samfox's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
Just terrible and disappointing
syndi3's review against another edition
DNF
This book is not working for me. I tried to like Camden and Katherine. But I just can not connect with any of the characters nor the story. The more I listened to the audio book, the more I scroll down to the next book I want to read next.
I know for sure I do not like Katherine. I think she is a bitch. She is over dramatic. Anorexia is serious metal health issue. And in this book, Katherine's character makes the anorexia is a soap drama. I do not like it at all.
This book is not working for me. I tried to like Camden and Katherine. But I just can not connect with any of the characters nor the story. The more I listened to the audio book, the more I scroll down to the next book I want to read next.
I know for sure I do not like Katherine. I think she is a bitch. She is over dramatic. Anorexia is serious metal health issue. And in this book, Katherine's character makes the anorexia is a soap drama. I do not like it at all.
sienasummerrreads's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
tense
medium-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? N/A
4.0
This book I enjoyed was something to fill the time and it jumps straight into the arranged marriage situation. Kathrine and Camden’s marriage is filled with tension and hate. They will have to fight to make it work. Kathrine signed for his money and name but Camden wants to own her body, follow the rules and surrender but Kathrine will never give in or break.
You felt the tension and the hate from these characters. The plot was great as well and the spice we love a commanding man.
Only a few things I want to mention the plot twist about a mother just threw me for a loop as I was shocked but also felt it was thrown in there. Just by the end of the book I still felt a disconnect between the FMC and MMC.
But still really enjoyed it.
If you love:
🔹Billionaire Family Business
🔹Stubborn FMC & MMC
🔹Children’s Hospital Volunteer
🔹Mental Health & Disorder Rep
🔹Signed Arrangement
🔹Commanding Spice
Genre/Type: Contemporary Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook Scribd
Audio Length: 8hrs 30mins
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️.5
Series or Stand Alone: Book 6 in the Cruel series can be read as a Stand Alone
Tropes or Themes: Arranged Marriage, Billionaire, Hate To Love, Hospitals, Body Image, Mental Health & Disorder
Check Triggers ⚠️
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Scribd | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Pregnancy, and Medical content
Minor: Abandonment
smbmar's review against another edition
5.0
Katherine and Camden are EVERYTHING! I have waited so long for this story. From the beginning, I felt like Katherine’s story needed to be told. This book does not disappoint. It was worth the wait and completely worth the read. I’m head over heels in love with Camden and Katherine. So thankful that Linde went ahead and wrote this. It’s brilliant!!!
trish_beautifulchaosreviews's review against another edition
5.0
Of the books I have read in this series by K.A. Linde's The Breaking Season has to be the most complex and complicated. Katherine and Camden have an arranged marriage, but that seems to be the most uncomplicated thing about their relationship. It is evident from the beginning they are attracted to each other, but each has built up such considerable walls to hide all their individual brokenness; what is revealed is the perfect upper East Side socialite couple.
Both characters are stubborn, but you can see that there is a deep desire on both parts to get it right. However, what the reader ends up with more often than not is trainwreck after trainwreck of miscommunication, jumping to conclusions, and walking away instead of talking. But the transformation does slowly take place, and understanding, respect, and passion replace the negativity. They are introduced to a deeper level of caring than they have ever encountered, which literally changes their lives.
I have enjoyed this series as this bunch of, let's be real, entitled wealthy people deal with the generational crap that imbues wealth and position more than we like to acknowledge. I love these people finding out there is more to life than the society page or followers on Instagram. And of course, I do enjoy the happily ever after. There's a couple in the making that I think will be the most emotional of the series, and I am so looking forward to that gem. However, do yourself a favor and read the Breaking Season, to really see behind the facades and walls people build up around their hearts to protect themselves. Yes, this was a Breaking Season.
Both characters are stubborn, but you can see that there is a deep desire on both parts to get it right. However, what the reader ends up with more often than not is trainwreck after trainwreck of miscommunication, jumping to conclusions, and walking away instead of talking. But the transformation does slowly take place, and understanding, respect, and passion replace the negativity. They are introduced to a deeper level of caring than they have ever encountered, which literally changes their lives.
I have enjoyed this series as this bunch of, let's be real, entitled wealthy people deal with the generational crap that imbues wealth and position more than we like to acknowledge. I love these people finding out there is more to life than the society page or followers on Instagram. And of course, I do enjoy the happily ever after. There's a couple in the making that I think will be the most emotional of the series, and I am so looking forward to that gem. However, do yourself a favor and read the Breaking Season, to really see behind the facades and walls people build up around their hearts to protect themselves. Yes, this was a Breaking Season.
elegantfantasy_blogs's review against another edition
4.0
When I read the blurb of this book, I was dying to get my hands on it and it was definitely worth the read. Katherine & Camden have a marriage of convenience and things are just going on fine between them until after their honeymoon, they sort of drift apart. Their marriage became only a facade but this was their journey of learning to love themselves as well as each other. Katherine had anorexia which in my opinion was handled just fine. Her friend Lark was always putting some sense into her and I loved her for that! I was not expecting the OW/OM drama but that didn't stop me from fully rooting for Camden & Katherine's relationship to work because the drama was mild and insignificant. I thought that Camden was sometimes very controlling but Katherine needed that push to overcome her issues because she had built up her walls so high that only Camden's infuriating words would get past them. There was a conflict of infertility too which added some angst but I loved how Katherine & Camden finally had an open conversation about it which made Katherine see Camden in a new light. They sure had their ups and downs but I am so glad that they finally got their much deserved HEA. Overall, this story and the writing style quickly drew me in and I was entertained throughout the pages. I enjoyed it!
kricketland's review against another edition
4.0
TITLE: Cruel Marriage
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
AUTHOR: K. A. Linde
TROPE: Arranged Marriage, Enemies-to-Lovers
TYPE: Series (Cruel Book 6)
POV: Multiple POV
MY RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Cruel Marriage was previously released as The Breaking Season, focusing on Katherine and Camden's arranged marriage. There has always been a battle of wills, a love/hate relationship between Katherine and Camden, and Camden has been using Fiona to hurt Katherine for years, creating more tension between them. Both Katherine and Camden were the villains in the previous books in the series, but they still seem to make sense in the moments they just let their guard down. The storyline moved along quickly, complete with angst and a few twists. I am giving a rating of 4 / 5 Stars.
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
AUTHOR: K. A. Linde
TROPE: Arranged Marriage, Enemies-to-Lovers
TYPE: Series (Cruel Book 6)
POV: Multiple POV
MY RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Cruel Marriage was previously released as The Breaking Season, focusing on Katherine and Camden's arranged marriage. There has always been a battle of wills, a love/hate relationship between Katherine and Camden, and Camden has been using Fiona to hurt Katherine for years, creating more tension between them. Both Katherine and Camden were the villains in the previous books in the series, but they still seem to make sense in the moments they just let their guard down. The storyline moved along quickly, complete with angst and a few twists. I am giving a rating of 4 / 5 Stars.
dona_m0's review against another edition
4.0
This was a new to me author!! So I was blind going in.
From the first chapter the hero captivated me,
The chemistry between the characters were just simmering and the hate and pull between them really made this a fun read.
The characters were rich and didn't shy off from showing off.
Best part, the f didn't cry or complain for the wealth. Many times, the f are whinning or just hold grudges against the vast wealth.
Instead, to see a woman who revelled in it and knew how to weld it.
There were many characters and I may be wrong, but it seems they were interconnected with other series which j haven't read but camden & Kate really took us in this passionate journey of hate and love. The chemistry, the raw emotion in this angst filled contemporary romance really was fresh read for me.
This was a sexy enemy to lover romance stuck in an arranged marriage.
From the first chapter the hero captivated me,
The chemistry between the characters were just simmering and the hate and pull between them really made this a fun read.
The characters were rich and didn't shy off from showing off.
Best part, the f didn't cry or complain for the wealth. Many times, the f are whinning or just hold grudges against the vast wealth.
Instead, to see a woman who revelled in it and knew how to weld it.
There were many characters and I may be wrong, but it seems they were interconnected with other series which j haven't read but camden & Kate really took us in this passionate journey of hate and love. The chemistry, the raw emotion in this angst filled contemporary romance really was fresh read for me.
This was a sexy enemy to lover romance stuck in an arranged marriage.
themythicalbookshelf's review against another edition
Rating and review coming soon!