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romanceschmomance's review
3.75
Anxious, this book made me so damn anxious. It's been a long time coming to read a book by A. Zavarelli and this definitely won't be my last. I truly went and picked the toughest book because Contempt will absolutely put you through the wringer ... and back.
I've always struggled with stories that are written in the past and present because it has always seemed more of a very slow process to get the whole story. And to me, it took us a very long time to finally get all the truth out, which you'll suspect before it's revealed. So I kind of wished it wasn't so long in that sense.
Because of that, there was no doubt that the connection between Bianca and Madden was undeniable, we just didn't get a lot of time for them to truly be together without any barriers. Which was a bit disappointing for me because you're put through soooo, SOOOOOOO much before they finally get their happily ever after. Just expect a major roller coaster when you dive into this one.
I can't say that I loved this one, I really did like the writing as I was engaged the whole time. Just several details that didn't work for me and not quite being satisfied with the ending.
Narration: I don't think I've listened to anything by Stefanie Kay and James Anderson Foster, but I really loved their narration for Contempt. And being the duo for this one, I hope they do more together, I'm sure they did, but whoever cast them did a great job. From beginning to end, I was engaged while listening and now I'll go seek out more audiobooks with their narrations.
Thank you to Valentine PR for the gifted copy.
I've always struggled with stories that are written in the past and present because it has always seemed more of a very slow process to get the whole story. And to me, it took us a very long time to finally get all the truth out, which you'll suspect before it's revealed. So I kind of wished it wasn't so long in that sense.
Because of that, there was no doubt that the connection between Bianca and Madden was undeniable, we just didn't get a lot of time for them to truly be together without any barriers. Which was a bit disappointing for me because you're put through soooo, SOOOOOOO much before they finally get their happily ever after. Just expect a major roller coaster when you dive into this one.
I can't say that I loved this one, I really did like the writing as I was engaged the whole time. Just several details that didn't work for me and not quite being satisfied with the ending.
Narration: I don't think I've listened to anything by Stefanie Kay and James Anderson Foster, but I really loved their narration for Contempt. And being the duo for this one, I hope they do more together, I'm sure they did, but whoever cast them did a great job. From beginning to end, I was engaged while listening and now I'll go seek out more audiobooks with their narrations.
Thank you to Valentine PR for the gifted copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Murder, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Violence, Animal death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Torture, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
stealingourhearts's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Wow. Wow wow wow. I am exhausted. This book was a JOURNEY. A very long, insane, painful, yet passionate and fascinating trek. I feel like my heart has been put through the wringer. Talk about angst GALORE! I can’t tell you the last time I read a book with this much heart-wrenching trauma and pain. This book will really take it out of you. Bring tissues!
In this novel, we witness the ups and downs of a gut-wrenching second chance romance between Bianca and Madden. They first meet when they are in high school but due to circumstances outside of their control, they can’t be together. Thus begins a star-crossed, forbidden romance that will simultaneously keep you flipping pages as fast as you can while also wanting to rip your hair out. There is only so much I can’t include in this review to avoid spoilers, but this book has a ton of twists. Our author did a masterful job of writing a riveting storyline with unpredictable characters. I truthfully wasn’t sure where we were headed at any point during this book. Our story is told in both the past and present, each chapter switching back and forth. It was seamless! I never felt lost and the bits of past fit perfectly in with what we needed to know for the present. It was brilliantly executed!
I can’t forget to mention our cast of characters. Our hero Madden/Kodiak was definitely my favorite. My heart bled for him and his tortured past. This man deserves the world. Our heroine Bianca was an even more complex character, but just as easy to love. Both of these people experienced immense trauma in their lives yet they still found solace and safety in each other. Their romance was a beautiful thing to read and A. Zavarelli did a fantastic job with this couple! 4.5 stars!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In this novel, we witness the ups and downs of a gut-wrenching second chance romance between Bianca and Madden. They first meet when they are in high school but due to circumstances outside of their control, they can’t be together. Thus begins a star-crossed, forbidden romance that will simultaneously keep you flipping pages as fast as you can while also wanting to rip your hair out. There is only so much I can’t include in this review to avoid spoilers, but this book has a ton of twists. Our author did a masterful job of writing a riveting storyline with unpredictable characters. I truthfully wasn’t sure where we were headed at any point during this book. Our story is told in both the past and present, each chapter switching back and forth. It was seamless! I never felt lost and the bits of past fit perfectly in with what we needed to know for the present. It was brilliantly executed!
I can’t forget to mention our cast of characters. Our hero Madden/Kodiak was definitely my favorite. My heart bled for him and his tortured past. This man deserves the world. Our heroine Bianca was an even more complex character, but just as easy to love. Both of these people experienced immense trauma in their lives yet they still found solace and safety in each other. Their romance was a beautiful thing to read and A. Zavarelli did a fantastic job with this couple! 4.5 stars!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death of parent and Suicide
Minor: Cancer
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