Betrayals is the fourth book in Kelley Armstrong’s Cainsville series and therefore this review may contain spoilers for the previous books.

Olivia is drawn into an investigation when her boyfriend Ricky is linked to a series of murders. Murders he quite obviously has nothing to do with. What seems to be a serial killer targeting young prostitutes, turns out to be linked to Cainsville and the fae, making it ever harder to avoid the elders and their desire for Olivia to make her choice. CΕ΅n Annwn or Tylwyth Teg? Ricky or Gabriel?
I honestly have mixed feelings about this series and more specifically this book. I mean, itβs not the greatest story in the world but I still got to the end and really wanted to read more. The mystery of a serial killer targeting the lamiae could have been done so much better it instead it was just a vehicle for the whole Matilda-Gwynn-Arawn thing.
Itβs a lot more focused on the mystical love triangle now and Iβm torn. Iβve always liked Gabriel and his friendship with Olivia but then Rickyβs a nice guy and is generally good for her. And they are both being so nice about it all. The moments where Gabriel opens up are so sweet because of who he is.
This was the Ricky I knew, the guy who worried about a hound, who’ll whisper to it and coax it back, while asking me not to leave his sight. Consideration. Caring. Which is no weakness at all.
Iβm not sure I am a fan of the third person narrated chapters from Gabriel and Rickyβs point of view. In some cases it made them seem a bit creepy, what with their stream of consciousness when Olivia was, well, unconscious. First example, she and Ricky are cuddled up asleep in the woods, as they do, and he wakes up. He then goes through the thought process that itβs OK to start having sex with her when sheβs still asleep based on how she moved towards his hand or made sleepy gestures or something. I mean, I guess in a long term relationship you might have agreements on this kind of thing but it was so over-explained it made it more into an issue. Really, you shouldnβt be having sex without consent.
Then fast-forward to a near death experience; Olivia is at risk of hypothermia and Gabriel is umming and ahhing whether to do the right thing of taking her wet clothes off and giving her his warmth. This is all fine, and itβs in his character to overthink this bit. But then sheβs apparently unconscious and thereβs a kiss, but sheβs sort of awake and Gabriel goes on and on about how she knows what sheβs doing and he didnβt start it. And again, itβs one of those scenes that suddenly made it feel like there were consent issues.
Iβm pretty sure Iβll carry on reading the series but it you were a little on the fence about it, this might be the final straw.
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Book Source: Purchased
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