Sole Survivor by Candice Wright
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Spice rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
Tropes: M/F, Serial Killer, Dark Romance, Friends to Lovers (ig?)
TW: Death/torture/murder, stalking, past/childhood abuse, and trauma, rape, dub-con, somnophilia, bondage
God, I don't even know where to begin with this book.
The story starts with Rue (our FMC) waking up in a grave with cops surrounding her with no recollection of where or who she is. The only thing she has with her is a music box (which is a song from the serial killer).
The story goes on about how Rue now tries to navigate her life even though she's been marked and is the serial killer's only survivor. She doesn't know who to trust or how to go in with her life. Throughout the journey, Nate (the detective who found her in the grave) befriends her (cough, emphasis on befriend) and tries to help her go on about her life.
Come in Valen, who meets her out of the blue and tries to convince her they are and have been dating.
I swear, I've read and watched a lot of murder documentaries and stories, but HOLY SHIT, I did not see that plot twist coming.
The book is not only original but also thick with the plot... I couldn't put my Kindle down.
While it's mainly a psychological thriller, let's not forget about the dark romance part of this book. istg, it's like all my favourite kinks have been wrapped up neatly with a cute bow on top and delivered to me.
The ending is soo satisfying coz ya girl loves her some revenge and I'm all for "an eye for an eye". I loved Valen coz I always end up falling for the dark, morally grey characters (umm, who doesn't?!). But he was so supportive and sweet and affectionate. I need a man like him for real.
Tbh, the reason I haven't given this book a 5-star is coz I felt like it was too short and the scenes were a bit rushed. Some of the stuff that happened throughout the book also didn't make any sense to me, even at the end.