brooke4's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
velvetsun's review against another edition
5.0
6++++++ stars.
I just devoured this book in one sitting. I had been saving it for months because to be honest, I didn't want to contemplate the idea of Caleb and Livie's story coming to an end. But...what an ending it was.
"You don't need my forgiveness. Anything that's mine to give is already yours."
Let me apologize right off the bat because, this isn't going to be so much a review...as a fangirl gush-fest.
When I stumbled across The Dark Duet series last year, I dived into it head first, not really knowing what i was in for. I wasn't at all prepared for how dark and twisted that ride would be. And like most people, I found myself struggling with how to feel about Caleb. He does so many truly terrible things in the first two books. But, once CJ Roberts began to give us a glimpse into that tortured man's soul, i was hopeless to resist him. Much like Livie.
"I have never felt comfortable sharing my feelings - especially my doubts, fears, hopes and desires. They are what make me vulnerable. And more than anything, I hate to be vulnerable."
While I was thrilled when I found out that Roberts was going to be writing a novella exclusively from Caleb's POV, I was also a little scared as well. I wasn't sure how I would end up feeling about him once I got a closer look inside his twisted mind. Let's just say, I could totally understand how conflicted Livie always felt about her feelings for Caleb. On the one hand, he's the monster who kidnapped and terrorized her. But on the other, he's the man who would stop at nothing to protect her. Even at the cost of his own life or freedom. But, Roberts wiped away my fears within the first few pages of this gorgeous, sexy, emotional book. Seeing things through Caleb's eyes...getting to truly understand how much he regretted how they came to know each other...how much he wished he could have been a better man for her....well, it goes without saying that my love for him has now reached an all new level of adoration.
I didn't want to hurt her. I loved her. I don't know how to do it like a normal person. I didn't know how to tell her how scared I was. I pressed my head to the back of her neck and tried.
"Tell me I don't deserve you. Tell me all the things I already know."
There were times while reading this book that I was just completely floored by Robert's talent. She has managed to create this complex, dark & twisty world that is both alien, and feels disturbingly familiar. And she has given us two of the most emotionally and intellectually complex characters I have ever come across.
"I made you love me! Livie, I was confused. I was...broken. I'm still broken. I don't know who I am or what I want. All I know is that without you, there's nothing. I'm nothing. Do you have any idea how terrifying that is for someone like me?"
"You're the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life. I just wish I could...be that for you."
Reading has always been my passion and an escape from the stress of my daily life. And once in a great while I manage to stumble upon a book or a series of books that not only make an impact on my life, but truly touch my heart in a way that few ever have before. These 3 books have more than made an impact on my life. And I know that I will always hold a very special place in my heart for Livie and Caleb's very unconventional, but no less beautiful love story.
The Dark Duet series is a journey through some of the most painful and gut-wrenching of experiences. But, it is also a story about love and battling your demons and being okay with not being perfect. With not having a perfect life.
Caleb and Livie's relationship isn't about hearts and flowers. It's about devotion and commitment against every odd imaginable.
Survival is the most important thing. It affords us the chance to live and to find all of the things that make life worthwhile. I found redemption. I found forgiveness. I found love.
I had finally found a way to obey and never look back.
I could never write an ending better than the one Livvie gave you, but I’ll leave you with this:
Once upon a time I saved Livie. She’s been saving me ever since.
**Read more of my reviews at my blog** http://ravingbookaddict.blogspot.com
I just devoured this book in one sitting. I had been saving it for months because to be honest, I didn't want to contemplate the idea of Caleb and Livie's story coming to an end. But...what an ending it was.
"You don't need my forgiveness. Anything that's mine to give is already yours."
Let me apologize right off the bat because, this isn't going to be so much a review...as a fangirl gush-fest.
When I stumbled across The Dark Duet series last year, I dived into it head first, not really knowing what i was in for. I wasn't at all prepared for how dark and twisted that ride would be. And like most people, I found myself struggling with how to feel about Caleb. He does so many truly terrible things in the first two books. But, once CJ Roberts began to give us a glimpse into that tortured man's soul, i was hopeless to resist him. Much like Livie.
"I have never felt comfortable sharing my feelings - especially my doubts, fears, hopes and desires. They are what make me vulnerable. And more than anything, I hate to be vulnerable."
While I was thrilled when I found out that Roberts was going to be writing a novella exclusively from Caleb's POV, I was also a little scared as well. I wasn't sure how I would end up feeling about him once I got a closer look inside his twisted mind. Let's just say, I could totally understand how conflicted Livie always felt about her feelings for Caleb. On the one hand, he's the monster who kidnapped and terrorized her. But on the other, he's the man who would stop at nothing to protect her. Even at the cost of his own life or freedom. But, Roberts wiped away my fears within the first few pages of this gorgeous, sexy, emotional book. Seeing things through Caleb's eyes...getting to truly understand how much he regretted how they came to know each other...how much he wished he could have been a better man for her....well, it goes without saying that my love for him has now reached an all new level of adoration.
I didn't want to hurt her. I loved her. I don't know how to do it like a normal person. I didn't know how to tell her how scared I was. I pressed my head to the back of her neck and tried.
"Tell me I don't deserve you. Tell me all the things I already know."
There were times while reading this book that I was just completely floored by Robert's talent. She has managed to create this complex, dark & twisty world that is both alien, and feels disturbingly familiar. And she has given us two of the most emotionally and intellectually complex characters I have ever come across.
"I made you love me! Livie, I was confused. I was...broken. I'm still broken. I don't know who I am or what I want. All I know is that without you, there's nothing. I'm nothing. Do you have any idea how terrifying that is for someone like me?"
"You're the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life. I just wish I could...be that for you."
Reading has always been my passion and an escape from the stress of my daily life. And once in a great while I manage to stumble upon a book or a series of books that not only make an impact on my life, but truly touch my heart in a way that few ever have before. These 3 books have more than made an impact on my life. And I know that I will always hold a very special place in my heart for Livie and Caleb's very unconventional, but no less beautiful love story.
The Dark Duet series is a journey through some of the most painful and gut-wrenching of experiences. But, it is also a story about love and battling your demons and being okay with not being perfect. With not having a perfect life.
Caleb and Livie's relationship isn't about hearts and flowers. It's about devotion and commitment against every odd imaginable.
Survival is the most important thing. It affords us the chance to live and to find all of the things that make life worthwhile. I found redemption. I found forgiveness. I found love.
I had finally found a way to obey and never look back.
I could never write an ending better than the one Livvie gave you, but I’ll leave you with this:
Once upon a time I saved Livie. She’s been saving me ever since.
**Read more of my reviews at my blog** http://ravingbookaddict.blogspot.com
sungetch's review against another edition
5.0
If you read the other two books in the series I think this is a must read! Go ahead and purchase
i_dont_read_blurbs's review against another edition
5.0
There aren't enough stars for this book. This book rocked my world!!!!!!!!!!
“This is a love story. The characters are flawed to the point of being broken. The hero is beautiful, but ugly in ways that defy the ordinary imagination. The heroine isn’t trapped in a tower, but a dark and lonely room. There is no prince coming to save her. While love blooms and thrives, there is no happily ever after. Love does not always begin or end the way we wish it would.” ~ Livvie’s story
Holy shit, this is one of the most intense books I’ve ever read. I’m filled with nervous angst, yet, desire and hope.
“I thought of her as mine. She was mine, and yet I couldn’t touch her where it mattered. I couldn’t touch her heart and force her to give me the things I had stupidly come to need. For a moment… I hated her. I hated loving her.” ~ Caleb
I loved Caleb’s POV. I loved that he talked to us in this book. Although it’s so heartbreaking that I can actually feel his pain. The weight he carries seems too much for anyone to bear. As I type this, I’m slapping myself, he’s the bad guy!!!! God, this series makes me so conflicted, but I love it so much!!!! I needed a support group while reading this. It was everything I’d waited for and then some. I loved Caleb’s lighter side. I loved when he laughed! He made my heart ache in many parts, but he made it smile way more. I love the way he grew and loved Livvie. I. Love. Caleb. PERIOD!
This might be the guiltiest pleasure I’ve ever had the joy of reading. No matter what Caleb …
“Does she love me, or does she love all the things I do to her?...... The void in me shuddered. It was enough, I told myself. Everything Livvie and I had was enough. I paid no attention to the void when it sang: For now.”~Caleb
Livvie...
“Well, first, I want to say I’m thankful for the food. I can’t wait to eat it. But, more importantly… I’m thankful that I’m here at all.” She swallowed, and the sight of her eyes becoming wet with unshed tears made me want to tell everyone to leave so I could kiss her into forgetting everything she was feeling. Instead, I had to sit and pretend I wasn’t the villain in Livvie’s life.
Livvie is one tough bitch! She’s fun, passionate, and just bad ass! She has so many demons to fight and watching her journey of dealing with it is both heart wrenching and beautiful. I loved reading the book entries she wrote. It added so much to the story.
In this book, I really finally realized how young they both are. I liked seeing them adjust and do the things people their age do. I do understand how some people saw it as shocking and unrealistic, but honestly, what are they supposed to do? How do they move on? They have to start somewhere and I would play Guitar Hero with them any day!
There's just no denying that they are one hot ass couple. Their passion jumps off the pages and smacks you in the face!!!!
My favorite scene…
This series is absolutely EPIC. It is a journey you don’t want to avoid, an absolute must read! Seriously, C.J. Roberts…
“This is a love story. The characters are flawed to the point of being broken. The hero is beautiful, but ugly in ways that defy the ordinary imagination. The heroine isn’t trapped in a tower, but a dark and lonely room. There is no prince coming to save her. While love blooms and thrives, there is no happily ever after. Love does not always begin or end the way we wish it would.” ~ Livvie’s story
Holy shit, this is one of the most intense books I’ve ever read. I’m filled with nervous angst, yet, desire and hope.
“I thought of her as mine. She was mine, and yet I couldn’t touch her where it mattered. I couldn’t touch her heart and force her to give me the things I had stupidly come to need. For a moment… I hated her. I hated loving her.” ~ Caleb
I loved Caleb’s POV. I loved that he talked to us in this book. Although it’s so heartbreaking that I can actually feel his pain. The weight he carries seems too much for anyone to bear. As I type this, I’m slapping myself, he’s the bad guy!!!! God, this series makes me so conflicted, but I love it so much!!!! I needed a support group while reading this. It was everything I’d waited for and then some. I loved Caleb’s lighter side. I loved when he laughed! He made my heart ache in many parts, but he made it smile way more. I love the way he grew and loved Livvie. I. Love. Caleb. PERIOD!
This might be the guiltiest pleasure I’ve ever had the joy of reading. No matter what Caleb …
“Does she love me, or does she love all the things I do to her?...... The void in me shuddered. It was enough, I told myself. Everything Livvie and I had was enough. I paid no attention to the void when it sang: For now.”~Caleb
Livvie...
“Well, first, I want to say I’m thankful for the food. I can’t wait to eat it. But, more importantly… I’m thankful that I’m here at all.” She swallowed, and the sight of her eyes becoming wet with unshed tears made me want to tell everyone to leave so I could kiss her into forgetting everything she was feeling. Instead, I had to sit and pretend I wasn’t the villain in Livvie’s life.
Livvie is one tough bitch! She’s fun, passionate, and just bad ass! She has so many demons to fight and watching her journey of dealing with it is both heart wrenching and beautiful. I loved reading the book entries she wrote. It added so much to the story.
In this book, I really finally realized how young they both are. I liked seeing them adjust and do the things people their age do. I do understand how some people saw it as shocking and unrealistic, but honestly, what are they supposed to do? How do they move on? They have to start somewhere and I would play Guitar Hero with them any day!
There's just no denying that they are one hot ass couple. Their passion jumps off the pages and smacks you in the face!!!!
My favorite scene…
This series is absolutely EPIC. It is a journey you don’t want to avoid, an absolute must read! Seriously, C.J. Roberts…
legz02's review against another edition
4.0
Even though C.J. Roberts is definitely a "must read" author for me, I don't really know how I feel about this story from Caleb/James POV. Essentially I don't think it was necessary but I wanted to keep an open mind. Maybe a novella might have done the same job.
foxy_roxy's review against another edition
5.0
Totally F*N worth the wait!! I absolutely loved that we got to hear from Livvie and Caleb and how imperfect their ending was! I loved that they had to struggle and learn how to become a couple... A definite change from all the HEA... Don't get me wrong, we get one, we just have to learn along with them... It was awesome!!!
deetrejo07's review against another edition
5.0
Ok first of all WOW from the moment I found Captive I was in love with their story I can't count the times I've re-read the dark duet I made my book buddy read it right away. I've been waiting for this one to come out for what seems like forever and CJ I can say can do no wrong I sat up and read this book in a few hours I couldn't put it down reading everything from Calebs POV was awesome I ate up every word of course he was funny, charming, a compleate ass sometimes but thats why we love him and Livvie wasn't just stupid little girl she was strong a true surviver. CJ can spin words like a DJ. LOVE LOVE LOVE not just this book but the dark duet books and I will be reading them over and over I can't get tired of them. Can't wait to read what C.J. Roberts writes in the future!!!
stephsromancebooktalk's review against another edition
5.0
Such a bitter sweet closing to this series!!! A little mad that I had a bit of a malfunction to start but CJ Roberts TOTALLY lived up to the hype!! I will miss Livve/Sophia and Caleb/James dearly they are now in my top fav couples list!!
If dark and twisted is like this all the time I am in so much trouble. This story in all its dark and twistedness is utterly heartwrenchingly beautiful!!
If dark and twisted is like this all the time I am in so much trouble. This story in all its dark and twistedness is utterly heartwrenchingly beautiful!!