Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - There Is No Devil

Again, I enjoyed this book for exactly what, I think, it was: perfect filler.

It’s the kind of book you read to get out of a slump - it’s got an interesting, if predictable, plot that doesn’t lag, it has romance, it has tension, it has the steamy scenes, the big conflict. It was the perfect sequel to the first.

For me there was never any questions, any confusion, the plot was clear cut from the beginning *spoilers ahead, beware* - Shaw will be an issue, Shaw will die, Cole will get away with it all and Mara and Cole will live happily ever after. And that’s exactly what we get.

It’s a great book if you want to read something that doesn’t take a ton of brainpower as well. The writing is plain enough for those who don’t like the embellishments of other books but it’s got a flair that makes it attractive to the veteran readers. The world building, being a modern setting, wasn’t confusing, the characters were also pretty clear cut but Lark was impressive in being able to really delve into the thoughts and feelings of a psychopath as per Cole’s POVs.

Overall, I recommend it.

Content Warnings

lilithreads's review against another edition

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challenging dark medium-paced

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

3.0

Content Warnings

naaytaashreads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

"I'll make sure you see prison time along with him. You'll be splashed across every fucking paper: the Karla Homolka to his Paul Bernardo."

How do I review a book that I love so much?
If someone were to ask me what I love about this book, I will just say everything.
It seems vague but it's true, everything about this book was perfection.

Sophie Lark's writing really checks off everything.
The world-building of course got more intense with the issue with Shaw.
We were definitely preparing for something to explode.

The character development was done in a way we could see progress, change and questions answered.
We get more storylines of Mara's and Cole's life.
Their childhood, what happened to them, what makes them who they are and together how they evolved as a couple with their chemistry.
Especially with Mara, we really got to understand her art, what it speaks and the story it relates to her childhood.

The pacing of the plotline was fast but balanced in a way we get enough reading time from both Cole and Mara's perspectives.
It was an easy read although things can get quite intense, dark and spicy spicy.
Overall, it was such a satisfying sequel and the wrap up to the series was a stand up ovation.

"Whatever else I may be, I was never a man who had to tear a woman down to shine bright beside her. If you're not as good as me, then you're no good at all. And when I saw you, Mara ... I thought, this girl is really fucking good. I don't want to hold you down, chop you down, diminish you in any way. I already know I found something special. Now it's time for everyone else to see it."

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