Scan barcode
mrsbsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The book focuses on Harpy Aryal one of Dragos's sentinels and Pia's friend and new sentinel Quentin, two people who hate each other.
This book is packed with action from the beginning and i loved how the author sieved their tale around love and hate, until both end up clearing the air, working well together and discovering things that they actually have in common. Their raw animalness and pushing each other until they both get piece was well done.
I had been unsure of Aryal in previous books, however i really grew to like her and respect her in this book and Quention was just perfect for her.
This book is packed with action from the beginning and i loved how the author sieved their tale around love and hate, until both end up clearing the air, working well together and discovering things that they actually have in common. Their raw animalness and pushing each other until they both get piece was well done.
I had been unsure of Aryal in previous books, however i really grew to like her and respect her in this book and Quention was just perfect for her.
lisa_me's review
5.0
4.5♥s
My recap:
Passionate Hate …
Harpy Sentinel Aryal is convinced that new Sentinel Quentin Caeravorn is a criminal. She has investigated him for two years, but has been unable to pin anything on him. She takes every opportunity she can to fight with him.
Quentin has reached his limit with Aryal's harassment. But he and Aryal have one fight too many. Dragos has had enough. He sends them together on a mission to the dead Elven land of Numenlaur.
They vow to kill each other.
Turns Into Passion
When forced together, passionate hate turns to explosive passion. But can they work together to defend the Wyr from a deadly threat?
My thoughts:
Thea Harrison faced a tough job taking an unsympathetic character, Aryal, and turning her into a heroine. She succeeded beautifully. This in spite of the fact that in the opening scene Aryal hates two characters I've always liked, Pia and Quentin. But Harrison first wins me over when Aryal ends up falling to the Power of the peanut. And then throughout the book we end up seeing a side of her that we've never seen before. I'm not going to go overboard, though. All is not hearts and butterflies. She is and will always be brash and abrasive. But we can now love her for it.
Quentin's character takes a turn for the worse when he's around Aryal. We discover that he has a side to him that doesn't pull a punch in a fight against a woman. But when he pushes her in the end, we love him for it.
Oh, and he's dead sexy.
And a bit twisted. But I'll let you discover that for yourself.
The book moves along quickly, with suspense, mystery, sexual tension, passion, and mortal danger all crammed onto the pages. It's a page-turner that you won't want to put down. I was sorry to see the book end, but I loved the last scene. It's a delightful parallel to Aryal's opening scene, and you'll fall in love with Quentin all over again.
Kinked can be read as a standalone book. However, you'll enjoy it more if you've read the series. References are made to events in [b:Dragon Bound|9637479|Dragon Bound (Elder Races, #1)|Thea Harrison|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1312822853s/9637479.jpg|14524855] and [b:Lord's Fall|13412557|Lord's Fall (Elder Races, #5)|Thea Harrison|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1332869410s/13412557.jpg|18683185].
Enjoy!
Read more of my reviews at Paranormal Romance with Lisa Annesley.
My recap:
Passionate Hate …
Harpy Sentinel Aryal is convinced that new Sentinel Quentin Caeravorn is a criminal. She has investigated him for two years, but has been unable to pin anything on him. She takes every opportunity she can to fight with him.
Quentin has reached his limit with Aryal's harassment. But he and Aryal have one fight too many. Dragos has had enough. He sends them together on a mission to the dead Elven land of Numenlaur.
They vow to kill each other.
Turns Into Passion
When forced together, passionate hate turns to explosive passion. But can they work together to defend the Wyr from a deadly threat?
My thoughts:
Thea Harrison faced a tough job taking an unsympathetic character, Aryal, and turning her into a heroine. She succeeded beautifully. This in spite of the fact that in the opening scene Aryal hates two characters I've always liked, Pia and Quentin. But Harrison first wins me over when Aryal ends up falling to the Power of the peanut. And then throughout the book we end up seeing a side of her that we've never seen before. I'm not going to go overboard, though. All is not hearts and butterflies. She is and will always be brash and abrasive. But we can now love her for it.
Quentin's character takes a turn for the worse when he's around Aryal. We discover that he has a side to him that doesn't pull a punch in a fight against a woman. But when he pushes her in the end, we love him for it.
Oh, and he's dead sexy.
And a bit twisted. But I'll let you discover that for yourself.
The book moves along quickly, with suspense, mystery, sexual tension, passion, and mortal danger all crammed onto the pages. It's a page-turner that you won't want to put down. I was sorry to see the book end, but I loved the last scene. It's a delightful parallel to Aryal's opening scene, and you'll fall in love with Quentin all over again.
Kinked can be read as a standalone book. However, you'll enjoy it more if you've read the series. References are made to events in [b:Dragon Bound|9637479|Dragon Bound (Elder Races, #1)|Thea Harrison|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1312822853s/9637479.jpg|14524855] and [b:Lord's Fall|13412557|Lord's Fall (Elder Races, #5)|Thea Harrison|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1332869410s/13412557.jpg|18683185].
Enjoy!
Read more of my reviews at Paranormal Romance with Lisa Annesley.
covall's review
3.0
I liked the book, but I couldn't seem to want to read it. I kept finding other books to read instead of finishing this one. I think it was because the story was a bit slow.
ladylarson's review
3.0
Different, in a good way
I've enjoyed all of the Elder Races novels. This one did not disappoint. However, it was a big deviation from previous books. Aryal deserved to be loved just as she was. So I'm glad the author let her stay true to her character. This romance felt rushed and then super slow. It was jerky, like a car stalling out at times. The plot wasn't nearly as well developed vs previous novels and everything wrapped up way to quickly and cleanly. Not a bad read, but it's not the strongest in the series.
**Note: there's some non-standard sexual scenes and concepts in this one. Author fairly gave you a warning with the title. Skim over those scenea if you're bothered by those things.
I've enjoyed all of the Elder Races novels. This one did not disappoint. However, it was a big deviation from previous books. Aryal deserved to be loved just as she was. So I'm glad the author let her stay true to her character. This romance felt rushed and then super slow. It was jerky, like a car stalling out at times. The plot wasn't nearly as well developed vs previous novels and everything wrapped up way to quickly and cleanly. Not a bad read, but it's not the strongest in the series.
**Note: there's some non-standard sexual scenes and concepts in this one. Author fairly gave you a warning with the title. Skim over those scenea if you're bothered by those things.
kathydavie's review
3.0
Sixth in the Elder Races paranormal romance series and revolving around the Wyr based in New York City. The couple focus is on Quentin Caeravorn and Aryal.
My Take
I do like Aryal, even if she obsesses way too much about Quentin.. She's primal, woman, and knows her own mind. She's tried everything—and I mean everything. I like Quentin too. I like the his regret, and that he's trying to make amends for what he set in motion. What I didn't care for was the attempt to drag in the readers with the BDSM angle. It felt half-baked.
It's an odd courtship, betting against each other that they'll never last 15 minutes, half an hour, half a night, giving in, being submissive. I have to confess it was funny to read. And the BDSM is still pretty vanilla.
The journey through Numenlaur to the city felt like a walk down memory lane. A little bit Hobbit, a little bit Anya Bast's Dark Magick, a touch Mercedes Lackey, and a little bit Tairen Soul.
I absolutely loved their particular joke of it always being all about Quentin. Too, too funny.
Oh, boy. Now Aryal's gonna have to accept Pia! After that particular miracle? LOL. Okay, the crop thing? I don't get it.
It's an okay story and has its bright spots. I love Aryal's openness and Quentin's honesty. The exploration through Numenlaur and checking the houses was interesting, even if I did cry at some of what they found. The first encounter with Gayla and her wolves was dramatic and tense, and that was about it. There were a number of points when it could have gotten really tense, but Harrison kept it fairly low-key.
The Story
She's hated him forever, so much that she's invested years in investigating him, hours in trying to follow him. It's when she spies him playing bondage games with a woman that she starts to think of him in other terms.
Caught brawling inside Cuelebre Tower by Dragos walking Liam, Dragos has had enough and banishes Aryal and Quentin until they work their issues out. Or they won't be Sentinels any longer.
It's a pair of brawling, arguing children set loose to check on the abandoned Numenlaur lands. After events in Lord's Fall, 5, Dragos is concerned about looting and anything dangerous. He figures two Sentinels bent on violence are perfect for the job. Aid that Ferion appreciates as he hasn't heard from the guards he sent weeks ago.
The Characters
Aryal is a harpy and one of Dragos' Sentinels. And she is desperate to dig up the dirt on Quentin.
Quentin Caeravorn is a new Sentinel who won his place by winning at the Games in Lord's Fall, 5. He's what Aryal calls a "triple threat": a mixed-breed who is part Wyr (he shifts into a panther), part Elven, and part Dark Fae. Aryal is positive he's also a thief. He also owns a popular bar, Elfie's, where Pia used to work.
Dragos Cuelebre is a dragon and Lord of the Wyr. Pia is his mate and they've just had Liam, their baby dragon son in Lord's Fall. Pia is also a former employee of Quentin's. It was his idea for Pia to steal from Dragos in Dragon Bound, 1. Eva is one of Pia's new full-time bodyguards. Kris is Dragos' assistant.
Dragos' other Sentinels include:
Former Sentinels who re-won their places are the gryphons—Bayne, Constantine, and Graydon (he's the new First Sentinel); Grym, a gargoyle; and of course, Aryal. Quentin and Alexander Elysias, a pegasus, are the new Sentinels.
Others within Cuelebre Tower
Talia Aguilar is a Wyr selkie and the new head of PR for Cuelebre Enterprises. Kathryn Shaw is the Wyr falcon and physician Dragos keeps on retainer for all high-level staff.
Ferion is the new Elven High Lord; it was his arrow in Dragon Bound that endangered Pia's life.
Numenlaur is the first and oldest Elven land from which they all came. The guards Ferion sent are Linwe, a young firecracker with a love of teasing; Caerreth is shy and bookish; Cemalle; and, Aralorn.
It's dangerous to meet Galya Andreyev of Russia. A very powerful witch with wolf shadows. Pyotr is the alpha shadow.
Amras Gaeleveal was one of the ancient Guardians of Numenlaur who went mad and almost destroyed the Elves in Lord's Fall.
The Cover
The cover is a collage of events within the story: a cliff-hugging fairyland city, a leather-clad Aryal standing slightly behind Quentin. It's a beautiful rune-like circle in a pale yellow against a more golden sky.
The title is trying too hard. It's accurate enough, for they do have a Kinked relationship, but I wish Harrison had put a bit more effort in this.
My Take
I do like Aryal, even if she obsesses way too much about Quentin.. She's primal, woman, and knows her own mind. She's tried everything—and I mean everything. I like Quentin too. I like the his regret, and that he's trying to make amends for what he set in motion. What I didn't care for was the attempt to drag in the readers with the BDSM angle. It felt half-baked.
Behold the Power of the peanut.The funny part is the quick confession and immediate release that follows that angers Quentin. All that and this is all that happens?
It's an odd courtship, betting against each other that they'll never last 15 minutes, half an hour, half a night, giving in, being submissive. I have to confess it was funny to read. And the BDSM is still pretty vanilla.
The journey through Numenlaur to the city felt like a walk down memory lane. A little bit Hobbit, a little bit Anya Bast's Dark Magick, a touch Mercedes Lackey, and a little bit Tairen Soul.
I absolutely loved their particular joke of it always being all about Quentin. Too, too funny.
Oh, boy. Now Aryal's gonna have to accept Pia! After that particular miracle? LOL. Okay, the crop thing? I don't get it.
It's an okay story and has its bright spots. I love Aryal's openness and Quentin's honesty. The exploration through Numenlaur and checking the houses was interesting, even if I did cry at some of what they found. The first encounter with Gayla and her wolves was dramatic and tense, and that was about it. There were a number of points when it could have gotten really tense, but Harrison kept it fairly low-key.
The Story
She's hated him forever, so much that she's invested years in investigating him, hours in trying to follow him. It's when she spies him playing bondage games with a woman that she starts to think of him in other terms.
Caught brawling inside Cuelebre Tower by Dragos walking Liam, Dragos has had enough and banishes Aryal and Quentin until they work their issues out. Or they won't be Sentinels any longer.
It's a pair of brawling, arguing children set loose to check on the abandoned Numenlaur lands. After events in Lord's Fall, 5, Dragos is concerned about looting and anything dangerous. He figures two Sentinels bent on violence are perfect for the job. Aid that Ferion appreciates as he hasn't heard from the guards he sent weeks ago.
The Characters
Aryal is a harpy and one of Dragos' Sentinels. And she is desperate to dig up the dirt on Quentin.
Quentin Caeravorn is a new Sentinel who won his place by winning at the Games in Lord's Fall, 5. He's what Aryal calls a "triple threat": a mixed-breed who is part Wyr (he shifts into a panther), part Elven, and part Dark Fae. Aryal is positive he's also a thief. He also owns a popular bar, Elfie's, where Pia used to work.
Dragos Cuelebre is a dragon and Lord of the Wyr. Pia is his mate and they've just had Liam, their baby dragon son in Lord's Fall. Pia is also a former employee of Quentin's. It was his idea for Pia to steal from Dragos in Dragon Bound, 1. Eva is one of Pia's new full-time bodyguards. Kris is Dragos' assistant.
Dragos' other Sentinels include:
Former Sentinels who re-won their places are the gryphons—Bayne, Constantine, and Graydon (he's the new First Sentinel); Grym, a gargoyle; and of course, Aryal. Quentin and Alexander Elysias, a pegasus, are the new Sentinels.
Others within Cuelebre Tower
Talia Aguilar is a Wyr selkie and the new head of PR for Cuelebre Enterprises. Kathryn Shaw is the Wyr falcon and physician Dragos keeps on retainer for all high-level staff.
Ferion is the new Elven High Lord; it was his arrow in Dragon Bound that endangered Pia's life.
Numenlaur is the first and oldest Elven land from which they all came. The guards Ferion sent are Linwe, a young firecracker with a love of teasing; Caerreth is shy and bookish; Cemalle; and, Aralorn.
It's dangerous to meet Galya Andreyev of Russia. A very powerful witch with wolf shadows. Pyotr is the alpha shadow.
Amras Gaeleveal was one of the ancient Guardians of Numenlaur who went mad and almost destroyed the Elves in Lord's Fall.
The Cover
The cover is a collage of events within the story: a cliff-hugging fairyland city, a leather-clad Aryal standing slightly behind Quentin. It's a beautiful rune-like circle in a pale yellow against a more golden sky.
The title is trying too hard. It's accurate enough, for they do have a Kinked relationship, but I wish Harrison had put a bit more effort in this.
katyanaish's review
3.0
**2.5**
I just don't like Aryal. Quentin was okay, but nothing to really write home about.
I also don't like that Aryal can be a complete bitch for a year to Pia, two years to Quentin, and then just decide not to be a bitch anymore and there are no consequences. Pia should hate her. Dragos shouldn't like her so much, given how shitty she is to his mate. And the bitchiness is just fucking petty. Pia stole A PENNY. She even left a penny in exchange. It is bizarre to hold on to utter hate over that, especially now knowing she did it to save her own life, and she also has saved Dragos's life several times. Pia has done more than enough, by now, to earn some trust and respect.
And then, when she does decide to stop being a bitch to Pia, she asks her if she'd at least consider cutting off the cheerleader ponytail. So, is that the reason she hated Pia then? Purely superficial, petty bitchiness? Gross.
Then she's inconsistent. Despite loathing Pia over a penny, when she finds out what Quentin did, she literally does not care. To be clear, I'm not talking about the Pia thing he did - I think he did the best he could in a bad situation there, and while it was the wrong call, he needs to let it go. I'm talking about the petty criminal stuff. So she hated Pia with fiery passion for A PENNY but doesn't care about this?
Real consistent character, here. And by consistent, I mean consistently a complete asshole.
Bleh.
I read it because I wanted the progression of the series. I'll never read it again.
I just don't like Aryal. Quentin was okay, but nothing to really write home about.
I also don't like that Aryal can be a complete bitch for a year to Pia, two years to Quentin, and then just decide not to be a bitch anymore and there are no consequences. Pia should hate her. Dragos shouldn't like her so much, given how shitty she is to his mate. And the bitchiness is just fucking petty. Pia stole A PENNY. She even left a penny in exchange. It is bizarre to hold on to utter hate over that, especially now knowing she did it to save her own life, and she also has saved Dragos's life several times. Pia has done more than enough, by now, to earn some trust and respect.
And then, when she does decide to stop being a bitch to Pia, she asks her if she'd at least consider cutting off the cheerleader ponytail. So, is that the reason she hated Pia then? Purely superficial, petty bitchiness? Gross.
Then she's inconsistent. Despite loathing Pia over a penny, when she finds out what Quentin did, she literally does not care. To be clear, I'm not talking about the Pia thing he did - I think he did the best he could in a bad situation there, and while it was the wrong call, he needs to let it go. I'm talking about the petty criminal stuff. So she hated Pia with fiery passion for A PENNY but doesn't care about this?
Real consistent character, here. And by consistent, I mean consistently a complete asshole.
Bleh.
I read it because I wanted the progression of the series. I'll never read it again.
ohnoitskylie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
masquerader888's review
3.0
This review also posted at A Bookish Compulsion
I feel that this review might not be as helpful as I would like it to be simply because a large part of my reaction to this book had nothing to do with what was between its pages but rather with current social culture and how it has affected the books I have recently read. Also, I ramble quite a bit in my attempt to explain my views.
I wanted to love this book. I love Thea Harrison and have loved most of the entries thus far in the Elder Races series, so I was expecting to love Kinked as well. But I just couldn’t. I eventually got to the point where I could separate out my own issues enough to like the book and enjoy the plot and characters but that complete abandonment to the story…the ability to lose myself and trust that the author would see me to the end without my help, was impossible.
Now to try and explain why…
A couple years ago my husband and I were going to see a movie and had arrived quite a bit early (maybe it was opening night of a big blockbuster or maybe it was just way too hot to wait outside, I don’t remember.) in either case we talked for a bit then both dug out our electronic devices to help pass the hour or so until the movie would begin. I, of course, opened up my reader and stared a book and after a few minutes I realized that while I was immersed in the text another couple had sat next to us because the girl leaned over and asked me what I was reading. After a quick look-up (it was a new book by a new author) I told her I was reading [b:Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea|13446443|Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Niki Slobodian, #1)|J.L. Murray|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1328048703s/13446443.jpg|18958728]. She nodded enthusiastically and then blurted something along the lines of “Isn’t this reading thing just fantastic?” I smiled and made a positive reply, somewhat taken back and her fiery excitement but approving of any love of books. She then went on to gush about how she had just discovered it after some of her friends had insisted that she read Fifty Shades of Grey which she had loved and now she is just reading everything. She was so excited, describing the satisfaction of making it from one dot to the next on her Kindle reading progress bar and how wonderful it was to have just so many books out there that she could read, like…whenever she wanted to.
I should probably point out that this woman was probably somewhere around twenty (a good few years younger than myself) and not exactly book worm material but much closer to the party-girl who went club hopping on the weekends. She would not have been someone I expected to bond over books with, and yet sitting in that theater for the twenty or so minutes that were left before the movie that is exactly what happened. And while our taste in books were not compatible, seeing the fire of such a love and excitement for reading that was discovered in this girl was pretty darn amazing, a memory that even years later has stuck with me. It is this memory, this conviction, that has led me to defend against anyone who would naysay books like Fifty Shades of Grey and Twilight and even those crazy few who were against the Harry Potter books as unworthy or bad or shouldn’t have ever been. Because these books, whether you like them or you don’t, have gotten people who otherwise might never have discovered the wonder that is the written word to read. And that is a beautiful, magical, incredible thing.
I truly believe that there is a kind of magic in any book that can spark a mass revolution of new readers to discover the wonder of books.
That said…can we please be done with the Fifty Shades thing already? I am SO over BSDM invading my books as the “in” kink. I have no problem with the lifestyle, even though it isn’t the one I choose, and can even see some amount of sexy in the complete trust and giving thing. But over the last couple of years it had just gotten to be too much. I am so very done. Just like with vampires invading everywhere so that I was half-afraid that any paranormal would stuff one in just to play to the market, the bondage and dom/sub thing has just gotten on my very last nerve. Not necessarily because of what it is, but because everyone seems to be trying to write it to get a piece of the Fifty Shades pie and that’s just sad. And unoriginal. And it makes me as a reader feel like I have to dodge landmines and figure out whether if there is BSDM in a story it is because it belongs there or whether it was put there because publishers have decided that’s what sells.
Which was my main problem with Kinked. While I actually liked how the relationship and even sexual give and take was handled, the bad taste in my mouth that began with the “oh no, not another one” feeling never really let up. And while by the end I was thrilled and invested in the happy ending for two very distinct characters, too much of my reading time was spent dreading a downward spiral.
I feel that this review might not be as helpful as I would like it to be simply because a large part of my reaction to this book had nothing to do with what was between its pages but rather with current social culture and how it has affected the books I have recently read. Also, I ramble quite a bit in my attempt to explain my views.
I wanted to love this book. I love Thea Harrison and have loved most of the entries thus far in the Elder Races series, so I was expecting to love Kinked as well. But I just couldn’t. I eventually got to the point where I could separate out my own issues enough to like the book and enjoy the plot and characters but that complete abandonment to the story…the ability to lose myself and trust that the author would see me to the end without my help, was impossible.
Now to try and explain why…
A couple years ago my husband and I were going to see a movie and had arrived quite a bit early (maybe it was opening night of a big blockbuster or maybe it was just way too hot to wait outside, I don’t remember.) in either case we talked for a bit then both dug out our electronic devices to help pass the hour or so until the movie would begin. I, of course, opened up my reader and stared a book and after a few minutes I realized that while I was immersed in the text another couple had sat next to us because the girl leaned over and asked me what I was reading. After a quick look-up (it was a new book by a new author) I told her I was reading [b:Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea|13446443|Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Niki Slobodian, #1)|J.L. Murray|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1328048703s/13446443.jpg|18958728]. She nodded enthusiastically and then blurted something along the lines of “Isn’t this reading thing just fantastic?” I smiled and made a positive reply, somewhat taken back and her fiery excitement but approving of any love of books. She then went on to gush about how she had just discovered it after some of her friends had insisted that she read Fifty Shades of Grey which she had loved and now she is just reading everything. She was so excited, describing the satisfaction of making it from one dot to the next on her Kindle reading progress bar and how wonderful it was to have just so many books out there that she could read, like…whenever she wanted to.
I should probably point out that this woman was probably somewhere around twenty (a good few years younger than myself) and not exactly book worm material but much closer to the party-girl who went club hopping on the weekends. She would not have been someone I expected to bond over books with, and yet sitting in that theater for the twenty or so minutes that were left before the movie that is exactly what happened. And while our taste in books were not compatible, seeing the fire of such a love and excitement for reading that was discovered in this girl was pretty darn amazing, a memory that even years later has stuck with me. It is this memory, this conviction, that has led me to defend against anyone who would naysay books like Fifty Shades of Grey and Twilight and even those crazy few who were against the Harry Potter books as unworthy or bad or shouldn’t have ever been. Because these books, whether you like them or you don’t, have gotten people who otherwise might never have discovered the wonder that is the written word to read. And that is a beautiful, magical, incredible thing.
I truly believe that there is a kind of magic in any book that can spark a mass revolution of new readers to discover the wonder of books.
That said…can we please be done with the Fifty Shades thing already? I am SO over BSDM invading my books as the “in” kink. I have no problem with the lifestyle, even though it isn’t the one I choose, and can even see some amount of sexy in the complete trust and giving thing. But over the last couple of years it had just gotten to be too much. I am so very done. Just like with vampires invading everywhere so that I was half-afraid that any paranormal would stuff one in just to play to the market, the bondage and dom/sub thing has just gotten on my very last nerve. Not necessarily because of what it is, but because everyone seems to be trying to write it to get a piece of the Fifty Shades pie and that’s just sad. And unoriginal. And it makes me as a reader feel like I have to dodge landmines and figure out whether if there is BSDM in a story it is because it belongs there or whether it was put there because publishers have decided that’s what sells.
Which was my main problem with Kinked. While I actually liked how the relationship and even sexual give and take was handled, the bad taste in my mouth that began with the “oh no, not another one” feeling never really let up. And while by the end I was thrilled and invested in the happy ending for two very distinct characters, too much of my reading time was spent dreading a downward spiral.