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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
I must admit that in the beginning, I was not feeling this book as much. I was craving the spice and it was very slow to arrive. Yet, the further I got into the story, my feelings very much improved. In fact, I really enjoyed this book. This story is more about the emotional connection then the physical one. Which was very beautiful.
Both Maddox and Sofia acknowledged this as well. They had such a close bond prior to them crossing the line to lovers. Also, due to the tragic situation that brought Sofia and her sister, Valentina into Maddox's care, it was a delicate balancing act that they progressed to nicely.
As if Maddox could make me fall for him more, the way that he cared for Valentina did have my heart melting. Red Roses and Black Dahlias is a beautiful, emotional story that will tug at your heart strings.
Both Maddox and Sofia acknowledged this as well. They had such a close bond prior to them crossing the line to lovers. Also, due to the tragic situation that brought Sofia and her sister, Valentina into Maddox's care, it was a delicate balancing act that they progressed to nicely.
As if Maddox could make me fall for him more, the way that he cared for Valentina did have my heart melting. Red Roses and Black Dahlias is a beautiful, emotional story that will tug at your heart strings.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
A fabulous read - investing characters, engaging storytelling and a pleasant story. Attention to detail is key to make sense of the plot, but the happy ever after makes up for the turmoil your head (and heart) have to go through when reading this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Child abuse
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
5 stars|| I had the privilege of getting an arc of this book and let me just say I was blown away. Macy’s debut book HAD ME HOOKED!! I was so invested in the storyline, the mystery, the relationship Between Sophia and Maddox and even all of the secondary characters.
Let me talk about Sophia and Maddox for a second. I absolutely LOVED them both so much. From the moment they interacted in the book I felt their chemistry, I felt their hidden desire and longing. The way Maddox cares for both Sophia and Valentina made me swoon!
I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Let me talk about Sophia and Maddox for a second. I absolutely LOVED them both so much. From the moment they interacted in the book I felt their chemistry, I felt their hidden desire and longing. The way Maddox cares for both Sophia and Valentina made me swoon!
I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Great plot twist, good spice, wholesome ending
This book explores the depths one would go for their sibling.
Sofias parents are murdered and Officer Maddox Brooks is assigned to help solve the case.
There’s a fine line between secrets and survival in this story and the lengths we go to keep surviving.
Sofia’s little sister has both Maddox and her wrapped around her finger as they learn to lean on each other through the trauma.
Sofias parents are murdered and Officer Maddox Brooks is assigned to help solve the case.
There’s a fine line between secrets and survival in this story and the lengths we go to keep surviving.
Sofia’s little sister has both Maddox and her wrapped around her finger as they learn to lean on each other through the trauma.
4.75 ⭐’s
Idek what to say about this book other than it was beautiful and made me feel absolutely happy about the sister relationship I have with my own. Just like Sofia I would do anything to protect mines. Everything she did was very much justified and I was behind her 100%.
Her and Maddox’s relationship was really cute but I love Valentina’s and his relationship more, the way he would do anything for that little girl in the beginning without even knowing her that well made my heart flutter.
Some of my fave quotes without spoiling
“I had a feeling Valentina would always be my first child. We may not be linked by blood, but Sofia, Valentina, and I, we were becoming a family”
“I didn’t know how or when but this little girl had wormed her way into my heart and decided it was her home now”
“La muerte no existe, la gente sólo muere cuando la olvidan
Death doesn't exist, people only die when we forget them’
Sobbing ugh I can’t wait till the next book comes out.
Idek what to say about this book other than it was beautiful and made me feel absolutely happy about the sister relationship I have with my own. Just like Sofia I would do anything to protect mines. Everything she did was very much justified and I was behind her 100%.
Her and Maddox’s relationship was really cute but I love Valentina’s and his relationship more, the way he would do anything for that little girl in the beginning without even knowing her that well made my heart flutter.
Some of my fave quotes without spoiling
“I had a feeling Valentina would always be my first child. We may not be linked by blood, but Sofia, Valentina, and I, we were becoming a family”
“I didn’t know how or when but this little girl had wormed her way into my heart and decided it was her home now”
“La muerte no existe, la gente sólo muere cuando la olvidan
Death doesn't exist, people only die when we forget them’
Sobbing ugh I can’t wait till the next book comes out.
I slept on this and can honestly say f*ck this book was good!
Sofia such a strong woman! and plot twist…are you kidding me? wow!
4,5/5⭐️
Sofia such a strong woman! and plot twist…are you kidding me? wow!
4,5/5⭐️
4,5⭐️
I had so many theories about this book. Yet i was so far from the truth. I loved every second of the book. The twist was amazing. The characters were everything. Valentina officially owns a piece of my heart. And the bonus scene>>> i can’t wait to read the next book
I had so many theories about this book. Yet i was so far from the truth. I loved every second of the book. The twist was amazing. The characters were everything. Valentina officially owns a piece of my heart. And the bonus scene>>> i can’t wait to read the next book
Red Roses and Black Dahlias
Macy T. Riosa (Blood and Water, # 1)
When Sofia's world is turned upside down from her parents' brutal murders, the only person she even remotely trusts to keep her & her little sister safe is Maddox Brooks–the cop who, on multiple occasions, has put her in handcuffs for her previous rebellious behavior.
Tropes:
- Age gap
- Murder mystery
- Forced proximity
- Forbidden love (cop/guardian-ish)
As you can imagine, the tropes of this book called to me deeply & that cover is *chefs kiss*. So when [a:Macy T. Riosa|23276964|Macy T. Riosa|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1672060035p2/23276964.jpg] kindly offered me an advanced copy to read, of course I said yes!
Sofia Raymond is a "bad girl". Rebellious, headstrong, and unapologetic, she doesn't hide her sass or her fire & owns it entirely. No matter what else she is, she is her sister's keeper through & through. Sofia takes an almost maternal role with her sister–Valentina–and it's one of the most heartwarming parts of this book. She would die for her with no questions asked, always putting Valentina before herself.
Maddox is such a sweet, caring character. He wouldn't let anything hurt Sofia & Valentina from the very beginning, which I thought was just precious. As the book progressed, his relationship with Valentina did as well, and it was so pure. I adored how much he cared for her (the Daddy-Daughter dance!) not just because he was taking care of her but because he truly & deeply felt that connection.
The plot was very well weaved into the story, and it kept me reading. I finished this book so quick. My only comment would be that the different tenses/grammar sometimes threw me off and could be distracting (though this is nothing an editor cannot fix). Huge props to the author for publishing her debut novel & I can't wait to read more (especially after that bonus scene).
ARC kindly shared by author for an honest review.
Macy T. Riosa (Blood and Water, # 1)
When Sofia's world is turned upside down from her parents' brutal murders, the only person she even remotely trusts to keep her & her little sister safe is Maddox Brooks–the cop who, on multiple occasions, has put her in handcuffs for her previous rebellious behavior.
Tropes:
- Age gap
- Murder mystery
- Forced proximity
- Forbidden love (cop/guardian-ish)
As you can imagine, the tropes of this book called to me deeply & that cover is *chefs kiss*. So when [a:Macy T. Riosa|23276964|Macy T. Riosa|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1672060035p2/23276964.jpg] kindly offered me an advanced copy to read, of course I said yes!
Sofia Raymond is a "bad girl". Rebellious, headstrong, and unapologetic, she doesn't hide her sass or her fire & owns it entirely. No matter what else she is, she is her sister's keeper through & through. Sofia takes an almost maternal role with her sister–Valentina–and it's one of the most heartwarming parts of this book. She would die for her with no questions asked, always putting Valentina before herself.
Maddox is such a sweet, caring character. He wouldn't let anything hurt Sofia & Valentina from the very beginning, which I thought was just precious. As the book progressed, his relationship with Valentina did as well, and it was so pure. I adored how much he cared for her (the Daddy-Daughter dance!) not just because he was taking care of her but because he truly & deeply felt that connection.
The plot was very well weaved into the story, and it kept me reading. I finished this book so quick. My only comment would be that the different tenses/grammar sometimes threw me off and could be distracting (though this is nothing an editor cannot fix). Huge props to the author for publishing her debut novel & I can't wait to read more (especially after that bonus scene).
ARC kindly shared by author for an honest review.