YA book review: Bitter Sweet Love (The Dark Elements 0.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Bitter Sweet Love (The Dark Elements 0.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

YA paranormal romance

eBook, 105 pages

Published December 1st 2013 by Harlequin Teen (first published January 1st 2013)

In a sizzling prequel novella to her new series THE DARK ELEMENTS, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout draws readers into the extraordinary, irresistible world of Wardens and demons.

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...

Jennifer L. Armentrout has a way of immediately hooking her readers and keeping them invested in her characters, conflicts, and dramas. White Hot Kiss cemented my loyalty as a fan and this prequel novella in The Dark Elements series is a fast-paced, utterly romantic, and thrilling read.

I'm enthralled by this new world the author has created. Gargoyle wardens battling all types of demons from disgusting to dastardly combine together for plenty of surprise twists and various action scenes. Jasmine is incredibly likable. I understood her frustration over her close friend, Dez, suddenly leaving unexpectedly and how his return years later made things worse. How can one hate another or stay angry at them for hurting them when your own body betrays you by longing for this very person? This is the situation Jas finds herself in. Dez has returned for a reason and now he has to convince Jas his intentions are true. He says he loves her and wants her. Can she believe him? 

Or will he run away again? In order to accept him, she compiles a list of things he has to do with her--like a bucket list before she marries and settles down--before she'll even consider taking him back. But the reader already knows what Jas will do simply by seeing how she responds whenever Dez is near. When it comes to love, the heart can tell the outcome faster than the brain.

Bitter Sweet Love wonderfully expresses the full meaning of its title every time Jas and Dez get together. Their scenes are filled with delicious tension, seductive looks and nods, igniting touches, and I'll admit I enjoyed every single second reading them. Armentrout is a fantastic treasure to readers. She always knows how to create awesome characters, employs the perfect voice, infuses her scenes with the right combo of emotions while the action keeps readers riveted. This may be paranormal but her worlds are rooted in realism, allowing readers to always wonder "What if?" Loved it! 

Rating: 4

Cover comment:

I'm not sold on the covers in this series. I wish they had some more color and something more to keep me visually interested. I find them boring.

Book source:

Purchased.