The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
graceemacee's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Homophobia, Rape, and Sexual violence
crushedvelvet's review
Yes, Daddy was an interesting enough (though on the nose) erotic thriller at first. But as I read on, Jonah's character & the exploitative nature of the plot grated on me.
Jonah is a simpering social climber eager to cast off his humble beginnings. So much so that he leaps at the chance to turn his nose up at any & everyone he sees himself in. This would be fine if he was at least interesting. I don't demand likeability from protagonists--least of all in a gothic novel. But before the trauma porn begins, he's just endlessly whiny & has an arguable persecution complex. After, he's a blank slate for the cadre of damn well mustache twirling villains to enact their brutality.
The plot itself is every slanderous accusation thrown at the gay community EVER. If I didn't know the author was gay himself I'd think a homophobe was behind this. It's a torrential downpour of bizarre, graphic rape scenes. Every development feels like it's there for shock value and nothing more. Just to put readers through an unearned emotional wringer.
I wish I never read this. Take every content warning very seriously. Each one goes in the cruelest, most cartoonishly repulsive direction possible.
I wish I never read this. Take every content warning very seriously. Each one goes in the cruelest, most cartoonishly repulsive direction possible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Pedophilia, Drug abuse, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Incest and Gaslighting
prebeartobemoosified's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
i'm not sure i can rate this book. it was fast going and easy to read but i also had to put it down for hours because it was so...hurtful. i don't know.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Rape, and Religious bigotry
vexatiousbird's review
dark
sad
tense
fast-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
3.25
It does well at depicting escalating abuse and makes it clear why the protagonist doesn’t leave after the early warning signs, and it’s written in a conversational style that makes it a quick read. The protagonist is intentionally unsympathetic to highlight how even unsympathetic people can be victims, but that presents a challenge for the reader. At least for me, the basic sympathy for his suffering and desire for him to escape terrible abusive circumstances didn’t extend to much longer term emotional investment in him as a character in the extended aftermath.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Drug use, Rape, Alcohol, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide and Violence
Minor: Incest
haleyapratt's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
2.0
Contains lots of interesting ideas, but we don’t spend enough time with any one character, plot, or theme for them to become fully realized. Oddly, despite quite a bit of graphic content, there was still too much telling rather than showing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
mgann1's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
SPOILERS**Â
This book felt like trauma-porn and a Frankenstein’s monster of genres that went every which way. The main plot ended about 60% through and the rest was just insufferable.Â
I would have enjoyed this book more if the author had expanded on the relationship between Jonah and Richard for a few more chapters. Building up some sort of emotional connection between the reading and the MC before devolving into the madness and abuse. Instead, the relationship was expedited and shallow, and the abuse began immediately before the MC could really believably become drawn to the abuser. In turn, there was no stakes and instead the reader watched as the MC knowingly put himself in harmful situations.
It easily could have ended after Jonah and Mace escaped and it would have been a satisfying ending to a thriller. Instead, the capture and escape happened within chapters of each other, and then the book continued for another 100 pages of internal dialogue, MORE trauma, and weird church propaganda.Â
I really wanted to like this book, but between the unlikeable MC and the copious amounts of rape, I really disliked it through and through. Â
This book felt like trauma-porn and a Frankenstein’s monster of genres that went every which way. The main plot ended about 60% through and the rest was just insufferable.Â
I would have enjoyed this book more if the author had expanded on the relationship between Jonah and Richard for a few more chapters. Building up some sort of emotional connection between the reading and the MC before devolving into the madness and abuse. Instead, the relationship was expedited and shallow, and the abuse began immediately before the MC could really believably become drawn to the abuser. In turn, there was no stakes and instead the reader watched as the MC knowingly put himself in harmful situations.
It easily could have ended after Jonah and Mace escaped and it would have been a satisfying ending to a thriller. Instead, the capture and escape happened within chapters of each other, and then the book continued for another 100 pages of internal dialogue, MORE trauma, and weird church propaganda.Â
I really wanted to like this book, but between the unlikeable MC and the copious amounts of rape, I really disliked it through and through. Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
axelgrcia's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
i was absolutely ENTHRALLED with this debut novel! jonah as our MC made me want to cry and fight for him (super obvious red flags aside!), especially since it gets pretty dark and each chapter im just waiting for the next sucker punch. just go in with an open mind, especially since this novel really does a good job at providing a dark lens into how predatory some relationships can be, and how especially vulnerable queer youth can be. on that note i can’t wait to see what other stories this author comes out with!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, and Drug abuse
Minor: Homophobia
vintesta's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, and Rape