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geeky_anguissette's review
4.0
Mixed feelings
I have some very mixed feelings about this one. I am enthralled by the story. I couldn't stop reading even if I'd wanted to. I love the premise that it's a 16 year old girl who knows tha5 she's out of her depth. I simply adore the tension that builds between Dakota and each of her guys. I even found sympathy for Tess, and I can't say that I anticipated that so early.
But there's something about the verb tense that bothers me, and I'm a word/grammar aficionado. It's written in first person present tense, but then there are snippets that are also first person present but they appear to be from a future Dakota's perspective. It's almost like she's looking back and commenting on the action, in which case, I want everything written from that perspective, so first person past tense would feel better to me. I know it's a tiny detail in an otherwise fantastic book, but it pulled me out if the story every time.
I am eager for Endgame Romance's release next month. As bad as it is, watching Justin's manipulations is like seeing a train wreck and having a moral imperative to gawk. The challenge he presents does a great job of showcasing Dakota and her men.
I have some very mixed feelings about this one. I am enthralled by the story. I couldn't stop reading even if I'd wanted to. I love the premise that it's a 16 year old girl who knows tha5 she's out of her depth. I simply adore the tension that builds between Dakota and each of her guys. I even found sympathy for Tess, and I can't say that I anticipated that so early.
But there's something about the verb tense that bothers me, and I'm a word/grammar aficionado. It's written in first person present tense, but then there are snippets that are also first person present but they appear to be from a future Dakota's perspective. It's almost like she's looking back and commenting on the action, in which case, I want everything written from that perspective, so first person past tense would feel better to me. I know it's a tiny detail in an otherwise fantastic book, but it pulled me out if the story every time.
I am eager for Endgame Romance's release next month. As bad as it is, watching Justin's manipulations is like seeing a train wreck and having a moral imperative to gawk. The challenge he presents does a great job of showcasing Dakota and her men.
betweenpagesandcats's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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? N/A
5.0
thetattooedbooklady's review
5.0
Excellent read
Payback Princess continues at the end of Stolen Crush. Dakota wakes up and Parrish just is gone and they can't find him, Dakota is crushed more so they had just lost "IT" to each other for their first times. Her, chasm and Maxx, Parrish friends try to follow all the clues the kidnap and killer that took him. Things get bad quickly and people are disappearing and showing up dead. Just a lot of bad stuff is happening. The three of them have to do stuff they are comfortable with to find Parrish, he gets hurts if they don't. I don't wanna give too much away just sum up without giving the whole book away. I can't wait til part three comes out next month. These two booms are great and you won't be disappointed to take the time to read them.
Payback Princess continues at the end of Stolen Crush. Dakota wakes up and Parrish just is gone and they can't find him, Dakota is crushed more so they had just lost "IT" to each other for their first times. Her, chasm and Maxx, Parrish friends try to follow all the clues the kidnap and killer that took him. Things get bad quickly and people are disappearing and showing up dead. Just a lot of bad stuff is happening. The three of them have to do stuff they are comfortable with to find Parrish, he gets hurts if they don't. I don't wanna give too much away just sum up without giving the whole book away. I can't wait til part three comes out next month. These two booms are great and you won't be disappointed to take the time to read them.
maiborn's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
isabelnaquin's review
5.0
This series just keeps on getting better and better! C.M. Stunich, you amaze me with every book you write! Though I have to say, THAT ENDING!?!?!?!? I thought the last one ended with enough pain, thank you.
ashliesydel's review
3.0
I struggled with this one. Usually I can read a book this size in two days. But about 51% through I had to put this down. I was just so frustrated with Dakota and her lame ass analytical bullshit. I defended some of the harsher reviews of the first book where women said teens having sex was gross. One chick even suggested it was harmful and compared high school romances to pedophilia!! Umm NO. Twilight had hotter sex scenes than the vanilla of this series. NOT that I'm complaining, just sayin...
So yeah, again I have no issue with a 16 year old getting laid because I was getting laid at 16 okay. But the uncomfortable circumstances that lead up to the actual sex was just a bit much for me. It wasn't dark it was just WTF. So yeah, put this book down for a few days. Read Queen of Anarchy by Eva Ashwood (fucking hot) and Hating and Dating Your Boss with Style by Alina Jacobs (funny rom com) then came back.
I'm not sure if I just needed that break or what but OMFG shit popped off. I absolutely LOVE Justin. Serial killers are the best. He's charismatic, charming, intelligent, and sure a bit crazy.. a lot of bit crazy but dude I was vibing with him.
Chas is my favorite of the guys. Love his chemistry with Dakota. Tess is less evil in this but still fucking annoying as hell. Kimber... that bitch. All I can say is before I thought this book was too long, then towards the end I was wishing there was more.
So suspenseful and exciting. I think that I prefer the overall serial killer storyline MORE than the romance aspect. Not sure if I will read anymore high school romances after this. Wait that's a lie, Six Tryst Venom by Penelope Douglas is a high school romance and it's epic. Actually all her shit is BUT I digress. This is a GOOD SERIES and I'm excited for the final book. I'm team #seattleslayer
So yeah, again I have no issue with a 16 year old getting laid because I was getting laid at 16 okay. But the uncomfortable circumstances that lead up to the actual sex was just a bit much for me. It wasn't dark it was just WTF. So yeah, put this book down for a few days. Read Queen of Anarchy by Eva Ashwood (fucking hot) and Hating and Dating Your Boss with Style by Alina Jacobs (funny rom com) then came back.
I'm not sure if I just needed that break or what but OMFG shit popped off. I absolutely LOVE Justin. Serial killers are the best. He's charismatic, charming, intelligent, and sure a bit crazy.. a lot of bit crazy but dude I was vibing with him.
Chas is my favorite of the guys. Love his chemistry with Dakota. Tess is less evil in this but still fucking annoying as hell. Kimber... that bitch. All I can say is before I thought this book was too long, then towards the end I was wishing there was more.
So suspenseful and exciting. I think that I prefer the overall serial killer storyline MORE than the romance aspect. Not sure if I will read anymore high school romances after this. Wait that's a lie, Six Tryst Venom by Penelope Douglas is a high school romance and it's epic. Actually all her shit is BUT I digress. This is a GOOD SERIES and I'm excited for the final book. I'm team #seattleslayer
emfish's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
breeanna_agu's review
5.0
Payback Princess is amazingggg
I loved every second of this novel and literally screamed when it ended because I wanted more. The story line, romance, characters, and everything else was a 10/10. I love how CM Stunich ties everything together, even when I feel like there’s no way to explain what happens. She made me love every character even the most hated ones, which is very rare for me.
I loved every second of this novel and literally screamed when it ended because I wanted more. The story line, romance, characters, and everything else was a 10/10. I love how CM Stunich ties everything together, even when I feel like there’s no way to explain what happens. She made me love every character even the most hated ones, which is very rare for me.