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A review by neni
Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I cannot believe I read this OMG I HAVE NO EXCUSE, I HAVE HIT ROCK BOTTOM LMAO
Honestly, I think my years of extensive queer fanfic reading have spoiled me for most of the straight romance genre because this shit doesn't even come CLOSE to the quality I'm used to. It's not even about the writing, which, while definitely not great, is not atrocious. But the ABSENCE of COMMON SENSE. The complete lack of believability in ANYTHING that is happening, including the character's thoughts and behaviors. I even forgive the generic plot because what else was I expecting from a "mafia romance", it's a classic trope for a reason. But JESUS. None of the main characters are remotely likeable!!! The dialogue is ABSURD. They talk like porn AI's in a shitty buggy online video game. I was actually surprised this was written by a woman because the whole thing felt like the "male gaze" on CRACK. THERE'S A WHOLE PARAGRAPH WHERE SHE'S JUST LOVINGLY DESCRIBING HOW MUCH SHE LOVES HIS DICK, in like EXCRUCIATING ANATOMICAL DETAIL. LIKE EW GIRL. I'm pretty sure the dude compares himself ejaculating to a rocket lifting off. I AM NOT KIDDING. So cringe, so not sexy at all. The complete lack of healthy communication between the characters. The love interest being like "I don't plan to abuse my wife" and then proceeding to DO JUST THAT. THE CONSENT ISSUES. AH MAN. It's so bad on so many levels.
HOWEVER, I will give this 2 stars because it was kind of fun to trash it in my head, laugh at the ridiculousness of it all and just generally turn my brain off from the sheer stupidity of what was happening. I kinda want to laugh just thinking about it. Might be one of those "it's so bad you kinda wanna read it just so you can completely trash the hell out of it for fun?" Yeah.
Honestly, I think my years of extensive queer fanfic reading have spoiled me for most of the straight romance genre because this shit doesn't even come CLOSE to the quality I'm used to. It's not even about the writing, which, while definitely not great, is not atrocious. But the ABSENCE of COMMON SENSE. The complete lack of believability in ANYTHING that is happening, including the character's thoughts and behaviors. I even forgive the generic plot because what else was I expecting from a "mafia romance", it's a classic trope for a reason. But JESUS. None of the main characters are remotely likeable!!! The dialogue is ABSURD. They talk like porn AI's in a shitty buggy online video game. I was actually surprised this was written by a woman because the whole thing felt like the "male gaze" on CRACK. THERE'S A WHOLE PARAGRAPH WHERE SHE'S JUST LOVINGLY DESCRIBING HOW MUCH SHE LOVES HIS DICK, in like EXCRUCIATING ANATOMICAL DETAIL. LIKE EW GIRL. I'm pretty sure the dude compares himself ejaculating to a rocket lifting off. I AM NOT KIDDING. So cringe, so not sexy at all. The complete lack of healthy communication between the characters. The love interest being like "I don't plan to abuse my wife" and then proceeding to DO JUST THAT. THE CONSENT ISSUES. AH MAN. It's so bad on so many levels.
HOWEVER, I will give this 2 stars because it was kind of fun to trash it in my head, laugh at the ridiculousness of it all and just generally turn my brain off from the sheer stupidity of what was happening. I kinda want to laugh just thinking about it. Might be one of those "it's so bad you kinda wanna read it just so you can completely trash the hell out of it for fun?" Yeah.