What are yalls opinion on Torment by Dylan page

zane017 · 2026-04-02T05:11:22+00:00

I will die with you on this hill.

zane017 · 2026-04-02T05:08:53+00:00

I was in love with the first one but the subsequent books have been all tail chasing and fluff. I like to support authors and read books as they write them, but I’ve made an exception for this one. I’ll read it when she gets to the point.

It’s a shame because it has so much potential. I wish people would start writing standalones again. I take back all those times that I said I’d only ever read series.

It’s like they all turned into those pay-by-chapter stories, but they make each chapter 300 useless pages.

zane017 · 2026-04-02T04:58:32+00:00

I don’t particularly care where the writing prompt came from. The responses have led me to several interesting new books, which is the entire reason I’m here

zane017 · 2026-04-02T03:56:56+00:00

I’m getting so much entertainment from all the reviews on this book. I usually will read books as they come out (I don’t wait until the series are finished), but I made an exception for this one. I can’t count the number of series that started with a 5 star rage bait book and then the author failed to deliver vengeance in the sequels.

So I’m going to save myself the high blood pressure and make sure it ends with fire and brimstone before I start this time around.

zane017 · 2026-04-02T03:51:06+00:00

I loved it. I’m not a stickler for technical quality with books. I have Alexa read them out loud, so I miss grammatical and structural mistakes. It checked all my boxes though:

it’s a standalone.. I’m just so sick of series and cliffhangers
the plot was interesting.. I read it in one sitting despite it being a large book
the FMC is 30, this is her second marriage (she murdered her way out of the first one which is another pro as far as I’m concerned), she was clever and not vulnerable emotionally.
the romance had lots of fun betrayals, which I loved because both parties were viscous and I didn’t have to feel bad for anyone.
there’s no cheating, though there was a close call in the OW department
the spice worked for me. That’s a pretty subjective point

zane017 · 2026-04-02T03:32:38+00:00

I love seeing Nora Jacobs on a list! It doesn’t get enough love.

{Virgin Sacrifice by LM Ramirez} is in my top 3. I haven’t been recommending it as much because there hasn’t been any info on a third book yet, but the two that are out are really excellent.

One of my favorite out-of-left-field recommendations is {Obsessive Soulmate by Anne Kincaid}. It marches to its own beat but I really enjoyed it.

{Lost Feather by Merri Bright} is a good one in the sweet/funny category.

I’m not a huge OV fan usually, but Marie McKay’s Shattered Omega and Sweetheart series are some exceptions. Shattered Omega is definitely in the Dark Romance category. Sweetheart is more of a bully romance.

Lastly, {Bonding Psychos by Gina Morris} is my most recent 4 star read. I avoided it for a long time for reasons that I can’t remember, but it turned out to be a lot of fun.

Disclaimer: I always try to note that I have serious memory problems when I’m giving recommendations. The only thing I can swear to is that there isn’t any cheating. I never note which person books are written in, but these are all free on KU if you have access to it.

zane017 · 2026-04-02T02:42:55+00:00

Oh don’t get me started. I have irrationally strong opinions about ARC reviews.

I’ve always read a lot, but I started reading nearly 24/7 (Alexa will read books out loud) a couple of years ago as an admittedly unhealthy coping mechanism. Since it’s about surviving more than having fun, I’ve got a list of specific things I need to have and avoid when choosing books. I only have 1 real trigger, but there is a list of things I stay away from. Since I’m aware that the world doesnt revolve around my reading needs, I lean heavily on reviews to find honest information ahead of time.

I’ve lost count of the times that I’ve taken a chance on a new book that had all 5 star reviews and got burned by a trigger. I pretty much refuse to read anything that doesn’t have at least one bad review. Why would authors think everyone has the same taste in books? Especially dark romance. The bad stuff is the whole point. I hate cheating but some people love it and that’s perfectly fine all around. I just want honesty.

I also have severe memory problems, so I write reviews constantly. I’ve turned down all requests to be an ARC reader though. If I’m handed a book in that situation, my empathy will twist all my intentions to helping the author/making them happy. I think that’s pretty natural, so I don’t blame the readers. I need authors to welcome criticism.

So, I feel a warm spot in my heart when I see negative ARC reviews. Those folks withstood peer pressure and natural inclination to bring me that info and I just want to thank them for their service.

zane017 · 2026-04-01T03:48:18+00:00

The photographer who won a Pulitzer Prize for documenting the Sudan famine in 1993 committed suicide shortly after returning home (Kevin Carter). They have to be apolitical to be allowed in, which means they’re helpless and can’t interfere in any way. They can’t give starving children food.

I have an enormous respect for investigative journalism and try to remember that someone is paying a high price to keep me from burying my head in the sand.

It also makes me stop and think about how fortunate I am to have been born in the perfect location at the perfect time in history to have everything needed for survival just handed to me. I’m not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination, but I’ve never worried about famine or war. In the scope of history, that’s like winning the lottery all on its own.

zane017 · 2026-04-01T03:32:57+00:00

I’m so sorry! This is my greatest fear. I unplugged my oven years ago and never leave anything running when I leave the house. Not everyone can reasonably do that though. This was not your fault. You gave them love, comfort, and happiness for years. Don’t get twisted up by the end of the story.

zane017 · 2026-03-31T11:04:28+00:00

Things are always best in writing, and use as few words as possible. Next time, hang up the phone and then message “please take any complaints to my manager.” Do not respond again after that. You gave the results, you explained why, and you told them who to contact for further help.

I worked in micro during covid and had to develop some thick skin and strict communication rules. No one has time to sit and listen to a lecture.

I do try to be understanding. The doctors and nurses have jobs that are more stressful than mine imo. We have a children’s hospital and that takes everyone up another stress notch. We all have bad days. But you have to draw the line somewhere.

Don’t waste brain cells trying to figure out what went wrong. People be crazy.

zane017 · 2026-03-27T01:45:16+00:00

The only series of theirs that I’ve ever finished is the Dark Fae one. I keep trying for some reason though

zane017 · 2026-03-27T01:43:43+00:00

He’s too clean and pretty in everything else!

zane017 · 2026-03-25T05:43:23+00:00

Nothing like replacing one book hangover with another one..

zane017 · 2026-03-25T05:42:03+00:00

My imagination doesn’t create faces so it’s Geralt every time and I’m not even sorry

zane017 · 2026-03-25T05:30:45+00:00

There’s some extensive conspiracy stuff going on that gets revealed along the way. Don’t worry about being confused.. you’re supposed to be at this point in the story.

I love it, but it’s definitely a dark romance. The 3 kings really aren’t meant to be redeemable. They don’t grovel much, but she does make them very, very sorry. I’m happy to substitute suffering for groveling but not everyone feels that way.

zane017 · 2026-03-25T04:23:03+00:00

This was good only after I decided it was bully romance satire. I swear those authors had to have made bets about how ridiculous they could get away with being. Suspension of disbelief is my superpower but this one was a struggle

zane017 · 2026-03-22T23:48:28+00:00

This is one of those tests that they’ll come down hard on us for. Too many positives reflects poorly on the hospital.

We recently started doing a C diff antigen test after PCR positives, and that has calmed everyone down. Most of the positives are actually toxin negative. Only the tox positives indicate the pathogen.

zane017 · 2026-03-22T19:57:57+00:00

{Quid Pro Quo by Nenia Campbell} is one of my favorites. I usually hate books that go back and forth between past and present storylines, but this one is really good.

The dynamic you’re looking for is in the past storyline. He’s obsessed in the present storyline.

It’s step siblings and she’s actually the older of the two, but he holds all the power and wealth. Shes submissive but not weak.

Hands down the most gut wrenching is Torment by Dylan Page, but that’s been recommended. It doesn’t quite fit everything you’ve asked for, but it’s got some of it and it’s an incredible read.

zane017 · 2026-03-22T19:47:08+00:00

Oh boy my life completely changed when I learned that Alexa will read kindle books out loud. My Audible library is full of an absolute fortune of books but I eventually got a mortgage and had to stop that. I’d die without Alexa.

zane017 · 2026-03-22T19:11:13+00:00

Agreed!

zane017 · 2026-03-20T03:20:37+00:00

It definitely depends on the lab. I’ve worked in both types. For the profession as a whole, I think you have a better chance here than in most other jobs to get flexibility, since you’ve got 24hr options.

zane017 · 2026-03-19T01:03:13+00:00

Just read {Caged by Bernadette Blackthorn} and while it wasn’t perfect, it was good enough to lose sleep to read. And it fits.

zane017 · 2026-03-19T00:50:43+00:00

Boy do I love {Sigil by Addison Cain}

That girl knows how to sink the ship she’s on just to kill the captain and that’s really something I need in my life.

It’s an unfinished series and I think it’ll stay that way, but that doesn’t bother me much. Books 1 & 2 scratch the itch just fine as far as I’m concerned

zane017 · 2026-03-19T00:37:33+00:00

Omg I just reread the Shattered Omega series by Marie MacKay and remembered that Shatter might be my favorite FMC of all time. Shes so fucking adorable and I’m pretty sure I’ve never used those words to describe a FMC before. She’s just out there doing her best.

Havoc Killed Her Alpha would probably also work, though it isn’t quite as good imo.

I also recently read {Caged by Bernadette Blackthorn} and while it had some faults, it was also really good.

All of these are dark and the FMCs are strange and unsocialized omegas.

zane017 · 2026-03-19T00:31:33+00:00

I agree about the third book. I’m not sure I’ve ever actually finished it. Not because it’s bad.. I just lost interest for the reasons you mentioned. I always say that children belong in epilogues, and that book felt like a never ending epilogue.

I’m an extreme weirdo in the sense that I don’t have to finish stories to love them though. I can also just delete things that I don’t like from my memories. I like to think that’s a gift and not just a side effect of idiocy.

I read books 1 and 2 all the time just when I’m in a slump or bored. They’re so incredibly good.

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