Reviews with content warning for Panic attacks/disorders - Hate

Tropes: Why Choose, College, Enemies to Lovers, Alphahole, Slow-Burn, Forced Proximity

Small Recap: Madison is framed for the events that happened at the Laughing Clown on riot night. She is put in jail and put on trial, though eventually the charges are dropped, and her father sends her away to live with an aunt until things die down. Madison (M.K.) returns to find out the three guys (Archer, Max, and Kody) that framed her are now living in her father’s new house and her father goes away on vacation without waiting for her to get home.

This was my first Tate James book that I read, well actually I listened to the audiobook. This book was action-packed, suspenseful, steamy and more. Madison is a badass FMC who doesn't take shit from nobody. Her sarcastic sayings towards Archer, Max, and Kody are HILARIOUS. All of the main characters were written great. The only thing I did not like about this book is the Madison's best friend, Bri. I found her to be annoying. This book was an easy read for being a why choose book. All three men were easy to follow, and they all had their own little thing about them that you can't forget. Also, I enjoyed the little aspects of MMA that were thrown into the book.

Content Warnings

jojesweden's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Well, damn if this book isn't really impressive when it comes to making you feel what MK is feeling. I have rarely felt such justified rage in sympathy with a character as I did with MK. Maybe I was just in the right mood, or maybe Ms. James is just really good at that. Either way, I liked it.

There are a few weird details here and there that might be plot holes, or they are purposeful inconsistencies hinting at future twists. Nothing bad enough to judge by yet. Or, well, okay, one thing. You don't have a previously unplanned college up and running 11 months after a civic disturbance that led to large parts of the town burning down. That's just not possible.

I like how MK is a mix of broken and strong. She has every reason to be a puddle of despair after what she has witnessed and been through. Even so, she refuses to take the guys' shit even when it clearly hits her in her most vulnerable places. She's torn down over and over again, and she just keeps getting back to her feet regardless of how much it hurts. Even when she disassociates due to her PTSD or has a panic attack (yes, these are different things and it irritates me how often authors refer to any episodic symptoms of PTSD as "panic attacks"), she comes back swinging a few hours later.

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rosie_books's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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ka_ke's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Damn. I’m a little disappointed we didn’t get any RH action, but good things come to those who wait. Unlike Penelope Douglas’s Devils Night series, Tate James gives us the perfect mix of dark romance and spice.

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tianabooks's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

no thoughts, just vibes ✨

to be fair, I read this extremely fast and it put me in a great reading mood. So for that alone, I’m appreciative. Plus, I’ve heard so much about it, I HAD TO finally start the series.

If you’ve never read a RH before, then I think it’s a good place to start; it has tension, suspense, funny moments, steamier moments. It has a bit of everything and it’s not overwhelming. So it’s pretty easy to follow! Loved the cliffhanger, it made me pick up the second one immediately. Thank goodness for KU honestly.

I’ve read quite a few RH stories but I still managed to enjoy this one. I mean…is it realistic? Nah, but it’s cool lmao. And I had a fab time reading about gang wars and young people who shouldn’t be that rich out of nowhere. The drama was entertaining too - the revenge plot things were a tad bit childish sometimes tbh but the vibes were immaculate.

P.S: Top guy in this book for me is probably Steele ✨

Content Warnings

whatjasread's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

• i really enjoyed this one, MK was feisty as hell (yes occasionally petty but I'll allow it all things considered)
• i adore kody and steele so much, i don't know how she controlled herself the entire time i'd say screw the anger if it was me
• i still need to warm up to archer, he's still a bit too alpha for me and not in a good way, he needs to tone down the 'go to your room' stuff cos it's giving me too much dad and not enough daddy
• i feel like a bit more could have happened but at the same time, i enjoyed the set up of them getting to know each other
• idk it's just the vibes innit?
• i also didn't like that they called her by her full name, madison kate is such a mouthful, feels like she's just being scolded by her parents the whole time
• i'm so intrigued by the gang war
• mostly just hot as hell isn't it

TWs: panic attacks, dubcon, ref to infidelity/affair, pregnancy, violence, blood, gore, stabbing, alcohol consumption, drug use, smoking, car accident, death of parent (before book)

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