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jessanicolesingh's reviews
94 reviews
Torment: Part Two by Dylan Page
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This series was pretty devastating š It was incredibly well written, but gut wrenching and comfortable. The subject matter is not for a light reader, and though there were themes in line with dark romance, I donāt think I would fit the duet into that category. You donāt root for the āmain coupleā, but rather obsess with the toxicity as the car accident unfolds.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Suicide, Blood, and Murder
Torment: Part One by Dylan Page
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This series was pretty devastating š It was incredibly well written, but gut wrenching and comfortable. The subject matter is not for a light reader, and though there were themes in line with dark romance, I donāt think I would fit the duet into that category. You donāt root for the āmain coupleā, but rather obsess with the toxicity as the car accident unfolds.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Blood, and Murder
The Hand that Feeds by K.M. Mixon
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Every once in a while I set my sights on an unhinged dark romance, testing the waters on what aspects are too much for me, and this was a perfect example. The writing wasnāt poor, though it definitely used the word āstupidā a STUPID amount of times, it just went a little too far past the boundary I have for my tastes within this genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Murder
Until Then by Micalea Smeltzer
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was such a cute and light small town romance, just as its interconnected prequel was by the same author, 11:11. The two main characters, a young social media influencer recently taken down by ācancel cultureā, and the widowed father of her assistant who is 17 years her senior, are temporarily forced to live together and find themselves blossoming in each other's company. The magnetic pull between the two felt cozy and inevitable, and never forced, and the age gap was much more palatable at 27 & 44 than the 18-20 year oldās typically featured in this trope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Grief
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
This was such an unexpected 5 āļø read for me; I am SO glad I gave in to the TikTok hype!
For a gothic fantasy romance, this book was so much fun! Itās centered around a haunted house hosting an annual supernatural competition through the 9 levels of Hell, where our contesting FMC makes a deal with one of the resident ghosts to aid her along the way, all the while she is also searching for her missing sister. As she struggles to survive the trials, forbidden sparks begin to bloom between her and the phantom, and there are some straight feet-kicking, swoon worthy moments ā„ļø
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Self harm and Death of parent
OCD
Legend by Karina Halle
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I am so glad I waited to read these until spooky season, the gothic romance vibes were perfect for fall!
This series was a spicy retelling of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, with the why-choose element between the professor, Ichabod Crane, and best friend, Brom Bones. It had witchcraft, possession, exposed secrets and betrayals, a three-way love story, and quite an exciting plot surrounding a time old tale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Blood
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Death of parent
Hollow by Karina Halle
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I am so glad I waited to read these until spooky season, the gothic romance vibes were perfect for fall!
This series was a spicy retelling of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, with the why-choose element between the professor, Ichabod Crane, and best friend, Brom Bones. It had witchcraft, possession, exposed secrets and betrayals, a three-way love story, and quite an exciting plot surrounding a time old tale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Death of parent
Little Liar by Leigh Rivers
dark
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
3.75
I could NOT wait for this book, as I rated the first one 4.5 ā, and though I did enjoy the read, I am sad to say it fell short of my expectations.
Part 1 of the book is a retelling of the events that already happened from the first edition of the duet, but from Malachi's point of view, and for me it didnāt add enough to the storyline to warrant taking up the first 50% of it. Part 2 had a decent amount of plot points, but it took FOREVER for the action to finally come, and when it did, it was rushed and over in the blink of an eye.
Overall, I still loved the series. Sure itās controversial and fucked up, but thatās what I am here for!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, and Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent
foster sibling relationship
Fire Night by Penelope Douglas
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have to be honest, when I first started this series I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did! I loved the mood, the dark themes, the secrets and the betrayals, and while I canāt say I was immediately hooked, I did find myself gradually falling in love with the four horseman.
The series as a whole is about four friends that were high school hotshots, where three of the four have spent the last three years in prison for their pranks back in the day. Each book highlights a different friend and their respective love interest, with the most common theme being a revenge plot line. My biggest gripe, if you will, is that these men did not do nearly enough groveling, which is a MUST in this type of genre. Additionally, there was some questionable conduct for the high school aged portions, which always makes me feel a little icky.
The series as a whole is about four friends that were high school hotshots, where three of the four have spent the last three years in prison for their pranks back in the day. Each book highlights a different friend and their respective love interest, with the most common theme being a revenge plot line. My biggest gripe, if you will, is that these men did not do nearly enough groveling, which is a MUST in this type of genre. Additionally, there was some questionable conduct for the high school aged portions, which always makes me feel a little icky.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Kidnapping
Moderate: Gore and Murder
Minor: Sexual content
Nightfall by Penelope Douglas
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
I have to be honest, when I first started this series I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did! I loved the mood, the dark themes, the secrets and the betrayals, and while I canāt say I was immediately hooked, I did find myself gradually falling in love with the four horseman.
The series as a whole is about four friends that were high school hotshots, where three of the four have spent the last three years in prison for their pranks back in the day. Each book highlights a different friend and their respective love interest, with the most common theme being a revenge plot line. My biggest gripe, if you will, is that these men did not do nearly enough groveling, which is a MUST in this type of genre. Additionally, there was some questionable conduct for the high school aged portions, which always makes me feel a little icky.
The series as a whole is about four friends that were high school hotshots, where three of the four have spent the last three years in prison for their pranks back in the day. Each book highlights a different friend and their respective love interest, with the most common theme being a revenge plot line. My biggest gripe, if you will, is that these men did not do nearly enough groveling, which is a MUST in this type of genre. Additionally, there was some questionable conduct for the high school aged portions, which always makes me feel a little icky.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Alcoholism, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Addiction and Death