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bookishtalkswithcece's reviews
212 reviews
SKIN: A Dark Fairy-tale Retelling by Sybil Knight
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
"Nothing changed when it came to the way he looked at me, no matter what hatred he was spewing from his lips. His glare was hitched on my every move like it hypnotized him. Like he didn’t know what it was to be in this world without me. Like I was the one reason he woke up in the morning. What kept his heart pumping in his chest and the air filtering through his lungs."
The male lead is absolutely morally black. He's flying all of his red flags 🚩 high, and should definitely be in 🔒🚓 Still, the author wrote him so well that I ended up liking him anyway.
Emily is not only a spitfire, but she's a realistic fmc. She was never a "damsel", but she absolutely did whatever she needed to do to survive, and I appreciated that in her.
The cast of characters are definitely unique, and I loved the different POV's and the bonus scene that let the readers know that these stories are more connected and involved than they appear.
The world building was excellent, and the time skips were flawlessly executed. I devoured this book in one sitting, and I honestly cannot wait to read Casper's story.
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
"Nothing changed when it came to the way he looked at me, no matter what hatred he was spewing from his lips. His glare was hitched on my every move like it hypnotized him. Like he didn’t know what it was to be in this world without me. Like I was the one reason he woke up in the morning. What kept his heart pumping in his chest and the air filtering through his lungs."
The male lead is absolutely morally black. He's flying all of his red flags 🚩 high, and should definitely be in 🔒🚓 Still, the author wrote him so well that I ended up liking him anyway.
Emily is not only a spitfire, but she's a realistic fmc. She was never a "damsel", but she absolutely did whatever she needed to do to survive, and I appreciated that in her.
The cast of characters are definitely unique, and I loved the different POV's and the bonus scene that let the readers know that these stories are more connected and involved than they appear.
The world building was excellent, and the time skips were flawlessly executed. I devoured this book in one sitting, and I honestly cannot wait to read Casper's story.
Madness of Two: A Dark Stalker Romance by Rena Krowe
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Indeed, she's a woman after my heart. My goddess of death in the flesh."
Damon and Gwen are two broken people who's messed up edges only fit together. Damon is the serial unaliver next door, and as much as Gwen fights it, he's exactly who she craves.
The spice was spicyyyyy. The twists and turns were interesting, and I love it when someone takes their power back.
All in all, it was a fun read with 90's slasher vibes that I'm absolutely here for. Damon is morally black and doesn't GAF, so check TW's before diving in.
Damon and Gwen are two broken people who's messed up edges only fit together. Damon is the serial unaliver next door, and as much as Gwen fights it, he's exactly who she craves.
The spice was spicyyyyy. The twists and turns were interesting, and I love it when someone takes their power back.
All in all, it was a fun read with 90's slasher vibes that I'm absolutely here for. Damon is morally black and doesn't GAF, so check TW's before diving in.
Ruthless Sinner by Cora Kent
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"You weren’t just beautiful or good in bed; you were a breath of fresh air. Your soul was the ying to my yang, the darkness to my light, the chaos to my calm.”
Listen, I finished this book in an afternoon. I was sucked into the story immediately by Adalina's inner thoughts and turmoil.
Of course, this is a mafia romance, so our MMC Dante is the one in charge of his family, and Adalina's father owes his father an extremely large debt that he isn't paying back. What starts out as a means to have leverage against Adalina's father, turns into more. Dante is determined to save her, and he doesn't want to let her go.
These two were absolutely hilarious. The banter was 🤌🏻🤌🏻 Dante's brothers and Enzo are an absolute hoot as well, because they roast Dante or call him out on things every chance they get.
And let me just say, I do love a good display of ✨️feminine rage✨️
I honestly can't wait to read more of the Terlizzi family.
Listen, I finished this book in an afternoon. I was sucked into the story immediately by Adalina's inner thoughts and turmoil.
Of course, this is a mafia romance, so our MMC Dante is the one in charge of his family, and Adalina's father owes his father an extremely large debt that he isn't paying back. What starts out as a means to have leverage against Adalina's father, turns into more. Dante is determined to save her, and he doesn't want to let her go.
These two were absolutely hilarious. The banter was 🤌🏻🤌🏻 Dante's brothers and Enzo are an absolute hoot as well, because they roast Dante or call him out on things every chance they get.
And let me just say, I do love a good display of ✨️feminine rage✨️
I honestly can't wait to read more of the Terlizzi family.
The Masks She Wore by H.G. Johnston
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"I was obsessed. I was completely taken by her. Completely and utterly taken."
Jack Ashrin is the King Of Good Girl! He gives out praise like he's getting paid to do it. 🥵
Rae was supposed to be just another assignment. Get the job done, and leave. Except, Jack didn't anticipate Rae and her past being so intoxicating.
Rae feels like something is missing from her life, and on top of her mother’s murder going cold and her weird half-brother, things can't get any worse, right?
Wrong. Next thing she knows, she's being chased by her st@lker and her k!ll=r at a haunted carnival. 🤭🫣
"Look at you, opening up just for me. For a stranger in a mask.”
That doesn't include new, and disturbing information that's slowly coming to light about her mother and her past.
Can Rae and Jack weather the storm and find out the truth, while also discovering each other?
The Masks She Wore is book 2 in the Shadows Of Sin. This book ends on a cliffhanger of sorts. Like a HFN. Some of the information that is relevant to Rae and Jack won't be revealed until the later books. I highly recommend this series, because the author will keep you on your toes and keep you engaged.
Welcome to The Family 😈
Jack Ashrin is the King Of Good Girl! He gives out praise like he's getting paid to do it. 🥵
Rae was supposed to be just another assignment. Get the job done, and leave. Except, Jack didn't anticipate Rae and her past being so intoxicating.
Rae feels like something is missing from her life, and on top of her mother’s murder going cold and her weird half-brother, things can't get any worse, right?
Wrong. Next thing she knows, she's being chased by her st@lker and her k!ll=r at a haunted carnival. 🤭🫣
"Look at you, opening up just for me. For a stranger in a mask.”
That doesn't include new, and disturbing information that's slowly coming to light about her mother and her past.
Can Rae and Jack weather the storm and find out the truth, while also discovering each other?
The Masks She Wore is book 2 in the Shadows Of Sin. This book ends on a cliffhanger of sorts. Like a HFN. Some of the information that is relevant to Rae and Jack won't be revealed until the later books. I highly recommend this series, because the author will keep you on your toes and keep you engaged.
Welcome to The Family 😈
Bloody Quarter by Brooklyn Cross
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
If you want to die, I can arrange that, but I promise you'll taste heaven before you walk with the dead."
Alora is a ride or 💀 baddie. She's been through some of the worst things in life, and still has a heart of gold. I absolutely loved her character because I adore a realistic, strong FMC.
Greyson is an absolute sociopath and serial 💀. And maybe I need therapy, because despite the things he did, the author still found a way to make me love him. 🤣
Greyson's obsession with Alora makes him take drastic measures to ensure she starts healing and living. He manages to lift Alora up so she can see her worth and heals the little girl inside her who was betrayed by everyone.
The plot was great, and Alora's backstory absolutely tugged at my heartstrings. The ending was perfect. Certain people got exactly what they deserved, and the final goodbye absolutely gave me goosebumps.
Alora is a ride or 💀 baddie. She's been through some of the worst things in life, and still has a heart of gold. I absolutely loved her character because I adore a realistic, strong FMC.
Greyson is an absolute sociopath and serial 💀. And maybe I need therapy, because despite the things he did, the author still found a way to make me love him. 🤣
Greyson's obsession with Alora makes him take drastic measures to ensure she starts healing and living. He manages to lift Alora up so she can see her worth and heals the little girl inside her who was betrayed by everyone.
The plot was great, and Alora's backstory absolutely tugged at my heartstrings. The ending was perfect. Certain people got exactly what they deserved, and the final goodbye absolutely gave me goosebumps.
Burning Quarter by Melissa McSherry
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"If being with you means watching the world burn, I'll pour the gas and fuck you while the flames devour everything in their path."
Have I told you guys how much I love a strong FMC? Stevie is another absolute baddie, and she also has this really cool knowledge of plants and herbs. She has her own shop full of really helpful tinctures, balms, soaps etc. All made from her knowledge of these plants and what benefits each one has on the body. Couple that with her past, she is definitely someone I want in my corner.
Lennox doesn't seem as unhinged as Greyson on the surface, but I promise you he's his own brand of twisted, with a love of fire and watching things burn. When he discovers another arsonist in the Quarter, a game ensues between the two, that's as destructive as it is amusing.
I love the dynamic between Stevie and Lennox. He wants to take care of her and protect her, and at first, she's reluctant to do so because she's always had to take care of herself. Eventually, she let's him, but it's not because she can't take care of herself, but because she wants to be able to rely on someone and have them in her corner.
And let me just say, THE BAR SCENE? 🥵🥵 Phewww, that had my jaw on the floor. I totally didn't expect it, but I definitely should have from 1 of the Burbon Boys.
Have I told you guys how much I love a strong FMC? Stevie is another absolute baddie, and she also has this really cool knowledge of plants and herbs. She has her own shop full of really helpful tinctures, balms, soaps etc. All made from her knowledge of these plants and what benefits each one has on the body. Couple that with her past, she is definitely someone I want in my corner.
Lennox doesn't seem as unhinged as Greyson on the surface, but I promise you he's his own brand of twisted, with a love of fire and watching things burn. When he discovers another arsonist in the Quarter, a game ensues between the two, that's as destructive as it is amusing.
I love the dynamic between Stevie and Lennox. He wants to take care of her and protect her, and at first, she's reluctant to do so because she's always had to take care of herself. Eventually, she let's him, but it's not because she can't take care of herself, but because she wants to be able to rely on someone and have them in her corner.
And let me just say, THE BAR SCENE? 🥵🥵 Phewww, that had my jaw on the floor. I totally didn't expect it, but I definitely should have from 1 of the Burbon Boys.
Sick Fux by Tillie Cole
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Soulmates forged in fire, under the watchful gaze of Satan’s mocking eyes."
This book has some seriously dark themes, and it's definitely messed up, but it was so good. The use of literary symbolism to connect it to Alice In Wonderland was great. Sure, a lot of the comparisons were obvious, but they were done really well. I absolutely love a good revenge story, and this checks all of the boxes. The villians were 100% evil, and absolutely deserved what they got. I adored the Dolly version of Ellis, even if she scared me a bit. 🤣 She's a bonafide baddie, but she's scary man. I also need to look up some fanart of their outfits, STAT. They always looked so damn sharp. Check your triggers, but all in all, I totally recommend.
This book has some seriously dark themes, and it's definitely messed up, but it was so good. The use of literary symbolism to connect it to Alice In Wonderland was great. Sure, a lot of the comparisons were obvious, but they were done really well. I absolutely love a good revenge story, and this checks all of the boxes. The villians were 100% evil, and absolutely deserved what they got. I adored the Dolly version of Ellis, even if she scared me a bit. 🤣 She's a bonafide baddie, but she's scary man. I also need to look up some fanart of their outfits, STAT. They always looked so damn sharp. Check your triggers, but all in all, I totally recommend.
The Offering by Layla Moon
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I had quite a few issues with this book, and it sucks because I was really excited to read it. I didn't like the fact that the brothers had absolutely NO redeeming qualities at all. Like NONE. They were all terrible people for a terrible reason. Normally, the MMC's in dark romances have some sort of redemption. The book was a little too wordy for me as well. It didn't keep me hooked, and it took a lot of motivation for me to finish this. The book needed a lot of editing as well. I had some other thoughts on this, but other people summed it up perfectly. All in all, I don't recommend this, unfortunately.