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A review by ddog8
The Player by Nikki J. Summers
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Noooooo!
I loved and devoured the books in this series. All 4-5 star ratings. But this one completely missed the mark for me. Man, I'm so sad.
I'm sorry, I know this book got really great ratings...
I can't really pinpoint why. There were some weird inconsistencies that just annoyed me:
- Bryony (FMC) commented on his (MMC) amazing muscular body and tanned skin when they were getting it on the next day in the mask scene. They were locked in a cell for "weeks" (unspecified) and basically starved. HOW did he get a tan the next day and how did he keep muscle mass by eating a sandwich and a piece of toast a day?
- They both initially lie to their friends about where they were for the time they were missing, well... mainly Bryony which was just stupid. Their friends and family didn't notice how they MUST have been sallow, skinnier, haggard from poor sleep? Didn't question why these overly social and bombastic people went MIA in the first place with a text saying "brb, gone for sexy times"? Yeah, not buying it.
- There is no mention of her having her period which would have been a challenge but would be a reality if she was there for so long. Also, unprotected sex. Perhaps she had an IUD or something.
- Will also went through this experience. Yes, he deals with graphic violence etc. often, but I felt bad that the FMC was taking his reaction to the situation at face value. He's also human and survived a horrible situation while carrying the weight of her well-being. It must have been exhausting.
- Lastly, to be pedantic, hoooowwww did he sleep lying on his side with his ear mutilated? Ok, perhaps it was the other side but really...you just almost sever your own ear and it's pain free and just a non-issue?
It all just felt really shallow 😞
You never got to know the characters, there was no depth to them which was really sad. Honestly, I felt I knew the villain way more than the main characters.
All in all, unfortunately this one wasn't a winner. I still love Nikki's writing and will read the next one.
I loved and devoured the books in this series. All 4-5 star ratings. But this one completely missed the mark for me. Man, I'm so sad.
I'm sorry, I know this book got really great ratings...
I can't really pinpoint why. There were some weird inconsistencies that just annoyed me:
- They both initially lie to their friends about where they were for the time they were missing, well... mainly Bryony which was just stupid. Their friends and family didn't notice how they MUST have been sallow, skinnier, haggard from poor sleep? Didn't question why these overly social and bombastic people went MIA in the first place with a text saying "brb, gone for sexy times"? Yeah, not buying it.
- There is no mention of her having her period which would have been a challenge but would be a reality if she was there for so long. Also, unprotected sex. Perhaps she had an IUD or something.
- Will also went through this experience. Yes, he deals with graphic violence etc. often, but I felt bad that the FMC was taking his reaction to the situation at face value. He's also human and survived a horrible situation while carrying the weight of her well-being. It must have been exhausting.
- Lastly, to be pedantic, hoooowwww did he sleep lying on his side with his ear mutilated? Ok, perhaps it was the other side but really...you just almost sever your own ear and it's pain free and just a non-issue?
It all just felt really shallow 😞
You never got to know the characters, there was no depth to them which was really sad. Honestly, I felt I knew the villain way more than the main characters.
All in all, unfortunately this one wasn't a winner. I still love Nikki's writing and will read the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Torture, and Kidnapping