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Maldeamores #1
Maldeamores
Belén: I’ve loved Luciano ever since I can remember, desired him before I even knew what it meant. He’s always been the only man in my life—my constant protector, and his rejection only intensifies my need.
Luciano: I’ve never known a love more fierce than the one I feel for Belén. But I force myself to deny her no matter how much it hurts.
Our love is a sickness and both of us are infected.
Because there’s no cure for being from the same family.
Luciano: I’ve never known a love more fierce than the one I feel for Belén. But I force myself to deny her no matter how much it hurts.
Our love is a sickness and both of us are infected.
Because there’s no cure for being from the same family.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 25, 2015
56 people are currently reading
1453 people want to read
About the author
Mara White
24 books583 followersMara White is a contemporary romance and erotica writer who laces forbidden love stories with hard issues, such as race, gender and inequality. She holds an Ivy League degree but has also worked in more strip clubs than even she can remember. She is not a former Mexican telenovela star contrary to what the tabloids might say, but she is a former ballerina and will always remain one in her heart. She lives in NYC with her husband and two children and yes, when she’s not writing you can find her on the playground.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 321 reviews
July 10, 2015
1 star. DNF @42%. I skimmed the final 10%. Review posted June 7, 2015
She's never had sex before but of course she has three orgasms at once from three separate orifices. Right.
In my book, the Oh, and in case you were wondering from which body parts the orgasms originated…we're talking about Et voilà! A magical triple orgasm for a sex newbie. Wow. I'm mighty impressed. *insert double eye roll*
Tig…what the hell are you doing? You
Jax, hold your horses, please.
Let's clear up a misunderstanding. The warning in the blurb is totally misleading because sex between two cousins is not incestuous. Fact is, cousin marriage is legal in Switzerland.
ETA: I don't know if that little information revealed at should have added a touch of wickedness or boldness to an otherwise lame plot and trivial characters.
It didn't shock me. As I see it, Maldeamores is not a dark read; it's not edgy either. It's so sweet it made my teeth hurt.
********************************************
It feels like magic. Lucky has always been made out of magic for me. But right now he's enchanted and so is this night.
A great beast inside of me is slowly lumbering out of sleep. It yawns and stretches, taking hold of my whole body. The beast lunges forward, hungry for more of what Lucky can give. I don't quite know what it is, but the beast knows exactly what it wants. My hands are on his chest, in his hair, searching his whole body for an answer. Is this where the world ends? Because what could possibly happen after this?
*Baba makes incoherent noise*
I feel the rush of excitement go from my heart to my head. It moves so fast that I might pass out--either that or keel over from a heart attack. Act normal. Don't pee yourself. He felt bad because you were going alone. Calm down, it doesn't mean anything. It's just a movie… yadda yadda yadda
She always feels some kind of rush of excitement or heat or whatever coursing through her body. It's such a heady experience, isn't it? *pets*
I know he saw my privates and a roaring heat surges through my body with the thought. Lucky licks his lips. He bites the lower one. Our eyes connect. He just saw every single part of me and I know he could feel that my panties were sopping wet.
I won't even bother commenting on all the wetness that coated a part of the plot.
He leans a bit and spills some of the popcorn. I laugh at him and my smile is so big because I'm overflowing with happiness at the thought of sitting next to him, just getting to spend time with him.
Are we in fourth grade or what? *eye roll*
(…)
Why do I have to be the awkward girl who's in love with her cousin? I pick up the tub of popcorn but I don't eat it. I just want to hold it because Lucky was. I want to recapture some of that energy.
The bucket collects my tears as I cry alone in the dark. I'm not even watching the movie, because seeing people in love hurts too much. (…)
I suggest you lick the tub, just to recapture more of that energy. Of course I'm kidding. BTW, did you notice that she was crying?
Crybaby goes to the bathroom:
A woman screams and a monster growls and then the action sequence music starts blaring up, disorienting me more. I can feel that I'm still swollen and wet between my legs. I feel volatile and don't really trust myself not to cry again.
Spare me, please. She.Cries.All.The.Time.
More crying examples for your perusal:
"I love you, too," I say as a few stray tears drip down my face. Tears of glass slipping over hot skin. He quickly kisses my cheek. Lucky and I are always dancing right on the edge of the breaking point.
I'm crying off my make-up and pulling away from him.
I sob into my pillow for what feels like hours. My mama finally opens the door and lets in a crack of light. She tiptoes to my bed and pulls my head into her lap.
Mamma mia! *sigh*
Tears slip down her face and onto the sheet. Belén has never looked so beautiful to me as she does at this moment. She is raw. Pure emotion. Savagely in love with me and willing to sacrifice whatever it takes.
"You'll be the end of me, I swear. My dick just got hard from having your hair brush across my face."
So much for normal. So much for a good night. There are tears in my eyes when Lucky finally pulls away and jogs down the stairs to the party.
Yep, the end of my suffering is nigh, for sure.
So. Belén and Luciano are Still, I don't think it's real incest. More often than not, incest is a moral issue, a mind thing and not a legal cause or an actual issue. It's in the nature of things that some folks are more open about it than others. I thought the storyline and characters came off as uninteresting and overly boring. There wasn't anything dark about this childlike love. The heroine was a total crybaby. All the crying, sobbing and bawling made me roll my eyes. Luciano (aka Lucky) did have a somewhat choleric temper and both MCs were suffering from bouts of jealousy.
The first real sexy bits happened around the mark. Considering the warning, I expected something edgy, something thrilling. Unfortunately, Maldeamores was coma-inducing sweet and couldn't hold my interest. And, given the fact that the first sex scene didn't captivate me, I didn't feel motivated to keep on reading until I'd've had the chance to check out the prospective F/F dance between the sheets, let alone the ménage (M/M/F). I skimmed the ending (the last 10%) and couldn't have cared less.
"Belén, I love you back. Sometimes I love you so bad I get sick from it. But we
The logic *sarcasm* of that guy boggles the mind.
A few weeks ago I've had to deal with a detachable cock, a detachable chest and now I've had the "immense pleasure" of seeing detachable breasts because here's the deal. The heroine is lying on the bed while at the same time holding the rungs on the headboard.
He pushes my tank top above my breasts and slides it up my arms until it sits at my wrists. I can see my chest heaving, my breasts hanging full and heavy as my nipples respond to the cool air.
Hanging tits in that position? Nope. You need to detach them first.
Belén pushes down the sheet and shows me her naked body. She bends her knees and spreads her legs, giving me a view of her perfect, pink, wet gash. She looks fucked up, like she's high on some drug. But this is what we do to one another. We're both each other's poison, but we're also each other's only antidote. Belén is out-of-her-mind fucked up on love.
I toss the sheet over her beauty. (…)
A gash? Let's call it a pussy.
What I liked best was Pablo Neruda's quote...
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved
In secret, between the shadow and the soul.
I've had my fill of bad reads this year. So I guess one more isn't a big deal.
Movin' on to better and bigger things. Hopefully.
**ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
She's never had sex before but of course she has three orgasms at once from three separate orifices. Right.
In my book, the Oh, and in case you were wondering from which body parts the orgasms originated…we're talking about Et voilà! A magical triple orgasm for a sex newbie. Wow. I'm mighty impressed. *insert double eye roll*
Tig…what the hell are you doing? You
Jax, hold your horses, please.
Let's clear up a misunderstanding. The warning in the blurb is totally misleading because sex between two cousins is not incestuous. Fact is, cousin marriage is legal in Switzerland.
ETA: I don't know if that little information revealed at should have added a touch of wickedness or boldness to an otherwise lame plot and trivial characters.
It didn't shock me. As I see it, Maldeamores is not a dark read; it's not edgy either. It's so sweet it made my teeth hurt.
********************************************
It feels like magic. Lucky has always been made out of magic for me. But right now he's enchanted and so is this night.
A great beast inside of me is slowly lumbering out of sleep. It yawns and stretches, taking hold of my whole body. The beast lunges forward, hungry for more of what Lucky can give. I don't quite know what it is, but the beast knows exactly what it wants. My hands are on his chest, in his hair, searching his whole body for an answer. Is this where the world ends? Because what could possibly happen after this?
*Baba makes incoherent noise*
I feel the rush of excitement go from my heart to my head. It moves so fast that I might pass out--either that or keel over from a heart attack. Act normal. Don't pee yourself. He felt bad because you were going alone. Calm down, it doesn't mean anything. It's just a movie… yadda yadda yadda
She always feels some kind of rush of excitement or heat or whatever coursing through her body. It's such a heady experience, isn't it? *pets*
I know he saw my privates and a roaring heat surges through my body with the thought. Lucky licks his lips. He bites the lower one. Our eyes connect. He just saw every single part of me and I know he could feel that my panties were sopping wet.
I won't even bother commenting on all the wetness that coated a part of the plot.
He leans a bit and spills some of the popcorn. I laugh at him and my smile is so big because I'm overflowing with happiness at the thought of sitting next to him, just getting to spend time with him.
Are we in fourth grade or what? *eye roll*
(…)
Why do I have to be the awkward girl who's in love with her cousin? I pick up the tub of popcorn but I don't eat it. I just want to hold it because Lucky was. I want to recapture some of that energy.
The bucket collects my tears as I cry alone in the dark. I'm not even watching the movie, because seeing people in love hurts too much. (…)
I suggest you lick the tub, just to recapture more of that energy. Of course I'm kidding. BTW, did you notice that she was crying?
Crybaby goes to the bathroom:
A woman screams and a monster growls and then the action sequence music starts blaring up, disorienting me more. I can feel that I'm still swollen and wet between my legs. I feel volatile and don't really trust myself not to cry again.
Spare me, please. She.Cries.All.The.Time.
More crying examples for your perusal:
"I love you, too," I say as a few stray tears drip down my face. Tears of glass slipping over hot skin. He quickly kisses my cheek. Lucky and I are always dancing right on the edge of the breaking point.
I'm crying off my make-up and pulling away from him.
I sob into my pillow for what feels like hours. My mama finally opens the door and lets in a crack of light. She tiptoes to my bed and pulls my head into her lap.
Mamma mia! *sigh*
Tears slip down her face and onto the sheet. Belén has never looked so beautiful to me as she does at this moment. She is raw. Pure emotion. Savagely in love with me and willing to sacrifice whatever it takes.
"You'll be the end of me, I swear. My dick just got hard from having your hair brush across my face."
So much for normal. So much for a good night. There are tears in my eyes when Lucky finally pulls away and jogs down the stairs to the party.
Yep, the end of my suffering is nigh, for sure.
So. Belén and Luciano are Still, I don't think it's real incest. More often than not, incest is a moral issue, a mind thing and not a legal cause or an actual issue. It's in the nature of things that some folks are more open about it than others. I thought the storyline and characters came off as uninteresting and overly boring. There wasn't anything dark about this childlike love. The heroine was a total crybaby. All the crying, sobbing and bawling made me roll my eyes. Luciano (aka Lucky) did have a somewhat choleric temper and both MCs were suffering from bouts of jealousy.
The first real sexy bits happened around the mark. Considering the warning, I expected something edgy, something thrilling. Unfortunately, Maldeamores was coma-inducing sweet and couldn't hold my interest. And, given the fact that the first sex scene didn't captivate me, I didn't feel motivated to keep on reading until I'd've had the chance to check out the prospective F/F dance between the sheets, let alone the ménage (M/M/F). I skimmed the ending (the last 10%) and couldn't have cared less.
"Belén, I love you back. Sometimes I love you so bad I get sick from it. But we
The logic *sarcasm* of that guy boggles the mind.
A few weeks ago I've had to deal with a detachable cock, a detachable chest and now I've had the "immense pleasure" of seeing detachable breasts because here's the deal. The heroine is lying on the bed while at the same time holding the rungs on the headboard.
He pushes my tank top above my breasts and slides it up my arms until it sits at my wrists. I can see my chest heaving, my breasts hanging full and heavy as my nipples respond to the cool air.
Hanging tits in that position? Nope. You need to detach them first.
Belén pushes down the sheet and shows me her naked body. She bends her knees and spreads her legs, giving me a view of her perfect, pink, wet gash. She looks fucked up, like she's high on some drug. But this is what we do to one another. We're both each other's poison, but we're also each other's only antidote. Belén is out-of-her-mind fucked up on love.
I toss the sheet over her beauty. (…)
A gash? Let's call it a pussy.
What I liked best was Pablo Neruda's quote...
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved
In secret, between the shadow and the soul.
I've had my fill of bad reads this year. So I guess one more isn't a big deal.
Movin' on to better and bigger things. Hopefully.
**ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
June 22, 2015
It's LIVE on Amazon and it's ONLY 0.99! This book is awesome ➔ http://amzn.to/1H8LM8h
"We're both each others poison, but we're also each other's only antidote."
WOW. WOW. WOW. WOW.
I have so many things to say.
SO. MANY. FREAKING. THINGS.
First off, I was not planning on writing a review for this book. I told the blogger I received the ARC from that I've gotten away from writing reviews of late. I don't know... I feel as though people don't read them and yet I find myself needing to get my thoughts down about this novel. I feel myself needing to release the conflicted feelings that are eating at my soul. My heart is bleeding right now. It's aching. And in the midst of my pain there are so many emotions I can't get a handle on.
I feel as if this book has changed me as a reader. As if it's taken a part of me and altered it. So I write this review for Belén and Lucky. I write it because I have fallen so deeply in love with these gentle souls. I have taken their pain as my own. I have soaked in their desperation, their undying need for one another, and I can't seem to let them go.
This book owned me.
It's stolen me.
It's made me it's own.
It's so very good, I feel possessed by it.
Ahhhh! Anyway... here is my overall review...
The truth is, I accepted the ARC without reading the blurb. I was told that a friend of mine (who I trust wholeheartedly) had read the novel early and loved it. That was enough for me. I went ahead and started reading and when I was 5% in, I thought, "Hmmm... This is odd. Why are we reading about cousins?" <<---- Bahahahahahaha! Again, I hadn't read the blurb. I had no freaking idea.
Anyway, I ended up talking to said friend one day and Maldeamores happen to come up in conversation. I mentioned that I had received an ARC and she was like, "OH MY GOD. THAT BOOK! That book is amazing. It's powerful and dark, forbidden, yet so well written and developed." Of course, I was glad to hear that but the more I thought about the "forbidden" part of her comment, the more it had me pausing. AND then out of nowhere it punched me like a fist to the jaw!
OH MY GOD!!!
This is a book about cousin's who fall in LOVE.
My initial response to learning that was.. NO. NO. NO, I can't go there. Incest is a hard limit. It's not something I want to read about. I was ready to message the blogger and back out.
But then something happened...
I took a day or two and sat on it. Over that time, I grew curious. A little blossom began to spread it's petals inside me and I decided to read. I decided to stop being closed minded and TAKE THE RISK.
HOLY F***ING SH*T.
I'll tell you right now, this book has CHANGED ME. It's awakened me. And it makes me sad to think that I would have turned Maldeamores away because the subject matter made me a little uncomfortable and in doing that I would have MISSED OUT on a story that was going to rock my world and shatter it open into a million shards of red glass!
Ahhhh.
So as I sit here and write my review, I'm desperate to find words to describe what this author's done to me. I want to find a way to urge you to take the very same chance. I think as readers we have to stretch our boundaries and try new things, even if those things are out of our comfort zone. When we do that we grow as human beings, our brains, our emotions expand, and we are able to delve deeper into our preconceived notions of right and wrong.
I'll say, I'm a ball of conflict right now. I swear if you were around me you could probably feel the waves of raw emotion I'm emitting. There's so much depth in this story. And I have to say, this author is brave. Maldeamores is not something everyone is going to pick up and most readers who are like me will read that blurb and think, "Ahh, maybe not." AND THAT KILLS ME.
I implore you to take the chance. Just take the chance. You might surprise yourself. I know, I fell deeply in love with everything that makes up this novel.
OMG. **wipes cheeks**
This story is dark and raw, it's gritty and rough. It's filled with pain and angst, and a soul deep yearning you feel in your bones. I'm not sure what I was expecting once I realized the content covered "incest" but it wasn't like anything I read.
This was deep, the kind of deep that literally penetrates you, spears you open, and makes you question yourself.
I'm sitting here and still, I ask myself, "What the hell?"
"How could I go for this?"
"How could I be so accepting?"
And yet, I want to scream, "Who cares?! You can't change who you love."
And you can't.
Love is a choice but it's also not. Love is something that takes ahold of you and sometimes you can't control who you feel most connected to. I think as human beings, we need to be more accepting. We need to be more open.
That said, I know it's wrong, but my heart doesn’t want to accept that.
These characters... they felt REAL. TANGIBLE. PALPABLE. I couldn't help but love them fiercely and root for them relentlessly. It was impossible not too.
As you begin to read, you fall in love as they fall in love. It's tentative at first, your heart expands and twists slowly as you follow them from childhood into adulthood. It's a journey and the connection between Luciano (Lucky) and Belén is kinetically powerful. It's as pure as it is wrong and I think that's what makes this book so fantastic--you truly want what they can't have.
It's an honest to goodness forbidden romance.
True to it's core.
And by God, did I wanted them together. From pretty early on in the book I was SOLD. It's something I can't wrap my head around. This topic was my HARD LIMIT. And yet as I was reading I felt the urge to go to war for these characters. The fact that their love was deemed wrong by society standards didn't seem to matter. It began to feel insignificant and that is a testament to this authors writing, that she could take something that would typically make me shudder in disgust and turn it into something that had me yearning is just WHOA.
It's unreal.
It's magic.
I don't know what else to say...
GAH! I don’t want to get into the plot of this book. This review is more of a way for me to express the way I was moved. I can honestly say, I was stunned by how addicted I became and also how much I learned from the story itself.
I learned that love is inexplicable. It's an emotion that cannot be tamed. And even if you desperately don't want to feel it, it happens. I learned that those feelings, as wrong as they might be, can still be pure and clean, even though they go against every moral fiber inside you. It's so f**cking powerful.
I have no words. This story is something you need to read. It’s something you have to journey through to grasp.
Mara White has blown my mind. She's taken me to a place I typically would not ever want to go, and more insane than that, she's made me want to go back there.
I’m not done with these characters, even though the story is done.
I want more and I think this is a book that I’ll always look back on and remember. It’s a book I will carry with me.
"When the pen falls into our hands, we can't erase the past. All we're allowed is the chance to create a new ending."
These characters are beautiful.
This story is emotionally combustible.
And this novel is sure to have you thinking and feeling.
It’s more than a five star read.
It’s unratable.
And this is an author I will most definitely read again and again!! BRILLIANT.
GAH ---->>> "She is raw. Pure emotion. Savagely in love with me and willing to sacrifice whatever it takes."
"We're both each others poison, but we're also each other's only antidote."
WOW. WOW. WOW. WOW.
I have so many things to say.
SO. MANY. FREAKING. THINGS.
First off, I was not planning on writing a review for this book. I told the blogger I received the ARC from that I've gotten away from writing reviews of late. I don't know... I feel as though people don't read them and yet I find myself needing to get my thoughts down about this novel. I feel myself needing to release the conflicted feelings that are eating at my soul. My heart is bleeding right now. It's aching. And in the midst of my pain there are so many emotions I can't get a handle on.
I feel as if this book has changed me as a reader. As if it's taken a part of me and altered it. So I write this review for Belén and Lucky. I write it because I have fallen so deeply in love with these gentle souls. I have taken their pain as my own. I have soaked in their desperation, their undying need for one another, and I can't seem to let them go.
This book owned me.
It's stolen me.
It's made me it's own.
It's so very good, I feel possessed by it.
Ahhhh! Anyway... here is my overall review...
The truth is, I accepted the ARC without reading the blurb. I was told that a friend of mine (who I trust wholeheartedly) had read the novel early and loved it. That was enough for me. I went ahead and started reading and when I was 5% in, I thought, "Hmmm... This is odd. Why are we reading about cousins?" <<---- Bahahahahahaha! Again, I hadn't read the blurb. I had no freaking idea.
Anyway, I ended up talking to said friend one day and Maldeamores happen to come up in conversation. I mentioned that I had received an ARC and she was like, "OH MY GOD. THAT BOOK! That book is amazing. It's powerful and dark, forbidden, yet so well written and developed." Of course, I was glad to hear that but the more I thought about the "forbidden" part of her comment, the more it had me pausing. AND then out of nowhere it punched me like a fist to the jaw!
OH MY GOD!!!
This is a book about cousin's who fall in LOVE.
My initial response to learning that was.. NO. NO. NO, I can't go there. Incest is a hard limit. It's not something I want to read about. I was ready to message the blogger and back out.
But then something happened...
I took a day or two and sat on it. Over that time, I grew curious. A little blossom began to spread it's petals inside me and I decided to read. I decided to stop being closed minded and TAKE THE RISK.
HOLY F***ING SH*T.
I'll tell you right now, this book has CHANGED ME. It's awakened me. And it makes me sad to think that I would have turned Maldeamores away because the subject matter made me a little uncomfortable and in doing that I would have MISSED OUT on a story that was going to rock my world and shatter it open into a million shards of red glass!
Ahhhh.
So as I sit here and write my review, I'm desperate to find words to describe what this author's done to me. I want to find a way to urge you to take the very same chance. I think as readers we have to stretch our boundaries and try new things, even if those things are out of our comfort zone. When we do that we grow as human beings, our brains, our emotions expand, and we are able to delve deeper into our preconceived notions of right and wrong.
I'll say, I'm a ball of conflict right now. I swear if you were around me you could probably feel the waves of raw emotion I'm emitting. There's so much depth in this story. And I have to say, this author is brave. Maldeamores is not something everyone is going to pick up and most readers who are like me will read that blurb and think, "Ahh, maybe not." AND THAT KILLS ME.
I implore you to take the chance. Just take the chance. You might surprise yourself. I know, I fell deeply in love with everything that makes up this novel.
OMG. **wipes cheeks**
This story is dark and raw, it's gritty and rough. It's filled with pain and angst, and a soul deep yearning you feel in your bones. I'm not sure what I was expecting once I realized the content covered "incest" but it wasn't like anything I read.
This was deep, the kind of deep that literally penetrates you, spears you open, and makes you question yourself.
I'm sitting here and still, I ask myself, "What the hell?"
"How could I go for this?"
"How could I be so accepting?"
And yet, I want to scream, "Who cares?! You can't change who you love."
And you can't.
Love is a choice but it's also not. Love is something that takes ahold of you and sometimes you can't control who you feel most connected to. I think as human beings, we need to be more accepting. We need to be more open.
That said, I know it's wrong, but my heart doesn’t want to accept that.
These characters... they felt REAL. TANGIBLE. PALPABLE. I couldn't help but love them fiercely and root for them relentlessly. It was impossible not too.
As you begin to read, you fall in love as they fall in love. It's tentative at first, your heart expands and twists slowly as you follow them from childhood into adulthood. It's a journey and the connection between Luciano (Lucky) and Belén is kinetically powerful. It's as pure as it is wrong and I think that's what makes this book so fantastic--you truly want what they can't have.
It's an honest to goodness forbidden romance.
True to it's core.
And by God, did I wanted them together. From pretty early on in the book I was SOLD. It's something I can't wrap my head around. This topic was my HARD LIMIT. And yet as I was reading I felt the urge to go to war for these characters. The fact that their love was deemed wrong by society standards didn't seem to matter. It began to feel insignificant and that is a testament to this authors writing, that she could take something that would typically make me shudder in disgust and turn it into something that had me yearning is just WHOA.
It's unreal.
It's magic.
I don't know what else to say...
GAH! I don’t want to get into the plot of this book. This review is more of a way for me to express the way I was moved. I can honestly say, I was stunned by how addicted I became and also how much I learned from the story itself.
I learned that love is inexplicable. It's an emotion that cannot be tamed. And even if you desperately don't want to feel it, it happens. I learned that those feelings, as wrong as they might be, can still be pure and clean, even though they go against every moral fiber inside you. It's so f**cking powerful.
I have no words. This story is something you need to read. It’s something you have to journey through to grasp.
Mara White has blown my mind. She's taken me to a place I typically would not ever want to go, and more insane than that, she's made me want to go back there.
I’m not done with these characters, even though the story is done.
I want more and I think this is a book that I’ll always look back on and remember. It’s a book I will carry with me.
"When the pen falls into our hands, we can't erase the past. All we're allowed is the chance to create a new ending."
These characters are beautiful.
This story is emotionally combustible.
And this novel is sure to have you thinking and feeling.
It’s more than a five star read.
It’s unratable.
And this is an author I will most definitely read again and again!! BRILLIANT.
GAH ---->>> "She is raw. Pure emotion. Savagely in love with me and willing to sacrifice whatever it takes."
June 9, 2015
I read a quote once -" Love is rarely flowers and sunshine and rainbows and laughter , it's more of pain and heartbreak and angst and yearning and craving .... so, why do we love ?
Because we can't control who we fall in love with.that just happens "
you ride the wave or you drown, that's kismet .
We’re all parts of a narrative that we didn’t write
so writes mara white.
Luciano and Belèn are the doomed lovers, taking their love not to great heights of pleasure but spiralling in the depths of Hell, where their souls are continually tortured and destroyed by the intensity of their love for each other. The ties that bind them become their bane , keeping them apart, where they burn in almighty Hell and we as readers burn with them.
this world and society that we live in is made by us and the norms dictated by us , so why has love so many rules and diktat while hatred roams free.why
this story gutted me , to say the least. It so well written, the language , the formatting is so perfect that you feel the emotions flowing from mara's pen straight into your heart and lucky and len are right there in front of my eyes.....my tears filled eyes, that is.
it's a beautiful, emotional, poignant , heart touching , sweet love story that will stay with you like Raw or Carnage or bright Side did.i hope mara writes another book because I refuse to accept ths story as is...I refuse !!
Because we can't control who we fall in love with.that just happens "
you ride the wave or you drown, that's kismet .
We’re all parts of a narrative that we didn’t write
so writes mara white.
Luciano and Belèn are the doomed lovers, taking their love not to great heights of pleasure but spiralling in the depths of Hell, where their souls are continually tortured and destroyed by the intensity of their love for each other. The ties that bind them become their bane , keeping them apart, where they burn in almighty Hell and we as readers burn with them.
this world and society that we live in is made by us and the norms dictated by us , so why has love so many rules and diktat while hatred roams free.why
this story gutted me , to say the least. It so well written, the language , the formatting is so perfect that you feel the emotions flowing from mara's pen straight into your heart and lucky and len are right there in front of my eyes.....my tears filled eyes, that is.
it's a beautiful, emotional, poignant , heart touching , sweet love story that will stay with you like Raw or Carnage or bright Side did.i hope mara writes another book because I refuse to accept ths story as is...I refuse !!
June 22, 2015
★★★ 3 Stars ★★★
I totally enjoyed this forbidden love story, it was angsty, I liked the writing and I felt really connected to the characters.
The story starts when cousins Belén & Luciano (Lucky) are kids, they are as tight as brother and sister and the closeness of their mothers ensures that they are always together. Lucky looks after Bey and being only 9 months apart they are best friends as well as family.
We grow up with them, and as they hit puberty and feelings start to change we experience Belén's shame and Lucky's struggle to resist his beautiful cousin. Whilst Bey distracts herself with school, Lucky distracts himself with drugs and girls on the streets of Washington Heights, New York.
Although this is a taboo story, all I kept thinking was that it's actually not against the law to marry your cousin, and I felt like their mothers would have actually been OK with their relationship, so for me I was so frustrated that they felt so bad about being together.
This was a raw and gritty story, which contained MMF and a dash of FF. It was steamy and emotional, I really did enjoy reading it but I was left feeling discontent with how it all panned out.
This story is told from childhood up until they are 20 and it was a solid 4 stars from me right up until the end, in fact, in my opinion the epilogue killed the book, which I find a shame. I just don't understand why it had to go in the direction that the author took it in. If you are looking for a happy ending, you may be in for a shock.
This is a standalone prequel to the Heightsbound Series, told in dual POV.
ARC gratefully received from the author in exchange for an honest review
I totally enjoyed this forbidden love story, it was angsty, I liked the writing and I felt really connected to the characters.
The story starts when cousins Belén & Luciano (Lucky) are kids, they are as tight as brother and sister and the closeness of their mothers ensures that they are always together. Lucky looks after Bey and being only 9 months apart they are best friends as well as family.
"Belén. My cousin.
My own heat wave.
The flame to my fire."
We grow up with them, and as they hit puberty and feelings start to change we experience Belén's shame and Lucky's struggle to resist his beautiful cousin. Whilst Bey distracts herself with school, Lucky distracts himself with drugs and girls on the streets of Washington Heights, New York.
"Belén, I love you back.
Sometimes I love you so bad I get sick from it.
But we can't do that.
We can love each other without that part.
We have to."
Although this is a taboo story, all I kept thinking was that it's actually not against the law to marry your cousin, and I felt like their mothers would have actually been OK with their relationship, so for me I was so frustrated that they felt so bad about being together.
This was a raw and gritty story, which contained MMF and a dash of FF. It was steamy and emotional, I really did enjoy reading it but I was left feeling discontent with how it all panned out.
This story is told from childhood up until they are 20 and it was a solid 4 stars from me right up until the end, in fact, in my opinion the epilogue killed the book, which I find a shame. I just don't understand why it had to go in the direction that the author took it in. If you are looking for a happy ending, you may be in for a shock.
This is a standalone prequel to the Heightsbound Series, told in dual POV.
ARC gratefully received from the author in exchange for an honest review
July 31, 2017
Whoever said 'a heart wants what it wants' must have been talking about Belén & Lucky. I swear, this journey .... these two .... my heart hurts. What a beautiful story of love and sacrifice. I won't say much but I will say this: it took me no time at all to become Mara White's newest fan and I am here to stay! Her writing style is so ... real. At times you almost feel as if you are there, in the Heights, with the gang. Growing up. Confused. Getting high. Loving. Hurting. Denying yourself the undeniable.
If you love the elements of taboo in your reads and can keep an open mind, I urge you to read this beautiful story. I can't wait to dive into book 2 to see what life throws at two of my new favorite characters.
Cheers!
July 12, 2015
FULL REVIEW + EXCLUSIVE DELETED SCENE NOW POSTED:
It doesn’t happen very often that a book makes my mind spin in such a way that it takes me weeks to collect my thoughts, rein in all my initial reactions, and get over my inherent reflex to just scream at it. Because this book was just…whoa! And while a taboo scenario such as this one almost always makes my skin quiver from the forbidden allure of it all, Lucky and Belén’s tale redefined everything I thought I needed in a love story in order to walk away happy, it crashed all my preconceptions to smithereens, and it left me reeling in a haze of second thoughts. This is not a traditional romance by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a romance nonetheless, and a very poignant one at that. It is undogmatic in its approach, bold and broad-minded in the way it presents this unconventional love story to the reader, and it pulls us in like a whirlpool, regardless of what we keep telling ourselves we should be thinking, or feeling. Skillfully written, the unique prose as much a part of the story as the evocative scenes it describes, this is a book that was difficult to walk away from, nearly impossible to stop thinking about, and I’m still mulling over it, dissecting it in my mind and slowly coming to terms with the fact that some love stories hurt until the very end. And beyond.
Raised in one of the poorest New York City neighborhoods by two first-generation immigrant sisters from the Dominican Republic, Luciano ‘Lucky’ Cabrera and his cousin Bélen have been close since birth. Their earliest memories of falling asleep in the same crib, of always being there for one another, and of loving each other for as long as they can remember, have shaped the way they felt about each other all throughout childhood, making their unbreakable bond something that equally confused them as well as gave them comfort.
We follow them through adolescence and into early adulthood, we witness all the ways such a unique bond between two first cousins could become an inextricable part of their emotional makeup, ultimately playing a key role in whom they end up falling in love with—each other.
But loving one another has always felt like a curse for Lucky and Belén, their hearts and bodies drawn like magnets, but their minds telling them that such a love is wrong, abhorrent, and never to be. We feel their struggle from the moment they become aware of those feelings, we see them hide them, battle them, succumb to them, hate themselves for them, and that struggle continues to define the way their perceive relationships, love, and even their own sexuality. For Bélen, Lucky has always been the only man in her life, someone who made her feel safe and loved, and the only man who has always ignited her body in a way no one else could. But while Bélen expresses her feelings towards her cousin openly, her innocent heart always winning over reason, Lucky tries to deny his heart what it desires the most, knowing that Bélen is the only woman who could ever quench the ever-raging fire coursing through his veins.
And yet, he keeps fighting her advances, wanting her to have everything in life—children, a husband to feel proud of, a proper family—everything that he could never give her.
A story of tremendous passion, of a love that should never be, of a bond that endures no matter what in all its tortuous beauty, and ultimately, shines selflessly and for all eternity. But do not expect to be able to predict its fate, because the author keeps throwing curveballs at us from start to finish, and the sting of them never stops hurting. Often in the best possible way. This is a book I will recommend wholeheartedly to anyone wishing to have their minds stretched, prickled, aroused, shocked and even stunned into silence in the end, at least for a moment, because this is a story that will leave you agonizing over a million different feelings, pondering over a million possible aftermaths, and if you’re anything like me, eventually feel at peace with it all.
[4.5 STARS}
READ A DELETED SCENE HERE...
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“When will I ever be free from this sickness? When will love stop feeling like a curse?”
It doesn’t happen very often that a book makes my mind spin in such a way that it takes me weeks to collect my thoughts, rein in all my initial reactions, and get over my inherent reflex to just scream at it. Because this book was just…whoa! And while a taboo scenario such as this one almost always makes my skin quiver from the forbidden allure of it all, Lucky and Belén’s tale redefined everything I thought I needed in a love story in order to walk away happy, it crashed all my preconceptions to smithereens, and it left me reeling in a haze of second thoughts. This is not a traditional romance by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a romance nonetheless, and a very poignant one at that. It is undogmatic in its approach, bold and broad-minded in the way it presents this unconventional love story to the reader, and it pulls us in like a whirlpool, regardless of what we keep telling ourselves we should be thinking, or feeling. Skillfully written, the unique prose as much a part of the story as the evocative scenes it describes, this is a book that was difficult to walk away from, nearly impossible to stop thinking about, and I’m still mulling over it, dissecting it in my mind and slowly coming to terms with the fact that some love stories hurt until the very end. And beyond.
“I’ll die without you. There will never be anyone else for me, Lucky. Ever. I don’t want there to be.”
Raised in one of the poorest New York City neighborhoods by two first-generation immigrant sisters from the Dominican Republic, Luciano ‘Lucky’ Cabrera and his cousin Bélen have been close since birth. Their earliest memories of falling asleep in the same crib, of always being there for one another, and of loving each other for as long as they can remember, have shaped the way they felt about each other all throughout childhood, making their unbreakable bond something that equally confused them as well as gave them comfort.
“Belén. My cousin. My own heat wave. The flame to my fire.”
We follow them through adolescence and into early adulthood, we witness all the ways such a unique bond between two first cousins could become an inextricable part of their emotional makeup, ultimately playing a key role in whom they end up falling in love with—each other.
“My glass heart sits trapped at the bottom of a honey jar with Lucky’s name permanently written all over it.”
But loving one another has always felt like a curse for Lucky and Belén, their hearts and bodies drawn like magnets, but their minds telling them that such a love is wrong, abhorrent, and never to be. We feel their struggle from the moment they become aware of those feelings, we see them hide them, battle them, succumb to them, hate themselves for them, and that struggle continues to define the way their perceive relationships, love, and even their own sexuality. For Bélen, Lucky has always been the only man in her life, someone who made her feel safe and loved, and the only man who has always ignited her body in a way no one else could. But while Bélen expresses her feelings towards her cousin openly, her innocent heart always winning over reason, Lucky tries to deny his heart what it desires the most, knowing that Bélen is the only woman who could ever quench the ever-raging fire coursing through his veins.
“Belén had a way of opening me up that was addictive. I wanted to f*ck her. Jesus Christ, did I want to f*ck her! I wanted things from her that I never wanted from a girl.”
And yet, he keeps fighting her advances, wanting her to have everything in life—children, a husband to feel proud of, a proper family—everything that he could never give her.
“I’ll keep pushing you away, Belén, a million times if I have to. All that means is that I love you better than I love myself.”
A story of tremendous passion, of a love that should never be, of a bond that endures no matter what in all its tortuous beauty, and ultimately, shines selflessly and for all eternity. But do not expect to be able to predict its fate, because the author keeps throwing curveballs at us from start to finish, and the sting of them never stops hurting. Often in the best possible way. This is a book I will recommend wholeheartedly to anyone wishing to have their minds stretched, prickled, aroused, shocked and even stunned into silence in the end, at least for a moment, because this is a story that will leave you agonizing over a million different feelings, pondering over a million possible aftermaths, and if you’re anything like me, eventually feel at peace with it all.
“What happens if one of us moves on and the other can’t move at all?”
[4.5 STARS}
READ A DELETED SCENE HERE...
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June 16, 2015My initial reaction immediately finishing the book:
FUCK YOU, BOOK! I HATE YOU! COMPLETE TOTAL BULLSHIT! I'M SO FUCKING MAD RIGHT NOW! YOU GAVE ME ALL THOSE EMOTIONS. MADE ME INVEST AND CARE ABOUT THOSE CHARACTERS. AND THEN... THAT. FUCKING. ENDING. AFTER EVERYTHING THEY WENT THROUGH??? HELL NO!
I have had some time to reflect for a few days, and I don't see how it's possible to rate this book. I enjoyed 90+% of the story, but I absolutely loathe the ending. I don't think I can ever read another book by this author because I don't feel I can trust her to give me a satisfying ending. I mostly read HEA but not always, and that's usually ok. However, in this case, I just felt angry to the point it took me hours to fall asleep. I was so unsettled and upset. Those are not the feelings I desire after reading those characters' lifelong journey.
FUCK YOU, BOOK! I HATE YOU! COMPLETE TOTAL BULLSHIT! I'M SO FUCKING MAD RIGHT NOW! YOU GAVE ME ALL THOSE EMOTIONS. MADE ME INVEST AND CARE ABOUT THOSE CHARACTERS. AND THEN... THAT. FUCKING. ENDING. AFTER EVERYTHING THEY WENT THROUGH??? HELL NO!
I have had some time to reflect for a few days, and I don't see how it's possible to rate this book. I enjoyed 90+% of the story, but I absolutely loathe the ending. I don't think I can ever read another book by this author because I don't feel I can trust her to give me a satisfying ending. I mostly read HEA but not always, and that's usually ok. However, in this case, I just felt angry to the point it took me hours to fall asleep. I was so unsettled and upset. Those are not the feelings I desire after reading those characters' lifelong journey.
July 1, 2017
4.5 totally fucked up stars
Read the review at Readin' Under Street-Lamps
WHAT THE MOTHERFUCKING FUCK JUST HAPPENED HERE!!!
I will not lie to you people, I loved this book, but it was a serious mind fuck. And do get intimately acquainted with that word because I shall be using it a lot in this review. And I mean a LOT.
I was really tempted to throw this book out- I won’t deny that. I mean that ending! I feel like someone should’ve warned me about it, because dude that shit is not cool! I don’t care how much you hate me, warning me about an ending like that is national fucking priority! Argh! I wanted to rip every single hair out of my scalp. And I mean s-l-o-w-l-y.
So yeah, the angst was turned up all the way alright, and I was totally feeling the heat, and someone *looks side eyed at Mara White* forgot to turn it off. Even long after it was over!! Because where the fuck is Malentendido woman!!!! Someone come save my head, because it is aching from being banged on hard unyielding walls so many times.
On to the main story now- this book revolves around two kids- Lenny/Bel (Belén) and Lucky (Luciano). They’ve known each other for forever. They’ve loved each other for forever. And now they wish to be together for forever. Only problem? (Because you know that there is going to be many problems because duh). They. Are. Cousins. First cousins at that. Like their-mothers-were-real-sisters first cousins.
Yeee-aaah.
Talk about taboo bitch.
They both get crazy attracted to each other when they both hit the teens, but where Bel just wanted Lucky to be hers and for her to be Lucky’s, Lucky couldn’t run away faster and harder, because he felt that their attraction was completely wrong. And that constant rejection of his convinced Bel that it was a sickness. One that she spent years of her life trying to get rid of.
Poor girl.
That is literally just it. That is all the story is about, and that is all that you need to know about the story. But oh-my-GOD! For a premise so strong and a plot so simple, White totally destroys you with her writing. I’ve read a lot of books, as you might already know, and so yeah, I’ve come across a lot of writing styles. Almost every author has a unique accent, and I’ve come across the one that White writes in, but still, it’s easy for me to say that she is quite different. It took me no time to warm up to her style, and once I warmed up, the temperature just kept rising to feverish pitches.
There were moments in this book that straight up made me uncomfortable- and no, they were not when Lucky and Lenny were getting intimate. That was hot. But Lenny’s clinical outlook at sex hit too close to home for comfort. And a few more instances. Like literally every scene where she and Jeremy made out- ugh, I wanted to rip his dick off and shake her crazy hard and scream in her face. And the whole thing with Jaylee. Don’t remind me of that. Nuh-uh. I don’t want to remember it.
One thing I completely loved about this book was how obsessed Bel was with Lucky, and how resolute she was that he was the one. Even after everyone disagreed with her. Gotta commend the girl on that. I mean it’s not like everyday you see someone going gaga over their cousin, and determined to sleep with them, and putting love spells on said cousin. Man is that woman a complete nutcase.
And don’t get me started on Lucky. That bastard! That absolute self-serving selfish piece of shit BASTARD! I LOVE him, don’t get me wrong, but I kinda hate him too. Especially after that wretched ending. Oh my god. Someone get me a new laptop because I think I might have broken this one. I’ve never had such a strong reaction to a book ending on a cliffhanger before, but this one literally pulled a violent outburst out of me. I was so crazy for Lucky, because he really proved himself to put Bel’s needs before his own, but then he went and did what he did (spoiler: no he did not cheat), and now I’m completely mad. So I’ve decided to do us all a favor, and keep from ranting about him until the next book is out and he has eaten mud to beg for my redemption.
But on a serious note, this book was very angsty, completely taboo, and so goddamn beautiful that I just can’t stop myself from being all angry lovey-dovey about it. Do I recommend this book? Definitely! Go for it if you wanna check out something totally inappropriate and totally wonderful and something totally unforgettable.
Read the review at Readin' Under Street-Lamps
WHAT THE MOTHERFUCKING FUCK JUST HAPPENED HERE!!!
I will not lie to you people, I loved this book, but it was a serious mind fuck. And do get intimately acquainted with that word because I shall be using it a lot in this review. And I mean a LOT.
I was really tempted to throw this book out- I won’t deny that. I mean that ending! I feel like someone should’ve warned me about it, because dude that shit is not cool! I don’t care how much you hate me, warning me about an ending like that is national fucking priority! Argh! I wanted to rip every single hair out of my scalp. And I mean s-l-o-w-l-y.
So yeah, the angst was turned up all the way alright, and I was totally feeling the heat, and someone *looks side eyed at Mara White* forgot to turn it off. Even long after it was over!! Because where the fuck is Malentendido woman!!!! Someone come save my head, because it is aching from being banged on hard unyielding walls so many times.
On to the main story now- this book revolves around two kids- Lenny/Bel (Belén) and Lucky (Luciano). They’ve known each other for forever. They’ve loved each other for forever. And now they wish to be together for forever. Only problem? (Because you know that there is going to be many problems because duh). They. Are. Cousins. First cousins at that. Like their-mothers-were-real-sisters first cousins.
Yeee-aaah.
Talk about taboo bitch.
They both get crazy attracted to each other when they both hit the teens, but where Bel just wanted Lucky to be hers and for her to be Lucky’s, Lucky couldn’t run away faster and harder, because he felt that their attraction was completely wrong. And that constant rejection of his convinced Bel that it was a sickness. One that she spent years of her life trying to get rid of.
Poor girl.
That is literally just it. That is all the story is about, and that is all that you need to know about the story. But oh-my-GOD! For a premise so strong and a plot so simple, White totally destroys you with her writing. I’ve read a lot of books, as you might already know, and so yeah, I’ve come across a lot of writing styles. Almost every author has a unique accent, and I’ve come across the one that White writes in, but still, it’s easy for me to say that she is quite different. It took me no time to warm up to her style, and once I warmed up, the temperature just kept rising to feverish pitches.
There were moments in this book that straight up made me uncomfortable- and no, they were not when Lucky and Lenny were getting intimate. That was hot. But Lenny’s clinical outlook at sex hit too close to home for comfort. And a few more instances. Like literally every scene where she and Jeremy made out- ugh, I wanted to rip his dick off and shake her crazy hard and scream in her face. And the whole thing with Jaylee. Don’t remind me of that. Nuh-uh. I don’t want to remember it.
One thing I completely loved about this book was how obsessed Bel was with Lucky, and how resolute she was that he was the one. Even after everyone disagreed with her. Gotta commend the girl on that. I mean it’s not like everyday you see someone going gaga over their cousin, and determined to sleep with them, and putting love spells on said cousin. Man is that woman a complete nutcase.
And don’t get me started on Lucky. That bastard! That absolute self-serving selfish piece of shit BASTARD! I LOVE him, don’t get me wrong, but I kinda hate him too. Especially after that wretched ending. Oh my god. Someone get me a new laptop because I think I might have broken this one. I’ve never had such a strong reaction to a book ending on a cliffhanger before, but this one literally pulled a violent outburst out of me. I was so crazy for Lucky, because he really proved himself to put Bel’s needs before his own, but then he went and did what he did (spoiler: no he did not cheat), and now I’m completely mad. So I’ve decided to do us all a favor, and keep from ranting about him until the next book is out and he has eaten mud to beg for my redemption.
But on a serious note, this book was very angsty, completely taboo, and so goddamn beautiful that I just can’t stop myself from being all angry lovey-dovey about it. Do I recommend this book? Definitely! Go for it if you wanna check out something totally inappropriate and totally wonderful and something totally unforgettable.
I tip the jar back and forth and Lucky’s name barely moves. It’s magnified by the honey and the paper has come unraveled a bit. This is going in the fridge behind Hector’s beer where no one will find it.
Luciano Cabrera will feel my love and be sweet on me forever.
July 31, 2017
4.5 Forbidden Stars*****
Luciano and Belen have always been together. They lived in a complicated world where they could only count on each other. Their love grew bolder and more intense as they grew up, becoming an addiction, something that both were ashamed of, but a love so fierce, that nothing could destroy it, no matter how hard they tried. They were both born with this powerful love inside them. Blood, a lifetime together, and their toxic love will forever bound Lucky and Bey.
Intense is the most accurate word I can use to describe this story. Luciano and Belen fought against their love with everything they had, they made big sacrifices for each other but nothing ever worked. Maybe only death could finally bring closure and help them move on, but even then I'm not even sure.
I will post a full review of this book, once I finished the second installment of this duet.
Luciano and Belen have always been together. They lived in a complicated world where they could only count on each other. Their love grew bolder and more intense as they grew up, becoming an addiction, something that both were ashamed of, but a love so fierce, that nothing could destroy it, no matter how hard they tried. They were both born with this powerful love inside them. Blood, a lifetime together, and their toxic love will forever bound Lucky and Bey.
Intense is the most accurate word I can use to describe this story. Luciano and Belen fought against their love with everything they had, they made big sacrifices for each other but nothing ever worked. Maybe only death could finally bring closure and help them move on, but even then I'm not even sure.
I will post a full review of this book, once I finished the second installment of this duet.
June 22, 2015
WOW!! Another passionate, loving and emotional book from Mara White!! I had the great pleasure of reading an early copy of Maldeamores and I haven't stopped thinking about it.
Heed the warnings on this one because Maldeamores is unlike amy book I've read. Belén and Luciano are star-crossed lovers, fiercely in love but forced to deny their true feelings for each other. Like Mara's other books, I felt anxious, emotional, distraught and fascinated by these two characters and their tumultuous journey. The writing is stunning, sharp and incredibly erotic and the characters richly detailed. I was drawn into their world and was stunned by the turn of the events. These two are truly "lovesick" and simply cannot live apart from each other.
There are some very graphic and steamy scenes in this book, but they fit in with the story and add fuel to the deep emotional bond Belen and Luciano share. If you like to be challenged and thrilled when you read, then Maldeamores is the book for you. It is not an easy story but I loved the rollercoaster ride of emotions! Mara White is a talent to watch and I hope she will keep on writing these complex, sexy stories.
"When the pen falls into our hands, we can't erase the past.
All we're allowed is the chance to create a new ending."
Heed the warnings on this one because Maldeamores is unlike amy book I've read. Belén and Luciano are star-crossed lovers, fiercely in love but forced to deny their true feelings for each other. Like Mara's other books, I felt anxious, emotional, distraught and fascinated by these two characters and their tumultuous journey. The writing is stunning, sharp and incredibly erotic and the characters richly detailed. I was drawn into their world and was stunned by the turn of the events. These two are truly "lovesick" and simply cannot live apart from each other.
There are some very graphic and steamy scenes in this book, but they fit in with the story and add fuel to the deep emotional bond Belen and Luciano share. If you like to be challenged and thrilled when you read, then Maldeamores is the book for you. It is not an easy story but I loved the rollercoaster ride of emotions! Mara White is a talent to watch and I hope she will keep on writing these complex, sexy stories.
"When the pen falls into our hands, we can't erase the past.
All we're allowed is the chance to create a new ending."
June 29, 2017
4 estrelas
Uma coisa que não se pode negar: a autora foi corajosa. Pode até ter alguém que tenha imaginado esse final, mas meio que duvido. Foi muito arriscado e muito inesperado.
Acho que pra mim o impacto foi diferente pois esses dias fiquei sabendo que ia ter o livro 2. Se precisa? Hum... Como leitora que ficou presa na história, eu gostaria de ler sim. Mas se realmente precisava? Não sei. Acho que como livro único ficaria sempre aquela pulga atrás da orelha. O livro era pra ser único, mas agora 2 anos depois a autora resolveu dar continuidade porque muitos fãs pediram.
Tipo, o final é assim... xô te contar. A autora te leva numa viagem em alto mar. Te joga fora barco e você fica lá flutuando sem saber se morre ali ou se alguém te resgata. Tipo isso que ela faz.
MALDEAMORES conta a história de Lucky e Belén. A história começa exatamente quando Lucky nasceu até eles se tornarem adultos. Seguimos a vida dos dois - dois pov - sobre como cresceram juntos, protegendo um ao outro e... Escondendo ( nada bem) o amor que acabaram sentindo um pelo outro. Ah! Os dois são primos. De primeiro grau.
História tabu, mas que rolou de uma maneira diferente de outras histórias tabu que já li. A autora ao invés de jogar pra um lado dark, ela focou no drama do amor proibido. Além de trabalhar o amor verdadeiro, como ele pode deixar uma pessoa mal e a co-dependencia. Como o próprios personagens uma hora dizem " Você não escolhe quem ama". E isso pode trazer alegria, mas nesse caso o foco é o outro lado. O certo e o errado perante a sociedade. É bem sofrido.
Eu sinceramente não achei que fosse gostar no começo. A história tava boa, mas a Belén criança e adolescente chorava por qualquer coisa! Sério. Qualquer coisa! E isso me irritou. Mas foi só no começo. Porque depois o livro me fisgou de um jeito e não largou mais. E esse é o motivo de dar só 4 estrelas. Pensei em ignorar isso porque a história é muito boa. Mas acho que vou guardar meu 5 pra sequência que espero que seja maravilhosa.
Tô aqui imaginando se eu tivesse lido em 2015, quando foi lançado. Como minha resenha teria sido diferente. Apesar de ser uma série, são casais diferentes, e na época MALDEAMORES terminaria assim. Te deixando chocada e dando um final sem final. Na verdade eu acho que eu estaria xingando a autora de vários nomes rs.
Isso aqui foi mais um desabafo. Um livro que demorei 2 anos pra pegar pra ler... E que de repente me deixa assim. Sem reação. Não me arrependo de ter demorado. Justamente porque o dois sai no final desse mês. Não vou esperar tanto.
Se recomendo? Não sei. Histórias tabus são difíceis de agradar. Eu só sei que não me arrependo. Adorei o livro, quero mais e espero pelo melhor.
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Uma coisa que não se pode negar: a autora foi corajosa. Pode até ter alguém que tenha imaginado esse final, mas meio que duvido. Foi muito arriscado e muito inesperado.
Acho que pra mim o impacto foi diferente pois esses dias fiquei sabendo que ia ter o livro 2. Se precisa? Hum... Como leitora que ficou presa na história, eu gostaria de ler sim. Mas se realmente precisava? Não sei. Acho que como livro único ficaria sempre aquela pulga atrás da orelha. O livro era pra ser único, mas agora 2 anos depois a autora resolveu dar continuidade porque muitos fãs pediram.
Tipo, o final é assim... xô te contar. A autora te leva numa viagem em alto mar. Te joga fora barco e você fica lá flutuando sem saber se morre ali ou se alguém te resgata. Tipo isso que ela faz.
MALDEAMORES conta a história de Lucky e Belén. A história começa exatamente quando Lucky nasceu até eles se tornarem adultos. Seguimos a vida dos dois - dois pov - sobre como cresceram juntos, protegendo um ao outro e... Escondendo ( nada bem) o amor que acabaram sentindo um pelo outro. Ah! Os dois são primos. De primeiro grau.
História tabu, mas que rolou de uma maneira diferente de outras histórias tabu que já li. A autora ao invés de jogar pra um lado dark, ela focou no drama do amor proibido. Além de trabalhar o amor verdadeiro, como ele pode deixar uma pessoa mal e a co-dependencia. Como o próprios personagens uma hora dizem " Você não escolhe quem ama". E isso pode trazer alegria, mas nesse caso o foco é o outro lado. O certo e o errado perante a sociedade. É bem sofrido.
Eu sinceramente não achei que fosse gostar no começo. A história tava boa, mas a Belén criança e adolescente chorava por qualquer coisa! Sério. Qualquer coisa! E isso me irritou. Mas foi só no começo. Porque depois o livro me fisgou de um jeito e não largou mais. E esse é o motivo de dar só 4 estrelas. Pensei em ignorar isso porque a história é muito boa. Mas acho que vou guardar meu 5 pra sequência que espero que seja maravilhosa.
Tô aqui imaginando se eu tivesse lido em 2015, quando foi lançado. Como minha resenha teria sido diferente. Apesar de ser uma série, são casais diferentes, e na época MALDEAMORES terminaria assim. Te deixando chocada e dando um final sem final. Na verdade eu acho que eu estaria xingando a autora de vários nomes rs.
Isso aqui foi mais um desabafo. Um livro que demorei 2 anos pra pegar pra ler... E que de repente me deixa assim. Sem reação. Não me arrependo de ter demorado. Justamente porque o dois sai no final desse mês. Não vou esperar tanto.
Se recomendo? Não sei. Histórias tabus são difíceis de agradar. Eu só sei que não me arrependo. Adorei o livro, quero mais e espero pelo melhor.
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July 4, 2017
'Maldeamores' by Mara White is the first book in the series "Maldeamores" This is the story of Lucky and Belen. This book starts at the beginning of their lives and keeps moving through their years so show case how they became to have these feeling for each other and how they felt along the way. This book comes with allot of emotions that does take you on a roller coaster ride. This does end with what I would call a somewhat cliffhanger that sets you up for the next book.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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June 13, 2015
First of all, I need to clarify something. My low rating doesn’t concern the taboo themes of this book - the love between two cousins, the homosexual encounters or the ménage relations. So, I have none of those issues with this book personally.
What I liked in this book was that the story flaws smoothly and the writing is rich and polished. Also, I liked the dual POV.
What I do have an issue with is the frivolous plot and the childish dialogues and lines. The plot wasn’t interesting and the sex scenes were too graphic and not at all inspired.
I really expected this story to make my skin crawl. At the very least, I thought it would make me shiver or give me a shock. But I didn't feel anything. I didn't feel any connection or emotion with this story. It feels choppy to me, and for such a dark plot, I at least wanted to feel something.
Finally, I found the end of the book quite unrealistic, foolish, bizarre and unwise. I felt it was rushed, not well developed and abrupt.
So it loses a star for the characters, the plot, and the sex, leaving it at 2 stars. Not terrible but could have been better!
ARC kindly provided by Book Enthusiast Promotions via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.
What I liked in this book was that the story flaws smoothly and the writing is rich and polished. Also, I liked the dual POV.
What I do have an issue with is the frivolous plot and the childish dialogues and lines. The plot wasn’t interesting and the sex scenes were too graphic and not at all inspired.
I really expected this story to make my skin crawl. At the very least, I thought it would make me shiver or give me a shock. But I didn't feel anything. I didn't feel any connection or emotion with this story. It feels choppy to me, and for such a dark plot, I at least wanted to feel something.
Finally, I found the end of the book quite unrealistic, foolish, bizarre and unwise. I felt it was rushed, not well developed and abrupt.
So it loses a star for the characters, the plot, and the sex, leaving it at 2 stars. Not terrible but could have been better!
ARC kindly provided by Book Enthusiast Promotions via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.
June 17, 2015
My initial reaction after I finished reading this was, I can't even rate this right now because I'm so upset. I need a fucking happy ending and this book didn't give me that. It gave me some half assed shit that actually left me more than upset, I was half in angry tears.The taboo theme was what drew me in because they say God punishes lovers by reincarnating them as close family relations (usually siblings).
I liked seeing the tension between the two characters and watching them struggle to deal with their feelings for one another even when everyone around them and society is telling them their feelings are wrong. Their love for one another is magical and sweet. I didn't like the ending and I won't apologize for being so upset about it. I feel like the author had a lot she could have done with the ending but fell through. Personally, I wanted Luciano and Belen to find their happiness together somehow instead of the way it ended. Yeah, I'm spoiling the book but I'm pissed the fuck off so deal with it.
The writing wasn't bad, the characters weren't bad, and the taboo themes that were twisted within this story are not the reason the rating is so low. I just can't get past how the last few chapters dropped the ball and the ending. I just can't do it so Mara White gets 2.5 very disappointed stars from me. I have enough disappointments in my real life without having to not have a great, wrap it all up with a bow happy ending in a novel.
I liked seeing the tension between the two characters and watching them struggle to deal with their feelings for one another even when everyone around them and society is telling them their feelings are wrong. Their love for one another is magical and sweet. I didn't like the ending and I won't apologize for being so upset about it. I feel like the author had a lot she could have done with the ending but fell through. Personally, I wanted Luciano and Belen to find their happiness together somehow instead of the way it ended. Yeah, I'm spoiling the book but I'm pissed the fuck off so deal with it.
The writing wasn't bad, the characters weren't bad, and the taboo themes that were twisted within this story are not the reason the rating is so low. I just can't get past how the last few chapters dropped the ball and the ending. I just can't do it so Mara White gets 2.5 very disappointed stars from me. I have enough disappointments in my real life without having to not have a great, wrap it all up with a bow happy ending in a novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2017
An unconventional love story which is probably one of the most beautifully written of its kind, Maldeamores by Mara White was an initially uncomfortable reading journey for me, yet I must tell you that it became AMAZING as I progressed. I have read several taboos in my life but nothing about an H and h who really are introduced as blood related. I knew what I signed up for when I read the blurb on the ARC form. I knew what I was reading was about first degree cousins, but what I wasn't ready for was the unexpected twist and turns this book put me through.
The MCs are in their young adults as you start the book, and their alternating POV will send mixed feelings to your mind and heart because the thoughts of these two are just raw and very carnal. It's hot but very wrong to think they're well, yeah... cousins.
Maldeamores will push its readers to their limits, specially if you're not much of a forbidden romance reader. The premise of the book may be about a love so wrong, but Mara White poured so much more in the story of Luciano and Belén. Angst, the pain and beauty of young love, and how tormenting it is to be in love with somebody you cannot fall in love with. This is a well- developed love story that's more on the narrative side. I usually prefer reading more dialogues, but getting in the head of these characters was an inexplicable experience.
I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who loves reading taboo and who do not really mind cliffhangers. Yes, it's a cliffy but the next book is coming real soon, so I'm not sure how I am going to read another one if my heart and mind are still in Harlem with Bey and Luc.
June 26, 2017
★5 Stars! Maldeamores... is a unforgettable, well written, realistic, funny, raw, consuming, emotional and beautifully sad story!
We’re both each other’s poison, but we’re also each other’s only antidote.
“Never think that me leaving is me rejecting you. Leaving is the only way I know how to protect you.”
3 words -
Shocked.
Obsessed
Speechless.
Note: Book 2 Malentendido (Misunderstood) Will be available on amazon soon!
We’re both each other’s poison, but we’re also each other’s only antidote.
“Never think that me leaving is me rejecting you. Leaving is the only way I know how to protect you.”
3 words -
Shocked.
Obsessed
Speechless.
Note: Book 2 Malentendido (Misunderstood) Will be available on amazon soon!
July 24, 2017
4.5 STARS
Beautifully heartbreaking and emotionally taxing, Mara White creates such an eye opening, boundary pushing, taboo love story with Maldeamores. This story had me in knots, lovesick right along with these characters, struggling between rooting for something so wrong, and rebelling against it all at once. This isn't a story that's easy to digest, and in spite of that, or maybe because of it, I couldn't put it down.
This isn't the kind of love story we're supposed to love. It's a haunting story about characters who aren't supposed to love each other at all. It's angsty in all the ways I love a romance to be, a story rife with jealousy and heartache and characters who hurt each other (and the reader) relentlessly. A book with all of that angst and heartbreak is something I crave under normal circumstances. But these aren't normal circumstances. THIS book, this dynamic, laced with the forbidden, the scandalous, the taboo, makes all of those delicious emotions feel so dirty, so wrong, so complicated and confusing and... sick. It left me heartsick. This book made feel so many things, both good and bad, but always ALWAYS tormented. I hated myself for feeling a certain way but I secretly long to feel it all again and again now that it's over.
Before the love story entered the picture, before the grief and the emotional torture, and the tragic denial of truth that evolves through this book, I was already completely gripped by what Mara White created here. The backdrop, the sultry danger of Spanish Harlem, the struggles and strife of this family who love deeply and loudly, this coming of age story of friendship and survival and healing... it's beautiful and gripping from the start. But as the story began to evolve, as this sordid web of unwanted feelings and tortuous attraction began to grow, this story only became that much more addictive. There are scenes in this book that infuriated me, decisions these characters made that I'll never understand, words and characters and emotions that made me so angry, so sad, so stricken. But it also felt so right at times, so satisfying, so perfectly impossible.
Books like this are why I read... to feel uncomfortable and heartbroken and relieved and grief stricken and hopeful. To have my boundaries pushed, to look at things with different eyes, to feel torn, to feel changed, to be broken and put back together again, or sometimes to be broken and left broken. Sometimes the wrongness, the damage, the loss shouldn't feel good but it does feel right. That, in a nutshell, is what Maldeamores is to me. It felt right in all its wrongness. It left me in a place I didn't want to be left, with feelings and emotions that killed me to feel. But it left me content and satisfied in those unresolved feelings and that unwavering heartache because, for this book, no other ending could be more right.
Beautifully heartbreaking and emotionally taxing, Mara White creates such an eye opening, boundary pushing, taboo love story with Maldeamores. This story had me in knots, lovesick right along with these characters, struggling between rooting for something so wrong, and rebelling against it all at once. This isn't a story that's easy to digest, and in spite of that, or maybe because of it, I couldn't put it down.
This isn't the kind of love story we're supposed to love. It's a haunting story about characters who aren't supposed to love each other at all. It's angsty in all the ways I love a romance to be, a story rife with jealousy and heartache and characters who hurt each other (and the reader) relentlessly. A book with all of that angst and heartbreak is something I crave under normal circumstances. But these aren't normal circumstances. THIS book, this dynamic, laced with the forbidden, the scandalous, the taboo, makes all of those delicious emotions feel so dirty, so wrong, so complicated and confusing and... sick. It left me heartsick. This book made feel so many things, both good and bad, but always ALWAYS tormented. I hated myself for feeling a certain way but I secretly long to feel it all again and again now that it's over.
Before the love story entered the picture, before the grief and the emotional torture, and the tragic denial of truth that evolves through this book, I was already completely gripped by what Mara White created here. The backdrop, the sultry danger of Spanish Harlem, the struggles and strife of this family who love deeply and loudly, this coming of age story of friendship and survival and healing... it's beautiful and gripping from the start. But as the story began to evolve, as this sordid web of unwanted feelings and tortuous attraction began to grow, this story only became that much more addictive. There are scenes in this book that infuriated me, decisions these characters made that I'll never understand, words and characters and emotions that made me so angry, so sad, so stricken. But it also felt so right at times, so satisfying, so perfectly impossible.
Books like this are why I read... to feel uncomfortable and heartbroken and relieved and grief stricken and hopeful. To have my boundaries pushed, to look at things with different eyes, to feel torn, to feel changed, to be broken and put back together again, or sometimes to be broken and left broken. Sometimes the wrongness, the damage, the loss shouldn't feel good but it does feel right. That, in a nutshell, is what Maldeamores is to me. It felt right in all its wrongness. It left me in a place I didn't want to be left, with feelings and emotions that killed me to feel. But it left me content and satisfied in those unresolved feelings and that unwavering heartache because, for this book, no other ending could be more right.
June 29, 2017
I am dying and nothing can help me anymore. Maybe lucky can!!
I am not going to go into details about this book because i went in blind and I highly suggest doing the same. Just a warning, this book is not flowers and rainbows. This is not meant to make you happy. This is a greatly tabooed book. So if any of these is a deal breaker please look for another book.
Mara White is a freaking GENIUS!!!! I don't know how to process this book and frankly I don't think I want to because I will have a breakdown. This book hurts you in places you didn't even know existed. You can somehow relate to the character's pain yet feel so inadequate because there are hundreds of emotions at ply and you have no clue which one to sort first.
I just feel like this book has changed me forever and it might haunt me till I read part 2. I am not even upset I guess i am just shaken to my core because i didn't know someone could write something as brilliant as this story. To say that I will never be over this book is the understatement of the year. God bless Mara White!!! ~Sonal
I am not going to go into details about this book because i went in blind and I highly suggest doing the same. Just a warning, this book is not flowers and rainbows. This is not meant to make you happy. This is a greatly tabooed book. So if any of these is a deal breaker please look for another book.
Mara White is a freaking GENIUS!!!! I don't know how to process this book and frankly I don't think I want to because I will have a breakdown. This book hurts you in places you didn't even know existed. You can somehow relate to the character's pain yet feel so inadequate because there are hundreds of emotions at ply and you have no clue which one to sort first.
I just feel like this book has changed me forever and it might haunt me till I read part 2. I am not even upset I guess i am just shaken to my core because i didn't know someone could write something as brilliant as this story. To say that I will never be over this book is the understatement of the year. God bless Mara White!!! ~Sonal
June 23, 2021
"My heart is racing, my breath coming short, my pulse beating so hard it feels like it might leap out of my skin. I didn’t know kissing could be like that. No, I didn’t know kissing him could be like jumping off into outer space and discovering a whole new universe."
Before reading this book I was going through a three-week long book funk. No amount of reading new books helped my case. That is until Maldeamores. Reading the blurb intrigued me enough to one-click, but reading the first chapter had me hooked. I guess all I really needed was a story to push my boundaries and shock the hell out of me. Maldeamores being a taboo type story had me wondering if and how exactly was this author going to cross the line. And yes, better believe she crossed quite a few lines.
Maldeamores is the story of Luciano and Belén. Luciano and Belén who have been inseparable since they were kids. Luciano and Belen who are cousins. 😀 yup, you read that right. The Main characters of this delicious taboo love story are cousins. Ehh ehh got your attention now? If you’re not one to shy away from these types of stories, I do recommend it.
I did have some minor issues while reading, which I won’t go into great detail about because I’d rather have you read it and come out with your own thoughts and feelings, but I will say that I wish some scenes played out differently. Mainly speaking about a certain sex scene that occurred. I’m not one to shy away from these types of scenes, it just the way this one played out, had me scratching my head a bit. The reason as to why it happened and with who was mainly my issue. I did, however, love everything when it came to just Luciano and Belén alone. The moments they shared were sweet, yet sexy and had my heart racing. And that ending. God, that ending had my heart hurting. You will be left with some unanswered questions, but it’s enough to make you want the second book badly. which reminds me…. when the hell does the second book come out??? HUH?
If you do decide to pick this one up, please DM me and let me know how you like it.
Until then… xoxo
June 29, 2015
Something about this book immediately called to me... I'm not sure which sucked me in first: its name,
Maldeamores
(Lovesick), its stunning cover, or its jaw dropping blurb. Regardless, I’m just happy it was more than a book with a beautiful cover and a read-me-now-synopsis because it truly is so much more that, the real treasure is the story of Belén and Luciano.
I am not sure if I should be praising the author for writing such a phenomenal story, her bravery for publishing something so wrong and so forbidden, or for writing a story that captivated me so completely, that I stopped caring about wrong or right all together. My heart just took over. My heart did the thinking, and my heart decided that nothing this wrong could feel this right. Belén and Luciano's story far surpassed my expectations, with giant leaps and endless bounds.
Yes I was closed-minded.
And yes, there was a whole lot of judgments made.
Ultimately, my curiosity was greater than my initial distaste. Plus, I really love the word, “Maldeamores” . The way the word rolls off my tongue like it’s my native language, I just kept saying it over again; such a beautiful word.
Belén and Luciano know it's wrong but they can’t logically understand the attraction to one another. It was embarrassing and disgusting. Their fight was honorable but their love is beautiful.
I just wanted more - the loveable characters were so easy to get wrapped up in. The more I read, the more my want turned to need. I need more.
My heart almost exploded, because no truer words have been spoken and their conflict became nothing more than a problem. A problem with a solution. One solution: Belén and Luciano, together.
If you're considering this book, I'm desperately urging you to take the plunge.
Yes, there are negative reviews but after reading several of the "negative" reviews, I've noticed a pattern. The reviews weren't actually negative, and I am pretty sure they didn't dislike this story at all, they just haven't dealt with all the feels that come with this story. At first I wasn't sure if I loved or hated it, my emotions were raw, a complete jumbled mess. After processing and discussing everything, my emotions are still raw, but I know that it couldn't be anything but love. Love is the only thing that could make me feel such an array of emotions.
Honestly, you don’t even need to be open-minded to read this book, the beauty is all consuming, it's a true treasure; it will open your mind, but mostly your heart. And you, too, will be Maldeamores (Lovesick).
I am not sure if I should be praising the author for writing such a phenomenal story, her bravery for publishing something so wrong and so forbidden, or for writing a story that captivated me so completely, that I stopped caring about wrong or right all together. My heart just took over. My heart did the thinking, and my heart decided that nothing this wrong could feel this right. Belén and Luciano's story far surpassed my expectations, with giant leaps and endless bounds.
Yes I was closed-minded.
And yes, there was a whole lot of judgments made.
Ultimately, my curiosity was greater than my initial distaste. Plus, I really love the word, “Maldeamores” . The way the word rolls off my tongue like it’s my native language, I just kept saying it over again; such a beautiful word.
"Te amo como se aman ciertas cosas oscuras, Secretamente entre la sombra y el alma."(I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul.) -Pablo Neruda
Belén and Luciano know it's wrong but they can’t logically understand the attraction to one another. It was embarrassing and disgusting. Their fight was honorable but their love is beautiful.
“We're both each other’s poison, but we're also each other's only antidote."
I just wanted more - the loveable characters were so easy to get wrapped up in. The more I read, the more my want turned to need. I need more.
"...“disgust” is an emotion. Just like love, or fear, it’s not something you choose. Maybe God left it out of me, or he forgot to put it in."
My heart almost exploded, because no truer words have been spoken and their conflict became nothing more than a problem. A problem with a solution. One solution: Belén and Luciano, together.
If you're considering this book, I'm desperately urging you to take the plunge.
Yes, there are negative reviews but after reading several of the "negative" reviews, I've noticed a pattern. The reviews weren't actually negative, and I am pretty sure they didn't dislike this story at all, they just haven't dealt with all the feels that come with this story. At first I wasn't sure if I loved or hated it, my emotions were raw, a complete jumbled mess. After processing and discussing everything, my emotions are still raw, but I know that it couldn't be anything but love. Love is the only thing that could make me feel such an array of emotions.
"Cuando el amor no es locura, no es amor.(Love without madness is not love.) -Calderón de la Barca
Honestly, you don’t even need to be open-minded to read this book, the beauty is all consuming, it's a true treasure; it will open your mind, but mostly your heart. And you, too, will be Maldeamores (Lovesick).
June 23, 2015
This review is also posted on my blog, The Scarlet Siren
As a reader, my very favorite books challenge me. They make me question what I know, what I believe, and they make me FEEL. Mara White hit all of these points for me.
Before this book, I was unfamiliar with Mara’s work. My girl Joanne from Have Book Will Read told me she was reading Maldeamores, and after I looked it up, I knew that I had to read it. I first downloaded the sample, and I one-clicked as soon as I finished it. I proceeded to check out of life for the entire day, and I have not one regret.
The story of Luciano and Belen wrapped me up, drew me in, and refused to let go. For a few hours today, I was on that street corner in Washington Heights. I could feel the sultry summer heat while on the playground, and I could hear the music wafting from the windows while sitting on the stoop of the apartment building. Mara White’s rich and vivid story telling places a reader IN the story, rather than making them a casual observer.
Reading this book was a real journey. It's a story of true love, family, and ultimately, sacrifice. There were several scenes that had me squirming. I was questioning myself when I wanted Bey & Lucky to run away together and live happily ever after, but I was angry when I realized they couldn’t. I didn’t know how to feel when something so “wrong” felt so right. My heart was in my throat, my stomach was in knots. This book had a real and physical effect on me. The writing was very authentic, and the story was definitely had me running the gamut of emotions. I laughed, I cursed, I cried. Oh, how I cried.
I know that the subject matter in Maldemores will make this book a hard sell to some readers. However, I challenge you to read it. You might be surprised at how easily this book will change your thinking and claim your heart. It wasn’t always easy to read, and I’m sure it definitely wasn’t easy to write. But I feel like the story of Luciano and Belen HAD to be told. Their bond goes deeper than family, deeper than mere love interests. Their connection is soul-deep, transcends the fictional world they live in, and will eventually bring you to your knees.
As a reader, my very favorite books challenge me. They make me question what I know, what I believe, and they make me FEEL. Mara White hit all of these points for me.
Before this book, I was unfamiliar with Mara’s work. My girl Joanne from Have Book Will Read told me she was reading Maldeamores, and after I looked it up, I knew that I had to read it. I first downloaded the sample, and I one-clicked as soon as I finished it. I proceeded to check out of life for the entire day, and I have not one regret.
The story of Luciano and Belen wrapped me up, drew me in, and refused to let go. For a few hours today, I was on that street corner in Washington Heights. I could feel the sultry summer heat while on the playground, and I could hear the music wafting from the windows while sitting on the stoop of the apartment building. Mara White’s rich and vivid story telling places a reader IN the story, rather than making them a casual observer.
Reading this book was a real journey. It's a story of true love, family, and ultimately, sacrifice. There were several scenes that had me squirming. I was questioning myself when I wanted Bey & Lucky to run away together and live happily ever after, but I was angry when I realized they couldn’t. I didn’t know how to feel when something so “wrong” felt so right. My heart was in my throat, my stomach was in knots. This book had a real and physical effect on me. The writing was very authentic, and the story was definitely had me running the gamut of emotions. I laughed, I cursed, I cried. Oh, how I cried.
I know that the subject matter in Maldemores will make this book a hard sell to some readers. However, I challenge you to read it. You might be surprised at how easily this book will change your thinking and claim your heart. It wasn’t always easy to read, and I’m sure it definitely wasn’t easy to write. But I feel like the story of Luciano and Belen HAD to be told. Their bond goes deeper than family, deeper than mere love interests. Their connection is soul-deep, transcends the fictional world they live in, and will eventually bring you to your knees.
November 4, 2015
5 Lovesick Stars
This story of forbidden love gripped onto my heart and soul and never let go. I finished this book WEEKS ago. Weeks! I wanted to do this book justice by writing the perfect review, but I’m not sure it’s possible. It’s a story unlike any other I’ve ever read. It’s gut wrenching, sexy, devastating and beautiful. It is earth shattering and soul crushing.
I thought I knew what I was getting myself into when I started this book, but I really had no idea. God oh God. Mara White’s writing is so compelling I felt like I experienced every single emotion that Lucky and Belén did. Desire. Need. Attraction. Love. Rejection. I felt every one! I was taken on the journey of a lifetime with this star-crossed pair.
And just when I thought I’d felt everything there was to feel, I felt MORE. Everything intensified. Everything! I felt hurt. Broken. Devastated. Denied. But most of all, I felt LOVE. Lucky and Belén’s fierce love. There are only a few authors out there that can truly succeed in evoking such raw and deep emotions through their words. Mara White succeeded. When I finished Maledeamores, I felt lovesick. I still do. This book is a must read and truly an emotionally beautiful experience.
This story of forbidden love gripped onto my heart and soul and never let go. I finished this book WEEKS ago. Weeks! I wanted to do this book justice by writing the perfect review, but I’m not sure it’s possible. It’s a story unlike any other I’ve ever read. It’s gut wrenching, sexy, devastating and beautiful. It is earth shattering and soul crushing.
I thought I knew what I was getting myself into when I started this book, but I really had no idea. God oh God. Mara White’s writing is so compelling I felt like I experienced every single emotion that Lucky and Belén did. Desire. Need. Attraction. Love. Rejection. I felt every one! I was taken on the journey of a lifetime with this star-crossed pair.
And just when I thought I’d felt everything there was to feel, I felt MORE. Everything intensified. Everything! I felt hurt. Broken. Devastated. Denied. But most of all, I felt LOVE. Lucky and Belén’s fierce love. There are only a few authors out there that can truly succeed in evoking such raw and deep emotions through their words. Mara White succeeded. When I finished Maledeamores, I felt lovesick. I still do. This book is a must read and truly an emotionally beautiful experience.
June 14, 2015
I was very excited about this book. It seemed like such a promising taboo, dark love story. When I started it I was pleasantly surprised because the author took us back to the past. We first meet Luciano and Belen when they are small children. They are cousins and the grew up together. Things change when they start growing up. They start noticing each other and Belen cannot stop thinking about her cousin. Twisted emoptions and jealousy spring throughout their teenage years but Luciano is determined not to let their feelings consume them. He stays away from Belen in hopes that they will remain friends and cousins; family.
But things are not easy because Belen keeps pursuing Luciano with no success.
Their forbidden love keeps getting stornger despite their choices.
I have to be honest and say that I liked the first 30% of the book. I liked the premise, I liked the writing style, but something did not click after that. I had several issues with this book and I think it had real potential to be a solid 5 star read. The execution fell a little flat for me.
I expected something dark, edgy and forbidden but I got none of those things. Yes, their love is taboo. Yes, they are cousins but the immaturity of the characters really put me off. I couldn't connect to Belen after that 30% of the book. The sexual encounters were not sensual at all for me. I found several scenes unrealistic and near the end I was fed up with the back and forth scenes between our MC.
I expected the ending to have a shocking twist and satisfy me, but sadly I found it lacking. After everything the characters went through that ending gave me no satisfaction at all. I expected a big boom, but no.
I have nothing against the writer's writing; on the contrary. I think her writing is great but the way this plot was handled was just not for me. The biggest issue for me was that I couldn't connect to the characters; I wasn't invested in them.
The theme is about a taboo love story, but I got none of the dark atmosphere that usually accompanies dark reads.
Interesting plot, great development of their early years together, but I was disappointed at the execution.
Since this was my first Mara White book, I'll check her other work as well.
It was an okay read, but I think it had potential to be great.
3.50-3.75 Stars from me.
RELEASING ON JUNE 22nd...
*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.*
But things are not easy because Belen keeps pursuing Luciano with no success.
Their forbidden love keeps getting stornger despite their choices.
I have to be honest and say that I liked the first 30% of the book. I liked the premise, I liked the writing style, but something did not click after that. I had several issues with this book and I think it had real potential to be a solid 5 star read. The execution fell a little flat for me.
I expected something dark, edgy and forbidden but I got none of those things. Yes, their love is taboo. Yes, they are cousins but the immaturity of the characters really put me off. I couldn't connect to Belen after that 30% of the book. The sexual encounters were not sensual at all for me. I found several scenes unrealistic and near the end I was fed up with the back and forth scenes between our MC.
I expected the ending to have a shocking twist and satisfy me, but sadly I found it lacking. After everything the characters went through that ending gave me no satisfaction at all. I expected a big boom, but no.
I have nothing against the writer's writing; on the contrary. I think her writing is great but the way this plot was handled was just not for me. The biggest issue for me was that I couldn't connect to the characters; I wasn't invested in them.
The theme is about a taboo love story, but I got none of the dark atmosphere that usually accompanies dark reads.
Interesting plot, great development of their early years together, but I was disappointed at the execution.
Since this was my first Mara White book, I'll check her other work as well.
It was an okay read, but I think it had potential to be great.
3.50-3.75 Stars from me.
RELEASING ON JUNE 22nd...
*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.*
June 3, 2015
I had to take some time to process my thoughts after getting to the end of this book. I'm still processing them. In an amazing way.
I know a lot of people will read the blurb or see the warning and immediately turn away...I however, saw it and immediately said "I've got to read this book" and I'm beyond happy that I did. I love books that test and tease the line of right and wrong, the kind that makes you know you're not supposed to be okay with it, but you just can't help it. So many times these kinds of books go wrong...they over explain why it's "right" or the shock value is shoved in your face. But not this one. My heart rooted for Lucky and Bey throughout the entire book, crying for them, bleeding for them, understanding them as if I've been there myself. That's when you know you have a good book.
Maldeamores starts off when they are young, and works its way from there, not once dragging in the past or wasting time on pointless stories or information that isn't needed. It gives you the exact moments in their lives, in their love, that give you everything you need to feel these two people. Mara does such an amazing job at telling the story in away that I can vividly see everything. She shows their story...not just tells it. Their love is felt...real. And I couldn't stop reading from the moment I started. This will definitely be one of those books that will stick with me forever. It's the first book by Mara that I've read, but it won't be the last!
Would I recommend this book? In a heartbeat, but only to the openminded reader that doesn't look at a situation and make their own assumptions without seeing for themselves. Because once you hear their story, there's no way you can blame them. If you're okay with everything in the warning, then get this book now! And I will say that I expected it to be sick and perverse, but it wasn't at all. And I wasn't let down.
I know a lot of people will read the blurb or see the warning and immediately turn away...I however, saw it and immediately said "I've got to read this book" and I'm beyond happy that I did. I love books that test and tease the line of right and wrong, the kind that makes you know you're not supposed to be okay with it, but you just can't help it. So many times these kinds of books go wrong...they over explain why it's "right" or the shock value is shoved in your face. But not this one. My heart rooted for Lucky and Bey throughout the entire book, crying for them, bleeding for them, understanding them as if I've been there myself. That's when you know you have a good book.
Maldeamores starts off when they are young, and works its way from there, not once dragging in the past or wasting time on pointless stories or information that isn't needed. It gives you the exact moments in their lives, in their love, that give you everything you need to feel these two people. Mara does such an amazing job at telling the story in away that I can vividly see everything. She shows their story...not just tells it. Their love is felt...real. And I couldn't stop reading from the moment I started. This will definitely be one of those books that will stick with me forever. It's the first book by Mara that I've read, but it won't be the last!
Would I recommend this book? In a heartbeat, but only to the openminded reader that doesn't look at a situation and make their own assumptions without seeing for themselves. Because once you hear their story, there's no way you can blame them. If you're okay with everything in the warning, then get this book now! And I will say that I expected it to be sick and perverse, but it wasn't at all. And I wasn't let down.
May 29, 2018
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Read more of my reviews at Whoo Gives A Hoot
*
Oh my freaking goodness! How in the world did I not know about this emotionally heart-wrenching, soul-crushing, undeniably raw and original taboo forbidden romance until now? Mara White's incredibly beautiful and emotionally captivating writing style managed to capture me whole body, heart and soul! So much so that I've been desperately trying to find the perfect words to describe this story for days now and I am still at a loss. There are so many thoughts I want to express, but I feel like there is nothing I can say that could possibly do justice for this fine piece of literacy magic.
When I first started Maldeamores (Lovesick) I had absolutely no clue what I was getting myself into when I one-clicked this story after having had it recommended to me numerous times by some of my newly discovered book besties! The moment I sat down to read this story I was a goner and I ended up binge reading it straight through. I can hardly believe the abundance of emotion that I experienced while devouring Lucky and Belén's story. I never anticipated how many times I could have my heart broken and repaired again and again throughout. As soon as I reached the end I was left craving more of these two and fortunately for me I didn't have to wait to dive right into their next book Malentendido: Misunderstood. There is no doubt in my mind that these two will forever hold a special place in my heart!
Oh my freaking goodness! How in the world did I not know about this emotionally heart-wrenching, soul-crushing, undeniably raw and original taboo forbidden romance until now? Mara White's incredibly beautiful and emotionally captivating writing style managed to capture me whole body, heart and soul! So much so that I've been desperately trying to find the perfect words to describe this story for days now and I am still at a loss. There are so many thoughts I want to express, but I feel like there is nothing I can say that could possibly do justice for this fine piece of literacy magic.
When I first started Maldeamores (Lovesick) I had absolutely no clue what I was getting myself into when I one-clicked this story after having had it recommended to me numerous times by some of my newly discovered book besties! The moment I sat down to read this story I was a goner and I ended up binge reading it straight through. I can hardly believe the abundance of emotion that I experienced while devouring Lucky and Belén's story. I never anticipated how many times I could have my heart broken and repaired again and again throughout. As soon as I reached the end I was left craving more of these two and fortunately for me I didn't have to wait to dive right into their next book Malentendido: Misunderstood. There is no doubt in my mind that these two will forever hold a special place in my heart!
June 8, 2015
OH. MY. HEART.
This book. This book right here. THIS is why I love reading, why I started blogging. When you find an author that is new to you and you devour every word on those pages, you just want to shout it from the rooftops! Until today, I'd never read a Mara White book, but you can be damn sure I'll have read at least one more of her books by the end of this week.
The simple blurb intirgued me, the prologue hooked me, and from there onwards I couldn't put it down. I know there are lots of books that you struggle to put down, but when I say I couldn't put it down, I mean I couldn't put it down. School run, work, toilet, that book went with me.
Maldeamores is easily one of my favourite books of this year. If you love forbidden love stories then mark your calendars for June 23rd, book your day off work/organise your childcare or whatever you need to do, 'cause once you start, you'll want to finish this in one sitting!
(Full review to come)
This book. This book right here. THIS is why I love reading, why I started blogging. When you find an author that is new to you and you devour every word on those pages, you just want to shout it from the rooftops! Until today, I'd never read a Mara White book, but you can be damn sure I'll have read at least one more of her books by the end of this week.
The simple blurb intirgued me, the prologue hooked me, and from there onwards I couldn't put it down. I know there are lots of books that you struggle to put down, but when I say I couldn't put it down, I mean I couldn't put it down. School run, work, toilet, that book went with me.
Maldeamores is easily one of my favourite books of this year. If you love forbidden love stories then mark your calendars for June 23rd, book your day off work/organise your childcare or whatever you need to do, 'cause once you start, you'll want to finish this in one sitting!
(Full review to come)
June 30, 2016
Not certain that I'm ok with the ending.....
August 1, 2023
I came to this book after reading Hale which ended on a HEA where there was an actual illegal aspect of the conflict because of there incestuous relationship.
Here? Apparently (and i also looked it up because that's something I did not knew) consensual incest between adults is legal in Spain. AND it's also legal for first cousins to marry in New York.
After I got over my shock after learning those facts from this book as well as Google (🙂), imagine my utter disdain when I reached the end of this book, after wasting 4 hours on it just to see that bizarre, unsatisfying, disappointing ending.
Yep no HEA. No HFN. Nothing.
Even before that, this book was a 2 stars for me.
This story was weird af. And that too without the incest.
The heroine is so fucking unlikable, i ain't even kidding. I get all the "I'm sick" bullshit which is apparently common in the fmcs of these incest books (🙄) but ffs, can you stop being so fucking desperate? You actually went and casted a SPELL for your COUSIN to be together with you?
Forget the incest. That's not the issue here.
The hero is a manwhore throughout the book, and she is a virgin who can't have an orgasm unless she pictures him in her head. Everytime she decides to lose her virginity to some guy, the hero comes and takes her away. But that's all okay, because she is willing to die a virgin if he doesn't sleep with her.
Even when she goes to college and they grow up and what not, she doesn't move on.
The worst part though? It's not all the aforementioned things. It's HOW she does lose her virginity when she does. That was so weird, unrealistic, nonsensical and so out of pocket, I still cannot fathom why there was any need for it to be that way. This "hero" smashed the head of a guy who dares to go third base with her and then all of a sudden is all too okay with her having sex with his friend INFRONT of him and that other guy watching it. And it's fine because "as long as she pictures me to get off and is okay with this." Like where was this guy for idk 80% OF THE BOOK?
I DO NOT understand any of this. And then at the end? It would've been so much better not to mention realistic, if he died. But then to have that weird pov and ambiguity just made me want to go inside the book and push him off a cliff.
Here? Apparently (and i also looked it up because that's something I did not knew) consensual incest between adults is legal in Spain. AND it's also legal for first cousins to marry in New York.
After I got over my shock after learning those facts from this book as well as Google (🙂), imagine my utter disdain when I reached the end of this book, after wasting 4 hours on it just to see that bizarre, unsatisfying, disappointing ending.
Yep no HEA. No HFN. Nothing.
Even before that, this book was a 2 stars for me.
This story was weird af. And that too without the incest.
The heroine is so fucking unlikable, i ain't even kidding. I get all the "I'm sick" bullshit which is apparently common in the fmcs of these incest books (🙄) but ffs, can you stop being so fucking desperate? You actually went and casted a SPELL for your COUSIN to be together with you?
Forget the incest. That's not the issue here.
The hero is a manwhore throughout the book, and she is a virgin who can't have an orgasm unless she pictures him in her head. Everytime she decides to lose her virginity to some guy, the hero comes and takes her away. But that's all okay, because she is willing to die a virgin if he doesn't sleep with her.
Even when she goes to college and they grow up and what not, she doesn't move on.
The worst part though? It's not all the aforementioned things. It's HOW she does lose her virginity when she does. That was so weird, unrealistic, nonsensical and so out of pocket, I still cannot fathom why there was any need for it to be that way. This "hero" smashed the head of a guy who dares to go third base with her and then all of a sudden is all too okay with her having sex with his friend INFRONT of him and that other guy watching it. And it's fine because "as long as she pictures me to get off and is okay with this." Like where was this guy for idk 80% OF THE BOOK?
I DO NOT understand any of this. And then at the end? It would've been so much better not to mention realistic, if he died. But then to have that weird pov and ambiguity just made me want to go inside the book and push him off a cliff.
September 23, 2018
Ed eccomi qui. Sono passati cinque anni da quando adocchiai questo romanzo per la prima volta su Goodreads, e finalmente è approdato nella mia libreria. Oh, ragazzi... che storia TORMENTATA e COMMOVENTE! Chi di noi non ha mai avuto una cotta per il proprio cugino? Ecco, Belén e Luciano sono molto più di due semplici cugini di primo grado. Sono l'uno l'estensione dell'altro, INSEPARABILI fin dalla nascita.
Ho AMATO Lucky. Ho amato la sua razionalità, la sua maturità nel gestire L'ONDATA DI EMOZIONI TRASCENDENTALI che investiva lui e Belén ogni volta che erano nella stessa stanza. È questo che si dovrebbe leggere, quando si va incontro a un amore taboo: il DESIDERIO SMODATO che però viene sempre messo a freno nel momento in cui sono lì lì per superare il punto di non ritorno. Quanto ANGST in queste pagine traboccanti di SENSUALITÀ!
Sono veramente soddisfatta di questo libro, sì sì. La scrittura di Mara White, poi, è veramente bella: mi ha talmente incatenata che ho letto le prime 100 pagine in un giorno! Ormai sapete che vuol dire, no? Non lasciatevelo sfuggire!
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«Amarti, Bey, non dovrebbe essere qualcosa da nascondere al mondo. Il tuo amore dovrebbe essere un privilegio, non uno sporco segreto. Voglio che tu abbia una vita felice, una di cui andare fiera».
Ho AMATO Lucky. Ho amato la sua razionalità, la sua maturità nel gestire L'ONDATA DI EMOZIONI TRASCENDENTALI che investiva lui e Belén ogni volta che erano nella stessa stanza. È questo che si dovrebbe leggere, quando si va incontro a un amore taboo: il DESIDERIO SMODATO che però viene sempre messo a freno nel momento in cui sono lì lì per superare il punto di non ritorno. Quanto ANGST in queste pagine traboccanti di SENSUALITÀ!
Sono veramente soddisfatta di questo libro, sì sì. La scrittura di Mara White, poi, è veramente bella: mi ha talmente incatenata che ho letto le prime 100 pagine in un giorno! Ormai sapete che vuol dire, no? Non lasciatevelo sfuggire!
✤ Leggi la recensione sul blog ✤
► ACQUISTA CON 1-CLICK ◄
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June 26, 2017
Few things, this book was recommended by a few book friends, Yaya Martinez, Laura Lee, & Shabby. Not sure if I've read Mara before but not I will be stalking her. The subject is taboo, the writing is a combination of street, hood and proper. Sex scenes are just as PROHIBITED as the subject matter only scorching. This story will eviscerate you!
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