Review: Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Steph's Rating: 5 stars

Overall Rating: 5 stars

Format: ebook

Publication Date: December 1st, 2013

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Pages: 105

Goodreads Synopsis:

Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining balance between good and evil. He was her everything...right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.

And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again...

Steph's Thoughts: 

Really, Jen is just the master at writing novellas and short books. All her prequels and all her novellas are as compelling as her full length novels, and she does not disappoint. They are just a little sample of all the things she's best at: nerve-rocking action, mind-blowing romance, and cunning humor, all strewn together at just the right pitches. 

Just days after Jasmine's mating announcement with Dez, he disappears without a word, text, call--or a goodbye. She loved him for basically forever, and her future seemed so sparkling clear until it all shattered into tiny bits and pieces. But after three years with zero contact, Dez is back at the northern Warden clan so much different, yet so alike to the old Dez, ready to proceed with the mating ceremony three years off schedule. But Jas doesn't plan on letting him off the hook so easily--he has seven days to complete an array of seemingly impossible conditions to win back her hand.

At first, I didn't really get how this prequel was going to tie-in with White Hot Kiss, which centers around Layla, Zayne, and Roth and not Dez and Jas. The first half focuses solely on a brief introduction to the Dark Elements world of terrifying demons and mystical gargoyles, and of course, the tumultuous love affair between Jas and Dez. Don't get me wrong, their story is awesome. It's like a crash course of JLA style romance. Later in the book though, I realized how this was going to set up for Layla's story. I am also assuming that this is set several years prior to the start of White Hot Kiss, since Jas does mention at some point that Layla in BSL looked to be only around 13 years old. 

Let's talk boys. Jen said Roth and Zayne were her hottest two boys, and also threw in that our Daemon Black was based of Roth. Now, in BSL we catch a glimpse or two of Roth and Zayne, and yes they were hot hot hot. But it was only a few fleeting glances at them. Then there's Dez, and just saying. If Dez somehow didn't make Jen's "top boys" list, then I have no idea what to expect when she reveals the true colors of Zayne and Roth. Dez, that boy is swoony from the tips of his auburn waves down to the edges of his toes. From what I'm reading so far...Zayne may be like an Aiden (but better--if possible?) and Roth might be like a Seth or Daemon. Or a mash up of both of them (or again, even better!) This is getting me really excited. A bit too excited. *Hyperventilates*

Bitter Sweet Love isn't just some romantic escapade either. We get some up close scenes of how exactly a Warden fights in there true form of granite-solid skin and sweeping black wings. We catch glimpses of the nasty discrimination against the Wardens--who have newly revealed themselves to the human eye. We also get a run in with a...pukwudgie...named Herbert... (don't ask me! Oh, and happy teaser). 

Dez shot me a look. “We can’t just let it go.”
                The pukwudgie glanced at Dez and stuck out its tongue, making a very human raspberry sound.
                I laughed. “Oh, I like this little guy. If we can’t let him go, can I keep him?”
                “Uh, no.”
                “I shall name him Herbert,” I announced, ignoring Dez. “Do you like the name, little puke-wedgie?”

--pg. 69, Bitter Sweet Love (ebook edition)

Honestly, only Jen can come up with stuff that like. It's what magic is made out of. 

If you are planning to read Dark Elements, which should be everyone I say, Bitter Sweet Love is a must read. Jas and Dez WILL be showing up again throughout the series, so it's good to know their story as well. This is fully entertaining, and won't leave you bored for a moment! Can't wait for White Hot Kiss next February!

Steph