lizzie1096 's review for:

Heartless King by Maya Hughes

2.5

emotional lighthearted slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

Why put a pregnancy in a synopsis and then not have said pregnancy revealed until the halfway mark? Especially when we had the three month time jump right away. 

By the time Imogen realizes she's pregnant, she's out of her first trimester already, which is entirely bizarre along with the fact that it happens right around the halfway mark. And then, her pregnancy just flies by throughout the entire rest of the book, and I'm still questioning if she even ever saw a doctor??? And she went from being clueless about her pregnancy, and then suddenly she had this apparent baby bump, and everyone immediately found out? I'm such confusion about this timeline. 

Besides that, I needed more of Colm's redemption arc. I needed the groveling and got nothing. I understand his trauma better now, but it's still no excuse for how terribly he treated his sister and Ford. I definitely wouldn't have been able to forgive him as easily as they did after a simple apology.

Also, I'm confused as to how his "love" for Imogen and their baby suddenly cured him of his deep-rooted depression and PTSD. He literally couldn't step foot in an ice arena, and suddenly, with determination and his teammates, he's fine?? Make it make sense.

All in all, I couldn't really enjoy the depth of Colm and Imogen's relationship because I was too caught up on how unrealistic Colm's journey felt. I did adore Imogen, though, and her relationship with Preston's parents was probably my favorite part of the whole book. They're so sweet and supportive. I wish she would've allowed herself to lean on them more.

For an end of the series, I would've liked more closure with the Kings and Queens, but I digress.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy