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A review by readingwithfefe
Abysmal by Marie Ann
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 4/5
So this is the first book from the Unlucky 13 series that I’ve read and what better way to dive into it than with Marie Ann’s book? Why is that you’re wondering? Because Marie never ceases to amaze and surprise me at the same time. In fact, this feels like one of the hardest reviews I’ve written because I’m struggling with getting my thoughts in order to express how much I enjoyed this story. So we will start at the beginning…
As the book opens you meet one of the main characters, Zevryn, who is young, rich, and looking to numb everything about his life with drugs and alcohol. Since his mom passed away years ago he’s been dealing with the trauma by not dealing with it as well as feeding the distance between him and his dad by showing how little he cares about the company he is to inherit one day. Jumping at any opportunity to piss off his dad, Zev finds himself in a situation there is no coming back from leaving him full of guilt, regret, and even more trauma. Seeing no other option his dad intervenes and sends him to a remote island known for keeping its guest list extremely private and out of the public eye. Only he’s not going by choice and he’s definitely not going alone.
Enter Gavin, the attractive and bossy bodyguard hired to “protect” Zev while he’s on the island and to make sure he’s sticking to the program. From their first meeting, you can tell there is a strong pull to take care of and be cared for by the other. Once they arrive at the island Gavin will be the only full-time companion for Zev during his stay, which also means he will get a crash course in the challenges addicts go through in the process. Marie does not shy away from the struggles of going through withdrawals, opening up in therapy, and reaching out to the people that have been hurt along the way. It really gives the reader a deeper understanding of battling addiction and connects you emotionally with Zev's character. As Gavin witnesses the physical and mental toll the early stages of recovery have on Zev he allows his need to care for someone to run free.
At this point in the story, we witness the feelings growing between the two of them as Zev works through his trauma and begins the path to healing while Gavin grows more and more protective of him. What started as a simple bodyguard job is quickly taking a turn neither of them expected it to. Plus the remote island setting adds this layer of isolation to their situation as they navigate the recovery process which amplifies their vulnerability as well as the importance of trust, making their rapidly growing connection feel more intense.
Now let me just say that I was not expecting to enjoy some of the things that happen next as much as I did lol. So as I've said before I can always count on Marie to write things in a way that shocks me on some level and this was no different. The spice is steamy and primal and dirty. These two are so dang hot for each other that they can't keep their hands to themselves. There are also some interesting preferences they discover along the way that I have not seen in any of the spicy books I've read before. With that said I felt the way these preferences were discovered and handled was written quite tastefully and gave a deeper look into each personality. But underneath that, there is this acceptance that they both have been craving and it took this unusual situation for them to find it. As their relationship develops you witness those barriers breaking down as they begin to trust one another taking this couple who seem to be an unlikely match and highlighting the transformation that can occur when opposite personalities come together. How open and honest communication can strengthen a relationship that otherwise may not have worked.
From witnessing Zevryn's history with his trauma and drug use, his estranged relationship with his father, his time on the island, and his life after returning home Marie has created a love story that explores the boundaries of love and what it means to be yourself regardless of what society has to say about it. It's intertwined with personal growth, addiction, and recovery. It also handles infidelity in such a way that didn't leave my stomach twisted into knots. (Yes there is cheating in this book however it's not between the main characters.) Whether you enjoy cheating in books or not I enjoyed the way it was written and empathized with the characters involved.
So there you have it. If you enjoy well-developed characters, exploring unconventional love, witnessing a raw and honest journey towards self-discovery and healing, and emotionally charged stories then I highly encourage you to pick up Abysmal and fall in love with these guys.
Spice: 4/5
So this is the first book from the Unlucky 13 series that I’ve read and what better way to dive into it than with Marie Ann’s book? Why is that you’re wondering? Because Marie never ceases to amaze and surprise me at the same time. In fact, this feels like one of the hardest reviews I’ve written because I’m struggling with getting my thoughts in order to express how much I enjoyed this story. So we will start at the beginning…
As the book opens you meet one of the main characters, Zevryn, who is young, rich, and looking to numb everything about his life with drugs and alcohol. Since his mom passed away years ago he’s been dealing with the trauma by not dealing with it as well as feeding the distance between him and his dad by showing how little he cares about the company he is to inherit one day. Jumping at any opportunity to piss off his dad, Zev finds himself in a situation there is no coming back from leaving him full of guilt, regret, and even more trauma. Seeing no other option his dad intervenes and sends him to a remote island known for keeping its guest list extremely private and out of the public eye. Only he’s not going by choice and he’s definitely not going alone.
Enter Gavin, the attractive and bossy bodyguard hired to “protect” Zev while he’s on the island and to make sure he’s sticking to the program. From their first meeting, you can tell there is a strong pull to take care of and be cared for by the other. Once they arrive at the island Gavin will be the only full-time companion for Zev during his stay, which also means he will get a crash course in the challenges addicts go through in the process. Marie does not shy away from the struggles of going through withdrawals, opening up in therapy, and reaching out to the people that have been hurt along the way. It really gives the reader a deeper understanding of battling addiction and connects you emotionally with Zev's character. As Gavin witnesses the physical and mental toll the early stages of recovery have on Zev he allows his need to care for someone to run free.
At this point in the story, we witness the feelings growing between the two of them as Zev works through his trauma and begins the path to healing while Gavin grows more and more protective of him. What started as a simple bodyguard job is quickly taking a turn neither of them expected it to. Plus the remote island setting adds this layer of isolation to their situation as they navigate the recovery process which amplifies their vulnerability as well as the importance of trust, making their rapidly growing connection feel more intense.
Now let me just say that I was not expecting to enjoy some of the things that happen next as much as I did lol. So as I've said before I can always count on Marie to write things in a way that shocks me on some level and this was no different. The spice is steamy and primal and dirty. These two are so dang hot for each other that they can't keep their hands to themselves. There are also some interesting preferences they discover along the way that I have not seen in any of the spicy books I've read before. With that said I felt the way these preferences were discovered and handled was written quite tastefully and gave a deeper look into each personality. But underneath that, there is this acceptance that they both have been craving and it took this unusual situation for them to find it. As their relationship develops you witness those barriers breaking down as they begin to trust one another taking this couple who seem to be an unlikely match and highlighting the transformation that can occur when opposite personalities come together. How open and honest communication can strengthen a relationship that otherwise may not have worked.
From witnessing Zevryn's history with his trauma and drug use, his estranged relationship with his father, his time on the island, and his life after returning home Marie has created a love story that explores the boundaries of love and what it means to be yourself regardless of what society has to say about it. It's intertwined with personal growth, addiction, and recovery. It also handles infidelity in such a way that didn't leave my stomach twisted into knots. (Yes there is cheating in this book however it's not between the main characters.) Whether you enjoy cheating in books or not I enjoyed the way it was written and empathized with the characters involved.
So there you have it. If you enjoy well-developed characters, exploring unconventional love, witnessing a raw and honest journey towards self-discovery and healing, and emotionally charged stories then I highly encourage you to pick up Abysmal and fall in love with these guys.