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hapalyn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is in desperate need of an editor for the writing and spelling mistakes that were suprisingly distracting to me despite not usually being a problem. I feel like the pacing also fell a little flat; and, maybe the rest of the series is good despite this one missing the mark. While I'm not totally sure about continuing the series, I kind of liked the characters. There wasn't really enough going on with the plot to warrant the levels of violence, and there wasn't really enough chemistry between the two main love interests. Overall, this book was very... mid, but it is a pretty quick read due to the writing.
I'm interested in Thatcher's backstory the most, but I'm interested in Silas's healing journey more than the other three combined.
I'm interested in Thatcher's backstory the most, but I'm interested in Silas's healing journey more than the other three combined.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
aries_sun1419's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, and Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, and Kidnapping
nannique's review against another edition
He killed her rat
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Toxic relationship, and Murder
tonianne2788's review against another edition
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Fire/Fire injury
alexandryareads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
yeahok's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I’m not sure how I feel about this book.
The characters are in their late teens, but they really don’t act like it. Untouchable, violent, vigilante murders?
Plot was not very believable and the two main characters went from hating each other, to being in love and unable to function without the other, overnight. Still not sure how I feel about their first sexual encounter - did she consent? She didn’t not like it…
I did have a hard time with the descriptive violence throughout the book, but I’m sensitive like that. Curious to see if the series gets better for me, so I’ll keep going!
The characters are in their late teens, but they really don’t act like it. Untouchable, violent, vigilante murders?
Plot was not very believable and the two main characters went from hating each other, to being in love and unable to function without the other, overnight. Still not sure how I feel about their first sexual encounter - did she consent? She didn’t not like it…
I did have a hard time with the descriptive violence throughout the book, but I’m sensitive like that. Curious to see if the series gets better for me, so I’ll keep going!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, and Trafficking
madlereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
4.5
😈 bully romance
🖤 dark college romance
😱 revenge, suspense, murder mystery
🔪 bad boy x bad girl
🥺 found family
🏃♀️ primal
What a fabulous start to this series! I'm hooked.
Alistair and his 3 best friends, aka The Hollow Boys, were supposed to leave their affluent town. But tragedy struck when Silas's girlfriend turned up dead and the investigation was really suspicious. So they take matters into their own hands to get revenge on who's responsible and get down to the bottom of things.
In comes Briar, a former thief, aiming to make a fresh start in a new town. Being the new girl (who's also not rich) gets her all the attention and worst of all, Alistair's. It only gets even worse when she and her best friend Lyra witness the Hollow Boys committing a crime one night.
So Alistair has to make sure Briar keeps her mouth shut 😈
Such a thrilling ride! The first half is actually more plot heavy with it building up the world and the mystery/suspense behind the murder. The romance in the second half really picks up. But I ate up the banter all the way through. Alistair may have stalked and bullied Briar to keep her quiet, but she wasn't going to lay low in this fight 🤣
Their banners and quips were so heated, I was cackling and feeling a little hot under the collar 🥵 Really the banter between all the characters was GOLD. They were unhinged. I seriously love how deep the friendship bonds are too. Even between Lyra and Briar who just met. 🥺
I lovveedd the sexy suspense of Alistair messing with her (and so did Briar.) The obsession and deranged behavior just grew with time. (You bet the spice was spicing.) And I'm glad Briar was just as feral. They were an amazing couple. Alistair not only challenged her and brought her into the darkness where she truly thrives, but she challenged him to want the best of things for himself cause he does deserve them. To be her man, not a *better* man, no. But a man she could love 🥺
The character backgrounds were so well written. I got emotional so many times. With Alistair's and the snippets Slias's stories especially. How Alistair had no choice but to become cruel to survive his awful family. How Silas lost someone so dear to him. 🥺 Briar growing up poor yet being rich in familial love but still being a loner til she found fellow loner friends in Lyra and eventually the Hollow Boys.
The plot had me on the edge of my seat! The suspense of the murder plot had me guessing whodunit. I can't wait to read the rest of the books to see how it all plays out cause they've certainly opened a can of worms with their revenge. The death of their friend is connected to something much bigger.
One thing I will note though, is the glaring amounts of typos and grammatical errors. I understand books having a few but this was quite a bit throughout the book. Perhaps it needed another round of edits? 🙈 I don't think it really affected my enjoyment of the book much, but I did backtrack a few times cause something was waayy off.
I am excited for Thatcher and Lyra though and I think they'll be my favorites just going off their little interactions in this book. 🤭
🖤 dark college romance
😱 revenge, suspense, murder mystery
🔪 bad boy x bad girl
🥺 found family
🏃♀️ primal
What a fabulous start to this series! I'm hooked.
Alistair and his 3 best friends, aka The Hollow Boys, were supposed to leave their affluent town. But tragedy struck when Silas's girlfriend turned up dead and the investigation was really suspicious. So they take matters into their own hands to get revenge on who's responsible and get down to the bottom of things.
In comes Briar, a former thief, aiming to make a fresh start in a new town. Being the new girl (who's also not rich) gets her all the attention and worst of all, Alistair's. It only gets even worse when she and her best friend Lyra witness the Hollow Boys committing a crime one night.
So Alistair has to make sure Briar keeps her mouth shut 😈
Such a thrilling ride! The first half is actually more plot heavy with it building up the world and the mystery/suspense behind the murder. The romance in the second half really picks up. But I ate up the banter all the way through. Alistair may have stalked and bullied Briar to keep her quiet, but she wasn't going to lay low in this fight 🤣
Their banners and quips were so heated, I was cackling and feeling a little hot under the collar 🥵 Really the banter between all the characters was GOLD. They were unhinged. I seriously love how deep the friendship bonds are too. Even between Lyra and Briar who just met. 🥺
I lovveedd the sexy suspense of Alistair messing with her (and so did Briar.) The obsession and deranged behavior just grew with time. (You bet the spice was spicing.) And I'm glad Briar was just as feral. They were an amazing couple. Alistair not only challenged her and brought her into the darkness where she truly thrives, but she challenged him to want the best of things for himself cause he does deserve them. To be her man, not a *better* man, no. But a man she could love 🥺
The character backgrounds were so well written. I got emotional so many times. With Alistair's and the snippets Slias's stories especially. How Alistair had no choice but to become cruel to survive his awful family. How Silas lost someone so dear to him. 🥺 Briar growing up poor yet being rich in familial love but still being a loner til she found fellow loner friends in Lyra and eventually the Hollow Boys.
The plot had me on the edge of my seat! The suspense of the murder plot had me guessing whodunit. I can't wait to read the rest of the books to see how it all plays out cause they've certainly opened a can of worms with their revenge. The death of their friend is connected to something much bigger.
One thing I will note though, is the glaring amounts of typos and grammatical errors. I understand books having a few but this was quite a bit throughout the book. Perhaps it needed another round of edits? 🙈 I don't think it really affected my enjoyment of the book much, but I did backtrack a few times cause something was waayy off.
I am excited for Thatcher and Lyra though and I think they'll be my favorites just going off their little interactions in this book. 🤭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Trafficking
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
libraryofjess_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
✨3.75 stars ✨
🌶️2.5 spice 🌶️
‘Everyone has secrets. Everyone has a story. Even the heroes. Even the villains.’
I am pleasantly surprised by this book. This had a really interesting plot as well as really interesting male characters.
I enjoyed this quite a bit. As I mentioned before, the plot in this was really strong and holds mystery to it. We have the murder mystery and the 4 male town ‘psychos’ following leads in an…interesting fashion.
I knew from the start that I was going to like this since it gives off vibes that the devils night series by penelope douglas has which I loved.
I will say that the romance didn’t really start until maybe half way through the book but once it started it goddamn soared.
I loved the raw emotions that were exchanged between Alistair and Blair, there is so much to Alistairs character that Blair being able to pull back the layers of him to find out his true motives and emotions was really enjoyable to see.
It was a wild read, very dark and twisted but I enjoyed it and I can’t wait to read the next book!
Check TWs and CWs
Happy reading 🤍
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
one_more_chapter96's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Writing could use some editing mostly just for spelling mistakes though because it was written well overall and the prose flowed nicely in places. Overall a dark and twisted setting with a bit of mystery and a dark underbelly. Liked Alistair & Briar overall and how their story built up gradually but felt both their backstories could use a little more depth and the end felt a bit rushed. Spicy and a decent plot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
melissaslibraryy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book felt very insta-lusty between the mc’s since they only saw each other once or twice before they thought of the other sexually. This is a dark bully romance involving murder and gore, so check the tw’s!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis