You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
winecellarlibrary's Reviews (657)
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
My full review is available on my blog Wine Cellar Library and Reedsy Discovery
Tropes:
contemporary romance, billionaire romance, romantic suspense
In a continuation of Lucie and Julian's love story, their bond is tested through multiple trials, compounded by living in the public eye
Julian’s Curse focuses more on Lucie and Julian’s individual lives than their relationship. As each of them is compelled to grow and make significant changes in their personal lives, they must also mature as a couple, but from a distance. The strain continues to compound, but through their deep understanding of each other, they overcome devastating obstacles. Lucie has become more assertive in this book, marking her growth professionally and interpersonally. Meanwhile, Julian reveals a crippling weakness that both villainizes and humanizes him. This dynamic is realistic and compelling, especially in making Julian–a billionaire–more relatable.
While the My Red Desire series is best enjoyed in reading order, author Lucie Benton has included enough background information to allow new readers to pick up Julian’s Curse and understand the backstory from Julian's Rose sufficiently. As with the first book, Julian’s Curse has been marketed as a dark contemporary romance, but it better suits the romantic suspense genre. Dark themes do occur in the narrative, but not within their romantic relationship or sexual encounters, so dark romance fans may be misled and therefore disappointed. With mild to moderate explicit scenes, the book is appropriate for most new adult and adult readers, but trigger warnings should be consulted. While this book did not hold my attention as intensely as the first, I have enjoyed the series thus far and look forward to the next installment.
Tropes:
contemporary romance, billionaire romance, romantic suspense
In a continuation of Lucie and Julian's love story, their bond is tested through multiple trials, compounded by living in the public eye
Julian’s Curse focuses more on Lucie and Julian’s individual lives than their relationship. As each of them is compelled to grow and make significant changes in their personal lives, they must also mature as a couple, but from a distance. The strain continues to compound, but through their deep understanding of each other, they overcome devastating obstacles. Lucie has become more assertive in this book, marking her growth professionally and interpersonally. Meanwhile, Julian reveals a crippling weakness that both villainizes and humanizes him. This dynamic is realistic and compelling, especially in making Julian–a billionaire–more relatable.
While the My Red Desire series is best enjoyed in reading order, author Lucie Benton has included enough background information to allow new readers to pick up Julian’s Curse and understand the backstory from Julian's Rose sufficiently. As with the first book, Julian’s Curse has been marketed as a dark contemporary romance, but it better suits the romantic suspense genre. Dark themes do occur in the narrative, but not within their romantic relationship or sexual encounters, so dark romance fans may be misled and therefore disappointed. With mild to moderate explicit scenes, the book is appropriate for most new adult and adult readers, but trigger warnings should be consulted. While this book did not hold my attention as intensely as the first, I have enjoyed the series thus far and look forward to the next installment.
