Thank you NetGalley and Independent Publishers Group for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. 

I think this is my favorite of the ARC’s I’ve gotten so far!! I raced my way through part 1 which serves to introduce you to Sam’s world and purpose with a peek into her history so far. I love being thrown right into the story without a ton of pre work and this was exactly that, you’re just thrown right into the thick of everything. 

Then going into part 2, you get to know all of the characters a bit more. I wouldn’t exactly say that I would’ve liked the time jump to not exist at all, I think the book would’ve been way too long if all of that time was included, but I am intrigued by that gap and I think it would make a great novella maybe. But going into part 2, you’re once again thrown right into a problem as well as a reconnection. I loved the rallying of friends to get to the bottom of everything, how the characters sacrificed for each other, and every bit of the action. 

The reason for some of the lost points below were mostly style things related to me personally. I tend to read young adult writing, specifically because of how romance is written for that age group (to be blunt, I’m not a smut girlie), but this was a little too YA at some points. None of it took away from the overall story, I am obsessed with this book, but that’s why I have a rubric system! 

This was an absolute page turner and the description is definitely correct in that you don’t need to read the other works that Aileen Erin has done, but I have added them to my TBR list and I’m eager to see where this story continues! 

Initial Reaction: 8 

Characters: 9 

Setting: 8 

Plot: 9 

Pace: 7 

Style: 6 

Ending: 10 

Enjoyment: 10 

67 / 16 = 4.1875 

Rounded Rating = 4.25