Tragic (Rook and Ronin, #1)

by J.A. Huss

[layawaydragon]

DNF: Made it to pg. 90.
There were parts I enjoyed, like how Rook came across at first and called out that controlling ordering food for her red flag.
But she melted. Because of a “hot” creeper guy. She waffled. Her issues were no longer deep and meaningful (didn’t last long, sadly) but based on her attraction and level of brain function.
And she didn’t even ask questions about the photo shoot at all. Just rolled with everything. She was surrounded by new people in a new place that could’ve been awful and she should’ve been scared shitless of it.
Desperation definitely would have caused her to move forward despite her problem but her actions and reactions were off. Waking up naked with the strange guy in your room? Total fucking freak-out moment, even without PTSD and trust issues.
*sigh* As a survivor of domestic violence, it’s disappointing to read such a portrayal. Obviously, everyone is different but Rook just wasn’t believable.
Then there was the “typical single mom” being a crackhead, which was also not appreciated.
Not much to say about Ronin, the typical playboy “but I caaaare”. He’s creepy. And controlling. Locking her in?!?! FFS. And he’s rant about the other model about being a bitch on her rag was such a clear indication of what was to come and boy, howdy did it ever.
All you need to know about Ronin: You're keeping the nightie?" is all I manage to say. And then we both laugh because I am such a fucking "pig.
As for the writing, I did notice repetition. Certain sections just loved the words like “fangirl” etc., and Rook’s voice doesn’t match her experiences to me.
I had such high opens for Rook in the beginning because of her history and perspective with passages like this: They do us no favors, talking us up about women astronauts and lawyers and whatever. Because the cold hard reality is that none of those things apply to you when you're poor.

But that brief though of intersectionality is the highlight of first 90 pages for me.