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koistyfishy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.0
4 Adam's Apple Stars ⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
So I've been stuck in low-spice jail, when all I wanted was something "Dark and Dirty". Everything I was reading was 3 MAX, so it's been "a while" for your girl...to experience something a little more raunchy and steamy. This is not a full 5 as it has a very good balance of plot, that is not overshadowed by the sexiness.
If you want something that is going to give you toe-curling, eye-rolling, fast-heartbeat excitement while reading, this is definitely the book for you! It basically kept me in a constant state of being turned on, but anxious at the same time. There is just this perfect balance of drama and sexual tension that I could not put this down. I wanted to inhale it!
This book follows Nicole (But we will call her Cole since she hates her full name). She almost has the perfect "picket fence" life. She is in a relationship with her highly religious boyfriend rich and it all seems like a dream. One day he comes home without having a conversation with his girlfriend and says: "By the way, we have a new roommate who is going to be living with us. He is also an ex-convict". In walks Cameron Hawke, a man covered from head-to-toe in tattoos with a sexy little lip ring. Cole's initial judgment of him kind of matches the "cover".
Basically, this plays into the cliche of "Don't judge a book by its cover", as what unfurls from both their perspectives is Cameron judges Cole believing she was just another stuck-up prissy princess. Cole judged Cam thinking he was a drug-addled junkie. But as they start to connect, spend time with each other and unravel who each of them is they both realize that they have judged too quickly, and the person behind the cover is everything that the other needs and everything that brings out who they truly meant to be as a person. The connection between them was intense, insane, and just really captivating.
Jescie Hall did something in her book that I always appreciate when an author does it. She explains her character behaviour choices in the writing as part of the plot. This has a way to motivate why certain choices were made and that they are there for THAT SPECIFIC REASON.
Two instances this stood out were:
1. How judgemental Cole is at the start. This annoyed me about her where you see her inner dialogue that she is extremely unfair to Cam based on her perception of his character. But he calls her out on her shit and once she realises she has been unfair, changes.
2. In the beginning I thought she was ungrateful because she had so much. She had a house, she had a boyfriend that loved her and looked after her like. I disliked her for developing feelings for Cam as she was hurting Patrick. But as more and more of her current relationship dynamic is unpacked, you realize that she's pretty justified. Her perfect life is not as perfect as it seems.
Patrick is very much a gaslighting, emotionally abusive prick. Due to his domineering personality and the way that he would just shut her down and not give her her own voice to speak, I kind of appreciated that she wasn't going to be with him. The manipulation and how he made her feel like she was the problem or the issue really frustrated me! However how this is handled and how Cole grows to stand up to him and just stand up for herself is what makes this book stand out.
It was quite emotional and fun at the same time. This will not be the last Jescie Hall book I will read. I just want to thank Heather for recommending this to me to scratch the "Dark and Dirty Itch". It gave me exactly what I needed when I needed it!
So if you want:
▶ SPICY
▶ "Enemies" to Lovers
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Instalust but also Slow Burn
▶ Touch her you die
▶ He's broken so she needs to fix him
This is the book for you. Just like it was the book for me!
Note: Let me say, this is the first book that I have read that has a major focus on the "cheating trope". I, however, stand by, just because I read about it- doesn't mean that I will do it in my real life. I am separating my own IRL morals and just enjoying the content for what it is. If you don't like that trope or it bothers you and is a hard trigger, I would not recommend this book because it's not really going to give you what you need.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
So I've been stuck in low-spice jail, when all I wanted was something "Dark and Dirty". Everything I was reading was 3 MAX, so it's been "a while" for your girl...to experience something a little more raunchy and steamy. This is not a full 5 as it has a very good balance of plot, that is not overshadowed by the sexiness.
If you want something that is going to give you toe-curling, eye-rolling, fast-heartbeat excitement while reading, this is definitely the book for you! It basically kept me in a constant state of being turned on, but anxious at the same time. There is just this perfect balance of drama and sexual tension that I could not put this down. I wanted to inhale it!
This book follows Nicole (But we will call her Cole since she hates her full name). She almost has the perfect "picket fence" life. She is in a relationship with her highly religious boyfriend rich and it all seems like a dream. One day he comes home without having a conversation with his girlfriend and says: "By the way, we have a new roommate who is going to be living with us. He is also an ex-convict". In walks Cameron Hawke, a man covered from head-to-toe in tattoos with a sexy little lip ring. Cole's initial judgment of him kind of matches the "cover".
Basically, this plays into the cliche of "Don't judge a book by its cover", as what unfurls from both their perspectives is Cameron judges Cole believing she was just another stuck-up prissy princess. Cole judged Cam thinking he was a drug-addled junkie. But as they start to connect, spend time with each other and unravel who each of them is they both realize that they have judged too quickly, and the person behind the cover is everything that the other needs and everything that brings out who they truly meant to be as a person. The connection between them was intense, insane, and just really captivating.
Jescie Hall did something in her book that I always appreciate when an author does it. She explains her character behaviour choices in the writing as part of the plot. This has a way to motivate why certain choices were made and that they are there for THAT SPECIFIC REASON.
Two instances this stood out were:
1. How judgemental Cole is at the start. This annoyed me about her where you see her inner dialogue that she is extremely unfair to Cam based on her perception of his character. But he calls her out on her shit and once she realises she has been unfair, changes.
2. In the beginning I thought she was ungrateful because she had so much. She had a house, she had a boyfriend that loved her and looked after her like. I disliked her for developing feelings for Cam as she was hurting Patrick. But as more and more of her current relationship dynamic is unpacked, you realize that she's pretty justified. Her perfect life is not as perfect as it seems.
Patrick is very much a gaslighting, emotionally abusive prick. Due to his domineering personality and the way that he would just shut her down and not give her her own voice to speak, I kind of appreciated that she wasn't going to be with him. The manipulation and how he made her feel like she was the problem or the issue really frustrated me! However how this is handled and how Cole grows to stand up to him and just stand up for herself is what makes this book stand out.
It was quite emotional and fun at the same time. This will not be the last Jescie Hall book I will read. I just want to thank Heather for recommending this to me to scratch the "Dark and Dirty Itch". It gave me exactly what I needed when I needed it!
So if you want:
▶ SPICY
▶ "Enemies" to Lovers
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Instalust but also Slow Burn
▶ Touch her you die
▶ He's broken so she needs to fix him
This is the book for you. Just like it was the book for me!
Note: Let me say, this is the first book that I have read that has a major focus on the "cheating trope". I, however, stand by, just because I read about it- doesn't mean that I will do it in my real life. I am separating my own IRL morals and just enjoying the content for what it is. If you don't like that trope or it bothers you and is a hard trigger, I would not recommend this book because it's not really going to give you what you need.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, and Infidelity
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Misogyny and Domestic abuse
firequeen_ash23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
OH MHY GAWD!!! THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!!!
This will be the second book by Jescie Hall that I've read recently and it was perfection. I love how dark this authors dark romances are and how she doesn't shy away from the dark and painful.
I love how much I can relate to this story and the characters. Each character has their own issues and growth they're struggling with and once they are forced together, secrets from the past soon catch up causing old wounds to be reopened before any healing can start.
Nicole is a young woman who thinks she has it all, the perfect little life with her perfect boyfriend, Patrick, who she shares a home with and who loves her. She's living a normal, happy life before Hawke moves in as their new roommate. Nicole automatically thinks she knows what type of person Hawke is, but there's more to the situation that she could possibly imagine. Her life is about to change for better or worse, will she be able to handle it?
This book is so realistic, dark and raw. Thid book is filled with so many different aspects; murder, mystery, pain, love, revenge and hope. Nothings as it seems. I loved the plot and storyline of Hawke. This authors writing just crawls beneath your skin and embeds itself in the readers heart. I literally finished this book in less than a day because I was so enthralled with finding out what was really going on with Hawke's painful past. He's definitely the sexy, tattooed, broken man that you can't help but fall in love with as the book progresses and you learn how much he's been through. I know without a doubt he's the character that women will be attracted to and want to fix.
This story touches on some serious topics that could be triggering for some readers but if you don't have any triggers this story is worth reading. I couldn't put it down. The spice and sexual tension is 🤌. I also loved how even though Hawke was suppose to be this scary tough guy, you get to see other sides of him and actually connect to his character beneath his facade. Nicole "Cole" definitely can be a little annoying at times but she's just inexperienced and doesn't know what's going on, but I love that once she found out the truth, she didn't cower or let it change how she felt. She embraced the darkness and stood up for what she thought was right and was willing to so whatever it took for the truth to come to light. She's a fighter and in the end I couldn't help but be impressed by her actions and her convictions. She definitely is a closet bad girl and seeing her grow as a woman and as a person made the the book even better.
I highly recommend this book!!! Definitely one of my favorite romance novels.
This will be the second book by Jescie Hall that I've read recently and it was perfection. I love how dark this authors dark romances are and how she doesn't shy away from the dark and painful.
I love how much I can relate to this story and the characters. Each character has their own issues and growth they're struggling with and once they are forced together, secrets from the past soon catch up causing old wounds to be reopened before any healing can start.
Nicole is a young woman who thinks she has it all, the perfect little life with her perfect boyfriend, Patrick, who she shares a home with and who loves her. She's living a normal, happy life before Hawke moves in as their new roommate. Nicole automatically thinks she knows what type of person Hawke is, but there's more to the situation that she could possibly imagine. Her life is about to change for better or worse, will she be able to handle it?
This book is so realistic, dark and raw. Thid book is filled with so many different aspects; murder, mystery, pain, love, revenge and hope. Nothings as it seems. I loved the plot and storyline of Hawke. This authors writing just crawls beneath your skin and embeds itself in the readers heart. I literally finished this book in less than a day because I was so enthralled with finding out what was really going on with Hawke's painful past. He's definitely the sexy, tattooed, broken man that you can't help but fall in love with as the book progresses and you learn how much he's been through. I know without a doubt he's the character that women will be attracted to and want to fix.
This story touches on some serious topics that could be triggering for some readers but if you don't have any triggers this story is worth reading. I couldn't put it down. The spice and sexual tension is 🤌. I also loved how even though Hawke was suppose to be this scary tough guy, you get to see other sides of him and actually connect to his character beneath his facade. Nicole "Cole" definitely can be a little annoying at times but she's just inexperienced and doesn't know what's going on, but I love that once she found out the truth, she didn't cower or let it change how she felt. She embraced the darkness and stood up for what she thought was right and was willing to so whatever it took for the truth to come to light. She's a fighter and in the end I couldn't help but be impressed by her actions and her convictions. She definitely is a closet bad girl and seeing her grow as a woman and as a person made the the book even better.
I highly recommend this book!!! Definitely one of my favorite romance novels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual content, Addiction, Cursing, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Alcohol, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Rape
katekreadsalot's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Car accident, Domestic abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, and Religious bigotry
our_bookish_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
PLEASE CHECK ALL TW/CW BEFORE READING!
Hawke is the debut novel by Jescie Hall & holy hell, did she blow this one out of the water! I started this at 9pm & finished it at 11pm. At first, I couldn't get into the book. This is one of those times where there phrase "It's not you, it's me" it true. Reading has been a struggle lately, but I'm happy I continued because this book is great! Suffice to say, this is not my final read by Jescie!
What you'll find inside:
🪶 Forced proximity
🪶 Enemies to lovers
🪶 Forbidden Romance
🪶 Roommates
🪶 Secrets
I couldn't stand Patrick, he was such a prick & I don't think what happened to him could have happened to a better guy. Though in the book for such a short time, I could not stop thinking of Pat's father looking like Charles Dance.
I love that both Hawke & Cole helped heal each other. They were both in need of love, although honestly Hawke was legit struggling to hang on.
All-in-all this was a good book, I'm rating:
🖤🖤🖤🖤/5
This was more on the tamer & intimate side, so I'm giving the spice:
🔥🔥🔥/5
I want to take a moment to thank the author, Jescie Hall, whom I received a complimentary copy of this book from, & am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hawke is the debut novel by Jescie Hall & holy hell, did she blow this one out of the water! I started this at 9pm & finished it at 11pm. At first, I couldn't get into the book. This is one of those times where there phrase "It's not you, it's me" it true. Reading has been a struggle lately, but I'm happy I continued because this book is great! Suffice to say, this is not my final read by Jescie!
What you'll find inside:
🪶 Forced proximity
🪶 Enemies to lovers
🪶 Forbidden Romance
🪶 Roommates
🪶 Secrets
I couldn't stand Patrick, he was such a prick & I don't think what happened to him could have happened to a better guy. Though in the book for such a short time, I could not stop thinking of Pat's father looking like Charles Dance.
I love that both Hawke & Cole helped heal each other. They were both in need of love, although honestly Hawke was legit struggling to hang on.
All-in-all this was a good book, I'm rating:
🖤🖤🖤🖤/5
This was more on the tamer & intimate side, so I'm giving the spice:
🔥🔥🔥/5
I want to take a moment to thank the author, Jescie Hall, whom I received a complimentary copy of this book from, & am voluntarily leaving a review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Grief, Infidelity, Murder, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Addiction, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, Car accident, Death, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Cursing, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Rape
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