the_sassy_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
The first 50% of this book was solid 5-Star material. Then halfway through a character pulled the biggest shit for brains move that overshadowed the entire second half. I was left going...seriously? You believe that of her knowing all you know about her life up until that point?? The threats made against her?? I also felt the second half of the book was rushed with too many jumps in time and a lot of over the top events.That said, I still found myself pulled into the story. This is the first book I have read from this author but it won't be my last. She has a very captivating way of writing. I loved the setting of New Orleans. The pace was good for the first 50%. Like I mentioned above I found the second half to be rushed and I am not particularly a fan of time jumps in my books and the second half used this technique a lot. The plot was engaging and kept me turning the pages. It was full of feels and heartbreak but also hope and redemption. There were a few sex scenes but I wouldn't say it was overly spicey. There was a nice selection of secondary characters as well.
Both of the main characters were likable (mostly). For the first half of the book I ADORED Soti. He was sweet. He treated Lilith like gold. He wore his heart on his sleeve. Then the halfway point came and I have to say Soti lost some of his luster for me. He was too quick to think the worst of Lilith considering he knew about her previous life. The threats made against her, etc. I mean for heavens’ sake did he forget the damn car chase?? How do you claim to love someone from the ends of earth and back, but a SINGLE letter convinces you that it was all a lie??!! He seemed to be a somewhat intelligent man, so how could he not put two and two together? He gave up on her SO easily...sigh. Lilith I loved from beginning to the end. She was a strong heroine. She had to be with all the shit that kept getting thrown at her. Last, it was all wrapped up in a sweet ending that again was rushed for me. I would have liked more page space given to Soti and Lilith
Spoiler
learning to be a couple again.
mirandao78's review against another edition
5.0
Loved, loved, loved this book! Very happy to have made this my first book of the New Year. Despite all of the ugliness surrounding Soti & Lili, their love story is one of the sweetest I’ve ever read. And Soti may now have a permanent place amongst some of my favorite ever book boyfriends.
ac223's review against another edition
5.0
“Happiness is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen on you,”
"Trust is a necessary medication: hard to give and hard to take."
"Nothing highlights unworthiness more than kindness."
"Dignity cannot be stolen; it can only be given away."
Why, why, why did I wait so long to read this? I have been in such a reading funk lately and I just haven't felt the usual desire to read. All you really need to get out of that bad juju is a good book. Willow Aster is my absolute favorite author, and she never fails to disappoint. Everything she writes is gold, and I love her for it.
Lilith is a whore, she was born and raised knowing exactly what her life would be. It's not as if anyone gave her a choice, and she's doing what she was born to do. That is until she meets Soti Christos, the very best kind of man. He wants Lili to have the kind of life she didn't even know she was allowed to hope for, a life she doesn't think someone like her deserves. Nico Santelli is used to having what he wants, and what he wants is Lilith. Not because he loves her, but because she is a means to an end, and the end is all he cares about. He's brutal, evil, and relentless and though he needs Lilith too, he'll make sure she knows her existence, and how she lives it is up to him. A story or redemption, and unconditional love is the perfect description for Whore.
kylieeason's review against another edition
4.0
This was a rating I had to sit on for some of the morning, and I'm still not sure it's 4 star worthy.
The book as it stands is pretty good. If it was just placed as a fictional novel I'd probably recommend it, because Lilith is an amazing woman.
However, this is in the genre of romantic suspense, and I felt like both aspects were lacking. Very few times throughout the book did I get excited and ready to follow Lilith into the depths of whatever was about to happen, I wasn't kept on edge and I wasn't biting my nails waiting for the other shoe to drop.
When you think romance you think big gestures, swoon worthy moments, and (unfortunately) a lot of sex. None of that really was present here either.
Outside of those missing elements, this book is a great girl power read. Lilith is a whore at her most central level. It's all she's known, and all she's ever thought she'd be. But as the story progresses you see little changes in her, leading up to the grand finale (end of the story). I love her. I respect her, and I aspire to have even 1/4 of the strength she portrayed and carried. I would definitely be interested in a follow up story with her as the center.
The book as it stands is pretty good. If it was just placed as a fictional novel I'd probably recommend it, because Lilith is an amazing woman.
However, this is in the genre of romantic suspense, and I felt like both aspects were lacking. Very few times throughout the book did I get excited and ready to follow Lilith into the depths of whatever was about to happen, I wasn't kept on edge and I wasn't biting my nails waiting for the other shoe to drop.
When you think romance you think big gestures, swoon worthy moments, and (unfortunately) a lot of sex. None of that really was present here either.
Outside of those missing elements, this book is a great girl power read. Lilith is a whore at her most central level. It's all she's known, and all she's ever thought she'd be. But as the story progresses you see little changes in her, leading up to the grand finale (end of the story). I love her. I respect her, and I aspire to have even 1/4 of the strength she portrayed and carried. I would definitely be interested in a follow up story with her as the center.
sbauer16's review against another edition
5.0
I never know what I'm going to get with a Willow Aster except a beautifully written story with an EPIC romance.
Whore was so much more than what I thought it would be. SO MUCH MORE.
Soti was the PERFECT male specimen.
Exhibit A) "Not everyone sees you as a business transaction, Lili."
Exhibit B) "I think my whole life has been leading me to you."
Exhibit C-Z) "I wish I was artistic, so I could capture you in this exact moment. Perfection."
What'd I tell you?! I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the words to come out of his mouth that would make me swoon.
I would've loved, LOVED it if Whore never ended or I'd take it if it was even longer. I was FILLED with disappointment when I turned the last page to find the story over.
I know the new year JUST started and this was my second book, but I'm claiming Whore to be one of my FAVORITE reads of the year!!!
Whore was so much more than what I thought it would be. SO MUCH MORE.
Soti was the PERFECT male specimen.
Exhibit A) "Not everyone sees you as a business transaction, Lili."
Exhibit B) "I think my whole life has been leading me to you."
Exhibit C-Z) "I wish I was artistic, so I could capture you in this exact moment. Perfection."
What'd I tell you?! I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the words to come out of his mouth that would make me swoon.
I would've loved, LOVED it if Whore never ended or I'd take it if it was even longer. I was FILLED with disappointment when I turned the last page to find the story over.
I know the new year JUST started and this was my second book, but I'm claiming Whore to be one of my FAVORITE reads of the year!!!
talonvictoria's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly though, did Willow Aster REALLY write this? Sweet, sweet Willow? Did she? Wow! I am so very impressed with her. As I always am. Whore had the twists and the turns and the angst and the yearning. I did not see that coming with this book. Not at all.
“In another life, he looks exactly like someone I’d want to know.”
Whore was pretty cool because it shows just how versatile Willow can be as an author. She can write angsty love, she can write heartache and longing, and she can write mystery and twists and thankfully for us, Whore provides all of that! Full of great characters and a great story line that you definitely don’t read every day, my reading tastes were satisfied to the fullest.
If the book title alone doesn’t entice you to know more, you should know that Soti is the best person I have met in a book. Okay, maybe not THE best, but he was an incredible character who deserved everything and more. My only quirk was, we needed more of him. He was such an important part of this story that I wanted more from HIM instead of Lilith. More of his past and what his story entailed. I think I’m just very selfish with him. He was such a fantastic character. I can’t say that enough.
“Her eyes hold a thousand secrets, threatening to spill over; I want to unlock each and every one.”
Truth be told, I felt very iffy about Whore. The title was different and the cover was awesome. I don’t read blurbs so I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into. But I’m glad that I took the chance and read it. Willow has truly grown as an author and Whore proves that. Her creativeness and enchanting writing signified that.
I feel as if Whore is the combination of ALL of Willow’s book mixed together. Yes! That is it! So, if you want the angst that is in True Love Story, the mystery that is in Fade to Red, the yearning that is in In the Fields, and the spunk that is in Maybe Maby then you DEFINITELY need to read this book!
“In another life, he looks exactly like someone I’d want to know.”
Whore was pretty cool because it shows just how versatile Willow can be as an author. She can write angsty love, she can write heartache and longing, and she can write mystery and twists and thankfully for us, Whore provides all of that! Full of great characters and a great story line that you definitely don’t read every day, my reading tastes were satisfied to the fullest.
If the book title alone doesn’t entice you to know more, you should know that Soti is the best person I have met in a book. Okay, maybe not THE best, but he was an incredible character who deserved everything and more. My only quirk was, we needed more of him. He was such an important part of this story that I wanted more from HIM instead of Lilith. More of his past and what his story entailed. I think I’m just very selfish with him. He was such a fantastic character. I can’t say that enough.
“Her eyes hold a thousand secrets, threatening to spill over; I want to unlock each and every one.”
Truth be told, I felt very iffy about Whore. The title was different and the cover was awesome. I don’t read blurbs so I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into. But I’m glad that I took the chance and read it. Willow has truly grown as an author and Whore proves that. Her creativeness and enchanting writing signified that.
I feel as if Whore is the combination of ALL of Willow’s book mixed together. Yes! That is it! So, if you want the angst that is in True Love Story, the mystery that is in Fade to Red, the yearning that is in In the Fields, and the spunk that is in Maybe Maby then you DEFINITELY need to read this book!
dragonflyreads's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so surprising! Suspenseful, beautiful, heartbreaking. So much more than I’d expected and I’m so glad I read it!
paddlefoot55's review against another edition
4.0
ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review
It has been a while since I have read a Willow Aster story, so this sure was a different one to jump back into that pool.
The title alone had me intrigued, the blurb had me needing to jump right in.
Lilith's story is one of love, lost, betrayal and redemption. She is (mostly) a strong heroine and I couldn't help but cheer for her as she broke away from the life she was trapped in.
However about half way through, she started making some dumbass decisions, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes and think "really? That's what you're going to do?" But this could just be me.
The second half fell away a little for me, and everything felt a little rushed and a lot of "seriously?" moments - but again, that could just be me.
I did like where the story ended up though.
I will not be leaving it so long between reads in the future.
It has been a while since I have read a Willow Aster story, so this sure was a different one to jump back into that pool.
The title alone had me intrigued, the blurb had me needing to jump right in.
Lilith's story is one of love, lost, betrayal and redemption. She is (mostly) a strong heroine and I couldn't help but cheer for her as she broke away from the life she was trapped in.
However about half way through, she started making some dumbass decisions, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes and think "really? That's what you're going to do?" But this could just be me.
The second half fell away a little for me, and everything felt a little rushed and a lot of "seriously?" moments - but again, that could just be me.
I did like where the story ended up though.
I will not be leaving it so long between reads in the future.
literarypengwyns's review against another edition
5.0
YUP. I just gave a book titled “Whore” 5 SOLID stars. Let this be a lesson to you... don’t judge a book by its cover OR its title.
Inspired by the biblical story of Hosea and Gomer, this modern tale of a “first class whore”, named Lilith, who was born into a long line of whores finds her life turned upside down when her previous “love” and mob boss, Nico, pops back in demanding a life with Lilith. When his demands result in her life burning to the ground, she runs into a knight in shining armor, Soti, who vows to protect her with little promise from her in return.
I know what you are thinking.......”this is your average smutty new adult novel with little to no substance and will make my brain rot.” WRONG. I swear I thought the same thing going in. I swear I thought the same thing about 15% of the way through. And then I realized that the writing was so powerful and unique and that this story isn’t something I’ve read before. It’s something that drew me in and made me believe in the power of a selfless love, not just “lust” or “possession” or “sex”. Like Lili’s selflessness with Soti and Soti’s (MY GOD SOTI IS AN ANGEL) selflessness with Lili was NOTHING SHORT OF INSPIRING. Then toss in a mob story that hooks you in AND set it in New Orleans and, you, my friend, WILL. BE. HOOKED.
GAH! I just really loved the story, the characters were so developed and I found little to be frustrating within the plot. You end up truly caring and truly feeling the highs and lows alongside Lili and Soti. JUST FLIPPING READ WHORE.
* ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review via Netgalley. *
Inspired by the biblical story of Hosea and Gomer, this modern tale of a “first class whore”, named Lilith, who was born into a long line of whores finds her life turned upside down when her previous “love” and mob boss, Nico, pops back in demanding a life with Lilith. When his demands result in her life burning to the ground, she runs into a knight in shining armor, Soti, who vows to protect her with little promise from her in return.
I know what you are thinking.......”this is your average smutty new adult novel with little to no substance and will make my brain rot.” WRONG. I swear I thought the same thing going in. I swear I thought the same thing about 15% of the way through. And then I realized that the writing was so powerful and unique and that this story isn’t something I’ve read before. It’s something that drew me in and made me believe in the power of a selfless love, not just “lust” or “possession” or “sex”. Like Lili’s selflessness with Soti and Soti’s (MY GOD SOTI IS AN ANGEL) selflessness with Lili was NOTHING SHORT OF INSPIRING. Then toss in a mob story that hooks you in AND set it in New Orleans and, you, my friend, WILL. BE. HOOKED.
GAH! I just really loved the story, the characters were so developed and I found little to be frustrating within the plot. You end up truly caring and truly feeling the highs and lows alongside Lili and Soti. JUST FLIPPING READ WHORE.
* ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review via Netgalley. *
thesassybookworm's review against another edition
4.0
The first 50% of this book was solid 5-Star material. Then halfway through a character pulled the biggest shit for brains move that overshadowed the entire second half. I was left going...seriously? You believe that of her knowing all you know about her life up until that point?? The threats made against her?? I also felt the second half of the book was rushed with too many jumps in time and a lot of over the top events.That said, I still found myself pulled into the story. This is the first book I have read from this author but it won't be my last. She has a very captivating way of writing. I loved the setting of New Orleans. The pace was good for the first 50%. Like I mentioned above I found the second half to be rushed and I am not particularly a fan of time jumps in my books and the second half used this technique a lot. The plot was engaging and kept me turning the pages. It was full of feels and heartbreak but also hope and redemption. There were a few sex scenes but I wouldn't say it was overly spicey. There was a nice selection of secondary characters as well.
Both of the main characters were likable (mostly). For the first half of the book I ADORED Soti. He was sweet. He treated Lilith like gold. He wore his heart on his sleeve. Then the halfway point came and I have to say Soti lost some of his luster for me. He was too quick to think the worst of Lilith considering he knew about her previous life. The threats made against her, etc. I mean for heavens’ sake did he forget the damn car chase?? How do you claim to love someone from the ends of earth and back, but a SINGLE letter convinces you that it was all a lie??!! He seemed to be a somewhat intelligent man, so how could he not put two and two together? He gave up on her SO easily...sigh. Lilith I loved from beginning to the end. She was a strong heroine. She had to be with all the shit that kept getting thrown at her. Last, it was all wrapped up in a sweet ending that again was rushed for me. I would have liked more page space given to Soti and Lilith
Spoiler
learning to be a couple again.