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agrippinaes's review against another edition
3.0
Callum is the future leader of Boston’s most feared crime family, whilst Haley is a doctor who has swapped her military career for working in a hospital in Boston. She saved Callum’s brother’s life when they served together, and when she meets Callum, sparks fly. Callum is determined to have her, and when it becomes apparent someone is stalking Haley, he steps in to protect her. But Haley’s past has left her with deep scars, both physical and mental, that will make a relationship between them difficult.
I have complicated feelings about this book. On one hand, I found it very engaging and I wanted to know what happened. There were some interesting ideas in the book and the plot worked well for me. I thought the romance was enjoyable in its way; there was good chemistry between them and I was interested to see where their romance would lead. Callum’s character felt distinct to me and I really believed his feelings for Haley. However, I struggled to connect with Haley. It felt like her personality switched a lot through the course of the book and she made some choices that felt very hard for me to understand as a reader. I never really felt like I believed her feelings for Callum.
I also felt that some of the writing could have been a bit tighter. The pacing felt a bit off in a few places - some parts felt a bit slow whilst others felt rushed, and as a result some of the plot felt a bit disjointed, with some major plotlines being introduced and then ended quite quickly, and others that felt more minor taking up a lot of space. As I said earlier in this review, there were some interesting ideas, and I think if the author had narrowed the focus a little bit it would have worked better.
So my feelings for the book are conflicted, because I struggled to connect with one of the main characters and I found some of the writing a little hard to follow. Overall, though, the book was engaging with good ideas and a steamy romance, and I think a lot of people who like dark mafia romances would probably enjoy this. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.
Content Notes:
Other: On-page sex, virgin heroine.
I have complicated feelings about this book. On one hand, I found it very engaging and I wanted to know what happened. There were some interesting ideas in the book and the plot worked well for me. I thought the romance was enjoyable in its way; there was good chemistry between them and I was interested to see where their romance would lead. Callum’s character felt distinct to me and I really believed his feelings for Haley. However, I struggled to connect with Haley. It felt like her personality switched a lot through the course of the book and she made some choices that felt very hard for me to understand as a reader. I never really felt like I believed her feelings for Callum.
I also felt that some of the writing could have been a bit tighter. The pacing felt a bit off in a few places - some parts felt a bit slow whilst others felt rushed, and as a result some of the plot felt a bit disjointed, with some major plotlines being introduced and then ended quite quickly, and others that felt more minor taking up a lot of space. As I said earlier in this review, there were some interesting ideas, and I think if the author had narrowed the focus a little bit it would have worked better.
So my feelings for the book are conflicted, because I struggled to connect with one of the main characters and I found some of the writing a little hard to follow. Overall, though, the book was engaging with good ideas and a steamy romance, and I think a lot of people who like dark mafia romances would probably enjoy this. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.
Content Notes:
Spoiler
Warnings: Violence, gun violence, torture, blood, murder, organised crime, alcoholism, child sexual abuse, stalking, child abuse, miscarriage (in past, side character), attempted rape (on-page), human trafficking / sex trafficking, PTSD, panic attacks.Other: On-page sex, virgin heroine.
jenndejeep's review
5.0
Haley and Callum and Haley and Callum.
This is one of the best books I've read in a while. Hailey is amazing. Dealing with her PTSD and horrible past leaves her at the bottom of a bottle. But Callum.. he's just the cure she needs to pull herself back up. As much as these two go head to head, they're meant for one another. She has no problems calling him out on his shit and he has no problems pushing her just past her limit and showing her that she's capable of anything and that her past doesn't need to define her future. This is one of those books where they've both waited their whole lives and went through their own trials and tribulations, just to meet each other. It's fate. I can't wait to see the rest of the family's mobsters turn into big babies and fierce protectors when it comes to their women.
This is one of the best books I've read in a while. Hailey is amazing. Dealing with her PTSD and horrible past leaves her at the bottom of a bottle. But Callum.. he's just the cure she needs to pull herself back up. As much as these two go head to head, they're meant for one another. She has no problems calling him out on his shit and he has no problems pushing her just past her limit and showing her that she's capable of anything and that her past doesn't need to define her future. This is one of those books where they've both waited their whole lives and went through their own trials and tribulations, just to meet each other. It's fate. I can't wait to see the rest of the family's mobsters turn into big babies and fierce protectors when it comes to their women.
shyannev's review against another edition
5.0
4.5* but definitely worth the upgrade to 5* in my opinion. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book!
This book didn't want to let me put it down, there was enough action and spice mixed in. I adored Cal from the beginning, though I do wish the two of them understood how to get out of their own ways when it came to their relationship.
There were definitely times when Haley would make me want to shake her, like after the attack? She sure knew how to deflect blame when it wasn't justified, but I do realize that was probably an important thing to have happen to help her finally find her way to heal and accept the things that have happened. She's just so dang stubborn and I say that as a fairly stubborn individual.
Now the ONLY reason I feel like this is a 4.5* read is how it ended. That epilogue drop off killed me a bit haha. I. Need. More!
This book didn't want to let me put it down, there was enough action and spice mixed in. I adored Cal from the beginning, though I do wish the two of them understood how to get out of their own ways when it came to their relationship.
There were definitely times when Haley would make me want to shake her, like after the attack? She sure knew how to deflect blame when it wasn't justified, but I do realize that was probably an important thing to have happen to help her finally find her way to heal and accept the things that have happened. She's just so dang stubborn and I say that as a fairly stubborn individual.
Now the ONLY reason I feel like this is a 4.5* read is how it ended. That epilogue drop off killed me a bit haha. I. Need. More!
spicybookswbb's review against another edition
3.0
it was sweet and great until the end
I was really loving the story. It was sweet even with the darkness.
But then the FMC turned into a full on b*tch to the MMC. She was rude and hurtful and honestly it just got hard to read because she was just really hateful.
Not much spice, little bit of spice there was, wasn’t all that spicy.
I was really loving the story. It was sweet even with the darkness.
But then the FMC turned into a full on b*tch to the MMC. She was rude and hurtful and honestly it just got hard to read because she was just really hateful.
Not much spice, little bit of spice there was, wasn’t all that spicy.
tishasbooknook's review
dark
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
k8ecallahan's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.0
Cute but read the triggers.
jess_l_lovessmut's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I went back and forth with this book so much. I would love some parts and then get really frustrated with the FMC. I know how she went through so much but how she handled situations would frustrate me. I think it is phenomenal how much she overcame and what she made of herself even after all her trauma. I will continue this series. If you like your men morally grey, then holy moly this MMC is is teetering on the dark side.
torixreads's review
4.0
Enjoyed this more than I expected to. I found Haley refreshing, and loved how strong and resilient she was after being through so much crap in life. I loved how she demanded respect and accepted nothing less than that. Callum was just lovely; patient, besotted with his “Queen” and a vengeful asshole.