Scan barcode
sie_reads0689's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I usually love the Hockey Gods books, but this one just missed the mark for me. They had zero chemistry the way I read it. Melody lost her memory and Jacob was just mean. Plus the outright SA bothered me and I'm usually ok with it, as long as it's not between MCs. She was against him most of the book then at the end she was somehow in love with him. It just didn't flow well for me at all. I'm going to read Knox's book because I really do love the author. Sad this one just wasn't it for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Rape, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
fantasy_fi's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Stalking
Minor: Domestic abuse
paoitz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Child abuse, Death, Confinement, Stalking, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Eating disorder and Abandonment
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Drug use
tguccione's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I was SO EXCITED for Jacob’s story after reading the prequel novella (available if you sign up for author’s mailing list and highly recommended so you get the background for their relationship) and I was not disappointed! Be prepared for a DARK romance with CNC/dub-con. He is full of red flags but I can’t help but love him anyway. Melody was such a tragically beautiful FMC. This was by far my favorite of the series, so far.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Medical content, Confinement, Gaslighting, Murder, Sexual assault, Stalking, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Body shaming, and Death of parent
2kidsandagoodbook's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Something Melody and I have in common, loving Jacob and knowing it’s wrong. I mean he waves red flags like it’s all that’s keeping him alive but that man loves her so fiercely in his own way. I felt this book kept me on my toes with twists coming or things happening I couldn’t predict until the end. Even the very end wasn’t what I expected but it was absolutely perfect for this couple.
I couldn’t get enough of how toxic Jacob is, he is so obsessed with Melody and I am here for it. Jacob is who he is and he has zero shame doing what he needs to so he can get what he wants and Melody is who he wants. His manipulations had my at the edge of my seat wondering how Melody would react both before and after the amnesia.
Melody really struggled with what her brain said she should or shouldn’t want and what her heart and body wanted. You could feel the turmoil she was in at time with her mind and body at war with each other. And on top of that a portion of the book she didn’t even remember she had been Jacob’s professor. During that time her mind and body were still at war with each other but it was different and I really like how it all flowed and was brought together.
I mentally yelled at Jacob, Melody, the guys and girlfriends at times because well they were navigating all of this the best they could but you could just see something was going to happen whether it was being put in a dangerous situation or Melody finding out or remembering more from her past without Jacob there for damage control or help her through it.
So on top of all this the ex husband caused so much trouble. That man had my anxiety ramping and it took Jacob, the guys and the girls to try to keep her safe and that crazy man just wouldn’t quit. But I loved seeing everyone band around Melody whether it was Jacob and his crew who protected her by default or Melody’s friend Lucy from college and by default her husband and their friend group.
Oh my gosh all of this I’ve said and there is still more. There is a lot to unpack from this book. But the twists in this book when they hit they come from left field and it amazes me at how it all happens and pieces things together.
I love how S. Massery pulled in characters from other series which adds fun easter eggs for those who have read those books. If you haven’t then it will completely make sense but you can read the Fallen Royals series and DeSantis Mafia series to catch those or see side characters or people mentioned.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking and Sexual content
More...