prncss_jazmn's review
dark
emotional
sad
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
5.0
juliabragg's review against another edition
I hated the first 50%. The rest of the book was predictable but needed to be to end the series. Definitely the worst book in the series.
twiinklex's review against another edition
3.0
I don't really read BDSM/dark erotic stories and this is only my second series of the genre (the first being Julia Sykes' original Impossible trilogy which I enjoyed very much). I didn't hate Finding Anna, but I can't say I like it very much either. Probably a 2.5 out of 5 rating overall.
It was hard getting into the story at times and I forced myself to go on at certain points because I don't like not finishing books. On a whole, the story was pretty draggy and they were a lot of details about things I didn't care about. I know those scenes were important to their development of the characters' romantic relationship, but it gets old and boring reading about what they eat and talk about during every meal after awhile.
Book 1 was pretty all right. Pretty refreshing and original idea. I was intrigued by both characters and what Anna had gone through. It was interesting seeing how her mind worked, and how she slowly opened up to Stephan. Even their outings and such were interesting to read about.
I can't even remember what really goes on in Book 2 and Book 3 anymore because it took me sometime to get through both, plus the events and happenings were all so repetitive. I get that recovery is a challenging process but Anna basically just went back and forth, afraid of everything in one scene and being intimate with Stephan in another. Nothing much stood out for me.
Book 4 was slightly better and on par with Book 1. Despite its length, I got through it much quickly. By now, I had an attachment to all the characters. I wish readers got to know Cal, Jade, Lily, Logan, Diane, Richard and all the other side characters more. After all, they were Anna's friends and the ones who played an important role in her recovery too. It was a pity they pretty much got swept under the rug after the court case.
The final book was also quite an emotional read since Anna and Stephan had to be apart. I could feel their pain at the separation, especially Anna's. I think they needed the time apart because Anna had been too dependent on him to the point of almost annoying (she still was, by the end of the book though it got better). It seemed as if she couldn't live without Stephan which just made their whole love story very unrealistic for me.
I would have also preferred if the court trial was more detailed and longer. It felt like the author breezed through it and simply killed Ian off. Stephan was right - death had been too easy. I would have preferred seeing him and the others involved being cross-examined. Funny how Dumas wasn't part of the trial either but I guess he wasn't the point.
All in all, the series wasn't a bad read, but I think it focused on the wrong things at times. In addition, female protagonist II do not think of her as a heroine) was too dependent on a man and afraid of everything to the point of annoying. It would have been nice seeing her have more spunk and standing up for herself instead of running to her boyfriend 99.9% of the time.
It was hard getting into the story at times and I forced myself to go on at certain points because I don't like not finishing books. On a whole, the story was pretty draggy and they were a lot of details about things I didn't care about. I know those scenes were important to their development of the characters' romantic relationship, but it gets old and boring reading about what they eat and talk about during every meal after awhile.
Book 1 was pretty all right. Pretty refreshing and original idea. I was intrigued by both characters and what Anna had gone through. It was interesting seeing how her mind worked, and how she slowly opened up to Stephan. Even their outings and such were interesting to read about.
I can't even remember what really goes on in Book 2 and Book 3 anymore because it took me sometime to get through both, plus the events and happenings were all so repetitive. I get that recovery is a challenging process but Anna basically just went back and forth, afraid of everything in one scene and being intimate with Stephan in another. Nothing much stood out for me.
Book 4 was slightly better and on par with Book 1. Despite its length, I got through it much quickly. By now, I had an attachment to all the characters. I wish readers got to know Cal, Jade, Lily, Logan, Diane, Richard and all the other side characters more. After all, they were Anna's friends and the ones who played an important role in her recovery too. It was a pity they pretty much got swept under the rug after the court case.
The final book was also quite an emotional read since Anna and Stephan had to be apart. I could feel their pain at the separation, especially Anna's. I think they needed the time apart because Anna had been too dependent on him to the point of almost annoying (she still was, by the end of the book though it got better). It seemed as if she couldn't live without Stephan which just made their whole love story very unrealistic for me.
I would have also preferred if the court trial was more detailed and longer. It felt like the author breezed through it and simply killed Ian off. Stephan was right - death had been too easy. I would have preferred seeing him and the others involved being cross-examined. Funny how Dumas wasn't part of the trial either but I guess he wasn't the point.
All in all, the series wasn't a bad read, but I think it focused on the wrong things at times. In addition, female protagonist II do not think of her as a heroine) was too dependent on a man and afraid of everything to the point of annoying. It would have been nice seeing her have more spunk and standing up for herself instead of running to her boyfriend 99.9% of the time.
lisavdwilt's review against another edition
5.0
Those happy tears were me, I tried to take as slow as I could with this one. Have you ever had a book series you love so much that you decide you to take it slow, even though you could sit and read through the entire book in one sitting?
Well, that was me. This series, I have no idea why but it was just incredible. This had the amount of smut to the story I craved. It was someone who needed saving and that's what happened, they fell in love and everyone judged their love but it was beautiful.
Spoiler
So the ending was somehow like I imagined. I always imagine children so i thought they would have kids running around but oh my it was beautiful. She was sitting on the porch writing her journal, she was married to Stephan (incredible) they got some property outside of the city. It was so beautiful.
I wish Ian hadn't died, it was something I would have loved to see him rot in jail, and I have never been in Brianna's situation but I would have thought that saying her entire story would have gave her more confidence for standing up to the horrible man and what he did to her.
Yet the story was incredible, I am glad my thoughts about Cal were wrong, as there was some serious stress about him, the moment he was brought into the book.
To say I am sad about the loss of this book series. Is an understatement, it was so incredible. I just loved it!
doc_k55's review
2.0
this is the final book in the finding anna series and...I think if I hadn't read books one thru three already, I would have skipped it. Brianna is so ridiculously submissive it's odd. though we are told over and over how in love they are, it's never clear to me what he sees in her...or what she sees in him.
juliabragg's review
2.0
I hated the first 50%. The rest of the book was predictable but needed to be to end the series. Definitely the worst book in the series.
atheresa's review
1.0
I made a mistake in starting this series without reading the reviews of the final installment. The storyline through the series was good until the last book Trust where the author created unnecessary OTT things to create conflict: Separation of the main characters. One eighty character change for Stephen. Introduction of an unnecessary third character.
Disappointingly, Anna never reached a level of recovery to where she could have a real relationship with Stephen. I waited and waited for the passion to develop, for the sex to get steamy, and for the BDSM element to pick up, but it never got there.
My ratings started with 5 stars for the first book Slave, 4 for Need, 3 for Truth, and 1 for Trust. The story line became more melodramatic while Anna and Stephen's relationship suffered. The emphasis was on Anna's (poor) recovery rather than their relationship. The author just didn't pull it through at the end. Overall rating is 1 star.
Disappointingly, Anna never reached a level of recovery to where she could have a real relationship with Stephen. I waited and waited for the passion to develop, for the sex to get steamy, and for the BDSM element to pick up, but it never got there.
My ratings started with 5 stars for the first book Slave, 4 for Need, 3 for Truth, and 1 for Trust. The story line became more melodramatic while Anna and Stephen's relationship suffered. The emphasis was on Anna's (poor) recovery rather than their relationship. The author just didn't pull it through at the end. Overall rating is 1 star.
anitalouise's review
5.0
Wow!! What an ending to a terrific series. I have to say that I almost lost it in the beginning. Anna was starting to drive me crazy! Yes, I know, I know, she was tortured for 10 months, treated like shit but Ugh!! she sounded like a robot. But then I calmed down and thought, hey, this young woman is strong and overcame some major trauma. Wanted to punch Cal in the throat! I loved how the author wove the BDSM thread throughout the novel. So well done - it doesn't take over the action like some BDSM-themed books. Stephan is still my favorite Dom - sweet, somewhat damaged by his past, but an oh so sexy in his Dom-my way. Writing is taut, moving, suspenseful. Amazing how the author maintained the action, feel of the book over the course of 4 books! Just wonderful writing. Loved the ending of this series. Tour de force!!
jo_kay's review
4.0
A very fine conclusion to the series. (You can get the idea of how much I liked it by the fact that I burned through the series in less than a week.)
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