The Cursed by Harper L. Woods 

After 3 days of refusing to move on but also avoiding picking this book up, I think it's time to accept fate. This one is getting a DNF. 

By all metrics, I should love this book. When you get down to the details and the nitty gritty of it, I do enjoy the story. However, something feels lacking. 

I tend to lean towards larger chonky books and prefer plots to be more drawn out than what this duology can offer given its shorter length.  The pacing feels a little rushed.  Without the details of a fleshed out story, I'm finding it difficult to stay invested in the romance. Especially given that they talk and act like its been a long time, but it feels instant to the reader. I don't feel any particular attachment to the characters, and the romance feels off because of it. 

The other major turn-off has been the heavy-handed messages the author is trying to portray. Inner monologues and even spoken conversations came across as unnatural and forced me out of the book. It's clear she wanted to fit in quoteable messages about body positivity or general boss bitch mindsets.

This is a good duology and I love the premis. I am curious where it ends up, so I may approach it again when I'm in a different mood (all hail mood reading). But for now, we're saying goodbye and setting it down for something else.

*I am a mood reader and a vibe reviewer. My reviews are by no means technical and should always be taken as a reflection of my taste as a reader, not a reflection of the book or its author.