Ashes Of Austen, Zoe Blake

Did Not Finish — 60%

I feel like the gothic, dark theme wasn't really portrayed well.

When the author explains the rooms and the house, I'm like, okay, it is dark and gloomy. But the writing style just doesn't really work for me. The house is supposed to feel so dark and seductive, but the way everything is written doesn't make me feel that at all.

I kept trying to see if it would get more into the vibe, and one moment I'm like, okay, this works, and the next I'm like, what is going on here?

Another point is that this book is strongly based on lust. They're not even in love; they just like how they make each other feel.

I know the whole point is that he is toxic, and I kind of think of their relationship like Catherine and Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights.

Honestly, if a man said everything about you he owned and then started to undress you when you had just met, you would be off to the police. I would attack him, not say, "Kiss me." Like, I don't know how long you haven't been in a relationship, but this is a bit much.

I just feel like, with much more thought put into how to really portray a dark, seductive vibe, it could be such a great book.