The Abyss Surrounds Us

DNF - PG 52 (approx)

I will admit, I had my doubts after reading the preview, but the preview cuts off just after meeting the pirates and within moments of meeting the love interest. So I felt like I needed to know more about the pirates before completely giving it a pass. (Because I was actually mostly enjoying it before the pirates' introduction.)

Approximately 22 pages later, I don't like them. At all.

I don't like the romance, I'm not a fan of enemies-to-lovers - especially not when Cas' love interest is basically her guard. I'm not digging the early violence perpetrated on Cas by her love interest. Nor do I like the early hints of Stockholm Syndrome from Cas.

(I'm not even going to get into the world building or the totally useless map. Because even if the world building was excellent (which, it's not) that would not save a romance that already feels this uncomfortable.)