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allingoodtime's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
Oh, the butterflies I got while reading this story! Gideon’s upbringing was drastically different from Messalina’s and, at first glance, it shows. Yet these two have a lot more in common than they could imagine. For them to fully realize this fact, they both need to learn to trust one another. Gideon isn’t as dastardly as he makes himself out to be, although he’s done plenty of bad things. The things he has done have been for his survival and, eventually, for the well-being of others who have the same type of life he led as a child. In other words, Gideon Hawthorne is fantastically morally grey!
It’s not a secret I’m not a fan of a big secret in my romance books, but since Messalina already despises and doesn’t trust Gideon I didn’t look at this story the same way. Plus, Messalina had some secrets of her own. In many ways, these two already knew each other’s secrets…or at least anticipated them.
Back to that chemistry. This story is a roller coaster ride. As a couple, Messalina and Gideon take two steps forward and one step back. Even when they are moving backward, their chemistry is palpable. Everyone around them, even those who strongly disagree with the marriage, can see their connection like it’s a tangible thing when they are together.
I hate the way these two hurt each other, but I love the way they learn and grow from each misstep. I’d almost say Messalina learns even more than Gideon does regarding the ways of the world. She was forced to look at the world outside of her usual bubble while Gideon was already aware of the highs and lows of society. Yes, he had more trust issues, but she had more growing up to do than she realized.
This story pulled me in and didn’t let go until the very end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, and Grief
trashbinfluencer's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Book was promising, but ultimately felt extremely rushed. Actual book ends at 70%.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
kyriannaj's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I loved everything about this book. The characters and their relationships. Between siblings. Between lovers. Between employees. The characters learned about each other and their perspectives, changing their behavior. Gideon and Messalina learning to trust each other, be vulnerable, and rely on each other was so well done. The conflicts throughout and the inner turmoil was so well done and intertwined. And then I realized I had 35 pages left and there was still so much left to wrap up. Those last 35 pages felt like a sprint to the finish with just enough shown to wrap up each plot line but not enough to feel satisfied with the conclusions of each. If the ending had been given the same time, attention, and pages as the rest of this book, it would've been without fault in my eyes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexual content, Blood, and Classism
Moderate: Death, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
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