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A review by inmydreams
Strain by Amelia C. Gormley
5.0
I knew from the reviews that I was going to love it, and this didn't disappoint. I actually loved it more than I expected, it's a solid 5 stars.
I think another comment summed it up very well: smart smut. I think what makes this apart from others is the setting and well constructed universe, I'm grateful the author wasn't afraid of adding the necessary pages and dialogue to explain the world building, it was natural and organic.
This had a great cast as well. Besides the main characters, you actually feel connected with the rest and their stories. For Rhys, it was well portrayed how sheltered he had been and how vulnerable he became, his misery was palpable. For Darius, at times I wanted to strangle him because of how mean he was to Rhys but then again, it was what Rhys needed to survive. Their dynamic is interesting, especially when Rhys does get more power in his decission by the end, and I liked that Darius was conscious of the imbalance, but still wanted to keep doing it lol, what an asshole, but hot in a way.
The one thing I wished for is. It could have added more drama and it'd been juicier to see Rhys doubting between those two. I almost wanted and I have a thing for childhood friends, so it makes sense that their scenes had me kicking my feet. But the ending makes sense, I love the open possibilities about that last dialogue, which is another time where , such an interesting character.
Tags: (can miss some, heads up that I don't tag everything)
-POV: third person
-Content warnings:
-Elements:
-Kinks:
-Sexual act(s):
-Dynamic:
I think another comment summed it up very well: smart smut. I think what makes this apart from others is the setting and well constructed universe, I'm grateful the author wasn't afraid of adding the necessary pages and dialogue to explain the world building, it was natural and organic.
This had a great cast as well. Besides the main characters, you actually feel connected with the rest and their stories. For Rhys, it was well portrayed how sheltered he had been and how vulnerable he became, his misery was palpable. For Darius, at times I wanted to strangle him because of how mean he was to Rhys but then again, it was what Rhys needed to survive. Their dynamic is interesting, especially when Rhys does get more power in his decission by the end, and I liked that Darius was conscious of the imbalance, but still wanted to keep doing it lol, what an asshole, but hot in a way.
The one thing I wished for is
Spoiler
that Gabe had more importance (and didn't die)Spoiler
the three of them to end up together in a HFN, Rhys deserves two boyfriends after going through so longSpoiler
Darius gets conscious of his feelings. I also thought about it, how possessive he was at first, and now he wants to practice sharing, he cracked me upTags: (can miss some, heads up that I don't tag everything)
-POV: third person
-Content warnings:
Spoiler
dubcon/noncon between MCs, dubcon between MC and others, homophobia from side character, past abuse (from a authority figure)-Elements:
Spoiler
age gap (19 and 43), size difference, innocent/sheltered MC-Kinks:
Spoiler
fuck or die, dirty talk, possessiveness, sharing partner, sort of exhibitionism/public sex, free use, manhandling, marking (biting), somnophilia, spanking, virginity-Sexual act(s):
Spoiler
barebacking, creampie, blowjobs, fingering, humping-grinding, toys, rimming, rough/aggressive sex, plug after creampie, gangbang,-Dynamic: