I wanted this review to just be a joke about Jackson speedrunning fake dating, but wow... the pacing was actually atrocious. I'm so disappointed. We had three different plotlines going, and only one was wrapped up. Deer and Jackson deserved better.
ALSO, somehow it felt like they speedran fake dating but it still took like 50% of the book before anything happened. How is that possible. Slow burn but not really? Kind of bizarre pacing compared to book 1 and 2.
I was literally so prepared to give this a 4 or higher, under the assumption that we actually cover everything that happens. Like where the fuck is Jackson's closure with his family. Where is the real deep dive into Jackson's kink that he literally goes to a sex club for. WHERE ARE THEIR STREAMS?
And Jackson really took me out during their first spice scene when it felt like they were having a heart to heart, and then suddenly was talking dirty and edging her. Like WE know Deer wanted it, but how did he?!
Dare I say it made it better though?
Nope. It all sucks. Spice starts super late, and has way fewer scenes. (This is only bad because the first two books are way more plentiful). We never wrap up the plotline with Jackson's family. The secret club ordeal seemed like itd be bigger and was only a brief catalyst for Deer's paranoia.
And Jackson's kinks or whatever.. again made out to be a big deal but with a significant lesser amount of spice, it was barely explored.
And even though we closed the plot involving Rick, I feel like the build up in regards to their relationship was awful! It was already kind of predictable it was him, so you may as well lay it on a bit thicker.
Also no closure with Deer's friends or family. Only with Rick- whom honestly, couldn't have cared less. Instead of visiting him in prison, I would'vs rather seen literally any other subplot addressed.
I literally just can't believe I have to give this a 3, the same rating as book 1, when I feel like this book had such better parts to the puzzle. Unfortunately the puzzle was shrunk down in size and missing some pieces. GOD, I am genuinely upset. I was tolerating it all the whole first half, in hopes for a good close. Nope.
