Reviews

Sugar and Skulls by L.M. Terry

cheerleadertwin's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced

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

2.5

kippins's review

2.0

I’m torn with how to rate this book. For the potential or the actuality!
There were so many things that were set up but then came to nothing which was quite confusing & annoying.
There are some very dark themes dealt with in this although a good deal is left to your imagination.
I did really like Jesse & Dan was a great father figure.
Oh and there was 1 very ick moment for me with Dirk & Jesse’s name.

mollie_3's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

gemjarreads's review

4.0

Stars - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes - MC, age-gap, dark romance.
Spice -

steimerr's review

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• 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

goldguardie's review

dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault

jen_heischman's review

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

• 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

betweenpages1's review

5.0

skull of thoughts, a heart of sorrow and light

A captivating read that twists and turns your soul as it breaks your heart. It brings darkness into the light as you turn each page waiting for the rainbow.

roksyreads's review

dark sad medium-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

1.5

 I’ll preface this by saying I’m a fan of dark romance and have read some very dark novels and enjoyed them. Whilst there are some aspects that are intriguing and hit hard emotionally, enough to keep me hopeful of a solid finish, I unfortunately have very little to say that’s positive about this novel. The story is repetitive, haphazard, and at times forced. There are too many POVs, most of which sound exactly the same, and with minimal character development outside of the FMC. Note also that the FMC is a teenager: she’s 17 for 70% of the novel. Despite all attempts to age her up—mostly by putting her through numerous traumatic events*—she’s childish and petulant. And no, not in a cute, playful way. Add in numerous “when she’s 18” lines from not one, but two, significantly older MMCs, and it kills the “romance”. I won’t be continuing with the series, nor will I be reading any other work from the author. 

 

* be aware of regular, detailed descriptions on-page with no CWs in the book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy

Minor: Trafficking and Abortion

amandades's review

adventurous challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5