Status Updates From Lacrima: A Modern Dark Roma...

The writing is very intriguing even though the plot is quite simple. The movie the MCs are filming is a good metaphor for Alina’s struggles and the author makes it clear.

Oh god. He just raped her at her own home. Marcus had given Luca her home door code and he drunkenly entered and raped her. I feel so bad for Alina. She was kind until the very end. He seemed to understand that it was the wrong way to go about sleeping with her but he doesn't sound remorseful from the way he expects her to be good after.

I feel for Alina. Luca for real fingered her in one of the scenes and left her assaulted. He thinks she would get over it after two weeks. Alina's agent Marcus told her to stay quiet because this is a breakthrough project for her. She finally finds out that Luca has been sleeping around with girls on the set and other girls (Irja and Eun-ji are also sleeping with other guys).

I like how the Chinese culture is brought up in many occasions and it's interesting to read. Luca likes Alina for her sincere aloofness, but all he really wants is to sleep with her because he is voluptuous and did not have cosmetic surgeries like other stars he's slept with in China and Italy.

Luca's POV make him look a lot worse than anticipated. He slept with a couple co-stars on set and is trying to sleep with Alina, but she's too oblivious to his intentions. He's anti-social and dislikes dominating girls and usually doesn't get along with his cast members (from a Chinese variety show before). Very disappointed in his character but it's a Dark Romance novel for a reason.

The writing is good so far. Alina is kind, likable D-list actress. Luca is a mysterious Chinese model who's never acted before. They are both casted as the main leads in a novel turned movie. There is a unspeakable tension between them that Alina is trying to decipher due to her anxious personality to have everyone like her. Her amicability is what got her small roles in the industry.

My first ebook in a while. Since this book was published only size months ago, there isn't an audiobook yet. Reddit reviewers say this was good.

WTF was the variety reality show even mentioned if Alina wasn't going to be in it? So freaking dumb. Man, I'm so bummed because I really thought I had a winner and instead it just fizzled. What happened?!

This was so good and then...it just kinda stalled. Nothing's happening, he's letting her have all this space, there's no more forced proximity, we're not getting anything from her perspective. The film is over, they've spent months apart...idk, this wasn't a great narrative choice. There was so many things that could have happened, but now he just kinda seems like a lost puppy waiting for scraps...

Lmao! The heroine is just perfect for this book. She's not dumb exactly, but the way she constantly assumes the best of everyone so she's kind of adorably naive and oblivious is just my favorite. I love it because I know her awakening is coming and the anticipation of it all is fabulous.

I'm only 5% in, but I have a good feeling about this one! I appreciate how the MMC is described as "introverted" and "adorably shy" right now when we know what's coming....