Review by hilary89 - Distance

hilary89 's review for:

Distance by Luna Mason

2.5

medium-paced

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

I was genuinely excited to dive into Luna Mason's "Distance," especially given its intriguing premise of dark mafia romance blended with the world of elite boxing. Unfortunately, the book turned out to be a letdown for me.

One of the main issues was that the plot felt overly predictable and leaned heavily on clichés without offering any fresh or unexpected twists. The dialogue often felt unnatural and awkward, frequently crossing into cringeworthy territory, which significantly impacted my overall enjoyment of the story.

While it appears the book has undergone substantial editing since its initial indie publication, improving some writing mechanics, there were still persistent problems with the cadence and syntax that made the reading experience feel uneven. I also found myself confused by the title—"Distance"—which didn't seem to hold any real connection or significance to the narrative.

Another sticking point was the insufficient explanation regarding Keller's involvement with the mafia. His supposed entrapment was presented as a critical conflict, yet resolved abruptly and unsatisfyingly toward the end, raising the question of why it was a focal point at all.

Though the romantic and spicy scenes were competently executed, they overshadowed meaningful character development and a coherent storyline. Keller and Sienna's backstories were tragic yet superficial, feeling more like superficial additions rather than genuine attempts at deepening their characters.

Overall, "Distance" felt like a missed opportunity. It's frustrating that a book seemingly gained traction through TikTok hype and consequently traditional publishing support, especially when there are numerous indie romances with far stronger writing and storytelling waiting for similar recognition. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this one as strongly as I had hoped.

I received an ARC from Kensington Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings