Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer Armentrout
Series: The Dark Elements #0.5
Published by Harlequin Teen
Published on: December 1, 2013
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 105
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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In a sizzling prequel novella to her new series The Dark Elements, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout draws readers into the extraordinary, irresistible world of Wardens and demons.
Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining the balance between good and evil. He was her everything…right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.
And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again…
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Who wouldn’t want to have wings to fly anywhere they wanted-as long as their dad didn’t find out? Jasmine is a gargoyle warden, and lives with her dad and sister. She spends her time flying whenever she can now that her home schooling is over. She has loved Dez since the day her family took him in at age ten, after he loses his family horrifically. So when he leaves her when he’s eighteen, never to be heard of again, she is devastated. She was fifteen at the time and now it’s three years later. When Dez shows back up and is ready to mate with her, Jasmine is completely surprised, and caught off guard to say the least. Due to their tradition, she has seven days to say yes. This is the story of what happens when she gives him her wish list of experiences she wants to have during the seven days, and it’s up to him to fulfill them.
Jasmine is seventeen, beautiful, has been completely sheltered all her life, and has never traveled anywhere. Dez is a super hot guy-one that makes all the women’s head turn wherever he goes. He’s also a really sweet guy that loves Jasmine, and he does have his reasons why he disappeared.
For such a short read, this was full of world building. In this world, demons live among clueless humans, and gargoyle wardens are tasked with killing them. Jasmine’s mom was killed by a demon when she was a child, and Dez’s family was wiped out by demons. The author’s vision of demons was unique. There’s all different kinds of them, and they show up when you least expect them. Since demon hunting is one of the items on Jasmine’s wish list, this goes a long way towards checking this off her list.
During the seven days, the pair travel to several places. When they visit D.C., they meet a demon/human hybrid named Layla. She is a rarity, and can easily steal their souls-if she gets close enough to kiss. This was the introduction to the main character of book one of this series, White Hot Kiss, and just made me want to read it more.
Since it was a novella, it was an extremely fast read, and set up the world for the series. I enjoyed the characters, and the descriptions of the demons the pair meets. The romance was sweet, and the characters fairly well developed. I think if the story had been bit longer, there could have been a lot more fleshing out of the characters. Also, although we find out why Dez left, I was wishing for more of a story of what happened to him after he left Jasmine. While it’s explained why he left without telling her, I think it needed a better reason for not getting in touch for three years. So yes, that’s the part of the read that bothered me.
I do already own White Hot Kiss, and plan to read it hopefully soon. I bought it because Jennifer Armentrout wrote one of my favorite series, The Lux Series, and I wanted to read another by her. While this didn’t really come close to being as good as Lux, I am hoping the rest of the series lives up to it.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
Oooh, I didn’t know that there was a prequel novella! I’ll need to pick this one up and give it a try. Novellas are such a great way to try out a new-to-me series. And GARGOYLES. There just aren’t enough gargoyles in books. Great review.
E.J. Stevens recently posted…Q+A with V.A. Dold (Le Beau Brothers)
I wonder about gargoyles as well-this is only the second one that has them that I have read-and the author’s both had different ideas about them. I hope you try it 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I’ve been wanting to read this series, Lorna, because gargoyles. 🙂 I, too, love the Lux series and I’ve started the Covenant series and am loving it as well. JLA seems to be very adept at world building and I think character development for this series will come? I hope. 🙂 I hope you get to read White Hot Kiss soon so I can see what you think of it. Enjoy your weekend!
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…My TBR List ~ April ~ And the Winner Is…
I thought the Lux series was so good that I read them all back to back. I don’t know anything about the Covenant Series. Stacy reviewed White Hot Kiss a few months back so I won’t be reviewing it on here-probably on PureTextuality instead. Thanks-hope you have a great weekend as well 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout
The world sounds interesting, and I will be curious to see what you think of book one since it is in my tbr pile.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Revenant by Kat Richardson
If I review it, it will be posted on Pure Textuality, because Stacy reviewed it on here a few months ago so I can’t. But I am looking forward to reading it soon 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout
This sounds like a really well-written novella. I still haven’t read anything by this author, but I know I should!
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Yes, I think Jennifer Armentrout is a good writer. If you can, you should try one sometime, although I have heard that some are better than others 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout
One of these days I’m going to try Armentrout. I haven’t had the urge, I’m so curious about the gargoyles though.
Braine Talk Supe recently posted…Cherry Popped: Kate Daniels & Spook Squad
Yes, gargoyles are pretty different as far as supernatural beings are concerned for sure 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I love her Lux series too. I think I have this novella b/c I was thinking about jumping in with this series. Not in a rush. Good to know that its not bad, Lorna!
Sophia Rose recently posted…Steam Me Up, Rawley by Angela Quarles #Review
Actually it was pretty good I thought, I just wanted a more expanded story as far as development of characters. But it’s a novella so.. I did enjoy the read 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Yea, I don’t like her novellas unless I have the next book in my hot little hands. She does make you want more but it is frustrating. 🙂 Might have to try this one, it sounds intriguing.
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Audiobook Review: Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill
I bought the prequel to the Lux series, and still haven’t read it yet-probably because I know what happens, but usually I do read the novellas in a series 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Not gonna lie, I have been wary of any books with gargoyles in them. But you make this series sounds so enticing. 😀
Joy // Joyousreads recently posted…Hoarders, Books Edition: Episode 144
Yes, I was pretty hesitant as well, but the two different ones I have read were pretty interesting in their world building 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I really like this series, way more than I honestly thought I would. I hope you enjoy book one and two! I can’t wait for book three to be out.
kindlemom1 recently posted…Blog Tour Review and Giveaway: The Truth About Us by Janet Gurtler
Oh I am so glad you like them, I need to find the time to read the first one soon!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Love the in-depth review Lorna, especially with the descriptions of their relationship and the gargoyle warden part as well. That sounds really cool. Great review!
Jeann recently posted…Indulgence Insider #24 – Blogger Meetups and Hauls
Thank you! It was a good read 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I’m loving this series! I’m not a big fan of novella’s so I haven’t picked this up but it does sound quite interesting.
A lovely review Lorna.
sharon – Obsession with Books recently posted…Review: Shaken, Not Stirred (Last Call #5) by Sawyer Bennett
Thank you! Glad you are enjoying it 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I enjoyed what I have read of this series, but sad to hear that it wasn’t as good for you as Lux
Oh I did like it, it’s just Lux was so great, I just was expected more for this one. I still plan to read book 1 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright
Ooo this sounds good, a bit too YA perhaps, but the premise is fun.
Aurian recently posted…Nancy Warren – Kate – The Almost Brides Club – Read for #LLC2015
Yes, it was definitely YA, but I do read more YA then I used to 🙂 As long as I love the story, I’ll read YA 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright