bkaur's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
adrianab2021's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
kerrythefire's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Good stuff. Emily McIntire consistently delivers. And I love me a good enemies to lovers!
The tone of this book was different from the previous three in the Never After series in that it wasn't quite as explicit in its brutality. (Ignoring the implicit brutality of the diamond trade in reality, of course.) Light torture and really only one moment of gore. Without it and the murder, it honestly could have been a "regular" (read 'not dark') romance.
Julian's anti-hero also felt a little different from the others. A little less unhinged. (Even though he did go around killing people, so there's that.) Hard to explain, but I think it's that this book really drew the strong connections between the things that happened in his past and why he is the way he is... So his character and character development felt believable. The peeks into his emotions and vulnerability with Yasmin (and Ali some) also added more dimensions to him. He felt human. And the "are you mine?" bit... Oof 🥴
Yasmin had the makings of the type of heroine I don't like - damsel in distress, helpless, an emotional doormat who lets people walk over her - and I was kind of frustrated with her loyalty to her father at the beginning. In real life I also get frustrated with people pleasers, but I totally get that her behavior is a real thing so her character was believable. But I ended up liking her ok because she wasn't actually meek, she did have some comand and fire in her, and I liked that it added to the story that is was Julian who really brought that out in her. I like when the MCs have that push and pull and fierce tension with each other (which is probably why Scarred is my other favorite hero/heroine pairing in the series).
Small thing, but I also really liked the resolution between Julian and his mother.
And as always, love the little sprinkling in of nods to the original fairy tale.Â
The tone of this book was different from the previous three in the Never After series in that it wasn't quite as explicit in its brutality. (Ignoring the implicit brutality of the diamond trade in reality, of course.) Light torture and really only one moment of gore. Without it and the murder, it honestly could have been a "regular" (read 'not dark') romance.
Julian's anti-hero also felt a little different from the others. A little less unhinged. (Even though he did go around killing people, so there's that.) Hard to explain, but I think it's that this book really drew the strong connections between the things that happened in his past and why he is the way he is... So his character and character development felt believable. The peeks into his emotions and vulnerability with Yasmin (and Ali some) also added more dimensions to him. He felt human. And the "are you mine?" bit... Oof 🥴
Yasmin had the makings of the type of heroine I don't like - damsel in distress, helpless, an emotional doormat who lets people walk over her - and I was kind of frustrated with her loyalty to her father at the beginning. In real life I also get frustrated with people pleasers, but I totally get that her behavior is a real thing so her character was believable. But I ended up liking her ok because she wasn't actually meek, she did have some comand and fire in her, and I liked that it added to the story that is was Julian who really brought that out in her. I like when the MCs have that push and pull and fierce tension with each other (which is probably why Scarred is my other favorite hero/heroine pairing in the series).
Small thing, but I also really liked the resolution between Julian and his mother.
Spoiler
Too often these kinds of toxic and abusive relationships with parents are just closed up nice and tidy in books, with the child finding forgiveness and the relationship being miraculously saved or on the mend by the end of the book. Not only does that not always happen in real life, but it's also not the default desired outcome I think should be pushed. In real life and books I am fully team cut toxic, abusive people out of your life. Blood be damned. History be damned. We don't owe our abusers shit, regardless of who they are. It was super gratifying that part of Julian's growth was to set that boundary and release himself from his mom and his guilt tied up in it.And as always, love the little sprinkling in of nods to the original fairy tale.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, and Child abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, and Torture
Minor: Death of parent
millercr427's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
hayleybetts20's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lauralovesowls's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
margsvdv's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Pretty disappointed to be honest. The pacing was very.. odd. It starts really nice with the and then it just straight up boring until 55% of the book where the pacing starts to pick up again. I binged the second part of the book in one go and I'm just not sure how to feel about it.Â
I did enjoy the extended epilogue tho.
Spoiler
cuckold sceneI did enjoy the extended epilogue tho.
chlostersays's review against another edition
dark
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Murder