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jessanicolesingh's reviews
49 reviews
There Are No Saints by Sophie Lark
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Not only do I give both of these 5 ⭐️, but I can confidently say this is my FAVORITE duet/series to date! This author figured out the perfect balance of steam and plot, and had some downright funny scenes too.
Our MMC, a psychopath and sculptor, is involved in an ongoing rivalry with a fellow artist and serial killer, who “gifts him the FMC. What is mostly characterized as a dark romance of stalking and obsession, somehow manages a slow burn love simultaneously. It features a game of wits and survival, and also overcoming childhood trauma. The first book in the set has a faster paced plot, while the second covered more timeline overall. The accompanying music playlist suggestions were on point with this one, I truly felt immersed in this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, and Stalking
Moderate: Child abuse, Self harm, and Kidnapping
Sabotage by Shantel Tessier
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This one was interesting…
I’m all for having a plot outside of the smut, but this plot was WILD. We have step siblings, enemies to lovers, a sex tape leak, setting a car on fire, kidnapping, assault, murder, and somehow a HEA? The book was also set in the standard dual POV, then threw in a third POV just for one single chapter, which was a little odd.
Sabotage was much shorter and faster paced than the other books in the L.O.R.D.S. series. Additionally, the characters were not directly involved in the secret society upheld by the other novels (the MMC and his friends work for Tyson, from the previous book, The Sacrifice).
I’m all for having a plot outside of the smut, but this plot was WILD. We have step siblings, enemies to lovers, a sex tape leak, setting a car on fire, kidnapping, assault, murder, and somehow a HEA? The book was also set in the standard dual POV, then threw in a third POV just for one single chapter, which was a little odd.
Sabotage was much shorter and faster paced than the other books in the L.O.R.D.S. series. Additionally, the characters were not directly involved in the secret society upheld by the other novels (the MMC and his friends work for Tyson, from the previous book, The Sacrifice).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual assault
Moderate: Rape, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Car accident, Infidelity, and Fire/Fire injury
The Sacrifice by Shantel Tessier
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This has definitely been my favorite of the L.O.R.D.S series so far!
For the first time, I can actually say that I liked the MMC, Tyson. Introducing him as a side character in the previous two books of the series was such a smart move; his familiarity made him significantly more enjoyable from the start, even though his methods weren't always the best. Subsequently, I much preferred this plot over the others. I also loved that we got more of a glimpse into the Spade Brothers for the later book in the series, Carnage.
For the first time, I can actually say that I liked the MMC, Tyson. Introducing him as a side character in the previous two books of the series was such a smart move; his familiarity made him significantly more enjoyable from the start, even though his methods weren't always the best. Subsequently, I much preferred this plot over the others. I also loved that we got more of a glimpse into the Spade Brothers for the later book in the series, Carnage.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Sexual content
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Rape, Trafficking, and Sexual assault
For the Love of Layla by Callie Moss
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I'm so sad that I didn't love this book 😞 The premise had such great potential that just didn't land for me.
Let’s just state the obvious… this guy is nuts. Crazy. PSYCHO!!! There was absolutely nothing I found redeemable about him, and normally I enjoy an unhinged and possessive MMC, but this simply was not it. I will say, however, I did like that the stalking storyline was different than the usual timeline found with this trope, as the obsession started AFTER having already known each other and a preestablished relationship.
Another thing I found is that the formatting felt a little off, though some of it may have been due to reading it through Kindle. There were a lot of POV switches mid chapter, which on occasion is fine but this was excessive, creating a block of organic flow to the story. Additionally, there were SO MANY FLASHBACKS, which again had some formatting peculiarities; sometimes they were preluded with a heading whereas other times they were just italicized sections, which was a little confusing.
Overall this was much more of a thriller than a dark romance. There was an “optional” epilogue at the end, of which it definitely needed an extended ending, but I’m not sure if the HEA was earned.
Let’s just state the obvious… this guy is nuts. Crazy. PSYCHO!!! There was absolutely nothing I found redeemable about him, and normally I enjoy an unhinged and possessive MMC, but this simply was not it. I will say, however, I did like that the stalking storyline was different than the usual timeline found with this trope, as the obsession started AFTER having already known each other and a preestablished relationship.
Another thing I found is that the formatting felt a little off, though some of it may have been due to reading it through Kindle. There were a lot of POV switches mid chapter, which on occasion is fine but this was excessive, creating a block of organic flow to the story. Additionally, there were SO MANY FLASHBACKS, which again had some formatting peculiarities; sometimes they were preluded with a heading whereas other times they were just italicized sections, which was a little confusing.
Overall this was much more of a thriller than a dark romance. There was an “optional” epilogue at the end, of which it definitely needed an extended ending, but I’m not sure if the HEA was earned.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Stalking
Moderate: Gaslighting, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Kidnapping
Minor: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Forced institutionalization
Bleed for Me by Kitty Rose
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Welp, as the name suggests, this book contains A LOT of blood 🩸
This was a pretty fast-paced ride, with our serial killer MMC stalking and kidnapping the innocent FMC, and eventually opening her eyes to his world and discovering a darkness within herself.
The book was GREAT overall, but I felt it had somewhat of a choppy flow. Some parts felt rushed, there were a few time lapses summarized when I'd rather them be lived through/read as a scene. Also, I know the whole point in a dark romance like this is for the FMC to fall for the villainous MMC, but I feel like the turnaround time from hate/fear to acceptance was too quick here? Like I don't feel like enough had happened for him to “earn” the relationship evolution at the time the switch took place.
This was a pretty fast-paced ride, with our serial killer MMC stalking and kidnapping the innocent FMC, and eventually opening her eyes to his world and discovering a darkness within herself.
The book was GREAT overall, but I felt it had somewhat of a choppy flow. Some parts felt rushed, there were a few time lapses summarized when I'd rather them be lived through/read as a scene. Also, I know the whole point in a dark romance like this is for the FMC to fall for the villainous MMC, but I feel like the turnaround time from hate/fear to acceptance was too quick here? Like I don't feel like enough had happened for him to “earn” the relationship evolution at the time the switch took place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Kidnapping, Murder, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Sexual content
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Hooked by Emily McIntire
dark
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
I started this book yesterday. I finished this book yesterday. I blinked, and it was over.
Hooked is on EVERY dark romance suggestion list I've come across, and I was honestly initially hesitant because I thought it was going to be a fantasy book, but that was not the case. The characters are veeeeeeery loosely based on the original set from the classic Peter Pan story we all know and love, and had a few other little Easter eggs pointing back to the source material as well. Reading this, I was quite literally smiling to myself, giggling and kicking my feet.
If you've been thinking of dipping a toe into dark romance, I would definitely recommend this as a jumping off point! Don't get me wrong, the MMC is 100% a villain through and through, but the writing on this one felt more like a beginners guide to the morally gray.
Hooked is on EVERY dark romance suggestion list I've come across, and I was honestly initially hesitant because I thought it was going to be a fantasy book, but that was not the case. The characters are veeeeeeery loosely based on the original set from the classic Peter Pan story we all know and love, and had a few other little Easter eggs pointing back to the source material as well. Reading this, I was quite literally smiling to myself, giggling and kicking my feet.
If you've been thinking of dipping a toe into dark romance, I would definitely recommend this as a jumping off point! Don't get me wrong, the MMC is 100% a villain through and through, but the writing on this one felt more like a beginners guide to the morally gray.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Kidnapping and Murder
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent
That Sik Luv by Jescie Hall
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
As my third read by this author, and my second 5 ⭐️ review for her, Jescie is officially secured as one of my favorites!
This was a dark romance MASTERPIECE. We've got all the goodies; dual POV, a possessive stalker, filthy steam and aftercare 👏, and some decent twists and reveals. This book gives a nod to the monsters hiding in plain sight, oftentimes hiding behind religion.
This was a dark romance MASTERPIECE. We've got all the goodies; dual POV, a possessive stalker, filthy steam and aftercare 👏, and some decent twists and reveals. This book gives a nod to the monsters hiding in plain sight, oftentimes hiding behind religion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, and Stalking
Moderate: Pedophilia, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Gun violence and Torture
Kid by Jescie Hall
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read this at a significantly slower rate than I have been lately, partly because I didn’t find as much time in my days to dedicate to reading, but mostly due to the fact this book was a brutally deep and slow cut. This dark romance features two very broken people trying to build love through addiction, grief, and a whole mess of trauma. It was VERY character driven, not much happens plot wise until the rather late third act.
A few random notes to point out: 1. I loved the Cam and Cole storyline continuation from my previous read by this author (HAWKE) 2. Though a gut wrenching read at times there was still a substantial amount of spicy scenes, and 3. I really appreciated the POV switch for the last chapter, it was a great decision for wrapping things up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Addiction, and Drug use
Moderate: Drug abuse, Death of parent, Self harm, and Suicide
Minor: Animal death
Hawke by Jescie Hall
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Obsessed, obsessed, OBSESSED!!
Now I would never condone cheating in the real world, but within these pages I dare say the ends justify the means; this is not a story of infidelity, but rather redemption. It also highlights the idea that not everything, or everyone, is as it seems, good or bad.
Though written as a standalone, this book introduces Kid, the main character in my next read by this author, which I will be diving into next!
Now I would never condone cheating in the real world, but within these pages I dare say the ends justify the means; this is not a story of infidelity, but rather redemption. It also highlights the idea that not everything, or everyone, is as it seems, good or bad.
Though written as a standalone, this book introduces Kid, the main character in my next read by this author, which I will be diving into next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Misogyny, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Car accident
Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This author is quickly climbing up my favorite’s list!
This particular storyline follows a friends to enemies to lovers trope, with a little side quest of mystery. It’s filled with teen angst and a fair amount of steam, and I’m not quite sure how to categorize it; it’s much moodier than a regular romance but fluffier than a dark romance. I saw both of the main reveals coming, but was still satisfied with how all of the loose ends tied up.
This particular storyline follows a friends to enemies to lovers trope, with a little side quest of mystery. It’s filled with teen angst and a fair amount of steam, and I’m not quite sure how to categorize it; it’s much moodier than a regular romance but fluffier than a dark romance. I saw both of the main reveals coming, but was still satisfied with how all of the loose ends tied up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Homophobia, and Bullying