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Mr. Brightside 1. Hot Fuss

   (3 reviews)
Genres: General Fiction, Romance, Thriller/Suspense,
Sub-genres: Suspense, Drama, General Romance

Four years ago as a college sophomore, Jason betrayed his best friend and roommate. Now he has a second chance...will he have the courage to take it?

Copyright © 2017 mitchelll; All Rights Reserved.

Story Recommendations (3 members)

  • Action-Packed 2
  • Great Pacing 3
  • Great Characters 3
  • Character Growth 0
  • Dialog / Banter 0
  • Plot Twists 0
  • Beautiful Writing 0
  • Immersive World 0
  • Satisfying Ending 0
  • Fresh / Original 1
  • Counldn't Put It Down 0
  • Suspenseful 3
  • Gave Me Chills 1
  • Funny 0
  • Feel-Good 1
  • Heartwarming 0
  • Emotional Impact 1
  • Thought-Provoking 0
  • Romantic Chemistry 0
  • Smoldering Chemistry 0
  • Like 26
  • Love 2

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Sam Wyer

Sam Wyer 7,523

   5 of 5 members found this review helpful 5 / 5 members

Where to begin!?  This is, above all else, intense.

A love story, a drama, a romance, with all the familiar ingredients of betrayal, retribution, redemption and forgiveness.  Jason and Shane and both highly likeable, and emotionally engaging characters, which play opposite a much wide assortment of people who I genuinely, truly, despise with a passion.

The pace is borderline relentless, and I didn’t mind that for one minute.  There’s such a lot packed in here, but it doesn’t feel crowded or forced.  Whereas some stories feel like they are repeatedly hitting you over the head with things, Mitchell does a great job of keeping those waves just below the threshold of overwhelming.

It’s easy to recommend this, the writing is good, the story is good, the characters are engaging... seriously, what are you waiting for?  Stop reading this review and get in to it :) 

  • Like 1
ChillFire

ChillFire 70

  

 

Quote

Coming out of my cage, and I’ve been doing just fine

Gotta, gotta be down because I want it all

It started out with a kiss—how did it end up like this?

It was only a kiss… It was only a kiss…

- Mr. Brightside by The Killers

What I Loved

A series based off an album? How unique! (I know that some authors use music as a muse, but I think this is the first story that I’ve read on here which has a song tie-in. Plus, The Killers are one of my favourite bands, so that only sweetens the deal.)

The themes (jealousy, paranoia, etc…) from the song Mr. Brightside were perfectly integrated into the plot.

The first half of the story is up there with some of the best material that I’ve read on this site. Jason’s backstory is heartbreaking, and the slow reveal of all the details was perfect. 

There are a bunch of scenes and little details that hit differently on a re-read. For example, while Jason crying in Shane’s arms is simply intriguing on the first go, it feels significantly different on subsequent reads once you know why he broke down.

Jason and Shane are definitely some of my favourite characters... ever.

Spoiler

Every time I read the final scenes of chapter 11, it honestly makes me a bit depressed. The entire build up from the start of the flashback towards the ‘explosion’ at the end was amazing.

I never expected Jason to be subjected to involuntary confinement (in part by his mom, no less)! It’s certainly a unique plot point.

Laurie is badass. I guess the FBI overlooked her assaulting Denise in the end?

What Could’ve Been Better

The entire thing with Nikolai was the weakest part of the plot for me. It didn’t have as much depth or “weight” to it as Jason and Shane’s backstory.

While there isn’t necessarily any issue with Shane revealing things through an extended conversation in the final chapters, I did find it to get a bit dry and poorly paced as it went on. Perhaps it could’ve been changed up a bit, so it isn’t just Shane recounting what happened for the entire time.

Spoiler

The ending was quite busy and perhaps a bit rushed. (All the drama kinda reminded me of a soap opera, haha.) As I mentioned above, I didn’t find the Nikolai arcs to be compelling, so I guess it is only fitting that I thought that the plot twist involving Nikolai to be not very interesting. I think I would’ve enjoyed more focus on Jason’s kidnapping.

Miscellaneous Thoughts

Reader suggestion: listen to Mr. Brightside while reading the latter half of Chapter 11.

Man, Shane’s been through a lot. He’s stronger than I am, for sure.

Spoiler

Jason’s dad saying to Jason that he is ashamed that he is his son… Holy fuck!!

At first, I did not expect Jason’s mom to participate in the whole scheme concocted by Denise and Thomas, and was surprised with her involvement. On a second read, however, I now notice the warning signs in Jason’s conversations with her.

Jason’s mom, Denise, and Thomas got off way too easy. They should’ve had more punishment (jail time, perhaps?) for what they did to Jason. Kinda sucks they’re just being used by law enforcement to get more dirt on Daddy McAlpin.

Verdict

One of the best stories on this site. Jason and Shane are both amazing characters and I greatly enjoyed the ride they took me on.

A must read.

5 stars.

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