WEBVTT
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All right, and welcome back, my friends.
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Hi.
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Kaz, I'm tired.
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Um, I'm a little unhinged today.
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Yep.
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I'm not sure how much Chloe's loving that.
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I think it's hilarious, honestly.
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Um, an unhinged attitude, though, is perfect for this next book that we're talking about today.
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We're reading Lights Out by Novessa Allen.
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At least I think that's how we pronounce her names.
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Um, just a recap on her contents and trigger warnings.
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I should have saved the page, but I didn't.
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You probably should have.
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Probably.
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But did I think ahead?
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No.
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Do I ever?
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No.
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It's a long list, guys, the book Lynn.
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Yeah.
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Well, not as long as some of the other ones we've done, but anyways.
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So Lights Out is a dark stalker rom-com with heavy themes.
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Reader discretion is advised as this book contains sexually explicit discussions and scenes, including anal play, alcohol consumption, mention of off-page rape, child abuse remembered, medical content, blood and gore in a hospital setting, discussion of mental health, mention of serial killers and their crimes, limited descriptions of a mass shooting, stalking, invasive invasion of privacy, home invasion, hidden cameras, hacking, theft, unintentional cannibalism, remembered, death, car accident, remembered, description of a violent death, remembered, death of a parent, breath play, knife play, gun play, fear play, primal play, mask play, consensual, dubious consent.
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We love to see it.
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Yeah.
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Alright, so you started us off with the questions the last time.
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So I will start.
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Do you think Ali figured out it was Josh a little bit too quickly?
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I do.
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Seeing as how she doesn't have much of a personal life because of her work life balance, it's not hard to try and figure out who it is if she realized quickly that it had to have been someone she knew.
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She's also I she's really smart too.
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Like she is.
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She's a little too smart for her own good in some ways.
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Yes.
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Um, but I think because she had such a short list of people who actually knew her enough to possibly be that person, it was easy for her to figure out.
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I just wish the mystery went a little bit further.
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Just a little bit.
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Just a just a little bit.
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Like her reaction to, I knew it, in the middle of sex.
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Her brain just fired off.
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I knew I was right.
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No, but even like when she went to Tyler and Josh's house and shook his hand, she aggressively gripped it because she thought it was him.
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And like, good on her for like figuring that out.
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Trying to like suss him out, but I just love like like texting him in the middle of just to like catch him up.
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But he he thought ahead.
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Or like trying to put the tracker in his bag and him spelling out lol on his screen.
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Like that was too that was hilarious.
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But the minute his voice slipped up because he forgot his vocal modulator, the minute his voice slipped, and she's like, I was right.
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I'm like, you get it, girl.
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His Batman voice though.
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I haven't listened to the audio audio version.
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Oh my little just to hear his Batman impression.
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So all of my books are packed away.
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Currently, I'm in the process of we're saying the process of selling my house, so all of my books are packed.
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That book is packed.
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So I listen to the audio.
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Also, I've heard it's really good because of the Batman voice, and it's a little bit funny.
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It's hilarious.
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I cannot wait to listen to it.
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I had to read it first though, and like I stayed up way too late last night finishing reading this in order to get to today.
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Which made some parts probably funnier than they should have been because of how overtired I was.
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But I like the book says, the couple that slays together stays together.
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Yep.
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No, I I do think she figured it out a little too quickly.
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I think it would have been nicer if they drew it out a little bit, but I think it just shows like how intelligent she is to be able to figure it out.
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And again, I think the only reason she was able to figure it out so quickly is because of her short list of people she actually knows because of her work balance.
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Yeah, absolutely.
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It would just be nice.
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Keep the mystery, keep the mystery alive.
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And like just I I just love how she was trying to like get back at him by like trying to reverse the roles of like I'm going to sneak into his house and leave his furniture and lay on his bed and just film a thirst trap.
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That's an aggressive like way she wanted to handle it.
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But she wasn't down for the thirst trap later.
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Which surprised me.
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I I know when they were running through the woods, and if he caught her, she had to do a video with him.
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Why was she like I kind of get it?
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He's super famous online as the masked man.
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But she should have been down to me in the video when she literally threatened to do it at the beginning in the book.
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Well, was she actually planning on posting that though, or was she planning on filming it just for him?
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Probably just for him.
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And I think that's that might be the difference.
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But he followed her on Instagram.
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And immediately her world turns upside down.
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Right.
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But none of his other followers followed her.
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So she could have just blocked everybody else and posted it just for him on her Instagram.
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Well, everybody did try to follow her, but she wouldn't, but she had a private account.
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Right.
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So they couldn't.
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And they wouldn't have been able to see any of the videos.
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That's true.
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And she doesn't have anybody she knows or at her work on her follow list.
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That's true.
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So she still could have done it.
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She still could have.
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I I definitely think she should have broken into his house and done it.
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And done it.
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But even after she found like the two of them reconciled about who he was, she still should have done it after.
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I I still wish I we could have seen her tying him up because they mentioned it a few times of like, well, I'm gonna do this to you.
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And he goes, Go ahead.
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I'm like, why can't we see that?
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Why can't that be in the book?
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Alright.
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What did you think of the cat dad moments?
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They were so cute.
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Oh my goodness.
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I, as a cat mom myself, married to a cat dad.
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Um, cute, cute as all hell.
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And the fact that like he had never owned a pet before, he had met this cat once and it instantly loved him, and he's like, Yeah, I'm your dad now.
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I just I love that like she she was trying to tease him on the camera because he wasn't there when she showed up.
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And the minute he walked through the door, he's literally like, not now, buddy.
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Mommy and daddy need alone time.
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And I'm just like, yes.
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Like, cat, dad, love.
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And if you know anything about um Nevessa, she's a New England girly who owns a bunch of cats, so there's not much different about her than us being New England girlies with cats.
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Yep.
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Oh, my turn.
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Yeah.
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Did you enjoy the combo of the dark themes plus the humor?
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I did.
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I think that like because like his backstory, Josh's backstory, so dark was so dark.
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If he wasn't humorous, it would have changed the dynamic.
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It would have changed the dynamic.
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I think it wouldn't have made him as likable.
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Yeah.
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But I also think like when she learned the truth about his past, I think it might have made it.
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I I think it might have made her run if he wasn't like humorous with her and like had that bright personality with her.
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Right.
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And like I just I love I love the joking between the two of them.
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Like, even before she knew who he was, like just the joking between them.
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His banter is top-notch.
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It it really is.
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I when there's a darker book, I love when they can add good humor into it.
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I think it just kind of brightens it a little bit and it makes me happy.
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But it's not even just him either.
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Like, she's also just as like dark humored as he is.
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I love when they're driving around with the goddamn body in the car and they're making jokes about it.
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The whole time.
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The whole time, and he's like, Are you serious right now?
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Or like when they're breaking into his house and all he can think of is making the mobsters laugh, and it's his life's mission to try and make them laugh.
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But Allie does it, so he owes her 20 bucks.
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Yeah.
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Did she ever get that 20 bucks?
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We know, but I just yeah, let's do such a serious thing, but we're in this van with all these like scary dudes.
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I bet we can make them laugh.
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I'm like, it's just it's unhinged and it's great.
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It really is.
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And I I feel like that kind of goes into my question: how did you feel about the rom-com?
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I love it.
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It it just is I uh it made the book, it really did.
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I don't think the book would be quite the same if not for because like you have all these dark romance books, right?
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And you have all these scary men farther from morally gray, more like the darkest dark can be.
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And you know, they don't have remorse about killing someone or breaking in, and he's like throughout the entire book, he's like, Oh, I fucked up.
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Oh, I can't become like this.
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Oh, I I have to watch how I do things, and then the minute he accidentally kills someone with involuntary manslaughter, he he pukes.
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Like, that is so different than so many other main characters about it where they just like, yeah, he deserved to die.
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Oh, I killed him without a care.
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And then she's just like, Yeah, he deserved to be dead.
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I'm not gonna cry over it.
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I love how nonchalant she was about the whole thing.
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It's like well, he's freaking out and like from his past, I understand.
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He has good reason to freak out, but like it just his humor made the book, it really did, and it really made his character so much different.
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It made him lovable characters in the in these type of books, yeah.
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I'm with you.
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It really made him lovable because otherwise it probably would have just been like a really, really, really dark book, but it made his character like you were rooting for him the whole time for it to just work out, yeah.
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And it it really did like set him apart from other characters in this genre.
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My next question How does Lights Out explore trust differently from other romances?
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I think because he's so self-aware about the fact that this is wrong, because stalking is wrong, people.
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Very wrong.
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Um I think because he's just so self-aware of what he's doing is wrong.
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That he has to like check in with her, like, oh, did I did I go too far?
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Like the fact that he's willing to stop or like check in with her, like if he's pushing her too far, and being respectful of her answer, I think really builds on the trust that they have.
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Like, yeah, he you know, didn't go about dating her the right normal human way.
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He broke into her house, installed cameras, stalked her a little bit.
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But he also told her about the camera.
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In a roundabout way, in a roundabout way, he bought her a camera detector.
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That's how he told her.
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But that was that was a big trust thing because he could have never told her, right, right, and just left it there for her to never know about and watch her.
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But he was also self-aware of like, I'm not gonna watch her while she's changing, I'm not gonna watch her while she's sleeping.
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The minute she started to, you know, have fun with herself, he immediately turned the camera off.
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Like that was a big like you can really trust him because he's not gonna cross that invisible line.
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I think from our point of view, yes, because we knew the things that he was doing from her point.
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From her point of view, you can't say that, right?
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Because she to be fair, if some random guy messaged you and they're like, you find out all these things, you're not gonna trust a single word they say.
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But I think through his actions of I'm not plotting to hurt you, I'm just really invested in you, is how they built their trust.
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Yeah.
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Because the way, like you said, the way he went about everything was wrong.
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In a moral sense, it is wrong.
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That is why he's morally gray, and that's why we love him.
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Correct.
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But from her point of view, I understand not trusting and then building that trust up through his actions.
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Yeah.
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No, I I definitely think, like, like I said, just like checking in with her and making sure he wasn't going too far with her, it really helped to like build that trust within her.
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And especially when he broke into her car.
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Turned on the heat for her, turned on the heat for her, turned on her butt warmer.
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Like, I'm sorry, people, but that's a that's a nice man.
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But packed her snacks, gave her a gun and a knife, so she could protect her.
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Granted, the gun was filled with rubbers, but she didn't know that are blanks, but she didn't know that they were blanks.
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I know it.
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But it gave her it gave her the ability to be like, okay, I can protect myself against it, and then accidentally stabbing him while giving him roadhead.
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Yes.
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Like 10 out of 10.
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And the fact that she stitched him up afterwards.
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Saved his DNA, though.
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Like smart girl.
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She's brilliant.
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She is she's super.
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Saved his DNA, pulled hairs off the sweatshirt from Josh when she was just speculating.
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No, I I I think that like his actions really made her be able to trust him.
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Now, do you prefer him with his mask on or his mask off?
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Mask on.
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He's just so dark, mysterious, and overall attractive with it on versus like the funny, cute, attractive Josh.
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And like you can really see how like the spicy scenes differ with his mask on versus his mask off.
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And like, yeah, they're both amazing, but there's just something about the way he wears the mask, and it's a custom mask too, so it's not like a run-of-the-mill generic one that you could just get anywhere.
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Like he custom made it.
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With the dark voids for eyes instead of being able to see his eye color and just and just like especially when she's like, Oh, he's not gonna punish me, we're gonna just cuddle in bed.
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And then she wakes up tied to the bed and his mask is back on, and I'm just like, Yeah, yeah.
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This really plays on the the fear kink in this book a lot.
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Yep.
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And I I do, I just think the mask really makes him it it turns him into a different person in a in a sense, but it's a person I'm here for.
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Which Josh moment made you laugh the most?
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Anytime he talked to the talk to Fred.
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I agree.
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Honestly, like they were just done, they just got done doing something in the bedroom, and and Fred starts yelling at the door, and he goes over to him and he goes, It do not talk to your mother like that.
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I hope you don't talk to your mother like that when I'm not here.
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And it's just so funny watching him talk to the fucking cat like it's an actual child.
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And I'm like, I'm glad I'm not the only one who does this, and that a Morley Gray masked man does it too.
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To a cat.
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To a cat.
00:18:53.759 --> 00:19:03.119
But it's just like I those scenes made me laugh harder than fucking anything because it was just so cute to watch.
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Oh, you know what?
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I think for me, it was when okay.
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When he was giving Fred bacon, and Fred stole the piece of bacon off the plate, and Allie's like, what did Fred do?
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And he's like, Nothing.
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I hate that you're insinuating our child could ever do anything wrong.
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Our angel baby, our angel baby, he's too funny, so like defending the cat that he was just annoyed with for a man who never owned pets because he was too afraid of what he would do to him, and then he just turns into a lovable cat, Dad.
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Don't don't teach our son that violence is okay.
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You guys have a kid?
00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:50.720
C's cat.
00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:52.559
Are you talking about the fucking cat?
00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:54.079
Yes, I'm talking about the cat.
00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:55.440
He's our child.
00:19:55.839 --> 00:20:02.559
Just like if they never have kids, I think it would be okay so long as they keep cat having cats.
00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:04.640
Like at the end of the book, when they get the second one.
00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:11.440
Yeah, you get a second cat, he says, Fred needs a companion, he says.
00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:13.440
What could go wrong?
00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:17.119
Well, the cat will teepee the house and you think someone broke in.
00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:23.200
But that's okay because it's a cute cat who could do no wrong because it's an angel baby.
00:20:24.640 --> 00:20:26.319
I 100% get that.
00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.839
I I I do too.
00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:32.400
Like people try and blame my cat for things, and my cat doesn't do a single thing wrong.
00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:34.240
He is the perfect cat.
00:20:34.640 --> 00:20:39.920
Oh, see, my cats do do things wrong, and my husband yells at them.
00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:42.720
But I say, Don't talk to my cats like that.
00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:44.240
They can never do anything wrong.
00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.839
They can never do anything wrong.
00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:47.440
There are perfect angel babies.
00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:56.480
They'll never join us for a recording session because they don't like the spotlight, but they could never do anything wrong.
00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.960
I can't bring my cats here.
00:20:59.119 --> 00:21:02.079
So my cat just won't come out of his room.
00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:05.759
My cat would literally sit in between us like Dottie does.
00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:10.000
One of one of my cats would, but I just can't bring it here.
00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:13.839
If if Binit was comfortable enough, I I bet I could get him.
00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:16.720
But not with this one.
00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:19.920
No, she doesn't like my kitties either.
00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:20.720
I've tried.
00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:28.160
Um do you think their interactions, um, or what did you think about their interactions?
00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:32.319
Do you think the soft side of him kind of ruined the dark illusion?
00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.920
Or do you think it made it better?
00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:35.519
I think I made it better.
00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:42.720
Because I love when you can mix the two together.
00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:59.680
Like, I love that you can be this dark man, but also have the witty banter and have your angel baby cat son, and that you can just do both things, but have them be semi separate.
00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:00.799
But together.
00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:05.599
Like it made his character as a whole for me.
00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.519
I agree.
00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:15.599
I think that I think that when you are able to see the softer side of such a dark character, it makes it better.
00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:17.759
Like he shoveled her driveway.
00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:18.880
While she slept.
00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:19.839
While she slept.
00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:23.200
He made her he made her breakfast even though he doesn't eat meat.
00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:26.000
He's a vegan and he made her eggs and bacon.
00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:29.519
Granted, they were terrible, but he tried.
00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.160
He tried.
00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:37.839
And he bought her breakfast when he shoveled and put it in her fridge for her because he noticed that she didn't have any food.
00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:40.880
Picking her up and heating up the car for her.
00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:46.000
Like calling to try and stop her from going into the room with the rapist.
00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:51.440
Comforting her when she got home from that day after the car accident, victim.
00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:57.759
Like he he's an angel baby himself, and I I truly love him.
00:22:57.839 --> 00:23:01.519
I don't think he did a single thing wrong throughout this entire book.
00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:06.160
And honestly, the reason that he did it kind of makes sense after what Tyler explained.
00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:09.200
You know, growing up the way that he did and having to monitor people.
00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:11.680
Even Tyler has a tracker on his phone from Josh.
00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:14.640
And he refuses to take it off because he knows it makes sense.
00:23:14.880 --> 00:23:16.079
Or his friend needs it.
00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:16.799
Yeah.
00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:20.319
But like, what was I gonna say?
00:23:20.640 --> 00:23:32.640
Um, I was gonna say something, and it was a good thing to say, and now I can't remember it.
00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:34.160
Go Heather.
00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:37.599
I am losing it.
00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:40.880
There's like nothing up here.
00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:53.279
Um did you notice how like in all dark romance books, like the couples inevitably like break up or are separated for some reason throughout part of the book?
00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:53.839
Yes.
00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:55.680
And how this one didn't have that.
00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.720
I loved that aspect.
00:23:57.279 --> 00:24:16.960
I loved it, and I think that was partly because they were so honest in a way with each other that they could really like, yes, they held things in for too long, like his secret about his dad, but like understanding why he kept it in.
00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:34.240
But like when she found out, I was expecting her to completely bolt and not come back until he like convinced her to, but like the fact that she's like, No, I want to hear the explanation first.
00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:39.839
That is such a character development that we don't see in most every other book that we read.
00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:53.519
Yeah, because usually it's a jump to conclusion, run away, they have to grovel to make them come back, and it's just kind of it was refreshing to see that not happen here.
00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.000
Yeah.
00:24:54.400 --> 00:25:03.680
Where they were just pretty much solid throughout the entire and I think it truly speaks to how they interact with one another that they were able to stay strong enough to never separate.
00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:04.559
Yeah.
00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.359
Yeah.
00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:05.839
Yeah.
00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:07.119
I agree with you.
00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:08.720
So sorry for cutting you off.
00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:09.680
No, it's okay.
00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:10.799
I was just so glad.
00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:14.079
Because that's actually a really good segue into my question.
00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:15.039
Perfect.
00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:22.799
Do you think Allie jumped to conclusions a little bit too quickly when she found out who Josh's dad was?
00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:44.799
So I think, like, I mean, if I were in her shoes and I heard that the man that I was falling in love with was related to a Ted Bundy type serial killer, I probably too would have reacted the same way she did initially, of like that immense shock.
00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:53.519
But I also think I would have like handled it just a little bit better than she did.
00:25:53.839 --> 00:26:02.799
I think my only thing about this was I don't like that she made Tyler tell her the story.
00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:06.640
I wish she would have waited for Josh.
00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:19.920
I agree, but at the same time, I think because she has a history with Tyler, she can trust him a little bit more to not give her a runaround answer about something.
00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:28.319
Whereas if she asked him about it, you know, for all she knew, he could have made up lies because she's still in the middle of building trust with him.
00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:42.559
So I think where she already knows Tyler in one way or another, it kind of helped her to feel like she was getting the truth rather than getting some bullshit to believe.
00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.279
Yeah.
00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:43.759
You know?
00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:46.480
I mean, I I get it, I just don't like that.
00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:48.640
That's the route she took for them.
00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:55.759
And I think that Tyler really should have been like holding his ground of like, it has to be a conversation between you two.
00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:58.799
Because it's Josh's story to tell, not Tyler's.
00:26:59.119 --> 00:27:05.759
I think Tyler kind of like inserted himself a little too easily.
00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:08.000
I don't know if that was what it was.
00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:10.880
I think he may have seen the panic on her face.
00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:14.480
And he just didn't want to ruin something for Josh.
00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:14.720
Yeah.
00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:17.839
Or let something get ruined because of something that was out of Josh's face.
00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:24.720
But I think like Tyler could have at least been like, Yes, I know who his dad was.
00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:29.519
You can't believe everything that you think right now.
00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:32.240
Wait till he gets home and hear him out.
00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:32.480
Yeah.
00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:40.640
And like just trying to like calm her down without revealing the story, I think would have been the better way to handle it.
00:27:40.880 --> 00:27:41.519
I think so.
00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:54.720
But I don't think she I don't think she like I think she was warranted in her initial shock, especially after them just murdering a dude.
00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:59.279
Well, specifically Josh just murdering a dude on accident.
00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.240
Yeah.
00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:16.079
But I think it was like, I think her initial like, and especially like knowing horrible men throughout her line of work um and seeing their soulless eyes, I think that really like helped to realize he is so different from them.
00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.480
Right.
00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:18.640
Which helped bring her out of that shock.
00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:33.039
But I think her initial shock was warranted because how would you feel if you got a call and was like, Yeah, my my boyfriend who I just started seeing, his father is a Ted Bundy type killer, like you would be freaked out.
00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:34.559
You would be freaked out too.
00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.920
I'd be freaked out.
00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:41.119
But at the same time, did that boyfriend do all the things for me that Josh did for Allie?
00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:44.000
That's the thing to that point.
00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:48.960
If he didn't do those things for her, then she would have definitely bolted.
00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:59.279
But because she saw this side of him, she was able to be like, all right, I have to at least hear him out.
00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:05.200
Because I do see this side of him that can't be anything like that man.
00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:08.319
So I think it I think it really helped.
00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:12.160
I think it was really well handled.
00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:12.720
Yeah.
00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:22.640
Because like I said, most books, if something if a bomb like that dropped on characters in another book, they would break up until he groveled and won her back.
00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:23.440
100%.
00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:29.039
But in this case, there was no need to grovel.
00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:34.720
It was just simply sit down, have an adult conversation and figure it out together.
00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:35.759
And they did.
00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:37.680
And it ended in shower sex.
00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.200
Go them.
00:29:39.359 --> 00:29:39.920
Go them.
00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:43.680
Go adulting and adult conversations.
00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.720
All right.
00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:49.119
Um, who do you think had the best one-liners?
00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.079
Josh.
00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:51.759
100%.
00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:53.759
I agree.
00:29:54.079 --> 00:30:04.559
When she was just like giving him shit over text, and he only had snappy comebacks, but also never incriminated himself at the same time.
00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:08.319
Maybe I might have what's a tea.
00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:11.759
Like he never truly incriminated himself.
00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:13.359
He was smart about it.
00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:16.480
He was smart and he he was snarky about it.
00:30:16.640 --> 00:30:17.200
Oh my god.
00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:20.319
And his LOL with the tracker.
00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:25.359
And I think like just his response of kinky was like to everything.
00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:30.400
Just about everything was truly like the best way he could have handled it.
00:30:31.359 --> 00:30:35.279
I love him so much for his one-liners.
00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:37.599
I think she had a lot of good one-liners too.
00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:41.519
And I would have loved to see the rest of their Would You Rather game.
00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:42.720
Yes.
00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:48.400
I the fact that she won the Would You Rather game, I think it's hilarious.
00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:54.079
I love playing Would You Rather just for like the crazy things that you could come up with.
00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:57.680
And as they were playing, I'm like, what would my answer be to these?
00:30:58.559 --> 00:31:08.480
And honestly, I think like we should have seen more of that because I would have gone on for a while reading the Would You Rathers.
00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.759
100%.
00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:13.039
But no, Josh definitely had the better one-liners.
00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:15.200
Yes.
00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:20.799
He was just so witty and bantery trying to get out of confessing his crimes.
00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:23.279
And it it was just so funny.
00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:31.359
Would you recommend this book to someone who has never read a dark romance book?
00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:33.440
Like as a starter book?
00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:35.680
I probably would.
00:31:36.319 --> 00:31:42.880
Just because he's so self-aware throughout the whole book.
00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:55.359
Like there aren't many male main characters that are that self-aware of the bad shit they're doing and how fucked up it could be perceived.
00:31:55.680 --> 00:31:56.160
Yeah.
00:31:56.480 --> 00:32:08.400
So I think like not only because he's self-aware, but also because of the rom-com aspect, I think this would be like a good starter dark romance.
00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.279
I agree.
00:32:09.599 --> 00:32:16.720
Because there aren't as many heavy triggering aspects as there are in some other books.
00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:25.279
Like there are some like heavy hitters in here, but there aren't as many heavy hitters as we've seen in other books.
00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:25.839
Right.
00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:26.240
Right.
00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:29.039
Specifically some that we'll talk about later on.
00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:30.400
That we'll get to.
00:32:31.119 --> 00:32:37.200
But I just think that like it it would be a good place to start.
00:32:37.359 --> 00:32:40.799
Because there where is a good place to start in a dark romance?
00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:42.319
The lighter ones.
00:32:42.559 --> 00:32:47.039
The ones that have a little bit of humor and can take away from how dark the book actually is.
00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:48.720
I did not start that one.
00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:49.759
I didn't either.
00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:52.880
I jump into the deep end every single time.
00:32:53.119 --> 00:32:56.960
Do you know what my first dark romance series was?
00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:57.599
What?
00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:59.440
The Lords of Forsyth.
00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:01.039
That was not my first one.
00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:02.160
That was my first one.
00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:04.400
I read more fucked up shit before I read that.
00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:11.039
So, I mean, for me, that was jumping head first because I didn't even like reading at the time, okay?
00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:17.039
Like, I didn't actively read books, and I just jumped right into that.
00:33:17.359 --> 00:33:19.920
See, I have actively read books.
00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:24.880
Like, I I'll read hundreds of books in a year, and I always really have.
00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:39.119
But when I started my dark romance reads, I when I say I jumped headfirst, I'm like, there were like two to three pages of trigger warnings in my first dark romance book.
00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:46.480
Like I dove off the highest cliff and free fell into this genre.
00:33:46.960 --> 00:33:56.000
So when I got to Lord's, I'm like, yeah, this is dark, but not I've read darker since.
00:33:56.559 --> 00:34:08.559
Um, but that was my first because like I said, I wasn't an avid reader before that, and then since that I've gotten way more into the genre.
00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:09.119
Yeah.
00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:13.280
Um, and just in general reading, I've gotten way more into the genre.
00:34:13.760 --> 00:34:16.159
Um, but yeah, that was my first.
00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:20.320
Yeah, no, I I I definitely started reading Dark Romance before you did.
00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:21.360
Oh, yeah, 100%.
00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:27.920
And when I found out that you also enjoyed Dark Romance, I'm like, we have to talk about this.
00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:32.559
Like, we have to get on the same level with some of these books and and really talk about them.
00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:35.440
Hence why this podcast is porn.
00:34:35.840 --> 00:34:36.559
Years later.
00:34:36.800 --> 00:34:40.639
Years later, but still we got here eventually.
00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:43.119
Is it my turn?
00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:43.519
Your turn.
00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:44.159
It's your turn.
00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:45.840
Okay, you're number six.
00:34:46.239 --> 00:34:49.840
How did you feel about them going to the mob for help?
00:34:50.239 --> 00:34:51.519
I loved it.
00:34:52.000 --> 00:34:56.880
Um, the fact that she has a mob family, I did not expect that.
00:34:57.039 --> 00:35:02.639
I did not know her and the guy that the Greg.
00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:03.280
Greg.
00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.239
The janitor.
00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:06.239
I didn't realize that they were related.
00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:12.400
For one, when they were talking about the fact that he had mob ties and she's like, yeah, I just heard that he cheated on all his girlfriends.
00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:14.559
I didn't realize they were related.
00:35:14.880 --> 00:35:18.800
For one, and for two, she kept it hidden from us too, and that's not nice.
00:35:19.039 --> 00:35:19.679
I know.
00:35:20.079 --> 00:35:23.679
But then finding out she's part of a mob family.
00:35:25.360 --> 00:35:26.480
What the fuck?
00:35:26.719 --> 00:35:34.239
But I love it because I also one of our books coming up very soon is a mobster book.
00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:36.400
And you know me.
00:35:36.480 --> 00:35:38.159
I love the mob and the mafia.
00:35:38.320 --> 00:35:46.400
I I loved it, and I think for the occasion that they went to them for, it was a necessary evil.
00:35:47.119 --> 00:35:49.039
I don't know how I feel about it.
00:35:49.199 --> 00:35:57.199
I still feel like even at the end of the book, I was still waiting for the other shoe to drop because you think that'll be coming up.
00:35:57.440 --> 00:36:09.679
I don't I don't see like I've read mafia books where I'm like, I trust them completely, they'll make everything better, it'll fix everything.
00:36:10.159 --> 00:36:19.360
And I think that's because like it starts in the mafia world, whereas this it's like introduced towards the end of the book, and we don't really know anything about them, so we can't trust them.
00:36:19.519 --> 00:36:20.159
Yeah.
00:36:21.199 --> 00:36:28.079
But like, I I think like there could have been so many other ways that they could handle it.
00:36:28.239 --> 00:36:33.280
I think, first of all, as soon as he broke into their house, I think they should have just tied him up and called the cops.
00:36:34.159 --> 00:36:34.880
Probably.
00:36:35.119 --> 00:36:38.079
Because but at the same time.
00:36:39.199 --> 00:36:44.960
But they had direct evidence of he broke into my house with a kill kit.
00:36:45.679 --> 00:36:48.559
Like he caught red-handed.
00:36:49.679 --> 00:36:53.920
But his parents were getting him off of every single charge.
00:36:54.320 --> 00:36:54.960
Yeah.
00:36:55.440 --> 00:36:58.079
So who's to say that wouldn't have just happened again?
00:36:58.400 --> 00:36:59.039
Yeah.
00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:06.800
Or at least like hog tied him and brought him back to his house and like made it look accidental.
00:37:08.320 --> 00:37:10.960
Would have been the smartest way to play it.
00:37:11.280 --> 00:37:13.519
Yeah, but the killing was an accident.
00:37:13.679 --> 00:37:19.760
Yes, I understand that the killing was an accident, but um, I I don't even I honestly don't remember what the original plan was.
00:37:20.000 --> 00:37:26.960
They were going to drop him off at his last victim's house and let the family take care of it because they lived on a farm with pigs.
00:37:27.199 --> 00:37:27.840
That's right.
00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:31.679
Um they should have well, I mean, I feel like that was a smart plan.
00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:44.960
It was a smart plan, but at the same time, like I wouldn't want to pin the murder on the murder on I would I wouldn't want that responsibility of knowing that somebody else took care of something I should have.
00:37:45.519 --> 00:37:46.880
That's fair.
00:37:48.880 --> 00:37:55.679
Or she could have just shot him in a home invasion and it would have been declared self-defense because he broke into her house.
00:37:56.000 --> 00:38:00.400
They would have spun it a different way, they probably would have, but I don't know.
00:38:00.559 --> 00:38:07.039
I I think we'll learn like more in the second book because the second book I believe is about Nico Jr.
00:38:08.320 --> 00:38:17.039
So I think we'll learn a little bit more about the mob, and maybe it'll make me feel a little bit more secure about what happened with the not knowing.
00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:24.719
It's the not knowing, and it's just like one of my favorite shows, right, is Gilmore Girls.
00:38:24.800 --> 00:38:26.480
It's my convert show.
00:38:26.880 --> 00:38:29.679
It's probably like the lightest thing about me.
00:38:30.719 --> 00:38:40.639
The fact that they made a Gilmore Girls reference in this book had me cackling because you don't see that a lot.
00:38:40.960 --> 00:38:49.599
So when they made a Gilmore Girls reference, because his repayment that he wanted was a monthly dinner, and she's like, Did I just get Gilmore?
00:38:50.400 --> 00:39:05.199
And for those of you that don't know, it's a weekly dinner in the Gilmore house for repayment of paying for her daughter's school, and this is a monthly dinner for hiding a body and covering up a crime.
00:39:05.440 --> 00:39:06.960
It's the mob version of the Gilmore Girls.
00:39:07.119 --> 00:39:09.840
It's the mob version of the Gilmore girls, and I love it.
00:39:10.079 --> 00:39:19.840
And I just think like the if if you look at it that way, but I also love that like Josh won't take shit from this big scary mafia dude.
00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:21.199
Oh, yes, I do love it.
00:39:21.280 --> 00:39:23.119
Because he's like he's not afraid at all.
00:39:23.360 --> 00:39:39.360
He fucking recorded their conversation at family dinner, so he had evidence to use against him, and as a hacker, he could get more or at least play it more, and he's like, you double cross her, and I'll double cross you.
00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:43.760
I just like he's so smart with that stuff.
00:39:43.840 --> 00:39:47.760
Yeah, I I love him, I do too.
00:39:48.000 --> 00:39:49.039
I do too.
00:39:49.280 --> 00:40:10.880
Um was there ever a point where you thought this is a red flag, but so much he broke into my house a big red flag that uh he's been filming thirst traps that I've been fawning over for years.
00:40:14.880 --> 00:40:18.880
Oh, he bought me the security setup that he could easily break into.
00:40:21.280 --> 00:40:24.079
He bought it for me anyway to keep me safe from everybody else.
00:40:24.400 --> 00:40:26.559
He stabbed my mattress, but he bought a new one.
00:40:28.880 --> 00:40:42.320
He killed somebody, but he did it to protect me, so he broke into my car, but he gave me snacks, so many things.
00:40:42.719 --> 00:40:43.440
So many things.
00:40:43.599 --> 00:40:48.880
It's like a walking red flag with green flag energy deep down.
00:40:49.119 --> 00:40:54.000
Well, because every red flag comes with an attached just green flag on the other side of it.
00:40:54.320 --> 00:40:55.760
It's like it it yeah.
00:40:56.000 --> 00:40:57.119
They cancel each other out.
00:40:57.280 --> 00:41:00.800
They do for the for this man, they cancel each other out.
00:41:01.039 --> 00:41:02.960
Not for all men, but for this man.
00:41:03.199 --> 00:41:06.320
For for this man, yes, it it cancels each other.
00:41:06.639 --> 00:41:08.079
Yeah, it really does.
00:41:08.400 --> 00:41:11.920
Oh, I I'm gonna watch you every second, even though I'm in the next room.
00:41:14.800 --> 00:41:19.360
Good on him though, for watching her even in the next room because he was able to see the track.
00:41:21.679 --> 00:41:23.760
And his response, lol.
00:41:24.000 --> 00:41:24.639
LOL.
00:41:26.159 --> 00:41:31.440
I just I love that he love this man so much.
00:41:32.480 --> 00:41:36.239
Um, what part had you laughing the most?
00:41:37.679 --> 00:41:41.519
Definitely the part with the cat that I was telling you about earlier with the bacon.
00:41:42.320 --> 00:41:46.639
Yeah, no, literally any interaction with Fred had me laughing the most.
00:41:46.960 --> 00:41:47.519
Yep.
00:41:47.840 --> 00:41:50.719
What it's just so cute and so funny.
00:41:51.039 --> 00:41:54.320
And I know you and I both interact with our pets that way.
00:41:54.480 --> 00:41:58.960
Like I do that with my dogs, I do that with my cats, I treat them like children.
00:42:00.239 --> 00:42:03.920
And it's just so funny seeing someone else do it.
00:42:04.159 --> 00:42:06.000
Fur therapy is real, man.
00:42:06.159 --> 00:42:08.559
I also grab my cat and just smoosh.
00:42:09.039 --> 00:42:09.519
Smoosh.
00:42:10.000 --> 00:42:10.559
Smoosh.
00:42:11.119 --> 00:42:13.039
See, my cat smoosh me.
00:42:13.519 --> 00:42:16.960
They literally sleep on top of my head every single night.
00:42:17.280 --> 00:42:25.920
There my cat used to sleep over my throat when I was sleeping, and I swear to god, she was trying to kill me, but it's okay.
00:42:26.079 --> 00:42:31.599
And red flag, she was trying to kill me, but I guess snuggles, it's okay, it's a cat.
00:42:31.840 --> 00:42:36.159
No, literally any any fucking scene with the cats had me laughing.
00:42:36.559 --> 00:42:38.639
So hard, so hard.
00:42:39.519 --> 00:42:42.400
But also they're just text exchanges, too.
00:42:43.039 --> 00:42:45.280
So funny every single time.
00:42:45.679 --> 00:42:46.639
Every time.
00:42:48.880 --> 00:42:51.840
Which character do you believe is more vulnerable?
00:42:52.159 --> 00:42:53.599
Josh or Allie?
00:42:53.840 --> 00:42:54.400
Josh.
00:42:54.719 --> 00:42:56.000
I'm with you on that one.
00:42:56.559 --> 00:43:05.360
And honestly, I think it's because like he's been told his whole life by one therapist, like, you're gonna turn out like your dad.
00:43:05.440 --> 00:43:16.400
And to learn that that therapist did it just to try and prove a medical thesis when in actuality that wasn't what was happening, kind of a shitty move.
00:43:16.639 --> 00:43:17.280
Yeah.
00:43:17.679 --> 00:43:24.239
But like it made him spend his whole life thinking that he was gonna be a monster, just like his dad.
00:43:24.559 --> 00:43:33.039
And being so scared about it to the point where when he murdered someone, he was puking and terrified, and she was just like, eh.
00:43:35.360 --> 00:43:37.119
Oh well, he deserved it.
00:43:37.440 --> 00:43:40.480
You know, I I was gonna shoot him in my kitchen, but you wouldn't let me.
00:43:40.639 --> 00:43:57.840
But even the fact that like he couldn't look at his own reflection because he looked too much like his dad, and just having to watch Allie and Tyler because of what he experienced, he 100% had more emotional baggage.
00:43:58.159 --> 00:43:59.760
His his PTSD definitely gave.
00:44:00.239 --> 00:44:02.960
Him the more vulnerable side.
00:44:03.440 --> 00:44:05.440
Man is even a vegan because of his dad.
00:44:06.159 --> 00:44:08.159
Which I mean, fair enough.
00:44:08.320 --> 00:44:09.039
Fair enough.
00:44:09.280 --> 00:44:11.440
You cannot trust any meat at that point.
00:44:11.760 --> 00:44:12.079
No.
00:44:13.199 --> 00:44:13.519
Oh.
00:44:14.159 --> 00:44:17.039
Good on Tyler for eating a hot dog that day.
00:44:19.199 --> 00:44:23.199
I mean, I'm sure Tyler would have been traumatized too if he ate the burgers.
00:44:23.360 --> 00:44:24.639
Oh, absolutely.
00:44:24.960 --> 00:44:29.360
But no, I think like Ali is just so headstrong and like pushes forward.
00:44:29.440 --> 00:44:34.960
Like she is detrimental to herself of like working herself into the ground.
00:44:35.039 --> 00:44:39.519
But I think like him coming into her life will help her even that out a little bit.
00:44:39.760 --> 00:44:40.239
100%.
00:44:41.039 --> 00:44:44.000
Which, you know, I don't think she's as vulnerable.
00:44:44.079 --> 00:44:45.679
Like, yeah, she had some shitty things happen.
00:44:45.760 --> 00:44:51.519
Like her mom died in a tr traumatizing car accident, and their father died a month later by a heart attack.
00:44:51.599 --> 00:44:54.400
Like, that is traumatizing in its own right.
00:44:54.639 --> 00:45:02.480
But I think that what Josh went through left him so scarred that he it made him the more vulnerable person.
00:45:02.800 --> 00:45:03.760
I agree with you.
00:45:05.280 --> 00:45:14.079
Um was the uh spice or the tension leading up to the spice better?
00:45:18.639 --> 00:45:20.159
The tension leading up.
00:45:23.280 --> 00:45:25.199
Honestly, probably yeah.
00:45:25.519 --> 00:45:30.639
Because it's just all the the foreplay of it.
00:45:30.960 --> 00:45:42.639
Because the the mask, the freaking her out, the chasing her through the woods to try and catch her, it was the tension was better.
00:45:42.960 --> 00:45:50.400
Honestly, I think like there was so much more detail in the tension leading up to the spice than the actual spice.
00:45:50.559 --> 00:45:55.599
Like if if we had more detailed spicy scenes, I probably would have leaned more to the space.
00:45:55.920 --> 00:46:08.480
I think it I would have leaned more towards the spice too, but like where there like yeah, they were detailed, but they could have been more detailed compared to the foreplay.
00:46:09.360 --> 00:46:12.639
I think the foreplay really drove it home.
00:46:12.880 --> 00:46:14.000
It drove it home, yeah.
00:46:17.840 --> 00:46:22.719
What scene in the book made you realize Allie was just as unhinged as Josh?
00:46:23.599 --> 00:46:38.000
Literally, the second she wasn't like overly freaked out about being stalked, and just more like really this is this is more of an inconvenience than anything.
00:46:39.199 --> 00:46:48.320
Oh, for me it was the car scene when she stabbed him in the hand, but still kept going.
00:46:49.039 --> 00:46:51.920
She didn't realize she stabbed him, she was too enthralled.
00:46:52.159 --> 00:46:54.480
I know she was insane.
00:46:54.719 --> 00:47:06.880
That's that is the moment I knew her level of unhinged was just like Josh's, but even willing to get in the car with him, and then while in the car, she's like, Yeah, fuck it.
00:47:06.960 --> 00:47:07.840
I'm just gonna fuck it up.
00:47:08.000 --> 00:47:08.960
Because I want to see it.
00:47:09.199 --> 00:47:09.840
I want to see it.
00:47:10.320 --> 00:47:10.960
Let me see it.
00:47:11.119 --> 00:47:12.159
Let me see it.
00:47:13.280 --> 00:47:15.119
I too wanna see it.
00:47:15.519 --> 00:47:21.360
But it's just like the fact that you're literally in a car with a masked man.
00:47:22.639 --> 00:47:27.039
And the the first thought in your head is, let me see, let me see it.
00:47:27.840 --> 00:47:31.199
I've been fantasizing about it for months now, let me just see it.
00:47:31.519 --> 00:47:34.559
Like, I I love her so much.
00:47:35.920 --> 00:47:47.199
She true, she truly was just an unhinged, but also being like, I'm gonna get my revenge, but not in like a truly sadistic way, I'm gonna do it in a passive aggressive way.
00:47:47.440 --> 00:47:51.519
Where I move all his furniture and then do thirst traps in his own bedroom.
00:47:52.559 --> 00:47:56.000
Yeah, no, she was unhinged, and I I love her for it.
00:47:57.760 --> 00:48:03.679
Now, that's actually a great, like, your comment was uh great lead up to mine.
00:48:04.480 --> 00:48:14.000
If you got out of work and a masked man was sitting in your driver's seat, but he offered you weapons and snacks.
00:48:14.239 --> 00:48:17.199
If you got in, are you getting in?
00:48:17.599 --> 00:48:18.559
Here's the thing.
00:48:19.679 --> 00:48:22.559
Would you get in even without the weapons and snacks?
00:48:22.960 --> 00:48:24.559
Here's my counter question.
00:48:24.719 --> 00:48:27.119
Am I like Allie and know who it is?
00:48:27.840 --> 00:48:33.039
You yeah, so like you you've been following his thirst straps for forever.
00:48:34.000 --> 00:48:35.840
Um, yeah, I'd do it.
00:48:36.159 --> 00:48:38.079
With or without the weapons and snacks.
00:48:38.400 --> 00:48:38.800
Both.
00:48:39.039 --> 00:48:39.360
Okay.
00:48:40.079 --> 00:48:41.360
Like, but here's the thing.
00:48:41.519 --> 00:48:51.280
If I just worked overnight in a shift and now I'm exhausted, and you offer me snacks and weapons, like I'm getting on the car.
00:48:51.519 --> 00:48:53.920
Yeah, no, I want the snacks.
00:48:54.159 --> 00:48:57.039
Honestly, same.
00:48:57.199 --> 00:48:58.880
I would 100% get in the car.
00:48:58.960 --> 00:49:07.679
I'd be like, well, first of all, this is my car, so highly inconvenient of you to just be in my car because I spent a lot of money on it.
00:49:07.920 --> 00:49:09.039
But like you brought me snacks.
00:49:09.280 --> 00:49:12.800
But you brought me snacks, and you're willing to eat them first so I know that they're not drugged.
00:49:13.039 --> 00:49:14.079
See, I would have just ate them.
00:49:14.320 --> 00:49:17.920
I mean same, but oh, so you offer me weapons.
00:49:18.000 --> 00:49:20.719
Like, I cannot turn down a nice weapon.
00:49:20.960 --> 00:49:22.960
And you want to offer me a knife, I'll take it.
00:49:23.039 --> 00:49:34.239
Like well, especially seeing as she thought the the knife was blunted and didn't know there were blanks and but tested the knife on herself to see it wasn't blunted.
00:49:34.719 --> 00:49:39.039
Like, give me a sharp weapon or a pew- pew, and you you've got me.
00:49:39.599 --> 00:49:40.320
I'm in the car.
00:49:40.480 --> 00:49:41.280
I'm in the car.
00:49:41.360 --> 00:49:44.880
You mask or no mask, you offer me weapons, I'll I'll get in.
00:49:45.280 --> 00:49:47.440
Um but the mask just added to it.
00:49:47.599 --> 00:49:48.239
Yes.
00:49:48.880 --> 00:49:54.800
If this book had a sequel focused on Josh and Allie, what would you want?
00:49:56.159 --> 00:49:57.199
Oh my goodness.
00:49:57.360 --> 00:49:59.679
What would you want to explore more of?
00:50:00.960 --> 00:50:04.800
Honestly, and I said this before we even started recording today.
00:50:05.119 --> 00:50:11.920
I would want to explore, like, where she kept threatening to tie him up and be the one that stalked him.
00:50:12.079 --> 00:50:15.920
I'd want to explore that dynamic a little bit and see the tables turned.
00:50:16.159 --> 00:50:16.639
Yes.
00:50:16.880 --> 00:50:26.719
Um, but I would also want to see them because of his like deep-seated fear of like what he would do to children or animals.
00:50:26.880 --> 00:50:29.920
I'd love to see their pet family expand a little bit more.
00:50:30.239 --> 00:50:32.480
But I would also like to see them as parents.
00:50:32.719 --> 00:50:33.599
I think it'd be cute.
00:50:33.679 --> 00:50:35.360
I think Josh would be an amazing dad.
00:50:35.599 --> 00:50:39.599
I just love how like throughout the book she's like, My ovaries can't handle you.
00:50:40.079 --> 00:50:44.960
I would oh, when they're talking about what if I had a baby in one arm with no shirt on?
00:50:45.440 --> 00:50:49.920
Like, what if I had a baby and a toddler in my arms shirtless?
00:50:50.320 --> 00:50:51.360
My ovaries.
00:50:51.840 --> 00:50:52.880
They can't handle it.
00:50:53.360 --> 00:50:55.360
I would yeah, I would love to wear that.
00:50:55.599 --> 00:50:57.039
Yeah, I'm with you.
00:50:57.679 --> 00:51:00.400
Um, overall thoughts on the books.
00:51:00.639 --> 00:51:03.920
Um books, book, just this one.
00:51:04.159 --> 00:51:05.119
It was so good.
00:51:05.360 --> 00:51:06.639
It was so funny.
00:51:07.119 --> 00:51:12.800
I would recommend it to anybody and everybody if possible.
00:51:13.519 --> 00:51:17.679
It's funny, it's dark, it's just overall amazing.
00:51:18.000 --> 00:51:19.360
Honestly, I agree.
00:51:19.519 --> 00:51:32.079
I think like being on like the lighter side of dark romance because of its rom-com feel, I think it was just such a great story.
00:51:32.239 --> 00:51:32.639
Yep.
00:51:32.880 --> 00:51:36.159
I would recommend this to pretty much everybody.
00:51:36.400 --> 00:51:39.599
Um, I will continue to read her series.
00:51:39.760 --> 00:51:45.920
Yeah, I know that the other books are based on different characters, but I would love to just explore a little bit more.
00:51:46.719 --> 00:51:53.119
And who knows, maybe one of maybe the girl that Nico's with might, maybe she also works in the hospital with Allie.
00:51:53.199 --> 00:51:53.760
I don't know.
00:51:53.840 --> 00:51:59.440
I don't know anything about the next set of characters other than it's Nico, and then the next one after that is Tyler.
00:52:00.239 --> 00:52:03.119
But I I can't wait.
00:52:03.199 --> 00:52:04.559
I will honestly I'm so excited.
00:52:04.800 --> 00:52:09.039
But what I'm I'm curious about is because Tyler was very much against masks.
00:52:09.360 --> 00:52:15.599
I I'm so he claimed that the next let yet the third page changed.
00:52:15.920 --> 00:52:16.159
Right.
00:52:16.239 --> 00:52:18.320
That's I want to see what changed in that.
00:52:18.559 --> 00:52:24.960
But did he just say he wasn't into masks to kind of like push Allie away?
00:52:25.199 --> 00:52:31.840
Because do you think Josh knew about or do you think Tyler knew about Josh's thirst account?
00:52:32.079 --> 00:52:33.360
No, absolutely not.
00:52:34.559 --> 00:52:38.000
He would have called Josh out on it immediately.
00:52:38.639 --> 00:52:44.719
Or did he hide it because he wanted to secretly set Allie and Josh up?
00:52:45.280 --> 00:52:47.760
I don't think that was the case, honestly.
00:52:48.079 --> 00:52:49.440
The world may never know.
00:52:49.679 --> 00:52:50.559
He may never know.
00:52:50.880 --> 00:52:53.519
But no, I guess we yeah.
00:52:53.679 --> 00:53:00.159
I I want to see what changed because like the second book I don't think is a mask so much as a biker helmet.
00:53:01.280 --> 00:53:06.719
And then the third one is we're definitely back in a mask, but he was so against masks.
00:53:06.880 --> 00:53:08.159
So what's different?
00:53:08.400 --> 00:53:12.559
Or did he take a page out of his best friend's book to find a baddie?
00:53:12.719 --> 00:53:13.679
To find a baddie.
00:53:14.639 --> 00:53:28.800
But again, loving Fred's bonus chapter because it's basic it's based on Fred's point of view of when Josh first broke into Allie's house and filmed The Thirst Trap.
00:53:29.039 --> 00:53:31.760
And Fred is sassy, you guys.
00:53:32.159 --> 00:53:33.519
Uh, I have to read it.
00:53:33.679 --> 00:53:38.320
That is my goal one of these times that I'm here is to just read it.
00:53:38.960 --> 00:53:45.119
It is, it's worth the read, honestly, because it's it's hilarious.
00:53:46.000 --> 00:53:46.559
All right.
00:53:46.719 --> 00:53:50.079
So that was our last question of this episode.
00:53:50.239 --> 00:53:50.639
Yep.
00:53:50.880 --> 00:53:54.800
So now we're gonna introduce the next book.
00:53:55.119 --> 00:53:55.679
Books.
00:53:56.000 --> 00:53:56.639
Books, yes.
00:53:56.960 --> 00:53:57.840
This time we're doing two.
00:53:58.239 --> 00:53:59.360
A little bit differently.
00:53:59.679 --> 00:54:05.760
So the next books that we're reading is part of a series that is continuous.
00:54:06.239 --> 00:54:10.000
All of the books within the series follow the same storyline.
00:54:10.239 --> 00:54:10.400
Yes.
00:54:10.639 --> 00:54:14.239
So there's five books in the series total.
00:54:14.639 --> 00:54:16.079
We're starting with the first two.
00:54:16.320 --> 00:54:21.280
Yep, and then the second episode will be the um third, fourth, and fifth book.
00:54:21.840 --> 00:54:30.079
Um, so we're gonna separate it into two episodes, but the first one we're gonna talk about are Run Riot and Silver Bullet.
00:54:30.639 --> 00:54:34.159
Um, both of these are by Colette Rhodes.
00:54:34.719 --> 00:54:38.400
Uh, we have both read the entire series already.
00:54:38.639 --> 00:54:46.320
Yes, we are going to reread it to refresh so that we um, you know, can talk about the series in a proper order.
00:54:46.639 --> 00:54:48.639
Can we look at these books and how beautiful they are?
00:54:48.880 --> 00:54:49.519
They are stunning.
00:54:49.599 --> 00:54:52.800
They're a part of the saving grace series.
00:54:53.039 --> 00:54:54.000
State of Grace, sorry.
00:54:54.239 --> 00:54:54.960
State of Grace.
00:54:55.039 --> 00:54:55.440
Yep.
00:54:55.599 --> 00:54:57.039
I always say Saving Grace.
00:54:57.119 --> 00:54:57.599
I don't know why.
00:54:57.840 --> 00:55:02.960
Well, that's because I'm pretty sure that's what the last book is called, a Saving Grace, but it's the State of Grace series.
00:55:03.039 --> 00:55:05.360
I always call it Saving Grace series, too.
00:55:05.599 --> 00:55:10.159
So there aren't very many trigger warnings, but they are the same for both books.
00:55:10.400 --> 00:55:16.000
Um, so the content warnings are violence, drug references, and sexual content.
00:55:16.239 --> 00:55:18.960
I do just want to preface these books as well.
00:55:19.119 --> 00:55:23.199
There is going to be religious Greek trauma within these books.
00:55:23.280 --> 00:55:28.719
It's not centered around like Christianity or any of the main, you know, religions that are out there.
00:55:28.800 --> 00:55:36.400
It's around Greek religion, um, Greek mythology type religions that are specific to this book.
00:55:36.480 --> 00:55:36.639
Yes.
00:55:36.960 --> 00:55:40.400
So that is very heavy throughout the entire series.
00:55:40.480 --> 00:55:45.840
But for now, we're just gonna do the first two books and then move on to the final three.
00:55:46.000 --> 00:55:46.480
Yep.
00:55:46.800 --> 00:55:54.639
And, you know, this book is on the lighter side, so it's not as heavy as some of the other books, but it is well worth the read.
00:55:54.800 --> 00:55:58.719
We both really enjoyed this series, and we can't wait to talk about it next time.
00:55:58.960 --> 00:56:00.159
We'll see you guys next time.
00:56:00.400 --> 00:56:00.960
Bye.
00:56:01.199 --> 00:56:02.800
Thank you all again for listening.
00:56:02.960 --> 00:56:06.800
Don't forget to follow us on our social medias for episode updates.
00:56:06.960 --> 00:56:20.960
You can find us on Instagram at the Sinful Shelf Podcast, Facebook, The Sinful Shelf, X at the Sinful Shelf, TikTok, The Sinful Shelf Podcast, and Threads, the Sinful Shelf Podcast.
00:00:31.199 --> 00:00:34.960
All right, and welcome back, my friends.
00:00:35.920 --> 00:00:36.240
Hi.
00:00:37.359 --> 00:00:38.880
Kaz, I'm tired.
00:00:39.119 --> 00:00:41.920
Um, I'm a little unhinged today.
00:00:42.960 --> 00:00:43.520
Yep.
00:00:43.759 --> 00:00:45.840
I'm not sure how much Chloe's loving that.
00:00:46.079 --> 00:00:47.920
I think it's hilarious, honestly.
00:00:48.240 --> 00:00:54.000
Um, an unhinged attitude, though, is perfect for this next book that we're talking about today.
00:00:54.159 --> 00:00:56.960
We're reading Lights Out by Novessa Allen.
00:00:57.200 --> 00:00:59.520
At least I think that's how we pronounce her names.
00:00:59.759 --> 00:01:03.119
Um, just a recap on her contents and trigger warnings.
00:01:03.200 --> 00:01:04.959
I should have saved the page, but I didn't.
00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:06.640
You probably should have.
00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:07.680
Probably.
00:01:07.920 --> 00:01:09.760
But did I think ahead?
00:01:10.079 --> 00:01:10.400
No.
00:01:10.799 --> 00:01:11.760
Do I ever?
00:01:12.640 --> 00:01:12.959
No.
00:01:14.319 --> 00:01:16.560
It's a long list, guys, the book Lynn.
00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:17.519
Yeah.
00:01:17.920 --> 00:01:22.959
Well, not as long as some of the other ones we've done, but anyways.
00:01:23.920 --> 00:01:28.480
So Lights Out is a dark stalker rom-com with heavy themes.
00:01:28.640 --> 00:02:15.840
Reader discretion is advised as this book contains sexually explicit discussions and scenes, including anal play, alcohol consumption, mention of off-page rape, child abuse remembered, medical content, blood and gore in a hospital setting, discussion of mental health, mention of serial killers and their crimes, limited descriptions of a mass shooting, stalking, invasive invasion of privacy, home invasion, hidden cameras, hacking, theft, unintentional cannibalism, remembered, death, car accident, remembered, description of a violent death, remembered, death of a parent, breath play, knife play, gun play, fear play, primal play, mask play, consensual, dubious consent.
00:02:18.560 --> 00:02:19.759
We love to see it.
00:02:19.919 --> 00:02:20.560
Yeah.
00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:24.800
Alright, so you started us off with the questions the last time.
00:02:25.039 --> 00:02:26.080
So I will start.
00:02:29.199 --> 00:02:33.280
Do you think Ali figured out it was Josh a little bit too quickly?
00:02:33.759 --> 00:02:34.400
I do.
00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:49.039
Seeing as how she doesn't have much of a personal life because of her work life balance, it's not hard to try and figure out who it is if she realized quickly that it had to have been someone she knew.
00:02:49.360 --> 00:02:51.919
She's also I she's really smart too.
00:02:52.080 --> 00:02:52.719
Like she is.
00:02:53.039 --> 00:02:55.520
She's a little too smart for her own good in some ways.
00:02:55.759 --> 00:02:56.240
Yes.
00:02:56.479 --> 00:03:07.599
Um, but I think because she had such a short list of people who actually knew her enough to possibly be that person, it was easy for her to figure out.
00:03:08.159 --> 00:03:13.520
I just wish the mystery went a little bit further.
00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:15.199
Just a little bit.
00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:17.120
Just a just a little bit.
00:03:18.319 --> 00:03:22.479
Like her reaction to, I knew it, in the middle of sex.
00:03:23.120 --> 00:03:24.800
Her brain just fired off.
00:03:25.039 --> 00:03:26.240
I knew I was right.
00:03:26.400 --> 00:03:38.000
No, but even like when she went to Tyler and Josh's house and shook his hand, she aggressively gripped it because she thought it was him.
00:03:38.639 --> 00:03:42.400
And like, good on her for like figuring that out.
00:03:42.639 --> 00:03:50.960
Trying to like suss him out, but I just love like like texting him in the middle of just to like catch him up.
00:03:51.360 --> 00:03:52.960
But he he thought ahead.
00:03:53.120 --> 00:03:58.479
Or like trying to put the tracker in his bag and him spelling out lol on his screen.
00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:02.639
Like that was too that was hilarious.
00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:09.199
But the minute his voice slipped up because he forgot his vocal modulator, the minute his voice slipped, and she's like, I was right.
00:04:09.680 --> 00:04:12.639
I'm like, you get it, girl.
00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:15.599
His Batman voice though.
00:04:16.160 --> 00:04:18.639
I haven't listened to the audio audio version.
00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:23.120
Oh my little just to hear his Batman impression.
00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:25.839
So all of my books are packed away.
00:04:25.920 --> 00:04:32.079
Currently, I'm in the process of we're saying the process of selling my house, so all of my books are packed.
00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:34.560
That book is packed.
00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:37.199
So I listen to the audio.
00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:42.000
Also, I've heard it's really good because of the Batman voice, and it's a little bit funny.
00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:43.519
It's hilarious.
00:04:43.759 --> 00:04:45.600
I cannot wait to listen to it.
00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:56.399
I had to read it first though, and like I stayed up way too late last night finishing reading this in order to get to today.
00:04:57.519 --> 00:05:02.879
Which made some parts probably funnier than they should have been because of how overtired I was.
00:05:03.360 --> 00:05:08.399
But I like the book says, the couple that slays together stays together.
00:05:08.879 --> 00:05:09.519
Yep.
00:05:10.639 --> 00:05:14.079
No, I I do think she figured it out a little too quickly.
00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:23.600
I think it would have been nicer if they drew it out a little bit, but I think it just shows like how intelligent she is to be able to figure it out.
00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:33.600
And again, I think the only reason she was able to figure it out so quickly is because of her short list of people she actually knows because of her work balance.
00:05:33.839 --> 00:05:35.439
Yeah, absolutely.
00:05:36.160 --> 00:05:37.360
It would just be nice.
00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:41.279
Keep the mystery, keep the mystery alive.
00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:56.000
And like just I I just love how she was trying to like get back at him by like trying to reverse the roles of like I'm going to sneak into his house and leave his furniture and lay on his bed and just film a thirst trap.
00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:59.920
That's an aggressive like way she wanted to handle it.
00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:03.040
But she wasn't down for the thirst trap later.
00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:05.360
Which surprised me.
00:06:05.600 --> 00:06:12.800
I I know when they were running through the woods, and if he caught her, she had to do a video with him.
00:06:13.199 --> 00:06:15.439
Why was she like I kind of get it?
00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:18.959
He's super famous online as the masked man.
00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:25.120
But she should have been down to me in the video when she literally threatened to do it at the beginning in the book.
00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:30.160
Well, was she actually planning on posting that though, or was she planning on filming it just for him?
00:06:30.480 --> 00:06:31.600
Probably just for him.
00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:34.240
And I think that's that might be the difference.
00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:37.759
But he followed her on Instagram.
00:06:38.079 --> 00:06:40.959
And immediately her world turns upside down.
00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:42.000
Right.
00:06:42.399 --> 00:06:45.839
But none of his other followers followed her.
00:06:46.079 --> 00:06:51.199
So she could have just blocked everybody else and posted it just for him on her Instagram.
00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:55.839
Well, everybody did try to follow her, but she wouldn't, but she had a private account.
00:06:56.000 --> 00:06:56.240
Right.
00:06:56.399 --> 00:06:57.199
So they couldn't.
00:06:57.360 --> 00:06:59.120
And they wouldn't have been able to see any of the videos.
00:06:59.360 --> 00:06:59.600
That's true.
00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:05.120
And she doesn't have anybody she knows or at her work on her follow list.
00:07:05.360 --> 00:07:06.160
That's true.
00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:08.160
So she still could have done it.
00:07:08.240 --> 00:07:08.879
She still could have.
00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:12.959
I I definitely think she should have broken into his house and done it.
00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:13.680
And done it.
00:07:13.759 --> 00:07:21.920
But even after she found like the two of them reconciled about who he was, she still should have done it after.
00:07:22.959 --> 00:07:31.279
I I still wish I we could have seen her tying him up because they mentioned it a few times of like, well, I'm gonna do this to you.
00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:32.800
And he goes, Go ahead.
00:07:32.959 --> 00:07:35.040
I'm like, why can't we see that?
00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:37.680
Why can't that be in the book?
00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:38.480
Alright.
00:07:38.720 --> 00:07:41.360
What did you think of the cat dad moments?
00:07:41.600 --> 00:07:42.639
They were so cute.
00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:43.920
Oh my goodness.
00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:49.360
I, as a cat mom myself, married to a cat dad.
00:07:50.160 --> 00:07:52.800
Um, cute, cute as all hell.
00:07:52.879 --> 00:08:00.319
And the fact that like he had never owned a pet before, he had met this cat once and it instantly loved him, and he's like, Yeah, I'm your dad now.
00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:08.240
I just I love that like she she was trying to tease him on the camera because he wasn't there when she showed up.
00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:14.959
And the minute he walked through the door, he's literally like, not now, buddy.
00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:16.879
Mommy and daddy need alone time.
00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:19.519
And I'm just like, yes.
00:08:20.319 --> 00:08:23.439
Like, cat, dad, love.
00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:38.320
And if you know anything about um Nevessa, she's a New England girly who owns a bunch of cats, so there's not much different about her than us being New England girlies with cats.
00:08:38.559 --> 00:08:39.200
Yep.
00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:42.240
Oh, my turn.
00:08:42.480 --> 00:08:43.039
Yeah.
00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:47.120
Did you enjoy the combo of the dark themes plus the humor?
00:08:47.440 --> 00:08:48.080
I did.
00:08:48.559 --> 00:08:56.720
I think that like because like his backstory, Josh's backstory, so dark was so dark.
00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:02.320
If he wasn't humorous, it would have changed the dynamic.
00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:04.000
It would have changed the dynamic.
00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:07.519
I think it wouldn't have made him as likable.
00:09:08.000 --> 00:09:08.320
Yeah.
00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:14.639
But I also think like when she learned the truth about his past, I think it might have made it.
00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:22.879
I I think it might have made her run if he wasn't like humorous with her and like had that bright personality with her.
00:09:23.440 --> 00:09:24.000
Right.
00:09:25.039 --> 00:09:28.799
And like I just I love I love the joking between the two of them.
00:09:28.960 --> 00:09:33.919
Like, even before she knew who he was, like just the joking between them.
00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:37.519
His banter is top-notch.
00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:38.879
It it really is.
00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:45.039
I when there's a darker book, I love when they can add good humor into it.
00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:50.320
I think it just kind of brightens it a little bit and it makes me happy.
00:09:50.559 --> 00:09:52.159
But it's not even just him either.
00:09:52.240 --> 00:09:56.159
Like, she's also just as like dark humored as he is.
00:09:57.519 --> 00:10:02.960
I love when they're driving around with the goddamn body in the car and they're making jokes about it.
00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:04.000
The whole time.
00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:07.120
The whole time, and he's like, Are you serious right now?
00:10:07.279 --> 00:10:17.200
Or like when they're breaking into his house and all he can think of is making the mobsters laugh, and it's his life's mission to try and make them laugh.
00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:19.919
But Allie does it, so he owes her 20 bucks.
00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:20.480
Yeah.
00:10:21.039 --> 00:10:22.480
Did she ever get that 20 bucks?
00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:32.799
We know, but I just yeah, let's do such a serious thing, but we're in this van with all these like scary dudes.
00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:34.960
I bet we can make them laugh.
00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:39.120
I'm like, it's just it's unhinged and it's great.
00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:40.240
It really is.
00:10:40.960 --> 00:10:45.840
And I I feel like that kind of goes into my question: how did you feel about the rom-com?
00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:46.559
I love it.
00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:51.279
It it just is I uh it made the book, it really did.
00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:59.519
I don't think the book would be quite the same if not for because like you have all these dark romance books, right?
00:10:59.679 --> 00:11:10.240
And you have all these scary men farther from morally gray, more like the darkest dark can be.
00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:23.039
And you know, they don't have remorse about killing someone or breaking in, and he's like throughout the entire book, he's like, Oh, I fucked up.
00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:25.120
Oh, I can't become like this.
00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:35.519
Oh, I I have to watch how I do things, and then the minute he accidentally kills someone with involuntary manslaughter, he he pukes.
00:11:36.320 --> 00:11:43.919
Like, that is so different than so many other main characters about it where they just like, yeah, he deserved to die.
00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:45.919
Oh, I killed him without a care.
00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:49.840
And then she's just like, Yeah, he deserved to be dead.
00:11:49.919 --> 00:11:51.200
I'm not gonna cry over it.
00:11:51.440 --> 00:11:54.720
I love how nonchalant she was about the whole thing.
00:11:55.039 --> 00:11:58.480
It's like well, he's freaking out and like from his past, I understand.
00:11:59.039 --> 00:12:10.000
He has good reason to freak out, but like it just his humor made the book, it really did, and it really made his character so much different.
00:12:10.320 --> 00:12:15.360
It made him lovable characters in the in these type of books, yeah.
00:12:15.679 --> 00:12:16.399
I'm with you.
00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:32.639
It really made him lovable because otherwise it probably would have just been like a really, really, really dark book, but it made his character like you were rooting for him the whole time for it to just work out, yeah.
00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:38.879
And it it really did like set him apart from other characters in this genre.
00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:45.919
My next question How does Lights Out explore trust differently from other romances?
00:12:47.200 --> 00:12:58.879
I think because he's so self-aware about the fact that this is wrong, because stalking is wrong, people.
00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:00.000
Very wrong.
00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:07.120
Um I think because he's just so self-aware of what he's doing is wrong.
00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:13.840
That he has to like check in with her, like, oh, did I did I go too far?
00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:29.919
Like the fact that he's willing to stop or like check in with her, like if he's pushing her too far, and being respectful of her answer, I think really builds on the trust that they have.
00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:35.840
Like, yeah, he you know, didn't go about dating her the right normal human way.
00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:40.159
He broke into her house, installed cameras, stalked her a little bit.
00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:44.480
But he also told her about the camera.
00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:50.000
In a roundabout way, in a roundabout way, he bought her a camera detector.
00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:52.000
That's how he told her.
00:13:52.320 --> 00:14:02.639
But that was that was a big trust thing because he could have never told her, right, right, and just left it there for her to never know about and watch her.
00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:07.440
But he was also self-aware of like, I'm not gonna watch her while she's changing, I'm not gonna watch her while she's sleeping.
00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:12.320
The minute she started to, you know, have fun with herself, he immediately turned the camera off.
00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:19.840
Like that was a big like you can really trust him because he's not gonna cross that invisible line.
00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:26.639
I think from our point of view, yes, because we knew the things that he was doing from her point.
00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:32.000
From her point of view, you can't say that, right?
00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:42.879
Because she to be fair, if some random guy messaged you and they're like, you find out all these things, you're not gonna trust a single word they say.
00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:55.679
But I think through his actions of I'm not plotting to hurt you, I'm just really invested in you, is how they built their trust.
00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:56.159
Yeah.
00:14:56.399 --> 00:15:01.679
Because the way, like you said, the way he went about everything was wrong.
00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:06.240
In a moral sense, it is wrong.
00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:10.480
That is why he's morally gray, and that's why we love him.
00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:12.000
Correct.
00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:19.200
But from her point of view, I understand not trusting and then building that trust up through his actions.
00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:20.000
Yeah.
00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:32.399
No, I I definitely think, like, like I said, just like checking in with her and making sure he wasn't going too far with her, it really helped to like build that trust within her.
00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:35.679
And especially when he broke into her car.
00:15:36.559 --> 00:15:41.840
Turned on the heat for her, turned on the heat for her, turned on her butt warmer.
00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:45.519
Like, I'm sorry, people, but that's a that's a nice man.
00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:51.919
But packed her snacks, gave her a gun and a knife, so she could protect her.
00:15:53.679 --> 00:15:59.120
Granted, the gun was filled with rubbers, but she didn't know that are blanks, but she didn't know that they were blanks.
00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:00.080
I know it.
00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:12.639
But it gave her it gave her the ability to be like, okay, I can protect myself against it, and then accidentally stabbing him while giving him roadhead.
00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:13.919
Yes.
00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:16.960
Like 10 out of 10.
00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:20.799
And the fact that she stitched him up afterwards.
00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:22.720
Saved his DNA, though.
00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:23.919
Like smart girl.
00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:25.039
She's brilliant.
00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:25.840
She is she's super.
00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:33.120
Saved his DNA, pulled hairs off the sweatshirt from Josh when she was just speculating.
00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:41.519
No, I I I think that like his actions really made her be able to trust him.
00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:48.320
Now, do you prefer him with his mask on or his mask off?
00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:49.519
Mask on.
00:16:50.879 --> 00:17:04.720
He's just so dark, mysterious, and overall attractive with it on versus like the funny, cute, attractive Josh.
00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:13.920
And like you can really see how like the spicy scenes differ with his mask on versus his mask off.
00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:27.680
And like, yeah, they're both amazing, but there's just something about the way he wears the mask, and it's a custom mask too, so it's not like a run-of-the-mill generic one that you could just get anywhere.
00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:29.680
Like he custom made it.
00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:42.559
With the dark voids for eyes instead of being able to see his eye color and just and just like especially when she's like, Oh, he's not gonna punish me, we're gonna just cuddle in bed.
00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:49.519
And then she wakes up tied to the bed and his mask is back on, and I'm just like, Yeah, yeah.
00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:54.799
This really plays on the the fear kink in this book a lot.
00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.440
Yep.
00:17:55.680 --> 00:18:07.759
And I I do, I just think the mask really makes him it it turns him into a different person in a in a sense, but it's a person I'm here for.
00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:14.000
Which Josh moment made you laugh the most?
00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:17.279
Anytime he talked to the talk to Fred.
00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:18.400
I agree.
00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:33.359
Honestly, like they were just done, they just got done doing something in the bedroom, and and Fred starts yelling at the door, and he goes over to him and he goes, It do not talk to your mother like that.
00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:36.400
I hope you don't talk to your mother like that when I'm not here.
00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:44.720
And it's just so funny watching him talk to the fucking cat like it's an actual child.
00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:50.720
And I'm like, I'm glad I'm not the only one who does this, and that a Morley Gray masked man does it too.
00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:51.759
To a cat.
00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.480
To a cat.
00:18:53.759 --> 00:19:03.119
But it's just like I those scenes made me laugh harder than fucking anything because it was just so cute to watch.
00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:05.039
Oh, you know what?
00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:07.920
I think for me, it was when okay.
00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:21.839
When he was giving Fred bacon, and Fred stole the piece of bacon off the plate, and Allie's like, what did Fred do?
00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:23.039
And he's like, Nothing.
00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:26.319
I hate that you're insinuating our child could ever do anything wrong.
00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:43.920
Our angel baby, our angel baby, he's too funny, so like defending the cat that he was just annoyed with for a man who never owned pets because he was too afraid of what he would do to him, and then he just turns into a lovable cat, Dad.
00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:47.680
Don't don't teach our son that violence is okay.
00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:49.519
You guys have a kid?
00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:50.720
C's cat.
00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:52.559
Are you talking about the fucking cat?
00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:54.079
Yes, I'm talking about the cat.
00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:55.440
He's our child.
00:19:55.839 --> 00:20:02.559
Just like if they never have kids, I think it would be okay so long as they keep cat having cats.
00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:04.640
Like at the end of the book, when they get the second one.
00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:11.440
Yeah, you get a second cat, he says, Fred needs a companion, he says.
00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:13.440
What could go wrong?
00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:17.119
Well, the cat will teepee the house and you think someone broke in.
00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:23.200
But that's okay because it's a cute cat who could do no wrong because it's an angel baby.
00:20:24.640 --> 00:20:26.319
I 100% get that.
00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.839
I I I do too.
00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:32.400
Like people try and blame my cat for things, and my cat doesn't do a single thing wrong.
00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:34.240
He is the perfect cat.
00:20:34.640 --> 00:20:39.920
Oh, see, my cats do do things wrong, and my husband yells at them.
00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:42.720
But I say, Don't talk to my cats like that.
00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:44.240
They can never do anything wrong.
00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.839
They can never do anything wrong.
00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:47.440
There are perfect angel babies.
00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:56.480
They'll never join us for a recording session because they don't like the spotlight, but they could never do anything wrong.
00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.960
I can't bring my cats here.
00:20:59.119 --> 00:21:02.079
So my cat just won't come out of his room.
00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:05.759
My cat would literally sit in between us like Dottie does.
00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:10.000
One of one of my cats would, but I just can't bring it here.
00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:13.839
If if Binit was comfortable enough, I I bet I could get him.
00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:16.720
But not with this one.
00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:19.920
No, she doesn't like my kitties either.
00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:20.720
I've tried.
00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:28.160
Um do you think their interactions, um, or what did you think about their interactions?
00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:32.319
Do you think the soft side of him kind of ruined the dark illusion?
00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.920
Or do you think it made it better?
00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:35.519
I think I made it better.
00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:42.720
Because I love when you can mix the two together.
00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:59.680
Like, I love that you can be this dark man, but also have the witty banter and have your angel baby cat son, and that you can just do both things, but have them be semi separate.
00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:00.799
But together.
00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:05.599
Like it made his character as a whole for me.
00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.519
I agree.
00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:15.599
I think that I think that when you are able to see the softer side of such a dark character, it makes it better.
00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:17.759
Like he shoveled her driveway.
00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:18.880
While she slept.
00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:19.839
While she slept.
00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:23.200
He made her he made her breakfast even though he doesn't eat meat.
00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:26.000
He's a vegan and he made her eggs and bacon.
00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:29.519
Granted, they were terrible, but he tried.
00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.160
He tried.
00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:37.839
And he bought her breakfast when he shoveled and put it in her fridge for her because he noticed that she didn't have any food.
00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:40.880
Picking her up and heating up the car for her.
00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:46.000
Like calling to try and stop her from going into the room with the rapist.
00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:51.440
Comforting her when she got home from that day after the car accident, victim.
00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:57.759
Like he he's an angel baby himself, and I I truly love him.
00:22:57.839 --> 00:23:01.519
I don't think he did a single thing wrong throughout this entire book.
00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:06.160
And honestly, the reason that he did it kind of makes sense after what Tyler explained.
00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:09.200
You know, growing up the way that he did and having to monitor people.
00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:11.680
Even Tyler has a tracker on his phone from Josh.
00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:14.640
And he refuses to take it off because he knows it makes sense.
00:23:14.880 --> 00:23:16.079
Or his friend needs it.
00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:16.799
Yeah.
00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:20.319
But like, what was I gonna say?
00:23:20.640 --> 00:23:32.640
Um, I was gonna say something, and it was a good thing to say, and now I can't remember it.
00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:34.160
Go Heather.
00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:37.599
I am losing it.
00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:40.880
There's like nothing up here.
00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:53.279
Um did you notice how like in all dark romance books, like the couples inevitably like break up or are separated for some reason throughout part of the book?
00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:53.839
Yes.
00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:55.680
And how this one didn't have that.
00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.720
I loved that aspect.
00:23:57.279 --> 00:24:16.960
I loved it, and I think that was partly because they were so honest in a way with each other that they could really like, yes, they held things in for too long, like his secret about his dad, but like understanding why he kept it in.
00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:34.240
But like when she found out, I was expecting her to completely bolt and not come back until he like convinced her to, but like the fact that she's like, No, I want to hear the explanation first.
00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:39.839
That is such a character development that we don't see in most every other book that we read.
00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:53.519
Yeah, because usually it's a jump to conclusion, run away, they have to grovel to make them come back, and it's just kind of it was refreshing to see that not happen here.
00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.000
Yeah.
00:24:54.400 --> 00:25:03.680
Where they were just pretty much solid throughout the entire and I think it truly speaks to how they interact with one another that they were able to stay strong enough to never separate.
00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:04.559
Yeah.
00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.359
Yeah.
00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:05.839
Yeah.
00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:07.119
I agree with you.
00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:08.720
So sorry for cutting you off.
00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:09.680
No, it's okay.
00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:10.799
I was just so glad.
00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:14.079
Because that's actually a really good segue into my question.
00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:15.039
Perfect.
00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:22.799
Do you think Allie jumped to conclusions a little bit too quickly when she found out who Josh's dad was?
00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:44.799
So I think, like, I mean, if I were in her shoes and I heard that the man that I was falling in love with was related to a Ted Bundy type serial killer, I probably too would have reacted the same way she did initially, of like that immense shock.
00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:53.519
But I also think I would have like handled it just a little bit better than she did.
00:25:53.839 --> 00:26:02.799
I think my only thing about this was I don't like that she made Tyler tell her the story.
00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:06.640
I wish she would have waited for Josh.
00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:19.920
I agree, but at the same time, I think because she has a history with Tyler, she can trust him a little bit more to not give her a runaround answer about something.
00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:28.319
Whereas if she asked him about it, you know, for all she knew, he could have made up lies because she's still in the middle of building trust with him.
00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:42.559
So I think where she already knows Tyler in one way or another, it kind of helped her to feel like she was getting the truth rather than getting some bullshit to believe.
00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.279
Yeah.
00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:43.759
You know?
00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:46.480
I mean, I I get it, I just don't like that.
00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:48.640
That's the route she took for them.
00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:55.759
And I think that Tyler really should have been like holding his ground of like, it has to be a conversation between you two.
00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:58.799
Because it's Josh's story to tell, not Tyler's.
00:26:59.119 --> 00:27:05.759
I think Tyler kind of like inserted himself a little too easily.
00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:08.000
I don't know if that was what it was.
00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:10.880
I think he may have seen the panic on her face.
00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:14.480
And he just didn't want to ruin something for Josh.
00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:14.720
Yeah.
00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:17.839
Or let something get ruined because of something that was out of Josh's face.
00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:24.720
But I think like Tyler could have at least been like, Yes, I know who his dad was.
00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:29.519
You can't believe everything that you think right now.
00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:32.240
Wait till he gets home and hear him out.
00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:32.480
Yeah.
00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:40.640
And like just trying to like calm her down without revealing the story, I think would have been the better way to handle it.
00:27:40.880 --> 00:27:41.519
I think so.
00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:54.720
But I don't think she I don't think she like I think she was warranted in her initial shock, especially after them just murdering a dude.
00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:59.279
Well, specifically Josh just murdering a dude on accident.
00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.240
Yeah.
00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:16.079
But I think it was like, I think her initial like, and especially like knowing horrible men throughout her line of work um and seeing their soulless eyes, I think that really like helped to realize he is so different from them.
00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.480
Right.
00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:18.640
Which helped bring her out of that shock.
00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:33.039
But I think her initial shock was warranted because how would you feel if you got a call and was like, Yeah, my my boyfriend who I just started seeing, his father is a Ted Bundy type killer, like you would be freaked out.
00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:34.559
You would be freaked out too.
00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.920
I'd be freaked out.
00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:41.119
But at the same time, did that boyfriend do all the things for me that Josh did for Allie?
00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:44.000
That's the thing to that point.
00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:48.960
If he didn't do those things for her, then she would have definitely bolted.
00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:59.279
But because she saw this side of him, she was able to be like, all right, I have to at least hear him out.
00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:05.200
Because I do see this side of him that can't be anything like that man.
00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:08.319
So I think it I think it really helped.
00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:12.160
I think it was really well handled.
00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:12.720
Yeah.
00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:22.640
Because like I said, most books, if something if a bomb like that dropped on characters in another book, they would break up until he groveled and won her back.
00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:23.440
100%.
00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:29.039
But in this case, there was no need to grovel.
00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:34.720
It was just simply sit down, have an adult conversation and figure it out together.
00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:35.759
And they did.
00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:37.680
And it ended in shower sex.
00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.200
Go them.
00:29:39.359 --> 00:29:39.920
Go them.
00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:43.680
Go adulting and adult conversations.
00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.720
All right.
00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:49.119
Um, who do you think had the best one-liners?
00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.079
Josh.
00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:51.759
100%.
00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:53.759
I agree.
00:29:54.079 --> 00:30:04.559
When she was just like giving him shit over text, and he only had snappy comebacks, but also never incriminated himself at the same time.
00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:08.319
Maybe I might have what's a tea.
00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:11.759
Like he never truly incriminated himself.
00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:13.359
He was smart about it.
00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:16.480
He was smart and he he was snarky about it.
00:30:16.640 --> 00:30:17.200
Oh my god.
00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:20.319
And his LOL with the tracker.
00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:25.359
And I think like just his response of kinky was like to everything.
00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:30.400
Just about everything was truly like the best way he could have handled it.
00:30:31.359 --> 00:30:35.279
I love him so much for his one-liners.
00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:37.599
I think she had a lot of good one-liners too.
00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:41.519
And I would have loved to see the rest of their Would You Rather game.
00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:42.720
Yes.
00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:48.400
I the fact that she won the Would You Rather game, I think it's hilarious.
00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:54.079
I love playing Would You Rather just for like the crazy things that you could come up with.
00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:57.680
And as they were playing, I'm like, what would my answer be to these?
00:30:58.559 --> 00:31:08.480
And honestly, I think like we should have seen more of that because I would have gone on for a while reading the Would You Rathers.
00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.759
100%.
00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:13.039
But no, Josh definitely had the better one-liners.
00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:15.200
Yes.
00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:20.799
He was just so witty and bantery trying to get out of confessing his crimes.
00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:23.279
And it it was just so funny.
00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:31.359
Would you recommend this book to someone who has never read a dark romance book?
00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:33.440
Like as a starter book?
00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:35.680
I probably would.
00:31:36.319 --> 00:31:42.880
Just because he's so self-aware throughout the whole book.
00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:55.359
Like there aren't many male main characters that are that self-aware of the bad shit they're doing and how fucked up it could be perceived.
00:31:55.680 --> 00:31:56.160
Yeah.
00:31:56.480 --> 00:32:08.400
So I think like not only because he's self-aware, but also because of the rom-com aspect, I think this would be like a good starter dark romance.
00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.279
I agree.
00:32:09.599 --> 00:32:16.720
Because there aren't as many heavy triggering aspects as there are in some other books.
00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:25.279
Like there are some like heavy hitters in here, but there aren't as many heavy hitters as we've seen in other books.
00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:25.839
Right.
00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:26.240
Right.
00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:29.039
Specifically some that we'll talk about later on.
00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:30.400
That we'll get to.
00:32:31.119 --> 00:32:37.200
But I just think that like it it would be a good place to start.
00:32:37.359 --> 00:32:40.799
Because there where is a good place to start in a dark romance?
00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:42.319
The lighter ones.
00:32:42.559 --> 00:32:47.039
The ones that have a little bit of humor and can take away from how dark the book actually is.
00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:48.720
I did not start that one.
00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:49.759
I didn't either.
00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:52.880
I jump into the deep end every single time.
00:32:53.119 --> 00:32:56.960
Do you know what my first dark romance series was?
00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:57.599
What?
00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:59.440
The Lords of Forsyth.
00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:01.039
That was not my first one.
00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:02.160
That was my first one.
00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:04.400
I read more fucked up shit before I read that.
00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:11.039
So, I mean, for me, that was jumping head first because I didn't even like reading at the time, okay?
00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:17.039
Like, I didn't actively read books, and I just jumped right into that.
00:33:17.359 --> 00:33:19.920
See, I have actively read books.
00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:24.880
Like, I I'll read hundreds of books in a year, and I always really have.
00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:39.119
But when I started my dark romance reads, I when I say I jumped headfirst, I'm like, there were like two to three pages of trigger warnings in my first dark romance book.
00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:46.480
Like I dove off the highest cliff and free fell into this genre.
00:33:46.960 --> 00:33:56.000
So when I got to Lord's, I'm like, yeah, this is dark, but not I've read darker since.
00:33:56.559 --> 00:34:08.559
Um, but that was my first because like I said, I wasn't an avid reader before that, and then since that I've gotten way more into the genre.
00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:09.119
Yeah.
00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:13.280
Um, and just in general reading, I've gotten way more into the genre.
00:34:13.760 --> 00:34:16.159
Um, but yeah, that was my first.
00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:20.320
Yeah, no, I I I definitely started reading Dark Romance before you did.
00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:21.360
Oh, yeah, 100%.
00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:27.920
And when I found out that you also enjoyed Dark Romance, I'm like, we have to talk about this.
00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:32.559
Like, we have to get on the same level with some of these books and and really talk about them.
00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:35.440
Hence why this podcast is porn.
00:34:35.840 --> 00:34:36.559
Years later.
00:34:36.800 --> 00:34:40.639
Years later, but still we got here eventually.
00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:43.119
Is it my turn?
00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:43.519
Your turn.
00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:44.159
It's your turn.
00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:45.840
Okay, you're number six.
00:34:46.239 --> 00:34:49.840
How did you feel about them going to the mob for help?
00:34:50.239 --> 00:34:51.519
I loved it.
00:34:52.000 --> 00:34:56.880
Um, the fact that she has a mob family, I did not expect that.
00:34:57.039 --> 00:35:02.639
I did not know her and the guy that the Greg.
00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:03.280
Greg.
00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.239
The janitor.
00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:06.239
I didn't realize that they were related.
00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:12.400
For one, when they were talking about the fact that he had mob ties and she's like, yeah, I just heard that he cheated on all his girlfriends.
00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:14.559
I didn't realize they were related.
00:35:14.880 --> 00:35:18.800
For one, and for two, she kept it hidden from us too, and that's not nice.
00:35:19.039 --> 00:35:19.679
I know.
00:35:20.079 --> 00:35:23.679
But then finding out she's part of a mob family.
00:35:25.360 --> 00:35:26.480
What the fuck?
00:35:26.719 --> 00:35:34.239
But I love it because I also one of our books coming up very soon is a mobster book.
00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:36.400
And you know me.
00:35:36.480 --> 00:35:38.159
I love the mob and the mafia.
00:35:38.320 --> 00:35:46.400
I I loved it, and I think for the occasion that they went to them for, it was a necessary evil.
00:35:47.119 --> 00:35:49.039
I don't know how I feel about it.
00:35:49.199 --> 00:35:57.199
I still feel like even at the end of the book, I was still waiting for the other shoe to drop because you think that'll be coming up.
00:35:57.440 --> 00:36:09.679
I don't I don't see like I've read mafia books where I'm like, I trust them completely, they'll make everything better, it'll fix everything.
00:36:10.159 --> 00:36:19.360
And I think that's because like it starts in the mafia world, whereas this it's like introduced towards the end of the book, and we don't really know anything about them, so we can't trust them.
00:36:19.519 --> 00:36:20.159
Yeah.
00:36:21.199 --> 00:36:28.079
But like, I I think like there could have been so many other ways that they could handle it.
00:36:28.239 --> 00:36:33.280
I think, first of all, as soon as he broke into their house, I think they should have just tied him up and called the cops.
00:36:34.159 --> 00:36:34.880
Probably.
00:36:35.119 --> 00:36:38.079
Because but at the same time.
00:36:39.199 --> 00:36:44.960
But they had direct evidence of he broke into my house with a kill kit.
00:36:45.679 --> 00:36:48.559
Like he caught red-handed.
00:36:49.679 --> 00:36:53.920
But his parents were getting him off of every single charge.
00:36:54.320 --> 00:36:54.960
Yeah.
00:36:55.440 --> 00:36:58.079
So who's to say that wouldn't have just happened again?
00:36:58.400 --> 00:36:59.039
Yeah.
00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:06.800
Or at least like hog tied him and brought him back to his house and like made it look accidental.
00:37:08.320 --> 00:37:10.960
Would have been the smartest way to play it.
00:37:11.280 --> 00:37:13.519
Yeah, but the killing was an accident.
00:37:13.679 --> 00:37:19.760
Yes, I understand that the killing was an accident, but um, I I don't even I honestly don't remember what the original plan was.
00:37:20.000 --> 00:37:26.960
They were going to drop him off at his last victim's house and let the family take care of it because they lived on a farm with pigs.
00:37:27.199 --> 00:37:27.840
That's right.
00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:31.679
Um they should have well, I mean, I feel like that was a smart plan.
00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:44.960
It was a smart plan, but at the same time, like I wouldn't want to pin the murder on the murder on I would I wouldn't want that responsibility of knowing that somebody else took care of something I should have.
00:37:45.519 --> 00:37:46.880
That's fair.
00:37:48.880 --> 00:37:55.679
Or she could have just shot him in a home invasion and it would have been declared self-defense because he broke into her house.
00:37:56.000 --> 00:38:00.400
They would have spun it a different way, they probably would have, but I don't know.
00:38:00.559 --> 00:38:07.039
I I think we'll learn like more in the second book because the second book I believe is about Nico Jr.
00:38:08.320 --> 00:38:17.039
So I think we'll learn a little bit more about the mob, and maybe it'll make me feel a little bit more secure about what happened with the not knowing.
00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:24.719
It's the not knowing, and it's just like one of my favorite shows, right, is Gilmore Girls.
00:38:24.800 --> 00:38:26.480
It's my convert show.
00:38:26.880 --> 00:38:29.679
It's probably like the lightest thing about me.
00:38:30.719 --> 00:38:40.639
The fact that they made a Gilmore Girls reference in this book had me cackling because you don't see that a lot.
00:38:40.960 --> 00:38:49.599
So when they made a Gilmore Girls reference, because his repayment that he wanted was a monthly dinner, and she's like, Did I just get Gilmore?
00:38:50.400 --> 00:39:05.199
And for those of you that don't know, it's a weekly dinner in the Gilmore house for repayment of paying for her daughter's school, and this is a monthly dinner for hiding a body and covering up a crime.
00:39:05.440 --> 00:39:06.960
It's the mob version of the Gilmore Girls.
00:39:07.119 --> 00:39:09.840
It's the mob version of the Gilmore girls, and I love it.
00:39:10.079 --> 00:39:19.840
And I just think like the if if you look at it that way, but I also love that like Josh won't take shit from this big scary mafia dude.
00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:21.199
Oh, yes, I do love it.
00:39:21.280 --> 00:39:23.119
Because he's like he's not afraid at all.
00:39:23.360 --> 00:39:39.360
He fucking recorded their conversation at family dinner, so he had evidence to use against him, and as a hacker, he could get more or at least play it more, and he's like, you double cross her, and I'll double cross you.
00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:43.760
I just like he's so smart with that stuff.
00:39:43.840 --> 00:39:47.760
Yeah, I I love him, I do too.
00:39:48.000 --> 00:39:49.039
I do too.
00:39:49.280 --> 00:40:10.880
Um was there ever a point where you thought this is a red flag, but so much he broke into my house a big red flag that uh he's been filming thirst traps that I've been fawning over for years.
00:40:14.880 --> 00:40:18.880
Oh, he bought me the security setup that he could easily break into.
00:40:21.280 --> 00:40:24.079
He bought it for me anyway to keep me safe from everybody else.
00:40:24.400 --> 00:40:26.559
He stabbed my mattress, but he bought a new one.
00:40:28.880 --> 00:40:42.320
He killed somebody, but he did it to protect me, so he broke into my car, but he gave me snacks, so many things.
00:40:42.719 --> 00:40:43.440
So many things.
00:40:43.599 --> 00:40:48.880
It's like a walking red flag with green flag energy deep down.
00:40:49.119 --> 00:40:54.000
Well, because every red flag comes with an attached just green flag on the other side of it.
00:40:54.320 --> 00:40:55.760
It's like it it yeah.
00:40:56.000 --> 00:40:57.119
They cancel each other out.
00:40:57.280 --> 00:41:00.800
They do for the for this man, they cancel each other out.
00:41:01.039 --> 00:41:02.960
Not for all men, but for this man.
00:41:03.199 --> 00:41:06.320
For for this man, yes, it it cancels each other.
00:41:06.639 --> 00:41:08.079
Yeah, it really does.
00:41:08.400 --> 00:41:11.920
Oh, I I'm gonna watch you every second, even though I'm in the next room.
00:41:14.800 --> 00:41:19.360
Good on him though, for watching her even in the next room because he was able to see the track.
00:41:21.679 --> 00:41:23.760
And his response, lol.
00:41:24.000 --> 00:41:24.639
LOL.
00:41:26.159 --> 00:41:31.440
I just I love that he love this man so much.
00:41:32.480 --> 00:41:36.239
Um, what part had you laughing the most?
00:41:37.679 --> 00:41:41.519
Definitely the part with the cat that I was telling you about earlier with the bacon.
00:41:42.320 --> 00:41:46.639
Yeah, no, literally any interaction with Fred had me laughing the most.
00:41:46.960 --> 00:41:47.519
Yep.
00:41:47.840 --> 00:41:50.719
What it's just so cute and so funny.
00:41:51.039 --> 00:41:54.320
And I know you and I both interact with our pets that way.
00:41:54.480 --> 00:41:58.960
Like I do that with my dogs, I do that with my cats, I treat them like children.
00:42:00.239 --> 00:42:03.920
And it's just so funny seeing someone else do it.
00:42:04.159 --> 00:42:06.000
Fur therapy is real, man.
00:42:06.159 --> 00:42:08.559
I also grab my cat and just smoosh.
00:42:09.039 --> 00:42:09.519
Smoosh.
00:42:10.000 --> 00:42:10.559
Smoosh.
00:42:11.119 --> 00:42:13.039
See, my cat smoosh me.
00:42:13.519 --> 00:42:16.960
They literally sleep on top of my head every single night.
00:42:17.280 --> 00:42:25.920
There my cat used to sleep over my throat when I was sleeping, and I swear to god, she was trying to kill me, but it's okay.
00:42:26.079 --> 00:42:31.599
And red flag, she was trying to kill me, but I guess snuggles, it's okay, it's a cat.
00:42:31.840 --> 00:42:36.159
No, literally any any fucking scene with the cats had me laughing.
00:42:36.559 --> 00:42:38.639
So hard, so hard.
00:42:39.519 --> 00:42:42.400
But also they're just text exchanges, too.
00:42:43.039 --> 00:42:45.280
So funny every single time.
00:42:45.679 --> 00:42:46.639
Every time.
00:42:48.880 --> 00:42:51.840
Which character do you believe is more vulnerable?
00:42:52.159 --> 00:42:53.599
Josh or Allie?
00:42:53.840 --> 00:42:54.400
Josh.
00:42:54.719 --> 00:42:56.000
I'm with you on that one.
00:42:56.559 --> 00:43:05.360
And honestly, I think it's because like he's been told his whole life by one therapist, like, you're gonna turn out like your dad.
00:43:05.440 --> 00:43:16.400
And to learn that that therapist did it just to try and prove a medical thesis when in actuality that wasn't what was happening, kind of a shitty move.
00:43:16.639 --> 00:43:17.280
Yeah.
00:43:17.679 --> 00:43:24.239
But like it made him spend his whole life thinking that he was gonna be a monster, just like his dad.
00:43:24.559 --> 00:43:33.039
And being so scared about it to the point where when he murdered someone, he was puking and terrified, and she was just like, eh.
00:43:35.360 --> 00:43:37.119
Oh well, he deserved it.
00:43:37.440 --> 00:43:40.480
You know, I I was gonna shoot him in my kitchen, but you wouldn't let me.
00:43:40.639 --> 00:43:57.840
But even the fact that like he couldn't look at his own reflection because he looked too much like his dad, and just having to watch Allie and Tyler because of what he experienced, he 100% had more emotional baggage.
00:43:58.159 --> 00:43:59.760
His his PTSD definitely gave.
00:44:00.239 --> 00:44:02.960
Him the more vulnerable side.
00:44:03.440 --> 00:44:05.440
Man is even a vegan because of his dad.
00:44:06.159 --> 00:44:08.159
Which I mean, fair enough.
00:44:08.320 --> 00:44:09.039
Fair enough.
00:44:09.280 --> 00:44:11.440
You cannot trust any meat at that point.
00:44:11.760 --> 00:44:12.079
No.
00:44:13.199 --> 00:44:13.519
Oh.
00:44:14.159 --> 00:44:17.039
Good on Tyler for eating a hot dog that day.
00:44:19.199 --> 00:44:23.199
I mean, I'm sure Tyler would have been traumatized too if he ate the burgers.
00:44:23.360 --> 00:44:24.639
Oh, absolutely.
00:44:24.960 --> 00:44:29.360
But no, I think like Ali is just so headstrong and like pushes forward.
00:44:29.440 --> 00:44:34.960
Like she is detrimental to herself of like working herself into the ground.
00:44:35.039 --> 00:44:39.519
But I think like him coming into her life will help her even that out a little bit.
00:44:39.760 --> 00:44:40.239
100%.
00:44:41.039 --> 00:44:44.000
Which, you know, I don't think she's as vulnerable.
00:44:44.079 --> 00:44:45.679
Like, yeah, she had some shitty things happen.
00:44:45.760 --> 00:44:51.519
Like her mom died in a tr traumatizing car accident, and their father died a month later by a heart attack.
00:44:51.599 --> 00:44:54.400
Like, that is traumatizing in its own right.
00:44:54.639 --> 00:45:02.480
But I think that what Josh went through left him so scarred that he it made him the more vulnerable person.
00:45:02.800 --> 00:45:03.760
I agree with you.
00:45:05.280 --> 00:45:14.079
Um was the uh spice or the tension leading up to the spice better?
00:45:18.639 --> 00:45:20.159
The tension leading up.
00:45:23.280 --> 00:45:25.199
Honestly, probably yeah.
00:45:25.519 --> 00:45:30.639
Because it's just all the the foreplay of it.
00:45:30.960 --> 00:45:42.639
Because the the mask, the freaking her out, the chasing her through the woods to try and catch her, it was the tension was better.
00:45:42.960 --> 00:45:50.400
Honestly, I think like there was so much more detail in the tension leading up to the spice than the actual spice.
00:45:50.559 --> 00:45:55.599
Like if if we had more detailed spicy scenes, I probably would have leaned more to the space.
00:45:55.920 --> 00:46:08.480
I think it I would have leaned more towards the spice too, but like where there like yeah, they were detailed, but they could have been more detailed compared to the foreplay.
00:46:09.360 --> 00:46:12.639
I think the foreplay really drove it home.
00:46:12.880 --> 00:46:14.000
It drove it home, yeah.
00:46:17.840 --> 00:46:22.719
What scene in the book made you realize Allie was just as unhinged as Josh?
00:46:23.599 --> 00:46:38.000
Literally, the second she wasn't like overly freaked out about being stalked, and just more like really this is this is more of an inconvenience than anything.
00:46:39.199 --> 00:46:48.320
Oh, for me it was the car scene when she stabbed him in the hand, but still kept going.
00:46:49.039 --> 00:46:51.920
She didn't realize she stabbed him, she was too enthralled.
00:46:52.159 --> 00:46:54.480
I know she was insane.
00:46:54.719 --> 00:47:06.880
That's that is the moment I knew her level of unhinged was just like Josh's, but even willing to get in the car with him, and then while in the car, she's like, Yeah, fuck it.
00:47:06.960 --> 00:47:07.840
I'm just gonna fuck it up.
00:47:08.000 --> 00:47:08.960
Because I want to see it.
00:47:09.199 --> 00:47:09.840
I want to see it.
00:47:10.320 --> 00:47:10.960
Let me see it.
00:47:11.119 --> 00:47:12.159
Let me see it.
00:47:13.280 --> 00:47:15.119
I too wanna see it.
00:47:15.519 --> 00:47:21.360
But it's just like the fact that you're literally in a car with a masked man.
00:47:22.639 --> 00:47:27.039
And the the first thought in your head is, let me see, let me see it.
00:47:27.840 --> 00:47:31.199
I've been fantasizing about it for months now, let me just see it.
00:47:31.519 --> 00:47:34.559
Like, I I love her so much.
00:47:35.920 --> 00:47:47.199
She true, she truly was just an unhinged, but also being like, I'm gonna get my revenge, but not in like a truly sadistic way, I'm gonna do it in a passive aggressive way.
00:47:47.440 --> 00:47:51.519
Where I move all his furniture and then do thirst traps in his own bedroom.
00:47:52.559 --> 00:47:56.000
Yeah, no, she was unhinged, and I I love her for it.
00:47:57.760 --> 00:48:03.679
Now, that's actually a great, like, your comment was uh great lead up to mine.
00:48:04.480 --> 00:48:14.000
If you got out of work and a masked man was sitting in your driver's seat, but he offered you weapons and snacks.
00:48:14.239 --> 00:48:17.199
If you got in, are you getting in?
00:48:17.599 --> 00:48:18.559
Here's the thing.
00:48:19.679 --> 00:48:22.559
Would you get in even without the weapons and snacks?
00:48:22.960 --> 00:48:24.559
Here's my counter question.
00:48:24.719 --> 00:48:27.119
Am I like Allie and know who it is?
00:48:27.840 --> 00:48:33.039
You yeah, so like you you've been following his thirst straps for forever.
00:48:34.000 --> 00:48:35.840
Um, yeah, I'd do it.
00:48:36.159 --> 00:48:38.079
With or without the weapons and snacks.
00:48:38.400 --> 00:48:38.800
Both.
00:48:39.039 --> 00:48:39.360
Okay.
00:48:40.079 --> 00:48:41.360
Like, but here's the thing.
00:48:41.519 --> 00:48:51.280
If I just worked overnight in a shift and now I'm exhausted, and you offer me snacks and weapons, like I'm getting on the car.
00:48:51.519 --> 00:48:53.920
Yeah, no, I want the snacks.
00:48:54.159 --> 00:48:57.039
Honestly, same.
00:48:57.199 --> 00:48:58.880
I would 100% get in the car.
00:48:58.960 --> 00:49:07.679
I'd be like, well, first of all, this is my car, so highly inconvenient of you to just be in my car because I spent a lot of money on it.
00:49:07.920 --> 00:49:09.039
But like you brought me snacks.
00:49:09.280 --> 00:49:12.800
But you brought me snacks, and you're willing to eat them first so I know that they're not drugged.
00:49:13.039 --> 00:49:14.079
See, I would have just ate them.
00:49:14.320 --> 00:49:17.920
I mean same, but oh, so you offer me weapons.
00:49:18.000 --> 00:49:20.719
Like, I cannot turn down a nice weapon.
00:49:20.960 --> 00:49:22.960
And you want to offer me a knife, I'll take it.
00:49:23.039 --> 00:49:34.239
Like well, especially seeing as she thought the the knife was blunted and didn't know there were blanks and but tested the knife on herself to see it wasn't blunted.
00:49:34.719 --> 00:49:39.039
Like, give me a sharp weapon or a pew- pew, and you you've got me.
00:49:39.599 --> 00:49:40.320
I'm in the car.
00:49:40.480 --> 00:49:41.280
I'm in the car.
00:49:41.360 --> 00:49:44.880
You mask or no mask, you offer me weapons, I'll I'll get in.
00:49:45.280 --> 00:49:47.440
Um but the mask just added to it.
00:49:47.599 --> 00:49:48.239
Yes.
00:49:48.880 --> 00:49:54.800
If this book had a sequel focused on Josh and Allie, what would you want?
00:49:56.159 --> 00:49:57.199
Oh my goodness.
00:49:57.360 --> 00:49:59.679
What would you want to explore more of?
00:50:00.960 --> 00:50:04.800
Honestly, and I said this before we even started recording today.
00:50:05.119 --> 00:50:11.920
I would want to explore, like, where she kept threatening to tie him up and be the one that stalked him.
00:50:12.079 --> 00:50:15.920
I'd want to explore that dynamic a little bit and see the tables turned.
00:50:16.159 --> 00:50:16.639
Yes.
00:50:16.880 --> 00:50:26.719
Um, but I would also want to see them because of his like deep-seated fear of like what he would do to children or animals.
00:50:26.880 --> 00:50:29.920
I'd love to see their pet family expand a little bit more.
00:50:30.239 --> 00:50:32.480
But I would also like to see them as parents.
00:50:32.719 --> 00:50:33.599
I think it'd be cute.
00:50:33.679 --> 00:50:35.360
I think Josh would be an amazing dad.
00:50:35.599 --> 00:50:39.599
I just love how like throughout the book she's like, My ovaries can't handle you.
00:50:40.079 --> 00:50:44.960
I would oh, when they're talking about what if I had a baby in one arm with no shirt on?
00:50:45.440 --> 00:50:49.920
Like, what if I had a baby and a toddler in my arms shirtless?
00:50:50.320 --> 00:50:51.360
My ovaries.
00:50:51.840 --> 00:50:52.880
They can't handle it.
00:50:53.360 --> 00:50:55.360
I would yeah, I would love to wear that.
00:50:55.599 --> 00:50:57.039
Yeah, I'm with you.
00:50:57.679 --> 00:51:00.400
Um, overall thoughts on the books.
00:51:00.639 --> 00:51:03.920
Um books, book, just this one.
00:51:04.159 --> 00:51:05.119
It was so good.
00:51:05.360 --> 00:51:06.639
It was so funny.
00:51:07.119 --> 00:51:12.800
I would recommend it to anybody and everybody if possible.
00:51:13.519 --> 00:51:17.679
It's funny, it's dark, it's just overall amazing.
00:51:18.000 --> 00:51:19.360
Honestly, I agree.
00:51:19.519 --> 00:51:32.079
I think like being on like the lighter side of dark romance because of its rom-com feel, I think it was just such a great story.
00:51:32.239 --> 00:51:32.639
Yep.
00:51:32.880 --> 00:51:36.159
I would recommend this to pretty much everybody.
00:51:36.400 --> 00:51:39.599
Um, I will continue to read her series.
00:51:39.760 --> 00:51:45.920
Yeah, I know that the other books are based on different characters, but I would love to just explore a little bit more.
00:51:46.719 --> 00:51:53.119
And who knows, maybe one of maybe the girl that Nico's with might, maybe she also works in the hospital with Allie.
00:51:53.199 --> 00:51:53.760
I don't know.
00:51:53.840 --> 00:51:59.440
I don't know anything about the next set of characters other than it's Nico, and then the next one after that is Tyler.
00:52:00.239 --> 00:52:03.119
But I I can't wait.
00:52:03.199 --> 00:52:04.559
I will honestly I'm so excited.
00:52:04.800 --> 00:52:09.039
But what I'm I'm curious about is because Tyler was very much against masks.
00:52:09.360 --> 00:52:15.599
I I'm so he claimed that the next let yet the third page changed.
00:52:15.920 --> 00:52:16.159
Right.
00:52:16.239 --> 00:52:18.320
That's I want to see what changed in that.
00:52:18.559 --> 00:52:24.960
But did he just say he wasn't into masks to kind of like push Allie away?
00:52:25.199 --> 00:52:31.840
Because do you think Josh knew about or do you think Tyler knew about Josh's thirst account?
00:52:32.079 --> 00:52:33.360
No, absolutely not.
00:52:34.559 --> 00:52:38.000
He would have called Josh out on it immediately.
00:52:38.639 --> 00:52:44.719
Or did he hide it because he wanted to secretly set Allie and Josh up?
00:52:45.280 --> 00:52:47.760
I don't think that was the case, honestly.
00:52:48.079 --> 00:52:49.440
The world may never know.
00:52:49.679 --> 00:52:50.559
He may never know.
00:52:50.880 --> 00:52:53.519
But no, I guess we yeah.
00:52:53.679 --> 00:53:00.159
I I want to see what changed because like the second book I don't think is a mask so much as a biker helmet.
00:53:01.280 --> 00:53:06.719
And then the third one is we're definitely back in a mask, but he was so against masks.
00:53:06.880 --> 00:53:08.159
So what's different?
00:53:08.400 --> 00:53:12.559
Or did he take a page out of his best friend's book to find a baddie?
00:53:12.719 --> 00:53:13.679
To find a baddie.
00:53:14.639 --> 00:53:28.800
But again, loving Fred's bonus chapter because it's basic it's based on Fred's point of view of when Josh first broke into Allie's house and filmed The Thirst Trap.
00:53:29.039 --> 00:53:31.760
And Fred is sassy, you guys.
00:53:32.159 --> 00:53:33.519
Uh, I have to read it.
00:53:33.679 --> 00:53:38.320
That is my goal one of these times that I'm here is to just read it.
00:53:38.960 --> 00:53:45.119
It is, it's worth the read, honestly, because it's it's hilarious.
00:53:46.000 --> 00:53:46.559
All right.
00:53:46.719 --> 00:53:50.079
So that was our last question of this episode.
00:53:50.239 --> 00:53:50.639
Yep.
00:53:50.880 --> 00:53:54.800
So now we're gonna introduce the next book.
00:53:55.119 --> 00:53:55.679
Books.
00:53:56.000 --> 00:53:56.639
Books, yes.
00:53:56.960 --> 00:53:57.840
This time we're doing two.
00:53:58.239 --> 00:53:59.360
A little bit differently.
00:53:59.679 --> 00:54:05.760
So the next books that we're reading is part of a series that is continuous.
00:54:06.239 --> 00:54:10.000
All of the books within the series follow the same storyline.
00:54:10.239 --> 00:54:10.400
Yes.
00:54:10.639 --> 00:54:14.239
So there's five books in the series total.
00:54:14.639 --> 00:54:16.079
We're starting with the first two.
00:54:16.320 --> 00:54:21.280
Yep, and then the second episode will be the um third, fourth, and fifth book.
00:54:21.840 --> 00:54:30.079
Um, so we're gonna separate it into two episodes, but the first one we're gonna talk about are Run Riot and Silver Bullet.
00:54:30.639 --> 00:54:34.159
Um, both of these are by Colette Rhodes.
00:54:34.719 --> 00:54:38.400
Uh, we have both read the entire series already.
00:54:38.639 --> 00:54:46.320
Yes, we are going to reread it to refresh so that we um, you know, can talk about the series in a proper order.
00:54:46.639 --> 00:54:48.639
Can we look at these books and how beautiful they are?
00:54:48.880 --> 00:54:49.519
They are stunning.
00:54:49.599 --> 00:54:52.800
They're a part of the saving grace series.
00:54:53.039 --> 00:54:54.000
State of Grace, sorry.
00:54:54.239 --> 00:54:54.960
State of Grace.
00:54:55.039 --> 00:54:55.440
Yep.
00:54:55.599 --> 00:54:57.039
I always say Saving Grace.
00:54:57.119 --> 00:54:57.599
I don't know why.
00:54:57.840 --> 00:55:02.960
Well, that's because I'm pretty sure that's what the last book is called, a Saving Grace, but it's the State of Grace series.
00:55:03.039 --> 00:55:05.360
I always call it Saving Grace series, too.
00:55:05.599 --> 00:55:10.159
So there aren't very many trigger warnings, but they are the same for both books.
00:55:10.400 --> 00:55:16.000
Um, so the content warnings are violence, drug references, and sexual content.
00:55:16.239 --> 00:55:18.960
I do just want to preface these books as well.
00:55:19.119 --> 00:55:23.199
There is going to be religious Greek trauma within these books.
00:55:23.280 --> 00:55:28.719
It's not centered around like Christianity or any of the main, you know, religions that are out there.
00:55:28.800 --> 00:55:36.400
It's around Greek religion, um, Greek mythology type religions that are specific to this book.
00:55:36.480 --> 00:55:36.639
Yes.
00:55:36.960 --> 00:55:40.400
So that is very heavy throughout the entire series.
00:55:40.480 --> 00:55:45.840
But for now, we're just gonna do the first two books and then move on to the final three.
00:55:46.000 --> 00:55:46.480
Yep.
00:55:46.800 --> 00:55:54.639
And, you know, this book is on the lighter side, so it's not as heavy as some of the other books, but it is well worth the read.
00:55:54.800 --> 00:55:58.719
We both really enjoyed this series, and we can't wait to talk about it next time.
00:55:58.960 --> 00:56:00.159
We'll see you guys next time.
00:56:00.400 --> 00:56:00.960
Bye.
00:56:01.199 --> 00:56:02.800
Thank you all again for listening.
00:56:02.960 --> 00:56:06.800
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00:56:06.960 --> 00:56:20.960
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