I kind of wish that Christian’s romance with Mike was more than about 7% of the book. Maybe it’s just me as a reader, but a rehabilitation and ‘learning to trust after trauma’ story is way more meaty than the destruction of someone’s psyche. The book felt like a set up to something handwaved away, and the conclusion felt forced and tacked on.

This story is about 99% hurt and 1% comfort, I know it will appeal to some! But had too many callous, detached ‘Flesh Cartel’ vibes for me, and Mike’s humanity wasn’t enough to make Christian’s trauma recovery believable - 7% just isn’t enough to compensate all that trauma. I can’t really decide what this book was trying to be. It’s not a romance; it’s a psychological thriller that seems to have gotten confused along the way. ( )