calliente 's review for:

White Rose Painted Red by Elena Lawson
4.0

White Rose Painted Red? More like White Rose Set Me On Fire and Left Me Screaming Into the Void.

Let me be clear: I did not read this book—I was kidnapped by it, held hostage by the plot, seduced by morally gray men, and released only when I promised to beg for Book Two on my hands and knees. Which I am doing. Right now. Please, Ms. Lawson. I am not okay.

First of all, let’s talk about Aurora. This woman ran over a man and still managed to bag three emotionally unstable Greek god lookalikes with criminal records. Queen behavior. Her strength? Next-level. Her growth arc? Michelin-starred. Her relationship with her dog Ellie? I would die for it. And the kitchen scene with Seven? I had to pause and make myself a cup of tea.

And SEVEN. Oh sweet psychological menace with golden retriever energy. You are chaos in combat boots and I love you. If you looked at me the way you look at Aurora, I’d sign a maid contract too. I don’t clean, but I’d learn.

Elijah is the cinnamon roll that holds the group chat together. Atticus is a controlling menace who buys gifts for the dog and insults you in a British accent (probably). Together? Delectable chaos. This is the holy trinity of reverse harem. God is busy—these three will take your prayers now.

The plot? Wild. There’s trauma, intrigue, a possibly unhinged murder plot, a woman trying to reclaim her identity, and THREE emotionally compromised men in one house. It’s like The Bachelor meets John Wick but make it ✨horny and healing✨.

Yes, some of it makes no real-world sense. Yes, she moved in with three random men she just met in the woods after running one of them over. But you know what? I don't question fate. Or hot men with tragic backstories.

This book ends on a cliffhanger and I am now a shell of a human, wandering aimlessly and whispering “Book two… please…” into the wind.
10/10. Would sell my soul for an ARC of the sequel.