ayablackwood's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gore, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual violence, Sexism, Violence, Confinement, Cursing, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Physical abuse
risseandshine's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
To be honest, I never knew I'd give a book like this 5 full stars, yet here I am doing just that.
Selena and Lex as a couple is far from the type of couples I usually root for. Their relationship is a messy one, and I'm wording that lightly here. Their story is absolutely unhinged yet so gripping at the same time. The way their characters were painted morally black (yep, not gray but black) but their romance became a shining light of freedom for all their darkness was so satisfying to read about. I simply couldn't stop thinking of them both, and that for me is a mark of well-written story.
This book isn't for everyone; the list of triggers in this book is more than a mile long. If you're the type of romance reader who prefers the sweet over the scandalous, then this isn't for you.
But if you're a romance reader looking for a little (a lot) darkness in your reads and are open to getting your views challenged in the name of entertainment, then I recommend you go pick this up.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Domestic abuse, Death, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Gore, Violence, Sexual violence, and Blood
aylareve_reads's review
3.0
Lex is a convicted killer fresh out of escaping from jail when Selena picks him up on the side of the road. what Lex doesn't know is that Selena is running from an abusive husband. What Selena doesn't know is that Lex is going to change her life forever.
I love dark romances and this one was definitely dark. While I did enjoy this book, it wasn't my favorite. The first half was great; the right amount of spice and all the things dark romance readers love. The second half dragged and it didn't have any plot. I thought the story could have ended when it was at 50% and I wasn't sure how they could stretch the story another 50%.
I do love the dynamic between Lex and Selena. Lex pushes Selena and Selena challenges Lex. They balance each other and are very different types of people, but they start to realize parts of themselves are the same.
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Blood, Toxic relationship, and Rape
theartistreader's review
- 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
Graphic: Kidnapping, Cursing, Death of parent, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual violence, Sexism, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Murder, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Torture, Violence, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Death, Domestic abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
bookishhdreamer's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Blood, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Violence, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Cursing, Rape, Death, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Murder, and Sexual violence