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emptzuu's review
The plot started tight but then unraveled with unnecessary events. There was no real romance. Morgan and Lorenzo seemed more like friends with benefits. He used her like every other man in her life, and the sex scenes were rather dry. I know this is a dark romance, but I found it alarming that Lorenzo kept going during sex when Morgan was beginning to dissociate.
The social commentary felt out of place and out of character for everyone. Morgan's behavior was never well-explored or explained. She’s terrified of Aristov but doesn’t flinch when Lorenzo does similar things? Her character lacks nuance, suggesting the author didn’t research trauma and its effects. Lorenzo was a bit better but still one-dimensional. The author kept telling, not showing. If he's a ruthless murderer, why does he keep talking about The Lion King and Capri Sun? These moments make the book feel like a parody of a dark romance than an actual dark romance. Breaking the fourth wall reinforces this perception.
The social commentary felt out of place and out of character for everyone. Morgan's behavior was never well-explored or explained. She’s terrified of Aristov but doesn’t flinch when Lorenzo does similar things? Her character lacks nuance, suggesting the author didn’t research trauma and its effects. Lorenzo was a bit better but still one-dimensional. The author kept telling, not showing. If he's a ruthless murderer, why does he keep talking about The Lion King and Capri Sun? These moments make the book feel like a parody of a dark romance than an actual dark romance. Breaking the fourth wall reinforces this perception.
This could have been a fantastic single book, instead the author added unnecessary scenes and details to stretch it out. The chapters about the little girl were especially unnecessary; they added nothing to the story. Some of the descriptions were repeated a lot, which got tiring. The book is full of stereotypes—from mafia to sex workers to villains. The plot twists were boring and predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, and Murder
umamah's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, and Blood
Minor: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and Death of parent
ruthiedr89's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Trafficking
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