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zabeishumanish's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
3.0
Reflections from a second reading: I stand by my initial 3-star rating, simply because nothing about the book or synopsis even attempted to prepare the reader for the sheer brutality of this book. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed my second reading. This book is a pinnacle example of the hurt/comfort trope in romance books. The lovers are undergoing simultaneous trauma (one in the form of flashbacks) they are unwittingly enacting on each other and in the end, they come together to take comfort in their shared experience and bond. The book is beautifully written and the characters demonstrate a beautiful and patient level of healing over the second half of the book. I just wish I had been prepared for my first reading, I was genuinely crushed for days after the first read-through. As long as you know what you are going into though this is fantastic.
Review from first read-through: I was not prepared when I started this. The synopsis said that the alpha, Raphael, was a cold man, but damn. For nearly the entire first half of the book, Milan (the omega and narrator) believes that Raphael is actively trying to kill him. I genuinely sobbed at least twice trying to figure out how Milan could ever possibly forgive Raphael. Milan has a long-drawn-out sickness that culminates with him being less than a day or two from death. I was devasted reading about Raphael's perceived cruelty, and though it turns out none of it was intentional, the emotional damage was done.
Review from first read-through: I was not prepared when I started this. The synopsis said that the alpha, Raphael, was a cold man, but damn. For nearly the entire first half of the book, Milan (the omega and narrator) believes that Raphael is actively trying to kill him. I genuinely sobbed at least twice trying to figure out how Milan could ever possibly forgive Raphael. Milan has a long-drawn-out sickness that culminates with him being less than a day or two from death. I was devasted reading about Raphael's perceived cruelty, and though it turns out none of it was intentional, the emotional damage was done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
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