amymichhelle's review against another edition
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookishandblissful's review against another edition
1.0
The FMC is 17. 17!?! And the love interest is her high school teacher. No. I can’t. The scene with the cat was so unneeded. Nope. I’m not even going to write a full review for this one because this just was not for me.
thanksithaspockits's review
3.0
Overhyped taboo read. Cheap trauma descriptions for the shock value. No depth to the FMC, nor arch for the MMC. The conclusion was cute.
poppy_jae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emmawithoutonem's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
alannaloren's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
3.75
cmdziura's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book broke my heart, and (almost) put it back together.
While I loved the over arching story, I sometimes had a hard time with the "student/teacher" aspect of this novel, especially when it is compounded with an age gap. I usually don't mind this power dynamic when it comes to college age students and professors, but 17 and 27, it was hard at times to look past that to see the "romance" and "relationship" underneath.
If you look past that, and just looked at the struggle of the characters, this is a beautiful story about found family. Ivory is resilient and strong. Emeric is dominant but sweet. I also feel like Joanne's involvement of the story was unnecessary drama, along with a few other small parts that felt like filler and didn't really add to Ivory and Emeric's story.
While I loved the over arching story, I sometimes had a hard time with the "student/teacher" aspect of this novel, especially when it is compounded with an age gap. I usually don't mind this power dynamic when it comes to college age students and professors, but 17 and 27, it was hard at times to look past that to see the "romance" and "relationship" underneath.
If you look past that, and just looked at the struggle of the characters, this is a beautiful story about found family. Ivory is resilient and strong. Emeric is dominant but sweet. I also feel like Joanne's involvement of the story was unnecessary drama, along with a few other small parts that felt like filler and didn't really add to Ivory and Emeric's story.
ninaleeray's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
A broken girl dealing with big life changes and neglect finds herself, in her new teachers arms. They both have a dark past/present. We see how they navigate it all while they get to know each other a bit more personally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Murder, Pedophilia, Death of parent, Rape, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, and Child abuse
rainelle_barrett's review
5.0
IMPORTANT: This book has trigger safety content warnings and rape scene and pet cruelty.
Dark Notes, by Pam Godwin. I was apprehensive in the beginning of reading this wild erotic love story, but as I read to the halfway point of the book my mind has changed drastically. I absolutely freaking loved this book. Yes, their were things that I had to adjust my mom cap to. With this style of writing, I find that I absolutely loved it.
In future books from the author, maybe there could be another version of this love story. Perhaps a couple in their twenty to mid thirties age range. The plot doesn’t need to be the same, but the outline of this story would be amazing for the more adult age couple. I don’t mind age gaps in certain scenarios, but I have lines that are drawn in certain situations. I mean no disrespect to the writer, so please do not hate me for my honest review.
Nothing will change my opinions of this authors writing of being one of the best that I have come by so far. I still say that she sits at the table with the Legendary James Patterson. While reading this book, I needed to have an open mind and dive into my review mode as a reader who loves reading a damn good book. And this is a damn good book. Pam’s writing was flawless.
Clearly, the author has the talent. The skills sets and the knowledge of writing something so riveting, so heart clutching, and emotional on every level of the minds psyche. I mean Whoa! This story wasn’t about sex between Emeric and Ivory, or the wrongs and rights of what transpires between them. The entertainment between the intimate, erotic love making and subversive battles that takes place in the book, I was hooked deep into.
I didn’t want to climb out. Page after page the dialogue was pure liquid to my mind. I almost thought Emeric was speaking to me. “In my mind I was the other woman”! With that said, for me the book was very easy to read, making the book more enjoyable for me.
There are some gut wrenching moments that had my heart pounding at triple the normal speed hence me clutching at my kindle yelling, “No! That can’t be! The steamy side of the book is like a sauna in a world of endless climatic pleasure. Emeric strong, dominant ways shows Ivory a world where she controls the keys to her future and happiness. The subplot and the plot is strong, raw and very powerful.
I have so much sympathy for Ivory. She doesn’t come off as the damsel in distress, which is good. Most readers don’t like that in today’s world of strong independent woman. In this story Ivory needs to find her power over her own self, her needs. With her love of music and playing the piano, Ivory needs to break free from the heavy burdens in her life.
The same burdens that are enabling her into a dark world of bitter betrayal and the ending consequence of life. Undoubtedly hers. My fellow readers, I recommend this book. Until next time... read on! I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.
Dark Notes, by Pam Godwin. I was apprehensive in the beginning of reading this wild erotic love story, but as I read to the halfway point of the book my mind has changed drastically. I absolutely freaking loved this book. Yes, their were things that I had to adjust my mom cap to. With this style of writing, I find that I absolutely loved it.
In future books from the author, maybe there could be another version of this love story. Perhaps a couple in their twenty to mid thirties age range. The plot doesn’t need to be the same, but the outline of this story would be amazing for the more adult age couple. I don’t mind age gaps in certain scenarios, but I have lines that are drawn in certain situations. I mean no disrespect to the writer, so please do not hate me for my honest review.
Nothing will change my opinions of this authors writing of being one of the best that I have come by so far. I still say that she sits at the table with the Legendary James Patterson. While reading this book, I needed to have an open mind and dive into my review mode as a reader who loves reading a damn good book. And this is a damn good book. Pam’s writing was flawless.
Clearly, the author has the talent. The skills sets and the knowledge of writing something so riveting, so heart clutching, and emotional on every level of the minds psyche. I mean Whoa! This story wasn’t about sex between Emeric and Ivory, or the wrongs and rights of what transpires between them. The entertainment between the intimate, erotic love making and subversive battles that takes place in the book, I was hooked deep into.
I didn’t want to climb out. Page after page the dialogue was pure liquid to my mind. I almost thought Emeric was speaking to me. “In my mind I was the other woman”! With that said, for me the book was very easy to read, making the book more enjoyable for me.
There are some gut wrenching moments that had my heart pounding at triple the normal speed hence me clutching at my kindle yelling, “No! That can’t be! The steamy side of the book is like a sauna in a world of endless climatic pleasure. Emeric strong, dominant ways shows Ivory a world where she controls the keys to her future and happiness. The subplot and the plot is strong, raw and very powerful.
I have so much sympathy for Ivory. She doesn’t come off as the damsel in distress, which is good. Most readers don’t like that in today’s world of strong independent woman. In this story Ivory needs to find her power over her own self, her needs. With her love of music and playing the piano, Ivory needs to break free from the heavy burdens in her life.
The same burdens that are enabling her into a dark world of bitter betrayal and the ending consequence of life. Undoubtedly hers. My fellow readers, I recommend this book. Until next time... read on! I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.