jazzzzzis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Ooh I enjoyed diving back into this world after taking a break! I really enjoyed getting to know Caedon’s character more and seeing more of his dynamic with his brother. He was really endearing most of the time and generally pretty okay with consent, especially compared to the other romantic leads I’ve read so far.
Again though, Cole has some dubious consent stuff that irked me. It was not as bad as other books but still bothered me all the same. There is a scene where Holly coerces Caedon into intercourse, and of course once it happens Caedon is all in, but the getting there did make me feel uncomfortable. Also, it seemed like she dumbed him down a bit, especially in the beginning of the book compared to the Caedon I remember meeting during Mari’s adventures with Bowen. By the end Caedon did not feel dumbed down at all and was very brave and clever imo!!
I look forward to seeing his story continue, particularly with his relationship with his brother. I’m very much team Caed right now so Rhys has some proving to do to get into my good graces.
Again though, Cole has some dubious consent stuff that irked me. It was not as bad as other books but still bothered me all the same. There is a scene where Holly coerces Caedon into intercourse, and of course once it happens Caedon is all in, but the getting there did make me feel uncomfortable. Also, it seemed like she dumbed him down a bit, especially in the beginning of the book compared to the Caedon I remember meeting during Mari’s adventures with Bowen. By the end Caedon did not feel dumbed down at all and was very brave and clever imo!!
I look forward to seeing his story continue, particularly with his relationship with his brother. I’m very much team Caed right now so Rhys has some proving to do to get into my good graces.
theresaramp's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
4.0
belle13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Tropes & Themes: Forced Proximity, Fated Mates, Funny Banter, Opposites Attract
Amount of spice: 🔥🔥🔥
Explicitness: 🌶️🌶️.5
I really, thoroughly enjoyed the first probably 40% of this book and I was having a good ol’ time vibing with the early 2000s style of writing and the funny banter but after 40% it took a bit of a dive. Usually I love a slow burn (not you, Mariana Zapata you’re not a slow burn you’re barely a small sizzle) but this bored me a little. I didn’t feel like their connection was strong enough or compelling enough for this slow burn to be worth it. It was also all just a little too repetitive and I started looking forward to see how much I had left to read which is never a good sign.
Was it terrible? No, it wasn’t terrible and I did enjoy aspects of it but it wasn’t memorable for me. I may have had a different opinion if I had read the other books first which I still plan to go and do.
I will also point out that there are a lot of problematic themes *cough* lack of consent and misogyny *cough* but I haven’t rated it down for that based on the fact it was written in 2008 and I think that writing has progressed a lot since then.
Amount of spice: 🔥🔥🔥
Explicitness: 🌶️🌶️.5
I really, thoroughly enjoyed the first probably 40% of this book and I was having a good ol’ time vibing with the early 2000s style of writing and the funny banter but after 40% it took a bit of a dive. Usually I love a slow burn (not you, Mariana Zapata you’re not a slow burn you’re barely a small sizzle) but this bored me a little. I didn’t feel like their connection was strong enough or compelling enough for this slow burn to be worth it. It was also all just a little too repetitive and I started looking forward to see how much I had left to read which is never a good sign.
Was it terrible? No, it wasn’t terrible and I did enjoy aspects of it but it wasn’t memorable for me. I may have had a different opinion if I had read the other books first which I still plan to go and do.
I will also point out that there are a lot of problematic themes *cough* lack of consent and misogyny *cough* but I haven’t rated it down for that based on the fact it was written in 2008 and I think that writing has progressed a lot since then.
seffra's review against another edition
3.0
4 Stars
Ok, Seffra of the past was a biiiitchhhh LOL
I really enjoyed this story a second time around. I felt the same about the Tim sitch, he was an asshole who deserved to suffer but she still cheated at the end of the day.
BUUUUT, I loved Holly so much in this book. She was such a wonderfully written character. Her character growth was a true hero's journey and I loved her. I also really enjoyed Cade's story of self worth and recognizing faults of his own but also the faults of others.
He was also HIGHHH-LARIOUS!!!
******************
2.5 stars
Oh Cade.
I was intrigued by you in books 2 and 3 that I couldn't wait to get my hands on your book.
But, guys and gals, I think the magic from the imaginary goat sacrifice has waned and it might have died.
I dunno, it was just lacking that ompf that the previous ones had. The love story was great but I just couldn't accept Holly cheating on Tim even though he wasn't that great a guy. You have a boyfriend, girl. One who you keep saying is amazing and kind and caring...but obvs he wasn't. I felt like Cole wrote that in so we wouldn't hate Holly.
But no.
You weren't single when you started things up with Cade.
And CADE. I really did love him.
I did like the overall plot of this but it wasn't what I was expecting for this story. And don't get me started on Rydstrom.....so not excited for him and that twat-muffin.
Ok, Seffra of the past was a biiiitchhhh LOL
I really enjoyed this story a second time around. I felt the same about the Tim sitch, he was an asshole who deserved to suffer but she still cheated at the end of the day.
BUUUUT, I loved Holly so much in this book. She was such a wonderfully written character. Her character growth was a true hero's journey and I loved her. I also really enjoyed Cade's story of self worth and recognizing faults of his own but also the faults of others.
He was also HIGHHH-LARIOUS!!!
******************
2.5 stars
Oh Cade.
I was intrigued by you in books 2 and 3 that I couldn't wait to get my hands on your book.
But, guys and gals, I think the magic from the imaginary goat sacrifice has waned and it might have died.
I dunno, it was just lacking that ompf that the previous ones had. The love story was great but I just couldn't accept Holly cheating on Tim even though he wasn't that great a guy. You have a boyfriend, girl. One who you keep saying is amazing and kind and caring...but obvs he wasn't. I felt like Cole wrote that in so we wouldn't hate Holly.
But no.
You weren't single when you started things up with Cade.
And CADE. I really did love him.
I did like the overall plot of this but it wasn't what I was expecting for this story. And don't get me started on Rydstrom.....so not excited for him and that twat-muffin.
justaylin's review against another edition
4.0
4 ⭐️
Yet another wonderful instalment in the IAD series! I hope I get at the next one soon
Yet another wonderful instalment in the IAD series! I hope I get at the next one soon
emreadswhatshewants's review against another edition
4.0
Everyone raved about this book, but I much preferred the previous one. I loved Cade more than Holly weirdly. The pacing of the story felt off idk or it was me? Maybe some of the characters actions didnt make sense to me. The sex scenes were
stronggirlreads's review against another edition
3.0
So I liked this buuuut also I didn't like it. Certainly not my favorite in the series and had some tropes that I really don't like; pregnancy/ breeding and virgin.
Cadeon was such a jerk for most of the book and honestly I feel like he assaulted Holly, their sexual interactions just seemed so creepy up to a certain point. After that it made sense but I didn't like how he just dogged her about how she needed to just give it up or at least fool around.
Writing was fine and it was a nice add to the over arching story but again just had those few things that rubbed me wrong and currently brought this to the bottom of my list for this series.
Cadeon was such a jerk for most of the book and honestly I feel like he assaulted Holly, their sexual interactions just seemed so creepy up to a certain point. After that it made sense but I didn't like how he just dogged her about how she needed to just give it up or at least fool around.
Writing was fine and it was a nice add to the over arching story but again just had those few things that rubbed me wrong and currently brought this to the bottom of my list for this series.
jla's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I really like this one. It doesn't hurt that Cade had a South African accent. I liked Holly too.
lemon13's review against another edition
4.25
why is this series so bingeable and why is Robert Petkoff a narrating wizard?
I will say, I enjoyed this book (though not quite as much as Naomi and Conrad's, but more than Bowen's and Mari's), but the last like 5% feel super rushed. The resolution of the main couple's relationship occurs lightning fast and it kinda had me eye rolling with how sugar coated it was.
I will say, I enjoyed this book (though not quite as much as Naomi and Conrad's, but more than Bowen's and Mari's), but the last like 5% feel super rushed. The resolution of the main couple's relationship occurs lightning fast and it kinda had me eye rolling with how sugar coated it was.
frogglodite's review against another edition
4.0
Cade was my new book boyfriend there for a minute... *fans self*
Second to the Lykae (imo) are the Demons... especially this one. I just wanted to lick his horns! (does that sound slutty to anyone else?)
Second to the Lykae (imo) are the Demons... especially this one. I just wanted to lick his horns! (does that sound slutty to anyone else?)