Book Review: A Terrible Love by Marata Eros

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A Terrible Love
A Terrible Love #1
By:  Marata Eros
Published: April 26, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Source:  Publisher
Mature Content:  18 & Up


GR's Summary:

Jess Mackey is living a meticulously fabricated lie of necessity. She's left the secret tragedy of her past behind along with who she was and is forging ahead with a clean slate. But Jess soon discovers that passion can't be left behind—neither her own, nor that of the one man who sees who she really is…and whose unexpected presence may breach the peaceful life Jess has painstakingly created for herself.

Devin Castile didn’t expect to meet a young woman who may be the missing puzzle piece to his existence…and who is also the victim of a heinous crime. Devin convinces himself that he can remain emotionally distant even while indulging his physical desire for her. But when Jess’s lies begin to crumble in the face of their undeniable attraction and the truth is revealed, one of them might pay with their life.

My Thoughts:

A Terrible Love by Marata Eros starts off with a bang!  It is gripping, traumatizing, and spiked my curiousity as to what was going to happen next.  The story is told by the female lead, Jewell.  She is on the run from her sociopath stepbrother, who has been traumatizing her, along with innocent animals, for years.  Thaddeus (Thad) is very sinister, dark, and scary.  Jewell comes from the upper socioeconomic class, has a passion for ballet, and has attended top notch private schools her whole life.  Her mother is married to the Senator of South Dakota, who is running for the presidency.

Jewell relocates to Seattle, and reinvents herself as Jess Mackey.  She dyes her auburn hair blond, puts in blue contacts to cover her green eyes, and keeps a low profile.  However, no matter how hard she tries to blend in, she still ends up making friends with the wild and friendly Carlie, and her sidekick Amanda.  Carlie tricks Jewell, (Jess) into trying out for the fledgling Cooperative Program, which will be training to try out for the Seattle Pacific Ballet.  She befriends Shelby, who is also a part of this program, and the two grow close.  She also meets a variety of guys her sophomore year of college, Brad, who she befriends in her Biology class, Brock, who harasses her repeatedly, along with the charming and sexy Lacrosse Player Mitch, and  the hot, and intense bad boy, Devin Castile (Cas).  Jewell (Jess) starts dating Mitch, and at the same time, has a "strictly sex" arrangement with Cas.  She uses logic to tell herself that Mitch would be the better choice for a relationship, because he appears to be easygoing, and less complicated than Cas.  However, the intense electricity between Jewell and Cas continues to build, and her heart only wants him. Then, girls start turning up dead at Jewell's college, and the question becomes, who is the killer?  Not everything is always as it appears...


I enjoyed the storyline of A Terrible Love, because the story was fast-paced, had so many twists and turns, and was packed with suspense.  I enjoyed reading about the various characters and trying to figure out who was responsible for the deaths of the girls on the college campus.  However, I did have some trouble connecting with the main character.  I loved  Cas' character, but felt like their was something missing in his and Jewell's relationship.  It appeared to be strictly sex and attraction, so I wondered where the love part came into play.  I really look forward to reading A Brutal Tenderness, which is the companion novel to A Terrible Love, and told from Cas' point of view.  I'm hoping that some gaps will be filled in for me, some information clarified, and the story enhanced.  I think A Terrible Love is an entertaining read and I liked it! 

My Favorite Quotes:

"Castile is like an unmovable force.  A hurricane on its own course, its destination known only to it.  The trajectory likely to change at any time.  Taking anything or anyone in its path.  As I look into those dark eyes, I know I am in the eye of the storm that is Devin Castile."  (ARC, pg. 80)

"But who ever said that love makes sense?  That it's healthy...that it's right?  Love is inexplicable..."  (ARC, pg. 210)

"My eyes flick to Cas, then away.

I don't like what I see there.  It doesn't look like what he's told me.

His words said he doesn't want me.

But his body loved mine, it did.  I felt the flames of his feelings consuming me.

Right now, his eyes say he loves me."  (ARC, Loc. 214)

My Rating:

I give A Terrible Love 3 Secretive, Suspenseful, and Sexy Stars.  It is pretty complex, has a lot of different characters, and elements in the story.  If you like stories that combine sexy love scenes, danger, surprises, everything not being as it seems, you might enjoy this story.  It was fast-paced, intriguing from the start, and I can't wait to read the companion novel A Brutal Tenderness, from yummy Cas' point of view!  I look forward to trying out more dark erotic romance by Marata Eros.

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About the Author:

Tamara Rose Blodgett is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of dark, romantic new adult novels, including A Terrible Love and its companion novel A Brutal Tenderness under the pen name Marata Eros. A passionate writer who loves interacting with her readers, Tamara lives in South Dakota with her husband.

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