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kellyvanboom's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
kristinhzta90's review against another edition
3.0
This was just OK for me...it was very well written but something was missing and I had a hard time putting my finger on it. I think that Julia just wasn't realistic for me, and after reflecting on this, I think this is what was nagging me throughout the story. I kept thinking enough already, no woman would actually think like this. Maybe because this was written by a guy...anyhoo...I really did like Gabriel. His character was a little over the top too, but still intriguing. Not sure if I will read the next one or not.
kmparsons's review against another edition
2.0
I read this book for the first time when I was about 15 and I was much too young to understand what was happening. At the time, I thought I was so grown up and knew all there was to know about being in a romantic relationship. At the time I thought this book was amazing and so incredibly romantic. However, now that I am more mature I really did not like this book very much. Gabriel was rude and demeaning and then had a sudden personality shift, out of nowhere. Julia acted as if she was 16 instead of 23.
The worst and most abhorrent aspect of this book was the fetishizing of Julia’s virginity. I found that to be disgusting because a) it implies women who are not virgins have less worth and b) it gives women the idea that your worth comes from your virginity.
This book started as a fan fiction and it shows.
The worst and most abhorrent aspect of this book was the fetishizing of Julia’s virginity. I found that to be disgusting because a) it implies women who are not virgins have less worth and b) it gives women the idea that your worth comes from your virginity.
This book started as a fan fiction and it shows.
nathalyalvarez's review against another edition
4.0
Cuando piensas en una novela erótica, piensas en 50 Shades of Grey o su muy común copia Bared to You, piensas en esas descripciones que a veces te dan asco. Y cuando leí la sinopsis de esta novela supuse que esta seria así. Pensé en la muy increíble reseña que escribiría criticando Gabriel's Inferno, pero sobre todo quería leer sobre la relación cliché entre la estudiante-profesor.
Es una historia muy común llena de diferentes cosas que te llenan de sentimientos de culpa, tristeza e incluso compasión cuando lo lees. La forma en que esta narrado es muy erótica pero sin ser vulgar. Por ejemplo, en uno de los capítulos el protagonista estaba comiendo chocolate y la forma en que estaba escrita era realmente sensual. Admiro a la escritora por ello. Si soy sincera
Lo siento, pero no puedo pararme a mi misma de pensar que esta historia es como la contra parte de 50 Shades.
Amo-odio a los personajes: Por una parte esta Julia, la estudiante, tímida, inocente, ingenua, ella es simplemente como un cachorrito mojado. Algo nuevo, ya que hoy en día no hay demasiados personajes femeninos así. Y por otra esta Gabriel, que es mandon, malhumorado, inteligente, tenaz y atractivo. Ambos con pasados de los que se avergüenzan.
Algo que realmente ame, fueron las referencias de la autora a Dante Alighieri, quien es conocido como El Supremo Poeta en la literatura italiana. Sentí que mientras leía esas referencias estaba aprendiendo un poquito así que ahora tengo curiosidad por leer algún poema de dicho poeta.
Para mi, este libro representa lo que una novela erótica debería ser.
Es una historia muy común llena de diferentes cosas que te llenan de sentimientos de culpa, tristeza e incluso compasión cuando lo lees. La forma en que esta narrado es muy erótica pero sin ser vulgar. Por ejemplo, en uno de los capítulos el protagonista estaba comiendo chocolate y la forma en que estaba escrita era realmente sensual. Admiro a la escritora por ello. Si soy sincera
Spoiler
los personajes ni siquiera pasaron de darse besos hasta casi el ultimo capituloLo siento, pero no puedo pararme a mi misma de pensar que esta historia es como la contra parte de 50 Shades.
Amo-odio a los personajes: Por una parte esta Julia, la estudiante, tímida, inocente, ingenua, ella es simplemente como un cachorrito mojado. Algo nuevo, ya que hoy en día no hay demasiados personajes femeninos así. Y por otra esta Gabriel, que es mandon, malhumorado, inteligente, tenaz y atractivo. Ambos con pasados de los que se avergüenzan.
Algo que realmente ame, fueron las referencias de la autora a Dante Alighieri, quien es conocido como El Supremo Poeta en la literatura italiana. Sentí que mientras leía esas referencias estaba aprendiendo un poquito así que ahora tengo curiosidad por leer algún poema de dicho poeta.
Siempre he tenido una terrible debilidad por las cosas hermosas pero tristes
Para mi, este libro representa lo que una novela erótica debería ser.
anacecisolvel's review against another edition
1.0
Un libro escrito en 2011 y por un hombre, no esperen mucho.
kerithesmutslut's review against another edition
3.0
This books writing style was very very hard to get into. It’s 3rd person POV and the book was written in a very classical style- meaning the characters didn’t speak in today’s slang. A lot of the books humor was with classical literature, and if you aren’t a fan of the books it would go over your head.
It has a lot of tropes I love- Age Gap, Forbidden, Asshole Hero, but it just was ridiculously long and hard to read. It’s the slowest slow burn in history.
Overall it was an interesting story, but hard to read and way longer than it should have been.
It has a lot of tropes I love- Age Gap, Forbidden, Asshole Hero, but it just was ridiculously long and hard to read. It’s the slowest slow burn in history.
Overall it was an interesting story, but hard to read and way longer than it should have been.
steffski's review against another edition
1.0
I liked the plot of this book but can't recommend it because it's just too graphic and all about sex...the story could have stood alone without that.
meggie82461's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
So, I am not entirely confident of this rating, but I will say this: I STRUGGLED to read the last 15 percent or so. Seriously, it took me two days. The writing, ALL OF THE WORDS, they just got to me. It was A LOT. This book is A LOT.
So, our heroine is Julia, and she is fine. Nothing special, but not exactly annoying; just kind of there. She goes to Toronto for grad school and runs into Gabriel, who is... a family friend. He is also her professor. Cue forbidden romance, not only because of the teacher/student aspect, but also because she is so innocent and he is DEPRAVED (not really, but that is what we are told. Reality is that Gabriel is actually quite sweet, which brings up one thing I did like about him: he had a way with words).
Thing is, this story is actually well-written. And as an English Lit major, all the nods to Dante were actually appreciated. I didn't the historical aspect in the sense that it existed, it was just... really freaking corny. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood, I don't know, but I feel like it could've been half as long and still covered all the same bases. I didn't hate it by any means, but I will say that I am quite glad I rented it from the library. I am not sure how I would have felt about spending $10 on this book. I actually did quite like the first half or so, it just slowly went downhill, right alongside my attention span.
Someone made a very good point: this book is about ten years old, and it shows. It was written during the 50 shades craze when domineering, possessive men were all the rage. Now, a lot of the narrative was cringe-inducing. I have been trained to roll my eyes at the innocent virgin being spoiled by the reformed bad boy. In that aspect, maybe I am being too harsh, because it is truly a product of the times. But I didn't read it back then; I read it in 2021, and because of that, its flaws are a lot more obvious. (One example: the author really makes it seem like anything other than slow, gentle PIV sex is disrespectful to your partner). I know it is coming out on PassionFlix soon, though, so I think critiquing it through the lens of right now is still fair.
So, I am not entirely confident of this rating, but I will say this: I STRUGGLED to read the last 15 percent or so. Seriously, it took me two days. The writing, ALL OF THE WORDS, they just got to me. It was A LOT. This book is A LOT.
So, our heroine is Julia, and she is fine. Nothing special, but not exactly annoying; just kind of there. She goes to Toronto for grad school and runs into Gabriel, who is... a family friend. He is also her professor. Cue forbidden romance, not only because of the teacher/student aspect, but also because she is so innocent and he is DEPRAVED (not really, but that is what we are told. Reality is that Gabriel is actually quite sweet, which brings up one thing I did like about him: he had a way with words).
Thing is, this story is actually well-written. And as an English Lit major, all the nods to Dante were actually appreciated. I didn't the historical aspect in the sense that it existed, it was just... really freaking corny. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood, I don't know, but I feel like it could've been half as long and still covered all the same bases. I didn't hate it by any means, but I will say that I am quite glad I rented it from the library. I am not sure how I would have felt about spending $10 on this book. I actually did quite like the first half or so, it just slowly went downhill, right alongside my attention span.
Someone made a very good point: this book is about ten years old, and it shows. It was written during the 50 shades craze when domineering, possessive men were all the rage. Now, a lot of the narrative was cringe-inducing. I have been trained to roll my eyes at the innocent virgin being spoiled by the reformed bad boy. In that aspect, maybe I am being too harsh, because it is truly a product of the times. But I didn't read it back then; I read it in 2021, and because of that, its flaws are a lot more obvious. (One example: the author really makes it seem like anything other than slow, gentle PIV sex is disrespectful to your partner). I know it is coming out on PassionFlix soon, though, so I think critiquing it through the lens of right now is still fair.
sinful88's review against another edition
3.0
I just couldn't finish the last 100 it just kept going on and on.
cala_p's review against another edition
5.0
Where oh where to start with this?
I beyond adored it. Lately I have not been reading amazing books. Decent at best. None that made me drool over every single word. Then I found this at the library, and it sounded really good. Upon starting it, I had certain expectations of what would happen in this book, that did not happen. But how the story did take place was so much better!
The writing was one thing I noticed right away, and I'll admit it did take some getting used to. Sylvain Reynard writes in a way that for anyone else, it would not work. The POV changes would switch between paragraphs, sometimes even between sentences. At first I noted how unsmooth this seemed, but once I got into it, I was so captivated by the writing it didn't bother me. in fact, if this book was written in any other way, it wouldn't be as good. Honestly, the writing is one thing that made this a very unique tale. Normally I would not be a fan, but with this, it worked. I applaud Reynard for her beautiful and captivating way of wording things.
Another thing I noticed about the writing was how many allusions and metaphors were used. The allusions to Dante's writing makes sense, but even I found after a while it got to be a little much.
The metaphors were beautiful in their own way. I really enjoyed how they added to the descriptions in this. the only thing I disliked was all the angelic references used. For the first two-thirds of the novel, they were kinda overdone. Some were nice, but when he's thinking about her innocence and purity every second sentence... well it's a little much.
Nonetheless, beautiful writing!
Another thing I like is the realism. For example in once scene Gabriel is so drunk, he pukes on Julia. I read a few reviews here who disliked that. Yes, it's gross, by at least it's realistic! When you're really drunk, most people throw up. How many books have it so the hero/heroine puke on the other? None. And how realistic is this? Not at all.
And then we have the characters. I don't have too much to say about Julia, by I really enjoyed Gabriel. While many books do the "tortured hero" thing, I found Reynard's way refreshing. Instead of the usual let's-be-charming-but-hate-ourself-inside that many of these heros have, he was an all-out ass to Julia. Being her teacher, he was able to embarrass and provoke her in class.
After reading it I learned that it is actually a Twilight fan fiction. I see a few slight similarities:
-when making out Gabriel rejects her advances, wanting to wait a bit more. Edward did the same in Eclipse.
-he was an ass to her at first. So was Edward to Bella.
-in both books the heroines compare the heroes to Michelangelo's David.
- The quote "being without you, Julianne, is like enduring and endless night without stars" is similar to the line near the end of New Moon. Edward says something about his sky was starless till she came and lit it up. (I don't have the exact quote.)
-the heroines are kind, pure, etc.
-the heroes are tortured and have a sad past.
I know Fifty Shades is also a fan fiction of Twilight, but I do not see many similarities there. But I do see some between Fifty Shades and this book:
-innocent girl in college
-rich older guy with a tortured past.
One difference is the lack of BDSM by the way. in the genre listings for this it says BDSM, yet there is none. There is a part where he admits that he was in one of those relationships in the past, but none actually take place. The romance/steamy scenes/sex scene are erotic in a sweet and sensual way.
Despite everything I said, you would think it's a four star book but no no no no this has to be a five star. It has bee a long time that I have been so captivated by a book where I did not want to put it down and where I HAVE to read EVERY SINGLE WORD WRITTEN.
I enjoyed the length of the novel; it is no short read, the humour, the way it's written, the plot, the characters and their back stories...everything! I can go on.
I beyond adored it. Lately I have not been reading amazing books. Decent at best. None that made me drool over every single word. Then I found this at the library, and it sounded really good. Upon starting it, I had certain expectations of what would happen in this book, that did not happen. But how the story did take place was so much better!
The writing was one thing I noticed right away, and I'll admit it did take some getting used to. Sylvain Reynard writes in a way that for anyone else, it would not work. The POV changes would switch between paragraphs, sometimes even between sentences. At first I noted how unsmooth this seemed, but once I got into it, I was so captivated by the writing it didn't bother me. in fact, if this book was written in any other way, it wouldn't be as good. Honestly, the writing is one thing that made this a very unique tale. Normally I would not be a fan, but with this, it worked. I applaud Reynard for her beautiful and captivating way of wording things.
Another thing I noticed about the writing was how many allusions and metaphors were used. The allusions to Dante's writing makes sense, but even I found after a while it got to be a little much.
The metaphors were beautiful in their own way. I really enjoyed how they added to the descriptions in this. the only thing I disliked was all the angelic references used. For the first two-thirds of the novel, they were kinda overdone. Some were nice, but when he's thinking about her innocence and purity every second sentence... well it's a little much.
Nonetheless, beautiful writing!
Another thing I like is the realism. For example in once scene Gabriel is so drunk, he pukes on Julia. I read a few reviews here who disliked that. Yes, it's gross, by at least it's realistic! When you're really drunk, most people throw up. How many books have it so the hero/heroine puke on the other? None. And how realistic is this? Not at all.
And then we have the characters. I don't have too much to say about Julia, by I really enjoyed Gabriel. While many books do the "tortured hero" thing, I found Reynard's way refreshing. Instead of the usual let's-be-charming-but-hate-ourself-inside that many of these heros have, he was an all-out ass to Julia. Being her teacher, he was able to embarrass and provoke her in class.
After reading it I learned that it is actually a Twilight fan fiction. I see a few slight similarities:
-when making out Gabriel rejects her advances, wanting to wait a bit more. Edward did the same in Eclipse.
-he was an ass to her at first. So was Edward to Bella.
-in both books the heroines compare the heroes to Michelangelo's David.
- The quote "being without you, Julianne, is like enduring and endless night without stars" is similar to the line near the end of New Moon. Edward says something about his sky was starless till she came and lit it up. (I don't have the exact quote.)
-the heroines are kind, pure, etc.
-the heroes are tortured and have a sad past.
I know Fifty Shades is also a fan fiction of Twilight, but I do not see many similarities there. But I do see some between Fifty Shades and this book:
-innocent girl in college
-rich older guy with a tortured past.
One difference is the lack of BDSM by the way. in the genre listings for this it says BDSM, yet there is none. There is a part where he admits that he was in one of those relationships in the past, but none actually take place. The romance/steamy scenes/sex scene are erotic in a sweet and sensual way.
Despite everything I said, you would think it's a four star book but no no no no this has to be a five star. It has bee a long time that I have been so captivated by a book where I did not want to put it down and where I HAVE to read EVERY SINGLE WORD WRITTEN.
I enjoyed the length of the novel; it is no short read, the humour, the way it's written, the plot, the characters and their back stories...everything! I can go on.