nialanireads's review against another edition
5.0
It seems I’m on a dark romance kick and this solidified it all for me. I loved this book so much! I think this was the first dark romance I’ve read with dubious consent and such strong masochism but I really enjoyed it. I loved the dynamic between Enzo and Sawyer and the way their relationship was shaped in the story. This is also my first thriller (it might not be categorized as that but to me it was one). I felt dread and suspense and fear throughout the proper scenes and it was really invigorating. I love stories that immerse you in the story and create feelings like that. My first H.D. Carlton book and I was not disappointed.
yaslinr_17's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was intrigued by the shipwreck trope, and the spice is definitely spicy. There are some really intense moments, which is to be expected since this is a dark romance, but some of the dark spicy scenes weren’t really my cup of tea but I guess it makes sense for the characters and it was still juicy to read. Overall, I did enjoy the authors writing.
iszie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
tiffnicole27's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
beckyyreadss's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Before I start this review, please check trigger warnings and please note that I don’t condone the actions during this storyline, but I was absolutely hooked on this book. I wanted to read this book because I loved the Cat & Mouse duet and wanted to read her other work. I don’t know what H.D. Carlton puts in these books, but it is addictive.
This book has two points of view. The first is Sawyer. She doesn’t know who she is, ever since she ran from home, so desperate to escape. She left with the clothes on her back and socks on her feet. After that, she’s only ever walked in stolen shoes. Could she be a girl who is searching for the meaning of life in faceless men. They were all so forgettable. Until he came along. He took her under a waterfall and made her forget her name and in return, she took his instead. The second point of view is Enzo Vitale. He is an enigmatic man that will only ever love the deep sea. Or rather the sharks that inhabit it. It turns out, he’s not so different than the monsters he studies. He lures Sawyer onto his boat like a fish in the ocean, seeking vengeance for the crime she committed. Has Sawyer realized Enzo’s intentions, and the massive storm would leave them shipwrecked, she would’ve ran. Now Sawyer is a girl who’s seeking refuge in an old lighthouse with a man who loathes hers almost as much as he craves her. He wants to hurt her, but the old caretaker of the abandoned island may have intentions that are far more sinister. It's no longer a question of who she is, but rather will she survive?
This book is all kinds of messed up. At times I wanted to smack Enzo and smack Sawyer and other times I was kicking my feet and wanting them to live happily ever after. Again, like most men that H.D. Carlton creates, they are all walking red flags, but I loved it. If anyone like Enzo came to me in the streets, I would run but, in this novel, I couldn’t get enough of it. I love that Enzo was both overprotective and wanting to give Sawyer her independence. Throughout the book, I was more intrigued on Sawyer’s story with her brother and if she was ever going to be set free. Another aspect I enjoyed was the caretaker and the mystery of Enzo and Sawyer getting off the island and if the “ghosts” were real.
I was conflicted throughout this whole book on who I was rooting for and was also hoping that we got to see Enzo get his revenge on Kevin which I'm gutted never happened, but I can’t wait to see what H.D. Carlton writes in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Rape, Violence, Gun violence, Incest, and Child abuse
poupi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
H.D. Carlton knows how to write a powerful and brave FMC with horrific history. Her MMC are also fascinating…
This book, the story of Sawyer and Enzo’s story is definitely one of my favorites of this year.
It is spicy (really really really), dark and also very tense.
This book, the story of Sawyer and Enzo’s story is definitely one of my favorites of this year.
It is spicy (really really really), dark and also very tense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Murder, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Rape and Child abuse
meganmeadows's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
i didn't hate the story but i definitely didn't love it. i felt like it so much potential but didn't quite hit it.
i didn't hate the story but i definitely didn't love it. i felt like it so much potential but didn't quite hit it.
amaliehvilsted01's review against another edition
4.0
I had no idea what this book was about when I started reading. In all the ways that kept me interested, it was dark and twisting. It was one of those books that you couldn't put down once you started reading it. Characterized by sarcasm, resourcefulness, and strength, Sawyer truly feels guilty about taking the necessary measures to survive. She is on the run and uses the identities of the guys she sleeps with to get where she needs to go. Here comes Enzo, the gloomy, melancholy man who deals with sharks. When he finds out what Sawyer did, he seeks retribution. And their situation gets even worse as a result of their desire for vengeance.
It was a slow-moving but also very perilous shift in their relationship, which the author does a great job of highlighting. I thought these two had excellent tension and chemistry. The lighthouse and Sylvester added a whole other dimension of twistiness to this narrative that I wasn't prepared for. I kept wanting to know what was really happening with the lighthouse keeper despite the fact that it was dark. Enzo and Sawyer are really forced to confront their love/hate feelings for one another in the lighthouse dynamic because there is only one bed and forced proximity, all while Sylvester is terrorizing them.
I really enjoyed this book and the characters!!
I really enjoyed this book and the characters!!
alexporterwalsh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0