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s_r_c's reviews
13 reviews
Allison's Adventures in Underland by C.M. Stunich
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
✨️ 3.5 star rating, but definitely not a 4 ✨️
I am a HUGE Alice in Wonderland fan. Combine that with dark RH and I was onboard.
C.M. Munich you did an outstanding job with character descriptions and I'm obsessed with the 🐓s of Underland. [IFYKYK] Unfortunately, Allison is my least favorable character and for some reason I'm having a really hard time getting over that. This book had an extremely slow start IMO. As to be expected the Underland dialect is very sing song and limericky which I found to be very true to the overall Wonderland/Underland portrayal.
The last 35% of the book picks up in pace and was a much more enjoyable read. Book 1 ends on a cliff hanger bringing in new characters and TBH I'll start reading it as soon as I post this review.
So hang in there. Underland's just getting interesting. Oh and Tee and Dee I love you forever.
I am a HUGE Alice in Wonderland fan. Combine that with dark RH and I was onboard.
C.M. Munich you did an outstanding job with character descriptions and I'm obsessed with the 🐓s of Underland. [IFYKYK] Unfortunately, Allison is my least favorable character and for some reason I'm having a really hard time getting over that. This book had an extremely slow start IMO. As to be expected the Underland dialect is very sing song and limericky which I found to be very true to the overall Wonderland/Underland portrayal.
The last 35% of the book picks up in pace and was a much more enjoyable read. Book 1 ends on a cliff hanger bringing in new characters and TBH I'll start reading it as soon as I post this review.
So hang in there. Underland's just getting interesting. Oh and Tee and Dee I love you forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault
Darling Venom by Parker S. Huntington
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book. I finished reading it with an abounding sigh of relief. It was heavy. It's not for everyone. Heavy triggers such as : suicide ideation, suicide, drug/alcohol addiction... the beginning of the book was more difficult to read as you see the above mentioned triggers written from an adolescent perspective. That in itself was enough to make my stomach turn at times.
With ALLLLL that being said... this is one HELL of a love story. One where happiness isn't believed to be deserved and it's raw, emotional. Kellan. Darling Venom. The Imperfections. You were too good for this world. I ached for your soul while reading this book. How people treated you. How you felt about the world. You're the person everyone wants to save but just can't. Charlie, Tate, Leah, Terry... reading their stories and seeing how they unfold and evolve into people with restored faith.... sigh.
I was all over the place with my emotions while reading this one. From heavy af topics to awk gyno scenes, this book definitely will keep you entertained [maybe evening bawling at points] and is well worth the read.
With ALLLLL that being said... this is one HELL of a love story. One where happiness isn't believed to be deserved and it's raw, emotional. Kellan. Darling Venom. The Imperfections. You were too good for this world. I ached for your soul while reading this book. How people treated you. How you felt about the world. You're the person everyone wants to save but just can't. Charlie, Tate, Leah, Terry... reading their stories and seeing how they unfold and evolve into people with restored faith.... sigh.
I was all over the place with my emotions while reading this one. From heavy af topics to awk gyno scenes, this book definitely will keep you entertained [maybe evening bawling at points] and is well worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
The Wife Before by Shanora Williams
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The way this book chronicles two very different women married to the same man shows just how complex and contrasting relationship dynamics can be different individuals. This one is loaded with heavy topics being mentioned ranging from substance abuse, CSA, grooming, and extramarital affairs to name a few. I'm a huge fan of 'journal reading' and enjoyed the back forth between Samira's present day life and Melanie's personal journal. There were quite a few plot twists with the final one making me say, "HELL YES, YOU GO GIRL. YOUR SECRETS SAFE WITH ME."
It's a solid read worthy of being recommended. Verity vibes, less children dying. Way better ending.
It's a solid read worthy of being recommended. Verity vibes, less children dying. Way better ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Infidelity
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault
Satan's Affair by H.D. Carlton
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Intriguing until the very end with a final twist that really left me with my jaw on the floor. If you're looking for a 'what the actual $%÷/ did I just read' & don't mind blood, gore, and a hell of a twisted, tortured mind... this is for you.
CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS
CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The level of toxic friendship in this book will pull at your heartstrings. Beautifully & artfully written. This book in itself is a true Shakespearean tragedy.
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A little more than 4 but not quite 5 stars 🌟
The writing style this book brings to the table is fairly top notch. Full of twists and turns, Rock Paper Scissors needs your full attention or details in this suspenseful read will slip right past you. Amelia... Who's story are you really reading? Adam... is he truly as innocent as he plays to be? Robin... the sweet little bird tormented by her father? Or dangerously tetering on the edge of fiction and reality?
You decide. Rock Paper Scissors.
The writing style this book brings to the table is fairly top notch. Full of twists and turns, Rock Paper Scissors needs your full attention or details in this suspenseful read will slip right past you. Amelia... Who's story are you really reading? Adam... is he truly as innocent as he plays to be? Robin... the sweet little bird tormented by her father? Or dangerously tetering on the edge of fiction and reality?
You decide. Rock Paper Scissors.
Smoky Darling by S.J. Tilly
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Honestly I'd give this maybe... maybe a 3.5??? I just couldn't bring myself to give it a full 4 ✨️✨️
Smoky Darling was a cute, quick read. I found Beckett's pet names for Lou to be a bit more cringy than I'd like. Maybe that's why I just couldn't give my literary heart over to this small town, contemporary romance. Beckett's character just seemed a little too over the top. Other than that it was an okay read.
Smoky Darling was a cute, quick read. I found Beckett's pet names for Lou to be a bit more cringy than I'd like. Maybe that's why I just couldn't give my literary heart over to this small town, contemporary romance. Beckett's character just seemed a little too over the top. Other than that it was an okay read.
Latte Darling by S.J. Tilly
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
✨️ Solid 4 ✨️
I'll just got out & say it... this book probably would have gotten a 4.5 or higher rating from me, but I didn't check trigger warnings and I am NOT a fan of age gap/daddy play. I enjoyed pretty much everything about this book besides the above mentioned triggers. Maddie being a curvy, coffee snob. Yes, love it. Tattoos and big, tall guy. Yup. Calling someone Daddy... hate it. Just not for me.
I'm torn... as you can see. Worth the read, I suppose. Just slightly cringy for me.
I'll just got out & say it... this book probably would have gotten a 4.5 or higher rating from me, but I didn't check trigger warnings and I am NOT a fan of age gap/daddy play. I enjoyed pretty much everything about this book besides the above mentioned triggers. Maddie being a curvy, coffee snob. Yes, love it. Tattoos and big, tall guy. Yup. Calling someone Daddy... hate it. Just not for me.
I'm torn... as you can see. Worth the read, I suppose. Just slightly cringy for me.
Twined by Renee Rocco
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Take a princess, antiheros, & a 🌶🌶🌶🌶 spice level then roll them around with some dark and bloody word play.... The Grim Tower Duet is your love child.
While this book ends with a HEA, please check trigger warnings. What may be spicy for others could be 🤮🤢 to you.
While this book ends with a HEA, please check trigger warnings. What may be spicy for others could be 🤮🤢 to you.
Twisted by Renee Rocco
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
✨️ 4.4 ✨️
Rapunzel. ✔️
RH. ✔️
Morally Grey Antiheroes. ✔️
Ends in an informational cliffhanger ✔️.
Shorter Read. ✔️
Spice 🌶🌶🌶🌶
There wasn't much about this RH Rapunzel retelling I didn't enjoy. It's a fairly quick read, so at times I felt the relationship development between the main characters was a tad rushed. Diving into book two like 🦈
Rapunzel. ✔️
RH. ✔️
Morally Grey Antiheroes. ✔️
Ends in an informational cliffhanger ✔️.
Shorter Read. ✔️
Spice 🌶🌶🌶🌶
There wasn't much about this RH Rapunzel retelling I didn't enjoy. It's a fairly quick read, so at times I felt the relationship development between the main characters was a tad rushed. Diving into book two like 🦈