readbooks_eatapples's review against another edition
3.0
I had to skim some of this, but it was really hard to put down. The writing pulls you in! CW: abuse, rape, gaslighting, torture, parental neglect and emotional abuse
susanatwestofmars's review against another edition
4.0
This is a hard book to review. On the one hand, Anders gets so much of being abused right. But on the other, at least for me, Uma just gets over it too fast. The problem, of course, is that Anders only has so many pages to work with, but the reality is that a Magic Cock isn't enough to overcome what she went through. Not if at the end of that night with Joey, she was ready for death.
The other issue I had was that Ms. Lloyd takes up the first half of the book, but as Uma begins defying her and sneaking out, and getting involved with men, which was one of the house rules from the very beginning, she falls to the wayside. I'd have liked to have seen these two women forge a friendship and Uma help Ms. Lloyd heal, even as Ms. Lloyd showed Uma a future she didn't want. The reason for very real fears that Ms. Lloyd had about going outside was never fully explained, and I wanted it to be so much more than it was.
All that said, this was one of those books that was hard to put down, hard to walk away from. Even in the beginning, when Uma's situation was potentially triggering and I could only read in small pieces, I wanted to keep reading. It's a good story, well-written even if yes, it clearly sets up the town and the characters who will follow in the rest of the series.
I can't say why exactly I picked this up. I read a review and something about it grabbed me. I'm glad it did; it was a good read and Uma and Ivan are strong characters. But will I stick with the series? I'm not sure. The whole tattoo removal thing wasn't very strong, and it doesn't strike me as a reason to keep reading. We'll have to see what the library coughs up, or what I think of other reviews that cross my eye.
The other issue I had was that Ms. Lloyd takes up the first half of the book, but as Uma begins defying her and sneaking out, and getting involved with men, which was one of the house rules from the very beginning, she falls to the wayside. I'd have liked to have seen these two women forge a friendship and Uma help Ms. Lloyd heal, even as Ms. Lloyd showed Uma a future she didn't want. The reason for very real fears that Ms. Lloyd had about going outside was never fully explained, and I wanted it to be so much more than it was.
All that said, this was one of those books that was hard to put down, hard to walk away from. Even in the beginning, when Uma's situation was potentially triggering and I could only read in small pieces, I wanted to keep reading. It's a good story, well-written even if yes, it clearly sets up the town and the characters who will follow in the rest of the series.
I can't say why exactly I picked this up. I read a review and something about it grabbed me. I'm glad it did; it was a good read and Uma and Ivan are strong characters. But will I stick with the series? I'm not sure. The whole tattoo removal thing wasn't very strong, and it doesn't strike me as a reason to keep reading. We'll have to see what the library coughs up, or what I think of other reviews that cross my eye.
shomarq's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nipomuki's review against another edition
4.0
cw for domestic abuse and violence
Ok, so this is not the kind of contemporary romance I am into, but I respect its qualities.
Both backstories were bad, hers much worse than his, but I liked how they came to accept that it had made them what they are now, and that this is a good thing.
I also liked the side characters, especially Uma‘s cranky boss. Even the animals were well drawn. I believed in the setting.
Most of the relationship development and the healing took place through the slowly building physical intimacy and sex between the two main characters. This, again, was well written, with a nice balance of shared power, allowing Uma to feel potent and strong. Also all the consent. It was very steamy and sexy, but it got a bit too much for me, so I ended up speeding the narration up to 1.75. I was worried there would be too much glorifying of arbitrary law, but to my relief the author didn‘t go as far as I feared.
A detail that I did not like was how often Ivan is compared to an animal. I know it was meant in a good way, it just did not work for me.
I would probably have preferred for the story to be a bit more outside of the „bedroom“, more time spent on finding a way for Uma to take back her life from her abuser. It was all there, with the helpful doctor, the self defence classes, the budding friendships... Just not as much in the center as the sexy times.
Perfect book for all of you who enjoy the angst and the high factor of steaminess.
The narration was exceptional, this lady does good men voices, wow.
Ok, so this is not the kind of contemporary romance I am into, but I respect its qualities.
Both backstories were bad, hers much worse than his, but I liked how they came to accept that it had made them what they are now, and that this is a good thing.
I also liked the side characters, especially Uma‘s cranky boss. Even the animals were well drawn. I believed in the setting.
Most of the relationship development and the healing took place through the slowly building physical intimacy and sex between the two main characters. This, again, was well written, with a nice balance of shared power, allowing Uma to feel potent and strong. Also all the consent. It was very steamy and sexy, but it got a bit too much for me, so I ended up speeding the narration up to 1.75. I was worried there would be too much glorifying of arbitrary law, but to my relief the author didn‘t go as far as I feared.
A detail that I did not like was how often Ivan is compared to an animal. I know it was meant in a good way, it just did not work for me.
I would probably have preferred for the story to be a bit more outside of the „bedroom“, more time spent on finding a way for Uma to take back her life from her abuser. It was all there, with the helpful doctor, the self defence classes, the budding friendships... Just not as much in the center as the sexy times.
Perfect book for all of you who enjoy the angst and the high factor of steaminess.
The narration was exceptional, this lady does good men voices, wow.
reading_rainy's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a healing, beautiful story. At times the flow seemed off, but then again, that could have been on purpose. It reminded me of that Julia Robert’s movie, Sleeping With the Enemy. Uma was so incredibly strong to keep going. Her relationship with Ms Lloyd was so wonderful. Ivan was perfect, his inner strength, his patience, and quiet observations. I love a story that focuses on character growth, and this one had it in spades.
ingenioussups's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jazminerae's review against another edition
3.0
This book was pretty decent. You see a man that had a troubled past and a women who just came out of bed relationship not to long ago. He wants to protect her and she wants to run from her troubles. She is ashamed of what happened to her and doesn’t want people to see her or take pity all the while trying to heal from past trauma. I would recommend!
slaybae123's review against another edition
4.0
{3.5}
I really liked Uma and Ivan, but I felt like their relationship was a little rushed/ it ended quickly. I wanted more of a resolution.
I really liked Uma and Ivan, but I felt like their relationship was a little rushed/ it ended quickly. I wanted more of a resolution.
annetja's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent. Ms. Anders has such a luscious way with words - vivacious, I'd say, even in the midst of heavy subject matter. I loved Ivan, and he's not the kind of hero with whom I normally resonate (I tend to like betas in my contemporaries and more alpha-esque heroes in my historicals). But I could *feel* his voice on my skin, so vivid was Anders' description. And what a tale this is, what things heroine Uma has faced. Anders injects humor and sensuousness in the midst of the sadness, bringing us a riveting tale that lingers long after the last page .