A review by radiansreads
2204 Hunter Lane by Marie-France Teresa Leger

5.0

2204 Hunter Lane is not at all what I expected it to be. When I started following the updates on TikTok (yes, I still get book recs from that darn app) I was expecting to only be all in for Hunter Lane himself and the spice, because that’s all booktok ever recommends these days. Now that I’ve gone through the entirety of the book, I’m honestly pleased to say that I was wrong. I hated Hunter. Well, hate was a strong word but he made me feel like he’s not a good main character material. He was unbearably rude and I wholly agreed with Marley and her ‘throw men to apex predators’ world-view. He certainly didn’t deserve anything Marley was offering him - the patience and understanding that he was in a bad place and needed help. Because, how hard was it to just open up to someone and just heal? I was wrong yet again and so was Marley. When we get to know the real Hunter Lane, underneath all that layers to thorns and barbs I realised that it is in fact not that easy to just let everything out in the air. The pain that he felt and carried felt heavy even from a stranger’s perspective, and he did carry and bottle those feelings for so long it made me feel like an asshole for judging when we know him so little. Which made me realise that Hunter Lane really is a strong person underneath all of that prickly personality. In fact I’d say every single one of the Lanes and Marley are the strongest, kindest people. I freaking love Marley from page one and because of the slow burn pacing, I was so ready to throw Hunter out and root for Marley alone. Despite her insecurities she was tougher than she thought, stupid parents be damned. The writing itself is fun and engaging, so even though I usually chuck slowburns away for taking too long, this one keeps me curious and hooked every chapter until the very end. To which I have to say: to the real Hunter Lane, the one who this book is based on, I hope you’re enjoying your happiness always. I’m so proud of you.