iamcupid_'s reviews
161 reviews

not in the mood and kinda boring start

Well. That turned out to be such a disappointment, wasn't it. I don't even have one thing I liked in this book. I knew from the start I wouldn't like it but I'm a sucker for gay retellings so I went through with it, and then I felt bad leaving it unfinished since I was already 20% in. 

I've read dark romance books. I have my own favorite dark romance books. But, the thing is, dark romance is only really dark romance if BOTH of them are participating in the toxic behavior; and by that I mean that even though one of them acts like they don't want the other character's advances, they're also a̶ b̶i̶t̶ toxic on the inside and they secretly actually like it. So, my problem was that majority of this book was Persephone trying to get away from Hades, not only trying a bit but genuinely, whole-heartedly wanting to get away from Hades. I just felt so bad for her because no one was on her side. Like, 75% in and I was still thinking, "okay, when does the romance start?" The chemistry was lacking in every way, even in the end I was, like, "Okay and???" I felt Hades' desire for Persephone but I did NOT feel Persephone's desire for Hades. Even when Persephone discovered it took a century for Hades to make her move. I was, like, "lol what was the point." What Was The Point. Who cares if Hades waited a millenium when she finally had Persephone, she didn't treat her right. And in the end, Persephone really just had no choice but to fall for Hades because of everything that happened. At least Hades was decent in the end or whatever I don't care anymore. I mentally threw this book in the garbage the second I finished the book. 

Also, I just hate the fact that I've read TWO(2) lesbian hades/persephone (the other one being The Dark Wife) and Hades, despite being a literal-fucking-god, still faces misogyny. It was what really made me finally made my decision to give this book one star.

i'm not sure what i was expecting but it wasn't that. like, the cover screamed classic novel so i was surprised to see that this was published only in 2012. Actually, the main reason I started this is because the cover reminded me of Heart of Stone by Johannes. Another fave of mine. Covers like this just never disappoints. 

From the start, I was interested already. Although Sean and Nate didn't end up together, I do wonder what if, you know? Because it kinda seemed like it would be a nice love story, a former student 14 years ago and a 13 year age gap. But then Dreo came on... Sean didn't stand a chance. Esoecially when Dreo speaks in Italian---mamma mia! But what really touched me is everything else about this story, the fact that so many characters here were gay? Nate and Michael's relationship? Nate himself? I was smiling so much while reading! 

Anyway, this was really an enjoyable read. The writing is very simple but it didn't matter because I wasn't really looking for a book like that, although I sure am hoping the other books of this author does have one that has poetic writing. Can't wait to explore more of her works!<3

I'm not sure how to start this review. Where do I even begin? There were so many things that I loved in this book. This book was perfect---more than, in fact. From the start, I was hooked. Like, totally hooked. There was no dull line in this book, like, it was so hard for me to put it down because every moment had me screaming and crying and feeling feelings. It's so hard to put into words how much I loved this book. If this book was a person, I would be trying to do everything to please them. I just love it so much. A new fave book. A new comfort book. I loved every second of reading this. 


The thing that I kept thinking while reading this was that what really set this apart from other books I've read is that it really cared about everything/everyone else outside Dev and Charlie's love story. You have a lot of other POC characters, queer characters, all of them struggling with something else in their life. Even Ryan, who we---at least *I*---think was the common shitty ex turned out to be... not a shitty ex. The other characters were so fleshed out and I was so interested in them that I didn't even care when Dev or Charlie isn't in the scene. THIS is how you make romance. THIS is how you make a book. Every time I remember that this is a debut novel, I need a moment. THIS IS A DEBUT NOVEL????? Like. It was so perfect. How can a debut novel ve this good. 

I really wasn't sure where the book was going because there were a lot of routes to take. Every guess I had that would happen didn't, instead something BETTER happened. The part where Dev got the Final Crown and I was internally screaming along with him >>>>>>>>>> 

This book was also so cheesy but not in an Eastern Lights' (by Brittainy Cherry) way. Although it talked about mental health at length, it did not feel forced. It did not feel dramatacized for the sake of the book's romance. It did not become the thing that made the book interesting, although it grounded the story for me. I was crying at every scene because I saw myself in both Dev and Charlie. Because, yeah, sometimes the way your brain works makes you feel unloveable because you know it's not normal but this book said fuck normal, you deserve love no matter what you're struggling with and I just felt so understood. For the time I was reading this, I felt powerful. So, I'm saying this from the bottom of my heart, this was an amazing read.

With that being said, I am so ready for all the books Alison Cochrun would publish in the future. Consider me a fan. 

i'm gonna be honest, i hated this. I hated this so much. Before I knew I realized what was happening, I was already too deep in and was too curious at how it would end to drop it. I stayed up reading this (though I was still not able to finish it) and I couldn't sleep right away. This book haunts me. Getting into it, all I knew was it was about a pedophile. I did not think it would be that graphic. I did not think it would make me feel this way. I knew this book was dark but I did not expect it would be THAT dark. I was mentally throwing up all throught reading this. I didn't want to move while reading because I was paralyzed, I was scared that.... I was scared. It was my fault I took the warnings too lightly. It was my fault. But nonetheless, I fucking hate this book. 

The third and fourth book were just so boring. Especially the fourth one, I have lost all interest. 

Felt like everytime I understood it, I lost it again. Fun read. 

I have to be honest with you, I did not understand what happened in this book. I read a dozen pages every few days because it was boring but there were also so many characters I couldn't keep up with so I kept mixing them up until I finally gave up and just finished reading it without getting any of it. 

I'M SO INLOVE WITH BOOK!SHERLOCK. BEST VERSION OF SHERLOCK EVER. IDC IDC. 

4.5 stars but what the hell, I'm turning it to a 5 for that adorable epilogue.

It was a wonderful read, everytime one of them is like, "Oh Henry/Essex is so beautiful, I want to hold him." I keep internally screaming, "THEN DO IT. COME ON. DO I T."

That lasted througout the whole book since they ended up together halfway through the last chapter before the epilogue.

I don't know how I survived---oh yeah, I know why because this book was BEAUTIFUL ITSELF. I'm already thinking of rereading it. I follow the author on Twitter and so I did not expect anything less. I've been wanting to read this book since forEVER; it was everything I wanted and more. Historical romances really are the best. 

There is so much more I want to dive into but I think I'll save it when I reread the book.

SECOND READ (October 30, 2022)

Rereading a favorite piece of media and finding new favorite moments >>>>>> 


Johannes wrote this book so beautifully I'm always so speechless at the raw yearning this book has.

Essex obsessively drawing Henry will never fail to make me lose my mind ugh!!!!