hopevollm's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I liked the characters. Really enjoyed cals moral quandary of being in this relationship and being a cook. I liked Maddie but she came off as a bit childish sometimes.
jesslknutson's review against another edition
4.5
Unconditional
.
4.5 ⭐️
4.5 🌶️
.
✨ forbidden romance
✨ guardian
✨ age gap
.
“you’re my home.”
.
My first Q.B. Tyler book and I’m obsessed with her writing style already. I haven’t read many forbidden romances before, but I don’t plan on stopping that. I loved the way Q.B. wrote Madeline and Cal. The way we meet Cal a hard to love police officer, but ready to change that when Maddie goes through the hardest thing a seven year old should. He takes her under her wing, and then things shift when she starts seeing things in a different eye at 17. I think the romance aspect was written so well. It showed it’s okay to be different in a relationship and work through the issues ti prove to people around you, you can love who you want. I was so hooked into this story, and the ending was so shocking I didn’t see that coming one bit. I loved the whole family and love aspect that came from the story. Definitely if you haven’t checked Q.B. out yet go do it, I’m so excited to start the next book!
.
4.5 ⭐️
4.5 🌶️
.
✨ forbidden romance
✨ guardian
✨ age gap
.
“you’re my home.”
.
My first Q.B. Tyler book and I’m obsessed with her writing style already. I haven’t read many forbidden romances before, but I don’t plan on stopping that. I loved the way Q.B. wrote Madeline and Cal. The way we meet Cal a hard to love police officer, but ready to change that when Maddie goes through the hardest thing a seven year old should. He takes her under her wing, and then things shift when she starts seeing things in a different eye at 17. I think the romance aspect was written so well. It showed it’s okay to be different in a relationship and work through the issues ti prove to people around you, you can love who you want. I was so hooked into this story, and the ending was so shocking I didn’t see that coming one bit. I loved the whole family and love aspect that came from the story. Definitely if you haven’t checked Q.B. out yet go do it, I’m so excited to start the next book!
sezola's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this...
This book had so much potential. So much! I really liked the idea of the plot, but as I got into it, I found myself steadily disliking what I was reading.
My issue isn't even with the taboo or forbidden aspect of Cal and Maddie's relationship. None of that really bothered me. It was the lack of relationship building. There was no real build up between them before they were lusting after each other. It actually got to the point where I got so uncomfortable with how horny they were for each other. This book just became about sex as opposed to an actual relationship or connection. Whilst I'm down with sexy times, this was too much. And don't even get me started on the ending which honestly basically came out of nowhere so didn't work for me.
I'm pretty disappointed as I was looking forward to reading this. So much of it could have played out better if there had been more relationship building at the begining of the book so I believed in them as a couple.
This book had so much potential. So much! I really liked the idea of the plot, but as I got into it, I found myself steadily disliking what I was reading.
My issue isn't even with the taboo or forbidden aspect of Cal and Maddie's relationship. None of that really bothered me. It was the lack of relationship building. There was no real build up between them before they were lusting after each other. It actually got to the point where I got so uncomfortable with how horny they were for each other. This book just became about sex as opposed to an actual relationship or connection. Whilst I'm down with sexy times, this was too much. And don't even get me started on the ending which honestly basically came out of nowhere so didn't work for me.
I'm pretty disappointed as I was looking forward to reading this. So much of it could have played out better if there had been more relationship building at the begining of the book so I believed in them as a couple.
callywog's review against another edition
3.0
Cal (33) and Maddie (17)
Age gap, forbidden, virgin FMC, suspense.
I mean I will say it’s a little hard to get over the fact that while Cal is not her father per se, he did raise her for 10 years… but if you CAN get past it, it’s a good story with taboo, spice, and suspense.
I would say this is the most taboo relationship I’ve ever read- and I don’t know that that’s a good thing. The shock factor is definitely there and I can admit that I enjoyed the book but I’ll think I’ll stick to the rest of the forbidden romances from here on out. 5🔥
Also the guy on the cover looks like a Jonas Brother so that’s not hot.
Also the guy on the cover looks like a Jonas Brother so that’s not hot.
craesreads's review against another edition
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️ I like taboo romances but have a hard time looking past some things. So if you can excuse the fact that Cal raised her from 7 years old to 17 &all of a sudden only now has feeling for her, then you’re fine 🤦🏻♀️😂.
* Looking past all the taboo, it was a well written story with spice &suspense. The spice was very well done considering the angst &avoidance with the age gap. The suspense in the last 25% made it so I couldn’t put the story down.
* Christian Fox as a narrator is not talked about enough! He is one of the first male narrators that I intentionally looked into his audiobooks because of how well he does. He alternates voices &shows emotion so well. Especially the spicy scenes 🥵.
* I haven’t listened to any narration by Addison Barnes but will definitely be looking into more. She did such a great job bringing the emotions to the story &making you feel right there.
* If you like taboo romance with some suspense then this book is for you!
I’d like to thank Forever &Always PR for the advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review.
Themes:
* Taboo romance
* Age gap (16 years)
* High school/college romance
* Looking past all the taboo, it was a well written story with spice &suspense. The spice was very well done considering the angst &avoidance with the age gap. The suspense in the last 25% made it so I couldn’t put the story down.
* Christian Fox as a narrator is not talked about enough! He is one of the first male narrators that I intentionally looked into his audiobooks because of how well he does. He alternates voices &shows emotion so well. Especially the spicy scenes 🥵.
* I haven’t listened to any narration by Addison Barnes but will definitely be looking into more. She did such a great job bringing the emotions to the story &making you feel right there.
* If you like taboo romance with some suspense then this book is for you!
I’d like to thank Forever &Always PR for the advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review.
Themes:
* Taboo romance
* Age gap (16 years)
* High school/college romance
pagesinkedinshadows's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.25
This was such an intense story! It was emotional and complicated, full of a heartbreaking past and careful lines. It was hot & taboo, but with a bit of suspense & a twist that will leave you shocked!
pageswithpatrice's review against another edition
dark
emotional
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Kidnapping and Stalking
Minor: Alcoholism