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brookey8888's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Listen my rating system is not all the same. Because technically this is not a four probably like a three, but I had so much fun reading this I’m rating it just on the vibes. This is not while written and the characters were actually annoying, but I just found myself so entertained. I did like the characters together for the most part. This does have heavier topics which I wasn’t expecting, but what made it more interesting. The spicy scenes are honestly kind of bad. IT’s instalove as well which is annoying because this is a 500 page book but whatever. I literally just listed all the things I didn’t like and yet it’s still a four star. Maybe my rating will change later but who knows.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
reading_w_dee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
At the beginning I was worried, but had hopes that it wouldn't be anything like the Fifty Shades series. I wanted so much more for this book. It did have a good plot with fun and intriguing characters, but then about half way through I felt it was really waylaid with all the romance. It went hot and heavy for a while and almost felt like I lost the main idea of the plot. I almost forgot her whole backstory for a little while…
I feel this book could have been a little bit shorter, but all in all, it was a good thriller romance novel. Full of some hard topics, this is not for the faint of heart.
I feel this book could have been a little bit shorter, but all in all, it was a good thriller romance novel. Full of some hard topics, this is not for the faint of heart.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Trafficking
intermvndos's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
idk why i torture myself with el James’ books but alas
some highlights:
- Alessia bites her TOP lip out of habit. Maxim finds this unbearably sexy
- the perspective switches at random between Alessia and Maxim. Your only hint that this has happened is Maxim’s sections are in first person and Alessia’s are in third person
- the inexplicable metaphor “pouring oil on [Maxim’s] troubled waters”
some highlights:
- Alessia bites her TOP lip out of habit. Maxim finds this unbearably sexy
- the perspective switches at random between Alessia and Maxim. Your only hint that this has happened is Maxim’s sections are in first person and Alessia’s are in third person
- the inexplicable metaphor “pouring oil on [Maxim’s] troubled waters”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexism and Trafficking
stephs1531's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
This was a nice palate cleanser after all the fantasy I’ve been reading. It was sexy, sad, but from what I could tell at least it wasn’t a toxic relationship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Trafficking, and Kidnapping
shann_reads_'s review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
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
4.0
Love a good bit of smut every now and again, and E L James did not disappoint once again. Easy to read, easy to get to know the characters and join them in their quick journey from strangers to lovers to partners with a lot of hiccups on the way. Rich meets the poor, and they fight to stay together despite everything and everyone trying to pull them apart. And of course a few raunchy scenes along the way!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Trafficking
a_l_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
story and Plot -> 3.75
i didn't enjoy the constant wave of slow and fast paced. the faster paced parts were interesting and addictive to read. during the slower paced parts, where nothing much plot.relevant happened, i sometimes just skimmed the pages, to get to the more interesting parts.
writing -> 2.5
i found there to be too many repetitive mentioning and overused metaphors to describe feelings and circumstances. sometimes the pov's changed back and forth too quickly for my taste.
i didn't enjoy the constant wave of slow and fast paced. the faster paced parts were interesting and addictive to read. during the slower paced parts, where nothing much plot.relevant happened, i sometimes just skimmed the pages, to get to the more interesting parts.
writing -> 2.5
i found there to be too many repetitive mentioning and overused metaphors to describe feelings and circumstances. sometimes the pov's changed back and forth too quickly for my taste.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
bookishemma's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
<spoiler>
Alessia and Maxim's relationship is loveable and easy to read, the flaws and the depth of her character is great and the portrayal of her PTSD (albeit not a focus of the book.) is great. The way the plot is woven throughout the story is great and the writing has matured a lot from her other works. I have a few criticisms of the lack of Maxim's character growth and his somewhat controlling behaviours but other than that it is great. Furthermore, the incorporation of Albanian culture through Alessia's perspective really adds to the tension in the story, It is worth a read, it is not as immature and 'fanfictionish' as her other works and does teach some good lessons throughout it. thoroughly enjoyed it. </spoiler>
Alessia and Maxim's relationship is loveable and easy to read, the flaws and the depth of her character is great and the portrayal of her PTSD (albeit not a focus of the book.) is great. The way the plot is woven throughout the story is great and the writing has matured a lot from her other works. I have a few criticisms of the lack of Maxim's character growth and his somewhat controlling behaviours but other than that it is great. Furthermore, the incorporation of Albanian culture through Alessia's perspective really adds to the tension in the story, It is worth a read, it is not as immature and 'fanfictionish' as her other works and does teach some good lessons throughout it. thoroughly enjoyed it. </spoiler>
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Physical abuse, and Violence
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