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don_love725's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
shedevilreads's review
4.0
Beautiful Deceptions & Sweet Miseries by Steph Macca is a dark why choose college romance. This is the first book in the Groveton College series and each book can be read as a standalone.
This is the first book of Steph's that I have read, and it definitely won't be my last. I really enjoyed the relationship that bloomed between Addison, Beau, Jax, and Chase. The boys really helped Addison grow and become the person she was always meant to be.
I would recommend this book if you like college romances, BDSM romances, why choose romances, or contemporary romances.
This is the first book of Steph's that I have read, and it definitely won't be my last. I really enjoyed the relationship that bloomed between Addison, Beau, Jax, and Chase. The boys really helped Addison grow and become the person she was always meant to be.
I would recommend this book if you like college romances, BDSM romances, why choose romances, or contemporary romances.
stucknbooks14's review
4.0
(I received an ARC for this book)
Trigger Warnings include:
Abuse/domestic violence including narcissistic tendencies, gaslighting and physical abuse; assault/violence, cheating, STDs, BDSM including toys, rope play, spanking, bondage, sensory deprivation
The terrible things included in the trigger warnings are HEAVILY involved, in full detail, right there on the page. If ANY of that is hurtful to you mental health, PLEASE do not read this. We get to see first hand how AWFUL Addison’s (thankfully now ex) boyfriend is. And we also get to see her bloom into her true self. A strong woman. A force, a storm. With the help of a few…friends *wink wink* Addison finds her inner goddess, and it’s impossible to not cheer her on! We meet Beau first, and he doesn’t hesitate to go into protective mode. He never bats an eye. He’s calm in a way that makes her feel safe, but there’s also an understanding there’s a beast ready to be unleashed to protect her. Chase was my favorite. I swooned for him first. Jax is the brunt force paired with his brother’s calmness. He’s a little more closed off than Beau and Chase, but no less protective and supportive. He just does it in his own way. We didn’t get nearly enough time with Jax, and he felt like too much of a stranger. I loved that while this was a why choose with all those dynamics, the main focus was on Addie and her journey to find her strength.
Hurricane: 20
My Favorite Quotes:
• “You deserve someone who will shatter you into a million pieces in the best way possible, then put you back together so you shine so bright that you glow for days afterwards."
• “Pick yourself for once."
• “I can feel your body holding onto me like it's afraid to lose me."
• “You taste delicious. No wonder he couldn't resist you."
• “You can take it for me."
• “You're doing such a good job for me."
• “Even on your knees, you hold all the power.”
• “I love hearing you choke on me."
• “I really want my car to smell of you.
• “You can even bring us to our knees too."
• “Are you going to come for us?"
• “A girl shouldn't have to choose if she doesn't want to."
8/10 Dirty Birdy
7/10 Friends to Lovers
6/10 Forced Proximity
6/10 Sports Romance
6/10 Why Choose
Trigger Warnings include:
Abuse/domestic violence including narcissistic tendencies, gaslighting and physical abuse; assault/violence, cheating, STDs, BDSM including toys, rope play, spanking, bondage, sensory deprivation
The terrible things included in the trigger warnings are HEAVILY involved, in full detail, right there on the page. If ANY of that is hurtful to you mental health, PLEASE do not read this. We get to see first hand how AWFUL Addison’s (thankfully now ex) boyfriend is. And we also get to see her bloom into her true self. A strong woman. A force, a storm. With the help of a few…friends *wink wink* Addison finds her inner goddess, and it’s impossible to not cheer her on! We meet Beau first, and he doesn’t hesitate to go into protective mode. He never bats an eye. He’s calm in a way that makes her feel safe, but there’s also an understanding there’s a beast ready to be unleashed to protect her. Chase was my favorite. I swooned for him first. Jax is the brunt force paired with his brother’s calmness. He’s a little more closed off than Beau and Chase, but no less protective and supportive. He just does it in his own way. We didn’t get nearly enough time with Jax, and he felt like too much of a stranger. I loved that while this was a why choose with all those dynamics, the main focus was on Addie and her journey to find her strength.
Hurricane: 20
My Favorite Quotes:
• “You deserve someone who will shatter you into a million pieces in the best way possible, then put you back together so you shine so bright that you glow for days afterwards."
• “Pick yourself for once."
• “I can feel your body holding onto me like it's afraid to lose me."
• “You taste delicious. No wonder he couldn't resist you."
• “You can take it for me."
• “You're doing such a good job for me."
• “Even on your knees, you hold all the power.”
• “I love hearing you choke on me."
• “I really want my car to smell of you.
• “You can even bring us to our knees too."
• “Are you going to come for us?"
• “A girl shouldn't have to choose if she doesn't want to."
8/10 Dirty Birdy
7/10 Friends to Lovers
6/10 Forced Proximity
6/10 Sports Romance
6/10 Why Choose
snowflake86's review
5.0
Why choose one
Loved this start to new world. Addie was so much fun and her growth was amazing to watch.
Only wish it had been slightly longer.
Can't wait for the rest in the series.
Loved this start to new world. Addie was so much fun and her growth was amazing to watch.
Only wish it had been slightly longer.
Can't wait for the rest in the series.
readaholic7's review
4.0
This was another fantastic read from Steph Macca. I loved the growth that Addie experienced in over coming the struggles she had to face. It was a great RH read with a small introduction into BDSM.
lady_h_reads's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
“You deserve someone who will shatter you into a million pieces in the best way possible, then put you back together so you shine so bright that you glow for days afterwards."
What a fun, one-sitting read! BDSM is the first book released in the Groveton College shared world, and it came in hot and heavy.
We get three doms who are there to pick up the pieces of the broken FMC, helping her find herself and offering endless pleasures. Orgasms are the best for stress relief. They also take on the roles of protectors, saving her from an abusive ex and her best friend’s manipulations.
This story is fast burn and spicy. There are BDSM elements and the boys include healthy communication about needs and boundaries before engaging in activities (probably my favorite part of the story, outside the supportive relationships they develop – there is a lack of this communication in many similar stories). MF and group scenes are explicitly depicted.
BDSM is a standalone that ends in an uplifting HEA.
Genre: College Romance
Tropes/Features: Some dark elements (Gaslighting and abusive ex, on page DV), best friends to lovers, three dom MMCs, DV survivor FMC, twins, healing, finding oneself
Narrator: Single 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: Why Choose MFMM, fast burn, spicy (BDSM)
Book Type/Ending: Standalone in Groveton College shared world, HEA
TW/CW: Available in book
audiobook_chaos's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
When Addison finds out her BF of over a year has been cheating on her she goes out to drown her sorrows running into Beau who she mistakes for Jax who she met when she drowned him in his drink on a previous night . When her ex bf gets abusive she turns to Beau who along with Jax and Chase tell her she can stay with them for a while .
amityhorror's review
5.0
A story of strangers who took in a girl who had been discarded and gaslighted, turned friends turned love.
This story was lighthearted with 3 doms getting a girl to learn about herself under the guise of dating and "friends with benefits"
Beau, Jax and Chase each had their own personality traits any girl would fall for. Plus each technique was different, and I loved that they each made Addison feel safe. The story was a whirlwind romance and I wish it had been longer because I just loved them a bunch.
The only downside of this book was it was single pov, but as I was talking to Steph about the book, I realized it definitely was a mystery as to their Intentions. Did they fall in love with her at the club and just wanted her to trust them? Why would they push her to date?
I whole hearted loved this book and I truly hope Steph writes more about them. Maybe an extended epilogue or something.
This story was lighthearted with 3 doms getting a girl to learn about herself under the guise of dating and "friends with benefits"
Beau, Jax and Chase each had their own personality traits any girl would fall for. Plus each technique was different, and I loved that they each made Addison feel safe. The story was a whirlwind romance and I wish it had been longer because I just loved them a bunch.
The only downside of this book was it was single pov, but as I was talking to Steph about the book, I realized it definitely was a mystery as to their Intentions. Did they fall in love with her at the club and just wanted her to trust them? Why would they push her to date?
I whole hearted loved this book and I truly hope Steph writes more about them. Maybe an extended epilogue or something.