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Riverside Hate #2
Love Like Mine: The Hate/Love Duet Book 2
Raine I thought it was all over and just when I believed things couldn’t get any worse in Riverside, they did.
That was the last straw for me. I started to spiral and didn’t know how to stop.
What I didn’t know at the time was that my attack wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen.
I should have known that life would throw me another major curveball.
I found out things I shouldn’t have, things that almost destroyed me even more.
I wanted, no, was desperate to know why he hated me in the first place, didn’t I?
But now that I know, I wish I didn’t.
Knox I’ll do whatever it takes for her to see that she’s mine.
To make her forget all the crap that’s been between us from the beginning.
Even if it means keeping the secret I know from her for the rest of her life.
She’s spiraling and I don’t know what to do. I don’t want her to hurt anymore.
I should have known that secrets never stay hidden forever…
Never mind that though, she’s mine until the end of time and she’ll just have to deal with it.
Because no one else will ever have a love like mine where she’s concerned.
Book 1 Must be read before reading this one. Please check the author's note in the beginning of the book for the CW
That was the last straw for me. I started to spiral and didn’t know how to stop.
What I didn’t know at the time was that my attack wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen.
I should have known that life would throw me another major curveball.
I found out things I shouldn’t have, things that almost destroyed me even more.
I wanted, no, was desperate to know why he hated me in the first place, didn’t I?
But now that I know, I wish I didn’t.
Knox I’ll do whatever it takes for her to see that she’s mine.
To make her forget all the crap that’s been between us from the beginning.
Even if it means keeping the secret I know from her for the rest of her life.
She’s spiraling and I don’t know what to do. I don’t want her to hurt anymore.
I should have known that secrets never stay hidden forever…
Never mind that though, she’s mine until the end of time and she’ll just have to deal with it.
Because no one else will ever have a love like mine where she’s concerned.
Book 1 Must be read before reading this one. Please check the author's note in the beginning of the book for the CW
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 11, 2023
239 people are currently reading
418 people want to read
About the author
Nikita.
8 books1,116 followersNikita is an introvert at heart who loves to procrastinate. She spends most of her time reading or watching crimes shows because she hates to leave the house unless it's absolutely necessary.
Her love of Dark Romance really began when she moved to the US and fell in love with reading all over again. She had no plans on ever writing a book or publishing but Cole was very persistent and now she can't think of doing anything else!
She loves writing as much as she loves reading and can't wait to bring you more dark romance reads! The journey so far has been a dream thanks to all her amazing readers and she can't thank them enough for taking a chance on her books and loving those characters as much as she does!
Her love of Dark Romance really began when she moved to the US and fell in love with reading all over again. She had no plans on ever writing a book or publishing but Cole was very persistent and now she can't think of doing anything else!
She loves writing as much as she loves reading and can't wait to bring you more dark romance reads! The journey so far has been a dream thanks to all her amazing readers and she can't thank them enough for taking a chance on her books and loving those characters as much as she does!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
June 15, 2023
Final rating 3.5 stars
After doing a re-read on the previous book I was excited to jump back into this world.
This has a lot of triggers so take care when jumping into this one as it may be too heavy for some.
It’s gritty, emotional and overloaded with angst. The author came out batting and the hits kept coming.
Sitting back after a day or so with finishing this I revised my rating and my thoughts on this, everything with this one was just too much over the top, where I wanted her to show strength and grow she went the opposite end of the spectrum, I wanted her to come at those who had done her wrong like a dragon breathing fire, I wanted her to make them pay for everything they had put her through. She went through so many life changing moments.
After doing a re-read on the previous book I was excited to jump back into this world.
This has a lot of triggers so take care when jumping into this one as it may be too heavy for some.
It’s gritty, emotional and overloaded with angst. The author came out batting and the hits kept coming.
Sitting back after a day or so with finishing this I revised my rating and my thoughts on this, everything with this one was just too much over the top, where I wanted her to show strength and grow she went the opposite end of the spectrum, I wanted her to come at those who had done her wrong like a dragon breathing fire, I wanted her to make them pay for everything they had put her through. She went through so many life changing moments.
May 17, 2023
There was absolutely no progress in her healing process up until the last 10%. Her self destruction kept getting worse. Really underdeveloped and unrealistic considering the bullying, rape, self harm, eating disorder, drug & alcohol abuse she went through.
And was that half-sibling plot twist even necessary?? Added nothing to the story, really. They should’ve remained stepsiblings.
Honestly how did she not suspect he was the one who kidnapped her like come on I saw it coming a mile away. Who else would it be. And that whole “justice” with Trent & Ivy?? Don’t even get me started.
Lastly, she hated him throughout 95% of the book, and suddenly she’s really in love with him by the end?? Make it make sense pls. I like how she didn’t give in immediately and let him “grovel” but her attitude was making my blood boil.
And was that half-sibling plot twist even necessary?? Added nothing to the story, really. They should’ve remained stepsiblings.
Honestly how did she not suspect he was the one who kidnapped her like come on I saw it coming a mile away. Who else would it be. And that whole “justice” with Trent & Ivy?? Don’t even get me started.
Lastly, she hated him throughout 95% of the book, and suddenly she’s really in love with him by the end?? Make it make sense pls. I like how she didn’t give in immediately and let him “grovel” but her attitude was making my blood boil.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2023
2.5 stars
Mixed feelings about this book, although I already loved the couple by the time I discovered the topic. Not sure if I would have read the duet knowing the type of relationship they shared. Definite twist. If I had been forewarned, I could have made an informed decision as this was generally not my taboo of choice. And with Knox knowing it from the beginning and using it to hurt her, then being obsessed with her, it just felt both depraved and then crazed, in that way I like possessive antiheroes, at the same time.
Raine was one of the strongest but most traumatized, most damaged heroines I’ve read in a while. Strong for her perseverance under the most trying of circumstances. If bad things happen to good people, then all that could have happened was targeted to and piled on her. And that’s also what made the story unrealistic. There wasn’t enough balance in her life of continual trials, which obviously made the suicidal ideation sustained through the book understandable. And with that, lots of rumination, lots of downtrodden thoughts only salved by sex and vices.
Yes, the spice was high and intense, if a bit repetitive in style. They would row from Raine’s mental breakdown followed by sexual subduing entertained as dubious consent — Raine would always beg for, cream for Knox’s c6ck, then sex, and afterwards she would revive the wrongs and commence discord again. It was perfectly understandable initially, but after the 20th time, it was rinse and repeat. Lots of back and forth calmed with sex and then renewed disagreement. I get she was very hurt over all the bullying, but she started to come across as a shrew. She needed professional help, and the last chapters of the book alone weren’t significant enough to address her level of mental illness.
Then the withheld revelation theme, not telling Knox about the rape (and who would refuse to go to the hospital and why didn’t her friends insist?), was carried through the storyline. Her reasons were understandable from her mind, relatable, but it was a weak pillar for an entire book. Speaking of her friends, they were enablers when she was clearly an addict. What kind of friends do that?
One of the issues I had with the story, aside from the taboo, was the pervasive theme of Raine’s breakdown and desire for self-harm: the cutting, drinking, drugs, eating disorder, and ultimately recklessness. Did she have cause? Absolutely. Do I want to read a romance entirely about suicidal self-destruction and not communicating? Not really. The spice helped, but again, the motions were so similar at each event.
The other issue was the immature writing: the style itself, the mix of first person and second person (in speaking comically or ironically to the reader), the repetition of words during the two characters’ points of view in similar scenes, and worse, the transitions, again with all the whens and onces, the same expected characteristic. Also, Raine’s long-winded inner monologue, over and over, were too much. Same speech pattern, same topics, same insults were just repeated without progressing the plot. Additionally, so many events were predictable: the parents’ affair, who assaulted her, who kidnapped her. Only the twist was unexpected (and not necessarily welcomed.)
I liked the characters, Raine and Knox. They were both disturbed in complementary ways. Knox truly was taken with Raine. He made her claiming a reality in that he never let her get away; he never wanted to be away from her. He staked his claim despite societal implications, and, in fact, was impervious to the morality of their relationship.
I’m interested in reading about the supporting characters, Asher, Ez, and Knox’s and Raine’s other friends. The author did a good job interweaving plot grabbers for others alongside the main storyline.
A sad and morbid reading intermingled with a lot of passionate sex and obsession. How much trauma can be piled onto one person? How much can one person endure? Raine was so strong but so damaged, reckless from all she goes through while Knox remained ever faithful, ever her healer, her dark devotee. And the huge twist? Wow and why. I’m uncomfortably accepting but perturbed. Entertaining? Yes, overall but unfulfilling.
Mixed feelings about this book, although I already loved the couple by the time I discovered the topic. Not sure if I would have read the duet knowing the type of relationship they shared. Definite twist. If I had been forewarned, I could have made an informed decision as this was generally not my taboo of choice. And with Knox knowing it from the beginning and using it to hurt her, then being obsessed with her, it just felt both depraved and then crazed, in that way I like possessive antiheroes, at the same time.
Raine was one of the strongest but most traumatized, most damaged heroines I’ve read in a while. Strong for her perseverance under the most trying of circumstances. If bad things happen to good people, then all that could have happened was targeted to and piled on her. And that’s also what made the story unrealistic. There wasn’t enough balance in her life of continual trials, which obviously made the suicidal ideation sustained through the book understandable. And with that, lots of rumination, lots of downtrodden thoughts only salved by sex and vices.
Yes, the spice was high and intense, if a bit repetitive in style. They would row from Raine’s mental breakdown followed by sexual subduing entertained as dubious consent — Raine would always beg for, cream for Knox’s c6ck, then sex, and afterwards she would revive the wrongs and commence discord again. It was perfectly understandable initially, but after the 20th time, it was rinse and repeat. Lots of back and forth calmed with sex and then renewed disagreement. I get she was very hurt over all the bullying, but she started to come across as a shrew. She needed professional help, and the last chapters of the book alone weren’t significant enough to address her level of mental illness.
Then the withheld revelation theme, not telling Knox about the rape (and who would refuse to go to the hospital and why didn’t her friends insist?), was carried through the storyline. Her reasons were understandable from her mind, relatable, but it was a weak pillar for an entire book. Speaking of her friends, they were enablers when she was clearly an addict. What kind of friends do that?
One of the issues I had with the story, aside from the taboo, was the pervasive theme of Raine’s breakdown and desire for self-harm: the cutting, drinking, drugs, eating disorder, and ultimately recklessness. Did she have cause? Absolutely. Do I want to read a romance entirely about suicidal self-destruction and not communicating? Not really. The spice helped, but again, the motions were so similar at each event.
The other issue was the immature writing: the style itself, the mix of first person and second person (in speaking comically or ironically to the reader), the repetition of words during the two characters’ points of view in similar scenes, and worse, the transitions, again with all the whens and onces, the same expected characteristic. Also, Raine’s long-winded inner monologue, over and over, were too much. Same speech pattern, same topics, same insults were just repeated without progressing the plot. Additionally, so many events were predictable: the parents’ affair, who assaulted her, who kidnapped her. Only the twist was unexpected (and not necessarily welcomed.)
I liked the characters, Raine and Knox. They were both disturbed in complementary ways. Knox truly was taken with Raine. He made her claiming a reality in that he never let her get away; he never wanted to be away from her. He staked his claim despite societal implications, and, in fact, was impervious to the morality of their relationship.
I’m interested in reading about the supporting characters, Asher, Ez, and Knox’s and Raine’s other friends. The author did a good job interweaving plot grabbers for others alongside the main storyline.
A sad and morbid reading intermingled with a lot of passionate sex and obsession. How much trauma can be piled onto one person? How much can one person endure? Raine was so strong but so damaged, reckless from all she goes through while Knox remained ever faithful, ever her healer, her dark devotee. And the huge twist? Wow and why. I’m uncomfortably accepting but perturbed. Entertaining? Yes, overall but unfulfilling.
January 12, 2024
Major trigger warnings. ⚠️
Also quite taboo…(which is revealed near the end of the book, so that’s kinda unfair.)
Raine kept spiraling out of control way tooo muchhh…Knox tried his hardest to mend things, he really gave it his all, as he should have bec he really did her dirty in the previous book.
Though I just couldn’t feel the connection with the characters at all… this was a very depressing book. I like a book where there are all sorts of emotions going on, not just one.
While this duet was good and had a lot of potential, it just wasn’t for me, and I believe it could’ve been way better. All the depressing had me bored for a while and I just felt I was dragging myself to just finish the book..
Also quite taboo…(which is revealed near the end of the book, so that’s kinda unfair.)
Raine kept spiraling out of control way tooo muchhh…Knox tried his hardest to mend things, he really gave it his all, as he should have bec he really did her dirty in the previous book.
Though I just couldn’t feel the connection with the characters at all… this was a very depressing book. I like a book where there are all sorts of emotions going on, not just one.
While this duet was good and had a lot of potential, it just wasn’t for me, and I believe it could’ve been way better. All the depressing had me bored for a while and I just felt I was dragging myself to just finish the book..
November 9, 2025
So wow, I guess I judged the author's books too quickly.
After the horrific This Love Hurts and Ravenhood Elite books I didn't have much faith in Nikita's books as those books are filled with too much torment and cruelty towards the FMC but not remotely enough grovel or suffering from the MC's part.
But man this book was a complete opposite. I am literally thanking my stars for had I not taken a leap of faith, I would have absolutely missed this masterpiece.
While book 1 deals with extreme cruel bullying, degradation and all book 2 completely deals with healing and for Knox to redeem himself, which I thought would have been impossible since he was absolutely inhuman and a shitstain in book 1.
This is the type of bully to lovers book I had been searching for a long time, with a fragile yet tenacious FMC and a cruel bully who succeeds in breaking her apart only to shatter into million pieces himself.
This author really gave all of herself with this masterpiece.Unlike some series like Beautiful Mess(where not untill the 70% that hero starts to feel remorse and there little grovel and suffering and somehow sex means all is handy dandy) or Darkwood Academy series where majority of book 1 is bullying but the author didn't even bother to make the heroes suffer and earn FMC I love yous(literally 5% into book 2 and bam all is gooyey gaga ) or Necessary Cruelty or many more trash books like them.
Knox really fought and suffered to earn Raine's fragile yet beautiful heart. Book 1 was a tear jerker but book 2 was a tear as well as snot fest , I literally have swollen eyes with the amount of crying I did. It was true, no one could love Raine like Knox ,alot of strong people (hell even me ig) would have been at their wits end with Raine's painful spiral but not Knox. He fell in love , repented and through all hardships stood strong with Raine.
What I strongly disliked was the fucking arrogance of Knox to think that Rained still had love for him, or forcing his love down her throat, when all his focus should have been into healing her. I would have liked it more of Knox would have tattooed or carved words like bully, manipulator, lowlifes scum onto his body, so that Rained wasn't the only one with physical scars of her torment.
I too blamed Knox like Raine throughout the book but I also cheered his determination to right his wrong.
Another amazing thing was that unlike a lot of authors and even unlike the author's previous books here a few f*cks and orgasms didn't mean that all was forgiven and forgotten.
I was also happy that Raine literally said her piece and didn't give Kinsley the time of her day. I completely agree with her and stand with her. Kinsley is not someone I would want on my side too. She is a coward and a sheep and I hope that she never forgave or reconciled with Kinsley and Knox's friends because standbys and those who keep quite and do nothing for the wronged one are bad, infact are merely another type of monster only, because they not only show cowardice and sheep mindset but their persons are simply pathetic and weak too.
This series was amazing. As for the revealation that happened, it was a blip in my radar ..... Thanks to all the erotic novels of K Webster and Seven Rue 😋.
No doormat FMC, just a broken one and one psychotic but redeeming MC.
One of the best bully romance duet .
After the horrific This Love Hurts and Ravenhood Elite books I didn't have much faith in Nikita's books as those books are filled with too much torment and cruelty towards the FMC but not remotely enough grovel or suffering from the MC's part.
But man this book was a complete opposite. I am literally thanking my stars for had I not taken a leap of faith, I would have absolutely missed this masterpiece.
While book 1 deals with extreme cruel bullying, degradation and all book 2 completely deals with healing and for Knox to redeem himself, which I thought would have been impossible since he was absolutely inhuman and a shitstain in book 1.
This is the type of bully to lovers book I had been searching for a long time, with a fragile yet tenacious FMC and a cruel bully who succeeds in breaking her apart only to shatter into million pieces himself.
This author really gave all of herself with this masterpiece.Unlike some series like Beautiful Mess(where not untill the 70% that hero starts to feel remorse and there little grovel and suffering and somehow sex means all is handy dandy) or Darkwood Academy series where majority of book 1 is bullying but the author didn't even bother to make the heroes suffer and earn FMC I love yous(literally 5% into book 2 and bam all is gooyey gaga ) or Necessary Cruelty or many more trash books like them.
Knox really fought and suffered to earn Raine's fragile yet beautiful heart. Book 1 was a tear jerker but book 2 was a tear as well as snot fest , I literally have swollen eyes with the amount of crying I did. It was true, no one could love Raine like Knox ,alot of strong people (hell even me ig) would have been at their wits end with Raine's painful spiral but not Knox. He fell in love , repented and through all hardships stood strong with Raine.
What I strongly disliked was the fucking arrogance of Knox to think that Rained still had love for him, or forcing his love down her throat, when all his focus should have been into healing her. I would have liked it more of Knox would have tattooed or carved words like bully, manipulator, lowlifes scum onto his body, so that Rained wasn't the only one with physical scars of her torment.
I too blamed Knox like Raine throughout the book but I also cheered his determination to right his wrong.
Another amazing thing was that unlike a lot of authors and even unlike the author's previous books here a few f*cks and orgasms didn't mean that all was forgiven and forgotten.
I was also happy that Raine literally said her piece and didn't give Kinsley the time of her day. I completely agree with her and stand with her. Kinsley is not someone I would want on my side too. She is a coward and a sheep and I hope that she never forgave or reconciled with Kinsley and Knox's friends because standbys and those who keep quite and do nothing for the wronged one are bad, infact are merely another type of monster only, because they not only show cowardice and sheep mindset but their persons are simply pathetic and weak too.
This series was amazing. As for the revealation that happened, it was a blip in my radar ..... Thanks to all the erotic novels of K Webster and Seven Rue 😋.
No doormat FMC, just a broken one and one psychotic but redeeming MC.
One of the best bully romance duet .
June 18, 2023
Absolute garbage. I can't believe what I just read.
I started thinking that this was somehow going to be a cutesy enemies-to-lovers romance, but dear god, I'm so traumatized by everything that happened in the story that I don't even know what to say at this point.
For starters, the incest plot twist was absolutely unnecessary. As fucked as it may sound, the author should've opted for Raine and Knox to be step-siblings till the bitter end. Instead, we got some sweet home Alabama bullshit in the last 1/3 of the novel that made no sense whatsoever and contributed nothing (other than total disgust on the reader's end) to the plot.
Also, if it's not abundantly clear already (based on the hundreds of other reviews written by other Goodreads users), this book does a horrible job at portraying teenage mental health struggles. Quite frankly, it's an insult to victims of depression/PTSD/anxiety.
Another thing----the fact that Raine literally gets raped at the beginning of the book but the problem goes largely addressed until the end, then proceeds to get brushed under the carpet is absolute insanity (and to be honest, my last straw). Like how insensitive do you have to be as an author to write a full-blown sex scene not even 10 pages after the main character was brutally raped by the side of a road?
I've read my fair share of pretty extreme, fucked up books (like the Mafia Chronicles by Cora Reilly and Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James), but this one takes the cake for being the one to absolutely disgust me to my core. If I could give this 0 stars, I would. Please, for your own peace of mind, do NOT, under any circumstance, read this book.
I started thinking that this was somehow going to be a cutesy enemies-to-lovers romance, but dear god, I'm so traumatized by everything that happened in the story that I don't even know what to say at this point.
For starters, the incest plot twist was absolutely unnecessary. As fucked as it may sound, the author should've opted for Raine and Knox to be step-siblings till the bitter end. Instead, we got some sweet home Alabama bullshit in the last 1/3 of the novel that made no sense whatsoever and contributed nothing (other than total disgust on the reader's end) to the plot.
Also, if it's not abundantly clear already (based on the hundreds of other reviews written by other Goodreads users), this book does a horrible job at portraying teenage mental health struggles. Quite frankly, it's an insult to victims of depression/PTSD/anxiety.
Another thing----the fact that Raine literally gets raped at the beginning of the book but the problem goes largely addressed until the end, then proceeds to get brushed under the carpet is absolute insanity (and to be honest, my last straw). Like how insensitive do you have to be as an author to write a full-blown sex scene not even 10 pages after the main character was brutally raped by the side of a road?
I've read my fair share of pretty extreme, fucked up books (like the Mafia Chronicles by Cora Reilly and Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James), but this one takes the cake for being the one to absolutely disgust me to my core. If I could give this 0 stars, I would. Please, for your own peace of mind, do NOT, under any circumstance, read this book.
May 17, 2023
The first book was SO GOOD, and this fell flat. It felt so repetitive at times and then the plot twist (that’s what I’m gonna call it) come out of left field. Some things were too drawn out where others weren’t focused on enough that could have really made this a 5 star.
May 13, 2023
I have mixed feelings.
I really love the author and her work, and I truly appreciate the hard work that was put into this book. However, I can’t help feeling disappointed. One of the reasons for my 3/5 rating is that I have been waiting for this book for months and unfortunately it didn’t deliver for me. That being said, I will continue to support and read her future work.
Spoiler warning!!
There are parts that just don’t make sense, like:
- At the beginning where she decides not to go to the hospital… the described attack was brutal so I don’t understand how her friends let her do it.
- The incest… I don’t understand why that was necessary! It just made it too taboo and not in a good way.
- The healing process was very rushed and the FL was struggling 90%+ of the book.
Overall, the book didn’t quite match MY taste, but it’s different for everyone🤷♀️
I really love the author and her work, and I truly appreciate the hard work that was put into this book. However, I can’t help feeling disappointed. One of the reasons for my 3/5 rating is that I have been waiting for this book for months and unfortunately it didn’t deliver for me. That being said, I will continue to support and read her future work.
Spoiler warning!!
There are parts that just don’t make sense, like:
- At the beginning where she decides not to go to the hospital… the described attack was brutal so I don’t understand how her friends let her do it.
- The incest… I don’t understand why that was necessary! It just made it too taboo and not in a good way.
- The healing process was very rushed and the FL was struggling 90%+ of the book.
Overall, the book didn’t quite match MY taste, but it’s different for everyone🤷♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2023
I don’t know what happened as I really liked the first book in this duet however, Love Like Mine is an absolute dumpster fire of a novel. The writing and the language used throughout the book is top level cringe. The ridiculousness of teenagers in high school having private jets, a PI, wrecking a car with others around while on drugs and murder without any thought or worry about breaking the law or going to jail, was astounding. I don’t even think anything even really happened in this book. It was just the same thing over and over again until the very end, Raine just got over all of her hate and mental battles she was facing and decided she loved Knox, wanted to be with him and everything is all hunky dory now. Very disappointing and wish I didn’t waste my time reading it.
September 28, 2023
Why THAT twist?? Like if I’d known I definitely would not have started this. Like I was liking that he started caring for her, but it definitely gave me whiplash since it was an immediate 180. But then that twist really ruined it for me. And then that justice at the end, wow. And the fact she didn’t start improving until like the last 10%. And I don’t even want to add favorites quotes or anything because seriously the twists warps everything and I can’t enjoy the love declarations anymore. Ugh, I’m sad.
June 7, 2025
Nikita is the perfect level of OTT, dark and twisted, trainwreck for me. The writing style can be a little awkward, too causal, but what happens is crazy. The first book was an excellent dark bully romance, however hero does mess with her mind so she spirals deeply, going back to self-harm and ED, similar to a revenge story from Lana Sky, the only other story I can recall to employ this storyline.
Another quirk to the writing style that I really started to notice in book 2 for this couple is that one chapter will be from Raine’s perspective and end halfway through an exciting scene. The next chapter will be Knox’s but it will go back in time to the moment of the present exciting scene and tell the rest of the scene from his perspective. Usually, with a new chapter you’d expect a new POV from the same timeline. It was a bit jarring, and felt like a re-hash, almost as though it was a weekly serial and we had forgotten what had happened. I suspect this was done to give us both POVs for the same scene.
It is OTT, so it creates distance from reality, feels far-fetched drama. However, the amount of substance abuse and self-harm was quite painful to read about, as the heroine suffers many relapses in this book.
Hero does a complete 180. He is perfect, and I liked that the heroine pushed back because it makes his commitment much more stronger.
Other folks say it is repetitive, and I agree that some of the relapse-sex scenes could have been condensed, however I also found it added to the weight of the situation, and also showed something real about someone with substance abuse and self harm tendencies. This is now their coping mechanism and it is incredibly destructive.
I did guess the secret back in the first book, and I liked the little reveal of the parents’ backstory. Not anything big, which was good, but enough context to add something.
I realized that we didn’t really close up the loose ends with Knox’s friend group, particularly with Raine’s doomed friendship with a classmate who awkwardly told Raine they could be friends again. I was really wondering what more would happen with that.
Another quirk to the writing style that I really started to notice in book 2 for this couple is that one chapter will be from Raine’s perspective and end halfway through an exciting scene. The next chapter will be Knox’s but it will go back in time to the moment of the present exciting scene and tell the rest of the scene from his perspective. Usually, with a new chapter you’d expect a new POV from the same timeline. It was a bit jarring, and felt like a re-hash, almost as though it was a weekly serial and we had forgotten what had happened. I suspect this was done to give us both POVs for the same scene.
It is OTT, so it creates distance from reality, feels far-fetched drama. However, the amount of substance abuse and self-harm was quite painful to read about, as the heroine suffers many relapses in this book.
Hero does a complete 180. He is perfect, and I liked that the heroine pushed back because it makes his commitment much more stronger.
Other folks say it is repetitive, and I agree that some of the relapse-sex scenes could have been condensed, however I also found it added to the weight of the situation, and also showed something real about someone with substance abuse and self harm tendencies. This is now their coping mechanism and it is incredibly destructive.
I did guess the secret back in the first book, and I liked the little reveal of the parents’ backstory. Not anything big, which was good, but enough context to add something.
I realized that we didn’t really close up the loose ends with Knox’s friend group, particularly with Raine’s doomed friendship with a classmate who awkwardly told Raine they could be friends again. I was really wondering what more would happen with that.
March 16, 2025
If i had a nickel for every time i read a book just for it to be revealed at the end that theyre actually BLOOD SIBLINGS i’d have two nickels, thats not a lot but its weird it happened twice right
God i need to start reading reviews before i read books
God i need to start reading reviews before i read books
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2023
1 ⭐
The choices the characters make are absurd.
The choices the characters make are absurd.
May 20, 2023
Love Like Mine
🚫 Spoilers Ahead 🚫
I had high hopes for LLM, but not in the traditional way. The first book was riddled with troubles, and I was prepared for those same issues in this book.
There was a lot of fluff and repetition. Nearly every page contains the same thoughts and arguments. The FMC's maturity level also seemed to regress, and she lost all depth. Her degree of mental decline after only 2 months of bullying was a hang-up for me. She was more concerned about that than the SA.
While I'm aware it's a fictional book, I do think it's beneficial to keep life experiences realistic. Schools aren't talking about repeating the year or summer school after only 2 months of the year. Colleges also aren't declining applicants like that either. It's something I find takes away from the story. The other unrealistic aspect was her drug use. Her addiction, cravings, drug of choice, amounts, and withdrawal was something that you wouldn't actually see in real life. I think more research would have been beneficial for the story.
Now to the rushed messy ending. Why make the MMC & FMC half siblings? The FMCs kidnapping by the MMC... The MMC kidnapping and killing/torturing 2 people...wtf is up with a massive portrait tattoo? Again that isn't realistic in the time frame provided.
Riverside Hate has/had potential. Give the MCs more depth, research their struggles (it allows for the readers to connect to them if it's realistic), and remove the repetition and fluff. The grammar was a lot better in this book than the first. But the connection was lost.
🚫 Spoilers Ahead 🚫
I had high hopes for LLM, but not in the traditional way. The first book was riddled with troubles, and I was prepared for those same issues in this book.
There was a lot of fluff and repetition. Nearly every page contains the same thoughts and arguments. The FMC's maturity level also seemed to regress, and she lost all depth. Her degree of mental decline after only 2 months of bullying was a hang-up for me. She was more concerned about that than the SA.
While I'm aware it's a fictional book, I do think it's beneficial to keep life experiences realistic. Schools aren't talking about repeating the year or summer school after only 2 months of the year. Colleges also aren't declining applicants like that either. It's something I find takes away from the story. The other unrealistic aspect was her drug use. Her addiction, cravings, drug of choice, amounts, and withdrawal was something that you wouldn't actually see in real life. I think more research would have been beneficial for the story.
Now to the rushed messy ending. Why make the MMC & FMC half siblings? The FMCs kidnapping by the MMC... The MMC kidnapping and killing/torturing 2 people...wtf is up with a massive portrait tattoo? Again that isn't realistic in the time frame provided.
Riverside Hate has/had potential. Give the MCs more depth, research their struggles (it allows for the readers to connect to them if it's realistic), and remove the repetition and fluff. The grammar was a lot better in this book than the first. But the connection was lost.
October 2, 2023
One star, writing was horrible and the author rambled with the characters internal dialogue. Sadly I found myself skipping whole pages. I only finished because of the plot and my ocd lol. The author really put Raine thru the ringer she experienced parental divorce, an abrupt move, bullying, perc addiction, cutting, dub-con/non-con with the MMC Knox, a few suicide attempts, rape, failing out of school, finding out the MMC is actually her half brother, her step dad is actually her father, a miscarriage, coke addiction and kidnapping. It felt really packed with every trauma but I guess that’s why I kept reading bc her moment of vindication. The ending was kinda dumb, bc how did she not know that the MMC Knox is the one that kidnapped her to force her to get clean, plus the epilogue in regards to their relationship with their parents seemed unlikely and improbable. Plus I personally could never forgive my man for letting a whole school of people relentlessly torment me to the point of suicide, but that’s her I guess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2023
WTF did I just read and why did I put myself through this....
This book completely jumped the shark from the very beginning. The author obviously needed to change her original idea to extend her story into another book to try to make a buck. This story was so disjointed. It was like 2 or 3 different half-assed stories put into one just to fill a whole book. The time line was not accurate and made no sense. The H did a complete 180 for really no believable reason.
And omg was I tired of reading the same exact events through 2 different pov. If you don't really know how to write dual pov, then please don't. It's just repetitive and annoying. Not to mention the same inner dialog over and over and over.... you get the point. I tried. I gave this author a second chance but, won't be repeating the same mistake.
This book completely jumped the shark from the very beginning. The author obviously needed to change her original idea to extend her story into another book to try to make a buck. This story was so disjointed. It was like 2 or 3 different half-assed stories put into one just to fill a whole book. The time line was not accurate and made no sense. The H did a complete 180 for really no believable reason.
And omg was I tired of reading the same exact events through 2 different pov. If you don't really know how to write dual pov, then please don't. It's just repetitive and annoying. Not to mention the same inner dialog over and over and over.... you get the point. I tried. I gave this author a second chance but, won't be repeating the same mistake.
May 13, 2023
Major book hangover for this book. I loved the Duet. Omg it completely broke me. I can't describe how sorry I felt for Raine and all she went through.
I loved the taboo part of their relationship the step-siblings and then the secret. And I love a bully book where the H completely redeems himself qnd boy did Knox do that.
The only reason for 4.5* and not 5* is that I wanted to see everyone who had wronged Raine get their comeuppance and alittle more suffering for everyone (my just be my opinion on that) and also the parents I didn't really feel that they suffered enough for what they had done to everyone's lives and I don't think Knox and Raine should have forgiven them.
But honestly loved this book and would recommend it. Bit please check TW before reading
I loved the taboo part of their relationship the step-siblings and then the secret. And I love a bully book where the H completely redeems himself qnd boy did Knox do that.
The only reason for 4.5* and not 5* is that I wanted to see everyone who had wronged Raine get their comeuppance and alittle more suffering for everyone (my just be my opinion on that) and also the parents I didn't really feel that they suffered enough for what they had done to everyone's lives and I don't think Knox and Raine should have forgiven them.
But honestly loved this book and would recommend it. Bit please check TW before reading
August 6, 2024
uh what did I just read…
I thought the siblings thing was enough but the last 100 pages? wtf was that
Was it necessary to crucify those teenagers lol
Overall it gets a star though but only because this kind of ludicrous plot that made me read it in basically 2 sittings.
I thought the siblings thing was enough but the last 100 pages? wtf was that
Was it necessary to crucify those teenagers lol
Overall it gets a star though but only because this kind of ludicrous plot that made me read it in basically 2 sittings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2023
bu düete harcadığım vakte inanamıyorum.
May 26, 2023
What a emotional roller coaster ride this story was! That twist I didn’t see it coming! I love Nikita’s stories their dark toxic and twisted with so much emotion add the taboo or forbidden to it and you have a great story! Loved it! What a ride!
June 30, 2024
Nope nope nope I draw the line at this
May 31, 2024
Book 2 in the Riverside Hate duet was just as brilliant as the first one. Raine is attempting to recover from her attack, whilst Knox tries to prove to her that she belongs to him and his previous actions are behind him.
With secrets still hidden and Raine unaware of the truth behind their new ‘family’, can Raine find forgiveness in herself for Knox, and once the darkest of the secrets finally comes to the light. In her pursuit of the true reason underneath Knox’s hate will Raine find healing? Or will she find the damage that comes with the truth is irreversible?
She’s spiraling and I don’t know what to do. I don’t want her to hurt anymore. I should have known that secrets never stay hidden forever…
“No matter how far or how fast you want to run away from me, I’m always going to chase you until I catch you and bring you right back to where you belong.”
I will never understand how life can be so fucking unfair to the gentle souls of this world. Why do we need to suffer through things that feel impossible to survive? And for what? No apparent reason at all.
Even if you did disappear, I’d search the world until I found you just to drag you back with me. You’ll never be able to get away from me, baby, because I’ll always find you,” I guess it’s better the monster you know than the ones you don’t…
I’m fucking you because you’re the only person who has ever set my fucking soul on fire. I want you, need you, won’t fucking survive without you! That’s how fucking torn up I am and how obsessed I am with you, baby. I need you to breathe easily. When you’re not with me or close to me, I feel the darkness start to surround me. You’re my fucking light, baby. You light up my motherfucking world like no one ever has before! So, no. This is not some pity fuck,”
Him possessing me like this is calming all my demons
I can hear them both choking on their own blood. The sound is like a balm to my soul and I feel even freer now.
“I’m going to fuck you just like this, covered in their blood. I want you to relish the fact that I’m covering you in the blood of your enemies. I want you to feel their blood on your skin and know that they will never fucking hurt you again.
With secrets still hidden and Raine unaware of the truth behind their new ‘family’, can Raine find forgiveness in herself for Knox, and once the darkest of the secrets finally comes to the light. In her pursuit of the true reason underneath Knox’s hate will Raine find healing? Or will she find the damage that comes with the truth is irreversible?
She’s spiraling and I don’t know what to do. I don’t want her to hurt anymore. I should have known that secrets never stay hidden forever…
“No matter how far or how fast you want to run away from me, I’m always going to chase you until I catch you and bring you right back to where you belong.”
I will never understand how life can be so fucking unfair to the gentle souls of this world. Why do we need to suffer through things that feel impossible to survive? And for what? No apparent reason at all.
Even if you did disappear, I’d search the world until I found you just to drag you back with me. You’ll never be able to get away from me, baby, because I’ll always find you,” I guess it’s better the monster you know than the ones you don’t…
I’m fucking you because you’re the only person who has ever set my fucking soul on fire. I want you, need you, won’t fucking survive without you! That’s how fucking torn up I am and how obsessed I am with you, baby. I need you to breathe easily. When you’re not with me or close to me, I feel the darkness start to surround me. You’re my fucking light, baby. You light up my motherfucking world like no one ever has before! So, no. This is not some pity fuck,”
Him possessing me like this is calming all my demons
I can hear them both choking on their own blood. The sound is like a balm to my soul and I feel even freer now.
“I’m going to fuck you just like this, covered in their blood. I want you to relish the fact that I’m covering you in the blood of your enemies. I want you to feel their blood on your skin and know that they will never fucking hurt you again.
November 29, 2024
What?!
I wanted this duet to redeem itself and it didn’t. If anything, things got worse. This is just one long lather, rinse, repeat as an 18/19 year old guy tries to “fix” his gf’s major mental health crises with s3x and force feeding. That’s all *before* we discover the reason for Knox’s initial hatred - Raine is his freaking half-sister. *He knew this from the start and still slept with her*.
This relationship is toxic and I genuinely did not want them to remain together. This for me was a fundamental failing of the bully romance trope as you have to want them to be together regardless of the issues. Knox is not at all likable as a character in either book, and I can’t say I was a big fan of Raine in this one. Even with all his attempts to fix Raine, Knox never respected Raine’s autonomy or freedom. All up, it was a no from me.
I wanted this duet to redeem itself and it didn’t. If anything, things got worse. This is just one long lather, rinse, repeat as an 18/19 year old guy tries to “fix” his gf’s major mental health crises with s3x and force feeding. That’s all *before* we discover the reason for Knox’s initial hatred - Raine is his freaking half-sister. *He knew this from the start and still slept with her*.
This relationship is toxic and I genuinely did not want them to remain together. This for me was a fundamental failing of the bully romance trope as you have to want them to be together regardless of the issues. Knox is not at all likable as a character in either book, and I can’t say I was a big fan of Raine in this one. Even with all his attempts to fix Raine, Knox never respected Raine’s autonomy or freedom. All up, it was a no from me.
July 14, 2023
I said in book 1 review that I didn’t know if he could redeem himself. I’m going to say, no he didn’t! Not one little bit, well maybe a little tiny bit with trying to help her but he was not qualified so he really fucked it up.
I wanted to see Raine heal and show more of the true strength that she had, but she spiralled out of control and her self-destruction and loathing caused by the MMC made her eventually hit her lowest of low which was truly sad to witness.
We didn’t get to see her ‘heal’ until the end and I felt it wasn’t enough after 2 books of hurt. Oh and the secret made be stop breathing and then I felt like I wanted to throw up in my mouth. WTF was that shit even there for. “The heart wants what the heart wants” ok, but did we have to go there???? I actually had to put the book down and step away from it. It really bought the book down and it took a bit to pick it up and get through the rest of it.
I wanted to see Raine heal and show more of the true strength that she had, but she spiralled out of control and her self-destruction and loathing caused by the MMC made her eventually hit her lowest of low which was truly sad to witness.
We didn’t get to see her ‘heal’ until the end and I felt it wasn’t enough after 2 books of hurt. Oh and the secret made be stop breathing and then I felt like I wanted to throw up in my mouth. WTF was that shit even there for. “The heart wants what the heart wants” ok, but did we have to go there???? I actually had to put the book down and step away from it. It really bought the book down and it took a bit to pick it up and get through the rest of it.
December 16, 2023
what… did I just read??
Spoiler in this review:
Once again, too many exclamation marks. Felt like everyone was yelling. I think I missed a TW or three because WHAT. WAS. THAT.
The book would’ve had a fine ending if the gross fact that they’re half-s!blings wasn’t thrown in there at 75%. I read two books of nothing but name calling, drug use, self-harm, non-con… just to find out they’re related and still chose to pursue a relationship AND have a kid?? Gross.
Not sure I’ll be reading anymore books from this author if they put anymore exclamation marks or surprise !ncestuous relationships.
Spoiler in this review:
Once again, too many exclamation marks. Felt like everyone was yelling. I think I missed a TW or three because WHAT. WAS. THAT.
The book would’ve had a fine ending if the gross fact that they’re half-s!blings wasn’t thrown in there at 75%. I read two books of nothing but name calling, drug use, self-harm, non-con… just to find out they’re related and still chose to pursue a relationship AND have a kid?? Gross.
Not sure I’ll be reading anymore books from this author if they put anymore exclamation marks or surprise !ncestuous relationships.
July 16, 2023
When will authors stop believing that in order for a romance to be “dark” the FL has to experience every hardship known to mankind; rape by someone not the ML, weight issues, eating disorder, suicidal, cutting, miscarriage. Just STOP, these things do not make the story “dark“ it just makes you look like a lazy writer because you could not come up with a creative way to show how toxic the relationship is.
July 9, 2023
Speechless. Shocked? Healed? I’m not quite sure yet. 4 stars because Nikita absolutely destroyed me and then somehow managed to fix me before the end??
September 1, 2023
Dnf @80%. It was an even more epic clusterfuck than the previous one. Why do I keep doing this to myself?! I am actually regretting starting this story. 😞
March 19, 2025
This book is terrible. It's just so bad I can't even.
First of all, Knox is just all kinds of obnoxious. he claims he loves her and wants to make her better but he can't even muster the decency to speak to her without shouting at her or threatening her or just downright ignoring her feelings.
Everytime Raine tries to tell him what he's doing wrong or something along those lines, he just chalks it up to her anger, which is justified btw, and then he just completely ignores her. It's so frustrating to the say the least.
Second of all, the author really isn't the best one out there and to make it worse she ran out of dialogue for the second book. honestly, it could have been less than a hundred pages because most of the dialogue was so useless. every two seconds they were arguing (which ok fine i'll take it) but they just kept on repeating what they had already said in previous pages and it reached to a point where I could recite their entire arguments and thought processes before they even happened because they were just always the same like literally the same. It's giving the author copy pasted the dialogues after every two pages.
Third of all, and I will say this again, Knox is just awful. He couldn't even take the time to maybe at the very least research on how to make her better especially the bulimic part of her issues. He just kept on force feeding her and threatening her and it really wasn't helping. He was over all selfish at all times and he thought all their problems would be solved by sex because that's what they are so good at. He barely apologised and kept saying he would do more to earn forgiveness but he really didn't do much until maybe the very end which i didn't even like.
Fourth of all, THE INCEST aspect was not needed at all because it didn't even add that much to the plot and it was so disgusting which made an already bad book worse.
Honestly, I feel like the author read one wattpad book and thought it was so easy to write because this book really gave wattpad writing (and not the good ones either). I don't even think she read her own books because there were so many inconsistencies i noticed that didn't work with the first book. And the way she kept referencing her own other book in this book, i just hated.
In conclusion, I hated this book so much. It had no potential to be better and the author could have just fixed the rest of the book in the first book. It did not have to be a duet. I pity all those that bought this book. It was really not worth it at all. I somehow managed to tolerate the first book but this one just downright sucked.
If I could give this 0 stars I would.
First of all, Knox is just all kinds of obnoxious. he claims he loves her and wants to make her better but he can't even muster the decency to speak to her without shouting at her or threatening her or just downright ignoring her feelings.
Everytime Raine tries to tell him what he's doing wrong or something along those lines, he just chalks it up to her anger, which is justified btw, and then he just completely ignores her. It's so frustrating to the say the least.
Second of all, the author really isn't the best one out there and to make it worse she ran out of dialogue for the second book. honestly, it could have been less than a hundred pages because most of the dialogue was so useless. every two seconds they were arguing (which ok fine i'll take it) but they just kept on repeating what they had already said in previous pages and it reached to a point where I could recite their entire arguments and thought processes before they even happened because they were just always the same like literally the same. It's giving the author copy pasted the dialogues after every two pages.
Third of all, and I will say this again, Knox is just awful. He couldn't even take the time to maybe at the very least research on how to make her better especially the bulimic part of her issues. He just kept on force feeding her and threatening her and it really wasn't helping. He was over all selfish at all times and he thought all their problems would be solved by sex because that's what they are so good at. He barely apologised and kept saying he would do more to earn forgiveness but he really didn't do much until maybe the very end which i didn't even like.
Fourth of all, THE INCEST aspect was not needed at all because it didn't even add that much to the plot and it was so disgusting which made an already bad book worse.
Honestly, I feel like the author read one wattpad book and thought it was so easy to write because this book really gave wattpad writing (and not the good ones either). I don't even think she read her own books because there were so many inconsistencies i noticed that didn't work with the first book. And the way she kept referencing her own other book in this book, i just hated.
In conclusion, I hated this book so much. It had no potential to be better and the author could have just fixed the rest of the book in the first book. It did not have to be a duet. I pity all those that bought this book. It was really not worth it at all. I somehow managed to tolerate the first book but this one just downright sucked.
If I could give this 0 stars I would.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2023
5 Hate/Love Stars
Nikita has won my heart ever since I read This Love Hurts and from that point on I was a goner for her writing style.
In Love Like Mine, I honestly felt like my emotions went haywire. The things this poor girl had gone through and was still going through -- I don't wish it upon anyone, no matter how good or bad you are.
Raine has endured so much pain and humiliation since she moved into her new stepfather's home after her mom remarried. She never understood the obsession her stepbrother had in making her life a living hell and boy he certainly made sure to break her in every way possible.
When Knox finally pulls his head out of his rearend, he realizes that Raine means more to him than he thought. He no longer wants to make her life miserable, on the contrary, he wants to be in her world and make her happy but that's not going to be an easy feat. Raine is at a breaking point and no matter how many times Knox apologizes to her for his bad behavior, she just doesn't believe or trust him. She keeps falling deeper and deeper into that dark rabbit hole and it seems like no one can get her out of it.
She goes through some rough times, sometime terrible happens to her while Knox is gone on an away game, but she doesn't want to tell him in fear that he'll hate her more or want to do something irrational, so she keeps it to herself but finds herself drowning in all that's happened to her and she's spiraling.
It takes Knox one hell of a time to convince and prove himself to Raine but nothing in this world will make him leave her. He's an over-the-top alpha who can't seem to stay away from Raine, not just to watch over her to make sure she's not causing more pain to herself but because he just can't stay away from her period.
This story was raw, heartbreaking, sad but all in all, it was worth the read and I recommend it to all those who love DARK, TRIGGERING reads.
Nikita has won my heart ever since I read This Love Hurts and from that point on I was a goner for her writing style.
In Love Like Mine, I honestly felt like my emotions went haywire. The things this poor girl had gone through and was still going through -- I don't wish it upon anyone, no matter how good or bad you are.
Raine has endured so much pain and humiliation since she moved into her new stepfather's home after her mom remarried. She never understood the obsession her stepbrother had in making her life a living hell and boy he certainly made sure to break her in every way possible.
When Knox finally pulls his head out of his rearend, he realizes that Raine means more to him than he thought. He no longer wants to make her life miserable, on the contrary, he wants to be in her world and make her happy but that's not going to be an easy feat. Raine is at a breaking point and no matter how many times Knox apologizes to her for his bad behavior, she just doesn't believe or trust him. She keeps falling deeper and deeper into that dark rabbit hole and it seems like no one can get her out of it.
She goes through some rough times, sometime terrible happens to her while Knox is gone on an away game, but she doesn't want to tell him in fear that he'll hate her more or want to do something irrational, so she keeps it to herself but finds herself drowning in all that's happened to her and she's spiraling.
It takes Knox one hell of a time to convince and prove himself to Raine but nothing in this world will make him leave her. He's an over-the-top alpha who can't seem to stay away from Raine, not just to watch over her to make sure she's not causing more pain to herself but because he just can't stay away from her period.
This story was raw, heartbreaking, sad but all in all, it was worth the read and I recommend it to all those who love DARK, TRIGGERING reads.
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