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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
This series continues to throw wrenches into the mix that had my jaw drop to the floor. The romance between Bel & Drew was just as intense as the first book, but now we get more of his vulnerable side. Drew Marshall, who is used to getting his way and not caring who he steps on to get there, is showing his guilt and shame to Bel about what happened in book 1.
I loved the added layer of the relationship between Seb & Bel. Overall, I enjoyed this book and I’m ready for Seb’s story. I have a feeling it’ll be him and Elyse ( riley? Whoever lol)
I loved the added layer of the relationship between Seb & Bel. Overall, I enjoyed this book and I’m ready for Seb’s story. I have a feeling it’ll be him and Elyse ( riley? Whoever lol)
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Whack and unhinged, but I still liked it.
Thoughts 💡
I’m not sure why I like JL Beck, but her books are addictive. There’s all these crazy plot twists and unhinged characters so even though the grammar is extremely rough I still get sucked in. She’s just a really good storyteller in need of a good editor.
Drew was whack, ngl. From the beginning he was all in, claimed his girl, recklessly pursued her, and let no one stand in his way. There’s some serious dub-con here because the man does not take the word no if he thinks he knows better. He’s one of those characters that’s entertaining to read about but you never want to meet anyone like him in rl.
I loved that Bel learned to channel in her inner strength and that she grew to fully accept herself and her desires. She started the duet sweet and innocent, but by the end she was as embroiled in the dark elite world of Oakmount as anyone else.
I wouldn’t say there’s a lot of romance that happens here. There’s more than some other popular dark romances like The Sinner by Shantel Tessier, but the romance develops sort of like the one in Credence by Penelope Douglas. Bel is in this messed up situationship with Drew, she demands he treat her better and he compromises in some ways. In truth though, she mostly just gets dickmatized, sees that he’s occasionally sweet, and realizes she’s going to be addicted for life.
In short, this book is twisted and entertaining. It’s loaded with smut and dark themes, and if you love dark romance and aren’t a stickler for grammar you’ll enjoy it.
✨Note✨This is a duet, you have to read book 1 to understand what’s happening.
⚠️Content Warning⚠️
Drew is unhinged and his father is despicable, please check the warnings list in the book before reading.
Stats 📊
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Characters 💙💙💙💙
NA Dark Romance: billionaire/ mafia, he fucked up, groveling, dark secrets uncovered, revenge
First Person, Present Tense, Dual POV
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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
dark
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The story and plot was great! But the repetition of the way the characters explain their feelings was annoying AF!!
dark
emotional
fast-paced
The characters weren’t lovable at all. There was the same back and forth between the two MCs and it was annoying since nothing changed!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
“I don’t have to win you back, Flower. You’ve always been mine. I’d just prefer your forgiveness over anger, but in the end, I’ll take you however I can get you.”
I have mixed feelings about The Wildflower. There were some great parts, but the plot stalled in several places, making it hard to keep my attention. The first half dragged and was repetitive. It was only in the last half that things actually happened. When the suspense and danger ramped up, I found it hard to put the book down. I think Bel and Drew’s story could have been told with a good chunk removed.
I did like how Drew remained an unapologetic bastard. Anything else would have been entirely out of character. I knew he wasn’t going to be redeemed. I wasn’t looking for a debasing grovel, but I did want him to have genuine remorse for how he treated Bel. We got that.
I hated how easily Bel gave in to Drew. I was hoping for a good girl gone bad situation and instead got a weakling who never learned to stand up for herself. She was 100% dickmatized. Drew forced his way back into her life and wouldn’t accept no for an answer, and she was too needy to really mean it when she told him no. I kept wishing she would stop thinking about how much she loved submitting to him and pushed back instead.
This was a slower burn than book one in the duet, though there are some very kinky scenes.
The Wildflower ends in a HEA for Drew and Bel but leaves off with some loose ends to be tied up in future books in the series.
Genre: Dark NA Romance
Tropes/Features: College setting, secret society, bully, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, bad boy/good girl, hot jock/quiet nerd, entitled MMC, virgin FMC, OTT J/P, touch her and die, primal chase, DC/CNC
POV: Dual 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: MF, fast burn, very spicy (dark)
Book Type/Ending: Book two in Oakmount Elite series, HEA
TW/CW: Extensive list in Reader’s Note