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
ewindtberg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
This is the fourth book that I’ve read from this author and it did not disappoint. I kind of-sort of knew what the plot was going into it based on short summaries but I didn’t expect it to be what it was (in a good way). That shark scene though?! Bonkers. The ending was crazy and creepy. Did I still read it and recommend this book to friends afterwards? Most definitely lol. Check the TWs as this book is not suitable for anyone under 18.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Violence, Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
innae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Enzo and Sawyer are two very messed up people, but somehow it works. I liked this book better than the Adeline books, though it is just as messed up. This one also adds in a pretty spooky lighthouse and island, which I found I enjoyed as much as the main story with our couple.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Body horror, Murder, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
mirandamess139's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book was fucking wild
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual violence
jordynhalverson's review against another edition
The characters were cringy and Enzo gave me major rapey vibes. I looked up how it ended and I love the idea of the story but hated the execution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Rape
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
2.0
Sawyer is on the run and hiding in Australia. To get by, she has been stealing people's identities. Fate throws her in to Enzo's path and bed. After realizing his identity has been stolen, Enzo sets out to track down and punish the woman responsible.
The idea behind this book was interesting to me. I liked the mystery vibes to it. That said, the dark romance edge didn't really work for me and the twists were super predictable.
First off, I didn't like either of the characters. Sawyer has a really fucked up past and is dealing with all sorts of PTSD from it. Enzo is a psychopath shark expert. There was nothing redeeming about him. I just didn't care about either of them. It's a shame because with Sawyer's background, there was so much potential for readers to make an empathetic connection.
Second, both characters felt flat and there was a lack of chemistry between them. It was all about who could hurt the other more. Together they are completely chaotic and explosive (not in a good way). There was no real character development in this book. Neither were likable, nor were they really redeemed by the end.
I feel like this would have worked better as a regular thriller without the dark romance edge to it. Parts of this book just dragged so much, and they were always the dark romance parts.
Tropes' forced proximity, enemies to lovers, morally grey, one bed
The idea behind this book was interesting to me.
Spoiler
Two people who hate each other get shipwrecked on an isolated island where there is nothing but a creepy old man and some noisy "ghosts".First off, I didn't like either of the characters. Sawyer has a really fucked up past and is dealing with all sorts of PTSD from it. Enzo is a psychopath shark expert. There was nothing redeeming about him.
Spoiler
A woman steals his identity, and his reaction is that shark scene? WTF! Truly a psycho.Second, both characters felt flat and there was a lack of chemistry between them. It was all about who could hurt the other more. Together they are completely chaotic and explosive (not in a good way). There was no real character development in this book. Neither were likable, nor were they really redeemed by the end.
I feel like this would have worked better as a regular thriller without the dark romance edge to it. Parts of this book just dragged so much, and they were always the dark romance parts.
Tropes' forced proximity, enemies to lovers, morally grey, one bed
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Sexual content, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Gun violence
canicami's review
dark
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Rape, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
c4chronicles's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It’s dark, it’s heavy, it’s spicy. I enjoyed every moment of this book and everything the FMC had to overcome.
I cannot get over H.D. Carlton and will read anything she writes. She could write a soup label and I would buy it to display in my home.
I cannot get over H.D. Carlton and will read anything she writes. She could write a soup label and I would buy it to display in my home.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse and Mental illness
kyleethecatlady's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, and Sexual violence