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Church #1
Church
A broken girl.
An unusual boy.
A beautiful face that hides a dark secret and an ugly past.
Sealed lips which hide wicked words and dangerous thoughts.
She would kill for him to love her.
He just wants to kill.
Maybe, if Emma Hartley prays hard enough, Church Logan can make both their wishes come true.
Fuse, meet match.
warning: if you have triggers - this story will touch on a lot of them. This book is a psychological thriller, 65,000+ words.
An unusual boy.
A beautiful face that hides a dark secret and an ugly past.
Sealed lips which hide wicked words and dangerous thoughts.
She would kill for him to love her.
He just wants to kill.
Maybe, if Emma Hartley prays hard enough, Church Logan can make both their wishes come true.
Fuse, meet match.
warning: if you have triggers - this story will touch on a lot of them. This book is a psychological thriller, 65,000+ words.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2018
About the author
Stylo Fantome
27 books4,749 followersCrazy woman from a remote location in Alaska (where the need for a creative mind is a necessity!), I have been writing since ... forever? Yeah, that sounds about right. I have been told that I remind people of Lucille Ball - I also see shades of Jennifer Saunders, and Denis Leary. So basically, I laugh a lot, I'm clumsy a lot, and I say the F-word A LOT.
I like dogs more than I like most people, and I don't trust anyone who doesn't drink. No, I do not live in an igloo, and no, the sun does not set for six months out of the year, there's your Alaska lesson for the day. I have mermaid hair - both a curse and a blessing - and most of the time I talk so fast, even I can't understand me.
Yeah. I think that about sums me up.
I also write contemporary romance under the name Penny Sixsmith
I like dogs more than I like most people, and I don't trust anyone who doesn't drink. No, I do not live in an igloo, and no, the sun does not set for six months out of the year, there's your Alaska lesson for the day. I have mermaid hair - both a curse and a blessing - and most of the time I talk so fast, even I can't understand me.
Yeah. I think that about sums me up.
I also write contemporary romance under the name Penny Sixsmith
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 646 reviews
April 22, 2019
It's mine. It's weird AF. I love it. So I give it 5 stars.
July 19, 2018
3.5 STARS
Holy hell. I mean holy hell! These might be the most fucked up characters I've read in a long while. Or ever. I'm still trying to figure out how I felt about them. But what I do know? Is days after finishing, I'm still thinking about it. And that certainly stands for something.
First of all, this is a psychological thriller. So if you're going into this expecting a dark romance with an anti-hero that you'll love to hate but still has some redeeming qualities and it'll be sunshine and unicorns shitting rainbows at the end? Well, my friend, I'd check your delicate sensibilities at the door and forget about it. You won't be finding it here.
What you will find are characters that are definitely missing their moral compass. As a matter of fact, they don't even know what a moral compass is.
I don't want to tell you too much about the plot or the characters, because I don't want to ruin the suspense of it. And let me tell you, this book is full of it. It's twisted and full of twists with an undercurrent of something so dark, you're almost afraid to name it. It's like Charles Manson meet Natural Born Killers sort of twisted.
Church was an enigma that I wanted to peel the layers off until I got to the very twisted core of him and knew all of his secrets. This is a character unlike any I've ever read if I'm being perfectly honest. And I flip flopped between being intrigued by him and being seriously disturbed...and then back to intrigued. This book fucked with my damn head. Which certainly speaks to the author's talent for creating characters that will do that.
So why a lower rating? As much as I was intrigued by these characters, I also struggled to connect with them. I can't even put my finger on what it was exactly, but something kept me from being truly invested in them. But even with that, I couldn't stop myself from reading, and that definitely says something. With this being the first book in what I'm assuming will be a duet, perhaps that additional foundation will come a bit later, and this was just setting the scene and throwing the hook before the reader is reeled in. I fully reserve the right to change my rating once I see how it all concludes. But for now, I'll tell you that it's one hell of a unique story unlike any I've read before. If you're looking for something dark and twisted, this is definitely that.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
Maybe this whole time, I should've been looking for someone as fucked up as me. Maybe two broken pieces can be glued together to make a whole.
Holy hell. I mean holy hell! These might be the most fucked up characters I've read in a long while. Or ever. I'm still trying to figure out how I felt about them. But what I do know? Is days after finishing, I'm still thinking about it. And that certainly stands for something.
First of all, this is a psychological thriller. So if you're going into this expecting a dark romance with an anti-hero that you'll love to hate but still has some redeeming qualities and it'll be sunshine and unicorns shitting rainbows at the end? Well, my friend, I'd check your delicate sensibilities at the door and forget about it. You won't be finding it here.
What you will find are characters that are definitely missing their moral compass. As a matter of fact, they don't even know what a moral compass is.
I don't want to tell you too much about the plot or the characters, because I don't want to ruin the suspense of it. And let me tell you, this book is full of it. It's twisted and full of twists with an undercurrent of something so dark, you're almost afraid to name it. It's like Charles Manson meet Natural Born Killers sort of twisted.
Church was an enigma that I wanted to peel the layers off until I got to the very twisted core of him and knew all of his secrets. This is a character unlike any I've ever read if I'm being perfectly honest. And I flip flopped between being intrigued by him and being seriously disturbed...and then back to intrigued. This book fucked with my damn head. Which certainly speaks to the author's talent for creating characters that will do that.
So why a lower rating? As much as I was intrigued by these characters, I also struggled to connect with them. I can't even put my finger on what it was exactly, but something kept me from being truly invested in them. But even with that, I couldn't stop myself from reading, and that definitely says something. With this being the first book in what I'm assuming will be a duet, perhaps that additional foundation will come a bit later, and this was just setting the scene and throwing the hook before the reader is reeled in. I fully reserve the right to change my rating once I see how it all concludes. But for now, I'll tell you that it's one hell of a unique story unlike any I've read before. If you're looking for something dark and twisted, this is definitely that.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
July 16, 2018
MY REVIEW can also be found on my blog:
KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
CHURCH: Is the first book in Stylo Fantome’s ‘Church’ series. Spoken in ‘Dual Perspectives’ In this we meet our heroine Emma Hartley and our hero Church Logan.
This was one of my most highly anticipated reads for July..The cover alone made me want to sign up for it, the synopsis and the author sealed the deal.
So here in lies my dilemma.
Two hours later and I'm still wracking my brain trying to make sense of what I'd just read, sometimes it was confusing, I didn't find this dark, though it kind of leaned towards semi dark elements, but didn't fully unleash it's darkness on us, and it did jump from first person to third person frequently which took me some time to get used to as you don't see that displayed often.
I didn't get any feels, so now I'm kind of left in limbo, I loved Church's character in the beginning, the non verbal asshole, god who doesn't like a guy like that, then throw in Emma and I'm the one that needs therapy, I went through a whole range of feelings with this book, but none that really cemented me to the two characters themselves, it was mainly rage towards Margo and her treatment of Emma.
It pains me to say this because I've loved previous works by this author but even though I didn't full out love this book, I did enjoy some elements of it and like readers before me I can't wait to see what path the author takes us down with the next book.
Even though I didn't love this book others before me did, I will say though that this is a unique read, it does have twists and turns, it does keep you on your toes, if this is something you like or even love in a book then I highly suggest you one click this release day.
July 31, 2018
This book officially messed me up!
I still don't know what to make of it. There were parts that I absolutely loved... and parts I absolutely hated. Sometimes I didn't know which way was up and the characters didn't help me with directions.
I'm still trying to figure things out.
I'm still trying to come to grips with what I just read. Was it romantic? Nope. If that's what you call romance, count me out. It was about a girl who became irrationally obsessed, possessed, and non-functional over her new step-brother. I mean this girl had no clue who she even was anymore. She lost her whole identity to this thing she called 'love'. She acted worse than a preteen over their celebrity crush.
Not. Cute.
Coming like Church had Emma speaking in tongues for real. POSSESSED!!
I want to become a part of him. I want to get so close to him, he'll never have to speak again, because I'll just be able to read his thoughts. I'll just be inside of him.
So here's the deal... Church was the hot boy that every girl wanted and every boy wanted to be. He barely spoke. Most people even forgot that he could speak. For some reason, he speaks to Emma. He's been diagnosed as a pseudo-sociopath with narcissistic tendencies (or at least he should have been). He's got a manipulative streak a mile long, he's something of a genius, and he believes that humans are beneath him. Oh and he dreams of killing. Mmmmm... yummy!
So what do a sociopath and a depressed psycho do together? Why they have conversations sprinkled with rough sex. But these conversations reveal nothing of Church and everything of Emma. She hands him the manual on how to get her to do anything he wants. And then he molds her into the monster he needs. Perfection!
So Joker and Harley... I mean... Church and Emma start plotting to carry out a murder he wants done. It draws them closer and drives Emma crazier. It creates a world of madness that no one, not even the characters themselves, were prepared for. It ends on a tragic note but the author gives us some hope (love that glimpse of the next book at the end). So will I be staying tuned for the continuation of this story? You freaking bet your azz I will!
Happy Reading! xo
☆.｡.:* ARC provided for an honest review .｡.:*☆
Release: July 20, 2018 | Genre: Dark Romance/Thriller | Dual POV - 1st person | Heat: 2.5 | Book #1 - Church series | Publisher: BattleAxe Productions
For reviews and more, visit the blog @ www.nbiblioholic.com
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr
I still don't know what to make of it. There were parts that I absolutely loved... and parts I absolutely hated. Sometimes I didn't know which way was up and the characters didn't help me with directions.
I'm still trying to figure things out.
I'm still trying to come to grips with what I just read. Was it romantic? Nope. If that's what you call romance, count me out. It was about a girl who became irrationally obsessed, possessed, and non-functional over her new step-brother. I mean this girl had no clue who she even was anymore. She lost her whole identity to this thing she called 'love'. She acted worse than a preteen over their celebrity crush.
Not. Cute.
Coming like Church had Emma speaking in tongues for real. POSSESSED!!
I want to become a part of him. I want to get so close to him, he'll never have to speak again, because I'll just be able to read his thoughts. I'll just be inside of him.
So here's the deal... Church was the hot boy that every girl wanted and every boy wanted to be. He barely spoke. Most people even forgot that he could speak. For some reason, he speaks to Emma. He's been diagnosed as a pseudo-sociopath with narcissistic tendencies (or at least he should have been). He's got a manipulative streak a mile long, he's something of a genius, and he believes that humans are beneath him. Oh and he dreams of killing. Mmmmm... yummy!
So what do a sociopath and a depressed psycho do together? Why they have conversations sprinkled with rough sex. But these conversations reveal nothing of Church and everything of Emma. She hands him the manual on how to get her to do anything he wants. And then he molds her into the monster he needs. Perfection!
So Joker and Harley... I mean... Church and Emma start plotting to carry out a murder he wants done. It draws them closer and drives Emma crazier. It creates a world of madness that no one, not even the characters themselves, were prepared for. It ends on a tragic note but the author gives us some hope (love that glimpse of the next book at the end). So will I be staying tuned for the continuation of this story? You freaking bet your azz I will!
Happy Reading! xo
☆.｡.:* ARC provided for an honest review .｡.:*☆
Release: July 20, 2018 | Genre: Dark Romance/Thriller | Dual POV - 1st person | Heat: 2.5 | Book #1 - Church series | Publisher: BattleAxe Productions
For reviews and more, visit the blog @ www.nbiblioholic.com
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr
August 29, 2018
Why is my life so difficult? I love Stylo Fantome. I loved the Kane series, I was really surprised by the Mercenaries, and then The Bad Ones found its way among my all-time favourite books. But then it was a bit like hitting rock bottom with the Twin Estate which I did not even finish.
But I was excited about Church, it sounded great. Something a bit like The Bad Ones, I expected it to be great. And then... nothing happened. Where The Bad Ones went right, this went wrong.
To be honest, I still feel Church was supposed to be something like The Bad Ones, and I believe it may have worked. But the problem was that the characters were not fit for this. Where Dulcie was the big bad wolf, Emma was just... broken beyond repair and even her brilliant moments were so low I sort of wished it would just end.
You see when the book started I hated Margo, how anyone could be such a horrible mother but as the book progressed I found out that I was more indifferent towards her. Why? Because Emma was so... I don't have a word for it. I just don't like her character. I don't know why. I want to call her stupid. But really, she is not stupid. I want to call her weak. But really, she is not. I want to call her many things, but she is none of it. And there is the problem. She is insignificant. She has no real personality. She has nothing I could catch on and maybe like her for it or even despise her. I like characters I can hate. But there is nothing. I feel nothing for the characters which is a huge problem for me.
There are many things I could talk about that make no sense and were brushed off when they sure should have caused a huge problem. But I won't go there.
I liked Church or the promise of Church, but he did not live up to it. The same could be said about the whole book.
Though, I will read the second book just because the ending made a bit curious and I want to know what will happen next. Maybe this book is only suffering the fate of second books in trilogies. It is just filling, the set up for the real story.
I know that the author wanted to show the ugly truth of what life sometimes is but it did not work for me at all.
Several typos found and when I see a typo there is something really wrong.
But I was excited about Church, it sounded great. Something a bit like The Bad Ones, I expected it to be great. And then... nothing happened. Where The Bad Ones went right, this went wrong.
To be honest, I still feel Church was supposed to be something like The Bad Ones, and I believe it may have worked. But the problem was that the characters were not fit for this. Where Dulcie was the big bad wolf, Emma was just... broken beyond repair and even her brilliant moments were so low I sort of wished it would just end.
You see when the book started I hated Margo, how anyone could be such a horrible mother but as the book progressed I found out that I was more indifferent towards her. Why? Because Emma was so... I don't have a word for it. I just don't like her character. I don't know why. I want to call her stupid. But really, she is not stupid. I want to call her weak. But really, she is not. I want to call her many things, but she is none of it. And there is the problem. She is insignificant. She has no real personality. She has nothing I could catch on and maybe like her for it or even despise her. I like characters I can hate. But there is nothing. I feel nothing for the characters which is a huge problem for me.
There are many things I could talk about that make no sense and were brushed off when they sure should have caused a huge problem. But I won't go there.
I liked Church or the promise of Church, but he did not live up to it. The same could be said about the whole book.
Though, I will read the second book just because the ending made a bit curious and I want to know what will happen next. Maybe this book is only suffering the fate of second books in trilogies. It is just filling, the set up for the real story.
I know that the author wanted to show the ugly truth of what life sometimes is but it did not work for me at all.
Several typos found and when I see a typo there is something really wrong.
July 18, 2018
2 Stars
*Sighs.
Wow. I haven't done this in a a really long time and quite frankly, It pains me to have to give this such a low rating. I wanted to fall in love with these characters and get swept away in their messed up love story but sadly I didn't. I tried, I really did but you know what?
I won't pick apart this book and tell you every single thing that went wrong for me because at the end of the day, I still have respect for this author. What didn't work me, might work for someone else. All I can say is that I didn't love these characters like I was supposed to, I didn't FEEL any type of connection like I wanted to, and quite frankly I was confused and frustrated on where the storyline was going. I needed some of these characters to be strong and put their foot down but all I got in return was disappointment and anger.
I know I'm going to be in the minority with my rating for this one and that's more than ok with me because I can only go by on how a book makes me feel and whether or not I connect with these characters. I did not feel anything towards them and that was the worst part for me.
As I've said before, what didn't work for me, might be someone else's favorite and I'll leave it at that.
*Sighs.
Wow. I haven't done this in a a really long time and quite frankly, It pains me to have to give this such a low rating. I wanted to fall in love with these characters and get swept away in their messed up love story but sadly I didn't. I tried, I really did but you know what?
I won't pick apart this book and tell you every single thing that went wrong for me because at the end of the day, I still have respect for this author. What didn't work me, might work for someone else. All I can say is that I didn't love these characters like I was supposed to, I didn't FEEL any type of connection like I wanted to, and quite frankly I was confused and frustrated on where the storyline was going. I needed some of these characters to be strong and put their foot down but all I got in return was disappointment and anger.
I know I'm going to be in the minority with my rating for this one and that's more than ok with me because I can only go by on how a book makes me feel and whether or not I connect with these characters. I did not feel anything towards them and that was the worst part for me.
As I've said before, what didn't work for me, might be someone else's favorite and I'll leave it at that.
July 19, 2018
Live amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FPG3F6D/...
5 dark and brilliant stars
I was lucky enough to beta read it and I have to see how amazing this story is!I devour it and I was so into the story from the beginning!Church is everything I wanted and even more,dark,erotic,intense,twisted and brilliant!I didn't expect anything less from Stylo Fantome, she is so talented and I love her dark stories!
Both characters are unique,broken, so different and twisted.At the beginning I thought something and after the half of the book something happens and I'm shocked!I didn't see it was coming!I can't say what it was but believe me you'll not believe it!!
I loved this wild ride, it was addictive and I need more!I highly recommend it if you are looking for a dark romance with a love story like no other!I'm excited for the next book!!
5 dark and brilliant stars
I was lucky enough to beta read it and I have to see how amazing this story is!I devour it and I was so into the story from the beginning!Church is everything I wanted and even more,dark,erotic,intense,twisted and brilliant!I didn't expect anything less from Stylo Fantome, she is so talented and I love her dark stories!
Both characters are unique,broken, so different and twisted.At the beginning I thought something and after the half of the book something happens and I'm shocked!I didn't see it was coming!I can't say what it was but believe me you'll not believe it!!
I loved this wild ride, it was addictive and I need more!I highly recommend it if you are looking for a dark romance with a love story like no other!I'm excited for the next book!!
July 16, 2018
Genre: Psychological Thriller/Dark Romance
Type: Book 1 of 2 from Church series
POV: Shifting First Person & Third Person
Rating:
Emma Hartley was the new girl in town. One thing she knew how to do well was to fake it to make it. It all worked out until someone caught her undivided attention.
Church Logan was the notorious loner. His presence rattled the air around him. Everyone gave him a wide berth except the one person who could derail his carefully laid plan.
Give me a good psycho hero and I'll give you my money. And my panties. Church can definitely have both haha! I liked how he was calculated and methodical, but I also liked when he showed his weaknesses.
Emma was a mess, but a beautiful mess to someone who could see her "potential". Once she set up her mind to something, she made sure to achieve it by any means necessary.
This book is a mental captor-captive story. Without physical enslavement, it focused on psychological warfare between the two characters. I loved seeing how they complement each other.
They were different, yet understood each other's soul. With a good chemistry together, the sex scenes were intense and scorching.
Church is a story of two broken people bound by a common thread. It is the first book of a duet.
Books in the series:
😈 🙏 😈 . . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC & Loyda . . . 😈 🙏 😈
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Type: Book 1 of 2 from Church series
POV: Shifting First Person & Third Person
Rating:
Emma Hartley was the new girl in town. One thing she knew how to do well was to fake it to make it. It all worked out until someone caught her undivided attention.
Church Logan was the notorious loner. His presence rattled the air around him. Everyone gave him a wide berth except the one person who could derail his carefully laid plan.
"Fear. No one loves you more than when they're afraid of you. When they're looking at you because you hold their life in your hands. You become their whole world. You become their god,”
Give me a good psycho hero and I'll give you my money. And my panties. Church can definitely have both haha! I liked how he was calculated and methodical, but I also liked when he showed his weaknesses.
I knew Emma was damaged, but jesus. She'd been broken down so she could be rebuilt just for me.
Emma was a mess, but a beautiful mess to someone who could see her "potential". Once she set up her mind to something, she made sure to achieve it by any means necessary.
Church didn't even talk and he could already tell how fucked up she was – fucked up people could always recognize their own.
This book is a mental captor-captive story. Without physical enslavement, it focused on psychological warfare between the two characters. I loved seeing how they complement each other.
They were different, yet understood each other's soul. With a good chemistry together, the sex scenes were intense and scorching.
“You don't scare me. I see you, Church Logan,” she whispered.
His eyes fell shut, then his head fell forward until their foreheads were touching. “You're going to break me,” he whispered back.
Church is a story of two broken people bound by a common thread. It is the first book of a duet.
Books in the series:
😈 🙏 😈 . . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC & Loyda . . . 😈 🙏 😈
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
January 16, 2023
☽ first read ➟ march, 2020
☽ second read ➟ nov, 2022
song : cult leader ⋆ cute whore
i felt so at home inside of emma's head once again, and i missed sleeping in church's every now and then. i'm too far gone, i fear, in my affinity with characterizations like these twos’.
church :
#1: church ↠ 4.5 stars!
#2: preach ↠ 5 stars!
☽ second read ➟ nov, 2022
〝You make me feel ...〞 he was whispering, then surprised her by abruptly sliding inside her. She held onto him until her hand was pressed against her own wetness. 〝Like maybe there's a home for me. Inside of you. When we're like this.〞
song : cult leader ⋆ cute whore
i felt so at home inside of emma's head once again, and i missed sleeping in church's every now and then. i'm too far gone, i fear, in my affinity with characterizations like these twos’.
〝Be quiet, you'll scare the angels…〞
church :
#1: church ↠ 4.5 stars!
#2: preach ↠ 5 stars!
July 17, 2018
5 “TakeMeToChurch” Stars
This book is a psychological romance which is dark, deep, and a manipulation of emotions. Two souls, both broken and both desperately twisted. A product of their upbringing or possibly an innate trait passed down? Each living and plotting their own survival. But when these two souls meet, something transforms these two souls that are adrift in the world. Their collision creates a manifesto of wicked desires.
Emma Hartley is an awkward loner who longs to be loved. But because of her upbringing, she’s the way she is. Her mother has done damage to this 22 year old. And when her mother Margo, marries Jerry, her life changes. And when she meets Church, Jerry’s son, she has an epiphany. He is her Greatness.....
Church Logan is a loner and a man of very few words. He doesn’t like people and everything he does is methodically done. But Emma can read Church. She is able to see beyond the silence, something that no one has ever done before. She sees Him......
This story is full of obsession and manipulation. As the story develops, it makes sense why Church and Emma are so broken. But with the plans, the needs, the diabolical plot and the desires between the two, the story shifts. But at what costs? Will their fiendish ways ruin them or bring them closer?
This story is told mostly in Emma’s POV. Church’s POV is sprinkled sparsely throughout the story. But with every one of his POV’s, the intensity of his silence is profound. It’s remarkable to feel his enigma. I love Church and Emma. I love their brokenness and their attraction to one another. I love his silence and her chattiness.
Be ready to feel with this story. It’s full of twisted darkness yet it tugs at your heartstrings in a weird sort of way. Two souls that are full of darkness and longing who meet and find a twisted kinship. Don’t broken souls deserve to be loved? But manipulations and obsessive neediness muddies the waters and makes for devastating consequences.
Book two CAN NOT get here soon enough!!
*advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
This book is a psychological romance which is dark, deep, and a manipulation of emotions. Two souls, both broken and both desperately twisted. A product of their upbringing or possibly an innate trait passed down? Each living and plotting their own survival. But when these two souls meet, something transforms these two souls that are adrift in the world. Their collision creates a manifesto of wicked desires.
Emma Hartley is an awkward loner who longs to be loved. But because of her upbringing, she’s the way she is. Her mother has done damage to this 22 year old. And when her mother Margo, marries Jerry, her life changes. And when she meets Church, Jerry’s son, she has an epiphany. He is her Greatness.....
Church Logan is a loner and a man of very few words. He doesn’t like people and everything he does is methodically done. But Emma can read Church. She is able to see beyond the silence, something that no one has ever done before. She sees Him......
This story is full of obsession and manipulation. As the story develops, it makes sense why Church and Emma are so broken. But with the plans, the needs, the diabolical plot and the desires between the two, the story shifts. But at what costs? Will their fiendish ways ruin them or bring them closer?
This story is told mostly in Emma’s POV. Church’s POV is sprinkled sparsely throughout the story. But with every one of his POV’s, the intensity of his silence is profound. It’s remarkable to feel his enigma. I love Church and Emma. I love their brokenness and their attraction to one another. I love his silence and her chattiness.
Be ready to feel with this story. It’s full of twisted darkness yet it tugs at your heartstrings in a weird sort of way. Two souls that are full of darkness and longing who meet and find a twisted kinship. Don’t broken souls deserve to be loved? But manipulations and obsessive neediness muddies the waters and makes for devastating consequences.
Book two CAN NOT get here soon enough!!
*advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
April 20, 2024
“I paid for his love in blood. Now I want some in return.”
This was dark and twisted, a very disturbing read and I loved every minute of it.
“A force of nature. We will tear through this life and we will leave destruction and we will make people remember us.”
An obsessed heroine. A manipulative hero. Two unhinged psychos fused together…..what could possibly go wrong? 💀🔪🩸🥵
This was dark and twisted, a very disturbing read and I loved every minute of it.
“A force of nature. We will tear through this life and we will leave destruction and we will make people remember us.”
An obsessed heroine. A manipulative hero. Two unhinged psychos fused together…..what could possibly go wrong? 💀🔪🩸🥵
July 20, 2018
4.5 Stars!
Emma Hartley has endured abusive relationships her entire life and has the psychological labels to prove it. Longing to love and be loved, she finds a connection with an unlikely person. Knowing she shouldn’t act on her feelings, Emma’s overwhelming needs usurp common sense at times.
Church Logan is a mysterious man with loner tendencies. Learning to adapt to his traits at a young age, he remains aloof but his hometown return brings unexpected complications. Despite his end goal, Church discovers his true self.
Together, they form a dubious relationship where Church manipulates Emma yet she is a willing participant. Their understanding of each other is unique and it fuels their bond, for better or worse. With each fulfilling a certain purpose, Emma is willing to do anything to keep Church while he believes he’s pulling all the strings. Their connection is emotionally intense and physically combustible.
Emma is a complex character with a slew of issues that makes her detached when needed but she is also extremely vulnerable. With this potent combination, she believes she can finally have it all and she becomes a force.
Church is the gorgeous quiet guy who all the girls imagine conquering his heart (and other body parts). Steady and logical, his superiority complex is somewhat justifiable and makes him even more magnetic. Due to his level of influence mixed with a healthy dose of fear, Church is sexy and potentially deadly.
Church is a dark romantic thriller that would appeal to those who want to experience an edgy storyline, compelling characters and blurred boundaries. I highly recommend and look forward to reading book two in this duet.
Duet:
*An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey and Loyda!
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Emma Hartley has endured abusive relationships her entire life and has the psychological labels to prove it. Longing to love and be loved, she finds a connection with an unlikely person. Knowing she shouldn’t act on her feelings, Emma’s overwhelming needs usurp common sense at times.
“Maybe this whole time, I should’ve been looking for someone as fucked up as me. Maybe two broken pieces can be glued together to make a whole.”
Church Logan is a mysterious man with loner tendencies. Learning to adapt to his traits at a young age, he remains aloof but his hometown return brings unexpected complications. Despite his end goal, Church discovers his true self.
“You don’t scare me. I see you, Church Logan,” she whispered. His eyes fell shut, then his head fell forward until their foreheads were touching. “You’re going to break me,” he whispered back.”
Together, they form a dubious relationship where Church manipulates Emma yet she is a willing participant. Their understanding of each other is unique and it fuels their bond, for better or worse. With each fulfilling a certain purpose, Emma is willing to do anything to keep Church while he believes he’s pulling all the strings. Their connection is emotionally intense and physically combustible.
“I want to do it whenever I want,” he started speaking fast as his hips picked up speed. “I want to see you covered in me. I want you to be mine.”
Emma is a complex character with a slew of issues that makes her detached when needed but she is also extremely vulnerable. With this potent combination, she believes she can finally have it all and she becomes a force.
Church is the gorgeous quiet guy who all the girls imagine conquering his heart (and other body parts). Steady and logical, his superiority complex is somewhat justifiable and makes him even more magnetic. Due to his level of influence mixed with a healthy dose of fear, Church is sexy and potentially deadly.
Church is a dark romantic thriller that would appeal to those who want to experience an edgy storyline, compelling characters and blurred boundaries. I highly recommend and look forward to reading book two in this duet.
Duet:
*An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey and Loyda!
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
July 20, 2018
YAAAAAAAS.
My first Stylo book, and I was so not disappointed.
I see you, Church.
Mother of all crazy ...
ETA:
Seems Church. has gone live, so my time has come to write an appropriate review for this book which a joke because that's impossible. This was not what I expected, and then again, it was what I was hoping for. So the fact Church. hit every mark I wanted it to hit and it's also the very first Stylo book I've ever read - I see you, Stylo. You're on my radar now, so watch me go binge read like everything I can get my hands on from you because that's basically my thing.
But back to Church.
This was loco.
Completely f*ucking looney tunes.
Okay?
Crazy.
The tagline on the cover is kind of deceptive - it is a love story, but it is not traditional by any stretch of the imagination, and if you are not as equally horrified as you are curious and enraptured, well then, sorry, but you didn't read it right.
Go back, try again.
Church is a strange and dangerous boy.
Emma is a broken and obsessive girl.
He wants to kill things.
She probably just wants to die.
And when dangerous and strange meets broken and obsessive ... all the sh*t comes out to hit the fan. It's like moth, meet flame. Fire, meet your gasoline.
Burn down the world trope is literally my favorite when it comes to romance, and if you add in the phycological thriller aspect to it like Stylo did, I am basically your stupid little puppy willing to do whatever you want for a treat. I am so WEAK.
I don't know how to describe this book - but it hits my dark need. I am very picky about my dark romance books - please don't send me your recs based on this review for dark romance, I assure you 99% of them will peeve me off or gross me out - and I am so happy that I found one that did it for me.
Church. is an unusual, and vibrant tale. It is terrifying, and mesmerizing. A love story that shouldn't be, but is, and they're coming for you. They're coming.
*Someone mentioned to Stylo that an author was itching to get their hands on Church. as soon as it went live, and she was nice enough to send me an early copy without ever talking to me directly, or probably even knowing my name. I went and bought myself a copy of Church. anyway now that it is live because that was what I planned on doing from the beginning. The fact I got an early copy means nothing, and didn't sway the way I felt about this book or wrote this review.
My first Stylo book, and I was so not disappointed.
I see you, Church.
Mother of all crazy ...
ETA:
Seems Church. has gone live, so my time has come to write an appropriate review for this book which a joke because that's impossible. This was not what I expected, and then again, it was what I was hoping for. So the fact Church. hit every mark I wanted it to hit and it's also the very first Stylo book I've ever read - I see you, Stylo. You're on my radar now, so watch me go binge read like everything I can get my hands on from you because that's basically my thing.
But back to Church.
This was loco.
Completely f*ucking looney tunes.
Okay?
Crazy.
The tagline on the cover is kind of deceptive - it is a love story, but it is not traditional by any stretch of the imagination, and if you are not as equally horrified as you are curious and enraptured, well then, sorry, but you didn't read it right.
Go back, try again.
Church is a strange and dangerous boy.
Emma is a broken and obsessive girl.
He wants to kill things.
She probably just wants to die.
And when dangerous and strange meets broken and obsessive ... all the sh*t comes out to hit the fan. It's like moth, meet flame. Fire, meet your gasoline.
Burn down the world trope is literally my favorite when it comes to romance, and if you add in the phycological thriller aspect to it like Stylo did, I am basically your stupid little puppy willing to do whatever you want for a treat. I am so WEAK.
I don't know how to describe this book - but it hits my dark need. I am very picky about my dark romance books - please don't send me your recs based on this review for dark romance, I assure you 99% of them will peeve me off or gross me out - and I am so happy that I found one that did it for me.
Church. is an unusual, and vibrant tale. It is terrifying, and mesmerizing. A love story that shouldn't be, but is, and they're coming for you. They're coming.
*Someone mentioned to Stylo that an author was itching to get their hands on Church. as soon as it went live, and she was nice enough to send me an early copy without ever talking to me directly, or probably even knowing my name. I went and bought myself a copy of Church. anyway now that it is live because that was what I planned on doing from the beginning. The fact I got an early copy means nothing, and didn't sway the way I felt about this book or wrote this review.
November 23, 2021
Here thy will find some small spoilers, be warned
I’ve stopped questioning myself for liking these kinds of books. Plus I realized that my threshold for fucked up stuff gets higher by the day, so what can you do. Just feeding the monster.
You just gotta love mentally ill characters falling in love and subsequently pushing each other even further down the rabbit hole. In this case, Emma has been through one of the worst childhoods possible, which our lovely antihero, Church, takes advantage of. He’s just like, hell, would be really fun to push her over the edge, she’s already so damaged so it will be easy peasy 😌🤚🏼 little did he know that Emma is a lot smarter than he gives her cred for
The way that he manipulates her, gaslights her, pushes her into an unhealthy obsession with him, makes her do whatever he wants - just normal sociopathic and narcissistic tendencies, right? Except that he actually falls in love with her. Which doesn’t really fit into his alleged personality. That’s when we learn that he’s actually so damaged himself, that he’s always thought of himself as a monster (with a grandiose personality, but whatever), and that kind of molded his character.
I’m just like - 🤡- this girl tries to commit suicide and wins him over like SHE has been the one playing him all the time. And he thought he held the reins... It’s almost poetic. Smart girl.
So here we are, two damaged people who literally fucked up each other as much as possible. And in that, also found their perfect love and fit. Cuteness overload 🥰 🤡
Honestly, my heart broke for Emma. She’s written so perfectly - every step she takes from being assaulted and beaten to surviving, to find someone that gives her the attention she craves (she's been neglected and abused by every adult in her close proximity all her life), and how all of this leads up to her pathological obsession with Church - I don’t think I’ve read a more accurate description about how a person’s trauma slowly journeys in, for them, a logical direction. Ultimately, there’s nothing irrational with Emma’s decisions or actions for someone in her position. It's not unreal. And Stylo Fantome should really have cred for that.
Do I ship these two and hope for a hea in the sequel? Fuck, I don't even know. I just want Emma to be genuinely happy and content for once.
I’ve stopped questioning myself for liking these kinds of books. Plus I realized that my threshold for fucked up stuff gets higher by the day, so what can you do. Just feeding the monster.
You just gotta love mentally ill characters falling in love and subsequently pushing each other even further down the rabbit hole. In this case, Emma has been through one of the worst childhoods possible, which our lovely antihero, Church, takes advantage of. He’s just like, hell, would be really fun to push her over the edge, she’s already so damaged so it will be easy peasy 😌🤚🏼 little did he know that Emma is a lot smarter than he gives her cred for
"I promise if I ever got bored with you, you will never, ever know it," he whispered against her mouth.- isn't this what we all want to hear from the person we're in love with 🥰
The way that he manipulates her, gaslights her, pushes her into an unhealthy obsession with him, makes her do whatever he wants - just normal sociopathic and narcissistic tendencies, right? Except that he actually falls in love with her. Which doesn’t really fit into his alleged personality. That’s when we learn that he’s actually so damaged himself, that he’s always thought of himself as a monster (with a grandiose personality, but whatever), and that kind of molded his character.
"I told you," she laughed maniacally. "You’d either learn to love me, or I’d die. Looks like we both got our wish."
I’m just like - 🤡- this girl tries to commit suicide and wins him over like SHE has been the one playing him all the time. And he thought he held the reins... It’s almost poetic. Smart girl.
"You don’t know how to love," she croaked out.
"But you’re such a clever girl," he chuckled. "You taught me how, and I didn’t even realize it."
So here we are, two damaged people who literally fucked up each other as much as possible. And in that, also found their perfect love and fit. Cuteness overload 🥰 🤡
Honestly, my heart broke for Emma. She’s written so perfectly - every step she takes from being assaulted and beaten to surviving, to find someone that gives her the attention she craves (she's been neglected and abused by every adult in her close proximity all her life), and how all of this leads up to her pathological obsession with Church - I don’t think I’ve read a more accurate description about how a person’s trauma slowly journeys in, for them, a logical direction. Ultimately, there’s nothing irrational with Emma’s decisions or actions for someone in her position. It's not unreal. And Stylo Fantome should really have cred for that.
Do I ship these two and hope for a hea in the sequel? Fuck, I don't even know. I just want Emma to be genuinely happy and content for once.
July 22, 2018
4.5 Stars....Review coming
August 6, 2018
"So close to love."
Disturbing but good read if you like dark books.
Disturbing but good read if you like dark books.
April 3, 2021
3 this-must-be-love stars
Okay I'm gonna be honest, for the first 40% of this I had no idea wtf was happening. The obsession, the hysteria, the insane behavior Emma was showcasing, I was just watching curious but also confused but also enthralled but also turned off all at once just like
“ ... ugly soulless piece of shit filth disgusting die just die you're dead already ruined before I was born everyone will know everyone already knows disgusting disgusting why can't you just die ...”
I really couldn't connect with her character bc I just didn't understand her, but she still intrigued me bc I wanted her to make sense. And Church.... it was impossible to understand him bc the dude is mute, so we have to go by Emma's assumptions and I don't exactly trust her psyche to make correct interpretations of things. She's not exactly a reliable, in-touch-with-reality narrator. When we'd get Church's POVs, they were borderline chilling. The way he'd dissect her as a person in need of love and affection, he really was like a cult leader preying on her damaged mind to buy into him and worship him like an acolyte. When he'd refer to her as his 'disciple' in his head I'd internally shriek at the eeriness of blatant manipulation.
I think the dynamic in The Bad Ones was easier for me accept because in that book, they both wanted to kill people. They were equals. In this book, Church wanted to kill people and Emma wanted to please Church. I could say Emma was a pathetic person but her childhood really made her perfectly susceptible to Church's brand of crazy. As the book went into the second half, I rly did understand why someone like her would be so drawn to him. She wants to not exist, and when she's around Church her identity dissolves and she becomes an extension of him. It's sick, it's unhealthy, it's definitely not my fav dynamic and she's not my type of heroine, but it's interesting and makes me wanna see what will happen. This whole book was Emma proving herself to Church, and I hope next book Church proves himself to Emma. I also want her to find some self-worth outside of him, but I don't know if it's really that type of duet. Either way I'm going to read on bc even tho I'm not totally convinced of Church's feelings for Emma or why he feels that way, I want to see how it ends and their interactions are sometimes unintentionally funny.
"My mother used to tell me I was ugly."
"Everyone is entitled to their opinion."
Okay I'm gonna be honest, for the first 40% of this I had no idea wtf was happening. The obsession, the hysteria, the insane behavior Emma was showcasing, I was just watching curious but also confused but also enthralled but also turned off all at once just like
“ ... ugly soulless piece of shit filth disgusting die just die you're dead already ruined before I was born everyone will know everyone already knows disgusting disgusting why can't you just die ...”
I really couldn't connect with her character bc I just didn't understand her, but she still intrigued me bc I wanted her to make sense. And Church.... it was impossible to understand him bc the dude is mute, so we have to go by Emma's assumptions and I don't exactly trust her psyche to make correct interpretations of things. She's not exactly a reliable, in-touch-with-reality narrator. When we'd get Church's POVs, they were borderline chilling. The way he'd dissect her as a person in need of love and affection, he really was like a cult leader preying on her damaged mind to buy into him and worship him like an acolyte. When he'd refer to her as his 'disciple' in his head I'd internally shriek at the eeriness of blatant manipulation.
I think the dynamic in The Bad Ones was easier for me accept because in that book, they both wanted to kill people. They were equals. In this book, Church wanted to kill people and Emma wanted to please Church. I could say Emma was a pathetic person but her childhood really made her perfectly susceptible to Church's brand of crazy. As the book went into the second half, I rly did understand why someone like her would be so drawn to him. She wants to not exist, and when she's around Church her identity dissolves and she becomes an extension of him. It's sick, it's unhealthy, it's definitely not my fav dynamic and she's not my type of heroine, but it's interesting and makes me wanna see what will happen. This whole book was Emma proving herself to Church, and I hope next book Church proves himself to Emma. I also want her to find some self-worth outside of him, but I don't know if it's really that type of duet. Either way I'm going to read on bc even tho I'm not totally convinced of Church's feelings for Emma or why he feels that way, I want to see how it ends and their interactions are sometimes unintentionally funny.
"My mother used to tell me I was ugly."
"Everyone is entitled to their opinion."
July 27, 2018
"He's magic.
He's the devil.
He's inside me now, in my blood, in my brain.
Why isn't he always talking to me?
Why isn't he always looking at me?
Why aren't we together right now?
He's it. He's my moment that I've been waiting for.
He's the greatness I've been missing."
Chiunque sia partito con la convinzione che Church fosse un semplice dark romance, la risposta è sbagliata, sbagliatissima. Come viene anche segnalato nella trama, Church è un thriller psicologico. Le tinte dark ovviamente ci sono, il romance proprio no.
La storia parla di manipolazione e di ossessione. Perchè Church ha solo una cosa in testa, uccidere. Emma invece, vuole solo essere amata da qualcuno, perchè nella sua vita, nessuno l'ha mai fatto. E lei vuole Church, farebbe di tutto per averlo, per avere il suo amore. E' anche disposta ad uccidere per lui.
E qui mi fermo, la mia recensione è corta, lo so, ma dovete immergervi voi stessi nel mondo oscuro e malato di queste due persone, entrare nelle loro menti e sentire i loro discorsi per capire ciò che provano, le cose che desiderano e ciò che sono disposti a fare pur di ottenerle.
Geniale Stylo Fantome!
He's the devil.
He's inside me now, in my blood, in my brain.
Why isn't he always talking to me?
Why isn't he always looking at me?
Why aren't we together right now?
He's it. He's my moment that I've been waiting for.
He's the greatness I've been missing."
Chiunque sia partito con la convinzione che Church fosse un semplice dark romance, la risposta è sbagliata, sbagliatissima. Come viene anche segnalato nella trama, Church è un thriller psicologico. Le tinte dark ovviamente ci sono, il romance proprio no.
La storia parla di manipolazione e di ossessione. Perchè Church ha solo una cosa in testa, uccidere. Emma invece, vuole solo essere amata da qualcuno, perchè nella sua vita, nessuno l'ha mai fatto. E lei vuole Church, farebbe di tutto per averlo, per avere il suo amore. E' anche disposta ad uccidere per lui.
E qui mi fermo, la mia recensione è corta, lo so, ma dovete immergervi voi stessi nel mondo oscuro e malato di queste due persone, entrare nelle loro menti e sentire i loro discorsi per capire ciò che provano, le cose che desiderano e ciò che sono disposti a fare pur di ottenerle.
Geniale Stylo Fantome!
August 2, 2021
⭒ 5+++ stars ⭒
a twisted tale that is captivatingly dark and disturbingly good.
‘He's magic. He's the devil. He's inside me now, in my blood, in my brain.’
it messed with my head, but in the best possible way. I only put the book down when it got too intense, but even then, I kept coming back for more and more.
and I don't know what I was getting myself into, but by 50%, I should've known Church was loco and not right in his head, but I still had hope―just a tiny bit―that maybe he'll have a change of heart. people can change, okay? so leave me alone.
. . . but jokes on me, I have no idea what I was thinking because this is how it went. ↴
'That morning, Emma had woken up on her shitty pull out couch bed to the feeling of arms under her. Church picking her up, gently, and cradling her against his chest.'
could it be? could it be that the Church is changing because of her?
'He'd carried her to his room, then he'd sunk down and deposited her on the floor.'
um, weird start, but okay.
'Hadn't said a word while he'd pulled the handcuffs out of his back pocket. She hadn't spoken, either. Just watched as he'd looped them through the post and attached them to her wrists.'
I know all of you want to say, "I told you so." and I hear you. I really do, but I'm going to choose to ignore you.
'Afterwards, he'd stared at her for a long moment. Kissed her quickly. Then he'd nodded, stood up, and left.'
❝ 𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐐𝐔𝐎𝐓𝐄 ❞
a twisted tale that is captivatingly dark and disturbingly good.
‘He's magic. He's the devil. He's inside me now, in my blood, in my brain.’
it messed with my head, but in the best possible way. I only put the book down when it got too intense, but even then, I kept coming back for more and more.
and I don't know what I was getting myself into, but by 50%, I should've known Church was loco and not right in his head, but I still had hope―just a tiny bit―that maybe he'll have a change of heart. people can change, okay? so leave me alone.
. . . but jokes on me, I have no idea what I was thinking because this is how it went. ↴
'That morning, Emma had woken up on her shitty pull out couch bed to the feeling of arms under her. Church picking her up, gently, and cradling her against his chest.'
could it be? could it be that the Church is changing because of her?
'He'd carried her to his room, then he'd sunk down and deposited her on the floor.'
um, weird start, but okay.
'Hadn't said a word while he'd pulled the handcuffs out of his back pocket. She hadn't spoken, either. Just watched as he'd looped them through the post and attached them to her wrists.'
I know all of you want to say, "I told you so." and I hear you. I really do, but I'm going to choose to ignore you.
'Afterwards, he'd stared at her for a long moment. Kissed her quickly. Then he'd nodded, stood up, and left.'
❝ 𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐐𝐔𝐎𝐓𝐄 ❞
"I chose to stop speaking because there was never anyone worth talking to," he growled at her. "And I don't speak now because it would be dangerous if I did. And they call me Church because yes, I should be worshiped."
May 31, 2019
✨
FULL REVIEW POSTED
✨
WHERE DO I EVEN START ADSFKJDFHSDKJHF
This was 100 levels of messed up and I enjoyed every bit of it. I was uncomfortable and nauseated and angry and shook to the very last fibre of my being. Stylo Fantôme can write.
I literally do not have words to describe how isolating and distinguished this story is. Every character is so fascinating yet so despicable. I kept going "What the hell what the hell what the hell" at every other chapter after the halfway point. If a dark crescendo piece could take literary form, Church. would embody it.
PLOT
This story is about two people, Emma and Church, who're struggling with their deep, dark demons, only to find that together they create the perfect monster. That's not a helpful description but think of it as a combination of psychological suspense and dark obsession, all wrapped up with a Bonnie-and-Clyde-esque bow. On that note, personally, I wouldn't classify this as a romance. Sure, there were romantic elements and the relationship can be argued as romantic, but I found that it was point-blank obsession for both parties. Both Emma and Church are nose deep in their traumas, being consumed by their ever-growing darkness, and I felt that while they were made for each other, romance just wasn't their song to dance to.
FORMAT
I've never come across the particular format Church. uses. The book is told both in first and third person, with the personal narration prior to two third-narration chapters. I thought I'd be thrown off by the format but surprisingly I was completely fine with it!
I can't tell you how much I craved the first person narrations!! It was like a treat, getting into Emma and Church's head, after reading two plot-based chapters. The format didn't confuse or frustrate me but then again, I am an open reader, so perhaps the back and forth of perspectives may not sit well with everyone.
CHARACTERS
Ahh, my fav topic.
Emma is so bashful and resilient, an adaptive learner, and a spitfire of a woman. She's got goals and dreams and a traumatic past to propel those goals forward. She wasn't a likeable character in the least; she was one that I could sympathize with, appreciate, and ultimately, understand, but not like. She wasn't meant to be likeable, and I'm glad Emma wasn't like other female characters I've come across. Her voice felt authentic and unreserved, and honestly, give me all the badass females. They are QUEENS. I applaud Fantôme for writing a type of female lead that isn't always presented well in texts.
Church is an "unusual" boy, his quietness and silence companions in his abyss of a mind. He's perfection. That's literally what the other characters say about him. Pure, lethal, twisted perfection, and there isn't much wrong with that description. His first-person chapters were my favourite, especially since he didn't speak much. I wanted to know more about him, the way he thought, etc etc but it turned out his thoughts were not "unusual" in comparison to his physical expression. He's a guy with many layers and I was hoping more of him would be uncovered as the book ventured on.
There weren't a lot of side characters; I think around six notable side characters were present. Anyways, these characters were so misplaced in the Emma-Church bubble. What I mean by that is Emma and Church have this almost unhealthy, yet maybe right Bonnie-Clyde relationship and everyone else seemed so obscure?? The book spent enough time navigating the reader through the MCs' minds and desires that all the side characters seemed a bit out of place. Idk how to describe it but this is where that isolating and distinguishing feature comes in. It is through the characters that I'm able to recognize how unique the prose is.
TWIST
Ya'll. I predicted the twist as soon as it was hinted at. My prediction was right and I was underwhelmed when it happened. When the twist was hinted, I was like @ Fantôme
WHY THE 3 STARS??
More like 3.75.
This book was incredible in a way I don't recognize often enough. It wasn't meant to be likeable, as it was mostly a testament to the authenticity and rawness of the characters and their monsters. The book was an exploration of the MCs' natures and how their monsters play together. In that sense, considering how the characters progressed through the book, I would say it was a pretty damn fine story.
Alas, nothing is perfect and I am a bitter person.
Anyways, I don't think I can explain my thoughts with much formality anymore so here is THE LIST OF THINGS™:
WHERE DO I EVEN START ADSFKJDFHSDKJHF
This was 100 levels of messed up and I enjoyed every bit of it. I was uncomfortable and nauseated and angry and shook to the very last fibre of my being. Stylo Fantôme can write.
I literally do not have words to describe how isolating and distinguished this story is. Every character is so fascinating yet so despicable. I kept going "What the hell what the hell what the hell" at every other chapter after the halfway point. If a dark crescendo piece could take literary form, Church. would embody it.
PLOT
This story is about two people, Emma and Church, who're struggling with their deep, dark demons, only to find that together they create the perfect monster. That's not a helpful description but think of it as a combination of psychological suspense and dark obsession, all wrapped up with a Bonnie-and-Clyde-esque bow. On that note, personally, I wouldn't classify this as a romance. Sure, there were romantic elements and the relationship can be argued as romantic, but I found that it was point-blank obsession for both parties. Both Emma and Church are nose deep in their traumas, being consumed by their ever-growing darkness, and I felt that while they were made for each other, romance just wasn't their song to dance to.
FORMAT
I've never come across the particular format Church. uses. The book is told both in first and third person, with the personal narration prior to two third-narration chapters. I thought I'd be thrown off by the format but surprisingly I was completely fine with it!
I can't tell you how much I craved the first person narrations!! It was like a treat, getting into Emma and Church's head, after reading two plot-based chapters. The format didn't confuse or frustrate me but then again, I am an open reader, so perhaps the back and forth of perspectives may not sit well with everyone.
CHARACTERS
Ahh, my fav topic.
Emma is so bashful and resilient, an adaptive learner, and a spitfire of a woman. She's got goals and dreams and a traumatic past to propel those goals forward. She wasn't a likeable character in the least; she was one that I could sympathize with, appreciate, and ultimately, understand, but not like. She wasn't meant to be likeable, and I'm glad Emma wasn't like other female characters I've come across. Her voice felt authentic and unreserved, and honestly, give me all the badass females. They are QUEENS. I applaud Fantôme for writing a type of female lead that isn't always presented well in texts.
Church is an "unusual" boy, his quietness and silence companions in his abyss of a mind. He's perfection. That's literally what the other characters say about him. Pure, lethal, twisted perfection, and there isn't much wrong with that description. His first-person chapters were my favourite, especially since he didn't speak much. I wanted to know more about him, the way he thought, etc etc but it turned out his thoughts were not "unusual" in comparison to his physical expression. He's a guy with many layers and I was hoping more of him would be uncovered as the book ventured on.
There weren't a lot of side characters; I think around six notable side characters were present. Anyways, these characters were so misplaced in the Emma-Church bubble. What I mean by that is Emma and Church have this almost unhealthy, yet maybe right Bonnie-Clyde relationship and everyone else seemed so obscure?? The book spent enough time navigating the reader through the MCs' minds and desires that all the side characters seemed a bit out of place. Idk how to describe it but this is where that isolating and distinguishing feature comes in. It is through the characters that I'm able to recognize how unique the prose is.
TWIST
Ya'll. I predicted the twist as soon as it was hinted at. My prediction was right and I was underwhelmed when it happened. When the twist was hinted, I was like @ Fantôme
So it was intriguing at first but I was already tempted to rush towards the climax of the story. I also guessed other plot points and they played out nicely as well. Was it predictable? Yeah, but there is soooooo much more to the story than just these plot points.
WHY THE 3 STARS??
More like 3.75.
This book was incredible in a way I don't recognize often enough. It wasn't meant to be likeable, as it was mostly a testament to the authenticity and rawness of the characters and their monsters. The book was an exploration of the MCs' natures and how their monsters play together. In that sense, considering how the characters progressed through the book, I would say it was a pretty damn fine story.
Alas, nothing is perfect and I am a bitter person.
Despite how interesting this story was, I didn't really... care (??) for it. Yes, it's really different from what I've read before; yes, I loved feeling uncomfortable at some points; and major kudos to the author for writing questionable characters, but... eh. I mean, I couldn't even remember Emma's name when I started writing this review. However, if you look at the majority of the other reviews right now, they all are spectacularly loving reviews, and I totally 100% agree with them, but for me, it was all a bit underwhelming, albeit intriguing.
Anyways, I don't think I can explain my thoughts with much formality anymore so here is THE LIST OF THINGS™:
- vvv fascinating charactersThank you to Stylo Fantôme for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Quotes extracted from an ARC.
- light BDSM elements
- twisted af
- plot was predictable
- Emma's mom can dIE
- "I chose to stop speaking because there was never anyone worth talking to," he growled at her. "And I don't speak now because it would be dangerous if I did. And they call me Church because yes, I should be worshiped." Well, fuck me. I love love love love this. God. What even.
- honestly, this was so quotable holy shit. I have several quotes highlighted that if I shared all of them, I'd ruin the magic ✨✨
- THE. COVER.
- (not really a spoiler but can be considered a spoiler idk lmao)
- going into the novel I didn't know there would be a sequel. Would I continue to the series?? Eh, why the heck not lol I hate leaving a series unread
"You don't scare me. I see you, Church Logan," she whispered. His eyes fell shut, then his head fell forward until their foreheads were touching.
"You're going to break me," he whispered back.
July 23, 2018
“He stripped down her soul to its ugliest parts, then made it dance for him.”
Oh, I just knew that this was going to be so good! First of all, it’s Stylo Fantôme and second of all, it’s Stylo FREAKING Fantôme. I mean, that’s really all you need to know. But seriously, did you read that blurb? It’s so ominous, so dark, so intriguing! I couldn’t wait to get started. I got completely into it, right away. I was absolutely captivated by these characters and I wanted all of the answers right at that moment, but I knew the author would make us sweat a bit (or A LOT) first. I can’t really say anything about the plot because I want everyone to experience this awesomeness their own way, but HOLY SHIT! Get ready for one wicked and sexy thrill ride!
You might think you know how this story is going to go, what direction the author will take you in, but you have no fucking idea! It’s devastatingly beautiful. It’s captivating and thrilling. It did a number on all of my senses, that’s for sure. Stylo seduced me from the very first page and I can’t wait to see where she takes us next in Emma and Church’s train wreck of a darker love story.
Oh, I just knew that this was going to be so good! First of all, it’s Stylo Fantôme and second of all, it’s Stylo FREAKING Fantôme. I mean, that’s really all you need to know. But seriously, did you read that blurb? It’s so ominous, so dark, so intriguing! I couldn’t wait to get started. I got completely into it, right away. I was absolutely captivated by these characters and I wanted all of the answers right at that moment, but I knew the author would make us sweat a bit (or A LOT) first. I can’t really say anything about the plot because I want everyone to experience this awesomeness their own way, but HOLY SHIT! Get ready for one wicked and sexy thrill ride!
You might think you know how this story is going to go, what direction the author will take you in, but you have no fucking idea! It’s devastatingly beautiful. It’s captivating and thrilling. It did a number on all of my senses, that’s for sure. Stylo seduced me from the very first page and I can’t wait to see where she takes us next in Emma and Church’s train wreck of a darker love story.
Shelved as 'ahh-how-about-no'
November 10, 2018Nah.
I read the reviews.
Blog : Le me has a blog
Youtube : This is ze youtube
July 29, 2018
Five Dark & Delicious Stars*****
The reason why I love reading a Stylo Fatôme book is that she writes the exact kind of dark I want to read, and she’s not afraid to do it and writes it so beautifully.
Church is a character like no other; a strikingly beautiful man that terrorizes everyone around him without even speaking one word. He is odd, extremely smart, and complicated. His father has recently married a woman, and she has a daughter, Emma.
Emma comes from a trailer park, her mother has abused her and neglected her since she was born. Every husband and boyfriend her mother has ever had, has abused Emma in some way or another, including her own father.
Church and Emma are both dark and broken, and from the moment they met, it was like looking in a mirror inside their own souls. Finally, they have found someone who understands the kind of darkness they each carry inside. Instead of becoming victims, both Church and Emma bask in the pain and embrace the brokenness, and use it to enjoy life.
Their story is passionate, obsessive, dark and totally delectable. The book ends on a mild cliffhanger, nothing crazy that will make you pull your hair out, but a promise that there is more to come, and I CAN’T WAIT!!!
The reason why I love reading a Stylo Fatôme book is that she writes the exact kind of dark I want to read, and she’s not afraid to do it and writes it so beautifully.
Church is a character like no other; a strikingly beautiful man that terrorizes everyone around him without even speaking one word. He is odd, extremely smart, and complicated. His father has recently married a woman, and she has a daughter, Emma.
Emma comes from a trailer park, her mother has abused her and neglected her since she was born. Every husband and boyfriend her mother has ever had, has abused Emma in some way or another, including her own father.
Church and Emma are both dark and broken, and from the moment they met, it was like looking in a mirror inside their own souls. Finally, they have found someone who understands the kind of darkness they each carry inside. Instead of becoming victims, both Church and Emma bask in the pain and embrace the brokenness, and use it to enjoy life.
Their story is passionate, obsessive, dark and totally delectable. The book ends on a mild cliffhanger, nothing crazy that will make you pull your hair out, but a promise that there is more to come, and I CAN’T WAIT!!!
July 17, 2018
**Church. generously provided in exchange for an honest review.**
5 "Just make me believe." Stars
I truly don't even know what to say about this one except that Stylo Fantome once again drew me right into the intricately delicate, twisted web of craziness that is Church.. This one does not shy away from the darkest parts of human kind. It's psychological, full of half truths and misinterpretations, mental sickness and an overwhelming sense of self in two people - one lost and one found. Which is which? A lot happens in this story that makes you cringe at the same time ask so many questions. It will haunt you, confuse you, satisfy you, and fascinate you.
There's so much here to discuss but I feel it's super important for not only established fans of Fantome's storytelling but for first timers to go into this book with minimal information regarding characters and plot. You need to really feel how this book flows and roll with the turbulent emotions of the characters to grasp the concept and point of their story. I will say that if you're reader who delves into darker, psychological type stories I think you'll find two enigmatic main characters grossly charming and intense. It's their story, full of hard truths clouded in shadows hidden from the crap that is their lives. It's not a fun little fairytale full of rainbows and unicorns.
Stylo Fantome has a unique way of storytelling. I don't say that lightly. Her style always leans to the darker side of human emotions. She's not shy with her characters and who they are. She doesn't sugar coat the fact that sometimes people are just twisted. She somehow brilliantly makes that twisted'ness beautiful in an intriguing way that doesn't let you go from page one to the end. Fantome doesn't follow rules in her writing. She writes without apology what her characters need and gets them to places you'll never see coming. Such is the story, to the extreme, with Church.. Here, Stylo Fantome taps into my fascinated dark side and she bleeds it dry. It was fun to experience.
5 "Just make me believe." Stars
I truly don't even know what to say about this one except that Stylo Fantome once again drew me right into the intricately delicate, twisted web of craziness that is Church.. This one does not shy away from the darkest parts of human kind. It's psychological, full of half truths and misinterpretations, mental sickness and an overwhelming sense of self in two people - one lost and one found. Which is which? A lot happens in this story that makes you cringe at the same time ask so many questions. It will haunt you, confuse you, satisfy you, and fascinate you.
There's so much here to discuss but I feel it's super important for not only established fans of Fantome's storytelling but for first timers to go into this book with minimal information regarding characters and plot. You need to really feel how this book flows and roll with the turbulent emotions of the characters to grasp the concept and point of their story. I will say that if you're reader who delves into darker, psychological type stories I think you'll find two enigmatic main characters grossly charming and intense. It's their story, full of hard truths clouded in shadows hidden from the crap that is their lives. It's not a fun little fairytale full of rainbows and unicorns.
Stylo Fantome has a unique way of storytelling. I don't say that lightly. Her style always leans to the darker side of human emotions. She's not shy with her characters and who they are. She doesn't sugar coat the fact that sometimes people are just twisted. She somehow brilliantly makes that twisted'ness beautiful in an intriguing way that doesn't let you go from page one to the end. Fantome doesn't follow rules in her writing. She writes without apology what her characters need and gets them to places you'll never see coming. Such is the story, to the extreme, with Church.. Here, Stylo Fantome taps into my fascinated dark side and she bleeds it dry. It was fun to experience.
August 16, 2020
I loved this. Really.
It’s dark, so don’t go in expecting it to be a romance novel. It’s not.
The writing was weird, it went from third to first person. Took me awhile to adjust to it. At one point I actually DNF because of the weird POV but once I got over it I was able to fly by.
So much to love and hate about this!
It’s dark, so don’t go in expecting it to be a romance novel. It’s not.
The writing was weird, it went from third to first person. Took me awhile to adjust to it. At one point I actually DNF because of the weird POV but once I got over it I was able to fly by.
So much to love and hate about this!
July 31, 2018
4.0 Stars
Heat level: 🔥🔥🔥
This is book one in a series.
Alert: Triggers may apply to some
People. Blood play and abuse
Dark Romance: Physical and mental abuse. Also has blood fixation. Addiction
Two people find each other in a common fantasy. Step brother meets step sister and the sexual tension is unbearable. This is not that story.
Both as children have had a parent physically and emotionally abused them.
Emma a young 22 yrs young and is attending college living with her mom and step father. She is having a hard time adjusting to a small town life. And her nightmares aren't getting better until she meets Paul "Church" Logan her stepbrother. These two connect in uncommon ways. He doesn't talk and she talks too much. But when they are near each other they feel the electricity between them. Some hot sex bloodplay scenes. And only because the tension is over the top. They become lovers and friends. But do they really know each other? Is this love they both feel? Emma becomes obsessed with Church and he has secrets of his own. Until she thinks she finds out. The ending has left me wanting. I am hoping for more hot sex scenes in book two. Overall I enjoyed there story.
Heat level: 🔥🔥🔥
This is book one in a series.
Alert: Triggers may apply to some
People. Blood play and abuse
Dark Romance: Physical and mental abuse. Also has blood fixation. Addiction
Two people find each other in a common fantasy. Step brother meets step sister and the sexual tension is unbearable. This is not that story.
Both as children have had a parent physically and emotionally abused them.
Emma a young 22 yrs young and is attending college living with her mom and step father. She is having a hard time adjusting to a small town life. And her nightmares aren't getting better until she meets Paul "Church" Logan her stepbrother. These two connect in uncommon ways. He doesn't talk and she talks too much. But when they are near each other they feel the electricity between them. Some hot sex bloodplay scenes. And only because the tension is over the top. They become lovers and friends. But do they really know each other? Is this love they both feel? Emma becomes obsessed with Church and he has secrets of his own. Until she thinks she finds out. The ending has left me wanting. I am hoping for more hot sex scenes in book two. Overall I enjoyed there story.
August 4, 2018
Wellllll.... fuck.
I always fall for the dark and twisted ones, and Stylo sure knows how to write them. GIVE ME MORE.
I always fall for the dark and twisted ones, and Stylo sure knows how to write them. GIVE ME MORE.
February 18, 2020
the beginning was so good and intriguing but then it ended up being really weird? idk. i didn’t realize the author wrote degradation which was my favorite book in high school so that’s interesting
August 29, 2021
4 Stars!! I enjoyed this one I love an obsessive hero but I adored this obsessive heroine she was crazy af she was determined to prove her love to church. I was a little put off bc I don’t like reading 3rd pov but it also has some chapters in 1st pov so it wasn’t so bad. I’m very curious to know what is gonna happen in the next book and hopefully its church turn to prove his love. “I paid for his love in blood” “And now I want some in return” Yessss Emma!!
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