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suzyvee91's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
4.0
chatdunoirreadsalot123's review
4.0
Lately, I’ve read a lot of SwanQueen-fanfiction-turned-into-books, and this one didn’t disappoint either
amandanemer's review
3.0
i dont know how to review this book. there were many things i disliked, but it also had things i liked.
i liked how well written the play scenes between the main characters were. i think they have a great chemistry, which made their play scenes breathtaking.
plus, the way the author loves shibari and EXPRESSED this love in the book was AMAZINGLY WELL DONE.
another win to her debut.
those were the only scenes i actually enjoyed, which made me really sad because the author has the potential to write a novel that i’ll truly love.
despite of being a well written novel, sometimes i found the reading rhythm really slow. the “conflict” between the mc happened at 70% and it had a quick solution, which made the final part a real torment to finish because i found myself bored and annoyed until the very end.
the main characters were.... a thing. while the domme, in my opinion, has annoying traits she showed to be more interesting than the other mc. i found julia REALLY annoying even though i understood her reasons and fears. she was so afraid to surrender to HER desires that i found myself screaming at her things like “why youre so scared if you already said you trust her
mayyasophie's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bastonikov's review against another edition
5.0
My kink is when the main couple in a romance novel are able to communicate through their shit and no drama for sake of drama ensues.
10/10
10/10
rakhya's review against another edition
3.0
Unapologetically a SwanQueen AU.
And I would not have minded that a bit, if not for the frequent references to the characters that inspired the two leads.
What I like most in Shadow Haven is the power dynamics between the two leads, and how Julia's exploration of BDSM becomes the foundation of her budding relationship with Alexandra.
Those aspects alone are were worth the (re)read.
And I would not have minded that a bit, if not for the frequent references to the characters that inspired the two leads.
What I like most in Shadow Haven is the power dynamics between the two leads, and how Julia's exploration of BDSM becomes the foundation of her budding relationship with Alexandra.
Those aspects alone are were worth the (re)read.
deanie's review against another edition
4.0
Julia Quinn's boss has decided that her favorite employee (Julia) needs a vacation, so she has arranged for Julia to spend two weeks at a private island retreat. She doesn't tell Julia that the island is owned by Dominatrix Alexandra Ortega, who usually uses it for her business. Originally wary of each other, Julia and Alexandra eventually become friends, then become much more, as Julia explores BDSM for the first time, while Alexandra commits to her first real relationship in a while.
This book is definitely a slow-burn romance, and for a book that takes place on an island owned by a Dominatrix, is relatively light on the sex scenes (though those that are included, are smoking hot). It's also a different kind of BDSM, since Alexandra doesn't use corporal punishment (unlike almost every other BDSM romance I've read). Their relationship is very sweet, if awkward in places.
This book is definitely a slow-burn romance, and for a book that takes place on an island owned by a Dominatrix, is relatively light on the sex scenes (though those that are included, are smoking hot). It's also a different kind of BDSM, since Alexandra doesn't use corporal punishment (unlike almost every other BDSM romance I've read). Their relationship is very sweet, if awkward in places.
sbarrettt's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.5
book_abondance's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
wickedregal's review
5.0
Edit:
I love when you reread a book and get just as much joy as the first time you read it. This is one of my favorite books so will most likely reread it many more times down the road.
My original review is below...
***ARC from YLVA Publishing***
It is hard to put into words how much I truly adored this book! So many heightened emotions in my head. It honestly pulled me in from the start and I couldn't get enough of the two leading ladies. They both intrigued me in their own unique ways and traits. I will first say... this book contains BDSM lifestyle. So if you are not into that what-so-ever or are not the least bit curious of such, then I would suggest looking elsewhere instead of reading just to hate on it. BUT, if you are willing to keep an open mind on the matter, then please read this book! I think a lot of times when people think of BDSM, instead of researching the true concept and ideology of such a life style, they immediately think of torture, humiliation, worst case scenarios that the mainstream society depicts it as because they do not get it and tend to monsterize things of which they do not understand. And quite a few authors I have found, also tend to focus on those things and miss the point of the relationship entirely.
This book is anything but that. I found it an absolutely beautiful story. It's full of emotion and understanding. It has heart. It is sensual and exciting, yet humorous and heart warming. Alexandra may be a professional domme, but at her core she is a caretaker. And it is Julia who opens her eyes and heart to feelings she has kept locked away because of things in her past. Both of them bring out the true selves in one another. I feel like I am rambling but honestly, I could probably write a novel of a review on this book itself. Only tiny complaint I had was on the part of the editing as there seemed to be more errors toward the end of the book. They were still small, a word missing there or an extra 'to' added there, but other than that... I have no complaints. The book was breathtaking and left me wanting more. ;)
I love when you reread a book and get just as much joy as the first time you read it. This is one of my favorite books so will most likely reread it many more times down the road.
My original review is below...
***ARC from YLVA Publishing***
It is hard to put into words how much I truly adored this book! So many heightened emotions in my head. It honestly pulled me in from the start and I couldn't get enough of the two leading ladies. They both intrigued me in their own unique ways and traits. I will first say... this book contains BDSM lifestyle. So if you are not into that what-so-ever or are not the least bit curious of such, then I would suggest looking elsewhere instead of reading just to hate on it. BUT, if you are willing to keep an open mind on the matter, then please read this book! I think a lot of times when people think of BDSM, instead of researching the true concept and ideology of such a life style, they immediately think of torture, humiliation, worst case scenarios that the mainstream society depicts it as because they do not get it and tend to monsterize things of which they do not understand. And quite a few authors I have found, also tend to focus on those things and miss the point of the relationship entirely.
This book is anything but that. I found it an absolutely beautiful story. It's full of emotion and understanding. It has heart. It is sensual and exciting, yet humorous and heart warming. Alexandra may be a professional domme, but at her core she is a caretaker. And it is Julia who opens her eyes and heart to feelings she has kept locked away because of things in her past. Both of them bring out the true selves in one another. I feel like I am rambling but honestly, I could probably write a novel of a review on this book itself. Only tiny complaint I had was on the part of the editing as there seemed to be more errors toward the end of the book. They were still small, a word missing there or an extra 'to' added there, but other than that... I have no complaints. The book was breathtaking and left me wanting more. ;)