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wanderthelimit'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
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism and Rape
Consensual Non-consentreadwithames's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
What pissed me off was the constant boys terrorizing
Also chapter 25? What the fuck. I'm so annoyed it's written into the plot? Idc that it was written. I just think it was NOT needed.
I think overall a lot of plots/dialogue written into this book was a big WHAT THE FUCK. Also what the fuck is up with PD's obsession with writing in/about minors? I mean when "things start happening", it's not until Erika is of age but just the overall atmosphere of minors. It's a weird ass energy.
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I don't understand the people who love him or ship him and Erika because he's a POS. I try to understand the reasoning behind his actions as his character and it just makes sense because he's so ???? Idek. Questionable as hell.
IMO, He's a 'hands-off'/'my hands are tied' type of energy. Like everything that happened between him and Erika? It's like all he did/said was "yoU LiK3 f3@R" then would instill fear into her... but when it started it go real bad- it's like he watched to see how bad it could go before stepping in. BUT AT THAT POINT, THE BAD IS BAD NO????
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Everyone is pissed about Erika but honestly, I loved her. Justice for her and I'm SO ANGRY for her- I NEED A FULL VENGENCE PLAN IN PLACE NOW. Because
Justice for her!!! And the fact that they just have a party after the attempted assault like what the fuck? I would have run after that because fuck the guys and them telling me to stay.
I would have not let Michael have a piece of me because he can WORK FOR THAT SHIT. She needed to give a run for his money; He needed to grovel!!!! . I'm angry if you can't tell. I just know she just wanted to be loved and deserves so much better than Michael! Maybe I'll change my mind when I get to see their future in novellas or in the next books IDK. All I know is I'm PISSED now.
Anyways, I feel like I was constantly trying to understand the actions/dialogue behind the plot and I get that. And I get it's them or whatever. I was still intrigued by the book and wanted to find out what happened. But OMG am I irritated. The way I feel so betrayed. UGH!
Side note: Before starting this, I thought I would love Damon but omg they all were so questionable in this- I JUST ?! I smell a redemption arc??? Will I jump into book two??? Questionable as well.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Abandonment, and Alcohol
honeybeewitched87's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
emma_lynne'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
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Car accident, and Death of parent
hawkesprincess'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
kimmytanzone's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
We flipflop between the present and 3 years ago. It is within those snippets of the past that we learn about the men's motivation. They believe that Rika is responsible for 3/4 of them ending up in jail.
I felt as though the characters were lacking depth. We don't really get much background information on the men and an idea of what is motivating their behaviour. These men are cruel and horrible to everyone, especially women. There was so much potential to demonstrate the depth of these characters, it comes out in the very end when we get a flashback in the epilogue of
We get a snippet of why Damon is the way he is within the last chapters of the book. We learn why he is so angry that Rika has "invaded" the group of men, and his fear of his brotherhood being ripped from him. But his character does not have any growth at all and these limited glimpses into his past do not redeem him.
Rika was incredibly naive and annoying. She is not the strong woman that she thinks she is. She is impulsive and seems to have no survival instincts. She is incredibly immature and throws tantrums when she can't get her way (ie. Running into the gentleman's club when she wasn't allowed in). She is determined to live her life on her own and by her own rules, but panics the second her money is gone, because she is actually completely incapable of providing for herself. Plus, she forgave these men WAY too quickly.
I did really like Alex. She was unapologetically herself and had no shame about what she had to do to pay her bills.
Overall, the plot was interesting and there was a lot of potential. Unfortunately, the characters were lacking depth and I just couldn't get past the their lack of growth. The sauna scene (iykyk), was very spicy, but otherwise the romance fell flat and was not really believable.
Tropes: found family, revenge, brotherhood
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
alybookishqueendom's review against another edition
4.75
upon rereading, i would rate it a 4,75 stars. i absolutely love it but it was missing something for it to fully be a five stars. i think i found one part a bit too long and it got to me a little but it's an absolute guilty pleasure to read.
are the characters all fucked in the head? yes. is the plot chaotic? of course! BUT THAT'S WHAT IT'S MEANT TO BE! chaotic, dark, fun and sexy as fuck.
double point of views, past and present timelines and good spice. honestly, if you love dark romances and need a distraction from your life this is it. you just want to know what will happen next and let's just say that penelope douglas knows how to write smut scenes π₯΅.
rika is a little annoying sometimes with how naive she is but gosh honestly the rest of her personality just makes you love her anyways and michael is just trying so hard to be hard and strong and big meany alpha but he is so soft for her. he's just not big in showing any kind of emotions except for lust and challenge and mean π honestly, i still love him. if i am being honest it would annoy the fuck out of me going out with this type of man but damn does this man knows how to dirty talk π«£. i know they wont be my favorite couple out of the series but it's a good ass first book to get to know everyone and to just escape into rich people drama ahaha.
first read; may 2021 | 5 stars
THIS IS EVERYTHING
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Cursing
willsnow's review against another edition
0.25
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
starspacecorn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Classism