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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
dark
funny
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
SPOILERS
Carter is a walking red flag and zoey is a push over.
I’m not sure where to start with this book. I do like the concept of a bully romance and I have liked them in the past, but this book just isn’t sitting with me. I know the author gave trigger warnings but with the amount of SA in this book and most of the time no consent, I just couldn’t get past it.
The last couple of chapters did work for me where Carter finally became better and Zoey was able to finally move forward with him but I can’t stop thinking about the way it all started and the way he kept manipulating her over and over. Hurting anyone to get to her and she was just let all that fall to the side.
I do like the idea of a redeemable bully and the woman he would do anything for but this book was not it for me.
Carter is a walking red flag and zoey is a push over.
I’m not sure where to start with this book. I do like the concept of a bully romance and I have liked them in the past, but this book just isn’t sitting with me. I know the author gave trigger warnings but with the amount of SA in this book and most of the time no consent, I just couldn’t get past it.
The last couple of chapters did work for me where Carter finally became better and Zoey was able to finally move forward with him but I can’t stop thinking about the way it all started and the way he kept manipulating her over and over. Hurting anyone to get to her and she was just let all that fall to the side.
I do like the idea of a redeemable bully and the woman he would do anything for but this book was not it for me.
This is not healthy.
Trigger warnings:
-rape (by hero)
-sexual assault (By Hero)
- Sexual abuse of a minor
Trigger warnings:
-rape (by hero)
-sexual assault (By Hero)
- Sexual abuse of a minor
4.5⭐️⭐️
Not sure how I feel, but I do know I’m sad it’s over. What a wild ride this was and I’d gladly take it again
Not sure how I feel, but I do know I’m sad it’s over. What a wild ride this was and I’d gladly take it again
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have heard so many good things about Untouchable that I couldn’t wait to get started. This lived up to everything people had said and more.
First, it starts out really effed-up and dark. In fact, at this point it’s a lot of what the hell and how will there ever be a romance out of this? This is a major good bully romance that takes its time blooming. Carter is pretty funny; as he tries so much at first, but does succeed. Eve through the progress of the romance and relationship there’s still some bully themes there, mixed with the possessiveness that is Carter.
I enjoyed the realism of their relationship, especially from her side. Since they’re seniors in high school, they’re both looking at colleges. Zoey is a poor student, smart, and working on a college scholarship. Carter is set to go ivy-league, between his status as an athlete and is family influence. He’s under the belief that they will be together after high school, while Zoey is realistic and fighting him at every turn. Based on his educational and career prospects he will find someone more in his status. Dragging out this relationship into a long-distance one will only lead to heartbreak, so she tells him multiple times they need to break it off after grad, even going as far to suggest a friends-with-benefit status as they visit each other until he finds better. I liked this. Given their situations, she wasn’t naive and assumed all would be well and tried to set them both up for as much success as they can.
Mind you, his solution to all this was pretty darn okay.
It’s such a good book that leaves you glued to the page. Again, it’s effed. And I do not condone the way it all started, but there are trigger warnings in the beginning. Do not read if you are not ready. Despite it all, I can understand how a romance bloomed from this. I know I know...some people are WTF-ing at me right now. But I do. I respect the author for touching those bounds. I read and love Pepper Winters’ books; her light and dark books, but especially her dark books. I learned to stomach a lot. If what the heroes do in those books are okay for the development of the romance than so is Sam’s Carter and Zoey. It goes there and if you walk into this book understanding it is a dark bully romance, you will not be upset.
First, it starts out really effed-up and dark. In fact, at this point it’s a lot of what the hell and how will there ever be a romance out of this? This is a major good bully romance that takes its time blooming. Carter is pretty funny; as he tries so much at first, but does succeed. Eve through the progress of the romance and relationship there’s still some bully themes there, mixed with the possessiveness that is Carter.
I enjoyed the realism of their relationship, especially from her side. Since they’re seniors in high school, they’re both looking at colleges. Zoey is a poor student, smart, and working on a college scholarship. Carter is set to go ivy-league, between his status as an athlete and is family influence. He’s under the belief that they will be together after high school, while Zoey is realistic and fighting him at every turn. Based on his educational and career prospects he will find someone more in his status. Dragging out this relationship into a long-distance one will only lead to heartbreak, so she tells him multiple times they need to break it off after grad, even going as far to suggest a friends-with-benefit status as they visit each other until he finds better. I liked this. Given their situations, she wasn’t naive and assumed all would be well and tried to set them both up for as much success as they can.
Mind you, his solution to all this was pretty darn okay.
It’s such a good book that leaves you glued to the page. Again, it’s effed. And I do not condone the way it all started, but there are trigger warnings in the beginning. Do not read if you are not ready. Despite it all, I can understand how a romance bloomed from this. I know I know...some people are WTF-ing at me right now. But I do. I respect the author for touching those bounds. I read and love Pepper Winters’ books; her light and dark books, but especially her dark books. I learned to stomach a lot. If what the heroes do in those books are okay for the development of the romance than so is Sam’s Carter and Zoey. It goes there and if you walk into this book understanding it is a dark bully romance, you will not be upset.
RTC. Overall: 4.5 stars, rounded up
This is going to be impossible to review.
EDIT:
So. The beginning? Despicable. Outrageous. Painful. 100% rape. There weren't any sexual feelings for Carter that Zoey felt. She was genuinely raped and assaulted and humiliated. I was cringing so hard because it was so intensely sad and I wanted someone to help Zoey, but no one did. It made it seriously hard to believe that Zoey would eventually forgive him and a romance would blossom.
The rest of the book? Incredible. Unique. Open-minded scrumptiousness with enormous amounts of communication and respect and realistic expectations in a relationship like Zoey and Carter's. One involving forced sex fantasies.
I was waiting for more information and a deep dive into Carter's character, though. We're never in his head, and I think this book suffered a little because of that. I always felt like I was begging for more insight into his character. The author kept a vagueness about him and I don't know if this was done on purpose or if this was a genuine flaw, but I wanted to know more about him.
I also didn't believe in Carter's power. He's an intimidating character himself, but why did everyone follow and fear him? Because of his dad? This wasn't fleshed out enough.
*****slight spoiler ahead*****
When they broke up at around the 70% mark, I questioned this so late in the game. And then, after Zoey said that there was a 0% chance of them getting back together, she tells Carter that she would rather have him force her to have sex whenever, however, and wherever he wants, as long as he never touches another woman. Excuse me? And then they get back together after that without any fuss from Zoey? They progress to declaring their love for each other? It all just felt out of the blue and unexplained. One minute she's saying they're never getting back to together, and then they're together suddenly. It makes no sense.
Also, Carter's background and what happened to him when he was younger was explained, but not fully addressed or taken into consideration. He told Zoey, and then that was the end of it. I expected more from this, especially since I'm pretty sure this years-long ordeal shaped who he became as an adult.
*****end of spoiler*****
As I stated before, this is tough to rate. On one hand, this is full of a grooming type behavior with a hideous rape scene 5% into the book and continued forced vibes, especially when Carter would never wear a condom, no matter how much Zoey asked. On the other hand, I loved the rest of it. I appreciated the maturity. It felt like they were older than teenagers though. This should've been written for the New Adult genre. It would've better fit the characters' personalities and traits.
Overall: Entertaining. Dark. Intense. Unique spin to a football/nerd trope. Surprisingly mature. Clear communication that was really refreshing. Nothing was held back and they always spoke the truth and what they were thinking. This addition made their relationship even more decadent.
I would definitely re-read this. It's on my shelf of favorites. That beginning and the continued nonconsensual vibes though made me seriously feel shameful giving this book 4.5 stars though.
Happy reading, Goodreads fiends.
This is going to be impossible to review.
EDIT:
So. The beginning? Despicable. Outrageous. Painful. 100% rape. There weren't any sexual feelings for Carter that Zoey felt. She was genuinely raped and assaulted and humiliated. I was cringing so hard because it was so intensely sad and I wanted someone to help Zoey, but no one did. It made it seriously hard to believe that Zoey would eventually forgive him and a romance would blossom.
The rest of the book? Incredible. Unique. Open-minded scrumptiousness with enormous amounts of communication and respect and realistic expectations in a relationship like Zoey and Carter's. One involving forced sex fantasies.
I was waiting for more information and a deep dive into Carter's character, though. We're never in his head, and I think this book suffered a little because of that. I always felt like I was begging for more insight into his character. The author kept a vagueness about him and I don't know if this was done on purpose or if this was a genuine flaw, but I wanted to know more about him.
I also didn't believe in Carter's power. He's an intimidating character himself, but why did everyone follow and fear him? Because of his dad? This wasn't fleshed out enough.
*****slight spoiler ahead*****
When they broke up at around the 70% mark, I questioned this so late in the game. And then, after Zoey said that there was a 0% chance of them getting back together, she tells Carter that she would rather have him force her to have sex whenever, however, and wherever he wants, as long as he never touches another woman. Excuse me? And then they get back together after that without any fuss from Zoey? They progress to declaring their love for each other? It all just felt out of the blue and unexplained. One minute she's saying they're never getting back to together, and then they're together suddenly. It makes no sense.
Also, Carter's background and what happened to him when he was younger was explained, but not fully addressed or taken into consideration. He told Zoey, and then that was the end of it. I expected more from this, especially since I'm pretty sure this years-long ordeal shaped who he became as an adult.
*****end of spoiler*****
As I stated before, this is tough to rate. On one hand, this is full of a grooming type behavior with a hideous rape scene 5% into the book and continued forced vibes, especially when Carter would never wear a condom, no matter how much Zoey asked. On the other hand, I loved the rest of it. I appreciated the maturity. It felt like they were older than teenagers though. This should've been written for the New Adult genre. It would've better fit the characters' personalities and traits.
Overall: Entertaining. Dark. Intense. Unique spin to a football/nerd trope. Surprisingly mature. Clear communication that was really refreshing. Nothing was held back and they always spoke the truth and what they were thinking. This addition made their relationship even more decadent.
I would definitely re-read this. It's on my shelf of favorites. That beginning and the continued nonconsensual vibes though made me seriously feel shameful giving this book 4.5 stars though.
Happy reading, Goodreads fiends.
This was literally a pot meets kettle but in a crazy, toxic, fucked up town. Holy crap, it was wonderful
My thoughts on this book are a big FAT mess... EYE DON'T KNOW WHERE TO EVEN BEGIN. 3 STARS BECAUSE IDK WHETHER I HATED THIS OR IN A WEIRD WAY LOVED IT?????
dark
emotional
relaxing
fast-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