This one was a harder read, and not just because of the content. The tone grew much darker, and Zade became far more unpredictable and, at times, outright cruel toward Addie. While I appreciated the high stakes and intensity, the story started to feel chaotic and rushed.
There were several plot holes and missing explanations. For instance, what happened to Sibby? Why did she run off—and who was that guy she left with? These unanswered questions made the plot feel a bit disjointed, like threads were dropped to push the story forward quickly.
The scenes at the “grooming house” were extremely disturbing. They were described in such vivid detail that I had to take breaks while reading. I know the author wanted to show the horror of human trafficking, but at times, it felt too real and too graphic. It crossed a line from fiction into something that was genuinely upsetting, especially knowing things like this actually happen in the world.
The spicy scenes continued, but the ones that occurred during Addie’s captivity were deeply uncomfortable. I know this series is categorized as dark romance, but some of those moments blurred the line between erotic and exploitative.
About Book
Author: H.D. Carlton (lives in Oregon with her husband, Bigfoot, two dogs, and cat).
Published: January 25th, 2022
Pages: 702
Series: Cat & Mouse #2
Description:
The conclusion to the Cat and Mouse Duet is here…
The Diamond
Death walks alongside me,
But the reaper is no match for me.
I’m trapped in a world full of monsters dressed as men, and those who aren’t as they seem.
They won’t keep me forever.
I no longer recognize the person I’ve become,
And I’m fighting to find my way back to the beast who hunts me in the night.
They call me a diamond,
But they’ve only created an angel of death.
The Hunter
I was born a predator,
With ruthlessness ingrained in my bones.
When what’s mine is stolen from me in the night,
Like a diamond hidden within a fortress,
I find that I can no longer contain the beast.
Blood will paint the ground as I tear apart this world to find her.
And bring her back to where she belongs.
No one will escape my wrath,
Especially not those who have betrayed me.
Warning: This is the second and final installment to the Duet. You must read Haunting Adeline first.
(Source: Goodreads)
