yeah … I know this series is absolutely beloved, but it was a firm nope from me. I’m all about dark romance, and honestly those were the best parts, but the characters were just so two-dimensional I found myself not even caring what happened to them 🙄

erika is the stereotypical girl who has grown up always following the rules and suddenly breaks them all in one go when she decides to follow along the four horsemen (her neighbors’ and friends) on a trip to terrorize and prank on devil’s night. but she gets way more than she bargained for 👀

I was so into the plot when it was a revenge story, and I loved how each of them (michael, kai, damon, will) had conflicting morals. but, when I found out the real story behind what happened that devil’s night, it was … disappointing and sort of a letdown 🥴 especially because I predicted that erika was not as involved as alluded to begin with

and to go about this giant quest (multiple times) because someone turned you down? because you want what you can’t have? seems really childish to me & creates the idea that if you can’t get what you want, you should burn down and terrorize them instead… 

overall, I loved the spicy scenes and the forbidden romance, but the plot itself was just too much…

a huge thank you to netgalley and berkley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review - I’m sad this one missed the mark for me, but I’m certain others will love it!

rating: 2 stars
wine pairing: dry creek zinfandel