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rza1002's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Pregnancy
threeundertwopnw'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
5.0
That said, the writing is amazing and quotable. The author obviously did extensive research because the circumstances and emotions and decisions ring true. If you are in a dangerous situation at home, call the Domestic Abuse Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233).
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
bananenbrot'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
3.5
I really liked this book and it had potential to be a five star read but it was extremely gory and very disturbing. The explicit scenes of rape and violence weren't what I was prepared for when I wanted to read a romance with a complicated setting. Maybe thats my fault for not reading through the tw or the publishers fault for not labeling the book correctly. I felt like this book was more about the domestic abuse than about the romance.
I also have some other minors problems with the book, like how the MMC wasn't empathetic enough for my liking. I mean I don't expect him to react perfectly in every scenario but he doesn't even concider to ask her about a lot of things and when he does he's a bit judgy. But the biggest fault of the book were definitely the overly explicit scenes of abuse.
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
ireadit13'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: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy
daniellekraatz's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Pregnancy
gabichatslit's review against another edition
5.0
Often times, when reading contemporary romance, I find myself frustrated and irritated when the FMC’s are dealing with a no good man/love interest, whose clearly not who he pretends to be and they keep falling for the lies. However, because of the tenderness and love from which Mrs. Ryan was writing Iris and her story (the stories of so many real women), all I could feel was compassion and empathy. And maybe because there were moments where I saw the behaviors of men I trusted or the lived experiences of women close to me, all I could do was extend grace to Iris. Because while this book might be unique, the experiences detailed are not.
Every time I read a KR book, I think there’s no way I could love her and her writing more than I do, and then she surprises me and I find a deeper well of respect and admiration for her craft and the stories she tells. I’m also thankful to all the people who sat with her and shared their stories that helped her write this book. The strength and courage those individuals possess, is commendable.
August and Iris’ journey and eventual love story was one I won’t forget anytime soon. They cracked me open and I am truly changed. Their HEA was so earned and I loved watching Iris return to herself and learn to trust herself again. I loved August and his brother’s interactions (I called it early on and they did not disappoint), I loved Iris and Lotus, and Kenan’s “who the hell was that??” lol I loved August’s mom and Deck. I loved MiMi and I loved little miss Sarai.
It’s rare that I come across love at first sight in romances that I read and even rarer that I enjoy them, even though I’m still not sure if that’s the best way to describe the beginning of August and Iris’s story. But in every interaction between the two, you know it’s more than lust that’s bringing them together. Like their connection is so much more than just physical. It’s just greater. Their dynamic reminded me a lot of Luca and Ever’s in Luca by Grey Huffington, another one of those undeniable connections that makes little sense and is larger than life.
‘I’d play you at the five.’ Whew. Seeing August stand ten toes down for Iris even when he couldn’t see/didn’t know all she was going up against. His commitment to her and their family— to his princess, he was a hero/love interest, unlike anything I’ve ever read. I truly believe every book I read after this will be weighed differently against how this book made me feel.
I’m starting Book #2 immediately, and I’m so looking forward to watching Jared come to know and understand why August would walk to the end of the earth, sacrifice anything, for the person that made his soul come alive.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Stalking
clareasday's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
jericca89'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
Moderate: Death of parent and Pregnancy
bribri99'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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
blairnicolereads'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
3.0
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death and Death of parent