Review: Tainted Love by Eva Marquez

I cannot freaking believe that I read this entire book only to realize that it ends on a freaking cliffhanger! So a little warning for all of you out there expecting to read about that happily-ever-after between Tom and Isabel… Yeah, not happening. After reading and really enjoying the first book (Sweetest Taboo) I was more than ready to dive into this book and see what the future had in store for these two love-birds… Yet had I known beforehand that the second book ended the way it did, there is no way I would have continued on with the series.

For starters, this book was a huge disappointment in comparison to its predecessor. …The main reason why? The heroine, Isabel. I don’t think I’ve ever been more frustrated with a character in all of my life. I knew going into this series that she would be a lot more immature than the hero Tom since they had such a significant age difference between each other, and in the first book it was understandable… After-all, she was still a teenager in high school. …But her actions in this book once she had graduated and went to college, were just completely unacceptable. It was as if the older she got, the more immature she got and it grated on my nerves to no end. I just felt like her character was projected in such a negative light which made it really difficult for me like her- In fact, after reading this book and getting a little more insight into her thoughts and feelings, I’m not sure if I even want Izzy and Tom to get their happy ending. Her actions and some of the choices she made throughout this novel made her seem completely undeserving of his faithful love.

In this book, we finally got to hear Tom’s point of view. Not knowing how he felt about Isabel in the first book just made the relationship seem a bit one-sided for me... Yet after finally getting the chance to hear his thoughts on things, I was finally able to see how deep his love for Isabel really did run. However, getting to know the background of his past and finding out even more about his character and the type of man he is only made me worry that if he ever does find that happy ending with Isabel, he’d only be settling once again. I will say this though: While I commend his character for many things, I also feel like he’s a total pushover… His marriage being proof of that. It’s not something that I’d typically consider an attractive quality which could be a big reason why I just feel so meh about him.

…Another thing that drives me up the freaking wall in my books? Constant inner monologue. …I just can’t take it. Occasionally is okay- But when it takes the place of actual conversation and I start to feel like I’m reading a book based on thoughts rather than interaction, then it becomes a big issue for me. For example: This book. I felt like I was reading page after page of wish-washy thoughts and it literally drove me insane. On top of that, the lack of communication between the hero and heroine was absolutely absurd. I’m a woman… Therefore I can totally understand hesitancy and self-doubt when it comes to discussing feelings- But Isabel did nothing but keep lies, infidelity and secrets from Tom yet at the same time constantly questioned his faithfulness and devotion to her- It was hypocrisy at its finest ladies and gentleman, and not a pleasant thing to read about.

I’ve never read a romance novel where I found myself not rooting for the hero and heroine to end up together in the end; It’s just never happened… Until now. Perhaps I’d feel differently after reading the final book in this series, but after finishing this one I don’t plan on even bothering with the concluding book. If you’re a fan of constant inconsiderate, childish and selfish behavior from your heroines, as well as relationships based on absolutely no trust or communication, then by all means this is the book for you. …With that being said though, I want to make it clear that I’m not saying that the love that these two characters share isn’t genuine or real- And to be fair, I probably shouldn’t judge anything too harshly before reading the next book and finishing the entire completed story as a whole first. …But since I don’t have any future plans to read the next installment to the series, let’s just say that my last impression wasn’t that impressive.

Review: Sweetest Taboo by Eva Marquez

★★★★ 4 Big Stars! ★★★★


This book seriously sucked me in from the first page to the last. I’m a huge fan of taboo themed books so it’s no secret that I would practically be drooling over a book revolving around a fifteen year old girl having an affair with an older man… Who happened to be her teacher… And who also happened to be married with kids.



Be still my heart.

Isabel Cruz is a fifteen year old high school student who fell head over heels for her high school swim coach, Tom Stevens. The entire story is told through her point of view which is something that I appreciated so much because I felt like it allowed readers the chance to understand that love can truly be found in this type of forbidden relationship as well as at such a young age. What may have started off as your standard crush quickly developed into so much more. I really have to commend Isabel’s maturity here… Sure, there were times when she acted like your typical teenager and made some pretty dumb decisions, but over-all she handled her relationship with Tom extremely well considering everything that they had to go through. Their entire relationship was a struggle and had I been in her shoes, I don’t know if I would have been able to handle all of the jealousy and secrecy that they both had to experience day in and day out.

Tom on the other hand, was extremely sweet. …And let’s be honest here- There’s no doubt in my mind, that had he been my swim coach I probably would have tried to start my own affair with him...

Call me a home wrecker if you must, but my God it’s the truth. The man had some serious feelings for Isabel and he always treated her with the utmost respect. That, along with his extreme patience were both such endearing qualities which made me love and appreciate his character all the more.

This book will definitely show you that love doesn’t always come easy. Their relationship is very illegal… Not only because of the student/teacher factor, but the age difference. Isabel was barely into her mid-teens before she began her love affair with Tom who just so happened to be in his late thirties. Yet, never once did I find any of those things to be what some would call “disgusting” or “gross” and I certainly never thought of Tom as some kind of pedophile. I felt like the love they had for each other was truly genuine, which for me just seemed to push all of thewrong that was in the midst of their relationship to the side and put what truly mattered in the forefront... True love.

I really felt for both characters on such an emotional level- Tom had a wife and children which really put a damper on things between him and Isabel. Despite the fact that Tom openly admits to Isabel that his wife was nothing but a glorified roommate whom he’s not even in love with, she still struggles to come to terms with the fact that he still continues to return to that home life night after night. To make matters worse, he never gives any indication that he plans to one day leave his family for her despite all of his proclamations of being head-over-heels in love with only her.

Beyond that, they both had to consistently be on guard and watch their backs on a 24/7 basis to make sure that their relationship stayed hidden from family, the public and especially authorities. …They both knew that they were taking the risk of a lifetime if they ever became exposed for there would have been dire consequences to be had, but the fact that they were both willing to risk so much time and time again, really showed the depth of their feelings for one another.

The only few negative aspects about this book for me was the minor lack of character development when it came to Tom’s character. To be fair though, the story was told strictly in Isabel’s point of view which could be a big reason why I didn’t feel like I really got to know Tom on the personal level that I did with Isabel. Anyone who knows me though, knows how big of an importance character development is for me and I’m happy to say that while this book lacked a little bit in that department, over-all it wasn’t enough to make me change my feelings about the story as a whole. I also felt like there could have been just a tad bit more length and depth to the details of their relationship as well- Amping up the steam factor would have definitely made a difference when it came to certain scenes, that’s for sure. I know, I know... Books don't always need graphic sex scenes... But the pervy side of me just missed the lack of it in this story. *hangs head in shame*

Over-all though, the author truly did an amazing job writing this story and addressing such a taboo topic- We’re able to see the hidden feelings and issues that both Isabel and Tom faced and dealt with in the years that they struggled to make their relationship work as best as they could. The thing I loved most about this book was that Eva Márquez created a world where the lines between fantasy and reality became extremely blurred. It takes true talent to be able to bring such extreme emotion out of readers... An emotion so great that you actually question yourself on whether something that's deemed socially unacceptable to society is really all that wrong. Without a doubt, this is one author to look out for in the future and one book that is definitely worth the read.

PS: …After finishing this book there’s no way you won’t be dying to see what’s in store next for this couple and if their love truly is strong enough for them both to get that much deserved fairy-tale ending. …Now I’m off to read Tainted Love!