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_toristorytime's review
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Confinement, and Rape
Moderate: Violence and Body horror
Minor: Domestic abuse
daya_fae's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This stories past was way faster than I expected it to be. Reading this book was a 50/50 experience. Half of the time I loved the world building of this underground crime world that all the main characters are involved with directly or indirectly. The other half I didn’t really like how Juliana’s experiencing traumatic episodes lead into these deeply intense romantic/sexual scenes. Even tho they were very well written I wish there was space for her to get proper help before those relationships got so intense. But over all I did enjoy the read and will be reading the sequel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence
gellyreads's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
What I enjoyed about this book: The spice! The dominant women! The representation!!
What I didn't enjoy about this book: That everyone loves the MC. That the MC doesn't seem to commit. That supposedly a skinny man's clothes would fit her?? (As a plus sized woman...yeah, I wish fam. You didn't give me enough info to believe that and that took me out tbh). That everyone had to call the MC gorgeous. There were too many POV characters. That cliff hanger though...
What I didn't enjoy about this book: That everyone loves the MC. That the MC doesn't seem to commit. That supposedly a skinny man's clothes would fit her?? (As a plus sized woman...yeah, I wish fam. You didn't give me enough info to believe that and that took me out tbh). That everyone had to call the MC gorgeous. There were too many POV characters. That cliff hanger though...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Transphobia, Torture, and Murder
maddy9877's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Trafficking, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
gnm125's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Things I loved:
When the author says diverse and representative, she really means it. Every one of our main characters is LGBTQ+ in some way. Our FMC is a beautiful plus size woman who has come to view herself in a confident manner and the author does a great job with plus size representation. Also really liked the dynamic the characters all had with each other. She also does a great job showing how survivors can dissociate during trauma.
Things I didn't like as much:
Personally, first person POV is really hard for me to get into. It's not my cup of tea, but the author does a great job giving everyone their own individuality. There were some aspects of the romance that felt a little insta-love, especially between Griffin and Julianna.
Overall impression is that this was an enjoyable read, but definitely check content and trigger warnings before reading as this is very dark. Loved the muffin recipe being included. This is a great book to add to your TBR for this month.
When the author says diverse and representative, she really means it. Every one of our main characters is LGBTQ+ in some way. Our FMC is a beautiful plus size woman who has come to view herself in a confident manner and the author does a great job with plus size representation. Also really liked the dynamic the characters all had with each other. She also does a great job showing how survivors can dissociate during trauma.
Things I didn't like as much:
Personally, first person POV is really hard for me to get into. It's not my cup of tea, but the author does a great job giving everyone their own individuality. There were some aspects of the romance that felt a little insta-love, especially between Griffin and Julianna.
Overall impression is that this was an enjoyable read, but definitely check content and trigger warnings before reading as this is very dark. Loved the muffin recipe being included. This is a great book to add to your TBR for this month.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Murder
oliviaangelixx's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
After a strip bar owner is kidnapped by a man who wants to take everything from her, her friend Jay (who happens to be in love with her) will stop at nothing to get her back. Along the way she finds many who take her under their wing, creating a harem that will help her overcome her trauma and fight the upcoming evil.
I read this book in one sitting.. I couldn't put it down! The LGBTQ+ representation is done really well, and it was nice to see some of these identities actually come up in a romance book with such dark themes. It felt more authentic that way. I will say, all of the characters the MC comes across becoming infatuated with her is a bit unrealistic... but who wants realism in fiction?! Exactly. It just works for the plot.
I felt as though there could've been a lot more buildup to the majority of the scenes. For the most part it felt like the connections between the characters came out of nowhere, and the immediate trust from someone who has just been through a horrific experience felt a bit odd. I felt like none of them actually knew anything about each other and they were all so willing to jump into everything for the MC. It led to some whiplash at times.
Overall it was an enjoyable book! I'm really glad I was sent an ARC copy to review! Thank you to the author!!
I read this book in one sitting.. I couldn't put it down! The LGBTQ+ representation is done really well, and it was nice to see some of these identities actually come up in a romance book with such dark themes. It felt more authentic that way. I will say, all of the characters the MC comes across becoming infatuated with her is a bit unrealistic... but who wants realism in fiction?! Exactly. It just works for the plot.
I felt as though there could've been a lot more buildup to the majority of the scenes. For the most part it felt like the connections between the characters came out of nowhere, and the immediate trust from someone who has just been through a horrific experience felt a bit odd. I felt like none of them actually knew anything about each other and they were all so willing to jump into everything for the MC. It led to some whiplash at times.
Overall it was an enjoyable book! I'm really glad I was sent an ARC copy to review! Thank you to the author!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Rape, Sexual violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Trafficking
Minor: Fatphobia
coffeebooksnao3's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
⚠️<b>Update at the end!!</b>⚠️
Uhm.....Perfection?! I don't have enough words to describe how much I love this book!!
The characters are everything I've come to love from dark romance but so much more fleshed out than usual and so much more real!! All of them are absolutely precious to me and I want to burrow into the book and hug them and kiss them and cuddle them and just love them.
The representation in this book is so beautifully interwoven with the story, I am in awe. The rep is loud yet subtle making it so effortless to accept it being there without it being the main focus of the plot. I was masterfully done.
I loved how much diversity there is in these characters and how different people and dynamics are portrayed in this book. I was just *chef's kiss*
that she has the strength to pick up the pieces and try to find herself again is absolutely awe inspiring . Ember and Cy are my emotional support mercenaries and I will not be accepting anything negative about either of them. Kieran is a precious bean that I love with everything I am and if that waste of space Arrick touches one hair on his precious little head I'll reign hellfire upon him.
.
In my opinion the ending can be summarised as this spoiler gif:
and I'm absolutely THRILLED about it. I can't wait for the next one!!!
The only reason it took me this long to finish it is because I wanted to have the least amount of time possible between finishing it and reading the sequel. I basically forced myself to stop reading, it's that good.
Also a sneak peak into a scene I am obsessed with:
“I am going to come and sit behind you.” I move slowly, giving her time to stop everything if she needs it. When I settle behind her, I start. “I’m going to wrap my arms around you, and you’re going to wear my hand like your personal necklace.”
I am ✨unwell✨. Where's MY personal necklace?
A massive thank you to the author, Shannon Elliot for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review!❤
~~~~~~~~~~~
The Audiobook is absolutely out of this world. I am <b><i>OBSESSED </i></b>. I knew it'd be good because of the source material and because of the teaser but I was not prepared for how amazing it would be. 10/5 stars, I.....*incoherent happy screaming*.
Anyway please go hear/read it!!!
Uhm.....Perfection?! I don't have enough words to describe how much I love this book!!
The characters are everything I've come to love from dark romance but so much more fleshed out than usual and so much more real!! All of them are absolutely precious to me and I want to burrow into the book and hug them and kiss them and cuddle them and just love them.
The representation in this book is so beautifully interwoven with the story, I am in awe. The rep is loud yet subtle making it so effortless to accept it being there without it being the main focus of the plot. I was masterfully done.
I loved how much diversity there is in these characters and how different people and dynamics are portrayed in this book. I was just *chef's kiss*
In my opinion the ending can be summarised as this spoiler gif:
The only reason it took me this long to finish it is because I wanted to have the least amount of time possible between finishing it and reading the sequel. I basically forced myself to stop reading, it's that good.
Also a sneak peak into a scene I am obsessed with:
“I am going to come and sit behind you.” I move slowly, giving her time to stop everything if she needs it. When I settle behind her, I start. “I’m going to wrap my arms around you, and you’re going to wear my hand like your personal necklace.”
I am ✨unwell✨. Where's MY personal necklace?
A massive thank you to the author, Shannon Elliot for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review!❤
~~~~~~~~~~~
The Audiobook is absolutely out of this world. I am <b><i>OBSESSED </i></b>. I knew it'd be good because of the source material and because of the teaser but I was not prepared for how amazing it would be. 10/5 stars, I.....*incoherent happy screaming*.
Anyway please go hear/read it!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Rape, Torture, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Blood, Trafficking, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, and Confinement
Minor: Blood, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Violence, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Torture, and Domestic abuse
rachelsimmet's review
dark
emotional
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? No
3.5
I received an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review. This book was a little darker than my usual romance book but overall I really enjoyed reading it. The characters were likable and I really appreciate the queer/Non-binary representation. Where it lost me a bit was how the characters fell for each other pretty quickly, despite all the trauma the main character went through. This is were it fell less realistic, and even at times slightly confusing. But overall I did enjoy reading it and the darker themes were not explained graphically, even if you are not used to reading dark romances this could be a good starting one. I will definitely read the next book and the ending had me really excited for more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Sexual content
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Trafficking
sillylilreader's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
a very intense read! all of the characters feel very strongly pretty much instantly throughout this one.
it felt kind of like reading fanfiction but the fandom was broadly dark romance, & this is from someone who reads a lot of fanfiction so that’s not a bad thing!
i really appreciated all of the diversity, especially how casually it was included. there were a couple trans characters, but one specifically used they/them pronouns & it was just a given. there was no conversation or part where they had to acknowledge/correct. cis people get to just have pronouns all the time, it felt nice to see a non-binary character get to simply exist, and their gender didn’t have to be their only/defining characteristic.
okay the spiiiiice: also diverse!!! in the best way!!! our leading lady is a switch in all the ways: top, bottom, domme, sub. & getting to read another femme domme and a submissive man??? *chef’s kiss*
i wasn’t totally engaged with this whole story, some of it felt, like i mentioned at the beginning like everyone just felt too intense so fast but also not intense about things that seemed really important? regardless, i’m stoked to read the next book in the series, absolutely killer cliffhanger!!
(arc review)
it felt kind of like reading fanfiction but the fandom was broadly dark romance, & this is from someone who reads a lot of fanfiction so that’s not a bad thing!
i really appreciated all of the diversity, especially how casually it was included. there were a couple trans characters, but one specifically used they/them pronouns & it was just a given. there was no conversation or part where they had to acknowledge/correct. cis people get to just have pronouns all the time, it felt nice to see a non-binary character get to simply exist, and their gender didn’t have to be their only/defining characteristic.
okay the spiiiiice: also diverse!!! in the best way!!! our leading lady is a switch in all the ways: top, bottom, domme, sub. & getting to read another femme domme and a submissive man??? *chef’s kiss*
i wasn’t totally engaged with this whole story, some of it felt, like i mentioned at the beginning like everyone just felt too intense so fast but also not intense about things that seemed really important? regardless, i’m stoked to read the next book in the series, absolutely killer cliffhanger!!
(arc review)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Rape, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse
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