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freckles_13's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
A good premise, interesting characters and good writing. Some sentences seemed very poetic as well. Yet I felt like this book could’ve been like 100-150 pages shorter than it actually is? Like I got so bored in the middle of it.
The last 70 pages were WILD though. Those pages define increased my rating of this book.
BE AWARE OF THE TRIGGER WARNINGS THOUGH.
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Blood, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
doahdancer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book suffered from slowness in the upfront build, but it did have a good payoff. My first critique is some of the reveals were obvious, despite their resolutions being quite satisfying.
Overall, I was surprised at how gruesome this one was and I'm not sure I'm content with the write-off on the MMCs involvement in some of the darker elements that were introduced. Not sure there was a better way forward without overpowering his character further, but at least the FMC's acceptance of his reasons for staying involved needed to be developed more.
I loved the gothic feel and the mystery that wound its way around their fated romance. If you can handle some loose ends remaining at the end, this is a great choice for someone craving a dark, romantic mystery/thriller.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Rape
foxgame's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“Giulia is accommodating, indulging in whatever I ask, but what I need is something that would turn her stomach.”
And it was at this point that I knew it was going to be one of those books (more 😳 than 🌶️).
However moving past the 😳 moments, this book had gothic overtones and I had to keep reading to find out what happened to his wife and child, even though we all could guess. I liked the writing with some action, some good guys and some real nasty guys.
Recommended for those who enjoy a Mr Rochester with a side serve of nazi genetic sadistic BDSM research.
Can’t give it a 🌶️ level because past book recommendations with low 🌶️ have shown I’m living a sheltered life. But will opt for a 😳😳😳 out of 5.
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
ewindtberg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
xoxo_bookishbabe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I’m perhaps a bit too good at piecing together mysteries, though, because I did find some of the twists of the story to be predictable. But, truly if you’re paying attention, it’s easy to pick up on the clues for when the twist is revealed later. This isn’t a point of contention for me because I still very much enjoyed the book.
If you’re a dark romance, romantic suspense, etc reader and you haven’t read Keri Lake, I’m assuming you live under a rock. She just knows how to write ‘em and this book was no exception.
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Car accident, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
mkc_0423's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Dementia and Car accident
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Sexual content, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
jlaz_13's review against another edition
3.25
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child death, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Death, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Dementia, and Pregnancy
Minor: Alcoholism, Confinement, Drug abuse, Stalking, Car accident, and War
mermaidreef's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Gore, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis