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bcope84's review
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
4.0
Tabitha was the only survivor released by The Matchmaker. She is on a journey of healing as she recounts her past trauma and tries to navigate her relationship with Gabe.
***Read Lotus and Still Beating first.
***Check trigger warnings before reading. This book covers a lot of very heavy as difficult topics.
I really enjoyed Gabe and Tabitha's story. It is heartbreaking, emotional, yet so heartwarming. There are parts that are so hard to read and parts that are so beautiful.
I felt like the debt collection plot was unnecessary. I think that time should have been spent developing Gabe's character more. As much as I like his character, he still felt a little under developed. I liked how patient and understanding he was with Tabitha. He never pushed her and was always there to support her. Gabe is so determined to help Tabitha heal, whether they end up together or not.
Tabitha on the other hand, was such a well developed character. Her story, told in a series of flashbacks, were completely devastating and hard to read. She was put through months of torture at the hand of the Matchmaker and watched the man she loved die in front of her. No wonder she felt so torn when it came to Gabe. She had never really gone through the process of dealing with her trauma. It was understandable that she felt guilty and nervous about her feelings for Gabe.
I really enjoyed revisiting the other characters stories and seeing how integral they are to each others journeys.
Tropes: single parent, love after loss/trauma, reformed playboy
***Read Lotus and Still Beating first.
***Check trigger warnings before reading. This book covers a lot of very heavy as difficult topics.
I really enjoyed Gabe and Tabitha's story. It is heartbreaking, emotional, yet so heartwarming. There are parts that are so hard to read and parts that are so beautiful.
I felt like the debt collection plot was unnecessary. I think that time should have been spent developing Gabe's character more. As much as I like his character, he still felt a little under developed. I liked how patient and understanding he was with Tabitha. He never pushed her and was always there to support her. Gabe is so determined to help Tabitha heal, whether they end up together or not.
Tabitha on the other hand, was such a well developed character. Her story, told in a series of flashbacks, were completely devastating and hard to read. She was put through months of torture at the hand of the Matchmaker and watched the man she loved die in front of her. No wonder she felt so torn when it came to Gabe. She had never really gone through the process of dealing with her trauma. It was understandable that she felt guilty and nervous about her feelings for Gabe.
I really enjoyed revisiting the other characters stories and seeing how integral they are to each others journeys.
Tropes: single parent, love after loss/trauma, reformed playboy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
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