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A review by nerdishreader
When He Takes by Gabrielle Sands
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Fake dating turned into forced marriage for her protection. Love that.
I had high hopes starting this one but I feel like I'm 15 again reading a mafia wattpad story. LIke Alessio is literally a wattpad inspired episode character and you can't convince me otherwise.
Blake was conflicted with her feelings toward Nero (for obvious reasons of course) and the shit he put her through. She wanted to escape the criminal life but at the same time, was concerned that she'd lose her moral compass the longer she was exposed to that world. But she endured because she wanted Nero safe, so she played into it.
Initially I was really excited to see Blake grow into the role of being a badass Mafia mommy, even if it was just a ploy. It didn't go the way I thought it would've but given her characteristics and the things she went through during childhood, I understand why she didn't.
HOWEVER. The entire ploy with Nero, the Italians and the bratva was extremely underwhelming. I expected more and I fear it did not live up to expectations. It felt stale, it was boring the way everything unraveled and concluded. And at this point, I skimmed the rest of the book to the ending.
---
"You can hate me. You can wish me dead. But you will never threaten to hurt yourself again. If you do anything to put yourself in harm’s way, I swear to God, Blake, I will build a cage and lock you in it" Bro thinks he's Lestat
Overall- ★★★
I had high hopes starting this one but I feel like I'm 15 again reading a mafia wattpad story. LIke Alessio is literally a wattpad inspired episode character and you can't convince me otherwise.
Blake was conflicted with her feelings toward Nero (for obvious reasons of course) and the shit he put her through. She wanted to escape the criminal life but at the same time, was concerned that she'd lose her moral compass the longer she was exposed to that world. But she endured because she wanted Nero safe, so she played into it.
Initially I was really excited to see Blake grow into the role of being a badass Mafia mommy, even if it was just a ploy. It didn't go the way I thought it would've but given her characteristics and the things she went through during childhood, I understand why she didn't.
HOWEVER. The entire ploy with Nero, the Italians and the bratva was extremely underwhelming. I expected more and I fear it did not live up to expectations. It felt stale, it was boring the way everything unraveled and concluded. And at this point, I skimmed the rest of the book to the ending.
---
"You can hate me. You can wish me dead. But you will never threaten to hurt yourself again. If you do anything to put yourself in harm’s way, I swear to God, Blake, I will build a cage and lock you in it" Bro thinks he's Lestat
Overall- ★★★