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_toristorytime's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Confinement, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Body horror and Violence
Minor: Domestic abuse
boundlessbookbumblebee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Rape
maddy9877's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, and Injury/Injury detail
oliviaangelixx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I read this book in one sitting.. I couldn't put it down! The LGBTQ+ representation is done really well, and it was nice to see some of these identities actually come up in a romance book with such dark themes. It felt more authentic that way. I will say, all of the characters the MC comes across becoming infatuated with her is a bit unrealistic... but who wants realism in fiction?! Exactly. It just works for the plot.
I felt as though there could've been a lot more buildup to the majority of the scenes. For the most part it felt like the connections between the characters came out of nowhere, and the immediate trust from someone who has just been through a horrific experience felt a bit odd. I felt like none of them actually knew anything about each other and they were all so willing to jump into everything for the MC. It led to some whiplash at times.
Overall it was an enjoyable book! I'm really glad I was sent an ARC copy to review! Thank you to the author!!
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Trafficking
Minor: Fatphobia
coffeebooksnao3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Uhm.....Perfection?! I don't have enough words to describe how much I love this book!!
The characters are everything I've come to love from dark romance but so much more fleshed out than usual and so much more real!! All of them are absolutely precious to me and I want to burrow into the book and hug them and kiss them and cuddle them and just love them.
The representation in this book is so beautifully interwoven with the story, I am in awe. The rep is loud yet subtle making it so effortless to accept it being there without it being the main focus of the plot. I was masterfully done.
I loved how much diversity there is in these characters and how different people and dynamics are portrayed in this book. I was just *chef's kiss*
In my opinion the ending can be summarised as this spoiler gif:
The only reason it took me this long to finish it is because I wanted to have the least amount of time possible between finishing it and reading the sequel. I basically forced myself to stop reading, it's that good.
Also a sneak peak into a scene I am obsessed with:
“I am going to come and sit behind you.” I move slowly, giving her time to stop everything if she needs it. When I settle behind her, I start. “I’m going to wrap my arms around you, and you’re going to wear my hand like your personal necklace.”
I am ✨unwell✨. Where's MY personal necklace?
A massive thank you to the author, Shannon Elliot for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review!❤
~~~~~~~~~~~
The Audiobook is absolutely out of this world. I am <b><i>OBSESSED </i></b>. I knew it'd be good because of the source material and because of the teaser but I was not prepared for how amazing it would be. 10/5 stars, I.....*incoherent happy screaming*.
Anyway please go hear/read it!!!
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
rachelsimmet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Trafficking
sillylilreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
it felt kind of like reading fanfiction but the fandom was broadly dark romance, & this is from someone who reads a lot of fanfiction so that’s not a bad thing!
i really appreciated all of the diversity, especially how casually it was included. there were a couple trans characters, but one specifically used they/them pronouns & it was just a given. there was no conversation or part where they had to acknowledge/correct. cis people get to just have pronouns all the time, it felt nice to see a non-binary character get to simply exist, and their gender didn’t have to be their only/defining characteristic.
okay the spiiiiice: also diverse!!! in the best way!!! our leading lady is a switch in all the ways: top, bottom, domme, sub. & getting to read another femme domme and a submissive man??? *chef’s kiss*
i wasn’t totally engaged with this whole story, some of it felt, like i mentioned at the beginning like everyone just felt too intense so fast but also not intense about things that seemed really important? regardless, i’m stoked to read the next book in the series, absolutely killer cliffhanger!!
(arc review)
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual violence, and Kidnapping
agatez's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is a great read, the author has done a wonderful job. Writing style is really good, it's easy to read even tho book has very dark themes going through (definitely read trigger warnings before starting this book cos it's not for everyone).
I think this is the most diverse book I've ever read since it has a plus size main character as well as POC and people of LGBTQ+, so honestly well done to the author for being so inclusive.
I wish the author spent more time on describing characters because they sometimes feel a bit flat, especially Cy, Ember and Sage. I just couldn't visualize the scenes with them as well as others like with Griffin or Jules. I wanted more description of their personalities, visual appearance and background.
I didn't notice if this is mentioned anywhere but this book has some BDSM elements (male sub and Mistress) so if you don't like it, this book probably is not for you. Not gonna lie this part took away one star for me, otherwise it would've been a 5/5 read. I love BDSM and different kinky stuff like that but for whatever reason male subs aren't my thing.
If you are okay with the triggers and like RH, you should definitely read this book!
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Violence, Trafficking, and Kidnapping
zoda_pop's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was marketed as a comfy dark romance with a reverse harem relationship and that's exactly what we got. There was a really cool level of intrigue to the plot, I cared about the characters and their journey, and I really enjoyed the dark themes that were explored.
The relationship that was built had instalove, long-term pining, loving caring partners, and a reluctant love interest set up. The tension between characters was so fun to read about and I cared when the FMC was away from each one because I loved them all! When they came together it was incredibly hot and included a male sub who calls the FMC mistress and the other one madam in a FFM scene that was absolutely amazing! This book was very hot and included spice by around page 60 and I loved every scene in it! Miss Elliot has written her spice VERY well lol
This book was incredibly diverse from the representation in gender identity, sexuality, and race to mental health and body sizes. It was incredibly fun and refreshing to finally see a lot of the representation that has been lacking in the reverse harems that I've found. I felt like the representation was well done and I absolutely loved reading about it!
From lovable characters to frustrating ones, and interesting settings and plots this book reeled me in from the beginning and I kept wanting more. I finished this book in one day and I was sad to see it end. I can't wait to see what the next book brings for these characters that I absolutely loved!
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Rape, Trafficking, and Murder