ARC Review: ‘Love Me’ by Bianca Borell
I received a complimentary copy of the book from DS Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Love Me
by Bianca BorellSeries: Corrupt Legacy #1
Published by Self-Published on June 14, 2024
SubGenres: Dark Romance, New Adult Romance
Format: eArc
Pages: 478
Source: DS Book Promotions
Audience: 18+/Adult
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KadenMy initiation was determined on the day I was born. I would pledge my allegiance to the Family, but I didn’t know it would cost me my soul. Family should come before anything else, but my loyalty will always be to the woman I love and lost. Now Celine is back and set to destroy me. She thinks we’re done. We will never be done. I’d rather end the corrupt legacy I was born into than lose her a second time.
CelineI made the biggest mistake of my life by trusting Kaden. He cast me away as if I was nothing to him. Now, I am back and I’m determined to make him pay for betraying me. I buried my love for him, but focusing on revenge was harder than expected. His presence stirs a longing in me nothing could extinguish. I can’t afford to lose focus and let him back in. But it feels like that’s a battle I am destined to lose.
I’ve read other books by Bianca Borell and enjoyed them, so I was looking forward to diving into Love Me, which is the first installment in her Corrupt Legacy series. This Dark New Adult/College Romance, where the main characters are part of a powerful and wealthy family that dictates the life choices of the family members.
This is the case when it comes to the main characters in Love Me. Kaden and Celine have been in love with each other since they were kids, but when they have to choose between their love or family, one of them decides to choose family, while the other chooses the opposite and is now forced to go to a boarding school because you are always supposed to choose family. Celine couldn’t believe that Kaden would betray them, and wants nothing to do with Kaden after she finishes boarding school. Kaden never thought she would be back. He can’t risk her jeopardizing everything he’s done for her and the others, and if he has to continue playing the villain with her, he’ll do precisely that, but he’s going to find out right away she’s not the same Celine.
When I first started reading Love Me, I liked the premise of this series. The idea of the family deciding the kids’ futures and conducting an initiation to prove their loyalty is definitely not for the faint of heart. This was a corrupt family, especially when readers find out what happened to Celine’s parents and who was behind Kaden and Celine splitting apart. Other things come to light, and this is why the kids in this corrupt legacy don’t want to be a part of it anymore. This is why Kaden wanted to protect Celine, but she is about to jeopardize everything he did with her hidden agenda and he and the others can’t have that.
Unfortunately, this book won’t be a favorite of mine. It’s mainly due how confusing the storyline became and the ending feeling rushed. It was all over the place where; I couldn’t keep up with it, and there were times I had to put down the book and come back to it or reread certain portions. The mission of both characters and what they were doing became lost because the story focused on them despising one another and fighting their feelings. There was a lot of miscommunication, too, between the characters that I know contributed to the story and drama, but it was a little too much at times.
I give the first book of this series three stars, and I wish I had enjoyed it more, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me. Just because I didn’t like it doesn’t mean others won’t. I’m still going to recommend it to readers who enjoy reading powerful and corrupt family legacy storylines and love Dark New Adult/College Romances.
Trope(s)/Element(s):
First Love
Enemies to Lovers
Second Chance
Tortured MMC
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About Bianca Borell
Bianca Borell is a contemporary romance author, voracious reader, nature lover, and unapologetic daydreamer. She spends her nights deciding between getting up to write or trying to silence the voices of her characters. The battle is never-ending.
She has a weakness for tormented characters, second chances, and happy endings.
She currently lives in Germany with her amazing husband and indulges in way too many pastries than she should.
For updates, news, and releases, be sure to visit Bianca’s official website at www.biancaborell.com
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