Happy Tuesday, Bookworms,
I am finally emerging from the depths of sickness and reentering the real world. This now means tackling adult responsibilities and catching up on tasks that I've fallen behind on, including drafting and posting this review.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Rachel Leigh's "Heartless Monster," and I must say, I devoured it.
Admittedly, I am an admirer of Rachel as an author, so I find myself inclined to read whatever she writes - no matter what. I feel that it's worth noting that the last three books I've read all happened to center around the step-sibling trope. It's rather uncanny how I've consitentially started a book without realizing that we were headed for another step sibing "rivalove" (yes i am coining that term - you heard it here first). Now, while it's still not my preferred trope and i dont think thats going to change, iI did still find the story itself to be quite captivating.
Enter Rome Cromwell, the star quarterback of his high school football team. Once upon a time, he had it all, until it all vanished into thin air. Not literally, but he did have consequences to pay. To truly comprehend what transpired, we must rewind a year before their formal introduction.
Meet Elodie Astor, the sweet and innocent girl who attended a party with her sister. Something so simple. However, when her encounter with the star quarterback took a turn, one that left him fully clothed in the pool and her taking a risky walk home on the wrong side of the turf, she encountered trouble far beyond a mere flirtatious football star. Now, faced with her new stepbrother Rome's blame for his own downfall, Elodie remains steadfast in her innocence, possessing a fiery spirit unafraid to assert or stand up for herself, even against Rome's fury.
I get where Rome's coming from with his dislike for Elodie, but it feels a bit over-the-top to me. I think it would've been better if he just played nice in public and kept his issues with her on the down-low. But pretending to be civil with someone you can't stand might not be the healthiest move either.
But hey, let's face it, being a teenager is like riding an emotional rollercoaster. So, it's no surprise if Rome's anger towards Elodie gets blown out of proportion, especially given their age and all the drama that comes with it. They're just high school kids. If I were in their shoes at seventeen, I'd definitely be pissed if trying to flirt with the cute girls and then trying to help someone ended up backfiring on me alone. But let's not spoil the plot too much; you'll find out what happened as you read through the first few chapters.
I really loved how deep this book got into the characters' emotions. You totally get sucked into Rome's head and feel everything he's feeling. His confusion about Elodie and all the moral stuff he's dealing with? It's like you're right there with him, trying to figure it all out. And trust me, the more you read, the more hooked you'll get.
Loved it - 4 stars from me!
xoxo,
Alessia