Take a photo of a barcode or cover
1.21k reviews by:
velvetwrappedsmut
God the concept of this book was great, but the two MMCs were so insufferable. Miscommunication is a trope I detest and this book had it in spades. I also didn't feel the chemistry between the two of them.
It felt like the internalised homophobia for Jax was kind of brushed away. We see the comments from his dad 'tears are for queers', but it felt more like something to add a little more drama, as opposed to something real.
I also felt like some of the portrayals of the dom/sub relationship were lacklustre. The aftercare that Jax demonstrated didn't reflect good aftercare to me. 'You just flogged yourself? Here, have a water and a banana and go to bed.'
There were also some editing gaffs in this one; misspelled words and a scene where Jax puts a condom on, and then 2 pages later, puts a condom on again (without anything happening that would require a condom change) and these little inconsistencies irk me in books.
It felt like the internalised homophobia for Jax was kind of brushed away. We see the comments from his dad 'tears are for queers', but it felt more like something to add a little more drama, as opposed to something real.
I also felt like some of the portrayals of the dom/sub relationship were lacklustre. The aftercare that Jax demonstrated didn't reflect good aftercare to me. 'You just flogged yourself? Here, have a water and a banana and go to bed.'
There were also some editing gaffs in this one; misspelled words and a scene where Jax puts a condom on, and then 2 pages later, puts a condom on again (without anything happening that would require a condom change) and these little inconsistencies irk me in books.
Oh my God this book was awful. The misogyny in this book was immense. I highlighted multiple passages in the book, and noted gross or cringe next to them. The MMC literally thinks to himself that its easier for him to keep things casual, because women are the ones who always catch feelings.
I love being able to read ARCs and see the great things coming from new authors. This book was fantastic.
Addison, our FMC, struggles with mental health and rage, to the point that it impacts all her relationships. She is smart, fiery and misunderstood. Reading her mental health struggles hit close for me, and I love the authors ability to put those feelings into words.
Noah validates her feelings, embraces her as she is and supports her when she needs it. He has a filthy mouth, and big cinnamon roll energy (swoon). This story had me laughing and crying in the space of 2 minutes. It has real heart, and I just love seeing a MMC that loves and embraces the FMC without trying to change her.
Also, when he first drops the L word? Probably my favourite declaration scene in a book. Oh, and this is the first book I have seen acknowledge the 'post-sex gross stuff', including peeing after sex, and I am HERE. FOR. IT.
Honestly, great first novel by Brittany; can't wait for the next!
Addison, our FMC, struggles with mental health and rage, to the point that it impacts all her relationships. She is smart, fiery and misunderstood. Reading her mental health struggles hit close for me, and I love the authors ability to put those feelings into words.
Noah validates her feelings, embraces her as she is and supports her when she needs it. He has a filthy mouth, and big cinnamon roll energy (swoon). This story had me laughing and crying in the space of 2 minutes. It has real heart, and I just love seeing a MMC that loves and embraces the FMC without trying to change her.
Also, when he first drops the L word? Probably my favourite declaration scene in a book. Oh, and this is the first book I have seen acknowledge the 'post-sex gross stuff', including peeing after sex, and I am HERE. FOR. IT.
Honestly, great first novel by Brittany; can't wait for the next!
ARC review:
This book felt rushed and confusing. I love a morally grey MMC, but there were no redeeming qualities for X until literally the last 20 or so pages. I felt like X and Lyric had zero chemistry. For an FMC to be an SA survivor (and a virgin when it happened), and then the MMC dabbles VEEEEEERY close to non-con for their sexual encounters, it feels super icky to me.
Also, I struggle to believe that a filmed sexual assault, that is repeatedly passed around, would be ignored by the college and the police. If it wasn't filmed, I could see this narrative being believable.
If the book was longer than 200 pages, I feel like more could have been done to flesh out the relationship between them. As it is the first in a series, it would have been great to see this book be a little longer to flesh out the characters more.
There were continuity errors and grammatical errors in this one too. All up, it feels like there are great bones for a dark romance, but the execution is lacking for me.
This book felt rushed and confusing. I love a morally grey MMC, but there were no redeeming qualities for X until literally the last 20 or so pages. I felt like X and Lyric had zero chemistry. For an FMC to be an SA survivor (and a virgin when it happened), and then the MMC dabbles VEEEEEERY close to non-con for their sexual encounters, it feels super icky to me.
Also, I struggle to believe that a filmed sexual assault, that is repeatedly passed around, would be ignored by the college and the police. If it wasn't filmed, I could see this narrative being believable.
If the book was longer than 200 pages, I feel like more could have been done to flesh out the relationship between them. As it is the first in a series, it would have been great to see this book be a little longer to flesh out the characters more.
There were continuity errors and grammatical errors in this one too. All up, it feels like there are great bones for a dark romance, but the execution is lacking for me.
The FMC in this book felt like all those manic pixie dream girls from the early 2000s. I also hated the CONSTANT reminders that she was his team mates little sister. That whole thinking that a guy can control who his sister dates just irks me so damn much. I do love a good brother's best friend trope, but this one felt icky for some reason.
Also, we get it. The MMC is hung. But, physiologically, there shouldn't be the need to focus on how long it took him to 'fit'. The female anatomy is literally designed to stretch for child birth, and it also does the same thing when aroused. Considering how explicitly this arousal was made, the whole scene with them have penetrative sex made no sense and left me really irritated.
Also, we get it. The MMC is hung. But, physiologically, there shouldn't be the need to focus on how long it took him to 'fit'. The female anatomy is literally designed to stretch for child birth, and it also does the same thing when aroused. Considering how explicitly this arousal was made, the whole scene with them have penetrative sex made no sense and left me really irritated.