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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I just finished this debut novel by Macy T. Riosa, and wow—I'm still reeling! From the very first page, I was completely hooked. The story begins with Sofia and Valentina, who are left orphaned after their parents’ brutal murder. Enter Detective Maddox Brooks, who takes them under his wing, and the plot twists and turns from there in the most thrilling, mysterious way!
Tropes : forbidden romance, age gap, murder mystery, and a mind-blowing plot twist. It also beautifully portrays the found family theme.
Let’s talk characters. Sofia is absolutely incredible—fearless yet so sensitive, strong yet delicate. Her role as a sister’s keeper is portrayed with such depth and meaning. The line, "I was my sister’s keeper after all, and I was all she had left," is so poignant and captures her devotion perfectly. Sofia is the best sister’s keeper ever. Her character is complex—reckless, dark, unhinged, strongly opinionated, and lonely, but above all, loyal. The way she loves and protects Valentina is nothing short of inspiring. Their bond is one of the most touching relationships I’ve ever read about.
And Maddox? WOW. He’s the hottest detective I’ve ever come across. Not only is he smoking hot, but his "girl dad" role and the sweet connection he has with Valentina are beyond adorable. The age gap of 8 years is portrayed in a good way, and his love for Sofia and Valentina never felt like it was choosing one over the other. The way he treated Valentina as a daughter—especially in the bonus scene—had me crying. I’m seriously in love with their dynamic!
Valentina herself is a total sweetheart. She’s so endearing that I’m already wishing for a novel just about her.
Now about the side characters—let’s talk Callie! I loved how sassy she was. The hot lawyer who you would never guess is a lawyer based on her pink outfits. Her character brought a fantastic blend of sass and charm to the story, making her a memorable addition.
The book's pacing is fast, and while it's not insta-love, there's mutual attraction that builds up since they’ve known each other for 5 years. The writing is above average for a debut novel—though not top-notch, it’s more than good enough given the fantastic story.
The line "I could see us slowly withering, a red rose and a black dahlia" is such a beautiful and haunting touch that perfectly encapsulates the essence and title of the novel.
And then there was the confession—I was crying! It was so emotional and beautifully written that it brought me to tears. The depth of their feelings and the raw honesty of the moment were so powerful and moving.
How the perspectives changed in the last chapter? I was completely blown away. What seemed like a normal conversation suddenly took on a whole new light, changing everything I thought I knew about the characters. The monsters—OMG, you would never guess who they are for Sofia and Valentina. It was such a revelation!
The deaths in the book are intense and dark, but they feel so fitting for the story.Conan’s death? Totally deserved, and I’m not even mad about it.
And the steamy scenes? HOT. Unexpectedly sizzling with incredible chemistry, it definitely added some serious heat to the story!
If you’re into intense romance mixed with mystery and unexpected twists, this book is a MUST-READ! 💖🔥📚
Quotes -
"Sisters are different flowers from the same garden.”
"I was my sister’s keeper after all, and I was all she had left."
"The love she felt for her sister remained unequaled. She would kill for her. She had killed for her."
Because monsters are everywhere, and they will never stop existing.” _ "Even we are the monsters of someone else's story.”
"Death doesn’t exist; people only die when we forget them."
Tropes : forbidden romance, age gap, murder mystery, and a mind-blowing plot twist. It also beautifully portrays the found family theme.
Let’s talk characters. Sofia is absolutely incredible—fearless yet so sensitive, strong yet delicate. Her role as a sister’s keeper is portrayed with such depth and meaning. The line, "I was my sister’s keeper after all, and I was all she had left," is so poignant and captures her devotion perfectly. Sofia is the best sister’s keeper ever. Her character is complex—reckless, dark, unhinged, strongly opinionated, and lonely, but above all, loyal. The way she loves and protects Valentina is nothing short of inspiring. Their bond is one of the most touching relationships I’ve ever read about.
And Maddox? WOW. He’s the hottest detective I’ve ever come across. Not only is he smoking hot, but his "girl dad" role and the sweet connection he has with Valentina are beyond adorable. The age gap of 8 years is portrayed in a good way, and his love for Sofia and Valentina never felt like it was choosing one over the other. The way he treated Valentina as a daughter—especially in the bonus scene—had me crying. I’m seriously in love with their dynamic!
Valentina herself is a total sweetheart. She’s so endearing that I’m already wishing for a novel just about her.
Now about the side characters—let’s talk Callie! I loved how sassy she was. The hot lawyer who you would never guess is a lawyer based on her pink outfits. Her character brought a fantastic blend of sass and charm to the story, making her a memorable addition.
The book's pacing is fast, and while it's not insta-love, there's mutual attraction that builds up since they’ve known each other for 5 years. The writing is above average for a debut novel—though not top-notch, it’s more than good enough given the fantastic story.
The line "I could see us slowly withering, a red rose and a black dahlia" is such a beautiful and haunting touch that perfectly encapsulates the essence and title of the novel.
And then there was the confession—I was crying! It was so emotional and beautifully written that it brought me to tears. The depth of their feelings and the raw honesty of the moment were so powerful and moving.
How the perspectives changed in the last chapter? I was completely blown away. What seemed like a normal conversation suddenly took on a whole new light, changing everything I thought I knew about the characters. The monsters—OMG, you would never guess who they are for Sofia and Valentina. It was such a revelation!
The deaths in the book are intense and dark, but they feel so fitting for the story.
And the steamy scenes? HOT. Unexpectedly sizzling with incredible chemistry, it definitely added some serious heat to the story!
If you’re into intense romance mixed with mystery and unexpected twists, this book is a MUST-READ! 💖🔥📚
Quotes -
"Sisters are different flowers from the same garden.”
"I was my sister’s keeper after all, and I was all she had left."
"The love she felt for her sister remained unequaled. She would kill for her. She had killed for her."
Because monsters are everywhere, and they will never stop existing.” _ "Even we are the monsters of someone else's story.”
"Death doesn’t exist; people only die when we forget them."
I'm definitely speechless. The kind of dark romance that is actually dark. The plot, the twist, For me, it was unpredictable. This may be my top-tier book of the year. It gave me goosebumps while reading it. The age gap between Sofia and Maddox. I'm definitely sold for books like these
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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:
Yes
I had to DNF when I saw the age. I am totally fine with age gaps of max 13 years but when one of the main characters knows the other when they were a minor. That’s when it gets really weird for me.
“three weeks before her eighteenth birthday. The last time I arrested her. It was nothing sexual or even physical, really. I just felt that pull to her”
It’s like your trying to make it better by saying it wasn’t sexual or physical.
And then when the older person starts giving the younger individuals nicknames that emphasize how young or little they are. Even if it’s just once makes me feel they are a weirdo…
“three weeks before her eighteenth birthday. The last time I arrested her. It was nothing sexual or even physical, really. I just felt that pull to her”
It’s like your trying to make it better by saying it wasn’t sexual or physical.
And then when the older person starts giving the younger individuals nicknames that emphasize how young or little they are. Even if it’s just once makes me feel they are a weirdo…
Red roses and black dahlias is an enthralling romance novel that had me hooked from start to finish. This book is not just a love story; it's a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with incredible suspense, unexpected plot twists, and the most heartwarming depiction of sisterly love.
The central characters, Sofia and her younger sister, form the heart and soul of this story. Sofia's unwavering determination to protect her sister is both inspiring and heart-wrenching. Their relationship is beautifully depicted, showcasing the sacrifices and devotion that bind them together.
Maddox, the detective working on Sofia's case, adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. As he delves deeper into the mystery surrounding Sofia, he becomes not just a protector but a crucial part of these two girls. The evolution of his relationship with the sisters is portrayed with sensitivity and depth.
Now, let's talk about those plot twists! Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the author threw curveballs that left me gasping in surprise. The twists are brilliantly executed, and I have to admit, I did not see them coming at all.
What sets this book apart is its ability to combine heart-pounding suspense with the warmth of family bonds and a romance that will make your heart race. The storytelling is engaging, the characters are relatable, and the plot is a delightful blend of mystery and love.
If you're looking for a romance novel that will keep you guessing, tug at your heartstrings, and leave you with a satisfied smile, "Red roses and black dahlias" is an absolute must-read. It's a testament to the strength of family and the power of love, wrapped in a package of suspense and surprise that you won't want to put down. Enjoy the journey, and be prepared to be pleasantly surprised!
I am soooo looking forward to the next book in this series!!!
The central characters, Sofia and her younger sister, form the heart and soul of this story. Sofia's unwavering determination to protect her sister is both inspiring and heart-wrenching. Their relationship is beautifully depicted, showcasing the sacrifices and devotion that bind them together.
Maddox, the detective working on Sofia's case, adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. As he delves deeper into the mystery surrounding Sofia, he becomes not just a protector but a crucial part of these two girls. The evolution of his relationship with the sisters is portrayed with sensitivity and depth.
Now, let's talk about those plot twists! Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the author threw curveballs that left me gasping in surprise. The twists are brilliantly executed, and I have to admit, I did not see them coming at all.
What sets this book apart is its ability to combine heart-pounding suspense with the warmth of family bonds and a romance that will make your heart race. The storytelling is engaging, the characters are relatable, and the plot is a delightful blend of mystery and love.
If you're looking for a romance novel that will keep you guessing, tug at your heartstrings, and leave you with a satisfied smile, "Red roses and black dahlias" is an absolute must-read. It's a testament to the strength of family and the power of love, wrapped in a package of suspense and surprise that you won't want to put down. Enjoy the journey, and be prepared to be pleasantly surprised!
I am soooo looking forward to the next book in this series!!!
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-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:
Yes
Didn't realise this was connected to Make you wish I was dead but pleasantly surprised. Kinda predictable but still enjoyable. Sofia has been abused all her life to try and protect her little sister, when her sister is abused, Sofia snaps and kills them and covers it up as a robbery gone wrong. She ends up falling for the cop who is catching her in her delinquent acts as a child and is now assigned to this case. He tries to protect both Sofia and valentina and keep them from being torn apart. He ends up also falling for Sofia and discovers her secret. But love overrides all and he helps cover it up.
Sofia and Maddox Brooks
Sofia and Maddox Brooks
I don’t know i was interested at first then i started cringing for a while and eventually lost my interest
Good concept tho.
Good concept tho.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes