Vicious Fae by Susanne Valenti & Caroline Peckham

The constant back and forth of nothing fucking happening between Ryder and Elise is exhausting. I don’t care with Dante because I don’t like him, but I’m actively rooting for my boy Ryder and he keeps getting nothing. 

One of the biggest reasons I don’t like Dante is that he consistently doesn’t trust Elise when it comes to Cindy. Everyone knows mean girls are a thing and that they play the victim disgustingly well. Dante is being intentionally obtuse and it’s disgusting. Especially saying Elise shouldn’t go so hard on her when they’re paired like he and every other asshole doesn’t almost murder Eugene on a regular basis. 

I?????? She’s been speaking plain ass English for 2 and a half books. She has clearly stated numerous times she will never be with just one man. In no uncertain terms. Yet???? They’re all shocked that she actually meant it? Shocked to see her acting on the words she’s so clearly stated. My brothers in Christ, it is not her fault you chose to ignore what she made clear. 

God there’s so much in this book that could have been cut. It’s so long. So much fluff and filler and not enough actual plot. Around the 50% mark, finishing felt like a pipe dream. 

Gabriel still choosing to ignore Elise’s clear boundary of not being tied to one person because of her desire to be ethically non monogamous is exhausting. Leon throwing a tantrum about Dante sharing Elise with Ryder is exhausting. Every one of these men is exhausting to me except Ryder and even he pushes it from time to time. There’s no genuine character growth within the relationship for any of these characters. Leon started out being cool with it and he’s only now not because of Elise lying to him. Dante and Rysder still aren’t cool with each other, they just got tired of not fucking. Gabriel still won’t bend. Ryder… he’s trying, I think. Regardless, I can’t say I’m honestly rooting for Elise to make things work with these men because there’s no point in continuing this fight. 

So, obviously, the “you only get one mate” line is bullshit. Clearly, this is headed in the direction of she’s actually mates with all of them. Gabriel’s vision of them being mates shifted only because his choice would lead him away from her, not the other way around. I don’t love the way the romance plot is headed but oh well.