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Memento Vivere #1
Brittle Heart
My life has never been perfect.
In fact, it’s anything but.
When my parents passed away in a car accident, I had to take care of my little sister. I supported us both as I tried to finish college and work two jobs. It’s hard to focus on my life when I have to keep myself together for someone else.
But just as I felt everything was falling apart, I landed my dream internship at the NYPD Crime Analysis Unit. Although I am guarded, my new boss is determined to befriend me, and so is her cop brother and his two best friends. As hard as it is to keep my walls around them up, they’re starting to crumble.
With my new connections in place—searching deeper into the truth of my parents’ accident—it causes unwanted attention from powerful people. Though the truth may be harder to swallow. What if the truth will change the course of everything I’ve ever known?
***BRITTLE HEART is a slow burn, MMFM spicy ‘why choose’ contemporary romance. It is the first book of the Memento Vivere Duet and ends on a cliffhanger. The book contains graphic violence, profanity, and sexual content. Some parts may be triggering. ***
In fact, it’s anything but.
When my parents passed away in a car accident, I had to take care of my little sister. I supported us both as I tried to finish college and work two jobs. It’s hard to focus on my life when I have to keep myself together for someone else.
But just as I felt everything was falling apart, I landed my dream internship at the NYPD Crime Analysis Unit. Although I am guarded, my new boss is determined to befriend me, and so is her cop brother and his two best friends. As hard as it is to keep my walls around them up, they’re starting to crumble.
With my new connections in place—searching deeper into the truth of my parents’ accident—it causes unwanted attention from powerful people. Though the truth may be harder to swallow. What if the truth will change the course of everything I’ve ever known?
***BRITTLE HEART is a slow burn, MMFM spicy ‘why choose’ contemporary romance. It is the first book of the Memento Vivere Duet and ends on a cliffhanger. The book contains graphic violence, profanity, and sexual content. Some parts may be triggering. ***
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2023
1369 people are currently reading
2900 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 289 reviews
January 24, 2024
So... here's the thing...
I can't sit here and say that this is the worst thing I've ever read, because I definitely don't think it is. But... I also can't say it was absolutely amazing.
Here are a few things about this story that stick out in my mind that I'd like to address:
1. The Banter
I genuinely enjoyed the banter between Lina & Clay throughout the entire duet, but especially towards the beginning of their relationship when they're first getting to know each other.
The quips and the back-and-forth are really funny, and I felt like this was an honest and realistic portrayal of this sort of dynamic.
2. The Relationships
I struggled with our relationships a bit, and in more ways than one.
First, we have to talk about the MM elephant in the room. Clay & Xavier have a long-term, preexisting relationship with each other before Lina ever comes along. This is totally fine! I ain't go no beef with that, and I appreciate the way the author makes out their relationship. They are genuinely so sweet together and so in love with each other that it's almost cavity inducing. I've read a lot of books with an MM aspect where the two men are practically battling for dominance, or they're struggling to admit their true feelings for each other, etc. But we don't get that here! They're just... in love with each other and it's super sweet to read.
My issue sort of comes with the way we get a lot of MM scenes early on, and it goes past establishing their relationship. It's a lot of smut and it kind of detracts from the story for me, because it's a lot with the two of them before Lina really is involved. I just think it felt unbalanced in the grand scheme of things.
I'd also like to discuss the relationship inequality throughout this duet. It's really written like Josh is Lina's main guy; her first guy; her first everything. But she honestly has much more of a connection to Xavier or Clay, and Josh sort of feels like an afterthought despite being pushed to the forefront in the inner monologues. It doesn't work and I think it needed to be reevaluated during editing to adjust for this.
3. The Fucking Sister
I can't remember the last time I felt so passionately hateful towards a character as I do with Lina's younger sister, Chiara. I mean,.. I get it. She's a 16 year old high schooler. She's moody and impulsive and not perfect by any means - no teenager is. But Chiara is so much worse than that, and I almost feel like her character is inconsistent and unrealistic throughout this duet.
At the start of book 1, we see Lina protect her sister from their drunk and abusive uncle, and she gets seriously hurt. Chiara is distraught and has tears in her eyes over seeing what happens to her big sister. It's an emotionally powerful scene and it seems to indicate a deep, loving bond between sisters.
Hah, you thought! SIKE!
Because as the story goes on, Chiara is a spoiled brat.
-She makes snide remarks towards Lina about how she's never home. (Lina is a college student working multiple jobs to pay the bills and feed her little sister, since their uncle does nothing but drink and she couldn't gain custody of Chiara and doesn't want her in foster care.)
-She throws a fit when she cracks her phone screen and can't get a new phone right away.(They live in a shitty neighborhood and share a bed. Lina works multiple jobs. She thinks she can get a new phone right away? And Lina still switches out their SIM cards and gives Chiara her phone, keeping the broken one for herself.)
-She fucks her boyfriend in her and Lina's bed. (They live in a shitty neighborhood and share a bed. Who does this?)
-She make rude remarks multiple times about Lina's lack of a relationship.
-She gets arrested/taken in for underage drinking. (Lina has to pay a $400 fine for this, which is basically all the money she had).
-She throws a pissy fit when Lina can't afford to give her $100+ to buy her boyfriend a skateboard for Christmas. She then steals the money from her uncle. (She gets caught, and Lina ends up basically in a coma after stepping in to defend her and getting pushed down a flight of stairs by the uncle.)
-While Lina is in the hospital, practically in a fucking coma and unconscious for days, she tries to steal Lina's laptop because she's upset she didn't get one from Lina for Christmas. (Lina didn't get her one for Christmas because she's in a fucking COMA!)
It's just... Insane? Not only does Chiara's behavior throughout not really fit what we initially see, it also doesn't make sense in general. Chiara's not an unknowing 10 year old causing drama. She's a 16 year old who is not only capable of comprehending their situation, but is well aware of Lina being abused for years and overworking herself to the bone to help her little sister.
4. Howie
I like Howie. There's not much else to say here. I like him and I'm glad he sticks around.
5. The Bullying
I can't be the only person who thought the the bullying was absolutely fucking insane? Like... the dude literally tried to kill Lina when they were kids and no one did anything?
Even as an adult... like just one comment, one time from him would have had him written up? I thought it was unhinged and unrealistic.
6. The E.D.
I appreciated the way the author tried to incorporate Lina's issues with eating. We see her struggle with using food as a crutch for her emotional trauma, and we see her fear of eating in front of others.
But this isn't fully realized and we don't consistently explore this throughout even just the first book, let alone the duet, so it really falls flat.
7. Found Family
I love a good found family story and we definitely get that here. Howie & Sophie, the guys, Lina, her sister, etc. It's sweet and I like that.
8. Please give me contractions! Please! I beg of you!!
The further I got into the story, the less contractions I saw. Please give me contractions. People use them every day when they speak. The dialogue felt so unnatural at one point because we didn't get any contractions!
Anyway...I think that's it. It was meh.
I can't sit here and say that this is the worst thing I've ever read, because I definitely don't think it is. But... I also can't say it was absolutely amazing.
Here are a few things about this story that stick out in my mind that I'd like to address:
1. The Banter
I genuinely enjoyed the banter between Lina & Clay throughout the entire duet, but especially towards the beginning of their relationship when they're first getting to know each other.
The quips and the back-and-forth are really funny, and I felt like this was an honest and realistic portrayal of this sort of dynamic.
2. The Relationships
I struggled with our relationships a bit, and in more ways than one.
First, we have to talk about the MM elephant in the room. Clay & Xavier have a long-term, preexisting relationship with each other before Lina ever comes along. This is totally fine! I ain't go no beef with that, and I appreciate the way the author makes out their relationship. They are genuinely so sweet together and so in love with each other that it's almost cavity inducing. I've read a lot of books with an MM aspect where the two men are practically battling for dominance, or they're struggling to admit their true feelings for each other, etc. But we don't get that here! They're just... in love with each other and it's super sweet to read.
My issue sort of comes with the way we get a lot of MM scenes early on, and it goes past establishing their relationship. It's a lot of smut and it kind of detracts from the story for me, because it's a lot with the two of them before Lina really is involved. I just think it felt unbalanced in the grand scheme of things.
I'd also like to discuss the relationship inequality throughout this duet. It's really written like Josh is Lina's main guy; her first guy; her first everything. But she honestly has much more of a connection to Xavier or Clay, and Josh sort of feels like an afterthought despite being pushed to the forefront in the inner monologues. It doesn't work and I think it needed to be reevaluated during editing to adjust for this.
3. The Fucking Sister
I can't remember the last time I felt so passionately hateful towards a character as I do with Lina's younger sister, Chiara. I mean,.. I get it. She's a 16 year old high schooler. She's moody and impulsive and not perfect by any means - no teenager is. But Chiara is so much worse than that, and I almost feel like her character is inconsistent and unrealistic throughout this duet.
At the start of book 1, we see Lina protect her sister from their drunk and abusive uncle, and she gets seriously hurt. Chiara is distraught and has tears in her eyes over seeing what happens to her big sister. It's an emotionally powerful scene and it seems to indicate a deep, loving bond between sisters.
Hah, you thought! SIKE!
Because as the story goes on, Chiara is a spoiled brat.
-She makes snide remarks towards Lina about how she's never home. (Lina is a college student working multiple jobs to pay the bills and feed her little sister, since their uncle does nothing but drink and she couldn't gain custody of Chiara and doesn't want her in foster care.)
-She throws a fit when she cracks her phone screen and can't get a new phone right away.(They live in a shitty neighborhood and share a bed. Lina works multiple jobs. She thinks she can get a new phone right away? And Lina still switches out their SIM cards and gives Chiara her phone, keeping the broken one for herself.)
-She fucks her boyfriend in her and Lina's bed. (They live in a shitty neighborhood and share a bed. Who does this?)
-She make rude remarks multiple times about Lina's lack of a relationship.
-She gets arrested/taken in for underage drinking. (Lina has to pay a $400 fine for this, which is basically all the money she had).
-She throws a pissy fit when Lina can't afford to give her $100+ to buy her boyfriend a skateboard for Christmas. She then steals the money from her uncle. (She gets caught, and Lina ends up basically in a coma after stepping in to defend her and getting pushed down a flight of stairs by the uncle.)
-While Lina is in the hospital, practically in a fucking coma and unconscious for days, she tries to steal Lina's laptop because she's upset she didn't get one from Lina for Christmas. (Lina didn't get her one for Christmas because she's in a fucking COMA!)
It's just... Insane? Not only does Chiara's behavior throughout not really fit what we initially see, it also doesn't make sense in general. Chiara's not an unknowing 10 year old causing drama. She's a 16 year old who is not only capable of comprehending their situation, but is well aware of Lina being abused for years and overworking herself to the bone to help her little sister.
4. Howie
I like Howie. There's not much else to say here. I like him and I'm glad he sticks around.
5. The Bullying
I can't be the only person who thought the the bullying was absolutely fucking insane? Like... the dude literally tried to kill Lina when they were kids and no one did anything?
Even as an adult... like just one comment, one time from him would have had him written up? I thought it was unhinged and unrealistic.
6. The E.D.
I appreciated the way the author tried to incorporate Lina's issues with eating. We see her struggle with using food as a crutch for her emotional trauma, and we see her fear of eating in front of others.
But this isn't fully realized and we don't consistently explore this throughout even just the first book, let alone the duet, so it really falls flat.
7. Found Family
I love a good found family story and we definitely get that here. Howie & Sophie, the guys, Lina, her sister, etc. It's sweet and I like that.
8. Please give me contractions! Please! I beg of you!!
The further I got into the story, the less contractions I saw. Please give me contractions. People use them every day when they speak. The dialogue felt so unnatural at one point because we didn't get any contractions!
Anyway...I think that's it. It was meh.
December 14, 2023
I kept waiting for it to good and it never got there. The sarcastic comments were good zingers which is the only reason this book got 2 stars. I hated her relationship with her sister it was written very badly and the fact she let everyone walk all over her with her actions and then only spoke back but never did anything to back up her sarcastic comments got old fast. She lets her uncle abuse her. She lets her sister walk all over her and take her for advantage and does not set any boundaries for her sister. Demarco bullies her squirts cream on her and instead of doing anything useful she just makes a sarcastic comment boring doormat.
She spends her money feeding a homeless man takes the time to find him a homeless shelter and a guaranteed bed for winter but she can’t figure out a way to save herself or protect herself
She spends her money feeding a homeless man takes the time to find him a homeless shelter and a guaranteed bed for winter but she can’t figure out a way to save herself or protect herself
January 28, 2024
Poor-Pride is exhausting.
March 7, 2024
4.8 stars.
Gah! I never knew how much I could love a slow burn, as long the FMC is a little naive, and the MMCs are totally into her.
This book had me seriously making this face🥹 the whole damn time.
Fuck.
Gah! I never knew how much I could love a slow burn, as long the FMC is a little naive, and the MMCs are totally into her.
This book had me seriously making this face🥹 the whole damn time.
Fuck.
November 19, 2023
I thought about dnf’ing this one for quite a few times. I decided to keep on reading mostly because I liked the banter between Clay and Lina. So I’m not totally there with how the book is rated by many people.
What I liked:
-the way Clay and Lina connect through their banter.
-bond between Xander & Lina
-the idea of the story
-clean writing
-the connection between Lina and Howie
What I didn’t like:
-all the hurt. It’s believable in the sense that I know people are living this life in reality, but this book contains so much hurt, it practically is the genre. It comes from all sides and together with the more telling than showing, it felt unbelievable at times.
-tell instead of show. That’s what makes me dnf a book a lot of times. It takes me out of a story, makes me frustrated, I cannot really connect with the characters, because I don’t experience it with them.
-Clay and Lina connect through banter before Josh and Lina grow closer. It’s like Josh is mainly a brother of her boss and nothing more. Then suddenly Josh and Lina connect, though I’m not sure through what, because there is nothing really they connect through, but what I don’t like is that the connection Lina and Clay had practically disappears? It’s a lot of ‘kitten’, but it’s not really the banter they had that made me laugh.
-In theory Josh is the one she connects most with. But, I don’t feel it. I read it, but I don’t see any connecting other than words telling me there is a connection. Because there is a lack of bonding before they ‘connect that way’, their connection feels a bit shallow for me.
-Chiara is written too oblivious. She’s sixteen, she knows what’s going on. The way the book is written is like she’s still a little girl who can’t take care (breakfast, maybe a little job after school to help) of herself, but she can have sex and be responsabele about it. Her not understanding that Lina is breaking her back to pay for everything, and getting mad because her sister doesn’t have time for her, that was one of the more unbelievable parts for me.
-the flashbacks. They were too many and too long. It felt more like a way to fill the book with even more hurt, than actually contributing to the story.
-Del Moro. Though I won’t say there aren’t things wrong with people who also are police officers, I do think the outrage on this should be a lot more than there has been. Obviously he’s a stupid fuck, but the way the guys react without their full-forse anger and go on with their day like it didn’t happen, that doesn’t really go well with their perceived protectiveness.
-the mystery around her parents is pretty predictable.
So yea, I’ve read till the end, surprisingly and wasn’t surprised by such a cliff-hanger though I was frustrated because it feels a bit like I wasted my time.
I think this author tried to include too much in the same book. Even with writing sometimes the cliche ‘less is more’ works too. I’m not really sure what I’ll do with #2.
What I liked:
-the way Clay and Lina connect through their banter.
-bond between Xander & Lina
-the idea of the story
-clean writing
-the connection between Lina and Howie
What I didn’t like:
-all the hurt. It’s believable in the sense that I know people are living this life in reality, but this book contains so much hurt, it practically is the genre. It comes from all sides and together with the more telling than showing, it felt unbelievable at times.
-tell instead of show. That’s what makes me dnf a book a lot of times. It takes me out of a story, makes me frustrated, I cannot really connect with the characters, because I don’t experience it with them.
-Clay and Lina connect through banter before Josh and Lina grow closer. It’s like Josh is mainly a brother of her boss and nothing more. Then suddenly Josh and Lina connect, though I’m not sure through what, because there is nothing really they connect through, but what I don’t like is that the connection Lina and Clay had practically disappears? It’s a lot of ‘kitten’, but it’s not really the banter they had that made me laugh.
-In theory Josh is the one she connects most with. But, I don’t feel it. I read it, but I don’t see any connecting other than words telling me there is a connection. Because there is a lack of bonding before they ‘connect that way’, their connection feels a bit shallow for me.
-Chiara is written too oblivious. She’s sixteen, she knows what’s going on. The way the book is written is like she’s still a little girl who can’t take care (breakfast, maybe a little job after school to help) of herself, but she can have sex and be responsabele about it. Her not understanding that Lina is breaking her back to pay for everything, and getting mad because her sister doesn’t have time for her, that was one of the more unbelievable parts for me.
-the flashbacks. They were too many and too long. It felt more like a way to fill the book with even more hurt, than actually contributing to the story.
-Del Moro. Though I won’t say there aren’t things wrong with people who also are police officers, I do think the outrage on this should be a lot more than there has been. Obviously he’s a stupid fuck, but the way the guys react without their full-forse anger and go on with their day like it didn’t happen, that doesn’t really go well with their perceived protectiveness.
-the mystery around her parents is pretty predictable.
So yea, I’ve read till the end, surprisingly and wasn’t surprised by such a cliff-hanger though I was frustrated because it feels a bit like I wasted my time.
I think this author tried to include too much in the same book. Even with writing sometimes the cliche ‘less is more’ works too. I’m not really sure what I’ll do with #2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2023
5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️
This was my first Blake Black book and I absolutely loved it and devoured it in less than one day.
Linas character is so relatable to me as a plus size person and I genuinely loved how fierce and protective she was over her sister. Her insecurities and bullying in life are so relatable to me as I was bullied in high school as well and struggle/d with insecurities about my body.
I love how Blake wrote this book and I want to be friends with every one of the side characters. I loved how good Josh was for her. He’s truly such a good boyfriend. I’m really interested in seeing how Blake brings Clay and Xander into their relationship as I can feel the longing on the pages with each of them.
I shed tears and giggles and felt so many emotions while reading this book and I honestly can’t recommend it enough! I am diving into Tough Soul right now to see how this duet plays out.
2/5 🌶️
This was my first Blake Black book and I absolutely loved it and devoured it in less than one day.
Linas character is so relatable to me as a plus size person and I genuinely loved how fierce and protective she was over her sister. Her insecurities and bullying in life are so relatable to me as I was bullied in high school as well and struggle/d with insecurities about my body.
I love how Blake wrote this book and I want to be friends with every one of the side characters. I loved how good Josh was for her. He’s truly such a good boyfriend. I’m really interested in seeing how Blake brings Clay and Xander into their relationship as I can feel the longing on the pages with each of them.
I shed tears and giggles and felt so many emotions while reading this book and I honestly can’t recommend it enough! I am diving into Tough Soul right now to see how this duet plays out.
February 19, 2025
Lack of chemistry between the main characters lets this down. Carolina is going through it. She is trapped in an abusive household with her uncle that she can’t escape. It would leave her 16 year old sister alone with him so she endures his abuse to shield her sister. She works 2 jobs, goes to school full time and all her money goes to keeping them in a shitty apartment while her uncle takes whatever is left over to drink himself into oblivion. Carolina lands a job in the NYPD forensics lab where she meets Josh, Clay and later Xander. They are immediately enchanted by her, despite Xander and Clay being in a relationship, and proceed to tear down her walls.
Carolina’s cold exterior is understandable. She is juggling so much trying to protect her sister, who is the worst, and it’s easier to keep everyone else away. I get it but I can’t say I really liked her all that much. Her “banter” with Clay was just them insulting each other. I found both of them borderline cruel to each other. Josh’s complete devotion to her seemed a little out of left field. Her relationship with Xander seems the most natural and I liked their chemistry together the best. But ultimately I didn’t fully understand how we got from strangers to declarations of love by the end. The journey wasn’t believable. There is a small mystery element concerning her parent’s death 5 years ago that’s intriguing but it’s low down in the plot hierarchy. We mostly focus on her relationship with the guys and navigating the abusive environment with her uncle. The fact this is only a duet makes me willing to pick up the next book. Had this been a trilogy or more I would probably end it here.
There is jealously in the group which is something I like in my why-choose. Clay and Xander being in a relationship complicates things. They have shared women before but emotionally they have only ever cared about each other. Josh wants Carolina all to himself and is oblivious to the feelings developing between her and his best friends. Drama, drama, drama.
*** Also there is a bully from her past that shows up at her new job and WTF?!? The way this man treats her in a professional environment in front of others is shocking. There is no way this is believable behavior that someone could get away with.
Carolina’s cold exterior is understandable. She is juggling so much trying to protect her sister, who is the worst, and it’s easier to keep everyone else away. I get it but I can’t say I really liked her all that much. Her “banter” with Clay was just them insulting each other. I found both of them borderline cruel to each other. Josh’s complete devotion to her seemed a little out of left field. Her relationship with Xander seems the most natural and I liked their chemistry together the best. But ultimately I didn’t fully understand how we got from strangers to declarations of love by the end. The journey wasn’t believable. There is a small mystery element concerning her parent’s death 5 years ago that’s intriguing but it’s low down in the plot hierarchy. We mostly focus on her relationship with the guys and navigating the abusive environment with her uncle. The fact this is only a duet makes me willing to pick up the next book. Had this been a trilogy or more I would probably end it here.
There is jealously in the group which is something I like in my why-choose. Clay and Xander being in a relationship complicates things. They have shared women before but emotionally they have only ever cared about each other. Josh wants Carolina all to himself and is oblivious to the feelings developing between her and his best friends. Drama, drama, drama.
*** Also there is a bully from her past that shows up at her new job and WTF?!? The way this man treats her in a professional environment in front of others is shocking. There is no way this is believable behavior that someone could get away with.
November 29, 2024
"I feel like I am mentally and emotionally hitting a brick wall." He scratches his beard.
"You know, sometimes walls are there to lean on and rest a bit."
I started BRITTLE HEART past my bedtime and devoured it in one sitting finishing at four am. Who needs sleep, right? RH can be tricky romances to write and not every author can do it justice in my opinion but when you find one that works, its golden. I've read Black's other duet Soulful Seas, and I just really enjoy their writing and how the romances unfold.
The characters are relatable, flawed but genuine and it's not just about lust. Friendships form, and in that love blossoms at a slow burn pace that I can't get enough of. In Brittle Heart only one relationship has been established with our leading lady (besides a long standing one between two of the guys) so far but there are hints, and longing looks so you know the next installment will have those walls coming down and I can't wait. Mix in some witty banter, a little mystery and a side character I hope gets her own book and this tired but satisfied reader is excited to start book two.
Memorable Quotes
"Karen, seems like you're in for a great day at work," he says, looking at me. I glance up from my computer, "Why, you're leaving?" He furrows his brows, "Well, yeah, but...what?"
"There is a time to be nice and a time to stand your fucking ground."
"Expect the bullshit, but never accept it, kid."
"It's twenty-two stems for your twenty-second birthday. I didn't know what your favorite flowers are, but I thought, why should you have to choose when I can give you all of them?"
I unfold the note and read the words, "Will you be my girlfriend?"
Below it are three checkboxes with Yes, No, and Maybe written above them.
TW: Eating disorder, mental and physical abuse, body shaming and bullying (none done by heroes)
"You know, sometimes walls are there to lean on and rest a bit."
I started BRITTLE HEART past my bedtime and devoured it in one sitting finishing at four am. Who needs sleep, right? RH can be tricky romances to write and not every author can do it justice in my opinion but when you find one that works, its golden. I've read Black's other duet Soulful Seas, and I just really enjoy their writing and how the romances unfold.
The characters are relatable, flawed but genuine and it's not just about lust. Friendships form, and in that love blossoms at a slow burn pace that I can't get enough of. In Brittle Heart only one relationship has been established with our leading lady (besides a long standing one between two of the guys) so far but there are hints, and longing looks so you know the next installment will have those walls coming down and I can't wait. Mix in some witty banter, a little mystery and a side character I hope gets her own book and this tired but satisfied reader is excited to start book two.
Memorable Quotes
"Karen, seems like you're in for a great day at work," he says, looking at me. I glance up from my computer, "Why, you're leaving?" He furrows his brows, "Well, yeah, but...what?"
"There is a time to be nice and a time to stand your fucking ground."
"Expect the bullshit, but never accept it, kid."
"It's twenty-two stems for your twenty-second birthday. I didn't know what your favorite flowers are, but I thought, why should you have to choose when I can give you all of them?"
I unfold the note and read the words, "Will you be my girlfriend?"
Below it are three checkboxes with Yes, No, and Maybe written above them.
TW: Eating disorder, mental and physical abuse, body shaming and bullying (none done by heroes)
February 10, 2025
I‘m…. Idk
So it started pretty okay.
Like it all made sense.
Parents dead. Abusive uncle. She protects her sister. Starts a new job, gets friends.
But then it went downhill.
Yes, Chiara is annoying as fuck, but honestly. She’s 16. Now I‘m not saying that’s how I was when I was 16, but it definitely makes more sense for a teenager to do stupid things than an adult.
The relationship between her and Josh went so QUICK. Like it was unreal. I‘m not really sure about how the timeline is here but it felt like it couldn’t have been longer than three weeks. While she also thirsts for the gay couple.
The bullying? You’re telling me that a Cop can just attack someone in public without being called out? I‘m sorry but eh?
I also already know what happened to her parents… like it’s so obvious that it’s actually sad that nobody of these people thought about it.
I also thought that the banter between them was a bit too much.
It felt like someone wrote down all the cool quotes they heard and were too excited to use them.
The only thing I genuinely liked was Howie.
Love that old man. If she doesn’t take him in, I’ll die.
So it started pretty okay.
Like it all made sense.
Parents dead. Abusive uncle. She protects her sister. Starts a new job, gets friends.
But then it went downhill.
Yes, Chiara is annoying as fuck, but honestly. She’s 16. Now I‘m not saying that’s how I was when I was 16, but it definitely makes more sense for a teenager to do stupid things than an adult.
The relationship between her and Josh went so QUICK. Like it was unreal. I‘m not really sure about how the timeline is here but it felt like it couldn’t have been longer than three weeks. While she also thirsts for the gay couple.
The bullying? You’re telling me that a Cop can just attack someone in public without being called out? I‘m sorry but eh?
I also already know what happened to her parents… like it’s so obvious that it’s actually sad that nobody of these people thought about it.
I also thought that the banter between them was a bit too much.
It felt like someone wrote down all the cool quotes they heard and were too excited to use them.
The only thing I genuinely liked was Howie.
Love that old man. If she doesn’t take him in, I’ll die.
January 17, 2024
Heavy MM. 2 of the three MMC’s are in a longer term (over a decade) long preexisting romantic relationship before meeting the FMC. They have multiple intimate scenes without the FMC. I hate MM in a RH and I was pretty upset that the author didn’t warn of it. I love a traumatized heroine trope however so finished the duet. If you enjoy MM I think you would rate this book about a 3 or 4. For me it is a 2 star due to the MM and that is a high rating for me with MM present. Honestly the male couple was incredibly cute which I suppose made it a bit more palatable for me. However, I still feel the relationship was uneven and that the FMC came second. I simply hate that in a RH. I also feel this series was heavy on the smut and lacking on plot/romance. That was disappointing as I care far more for the plot than I do about having any spice. I was just the wrong audience for this duet. Also I hate when authors portray trauma so unrealistically and inconsistent. She literally had words carved into her forearm in one chapter and the next was naked in front of her boyfriend and he didn’t notice or question anything. The author even went so far as to spend multiple sentences on how he kissed every inch of her from head to literal toe and nothing was said. She also noted that it was infected and inflamed and then it was never mentioned again. She also had her torso covered in bruises at the beginning which was also never mentioned again. It was just unrealistic and brought me out of the story. Also the one trigger warning the author stresses is binge eating but to be perfectly honest I didn’t see any binge eating. She talks about food bringing her comfort but doesn’t allow herself to actually eat much. She hardly ever ate in the book whatsoever to the point where I was concerned she would be hospitalized for that. Anorexia would have been a far better fit for the FMC. The most she binged was a bag of chips which lets be honest, how many of us have done that once or twice?
Side note: The prologue was the most pointless one I think I have ever read. There was no progression in anything 5 years later. No marriage, No babies, No career changes for the FMC. It was simply unnecessary and left me sad that the only difference it showed was that she was slightly more confident in her skin.
Side note: The prologue was the most pointless one I think I have ever read. There was no progression in anything 5 years later. No marriage, No babies, No career changes for the FMC. It was simply unnecessary and left me sad that the only difference it showed was that she was slightly more confident in her skin.
July 28, 2025
ALC review:
Beyond excited that I managed to get an ALC for the audiobook. I really loved the chance to relive this story, and it didn't disappoint. It is so well done that it felt so easy to imagine everything as the story unfolded. I am not an avid audiobook listener, as I struggle to connect with a lot of narrators but I thought this was really well done and it flowed so well.
*******
After reading other works by the author, I was keen to give this a try and so glad I did! I really love the angsty, emotional way the author writes. Also the consideration for chosen families, and hard situations. The characters often feel very relatable, it makes for a deeper connection with both the characters and the plot.
I did want to see a bit more on the FMCs E.D, I thought that would be addressed a bit more and a little more central to the plot but it felt like it took a back seat more.
I am undecided on the sister side character in this, I am not sure if she came across as 16 or a little younger with her selfish actions. But then with her being left alone through a lot of her younger teens without her parents present, I can understand her becoming more like that.
The grief from the loss of their parents I think I would have wanted a little more raw angst from, you get it in parts but I just wanted to feel even more.
I loved the humour in this between the characters, some of the vulnerability in others. I just think they all worked together so well and I am hoping we get more of the FMC with the other MMCs (rather than just Josh) in the next book.
Beyond excited that I managed to get an ALC for the audiobook. I really loved the chance to relive this story, and it didn't disappoint. It is so well done that it felt so easy to imagine everything as the story unfolded. I am not an avid audiobook listener, as I struggle to connect with a lot of narrators but I thought this was really well done and it flowed so well.
*******
After reading other works by the author, I was keen to give this a try and so glad I did! I really love the angsty, emotional way the author writes. Also the consideration for chosen families, and hard situations. The characters often feel very relatable, it makes for a deeper connection with both the characters and the plot.
I did want to see a bit more on the FMCs E.D, I thought that would be addressed a bit more and a little more central to the plot but it felt like it took a back seat more.
I am undecided on the sister side character in this, I am not sure if she came across as 16 or a little younger with her selfish actions. But then with her being left alone through a lot of her younger teens without her parents present, I can understand her becoming more like that.
The grief from the loss of their parents I think I would have wanted a little more raw angst from, you get it in parts but I just wanted to feel even more.
I loved the humour in this between the characters, some of the vulnerability in others. I just think they all worked together so well and I am hoping we get more of the FMC with the other MMCs (rather than just Josh) in the next book.
October 23, 2023
How , how i mean how do you not want to fall in love with this book, these men and the strong woman they fall in love with. Carolina, Josh , Xander and Clay. I love these men to the moon and back and all over the universe.
Coming from a less than stellar home life, Carolina has made something of her life with struggling in bringing up her baby sister, studying and getting a job. Enter, our wonderful men who just are the epitome of wonderfulness and all things amazing.
This book is an MMFM, medium slow burn , emotional and pain filled romance , that you have no choice but to keep rereading it again and again.
Do not miss this gem of a book , yes it ends on a cliffhanger which is OMFG!!! Heart palpitations here. But oh so worth it!
Coming from a less than stellar home life, Carolina has made something of her life with struggling in bringing up her baby sister, studying and getting a job. Enter, our wonderful men who just are the epitome of wonderfulness and all things amazing.
This book is an MMFM, medium slow burn , emotional and pain filled romance , that you have no choice but to keep rereading it again and again.
Do not miss this gem of a book , yes it ends on a cliffhanger which is OMFG!!! Heart palpitations here. But oh so worth it!
December 16, 2023
This book was amazing, so upon finishing I had to purchase and jump right into Tough Soul to see what happened to Carolina!
What an ending!
This is a must read duet, but check the TW before reading.
What an ending!
This is a must read duet, but check the TW before reading.
April 8, 2024
DNFed at 18%.
The book is unrealistic in a bad way, and the writing is like nails on a chalkboard. I really wanted to push through it because I've been wanting to find more unconventional main characters like she is, but I just can't push myself through it.
The book is unrealistic in a bad way, and the writing is like nails on a chalkboard. I really wanted to push through it because I've been wanting to find more unconventional main characters like she is, but I just can't push myself through it.
July 8, 2024
Not gonna lie, this book held so much more emotion and depth than I was expecting. It also touches on some very heavy subjects so take notice. For years heroine Carolina has done nothing but hustle to give her younger sister a better life. This included giving up much of her teen years and early twenties which were spent working and keeping up with her studies. The girls may have been placed with a family member (ie. an abusive asshole of an uncle) after their parents deaths however he’s in no way a caregiver or provider to them. Carolina also takes on the majority of her uncles rage be it with verbal abuse but often psychical as well. Carolina is a mess and it’s so disheartening to see her work so hard nonstop to the point her own mental health is so low-it’s amazing she’s able to function. Luckily I do think her sister is the only thing that’s kept her going this far. Hopefully this bratty girl can take a minute to realize how much her sister has sacrificed for her. Carolina’s hard work and dedication do pay off a bit as she gets an internship working in the crime lab at the NYPD. It’s here that Carolina makes real friends and finds herself caught up in a whirlwind romance. As of now Carolina is experimenting and coming into herself as a woman, she has some good people on her side. There are four POVs and while all the characters are friends as of now, it’s clear there’s a whole lot going on between them all than they want to admit. I’ve grown to really love the guys and the way they pay attention to Carolina and see through her facade. Of course I’m rooting for a whole lot of group loving, I’m just not sure how it will all play out. There’s some big mystery revolving her parents deaths and now her home situation has reached a critical level so I’m diving in to book two asap as I need answers! Personally I love Carolina. She’s a hot mess but damn if she doesn’t stand up for herself and what she believes in.
March 14, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Carolina is so strong and independent because she has to be and I truly enjoyed watching her learn how to lean on friends a little for support and help. Excited to see these relationships continue to develop in the next book and hoping we get some closure on her parents deaths.
The only thing I didn’t love was her relationship with food and how it’s portrayed but the author was very upfront about that and gave clear trigger warnings about it. I will say it luckily it wasn’t discussed in too much detail and phases out as she starts to find happiness throughout the book.
The only thing I didn’t love was her relationship with food and how it’s portrayed but the author was very upfront about that and gave clear trigger warnings about it. I will say it luckily it wasn’t discussed in too much detail and phases out as she starts to find happiness throughout the book.
February 11, 2025
4.5⭐️
Carolina never had it great, but life could definitely be better. After her parents died, she is raising her younger sister and living with her abusive uncle. She just has to make it two more years.
She gets a new internship, and things start looking up. Making new friends and possibly having her first boyfriend?
This is another story I devoured. The bullying about her weight and the guilt with her eating disorder, I get it. Not understanding why anyone would care and putting up a mask to hide her pain, I have been there. It's great to see stories like this, the tough ones to tell because they aren't pretty, but they are real.
Carolina never had it great, but life could definitely be better. After her parents died, she is raising her younger sister and living with her abusive uncle. She just has to make it two more years.
She gets a new internship, and things start looking up. Making new friends and possibly having her first boyfriend?
This is another story I devoured. The bullying about her weight and the guilt with her eating disorder, I get it. Not understanding why anyone would care and putting up a mask to hide her pain, I have been there. It's great to see stories like this, the tough ones to tell because they aren't pretty, but they are real.
October 30, 2025
A lot of plot twists have been packed into a fairly small number of pages. I think Soulful Seas Duet is better (it evoked a lot more emotions), but this book was also captivating and I immediately moved on to reading the second part with enthusiasm. 😊 I appreciate that the author has also put effort into the visual aspect of her books. There is always a cute illustration at the beginning of each chapter that gives a preview of the content of the chapter, and pictures of the characters can be found at the end of the book.❤️ The playlists at the end of the book are also a lovely addition. 🤌
March 28, 2025
Was there some stereotypes and cliches (and not the good kinds)? Yes. Do I really care? No. Because Black’s writing style was just so engaging that when I did notice those little moments of lower quality narrative techniques I didn’t really mind for too long.
I actually felt something reading this and will not only be absolutely continuing on with the sequel, but will be doing so immediately. A successful win in the booktok column.
I actually felt something reading this and will not only be absolutely continuing on with the sequel, but will be doing so immediately. A successful win in the booktok column.
November 26, 2025
A lot of the darker more triggering books usually aren’t my cup of tea because I feel too into their despair and take it on as my own sometimes but I went in a little blind on this one and was highly rewarded with a great plot. Incredible characters and a bad ass FMC whose come back for insult have my jaw dropping and taking notes 😂 I also didn’t know I was near the end, which was a huge cliff hanger, so I am sooo freaking happy the second one is already out. 😅 I went immediately into it.
May 2, 2025
Al principio me costó pillarle el tranquillo. Me costó engancharme, supongo que por exponer un abuso tan fuerte desde el principio, pero luego se ha ido construyendo bastante bien y la tensión con los protagonistas masculinos me ha molado.
Tampoco aguanto a Chiara siendo tan poco agradecida con su hermana con tanto sacrificio por ella, me da igual que sea una adolescente.
Tampoco aguanto a Chiara siendo tan poco agradecida con su hermana con tanto sacrificio por ella, me da igual que sea una adolescente.
October 15, 2024
three stars but minus one in honor for chiara who deserves more than her bratty teen rep and to get out of that house no matter the cost, why the fuck has the bartender or xavier not reported what they saw
January 29, 2025
Great premise, bad execution. Going to give book 2 a chance.
February 18, 2025
I like where this is going. I am pretty sure I have the whole mystery figured out already. On to book 2
October 1, 2025
I listened to the audiobook version of this story and I devoured it in one day.
April 1, 2025
2.5⭐️ // kindle📱
this book gave wattpad vibes and not in a good way
this book gave wattpad vibes and not in a good way
February 11, 2024
Has all the potential but misses the mark.
DNF at 67%.
Carolina is our FMC and she is in her early twenties. She shares a room (and bed) with her 16 year old sister in an apartment with her extremely abusive uncle who has custody of the 16 year old because their parents died.
Our FMC works numerous jobs and is the only one making a paycheck. The uncle is a drunk and always goes on an abusive rant about it being “his” money.
The teenager is very ungrateful even though the author tries her best to portray the sisters as being very close.
This has to be the slowest romance book I’ve ever read. Our FMC doesn’t even go on a date with one of the guys until around 60% and there’s isn’t even any kissing yet. The only actual relationship is between Xander and Clay. I’m all for some MM in a RH but not if it dominates the whole book. Still no talks of sharing or anything.
This is filled with poor-pride. FMC is constantly helping out her best friend who is a 65 year old homeless man, but she throws a fit when a friend tries to buy her lunch or tattoo cream.
She’s also a major bitch for no reason. The teasing quips between her and Clay are hilarious but she lacks any and all personality.
She’s the definition of a doormat. She lets everyone bully and abuse her and her only defense is smart ass replies. Her uncle uses a knife to carve into her arm and she just lays there.
Major plot hole is that if she reported her uncles abuse and sexual threats about her sister he would be arrested and her given guardianship of her.
DNF at 67%.
Carolina is our FMC and she is in her early twenties. She shares a room (and bed) with her 16 year old sister in an apartment with her extremely abusive uncle who has custody of the 16 year old because their parents died.
Our FMC works numerous jobs and is the only one making a paycheck. The uncle is a drunk and always goes on an abusive rant about it being “his” money.
The teenager is very ungrateful even though the author tries her best to portray the sisters as being very close.
This has to be the slowest romance book I’ve ever read. Our FMC doesn’t even go on a date with one of the guys until around 60% and there’s isn’t even any kissing yet. The only actual relationship is between Xander and Clay. I’m all for some MM in a RH but not if it dominates the whole book. Still no talks of sharing or anything.
This is filled with poor-pride. FMC is constantly helping out her best friend who is a 65 year old homeless man, but she throws a fit when a friend tries to buy her lunch or tattoo cream.
She’s also a major bitch for no reason. The teasing quips between her and Clay are hilarious but she lacks any and all personality.
She’s the definition of a doormat. She lets everyone bully and abuse her and her only defense is smart ass replies. Her uncle uses a knife to carve into her arm and she just lays there.
Major plot hole is that if she reported her uncles abuse and sexual threats about her sister he would be arrested and her given guardianship of her.
August 1, 2025
This was my first book from this author, and I absolutely loved it. It was so good. I could really relate to a lot of personal things with Carolina. But her life was so hard and she had so much she was dealing with. She was such a strong character, determined to do whatever it took to make a better life for her and her younger sister. She had a hard time opening up to others around her and dealing with her new group of friends that really cared about her. The relationship dynamics between her and Josh, between Clay and Xander, and then between all of them as a whole was a great balance. But oh that cliff hanger at the end! I can’t wait for the next book. I have to know what their story is going!
AUDIOBOOK UPDATE: The audiobook was a re-read for me and it just made me fall in love with these characters and this story even more. The narrators did such a great job of bringing the story to life. And a duet narration style makes it even better. Of course now I really need book two on audio to go along with it.
AUDIOBOOK UPDATE: The audiobook was a re-read for me and it just made me fall in love with these characters and this story even more. The narrators did such a great job of bringing the story to life. And a duet narration style makes it even better. Of course now I really need book two on audio to go along with it.
June 15, 2025
Dnf
I usually like Blacks books but I cannot read chapters of the female staying in an abusive house (( her uncle) claiming she has no where else to go. She DOES. And all it would take to prove that her uncle is an abusive POS is calling the cops just ONCE after he beat her so a police report would be filed . Having her 16 year old sister being present and in danger would also help .
Instead none of that happens & she protects the sister (like makes her leave the room when the uncle is beating her. Girl that's not protecting that's allowing your sister to maintain an unhealthy grasp of what to expect when you stay in an abusive household. And FMC is edging martyrdom by working 2 jobs, full-time school, feeds the homeless, pays all the bills while co workers insult her, uncle abuses her.
What's sexy about that? How am I supposed to get behind her forging a smexy relationship with 3 guys when all she does is mother Theresa around?
I usually like Blacks books but I cannot read chapters of the female staying in an abusive house (( her uncle) claiming she has no where else to go. She DOES. And all it would take to prove that her uncle is an abusive POS is calling the cops just ONCE after he beat her so a police report would be filed . Having her 16 year old sister being present and in danger would also help .
Instead none of that happens & she protects the sister (like makes her leave the room when the uncle is beating her. Girl that's not protecting that's allowing your sister to maintain an unhealthy grasp of what to expect when you stay in an abusive household. And FMC is edging martyrdom by working 2 jobs, full-time school, feeds the homeless, pays all the bills while co workers insult her, uncle abuses her.
What's sexy about that? How am I supposed to get behind her forging a smexy relationship with 3 guys when all she does is mother Theresa around?
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