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yazaleea's review against another edition
3.0
This came as a surprise to me but I kinda enjoyed this, enough to rate it 3 stars.
One of the things that could never have made me rate it higher is how pissed off I was with the author's disclaimer. It's fucking INSANE to belittle people who need specific trigger warning, especially when you are going to write about rape, children sexual abuse, substance abuse and more. "Don't read if you are a pussy" is fucked up, especially when people don't HAVE to read the trigger warnings if they don't want to be spoiled! But some people do, we don't have all the same experiences and traumas and it's a fucking pity an AUTHOR of all people would just mock this.
And for what? I liked the toxic relationship between Rain & River, it was not bad! The use of sworn enemies when talking about college students playing football will always be funny to me, though. The plot was very, very silly though, adding on top of that literally all the "LOOK THIS IS A DARK ROMANCE" elements you can think of. Rain has a mountain of repressed homophobia he takes out on River, they hate each other's guts and it leads to them fucking up on the field and their coach, for some reason, has the authority to jail them for FIVE WEEKS, during CHRISTMAS BREAK, in a secluded cabin. Okay. Hum, how about no.
But whatever, no matter how fucking unbelievable that single premise is, what is even more unbelievable is what fucking happens there. Namely Rain raping River in a cruel way, seeking to HURT him both mentally and physically. And then, just because it's not enough, we slide right into rape apology territory when River assures him it's not rape! River didn't say no! He liked it! You're not a rapist, babe, we're fine! Absolutely crazy. It's something to be a prick and say using trigger warnings is a spoiler, it's another to treat these sensitive topics with very little accountability for the characters. If they had ACKNOWLEDGED the act for what it is and seriously discussed it, it would have been different. But here, Rain is forgiven, because while this is a dark romance, we can't just go and have a rapist as a love interest now can we? This was insane. Just as insane as the very detailed, very graphic scene of child abuse. Like... why? That was so damn weird, I'm sorry lol.
Everything was so dramatic, over the top, we go from Rain being an homophobic asshole to a possessive alpha boyfriend in three days, just because. The development was weird. The side cast non existent (I wanted more of Siena and Taylor, them just being there was so strange???). I have spoiled myself the second book and I know Roman is going to be a pain in my ass, love triangles are just not necessary especially when there is already so much drama going on. I'm tired. I did like River, though! He was cute and snarky and messy, he made the read OK!
I realise I barely said anything positive on this book and I'm not sure I can find the words to say why I liked it, besides for the fact that I was craving toxic romance. And the toxic is here alright. I am exhausted though, and not in a good way. I am going to start the second book, and probably skin through it because no matter how ridiculous and over the top the plot is, it's like a car crash I can't look away from.
Anyway, I was so sure I liked C. E. Ricci's writing, but I think I just really like her couples, and the rest is just. Whatever to me. Except Iced Out, that one was great start to finish for me. Anyway, time for After the Rain and more foolishness i guess
EDIT: One thing that was HILARIOUS was Rain's homophobic rants!! I was laughing so hard, when he was like "not gay but i'd suck his dick" "not gay but he is so damn hot" "i'm ace but fuck those dirty ass queers", pure comedy gold.
One of the things that could never have made me rate it higher is how pissed off I was with the author's disclaimer. It's fucking INSANE to belittle people who need specific trigger warning, especially when you are going to write about rape, children sexual abuse, substance abuse and more. "Don't read if you are a pussy" is fucked up, especially when people don't HAVE to read the trigger warnings if they don't want to be spoiled! But some people do, we don't have all the same experiences and traumas and it's a fucking pity an AUTHOR of all people would just mock this.
And for what? I liked the toxic relationship between Rain & River, it was not bad! The use of sworn enemies when talking about college students playing football will always be funny to me, though. The plot was very, very silly though, adding on top of that literally all the "LOOK THIS IS A DARK ROMANCE" elements you can think of. Rain has a mountain of repressed homophobia he takes out on River, they hate each other's guts and it leads to them fucking up on the field and their coach, for some reason, has the authority to jail them for FIVE WEEKS, during CHRISTMAS BREAK, in a secluded cabin. Okay. Hum, how about no.
But whatever, no matter how fucking unbelievable that single premise is, what is even more unbelievable is what fucking happens there. Namely Rain raping River in a cruel way, seeking to HURT him both mentally and physically. And then, just because it's not enough, we slide right into rape apology territory when River assures him it's not rape! River didn't say no! He liked it! You're not a rapist, babe, we're fine! Absolutely crazy. It's something to be a prick and say using trigger warnings is a spoiler, it's another to treat these sensitive topics with very little accountability for the characters. If they had ACKNOWLEDGED the act for what it is and seriously discussed it, it would have been different. But here, Rain is forgiven, because while this is a dark romance, we can't just go and have a rapist as a love interest now can we? This was insane. Just as insane as the very detailed, very graphic scene of child abuse. Like... why? That was so damn weird, I'm sorry lol.
Everything was so dramatic, over the top, we go from Rain being an homophobic asshole to a possessive alpha boyfriend in three days, just because. The development was weird. The side cast non existent (I wanted more of Siena and Taylor, them just being there was so strange???). I have spoiled myself the second book and I know Roman is going to be a pain in my ass, love triangles are just not necessary especially when there is already so much drama going on. I'm tired. I did like River, though! He was cute and snarky and messy, he made the read OK!
I realise I barely said anything positive on this book and I'm not sure I can find the words to say why I liked it, besides for the fact that I was craving toxic romance. And the toxic is here alright. I am exhausted though, and not in a good way. I am going to start the second book, and probably skin through it because no matter how ridiculous and over the top the plot is, it's like a car crash I can't look away from.
Anyway, I was so sure I liked C. E. Ricci's writing, but I think I just really like her couples, and the rest is just. Whatever to me. Except Iced Out, that one was great start to finish for me. Anyway, time for After the Rain and more foolishness i guess
EDIT: One thing that was HILARIOUS was Rain's homophobic rants!! I was laughing so hard, when he was like "not gay but i'd suck his dick" "not gay but he is so damn hot" "i'm ace but fuck those dirty ass queers", pure comedy gold.
ronijya's review against another edition
dark
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
3.0
lovethevoid1970's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sdess212's review against another edition
I should have DNF’d sooner, but I was expecting something else to happen after that shower scene than what did. I’m uncomfortable as hell, with both River and Rain’s actions since pretty much the start of the book. The first BJ scene was where shit started to get funky for me, and the coach forcing them to the cabin seemed beyond ridiculous as well. While things were a bit sketchy, to say the least, with consent pre-cabin, I feel like things have gone well past even dubious consent, on both sides, and I’ve got the massive ick. .
The shit either of them have pulled is not okay with me, not for a MF, MM, or RH/Poly book. I’m okay with going in to books blind without trigger warnings, and it’s not even than I needed them, but I felt like the way the author went about it, and the subsequent written content made it something else entirely. Debating putting the author on my DNR immediately, and only 1-2 other authors have ended up there after less than 1 book. Even though I’m not a sensitive or easily triggered reader, I am literally sick to my stomach and have been since the shower scene when I should have DNF’d… just ugh, I’m mad at myself, I’m mad at the book, and I’ve got the ick.
The shit either of them have pulled is not okay with me, not for a MF, MM, or RH/Poly book. I’m okay with going in to books blind without trigger warnings, and it’s not even than I needed them, but I felt like the way the author went about it, and the subsequent written content made it something else entirely. Debating putting the author on my DNR immediately, and only 1-2 other authors have ended up there after less than 1 book. Even though I’m not a sensitive or easily triggered reader, I am literally sick to my stomach and have been since the shower scene when I should have DNF’d… just ugh, I’m mad at myself, I’m mad at the book, and I’ve got the ick.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
madelinelikes2read's review against another edition
2.0
So, I actually did enjoy this book *quite* a bit. But it's also a recipe for everything i like in my self-published (??) fiction. The reason i'm giving it two stars is bc of the author's preface, and churlish trigger-warning. There are themes in this book that some ppl (see plenty of other reviews) would 100% not be ok w (and that is super valid!!!!).
CW: r*pe (very graphic), r*pe of a minor (very graphic), biphobia, emotional abuse.
CW: r*pe (very graphic), r*pe of a minor (very graphic), biphobia, emotional abuse.
kaitlinnreads's review
5.0
5⭐️ Warning: this book will ruin all other books for you.
My God. I’ve never read something that hurt so bad and felt so good. I can’t say enough good things about this book. It’s absolutely heart shattering but in the best way. I can’t describe how much I enjoyed this. It’s been three months since I first read it and I still think about these two every. single. day. I’m not kidding. This isn’t just my favorite book of the year, this is my favorite book I’ve ever read in my entire life. I genuinely think it will be the best book I ever read.
This one had me feeling all the feels. I laughed, cried, screamed, and panted. All of it. It was amazing.
River is very stubborn. He wants Rain and he’s bound and determined to get him. And he sure does. It’s not an easy fight, though. Rain is determined to avoid River and his advances, and he does everything he can to stop him, but to no avail.
That said, all good things must (temporarily) come to an end. The ending absolutely shattered me and I could not wait to dive into the next one.
This story is raw and real. These two have such a beautiful and deep connection. If you haven’t read this book, YOU NEED TO. It will not disappoint.
straw_berri's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
k_a_r_e_n_b's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sharpsilver's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I liked elements of this book but it really started to drag for me. The miscommunication also was irritating.
j_readsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This was very dark and emotional. River and Ciarain’s story is absolutely heartbreaking. So many times I was holding my breath, with tears slipping free. River and Rain are beautiful, but this is so emotional and heartbreaking it was sometimes hard to read. I was happy, sad, angry, and so much more. This book is very trigger heavy, with a lot of dark and traumatic moments. Enemies to lovers, college, sports, mm romance with a lot of emotional pain.
River is out and proud, bisexual, the quarterback of his college football team, a popular guy who everyone loves. Rain is new to the team, but also an amazing player. But he has some dark secrets, a traumatic and emotional past. Something he fights to keep hidden from everyone. They immediately hit it off but when Rain learns something about River, it changes their relationship from budding friendship to enemies. But after time, being alone together, they both discover their feelings, that there’s just a fine line between hate and love. And after everything, Rain’s past comes back to haunt him.
This book has a lot of triggers, they aren’t included in the book, rather a general warning about triggers. While I don’t really have triggers and it doesn’t bother me, it should be known going in that there are some very dark and emotionally heavy topics, including SA, child abuse, and suicidal thoughts.
River is out and proud, bisexual, the quarterback of his college football team, a popular guy who everyone loves. Rain is new to the team, but also an amazing player. But he has some dark secrets, a traumatic and emotional past. Something he fights to keep hidden from everyone. They immediately hit it off but when Rain learns something about River, it changes their relationship from budding friendship to enemies. But after time, being alone together, they both discover their feelings, that there’s just a fine line between hate and love. And after everything, Rain’s past comes back to haunt him.
This book has a lot of triggers, they aren’t included in the book, rather a general warning about triggers. While I don’t really have triggers and it doesn’t bother me, it should be known going in that there are some very dark and emotionally heavy topics, including SA, child abuse, and suicidal thoughts.