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amanda_reads13's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-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
3.0
Nicole "Cole" uprooted her whole life to be with her very Catholic/conservative boyfriend Patrick. Everything is going as planned until Patrick's "friend" Hawke moves into their house after being released from prison.
I HATE the cheating trope and there is no excuse for it. Ya, Patrick was a misogynistic jerk, but no one deserves to be so blatantly disrespected by their partner. If you want to be with someone else, then breakup with your bf! Ugh! It was also weird how she would just "play house" with Patrick in front of Hawke then become jealous when Hawke is around other women.
Hawke has recently been released from prison formurder. He was convicted of driving under the influence and killing his best friend in a car accident. Only, that is not the whole story. We get the impression that he is this bad boy who does nothing but bang random women and do drugs with his vagrant friends. But really he is a broken and sad boy who has endured so much loss, trauma, and pain. He has never truly been loved or respected by anyone. He has always been looked down apon or cast aside. All he really wants is for someone to love and understand him, his rough exterior is nothing but a mask.
Cole is a lost woman. She thinks that she has a good life. Sure Patrick is a bit of a misogynistic ass, but he loves and takes care of her. As her relationship with Hawke grows she realizes how truly blind she has been. Patrick sees her as an accessory to creating this picture perfect life. He never consults her on any decisions, gaslights her, and completely disrespects her.
Overall, she was very judgemental and childish. Unfortunately, there wasn't much growth to her character. She spent the whole time whining about how she was cheating on her "perfect" boyfriend with Hawke, but never did anything to change the situation....
Patrickit turns out is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He was the one who killed Hawkes best friend. He then fled the scene and pinned it on Hawke. Hawke not only lots his best friend, but he was then forced to take the fall for his death. At least Patrick got what was coming to him.
A few things - I really wish this had been dual POV. That would have added so much to the story. The writing was ok, but the story did drag and become very repetitive (Especially with Cole reprimanding herself that the cheating is wrong and her talking about Hawkes lip ring -mentioned 1000x). I felt like we didn't really dig deep enough into the characters and they felt a bit one dimensional.
Tropes: enemies to lovers, opposites attract, cheating, taboo, roommates, force proximity
I HATE the cheating trope and there is no excuse for it. Ya, Patrick was a misogynistic jerk, but no one deserves to be so blatantly disrespected by their partner. If you want to be with someone else, then breakup with your bf! Ugh! It was also weird how she would just "play house" with Patrick in front of Hawke then become jealous when Hawke is around other women.
Hawke has recently been released from prison for
Cole is a lost woman. She thinks that she has a good life. Sure Patrick is a bit of a misogynistic ass, but he loves and takes care of her. As her relationship with Hawke grows she realizes how truly blind she has been. Patrick sees her as an accessory to creating this picture perfect life. He never consults her on any decisions, gaslights her, and completely disrespects her.
Overall, she was very judgemental and childish. Unfortunately, there wasn't much growth to her character. She spent the whole time whining about how she was cheating on her "perfect" boyfriend with Hawke, but never did anything to change the situation....
Patrick
A few things - I really wish this had been dual POV. That would have added so much to the story. The writing was ok, but the story did drag and become very repetitive (Especially with Cole reprimanding herself that the cheating is wrong and her talking about Hawkes lip ring -mentioned 1000x). I felt like we didn't really dig deep enough into the characters and they felt a bit one dimensional.
Tropes: enemies to lovers, opposites attract, cheating, taboo, roommates, force proximity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Alcohol, Drug use, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Grief
questionablereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
An absolute banger of a book that is being shelved as "I wish I would have read sooner." I love this innocent (but not so innocent) FMC/bad boy spicy as heck story. Yes, there is a cheating trope ... it's not dubious cheating, it is CHEATING cheating. Period.
With that clearly stated, the morally gray, did time, tattooed, muscular, dark haired, lip pierced man Hawke is absolutely sinfully dark and delicious, and moving forward, if it ain't that Hawke kind of love, it ain't it.
With that clearly stated, the morally gray, did time, tattooed, muscular, dark haired, lip pierced man Hawke is absolutely sinfully dark and delicious, and moving forward, if it ain't that Hawke kind of love, it ain't it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Drug use
Minor: Violence, Death of parent, Rape, and Death
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
caseybottiger's review
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Alcohol, and Sexual assault
Minor: Drug use and Death
kermione15's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Honestly, I might have enjoyed this if the JA controversy hadn't happened in the middle. 🤷🏻‍♀️
I should have tread the CWs, as I LOATHE cheating tropes. But since I paid for this book, I wanted to finish it.
I should have tread the CWs, as I LOATHE cheating tropes. But since I paid for this book, I wanted to finish it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Rape, Drug use, Alcohol, Death, and Emotional abuse
m3rete's review
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
sad
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Drug use
Minor: Violence, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
laurabooklover's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I have no words! This was incredible! It was beautifully poetic. It for sure brought the spice too 🥵. It’s official…I’m addicted to Jescie Hall’s writing. Definitely check content warnings if you are sensitive but wow. Just wow!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
bekahbari's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved the audiobook version of this book! If you love a dark romance that’s extra spicy and a morally gray MMC, then this is for you! Definitely read the TWings though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Car accident, Murder, Misogyny, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Addiction, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Death of parent
bookreaderblair's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was so tense and I was honestly ready to strangle the FMC for not having a backbone, but she fully redeemed herself. This was an incredible redemption story. So good!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Car accident, and Emotional abuse