ABOUT THE BOOK
Caspien Deveraux was poison.
It took me years to realise that he hadn’t been born like that. He’d been cultivated and nurtured by a careful hand and a bitter heart.
When I first met him, he was a bud. One primed to bloom beautifully and deadly. One I should have torn out at the root.
I loathed him. I loved him. And until him, I hadn’t known just how completely those two things could exist at once.
MY REVIEW
Have you ever found a love so all encompassing and allusive? My heart will take some time to recover from this one! My first Scarlett Drake novel is superb and a favorite for 2024. It’s a beautifully tragic coming of age love story that I couldn’t put down.
The story revolves around the lives of Caspien “Cas” Deveraux and Jude Alcott, two young men whose paths intertwine in a tumultuous and passionate love affair. Despite facing manipulation and mind games, their undeniable attraction drives them together, leading to a love that is intense and volatile. In addition, buried secrets are unraveled and lingering questions are answered which adds an element of intrigue reminiscent of classical literature.
Jude’s character is beautifully written as a young man navigating the rough waters of love and self-discovery. His journey is fraught with heartbreak and despair and encouraging moments of resilience and growth supported by his brother-in-law Luke and loyal friends. Witnessing Jude’s transformation from a lovesick teenager to a mature, courageous man was both moving and inspiring.
Cas is a complex and enigmatic figure, shrouded in privilege and mystery. He is initially an unlikable character but he gradually reveals his vulnerability and inner turmoil which made me reconsider my feelings toward him. Throughout the book, the story is told in Jude’s words and the brilliant kicker is when the author skillfully presents the last chapter from Cas’s point of view. Bravo!
I wholeheartedly recommend this extremely beautiful novel to anyone looking for a moving and superbly written tale of self-discovery, love, and resilience. This book will leave you spellbound.
Thank you to Ms. Drake for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
BUY THE BOOK
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Scarlett Drake lives in Glasgow, Scotland with her boyfriend and her cat. By day she works for a social housing charity. By night she writes contemporary romantic fiction with erotic flavorings and a bit of a twist, which she releases weekly on Wattpad.
She has published multiple stories on Wattpad and has been featured in the New York Times, Cosmo, and Buzzfeed, and last year won a Watty People’s Choice Award for her original fiction.
She hopes to one day give up the day job and write stories all day everyday in quaint little beach house on the west coast of the USA.
Follow Scarlett on Twitter, Instagram and Goodreads.
BLOG TOUR ORGANIZED BY:
