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"There was delirium, and sorrow, and begging, and in between all that there was one single moment of clarity.
I’m not going to win."
ehh, this was so-so. i was having a good time until the final third of the book, when what felt like an unnesesary show-down had to happen, and then the final intimate scene, i genuinely skipped those completely, which is never a good sign, lol.
still, a couple of scenes genuinely made me tear up, and i rather like the narrative style of this author, so i might check something else by them, specially after enjoying [b:In This Iron Ground|41393705|In This Iron Ground (Natural Magic #1)|Marina Vivancos|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534870777l/41393705._SY75_.jpg|64412687] so much.
I’m not going to win."
ehh, this was so-so. i was having a good time until the final third of the book, when what felt like an unnesesary show-down had to happen, and then the final intimate scene, i genuinely skipped those completely, which is never a good sign, lol.
still, a couple of scenes genuinely made me tear up, and i rather like the narrative style of this author, so i might check something else by them, specially after enjoying [b:In This Iron Ground|41393705|In This Iron Ground (Natural Magic #1)|Marina Vivancos|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534870777l/41393705._SY75_.jpg|64412687] so much.
this was so-so. interesting, but not mind-blowing or that innovative. i'm bummed bc i really wanted to love this, but oh well, at least i didn't hate it or anything.
"I’ve always been ambitious. And maybe a little reckless. That was my first mistake."
the CLIFFHANGER this ended on!!! i knew it was coming, but still, the way i GASPED!!!!!!
this was very engaging and interesting, but still reminded how dark romance isn't really for me, lol. this book was pretty neat but i was still grimacing and wincing at certain parts that i guess are just part of the territory when it comes to the genre. since i'be read this author before and knew her writing was fun, i decided to give it a go facing as just some good fast food, so it ended up better than the expected, but the whole... ya know, one treats the other absolutely awfully and the other forgives that easily, despite the extenuating circumstances,,, still not for me.
will absolutely be readimg the next one tho bc i seriously need to see where this will go, it'll be for sure interesting. man, one thing can easily be said never a dull moment in this.
the CLIFFHANGER this ended on!!! i knew it was coming, but still, the way i GASPED!!!!!!
this was very engaging and interesting, but still reminded how dark romance isn't really for me, lol. this book was pretty neat but i was still grimacing and wincing at certain parts that i guess are just part of the territory when it comes to the genre. since i'be read this author before and knew her writing was fun, i decided to give it a go facing as just some good fast food, so it ended up better than the expected, but the whole... ya know, one treats the other absolutely awfully and the other forgives that easily, despite the extenuating circumstances,,, still not for me.
will absolutely be readimg the next one tho bc i seriously need to see where this will go, it'll be for sure interesting. man, one thing can easily be said never a dull moment in this.
this was cute, a bit rushed, but cute. made no highlights which is weird and telling.
“Yeah,” Damien said truthfully. “It’s like…I can’t give you a reason for why I feel this way about myself. I just…do.”
“Maybe, Damien, the voice that is telling you that you’re bad isn’t yours.”
man, the way i bawled my little eyes out whilist reading this!!!! this was so frustrating but with such a good HEA ending and it was sooo rewarding.
i was afraid this was going to be, you know, suffering pørn, but it handled heavy topics well, in a way that felt respecful and gentle, like it wasn't just pain for pain's sake, but we went on a Journey with damien. usually narratives that handle with miscommunications piss me off, and yea it was a little bit of a push that this particular thing would remain unsaid for so long, but it was an interesting ride all the same.
⚠️ trigger warnings ⚠️
non-sexual child abuse
suicide attempt
depression
suicide ideation
self-harm (scratching)
self-image issues
miscommunication
death of family member (past, off-page)
grief
“Maybe, Damien, the voice that is telling you that you’re bad isn’t yours.”
man, the way i bawled my little eyes out whilist reading this!!!! this was so frustrating but with such a good HEA ending and it was sooo rewarding.
i was afraid this was going to be, you know, suffering pørn, but it handled heavy topics well, in a way that felt respecful and gentle, like it wasn't just pain for pain's sake, but we went on a Journey with damien. usually narratives that handle with miscommunications piss me off, and yea it was a little bit of a push that this particular thing would remain unsaid for so long, but it was an interesting ride all the same.
⚠️ trigger warnings ⚠️
non-sexual child abuse
suicide attempt
depression
suicide ideation
self-harm (scratching)
self-image issues
miscommunication
death of family member (past, off-page)
grief
"I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world."
this was the girlies' book club 3rd pick (my turn to choose!)
this was the girlies' book club 3rd pick (my turn to choose!)
"I’ve spent too many weeks worrying about accepting help from Wes, because I didn’t want to appear weak. And the whole time he’s only been desperate to show how much he loves me."
this had some unexpected elements, but it had pretty sweet side characters and showed a depth to the main couple i hadn't been expecting. i both liked how some things w ent unsaid but kinda still wanted them to be discussed, lol.
don't be put off by the 3 star rating, i'm just a picky reader, lol.
this had some unexpected elements, but it had pretty sweet side characters and showed a depth to the main couple i hadn't been expecting. i both liked how some things w ent unsaid but kinda still wanted them to be discussed, lol.
don't be put off by the 3 star rating, i'm just a picky reader, lol.
cute begin-again, bi-awakening/gay-for-you, the murder mystery kinda jumped at my face lol but i love some mystery so that wasn't problematic or anything. cute read, felt slightly lacking so the 3 stars, but will check out the rest of the series.
i actually docked a whole star from this because i have this particular pet-peeve about first kisses.
like when a couple kisses for the first time and the author makes the reader work for it, when it takes a while to get there, i want aaaaall the feels, i want to know how they're feeling, what they think, all those details, i swear, so when i don't get at least a in the moment thought process it always frustrates me to no end, lol.
don't let me disencourage you though, this was a really fun and worth it read, pinky promise.
i actually docked a whole star from this because i have this particular pet-peeve about first kisses.
like when a couple kisses for the first time and the author makes the reader work for it, when it takes a while to get there, i want aaaaall the feels, i want to know how they're feeling, what they think, all those details, i swear, so when i don't get at least a in the moment thought process it always frustrates me to no end, lol.
don't let me disencourage you though, this was a really fun and worth it read, pinky promise.
"Some of the heaviest chains that bound him all his life had fallen off, and he wouldn't put them back on, no natter what the consequences were."
this was very neat and an interesting read, the homophobia hurt to read and i don't recommend this for anyone with triggers related to that and prejudice based on religion, but it was a good read. the intimate scenes were quite nice and satisfying, too. well flshed-out characters and grounded narrative.
this was very neat and an interesting read, the homophobia hurt to read and i don't recommend this for anyone with triggers related to that and prejudice based on religion, but it was a good read. the intimate scenes were quite nice and satisfying, too. well flshed-out characters and grounded narrative.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“ Somers swung to the end of his reach. He caught Emery Hazard. And he held him by the wrist.”
it took me freaking 17 days to finish reading this book. that's gotta be one of the longest times I've spent actively reading something without any intention of dropping it.
Criminal Past was just so intense! it made me super anxious, to the point of literally yelling and squirming and having to take deep breaths after any particularly tense scene. it's aaalmost too much for me, but everything's always so interesting, even if sometimes it feels unnecessarily tense. somer's charm and the lighter-hearted scenes every once in a while make everything feel worth it and stacks the stakes even higher.
gregory ashe is a damn good author, even if this was also one of the worst-smelling books i've ever read??? the amount of times i was uncomfortable picturing so perfectly all the ways the city in summer and the bodily fluids stunk??? i could've done without that, but it does makes me feel even more immersed in the story.
this was one of the most intense things i've ever read, since i rarely read intense things anyway, lol. good book, good stuff.