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A review by vrstal
Peep by Rianne Elizabeth
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4/5. Highlights may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.
Content Warnings for book: Stalking, violence, forced drug use, nonconsensual medical surgeries, kidnapping, strangulation, discussion of rape, incest, and sexual assault, detailed flashback to sexual assault of an MC, vomiting
Kink: Voyeurism, sex toys, D/s vibes, JOI, phone sex, dimple kink, med-kink
I was given an ARC, and this is my honest review.
I was a bit of a clown and didn’t realize beforehand this had my one thing I usually avoid as a CW but 🤡 that was on me. I persevered and perhaps just like when I made myself like horror movies I can learn to get past this too.
Anyway, let’s talk about Peep!
Femi (a side character) as they state in their content note, was written using Jamaican Patois. The author’s father is Jamaican (and speaks this language), and I’m going to assume that the author also identified as Jamaican even if they don’t speak that language (?). Anyway, so that’s that as far as the context of representation being written. I’m not Jamaican or black, so I can’t attest to what is “authentic”.
Femi, Sage, and Cameron are all great side characters. They felt like they had unique personalities and of course, general representation across the board. Sage’s non-binary identity was handled well. I really want to read a novella of Sage/Cameron tbh. Love me a himbo.
Anders and Jahmar were interesting. I enjoyed that Anders was a little off, a little obsessive, a little too interested. Throwing him in with Jahmar who already decided Anders was his, we have that “I can make him worse” energy even if it was never intended on his end. I don’t want to spoil much, but I think some things were a little too easy — like if Anders is an accomplished stalker and such, he got caught pretty fast. Jahmar’s own secret is interesting, a little twisted but ultimately appeals to a moral fantasy for some people. This isn’t the place to discuss the ethics or philosophy around the idea, though, so I’ll leave it at that.
The biggeat reveal? Good lord. I won’t say anything, just good lord. I felt awful for everyone involved.
In terms of their actual relationship once things settle - it’s sweet. We have some hot scenes, cute cuddling, and the snark between the two that is nice. I was rooting for their issues to be smoothed out.
Writing wise, I love me some metaphors using horror tones and vibes. Yes, cannibalism as a metaphor for love is my fave. The writing was well done, I didn’t notice any glaring errors.
Overall, I think this is a good read! It’s a dark romance but it’s not that intensely “dark” between the MCs. They’re morally grey but have some depth to them.
Content Warnings for book: Stalking, violence, forced drug use, nonconsensual medical surgeries, kidnapping, strangulation, discussion of rape, incest, and sexual assault, detailed flashback to sexual assault of an MC, vomiting
Kink: Voyeurism, sex toys, D/s vibes, JOI, phone sex, dimple kink, med-kink
I was given an ARC, and this is my honest review.
I was a bit of a clown and didn’t realize beforehand this had my one thing I usually avoid as a CW but 🤡 that was on me. I persevered and perhaps just like when I made myself like horror movies I can learn to get past this too.
Anyway, let’s talk about Peep!
Femi (a side character) as they state in their content note, was written using Jamaican Patois. The author’s father is Jamaican (and speaks this language), and I’m going to assume that the author also identified as Jamaican even if they don’t speak that language (?). Anyway, so that’s that as far as the context of representation being written. I’m not Jamaican or black, so I can’t attest to what is “authentic”.
Femi, Sage, and Cameron are all great side characters. They felt like they had unique personalities and of course, general representation across the board. Sage’s non-binary identity was handled well. I really want to read a novella of Sage/Cameron tbh. Love me a himbo.
Anders and Jahmar were interesting. I enjoyed that Anders was a little off, a little obsessive, a little too interested. Throwing him in with Jahmar who already decided Anders was his, we have that “I can make him worse” energy even if it was never intended on his end. I don’t want to spoil much, but I think some things were a little too easy — like if Anders is an accomplished stalker and such, he got caught pretty fast. Jahmar’s own secret is interesting, a little twisted but ultimately appeals to a moral fantasy for some people. This isn’t the place to discuss the ethics or philosophy around the idea, though, so I’ll leave it at that.
The biggeat reveal? Good lord. I won’t say anything, just good lord. I felt awful for everyone involved.
In terms of their actual relationship once things settle - it’s sweet. We have some hot scenes, cute cuddling, and the snark between the two that is nice. I was rooting for their issues to be smoothed out.
Writing wise, I love me some metaphors using horror tones and vibes. Yes, cannibalism as a metaphor for love is my fave. The writing was well done, I didn’t notice any glaring errors.
Overall, I think this is a good read! It’s a dark romance but it’s not that intensely “dark” between the MCs. They’re morally grey but have some depth to them.