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285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2016
I read the blurb and said, wait a second, this sounds like my kind of book:
a. Multi-layered plot. Check
b. Devious characters. Check
c. Second-chance love story. Check, check and check.
But Avant has written a most confusing story.
1.The book starts with Raven (the female protagonist) taking photographs of a male model (I presumed he was a model but the author didn't actually tell us the why or the who); their dialogue makes no sense; then they start making out; then in walks another character named Stephen who must really like Raven because he stormed off, angry that Raven kissed another guy. Who is Stephen again? Please don't ask because I don't know. Who is the male model and why was Raven taking photos of him? Please don't ask me because the author never explained.
2. Next scene has Raven walking into a mansion to visit with a "Charlene", who might or might not be her biological mother. Next scene has Raven with a shard of glass in hand, stabbing someone who apparently had attempted to rape the pregnant Charlene. Next scene has Raven and Charlene in the kitchen, discussing rather random things and completely neglecting to discuss why a man just tried to rape Charlene and, O Idk, why they probably ought to call the cops. I was like, seriously?
3. Next, we learn that Raven has a 5-year-old daughter. Hmm okay? And that someone called Liam was the father. Hmm okay? And that although Raven hasn't seen or spoken with Liam in 5 years she could, apparently, just waltz into his office, inform him he had a daughter, demand for his share of upkeep, then waltz out. Excuse you and WTF?
At this point, a picture began forming in my mind and would you like to know? I think this author based the Deceptive Desires series on "The Housewives of Atlanta/New York/L.A./Lagos/Milan/London" etc etc...you get the point. It read like a script for a reality show because the author moved from scene to scene with no scene set-up or background info. She would just pivot at random and move in a completely new direction, all with the most minimal of dialogue.
Look, I have enough on my plate with real life and having to help an author figure out the who, the what, the where and the how of a book is just not gonna fly. I'm sorry, but no.
You know how people are watching something that is a complete hot mess and they say its like watching a train wreck? That’s what Envy is like but instead of it being like watching a train wreck. Its more like watching a roller coaster derail. There are up’s and down’s, loops, twirls and spins. And you know by watching that the car is going entirely too fast and derailing is inevitable and you should DEFINITELY turn your head but for whatever reason you just CAN’T because you have to...no NEED to see whats going to happen next. That’s what this book is.
I wouldn’t even know how to begin to tell you what this book is about because goddammit i’m still trying to figure it out. I started this on Sunday morning ... and was just so riveted and hypnotized by all the crazy that I finished it by Sunday Evening. A Roller coaster wreck it is, but it’s a damn entertaining one.
Evny chronicles Liam and Ravens life five years after Covet ends and they’re still the most dramatic and exhausting couple to read about. One minute they’re madly in love and there’s no one else for them in the universe and then the next minute they hate one another and are scheming and plotting against each other. When I tell you I cant STAND these two...I CAN’T STAND THESE TWO! lol They get on my damned nerves. Seriously, I want to slap the baby Jesus crap out of the both of them. But then I also smile and swoon when they’re having their little cute moments.
The drama that is their relationship and their family relationships continues in Envy and only gets more complicated and chaotic as more people are introduced and try to manipulate and play games with both Liam and Raven and their feelings for one another. They’re stupid...I swear all of their issues would be NIL if they would just sit the hell down for more than one second and TALK to one another. The only GOOD and solid thing that has come from the two of these loons being together is their beautiful spoiled little daughter Royael. Don’t get me wrong, I DON’T want to see them break up...or I should say APART because they break up every other chapter. But they need to get it together seriously.
Envy ended...mysteriously. I have no idea what the hell is going through either of their minds. The next book comes out on Friday (Oct 14th.) Am I going to buy it? I don’t know...I kind of feel like these books are “in the moment” kind of books. The kinds of books you wouldn’t normally reach for but if you’re in the mood to be really lenient when it comes to craziness and bullshit, you’d enjoy it.
I have re-emphasize this point...This book is “technically” the first book in the Deceptive Desires series. But if you’re going to dive into this craziness, you HAVE to read Covet which is the ‘prequel’. The author says you don’t need to but i’m telling you, you DO. So much of what happens in this book is predicated on events that occurred and things that are explained in Covet. You would be completely and utterly confused if you read this book without reading Covet. Hell...I read covet and i’m STILL confused.
Man I hope my patience is still where it is now by next Friday because I REALLY do want to see what the hell is going to happen with these two and their crazy asses with their crazy family.
Recommendation: Read at your own risk, but if you do and you stick it out you will be highly entertained.