Honestly didn't expect this series to be as dark as it was from a torture and mass casualty perspective, but I guess that's on me given it's literally about the four horsemen of the apocalypse 🙃

I couldn't tell if it' was Stockholm syndrome or just "it's the end of the world" shit that makes her get with Pestilence until the scenes with Ruth and Rob. Still so sad, but I thought the love and grief were beautifully written. 

I also really loved all the religion talk in this book, I thought the way everything was explained and the way Ruth and Rob responded was a great way to show how the world takes religion and how it should be. 

It took me forever to finish this book because I thought it was going to ruin me on a Kingdom of Ash level - but it was surprisingly quick and tame (

which is good because if Dawsyn died instead of Yennes I would have revolted

). Maybe almost too quick, given how much I wanted more reconciliation and details of how the world was "fixed"... But I also understand us not getting that perspective as Dawsyn and Ryon don't stay. 

It felt like a lot of repetition of themes/plot points to make the story a little longer which I didn't love - but overall I really enjoyed the story and characters enough that the epilogue made me cry and want more time with them. 

Soooooooo bored. 

Literally edited some spreadsheets for work as I listened to this just to get through it, and the spreadsheets were more exciting. 

Like most reviews - the lyrical writing is pretty... but we're given more descriptions than actual useful information. 

Loved Rose and Fionn in this gory romantic comedy!

This book was funny, feral, and somehow adorable while murdering people. I loved how somehow in a world where you know excellent serial killers - Rose was SO BAD at it. Fionn is just out here trying to keep her alive and out of jail - as I feel like he probably did for Rowan and Lachlan - and I loved his exasperation. 

The banter and tension was amazing, and while I loved Rose's growth - I got annoyed with Fionn's and how long it took him to come to his senses. With the ending I understand him protecting her - and the letters definitely helped - but I wanted to let Sloane loose on him. 

Speaking of Sloane... as Rowan and Sloane are my favorite murder babies - the little cameos we saw of them throughout this book and in the epilogue was *chefs kiss*. 

Really enjoyed Rhys and Freya's story! Honestly read this book 10 days ago and remember having a good time - but not major specifics lol

Such a good little novella where I got to see all my favorite people again ❤️

Just got bored. 
I really like the second book in this series - but it was also 100 pages shorter. I anticipated having the same issues with this book as I did with the first as far as length. 
Also just annoyed from the start with books that have pregnancy where one person doesn't tell the other - I hate it. 

All Ali Hazelwood book reviews should be read with the caveat that I think she is a queen and can do no wrong.

I absolutely loved this book - and I only had good times reading it. As a woman in STEM,

someone whose life crashed down all in one swoop

, former swimmer, and current control freak/perfectionist I felt seen by Scarlett. Her thoughts and actions (and some of Lukas's digging questions) just felt like I was being called out by my own therapist - but in the best way because you get to see her flight like hell to come out on the other side... better ❤️  

I thought the way they met through Pen, and that whole situation was the only weird part. Like good for them - but could NOT be me. I did love Scarlett's and Pen's friendship - and

although I hated that the "third act break-up" was between them, I'm also really glad it wasn't between her and Lukas. That epilogue scene between Pen and Lukas healed my soul - so all was forgiven.

 

Last but not least - Lukas. I loved him. His patience and understanding with Scarlett, their banter, and he was OBSESSED. Just too good 😍 Honestly - I expected it to be spicier/kinkier

after they went over the limits list together, but I'm not mad about the smut we got.

Started off slow - but once I got to 40% it was so cute. 

This still wasn't true enemies-to-lovers for me, but the animosity and tension worked so well for these two. I found the banter to be amazing only because we got to see Clark's POV - I think if it were only Riley I would have said "Who does he think he is?" more times lol 

The magical plot of this story was really well done for me. I loved the concept of

hope being the cure for curses

because honestly the world is dark as shit. The the sprinkles of magic we get are a good reminder that yeah - the world sucks... but it's also kinda nice. 

As a lot of the reviews said the spice in this book was amazingggg, which is not shocking considering the smut Rosie Danan wrote in The Roommate 🫠 I would re-read that hair pull and library scene over and over again to feel some *joy*