This was a very emotional story exploring important social and coming of age themes that I enjoyed all the more TW fatphobia from family and strangers
This was a very emotional story exploring important social and coming of age themes that I enjoyed all the more knowing it all came from an author who was speaking from her own experiences by way of our main character.
The plot of this story was really quintessential of high school and that period in our lives where we've all struggled with our identities and being comfortable in our bodies. And I think this book did such an amazing job depicting that. I will say, the story felt a little slow in parts. And while I wish there would have been a deeper conversation between Charlie and her mom, I understand that this toxic relationship between a child and a parent is a reality for some. I just felt that it was such a big topic of discussion in the story, I was sort of expecting some payoff from it.
Besides those small things, this story was engaging, thoughtful, emotional, and had an adorable romance....more
TW: emotional and physical abuse, attempted rape, abusive relationship, violence against women, murder
Actual Rating 2.5 stars
In this suspenseful romanTW: emotional and physical abuse, attempted rape, abusive relationship, violence against women, murder
Actual Rating 2.5 stars
In this suspenseful romance novel, we follow criminal psychologist Dr. Erin Abbott who suspects a serial killer is roaming New Orleans. As she begins an investigation she runs into journalist Gabriel Moss who knows Erin is on to something and wants in on the story. They join forced - to Erin's dismay - to find the killer and along the way Gabriel slowly seduces Erin but Erin knows their love can never be because she is hiding a terrible secret that threatens to come to light the more and more they investigate this serial killer.
I didn't realize until after finishing this novel that this book was originally published in 2004. And knowing that now, a lot of this story and my feelings for it makes more sense. Because some of the stuff in this story just wouldn't fly now in 2022.
I think it's probably difficult to find a good balance between romance and suspense because when a thrilling storyline is interrupted for a romance, it breaks up that tension that was building and throws off the story, which is what happened here. This story either focused all its attention on the suspense or on the romance, it felt jarring to jump back and forth between the storylines. I also do not like our love interest Gabriel at all. He was super pushy when it came to the romance and it made me uncomfortable on multiple occasions, especially since Erin is an abuse survivor.
All in all, I had very mixed feelings reading this one and still don't know exactly how I feel about it now that it's over....more
This romantic thriller is crazy! But a good kind of crazy! Jane is a Los Angeles nurse who grew up in a Christian cult, and Daniel is a has-been actorThis romantic thriller is crazy! But a good kind of crazy! Jane is a Los Angeles nurse who grew up in a Christian cult, and Daniel is a has-been actor whose career ended when the cult family members nearly killed him for flirting with her. Eight years after a romantic meet-cute in Battery Parl, the two are looking for someone to fill the gap. But when the opportunity to create the life they've always wanted comes up, they worry their families won't let them.
I was so intrigued by the synopsis of this story. I immediately wanted to get to know Jane and Daniel more and I loved how much their characters grew throughout the story. There is a lot of conflict and tension that really puts across the thrilling elements and really helps to hook the reader right away.
I also really liked the world-building, and think it's one of the stories' greater strengths. I really thought the clippings that were placed throughout the story were a great touch that really helped the immersion. I like the dystopian elements. I like the romance elements of star-crossed lovers. I like the element of reality behind fantastical upbringings.
I got classic vibes while reading this story. Mostly Romeo and Juliet with having two star-crossed lovers whose families won't let them be together. A little bit of Handmaiden's tale because jane's family is a religious cult that puts celebrities on trial. I really liked how t his story was able to have that classic flare without being a straight-up retelling.
From the beginning, I really thought that Jane and Daniel complimented one another and that showed itself to be true through the light-hearted beginning and the intense, thrilling later parts of the book. I also really liked the ending. It tackles a topic that I don't feel like it talked about much in fiction. Romance thrillers are not a genre I've read many from, but I think I kinda like it. I definitely recommend this one and I look forward to reading more in the near future.
thank you to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review! check out more on the book here...more