A review by awrittenwood
Blindfolded Innocence by Alessandra Torre
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I typically like Torre's writing style, and this book had some fun moments which is why it's not rated lower. I didn't realize until now that it was a debut novel, and that makes sense. I've read others by her that I liked more.
Usually, I liked Brad and was meh about Julia. I hated them a lot throughout the book, though, and not in that "oh, they're tortured and can't help their flaws" way, but more in a "he's a disrespectful jackass and she's a judgmental hypocrite" way. While I appreciate that they learn and grow from each other, it doesn't come across as genuine for Julia's character. She is so quick to call out the sexual behaviors of others as "slutty" or "deviant", but as soon as she sees the hottest guy she's ever seen, she melts like butter.
Now, Brad. I don't love the pressure and persistence after Julia told him no, and that he knows how important the internship is to her but doesn't give af about the fact that being seen with him could easily cause her to lose it, which is his fault in the first place for fucking interns, clients, and, oh, yeah...Broward's wife . It's a tale as old as time: Man in power propositions woman that works under him.
It's also strange that there wasn't really any lead up to the end scene throughout the rest of the book other than these "rules" at the beginning of chapters that had literally nothing to do with the chapter itself. I was wondering why the book is titled Blindfolded Innocence until about the last 5-10 pages. Those last 5-10 pages needed at least a few chapters of buildup IMHO, because we went from 1 to 100 in a very short time. This book did not tie up any loose ends, so you have to read the next one to figure out what, if any, implications or consequences there are to the MCs' lives.
I liked the supporting characters. Becca is the rich, but still chill, sex positive, supportive friend, and Olivia is the very rational, responsibly supportive one. I've forgotten the older woman's name they visit in Boulder, but she was fun too. They're a good balance. Ngl though, I loved the whole time Brad and Julia were in Vegas, especially when they went to Saffire [sp?] and Boulder. I forgot the one girl's name he fucks in the club office (which is yet another abuse of his power) , but I was here for the Montana scene. That could have been 1/3 of the book, and I'd have been all for it.
Overall, there were parts I liked, but the balance shifts more to what I didn't like. I'll probably pick up the next one at some point to see how it's going with these characters.
Usually, I liked Brad and was meh about Julia. I hated them a lot throughout the book, though, and not in that "oh, they're tortured and can't help their flaws" way, but more in a "he's a disrespectful jackass and she's a judgmental hypocrite" way. While I appreciate that they learn and grow from each other, it doesn't come across as genuine for Julia's character. She is so quick to call out the sexual behaviors of others as "slutty" or "deviant", but as soon as she sees the hottest guy she's ever seen, she melts like butter.
Now, Brad. I don't love the pressure and persistence after Julia told him no, and that he knows how important the internship is to her but doesn't give af about the fact that being seen with him could easily cause her to lose it, which is his fault in the first place for fucking interns, clients, and, oh, yeah...Broward's wife . It's a tale as old as time: Man in power propositions woman that works under him.
It's also strange that there wasn't really any lead up to the end scene throughout the rest of the book other than these "rules" at the beginning of chapters that had literally nothing to do with the chapter itself. I was wondering why the book is titled Blindfolded Innocence until about the last 5-10 pages. Those last 5-10 pages needed at least a few chapters of buildup IMHO, because we went from 1 to 100 in a very short time. This book did not tie up any loose ends, so you have to read the next one to figure out what, if any, implications or consequences there are to the MCs' lives.
I liked the supporting characters. Becca is the rich, but still chill, sex positive, supportive friend, and Olivia is the very rational, responsibly supportive one. I've forgotten the older woman's name they visit in Boulder, but she was fun too. They're a good balance. Ngl though, I loved the whole time Brad and Julia were in Vegas, especially when they went to Saffire [sp?] and Boulder. I forgot the one girl's name he fucks in the club office (which is yet another abuse of his power) , but I was here for the Montana scene. That could have been 1/3 of the book, and I'd have been all for it.
Overall, there were parts I liked, but the balance shifts more to what I didn't like. I'll probably pick up the next one at some point to see how it's going with these characters.