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beccisays's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I’m shocked at how much I did not like this. The only way I can think to describe it is if the phrase teehee was in book form. I remember really liking ‘Charming Your Dad’ from this series too, disappointed I didn’t love this one too.
I’ve enjoyed plenty of reverse harem, poly or why choose books and what bugged me about this book isn’t even uncommon or unusual. Maybe this time was just the straw that broke the camels back. Whatever the reason, it really got under my skin to hear the same shocked “never has someone had such devotion to me since the beginning of time” from her 3 times over and the “she instantly becomes the centre of my universe” “I had never lived, breathed or known joy until I looked upon her vagina” “she is the most beautiful and adorable female to ever exist” spiel in 3 different fonts from the guys. Yeah sure she’s “perfect” and “made just for you” and also 2 of your buddies? There’s also that same old crap of whole paragraphs every few chapters where the FMC is waxing lyrical in her head about how each MMC is exactly what she needs and yet so distinctly different from the other 2. “X is my light and brings me the laughter I need but Y matches the darkness inside me perfectly”, “X is so sensitive and soft, while Y is so stoic and strong, they are both so special” - you get the drift. It’s all tell and no show, if you know what I mean?
I think the main characters trying to appear so murderous and blood lusty didn’t help endear them. All the internal monologues where it was like “he’s trying so hard not to murder that person for me, if that’s not the sweetest thing i’ve ever seen” “I would usually kill or violently overpower anyone that annoys me but I must love them all so much because I don’t this time 🥰” “I am so wet and ready for him, just from murdering our enemy” “she’s so unhinged and stabby, my queen”. It just feels like Mara is trying to be similar to Sibby in Satan’s Affair/Haunting Adeline or Harley Quinn, or some other version of everyone’s favourite adorable pet nutjob character. Trying too hard and missing the mark. I also really like Dance Moms and the references were unexpected, I feel the pyramid thing could have been much funnier if I wasn’t so distracted by Miss Stabby Lee Miller.
In the midst of this was some really hard hitting representation for the thoughts of people with mental health issues including depression and BPD, rock bottom self worth and history of drug abuse. I felt torn and confused, as I really wanted to like and appreciate that but it eventually got lost in the rest of the book for me.
I’ve enjoyed plenty of reverse harem, poly or why choose books and what bugged me about this book isn’t even uncommon or unusual. Maybe this time was just the straw that broke the camels back. Whatever the reason, it really got under my skin to hear the same shocked “never has someone had such devotion to me since the beginning of time” from her 3 times over and the “she instantly becomes the centre of my universe” “I had never lived, breathed or known joy until I looked upon her vagina” “she is the most beautiful and adorable female to ever exist” spiel in 3 different fonts from the guys. Yeah sure she’s “perfect” and “made just for you” and also 2 of your buddies? There’s also that same old crap of whole paragraphs every few chapters where the FMC is waxing lyrical in her head about how each MMC is exactly what she needs and yet so distinctly different from the other 2. “X is my light and brings me the laughter I need but Y matches the darkness inside me perfectly”, “X is so sensitive and soft, while Y is so stoic and strong, they are both so special” - you get the drift. It’s all tell and no show, if you know what I mean?
I think the main characters trying to appear so murderous and blood lusty didn’t help endear them. All the internal monologues where it was like “he’s trying so hard not to murder that person for me, if that’s not the sweetest thing i’ve ever seen” “I would usually kill or violently overpower anyone that annoys me but I must love them all so much because I don’t this time 🥰” “I am so wet and ready for him, just from murdering our enemy” “she’s so unhinged and stabby, my queen”. It just feels like Mara is trying to be similar to Sibby in Satan’s Affair/Haunting Adeline or Harley Quinn, or some other version of everyone’s favourite adorable pet nutjob character. Trying too hard and missing the mark. I also really like Dance Moms and the references were unexpected, I feel the pyramid thing could have been much funnier if I wasn’t so distracted by Miss Stabby Lee Miller.
In the midst of this was some really hard hitting representation for the thoughts of people with mental health issues including depression and BPD, rock bottom self worth and history of drug abuse. I felt torn and confused, as I really wanted to like and appreciate that but it eventually got lost in the rest of the book for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, Blood, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
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