Although I tend to post romance books on the fluffier and sweeter side of the genre, I also am a big fan of dark romances. Sure, rom-coms are fun, but after a while they often reach a point where they all start to blend together. So what better way to break up the monotony than with a dark romance? One of my favorite aspects about this sub-genre is its willingness to tackle difficult topics, often leading to a much more emotional read. Plus, it doesn't hurt that usually the spice level is through the roof! Leave Me Behind is a book I probably would have never picked up on my own if it hadn't been featured in one of my book subscription boxes. I don't generally gravitate towards military romances, and at the time this had been a newer release, while also being by an author I hadn't read from before. However, this book has since gained a lot of traction, with readers everywhere sharing their thoughts. Here are my own on Leave Me Behind.
Synopsis
Leave Me Behind throws readers into the world of Nell Gallows, who is the sole survivor of a dark forces squad that was called Riot. Two years after the attack that left her squad dead, Nell is the main candidate for Malum, a secret special ops team that goes where no one else would. However, there's one big issue, Malum blames the Riot squad for the casualty of a beloved squad member in a previous mission. With one last night of freedom, Nell proceeds to engage in a one night stand with a stranger from her plane ride to base. But what she doesn't know is that her fling is actually with Bones, her new comrade and superior. He makes it clear he despises her for being a Riot soldier, and makes her life miserable as she tries to integrate into the new squad. But when a mission goes sideways, Nell is unwilling to abandon him despite everything. Stuck behind enemy lines, they must rely on each other, even though both are holding secrets closer to their hearts than they'll admit.
Strengths
The pacing of this book was perfect in my opinion, it was fast paced, and had short chapters, making it easy to fly through. In addition to this, it showcased a true 'enemies to lovers' trope, where the main characters genuinely hated each other...then of course later fell in love. There also was so much depth to the characters in this book. Everyone had their own back story, and huge secrets, unraveling only in the books final moments. Leave Me Behind was an absolute roller coaster of a book, and it kept me guessing up until the last few pages. I'm pretty sure my fiance witnessed me slack jawed muttering "what the heck" a handful of times as I approached the end of the book. It was intense, but kind of in the best possible way.
Weaknesses
Now if you haven't read dark romances before, this might be too dark for you. It was an intense and gritty read, and pretty much everything that could go wrong for the characters did. There also isn't any 'fluffy' or sweet moments in this book, so don't go in expecting that. Nell and Bones aren't a sweet lovey couple, it's very toxic, and the things he does when they are enemies is borderline psychotic. However, as a reader and lover of the dark romance genre I found it entertaining. The spice level is also pretty high up there, so if you aren't a fan of spice, then this book is not for you.
Would I Recommend?
If you love dark romance books and have been considering trying this one out, I would very highly recommend it. I haven't read anything like it before, and it's a standalone, which is always a bonus! However, if you are typically a rom-com reader and trying to transition into the dark romance genre, this book probably wouldn't be a good starting point for you, due to its intense nature. Ultimately, it depends on your taste as a reader, and your reading preferences. I personally enjoyed this one a lot, and it was one of my favorite books I read in the month of May!
My Ratings
Overall Rating: 4/5
Spice Rating: 4/5
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