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amarareads_ 's review for:
Burned Dreams
by Neva Altaj
I was curious about Burned Dreams, and while it didn’t completely disappoint, I felt it could have used more depth. The overall plot was quite predictable, lacking those big twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. I found Az intriguing—he’s big, dark, and intimidating, and watching him fall for Ravi was definitely one of the highlights. Overall, I had mixed feelings about this book.
The story takes a chilling turn when Alessandro is hired to protect the wife of the very man he plans to destroy. He’s spent years plotting revenge—an eye for an eye—playing the role of bodyguard to the mafia capo. The internal conflict of vowing to protect someone while planning their demise adds layers of complexity, and the tension between duty and desire for vengeance is palpable.
Ravenna Pisano has been living in luxurious imprisonment since her marriage, with plenty of darkness hidden behind closed doors. When she gets a new bodyguard who despises her from the start, the setup has a lot of potential. The portrayal of domestic violence was handled well, and the forbidden romance vibes were enjoyable. However, I wanted more focus on the progression of Az and Ravenna’s relationship; it felt like we jumped straight from hate to love without any real shift in gears, leaving me wanting more development.
This is a slow-burn romance that captures the tension of forced proximity. With him by her side all day, the potential for their relationship gradually builds, making each moment feel charged with anticipation. The mutual attraction intensifies with every passing day, escalating the sexual tension until one day, everything snaps, and they finally give in.
As a huge fan of bodyguard romances, I had high expectations, but this one missed the mark slightly. Az often seemed oblivious to the dynamics between Ravenna and her husband, which detracted from the tension I was hoping for. The number of times Alessandro contemplated killing Ravenna for his revenge became repetitive and lost some impact. His hot-and-cold treatment of Ravi was maddening; one minute he wanted her, and the next he was pushing her away. His refusal to choose her when she asked also frustrated me.
That said, as the revenge unfolds, the emotional depth of the characters is well portrayed. Az’s pain is mirrored in his careful planning for retribution. It’s not just about the act of revenge; it’s about the suffering that accompanies it. The moments of anticipation build nicely, and the climax is explosive. A personal favorite part was the cameo by Sergei and Felix, which added a fun twist and a sense of continuity for fans of the series. Their presence brought an extra layer of excitement that I really enjoyed.
The writing is sharp and compelling, with an atmosphere that draws you in. While the story has its compelling elements and enjoyable moments, it could have benefited from deeper character dynamics and a more unpredictable plot. Overall, it was an interesting read, but it didn’t fully meet my expectations.
The story takes a chilling turn when Alessandro is hired to protect the wife of the very man he plans to destroy. He’s spent years plotting revenge—an eye for an eye—playing the role of bodyguard to the mafia capo. The internal conflict of vowing to protect someone while planning their demise adds layers of complexity, and the tension between duty and desire for vengeance is palpable.
Ravenna Pisano has been living in luxurious imprisonment since her marriage, with plenty of darkness hidden behind closed doors. When she gets a new bodyguard who despises her from the start, the setup has a lot of potential. The portrayal of domestic violence was handled well, and the forbidden romance vibes were enjoyable. However, I wanted more focus on the progression of Az and Ravenna’s relationship; it felt like we jumped straight from hate to love without any real shift in gears, leaving me wanting more development.
This is a slow-burn romance that captures the tension of forced proximity. With him by her side all day, the potential for their relationship gradually builds, making each moment feel charged with anticipation. The mutual attraction intensifies with every passing day, escalating the sexual tension until one day, everything snaps, and they finally give in.
As a huge fan of bodyguard romances, I had high expectations, but this one missed the mark slightly. Az often seemed oblivious to the dynamics between Ravenna and her husband, which detracted from the tension I was hoping for. The number of times Alessandro contemplated killing Ravenna for his revenge became repetitive and lost some impact. His hot-and-cold treatment of Ravi was maddening; one minute he wanted her, and the next he was pushing her away. His refusal to choose her when she asked also frustrated me.
That said, as the revenge unfolds, the emotional depth of the characters is well portrayed. Az’s pain is mirrored in his careful planning for retribution. It’s not just about the act of revenge; it’s about the suffering that accompanies it. The moments of anticipation build nicely, and the climax is explosive. A personal favorite part was the cameo by Sergei and Felix, which added a fun twist and a sense of continuity for fans of the series. Their presence brought an extra layer of excitement that I really enjoyed.
The writing is sharp and compelling, with an atmosphere that draws you in. While the story has its compelling elements and enjoyable moments, it could have benefited from deeper character dynamics and a more unpredictable plot. Overall, it was an interesting read, but it didn’t fully meet my expectations.