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pattyp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Death
ecravens's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Addiction, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gore, Murder, Sexual harassment, Cursing, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
freirawr's review against another edition
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Mental illness, Blood, Cursing, Gore, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Sexual violence, Addiction, Gun violence, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Alcohol, Violence, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Rape, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
admunro20's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Murder, Sexual content, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cursing, and Death
Moderate: Stalking, Sexual assault, Body shaming, Rape, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Pregnancy
imogen_reads_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Violence, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia
fr4n_m's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Alcohol, Infidelity, Grief, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Gun violence, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
brookey8888's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, Stalking, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
maruu_t's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
michellemaas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Second read: 4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*First Read*
I want to premise this review by saying that I really did like this book but there were quite a few things I didn't like so just because I highlight those doesn't mean it's a bad book. In my opinion, you should definitely read the entire series since it is a top-tier mafia romance. Now that that's out of the way I'll jump right into things!
At times Nico and Elena were not good love interests. I get we're working with an edgy mafia romance with non-traditional main characters, but there was an instance where Nico described Elena as someone who "has the body of a porn star" and a scene where Elena she said she "didn't want men's respect (including Nico's)". Other than the fact that I'm pretty sure that scene set women empowerment movements back a couple of decades, both instances just rubbed me the wrong way and I couldn't get through this review without mentioning it.
Also, Elena was just a really annoying protagonist sometimes. I can't put into words why I felt that way but I did. Maybe it was the whole "pick-me" thing she had going on? Maybe it was the fact that she was attracted to and actively pursuing her sister's fiancee (even if it was an arranged marriage that's still not okay). You'll get what I'm saying once you read it.
Other than that, the sexual tension was A-plus (pool scene I'm talking about you). I liked the way the arranged marriage was resolved and the gas station scene was ICONIC (no other word for it). This book was mostly docked for missing some action. This is a mafia romance and neither of our main characters was seriously injured. I don't even think either of them got shot? I want at least one situation where I think one of my main characters is going to die (even if I know they won't).
I am going to end off by repeating that this is still a good book even if I had my gripes with it. Will definitely be rereading it soon!
*Second Read*
I had to bump up the rating after my reread because their sexual tension is EVERYTHING!! This series is by far the best mafia romances I've read (and since first reading it last year, I have read MANY others). I still agree with what I said in my original review, though I'm not nearly as bothered by those issues this time around as I was last. My biggest problem this time was the pacing. The first 60% went by in the blink of an eye, but as soon as Nico and Elena got together it lost a lot of its steam. Would still highly highly recommend if you're looking for a good Dark Romance though!
Graphic: Gaslighting, Gun violence, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Torture, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Violence, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Blood, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Infidelity
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Grief
nat_readsxo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, and Sexual content