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a_libra_library's review against another edition
funny
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
It wasn't as horrible as everyone said. This is my first Anna Huang book that I didn't DNF.
I did enjoy the story, it has a slow beginning and slow end but it's was a nice, softer dark romance. (Does that make sense?)
Anyway, once Vivian and Dante were actually attempting to be a couple the banter! The jokes!! Omg loved it. Dante groveling and courting *chefs kiss*
Dark, quite brooding MMC with a quick witty fierce FMC who are both stubborn, hot, and funny when they want to be??? AAhh Sign me up 🫰🏾✨️
That being said... I do have one negative thing about the lovely Anna.
She's SUPER repetitive. There is so much telling of emotions and thoughts over and over rather than showing us or letting us infer. It could have been 50-100 pages shorter without the constant inner monologuing.
I feel like she killed her own banter with it.
The moments that didn't have monologuing I was kicking my little feet and in shocked with how these characters were just vibing
Lets see if KO Pride is better bc I will be continuing
I did enjoy the story, it has a slow beginning and slow end but it's was a nice, softer dark romance. (Does that make sense?)
Anyway, once Vivian and Dante were actually attempting to be a couple the banter! The jokes!! Omg loved it. Dante groveling and courting *chefs kiss*
Dark, quite brooding MMC with a quick witty fierce FMC who are both stubborn, hot, and funny when they want to be??? AAhh Sign me up 🫰🏾✨️
That being said... I do have one negative thing about the lovely Anna.
She's SUPER repetitive. There is so much telling of emotions and thoughts over and over rather than showing us or letting us infer. It could have been 50-100 pages shorter without the constant inner monologuing.
I feel like she killed her own banter with it.
The moments that didn't have monologuing I was kicking my little feet and in shocked with how these characters were just vibing
Lets see if KO Pride is better bc I will be continuing
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
himari2692's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
This book gave me a whole entire emotional rollercoaster but it's so cute!! Really mentally prepare yourself for this book because honestly, I genuinely almost cried at the cute scenes and the absolutely heartbreaking ones. Dante Russo and Vivian Lau >>>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Emotional abuse
Minor: Abandonment
thisgirlreads_yay's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, and Gaslighting
Minor: Blood
neeemii's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0
I loveddd the book and Dante and Vivian’s relationship was so cuteee at the end obvi not at the start they DEFINITELY needed to work to get their relationship they have
I loved how Vivian never forgave him so easily and she really made him work up his forgiveness which also allowed Dante to realise he had to change his outlook on everything if he wanted to keep her
Full of laughs, cute banter, spicy scenes, and obviously there is no romance book unless you’re getting pissed at the characters for doing the wrong things 🙄 and this book had it all
I love Ana Huang’s writing and her books so from a biased pov I’m always gonna love her books and this is just another one on the top of my list
I loved how Vivian never forgave him so easily and she really made him work up his forgiveness which also allowed Dante to realise he had to change his outlook on everything if he wanted to keep her
Full of laughs, cute banter, spicy scenes, and obviously there is no romance book unless you’re getting pissed at the characters for doing the wrong things 🙄 and this book had it all
I love Ana Huang’s writing and her books so from a biased pov I’m always gonna love her books and this is just another one on the top of my list
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Torture, and Violence
spatterson7's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Gun violence, Violence, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
samondemand's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Minor: Cursing
thatgirlgeorgia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Classism
kdb_0620's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence
abicaro17's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
AAAAA! Ana you nasty girl! Ok this was amaze balls. I adore Dante and Vivian and their chemistry is amazing. Dante is the CRO of one of the largest companies in the world and Vivian is the heiress to a jewelry conglomerate. When Vivians father blackmails Dante into an arranged marriage, he uses all his resources to destroy the evidence while maintaining public apparences with Vivian. The relationship felt very raw and real between the disastrous meeting and very cold discussions for months. They graduate into something more electric and it's so fun to read! My only complaint is that I feel like the characters are kinda stagnant? Like Vivian and Dante both grow and change but they don't feel much different? For some reason that bothers me. Otherwise is amazing!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
whynotreadwithalex's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
This very well might be my favorite of Ana Huang's books...and let me tell you, that's really saying something.
Here's a short list of some of the crazy, ridiculous, silly, and emotional things that this book made me say out loud to myself while reading it:
- "Ana, my girl, you're gonna get Heath killed!"
- "Dark romance is basically just fantasy set in a contemporary setting...this is the proof."
- "I really care more about her yelling at her dad than I do about whether or not his brother dies."
- "Ha ha, hit him again!"
- "Oh okay, good, we've got like 70 pages of groveling, just the way I like it!"
- "Honestly, the takeaway from this book is that forgiveness requires time, effort, words, and actions. Reconciliation doesn't happen overnight. But it is incredibly beautiful." (sappy, I know, but I couldn't help it!)
Seriously though, I love Ana's books. And this one especially made me so happy -- watching Dante and Vivian grow together, put in the hard work to be honest and vulnerable with each other, and learn how to build a foundation of trust and love together was terribly sweet and raw.
Precious. Ridiculously cute. Romantic. With a bit of dark humor. Loved it.
Here's a short list of some of the crazy, ridiculous, silly, and emotional things that this book made me say out loud to myself while reading it:
- "Ana, my girl, you're gonna get Heath killed!"
- "Dark romance is basically just fantasy set in a contemporary setting...this is the proof."
- "I really care more about her yelling at her dad than I do about whether or not his brother dies."
- "Ha ha, hit him again!"
- "Oh okay, good, we've got like 70 pages of groveling, just the way I like it!"
- "Honestly, the takeaway from this book is that forgiveness requires time, effort, words, and actions. Reconciliation doesn't happen overnight. But it is incredibly beautiful." (sappy, I know, but I couldn't help it!)
Seriously though, I love Ana's books. And this one especially made me so happy -- watching Dante and Vivian grow together, put in the hard work to be honest and vulnerable with each other, and learn how to build a foundation of trust and love together was terribly sweet and raw.
Precious. Ridiculously cute. Romantic. With a bit of dark humor. Loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Blood, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Classism