Scan barcode
jessanicolesingh's review against another edition
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Let me start by saying this series begins very similar to Fifty Shades of Grey, a workplace romance with a control obsessed billionaire, HEAPS of steam, and themes of surviving sexual abuse trauma. Looking at other people’s reviews, the feedback is completely split; half felt like it was an exact copy of FSOG, and a poor one at that, while the other half LOVED it because it scratched the same itch and said it was the better of the two 🤷♀️ Me personally, I gobbled it up happily!
The relationship between the main characters is quite the ride. They spend almost the entire series fighting and making up, a new miscommunication each time they see each other, giving some serious whiplash. Though they have a decidedly toxic relationship, I found myself still yearning for a HEA. Additionally, I found the scenes with their therapist most significant. Though you shouldn’t take a billionaire romance novel too seriously, there were some very insightful and valuable takeaways. It was quite an unexpected aspect that I think will stick with me the most.
The first three books were written in standard single POV, whereas the last two advanced to dual. This lent a hand to adding initial mystery and slight mistrust towards the MMC, and then evolved into well deserved understanding of his perception and devastation in the later books.
Overall, I really enjoyed the characters as well as the plot, but sometimes the author’s writing style was a bit too wordy and redundant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent
ann6's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual content
harinireadsagain's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
After reading "Seven Years to Sin" there wasn't an excitement to pick this series right away. But mentions of good writing in many reviews drew me to it, and they were right.
The series is always compared to the 50 shades series. No idea personally how close they are, except that the premise is the same - Young inexperienced FMC, intense billionaire MMC
The series needs triggers. Multiple characters, including FMC and MMC, deal with very traumatic pasts through the entire series, and the ups and downs of living with that past, I think, is very well done.
Naturally, being the first book, we only see the flaws first. We get to FMC's past by the end of the book, but MMC's needs more patience.
The 3D characterization of other supporting characters, the mystery of their pasts, their incredibly volatile relationship, are all well done. The book may lure you with its smut, but you'll stay for everything else
The series is always compared to the 50 shades series. No idea personally how close they are, except that the premise is the same - Young inexperienced FMC, intense billionaire MMC
The series needs triggers. Multiple characters, including FMC and MMC, deal with very traumatic pasts through the entire series, and the ups and downs of living with that past, I think, is very well done.
Naturally, being the first book, we only see the flaws first. We get to FMC's past by the end of the book, but MMC's needs more patience.
The 3D characterization of other supporting characters, the mystery of their pasts, their incredibly volatile relationship, are all well done. The book may lure you with its smut, but you'll stay for everything else
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
bnoelle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
kollieollie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Oof I’m not usually one to hate on a book, but I have never read a book that is as problematic as this one. I’d give it a negative rating if I could- it’s that bad. The relationship dynamic is horribly toxic between the two main characters and the author casually drops mentions of questionable consent throughout the book like that is a normal part of relationships. The only redeeming quality is the causally included LGBTQ characters but even then that’s only one of the LGBTQ couples in the book - the other is really relies on harmful outdated stereotypes. I only managed to finish this book because I was on a plane without WiFi and finished the other two books I had downloaded for my trip. This book isn’t worth anyone’s time unless you want to read something smutty and don’t mind an author describing sexual assault as if it’s romantic. 🙄
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Biphobia
Minor: Animal cruelty, Miscarriage, Suicide, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
angelinestamour's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual violence
carrieonfighting's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
I picked this up because it was recommended by many as good erotica, and specifically the "good version of Fifty Shades of Grey"
Reader, I loathed this. I don't understand the hype at all. Gideon is no better than Christian Grey - he is an ugly shade of possessive, and stalks Eva, literally not understanding the problem with doing this.
The romance is laughable. I cannot name one attractive trait about Gideon other than being rich and good looking. When Eva announces she loves him halfway through the book, my jaw dropped - I didn't understand what she loved about him in the slightest. She constantly describes feeling a magnetic attraction to him, but that is not love!! I was frankly horrified.
Finally, the sex scenes were laughably written. So many references to "steel rods" and "clefts". At one point, an anus is referred to as "my sensitive rosette".
I'm honestly baffled by what appeals to the readers that love this book. Obviously it gets rave reviews and was an NYT best seller - what am I missing? Am I the problem? I only finished it out of morbid curiosity to see what was so appealing. Can safely say I regret it.
Reader, I loathed this. I don't understand the hype at all. Gideon is no better than Christian Grey - he is an ugly shade of possessive, and stalks Eva, literally not understanding the problem with doing this.
The romance is laughable. I cannot name one attractive trait about Gideon other than being rich and good looking. When Eva announces she loves him halfway through the book, my jaw dropped - I didn't understand what she loved about him in the slightest. She constantly describes feeling a magnetic attraction to him, but that is not love!! I was frankly horrified.
Finally, the sex scenes were laughably written. So many references to "steel rods" and "clefts". At one point, an anus is referred to as "my sensitive rosette".
I'm honestly baffled by what appeals to the readers that love this book. Obviously it gets rave reviews and was an NYT best seller - what am I missing? Am I the problem? I only finished it out of morbid curiosity to see what was so appealing. Can safely say I regret it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault
eelsy's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Fun but not well-written. Basically just 50 Shades again, but this time they’re both rich and troubled and she’s not a virgin. Also oh my god she drinks so much. 3 stars because it’s good for what it is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
kateander's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
cocpop_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is the poster child for a toxic relationship that is just so spicy and entertaining you can’t help but root for the couple.
Gideon and Eva are probably the worst people to be in a relationship together. Solely because they allow each other to continue bad habits even when they hurt one another. Somehow there isn’t a miscommunication trope between them yet they never seem to be on the same page.
I’m interested to learn more about Gideon’s past that can help me understand why he is the way he is. All I know is that he has probably a similar past as Eva which is heartbreaking.
And Eva… girl, I need you to stand up for yourself. Idc how good the sex is, but there needs to be some self respect. Please, I’m begging.
Gideon and Eva are probably the worst people to be in a relationship together. Solely because they allow each other to continue bad habits even when they hurt one another. Somehow there isn’t a miscommunication trope between them yet they never seem to be on the same page.
I’m interested to learn more about Gideon’s past that can help me understand why he is the way he is. All I know is that he has probably a similar past as Eva which is heartbreaking.
And Eva… girl, I need you to stand up for yourself. Idc how good the sex is, but there needs to be some self respect. Please, I’m begging.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence