Hooked by Emily McIntire

I just remembered how happy I feel each time I finish a book. It’s an experience. It lowkey feels like being released from shackles. Like a burden lifted off your soul. That’s not to say that reading feels burdensome. But finishing a book. Gosh. It’s orgasmic.

 

This book. It’ll be honest from the get-go. You want to read Wattpad-level smut in an actual book not written by a 14-year-old Wattpad girl? This book is for you. I've got to say though, I didn’t enjoy the smut in this one. Technically I suppose it is good, it’s written great, but it just didn’t sit with me. Especially the smut post Wendy kidnapping. I guess it takes a darker soul to enjoy. Or perhaps just a more robust one. But the execution was great. It’s a well-written book, with a good enough plot. Not mind-blowing, not mesmerising, but good enough. A solid 3 stars. 2.5 initially, but it got better towards the end.

 

Now, since this is a review, not a summary, let’s go over the actual storyline.

 

Wendy’s character, in my opinion, was rather depthless. It’s like she was trying to be the girl, but she just…wasn’t? I feel like the crux of her personality was just fawning over Jon, and of course, over James. Don’t tell me her childhood neglect was what made her still feel aroused around James with literally no explanation from him about his hot and cold demeanour after he tortured her and shackled her to a basement without food for three days. Like, it’s just never addressed. And all the aches and bruises and supposedly feels just randomly goes away and she’s dressed in a skimpy dress the next night and looks radiant at the gala? Where’s the sunken eyes, sallow face from starvation and being tortured? Say perhaps I’m nit-picking, it still does take away from the ‘realism’. Also what’s with Wendy always wearing baby blue dresses? And has anyone realised she got pregnant after literal days of knowing this guy? Not judging though. Takes guts, that’s all. But I do understand the feeling of being utterly rapt by someone after literally no time at all. It’s called daddy issues.

 

Now James. I lost all attractiveness I could possibly muster towards a murderous brooding villain the moment he cut off the tongue of that dude. It all went downhill from there mate. I just can’t do it, I can’t bring myself to fawn over a murderous drug dealer. I guess that’s what killed the mood for me for all the ensuing smut scenes. And perhaps also the image of Moira going down on him in the beginning. It was vile. Moira’s description was vile. I almost retched. Ruined the whole thing. Anyhow. Other than that, his character is alright. Somehow Jon’s character felt darker than his.

 

I suppose I don’t have much else to say about the book. The plot is fine, not overly irritating. The prologue and extended prologue and character descriptions at the end were revolting. Like, just leave the story alone McIntire. It’s done. Let it go. No need for extended prologues, like, Jesus, we get it, they have a life together now, move on. Anyway. That’s all. You won’t get overly detailed reviews from me from unstriking books. I’ll only recommend this one for the smut for those whose stomachs are hard enough to get off on it despite the gore.

Toodles babes xoxo