emelielindblom's review
dark
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? No
4.0
h_reads_a_lot's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
nemerith's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
amywarnes's review
2.25
This book was a bit of a disappointment, considering how strong the series started.
At the beginning of the series I loved 2 things that were unusual for this type of RH. 1. The FMC was badass without being obnoxious and she had more personality than just being "stabby" all of the time. 2. She showed interest in the guys without frothing over how hot they are constantly. Unfortunately both of those things became more and more frequent throughout the series. Honestly, I was kind of disappointed with how Jolie's character developed over the series and turned out in this book. The series started off feeling really unique but this one just felt so generic and predictable.
It's a big pet peeve of mine in romances when the characters are constantly getting turned on just by the mere presence of their love interest(s), and this book was terrible for it. Especially the guys getting turn on by Jolie threatening people, it got really repetitive and boring to read. There's a time and a place for those things, I don't need to read about how the FMC wants to climb her guy like a tree every time we get a description of his outfit.
Sadly the plot got pretty weak in this one too. I mentioned in the first two reviews my dislike for solving problems off-page by calling up a tech guy to action some vague, apparently pre-arranged plan, but this book got terrible for that. Also, it seems really out of character for James Spencer to give Elise access to everything in his company? Why would she have an important cypher on her phone?? Then in the scene where James has Bridgette hostage and she just... slaps the gun away?? There were just a lot of things like that that were way too convenient and kind of silly.
The first book I couldn't put down but by the end of this one I was basically reading just so I could be finished with it.
At the beginning of the series I loved 2 things that were unusual for this type of RH. 1. The FMC was badass without being obnoxious and she had more personality than just being "stabby" all of the time. 2. She showed interest in the guys without frothing over how hot they are constantly. Unfortunately both of those things became more and more frequent throughout the series. Honestly, I was kind of disappointed with how Jolie's character developed over the series and turned out in this book. The series started off feeling really unique but this one just felt so generic and predictable.
It's a big pet peeve of mine in romances when the characters are constantly getting turned on just by the mere presence of their love interest(s), and this book was terrible for it. Especially the guys getting turn on by Jolie threatening people, it got really repetitive and boring to read. There's a time and a place for those things, I don't need to read about how the FMC wants to climb her guy like a tree every time we get a description of his outfit.
Sadly the plot got pretty weak in this one too. I mentioned in the first two reviews my dislike for solving problems off-page by calling up a tech guy to action some vague, apparently pre-arranged plan, but this book got terrible for that. Also, it seems really out of character for James Spencer to give Elise access to everything in his company? Why would she have an important cypher on her phone?? Then in the scene where James has Bridgette hostage and she just... slaps the gun away?? There were just a lot of things like that that were way too convenient and kind of silly.
The first book I couldn't put down but by the end of this one I was basically reading just so I could be finished with it.
tmanning710's review
5.0
This book was absolutely everything that I could have wanted it to be. Jolie continues to be the fierce queen that she has been from the beginning. And now that all of her guys are on board I was just waiting for the total chaos to begin! I have to admit that it was kind of cathartic seeing the takedown of every single one of the heads of the families. Not only that, but the revenge that was had on some of the side characters from the school was just…*chef’s kiss* amazing.
Most of the time we see the whole “touch her and die” trope in these types of books. What I loved about this one is that it has a “touch HIM and die” trope, that we very rarely see. I loved that we see the guys being the ones to hold Jolie back instead of the other way around. Add in the banter between Jolie and her guys, as well as all of the side characters and I was cracking up through so much of this book.
While I’m sad to see the series end, it couldn’t have been done in a better way. I flew through all 3 books back to back in no time. I seriously didn’t want to put my kindle down to stop reading and I definitely gave up some sleep because it was more important for me to keep reading. I cannot wait for Max and Frankies book because I know that it’s going to be absolutely amazing!
Most of the time we see the whole “touch her and die” trope in these types of books. What I loved about this one is that it has a “touch HIM and die” trope, that we very rarely see. I loved that we see the guys being the ones to hold Jolie back instead of the other way around. Add in the banter between Jolie and her guys, as well as all of the side characters and I was cracking up through so much of this book.
While I’m sad to see the series end, it couldn’t have been done in a better way. I flew through all 3 books back to back in no time. I seriously didn’t want to put my kindle down to stop reading and I definitely gave up some sleep because it was more important for me to keep reading. I cannot wait for Max and Frankies book because I know that it’s going to be absolutely amazing!
stuffandwhatnot's review
4.0
The tying up loose ends, solidifying the harem with some fourway boinking, final acts of revenge, HEA volume of this series. All in all a fast-paced, enjoyable trilogy (though vol. 2 was my fave).
marleereads's review
4.0
FULL SERIES RATING: 4.5 ⭐️
“I stepped forward, feeling so much strength in the wake of Bennett’s impassioned declaration. With my boys standing behind me, I was unstoppable. I was loved”
Well shit, I don’t know what kind of crack the author put in this series, but I am OBSESSED.
Jolie was such a strong, smart, badass FMC. I’m a little in love with her. She never turned her back on her revenge or got distracted by the guys.
The SPICE
“I stepped forward, feeling so much strength in the wake of Bennett’s impassioned declaration. With my boys standing behind me, I was unstoppable. I was loved”
Well shit, I don’t know what kind of crack the author put in this series, but I am OBSESSED.
Jolie was such a strong, smart, badass FMC. I’m a little in love with her. She never turned her back on her revenge or got distracted by the guys.
The SPICE
rhreviewer91's review
5.0
I am definitely going to be in a book slump after this!
I have read hundreds and hundreds of books over the last year and a half. This series quickly jumped to my top 3 favourites!
We get EVERYTHING wrapped up in this book - The main Tier One kids that caused trouble, the corrupt parents of The Heirs, their friends who made the most impact throughout the series, the companies... It was all played out in the story or summed up at the end amazingly well, so smoothly!
In my opinion, this series is 5 stars across the board.
5 for spice.
5 for storyline / plot.
5 for characters (they were diverse, personable, and there was also great character building).
5 for spelling, grammar, and punctuation (this can drive me crazy when reading - I found none of it in these books!).
5 - 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 for EVERYTHING.
I stand and applaud you, Ms. Elizabeth Dear. FANTASTIC job!!
I have read hundreds and hundreds of books over the last year and a half. This series quickly jumped to my top 3 favourites!
We get EVERYTHING wrapped up in this book - The main Tier One kids that caused trouble, the corrupt parents of The Heirs, their friends who made the most impact throughout the series, the companies... It was all played out in the story or summed up at the end amazingly well, so smoothly!
In my opinion, this series is 5 stars across the board.
5 for spice.
5 for storyline / plot.
5 for characters (they were diverse, personable, and there was also great character building).
5 for spelling, grammar, and punctuation (this can drive me crazy when reading - I found none of it in these books!).
5 - 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 for EVERYTHING.
I stand and applaud you, Ms. Elizabeth Dear. FANTASTIC job!!
daisybox's review
3.0
I waited for this book for so long it seems!
I knew what will likely happen but I was still a bit disappointed. I think I liked it more when Jolie was Joanna and when she was angry and revengeful. She still is here but the things that draw me into this series were absent in this last book: the academy bully romance, the confrontations between Jolie and the guys.
The academy is barely a background to the story and it got repetitive to me.
First Zach get hurt, they fought, then they rested then Noah get hurt, they fought, they rested. In the middle of that, they planned. Still bonkers to me how Jolie planned for 7 years but in barely 6 months everything get solved.
The deaths were a bit anticlimactic as well. Zach's aunt that appeared out of nowhere, mentioned once before and then she completely disappeared from the story until the very end. Like for Elise, I think Jolie should have been the one to kill Andrea and James.
I won't even talk about how bananas it was for them to let Noah's father flee. Yes he didn't pull the trigger but he was ok with the whole thing, so he deserved to be punished?!
After two books full of it, the name calling got old really fast here. And I don't want to read the words "little/tiny sleep shorts" ever again.
Harper's end was too soft, she literally tried to kill Jolie!!!
I needed more Mari, Frankie Max in this last book too. I know Max and Frankie's novella is coming but urgh, I love them so much.
I re-read the series and I really wish the first book had the guy's POV because some things made no sense (specially that scene where Zach whistled away from a visibly hurt and shaken Jolie, it was out of character - why they didn't punish Chad when they realised he was hurt when Jolie came back to school, the guys all clearly realised both incidents were related).
I also wish the mean girls were a bit different because they were interchangeable. They talk the same way.
I knew what will likely happen but I was still a bit disappointed. I think I liked it more when Jolie was Joanna and when she was angry and revengeful. She still is here but the things that draw me into this series were absent in this last book: the academy bully romance, the confrontations between Jolie and the guys.
The academy is barely a background to the story and it got repetitive to me.
First Zach get hurt, they fought, then they rested then Noah get hurt, they fought, they rested. In the middle of that, they planned. Still bonkers to me how Jolie planned for 7 years but in barely 6 months everything get solved.
The deaths were a bit anticlimactic as well. Zach's aunt that appeared out of nowhere, mentioned once before and then she completely disappeared from the story until the very end. Like for Elise, I think Jolie should have been the one to kill Andrea and James.
I won't even talk about how bananas it was for them to let Noah's father flee. Yes he didn't pull the trigger but he was ok with the whole thing, so he deserved to be punished?!
After two books full of it, the name calling got old really fast here. And I don't want to read the words "little/tiny sleep shorts" ever again.
Harper's end was too soft, she literally tried to kill Jolie!!!
I needed more Mari, Frankie Max in this last book too. I know Max and Frankie's novella is coming but urgh, I love them so much.
I re-read the series and I really wish the first book had the guy's POV because some things made no sense (specially that scene where Zach whistled away from a visibly hurt and shaken Jolie, it was out of character - why they didn't punish Chad when they realised he was hurt when Jolie came back to school, the guys all clearly realised both incidents were related).
I also wish the mean girls were a bit different because they were interchangeable. They talk the same way.