Reviews

I am not in a mood for a 18/19 y old story.
It takes too long for the story to set up and there is a lot of characters to remember.
So it’s a me problem not a book issue.

Content Warnings

karlidodgion's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-paced

4.75

bookishlee18's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

pagesofevermore's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

(ARC Review)

Rating : 4.75 / 5

This book was amazing. The spice was so good in it. I loved Alex's character throughout the whole thing, she was so enjoyable. Xi was so perfect. I loved him. Their relationship was so fucked up but so good. I enjoyed everything about this book.

meeshmk's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark tense fast-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

madebygracefrom98's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Excuse me, but dark romance, with a morally grey mmc and a Swiftie fmc, not to mention an entire TS alt. playlist, this was everything I could've asked for.

Alex is a fuschia wearing, Taylor Swift loving, suprisingly selfaware, rich girl who's starting her freshman year at college and trying to move on with life after trauma and trying to heal... which is hard when the only thing that makes her ✨️ is the memory of her kidnapper taking control of her body.

Enter Xi (Ziad) head dealer for the North Shore Crew, whose one and only obsession is taking back control of the town he was raised in... until he meets Alex. He knows he's not right for her. He knows he'll only hurt her, but he just can't help himself.

Because Elisabeth Alexandra Delacroix is his new obsession.

“You get w3t when I treat you like a b¡tch in heat. I get hard d3grad¡ng you. We’re meant for each other, baby."

I love that this series has some seriously morally grey/black characters, and Xi did not disappoint in this department. This man is NOT a law-abiding, morally grounded person, but he is passionate, loyal, and would do anything to protect the people he cares about... He's dishing out hand necklaces and spank¡ngs like it's job, but he's also the only person who makes her feel truly safe.

There is a LONG list of cw's and tw's at the start of this book, that I highly encourage you to read, but for all the real dark romance lovers, this book is for you.

And if you've read any of Lola King's other books, yes, there are cameos from some of my favourite characters, and honestly, it's worth reading for Rose and Lik's appearances alone.

tayloraddison's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

this is my first lola king book and it did not disappoint. i loved xi and alex so much. alex is so strong and she has been through so so much. i love the taylor swift references and alex just made me laugh and want to cry and hug her through the whole book. and xi!!! omg he is a little unhinged but i love him. the way he is so protective of those he loves was just *chef’s kiss* i love him so much. i lived getting to read his chapters and get into his mind and honestly i wouldn’t mind taking alex’s place. i also really liked the vibes and the parts about xi’s art. i was on the edge of my seat, especially towards the end. like the way i got whiplash from the twist is insane. i just love my little baddie alex and xi so much.

thank you lola for the arc!!! i literally could not put this book down!

More...