magnetgrrl's review
3.0
I read a bunch of lesbian romance novels this year. Most of them very early in the year, in like January-February. This one I read sometime in the fall I think.
This was... OK. I can't remember a ton of detail about it. I remember it was an opposites attract / "we act like we don't get along but it's only because we are so tortured about how much we like each other but know the other one would never feel the same way" romance setup. I don't remember any sex scene at all - if it was there, maybe not memorable?
What I DO remember is that it's also sort of a cop-drama police book, set around a mystery at a girls school in a very weird town, and the story takes a cultist-y turn with Lovecraftian undertones that I found surprising.
I can't believe this is part of a series because I'm not sure where one would go with these characters next now that you've got them together at the end of book one. Maybe I'll give one a go though just to find out. I like mysteries and crime novels in general.
This was... OK. I can't remember a ton of detail about it. I remember it was an opposites attract / "we act like we don't get along but it's only because we are so tortured about how much we like each other but know the other one would never feel the same way" romance setup. I don't remember any sex scene at all - if it was there, maybe not memorable?
What I DO remember is that it's also sort of a cop-drama police book, set around a mystery at a girls school in a very weird town, and the story takes a cultist-y turn with Lovecraftian undertones that I found surprising.
I can't believe this is part of a series because I'm not sure where one would go with these characters next now that you've got them together at the end of book one. Maybe I'll give one a go though just to find out. I like mysteries and crime novels in general.
karelle's review
Because there was no mystery, no investigation, a lot of repetitive statement, and I was very uneasy about one of the woman that was not respecting the limits the other woman wanted about public display of affection.
mary_stormageddon's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The one thing this book has going for it is that the author knows how to write a good sex scene. But following it up with one of the characters talking about her childhood SA trauma a paragraph later was a poor choice. Also, I'm going to assume she never hired an editor, which is a shame. They could have helped her trim unnecessary chapters and go more into what could have helped develop the story more, which would have made this the book this story deserves. Also, PLEASE check trigger warnings if you need to! This book has a lot!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Incest, Alcohol, Gun violence, Suicide, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Child death
A lot of people who were born via incestnicoletavares's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
3.5
The premise is paper thin (least convincing FBI agents ever and I give a lot of realism leeway in my cop dramas) and the characters a bit stock. The supernatural/cult elements added tension but weren't resolved well.
Once established mid way through the book, the romance was quite enjoyable. Sex scenes are Gerri's strong point and she knocks it out of the park here.
Once established mid way through the book, the romance was quite enjoyable. Sex scenes are Gerri's strong point and she knocks it out of the park here.
coops456's review
2.0
Bizarre-o goings-on investigated by highly unconvincing undercover FBI agents. Definitely not Hill's finest work.
ramintah's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Violence, and Pedophilia
Minor: Suicide
onlytal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? No
4.0
I love a fun Gerri Hill book! I wasn't expecting the supernatural, creepy aspects but enjoyed them. The ending was very quick and a major point seemed unfinished
karlycay's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this! It's like a creepy X files episode, but with queer women. However, CW for sexual assault, recounted child sexual abuse, and suicide.
frog_tmk's review
3.0
Maybe a 3.25 or 3.5 star?
Overall I think I enjoyed this?? I've been trying to find more FF/FX romantic suspense or crime mysteries with romance subplots and it looks like Gerri Hill has quite a catalogue?
Two FBI agents on the same team end up going undercover to a creepy town where women keep disappearing. Their cover is being a lesbian couple who work nearby. They also had a one night stand a while back that neither talk about which adds to the sexual tension/awkwardness. So there's a fun fake relationship/playing house/only one bed situation going on along with the actual case.
The romance and sex scenes were great - no glossing over, fade to black, or euphemisms, which is appreciated. There's also some vulnerability and cute moments, which was a good break from the bleak plot.
What I'm still confused on is the actual case, since it wasn't completely wrapped up, and there's a supernatural monster and creepy magic intertwined in, without this being a pnr/fantasy story. There also was a lot of trauma, cultist creepy behavior, unknown creepiness, and vivid descriptions of childhood trauma (CWs below) that were rough to get through, and didn't really add to the plot or help define the characters more? This book ended on a cliffhanger, with kind of a hfn and the case wrapped up as well. Just a bit confused at the stopping point in this, but there is one more book.
CW: the r slur was used, there's a F/? (Man and monster?) R*pe of a secondary character (the man is also maybe her bio dad??) discussions of childhood trauma including: domestic abuse, parental neglect, incest, & a father r*ping his daughters, suicide, and child pregnancy. Murder, cultist behavior, a creepy lizard reptilian style monster chasing people in the woods.
Just a FYI - this book also has multiple POV's from both the two heroines and many secondary and side characters for those who don't love multiple random POV's.
The jury is still out on if I really did like it, or was glad for a crime/mystery + solid FF romance story.
Overall I think I enjoyed this?? I've been trying to find more FF/FX romantic suspense or crime mysteries with romance subplots and it looks like Gerri Hill has quite a catalogue?
Two FBI agents on the same team end up going undercover to a creepy town where women keep disappearing. Their cover is being a lesbian couple who work nearby. They also had a one night stand a while back that neither talk about which adds to the sexual tension/awkwardness. So there's a fun fake relationship/playing house/only one bed situation going on along with the actual case.
The romance and sex scenes were great - no glossing over, fade to black, or euphemisms, which is appreciated. There's also some vulnerability and cute moments, which was a good break from the bleak plot.
What I'm still confused on is the actual case, since it wasn't completely wrapped up, and there's a supernatural monster and creepy magic intertwined in, without this being a pnr/fantasy story. There also was a lot of trauma, cultist creepy behavior, unknown creepiness, and vivid descriptions of childhood trauma (CWs below) that were rough to get through, and didn't really add to the plot or help define the characters more? This book ended on a cliffhanger, with kind of a hfn and the case wrapped up as well. Just a bit confused at the stopping point in this, but there is one more book.
CW: the r slur was used, there's a F/? (Man and monster?) R*pe of a secondary character (the man is also maybe her bio dad??) discussions of childhood trauma including: domestic abuse, parental neglect, incest, & a father r*ping his daughters, suicide, and child pregnancy. Murder, cultist behavior, a creepy lizard reptilian style monster chasing people in the woods.
Just a FYI - this book also has multiple POV's from both the two heroines and many secondary and side characters for those who don't love multiple random POV's.
The jury is still out on if I really did like it, or was glad for a crime/mystery + solid FF romance story.