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amris's review
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Gore, and Medical content
piperclover's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
This started off really rocky for me and I was really concerned that the entire book would continue the same way it did in the first 25%. If it had I probably would have DNF'ed it. The beginning was flashbacks, which I lhate, and gruesome mission-gone-wrong. Once it moved on and the romance picked up, I was all in.
I enjoyed the character growth a lot and a lot of the exploration of trust with personal trauma. I despised the plot about Benforgiving his mother and reupping communication with her. As much as I hate flashbacks, I loathe this god awful forgiving-people-who-dont-deserve-it crap . Other than that and the beginning, it was a good listen. I like this narrator too.
I enjoyed the character growth a lot and a lot of the exploration of trust with personal trauma. I despised the plot about Ben
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, War, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Abandonment
ruthiedr89's review
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Abandonment, Sexual content, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Violence
Moderate: Grief and Blood
Minor: War
cheye13's review
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It's so refreshing to return to an author I just know can never let me down, especially after a string of other middling to mediocre reads. I love how Albert weaves character journeys together, developing well-rounded individuals while also building them into a romance.
If the story were just the romance scenes & related emotional development, it'd be an easy five stars. I bumped it down because the beginning navy mission & resulting injuries felt disconnected from the rest of the book; after such a detailed mission, the lack of other navy business was stark, and there wasn't as much mutual hurt/comfort as I expected there to be. Also, I wasn't a fan of the final act breakup – it was far too drawn out for my taste, and I didn't think it needed to be full breakup in the first place. The ending, while touching, was also rather cliche after the other books of the series.
If the story were just the romance scenes & related emotional development, it'd be an easy five stars. I bumped it down because the beginning navy mission & resulting injuries felt disconnected from the rest of the book; after such a detailed mission, the lack of other navy business was stark, and there wasn't as much mutual hurt/comfort as I expected there to be. Also,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Medical content, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Cursing and Kidnapping
The homophobia is usually only alluded to, save for a brief scene in which a character's homophobic family briefly visits; there is mention of 'curing' or otherwise 'undoing' the character's sexuality.
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