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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Aubrey experiences the length that a person will go to make your life miserable: Anae.
However, she will soon unexpectedly introduce her current boyfriend to Aubrey in a near-death (or homicide) experience.
I don’t know men, this book makes me iffy and my favorite genre is dark/questionable romance. He really is the worst, especially in the last chapters, talking about that, man I did NOT expect that “plot twist”.
“He’s the one who mildly traumatized me in the first place, but he’s also my only source of comfort, so I let him pet me and calm me down. Now that I’m not afraid he’s going to make me do something I’m not ready for, it’s easier to relax.”
The whole development of the book is around Aubrey being manipulated by Dare.
“Now, she needs to be trained to suit my needs.”
I don’t even know if Dare is a psychopath, sociopath, or has some questionable tendencies. Does he even like/love Aubrey? Is he able to love?
“To be loved so hard, so aggressively… it’s frightening, but intoxicating, too.”
However, she will soon unexpectedly introduce her current boyfriend to Aubrey in a near-death (or homicide) experience.
I don’t know men, this book makes me iffy and my favorite genre is dark/questionable romance. He really is the worst, especially in the last chapters, talking about that, man I did NOT expect that “plot twist”.
“He’s the one who mildly traumatized me in the first place, but he’s also my only source of comfort, so I let him pet me and calm me down. Now that I’m not afraid he’s going to make me do something I’m not ready for, it’s easier to relax.”
The whole development of the book is around Aubrey being manipulated by Dare.
“Now, she needs to be trained to suit my needs.”
I don’t even know if Dare is a psychopath, sociopath, or has some questionable tendencies. Does he even like/love Aubrey? Is he able to love?
“To be loved so hard, so aggressively… it’s frightening, but intoxicating, too.”
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
If Killian from God of Wrath,and Carter Mahoney from Untouchable had a baby.... Voila! I give you, Dare.
He's a baddie. Not one of those simps in music videos telling us how cool and gangsta they are either.
He. Is. BAD.
Dare doesn't recognize hard limits,and he doesn't hear the word "No". He is equal parts terrifying and sexy. I felt dirty just realizing how lust-worthy I thought he was. When he said he'd be willing to kill,or burn the world down for his girl,he definitely meant it.
This book was shocking, insane,and very,very wrong. I loved it.
He's a baddie. Not one of those simps in music videos telling us how cool and gangsta they are either.
He. Is. BAD.
Dare doesn't recognize hard limits,and he doesn't hear the word "No". He is equal parts terrifying and sexy. I felt dirty just realizing how lust-worthy I thought he was. When he said he'd be willing to kill,or burn the world down for his girl,he definitely meant it.
This book was shocking, insane,and very,very wrong. I loved it.
Oh "you"
So first off I'd like to say please read and heed the author's trigger warnings and always read darker novels at your own risk.
I went into this blind for the most part; Amazon recommended it to me based on prior reads and I thought the cover was gorgeous so I said why not?
I was in for a wild ride my friends.
Without any spoilers given, the author does a fantastic job in my opinion bringing Aubrey's emotions to life throughout the novel from her first meeting of Dare until that last turn of the page. Also, going back to the point of trigger warnings tying into this, when the author states that this is a very toxic relationship she means it but in saying that- as you're reading the book you literally start feel how the main character feels. It's like this huge tug of war emotional Rollercoaster that she's on, that anyone would honestly be on in the same insane situation. I absolutely loved that aspect of this book and in general love books that are able to do this.
One small complaint (since I went into this semi blind) is that the cover doesn't really match the story itself which I sometimes use to get the vibe of a novel to start off and then I feel like the characters could've been aged just a bit to college level maybe.
So first off I'd like to say please read and heed the author's trigger warnings and always read darker novels at your own risk.
I went into this blind for the most part; Amazon recommended it to me based on prior reads and I thought the cover was gorgeous so I said why not?
I was in for a wild ride my friends.
Without any spoilers given, the author does a fantastic job in my opinion bringing Aubrey's emotions to life throughout the novel from her first meeting of Dare until that last turn of the page. Also, going back to the point of trigger warnings tying into this, when the author states that this is a very toxic relationship she means it but in saying that- as you're reading the book you literally start feel how the main character feels. It's like this huge tug of war emotional Rollercoaster that she's on, that anyone would honestly be on in the same insane situation. I absolutely loved that aspect of this book and in general love books that are able to do this.
One small complaint (since I went into this semi blind) is that the cover doesn't really match the story itself which I sometimes use to get the vibe of a novel to start off and then I feel like the characters could've been aged just a bit to college level maybe.
I’m going to start off by saying that this book definitely isn’t for everybody, a lot of boundaries get crossed in this book and I mean a LOT, Aubrey and Dares story is not a traditional romance by any means but dammit I still fell in love with them both.
There literally isn’t anything Dare wouldn’t do to ensure Aubrey stays his, to say he is a complete and utter psychopath would be an understatement, he is a walking red flag but luckily for me red is my favourite colour.
Poor, sweet, innocent Aubrey had no idea what she was getting into and by the time she found out who he really was, it was too late. He was her angel, he saved her life.
Please, please, please check the triggers before going in because the author did NOT hold back with this one.
Now I’m gonna go check myself into the psych ward because there has to be something wrong with me for loving this man
There literally isn’t anything Dare wouldn’t do to ensure Aubrey stays his, to say he is a complete and utter psychopath would be an understatement, he is a walking red flag but luckily for me red is my favourite colour.
Poor, sweet, innocent Aubrey had no idea what she was getting into and by the time she found out who he really was, it was too late. He was her angel, he saved her life.
Please, please, please check the triggers before going in because the author did NOT hold back with this one.
Now I’m gonna go check myself into the psych ward because there has to be something wrong with me for loving this man
Special thanks to Sam Mariano for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
5 (I can’t stop thinking about this book) stars
Every time Sam Mariano releases a new book, it’s a good day for me. I never been so addicted to someone’s writing as I am with hers. There is something about her heroes that really work for me. It could be that they are the most savage ANTI-heroes I’ve ever read. Ones that don’t take no for an answer. Ones that make the heroine bend to accommodate them. Ones that make the heroines work overtime to unravel their darkness and the only way to keep these villains from blowing up the world….is to give them a heroine that they can achingly obsess over. Now, I don’t like my heroes like that in every book I read, but no one can write them like Sam. So I know that when I need that edge, I can find it in her books.
Please note, that these heroes do not change for the heroine. If that is what you need, this isn’t the book for you.
Our “hero” Dare, operates on a whole other level. Parts of this book reminded me of the movie “Fear” with Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon. Dare’s level of obsesssion with our FMC, Aubrey, is NEXT level.
After a situation at Aubrey’s work goes south, fellow classmate, Anae, sets her sights on destroying Aubrey. And wouldn’t you have it, Anae is currently dating Dare. Popular on every level, rich, swim team champion - everyone bows to Dare. Anae casts Dare’s as the lead actor in her scheme to ruin Aubrey. I won’t say any more as I don’t want to spoil anything.
Everything after this point is straight up CRAZY. This took on a sinister vibe that just kept building. I am always so engaged with every book I read by Sam Mariano. This book is no exception. Please be warned that this story is FULL of triggers. Sam has a detailed note in the beginning of this book. Please read it and proceed with caution.
I am VERY excited about this new Coastal Elite series. Along with Anae, we are also introduced to Anae’s stepsister, Hannah. I am pumped for their stories and Landon and Parker’s (their intro is in the Bully God anthology). If you are good with the triggers and are looking for a book that you can’t put down, look no further.
5 (I can’t stop thinking about this book) stars
Every time Sam Mariano releases a new book, it’s a good day for me. I never been so addicted to someone’s writing as I am with hers. There is something about her heroes that really work for me. It could be that they are the most savage ANTI-heroes I’ve ever read. Ones that don’t take no for an answer. Ones that make the heroine bend to accommodate them. Ones that make the heroines work overtime to unravel their darkness and the only way to keep these villains from blowing up the world….is to give them a heroine that they can achingly obsess over. Now, I don’t like my heroes like that in every book I read, but no one can write them like Sam. So I know that when I need that edge, I can find it in her books.
Please note, that these heroes do not change for the heroine. If that is what you need, this isn’t the book for you.
Our “hero” Dare, operates on a whole other level. Parts of this book reminded me of the movie “Fear” with Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon. Dare’s level of obsesssion with our FMC, Aubrey, is NEXT level.
After a situation at Aubrey’s work goes south, fellow classmate, Anae, sets her sights on destroying Aubrey. And wouldn’t you have it, Anae is currently dating Dare. Popular on every level, rich, swim team champion - everyone bows to Dare. Anae casts Dare’s as the lead actor in her scheme to ruin Aubrey. I won’t say any more as I don’t want to spoil anything.
Everything after this point is straight up CRAZY. This took on a sinister vibe that just kept building. I am always so engaged with every book I read by Sam Mariano. This book is no exception. Please be warned that this story is FULL of triggers. Sam has a detailed note in the beginning of this book. Please read it and proceed with caution.
I am VERY excited about this new Coastal Elite series. Along with Anae, we are also introduced to Anae’s stepsister, Hannah. I am pumped for their stories and Landon and Parker’s (their intro is in the Bully God anthology). If you are good with the triggers and are looking for a book that you can’t put down, look no further.
If I could give this book 0 stars I would. I get that it's a dark romance but this book was way too dark and triggering.
Maybe it's for others, but definitely not for me. I am completely disturbed
Maybe it's for others, but definitely not for me. I am completely disturbed
It was definitely captivating story. I stayed at night just to read it, but... I don't really like our heroine. Yeah, shocker. This is not a typo. I actually mean the heroine not the hero.
Although he was also not my kind of character. It's not that he was too dark, he was insufficiently unraveled character. Like all we know about him is that he no doubt psycho and like to do depraved things to everyone, but more of all to our heroine. Why? For what reason he like that, what happened to him or he just born like that we don't know. I don't like heroes without at least some semblance of motivation.
And what I didn't like most of all (besides that he is bastard) we don't know his thoughts much. Even in chapters wrote in his POV we don't know his feeling, if he really care that much about heroine, if he even in love with her in this fuck up way of his or is it just another manipulation. Probably that's a point to left us clueless, but we left clueless not only through the book but even in the end of it. I didn't see this big tragic love or connection between them. I don't even know why it was her to him? It's not really explained why he might like her. Probably it was because she was alone and easy prey.
"I try to bite back my grin, but fail miserably. “You’re the biggest liar I’ve ever met.”"
"“You’re not just saying that to be nice?” He smirks and gives me a kiss. “I’m not nice,” he tells me."
This book was scary more than anything, I read it for the thrill of it. It was hard to observe how events unfold. How just usual girl (who can be really any of us) accidentally attracts the attention of a maniac for no particular reason. And since it's abusive and toxic relationship fall in love with her tormentor. Nothing new here actually to the plot. But.
But as I already said above I didn't like heroine. She was too bland for this story, very plain, just sick puppy in love. No real fight, no revenge. No plotting. Humble sheep. She just took all he give her and asked for more. And in my opinion it wasn't beautiful. I know difference between reality and fantasy. And I like my heroines have more fire, more fight. I like them to give back that much how they take. It wasn't the case. And she wasn't really good, she wasn't against be side piece of hero, she wasn't against that he cheated with her. What most sad, I liked her at the beginning of the story.
"You need to be looked at by a doctor. You could still die.” “I won’t die,” she says almost dismissively. “I have too much to do.”"
Probably this book was just too much realistic. Like author took the plot key points from some abuser manual 101.
It was one of the few dark romance books where I genuinely didn't want the villain to get the girl. I wanted it to be ended differently. And there was even possibility for it, but author took different direction.
And also we got HFN ending. So I not sure maybe there would be more to their story. In the next book.
The bright part of the book was heroine's friend Hannah. She was brave and nice I looking forward to read her story.
And last one. It was confusing for me, how our heroine finally find time for all this drama in her life. She was so busy at the beginning of the book, deserted her only friend to spend all the time with her ill mother. Why even this friend was in the book in the first place, we heard about her like two times in the beginning and she was plote shift for getting heroine to a party. And then poof.
Although he was also not my kind of character. It's not that he was too dark, he was insufficiently unraveled character. Like all we know about him is that he no doubt psycho and like to do depraved things to everyone, but more of all to our heroine. Why? For what reason he like that, what happened to him or he just born like that we don't know. I don't like heroes without at least some semblance of motivation.
And what I didn't like most of all (besides that he is bastard) we don't know his thoughts much. Even in chapters wrote in his POV we don't know his feeling, if he really care that much about heroine, if he even in love with her in this fuck up way of his or is it just another manipulation. Probably that's a point to left us clueless, but we left clueless not only through the book but even in the end of it. I didn't see this big tragic love or connection between them. I don't even know why it was her to him? It's not really explained why he might like her. Probably it was because she was alone and easy prey.
"I try to bite back my grin, but fail miserably. “You’re the biggest liar I’ve ever met.”"
"“You’re not just saying that to be nice?” He smirks and gives me a kiss. “I’m not nice,” he tells me."
This book was scary more than anything, I read it for the thrill of it. It was hard to observe how events unfold. How just usual girl (who can be really any of us) accidentally attracts the attention of a maniac for no particular reason. And since it's abusive and toxic relationship fall in love with her tormentor. Nothing new here actually to the plot. But.
But as I already said above I didn't like heroine. She was too bland for this story, very plain, just sick puppy in love. No real fight, no revenge. No plotting. Humble sheep. She just took all he give her and asked for more. And in my opinion it wasn't beautiful. I know difference between reality and fantasy. And I like my heroines have more fire, more fight. I like them to give back that much how they take. It wasn't the case. And she wasn't really good, she wasn't against be side piece of hero, she wasn't against that he cheated with her. What most sad, I liked her at the beginning of the story.
"You need to be looked at by a doctor. You could still die.” “I won’t die,” she says almost dismissively. “I have too much to do.”"
Probably this book was just too much realistic. Like author took the plot key points from some abuser manual 101.
It was one of the few dark romance books where I genuinely didn't want the villain to get the girl. I wanted it to be ended differently. And there was even possibility for it, but author took different direction.
And also we got HFN ending. So I not sure maybe there would be more to their story. In the next book.
The bright part of the book was heroine's friend Hannah. She was brave and nice I looking forward to read her story.
And last one. It was confusing for me, how our heroine finally find time for all this drama in her life. She was so busy at the beginning of the book, deserted her only friend to spend all the time with her ill mother. Why even this friend was in the book in the first place, we heard about her like two times in the beginning and she was plote shift for getting heroine to a party. And then poof.
Dark bully romance
I went into this book blind :) and I have to say wow. It intense sexy and kept you on your toes. I would definitely check triggers. Toxic relationships all in all. Aubrey was innocent and Dare was let’s just say rough around the edges. Aubrey endured a lot through out this book. If you have no triggers and like dark high school romance I would recommend reading it. But if you have any triggers I would be cautious and check.
I went into this book blind :) and I have to say wow. It intense sexy and kept you on your toes. I would definitely check triggers. Toxic relationships all in all. Aubrey was innocent and Dare was let’s just say rough around the edges. Aubrey endured a lot through out this book. If you have no triggers and like dark high school romance I would recommend reading it. But if you have any triggers I would be cautious and check.