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A review by annica_reads_books
Ruby Tears by Pepper Winters
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Pepper has blessed us with another dark romance, and I will be one of the first to say that this might be Pepper's darkest series to date. The jury is still out because I have not read the subsequent books in the series as they have not been released for me to read yet, but it's a hunch that I have. If her other dark romances were right at your limit, this one might be too much for you. If you have ANY triggers, please heed the trigger warnings in this book.
Before you start this series, I also highly recommend reading Monsters in the Dark and then The Mercer Curse. If you've already read "Monsters in the Dark," just dive into "The Mercer Curse." It's two chapters and an epilogue, and bridges the gap between the end of "Monsters in the Dark" and the beginning of "Ruby Tears" quite well. I would also recommend NOT reading my review (below) if you have not read that series and that short novella.
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Review
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This book had my attention from the moment I opened it until the moment I put it down. Honestly, I'm still thinking about it.
The MMC "Henri" is introduced in "The Mercer Curse," and we discover that he is Q's (unwanted) half-brother, who admits that he suffers from the same affliction as Q. Q wants nothing to do with him unless he can control the urges "cursing" both of them by their father. Q gives Henri an ultimatum to prove that he can rise above their curse by going undercover to infiltrate a massive sex-trafficking ring owned by the elusive "Master Jeweler."
Henri is alone in this world, and I really felt for him reading this story. He's trying his best to do the right thing, but with no one to turn to in this world, his resolve is crumbling piece by piece. His strength is admirable and his naivete understandable, given his backstory.
"Live or die. Love or loneliness. My fate was decided the moment my mother gave birth to a monster. One of these days, someone would put me down. And when that day came, I wouldn't have to struggle anymore. I could rest. Alone. Always Alone. Forever."
The FMC "Ily" is strong and kind, and someone that wants to see the good in people. I'd also call her a little naive, but honestly, what normal person wouldn't be? Until you live in a situation where you cannot trust people, trust is naturally given. I thoroughly appreciated her character, and want to know more about her as the series continues. Ily also has this somewhat lost sense of self given her history, and upbringing, and I think that her and Henri work well together as two souls searching for themselves with tons of passion and spirit.
"With her, I wasn't lonely. With her, I wasn't unwanted. With her, I burned and ached and came apart at the motherfucking seams. She looked at me as if I was worth something."
Ruby Tears was everything I had hoped it would be, and honestly, more. It is one of the easiest 5 stars I've ever given. I would not change a single thing about it, and I am on the edge of my seat to get my hands on Emerald Bruises! Ruby Tears is my new standard for captive/captor romance. It's brilliant, jaw-droppingly dark, and written elegantly.
Before you start this series, I also highly recommend reading Monsters in the Dark and then The Mercer Curse. If you've already read "Monsters in the Dark," just dive into "The Mercer Curse." It's two chapters and an epilogue, and bridges the gap between the end of "Monsters in the Dark" and the beginning of "Ruby Tears" quite well. I would also recommend NOT reading my review (below) if you have not read that series and that short novella.
************
Review
************
This book had my attention from the moment I opened it until the moment I put it down. Honestly, I'm still thinking about it.
The MMC "Henri" is introduced in "The Mercer Curse," and we discover that he is Q's (unwanted) half-brother, who admits that he suffers from the same affliction as Q. Q wants nothing to do with him unless he can control the urges "cursing" both of them by their father. Q gives Henri an ultimatum to prove that he can rise above their curse by going undercover to infiltrate a massive sex-trafficking ring owned by the elusive "Master Jeweler."
Henri is alone in this world, and I really felt for him reading this story. He's trying his best to do the right thing, but with no one to turn to in this world, his resolve is crumbling piece by piece. His strength is admirable and his naivete understandable, given his backstory.
"Live or die. Love or loneliness. My fate was decided the moment my mother gave birth to a monster. One of these days, someone would put me down. And when that day came, I wouldn't have to struggle anymore. I could rest. Alone. Always Alone. Forever."
The FMC "Ily" is strong and kind, and someone that wants to see the good in people. I'd also call her a little naive, but honestly, what normal person wouldn't be? Until you live in a situation where you cannot trust people, trust is naturally given. I thoroughly appreciated her character, and want to know more about her as the series continues. Ily also has this somewhat lost sense of self given her history, and upbringing, and I think that her and Henri work well together as two souls searching for themselves with tons of passion and spirit.
"With her, I wasn't lonely. With her, I wasn't unwanted. With her, I burned and ached and came apart at the motherfucking seams. She looked at me as if I was worth something."
Ruby Tears was everything I had hoped it would be, and honestly, more. It is one of the easiest 5 stars I've ever given. I would not change a single thing about it, and I am on the edge of my seat to get my hands on Emerald Bruises! Ruby Tears is my new standard for captive/captor romance. It's brilliant, jaw-droppingly dark, and written elegantly.