Reviews

Staffanie Holmes has a unique knack for writing books that feel like they speak directly to me. The FMC Fergie in Poison Ivy is blind, I am not, yet I feel like I understand what it is to be after reading this - I know I don't, not really, but I understand Fergie and I LOVE that Holmes put herself into her character so much. There's no "woe is me" begging for pity, life is so hard for people like her. Instead there is ways for Fergie to navigate completely new surroundings, her tools, her brilliant brain. Cassius, Victor and Torsten are as unique as Fergie and they're all broken or twisted in their own ways but you cannot help but love them, for applauding their initiative instead of condemning their stalkerish behavior. I had one issue with this book, just one and that is that I felt like Fergie had told Cassius enough about her past life that he wouldn't react the way he does, I guess I was hoping he would be totally in her corner, her dark and twisted, anti hero step brother, but I guess I totally read that wrong. Overall I loved this book, I loved the twists and turns and this world is pretty awesome! Bring it on!

jellystorm's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I almost dropped a star because the author mentions herself as an in-universe author three times, which would normally be an unforgivable sin for me.

If this book wasn’t so perfectly feral and unhinged. I devoured this book from beginning to end and as soon as I’m done with this review, I’ll be diving head first into book 2.

Let me tell you, it does end on a cliffhanger. And it’s not exactly a new concept of a cliffhanger. But knowing exactly what’s coming still did not prepare me for the way I had my nose glued to the Kindle the entire time.

I couldn’t put it down.

Cas is my absolute favorite type of dark romance mmc- the revels-in-carnage blood covered psycho. Babygirl.

Torsten is the cinnamon roll we all want to wrap up and protect and I love that the author didn’t make the FMC magically cure his neurodivergence. (It happens so often in books with “representation” and it’s so disappointing.)

Victor is another dark romance staple: the suave, ruthless-for-his-family one. His nickname for Fergie is my favorite and I love the shit he puts himself through about his need for her.

And Fergie? Fergie is a goth-rock goddess. She’s angry and finding out how rage can change a person from the inside out. She’s learning to embrace the rotten core of herself and its f*cking beautiful.

I gave the book five stars and I would do it again.

Content Warnings

sophieb0073's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

mknight11e's review against another edition

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4.5

🌶️🌶️🌶️ KU

Book 1 why choose girl is blind step brother and best friends “mafia” style town lots pretty secrets and misunderstandings

teeana10's review against another edition

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3.0

Typical high school bully romance with mafia ties. Also a huge cliffhanger that blows.

tj_darkreads's review against another edition

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5.0

Oh wow was this book everything I knew it'd be. I've recently found this arthur's book's and I have been hooked ever since. Fergie isn't your typical blind girl in a new school something happened in her past that caused her and her dad to pack up and move and now she's going to a new school and has put her in the sights of Cassius, Victor, Torstein 3 gorgeous men who make up the Poison Ivy Club they run the halls of Stonehurst Prep you don't ever want to owe them a favor or get on their bad side. This book is dark and so freaking good. There are triggers so read them before reading, and after that cliffhanger ending you need to read this book. I cannot wait for Bk 2, because the boy's have no idea what's in store for them.

emilyrose_isreading's review against another edition

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3.0

Starting my review at 89%: something about this just makes me so uncomfortable. I think a huge part of it is the guys bringing Fergie into unknown situations and just not telling her. Like a slighted person would have had advance warning but Fergie is suddenly discovering the guys are majorly breaking the law halfway through them doing things around her.
Just finished and ugh that cliffhanger makes me want to continue. I'm just majorly uncomfortable with the love interests and their relationship and that made me so uncomfy reading this - and I enjoy dark romance when I'm in the mood but this romance is just so toxic
Also I honestly don't understand why Fergie had to change identity?! Like yes it's awkward and embarrassing but not worth illegally becoming someone new?!?????

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