handette's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Car accident
Moderate: Death of parent, Trafficking, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, and Abandonment
thefantasybookaddict's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Trafficking, and Car accident
Moderate: Sexual assault and Vomit
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
zellapaige's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
4.5
Trigger Warnings!! Please check them before you decide to read this book, there is a lot and they are intense. The author has a very comprehensive list of warnings at the front of the book so they are easy to check. All that said I do think that the blurb for this book is a touch misleading. While the blurb does allude to the danger and violence that Silas has faced, it in no way communicates the brand or intensity of that violence. In the content warnings, the author says "A character [the omega, Silas] suffers from PTSD and experiences several active symptoms including heightened startle response, fear of physical touch, nightmares, depression/numbness, suicidal thoughts, and memory loss/confusion." All of that is accurate, but I would go so far as to say that the majority of the plot and drama of this book is about Silas's PTSD and the violence he faced as a human trafficking victim. That is not an exaggeration, this book is at least 50/50 romance to trauma survival, leaning more towards surviving the trauma. Despite the heavy topics, I found the book incredibly satisfying and the romance HEA a hard-won delight.
Silas frowned again. He didn't know why it bothered him, but it did. He wasn't used to people doing things for him. At least, never anything he wanted them to do. Since meeting Bear, it was like the alpha couldn't stop doing things for him. Getting him out of the road, taking him to the vet, bringing him home, leaving him water and pills. If he expected anything from Silas in return, his alpha ass would be disappointed. (Slias's POV, 56)
One of my favorite elements of this book is that the HEA is not solely related to romance. On all fronts, this book has an incredibly fulfilling ending. In the world of this book omegas are rare, and becoming rarer, as such they are valuable, almost commodified, and face violence and abuse because of their status. While the ending to this book doesn't fall into the plot hole of magically solving everything, it realistically takes steps towards remedying omega abuse in ways that not only personally improve the characters' lives but also improve omega lives in general. This ending SATISFIES, both personal HEA and positive political change.
Bear made good on his promise. When he returned from his furniture delivery in town, he made Silas an amazing dinner of pistachio-crusted halibut and roasted potatoes with a goat cheese and arugula salad. Silas had never tasted a halibut in his life, and he had no idea pistachios could be used to 'crust' things, but it was amazing. (Silas's POV, 273)
The only reason I'm marking this book down from 5-stars is that I found the blurb misleading, so I didn't fully go into the book knowing what to expect. Had the blurb talked about the human trafficking and PTSD being central to the story this would have easily been a 5-star read. As it is I found elements of the book jarring because I wasn't prepared for the intensity. These characters deserve their happy ending and I'm so glad they found it.
I received an ARC copy of this book, and this is a book I will be rereading at release!
Holds up to a second read-through, a fully enjoyable reading experience!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Blood, Gun violence, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Sexual assault, Grief, Sexual violence, and Trafficking
Minor: Alcoholism and Vomit
Taken from the author's website: Content Warnings: There are multiple dark themes discussed in this book, including: human trafficking, sex trafficking, forced prostitution, and forced drug use. In all scenes featuring sex trafficking and forced prostitution, trauma is vaguely described, never shown in detail on the page. There is one scene of flashback where the focus is less on the active trauma of the SA and more about a secondary crime being witnessed at the same time. A character suffers from PTSD and experiences several active symptoms including heightened startle response, fear of physical touch, nightmares, depression/numbness, suicidal thoughts, and memory loss/confusion. Other warnings include use of firearms; cinematic violence (a deadly car crash, gunshot wounds, blood, death); nonprescription drug use; grief/loss; parent death (off page); vomiting (no description); detailed sex scenes featuring knotting and toys. At its heart, this book is about healing and survival. There is hope in this book. There is joy and peace and—ultimately—happiness. You will get a happily ever after.
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