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alyssas_bookshelf's Reviews (91)
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
Twilight/Vampire Diaries but make it strictly spicy with no serious plot. I enjoyed it in the sense that it was just really good reverse harem smut, but there were a ton of typos and nothing to make you go “I need to keep reading on to find out what happens” because all that happens is Elora getting her sh*t wrecked by 7 super hot vampires. 👏🏼
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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:
Yes
Like the 2nd book, the events from this one seemed sporadic and not put together quite so well. I also found myself yelling at the characters all throughout the book because so many decisions were just insanely stupid. HOWEVER, I still enjoyed it and the ending gave me the craziest goosebumps. I liked that this book was told from the perspective of the 2 sons rather than only Cathy, as it has been. Definitely going to keep reading and finish this wonderfully disturbing series that makes me feel so many emotions.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Edit to add: This book is going to be hard to get through due to the tough subjects of SA, honestly.. all types of abuse in general, pedophilia, etc.
The way Cathy and so many other women (a certain someone’s mother to be specific) attempt to write off the men’s behaviors and take it as “well I’m not doing well enough so that must be why they act that way” can be so infuriating for readers, I know I personally was screaming at Cathy for being so stupid, but I think that’s the purpose.. this was published in 1980, set in the times of 1950-1960’s, that quite literally IS how men acted and women responded. It doesn’t sit well with us because nowadays those things aren’t treated as lightly and to know that it was once like that makes our stomachs sick. It’s about making the reader FEEL those things and I know that I felt it all and am appreciative of such writing to remind us of times we would never want to go back to.
With all that being said.. I absolutely loved this book and all of the rage and sorrow I felt while reading it. The Dollanganger tales have me in a chokehold. The only thing I didn’t like is that there were some pivotal moments that we didn’t actually get to read while they were happening, they just did and were talked about in a way like “and then we got married and—“ instead of us actually getting to “be there” for the wedding.. if that makes sense? 🧐 But overall, this is definitely one that will make you sit with your opinions and thoughts. Also.. perhaps an unpopular opinion? But I started rooting for the brother about halfway through. Don’t judge me. 🙄
The way Cathy and so many other women (a certain someone’s mother to be specific) attempt to write off the men’s behaviors and take it as “well I’m not doing well enough so that must be why they act that way” can be so infuriating for readers, I know I personally was screaming at Cathy for being so stupid, but I think that’s the purpose.. this was published in 1980, set in the times of 1950-1960’s, that quite literally IS how men acted and women responded. It doesn’t sit well with us because nowadays those things aren’t treated as lightly and to know that it was once like that makes our stomachs sick. It’s about making the reader FEEL those things and I know that I felt it all and am appreciative of such writing to remind us of times we would never want to go back to.
With all that being said.. I absolutely loved this book and all of the rage and sorrow I felt while reading it. The Dollanganger tales have me in a chokehold. The only thing I didn’t like is that there were some pivotal moments that we didn’t actually get to read while they were happening, they just did and were talked about in a way like “and then we got married and—“ instead of us actually getting to “be there” for the wedding.. if that makes sense? 🧐 But overall, this is definitely one that will make you sit with your opinions and thoughts. Also.. perhaps an unpopular opinion? But I started rooting for the brother about halfway through. Don’t judge me. 🙄
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Growing up some of my favorite movies and stories were Mommie Dearest, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, etc. and I faintly remember Flowers in the Attic being included. There was something about watching and listening to such heart wrenching stories that appealed to my empathetic nature and I loved anything that made me DEEPLY feel. Now I’m 30 and found the audiobook to this novel and immediately had to listen to it being told again from a new stage in my life. It was as heart breaking and riveting as I first remember. The things those children had to go through, the loss, betrayal, and slivers of hope that they desperately hung onto. You definitely go through every range of emotion while reading this. Deep, true, hatred for what those children were subjected to, the irony and hypocrisy from the mother and grandmother, shock, sorrow, etc. I could go on about this book for hours and never tire. A disturbing masterpiece.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn’t find my interest being truly peaked until about 70% in, so I don’t feel like I can rate this too high. With that being said, it was well written and the ending made it worth pushing through. It had a Black Mirror type of vibe to it at some parts which I really enjoyed.
adventurous
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I listened to the audiobook and firstly want to say that I loved the narrators voices! The fantasy themed archeological element was fun and new, and there was a lot of good world building. The spice was well placed and well written. With all that being said, I just didn’t vibe with the book for some reason.. I found myself mentally checking out for a good portion of it and just not bring all that interested. I would definitely still recommend it to others, but it just wasn’t for me.
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-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:
Yes
I have missed Navessa’s perfect Dark Rom-com vibes SO much and this book delivered just as much humor and spice as her 1st one! I am genuinely obsessed with her writing and how she makes her characters seem so real and relatable. The representation with Ryan’s character, sex work, the range of kinks, plus so much more is just so refreshing. As a former OF creator with a Psych degree, this book was A++. As soon as I finished I immediately ran to Google to see if a 3rd book was in the works and was relieved to find out that it is! While I have a feeling it’ll be about Tyler (which I’m not mad about! Super excited to read more of his story!) I really hope that we get one about Stefan in the future. The way he was the first to pack that bag to dip out and it almost seemed like he maybe had it packed and ready to go in the first place.. makes me want to learn more about him and I think his story could be super interesting! 👀❤️🔥
P.S. I’ve heard so many people say “It just isn’t Lights Out” well… yeah.. it’s a different book about different people.. it’s not going to be a direct copy of the 1st y’all. I’m just glad we still got more of Aly and Josh in this one and their pop-ups were SO good! I need character art of Aly, Josh, Junior, and Lauren, with all their pets ASAP. 🤣
P.S. I’ve heard so many people say “It just isn’t Lights Out” well… yeah.. it’s a different book about different people.. it’s not going to be a direct copy of the 1st y’all. I’m just glad we still got more of Aly and Josh in this one and their pop-ups were SO good! I need character art of Aly, Josh, Junior, and Lauren, with all their pets ASAP. 🤣
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a very interesting read.. the writing and the story itself was captivating, disturbing, and painful (in a good way). It’s full of many memorable quotes and deeper insights of the bloody and broken relationship between mother and daughter. While I thankfully cannot personally relate to such a bond with my own mother, I’ve had many friends who were not blessed with the love I have and therefore I can relate from within their shoes and the stories they’ve shared with me. Overall, this was incredibly moving and I would highly suggest it to others.
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Listened to the audiobook in one sitting while at work today and I’m so happy this lived up to the expectations I had set for it. The story was so captivating, relatable, and horrific in the best way. Even though I knew what would happen in the end, it was still a shock and the emotional hit of everything was very much there. This is one that will stick with me in the back of my brain for a lifetime.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Update (7/17/25) I went back and finished the rest of the book because I’m a firm believer that if I’m going to be a hater, I have to follow through and at least read the whole thing.. needless to say, my opinion hasn’t changed, but at least I can say I finished it lmao.
DNF’ing at the 50% mark.. personally, I feel like the plot just wasn’t there compared to the 1st book. This one was mainly smut WHICH normally I would never complain about (lord knows I love my smut.. 👀) but it was basically just hardcore SA and I couldn’t stomach it anymore. This paired with me accidentally spoiling one of my fav characters deaths via TikTok made me say “yeah, I’ve got other books on my TBR waiting for me.”
** Never will I ever judge someone else for loving this book because we’re all different and just because something isn’t for me doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be for anyone. If you loved it, I’m genuinely so happy for you! And if you didn’t love it.. same. 🥲✌🏻
DNF’ing at the 50% mark.. personally, I feel like the plot just wasn’t there compared to the 1st book. This one was mainly smut WHICH normally I would never complain about (lord knows I love my smut.. 👀) but it was basically just hardcore SA and I couldn’t stomach it anymore. This paired with me accidentally spoiling one of my fav characters deaths via TikTok made me say “yeah, I’ve got other books on my TBR waiting for me.”
** Never will I ever judge someone else for loving this book because we’re all different and just because something isn’t for me doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be for anyone. If you loved it, I’m genuinely so happy for you! And if you didn’t love it.. same. 🥲✌🏻