A review by reka111
Addictive Love by Black Rose

dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

There comes a time in one’s life where they realize what they knew, what they have known for a long time, was all a lie. 

Date: 2024/10/26-2024/10/31
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Crime
Rating: ★★★
Spice Rating: 🌶
Age Rating: 17+

TIGGER WARNINGS: Death of parent, Sexual content, Violence, Guns, Death, Sexual assault, Cursing, Murder, Blood, Injury

Thank you for the e-copy from the authors in exchange for an honest review.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW 

First, what you can expect from this book:

- enemies to lovers (dislike/hate to love)
- highschool romance (academic rivals)
– good girl x had boy
– some maffia inffulence
– character-driven
– Dual POV
– fast-paced & exciting
– teenager drama
– found family
– cute friendships & journey of healing

This is usually the part where I’d share how much I enjoyed the book and how excited I am for the next one, but I’m afraid I can’t genuinely say that this time.

I read this book specifically to give an honest review, and while the whole concept was promising and the tropes were right and captiving, it just didn’t work out for me this time the way I hoped.

Maybe it's me, maybe it's not, no matter how you have to go through this, not everything can be perfect.

By the way, I surprisingly liked Ahana's character, she was a real fire (she even had a gentle side), determined and proud, not the kind of girl who just stops doing things. I think as a female protagonist she was perfect, she had flaws, she had wounds, everything it that made her realistic.

Gabriel, on the other hand, didn’t grow on me as much as I expected. I often struggle to connect with male characters, especially those with obsessive or alpha traits, so maybe I didn’t fully open up to him. However, I do appreciate his loyalty to Ahana, he was there for her, protected her, loved her in her worst moments, and trusted her when everything was on the line.

For me, the romance felt a bit like insta-love. There was tension, spark, and hatred at first, but the chemistry seemed to fade too quickly.

The plot was fairly predictable (rather it had a ton of chlisé), perhaps too much, but for a long afternoon reading on a gloomy day it is perfect, I liked the atmosphere itself. Most of the characters were different, with different motivations and goals (well, about Cameron, I hope he just rotting in hell). What I really liked were the friendships! Real boundless and infinitely innocent friendships, especially Ahana and Liam's. The world building itself was easy, you don't have to think about much - I didn't either, it was just right. That brings me to the writing style. This is the author’s first book, so I won’t be too critical here. In my opinion, they both still needs to improve in this area, but I can see the potential and the will in them, after all Rome was not built in a day either. Also there were a couple of spelling errors and other issues that needed correction, but they weren't disturbing.

The ending felt a bit quick and abrupt (but that could be just me), however we got a cliffhanger, which honestly was a great move.

I recommend it to those who want to relive their last year of high school, their first true love, who long for something darker, something lighter on a rainy day