IminyJo

This is dark romance without the tag.

Revisado: 10-29-23

Many will disagree, but this story is a big mess and kinda gross.

No, I shouldn't yuck anyone's yum, but it's definitely not my bag.

I really wanted to hang on and see if the main character regains even a sliver of her agency, but as I go on, I just find that harder and harder to do. Personally, I will never think it’s cool, cute, or sexy to fall in love with your kidnapper. I don't care how honorable, loyal, or supposedly respectful the "hero" is supposed to be. If he's abducted a person against their will, he's not worthy of their love. His reasons are irrelevant. He doesn't get to explain. He's trash. But more than that, he's a terrible person in every possible way, undeserving of heroine's love forevermore.

Just kidding. But only kinda. 'Cuz c'mon, he's got to work for it, at least. Where's your self-respect, girl?

Now, I know horrible men are the hallmark and gooey chocolate center of Dark Romance, but that's not what i thought I was reading. I've read tons of Romance Fantasy, and I know the guy is always supposed to be an absolute jerk initially, but honestly, this is more than that, no matter how the author rationalizes it. And non-con in any form is just really not my bag.

So, this barbarian dude (tribal warlord, conquering king, whatever) kidnaps the MC and almost immediately, she starts developing Stockholm Syndrome just because the guy is hot. (Insert side eye here). Like, seriously, girl? The man kidnapped you, threatened your friends to make you compliant, has said in no uncertain terms that he plans to keep you as his prisoner indefinitely and has been dragging your behind across the countryside by a leash for days. But because he has big broad shoulders, piercing eyes, and a strong jawline, all is forgiven? You can't help the swirly feelings he gives you in your girlie parts? For real? Holy Regressive Clichés Batman!

Still, like I said, I understand that that foolishness is some folks' peanut butter, jelly, and jam. And if so, this book will not disappoint. They flirt heavily while he LITERALLY drags her around by a rope (oooh, sexy!) But if you want your heroine with any real backbone or want to see her truly hold her kidnapper and his consorts to account for their actions, and not just merrily fall in with his band of rogues 'cuz reasons (related to them being "nice" people?!?) then this ain't it. But it is officially the point where I have to see myself to the door.

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Laugh out loud Funny

Revisado: 11-16-22

A faithful Pride and Prejudice retelling for those who are into that. But also a laugh out loud multicultural enemies to lovers romance between an activist DJ proudly repping her 'hood (Chocolate City Rep is strong!) and a developer with a silver spoon stuck firmly up his a$$! Loved it! Great story, great narration. A++

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Tell me that wasn't the way this book ends?!?

Revisado: 01-18-22

I don't even know what to say. I'm stunned. Not at all what I expected. Very well-written but the ending is a gut punch, to say the least

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This Isn't My Kind of Book

Revisado: 11-23-21

I think it's important to say that first. I think it's also important to say that I haven't gotten far in it. It's been a slog just to get where I am now. But I'll try to finish and update this review in case by some miracle it takes a turn. Because it isn't poorly written, it's just that I don't think abusive men are attractive or viable as love interests (whether or not they are abusive because they themselves were abused). Vicious needed lots and Lots and LOTS more therapy. He's neither ready nor capable of a relationship with another human (let alone a partner). All the author shows is him abusing people. Even his so-called friends. And the kind of verbal and emotional abuse Emilia seems to think is acceptable is distressing and ultimately sad. The author stacks the deck to explain why Emilia, a supposedly self-respecting person, finds herself inexplicably attracted to a person who abuses her (and why she's even in his orbit again). But it is irrelevant. Abuse is Vicious' love language. And that's just unacceptable. Period. It is not anyone's job or purpose to make you a better person. And listening to a romance between a "doormat" and a "misanthropic misogynist" is ugh. But I'm doing it, so who's really the dummy her? LOL!

FIRST UPDATE: two hundred pages in and this dude has not improved. ONE. BIT. He's gross and in fact, getting grosser. Emilia's inability to have any kind of backbone or even the simplest shred of self-respect is so sad that basically this book is a tragedy not a romance. And all the "I know I shouldn't feel this way", "I know I shouldn't let him do this to me", "I know I shouldn't want him"... Okay girl, but you keep doing it, so now what? Emilia is not the kind of girlfriend I'd want in real life (it's no wonder she has no friends in the book and no one to talk some sense into her because it would be unrealistic to imagine anyone standing by and watching her take all this kind of verbal and emotional abuse without wanting to call the cops). And every time Emilia fake-stands up for herself, as her friend, my eyes would roll so far up into my head, I'd lose them. After every chapter, I just sigh and want to shake her and say, "Make better choices, baby."

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