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poupimali's reviews
462 reviews
APEX by Nova Kane
**end of SPOILERS**
fast-paced
1.5
Apex is a fast-paced taboo dark racing romance
I will try to explain how I felt about this book and I aim to write a fair and constructive critique.
Unfortunately, for me, it falls short of its ambitions due to several flaws.
The narrative unfolds at a breakneck pace, leaving not much room for more meaningful character development or narrative depth. There is frequent repetition of phrases and motifs, which detracted me from the overall coherence of the plot (Sayshen is a « fuckboy », they « share », some classics dark romance elements are dropped out of nowhere). As a non-native English speaker, English is my second language, when I notice these repetition, it can be disruptive.
**POSSIBLE SPOILERS**
The inconsistent push-and-pull behavior of Talon, characterized by frequent shifts between hot and cold attitudes during many full chapters, frustrated me due to its lack of deep foundation.
Despite the potential for rich character development, they seem to me underdeveloped and one-dimensional. Bexley undergoes a rapid recovery from 4 years of abuse (a few nightmares and 4 days after, she falls for someone else), which strains in my opinion, credibility and diminishes the emotional impact of her journey. Similarly, the male leads, Sayshen and Talon, are portrayed as predictable stereotypes, I wanted them to be more in a meaningful level.
I was a bit shocked by 2 MMCs (22 and 27) who aren’t aware of protection from STDs and birth control (no condom, no birth control conversation before). The sentence « I didn’t thought about that » made me really uneasy 😳
For professional racers, it was disturbing that they didn’t care about their hands and the dramatic events in the book normally prevent from any competition for months.
The casual depiction of abusive behavior and the objectification of the FMC also bothered me: she never had word to say when she should be in a safe place - she was a property of someone evil and suddenly she is the property of two guys.
I get that spice is important in the genre but It's difficult to connect with a 22-year-old FMC who has been subjected to violence for years (all her adult life) and who seems completely liberated in her sexuality to the extent of having relationships with two brothers without question or moral confusion. Yes it’s taboo but I think it lacks of consistencies.
**end of SPOILERS**
In summary, for me, this story fails to deliver on its promise of a compelling dark romance set against the backdrop of the racing world. While the premise of Apex holds potential (the playlist is really good and well organized, a lot of ideas are clever and plots are interesting), its execution falls short of expectations, leaving me longing for a more cohesive and emotionally resonant narrative.
The story ends on a cliffhanger.
I had the privilege of receiving this as an ARC, and this review reflects my own honest opinion.
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
dark
funny
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
5.0
**audiobook review**
Lark thrives with glitters in the lifestyle of a musician and serial-deleter.
Lachlan… ah my perfect Irish broody grumpy Lachlan. Yep. Nothing more. Eric Nolan amazingly embodied this Irish grumpy ass who is as hot as smitten.
But the real queen is Ethel. End of.
Nevertheless, Lark and Lachlan’s story can fully be appreciated if you have previously read Blackbird & Butcher. The stories are intertwined.
Hilarious, heartbreaking, plots, everything in this story is perfectly balanced. Brynne is talented like that.
The duet narration is one of the best I’ve heard so far. Everything is smooth with all the emotions and tensions. And the growl… damn.
* Catastrophe Barbie and Budget Batman
* He falls first and HARD
* Attracted strangers to Enemies to Lovers
* Marriage of deadly convenience
* Banter 😂😂😂
* Serial deleter / contract killer
* And yep pizza ruined.
* slow burn > but when it comes to it 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Oh and no one f*cks with Keanu Reeves. That’s a rule. 🫠
Check the long list of TW
Lark thrives with glitters in the lifestyle of a musician and serial-deleter.
Lachlan… ah my perfect Irish broody grumpy Lachlan. Yep. Nothing more. Eric Nolan amazingly embodied this Irish grumpy ass who is as hot as smitten.
But the real queen is Ethel. End of.
Nevertheless, Lark and Lachlan’s story can fully be appreciated if you have previously read Blackbird & Butcher. The stories are intertwined.
Hilarious, heartbreaking, plots, everything in this story is perfectly balanced. Brynne is talented like that.
The duet narration is one of the best I’ve heard so far. Everything is smooth with all the emotions and tensions. And the growl… damn.
* Catastrophe Barbie and Budget Batman
* He falls first and HARD
* Attracted strangers to Enemies to Lovers
* Marriage of deadly convenience
* Banter 😂😂😂
* Serial deleter / contract killer
* And yep pizza ruined.
* slow burn > but when it comes to it 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Oh and no one f*cks with Keanu Reeves. That’s a rule. 🫠
Check the long list of TW
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, Gore, Terminal illness, Child abuse, Blood, Body horror, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content
Gangsters and Guns by Loxley Savage, K.A. Knight
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3.75
Reading a reverse harem by K.A. Knight is like a security blanket to me.
And I am never disappointed.
You have 3 book boyfriends and you don’t have to choose, a strong independent FMC, with backstories.
Yes it’s an easy read, there is some repetition or obvious parts. The plot is simple.
But it’s perfectly executed.
The spice is spicy: solid 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Roxy lost her parents then her brother due to drugs. She is alone and she does what she can to survive.
The Dixen brothers are successful businessmen and gangsters.
Somewhere in between Rory has to make a choice between her life and theirs.
You will find:
- strong fierce and sassy FMC
- reverse harem (3 brothers)
- found family
- mafia vibes
- Mischief 🐶
TW:
Addiction (drugs/alcohol)
Blood
Knife play
Primal play
Light stalking
I’ve read so many reviews comparing Den of Vipers and this book. Then don’t do that. Because it’s not ☺️
But there is a guest star you will enjoy to find.
And I am never disappointed.
You have 3 book boyfriends and you don’t have to choose, a strong independent FMC, with backstories.
Yes it’s an easy read, there is some repetition or obvious parts. The plot is simple.
But it’s perfectly executed.
The spice is spicy: solid 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Roxy lost her parents then her brother due to drugs. She is alone and she does what she can to survive.
The Dixen brothers are successful businessmen and gangsters.
Somewhere in between Rory has to make a choice between her life and theirs.
You will find:
- strong fierce and sassy FMC
- reverse harem (3 brothers)
- found family
- mafia vibes
- Mischief 🐶
TW:
Addiction (drugs/alcohol)
Blood
Knife play
Primal play
Light stalking
I’ve read so many reviews comparing Den of Vipers and this book. Then don’t do that. Because it’s not ☺️
But there is a guest star you will enjoy to find.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder, Mental illness, Addiction, and Sexual content
The Home Wrecker by Sara Cate
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
Unfortunately I couldn’t pass the second chapter.
It made me feel really uncomfortable, probably because it is a difficult subject that I underestimate.
It made me feel really uncomfortable, probably because it is a difficult subject that I underestimate.
Shallow River by H.D. Carlton
dark
tense
fast-paced
5.0
That audiobook (and book)…
I have no word to say what I experienced.
In fact I have.
I’ve never been so angry, I’ve never yell as much as I did towards a character.
I even felt rewarded when the chapters were about Mako. It was like being soothed after being brutalized by the previous chapter.
This book is just for that: a masterpiece.
If you are triggered by domestic violence, rape, emotional abuse, gaslighting and incest, please don’t. Don’t read it. These are normally not triggering for me and despite that, I sometimes lost it because how pissed off I was.
Jacob Morgan did an amazing job with all the despicable MMCs.
This is a duet narration. Michelle Sparks did also an excellent job to give life to this strong abused River.
It made
I have no word to say what I experienced.
In fact I have.
I’ve never been so angry, I’ve never yell as much as I did towards a character.
I even felt rewarded when the chapters were about Mako. It was like being soothed after being brutalized by the previous chapter.
This book is just for that: a masterpiece.
If you are triggered by domestic violence, rape, emotional abuse, gaslighting and incest, please don’t. Don’t read it. These are normally not triggering for me and despite that, I sometimes lost it because how pissed off I was.
Jacob Morgan did an amazing job with all the despicable MMCs.
This is a duet narration. Michelle Sparks did also an excellent job to give life to this strong abused River.
It made
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Physical abuse, Addiction, Torture, Blood, Emotional abuse, Incest, Rape, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, and Toxic relationship
Camera Shy by Kay Cove
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Let me get this straight:
Finn is the ultimate GOAT.
There.
He is funny, loving, caretaker, respectful.
And I want one.
Avery is being dumped, on her birthday, while thinking she is being engaged. And she is gaslighted.
So she needs air. And space.
Finn helps women to learn that they are beautiful and worthy. But he only knows toxic relationship.
Aren’t they perfect for each other?
Tropes
- he falls first
- he falls hard
- neighbors to lovers
- friendship of convenience
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
I really thought it would be more spicy.
TW: cheating, fat shaming.
The audiobook is narrated by Lee Samuels and Heather Firth.
They are doing an amazing job in this dual narration to make all the other’s voices 👌🏻
Finn is the ultimate GOAT.
There.
He is funny, loving, caretaker, respectful.
And I want one.
Avery is being dumped, on her birthday, while thinking she is being engaged. And she is gaslighted.
So she needs air. And space.
Finn helps women to learn that they are beautiful and worthy. But he only knows toxic relationship.
Aren’t they perfect for each other?
Tropes
- he falls first
- he falls hard
- neighbors to lovers
- friendship of convenience
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
I really thought it would be more spicy.
TW: cheating, fat shaming.
The audiobook is narrated by Lee Samuels and Heather Firth.
They are doing an amazing job in this dual narration to make all the other’s voices 👌🏻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Infidelity, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Body shaming, and Toxic relationship
Obsession by Harleigh Beck
I went blind on this one. So I will not says more than that.
PLEASE
MASSIVE TW
if tǒrtůre, SA, ræpe and incęsť are triggering you… DON’T.
Even if you are tempted. DON’T.
Many other books can have your full attention. I have many recommendations in my profile page.
And don’t forget:
Rule number one: Don't ever fall for the sob story
dark
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
If you want to spiral in your mind, be my guest.
If you want to question your sanity, you’re welcome.
And if you can handle some severe trigger warnings, you will read at your own risk.
I went blind on this one. So I will not says more than that.
PLEASE
MASSIVE TW
if tǒrtůre, SA, ræpe and incęsť are triggering you… DON’T.
Even if you are tempted. DON’T.
Many other books can have your full attention. I have many recommendations in my profile page.
And don’t forget:
Rule number one: Don't ever fall for the sob story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Torture, Rape, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Incest, Murder, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Well and Truly Pucked by Lauren Blakely
fast-paced
4.25
The audiobook narrated by Samantha Brentmoore, Jason Clarke, Connor Crais and Teddy Hamilton, is amazing!
I laughed so many times.
This Full cast narration is pure joy 😍
Thank you Lauren for writing the best lovable characters (for each book).
The banter between the guys is perfect.
I will never hear “May I?” In the same way. Ever.
It’s a sweet hockey romance.
Trope:
- RH (FMMM)
- found family
- they fall first
- independent FMC
- cat rescue ❤️
I was really surprised and I had a blast while listening to the bonus audio with all the cast laughing 😂
I laughed so many times.
This Full cast narration is pure joy 😍
Thank you Lauren for writing the best lovable characters (for each book).
The banter between the guys is perfect.
I will never hear “May I?” In the same way. Ever.
It’s a sweet hockey romance.
Trope:
- RH (FMMM)
- found family
- they fall first
- independent FMC
- cat rescue ❤️
I was really surprised and I had a blast while listening to the bonus audio with all the cast laughing 😂
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent
The Thief by Nikki J. Summers
emotional
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
This is the Fifth and final book of the Soldiers of Anarchy series.
If I were to be trapped in a heist, I would chose to be with Tyler to shield me.
Tyler is a protector and he is also driven by the need to be a better person.
Jess and him are bonded through time and trauma.
There is also a special place in my heart for Ava, the 3 years old girl, who is too real and too pure for this world. And she knows all the England football players. So, Nailed it girl!
Tropes
- insta love
- single mum
- Found family
- vigilante / secret society
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (it’s a slow burn but when it comes you will not be disappointed)
This is the perfect wrap up for this series.
And I am now experiencing a really strong feeling of nostalgia.
Nikki is gifted to write beautiful, flayed, emotional characters.
If I were to be trapped in a heist, I would chose to be with Tyler to shield me.
Tyler is a protector and he is also driven by the need to be a better person.
Jess and him are bonded through time and trauma.
There is also a special place in my heart for Ava, the 3 years old girl, who is too real and too pure for this world. And she knows all the England football players. So, Nailed it girl!
Tropes
- insta love
- single mum
- Found family
- vigilante / secret society
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (it’s a slow burn but when it comes you will not be disappointed)
This is the perfect wrap up for this series.
And I am now experiencing a really strong feeling of nostalgia.
Nikki is gifted to write beautiful, flayed, emotional characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Gun violence, Blood, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse and Suicidal thoughts
Vengeful Gods by Elliott Rose
medium-paced
3.0
It’s an uneven book.
Fox is the heir of Noire House who is a facade for trafficking and child abuse (TW +).
Thorne, Ky and Ven want to take this House down.
The beginning (a long beginning, until 40%) was sometime rushed or obvious or cliché, it bothered me a bit. It’s predictable. Like paved with lights.
Until this 40% or so, there’s smut here and there. Sometimes it just feels thrown in the middle of the story.
Nevertheless the spice is good, really good actually.
(Except for the Daddy kink that came out of nowhere - but if you are up to it, you’ll be served).
Fox is a really funny FMC.
The banter is perfect.
And once you’ve passed the middle of the book, it becomes interesting. It’s like all the pieces of the story are coming into place.
And finally, the last plot is actually 🤯
Fox is the heir of Noire House who is a facade for trafficking and child abuse (TW +).
Thorne, Ky and Ven want to take this House down.
The beginning (a long beginning, until 40%) was sometime rushed or obvious or cliché, it bothered me a bit. It’s predictable. Like paved with lights.
Until this 40% or so, there’s smut here and there. Sometimes it just feels thrown in the middle of the story.
Nevertheless the spice is good, really good actually.
(Except for the Daddy kink that came out of nowhere - but if you are up to it, you’ll be served).
Fox is a really funny FMC.
The banter is perfect.
And once you’ve passed the middle of the book, it becomes interesting. It’s like all the pieces of the story are coming into place.
And finally, the last plot is actually 🤯
TW rape
Child abuse
Trafficking
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Car accident, Drug use, Trafficking, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Stalking