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crobbo_x 's review for:
Was I Ever Real
by Naomi Loud
Book Content Warning: voyeurism (non-con), exhibitionism, sexual coercion, findom, cults, implied childhood SA, predatory behaviour by a parental figure/religious leader, torture, murder, humiliation (non-sexual), themes of shame and guilt, religious trauma, kidnapping, praise, degradation, nightmares, suicidal thoughts (brief mention), alcohol and drug use and explicit sexual scenes.
I was fortunate to read this as an ARC. Having read the previous book I was excited to see how Lenix and Connor's relationship would pan out and it did not disappoint! It is a vastly different storyline to the first book but so is this relationship which may seem obvious but I have found that often writers will create a series with the same storyline throughout each book just with different leading characters so it made a nice difference. Connor - the perfect anti-hero who gave immaculate "Touch her and you die" vibes and Lenix - the vulnerable and scared but powerful and and empowering female lead we needed. Seeing the kindness and support Connor gives Lenix throughout melted my heart and seeing how much vulnerability came with accepting this support and kindness made me want to cry. You really understand why these two are meant for each other. The chemistry these two had in the spicier scenes was also *chefs kiss*. I couldn't get enough of it!
The sensitivity in which Naomi writes about the abuse and guilt a survivor of a religious cult can go through was so heartbreakingly powerful and it is clear it was written with incredible care.
POSSIBLE SPOILER: I wish the revenge had been drawn out a bit longer and it hadn't felt as rushed but it did give the closure needed for the series to continue and it may also just be my dark mind out for blood!
END OF POSSIBLE SPOILER
I absolutely loved this book and I honestly cannot wait to read about Lucy and Bastian's story.
I was fortunate to read this as an ARC. Having read the previous book I was excited to see how Lenix and Connor's relationship would pan out and it did not disappoint! It is a vastly different storyline to the first book but so is this relationship which may seem obvious but I have found that often writers will create a series with the same storyline throughout each book just with different leading characters so it made a nice difference. Connor - the perfect anti-hero who gave immaculate "Touch her and you die" vibes and Lenix - the vulnerable and scared but powerful and and empowering female lead we needed. Seeing the kindness and support Connor gives Lenix throughout melted my heart and seeing how much vulnerability came with accepting this support and kindness made me want to cry. You really understand why these two are meant for each other. The chemistry these two had in the spicier scenes was also *chefs kiss*. I couldn't get enough of it!
The sensitivity in which Naomi writes about the abuse and guilt a survivor of a religious cult can go through was so heartbreakingly powerful and it is clear it was written with incredible care.
POSSIBLE SPOILER: I wish the revenge had been drawn out a bit longer and it hadn't felt as rushed but it did give the closure needed for the series to continue and it may also just be my dark mind out for blood!
END OF POSSIBLE SPOILER
I absolutely loved this book and I honestly cannot wait to read about Lucy and Bastian's story.