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shaykay's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
What a weird book. I actually got a really pretty edition from Sweetgrass and was determined to read the whole series but the whole in this book I felt like I was missing something. I kind of think that was the purpose of this first book though because we're just meeting everyone, learning about this world, and starting a mystery that's supposed to span all throughout this series. So, I really did give this one the benefit of the doubt and had high hopes for the book but for me, it just didn't get much better and I ended up DNF'ing the second book. But I'm really conflicted with this DNF so I might circle back to it eventually.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Incest
Minor: Child death, Drug use, Gun violence, Suicide, Death of parent, and Murder
readbyjaimes's review against another edition
3.0
So I DNF'd this book almost a year ago today, and I just finished it this morning...
Let me start by saying, no, this wasn't greaat. But I wasn't expecting it to be and that's not what I was here for. Thsi book has been at the back of my brain for a year now and I figured why not try reading it again. Well now it's done and I am going to start the second one. My thing with this book was that I don't like any of the characters, but once I got over that it was just really fun to laugh at and it was an entertaining read. I'm actually pretty curious to see where the story goes from here. Is the writing good? no. Is there continuity issues? most definitely. But is was fun. Their big friend group kind of reminded me of my parents old friend group so the nostalgia and messiness was honestly really fun. Red flag? absolutely. So, do with this review what you will lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Infidelity
christinerosemarie's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Violence
libraryofjess_'s review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
✨ 4.5 stars ✨
🌶️ 3 spice 🌶️
<i> “Hello, Madison. You may not know us, but we know you. We want to play a game. Here’s what happens if you lose….”
Ah, this series brings me so much joy. Finally doing a reread of this whole series after not reading it for like I don’t know 5 years? Now let’s get into the review.
This is a dark romance (we can add highschool in a bit losely as well), we have a lot of dark and broody men, mystery that you really need to get to the bottom of, lots of spice, and a club…So pretty much everything I love.
I do love the characters, not because they are anything exceptional but because they all have a mystery about them. I love a good mystery and even now I was on the edge of my seat.
Bishop is definitely one of my favourites alongside Nate, completely different characters but both so intriguing (and hot). I do enjoy Madisons character but I always hope to see a bit more from her.
I do recommend this series for dark romance lovers that love medium-fast paced book but be prepared for the cliffhangers and a long series ahead!! Check TWs and CWs, 18+
Happy reading 🤍
🌶️ 3 spice 🌶️
<i> “Hello, Madison. You may not know us, but we know you. We want to play a game. Here’s what happens if you lose….”
Ah, this series brings me so much joy. Finally doing a reread of this whole series after not reading it for like I don’t know 5 years? Now let’s get into the review.
This is a dark romance (we can add highschool in a bit losely as well), we have a lot of dark and broody men, mystery that you really need to get to the bottom of, lots of spice, and a club…So pretty much everything I love.
I do love the characters, not because they are anything exceptional but because they all have a mystery about them. I love a good mystery and even now I was on the edge of my seat.
Bishop is definitely one of my favourites alongside Nate, completely different characters but both so intriguing (and hot). I do enjoy Madisons character but I always hope to see a bit more from her.
I do recommend this series for dark romance lovers that love medium-fast paced book but be prepared for the cliffhangers and a long series ahead!! Check TWs and CWs, 18+
Happy reading 🤍
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
matildasmorana's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
b_readss's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexual content, Violence, and Death of parent
mybookishdelights's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Heat Level: High
CW:rough sex, men threatening women, physical abuse, gun references, slut shaming, girl hate, mentions of infanticide, murder, misogyny
If the book Corrupt by Penelope Douglas (which I liked okay) and the series Paper Princess by Erin Watt (which I really liked) had a baby it would be this book, but not written as well.
The writing was not good. It was all over the place, the pacing was off, and it felt repetitive. It took me awhile to get into it and even then I objectively knew it wasn't done well. However, I kept reading. I finished it in an afternoon and when I was done, all I could think was "eh." I don't know how to explain books like this. I know they aren't well done, but yet I want more. I didn't like the characters, the story was too much alike to the other series I mentioned, and I called the ending in the first half of the book. And yet... I'm sitting here thinking "maybe I should read the next one." What is that?
There were a lot of eye roll moments in this. The first was the character of Bishop. I just... sigh... he's just so... ugh. I did not swoon over this guy at all. All the staring and the glaring and the staring and the glaring (does this feel repetitive to you? Me too.)... just eh. There was also a lot of pro-gun commentary, which felt bizarre and out of place. The main character is really into guns and okay whatever, but it didn't feel like it fit into this story. It was just so weirdly placed into the events. Also, there's some rough sex.I don't know if this is a spoiler, but there is choking and bruising going on. He talks about her spine and how he'd like to break it apart as he's fucking her. That's some serial killer shit right there. It just wasn't attractive to me, but that's not my thing so it might be fine for others. There's also a lot of violence from the "hero" (and I use that term very loosely) towards the "heroine" and it's not something I'm into.
Even though this book is about high school kids, I do not think this appropriate for the YA audience. Maybe the older side like late teens. I could easily see younger girls thinking this asshole is romantic and shit, but he's not. At all. I know this because this is someone I would have romanticized when I was that age.
I still might read the next one though. 🤦♀️
CAWPILE Score: 4.43 = 2.75 stars
Characters: 3
Atmosphere: 5
Writing: 4
Plot: 4
Intrigue: 6
Logic: 4
Enjoyment: 5
CW:
If the book Corrupt by Penelope Douglas (which I liked okay) and the series Paper Princess by Erin Watt (which I really liked) had a baby it would be this book, but not written as well.
The writing was not good. It was all over the place, the pacing was off, and it felt repetitive. It took me awhile to get into it and even then I objectively knew it wasn't done well. However, I kept reading. I finished it in an afternoon and when I was done, all I could think was "eh." I don't know how to explain books like this. I know they aren't well done, but yet I want more. I didn't like the characters, the story was too much alike to the other series I mentioned, and I called the ending in the first half of the book. And yet... I'm sitting here thinking "maybe I should read the next one." What is that?
There were a lot of eye roll moments in this. The first was the character of Bishop. I just... sigh... he's just so... ugh. I did not swoon over this guy at all. All the staring and the glaring and the staring and the glaring (does this feel repetitive to you? Me too.)... just eh. There was also a lot of pro-gun commentary, which felt bizarre and out of place. The main character is really into guns and okay whatever, but it didn't feel like it fit into this story. It was just so weirdly placed into the events. Also, there's some rough sex.
Even though this book is about high school kids, I do not think this appropriate for the YA audience. Maybe the older side like late teens. I could easily see younger girls thinking this asshole is romantic and shit, but he's not. At all. I know this because this is someone I would have romanticized when I was that age.
I still might read the next one though. 🤦♀️
CAWPILE Score: 4.43 = 2.75 stars
Characters: 3
Atmosphere: 5
Writing: 4
Plot: 4
Intrigue: 6
Logic: 4
Enjoyment: 5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Murder
Minor: Child death