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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
Enjoyed the read, and I really like the authors writing. The whole thing flowed pretty easily and I didn't want to put it down.
Rated lower though because there just isn't much substance between the MC's. I wanted more angst, more chemistry between then and not just physical. I think there wasn't enough of the romance, even if the MMC has to do it for her benefit. So for me the love they proclaimed didn't feel real, as between the plot and the spice there just didn't feel much in between. But I enjoyed the overall read, the darkness of it and how the plot developed. I think with characters like these, I just wanted it all and I didn't feel much from them.
Rated lower though because there just isn't much substance between the MC's. I wanted more angst, more chemistry between then and not just physical. I think there wasn't enough of the romance, even if the MMC has to do it for her benefit. So for me the love they proclaimed didn't feel real, as between the plot and the spice there just didn't feel much in between. But I enjoyed the overall read, the darkness of it and how the plot developed. I think with characters like these, I just wanted it all and I didn't feel much from them.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
medium-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
This book was certainly a little twisty and I enjoyed that side of it. It was a bit of a different take on a bully romance and I appreciated that Sam did that because I didn’t really ever know what was coming next or what the truth was. Aubrey was a dedicated daughter and I liked that she would do anything for her mom, but I had hoped she wouldn’t be as gullible as she ended up being in my opinion. Dare was a classic bully-style MMC and of course I loved him and his depravity. He was just the right amount of crazy with a few sweeter moments thrown in. That all said, I didn’t really ever get the sense that the story was done, even after the epilogue. Something about it left me wanting for more.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dark Romance or Dark Abuse?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I like dark romances but this was crazy. I- read it for yourself
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment
Dnf: 3%
Yeah I’m not reading this book that has that much space between each paragraph- the dialogue, also a no.
I fast forward a bit- ew
Yeah I’m not reading this book that has that much space between each paragraph- the dialogue, also a no.
I fast forward a bit- ew
first read: 4 stars Re-read. 5 stars with major trigger warnings.
Exactly what I need from this kind of book. I love that the author doesn't try to excuse the hero's behaviour. Like, he is abusive and he rapes the heroine, but it's acknowledged and not tried to be played off as anything else. So often in dark romance when people are upset about the relationship people clap back with "we told you it would be dark, read the warnings" but then in the book after a noncon scene they try to play it off as if it wasn't horrible because H loves and is obsessed with h. No, nope, no. If it's going to be a toxic and abusive relationship, I want both to be very clear that that's what going on by the end of the book, and the author does that very well here. I do wish we got more time with the heroine after she confronts the reality of the relationship and how she processes it and how she gets to the point where she ultimately feels safe in a very unsafe relationship. That's why I originally only gave 4 stars, but I keep thinking about the book and coming back to it and I'll probably return to it again so I'm bumping it up and hoping as the author continues to write stories in the universe I can get some cameos that fill in what was missing at the end.
Exactly what I need from this kind of book. I love that the author doesn't try to excuse the hero's behaviour. Like, he is abusive and he rapes the heroine, but it's acknowledged and not tried to be played off as anything else. So often in dark romance when people are upset about the relationship people clap back with "we told you it would be dark, read the warnings" but then in the book after a noncon scene they try to play it off as if it wasn't horrible because H loves and is obsessed with h. No, nope, no. If it's going to be a toxic and abusive relationship, I want both to be very clear that that's what going on by the end of the book, and the author does that very well here. I do wish we got more time with the heroine after she confronts the reality of the relationship and how she processes it and how she gets to the point where she ultimately feels safe in a very unsafe relationship. That's why I originally only gave 4 stars, but I keep thinking about the book and coming back to it and I'll probably return to it again so I'm bumping it up and hoping as the author continues to write stories in the universe I can get some cameos that fill in what was missing at the end.
Something about it had me itching to keep reading! Rape-y but fine story.
This was so messed up. JFC.
I actually enjoyed it as a whole, but Dare is… a lot. The biggest thing that kept me from rating it higher is that Aubrey never develops a backbone and learns how to stand up to Dare when it’s important. She knows Dare is keeping her from being friends with Hannah and she just… shrugs it off? No, thanks.
Though, I am very intrigued by this world and I want Hannah’s story, like… now. Also, maybe more of Dare and Aubrey where she does develop a backbone? Their story didn’t feel fully “finished” to me. I will definitely keep going in this series.
I actually enjoyed it as a whole, but Dare is… a lot. The biggest thing that kept me from rating it higher is that Aubrey never develops a backbone and learns how to stand up to Dare when it’s important. She knows Dare is keeping her from being friends with Hannah and she just… shrugs it off? No, thanks.
Though, I am very intrigued by this world and I want Hannah’s story, like… now. Also, maybe more of Dare and Aubrey where she does develop a backbone? Their story didn’t feel fully “finished” to me. I will definitely keep going in this series.
This book is my kind of dark romance. Where the villain stays a villain and the only thing that really redeems him is how obsessed he is with the person he loves.
Dare never lost his edge and continues his reign as the villain in the sequel even though he doesn't actually appear in it. Rather his presence is felt even if he isn't around and I love that.
This was my first Sam Mariano book but it certainly won't be the last. Looking forward to future books in the series.
Dare never lost his edge and continues his reign as the villain in the sequel even though he doesn't actually appear in it. Rather his presence is felt even if he isn't around and I love that.
This was my first Sam Mariano book but it certainly won't be the last. Looking forward to future books in the series.