I would like to thank NetGalley and Titan Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

well this was a cute and a creepy start to a duology that promises an exciting finish for sure! This was intriguing, had some emo angst, a cute troubled rich boy and an earnest hero MC from a rival family determined to keep said trouble away.

I really adored Miles. He was so steadfast and thoughtful towards Gabriel, and i really admired his character. Gabriel did do cool and aloof really well, and his brothers were pretty awesome and i hope we get to see more of them in book 2.

I wasn't a fan of Miles' family ngl. I think it's because Gabriel's was frightening and hit the sinister terror mark like i expected. But Miles' just seemed overworked, snappish and secretive, but nothing really came from it. I dunno if book 2 is supposed to open them up or something, but it was weird not to auto choose them as foils to the "horrid" Hawthornes. To be fair, the creepy atmosphere and the ominous plot was mostly focused on Gabriel in this book so it makes sense why i found the Hawthornes so compelling.

And ok i know it's not a romance per se, but i really love how Miles and Gabriel are (my grammar is stuck in limbo until this duology releases me with a conclusion looools) feeling feelings, and i love the little things about their friendship like the kind of shows they bonded over, their table meets and snarky exchanges. I have hearteyes for this romeo and juliet forbidden-ish romance, and i thought their attraction for each other grew naturally and that Raines captured that really well.

So yes, I enjoyed this quick and intriguing read, and the cliffy at the end 100% has me hooked!!! Can't wait for the exciting conclusion to this duology, and ofc i'm hoping the HEA for these stunning boys will be everything that i wish Pynch was! ***Yes yes i know why TRC was the way it was, but more Adam and Ronan in love will always be the story i want to read forever and ever!***