's magically cured. also if Uma is in hiding, why is she in a new town telling everyone HER REAL NAME?!?!?!?!? it's not like she has a common name. if her ex is so powerful doesn't she think he would be able to find her especially since she didn't leave the state?
too many unanswered questions. why did uma's mom take the ex's side? why was the ex such an abusive asshole? absolutely no one in her past life wondered what happened to her?
insta-lust turned into insta-love. magic peen cures all. too many eyerolls to count.
also the book ends at 68%. i hate that. imagine my surprise when i realized that was the end. you get a sneak peek of book 2 which i won't be reading.
too many unanswered questions. why did uma's mom take the ex's side? why was the ex such an abusive asshole? absolutely no one in her past life wondered what happened to her?
insta-lust turned into insta-love. magic peen cures all. too many eyerolls to count.
also the book ends at 68%. i hate that. imagine my surprise when i realized that was the end. you get a sneak peek of book 2 which i won't be reading.
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
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
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-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
challenging
dark
Spoilers
Uma and Ivan.
She starts a job as a live in helper for a cranky old lady because she needs the money to pay for tattoo removal, to remove the scars inflicted by her ex Ivan lives next door, works as a blacksmith and helps the local self defence class.
This started off as a beautiful romance. The writing was good. Characters are memorable. I honestly was like “this is gonna be a five star read”. The tension and chemistry was chef’s kiss. It was very sweet how Ivan kept visiting her, forfeited his bed and slept in his car, or how he gave flowers to Mrs Cookie.
However, it fizzled a little after they got together. I think it could’ve been even more slow burn. I wanted that tension to be prolonged.
Then he eventually finds out about Uma’s past and tries to hunt J down, breaking his promise. The climax/resolution was over pretty fast and the drama could’ve been fleshed out more.
"We don't have to do anything that scares you. Don't have to do anything at all. Unless you want to, of course. I wouldn't say no, if you asked." He shot a shy smile in Uma's direction before continuing.
Uma and Ivan.
She starts a job as a live in helper for a cranky old lady because she needs the money to pay for tattoo removal, to remove the scars inflicted by her ex Ivan lives next door, works as a blacksmith and helps the local self defence class.
This started off as a beautiful romance. The writing was good. Characters are memorable. I honestly was like “this is gonna be a five star read”. The tension and chemistry was chef’s kiss. It was very sweet how Ivan kept visiting her, forfeited his bed and slept in his car, or how he gave flowers to Mrs Cookie.
However, it fizzled a little after they got together. I think it could’ve been even more slow burn. I wanted that tension to be prolonged.
Then he eventually finds out about Uma’s past and tries to hunt J down, breaking his promise. The climax/resolution was over pretty fast and the drama could’ve been fleshed out more.
"We don't have to do anything that scares you. Don't have to do anything at all. Unless you want to, of course. I wouldn't say no, if you asked." He shot a shy smile in Uma's direction before continuing.
"We can do whatever you want. Anything you want."
Dark, but compelling. It was difficult reading about Uma's abuse, but sometimes you need to read a story where an abused woman triumphs over her horrible past.
emotional
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