Review: Ruins of Temptation

Ruins of Temptation by C. Hallman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Note 2: This is a series. Although the first three books feature a different couple from this book, they are all interconnected. King of Corium, Drop Dead Queen, Broken Kingdom - are Quinton and Aspen's trilogy. Ruins Of Temptation and Reign Of Freedom (Coming August 26th 2022) are Lucas and Delilah's duet. PLEASE READ IN ORDER - THEY ARE ALL CONNECTED.

Trigger warnings:sex trafficking, abandonment, drug use, alcohol use, rape, assault.

To catch yourself up to speed and what my reviews said, here are the reviews for the first three books.
1. King Of Corium: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2. Drop Dead Queen: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
3. Broken Kingdom: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

To summarise the past stories - Delilah and a few other people in her gang (in the past it used to be Quinton as well) all aspire to torture kill, rape, you know the usual to Aspen due to her father's very heinous crimes and behaviour that affected them, and since she was brought to this school, they thought it would be a perfect way to get their revenge.
But in a very f-ed way, Quinton falls for Aspen, and they communicate about what's really going on (if only they'd try and do it in the past, oh well), which brings a plot twist about her life...but the plot twist also brings a few murders, realisations, and anger and betrayal at the forefront - which then leads to this book.

And a few more punishments as well, to reap for the sins committed to Aspen. Hence why we come to this book.

Now in this book:

Delilah is brought to be tortured, r**ped, any method to bring everyone who tried to hurt Aspen down. But you know..she's a bit different to our past doormat heroines, so she refuses to say anything. And then the torturing begins and well etc.

Lucas is the one - the antihero- the one to bring justice and bring punishment for hurting Aspen (He's a real key figure in Aspen's life).

But you know some things lead to another even while torturing..and they crave well...you know what they crave. I don't have to spell it out for you.

But in the end she runs...takes her chance thanks to kindness, but well the point at the end...cliffhanger to if she makes it or not...sheesh I almost died at that.

So yeah, I did enjoy this book to a certain degree. I probably ended up liking Lucas and Delilah more than the previous couple. Sue me.

At least she had a backbone up to a certain point, that's when the stars fell for me. Regardless, a decent, f-ed up novel, based on revenge and vengeance...and doing whatever it takes to keep your loved ones safe. Also the writing was okay, as well - the novel wasn't too long. The characters had decent f-ed physical chemistry (I know, I can't believe it either), and the side characters were few, but okay I guess in terms of pushing the plot forward.

I just think the book didn't do enough justice to the actual plot. But oh well, maybe Reign of Freedom will calm my qualms.

Until the next read,

-JB

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