The chemistry between the two is really good and the smut is super juicy. The murder mystery aspect was something I enjoyed and how 'Z' handled the crimes. To top it off we get modern references too. I don't like when authors insert modern world references into their writing. No one wants to read about Cheerios when they're reading a dark smutty romance. Haunting Adeline is fast-paced despite the length of the book/audiobook. The last quarter of the book had me on the edge of my seat. There are two plot twists here that are ended on a cliffhanger.

The trigger warnings are so so heavy on this one (will be mentioned at the end of the review). Although the author warned, I somehow didn't expect it to be so much darker than the first one. I wanted to throw up, cried at some of the scenes and was truly horrified and disgusted. But I applaud the author for having the heart and stomach to write it. It couldn't have been easy. The utterly raw and realistic scenes that take place in the book are not meant for the weak hearted.But i realise that unfortunately that is the best case scenario irl. Most victims in skin trade don’t get rescued at all.. What Addie went through was hard to even imagine and reading it so explicitly made me hurt for those who had to deal with it for real. Thank you to Neela for not only rec'ing this book, but for all the funny ass texts about this book that hopefully never get out. For the sake of both our reputations 🖤🐀 I am so heartbroken over how this book turned out. Not the storyline because I DNF'd at 70% but because of how high my expectations were. I need the Tin Man to oil the hinges on my door just as much as I need the Lion's bravery. I'm shaking like a leaf. Once again, no one does it like Harley Laroux. I can't wait for her to release the third book of the trilogy aaa!!

On the opposing side, the Hunter, a born predator, is compelled by an unyielding longing to reclaim what rightfully belongs to him. The absence of Adeline, his precious diamond, awakens his primal ferocity, launching him on an unwavering pursuit. He is resolute in his mission to retrieve her, even if it means painting the earth crimson with blood. Chunks of concrete fly into my eyes as more bullets ping around me. I grunt, rubbing at my lids to clear my vision

Customer reviews

Lastly, I did dnf this book, and I guess it is possible for it to get better (i think i heard the second book is better) but I'm really not interested in giving this book another chance. And that's ignoring the fact that this book is so unnecessarily long. Listen, I understand that women being sexually assaulted in books is necessary for story lines, and I also understand that sometimes it needs to go into detail to further drive the plot in very rare cases, but this book did none of that. There are VERY descriptive rape scenes from the main character, and they just seemed so unnecessary. He turns his head and our eyes clash in one of the mirrors. My heart drops as I tear my eyes away to look around and see his eyes pinned on me from several directions, it’s the most intense feeling I’ve ever experienced. This duet deserves to be read consecutively, otherwise, you would just be pissed off because of Z’s actions. The second book does a very good job of redeeming Z because he really is a legitimate antihero and someone that actually r*ped the FMC. She's so prim and proper, and I'm so...not. Where she holds herself with regality and grace, I have a terrible habit of slumping and sitting with my legs open.

This review contains minor spoilers, nothing unpredictable or what you haven’t already seen on booktok. But I’m still warning you. The main reason i am reducing one star is because the first two times they had sex, he forced himself on her. They both knew it. People excuse this by saying it was cnc and even though I never kink shame, it was just not something i could easily fathom. Not only that but he also physically abuses her by slapping and choking and etc. He also punishes her all the time for the littlest things. And never listens to what she says. Just because she came in the end doesn’t make it okay for me. But i mean she didn’t seem to mind so ig that’s what counts. And if you’re into that, I understand. Book Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Dark, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, New Adult, Romance, Thriller But one of the hard limits is trying to excuse the behavior, and that's what this book does at every turn. This is also the reason I couldn’t fall for Zade despite him saying lots of cute shit. If you follow my updates, you know lol.The ending is a bitch. It’s a damn cliffhanger and i have to know how it ends! So lemme go start the second book. Anyhoo, I'm looking forward to reading the sequel. This one did cure my reading slump. The reason I give it four stars instead of five is cause of the gun play scene, which was a bit much😅 The worst thing about this book, for me, is how overly corny it is in its attempt to justify itself. Sure, he is doing something good in this life by killing pedos and abusers. But maaaaan does he need to learn some boundaries. There’s a point where the heroine goes to a club and meets this guy, Archie. While she’s at the club, Zade messages her

Like - you lose me completely there. I will not be manipulated by "okay he does this to her but look at all the girls and women he's saving!! Look how disgusted he is by older men who aren't hot like him preying on women!!!" It just makes the whole thing awful for me. I'd rather he was just a billionaire businessman, I'd be fine with most of it then LOL He's just so hypocritical talking about how any guy that forces himself onto women/children deserves to go to hell and be tortured (Which is his hobby. He like...likes to torture people...idk that's lame to me. It's like when guys flex about punching shit when they're mad). Meanwhile, here he is, going into this girl's house, forcing himself onto her, justifying it because of the girl being turned on, and then leaving her there lying on the floor curled into herself and crying. Feeling violated. I face him, eyeing him closely. He’s relaxed into his seat, his long legs spread, one hand draped over the wheel and the other resting on the armrest between us. I never thought the endearment ‘little mouse’ was hot, but with the context that he’s the cat and she’s the prey just makes this 🥰Now, I'm a girl who's seeking refuge in a decrepit lighthouse with a man who loathes me almost as much as he craves me. He wants to hurt me, but the old caretaker of the abandoned island may have intentions far more sinister. Idk man I prefer him in this book more than the first one. BUT I still dislike him as love interest in general. This book would have been so much better if it was a completely different story. Meaning, this book does not seem much like a sequel to the next book. I felt like I was reading two completely different stories honestly.