Review: Loved it!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 3, 2014
I had seen a lot of the teasers and a couple excerpts before reading Provoke, so my interest was definitely piqued with this one. I have also read both Tease and Promiscuous by Missy so I was familiar with her writing style. That being said, I was incredibly impressed with Provoke. It seems like each book continues to get better than the last, which always leaves me wanting to jump into the next story from her.The plot in Provoke is definitely not one I have come across before. Disclaimer, this is a darker read than what we’ve experienced with Missy’s previous writings. It’s a lot more disturbing, but also a lot more unique. However, this unique quality is what I honestly think continues to bring me back to more of Missy Johnson’s writing. She doesn’t write about the same story over and over; she develops something new and different. Although it was difficult to read at times because of the thought that this could really be happening in places, there are no real graphic descriptions that would leave a reader horrified.I absolutely loved both of the main characters, especially since we were able to see inside both Leeta and Mace’s heads. Leeta is a strong-willed, independent woman who actually thinks straight. I loved that she didn’t automatically take him back and waited until she knew with conviction what her choices were. And Mace…oh Mace. He was one of those characters you just have to love, even through his screw ups. You could tell he always had the best of intentions, but never carried out the action in the best manner. It just made him that much more lovable! We don’t get to see the start of their relationship, but that doesn’t mean we miss out on any steamy angst going on! The book begins when they’ve been together for several months, but I actually think it works because there is less time on them learning simple things about each other, and more on the overall plot and arc of where the book is going. It allows us to explore the deeper secrets hidden, rather than the more shallow, getting to know you stuff.I did have a few issues with jumps in the story where the transitions weren’t as smooth as I would have liked them to be. The epilogue also didn’t make complete sense to me – I wasn’t sure of the reasoning behind having Cash in there (just to tie up loose ends or if there’d be a sequel based on him). Overall though, I did find I really liked this one. It was a very quick read that is hard to put down once you start it. Furthermore, I love seeing the growth in Missy Johnson’s writing, as the next one just continues to get better than the last!