Review: Pity!
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 05 14, 2013
As other reviewers have said, the book starts off very strong, you get right into the characters, interesting set up and then....suddenly it's a deflated balloon. Our hero Marco- yeah, he's Mr. Alpha, dominant, possessive, jealous..into "depravity" he keeps telling us. But we are not given much of an "in" into his character and he ceased to interest me. Our heroine Natalie, nice girl next door who escapes a slimy situation at home with mom's boyfriend. She shows gumption, a survivor. And then, nothing. I wanted to know what she gets out of her relationship with Marco. What's her weakness and why does being with Marco make it better? Why is she drawn to him other than he is (yawn) so hot? But we get nothing. I liked that she tuned into him and wanted to make him feel better as he has lots of issues. But it wasn't enough. We are told about this, we don't really get to see it.ANd yes there's lots of great tension and heat between the two culminating with them finally fooling around in his car on the way to a party....sizzling and very true to their characters. And after that....not a heck of a lot. I was astounded! That night when they got home we should have gotten a super hot bedroom scene, "finally", etc. But no. Suddenly we read "the next day" and I'm thinking,  what happened to the evening??? If you are going to write a book with this subject matter and this type of guy, you cannot all of a sudden get discreet. I found this ridiculous!! (we get a couple other love scenes, but for the most part, the minute they get together, we don't see much, weeks and months go by we are told-- are you kidding me??) My point here is that from the first he understands that she is fresh and sweet and not very experienced. Once again the author is setting this up beautifully. We should be getting love scenes that bring both characters some change and growth here with themselves and connecting to each other. BUT NO!  ???THen Marco keeps spouting the usual Alpha stuff which are now cliches: You are mine, mine mine, bla bla bla. THere ceased to be an edge to him, suddenly he becomes a one note cutout. And yes he is drawn to her and shocks himself by falling in love with her. BUt we are told this, TOLD this, in his inner monologues. Sorry, I wanted to see them experience it. Not hear about it! Tedious and disappointing. I did like when he gives her the diamond jewelry, he wants to show her affection but is so uptight about it, but this moment sort of went nowhere as well. It's as if we finally get to the good part and the author backs away and rushes us to conclusion. The only big plot point is that he tracks her using gps in her cell phone and she switches out the sim card to trick him. OOOOOOHHHHH! I'm on the edge of my seat here.As for other characters: I really thought there would be some sort of confrontation with her and her mother's boyfriend with Marco, etc. but no.  We are introduced to a jealous, crabby ex-girlfriend, (opportunity!) but she fades away, then a couple that Marco used to share and swing with, but their effect on the plot is superficial at best(???!!) Total shame. Oh yes, Plot. There is none. Boy meets girl. BOy gets girl. Boy is jealous or something. End of story. Basically. WHY??? The author is a good writer that is why this makes this book a double disappointment!!! She sets up and goes nowhere with it. And I felt utterly cheated.If you are interested in this sort of story with these sort of characters a much better and satisfying read and a hell of a ride is "Insufferable Proximity" by Z. Stefani. Read that! Sorry. (or just reread 50 shades)