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booksbystarlightandshadows's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I've rated this as a three star read as there were parts I did enjoy but it didn't quite hit the mark for me overall. I kept coming back to the pacing; I liked the time jumps at the start as I didn't feel the need to read pages of bullying to set the scene and the way the first few chapters are written worked well. The only point I would make is that they were only together for two weeks before the fountain incident and I think if I had seen more of this specific period it would have had a bigger impact. As a tool to empathise with Athelia who also didn't understand what just happened it was fine but I just never really invested in the relationship from the start as these MMCs are not remotely likeable for a lot of the book. They manipulate Athelia several times and it just made it hard to root for them.
However, the main issue I had without giving away spoilers is the reason behind the initial miscommunication and how it was resolved. What Athelia went through was truly awful and was scarily believable in the digital age; however when it all came out though and the reason was dealt so swiftly it all fell a little flat for me after that. This was the plotline with the most potential and just seemed like a missed opportunity when it was over so quickly. I'm also not sure what the guys jobs added to the story - it didn't really go anywhere however it does set up plenty of scope for a further instalment as did Haven's plotline.
There is a lot of spice in this and there is some questionable consent in some scenes; the degradation is pretty intense. By the end I was tapped out and was more interested in some of the other plotlines (like where Haven was) rather than another scene with Athelia and the guys. I actually really liked the idea of Athelia's revenge; I thought it worked quite well with her character and the MMC's seemed to quickly forget that Athelia put up with their bullying (and other things) for years and they more than deserved it. I also liked that Athelia had normal parents that actually cared about her as they are usually few and far between in dark romances!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read
However, the main issue I had without giving away spoilers is the reason behind the initial miscommunication and how it was resolved. What Athelia went through was truly awful and was scarily believable in the digital age; however when it all came out though and the reason was dealt so swiftly it all fell a little flat for me after that. This was the plotline with the most potential and just seemed like a missed opportunity when it was over so quickly. I'm also not sure what the guys jobs added to the story - it didn't really go anywhere however it does set up plenty of scope for a further instalment as did Haven's plotline.
There is a lot of spice in this and there is some questionable consent in some scenes; the degradation is pretty intense. By the end I was tapped out and was more interested in some of the other plotlines (like where Haven was) rather than another scene with Athelia and the guys. I actually really liked the idea of Athelia's revenge; I thought it worked quite well with her character and the MMC's seemed to quickly forget that Athelia put up with their bullying (and other things) for years and they more than deserved it. I also liked that Athelia had normal parents that actually cared about her as they are usually few and far between in dark romances!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
lesley_danae's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5/5 ⭐️
First and foremost, this is a dark romance with a grocery list of trigger warnings, please check those out before reading if you haven’t triggers. If you don’t enjoy dark romance or bully romance, this book is not for you.
I got read an excerpt of this and it sucked me in. I immediately applied for an advanced copy of this book and when I tell you I ate this shit up, I mean it, I finished it in less than 24 hours. This book is like if The LORDS series (Shantel Tessier) and Devil’s Night series (Penelope Douglas) had a baby, but make it Why Choose.
Athelia meets three guys, Cal, Kellen, and Wes the first day she moves to campus her freshman year, there’s immediate chemistry between the four of them, but then something happens that leads the boys into hating her while simultaneously being obsessed with her. For three years they go on to make her life miserable only to learn later on that everything that had caused the fallout was a complete misunderstanding and the boys try to make it up to her.
When I first started this book, I immediately had a soft spot for Cal, he was gentle and the softest out of the three, but also was the one related to the most (mentally for the most part). Wes, I liked him at first, he seemed like a sweetheart with Athelia at first and cared about her well being, but as the story went on, his need for his pride and power pissed me off. He made me want to jump through the book and shake him until he couldn’t see straight while screaming at him to open his eyes. But he got better towards the end of the book. Kellan, I didn’t think I would like him much based on how he acted in the first chapter, but throughout the book I started to love him more than Wes, he could see perspective where with Wes it felt very much like tunnel vision with him. And while he was rough and degrading in bed, he was a softy with Athelia, trying to reassure her and make her smile.
This book was amazing and if you like fucked up, bully, dark romance, then give this book a try, you might like it 😊
(This is an free ARC review of my honest opinion of the book)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Murder
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