Aubrey’s Reviews > Nightshade > Status Update

Quite a quick progression of relationship (understandable as we were over halfway through the novel before anything started developing). Very happy with the book and excited to finish the ending tonight!

It’s nice to see a connection forming between the two main character, even if it’s incredibly frayed and strained. Ophelia is clearly struggling with growing up alone, unsure how to act when she does have some kind of attraction to somebody. It’s nice to see representation like that.

Such an intense chapter! You can really see the tension building between the two (and not the romantic kind). It's not been entirely discussed yet why Alex seems to hate Ophelia, but it's interesting to see through that hate he is offering to be her alibi. However, it could be argued that it also means that she can't accuse him too of the death of her roommate. Crazy!! I love this murder-mystery type plot already!!!

Again, really pleasantly surprised that this has such a heavy focus on developing the female main character. Also found out that the author is an aerospace engineer and British; super cool as my partner also works in the industry!! Regarding the book though, you can see some semblances of romance blossoming, but it is so small and gradual that it's barely noticeable. This isn't a criticism at all; I love this style!

I’ve recently strayed away from romance novels as I found they weren’t quite what I was looking for in a book. However, this novel in the opening chapters seems quite interesting. The romance doesn’t seem to be the forefront of the plot at the minute, which I appreciate as it gives room for Ophelia and Alex to develop as characters on their own, as opposed to only focusing on their relationship. Defo enjoying!!