Review by wandering_seal - Knot All is Forgiven

wandering_seal 's review for:

Knot All is Forgiven by Holly Monroe

4.5

emotional slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Well I'm still loving the Lunarcrest City novels! Knot All is Perfect blew me away with how it handled politics and trauma. I wasn't expecting this to be the same - Holly Monroe has framed it as being a much lighter story - and while it is lighter, wow did it still pack an emotional punch. The world of Lunarcrest City still doesn't see omegas as fully capable people, and our late presenting FMC Jordan has a tough time throughout the story managing her and others' expectations of her designation and the reality of what it all means. Her mental health goes through the wringer, and her defensive behaviour towards the men in her life felt completely reasonable (even though I was desperate for her to work it out). So while this may not be as dark as Nora's story, it definitely still has dark elements, and politics and discrimination is still a big undercurrent.

I loved Icarus and Simon, two of the four MMCs, and while I was not that taken with Cyrus, I could understand the trajectory he was on. The only one I didn't feel like I got a solid understanding of was Rafe, and I didn't quite understand some of the relationship anxiety he was going through (trying hard not to spoiler things here). I liked how the four of them worked together as a pack of Alphas (urgh the heat scene towards the end). Jordan was a great FMC - a woman with skills, goals and a good life who has been treated abysmally. Watching her start her healing process with Icarus was a treat.

Now, there were a few things I didn't love about the story, but I don't want to suggest I didn't love this book overall, because I did. I wasn't that taken with how the book ended - I wish there had been a greater sense of consequences for

Lanie

, and that Icarus had gotten further ahead in his research. I also don't love the small every subunit getting a scene thing that's quite common in these books, although I get that that's maybe a me thing. I'd have rathered the story had just ended a bit sooner and saved those scenes as bonus material.

Am I excited for the next book? Yes, absolutely!!! That sneaky wee peak at the end already has me hooked and I'll be watching out closely for its release.

I read an advance copy of this book. My thoughts are very much my own.

Content Warnings