Book Review - Consequences by Aleatha Romig • Ana's Attic Book Blog

Consequences by Aleatha Romig

1st in the Consequences Series

Does not stand alone. Psychological Thriller

I am a chicken. I like my books happy and hopeful. I’m an HEA girl at heart. So when I see these dark, fucked up books, I shy away. But many times, when I finally crack open the book with trepidation, these books I avoided turn out to be a favorite. So Consequences by Aleatha Romig has sat very high on my TBR list, especially because she is coming to Wicked Book Weekend. Most of my readers and bloggers I trust loved this series, so I assumed when I finally put on my big girl panties and read it I would love it as well.

Then, when I did my holiday favorites contest, I had you guys choose the series I should read from my TBR list. Consequences won. No more wimpiness from me! Right when I was about to start, a long-time blog reader warned me…”this is NOT for you”. Though she loved it, she knows me well enough to know I wouldn’t. But I forged ahead anyway. So I’m prefacing this review by saying this is way out of my comfort zone.

That being said, I have loved other books with forced slavery. In fact several come to mind. I’m usually OK with the book if I love and connect with the heroine, and can find something good in the man. In this case, I must say Joanne was right. This book wasn’t for me. But surprisingly, it is for different reasons than I thought. I will say this. for the last 30% of the book, I didn’t move, I couldn’t stop reading, and I immediately bought Truth as soon as I finished.

Claire is an out of work meteorologist working at a bar in Atlanta. When the gorgeous, charming hunk of man Anthony Rawlings comes in and is interested in her, Claire breaks all of her rules to have dinner with him. But it wasn’t a date, it was a carefully planned and executed kidnapping. He literally plucked her right out of her life, shut her old life down and moved her into his mansion in the middle of nowhere. Sure, she has a beautiful suite, and her every physical need is catered to, but she has lost every drop of control she has over her life as she is raped, beaten, and cut off from human contact.

The rest of the world thinks that Tony is the the most wonderful man in the world. Handsome, dashing, charming, a wonderful businessman, generous to charity, a mentor. Appearances mean everything to him and he never makes mistakes.

“Follow my rules: do as you are told, do not divulge personal information, actions have consequences, appearances are of vital importance, and public failure is not an option.”

It was one thing when Claire was locked in the house, but then when she was first brought out in public as his date, all I could think of was WHAT.THE.FUCK…Scream! Yell! Write a note in the bathroom!!!! C’mon!

The book was told in a very detached third person. I get the feeling that there is a reason for this which I may find out later, but it just may be the author’s style. It almost felt like a court reporter typing up events and thoughts as she sees them, in very short detached sentences. I noticed that this detachment got stronger the more Claire tried to compartmentalize herself and her thoughts from the situation.

After almost 4 days with the book I was only at 50% and I hated Tony, and frankly was bored with all the detail. I lost some respect for Claire, and it became very repetitive. I almost put it down but hated to waste four days on a DNF, especially one I committed to read, so I forged ahead. Suddenly, it started getting interesting with Claire’s addition of friends, and the outside world. Though I know it’s crazy, I can see how Tony basically forced Claire to have Stockholm Syndrome. Cut off from all other people, with only him to show her affection, when the gorgeous man turns on his charm, maybe I can see it a bit.

But then I remember what a monster he is. I don’t see how it’s possible for a reader to ever forgive a man who beats a woman to become “Team Tony”. There is NO EXC– — USE. But I have not read the other 2 books.

The last 30 percent of the book was WOW. Couldn’t put it down. As soon as I read the last words, I downloaded Truth because I WANT THIS FUCKING ASSHOLE TO PAY!!! But I know it isn’t that simple.

Then I did a quick email check, had another book I couldn’t wait to read, and decided that maybe Truth isn’t for me. I really want to know what happens. I’d love to watch the movie. But Consequences was long. It took forever to read and I can’t say I enjoyed my time reading it. But I can say it is an amazing story. Very well thought out and crafted. Aleatha is brilliant at the mind-fuck. But in the end, it’s the detached 3rd person narration that really swayed me to not read on.

Though I really want to know what happens. And Truth is on my Kindle. So I reserve the right to change my mind.

Likes:

A brilliantly crafted story with tons of detail and twists and turns that all hint to something more.
She certainly made me want to read on!
The ability of the author to almost make me sympathize with Tony once or twice.
The last 30% was unputdownable.

Dislikes:

Third person, detached narration. This was the biggest issue I had.
Claire not trying to escape at first.
Too much repetitive detail in the middle part of the book. I get it was done to show the repetitive nature of her life, but I found myself bored almost to the point of DNF.
Fade to black sex.

Rating: 3 stars 1 Heat

The story itself was not my issue. I think it’s brilliant, and I think it will get even more brilliant at the books progress. But Consequences is a long book, made even longer to me by the narrative style and repetitive detail. Ironically, this is the exact opposite of what I expected. I was afraid I’d hate the story. I knew it was a mind fuck and I’m usually not a fan of the psychological thrillers my husband gets me sucked into. But in this case, I liked the mind fuckery and the twists and turns. The reason I want to jump into Truth is because I want to know what happens, and I want to see Tony pay. But after walking away for a few days, I have decided to read other books that I have been looking forward to, and hold off on this.

Plus, if Tony doesn’t pay….