Reviews with content warning for Kidnapping - Does It Hurt?

So after reading a couple of books from H.D. Carlton... I didn't mind this one. I do think it had much more sexual content than I was expecting... because I was really interested in the horror subplot about the man that took them in at the lighthouse. Like especially wish I had known more about how the wife died. Considering he literally tortured his family because he refused to accept change. Maybe it would've been nice to know too if like since people had come forward with accusations for Kev, that like Sawyer wouldn't actually be convicted of something that was--in reality--an act of self-defense. Idk, I'm conflicted. As much as I love spice in books, this may have been a little too much spice because the plot was very interesting.

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bekahzabel's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Phew what a WILD ride 😮‍💨

I honestly had no idea what to expect outside of knowing this was dark romance. This is my first time reading H.D. Carlton and it didn’t disappoint. Was it packed full of triggers? Yes. So be wary of those and check before indulging.

Grumpy sunshine to the point that bully tropes were at play. From start to finish I was fully immersed and damn… it got hot in there 🥵

I’d definitely recommend this to fellow dark romance lovers. Enzo and Sawyer’s story is one that’s going to stick with me, and something I see myself revisiting and reading again.

5🌟/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

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rchulin1's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny lighthearted tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Not sure how the author was able to fit so much into a relatively short book but she did it. Such an interesting concept this book I very much enjoyed it

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gabbymm1003's review

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this story and went in very blind, but had a fun time. I guessed pretty much all of the twists and reveals from the beginning but the way it played out was entertaining and kept me involved in the story. I finished the book very fast and could barely put it down. The audiobook performers also did a great job bringing the characters to life. While some of the events of the book seemed unrealistic, it was overall a fun read and had very good spice scenes.

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jessanicolesingh's review against another edition

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dark mysterious

4.5

Shipwreck, sharks, secrets, survival, and SPICE 🥵 This was such an addicting enemies-to-lovers thriller, definitely a good beginner book to dark romance (heed the trigger warnings as always). I loved the survival storyline build-up and twist at the end, and though my TBR list is a mile long I have a feeling I will want to come back and reread this again soon!

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kelleymiller13's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

Read this book for my book club read of the month. This type of book - and the relationships developed in it - aren’t my thing. I saw the relationship between Sawyer and Enzo as very unhealthy all throughout the book and had a hard time seeing many of their actions being labeled as “loving” actions. It was more about obsession, fixation, and dominance - nothing about partnerships, love, and mutual respect.
The story line was also pretty weak. If it was going to be part "thriller", it failed. It was completely predictable, with no surprises, twists or turns. It honestly felt like the "plot" on the island was worked in as a way to just try to bring the two main characters closer together - albeit in a weird and unhealthy way - and have a LOT of sex...most of which was where he was mean to her either during it or immediately afterwards.

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imskylow's review

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

I would like to go on record and say that the only reason I finished listening to this audiobook was because of Troy Duran’s voice acting and narrating skills. Shmexy-ass voice if you ask me. As for the content of the book… well, I vibed with it initially but it’s highkey garbage. It’s a very dark romance. And by romance I mean erotica. And by erotica I mean this is the dictionary entry for sadomasochism. I’m not kink shaming though! I like reading rough romance as much as the next smut addict. At one point, though, it’s taken a too far and becomes very dubious/non-consenual and the FMC, Sawyer, legitimately fears for her life. Enzo was getting revenge for identity theft so I sort of let it slide. (Yikes, I know). Eventually he apologizes and govels and tries to work for her forgiveness. However, at one point he wants to help her get over the trauma of said dubious consent experience and instead of building trust, he forces her into a similarly traumatizing situation and has her life at his mercy while he’s railing her. Not to mention, this second sexual encounter is right after both of them were threatened at the end of a shotgun. I kinda don’t think anyone would be in the mood for sex after their lives are threatened. The conclusion of the story just doesn’t make much sense. There’s too many plot holes for it to have worked out so perfectly. It’s garbage. I probably should have DNFed at 30% but I needed Troy Duran to continue talking to me in Italian.

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