A review by lore_1703
Beautiful Fiend by Lola King

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A morally pitch black Romeo finds his Juliet: a dark romance story that isn’t for the weak at heart.

Overall: This book had me at the edge of my seat during the last 15%. Like the other book I read by Lola King, I loved the ending. This author knows how to write a great ending without using stereotypical tropes. 

I read this book after ‘Heartless Beloved’ and although Xi and Alex still have my heart I enjoyed reading the story of Billie and Caden. He was sometimes too unhinged for my liking, but Lola knows how to write a morally pitch-black man who you can easily fall for.

Reasons to bump this up your TBR: I adored Billie in this story. She portrays a strong, literally fighting FMC with the urge to break free from the life she was born into. The duality she feels between choosing the protection of her family and the forbidden feelings she has for Caden broke my heart more than once. 

Their love for each other is forbidden: Caden is an important figure in the King’s crew, and Billie is the daughter of the NSC’s leader. Their hate for each other, turns easily into an enjoyable tension, while they play the attraction and rejection game. Not only do they fight for each other, but they fight and struggle to get out of the messy destructive life they’re caught in. 

I loved the communication through song, by Caden. It adds such a nice layer to the story. As a reader, you can listen to what he wants to tell Billie, everything he can’t find the words for. 

Reasons to bump this down your TBR: This book is not for you if you just started your dark romance journey or want to get into this genre. 

I sometimes missed the deeper layers of Caden. I wished I understood better why he would do the unhinged, illegal and questionable activities he does. But I feel like that’s part of how the author wanted to portray him. 

Quotes I loved:
“Be my villain. Take my heart and keep it for yourself.”
“Are you sure you want to push me away when I’m trying to help? Because there’s no option in your life where I’m not part of it.”

Tropes:
Enemies to lovers 
Forbidden love
Touch her and die
Blackmail
Anti-hero

Content warning: 
Violence 
SA
Parent with mental health issues 
Please check the list of TW before reading.