Tainted Reasoning

So where do I begin? This book was looking like it was going to be a 4-star read. I was enjoying more than I did book one. I adored Tamara and Willaim. I seemed to be a little less dark than book one. Less OW drama etc. All good things. Then I got to a scene that takes place right near the end. An unnecessarily over the top graphic rape and torture scene of the heroine. and all my good feelings for the book went out the window. I really would have loved to have known about that scene going in. Or at least known there was a trigger like that in the book. I can deal with this type of scene if I think it fits in with the story, but this felt like the author was just going for shock value. Not to mention the recovery is just glossed over in the epilogue...sigh.



Apart from that issue, this book was quite good. I enjoy this author's writing style. It is easy to read and has an excellent flow to it. It was well paced. It was told in a dual POV format. We get a few flashbacks to William's past with added some nice depth to the story. The plot was engaging. There were some twists and turns. Like I mentioned this one was less dark than book one (which is one of the reasons the OTT graphic scene seemed out of place). There wasn't any OW drama per se, but some of the flashbacks are about his sex life with OW. The couple from book one play heavy parts in this book, and it was nice catching up with them, and as I said above both the main characters were very likable (especially William).



So yea, I totally would have gone with a higher rating if it hadn't been for that scene right near the end. I don't think it was necessary for it to be that graphic or for it to have gone so far. In any case, it is what it is, and I am still curious to see what happens in book two. Although after getting a peek at the end of this book, I am not sure my stomach will be able to handle it. (lol)