Reviews

Love Bleeds Deep by Rien Gray

jamietherebelliousreader's review

4.0

4 stars. Campbell and Justine is the most badass couple I swear. I love that Campbell taught Justine ways to defend herself (and she ends up using some of those techniques later on in a scene I loved) and how Justine is the one to bring Campbell back from the edge when they are so close to snapping. I’m being vague as hell because of spoilers but it was so good. Their chemistry is through the roof and they both have gone through such fantastic growth as individuals. Justine has learned how to take control of her life and her wants after her awful marriage, Campbell has learned to deal with their past and all of the pain they’ve been carrying around.

Also, I like the way the author explores kink with these two. There was some very slight breath play in book one and this one had bondage and. it. was. fucking. hot. I want more of this series and the way it ended left me hopeful that there will be at least one more. I will definitely be picking up more from this author.

jacemchale's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

caiacassiopeia's review

adventurous dark

4.25

RTC

mezzythedragon's review

4.0

Another 3.5, but this time I rounded up. Victor is a more menacing villain than Richard, but like the last book, Campbell’s assignment pales in comparison to their relationship with Justine. Once again, they scorch the pages

littlebookterror's review

5.0

This is my new obsession.

judeinthestars's review

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

4.0

I started this book right after In the Shadow of Love by J. E. Leak and I found the same kind of film noir atmosphere. But while in the former, the feeling comes from the era, in this series, it’s from the characters, Campbell in particular. They’re becoming less of a mystery to Justine but not so much to us readers. I at once enjoy that and find it unsettling, but not in a bad way.

How I feel about Campbell is pretty much how I feel about this series so far: I can’t help liking them, rooting for them, and I kinda hate that I do because it messes with my moral sense. It’s also a testament to the author’s talent that they make me care so much. Although Justine is an interesting character too, it’s Campbell who grabbed my attention from the start and makes me look forward to book 3.

It all comes back to the author’s writing, which works a lot better for me in this series than in Her Wolf in the Wild, which I found a bit tame in comparison. I often associate thrilling with fast-paced but this book proves me wrong. There’s a constant feeling of danger, of urgency, that I guess comes from Campbell at all times. Beyond the story, beyond the romance (because yes, love is a big part of the story), this book is a captivating study of a complex person, of an attempt to rebuild what’s been broken by life, extreme circumstances, and grief. The contrast between the cold-blooded assassin and the attentive lover is fascinating, all the more so as the cold-blooded facade starts to crumble.

Love Burns Bright, the third Fatal Fidelity book, will be out later this year.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Violence, and Dysphoria

Minor: Domestic abuse

frances_maples's review

4.0

Happy release day to the book Love Bleeds Deep by Rien Gray! It's the second book in the Fatal Fidelity series, which is about Justine, a survivor of an abusive marriage, and Campbell, the assassin she hired to kill her husband. The series are erotica novellas following Justine and Campbell's romantic relationship as well as Campbell's career as an assassin. The book is also OwnVoices, featuring a nonbinary love interest written by a nonbinary author. I only got my arc a few days ago, so I was just able to finish it today in time for the release. Here's my review!

Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

queenqueso's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

Great interactions between Justine and Cambell with all my favorite assassin/mercenary tropes as a cherry on top.