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sakshireadss 's review for:
Wretched
by Emily McIntire
This book was such a mixed bag, and unfortunately, it leaned heavily toward disappointing. From the very beginning, the story felt bland and like something vital was missing. It’s hard to put my finger on it, but there was this constant sense that the plot never quite came together. It had potential, sure, but it just never delivered. Every scene felt like it was trying to build momentum but always fell flat before anything meaningful could happen.
And the banter. Oh my God, the banter. It wasn’t cute, it wasn’t funny, it wasn’t charming—it was painful. The characters tried so hard to be witty, but the dialogue just felt awkward and forced. Instead of adding depth or chemistry to the relationships, it made me roll my eyes and want to skip ahead. I’m all for good banter, but this wasn’t it.
And then there’s the poetry session during the sex scenes. I don’t even know where to start with that. It was so bizarre, so out of place, that I had to reread it just to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. Who thinks, “You know what this spicy moment needs? Slam poetry!” It completely shattered any mood the scene was going for. I’m all for creative risks, but this one backfired spectacularly.
That said, I can’t completely trash the book because the FMC was, hands down, the best part. She was a total badass, and her personal journey was surprisingly well-written. Her character had depth, strength, and a compelling arc that honestly deserved a better story to shine in. I kept reading because of her, but even she couldn’t save the book entirely.
Overall, this was a frustrating read. It had flashes of potential, but the execution fell short in too many areas. It’s not something I’d recommend, but at least the FMC was a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster story.
And the banter. Oh my God, the banter. It wasn’t cute, it wasn’t funny, it wasn’t charming—it was painful. The characters tried so hard to be witty, but the dialogue just felt awkward and forced. Instead of adding depth or chemistry to the relationships, it made me roll my eyes and want to skip ahead. I’m all for good banter, but this wasn’t it.
And then there’s the poetry session during the sex scenes. I don’t even know where to start with that. It was so bizarre, so out of place, that I had to reread it just to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. Who thinks, “You know what this spicy moment needs? Slam poetry!” It completely shattered any mood the scene was going for. I’m all for creative risks, but this one backfired spectacularly.
That said, I can’t completely trash the book because the FMC was, hands down, the best part. She was a total badass, and her personal journey was surprisingly well-written. Her character had depth, strength, and a compelling arc that honestly deserved a better story to shine in. I kept reading because of her, but even she couldn’t save the book entirely.
Overall, this was a frustrating read. It had flashes of potential, but the execution fell short in too many areas. It’s not something I’d recommend, but at least the FMC was a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster story.