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liaantje's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I so live this writing!
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
the_wistful_word_witch's review
- 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? Yes
4.0
But it wasn't all spice and kink! There's revenge, murder, a burgeoning love story (that I believed a bit more than Rae and Leon's), a LOT of trauma, and a death cult to an eldritch god....
It's a somehow spicy yet traumatic read if you like dark romance, but be sure to read the triggers!
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
melli_sophie's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement and Religious bigotry
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
spatterson7's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Car accident
lisa07xie's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
helopiccin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Death, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use and Forced institutionalization
tguccione's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Car accident
zarakoconnor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Medical trauma, and Alcohol
weelasswithabook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“You can be broken,” he said. “You’ll never be too broken for me. We can be monsters; you and I. We can be wretched, messy, strange things. If you’re afraid, then you can be afraid. When you lose your light, I’ll still come back for you in the dark. You’re not alone.” He kissed my forehead. “You’ll never be alone again.”
⭐ Dark romance
⭐ Paranormal romance
⭐ Horror erotic romance
🌈 Queer MCs
🌶️ CNC/Chasing
🌶️ Edgeplay
🌶️ Blood play
🌶️ Femdom
🌶️ Body modification (scarification and piercing)
🌶️ D/S switches
🌶️ Exhibitionism/voyeurism
This book was so good!!! Sequels are always a risk when the first book was a 5⭐ read, but this was a perfect follow up to Her Soul to Keep.
The story runs parallel to the events of HSTK, and gives us Zane and Juniper's perspectives while intersecting with elements of the story in HSTK so it was great to see some familiar faces in the mix. I was worried the parallel plot might become tiresome incase it was essentially the same story played out with different characters, but I was pleasantly surprised that we got a really unique story with the familiarity of the setting and plotline.
I loved Juniper's character in this book, shes such a determined and strong character who seems unafraid of anything from the outside, but fragile inside. Her character is coded as having PTSD from her previous experiences, and it was handled sensitively. Her panic attacks and flashbacks allowed us a glimpse into her previous experiences without having them play out before the story begins (although we did already have some insight from HSTK).
I know that the book specifically says in the intro that it's not to be used as a realistic depiction of BDSM, however, I felt that it properly explored how BDSM practices can aid in someone's healing, particularly in this situation where Juniper struggles with control and having her life taken away from her, she finds peace and comfort in giving her submission willingly. While it was definitely spicy, I think that those scenes really facilitated her development as a character and it was wonderful to see play out. The push and pull, and the fight for dominance between the two was 😘👌
As for the storyline, again, while it follows the same plotline, HSFR really offered a fresh perspective from Zane and Juniper as their own conflicts, relationship, and self contained plot was completely different to Leon and Rae. I really enjoyed the sarcasm and banter between the two of them and felt like they were genuinely what the other needed.
If dark romance, erotica, and horror are you're bag, I encourage to give this series a shot (please just check the TWs).
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting
Minor: Confinement, Vomit, Cannibalism, and Fire/Fire injury
heybethrenee's review against another edition
3.5
Wow. I’ve read dark romance before but this was a WHOLE another level. I really did enjoy Zane and Junipers dynamic tho and Harley did a great job of including it in the trilogy but also making it a stand alone. Like I wasn’t bored with any of the repetition of information or plot points which was awesome
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, and Alcohol