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aahrobot's Reviews (116)
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wow. Okay. First of all, let me just say: I need to read (or listen in this case) to more books with my name in them, especially with characters like Josh. I am speechless on that front; I beg you to listen to the audiobook.
Now, I had heard a lot of people hyping this up in one of my many book groups I'm in and usually I don't vibe with what's popular. But, I decided to give it a shot and I went in completely blind. I knew the title and that the MMC was a stalker (I also checked the content warnings as well). Other than that, I didn't even read the description. Which honestly, worked out great.
I really enjoyed this book. I'm only giving 4.5 instead of 5 because I personally cannot stand millennial humor. Like, if I had a nickel for every time the term 'lizard brain' was said, I would be RICH. It just got on my nerves and I know that's picky, but in my head (or should I say lizard brain), I am comparing this to my 5 star reads. This is close! It's just not all the way there for me.
Some of the plot felt a little random and messy. You mean to tell me at 75% of the book, you're suddenly gonna reveal that Aly has a mob family? Why, so you can plan the next book? It just felt so random and convenient. Like, oh we just killed this guy - but don't worry, Josh! I know THE mob!
And I finally read the description and now I am annoyed: '...unaware that Aly has captured the attention of someone else." That attention (if you can even call it that), LASTED LIKE 2 CHAPTERS and then the rest of the book is talking about how they ACCIDENTALLY killed him. What was the point of Brad anyway? So we could trauma bond and meet her mobster family? Pointless. I never felt like Aly was in any real danger.
I'm standing by my rating (every though I complained a little) because I enjoyed the story (mostly), I loved the characters, the spice, and ultimately the romance. This is definitely a good starting point for those of you who are just getting started on your dark romance journey. It's got like a little touch of dark.
Now, I had heard a lot of people hyping this up in one of my many book groups I'm in and usually I don't vibe with what's popular. But, I decided to give it a shot and I went in completely blind. I knew the title and that the MMC was a stalker (I also checked the content warnings as well). Other than that, I didn't even read the description. Which honestly, worked out great.
I really enjoyed this book. I'm only giving 4.5 instead of 5 because I personally cannot stand millennial humor. Like, if I had a nickel for every time the term 'lizard brain' was said, I would be RICH. It just got on my nerves and I know that's picky, but in my head (or should I say lizard brain), I am comparing this to my 5 star reads. This is close! It's just not all the way there for me.
Some of the plot felt a little random and messy. You mean to tell me at 75% of the book, you're suddenly gonna reveal that Aly
And I finally read the description and now I am annoyed: '...unaware that Aly has captured the attention of someone else." That attention (if you can even call it that),
I'm standing by my rating (every though I complained a little) because I enjoyed the story (mostly), I loved the characters, the spice, and ultimately the romance. This is definitely a good starting point for those of you who are just getting started on your dark romance journey. It's got like a little touch of dark.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Stalking
Moderate: Vomit, Car accident, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am going to think about this book for awhile. I was cheering for Annie the whole time. Absolutely no one can make me like Doug or Roland. Both awful people. Annie? I'd set her free and let her be so happy forever. I enjoyed this; it was my first science fiction novel. It doesn't feel like what I thought was Sci-Fi, ya know? I was feeling things for this woman (robot?); I yearned for her to be happy, have fun, and be in control of her own life. Which essentially she does get to do at the very end. I was begging for her to RUN.
Anyway, this was great. I really enjoyed this. It was thought provoking and emotional. My heart hurts for Annie. Beyond that, I am simply speechless.
I don't really put quotes in my reviews, but this one GOT me. Like, ouch. Shook. Shocked. Wow.
Anyway, this was great. I really enjoyed this. It was thought provoking and emotional. My heart hurts for Annie. Beyond that, I am simply speechless.
I don't really put quotes in my reviews, but this one GOT me. Like, ouch. Shook. Shocked. Wow.
'You want to know danger?', she thinks. 'Try living with a man who creates you just so he can eat your soul.'
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed this one much more than the first book in this series. The first one felt extremely slow, but this one had a much better flow to it. Noah and Hazel are absolutely adorable. I enjoyed their connection and fully wanted to scream when they both kept mentioning their feelings, but doing absolutely NOTHING ABOUT IT!!! Eventually they do, of course, but jeez.
It didn't really feel like a huge mystery and the reveal of who was leaving the secret messages just kind of felt lack luster. There really didn't seem to be a reason why, at least not to me. It was just so, off-handed, "Hazel, it was me all along!" So we don't really get why or really any more details beyond who it was and who helped the person. I don't know - it just put me off.
I saw a few other reviews claiming that this love was 'too fast' and I can totally understand that, but I moved in with my boyfriend after a month of us being together and we're four years strong. I think some people fall fast and others don't, which is totally fine. I just wouldn't call their instant connection unrealistic (at least in my experience).
Was it spicy? Sure. I've read more, I've read less. It was a good middle ground and I would say that this series is good for maybe just getting into to spicier romance books and starting that journey.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, much more than the first as I said before. It was good. The mystery was meh (it was pretty average in the first book as well). The romance was cute and the spice was decent. Is it fall vibes? No. This literally takes place in the summer, so the cover is slightly misleading in that aspect. But yeah, pretty average I'd say.
It didn't really feel like a huge mystery and the reveal of who was leaving the secret messages just kind of felt lack luster. There really didn't seem to be a reason why, at least not to me. It was just so, off-handed, "Hazel, it was me all along!" So we don't really get why or really any more details beyond who it was and who helped the person. I don't know - it just put me off.
I saw a few other reviews claiming that this love was 'too fast' and I can totally understand that, but I moved in with my boyfriend after a month of us being together and we're four years strong. I think some people fall fast and others don't, which is totally fine. I just wouldn't call their instant connection unrealistic (at least in my experience).
Was it spicy? Sure. I've read more, I've read less. It was a good middle ground and I would say that this series is good for maybe just getting into to spicier romance books and starting that journey.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, much more than the first as I said before. It was good. The mystery was meh (it was pretty average in the first book as well). The romance was cute and the spice was decent. Is it fall vibes? No. This literally takes place in the summer, so the cover is slightly misleading in that aspect. But yeah, pretty average I'd say.
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Now, I am aware that the books in this series might have never been plot-driven, but this one was not good. We were given this big secret, Quinn finds out about it, and then it just goes no where? We also learn that Damien has a twin brother. Where does that go? Absolutely no where. I read this because I read the other ones, so I was like, ‘Eh, I’m already invested.’ But at least the other ones kind of had a plot? I don’t know; I didn’t even enjoy the spice. Just felt lackluster all around.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
First of all, let me just say that some of the dialogue was CRINGE. I will gladly share some of my favorite/cringe lines:
"My mother has the diabetes." - If you listen to the audiobook, this is said in such a monotone voice, and I could not stop laughing.
"She's stacked!" - This was in reference to a pregnant woman's breast, said by another woman.
"Why would she dye her hair black?!" - Girl, you're kidding me, right? Why do you care? Let people dye their hair!
Secondly, there was a small continuity error. In one chapter, the husband whistles because he's happy or whatever. A few chapters later, he is whistling again and the FMC is all, "My husband NEVER whistles!!" Like, come on. Anyway, this was mostly enjoyable. I always listen to these when I'm at work and I caught myself walking around going, 'No way!' to some of the twists. I even was cheering for the main character - I don't think I have ever actually liked any of the main characters in Freida's books (so far).
I am still not a fan of the whole, 'I am so average, but my husband is so HOT AND IRRESITIBLE!' trope that every single book seems to have. Can we just let woman be stunning without the constant downplay either on themselves or hating other women for how they look? Crazy behavior.
I will say, I am super grateful for one thing in this book:The husband doesn't suck!
As per usual, I thought I had the twist figured out, and I wasn't totally wrong, but I wasn't totally right either. Again, I found myself shocked by some of the twists and reveals which was nice; I feel like I haven't been surprised in a while. This book was good and I finished it in just a matter of days. I would put it in my top 5 favorite Freida books for now. I still have about 9-10 more to read! On to the next one!
"My mother has the diabetes." - If you listen to the audiobook, this is said in such a monotone voice, and I could not stop laughing.
"She's stacked!" - This was in reference to a pregnant woman's breast, said by another woman.
"Why would she dye her hair black?!" - Girl, you're kidding me, right? Why do you care? Let people dye their hair!
Secondly, there was a small continuity error. In one chapter, the husband whistles because he's happy or whatever. A few chapters later, he is whistling again and the FMC is all, "My husband NEVER whistles!!" Like, come on. Anyway, this was mostly enjoyable. I always listen to these when I'm at work and I caught myself walking around going, 'No way!' to some of the twists. I even was cheering for the main character - I don't think I have ever actually liked any of the main characters in Freida's books (so far).
I am still not a fan of the whole, 'I am so average, but my husband is so HOT AND IRRESITIBLE!' trope that every single book seems to have. Can we just let woman be stunning without the constant downplay either on themselves or hating other women for how they look? Crazy behavior.
I will say, I am super grateful for one thing in this book:
As per usual, I thought I had the twist figured out, and I wasn't totally wrong, but I wasn't totally right either. Again, I found myself shocked by some of the twists and reveals which was nice; I feel like I haven't been surprised in a while. This book was good and I finished it in just a matter of days. I would put it in my top 5 favorite Freida books for now. I still have about 9-10 more to read! On to the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Miscarriage, Violence, Pregnancy, Gaslighting
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol
Minor: Vomit
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Honestly, I really didn’t enjoy this one. Maybe that’s on me for not paying attention fully, but it really just didn’t capture me like some of Frieda’s other books have. This one felt like a mix of Pretty Little Liars and Desperate Housewives, but not in a good way. Housewife kills her husband’s mistress. Wow. What a shock. And the final twist - what was the point? Maybe I just don’t get it. So it was April’s mom Janet the whole time? And she thought she killed her daughter? Also, what the heck happened to Courtney??
Also, I am so tired of hearing, ‘He/She said in her thick New York accent.’ Write what you know and all, but can we not have a book take place literally anywhere other than New York or New Jersey? I think as I dive deeper into Frieda McFadden-land, I am becoming more cynical and critical of her work. But yeah, this one is so far my least favorite. That may or may not change.
Also, I am so tired of hearing, ‘He/She said in her thick New York accent.’ Write what you know and all, but can we not have a book take place literally anywhere other than New York or New Jersey? I think as I dive deeper into Frieda McFadden-land, I am becoming more cynical and critical of her work. But yeah, this one is so far my least favorite. That may or may not change.
emotional
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed this one! And thankfully, we have left some tropes in the past. Finally a character who isn’t complaining about her mother being too loud on the phone!
Seriously, though, this was good. The twist wasn’t something that I easily predicted which was nice because I feel like I know her writing fairly well these days. This book very much gave me Sex and the City, but with MURDER!
One complaint I do have about this, and really all of her books so far, is how Freida always talks about how handsome these men are compared to the FMC. She’s always plain or basic or just attractive enough. Girl, let women be stunning!! Let these men be average! But either way, I enjoyed this book and I am excited to continue my Frieda journey.
Seriously, though, this was good. The twist wasn’t something that I easily predicted which was nice because I feel like I know her writing fairly well these days. This book very much gave me Sex and the City, but with MURDER!
One complaint I do have about this, and really all of her books so far, is how Freida always talks about how handsome these men are compared to the FMC. She’s always plain or basic or just attractive enough. Girl, let women be stunning!! Let these men be average! But either way, I enjoyed this book and I am excited to continue my Frieda journey.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Ah!! I felt like I was waiting for this book for AGES. It was a good, short, smutty read. So far, I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read from Aiden Pierce. Having books like this is a nice break and helps me stay out of a reading slump.
Anyway, this was good. Of course, the plot is never the point, but I enjoyed what there was. Interesting concept and unique world building. Honestly, I’d love to read more about Ruth & Carver. I’m always a fan of enemies to lovers (or fated mates in this case ). When was of the warning said ax play, I didn’t know what to expect, but it wasn’t what happened 😂 (I mean that in a good way). Can something be cute, gory, cozy, and smutty all in one? Cause that’s what this was to me.
Anyway, this was good. Of course, the plot is never the point, but I enjoyed what there was. Interesting concept and unique world building. Honestly, I’d love to read more about Ruth & Carver. I’m always a fan of enemies to lovers (