A review by ktv
Keep Me by Sara Cate

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

4.0

(Originally 4.5. I was too generous bc it was the first book I’ve finished in 5 months.)

Both of the main characters felt dynamic and real enough. Some unrealistic things include Killian not having been to therapy for the past two decades and his family not even suggesting it to him. 

I hated Sylvie at first, but then I realized that’s the point. Her insults were dumb at the beginning. 
The constant reminders of how big he is and how small she is in comparison radiates Ali Hazelwood’s writing style (from what I’ve heard). 

Some of the dialogue felt forced/unnecessary. Certain lines could have been edited out to reduce redundancy. It was more tell than show for a lot of the book.

The sex was well-written, even though sometimes it doesn’t make much sense for them to be having sex at some parts at the end. The exploration of kink and D/s dynamics were done well in my opinion. The age gap between them did not become a weird thing/main trope (thank god). 

I was not expecting
the divorce to actually happen before the year was up
but it seems obvious now since that was the only way to break the contract without either of them cheating.
Him going to New York for her at the end was predictable, like part way through I already guessed that he could go to her if she actually wants to go back to New York instead of settling down somewhere new.
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