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A review by evaxo
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I didnt like it. There wasn't much romance, just plenty of rape, torture, murder, talk of sacrificing and killing children and a mystery side-plot. The FMC couldn't decide if she likes sex with her stalker or not, they start building a relationship away from the stalking, she fancies him, then decides she doesn't but clearly only so the author could write in more rape scenes, as 80% in MMC rapes the FMC yet the chapter after, she's in love with him. There was no falling, no romance, just rape. Some dub-con, no cnc.
MMC saves women and children from human trafficking, and has a big dick. FMC loves that about him. He does not respect her as a human being, abuses and controls her, we see nothing to indicitae them falling in love, yet we are told to believe this is so. And on top of all these issues, it was so long and often boring. The descriptive scenes of torture and murder were not necessary, the whole thing with MMCs 'job' was drawn out and unnecessary and initially I didn't care for the greatgrandmother mystery yet it ended up being the best part of the book.
It felt like 3 seperate book ideas smushed into one, not very well. If this was just Zades story with his job and stalking Adeline, it could work. If it was just the mystery and Adeline being stalked, that could work. If it was just a pure romance with smut, but actually having them interact in non rape scenes throughout the story, that would work. But as a combination, I didnt care for any of it. I kept hoping it'd get better but by 75% I wanted to DNF. However after spending 15hrs listening to this I felt the need to get the satisfaction of adding it to my 'read' list. I will not be reading the next one, it will be darker, with a bigger focus on rape, which is not my cup of tea.
*I would not recommend this book personally, however that is not to say others won't like it. If you like it really dark, really descriptive, with multiple side plots and no mushy, cringy, cute romance, and have no triggers, this may be perfect for you.*
MMC saves women and children from human trafficking, and has a big dick. FMC loves that about him. He does not respect her as a human being, abuses and controls her, we see nothing to indicitae them falling in love, yet we are told to believe this is so. And on top of all these issues, it was so long and often boring. The descriptive scenes of torture and murder were not necessary, the whole thing with MMCs 'job' was drawn out and unnecessary and initially I didn't care for the greatgrandmother mystery yet it ended up being the best part of the book.
It felt like 3 seperate book ideas smushed into one, not very well. If this was just Zades story with his job and stalking Adeline, it could work. If it was just the mystery and Adeline being stalked, that could work. If it was just a pure romance with smut, but actually having them interact in non rape scenes throughout the story, that would work. But as a combination, I didnt care for any of it. I kept hoping it'd get better but by 75% I wanted to DNF. However after spending 15hrs listening to this I felt the need to get the satisfaction of adding it to my 'read' list. I will not be reading the next one, it will be darker, with a bigger focus on rape, which is not my cup of tea.
*I would not recommend this book personally, however that is not to say others won't like it. If you like it really dark, really descriptive, with multiple side plots and no mushy, cringy, cute romance, and have no triggers, this may be perfect for you.*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Sexual violence, Stalking, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Rape, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Death, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Trafficking, Blood, and Child death
Minor: Infidelity