I did enjoy this, mostly for the interplay among the MCs. I felt like it tried to be really complex but just came off as unnecessarily convoluted. It I did enjoy this, mostly for the interplay among the MCs. I felt like it tried to be really complex but just came off as unnecessarily convoluted. It also had a major pacing issue, it too so long to get going and then the denoument was like 1/4 of the book; the only part with real momentum was the middle and then it just kinda fizzled out?
Despite all that, I would definitely read something else by this author...more
THIS WAS SO GOOD! The setup at the beginning set the beginning set the tone so well. I loved the emotional intimacy and the humour from their relationTHIS WAS SO GOOD! The setup at the beginning set the beginning set the tone so well. I loved the emotional intimacy and the humour from their relationship dynamic. The action was great and the pacing was spot on, will almost certainly re-read....more
First, Joel Leslie's accent decision was very regrettable. At times it felt like a weak chinese accent or a wee**spoiler alert** THIS WAS SO PAINFUL!
First, Joel Leslie's accent decision was very regrettable. At times it felt like a weak chinese accent or a week latino accent? But turns out hes Russian? I just never got used to it and found it grating.
Second, the romance element just wasn't there. I guess it was supposed to be built up with all the flashbacks, but that just really messed up the momentum of the book. Same thing with emotional investment, Raven was built up as a mystery, but he was actually kind boring? And that didn't translate into any investment in Phin. He was also boring.
Third, same issue I had with Christopher's org, why did it feel like they barely had any ppl, any plans or any resources/allies? Just off the top of my head, why is it up to the little girl to find a hiding spot, why don't they have a panic room? And towards the end, why isn't there a bodyguard designated to carry Phin should there be a need to run? They don't behave like billionaires who've lived under threat for years.
Fourth, the children make no sense. Like why are you running around with babies while you're under threat? Shouldn't you be hiding in a bunker or something? There are random things that Raven and Phin won't discuss in front of Adelaide because "she's too young" but at the same time, they literally discuss how their family is trying to murder her/them in front of her like its no big deal. She's just written so weird. She gets up from playing the piano and is like "Dad, I was playing the piano"???
Lastly, the mystery/conspiracy was incoherent and underwhelming. For example, when Trenton takes out the hit on Menagerie, and Phin is like "we should take it" why are all the super smart assassins like "OMG GREAT IDEA!"??? When they take off in the helicopter, its observed with the naked eye, from the ground, by their side. Surely, the enemy had the building under surveillance and saw it too? Also, the climax, the sit down in Hart manor was SO BORING. As the culmination for a power struggle spanning 7 books, it was really underwhelming.
**spoiler alert** I was pretty pumped for this, but it was ultimately pretty disappointing. Lee and Jones have past issues, ok. But I feel like they a**spoiler alert** I was pretty pumped for this, but it was ultimately pretty disappointing. Lee and Jones have past issues, ok. But I feel like they added a 3rd, and never resolved any of their past issues, so it felt superficial. I also felt like for Ginger, he was attracted to Jones and Lee and admired them as mentors, it didn't feel romantic? ALSO rescuing kids from sex trafficking is a very non sexy setting for a romance, so this needed to be handled very carefully, which it wasn't.
Also, with regards to the sex trafficking ring: they were so disorganized? What was the point of everything being all anonymous with checkpoints etc if they're all going to meet up in one place and see each other's faces later? It just made no sense. ...more
**spoiler alert** So much of this was unnecessarily complicated and left me confused. One of my major complaints, are how Christian has some huge crim**spoiler alert** So much of this was unnecessarily complicated and left me confused. One of my major complaints, are how Christian has some huge criminal organization BUT actually they have like 6 guys at their disposal and no allies when in a crisis. My BIGGEST complaint is the Hart Heir thing. Raven said he gave the real name because he didn't want to risk their lives. BUT ALSO he had already erased it from all records so... he could have said anything? Also, the kidnappers had no idea who Raven was, they literally could have had a bodyguard just say a random name on the phone, and the outcome of everything would have been the same? The thing with them going undercover was also a mess.
Just, a lot to be desired, with regard to the writing. ...more
The setup was promising but a lot of this book was random and felt aimless? I just kept asking myself "why?" about everything, I felt the story and chThe setup was promising but a lot of this book was random and felt aimless? I just kept asking myself "why?" about everything, I felt the story and characters didn't flow very well. ...more
This was probably my favourite novel in the series. I love the dynamic between these two, and the contrasts in their backstories. The mystery element This was probably my favourite novel in the series. I love the dynamic between these two, and the contrasts in their backstories. The mystery element wasn't perfect, but it was interesting. I also found the pacing quite exhilarating. ...more
**spoiler alert** I mostly liked this book better than the 1st of the series HOWEVER. There was no practical purpose to lying to Teddy about Riordan's**spoiler alert** I mostly liked this book better than the 1st of the series HOWEVER. There was no practical purpose to lying to Teddy about Riordan's death. At all. So that was just dumb. And then the "pls take me back" scene was just cringe, and again, had no practical purpose. Teddy feels hurt/betrayed by Riordan, how does Riordan embarrassing himself make amends for that?
**spoiler alert** This book was... fucked up. But it was absolutely riveting. One of the darkest books I've read in many years. The tone was comparabl**spoiler alert** This book was... fucked up. But it was absolutely riveting. One of the darkest books I've read in many years. The tone was comparable to slavefic, which I haven't read since I was a teen. But the gore was... a lot lmao. These characters were so toxic and damaged. When Katu kills the asshole in front of Jay, it was basically his love letter to Jay. This was the most non romantic book I've ever read that seems to have a HEA. I'd def entertain reading more from the author because the character building was masterful....more
**spoiler alert** This was for doubtless the best book in the series. Aumont's character was a bit annoying to start off with. The fact that his first**spoiler alert** This was for doubtless the best book in the series. Aumont's character was a bit annoying to start off with. The fact that his first love was constantly mentioned was also a bit annoying. But that gave room for development. I found Darling intriguing because even though he's been in every book, we don't know much about him personally. The whole "no sex before marriage" thing didn't make much sense to me in the last couple of books, but in this book it made so much sense for Darling. The "wholesome country boy" thing was really expertly done. And the contrast with the "broken" but loving Aumont was just spectacular.
The tenderness of the romance was SO SWEET! If you follow my reviews it will be no surprise that the book with the least sex (no sex) and the strongest emotional writing is the one I like the most. I actually would have liked it if there was a "wedding night" scene just because it was teased out for so long, and you know with all the lovey dovey stuff, it would have been really satisfying. Maybe there's so much anticipation, the author didn't think she could live up to it.
Of the 3 books I've read in this series, here's my most to least favourite: Book 5, Book 2, Book 4, Book 3.
Upon my 2nd reading: the audiobook narration is SO GOOD! I think this whole series might be one that is way better as an audiobook than as a traditional book. Still hate how Luke is basically a 3rd wheel in the relationship. ...more
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