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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is really... it reminds me of a really poorly written fanfic. Honestly it would be a 1 star read if there wasn't for smut that was kinda entertaining (Sebastians lines). Even tho i think SA fantasies they have all the time is something people are allowed to have as long as it's consensual, it was a bit much.
- They have no chemistry, it's all just so fast and it's like they don't feel attraction for each other.
- I strongly dislike how the main character is a NLOG and she claims to be a feminist which she visibly isn't
- Liking rock and being Asian isn't a personality trait (and as an ally to Asian people ... i feel like the author made her asian just so she could have these "manga and anime" stuff. I know i'm not the right person to say if the representation was good, but i don't think anyone would be satisfied with such description)
- They have no chemistry, it's all just so fast and it's like they don't feel attraction for each other.
- I strongly dislike how the main character is a NLOG and she claims to be a feminist which she visibly isn't
- Liking rock and being Asian isn't a personality trait (and as an ally to Asian people ... i feel like the author made her asian just so she could have these "manga and anime" stuff. I know i'm not the right person to say if the representation was good, but i don't think anyone would be satisfied with such description)
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
Yes
dark
fast-paced
I liked both Sebastian and Naomi. Iām not really into what theyāre into so I didmt love that aspect of the story but I liked them not individually and their relationship. I also liked the Naomi akira aspect and I hope he gets a book
I finished this whole thing bc I thought it would get better but it just didnāt. I really didnāt like the mcs and they just had like no chemistry whatsoever I donāt think I will read the other book in the series.
3.5 stars
SERIOUS TRIGGER WARNINGS
Tropes : quarterback x cheerleader; āit was all a betā trope; grumpy x grumpy
SERIOUS TRIGGER WARNINGS
Tropes : quarterback x cheerleader; āit was all a betā trope; grumpy x grumpy
I usually love Rina Kentās books and am pretty ok with most dark situations, but it felt like this entire book was just focused on their sexual kink, which was not my favorite thing to read about. There was barely any plot or any real emotional scenes.
Dnf at 71%. I wanted to like this book and the characters but there were just too many problems I couldn't get past.
- The main characters in this book are supposed to be in their fourth year of college but the characters and setting feel more like a highschool. The interactions between the cheerleaders is reminicent "Mean Girls" and not in a good way.
- The best trope in this book doesnt make any sense and is very poorly executed.
- What was the point of the penpal subplot. The penpal comes up twice and the letters add little to the story overall. The letter responding to Naomi's confession about having CNC fantasies was hard to read and perpetuates alot of negative stereotypes about people who engage in CNC. (They are crazy, messed up, wrong, need therapy...) None of which are true.
- On the topic of CNC... it is very poorly and unrealistically executed in this book. In BDSM consensual non-consent is considered edge play for a reason. If not done carefully it can cause serious physical and psychological harm to both parties. CNC is not something you jump into with a partner becuase you "just know" they will be into it. Forcing yourself on someone saying no without prior discussion, negotiation and agreement is rape. The first time Naomi and Sebastian have sex it is not CNC it is rape. He breaks into her home, shuts off the lights and forces himself on her while she is bleeding and begging him to stop. He gives her a safeword and claims he will stop it she uses it but there was no negotiation of that safeword and he refuses to allow her to set any boundaries or limits for the encounter. This was not CNC this was rape that he gaslights her into believing was consensual. Later on in the book it is made clear that using her safeword would harm their relationship. Safewords are sacred and using a safeword should never have negative repercussions on the relationship as a whole. I knew going into this that there were dark themes to this book and not all aspects of healthy BDSM would be followed but this book takes it too far. This book doesnt tow 00ā°000 the line between CNC and rape it blows right past it and then tries to gaslight you into thinking it didn't and it perpetuates alot of harmful stereotypes about people with a CNC kink in the process.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship