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efsimpkin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
2.5
Maaaan I’m so disappointed. I got recommended this by Lauren’s Little Library on TikTok who normally has immaculate taste but there’s no way this was anywhere near five stars for me. There were a lot of copy edits that hadn’t been completed, the writing style was poor, and I found Kingsley’s characterisations to be wildly inconsistent. The wider plot universe (the French spy agency) wanted to make sense so bad but also didn’t really?? Idk. The ending also - again - suffered due to Kingsley’s random and inconsistent mischaracterisation.
There were some really redeeming parts though. Madame was magnificent and I felt she was very well written, and her longer scene towards the end was incredibly well done. Out of the three big plot twists at the end, only one of them got me. (Bernie being the informant I wouldn’t have guessed. The pregnancy (fake as it was) and the husband I did guess .) I really truly liked the idea but I was yawning in a lot of the execution, and while I get it was an erotica book, it actually would’ve worked so well as a thriller perhaps? Idk. Some of the earlier sex scenes were given a lot of weight when I don’t think it was necessary.
Idk I’m just a bit salty as I’d been looking forward to reading this for well over a year lol.
There were some really redeeming parts though. Madame was magnificent and I felt she was very well written, and her longer scene towards the end was incredibly well done. Out of the three big plot twists at the end, only one of them got me. (
Idk I’m just a bit salty as I’d been looking forward to reading this for well over a year lol.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Pregnancy
emmacartlidge's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture
Minor: Pregnancy
chilivanilli28's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual violence
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