Dark, emotional, and potentially triggering. This book pulls you in with its emotional depth and the complex characters. To be honest, I struggled with the age of the FMC and the sexuality that surrounded her and her relationship(s). I do understand that was the point of the book, but for me that was a difficult thing to get past, and ultimately it kept me from fully connecting. The deep seeded issues of each family member, and darkness that was the life they had no choice but to live, was sad and eye opening. Mental illness, drug abuse, sexual assault, and violence were all subjects of this book so please be advised. I think there are things in the book that I thought were done well. The yearning for true love and connection, the youngest sibling needing someone to support and believe in him as he looks for his place in the world, both offering tender moments and glimpses of what could be.

I am interested to see where the next book leads their story. It ends on a cliff hanger, which I generally am not a fan of, but there is promise - yet so much history that could lead to a very interesting sequel. I think there is a good possibility that I would enjoy the next book even more considering that the characters will be older and I may find them more relatable.

I would like to thank NetGalley, A. Atkins, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Wow. That was heavy. In a good way. It's a lot of tugging back and forth on the romance side and it reminded me a bit of A Love Letter to Whiskey - where the timing is never quite right or someone comes between the characters. It slowed down a lot in the middle but both the beginning 25% and the last 20% or so were really intense.

For a lot of people the age may be an issue but it works really well for me. I think teenagers and young adults have very valid feelings and intense relationships and they both acted way older than their ages.

I really like books with heavy themes and trauma so this was right up my alley. Are you f-ing kidding me with that ending though?!? I sat down on my floor for the last 5 minutes and didn't get up for another 10.

The narration was very good. She had a somber tone and I really liked her male voice. I listened around 1.75x

I definitely want to read more by this author

Book blew me away. It’s hard to get attached to characters in books for me. It’s easier in film. This had me so attached to these people and their story. This book made you feel weird at times. Made you question certain relationships. It’s a thrilling coming of age romance novel. I usually stick with psychological thrillers but this kept my interest the entire time. It left me wanting more. I don’t want this to be the end of the story. Hope we get a sequel.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley on the advanced copy of this Audiobook. This was fantastic.

3.75⭐️

I had the audiobook read by Jessie Elwyn who is great.

An angst ridden forbidden romance told over 3 years set during the 90’s. Our main characters Laney and Shane, both have difficulties in their lives, in the mix is Dustin, Laney’s ten year old brother who has additional needs.

The story is told from multiple POV, and even formats which I’m not usually a fan of, but it works well to show different aspects of our main characters.

I absolutely loved Shane, Laney and Dustin. The tension between our main characters is tangible, the will they won’t they keeping you keeping you turning the pages.

Now to the elephant in the room the age gap, Laney is 14, Shane 17 at the start, which for me totally stops this from being sleazy. However it’s also its biggest implausibility what 17 year old has that level of restraint, let alone the sexual expertise referred to.

Yes you feel the intensity of their passion, and the frustration of being right connection wrong timing. There’s sexual activity description during the book, so it might not be for everyone.

So overall I enjoyed it, but kept niggling in the back of my head. The ending however I was disappointed in. I didn’t like the format used it felt far too rushed, and the thought processes were at odds with previous ones as though the author suddenly decided to drag this story out to another book.
Up until the ending it was a solid 4, with the ending it’s dropped to 3.75.

I don’t really know what to say except I loved every tense angsty minute of this book except [redacted]. When I say I want a book to devour and destroy me this is what I mean. I just wish it had the decency to [redacted]. How unfortunate that this is the authors debut novel. I’d give it all up to read more especially when the male main character [redacted]!!!!!!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review.


2 stars. Dnf at 40% but I did listen to the last two chapters. I understand that my review doesn’t include the entire book

I really enjoyed the multiple POVs and I did like some of the characters. I felt the book was well written. I just couldn’t get over the age difference between the two main characters and how basically very single adult male looked at 14 year old Laney and wanted to f$ck her. Even the one adult who looked out for Laney and Dustin made a comment to Shane that she is basically an adult and it’s ok for the adult to sexualize her.

In this Romeo & Juliet-esque story, two kids (yes, kids - the FMC is 14-17 and the MMC is 16-18 throughout the story) are magnetically drawn to one another but resist their urges to be together because of their age difference and the threat of Laney’s dangerous older brother. This was very much a coming of age story in addition to a romance. I loved the 90s nostalgia thrown in and I adored the little brother Dustin.

This is being marketed at a mystery/thriller romance (at least per NetGalley) and it is not a mystery/thriller by any stretch of the imagination. It has some very adult themes (CSA, drug use, sexual content, and murder just to name a few) but still feels like it should be marketed as YA. The audiobook was great. The narrator did a wonderful job. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen/review this audiobook ARC.

This was GOOD. There’s multiple POVs, but it’s done so well that you really feel connected to the characters and how everything is coming together. The writing is phenomenal and pacing is incredible.

A stressful right person wrong time. TOXIC people, just about everyone.
Biggest negative for me was the love story being centered around a minor. The audiobook would’ve also benefited from a cast of narrators

I'm so upset I need more!!! This was so good I highly recommend A Spicy Romance With A Thiller thats just as Mysterious.
This had my crying, laughing and down right fighting with my characters I need there lovestory to continue. This had everything I wanted and more. I am so pleased I need the next one now.

Uh. What? If I could, I would end the review there because, what? Okay so we have great characters, great writing, spice but they’re underage (uncomfy), murder and mayhem, and then that ending?! I hope part 2 is out expeditiously . (Great narration though).

I loved this dark romance thriller with multiple pov. The story centers around Laney and Shane, and their love is anything but straightforward. It's like they're constantly pulling each other closer and pushing each other away. The audiobook narration really brought their story to life. It felt like I was right there with them, feeling every emotion and getting sucked into their world.

Now, fair warning, it's not your typical love story, it's darker and grittier. But if you're into that kind of rollercoaster romance with a bit of edge, this audiobook hits the spot. I enjoyed it a lot! it's gripping, dark, and thrilling. If you're up for a ride, definitely give it a shot!