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Our Strange Endeavors
A modern retelling of The Phantom of the Opera.
Tragedy strikes when the owner of The Lotte, a century-old theater in the heart of the entertainment district, passes away and the leading lady is hospitalized. With no mention of a beneficiary, the theater is claimed by the bank, attracting the most unsavory of buyers who would do anything to own the historic cabaret.
Krissy Davis, a young dancer at the height of her career lands a once in a lifetime opportunity to fill the role as the new leading lady. Her seemingly perfect life, basking in her newfound fame and glory takes a turn for the worse when she starts casually dating the new owner of theater. Things quickly turn toxic in their relationship and she decides to break things off but he retaliates by threatening to backlist her from the industry if she leaves him.
To save her career and sanity, she seeks out the help of Erick Destler, a man who craves the theater nearly as badly as he craves her. Together they stage her own kidnapping and hold her for ransom in exchange for the deed to the theater. To gain back her freedom all she has to do is play her role – but what she never expected was falling for her captor.
Tragedy strikes when the owner of The Lotte, a century-old theater in the heart of the entertainment district, passes away and the leading lady is hospitalized. With no mention of a beneficiary, the theater is claimed by the bank, attracting the most unsavory of buyers who would do anything to own the historic cabaret.
Krissy Davis, a young dancer at the height of her career lands a once in a lifetime opportunity to fill the role as the new leading lady. Her seemingly perfect life, basking in her newfound fame and glory takes a turn for the worse when she starts casually dating the new owner of theater. Things quickly turn toxic in their relationship and she decides to break things off but he retaliates by threatening to backlist her from the industry if she leaves him.
To save her career and sanity, she seeks out the help of Erick Destler, a man who craves the theater nearly as badly as he craves her. Together they stage her own kidnapping and hold her for ransom in exchange for the deed to the theater. To gain back her freedom all she has to do is play her role – but what she never expected was falling for her captor.
- GenresRomanceRetellings
402 pages, Paperback
Published January 14, 2025
65 people are currently reading
827 people want to read
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January 23, 2025
╭ ✦ •
│ ⊹ 𝙳𝙽𝙵 - 𝟺𝟸%, 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚗 ⊹
╰ ✦ •
────── ✧ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ♡ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ✧ ──────
⁀➷𝓹𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀:
ahhh I just got an ARC of this!! I'm so excited 🥹
Thank you for the ARC, Riley♡
_________________________________
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│ ⊹ 𝙳𝙽𝙵 - 𝟺𝟸%, 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚗 ⊹
╰ ✦ •
────── ✧ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ♡ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ✧ ──────
⁀➷𝓹𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀:
ahhh I just got an ARC of this!! I'm so excited 🥹
Thank you for the ARC, Riley♡
_________________________________
Blog ಇ StoryGraph ಇ Instagram ಇ Twitter ಇ Facebook
January 19, 2025
Firstly, I should say I received an ARC of this book, which I am grateful for. However, I did regrettably have to DNF this at 7%.
To begin, I’ll say that the book genre wasn’t what I had been led to believe, and I do think that is a big part of why I had to DNF. I’ll explain that after a quick word on the writing itself.
The writing leaves a lot to be desired. I don’t exactly look for amazing writing when I read a book, just so long as I can be kept entertained and engrossed in the story. And the writing was by no means terrible, it just wasn’t very good, and needed quite a few more edits.
There are an insane amount of spelling & grammatical errors in the first chapter alone, let alone the rest of what I read. I do assume that these will be sorted by the time the book is fully released, but there are just so very many of them that I couldn’t cope anymore. Also, it’s a little repetitive; the phrase “damn, was it (___)” is used three times in as many chapters.
This book just isn’t what was advertised, and had I have known the truth of what it was about, I wouldn’t have signed up for the ARC in the first place. Our Strange Endeavours was advertised as a retelling of a favourite story of mine, The Phantom of the Opera, but there’s no real similarities in story, character or tone. And the true genre of the book is just not something I’d ever knowingly choose to read.
The novel starts off very strange, in my opinion, with an entirely unnecessary prologue, which adds nothing to the story, nor does it seem to contain any crucial information about story or character that isn’t also held within the first chapter.
The FMC is Krissy, who is a dancer with no real personality shown in the first few chapters. I also have no idea what kind of dancer she is. She works in a cabaret club, but her dancing is deemed “too strip club” by the stage manager, even though her clothing remained fully on, so I am as baffled as Krissy herself as to what that is supposed to mean.
The background for the FMC of Phantom is that Chrstine is an accomplished ballerina, but she is mostly in the background until the lead opera star quits the show and Christine is thrust into the spotlight, quite unwillingly, due to the marvellous singing voice she had been hiding. A singing voice which was trained by the titular character, the “opera ghost”.
This is a post-modern retelling, so naturally not everything is the same and that is absolutely fine, except that in this instance, an opera house turned cabaret club isn’t really the right setting for whatever kind of dancing Krissy seems intent to do. And also, her singing is mentioned briefly in an offhand way, because her dancing is the main focus. For a story that claims to be based on Phantom I would expect the basic premise to remain the same, even if the operatic voice was changed into a more sultry Marilyn Monroe-esque voice, more suited to a cabaret club. But as I say, it is only mentioned offhand that Krissy is singing at all.
I don’t really see how the “Phantom” character, Erick, fits into this story, when the whole purpose of this character in the original tale is that he is the one who whispered in Christine’s ear throughout her entire childhood and adolescence, teaching her to sing.
And the character is immediately unlikeable anyway, as the first we see of him is ditching his goons (because yes, he has goons) in the booth he booked at the club and stealing someone else’s reserved table, then making fun of them for getting annoyed that he took their table. Then you have the waitress swooning all over him as if he’s the hottest guy to ever walk the earth, despite being given no actual reason for her behaviour. He starts getting a little gropey and she’s still swooning… and I’m supposed to root for this guy???
It's all just very weird.
The last straw for me was at the end of chapter three when Erick had his goons beat up the stage manager because he wouldn’t tell him classified information, and then it suddenly hit me. The reason I wasn’t vibing with this book.
This is not a Phantom retelling. It’s a mafia-style romance. And that’s just not my cup of tea. I wouldn’t have signed up for this ARC, or had any desire to read this book, had I have known that.
If you’re into mafia romance, this book could be for you. However, I was expecting a retelling of a classic tale with a post-modern twist, and this book just isn’t it.
To begin, I’ll say that the book genre wasn’t what I had been led to believe, and I do think that is a big part of why I had to DNF. I’ll explain that after a quick word on the writing itself.
The writing leaves a lot to be desired. I don’t exactly look for amazing writing when I read a book, just so long as I can be kept entertained and engrossed in the story. And the writing was by no means terrible, it just wasn’t very good, and needed quite a few more edits.
There are an insane amount of spelling & grammatical errors in the first chapter alone, let alone the rest of what I read. I do assume that these will be sorted by the time the book is fully released, but there are just so very many of them that I couldn’t cope anymore. Also, it’s a little repetitive; the phrase “damn, was it (___)” is used three times in as many chapters.
This book just isn’t what was advertised, and had I have known the truth of what it was about, I wouldn’t have signed up for the ARC in the first place. Our Strange Endeavours was advertised as a retelling of a favourite story of mine, The Phantom of the Opera, but there’s no real similarities in story, character or tone. And the true genre of the book is just not something I’d ever knowingly choose to read.
The novel starts off very strange, in my opinion, with an entirely unnecessary prologue, which adds nothing to the story, nor does it seem to contain any crucial information about story or character that isn’t also held within the first chapter.
The FMC is Krissy, who is a dancer with no real personality shown in the first few chapters. I also have no idea what kind of dancer she is. She works in a cabaret club, but her dancing is deemed “too strip club” by the stage manager, even though her clothing remained fully on, so I am as baffled as Krissy herself as to what that is supposed to mean.
The background for the FMC of Phantom is that Chrstine is an accomplished ballerina, but she is mostly in the background until the lead opera star quits the show and Christine is thrust into the spotlight, quite unwillingly, due to the marvellous singing voice she had been hiding. A singing voice which was trained by the titular character, the “opera ghost”.
This is a post-modern retelling, so naturally not everything is the same and that is absolutely fine, except that in this instance, an opera house turned cabaret club isn’t really the right setting for whatever kind of dancing Krissy seems intent to do. And also, her singing is mentioned briefly in an offhand way, because her dancing is the main focus. For a story that claims to be based on Phantom I would expect the basic premise to remain the same, even if the operatic voice was changed into a more sultry Marilyn Monroe-esque voice, more suited to a cabaret club. But as I say, it is only mentioned offhand that Krissy is singing at all.
I don’t really see how the “Phantom” character, Erick, fits into this story, when the whole purpose of this character in the original tale is that he is the one who whispered in Christine’s ear throughout her entire childhood and adolescence, teaching her to sing.
And the character is immediately unlikeable anyway, as the first we see of him is ditching his goons (because yes, he has goons) in the booth he booked at the club and stealing someone else’s reserved table, then making fun of them for getting annoyed that he took their table. Then you have the waitress swooning all over him as if he’s the hottest guy to ever walk the earth, despite being given no actual reason for her behaviour. He starts getting a little gropey and she’s still swooning… and I’m supposed to root for this guy???
It's all just very weird.
The last straw for me was at the end of chapter three when Erick had his goons beat up the stage manager because he wouldn’t tell him classified information, and then it suddenly hit me. The reason I wasn’t vibing with this book.
This is not a Phantom retelling. It’s a mafia-style romance. And that’s just not my cup of tea. I wouldn’t have signed up for this ARC, or had any desire to read this book, had I have known that.
If you’re into mafia romance, this book could be for you. However, I was expecting a retelling of a classic tale with a post-modern twist, and this book just isn’t it.
January 1, 2025
Review written in exchange for receiving an ARC for this book. Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity of an early copy!
Andrew uses this debut novel to set up a gritty world of power, lust, and the perfect amount of sleaze to bring readers into the District to follow this story with Phantom of the Opera elements.
Krissy is a headstrong and talented working performer at “The Lotte” in the District, and following an incident the future of The Lotte becomes the center of struggle for power within the District.
Patrick, an old acquaintance of Krissys with family ties to various dealings, and Erick, a dark and brooding District leader, both vie for possession of the Lotte and Krissy herself. Through this power struggle, Krissy also struggles with her fear of losing herself to these men and focuses on retaining her own autonomy to her life and choices.
Although it took me a little bit to get into, I did eventually find myself invested with these characters and their interactions with one another. It’s a constant balance of pursuing their own interests, and doing what they think is best for Krissy (Krissy included). We follow the characters as they descend into darkness — and meeting some who were already there. It helped build my investment in these characters, and eventually in the extended world as we follow the business dealings and struggles that are consistently put Patrick and Erick against each other with Krissy always trapped in the middle. There's something captivating when morally grey men get involved.
My own knowledge of Phantom of the Opera is surface level at best, but from what I do know Andrews creates interesting twists on some of the classic expected plot points. Beautiful stage girl, historic theatre, a phantom who hides her away, and sabotages against key establishments. It hits all the necessary beats to make this an homage to the story it was trying to emulate while providing fresh takes throughout.
As for some downsides, there were quite a bit of spelling and grammar errors in the ARC edition, which was unfortunate. I'm usually able to look past those types of things in favour of getting lost in the story, but there were instances where it greatly detracted from the story and took me right out of it. I also found that not every scene and chapter was being used to help the story along, and there were some missed opportunities to show rather than tell that were missed in favour of character though exposition.
Andrew uses this debut novel to set up a gritty world of power, lust, and the perfect amount of sleaze to bring readers into the District to follow this story with Phantom of the Opera elements.
Krissy is a headstrong and talented working performer at “The Lotte” in the District, and following an incident the future of The Lotte becomes the center of struggle for power within the District.
Patrick, an old acquaintance of Krissys with family ties to various dealings, and Erick, a dark and brooding District leader, both vie for possession of the Lotte and Krissy herself. Through this power struggle, Krissy also struggles with her fear of losing herself to these men and focuses on retaining her own autonomy to her life and choices.
Although it took me a little bit to get into, I did eventually find myself invested with these characters and their interactions with one another. It’s a constant balance of pursuing their own interests, and doing what they think is best for Krissy (Krissy included). We follow the characters as they descend into darkness — and meeting some who were already there. It helped build my investment in these characters, and eventually in the extended world as we follow the business dealings and struggles that are consistently put Patrick and Erick against each other with Krissy always trapped in the middle. There's something captivating when morally grey men get involved.
My own knowledge of Phantom of the Opera is surface level at best, but from what I do know Andrews creates interesting twists on some of the classic expected plot points. Beautiful stage girl, historic theatre, a phantom who hides her away, and sabotages against key establishments. It hits all the necessary beats to make this an homage to the story it was trying to emulate while providing fresh takes throughout.
As for some downsides, there were quite a bit of spelling and grammar errors in the ARC edition, which was unfortunate. I'm usually able to look past those types of things in favour of getting lost in the story, but there were instances where it greatly detracted from the story and took me right out of it. I also found that not every scene and chapter was being used to help the story along, and there were some missed opportunities to show rather than tell that were missed in favour of character though exposition.
January 16, 2025
When I saw it was a kind of retelling from Phantom of the Opera, I was sold! And it did not disappoint! Overall it was more of a mafia romance, with some eastereggs towards Phantom of the Opera, but I didn't mind it at all! I enjoyed reading this book so much. I loved how Riley set up this book. With the rivaling gangs being a main part of the book, and while reading you'll learn bit's and pieces more about the why and the who's in the gangs.
Written from multiple POV, you'll get a nice inside of the main characters. I loved how the whole plan came together between Krissy and Erick. And near the ending, Riley had me on the edge of my seat! The story build up so nicely towards that big moment and I just couldn't put my book down! I really liked it that the characters developed throughout the book, and with every chapter you'll learn more and more about the main characters, making it so easy to just love them!
I can't wait to see what's more to come!
Thank you Riley Andrews for this ARC to read and review.
Written from multiple POV, you'll get a nice inside of the main characters. I loved how the whole plan came together between Krissy and Erick. And near the ending, Riley had me on the edge of my seat! The story build up so nicely towards that big moment and I just couldn't put my book down! I really liked it that the characters developed throughout the book, and with every chapter you'll learn more and more about the main characters, making it so easy to just love them!
I can't wait to see what's more to come!
Thank you Riley Andrews for this ARC to read and review.
February 5, 2025
I was kind of scared to start this book because I have been hyping it up for myself since the first time I saw this author talk about this book on social media. I'm a big 'Phantom of the Opera' fan, so I just knew I had to read it. And to only make it better (or at least for me), it was also going to have some splashes of gang/mafia-ish romance. It sounded so much fun.
And fun it was! I really liked this book. I recognized Phantom-inspired plot elements and I loved that, but also if you would know nothing about the 'Phantom of the Opera' this is a great book. It has romance -of course, since it is a romance book-, it has some drama, there is action, and the plot is fun.
I got this book as an arc, and I'm really thankful for this chance. I truly enjoyed this book, and I'm leaving this review totally voluntarily.
If you like to read about more books I liked, check out my Goodreads profile. I also sometimes post reviews on Instagram and talk about bookish stuff on Threads.
And fun it was! I really liked this book. I recognized Phantom-inspired plot elements and I loved that, but also if you would know nothing about the 'Phantom of the Opera' this is a great book. It has romance -of course, since it is a romance book-, it has some drama, there is action, and the plot is fun.
I got this book as an arc, and I'm really thankful for this chance. I truly enjoyed this book, and I'm leaving this review totally voluntarily.
If you like to read about more books I liked, check out my Goodreads profile. I also sometimes post reviews on Instagram and talk about bookish stuff on Threads.
January 3, 2025
My first book of 2025 and to be honest, I’m not really sure where I fall on it.
It was marketed as a modern retelling of Phantom of the Opera. And while it had some cute Easter eggs (the theater was called The Lotte after Carlotta, the MMC had a scarred face, the tunnels..) my personal opinion is that it was far from that.
Here’s what I liked:
👯♀️multiple pov - we got several characters perspective throughout the story and I think that added to the story
🔺love triangle - I liked the play in relationship between the 2 male and female character
🔀 twist and turns - just about the time you figured something out, the tables turned and kept you intrigued.
As for things that I didn’t love…I just felt like the story took a long time to tell, but a lot of it was just circling around itself. The few times we got movement in the actual story were great, but then we were circling the same thing again. It also felt like there weren’t many attempts to resolve the “kidnapping”. I wish there were more negotiations or attempts to find her. And what happened to her friends? Her ride or dies….we got zero resolution or wrap up with them following her freedom.
Lastly, I was reading this as part of an ARC team, so hopefully this will be resolved by the actual release day - but the typos and wrong word choices in almost every chapter were distracting. (Like one time it was supposed to be definitely and the word typed was defiantly). I hope she gets a better editor before printing or a refund, as I am NOT an editor and easily found these errors.
If you are big on mafia/kidnapping books, give it a try. It wasn’t my jam, but it doesn’t mean it won’t be yours.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖: arc team
It was marketed as a modern retelling of Phantom of the Opera. And while it had some cute Easter eggs (the theater was called The Lotte after Carlotta, the MMC had a scarred face, the tunnels..) my personal opinion is that it was far from that.
Here’s what I liked:
👯♀️multiple pov - we got several characters perspective throughout the story and I think that added to the story
🔺love triangle - I liked the play in relationship between the 2 male and female character
🔀 twist and turns - just about the time you figured something out, the tables turned and kept you intrigued.
As for things that I didn’t love…I just felt like the story took a long time to tell, but a lot of it was just circling around itself. The few times we got movement in the actual story were great, but then we were circling the same thing again. It also felt like there weren’t many attempts to resolve the “kidnapping”. I wish there were more negotiations or attempts to find her. And what happened to her friends? Her ride or dies….we got zero resolution or wrap up with them following her freedom.
Lastly, I was reading this as part of an ARC team, so hopefully this will be resolved by the actual release day - but the typos and wrong word choices in almost every chapter were distracting. (Like one time it was supposed to be definitely and the word typed was defiantly). I hope she gets a better editor before printing or a refund, as I am NOT an editor and easily found these errors.
If you are big on mafia/kidnapping books, give it a try. It wasn’t my jam, but it doesn’t mean it won’t be yours.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖: arc team
January 7, 2025
I was lucky enough to be chosen as an ARC reader for this book. I’ll be honest though, this book was nothing like it was advertised as. I found it on threads advertised as a spicy Phantom retelling. The closest thing I can find in this book relating to the musical is, the FMCs both work in a theater? I guess?
Krissy is kind of stupid if her internal monologue is to be believed. I am all for flaws in my main characters but Jesus Christ. She works as a cabaret dancer but someone critiqued her dancing as too stripper? I’m okay with her drowning her issues in booze bc that’s a clear hurdle for her to deal with in the story but her “party girl ways” get weaponized against her and she’s cool with it almost? Tf?
The owner of the theater dies and just like Andy in Burlesque this is her big moment. (Idk the similarities there was too much for me) Then the theater is purchased but not by the second POV we get. First we meet Erick who I’m guessing is supposed to be the “phantom” in this story. But it turns out this guy Patrick and his sister buy the theater first.
Idk none of this was my cup of tea. I hated that we had POV from two male characters she had interest in. Maybe the point was to make us care about Patrick but all it did was piss me off. Then we had the worst chapter ever and got a POV from Patrick’s sister’s husband??? Too much in my opinion.
In all this book seemed like the author had several ideas on where to take the story and ended up trying to incorporate them all. It also had a truly ridiculous number of spelling and grammar errors. As a big reader that immediately pulls me out of the story. I think it needed another pass by an editor. I do hope this author continues to write because I think she does have talent, just needed more direction in the story.
Krissy is kind of stupid if her internal monologue is to be believed. I am all for flaws in my main characters but Jesus Christ. She works as a cabaret dancer but someone critiqued her dancing as too stripper? I’m okay with her drowning her issues in booze bc that’s a clear hurdle for her to deal with in the story but her “party girl ways” get weaponized against her and she’s cool with it almost? Tf?
The owner of the theater dies and just like Andy in Burlesque this is her big moment. (Idk the similarities there was too much for me) Then the theater is purchased but not by the second POV we get. First we meet Erick who I’m guessing is supposed to be the “phantom” in this story. But it turns out this guy Patrick and his sister buy the theater first.
Idk none of this was my cup of tea. I hated that we had POV from two male characters she had interest in. Maybe the point was to make us care about Patrick but all it did was piss me off. Then we had the worst chapter ever and got a POV from Patrick’s sister’s husband??? Too much in my opinion.
In all this book seemed like the author had several ideas on where to take the story and ended up trying to incorporate them all. It also had a truly ridiculous number of spelling and grammar errors. As a big reader that immediately pulls me out of the story. I think it needed another pass by an editor. I do hope this author continues to write because I think she does have talent, just needed more direction in the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2025
DNF at 25%
I had such high hopes for this book and was unfortunately disappointed.
Touted as a postmodern retelling of Phantom of the Opera, I found this to book to be something else entirely. In all honesty this is more of a mafia romance that is loosely inspired by Phantom.
The FMC Krissy is just flat. She has almost no personality aside from party girl. Erick, our phantom character, is a club owner and mobster that I just couldn’t find it in myself to root for. Nothing he did made me want him to get the girl. Patrick, our Raoul, as far as I had seen, was a genuinely wonderful guy. I had yet to see any red flags in his behavior that would cause Krissy to want to work with Erick to stage her kidnapping.
I also try not to mention grammar and spelling when it comes to ARCs as we all know they are unedited or roughly edited copies but this one was rough. There were a lot of incorrect word choices and tense mistakes that just completely distracted my read. I found myself editing the read in my head more than anything which really broke my immersion to the story.
I feel like this book could have had some potential but needs to go back to the drawing board.
I had such high hopes for this book and was unfortunately disappointed.
Touted as a postmodern retelling of Phantom of the Opera, I found this to book to be something else entirely. In all honesty this is more of a mafia romance that is loosely inspired by Phantom.
The FMC Krissy is just flat. She has almost no personality aside from party girl. Erick, our phantom character, is a club owner and mobster that I just couldn’t find it in myself to root for. Nothing he did made me want him to get the girl. Patrick, our Raoul, as far as I had seen, was a genuinely wonderful guy. I had yet to see any red flags in his behavior that would cause Krissy to want to work with Erick to stage her kidnapping.
I also try not to mention grammar and spelling when it comes to ARCs as we all know they are unedited or roughly edited copies but this one was rough. There were a lot of incorrect word choices and tense mistakes that just completely distracted my read. I found myself editing the read in my head more than anything which really broke my immersion to the story.
I feel like this book could have had some potential but needs to go back to the drawing board.
January 20, 2025
I was super excited for this read as it included many of my favorite tropes like forced proximity, he falls first, strangers to lovers, and the fact that it was a Phantom retelling.
However, it was a bit of a letdown. It wasn’t bad by any means but it did leave me wishing there was more to it. I struggled getting into the book at first and when I finally did, I was lost again. It was very much back and forth for me as far as being super into it and it dragging for me.
I did receive an ARC of this so I’m hoping my next comment won’t apply to it but I did find several spelling & grammar mistakes, usually I can look over a couple but there were too many for me. Hopefully all of them were caught before the final version is published!
I do feel there’s a lot of potential with this author and I will be checking out her next release.
However, it was a bit of a letdown. It wasn’t bad by any means but it did leave me wishing there was more to it. I struggled getting into the book at first and when I finally did, I was lost again. It was very much back and forth for me as far as being super into it and it dragging for me.
I did receive an ARC of this so I’m hoping my next comment won’t apply to it but I did find several spelling & grammar mistakes, usually I can look over a couple but there were too many for me. Hopefully all of them were caught before the final version is published!
I do feel there’s a lot of potential with this author and I will be checking out her next release.
December 22, 2024
This modern phantom of the opera retelling had me in a chokehold from the start. My heart is still pounding fast after finishing this 5 minutes ago. There was no fluff, nothing was drawn out and everything was meticulously placed from start to finish.
The spicy scenes weren't cringe like I find alot of times in books. No ick terms used when describing what was happening during the scenes.
This has been one of my favorite reads of 2024 without a doubt! This book published January 14th, mark your calendars book besties and snag it on release day!
The spicy scenes weren't cringe like I find alot of times in books. No ick terms used when describing what was happening during the scenes.
This has been one of my favorite reads of 2024 without a doubt! This book published January 14th, mark your calendars book besties and snag it on release day!
November 9, 2025
I'm so glad I finally took a chance on this book that's been sitting on my kindle for almost a year. It's a very, very diluted retelling of Phantom, as the character arcs are all kind of opposite from the original story, which I appreciated honestly. The mid-end felt slow and then rushed, which made it hard to stay dedicated to the story, BUT besides that, I look forward to reading more of her work!
January 1, 2025
This book overall was okay but I struggled through the first half of the book and almost DNF.
There are so many unnecessary details while at the same time the book is lacking overall world building.
There are so many unnecessary details while at the same time the book is lacking overall world building.
February 19, 2025
ARC REVIEW 🎭
1/5 ⭐️’s
I was given the great opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately, I had to DNF at 52%. I tried so hard to like this book, as I was super pumped for it.
This book was lightly based off of Phantom of the Opera, but it was more like a mafia romance. It was a very very slow burn and I just couldn’t get into the plot. I think some parts lacked detail and others had too much detail.
Overall, this book has great potential and the author has wonderful potential as well! This just wasn’t the book for me personally.
1/5 ⭐️’s
I was given the great opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately, I had to DNF at 52%. I tried so hard to like this book, as I was super pumped for it.
This book was lightly based off of Phantom of the Opera, but it was more like a mafia romance. It was a very very slow burn and I just couldn’t get into the plot. I think some parts lacked detail and others had too much detail.
Overall, this book has great potential and the author has wonderful potential as well! This just wasn’t the book for me personally.
February 15, 2025
ARC read/review.
Hmmm. This is a difficult one for me to write. The story was marketed as a Phantom of the Opera retelling but besides a few very loosely inspired similarities (scarred MMC, theatre, singing, tunnels) I really don't see much of a connection. Instead the plot is more of a faked kidnapping, Mafia/crime family type story. If I had known this more fully I wouldn't have applied to be an ARC reader.
The writing itself left a lot to be desired for me- there was an insane amount of spelling and grammatical errors as well as a tonne of incorrectly chosen words. Obviously some leeway can be given considering this is an ARC, however, I hope the story undergoes a lot more thorough editing before it's release. It was also very word heavy while somehow missing a LOT of actual detail (what type of dancing does the MFC do? Where are they located?) And world building.
I also felt the story dragged a lot, with the majority of the plot taking place in the last 20% of the novel.
Having said that, however, these are the things that worked for me-
** multiple POVs. This gave more depth and insight into all of the characters. Specifically the 2 MMCs and their motivations behind their actions. It also helped to drive the plot along a little as well.
** while there was spice, I didn't feel like it was the main point of the story. I always enjoy when plot is enhanced by spice rather than being dictated by it
** I did enjoy the concept and the grittiness of it all; it has potential
** I enjoyed the change in Patrick and how his character was presented; his decent into the bad guy was subtle and insidious which is how it often happens in real life and I appreciate the way the author approached this.
Overall, if this had have been marketed in a way that was closer to what the book was actually about, I wouldn't have put my hand up. But credit where it's due, this author is writing hard, putting herself out there, and following her passions which is something I've not had the confidence to do myself so kudos there. Despite my overall rating, I do wish this author well and hope to see some great stuff in the future; this just wasn't that for me unfortunately
Hmmm. This is a difficult one for me to write. The story was marketed as a Phantom of the Opera retelling but besides a few very loosely inspired similarities (scarred MMC, theatre, singing, tunnels) I really don't see much of a connection. Instead the plot is more of a faked kidnapping, Mafia/crime family type story. If I had known this more fully I wouldn't have applied to be an ARC reader.
The writing itself left a lot to be desired for me- there was an insane amount of spelling and grammatical errors as well as a tonne of incorrectly chosen words. Obviously some leeway can be given considering this is an ARC, however, I hope the story undergoes a lot more thorough editing before it's release. It was also very word heavy while somehow missing a LOT of actual detail (what type of dancing does the MFC do? Where are they located?) And world building.
I also felt the story dragged a lot, with the majority of the plot taking place in the last 20% of the novel.
Having said that, however, these are the things that worked for me-
** multiple POVs. This gave more depth and insight into all of the characters. Specifically the 2 MMCs and their motivations behind their actions. It also helped to drive the plot along a little as well.
** while there was spice, I didn't feel like it was the main point of the story. I always enjoy when plot is enhanced by spice rather than being dictated by it
** I did enjoy the concept and the grittiness of it all; it has potential
** I enjoyed the change in Patrick and how his character was presented; his decent into the bad guy was subtle and insidious which is how it often happens in real life and I appreciate the way the author approached this.
Overall, if this had have been marketed in a way that was closer to what the book was actually about, I wouldn't have put my hand up. But credit where it's due, this author is writing hard, putting herself out there, and following her passions which is something I've not had the confidence to do myself so kudos there. Despite my overall rating, I do wish this author well and hope to see some great stuff in the future; this just wasn't that for me unfortunately
July 20, 2025
Ok let’s start off by saying I’m a diehard Phantom fan, I have loved it since first hearing the original recording on my nanas cassette tapes 😂 so even though I was obviously wanting to read a Phantom retelling, I was a bit unsure how it would go. But let’s get real I’ve always thought Christine should have run off with the Phantom so this was the driving factor in applying for the arc. (Which thank you so much for!)
I think not a retelling but more inspired by? Yes there is absolutely parts of the story that have similar events so maybe a retelling in a loose sense. We met Krissy, Patrick and Erick early on and I was fooled by Patrick, so suave, so kind and I was wondering how I was supposed to hate him enough to cut him out of the happily ever after and man when I found out he was quickly tossed to the kerb.
Ericks initially unlikeable but mob boss persona makes sense once you strip some of those layers back and learn his story along with Krissy. And actually turns out to be not so bad. Bit of a romantic perhaps with lines like this, “Krissy was the light that had always been absent from my life, she was the hope that would bring a better tomorrow, and she was the promise there was a life worth living.”
Yes there were a few errors in spelling and word choices but I would imagine it’ll be ironed out for release as a few have commented on it.
The book definitely met the main reason I wanted to read it so if you’re team Phantom and like a mafia romance with some kidnapping and an unexpected villain, give this story a shot!
I think not a retelling but more inspired by? Yes there is absolutely parts of the story that have similar events so maybe a retelling in a loose sense. We met Krissy, Patrick and Erick early on and I was fooled by Patrick, so suave, so kind and I was wondering how I was supposed to hate him enough to cut him out of the happily ever after and man when I found out he was quickly tossed to the kerb.
Ericks initially unlikeable but mob boss persona makes sense once you strip some of those layers back and learn his story along with Krissy. And actually turns out to be not so bad. Bit of a romantic perhaps with lines like this, “Krissy was the light that had always been absent from my life, she was the hope that would bring a better tomorrow, and she was the promise there was a life worth living.”
Yes there were a few errors in spelling and word choices but I would imagine it’ll be ironed out for release as a few have commented on it.
The book definitely met the main reason I wanted to read it so if you’re team Phantom and like a mafia romance with some kidnapping and an unexpected villain, give this story a shot!
March 12, 2025
This was supposed to be a "modern" telling of Phantom of the Opera. There are a few similarities: using Krissy for Christine, the "Lotte" theater (Christine's nickname), and a dashing anti-hero with a skeleton mask to hide his scar. Krissy is an alcoholic burlesque dancer and the theater's new owner is her old friend Patrick, who turns out to be a douche. In a cockamamy staged kidnapping, Erick (the Phantom's name in the original Leroux book), swoops in and takes Krissy away. After he practically rapes her in an unnecessary BDSM Fifty Shades rip-off scene, he falls for her as she drinks away her issues.
The books drags on, throws in the usual inspirational poster quotes, and has an ending that tried to be inspired from the 2004 movie adaptation. In other words, meh. There are a lot of grammatical errors and Krissy is a one-dimensional character. It's more of a smutty mafia story than a modern POTO.
The books drags on, throws in the usual inspirational poster quotes, and has an ending that tried to be inspired from the 2004 movie adaptation. In other words, meh. There are a lot of grammatical errors and Krissy is a one-dimensional character. It's more of a smutty mafia story than a modern POTO.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2025
Synopsis:
Krissy Davis has been a star her whole life. That is, until she comes to work at The Lotte. After being constantly looked over for the leading lady of the Cabaret, she finds herself in a unique opportunity when both the owner and the star get into a car crash. After taking over the main act, she finds herself showered by the affection of two men: Erick Destler, a district owner who seems mysteriously interested in her, almost obsessively so, and Patrick Martin, the new owner of the Lotte and a handsome man who she knew back in college. When they both start making their move, she can’t help but feel unnerved that something wrong is going on and can’t help but feel she should run. The question is away or towards?
Atmosphere:
At first, I felt like the city description was not hitting as city and more of a small town, and while that still feels true, a large portion of the book took place in Erick’s apartment, Don Juan, the Lotte, and the tunnel/underground area. Those were absolutely immaculate and I loved the way they were described and pulled off. I could imagine everything to a T. I liked the idea of district owner, yet didn’t really understand its weight. Like obviously they’re not politicians, do they just own a lot of property? And is it just the Destlers and Blanchets or are there others?
Characters:
I liked Krissy most of the time. There were moments when she would randomly get flighty or misconstrue things that I didn’t really like, but were all human so what can I expect? Her insistence that she can’t be in a relationship was a little like “really girl” but I liked her nonetheless. I absolutely hated Erick at first but he slowly but surely redeemed himself. I think I didn’t like him because I didn’t realize this was going to be the type of book it became. I thought it was going to be more everyday type of thing, not mafia kidnapping scheme. Then I loved him. Patrick got what he deserved.
Enjoyment/Intrigue:
The book was great! I loved reading it and kept coming back for more. There were certain spicy scenes that I had to take a break from because somehow I’ve managed to make it this far without reading anything with majorly explorative things until now. They were still good! I just needed to recalibrate. I think one of her strong suits here was her writing and that just majorly pushed my enjoyment (more on that in writing style)
Logic/Relationships:
To be completely honest, I didn’t really understand her insistence with Patrick that they weren’t a couple. They were openly PDA in front of others, they went on dates, they stayed in each other’s houses??? It’s like the only thing they were missing was the actual title and then she just got pissed at him for being tricked into meeting the family? Like I’d be pissed about that too, but the fact it was just because she for whatever reason wanted all the benefits of the relationship without the responsibilities or emotional availability kinda irked me. I mean, don’t get me wrong, Patrick turned out to be like major red flag bad guy, but before she tried to break it off with him I didn’t really see a problem? Maybe that’s just a me issue. I also lacked the ability to understand her interest in Destler pre-kidnap scheme. Like afterwards he was great, loved him, attentive man we love. We love a dark past. Perf. But all she had from him was a severed finger in a box and a drawer filled with roses and a note that said “the day of reckoning has come” (I know that wasn’t for her but still). To each their own I guess?
Plot:
I LOVED THE PLOT. As a former theatre kid, the Phantom of it all was great. (Specifically as a former Phantom apologist lmao) But what made it even better was the fact that Andrews put her own twist on the story. It wasn’t a play by play of the musical. Instead, it seemed like she took inspiration from it and kept the key points but at points switched what happened or even changed roles. I felt like who was originally supposed to be the Phantom of the Opera turned into Raoul and Vice Versa and it was unexpected and so entertaining. Marvelous work.
Writing Style:
Perfection. The way each sentence was crafted was amazing and made me so happy to read. I enjoyed the subtleties of parts and the last two paragraphs especially were chefs kiss. Andrews is an especially talented author who knows who to craft her words into art. It truly was a pleasure to read.
Krissy Davis has been a star her whole life. That is, until she comes to work at The Lotte. After being constantly looked over for the leading lady of the Cabaret, she finds herself in a unique opportunity when both the owner and the star get into a car crash. After taking over the main act, she finds herself showered by the affection of two men: Erick Destler, a district owner who seems mysteriously interested in her, almost obsessively so, and Patrick Martin, the new owner of the Lotte and a handsome man who she knew back in college. When they both start making their move, she can’t help but feel unnerved that something wrong is going on and can’t help but feel she should run. The question is away or towards?
Atmosphere:
At first, I felt like the city description was not hitting as city and more of a small town, and while that still feels true, a large portion of the book took place in Erick’s apartment, Don Juan, the Lotte, and the tunnel/underground area. Those were absolutely immaculate and I loved the way they were described and pulled off. I could imagine everything to a T. I liked the idea of district owner, yet didn’t really understand its weight. Like obviously they’re not politicians, do they just own a lot of property? And is it just the Destlers and Blanchets or are there others?
Characters:
I liked Krissy most of the time. There were moments when she would randomly get flighty or misconstrue things that I didn’t really like, but were all human so what can I expect? Her insistence that she can’t be in a relationship was a little like “really girl” but I liked her nonetheless. I absolutely hated Erick at first but he slowly but surely redeemed himself. I think I didn’t like him because I didn’t realize this was going to be the type of book it became. I thought it was going to be more everyday type of thing, not mafia kidnapping scheme. Then I loved him. Patrick got what he deserved.
Enjoyment/Intrigue:
The book was great! I loved reading it and kept coming back for more. There were certain spicy scenes that I had to take a break from because somehow I’ve managed to make it this far without reading anything with majorly explorative things until now. They were still good! I just needed to recalibrate. I think one of her strong suits here was her writing and that just majorly pushed my enjoyment (more on that in writing style)
Logic/Relationships:
To be completely honest, I didn’t really understand her insistence with Patrick that they weren’t a couple. They were openly PDA in front of others, they went on dates, they stayed in each other’s houses??? It’s like the only thing they were missing was the actual title and then she just got pissed at him for being tricked into meeting the family? Like I’d be pissed about that too, but the fact it was just because she for whatever reason wanted all the benefits of the relationship without the responsibilities or emotional availability kinda irked me. I mean, don’t get me wrong, Patrick turned out to be like major red flag bad guy, but before she tried to break it off with him I didn’t really see a problem? Maybe that’s just a me issue. I also lacked the ability to understand her interest in Destler pre-kidnap scheme. Like afterwards he was great, loved him, attentive man we love. We love a dark past. Perf. But all she had from him was a severed finger in a box and a drawer filled with roses and a note that said “the day of reckoning has come” (I know that wasn’t for her but still). To each their own I guess?
Plot:
I LOVED THE PLOT. As a former theatre kid, the Phantom of it all was great. (Specifically as a former Phantom apologist lmao) But what made it even better was the fact that Andrews put her own twist on the story. It wasn’t a play by play of the musical. Instead, it seemed like she took inspiration from it and kept the key points but at points switched what happened or even changed roles. I felt like who was originally supposed to be the Phantom of the Opera turned into Raoul and Vice Versa and it was unexpected and so entertaining. Marvelous work.
Writing Style:
Perfection. The way each sentence was crafted was amazing and made me so happy to read. I enjoyed the subtleties of parts and the last two paragraphs especially were chefs kiss. Andrews is an especially talented author who knows who to craft her words into art. It truly was a pleasure to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2024
Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite movies, so I was really excited to read this ARC. Riley Andrews has crafted an enthralling modern retelling of The Phantom of the Opera in Our Strange Endeavours, a story that masterfully intertwines passion, danger, and ambition against the backdrop of a historic theater.
The Lotte Theater’s fate hangs in the balance after tragedy strikes, and Krissy Davis, a rising star with unmatched talent, finds herself at the center of a tale as haunting as it is seductive. Andrews delivers a mesmerizing and atmospheric narrative that had me captivated from the very first page.
Krissy is a complex and relatable protagonist, her struggle with fame, toxic relationships, and her own desires pulling at my heartstrings. Her relationship with the new theater owner is chilling, a stark and poignant exploration of power dynamics and manipulation. The stakes felt impossibly high, and her desperation was palpable as she turned to Erick Destler—a man who is equal parts enigmatic and dangerous.
Erick is the perfect modern take on the Phantom: brooding, obsessive, and deeply alluring. The chemistry between him and Krissy is electric, blurring the lines between obsession and genuine affection. Their plan to "kidnap" Krissy is as twisted as it is brilliant, creating a tense and thrilling backdrop for their slow burn romance. As their feelings evolve, Andrews skillfully explores themes of freedom, control, and love in a way that feels both raw and deeply emotional.
The atmospheric writing is a standout, immersing readers in the dark allure of The Lotte Theater and the intoxicating world of cabaret. The rich descriptions made me feel as though I was right there in the wings, watching the drama unfold both on and off the stage. The pacing is tight, with each twist and turn adding to the tension until it reaches a breathtaking crescendo.
Our Strange Endeavours is more than a retelling—it’s a reimagining that breathes new life into the classic tale while standing firmly on its own. With its intoxicating blend of romance, suspense, and tragedy, this book is an absolute must read for fans of The Phantom of the Opera and lovers of dark, captivating stories.
I loved this book, and think it was such a wonderful retelling, in such a modern and perfect way. This is a tale that will linger in my mind for a long time to come.
Thank you to Riley Andrews for the eARC of this book.
The Lotte Theater’s fate hangs in the balance after tragedy strikes, and Krissy Davis, a rising star with unmatched talent, finds herself at the center of a tale as haunting as it is seductive. Andrews delivers a mesmerizing and atmospheric narrative that had me captivated from the very first page.
Krissy is a complex and relatable protagonist, her struggle with fame, toxic relationships, and her own desires pulling at my heartstrings. Her relationship with the new theater owner is chilling, a stark and poignant exploration of power dynamics and manipulation. The stakes felt impossibly high, and her desperation was palpable as she turned to Erick Destler—a man who is equal parts enigmatic and dangerous.
Erick is the perfect modern take on the Phantom: brooding, obsessive, and deeply alluring. The chemistry between him and Krissy is electric, blurring the lines between obsession and genuine affection. Their plan to "kidnap" Krissy is as twisted as it is brilliant, creating a tense and thrilling backdrop for their slow burn romance. As their feelings evolve, Andrews skillfully explores themes of freedom, control, and love in a way that feels both raw and deeply emotional.
The atmospheric writing is a standout, immersing readers in the dark allure of The Lotte Theater and the intoxicating world of cabaret. The rich descriptions made me feel as though I was right there in the wings, watching the drama unfold both on and off the stage. The pacing is tight, with each twist and turn adding to the tension until it reaches a breathtaking crescendo.
Our Strange Endeavours is more than a retelling—it’s a reimagining that breathes new life into the classic tale while standing firmly on its own. With its intoxicating blend of romance, suspense, and tragedy, this book is an absolute must read for fans of The Phantom of the Opera and lovers of dark, captivating stories.
I loved this book, and think it was such a wonderful retelling, in such a modern and perfect way. This is a tale that will linger in my mind for a long time to come.
Thank you to Riley Andrews for the eARC of this book.
December 27, 2024
✨ARC REVIEW✨
✨I highly advise you to read the authors note at the beginning of the book to look over the trigger warnings for things that might be too much for you✨
🥀modern phantom of the opera retelling🥀
🥀phantom of the opera meets chicago in the best way🥀
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Krissy is a talented dancer at The Lotte, a historical theater in the center of the entertainment district, who becomes the lead after an unfortunate accident leaves the owner dead and the original lead in the hospital. Her perfect little bubble of a life gets popped when she falls into a toxic romance with the new owner of theater, Patrick. He seems like the perfect guy until Krissy tells him she can’t be the girlfriend he wants. She tries to leave and he blackmails her, stating that he will ruin her reputation and she will never dance again. So Krissy does what any sane woman would do, fakes her kidnapping. She enlists the help of Erick Destler, a man who owns a club in the district and has a fascination with not only Krissy but The Lotte. Ransom? Oh yeah, her in exchange for full ownership of the theater. Will Patrick give in? Will Krissy get her freedom and independence back? Will she fall for her captor? Do happy endings exist in this chaotic world we live in? Read Our Strange Endeavors to find out but remember, some things are not as they seem.
I absolutely loved this book. Prologue to the last sentence, I was hooked. The characters were so believable. It felt like I really knew them and what they were feeling from Krissy’s commitment issues to Patrick’s narcissistic personality disorder(let’s be honest, the man is a walking red flag) to Erick’s devotion and protection of Krissy and the theater.
The way the relationship between Krissy and Patrick is shown and described was heartbreakingly beautiful, a great representation of abuse coming in many forms. Erick and Krissy’s was the perfect example of someone repairing what they didn’t break and loving you regardless of you being broken in a million little pieces.
The last 8 chapters had me feeling some serious anxiety so buckle up for a bumpy ride 🫣
Our Strange Endeavors by Riley Andrews is out January 14th, 2025. Pick up a copy, you will NOT regret it!
•TROPES•
✨fake kidnapping
✨multi pov
✨touch her/him and 💀
✨forced proximity
✨spicy retelling
✨he falls first and harder
✨strangers to lovers
✨I highly advise you to read the authors note at the beginning of the book to look over the trigger warnings for things that might be too much for you✨
🥀modern phantom of the opera retelling🥀
🥀phantom of the opera meets chicago in the best way🥀
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Krissy is a talented dancer at The Lotte, a historical theater in the center of the entertainment district, who becomes the lead after an unfortunate accident leaves the owner dead and the original lead in the hospital. Her perfect little bubble of a life gets popped when she falls into a toxic romance with the new owner of theater, Patrick. He seems like the perfect guy until Krissy tells him she can’t be the girlfriend he wants. She tries to leave and he blackmails her, stating that he will ruin her reputation and she will never dance again. So Krissy does what any sane woman would do, fakes her kidnapping. She enlists the help of Erick Destler, a man who owns a club in the district and has a fascination with not only Krissy but The Lotte. Ransom? Oh yeah, her in exchange for full ownership of the theater. Will Patrick give in? Will Krissy get her freedom and independence back? Will she fall for her captor? Do happy endings exist in this chaotic world we live in? Read Our Strange Endeavors to find out but remember, some things are not as they seem.
I absolutely loved this book. Prologue to the last sentence, I was hooked. The characters were so believable. It felt like I really knew them and what they were feeling from Krissy’s commitment issues to Patrick’s narcissistic personality disorder(let’s be honest, the man is a walking red flag) to Erick’s devotion and protection of Krissy and the theater.
The way the relationship between Krissy and Patrick is shown and described was heartbreakingly beautiful, a great representation of abuse coming in many forms. Erick and Krissy’s was the perfect example of someone repairing what they didn’t break and loving you regardless of you being broken in a million little pieces.
The last 8 chapters had me feeling some serious anxiety so buckle up for a bumpy ride 🫣
Our Strange Endeavors by Riley Andrews is out January 14th, 2025. Pick up a copy, you will NOT regret it!
•TROPES•
✨fake kidnapping
✨multi pov
✨touch her/him and 💀
✨forced proximity
✨spicy retelling
✨he falls first and harder
✨strangers to lovers
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2024
3.75 ⭐️ | 3 🌶️
The debut novel by @rileyandrews_author is a beautiful story that weaves elements of The Phantom of The Opera into a modern world of rival gangs, love triangles and forbidden love, fake kidnapping, and friends to lovers to enemies.
I will say there wasn’t a ton of world building. Based upon things said throughout, this is definitely modern day USA and probably somewhere like New York. There are districts versus cities or towns and outside of the theatre and the club, there isn’t much detail of the surroundings, leaving lots up to the imagination of of the reader.
Where the book lacks in world building, it shines with plot building and character development.
Krissy, the female lead, has a false sense of strength that is actually just a shield she’s built from past trauma. I found her backstory heartbreaking, making her insecurities and fears understandable. With that said, there were a few moments when I just wanted to scream at her because she was so afraid of letting down her walls that she pushed people away- namely, the male lead, Erick.
Erick is a tortured soul dealing with his past traumas. He is the head of the Destler family (one of the “gangs” in this world) and driven by several motives to help Krissy, namely, his attraction to her. What I love most about this MMC is that he is sensitive and caring under his tough guy persona, and unafraid “to jump”. I love a good “he falls first”.
The story is fantastic! Although it contains similar themes and elements of the romance genre, I found the story itself both unique and captivating. I enjoyed the modern elements and how the author addresses the different forms of abuse and trauma, as well as healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms. And the ending was perfection!
There is some spice but not too much; however, what is there is descriptive. My normal spice rating scale is difficult to use on this one so I’m addressing it here. I’m giving it 3 peppers- the spicy scenes are not closed door or fade to black but the book is overall more plot than spice, so the spicy scenes are few.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend.
#arcreview #arcreader #bookstagram
The debut novel by @rileyandrews_author is a beautiful story that weaves elements of The Phantom of The Opera into a modern world of rival gangs, love triangles and forbidden love, fake kidnapping, and friends to lovers to enemies.
I will say there wasn’t a ton of world building. Based upon things said throughout, this is definitely modern day USA and probably somewhere like New York. There are districts versus cities or towns and outside of the theatre and the club, there isn’t much detail of the surroundings, leaving lots up to the imagination of of the reader.
Where the book lacks in world building, it shines with plot building and character development.
Krissy, the female lead, has a false sense of strength that is actually just a shield she’s built from past trauma. I found her backstory heartbreaking, making her insecurities and fears understandable. With that said, there were a few moments when I just wanted to scream at her because she was so afraid of letting down her walls that she pushed people away- namely, the male lead, Erick.
Erick is a tortured soul dealing with his past traumas. He is the head of the Destler family (one of the “gangs” in this world) and driven by several motives to help Krissy, namely, his attraction to her. What I love most about this MMC is that he is sensitive and caring under his tough guy persona, and unafraid “to jump”. I love a good “he falls first”.
The story is fantastic! Although it contains similar themes and elements of the romance genre, I found the story itself both unique and captivating. I enjoyed the modern elements and how the author addresses the different forms of abuse and trauma, as well as healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms. And the ending was perfection!
There is some spice but not too much; however, what is there is descriptive. My normal spice rating scale is difficult to use on this one so I’m addressing it here. I’m giving it 3 peppers- the spicy scenes are not closed door or fade to black but the book is overall more plot than spice, so the spicy scenes are few.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend.
#arcreview #arcreader #bookstagram
January 3, 2025
When this book flashed by on my Instagram, I had no idea the whirlwind it would take me on. Riley Andrews's modern take on Phantom of the Opera was absolutely stunning. I'm so grateful to be a part of her Streat Team and be able to spread the beauty of this book.
From beginning to end, I was absolutely encapsulated in this book. Although the lore and history of Republic City left me desiring a little more, the life of a rustling city and lively night life was so richly described that it had me feeling like I was there right next to Krissy.
One of my favorite things about this book are the subtle calls and references to both the Phantom of the Opera musical and the book it was based on. The very first reference you are greeted with is the MMC's name: Erick Destler. Only in the original book do you know the Phantom's real name. Another call to the author's inspiration is Erick's club. At the beginning of Act 2, just after the song "Masquerade," after months of silence, he appears with an opera he wrote with the demand that Christine be the lead role. This opera is called Don Juan, and having Erick's club be the same name is such a subtle nod to the musical that I absolutely love.
As for the spice, I would rate it 3/5. The spice isn't very prevalent and doesn't rule the plot. However, the spice that is in this book is the best I have ever read. It is kinky in the best way and has me questioning things about myself by the end🥵. I would get on my knees to beg Riley Andrews for more spice. I couldn't stop reading from the very first page, but the spice had me hooked and down for the count.
I simply can not say enough how much I loved this book. It reignited my love for Phantom of the Opera and my obsession with the Phantom. I will never stop talking about this book and how amazing it is. "Our Strange Endeavors" by Riley Andrews has permanently left its mark on me and on the romance book genre.
From beginning to end, I was absolutely encapsulated in this book. Although the lore and history of Republic City left me desiring a little more, the life of a rustling city and lively night life was so richly described that it had me feeling like I was there right next to Krissy.
One of my favorite things about this book are the subtle calls and references to both the Phantom of the Opera musical and the book it was based on. The very first reference you are greeted with is the MMC's name: Erick Destler. Only in the original book do you know the Phantom's real name. Another call to the author's inspiration is Erick's club. At the beginning of Act 2, just after the song "Masquerade," after months of silence, he appears with an opera he wrote with the demand that Christine be the lead role. This opera is called Don Juan, and having Erick's club be the same name is such a subtle nod to the musical that I absolutely love.
As for the spice, I would rate it 3/5. The spice isn't very prevalent and doesn't rule the plot. However, the spice that is in this book is the best I have ever read. It is kinky in the best way and has me questioning things about myself by the end🥵. I would get on my knees to beg Riley Andrews for more spice. I couldn't stop reading from the very first page, but the spice had me hooked and down for the count.
I simply can not say enough how much I loved this book. It reignited my love for Phantom of the Opera and my obsession with the Phantom. I will never stop talking about this book and how amazing it is. "Our Strange Endeavors" by Riley Andrews has permanently left its mark on me and on the romance book genre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2025
This book is first and foremost for those who love morally gray love interests, especially the Phantom fangirls who thought the musical should’ve ended differently. As soon as I heard about it and found out it was inspired by Phantom of the Opera I was immediately onboard. The novel did not disappoint as it is a modern day retelling of the Phantom of the Opera with Chicago vibes and I loved reading it. At one point, I literally found myself singing the Cell Block Tango while cheering for our female protagonist, Krissy.
The story deals with a lot of difficult topics and as such please read the trigger warnings before delving into this story. But the story handles those topics well and beyond them the story is ultimately a story about healing and how just because something is broken doesn’t mean it isn’t worthy of saving. The story is moderately paced but the last 20% really keeps you on the edge of your seat. I really appreciated how complex and diverse the characters were and that we got both queer rep and disability rep. I loved that Krissy was very self-aware and was quick to correct some of her rash judgements of people.
Honestly, the only issues I had was that I wish some concepts/plot points had been delved into more and some of the characters had been fleshed out a bit more. I was left with several questions that while not important to the overall enjoyment and understanding of the novel would have helped solidify the story; perhaps some of those questions will be answered in future books in this series but since each book will feature different couples, I don’t think that will happen. Other than that, I truly did enjoy this story and I’m excited to read any future books that this author might release. And I really hope that in future books, if we are following different characters for the main cast, that we might get to see Antonio and Damon take on the role of the main love interest.
The story deals with a lot of difficult topics and as such please read the trigger warnings before delving into this story. But the story handles those topics well and beyond them the story is ultimately a story about healing and how just because something is broken doesn’t mean it isn’t worthy of saving. The story is moderately paced but the last 20% really keeps you on the edge of your seat. I really appreciated how complex and diverse the characters were and that we got both queer rep and disability rep. I loved that Krissy was very self-aware and was quick to correct some of her rash judgements of people.
Honestly, the only issues I had was that I wish some concepts/plot points had been delved into more and some of the characters had been fleshed out a bit more. I was left with several questions that while not important to the overall enjoyment and understanding of the novel would have helped solidify the story; perhaps some of those questions will be answered in future books in this series but since each book will feature different couples, I don’t think that will happen. Other than that, I truly did enjoy this story and I’m excited to read any future books that this author might release. And I really hope that in future books, if we are following different characters for the main cast, that we might get to see Antonio and Damon take on the role of the main love interest.
December 28, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶🌶🌶
While this book is labeled as a spicy, contemporary, or modern retelling of The Phantom of the Opera, it is for all intents and purposes, a mafia romance with hints to the aforementioned novel, sprinkled with the cabaret style dancing in Chicago the musical. That isn't altogether a bad thing. Obviously, with this being a modern-day retelling, there are going to be differences. And it is not as spicy as I thought it was going to be, which, again, can be a good thing for those who do not particularly enjoy all the extra spice.
I liked and enjoyed all 3 of the MCs.
I liked Patrick at first until we started getting a look at his true colors and seen how narcissistic and manipulative he really is.
Erick, at first, was what one would think a villain would be. But, you learn to love him by the end. I do love me a morally gray man in my romance novels.
Krissy, I don't really know what else to say. Other than that, she kind of confuses me. From the beginning to the end,.we never truly get to see who she really is as a person. Perhaps it's all the past traumas in her life and the fact she's built up so many walls that even she, herself, doesn't know who she truly is.
I do like how the author ended the story without the characters living happily ever after, but more like a happily for now working through their traumas by going to counseling and dealing with their issues albeit together as a support system.
What I did not enjoy was all the grammatical errors that made this novel, at times, hard to stay focused on while reading. I assumed a couple here and there due to being an ARC, but there are way too many in this book, and I'm hoping that by the time it is released in a couple of weeks, the errors will have been corrected.
With all that being said, I did enjoy this book, and I will read future works by Riley Andrews.
While this book is labeled as a spicy, contemporary, or modern retelling of The Phantom of the Opera, it is for all intents and purposes, a mafia romance with hints to the aforementioned novel, sprinkled with the cabaret style dancing in Chicago the musical. That isn't altogether a bad thing. Obviously, with this being a modern-day retelling, there are going to be differences. And it is not as spicy as I thought it was going to be, which, again, can be a good thing for those who do not particularly enjoy all the extra spice.
I liked and enjoyed all 3 of the MCs.
I liked Patrick at first until we started getting a look at his true colors and seen how narcissistic and manipulative he really is.
Erick, at first, was what one would think a villain would be. But, you learn to love him by the end. I do love me a morally gray man in my romance novels.
Krissy, I don't really know what else to say. Other than that, she kind of confuses me. From the beginning to the end,.we never truly get to see who she really is as a person. Perhaps it's all the past traumas in her life and the fact she's built up so many walls that even she, herself, doesn't know who she truly is.
I do like how the author ended the story without the characters living happily ever after, but more like a happily for now working through their traumas by going to counseling and dealing with their issues albeit together as a support system.
What I did not enjoy was all the grammatical errors that made this novel, at times, hard to stay focused on while reading. I assumed a couple here and there due to being an ARC, but there are way too many in this book, and I'm hoping that by the time it is released in a couple of weeks, the errors will have been corrected.
With all that being said, I did enjoy this book, and I will read future works by Riley Andrews.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2025
ARC Book Review
🎭 Our Strange Endeavors ✨
Book 1 of The Entertainment District Series
By: @rileyandrews_author
Overall: 3.75/5
Overall plot: 4/5
Character development: 3.5/5
Pace: 3.5/5
World building: 4/5
Spice 🌶️: 2/5
Thank you Riley for letting me read this book ahead of the release date!
Riley sets up the Entertainment district and its characters beautifully with parallels to The Phantom of the Opera quite nicely with the classical theater, beautiful stage girl, the phantom who hides her away and the destruction of establishments.
Krissy (FMC) is a headstrong, uninhibited and talented performer at the famed theatre, “The Lotte” where she wasn’t given the opportunity to shine until the lead had to take a break due to an accident that also involved the death of the owner of The Lotte.
Patrick is the new owner of the theatre and bought it right under Erick’s (MMC) nose and thus the “fight” for Krissy’s attention begins as they’re both enraptured by her debut performance. Patrick had an edge because he was Krissy’s ex-boyfriend’s friend and they hit it off whereas Erick’s introduction was a little more dubious - not his fault but circumstances and his initial unlikeable character made it hard for Krissy to trust him.
The twists and turns that we go through with Krissy and Erick’s POV help move the story along, although sometimes they are a little repetitive. If the characters were flushed out a little more and given slightly more depth and sprinkled throughout the book instead of the ladder portion of it, it would’ve made the book and story stronger.
Overall, I’d recommend this book if you like to read a book that had mafia x The Phantom of the Opera inspired themes to the story. 🎭
Tropes:
✨Strangers to lovers
🎭Forced proximity
✨ He falls first
🎭 Modern retelling
✨ A bargain that changes everything
🎭 Our Strange Endeavors ✨
Book 1 of The Entertainment District Series
By: @rileyandrews_author
Overall: 3.75/5
Overall plot: 4/5
Character development: 3.5/5
Pace: 3.5/5
World building: 4/5
Spice 🌶️: 2/5
Thank you Riley for letting me read this book ahead of the release date!
Riley sets up the Entertainment district and its characters beautifully with parallels to The Phantom of the Opera quite nicely with the classical theater, beautiful stage girl, the phantom who hides her away and the destruction of establishments.
Krissy (FMC) is a headstrong, uninhibited and talented performer at the famed theatre, “The Lotte” where she wasn’t given the opportunity to shine until the lead had to take a break due to an accident that also involved the death of the owner of The Lotte.
Patrick is the new owner of the theatre and bought it right under Erick’s (MMC) nose and thus the “fight” for Krissy’s attention begins as they’re both enraptured by her debut performance. Patrick had an edge because he was Krissy’s ex-boyfriend’s friend and they hit it off whereas Erick’s introduction was a little more dubious - not his fault but circumstances and his initial unlikeable character made it hard for Krissy to trust him.
The twists and turns that we go through with Krissy and Erick’s POV help move the story along, although sometimes they are a little repetitive. If the characters were flushed out a little more and given slightly more depth and sprinkled throughout the book instead of the ladder portion of it, it would’ve made the book and story stronger.
Overall, I’d recommend this book if you like to read a book that had mafia x The Phantom of the Opera inspired themes to the story. 🎭
Tropes:
✨Strangers to lovers
🎭Forced proximity
✨ He falls first
🎭 Modern retelling
✨ A bargain that changes everything
January 5, 2025
This is an ARC review.
First things first, I loved this book. I went into it with a very open mind so I could give an honest review. I personally think some of the advertising can be confusing/misleading once you begin the story. It is advertised as a Phantom Of The Opera modern and spicy retelling. Personally, I would not consider it an exact retelling. BUT, there are a lot of similarities with these stories as far as landscape(underground tunnels), names, certain tropes, a mmc with a scar across his face, etc. There are several references in the book that any POTO lover would catch onto, and I did enjoy that.
The author did not overdo it with world building, which left a lot to the readers imagination. It is a multiple POV story, based in a modern city with districts, and gangs. I would consider this story a Mafia romance.
One thing I would like to mention is that each main character struggles with past traumas, and I liked how she wrote how each one of them chose to handle and overcome them or use them to define themselves and their behavior. The last 20% of the book was very intense and fast paced, there was a lot of character development and growth.
If you like slow-burn and YEARNING, you will definitely not be disappointed with this book.
I thought the ending was beautiful and covered all the areas you needed answers in without overdoing it or dragging it out.
The author was very kind and accepting to receiving constructive criticism, and feedback with grammatical errors, misspellings, etc, for the final days of editing.
All in all I thought it was a beautiful story, I have already preordered the book and am excited to have a physical copy to add to my “Phantom Lover” bookshelf.
First things first, I loved this book. I went into it with a very open mind so I could give an honest review. I personally think some of the advertising can be confusing/misleading once you begin the story. It is advertised as a Phantom Of The Opera modern and spicy retelling. Personally, I would not consider it an exact retelling. BUT, there are a lot of similarities with these stories as far as landscape(underground tunnels), names, certain tropes, a mmc with a scar across his face, etc. There are several references in the book that any POTO lover would catch onto, and I did enjoy that.
The author did not overdo it with world building, which left a lot to the readers imagination. It is a multiple POV story, based in a modern city with districts, and gangs. I would consider this story a Mafia romance.
One thing I would like to mention is that each main character struggles with past traumas, and I liked how she wrote how each one of them chose to handle and overcome them or use them to define themselves and their behavior. The last 20% of the book was very intense and fast paced, there was a lot of character development and growth.
If you like slow-burn and YEARNING, you will definitely not be disappointed with this book.
I thought the ending was beautiful and covered all the areas you needed answers in without overdoing it or dragging it out.
The author was very kind and accepting to receiving constructive criticism, and feedback with grammatical errors, misspellings, etc, for the final days of editing.
All in all I thought it was a beautiful story, I have already preordered the book and am excited to have a physical copy to add to my “Phantom Lover” bookshelf.
December 26, 2024
“I told you this once and I’ll tell you again—it doesn’t matter how long it takes, find me when you’re ready. Find me when all of this is over and you have the clarity you’re searching for outside of these walls. Find me when you realize all that we share isn’t a product of our circumstances but the reason that we were brought together. You have my heart Krissy Elizabeth Davis, and it doesn’t matter if it takes months, even years, it will always be yours.”
ugh i LOVED THIS BOOK oh my god?! i told myself i was going to pause it on christmas so i could read a christmas book, but all i kept thinking about was this DAMM BOOK. i woke up two days in a row thinking about it, the emotion, the love, the growth between the two characters and the growth within themselves. i loved that we got patricks POV too, i loved that i felt like i was in krissy’s shoes, falling for him and then when he said what he said i was SHOCKED, like he was my bf or something 😂
erick🥹 baby boy erick. such an absolute sweetheart, i have so much love for this emotional, damaged man. him and krissy were wonderful, and i loved every part of watching them both grow. i really related to krissy and her fear of commitment, and watching her learn to trust herself was everything
this is my first ARC ever and i’m so glad i got an chance to read this beautiful story early, my younger teenager heart is screaming that i got to experience Phantom of the Opera in such a new way
ugh i LOVED THIS BOOK oh my god?! i told myself i was going to pause it on christmas so i could read a christmas book, but all i kept thinking about was this DAMM BOOK. i woke up two days in a row thinking about it, the emotion, the love, the growth between the two characters and the growth within themselves. i loved that we got patricks POV too, i loved that i felt like i was in krissy’s shoes, falling for him and then when he said what he said i was SHOCKED, like he was my bf or something 😂
erick🥹 baby boy erick. such an absolute sweetheart, i have so much love for this emotional, damaged man. him and krissy were wonderful, and i loved every part of watching them both grow. i really related to krissy and her fear of commitment, and watching her learn to trust herself was everything
this is my first ARC ever and i’m so glad i got an chance to read this beautiful story early, my younger teenager heart is screaming that i got to experience Phantom of the Opera in such a new way
February 20, 2025
2.5 stars, rounded up
Our Strange Endeavors is a Phantom of the Opera retelling, and I am nothing if not a lifelong POTO fan. (It altered my formative brain chemistry as a kid.) So I am always looking for something that is pro-Erik and epitomizes the overall spirit of the work. Our Strange Endeavors tries, and I’ll admit at the front that I had fun reading it, but overall, it’s definitely more of an ode than a retelling, despite names and blatant quotations otherwise.
Where this novel really misses the mark is in how it ignores the music. Krissy is a dancer (who apparently sings as well but the singing is only mentioned in passing), and Erick is not anything musical whatsoever. That musical connection is my favorite part of the original. Instead, Erick is a gangster nightclub owner (of the Don Juan, an excellent name choice.) The whole story is modernized and takes place in an American art deco theater (called The Lotte), and Krissy (whose name bothered me) is a dancer there. Rather than having a Raoul, Andrew’s renames him Patrick, after his movie actor.
The novel abounds with grammatical errors, typos, and awkward philosophical rants to deflect from the plot points. Erick is mentioned to be biracial at the beginning of the novel, and it felt like tokenism. And despite all of the above and the fact that it does, overall, miss the mark, I still had fun with it.
Are there any good POTO retelling out there with an actual emphasis on the musical connection?
Our Strange Endeavors is a Phantom of the Opera retelling, and I am nothing if not a lifelong POTO fan. (It altered my formative brain chemistry as a kid.) So I am always looking for something that is pro-Erik and epitomizes the overall spirit of the work. Our Strange Endeavors tries, and I’ll admit at the front that I had fun reading it, but overall, it’s definitely more of an ode than a retelling, despite names and blatant quotations otherwise.
Where this novel really misses the mark is in how it ignores the music. Krissy is a dancer (who apparently sings as well but the singing is only mentioned in passing), and Erick is not anything musical whatsoever. That musical connection is my favorite part of the original. Instead, Erick is a gangster nightclub owner (of the Don Juan, an excellent name choice.) The whole story is modernized and takes place in an American art deco theater (called The Lotte), and Krissy (whose name bothered me) is a dancer there. Rather than having a Raoul, Andrew’s renames him Patrick, after his movie actor.
The novel abounds with grammatical errors, typos, and awkward philosophical rants to deflect from the plot points. Erick is mentioned to be biracial at the beginning of the novel, and it felt like tokenism. And despite all of the above and the fact that it does, overall, miss the mark, I still had fun with it.
Are there any good POTO retelling out there with an actual emphasis on the musical connection?
January 6, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
3 🌶
I'm going to start this review with a caveat of my own: i have not watched or read or done anything remotely with being aware of Phantom of the Opera since like high school, which was 20 years ago... i mean five years ago! With that in mind, keep on reading.
I truly, truly enjoyed this book. Ive been on a fantasy, romantasy, witch book kick for a while now, so this was a nice change. I enjoyed the modern day setting. I enjoyed the mafia style twist. I LOVED the fact that the city has cabaret style theaters.
You get the POV of three main characters in this book! I honestly could not wait for each POV when something big happened. It was so much fun and kept me on my toes.
The spice of the book was goooddddd but did not overwhelm the plot. Honestly, I want more. I want all the k1nk and schm3x with redacted and redacted.
The friend group was so lovely to see, but I wanted more at the end with the friends. You'll see when you read it.
💀Erick is the mafia dark lord we all need in our lives and he can throw me over his shoulder anytime.
🌟Patrick is... something else.
💃🏻 krissy... i have so many questions about her and need more information. I feel like we only scratched the surface and I want to know everything.
I don't want to give away anything or put any spoilers here, but just go read the book and then come find me on booksta so we can discuss.
3 🌶
I'm going to start this review with a caveat of my own: i have not watched or read or done anything remotely with being aware of Phantom of the Opera since like high school, which was 20 years ago... i mean five years ago! With that in mind, keep on reading.
I truly, truly enjoyed this book. Ive been on a fantasy, romantasy, witch book kick for a while now, so this was a nice change. I enjoyed the modern day setting. I enjoyed the mafia style twist. I LOVED the fact that the city has cabaret style theaters.
You get the POV of three main characters in this book! I honestly could not wait for each POV when something big happened. It was so much fun and kept me on my toes.
The spice of the book was goooddddd but did not overwhelm the plot. Honestly, I want more. I want all the k1nk and schm3x with redacted and redacted.
The friend group was so lovely to see, but I wanted more at the end with the friends. You'll see when you read it.
💀Erick is the mafia dark lord we all need in our lives and he can throw me over his shoulder anytime.
🌟Patrick is... something else.
💃🏻 krissy... i have so many questions about her and need more information. I feel like we only scratched the surface and I want to know everything.
I don't want to give away anything or put any spoilers here, but just go read the book and then come find me on booksta so we can discuss.
January 6, 2025
I received an ARC of this book, which I am always very grateful for. However, I did regrettably have to DNF this pretty early on.
I had trouble from the start due to how many grammatical and spelling errors were still present. I feel like the book would benefit from a hard review (things like tense problems are pretty big in my book and can be really detrimental to a reader's immersion because you are left wondering what is going on).
The writing itself was okay, I think there were some great ideas and the exposition of inner thoughts was quite good but it needed a bit of tough love to get things organized and polished. Some ideas were hammered down a bit too harshly and reiterated throughout to the point I was like, yes, I get, please do go on! I do hope that some of these issues will be sorted out by the time the book is fully released.
The bigger issue I found is that I am also not sure how this story is thought to be a Phantom of the Opera retelling. I don’t really see how the “Phantom” character, Erick, fits into this narrative as far as I managed to read he was a mobster and quite an unlikeable character as well. Maybe someone in mafia romance would appreciate it more?
I had trouble from the start due to how many grammatical and spelling errors were still present. I feel like the book would benefit from a hard review (things like tense problems are pretty big in my book and can be really detrimental to a reader's immersion because you are left wondering what is going on).
The writing itself was okay, I think there were some great ideas and the exposition of inner thoughts was quite good but it needed a bit of tough love to get things organized and polished. Some ideas were hammered down a bit too harshly and reiterated throughout to the point I was like, yes, I get, please do go on! I do hope that some of these issues will be sorted out by the time the book is fully released.
The bigger issue I found is that I am also not sure how this story is thought to be a Phantom of the Opera retelling. I don’t really see how the “Phantom” character, Erick, fits into this narrative as far as I managed to read he was a mobster and quite an unlikeable character as well. Maybe someone in mafia romance would appreciate it more?
January 10, 2025
Definitely an interesting read. Does have some mafia elements to it but not as dark as most mafia romance novels I’ve read before so this would be a good starter for anyone that wants to slowly get into the genre. I liked the plot and the story that was trying to be conveyed, that everyone is a little broken and everyone should be loved in spite of that. That we may all come from some sort of broken family/circumstance but it only matters how and what you do with that trauma, you can hold on to it and bring others down with you or you can learn and help others avoid your same fate. However, I must say there a few red flags or toxic traits with all characters involved; Kristy seemed very childish, dramatic and too much of a partyer because no one questioned when the lie was told about her being involved in drug dealing. Erick was very arrogant and didn’t treat people all that great. And Patrick, there’s just too many to name but I guess that’s the point of the story, everyone has their flaws and needs to grow out of them. I also found there was just a lot of unnecessary parts to some chapters that lost me a little bit but I still highly enjoyed this book because it gave me something different.
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