A review by baintexas
Hunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

challenging dark emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book. I can’t even adequately explain to you the emotional journey this takes you on. This is about sex trafficking, sexual assault, PTSD, recovery of the victim, and support of the caregivers. But, there is a comprehensive character arc from victim to survivor, which includes, an albeit abbreviated, explicit, heart-wrenching sexual recovery. 

Do you know how some dark romance readers read dark romance due to trauma and say it’s helpful with healing? I think this is the embodiment of that concept. 

⭐️: 5/5 - and I knew it 1/2 way through. It did not matter how it ended. 
🌶: 5/5 - it is extra spicy, but please note this isn’t all traditional sex. See triggers. 
Narration: N/A. If there ever is an audible, please make sure to get the kindle version so you can read/see the journal entries 

Summary: This is about sex trafficking and sexual assault. If you go into this thinking anything else, you’re wrong.

Readers should know:
  • Trigger warnings: SA, non-con, dub-con, sex trafficking, child abuse, murder, torture, prostitution, forced branding, somnophilia, grooming, forced medical procedures, PTSD, STIs
  • Primal, 🩸, 💨, bdsm, praise, degradation 
  • This is heavy. It is a dark, dark book.
  • Sibby and her henchmen. 
  • Chapters 33 & 34 are some of the most emotionally initiate, caring, heart-wrenching, beautiful scenes of recovery I’ve ever read. These alone are worth the pain of the book. 
  • Zade is still a villain. Not morally grey. Villains can have good qualities. That doesn’t change that they are villains. 
  • Hades and Persephone retelling 

“His darkness devours my light, and I decide I’m content living in the shadows.”

Would I spend $12 or an audible credit on it (again)? Yes, but it’s not on audible. It’s on kindle unlimited. I would pay for it though. 

Note: 🌶 - spiciness scale is from 0, fade to black, to 5, detailed, explicit, repetitive sexual scenes with non-traditional sex acts. 
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