Because it's so easy to say that these characters have undeniable chemistry, and state that they're attracted to each other, but I wanted to SEE it. I seriously need to tattoo Skyler Mason’s name (the Author) in my brain because I absolutely despise all of her books and i never realise they are by her until i come to goodreads to complain about them. The character development throughout this was amazing to read. Both separately and together. They heal each other. They were so good together. I am conflicted about what to rate this. I did finish it in one sitting and enjoyed the story but couldn't help but feel something was missing. it’s about some strict Christian believers that thinks that sex is only allowed in marriage, never before. So. I’m Italian grown up in a catholic culture and for Catholics sex is forbidden before marriage. Our mothers were very strict about it but thank god nature is stronger than nurture- at least in this case- and none of us girls reached the altar as a virgin. But I can understand it could have been traumatic for some girls that thought that sex was a sin and their emotions were wrong. Maybe some of us can’t have a normal and satisfying sex life because of this. The heroine is one of these girls. She wants to have a healthy sex life but she still feels shame for her reactions. So she decides to find a willing partner that would help her to get rid of her inhibitions and of her virginity.

You would think, the whole set-up of them being really good friends and him always being protective but no he is so annoying. Purity” is the first novel in the “Purity” series and was released in 2022. What happens when a shy virgin raised in a purity culture asks her gorgeous, player best friend to take her V-card? Brandon was conflicted most of the book. I understood where he was coming from in a sense, but I also felt that he was kind of a doormat when it came to Mari's dad. Like dude your a grown man, just tell him no. I did like how obsessed he was with Mari but was not a fan of him waiting for the dad to give his blessing to actually go after her.

Publication Order of Toxic Love Books

Until they share this kiss that makes the entire world stand still, and Livvy begins wondering, maybe she’s misread him this whole time. This story follows Vanessa, that grew up in a purity culture. This is the second book in the series and I havent read the first so would def say this can be read as a standalone. She wants rid of her virginity and isnt aftaid to admit it. She has a huge following on tiktok and announces that she has a deadline to ‘do it’. Vanessa was a strong fmc, always spoke her mind. She was realistic, honest. She understood body language and how othters worked and their intentions. That's maybe a little unfair to Mark. While he is over-the-top possessive and sometimes cruel to his beautiful wife, his behavior stems from a deep hurt that happened early on in their marriage.

Part of the Purity series, which are interconnected standalones. I have not read any of the previous books in the series (although I now want too) and I didn't feel that anything was missing and this can absolutely be read as a true standalone. I looked past the manwhore/virgin combo bc the author was saying what a huge grovel it had.....there was literally no grovel. Half the book the heroine is already aware he is manipulative anyways. It just had no tension or stakes. She forgave the one infraction he did that she didn't know about almost immediately. If this was an epic grovel than romance books are dead to me 😂 Livvy has been in love with Cole Walker since the very first day that he walked into class and sat beside her. Who could even blame her? Six foot five and even a sweetheart. Oh and did she mention how gorgeous he was? He is just charming enough to get any girl that he wants. The plan was to make him fall in love with her, get married, and give him all of her firsts. Anyway, the plot: the hero and heroine are college students. She grew up in “purity culture,” a branch of Christianity that emphasizes no sex until marriage. (At least, that’s my understanding from a documentary I saw a while ago. This book barely explains – like it expects us to just know). She’s now a TikTik influencer, posting about how that mentality was toxic for her. She posts a video announcing that she plans to lose her virginity (as part of her efforts to overcome her sexual shame that came from growing up in purity culture). The hero is the campus player, and his frat has a betting pool going on about taking the heroine’s virginity.He falls first and hard. He watches her online and admires her from afar but when he actually meets her. Its as if the earth shifts. He has these feelings from nowhere that he doesn’t recognise and doesn’t know how to deal with them. The one thing this book has going for it is that it’s NOT a “she was a bet!” plot (even though, confusingly, it seems like it’s setting that up). From the start, the heroine is aware of the bet. So, there’s no angst or tension about “when will she find out?!” But….there’s also not much angst or stakes about anything! Early in the story, they mutually agree that he’ll be her choice to sleep with. So, the entire flow of the story is odd– no tension, and not much plot. Just the characters awkwardly orbiting around each other, after they’ve agreed that they’ll have sex. There is some alright dirty talk, but it feels sudden and random, like this story threw it in Just Because. Congratulations to Skylar mason for earning a five star from me this year! I didn't dnf, didn't cringe and didn't ate this book 😂😂 And it still was in many ways! The sexy times are top notch. Any time a man tells me “forgive me god” before banging the absolute shit out of their partner, I’m in. I also loved the family dynamics at play in both Brandon’s psyche and in Mariana’s world, and Mariana’s journey to be her full self around her family. And god help me if I didn’t GASP OUT LOUD at THAT MOMENT where Sofia shows up (you’ll see). Skyler Mason is a reader of romance novels first and foremost. As an author, her novels feature strong heroines that sometimes make their heroes cry, however just when they deserve it. Because after all, if a romance is not angsty, is it even worth it?