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dejreads's review against another edition
3.0
I rated this three stars because as I was reading, the story just became so confusing. The female MC Emily, I had so much hope for her to be this badass female lead but as the chapters going on and she grew closer to Kaz, she was slowly becoming a damsel in distress. Which I do understand due to her past trauma, she would be want to be protected and let her guide down in order for Kaz to protect her—but I feel like it wasn’t written that well to distinguish that. Especially given that the events in the book literally took place in what? Four days at moment. I was walking into this book thinking that it was going to take them a while to figure out Rumi’s murder, but when I got to a chapter and it stated about it just being a day before Kaz and Emily first met…I let out a frustrated sigh. I enjoyed the plot, but it was lowkey so predictable and some points weren’t needed at all. Tinder Killer plot, I feel like was so unnecessary. Just another quirk to add on to Emily that I feel like the author didn’t go into full detail for. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the constant italic flashbacks, I feel like the author used those scenes as a word count filler to be honest.
I wanted to rate this book higher because I did enjoy some characters *cough* Maxwell and Xavier *cough* and I did enjoy the smut scenes (which I applaud because it was a good plot to smut ratio for a mafia romance). But the story just felt like it was lacking some things and I’m still 50/50 on continuing the series.
I wanted to rate this book higher because I did enjoy some characters *cough* Maxwell and Xavier *cough* and I did enjoy the smut scenes (which I applaud because it was a good plot to smut ratio for a mafia romance). But the story just felt like it was lacking some things and I’m still 50/50 on continuing the series.
kaitays's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.25
This is not the worst book ever written but it didn’t appeal to my tastes in the slightest. The description was so enticing, just to get to a lackluster book. The only redeemable thing about the book were the spicy scenes, those were written well. The book describes itself as a “slow burn” but Emily and Kaz were doing it day two. what’s slow about that?? The book was split up into “acts'' but there was no need to split it up when the timeline in the book spanned over 3 days. THREE! Crazy. The dialogue was also choppy, unnatural. I do like Emily though, but even she had some odd qualities to her. A man comes into your gallery speaking in metaphors and tells you you need to get into more criminal activity, and there’s no opposition? No inquiry? You just think he is sexy and that’s it? Or, how she handled Kennedy’s death. Yeah get your outlet but you ain’t even have no internal monologue about the situation. Yeah, you didn’t want to cry too much, but that was your sister from another mister, come on. Also, how I was 25% through the book and ain’t shit happen yet. That 25% should’ve been like 5-10% for the amount of information and scene setting we got. No development or depth in the story or the characters. There’s so many things I can frown upon in this book but I will leave it here.
Initial Response: 2/5; Recommend?: 1/5; Re-Readability: 1/5 Characters: 1/5; Plot: 1/5
Overall: 1.2/5
Would Purchase?: No
peachani's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I was so excited to see that there was an intersex character, until he was killed and revealed to be "deviant"...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Gore
Moderate: Blood, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, Gun violence, Cursing, Kidnapping, and Pedophilia
emem3's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
pagesofki's review against another edition
3.5
It wasn't anything life-changing but I wouldn't mind continuing the story. The smut was also pretty decent
dominiquefragments's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The writing was pretty bad, as most dark romance writing is. But, the plot was entertaining and the sex scenes were actually pretty hot. Not sure if I'll read the sequel, though.
sunnycherrybooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? No
4.0
It is a good start to the series and although I am not super invested and felt like they moved way too fast I am intrigued and want to see what happens.