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heydebigale'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? Yes
5.0
6+++ stars.
This book is a bit messy but so so so good.
I love that Olivia Dade often writes stories within stories. In the spoiler alert series we got fanfic. In this series we get monster erotica and it’s so much fun.
The monster erotica book club was SUCH A GREAT SCENE!! Olivia Dade is a queen!!!!
Take the CWs seriously for this one, but Dade writes with extreme care for her readers.
Graphic: Child death and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Self harm
bustabluth's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment and Child death
0natalia0's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Child death and Mental illness
erinnow'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? It's complicated
3.75
Moderate: Child death and Mental illness
mabellene's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Suicidal thoughts
ingrid6's review against another edition
I have to admit the book started at a disadvantage, since I’m not normally a “my ex’s brother” supporter by any means.
DNF’d right at the first hookup. Lost interest immediately, didn’t care to continue.
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Medical content and Child death
le3713's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, and Child death
kaitrates's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
I seem to be in the minority of this opinion, at least amongst my circles. Which makes me happy because, again, I really wanted to love this one!
Don't get me wrong: there's a lot of good here! There's fantastic depression rep, fun hijinks involving monster erotica and murder dolls, among other things, delicious sex scenes (including an absolutely obscene-in-the-best-way number of times he goes down on here), and great family, both found and otherwise. I'm high key jealous of Athena's family.
What really hindered my experience is the fact that I didn't buy that these two would become so close so quickly. There were so many scenes I loved...but couldn't believe (e.g. the bathtub scene was so beautiful but the ease with which she let him in surprised me). To go from one extreme (hate) to another (love) so quickly...it didn't work for me. As another example, I was shocked when they exchanged ILUs...and not in a good way. It didn't feel earned.
I also felt Athena and Matthew's characterisations were inconsistent. For example, the speed with which she came out of her depressive spiral. It felt more like her personality completely changed (valid and so real) in a blink (where I struggled)
Lastly, I think I wanted this to either be messier (e.g. Athena use Matthew to get back at Johnny but they fall in love...i'm talking PEAK mess) OR ditch the messiness of Matthew and Johnny being siblings.
I will absoluely keep reading Dade's works. I think about so many of her books (Ship Wrecked, 40-Love) on a regular basis. But this one won't stay in the rotation, sadly.
Graphic: Mental illness, Child death, Abandonment, and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
sydapel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Child death
yesthatgirl'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
4.0
Minor: Child death and Panic attacks/disorders