WOW!! The author warns the readers that it has triggers and if it’s not your cup of tea do not enter, but I have read several of her books and they are dark but so unique I suggest giving them a whirl. I loved Sebastian, he and Naomi they had a kindred spirit of sorts in what they needed to feel alive but is it all a lie for Sebastian just to prove a point to his peers or is it real. They come from vastly different backgrounds where Naomi is raised by her single mother and Sebastian has been groomed by his grandparents to carry on the Weaver name in politics. Naomi likes to stick to herself, has been traumatized, isn’t sure where she fits, at times just feels lonely. She was a tad annoying because she never wanted to be judged but didn’t hesitate to throw that judgment right back at everyone. Sebastian is a calculating guy with many different facades that he knows how to wield. One second, he is this football god of college, the next he sits back to watch others and learn their motives, and then the only time he lets his dark side out is around Naomi. Naomi is faced everyday by racist jerks and is always looking for an escape and she finds that in Sebastian’s darkness. It’s like her depravity speaks to his and they form a sort of relationship based on it, but will it amount to anything or is this just a means to an end? With all the secrets and lies what will happen next? Can they survive what lies ahead or are they doomed to fade into the darkness forever? This was interesting and had me on the edge of my seat, heart pounding, with so many questions running around my head, and that ending blew my mind. I can’t wait to see what direction the author will take us in the next book.

"We're two monsters who made peace with the darkness." ( )

Intense.

I have been curious about Naomi and Sebastian since they were first introduced in Reina and Asher's duet. I never thought that I was going to get a story for them. I am glad I was wrong because this story was everything that I needed and didn't even know I wanted.

As usual, there is an intensity and grittiness to this author's ability to tell a story. It is never sugar plums, rainbow, and unicorn glitter. That is one of the reasons that I love the way that she pens a story. I like the darkness juxtaposed with something redemptive. I like to see how these characters grow with themselves, with others, and with each other.

Naomi is one of my favorite characters that this author has written. I love how she is so unapologetically herself from her music tastes, hobbies, and attitude. I loved getting inside her head and rationalizing why she liked certain things when so often in society what she likes would be deemed shameful and abhorrent. I could really relate to that on a personal level. Sebastian was an anomaly to me for part of the story because I didn't understand what and why there was such a duality when it came to his personality. I put that aside for now because I think it will make more sense with the conclusion of this duet. The chemistry between these two was HOT.

My only issue with this story was the twist at the cliffhanger. I am not sure I understand the impact or reasoning why everything is happening now at this age because I just don't see what could be altered that much. However, I am not ranking down for that yet because I am sure that the author will explain it well in the conclusion. It wasn't enough to warrant me not devouring each and every word that this author crafted. There is a reason that she is one of my favorites. As always, she left me mesmerized. Looking forward to the conclusion. ( )