In all honesty, I didn’t even realize this book was considered dark romance until after I finished it. But I guess it makes sense since the story keeps it all in the family or whatever.
Be warned: this review may contain a few spoilers. I try to avoid them as much as possible, but sometimes it’s just inevitable when writing a review.
Simplified Summary
This is a why choose romance that follows Tiernan and her distant cousins. After her parents’ death, she’s sent to live high in the mountains with relatives she barely knows—her “uncle” and his two sons. Being just shy of 18, Tiernan quickly finds herself caught in a storm of sexual tension as the only girl in a house full of men.
And before anyone panics, let me clarify: the book does not contain underage sexual interactions. Everything kicks in after she turns 18, so you’re safe there.
I actually loved the sexual tension simmering throughout the story. She was forbidden fruit until her birthday, and it made the long-anticipated spicy scenes feel more worthwhile.
I also found it kind of funny how they tried to downplay the whole situation by pointing out that her “uncle” was only a stepbrother to her dad and not a biological relative. Still, it added a layer of tension that kept me turning the pages. And in her own way, Tiernan managed to bring the family together sometimes in ways you probably wouldn’t expect… well towards the end.
What I Didn’t Love
The ending wasn’t really my personal choice. Tiernan liked it, so I guess I love it for her, but I was hoping for something different. I also thought the romance between everyone fell a little flat. I usually love when characters form deeper emotional bonds, and I just didn’t feel that here.
My Ratings
Would I buy it?
Personally, no. It wasn’t my cup of tea. It had some good moments, but if I ever open it again, it’ll probably just be to reread a few select parts.
Characters: 3/5
Each character had their quirks, which I appreciated, but Tiernan got on my nerves a bit. She had a habit of being nosy and would get frustrated whenever anyone made valid points she didn’t want to hear. I also felt she was kinda aggravating falling in love with someone who I personally felt didn’t do anything to deserve it.
Plot: 4/5
I liked the overall story. The forbidden desire and sexual tension were great. That said, some parts felt unnecessary, like they were added in but never followed up on. Now that I think about it, it probably was the author’s way of hinting at the ending and their relationship. On the positive side, there were lessons about young love and falling too fast that gave it more depth.
Writing: 4/5
The writing itself was strong. The tension and desire between the characters came through really well. And like I mentioned earlier, there were some solid life lessons sprinkled in, proving that dark romance can be educational too.
Spice: 3/5
This is where I felt a little let down. Since Tiernan was new to everything, the guys went easy on her. I don’t usually like “easy,” but to be fair, the scenes weren’t bad at all. They even had a little bit of a wild sessions that I loved it just didn’t happen often enough to bump up the rating.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this book was just okay for me. The actual story wasn’t bad, but the ending left me a little disappointed. If this is considered dark romance, I’d say it’s more of an introduction to the genre. Honestly, the only “dark” element here is the fact that the romance stayed in the family.