The choice to DNF this book comes as such a disappointment. However, 30% in the author is not addressing any of the things that are making me uncomfortable. At some point, I have to just realize that this book is not for me.

Most of my grievances with this book have to do with the main character's characterization and consent. There were too many scenes in this book that were borderline rape-y. In particular, the first time that the two characters meet face to face made me feel so uncomfortable with the way the MMC talked and thought about the FMC. For context, Wynter (MMC) is holding Khamsin (FMC) down after being caught in his rooms. Khamsin is actively struggling against his hold and during this Wynter is aroused and thinking about how he is attracted to her, how he could coerce her into sexual acts, and general lascivious thoughts. Listen, I'm no prude when it comes to sex in books. I love when characters have passionate meetings. I love when characters can't help but lust after each other but this situation genuinely caught me off guard.

The author does try to present this information as if Khamsin is somewhat reciprocating Wynter's attentions, however, the context of the scene makes it incredibly gray.

Khamsin is a very interesting character in that she was born into a very powerful family but she has been neglected and sequestered off from her family and the privileges and education that would come from her position. She has had one caretaker looking out for her, but she is ultimately at the mercy of a very cruel father. Despite this really interesting situation, she feels kind of one dimensional.  What did khamsin do in her spare time, locked up in a tower? Does she have any hobbies? Anything she is exceptional at?  How often did Khamsin see her sisters? Were they close? Did their father intentional limit how much they saw each other? Her marriage to Wynter (in her and her caretaker's mind) is an excellent way to escape an abusive situation. And on one hand I agree. However, I think her marriage to Wynter and her relationship with her sisters and father would have been more emotionally impactful if we understood their relationship and Khamsin's background more.

Speaking of Khamsin and Wynter's marriage, here is another situation where the author bizarrely adds this coercive/rape-y element to the story.

It's planted a few chapters prior to the wedding and bedding scene that the Summerlands have a plant that is an aphrodisiac and essentially makes anyone who ingests it incredibly aroused. In short, Khamsin's father drugs both of them to ensure that the marriage is consummated. It's kind of framed that this was good and that this was needed for Khamsin to be able to escape this horrible situation she's in with her father and I just have to wonder, why? Why is this in this book? Wynter and Khamsin were already married at this point and they were probably going to consummate their marriage despite Khamsin's injuries and without the arras leaf.

It made me feel really icky reading it.

I don't really see a lot of reviews mention these early parts in the books so I assume it gets better as time gets on. However, despite how weirded out I was, I continued reading and I just could not get on board. It was very stupid of me to outright purchase this and the second book but the pretty cover fooled me. (Side note: the author describes Khamsin's skin as brown and deeper than Wynter's several time...who is that pale lady on the cover lmao?)

Did not gel with the writing unfortunately. Concept was cool though. 

The beginning is just really slow. Like really slow. Maybe I will try again later?

I didn't get far in this book at all but some of the language around slavery in this fictional universe made me really uncomfortable. This feeling made me seek out reviews and some of the stuff I read in there related to the darker skinned love interest as well as how slavery is handled in this book made me feel the need to stop before I got any further.

One word: corny! I can tell this was going for an emotional lite romance but the dialogue was SO. BAD. I just refuse to force myself through this for over 500 pages!

I have a feeling this book is trying to make us root for the ex-fiancé…absolutely not. He seems awful. 

I really enjoyed Ropa as a character but the plot moves at a snails pace and it feels very meandering. I got to 40% and now I am calling it quits. I am still interested in finishing this book though, so I am putting a rain check tag. Here’s to hoping I’m in the mood for this soon. 

A super sloggish middle and I just didn’t feel the heat and chemistry between the leads. Alyssa Cole books are usually so steamy, I don’t know what happened here. This felt practically chaste. And coupled with the fact that NOTHING HAPPENS, I just had to quit. 

More in depth review coming soon.