Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

As an avid CF reader, I'm really disheartened. I hate, loathe writing a review lIke this for any of her books because I can tell she puts so much effort into them. However, this book actually kind of made me sick with the abusive treatment of not just the heroine, but the women of the story in general. I used to love all of CF's books. Although they truly were somewhat dark in content, I could always reason that she was trying to make a point or provide a moral to the story to make that darkness worth the discomfort. Not anymore. Shadow Rider is mean, crude, and really didn't have much to do with "shadow riding". Everyone bows down to Stefano and his family like they are the Godfather on steroids. In a way, they are. If you mess with them or theirs, breathe the wrong way, or give them a dirty look... you're life is over, literally or metaphorically. It's disturbing. There isn't much action in the book at all. Mostly Stefano and his family being abusively dominant to the heroine (Francesca) and any other women they involve themselves with, A LOT of F-bombs (usually directed at Francesca by Stefano), and unappealing, embarrassing sex scenes involving one of the weakest TSTL heroines of all time. I actually started skimming over all the arousal and bossy sex to try to get to some real content. I won't go into specifics of the book, but I will say that if you've ever been a victim of mental/ emotional abuse... this story will make you angry. The way Francesca makes excuses and allows Stefano's (and in one scene that prompted me to return this book, Stefano's brother Rocco's) treatment of her to continue because of his obvious dedication and love for her or (it's because of) all of the pressure he's under with the family business, truly disrespects all abuse victims. Stefano is never apologetic in the way he talks to her. There is no improvement in his behavior or moral to the story. Just lame excuses for a disturbing relationship. I will not be preordering anymore of CF's books. This is a trend I'm seeing in most of her books now. I miss her old stuff and had such high hopes for this new series. Truly makes me sad that I can't recommend this.