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A review by jessiereadsfantasy
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
4.0
I was super curious about this book as it is a Booktok and Bookstagram favorite. I felt somewhat prepared with all of the triggers mentioned, but reading the book was still an experience. If you wish to read it, please pace yourself if you need to, take breaks, read a funny little romance in between, etc. because the book is DARK.
I won't bother with too much of a synopsis, as most have probably heard about this book. I will offer that, at the base, it is about a man, Zade, whose mission is to rescue women and children from sex trafficking; however, he himself becomes obsessed with a woman, Adeline, and, to be frank, forces himself onto her repeatedly until he somehow earns a place in her heart.
Zade is a coveted morally grey MMC and I now know why. You have to love him and hate him at the same time because his work is admirable and the lengths at which he goes to rescue sex trafficking victims is awe-inspiring. However, his treatment of Adeline is almost enough to erase any sense of admirability. And no, her love of horror, of being scared, does not validate Zade's behavior towards her. It does, however, add a twist to her character. With this book being a dark romance, this does connect her with Zade in that when he scares her by breaking into her home on multiple occasions, and she experiences fear tinged with lust.
From a pure literature standpoint, the writing is simple yet it doesn't take away from the story. With a story this dark, I think it's best not to get caught up on the writing because there's already a lot to focus on within the book.
I definitely will be reading the sequel to see where this story ends.
4ish/5 stars; 5/5 spice because the sex scenes are graphic and dub-con.
I won't bother with too much of a synopsis, as most have probably heard about this book. I will offer that, at the base, it is about a man, Zade, whose mission is to rescue women and children from sex trafficking; however, he himself becomes obsessed with a woman, Adeline, and, to be frank, forces himself onto her repeatedly until he somehow earns a place in her heart.
Zade is a coveted morally grey MMC and I now know why. You have to love him and hate him at the same time because his work is admirable and the lengths at which he goes to rescue sex trafficking victims is awe-inspiring. However, his treatment of Adeline is almost enough to erase any sense of admirability. And no, her love of horror, of being scared, does not validate Zade's behavior towards her. It does, however, add a twist to her character. With this book being a dark romance, this does connect her with Zade in that when he scares her by breaking into her home on multiple occasions, and she experiences fear tinged with lust.
From a pure literature standpoint, the writing is simple yet it doesn't take away from the story. With a story this dark, I think it's best not to get caught up on the writing because there's already a lot to focus on within the book.
I definitely will be reading the sequel to see where this story ends.
4ish/5 stars; 5/5 spice because the sex scenes are graphic and dub-con.