The Paper Swan by Leylah Attar (2015)

Fiction | Contemporary | Romance | Thriller/Suspense | (TV-MA)
Blurb:

“They say it takes 21 days to form a habit.
They lie.
For 21 days she held on.
But on Day 22, she would have given anything for the sweet slumber of death.
Because on Day 22, she realizes that her only way out means certain death for one of the two men she loves.”
–Goodreads 

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pooled ink Review:

Oh wow. Oh WOW. I…really loved this book. I figured it would be good as it’s been recommended to me by bloggers and authors I adore but I honestly could not have predicted just how beautiful and tragic and simply incredible this book was.

This book so did not seem up my alley (I’m not a major reader of either contemporary fiction or romances lol) but I read it because people said it was good and snap IT WAS. I know the blurb tells you, uh, basically nothing. It’s enough to pique interest but not enough to give you a comfy sense of plot. You’ll want to hunt for spoilers but please please don’t! Trust me when I say you need to read this book knowing as little as possible beforehand.
The only things I’ll tell you with regards to the plot are: Mexico, drug cartels, kidnapping, suspense, ROMANCE.
You need not know more than that. I’m serious. Even character names are spoilers. PLEASE stay away from spoilers!

Some info you should know before reading this book:

• There is NO love triangle
• Everything works out in the end/Happy ending
• This book contains mature and graphic content intended for an adult audience (keep in mind drug cartels, kidnapping, and romance are all key elements to the plot) so if any of that might disturb or trigger you then be sure to think twice before embarking on this journey

Can a book be both horrifying and beautiful? Heartbreaking and delightful? Gruesome and lovely? Nightmarish and perfect? Well…somehow this book is all of these things.

The blurb for this book basically tells you nothing. Until after you’ve read the book. Only then will you go: I GET IT. However this is not a flaw, this is…it tells you what you need to know. The plot is so layered, complex, suspenseful, and emotional that to say anything else would literally spoil the plot and ruin the journey. I will tell you a bit more info than what you get in the blurb but I will NOT be spoiling this book!!!

What you “need” to know is that a young American heiress named Skye is kidnapped by a man named Damian who has ties to the Mexican drug cartels and his objective is to kill her and ruin her very wealthy father. The story jumps back and forth between the high-intensity present situation of Skye’s impending execution and memories of a childhood long forgotten.

Is there romance? YES. Is it cliché? NO.  Is it straightforward? IT IS ANYTHING BUT STRAIGHTFORWARD. Do people die? YOU’VE BEEN WARNED. With regards to villains, heroes, truths, lies, love, and loss, everything is honestly so intertwined and tumultuous that it will seem impossible for any happy resolution without some silly unrealistic miracle ending and yet that is NOT what sort of ending this book has. The ending is gritty, heart-wrenching, long, exhausting, and so so perfect. And happy (thank goodness!).

THAT IS ALL I WILL TELL YOU ABOUT THIS BOOK.

All of the complex plot lines, subplots, character arcs and backstories, and overall journey of this book is so wrapped up within one another that it’s practically impossible to describe or break down in a review without ruining it for new potential readers. To discuss characters, settings, anything would spoil the plot! I apologize but if you do decide to read this book you’ll be glad it wasn’t ruined for you (assuming you enjoy the book of course).

…So basically this “review” was less me reviewing a book and more just me fangirling about a book with a gag order haha

The Paper Swan is a romance grounded in realism, built on the many startling shades of humanity, and shrouded with darkness, pain, heartache, revenge, and the innocent flame of childhood that refuses to burn out no matter how much the hungry wolves devour. A harrowing journey from betrayal to vengeance to forgiveness it will catch your breath, horrify you, twist tears from your reluctant eyes, and yet it is written with such captivating prose as to be lovely. Ugly hearts torn apart into a beautiful story. Shocking, refreshing, and stunningly unexpected, this is a contemporary read that is fated to dominate the shelves.

Cheers.

 Purchase here: The Paper Swan

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Meet Leylah Attar!

Leylah Attar writes stories about love – shaken, stirred and served with a twist. When she’s not writing, she can be found pursuing her other passions: photography, food, family and travel. Sometimes she disappears into the black hole of the internet, but can usually be enticed out with chocolate.
-Goodreads

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

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