Review: Raw by Belle Aurora

Publication Date: 1/2/2014

Series: RAW Family #1

Rating: 5 Stars!!!!

Official Blurb:

Growing up the way I did, you’d think I’d be more screwed up than what I actually am.

Soon as I turned sixteen, I left that bump in the road I called home and took my chances on the street.

Best decision I ever made.

Now, at the age of twenty six, I’m educated, employed and damn good at my job.

My friends have become my family. Like me, they know what it’s like to grow up unloved.

But the saying is true.

The world makes way for those who know where they are going.

That’s me.

I know where I’m going and I’ll get there eventually. On my own terms and at my own pace.

But then there’s him.

I feel his eyes on me. I see him hiding in plain sight. He watches me.

He makes me feel.

It’s unconventional.

But it’s real.

I’m sure you’re wondering how a person falls in love with their stalker.

So am I.

This isn’t a story.

This is my life.

I don’t even know where to go with this review. This book left me literally heartbroken like I’d lost a real life member of my family. Raw honestly ruined me for reading for over 4 days now. When I even think about picking up another book, my heart just literally aches. This is not even close to a romantic story. Even the author stated that Twitch’s story is far from a romantic romp, but a twisted and demented love gone wrong kind of read.

Belle Aurora is known for her romantic, hearts, and butterfly kind of stories, but she has come completely out of left field on Raw. This book is likely the darkest book I’ve ever read. 99% of the book you get the feeling that maybe, just MAYBE, Twitch will be the bad boy turned knight in white shining armor, but oh hell no. The last 1% of the book will throw you into all 5 of the stages of grief in one single sentence.  I honestly cannot even fully review the book because readers need to experience the book for themselves. This is like a literary thrill ride, death defying rollercoaster that’s teetered to come off its track while you are going 180mph upside down and screaming. 

For those of you that are curious by my review, I will just say that Alexa and Twitch are literally ying and yang embodied in the literary world. Their story is a honest look at how one instant in your life can give you hope and despair all at the same time. The past and your experiences can mold your future. The circumstances of your upbringing can always effect you even if you’ve escaped to a better life, and eventually life does catch up to you. Now… I’m going back to my book depression reading corner and cry some more.