WHAT on God’s Green Earth Did BookTok Just Make Me Read?! 😱

Found this one while scrolling through TikTok and saw some fan art on Twitter. My word!
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✨ Books Mentioned ✨
Does It Hurt? by H.D. Carlton
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#BookTok #TikTok #DarkRomance

[@kennashan]

Book store worker here. My biggest problem with the DR trend is the number of young girls (16 and under) that buy them. The 13 yr old whose grannie bought her CoHo books, and the kid comes back and tells me how great they were. The rates of violence and abuse among teen relationships is rising, and I fear these kids are getting the message that love has fists, that no means nothing, that everything can be fixed by saying I love you, or I was jealous, or I lost control. Just. No.

[@mxmissy]

I don't want to use the "slippery slope" fallacy. But I am concerned about these dark romance novels and... essentially children, are reading them. Like, I obviously don't want to stop people from reading stuff, as I've read some pretty dark romance fanfics (like the sort of stuff where I look at TikTok recs for "dark" and I'm like "oh that's cute"). But I'm just concerned about kids reading them because their brains aren't developed enough to know what isn't reality. I can read these books and know that this isn't okay, and consent is important. But kids reading this will think that it's okay. I'm not saying its up to the writer to police their work. It'd be hypocritical of me to say that (am fellow writer). But I just don't know where you can stop at this stuff. Like, can booksellers stop people from accessing this media, similar to when visible children who buy adult rated games? Or is it sort of an "it's up to the parents" kind of deal. I don't think there is a good way out of this. But I do share your concern. Again, I don't want to police how people read. Just worried that, people will get the wrong idea. I remember as a kid getting picked on for being fat and teachers would say "it's because he likes you". When no, it isn't.

[@kennashan]

@@mxmissy We cannot prevent anyone from buying printed material. We can ask for ID for adult magazines, but that's about it. Nothing I read was censored by my family, at any age, but that was me. Parents today are quite different, and I do feel a lot of them are more concerned with sex than violence. I actually told one woman who asked my opinion, it's not the graphic sex or simplistic writing style that bothers me, it's the toxicity and abuse masquerading as romance. I will never tell any parent whether or not any book is "appropriate" for their child. I don't live in their house, may not follow their moral codes. I suggest the parents familiarize themselves with authors and themes, and make their own decisions. Honestly, manga is the only section that has suggested age ranges clearly stated on most titles. I don't believe putting limits on reading material, but I do believe in having an open enough relationship with your kids that they can ask you about anything, and get a calm and reasonable response, especially when it comes to modern romance novels.

[@blackmuzicluver35]

@@kennashan I understand where you're coming from. I came from a home that was pretty big on reading, so I read more 'mature' books (ie crime, thriller, adult horror) at a much earlier age. But if films and tv series have age warnings/restrictions, shouldn't reading materials have the same

[@jinphany.]

Honestly it should be like when you try and buy an age rated film. If you look too young you should get ID'd. Where I'm from, I mean I assume maybe other places have this aswell, but if you try and buy idk say an 15 age rated film and you looked younger they'd either ask where your parents are to get their permission or they'd ask for ID. Book stores should honestly have this.

[@kennashan]

@@jinphany. IDs are only required for images. Pictures, drawings, etc. So, mostly just adult magazines. No age restrictions on the printed word.

[@emmal7510]

He had a body like a Greek god. Half man, half horse.

[@ipshitajee]

Lol so true 😂

[@chunellemariavictoriaespan8752]

... Umm... Are you sure they ain't describing a centaur...???

[@genevievec.8002]

No, not a centaur. Just a full bull. Or goose. Or gold dust. Statistically though, probably a bull.

[@kimjennie6811]

@Descending into chaos A centaur god?

[@kimjennie6811]

@@DescendingIntoChaos I know but if a writer wants to make a centaur a god then it can be a god or a demigod .

[@HaleyJeanASMR]

"get some independence so i can read p*rn in peace" is definitely a sentence that I have also said to my cat. LOL.

[@Breexbloodlust]

Me too but with watching it lol it's so awkward

[@lordc1508]

the fanart has me confused, afraid and laughing my ass off.

[@GavinReadsItAll]

It is really something haha

[@cats_are_love]

oh so i wasnt in an abusive relationship, it was a dark romance 👀

[@Breexbloodlust]

Same for me in college 😑

[@faristasairuv5143]

Glad you’re out of your dark romance now.

[@bookscatsandcoffee]

And the restraining orders were love notes you sent .. that's why I tried one and just couldn't even get a quarter of the way in

[@WhiteRaven696]

I’d demand a residual payment from my author TBH

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Booktok is the Wild Wild West of book sourcing. You never know who likes CoHo and has a paragraph on it.

[@GavinReadsItAll]

Haha good comparison

[@YondaMoegi]

I personally hate dark romances. Like, after everything he has done, you're gonna forgive him and get married and shit? Girl! No! But If it was a story about two people destroying each other, that would be fun

[@beedoesthings8037]

I only like dark romance if both leads are equally despicable people. In that case, they can have each other

[@gisela_oliveira]

some dark romances are really bad, like, the guy kidnapped her, hit her, abused her, is a complete asshole... and the girl is like "i need him". like, girl, just take a bus and get away

[@vvitch-mist20]

Personally I think authors like this are using "dark romance" as an excuse to write lazy relationships. I wrote a relationship that is pretty abusive in the beginning as well toxic ones and it's not easy lol. It makes me sad that people, and seemingly kids, are reading these.

[@mariagoespro]

@@gisela_oliveira It's always the "I *need* him" and "I *can* fix him".... like no sweetie, what you (and him) *need* is therapy and you *can* finish those escape plans you forgot about the moment he showed a flicker of vulnerability before going right back to his toxic self.

[@gisela_oliveira]

@@mariagoespro is such a stupid thing, because it almost normalize abusive relationships, making money and mocking people's traumas.

[@bebella9005]

“I swear I’ve had darker s3x last week, and that’s just because I turned the f*cking lights off” STOP ITTTT 💀💀💀💀

[@boxersandbooks]

The way I laaauugghhhed when you looked at your hello fresh directions and went "I have to do all of this? By myself? ... I'm ordering in"

[@GavinReadsItAll]

I need to stop doing that 😂

[@boxersandbooks]

@How to Train Your Gavin it was such a relatable moment though. Like when I've worked all day and come home and gotta cook, even the simplest of things, I will feel the same way lol

[@KourttneyL]

@@boxersandbooks it’s true!! Normal people don’t have time for them! but other youtubers who only do KZbin have the time and day to cook all that. Not us normal people 😭😩

[@samanthareagan3597]

If a book is classified as a romance whether dark or not, its industry standard that it has to end in an HEA (happy every after) or an HFN (happy for now) between the characters, so you should expect the "romance" and "love" by the end. Otherwise it's just erotica

[@samanthareagan3597]

So maybe try horror erotica, erotic suspense, or something similar to that if you want something dark and filthy with no love lol

[@GavinReadsItAll]

Thank you so much for explaining that, that's super helpful for what I want out of the books

[@samanthareagan3597]

@How to Train Your Gavin you're welcome! Thanks for creating such enjoyable content. Looking forward to the next spicy read you pick up 🤣

[@andrabook8758]

@@GavinReadsItAll I liked your review, but I wanted to say that I think what these books really need is an editor(s), honestly. Dark romances are supposed to have some scary elements but if they're still in the romance genre they do tend to all end well, aka with the main characters together. I don't see that as the biggest issue...but it can be very frustrating when the books do it very poorly. The biggest problem, as far as I can tell, for the new self-published writters is that no one is checking their work, and they cannot distance themselves from the story enough to see it with fresh eyes. So, they always end up a bit all over the place. The pacing is odd, the character development makes no sense...it's always something. You can literally hear the checklist they had in their heads for the book, while you're reading it. "Oh, I need a twist here...let's introduce random twist" and there's no one going over the book to tell them "Ok, I can see where you tried to go with this twist, BUT....etc etc etc" . That's the biggest issue with the self-published wattpad genre which I am noticing over and over again. They have good elements in the stories here and there, but the books feel like rough drafts. Like, we're reading drafts. Why the shark scene? bc checklist says ''need scary twists in dark romance books" and it was probably shark week on TV and that's where the inspiration came from... It's unfortunate, especially with the books where you feel like they could have been interesting had someone, anyone, just edited it for them. Just get someone to review it prior to publishing. They read the way our stories used to read in English class, when they were still in the rough draft stage. That's what all these books remind me of...doing an editing assignment back in highschool. Am I the only one? Like, do you guys remember when everyone would pass along their essays or creative writting and we'd all have to review it? Bc that's always what this stuff reminds me of, every time I see one of these reviews.

[@andrabook8758]

@@GavinReadsItAll imagine for example if instead of the 1st shark scene, the writter had just introduced an insane storm while they were making out, or something like that. And then we get all the character development where they get to know eachother more, the wierd lighthouse keeper, etc. We build a bit on the mystery/horror of that whole thing...they may hate eachother in the beginning but they have to go through this super insane ordeal together which bonds them, right? And then you still have all the scary elements of the ''dark romance" the way they are now, and then we move forward to the 2nd shark scene and then it ends. That would make a lot more sense, right? And maybe instead of her stealing his Identity, it was something a bit more drastic then that. Like fix the beginning a bit, and then have a progression and character development which makes sense. Maybe his mother was abusive and a criminal. That would make more sense in terms of him being super mad at this girl he liked initially, bc he doesn't know her back story and she really reminds him of something traumatic, and now he's stuck with her bc of the freak storm, when all he wanted to do was track her down and get some feeling of justice for her random crime. Maybe they didn't randomly leave together for no reason, but he tracked her down to an ''island destination" and the plan was to ''trick her" into going back with him into the city so he can turn her into the police, before she runs again! Right? They can still be on the boat together, but now it makes sense as to why they went together. He's the first person she connected to in a long time bc she's been on the run...so when she runs into him again, there's no real reason for her not to share the journey, bc he probably has no idea she did anything wrong to him, so why not? Especially if she finds him attractive....it can still be a little dumb, but it's understandable now, from the audience perspective. That would make sense AND you for both characters, bc she's on the run from the police herself, if he doesn't ''trick her" into going with him, he cannot get any justice. So, now we have pretty much ALL the elements of the story you have now, but they actually flow together. The story makes sense. The main scenes have not changed, we just fixed the plot holes. IF, the author still wants to do a rape scene where the main character gets assaulted around sharks (bc clearly it was shark week on TV when inspiration for this story struck...), maybe the creepy light keeper can do that. Why would he not? He's insane, right? And maybe he kinda heard them making out....and they thought nothing of it at the time, but it gave him ''ideas" bc he's a psycho. THAT element, can be HIS thing, bc he's already a psycho, right? And then the sharks are the animal predator, to highlight his human predator instinct in that scene...Why would that not be a great way for the author to crank up the tension in the story and still have the story be coherant? And then there's a tie in with his sadism towards his daughter too, see? The story flows now, instead of being super disjointed and all over the place. This way, later on in the 2nd shark scene she doesn't care bc she now feels safe in that same scenario bc of the anti-hero romantic interest character. That would make more sense, right? That's basically what I would have done with the rough draft which is what the book is now, based on your review. I can see what the author is trying to go for....but the pieces of the story are all over the place. And now, I kinda want to re-write the story, LOL! It would be a different book, but all the elements would still be there and it would be coherant. You don't have to change a ton, in order to make the book make sense and still keep the initial concept intact.

[@cakt1991]

I tend to avoid dark romance for some of the reasons you’ve discussed, but I’ve read a couple queer ones I’ve liked. The Wicked and the Willing by Lianyu Tan is one I really enjoyed…it’s a sapphic vampire Gothic horror. And the fun part is that there’s a love triangle, but it gives the reader the chance to choose their own ending between the toxic vampiric love interest or the “safer” option (there’s also a bonus “Save Yourself” ending where you choose neither you can get online).

[@annikania2682]

Hello stranger on the internet. Thank you for suggesting the book. I did just finish it, having bought it two days ago. I really enjoyed it. Yeah it’s dark, but I was a bit too intimidated I think, because eg. Hell Bent is WAY more graphic, it turns out. If you could bare hell bent, I highly suggest reading it - but ofc. Read the trigger warnings first. It is an interesting historical supernatural romance, on top - or maybe the other way around. A historical supernatural novel with some smut sprinkled in. Also I must say, I felt strangely validated in my (still questioning) queer-ness, because the book felt like it was written for me, which is a feeling I never had while trying to read heterosexual „dark romances“. There is not a single man involved in anything sexual, that… was really making me feel good. If you have another suggestion, please let me know.

[@mxmissy]

Ooo, I'll definitely have a look at that. A lot of dark romances are just too heteronormative for my liking. So queer ones sound AWESOME. But also a choose your own adventure sounds like fun.

[@laurawinter3523]

I wonder if authors using the "greek god body" to describe the male love interest know about the fact that ancient greeks depicted the ideal male body with small genitals.

[@Imbatmn57]

I doubt it

[@hollandoats5376]

NOOO my smut book club picked this and I was pretty much the only one who read it, and I didn't even finish it!! They made me stop recapping it bc I was getting so angry lmao 😭 the gaslighting and romanticizing of his behavior was absolutely insane, i cant start or else ill rant lol but it was made worse by the writing, it wasnt necessarily bad but felt SO pretentious. I'm only starting to get into reading again so im def no author but it felt forced enough that i couldn't get through it smh

[@Breexbloodlust]

It sounds so rapey omg

[@jessicasaccone7608]

"If this was some kind of kink thing that she was also participating in, I wouldn't bat an eye. But there's the fact that there is this whole one-sided need to abuse her..." Gavin just summed up my issue with books like this. No shame if that is your jam (I have enjoyed plenty of "problematic" books in my day) but the two things that turn me off a romance real quick are abuse and lack of consent. The shark scene isn't "dark romance" it is literally SA. Edit: Just the look at 33:43 before saying "He's a scum bag" for the third time earned a subscribe. 😂

[@lesliellama7779]

I'm shocked that so many people on TT are obsessing over a scene that is blatant SA. Dark romance really has to do better with the line between toxic and assault.

[@olly8823]

What scares me is how so many of the people reading these books are teens and like girls who have never been in a relationship and have no reference for what is abuse and what isn’t. Romanticizing this stuff makes it seem normal and hot which is just so worrying

[@reneeelich4893]

the way I spat out my coffee when you said you had darker time with the lights off. thanks for making my friday night!

[@GavinReadsItAll]

Hehehe

[@MariyaVD]

I got pissed off at this book, only by listening to you talking about it 😂 I love your reviews!

[@Noodlepunk]

So far the Mc sounds like she has a mental illness. Sniffing people in the mall lol.

[@aprild2523]

That notorious fan art has been haunting me for weeks. Thank you so much for reading this so I didn’t have to! 😅

[@jessicagolden1631]

Coming back after finishing if you are looking for a dark romance that doesn’t end in a traditional romance style you are going to want to look for book labeled erotic/erotica instead of romance! Glad you gave it a shot but not surprised by how you felt 😂

[@GavinReadsItAll]

Thank you, yes I think I should try that next!

[@NowakiStar]

I was a tumblr girlie so any time someone says they enjoy dark romance, I automatically assume they’re into stuff like Killing Stalking. 😅 Then it turns out, they like books like this and then I feel like the freak. Anyway, there’s a dark “romance” for you. It’s messed up from start to finish and doesn’t end with the leads getting married/living happily ever after. (Put romance in quotes so that nobody comes for me. I know calling it that is controversial)

[@Financiallyfreeauthor]

I feel like my imagination is lacking when I didn’t ever think of stories this dark but it gets even darker?! 😮

[@madeniquevanwyk]

Loool this made me smile, that might mean I'm a tumblr girlie too bc Killing Stalking is also my baseline "dark romance" 😂

[@madeniquevanwyk]

​@@Financiallyfreeauthor well, it's for very er, refined tastes. Basically, a killer kidnaps a person and they keep them hostage without killing them, and a kid of twisted Stockholm syndrome happens? They sort of fall in love, but the hostage still tries to get away and the killer would like break their bones etc. I never actually read it so I'm sorry for being fuzzy on the details but I think you get the idea 😅😅😅

[@NowakiStar]

@@Financiallyfreeauthor I don’t think your imagination is lacking. Everyone just has different styles and interests. For example, my husband gets nightmares from violent movies but he also draws really funny comics and creates super cute twitch emotes for people. He’s creative but in a different way. I’m sure you are too!

[@NowakiStar]

@@madeniquevanwyk there’s something so magical about tumblr. It brings so many diverse interests together in one place with no algorithm and truly just lets everyone be as unhinged as possible.

[@jordanhicks2213]

If you want something that remains dark, try the Cat and Mouse Duet by H.D. Carlton. There is love, but it doesn't involve character change like this book has

[@GavinReadsItAll]

Ooo brilliant thanks for the recommendation! I liked this author’s writing so I would definitely check out more

[@MelpoReads]

YES! I agree! Loved the Cat and Mouse Duet but this book was so cringe to me.

[@Looneylovegood]

@@GavinReadsItAll I would like to see your reaction to reading it too😂 but I don’t think you’ll like it in any sense

[@sohaibshah4636]

zade literally assaulted Addie

[@MelpoReads]

@@sohaibshah4636 I think dark romance may not be for you.

[@jesuschrist8054]

What a disgusting message to young people. Granted I haven't finished the video but that scene teaches young girls that a man has the right to r*pe and try to kill you but it's not his fault because you made him mad and as long as he's hot you'll still love him. Absolutely vile, the amount of just r*peopology and misogyny is crazy.

[@emryborge7027]

It doesn’t teach anything, it’s meant for entertainment purposes, plus most people are able to differentiate fiction and reality

[@majadegner6413]

I really wanna see Gavin read monster romance.... that would be such a fun vlog

[@Breexbloodlust]

oh god I was into that as a teen.....it came screaming back to me

[@annas4975]

Try the author Jennifer Hartmann, she writes dark romance where the dark shit doesnt come from the couple just being toxic and hating each other but is more like the lighthouse keeper plot line. I think you would actually enjoy her books Still Beating or Lotus

[@fictionalneritive]

The thumbnail made me think she ended up going overboard and was saved by a sharkman and ended up with the sharkman after the sharkman ate the other guy on the boat. 😂 i didnt think she would end up with a human AT ALL. Can never tell with booktok.

[@GavinReadsItAll]

Okay but I want to read your story 😂

[@Edidin]

I recognize 2 kinds of dark romance. First is this one, where it's not romance, it's romaticized abuse. Personally - hate it. And the 2nd one, where the characters are a bit more harsh with e/o, sure, but there are limits. And the dark part comes from the circumstances f.e. one of them is in a gang etc. And those I don't read - I swallow them. 🤭 My faves are Mercy series by Debra Anastasia and Madison Kate & Hades series by Tate James . Maybe give it a go one day. ☺ I think you'd like them.

[@angiedacosta5181]

Yes ! You’ve put into words what I was trying to explain to my boyfriend! I 100% agree with you

[@thequietinside3201]

Toxic, abusive books like this shouldn't be written anymore! They're obviously written mostly for women, and that's just so deeply sad. Because that's how it works: we're brainwashed by the culture, internalize the misogyny, and then get turned on by abuse. There's nothing that makes me more disgusted than that. Having said that, love this video Gavin! You crack me up.

[@draculaissus6120]

I’ll never read dark romance I personally don’t think I’d have fun reading this type of thing but love watching you reacting to anything😭

[@JennaThePanda]

One of the reasons I love swordheart, a fantasy romance, is because the characters are older and the male lead is strong but has more of a “dad bod”, it was a nice change from the Greek god comparisons. Plus it’s an adorable story, I can’t recommend it enough for a fun and lighthearted time 💕 (though it’s minimal spice)

[@Looneylovegood]

Booktoks recommendations made me realise I really really hate dark romance, but as someone who like reading books without knowing anything about them, I am often forced into reading the worst things in my life 😭😅

[@MegCazalet]

I could never so gracefully and confidently hold such a full mug without spilling!

[@jago07]

Your are absolutely one of my favorite channels on KZbin!! Thank you so much for the entertainment and info you bring into our lives! Much appreciated

[@GavinReadsItAll]

Ahh thank you so much!

[@BooksToAshes]

I couldn’t stop staring at the boyfriend pillow nipple the entire time it was behind you. It was staring at me Also I’ve never heard of this book and I would have been happy if it stayed that way 😂 what even is this!?

[@GavinReadsItAll]

Read it 👀 haha

[@BooksToAshes]

@@GavinReadsItAll trying to convince me to read this!? I’m holding a grudge

[@carolinejane1702]

I can't tell you how much I related to you reading the hello fresh directions, checking the date on the meat, and ordering in! 🤣 I do that all. the. time.

[@stegobookosaurusrawr4153]

Gavin, thank you for blessing us again! You are 1000000% my fave, comfort, youtuber

[@GavinReadsItAll]

Thank you for watching ❤

[@cat.book.nook.]

Listen, I don't even think you're aware what you can do with your videos. I've been struggling with a few chronic painful things and the medications for one of them are definitely needing some time for me getting used to them, so I've been pretty much in pain for the last two weeks and feeling hopeless. I promise I'm not writing it to make anyone feel sorry for me, but to tell you that in a situation when I really feel very very much down it's things like this video that can make a huge difference. I've just had amazing time not thinking about feeling unwell and having fun and feeling a bit like I was spending time with a friend! Thank you so much for that!! The scene in the toilet took me off guard 🤣 my cats also demand my attention when I'm in the toilet and if they're not invited with me, one of those demons puts her paws underneath the door through the ventilation hole and screeches 🤣 Thank you again and I really appreciate what you're doing again, I've seen you say on insta that people complain about your videos and felt it's important to give you insight on the other side of the spectrum.

[@andieland1923]

I got mad just listening to this, tbh - thanks for reading it so I don't have to! As always, your commentary is the best part!!

[@hannahcrossett3415]

I appreciate the "oh no" Salem vibe from Sabrina the Teenage Witch vibe when the cats came to check on him.

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

I'm so happy that a standard Gavin book review is back! I've missed these!! (I still regularly watch the den of vipers one)

[@Kim_Music_books_racing_fan]

Chilling in bed, trying to find something to watch, and I find out that Gavin has posted another video. Yay! Made my night.

[@GavinReadsItAll]

Yay hope you enjoyed 🥰

[@vivianwakoff]

"I didn't realize I was reading fantasy!" Priceless! I don't read dark romance. Ever. That's because I reacted the same way you readted throughout this video when I tried. Though your reaction to Den of Vipers almost made me pick it up, I gotta admit!

[@katel.126]

Thank you for suffering for our entertainment 😂. Also, I love seeing you with your cats. You can tell they really love you!

[@Jillybeanzxo]

Gav’s commentary is always top tier entertainment 🙌👏😄❤️👑

[@pamelaparker9290]

I've watched quite a few of your videos and I have to say that this is hands down my favorite. I was laughing and entertained from beginning to end. I've read my share of dark romances and I definitely understood where you were coming from. Considering the way the protagonists in some of these books react to horrific behavior, it requires you to leave the realm of reality and start thinking of it as fantasy in order to digest it. I've taken a break from reading dark romances but after watching your video, I think I might start reading them again. Trust me, I know how crazy that sounds.

[@fozzymup268]

The AUDACITY! (sips wine) Love this Gavin! 💕

[@sarahsshelves]

I would recommend that when browsing dark romances make sure it doesn’t have an HEA (happily ever after) ! most authors will include whether or not it has an HEA in the synopsis 😊

[@blackmuzicluver35]

Body of a Greek God: ..which god are we talking about? Apollo? Dionysus? Hephaestus? Poseidon?

[@linnadhiel2760]

"Why's it callewd dark romance when it just turns into a normal romance. I swear I had darker sex last week and that's just because I turned the lights off." lol

[@kel8437]

32:50 Gavin literally said “man (derogatory)”

[@PokhrajRoy.]

“Daady’s reading p**n.” HAHAHAHAHAHA What a Line! 2:07 Also, great reference. #TeamBrenda

[@oliviareadsalatte]

I absolutely need you to read the Haunting and Hunting Adeline books by this author so I don’t have to. OR, counter offer to my own offer…. A buddy read 👀

[@bigskynavygirl1929]

I work at a bookstore and we put a shelf talker under one of this author’s books because it needed something to warn readers. It’s a funny/quirky trigger warning but when you have a bunch of teenagers coming in for that type of book it’s kind of warranted. Also, there is a literal page long warning from the author in the second book in the Haunting Adeline series about triggers and the first book being banned. 🤷‍♀️ so this author can be a lot.

[@madeniquevanwyk]

Hiii please could you tell me what a shelf talker is? Is it kinda a card talking about the book/giving a warning? Because I'm newly working at a high school library and we're currently having a discussion about acceptable books versus prescribing what kids could read, pros and cons, y'know. It's because we had a CoHo book donated to the library and idk how to handle this discourse 😅

[@bigskynavygirl1929]

@@madeniquevanwyk hi! They are little paper placards we put under books to tell customers about books. Usually just a fun little blurb, but with some books, like Colleen Hoover books and this authors books, we tend to do something kinda like a warning but still funny. We run on dark humor at our store so it can be a little dark but I’d def put something about CoHo romanticizing domestic violence.

[@meggaboo0823]

Loving this. I've been sick for days now, and this video is the first time I've laughed in days. 😂❤

[@GavinReadsItAll]

Aw hope you get well soon ❤️

[@jenny_readss]

Gavin trying to find logic in this 😂

[@GavinReadsItAll]

I tried so hard to find it 😭

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

_(Sorry! This got lengthier than it realized it would-forgive me!!)_ Yes, if it's labeled as a _Dark _*_Romance_* specifically, it is most likely always going to turn into that gushy 'professing their undying-love for each other' type of stuff. .. I'm sorry to inform you. 🙃😅😹 I do agree, however, that it's probably not the best written romance if it doesn't progress a bit more naturally; like, if you can't actually see or follow how it gets from one point to another, as things develop. (Unless it's like an intentionally more unrealistic like "insta!love"-y &/or "over-the-top" &/or like "by all accounts it doesn't make sense[ how the villain got there first when the goodguys actually had a head-start but don't question it or think about it too hard just roll with it and accept that it is so simply because the 'script' says it is]" style romance, or whatever. .. Which, I dunno-maybe this was[ since you did say they were all over each other way too quickly with very little if any set-up or provocation], but I don't know. Loll) You sound though like perhaps you were looking not for a 'Dark Romance', really, but perhaps more of an 'Erotic Thriller'(or even just straight-up 'Dark Erotica' maybe)? Or..something-more like that((?? Something where the characters' desire to be in a more-than-just-physical relationship together does not always have to be the motivation behind the entire plot nor any of the characters' more "spicy"-encounters and where a "Happily-Ever-After" kind of ending isn't necessarily such a genre-mandated goal))?? ? 🤔 😅🤷‍♀️😁 But, yeah, I think there's basically two kinds of 'Dark Romance'-there's 'Dark Romance' where the love story itself is actually kinda legitimately romantic somehow, just framed within a much much darker world/storyline/ at large that you'd typically expect to see a romance plotline happen in; and then there is 'Dark Romance' where what happens is basically just the characters kinda falling somehow for literally everything that no one should ever fall for. And.. yeah...[in the latter case ]it basically IS just romanticizing the kind of toxicity that maybe shouldn't be romanticized, and it's really not going to do anything for you unless specifically that kind of toxicity itself is for some reason exactly what does it for you....which I guess in fiction can be fine...but..in reality would be extremely dangerously concerning. 😶 👀 I personally have to take some issue, though, with anyone objecting to certain things on the basis that "he didn't have enough of a reason[ in his backstory] to be that much of an a-hole" OR "he had no reason to treat her that way because she didn't even do anything that bad"-because that assumes no one is ever an a-hole not really because anything happened to them which made them become that way but literally just because they are an a-hole[ through & through], and that also kinda borders into victim-blaming "she deserved it" or "she was asking for it" territory, as if creeps doing bad things only ever happens when sufficiently provoked and/or as if no one ever retaliates disproportionately extremely compared to whatever thing actually set them off[ because their emotions and their reactions to it blows things way out of proportion compared to how it seemingly deserves to an unaffected or more-rational or less reactionary third-party]. I also have to object to anyone complaining that he doesn't have any valid reason to be so hyperfixated-on or obsessed with her, especially not based on the reason that he looks like a greek god so "why does he need to" - as if creeps never fixate or stalk or obsess over people not really because of anything the subject they're so super hung-up on actually did but only because of the creep's own messed up internal psyche or internal fantasies or whatever, and/or as if the only people who violate others like that are people who somehow "need to"[ because they "couldn't" get it any other way] - and, as if somebody being the one person who "got away" or ever actually told them "no" itself couldn't actually in fact be exactly what a creep gets so obsessed about, because the creep just doesn't know how to accept living with ever not getting their way with someone OR maybe even because a creep just gets off on the challenge of it and/or just gets off on forcibly taking what they were told not to. You can't treat creepy a-holes as if their minds function like a normal rational person's mind should work-because they oftentimes aren't normal brained people at all. But, yeah, I agree that he probably didn't report the identity theft maybe specifically so that he could keep track of where she was making purchases with his identity or whatever presumably so that he would be able to locate her because he wanted to be able to do that to her. And .. obviously, yes, he would clearly rather punish her personally than hand her over to the authorities. Maybe, having already survived such a death-defying interaction with him as she did by itself somehow made the possibility of going through similar things again(after she "knew him better" / "trusted him more" or whatever) less terrifying and/or more appealing, in a messed up kinda way[ or something]? (Like..it just became such a small-fry experience, that was less of a big deal to her, now that she'd been through it or worse before or whatever. Even though it still wasn't something that had initially made her unexpectedly realize anything surprising about herself?) I have no idea. Lol I think what helps me is the fact that I pretty much always enter into any piece of fiction as if it has absolutely no mandate to be realistic in the slightest unless something about that particular piece of fiction itself, as I was consuming it, seemed to indicate that it IS indeed a more realistic piece of fiction-or if I am aware of the creator of that particular piece of fiction having specifically said that they intended to create a piece of fiction which was in some way realistic. Otherwise, to me, if it's "fiction" then it is automatically somehow imagined or fanciful or such-even when it's not set within the Fantasy genre. But that's just me. 😆 I'm definitely not saying that anyone else has to approach all fiction that same way themselves.🙂🙂 🤭😊 Also, that bit about 'why are they always rock-solid already before anything even happens' really cracked me up though-that's completely fair! LOLLL 🤣😂🤣 I think you're supposed to just assume that their conversation or physical looks or something alone already revved the engine or something, while you weren't paying attention, even though it wasn't specifically mentioned. Buut..it's completely fair to wish that sometimes you could watch things progress a bit more gradually. 🤣🤣 I think there's definitely a place in this world for both the more fanciful/unrealistic/ romances and the more realistic/believable/ romances, and I wish we did get to see more of an even balance between or mix-of the two sometimes. Lol ^-^

[@raquelh7682]

That art on the thumbnail has traumatized me multiple times today lmao, literally jumpscare

[@KatieColson]

Wow you really put yourself THROUGH it for these videos. And we love it

[@hinduhillbilly]

Yeah, if romance is in the name a HEA is absolutely required and that almost always means marriage. I enjoyed your video so much. I was in a spiral of too much news and it was bringing me down but you cheered me right up. And now I have all your other videos to dive into! I would love to see what you think of one of my all time favorite historical romance novels (not dark). It's called Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase and it has been readers' choice in a prominent annual survey for best romance ever multiple times. It's also the book a lot of romance readers say they recommend frequently to people who don't usually read romance. I find it so well-written and both deeply affecting and really funny. I'd love to see a video about it. I'll even find a copy and ship it to you if you like. Thanks again!

[@samanthaw3845]

Ok, but as someone who DOES swim with sharks on a regular basis - and I mean without a cage - the whole bit with “the shark lunging where her head was just a moment before” is such f**king bullshit. I’ve been in the water with bull sharks, lemon sharks, hammerheads - most of the large, “aggressive” species. I’ve never had a shark lunge at me, even with chum and fish guts in the water.

[@gailxoxo7286]

Love your review. Twinkle, twinkle little star made me laugh. Think you'll find most dark romances end up with the main characters being in love.

[@ChandaElise]

Sirrrrr you are not ready for that DARK Romance 🫣 I love HD Carlton lol

[@ll2323]

Yea but does it hurt was terrible. And I love Carlton.

[@thegreatalyssa]

I like lighthouses and island stories. And I agree about what you said about this book.

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

I am terrified… but also… intrigued. WHAT

[@KillerCammy85]

Omg instant like and sub, you are so funny with your takes. 😂 I need to see more of these vids. ❤

[@skullgarden2417]

I love reading books like this lmfao they’re ridiculous and keep me interested. I have read so many extreme horrors and dark romance just for the shock value and intrigue. Edit: NVM this book looks like it was straight up traumatizing 😂 I’ll still with extreme horror for shock value.

[@hannahblackwellbooks]

omg that pillow! i love it lololol amazing. I want one lol my hubby's body temp is just too high lolololo

[@caitlinhutcheon4213]

I totally agree with you about the mushy romance getting old. I want plot but don’t need the unrealistic insta love and devotion. There can even be a happy ending without a ton of sappy romance. If you find one that fits the bill let us know !

[@isamocha1719]

You are hilarious XD Thank you for this. The only dark romance that ends dark that I've ever read was actual a BL manga about a serial killer and a journalist that end up sort of obsessed with one another other. It ends as a dark romance should... fucked up, but consistent

[@TheBookclectic]

The best dark "romance" I've ever read is Big Sky by Kitty Thomas. There is NO lovey dovey. It is 100% dark all the way through! It's completely true to its theme. And your jaw WILL drop throughout the whole book lol.

[@candymilkshake]

You should try the devils night series by Penelope Douglas. Some happy bits but mostly very crazy dark romance. Book 3 is something else 😂

[@Courtney10159]

I loved this book because of the plot with the lighthouse and Sylvester back story. Both the MC were okay, imo but this book should have been a mystery or a thriller with some "romance"

[@BooksandBuns]

Books like this make me feel justified in never wanting to read romance by cis women. Like, man, I've seen some fucked up shit in my time on the internet, but somehow I've never found a male character written by a cisman or a trans person who was THIS unlikeable while being the literal love interest in a romance book! Somehow, ciswomen authors manage to surprise me every time with their portrayals of what they think is 'hot' in a man, & I honestly can't decide if I should be offended, or just be thankful I'm gay as fuck

[@emryborge7027]

That may be because there aren’t many men writing romance 😂

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

"I'm so hungry I can't think straight" me right now

[@hannahcpk]

Your commentary had me CACKLING!!! The moment you get worked up and angry, your accent really comes through and I love it 😂

[@kikothesamurai]

Dude made it sound like she ruined his life financially and emotionally, but all she did was commit a little bit of credit card fraud, which he could’ve stopped at ANYTIME. At this point I think he has other issues that we don’t know about that he’s projecting on her which is definitely unhealthy.

[@lockeandkey21]

I just purchased this book to put in a friend’s care package. All I knew was that this was a book on their TBR list. What. Did. I. Buy!!!! 😆😂🤣

[@GavinReadsItAll]

Haha actually a perfect book to put in there 😂 I hope your friend likes it

[@xFoxOne]

Not gonna lie. I agree with the comment you make around the 42:00 mark... I love it when intimate scenes describe a man getting hard... instead of being ready at the very beginning... Hell that's most of the fun with intimacy, getting your partner excited and better yet *_feeling_* them getting excited. I'm tempted to write my own smut about that now...

[@nadeanchristie7252]

Was not ready for the twinkle twinkle comment and almost choked on Pepsi from laughing 😂

[@RamonaGelosi]

The name of your channel is pure gold✨

[@lisavogelsong9350]

Absolutely love you and listening to you review this book. It has been added to my tbr list. Your cats are so adorable. Mine is sleeping in my office and wondering why mom is not working!! Not on Sunday dear kitty.

[@jeaneritemon347]

the sex scene on the boat sounds like rape so ill pass... but glad u enjoyed some of it. are u gonna make a video about your new library set up? love your vids gav!!!

[@ReadingNymph]

Hilarious video as always! Love seeing your reactions 😂

[@strawberryfox8819]

Not to be that person... but that "memorable" scene? That's just SA. Like literally SA. He's forcing her whilst putting her life in danger (once again demonizing the poor sharks) and she's absolutely terrified (rightfully so). This is legit just SA.

[@GavinReadsItAll]

I know, and I said that in the video.

[@strawberryfox8819]

@@GavinReadsItAll Oh, sorry 😅 I'm only half way through but that part flabbergasted me to no end.

[@GavinReadsItAll]

@@strawberryfox8819 no worries! And honestly same, especially since the fan art depicts a totally different version of events since they made it look like the female character was enjoying it when it was the total opposite!! People are going to read this and expect something different

[@ethalinia]

Where have you been all my life? I am crying with laughter 😂. New subscriber!

[@ivanarogic7284]

the way you poured that wine....🤣 made me subscribe

[@alib5345]

Gosh I had a had totally different experience listening on audible... Besides Enzo's characters voice could melt butter...

[@avee2056]

Curious what the order was on reading this and Killing Stalking. Some of the toxic elements here seem very similar, so I was just curious how Gavin feels about the way those themes were presented in each. Were there things that worked better in one vs the other, etc?

[@starduststories___737]

Loved this video - you make me laugh so much reading this genre 🤣 your total disbelief at some of the lines kills me! I feel like you've rang me for a chat about it, a sign of a really great youtuber I think

[@books_with_clementine]

I would recommend the Necessary Evils by Onley James, because while it does have characters say they are in love, you can also see this is because of their trauma… and it is gay, and very dark as one of the main characters is a serial killer… slight suspension of disbelief that a multi-millionaire can just raise a bunch of sociopaths without having anyone batting an eye or seeing anything 😅 but I found it really interesting!

[@katiep5256]

I read/listened to this a couple of weeks ago. The narration on the audio book is phenomenal, and was probably the most enjoyable part of this book lol. I love dark romances, this one I enjoyed, but I had to start ff through the spicy scenes because I got bored lol.

[@okjenna]

Docile by K.M. Szpara is a gay dark romance that stays dark throughout and does not have a HEA.

[@RogueJinxel]

Buying this book based on ur thumbnail I had picked it up briefly at Barnes and Noble

[@evix.9888]

Loved this video Gavin 🤣 I hope you do more Dark Romance reading vlogs🖤

[@ginakennett4051]

Lol you were cracking me up. I have never had anyone make me laugh about a romance before.

[@jungtothehuimang]

I think the problem with so many dark romance books is that the author wants to make something psychologically thrilling that toes the line between right and wrong. But not many authors have the ability to write something like that. So the plot becomes a traditional romance with extremely abusive elements that are never addressed or dealt with. I personally love dark themes in writing. It's just not done that well that often unfortunately. In the end the dark themes have to be dealt with or it just feels creepy and uncomfortable!

[@soupslut]

reading the recipe instructions then immediately saying let’s get takeout tonight ☠️☠️☠️

[@ReadChuu]

Omg this was so fun!! I do read dark romance but I skipped this one so thank you for the entertainment lol

[@readwithjoy8869]

I have a recommendation for a dark romance that stays dark, and it’s m/m: Shiver by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine.

[@GavinReadsItAll]

Perfect thank you!

[@naughtydogfineartstudio7966]

Try stalking killing. It's a manga that has everything you just asked for.

[@MyLifeAsJordanRenee]

I definitely think I enjoy watching you read these than reading them myself 😂 much faster entertainment 😂😂

[@GavinReadsItAll]

Haha happy to be of service 😂