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nightlyreadandtea 's review for:
Secret Obsession
by S. Massery
Talk about a fucking rollercoaster. SECRET OBSESSION will take readers on a journey that feels unfamiliar for S Massery's male leads but also festers in the back on your mind like an itch you cannot scratch until you reach the end.
So what happens when you see the girl first but your brother swoops in and secures her first? Okay, but what if he absolutely shatters her heart because he made a bet she’d fall in love with him? What do you do now that she’s broken and won’t accept any sort of love… let’s ask Miles shall we?
Miles Whiteshaw exceeded all of my expectations. He was such a complex character who defied Sara’s typical MMC mold. Unlike the intense and deranged hockey gods of the previous books, Miles reveals himself to be a domineering control freak with a surprising kind heart. His moments of sweetness, which occur more frequently than anticipated, overshadow his much darker tendencies. As I went through Miles' words and actions, I found myself torn between hating him and falling head over heels in love with him. There are moments that may challenge readers, particularly those who share a need for control themselves, as they witness Willow's internal struggle to let go and trust.
The chemistry between Miles and Willow is electric, making the book immensely enjoyable. Starting off as friends, their connection is strained when Willow's heart is shattered by Miles' brother. The banter between them is perfection, though occasionally dark and twisty, and Miles' unwavering acceptance of Willow, faults and all, is honestly heart-melting. Beyond the physical aspect of their relationship, it becomes evident that genuine care exists between these characters. Miles wants to free Willow from the demons that hold her back, while Willow wants to shield Miles from her own issues so he can move forward with his life, and so she can escape the Whiteshaw boys with minimal damage. Amidst the shocking moments that characterize this dark romance, and for me there were a lot, it's critical to remember that, at its core, this is a story of love and the complexities of human emotions. The emotions and affection, particularly from Miles, leap off the page, intertwining with Willow's anxieties and pain. There exists a delicate power balance, showcased as acts of protection and love.
Navigating to the more challenging aspects of the book, it's important to acknowledge that SECRET OBSESSION features acts that are non-consensual/dubiously consensual. PLEASE always read the trigger warnings when starting any dark romance. However Massery handles these scenes with care. Also these scenes serve a significant purpose in establishing the characters' connection. While it may not be immediately clear to the reader, and still invasive and violating, Willow's perspective on the matter provides a different lens to view these scenes.
I loved all the surprise POV’s in this book, not only did we get our two mains but we had some familiar characters back. It was nice to get into their heads and see where they are now!
SECRET OBSESSION stands as the darkest installment yet in the series, given its consistent exploration of dubious and non-consensual encounters in my opinion. Miles, being a goalie, embodies a slightly deranged personality, I mean who willingly puts themselves in harm's way for a game?? If readers are willing to embrace a story that delves into the dynamics of a dominant man in complete love with a sad woman who must learn to submit, SECRET OBSESSION is the book to read.
So what happens when you see the girl first but your brother swoops in and secures her first? Okay, but what if he absolutely shatters her heart because he made a bet she’d fall in love with him? What do you do now that she’s broken and won’t accept any sort of love… let’s ask Miles shall we?
Miles Whiteshaw exceeded all of my expectations. He was such a complex character who defied Sara’s typical MMC mold. Unlike the intense and deranged hockey gods of the previous books, Miles reveals himself to be a domineering control freak with a surprising kind heart. His moments of sweetness, which occur more frequently than anticipated, overshadow his much darker tendencies. As I went through Miles' words and actions, I found myself torn between hating him and falling head over heels in love with him. There are moments that may challenge readers, particularly those who share a need for control themselves, as they witness Willow's internal struggle to let go and trust.
The chemistry between Miles and Willow is electric, making the book immensely enjoyable. Starting off as friends, their connection is strained when Willow's heart is shattered by Miles' brother. The banter between them is perfection, though occasionally dark and twisty, and Miles' unwavering acceptance of Willow, faults and all, is honestly heart-melting. Beyond the physical aspect of their relationship, it becomes evident that genuine care exists between these characters. Miles wants to free Willow from the demons that hold her back, while Willow wants to shield Miles from her own issues so he can move forward with his life, and so she can escape the Whiteshaw boys with minimal damage. Amidst the shocking moments that characterize this dark romance, and for me there were a lot, it's critical to remember that, at its core, this is a story of love and the complexities of human emotions. The emotions and affection, particularly from Miles, leap off the page, intertwining with Willow's anxieties and pain. There exists a delicate power balance, showcased as acts of protection and love.
Navigating to the more challenging aspects of the book, it's important to acknowledge that SECRET OBSESSION features acts that are non-consensual/dubiously consensual. PLEASE always read the trigger warnings when starting any dark romance. However Massery handles these scenes with care. Also these scenes serve a significant purpose in establishing the characters' connection. While it may not be immediately clear to the reader, and still invasive and violating, Willow's perspective on the matter provides a different lens to view these scenes.
I loved all the surprise POV’s in this book, not only did we get our two mains but we had some familiar characters back. It was nice to get into their heads and see where they are now!
SECRET OBSESSION stands as the darkest installment yet in the series, given its consistent exploration of dubious and non-consensual encounters in my opinion. Miles, being a goalie, embodies a slightly deranged personality, I mean who willingly puts themselves in harm's way for a game?? If readers are willing to embrace a story that delves into the dynamics of a dominant man in complete love with a sad woman who must learn to submit, SECRET OBSESSION is the book to read.