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A review by _isabel_
Once Upon a Time by Alessandra Hazard
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
Inject this book into my veins because oh god, I'm obsessed.
I don't know how Alessandra Hazard does it, her writing is like magic, or a drug: she consistently manages to write romances that are always damned addictive, so delicious, they never, ever, ever fail at making me feel unbelievably giddy.
And "Once Upon a Time" is Alessandra Hazard at her greatest: Rohan and Jamil's romance was absolutely, ridiculously good. I was obsessed with them from the first page: their initial animosity soon transforms into affection, so freaking adoring and devoted it made me want to bang my head against a wall and curl up on the floor with giddiest, craziest smile. I feel like a teenager when I think of them. They were ADORABLE. ADORABLE.
< “It’s the bond, isn’t it?” Jamil said, hating the edge of desperation in his voice. “It’ll pass once it’s broken.”
Rohan’s black brows drew together. For a long moment, he said nothing. “It should,” he said at last, but he didn’t sound very certain. “It will,” he said, firmer, and then he ruined it by kissing Jamil’s nose. “It’s going to be fine, darling.”>
The pet names, the bond, the mind merges, the sheer affection and devotion between them, the sex scenes, the angst, the forbidden aspect of their relationship, the possessiveness, Rohan's irrational jealousy and his "I'm straight but I want to consume you", Jamal's adorable neediness... I ate all of that up. It's got everything I love in my romances. Literally everything: I couldn't be happier with this book.
< Rohan nuzzled his cheek, breathing in deeply. “I’m normally not attracted to males,” he said, sucking a hickey on Jamil’s jawline. His voice sounded a little slow and slurred, as if he were inebriated. “But you—you’re different. The most beautiful”—a kiss on Jamil’s cheek— “the prettiest”—a kiss on Jamil’s nose—“the loveliest thing I’ve ever seen.” >
I loved this book, I loved the plot (I can't wait to read the next two books, I'm sooooo curious), I loved all the characters (MY BABIES KSAR AND SEYN <3), I loved the world-building, I loved everything. I can't wait to jump into book four: teacher/student relationship's aren't my fav, but I can already tell this one will have Hazard's usual brand of vaguely-toxic, absolutely delicious, possessive, forbidden dynamic.
I don't know how Alessandra Hazard does it, her writing is like magic, or a drug: she consistently manages to write romances that are always damned addictive, so delicious, they never, ever, ever fail at making me feel unbelievably giddy.
And "Once Upon a Time" is Alessandra Hazard at her greatest: Rohan and Jamil's romance was absolutely, ridiculously good. I was obsessed with them from the first page: their initial animosity soon transforms into affection, so freaking adoring and devoted it made me want to bang my head against a wall and curl up on the floor with giddiest, craziest smile. I feel like a teenager when I think of them. They were ADORABLE. ADORABLE.
< “It’s the bond, isn’t it?” Jamil said, hating the edge of desperation in his voice. “It’ll pass once it’s broken.”
Rohan’s black brows drew together. For a long moment, he said nothing. “It should,” he said at last, but he didn’t sound very certain. “It will,” he said, firmer, and then he ruined it by kissing Jamil’s nose. “It’s going to be fine, darling.”>
The pet names, the bond, the mind merges, the sheer affection and devotion between them, the sex scenes, the angst, the forbidden aspect of their relationship, the possessiveness, Rohan's irrational jealousy and his "I'm straight but I want to consume you", Jamal's adorable neediness... I ate all of that up. It's got everything I love in my romances. Literally everything: I couldn't be happier with this book.
< Rohan nuzzled his cheek, breathing in deeply. “I’m normally not attracted to males,” he said, sucking a hickey on Jamil’s jawline. His voice sounded a little slow and slurred, as if he were inebriated. “But you—you’re different. The most beautiful”—a kiss on Jamil’s cheek— “the prettiest”—a kiss on Jamil’s nose—“the loveliest thing I’ve ever seen.” >
I loved this book, I loved the plot (I can't wait to read the next two books, I'm sooooo curious), I loved all the characters (MY BABIES KSAR AND SEYN <3), I loved the world-building, I loved everything. I can't wait to jump into book four: teacher/student relationship's aren't my fav, but I can already tell this one will have Hazard's usual brand of vaguely-toxic, absolutely delicious, possessive, forbidden dynamic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death