I thought this book was good but I had a hard time getting into it. You’d think with the subject being a female teacher having sex with her middle school students I’d be more interested, but it took me multiple sessions to read this short book. And again, it wasn’t because I was so disturbed I needed a break, I just wasn’t super into it.

I think the book spent way too long talking about the FL’s obsessive masterbation. I understand that she’s a pervert, let’s move the plot along.

It was interesting to see the amount of pretty privilege that MC got, and how her being pretty is what really allowed her to groom the boys and get off easy with the law.

This was definitely a unique read and even though it didn’t blow me away I’d still recommend it if you like fucked up books.

I really wanted to like this book. I was surprised that I not only didn't like it, but actively hate it. The most significant reason I hated this book is because I fucking hate Knox as an MMC.

Let's start with the positives, I really enjoyed the plot and loved Naomi as our FMC. She really is such a genuine and wonderful person and I enjoyed reading about her overcoming all of the obstacles thrown at her. I also found that overall the writing was good, not the best or anything, but good. It kept me engaged enough to finish a like 600-page book when I hated the MMC so that says something.

Now onto the negatives. This book is way too long. I have no problem reading lengthy books, the problem is that the reason this book is so long because it’s repetitive. For example, we're told ad nauseum that Naomi needs to stop prioritizing everyone else's well being over her own. I get it! I can see that in Naomi's actions and thoughts, you don't need to keep telling me!

I also felt like the author really cheapened the climax of the book. What could have been a very tense, keep you on the edge of your seat, type of scene was watered down with poorly executed humor. The humor felt so out of place and really took me out of the scene.

Why I Hate Knox:
Finally, let's talk about why I believe Knox is by far the worst MMC I've read in a romance. I'm going to be going over specific actions, so it'll all be under a spoiler tag. TLDR: Knox is an asshole who gets no character development and has absolutely no respect for Naomi.

Knox is an asshole
Knox is rude to Naomi from their first interaction because of a misunderstanding. Okay. But once the misunderstanding is resolved he continues behaving rude towards her. Why? Because this grown ass man doesn't want to be attracted to her. He goes so far as trying to prevent her from working at his restaurant he though he knows how her life just got turned upside down and she needs employment. Dude, her niece she didn't know existed just got dumped into her care, your attraction towards her is the least of her worries.

After they "break up," Knox continuously points out that they were never dating, even though he went out of his way to constantly do very boyfriend-like things for Naomi. He continues to belittle her very valid feelings, acting like she's some dumb bitch who got attached. He even goes as far to call her HIS LEFTOVERS in front of a party. Disgusting and unforgivable.

When Knox decides he's ready to open up to Naomi, it's on his time. Even though she's in the middle of a serving seven tables (which is insane, a new server would never have that many at once), he decides that he wants to speak to her RIGHT NOW. When she doesn't immediately come to his beck and call like a fucking dog, he lifts her over his shoulder, flashing her underwear to the entire restaurant. I know the whole "guy throwing girl over shoulder" thing is swoon-worthy, but there is a time and a place, and this was not it. It just solidifies the fact that he has no respect for Naomi.

Knox oversteps
Throughout the story, Naomi is trying really hard to care for and connect with her eleven-year-old niece, Waylay. In what I think we're supposed to interpret as Knox stepping up to help, I interpret as Knox inserting himself where he doesn't belong. I don't have a problem with him helping out and connecting with Waylay. The problem is that I feel like these nice moments happen between Knox and Waylay in replace of Naomi and Waylay. HE takes them shopping and buys her clothes; HE is able to get her to stop cussing at the ref. These are moments where Naomi is trying to form a relationship and is unable to because of Knox's constant involvement. It's also important to note that these are events that Knox is not invited to, he invites himself.

Knox doesn't change
Who cares if he's an asshole in the beginning, that's what character development is for, right? Wrong. Knox's character development involves overcoming his weak reasoning for not wanting a relationship, it has nothing to due with his treatment of Naomi. Even though no one is on Knox's side in the break up or defends his behavior, he never really has to own up to it. He acts like his "boo hoo, my dad lost it when mom died" is an apology, but it's not. Naomi never holds him accountable. Girl, he called you his leftovers. I don't care how upset he was (at his own doing), that will never be okay. I think he does give some half-assed apology, but it's just not enough to me to make up for his behavior.

If I'm being honest, there really wasn't anything I liked about Knox. He's the worst. I genuinely don't understand how anyone could enjoy him as a character, especially as a romantic lead.

I read this book over a month ago and I still think about how much I hated it… I guess you could say I never really got over it 🤪

Really loved this book. It was really unique and the writing style being a mix of poetry and “regular” writing was really engaging. It was interesting to learn about the serial killer strictly from the perspective of her victims and it was nice to see each victim’s journey through finding normalcy and dealing with the trauma of their assaults.

The author did a really good job of changing the voice for each perspective she wrote from. I think they all sounded very different and unique from one another.

It’s missing a little bit of oomf for me to give it a full five-stars.

Absolutely loved this book and I definitely recommend the audiobook. Amanda has a way of delivering information in a witty and entertaining way that really made this book easy to engage with.

I would’ve rated this book a little higher if it was on Kindle Unlimited, but I had to buy it to read it and it wasn’t worth the purchase.

I knew going into it that it was entirely smut but the two most common kinks are her calling him Daddy and both of them calling her a slut and neither one of those is really my thing.

I also hate that they

ended up in a relationship. What did they have in common other than good sex? And we’re supposed to believe she loved him??? Nah. Would’ve been better if it was just for the weekend like they planned.

Also LOL that her ex-fiancé literally did not give a shit. That’s so embarrassing for her.

Absolutely loved this book. Definitely my favorite of the SPC series so far and I highly doubt the 4th book will top this. I also think this is a way better throuple than Free Fall (also by Sara Cate). The three leads all had a genuine and strong connection and I really loved the three of them together. I think it worked so well because the married couple was best friends with the third before anything romantic took place between the three of them, so even from the first page they all really cared about and respected one another.

But holy shit, why does Sara Cate have such a hard on for age gaps? This books takes place when the lead’s ages range from like 28-32. 5-6 years is a very insignificant in itself, but DON’T WORRY because Hunter met Isabel when she was SEVENTEEN and he was 22 or 23. Of course, they didn’t date until she was 18 but like come on it’s so unnecessary.

I started reading it right before the Libby loan was due so I didn’t get a chance to finish, and I’m not sure if I will. Don’t get my wrong, it’s really good, but I don’t think YA really appeals to me anymore. 

I think people get so caught up in this book because the author took on the challenge of writing about such a dark subject matter. I feel like trauma-based fiction often get generous ratings because on some level we feel like a the rating diminishes the characters trauma.

That being said it wasn’t a bad book by any means, it just didn’t blow me away. I found it to be a bit too long and I hated the whole plot line with her guy friend who irrationally had a crush on her. That whole plot point was so confusing. And her best friend sucked. I understand that Edith/Eden (whatever) was a difficult person to love and her best friend was going through her own shit but forgetting a birthday, barely apologizing, and then immediately bringing it back to you is imo unforgivable.

Amanda

EVENTUALLY Amanda figured out E was raped but I’m so confused. Even though she was originally under the impression that she had consensual sex with her brother, why the fuck would she care that much??? She was 14 so I understand thinking that it’s weird or gross but she HATED E for it (and therefore made her already hard life infinitely harder). Also, I have a hard time believing that E made it all the way to her senior year before the rumor about her having sex with the guy who raped her got back to her. Amanda and her friends were clearly gossiping about it.

Solid romance, but nothing noteworthy. I really liked both of the leads, but especially Roksana. She has such a strong and delightful personality. Definitely worth a read, but won’t blow your socks off.

This was such a beautifully dark and disturbing book. Reading this book was like watching a car crash in slow motion. Painful, you can see what horrible thing is about to happen, and yet you can’t look away. Watching the two sisters deteriorate and deal with their mother’s (and their own) mental illness in such different ways was heartbreaking.

Lots of POVs but I think it would’ve been a little more concise if we just got the two sister’s POV.

Would’ve been a five-star if not for Amanda. She was annoying, but that’s fine since we wasn’t meant to be a likable character. Really, I just don’t know what point she served in the book. She was so fucking weird and unhinged and I guess she was there only to prove how famous their date was, since he got his very own psycho fan? And I don’t know why he let her around?

Speaking of the dad, it’s interesting to read a story about a creative genius who honestly sucks the souls out of loved ones to feel creative. Who knows how the mom would have fared if she never met him. Was she always struggling with mental health, or did it developed from being groomed and being in such an intense and toxic relationship?

The ending

It’s insinuated that their mom MIGHT be the person knocking on the door at the baby shower, but I’m 90% sure it’s not. I think the mom has accepted that her children’s lives are better without her in it and has found peace with that. We know from the scene in the mental hospital that deep down their mom does love them and wants what is best for them, she’s just so mentally ill she cannot provide that herself.