Destructively Mine by Krista and Becca Ritchie Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

5/5 ⭐

Blurb

As the daughter of a con artist, Phoebe Graves only knew a life of swindling the rich until her best friend and fellow grifter, Hailey Tinrock, proposed an idea to start a new, honest life in a wealthy college town of Connecticut. Once there, they decided to leave behind their deceitful tricks and be truthful for once. But you know what they say about best intentions. . . .

While Phoebe is fake-dating Jake Waterford, the third-born son to an uber-wealthy and influential family, she’s actually dating and falling deeper in love with Brayden “Rocky” Tinrock—Hailey’s older brother. To make matters more complicated, Phoebe’s mother shows up out of the blue with conniving match-making designs of her own.

Her mother’s arrival threatens to unravel Phoebe’s plans. To keep her love, her friends, and her newfound happiness, Phoebe will have to return to her old games . . . and win.

Best Quote From the Book

“Like I'm an open book, when I feel like I've always lived untouched and lost on a dusty shelf. How long has he held the pages of who I am? How long has he loved each messy line? How long have I loved the pages of who he is?"

LGBTQ+ Representation

4/5 🌈

This book does contain bisexual and pansexual representation via the main characters. I like that it is just part of them and isn't made a big deal. I do wish it were a bit more impactful for their storylines, but other than that, zero complaints. 

My Thoughts

I am well and truly obsessed with this book and these characters. Which should come as no surprise if you are at all familiar with my review of the first book in the series. I was obsessed with them then, I'm still obsessed now. They are the perfect morally grey characters that have me totally rooting for them while still questioning their choices. This one is even more twisted than the first, with more exciting and dark characters added to the mix. I don't think it is possible to be more invested in a group of characters than I am with these guys. I will be very impatiently awaiting the third book in the series. 

There is a delicious amount of tension throughout this story. Both between Rocky and Phoebe and the stakes they are in. This is masterfully interwoven with funny moments to create an addictive story. It has me swooning, laughing, crying, and everything in between. Which is a testament to how much these characters mean to me. 

My only complaint is that this story included another "event that shall not be discussed and will only be referred to by the location it occurred." Thankfully, the suspense doesn't last nearly as long in this one. 

This book does contain spice that is well-intertwined with the plot. If that is not your thing, I do not recommend this book because it is a key part of the characterization. I will also say, this was some of the most respectful and communicative spice I've ever read. I wish this were the norm in books because it was legitimately healthy in that way.

Overall, it sums up to the fact that this book has left me an emotional wreck, and I'm thankful for it. If you are looking for morally grey characters you are gonna care about, I highly recommend this series. 

I received this book as an ARC from Valentine PR. My review is honest and voluntary.