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A review by dinoqueenreads
So Real by Abby Millsaps
4.0
please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: cliffhanger
POV: multi 1st person POV
spice: a few open-door spicy scenes
TWs: death of a parent (recounted), degradation, dissociative fugue states, emotional abuse, grief, manipulation, miscarriage (recounted, on page), unintentionally missed safe wording, narcissism, PTSD, suicidal ideation, mild stalking
Kinky Content: anal play, BDSM, bratting, breath play, cum play, degradation, Dom/sub dynamics, double penetration, exhibitionism, felching, hand necklaces, hands free cumming, humiliation, impact play, MMF, MMMF, oral, outdoor sex, rimming, praise, snowballing, spit as lube, spitting, “teach me”, threesome
standalone: book 2 of The Boys of South Chapel series
final thoughts: WOWZA. Book 2 is full to the brim of angst and emotion. This book was somehow a slow read (not in a bad way!) because of the emotional content and a fast read because of the relationship building. The pacing felt right for this storyline and added to the instability and unreliability of Hunter.
While the plot wasn’t driven forward too far, since it’s dual timeline and the “now” takes place over a short period of time, the connections between the characters (old and new) were a major plot. We get to see the different connections not only between the love interests, but parents/parental figures as well.
A highly, highly emotional read with lots of triggers, lots of spicy content, and another huge cliffhanger.
I’m anticipating the next read to see how this plays out… I know me and my buddy reading friends have our theories but I’m DYING for answers!!
read this book if you love
😬 angst
⛓️ BDSM
💵 billionaire
🍿 celebrity
🍪 cinnamon roll MMC
🏫 college setting
🖤 dark romance
🥵 dirty talk
📅 dual timeline
💬 epistolary
❌ ex boyfriend’s best friend
😳 forbidden lovers
🏝️ forced proximity
👨👩👧👦 found family
💞 friends-to-lovers
🎁 grand gestures
👦 he falls first and hard
🏫 high school sweethearts
🤫 hidden secrets
🎄 holiday themes
🩹 hurt/comfort
🧠 “it’s always been you”
🛏️ “it’s just a fling”
😏 kinky
🌈 LGBT+ representation
🗺️ long distance relationship
💞 mutual pining
❓ mystery
🥰 nicknames
🔀 opposites attract
😜 over the top, jealous, possessive MMC
🌀 plot twists
🙏 praise
🤜 rivals-to-lovers
🛌 roommates
2️⃣ 2nd chance romance
🏈 sports romance (football)
🧑🤝👩 step family
🤓 “teach me”
⚔️ why choose (MMMF)
🧙♀️ witches
🌍 world building
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: cliffhanger
POV: multi 1st person POV
spice: a few open-door spicy scenes
TWs: death of a parent (recounted), degradation, dissociative fugue states, emotional abuse, grief, manipulation, miscarriage (recounted, on page), unintentionally missed safe wording, narcissism, PTSD, suicidal ideation, mild stalking
Kinky Content: anal play, BDSM, bratting, breath play, cum play, degradation, Dom/sub dynamics, double penetration, exhibitionism, felching, hand necklaces, hands free cumming, humiliation, impact play, MMF, MMMF, oral, outdoor sex, rimming, praise, snowballing, spit as lube, spitting, “teach me”, threesome
standalone: book 2 of The Boys of South Chapel series
final thoughts: WOWZA. Book 2 is full to the brim of angst and emotion. This book was somehow a slow read (not in a bad way!) because of the emotional content and a fast read because of the relationship building. The pacing felt right for this storyline and added to the instability and unreliability of Hunter.
While the plot wasn’t driven forward too far, since it’s dual timeline and the “now” takes place over a short period of time, the connections between the characters (old and new) were a major plot. We get to see the different connections not only between the love interests, but parents/parental figures as well.
A highly, highly emotional read with lots of triggers, lots of spicy content, and another huge cliffhanger.
I’m anticipating the next read to see how this plays out… I know me and my buddy reading friends have our theories but I’m DYING for answers!!
read this book if you love
😬 angst
⛓️ BDSM
💵 billionaire
🍿 celebrity
🍪 cinnamon roll MMC
🏫 college setting
🖤 dark romance
🥵 dirty talk
📅 dual timeline
💬 epistolary
❌ ex boyfriend’s best friend
😳 forbidden lovers
🏝️ forced proximity
👨👩👧👦 found family
💞 friends-to-lovers
🎁 grand gestures
👦 he falls first and hard
🏫 high school sweethearts
🤫 hidden secrets
🎄 holiday themes
🩹 hurt/comfort
🧠 “it’s always been you”
🛏️ “it’s just a fling”
😏 kinky
🌈 LGBT+ representation
🗺️ long distance relationship
💞 mutual pining
❓ mystery
🥰 nicknames
🔀 opposites attract
😜 over the top, jealous, possessive MMC
🌀 plot twists
🙏 praise
🤜 rivals-to-lovers
🛌 roommates
2️⃣ 2nd chance romance
🏈 sports romance (football)
🧑🤝👩 step family
🤓 “teach me”
⚔️ why choose (MMMF)
🧙♀️ witches
🌍 world building