DNF Series Review: Contrite by Kathy Coopmans

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Synopsis for Contrite (from Goodreads):

Clove Calloway knows within an hour of picking up her husband Turner from the airport that something is different, yet she can’t pinpoint what. Together since college, they know everything about each other… so why has she spent the last few days watching everything he does, hoping for a clue? What could have happened within the week he was gone?
One way or another, she’s going to find out.
When Clove enlists the help of her brother Zach, a police detective, she’s afraid her suspicions of infidelity will be confirmed. Terrified that such news will crush her heart, she sets about preparing for the worst, only to find it’s much more than she could have imagined- there is no other woman.
Clove’s life is about to descend into a web of deceit, lies, and betrayal.
Appearances can be deceiving…and only the Master Manipulator will be left standing.

*Note* This book contains graphic scenes of physical and sexual violence. Reader discretion is advised.

SERIESous’ Top Picks: Worst Read 2018
Series: Contrite Duet
Author: Kathy Coopmans
# of Books: 2 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Adult, Dark, Contemporary, Romance, Drama, Erotica
Heat Rating: Smokin’ (Kink: mild)
Point of View: First Person, Single
Publication Dates: March 2015 – June 2015
Source & Format: Own–eBook

Disclaimer: I only read Contrite (#1) and have opted not to pick up Reprisal (#2). Find out why below…

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

I had never heard of this series but when I got an email alerting me to the fact that the duet boxset was on sale for $1, I decided to check it out. I enjoy a dark romance on occasion and I love the idea of a suspenseful romance as well (though they often don’t meet my expectations). The reviews for this were pretty positive and while I kinda knew what was “off” with her husband, I liked the idea that there was a bigger plot line at play.

For me, this is one of those cases where I go “why does it have so many 5 star reviews”?!?

What I Liked:

–Epilogue–

I could say something like “I was just glad it was over”; but I will admit that the twist we get with the epilogue was a good one. It’s a good mind-f**k for the reader and I always enjoy those.

What I Didn’t Like:

–All the Sex–

I’m all for a good erotica novel but this was just too much for me! When you are getting smut in place of actual plot development, I’m not a fan. I didn’t pick this book up for sexy times–I picked it up for suspense and we don’t really get that.

–Clove–

She is perhaps one of the most frustrating leads I have ever had the displeasure of reading about. She is just all over the place. As she says at one point during the book “my libido overruled my common sense” but I’m not sure the girl even had common sense at any point.

There are two scenes in particular that really had me shaking my head and I just have to share them in spoilers because I need to get it off my chest.

Why Clove is an Idiot:

Context: it turns out that the man Clove picks up from the airport is her husband’s identical twin brother that no one knew about. So I can forgive the girl for sleeping with him when she doesn’t know better. But when Clove does find out, she still sleeps with the twin because he makes her super horny and gives her the best sex of her life! She even lets him use the “backdoor” if you know what I mean! Why? She doesn’t want him to know that she knows he isn’t the real Turner. Then she laments on and on about how guilty she feels. But then later, after the evil twin assaults her, she worries that her husband will never forgive her because she was assaulted AND willingly slept with the brother. I don’t think he would care about the assault in that respect, but willingly sleeping with his brother? Yeah, I would question your commitment to him too.

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–Plot Holes–

I’ll give a specific example in my spoilers but there were just some things that didn’t add up for me when it came to the plot. The basics were there but how it develops is lacking.

Example of Plot Hole:

So Trent (evil twin brother) takes Clove with him to force her husband to sign something for the inheritance. But why can’t Trent just pretend to be the brother and sign the document for the money–isn’t that the whole point of stealing his brother’s identity and life in the first place? Why are we going through all this crap at all?

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Will I Finish It?

The only reason I finished Contrite was because it was like a bad movie you just can’t help watching. I just wanted to see how far everything would go (and the answer is pretty far). But I have no desire to continue on with the series. I’ve read a few spoilers from Reprisal (#2) and I have a general gist of what happens but my brain can’t take another dive back into this series.