NatashaReadsBooks: Review: Darling Venom

Title: Darling Venom

Author: Parker S Huntington

Release Date: December 11, 2021

My first love ended in tragedy.

My second began with his brother.

From Wall Street Journal bestseller Parker S. Huntington comes a broken love story laced with angst and forbidden romance.

I wasn’t supposed to be on that roof on Valentine’s Day.

Neither was Kellan Marchetti, the school’s designated freak.

We met on the verge of ending our lives.

Somehow, the tattered strings of our tragedies tangled and tightened into an unlikely bond.

We decided not to take the plunge and agreed to check on each other every Valentine’s Day until school ended.

Same time.

One roof.

Two restless souls.

We kept our promise for three years.

On the fourth, Kellan made a decision, and I was left to deal with the consequences.

Just when I thought our story ended, another one began.

They say all love stories look the same and taste different.

Mine was venomous, disgraceful, and written in scarlet scars.

My name is Charlotte Richards, but you can call me Venom.

Oh my heart, where do I even begin with this book.

First, let me say there IS a trigger warning of depression, suicidal ideation, & suicide/death. So definitely go in with that in mind. I knew there was a trigger warning before starting but didn't know of what & went in blind. (My usual preference for reading, but for those who need it it's there).

"My suicide was a tightly knit constellation of tragedies, sewn together by bad luck, circumstances and despair."

Charlotte Richards climbed to the roof of her school on Valentine's Day with one thing in mind. What she didn't expect was to meet someone upon the roof with the same idea. Kellan Marchetti. The school freak. On the verge of ending their lives, they made a pact to meet upon that roof every year on Valentine's Day until they graduated. They kept their promise for three years. On the fourth Kellan made a decision, leaving Charlotte behind to deal with the consequences of his actions.

But just when she thought one story ended, another began. One story ending in tragedy. A second beginning with his brother.

"She was broken, I was destroyed. This has disaster written all over it."

So, what can I say about this book? I fell in love within these pages. With the characters, and the story. My heart aches for everything that has happened too. And, I related to it as well. I was a depressed teenager, and adult who self harmed and was on the verge of ending my life multiple times. So these words resonated with me. They embedded themselves into my heart and soul. I cried for these characters, grieved for and with them. And hurt for them as well. But, I loved them. I loved the words, and the story. It was heart breaking, soul shattering but also filled with love, hope, promises and character growth and so much more.

"I knew myself well enough to know I didn't survive books. They tore me to shreds. I'd never met an inanimate object as talented at breaking hearts as a book."

One of the most truest quotes I have read. I love a book that makes me feel. And boy did this book deliver. It broke my heart, splintered it into thousands of little pieces, but it also mended it back together again. It was raw, and full of grief and hurt. But also full of love and hope too.

Kellan was a depressed teen, who died much too young. But he stuck it out for three more years past when he first planned to kill himself, thanks to Charlotte. His first love. She may not have fully saved him that day, but prolonged his life, giving him a friendship and reason to hold on, even if for only a little while longer.

Charlotte may have been depressed and ready to die that first day on the roof because of tragedy, but Kellan saved her. And as time passes she learned to get better-have hope and to hold on and see things through.

Their story may have ended before it even began, but then Charlotte met Tate. Kellan's older brother. The one Kellan hated. And she made it her mission to try and save him like she couldn't save his brother, even if he didn't know it. But was their story doomed from the start?

And throughout it all, Charlotte was also trying to fulfill Kellan's last wish, but can she make it happen or will it consume her?

"Suicide is a war of two fears- fear of death and fear of the thing that pushes you toward it. The stronger side always wins. And if you lose, the penalty is death."

If you are looking for a book that will break your heart and make you grieve, I highly recommend Darling Venom. It was tragic, but hopeful, and an amazing amazing read. I went in blind with zero expectations - but this book gave me more than I bargained for. I have no idea where to go next after this book. I absolutely loved it. 5 soul shattering ⭐ out of 5 ⭐.

* If you or some one you know is experiencing suicidal ideation or thoughts please please please seek help. You are not alone. You matter & this world is so much better with you in it. It may be dark now, but hold out for hope for that light.

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741).