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dragonflyreads's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so surprising! Suspenseful, beautiful, heartbreaking. So much more than I’d expected and I’m so glad I read it!
paddlefoot55's review against another edition
4.0
ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review
It has been a while since I have read a Willow Aster story, so this sure was a different one to jump back into that pool.
The title alone had me intrigued, the blurb had me needing to jump right in.
Lilith's story is one of love, lost, betrayal and redemption. She is (mostly) a strong heroine and I couldn't help but cheer for her as she broke away from the life she was trapped in.
However about half way through, she started making some dumbass decisions, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes and think "really? That's what you're going to do?" But this could just be me.
The second half fell away a little for me, and everything felt a little rushed and a lot of "seriously?" moments - but again, that could just be me.
I did like where the story ended up though.
I will not be leaving it so long between reads in the future.
It has been a while since I have read a Willow Aster story, so this sure was a different one to jump back into that pool.
The title alone had me intrigued, the blurb had me needing to jump right in.
Lilith's story is one of love, lost, betrayal and redemption. She is (mostly) a strong heroine and I couldn't help but cheer for her as she broke away from the life she was trapped in.
However about half way through, she started making some dumbass decisions, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes and think "really? That's what you're going to do?" But this could just be me.
The second half fell away a little for me, and everything felt a little rushed and a lot of "seriously?" moments - but again, that could just be me.
I did like where the story ended up though.
I will not be leaving it so long between reads in the future.
literarypengwyns's review against another edition
5.0
YUP. I just gave a book titled “Whore” 5 SOLID stars. Let this be a lesson to you... don’t judge a book by its cover OR its title.
Inspired by the biblical story of Hosea and Gomer, this modern tale of a “first class whore”, named Lilith, who was born into a long line of whores finds her life turned upside down when her previous “love” and mob boss, Nico, pops back in demanding a life with Lilith. When his demands result in her life burning to the ground, she runs into a knight in shining armor, Soti, who vows to protect her with little promise from her in return.
I know what you are thinking.......”this is your average smutty new adult novel with little to no substance and will make my brain rot.” WRONG. I swear I thought the same thing going in. I swear I thought the same thing about 15% of the way through. And then I realized that the writing was so powerful and unique and that this story isn’t something I’ve read before. It’s something that drew me in and made me believe in the power of a selfless love, not just “lust” or “possession” or “sex”. Like Lili’s selflessness with Soti and Soti’s (MY GOD SOTI IS AN ANGEL) selflessness with Lili was NOTHING SHORT OF INSPIRING. Then toss in a mob story that hooks you in AND set it in New Orleans and, you, my friend, WILL. BE. HOOKED.
GAH! I just really loved the story, the characters were so developed and I found little to be frustrating within the plot. You end up truly caring and truly feeling the highs and lows alongside Lili and Soti. JUST FLIPPING READ WHORE.
* ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review via Netgalley. *
Inspired by the biblical story of Hosea and Gomer, this modern tale of a “first class whore”, named Lilith, who was born into a long line of whores finds her life turned upside down when her previous “love” and mob boss, Nico, pops back in demanding a life with Lilith. When his demands result in her life burning to the ground, she runs into a knight in shining armor, Soti, who vows to protect her with little promise from her in return.
I know what you are thinking.......”this is your average smutty new adult novel with little to no substance and will make my brain rot.” WRONG. I swear I thought the same thing going in. I swear I thought the same thing about 15% of the way through. And then I realized that the writing was so powerful and unique and that this story isn’t something I’ve read before. It’s something that drew me in and made me believe in the power of a selfless love, not just “lust” or “possession” or “sex”. Like Lili’s selflessness with Soti and Soti’s (MY GOD SOTI IS AN ANGEL) selflessness with Lili was NOTHING SHORT OF INSPIRING. Then toss in a mob story that hooks you in AND set it in New Orleans and, you, my friend, WILL. BE. HOOKED.
GAH! I just really loved the story, the characters were so developed and I found little to be frustrating within the plot. You end up truly caring and truly feeling the highs and lows alongside Lili and Soti. JUST FLIPPING READ WHORE.
* ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review via Netgalley. *
thesassybookworm's review against another edition
4.0
The first 50% of this book was solid 5-Star material. Then halfway through a character pulled the biggest shit for brains move that overshadowed the entire second half. I was left going...seriously? You believe that of her knowing all you know about her life up until that point?? The threats made against her?? I also felt the second half of the book was rushed with too many jumps in time and a lot of over the top events.That said, I still found myself pulled into the story. This is the first book I have read from this author but it won't be my last. She has a very captivating way of writing. I loved the setting of New Orleans. The pace was good for the first 50%. Like I mentioned above I found the second half to be rushed and I am not particularly a fan of time jumps in my books and the second half used this technique a lot. The plot was engaging and kept me turning the pages. It was full of feels and heartbreak but also hope and redemption. There were a few sex scenes but I wouldn't say it was overly spicey. There was a nice selection of secondary characters as well.
Both of the main characters were likable (mostly). For the first half of the book I ADORED Soti. He was sweet. He treated Lilith like gold. He wore his heart on his sleeve. Then the halfway point came and I have to say Soti lost some of his luster for me. He was too quick to think the worst of Lilith considering he knew about her previous life. The threats made against her, etc. I mean for heavens’ sake did he forget the damn car chase?? How do you claim to love someone from the ends of earth and back, but a SINGLE letter convinces you that it was all a lie??!! He seemed to be a somewhat intelligent man, so how could he not put two and two together? He gave up on her SO easily...sigh. Lilith I loved from beginning to the end. She was a strong heroine. She had to be with all the shit that kept getting thrown at her. Last, it was all wrapped up in a sweet ending that again was rushed for me. I would have liked more page space given to Soti and Lilith
Spoiler
learning to be a couple again.
the_sassy_bookworm's review
4.0
The first 50% of this book was solid 5-Star material. Then halfway through a character pulled the biggest shit for brains move that overshadowed the entire second half. I was left going...seriously? You believe that of her knowing all you know about her life up until that point?? The threats made against her?? I also felt the second half of the book was rushed with too many jumps in time and a lot of over the top events.That said, I still found myself pulled into the story. This is the first book I have read from this author but it won't be my last. She has a very captivating way of writing. I loved the setting of New Orleans. The pace was good for the first 50%. Like I mentioned above I found the second half to be rushed and I am not particularly a fan of time jumps in my books and the second half used this technique a lot. The plot was engaging and kept me turning the pages. It was full of feels and heartbreak but also hope and redemption. There were a few sex scenes but I wouldn't say it was overly spicey. There was a nice selection of secondary characters as well.
Both of the main characters were likable (mostly). For the first half of the book I ADORED Soti. He was sweet. He treated Lilith like gold. He wore his heart on his sleeve. Then the halfway point came and I have to say Soti lost some of his luster for me. He was too quick to think the worst of Lilith considering he knew about her previous life. The threats made against her, etc. I mean for heavens’ sake did he forget the damn car chase?? How do you claim to love someone from the ends of earth and back, but a SINGLE letter convinces you that it was all a lie??!! He seemed to be a somewhat intelligent man, so how could he not put two and two together? He gave up on her SO easily...sigh. Lilith I loved from beginning to the end. She was a strong heroine. She had to be with all the shit that kept getting thrown at her. Last, it was all wrapped up in a sweet ending that again was rushed for me. I would have liked more page space given to Soti and Lilith
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