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bi_marchetti's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
beckyrendon's review against another edition
5.0
I can't even...
How do you tell someone a book will change everything?
How can you explain the intense reactions- both physical and emotional?
How can you tell that that this reality is both soul crushing and hopeful?
I guess you say- "Read the book!"
Holy Hot Pile of Steaming....Drama. I mean trauma. Jewel E. Ann is both puppeteer and sadist. I believe she might have a deal with the devil for her mastery of the written word. Or maybe she has one with the Big Guy/Gal upstairs. Whichever patron she has...she uses her skill in incredible ways.
This duet is both mind bending and intriguing. The uniqueness of Ronin is one you can't categorize. Romantic hearts will break everywhere reading this but that's the thing about romantics...we don't mind some bumps and bruises as long as we get our happily ever after...
Jewel gives us our ever after. She gave us closure. While we may wish for other changes, life doesn't work that way.
Hug your loved ones. And always at least say...probably!
How do you tell someone a book will change everything?
How can you explain the intense reactions- both physical and emotional?
How can you tell that that this reality is both soul crushing and hopeful?
I guess you say- "Read the book!"
Holy Hot Pile of Steaming....Drama. I mean trauma. Jewel E. Ann is both puppeteer and sadist. I believe she might have a deal with the devil for her mastery of the written word. Or maybe she has one with the Big Guy/Gal upstairs. Whichever patron she has...she uses her skill in incredible ways.
This duet is both mind bending and intriguing. The uniqueness of Ronin is one you can't categorize. Romantic hearts will break everywhere reading this but that's the thing about romantics...we don't mind some bumps and bruises as long as we get our happily ever after...
Jewel gives us our ever after. She gave us closure. While we may wish for other changes, life doesn't work that way.
Hug your loved ones. And always at least say...probably!
readfrenzy's review against another edition
4.0
The conclusion of the Life Duet is every bit as riveting as I anticipated. The story is twisted and dark on a totally different level than book one. I feel like I’ve been emotionally pummeled.
Once again, the story is told from Evelyn and Ronin’s points of view, only this time around Lila and Graham’s perspectives are added to the mix. Between the four of them, we are privy to a variety of tender, heartbreaking, conflicted, and creepy thoughts. Whether you like all the characters or not, the character development is phenomenal. Evelyn is filled with honor and goodness. I loved her most of all.
Jewel E. Ann is such a gifted, bewitching storyteller. Many of her books have pushed the boundaries of what I consider comfortable, normal, or moral. This story is no exception. Much of the book is just plain gut-wrenching, but it is so gripping that I could not put it down. I wore the dark circles under my eyes as a badge of honor.
A minefield of potential triggers makes this a tough read, so proceed with caution—particularly if you are a sensitive reader. Personally, as much as I love an angsty read—and I did relish the many mind-bending, suspenseful aspects—I felt a profound sense of sadness throughout. I think it affected my overall enjoyment of this conclusion, and it took some time to shake off the funk I was in.
When looking at the entire arc of the duet it is clear that it is plotted with precision. The story stayed with me long after “The End”. I had an overwhelming urge to go back and analyze small details and character choices. This complex and haunting story would make a fantastic book club selection.
Once again, the story is told from Evelyn and Ronin’s points of view, only this time around Lila and Graham’s perspectives are added to the mix. Between the four of them, we are privy to a variety of tender, heartbreaking, conflicted, and creepy thoughts. Whether you like all the characters or not, the character development is phenomenal. Evelyn is filled with honor and goodness. I loved her most of all.
Jewel E. Ann is such a gifted, bewitching storyteller. Many of her books have pushed the boundaries of what I consider comfortable, normal, or moral. This story is no exception. Much of the book is just plain gut-wrenching, but it is so gripping that I could not put it down. I wore the dark circles under my eyes as a badge of honor.
A minefield of potential triggers makes this a tough read, so proceed with caution—particularly if you are a sensitive reader. Personally, as much as I love an angsty read—and I did relish the many mind-bending, suspenseful aspects—I felt a profound sense of sadness throughout. I think it affected my overall enjoyment of this conclusion, and it took some time to shake off the funk I was in.
When looking at the entire arc of the duet it is clear that it is plotted with precision. The story stayed with me long after “The End”. I had an overwhelming urge to go back and analyze small details and character choices. This complex and haunting story would make a fantastic book club selection.
*I received an early copy of this book to voluntarily read.*
jackiemcee's review against another edition
For the first time in my book reviewing life, I AM NOT RATING THIS ANY STARS. WTF DID I JUST READ?! From book 1 having "Paranormal Issues" to book 2 ending with "Psychopath Issues", I mean just WTF?! I know when I reviewed the first book that I rooted for Graham since I read spoilers that there'll be cheating in this one. Seriously, it could've been better. Why the hell did the author transformed Graham's character into an abuser and psychopath?! Oh wait, because she wanted to "save" Ronin's character, that's why. If Lila didn't commit suicide and Graham's still dead, would Ronin and her still be cheating on Evelyn? Guess we would never know, huh? I've read a lot of cheating/love triangle stories but with this one, they didn't have sex but crossed the line to "almost." What I couldn't get out of my head was that, Lila and Ronin had their connection because of Ronin's paranormal shit and if he couldn't have that with Evelyn, then what's the point really? So much potential for those four characters, story was very intriguing page by page but still doesn't justify everything. I like how the book was written but I didn't like the story, hence my zero-rated stars. Does that make sense? Well atleast for me, it does.
jennyluvlitbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The Life You Stole is the last book in this incredible duet. After that ending of book one, this story picked up from where it left off from book one.
As I've said on my first review, this is a story of four friends, two couples whose lives are deeply connected to each other. I'm glad that this time around, we have POVs from the other two characters and we have finally an insight to their personalities. There were countless time in this book that I was actually left slack jawed, befuddled and dazed. I don't know what to expect and that's what I love- when a book consumed me in its entirety. I loved it everything about this series and I wouldn't expect anything less from this author. Highly recommend!
As I've said on my first review, this is a story of four friends, two couples whose lives are deeply connected to each other. I'm glad that this time around, we have POVs from the other two characters and we have finally an insight to their personalities. There were countless time in this book that I was actually left slack jawed, befuddled and dazed. I don't know what to expect and that's what I love- when a book consumed me in its entirety. I loved it everything about this series and I wouldn't expect anything less from this author. Highly recommend!
ashleekay13's review against another edition
2.0
ugh
This duet was so full of abuse and lies that I felt physically ill reading it. But I also had to know how it ended so I finished it. Jewel is a talented writer but this was just too much for me personally.
This duet was so full of abuse and lies that I felt physically ill reading it. But I also had to know how it ended so I finished it. Jewel is a talented writer but this was just too much for me personally.
mwhite810's review against another edition
5.0
Must Read!
Wow! Just wow! Jewel E. Ann is one of the newer authors that I have just started reading and let me tell you, she does NOT disappoint! This series is a must read! The tale of love, friendship and a little heartbreak.
Wow! Just wow! Jewel E. Ann is one of the newer authors that I have just started reading and let me tell you, she does NOT disappoint! This series is a must read! The tale of love, friendship and a little heartbreak.