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jessanicolesingh's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Obsessed, obsessed, OBSESSED!!
Now I would never condone cheating in the real world, but within these pages I dare say the ends justify the means; this is not a story of infidelity, but rather redemption. It also highlights the idea that not everything, or everyone, is as it seems, good or bad.
Though written as a standalone, this book introduces Kid, the main character in my next read by this author, which I will be diving into next!
Now I would never condone cheating in the real world, but within these pages I dare say the ends justify the means; this is not a story of infidelity, but rather redemption. It also highlights the idea that not everything, or everyone, is as it seems, good or bad.
Though written as a standalone, this book introduces Kid, the main character in my next read by this author, which I will be diving into next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Misogyny, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Car accident
kittykels's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.5
This book and Hawke himself had me in a chokehold most of the time. I loved the tension between Hawke and Nic, despite the infidelity. Luckily that's not one of my triggers.
I had a few problems with the book, but nothing major. I felt like the end was a little flat, but not bad. Overall I enjoyed the story a lot.
I had a few problems with the book, but nothing major. I felt like the end was a little flat, but not bad. Overall I enjoyed the story a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Sexual assault
thosebookbesties_nips's review
slow-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Car accident
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, and Gaslighting
rossi29's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Car accident, Rape, and Death
Minor: Death of parent and Addiction
enchantingreads_rosyreviews's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“The last thing [my father] told me was to never let anyone define what they don’t understand, and that no one can characterize who you are but you... He was the strongest man I’ve ever met. I decided I’d embrace the name for my father and hunt through life like a hawk. Always went by it.”
🖤
THANK YOU Jescie for a FANTASTIC book with AMAZING character development. I definitely fit the Cole mold and I’m just waiting to find my Cam 🥹. This book is beautifully written with suspense, discovering oneself, recognizing toxic relationships, managing trauma, and learning to look underneath societal labels to find someone’s ACTUAL value.
We all deserve to love and be loved. While this book broke my heart at times, it also made me laugh throughout and it felt like a warm hug at others because it reminded me of Hawke-like and Kid-like figures in my own life.
Also, since I listened to the audio as well, I want to shout out Avery Caris for her stellar performance. She had an emotional journey to go through for this book, narrating all of it from her character’s perspective, and I was with her the entire way. She had me hooked from the first few pages! And Joe Arden, I see why people love him and will listen to anything he does. The emotional depth he brought to Hawke, the playful flirtation he brought to Kid, and the pure douche-baggery (is that even a word? Eh, I’m gonna make it a word.) for Patrick was flawless! This was my second Blue Nose & Joe production and I am such a fan! They are doing great things and bringing rich and complex stories to life in the best way.
🖤
THANK YOU Jescie for a FANTASTIC book with AMAZING character development. I definitely fit the Cole mold and I’m just waiting to find my Cam 🥹. This book is beautifully written with suspense, discovering oneself, recognizing toxic relationships, managing trauma, and learning to look underneath societal labels to find someone’s ACTUAL value.
We all deserve to love and be loved. While this book broke my heart at times, it also made me laugh throughout and it felt like a warm hug at others because it reminded me of Hawke-like and Kid-like figures in my own life.
Also, since I listened to the audio as well, I want to shout out Avery Caris for her stellar performance. She had an emotional journey to go through for this book, narrating all of it from her character’s perspective, and I was with her the entire way. She had me hooked from the first few pages! And Joe Arden, I see why people love him and will listen to anything he does. The emotional depth he brought to Hawke, the playful flirtation he brought to Kid, and the pure douche-baggery (is that even a word? Eh, I’m gonna make it a word.) for Patrick was flawless! This was my second Blue Nose & Joe production and I am such a fan! They are doing great things and bringing rich and complex stories to life in the best way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Infidelity, Abandonment, and Drug use
Moderate: Rape, Violence, Death, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
lilhappyhermit's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This story had me reeling. How it starts off as a circumstance of miscommunication and a surprise/unwanted roommate addition, then turning to unfolding the dark secrets of her boyfriend and Hawke’s past and how it all ties together was unreal. That, mixed with the blooming, secretive relationship between Hawke and Nicole, and how that helps her realize how toxic her relationship is was interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
Minor: Domestic abuse and Misogyny
hereiskyra's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Slow fucking clap for this one 👏🏼
Just… wow. The beginning of this had me wondering if I picked up the wrong book. But man, did this take me on a freaking journey.
I’m not sure if we’re really meant to like Hawke in the beginning but he probably grew on me more than any fictional character ever has. The way he went from a bad boy that seemed manipulative to a tender, loving man was one of the best character developments I’ve seen.
The character development for Cole was also fantastic. She started out as a meek, submissive girl and ended up being such a strong character that does what’s right and speaks up even if it’s not easy. I loved that change in her.
From the beginning I hated Patrick with a fiery passion but with every turn that revealed more of his true character and secrets, I hated him even more. And I love some good “poetic justice” in the right story and this was it!
This may also include my new favorite spicy scene, ever. Something about these two was just… 🥵
Somehow this book was all things… it was spicy, it was Dee and emotional, it was dark and triggering and it was lighthearted and had me kicking my feet at times.
Even side characters were well developed. John? Adorable, great boss and friend. Kid? Had me giggling and I can’t wait to read his book now.
And you know what else?
NO. THIRD. ACT. BREAKUP.
Hallelujah! 🙌🏼
Tropes/Themes:
Forced-Proximity
Taboo
Roommates-to-Lovers
Infidelity (IT’S FINE)
Just… wow. The beginning of this had me wondering if I picked up the wrong book. But man, did this take me on a freaking journey.
I’m not sure if we’re really meant to like Hawke in the beginning but he probably grew on me more than any fictional character ever has. The way he went from a bad boy that seemed manipulative to a tender, loving man was one of the best character developments I’ve seen.
The character development for Cole was also fantastic. She started out as a meek, submissive girl and ended up being such a strong character that does what’s right and speaks up even if it’s not easy. I loved that change in her.
From the beginning I hated Patrick with a fiery passion but with every turn that revealed more of his true character and secrets, I hated him even more. And I love some good “poetic justice” in the right story and this was it!
This may also include my new favorite spicy scene, ever. Something about these two was just… 🥵
Somehow this book was all things… it was spicy, it was Dee and emotional, it was dark and triggering and it was lighthearted and had me kicking my feet at times.
Even side characters were well developed. John? Adorable, great boss and friend. Kid? Had me giggling and I can’t wait to read his book now.
And you know what else?
NO. THIRD. ACT. BREAKUP.
Hallelujah! 🙌🏼
Tropes/Themes:
Forced-Proximity
Taboo
Roommates-to-Lovers
Infidelity (IT’S FINE)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Rape, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, and Infidelity
Moderate: Death of parent
keirah_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Car accident, Infidelity, Sexual content, Abandonment, Drug use, Religious bigotry, Violence, Alcohol, Sexism, Death, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Grief, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
bookshelf20's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was an amazing book. I will read anything written by Jescie Hall. She is a phenomenal author. She does an amazing job navigating tense themes and dark content, especially in a way that makes me crawl back for more.
The characters were great, I loved how the main character Cole was pulled from her shell and could explore darker parts of herself. She was easy to love and relate to on different levels. Her relationship with her boyfriend throughout the book can be relatable to different people in the level of control he exerts. The red flags sprinkled throughout the book are perfectly placed, they're subtle but if one is paying attention, you can catch them.
Hawke is a great MMC, and I was just DYING for him by the end. He has such a tragic backstory that drives his character forward and explains so much of why he is the way he is. He's mysterious and unapologetic with his actions and behaviors, taking what he wants when he wants it, knowing the FMC will be coming back for more. His dynamic with the FMC was perfect, and I was just itching for more chemistry between them as I'd read, and the Jescie Hall would deliver a few pages later with more one-on-one between FMC and MMC.
I highly recommend this book to readers, after having read That Sik Luv I was SO ready for more literature from this author, and it was so nice being able to immerse myself in the world she created. I listened to this on Audible with Joe Arden's voice narrating and let me just say, I listened to him for That Sik Luv as well, and he is a whole experience! I highly recommend listening to this and That Sik Luv just to experience Joe's voice as the MMC because he sounds like a f*cking God! He always has me gasping and my heart racing when I hear his voice in books.
I'm giving this 5 stars because it was great writing with a captivating plot and complex characters. I would also like to say that I wish I could give this more stars than just 5 because Joe Arden's voice was amazing!
The characters were great, I loved how the main character Cole was pulled from her shell and could explore darker parts of herself. She was easy to love and relate to on different levels. Her relationship with her boyfriend throughout the book can be relatable to different people in the level of control he exerts. The red flags sprinkled throughout the book are perfectly placed, they're subtle but if one is paying attention, you can catch them.
Hawke is a great MMC, and I was just DYING for him by the end. He has such a tragic backstory that drives his character forward and explains so much of why he is the way he is. He's mysterious and unapologetic with his actions and behaviors, taking what he wants when he wants it, knowing the FMC will be coming back for more. His dynamic with the FMC was perfect, and I was just itching for more chemistry between them as I'd read, and the Jescie Hall would deliver a few pages later with more one-on-one between FMC and MMC.
I highly recommend this book to readers, after having read That Sik Luv I was SO ready for more literature from this author, and it was so nice being able to immerse myself in the world she created. I listened to this on Audible with Joe Arden's voice narrating and let me just say, I listened to him for That Sik Luv as well, and he is a whole experience! I highly recommend listening to this and That Sik Luv just to experience Joe's voice as the MMC because he sounds like a f*cking God! He always has me gasping and my heart racing when I hear his voice in books.
I'm giving this 5 stars because it was great writing with a captivating plot and complex characters. I would also like to say that I wish I could give this more stars than just 5 because Joe Arden's voice was amazing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Violence, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, and Death