Let me start by saying Addiction by Vivian Wood (and it's duet partner, Obsession) REALLY NEEDS to come with a content warning. When I checked, I did not find any CWs or TWs in the beginning of the audiobooks, physical books, or even on the author's website. There are some very sensitive topics

(eating disorders, alcohol addiction, miscarriage, and car accident / medical trauma)

discussed in explicit detail. Given the depth and length that the sensitive topics are discussed, it is irresponsible to forego the CW.

Wood's book, Addiction, delves into two types of addictions while exploring the budding relationship between Sean, a tattoo artist, and Harper, a model. When Harper walks into Sean's tattoo parlor, he is filled with insta-lust. What comes next is more so a study in the two MCs addictions -- their inner dialogue and cognitive dissonance, convoluted feelings, physical sensations and experiences, as well as descriptive details -- than it is a spicy romance. Don't get me wrong, there are definitely some spicy dark-ish scenes, including domination, restraints and pain for pleasure. However, there are also long stretches where the plot's sole focus is the MCs relationships with their addictions, not each other.

I went into this book relatively clueless, so I was conflicted as I began navigating the tough topics. As a person in the recovery community, the MCs inner dialogue, faulty reasoning, and selfish thoughts while under the influence resonated with me. Much of their struggles mirrored my struggles of deciding to get clean and then the challenges during early recovery.  If nothing else, this novel nails what it is like to live under the oppressive feelings of addiction (until the end of the second novel when it gets a little too HEA too quickly. But it is a fictional novel, so I'll give the author leeway to deviate from real life and wrap up the story with a cute little bow / HEA.)

If you are in early recovery for

alcohol or drug addiction, or eating disorders

, I highly recommend taking a step back from this story and evaluating where you are with your mental health and recovery. Parts of the story could absolutely be triggering and / or cause cravings.

Do I recommend this novel as a spicy romance novel? No. It doesn't hit enough on the couple's relationship enough for me. Do I recommend this novel as a study of addictive thoughts and actions? Absolutely. 
 

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

Spice:  🌶️🌶️🌶️ 

POV: Dual

HEA: Not yet?

Cliffhanger: Yes

Tropes: Addiction, bad boy/good girl, rich MMC, BDSM

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book

⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book

⭐️⭐️ Meh…  bored or annoyed

⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing hot

🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking

🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary

🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?