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Valentine: Act I of II
Welcome to Coalfields.
A Town where everyone fits in. From murderers to rapists to paedophiles. And you. Yes, you.
What? You think you’re so much different from them? That’s what Jack and Lia thought too. After all, what do two high school lovebirds have in common with a place like that?
Nothing.
Until one of them commits murder. But even then, who am I to Judge? After all, I'm merely an observer in the stars—a spectator. God.
So out of all the people in the world, why observe the life of two teenagers? Because it's They're special.
One is the greatest high school quarterback in North America who's slept with as many girls as the hairs on his head. The other? A child-like teenager who was abused by her now-dead father.
But it wasn't the murder of Lia's father, or the fact that Jack had fallen head over heals for a virgin, that interested me.
It was because of the fateful day that Lia looked me dead in the eyes. A mere mortal, looked upon me, God. It was then, for the first time I felt fear. In the reflection of her eyes—the dark figure. A manifestation. An It.
Something I hadn't created.
And with his cherry red lips, It smiled back.
(This is the first part of a two-part story that will conclude in Act II)
A Town where everyone fits in. From murderers to rapists to paedophiles. And you. Yes, you.
What? You think you’re so much different from them? That’s what Jack and Lia thought too. After all, what do two high school lovebirds have in common with a place like that?
Nothing.
Until one of them commits murder. But even then, who am I to Judge? After all, I'm merely an observer in the stars—a spectator. God.
So out of all the people in the world, why observe the life of two teenagers? Because it's They're special.
One is the greatest high school quarterback in North America who's slept with as many girls as the hairs on his head. The other? A child-like teenager who was abused by her now-dead father.
But it wasn't the murder of Lia's father, or the fact that Jack had fallen head over heals for a virgin, that interested me.
It was because of the fateful day that Lia looked me dead in the eyes. A mere mortal, looked upon me, God. It was then, for the first time I felt fear. In the reflection of her eyes—the dark figure. A manifestation. An It.
Something I hadn't created.
And with his cherry red lips, It smiled back.
(This is the first part of a two-part story that will conclude in Act II)
405 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2018
11 people want to read
About the author
Elliott Morreau
6 books9 followersElliott Morreau is a Canadian Infantryman turned author with extensive experience in winter warfare and survival tactics. Drawing upon his military expertise, Elliott crafts vivid, realistic narratives grounded in tactical precision and authentic survival techniques, ensuring an immersive experience for readers.
Over the past five years, Elliott has dedicated himself to constructing the intricate world of "The Wanderlands," a speculative sci-fi and dystopian epic set in a harsh, snowbound environment. His military background uniquely positions him to deliver compelling narratives filled with profound moral dilemmas, intense action, and rich emotional depth.
A seasoned author with numerous solo publications, Elliott's work stands out for its meticulous world-building and vivid storytelling. His novels frequently explore themes of freedom, control, loyalty, and sacrifice, resonating deeply with readers who appreciate authenticity and detail.
His passion for literature and commitment to realism have earned him recognition among fans of speculative fiction and military drama.
Over the past five years, Elliott has dedicated himself to constructing the intricate world of "The Wanderlands," a speculative sci-fi and dystopian epic set in a harsh, snowbound environment. His military background uniquely positions him to deliver compelling narratives filled with profound moral dilemmas, intense action, and rich emotional depth.
A seasoned author with numerous solo publications, Elliott's work stands out for its meticulous world-building and vivid storytelling. His novels frequently explore themes of freedom, control, loyalty, and sacrifice, resonating deeply with readers who appreciate authenticity and detail.
His passion for literature and commitment to realism have earned him recognition among fans of speculative fiction and military drama.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 7, 2018
Valentine: Act I of II by Elliott Morreau wasn’t what I expected. Intriguing, but also disconcerting that I eventually and sadly had to DNF.
Let me start by saying that this story is absolutely not for the faint of heart. I thought it was a disturbing read and I had a difficult time getting through most of the 15% that I read. I’m not usually a fan of dark romances, but I have read them before and honestly, some of them were surprisingly really good and addictive. Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t think this book was horrible or not well-written. I actually thought the plot was unique in its own way. Yeah, I did cringe and ughhh at some parts, but I also wanted to know what would happen next. However, there were factors that bothered me a lot which made reading this novel unpleasant enough that I had to stop.
It was also frustratingly difficult to connect with the characters. I didn’t like Jack from the start. I know I don’t know his character that well yet, but I just couldn’t understand why Lia was staying with him. He acted pushy and a bit of a jerk which was a big NO for me and a total turn off. I also had a difficult time relating with Lia. And the romance… DO NOT LIKE AT ALL. As I’ve mentioned, I’ve read dark romances before… and even though there were a few light/somewhat cutesy moments between Jack and Lia, there was something very off-putting about their relationship. Yes, I haven't gone too far into the story and maybe their romantic relationship gets better, but it just wasn't doing it for me. I felt no chemistry between them and didn’t FEEL the swoons.
But, the one thing that really affected my reading experience was the author's writing style. Okay, so this one is a little difficult to explain. I did like some parts. I thought it was creative and original and I haven’t read anything like it before. Well, I also felt that the writing was overwhelmingly flowery. There were far too many similes and metaphors and imagery that it became extremely distracting. I felt like I was drowning in words and I wasn’t feeling/connecting with the characters or the story. I just can't read books if I don't have that. I want to feel like I'm part of the story. And maybe I just don't have the patience to read this book cause I'm not in the mood. Maybe I just want something happy and light and just easy to read.
This was not the book for me now and maybe even ever. I thought there were a few creative and intriguing parts, but overall, I just did not have fun reading the story. It was too flowery, too exhausting, and too heavy. But, don’t take my word for it. Give it a try and see if you’ll like the story. Maybe you’ll even love it.
I received an ecopy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest and fair review. All thoughts, opinions, and feelings are my own.
Let me start by saying that this story is absolutely not for the faint of heart. I thought it was a disturbing read and I had a difficult time getting through most of the 15% that I read. I’m not usually a fan of dark romances, but I have read them before and honestly, some of them were surprisingly really good and addictive. Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t think this book was horrible or not well-written. I actually thought the plot was unique in its own way. Yeah, I did cringe and ughhh at some parts, but I also wanted to know what would happen next. However, there were factors that bothered me a lot which made reading this novel unpleasant enough that I had to stop.
It was also frustratingly difficult to connect with the characters. I didn’t like Jack from the start. I know I don’t know his character that well yet, but I just couldn’t understand why Lia was staying with him. He acted pushy and a bit of a jerk which was a big NO for me and a total turn off. I also had a difficult time relating with Lia. And the romance… DO NOT LIKE AT ALL. As I’ve mentioned, I’ve read dark romances before… and even though there were a few light/somewhat cutesy moments between Jack and Lia, there was something very off-putting about their relationship. Yes, I haven't gone too far into the story and maybe their romantic relationship gets better, but it just wasn't doing it for me. I felt no chemistry between them and didn’t FEEL the swoons.
But, the one thing that really affected my reading experience was the author's writing style. Okay, so this one is a little difficult to explain. I did like some parts. I thought it was creative and original and I haven’t read anything like it before. Well, I also felt that the writing was overwhelmingly flowery. There were far too many similes and metaphors and imagery that it became extremely distracting. I felt like I was drowning in words and I wasn’t feeling/connecting with the characters or the story. I just can't read books if I don't have that. I want to feel like I'm part of the story. And maybe I just don't have the patience to read this book cause I'm not in the mood. Maybe I just want something happy and light and just easy to read.
This was not the book for me now and maybe even ever. I thought there were a few creative and intriguing parts, but overall, I just did not have fun reading the story. It was too flowery, too exhausting, and too heavy. But, don’t take my word for it. Give it a try and see if you’ll like the story. Maybe you’ll even love it.
I received an ecopy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest and fair review. All thoughts, opinions, and feelings are my own.
July 18, 2022
I was sent this by the author, Elliott in exchange for an honest review, I wouldn't recommend this book, it DEFINITELY needs trigger warnings. I honestly don't have words for how truly disgusted I was with this book. I dnf this book.
June 15, 2019
I read this book in two days. Very easy read as I could easily follow along with the story line. I would 100% recommend this book to anyone that wants a good read.
January 16, 2019
“Valentine” is one of those books are going to be divided over. Some will love it; some will be lukewarm about it; some won’t like it at all; a rare few will hate it; and some will be unsure how they feel about it. To me that speaks of a good book, one capable of evoking different opinions based on taste.
Why do I say this? Because “Valentine” is one of those different books that doesn't come along very often, and because it’s so different, readers are going to be divided over it. It breaks convention and takes the reader in several unexpected directions. The characters have depth, but they’re not likeable characters for the most part. That’s because they’re all very flawed characters, and they’re probably not people you’d want to meet or associate with. They evoke strong emotions and perhaps strong opinions about them.
The title makes it sound like a romance. It is that, but it’s hardly a conventional one. You’ll wonder what keeps Jack and Lia going when everything says they should not even be together. Not having read the second part of the story at this point, I don’t know how it will turn out: happily ever after, tragic, or something else.
Author Elliott Morreau deals with some heady subject matter, and his prose is certainly different from that of other romance novel out there. His prose is sensory in that lets the reader feel with all the senses, prose that involves the reader. Some reviewers have called the prose flowery, but there’s a rather large difference between flowery prose and what Morreau writes.
But read the novel for yourself and draw your own conclusions.
Why do I say this? Because “Valentine” is one of those different books that doesn't come along very often, and because it’s so different, readers are going to be divided over it. It breaks convention and takes the reader in several unexpected directions. The characters have depth, but they’re not likeable characters for the most part. That’s because they’re all very flawed characters, and they’re probably not people you’d want to meet or associate with. They evoke strong emotions and perhaps strong opinions about them.
The title makes it sound like a romance. It is that, but it’s hardly a conventional one. You’ll wonder what keeps Jack and Lia going when everything says they should not even be together. Not having read the second part of the story at this point, I don’t know how it will turn out: happily ever after, tragic, or something else.
Author Elliott Morreau deals with some heady subject matter, and his prose is certainly different from that of other romance novel out there. His prose is sensory in that lets the reader feel with all the senses, prose that involves the reader. Some reviewers have called the prose flowery, but there’s a rather large difference between flowery prose and what Morreau writes.
But read the novel for yourself and draw your own conclusions.
August 5, 2018
Oh boy, what a ride! I found this book on a park bench while dog walking. Turns out I found one of many copies the author left all around Ontario, which seemed like a really sweet idea so I gave it a shot.
Unfortunately this book is not so sweet. The topics are clearly purposefully controversial, which could be fine if the writing was any good. It’s not. The narrative is extremely misogynistic, to an extent you would not expect in contemporary literature. All female characters are simultaneously objectified and criticized, the main female character is constantly infantilized. Abusive relationships and toxic masculinity are romanticized. There are several pages of anti-feminist ranting that don’t have anything to do with the story.
Racial, homophobic and ableist slurs are used regularly, in spite of a primarily white, straight, abled cast of characters.
Finally, despite being packaged as a wild fugitive love story, the book is really just about a guy getting frustrated because he can’t stick his dick in his partner.
Oh yeah, the author also likes to go on about his penis. A lot.
Unfortunately this book is not so sweet. The topics are clearly purposefully controversial, which could be fine if the writing was any good. It’s not. The narrative is extremely misogynistic, to an extent you would not expect in contemporary literature. All female characters are simultaneously objectified and criticized, the main female character is constantly infantilized. Abusive relationships and toxic masculinity are romanticized. There are several pages of anti-feminist ranting that don’t have anything to do with the story.
Racial, homophobic and ableist slurs are used regularly, in spite of a primarily white, straight, abled cast of characters.
Finally, despite being packaged as a wild fugitive love story, the book is really just about a guy getting frustrated because he can’t stick his dick in his partner.
Oh yeah, the author also likes to go on about his penis. A lot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2018
I was sent this by the author, Elliott in exchange for an honest review!
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first read the summary and didn’t think I would get into it as much as I did! But let me tell you, this book was such a good read! I loved the style that it is written in; I love the character developments and interactions and love the romantic angles....I wasn’t too sure how to take Lia when I first started reading. She came across as spoilt and hard-work! But the way she interacted with Jack was amazing! The dialogue really helps to build the story. It is a very interesting, inventive story. There were some elements I didn’t enjoy but overall I loved this story and am excited that it has been left open for more!
I will definitely be reading the next book! Please check this new author out!
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first read the summary and didn’t think I would get into it as much as I did! But let me tell you, this book was such a good read! I loved the style that it is written in; I love the character developments and interactions and love the romantic angles....I wasn’t too sure how to take Lia when I first started reading. She came across as spoilt and hard-work! But the way she interacted with Jack was amazing! The dialogue really helps to build the story. It is a very interesting, inventive story. There were some elements I didn’t enjoy but overall I loved this story and am excited that it has been left open for more!
I will definitely be reading the next book! Please check this new author out!
July 19, 2018
I was in awe of Elliott Morreau's writing straight away. From the very first page, I was hooked into the story of Jack and Lia. I wanted to know what would happen to them. Morreau's writing flawless, he managed to write incredibly flawed characters yet he made them readable and more relatable than I thought was possible. The narrative structure of the novel works brilliantly with the story. Morreau has a very unique and fresh style of writing that I fell in love with immediately.
This was a compelling read with rich characters. I'm excited to read the next novel and to see how the story unfolds.
This was a compelling read with rich characters. I'm excited to read the next novel and to see how the story unfolds.
November 15, 2020
Valentine Act 1 pulled me in from the moment I started reading. It had interesting characters and a unique storyline. I don’t normally like books in the horror section but this one was well written and easy to read.
If there was one thing I didn’t like was the way the characters spoke about and portrayed women. It was a bit much at times especially when one character told Jack (the main character) to beat his girlfriend. Thankfully Jack does not do that.
However, it was extremely well written. It easily jumped from character to character and at times played out like a movie.
I can’t wait for Act 2 so I can find out what happens next.
If there was one thing I didn’t like was the way the characters spoke about and portrayed women. It was a bit much at times especially when one character told Jack (the main character) to beat his girlfriend. Thankfully Jack does not do that.
However, it was extremely well written. It easily jumped from character to character and at times played out like a movie.
I can’t wait for Act 2 so I can find out what happens next.
June 3, 2018
This book shows most of the dark issues that exist in this world. Abuse, rape, corruption, murder etc. Hence it was a disturbing read through out. May be the author has intentionally kept it that way.
It is a sad as well as a shocking fact that in many parts of the world, girls are taught to live a life satisfying the sexual desires of men, no matter who the man is. They are forced to stay dependent on men and learn nothing by themselves. They finally grow up believing that it is the right way of living a life. Lia grew up in a similar circumstance where she was suppressed by none other than her own father. Hence she has a lot of personality issues. She even has a soft corner for her abusive father. She is not able to distinguish between right and wrong.
At the age of sixteen/seventeen, people have career goals. Here Jack and Lia are thinking to make babies !! Protagonists need some improvement. I hope they grow up in the next part.
Writing style of the author is quite good and the book is well edited.
Since this book has a second part, most of the characters remain unexplained. This gives much hope for the next release. I will wait for the next part to give an overall opinion about Valentine.
It is a sad as well as a shocking fact that in many parts of the world, girls are taught to live a life satisfying the sexual desires of men, no matter who the man is. They are forced to stay dependent on men and learn nothing by themselves. They finally grow up believing that it is the right way of living a life. Lia grew up in a similar circumstance where she was suppressed by none other than her own father. Hence she has a lot of personality issues. She even has a soft corner for her abusive father. She is not able to distinguish between right and wrong.
At the age of sixteen/seventeen, people have career goals. Here Jack and Lia are thinking to make babies !! Protagonists need some improvement. I hope they grow up in the next part.
Writing style of the author is quite good and the book is well edited.
Since this book has a second part, most of the characters remain unexplained. This gives much hope for the next release. I will wait for the next part to give an overall opinion about Valentine.
July 31, 2018
Valentine Act I is an incredibly well crafted novel by an author who needs a lot more recognition! His story explores the love between a young couple and the aftermath of a gruesome murder. There are some sensitive subjects, but these are approached extremely well and are essential to the telling of the story. I could go on and on with a long list of positives, but I strongly recommended reading this one! An absolutely enthralling adventure! 😊
June 16, 2018
Even though Jack and Lia go away to Coalfields to start a life together - it's hard to leave the past behind; especially for Lia. I felt sorry for her and the things she went through, though there were times where she irritated me and where she seemed quite naive. I got a copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2018
I loved this book! The narrative style alone captured me right away. Yes, it deals with some very dark and potentially disturbing issues, but the author handles them well. It's completely unique and bold. I have honestly never read anything like it before. If you are looking for something entirely different, and can handle a glimpse into the most shadowy corners of our world, I 100% recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews