5 ⭐️
Right from the start, the writing pulled me in. The descriptions are so detailed and graphic in a way that made everything feel real. I could completely visualize the world and live inside it, which is exactly what I want from a book like this. Like a little movie inside my head!
It becomes obvious pretty quickly that the story is making a political statement, and I appreciated that a lot. The society in this book is very dystopian and honestly hits way too close to things women in our current world may soon experience. It reminded me of The Handmaid’s Tale in the sense that women are treated as property, controlled, restricted, and stripped of choices. As a woman living in the U.S. right now, it hit hard, and I respect the author for going there. Genuinely.
Lee, the FMC, is easy to root for. I found myself constantly hoping she would get more than the life she’s been forced into. The author does a great job making her feel human and real instead of just another tough dystopian heroine. Although she is still kickass.
I also really liked that the story focuses on more than just romance. There are relationships and connections, but the main plot is about survival, resistance, and fighting back. That made it feel deeper and more meaningful than just another love story set in a broken world. BUT I absolutely did love the MMC, I had to quote him in my notes “And at no point—at no point—does any of that have to be romantic. Just to be with you… I guess what I really want… I want you to have choices, whether I’m involved in them or not. That … that’s my new endgame.” 😍🤏🏽
The pacing was great for most of the book. Toward the end it did get a little fast for my taste, and I wish some things had been stretched out more instead of wrapped up so quickly. In a world this heavy and complex, I think a slower build would make everything feel more realistic. But even with that, I was completely invested the whole time.
The side characters were amazing too. I got attached to them in a way I wasn’t expecting, which made the story even more emotional. I’m trying not to spoil characters so I’ll just say the motorcyclists are my favorite!!
Based on how it ended, I really feel like there has to be another book coming, and I genuinely hope there is. I would read it immediately. This was intense, emotional, and a little too close to real life in the best way.
Definitely recommend if you like dark dystopian stories with strong themes and characters you can’t help but care about!
I received this ARC book in exchange for a review, voluntarily and of my own thoughts.