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She was their prisoner.. Now she’ll make them pay.

Welcome!

Today’s review is one of those difficult ones where you wanted to like the book more than you did, you even question why you didn’t, but it just wasn’t meant to be. It’s a quick read, for those of you who find yourself intrigued, so you can gobble it up in no time but be warned.. it’s pretty dark and is riddled with potentially triggering topics.

The review will also contain spoilers and, though I doubt they would effect the reading experience, you may wish to skip it if you’re concerned.
Otherwise?

Enjoy!

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When the Wicked Play by Tristina Brockway

Publication date: June 20, 2023
Pages: 140
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Novella
Standalone

First line: The slow drip of a leaky faucet would have driven most people mad from the constant noise.

My Review:

The first thing you’re met with when opening When the Wicked Play:
Trigger Warning
This book contains scenes that may depict, mention, or discuss assault, attempted murder, attempted rape, blood, child abuse, death, gun violence, hospitalization, murder, physical abuse, rape, sexual abuse, sexual assault, torture, violence, and more.

So.. yeah. Good luck.

We have this young woman, Charlie, who has just escaped very horrific circumstances. Since she was very young, Charlie has been imprisoned, bound, sexually assaulted, starved, and then buried alive—although, the last one was quite by accident. Sort of. And while little of this disturbing content was on page, it does effect the way you see Charlie as a character.

Charlie’s never known the world outside of the basement she grew up in so she’s undeniably naive and reckless and unaccustomed to.. everything. Which both works for the story and doesn’t. Her naivete earns her allies early on and allows her to not only survive but also provides her with the promise of friendship, protection, and assistance in getting revenge on those who wronged her—and this was just a bit too convenient for me.
Had that been my biggest issue, I could have easily overlooked it and simply enjoyed the read. But no. No, my biggest issue was with the relationship that forms between her and the ‘love interest.’

Now, I have no problem with this girl finding a partner and experiencing all the pleasure that can be had between two consenting adults but, and this is where the book lost me, Charlie has been abused her entire life and we’re supposed to expect that all of the trauma, all of the psychological damage, all of the horror she’s experienced just.. what? Allows her to have an, albeit dysfunctional, adult relationship with practically the first person she meets? No. And it felt skeevy that Jax, the male in question, learns of her past and still flagrantly disregards the ramifications such a life has had on Charlie’s mental health. There’s no way a person escapes such a depraved situation and comes out unscathed and, ultimately, it felt like he took advantage of a lost, hurt, angry girl and called it good.

I have read books like this before, stories where the main character has been dreadfully abused but falls into bed or ‘insta-love’ with someone almost immediately, and I’ve enjoyed them.. but something about this one just rubbed me the wrong way.

The characters were entertaining, I’ll give the author that, and the story moves at a nice, steady pace so it’s easy enough to get sucked into. I believe that, had the book been longer or the first in a series, it might have had a chance to live up to its potential. Unfortunately, it’s a bit rushed and unfinished as it is.

Would I recommend When the Wicked Play?
Only if you’re looking for a dark romance that’s riddled with potential triggers but can be polished off in one setting.

And that’s that.
Thank you so much for stopping by, I know this was the most encouraging review but I do hope it was helpful.
Be safe and Happy reading!

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